Mar Menor M260

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iSSue 260 mar menor 9-15 januaryeST. 7 yrS

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San Fulgencio The Mayor of San Fulgencio, Carlos Ramirez and the Councillor for the Urbanisations,

Jeff Wiszniewski, delivered to José María Manresa Navarro school, a cheque for 300€ and packets of school supplies to 400 children thanks to the money raised during the Christmas craft market held in early December.

Another part of the profits of the market, in which many residents of the urbanisations participated, was donated to families with little resources and in addition, a group of women decided to give all of their takings to buy books for the school library

MazarrónThe usual Brit habit of taking a New Year’s Day dip in the sea was well supported at

the Playa Bahia, Mazarrón – a much more clement venue than anywhere in the British Isles on that day!

This slightly daft but very praiseworthy practice was in aid of PALS Café Fund, which will go, in conjunction with the Lions, towards buying an additional ambulance for the benefit of locals.

Around 300 spectators watched as the 18 swimmers, many of whom were in fancy dress, ran into the sea. There was the usual chicken outfit, men in tights, outrageous wigs, and this year, a magnificent portrayal of (not!) Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, originally played by Linda Baron in the comedy sit-com Open All Hours.

It is hoped that this year’s event will raise well over 1,000€. For more information about PALS and their future fundraising activities go to PALS Mazarón.

JaveaJavea Port Market is the venue for the Harvest Store, a recently opened Centre for

food hand-outs for needy families – at present it is estimated that they are helping some 61 families.

This is an undertaking by Peter and Tricia Cox, who rely on the generosity of members of the public to donate food at various ‘Drop in a Box’ sites around the town, and on the practical help of volunteers.

Peter and Tricia estimate that a standard food basket costs around 11€. Peter said ‘This week we will need 429€, which will provide a basket for 39 families. We have to have a regular income of approximately 500€ to 600€ a week, but if we are to help everybody, and we need a regular income.’

The Drop in a Box scheme has been running successfully for 30 months, and generous support has been forthcoming from the Iceland Supermarket, as well as one marvellous lady supporter had purchased nine trolleys full of food and also donated a fridge-freezer.

Harvest Store had been launched to try and fill the gap as Javea’s Red Cross and Caritas are struggling to cope with growing numbers of desperate people of all nationalities, including British. They are referred to the Harvest Store by the El Faro Baptist Church, Social Services, and the charity Guardian Angels – which supports single parent families.

The Store provides not only food but also a stock of children’s clothing and donated toys, many of them brand new. Regretably the Store does not provide regular supplies of baby commodities unless it has them donated, due to the price of purchasing them.

Peter is an ordained minister and a teacher at Xabia International College, and both he and Tricia run Mosaic Ministries, which has a number of initiatives projected for 2013 to help families and homeless people.

The Harvest Store has been given permission to stage a weekly ‘rastro’ at Javea Port Market on Mondays, starting at the end of January or early February.

Anyone wishing to donate food can do so at the store itself or at Fiesta Crafts, Javea, the Benitachell Arts Centre, or at Iceland Supermarket.

Cash donations are also much needed, and can be made via Pay Pal at the website www.MosaicSpain.com

TorrevieJaIt seems that the Torrevieja Ayuntamiento might have made a New Year resolution to

get on with development of the new Market area! The planned site, near the Parque Antonio Soria, has been designated for the

traditional Friday street market, which presently takes place beside the Torrevieja’s Bus Station, and is Spain’s largest Friday Market.

However, despite its size and success, the location is not suitable for a number of reasons: It is a predominantly urban area with significant traffic congestion on market

MPs caught Playing scrabble during regional ParliaMent Meeting on the health service

Two politicians have been caught on camera playing Scrabble on their mobile phones during a regional parliamentary conference in Madrid about the privatisation of the health service in the capital.

Bartolomé González and María Isabel Redondo, both MPs on the PP, were challenging each other to Scrabble when the decision to privatise six hospitals was made – a decision that has already led to the resignation of 150 doctors and a protest involving 300 medical professionals and members of the public.

The two MPs were playing the game in French, as was revealed by the photograph taken by reporter Álvaro García from the national newspaper El País, which caused

them extreme embarrassment on social networks when it went viral that same day.

González, on his Twitter page, immediately published the message: “A thousand apologies. There’s no excuse.”

Redondo, on her own Twitter page, added a similar message minutes later: “I very much regret what happened. There is no excuse. And of course, it will not happen again. I’m sorry.”

This was followed by: “After many years of parliamentary activity, I have made a mistake which is out of character for me.”

The PP says it ‘regrets what happened’ and will ask for explanations about the two MPs’ ‘attitude’ before they make any decision on how to deal with the matter.

days, the inconvenience caused to residents, and the near impossibility of clearing the area in case of an emergency in the market.

The new site will have 5,000 parking spaces and easy access for buses and cars, plus more space for stalls, and has easy access from the city and the N332. It will also be suitable for the staging of other cultural events, and will have two service buildings, a police checkpoint, a medical emergency room, management zones, container area, cafe, toilets and other facilities. It will be landscaped, including a woodland, and embellished with garden ornaments.

It seems that the hold up in construction was primarily due to having to design special drainage channels to take flood rainwater.

It is expected that the site will be ready in time for the 2013 May Fair, which has outgrown its present site next to the Harbour.

So far the Department of Infrastructure has invested a total of 5,328,885.60€. in the development.

gandiaChildren at the Preventorio Infantil de Gandia had a wonderful surprise for the

Three Kings celebration when they were each given a card and present containing a 10€ note. 50 children attend the Preventorio, which is run by nuns, with a few volunteers.

This was a result of an idea from 8 year old Sean McConnachie, who had the bright idea of a ‘Kids for Kids’ fund, and set about selling calendars for the cause with the help of his parents, Ian and Dr Birgit McConnachie.

His Dad said ‘We are so very, very proud of him – he has enjoyed his Christmas presents and is now looking forward to giving presents to the children at Gandia. The whole idea was about Kids for Kids and he wants to put a smile on the faces of every one of them.’

Sean’s idea and initiative has resulted in a magnificent 6,000€, a truly remarkable sum.

MurciaAccording to Murcia Today, the Murcian property market has shown an overall

decline of 7.2% for new properties in towns and cities, according to a 6 month survey by 4,000 property professionals in 400 municipalities.

This figure does not take into account the sometimes massive price drops made by banks seeking of offload repossessed properties, so-called ‘toxic’ properties.

Larger falls have been seen in coastal and holiday properties, where developers have simply run out of money to complete projects, or owners have been forced for one reason or another to abandon their dreams.

The domestic market for residential flats in cities and towns remained relatively buoyant, though lack of liquidity for mortgages and fears of unemployment have started to drive down the price per metre for residential flats. During 2012 the price of new residential city and large town property officially fell by 6.9% throughout Spain according to the Valuation Society, the Sociedad de Tasación, who predict that prices will continue to fall during 2013.

They report that the price of property has actually declined by 33.5% from maximum levels in 2007, putting the price of housing now at the same levels as it was at the beginning of 2003.

The study has been carried out on an annual basis since 1985, and data is released every six months. Information is supplied by 4,000 real estate professionals, and based on the valuations of 68,000 properties in 400 municipalities.

The figures relate to 50 capital cities from each of the Spanish provinces, 21 cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants, 50 cities of more than 50,000 people and 73 towns with a population of over 25,000 people.

The principal conclusions were: The price of a new flat in the major capitals was 2.212 euros per square metre, pricing a regular 90m2 apartment at 199.100 euros, a decline of 6.9% as opposed to December 2011.

The biggest fall was seen in cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants, with prices in 8 capital cities falling by more than 10%.

San Sebastián, Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid are the most expensive cities, with prices well above the average of 2.212 per metre, whilst in others such as Murcia, Cáceres, Badajoz, Pontevedra, Jaén, Cuenca, Lugo and Ciudad Real, the prices are well under 1.400 euros per square metre.

BeniTachellChildren in the EMAUS home were overjoyed by this year’s Three Kings visit. Friends of the Children of EMAUS President Carole Saunders said that thanks to

charity donations she and her team were able to go on a 1,300€ shopping spree to ensure that the children had a festive feast. The money was donated by Benitachell Charity Shop, while a further gift of 1,500€ from the Freemasons will go towards buying winter coats and shoes, taking advantage of the January sales period.

The fund was further swelled by a toy drive run by the charity. Carole said ‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help

and support in 2012 and wish them a Happy New Year.’

orihuelaCanny residents of Orihuela have discovered an easy way to avoid paying taxes

– by counterfeiting No Parking signs!The signs in question are the official Council issued No Parking signs that are given

to residents who have paid for them to be put outside their entrances, or Vados. Apparently no-one has been specifically detailed to collect the annual fees, and

Government spokesman Pedro Mancebo, estimates that in Orihuela alone they are losing an estimated 80,000€ per year!

The whole system seems to be in a state of shambles, with some residents having paid their fee even though they never received final authorisation to put a Vado and others who have been paying for years but who have never received updated signs.

Torrevieja Town Hall has been the target of much criticism when they tried to charge house owners 80€ to have access to their driveway over a pavement. Councillor for Town Planning, Antonio Zapata is working on a modification of the ‘tax ordinance regulating the entry fee for vehicles through the sidewalks,’ but Pedro Mancebo refused to be drawn on exactly what these modifications would be.

local neWs uPdate......

Sport


rajoy: “2013 will Be a rocky roaD”

Spain’s president has warned of ‘tough times ahead’ for 2013 with even more ‘sacrifices’ on the part of the general public on the cards.

Although Mariano Rajoy still insists the country will not need a European bail-out, he has not ruled this out in the future if necessary.

Spending power will reduce even further this year, particularly in the first six months, and up to half a million redundancies will be made throughout the country this year.

With already a third of Spain’s less well-off regions, such as the Canary Islands, Andalucía and Extremadura, below the poverty line, the situation is set to worsen this year.

But Rajoy insists that the second half of 2013 will see a slow recovery and by 2014,

new jobs will start being created.He stresses that he does not intend to

increase IVA this year or next – it having already gone up from 18 to 21 per cent this year, after rising from 16 to 18 per cent in 2010 under the previous government – nor raise State pension age beyond 67 years.

The president has also pledged to reduce income tax to its former levels in 2014, after it jumped by over a third in 2012.

Yet a recent report from Oxfam says that in less than a decade, four in 10 people in Spain will be living in actual poverty. Based upon previous economic downturns in Asia and South and Cëntral America, the charity says if austerity measures continue for much longer they could cause ‘serious damage’ and a ‘drastic increase’ in ‘social exclusion and poverty’.

Spain’S firST BaBy of 2013

arriVeS aT 30 SeconDS paST

miDniGHTThe first baby of 2013 was

born in Tortosa (Tarragona) at 30 seconds past midnight on January 1 – pipping baby number two, David, at the post.

Little Gerard is the first child of mum Montse Espinosa, 34, a laboratory worker, and the second child of Lluís Vendrell, 43, who works for a fertiliser company.

Lluís said he was thrilled to be able to witness the birth of his new son, who weighed 3.8 kilos (around 8lb), since his first child was born by Caesarian section, meaning he was unable to be present.

They had rushed to hospital at around 09.00hrs on New Year’s Eve when Montse started suffering contractions, and both said Gerard was ‘the best possible New Year present’.

The second baby in Spain of this year is David, a tiny 1.8 kilos (4lb) who was born to María Rosa Navarro Ortega, 23, and Simón Cagua Guerrero, 33, in the Francesc de Borja hospital in Gandia (Valencia).

The first babies in Castellón and in the province of Alicante have Moroccan mothers – Rayhana, the first baby girl along with Blanca in Ronda (Málaga) and Nigerian infant Rachael in Sevilla, came along at 00.15hrs in Castellón city and baby Amir was born at 00.47hrs in Dénia (Alicante).

The first baby in Murcia was Oriol, a little boy who arrived at 00.15hrs – the same time as Candela, in Vigo, the first baby for Galicia and 10 minutes before the first one in Navarra.

In the Balearic Islands, the first baby born was Albania, to Bolivian parents, but she was somewhat later than the others as she arrived at 03.57hrs.

Many of 2013’s first babies were born to foreign parents – Eythem, the third of the year, in Madrid, has a Peruvian mum and Maikel, the first in the Basque Country, has a Bolivian mother and father.

Elderly Homeowner Locks Fake Gas Inspectors In Her

House and Calls PoliceTwo bogus gas inspectors who stole jewellery from an elderly

lady got more than they bargained for when their victim locked them in her house and called the police.

They called round at the house in Vilassar de Dalt (Barcelona) the week before Christmas, claiming they were from the gas board, showing convincing-looking identity cards.

But the old lady was still suspicious about whether they were real and kept an eye on them as they ‘inspected’ her gas fittings.

They told her to sign forms which looked like blank invoices, saying they would fill them in later after they had left.

Just at that moment, the woman noticed that one of the gas inspectors was missing and caught him coming down the stairs out of the corner of her eye.

She also saw that the bedroom had been left open.Locking the door so they could not get out, the pensioner

checked her room and saw that various items of jewellery had been stolen.

She immediately called the Local Police, who arrested the men.One of them had managed to get away but was handcuffed and

put in a cell when he later turned up at the police station to ask about the welfare of his friend.

They have been identified as Carlos Javier A.S., 26, a Cuban national living in Montcada i Reixac (Barcelona) and José P.D., 37, a Spaniard from L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona).

RetiRement age to Rise to 67 in stages fRom JanuaRy 1

State pension age will gradually rise to 67 as from Tuesday, January 1, says the Spanish government.

Anyone born in or after 1948 – who will turn 65 in 2013 – will be affected by the change, and anyone born in or after 1960 – who will be 53 this coming year – will not be allowed to retire before they turn 67.

Only those workers who have been paying Social Security – or had it paid by their employers – for a full 38 years will get their pensions between age 65 and 67 on a sliding scale until the year 2027.

On the plus side, where workers’ wages for the last 15 years before they retired were taken as an average for calculating their State pension, from the start of 2013 this will rise to 25 years.

It means that if a soon-to-be pensioner

has been unemployed for some time towards the end of his or her working life, this is less likely to have such a negative impact on their eventual earnings when they give up their jobs.

The increase from 15 to 25 years will be gradual – one additional year between now and the end of 2022.

Only those over age 55 who have lost their jobs rather than leaving them voluntarily, or self-employed persons who have spent a year or more being unable to pay their Social Security due to ceasing their activities temporarily due to financial problems or lack of work will be eligible to use more than 15 years to calculate their retirement pension.

Those who chose to give up work for a time after age 55 will be restricted to 15 years.

ciVil SerVanTS To work nine To fiVePublic sector employees will see a large chunk of their

freedom curtailed from the start of next year as their working hours are set to get longer and their lunch hours and time off reduced.

They will be expected to work 37 hours a day, normally 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs with half an hour for lunch, but this may be flexible and allow certain employees to start work at 07.30hrs or finish at 18.30hrs, depending upon their role.

In no cases will they be allowed a three-hour lunch break, and extra time off for ‘personal matters’ – such as renewing identity cards or driving licences – will be limited to three days a year.

At least half of their annual leave will have to be taken between mid-June and mid-September, and they will lose half a day’s pay for every day off sick from the fifth day onwards unless they have a doctor’s note.

The new rules are based on the fact that no staff member should lose ‘spending power’ due to a ‘normal’ number of sick days for an otherwise, generally healthy worker, but that this way it prevents excessive days off.

Mother And Infant Found Dead From Possible Carbon Dioxide

Poisoning In Mar Menor FlatA 10-month-old baby and his mother have been found

dead in their apartment in San Javier (Murcia) and the child’s grandmother has been hospitalised. Emergency services say none of the victims bore any signs of violence, and they believe they may have perished as a result of a gas leak.

Ambulance services and police were alerted at just after 22.00hrs on Boxing Day by a man who said he had not heard from his ex-partner or their son in three days and that he was standing by their front door but they were not answering the bell – even though all the lights in the house were on.

Local Police broke into the house and called out an ambulance staffed by paramedics when they found the infant and his mother dead and the grandmother unconscious, but still breathing.

The grandmother was taken to Los Arcos del Mar Menor hospital and her condition has been stabilised.

At first glance, emergency services suspect carbon dioxide poisoning from the heater, but a post-mortem will need to be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of death.

5SOLTIMES JANUARY 2013www.soltimes.com

train services covering 52% of routes to be rePlaced With buses

Spain’s government has decided to eliminate medium-distance train lines and replace them with buses to save money.

The move will affect transport networks across the country and is expected to save 51 million euros.

According to Mariano Rajoy’s cabinet, some 52 per cent of trains cover routes used by just 16 per cent of passengers.

The ministry of public works says it costs them an average of 371 euros per ticket to run these services, against an average ticket price of 11 euros.

But as medium-distance trains – those covering routes of approximately 100 kilometres or less – are mainly used by commuters, the dramatic fall in employment figures in the past five years is largely what has led to the reduction in passenger numbers.

And many local and regional governments have been clamouring for years for more, rather than fewer, train services.

These include the long-awaited Alicante-Valencia rail link along the coast.

Regional governments will be permitted to continue running train lines they consider to be important, but at their own cost.

Concerning the cutbacks already made and yet to come, Rajoy has warned the general public that 2013 will be ‘a very difficult year’ but that the State ‘must persevere with its reforms’.

A disabled man whose leg does not work as a result of a rare hereditary disease is touring the whole of Spain on a hand-bike. Sergio Martín, from Huelva in south-western Spain, is due to start his 2,000-kilometre tour this week, pedalling only with his hands. He will cover cycle routes throughout the entire country.

The plucky biker lost the use of most of his right leg due to a condition known as Perthes’ Syndrome, which causes necrosis in the head of the femur and severe arthritis in the hip, reducing movement by 90 per cent. It means he is unable to walk more

than a few metres, cannot run and cannot ride a conventional bike. But constant training means he is able to easily cover a fair distance on a hand-bike, which is steered, pedalled, and the brakes operated and gears changed, using hands only.

“People with disabilities should concentrated on their abilities,” he quips. “Instead of focusing on what we cannot do which able-bodied people can, we should focus on the things we can do, despite our condition. “This is the only way we can enjoy a normal life – and especially our leisure activities, free time and sports.”

photo: huelva24.com

disabled cyclist rides 2,000 kiloMetres around sPain on a hand-Pedalled bike

anti-aids vaccine discovered in barcelona hosPital

A vaccine which holds back HIV developing into AIDS has been devised by scientists in Barcelona’s Hospital Clínic, who say this is ‘just the start’ in the ongoing search for a cure.

The jab’s effects last 12 months, meaning it will need to be repeated, but will lessen the need for HIV-positive patients to take immune-boosting drugs.

These have to be taken for life and are expensive, difficult to acquire outside western civilisation and can have unpleasant side-effects as well as causing long-term, permanent damage.

A 19-year-old girl in Madrid infected at birth by her mother – who died when she was two – says medication left her with broken bones on one occasion because it stripped the calcium from her body.

Such drugs are in themselves a massive step forward for a condition that guaranteed premature death just 30 years ago, but for the majority of sufferers – who live in the third world – access to them is limited or non-existent.

But a vaccine is cheap and longer-lasting, say

researchers behind the discovery.

“We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close,” says Dr Josep María Gatell, head of the infectious illnesses department at Hospital Clínic, who calls the achievement ‘a very significant step’ towards the ultimate aim, that of eradicating HIV and AIDS altogether.

Around 150,000 people in Spain – of whom 30,000 live in Catalunya, Barcelona’s region – are HIV positive.

Worldwide, the figure is in excess of 30 million.

In poor and developing countries, blood transfusions and needle-sharing among

drug-users are frequent causes, and lack of available birth control means many mothers in these nations – particularly African countries – pass the condition on to their children in the womb.

This is more frequent in primitive cultures where women are considered subordinate to men and expected to serve them sexually without question, or where promiscuity is the norm.

In the western world, HIV is more likely to be sexually-transmitted, with infected men having a 90 per cent risk of passing on the condition and infected women 10 per

cent.

Whilst once considered to be almost exclusively a disease affecting gay men, heterosexual women are just as much at risk and figures in recent years have shown that there are more HIV-positive women who have had a high number of casual sexual partners without using protection than HIV-positive homosexual men.

But huge progress in the last 30 years means it is even possible for a man and woman to have a baby free of HIV where one or both of the parents are infected.

sPain agrees Parador hotels cuts

The Spanish government is closing one of its Parador hotels and laying off 350 staff, after reaching agreement with unions.

The chain of 94 hotels in converted castles, mansions and monasteries dates back to 1926.

The government announced plans in November to close seven hotels and cut 644 staff, but has reduced that after strikes and negotiations with unions.

The only site to close will be Puerto Lumbreras in southern Spain.

The state-run Paradores de Turismo lost 77m euros ($101m; £62m) in 2011. Its occupancy rates has fallen from 70% in 2007 to 52% last year.

The company said it expected its losses to have widened to 107m euros in 2012, despite cost-cutting measures.

Parador staff have held a series of strikes in recent weeks, including on 31 December and 1 January.

Although only one hotel will close completely, about 30 others will close for between two and four months each year, down from the originally planned five month closures.

About 15 of the chain’s restaurants will also be closed.Spain has the highest level of unemployment in the

eurozone, but tourism remains one of its few growth sectors.

Nonetheless, the sector has not been immune from job losses, with the airline Iberia in talks with unions about cutting 4,500 jobs.

• DEPARDIEu ‘NOW A RuSSIAN CITIzEN’...

Actor Gerard Depardieu, who has been involved in a furious tax row with the French government, is granted Russian citizenship, the Kremlin says.

• TuRKISH Ex-MILITARY BOSS ARRESTED...

Former Turkish army chief Gen Ismail Hakki Karadayi is held over a 1997 coup which ousted a pro-Islamist government.

• ORGAN DONOR SCANDAL HITS GERMANY...

Prosecutors investigate an organ donor scandal in the east German city of Leipzig in which doctors allegedly manipulated a waiting list for livers.

• uK’S FIRST HAND TRANSPLANT OPERATION...

A former pub landlord from West Yorkshire is making “good progress” after becoming the first person in the uK to have a hand transplant

• CROATIA PLANS CYRILLIC

SIGNS FOR SERBS IN

VuKOVAR...Croatia says it will introduce

signs in both Latin and Cyrillic scripts to respect Serb rights in the town of Vukovar, which was devastated by Croat-Serb fighting in 1991.

• BASquE NATIONALISTS

BATASuNA DISBAND FRENCH

PARTY...Basque nationalist group

Batasuna has announced it is closing down its party in France.

Sport


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Men Charged With Polop Double Murder Face 76 Years In Jail

Two men accused of the brutal murder of a woman and her eight-year-old son in Polop (Alicante) are facing sentences totalling 76 years.

The high court of justice hear that the victim, 26, who lived with her little son in a flat above a garage, had been in a short-lived relationship with José María z. B., who owned and worked in the premises along with Hassan F.S., and that she had decided to end it after a few months and move out.

Both the accused men are then said to have broken into the flat, where José María z.B. is said to have found the eight-year-old asleep on the sofa and belted him at least six times over the head with a heavy axe, causing his instant death.

At the same time, Hassan F.S. began to stab the woman with a carving knife while she tried to escape, before he was joined by José María z.B., who beat her with the axe.

Her body presented at least 25 wounds from each of the murder weapons.

The woman’s ex-boyfriend and the man who killed the child is facing 20 years in

jail for each of the two murders, whilst the prosecution service has called for 18 years for his accomplice for each of the crimes.

They may also have to pay 480,000 euros in compensation to the girl’s parents, since they have launched civil action against the two men.

Hassan E.S. was caught just a few days after the crime, which occurred in July 2011, but the second man was on the run for some months before being arrested.

José María z.B.’s family have presented an appeal on the grounds of ‘anomalies’ in the evidence collected and the reconstruction of the incident.

A court in La Vila Joiosa (Alicante) is also investigating whether the defence ‘manipulated’ recorded telephone conversations to hide evidence.

This is the second violent murder in Polop in the last three years, the former being mayor Alejandro Ponsoda, who was killed in a drive-by shoot-out on his doorstep, leaving a wife and two daughters in their 20s, one of whom was pregnant with his grandchild.

elecTriciTy To Go up aGain in january

Electricity bills are set to go up yet again in January – this time by three per cent. This follows the recent bidding between electricity companies – which in reality are brand names who buy the supply from Iberdrola – closed with an increase of six per cent. Half of this will be added to bills for consumption, and the other half pays the government for installations.

This increase is said to be ‘in line with upward-rising tendencies in the electricity market in the last few weeks’, caused by new taxes applied to the sector which include a seven-per-cent levy on production of nuclear power, gas, combustible fuel and carbon.

Consumer associations say all this will mean an across-the-board three-per-cent increase on utility bills, but the ministry of industry insists that it will only apply to those who use 10 per cent or more above the average consumption.

The price rises are an attempt to mop up the deficit in the industry, which is currently two billion euros above the permitted 1.5 billion and could even be 1.2 million more if the central government does not agree to meet the costs of grid installations for parts of Spain off the mainland.

Minister of industry José Manuel Soria says the government hopes to claw back three billion next year as a result of the price increase.

60% Of The Workforce Earns Less Than 12 Months Ago

Six in ten workers have less income than they did a year ago, according to a leading consumer association.

Among those people in Spain who still have jobs or self-employed work, only just over a third are on the same salary as they were at the end of 2011.

A further 63% have seen a drop in their income, with one in 10 workers losing over 20% and one in three losing between one and 10%.

Pensioners are also, in 44% of cases, in receipt of much lower amounts than they were 12 months previously, according to research by consumer protection group

OCu.The organisation says these cuts in wages

are affecting consumer spending, which is what keeps the economy afloat, traders in business, and employees in jobs.

Some of the workers have lower income due to pay cuts by their firms, and others because of the loss of traditional Christmas and summer extra salaries and other complements and bonuses contained within their monthly payslip, such as those for travelling, danger supplements, or for special skills or qualifications such as being a graduate or language abilities.

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At least 54 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents since the start of the Christmas break on Friday, December 21. In just over two weeks, 40 have also suffered injuries, 23 of them serious. The worst day on Spain’s roads was December 23, when 12 accidents claimed the lives of 13 people and left six in a serious condition in hospital and another six with minor wounds. These took place in Murcia, Cádiz, Jaén, Madrid, Córdoba, the Balearic Islands, Castellón, zaragoza, Ciudad Real and Toledo.

A total of 50 accidents led to at least one death, including six fatalities just over this weekend – four in accidents in Córdoba, Sevilla, Granada and Cuenca on Saturday, one in Navarra on Friday and another in Ourense, Galicia, on Sunday.

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muSic wiTH markSaturday Night Fever:

The Original Movie Sound Track is the soundtrack album from the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta. Released on November 15th 1977 on Polydor Records the album cemented the disco phenomenon which was exploding on both sides of the Atlantic in the mid seventies. In the united States, the album was certified 15x Platinum for shipments of over 15 million copies. The album stayed atop the album charts for 24 straight weeks from January to July 1978, and stayed on Billboard’s album charts for 120

weeks until March 1980. In the uK, the album spent 18 consecutive weeks at number one.

Along with the success of the movie, the soundtrack, composed and performed primarily by The Bee Gees, Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, it became the best-selling soundtrack album of all time (it was later surpassed by Whitney Houston’s soundtrack to The Bodyguard). The cultural impact of Saturday Night Fever in the united States was tremendous. The Bee Gees had originally written and recorded the five original songs for the film, “Stayin’ Alive”, “Night Fever” and “How Deep Is Your Love”, “More Than a Woman” (performed in the film in two different versions—one version by Tavares, and another by the Bee Gees) and “If I Can’t Have You” (performed in the movie by Yvonne Elliman) as part of a

regular album. They had no idea at the time they would be making a soundtrack, and say that; basically, they lost an album in the process. Two previously released Bee Gees songs “Jive Talkin’” and “You Should Be Dancing” were also included on the soundtrack. Other previously released songs from the disco era round out the music in the movie.

In addition to the Bee Gees’ score, additional incidental music was composed and adapted by Producer David Shire. Three of Shire’s cues “Manhattan Skyline”, “Night on Disco Mountain” (based on the classical piece “Night on Bald Mountain”) and “Salsation” are included on the soundtrack album as well.

The soundtrack also won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

In 1994, the soundtrack was re-released on CD

You can listen to Mark Davies on Costa Calida International Radio, Mon, Wed and Fri evenings 7.00 till 9.00 on 90 and 100 FM or www.costacalidaradio.com

through Polydor Records. The album was recently re-released on Reprise Records, as part of the Bee Gees’ regaining control of their master tapes.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 131 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums

of all time.

The soundtrack hit the Number 1 spot on Billboard Music Chart’s Pop Album and Soul Album Charts. In 2003 the TV network VH1 named it the 57th greatest album of all time.

Saturday Night Fever – The Original Movie Soundtrack was ranked 80th in a 2005

survey held by British television’s Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. Although not a great fan of disco music in general the album is a memorable piece of music history. The tracks are still played at parties, discos etc and will remain to do so for many more years to come.

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HarmoniSer’S cariTaS DaSH! The Harmoniser’s held their 6th Annual concert last November at Teatro Rojales. As usual it was a great success and hugely enjoyed by all. The proceeds from the show went to buying non-perishable food for the Rojales Charity CARITAS, to help the homeless and needy of Rojales.

After a successful Trolley dash in a local supermarket, helped by Harmoniser’s wives, they delivered the food to Maria Terasa Saef, who is in charge of the distribution. The Harmoniser’s would like to thank the kind customers at Super Valu, Campo de Golf, for their generosity in digging into their own purses to swell funds

for the large shopping list!

The Harmoniser’s wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year and hope to see you all soon at one of their appearances.

Male singers are always invited to come along for a listen and a laugh at their rehearsals every Tuesday afternoon, between 1.30pm and 4pm at Restaurante Rosales, along the Lemon Tree Road, Guardamar. If you are interested in 4 part acapella Harmony singing, why not come along - meet new friends and experience a fascinating new hobby. Visit the website www.theharmonisers.com or call 96 671 3342

PHOTO BY KRISTOFF


Following various queries as to where the monies raised in Spain goes to for the Poppy Appeal, I have sought confirmation from the District Chairman of the R.B.L. His response is below

Ian C Wilson, President, Ex Servicemen’s Association of Mazarrón District (ESAMD).

Dear Ian, ALL the monies raised in Spain are used here for our beneficiaries. At the end of each year, whatever surplus is left in our Welfare Fund, is returned to the uK as it earns much higher interest there. This is the same for ALL Overseas Branches around the world, however, that money is always available for us should we need it. Obviously, it would not make sense to keep building up a huge surplus here. For instance, last year we raised over €134,000.00 and to date have given out around €80,000.00 so when this year´s collection is added in, the surplus from last year is returned to the uK.

Although the majority of beneficiaries here are elderly, there have been a sprinkling of younger claimants.

Please thank your members for all their hard work and efforts in collecting for the Appeal this year. I will be announcing the Poppy total in January but it already looks like another record breaker.

Thank you

Chris Wyatt. Chairman, The Royal British Legion in Spain, District North

THe royal BriTiSH leGion in Spain, DiSTricT norTHmoney DiSTriBuTion - poppy appeal - upDaTe

The Welcome Group from Camposol went to Benidorm this year for Christmas.

This is the first time that the group has been away for the Christmas period and proved very popular as two coaches were fully booked.

The group stayed at the Helios Hotel for the 4 nights on full board including the Gala Christmas Lunch.

By the feedback the group has received everybody enjoyed themselves and many have already put their name down for Christmas 2013.

Welcome now look forward to 2013 with a games night on January 9th and then a tribute night with Buddy Holly, The Everlys, Roy Orbison, etc on January

23rd just 8 Euros and then a romantic Valentines night on February 14th bringing back The Jazz Singer, Gene Pitney and the big man with the big voice Matt Christian. 10 Euros.

All these events are held at Marianos restaurant,Camposol.

For more details contact Rosemary 620 105 179

welcome Group upDaTe

In December, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Club held their ladies’ annual Christmas competition. The golfers all dressed in red and black, wore a Christmas hat and had mince pies and brandy half way round the course. The golf competition

was supported by 65 ladies and 80 people attended lunch. A charity raffle at the lunch raised 585 Euros, which they donated to HELP Murcia Mar Menor.

Bernard Ash, the President of HELP Murcia Mar Menor, accepted the money raised from Marilynn Pearce at HELP’s office on Friday 21st December. The donation was much appreciated and will be a welcome addition

to HELP MMM’s funds. Photos: Bernard Ash receiving the

cheque from Marilynn Pearce; Two ladies from La Manga Club and two ladies from the German Society in Torrievieja.

laDy GolferS in reD & Black

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Shops can now hold their sales whenever they like without having to wait for January 7 or the summer months as in the past. They can also put up signs saying Rebajas (‘Sales’) at any time of the year.

The central government has decided to relax the rules in a bid to boost business year-round, and has also agreed that shops in areas popular with tourists – such as on the

coast or in parts of big cities – can open whenever they wish.

Sales can be held when the retailer considers it will most benefit them, meaning that shops which change their stock up to six times a year can put the end-of-line goods on display at discounted prices when they switch over.

The move will take place

from January 1, meaning many shops will have already started their sales on January 2 in the hope of shifting more stock with the Three Kings celebrations and present-giving on the night of January 5.

Trading associations say retailers may be reluctant to do so this early, however, for fear of getting fined by local authorities who have not heard the news, or because

they fear they will have nothing to offer customers weeks later.

January to March inclusive are normally the worst months of the year in terms of profit and purchase figures, which is why the sales are normally on after Christmas.

But if those have already started ahead of the rest of the high street, retailers may fear they will struggle to attract business by standing out from the others towards the end of the quarter, say the associations.

However, they believe shops will eventually get used to the idea as time passes.

HiGH STreeT SHopS To

cHooSewHen To

HolD ‘SaleS’

GaleS force reScue of 1,000 SkierS STranDeD on SlopeSAround 1,000 skiers had to be airlifted

to safety when gale-forced winds left them trapped on the piste.

Staff at the ski station in Panticosa (Huesca) had to shut down the ski lifts for safety reasons, meaning those who were still out on the slopes could not get down.

The regional ski resort company, Aramón – which owns the stations throughout the provinces of Huesca, Teruel and zaragoza – said winds reached over 110 kilometres per hour, making it dangerous to be out

on the piste and even more so to use the lifts.

All 1,000 of them left the slopes and sought refuge in the cafés and restaurants at the resort, where they were attended to by staff until rescue workers could carry them back to terra firma.

Guardia Civil officers and members of the Civil Protection squad, together with employees from the ski station, brought them down to the base in groups of 50. Nobody has been reported as being injured.

Spain eXTraDiTeS conVicTeD killer of

SerBian prime miniSTerA court in Spain has approved the extradition of a man

convicted of killing former Serbian Prime Minister zoran Djindjic in 2003, according to a report by the BBC News Team.

Vladimir Milisavljevic was detained in Valencia last February, together with three other alleged members of a feared Serbian criminal gang, zemun.

He had been convicted in absentia in 2007 of conspiring to kill Mr Djindjic, who was shot by a sniper in March 2003.

Milisavljevic has also been convicted of 14 other murders and two abductions.

He was sentenced to 35 years in prison by a court in Serbia for the part he played in the assassination of the pro-Western prime minister. Eleven others were convicted at the same trial.

Prosecutors argued that Mr Djindjic had been targeted because of his decision to send ex-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to be tried on war crimes charges in The Hague, and for his attempts to crack down on organised crime.

The zemun gang, in which Milisavljevic was allegedly a senior member, was born out of Arkan’s Tigers, a Serbian paramilitary unit which gained a reputation for brutality during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Despite the assassination in 2000 of its leader, Arkan, the group is alleged to have become one of the most powerful organised criminal gangs in Serbia.

Milisavljevic was detained along with the alleged gang leader, Luka Bojovic, and two others. The group were carrying guns and a large sum in cash.

One of the four has already been extradited while the case against Bojovic is pending.

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Wednesday saw Kenz Bar in San Luis hold their first race night of the year in aid of the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre. Ken and Jan have become tremendous supporters of the Rescue Centre and last year they held several Race Nights in aid of the Foundation.

David Feest was on hand to accept a cheque for 1,000 Euros for the money raised and to thank all the regulars who have helped to raise this amazing amount over the past year.

David said, “It is down to the generosity of Kenz Bar and customers who are willingly to host such events on our behalf that our rescue and rehabilitation work continues. Both Ken and Jan always work hard to make the evenings run without a hitch and we look forward to many more nights’ fun night to come in the New Year.

“Hopefully we will beat the amount we raised last year that is certainly our aim “added Ken.

Their next race night is planned for March but pop into Kens for more details, a warm reception is always guaranteed.

Don’t forget the Rescue Centre is open every Sunday between 1pm and 4pm for you to come and meet our Rescue Residents and find out more about the work of EHCRC.

For more details call Sue on 652021980 or email [email protected]

anoTHer fanTaSTic niGHT aT THe raceS new year concerT 2013... inTernaTional auDiTorium, TorreVieja ~ SunDay 6TH january

A glorious sunset over the city of Torrevieja, greeted Sunday’s evening audience, making it’s way into the magnificent building that is Torrevieja’s, International Music Auditorium.

under the baton of Director / Conductor Jose’ Francisco Sa’nchez, the Torrevieja Symphonic Orchestra took a musical tour through Vienna, courtesy of Messrs Brahms and Tchaikovsky, and of course, Johan and Josef Strauss. Pizzicato and Tic-Tac Polka, along with a waltz or two were all there. A short boat ride down

the Danube included in the price of a ticket!

Soloists Francisco Moreno performed “La Dolores “ by Breto’n. A Truly wonderful voice.

Three encores, followed by a well deserved standing ovation, bought this evening to remember to a close.

REPORT BY ROB BARNESPhotograph shows soloist Francisco

Moreno with the Torrevieja Symphonic Orchestra

fooD campaiGn a HuGe SucceSS!Councillor Jeff Wiszniewski and

his team at the Office for the urbanisations would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOu to all the people who brought in toys and food for this year’s campaign to make Christmas a happier one for the needy of San Fulgencio.

We were astounded by the response and were able to give every child a mountain of presents and every family a huge box of food. Special thanks go out to the lady who knitted a gift for every child in the municipality as well as providing many other gifts for the families. Another huge thanks must go go to Eugene and Dave from Posh Palace who provided a box of fresh vegetables and fruit for each family.

It has been a hard time for many people but the kindness of the residents of San Fulgencio means that this Christmas has been an extra special one for those who are struggling the most.

Please remember that we support these families all year to the best of our ability and so do bring in food whenever you are able.

Once more a huge thanks from Jeff and his team and we wish you a very Happy New Year.

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more money on maintaining their motorised vehicles (cars, vans, motorbikes, or scooters) than the very vehicle they have been given for life – namely their body. The body also comes with a mind and for some reason to seek help because of worries, anxiety, stress or depression seems to be even more taboo.What many people do not realise is

that any stresses or concerns of the mind ultimately affect the physical body, especially if they are not addressed and just ‘pushed under the carpet’. Stress and anxiety eat away at you from the inside, and so does anger, perhaps even more so. Mental health is extremely important: if ignored

the cumulative effects can be disastrous. The cumulative effects can and indeed do, affect people in a number of ways. The two main ways that spring to mind concern food – either over eating or under eating (either way the body and internal organs are affected) and alcohol. One thing is for sure you will never find the answer to your problem at the bottom of a bottle! And, whilst it is great to have a friend to talk with and to confide in sometimes more help is needed.Consider this, let’s say you are emotionally upset

and do not seek help. You begin to withdraw from your partner, your friends: you find solace in food – junk food, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and maybe even alcohol. Over time your friends stop offering you help because you do accept it as you do not think you are worth it, your relationship breaksdown. You find that physically your body starts to break down too – you have gained an excessive amount of weight, your weight bearing joints start to ache, you become too large to enjoy exercise – even the dancing you used to enjoy. You ‘beat’ yourself up more and more, you lose confidence and your self- esteem takes a battering. You withdraw even more. You eat and drink to excess even more: your internal organs begin to break down. You are back and forth to the doctors, this hurts that hurts. Your emotions are all over

the place. You end up going to the hospital for tests and more tests. You are admitted to hospital. You end up having an operation maybe even two. It is possible that you may not leave the hospital as your body gives up altogether.Sounds scary? It is. What has it cost you to

not seek help in the first place? Some things you cannot put a monetary value on. What’s the alternative?Imagine this: you have a worry or an issue you

cannot discuss with your partner or a good friend. You seek help and receive regular support and guidance in resolving whatever it is that has been causing you stress. You begin to feel happier, lighter in mind and may be even in body. Your friends notice a new contentment within you and want to share more time with you. Your relationship with your partner is more relaxed and your relationship goes from strength to strength. You feel and exude happiness and contentment, life is good!!At what cost? Some time, some effort and a few

euros. Very little in comparison.Which scenario would you prefer?As we have already begun a new year, consider

how you would like this year to pan out for you. If you have any queries or concerns please feel free to contact me to see if we can work together to make this year your best year ever!(By making contact you are under no obligation). Happy New Year!Contact me on 660326194/968978876 or email

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SaleS BeGin wiTH up To 80 per cenT offSales started early in parts of the country this year,

although many large department stores opted to keep to tradition and wait until after the Three Kings – meaning prices plummeted yesterday (Monday) instead.

Retailers are said to be ‘aggressively’ slashing their prices in a bid to attract as many customers as possible, but with the recession, job loss and the IVA hike in September, the average shopper is only expected to spend around 80 euros in the whole of the sales period.

Sale season normally runs until March, or until the winter stock has run out.

Discounts of up to 80 per cent – and in most cases, at least 50 per cent – are available in most shops, particularly clothing retailers, with household goods and linen and domestic appliances attracting minimum reductions of 30 or 40 per cent.

Retailers across the country predicted a total of around two million customers turning out on Monday, and similar figures are expected over the next few weeks until ‘sales fever’ dies down.

Restrictions on dates of when sales can be held have been relaxed by the central government, meaning shopkeepers

no longer have to adhere rigidly to the post-Christmas and summer periods to shift end-of-line stock at reduced cost.

reacHinG your 100TH BirTHDay iS ‘in THe GeneS’, Say Valencia reSearcHerSLiving to be 100 or more is largely in the genes and has little

to do with lifestyle habits, according to research carried out at Valencia university.

Head of Physiology José Viña and geriatrician at La Ribera district hospital in Alzira (Valencia), Dr Juan Antonio Avellana, say the behaviour of organisms in centenarians is closer to that of young adults than of those aged in their 80s. They also discovered that the majority of people aged 100 or more were in very good health for their age, and tended to continue to be so until the end of their days – it was rare that they found anyone whose age was in treble figures who was plagued by constant illnesses and disabilities.

Although they concede that healthy habits enable people to live longer and remain autonomous and in good shape at a greater age than those who abused their bodies, the key to celebrating one’s first century seems to be in the DNA. The two experts say that if you have a close relative who lives to be 100 or more, it does not necessarily mean you also will, but that it is ‘more likely’.

Over the course of three years, they closely studied a group of 33 people who were at least 100 years old, examining their diet, exercise regime if any, and ‘bad habits’ where applicable, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or eating junk food.

They also looked at physical and mental health, eyesight, hearing and cognitive abilities.

As well as discovering that a long life is mostly genetically-programmed, the professor and doctor also found that the environment in which the person lives has nothing to do with life expectancy.

Subjects over 100 who were examined came from country and city locations in equal parts, and included two nuns in a convent.


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pause for thought

Well here’s hoping you all had a really enjoyable time over Christmas, New Year, and also of course, during that additional celebration here in Spain of Three Kings Day. I must say that I particularly love the enthusiasm and drama the Spanish put into this particular festival, which actually has more real basis for the giving of presents than Christmas itself.

For the Bible gives no indication that any gifts were exchanged on the day when Jesus was actually born, but does record that gold, frankincense and myrrh were given some time later by the ‘three kings’. Yet in reality the Bible contains little further information about even this event. We’re not given the names of these “Kings”, nor told where they came from, but simply informed that they came from the East, which isn’t very helpful. Equally unhelpful is the fact that, contrary to what most of us may believe, the Bible doesn’t actually say there were three of them; that presumption being made solely on the basis that they brought three gifts. And worse, there’s little to suggest that they were Kings, for the Bible merely refers to them as ‘Wise Men’.

But the great thing is that they came, and almost certainly travelled a very long distance to bring their presents, of huge value, to this apparently insignificant child, who they believed was to change history. They weren’t religious men, in the normally accepted meaning of the word, and knew little or nothing of the practices or beliefs of the Jewish leaders they consulted on their arrival in Israel, but in addition to their gifts, we’re told they fell down and worshiped the child.

So the joy of ‘Three Kings Day’ to me, lies not only in the giving of presents and the excited laughter of children, but in the fact that this aspect of the Christmas period, more than any other, emphasises that it’s not the religious, but the wise who find Christ and worship him, and that for some, this can require a very long journey.

further information about the anglican church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mojacarchurch.org

duncan burr is licensed lay reader for the anglican chaplaincy of costa almeria and costa cálida and may be contacted at [email protected]

Stephen Amore has lived in Almeria since July 2006 and owns Findmeahome estate agency. Writing on a variety of topics close to his heart such as environmental issues,

animal welfare, food and drink, music and travel, as well as commenting on the absurdities of living in Spain!

email: [email protected] ~ www.facebook.com/stephen.amore

man make fire!During my 20s and 30s I always

wanted the most up to date gadgets; owning various ‘Walkman’ type cassette players which got progressively smaller and pricier with it.

Then CDs came on the scene and although owning a large record collection I started buying them in earnest and owned at least 30 before I actually ventured out and bought a snazzy CD player to listen to them on. At Greenwich market I fell in love with a massive piece of antique pine furniture which was over 5 foot tall and 4 foot across. It was being used as a display unit in a shop as it was divided into square cubby holes, then filled with teddy bears and other tat but which I deduced were more nobly suited to store my CDs. Cheekily I asked the owner to let me know if ever she would be willing to sell it. My luck held and one day she did call. I remember being very hung-over one January 1st and promising an equally hung-over mate the tasty cure of a bacon sandwich in exchange for him coming with me to help lift it into the car and home. I worked out it would hold about 450 Cds and I made it my mission to eventually fill it.

Suddenly Cds weren’t the coolest thing on the block and Minidiscs hit the streets, so I bought the latest and tiniest player before realising just how pricey Minidiscs actually were and how few recordings were available. In desperation I bought some Robbie Williams albums!

When digital cameras shook the world of photography at the turn of the century I shelled out a now incredible £1000 on a snazzy Sony digital camera with the memory card costing almost a hundred

more. I bought it duty free thinking I was

getting a bargain – idiot boy. Nowadays, a decent one is a fraction of that and even swanky semi-pro SLRs are less than a grand too.

The only problem was I could not afford a decent computer or printer to make copies of my pictures so I stored them on the memory card, ruthlessly deleting any not up to scratch ones to make room for new ones. Curiosity definitely killed my cat one day as I wondered what the button marked ‘Format’ did so I pressed it. ‘Are you sure?’ the camera asked, ‘don’t question me camera!’ I said, finding out the hard way how hundreds of carefully saved shots can be lost forever.

I was a confirmed Luddite when it came to mobile phones. I wanted one that simply makes calls and send texts and used the same Nokia that I bought back in 2005. Then one day on their swanky mobile someone showed me the TV highlights from the Liverpool match we had both just left Anfield from. So the hunger started anew but…. It was the night before Christmas and I announced that I had changed my mind and wanted to remain forever in caveman mobile land. A terrified look passed across the wife’s face and she disappeared muttering something about needing to wrap something.

The next day Katherine presented me with an Android phone thingamabob, there was a hastily written note attached saying she would take it back for a refund if I really did not want it. Cue sheepish look from husband! I curse and swear at it as I struggle to bend it to my will. But I have only thrown it once (so far) and the sofa broke its fall. I am trying to love it – Ug Ug!

Boiling water turns to snow in

siBeriaA Siberian man has filmed

himself thowing a pot of boiling water from a balcony - to see it turn instantly to snow.

The unidentified man showed a temperature reading of minus 41 degrees Celsius on his mobile phone before launching the water out the window.

The man, from Novosibirsk resident, tossed it from one of the top floors of his apartment building, and watched it instantly turn into a shower of snow.

The footage has emerged as parts of Russia experience the lowest temperatures for more than half a century.

In the far eastern regions of the country temperatures have fallen to minus 50 degrees Celsius, with minus 20 degrees Celsius recorded in central parts.

the things that hotel

guests leave Behind

Harry Potter’s original wand, a micro pig and breast implants top a bizarre list of items left in hotels across Britain last year.

Budget chain Travelodge says a winning EuroMillions lottery ticket, a bucket of live crabs and a diamond-encrusted iPhone were also left behind by guests.

“Each year our lost and found departments provide plenty of revelations,” said Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed.

“From keys to a Bugatti, Harry Potter’s original wand, a micro pig, breast implants to a script from a well-known British soap programme, our customers’ left-behinds demonstrate what a cross section of people stay in our 527 hotels.”

Other bizarre items included a box of 200 Queen Elizabeth masks, a trunk of chocolate bars and a pantomime horse.

In a Travelodge in Essex, an 8ft pop-up spray tanning booth was left behind by a group of girls nursing their hangovers.

More than 20,000 books were also left behind in hotel rooms, 7,000 of which were of which were copies of E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey.

mouse interruptsweather forecast

A BBC weather presenter was forced to interrupt a live broadcast when a mouse appeared in her studio.

Kate Kinsella was reading a bulletin for BBC Three Counties radio, which is broadcast to Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, when she shrieked as she spotted the rodent.

During the forecast, she said: “We could be seeing gale force winds from time to time through the afternoon.

“The good news is it will start ... ahh! Sorry, there’s a mouse just run past me in my studio.”

Asked by host Iain Lee if she was okay, she replied: “Yes I’m fine, it’s just the unique way in which this studio is run, there was a mouse.

“It’s quite sweet actually, bless it,” she added. The presenter finished by saying: “That is your forecast, along with the mouse.”


ViewpoinTThis year Father Christmas brought us a printer and a

microwave. He left them for us to pick up in Media Markt in Lorca - apparently he was having trouble with the Reindeer Rights Movement, who claimed that he was overloading the sleigh, so all heavy objects had to be jettisoned in Lorca, or so Pete told me.

So on Christmas Eve our kitchen table held a small, sleek printer, a replacement for our large, clunky ‘I’ll Print If I Feel Like It’ printer, and a huge, shiny microwave, a replacement for our puny, surly midget of a microwave. The atmosphere was electric with inter-gadget tension as the resident machines glared across the kitchen at their opposite numbers, who were so soon to depose them.

Intending to use the new microwave to cook our Christmas Eve supper I unplugged the old one and consigned it to a dark corner, and plugged in the new one. It sat in gleaming

majesty, a veritable Starship Enterprise of a microwave, its control panel covered in hieroglyphs signifying everything from Defrost to Intergalactic Warp Drive, but not necessarily On – Off.

We sought c l a r i f i c a t i o n from the

Instruction Manual, and discovered that it only exists on-line. undeterred we engaged our new, ever-eager laptop and within a trice had located the 40 pages that

were required reading before attempting to boil a cup of water.

‘Better print that lot.’ Pete said, and prodded the old printer into action. With suspicious willingness it leapt into action, spewing out pages at a speed that it had never previously achieved before grinding to a smug and immovable halt – it had printed pages 40 back to 27, but refused to be coerced into printing pages 1 to 26.

Now we had printed access to information that would be useful to a finalist in Masterchef, and could prepare all manner of exotic and impractical dishes, but we still didn’t know how to turn the microwave On!

So out of its box came the new printer. Here the laptop entered the fray, took sides with the old printer, and refused to recognise the new printer. We now had: An old printer that wouldn’t work; a new printer that couldn’t work, a microwave that we couldn’t turn on, and rampant hunger pangs.

I looked at the old microwave, which was enjoying a good fester in its corner. There was nothing for it, I swallowed my pride and re-instated it, begging pardon for all the harsh and hasty things that I had said about it in the past.

That day The Machines had triumphed – but next day I had my revenge!

By Jos Biggs [email protected]

THe Day of THe macHineS

Messing around with my new state of the art Kindle Fire HD at Christmas, I had to inwardly smile at the comparison between this and the Christmas presents I received as a child.

I reflected, as I struggled to get to grips with this supa dupa piece of electronic gadgetry, the difference between it and some of the iconic toys that we kids found in our pillow cases on Christmas morning.

Anyway, I finally managed to get the Kindle out of the box and I suddenly remembered what was perhaps the first ‘hi-tech’ present that I ever received.

It was an interplanetary communications centre complete with two microphones that

enabled you to speak to your space cadet colleague on Jupiter.

Actually the length of wire provided, meant that conversations were limited to the distance between one end of the living room to the other, but that was an inconsequential detail.

Being an only child, it meant that I would have to play with my new toy on my own if my Dad was unavailable to receive messages and I was often reduced to annoying our cat Tinker by placing one mike in his basket – or mic as it’s usually abbreviated to today – and scaring the living bejeezus out of him as he was about to drop off.

It had all sorts of plastic knobs and buttons that activated flashing lights and buzzers, – the communications centre, not the cat - had a little message pad so that you could jot down the latest score between the Martian Redskins and the Asteroid Haemorrhoids, and the whole thing was presented in a bright red and yellow plastic control box with a plastic ariel on top for show. It was all very . . . umm,

By Colin Bird : [email protected]

Day of THe kinDle...

alqueria2013

Alqueria started the new year leaderless, bankrupt and in a state of civil unrest. In true Alquerian tradition however, most of the population didn’t even notice. Since the exclusion of Alqueria from Spain and subsequently declaring itself a republic the village had gone from strength to strength. The unique Remitroot crop was the secret of its success. The powerful and strangely arousing beverages produced from it sold worldwide at premium prices.

The Hill People controlled Remitroot with Antonio Poyato cultivating the optimum crop on his small-holding to the south west of the Village. The opposing Newcomers who inhabit the eastern barrio and led by the repulsive Rodriquez lost influence because of the success of Remitroot. With his second in command the sycophantic Robles and two obnoxious bully-boys they imprisoned Poyato, Blythe Gruntmore and took control of the village. The girl Manuela escaped and using the ancient weapons belonging to the even more ancient Matas, launched an attack on the village freeing Poyato and Gruntmore. Rodriquez who was resplendent in his meaningless and over-medalled uniform came face-to-face with the armed and wide-eyed Manuela. It was too much for him.

Fearing Manuela Rodriquez now hides in the shadows. He no longer wears his ridiculous uniform but instead favours the garb of a campesino. His obese frame and arrogant manner were however at odds with the dignity required for such a station in life. The effect made him more conspicuous and absurd than ever.

With no one at the helm Alqueria drifted into 2013. The village was fast losing prosperity. Rodriquez had renamed the world-beating Remitroot as Rodroot100 undoing centuries of goodwill in an instant. He knew what he had to do. First find a scapegoat to blame the whole mess on. This was usually Roberto Robles who was such a crawler he considered it an honour to carry the can for Rodriquez. Second he must make peace with Manuela and the Hill People. A meeting was proposed on the neutral ground of the old golf course. Manuela however had never been on a golf course during the hours of daylight so didn’t consider it particularly neutral.

Manuela, Antonio Poyato and Blythe Gruntmore who were to become known as The Alqueria Three, dismissed all calls for peace conferences and laid plans for the re-conquest of Alqueria. The majority of the population were not even aware of Rodriquez’s coup d’état and would probably not notice the village’s return to democracy.

Among the four in Matas’s cave Manuela became known as La Maracuyá Pequeña, for reasons it is best not to dwell on. Her mastery over men and ingenuity put The Little Passion-fruit in a position of dominance and de facto leader of free Alqueria.

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plasticky.It was just an up market variation

on the two cocoa tins joined by a length of string that my friend and I would rig up to talk to each other across our two gardens and was pretty pathetic by today’s standards, but for a little boy of seven whose hero’s were Dan Dare and Captain Condor, it was an exciting piece of kit.

And all this reminded me of another early gift – the official replica Dan Dare ray gun. Also in red and yellow plastic and another buzzer (they liked their buzzers) every time you squeezed the trigger and blasted the Treens (see Eagle comic) or your space monster enemies with its death ray.

In actual fact the death ray was an ordinary torch light in the business end of the gun, with two little attachments that could change the beam to red or green with a flick of a switch.

There was even a secret compartment in the handle for all those top secret messages. Cool!

The point is these were toys for their time, with an emphasis on the word toy. They were not pieces of

equipment incorporating the very latest in technological advances, apart from batteries the size of coffee mugs. Moreover they lasted for years and gave endless hours of enjoyment.

Nowadays of course we are forever playing catch-up and it is an expensive never ending exercise in updating to the next generation phone, TV, computer, or in my case, e-reader.

Books are books however and still remain a feature in many people’s lives at Christmas. Comic annuals were regular items for us kids, along with other children’s books and things like encyclopaedias and reference books. I still have my Illustrated Encyclopaedia of English History.

In that era anything to do with space travel and science fiction, was a sure fire winner and I have just had a rummage around and found a 1960 anthology of science fiction that my parents bought me that same year, price twelve and sixpence.

It’s fascinating to again read those stories written over 50 years ago, and compare how they stack up with the achievements and events over the last half century.

One of the contributors was John Wyndham with a story called ‘No Place Like Earth’. Now there was a writer of science fiction...Everyone of my generation remembers the classic ‘Day of the Triffids’, in which giant walking parsnips prey on the majority of the world’s population who have been blinded by a freak meteor storm.

It’s as enjoyable today as it was then because Wyndham did not confuse the reader with science and technical gobbledegook, but simply made the subject matter plausible and totally believable through his excellent writing.

But no more books for me. With shelf space now exhausted along with the patience of my long suffering wife, the Kindle prezzie was a no brainer.

Buying any more hardbacks would only lead to words with my lady, although it is doubtful that I would get to use any of mine!


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is three Minutes a Week of exercise all you need to get fit?

there is welcome news for anyone who’s resolved to get fit in the new year. scientists claim we don’t have to spend

hours every week slogging in the gym or jogging around a park

in all weathers, along with the other January

resolution makers.

Instead, they advocate a pioneering new quick fitness regime that makes remarkable claims: just a few 30-second bursts of intense exercise, amounting to only three minutes a week, could deliver the health and weight-loss benefits of hours of lengthy, conventional regimes.

This may revolutionise our ability to stick to New Year fitness resolutions, which only one in five of us manage to keep for more than a few weeks.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found the main reason we break resolutions is that our plans are over-ambitious: we set the bar too high in a hopelessly optimistic burst of post-Christmas enthusiasm.

But this new exercise regime lowers that bar significantly. Scientists at the universities of Nottingham, Birmingham and Bath say the secret is to commit yourself to three short bursts of highly intense exercise for 30 seconds each, with short rest periods between, in less than five minutes.

They claim early results are ground-breaking and may lead to conventional medical textbooks on exercise being torn up. Instead of sweating for hours, scientists say we should hurl ourselves around on an exercise bike or rowing machine — or even just run rapidly up and down the stairs at home.

After half a minute of wild exertion, we can collapse red-faced for 60 seconds, then do it all again. Three bouts like that means your exercise requirement for that session is sorted.

Late last year, the scientific team behind this regime launched a large-scale trial involving 300 volunteers to fully test their system. It could be just the tonic for couch-potato Britain.

For despite constant nagging from government and health professionals, the vast majority of us still don’t follow the official NHS advice to do at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise five times a week, plus two sessions of muscle-strengthening exercise such as weight-training, push-ups or heavy gardening.

More than 60 per cent of men and 70 per cent of women admit that they don’t manage that. Lack of time is our most common excuse.

As a result, millions of Britons suffer early death and unnecessary disability due to lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes and

heart disease.But the answer for many could be quick

and simple.The ongoing study is led by leading

exercise expert Jamie Timmons, a professor of systems biology. The team call their system High Intensity Impact Training (HIIT).

So far, their tests on hundreds of unfit middle-aged volunteers in Britain and Canada over the past eight years have shown those three minutes of exercise a week deliver the same significant health improvements as can be achieved through hours in the gym or on the running track.

But scientists do not yet entirely understand why the short-burst exercise regime so profoundly boosts volunteers’ stamina and the fitness of their lungs, heart and blood vessels.

‘The truthful answer is we do not fully understand this,’ says Professor Timmons. ‘But a growing body of independent research shows this is the case and that the textbook explanation of the science of exercise requires revision.’

As for weight loss, the results from conventional long hours of exercise regimes often prove disappointing.

Typically, exercisers get themselves into trouble by eating more than they do normally because strenuous gym sessions leave them ravenous.

Brief, high-intensity exercise does not stimulate appetite as much, because it demands far less energy expenditure, so participants in the trial don’t suffer the same cravings.

What’s more, it appears to do something even more beneficial, according to Professor Timmons.

‘We have found that people feel their appetites are suppressed,’ he says. ‘We should have the final evidence for this next year.’

The regime should also raise people’s metabolic rates after they stop exercising, as it builds muscle — and this tissue makes metabolisms run faster. In turn, this stimulates the breakdown of fat and burns calories.

It will be about two years, though, before the British scientists publish their full findings as part of a Europe-wide study. In the meantime, they point out: ‘You don’t need a scientific explanation to enjoy the benefits.’

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lazyleggings

As the consequences of Christmas overindulgence start becoming ever clearer, many of us will be thinking about how to start the daunting battle of the bulge in the New Year.

Now Elle Sport have brought out a high-tech legging they claim will help you on the way and contribute to a loss of up to 4cm from around your midriff just by wearing them while walking, cycling, or even shopping.

Add to that some cardiovascular exercises and weight training and you could achieve significant inch loss.

Launched earlier this month, Slim-Tech claim you can say goodbye to painstaking gym workouts – as the fastest and easiest way to get the perfect legs before the New Year begins is with their leggings.

This miracle creation claims to be the quick fix solution that every girl has been waiting for.

As for the technology: With built in control panels to instantly flatten the stomach and reduce the waist, the Slim-Tech leggings also combine seamless garment technology for a smooth appearance.

Slim-Tech claim their leggings’ key benefits include: accelerated fat loss, instantly flattened stomach using seamless shape wear control technology, reduces muscular tiredness, smoothes and moisturises the skin helping to reduce cellulite and lifts, tones and moisturises.

Billions of microcapsules containing natural active ingredients are fixed to the fabric fibres.

The friction against the skin when worn (in the gym or during normal daily activity) breaks the microcapsules dispersing the active ingredients over the skin.

The natural ingredients within the Slim-Tech leggings include Copaiba, for toning and moisturizing of the skin, Red

Algae, which stimulates fat

combustion and Sophora Japonica which smoothes the skin.

For optimal results the c o m p a n y

r e c o m m e n d s wearing them for 8

hours per day for 6 consecutive days, with a one day break at the end of the week.

After 30 days, they claim you can expect significant results, with independent clinical tests showing up 4cm loss from the waist and 2.6cm from the hips.

Available exclusively to Debenhams from £25.60, the Slim-Tech leggings are available in capri and full lengths, in sizes small, medium and large.

They’re also made from 90% polyamide and 10% elastane, they’re machine washable and the microcapsules last a minimum of 30 washes.

eu Plans tougher tobacco health WarningsCigarette packs sold in the Eu will have

to have bigger health warnings in text and pictures, under new proposals from the Eu Commission. The draft directive would require 75% of the packet to be covered - front and back - with the warnings. But company branding would not be banned. It would also ban strong flavours such as menthol or vanilla, which can mask the bitter tobacco taste. The

revisions to the Eu’s 2001 tobacco directive could become law in 2014.

“Tobacco products should look and taste like tobacco products,” said Eu Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, presenting the proposals.

The current requirement for health warnings on packets is 30% minimum coverage on one side and 40% on the other. The new packaging requirements would also apply

to roll-your-own tobacco. The legislation would allow member states the option of plain, non-branded packaging “in duly justified cases”.

Words like “light”, “mild” and “low tar” are deemed to be misleading and would be banned. The Commission says packets must be big enough to ensure full visibility for the health warnings, so the recommendation is at least 20 cigarettes per pack.

Fourteen Eu states already have 20 as the minimum, four stipulate a minimum of 19, and in the uK and Italy the minimum is 10. It is also argued that bigger, more expensive packets are less attractive to young smokers.

The Eu would maintain its ban on chewing tobacco - called snus. Only people in Sweden can use it, under an exemption acknowledging the country’s snus tradition.

The Commission says almost 700,000 Europeans die from smoking-related

illnesses each year - equal to the population of Frankfurt or Palermo. The associated costs for healthcare in the Eu are estimated to be at least 25.3bn euros (£20.6bn; $33.4bn) annually.

In 2009-10, sales of tobacco products generated nearly £9bn ($14.6bn; 11bn euros) in taxes for the uK government, about 2% of all receipts from taxation, a government report said.

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Researchers are now working on high-tech glasses that can help people hear better, sleep better, and even feel happier.

‘It’s only recently that researchers have started to realise that there may be more to wearing glasses that simply having better eyesight,’ says Dr Frank Eperjesi, head of optometry at Aston university, in Birmingham.

Recent research suggests that altering the type of light that enters the eye can have knock-on effects in the body.

Dr Eperjesi adds: ‘A better understanding of our visual system and how it relates to other parts of the body — in particular the brain — coupled with the development of lightweight materials has led to a range of smart specs that can be used to help detect and treat a range of health problems.

As more developments take place over the next few years, and prices drop, we can expect to see more people wearing glasses for reasons other than better vision.’

electronic lensesNormal varifocals have two

strengths of lenses in them, for close and distance vision, so the wearer has to look through the top or bottom to adjust their vision. Now scientists have developed new battery-powered glasses that automatically know when you want to read or look into the distance, and adjust the strength of lenses accordingly. The high-tech specs, with microchips and a battery embedded in the frames, contain liquid crystals in the lenses. These are found in electronic displays, such as those on mobiles and microwaves, and change their shape when an electric current is applied to them. When a person looks up from reading, the glasses detect this movement and the battery emits an electric current. This makes the liquid crystals change their structure, effectively making the lens thicker or thinner.

The glasses, called the emPowers, cost around £800.

helPing you hearThese glasses contain a row of

four tiny microphones on each arm, which pick up the sound from the direction in which the wearer is looking, while reducing the surrounding noise. The developer says they make speech more understandable, and allow the hard of hearing to distinguish speech from other noises in a crowded room. The sounds from the microphones are relayed to each ear by two tiny flexible tubes (the glasses are worn instead of a hearing aid).

In a trial at Radboud university in The Netherlands, 15 hearing-impaired men and women used the system for one day, and up to 91 per cent preferred it to their own hearing aid for intelligibility.

In a second study 27 patients used it for up to seven months, and it was preferred for ease of communication, and listening where there was background noise.

Making you haPPyThese glasses, which look like

a cross between a pair of glasses and a sun visor, contain eight small lights that bathe the eyes in

glasses that beat the blueswhite light. Light therapy is used for a number of conditions, such as seasonal affective disorder and depression, as it is thought that white light boosts the production of feelgood chemicals in the brain.

Researchers at the university of Liege in Belgium tested the glasses, called the Luminette, which cost £200, on 32 people. The results showed seasonal depressive symptoms decreased after use, and energy levels increased: ‘Although these glasses look odd, the results suggest that they need to be used for only 25 minutes a day in order to gain the full therapeutic effect,’ says Dr Eperjesi.

beating Jet lagRe-Timer glasses, invented by

researchers at Flinders university in Australia, are designed to counter the effects of jet lag. The glasses, which cost £175, contain green lights on the sides that are shone into the eyes.

Professor Leon Lack, a psychologist at the university who developed the glasses, says: ‘Our extensive research studies have shown that green light is one of the most effective wavelengths for advancing or delaying the body clock.’

Professor Lack recommends wearing the glasses for 50 minutes a day for three days after flying.

They should be worn after waking in the morning if you’ve travelled east to a country that’s ahead of your time zone, or before bed if you’ve travelled west. The glasses could also be used to help keep shift workers more alert, and even get teenagers out of bed — some research suggests the body clock is altered during adolescence, which is why teenagers love late nights and long lie-ins.

battling blindnessResearchers at Oxford

university are developing glasses that could be a useful aid to the visually impaired. The glasses, which are likely to cost around £600, have two tiny cameras, one on each side. These cameras detect people, moving vehicles, and large objects which could be an obstacle and relay this information to the lenses. The lenses have special screens on the inside, and these make objects shine more brightly the closer a wearer gets to them.

Early trials suggest that the wearers were able to recognise tables and another person five metres away, and the developers hope they will be available in around two years.

curing vertigoEvery year hundreds of

thousands of Britons develop vertigo, a condition causing dizzy spells. It’s thought to be triggered by a disorder in the body’s balance sensors, either in

the inner ear or brain. Scientists believe that our

peripheral vision — the area around our central gaze — is key to how our body perceives motion, and that having a fixed point in our peripheral vision could help counteract problems with the body’s balance system.

Israeli researchers have developed glasses that contain spots on the side of the lenses, in the hope that this mark in peripheral vision will ease dizziness.

The glasses are currently being tested in a clinical trial at the Meir Medical Centre in Israel.

sPotting autisMResearchers in the u.S. are using

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The glasses contain tiny cameras that track eye movements, and the developers say this technique may be useful in helping doctors to identify possible developmental delays at a very early stage.

Dr Eperjesi says: ‘The number of children developing autism is on the increase for unknown reasons. Anything that helps screen for and allow early detection of this condition is welcome. Accurate diagnosis at a younger age will mean treatment can be started sooner and is more likely to be beneficial.’

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January in sPain1-2 January: La Toma, Granada’s celebration of

when Ferdinand and Isabella marched into the city when the Moorish rulers surrendered.

16 January: A number of festivals in Palma, Mallorca, and Sant Antoni, Ibiza. January 16 is Eve of St Antony’s Day, when everyone dresses up in costume to watch the big firework display. The following day sees processions pass through Sa Pobla in Mallorca and Cuitadella in Menorca

17 January: Romería del Ermita del Santo. A religious procession from Gaudix, Andalusia.

17 January: Fiesta de Antón, Madrid. Animal owners congregate on c/Hortaleza for their pets to be blessed. Listen to this podcast (mp3 format) from Notes from Spain about the event.

17 January: Fiesta de San Antonio Abad, all over Spain but in particular in Jaen, Alpujarras, Valencia and Tenerife, with partying and bonfires on the night before. In Barcelona it is celebrated on the nearest Saturday to the 17th.

19-20 January: San Sebastian festival, including the famous Tamborrada drumming

30 January: Procession in Burgo for San Lesmes

Before I get onto today’s topic I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has read my Christmas story with the technological twist and given it the thumbs up. I know that being a proper writer is very unlikely to happen but it is good to stray off the path once in a while :-)

During the previous year I have written a lot of “How To’s” and had some interesting and very helpful feedback from them. This year, I would like to wander down the avenue of new technology and user interaction. The most immediate example of both being this new “Windows 8”. That will be a discussion for a subsequent week as I haven’t yet earned enough from this column to buy a copy for evaluation, and stealing as you know, even from greedy Bill Gates, is still wrong! Anyone who would like to buy me a genuine copy is more than welcome as it would benefit all our reader (well it was worth a try!).

Today’s piece should get people talking, which is always a good thing, and is about the way computer technology is affecting our everyday lives. So just to get people talking to one another, the subject today is:

Technology: Obsession or LibertyAlbert Einstein was famously quoted as saying “I fear the

day when technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots!”. This was a frightening statement from an acknowledged genius but was there any truth in it and if so are there any solutions?

Start by looking around you, in the cafes and bars, or the plazas. How many people, young and not so young, have their noses buried in their iPhone, iPad or Android powered device, not actually talking to someone but sending inane messages and failing to interact with the ‘real people’ that are sat around them?

Technology, by definition is the, ‘Application of knowledge to the practical aims of human life or to changing and manipulating the human environment’. One of the first problems man faced was how to keep warm. The methods that we now have on how to make fire are technologies in action and the starting place for further technological developments. The sixty-four thousand pound question is, have we, the human race, become part of this technological evolution and will the benefits outweigh the consequences?

Are we obsessed with technology? Could we function without the latest iThingy, Windows doodad or Android whatsits? Is this just a natural part of evolution that is weeding out those genetically predisposed to self annihilation? Or another part of the rich tapestry that is life and it is us who, failing to keep up with it, will be the ones following the footsteps of the Dinosaurus Extincticus. We are now able to talk to people on the other side of the world without having to wait minutes or even months to get a reply. We can interact with our loved ones who are thousands of miles away, as they, in turn, react to their own real world!

A final question, as like most others I have far more questions than answers. Are all these devices, tools? A means to an end? If the answer is an emphatic “Yes” then talk to your mum, dad, family member or ‘significant other’, then put down the device and become part of the “real?” world.

January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) – January is the door to the year.

Traditionally, the original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months, totalling 304 days, winter being considered a monthless period.

Around 713 BC, the semi-mythical successor of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, is supposed to have added the months of January and February, allowing the calendar to equal a standard lunar year (365 days).

Although March was originally the first month in the old Roman Calendar, January became the first month of the calendar year under either Numa or the Decemvirs about 450 BC (Roman writers differ). In contrast, specific years pertaining to dates were identified by naming two consuls, who entered office on May 1 and March 15 until 153 BC, when they began to enter office on January 1.

Various Christian feast dates were used for the New Year in Europe during the Middle Ages, including March 25 and December 25. However, medieval calendars were still displayed in the Roman fashion of twelve columns from January to December. Beginning in the 16th century, European countries began officially making January 1 the start of the New Year once again - sometimes called Circumcision Style because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the seventh day after December 25.

DiD you know...


LEGAL CORNERWITH MICHAEL DAVIES, ABOGADO/SOLICITORIf you wish us to print an article about a particular topic, please e-mail

[email protected]

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

Q: DO I NEED A SPANISH WILLA: YES...and here’s why...1. Your estate will be left to the people of your choice and not to those

determined by law2. You can mitigate inheritance tax by planning the distribution of your estate. A will can be the single

most cost-effective document you will sign during your lifetime. 3. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that things are in order for your heirs and that your

heirs will not end up dealing with a complicated and costly procedure in a foreign country. I like the challenge of complicated inheritance work but we will never stop insisting that all our

clients should make a Spanish will.Since setting up office in 1993, I have been surprised by the amount of people who have come to

ask whether it is convenient to make a will in Spain concerning their Spanish assets. The answer to this is most definitely yes. In England if you do not make a will, then the law has rules, which will determine the distribution of your assets. These rules could mean that your assets are distributed in a way very different from what you would have liked. In Spain the situation is the same, with an additional factor. Your heirs will have to deal with a foreign language and legal system. All the more reasons to leave everything as organised as possible. Some people include their Spanish assets in their English will. This is legally binding, but to obtain probate in Spain, it will be necessary for the will to be translated and legalised. This is a long and costly procedure. My advice on the subject is to have two separate wills, one in England for your English assets and one in Spain for your Spanish assets. Drawing up a will in Spain does not take long and is not expensive, and will definitely save your heirs a lot of time, problems and money. Your Lawyer will draw up a rough draft, and then he will make an appointment at the notary to sign the final document. One copy is sent by the notary to the central register in Madrid. He will hold on to the original copy. You will be given a copy that I suggest you inform your heirs and lawyer in England about, and then put it in the bottom drawer, with the peace of mind of knowing that everything is taken care of.

At Davies Solicitors we will listen to your wishes and advise you on the most tax efficient way of dealing with your Spanish estate. We will explain in detail the tax implications of your decisions for your heirs and ways to deal with it. We will prepare a will in both English and Spanish for signature and in general we will provide you the peace of mind of knowing that everything has been left organized for your heirs. Please call or email us for an appointment

THE SPAINIAC | SOBRINO DE BOTíN | CANDICE PARSONS

When strolling down Calle de los Cuchilleros, located south-west of Plaza Mayor amongst the heart of Madrid, it’s not difficult to miss the solid timber doors that form the entrance to the Guinness Book of Records world’s oldest restaurant.

Built in the sixteenth century and originally named ‘Casa Botín’, the restaurant was founded in 1725 by Frenchman Jean Botin and his spouse.

The couple’s nephew, Candido Remis, inherited the restaurant and changed its name to Sobrino de Botin (‘sobrino’ translating to ‘nephew’ in Spanish).

In 1885, the González family acquired ownership of the restaurant, and have kept its now renowned name for three generations.

Traditional dishes, such as black pudding from Burgos,

artichokes in batter, gazpacho, and garlic soup with egg to name a few – and of course not forgetting its specialty suckling pig – have only endorsed its popularity as a choice dining venue for local Madridians, but also royalty, politicians, authors and various celebrities.

A number of famous novelists, one including Ernest Hemingway, have often referenced their dining experiences at Botín’s restaurant.

In his 1926 novel, ‘The Sun Also Rises’, Hemingway mentions his experience lunching upstairs at Botin’s where he ate the legacy “roast young suckling pig and drank rioja alta”, and described it as “one of the best restaurants in the world.”

Botín’s is also known to have once employed Francisco Goya to wash dishes, before he became a successful

candice parsons is a writer and avid spain and spanish culture lover

from melbourne, australia. ‘like’ my facebook page: www.facebook.com/pandemicrhapsody and follow

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romantic painter. Botín’s four f loor tiled interior, boasts unique style

throughout its wood-beamed vault dining rooms and brick-wall cellar, fitted with wrought-iron lanterns and various medieval decor. Its olden-day ambience is often further enhanced by the ‘tunas’ – student musical groups dressed in medieval costumes – who regularly stop by to perform.

Whilst Botín’s is slightly more expensive to other comparable restaurants in Madrid, such as Casa Lucio and Posada de la Villa, the large serving portions of its meals along with the rest of its dining experience make the pricing well worth it. The average main course costs around 18 euros and a three-course meal is around 40 euros.

Although bustling with a heavy tourist atmosphere, Sobrino de Botín is acclaimed for its peculiar decor, superior service, and skill in preparing quality food that remains typically true to Castilian cuisine.

The restaurant’s touristic reputation is essentially an indication of its achievements, and an assertion of its place in providing excellent, traditionally Spanish dining experiences. As student travel guide Let’s Go described, Sobrino de Botín’s is a “truly authentic historical landmark and protector of the madrileño culinary tradition.”


What do you do with it all? You could always scrunch it up into a ball and chuck it in the waste, but it seems such a shame, when you have taken all that trouble to wrap it neatly round the presents.

So what can you easily do? Here are a few suggestions:

Stuff the crumpled up wrapping paper in hats, purses or shoes to keep them in form while they are not in immediate use.

Cover your child’s school books, or your own Spanish text books.

Cut a piece to fit the front sleeve of a three ringed binder. Slide the paper in the clear, front sleeve and presto! You have a decorative binder!

Cover a cork board with wrapping paper and hang it on the wall - now you have a festive board to leave messages and your to-do lists. It won’t last long, but at least you won’t get fed up with it – just rip the old off, and replace it with another piece!

Use a piece around the base of a pot plant or a bouquet of flowers. Cut it with pinking scissors for a more interesting edging.

Cut the paper into small pieces and leave them by the phone. Use the white side of the paper to write down messages. Keep the individual pieces from blowing around by securing them with a clothes peg, or similar. Note that you might need a felt-tip pen, because most wrapping paper is shiny!

Use it as shelf paper in your drawers and cabinets. It needs to be double the size so that you can fold it without leaving an open edge to catch on whatever you put into the drawer. Fold it so that the edges are underneath, and then fold them into each other to make a pleat, so that they hold. It is best to have them aligned across the width of the drawer, rather than from front to back.

If you feel artistic, go online and follow directions on how to make origami shapes and animals.

Of course you can always use it to re-wrap a present. If it is a little wrinkly, iron it on the “wrong” side on low heat.

If you feel in need of relaxation, scrumple it up and use it to have a snowball (wrapping paper) fight. Childish, but great fun!

Useless factoidWrapping paper when burnt displays all

sorts of pretty colours, so use it as kindling & enjoy!

Waste Paper?Waste Paper?

Aah! Christmas paper! Mountains of it! How is it that such a small roll of wrapping paper can be transformed into such a mountain of screwed-up

waste after all the presents have been unwrapped?

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Article sponsored by RAINBOW SATELLITES – the company for ALL your TV needs in the Murcia region. Contact Alan or Matt for free friendly

advise – [email protected], (0034) 686 358 475 or our web site www.rainbowsats.org

You will be reading this just before or just after the festive season and we at Rainbow hope you have / had a great festive time and we wish you all the best for 2013...all is well at the Rainbow encampment – everything seems winterised – slow and dull. But it will not be long before that magnificent almond blossom is out and spring really starts...

TV NEWS...Of course the story on everyone’s lips is the satellite change over and how it will affect us...The problem with this newsletter is that there are days between writing and publishing and the situation seems to change on a daily, if not hourly, basis...

Certainly some of the changes have taken place (ALL the 5’s, 4seven, 4HD and most ITV’s) and seem to have had little effect on us in the Murcia region… Some of you with smaller dishes may have lost some channels but in general all seems well for the changes that have been made – unlike our distant neighbours down the coast towards Malaga and Portugal who seem to have lost all channels that have moved...but then they did have it much easier than us for years ! - with smaller dishes than we needed.

However there are still changes to come (The BBC in particular) and the effects those changes will have are unknown. It would seem that the new “F” satellite we have all been “dreading” does not transmit the lower frequencies that the channels who have not swapped use...will they change all the frequencies to higher unused ones – a major task as all boxes would need re programming either automatically (but a difficult task with all the makes and models of boxes) or manually – but that would need specific instructions to consumers. Or will they wait for the new “E” satellite due in early spring 2013 – but apparently delayed as the Kazakhstan launch site / vehicle has had major problems. (They released a satellite 4 minutes early last week – not much you may think but in space speed terms an eternity – just think if your aircraft pilot landed four minutes before scheduled touchdown !) - And we understand launches are postponed whilst investigations take

place ………… there are other launch sites but these are fully booked with other satellite launches. The problem with our UK TV situation is that the satellite the BBC and others still use – “N” – is urgently required at a new location (19E) for other countries transmissions and needs to move soon.

Sorry lots of techy stuff and talk...and some rumour...Which doesn’t answer the question “what about our UK TV in the Murcia Region?”...but I am afraid we just don’t have the final answers yet. Don’t believe all the “bar talk” you hear – most of it is unfounded rubbish by people who are just not in the know ! – but I can not give you definitive answers at the time of writing.

However I have just heard a STOP PRESS confirmed piece of information from the BBC direct...you can see it on their website...The BBC will not leave the “N” satellite until the second half of 2013 and will go to the “E” satellite (see above) – so things would seem to be OK for the present and next few months – however what “E” will mean to us will not be confirmed until it happens – despite all the bar talk !

All of the above really applies to the FREESAT channels and there is still the matter of the SKY channels moving from “B” to, we think, “F” - however from what we know to date we feel these will be all available in Murcia including the SKY channels that have previously been “difficult” down here – movies, National Geographic etc. – a big plus for SKY viewers.

We write the newsletter in good faith with the best information we can get in a VERY secretive world. The confirmed information above from the BBC is so unusual. Please don’t hold us responsible for any changes we do not predict or get wrong !

Finally SKY NEWS, PICKTV and CHALLENGE TV have all been added to the FREESAT line up – find them at FREESAT 202, 144 and 145 respectively. Official FREESAT boxes will have tuned them automatically – non FREESAT boxes will need a manual retune.

TV NEWSLETTERJanuarY 2013

The January sales are in full swing and with huge discounts on offer it can be all too tempting to forget your good

intentions and splurge. However, we’re in uncertain times and it’s never been more important to watch where your

money is going. So, to help you bag some bargains without breaking the bank, we share our top tips to help you get.

MAkE A BUDGET...When faced with ‘on sale’ signs it’s incredibly easy to go mad and spend more than you

should. Because of this it’s always a good idea to have a realistic idea of how much you can afford to spend before you even think about going sale shopping.

You need to be quite brutal when doing this. If you don’t have any spare cash then make sure you steer well clear of the shops so that you don’t end up spending money you don’t have.

Once you have a budget in mind make sure you stick to it. Keep a mental note of how much you’re spending as you go around the shops and stop once you’ve reached your limit.

WRITE A SHOPPING LIST...Impulse buys will be the downfall of your sale shopping experience as you’ll inevitably

come home laden with things you don’t actually need.

So, to make your money go further make sure you write a shopping list before you venture into town. If you’re furniture shopping then make sure you take the measurements with you so you know exactly what you’re looking for.

THINk THROUGH yOUR PURCHASE...Before you even pick something up to look at the price and ask yourself whether you

really need it. Think about how much you would be willing to pay for it and if you’d even be considering buying it were it not on sale. If the answer to both questions is yes and the price is right, then you have yourself a bargain. If not, then walk away.

GET A SECOND OPINION...If you don’t trust yourself to be let loose in the sales alone then take a friend along too.

Asking them to play devil’s advocate and question your every purchase is a great way of making sure that you don’t end up buying things just for the sake of it.

CHECk yOU’RE GETTING VFM...Don’t automatically assume that just because something is on sale it’s going to give you

value for money. Firstly, check how much the item is reduced by and consider whether you can get a similar item elsewhere for less (shopping around is particularly important with big purchases).

Then, take the time to examine the quality of the item looking for any obvious damage or bad craftsmanship? It’s worth bearing in mind that some stores may be willing to give you an additional discount if you notice a fault. However, if you take them up on their offer they may not give you a refund at a later date.

NEGOTIATE...Scary as it may seem, politely asking whether the sales assistant would be able to knock

a little extra off the price tag often pays. Remember, you have nothing to loose, the worse they can do is say “no”.

CHECk THE RETURNS POLICy...By law you will be entitled to a refund, replacement or return if the item you buy turns

out to be faulty. This applies even to items purchased on sale or as seconds.

However, retailers don’t have to give you a refund just because you’ve changed your mind so it’s vital you check the store policy before you buy.

kEEP yOUR RECEIPTS...You should always keep your receipt when you buy anything as this will act as your ‘proof

of purchase’ if the item later turns out to be faulty.

THINk ABOUT HOW yOU’LL PAy...It goes without saying that store cards should be given a wide berth when you’re sale

shopping as they charge high APRs and can encourage you to spend more than you have. The only exception to this is if they give you an additional discount on your purchase and you are 100% certain that you will be able to clear them completely when your statement arrives.

If you have a tendency to get carried away and go over budget it can be a good idea to shop in cash. This way the money you have feels more real and it’s easier to keep track of exactly how much you have left to spend. Avoid making extra trips to the cash point though, once your money runs out it’s time to go home.

On the other hand, if you’re confident of your ability to stick to a budget then shopping on a rewards credit card can be a good idea, providing you clear your bill when your statement arrives.

GeTTinG THe moST for your money


...call 902 750 190 or 950 121 936 ~ eMail: [email protected]

ProPerty guide....

uRGENTLy REquIREDFarmhouses & Equestrian Properties For Sale

CLIENTS WAITING TO [email protected]

OOliveContact: 607 705 085 or 687 938 466

C/Llanos, Bedar(Next to the Miramar Restaurant)

Open: Monday-Friday 10.00am-3.30pmwww.olivehouse-es.com

ULEILA DEL CAMPO Fabulous opportunity to purchase a Cortijo / ruin for complete restoration, set within rolling countryside with 4 hectares of land.

59,995€

olV525

Most Spanish Believe Homes Will Continue Getting Cheaper

According to the latest Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for December, published by the National Research Centre (CIS), it is not only the real estate market experts who predict that housing prices in Spain will continue to fall, despite the already large drop which they have suffered since the beginning of the crisis, of more than 30% on average. The majority of Spanish think so too. More than half of respondents surveyed (52.7%) believe that houses will continue to depreciate during the next 12 months and another 37.1% think that their prices will remain

the same. Only 4.9% foresee an increase in prices.

Compared with the data for November, these percentages reflect how more and more people now believe that house prices will continue downward. In the previous statistical survey, 50.2% were of the opinion that prices would fall in the future and 40.2% predicted that the cost of housing would remain as it was.

El Mundo reported that those surveyed who currently predict further discounts on home prices, based their answer on one fundamental difference: the decrease in demand. 40.9% of respondents justified their answer taking this factor into consideration. Another 31.4% said that the fall in purchasing power will cause house prices to keep falling, and 27.8% feel that the excess of stock will keep

prices stable.

In response to the CCI question on whether those surveyed had any plans to buy a house next year, 97.3% ruled out this possibility, while only 2.1% claimed that buying a home next year is among their plans. The difference between these two percentages is slightly wider than in November, when 96.8% of respondents were not contemplating the possibility of buying a home and 2.7% said they were.

The CIS compiled these results from 1,206 interviews conducted between 17th and 19th December with people of both sexes aged 16 years or over, in Spain’s 17 autonomous regions and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

FOR uP-TO-DATE PROPERTY NEWS GO TO: WWW.KYERO.COM

FOR RENT IN LOS CARASOLES...BEAUTIFUl VIllA on A 400m2 ploT3 BEDROOMS, TWO BATHS, PATIO AND SPACIOUS GARDEN. ExTERIOR SHED FOR STORAGE. QUIET AREA WITH NICE vIEWS AnD 20 mInUTES FRom ThE BEACh - REnTAl: 300€ PCM

For more information or to arrange to view a property call or email New Horizon Villas, Los Carasoles. Open 9am - 2pm

TelOffice:[email protected] of hours: 636 20 50 70 www.newhorizonvillas.com

€125,000

• 3 Double Bedrooms• Spacious Kitchen/Dining Room• Roof Terrace 45m2

• Large Covered Front Porch• Garage• 1500 metres garden • Walled and gated• Fully legal• Mains water & electricity

English Tel: 0044 1952 246 476 Email: [email protected]

reSToreD, larGe corTijo in almanzora Valley wiTH loVely mounTain anD Valley ViewS

MOrE prOpErTIES LIKE THIS NEEDED!paul: 693 969 800

[email protected]

A COUNTRY HOUSE IN THE CANTORIA AREA

price: €102,000 - £82,824• farmhouse• detached.• renovated• land area - 1.7 hec• floor area - 180 m²• 4 beds • 2 baths

We have been established in the Almeria area for 10 years.More realistically priced properties required

For more details on any of the above properties,please visit our website.

For more information call us on: 950 431 855 / 661 143 871

Visit our website:www.spanishestateagent.com

Find us on Avenida Puente, Albox

Arboleas, large 3 bed, 2 bath villa.600m2.ONLY119,000€

Taberno, villa on plot of 10,000m2.ONLY59,950€

Antas Countryside. Villa and 400m2plot.ONLY160,000€

Vera. Large town houseONLY109,000€

ram

bla

Suicidejunction

Caja Granada↓ Todo Shop↓

We areHErE

↑


Property...Property...

pRICE BROWNESTATE AGENTS • MOJACAR • INMOBILLARIA

A superb linked villa of 76m2 on a small community with

low community fees and just 100m from the beach.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, parking, sea views from the

upper terrace.To be sold furnished.

For a superb selection of properties for sale & rent visit our office on the Paseo del Mediterrano and talk to our

friendly, knowledgeable staff - or visit our website:

www.pricebrown.com

mojacar playa 120,000€ Lv641

[email protected] +34 950 478 915

[email protected]

TEL: 968 592 679

Many can do it well...Some can do it

very well...But only a few do it like us...

Always with the customer in mind

CAMPOSOL BuSINESS CENTRESECTOR A, CAMPOSOL, MAZARRON

Specialising in Property Sales & Rentals in the Huercal-Overa Area & San Juan de los Terreros

PROPeRTieS fOR SAle OR RenT beTween TAbeRnO, HueRcAl-OveRA

And SAn JuAn de lOS TeRReROSOffice: 155a carretera estacion,

Huercal-Overa, Almeria1km off the A7 motorway at exit 553

100 metres from lidl

ARBOLEAS.................€149,950

• Located within walking distance of amenities• High quality villa with many extras• 3 double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes• Family bathroom and ensuite to bed 1• Good size lounge/diner with fire-place• Fully fitted kitchen• Covered terrace and swimming pool REF:A1571

please check our website for more unbelievable offers or calltel: (0034) 616 760 409 or tel: (0034) 950 091 137 www.indalorealestate.com email: [email protected]

legal properties urgently required in thealbox, arboleas, huercal overa,los Gallardos and mojacar areas

ARBOLEAS..............€129,000

• Excellent 2/3 bed Villa • Lounge/diner and conservatory • Family bathroom and ensuite to bed 1• Fully fitted kitchen• 650m² mature garden with 8x4m swimming pool• Central heating, air-con, fly-screens and ceiling fans• 2/3 minute drive from Arboleas REF: A1610

ARBOLEAS.................€164,950

• Luxurious 3 bed Villa • Good size lounge/diner • Beautiful conservatory/sunroom• Family bathroom and ensuite to bed 1• Fully fitted kitchen• 128m² build; 626m² garden with pool• 2/3 minute drive from Arboleas REF: A1616

ARBOLEAS.................€138,000

• 3 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms• 31m² lounge/diner with a feature gas fire• Fully fitted kitchen with white goods• 15m² conservatory with retractable glass doors• 8x4m swimming pool and 24m² workshop• Central heating; air-con; fly-screens, satellite TV etc. • Walking distance to amenities Ref: A1683

NRARBOLEAS......€595/month

• Beautifully furnished Villa with Annexe• 4 beds, 3 baths in total • Fully fitted kitchen & utility room• Good size lounge/diner with log-burner • Swimming pool and great views• Garage and lots of extras ref: r301

TURRE...................€600/month

• Fully furnished 3 bed, 2 bath Villa • Walking distance to all amenities • Fully equipped kitchen• Lounge/diner with fire-place• Swimming pool and off-road parking• Air con/satellite TV ref: r244

NRCUCADOR......€495/month

ref:r307

• Fully furnished, 3 bed, 3 bath Villa• Fully fitted kitchen with appliances• Good size lounge/diner with log-burner• 8x4m swimming pool • Air-con, ceiling fans, satellite TV• Roof-top solarium; peaceful location

NRARBOLEAS......€550/month

• Fully furnished 3 bed, 2 bath Villa • 3-4 minute drive from Arboleas• Fully equipped kitchen• Lounge/diner with fire-place• Swimming pool and off-road parking• Covered terrace and bbq area

SALE AND rENTAL prOpErTIES urGENTLy rEQuIrED

ref: r286

For more information call us on:

950 431 855 / 661 143 871Visit our website:

www.spanishestateagent.com

Find us on Avenida Puente, Albox

ram

bla

Suicidejunction

Caja Granada↓ Todo Shop↓

We areHErE

↑

WE urGENTLy NEED rEALISTICLy prICED

prOpErTIES, SALES + rENTALS FOr WAITING

CLIENTS


Looking Around for Insuranceor Renewal Due?

Let Sol Insure find the best policy for you!PRovIDIng the beSt coveR At comPetItIve RAteS

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A New Ray Of Light For InsuranceSol InsureSol Insure

Sometimes the best things take the longest to develop and with a good kitchen design it is no different. This is so because the kitchen is not only one of the most important functional rooms in the home but also because it serves the added purpose of adding tangible and aesthetic value to your home and any good kitchen design will be able to accomplish all these purposes.

A good kitchen design takes into account the needs of the person or family that is going to be using the kitchen and as a result, things like the cabinets, appliances, furnishings

and lighting should be adequate enough for these people to execute their kitchen tasks. Some people prefer a lot of work space in the kitchen so opting for all encompassing built-in units like kitchen islands and wall to wall counter tops are a great idea. Others prefer large refrigerators and stoves and ovens in which case these appliances should be chosen according to your particular needs and preferences.

Entire books have been written about kitchen planning, but the key factor is that common sense needs to be applied in all situations. Make a list of all complaints you have with

The Perfectly Designed Kitchen…The Perfectly Designed Kitchen…

your current kitchen. Where do you need extra electrical outlets? Is it too dark at night? Is your refrigerator too small? Do you hate to clean your cooktop?

The first thing to do is to begin to think outside the box. Certain utilities such as water, drains and electric may be in certain parts of your existing kitchen, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be relocated with a little effort; relocating utilities can open up a wide vista of planning opportunities!

If at all possible, install a double bowl sink - don’t settle for a standard one. You can get gorgeous stainless steel and cast iron ones that have very deep bowls for large pots and pans. Make sure your plumber installs separate ball valves under the sink so you can easily and reliably shut off water to the sink and dishwasher. Speaking of dishwashers, focus your attention on the ones that are whisper-quiet or completely silent… you’ll be grateful you did!

Lighting is everything. Try to create different levels of light; you can do this with multiple recessed lights and traditional surface mounted or hanging fixtures where certain ones are operated by different switches. Indirect lighting can create a soft glow for mood lighting when the kitchen is not in use. Skylights allow abundant sunshine to cascade into the kitchen and light the space even on the odd cloudy day.

Countertops are very important and don’t think you have to limit yourself to using just one material. You may decide to splurge on a natural or reconstituted stone island top while using high-grade plastic laminate for the remainder of the tops. Solid surface tops can be mixed with any other top material. If you like to make your own dough for baking, you may want a cool slab of granite inserted in a food preparation area. At the very least, you can buy a stand-alone granite trivet for this same purpose.

Be sure you plan for plenty of countertop space in critical areas. You need a landing pad for things taken from the refrigerator. Ample countertop space is a must-have on both sides of the cooktop and sink.


stop ‘n’ shop in yoUr...

super CornerenGlish sUpermarKet

tUrre, neXt to meson del pobre

all yoUr FavoUrite brands and more in one sUperstore!!

open mon-sat 9:30-6pm & sUn 9:30-1:30pm

winTer warmer menu

To include Homemade Steak Pie, Chips & Gravy Sausage & mashGammon Steak,

Chips, Peas & Pineapple

Changes Daily & from only 4€ open monday - Friday 8am til late saturday & sunday 9am til late

fiSH, cHipS & PEAS for €5Available every day

weDneSDay niGHT curry 2 Courses €6

new winTer warmer MENU from €4

new SunDay luncH menu

only 5€

Café Bar

LA ALFOQUIA, ZURGENA

667 919 025

easy entertainingsalt-crusted Mini

baked Potatoes With cold chive hollandaise

INGREDIENTS - Serves 510 small red potatoesolive oil½ tbsp salt flakes 3 egg yolks2 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons white wine vinegar6oz butterseasoning(1oz) chives, snippedYou will need a large solid baking sheet.

METHODFirst of all, make the hollandaise by placing the egg yolks in a small bowl and season them. Then place them in a food processor or blender and blend them thoroughly for about 1 minute. After that, heat the lemon juice and vinegar in a small saucepan until the mixture starts to bubble and simmer. Switch the processor or

blender on again and pour the hot liquid on to the egg yolks in a slow, steady stream. After that, switch the processor or blender offNow, using the same saucepan, melt the butter over a gentle heat, being very careful not to let it brown. When the butter is foaming, switch the processor or blender on once more and pour in the butter in a thin, slow, steady trickle; the slower you add it the better. (If it helps you to use a jug rather than pouring it from the saucepan, warm a jug

with boiling water, discard the boiling water and pour the butter mixture into that first.) When all the butter has been incorporated, wipe around the sides of the processor bowl or blender with a spatula to incorporate all the sauce, then give the sauce one more quick burst and you should end up with a lovely smooth, thick, buttery sauce. Then pour it into a bowl and stir in two-thirds of the snipped chives. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and leave in the fridge until the

sauce is cold and set. Next, scrub the potatoes thoroughly and dry them with a tea towel, then leave them aside for the skins to dry completely (if you get ready-scrubbed potatoes, just wipe them with damp kitchen paper). Preheat the oven to 190°C/gas mark 5. When the skins are nice and dry, prick them with a fork, then moisten your hands with oil and rub the potatoes to oil them all over.Put the tablespoon of salt flakes in a bowl and swirl each potato in the salt to coat it lightly. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until crisp and tender. Then when you’re ready to serve, cut a cross in the top of each potato and gently squeeze up from the base to open out the cut slightly (use a towel to protect your hands). quickly top each one with a spoonful of the chive hollandaise, then sprinkle with the reserved chives.

starter

idabarLav cucador

NEW ON TUESDAYS 6-9PM curry & chips cod & chips

ONLY 5€all

premierleaGue

fooTBallliVe

laDieS frienDly

DarTSweD 8pm

all welcome

new TapaS menu

ONLY 1€

Take away

SerVice Till 7pm

SAXON rEAL ALE ON TAP - ONLY 2.40€ PEr PINTBlackTHorn ciDer

ESTrELLA ONLY 2€ PEr PINTOpen Every Day 12pm - Late

Tel: 950 634 562 • [email protected] the Venue: For your PriVate Parties,

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BOOKING rECOMMENDEDSpANISH SpEAKING 950 430 145 ~ ENGLISH SpEAKING 647 730 103

P o l i g o n o i n d u s t r i a l a l b o x , n e a r t h e i T v g a r a g e

w w w . m e s o n d e i r e n e . c o m

SuNDAy rOASTMENu DEL DIA4 courses with bottle of ESTE

roast Lamb Shoulder & pork Knuckle, roast potatoes & VegetablesLunch 1pm - 4pm

MENu DEL DIA4 Courses with Wine & Coffee Monday to Saturday inclusive

Lunch 1pm - 4pm

Vegetarian Menu AvailableChildrens Menu Available

FrEE WIFI

MENu DEL NOCHE20 Oz TBONE STEAK, 16 Oz BEEF

ENTrECOTE, 12 Oz pOrK TENDErLOIN, rOASTED LAMB SHANK & SHOuLDEr, rOASTED pOrK KNuCKLE AND MOrE

DINNEr 7pM-10pM

Mesón de

IreneFREE BOTTLE

OF LA MANCHA RED OR WHITE WINE PER COUPLE TO TAKE AWAY WITH ANY

OF OUR NIGHT MENUS

vALID ONLY WITH THIS vOUCHERmon - SAT: 19.00 - 22.00

UNMISSABLE OFFER!

LOCAL STEW & rOASTEvery day a different stew!

LAMB, pOrK, FISH, LENTILSMON: roast Lamb ShankTuES: roast pork Loin

WED: roast pork KnuckleFrI: roast Lamb ShankSAT: roast Lamb Shank

& pork KnuckleSuN: roast Lamb Shoulder

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK


METHODTo start, if the scallops are large slice each

one in half. Then pour the vermouth into a medium-sized saucepan and add the bay leaf.Bring it up to the boil, add the scallops and,

when it comes back to a simmer, time it for exactly 1 minute before removing them with a draining spoon to a colander over a bowl. Next add the monkfish – in two batches – following the same procedure (back to a simmer, but this time cook each batch for 2 minutes).Next poach the frozen mussels (same as

above, but remove them just as they come to a simmer) and finally the frozen prawns, only this time poach them until they turn pink and opaque. Then add the drained juices from the poached fish to the poaching liquid in the pan and bring it up to the boil, then reduce by two-thirds, which will take about 10 minutes. Then pour the poaching liquid into a jug,

you need about 150ml (5fl oz). Next make the sauce, do this by melting the butter in a small saucepan, stir in the flour, then gradually add the poaching liquid bit by bit, stirring continuously with a mini whisk. Cook on a gentle heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the sauce has cooked, add the crème fraîche, capers, cornichons, and dill then season and add some cayenne pepper. Once the sauce and fish are completely

cold, mix them together in a bowl and pile into the pie dish. Next roll the pastry to an oblong 20 x 30cm (8 x 12in), then use a pastry brush to dampen the surface with a little water and sprinkle evenly with the 20g (¾oz) of Parmesan. Then fold the pastry over and roll it out to

35cm (14in) square. Now cut two 2cm (¾in) strips from two of the edges of the pastry square. Dampen the rim of the dish with water, press

the strips of pastry on to the rim and dampen them. Press the rest of the pastry loosely over that to form a lid and, using a sharp knife, trim any excess pastry off. Then press the edges firmly together and flute them all round.Make a steam hole in the centre with a skewer

and roll any pastry trimmings together and cut them into leaves or little fish to decorate the top. Cover and chill for at least an hour, but it will be fine until the following day.When you are ready to cook the pie, preheat

the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7, then brush the pastry with beaten egg and sprinkle with the rest of the Parmesan. Place the pie on a baking tray and cook on

the centre shelf of the oven for 25 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 180°C/gas mark 4 and cook for a further 20 minutes. Leave to stand for about 5 minutes before

serving.

seafood PieWith a ParMesan crust

INGREDIENTS Serves 6250g scallops (with corals if possible)800g monkfish fillet, cut into 3cm (1¼in) pieces250g frozen cooked mussels250g frozen large, raw tiger prawns450mldry vermouth1 bay leafFor the sauce:25g butter15g flour2 rounded tablespoons crème fraîche1 heaped tablespoon fine capers in vinegar, drained, or salted capers, well

rinsed8 cornichons, drained and roughly chopped1 heaped tablespoon chopped dilla good pinch of cayenne pepper seasoningFor the pastry:375g ready-made butter puff pastry20gfreshly grated Parmesan, plus2 tablespoons to sprinkle1 egg, beatenYou will need a round pie dish 20.5cm (8in) in diameter at the base, 26cm (10½in) at the top and 3.5cm (1¼in) deep.

Main

Open everyday 12pm - late. From 11am weekends


COD & CHIPS ALL DAYBeer-battered cod, homemade chips & peas

SuNDAy LuNCH 12.30pm - 5pm

idabarLav cucador

Huercal Overa

ALBOx

CuCADOR

La Vida

La Alfoquia

zurgena

ARBOLEAS

We are here

1km

Junc 547Mojacar E15

Served with handcut home-made chips

WED - SAT 6pm - 9pm

FrIDAyS

Steaks, Mixed Grills. Surf & Turf, & Fresh Fish

SaXon real ale 2.40€ PEr PINT

Wednesday, Thursday,

Friday & SaturdayServed 6pm-9pm

2 Courses from 9.95€

Menu del Nochemonday - Saturday 12 noon

cucadorLa idarestaurant&venuevWish you all a happy NeW year

Unique dining within a comfortable,

relaxed atmosphere, with plenty

of comfort and leg room.

Home cooking at its best with friendly

waitress service.

Stunning views of olive groves and

mountains.

5 minutes off the main road sign

postedto Cucador

(see map below)

LADIESCoffee & Cake at Loose

Women group 2pm - 4pm

mon

TueS

weD

THur

TuESDAySpECIAL

6.00pM - 9.30pM

CHICKENCurry & rICE

Or

5€5€COD &CHIpS

BookinG aDViSaBle

TapasMenuNEW 1€

TuESDAySpECIAL

CHICKENCurry & rICE

COD &CHIpS

BurnsPartyNight

BurnsPartyNight

Friday25th

January

Friday25th

January

with J+JMUSIC

WONDERFUL NIGHT FOR ALL

Addressto theHaggis

Toastto the

Lassiesand a

KILTS OPTIONALKILTS OPTIONAL3 CourseThemedmenu + 1/2 Bottle of wine

3 CourseThemedmenu + 1/2 Bottle of wine

14.95€14.95€

7 - 7:30 pmBookings Advisable

7 - 7:30 pmBookings Advisable

2.30pm - 4pm

TEA DANCE

EYES DOWN

YOGA

DARTS

3 - 5 pm

7pm play your Cards right& jackpot to be won

PILATES 10 amAll Levels

LadiesAll welcome 7.30pm

2 courSeS10.95€

6pM - 9pM


Opening�Hours�Mon�12:30-3pmTues-Sat�12:30-3:30pm�&�5-9pmOpposite�Iceland�Car�Park,VeraTel: 667 333 361 www.thechippyvera.com

Traditional Takeaway

Fish & Chips

2 x Cod or Haddock & ChipsOnly 10€

2 x Pie & ChipsOnly 7€

2 x Sausage or Savaloy or Chicken Nuggetsor Fish Cakes & Chips - only 5€

Saturday Night Meal Deals (can be mixed & matched)

EaT iN Or TakE-awayNo more sitting in your cars to eat...The Chippy now has tables & Chairs

New to The ChippyTuesday is Curry Day Lunchtime & Evening

Homemade authentic curries cooked from scratch & cheap as chips.Choose from starters, mains & rices.

Including vegetarian options

ALBOx

BAR MENU, SNACKS & HOME-MADE PUDDINGSIncluding Burgers, Lasagne, Omelettes, chilliAll Day Breakfastfrom 9am Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

TraDiTionalSunDay luncHDelicious & Home-cooked

Topside of beef & Yorkshire puddingroast Pork with crackling and apple sauce

tender roast TURKEY with stuffinglocal grown potatoes , seasonal vegetables

glass of house wine, tubo of beer or a coffee

starters, puddings 2€ each

Friday & Saturday Eveningsrestaurant Open 6pm-9pmMenu From 5.95€

coD ‘n’ cHip friDaySBeer-battered Atlantic Cod, Homemade Chips,Mushy or Garden Peas…Fridays & Saturdays 12 - 9pm

5.95€from

only6.95€to include aFREE Drink

5€

MENU DEL DIA2 Courses

served 12 - 3except Fri & Sun

only

@950 120 718 / 610 641 [email protected]

Bp Garage

BAZA →← ARBOLEASav. Lepanto

ALBOX →

•••••• ALBOx

OPEN 9AM-LATE MON-SAT 10-6 SUN

SunDay BreakfaST

SERVED 10AM-12PM

served 12.30

- 5pm

ThisFriday

11TH jan

TraVelinGacouSTicSwiTH roBin &

frienDS

AcousticMusicians& Floor Singersall leVelS welcome To come alonG, BrinG your inSTrumenTS anD join ina niGHT of muSic

To enjoyall welcome

8pm STarT

acTiViTieS aT

rock ‘n’ roll..........7:30

Quirky Quiz............7:30

Bingo with Ged...2:30Line Dancing with Carrie..7:30

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayCeroc Dancing& Fun Social Night..7:30

arT claSSeS HelD moST DaySpop inTo THe Bar for more info

compuTer cluBkeep fiT & SlimminG claSSeS

cHeck THe BoarD for TimeS pl

uS

yellowstone bar

yellowstone bar

Good times

Good timesGreat Friends

Great Friends

Parties

Catered ForWe Have all

Major Phone

Top-Ups

All Food

Homemade

On Premises

In a Rush?Ring Your Order

Through

breakfast menu available

9am - 12 noon mon - sat

english breakfast

2.00€also breakfast

sandwiches,

crumpets on toast

lunchtime menuserved

12 noon - 2:30pm mon - sat

choice of:

wraps,

sandwiches,

paninis, burgers

and pies

ITVCENTRE

Piedra Amarilla →yellow Stone 1km

Fines →← Albox

Find us in piedra amarilla(Formerly the Grapevine)For more information and

phone orders call paul:634 332 178


GarDEN & ENVirONMENT

Frankie’s GardenFrankie’s Garden

euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly known as the poinsettia, is an indigenous plant to Mexico. this Christmas the local villages have them planted in gardens, roundabouts and Municipal Buildings and the weather has been kind to them so they don’t look tatty as in previous years.poinsettia dislike strong sunlight

but do need light so place them in a bright but shady place or, if indoors, diffuse the sunlight by placing them behind a net curtain. they also hate being in standing water but do like to be kept on the damp side, so water when soil starts to feel dry to touch. always remove your plant from a decorative container before watering and allow it to drain completely before returning it to its permanent spot. It is not a good idea to place them too near frequently opened doors, fireplaces, central heating appliances, or radiators as they hate draughts, excessive heat or fluctuating temperatures. fussy aren’t they?It is best not to feed your poinsettia

when it is in bloom but wait until the

bright bracts have died down before giving it a general purpose feed. Which brings me on to my next point; many people try and save their poinsettias each year and fail. My advice? Don’t even try it! the best policy is to buy them, admire them, use them and then lose them! otherwise you will spend a lot of time and effort only to be sadly disappointed when they don’t come up with another beautiful display next year. after all, they are very cheap to buy in the markets just before Christmas.everyone recognises the beautiful

dark green leaves and bright red bracts of the poinsettia we are used to having in our homes at Christmas but there are many other varieties less well known. there are pink ones, cream, white, marble, salmon, red with pink spots, white with rose flecks, dark red and purple and also multi-headed varieties. Why not keep an eye out next December for one of these unusual ones to surprise friends and neighbours with?

Email your gardening questions to Frankie at [email protected]

ANSwER

QUESTIoNI was given a beautiful poinsettia just before Christmas, how can I keep it going as they

always die on me after the holiday season is over?

MET OFFiCE: 2012 waS Uk’S SECOND wETTEST yEar ON rECOrDThe past 12 months were the second wettest

on record in the uK, according to data released by the Met Office and reported by the BBC

The total rainfall for the uK during 2012 was 1,330.7mm (52.4in), just 6.6mm short of the record set in 2000.

Most areas were affected by the extreme weather, with thousands of homes flooded and farmers struggling to grow crops in the saturated soil.

The latest data comes as analysis says the frequency of extreme rainfall in the uK may be increasing. Statistics showed that days of particularly heavy rainfall had become more common since 1960. The study into extreme rain was based on statistics from the National Climate Information Centre, the uK’s official climate record.

The Met Office said this was the wettest year on record for England, the third wettest for Wales, the 17th wettest on record for Scotland and the 40th wettest for Northern Ireland. The records date back to 1910.

The Met Office added that four of the top five

wettest years had occurred since 2000.

“The trend towards more extreme rainfall events is one we are seeing around the world, in countries such as India and China, and now potentially here in the UK,” said Met Office chief scientist Prof Julia Slingo.

“Much more research is needed to understand more about the causes and potential implications.”

Most areas in the UK experienced flooding during 2012, affecting thousands of homes and businesses.

In the run-up to Christmas, South-West England was particularly badly affected, with a number of railway lines remaining closed over the entire festive period.

The Environment Agency said almost 8,000 properties in England and Wales were flooded during 2012 and it sent more than 200,000 warnings to households and businesses. However, it added that flood defences had protected more than 200,000 properties in at-risk areas.

US TOwN baNS SaLE OF SMaLL waTEr bOTTLESThe uS town of Concord in Massachusetts

has banned the sale of bottled water in units smaller than one litre. The law came into effect on January 1, after a three-year campaign to reduce waste and encourage tap water use.

First offenders will get a warning. Anyone caught selling the banned bottles a second time will be fined $25 (£15), with $50 for further offences.

The Australian town of Bundanoon introduced a complete ban on bottled water in 2009.

More than 90 universities in the uS and others around the world have already restricted the sale of plastic bottles, as have some local government authorities.,

Concord has not introduced any restrictions on the sale of small bottles of other drinks, and the bylaw has an exemption in case of emergencies.

Campaigners say Americans consume 50

billion small bottles of water each year.

The bottled water industry says the small bottles are essential to modern life and encourage people to live healthier lifestyles. But Jean Hill who led the campaign for the ban in Concord, told the New York Times: “What I’m trying to do with this bylaw is to increase the barriers to buying single-serve bottled water.”

“In order to help people change, you need to put policies in place that steer them away from buying bottled water and toward considering the many other good alternatives.”

Some of the town’s residents argue the ban is pointless, as they can go down the road and buy small bottles from shops in neighbouring towns.

Ms Hill says she was inspired to begin her campaign by her grandson, who told her about a vast floating island of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean.

MOrE ObjECTiONS TO GwyNEDD HyDrOELECTriC POwEr SCHEMEConservationists claim a

dam for a planned £100m hydroelectric scheme could spoil a beauty spot on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, according to a report by www.bbc.co.uk.

The Open Spaces Society has added to objections to the Glyn Rhonwy plan, warning it will encroach on common land and be an eyesore. The developer, the quarry Battery Company, has said it will do everything to minimise the impact. Gwynedd council said no date has been set for the proposal to be discussed.

The Open Spaces Society has raised objections to the proposal, saying it is especially concerned that the site boundary takes in common land. It said the applicants need to be aware that they cannot develop common

land unless they offer land in exchange.

The society’s general secretary Kate Ashbrook said: “We are dismayed that there is no mention of common land in the principal documents accompanying the application.

“We urge the council to reject this application as inappropriate in this area of natural beauty which is much enjoyed by walkers and climbers.”

The proposed pump storage scheme is based on the same principle as Dinorwig’s First Hydro plant in Llanberis.

Water there is pumped uphill to a reservoir when electricity is cheap and then released back down through a turbine to generate electricity to sell on when it is more expensive for suppliers to buy. A dam

would be built at the upper reservoir and the society says it is concerned about the effects of construction.

The Snowdonia Society has already voiced its concerns about the effect the Glyn Rhonwy scheme on the wildlife, culture and heritage of the area.

It also said there are no details available on how the scheme will be connected to the grid and they fear extra pylons may have to be constructed locally.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has also said it feels that the “scale and size of this development requires much more consideration”.

The site has previously been the subject of planning applications for schemes ranging from a large ski dome to a mountain biking centre.


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orDACROSS1 Second issue causes offence (8)5 Origins, say, of things to go with food? (6)10 Shot off with drug at area of potential trouble (3,4)11 passed Lynam coming back with White (7)12 Summarise funny caper! (5)13 A hundred soldiers surrounding England - time for reconciliation! (9)14 rare invite surprising a new sort of doctor (12)18 Without doubt, uni bedsit plan almost collapses (12)21 put a nearly nice rhode Island inside, being strictly moral (9)23 There it is love, hiding in a broken vial! (5)24 Questionable university subject initially taken after bringing up mate I love (7)25AconflictinUnitedNations - Egyptian leader not knowing (7)26 Girl, yet strangely without 14, shortly (6)27 put the emphasis on bringing up puddings? (8)DOWN1 Ball in this place after initially students keep quiet (6)2 Discover wide tectonic section (6)3 Extra money for university to put Iron and Ecstasy in young dogs (3-2,4)4 Not in anger, Souness displayed immoderacy (14)6 A way in to mineral? (5)

7 Head of Cambridge returning company without items for improving beauty (8)8 Making calm gnats die out? (8)9 Stop education, perhaps, keeping cold place for your money (7,7)15 relieve Woody, nearly, by way of time and energy! (9)16 Clearly left one lazily following Mp (8)17 Lovely daughter, or a bighead when taken by drink! (8)19 Nearly discover a learner’s important exams! (6)20 Cigarette stump craze surrounding information (3-3)22Cat’stailandpartofratnotinfish(5)

ACROSS1 record in writing (8)5 Secret or insurance, for example (6)9 rehearse (8)10 Abhor (6)12 Hotelier (9)13 revolutionary (5)14 Fifth book of the New Testament (4)16 jalapeno or chili, for example (7)19 Sub-atomic particles (7)21 playthings (4)

24 Swearings (5)25 Terribly (9)27 pictures (6)28 Cornhusker state (8)29 A metamorphic rock (6)30 Guess (8)DOWN1 Fix (6)2 Wheat or oats, for example (6)3 Chance or lot (archaic) (5)4 Omits (7)6 Study of the Earth’s

surface (9)7 Luminaries (8)8 Stoneless (8)11 Grasp (4)15 Monasteries or convents (9)17 Fighting against (8)18 House loan (8)20 Couch (4)21 Dealers (7)22 Elijah’s assistant (6)23 Spin and twirl (6)26 persian (5)


macS SeXy SanTa’S“If you go down to the

woods today - you’re sure of a” oops..... sorry, wrong story - it should be “If you go down to Mojacar tonight, you’re sure of a big surprise” :-) at least it was a surprise for all the lucky people enjoying a night out in Mojacar on Friday 21st December when, once again, The Sexy Santa’s made their appearance, complete with their very own Santa Claus and his Elf.

The Santa’s gathered at various establishments to sing songs, take pictures and enjoy plenty of merriment before heading off to the next venue and no-one would deny that the 7 Sexy Santa’s were anything less than a “feast on the eyes”, singing Christmas Carols to the lucky people in The Kimrick, Palacio Imperial and the Lemon Lounge on Mojacar Playa (which they almost never left because they were very generously plied with free drinks) and even venturing as far as Turre, to Bar zambra and Hostal Rural.

Of course there is a reason for the Sexy Santa’s frolics, apart from it being Christmas and a chance to dress up, and that is to raise funds for MACS, a most worthwhile cause and the night was a success in all ways, raising a total of 381 euros, a generous amount considering Mojacar is particularly quiet this year, but if there were people out and about on Friday then the Sexy Santa’s found them, and who could fail to donate when faced with such a bevy of beautiful Santa’s.

Obviously with the Sexy Santa’s dressed so risque - they needed protection and who else could protect them better than Santa Claus (David Brown) and his Elf (Alistair Machin); looking at the photo’s taken on the night I suspect Santa Claus may volunteer every year for this event....

Photo: FRONT ROW Louise Yarrington, Sandra Marriott, Shannon Edwards, Sue Osman; SECOND ROW Paige Allwood, Tracey Ingman, David Brown, Elaine Kay Brown Maggi Lake and Sheryl Machin

By the way - an interesting bit of info for you – Sexy Santa’s have been entertaining Mojacar, and raising much needed funds for charity, each Christmas since 1998. Maggi Lake was one of the ‘Original’ Sexy Santa’s back in 1998, and she is still very much involved - not a lot would stop Maggi from doing anything that involves fundraising.

Vera Photo Club meets, at 10 am the first Sunday in the month, at Frankie’s bar, Av. Ciudad de Barcelona, Vera Playa. The club was formed about a year ago by a group of like minded people interested in furthering their understanding of photography, cameras and editing.

The club has grown rapidly and includes people whose ability spans between those who have just acquired their first camera to professionals who make a living selling their photographs. Members range across differing ages, nationalities and photographic interests. The phrase “I am always learning something new” is often heard not only from the less knowledgeable but also from those who have many years of experience, which is reflected in the assistance freely given to each other.

Workshops: Talks and workshops are held on a regular basis, often with field trips being arranged to put theory into practice. A monthly challenge is set, to take photographs within a particular theme, to encourage members to learn more about their cameras and photography. Past challenges have included Shoes, Food, Reflections and zoo

Animals. When the photographs are reviewed it is fascinating to see the wide variation displaying member’s different interpretation of the themes chosen, and their approach to obtaining their final results.

Free membership: Membership of the Club is free. Costs of workshops, field trips, models for photo shoots, etc. are shared amongst those members taking part in the event. A warm and friendly welcome is given to all whether they are a permanent resident or someone who only visits the area for a short period.

Models: To organise workshops and photo shoots about fashion, portraits, studio work, etc. the Photo Club is constantly looking for models. If you are thinking of becoming a model or if you would like to feel how it is to act and pose like a model, just give the Club a ring to get all the information. After each shoot you get plenty of photos to add to your portfolio or to start a new one.

Interested in learning more about photography? Or, perhaps, posing as a model at photo shoots? Then contact Stan on 687 361 440 for more information or visit the group-page on Facebook – VeraPhotoClub.

GooDBye 2012, Hello 2013

The zurgena & District Branch The Royal British Legion: The Branch held its last meeting of 2012 on the 19th December bringing to a close another successful year. We kick off 2013 on the 3rd January with a Branch meeting at Latino’s in La Alfoquia at 11:00. On the 9th January the first Lunch Club meeting will be held at Meson de Irene.

We are determined to make 2013 a more adventurous year and have already arranged a visit to the Spanish Legion Headquarters at Viator. Also in the pipe line are visits to a local Bodega, Cartagena, La zenia Shopping Centre, Elche for the palm trees and the shoe shops and a Summer BBq.

The work of the Legion is vital in raising money for ex-service personnel here in Spain. All the money we raise is SPENT here in Spain.

The Branch meets on the 1st Thursday and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Bar Latino’s in La Alfoquia and further details can be found on our web site at www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/zurgena

You do not have to been in the Armed Forces to join the Legion so please come along to one of our meetings we are a very friendly group.

The Branch wish you all a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year.

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PALS EvENTS..........................BuRNS NIGHT. 25th January, piper, haggis tatties and neaps. A traditional evening at the Playa Grande Hotel for a 5 course meal with wine and a tot for 25 Euros. Special room rate Coach and hotel trip to AVILA, SALAMANCA, SEGOVIA, and Toledo 210 Euros staying in 3 and 4 star hotels. 210 Euros 24th/27th June..The Benidorm trip on 18/21 March and the Greek Island Cruise 29April/6 May SOLD OuT Tickets at Saralaras in Puerto de Mazarron each Wednesday afternoon 1 till 3 or Saturdays at the Trevi from11 till 1.30 or call 626 460465.In 2013 PALS are allocating all monies raised to be putto the CAFÉ account in order to get the additional ambulance a s quickly as possible .

LETS PUT MAZARRON AND MURCIA AREA ON THE MAP..... It’s all FREE... go to the website and make your page... Join Us... http://costawomen.ning.comCosta Women.. A social and business network community for Women living in Spain, or dreaming Spain as part of their life goals... We provide space to interact, share and connect, enjoy experiences, share new ideas, grow your enterprise, tell your stories, whilst providing knowledge about living in this vibrant country and make some friends along the way... There is also a still time to vote for this Costa Women Community in the Telegraph Expat Awards... You need to register first though to vote.... the link is below..http://expatdirectory.telegraph.co.uk/spain/spain-wide-the-balearic-and-canary-islands/costa-women-spain/page:2.

WELCOME EvENTS..................January 9th - Games Night, with bingo, beetle drive and quiz. A night of fun and laughs for only €3.January 23rd - Dance with tributes to Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Barry Manilow and the Everly’s. €8.February 14th - Valentine’s Night Dance with The Jazz Singer, Gene Pitney and Matt Christian. €10.February 16th - Trip to the races at Mijas, staying two nights half-board at 4-star Hotel Triton, Benalmadena, a day at the races on 17th, and a visit to the ancient hill-town of Ronda on the way home on 18th. Just €150 for a weekend of good fun.There is still room on our Norwegian Fjords trip fom May 11th to 20th. Overnight in Madrid, flight to Copenhagen, then 7 nights aboard MSC Poesia, fully inclusive of all food and drinks, cancellation insurance, all at special discounted prices.Call Rosemary on 620105179 for more details of all events.

HELP MURCIA MAR MENOR FORTHCOMING EvENTS Thursday 17th January 2013 a SIXTIES NIGHT at The Lodosol, San Pedro del Pinatar at 7.30 for 8 p.m. Tickets are €6.50 which includes entertainment and a two-course meal (starter and main course or main course and pudding). Get your tickets early as numbers are restricted. Fancy dress is optional! Thursday 21st February Bargain Hunt/Auction at Paddy Singh’s, Los Urrutias. Items for the auction to be brought between 10-12 p.m., hammer down at 2 p.m. €10 fee for 3 items and €4 for one item. Thursday 25th April dinner/dance at the Costa Narejos Hotel, Los Alcazares. For €40 per person you arrive any time after noon, there is an evening meal in the dining room, then dancing to the Big Band Swingtet, an overnight stay and breakfast in the morning. This is only a foretaste of events planned for 2013. New events will be publicised as soon as they are arranged. Every third Tuesday in the month HELP MMM’s general meeting takes place at Las Claras, Los Narejos at 11.30 for 12 noon. Tickets for events available from Joan Mitchell 868 185 685 or 678 135 467, Janice Clark on 968 134 355, or the office 968 570 059

MABS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP – MURCIAJAnUARY 2013Every Wednesday - ART WORKSHOP - Café Golf, San Javier 10.00 am - 12.00 pm Restarts on 9th January. Bring out the art in you! Informal workshop to get you started on water colours. Donation of 2 € per head for MABS. For further information call Geoff on 968 192 768.Wednesday 9th January – VOLUNTEERS MEETING – Las Claras, Los Alcázares – 11.00 am.If you would like to find out more about how you can help MABS, come along to our meeting. For further information please ring Bev on 693 362 823Tuesday 15th January - EBONY & IVORY LADIES’ LUNCH CLUB, Diamantes Restaurant, El Mojón - 1.30pm for 2pm. Three course lunch with glass of wine and entertainment...10 €. Raffle in aid of MABS. Come along, dress up and meet and make new friends. Book your place with Diamantes on 965 352 947Friday 18th January - SHARE & CARE GROUP - MABS Cancer Centre, San Javier - 11.00 amAn informal get together for anyone affected by cancer. Come along for a coffee and a chat. For more information call Anne on 693 795 247EVERY SATURDAY – BOOK SALE - The Arches Restaurant, Los Alcázares 10.00 am - 1.00 pm(weather permitting)The MABS Book Stall is a regular feature at The Arches Restaurant on a Saturday and is popular with book-lovers from Los Alcázares and the surrounding areas. Browse the stall and enjoy a coffee or bargain breakfast while you choose your books.Keep watching the press or visit our website www.mabsmurcia.com for more eventsFor further details, please call 634 362 826

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Interior Living Space plus, 15m² Terrace / Balcony with AwningsSpacious apartment overlooks a newly reformed Plaza, Views of the

church & mountains, Unusually large terrace. 2 min walk away from the town’s attractive central square, all other amenities are also within easy

walking distance,12 mins drive from the resort of Guardamar del Segura. Close to La Finca Golf course

RENTAL PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED

in Cabo Roig/Villamartin, Orihuela Costa & Costa Calida

We have clients enquiring in this area

ContactCASASOL REAL ESTATE TEL: 965 325 601

Email: [email protected]

TOWNHOuSE TOrrEMENDO

2 bedrooms & Family Bathroom, Built on 3 Levels, Spacious Living/Dining room, American Style Kitchen, Solarium & Terrace, Gated Complex,

StunningViewsoftheLake.GreatValue€59,000

TEL: 693 806 409

CHEApEr THAN rENTING?All you pay is Eur 3,000 buying costs and the rest is mortgaged

at around Eur 250 per month. Cheaper than renting an apartment in the area. Some of these 2 bedroom apartments have2bathroomsandsomewithonly1.It’safirstcome,first

served basis! Great deal!The apartments do not come with white goods but do have pre

installation air conditioning.

We have a key-ready block of apartments in Los Montesinos with full finance! All you pay is €3,000 to complete.

QuALITy AND LOCATIONTheapartmentsarefinishedtoavery high quality with communal

areas decked out with marble floorsandspaciouscorridors

which make the building very light. The location is second to none, on

the entrance to Los Montesinos overlooking the Torrevieja salt

lakes and every apartment has its own private roof garden but there

is no communal pool.

Pricesare59.900€,thepaymentplanis3.000€depositand straight to mortgage. If a client wants a 30 year

mortgageitworksoutat266€permonthandifitisa35yearmortgageitworksoutat242€permonth.

DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST BARGAIN YET!

2 onlY REDUCED To

€49.000

FOr rENT, 3 bed, 3 bath spacious

Semi-Detatched house with garage Situated in the popular

area of La zenia, walking distance to shops, beaches and

the new La zenia Boulevard, Furnished, Long term,

550€monthlypluselectric&water, perfect family home

Tel: 966 733 079 or 619 098 543

“rEADErS OF A SENSITIVE DISpOSITION

MAy FIND SOME OF THE ADS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE”

N A T A S H A , Divorced, diverse super sexy, private apartment, complete massage with massage bed. Very discreet. Call 677 676 554 San Policarpo No. 87 Apt 1-17 Cerca Calle Orihuela. Can accommodate one person or accompanied.

perSonalS

...Let the Soltimes team help you...

SolTimeSCOSTA BLANCA COSTA CALIDA +

MAR MENOR ALMERIA

ROQUETAS DE MAR

Now offer our Classified advertisers

4 LOCAL EDITIONS

Also available online at www.soltimes.com For more information

Telephone966 718 979902 750 190

plaSTerinGENGLISH pLASTErEr internal finishing, external rendering, 15 years experience, good rates. FuLLy LEGAL IN SPAIN. Call Chris 671 444 246 / 965 078 866 email: [email protected]

pHoToGrapHy

limouSine Hire

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tel: 658 321 891 orEmail [email protected]

muSician

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Quick caSHHouSe clearance

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24 Hr emerGency lockSmiTHwinDow / SHuTTer / Door lockS

openeD, cHanGeD & fiTTeDTelephone: 653 145 300

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SpECIAL DEALS FOr urBANISATIONS

lockSmiTH

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NEATEr HEATEr

See our main advert on the news pages

ASSSA MEDICAL I N S u r A N C E S Asssa Mazarron, Diane Nolan, Tel: 968 153 396, [email protected]

onlY €150,000 oFFERS wElComE

This is a unique Spanish cortijo with 4 beds, 2 baths,

Open plan living areas, kitchen & diningroom as well as a

workshop, courtyard front & back & room for a pool.

Mountain views.

for Sale DeTaTcHeD corTijo 20minS from mojacar

Build 256 m², Terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m²TELEpHONE 649 186 107email for more info at [email protected]

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CALL

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car parTS

VEHICLE IMpOrTS & MATrICuLATION.fast and competitive rates. call 687 845 730

VeHicleS reGiSTraTion

“RE-PLATE”MATE

E

GB

Don’t take a chance!Don’t break the Law!

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re-register your vehicle on to Spanish plates

490€ plus road Tax plus CO2 emission if applicable

WE PROMISE TO BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTATION

For a full service contact:

Alan 662 249 159 www.replatematecostablanca.com

neeD QualiTy new parTS for any carfor Sensible prices on all parts Clutches, Brakes, alternators, Service kits

Starter Motors, Headlights free QuoTe Go online or pHone

car parTS

www.carparTSinSpain.com or TelepHone 692 930 326

carS for Sale

remoValS

Can you sell ice to an Eskimo?

are looking for Full and Part-Time Sales Representatives in the Quesada area

Your role will be to let local businesses know how Sol Times can help them reach more customers

and develop their business.

And more importantly...you can sell ice to an Eskimo

...then we would really like to meet you!Send your CV to: [email protected]

or telephone Rosemary on 647 379 795

ArE YOU • • • Organised & able to work to deadlines?• Do you have an outgoing, friendly attitude?

SolTimeS

For re-registration of cars, motorbikes and motor homes

contact Graham SheltonWho after re-registering over

1000 vehicles will put you on the right side of the road.

605 319 889 or 966 753 [email protected]

SCRAP METALPLASTICGLASS

WHITE GOODSALL ELECTRICALS

FURNITURETv’S, DvD’S ETC

CLOTHES

wanted dead or aLive

don’t cHuck it

i’LL take it

(working or not working)

€ CASH For House cLearances

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rENAuLT MEGANE ESTATE

2010 - Estate1.5 DCi eco2

Dynamique Sport47,000 kms, 1 ownerFull service history

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Front fog lightsRoof rails, CD

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Reduced from €13,950!

€12,450


rENAuLT SCENIC AuTO/TIpTrONIC

2006 - 5 door hatch 2.0 16v Prestige AUTO/TIP105,000 kms, 2 owners

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Met black, half leather

€7,950


rENAuLT CLIO EMOTION

2007 - 5 door hatch1.5 DCi

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A/C, PAS, ABSElectric windows

Front fog lights, CD Rear privacy glass

Remote locking2007 Facelift model

Metallic blackReduced from €7,950!

€7,750

WANTED prE 1960 British Football Programmes. Private Collector staying in San Pedro del Pinatar from 19th December - 16th January 2013. Pays good prices for programmes and other vintage sporting memorabilia. Please contact Tony on 07823 775900 during that period.

S A L O N MArGArETHAS 24 years in Torrevieja hair / wig specialist for medical illness and hair loss problems. We offer different hair replacements, top fillers, hair prostheses, toupees & wigs. Natural & artificial hair & much more. Also fashion /festival accessories. TV/TS are welcome to our service. Call Margaretha on 966 921 846 for an appointment.

wiGS

wanTeD

linen millS eXpreSS

uk Spain ukweekly Service 620 582 063

r A I N B O W SATELLITES for all your TV needs with clients all over the Murcia Region. Contact Matt or Alan 686 358 475 or [email protected]

SaTelliTe TV

NEATER HEATER See our main

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SwimminG pool SafeTy

STEPTOE & SONWe will take anything you don’t

want from cars to clothes, electrical items working or

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call today Tel: 634 383 298

TrADE BuSINESSES CAN ADVErTISE IN THE CLASSIFIED SECTIONClassifiedboxfrom9€.Lineage only 45 cents per word - Deadline 5pm Friday Contact Christine 902 750 190 ext 330 or 966 719 647

wanTeDAFFOrDABLE rEMOVALS Spain - uK & return

personal, Friendly Door 2 Door service - van & trailer

Full orpart Loads

Local Moves

Office:965326920Mobile: 666 847 648

[email protected]

BrianTorrevieja

pets Welcome

papers arranged Motorbikes & Caravans

Local Europe

Simply RemovalsSpain ‹ UK › Spain• Full & Part Loads• Local-No jobs too small• Pets Welcome• Experienced owner/driver(playa Flamenca)Tel: 603 192 957/966 848 607 UK: 00 44 790 519 8895MEL [email protected]

LWB SPRInTeR van going from south to north of the UK &

back every 2 weeks, based near Murcia

Airport. Tel: 610 846 260/ 0044 7519 186 355. or email: van.

[email protected]

VANTASTIC 3.5 tonne removals or any handyman & van service Also Spain-uK tel: 693 251 562 e mail: [email protected]

uK - SPAIN - uKFrom a Parcel to a Small

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Translation Services

please call Ashley McCulloch638 899 350

name transfer on all types of vehiclesRegistering of vehicles from english to Spanish

all trafico WorkAlso available to do all types of translations

20€ first hour, 10€ every hour after

Don’t Get Caught Out!the police are cracking down on residents who still have a British

driving licence. Call me to get yours changed over for a fee of

only30€

50€

80€

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wanTeD carS for caSHBeST priceS paiDSpaniSH enGliSH

anyTHinG conSiDereDTelepHone

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ALL VEHICLESCars, Motorhomes, 4x4’s, Boats, Vans, Trailers, Quads, Classics

FOR CASH

699 805 995Telephone:

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Cars, Vans, Bikes Damaged or Scrap Reliable Cars Bought For Cash

[email protected] 603 100 692

JET SKIS URGENTELY WANTEDANY CONDITION

THiS Space, for priVaTe aDVerTiSerS, IS ONLY 15€ INCLUDING A PHOTO

phonE ChRISTInE on 966 719 647 & reacH oVer 40,000 reaDerS

SELLING yOur BIKE ?

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phonE ChRISTInE on 966 719 647 & reacH oVer 40,000 reaDerS

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peTS

7 PUPS Looking for homes at the beginning of

February.Please contact K9 or PhOne 600 84 54 20

for more infoThe K9 Club

Please call: 600 84 54 2 www.k9club.es

[email protected] is approx 3 years old, has a very kind and gentle

nature, he is good with kids, other dogs and cats. Dobby has had all his vaccinations

and has been neutered. Call: 655 027 676.

www.petsinspain.com [email protected]

ALL VEHICLE rEpAIrS, servicing, small bodywork repairs, ITV and paperwork needs. Ken Sherwood, British Mechanic - Tel: 679 646 859 (Costa Calida area only).

610 078 940

Ed’s mobile CAr rEpAIr

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PeoPLe who have maDe the LeaP to Live in waRmeR CLimes Can take heaRt fRom a beLateD aCknowLeDgment by PaRt of the bRitish meDiCaL

estabLishment that the sun is gooD foR you, afteR aLL.Six years have elapsed since doctors in

Australia - where they know more than most about skin cancer - admitted that they had overstated the dangers of sunlight, and understated its advantages.

In March 2005, Australia sharply revised its guidelines on sun exposure in favour of controlled tanning. The reason was simple: sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. People in south Australia were deficient in the vitamin, which plays a central role in cancer prevention. Deficiency is also linked to multiple sclerosis, heart disease and diabetes.

As the u-turn was announced, Professor Bruce Armstrong, of Sydney university, said: “It’s a revolution. I have been working in public health and preaching sun avoidance for 25 years. But this statement says there are two sides to the story.”

The Cancer Council of Australia acted after research showed vitamin D deficiency affected 43 per cent of females in Geelong, near Melbourne in winter. Moderately severe deficiency was found in 11 per cent of females.

At 38 degrees south, Geelong offers a useful comparison for expats in the Mediterranean. Sicily and the Costa Blanca in Spain are the same distance from the equator, and the Costa del Sol is a touch nearer.

A month after the Australian rethink, came a complementary study from Harvard Medical School. Research showed that lung cancer patients doubled their five-year survival rate if operated on in the summer.

The American Association for Cancer Research heard that the startling difference was attributed to high summer vitamin D

levels.

Vitamin D is thought to slow cell growth and spread. While melanoma rates are unquestionably higher in sunny countries - and the dangers of sunburn are acknowledged by all - southern European countries do better than their northern counterparts in all sorts of cancers. Cases of prostate, colon and breast cancer are less prevalent around the Mediterranean.

An element within the British medical establishment now appears to accept that it has been pushing anti-exposure too far. It may have stoked paranoia, at least among parents. Cases of rickets – a bone disease thought to have died out 80 years ago – are appearing among children.

Last month, Britons were told that “little and frequent” sun exposure was good. The statement was issued by the British Association of Dermatologists, Cancer Research uK, Diabetes uK, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Heart Forum, the National Osteoporosis Society and the Primary Care Dermatology Society.

People in the Mediterranean are able to benefit from sunshine almost year-round, whereas those in the uK can expect to get enough sun to produce vitamin D principally in the summer. For all winter, and before 10am and after 4pm in summer, the sun is not strong enough to trigger vitamin D production.

Expats who take a holistic line on health won’t be surprised by the news from the uK bodies. Who doesn’t feel good for a few rays? Besides, the information on vitamin deficiency has been around for six years.


OPENfOr busiNEss

Solar Hot Water & pool HeatingFull Heating InstallationsWater Treatment SystemsWater Deposits & pumps

Solar Oil

GasSolid Fuel

pellet

Tel: 950 930 900 968 969 962

fully leGal company with puBlic liaBiliTy [email protected] • www.carlossaliente.com

Cortijo pipa, Avda de Limaria 1, Limaria, Arboleas

elite plAnt HiRe Construction & drainage

Call lee on 636 092 [email protected]

• general builders• jCb 3cx Hire• patios • Roofing

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References Available

online SHoppinG BolSTerS

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tnt

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Shop: 950 104 345 or maintenance: 637 582 696finD uS in lonGo’S courTyarD

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any 2 TuBS of eiTHer mulTi, SHock or CHLOrINE TABLETS FOr JUST 36€

miX & maTcH

we will Be cloSeD from mon 24/12/12 anD will reopen mon 7TH jan 2013

Strong growth in online shopping stopped retail sales falling in December, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Sales in December were up 1.5% compared with a year earlier, while like-for-like sales, which exclude new store openings, rose 0.3%.

Without a 17.8% jump in online non-food sales, total sales would have fallen.

“Since the beginning of 2011 we’re really not going anywhere,” said new BRC director general Helen Dickinson.

She added that there was little sign that things would improve in 2013.

The BRC bases its retail sales monitor on responses from its members.“Many retailers have invested a lot in making their websites easier

to use across devices and also increasing confidence in their online security,” Helen Dickinson said.

“For the more established retailers, it seems that much of the growth is now coming from online orders, while shop sales are stagnant at best.”

However, online retail was still only a small proportion of total sales, accounting for a little over 10%.

Aside from online, the one bright spot was department stores. On Tuesday, Debenhams reported record sales in December, while on

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CLOSED MONDAYS - YOU CAN STILL CALL 697 569 750 FOR APPOINTMENTS

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Monday House of Fraser posted its “highest ever” festive sales. Last week, John Lewis also reported a sharp rise in Christmas sales.

“Department stores will always do well at Christmas, because they sell a lot of products under one roof,” Neil Saunders at retail analysts Conlumino told the BBC.

He also pointed to the fact that some established High Street names, such as Comet, are no longer trading, boosting sales at rival retailers. John Lewis, for example, “did extremely well in electricals”, he said.

“But this not a sign that the market is growing, just a reallocation of sales.”

Mr Saunders also said upcoming trading statements from some big retailers would be less positive than those from the department stores.

“We have yet to have Marks and Spencer, which is not going to be great,” he said. He also highlighted supermarket chain Morrisons, which on Monday reported a fall in sales in December.

Official figures for retail sales in December will be released on 18 January.

The BRC also said the narrow gap between total sales and like-for-like sales was a sign of the small number of new store openings in 2012.

It said that the sales growth, which was flat after allowing for inflation, was making life difficult for retailers because rising costs meant they were “running fast to stand still”.

The flat reading on inflation-adjusted sales was the worst December performance since 2008.

It rounded off a tough year for uK retailers, when a number of big High Street names went into administration, including Peacocks, Game, Aquascutum, Clinton Cards and Comet.

Analysts said more were likely to follow.“January will be a tough month for retailers as consumers face up to

their credit card bills after Christmas, and it’s likely 2013 will bring more of the same challenges,” said David McCorquodale, head of retail at KPMG.

“There will be no boom and it is likely more than a few will go bust.”

PAINTING INSIDE & OUT

ALL QuALITy prODuCTSMAKE OVEr yOur HOME THIS yEAr

Tel Graham on620 112 193 or667 853 062

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for all yourbuilding needsreliaBle

English Builder


[email protected]

Fully Legal & Experienced BuildersAll Building Work Undertaken

No Job Too Big or Small!!Phone or email for a no obligation quote

david

665 517 643 steve

610 905 173

BRITISH PLASTERER• 8 years in Spain with 25 years experience • Quality work guaranteed • references available

Tel: 634 327 201 / 661 129 028Email: [email protected]

www.paulmorrison.es

JAMES & SONRemovals / Storage

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pERSONAL ShOppING FROM ThE UK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

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S.M.S.BuILDING MAINTENANCEAll Building Work undertaken

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For free estimate or advice please callSteve on 950930536 or 634306690

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contact us now on: Tel: 950 064 584 | Mob: 654 590 258 Email: [email protected] | Web: www.solymarspain.com

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official HiTSaGenTS in alBoX

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nick Howe Chief Technician

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office: +950 528 334e-Mail: [email protected]

established for over 10 years

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DaViD cameron: cHeap BorrowinG THe prioriTyPrime Minister David Cameron has

said reducing the uK’s debt burden to ensure it can borrow money cheaply from international investors remains the government’s top priority.

For this reason, he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, the uK’s triple-A rating was “hugely important”.

Mr Cameron said the coalition also needed to address youth unemployment, which was “much too high”.

The economy needed rebalancing, with a larger private sector, he added.

The prime minister said it was vitally important the government maintained its “credibility for deficit reduction” so it could continue to borrow money at low rates of

interest.

“Britain needs low interest rates, and we can only keep interest rates low if we have a credible policy on debt,” Mr Cameron said.

The coalition has introduced a series of austerity measures designed specifically to reduce the country’s debt levels.

Despite these efforts, last month Standard & Poor’s became the last of the three main international credit rating agencies - the other’s being Moody’s and Fitch - to put the uK on a “negative outlook”. It raised concerns about levels of government borrowing and weak growth in the uK economy.

Critics argue that the government’s spending cuts have undermined

growth in the economy, which has been anaemic in recent years.

The economy emerged from a double-dip recession between August and October last year with strong growth of 0.9%, but a number of economists fear it could have contracted again in the final quarter.

The uK currently holds a AAA rating from all three agencies - the only country apart from Germany and Canada to do so.

There are concerns that if the uK loses its top rating, international lenders would view the country’s economy as more risky and charge the government more to borrow money.


advanced motorist tim saunders is the former

Business and motoring editor of the Bournemouth daily echo. his regular test reports appear

in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites

throughout the uk, ireland & gibraltar - and now here in spain! for more information

contact tim on:[email protected]

TeST DriVe: VolkSwaGen polo

Small car, low price, poor quality.

That is often the bleak prospect facing car buyers and when I bought my Ford Fiesta it was certainly the offering.

But for those of us who don’t want to re-glue trim that should have been fitted correctly in the first place, Volkswagen has long been the preferred choice. Remember the ‘80s Golf advert where a driver cannot work out where a squeak is coming from? A garage attendant realises it’s his wife’s earring and duly oils it. Then the advert tagline appears ‘If only

everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen’. Their cars exude good quality and we would all own one if only our bank managers would allow us.

The German manufacturer’s fifth generation Polo is pleasingly no different from its larger siblings. It looks and feels bomb proof. The marvellous thing is that the Polo was already very good when it was launched in 1975 and over time it has evolved to become excellent. Ford take note. There’s no trim here that will blow off in a

hardwearing fabrics cover the seats. The dashboard is solid. True to form there are no rattles or squeaks. Equipment levels are good including all round electric windows, air conditioning, rear privacy glass and alloy wheels. The electrically adjusted wing mirrors feature indicators for added safety.

Parkers, the car experts, say: “It’s refined, stylish and - depending on which engine you choose - can be incredibly frugal or delightfully quick. Much of the look and layout inside echoes that of the Golf - a high quality car itself. It works so well that many buyers should consider whether they need the extra space of a Golf when this 3/4

scale replica does a very similar job just as well.”

On the motorway it feels as quiet and refined as a larger car, while the light steering and good visibility make it ideal for driving in town. A good all-rounder.

specificationVolkswagen Polo

(09 onwards)New price range: £10,420 - £19,165Economy: 47mpg

0-60mph: 11.5secsTop speed: 110mph

Power: 83bhpTank range: 473 miles

Watch the video at:www.testdrives.biz

economical car of the range but this 1.4-litre petrol still returns almost 50mpg. Those seeking greater frugality will be drawn to the Bluemotion, which will deliber over 80mpg.

Inside, good quality

SkoDa To releaSe SiX new moDelS in 2013Skoda has confirmed six new models for 2013,

including the Octavia Estate.

Skoda has confirmed it will be unveiling six new models in 2013, with this shot – posted on Skoda’s Facebook page – confirming the Rapid, Octavia hatch and Octavia Estate set to arrive first. The three mystery models – due to arrive in August, October and December respectively – are thought to be the Octavia vRS and facelifted versions of the Superb and

Yeti SuV. There have been leaked pictures of the Octavia vRS, which will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine producing 217bhp and a 2.0 TDI variant with 181bhp. Skoda is likely to give buyers the choice of hatchback or estate versions of the vRS. When it comes to the Superb and Yeti, we’re expecting to see new engines, subtly updated styling and some improved technology, too, like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

THouSanDS of DriVerS BanneD for poor eyeSiGHTAlmost 6,000 motorists have had their licences

revoked or blocked because they cannot see the road properly

Thousands of drivers have been banned from the road because they cannot see properly, according to the latest figures.

The Department for Transport (DfT) revoked or blocked 5,285 licences for cars and motorbikes in 2011 because the motorists could not pass a standard eye test. This is an increase of eight per cent since 2010, when 4,906 motorists were banned.

The number of lorry or bus drivers who had their licences revoked or banned has increased by 39 per cent, from 493 in 2010 to 685 in 2011.

Transport minister Stephen Hammond revealed the figures in response to parliamentary questions from Labour MP Meg Munn. He said: “Licensing rules have an important part to play in keeping our roads safe. We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary restrictions on

people’s independence.”

under DfT rules, drivers must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres in order to pass a driving test. But once a driver has passed their test, there are no further compulsory eyesight tests. Instead, drivers assess themselves when renewing their licence to ensure that they meet the required standard.

Mr Hammond continued: “If the DVLA is made aware that a licence holder may not meet the minimum eyesight standards for driving then they will investigate. If it is confirmed that a driver does not meet the standards, the DVLA will revoke the licence.”

Driving with defective eyesight is an offence and a driver who does not meet the required standard could be prosecuted or have their insurance invalidated. But the Government has ruled out introducing mandatory eye tests for drivers looking to renew their licence.

What’s your view on the issue? Is the Government right to take no action or should it toughen the rules?

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high wind.

This, I deduce, without even stepping inside. This latest version is a very smart looking car indeed. Remember the awkward design of the Mark 2? Thank goodness VW resigned that to history. Today’s upmarket Polo Match 1.4 85PS is a head-turner, the test model finished in bright red. Overnight the temperatures have plummeted to minus 2 and it’s covered in ice. My heart sinks because this invariably means spending at least 15 minutes clearing the windscreens and warming the car up. I am therefore delighted to find a winter pack in the boot (the first place I visit to place my briefcase and laptop) including a scraper and de-icer. The de-icer instantly works on contact meaning that little time is wasted clearing the windows as you can see from the video at testdrives.biz. VW has fitted winter tyres, too, which gives added confidence as I make my way along treacherous roads where ignorant motorists still insist on speeding.

The little Polo feels competent and handles country lanes just as well as it does the motorway. There is a little buffeting when large vehicles overtake. It’s not the most


SporTRODS AND REELS

Well here is 2013 so happy new year to you all, hope you had a good Christmas and ready to get out and catch some fish!!!!!. ( Hopefully )

Our first match this year was the 3rd in the Presidents cup series. The venue , being the Embalse de Pedrera. Now this time of year and with the cold winds, lakes are not normally the best to fish, however fishing the deeper parts has produced some fish and some blanks for other anglers????. As it was the first match of the new year ,there was only a small turnout as some people were still in the uK. Of the 10 who turned up there were 5 blanks, fishing is not easy!!!!!.

Top Rods on the day

1st Dave ( Yours Truly ) Hoare fishing the feeder and using maggot with 7.60 kilo´s.

2nd Jim ( The Chairman ) Rouse fishing the feeder using maggot with 3.60 kilo´s

3rd Tony ( The Flower man ) Price fishing the feeder using maggot with 2.74 kilo´s.

PLEASE NOTE: The club has some vacancies at present, if you are interested in joining please contact Derek Swann on 966729293 or 603535771.

ABBEY ANGLING RESuLTS Supplied by Terry Screen

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

As our first cup match is not until the 8th January a few of us got together this week for an open match on the Embalsa de Pedrera. The water level has now started to rise slightly and the temperature is down, fish are being caught on various baits but not in great numbers, the best on the day was Richard King with four Carp but he also lost four.

1st Richard (The Lion heart) King with 4.520kg fishing the feeder using corn.

2nd Pete (Yorkie) Kerr with 2.920kg fishing the feeder using maggot .

3rd Terry (Swing em) Screen with 2.100kg fishing the feeder using pellet.

The new annual fixture list will be available as soon as confirmation is received for all the match dates, and our next club meeting will be on the 14th January 2013 at The Abbey Tavern. All details are available from our website www.abbeyangling.com or from the match secretary Terry Screen on 965328368.

ANGLERS TOGETHER

The objective of Anglers Together was to introduce anglers to each other, who otherwise had no one to fish with or didn’t know where to fish.

It was successful in bringing together many anglers who established friendships and which continue to this day.

No meetings are held now but information is still available through our email address; [email protected].

TIGHT LINES, DAVE HOARE

maGGoTS enD........................

Sucina GS...............................This months game was an

Individual Stableford held at El Valle.

18 players turned up for a sunny and warm start. This game counted as our last game towards

“ Player of The Year 2012”, so with only 1 point separating two of our players contending for the men´s title of “ Player of the Year”, this was going to go be a close contest.

Some good scores were returned, though for some there was certainly no records broken

and for them, the Course won on the day!

Our last 3-ball of players included our 2 competing players for the men’s title. An audience awaited them on the terrace overlooking the 18th green, so no pressure!

Winners were: Division One - 1st place Dave

Maskins with 32 points, 2nd place David Hurst with 31 points.

Division Two - 1st place Brian Kay with 30 points ( on count back) and 2nd place Ray Banks

(on count back). Division Three - Doreen

Crowhurst with 21 points and 2nd place Ray Davies with 17 points.

Nearest the Pin winners were:- Hole 6 - Dave Maskins, Hole 9 - Peter Tuit, Hole 12 - Andy Harvey and Hole 15 - Brian Kay.

Our next game is on Thursday, 10th January 2013 at Peraleja Golf. This is the “ New Year Cup”.

More details of all our 2013 Fixtures will be on the Website - http://www.sucinagolfsociety.webs.com

January Competition

On Friday 4th January we played our monthly Stableford Competition at El Plantio golf course , the recent bad weather had given the course a bit of a battering , however the greens staff seemed to be continually working to get the course back to its usual good condition , when we arrived at the course at around 9:00 their was evidence of frost on the greens and we were told that their may be a delay in playing until the frost had disappeared so we adjourned to the restaurant for coffee , I returned to the pro’s shop at 9:45 expecting a long delay in our starting times to be told that we could now tee off at our allocated time of 9:52 , some of the greens had been treated with a top dressing which made the them a lot more difficult , but we all

found our game a lot better than being in tow around the shopping malls .

Only 3 of the courses par three’s were hit in one with Steve Edwards getting nearest the pin on holes seven and nine , and Mark Butterfield on the fourteenth , our prize for the nearest the pin was either a sleeve of three Srixon or Callaway golf balls, our runner up for the event was Preston Ives with our winner for the day being Graham Ball , both receiving a voucher for a game at the course ( including Buggy) well done all winners .

Next month sees us at Las Colinas which we are all hoping will be up to it’s normal very good condition .

Barry Grinsell

Busters Golf Society

BuSTer Golf SocieTy..........

Tuesday competition was the monthly medal which had all the hallmarks of a typical medal round, lots of smiling faces and a number of long ones too. 16 players were there today including a couple of visitors George Stanhope managed an unenviable 11 on hole 7 but was greatly cheered up when ex Captain Ray Housley said the magic words “me too” never mind lads, it is a large pond ain’t it!!

Kenny Reddington has been reported for using a Sat Nav inserted into his golf ball.

The results this week are:

Nearest the pin, Hole 5 ray Housley, Hole 9 Martin Rickman

3rd place Ian Henderson Hcap 5 score nett 56 cb

2nd place Frank Stanhope

Hcap 10 score nett 56 cb

1st place Kenny Reddington Hcap 5 score nett 52

Our next game is on the 8th January and will be a Yellow ball competition. Visitors are welcome, please have your names on the board in the club house by 2pm Monday 7th January or phone Ian Henderson on 966716616.

On behalf of all the members I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

John O’Brien, SecretarY

el planTio 2 Golf SocieTy

Thursday 20th December we had 28 players attend our xmas game at Alenda Golf course. Once again the weather was fabulous and the course was excellent. Our captain must have a friend upstairs who takes care of the excellent playing conditions. We all played Stableford format, although a couple did mark their card for their match play game as well. The match play games are now coming down to the semi finals. Anyway, results for the day were as follows:-

Gold category

1st - Alex Duchart 30pts, 2nd - Derek Briggs 30pts, 3rd - John Saunders 28pts, Nearest the pin - Graham Lawrence, Nearest the pin in 2 - Derek Briggs.

Silver category

1st - Phil Bowditch 30pts, 2nd - Colin Pepperday 29pts, 3rd - Alex Gosling 27pts

Nearest the pin - Gerry Williams.

Nearest the pin in 2 - Alex Gosling.

Bronze category

1st - Paul Smith 32pts, 2nd - Dominic Weston 28pts, 3rd - Iris Cleaver 25pts, Nearest the pin - Iris Cleaver

Nearest the pin in 2 - Nil.

2 ball prize winners; Fran Cummins; Terry Rogers; Steve Lawrence.

Back at Fairwayz bar we were treated to a fabulous xmas dinner and prizes for everyone who played.

Thanks to everyone for making it a terrific day. Special thanks to Captain Tony Macmillan and vice captain Steve Hamilton for all their hard work arranging the day, and for all the games arranged this year. Extra special thanks goes to Fran Cummins and all his staff at “Fairwayz Sports Bar” Dolores, for sponsoring our golf days with prizes and meals. Our next game is on 3rd January 2013 at Vistabella, 1st tee time is 9:30am. Please be at the course 1 hour before. New members and guests always welcome, for more info please call Tony on 966785781. or Steve on 966637449.

Finally, a happy new year to all our members and friends.

Thanks, Steve Lawrence

fairwayz Golf SocieTy.....

mazarron fc

C.A.P.CIuDAD DE MuRCIA 1 MAzARRON FC 2

Mazarron’s excellent form continued with a hard fought 2-1 away victory at Ciudad de Murcia making it five wins and two draws from the last eight games.

New signing Baeza made his debut in midfield with juvenile central defender Victor replacing the previously ever-present Pepelu who was unavailable.

After a quiet opening spell, Mazarron took the lead in the 18th minute when Baeza’s free kick was headed into the roof of the net by top scorer Jose Ruben. The lead lasted barely five minutes before Ciudad de Murcia equalised when a slip by Victor allowed Candel to sneak in behind the defence and place the ball past Jose Iker.

Mazarron always looked

dangerous on the break and Baeza shot wide following good work by Alfonso and Poyato before Cecilio played a superb through ball to Ruben who raced on before placing a shot just wide of the far post.

Mazarron began the second half in attacking fashion and should have regained the lead almost immediately. unfortunately, Cecilio headed wide from just four yards after a brilliant run and cross down the left by Ruben. At the other end Jose Iker made the first of a number of good saves to keep Mazarron level, before Cecilio missed another great chance when he ran clear only to hit his shot straight at the keeper.

However, Mazarron took the lead in the 59th minute when Alfonso was fouled on the right touchline. Once again Baeza took the free kick and this time found the head of Barrachina who guided the ball into the corner of the net. Ruben continued to cause problems for the Ciudad de Murcia defence and from yet

another cross Alfonso almost made it 3-1.

After 65 minutes a tremendous shot from a Ciudad de Murcia forward was tipped onto the bar by Jose Iker. Murcia continued to put pressure on the Mazarron defence in the closing stages but were unable to grab an equaliser. Indeed, Mazarron should have increased their lead when Alfonso broke through and rounded the keeper only to see his shot blocked. Then, in injury time, Ruben beat three men and was racing clear of the Murcia defence when he was unceremoniously hacked down but the foul resulted only in a yellow card.

Once again it was a great team effort by Mazarron with everyone playing their part and, in this form, a push for promotion is not out of the question.

Team: Jose Iker, Barrachina, Diego, Victor, urrea (Matt Clarke), Alfonso, Poyato (Diego 2), Baeza, Santi (Panocha), Jose Ruben, Cecilio (Pepe Pollo)

Man of the Match: Jose Iker


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Villamartin - 19.12.12

Villamartin has been our chosen venue for the last two years, not only because of the locale but also its’ popularity with members. As always at Christmas people are in good spirits as was shown today, with Santa hats of various kinds resplendently displayed. The weather was superb too, wall to wall sunshine very un-christmas like for us expats. A four person Texas Scramble was the order of the day so a medal round for once, good job it was a team game someone said, much less stressful. As it turned out this was not the case as the course was set up with tees a long

lo criSpin Golf SocieTy way back and most people coming in had tales of woe all except our winners who saved the best putt til last holing a long putt to help them win, which proved to be close thing.

The Santas receiving prizes were:

1st Dave Lewis, John Featherstone, Peter Morris and Paul Carter 66 c/b, each player receiving vouchers for a free game of golf at Villamartin,

2nd Don Oliver, John Soderburg, Colin Ranson and Dicky Claeys receiving bottles of spirits

3rd Bill Mackay, John Henderson, John Cobb and Steve Harrington, receiving bottles of wine and a sleeve of balls each.

NYPs: hole 6 Brian Coultate, hole 9 Dicky Claeys, hole 13 Dave Lewis and hole 17 Allan Budd.

The 2s club: the team of Oliver, Soderburg, Ranson and Claeys received 8 Euros each

Free game draw

We all met up again in the evening at The Lo Crispin Tavern where a Christmas dinner was served after the presentation of prizes, followed by the Secret Santa draw and Tony providing the entertainment and getting most people up dancing and singing. Many thanks to David and Jose for the champagne and their staff who worked very hard all night. This evening could not have been such a success without the hard work and organisation by David and Joan Dodd many thanks from all of us.

SmGS aT VillamarTinMaybe the normally “unlucky 13” is going to be quite the

opposite for Wednesday golfers this year! San Miguel Golf Society kicked off their 2013 programme with a Wednesday game at Villamartin and, just for a change, it was a beautiful day……. warm and calm, admittedly this was after an initial chilly start.

A couple of dozen members and guests enjoyed good company in friendly rivalry on a well turned out course where the obviously sadistic green-keeper had decided to make some of the pin placements, especially a couple of the par 3’s, a little tricky to say the least!

Out of 24 golfers, how can you possibly win nearest the pin and then proceed to blob the hole?? I think that very fact makes a nonsense of the day’s ridiculous placing of the flag for every day society golfers. It’s OK for the big competitions but all it succeeded in doing on the 17th was cause the only hold-up of the round.

Our treasurer, Keith, unfortunately couldn’t make it to Villamartin and all our best wishes are sent to him for a speedy recovery from a touch of retina problems in his left eye ……… we all wish him well.

Just three NTP’s were won with the 6th hole ending up as a virgin green! Jacqui Rust won two of them with Geoff Giddy claiming the other. Obviously an accomplished player, Brian Mulligan, won the guest prize with a commendable 37 points.

Top three in the silver category in ascending order were Mike Jordan (29 on C/B), Norman McBride (30) and Ellen Drakesmith with 34.

Third place in the gold went to the other Drakesmith….John with 33, 2nd was Barry Roehrig, also with 33 but beating John on count-back. Needless to say the winner once again, still on his unbelievable run, was Phil de Lacy with 34.

Their was a huge tussle at the other end of the field…..I think someone must have had a sneak preview of the delicious looking bottle of wine which was this week’s “Abacus” award.

Three members tied for the bottom slot, so with some nifty backward counting back, which sounds highly unethical, the bottle was claimed by John Parker.

www.smgs.org is now up and running, so please have a shufty at our up-coming events or telephone Barry on 966 731 033 for more details. Visitors are always made very welcome.

A Message from the Commodore: Mike Phillips

The end of another successful year for the Sailing Association Mar Menor, the seventh since its inauguration in 2006 and it was time to celebrate the festive season. This year the Christmas Event was held at La Perdiz Restaurant, Pozo Aledo, near San Javier, a very Spanish venue. The staff was very attentive and the round tables allowed for lively conversation after the meal the Spanish and English diners joined together to enjoy the music, dancing the night away.

It was the last event of a busy year’s social programme for SAMM, lead by Oakley Petts and his Social Scene team of six ladies. Rivals on the water on Race Days and in the Bowling Alley at la Bolera Dos Mares, but there was plenty of opportunity to make friends during the visit to the Mine at La union and a coach trip to Cuenca and numerous other activities. With a steady

membership of around 150, including German, Dutch, Scandinavian and Spanish there is a pool of skills and knowledge and the willingness to share it with others, whether it’s sailing related or not. Now our Racing Committee and Social Scene team are considering their plans to give all SAMM members an exciting year in 2013.

I would like to take this opportunity to give a special vote of thanks to all the staff of the Infanta Cristina Sports Centre in Los Narejos, where our operations are based, especially to Auri Isabel Sintas Rodriguezand her team who support our sailing efforts and Susannah and the girls who looks after us when we return from our Sailing trips. I wish all of them and the readers un Prospero Año Nuevo 2013.

If you wish to learn more about SAMM there are details on the website at www.sailingmarmenor.com

SailinG aSSociaTion mar menor

u.E. CREVILLENTE 2 v. DAYA NuEVA 4 (INFANTILS G10s) Daya opened the scoring within the first minute when the ball

dropped kindly for Cuneo who had the easiest of chances to find the back of the net. The visitors pushed forward sensing further goals but the home side’s defence held firm. On 12 minutes a fierce Cuneo shot brought a good save from the Crevillente keeper. It was all Daya and surely more goals would come ! Somehow though the home side weathered the storm and set up a few chances of their own. On 20 minutes Jota had to make a last ditch interception to save a certain equaliser. Daya created two wonderful chances on 28 minutes but the home side’s keeper made fine saves. Back came Crevillente forcing the Daya back line into some frantic defending. With the whistle about to go for half time an unstoppable shot flew past Danni in the Daya goal for 1 - 1. Daya started the second half brightly and pushed Crevillente back into their own penalty area. Just five minutes into the half Manuel scored with a great glancing header from a Francisco corner. Could this be the goal that turned the game for Daya ? It certainly seemed to be as the visitors piled forward, chance after chance fell to Daya but poor finishing let them down. With time flying by Daya desperately needed that elusive third goal that would surely seal victory. Then the inevitable happened, Daya gave away a penalty that was well taken to bring the scores level at 2 - 2. Now it was the home side’s turn to force the pace but a silly mistake at the back allowed Carlos to score from close range to make it 3 - 2 Daya. Three minutes later it was 4 - 2 when a beautiful strike from David flew in. under intense pressure now Crevillente were at full stretch to keep Daya at bay. So final score 4 - 2 but Daya knew they had been in a scrap. It was a hard fought victory but one they deserved. Man of the Match was Jota, his cool head under pressure saved Daya on more than one occasion.

Daya Dave (Team Sponsor : Segurlab)

creVillenTe make iT TouGH for Daya


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Mar Menor M260

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Transcript of Mar Menor M260