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2 SOLTIMES JANUARY 2013 ...remember to say you saw it in the sOL TiMEs

www.soltimes.com SOLTIMES JANUARY 2013 3

...local news update

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GarruchaThe Guardia civil have arrested 3 youths for

15 counts of theft committed in the almería region.

The arrests came after the Guardia civil had undertaken surveillance during the middle of last December in response to several burglaries in the area.

During the early hours of December 17, during a security patrol the officers noted two people close to the fence of a house, along with several large packages.

Within minutes, the officers saw more packages being passed from inside the fence to those outside the fence, who then started moving the packages.

The officers approached the youths, who abandoned the packages and fled the scene. However, the officers were able to apprehend one of them, who proved to be a minor, but who nevertheless was arrested.

The officers recovered the abandoned objects, which were: three flat screen TVs, a Sat-Nav, 5 watches, small electrical appliances and beauty products, 139 pieces of jewelry, silver peseta coins and banknotes and more than 240€ in cash and clothes.

Further investigation led to the Guardia civil locating the other participants in the robbery, who had fled to their homes.

The objects recovered came from houses in the vicinity, which were well known to the youths, who could keep a detailed surveillance on the habits of the occupants without arousing suspicion, and so establishing when the properties would be vacant.

The officers were able to link the same youths to 12 other burglaries in the area, where similar goods were taken.

almeríaThe Fuente de los 102 Pueblos in almería

is to have special lighting effects installed to commemorate specific days.

The ayuntamiento de almería, through the Área de medio ambiente y agricultura, has drawn up a program of special lighting effects for the fountain, which will vary in colour and display on certain holidays or celebrations, both local and national.

The first of these will take place on February 28 to celebrate the Fiesta autonómica del Día de Andalucía, when the lights of the fountain will display in green and white, while on March 8, Día Internacional de la mujer, the fountain will be lit by purple lights.

On march 22, Día Internacional del agua,

(World Water Day) the colour of the water jets will be blue, while the June 5, Día Internacional del medio ambiente, (World environment Day) the lights will be predominantly green.

On June 14, the main colour will be red, marking the Día Internacional del Donante de Sangre, (International Blood Donor Day) and October 12, the Fiesta Nacional de españa, the fountain will be lit with red and yellow, forming the flag of Spain.

Purple will again be the predominant colour on November 25, the Día Internacional de la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer, (International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women) while December 1st it will once more be red, to mark the Día mundial de la lucha contra el SIDa, (World Day to combat aIDS).

In complete contrast on June 17, the Día Internacional de la lucha contra la Desertificación y la Sequía, (International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought) all the water features will be turned off in a dramatic gesture to bring to mind the need to save water.

CuEVAS DEl AlMANzOrAramón García Valverde, a resident of Cuevas

del almanzora, has presented literature pertaining to the running of the minas de Sierra almagrera, including a portfolio of photographs from the period between 1908 and 1910, plus a bill of 25 cents dating from 1935 to the Alcalde Jesús Caicedo and the concejala de cultura lola moreno.

This donation is intended to throw more light on a period of history known as the ‘Golden age’ of cuevas del almanzora.

In due course the literature and photographs will feature in an exhibition to promote the appreciation of the area’s history.

alBOxTwo youths have been arrested for a robbery

in Arboleas, where the victims were an English couple in their seventies.

As part of the operation ‘Punta’ Civil Guard officers from Huércal Overa arrested B.P.D., aged 20, resident of Albox for the crime of robbery, committed early last November on two elderly British subjects, residents of arboleas.

as a result of further investigations the Guardia Civil has also arrested J.M.A., 22, and D.C.C., 20, both residents of Albox for illegal possession of weapons, crimes against public health and robbery with violence. The officers

also dismantled a drug ring at point of sale.The civil Guard began its investigation early

last November, following a robbery committed in Arboleas where the victims were two British subjects, aged 71 and 74, who suffered injuries of varying degrees as a result of the theft.

The crime took place at 23.00 hours on 3 November; an intruder entered the victim’s house and beat them with a blunt object, seized a purse containing several bank cards, 260€ in cash and a mobile phone.

The civil Guard began their investigation with evidence from the victims and witnesses who saw the escape of the perpetrator.

During their research, the officers were able to use techniques to establish the whereabouts of the stolen mobile phone, and thus identify the persons in possession of it.

So, with the corresponding warrant, the officers went to the home of J.M.A., which he shares with his partner D.C.C., where they found four handguns, more than 14 000€ in cash, 31 gr. of cocaine, more than 1 kg of marijuana and the stolen mobile phone.

The officers also found two small greenhouses with heating and watering systems to ensure rapid growth of marijuana, which they dismantled, thus destroying the drug outlet run by J.M.A. and D.C.C. The officers arrested both of them, as alleged perpetrators of illegal

possession of weapons and crimes against public health and J.M.A. also for robbery.

almeríaThe first babies born in 2013 in public hospitals

in the province of Almería were three girls.The first baby was born at the Hospital

Torrecárdenas at 01.20 a.m., weighing 2.965 kg. She has been named Vera.

The next baby to see the light of day was born in the hospital de Poniente, (el ejido) at 3.30 a.m., weighing 3.38 kg., and has been named Daniela.

lastly, at 4 a.m. in the hospital la Inmaculada (Huércal-Overa), the third baby girl, born to parents from Antas, weighed in at 3.63 kg. She was also named Daniela.

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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.

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’.

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.

mother and infant found Dead from possible carbon Dioxide poisoning in mar menor flat

A 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.

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

nearly half of spain’s regions ‘straying away from’ debt-reduction strategies

Seven of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions are not sticking to their plans to mop up their federal government deficits, say the tax authorities.

Andalucía, the Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura are the culprits.

Catalunya has the best record so far after reducing its expenses by 1.5 billion euros, out of a total of 7.24 billion across all 17 regions.

But this total figure for Spain is less than half that envisaged when each federal government put forward its money-saving plans for the rest of 2012 through to the end of 2014, back in May.

Income for each of the regions has risen,

giving a total of 1.56 billion euros as at the close of 2012.

In terms of percentage, the regions which have most reduced their expenses are the Basque Country, at 83 per cent, followed by Aragón’s 73 per cent and Asturias at 71 per cent.

All autonomous regions had been given a target of getting their debts down to 1.5 per cent of Spain’s gross domestic product, collectively, by the end of 2012.

Despite the fact that some regions are straying away from their outlined strategies for cutting their debt, the ministry of tax affairs believes that the 17 regions all together are on the right track towards meeting their goal.

ValeNcia womaN murDereD By eX-BoyfrieND iN THe STreeT

A 33-year-old woman in Benaguasil (Valencia, near Llíria) has become the first fatal victim of domestic violence in 2013. The deceased’s ex-boyfriend, 39, gave himself up after slitting her throat in the street, police say. He is said to have stabbed her several times in front of a number of residents last Thursday night at around 22.00hrs.

Members of the public were drawn to the scene when they heard screams and insults being fired. They tried to stop the man from stabbing the young woman, and then saw him flee at high speed in his car, but not before they had called the police.

Some local women heard cries for help, but were too scared to go out and then saw a crowd on the street attempting to save the girl. She lost her life in the act, they report.

MP for the region, Paula Sánchez de León, said the community was ‘repulsed’ by the crime.

Both resided in Valencia – but the woman was murdered outside a house she apparently visited frequently. She leaves behind a son she had from a previous relationship, and another son she had in common with the killer.

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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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apple Store in paris Hit By Thieves in HeistArmed robbers broke into a central Paris

Apple store on New Year’s Eve, stealing goods with an estimated value of one million euros (£813,000). The police said that four masked men forced their way into the shop.

It comes as New York mayor Michael Bloomberg claims that the theft of Apple goods has contributed to rising street crime figures in the city.

The Metropolitan Police told the BBC the trend towards stealing gadgets was “significant”.

Thieves broke into the Apple store behind the Paris Opera at around 21:00 (19:00 GMT) on Monday, three hours after the shop closed. The police did not confirm the value of the goods stolen by the robbers, who escaped afterwards in a van.

A spokesman for the police union Unsa told reporters: “As the majority of police were busy watching the Champs Elysees [for New Year’s Eve celebrations], the robbers took advantage of this opportunity.”

The theft comes as the desirability of Apple goods among street criminals is being blamed for a rise in crime figures in New York. According to the New York Police Department, some 3,890 Apple products were stolen in 2012, pushing crime figures up and prompting Mayor Bloomberg to say that thieves in the city were showing

a preference for Apple goods. His press secretary later said that if the jump in stolen Apple products was removed, crime figures would have been down for the year.

According to London’s Metropolitan Police, street criminals in London are increasingly targeting easy-to-steal gadgets, although they do not provide a breakdown of the brands most favoured by thieves.

“In general the more you paid for a gadget the more interest it will be to street robbers,” said a spokesman. “We are constantly reminding people to register their goods,” he added.

What police have seen, he said, is a change in the profile of victims as thieves become less likely to steal cash and more likely to steal phones which are “highly sellable on the second-hand market”.

“Victims now are far less likely to be a bashed-up pensioner and more likely to be a young professional who has had a phone grabbed out of their hand or pocket,” he said.

One of the most high-profile Apple store break-ins in the capital was a smash and grab at Apple’s flagship Covent Garden store in October 2011. A gang of motorbike thieves broke into the shop, stealing up to £75,000 worth of goods. Two men were later convicted of robbery.

iNDia GaNG rape: Thousands of women march in Delhi

Thousands of women have taken part in a rally in the Indian capital, Delhi, to protest against the recent gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student.

The victim died at the weekend from severe injuries she sustained during the 16 December attack in a bus. The incident has caused a national outcry.

According to a report by the BBC, Police are expected to charge five of six suspects with murder; if convicted, they could face the death penalty, which is rarely carried out in India.The sixth suspect is reported to be under 18 and a juvenile. Police have ordered a bone test for him to confirm his age.

Meanwhile, her family has said they would have no objection if a new anti-rape law is named after her.

Earlier, India’s Junior Education Minister Shashi Tharoor called on the authorities to reveal the name of the gang-rape victim so that the new anti-rape law could be named after her.

“Wondering what interest is served by continuing anonymity of the Delhi gang rape victim. Why not name and honour her as a real person with own identity?” Mr Tharoor wrote on the micro-blogging site Twitter late on Tuesday.

“Unless her parents object, she should be honoured and the revised anti-rape law named after her. She was a human being with a name, not just a symbol,” he wrote.

Social activist and former police officer Kiran Bedi supported Mr Tharoor’s idea.

“Many of the American laws... which have been made to perpetuate the memory or the suffering of the victim, only to remember that this is what happened and this is the spirit behind the law... I think it’s a good idea,” Reuters quoted her as saying.

But some critics called the suggestion “deplorable” and India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party vowed to “oppose any such move”.

Last Wednesday, thousands of women marched through the streets of Delhi, heading for Rajghat - the memorial of India’s independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi. Many held up placards calling for an end to sexual assaults on women.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was among the protesters who called for stringent anti-rape laws.

“We are marching to create awareness

among people that women should be respected. Because a woman is a mother, a woman is a sister, she is a wife and she is a daughter,” Juhi Khan, a member of the National Commission for Women said.

Protests have been taking place every day since the brutal gang rape with protesters expressing anger over attitudes to women in India and calling for changes to the laws on violence against women.

The woman and a male friend had been to see a film when they boarded the bus in the Munirka area of Delhi, intending to travel to Dwarka in the south-west of the city.

Police said she was raped for nearly an hour, and both she and her companion were beaten with iron bars, then thrown out of the moving bus into the street.

Last Tuesday, police sources said the driver of the bus had tried to run her over after throwing her out, but she was saved by her friend, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

According to official figures, a woman is raped in Delhi every 14 hours, while women across the country say they are frequently subjected to sexual intimidation and violence.

The Indian government has also been heavily criticised for failing to protect women.

Officials have since announced a series of measures intended to make the city safer for women.

These include more police night patrols, checks on bus drivers and their assistants, and the banning of buses with tinted windows or curtains.

The government has also set up a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to recommend changes to the anti-rape law.

Late last Monday, the authorities in Delhi launched a new telephone helpline for women in distress. The 24-hour helpline number 181 will operate out of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s office and will be connected with all the 185 police stations across the city. But many of the protesters say that women are viewed as second-class citizens, and that a fundamental change in culture and attitudes, backed up by law, is needed to protect them.


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ANDINAS RACING ADVENTURE : Are you looking for something exciting to do in the new year? Live the adventure yourself by driving a POLARIS BUGGY. ANDINAS RACING POLARIS are the official dealer for the province of Almería. They have the full range of the brand and offer the possibility of testing these vehicles or rent them for your excursions in the area and, in some cases, to participate in some of the motor competitions that take place in the Peninsula. For participating in the Championship Off Road Rally Spain there is a financial program to teams who register Polaris brand vehicles. 10 years ago, Polaris took by surprise the road sector with the launch of its first RANGER. Its worth for work and easy driving revolutionized the field of Side by Side making a big step forward.

With a new design, softer direction, comfort and load capacity range RANGER and RANGER RZR is the most complete and impressive of gotten so far. Come along to our showroom on the industrial estate in Antas El Real Tel 645 984 122 www.andinasracing.es Special SolTimes Offer Book 3 Hour Special for 2 person 60euro.

Christmas and the New Year is over and swimming in the pool seems a long way off. Now is the time to think about a Luxury Caldera Spa. Spend your evenings relaxing with family and friends in the soothing warm water or experience the hot tub circuit therapy by using all the seats for a full body massage. Feel the benefits not only to your body but your spirit as well. The feel good factor can see you through the cold winter months, and daily for many years to come. Call in and see our spas on display. New and second hand models are available in stock starting from as little as 2,900€.

P & R DIRECT Have extended their range of carpets and rugs in their new showroom to include Virtual Carpets, these can be made to size and fitted during the winter months and then lifted when not required during the

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30th January, 10am-2pm. There will be a free raffle, drinks and nibbles and a free other surprises. Interested stall holders please contact 637 259 033, 5€ a stall with proceeds to Vera Orphanage. Come on down and see Eileen, Pete and our new lady Adele for any further assistance. Happy New Year to everyone.

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fRiday golf society28 december: The weather for the last

Friday competition of 2012 was magnificent. The sun was shining and the wind was calm. It was so good a lot of the golfers came off the course with sun tans.

We played a Best 2 stableford competition with 2 hidden holes. 35 players took part including one guest.

The winners were John Fielding, Sharon Sly, Kristina Olsson and Ray Burrough with 97 points. There was some good scoring in this team with Ray getting 37 points and John 36 points.

Last place and chocolates went to Jürgen Neuhäuser, Vicky Thomas, Richard Öberg and Mary Burrough with 76 points. So there were winners and chocolate winners in the Burrough household this week.

Nearest the pin was won by Jürgen Neuhäuser with a distance of 2.09m. So a double dose of chocolates for Jürgen. Shame he didn’t get the birdie.

Only 2 people beat their handicap this week. Well done to Uschi Neuhäuser with 41 points (and a 2 shot cut on the slope at Almerimar) and Ray Burrough with 37

points (and a 1 shot cut on the slope at Almerimar).Thanks to Herbert Piest for sorting out the bottles,

collecting the cards and doing the prize giving this week.

4 january: The first FGS competition of 2013 was played in perfect golfing conditions. It was a little chilly for some but still sunny with a light wind. We had 35 players taking part including one guest.

We played an X x Y + Z competition where you multiply together two stableford scores and add a third on each hole. As is now usual we played off the FGS tees on holes 8 and 12.

The winners were Joan Edgington, Lynda Hartle, Ray Burrough and Paul Thomas with a score of 127 points.

Last place and chocolates went to Jacqui Mays, Vicky Thomas (2nd week in a row), Steve Bradbury and Herbert Piest with a score of 97. They were a little unlucky as if you added their four individual scores together they scored more points than when you do the same for the two teams above them. However their biggest team score on a hole was 10 points with their next best score 8 points. The team just above them had a 15 point hole and the next team had two 11 point holes.

Nearest the pin was won by Heinz Hajek with a distance of 3.30m. Unlike the last FGS Sunday competition of 2012 where John Fielding got a hole in one on the same hole, number 17 on the Master course.

Thanks to John Fielding and Lennart Olsson for collecting the cards, setting out the bottles and

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el eJiDoTwo maintenance employees of the Hospital de Poniente,

have been detained on 8 charges of theft from the hospital during November and December.

During the last three months of 2012, several complaints of theft of personal items in the lockers in the changing rooms and of the proceeds of the vending machines were made to the Policía Nacional by medical personnel and representatives of the vending machine companies. Another complaint was made regarding the theft of a laptop from the office of the farmacia.

The officers conducted an exhaustive analysis of the complaints, viewed security camera footage, and verified that all the events reported occurred in the same time frame and with the same modus operandi, always at night or weekends, by people who knew the hospital complex well.

The officers determined that the perpetrators were people

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who had access to restricted areas of the hospital with authorised cards, knew the location of the security cameras and also had the tools needed to break into the vending machines.

Finally, when all the information and evidence was in place they arrested the two maintenance workers, who had access to restricted sites, and could open the vending machines without arousing suspicion.

el eJiDoMore than 300 people were part of the Cavalcade of Reyes

in El Ejido.The parade followed a changed route this year. It commenced

at five in the afternoon at the Hospital de Poniente, visited the Residencia Geriátrica ‘Ciudad de El Ejido’ before parading through the main streets of El Ejido to finish in the Plaza Mayor with the Adoración de los Reyes Magos at the Belén Viviente.

The three Thrones of the Magi were accompanied by pages distributing sweets along the way. There were three children’s floats as well as the float transporting the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Herod’s Castle. A Roman chariot also took part, and there were numerous horses and other farm animals used as transport for the various gifts.

Music for the parade was provided by the Agrupación Musical Ejidense and the Agrupación Musical ‘Cristo del Amor’, as well as the Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Infantil de Lorca. The royal entourage was accompanied by the Legión Romana ‘Porcia Maura’ of El Ejido and a huge turn-out of children, colourfully dressed for the occasion.

During the tour, over 1,000 kilos of sweets were distributed.


Portuguese budget sent to court to

assess its fairnessThe Portuguese president has said

that he will send this year’s controversial budget to the Constitutional Court. Aníbal Cavaco Silva said the budget didn’t treat citizens fairly, and hit some of them worse than others, according to a report by the BBC.

The right-of-centre government has argued that the unprecedented tax increases the budget contains were necessary to meet the terms of the country’s eurozone bailout. It is only the second time a Portuguese head of state has made such a move.

For most Portuguese workers the tax rises that came into effect on January 1 are equivalent to more than a month’s wages.

President Cavaco Silva made the surprise announcement in his New Year’s speech, the day after signing the budget into law: “On my initiative, the Constitutional Court will be called on to decide on the conformity of the 2013 state budget with the constitution of the republic,” he said.

In his speech he also said the country was in a vicious circle of austerity and recession and acknowledged that Portugal’s foreign debt, now twice as high as Portugal’s annual output, was unsustainable.

The opposition Socialists had already questioned the validity of the tax hikes and had threatened to take them to the Constitutional Court if the president did not.

Last year the court ruled against a pay cut for civil servants which forced the government to seek alternative sources of revenue.

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.

20,000 reVellerS aTTeND BeacH parTy iN roqueTaSRoquetas de Mar certainly knows how to celebrate, and arguably the

biggest celebration of the year takes place on the 29th December. La Fiesta de Las Moragas has its roots in pagan times; all to do with the harsh reality of survival at that time of year; darkness, cold, lack of food and money; you get the idea, in fact not dissimilar to present day Spain!

The fiesta takes place on the Romanilla beach and the whole town turns out – quite literally – as this year an estimated 20,000 people partied on the sand. It’s an amazing event with families and friends gathering in large groups to sing, dance, eat and drink. The preparations begin mid-morning with the arrival of tables, chairs, food and drink and most importantly, huge amounts of wood and charcoal for the hundreds of fires which will burn late into the night.

Once darkness falls, the scene is quite spectacular, as smoke billows into the sky and flames light up the Moragas revellers. Music is important, many bring guitars and percussion instruments to accompany the impromptu traditional dancing and singing; others just make use of whatever comes to hand, bottles, cans, even pieces of wood banged together to create hypnotic rhythms. The most important thing is to enjoy and without a doubt, everyone did – immensely. Children play in the sea, dogs charge around looking for sausages and the older folk sit serenely in comfy chairs, being fussed over by attentive relatives. Spanish people hold their family values in high regard and this event reflects that in every way.

A marquee housing a huge stage, PA System and lighting rig was erected in the square opposite the Club Nautico for the night time entertainment, which featured two excellent local bands and the headline act Cristal, a superb 9 piece band who tour throughout Spain. The crowds danced into the small hours to a succession of well known songs, fuelled by the mobile bars and food grills on either side of the square.

Further along, many beach bars had installed DJ’s for the night and their thumping music provided an all night party for the thousands who came off the beach, to continue their celebrations until 5 or 6 in the morning. Local residents intent on an

early night may have had trouble sleeping!

Credit must be given to the local council who were out in force before dawn the following day to clear up the considerable amounts of debris. They did an amazing job and by 10 o’clock you would never have known such a huge event had taken place. If you already have your 2013 calendar on the wall, then I strongly suggest you make a note on it for 29th December, La Fiesta de Las Moragas, Roquetas de Mar. You won’t be disappointed!

bernard and ralf celebrated their 10th anniversary in their bar, chiquiMiqui, in the urbanisation of

roquetas de Mar, on 27th deceMber. the day was one of celebration culMinating in a

perforMance by tony Justice, singing “the rat pack” into the evening. the evening of entertainMent was so successful that tony Justice is returning to sing

again on 14th January

cHiquimiqui celeBraTe THeir 10TH aNNiVerSary


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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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NEW YEAR... ...NEW beginnings

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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

special gaze-tracking glasses to measure eye contact in children. Lack of eye contact is implicated in a number of conditions — most notably autism.

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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for further information or advice on computing, contact Trevor on 689 892 745 [email protected]

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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5 THiNGS you SHoulD Buy iN THe JaNuary SaleSA little forward thinking can add up to big savings when it comes to shopping the January

sales. Find out which 5 things you should buy now so you get the biggest bargains.

cHristMas cards & WraPPing PaPerBy the start of January these will usually have dropped to at least

half their pre-Christmas price so although it seems a little early to be thinking about next Christmas already, stocking up on festive cards, wrapping paper and tags while they’re cheap makes sense.

Store them away in a cupboard ready to get out next December but just remember that you have them so you don’t end up with double. For this reason it’s best to keep them separate from Christmas decorations if you’re likely to need them earlier in the month.

giftsBuying gifts for any birthdays, weddings,

Christenings or any other special occasion you have planned for the coming year in the January sales can really help you to save on the cost of celebrations. Write a list of the friends and family you would buy birthday presents for, along with any other special occassions and set a budget for each. Then shop the sales to find presents to suit and store them away in a safe (but memorable) place until you need them.

If you’re being extra organised you could stock up on stocking-fillers for next Christmas too as this is when festive items are likely to be at their cheapest!

cHristMas trees & decorationsWhether you prefer real or artificial, the best time to buy your Christmas tree is

in the January sales when stores are desperate to shift stock.

Real Christmas trees with roots on can be re-potted and kept in the garden ready for next December (remember to acclimatise them by bringing them indoors next Autumn once it starts to get cold). Christmas lights, decorations and artificial trees can simply be stored in the loft until you’re ready to start celebrating again.

cHristMas cake & Puddings

Buying food for next Christmas may seem a little pre-emptive, but Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings often have lengthy shelf-lives so can be bought now for a fraction of the price and stored until next year.

It almost goes without saying that you should check the ‘best before’ dates of anything you buy to make sure it will still be edible come next Christmas. Storing it in a cool, dark cupboard is also a good idea.

genuine bargainsIt’s all to easy to get

overwhelmed by the big-banner discounts on offer and end up splurging on things you don’t want or need in the sales. But if you need to buy big ticket items - like electronics, white goods, bathroom suites, kitchens and holidays - you can save a significant amount, especially if you shop around for the best price like you usually would.

It also makes sense to think ahead and buy swimwear, sunglasses and skiwear now while it’s at its cheapest.

NeXT SaleS Jump iN cHriSTmaS ruN-up aS SHopperS HeaD oNliNeShops have faced a frosty festive period in

terms of business as consumers around the country suffered a lack of funds amid wage freezes and higher bills and prices but Next joined fellow retailer John Lewis in announcing healthy sales rises over the vital Christmas period in a morale boost for the High Street.

A 3.9% jump in sales for November and December saw Next’s shares open 4% higher after the chain said this performance meant it was on track for profits growth at the top end of expectations. The stock has slipped slightly since, but remains up 2%.

Strong online sales led the way, with revenues up by 11.2% between November 1 and December 24. Store sales were also better than many City expectations, at 0.8% higher than a year ago.

John Lewis also kicked off the festive trading updates with a 13% hike in like-for-like sales after a record pre-Christmas week and a milestone online performance.

Next said group pre-tax profits for the year to January were now expected to jump by between 7.1% and 9.6%, taking the figure to between £611 million and £625 million.

Better-than-expected performance reflected

the fact there was less marked-down stock in the end of the season sale, and better margins.

Next, which has more than 500 shops, plans to create a further 250,000sq ft of retail space this year, including a net increase of 10 new shops, and will continue to grow its online directory operation in the UK and overseas.

It has forecast sales growth of between 1.5% and 4% for the forthcoming financial year, with underlying profits up by a similar level.

Indeed, migration to online shopping has been faster in the UK than in any other country in the world, and the British have become the biggest web shoppers on the planet, spending an average of more than £1,000 a year – even more per head than in the US.

The strong performance of these two retail bellwethers was in contrast to many other shops, with City analysts predicting total retail spending is unlikely to exceed figures from 2011, with many shops failing to hit targets. Thousands of stores are predicted to close during 2013, following the likes of Comet, as a result of a squeeze on the cost of living.


This is a good time to review your investments, pensions and tax planning to evaluate if they are ready for what 2013 may have to bring and, importantly, if they are designed with a long-term view to preserving your wealth and meeting your objectives.

Tax planning One of the key trends over recent years is tax rises.

Taxpayers across Europe, including here in Spain, are paying more and more tax.

are you sure that your assets are structured in the most tax efficient manner and that your tax planning takes all the latest tax changes into account?

is there anything you can do to reduce inheritance tax liabilities for your heirs?

The Spanish government is clamping down on tax evasion. it is essential to only use arrangements that are

fully compliant. The new reporting law comes into effect this year. You have to declare all overseas assets, from bank accounts to property, worth over €50,000, by 30th april. Failure to do so would incur very costly penalties.

SavingS and invESTmEnTS did you buy your current investments according to a

strategic overall plan, or have you bought shares and funds here and there over the years? if the latter, it is time for an overall review.

Your portfolio should be specifically based on your circumstances and objectives. it could currently be riskier than you realise, and riskier than it need be to meet your aims.

are you confident you have adequate diversification and the right balance between assets?

is your portfolio specifically targeted to your needs, for

example, if you need income? Have any of your circumstances changed over the last year

or so? does your portfolio need adjusting accordingly?ideally tax planning and investment planning should

be tackled together. The two are inextricably linked and you want to find a wealth manager who can provide both investment expertise and tax expertise.

Blevins Franks have specialised in providing integrated tax and wealth management to British expatriate for decades, and would review all your current financial planning, along with your needs and objectives, and recommend the best way forward for you for 2013 and beyond.

To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website

www.blevinsfranks.com

nEw YEar rESOluTiOn TO imprOvE YOur Financial planningBY Bill BlEvinS, Financial cOrrESpOndEnT, BlEvinS FrankS

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]

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

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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

Tel Office: 950 449 600 [email protected] Out of hours: 636 20 50 70 www.newhorizonvillas.com

€125,000

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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

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a COUNtRy HOUSe IN tHe CaNtORIa aRea

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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

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arboleas, large 3 bed, 2 bath villa. 600m2. ONLY 119,000€

Taberno, villa on plot of 10,000m2. ONLY 59,950€

antas Countryside. villa and 400m2 plot. ONLY 160,000€

vera. Large town houseONLY 109,000€

Ram

bla

suicideJunction

Caja Granada↓ Todo shop↓

we areHERE

↑


Property...Property...

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

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mojacar playa 120,000€ lv641

[email protected] +34 950 478 915

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TEL: 968 592 679

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

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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

NR ARBOLEAS......€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

NR CUCADOR ......€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

NR ARBOLEAS......€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

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Looking Around for Insuranceor Renewal Due?

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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...

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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

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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

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SerVice Till 7pm

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estrellA only 2€ per pIntOpen Every day 12pm - Late

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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

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vegetarian Menu availableChildrens Menu available

fREE wifi

MEnu dEL nOCHE20 Oz TBOnE sTEaK, 16 Oz BEEf

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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


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ladIeSCoffee & Cake at Loose

women group 2pm - 4pm

moN

TueS

weD

THur

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6.00PM - 9.30PM

CHiCKEnCuRRY & RiCE

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tapasMenuNeW 1€

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Friday25th

January

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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€

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Saturday Night Meal Deals (can be mixed & matched)

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alBOX

BaR MeNU, SNaCKS & HOMe-Made PUddINGSIncluding Burgers, Lasagne, Omelettes, chilliAll Day Breakfastfrom 9am Includes FREE Tea or Coffee

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tender roast TURKEY with stuffinglocal grown potatoes , seasonal vegetables

glass of house wine, tubo of beer or a coffee

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friday & Saturday eveningsrestaurant open 6pm-9pmMenu From 5.95€

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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

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8pm STarT

acTiViTieS aT

rock ‘n’ roll..........7:30

quirky quiz............7:30

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monday

Tuesday

wednesday

Thursdayceroc Dancing& fun Social Night..7:30

arT claSSeS HelD moST DaySpop iNTo THe Bar for more iNfo

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all Food

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Breakfast menu available

9am - 12 noon mon - sat

english Breakfast

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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)25 A conflict in United nations - 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)22 Cat’s tail and part of rat not in fish (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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La Bodeguina in Roquetas De Mar reopened on 4th January under new ownership. It will remain as a traditional tapas bar with 10 different tapas available each day between 12 noon and 6pm.

The official opening attracted a large number of people who enjoyed the food, drink and the entertainment.

The Bar is located in Calle Sierra Nevada and makes up one of the three established Bars along with Lady Lay and Chaplins Pub with all three offering a different but complementary b a r / r e s t a u r a n t experience.

la BoDeGuiNa reopeNS uNDer New owNerSHip

roqueTaS De mar...The Grupo Municipal de Izquierda Unida in the Ayuntamiento de Roquetas de Mar has

signed a paper asking questions of the Gabriel Amat’s Partido Popular Government team regarding the ‘existing agglomeration of RV vehicles on the Playa Serena II.

The IU Councilors visited the area a few days ago to check the influx of these types of vehicles, and concluded that: Although the general condition of the site and vehicles are good, the RVs are taking up car parking space intended for daily visitors, especially disabled visitors, and in any case there is a question over the legality of parking for long periods of time which, in fact, amount to camping, and is therefore illegal.

The Councilors found about 40 RVs parked in the area of Playa Serena II for long periods, occupying almost all of the parking spaces, sometimes not only with vehicles but with bicycles, chairs, tables etc.

The IU reminded the Government team that previous legislature was passed to create a specific camping area for this type of vehicle. This, they claim, has not been done.

roqueTaS De mar...The Grupo Municipal de Izquierda Unida in the Ayuntamiento de Roquetas de Mar calls

for emergency intervention in the case of the ‘pisos rojos’ in the barriada de Las 200 Viviendas.

Spokesman Ricardo Fernández said ‘These blocks of flats have been in a disturbing and progressive state of disrepair and overcrowding for several years. Fire, broken lifts, lack of lighting in public areas, in addition to failures of the sanitation facility not only affect the health of the housing but also the immediate neighbourhood.

‘These discharges have already been denounced by the United Left in March 2011, for the block which stands on the way from Los Bartolos. This report, together with those made by the neighbours, led to action by the municipality and which partly solved the problem. However, this fault has reoccurred in the block located in the central area, opposite the Plaza de Andalucía.

‘The studs supporting the suspended ground floor have been damaged by the floods, waste water and silt has accumulated spilling into the surrounding sidewalk and street. This not only poses a serious unhealthy focus for housing and pedestrians, but threatens the structural integrity of the pillars and foundations of the buildings, as these waters are particularly aggressive to concrete.

‘This is why the United Left councilors have asked the Government team if they are aware of this situation and what steps they plan to take to remedy the situation.’

Ricardo Fernandez regretted that no convincing answers, only many excuses have been offered by Amat and his councilors.

He continued ‘The City Council is the authority responsible for ensuring the proper preservation of the buildings and of course the public space. The Government team can not look the other way and must act urgently on this issue affecting Las 200 Viviendas before it is too late.’

The IU acknowledges the complexity of the issue since the flats are private property, but considers that there are sufficient legal mechanisms to intervene in emergencies involving public space and sanitation, as in this case.

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roqUeTaS De MarBaR SOUtHeRN.................................... Every Thursday Bingo 3pmLast Saturday of the month - Jackpot Money Quiz 8pm1st Friday of Month: Ladies Do Lunch! from 2pm (Menu del Dia 7€)BURtyS BaR........................................Tuesday - 12 noon Spanish Lessons& 2:30pm BingoThursdays - Quiz 2:15pm followed by BINGOBaR SPINNaKeR...................................Tuesday - Bingo 3pmWednesday - Steak 7.50€, Quiz 9.30pmFriday - Fish and Chips all day 5€Saturday - Curry Meal with small wine 7.50€ Sunday - Sunday Roast 1pm - 6pmCHaPlINS PUB.....................................Opening Hours: Open 1pm til’ close Tuesday to SundayWednesday: 2:30pm Big Quiz (min 50€ Jackpoint); Rib Night Friday: Chip Shop Day - Fish’n’Chips etc served from 1pm, Quiz NightSunday - Sunday Lunch served until 8pmTEL: 950 335 022lady lay..............................................Tuesday Night - Curry Night

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tHe eNGlISH SPeaKING ClUB OF ROQUetaS...held a Christmas Party on 20th December. The Xmas Party at the Bar Dori on Thursday Evening was a huge success attended by 35 people including some Spanish wishing to use their English and join in the fun.

Pepe laid on a superb array of food, the tables were laden and it was all so delicious.

We had a raffle with great prizes donated by some local trades people and collected €105 for the RED CROSS.

Jean & Fernando did the quiz in English and Spanish (although only the bar staff did the Spanish version as our Spanish visitors opted to do it in English) which was handed out on arrival and answers given later in the evening.

We followed with a “singalong” by Gitta playing her piano keyboard and everyone in fine voice singing Carols and Christmas songs including a special rendition of Jingle Bells “Rock” by a group of teenagers.

Rounding the evening off with everyone on their feet and linking hands for Auld Lang Syne. It was a Happy prelude to Christmas.

tHaNK yOU tO all My FRIeNdS!

Sheila would like to say a big thank you to all her friends in Spain, especially those in Roquetas de Mar, where she and George spent many happy years together.

She received dozens of cards and messages of condolence from such a lot of people in Roquetas and would like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’.

Thank you also for the collection, in lieu of flowers, from the Friday Tapas Group which will be going to the PSP Association.

The total donations at church and by others raised £400 for the PSP Association, which was the organisation that helped George during the last two years of his life. PSP is a wasting disease similar to motor neurone disease and little is known by the general public, therefore, any financial help they receive is most welcome.

The funeral took place in Manchester on 11th December 2012, and George was laid to rest in St Mary’s Churchyard, Prestwich. A large gathering of family and friends paid tribute to George and, a super meal was enjoyed afterwards at the ‘Same Yet’ pub in Simister, Prestwich.

Sheila is planning to visit RDM for a holiday in the not too distant future and is looking forward to meeting all her friends again. She sends her best wishes and hopes all had a lovely Christmas.

RIP George

FRIday taPaS GROUP

Christmas Eve saw a large number of the Friday Tapas Group (FTG) meet up at the new Tapas Bar ‘El Pez Rojo’ in Playa Serena, opposite Hotel Playa Linda!

The owner’s, Stefan & Michaela, welcomed the 15 that turned up and provided some lovely fish tapas, as well as other various traditional dishes followed by a glass of champers to finish!

They don’t normally open on a Monday, but decided to open for the FTG, with it being a new venture for them. A good day was had by all and, they will have gained some new customers.

Good luck in 2013!

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Zurgena, 04650, Almeria

Mon to Fri 10am - 5pm above New

Horizon Villas

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BY TELEPHoNEBetween 10am & 5pm

Monday to Friday950 121 936902 121 936

DEADLINESAll adverts Friday at 5pm

prior to publication

aiRPORT TRansfERs pick up all areas, competitive rates. For a quote please visit www. spanishestateagent.com or call 661 143 871

potty finca servicespotty finca services

Ring John on 616 855 294 or 950 163 930

PROfEssiOnaL TREE fELLinG & PRuninG,

including all types of palm trees

strimming of overgrown gardens & hedge cutting

Spanish Registered. Logs Available

Cash payment waiting for all your unwanted goods,

also business stock liquidations carried out

Call CaSH & CaRRy CleaRaNCeS

tel: 618 725 567 or 619 773 582

[email protected]

nEaTER HEaTER See our main ad on the news pagesCaRLOs (saLiEnTE) PLuMBinG & HEaTinG services. If it involves water, we can help! www.carlossaliente.comTel: 968 969 962

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OPTiCa aLBOX All your optical needs, eye tests, hearing tests, contact lenses Tel: 950 121 991

woodhouse boarding kennels & cattery

arboleasSmall friendly kennels, 24hr vets service, pet transporting arranged,

welcome to viewminiStry approved

tracy Mobile650 211 952

No need for kennels or cattery,

Pet sitting in your own home, Arboleas & surrounding areas. Call Vanessa on

637 061 482 Not just cats & dogs,All other types of pets

considered

“Re-Plate”Mate

Don’t take a chance!Don’t break the Law!Let us take the hassle

away from you and re-register your vehicle

on to spanish plates

WE pRoMisE To bEAT ANY GENUiNE QUoTATioN For a

full service contact:

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GB

PaINtING &deCORatING

• 35 years experience• Guaranteed to beat any quote• quality work guaranteedtel alan:950 450 174 or600 268 176

fRiEndLY MaRE, 9 years old, 14.3hh/1.50m, 500€, telephone 678 838 547 PaLOMinO KEnnELs exclusive boarding kennels/cattery tel: 950 067 051GOOd HOME needed for big mixed breed dog. very good with children. excellent guard dog. 10 years old. please ring 666 717 742 for more details

a R B O L E a s . First floor flat overlooking the rambla. 4 beds, lift access nice views, central location, part furnished. 300€ pcm long term preferred. Available immediately 609 199 394

aPartMent to rent in los MenChones

near ZUrGenaGround Floor, 1 bed, lounge, satelitte tV,

diningroom, suit Couple or single

175€+ bills per month 950 449 074 or 634 368 071

nOw COvERinG MainLand sPainCommerCial & maJor reTail

paiNTer’SeXPeRt quALity woRKMAnShiP

visit our website for more [email protected]

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painter & decorator

GiVe your properTy or BuSiNeSS a freSH look THiS New year

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OVeR 25 yeaRS eXPeRIeNCe

Vera aparTmeNT for reNTShorT-TerM/hoLIDay renTaL

2 bEDROOM, 2 bAtHROOM, pENtHOUSE ApARtMENt IN VERA plAYA

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Vera playa apartment

LOvinG OwnER REQuiREd

young female pointer. Beautiful nature, great

with dogs &people. quiet, loving and devoted. Lost or

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already).FREE IF yoU WILL

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co.uk

HoBBy/crafTELainE’s wOOLs quality UK wool & accessories. Come & view my display Also available at Camposol, Mazarron Call 667 273 889 elaines [email protected]

iNTerpreTor / TraNSlaTor

need a Translator?...

Tlf. 646 844 708 www.4wayconnections.webs.com

Legal ContractsGeneral documents

Reports & Certificatesnotary / Court appearances

and many more

HouSe clearaNce coNT... opTiciaNS

paiNTer / DecoraTor

peTS SecTioNalbox &

surrounding areas tel: 634 328 779

phil DeliversLOGs

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loGSload of small or big

Olive logs, no roots €160load of mixed olive

some roots €140load of eucalyptus,

no roots €150all loads 2 tonnes

arboleas & surrounding areas

Call lee on 636 092 [email protected]

leGalnEEd HELP with nIE / Residencias, Cadastre, Property Conveyancing, new Building Declarations, notary, Wills etc telephone: 646 844 708 www.4way connections.webs.com

If you wish us to print an article about a particular topic in our regular space

on pg 16, please email [email protected]

properTy for Sale/reNT

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your property will appear as shown above and be seen by almost

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for Sale DeTaTcHeD corTiJo 20miNS from moJacar

build 256 m², terrace 100m², Plot 1200 m²

TELEPHOnE 649 186 107email for more info at [email protected]

FOR SWaPModern 2 bed / 2 bath 2nd top floor apartment in dolores town 9 alicante). roof top pool, private

solarium, secure garage parking, lift and balcony with great mountain views. 15 mins from beach, 25 mins to airport. Friendly international block and pets are allowed. Furnished inc all white goods, so ready

to move in immediately. will swap for a country property to reform in the Cosat Calida region.

wouls also consider land / ruin in the same area. Cash either way

Tel: 968 157 268 or [email protected]

iNSuraNce

T & T METaLs For all quality metal works,

including gates, railings, rejas,

staircases, gazebos & chain-link fencing - Tel:

950 431 738

the Metal works Grills, railings, gates of

all types, security/sliding/roller, rejas, concertina

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Metal WORKS Gates, Rejas,

Fabriction Welding

Reliable Service 950 069 208 or

638 449 [email protected]

iroN/meTal workS

lockSmiTHPHiL THE Pick Locksmith 24 hours. Locked out? Locks fitted/upgraded house safes. Arboleas & surrounding area. Special weekend rates. Tel: 697 243 181

tel: 950 121 [email protected]

GleNN & JayNeformerly of Knights insurance,

C / Malaga, albox... aRe NOW eXClUSIVe

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& villa 125m2

brick built up to & inc roof

wonderful location & exceptional views yet 5 mins to town with all amenities. Fully legal with escritora Must be

viewed

f o r S a l e

bargain price 65,000€

to view or for more details

609 199 394

www.soltimes.com


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Your role will be to let local businesses know how Sol Times can help them reach more customers and develop their business.

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URGeNtly ReQUIRed eNGlISH & SPaNISH CaRaVaNS,

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tel: 636 411 540 OR 664 619 819

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free quoTe Go oNliNe or pHoNe

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MiKEs MOBiLE

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service, repair & iTv testing fully qualified & legal

with over 35 years experience

Ring Mike or Chris: 628 350 178 or

636 824 974

car & VaN Hire

VAn, CAR & DRIVER FOR HIRE

House & garden clearances, collections & deliveries,

weekly collections from IKEA, AIRPoRt tRAnSFERS

Almeria 60€ one way, 110€ return Alicante 80€ one way, 150€ return

Tel: 634 345 257

STU BRITISH MOBILE CAR MECHAnIC

26 years experience very reliable

& competitive rates local to the Arboleas area

certificates can be seen

Tel: 608 447 696

Tel: 950 607 953 or 650 007 700

Fiat panda 1.22006, 25,000kms, excellent condition

itV to March 2014

4950€

1998 ciTroeN XaNTia 1.9 TDSX, New Timing Belt, iTV feb 2013, Good Service History, lHD, Going

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nEAtER HEAtER See our main advert on the news pages

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a1 SKy teleVISION SySteMSsatellite Tv installations, alignment of dishes etc.

also spanish “freeview” systems suPPLiEd & insTaLLEd

Tel dave: 628 607 778

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Swimming Pool HeatingtitanUiM swiMMinG Pool heat PUMP

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this unit uses only 1.7kw input power!

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special deals from Uk - spainOffice: 968 564 298 Mobile: 696 621 884

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storage available, based “los Gallardos” &”hertfordshire” Call now

0034 620 049 524 (es) 00 44 794 3135 214 (Uk)[email protected]

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information telephone950 121 936902 121 936

eXt 332

KnOwLEs & aBBOTT no.1 for plumbing & electric. CH, solar hot water and water deposits. Telephone 950 137 197 or 606 807 797

CaRLOs saLiEnTE Plumbing and Heating offer machined boiler decals for gas water heaters for just €65 – aguafuerte is not the answer! Call 950 930 900 or 968 969 962, email [email protected]

B R i T i s H PLasTERER All work guaranteed Tel Paul 634 327 201

Gas fasT Gas boiler

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plaSTerer

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TRadE BusinEssEs Can advERTisE in THE CLassifiEd sECTiOnClassified box from 9€. Lineage only 45 cents per word - deadline 5pm friday Contact Paulette on 950 121 936 or 902 750 190 ext 332


www.

soltim

es.co

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ily

SolTimeSlocal NewSWhat’s happening in your area?

wHaT’S oN? Where to go? What to do?

local BuSiNeSS DirecToryall your local businesses at your fingertips

Sky NewSlive local & international News feeds

freeTo View TV & TV

GuiDe

GamezoNe

Space iNVaDerSpac maN

SimoN croSSworDS

aThe hallmark system was introduced over

600 years ago to offer buyers some protection from fraud. Nowadays, hallmarks are also used by antique dealers to give a specific provenance and date. There are four marks to look out for, although some pieces have five.

A duty marks to show that tax had been paid was introduced in 1784 and abolished in 1890. The marker’s mark was pictorial until the start of the 17th century when it changed to initials. The

standard mark means the piece contains 92.5 per cent pure silver. The city mark

shows where the piece was assayed (tested and

marked). Then there i s the lion passant,

which is another sterling guarantee specific to England.

The letter is the date mark, introduced in

1478.Try this website

q Can you tell me what the hallmarks on silver mean?

q what is the best way to get lily pollen off a shirt?

aPollen is a dye and hard to eradicate. The trick is to catch it before it sinks into the fibres. Florists usually use white sponge

to brush off fresh pollen, but you can also pull it away by gently dabbing it with sticky tape or a vacuum nozzle on low suction. Treat with a proprietary grass-stain remover such as Stain Devils No.5 or Dylon Fabric Care Stain Remover No.1 (on wool, use De.Solv.It) and wash at 40°C. Alternatively, try repeated applications of Vanish Stain Remover if

a Although all tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis bush,

black tea is fermented before it is dried and this produces the dark colour that stains cups. Tea used to be fermented to keep it free of insects and disease for its long journey to Europe, which is why western countries tend to drink black tea, while green tea is more popular in the East. However, with its abundance on antioxidants and lower caffeine content, green tea is becoming a popular choice in the UK. To remove tea stain, use a weak solution of bicarbonate of soda and water, but only soak the inside of the cup as the solution can damage the

q how Can i remove blaCk tea stains from Cups?


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

• Walls • paving• Extensions • Cladding

References available

oNliNe SHoppiNG BolSTerS

cHriSTmaS SaleS

UPHOlSteRy• We Upholster Chairs, Sofas and Wing Chairs• 30 years of experience• Large fabric selection• Free pick up & delivery• In home free estimates

tel: 692 17 60 69

TNT

pool shop

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wInterIsers AvAIlAble stIll only 15€

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

euro Painters SpainEsTaBLisHEd 7 YEaRs in MOJaCaR/ aLBOX aREaHouse in need of a paint?Call for a free quotationwith Price Guaranteed.Special offer on 2/3 bed villa,inc up to 10 rejas and all repairs.All work undertakenReferences availableCall Jim on 677 557 190or email: [email protected]

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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

• Block work• Balustrades • paving Driveways & paths• plumbingcall now for free estimate

620 112 193 or 667 853 062

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

uK, FRAnce & SPAin

950 529 731 / 627 968 434Pet transportation & competitive Rates

PeRSonAL ShoPPinG FRoM the uK (Argos, Screwfix, Wickes etc)

Chris: 637 82 97 87 / 618 06 20 80

City & Guilds & ACS qualifications, CORGI registered with 10 years experience

Gas & Oil Fired Central Heating - Gas AppliancesPlumbing - Servicing - Repairs - Installations

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log-on-tommylog-on-tommy

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StaCKING SeRVICe aVaIlaBleFRee KINdlING WItH

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Small Cut Olive Logs NO ROOtS For the Smaller Fire

now incorporating

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Satellite TV Systems 1.2m DishCable, Bracket, LNB installed €150Inc, SD Freesat Box €220 Satellite Re-alignment

Internet Via SatelliteConsole RepairsGeneral ElectricalElectronic Repairs

Telephone: 646 341 575Email: [email protected]

s.M.s.BuiLdinG MainTEnanCEall Building work undertaken

Garages, Patios, Boundary walls,Renovations,Cladding, Enclosures, Painting & decorating

(from 50€ per room including paint)Also All Exterior Painting and Damp Proofing

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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

we also offer all major mobile top ups from our office

official HiTSaGeNTS iN alBoX

we HaVe THe full raNGe ofHiTS pHoNeS & Sim carDS iN STock

Nick Howe Chief technician

+34 699 909 737

Office: +950 528 334E-Mail: [email protected]

Established for over 10 years

BrighTen up your Walls!stunning Prints &

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stacking service available

free kiNDliNG wiTH eVery loaDLOGs fOR saLE

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tel: 950 930 652mob: 634 332 502

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domestic & Commercial Cleaning servicesQuality Cleaning at an affordable Price100% Customer satisfaction Guaranteed

regular or one-off serviceno Job too big or too small

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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.


for more info or free no-obligation quote, call, email or pop in & see us! Open Mon-fri 10am-3pm. Cortijo Pipa, avenida de Limaria, 1, Limaria, arboleas

(next to the welcome stranger)

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By tony matthewsWith so much to watch, talk about and report on,

whether it was live or on tV, i must admit the sporting in 2012 was quite brilliant, amazing in fact. there seemed to be something happening every week!

What with two great olympics games tournaments when millions lined the streets and packed the stadiums and arenas, nail-biting late drama in football matches, a Brit winning a grand slam tennis title, the unbearable late-night tension on a golf course, some terrific horse racing and the spills and thrills of motor sport, i could easily have compiled a 200-page book entitled ‘2012 – a gReat sPoRting yeaR.’

it’s certainly one i will never forget. it was quite superb.

With so much action taking place, it’s proved dif ficult to choose my favourite sporting moments, my highlights if you like from 2012, but i’ve given it a go. and here they are, listed in no specific order, but starting off with the olympics which were phenomenal.• sitting at home on ‘super saturday’ watching Jessica

ennis, greg Rutherford and mo farah winning gold medals in the heptathlon, long jump and 5,000 metres events in the space of just 47 minutes. What a night!

• celebration time again when ‘mighty mo’ - the crowd’s favourite son - became the first Brit to complete the long distance track double by winning the 10,000m. absolutely superb.

• cheering on four-time gold medal winner dave ‘the Werewolf’ Weir as he tore up the track, and the road, in his jet-propelled wheelchair. What a guy. He even found time to win the marathon!

• Roaring myself hoarse as cyclists sir chris (the Real mcHoy), Jason Kenny, ed clancy, laura trott (my personal star of the games), dani King, Joanna

Rowsell, Phil Hindes, steven Burke, Peter Kennough, geraint thomas, ‘Queen’ Victoria Pendleton and sarah storey (who also won 4 gold medals) zoomed round the Vellodrome like greyhounds on bikes!

• Pedalling (in thought) alongside Bradley ‘the machine’ Wiggins as he powered through to win gold in the time trial - this after becoming the first Brit to win the tour of france. and of course he followed up by being presented with the BBc sports Personality of the year award. top man – Knight Rider!

• driving the Brownlee brothers, Jonny and alastair, towards gold and bronze in the three-event gruelling triathlon… Watching a tearful Kath grainger (with compatriot anna Watkins) win gold in rowing after so many silvers… egging on fellow rowers Kath copeland and sohie Hoskiss, Helen glover and Heather stannard, tom James, Peter Reed, alex gregory and irish speedster ed mcKeever… cheering home sailors sir Ben ainslie (the best olympian sailor ever), Zac Purchase, mark Hunter and co. in their quest for medals at sea…and pulling tim Baillie and etienne scott into a medal-winning position in their canoe.

• i punched the air (and almost broke the light) when nicola adams became the first women to win a boxing gold medal... and i had my fists clenched as anthony Joshua (super-heavyweight) and luke campbell (bantamweight) both won gongs in the ring.

• i was jumping up and down as the head-kicking Jade Jones won gold in taekwondo… i did likewise when gymnasts louis smith (who went on to win BBc’s strictly come dancing show), dan Purvis, max Whitlock, Kristian thomas and Beth tweddle bounced on the mat and swung on apparatus to win their medals.

• With both arms raised, i was over the moon when fellow Black country compatriot and paralympian ellie

My ‘British’ Sporting Year simmonds from Walsall, won two gold medals in the pool.

• it was yes, yes, and hearty congratulations all round to our brilliant equestrian riders and show-jumpers who did the nation proud on their horses, especially nick skelton, sophie christensen, charlotte dujardin, carl Hester, laura Bechtolsheimer, scott Brash, Peter clarke, Ben maher and Zara Phillips… also to ‘pistol’ Pete Wilson who won gold in the shooting competition… to scot andy murray who was supreme in beating Roger federer to claim the olympic tennis gold medal, having earlier in the year became the first Brit to win a grand slam title for 76 years (since fred Perry in 1936… and i was as pleased as punch for tom daley, who’s joy at winning bronze was overwhelming.

• and oh, i can’t forget the opening and closing ceremonies at both sets of games. Quite magnificent.

moving on… Who will ever forget ian Poulter’s terrific putting, also that of Justin Rose, as europe came back from the dead to beat america on their own patch to win the Ryder cup. surely, this was one of the most tense sporting ‘late night’ shows of all-time!• in football, it was great to see sergio aguero clinch

the Premiership title for manchester city with his last-kick winner against QPR; chelsea win the champions league final; Reading, southampton and West Ham gain promotion to the Premiership and fleetwood town enter the football league.

• i must also say ‘well done’ to Btcc drivers matt neal and gordon sheddon, formula 1 stars lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button, motor-cyclist cal crutchlow and biker Jonathan tiernan-locke who won the gruelling 1,340km tour of Britain cycle race.

• congratulations as well go out to tony mccoy on clinching his 17th successive national Hunt jockey’s title… to county cricket champions Warwickshire… to england for becoming the world’s best test cricketing nation and for winning a series in india for the first

time in 27 years… to the essex batsman alastair cook for his record-breaking 23rd test century and for becoming the youngest cricketer to score 7,000 test runs… to Judd trump for his skill on the snooker table (most of the time)… to england for beating the all Blacks at rugby… to leinster for winning the Heineken cup… to Wales on their triple crown/grand slam triumph… and to super ‘stokie’, Phil ‘the Power’ taylor, on his arrow-throwing!

• although this feature is really all about the sports men and women of great Britain, i must mention the brilliance of the Jamaican bullet, usain Bolt, for his triple gold success at the olympics… the extra-special track running of massi warrior david Rudisha who broke the 800m world record… the West indies who won cricket’s 20-20 World cup… the new Zealand batsman Brendon mccullum for smashing 123 runs off just 58 balls… the brilliance of one lionel messi who scored no less than 91 goals in the calendar year – brilliant)… and spain’s footballers for winning the european championship again.

• i wish two of the world’s greatest racehorses, frankel and Kauto star, a happy retirement, although the latter is going into dressage!

• finally, it’s got to be congratulations all round to team gB’s summer and Paralympic squads for jointly winning the BBc sports ‘team of the year award’, to cycling mastermind dave Brailsford, who was voted ‘’coach of the year’, to the ‘young sportsman of the year’ Josef craig (a paralympic swimmer)… and last but my no means least, many congratulations to sir sebastian coe, who received the BBc’s ‘lifetime achievement award’, and whose tremendous enthusiasm and dedication, commitment and expertise, made the summer olympic and Paralympic games such a huge success.

What will 2013 bring, i wonder? let’s hope it’s just half as good as last year!


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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

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.

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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.”

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SporT19TH Hole Golf SocieTy, cucaDor............

Thursday 3rd January with eyes and limbs still tired from celebrating the start of 2013, 26 members and guests of the 19th Hole Golf Society ventured into the early morning to make their weary way to Lorca golf Course for the 10.00am start. Conditions at the course were good but a chilly breeze made waiting around a tad uncomfortable.

With the players split into two divisions this singles stableford got under way.

Mike Donarski soon drew clear of the field and ultimately won division 1 collecting a very acceptable 37 points whilst playing off a handicap of 14(soon to be gleefully cut by the handicap secretary) Graham Clough had a good round finishing second with

32 points playing off 16.In Division 2 Geoff Smith led

the way with 30 points securing 1st place, this is Geoff’s 1st win with the 19th Hole so many congratulations to him, Ralph Hunter, with 29 points , finished 2nd .

Nigel Greenwood had a bad day, but did manage to get a bit of club throwing practice in, perhaps Brian (Dee) Lowden could give him a bit of technical advice on the subject!.

Best finishing Lady was Ann Clough in 4th place behind Harry Eels.

Results.Division 11st Mike Donarski - 37

points (14); 2nd Graham Clough 32 points (16) on countback; 3rd

Mark Danson 32 points (02)Division 21st Geoff Smith 30 points

(28); 2nd Ralph Hunter 29 points (28); 3rd Harry Eels 23 points (24)

TwosHole 10. Alan ChippendaleNearest the pin4th Hole. Mike Donarski10th Hole. Nick DixonThe 19th hole G/S is now

arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, our home course, which we play fortnightly, is Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining the 19th hole give the secretary a ring on 610340653. Or email [email protected]

aGuiloN Golf........................As we approach the end of

another golfing year, and we look back on all the rubbish golf that some of us have played, perhaps it is time to just enjoy our climate and feel sorry for our friends in the U.K. who have not been able to get near a golf course for months unless wearing “wellingtons”

Heres wishing everyone a Feliz y Prospero Año Nuevo

RESULTSFriday December 21 - Individual

Stableford: The calculators were needed to sort out the winning scores and settle a marital dispute for second and third places

1st Mike Hill 35pts on a card play off; 2nd Phil Miles 35pts on a card play off; 3rd Ann Miles

35ptsTwos: None recorded todayFriday December 28 - Individual

StablefordOur last comp of the year,

played for the first 8 holes in our very own “Aguilon Breeze” with the rest of the day perfect sunny conditions but which did not seem to improve the scoring much

1st Bill Gibb 35pts; 2nd Brian Everitt 34pts; 3rd Chris Mardon 32pts

Twos: only one Bill Gibb 12th (Bill pays all his monthly green fees with his winnings from the 2s club)

Guests and visitors are welcome to join us on a Mon,Wed and Friday. For information contact 634641199

corTiJo GraNDe........Wednesday 2nd and a new

year to look forward to! The golf goes on and our winner with 36 points Patricia Hill and second with 34 Mike Picken in third on countback with another 34 peter Jackson. No ball sweep winner

Sunday 6th and we had a good

score of 39 points for David Baird to win from Frank McGovern 35 and Ursula Lade 34. This means quite a big handicap cut for David and a lot of pleasure to our handicap secretary who loves to do this. It makes the job worth while. We are so lucky to be playing at Cortijo Grande as

Boxing Day saw Badgers at Macenas Golf for their Boxing Day Competition.They were joined on a glorious day by a few members from other societies. The overall competition was won by home player Mick Weston with 36pts on countback from Derick Dale and in 3rd place was Andy Mucha with 33pts. Nearest the pins went to Dave Carruthers, Mick Weston and Allan Morris with 2.

22nd December at Macenas was won by Dave Wright for the 3rd Week running.

Forthcoming fixtures are Wed 2nd Macenas, Wed 9th at Valle Este, Wed 16th at Desert Springs, as well as every Saturday at Macenas

Guests are welcome to join the society on both Wed and Sat comps and can book in either at Badgers Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or by phone on 950 478 525.

BaDGerS GS

The penultimate meeting of the year on 17th Dec produced a fine turn out of members, anxious to save postage on their christmas cards, for a brand new fixture a Turkey Trot. Derek ‘Santa’ Leonard had persuaded the committee to allow him to dip a hand into the pot of gold to fill his sack with a dazzling array of seasonal prizes, with winners from all divisions receiving beautifully wrapped hampers filled with rare brews and tasty goodies. In the certain knowledge that nobody had behaved themselves all year, Santa’s presents were just for those who had been good on the day.

Division 1: Tony Harwin (37) : Paul Holly : Dave France : Dave Lees (all 33)

Division 2: Eddie Vaughan (31) : Adrian Ball (30) : Trevor Barker (29)

Division 3 : Pam Partridge (25) :

John Kinch (23)NTP’s : Arthur Davies : Ray Dixon

: Steve Gilmore : Tony RedstonA final Ho, Ho, Ho and boxes

of sweeties were saved for John Kinch and Terry Harris for the worst front & back 9 respectively.

Perfect weather conditions greeted the Boxers for the last outing of the year at the ever-popular Hacienda course on 28th. Family visits both ways cut down a bit on the turn out, so el Capitán reduced the prize-giving to 2 Divisions both topped by the Ball family.

Division 1 Andrew Ball (Guest) 39 : Dave France 33 : Colin Walters 29

Division 2 Adrian (daddy) Ball 34 ocb : Richard Measures 34 : Eddie Vaughan 31.

Andrew also managed the only qualifying NTP of the day. Hearty congratulations on a great

BoXerS Golf SocieTy........ round.2013 begins with a trip to Playa

Serena on the 10th Jan for the 2nd of 3 rounds of the Captain’s Eclectic – but, with no stunning scores recorded for the 1st round, there is plenty of opportunity to get on the leader board. Fri Jan 25th we play Lorca and Jan 27th brings a day of eastern mystery, conceived by the fiendish Derek Fu Manchu, with an Oriental Treasure Hunt starting and finishing in the Happy Gardens Restaurant, Albox.

Boxers promises to provide a mix of good fun and fine competition at every outing so, if you’ve had enough of the grandchildren and aren’t ready to get out the paint brush just yet, come and work off those extra kilos in good company. Guests and new members are always welcome. For details please contact Derek Leonard 690 352 860

Forum Golf Society´s final event of 2012 was a Pairs Prize Stableford Scramble at Aguilon, with the pairing of Malcolm Sibbons & Richard Swaine winning by a huge margin after recording a whopping 46 points, made even more impressive by the fact that it was Richard´s first game in three months and Malcolm had been battling an extremely aggressive strain of man flu.

Trailing in a distant second were Bob Vincent & Phil Elam with 37 points, with Fran Elam & Sandra Vincent (36 points) third and Maurice Jamieson & Yvonne Strindberg (34 points)

fourth.In 2012 Forum again had a very

successful year, retaining the Almeria League title and after a total of 29 events were played statistics show that these were contested by 1210 players, with 579 prizes awarded and a record 35 different winners, either individually or as part of a pair or team. Special mentions go to Gary Blake, winner of The Plas – Tech Challenge and also the 2012 Society Champion, Fran Elam for winning the Summer singles Matchplay, Andy Birch for being one half of the winning pair in the Summer Doubles League, and in particular Terry

forum Golf SocieTy........... Moore who partnered Andy to Doubles League success, recorded the society´s first hole in one at Marina in April, came second in the 2012 “Ryder Cup” standings and was awarded the golfer of the year accolade in November.

Forum´s upcoming fixtures areJanuary 11th Stableford at

Valle del EsteJanuary 24th Double Par

Medal at AguilonFebruary 8th Team Lone

Ranger at LorcaFor further information,

contact Phil Elam on 666 847840 / [email protected], or see www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com

5th January at Lorca: A very frosty start meant starting on the 10th tee ,but the course soon thawed out and a very warm day began. We played a scramble which was enjoyed by all. the winners being Shirley Mariott Bill Nicol and Jean-Francois Criquand.

Nearest the pin on hole 10 went to Bill Nicol, longest drive was John

urcal Golf Smith and nearest the pin on hole 4 was taken by Maggie Nicol ,so a boozie weekend at the Nicols will be had!

Aa reminder the AGM is on the 16th January at The Palms in Urcal 7.30pm so let’s make the effort and be there!

Also new golfers are most welcome - if you are interested please e-mail me tony hinds on [email protected] see you there

SeND your SporT reporTS

To [email protected] By moNDay aT

12pm

our course is in such first class

order, our green keepers are

doing a great job. Come and join

us at Cortijo Grande visitors and

guests welcome. To reserve your

tee time 950 475 509.


SporTBoat Fishing.‘Hissing Sid’ went out on his

Garrucha moored boat with Martin who lives in Mojacar and his son ‘Mac the Hat’ over from Ireland. The weather was fabulous, bright sun, no cloud, no wind and the sea was as flat as a sheet of glass.

They had a good day with pandoras, pickerels, mackerel, blue mouthed rock fish, (I thought they had disappeared since the floods) striped bream, scabbard fish, and pink wrasse fish of some sort as Sid described it? (I’m guessing it was a cleaver wrasse and as it happens one of the best eating fish in the Med) and when they went by the rocks of the harbour wall they were getting the biggest weavers Sid’s ever seen and loads of them.

See photo of Martin and Mac with scabbard fish.

Shore FishingA local-ish (Roquetas way)

angler is building 14 foot, 3 piece Beach casting rods built on a composite blank and designed

for use with fixed spool reels. It has a fold down first guide for easy storage, ceramic lined guides throughout, graphite reel seat, hi-vis tip for enhanced bite detection and comes supplied in a cloth bag. Recommended casting weight 3-9 oz. (100 - 250g) these come complete with the Fladen Power surf 420-060 reel which is a great value front drag beach/surfcasting fixed spool reel from Fladen of Sweden, with light weight corrosion resistant graphite body and long cast spool. Balanced rotor and handle, oversized line roller, click anti reverse. Supplied pre spooled with 18lb mono so you are ready to fish. Wait for it!!! Cost for the combo.....50 euros. Contact Jim on 950336960 on the land line or 602376396 on the mobile.

Not much to report re anything being caught from the beach although a few biggies are being caught during the night with baits cast or boated out a long way.

Coarse Fishing

aNGliNG NewS..................... I’ve no reports from our usual coarse anglers and presume they took a week off for xmas!

The Albox fishing club meets every two weeks or so at Bar Wassy. For details of the next meeting tel Sid 634 313 650.

New license information.There is now a loophole for

those wanting coarse, beach and boat fishing licenses for Andalucia who don’t have NIE documents, see me for more details.

I’m pleased to report the Beachcomber’s three web cams are working again and the other good news is they work on both 32 and 64 bit systems and on any browser so checkout Mojacar’s weather and Mediterranean Sea conditions here. www.beachcombermojacar.com/beachcomber-webcam/

For further information on any of the above see John at the Beachcomber Bar Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or tel 950 473 099. In case of difficulty reaching me (Probably out fishing) ask staff for my mobile number.

Tight lines, John

BaDGerS Golf SocieTy New year compeTiTioN....

Badgers First game and competition of the New Year was played at Macenas Golf. With the weather turning a little on the chilly side and a few of the players still suffering from the New Year parties high scores were definitely not expected. The only player to buck the low scores was Mick Weston coming in with a score of 40pts which also included a blob, and thus giving him a 1.2 cut to his handicap. In 2nd place with 34 pts was Mike Knowles and in 3rd after countback was the Welsh Wizard Alan Morris with 32pts.

Saturday’s competition at Macenas was won by Lynn Sefton with 35 pts from the Welsh wizard Alan Morris who took 2nd on countback with 33pts

Forthcoming fixtures are, Wed 9th at Valle Este, Wed 16th at Desert Springs, Wed 23rd Macenas as well as every Saturday at Macenas

Guests are welcome to join the society on both Wed and Sat comps and can book in either at Badgers Restaurant on Mojacar Playa or by phone on 950478525

forum Golf SocieTy Forum Golf Society´s final event of 2012 was a Pairs Prize Stableford Scramble at

Aguilon, with the pairing of Malcolm Sibbons & Richard Swaine winning by a huge margin after recording a whopping 46 points, made even more impressive by the fact that it was Richard´s first game in three months and Malcolm had been battling an extremely aggressive strain of man flu.

Trailing in a distant second were Bob Vincent & Phil Elam with 37 points, with Fran Elam & Sandra Vincent (36 points) third and Maurice Jamieson & Yvonne Strindberg (34 points) fourth.

In 2012 Forum again had a very successful year, retaining the Almeria League title and after a total of 29 events were played statistics show that these were contested by 1210 players, with 579 prizes awarded and a record 35 different winners, either individually or as part of a pair or team. Special mentions go to Gary Blake, winner of The Plas – Tech Challenge and also the 2012 Society Champion, Fran Elam for winning the Summer singles Matchplay, Andy Birch for being one half of the winning pair in the Summer Doubles League, and in particular Terry Moore who partnered Andy to Doubles League success, recorded the society´s first hole in one at Marina in April, came second in the 2012 “Ryder Cup” standings and was awarded the golfer of the year accolade in November.

Forum´s upcoming fixtures areJanuary 11th Stableford at Valle del EsteJanuary 24th Double Par Medal at AguilonFebruary 8th Team Lone Ranger at LorcaFor further information, contact Phil Elam on 666 847840 / [email protected], or

see www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com

SporT SHorTScompiled by afm

• Major shocks in the 3rd round of the FA Cup saw Macclesfield, 82 places below Cardiff, beat the Championship leaders 2-1, and Luton, 60 places below Wolves, oust the Wanderers 1-0.

• Brighton ko’d Newcastle 2-0, making it a second successive 720-mile fruitless round-trip for Alan Pardew’s team.

• Oldham won 3-2 at Nottingham Forest, while Blackpool (at Fulham), Bournemouth (at Wigan) and Bolton (v Sunderland) gained creditable draws.

• Robin van Persie scored a ‘Fergie time’ equaliser for Manchester United at West Ham who re-introduced Joe Cole, signed from Liverpool.

• Following his training ground dust-up with his manager, Mario Balotelli went out and helped Manchester City beat Watford 3-0.

• Holders Chelsea walloped Southampton 5-1 with £7m debutant Demba Ba scoring twice.

• Spurs eased past Coventry 3-0 in a repeat of the 1987 final.• The lowest-ranked team in the competition, Hastings, went

from the seaside to the Riverside, but 4-1 to Middlesbrough.• Aston Villa conceded another goal but still beat Ipswich 2-1;

Huddersfield won 1-0 at Charlton, Norwich beat Peterborough 3-0, Leicester overcame Burton Albion, Liverpool squeezed out plucky Mansfield 2-1 with newly-signed £12m striker Daniel Sturridge on target, and Arsenal drew 2-2 at Swansea.

The FA Cup 4th round (on 26/27 January) includes Bolton/Sunderland v Everton/Cheltenham, Brighton v Swansea/Arsenal, Crystal Palace/Stoke v Manchester City, Leeds/Birmingham v Spurs, Macclesfield v Wigan/Bournemouth, Millwall v Villa, Norwich v Luton, Oldham v Liverpool, Southend/Brentford v Chelsea, WBA/QPR v Sheffield Wed/MK Dons and West Ham/Manchester Utd v Fulham/Blackpool.• Last night Bradford played Aston Villa in the 1st leg of the LC

semi-final. Tonight the other semi-final features Chelsea against Swansea.

• AC Milan players walked off the pitch during a friendly in Pro Pratia as home fans blasted out racist abuse. “We will do this again” said an angry Milan skipper Prince Boateng.

• Real Madrid chief Jose Mourinho wants to manage in the UAE before he retires.

• Wolves sacked manager Stale Solbakken an hour after their Cup defeat at Luton. He’s the sixth managerial casualty since Christmas and the 20th so far this season. Dean Saunders will step into the hot seat at Molineux.

• There are crucial games at both ends of the Premiership this weekend with Arsenal taking on Manchester City and Aston Villa meeting Southampton.

• The other PL fixtures are Everton-Swansea, Fulham-Wigan, Manchester United-Liverpool, Norwich-Newcastle, Reading-WBA, QPR-Spurs, Stoke-Chelsea and West Ham-Sunderland.

• Top game in FL1 is Bournemouth v Swindon, while Gillingham (1st) meet Port Vale (2nd) in FL2.

• South African quickie Vernon Phillander took 5-7 in New Zealand’s total of 45 in the first cricket Test in Cape Town - the lowest score for 39 years. The hosts declared on 347-8 before bowling out the Kiwis again for 275 to win by an innings and 27.

• England’s cricketers are in India for the ODI series.• Former Australian bowler Glenn McGrath has been inducted

into Cricket’s Hall of Fame, while another Aussie, Mike Hussey, has retired..

• Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray won the Brisbane International tournament to set him up nicely for the Australian Open which starts on Monday.

• Darren Clarke will play in India’s new Golf League (modeled on cricket’s 20/20 game) which runs from 8-10 February.

• It’s Leicester, Saracens, Harlequins and Northampton, 1-2-3-4, in Rugby Union’s Aviv Premiership.

• Don’t be surprised if disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong ‘reveals all.’

• And this Sunday you can watch the 2013 Masters Snooker championship on BBC TV.

IN MEMORIAMThe former Bradford, West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea,

Manchester City, Luton, Crystal Palace, Stockport, Peterborough and England striker Derek Kevan has died at the age of 77. Between 1951 and 1969, he scored 235 goals in 440

games, including 173 in 291 starts for WBA. Promoted with Chelsea (1963), he helped Stockport win the Fourth Division (1967), gained 14 England caps (8 goals) and played in the

1958 World Cup.Keith Ripley, aged 77, who played over 300 games for Leeds,

Norwich, Mansfield, Peterborough & Doncaster, has also passed away.

meSSi wiNS recorD fourTH

BalloN D’orBarcelona and Argentina

superstar, Lionel Messi, has been awarded the Ballon d’Or, the award given to the world’s best player, for the fourth time in a row.

25-year-old Messi beat club team-mate Andrés Iniesta and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo to the trophy, which is voted for by journalists, and national coaches and captains.

Messi was favourite to win the award after surpassing Bayern Munich and Germany striker Gerd Mueller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year, set in 1972. He netted 79 goals for Barcelona, plus another 12 for Argentina, in 69 games for club and country.

He becomes the first player to win four consecutive Ballons d’Or, breaking the record he jointly held with former France international, and current Uefa president, Michel Platini.

“To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable,” said the Barça star. “The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words. I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona. Andrés, it has been great to train and play alongside you. I would also like to recognise all of my friends in the Argentina national team, everyone that has worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and my friends. Also my wife and my son. Thank you.”

The ceremony, held in Zurich this evening, saw yet more success for Spanish sides, with Vicente del Bosque winning the Fifa coach of the year award for guiding his country to the Euro 2012 title. He beat Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho and Messi’s former boss Pep Guardiola to the prize.

Spanish sides also dominated the Fifa world team of the year, with five Real Madrid players, five Barça players and one Atlético Madrid player making up the fictitious team.

48 SOLTIMES JANUARY 2013

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RoquetAS de MAR, AGuAduLce ALMeRiMAR, vicAR, LA enviA GoLF

Mobile: (0034) 663 426 [email protected] www.enviapropertyservices.com

FOR ALL YOuR PROPERtY NEEDS

Rental Properties required for Long or Short lets in Roquetas de Mar

call or e-mail us for further information.

la bodeguina

10 different tapasavailable every day

served from 12noon to 6pmCalle Sierra Nevada, Roquetas de Mar

Open dailyfrom 11am

near to Zoraida Garden hotel

950 325 867www.barspinnaker.co.uk

BaR sPinnaKERbeaCh-Front bar

Tubo and Tapa €2sundaY LunCH 1PM - 6PM from €4.50

TuEsdaY bingo 3pm

wEdnEsdaY sPECiaLFillet steak, Chips or jacket pot & salad 7.50€

(with starter or dessert 10€) Quiz 9PMfRidaY

Fish, Chips & peas with bread & butter 5€

saTuRdaY CuRRYonion bhajee, Chicken Curry, Naan bread €7.50

ALL spoRTs AND soAps shoWN

open Monday: 10:30 - 5.00 , tuesday: 10.30 - late , wednesday: 10.30 - late , thursday: Closed , Friday: 10.30 - 5.00 , saturday: 10.30 - late , sunday: 10.30 - 7.00

Tony jusTice sings

Avenida Playa Serena 224, 04740Roquetas de Mar, Almeria 617 051 947

open 12noon till late Wed - Mon (closed Tuesday)

welcomed by Bernard & ralf

“The raT pack”

froM 8pM

Monday 14Th january

HOMeMade FOOd daIlywEdnEsdaY RIBS 5.95€fRidaYFISH’N’CHIPS 3.95€BEsT in TOwnsundaY sundaY ROasTs 5.95€ REgULAR, 2.95€ MEdiuM, sERvEd 5PM- 8PM

Live football / Outside Tv / air Con / free wi-fi

OPEn:1PM unTiL CLOsE TuEsdaY TiLL sundaY“OPeN aS adVeRtISed”

CHAPLINS Pub27 CALLE SIERRA nEVADA, 200M FRoM HotEL PLAyA zUL RoqUEtAS

Tel: 950 335 022 Mob: 618 824 368

day tIme menu 1€wednesday afternoons 2.30pm “BiG Quiz” Jackpot Minimum 50€ (starts 9th January)friday - Chip shop day from 1pm with General Knowledge Quiz at 9.30ish

Booking advisable wed, fri & Sun

www.SolTimeS.comSolTimeS rafa’S come-

Back DelayeD By upSeT STomacH

TENNIS ace Rafa Nadal’s plans to restart the season have suffered a setback due to an upset stomach forcing him to scratch from the Australian Open and Doha.

Although the Mallorca-born world number four has recovered from his knee injury which forced him out of the London Olympics and saw him crash out in the first round at Wimbledon, a bout of gastroenteritis and high fever has left him temporarily bedridden.

Rafa was ordered to rest for at least seven days and to take medication for five days, meaning he has been unable to train.

“My knee is quite better and has healed up as the doctors predicted it would but, much to my disappointment, I’m not

going to be able to be back on the circuit yet,” the former world champion explained.

“As my team doctors say, the most important thing is to take it steadily and this virus has put back my plans to return to the game when they originally predicted, which would have been in the next few days.

“My return will have to wait until the tournament in Acapulco, although I haven’t ruled out a possible come-back in an earlier game.

“That said, I will only go back when I’m in optimum conditions for competing

– after all this time off the courts, I’d prefer not to rush my come-back.”

His trainer, Toni Nadal, says taking part in the first two grand slams of the season – which involve five-set matches – would be too much for him at the moment.

“It’s true that we have had a bit of bad luck with this additional complication, but what else can you do? It would be very soon for Rafa to face such demanding competitions without having had a bit of time to adapt to the game again,” Toni said.

Documents

Roquetas R369