La Marina News
FREE HOUSEHOLD ITEM COLLECTION SERVICE
AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS
Residents of La Marina may not be aware that both San Fulgencio and Elche councils offer a convenient and free collection service for bulky household items, including
furniture. This initiative is designed to help keep public spaces clean and to reduce illegal dumping around waste containers.
The service is available to local residents and provides an easy, responsible way to dispose of large items that cannot be placed in standard bins.
SAN FULGENCIO
Residents can arrange a collection through several channels:
• WhatsApp: 693 927 778
• Website: sanfulgenciomaslimpio.es
• Mobile app: San Fulgencio + Limpio
ELCHE
To request a collection, residents should send a WhatsApp message to 680 363 774, indicating the location where the items will be placed. Items should be left on the public road from 10:00 p.m., ready for collection the following morning.
By making use of these free services, residents can help maintain a cleaner, safer environment for everyone in the community.
Home of
LA MARINA BOWLS CLUB
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME! Tuition will be given if required.
RING BARRY ON 641 873 985
Pop in on one of our 'ROLL UP'days - every Tuesday & Thursday
OPEN DAY SUCCESS!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open Day on March 7th. It was a resounding success, and we managed to attract sixteen new bowlers to the event. We plan to hold a further Open Day in early October prior to the start of the next Winter League
On Saturday March 14th, we held the finals of our club competitions (see picture below) of winners.
The winners of certain disciplines now go forward to the Champion of Champions tournament in April.
We have recently started our Summer League campaign with a visit by a very strong Greenlands side who took all the points, despite two very close matches that unfortunately went against us.
If you would like to try your hand at bowling, come along and visit us at the Sports Complex on La Marina Urb., any Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning at 10 a.m. we're a warm welcome awaits. The only thing you need to bring along is a pair of flat soled shoes. Bowls and expert coaching provided.
For further information, contact Barry (Club Captain) on 0034 641873985 or robertsbarry801@gmail.com
All the sponsorship money is now in and we can announce that on New Years Day the Mad Hatters, customers and friends of the Pint Depot, ventured into the sea at La Zenia Beach to show their support for all Children in Spain with EB and raised €2,869.73 in aid of DEBRA (the charity for children with Butterfly Skin).
Since 2019 The Mad Hatters have been organising this event for our charity and encouraging all the customers of the Pint Depot to take the plunge and they have raised an amazing €14,690.33 from this event.
DEBRA would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to The Mad Hatters for organising the event, the Pint Depot & their customers for taking part and everyone who continues to support our charity for which we are extremely grateful.
THE WRITING GROUP
A member of the Writing Group now has available a book for purchase from Amazon Kindle. Here´s the synopsis and an extract from ´House of Hope´ by Robert M. Cox.
House of Hope - Synopsis
Lillian Cobb’s instructions were that the solicitor firm of Gilbert Smyth Wilson and Henderson, find my father, Alfred Lawson, asking that he attend the solicitor’s offices where he would be informed of her wishes.
And so, begins the Lawson family’s saga as told by the sixteen-year-old son Charlie. A story of love, betrayal, conflict and heartbreak. A story of a Devonshire village community and traditions, far removed from that of the London lifestyle of the Lawson family. A coming together of new friends, eccentric characters, historical smuggling activities, high fashion modelling, a Hollywood movie star, the ghost of Lily Perkins, and Cobb Manor House Hotel.
House of Hope - Extract
Dear Alfred,
I am a woman of few words and not given to temperament. However, since the untimely death of your mother and my dearly loved friend, I have been living under the shadow of a terrible betrayal.
You were only a small child when Elizabeth was taken from us, I was at her bedside when she passed away, and I promised her that I
The Writing Group is a friendly mix of local creatives who meet every second Tuesday at 11am in The Palm Tree Bar, La Marina, to share ideas, write for fun, and enjoy supportive, relaxed company.
For more info, email Paddy at paddychristie7@gmail.com or call/ whatsapp him on 634 343 956
would take care of you. It is with bitter regret that I allowed pressure from my family, and that of social services to cloud my judgement. You were therefore adopted and moved to London.
In life we all do things that we regret, in giving you up I made a mistake that I can never repay. As I write this, I have but a short time to live and I wish to go to my grave having made but a small amends for the injustice that I have made both to you and your dear mother.
My Henderson will now inform you of my wishes. I hope life is good to you Alfred and you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
Lillian Cobb.
WEATHER
By Carol Garrett
Sun relentless scorching ground , desert life austere. Cactus thrive on water stored , hope for life assured. No living creatures dare venture out, air too hot to breathe. Wait for nightfall relief from heat, scavaging discreet. Morning breaks, light breeze gathers gently shifting dunes. Soon becomes a vortex swirling, stinging gritty sand sent hurling Sky transforms, clouds are dark, looking mean but welcome Drops of rain bombard the ground. combine together, streams surround. One day of rain is all they need, flowers of cactus bloom Rivers formed, dunes are quenched, quickly ground is drenched. Creatures gather on high ground, drinking thirstily.
Heartfelt thanks, life surviving precariously thriving. Flora and fauna breathing as one, air so fresh and pure. Rain arrived in time to restore. Nature, the weather, winning once more.
A
SPANISH TIPS WITH CHRISTIAN
“SAY
HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE”
No, this months Hints and Tips isn´t about (as per the title) an old (and rather good!) Soft Cell song from way back in the 1980´s!
This month´s Hints and Tips is actually a rather useful list of ways to say ´hello´ and ´goodbye´ in Spanish, listed with their English equivalents.
Learn this list and you´ll be equipped to ´say hello, wave goodbye´ to everyone from an old mate of yours (informal) to someone you´ve just met (formal).
Informal Hullos
• Hola (Hi)
• Buenas (Good morning, afternoon or evening depending on the time of day)
• ¿Qué pasa? (Hi, what´s happening?)
• ¿Qué tal? (How´re you?)
• ¿Cómo va? (How´s it going)
• ¿Qué mas? (What´s up?)
• Ey (Hey)
Informal Goodbyes
• Adiós (Goodbye)
• Chao (Cheers)
• Nos vemos (See you later)
• Cuídate (Look after yourself)
• Buen fin de (Have a good weekend)
• Igualmente (Equally)
• Hasta mañana (See you tomorrow)
• Hasta pronto (See you soon)
Formal Hullos
• Buenas días (Good morning)
• Buenas Tardes (Good Evening)
• Encantando (Delighted)
• Un placer conocerte (A pleasure to meet you)
Here at La Marina Languages we have been helping many students learning Spanish for the last 4 years. Check out our website and say “hola”.
Christian is based in La Marina and offers one-to-one Spanish lessons at all levels (on-line or face to face). He will also accompany you as a translator for visits to doctors, lawyers, notary – whatever you need!
Tel/Whatsapp: 623 279 074 lamarinalanguages@gmail.com www.lamarinalanguages.com
• Mucho gusto (Pleased to meet you)
• ¿Cómo se encuentra? (How are you?)
Formal Goodbyes
• Hasta la próxima vez (Until next time)
• Que tenga un buen día (Have a good day)
• Ha sido un placer (It´s been a pleasure)
• Ha sido un placer conocerte (It´s been a pleasure to meet you)
• Mejores deseos (Best wishes)
• Estamos en contacto (We´ll be in touch) Keep studying, keep practicing. ¡Bien hecho!
La Marina Street Cats Update with Lorraine Cook
We're still busy here at La Marina Street Cats - since January of this year we have trapped and sterilised 56 cats (now nearly 600 in total!).
Meanwhile kitten season is now here. Please don't just pick up any stray kittens you see, instead let us know and we can then try and reunite kitten and mother and get mum sterilised. Also, any street cats you see who look pregnant or who have kittens please get in touch. The cats will be trapped, sterilised and (as is always the case) returned to where they were trapped. No harm is done to them.
Finally, the lovely grey, tabby girl around 5 months, pictured on this page, is looking for a home as well as the 4 year old Persian blue, also pictured here.
TULISA´S TALES
The Tale of Saint Donkey of Soho
ullo readers hooman and doggy! Bark! This month´s tale is about a dog called Soho. Soho was the doggy who originally adopted me, Wendy and Misty´s two hoomans many, many years ago. None of us three doggies ever met Soho, he´d already crossed The Rainbow Bridge when we adopted the hoomans who were originally his, but his story was told to Misty by his doggy-daughter Chelsea and Misty, in turn, passed Soho´s story on to us...and now I´m passing it on to you! Bark!
As they actually knew Soho I thought it best to hand the telling of Soho´s story to one of our hoomans. It´s been no easy task getting his attention between, what, that box of noise and colour he spends all day staring at and, when he´s not doing that, he´s wandering round with that rectangular metal thing stuck to his ear, grunting into it. Anyway, bark, I got him to do what I wanted (some barking, jumping and chasing did the trick...) and I´ve translated his odd grunting and whooping hooman noises into doggy language best I can and I think I did it all correct so read on! Bark! Here we go:
“Soho was the original Furry Friend and was taken from us from years ago. He is deeply, profoundly missed, but we know we´ll see him again in just five doggy minutes, over that Rainbow Bridge. Until then sleep well with the Angels Soho,
my dearest friend. Soho was dog of truly humble origins. He was born on a farm somewhere in Essex of a Jack Russell mother and unknown father. His appearance was often likened to that of a wild boar. Soho became a father when he was still quite young after meeting Piggy (a Jack Russell lady-dog who also adopted us a short time after Soho did). He showed no aptitude as a father, displaying absolutely no interest in his offspring whatsoever. A typical man, you ladies would say! The swine! Soho´s special skills were barking very loudly, rolling, stealing food and smelling bad. He was an extraordinarily good-natured and friendly dog who loved everybody and who would always be there for you in a crisis with a wet nose and a licky tongue. He was a dog whose heart was positively overflowing with love. Soho, also known as "Bob," "Donkey" and "Stinky," touched many lives, bringing grace, beauty and reassurance where often there was little to be had. Soon after his passing, Soho´s unique qualities were recognised by Greater Powers and he was entered into a fast-track Beatification process. Soho was recently officially sainted and is now known as Saint Donkey of Soho. Soho lived in Essex, London, Barcelona, Sitges and then London again. He currently lives somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge.”
He sounds like a remarkable doggy-bloke, doesn´t he, I wish we´d met him!? I send him barks, licks and sniffs! And..I have to say...if you look at the picture of Soho on this page then you can totally see why he was made a Saint – I mean does he look Holy or what! Bark!
Soul Notes LISTENING WITHIN:
by Nicola Dunsford
Hello Amazing Soul,
As spring deepens, nature becomes more expressive. Blossoms unfold, birds return, and the earth hums with quiet vitality. Just as the natural world awakens in April, we too are invited to listen more closely to the subtle guidance within us. Beneath the noise of everyday life, there is a quieter voice, steady, calm and deeply wise. This is your intuition.
Intuition is not something reserved for the gifted or the mystical. It is a natural part of being human, a gentle inner compass that guides us toward what feels aligned and true. The challenge is not developing intuition, but learning to hear it amid the many voices of expectation, habit and distraction.
Recognising the Voice of Intuition
Intuition rarely shouts. More often, it arrives as a soft knowing; a feeling in the body, a quiet sense of rightness or a subtle nudge in a certain direction. While the mind tends to analyse and question, intuition feels calm, simple and clear.
You may notice intuition as:
A sense of ease or expansion in the body
A quiet inner “yes” or “no”
A sudden insight that appears without effort
A gentle pull toward or away from something
The more we acknowledge these signals, the stronger and clearer they become.
Creating Space to Listen
Like any meaningful conversation, intuition requires moments of stillness. When our minds are constantly busy, it becomes difficult to recognise the subtle language of inner guidance.
A simple meditation can help open this channel:
1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
2. Take several slow grounding breaths.
3. Place your attention on your heart or
Awakening Your Intuition
solar plexus (upper abdomen).
4. Ask a quiet question such as, “What would support me most today?”
5. Instead of searching for an answer, simply allow whatever arises to be received.
Sometimes the response comes immediately. Other times it appears later, through a feeling, an idea, or a moment of clarity.
Journaling as a Bridge
Writing can also be a powerful way to access intuitive insight. When we write freely without overthinking, the mind relaxes, and deeper wisdom can emerge.
Try beginning with a prompt such as: What is my intuition trying to show me right now? Or, What do I already know in my heart?
Let the words flow without editing. Often, the most meaningful guidance appears when we allow the pen to move gently and honestly.
Aligning Your Energy
Your intuition speaks most clearly when your energy feels balanced and grounded. Gentle practices like walking in nature, breathwork, Reiki, or sound can help clear mental noise and bring you back into alignment with your natural rhythm. When your energy settles, your inner guidance becomes easier to recognise.
Closing Reflection
Intuition is not separate from you. It is your deeper wisdom speaking through the language of feeling and awareness. The more often you pause, listen, and trust what your sense, the stronger that connection becomes. May this month invite you to turn inward, trust your quiet knowing, and allow your inner guidance to light the path ahead.
Wishing you a peaceful and intuitive April, Namaste
Nicola is a Spiritual Life Coach and Energy Healer who leads the Soul Café. The group gathers fortnightly on Wednesday mornings.For more details, please call/message Nicola on 634 199 029 (phone or WhatsApp).
From Lockdown to Local Success
How one unexpected moment led to the creation of Somos Rentals
When Spain entered lockdown in March 2020, many businesses faced an uncertain future. For James, the founder of Somos Rentals, however, that moment became the starting point for building a successful property rental company that continues to grow today.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START SOMOS RENTALS?
Somos Rentals was born during one of the most uncertain moments of my career. For many years I managed a branch of one of the leading rental and sales agencies in the area. Toward the end of 2019, an opportunity arose for me to become a partner in another real estate agency, so I decided to take the leap. I started my new role on Monday, 16th March 2020, the very first day of the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain.
Almost overnight the property market came to a complete standstill. Like many people, I suddenly found myself facing a very uncertain future. With a family to support and bills to pay, I had to think quickly about how to adapt. Because the new agency focused exclusively on property sales, I decided to create a separate rental business that would complement rather than compete with it. By June 2020, Somos Rentals was up and running.
Within a few months, my wife Dayse and I had built a strong base of property owners and a steady income. By September I was able to leave the other agency on good terms and focus entirely on growing Somos Rentals. What started as a solution during a difficult time has grown into a thriving business, proof that sometimes unexpected challenges can lead to new opportunities.
WHY IS THIS AREA SO POPULAR WITH VISITORS AND RESIDENTS?
This part of the Costa Blanca offers an exceptional quality of life. We have beautiful beaches, stunning natural surroundings and a fantastic climate that allows people to enjoy outdoor living for most of the year. It’s also a very safe and welcoming environment, which makes
it ideal for families, couples and retirees alike. Add excellent transport links, great restaurants and plenty of local amenities, and it’s easy to see why so many people choose to spend time here.
The lifestyle is another huge attraction. During the summer months the evenings feel endless, with people enjoying long dinners on terraces, walks along the promenade and the many local fiestas that bring communities together. Even everyday routines can feel special. My drive to work takes me past the salt lakes, where you often see flamingos and incredible sunsets. It’s a commute I genuinely enjoy.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?
One of the great pleasures of the job is visiting the wide variety of homes we manage. Every property has its own style and character, which keeps things interesting. But the most rewarding part is definitely the people. We work with wonderful clients, both property owners and tenants, from many different countries and backgrounds. Our aim is always to provide a friendly, personal service and make sure guests feel comfortable and happy during their stay.
Over time we’ve built strong relationships with many of our clients, and some have even become good friends. That personal connection is something we truly value.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PROPERTY OWNERS THINKING ABOUT RENTING THEIR HOME?
The rental market has changed significantly in recent years, particularly with new regulations surrounding holiday rentals. However, demand for both holiday and long-term rentals remains very strong.
For many owners, renting their property can provide an excellent investment opportunity or additional income to help cover the costs of owning a second home. Holiday rentals are ideal for owners who still want to use their property themselves throughout the year, while long-term rentals usually involve tenants staying for a year or more and offer a more predictable income.
Both options work well depending on the owner’s priorities, so it’s important to explore the different possibilities and find the right approach.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES IN THE AREA TO RECOMMEND TO GUESTS?
One of my top recommendations is a boat trip to Tabarca Island, where visitors can snorkel in crystal-clear waters, a unique experience in this region.
Nature lovers often enjoy the Clot de Galvany nature reserve, which is perfect for walking or jogging, while the nearby salt lakes are famous for their wildlife, including flamingos.
For day trips, Elche is well worth visiting for its famous palm groves, while Alicante offers history, shopping and incredible views from the castle. Santa Pola itself is also a favourite, with its marina, promenade and excellent seafood restaurants. Families often enjoy Río Safari or Pola Park, which are both great options for children.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SOMOS RENTALS?
As the business continues to grow, our focus is on expanding the team and increasing the number of properties we manage. This year we plan to bring in additional staff to support our growing portfolio and client base.
By growing carefully and sustainably, our aim is to offer a wider choice of properties while maintaining the personal, high-quality service that our clients value.
At the heart of Somos Rentals is a simple goal: creating great experiences for both property owners and guests while continuing to build a strong reputation in the local community.
www.somosrentals.com
DENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE DENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
LIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
CARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
ACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
BUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
TRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
HOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
MEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDIC DENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
LIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
CARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
ACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFECARACCIDENTBUSINESSTRAVELHOUSEMEDICALDENTALLIFE
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? FOR MORE INFO EMAIL US AT INFO@LAMARINAADVERTISER.COM languages various languages residencia
Cooking with Sue
Sue has been making us delicious home-made dishes at Sue´s Kitchen, here in La Marina, for over 3 years... and we´ve persuaded her to share some of her secrets with us!
Ingredients
6 eggs for boiling plus 2 for the egg wash
1lb ground sausage meat
1/3lb crumbled black pudding
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup of seasoned flour
1 cup of breadcrumbs
Vegetable Oil (quarter cup, approx.)
Sue´s Kitchen Homemade
Black Pudding
Scotch Eggs
Instructions
Place 6 eggs in boiling water for exactly 4.5 minutes then immediately transfer to a bowl of cold/iced water (stops them cooking any further and makes them easier to peel).
In a bowl, mix the sausage meat, crumbled black pepper and salt and pepper and thoroughly combine into a paste.
Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Flatten a portion in your hand, place a peeled boiled egg in the centre and gently wrap the mixture around it until fully sealed.
Take three shallow bowls – one with seasoned flour, one with the egg wash (2 beaten eggs) and one with breadcrumbs.
Roll each wrapped egg in the flour, dip in the egg wash then coat in breadcrumbs.
Heat oil in a pan and fry eggs for 1012 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown.
Remove from pan and leave to cool before serving. Enjoy!
Sue's Kitchen Centro Comercial Bahia De Las Dunas, C/Mar Mediterraneo 8, Unit 4, La Marina 03177 | Open Tues to Sat 9am – 4pm SUE ALSO DOES OUTSIDE CATERING!FOR MORE INFO POP INTO SUE'S OR CALL/WHATSAPP 660 850 464
THE LA MARINA SENIORS FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION
The Seniors Friendship Association, located in Calle Madrid, urb. La Marina continues to welcome new faces everyday. Membership now stands at 100.
Throughout March we introduced Coffee and Homemade cake mornings, we had our first quiz, a jewellery making demonstration as well as our regular chair based Stretch and Movement exercises, and Tech Help.
We were invited to the Tuesday Ladies club , based on the urbanisation, and we were presented with a cheque for €200 which was extremely generous of the ladies and very much appreciated.
During April we have planned our first lunch for 30 persons supporting a local restaurant. We continue with the chair exercises which have proved very popular plus a medical professional will continue to offer blood pressure checks. Our rear terrace is an inviting area to sit and enjoy a coffee and a chat, especially as the weather has improved.
Coming up on the 21st May we have a Gala evening to raise the profile of the Association. Hosted by The Grill House ,
who are providing a 3 course meal, we are delighted to announce the award winning singer Shani Ormiston has agreed to entertain us with a catalogue of her own music.
Her sensitivity and professionalism consolidate her as one of the most promising and prominent voices in independent music.
If you haven´t found us we are next door to Bobs Bar . The rear entrance is wheelchair friendly and offers a level entrance.
For more info: Whatsapp 711 084 903 C/Madrid 109, La Marina | Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10.30am to 1.00pm
