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ISSUE NO. 1545

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12 - 18 FEBRUARY 2015

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Dedicated to the memory of respected colleague Angus Russell Watson EWN FRONT EXTRA

Canonisation request REGIONAL government president Jose Ramon Bauza has asked the pope to visit Mallorca to canonise the martyr Ramon Lull.

Carnival starts CALVIA’S carnival parade ‘Sa Rua’ will be held at 4.30pm on Saturday February 14 in Calle Ses Quarterades (Calvia Villa).

Stadium work LLUIS SITJAR stadium in Palma de Mallorca is undergoing demolition works which should finish by April.

Major upgrade plans for Playa de Palma AN initiative to encourage private construction in Mallorca has proven fruitful with the announcement of a number of major facelifts for Playa de Palma, including a new multi-million five-star hotel. Palma Council’s public works department has given the green light to Hotel Llaut, an €11.6 million luxury hotel at Playa de Palma that will feature 135 rooms and 278 beds. The news was announced by Councillor for Public Works and Housing, Jesus Valls, who pointed out that initiatives taken by the council, the Balearic Islands regional government and the Mallorca provincial council to encourage private construction in the area are bearing fruit. The beach at Playa de Palma is to begin receiving a total of €15 million over the next two years in order to

carry out various upgrades including placing rubbish containers underground – at a cost of €1.3 million – and improving the sewage system so that waste water does not reach the sea. The area of Can Pastilla has also been earmarked for regeneration. Valls also said that Hotel Iberostar Royal Cristina is to expand its number of rooms to 58 and 16 apartments, with the construction of a new floor at

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a cost of €7.2 million. The council has also authorised the €2 million expansion of the Nacar building on Calle Jaime III de Palma, which will be extended by 472 square metres and become a four-star hotel with 142 beds and 69 rooms. Valls stressed the importance of hotels located in the city centre and highlighted the increased registration last year of more than 40 per cent, outside of the high season.

E W N 12 -18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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INDEX News 1 - 14 Finance 17 - 22 Letters 23 Tor Even Mathisen Flickr

Leapy Lee 24 Daily TV 30 Time Out 32 - 33 Health & Beauty 34 - 35 Food 37 Homes & Gardens 40 Property 41 Classifieds 42 - 43 Boating 44 - 45 Motoring 46 Sport 48

OUTRAGE: The dolphin park has rejected all allegations of mistreatment.

Marineland hits back at ‘cruelty’ video

A VIDEO allegedly showing trainers mistreating dolphins at Mallorca’s dolphin park Marineland has sparked outrage. But the park has hit back saying the video appears to have been edited using different clips and does not represent reality. The video was leaked by SOSdolphins, a group of organisations created to expose suffering, high mortality rates and mistreatment experienced by captive sea mammals.

In the video, phrases like “Lazy, you are so lazy,” “I am going to hit you with the bucket,” and “Are you stupid?” are screamed at the dolphins by trainers, who are also seen apparently punching and kicking the animals. But Marineland said in a statement: “We completely reject all kinds of degrading treatment towards animals. We, at the park, are as surprised as other viewers by the negative approach taken in the video.”

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Cultural Interest THE Popular Culture Advisor of Mallorca’s Provincial Council has given the green light to the project seeking to name the Ball Dels Cossiers festivity in Manacor a ‘Festivity of Cultural Interest.’ Religious trip ONE HUNDRED Mallorca residents have gone on a pilgrimage to Rome to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mallorca-born martyr Ramon Llull.

12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

Dog’s dirt offenders fined THOUGHTLESS dog owners in Inca, Mallorca, have been warned - undercover police are on their tails. Twenty-one fines have been issued to people in the town who failed to clean up their pets’ mess since a plain-clothes ‘poo patrol’ went on the beat back in October. Inca’s mayor, Rafael Torres, unveiled the results of the

initiative, carried out by the Local Police, and said the patrol would continue to work indefinitely monitoring the streets for dog dirt and issuing fines that could be as high as €900. “This is one of the issues we at the council receive most complaints about,” said Mr Torres. “This uncivil behaviour casts a negative light on the city

and the council is forced to spend more on cleaning work, which is a financial extra, paid by all residents.” Officers have focused their efforts on the area around the municipal slaughterhouse, the Camino Viejo de Biniamar and in the vicinity of Puig de Santa Magdalena, where 10 residents have been fined since October. holbox/Shutterstock

Body found THE body of a 55-year-old man has been found inside a pipe in Calle Josep Roig (Palma). National Police believe the man may have committed suicide.

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CARTOON CREATIONS: The impressive floats at Las Fallas.

‘

ews watch

Longer wait

THE number of patients waiting to undergo surgery in the Balearic Islands has gone up by 2.4 per cent, with 14,487 patients, 347 more than the previous year.

Gay chorus THE Mallorca Gay Men’s Chorus will perform next Friday (February 13) at the Auditori municipal de la Vila (Santa Margalida) at 8.30pm and on February 15 at Son Servera’s Teatre La Union (7pm).

CALVIA’S Council has announced that the regulations on ‘pub-crawling’ tours will be made stricter to improve public opinion regarding Magaluf tourism.

Accidents high

Explanations needed SOCIALIST party PSOE in Muro has requested the town’s Mayor, Marti Fornes, explain the reasons behind the discharge of chlorine in the town’s water supply system, as registered last week.

Deadly photo A 78-YEAR-OLD died last Wednesday (February 11) after being struck by a car on the Soller road in the Bunyola municipality. The victim had stepped out of her car to take pictures of the snow.

Stricter tours

Broken jaw A 20-YEAR-OLD Colombian man was hospitalised in Cala Millor after another young man broke his jaw outside a night club. The attacker already had a criminal record for similar incidents.

Renovation in process RENOVATION works of Casal Balaguer in Palma are expected to be completed in five months, according to the head of the Culture Department, Fernando Gilet. The facilities will be used as a cultural centre.

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A noisy month ahead for Valencia’s famous fiesta

ALENCIA’S famous Fallas fiesta is fast approaching and given the popularity of the event with both Spaniards and foreign visitors alike, those wishing to attend this year’s festivities would be advised to start organising their trip before it’s too late. Characterised by gigantic cartoon-ish creations and spectacular pyrotechnic displays, ‘Las Fallas’ is undoubtedly one of Spain’s noisiest and craziest fiestas, which goes some way to explaining its popularity. Visitors expecting to pop along to check out a few of the impressive ‘ninots’ (cartoon-like characters made out of plaster, papier mache, Styrofoam, etc) floats before retiring to their hotel for a relaxing evening will have to perhaps rethink their plans. Each day of Las Fallas begins with the ‘La Desperta’ (the wake-up call) that sees brass

Quote of the Week ‘If I look back I feel old, if I look forward I feel young. The second half of my life starts now,’ said actor Antonio Banderas during his acceptance speech at the Goya Awards, where he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

bands marching down the streets at 8am every morning, followed by revellers throwing firecrackers. Fireworks, firecrackers and explosions are the order of the day with huge crowds keeping the entire city buzzing throughout the festival. The stars of Las Fallas are definitely the ‘ninots.’ Each neighbourhood designs and constructs their own, usually set around a theme to lampoon well-known Spanish celebrities or political figures. The most impressive part of the display is on the final night when the huge ninots are burnt to the ground. Be warned. It may be difficult to find a place to stay during Las Fallas given its massive popularity, and visitors should start checking hotels now. The festivities take place from March 15 to 19, but there are lots of activities in the weeks running up to the main event.

CREDITlev radin / Shutterstock.com

Number of the week

27.7%

is the amount of people who will vote for new political party Podemos in the general election, according to an El Pais poll. The ruling Partido Popular got 20.9 per cent in the poll and the Socialists (PSOE) got 18.3 per cent.

THE Balearic Islands are the second region with a highest number of traffic accidents, registering 4,617 accidents per 100,000 inhabitants in 2014, according to data provided by TIREA.

More companies THE number of trading companies in the Balearic Islands has increased by 3.2 per cent in 2014, with a total of 2,887 new companies, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Cultural event A BAROQUE music concert and a guided visit will be held on Saturday (February 14) at 5.30pm in the Santa Maria la Major Church in Inca.

And finally... TWO regional leaders of New Generations, the youth wing of the ruling Partido Popular (PP), have resigned after being caught on camera holding a Francoist Spanish flag and giving Nazi salutes. The men claim the photo was a “joke” and taken before they took up their positions, but the photo was clearly taken in a PP office.

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Region to agree aid for small towns THE Mallorca Regional Government will approve a motion to help improve towns around the island, creating an aid budget of €4 million. Head of the regional government Maria Salom explained that towns with a population below 5,000 will receive aid totalling €100,000. The funding for those towns with a number of inhabitants between 5,000 and 10,000 will be €65,000, while those municipalities between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants will receive €58,000. Once approved, councils will have 45 days to present a project in order to benefit from the aid. “This financial aid will allow councils to improve their infrastructure, which is expected to benefit Mallorca as a whole,” said Salom.

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Our View Manacor

Expats: bystanders to national issues

T’S interesting to watch the growth of Spanish political party Podemos and listen to the arguments from both sides as to how effective the party would be if elected to power in this election year. A poll this week shows they are out in front in terms of popularity, and they are the only ones to have smashed the two-party system that Spain has had for decades. Podemos are riding on the back of a bad 2014 for the ruling Partido Popular (PP), who have been hit by financial scandal after financial scandal. People are sick of corrupt politicians and want change. But are the Socialists (PSOE) the answer with their suave new leader Pedro Sanchez? Or are Podemos – the new kids on the block – going to take the reins? Detractors say that Podemos are spouting all the right rhetoric that the average Spaniard wants to hear,

but lack the experience to run a country, especially one with as many complicated issues as Spain has - high unemployment, economic uncertainty, the Catalan issue, animal rights, etc. So will the people stick with PP, the tried and tested stalwarts with plenty of political nous? Or will they go for change? It remains to be seen and it’s unfortunate that expats don’t get a chance to vote in Spanish national elections (unless, of course, they have given up their British citizenship in favour of Spanish). Whichever party wins this year’s general election is going to have an impact on the hundreds of thousands of expats who live in Spain, but unfortunately, most of us are simply bystanders in this particular drama. Let’s hope that whoever wins will have the best interests of Spain - our home - at heart.

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solar farm plans rejected

THE Balearic Islands Regional Government has rejected plans to build a photovoltaic power station in Manacor. The Balearic Environment Board has denied the project to build a solar farm at land plots Santa Cirga and Son Crespi, despite the existence of positive reports from experts. Plans were to cover almost a million square metres with approximately 250,000 solar panels, turning the site into the biggest solar station in Mallorca. Amongst other claims, the Balearic Environment Board has alleged that €25 million should have been presented by the company in charge (Parque Fotovoltaico Santa Cirga SL) before it applied for the permit from the regional government. The news has come as a surprise both to the company and Manacor Council, as the project was almost unanimously approved in a plenary session and was expected to have the support of the regional government due to the existence of favourable reports.

More tax for Palma THE tax revenue in Palma de Mallorca increased by 5.1 per cent in 2014. A total of €254.4 million was raised during the past years, €12.4 million more than in 2013. “The increased tax collection has a direct relation with the financial dynamism of our city,” said a municipal spokesperson.

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12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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Stranded tourists rescued from snow SIX German tourists were rescued by helicopter on February 6 after getting stranded in the snow overnight in Sa Calobra, Mallorca. The Guardia Civil military

Coca-Cola workers to finally be paid COCA-COLA employees who were laid off are to finally get paid. Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and the trade unions thrashed out an agreement to pay €7.4 million in interim wages owed to 351 workers for the period between June and November 2014. Affected by the company’s redundancy plan, they had not been paid as required by law while solutions were sought to legal issues. Spain’s national high court in Madrid recently invalidated the company’s plans to lay off employees at bottling plants in Palma de Mallorca, Asturias, Fuenlabrada (Madrid) and Alicante. The court also backed the workers’ refusal to relocate to the company’s other plants.

Metal chaos on motorway A LORRY carrying metal bars lost its load at Palma’s Via de Cintura motorway, forcing authorities to close two lanes to traffic. The incident took place at around 11.30am in the area of Son Hugo sports centre and caused a twokilometre traffic jam. Apart from metal bars, the lorry was also carrying a large number of metal bolts that piled up on the central and right lanes.

police force announced that the group had been safely brought to the Son Sant Joan airbase at 9.54am and said the rescued tourists were in good health. A helicopter left the base at

8.41am to search for the tourists, who were surprised by snow in the Cala Tuent area and spent the night in a refuge in Sa Calobra. Their rescue had to wait until

a helicopter could take off as road access to the Serra de Tramuntana had been closed due to snow. Fifteen regions in Spain remain under alert today for

strong winds, snow, waves or extreme cold, which could reach -12ºC in some parts of the north, the Aemet Spanish state weather office has announced.

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Angus Russell Watson 6.6.1960 – 8.2.2015

RESPECTED colleague Angus Russell Watson has been tragically taken from us. Angus, who worked in Euro Weekly News’s advertising department, died in a cycling accident on Sunday (February 8) aged 54. In the time he spent with us he rapidly became one of the EWN family, not just respected for his integrity, but loved and appreciated for the fun and humanity he brought not only to the office, but also to the lives of those he worked with. Typical of his sense of fun was when he turned up at the Christmas party dressed as an Arab sheikh – the only person in fancy dress. “Well, I thought there might be a girl looking for a rich man around,” he joked. Angus was born in Worcester, England, on June 6, 1960. From there the family

moved to Cheshire, then Woodford and then back down to Breedon in the Midlands. On leaving home he went to Harlow College where he took a course in business studies, followed by a career in The City as a recruitment consultant. He moved to Spain in 1999, first to the Andalucian village of Comares, where he ran an estate agency for several years. He carried on living in the Axarquia region up until his death. He is survived by his former wife Erica and their two children, Isabella, 11, and Oliver, 13, as well as sister Linzi, brother James, mother Elizabeth and father Ian Findlater Russell Watson.

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ELECTRICITY PYLONS: Local people are strongly protesting.

No to new pylons CONTROVERSY has again been sparked in Mallorca as the central government has reopened a project to install new electricity pylons across several towns. The Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism has included in the Electric Industry Plan 2015-2020 a project to install the pylons in Estacio de Bessons (Manacor), Arta and Portocolom. After it was first proposed in 2009, the project was cancelled in 2013 following local people’s strong protests over social and environmental concerns.

New mobilisations have now been called by pressure groups such as the ‘Plataforma Pus Estes’ in Portocolom, and in Llevant, the ‘Platform in defence of Llevant and against the new high voltage power line.’ Both groups will present cases before the government’s office in Mallorca, opposing the project that was reintroduced on December 11, 2014. Their alternative proposals include the increase in voltage of existing lines to solve the problem, amongst others.

12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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Owner of beauty clinic is arrested NATIONAL POLICE have arrested the owner of a cosmetic and dental clinic in Palma for defrauding his customers. The detainee is a 49-year-old Spanish citizen from Colombia, head of the centre called Rejuvenart, located in Calle Unio. The authorities were alerted by 12 customers who had paid in advance for services they never received, and an investigation was launched. The victims would reportedly buy discounted cosmetic treatments online.

The man would perform the first session but fail to carry out the rest, repeatedly putting them off. The defrauded amount is estimated at €10,000 so far, although Local Police are aware of at least 23 other victims who have not yet issued a complaint. After the man was taken into custody, it was confirmed he owed several months of rent payments to the property’s owner. He had also hired six workers without a contract and failed to pay their salaries.

Three women detained for human trafficking in Mallorca THREE women have been arrested in Mallorca for recruiting other women and forcing them into prostitution. The women were working in Mallorca, but were part of a gang that

operated from Algeciras, in Andalucia, recruiting women from Paraguay by providing them with legal documents so they could leave their home country. The young women were then led to a Schengen

area country, and finally forced to travel to Algeciras and coerced into prostitution. Victims had to stand long working hours and were subjected to strict controls. The money obtained through prostitution was almost entirely taken by the organisation, as they were told they had to pay a ‘debt’ for the documents they had been provided with to travel from Paraguay. Thanks to the detention of the three women in Mallorca, who were leaders of the criminal group, authorities were able to dismantle the organisation.

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12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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Government pay to create jobs THE Mallorca regional government is to fund the creation of jobs for 3,300 unemployed residents. The project, called Programme for Labour Reinsertion, will benefit long-term unemployed people aged over 45. Plans were unveiled at a press conference by the spokesperson of the autonomous government, Nuria Riera, who explained that the programme is cofunded by the European Social Fund.

Snow swells reserves RESERVOIRS Cuber and Gorg Blau have received more than half a million cubic metres of water thanks to the snowfall in Serra de Tramuntana. The snow and storms of last week dropped up to 93 litres per square metre of water in Cuber and have contributed to a 5 per cent increase in the dam’s total reserve. The Cuber reservoir is currently at 81.5 per cent of its total capacity, while it is estimated that the Gorg Blau is at 71 per cent. Together, they hold a total of 9 million cubic metres of water.

Showing solidarity NGO Manos Unidas raised a total of €330,085 in Mallorca during 2014. Donations were made by members and wellwishers for the association to carry out co-operation and development projects in more than 50 countries. In total 80.3 per cent of the NGO’s income came from private sources and 19.7 per cent from the public sector.

The regional government will contribute €4 million per year between 2015 and 2017. Local entities that participate in the project

will hire candidates according to their needs and for a maximum period of six months. To be eligible for the programme, those

interested must be over 45 years old and have been unemployed for two years, although candidates will still be eligible if they have worked in temporary jobs

within the two-year period, if they did not surpass 90 days. In addition, they must have used up all their government aid and have

an income lower than €426. The programme is to give local institutions €600 per contract of six months’ duration.

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Speeding fines to go EU-wide BRITISH holidaymakers caught speeding on Spanish roads could soon be tracked down and fined under new EU rules expected to come into force this year. The new measures could result in motorists caught by speed cameras while in their own car abroad receiving fines sent to their UK address or being pursued through UK courts if they don’t pay. According to MailOnline , drivers caught by speed cameras while in their own cars abroad currently cannot be traced as there is no system for foreign

police to track them down. Foreign motorists can be traced if they are driving a hire car while abroad, but not if they are using their own car. But the proposed changes could be made EU law by a bill that will apply to all member states from May this year. It would see motorists pursued for speeding, running a red light, using a mobile phone or drink or drug driving. Drivers will receive a letter in their own language for payment from the police authorities in the country the offence was committed. Spanish MEP and the EU Parliament’s

negotiator on the issue, Ines Ayala Sender, said that the new legislation could cut road deaths by 50 per cent. “Citizens are, of course, never thrilled to receive a letter telling them they have been caught committing a traffic offence, but they do welcome the fact that everyone in the EU will be treated equally, no matter where their vehicle is registered,” she said. The bill will also apply to European drivers caught speeding while in the UK. If approved, the bill will apply from May, but the UK will have two years to enforce the new law.

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Balearic residents big cyber shoppers BALEARIC residents bought more online than anyone else in Spain, says a new study. A total of 50.2 per cent of the islanders carried out online purchases, seven points above the national average, while the use

of electronic administration has grown stronger amongst both citizens and companies and has become the preferred option to obtain public information. The data was released by the Spanish Information Society in a report, which also shows that services, such as public transport tickets and car rentals, holiday accommodation and clothing are the most purchased items. In 2014, eight out of 10 A TOTAL of â‚Ź44 million will be spent by Palma City homes had an internet Council in the maintenance and renovation of the public connection, and 84 per lighting system. cent of Balearic residents The project will affect more than 42,000 sources of have used the internet in light, in roads, streets, green areas, sports facilities, etc, the past month. as was explained by municipal spokesperson, Julio The use of online Martinez. banking services by It will take four years for the council to carry out the companies has increased plans, which were conceived to replace lighting sources by 1.3 per cent compared which have become obsolete or do not meet current to the previous year. regulations. The council is hoping to save around 50 per Companies have also cent of the current expenditure with the renovation of increased their presence lighting, as well as reducing CO2 emissions by more on social media by 35.5 than 28,000 tonnes. per cent.

Replacing street lighting in Palma

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Driver injured A MOTORCYCLE driver sustained severe injuries last Tuesday (February 10) after crashing into a wall on the Alagaida to Pina road. The man, 42, was found by a driver who alerted police.

Ceiling fall A PART of the Balearic Health Institute Offices collapsed yesterday (Wednesday, February 11). No casualties were reported.

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Royal shoe request INCA’S mayor, Rafael Torres, has asked the former queen of Spain, Sofia, to donate a pair of her own footwear to promote the town’s shoe museum. Mr Torres wrote a letter to the head of the Royal Household to request the shoes, which would be the centre feature in a collection of shoes belonging to popular figures linked to the Balearic Islands. In the letter, Torres wrote that they would be

viewed in a display cabinet, and “could encourage other celebrities to join the project.” If the former queen were to accept the proposal, the mayor has also asked for a signed photograph to be displayed at the shoe museum, alongside information on the pair of shoes’ background story. The shoe museum was opened four years ago and the royal request was made after former Queen

Sofia was seeing wearing ‘abarcas,’ the traditional footwear of the islands. In a Mallorcan Cinderella story, Mr Torres hopes promoting the association between the island and the royal feet, could help enrich local commerce. “We know of the love that Her Majesty Queen Sofia holds for the Islands and, especially, for Mallorca. Rest assured that the feeling is mutual,” Mr Torres’ letter reads.

Airport strikes are called off TRADE unions have called off 27 days of strikes that had been announced for airport workers, as an agreement has been reached. Comisiones Obreras union representatives declared that the strikes had been cancelled as Aena airport management company had

given guarantees that working conditions and jobs would not be affected by plans to partially privatise a number of airports. Yet protests were still planned for yesterday (Wednesday) against the partial privatisation of Aena airports, in Madrid and at airports

across the country. The two main unions for airport workers had announced 27 days of strikes between February and August this year as they feared that working conditions and safety would be affected by the entry of private capital into the company.

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E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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80m Germans flew to Palma STATISTICALLY speaking, every single German person has now visited Mallorca as airberlin last week flew its 80 millionth passenger to Palma airport. The number of passengers ferried by airberlin to Palma now equals the population of Germany, with Danny Sasse, his wife Nicole and their children Adrian

and Evelyn being treated to flight vouchers and passes to the VIP lounge upon their arrival on flight AB7762 from Berlin-Tegel, to mark the milestone number. The Sasse’s were welcomed as an airberlin spokesperson told press in Mallorca that “cutbacks are over,” and announced the company expects to bring five million passengers to Palma this summer. The airline connects Palma to 34 national and international destinations, and plans to add 11 new German, Swiss and a rescue team rushed to Austrian cities. The news was the scene and took the turtle to a centre where it announced at a press underwent blood tests and conference conducted by x-rays and was diagnosed head of airberlin in Spain and Portugal, Paul with pneumonia. The animal is currently Verhagen, together with stable, even though it is head of Palma’s airport, weak and malnourished. It Jose Antonio Alvarez. “Mr Verhagen said: “We will remain in the Palma Aquarium facilities until it may not improve the is completely recuperated frequency of flights, but planes are now bigger.” from the illness.

Sea turtle rescued from beach at Arta A SEA TURTLE was rescued last Saturday (February 7) at the Colonia de Sant Pere in Arta. Emergency services at 112 were alerted by a resident who found the animal half-buried in the sand, after being dragged there by the strong winds and waves experienced over the previous days. Local Police officers and

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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inance F A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

Renfe AVE S-100 at Sevilla Santa Justa

effectiveness of its investment and discourages other companies from installing their own systems. By the end of 2014, more than nine million Telefonica users had switched to fibre optic broadband and the company was intending to extend this to another 5.5 million homes during 2015. Instead it will now cut down expansion to 3.6 million households. The slowdown will affect Telefonica clients in Madrid and Barcelona, plus their dormitory towns, as well as provincial capitals Sevilla, Malaga and Zaragoza. Installation companies are also unhappy as Telefonica’s reaction to the CNMC’s plans could affect up to 17,000 jobs.

usiness extra

Wings clipped IBERIA is reducing its points programme for clients flying economy class with cuts of up to 75 per cent on national flights. Business class clients paying the highest tariffs will benefit most.

Be prepared COMPENSATING small investors who acquired Bankia shares in its flawed 2011 flotation will cost approximately €500m. State-owned parent company BFA and Bankia will split the payments to avoid a capital increase.

Spanish on the move again SPANISH tourism began to recover during the last quarter of 2014. Overnight hotel stays by Spanish tourists increased by 6.2 per cent last December, compared with a 0.6 per cent rise in international tourists. Madrid did best with 17 per cent, followed by Andalucia (6.6 per cent), Cataluña (6.7 per cent) and the Valencian Community (3.3 per cent).

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STAT OF WEEK PESCANOVA, which exited bankruptcy last May and is controlled by creditor banks, posted net profits of €1.649 billion between January and November. It still has negative equity of €616.6 million.

Saudi AVE behind schedule

Telefonica pulls fibre optic plug AS threatened, Telefonica is putting the brakes on its fibre optic plans. The CNMC, Spain’s Markets and Competition regulator, wants Telefonica to share the ultra-rapid network it is currently extending throughout Spain by renting out infrastructure to its rivals. This would be charged at a set price throughout the country, apart from towns and cities where competitors have already installed their own fibre optic networks in open competition with Telefonica. The exceptions include Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla and Valencia. Telefonica opposes the CNMC’s plans, claiming that this affects the cost-

business & legal SAVH –WIKIPEDIA

THE €6.7 billion contract for the high speed line to Mecca went to a 12company Spanish consortium. Work is behind schedule and last December the Saudi Transport minister, himself an engineer, criticised lack of progress on several sections of the 450kilometre project. Nevertheless, the challenge will not end even though the consortium completes on time, sources said, as it must run the line for 12 years, transporting an annual 60 million passengers. Last year Spain’s own thousands of kilometres of AVE links had a record year

12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

“The Spanish are travelling more, inside and outside the country,” said Industry and Tourism minister Jose Manuel Soria. In 2008 when the crisis first reared its head, the Spanish made 168.8 million national and international journeys, a record that fell by 9 per cent over the next five years.

with 29.4 million passengers, half that number. “A train every four minutes! Like Japan! And with separate carriages for men and women!” the sources exclaimed. Profits are more or less assured for the private companies involved in construction, but running a line like this for 12 years could be an enormous risk for public companies like Renfe and Adif, the same insiders said.

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US dollar..................................................................1.13454 Japan yen..............................................................134.666 Switzerland franc ...............................................1.04881 Denmark kroner................................................7.44409 Norway kroner ..................................................8.64035

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226 C O M PA N Y

PRICE(P)

British Amrcn Tobacco British Land Co BT Group Bunzl Burberry Group Capita Group (The) Carnival

3,599.25 830.50 438.20 1,861.00 1,769.50 1,140.50 2,873.50

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 9

C O M PA N Y MMM 3M Co AXP American Express Co T AT&T Inc BA Boeing Co CAT Caterpillar Inc CVX Chevron Corp CSCO Cisco Systems Inc KO The Coca-Cola Co DIS Walt Disney Co DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil Corp GE General Electric Co GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc HD Home Depot Inc IBM International Business Machine... INTC Intel Corp JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase and Co MCD McDonald's Corp MRK Merck & Co Inc MSFT Microsoft Corp NKE Nike Inc PFE Pfizer Inc PG Procter & Gamble Co TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies Corp UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc VZ Verizon Communications Inc V Visa Inc WMT Wal-Mart Stores Inc

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 166.07 85.01 34.87 148.00 83.21 109.61 27.24 41.45 102.02 76.10 91.50 24.52 183.43 109.04 156.72 33.30 101.10 57.89 93.99 58.79 42.41 91.79 33.17 85.61 107.20 119.81 107.60 49.33 267.42 87.33

-0.48 +0.28 +0.33 -0.60 -0.36 +0.30 -0.02 -0.34 -0.62 +0.10 -0.86 +0.02 +2.66 +0.05 -1.19 -0.64 -1.36 +1.12 -0.35 -0.38 -0.04 -1.55 +0.18 -1.09 -0.21 -0.30 -1.22 +1.47 -4.38 +0.05

-0.29% +0.33% +0.96% -0.40% -0.43% +0.27% -0.07% -0.81% -0.60% +0.13% -0.93% +0.08% +1.47% +0.05% -0.75% -1.90% -1.33% +1.97% -0.37% -0.64% -0.09% -1.66% +0.55% -1.26% -0.20% -0.25% -1.12% +3.07% -1.61% +0.06%

1.8M 5.1M 27.7M 4.4M 5.6M 7.7M 25.5M 12.4M 8.5M 4.8M 12.3M 27.5M 3.3M 4.2M 3.3M 29.3M 9.2M 25.2M 4.7M 9.9M 34.6M 3.7M 35.0M 8.4M 2.5M 2.8M 3.7M 47.4M 2.8M 5.6M

1.34375

0.74418

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G.

C O M PA N Y

-28.75 -9.50 -4.80 -25.00 -27.50 -17.50 -31.50

-0.79 -1.13 -1.08 -1.33 -1.53 -1.51 -1.08

NET VOLUME 68,770.30 8,672.64 35,946.32 6,382.86 7,926.59 7,554.58 6,268.80

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 6.38 $ 28.66 $ 82.43 $ 3.02 $ 29.99 $ 6.53 $ 5.78 $ 3.8884 $ 30.83 $ 13.71 $ 7.60

1.13 ▲ 21.52% 4.27 ▲ 17.51% 10.98 ▲ 15.37% 0.38 ▲ 14.39% 3.76 ▲ 14.33% 0.79 ▲ 13.76% 0.69 ▲ 13.56% 0.4483 ▲ 13.03% 3.33 ▲ 12.11% 1.48 ▲ 12.10% 0.79 ▲ 11.60%

$ 56.62 $ 12.98 $ 7.04 $ 47.12 $ 32.88 $ 15.73 $ 30.67 $ 77.87 $ 3.65 $ 22 $ 17.03

23.90 ▼ 29.68% 2.81 ▼ 17.80% 1.21 ▼ 14.67% 7.25 ▼ 13.33% 4.51 ▼ 12.06% 2.07 ▼ 11.63% 4.02 ▼ 11.59% 10.13 ▼ 11.51% 0.42 ▼ 10.32% 2.49 ▼ 10.17% 1.87 ▼ 9.89%

Most Advanced Auris Medical Holding AG Coherus BioSciences, Inc. ePlus inc. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. MFRI, Inc. Pixelworks, Inc. SAExploration Holdings, Inc. Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Vascular Biogenics Ltd. STAAR Surgical Company

Most Declined Rentrak Corporation Control4 Corporation Maxwell Technologies, Inc. GoPro, Inc. Sierra Wireless, Inc. NIC Inc. NETGEAR, Inc. Expedia, Inc. Vestin Realty Mortgage II, Inc. VelocityShares 3x Long Silver ETN eLong, Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE Centrica 294.80 -1.60 Coca-Cola HBC 1,090.00 -12.00 Compass Group 1,116.50 -13.50 CRH 1,706.50 -17.50 Diageo 1,893.75 -15.25 Direct Line Insurance Group312.00 -3.50 Dixons Carphone 414.90 -4.80 easyJet 1,670.00 -30.00 Experian 1,175.00 -15.00 Fresnillo 868.75 8.75 Friends Life Group Limtd 403.60 -2.00 G4S 279.65 -3.05 GKN 373.60 -6.10 GlaxoSmithKline 1,511.25 -6.25 Glencore Xstrata 267.48 2.08 Hammerson 689.50 -11.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 984.50 -5.50 HSBC Holdings 612.25 -8.55 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,015.00 -29.00 InterContinental Hotels 2,591.00 -23.00 International Airlines 538.50 -2.50 Intertek Group 2,451.00 -5.00 Intu Properties 365.60 -6.80 ITV 224.80 -2.90 Johnson Matthey 3,246.00 -44.00 Kingfisher 335.40 -2.60 Land Securities Group 1,281.50 -20.50 Legal & General Group 265.50 -3.40 Lloyds Banking Group 74.81 -1.00 London Stock Exchange 2,344.50 -11.50 Marks & Spencer Group 478.05 -3.25 Meggitt 542.00 -3.50 Mondi 1,199.00 -18.00 Morrison (Wm) Suprmrkts 177.40 -1.60 National Grid 890.85 -18.45 Next 7,067.50 -97.50 Old Mutual 212.70 -1.60 Pearson 1,355.00 -20.00 Persimmon 1,592.50 -21.50 Prudential 1,608.25 -11.75 Randgold Resources 5,357.50 47.50 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,532.50 -42.50 Reed Elsevier 1,150.50 -17.50 Rio Tinto 3,035.00 6.50 Rolls-Royce Group 902.50 -9.50 Royal Bank of Scotland 381.45 -2.55 Royal Dutch Shell 2,161.50 -3.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,245.75 -4.25 Royal Mail 451.30 -4.50 RSA Insurance Group 442.40 -11.90 SABMiller 3,466.00 -33.50 Sage Group (The) 478.65 -6.25 Sainsbury (J) 266.95 -2.85 Schroders 2,921.50 -45.50 Severn Trent 2,042.00 -54.00 Shire 4,813.50 -98.50 Sky 952.50 -13.00 Smith & Nephew 1,187.50 -9.50 Smiths Group 1,161.50 -25.50 Sports Direct Internatnl 706.50 -8.50 SSE 1,603.50 -24.50 St James's Place 856.75 -10.75 Standard Chartered 920.40 -17.80 Standard Life 399.35 -6.05 Taylor Wimpey 134.80 -2.30 Tesco 227.53 -1.17 Travis Perkins 1,941.00 -23.00 Tui Ag New Ord Reg Shs 1,111.50 -13.50 Tui Ag Ord Reg Shs Npv 1,137.00 -16.00 Tullow Oil 406.70 -3.40 Unilever 2,777.50 -24.50 United Utilities Group 962.50 -31.00 Vodafone Group 229.98 -1.42 Weir Group 1,836.00 -7.00 Whitbread 4,834.50 -70.50 Wolseley 3,790.00 -34.00 WPP Group 1,434.00 -15.00

% C H G. -0.54 -1.09 -1.19 -1.02 -0.80 -1.11 -1.14 -1.76 -1.26 1.02 -0.49 -1.08 -1.61 -0.41 0.78 -1.57 -0.56 -1.38 -0.95 -0.88 -0.46 -0.20 -1.83 -1.27 -1.34 -0.77 -1.57 -1.26 -1.32 -0.49 -0.68 -0.64 -1.48 -0.89 -2.03 -1.36 -0.75 -1.45 -1.33 -0.73 0.89 -0.76 -1.50 0.21 -1.04 -0.66 -0.16 -0.19 -0.99 -2.62 -0.96 -1.29 -1.06 -1.53 -2.58 -2.01 -1.35 -0.79 -2.15 -1.19 -1.50 -1.24 -1.90 -1.49 -1.68 -0.51 -1.17 -1.20 -1.39 -0.83 -0.87 -3.12 -0.61 -0.38 -1.44 -0.89 -1.04

VOLUME 14,699.99 3,988.08 19,111.49 12,918.96 48,145.70 4,744.50 4,887.07 6,851.84 11,797.51 6,597.04 5,620.71 4,381.70 6,354.02 73,019.95 35,175.54 5,525.36 4,736.07 117,815.18 28,861.08 6,160.30 11,055.92 3,951.75 4,908.51 9,100.02 6,640.36 7,849.25 10,304.58 15,918.81 53,937.13 8,182.97 7,858.21 4,379.69 4,460.14 4,224.16 34,413.74 10,911.35 10,500.06 11,109.41 4,949.34 41,451.67 5,140.41 40,009.24 13,217.38 43,510.46 17,150.98 24,008.98 84,614.74 55,368.04 4,511.00 4,557.51 56,858.61 5,217.57 5,150.19 6,581.77 5,083.81 29,162.61 16,481.08 10,696.28 4,640.34 4,276.03 16,108.14 4,547.76 23,125.85 9,625.38 4,444.23 18,884.33 4,854.68 13,758.02 N/A 3,800.65 36,341.15 6,793.31 61,011.66 3,947.55 8,971.28 9,941.68 19,141.13

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

EWN

Visible signs of the times MEDITERRANEAN Spain has much to learn from the sophisticated business signs market in the UK. There is much more to customer enticement than a shop front and a vehicle covered with self adhesive information. Avoid garish ‘quick an’ slick’ signage. If it looks like something you would see on Blackpool’s prom’ you may turn customers away. The visible exterior of your business is a direct reflection of your professionalism or lack of it. Remember, your signage is your company’s business suit. Vinyl self adhesive signs were

Talking shop Mike Walsh Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for businesses.

www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932

never intended to be permanent. Reasonably priced, easily applied and removed, they are perfect for special offers. They are also ideal for public holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day good wishes or

offers. If you want to remove vinyl signs on vehicles, borrow the hairdryer from the bathroom. A few minutes of hot air and they can be more easily peeled off. ‘A’ boards placed outside business premises are a good idea. When I bought one for my specialist business, situated on a busy main road, the turnover increased by onethird. Although I had been trading for over two years, I was constantly asked by road users how long had I been there. I later figured out why. Motorists do not look left and right; they look ahead. Ideal for tradesmen, the ‘A’ board

is light, mobile, and can be left outside wherever work is being carried out. Likewise, signage fastened to clients’ walls or gates. Family car magnetic signs are worth their weight in gold. Unlike self adhesive signs these can be placed on car doors and peeled off as required. The downside is they can be stolen. The magnet attracts the light fingered too. Enterprising business types can sign their family car up and leave the vehicle parked near the entrance to a supermarket or mall all day. Imagine how many people will see it and there are no fees to pay.

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

You’re so vain and paying for it too Loose change A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

OF late there has been much talk about the rise of ‘manscaping’ and beauty products for men. Where once upon a time shelves were mostly laden with female cosmetics, nowadays men too have their fair share of space in the bathroom cupboard for their beauty creams and serums. However, it appears that women still use a lot more products than men. One recent study reveals that 35 per cent of women use one or two products daily, while 17 per cent use three or four products a day. Meanwhile, 33 per cent of men admit to using one to two

MANSCAPING: Men too are using beauty creams and serums. products each day, but the majority of men (54 per cent) don’t use a single product when getting ready in the morning so it turns out guys really aren’t so high-maintenance. OK. We’ll put our hands up in the air and admit that women

are big spenders when it comes to beauty products, but does that mean that we should face sexual prejudice in the market, with companies charging an unjustified markup for products marketed towards females? A study by an American

Women pay more for their beauty products than men

Who must fix their subsiding terrace? Q. I have an apartment on the Costa Del Sol in a complex run by a Community. My balcony/terrace is sinking and so is the one next door. The Committee of our Community advised us that it was our problem. They said we, the owners, were responsible for repairs, even though the terrace is outside the exterior wall of the structure. You have said in your EWN column that anything outside the exterior wall belongs to the

You and the Law in Spain By David Searl

A. Yes, your first call should be to your home insurance company. That is why you pay them. And, yes, I noted that anything outside the exterior walls of a building, such as terraces and gardens, is the property of the Community. I also said that “exclusive use” of these elements is assigned to the individual owners. The Spanish courts have consistently ruled that ‘exclusive use’ means that each owner is responsible for his own terrace or balcony or garden, so repairs are on you, even if the basic ownership is the Community.

Community. The flats were built in 2000 and I think this subsidence should not happen to such a new build. We are ground floor but below the structure is a communal garage area so our back terrace is actually eight metres above street level. We don’t know what infill was used below it. I have home insurance and perhaps we should put in a claim. A.C. (Costa del Sol) There is a clause in building contracts requiring the builder to have insurance to repair defects, but this insurance runs out after 10 years. So the only option left against the builder is a normal lawsuit for the defect. I agree subsidence after 15 years seems like an actionable defect, but this is tricky, possibly involving the architect or the geological study of the land, and the judge will have to decide. Of course your first choice should be your insurance company. Put in a claim. If you are lucky and your policy covers the problem, they will pay up and then try to recover the amount from the original builder. Be aware that insurance companies are always alert to find some-thing in their small print to escape paying.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

fashion magazine shows that annually women pay millions to cosmetic companies in extra fees and markups - fees that men just don’t have to pay. The magazine research looked at a variety of products. For example, deodorants on average are 10 per cent more expensive if aimed at women rather than men. Pretty pinkcoloured razors are much more pricey than the male versions of the blades. Perhaps they are crafted by tiny elves, whereas boring old machines make the male razors! Anti-aging creams are where women really get stung. For instance, a very well known brand charges €60 for a 50ml moisturiser, whereas the same brand charges only €40 for a 100ml male version of the same moisturiser. That’s €20 cheaper and double the size! So the obvious money saving tip is check whether there’s a cheaper version of what you’re buying in the ‘Men’s’ aisle.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Good figures SANTANDER reported pre-tax profits of €9.72 billion last year, a 32 per cent increase. The bank, the eurozone’s largest, confirmed its intention of continuing to focus on retail banking during 2015 and announced that its 10 principal markets presented increased gross profits for the first time since the economic crisis commenced.

Different face NEW €1 and €2 pieces depicting Felipe VI are now in circulation, eight months after he was proclaimed king. Spain’s Treasury authorised the changeover last October and the coins were struck in January, the first of four million in each denomination that will be produced in the next few years.

Persuasion IAG, the group composed of BA, Iberia and Vueling which hopes to acquire Aer Lingus, pledged that neither the company nor its routes will disappear. IAG’s offer includes a promise that the Irish airline’s 23 pairs of Heathrow slots will not be used by the group’s other airlines or sold.

OPINION & COMMENT

Thanks from Samaritans for generosity ON Saturday January 31, Nigel Hopkins and all of his singers and musicians put on a truly wonderful evening’s performance of ‘Music of the night.’ Afterwards Samaritans in Spain undertook a bucket-shake to raise funds. The audience was extremely generous on the night, raising an amazing €565, then Nigel himself donated enough to take the amount to an incredible €650. I would like to offer my thanks and the thanks of all our volunteers and, indeed, our callers for this generosity. I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to all of Nigel’s singers, musicians and other helpers for a wonderful evening’s entertainment. And I mustn’t forget the staff and management of the Orihuela Costa Resort for their time, making us comfortable and refreshed. Thank you to you all. Chris Sumpter, president, Samaritans in Spain

Pick it up! SEVEN dogs have died due to poisoning on the beach of Puerto Alcudia, Mallorca. The mayor has now made it obligatory for the animals to wear muzzles for fear that other fatal casualties will occur. It is really horrible that someone deliberately spread poison for this purpose, but I suppose many people are angry at the mess and smell left literally everywhere by many dogowners. I am a dog-owner. He’s a big fellow of 38 kilos and I walk him every day and am delighted that in winter we can walk, play and run our dogs on the beach here in Santa Ponsa. I am 80 plus - no big deal - but I always collect his ‘necessities’ and, many times, those of other dogs. We also pick up all sorts of other refuse that could be taken by the wind or tide into the sea and cause trouble for other creatures. You irresponsible dog owners:

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Letters YOURSAY@EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

12 - 18 February 2015/ Mallorca

our aRUST dvert isers

WE D

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com, posted to Euro Weekly News, C/Moscatel 10, P-62, Polígono Industrial, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631 Benalmadena, Málaga, Spain or faxed to 0034 952 440 887

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old EHIC card and also asked if you are in receipt of a UK pension. I was informed that my new EHIC card should arrive within 15 days. One last point, it is best to renew your card without waiting for the old one to run out. June Baker-Howard (by email)

Not needed

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

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use your brains! Again, it’s no big deal to bend down (great exercise) and collect your dog’s mess. All you achieve with your negligence, apart from the disgusting mess, is to create enemies for our beloved best friends. Olivia Amengual, Nova Sta Ponsa (Mallorca)

EWN

LOOKS as though someone got too near the edge and it gives ‘See you on the beach’ another meaning. John Davies, Mojacar.

Free-for-all

Greedy sea

WE visited the Motor show in Malaga and it was a very enjoyable afternoon with plenty to see. I would just like to warn anyone visiting an exhibition at the Palacio de Congresos about the parking. When we arrived a high viz-jacketed man directed us to a space, then demanded €5 for parking. We questioned this, asking for a ticket first and refused to pay so he eventually gave up with us and moved on to his next victims. I took a photo of him on my phone as I was now worried about the safety of the car. When purchasing our entry tickets I told the staff who were horrified and assured me they would notify security and that parking is free. If the man had asked for €1 we probably wouldn’t have questioned it. Luckily the car was OK and on leaving we then saw the signs stating ‘free parking,’ so check before you pay! Diana Clark (by email)

OUR urbanisation, Costa Natura, is really close to the beach and as far as our frontage is concerned, big rocks protect the beach. However at the ‘wild beach’ which still belongs to the naturist zone, erosion is considerable or even horrible. The sea takes whatever it can get in the winter and there is nobody who cares. I tried to bring the subject to the attention of the Estepona Tourist Office and they correctly answered that they are unable to intervene because it is the responsibility of the Coastal Authority. Obviously this Authority has its own targets, which are different from those of the town hall, and doesn’t care what happens to the beach although naturist tourism contributes considerably to coastal tourism. It is the wrong approach to celebrate the high occupation rates in some luxury hotels and, at the same time, to neglect another branch of tourism.

Moreover, sooner or later the eroded beach will collapse what happens then? About two years ago there was a promise to replenish the sand on our beach which never happened. Instead more and more sand is washed away. Christian Horig, Estepona (Malaga)

No hiccups I HAVE just renewed my EHIC card and the entire process is far easier than the procedure described by Mr Woodhall. There is no form to fill in when you renew by telephone but do not ring the number that Mr Woodhall gives! The correct number is (0044) 1912 790575 and is a direct line to the department that deals with EHIC cards. I rang late in the afternoon and got straight through. All you need in front of you is your old EHIC Card and your national insurance number. You will be asked for your name, NI number and the UK reference number that appears on your

I RANG Newcastle on January 30 and spoke to a lady called Jennifer to renew our EHIC Cards. She advised that they had received many calls regarding renewals that were no longer necessary. She told me that as British nationals living in Spain we no longer need the cards. If medical treatment is required at a hospital or doctor’s surgery all you need is to prove that you receive a UK pension. British nationals only need to renew EHIC Cards if they are visiting an EU country other than Britain. Isobel Brown (by email)

Spitting image CONGRATULATIONS to Antonio Martinez for his letter in El Pais on professional footballers, entitled ‘Why do they spit so much?’ Professional handball and basketball players don’t spit. Nor do cyclists, swimmers, hockey players or boxers. Why are professional footballers so obsessed with this disgusting, repulsive and unnecessary bad habit, he asked? “In more gruelling sports that require much more physical exertion and endurance athletes don’t find it necessary to spit. The appropriate sports directors and authorities should finally put a stop to this obnoxious behaviour,” he wrote. I tip my hat to Antonio Martinez! Although I don’t watch football much (I’d rather watch the grass grow) it seems like every five or 10 minutes one player or another is ‘watering’ the field. Where do they get so much saliva? Richard M.McBride, Benidorm (Alicante)

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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OPINION & COMMENT

Sick of discussing pros and cons LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT

AM utterly sick and tired of discussing the pros and cons of Islam. To me the problem is very simple. Thirty years ago the UK didn’t have Asian gangs grooming, raping and degrading the children of the ‘infidels’. Thirty years ago they didn’t have ‘Trojan horses’ infiltrating schools, separating the sexes, teaching bigotry or refusing to conduct lessons in English. Thirty years ago (with the exception of the IRA, who actually had a point) they didn’t have citizens murdered and terrorised in the streets. Thirty years ago they didn’t have nogo areas where integration was out of the question and law officers were afraid to tread in case they ‘offended’ someone, or caused a riot. Thirty years ago there were no youngsters leaving home to join distant armies who decapitate, pillage and

burn their enemies alive. Thirty years ago they didn’t have the Christian religion undermined and discriminated against. Thirty years ago they didn’t have people on the streets insulting the troops and threatening their future annihilation. Thirty years ago, unless they were pulling a bank job, you could observe the facial expressions of every female in the land. Thirty years ago they had no cause to discuss bigotry, ethnic inequality or the genital mutilation of young women. Thirty years ago the British were a happy, albeit a touch naive, proud bunch, whose only real problems were the price of beer, the next to reside in Number 10 or the winners of the FA Cup. Need I go on? The thing that actually annoys me the most, having lived in a Muslim country for eight years, is the fact that in Islamic controlled countries, anyone who doesn’t follow the teachings of Islam has a very hard time indeed. In Saudi Arabia, no one can build a church, owning a bible is illegal, and any Christian worship banned altogether. An example of this was in 1979, when

a small number of people, some of whom were personal colleagues of mine, decided to hold a short Sunday morning prayer meeting in a classroom of the American school in Jeddah. Someone got wind of it, informed the authorities and the result was a spell in prison and deportation for all of them! Compare that with the freedom the followers of Islam enjoy in the UK. Free to speak publically about any aspect of their religion they choose. Mosques springing up everywhere, plus the British people bending over backwards to accept and try to understand their points of view. Simply bearing even these two facts in mind, I think you get some idea of how one-sided this whole, almost unbelievable intelligence-insulting charade actually is. Will it all change? Too late, I’m afraid - but then I told you that over 15 years ago. Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com What do you think? Have your say at www.euroweeklynews.com

Will you use your vote? VICTORIA WESTHEAD of the British Lawyers Spain commented: “Expats should still have the right to vote even though they are living outside the UK, as there may be repercussions in the future. “What happens if you want to return to the UK? There are also many expats that still have interests in the UK such as property, family and other kinds of ties. Maybe it would be an idea to introduce a condition within this restriction, so that people are clear on what their options are.” Darren of Darrmar Rubbish Clearance in Mallorca simply replied: “I am only interested in what happens to the pound and also the interest rates, as I have property in the UK. I have been living in Spain for the last seven years and have no plans to vote in the UK now. I had no respect for any particular party when I lived in the UK, and I still don’t think much of any of them now.” Vicky Cartledge, a budding actress from Los Montesinos, working with

With both the UK and Spanish General Elections coming up, we decided to ask if you intend to vote in the UK elections and whether expats should be able to. We also wanted to know if you think expatriates should be able to vote in the Spanish General Election?

STREET TALK STEPHEN: Would like to be able to vote in Spain. VICKY: Should be able to choose where to vote.

Siesta Productions said: “I don’t generally vote as there are never any parties where I agree with all of

their policies so I can never choose, but I think if people pay into the system here and they want to vote here, they should be able to have the right to vote in Spain and give up their UK vote.” Psychotherapist Stephen Ashley, who has clinics across the Costa Blanca in Alicante, L’Alfaz del Pi and Benijofar agrees that you should be able to choose where you vote: “I have lost my right to vote in the UK as I have been in Spain for more than 15 years, but there were always problems with voting in the UK as the postal voting forms always arrived too late. “I think you should be able to choose where you vote, your country of origin, or country of residence, like with paying your taxes. I would like to be able to vote in Spain as it impacts on me directly.” VICTORIA: People need to be clear on what their options are.

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015/ Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

‘For life’ would be punishment indeed Cassandra Nash

A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

HE PSOE, the principal opposition party in the national parliament, opposed a ‘life means life’ clause in the government’s new Penal Code. It is an unSpanish concept, they and many legal experts maintain. On the other hand the party wanted to pact anti-terrorist measures with Mariano Rajoy’s government which include indefinite life sentence for some offences. PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez signed the cross-party pact which avoided mentioning this sentence but repeated the party’s ‘life means life’ misgivings. If the socialists return to power they would remove this from the Penal Code, they say, but the PSOE should ask around. They might discover that few voters want these sentences as a matter of course, but few oppose them for exceptional cases. These include terrorists who seek martyrdom: incarcerating them for life would be punishment indeed.

Blame game SPAIN’S tax authority Hacienda accused Switzerland of enabling the crooked Gurtel network to launder its money. The Swiss banks helped the PP party’s ex-treasurer Luis Barcenas amongst others to avoid identification under EU laws by registering them as companies based in tax havens, Hacienda says. That’s as maybe, but Barcenas and the rest of them piled up their dirty money for years while no-one lifted a finger to stop them. Whose fault was that? Not Switzerland’s, that’s for sure.

Selection process THE PSOE says it’s the only alternative to the Partido Popular which claims it is the only alternative to Podemos. Meanwhile, former communists IU flounder while the overshadowed UPyD liberals blend into the background. They should save their breath: Spanish disillusionment with politicians extends to ignoring messages with little resemblance to what they would deliver in power. Next month Andalucia voters could provide clues as to who’s the current alternative but Syriza in Greece is the one to watch.

It will either blaze a trail for Podemos or demonstrate anti-austerity, anti-establishment promises lead to a blind alley blocked by Brussels.

Old days DOLORES GONZALEZ RUIZ died recently aged 68. She was a lawyer who survived the 1977 attack by neofascists on a Madrid law firm that specialised in labour cases. They gunned down nine people killing five of them, including Lola Gonzalez Ruiz’s husband. She was seriously injured. Eight years earlier her then boyfriend died in an ‘accident’ when he ‘fell’ down a stairway while in police custody. Things might be pretty bad, but compared with the past, they’ve never had it so good.

PEDRO SANCHEZ: Signed a crossparty pact which avoided mentioning life sentences.

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION / FEATURE

Cannot fault the health system Vicki Mcleod

Family Matters ABOUT a month ago my daughter, La Gidg and I went walking from Sant Elm up to the top of Sa Trapa and back down again. My husband was in Pollensa photographing a cycling team so we were one man down in Team Neilson McLeod, but that didn’t matter as we were out with a bunch of friends. If you’ve ever done the walk you will know that there are some steep and demanding parts of it, but that it’s worth the ‘up’ as the view at the top is quite amazing. Everything was very jolly, then as we were making our descent La Gidg slipped over. It was quite a heavy fall, and there were tears. I could see that there was some blood coming

MOUNTAIN TOP: Steep and demanding, but the view at the top is quite amazing. through her leggings but because they weren’t torn I assumed that it was a graze. She didn’t want me to look as she is quite headstrong, so I decided that the best thing was to get back down to the car as soon as possible and then get ourselves to a doctor if we decided we needed one. There then followed two excruciating

hours of slow hobbling down. In hindsight I should have insisted that I looked at her injury, and if I had seen it, I would have been on the phone to the emergency mountain rescue. When we made it back to the car we went straight to the local PAC in Andratx. When I finally saw what had happened to my little girl’s leg and appreciated

the level of bravery that she had shown getting down from the very top, I was completely speechless. Her leg, despite no damage to her clothes, was cut from one side of her knee to the other, about 10 centimetres and about four centimetres wide. It was as if a special effects makeup artist had been practising on her.

‘Go to Hospital Son Espases’ was the decision. We were spoken to in English by our doctor when it became clear to him that I was in too much of a state to really concentrate in Spanish and then La Gidg, with the help of two doctors, three nurses and a bottle of gas to relax her, had 15 stitches put into her leg, and goodness knows how many more inside. I know I moan about the cost of social security in Spain, and the unfairness of the system for autonomos and small businesses, but I cannot fault the hospital system. It was very good, efficient, well equipped and there when we needed it. The after care has been great as well. Gidg just had her stitches out last week, and we are still some way from Hip Hop and Cross Fit classes, but her leg is still attached to the rest of her which makes us all grateful for small mercies. www.familymattersmallorca.com

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E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

Thursday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Eat Well for Less? 10:00pm Death in Paradise 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:45pm Question Time 12:45am This Week

BBC TWO 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm The Great Antiques Map of Britain 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm The Great British Sewing Bee 10:00pm Modern Times 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am A Cook Abroad

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm The Kyle Files 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Car Crash Britain 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm The Late Debate 12:10am The Lying Game: Crimes That Fooled Britain

CH4 5:00pm Shipping Wars 5:45pm Couples Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm Cucumber 11:00pm My Tattoo Addiction 12:00am 24 Hours in Police Custody

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Classic Car Show 9:00pm Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole 10:00pm Britain's Biggest Primary School 11:00pm The Mentalist 11:55pm Castle 12:50am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Arrow 10:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 11:00pm Quiz Nights 12:00am A League of Their Own

Friday BBC ONE 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Room 101 10:00pm The Musketeers 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show 12:25am Bluestone 42

BBC TWO 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm The Great Antiques Map of Britain 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Food and Drink 10:00pm Italy Unpacked 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Tron Legacy

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm Gosford Park 2:10am Jackpot247

CH4 5:00pm Shipping Wars 5:45pm Couples Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pm The Last Leg 12:05am Catastrophe

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Billion Dollar Wreck Hunt 9:00pm Ice Road Truckers 10:00pm NCIS: New Orleans 11:40pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:35am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Quiz Nights 12:00am Underworld: Evolution

Saturday BBC ONE 5:30pm Six Nations Rugby Union 7:55pm BBC News 8:05pm Regional News 8:10pm Weather 8:15pm The Voice UK 9:35pm The National Lottery 10:25pm Casualty 11:15pm BBC News 11:28pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day: FA Cup Highlights 12:35am The Football League Show

BBC TWO 5:30pm Final Score 6:20pm The Wonder of Animals 6:50pm The Great British Sewing Bee 7:50pm Flog It! 8:35pm How We Got to Now with Steve Johnson 9:35pm Dad's Army 10:05pm Simon Rattle: The Making of a Maestro 11:05pm Glad All Over: The Dave Clark Five and Beyond 1:00am TOTP2

ITV 4:05pm Doc Martin 5:05pm Big Star's Little Star 6:00pm Local News and Weather 6:10pm ITV News and Weather 6:25pm You've Been Framed! 7:30pm Harry Hill's Stars in Their Eyes 8:30pm Planet's Got Talent 9:05pm Take Me Out 10:20pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:20pm ITV News and Weather 11:35pm ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights 12:30am Balls of Fury

CH4 5:15pm Come Dine with Me 6:15pm The Big Bang Theory 6:45pm The Simpsons 7:10pm The Simpsons 7:40pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Our Guy in India 9:00pm The World's Weirdest Weather 10:00pm The Bourne Legacy 12:40am Sanctum

CH5 4:00pm Columbo: Double Shock 5:30pm Columbo 7:20pm 5 News 7:25pm NCIS 8:10pm NCIS 9:05pm NCIS 10:00pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 11:00pm Law and Order 11:55pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:45am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 4:00pm Last Man Standing 4:30pm Last Man Standing 5:00pm The Simpsons 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 9:00pm Hawaii Five-0 10:00pm Underworld: Evolution 12:05am Inherent Vice: Sky Movies Special

TV LISTING

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Sunday BBC ONE 3:30pm Six Nations Rugby Union 6:00pm Songs of Praise 6:35pm BBC News 6:50pm Regional News 6:55pm Weather 7:00pm Super Cute Animals 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Call the Midwife 10:00pm The Casual Vacancy 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day: FA Cup Highlights 12:20am The Apprentice USA

BBC TWO 3:25pm Escape to the Country 4:10pm Open All Hours 4:40pm To the Manor Born 5:10pm Hi-De-Hi! 5:45pm Flog It! 6:15pm Alaska: Earth's Frozen Kingdom 7:15pm Ski Sunday 8:00pm The Motorway: Life in the Fast Lane 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Dragons' Den 11:00pm Modern Times 12:00am The Quiet American

ITV 3:10pm Mel and Sue's Best Bits 4:10pm Tipping Point 5:15pm For Your Eyes Only 7:35pm Local News and Weather 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Get Your Act Together 9:15pm All Star Family Fortunes 10:00pm Mr Selfridge 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:20pm Perspectives 12:15am Aviva Highlights 1:10am The Store

CH4 3:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:25pm The Simpsons 3:55pm City of Ember 5:40pm Channel 4 News 6:05pm Location, Location, Location 7:05pm A Place in the Sun 8:00pm The Hotel 9:00pm The Auction House 10:00pm Indian Summers 11:40pm Gogglebox 1:15am No Country for Old Men

CH5 4:35pm Loch Ness 6:30pm The Lady and The Tramp 8:05pm 5 News 8:10pm Memphis Belle 10:00pm War of the Worlds 12:20am Drag Me to Hell 2:15am Super Casino 4:10am 10,000 BC

SKY1 3:00pm Emergency Animal Rescue 3:30pm Emergency Animal Rescue 4:00pm Modern Family 4:30pm Modern Family 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Holidaymakers 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Hawaii Five-0 11:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Monday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Match of the Day Live 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm The Graham Norton Show EastEnders Special 12:45am Waterloo Road

BBC TWO 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Top Gear 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm A Cook Abroad 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Broadchurch 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm The Jonathan Ross Show 12:45am The Kyle Files

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Food Unwrapped 10:00pm UKIP: The First 100 Days 11:05pm Catastrophe 11:40pm Bodyshockers 12:45am 24 Hours in A and E

CH5 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Criminals: Caught on Camera 8:30pm Car Crash TV 9:00pm My Daughter Stole My Husband 10:00pm Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole 11:00pm 10,000 BC 12:00am Act of Valour

SKY1 4:00pm The Simpsons 4:30pm The Simpsons 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Holidaymakers 10:00pm Arrow 11:00pm 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy 12:00am Air Ambulance ER

Tuesday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm The Gift 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Count Arthur Strong 12:15am Have I Got Old News for You

BBC TWO 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Alex Polizzi: The Fixer 10:00pm Inside the Commons 11:00pm Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm UEFA Champions League 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm UEFA Champions League Highlights 12:40am Carry on Girls

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm Can Property Pay Your Wages? 10:00pm The Romanians are Coming 11:00pm Kid Criminals 12:00am Kicked Out Kids

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Police Interceptors 9:00pm Costa Del Casualty 10:00pm Killer Psychopaths 11:00pm 10,000 BC 12:00am The Ten Faces of Michael Jackson

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Modern Family 10:30pm Modern Family 11:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Wednesday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm The Great Comic Relief Bake Off 10:30pm Room 101 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm A Question of Sport 12:15am Film 2015

BBC TWO 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 6:55pm Party Political Broadcast by Conservative 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Alaska: Earth's Frozen Kingdom 10:00pm Wolf Hall 11:00pm Up the Women 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm Exposure 12:40am I Never Knew That About Britain

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm The Restoration Man 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Junk Food Kids: Who's to Blame? 12:00am Kid Criminals

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cowboy Builders 9:00pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm World's Biggest Hips 11:00pm Erin Brockovich 1:45am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm Modern Family 8:30pm Modern Family 9:00pm The Fanatics 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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TODAY TODAY

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Fri Sat Sun -

17 8 Cl 18 10 Cl 17 9 S

7-Star Quiz

tars

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) A trip to the cinema or theatre makes you take notice and may even shock. There are many things in life that normally do not touch us but, once we are aware, there seems to be a need for action.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) This is a week of deep thinking and meaningful conversations. Someone's opinion of you reaches your ears and pleases you greatly.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Expecting others to automatically know what you want is unrealistic. Even dropping heavy hints can go well astray of the mark. Although it is unpalatable to your sensitivity, plain talking is needed.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Take extra care where finances concern your home. A legal matter should be considered carefully.

Sudoku

SCORPIO (October 24 November 22) Being protective of those close does not mean worrying all the time. With their co-operation, the burden, can be lightened.

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) Be determined to make a budget and stick to it. Even if you are arranging a holiday, resist the urge to splash out.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) With a big event coming up, you need someone to give plenty of love and support. Starting a new interest could lead you into their path.

Mon - 17 9 S Tues - 15 8 C Wed - 15 9 Sh

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday February 7

Friday February 6

24 26

25 35

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

26 39

LA PRIMITIVA

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 15 9 Cl Tues - 16 8 C Wed - 15 8 Cl

18 9 Cl 17 11 C 18 11 C

Fri Sat Sun -

S Sun,

12 4 C 12 5 C 13 3 Cl

MAX MIN

Mon - 13 5 C Tues - 13 2 Sh Wed - 14 3 Cl

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 7C 16 8 Cl 14 7 Sh 14 7 Sh

SHOWERS MAX 12C, MIN 2C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 11 C Tues - 16 8 Sh Wed - 17 8 C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 9 Cl Tues - 16 9 C Wed - 16 9 Sh

Madrid

Mallorca TODAY:

18 9 Cl 18 10 Cl 18 10 Cl

TODAY:

MAX 17C, MIN 8C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

14 8 C 14 9 Sh 14 8 Sh

CLEAR

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 10 Cl Tues - 16 10 Sh Wed - 16 9 C

Benidorm

Malaga TODAY:

17 10 S 18 11 C 19 11 C

TODAY:

SHOWERS MAX 14C, MIN 8C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 15 7 Sh Tues - 15 7 C Wed - 14 7 C Cl Clear,

CLEAR MAX 18C, MIN 6C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

19 8 Cl 19 9 C 19 8 Cl

Mon - 19 8 S Tues - 18 8 Sh Wed - 18 8 Sh

C Cloud,

Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case P) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

Average: 15

Very good: 27

Good: 19

Excellent: 34

acne, aeon, anal, anew, anoa, cane, clan, cone, elan, enol, lane, lawn, lean, loan, lone, noll, once, wane, wean, alone, anole, canal, canoe, clean, clone, clown, lance, llano, ocean, canola, clonal, ALLOWANCE

REINTEGRO 47

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

SOFT

Sunday February 8

Saturday February 7

LUCKY STARS 7

Fri Sat Sun -

Word Ladder

LOTTERY 3

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

Barcelona TODAY:

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Oh, gosh, this is a really sensitive time for Leos. Although it is easy to upset you, it is equally easy to fire your enthusiasm.

Y S our

TODAY:

MAX MIN

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Family members bring a sparkle to your eyes and a spring to your step. When there is so much going on it is easy to forget how much we are part of a whole.

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

MAX MIN

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ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Surprising and happy news about the 28th really puts some bounce into you. Having been so busy recently, you may not have noticed that someone has a special interest in you.

1. How many James Bond films have the word ‘love’ in their title? 2. In which 1930 film did Marlene Dietrich first sing her famous ‘anthem’ Falling In Love Again (Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt)? 3. The original line-up of which American group, formed in California in 1961, consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine? 4. Wet Wet Wet’s hugely successful cover of The Troggs’s Love Is All Around, was used for the soundtrack to which 1994 romantic comedy film? 5. What is the name of the Greek goddess of love and beauty? 6. What was the title of first UK number one hit single by the Beatles to contain the word ‘love’? 7. What was the title of the 1983 novel by British feminist author Fay Weldon about a highly unattractive woman (Ruth) who goes to great lengths to take revenge on her husband (Bobbo) and his attractive lover (Mary Fisher)?

Almeria

CLOUDY MAX 15C, MIN 7C

15 49

Move from the start word (SOFT) to the end word (FLAG) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

22 52

REINTEGRO 8

FLAG

SLAG (FLAT) FLAG

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) What will really be appreciated this week is if you will give your time to others. I realise that your life is busy but the emotional rewards from helping someone will be more than worth it.

Alicante TODAY:

SOFT SOOT SLOT SLAT

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) An area in which you have experience means that you are able to help someone close this week. Keep the advice free from personal opinions wherever possible.

1. TWO - From Russia with Love (1963) and The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), 2. THE BLUE ANGEL (DER BLAUE ENGEL), 3. BEACH BOYS, 4. FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, 5. APHRODITE, 6. SHE LOVES YOU, 7. THE LIFE AND LOVES OF A SHE-DEVIL

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12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

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Introducing a dog into a cat household David THE Dogman

Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10 thru 11. Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

PUPPIES and kittens that are raised together often will grow up as friends, not knowing that they’re not supposed to get along. Many times, however, you may want or need to add a dog to a household with cats, or vice-versa. A general rule for the easiest integration is that the new animal should be younger and of the opposite sex, even between dogs and cats. It may be easier to bring in a puppy to a cat household,

PUPPIES & KITTENS: May grow up as friends. as the puppy won’t be as big or as threatening as a dog, and may not think of a cat as something to chase. On the other hand, an active, playful puppy may be more annoying or frightening to an adult cat than would be an adult dog that behaved calmly around cats.

Also know that certain breeds of dogs are less likely to be safe around cats. This includes terriers and sight hounds (due to a stronger prey drive), and herding breeds (who may nip at the cats’ heels, trying to herd them). Supervise all interactions, keeping the dog on a leash, until you are certain that he is cat-safe. If the dog starts to chase the cat or is at all aggressive, give a quick jerk on the leash, and use the ‘sit’ or ‘leave it’ commands. Praise the dog (or give a treat) the instant he complies and stops trying to get to the cat.

Pascual the cat needs a friend while owners away By Lamia Walker of HousesitMatch SOME years ago, Pascual a ginger short haired cat was adopted by Jim and Janine. They found him in a rescue home when he was less than a year old. They’ve kept him at their home in Fuengirola for just over 10 years. While he’s still sprightly he is less resilient to change, and seems rather attached to them. One of the things that

upsets his routine is when they travel away from home. Pascual used to sit moaning loudly at the front door for much of the night when he was younger. He no longer wails but still acts restless, and sometimes skips meals in protest. Jim and Janine returned to Scotland for a wedding in July. Though concerned that Pascual would feel forgotten or neglected they felt if he could stay

at home it would be easier for him. So they joined an online network to find suitable sitters. The housesitters did not charge Jim and Janine, and stayed in Fuengirola for free! A great exchange.

Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from www.bit.ly/eurown001 To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch. com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865 521508.

SONGS, dance and a few “it’s behind you!” shouts were part and parcel of the North Mallorca Amateur Dramatic Society’s (NOMADS) production of Over the Rainbow, based on the famous Wizard of Oz movie. Each performance was well attended, with plenty of audience participation, and sadly it was the last performance for NOMADS longstanding president Brandon Clark, who is planning to return to the UK later this year. Directed and produced by the Wicked Witch, Sharry Cooper, the role

OVER THE RAINBOW: Profits go to a local charity. of Dorothy was played by Bonita O’Hara and her faithful friend Toto was played brilliantly by Roxy. Roger Smith as the Scarecrow, Salvi Delis Martinez as the Tin Man and Sophie Lyons as the

Lion gave their all in what was a great production. All profits from Over the Rainbow will go to local charity, Listening Ear, a telephone helpline for those who need to talk to someone in confidence.

Team ready to run for life CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MALLORCA (CSG), together with ASPANOB and DIME will be entering another team in the Palma Marathon in October of this year. All team members will receive a 10 per cent discount on the normal price whatever category they enter - as well as an ‘I Run For Life’ t-shirt and a sponsorship pack to raise money for the three charities. CSG is currently in the process of finding and establishing different walking and running groups for people to get together and get in training. The group is

PALMA MARATHON: To raise funds. starting with the Palma Nova Gardens Walk for Health every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am.

Help for children needed THE Allen Graham Foundation for Disadvantaged and Abused Children is reminding people that donations of children’s clothes as well as any unwanted items

can be donated at their charity shops in Pollensa and Cas Catala. The foundation is dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young adults in Mallorca who, through no fault of their own, do not have the opportunity to develop the skills that ensure a secure and safe

future. Hundreds of children in Mallorca are either fostered by families or cared for in residential centres every year. They have been abandoned, badly treated, abused or, for various reasons, have parents who are unable to care for them. For information visit www.agrahamcharity.org.

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Amazing Aroma ! THE latest round of the Mallorca’s Got Talent competition was the talk of the island on Saturday. It was another full house at Aroma El Toro Restaurant. This week was the time to showcase even more of the island’s extensive talents. This heat saw five brand new contestants. These included a double act from Alcudia, Jerricho Summer, veteran keyboard player Anthony, young female singer Nicky, musicians Viking & Jordan and a very young comedian, Jack Martin with his first ever stand up gig. The place was packed to the rafters and the crowd were in fine voice from the beginning, with host Paul Martin getting them warmed up with some great tunes. The night was a huge success all round. The outcome produced two fantastic winners, who leapt ahead of the competition. These were, young Jack Martin, aged 8 who had the

crowd in stitches at his jokes and impeccable comic timing, unbelievable for his years. All agreed that a new stand up star was born on Saturday night! Also going through, two talented 14-year-olds Viking & Jordan, whose guitar playing and perfectly executed harmonious singing won the hearts of the crowd. The final is starting to look very interesting. This will now be held at Western Water Park on February 28 in the venue’s impressive theatre. It’s not too late to enter, please call: Paul Martin on 603 289 042 email: pvmpaulm@aol.com Mallorca’s Got Talent Grand Final tickets for Saturday February 28 at the Western Water Park Theatre are on sale

Tickets also include exclusive entrance to the Winners after show party at Aroma Restaurant, with a great performance by Trisha X Factor vocal coach and Bergerjudge for the evening, Black Lloyd Lloyd Wade! Wade. Tickets €20 Children under 12 €15 VIP (balcony) €35 (includes cava) PLEASE NOTE: Already 150 tickets reserved. This event will sell out!!

To reserve please call: 971 232 842 or 666 001 807

X Factor vocal coach and final judge, Lloyd Wade.

now! Call into Aroma El Toro to pay and collect tickets or call numbers below. Tickets include a fantastic meal and a great show with all the finalists. X Factor vocal coach, Lloyd

Wade will be judging and Aroma’s very own Paul Martin will be hosting and performing. Also performing will be the previous two years’ winners.

Are you a bar or restaurant that advertises with EWN? AT EWN we have our clients’ best interests at heart. Getting your news out to the public can sometimes be a struggle, but we here at EWN want to help. Have you changed your menu, recently renovated or won an award? Do you have an upcoming charity event you’d like to publicise? Do you have a new member of staff?

Maybe you’d like to take part in our ‘Restaurant’ experience? Your establishment provides a meal for two which we will review and publish with pictures - in your local edition. If you have any news of interest that you would like to get out to local readers, then please let us know. We cannot promise to publish everything, but we will do our best.

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Finalist Young comedian Jack Martin.

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OPINION & COMMENT

Whatever happened to romance? Colin Bird Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

DON’T recall ever having received a Valentine’s card in my life and I never send them - at least I haven’t for the last 40 odd years. And there’s a good reason for that, apart from the expense. The gorgeous Sabrina Wicks - a girl I had had my eye on for a while - was waiting for me as I entered the lounge bar of Ye Olde Boar’s Head Inn, looking as angry as a wasp at a bee convention, and waving a card in the air. She didn’t waste any time and proceeded to tear into me. “What the hell is this?” she stormed and she read aloud the poem inside the card. “Roses Are Red - Violets Are Blue - When I Undressed Your Mum - I Was Thinking Of You.”

ROMANTIC TIMES: Not all they are cracked up to be. It wasn’t Byron, but it was funny, or so I had thought. And so did the other occupants of the bar it appeared, as they spluttered and choked over their pints of Courage’s finest, trying hard not to laugh out loud. “But how do you know it’s from me?” I countered.

“Because there are beer stains on the envelope,” she cooed mockingly... “AND YOU SIGNED IT!” She bellowed out the last bit so hard, that my head recoiled back in the blast and my eyeballs did a full 360. Hard to argue with that I thought. It was the darned beer stains that gave it away

then. “Look, I don’t even know your mum; it was just a joke.” I started to say, but I didn’t get any further. Sabrina gave me a look that could have melted granite before she downed the remainder of her Guinness in one swallow; tossed back her

whisky chaser, and stubbed out her Senior Service on a beer mat before depositing the dogend in my newly arrived pint. “So will you come out with me on Saturday night then?” I hazarded. I thought it was still worth asking; after all she had not resorted to actual violence, which I reasoned, left the door slightly ajar. She gave me another withering look. Then with a final screech of exasperation, she turned on her heel, elbowed her way past me and with her red stilettos clattering on the tiled floor exited the bar, viciously slamming the door behind her. There was stunned silence for a second or two, before it was broken by my friend Ray who had hitherto kept his head well down. “I don’t know about you, but I thought that went quite well,” he sniggered. “Well I’m telling you now, that is definitely the last time I get romantic,” I told him.

The great shopping divide Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

ragging my feet I reluctantly followed my lady wife into the shopping mall. In my imagination a portal overhead with a curved sign: ‘All Men who Enter Here Ye are Doomed.’ Outside a La Zenia department store, like rows of birds on garden parapets, were perched dispirited men. Eventually, their nearest and dearest, blinking in the sunlight, would emerge from the darkest bowels of the clothes shed. I know how these men felt as I sat there for the same reason. An hour or so later I dejectedly traced the footsteps of my empty-handed, but otherwise never-say-die wife, to the C & A store, aka ‘coats and ‘ats.’ Once

SHOPPING MALLS: Are for women, what football or at least sports bars, are to men. inside I chanced upon a single forlorn gentleman. He might well have wished he was single. To his credit he had at least bagged the store’s only seat. “Keep your husband moving, ma’am. We are stocktaking.” It is not for me to rain on young men’s parades. However, it did occur to me that the newly betrothed might be under the

illusion that their wife’s indecisiveness when shopping suggests they pulled the short straw. Those of us on wife two or three, regret to inform you that they are all the same; live with it. If you find one that says she doesn’t like shopping you can wipe the stupid grin off your face. You haven’t landed on your feet, you have married a liar.

Most of us men consider shopping as depressing as a burning orphanage. Yet, our loved ones persist in trying to change us. The hapless bunch of planners and architects, who spend millions in their search for the Holy Grail of customer appeal, come up with seductive lures. Stores and shopping malls are

for women what football, or at least sports bars are, to men. When will these planners have the wit to come up with something to bait the menfolk? Is it a challenge too far? To attract and keep the men interested, even enthusiastic, might I suggest shopping malls with a scattering of sleazy bars, each with pool tables, staffed with well-proportioned barmaids, and patronised by dodgy blokes doing deals. This would have the effect of transforming wives into husbands. Rapier-like, skirts would sweep through the clothing stores. Making a beeline to the apparel closest to their needs, the ladies would grab the first thing that comes to hand. Jumping the checkout queue, purses at the ready, they would be out of the store doors as quick as a pit-stop team changes a Ferrari wheel. It is the way we men do it.

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Surviving St Valentine’s day with flowers, chocolates and diamonds? Nora Johnson

Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/norajohnson

LOWERS, chocolates, red hearts and romance. That’s what Valentine’s Day’s all about, right? Far from it! St Valentine’s Day didn’t start off linked with romance. It began as a celebration of one or more (the exact number’s uncertain) early Christian saints called Valentinus. According to one of the most popular accounts, Saint Valentine was imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage

ceremonies for Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire. (An edict prohibited the marriage of young people, based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married ones, because the latter would be more concerned about getting killed and the consequences for their families.) During his imprisonment, Saint Valentine’s said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius and, legend has it, before his execution wrote “from your Valentine” as a farewell to her. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the day first became linked with romance. And by the 15th century, it’d developed into a full-on event with

flowers, confectionery and the exchange of greetings cards (known as ‘Valentines’). Nowadays it’s the second most celebrated event around the world after New Year’s Eve - and

the most popular time to propose/get married. Which reminds me of an old family yarn about a naval friend of the family and his marriage plans. During World War Two, he’d planned a romantic Valentine’s

Day wedding. Suddenly, he received orders to prepare to ship out, and all leave was cancelled. But as a young man in love, he went AWOL. He and his fiancée were married three days earlier than originally planned and he returned to base to an angry petty officer. After hearing the explanation, the latter grudgingly replied, “OK. OK!” Then, as an afterthought: “But don’t let it ever happen again!” Another friend met her future fiancé online. After dating for over a year, she introduced Chris to her technophobe uncle. Intrigued by the fact they’d met over the internet, he VALENTINE’S DAY: Not originally linked to romance.

asked Chris what kind of line he’d used to pick her up. Ever the geek, Chris replied, “Just used a regular broadband connection.” Which reminds me of that old De Beers campaign slogan for diamond eternity rings aimed at husbands: “She married you for richer or poorer. Let her know how it’s going…” Romantic, eh? Have a nice day!

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89; £0.79) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.

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HOMES & GARDENS

H Creative ideas for small gardens SPONSORED BY

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for relaxation and entertainment Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.

MANY expats do not have a thousand or more square metres of space in which to develop a garden, and some only have a hundred or two at the back of the house and a similar space, or nothing with a village house or townhouse at the front. But such small spaces can be converted into delightful gardens for relaxing and entertaining in, especially if the owners are working and don’t want to be rushing out to a local bar or restaurant each evening or weekend. We therefore look at some of the possibilities

for achieving the following objectives. 1. Easy to develop. 2. Easy to maintain and keep clean. 3. A space in which to relax and entertain. 4. Has privacy. 5. Can be enjoyed all the year round. 6. Is something different to the norm. First let’s look at privacy from the road or overlooking houses. These days there is a wide variety of fencing materials for fixing to one to two metre high wire mesh fencing if you do not have high dividing or front walls. Against this one can grow a wide variety of climbing plants such as bougainvilleas, pandorea jasminoides, jasmin polyanthis, dipledenias, passion flowers, climbing roses, lonicera, pyro-

DELIGHTFUL: Easy to maintain and keep clean. stegia venustas, solanum or even a mix of variegated ivies. Each of

these can be trimmed and tied in tight so as not to take up too much

valuable floor space. concrete which is Starred varieties can add available these days in a perfume to the air. wide range of designs These plants can also and colours and artificial be grown over a grass laid over wooden or concrete, and for metal gazebo of a Additional part frame to garden an magic can provide area of shelter slatted be added from the wooden by water hottest suns decking. and winds Additional fountains and additional magic can be privacy when added by water resting or eating out, and fountains - self-standing of course up the walls of or as part of a small fish the house. or terrapin pond, a For preparing food al Jacuzzi, a bird aviary, fresco the most lights for the evening and convenient are a gas early hours and piped barbecue for quick food music from a couple of preparation and a paella loud-speakers on cooker or parabolic solar extension wires from the cooker for lazier less house to play relaxing or rushed days. party music at various Additional shade could times of the week. be provided by one or two To enjoy the sun or trees with tall bare trunks shade have one or two or an awning coming out attractive sunbeds, of the house or off a preferably foldable if the secure high dividing wall. space is really small. To keep soil from Place the dining table spreading, front the under the awning, gazebo climbing plants and trees or tree, perhaps moving it with low retaining walls. A according to the weather few perennial aromatic and time of year. If not herb plants, such as crowding the space too lavenders and rosemary, much, add a comfortable could be planted between waterproof settee. the trunks of the climbers These ideas can be and in front ground cover used for front or back plants could be then gardens, and along broad grown over the walls. avenues privacy can often I suggest that any other be more at the front than plants are grown in from a close row of attractive containers townhouses at the rear. including a couple of I hope that these ideas cordylines and sizeable will enable working succulents to give a sub- readers to use their tropical effect. limited space and Now what to have relaxation time to the full. underfoot? Practical clean © Dick Handscombe possibilities are intereswww.gardenspain.com ting tiles, crazy paving, February 2015. impressed coloured

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TEAM SHOT LEFT TO RIGHT: Elena, Bruno, Julie, Michael, Pippa, Shrab, Nadia and Darwin. Advertising feature

Unique Mallorca - making your dreams come true

TEVE JOBS is probably the most well known ‘Visionary’ in the business world and is credited by many as ‘the secret’ to Apple’s success. Lesser known are duo Pippa and Michael, who have been at the helm of Unique Mallorca for over 14 years, taking the business from a small office in Santa Ponsa to their current offices in El Toro with a team of realtors, office administrators, social media experts and a dedicated marketing department. It is not by chance that they have experienced year on year growth in a highly competitive real estate sector, where many businesses have fallen along the way. Pippa told us, “The business is driven by a simple mantra - ‘We achieve our dream of success by helping our clients realise theirs.’ “We have always believed in working to the highest level of professionalism in every aspect of our business. Unlike many of our competitors, we place an equal importance on our vendors as we do on our purchasers. “Whilst we focus on finding our buyers their dream home, we also work closely with the vendors and obtain a higher level of trust and integrity with all parties during the sale of a property. “This ensures that we are fully informed of every and any aspect that may have a potential impact on a purchase or sale.” Buyers and sellers rely upon Unique Mallorca to guide them throughout the whole process of buying or selling a property.

Unique Mallorca - Your Dream Estate truly is our Real Estate… • Michael McMullan - Managing Partner (English, Spanish) • Philippa Jolley - Managing Partner (English, Spanish) • Shrab Sahota - Marketing Manager (English, Spanish, Punjabi) • Julie Kelsey - Property Manager (English, Spanish, German) • Bruno Tripodi - Realtor (Italian, Spanish, English) • Elena Kravtsova - Realtor (Russian, Spanish, English) • Nadia Lazareva - Administrator (Russian, English, Spanish, German) • Darwin Lechner - Realtor (German, Spanish, English, Hungarian)

It is their full time vocation which is why they are fully aware of everything that could possibly occur during the sale process. Property acquisition is not like dealing with many other day to day commodities and purchases. Most people go through the process of purchasing a home fairly infrequently and therefore do not gain the full experience and insight that is often required to navigate through the process as smoothly as desired. Coupled with the additional challenges of the ever changing economic environment, fluctuations in property values and continually evolving legislations, the benefits of having expert assistance and guidance becomes an invaluable asset. This is where Unique Mallorca come into the equation. They sell property on a daily basis and their level of experience is unmatched on the island, as their

team have encountered and overcome every single obstacle imaginable relating to property sales. Also with experience comes the knowledge and insight that ensures that over time, they have surrounded themselves with like minded professionals that are essential to ensure a smooth and trouble free purchase or sale. The professionals who work closely with Unique Mallorca have gained their trust by consistently delivering the same superior level of service and upholding the integrity that Unique Mallorca demands of itself. Selling or buying a property should not be fraught with pitfalls, with the unscrupulous waiting in the shadows to strike the inexperienced and vulnerable. Thankfully Unique Mallorca provides a well-established and well respected business, delivering a professional service that people can turn to insulate and protect them during the entire process. In the coming months we will be hearing more from Unique Mallorca; about best practices, buyers guides, and advice for home owners about selling their property in Mallorca. In the meantime you can pop into their offices in El Toro or give them a call on +34 971 699 329. Alternatively you can visit their website :www.uniquemallorca.com

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Maintenance division launch for easyboats PORT ANDRATX-based easyboats has added a new element to its business by launching a maintenance and refit division for 2015. In order to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all things ‘yacht’ on the island, the company is bringing maintenance inhouse and availing of some of the best shipyard facilities available in Europe. “This new maintenance and refit division closes a gap in our portfolio of services,” explained director of easyboats, Lorenzo Vila. “Previously, post-sale, clients would ask who could look after their boat and we would point them to recommended providers.

We have now brought this in-house. This allows us to ensure all services are carried out with the same standards of quality and care people have come to expect from easyboats, as well as streamlining with just a single point of contact for the client.” Working alongside experts, easyboats can now handle everything from a routine anti-foul to an entire interior and exterior remodelling. Wet and dry storage solutions are also offered. The new service adds further weight to Mallorca’s reputation as one of the best places in the world for boat lovers. For more info visit www.easyboats.com.

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BOATING

Beauty beheld from 100 feet DONFENG RACE TEAM had a very special visitor in Sanya, China last week. After storming into the Chinese port in first place for the third leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the team welcomed the newly crowned Miss World, Rolene Strauss. The South African beauty showed that she certainly has a head for heights, capturing a ‘selfie’ up the 100 foot mast of a Volvo Ocean Race boat. The 22-year-old who won the Miss World contest in London in December 2014 - shimmied up the mast and took in the impressive view of the harbour. “The scenery is so beautiful and it was lovely being out there on the ocean,” she told www.volvooceanrace.com “I just fell in love with Sanya and with everything. It felt it was like I was on top of the world. I drew a big eye (on the mast), looking down on the boat, and then I wrote ‘one world, one strength.’ If the crew works

AINHOA SANCHEZ/VOLVO OCEAN RACE.

MISS WORLD: Rolene Strauss. together as one they will have more strength and they will

prosper in the race.” Dongfeng certainly have the momentum at the moment and will be hoping to replicate their success in the fourth leg from Sanya to Auckland in New Zealand. Dongfeng and the rest of the fleet left China last Sunday (February 8) on the 38,739nautical mile stretch. The boats are expected to arrive sometime around February 27.

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New GT racer takes to the track BMW’s new figurehead for the GT racing scene has been given its first run. The test track on the premises of the BMW factory in Dingolfing (DE) provided the stage for the roll-out of the BMW M6 GT3, with which BMW teams will compete in national and international series, as well as at iconic endurance races, from 2016 onwards. The car left the garage for the first time with Jörg Müller at the wheel. This gave the BMW works driver the honour of creating the next milestone in the development of the BMW M6 GT3. “This is a big moment for everyone who has worked so intensely and passionately on the development of the BMW M6 GT3 in recent months,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “This car incorporates all the experience we have gained in recent years on the endurance and GT racing circuits. We are well on schedule with the development, and are confident we will be able to take to the track in 2016 with a package that is competitive from the outset. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved with this fantastic project.” Müller was thrilled with his outing in Dingolfing: “It is a fantastic moment when you walk into the garage and see this stunningly beautiful car. I am very proud to have taken it out for its first few kilometres. A roll-out is obviously just an initial performance test but, on the whole, everything was very good and we had no problems.”

MOTORING

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Mini overall winner for holding its value

IT could be that the best investment on four wheels is a Mini. This was the result arrived at by German car magazine Auto Bild, which has published the new Value Master ranking in its latest issue. With the new Mini Cooper five door, it was not only the Value Master 2015 in the small car category, but also the overall winner of all categories. This means that the five-door and five-seater body version of the new original in the premium small car segment is the model that offers the longest-lasting value on the German automobile market. The Value Master title is based on a forecast compiled by experts at the market research institute Schwacke that looks at the price that can be obtained in four years’ time for a car that was newly registered in 2015. An assessment is drawn up for each model that includes not just purchase price and vehicle

properties but also numerous other factors such as running costs, time of market launch, brand image and the competitor situation within the segment as well as current trends in the automobile market and general economic developments. This analysis is used to determine which models offer the most lasting value in 13 vehicle categories. The new Mini Cooper five door takes over from the Mini Cooper S Countryman as the Value Master 2015 in the small car segment, the latter

having achieved the top ranking in

2014. In so doing it carries forward the success of the brand, which has dominated the small car category ever since 2005 with models such as the predecessor to the new Mini Cooper three door and the Mini Convertible, as well as regularly coming first in the overall ranking. The current forecast gives the new Mini Cooper five door an estimated resale value of 65.6 per cent of the original price. This is the highest

percentage residual value of all models analysed this year. The Value Master ranking is an important decision-making aid to potential new car buyers. It indicates which models exhibit less difference between their original price and resale value and can therefore be regarded as a sound investment. The stability forecasts for Mini models are always especially favourable, showing that the original in the premium small car segment is highly popular in the used car market, too.

Mazda prepares for motor show MAZDA’S model offensive will go into overdrive at the 85th Geneva Motor Show in early March. The Japanese carmaker will showcase the all-new Mazda CX-3 its fifth model launch in six months alongside two new model generations, the all-new Mazda MX5 and the recently introduced Mazda2, and the 2015 Mazda CX-5 and 2015 Mazda6. Front and centre is the Mazda CX3, as Mazda’s very first small SUV

makes its European premiere. All five models will be available with MZD Connect and the company’s iACTIVSENSE active safety technology. Offered in AWD or FWD format, the sleek KODO design and the unconventional combination of performance and fuel efficiency from its SKYACTIV Technology are set to take this rapidly growing segment by storm when it goes on sale in Europe in early summer.

The long awaited fourthgeneration Mazda MX-5 offers something for everyone. First revealed in September, the all-new MX-5 features will set the heart racing with a new exterior design and SKYACTIV engines. The lightweight design goes back to the roots of the original model launched 25 years ago. The new Mazda2 raises the bar for the B segment with a huge range of equipment for its class.

E W N 12 - 18 February 2015 / Mallorca

Sport Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

SPORT

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Lizzy Yarnold GB’s Lizzy Yarnold has won World Cup and European Championship Skeleton gold medals at the same Alpine track in Austria. TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Plenty of Baleares rugby action THE Baleares Men’s Senior Rugby League saw all teams in action in cold and wintry conditions at the weekend. Third placed Bahia RC visited Puerto Pollensa to play local club Corsaris RFC in what turned out to be an intense match. Bahia were too strong for the Corsaris players who put up a good fight, but were unable to keep Bahia out in the second half. Corsaris have many injured players and the reduced squad gave up 48 points to their own 13. Shamrock RC were away to RC Ponent B, hoping to repeat their victory of the previous week. They were unable to keep up with the home team, however, with Ponent scoring

three tries in the first half and four in the second. At time Shamrock pushed through the Ponent defence, but were brought up short of the line. Dimonis RC were unable to field a full team for their match against visitors Ibiza RC, giving Ibiza the win without a match being played. Making the most of their brief visit to Mallorca, they went along to support El Toro RC against RC Ponent A in Son Caliu, knowing that there were refreshments available and Six Nations matches on the clubhouse television. It took RC Ponent a long time to wear down the El Toro defences in a much improved game for the home team. The locals had players back from injury and they pushed hard

LEAGUE MATCHES: Ponent B take on Shamrock, who were unable to keep up with the home team. from the start. El Toro scored the first try and kept Ponent out with a strong defence, but having lost three players to injury before half time, meant they began to struggle in the second half. Ponent took advantage and won the match 36-14. Next weekend sees the girls and younger teams in action. The eighth Rugby Day organised by RC Ponent in Principes de España will keep the younger teams busy and the girls’ teams will be participating in the fourth of their group matches for the Baleares Girls League.