Issuu

HAPPY NEW YEAR

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

€8m budget boost Photo credit Wikimedia Commons

ISSUE NO. 1695

BOON TOWN: Benidorm is set to receive an extra €8 million for investement. BENIDORM is set to gain an extra €8 million in 2018 for its investment fund, its mayor announced this morning. M a y o r To n i P e r e z s a i d draft budgets were already being finalised for next year and that more than three councillors had already requested proposals to be included in it. The mayor added that

€400,000, 5 per cent of the €8 million total, was reserved for projects requested by residents through participatory budgets. This amount will not fall even if the €8 million total is reduced, the mayor said. He also praised city authorities for their work on debt management.

BEST OF THE YEAR

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NEWS EXTRA

Class conscious MUCHAMIEL needs another primary school to improve teacher-pupil ratios, the town hall has told the regional government, while calling for comprehensive renovations to the Manuel Anton and Arbre Blanc centres.

Cold crop THE recent cold spell with low night-time temperatures and frost affected olives still unpicked in El Comtat although an early start to the harvest prevented catastrophic losses.

Be prepared SAN VICENTE councillors approved a €27,000 contract to provide the municipal sports centre with an ambulance service and paramedics each weekend to deal with emergencies amongst sportspeople and the public.

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Concern grows for missing Caz By Harrison Jones WORRIED friends are desperately appealing for information about the whereabouts of Caroline ‘Caz’ Williams, who has been missing for a month. The 66-year-old, who has a number of serious medical conditions, was last seen wearing combat trousers in Denia on November 22. Friends say her house was left in a condition which suggests she intended to return soon. She normally wears a medical medallion and is recognisable because of a distinctive tattoo on her right shoulder and facial disfiguration. She is about five foot seven, has short, cropped hair and is described as having very thin arms. John Knight, a friend who holds power of attorney for Caz, said he was “very worried” about her welfare. “Something serious has happened but let’s hope its not extreme,” he added.

CLOSE UP: A distinctive tattoo.

MISSING: Caz has not been seen for exactly a month. “Those people who know her are very concerned. We really have no knowledge of where she might have been. “As far as we know, she hasn’t wandered off before.” Having collapsed in Moraira, Caz was taken to Denia Hospital, but left the same day and has not been seen since. She needs to take regular medication for various conditions, but all of her supplies have been left at home. In 2015, she suffered a motorcycle accident which left her blind and in a coma. She

has since had reconstructive surgery to partially restore her sight, but has had one eye removed. Coupled with childhood radiotherapy, friends say the surgery has left her badly disfigured. Her car has been traced and police believe she has not used it since leaving hospital. She withdrew cash on the day of her disappearance, but there has been no movement in her account since. She speaks no Spanish. “We feel seriously concerned about her well-being”, added Gray Knight, John’s wife. “Caz was well-known by sight in the Moraira vicinity because she frequented the local shops, medical centre and Friday street market, so we are hoping that someone may have seen her more recently than November 22 and be able to give us a clue as to her whereabouts.” Caz’s cat has been found. Anyone with information is asked to contact John on +34 610 708 040.

NEWS

Generalitat defies Madrid SPAIN’S highest court, the Constitutional Tribunal, annulled a Generalitat decree providing unrestricted access to the Valencian Community’s Health system. This extends Social Security health cover to immigrants who lack residence permits but have lived in a Valencia region municipality for three months. Despite the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling, regional president Ximo Puig announced that immigrants would still receive unlimited health care. The central government appealed against the Generalitat legislation, maintaining that unregistered immigrants without residence permits could receive health care “in certain circumstances but not in a generalised manner.” Not only would her department continue to provide cover for an existing 23,663 immigrant patients, but it would do so for all those who applied for it, Monton said.

CELEB FOCUS HEALTH & Who is doing BEAUTY

what and who with, often in front of the cameras! P6

Park and walk WITH a new parking area in Calle Maigmona, San Juan now has 11 free parking zones in different parts of the town. By providing spaces for 1,500 cars the municipality hopes to persuade drivers to avoid the town centre and keep it free of traffic.

Long way round FIREMEN called to a Villajoyosa fire could not enter the narrow street with their vehicle and needed a 300metre hose to connect to the nearest hydrant. There were no casualties although a woman neighbour in an adjoining house was evacuated to avoid smoke inhalation.

Honest Joes ONE in two Spaniards admitted that if they found a winning Christmas Lottery ticket they would not return it. The proportion was higher in the Valencian Community where 63.38 per cent said they would keep the ticket and collect the money, a Securitas Direct survey found.

Witch hunt DISCOVERIES from Benitachell’s Cova de les Bruixes (Witches’ Cave) featured recently at the Valencian C o m m u n i t y A rc h ae lo g y Conference in Alicante. Archaeologists Miquel Sanchez and Ann Viciach presented the results of investigation s m a d e b e t we en 2 0 1 5 an d 2017 during the two-day conference at MARQ, Alicante City’s archaeological museum.

wines for the holiday season P69

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SPAIN, UK, EUROPE AND GLOBAL SPORTS SCENE

As more and more people crack open the cava worldwide, the Spanish sparkling wine continues to take the country by storm, writes Harrison Jones.

News

What a corker! CATALONIA’S take on Champagne is a sparkling white (or rosé) wine that everyone knows by name. The increasingly popular Cava - a word which means cave or cellar in Catalan - used to be aged in caves. Over 200 years - and some industrial-scale reforms later - the tipple is still going strong, particularly at this time of year. Indeed, Spaniards reportedly drink six times as much Cava during December as they do at any other time of the year. Often seen as the cheap cousin to its French rival, under European law, the drink can no longer be referred to as the ‘Spanish Champagne,’ because the French Champagne region has Protected Geographical Status. The name Cava itself was in fact only adopted in 1970, when Catalan winemakers tried to distinguish it from their rivals. But the only differences between the two wines are the regions in which they are grown and the grapes

Wine with a sparkle THERE are numerous types of Cava, which tend to be sorted by sweetness and ageing. Those distinguished by age are labelled as Joven (nine to 15 months), Reserva (15 to 30 months) and the most expensive Gran Reserva (at least 30 months). But whilst quality appears to be increasing, there is no let up in quantity, with Spain producing roughly 250 million bottles of the stuff every single year. Around 90 per cent of it is Joven. Great Britain was the third largest importer in 2014, narrowly trailing Bel-

‘Keep it clean’ THE Generalitat is campaigning against the black economy. “If there were no submerged economy it would be possible to

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PLUS THE REGULARS

SPANISH FACTS OF LIFE...43

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Cyclone Bill/Flickr

EARLY in December, Muchamiel’s Local Police force launched their Safe Commerce Campaign. This is being c a r r i e d o u t i n tw o p h a s e s , with members of the Neighbourhood Police team who patrol the tow n o n b i c y c l e s v i s itin g lo c a l shop-owners and giving advice on how to avoid stings and rip-offs.

ALL THE LATEST NEWS, TIPS AND TRENDS

BACCHUS CELLAR THE BEST IN SPORT The best

Finance 35

Leapy 41

LOVELY BUBBLY: Cava is importa nt in Spanish celebrations.

Couch Critic 45

used. Meanwhile, Prosecco - another similar drink, from Italy - appears to be increasingly visible in Spanish shops. Cava, though, is enjoying something of a resurgence at the higher end of the market, with some paying hundreds of euros for a single bottle. Andrew Thomson/Flickr

Protecting the goods

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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gium and Germany, who buy some 30.5 million bottles of the standard product. In total, 130 countries import the wine: even Sierra Leone take a lowly 60 bottles. Back in Spain, the drink is important in many traditional celebrations, including baptisms, marriages and dinners. Yet for all the hype, Cava is not without its problems. In the aftermath of the Catalan referendum, there have been more calls for a boycott of Cava, in an attempt to hurt the political movement for independence. Of course, there seems to be little ap-

build more than 600 health centres or more than 800 schools at €3 million apiece,” said Rafa Climent, who heads the regional g o v e r n m e n t ’s E c o n o m y d e p a r t ment.

GROWTH: Cava vineyards produce 250 million bottles a year. petite to part company with the drink just yet - so don’t be surprised to see Cataluña’s version of Champagne becoming the posh sparkling wine of choice in years to come.

197

Letters 53

Time out 57 - 60

Social 67 - 71

Property

CAVING: The wine used to be aged in caves. Teddy Sipaseuth/Flickr

NEWS

Services 77 - 80

Classifieds 81 - 83

Motoring 84 - 86

The total number of news and features which appeared in Issue 1694 of the Euro Weekly News Costa Blanca North edition, including 77 local stories.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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In numbers: Road to independence? THE Spanish government’s decision to call a snap election spectacularly backfired last week, when pro-independence parties won an overall majority. The regional parliament result, however, only added further confusion to the ongoing drama over Catalan independence. Pro-independence parties failed to win a majority of the votes - gaining 47 per cent of support, despite winning most seats. The result fuels controversy about what should happen next. Though separatists groups retained their absolute majority, it was reduced to two. They have 70 of 135 seats. Turnout was a record high of over 80 per cent as Catalans flooded to the polls following a divisive and bitter campaign. Though the pro-Spanish unity Ciudadanos party won most seats (37), three independence parties working together would have a majority. But the separatist parties are split on policy. Deposed president Carles Puigdemont’s centrist party came second with 34 seats, followed by his former vice-president’s leftist party on 32. The support of four anti-capitalist politicians - who stood on a

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NEWS

POLL OF THE WEEK Do you make New Year’s resolutions? LAST WEEK’S POLL:

Are there too many repeats on TV during Christmas? Yes 89%

No 11%

EWN online this week

120,020 Page views Top 5 stories

CELEBRATING: Separatists toast last week’s results. platform of declaring independence, regardless of Madrid’s response - is needed to hold the separatist majority together. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s ruling PP party lost eight seats to finish a dismal last, on three. Rajoy dissolved the regional parliament in an attempt to weaken calls for independence. Separatists had declared independence following an illegal referendum, which saw 90 per cent support for independence. However, less than half of eligible voters turned out amid violent clashes with police.

After the declaration, Rajoy used emergency powers to sack the Catalan government and call fresh elections. Meanwhile, numerous prominent Catalan politicians were charged and arrested. Some were put in custody while others, including Puigdemont, went into self-imposed exile. The Catalan cause has had support for decades. The region is one of the richest in Spain, accounting for 26 per cent of the country’s exports and 19 per cent of GDP. Confusion now reigns over how the next phase unfolds.

BRUSSELS: Carles Puigdemont declares victory for pro-independence parties.

crisis:Puigdemont:“Republic of Cataluña 9,155 Cataluña won...the Spanish state was defeated” Foreign Office ‘doesn’t know’ 7,580 UK number of Brits in Spain carrying mosquitoes found in 4,300 Disease Spain German pilots stage ‘warn4,235 Ryanair’s ing’ strike reveals grisly find in Spanish 3,498 Drought reservoir views

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FOR COMMENTS FROM EWN ONLINE TURN TO LETTERS PAGE CORRECTIONS At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, nononsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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LA SAFOR and the Marina Alta united in a bid to extend the suburban railway to Denia. Following the Ministry of Public Works’ announcement that the Gandia train will return to Oliva, the local mayor David Gonzalez and Diana Morant, his Gandia counterpart, pledged support for Denia’s battle to reopen

Coastal route on the right track the line that closed in 1974. Although Gandia-Denia was the goal, the Oliva announcement was the first step towards victory, they agreed when they met Denia mayor Vicent Grimalt

DENIA MEETING: David Gonzalez, Vicent Grimalt and Diana Morant shake on it.

Nasty shock on payday FIVE interns at San Vicente must return 40 per cent of their wages after they were overpaid for three months. They were engaged under the town hall’s employment programme for young qualified people who have not been able to find jobs. Since they were taken on in August, three of them have been receiving just over €1,600 a month and the two others were paid €1,500 instead of

€1,035 and €899 respectively. The Town Clerk’s Office did not notice the mistake until November and the five female workers will have to make good the overpayment. The money will be docked from their pay in instalments, the town hall explained, although one of the young women who has decided to give up her job will have to repay all that is owing when she leaves.

recently. “We are convinced that the railway is closer today,” Grimalt told them. This was the first time that Valencia’s regional government had successfully

made itself heard in Madrid, he declared. “We should recognise the good job the Generalitat and the town halls have done. And we shan’t stop until the railway returns to Denia af-

ter 44 years,” he said. The three mayors agreed that if the coastal high-speed Tren de la Costa followed another route, that was not a priority as far as they were concerned.

“We want a train that links our two areas,” Morant said. “If it goes as far as Alicante, all the better. But our historic claim is Gandia-Denia,” added David Gonzalez.

Seeing double THEY are the proud parents of baby twins. And Spanish pop superstar Enrique Iglesias, 42, and former tennis player Anna Kournikova, 36, who are notoriously secretive about their relationship, also kept her pregnancy under wraps. The boy and girl, born in Miami where the couple live, have been named Nicholas and Lucy. The pair have reportedly splashed out around €500,000 on improving security and baby-proofing their €22 million mansion, including a 16-foot perimeter wall and child barrier around the swimming pool. Enrique and Moscow-born Anna have been dating since 2001 but are not married, and were last seen in public together over a year ago. He has previously suggested they have no plans to tie the knot, saying in an interview: “I’ve never really thought marriage would make a difference. Maybe it’s because I come from divorced parents, but I don't think you love someone more because of a piece of paper.”

Picture perfect

SIZZLING: Hailey Baldwin’s Elle Spain shoot.

SHE’S one of the hottest models of the moment. And Hailey Baldwin, 21, is set to send temperatures soaring again as she sizzles on the January cover of lifestyle magazine Elle Spain. The budding supermodel and daughter of American actor Stephen B a l d w i n h a s f ro n t e d c a m p a i g n s f o r heavyweight fashion brands including Guess, H&M, UGG, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren.

Photo by G ala Tw itte r

IT’S TWINS: Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova.

Photo by Hailey Baldwin/Instagram

CHEEKY: Katie Salmon.

Curvy Katie flashes the flesh SHE found fame after flashing her breasts at the Cheltenham races before appearing on reality show Love Island. And Katie Salmon, 22, made waves again after slipping into a neon fuschia swimsuit during a pre-Christmas jaunt to Tenerife. The Liverpool-born beauty sizzled in the low cut one-piece - which also featured a thong back - drawing full attention to her famous assets. Pictured lounging by the pool with equal-

ly curvaceous pal India Jennings, Katie appeared to be in holiday heaven. It comes after the stunner recently jetted to Thailand with new squeeze Jonny Toomey, during which the pair posted a series of snaps on social media. She also posted an image of her dad covering the personal trainer’s mouth as he tried to kiss her, captioned: “No matter how old I get my dad still c**k blocks me and my bf. so much love for these 2.”

Celeb focus Holiday treat! SHE’S the younger RAUNCHY: sister of HollyMonica Cruz. wood actress Penelope Cruz. But Madrid-born actress and dancer Monica Cruz, 40, proved she’s more than a match for her star sibling after posting a racy lingerie photo on social media. The mother-of-one smouldered in a black lace bra top, captioning the snap: “Now I have my perfect lingerie look for the Christmas holidays, I love it!!”

No sex please BRAZILIAN ‘human Ken Doll’ Rodrigo Alves says he is asexual. The cosmetic surgery addict, who owns a property in Marbella, says he is too selfish for sex. He told UK media: “I don’t really like to be touched, and I am too selfish really for sexual contact. “I don’t like to touch other people too much either.”

Monica Cruz/Instagram

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

Photo by Katie Salmon/Instagram

NEWS

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Desalination plant lies idle GENERALITAT president Ximo Puig stressed the importance of using all possible resources to ensure that the Valencian Community has water. The region was living through difficult times, Puig admitted on a visit to the Federation of Irrigation Communities (Fecoreva). “We have always been subjected to drought but the present situation is linked to a more structural issue. It appears to be here to stay and we must find an

answer,” he said. The region had to use every method available from water transfers to recycling and reusing wastewater, but specifically the region’s desalination plants, the president declared. “We must make the most of them and also tackle the question of cost so that prices are adjusted to the possibilities of the market,” he said. Meanwhile, Alicante Province loses 80 cubic hectometres of water each year owing to seven months without a

Jucar-Vinalopo water transfer and the inoperative Muchamiel desalination plant. This cost €93 millon to build and is capable of producing 18 cubic hectometres a year but functioned briefly on just one occasion in 2015 when it produced five cubic hectometres of water for Benidorm. Torrevieja’s desalination plant operates at half-capacity although the Alicante City plant in Agua Amarga is fully functional, producing 48 cubic hectometres a year.

No need for umbrellas ALICANTE Province is about to enter its fifth year of drought as well as a new year. According to AEMET, Spain’s meteorological office, this winter is expected to be warmer than usual as well as dry. This will aggravate the threat of drought that follows on from the driest autumn since 1981, with a rainfall deficit of 82 per

cent. ‘Important’ rainfall will not arrive until the spring, AEMET predicted. The past year also accentuated the unequal meteorological conditions in Alicante Province, its experts said. Average rainfall here is calculated at 350 litres per square metre but the Marina Alta’s Fontilles weather station regis-

Vote goes die-hards’ way SENIJA voted to continue bou embolat in its town fiestas with a six-vote margin. Only 122 of the town’s 529 registered residents took part in the poll - a 23 per cent participation - and 64 voted to retain bull-running events where blazing brands are fixed to the animal’s horns. The Compromis party, in charge at the local town hall, said afterwards that the vote which was held over a two-week period took place “with total normality.” The committee that will organise next year’s town fiestas next May can now go ahead and include bou embolat in their programme of events. Other Marina Alta towns have held similar mini-referendums, but unlike Senija, Gata, Javea, Ondara, Benitachell, Jalon and Pedreguer which still feature bull-running have barred this controversial version.

tered 840 litres of rain per square metre last year. In contrast the 174.6 litres per square metre that fell in Callosa de Segura in the Vega Baja, was 41 per cent less than usual.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Settling debts and planning ALTEA has reduced its municipal debt from just over €40 million to almost €21.5 million. The town hall managed to practically halve this by renegotiating outstanding bills, many of them inherited from previous councils, explained Altea’s mayor Jaume Llinares. These included the street cleaning and rubbish collection service FCC, as well as Aguas de Altea and Callosa Town Hall which was owed money for the water it supplied. The €18 million debt claimed by the Ballester Group after the company was prevented from developing the River Algar has also shrunk and now stands at €7 million, the mayor said. “This will allow us to tackle what remains of the legislation with serenity and even make medium and long-term plans,” he continued. These include the second phase of remodelling the seafront between the l’Espigo beach and the port, with the collaboration of the Environment, Llinares revealed.

NEWS

OUR VIEW

Happy New Year WHAT a stunning year it has been for news, as 2017 brought us flooding chaos, airport strikes and wild fires. And who can forget little Leo the Lion? The expatriate community remains stronger and more diverse than ever, with some inspirational tales of charity groups raising hundreds of thousands of Euros for worthy causes. Hopefully, next year will continue in the same vein, although few of Spain’s larger problems - be that the migration crisis, climate change, drugs, corruption, crime or Catalan independence - seem likely to be resolved quickly. In the south, drought could be a particularly big issue in the coming year as dam levels have failed to recover during what has been an unusually dry winter so far. And for expatriates, 2018 will likely see further information emerge about what Brexit will bring, while forecasters are suggesting Spain could see a new upswing in tourism. This week’s paper is a ‘Best of the Year’ retrospective edition, featuring the best and most important stories from 2017 and an opportunity to reflect on the year that was. And whether you are glum after all the festive excitement, delighted about an El Gordo victory or excited for the Three Kings’ Day parades, we’ll be back next week with our usual package of local news, views and features. Until then, from everyone at ç, we wish you a very happy and healthy new year.

Now we want to hear your views. YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION www.euroweeklynews.com

A hair-raising crossing PASSENGERS leaving the Line 9 trenet in Calpe have to cross the N-332 to reach the town.

There is a bus link into the centre but those who prefer to walk or are unwilling to pay the €1.45 bus fare must cross one of the busiest main roads in Spain without a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights. “There’s nothing, nothing at all,” complained a local resident who recently videoed pedestrians negotiating the hairraising dash across the road. “Obliged to dodge lorries, coaches, cars and still more cars, who is brave enough to cross the road?” she wanted to know. The Ministry of Public Works and Calpe Town Hall are aware of the dangers and there are plans to install a pedestrian footbridge and pavements at this point. The council has ceded 5,176 metres of land for the project, which included a lift for those with mobility problems, but although the Ministry of Public Works approved the project in April 2016 work has yet to begin.

BEST OF THE YEAR By Matt Ford A BRITISH expat based in the northern Costa Blanca has been honoured by UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, with a personal letter and ‘Point of Light’ award for her outstanding charity work over three decades in Spain. Candida Wright has been a volunteer for the HELP Denia and Marina Alta charity for over 30 years, and is currently president of the organisation. She also works as an interpreter at Denia Hospital in Alicante Province, home to over 80,000 Britons, and is president of the charitable Careline Theatre Group, which raises funds for local medical centres. According to the UK government statement, Candida’s work “has been instrumental in transforming this NGO from a simple hospital visiting service into a formidable organisation which manages several charity shops, finances temporary care and runs a number of support groups.” The seemingly tireless Candida has also helped create a women’s shelter in Benissa, has links with a children’s home in Denia and a homeless

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Truly inspiring

January Issue 1644 shelter in Gandia, and presents a show on a local English-language radio station. The Euro Weekly News caught up with Candida and asked how she felt when the news broke. “Hahaha, I cried!” she laughed. “I was out with some patients when I received a per-

Issue 1646

Football stars hit Benidorm complex

SCHALKE 04: Trained at the Camilo Cano ground.

CANDIDA WRIGHT: Tireless charity worker. sonal message from Simon Manley, the British ambassador to Spain, in which he said that I’d won an award. “At first, I thought it was a joke, but then I read my emails and realised that it wasn’t, and at that point things got a bit emotional. “I am really thrilled!” The HELP charity is among the Costa Blanca’s foremost charity success stories, and has grown to include a network of around 200 workers and vol-

unteers who together raise tens of thousands of euros each year. The Point of Light awards were created by ex-United States president George W Bush in order to recognise outstanding volunteer efforts. The scheme was introduced to the UK while David Cameron was prime minister, but Theresa May recently decided that volunteers based outside the country should also be included.

BUNDESLIGA team Schalke 04 recently trained at La Nucia’s sports complex. Hundreds of spectators including many children came to watch Markus Weinziern’s team during the first two-hour session of their winter training programme. The German side has spent eight days in Benidorm, preparing for the second half of the Bundesliga season which recommences on January 27. La Nucia was chosen for its excellent sports facilities, its excellent turf and the “extraordinary” Camilo Cano complex, Weinziern said. In deciding to visit La Nucia, the German side has followed England’s national team, Zenit St Petersburg, Spartak of Moscow and Shaktar Donetsk who have all trained there. Schalke 04 has many top flight players and is well-known to Spanish football fans as Raul, one of Spain’s greatest all-time footballers, played for the team when his Madrid days were over.

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BEST OF THE YEAR Photo credit: Javea town hall

NEW APP: Get connected in Javea.

Getting connected XABIA CONNECTA is a smartphone app created to make life easier for Javea residents. New Technologies councillor Ximo Segarra, accompanied by Javea mayor Jose Chulvi and other councillors, recently presented the app ,which is suitable for iPhones and Android to, the local public. Although free to users, it has cost just over €3,000. “This is a competitive price for the level of service it offers,” Segarra said. Users will be able to send a photo, accompanied by a text, illustrating any urban defect they might notice. This will be dealt with by the appropriate town hall department which, as well as remedying the problem, will keep the person posted about the progress being made.

Beach law and order By Linda Hall

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BENITACHELL Council voted unanimously in favour of new by-laws regulating use of its beaches. Glass bottles are banned and beachgoers visiting the more inaccessible Llebeig and Els Testos coves must take away any rubbish that they generate. There is also a strict veto on tombstoning from cliffs or rocks along the town’s coastline. As the local beaches become increasingly popular the council agreed that it was important to define what is permitted and what is not and also to take steps to avoid overcrowding.

BENIDORM Council has installed 50 new bike racks around the resort to enable cyclists to park their bicycles and lock them. Following a request from the Benidorm cycling clubs and student representatives along with the growing number of people taking to two wheels within the town, the council have responded by agreeing to make the installations which have been paid for by the concessionaire of urban furniture. José Ramón González de Zárate, councillor for Mobility said: “Each rack will be able to hold seven to eight bikes with more units being installed at the school complexes and sports centre.” Other streets to have benefited include: Juan Fuster Zaragoza which has three units, the junction of the Mediterraneo and Europa which has two units and the Elche Park area with two units.

February Issue 1648

The app also offers the option of an instant alert in an emergency and receiving information about town hall services. It also gives access to municipal telephone numbers and commercial directories. “Xabia Connecta goes a step further in our desire to be accessible, transparent and permanently at the service of the local population. We want to attend to citizens in real time and strengthen our relationship with them,” Jose Chulvi said. Kika Mata, councillor responsible for Services pointed out that Xabia Connecta would be of great help to her own department. “It will be our eyes on the street and help us take action whenever necessary. Basically it means we can give good service and answer residents’ needs efficiently,” Mata said.

Joanbanjo

By Linda Hall

Cyclists get secure parking

March

MORAIG BEACH: No jumping from cliffs.

Issue 1654 As well as the ban on glass, the public will be asked not to throw rubbish, cigarette ends, drink cans and any nonbiodegradable objects on the beaches. Bonfires are banned and gas canisters cannot be used and there will be fines for anyone caught dumping unwanted furniture or other items. Using shampoo, gel or any type of detergent in the sea also earns a fine.

Animals are banned from the Benitachell beaches apart from guide dogs or those used in rescue operations. Fishing at the water’s edge is vetoed during the day during the high season to ensure the safety of swimmers although this will be allowed from 9pm until 9am. Fines range from €750 for minor offences, rising to €3,000 for more serious breaches of the by-laws.

Issue 1653

Ambassador congratulates EWN THE British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, who is currently on tour of northern Spain and Costa Blanca on official duties, kindly managed to find the time to comment on

the exciting news that Euro Weekly News had been voted Best Free Publication in the recent AEEPP awards. “I was delighted to see that Euro Weekly News won the

‘Best Free Publication’ award at the AEEPP awards: it’s an impressive achievement for an English-language newspaper to beat off the Spanish language competition and a tribute, I

think, to the important role that the English-language press in general plays across Spain. My congratulations to Michel, Steven and the team at EWN,” observed Ambassador Manley.

FEATURE

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DREAM CRUISE: Get ready to have the holiday of a lifetime. EXPLORE the history of the Mediterranean, feel the balmy breezes of the Bahamas or the Caribbean, or just sit back and relax whilst you cruise across the Atlantic. Whatever you choose to do, you will be travelling in style on Norwegian Spirit. Whilst onboard make a trip to the Tivoli Pool, soak in one of our four outdoor hot tubs, or take the children to Buccaneer’s Wet and Wild. That’s just the beginning - with 14 delicious dining options, 12 bars and lounges, the Maharaja’s Casino, and the Roman Spa & Fitness centre at your fingertips, you’re ready to have a holiday of a lifetime! You’ll visit exotic Casablanca and experience one of Morocco’s best-preserved medinas and the Hercules Caves. In Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, you can hop on a bus to see the seaside sand dunes of Maspalomas. Bring a towel for a dip at the beach. From Gran Canaria, journey to the other big island of the Canaries, Tenerife, where a motorcoach tour will take you above the tree line and over the

clouds to see Spain’s tallest peak, the Teide. Thrilling Entertainment From the stages of the Stardust theatre we’ll have you singing along, moving your feet and getting into the groove. Laugh all night with our comedians or join our signature bash, the White Hot Party. Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef’s Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit. 17 Extraordinary Dining Options Sit down to a multicourse meal with a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Go French, Italian, Asian - you name it. With 17 dining options, your taste buds will always be in for a thrill.

Contact Gandia Tours for full details on 965 744 326 / info@gandiatours.com LIVE LIFE IN STYLE, TAKE A DREAM CRUISE WITH GANDIA TOURS!

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

One man’s decision GEORGE THOMAS, a Scot from Javea, is clear about Brexit. “It’s a total disaster,” he said after Theresa May triggered Article 50 and set in motion Britain’s divorce from the European Union. George, local president of the PSPV party, has already taken steps of his own. Aged 76 and a convinced Europhile, he has begun the process of becoming a Spanish citizen. He has lived in Javea for 18 years and before that spent five years in Madrid and Barcelona. “At my age I don’t want to change my situation. I’m one more Javea resident,” he said. “When I go to the UK

Issue 1658

I feel like a foreigner. My home is in Spain.” Having fought for years for political rights, Brexit means that British residents will no longer be able to vote in municipal elections, George pointed out. “That could cause an upset in areas like the Marina Alta where this group carries a great deal of weight,” he warned. George also predicted that many British residents will opt to take Spanish nationality, which involves sitting two exams. One centres on knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, society and culture and the other is a three-hour Spanish test. George

Issue 1657

passed both, obtaining 93 per cent in the language exam. He also preferred not to wait for a possible second Scottish independence referendum before taking the naturalisation plunge. “There are already too many frontiers when we should be giving weight to the concept of Europe as an open space,” he declared. GEORGE THOMAS: Scot who will become Spanish thanks to Brexit.

Beaches at the ready

R E PA I R S t o t h e d a m a g e caused by winter storms is being carried out on Calpe’s two largest beaches ahead of the Easter break – the traditional start to the tourist season. Workmen are replacing 17 footbaths on Playa La Fossa and four on Playa de Arenal-Bol, as well as the network of pipes supplying them

April

with water. And the wooden walkways across the sand to the sea are also being

laid down ahead of the holiday weekend. The Marina Alta resort will also have a lifeguard service in place over Holy Week; starting on Thursday April 13, there will be five lifeguards on La Fossa, five on Arenal-Bol and two on duty at Playa de Cantal Roig, together with a coordinating officer and an ambulance.

14 E W N

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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WORK has begun to replace the pavement surrounding the Julio Iglesias auditorium in the Parque de l’Aguera. All of the electrics inside the auditorium are also being replaced as part of the €48,000 project, being financed with leftover funds from other projects executed throughout the course of 2017. The finished result will look much the same as the Oscar Espla auditorium, which underwent work at the end of last year. Councillor Jose Ramon Gonzalez de Zarate said that the work at the Julio Iglesias auditorium was necessary

Photo by Benidorm Ayuntamiento

Leftovers put to good use ASSOCIATED ADVERTISERS

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IN ACTION: The existing pavement was bulldozed. for two reasons: “Firstly, because the surrounding pavement of the auditorium was cracked and deteriorated, which affected the image of this public space and increased the risk of falls for users. “And secondly, because it was essential to modernise the electrical installation as many events are held in the auditorium throughout the year.” He said the bulk of the work will be executed before the end of the year, with the rest finished in the first few weeks of 2018.

To find out more about what Abbeygate Insurance can do for you, call 951 277 455.

EU cash to recover the castle BENIDORM City Council will ask for European funds to recover the archaeological remains of El Castell. The El Castell project is valued at €1.2 million and proposes to ‘archaeologically document the totality of the preserved remains’ of the old castle-fortress, including some remains that are currently ‘covered and practically imperceptible’ under the Plazas del Castell, Castelar and Santa Ana. Mayor Toni Perez has said the recovery of the archaeological remains would see El Castell declared of Cultural Interest (BIC) and would attract more tourists: “The old castle-fortress would become an important tourist attraction as visitors could learn more about the history of Benidorm and the capital relevance of this castle in the founding of the city.” The council will request aid from the initiative launched by the Generalitat Valenciana in November, for the protection and/or recovery of Valencian cultural heritage backed by the ERDF Operational Programme 2014-2020 for Valencian Community. The total budget for Valencia’s Operational Programme is €1.14 billion, of which the EU has contributed €568 million.

Rounding the year off LEADING local charity organisation Giving4Giving has been busy this festive period. They donated €500 to Caritas for the needy and a medical bed to Help International Benidorm, greatly received by nurse Jackie and Vice President Andrea. A merry Christmas to you all from Giving4Giving.

F O R B E S T R AT E S I N M OTO R I N S U R A N C E CALL: 951 277 455

Edificio Benidorm 7, Moraira: Tel: 966 265 072.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

PERFORMANCE: Celebrated day Benidorm was born.

Happy 692nd birthday! A N e m o t i o n a l l y - c h a rg e d evening to celebrate the day Benidorm came into existence took place in the Amphitheatre Oscar Espla, last Sunday. The performance was a reenactment of the signing of the Poblament Charter on May 8, 1325 when Benidorm received its city status from Admiral Bernat de SarriĂ , granting privileges as a Christian municipality.

Pasqual Alimana, creator of the event 25 years ago, spoke to the audience about how The Carta de Poblament Group was set up to celebrate Benidormâ€™s birthday each year on May 8. Members representing many of the city penyas performed in the re-enactment, to an audience of hundreds who could follow the words via a QR code on their mobile phones.

May

Issue 1662

BEST OF THE YEAR

May Issue 1663 BENIDORM has awarded nine more businesses in the city, with the prestigious, Commitment to Quality Tourism distinction. The new companies range

Inland wells are running dry

June Issue 1665 THE Villena-Benejama aquifers supplying Alto and Medio Vinalopo towns will begin to run dry by 2031. Some urban areas along the Alicante coast and Marina Baja municipalities also use this subterranean water but the state of the interconnected and over-exploited wells is no longer worrying but ‘alarming.’ Experts from the Central Committee of Vinalopo, L’Alacanti and Marina Baja Users said that levels at these vital wells would start to descend in 2031. By 2040 they will have fallen so much that they will no longer supply water fit for human consumption or irrigation purposes, they predicted. Each year their levels drop by 10 metres and although abundant rain and snow last winter provided some respite, the experts dismissed this as “a fleeting mirage.” The Central Committee presented these statistics to the Valencian Community’s parliament, Les Cortes, warning the different public administrations involved of the critical situation that will face inland towns unless significant and urgent steps are taken. “To guarantee the recovery of these wells, it is necessary to stop extracting water for agriculture which consumes huge amounts of water. This could easily be substituted with water from the Jucar,” said regional MP David Cerdan. The politician also suggested a restriction on water extracted for urban use.

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Businesses of a high quality in Benidorm from hotels and restaurants to massage centres and sports businesses within the city. The awards are part of a programme introduced when Benidorm joined the Sistema Integral de Calidad Turística en Destinos, SICTED initiative in

2013. The SICTED programme was instigated by the Spanish Tourism Institute- Turespaña and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and ProvincesFEMP, which work with tourist companies and services of up to

32 different offices. The ultimate aim of the inititiative is to enhance the experience and satisfaction of the tourist in Spain and now Benidorm has 50 establishments granted the distinction. Companies receiving the

award benefit from a four-step staff training programme, with 19 modules designed to improve and maintain their standards of quality. In total, Spain has 215 tourist destinations participating in the scheme, with 5,441 businesses

receiving the quality award. Antonio Perez, Chairman of the programme also confirmed the 41 previous recipients of the distinction have been reassessed and have received a renewed award. A list can be viewed at www.calidadendistino.es.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

Back to nature Firefighting at Granadella.

AN AID package of almost €400,000 has been pledged to a Marina Alta town hit by a devastating forest fire last September. T h e Va l e n c i a r e g i o n a l government and the provincial council of Alicante will commit the cash to help recovery of a fragile eco-system and help prevent a repeat of the natural disaster which hit Javea’s Granadella. Javea Town Hall hosted a meeting of local councill o r s , T h e G e n e r a l i t a t Va lenciana, the Diputacion de Alicante, and a number of advisors to discuss the recovery of the protected land. The local authority has already earmarked €200,000 to the rehabilitation of the area; work so far has involved the felling and removal of burnt trees and strengthening of historic terraces to help prevent erosion.

June Issue 1665 And biologists Jaume Soler and Ignasi Astor remain optimistic about the recovery of the forest because of the quality of the soil and sufficient rainfall; h o w e v e r, t h e y a d v i s e against the return to the previous pine woods and the density of the trees. They hope to see typical Mediterranean species replanted, recreating a unique character and helping guard against a repetition of similar fire sweeping across the area. Mr Soler said a forest f i r e o n J a v e a ’s L a P l a n a September 2014 – the other side of the municipality – had proved to be a “labo-

ratory” for regeneration and had shown “very positive” recovery. Va l e n c i a h a s p r o m i s e d around €150,000 to helping the landscape recover, the continued removal of fire debris and preventing harmful erosion through storms and wind. Alicante will add another €200,000 to help protect the unique urban-forest areas of southern Javea, also taking in Cansalades. A further €42,000 will be spent in areas escaping the fire, thinning out woodland to reduce the density of the trees, encouraging other fauna, and helping prevent a similar disaster. A series of meetings with residents has also taken place as part of an inclusive fire prevention scheme designed to help protect the countryside and private and public property.

Issue 1666

Anti flood project one step closer ALICANTE Provincial Council has released €13,000 to draw up a plan to end flooding in the La Cala area of Benidorm. The Barranco de Murtal ravine, which runs to the sea at the end of Poniente beach experiences regular flooding, particularly in periods of heavy rain. The project which is expected to cost €1 million, will include an underground pipeline to direct excess rainwater into the sewerage system rather than onto the Poniente beach zone, plus a tank to collect water than can later be used for street washing or the watering of landscaped areas of the city. Once completed, the work will ensure the 190 metre stretch of Calle Murtal, that regularly faces closure in periods of severe, heavy rain, will remain unaffected in future. The funds received from Alicante will pay for a company to draw up a plan for the project, which the council hopes to have in place by the end of the year.

BEST OF THE YEAR

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Tap water runs clear Photo by Finestrat town hall

FINESTRAT has solved the problem of cloudy water by connecting its supply to Benidorm’s Terra Mitica treatment plant. This will eliminate problems like last winter’s when Finestrat residents were warned not to use tap water for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene. Torrential rain and wind in December and again in January stirred up sediment at the bottom of the Guadalest reservoir when this was at its lowest-ever level after several years of drought. “Owing to the high FINESTRAT CONNECTION: Juan Antonio Perez inspects cost, a small town like pipeline to Benidorm. ours could not afford to of the water, whatever the circumbuild its own treatment stances.” plant and instead we opted Connecting Finestrat to the Terra to take advantage of existMitica plant is practically complete ing infrastructure, in this and once the pumps have been tested case Benidorm’s,” exthe new system will start operating plained Finestrat mayor immediately. Juan Francisco Perez. The €264,417 cost was met by the Ali“This way we could make savcante Diputacion. ings and at the same time guarantee the quality

July

Issue 1669

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

EXOTIC: Southern lapwings are small, South American wading birds.

New arrivals as two new pairs of exotic birds land TERRA NATURA has taken delivery of two new breeding pairs of South American birds. The pairs of Urrucas and Teros, were kept in quarantine, while awaiting health checks from vets at the nature park, on the edge of Benidorm. After receiving a clean bill of health, the birds were transferred to the 4,000 square metre aviary, which recreates their native South American habitat and will become their new home. The pair of Urrucas, also known as San Blas Jays

July Issue 1670 (Cyanocorax sanblasianus), are endemic to Mexico. With their distinctive black heads and blue bodies, these sociable magpies are considered, along with parrots, to be one of the most highly intelligent species in the bird world and

can be spotted in trees at mid height in the aviary. The Teros (Vanellus chilensis) are two-year-old, southern lapwings, found throughout South America, particularly Chile, Peru and Bolivia. They are small, terrestrial, wading birds, happy to spend their time foraging on the floor of the aviary. The new arrivals, now settled into their new life, join more than 40 other species of birds in the park, including six endangered breeds.

BEST OF THE YEAR

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Russian roulette!

August Issue 1674 LIFE OF RILEY: The accused and her partner on holiday. A 51-YEAR-OLD female bank employee has been held in Almoradi, Alicante, on suspicion of stealing €1.3 million over 25 years in a Russian client scam. The victim, now aged 80, contacted detectives a month ago after he realised that the money was missing. In a statement the Guardia Civil revealed that the suspect enjoyed a “standard of living little in line with the financial position of a bank clerk,” as she and her partner savoured a luxurious lifestyle. This included a large house, high-end cars and a string of holidays to exotic locations, all of

which she bragged about on social media. The scam reportedly started in 1992, when the victim opened a bank account at the Rojales branch of the now defunct Banco de Alicante, which was absorbed by parent company BBVA in 2000. He established a close relationship with the accused, who attended to him personally on every visit and gave him falsified statements to cover up her con. The racket came to light in June, when he requested a detailed breakdown of his finances from the bank’s head office in advance of transferring funds elsewhere.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

Little joy from Madrid Photo by Generalitat Valenciana

MONCLOA MEETING: Ximo Puig and Mariano Rajoy talk finance. LITTLE conclusive emerged from Generalitat president Ximo Puig’s recent visit to Madrid. He came away from his meeting with Mariano Rajoy, president of the Spanish government, with promises for a review of regional funding but only as part of ‘global’ negotiations. Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance figures for 2014 detailing the funds that autonomous regions contribute and receive in return, showed yet again that the Valencian Community draws the short straw.

September Issue 1680

Although the region’s per capita income is below the national average, in 2014 the region sent Madrid €1.7 billion more than it received. Valencia has the third-highest negative balance in Spain after the Madrid Community, which received €19.2 billion less than it gave and Cataluña with €9.9 billion. These official figures demonstrated yet again the Valencian Community’s “systematic ill-treatment” and discrimination, Generalitat sources said.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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FEATURE

Advertising feature

White & Baos wishes you and your family a Merry Xmas and a Prosperous New Year 2018 Carlos Baos We can help you.

Dear Clients and Friends, IT seems like it was yesterday when the deadline for submitting your nonresident tax returns was so far away and yet the holiday season has suddenly arrived. We hope to have met our clients’ expectations when dealing with their marriages and divorces in Spain and we would also take this opportunity to congratulate those clients, from different countries, who sold, purchased or ex-

changed on their properties through our firm and kindly took our advice about the importance of h a v i n g a S p a n i s h Wi l l drafted when being an owner of a property in Spain. This year has been a year of hope for all those people who lost their money some time ago, buying properties in Spain offp l a n , a s f o r t u n a t e l y, w e have been able to get their money back. Also, it has been the year that people affected by Bankia Shares, Cam Cuotas Participativas, Mortgage Floor Clauses have also been able to get their money back. Sadly some clients and friends passed away dur-

ing this year and our condolences go to their surviving spouses, children etc; and again in these cases we have assisted as rapidly as possible to help the heirs when dealing with inheritance in Spain and the UK.

The year 2017 has been a year of hope for many people.

This is also a year when we have been able to get the inheritance tax paid back, for the non-resident heirs, who are residents in

the European Union, who had previously been unable to enjoy the inheritance tax benefits that they would have if they were tax residents in Spain. On a happier note we can tell you that we have litigated successfully in court in relation to many differing legal matters including tenancy disputes, claims against builders, c o n t e s t i n g a Wi l l a n d claims against the Tax Office plus much more. Finally we would like to thank all of our clients and friends, who one way or another, dealt with us during this year and wish them and their families a Merry Christmas and a P r o s p e r o u s N e w Ye a r 2018, full of happiness.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Photo by Alfaz town hall

BEST OF THE YEAR

PRESENTATION: Alfaz gathers to hear findings.

October Issue 1683

Well-being and health in abundance AN Alicante University (UA) report confirmed Alfaz as a health and wellness tourist centre. Tourists from the UK, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany identified the town as a leader in both fields, the UA found. The municipality offered excellent opportunities for growth as a permanent or

temporary residence, offering quality of life, tranquillity and a richly diverse demographic, the UA announced during the report’s formal presentation. Alfaz mayor Vicente Arques thanked the UA team for their months of research. Their statistics indicated that while 20 per cent of Europe’s population is over 65,

in Alfaz this rises to 24 per cent, Arques pointed out. “What is a problem for some is an opportunity for us,” he said. “Backed by the university’s study we can now aim at consolidating Alfaz as a healthy and sustainable destination, assisted by local collectives in designing the kind of town that we want.”

26 October - 1 november 2017 / Costa Blanca North

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Winter warmers

ALBIR restaurant owner, Gerardo Camacho, together with Caroline Bjalstam, president of the Alfaz branch of Rotary Internacional, presented blankets and warm winter clothing for Social

Welfare to distribute amongst Alfaz’s needy. The Rotary president drew special attention to the altruism of both Camacho and the 45 Social Welfare volunteers.

NEWS

Alfaz town hall

Christmas market throws a lifeline

CHRISTMAS MARKET: Volunteers with the donated merchandise.

SIZZLE: Introducing some special winter warmers from Germany.

Sizzle Restaurant in Albir is making New Year’s resolutions SPECIAL resolutions are made to see in the New Year and Sizzle Restaurant in Albir is no exception as it promises to get even better in 2018. Owners Rene and Fiona are expanding their menu so that in these colder months they will be able to offer some special winter warmers which are being imported from Germany where the inhabitants know how to deal with the cold. There is going to be a greater choice of soups with both pea and oxtail taking pride of place and as the weeks progress, so there will be an increase in the range of hearty

German food being offered. Those in a rush to enjoy a tasty lunch and an escape from the office will not be forgotten as Sizzle will introduce an economic ‘company lunch’ with special pasta and rice dishes which are not normally found on the menu. This will be a great opportunity for those who have only a limited budget and not too much time to spare to be able to enjoy a

well prepared and wholesome hot lunch. These new innovations don’t mean that the trademark hot stone dishes or the stunning 250 gram ‘El Macho’ burger will not still be available as the range of dishes being offered is simply being adjusted, thanks in part to customer feedback. Don’t forget that there is also time to book your table for the

special New Year’s Eve dinner which is served from 6.30pm where there is an option of onion soup or baked camembert, followed by aged and hung beef on a stone or salmon, served with side dishes and then Christmas pudding or chocolate mousse. You will need to call to see whether any tables are still available and to make your reservation by calling 657 262 790. Sizzle is situated at Oscar Esplá 7 in Albir and has a very informative Facebook page showing its range of food and drink.

Just a bit more to pay ALFAZ Town Hall will put up sewerage rates next year. As Hidraqua, contracted to provide this service, proposed a rise in its tariffs and as there has been no increase for five years, the town hall decided to revise its own charges. Plans to put these up by 4.25 per cent will be put to the vote at the next plenary council meeting, announced Town Planning councillor and town hall spokesman Toni Such. “Until now the average charge was around €90 a quarter and with the revised charges this will go up by 63 cents a quarter or €2.52 a year,” Such said.

ALFAZ is hosting a Christmas Market until February to raise funds for two animal protection charities. The initiative, promoted by the APPA, Alfaz’s Dog-owners’ Association and Somos Gos also has the backing of the town hall’s Health Department. “There are all kinds of decorations, handmade toys, puppets, bags, mugs and handmade artificial flowers,” said APPA president Vanessa Pareja. “Everything is new and was donated by a shopowner who retired and wanted to help homeless animals by giving us all her stock,” Pareja explained. “Unfortunately there are so many abandoned dogs and cats and the associations often find it hard to cope with the huge demand. A market like this is a lifeline for us and will help us with the feed and the veterinary care that they need,” she said. The market is located at 4, Avenida del Pais Valenciana and opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 2pm and again from 5.30pm until 8pm until February. Pareja also said, “We are installing a ‘photocall’ where visitors can take a Christmas photo with their pets,” she said.

STAR BILLING: The mayor with Mondeza bodega-owner.

Highest praise for once-scorned grapes SEVEN wines from the Enrique Mendoza bodega in Alfaz were ranked ‘excellent’ by the prestigious Peñin Guide to Spanish Wine. Mendoza is a family business that has earned international status, putting Alfaz literally on the map as it is the only Marina Baja town on Alicante Province Wine Route. “For us it’s a matter of pride

to count on firms of the calibre of Mendoza that have so much to contribute businesswise and to the wine industry,” said Alfaz’s mayor Vicente Arques. Marta Marquez who heads Mendoza’s Wine Tourism department expressed the satisfaction brought by a job well done and recognition from professionals who taste 11,500 wines from Spain each year.

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28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

Archaeological zone THE council is drafting a project to create an archaeological zone in the area surrounding the tower of Cap d’Or. The project proposes rehabilitating the tower, which has a crack of between five and 10 centimetres, as well as works in the Cova de Les Cendres, where investigations suggest that there might be remains of the Paleolithic and signs of cave paintings.

NEWS

THE town hall announced earlier this year that the rubbish collection and road cleaning service will be outsourced at a cost of €2.8 million. The service has been managed municipally for over two years and a motion was approved in May to tender the collection and cleaning contract out again. The town hall has now announced that citizens will have to wait a little while longer as it doesn’t expect the new company to take over until September 2018. The town hall said it is “urgent to renew the fleet of vehicles and incorporate technology” and that it seeks to recover “excellence” in a service essen-

Teulada-Moraira Ayuntamiento

Wait a little while longer…

EXPLAINING HIMSELF: Mayor Carlos Linares. tial for a municipality that relies so heavily on tourism. The councillor directing the initiative, Raul Llobell, defended the outsourcing, recalling that between 2001 and 2014 (when the service was previously outsourced), the municipality received more than 20 prizes for its clean streets. He said that the company to

which the contract is awarded must renew the entire fleet of service vehicles, since the current vehicles are more than 15 years old. He added that the rubbish bins which are not much younger will also need replacing. All streets of the urbanisations will be included on the road cleaning schedule.

A merry Christmas indeed MAYOR CARLOS LINARES announced that the rate of IBI will be lowered in 2018. The reduction comes as the municipality has now cleared the €9 million debt it had some six years ago. The mayor said: “For the first time ever, Teulada-Moraira Council has no commitment to the banks, which means all the money from taxes can be ‘given back’ to make investments in the municipality.” The lower rate of IBI will be reflected in the first bills sent out next year.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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NEWS

Going swimmingly at last MAYOR JOSE CHULVI recently announced that a €3 million municipal indoor pool will be built in Javea. With plans approved by the Generalitat Valenciana and cash already set aside, works will begin in 2018. The main pool will be 25 metres in length with eight lanes. There will be another 16-metre pool for complementary activities such as aqua-aerobics as well as a room of about 200 square metres with gym equipment and space for fitness classes. Mayor Chulvi has been pushing the Generalitat to fulfil the agreement it signed in 2005 whereby it was agreed that Javea Town Hall would finance the

Photo by Javea Ayuntamiento

RESOLUTION: Mayor Chulvi, centre, chats to regional leader Ximo Puig, left. construction of a trinquet court (on which Valencian pilota is played) in exchange for the Generalitat financing an indoor pool. The mayor expressed his great satisfaction at having managed to resolve the issue which has gone on for a decade and many thought was a lost cause. From the initial project (which

amounted to €6 million) the underground car park (for only 20 cars) has been eliminated together with other unnecessary areas and spaces which had raised the cost of construction and maintenance. Also, to reduce maintenance costs, connectivity with the Palau d’Esports and energy efficiency measures are being studied.

BEST OF THE YEAR

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Photo credit: Generalitat Valenciana

THE Alicante City-Benidorm TRAMs will be more frequent by 2019 and the journeys shorter. Work on the Serra Grossa tunnel on the outskirts of the city has recommenced, principally affecting Lines 1, 3, and 4 along the coast. Line 2, which connects Luceros in the city centre with San Vicente, will benefit, as all TRAMs on the network have to coordinate their timetables. The 1.4 kilometre tunnel beneath the Serra Grossa between the Sangueta and Isleta halt TRAM stops began in 2010 but stalled in 2012. It officially halted in 2013 when the joint venture company FCC-Civic ceased activities after cash from the crisis-hit regional government of the day dried up. The tunnel was practically finished when work ceased and €21.1 million had been spent of the €29.9 million budget. The regional government now headed by Ximo Puig will supply

Photo by a Nucia town hall

There’s light at the end of the tunnel PAC PROGRAMME: Sports councillor Pepe Cano and a PE teacher at La Nucia’s indoor pool.

Issue 1688

Sporting chance to stem absenteeism

SERRA GROSSA: Ximo Puig visits the soon-to-befinished tunnel. the remaining €8.7 million required to install tracks, lighting, signalling and telecommunications. It was satisfying that four years after work had to stop owing to the previous government’s lack of foresight, the tunnel could at last be finished, Puig declared on his recent visit to the site.

November Issue 1687

“This is essential for improving transport in the city’s metropolitan area as well as providing rail access as far as Benidorm and Denia,” the president said.

PUPILS participating in the Shared Classroom Programme (PAC) are having free sessions at La Nucia’s indoor pool this month. Coordinated by the Instituto and the town hall’s Sports department, PAC is a special programme for pupils with an average age of 14 now in their second year of ESO. The town hall is providing eight hours of pool time for the 15 pupils talking part in the 2017-2018 PAC programme that is included in the school curriculum. Swimming and other sports activities have been introduced to combat absen-

teeism and motivate pupils at La Nucia’s Instituto who might otherwise abandon their studies too soon. They share some of the class assignments but during other periods are offered enjoyable but more practical PAC activities. They practise a different sport each month and after Muay Thai and paddle tennis last month they are taking swimming lessons at the municipal pool. These activities are aimed at helping pupils to understand the value of selfcontrol, organisation, effort and motivation which it is hoped they can then apply to their studies.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

A loving farewell Photo credit: Callosa town hall

CALLOSA WASHHOUSE: 18th century trough intact.

Plans to raise the roof RUBBLE and debris have now been cleared away from Callosa’s municipal washhouse. As reported in the Euro Weekly News, the roof of the 18th century structure recently came crashing down in the early hours of the morning. Clearing the site was carried out with “extreme care” to save the monument, explained Culture councillor Francesc Guardiola. “Fortunately the washing channel itself is intact,” said Callosa’s mayor Josep Saval. The spouts’ hydraulic mechanism is also functioning

December Issue 1692

without any evident damage, he added. “Now we need to discover why the roof collapsed so that future reconstruction can guarantee the conservation of one of our town’s most important historic assets,” Saval said. Town hall investigations continue to seek the reasons for the roof’s collapse although initial suspicions that this was caused by a defect in the Calle de la Font wall that supported the roof are likely to be confirmed, Town Planning officials believe.

Issue 1693

‘Unbelievable’ British newly-wed reunited with ring By Benjamin Park A BRITISH newly-wed has been reunited with her treasured engagement ring, three months after losing it while holidaying in Spain. Christie Campbell, 22, and her fiancée Calum had been holidaying in Costa Blanca close to Javea when her ring went missing on a packed beach back in May. Calum, 24, along with his cousin Stuart, reportedly spent

hours looking for the piece of jewellery but the search was in vain. When they were unable to find it, Stuart left contact details with a local metal detecting enthusiast just in case he happened to stumble upon the treasured ring. The couple were left devastated and struggling to find a replacement after losing the ring, which Calum had designed specifically for Christie. But to their surprise, three months after the ring went miss-

ing; it was returned via air mail by Good Samaritan Mohammed Khan, 53, after he found it on the beach. Mr Kahn, who lives in Spain, reportedly found the ring four metres out into the sea, almost exactly where the ring had been originally lost. Mrs Campbell, 22, from Stewarton, Scotland, said: “Stuart just said ‘we’ve got something for you,’ and I thought it was something for the wedding.

EMOTIONAL: Family, friends and supporters gather on Palomares beach. By Karl Smallman and Matt Ford BRAVE brain cancer fighter, Leo the Lion may have gone, but he will never be forgotten. Hundreds of friends, family and supporters of the inspirational four-year-old gathered on Palomares beach in Almeria to pay tribute in a moving ceremony which saw 250 helium-filled balloons many carrying hand-written messages - released into the sky. The Euro Weekly News team performed a simultaneous release of balloons outside their head office on the Costa del Sol, as did campaign support groups and individuals in other parts of

SOLIDARITY: The EWN team release balloons. Spain, the UK and beyond. An invitation-only funeral and cremation saw family and close friends pay their own respects on Tuesday, after many sent flowers or paid a visit to Leo as he lay in the chapel of rest over the weekend. A hearse carried him around Palomares prior to the service, allowing people to pay their respects and friends to wave goodbye. In the UK, thousands of Manchester City supporters honoured Leo with a minute’s applause during their home Premier League match against West Ham last Sunday. Days short of his fifth

birthday, which would have been yesterday (Wednesday) the courageous four-year-old passed away peacefully in his mother Karen’s arms last Friday as dad Jorge and sister Sofia stood by. His last words were, to Sofia, a very clear “I love you.” On September 2, 2015 Leo was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Since then he underwent surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the UK and, thanks to a fund launched late last year, which the Euro Weekly News supported, travelled to Oklahoma in the United States for cutting-edge proton beam therapy. But sadly, it was all in vain. Karen recently told the Euro Weekly News: “I want people to remember Leo for the happy little boy that he once was, that cheeky little boy, the one who smiled no matter what... “I want to thank everyone for their continuous support during this journey to give Leo the best chance for a life.”

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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BEST OF THE YEAR

2017 a phenomenal year for the EWN Media Group The best free publication 2017.

THIS year has been a particularly good year for Euro Weekly News (EWN), gathering awards and expanding to such an extent that it is part of the new EWN Media Group (EWNMG). Having been published for 21 years and becoming the largest circulating English language newspaper in Spain, EWN was named Best Free Publication at the 2017 Spanish Periodical Association (AEEPP) Awards on Tuesday February 28. It was a real honour for owners Michel and Steven Euesden and indeed the entire proud EWN family to see that their hard work had seen an English language newspaper be voted the best by a large group of Spanish publications. The British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley took time out of his busy calendar to comment “I was delighted to see that Euro Weekly News won the Best Free Publication award at the AEEPP awards. “It’s an impressive achievement for an English-language newspaper to beat off the Spanish language competition and a tribute, I think, to the important role that the English-language press in general plays across Spain.” Just a few days earlier, it was revealed that the Euesdens had come to an arrangement with the owner of the respected RTN in Costa Blanca to take over the RTN brand and assimilate those titles into the group. Not only was this done successfully, but a brand new RTN Costa del Sol paper was born which has a different team of writers to EWN and concentrates on what is going on within local communities so that each of the two papers has a distinctive identity and view of the local news. Always alert to the need to ensure readers and advertisers of EWN are offered exactly what they want to see in a newspaper, a survey was run over a period of weeks with the added bonus that one lucky respondent would be picked from a free draw to win a car valued at €15,000. Needless to say, this fantastic prize attracted thousands of responses and the lucky winner was speechless when she received the news that her name had been selected at a public ceremony by an independent source.

The results of the survey allowed the group to hone the contents of the newspapers after analysing the detailed results. A new home Not satisfied with the RTN acquisition, EWNMG for the EWN. then further expanded its portfolio of newspapers in Spain by taking over the Sol Times publications. Originally launched in the Almeria area in 2005 the Sol Times title has been restructured, so that a number of its most popular contributors continue to work with it along with new writers. With all of this expansion, the company simply outgrew its former headquarters and therefore moved from a quiet area in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena to a busy street in Fuengirola in order to cope with the weekly publication of 10 different newspapers. The head office staff has been increased significantly including a fresh intake of journalists who have recently received their degrees from top universities and the introduction of two much respected names in the field to take both the newspapers and very popular website to the next level. So well respected is the reporting in the newspapers that EWNMG is the first port of call for a number of foreign radio and TV stations who don’t have their own correspondents in Spain and during 2017, writers have appeared on Indian and South African media as well as in a documentary filmed for Belgian TV. With offices in Almeria, across Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca the group continues to move from strength to strength but always keeps in mind that it is the readers and the advertisers who come first at all times. The EWNMG family would like to take this opportunity to wish all of its friends throughout Spain a Happy and Prosperous 2018, safe in the knowledge that the newspapers continue to be produced to the highest standard 52 weeks each year.

The readers’ poll (left) and the prize car winner (right).

The RTN takeover.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

RUSSIAN PRESS

www.euroweeklynews.com

TOUGH: Nabiullina could be next prime minister.

Iron lady BLOOMBERG published its ‘Pessimist’s Guide to 2018’ and posited a worst-case scenario for Russia. In it Putin is forecast to appoint Russian Central Bank Head Elvira Nabiullina to replace him as world oil markets collapse by 2028. Nabiullina has already been flouted as a possible prime minister next year.

Tight defence A REVAMPED missile defence system has three new battle ready radars, says Russia’s Aerospace Forces commander. The Voronezh early warning radar system can now detect and deflect missiles launched from up to 6,000 kilometres away. The radars were installed in Krasnoyarsk, Altai and Orenburg.

Arctic crash FOUR people were killed when a plane crashed in the remote northern town of NaryanMar, beyond the Arctic Circle. Two women and a child were among the victims. There were 13 people aboard the ill-fated flight. The survivors have all been hospitalised.

Spy games A NORWEGIAN was arrested by Russia’s FSB security agency on suspicion of espionage. Frode Berg is a retired border guard who was caught in a sting operation receiving documents he believed came from Alexei Zhitnyuk, a Russian national recently charged with high treason.

Little Jedi

DIY tech

SCI-FI hit Star War: The Last Jedi premiered in Russia with a 10-year-old boy from Kabardino-Balkaria appearing in the final scene. Tamerlan Blayev, who now lives in London, played orphaned stable boy Temiri Blagg. The young actor memerised lines from all the old Star Wars flicks to land the role.

‘MADE in Russia’ technological solutions have been urged by the Kremlin. International sanctions have banned western companies selling technology to Russian businesses, badly impacting the economy. Now domestic tech companies will get billions in funding to rise to the challenge.

Salad fingers

SOUL FOOD: Russian salad a New Year’s treat.

SCIENTISTS have suggested swapping three ingredients from Russia’s popular Olivier salad to make it healthier. Served over New Year it includes mayonnaise, sausages and pickles, which nutritionists suggest be replaced with an olive oil and egg yolk based sauce.

FINANCE

Sweet moments in store

€220 million

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

TAXI drivers in Spain will have been delighted by a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that Uber is a transport company and not a digital service. The matter was brought to the court due to a decision in Barcelona that the company had to obey local taxi rules and Spain has seen a rash of taxi strikes over the activities of Uber. According to the company, its defence was that it is an information service helping to put drivers and passengers in contact with each oth-

By John Smith er rather than a taxi firm. The company which has grown enormously since it was first set up just 10 years ago in the USA has experienced difficulties in various European countries and even lost its rights to operate in London which is under appeal. Uber, like AirBnB - also at odds with the Barcelona council - is known as belonging to the gig economy which is defined as ‘a labour market characterised by the preva-

BUSINESS EXTRA

Share prices AS soon as the results of the Catalan election were announced, share prices of large concerns either based or having major investments in the region fell. Whilst this may be a short term problem, investors will be following the situation closely.

Olive oil prices go up again MAJOR supermarkets in the UK have upped the price of olive oil in their stores for the second time this year. Suppliers are blaming poor harvests following a lack of rain in Spain and the weakening of the pound for the increase in the price of ‘liquid gold.’ Sainsbury’s has increased the prices on 21 types of olive oil, from own label to popular brands. Spain produces on average

about 44 per cent of the world’s supply of olive oil each year, twice as much as Italy and four times as much as Greece. About 70 per cent of all Spanish olive oil comes from the province of Jaén which claims to produce more olive oil than the whole of Italy. Producers may find that the increase in price will go in some way to mitigate the recent imposition of punitive import duties to the USA.

Take over CAIXABANK is underwriting the €800 million bond issue proposed by real estate company Colonial to fund its bid to take over Axiare, of which it is already a minority shareholder. If successful the new group will be worth €10 billion.

More cost TELEFONICA is to increase the subscription rate to customers signed up for Movistar Fusion by €5 a month from February. The service supplies a mix of broadband, mobile services and TV which the company says will be expanded once the new price is charged.

Many workers claim low earnings A SPANISH trade union has revealed that only 2 per cent of those who are self-employed declared earnings of more than €1,000 per month in 2016. Of the 965,161 sole traders recorded as being autonimo (self-employed), after deducting expenses and social security costs 942,418 said their annual income was less than €12,000 per annum.

A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION | WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM/3.0.15/FINANCE

This transaction is consistent with Sareb’s divestment strategy and continues to show the continued confidence in the Spanish market” confirmed Alfredo Guitart of Sareb after transferring loans valued at €375 million to Deutsche Bank.

Olive shortage due to low rainfall.

EWN

is the amount of tax that the Spanish government will collect if every ticket in the Christmas Lottery is sold.

Barcelona tackles Uber

EL CORTE INGLES has come to an arrangement with Mars, f a m o u s f o r c o n f e c t i o n a r y, t o open M&M units in three of their stores. The two companies have decided to take advantage of the Christmas and Three Kings trade and these units which will offer a range of M&M products which have been made in Alicante, Castellana and Callao in Madrid.

Quote of the Week

Costa Blanca North

28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018

This finding was released by Gestha, the trade union representing officials at the Spanish Ministry of Finance and Tax Agency. The union has inferred that these declarations of earning may not be wholly accurate and the government doesn’t properly police the situation which could allow for false returns to be made.

lence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.’ Whilst the decision may not affect Uber in all of the countries in which it operates, it may well have to change its policies in Spain and consider whether it should be treating its drivers as employees throughout the EU. Certainly once the Catalan election and the New Year are past, it is more than likely that Barcelona will once again crack down on the company.

Barcelo sells stake in GBT Spain SPANISH hotel group Barcelo has sold its 35 per cent holding in GBT Spain, a business travel company, to American Express for an undisclosed sum. This means that the travel management company will become a 100 per cent subsidiary of American Express Global Business Travel which was the majority shareholder in the operation. The joint venture between the two companies has been a success over the nine years since it was set up.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on opposite page

C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,510.50 3.50 Associated British Foods 2,819.00 23.00 Admiral Group 1,936.00 3.00 Ashtead Group 1,962.00 -15.00 Antofagasta 967.25 -0.75 Aviva 499.65 -0.85 AstraZeneca 4,923.50 1.00 BAE Systems 570.25 1.75 Barclays 202.73 -1.82 British American Tobacco 5,041.50 28.50 Barratt Developments 643.75 1.75 Berkeley Group Holdings (The)4,203.00 33.00 British Land Co 673.25 -1.75 BHP Billiton 1,466.00 -3.00 Bunzl 2,059.50 1.50 BP 517.65 -1.85 Burberry Group 1,758.50 4.50 BT Group 273.80 -0.20 Coca-Cola HBC 2,378.00 17.00 Carnival 4,889.00 11.00 Centrica 138.50 0.80 Compass Group 1,577.50 3.50 Croda International 4,356.50 -6.50 CRH 2,653.50 7.50 DCC 7,360.00 10.00 Diageo 2,692.75 8.25 Direct Line Insurance Group 371.30 0.00 Experian 1,609.50 2.50 easyJet 1,434.00 7.00 Ferguson 5,457.50 72.50 Fresnillo 1,352.00 -5.00 G4S 264.00 -0.30 GKN 312.25 0.75 Glencore 375.05 -1.05 GlaxoSmithKline 1,314.25 -5.75 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,755.00 -3.00 Halma 1,261.00 0.00 Hammerson 533.75 -0.75 HSBC Holdings 764.55 -1.25 International Consoldtd Airs Gr 645.25 -5.25 InterContinental Hotels Group 4,709.00 6.00 3i Group 901.50 0.50 Imperial Brands 3,168.75 20.75 Informa 726.50 3.50 Intertek Group 5,192.50 17.50 ITV 165.80 0.70 Just Eat 764.25 -0.75 Johnson Matthey 3,070.00 1.00 Kingfisher 340.15 0.05 Land Securities Group 988.25 -3.25

% CHG. NET VOL 0.23 20,928.74 0.82 22,151.04 0.16 5,534.62 -0.76 9,823.26 -0.08 9,395.21 -0.17 20,020.27 0.02 61,526.70 0.31 18,127.98 -0.89 34,717.69 0.57 112,846.19 0.27 6,509.90 0.79 5,700.99 -0.26 6,765.71 -0.20 30,297.67 0.07 6,920.16 -0.36 100,552.63 0.26 7,476.92 -0.07 26,792.89 0.72 8,617.25 0.23 10,433.61 0.58 7,744.72 0.22 24,585.49 -0.15 5,715.59 0.28 21,819.05 0.14 6,583.02 0.31 66,143.87 0.00 5,069.63 0.16 14,661.38 0.49 5,664.19 1.35 13,449.34 -0.37 9,911.22 -0.11 4,001.56 0.24 5,228.00 -0.28 53,332.52 -0.44 64,948.48 -0.17 8,295.83 0.00 4,749.31 -0.14 4,200.13 -0.16 151,619.62 -0.81 13,240.63 0.13 8,750.95 0.06 8,673.20 0.66 29,909.19 0.48 5,965.80 0.34 8,287.40 0.42 6,641.93 -0.10 5,187.83 0.03 5,949.22 0.01 7,342.29 -0.33 7,321.74

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

Legal & General Group 270.60 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 67.11 London Stock Exchange Grp 3,713.00 Micro Focus International 2,494.00 Mediclinic International 609.75 Marks & Spencer Group 314.75 Mondi 1,871.50 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 215.65 National Grid 867.05 NMC Health 2,808.00 Next 4,505.50 Old Mutual Group 224.20 Paddy Power Betfair 8,745.00 Prudential 1,888.50 Persimmon 2,713.50 Pearson 732.75 Reckitt Benckiser Group 6,781.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 274.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,450.75 Royal Dutch Shell 2,467.75 RELX 1,732.00 Rio Tinto 3,760.00 Rolls-Royce Group 848.75 Randgold Resources 7,142.50 RSA Insurance Group 617.75 Rentokil Initial 311.35 Sainsbury (J) 238.35 Schroders 3,518.50 Sage Group (The) 788.25 Segro 576.75 Shire 3,945.25 Smurfit Kappa Group 2,459.00 Sky 1,017.50 Standard Life Aberdeen 426.95 Smith (DS) 516.75 Smiths Group 1,487.50 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust444.10 Smith & Nephew 1,284.50 SSE 1,300.50 Standard Chartered 769.70 St James's Place 1,203.00 Severn Trent 2,122.50 Tesco 207.50 TUI AG 1,526.50 Taylor Wimpey 206.65 Unilever 4,142.00 United Utilities Group 815.00 Vodafone Group 235.13 Worldpay Group 426.35 WPP Group 1,358.50 Whitbread 3,903.00

0.60 -0.20 -27.00 -1.00 -20.25 2.25 -13.50 1.45 -0.05 -9.00 90.50 0.10 -15.00 8.50 12.50 2.25 61.50 -2.00 -4.25 -2.25 2.00 -13.00 -4.25 37.50 2.75 0.45 1.35 -8.50 -0.25 -0.75 29.25 -11.00 0.50 -1.75 -1.25 -2.50 -0.20 5.50 -0.50 -3.40 2.00 12.50 -0.10 -5.50 1.25 2.00 -0.50 -0.32 -3.75 16.50 3.00

% CHG.

NET VOL

0.22 -0.30 -0.72 -0.04 -3.21 0.72 -0.72 0.68 -0.01 -0.32 2.05 0.04 -0.17 0.45 0.46 0.31 0.92 -0.72 -0.17 -0.09 0.12 -0.34 -0.50 0.53 0.45 0.14 0.57 -0.24 -0.03 -0.13 0.75 -0.45 0.05 -0.41 -0.24 -0.17 -0.05 0.43 -0.04 -0.44 0.17 0.59 -0.05 -0.36 0.61 0.05 -0.06 -0.14 -0.87 1.23 0.08

16,028.04 47,908.67 13,002.63 10,817.26 4,327.62 5,044.82 9,099.28 4,998.06 29,397.70 5,597.13 6,268.30 10,915.64 7,414.27 48,135.62 8,400.90 5,839.79 46,328.94 32,860.43 110,813.96 91,090.24 18,378.54 50,156.16 15,718.69 6,702.72 6,264.77 5,754.53 5,182.03 7,933.39 8,531.48 5,781.87 35,141.71 5,743.51 17,482.41 12,454.65 5,526.38 5,860.77 6,165.61 11,196.15 13,125.86 25,328.94 6,301.28 4,978.12 16,886.13 8,922.41 6,743.33 50,825.95 5,632.40 61,883.90 8,584.00 17,182.19 7,098.62

0.88675

1.12752 Units per €

US dollar ...............................................................1.18545 Japan yen.............................................................134.416 Switzerland franc..............................................1.17304 Denmark kroner..............................................7.44406 Norway kroner ..................................................9.91672 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

COMPANY 3M AMERICAN EXPRESS APPLE BOEING CO CATERPILLAR CHEVRON CISCO SYSTEMS COCA-COLA DOWDUPONT EXXON MOBIL GENERAL ELECTRIC GOLDMAN SACHS HOME DEPOT IBM INTEL CORP J.P.MORGAN CHASE JOHNSON & JOHNSON MC DONALD'S CORP MERCK AND CO. NEW MICROSOFT NIKE PFIZER PROCTER AND GAMBLE TRAVELERS CIES UNITED TECHNOLOGIE UNITEDHEALTH GROUP VERIZON COMMS VISA WAL-MART STORES WALT DISNEY CO

PRICE 234,780 98,5000 175,010 295,030 154,640 124,82 38,530 45,60 71,64 83,85 17,4700 261,01 188,0800 151,50 46,7600 107,8300 141,0600 171,8500 56,60 85,500 64,77 36,2400 91,670 134,44 127,31 221,69 53,01 112,41 98,0600 109,5700

CHANGE% -0,90% -0,01% +0,38% -0,96% +1,39% +3,25% -0,54% -1,04% +0,52% +1,18% +0,11% +2,28% +0,41% -0,95% -1,68% +1,59% -0,07% -0,19% +0,87% -0,02% +1,86% -0,60% +0,15% -0,61% +0,24% -0,31% +0,45% +0,26% -0,70% -0,11%

CHANGE VOLUME(M) -2,140 140.176,37 -0,0100 85.792,75 0,660 900.712,35 -2,870 176.201,91 2,120 92.009,45 3,93 237.402,75 -0,210 193.177,09 -0,48 194.797,71 0,37 167.882,60 0,98 356.383,42 0,0200 151.630,54 5,83 98.434,50 0,7700 219.653,52 -1,45 140.929,15 -0,8000 220.077,67 1,6900 374.366,04 -0,1000 379.561,76 -0,3200 137.195,64 0,49 154.679,90 -0,020 659.851,24 1,18 84.335,18 -0,2200 216.373,68 0,140 233.146,45 -0,82 36.880,52 0,31 101.681,91 -0,69 214.725,97 0,24 216.716,21 0,29 203.739,07 -0,6900 290.876,23 -0,1200 165.996,96 M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 22

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Nova Lifestyle, Inc Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CSP Inc. Telenav, Inc. The Finish Line, Inc. YogaWorks, Inc. Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Atlantic American Corporation MannKind Corporation ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. Legacy Reserves LP

$ 2.87 $ 16.58 $ 13 $ 5.45 $ 13.20 $ 2.72 $ 5.07 $ 3.85 $ 2.52 $ 2.14 $ 4.18

0.44 ▲ 18.11% 2.31 ▲ 16.19% 1.61 ▲ 14.14% 0.65 ▲ 13.54% 1.51 ▲ 12.92% 0.31 ▲ 12.86% 0.56 ▲ 12.42% 0.40 ▲ 11.59% 0.24 ▲ 10.53% 0.20 ▲ 10.31% 0.37 ▲ 9.71%

$ 3.25 $ 42.32 $ 2.83 $ 3.75 $ 2.96 $ 21.505 $ 2.55 $ 22.99 $ 16.45 $ 2.28 $ 46.16

1.09 ▼ 25.12% 8.56 ▼ 16.82% 0.45 ▼ 13.72% 0.59 ▼ 13.59% 0.44 ▼ 12.94% 3.065 ▼ 12.47% 0.30 ▼ 10.53% 1.86 ▼ 7.48% 1.25 ▼ 7.06% 0.17 ▼ 6.94% 3.43 ▼ 6.92%

Most Declined Future FinTech Group Inc. Apogee Enterprises, Inc. China Finance Online Co. Limited Presbia PLC Advaxis, Inc. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Denali Therapeutics Inc. Atlanticus Holdings Corporation The Trade Desk, Inc.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Bitcoin value is erratic

ECJ rules in favour of appeal against EU

FORWARDS markets in Chicago started trading in Bitcoins the cryptocurrency in mid-December and saw tremendous rises with a single ‘pretend’ coin breaking the $20,000 (€16,870) barrier. In a matter of days, Bitcoins lost 40 per cent of its value as a whole slew of different securities organisations around the world warned investors about the volatility of the unsupported internet currency. Some people have made huge profits, taking advantage of the rise and fall in the value of the currency but at the end of the day, any legitimate investor will still need to buy and sell their Bitcoins by trading in a legitimate currency. Euros, dollars, pounds and all other major currencies around the world are issued by and underwritten by governments, so there is legitimacy to their banknotes and it is possible to use them to transact business in all manner of different situations. A cryptocurrency (and Bitcoin is just the best known) is created by an individual or company and has no legitimacy other than the interest that others have in purchasing it. To some extent, investing in Bitcoins can be compared to the Tulip Mania of the 17th century or indeed a Ponsi (Pyramid) investment scheme where early investors who sold quickly made money and those at the end of the chain simply lost everything. Arguably the main long term support for Bitcoins is the dark web where drug and arms dealers as well as terrorists can buy and sell whatever they need without being properly policed and this is no doubt what may keep the currency in existence. The other appeal is that those who understand the internet can produce their own Bitcoins (known as mining) by harnessing large numbers of computers to solve complicated puzzles and apart from the cost

Photo by Marco Krohn Wikimedia

Price almost halved in just one week

Mining for Bitcoins of electricity, using existing computers (sometimes hacking into innocent parties’ machines) they can create new coins for next to in Iceland. nothing. The success of this cryptocurrency has encouraged other organisations to produce their own, although investors might be better served to go to a casino and bet everything on red or black as at least then they would either make their profit or go bust.

IT’S A FACT: OLDER iPHONES ARE BEING SLOWED DOWN

IF you think that your aging iPhone is less efficient, then you might be correct as Apple has admitted that it is slowing down some models. For some time now, there have been suggestions that the company was surreptitiously making some of the earlier versions slow down in order to encourage customers to purchase new models. Now after one user compared the speed of his iPhone 6 against his brother ’s, an in-depth review of iPhones led to a US technology website Geekbench confirming its view that some phones were markedly slower than others. In response, Apple issued a statement confirming the fact that it was deliberately slowing down some phones, not as a marketing tool bu t t o t r y t o m a k e o w n e rs ’ phones have a longer life as the lithium battery in the phone starts to age. “Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and

Photo by iFixit

Apple says it helps users

CHANGING the battery on an iPhone 6.

EWN online Tweet us your opinions @euroweeklynews

prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components. “Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous

peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions. We’ve now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future,” said a spokesman. Social media comment has been significant in as much as whilst many accept that there was probably no nefarious intent behind Apple’s silence, at best, the normally open company has shot itself in the foot by not advising customers in advance of its intention. It is also argued that if the problem is resolved by a new replacement battery which would cost about €90, the company should not have adapted the design of the iPhone in order to make the exchange of battery so difficult with minute screws and the potential to wipe the phone if a mistake is made. Alternatively, a professional can undertake the work but at additional cost.

THE European Court of Justice (ECJ) has overturned a decision made by the European Commission to instruct Spain to recover aid granted to television operators. Following a complaint f r o m L u x e m b o u rg - b a s e d satellite operator SES Astra, the Commission decided that the Spanish government had acted improperly in granting subsidies to broadcasters to assist in the transition from analogue to digital transmission. The actual policy of digitalisation has been encouraged by the Commission as early as 2002 and in its ruling the ECJ indicated that the actions taken by Spain were reasonable and that there was no justification in demanding that those who had received financial support should have to refund it.

Spain leads orange sales SPAIN was the leading orange exporter in the EU in 2016, selling fruit worth more than €1 billion overseas according to figures released by Eurostat. The data showed that Spain was by far the highest exporter of oranges last year, exporting 1.6 million tonnes, totalling 57 per cent of the total EU Member States’ exports. Greece was the second highest exporting EU state, exporting 462,000 tonnes. L a s t y e a r, o v e r 2 . 7 m i l lion tonnes of oranges, worth approximately €1.8 billion, were exported by the European Union’s Member States, with almost 90 per cent remaining in the EU.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FUNDS INNOVATION

Voting in favour of expansion.

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MEPS have approved a €500 billion expanded European Fund for Strategic Investments known as the ‘Juncker plan.’ The intention is to finance a wide range of different and innovative projects across the European Union and will run until 2020 or longer if further agreement is reached in the European Parliament. So far since the fund was set up in 2015, Spain has received more than €5 billion in support for new business development and it is forecast that this will help to generate almost €31 billion of additional income for the country. This fund however which deals with infrastructure, research and innovation, education, health, information and communication technologies is allowing many new entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas, keeping them in Spain with the subsequent tax and employment benefits. Soon after the approval was given to expand the Fund, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed off five con-

Photo Credit: European Parliament

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tracts with existing large groups in Spain which has seen the investment of €151 million which will be used to encourage the creation of jobs in low employment areas and to convert buildings to become more environmentally friendly. Axiare has received a €16 million loan from the EBI in a first for Spain as it looks to develop plans to improve emergency efficiency in commercial buildings with which it is involved. A subsidiary of the Mondragón Corporation, Batz has received €25 million in order to allow it to increase design

staff and to develop new and innovative technologies with the aim of manufacturing lighter and more aerodynamically efficient vehicles on both land and in the air to cut CO2 emissions. Talgo is to receive €30 million to develop new prototypes for the electric trains to be used by commuters on short and medium-length journeys, as well as enhancing high speed performance with the expectation of increasing exports. Thirty-five million euros has been made available to Incarlopsa famous for its ham and cured meats to increase staffing by up to 1,000 and upgrade its production facilities. The largest loan being made by the EIB is €45 billion to Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi to finance its research and development programme focusing on technologies for the administration and extended release of medication, including pre-clinical development and clinical trials that could help develop future treatments to fight cancer and nervous system diseases.

EWN

Medieval bible sold to museum PRODUCED in the 14th century, one of just a handful of known examples of a Hebrew Tanakh produced in Castile has been sold for a sum thought to be close to €5 million. Originally to be auctioned by Sotheby’s with an estimated price of $3.5 million to $5 million it was eventually sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for an undisclosed sum. The Tanakh is known as the Jewish Bible and contains the writings in the Old Testament which was eventually adopted by Christianity. This particular illustrated bible - which is in exquisite condition - is the earliest known complete illuminated Hebrew Bible from Spain ever to be auctioned and was one of six recorded as existing in private hands.

Losing mental capacity whilst living abroad by Stone King Charlotte Macdonald Contact me at international@stoneking.co.uk

MANY UK expatriates living in Spain own properties in the UK and have pensions and investments in the UK. They rely on their UK assets to maintain their lifestyles (and those of their families) in Spain. If they can no longer manage their affairs in the UK due to a loss of mental capacity, it can cause many difficulties.

You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. The best way to avoid the legal and practical difficulties that can occur with the loss of mental capacity is to plan for it in advance by drawing up a document called a ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ (‘LPA’).

An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity.

What is an LPA? An LPA is a legal document that enables you to appoint one or more attor-

neys to act for you when you are no longer able to act for yourself. Your attorney can be a professional,

such as a solicitor or a family member or friend. There are two types of LPA: ‘Health and Welfare’ or ‘Property and Financial Affairs’ An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity. It is therefore important to make one while you are in good health. Why should you get an LPA? You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. If you lose your mental capacity and do not have an LPA, then your family (or the authorities) will have no choice but to make an application to the Court of Protection to appoint a ‘deputy’ to look after your affairs, which can be time consuming and costly. Will my LPA be recognised in Spain? Unfortunately there is no international type of LPA which is guaranteed to work in both the UK and Spain. The advice we give to our clients at Stone King, is that if you have assets in both Spain and the UK, your only safe option is to appoint attorneys in both jurisdictions.

If you would like to discuss LPAs contact Charlotte Macdonald or Dan Harris at Stone King LLP by email international@stoneking.co.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1225 337599.

FEATURE

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

Police always on the side of the prosecution LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT IT’S the nature of the beast. Their whole careers and promotions are based, almost without exception, on their numbers of arrests and successful conclusions, ie, verdicts of guilty as charged. Consequently, any evidence or possibilities of innocence, are continually being swept under the carpet or disregarded altogether. It’s often only after a long fight and independent investigation they are caught out and verdicts subsequently amended, or reversed altogether. This can take years and many an innocent man has been released after a long sentence, only to find that no action or recourse can be instigated against any officers who were involved in his or her wrongful conviction, because they have either died or retired. Over the last few years dozens of cases have collapsed because of serious police failings over the way they handle evidence. This latest investigative debacle is nothing short of a criminal disgrace. Incredibly, although Liam Allen, the young man put on trial for rape and subsequently released when it was discovered that the police had withheld evidence, the officer in charge of his case, DC Mark Azariah, is still working at Scotland Yard’s sexual offences unit despite the fact

DIRTY HALF-DOZEN: Brussels sprouts. that he is now under investigation for his involvement in yet another sexual abuse case that this week collapsed due to an ‘evidence blunder.’ It’s high time the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, who it appears would consider a musical conga line some form of chain rape, got her house in order and started weeding

out this rotten core of Old Bill, before she is suspected of being a collaborator in their disgraceful and utterly criminal behaviour. Meanwhile the PC madness goes on. This week’s trans-gendering gem truly deserved to be placed in a Tower tiara. Joshua Sutcliffe, a secondary school teacher, faces suspension for say-

ing ‘well done girls’ to a group who apparently contained a transgender individual who identified as a boy. Despite apologising immediately, after a complaint from the ‘person’s’ parents this unfortunate and caring teacher has been accused of ‘bringing the name of the school into disrepute.’ You really couldn’t make it up. The sane, rational thinking majorities of society really need to make a stand against all this time-wasting nonsense. It’s all really quite simple, if you have a willy you’re addressed as a boy, if you haven’t your addressed as a girl. If you need to make decisions as to which gender you belong to you should be utterly free to do so without any bias or recrimination from any quarter. Chromosomes identify a person’s gender at birth OK? Problem solved. Oh, and finally what about Leicester County Council who sent out a directive on how many Brussels sprouts you should be allowed to eat for each meal? Six sprouts = one portion. Ok? Don’t over buy and create waste! These people, funded by the tax payer, actually sit around tables discussing how many Brussels sprouts we should eat! The mind truly does boggle. Have a great Christmas. Keep the faith. columnists@euroweeklynews.com

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. Advertising feature

Feliz Navidad to all our Spanish clients I LOVE Spain at this time of year, temperate climate, everyone friendly and how great to actually have a nice phrase to use. So much better than that dreadful word all too often used over the past year, Brexit! As a debt collector, I have always tried to avoid anything political when speaking with clients and debtors alike, but whether in Spain, the UK or other countries it has been impossible to avoid the word Brexit and the worry and insecurity it has conjured up in the minds of most I talk to. Well, hopefully I can put it in to a little more perspective today. Will Brexit affect the ability to collect debts in the UK, if incurred in Spain or other EU countries. The simple answer is no it will not. Before the whole Brexit saga started, on EU debt we had always been able to use EU legislation, now enshrined in UK law. On a debt incurred in one EU country debtor assets are at risk in any other EU country in which they principally reside. The above statement really means that any debtor can be sued on a personal ba-

BREXIT: It’s not bad news for cross-border debt collection. sis in the UK, for example, with their assets at risk on a debt incurred in Spain. In essence this is a legal principle for any debt incurred in any country and sued c r o s s - b o r d e r. I t j u s t m e a n s t h a t t h e process is simpler when it is defined under the EU rules embedded in all EU countries. If the UK exits the EU these

rules are still now embedded in UK legislation and there will be no good reason to change them. Even if there was a move to look again at all debt related EU legislation embedded in UK law there still remains legal conventions between most world countries, allowing for reciprocal legal actions

and enforcement. The UK in particular has had legal conventions with many other countries going back to the 1920’s. From a debt collection perspective there has been a lot of rumour about a more difficult legal scenario outside of Spain. Whilst there may be a little more paper work the previous legal conventions between most countries remain. It may increase costs a little but I am confident that the EU legislation currently in use will remain so. Brexit has, unfortunately, done much to reduce confidence in cross-border dealings in all sorts of ways but LPL’s principles have not changed one bit. If money is owed and the debtor resides outside of Spain let’s get on with the business of collection. Brexit has been an unwelcome side issue and will unfortunately remain so for some time. At the moment there is absolutely no change in any procedures, so if there are debt problems in your community there is no need, for any reason, to delay action. In general I really think it should be ‘business as usual!’

For more information, visit www.lplgroup.com or speak with the head of Spanish operations, Greg Bryan, who is based in Spain and can be contacted on +34 689 408 412. Tel: UK +44 (0) 208 551 4019.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

7:00am Breakfast 10:00am The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! 11:20am Kung Fu Panda 12:45pm Bargain Hunt 1:45pm BBC News 2:00pm BBC London News 2:05pm Father Brown 2:50pm Revolting Rhymes 3:20pm Shrek The Third 4:45pm The Gruffalo's Child 5:10pm How to Train Your Dragon 2 6:45pm Pointless 7:30pm BBC News 7:45pm BBC London News 8:00pm Celebrity Mastermind 8:30pm Still Open All Hours 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Little Women 10:30pm EastEnders 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm BBC London News 11:25pm Bruno Mars 12:10am U2 at the BBC

7:45am MasterChef: The Professionals 8:45am Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan 10:15am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 11:15am Nadiya's British Food Adventure 11:45am Nadiya's British Food Adventure 12:15pm The Sweet Makers: A Victorian Treat 1:15pm Love is a ManySplendored Thing 2:55pm Natural World 3:55pm World's Most Extraordinary Homes 4:55pm Inside the Factory 5:55pm The Heroes of Telemark 8:00pm Thailand: Earth's Tropical Paradise 9:00pm Christmas University Challenge 2017 9:30pm Six Robots and Us 10:30pm Natural World 11:30pm Romesh Ranganathan

8:00pm Sound of Musicals with Neil Brand 9:00pm Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2017: The Language of Life 10:00pm Francis Bacon: A Brush with Violence 11:20pm Jonas Kaufmann: Tenor for the Ages 12:50am The World's Most Expensive Stolen Paintings 1:50am Sound of Musicals with Neil Brand 2:50am Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2017: The Language of Life 3:50am Peaky Blinders 4:50am This is BBC Four BBC Four is the BBC channel for people who want more.

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am Babe 12:05pm Black Beauty 1:45pm ITV News 1:55pm ITV News London 2:00pm Midsomer Murders 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs 7:30pm ITV News London 7:45pm ITV News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Emmerdale 9:00pm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 11:35pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:55pm Tina and Bobby 12:55am Stuck on You: The Football Sticker Story 1:45am Jackpot247 4:00am Tenable 4:50am ITV Nightscreen Text-based information service.

8:10am Mr. Bean 8:40am Mr. Bean 9:15am Britain's Got Talent: Top 10 Child Stars 10:15am Planet's Got Talent 10:45am Emmerdale 11:15am Coronation Street 11:45am Space Chimps 12:45pm FYI Daily 12:50pm Space Chimps 1:25pm You've Been Framed! 2:10pm Emmerdale 2:40pm Coronation Street 3:10pm Ella Enchanted 4:10pm FYI Daily 4:15pm Ella Enchanted 5:15pm Clash of the Titans 6:15pm FYI Daily 6:20pm Clash of the Titans 7:20pm The Amazing SpiderMan 2 8:20pm FYI Daily 8:25pm The Amazing SpiderMan 2 10:00pm Casino Royale 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm Casino Royale 12:50am Family Guy 1:25am Family Guy 1:50am Family Guy 2:20am Family Guy 2:45am American Dad! 3:10am American Dad!

7:00am You're Only Young Twice 7:25am Agatha Christie's Marple 9:15am Bertie and Elizabeth 11:20am Goodbye, Mr. Chips 1:25pm Carry on Don't Lose Your Head 2:30pm FYI Daily 2:35pm Carry on Don't Lose Your Head 3:15pm Carry on Loving 4:20pm FYI Daily 4:25pm Carry on Loving 5:10pm Carry on Behind 6:10pm FYI Daily 6:15pm Carry on Behind 7:00pm Agatha Christie's Marple 9:00pm Endeavour 11:00pm Lewis 1:05am Carry on Cowboy 2:10am FYI Daily Latest news from the world of entertainment. 2:15am Carry on Cowboy 3:05am Goodbye, Mr. Chips 4:50am Bertie and Elizabeth

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8:20am The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie 9:55am Lego Masters 11:00am The Simpsons 11:30am The Simpsons 12:00pm Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World 1:45pm The Net 4:00pm Four Rooms with Sarah Beeny 5:00pm Channel 4 News 5:20pm Back to the Future Part III 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm We're Going on a Bear Hunt 8:30pm The Secret Life of the Zoo at Christmas 9:30pm The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds on Holiday 10:00pm What Britain Bought in 2017 11:00pm The Undateables at Christmas 12:05am About a Boy 1:55am Alan Carr's Christmas Chatty Man

7:00am 7:25am 8:15am 9:00am 9:50am 10:55am 12:55pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:05pm 6:10pm 7:10pm 7:40pm 8:05pm 8:35pm 9:00pm 10:05pm 11:05pm 11:10pm 12:45am 1:45am 1:50am 3:05am 4:00am 4:50am 5:40am

The Protectors The Chase The Chase Cash Cowboys Minder Ironside Quincy, M.E. The Professionals Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Professionals Storage Wars Texas Storage Wars Texas Pawn Stars Pawn Stars River Monsters The Fugitive FYI Daily The Fugitive Species III FYI Daily Species III The Big Fish Off Fishing Impossible Minder Ironside Detective drama series.

8:30am 8:40am 8:50am 9:05am 9:20am 9:35am 9:50am 10:10am 10:15am 10:30am 11:25am 1:15pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:05pm 11:10pm

Peppa Pig Peppa Pig Floogals Digby Dragon Rusty Rivets Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Mofy Cruising with Jane McDonald The Gadget Show The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad The Vikings Jason and the Argonauts Andre Rieu: My Life in Music Andre Rieu: Christmas in London Alaska: A Year in the Wild World's Strongest Man 2017 Flight 5 News Flight

10:20am Robin Hood 12:45pm Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3:00pm Xxx: Return of Xander Cage 4:50pm The Bourne Ultimatum 6:50pm Jason Bourne 9:00pm Robin Hood 11:25pm 300

7:00am Dude, Where's My Car? 8:30am Uncle Buck 10:15am Date Night 11:50am The Bounty Hunter 1:50pm Why Him? 3:50pm The Nutty Professor 5:35pm Nutty Professor II: The Klumps 7:25pm Date Night 9:00pm The Bounty Hunter 11:00pm Why Him? 1:00am The Nutty Professor 2:40am Nutty Professor II: The Klumps 4:30am National Lampoon's Animal House

THURSDAY TV

9:15am Postman Pat: The Movie 11:00am Animals United 1:00pm The Big Bang Theory 1:30pm The Big Bang Theory 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm How I Met Your Mother 3:30pm How I Met Your Mother 4:00pm The Big Bang Theory 4:30pm The Big Bang Theory 5:00pm The Big Bang Theory 5:30pm The Big Bang Theory 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm 2 Broke Girls 10:30pm 2 Broke Girls 11:00pm The Inbetweeners 11:30pm The Inbetweeners 12:05am The Big Bang Theory

7:00am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 7:30am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 9:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Premier League Daily 12:00pm Christmas Transfer Centre 12:30pm Sky Sports Daily 1:00pm SKY Sports News 1:30pm Live World Championship Darts 5:30pm SKY Sports News 6:00pm SKY Sports News 7:00pm SKY Sports News 8:00pm Sky Sports Tonight 8:30pm Football 11:00pm Live World Championship Darts 12:00am SKY Sports News 1:00am SKY Sports News 2:00am SKY Sports News 3:00am Cricket

7:00am Olaf's Frozen Adventure 7:30am The LEGO Batman Movie 9:20am Olaf's Frozen Adventure 9:50am Beauty and the Beast 12:00pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 2:20pm Hidden Figures 4:30pm Olaf's Frozen Adventure 5:00pm The LEGO Batman Movie 6:50pm Beauty and the Beast 9:00pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 11:20pm Hunter's Prayer 12:55am John Wick: Chapter Two 3:10am Final Recall 4:50am Hunter's Prayer

8:00am Championship Season Review 9:00am EFL Greatest Games 9:15am EFL Greatest Games 9:30am EFL Greatest Games 9:45am EFL Greatest Games 10:00am Eredivisie 11:00am Scottish Premiership 1:30pm EFL Greatest Games 1:45pm EFL Greatest Games 2:00pm Eredivisie 3:00pm EFL Greatest Games 3:15pm EFL Greatest Games 3:30pm EFL Greatest Games 3:45pm EFL Greatest Games 4:00pm Championship Season Review 5:00pm EFL Greatest Games 5:15pm EFL Greatest Games 5:30pm EFL Greatest Games 5:45pm EFL Greatest Games 6:00pm Championship Season Review 7:00pm Eredivisie 8:00pm EFL Rivalries 8:30pm EFL Greatest Games 8:45pm EFL Greatest Games 9:00pm Celtics Invincibles 10:00pm Eredivisie 11:00pm EFL Rivalries 11:30pm EFL Greatest Games 11:45pm EFL Greatest Games 12:00am La Liga Icons

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

7:00am 10:00am 11:25am 11:55am 1:15pm 1:45pm 2:00pm 2:10pm 2:55pm 3:25pm 4:50pm 5:20pm 6:45pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:10pm 10:15pm 12:40am 1:45am 1:50am

Breakfast Monsters vs Aliens The Farmer's Llamas Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Father Brown Revolting Rhymes Up Room on the Broom Brave Pointless BBC News BBC London News Celebrity Mastermind Tim Vine Travels EastEnders Would I Lie to You? BBC News BBC London News Gone Girl Michael Mcintyre's Big Christmas Show Weather for the Week Ahead BBC News

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury 10:50am Everything or Nothing 12:45pm Bond Girls are Forever 1:45pm ITV News 1:55pm ITV News London 2:00pm Midsomer Murders 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs 7:30pm ITV News London 7:45pm ITV News 8:00pm Emmerdale The Dingles get ready, Bernice arranges a date, and Jimmy is nervous. 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 11:50pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 12:10am Tina and Bobby

9:55am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 10:55am Nadiya's British Food Adventure 11:25am Nadiya's British Food Adventure 11:55am Natural World 12:55pm Three Coins in the Fountain 2:35pm Nature's Weirdest Events 3:05pm World's Most Extraordinary Homes 4:05pm Inside the Factory 5:05pm The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel 6:30pm Thailand: Earth's Tropical Paradise 7:30pm Christmas University Challenge 2017 8:00pm Morecambe and Wise in Pieces 9:00pm Eric and Ernie's Home Movies 10:00pm Vic and Bobs Big Night Out 10:30pm Live at the Apollo 11:00pm Frankie Boyle's 2017 New World Order 11:30pm QI XL 12:15am The Great Gatsby

8:00pm Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London Odyssey 9:00pm Top of the Pops Lenny Henry presents a review of all of the hits from 1984, first broadcast on 27 December 1984. 10:00pm Eric, Ernie and Me 11:00pm Elvis: The Rebirth of the King 12:00am ...Sings Elvis 1:00am Top of the Pops 2:00am Top of the Pops Celebrating the big hits from a big year in British pop. 3:00am Top of the Pops 1984 sees Top of the Pops at the height of its 80s pomp - the year of big hair and big tunes. 4:00am Elvis: The Rebirth of the King 5:00am This is BBC Four

7:00am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:25am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:50am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 8:15am Mr. Bean 8:40am Mr. Bean 9:10am Britain's Got Talent: Stephen's Top 10 10:10am Planet's Got Talent 10:45am Emmerdale 11:50am Hairspray Live 2:15pm You've Been Framed! 2:45pm Emmerdale 3:50pm Catchphrase 4:50pm Peter Pan 5:50pm FYI Daily 5:55pm Peter Pan 6:55pm A Bug's Life 7:55pm FYI Daily 8:00pm A Bug's Life 9:00pm Skyfall 10:00pm FYI Daily 10:05pm Skyfall 11:50pm Family Guy 12:20am Family Guy

7:25am On the Buses 7:50am Agatha Christie's Marple 9:40am Carry on Abroadx 10:40am FYI Daily 10:45am Carry on Abroad 11:25am Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 12:25pm FYI Daily 12:30pm Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1:30pm The History of Mr Polly 3:25pm Carry on Follow That Camel 4:25pm FYI Daily 4:30pm Carry on Follow That Camel 5:20pm Up Pompeii 6:20pm FYI Daily 6:25pm Up Pompeii 7:00pm Agatha Christie's Marple 9:00pm Endeavour 11:00pm Lewis 1:00am Lewis 3:05am The History of Mr Polly 4:40am Sherlock Holmes: The Last Vampyre

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8:05am 9:50am 10:50am 11:20am 11:50am 12:15pm 2:20pm 4:40pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 1:05am 2:55am 4:50am

5:35am

Black Nativity Lego Masters The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Hotel for Dogs Cutthroat Island Four Rooms with Sarah Beeny Channel 4 News The Simpsons The Simpsons Hollyoaks Travel Man Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Gogglebox 2017 I Give it a Year The River Wild Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA Four in a Bed

7:20am 7:25am 7:35am 7:50am 8:00am 8:05am 8:20am 8:30am 8:50am 9:05am 9:20am 9:35am 9:50am 10:00am 12:10pm 2:20pm 4:20pm 6:10pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 1:00am

7:00am 7:50am 8:35am 9:00am 9:25am 9:55am 10:25am 11:25am 12:30pm 1:35pm 2:35pm 3:40pm 4:40pm 5:45pm 6:45pm 7:15pm 7:45pm 8:45pm 8:50pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm 12:20am 1:20am 1:25am 2:35am 3:35am

The Chase The Chase Storage Wars Texas Storage Wars Texas Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Professionals Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Professionals Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Every Which Way But Loose FYI Daily Every Which Way But Loose Demolition Man FYI Daily Demolition Man Total Recall FYI Daily Total Recall Bond Girls are Forever The Big Fish Off

Simon Bob the Builder Fireman Sam Thomas and Friends The Secret Life of Puppies Paw Patrol Noddy: Toyland Detective Peppa Pig Floogals Digby Dragon Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Mofy Arthur 2: On the Rocks Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Labyrinth Look Who's Talking Footloose Yorkshire: A Year in the Wild World's Strongest Man 2017 Victoria Wood by Her Friends Victoria Wood Live Super Casino

7:20am Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 8:55am Doctor Strange 11:00am The Magnificent Seven 1:20pm Suicide Squad 3:30pm Independence Day 6:10pm The Magnificent Seven 8:30pm Doctor Strange 10:30pm Suicide Squad 12:35am Independence Day

8:05am 10:05am 11:45am 2:05pm 3:50pm 5:20pm 6:55pm 9:15pm 11:00pm 1:05am 2:40am 4:15am

27 Dresses Liar Liar Love Actually Keanu Grimsby Sausage Party Love Actually Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie T2: Trainspotting Sausage Party Grimsby T2: Trainspotting

7:00am 7:30am 8:25am 8:55am 9:25am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:50am 1:25am

Hollyoaks Charmed Prep and Landing Prep and Landing Rugrats the Movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks We're Going on a Bear Hunt The Crystal Maze The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

8:50am Beauty and the Beast 11:00am Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 1:20pm Table 19 2:50pm The LEGO Batman Movie 4:40pm Beauty and the Beast 6:55pm John Wick: Chapter Two 9:00pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 11:20pm Table 19 12:50am Hunter's Prayer 2:25am John Wick: Chapter Two 4:30am Come and Find Me

FRIDAY TV

7:00am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 7:30am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 9:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Premier League Daily 12:00pm Christmas Transfer Centre 12:30pm Sky Sports Daily 1:00pm SKY Sports News 1:30pm Live World Championship Darts 5:30pm SKY Sports News 6:00pm SKY Sports News 7:00pm SKY Sports News 8:00pm Live World Championship Darts 12:00am SKY Sports News 1:00am SKY Sports News 2:00am SKY Sports News 3:00am SKY Sports News A comprehensive review of all the night's football news, plus a look ahead to the morning headlines.

10:00am SPFL Greatest Games 12:00pm Old Firm Derby 2016/17 12:30pm Old Firm Derby 2016/17 1:00pm Celtics Invincibles 2:00pm SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 2:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 3:00pm SPFL Greatest Games 5:00pm Old Firm Derby 2016/17 5:30pm Old Firm Derby 2016/17 6:00pm Football's Greatest Teams 6:30pm SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 7:00pm SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 7:30pm Championship Season Review 8:30pm Football 11:00pm SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 11:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 11:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 12:00am SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

FEATURE

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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TV Couch Critic SARAH LYNN and James White managed a first for the Apprentice (Final, BBC1) and became joint winners, sharing half £500,000 between them for their future business plans. I’m unsure whether it was an inspired twist or anticlimax to a steady series. Although the format is slick, the tasks tend to get a little repetitive at times as do Lord Sugar’s one liners. Ultimately though, the winner is chosen by a subjective final task which enabled the resulting stalemate. Viewing figures for the final were down 500,000 this year, but a new series is still planned for next year. As a long standing viewer of Coronation Street (ITV1) I have no problem with juicy storylines. What I am struggling with is the current trend for personality changes. Vicar, Billy Mayhew, Anna Windass and Chesney Brown have undergone ‘Mr Hyde like’ switches. Evil old Phelan doesn’t seem quite so sinister any more, or does he? Has BBC Sports Personality of the Year had its day? A chaotic finale laced with technical hitches and controversy left winner Mo Farah high and dry after his video link all the way from London embarrassingly broke down.

Sporting shambles takes the biscuit

TIME FOR A RETHINK: The Sports Personality of the Year. The BBC has little live sport to speak of, relying on borrowed video clips to pad out the show. Mo Farah, our greatest ever athlete and 50/1 outsider won when he should have won in any of the five previous years was a final let-down with the live link crashing as the trophy was presented. With Chris Froome, our greatest road cyclist under a cloud of a failed

ORGASMIC EXPERIENCE: Vanessa Feltz and a Trio. drugs test, heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua surprisingly not making the podium and both golf and rugby union ignored, it seemed the BBC were determined to represent their two last remaining live sports. Including a tennis player whose biggest achievement was a heavy defeat in the Wimbledon semifinal appeared desperate. As a yearly review of sport it’s a pleasant

evening’s viewing, but voting figures were vastly down on previous years. ‘Britain’s Favourite Biscuit?’ (C5, 10pm, Tuesday) presented the information we all needed to know. Really? The result of a national survey, the show even had a ‘dunk test’ to show which biscuits fared the best in a cuppa. I’ve got to admit I’m not a big fan of biscuits, so perhaps am not best

placed to comment. As incisive, entertaining TV it was a biscuit lover’s paradise, but I found it one long yawn. Vanessa Feltz discussing having an orgasmic experience while enjoying a Trio was possibly a step too far but the biggest omission was any mention of the greatest biscuit advert of all time. For the Breakaway advert in the 1970’s featuring Monty Python’s Eric Idle and his ‘nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more’ character to be left out just about put the tin lid on it for me. Would I Lie to You? At Christmas (BBC1, Monday). The funniest panel show and probably most rib-tickling experience on TV at the moment rarely fails to deliver. Star of the Christmas special was Henry ‘Blowers’ Blowfeld, sadly retired from cricket commentary this year showed no loss of humour as he recounted the time he phoned a female friend to invite her on holiday thinking she was someone else (he’d had a glass of wine or two at the time). She accepted and what happened when they met at the airport was comedy gold. Was he lying? It’s worth watching on catch up to find out. Enjoy your festive TV, best wishes. Critique: S C, Torrevieja, Costa Blanca

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

7:00am Breakfast 11:00am Saturday Kitchen 12:30pm Nigel Slater's New Year Suppers 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:15pm 102 Dalmatians 3:50pm The Penguins of Madagascar 5:10pm Final Score 6:30pm BBC News 6:40pm BBC London News 6:50pm Celebrity Mastermind 7:20pm Pointless 8:10pm A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong 9:00pm Avengers: Age of Ultron 11:10pm BBC News 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:55am The NFL Show 1:25am Dinner for Schmucks 3:15am Weather for the Week Ahead 3:20am BBC News

7:35am Birds of Paradise 8:35am Pirate Fairy 9:45am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 10:45am Natural World 11:35am Behind Closed Doors 12:35pm Mansfield Park 2:20pm World's Most Extraordinary Homes 3:20pm Six Robots and Us 4:20pm All About Eve 6:35pm Talking Pictures 7:20pm Alice in Wonderland 9:00pm Dad's Army 9:30pm Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs 10:00pm Feud: Bette and Joan 10:45pm Feud: Bette and Joan 11:30pm Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte 1:40am Absolutely Fashion 2:40am Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You 3:40am Rick Stein's Road to Mexico 4:40am This is BBC Two Highlights of programmes on BBC Two.

8:00pm Tutankhamun: The Truth Uncovered 9:00pm Planet Earth II 10:00pm Spiral 11:00pm Spiral 12:05am 2017: A Year in the Life of a Year 12:35am Glen Campbell: The Rhinestone Cowboy 1:35am Chuck Berry in Concert Legendary rock 'n' roller Chuck Berry performs at the BBC Television Theatre in 1972. 2:35am Tutankhamun: The Truth Uncovered Documentary looking into what killed King Tutankhamun. 3:35am Planet Earth II A compilation from the wildlife 4:35am This is BBC Four

9:00am Mr. Bean: The Animated Series 9:15am Horrid Henry 9:30am The Aquabats! Super Show! 9:55am Scrambled!'s Shiniest Showdown Ever 10:25am ITV News 10:30am Saturday Morning with James Martin 12:25pm Endeavour 2:15pm ITV News 2:30pm The Chase 3:30pm 3 Men and a Baby 5:25pm Despicable Me 2 7:10pm ITV News London 7:20pm ITV News 7:30pm Who Shot Simon Cowell? 8:00pm Guess the Star 9:00pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 11:40pm ITV News 12:00am The Mask 1:50am Jackpot247 4:00am Babushka 4:50am ITV Nightscreen

7:00am 2awesome 8:25am Emmerdale Omnibus 11:50am Coronation Street Omnibus 2:50pm You've Been Framed! 3:20pm Mr. Bean 3:50pm Mr. Bean 4:20pm Bean 5:25pm FYI Daily 5:30pm Bean 6:10pm Ella Enchanted 7:15pm FYI Daily 7:20pm Ella Enchanted 8:00pm Legally Blonde 9:00pm FYI Daily 9:05pm Legally Blonde 10:00pm Bridesmaids 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm Bridesmaids 12:35am Family Guy 1:05am Family Guy 1:30am American Dad! 1:55am American Dad! 2:25am Celebrity Juice Unseen Bits 3:25am Celebrity Juice 4:15am Through the Keyhole 5:10am Educating Joey Essex 5:55am Totally Bonkers

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Wycliffe Carry on Henry FYI Daily Carry on Henry Carry on Camping FYI Daily Carry on Camping The Sound of Music Live The Making of the Sound of Music Live Bugsy Malone FYI Daily Bugsy Malone The Wizard of Oz FYI Daily The Wizard of Oz Prince Harry and Meghan: Truly, Madly, Deeply Kate Princess Diana: A Life After Death Midsomer Murders Lewis Housewife 49 Agatha Christie's Marple Wycliffe

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SATURDAY TV

Lego Masters The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons We're Going on a Bear Hunt Born Silly Ever After Pride and Prejudice Channel 4 News Crocodile Dundee II The Price is Right The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 Speed Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper and Sandra Bullock star in Jan de Bont's action thriller. Speed with Guy Martin Hollyoaks Omnibus Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA Gordon Ramsay visits Italian restaurant Campania in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

10:00am Noddy: Toyland Detective 10:20am Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:35am Shimmer and Shine 10:55am Digby Dragon 11:05am Peppa Pig 11:15am Peppa Pig 11:20am Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 11:40am Olly the Little White Van 11:50am The African Queen 1:55pm Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes 4:30pm Live Premiership Rugby 7:05pm World's Strongest Man 2017 8:00pm Blind Date 9:00pm Greatest Celebrity Wind-Ups Ever! 10:00pm 5 News Weekend 10:05pm Football on 5 11:15pm Football on 5 11:45pm How Magic Changed TV 1:15am Super Casino 4:10am Our Dream Hotel 5:00am Our Dream Hotel

7:00am Couples Come Dine with Me 8:00am Hollyoaks Omnibus 10:10am Big Miracle 12:15pm Doctor Dolittle 2:00pm Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas 2:30pm Toy Story of Terror 3:00pm Toy Story That Time Forgot 3:30pm Toy Story Toons 4:00pm The Big Bang Theory 4:30pm The Big Bang Theory 5:00pm The Big Bang Theory 5:30pm The Big Bang Theory 6:00pm The Big Bang Theory 6:30pm The Big Bang Theory 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm Snow White and the Huntsman 10:00pm Fast and Furious 6 12:35am Naked Attraction 1:40am Naked Attraction 2:45am The Big Bang Theory 3:15am The Big Bang Theory 3:45am Made in Chelsea's Christmas Ding Dong 4:40am In Bed with Jamie at Christmas 5:10am The Crystal Maze

7:00am SKY Sports News 8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 9:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Soccer A.M. 12:30pm Football 3:30pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 4:00pm Live Pro 14 Rugby Union A match from the French Top 14. 6:15pm Football 8:30pm Live World Championship Darts 11:30pm Sky Sports News at Ten 12:00am SKY Sports News 1:00am SKY Sports News 2:00am SKY Sports News 3:00am SKY Sports News 4:00am SKY Sports News 5:00am SKY Sports News

Sporting Funnies The Protectors The Professionals Dirtquake Fishing Impossible ITV Racing: The Opening Show Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ironside ITV Racing: Live from Newbury 633 Squadron FYI Daily 633 Squadron Aces High FYI Daily Aces High Jackie Chan's First Strike FYI Daily Jackie Chan's First Strike Swordfish FYI Daily Swordfish The Dirty Dozen FYI Daily The Dirty Dozen

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7:00am Table 19 8:30am Olaf's Frozen Adventure 9:00am The LEGO Batman Movie 10:50am Beauty and the Beast 1:00pm Olaf's Frozen Adventure 1:30pm The Boss Baby 3:10pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 5:30pm The LEGO Batman Movie 7:20pm The Boss Baby 9:00pm Beauty and the Beast 11:15pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 1:35am Table 19 3:05am Hunter's Prayer 4:50am Hidden Figures

7:00am Football 9:30am Young Lions: Weight of Expectation 9:45am EFL Greatest Games 10:00am SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 10:30am SPFL Matters: Old Firm Special 11:00am Soccer A.M. 12:30pm Football 3:30pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 4:00pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 6:15pm Football 9:00pm Football 9:15pm Magical Messi 10:15pm Ronaldo 10:45pm Football 11:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 11:30pm Football 11:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 12:00am EFL Goals: Championship 12:30am Football 12:45am SPFL Greatest Games 1:00am Football 3:45am EFL Goals: Championship

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Babylon A.D. Cast Away Death Race Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows 2018 Preview Show X-Men: Apocalypse Cast Away The A-Team Hanna The Matrix

9:50am Ghostbusters 11:40am Ghostbusters II 1:50pm Keeping up with the Joneses 3:40pm Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates 5:20pm You Don't Mess with the Zohan 7:20pm Fist Fight 9:00pm Keeping up with the Joneses 11:00pm Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates 12:45am Fist Fight

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

FEATURE

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

TECH FOR THE TIMID NINETY PER CENT of people leave their phone chargers plugged in day and night. The other 10 per cent are either obsessive compulsives (guilty as charged m’lud) or planet-savers. Depending on whose statistics you believe, a permanently-plugged phone charger consumes less than €5 of electricity a year. No, that’s not a misprint. Tell that to the coffee-bar owner who refused to let me charge my phone for a couple of hours there while I did other business, ‘unless you pay for the electricity.’ Will one cent do nicely? LBA is now an acknowledged modern syndrome: Low Battery Anxiety. Typically that’s when it’s barely lunchtime and you’re down to 20 per cent and panicked. Manufacturer LG says nine out of 10 people suffer from LBA, while the rest of us just get on with our lives. In our ‘always-on’ society, a dead battery is today’s best excuse, or genuine reason, for missing calls, not responding to messages or turning up late for appointments (‘I had to wait for my phone to charge.’) An American survey revealed that in a low-power scenario and having to choose between hitting

The charge of the tight brigade These days ‘living dangerously’ is when your phone only has a 5 per cent charge, says LBAsufferer Terence Kennedy.

PHONE-CHARGING: Less than €5 a year. the gym and charging their smartphone fully, a third of those asked opted for the charging. We have become so seriously charger-dependent. Most people charge their phones twice a day

THURSDAY THOUGHTS By Jeremy Snodgrass, Estepona

Gone to the dogs HAVING grown up and spent much of my life in South London, I certainly subscribed to the idea that Britain is a nation of dog lovers. Since buying a property in the Costa del Sol 16 years ago I have noticed a huge growth in dog ownership here in Spain which far exceeds anything I ever noticed in the UK. In our little strip of nine houses there are three Alsatians, two Yorkshire-ish Terriers, three short hairy things of mixed parentage who are ankle biters and a handful of yapping Chihuahuas all owned by Spaniards. In addition, our immediate neighbour who lives in Madrid always brought her vicious black bitch Lola whenever she came for a holiday, causing upset with another neighbour who thought that the dog (now deceased) was named after her. There are quite a few other dogs in the area including a French Bulldog who regularly escapes from his garden, but is so stupid that he doesn’t remember where he lives and waits for someone to take him home. There is also another Yorkie, who looks like one of the ones in our little estate and he quite often gets taken back to our neighbour and then has to be released when he starts fighting with the real occupant of the house. We don’t own a dog but certainly hear them regularly and get involved in shepherding them home when they get out. Generally the animals are well-cared for and happily more people are carrying little black bags with them when they are out, cutting down on the number of ‘gifts’ laying outside our house. columnists@euroweeklynews.com Readers interested in submitting articles for this guest column should send articles of around 250 words on topics felt to be of interest to the cosmopolitan EWN readership to editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

now, where my wife’s old Nokia happily used to chug along for a week or more. It’s also surprising just how uninformed we are when it comes to the way we treat our batteries.

Gone, for instance, are the days when you should religiously charge a new phone for 24 hours before use, and then regularly run it down before recharging. That worked with prehistoric nickel-cadmium batteries, but today’s lithium-ion packs don’t like being fully recharged and discharged; experts say it’s better to keep trickle-charging them more often, at between 40 and 80 per cent of capacity, and never leave them near-empty for long. It’s also a myth that keeping your phone on charge all night will degrade the battery. Modern technology turns off the phone’s appetite, just like ours, when it’s full. When you think about it, it is of course iniquitous as fewer and fewer phones now have replaceable batteries, that when the battery is finished so is the phone. Or could that be a plot by those now selling all those portable power banks by the zillions? But underlying it all, here’s how you know you’re an LBA sufferer: if you’re asked to list your favourite position in bed, and you answer “Near the wall so I can use my phone while it’s charging.”

Power struggle THE world is waiting, and waiting, for new battery technologies like lithium-sulphur and magnesium-sulphur, which promise 40 per cent longer use. Oddball ideas also include phones which will charge from our body movement, solar cells in our clothing or fast-charges from building or road surfaces as we pass. Until that happy day, when low-power strikes there are several options for eking out those last few millivolts: Turn off your location finder (GPS), a notorious power-hog. Turn down screen brightness to the lowest you can still use. Log-off from any social media. Close any apps you aren’t actually using. Turn on power-saving mode if your phone has it. Don’t take photos. Tell callers you’ll call them back later. Or just use someone else’s phone…

A few of my unfavourite things ... in 2017 Nora Johnson

Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

LOOKING back over 2017, I can’t recall a year so full of odd clothes trends. For instance, mismatched earrings and shoes, underwear intended as outerwear: slips, pyjamas, you name it. Likewise playsuits - which shouldn’t be worn by anyone over three - let alone such grotesque footwear as ‘flatforms.’ Even the bloody name makes me retch. And it’s hard to find an intact pair of jeans these days - the less denim there is, the more it costs. History will not judge any of these trends kindly. And what about male fashion? Men in shorts in public: great on young, fit men with tanned legs and decent sandals. But totally yucky when paraded by paunchy, middle-aged individuals with pallid, white legs who invariably accessorise their creased baggy shorts with

Credit: RompHim /Facebook

STYLE FAIL: Men in playsuits - one of the worst fashion trends of 2017? leather shoes and woolly socks. Still in the same category as reversed baseball caps for me. Wasn’t it Coco Chanel who said that any man over 40 should always wear trousers and a jacket in public? Judging by the untidy hordes pouring into Waterloo station every morning, very good advice. Also, check out Philip Green to confirm the wisdom of al-

ways wearing a well-tailored jacket in public. And whilst I’m at it, an aunt said you should never trust a man with buckles on his shoes. Sound advice? Err, not so sure... And annoying words? Take: ‘nice.’ Why? Well, obviously, because it means everything and nothing: nice day, nice cup of tea, nice weather, nice person, nice sofa, nice new shoes, nice bunch of flowers... I could

go on and on, and will. And my address isn’t ‘Memory Lane.’ Nice one!? Now, I’m not a violent person but when someone uses the word ‘selfie,’ I see red mist. Never mind the burkini, ban the moronic selfie-stick and its users! And finally, why stop at mismatched earrings? Here are some other genius ideas, free and well ahead of the curve. Wellingtons with the foot bit cut off and the leg bit stitched to sandals (called ‘Sellingtons’). Plus trendy one-lens sunglasses, one-sleeve shirts. Rant over! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Girl in the Red Dress,’ ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.net) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.99;£0.99) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity. columnists@euroweeklynews.com

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Bolt The Croods BBC News Comic Relief 2017: 'Twas the Thanks After Red Nose Day Bedknobs and Broomsticks Songs of Praise Top of the Pops Attenborough and the Giant Elephant BBC News BBC London News Celebrity Mastermind Countryfile Antiques Roadshow The Real Marigold on Tour BBC News The Graham Norton Show Nile Rodgers and Chic: Good Times 2017 New Year's Eve Fireworks 2017 Nile Rodgers and Chic: Good Times 2018

8:30am The Tom and Jerry Show 8:45am Mr. Bean: The Animated Series 9:00am Mr. Bean: The Animated Series 9:15am Horrid Henry 9:30am A Grizzly New Year's Tale 9:55am Scrambled! 10:25am Countrywise 10:50am Casino Royale 1:25pm ITV News The latest ITV News. 1:30pm All Star Musicals 3:20pm A Very Royal Wedding 4:30pm A Right Royal Quiz 5:30pm Victoria 7:25pm ITV News London 7:35pm ITV News The latest ITV News. 7:50pm Cannonball Splash Hits 8:50pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 11:15pm The Real Full Monty 12:45am ITV News 1:10am Parenthood 3:15am Take Me Out

7:35am Birds of Paradise 8:35am Mars Needs Moms 10:00am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm The A to Z of TV Cooking 1:15pm Shall We Dance? 2:55pm Six Robots and Us 3:55pm Talking Pictures 4:40pm 84 Charing Cross Road 6:15pm Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 8:00pm Robot Wars Special 9:00pm Into the Woods: Stage to Screen 11:00pm Match of the Day 2 11:50pm Live at the Apollo 12:20am Jools's Annual Hootenanny 2017 2:20am Best of Glastonbury 2017 4:25am Countryfile 5:20am This is BBC Two Highlights of programmes on BBC Two.

8:00pm Dancing the Nutcracker - Inside the Royal Ballet 9:30pm Victoria Wood: Seen on TV 11:00pm Detectorists Comedy series about two metal-detecting friends. 11:30pm Detectorists 12:00am Detectorists 12:30am Detectorists 1:00am Detectorists 1:30am Detectorists 2:00am Victoria Wood: Seen on TV A look back at Victoria Wood's hugely successful television career. 3:30am David Attenborough's Zoo Quest in Colour 5:00am This is BBC Four BBC Four is the BBC channel for people who want more. More depth, more range, more to stimulate the mind.

7:00am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:25am Emmerdale Omnibus 10:25am Coronation Street Omnibus 1:25pm You've Been Framed! 2:30pm Mr. Bean 3:00pm Mr. Bean 3:30pm Happy Feet Two 4:30pm FYI Daily 4:35pm Happy Feet Two 5:35pm Nanny McPhee 6:35pm FYI Daily 6:40pm Nanny McPhee 7:40pm New Year's Eve 8:40pm FYI Daily 8:45pm New Year's Eve 10:00pm Sherlock Holmes 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm Sherlock Holmes 12:35am Family Guy 1:10am Family Guy 1:35am Family Guy 2:10am Family Guy 2:35am Family Guy 3:00am American Dad! 3:30am American Dad! 3:55am Celebrity Juice: Bestest Bits 2017

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On the Buses On the Buses George and Mildred Up Pompeii FYI Daily Up Pompeii Carry on at Your Convenience FYI Daily Carry on at Your Convenience Carry on Doctor FYI Daily Carry on Doctor Carry on Again, Doctor FYI Daily Carry on Again, Doctor The Likely Lads FYI Daily The Likely Lads Lewis Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy Midsomer Murders My Boy Jack Christmas Epic Fails The Knock The Knock

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Frasier Frasier F1: Grand Prix Sunday Brunch The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons We Bought a Zoo Channel 4 News Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast Britain's Wildest Weather 2017 Amazing Spaces Snow and Ice Special The Crystal Maze Alan Carr's New Year Specstacular 2017 Big Fat Quiz of the Year Gogglebox 2017 The Crystal Maze Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA Location, Location, Location

7:00am World Cup Rivalries: Brazil v Italy 7:15am The Chase 8:05am The Protectors 8:30am The Professionals 9:25am The Professionals 10:25am The Professionals 11:25am Minder 12:35pm Minder 1:45pm Minder 2:55pm Lawman 3:55pm FYI Daily 4:00pm Lawman 5:00pm The Train Robbers 6:05pm FYI Daily 6:10pm The Train Robbers 6:50pm Jeremiah Johnson 7:55pm FYI Daily 8:00pm Jeremiah Johnson 9:05pm Jaws 4: The Revenge 10:10pm FYI Daily 10:15pm Jaws 4: The Revenge 11:00pm Total Recall 12:00am FYI Daily 12:05am Total Recall1:10am Species III 2:10am FYI Daily 2:15am Species III 3:30am Now Pay Attention 007

9:40am Noddy: Toyland Detective 9:55am Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15am Shimmer and Shine 10:30am Digby Dragon 10:40am Peppa Pig 10:45am Peppa Pig 10:50am Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 11:05am Olly the Little White Van 11:20am Football on 5 12:25pm Football on 5 1:00pm Alaska: A Year in the Wild 1:55pm 3 Men and a Little Lady 3:55pm Groundhog Day 4:55pm 5 News 5:00pm Groundhog Day 6:00pm The Lego Movie 8:00pm Brick by Brick: The Lego Story 9:00pm World's Strongest Man 2017 9:50pm 5 News Weekend 10:00pm When TV Goes Horribly Wrong 12:55am Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights

8:55am Deadpool 10:55am Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 1:15pm Braveheart 4:15pm Captain America: Civil War 6:45pm Jack Reacher 9:00pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 11:20pm Deadpool 1:15am Top Gun 3:10am Rocky V

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As Good as It Gets Jerry Maguire The Boss Bridget Jones's Baby Hot Tub Time Machine Why Him? The Boss Bridget Jones's Baby Why Him? Hot Tub Time Machine Coming to America Music and Lyrics

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Lost and Found New Girl New Girl New Girl How I Met Your Mother Couples Come Dine with Me Couples Come Dine with Me Rude(Ish) Tube Shorts Doctor Dolittle 2 The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory I, Robot Red The Inbetweeners The Inbetweeners The Inbetweeners

7:00am The LEGO Batman Movie 8:50am The Boss Baby 10:30am The Zookeeper's Wife 12:40pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 3:00pm Beauty and the Beast 5:10pm The Boss Baby 6:50pm The Zookeeper's Wife 9:00pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 11:20pm Table 19 12:50am John Wick: Chapter Two 2:55am Beauty and the Beast 5:10am The LEGO Batman Movie

SUNDAY TV

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SKY Sports News Total Goals Total Goals Total Goals Goals on Sunday The Sunday Supplement SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News All the news from the Premier League and beyond. Live Nissan Super Sunday West Brom entertain Arsenal at The Hawthorns in the Premier League. Live NFL: Game A match from the NFL. Live NFL: Sunday Game A match from the NFL. Live NFL: Sunday Game3 A match from the NFL.

8:00am EFL Goals: League 1 and 2 8:30am Football 8:45am SPFL Greatest Games 9:00am Football's Greatest 9:30am EFL Goals: Championship 10:00am EFL Goals: League 1 and 2 10:30am Football 10:45am SPFL Greatest Games 11:00am The Next Jamie Vardy 12:00pm EFL Goals: League 1 and 2 12:30pm Sunday Supplement 2:00pm EFL Rivalries 3:00pm The Next Jamie Vardy 4:00pm EFL Rivalries 5:00pm The Next Jamie Vardy 6:00pm Revista: El Clasico Special 6:30pm Ronaldo 7:00pm The Next Jamie Vardy 8:00pm Celtics Invincibles 9:00pm The Next Jamie Vardy 10:00pm Magical Messi 11:00pm The Next Jamie Vardy 12:00am Celtics Invincibles 1:00am EFL Goals: Championship

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

7:00am Breakfast 10:00am Cars 2 11:40am How to Train Your Dragon: Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon 11:55am Bedtime Stories 1:25pm The Highway Rat 1:55pm The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message 2:00pm BBC News 2:15pm A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong 3:05pm Shrek Forever After 4:30pm Blue Planet II 6:00pm Maleficent 7:30pm BBC News 7:45pm BBC London News 7:55pm Grandpa's Great Escape 9:00pm EastEnders 10:00pm McMafia 11:00pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:30pm BBC News 11:50pm BBC London News 12:00am Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 1:55am The Graham Norton Show

7:25am Stick Man 7:55am Frankenweenie 9:15am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 10:15am The Big Family Cooking Showdown 11:15am New Year's Day Concert Live From Vienna 2018 1:45pm Natural World 2:35pm Dances with Wolves 5:25pm The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message 5:30pm Final Score 6:30pm The Perfect Morecambe and Wise 7:00pm Eric and Ernie's Home Movies 8:00pm Reindeer Family and Me 9:00pm Only Connect 9:30pm Christmas University Challenge 2017 10:00pm Sue Perkins and the Chimp Sanctuary 11:00pm Noah 1:10am Frankie Boyle's 2017 New World Order

8:00pm New Year's Day Concert From Vienna 2018 10:00pm The Story Of... 11:00pm Queen: Rock the World 12:00am Queen: The Legendary 1975 Concert 1:05am The Clash: New Year's Day '77 2:20am The Story Of... 3:20am Queen: Rock the World Behind-the-scenes archive documentary following Queen as they record their sixth album News of the World and embark on a groundbreaking tour of North America. 4:20am This is BBC Four BBC Four is the BBC channel for people who want more.

8:25am 8:40am 8:55am 9:10am 9:25am

9:40am Who Shot Simon Cowell? 10:10am You've Been Framed! Special 11:10am Bean 12:10pm FYI Daily 12:15pm Bean 1:00pm Emmerdale 1:30pm Coronation Street 2:00pm Beethovens 2nd 3:10pm FYI Daily 3:15pm Beethovens 2nd 3:50pm The Mummy 4:50pm FYI Daily 4:55pm The Mummy 6:05pm Despicable Me 7:05pm FYI Daily 7:10pm Despicable Me 8:00pm Uncle Buck 9:00pm FYI Daily 9:05pm Uncle Buck 10:00pm The Hangover 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm The Hangover 12:05am Family Guy 12:35am Family Guy 1:05am Family Guy 1:30am American Dad! 1:55am American Dad! 2:25am Celebrity Juice

7:00am The History of Mr Polly 8:45am Goodbye, Mr. Chips 10:50am Carry on Girls 12:30pm The Likely Lads 2:15pm The Wizard of Oz 4:20pm The Royal Variety Performance 2017 7:00pm Lewis A rape case appears to be solved when the chief suspect is murdered. 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This Drama telling the story of comedian Tommy Cooper and the two women he loved. 1:05am Inspector Morse 3:20am ITV3 Nightscreen Text-based information service. 3:30am Teleshopping Shopping from home.

9:40am 9:55am 10:25am 11:55am 1:45pm 2:00pm

4:30pm 6:45pm 7:40pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 11:45pm 12:05am

Horrid Henry Horrid Henry Horrid Henry Horrid Henry Mr. Bean: The Animated Series Mr. Bean: The Animated Series Scrambled! Sketch Show Cannonball Splash Hits 50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments ITV News ITV Racing: Live From Cheltenham and Mussleburgh Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs ITV News Emmerdale Coronation Street Spectre ITV News The Keith and Paddy Picture Show

www.euroweeklynews.com

7:05am Jamie's Cracking Christmas 7:15am Flash Gordon 9:15am Thunderbirds 11:05am The Simpsons 11:35am The Simpsons 12:05pm The Simpsons 12:35pm The Cat in the Hat 2:10pm Hugo 4:35pm Ice Age: The Meltdown 6:20pm Channel 4 News 6:30pm Mrs. Doubtfire 8:40pm The Great Festive Bake Off 10:00pm Pitch Perfect 2 12:15am First Dates 1:20am The Price is Right 2:15am Speed 2: Cruise Control 4:20am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 5:10am Location, Location, Location

7:00am 7:05am 7:20am 7:25am 7:30am 7:40am 7:55am 8:05am 8:10am 8:20am 8:40am 8:55am 10:25am 12:25pm 3:10pm 5:20pm 7:30pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 1:50am 2:40am 4:10am 5:00am

7:00am 7:30am 8:20am 9:20am 10:25am 11:35am 12:40pm 1:45pm 2:50pm 2:55pm 4:10pm 5:10pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:15pm 7:20pm 8:20pm 8:45pm 9:15pm 10:15pm 10:20pm 11:00pm 12:00am 12:05am 1:10am 2:10am 3:05am

The Protectors The Chase Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Sweeney The Professionals The Sea Wolves FYI Daily The Sea Wolves The Train Robbers FYI Daily The Train Robbers Lawman FYI Daily Lawman Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Jackie Chan's First Strike FYI Daily Jackie Chan's First Strike Sudden Death FYI Daily Sudden Death Car Crash Global Fifth Gear Fierce

Puffin Rock Poppy Cat Simon Peppa Pig Digby Dragon Fireman Sam Noddy: Toyland Detective Peppa Pig Floogals Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Thomas and Friends On the Town Oliver! Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War The Hundred-Foot Journey World's Strongest Man 2017 The Two Ronnies Britain's Greatest Ever Double Acts Football on 5 Super Casino World's Strongest Man 2017 Cruising with Jane McDonald

9:00am Jack Reacher: Never Go Back 11:00am Doctor Strange 1:00pm Robin Hood 3:25pm Twister 5:25pm Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 8:00pm Jack Reacher: Never Go Back 10:00pm Doctor Strange 12:00am Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

7:40am 8:10am 9:50am 11:50am 1:35pm 3:25pm 5:25pm 7:10pm 9:00pm 11:00pm

Special Liar Liar Splash The Nutty Professor Nutty Professor II: The Klumps The Bounty Hunter Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Keeping up with the Joneses The Bounty Hunter Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

7:00am 7:25am 7:55am 8:55am 10:00am

MONDAY TV

Rude(Ish) Tube Streetmate Charmed Charmed Postman Pat: The Movie Doctor Dolittle 3 The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Titanic Gogglebox 2017 The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Rude Tube First Dates The Crystal Maze

7:00am Cricket 10:15am Best of Sky Cricket 10:30am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Soccer Special PreMatch 12:00pm Soccer Special PreMatch 1:00pm Football 4:00pm Football 6:15pm Football 9:00pm Live World Ch'ship Darts Final 12:00am SKY Sports News 1:00am SKY Sports News 2:00am Live WWE Late Night Raw 5:15am Sporting Triumphs 5:30am Football Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park in the Premier League.

7:00am Beauty and the Beast 9:10am The Boss Baby 10:50am Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 1:10pm Kong: Skull Island 3:15pm The LEGO Batman Movie 5:05pm Beauty and the Beast 7:20pm The Boss Baby 9:00pm Kong: Skull Island 11:10pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 1:35am The Zookeeper's Wife 3:50am Hidden Figures Oscar-nominated biopic about a trio of African-American women who overcame prejudice to play a crucial role in the US space race.

10:00am Scottish Cup Greatest Games 10:15am Scottish Cup Greatest Games 10:30am La Liga Greatest Games 10:45am La Liga Greatest Games 11:00am Football Years 11:30am Football Countdowns 12:00pm One2eleven 12:15pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 12:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Gillette Soccer Special 3:30pm Football 6:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 7:00pm To be Announced 8:00pm Soccer A.M. 8:30pm Football Years 9:00pm Magical Messi 10:00pm Championship Season Review 11:00pm Football Years 11:30pm Soccer A.M. 12:00am La Liga Icons 12:15am La Liga Icons 12:30am La Liga Icons

11:45am 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 12:00am 2:10am 2:40am 3:10am 4:10am 5:05am

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

FEATURE

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

LEGALLY SPEAKING Staying safe this Xmas - part 2 WE answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

STAY SAFE: Look after yourself and your belongings. ADULTS should avoid carrying large amounts of cash and make sure you are not followed when you have collected cash from an ATM or a bank. If you become suspicious, contact the police immediately. Do not accept help from strangers who supposedly want to help, they sometimes take advantage of your guard being lowered in order to grab money and valuables. Avoid street-gamers playing such tricks as the ‘shell game’ or ‘find the lady’ type scams, not only will you not win, your distraction leaves you vulnerable to theft. When you visit friends and neighbours, always lock your home securely, leave nothing of value in view, don’t fully lower your window blinds and don’t announce your intentions to vacate the premises on social media. Similar advice also applies to the car of course, never leave valuables such as gifts on show. If you return to your vehicle with goods, be careful you are not seen if you then leave your car to continue to shop.

The police would also like to remind party organisers and revellers that any activity, party or public celebration must have administrative approval and comply with safety standards, such as having fire extinguishers, security and emergency exits indicated. If any incident occurs: keep calm and try to stay away from that area, alerting the organiser or 091. Finally, if you see anything or anybody acting suspiciously, please notify the authorities immediately. Although you might not consider it an emergency, the 112 call centre is staffed by people who speak a variety of languages and nobody will be offended if an alert turns out to be false, as that is by far a better outcome than ignoring something which later results in a tragic incident. Stay safe this holiday period, look after yourself and your belongings, keep them out of sight at all times, keep bags and wallets secure and never unattended, and be vigilant, that way we can all hope for a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year period.

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.

Can Community fine debtors? Can a Community of Property Owners legally add a surcharge to your fees due if the payment is late? R P (Costa del Sol) No, they can’t. Not legally, anyway. By law, the Community can only charge the established fees of the participation shares, or cuotas. Nevertheless, a number of Communities have voted to charge penalties on late payers. If no one objects, this can work. Experienced property administrators,

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

however, recommend that the reverse method be applied. That is, those who pay on time receive a discount for prompt payment. The late payers have to pay the full amount.

This system requires a vote at the AGM to raise the fees, so that the late payers will face higher charges while the prompt payers apply their discounts and pay the same fee as they paid before the change. This system has the twin advantages of creating a positive feeling as well as being completely legal.

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

I’ve never understood it Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I’M writing this before Christmas but you are reading it after Christmas, so I hope you all had a good one. I’ll let you know how mine was next week because I’m going back to the UK to see my daughter. I’m sure it will go without a hitch. I mean, ‘planes, hotels, restaurants over the Christmas period - what could possibly go wrong? Talking about restaurants they spend fortunes on opening the place, make them look nice; get decent chefs, good menus and hopefully good food. So why, oh why, do they all have so many wobbly tables? Admittedly some now have tables that have little screw things on each leg which can be adjusted but most don’t. So we finish up with either me, the waiter or both, bending serviettes or beer mats and trying to wedge them under the offending table. Then there’s the chairs. I was in a place the other day and all their chairs had arms and guess what, they were also loose and wobbly. It’s just a basic requirement. If

something isn’t right fix it please. Here’s a question for you. What do you do when something’s not right in a restaurant? Food wise - maybe it’s not hot enough or too salty or just isn’t what you expected like a tough steak. Do you just leave it or do you send it back? I always tell them the problem and see how they deal with it but I’ll never just leave it. I’ve been with friends who say, ‘it’s ok’ just leave it’ and I tell them it’s best to say something, as if you don’t they are not doing anyone any favours because it depends on the restaurant’s reaction as to whether you return again. I still have a few things to do and sort out over Christmas but they will not get done. It’s not because I don’t want to do them, but for some absurd reason come December 20 everything stops. Hospital appointments, lawyers, accountants are all telling me to come back the second week of January. It’s not only here; it’s the same if not worse in the UK. I’ve never understood it and I never will. Well I hope you have all had a great Christmas and I will have more grumps for you in the New Year. By the way, if you want to follow me on Twitter, I’m @silverfox1949xx or email columnists@euroweeklynews.com

mikesenker@gmail.com.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Rip Off Britain 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Close Calls: On Camera 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm I Escaped to the Country 4:45pm The Farmers' Country Showdown 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm McMafia 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm Match of the Day 1:15am Stacey Dooley in the USA 2:15am Weather for the Week Ahead 2:20am BBC News

7:00am Flog it! Trade Secrets 7:30am Holiday of My Lifetime with Len Goodman 8:15am The A to Z of TV Cooking 9:00am Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 10:00am BBC Newsroom Live 12:00pm Westminster Abbey 1:00pm Coast 1:05pm The Wooden Horse 2:45pm The Wonder of Animals 3:15pm Operation Wild 4:15pm Penguins - Spy in the Huddle 5:15pm Planet Earth II 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great British Railway Journeys 8:00pm Kate Humble: Off the Beaten Track 8:30pm Christmas University Challenge 2017 9:00pm Inside the Factory 10:00pm The Real T rex with Chris Packham 11:00pm Inside No 9 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Sue Perkins and the Chimp Sanctuary

8:00pm Beyond 100 Days The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective. 8:30pm Great Continental Railway Journeys 9:00pm Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain In the first of a sixpart series, Andrew Marr revisits Britain at the dawn of the 20th century. 10:00pm Victoria: A Royal Love Story 11:00pm The World's Most Photographed 11:30pm 2017: A Year in the Life of a Year 12:00am Tales of Winter: The Art of Snow and Ice 1:30am Great Barrier Reef 2:30am Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain 3:30am Tales from the Royal Wardrobe with Lucy Worsley 4:30am This is BBC Four

8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Secret Life of the Zoo 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Secret Life of the Zoo 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Prince 12:00am Naked Attraction 1:05am What Britain Bought in 2017 2:05am The World's Best Christmas Lights: From Liverpool to Bethlehem 3:00am The Secret Life of the Zoo

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Midsomer Murders 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News The latest ITV News. 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Emmerdale 9:00pm The Greatest TV Moments of All Time 11:00pm ITV News The latest ITV News. 11:30pm ITV News London 11:40pm The Keith and Paddy Picture Show 12:10am Clueless 1:50am Jackpot247 4:00am Loose Women 4:45am ITV Nightscreen Text-based information service.

7:00am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:25am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:55am Who's Doing the Dishes? 8:45am Emmerdale 9:20am Coronation Street 9:50am You've Been Framed! 10:25am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:10am Who's Doing the Dishes? 12:10pm Dress to Impress 1:10pm Emmerdale 1:45pm Coronation Street 2:15pm You've Been Framed! 2:45pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3:40pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 7:00pm Take Me Out 8:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:30pm You've Been Framed! 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Superstore 10:00pm White House Down 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm White House Down 12:40am Family Guy 1:10am Family Guy

7:00am George and Mildred 7:25am Wycliffe 8:55am Goodnight Mister Tom 11:00am Judge Judy 11:25am Judge Judy 11:55am Carry on Dick 1:40pm The Royal 2:40pm Heartbeat 3:40pm Classic Coronation Street 4:15pm Classic Coronation Street 4:50pm Agatha Christie's Marple 6:55pm Heartbeat 7:55pm Murder, She Wrote 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm Foyle's War 1:05am Inspector Morse 3:10am ITV3 Nightscreen Text-based information service. 3:30am Teleshopping Shopping from home. 4:00am Teleshopping Innovative, value-formoney products brought directly to you at home.

7:00am 7:50am 8:35am 9:35am 10:40am 11:40am 12:50pm 1:50pm 2:55pm 3:55pm 5:00pm 6:05pm 7:05pm 7:35pm 8:05pm 8:35pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:05pm 11:10pm 12:20am 1:20am 1:25am 2:30am 3:30am 3:55am 4:00am 5:00am

The Chase The Chase Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Sweeney The Professionals Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Sweeney The Professionals Storage Wars Texas Storage Wars Texas Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Bear's Mission with Anthony Joshua The Book of Eli FYI Daily The Book of Eli Wanted FYI Daily Wanted The Americans The Protectors ITV4 Nightscreen Teleshopping Teleshopping Innovative, valuefor-money products brought directly to you at home.

8:55am 9:05am 9:20am 9:35am 9:55am 10:05am 10:15am 10:40am 11:05am 12:45pm 1:40pm 1:45pm 2:40pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:30pm 12:30am

Floogals Digby Dragon Rusty Rivets Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Mofy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cats Make You Laugh Out Loud Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return GPs: Behind Closed Doors 5 News Lunchtime The Hotel Inspector 10.0 Earthquake A Date to Die for 5 News at 5 Celebrity Carry on Barging 5 News Tonight Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh Diet Secrets and How to Lose Weight Celebrity Big Brother One Night with My Ex Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

11:40am Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special 12:10pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2:30pm Assassin's Creed 4:30pm Rocky 6:35pm True Lies 9:00pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 11:15pm Assassin's Creed 1:15am Walking Tall

7:25am Tora! Tora! Tora! 9:50am Terminal Velocity 11:40am Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special 12:10pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2:30pm Assassin's Creed 4:30pm Rocky 6:35pm True Lies 9:00pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 11:15pm Assassin's Creed 1:15am Walking Tall 2:45am Hanna 4:50am Rocky

7:00am 8:00am 8:55am 10:00am 11:50am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:50pm 12:20am

Hollyoaks Charmed Charmed A Monster in Paris Rude(Ish) Tube Shorts The Goldbergs How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Baby Daddy Baby Daddy Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Tattoo Fixers 8 Out of 10 Cats The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory

7:00am The Ottoman Lieutenant 9:00am The Boss Baby Animated comedy about a youngster concerned that his baby brother is actually a powerhungry tycoon sent to destroy his perfect family life. With the voice of Alec Baldwin. 10:40am Rules Don't Apply 12:50pm Kong: Skull Island 2:50pm Beauty and the Beast 5:05pm The Boss Baby 6:50pm Rules Don't Apply 9:00pm Kong: Skull Island 11:00pm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 1:15am Table 19 2:45am The Zookeeper's Wife 4:55am Hunter's Prayer

TUESDAY TV

7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am 12:30am 1:00am 1:30am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am 5:00am

Total Goals Total Goals Total Goals Good Morning Sports Fans Info not Available Sky Sports Daily SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Soccer Special PreMatch Football Info not Available Football Football Football Football Harry Kane's 2017 SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News SKY Sports News Round-up of the sports news with live analysis and comment plus extended interviews with the headlines.

2:00pm La Liga Icons 3:00pm SPFL Greatest Games 3:30pm Soccer A.M. 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:15pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:30pm La Liga Greatest Games 5:45pm La Liga Greatest Games 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 7:15pm SPFL Greatest Games 7:30pm Soccer A.M. 8:00pm Championship Season Review 9:00pm La Liga Icons 9:15pm La Liga Icons 9:30pm Soccer A.M. 10:00pm Championship Season Review 11:00pm La Liga World 11:30pm La Liga Icons 11:45pm La Liga Icons 12:00am La Liga Icons

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

OPINION & COMMENT

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

Spanish food? Give me beans on toast SIR, What do the Spanish actually eat? I’m sick of their knock off paella and half pints of average lager! Why don’t the supermarkets stock some proper food for god’s sake? I can’t get any decent crisps or cream anywhere and don’t get me started on their rancid ‘tapas’ and Indian restaurants. The cheese is rubbish, ditto the instant coffee and no one ever likes seafood anyway. At least the ham’s good I suppose. But give me beans on toast any day. Hungry, Benalmadena

EL Gor-don’t I HAVE recently moved to Spain and decided to invest €20 on an El Gordo ticket. What a waste of time and money, I didn’t quite understand what was happening on TV, the whole thing seemed very confusing. I don’t think that I will be partaking again. Wallace, Nerja

Party over?

used to be full of late night antics, drinking and people having a laugh, but now everyone seems to be in bed at midnight. I know it’s down season and some of us are getting a bit older, but we all seem to be a bit boring these days! What we need is some all-inclusive boat parties to get the kids on board. Back in my day it was all happening, but now the town’s gone to the dogs. Deidre, Los Boliches, Fuengirola

Celebs page has X Factor I WAS somewhat amused by the recent letter from David Baird in which he makes disparaging comments about your celebrity page. He seems to know nothing about Nicki Minaj, Nicole Scherzinger and Gorka Marquez who have been on our TV screens every week during the last few years. While Nicki Minaj may be better known for her anatomy rather than her voice, Nicole Scherzinger has spent the last few years as a judge on the X Factor and Gorka Marquez has been seen by millions on Strictly Come

At least try

STRICTLY FAMOUS? Nicole Scherzinger and Gorka Marquez. Dancing every Saturday night. With five million people watching X Factor and 12 million unable to miss Strictly, Mr Baird

should either get out a bit more or spend more time watching TV! Peter Sanderson, Estepona

WHERE’S all the fun gone!? Fuengirola

HAVE YOUR SAY

All letters by email or post should carry the writer’s address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published.

Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.

British passports ditching EU burgundy Having just renewed this year, mine will still be red for another 10 years with European Citizen still proudly displayed. Ian Scottie Dunbar It doesn’t matter what colour it is. There are more important issues to deal with. Susan Rogers I am just wondering if it will mean that visitors coming to Spain from the UK will then need a Visa to enter Spain. I once had to apply at this end for a Visa to enter Spain for my grandson who then had a South African passport. It involved a lot of paperwork (typically Spanish) and was very expensive. Irene Harvey I am proud to be British, and proud to say I’m a REMAINER, and think to change the colour of our passports is of no consequence to its use, the colour looks good and stands out. We should keep it. George R Carman The extra security will be great but manufactured and printed in Germany, huge scale buttering up to improve a deal or what? Thelma Dance

Puigdemont: “Republic of Cataluña has won” Come back and face the music instead of hid-

Comments from EWN online i n g a wa y i n B e l g i u m , i t ’s o k s t i r r i n g u p t h e country but not prepared to stay here for his beliefs, shame on him. Colin Carter

Foreign Office ‘doesn’t know’ number of Brits in Spain S o m a n y B r i t i s h l i v e h e r e u n d e r t h e r a d a r, avoiding paying tax, avoiding legal responsibili t i e s, c l a i m i n g U K b e n e f i t s e t c e t c , n o g o o d blaming the Spanish. Maybe Brexit will put a stop to it if passports have to be stamped. Gill Reynolds Just think the tax the Spanish government is missing out on as they keep themselves registered in the UK. Edith Farminer Well that ain’t a surprise is it. Is there anything they do know? Beverley Walker

Dog owners warned of sausages laced with nails Must be some sick individual that spends time buying sausages and individually push nails into each sausage and then go lay them outside for dogs to eat. Sick sick sick! Hope they find the evil piece of pondlife and lock him/her up for a very long time! Julie Jones Peel Use muzzles for now, or watch 100 per cent. Shocking! Sally Hodgson Disgusting monsters you’re sick. Karen Howett

Hotel blamed for Legionnaire’s outbreak When we got back we got an email from Thomson saying it might be wise to have a check up at the doctor due to Legionnaire’s disease in our area but many at our hotel were ill, the ambulance was there a number of times. Sympathy to the family of this man very sad. England Kath Yes i think you should also name and shame this hotel as it ruined a lot of people’s holidays. Alison Graham

I AM sick and tired of expats living abroad and not attempting to learn the language of the country they are living in. I can’t speak fluent Spanish by any means, but if I go to a restaurant or become involved in a conversation with a Spaniard I will at least attempt to try and speak some Spanish, it’s just rude not to even try. Barbara Pearce, San Pedro del Pinatar

Dogman query JUST a quick note about your recent article in this week’s EWN. You state ‘please do not buy a harness,’ but I must disagree with you on this statement. I have two Chinese Crested hairless dogs. It is dangerous for them to wear collars and leads of any sort, as it is for any other hairless breeds (Mexican Hairless, Peruvian Inca Orchid, American Hairless Terrier, Abyssinian Sand Terrier and Bolivian Kuala). Collars, whether leather, chain or webbing, run the risk of severing their windpipes if used, and a harness is therefore a necessity with these particular breeds. They are all hairless, so have no ‘buffer’ of fur around their necks to prevent damage by a collar! Could you please amend your article to inform owners of this information? I would hate to hear of a hairless dog’s demise due to your somewhat incorrect statement. Nicola Price, Arboleas I do not think for one moment that any dog will demise as a result of my article. Common sense would prevail that owners obviously advise the person they are buying from if a harness is suitable for breeds such as Chinese Crested hairless dogs or Mexican Hairless, Peruvian Inca Orchid, American Hairless Terrier, Abyssinian Sand Terrier and Bolivian Kuala. I write generally and maintain that harnesses are not suitable for ‘most’ breeds and can harm a dog. David The Dogman

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Rip Off Britain 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Close Calls: On Camera 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm I Escaped to the Country 4:45pm The Farmers' Country Showdown 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm Celebrity Mastermind 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Would I Lie to You? 10:00pm Miriam's Big American Adventure 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:30pm BBC London News 11:45pm Pretty Woman

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Midsomer Murders 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Tonight 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Girlfriends 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:45pm Car Crash Britain Caught on Camera 12:40am Britain's Busiest Airport - Heathrow 1:30am Jackpot247 4:00am Tonight 4:25am ITV Nightscreen

8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:10pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Antiques Road Trip Fern Britton Meets... BBC Newsroom Live Westminster Abbey Coast School for Scoundrels The Wonder of Animals Operation Wild Penguins - Spy in the Huddle Planet Earth II Flog It! Eggheads Great British Railway Journeys Kate Humble: Off the Beaten Track Christmas University Challenge 2017 Tom Kerridge's Lose Weight for Good Trust Me, I'm a Doctor Rick Stein's Road to Mexico Mock the Week Newsnight

7:55am Dress to Impress 8:45am Emmerdale 9:50am You've Been Framed! Gold 10:25am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:10am Who's Doing the Dishes? 12:10pm Dress to Impress 1:10pm Emmerdale 2:15pm You've Been Framed! Gold 2:45pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3:35pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 4:40pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:45pm The Jeremy Kyle Show 6:50pm Take Me Out 8:00pm You've Been Framed! Gold 8:30pm You've Been Framed! Gold 9:00pm Two and a Half Men 9:30pm Superstore 10:00pm Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pm Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 12:45am Family Guy

8:00pm Beyond 100 Days 8:30pm Tales from the Royal Wardrobe with Lucy Worsley 9:30pm A Stitch in Time Fusing biography, art and the history of fashion, Amber Butchart explores the lives of historical figures through the clothes they wore. She begins by looking at Charles II. 10:00pm Made in Dagenham 11:45pm Ford's Dagenham Dream 12:45am Caravans: A British Love Affair 1:45am Great Barrier Reef 2:45am A Stitch in Time 3:15am Ford's Dagenham Dream 4:15am This is BBC Four BBC Four is the BBC channel for people who want more.

7:00am 7:25am 7:55am 8:20am 9:20am 10:25am 10:50am 11:15am 11:45am 1:30pm 2:35pm 3:40pm 4:15pm 4:50pm 6:55pm

8:00pm 9:00pm 11:05pm 1:05am 3:10am

3:30am

Coronation Street Coronation Street Judge Judy Heartbeat The Royal Judge Judy Judge Judy Judge Judy Blue Murder at St. Trinian's The Royal Heartbeat Coronation Street Coronation Street Agatha Christie's Marple Heartbeat A cat burglar is on the prowl, targeting the wealthiest homes in the district. Murder, She Wrote Endeavour Foyle's War Inspector Morse ITV3 Nightscreen Text-based information service. Teleshopping Shopping from home.

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8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm The Secret Life of the Zoo 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it 10:00pm 20 Kids and Counting 11:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

8:55am 9:05am 9:20am 9:35am 9:55am

7:00am 7:50am 8:10am 8:35am 9:40am 10:40am 11:50am 12:55pm 1:55pm 2:55pm 4:00pm 5:05pm 6:10pm 7:10pm 7:40pm 8:10pm 8:40pm 9:05pm 10:10pm 10:15pm

7:00am 9:05am

11:00pm 12:00am

12:05am 1:20am 2:20am

The Chase Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Sweeney The Professionals Ironside Quincy, M.E. Minder The Sweeney The Professionals Storage Wars Texas Storage Wars Texas Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Jaws 4: The Revenge FYI Daily Jaws 4: The Revenge Fourth in the series of action adventures about a malevolent great white shark. Ransom FYI Daily The latest entertainment news. Ransom RoboCop 3 FYI Daily The latest entertainment news.

10:05am 10:15am 10:40am 12:10pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 4:20pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

Floogals Digby Dragon Rusty Rivets Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Mofy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Primates of the Caribbean GPs: Behind Closed Doors 5 News Lunchtime The Hotel Inspector Pets Make You Laugh Out Loud A Father's Denial Drew Peterson: Untouchable 5 News at 5 Celebrity Carry on Barging 5 News Tonight Starting Up, Starting Over GPs: Behind Closed Doors Celebrity Big Brother

Stealth Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 11:35am 2012 2:15pm Top Gun 4:15pm Rocky II 6:15pm Troy 9:00pm 2012 11:40pm Top Gun 1:35am Stealth

7:15am 7:45am 9:45am 11:25am 1:00pm 3:15pm 5:20pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 1:20am 3:00am 4:30am

Special Bad News Bears The Tiger Hunter The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult Knocked Up Stuck on You Sausage Party 27 Dresses Stuck on You Knocked Up Sausage Party BrÃ¼no Ali G Indahouse

WEDNESDAY TV

10:00am Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back 11:35am Rude(Ish) Tube Shorts 12:00pm The Goldbergs 12:30pm The Goldbergs 1:00pm How I Met Your Mother 1:30pm How I Met Your Mother 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 5:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm The Big Bang Theory 9:00pm The Goldbergs 9:30pm The Goldbergs 10:00pm Don't Tell the Bride 11:00pm Body Fixers 12:05am The Big Bang Theory

7:00am Cricket The third and final T20 in the series between New Zealand and the Windies from the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. 10:15am My Icon 10:30am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Info not available 12:00pm Sky Sports Daily 1:00pm SKY Sports News 2:00pm SKY Sports News 3:00pm SKY Sports News 4:00pm SKY Sports News 5:00pm SKY Sports News 6:00pm SKY Sports News 7:00pm SKY Sports News 8:00pm Football 11:15pm PL Greatest Games 11:30pm Info not available 12:00am SKY Sports News 1:00am SKY Sports News 2:00am SKY Sports News 3:00am SKY Sports News 4:00am SKY Sports News 5:00am SKY Sports News

7:00am 8:35am 10:20am 12:25pm

3:00pm 3:30pm 3:45pm 4:00pm 4:30pm

2:45pm 5:00pm 7:15pm

9:00pm 11:00pm 1:00am 3:20am 4:55am

Table 19 The Boss Baby Kong: Skull Island Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Rules Don't Apply Beauty and the Beast The Boss Baby Animated comedy about a youngster concerned that his baby brother is actually a powerhungry tycoon sent to destroy his perfect family life. With the voice of Alec Baldwin. Kong: Skull Island President Under Siege Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Hunter's Prayer Table 19

5:00pm 5:15pm 5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 9:45pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

La Liga World La Liga Icons La Liga Icons Football's Greatest Football's Greatest Teams Scottish Cup Greatest Games Scottish Cup Greatest Games La Liga Greatest Games La Liga Greatest Games Football Years Football Countdowns La Liga World La Liga Icons La Liga Icons EFL Midweek Goals: Championship EFL Midweek Goals La Liga World La Liga Icons La Liga Icons EFL Midweek Goals: Championship EFL Midweek Goals La Liga World Ronaldo EFL Midweek Goals: Championship

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

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FEATURE

Advertising feature

Christina Sharp GLOBELINK INTERNATIONAL christina@globelink.co.uk.

MILLIONS of us travel over Christmas, or host family and friends at home, so stay safe and keep that festive feeling throughout the holidays with our Home Security and Travel Tips, because it’s not just Santa Claus who’s Coming to Town... Home alone? Leaving your home unattended for hours, or days over Christmas? The sad fact is burglaries increase by 30 per cent during the holidays, as unoccupied homes full of gifts and goodies make rich pickings for unscrupulous burglars on the prowl. The best Christmas gift you can buy yourself is an automatic timer for lights. It deters casual observers and opportunists. Don’t close curtains or blinds to make your home look less tempting. It could do the opposite and send a clear message that you are away. Move car and door keys out of sight and don’t store them anywhere near a door.

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas with our festive security & travel guide If going away, arrange for local postal services to keep your mail, or ask a neighbour to pop in and collect it daily thus avoiding tell-tale piles of post, or bulging mailboxes, which is a sure sign that nobody’s home. Get neighbours or friends to open and close curtains and park on your drive for that ‘I’m home’ impression. Neighbours can also raise the alarm if they spot unexpected or suspicious behaviour. Don’t leave a spare key in that clever outdoor hiding place that only you know about! You can be sure that if you have thought of it - so will devious burglars. Avoid the temptation of announcing your plans on social media; or tagging your location on Facebook etc. Escape unwanted Christmas surprises like burst pipes by keeping heating on for a while and insulate exposed outside pipes. Make a list and check it twice if you are travelling over Christmas. Make your check-list and review it

Don’t make it easy for the Christmas burglar. thoroughly to ensure you are good to go before you travel. Keep essential documents accessible and don’t carry liquids over 100ml in your hand luggage so you can breeze through security. Driving home for Christmas? (… . or flying) Plan your route well ahead and check traffic reports on the day for unexpected events that might scupper plans, like accidents, maintenance

work, or even strike action. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Your Egg Nog, or Christmas pudding may be legendary family favourites, but check restrictions on foodstuffs before you pack, if travelling by plane, or crossing country borders. Jack Frost nibbling at your nose? The UK is set for the warmest UK Christmas on record, but we’ve seen

temperatures of minus 13 this month! Weather is changeable, so double check your chosen destination and pack (and dress) accordingly. Don’t go crackers Crackers are a great Christmas tradition, but many airlines don’t allow them in your luggage, nor party poppers, fireworks, or sparklers. Also avoid pre-wrapping presents in case you’re selected for a security check. Blue Christmas Finally, unexpected accidents and mishaps happen and nothing will dampen your Christmas spirit like exorbitant Medical Expenses while you are away. So be a savvy traveller and ensure you’re covered by a decent travel insurance policy before leaving home. Have a wonderful Christmas and travel safe. Travel Insurance for essential peace of mind from www.globe link.co.uk, or call (UK) +44 1353 699 082 or our Spanish link line 966 265 000.

Travel

Raw and unapologetic By Matthew Elliott WILD, windy, raw and exotic, Cadiz was one of the first parts of Spain to welcome western civilisation as we know it, but today stands firmly at the far edge of the tourist and travel experience. The province is sprawling with hot, dusty, coastal towns separated by pine forests and sublime beaches. The skies are a deep, daily blue, which is why this is the Costa de la Luz. From the beaches and surrounding mountains you can easily see Africa. Yet it is the Arab and Gitano vibe which dominates through the splendid architecture and pulsating flamenco. The laid-back port of Cadiz has some of the wildest carnivals in the world and a hip alternative community that makes a welcome change from the tourist magnets of Granada and Barcelona. There is an adventurous feel to the place, which first welcomed Roman and Phoenician armies thousands of years ago. Since then seafaring Spanish soldiers used Cadiz as a hub of empire and the archaic flavour of those for-

ENDLESS BEACHES: From Tarifa to Vejer de la Frontera.

gotten times lingers on today. Trips to Cadiz are mainly based on three things. The beaches, food and isolation. From Tarifa to Vejer de la Frontera you will find some of Spain’s finest virgin beaches, endlessly stretching around the cragged coastline. A renowned surfing paradise, beaches like Valdevaqueros are at world competition level standard but offer a spectacular reward for the

non-surfer who just wants to feel as though they are standing at the end of the world. Fish of course is the prime dish at almost any restaurant. Across Cadiz you can be certain of enjoying local, freshly caught fish on demand, washed down with the region’s acclaimed wines. Unaccustomed to tourists to the same extent as other Spanish hotspots, you can’t always

expect good English or standard service. What you can expect is an excellent, hearty meal and an experience you won’t soon forget. Cadiz is easily accessible by car from Malaga Province, or by air from airports across both the UK and Spain. The nearest airport is Jerez, which Ryanair flies out of, and which is just over a half hour drive or one hour train ride away from Cadiz city.

COSTA DE LA LUZ: You can see Africa. CADIZ CITY: Flavour of forgotten times.

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) This being a family oriented week, much of it may be spent getting together with relatives and going over old times. Perhaps you are compiling a photo album for older members of the family or vice versa.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)

‘ READ THAT BIT TO ME AGAIN ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING ’

Credit: Twitter

Trivia from around the world

Women’s wit

‘

Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” Simone de Beauvoir, Writer

Famous quote

IN DEEP WATER: Christ of the Abyss in Italy. ***The world’s shortest scheduled airline flight connects two islands in the UK and lasts approximately two minutes.

***In Japanese, there are at least 20 different ways to say ‘sorry.’ ***Ireland is home to the world’s oldest yacht club. The Royal Cork Yacht Club first opened back in 1720.

***There is a golf club on the border of Sweden and Finland, with half the holes in one country and half in the other.

LOTTERY

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

***In San Fruttuoso, Italy, there is a submerged 2.5 metres tall, 260 kilogrammes

IRISH LOTTO

Saturday

Due to deadline changes 35 over45 33 37 the festive period, this lottery 46 had57not been drawn 38 40 as the EWN went to print. BONUS BALL BONUS BALL 14

bronze statue of Jesus Christ, named Christ of the Abyss, submerged 15 metres under the sea.

DID YOU KNOW? Switzerland, Sweden and The Netherlands were the most innovative countries in the world in 2017, according to the UN.

8 15 30 38 46

LUCKY STARS

World of English

‘

Parallelism - uses words or phrases with a similar structure - I went to the store, parked the car and bought a pizza.

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

LA PRIMITIVA

EURO MILLIONS

Tuesday December 19

‘

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Pele, Footballer

Friday

Due 25to deadline changes 30 over the festive 31 period, 42 this lottery 50 had not been drawn LUCKY STARS as the EWN 2 to print. 11 went EL MIL-

Thursday December 21

REINTEGRO

JOKER: 5 353 322

Sunday

Saturday

Due to deadline changes 8 28over the 45 festive 20 period, this lottery 28 48 had 49 48 not been drawn as the EWN went to print.REINTEGRO REINTEGRO 17

JOKER: 6 940 439

An exciting invitation may set tongues wagging and make a loved one jealous. You, meanwhile, are quite bemused by the whole thing. What comes out of this week is that you are of considerable value to others. The mere thought of you not being around sends ripples through your social circle.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Being asked to take on a new and demanding task this week may see you wishing that you had been less visible. However, don't think of the hard work involved but rather the brilliant outcome. You will be popular.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) An interest in technology is not something new to you. What is great, though, is that the penny has suddenly dropped. This week sees you understanding more and wanting to know more.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) An urge to get moving must mean that spring is round the corner. Certainly, you are questioning where you want to be in the months ahead. A house move or work placement may be on your mind.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Be aware that not everyone is willing to work as hard as you. When approached by someone wanting you to trust them, be sure of their motives. Do what you feel is right but remain firmly in control, especially financially. It may not be the time to make a particular move, although others think that it is. There's no problem with discussing things and talking them through. Keep up your healthy habits because you need lots of energy, especially at the weekend.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Social demands are made, but try to shuffle them to the weekend. Be diplomatic or someone close could become irritated. Keep an eye on the small print because something fundamental may have changed in a long-standing arrangement. Suddenly, at the weekend, you are thrust into the limelight.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Be aware that leopards do not change their spots, they merely hide them. Those who demand your trust need a cool checking out and don't be afraid to say 'no' as and when necessary. Finances are well aspected this week with a new idea proving both worthwhile in terms of your time and profitable.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Career and home are in disharmony but a bit of compromise soon sorts things out. You don't like playing the 'bad guy', but honesty is also important to you. Speaking your mind can be liberating although, initially, you may see it as a nuisance and embarrassing. A meeting at the weekend is both confusing and disarming.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Someone with a larger-than-life imagination makes you smile but that was not their intention. Try to be diplomatic and steer them in a different direction. Some feelings of loneliness will not be assuaged by working more. Perhaps it is time to consider taking on a pet or giving a current pet more attention.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Sometimes, you find it hard to do things just for the pure enjoyment of it. Realise that not everything has to have a purpose or a profit. Look round this week and seek out something that will please your senses and bring a smile to your lips. Make this a week when you live for the moment and give full rein to your imagination.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Contact with a less than ideal situation makes you realise just how lucky you are. It has been clear that the weeks are changeable and your situation at the moment far from settled.

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Quick

Across 1 Steps that make holes in stockings (7) 5 A bad shot with the wedge (5) 8 Jack takes poem home (5) 9 Current, very French, society produces a performer (7) 10 One tenant ate cellulose (7) 11 Climb over a range (5) 12 Not as hard as Eire, correct (6) 14 Getting caught on piste is bad (6) 18 Plenty of boys retaining nothing (5) 20 Smarten up the walls, whichever way you like (7) 22 Trick diplomacy is touching (7) 23 Dodge lady about now (5) 24 Advantage of changing timer (5) 25 Bring back from rest or energetic exercise (7)

7 Follow headless queens around (5) 13 You’ll turn nuts if you use it (7) 15 Quick to declare (7) 16 Get core rebuilt for the procession (7) 17 Dip in Eurocrat error rate (6)

Code Breaker

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FACING PAGE

18 Deputy at clock centre sounds hesitant (5) 19 Hardly any can be seen in the street (5) 21 Philosopher who started philosophising late and too obscurely (5)

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 18 represents Z and 24 represents Q, so fill in Z every time the figure 18 appears and Q every time the figure 24 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

CROSSWORD PAGE

Cryptic

Down 1 Outflow from newly formed lake takes time (7) 2 Monotonous sounding insect (5) 3 Brew tea leaves, but not as boost (7) 4 Parts of a fish used for balance (6) 5 First staff at the Esso station fills up (5) 6 Nice tax break is incorrect (7)

TIME

SPONSORED BY

Across 1 Promises (5) 4 Male child (3) 6 Permit (3) 7 Keyboard instrument (5) 8 Relevant (3) 9 Twelve-month period (4) 11 Utter sudden loud cry (4) 14 Small insect (3)

15 Songbird (5) 17 Epoch (3) 18 Organ of hearing (3) 19 Additional payment (5) Down 1 Joyful (5) 2 Small green vegetable (3) 3 Leisurely (4)

English - Spanish

Across 1 Salt-cellars (7) 5 Less (5) 8 Tower (5) 9 Elderly old man (7) 10 Plancha (utensilio) (4) 11 Small cushion (8) 13 Cricket (insect) (6) 15 Camarero (6) 18 Pepino (8) 19 Enchufe (eléctrico) (4)

4 Look at with fixed eyes (5) 5 Remaining after all deductions (3) 10 Following later (5) 12 Loans (5) 13 Snatch suddenly (4) 14 Consumed (3) 16 Forbid (3)

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

5 Rucksacks (8) 6 El más cercano (7) 7 Humo (5) 12 Germans (8) 14 Incluir (7) 16 Presents (gifts) (7) Down 1 Sentado (7) 17 Banquetes (6) 2 Long (dress, hair) (5) 18 Nail (metal) (5) 3 Junco (4) 20 Place (5) 4 Estación (parte del año) 21 Rodilla (4) (6) 22 Pupils (school) (7) 23 Walnut tree (5) 24 Hornos (5) 25 Mothers-in-law (7)

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Hexagram

The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (VIEWER) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

ACHING AWAKEN BUSHEL CHEERY CHOICE CURFEW EARTHY FACADE FACIAL GOVERN GUFFAW KNIVES NATION PAUNCH RESULT ROTUND SHANTY TWINGE VIEWER (10)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Creaky 2 Seaman 3 Remand 4 Fungal 5 Medial 6 Efface 7 Frugal 8 Infirm 9 Laurel 10 Family 11 Differ 12 Blurry 13 Hairdo 14 Eureka 15 Ablate 16 Forced 17 Latter 18 Fourth 19 Filter

Nonagram

EWN

Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? • The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. • No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. • No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

Kakuro

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 F) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

TARGET: • Average: 19 • Good: 26

• Very good: 38 • Excellent: 49

TARGET:

SCORING:

• Average: 10 • Good: 13 • Very good: 19 • Excellent: 25

4 letters: 1 point 7 letters: 5 points 5 letters: 2 points 8 or more letters: 6 letters: 3 points 11 points LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION hope lope lave lava lavas halo hall hallo hale halve halva have heal heave hexyl hemal leal leave leva level levels ylem yeah olla opal ahem xylem xmas poll pall pave peal allheal vale vela veal veal veals vole valve meal mealy move moas mole male uvea uveal oval ovals oleo amole aloe also alas leap love lovely lovey loam lame lamely some soma sole save same samey sale sleave sloe slave slavey slam

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION elms emit item lime limo meet melt mete mile milo mils milt mise miso mist mite mitt moil mole molt most mote omit seem semi slim some stem teem time tome toms elemi emits emote items limes limos meets melts metes miles milos mites mitts moils moist moles molts motel motes motet omits slime smelt smile smite smolt smote teems times tomes totem emotes mettle molest molies motels motets motile mottle omelet totems elmiest mettles motiles mottles omelets motliest MISTLETOE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

QUICK Across:

1 Trim, 3 Late, 7 Attracted, 8 Grandma, 11 Prevented, 12 Toes, 13 Edge.

CODE BREAKER

Down:

1 Trap, 2 Interfere, 4 Attempted, 5 Ends, 6 Haunted, 9 Spot, 10 Idle.

CRYPTIC

ENGLISH-SPANISH

Across:

1 Acts, 3 Embraces, 9 Shelter, 10 Anita, 11 Ladle, 12 Simper, 14 Thirst, 16 Scrape, 19 Repose, 21 Roger, 24 Event, 25 Iterate, 26 Nightcap, 27 Bede.

1 Nice, 3 Spice tea, 9 Turkeys, 10 María, 11 Visit, 12 Dasher, 14 Toffee, 16 Abrazo, 19 Hiedra, 21 Comet, 24 Renos, 25 Alegría, 26 Pastores, 27 Hymn.

Down:

1 Absolute, 2 Tweed, 4 Morose, 5 Realm, 6 Chimera, 7 Slap, 8 Others, 13 Retrieve, 15 Iceberg, 17 Carpet, 18 Retina, 20 Octet, 22 Grace, 23 Mean.

1 Nativity, 2 Corks, 4 Posada, 5 Camas, 6 Tarjeta, 7 Asar, 8 Settee, 13 Toy train, 15 Friends, 17 Bicker, 18 Parade, 20 Deseo, 22 Merry, 23 Wrap.

App of the week Blackbox puzzles This app opens a completely new world of mobile brain teasers that uses the phone’s built-in hardware features to help players solve puzzles without ever touching the screen.

E W N 28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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weather

Costa Blanca

TOMORROW

TODAY

DENIA

JAVEA

CALPE

CALPE ALTEA

ALTEA

BENIDORM

ALICANTE

ALICANTE ORIHUELA

ORIHUELA

Almeria

Bilbao

Madrid

TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 11-S

TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 10-C

TODAY: MAX 13, MIN -5-C

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

19 19 18 17 18 17

10 - S 10 - C 9-C 9-C 8-C 8-C

TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 11-C

19 19 18 17 17 17

S: Sun

11 - S 11 - S 11 - S 10 - S 10 - C 10 - S

Benidorm

Alicante Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

20 18 18 18 17 17

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

19 18 18 17 17 17

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Cl: Clear

15 15 15 13 13 13

11 - C 10 -Sh 9 - Sh 8-C 8-C 7 - Sh

Mallorca

TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 12-C

10 - S 10 - S 10 - S 9-C 9-C 9 - Sh

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

11 - S 11 - S 11 - S 10 - S 10 -Sh 10 -Sh

12 12 12 12 12 13

DENIA

5-C 4 -C 3 - Sh 2-C 2-C 1-C

JAVEA CALPE ALTEA BENIDORM

Barcelona

TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 11-SH

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

SATURDAY

17 17 17 16 16 15

C: Cloudy

9-S 9-S 9-C 8-S 8-C 8-C

TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 9-C

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

16 16 16 15 15 15

9-S 8-S 7-S 7-S 6-S 6-C

Sh: Showers

ALICANTE ORIHUELA TORREVIEJA

Sn: Snow

Th: Thunder

BIRTHDAYS

Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for any errors in published forecasts

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Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

• Denzel Washington, BAFTA in 2000 for his role in Actor, December 28, 63 The Talented Mr Ripley. Washington won his first LeBron James, Basketball Academy Award in 2001, player, December 30, 33 Superstar James has been won winning Best Actor for his role in Training Day and has three NBA Championships, Denzel Washington. gone on to star in several two with the Miami Heat and films including, American Gangster, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is Flight, Hurricane and Malcom X. also a four-time NBA MVP award winner. • Alex Ferguson, Football Manager, • Jude Law, Actor, December 29, 45 The British actor has played major roles in December 31, 76 several Hollywood hits including A I and One of football’s most successful managers Sherlock Holmes, alongside Robert of all-time, Ferguson led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles and two Downey Jr. He was also awarded a

Champions League wins among many other trophies during his time in charge. • Verne Troyer, Actor, January 1, 49 Best known as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers franchise, Troyer has also appeared in Men in Black and played a Goblin in the Harry Potter films. • Cuba Gooding Jr, Actor, January 2, 50 Gooding Jr starred in John Singleton’s 1991 classic Boyz n the Hood and most recently featured as OJ Simpson in the FX series American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson as well as playing a lead role in American Horror Story.

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.

Sierra Nevada SNOW REPORT Partly cloudy skies forecast for today (Thursday) and tomorrow, with a slightly clearer Saturday expected before clouds cover the Sierra Nevada Mountains the following day. No snow or rain is forecast to fall and temperatures will stay below 9 degrees.

Word Ladder BOLD

YEAR BACK

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

Solution BOLD HOLD HELD HEAD HEAR YEAR

A FT ER being born on a council estate, Jason Rampling was determined to change his fortunes. Jason is known for being a bit of a chancer and shameless with his good looks. He also has the ability to ‘earn a bit’ of mone y here and there, and Melissa thinks she’s struck gold w hen J as on as ks her t o marry him. She feels that being on his arm finally means that she has made something of her life, but there is no glamour in endlessly waiting for your hus band t o come home or worse. After spending time in priso n, J as on is determined to pull off ‘one last job,’ his bigges t of a l l time which could solve all of their problems, but this is a game that could cost everything.

Malaga

This week in history

Sometimes crime does pay

TORREVIEJA

1778 - British capture Savannah, Georgia British Lieutenant, Colonel Archibald Campbell, along with between 2,500 and 3,600 troops, launch a surprise attack on American forces defending Savannah, Georgia. 1781 - British troops posted on John’s Island Commanded by Major James Henry Craig, British troops are posted at John’s Island, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. 1879 - Edison demonstrates incandescent light American inventor Thomas Alva Edison lights up a street in Menlo Park, New Jersey in what is his first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb. 1895 - First commercial movie screened The world’s first commercial movie, made by two French Brothers, is screened at the Grand Cafe in Paris. 1915 - British ship torpedoed 15,000 tonne British HMS class Battleship Formidable is torpedoed by German submarine U-24 in the English Channel, killing 547 men. 1922 - USSR formed Comprising of Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, and the Transcaucasian Federation (divided in 1936 into the Georgian, Azerbaijan, and Armenian republics), the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established. 1940 - London suffers worst air raid Hundreds of fires are caused across London as exploding bombs engulf the city in the most devastating air raid by the Germans.

DVD

Tennis’ true story

THE true story of the 1973 tennis match held between Billie Jean King and ex-champion Bobbie Riggs that became known the world over as The Battle of the Sexes. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on totally opposite sides of a binary argument, but off of the court, they were both fighting more complex and personal battles. The matchup began a global discussion of gender equality has been described as one of the first events leading to the feminist movement, going on to become one of the most watched televised sporting events of all-time.

FEATURE

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Advertising feature

Expert holiday and long term rentals IN 2007, property expert Lisa Turner set up her real estate company PMR in Alfaz del Pi in which she and her multilingual and dedicated staff deal solely with lettings. There are plenty of estate agents who rent out property as part of their sales business but PMR specialises in offering every form of service that a landlord or tenant may need. Simplicity does not describe the workings of the PMR company although it does accurately reflect the overall result that can be expected by any client who decides to work with the group. Knowing how easy it is to overstretch any business in search of increased profits, Lisa chose to concentrate in a small area of the Costa Blanca North where she knows that PMR can provide their clients with excellent service, advice and information, which is always up to date. The majority of their properties are situated between Alicante and Calpe, with a number of properties in Benidorm, Albir, Alfaz del Pi, Villajoyosa, Altea and La Nucia areas but the company also reaches out inland of these towns. PMR are specialists in property management and rental services for both long term and holiday lettings but that’s not all. As well as rentals, PMR also offer comprehensive management services for property owners, providing property checks, key holding, alarm re-

sponse, cleaning services etc. In addition, PMR provides a One Stop Shop to help process all Spanish documents including NIE applications, driving licences, wills, Residencia etc and they also can provide translation services, debt management and assist with community issues. Property owners who live outside of Spain, can often find it difficult to respond quickly to problems that tenants may have but by using one of PMR’s management packages, the difficulties are generally quickly and easily resolved and tenants know that their interests are being looked after as well, directly from their local office. If you have a holiday home, you can rest assured there will be no nasty surprises awaiting you whenever you arrive and PMR will also take on worldwide advertising of your property, holiday bookings, guest arrival and in house guest services

while the property is rented. PMR are proud to boast that every property they advertise is registered with the Spanish tourist authorities. As another service, PMR can provide garden and pool maintenance and check water meters to ensure there are no leaks. They will thoroughly ventilate all rooms and carry out pest and vermin checks and even water house plants if re-

quired. For owners looking to let their property for either long term or holiday rental, PMR will provide online and newspaper advertising worldwide. With long term rental Lisa’s team will carry out tenant reference checks, preparation of all contract documents, handling of deposits and transfer of utility bills if required. Owners will also be able to take advantage of a rental collection service and regular tenant contact. This is a complete service offered by a team of professionals who concentrate on one type of business in one particular area which is why PMR is proud to offer the best letting and management service in the area. PMR is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday 10am until 1pm. PMR Calle Ferreria 16 Alfaz del Pi Call 966 260 877, email pmr@pmrspain.com or visit www.pmrspain.com for more details of their complete range of services as well as to view short and long term lettings available. PMR TEAM: Offer every type of service that a landlord or tenant may need.

Travel

Natural waterfalls take your breath away WITH temperatures still soaring along the costas, why not head inland slightly to the cooling waters of the Fuentes del Algar. Situated in Callosa d’en Sarria, just 15km from Benidorm, the waterfalls are a picturesque nature reserve offering crystal clear waters and cooling waterfalls which are a world away from the bars and beaches just a short drive away from the coast. Upon entering the waterfalls you can weave your way against the current along the waters and little streams, cooling off in the natural pools as you go. The sun shines through the welcoming shade of the trees, speckling the rocks and waters like shiny crystals glistening from the water’s edge. Such is their beauty it is no surprise that they caught the attention of TV producers and it was here that the famous Timotei shampoo advert was filmed with many trying to recreate those moments in the Cascada Principal, which is the first main waterfall you arrive at. Keep pushing up along the wooden pathways to the Estret de Sacos and the waters seeping through the

NATURAL AREAS: The Algar Waterfalls literally take your breath away. mountains are perfect for a cooling dip; and they are cooling, if not positively freezing, so be prepared for the Algar waterfalls to take your breath away in more ways than one. Whilst a protected nature reserve, the waterfalls are manned by life-

guards watching from the diving points and there are toilets and a restaurant within the waterfalls. Entry is €5 for adults in the high season and €4 in the low season. Taking your own picnic inside is prohibited with checks being car-

ried out at the gates. However, just outside the waterfalls there is a picnic and park area, ideal to spend another few lazy hours. From the numerous parking areas on the way to the waterfalls just outside of the village of Callosa d’en Sarria there

are a number of restaurants offering snacks and menu del dias, many with their own pools also which are free to those eating. Just a few minutes away there is the popular Dino Park introducing visitors to the mysterious world of the dinosaurs with moving and static models in life-size form set amongst natural surroundings. Dino Park is suitable for youngsters of all ages and has a 3D cinema, playgrounds, parking and Dino shop. Dino Park is open from 10am-8pm during August and until 6pm in September and October with tickets costing €15 for adults and €10 for children aged from four to 12. Whilst the waterfalls seem like a blissful hidden retreat, sadly they are no longer a secret delight for a few in the know, and can be busy in summer months but they make a lovely day out for those on the Costa Blanca. Also remember to take swim shoes with you as the pebbles and rocks under foot can be extremely slippery and brace yourself for the cold! For opening times and directions visit www.lesfontsdelalgar.es

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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

SPAIN is shellshocked but not Cataluña. The popular theory that the pro-independence separatists were a noisy majority whose stridencies silenced the cowed and silent majority has had holes blown all the way through it. Certainly more Catalans voted for Ines Arrimadas and Ciudadanos than ever before and her BIG LOSER: Mariano Rajoy and the Popular Party.

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FEATURE

Winners and losers party has more seats in the regional parliament than any other. But at this stage it looks as though she cannot head a government since the constitutionalists have 57 seats between them. Even if they wooed piggy-in-the-middle Cataluña en Comun they would still only have 65 seats. If anyone should be blamed for the constitutionalist defeat it is the Partido Popular, the leastvoted party with its pathetic three

seats. Had the PP improved on the eight seats the party won in 2015 there would be a different story to tell. It’s time for Mariano Rajoy and the PP to take a long, hard look at where they went wrong in Cataluña. But instead of navel-gazing they should look at the footage of the police and Guardia Civil charges on October 1. That would explain a lot.

Sitting pretty MARTA ROVIRA said on the morning after the Catalan elections, “We won the elections and Rajoy lost.” Rovira’s ‘we’ was generic because her party, Esquerra Republicana de Cataluña

(ERC) was overtaken, against all expectations, by self-exiled Carles Puigdemont’s Junts per Catalunya. But between them ERC and Puigdemont’s party have 66 pro-independence seats - 70 if they allow the anti-system CUP party to hitch its wagon to their star. Predictably, CUP is already being tiresome and bartering support in exchange for a republic - now, and not tomorrow. But the separatists might even manage to dispense with CUP and could still be sitting pretty in their Parliament seats as Barcelona mayor Ada Colau’s party Cataluña en Comun (CEC) would possibly abstain rather than vote against them. They have until February to start haggling but meanwhile more big-name

Time to talk CUP’s Ana Gabriel, former regional president Artur Mas and Marta Rovira are the subjects of a new investigation for ‘rebellion’ ie their part in ‘El Proces’ of taking Cataluña towards independence. It’s time for Rajoy to stop flogging a dead horse. It’s time to start talking, not an easy task with the separatists who only listen to what they want to hear. The December 21 poll has shown what Cataluña wants does not correspond to what Rajoy and his government or many Spaniards want. So it’s time to talk, Rajoy, and if you can’t or won’t, let someone else do it for you.

firms will probably leave the region, the economy will stagnate still further and hospital waiting lists will get longer. In other words, the same pattern that has accompanied ‘El Proces’ so far.

Double standards CARLES PUIGDEMONT, regional president until the Constitution’s Article 155 temporarily suspended Cataluña’s autonomous status, fled to Brussels while others who joined him in the unilateral declaration of independence were remanded in prison. Never mind, he said from his self-imposed exile, if the separatists win the December 21 election, we’ll get them out of the slammer. Is this the same Puigdemont who accused the national government of using politics to influence the legal system? A judge remanded the UDI faction for rebellion and sedition and only a judge can release them. But Puigdemont & Co have applied double standards throughout ‘El Proces’ so it’s no surprise that they should be doing it now. columnists@euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH BEAUTY

28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018

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V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W. E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

Reverse the signs of ageing MANY a company has promised miracles when it comes to turning back the clock, but a scientist has claimed it might be much easier than we thought. A gerontology expert, Dr Rozalyn Anderson, said it is an “amazing fact” that wrinkles do not have to appear, claiming fasting may help slow ageing. The scientist explained a study earlier this year showed adults age 0.6 years slower if they reduce calorie intake by 25 per cent to around 1,900 a day for men and 1,500 for women. Dr Anderson said, “remarkably, caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to be effective in delaying ageing in multiple species and the results in humans look equally promising,” she added, “indeed for many studies, CR is used as the gold-standard for enhanced longevity against which new drugs and anti-ageing strategies are measured.”

The expert added, “ultimately what these studies show is that what you eat influences how you age, and it’s not all bad news.” She continued, “one of the things that people sometimes miss is the amazing fact that ageing can be altered; caloric restriction research proves this.” Dr Anderson concluded, “cutting your calories delays ageing, probably because the body uses energy from food differently to become more resilient,” adding, “by targeting ageing itself we could, instead of fighting cancer or cardiovascular disease individually, target the full spectrum of disease simultaneously.” A previous study showed monkeys given 20 per cent fewer calories a day lived around nine years longer, giving hope to humans that a life of dieting could preserve our looks and give us a few more years.

GOLDEN AGE: Could eating less really replace wrinkle cream?

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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An apple (or three) a day who have stopped smoking,” eases ranging from bronchiEXPERTS have claimed adding, “it also suggests that tis to emphysema. three apples or two tomatoes a diet rich in fruits Dr Vanessa Garcia-Larsen, a day could reverse lung can slow down the report’s lead author, damage caused by smoking. the lung’s said, “this study The scientists from Johns natural shows that diet Hopkins Bloomberg School ageing might help reof Public Health said the process pair lung damfruits could also slow down even if age in people the natural ageing of lungs. The group made the discovery that fresh versions of the fruit - as opposed to canned varieties - saw the decline in lung function in smokers of 10 years slow. They believe this news could prevent smokers developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, an incurable condition. The potentially fatal condition is thought to affect around 1.2 million adults in the UK and around 11 million adults in the United States. The GOOD GRUB: An apple a day keeps the doctor away! umbrella term covers disWITH more than 6,000 people expected to attend A&E in the UK this Christmas, it may be worth taking time to think about how to avoid injuries over the festive season. Emma Hammett, an English nurse and first-aid trainer, has given one publication tips on keeping your Christmas injury-free. Hammett says safety should start in the kitchen with only the cook being present while water boils or other hot substances cook. She also recommends mopping up spills as soon as they happen to avoid slipping. The expert also suggests checking or re-

Stay safe this Christmas placing old fairy lights to avoid electric shock, while she also advises stairs can be a hazard if not well-lit. To avoid choking hazards or accidents involving glass, Hammett suggests placing any glass baubles, or novelty ones which may look like toys, out of the reach of children. She also recommends placing any tealights in containers to avoid them burn-

you have never smoked.” The expert went on, “the findings support the need for dietary recommendations, especially for people at risk of developing respiratory diseases such as COPD.” She concluded, “lung function starts to decline at around age 30 at variable speed depending on the general and specific health of individuals,” adding, “our study suggests that eating more fruits on a regular basis can help attenuate the decline as people age, and might even help repair damage caused by smoking.” She finished, “diet could become one way of combating rising diagnosis of COPD around the world.”

ing anything they have been placed on and never leaving a candle unattended. To avoid poisoning, Hammett suggests keeping mistletoe out of reach of children as it is toxic if swallowed, as well as ensuring your turkey is thoroughly cooked to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Finally, the expert says alcohol should be consumed responsibly, with cooks waiting until food preparation is finished to consume, as well as urging others to take extra care on stairs when they have had a drink. She suggests tipping away any half-drunk glasses before bed to avoid children drinking them.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

Brought to you by

High triglycerides

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. This week a reader has asked the doctor about his blood test results: DEAR Doctor, For some years I’ve been under treatment for high blood pressure and recently I’ve been having trouble keeping it under control. My GP sent me for blood tests and the results said my triglycerides were very high, twice as much as they should be, but he didn’t explain what that means, just said that could be what’s sending my blood pressure up and told me to go on a diet and get some exercise. Could you please explain what they are, what they do and why I need to lower them? I’d also appreciate some detailed advice on ‘diet and exercise.’ The doctor replied - High blood pressure is a chronic complaint which usually shows no symptoms to begin with but can cause problems in various internal organs such as the heart and kidneys over time. Treatment consists of an adequate, balanced, low in salt diet, regular moderate exercise (a 50-minute walk

five days per week or 50-60 minutes swimming three or four days per week) and medication. This is often enough to keep blood pressure under control but sometimes it can remain a problem. If this is the case, you should see a specialist in Internal Medicine to rule out certain causes which may need more specific treatment. In your case, your triglycerides are high which has nothing to do with your high blood pressure levels but can usually be controlled with a low-fat diet and by avoiding alcohol. High triglyceride levels are dangerous as they are a cardiovascular risk and can increase the chance of suffering a heart attack. Diet is the most important thing to change. Follow a diet low in fat and sugar, rich in vegetables, fruit and fish. Red meat should be avoided and swapped for white meat. Food should be boiled or grilled. You should avoid drinking too much alcohol and fizzy drinks.

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Heart disease hope EXPERTS have found one or two portions of some of our favourite foods each day may lower the risk of heart disease. Scientists from St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, C anada, sai d m eat and dairy - previously thought to be bad for our hearts- could in fact lower risks by 5 per cent. Dr John Sievenpiper said there could be benefits to introducing more animal-based proteins into our diet rather than plant-based ones. He explained the statistic, “may not sound like much, but because people in North America eat very little plant

protein, there is a real opportunity here to make some small changes to our diets and realise the health benefits.” He added, “we are seeing a major interest in plant-based diets from Mediterranean to vegetarian diets in the supermarket and the clinic, and t hi s com prehensi ve anal ysi s of t he hi ghest l evel of evi dence f rom randomised trials provides us with more confidence that these diets are heart healthy. Rob Hobson, a London-based nutrit i oni st , f urt her backed up t he case against cutting out dairy, telling one publication, “the problem is that milk and dairy products are an important source of several key nutrients.” He added, “cutting out on the foods reduces the intake of calcium and iodine - raising the risk of deficiencies.” The expert concluded, “dairy product s are al so a usef ul source of iodine - a micronutrient important for women during pregnancy and young children that contributes to growth and brai n devel opm ent ,” addi ng, “our bones continue to grow until we reach our mid 30’s and during this time it’s important to make sure di et s cont ai n enough calcium.”

GOT MILK: Consuming dairy products could reduce the risk of heart disease.

SCENE

28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018

URBAN ART: The creation in Plaza de los Musicos.

Giant mural ALICANTE artist Tom Rock recently completed a giant mural in La Nucia’s Plaza de los Musicos. He took two days to finish the example of urban art dedicated to Human Rights that was sponsored by the Juan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute and Alicante’s provincial council.

Pupils from local schools and members of the Union Musical’s Junior Band accompanied Rock with Christmas carols as he finished the mural. The event was open to the public and there were presents of rucksacks with pictures to colour for the children.

Lost dance comes home CALLOSA’S culture department recovered an audio-visual record of more traditional dances. Francesc Guardiola, the town’s Culture councillor and Maite Cano visited the municipal archive in Requena (Valencia) where they were given footage of Callosa’s Ball de l’U. They were accompanied in the archive by Fermin Pardo, a leading expert in the Valencia region’s folklore who has documented dances and music from all three provinces. Pardo arrived in Callosa in March 1991 where he taped local women performing dances that had been handed down from one gen-

Costa Blanca North

Update on food, drink, entertainments, what’s on and weekly happenings

Photo credit: La Nucia town hall

OCIAL

eration to another. “Amongst them was the Ball de l’U, a gem on the point of being lost forever,” Guardiola said. “Thanks to Fermin Pardo’s work not only the dance has been saved but its music, too,” he added. The Ball de l’U follows the prominence given to the Danses de Sant Jaume that are performed each July in front of Callosa’s Sant Jaume church and were recently declared an Asset of Tourist Interest. The same status is also sought for the dances performed by the Moorish and Christian bands during the October fiestas.

EWN

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Writer’s retreat welcomes published thriller author DON’T miss your chance to take part in AlteArte’s exclusive ‘Writer’s Retreat’ in April next year. AlteArte is a ‘mojiteria’ and art lounge located in the heart of Altea’s Casco Antiguo, just steps from the church square. It is owned and operated by Sara Wilson and David Fernandez, who view it as their “duty and privilege” to create a cultural hub in Altea. The four-day retreat will be held from April 26 - April 29 and offer writers the opportunity, environment and space to focus on their writing while at the same time arming them with the helpful instruction and personal insight from a very special guest - published English thriller author R J Ellory. Ellory has sold in excess of six million books worldwide. His titles have been translated in 26 different languages and have won him an array of international awards: Balai D’Or Award (2017) Grand Prix des Lecteurs (2017) Plume d’Or for Thriller Internationale (2016) St Maur Prix Polar (2011) Southern Independent Booksellers’ Award (2010) Prix Des Libraires Du Quebec Laureat (2010) Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award (2010) Villenueve les Avignon Literary Festival Readers’ Prize (2010)

R J ELLORY.

Photo credit Wikimedia

Inaugural Roman Noir Nouvel Observateur Prize (2009) Best Thriller by New York’s Strand Magazine (2009) Livre De Poche Award Quebec Booksellers’ Prize USA National Indie Excellence Award for Best Mystery When asked about what inspired her to organise the writer’s retreat, which she hopes to make an annual event, Sara said: “The idea for the AlteArte Writer’s Retreat stemmed, partly, from AlteArte’s

Book Club. The members meet once a month to read and discuss a book. Whenever possible, the author is present either via Skype or in person. This personal contact with authors like R J Ellory made me dream bigger, and I instantly envisioned an annual writer’s retreat.” The retreat is open to 10 participants and tickets purchased before January 1 are offered at a discounted rate. For more information and to purchase tickets, check out https://www.aawriter sretreat.com/ or call Sara on 697 810 804.

SOCIAL SCENE

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Something to get them interested These were charged with a symbolism that has been extensively studied and which the workshop will help the children to decipher. Each participant can choose the motive that most appeals to them to decorate their own calato, a funerary urn used by the Iberians to store the ashes of the dead which they buried together with grave goods. The workshop, which last two hours and costs €4, is recommended for children aged between six and 12 and lasts two hours. It will be held between December 26-29 and January 2-5 and places should be reserved beforehand. Ring 628 993 175 (calls and WhatsApp) or email vilakids@villajoyosa.com with more information available at the w w w. v i l a m u s e u . c o m / v i l a k i d s website. Photo cred it: Villajoy osa town hall.

A VILAKIDS workshop organised by Vilamuseu will show young people how local Iberians decorated their pottery. The Iberians played an important part in Villajoyosa’s development and the town’s archaeological sites have yielded a rich examples of their ceramic production. The workshop will introduce the children to Iberian customs and traditions through the motives they used to decorate their pottery.

IBERIAN CALATO: Decoration charged with symbolism.

An emerging hope GODELLO: Drink lightly chilled but not icy cold. GODELLO, described by critics as “a sleeping giant of a variety waiting to be properly discovered,” is a Spanish white variety of grapes. Produced in the north-west particularly in Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrey in Galicia and Bierzo in Castilla y Léon, its 19th century origins are from Godella in Valencia where this variety was first planted, only being transported to Galicia by Lorenzo Barbareschi later by a trader. After decades of decline, plantations have increased since the mid-80s as Godello has grown steadily more popular due to a small group of dedicated growers and producers. The wines are sometimes made solely of Godello, though can additionally be blended with local grapes including Treixadura and Albariño, thus providing similarities with Chardonnay. The Godello grape is versatile and somewhat neutral, greatly reflecting in its aro-

mas and flavours the methods and techniques of the winemaker. Producers in Bierzo favour ageing Godello in oak barrels, making richer, fuller wines; those from Valdeorras tend to be aged in steel tanks, giving them a fresher, livelier quality. Overall Godello wines are clean and fresh with deep rich mineral and fruit flavours that are ripe and savoury. Ageing well, some last up to a decade, gaining complexity and depth with time. Seafood is an obvious choice of food to match with Godello, especially heartier choices including lobster, scallops, crab, and halibut, though salads and lighter chicken dishes also pair well. Known producers in the area are Santa Maria, Vina Godeval, Soto del Vicario, Castro de Lobarzan and Pazos del Rey. As always with white wines, drink lightly chilled but not icy cold. Happy tasting!

BACCHUS CELLAR

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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Photo credit: Muchamiel town hall

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ROYAL POSTMAN: He’s on his way!

Please Mr Postman THE Royal Postman visits Muchamiel on Wednesday next week to collect children’s letters for delivery to the Three Kings. In them they tell the Three Wise Men Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar - the presents that they would like them to leave on the night of January 5, the day before Reyes. The Cartero Real will arrive at Parque de Elche at 6pm on Wednesday where he will be met by Muchamiel children together with the municipal corporation headed by

the the mayor, Sebastian Cañadas. After greeting the children, the Cartero will parade through the town’s principal streets together with his entourage which will include dancers, floats and musicians together with a brass band. The parade will end at the doors to the town hall where the Cartero will pick up the children’s letters which he will then deliver to the their Majesties, the Three Kings.

A little peace and quiet AS always at this time of the year Callosa’s municipal library has set aside a study room for students. From tomorrow, Friday, this will be open from 9am until 10pm each day until January 13 so that university students, as well as vocational and baccalaureate pupils can have somewhere peaceful to revise for their exams. The only exceptions are December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1, 5 and 6.

Festive cinema showings in Javea CINE JAYAN in Javea is offering a variety of showings in English over the festive period. The Greatest Showman Inspired by the imagination of P T Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Friday December 29 - 6.00pm Saturday December 30 - 6.00pm Wednesday January 3 - 8.00pm Thursday January 4 - 8.00pm Coco Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the

way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal) and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. Monday January 1 - 4.30pm Tuesday January 2 - 4.30pm Ferdinand Ferdinand tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover. From Blue Sky Studios and Carlos Saldanha, the director of ‘Rio’ and inspired by the beloved book ‘The Story of Ferdinand’ by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, ‘Ferdinand’ is a heart-warming animated comedy adventure with an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more. Saturday January 6 - 4.15pm

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Skipping the mortgage

ZERO ENERGY: EU plans for efficient homes from 2020.

Zero energy panic SPAIN’S property sector is facing a race against time to comply with European energy consumption regulations. New energy efficiency standards take effect across the community in 2020. The goal is ‘near zero energy buildings.’ This means that the renewable energy generated by the building meets, or almost meets, total energy expenditure. At a recent real estate conference held in Madrid, architects and developers heard that Spain is woefully u n p r e p a r e d f o r z e r o e n e r g y. T h e

country’s lost years during the crisis shoulders much of the responsibility. Real Estate Innovation Solvia director Anna Guanter quipped: “Our experience is that the sector is zero prepared.” Her company is building Innova Torrejon, a project of 92 energy efficient homes near Madrid slated for completion in 2019. Part of the problem is securing financing and convincing a skeptical Spanish public that energy efficiency is the future, says research director of Construcciones Domeño, Emilio

Linzoain. He recalls how the firm built 72 low energy apartments back in 2014 but had trouble selling them. Explaining the zero energy concept to people more interested in the basics was an uphill struggle, but there is growing public awareness that such buildings are now a valuable investment. Examples from northern Europe show that, not only will people save money on bills, but purchasing zero energy homes is also a safe bet as a future investment.

NEARLY one in three home purchases in Spain are now made without a mortgage. A study from Fotocasa also found that more than one in 10 homes are sold purely as an investment, not as a primary residence for the buyer. “In October 2017 more than 30 per cent of property transactions were closed without a mortgage,” said Beatriz Toribio of Fotocasa. Yet banks are increasingly granting credit to buyers as confidence returns to the housing market, she said. Mortgage data from the National Institute of Statistics showed that, in October, there was an 8.2 per cent increase in the granting of loans compared to

October 2016. But the banks are still operating strict controls as they continue to pay the prices for the mortgage free for all that characterised the boom years of the previous decade. The number of foreign buyers also plays a role. Wealthier buyers from the UK, Germany, Russia and France may be solvent from a recent home sale or have no need for a mortgage. Then there are the domestic investors, which Fotocasa estimates account for around 11 per cent of sales volume. They are snapping up properties with two eyes fixed on the lucrative rental market.

NO DEAL: Mortgages aren’t the only buying route.

28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018

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Reet petite in 2018 WHILE some of us may be lucky enough to live in palatial homes, others of us often have more modest properties. And while this can often crea t e a c o s y e ff e c t , i t c a n a l s o sometimes cause problems when it comes to fitting in all of our furniture. Luckily, IKEA has come up with a modular range to fit small spaces, telling one publication: “Here at IKEA, we are really excited to be collaborating with Tom Dixon. Modular furniture is becoming ever-important in today’s homes and we wanted to create a range that could reflect people’s living needs and at the s ame ti m e b r i n g st y l e to p e o ple’s homes.” Adding, “Delaktig is an adaptable product that can cater to all different tastes and respond to those who desire flexible and fluid living throughout their home.” The clever range is made from

DELAKTIG: Modular genius.

aluminium and includes adaptable sofas, clip on side tables and lamps which can be used on the floor or in a frame. The range, which will be available from February 2018, “can be combined in multiple ways to suit different looks, activities and lifestyles,” meaning y o u c a n u p d a t e y o u r r o o m ’s look and layout simply by changing one or two pieces of the Delaktig rather than whole pieces of furniture. Explaining why the company chose to work with aluminium for the range, Ikea explained, “in contrast to traditional upholstery production and design, the Delaktig frame is made in an industrial manner. That is one of the reasons why IKEA and Tom chose to work with aluminium. I t ’s g r e a t f o r t h e i n d u s t r i a l process, and its raw aesthetics makes for a durable, lightweight frame.”

HOMES

GARDENS

Playing with light for a new look FINDING the right lighting for every room can make a home look as good as new as light plays a very important part of creating a good atmosphere. Here are a few suggestions: Mix lights: using different types of lamp softens lighting and helps give a sense of warmth and space. Mixing various types of light to create different effects is a good way to illuminate a room. Practical wall lamps: lamps fixed to walls help emphasise the contrast between a room’s centre and the corners and are a cheap way to light spaces where recessed lighting is not an option. Soft, uniform light: lighting should never dazzle and it’s best to avoid shadows. Using soft, uniform lighting is the best way to make sure it is comfortable to the eye. Candles are another way to help create a unique atmosphere. They give any room a romantic touch and can help create a warm, relaxing feel. Play with mirrors: any already hanging on walls can be used to play with lighting as they reflect everything in front of them, including light. By using them to reflect light, either natural or artificial, smaller rooms can be made to feel bigger.

HOMES & GARDENS

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28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

Time to plant bulbs for spring flowers GRAEME TYRRELL ABUNDANT bright colourful flowers are a hallmark of the Mediterranean garden. New Year is the perfect time to prepare for a wonderful flower display in spring with minimal preparation and years of regrowth with minimal additional input to obtain heavenly scents and delightful flower displays. Bulbs, tubers and corms can be planted now in containers, pots and the garden while still dormant to quickly sprout and grow in time for

spring as they are so easy to grow and so versatile. In containers they can be displayed in entrances, on window sills, balconies, patios and terraces to provide attractive blooms and allow the perfumed scents to add a natural fresh ambiance and uplifting appeal to any zone around the home where there is sufficient light and fresh air. A number of bulbs are native to the Mediterranean region, including daffodils, but have been distributed and developed into various different cultivar around the world so

that their origins have been obscured. Many fit into the Mediterranean garden perfectly as they emerge in winter when the soil is normally moist and die back over summer after flaunting their springtime flowers to wait for the next winter rains before starting the cycle again. This can mean that garden bulbs will often not need any watering year round unless the spring weather is very dry. Containers with bulbs may need supplemental watering as containers can dry out faster and may not catch suf-

ficient natural rainfall. Bulbs in containers also have a limited period to be on display as they can die down over summer. I solve this by adding the bulbs to containers with single trunk container plants that stay green over summer. The bulbs highlight the container plant in spring but as the bulbs die back the container plant becomes the new focus and the dried leaves from the builds are removed. In this way I donâ€™t have to put the containers away during the bulbs dormancy. A good selection of bulbs, tubers and corms to select for

planting at this time include: daffodils, jonquils, grape hyacinth, tulips, Madonna lilies, gladiolus, iris, freesia, cyclamen, crocus, anemone, scilla and snowdrops. My personal favourite is freesias. I have grown them in a pot with a weeping fig for over 15 years and they come up every year, look lovely while filling the terrace with their delightful scent and then disappear in summer as if never there. I just add a little compost every other year (biannually). There are also many iris of

various colours scattered around the garden and in the orchard giving annual displays while daffodils our children planted when only young still come up at the base of a hackberry tree in the vegetable garden. If you have good soil in the garden you can just dig a hole about three times deeper than the size of the bulb, pop them in and cover them over with the soil. Add compost to the soil surface rather than in the hole and you can have years of flower displays with little more work than some weeding.

A field of freesias in bloom.

PERMACULTURE EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Telephone: 666 33 33 35 info@permamed.org http://permamed.org/

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Never send your dog away to be trained

David THE Dogman LISTEN to David on TRE on Saturdays 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9fm, 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 columnists@ewnmediagroup.com

DOGS want to be trained and there is so much proof that trained dogs are invariably happier than an untrained dog. All trained dogs have happy owners. Great satisfaction can be derived from training a dog. It is not time consuming and most training can be done whilst exercising the dog. If you do not have the time to exercise your dog then you should not keep a dog. Training classes undoubtedly contribute to better training of dogs. One great advantage of classes is that they accustom the puppy or young dog to meeting other dogs and the owners get an opportunity to meet people with a common interest and often the same or

GOOD BOY: Both dogs and owners benefit from training. similar problems. Many people are regarded as experts when they have trained a dog of one

breed to a very high standard. Faced with a difficult dog they would not know where to start. Training methods

Homeless hounds UK animal charity Dogs Trust has revealed some of the reasons people give when they hand over their pets. Although a new pet is for life, not just for Christmas, it would seem many people don’t

realise quite what they have let themselves in for when they welcome a new furry family member into the home. Some of the more outlandish excuses given to Dogs Trust apparently include:

• “I won a free holiday and I couldn’t take my dogs with me” • “I’m a vegetarian but he always wanted to eat meat” • “I got him as a secret Santa present” • “He was panting too much” • “He didn’t like it when we played dress up” Adrian Burder, Chief Executive for Dogs Trust, said “We really hope this Christmas we don’t see dogs discarded because their owners have not considered the lifetime commitment of dog ownership.” Before you make a lifechanging commitment this festive season, make sure you’ve spent a considerable amount of time thinking about it. Make sure you have enough free time to dedicate to your four-legged friend, especially if you get a puppy or a kitten, and that it will fit into your lifestyle. It’s also a good idea to talk to a vet beforehand, who can be a great source of information to help you choose the best pet to suit your needs.

vary just as much as dogs and their owners do. There are however, many accepted exercises that form a useful

www.euroweeklynews.com basis for most dogs and most owners. Owners must not regard dogs as almost human; this is an insult to our canine friend. In this day and age we still do not know how dogs do some of these things, such as detecting mines and drugs. Intelligence is not an important factor in a dog’s make up. Dogs and indeed all animals learn by association of ideas. Animals do not reason at all, they simply react to what is happening and do not think what has happened or is about to happen. It is believed that they do sometimes work out a problem for themselves. For training purposes we try to create associations we want and avoid those we do not want, by what is known as correction and reward. Correction does not mean beating the dog or jerking him on a choke chain it means any act, which forces the dog to obey, like pushing him into the sit position. Many dog owners will never know or have any idea of the pleasure they are losing in not having a dog that is trained to be a faithful companion and partner. A dog will accept a human as a substitute for a canine leader and this willingness to accept a human makes him easier to train than most other animals.

Cats really do enjoy their home comforts WE love to make sure your pets are cared for securely at home when we go on holiday. As James Herriot, the well loved vet, said: ‘Cats are the connoisseurs of comfort.’ Like many animals, and indeed humans, cats are indeed creatures of habit and enjoy the comforts of their own home. As we celebrate the holidays, wherever we happen to be, it is a consideration that our pets should also be happy and comfortable wherever they spend their holidays. At HouseSitMatch we can help you find house and petsitters to keep your property and pets safe and sound in your absence. If you are not

SNUGGLED UP: Enjoying home comforts. yet familiar with our housesitting network, HouseSit Match.com, take a look online. It is easy to join our membership network online and we can help you get started. Check out our Trustpilot ref-

erences online to see what our verified customers say about us too. So if you have holiday plans firming up for the New Year, it is best to pin down your house-sitter now. Get ahead and start early.

Register as either house-sitter or homeowner now with a special holiday offer of 50 per cent off introductory offer using coupon code SPECIAL50. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HouseSitMatch.com call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742 or email admin@housesitmatch.com

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E W N 28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018

Costa Blanca North

FOR BEST RATES IN MOTOR INSURANCE CALL: 952 89 33 80 PRODUCTION of the new Nissan Leaf for the European market has begun in the firm’s huge Sunderland plant in the UK. The first customers are expected to receive their new wheels in February. Deliveries will be made right across Europe with thousands of vehicles rolling off the production line in the coming months. Nissan describes its new Leaf as “the next generation of the world’s best-selling electric car.” It has an expanded range of 378km on a single charge. There is an ‘e-Pedal’ which allows drivers to start, stop, accelerate and decelerate simply by applying different levels of

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Next generation Leaf

British built

pressure to the accelerator. The ProPILOT advanced driving assistance program keeps the Leaf in the centre of the lane and can automatically control the distance between the car and the vehicle in front to ensure safety. ProPILOT Park is an automatic parking technology that uses four high resolution cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to park the car accurately at the push of a button.

Nissan Europe vice president for manufacturing, Kevin Fitzpatrick said: “Nissan led the way in introducing electric vehicles to Europe in 2011, and every year since then it’s been clear that more and more customers share our vision for the future of driving.” Having shifted more than 85,000 units across the continent the Nissan Leaf has been

a huge success. The next generation is one of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2018 in the green car market and couldn’t come at a better time for the brand as diesel’s reputation continues to slide. Nissan’s Sunderland plant has built nine million vehicles since 1986 and also produces the Nissan Qashqai, Juke, and Infiniti Q30.

LEAF 2.0: Next generation Leaf out in February.

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28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher

Volkswagen Up! WHILE there is a current trend to make new cars bigger, add more equipment and of course boost the price, there is still a significant number of customers who just want simple affordable daily transport, and the Volkswagen Up! neatly meets this requirement. Priced from just €10,366 (£9,135), available in three and five-door format, and with an economical petrol engine, the Up! has a lot to offer, including the VW brand’s outstanding build quality. The Up! is sturdy, yet lightweight, helping the 1.0 litre 59 hp engine deliver over 21 kpl (60 mpg), and the car has an agility which makes it perfect for urban driving. The entry level model has limited kit but does have features such as remote locking, power steering and electric front windows. The mid-range

Move Up! model - the one I tested - adds extra kit such as alloy wheels, air-conditioning and variable-height boot floor. In five-door form, it costs €11,552 (£10,180). Boot space is 251 litres, among the largest in the class, and folding rear seats boost it to 959 litres. Re-vamped in 2016, the Up! now has deeper front bumper, black trim inserts and LED running lights which help give it a more elegant, more upmarket look, The cabin is surprisingly roomy, with decent headroom in the rear even for taller passengers. You can connect a smart phone to provide sat-nav and other features, and VW has also added some customisation upgrades, allowing buyers to personalise the interior appearance. Out and about, the Up! shows it has no down-side.

The small engine is not noisy, the steering is light and accurate, the five-speed gearshift slick, the ride quality very comfortable. For a car in this sector, the Up! comes over as quite refined. There are no diesel versions but the 1.0 petrol units are available with differing power outputs and there is also an electric version. The 59 hp engine test model delivers a 0-100 kph time of 14.4 seconds (though it feels quicker) and a top speed of 160 kph (100 mph), so can deal with motorway cruising if required. Fuel consumption is 22.7 kpl (64.2 mpg). Rivals include Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Citroen C1, and SEAT Mii but the Up! appears more robust and more refined than most, and tends to have a higher resale value.

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

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SPORT

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TMGSâ€™ Christmas competition AS the festive season approaches, 40 members and guests played the annual Christmas Texas scramble at La Marquesa. Again the golf course was in good condition, although a few fairways could be seen to be turning beige with the recent cold weather but playing great as usual. Results: NTPâ€™s Hole 5 Ole Rong, hole 11 B i l l G i l l i e s , h o l e 1 5 Norbert Spaniol, hole 17 Sandra Twentyman. 3rd place team: N Spaniol/L Holmberg/L Jernberg/K Persson 63.3 2nd place team: J Imrie/R Rea/O Haubner/C Oatley 62.2 Winning team: T Roed/ O Rong/K Aasebo/R Nilsen 60.9 For more information, follow the society on F a c e b o o k a t T M G G O L F, visit the website www.tmgs.org or call Joe on 661 524 101.

ALL SMILES: The winning team.

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018 / Costa Blanca North

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E W N Costa Blanca North

28 Dec 2017 - 3 Jan 2018

ATLETICO MADRID have allegedly reported Barcelona to FIFA over their continued approach of their striker, Antoine Griezmann. Representatives of the French forward, who has a €100 million release clause in his contract, have reportedly held discussions with the Catalan club in recent weeks.

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That was the year that was! by

Tony Matthews

So much has happened in the sporting world in 2017 that it would take a few pages to cover all the highs, lows, winners and losers. So here are details of the headline-makers, good or bad!

Cricket ESSEX became County Champions for the first time since 1992… England won 15 of their 23 competitive matches but lost the Ashes! England’s women won the World Cup… LONG TIME COMING: Essex celebrated their first county Pakistan lifted the Champions championship since 1992 Trophy… England’s Jimmy Anderson took his 500th Test wicket… Two Bens, Stokes and Duckett, were suspended by the ECB… Chris Gayle smashed a record 18 sixes in his 146 not out off 69 balls for Rangpur v Dhaka in Bangladesh’s T20 final… and the Cayman Islands, Germany, Guernsey, Italy and Jersey became international cricketing countries.

Football ANDERLECHT, Basel, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Celtic, Chelsea, Copenhagen, Feyenoord, Juventus, Real Madrid, Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Moscow won their respective League titles… Arsenal (FAC), Celtic (SC), Manchester United (EL/FLC), Real Madrid (CL) and England’s U17, U19 and U20 teams, all triumphed in major Cup finals… Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (37 goals) captured Europe’s Golden Boot… Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon D’or for a fifth time and became the first player to score in every Champions League Group game… Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante was PFA Footballer of the Year; Celtic’s Scott Sinclair won Scotland’s award… Manchester City set a new PL record for successive wins from the start of a season and ended Manchester United’s 40-match unbeaten home record… Forest Green Rovers entered the League for the first time… and just before Christmas, Bristol City knocked holders Manchester United out of the League Cup.

Tenis ROGER FEDERER won seven titles in 2017 including the Australian, USA and Wimbledon singles… Rafael Nadal gained seven victories, two in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid)… Venus Williams lost two major finals against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at Wimbledon and sister Serena in Australia… Caroline Wozniacki won the WTA end-of-season final… Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis became Wimbledon mixed doubles champions… Russian Maria Sharapova returned to action after a drugs ban… France beat Belgium 3-2 in the Davis Cup final… and Nadal’s winnings in 2017 were €13.4m/$15.8m. Golf ‘Golfer of the Year’ Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship and earned most money: €8.3m/$9.9m. Other ‘big’ tournament winners were Sergio Garcia (Masters), Brooks Koepka (US Open), Jordan Speith (British Open), Justin Rose (WGC/HSBC and Indonesian Masters) and Bernard Langer (Senior Open). USA won the Solheim and Walker Cups and Tiger Woods returned to action after injury.