ISSUE 654 • 28th September - 4th October 2018
EST 2005
Radiation case By Jose Artur LAWYERS with the Spanish government have admitted they now expect less soil contaminated in a historic nuclear weapons accident in Palomares to be moved than previously planned. The office of Spain’s Attorney General told the National Court in Madrid the changes to the 2010 cleanup plan were not connected to the amount of radiation in the soil. They added they were down to the way land in the town was being used. The National Court has held hearings over the cleanup since the environmental NGO Ecologists in Action filed a case against Spain’s Nuclear Safety Council (CSN). Environmentalists claim the current situation in Palomares was ‘unsustainable’ and ‘unacceptable.’ Parts of the town have been fenced off since four thermonuclear bombs fell on it after a mid-air collision involving United States Air Force planes in 1966. There have been several cases since where locals in ill health have accused the government of letting them becoming exposed to radiation. Ecologists in Action claimed the
CREDIT: Greenpeace
NUCLEAR OPTION: Much of Palomares is still experiencing the effects of the accident. CSN had cut their estimates from the amount of soil that would be moved from around 50,000 cubic metres to 28,000 cubic metres. The group said the change was politically motivated and had no scientific basis. They said they were concerned the United States, which previously agreed to help Spain with the cleanup, may take less contami-
nated soil as a result. Potential radiation doses had not changed and new data was now available to make for more ‘realistic’ assessments of how much land would be moved, government lawyers told the court. The environmental group has continued to push for the CSN to set a deadline for the cleanup. The case continues.
Migrant centre rally WORKERS at migrant reception centres in Almeria City have protested against the amount of unaccompanied children arriving there which they claimed had almost doubled. Demonstrators at the rally, backed by the CCOO and UGT trade unions, also claimed the reception centres where they worked were being treated as emergency sites. The union said there had been an ‘avalanche’ of child migrants arriv-
ing at the centres over the summer. Ana Carmona, of the CCOO, said the Piedras Redondas centre in Almeria City had 30 children staying there while the Indalo site had 50. Their capacity is 18 and 30 respectively. The union said they were calling on authorities to do whatever is necessary to deal with the situation which they described as ‘chaotic.’ They added such situations were
now becoming ‘routine’ and that the centres were also suffering from staff shortages. Carmona said some children were arriving with illnesses and diseases and outbreaks had only been stopped due to staff who have years of experience. Jose Antonio Garcia, of the UGT union, said an “unpleasant atmosphere” had now set in at the centres.
NEWS BITES
Cab concerns PRESIDENT of the Andalucian Federation of Autonomous Taxis, Miguel Ruano, has expressed fears about the increasing number of rental vehicles with driver (VTC), and specifically the recent arrival of Uber, and its impact.
Case opened THE former mayor of Cantoria, Pedro Llamas, is under investigation for the alleged duplicate payment of bills in October 2012 after a complaint was filed by the current government team led by Purification Garcia (PSOE).
Penalty plans A FINE of €380,000 is a sanction being proposed by the Territorial Delegation of Equality, Health and Social Policies of the Junta de Andalucia in Almeria, against one of the iDental companies for alleged violation of regulations.
News
28th September - 4th October 2018
Let it Beatle Music expert lifts lid on John Lennon’s time in Almeria By Jose Artur A WRITER and musician who specialises in The Beatles has spoken in Almeria about John Lennon’s time in the province as part of a programme of events about the band. Enrique Sanchez, from Sevilla, gave his For a Penny of Strawberries talk at Almeria City’s Antonio de Torres Guitar Museum last Friday. The event was hosted in collaboration with the City Council’s culture department. Sanchez said Lennon had been influenced artistically when he travelled to Almeria in the mid 1960’s to make How I Won The War. Lennon had continued to write songs during that time, including penning the classic 60’s anthem Strawberry Fields Forever, Sanchez added. “Lennon not only composed that song, which would be released alongside the Paul McCartney-written Penny Lane.
CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons (inset), Almeria Guitar Museum (main)
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Sanchez spoke about Almeria’s impact on Lennon (.) “You can identify other material he wrote that would make its way into songs Sgt Pepper ’s Lonely Hearts Club Band such as Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and A Day In The Life,” Sanchez said. The impact Almeria had had on
Lennon extended into the instruments he used, according to Sanchez. The Beatles scholar said he played a Spanish-style Mayoral guitar on demos for Strawberry Fields Forever.
“When musicians travel or are involved in the creative process they do not only have a song in mind. They work with ideas, some of which drive them, others they pick up along the way. That is all part of their creative baggage,” Sanchez said. The writer and musician also said Almeria had had an impact on Paul McCartney. Sanchez claimed some chords in the song Hey Jude were similar to a fandaguillo, or folk song, that came from the province. “Paul wanted to surprise John by coming to Almeria. He drove from Paris to San Sebastian and from there he travelled to Sevilla and Cordoba, where he learnt that Lennon had already finished in Almeria,” Sanchez said. Sanchez added Paul was working on the song Penny Lane at the time. The talk came as part of a Beatle Day held in Almeria City. It featured performances from tribute bands including The Beetles, The Zimmerband and The Orange Grapefruit at the city’s Madchester Club.
News
28th September - 4th October 2018
CREDIT: Coast Cleaners Andalucia (both)
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IN THE BAG: The group collected 95 bags of litter.
Cleanup time A
N organisation set up by Almeria locals to tidy up the province’s coastline have amassed 95 bags of litter following a litter pick in Cuevas del Almanzora. Coastal Cleaners Andalucia contacted The Lunar Cable Park boating lake after the litter pickers’ founder, Suzanna Parmenter-Phillips, discovered a ‘dreadful mess’ of litter while walking her dog. The Coastal Cleaners said in a statement Permenter-Phillips contacted the council with photos of the litter at the lake’s barbecue area. She then approached the The Lunar Park seeking to strike a deal to the benefit of both. The Coastal Cleaners would agree to clean the area if they could get a discounted rate on the park’s facilities. “The response from the Lunar Cable park was great, they loved the idea and said all facilities would be free for the volunteers. Win win,” the group said. “So 21 of us met on Tuesday and got on with the grotty job of clearing food wrappers, drink cans, beer bottles and plastics galore. “In one hour the area was transformed from a disgrace back to a lovely picnic spot with beautiful views,” the cleaners added. A total of 95 bags of litter were collected, 95 per cent of which were recycled. The team had drinks at a nearby chiringuito after finishing the clean before changing into their swimming gear and diving into to the lake. They made use of the inflatable course, paddle
WATERBORNE: The cleaners enjoyed the lake after the clean.
boards and kayaks, they said. The Coastal Cleaners added they were drawing up plans to clean every beach and bay on a more than threekilometre stretch of coastline, on both land and sea. It comes as part of their planned Big Kayak Clean 2018 event which takes place on Wednesday October 10. The cleanup is due to see the group and those who wish to volunteer tackling litter on beachs from Villaricos and El Calon. The group is calling for around 40 people to take part. They will be split in two teams, one working on foot and the other waterborne on kayaks. The Facebook event page for the day said refreshments would be provided as well as the cost of the kayaks. The group said anyone who wanted more information could visit the Coastal Cleaners Andalucia event page for more information.
NEWS
28th September - 4th October 2018
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WO readers of Sol Times set to travel to Uganda to help locals there have contacted the newspaper to alert the public to a charity fundraiser for the trip. Helen and Tony Waldren are set to depart for the African country on October 20. They will be staying in Nkuringo for one week, part of the Bwindi rainforest which overlooks both the Rift Valley and Rwanda. The upcoming sale is set to take place at The Roof Garden in Mojacar on Saturday October 13 from 10am to 3pm. The couple told Sol Times they would be travelling with a group of 24 people from Gatwick airport. Their group is going to work for the Go Uganda charity and includes several teachers, businesspeople, an academic and retired police officers. The Waldrens said they had raised more than €1,030 for the expedition through new and nearly new sales at their home. “We now plan to hold The Roof Garden sale which is opening specially for this event,” they said. Go Uganda has helped to improve Nkuringo’s primary school, build two dortmitories for boys and girls, install solar
panels and build an eco toilet block. They have also built new water tanks which means women and children no longer have to walk for four kilometres to fill containers in a stream. The group’s new project is set to see them make improvements to Nkuringo’s hospital. “The existing hospital, where women go to give birth, is in a disgusting and poor state. It received very little support from the government and Go Uganda has provided it with new equipment,” the Waldrens said. The couple added all this had been possible thanks to donations from the local community in Almeria. They said the upcoming sale would help by adding to the money already raised. “All items sold have been donated by the local community and businesses and items are still being donated and gratefully received,” the Waldrens said. The couple added anyone who wanted to donate additional items could contact them on 667 290 769 and arrange a drop off at Oasis Fashions in Mojacar’s Playa. Items including clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery and home wear are welcome, they said.
Shelter events AN animal charity is organising two fundraising events for the coming weeks, including one due to see volunteers help them to improve their shelter. Paws-Patas said the first event, the Kitten Coffee Morning, would take place this Saturday in Las Buganvillas from 11am to 1pm. The event is due to see drinks and cakes offered
and will give the public a chance to meet kittens looking for new homes. The second event, Ground Force, is due to take place on Saturday October 6 from 9.30am to 5pm and from Sunday October 7 from 9.30am to 2pm. Paws-Patas are calling for volunteers to help them revamp their animal shelter and work in their garden. Refreshments will be
provided. The group said those wishing to take part should bring their own gardening tools. Paws-Patas added anyone interested in either event could visit their Facebook page for more information. Anyone wishing to take part in the Ground Force event can sign up by emailing groundforce@pawspatas.org.
CREDIT: Helen and Tony Waldren
Expedition fundraiser
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AFRICA TRIP: The Waldrens are going to help people in Nkuringo.
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Pioneering poet dies
NEWS BITES
Debt probe
CONCERNS about the ‘unsustainable situation of over-exploitation’ of the Rio Aguas in Almeria were expected to be raised at the International Symposium on the Rights of Nature which was held in Q u i t o , E c u a d o r, t h i s week.
Credit: Wikipedia
THREE people involved in the running of two horticultural companies are being investigated by Guardia Civil in Almeria in connection with claims at least 12 suppliers and three banks were not paid a total of €500,000.
Airing issues
Inquiry opens THE Guardia Civil is investigating whether Ana Julia Quezada, alleged killer of Gabriel Cruz in Almeria, could be responsible for the death of her own daughter Ridecla, four, who fell from a seventh floor window in 1996.
News
28th September - 4th October 2018
POETIC JUSTICE: Julio Alfredo Egea will continue to inspire generations.
THE great Andalucian poet, Julio Alfredo Egea, has died aged 92 in Granada after a long and full life. Egea was born in Chirivel, Almeria on August 4, 1926, and the village church held a special ceremony for him on Monday at 12pm. Although he was retired for some years, the author of Archaeology of the triune tree and The Flight and the Stays will remain a timeless source of inspiration for writers and artists. His kindness and humility have also left a lasting legacy for those who knew him or knew of him, and there are groups who are committed to ensuring that his work survives and spreads. A square in the historic centre of Almeria is to be named after him, and the work is underway.
Flying the flag THE Spanish Red Cross will be holding its annual Flag Day (Dia de la Banderita) in Almeria on Wednesday. It is designed to help keep the organisation at the front of people’s minds and to encourage them to keep donating to help fund Red Cross projects that back vulnerable groups. Some 250 volunteers across Almeria Province are taking part in the event. In Almeria City, 20 tables will be set up where people will be able to make donations. In addition, the celebration also extends to the province, where citizens can find tables and piggy banks in Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Vicar, Adra, El Ejido, Vera, Cuevas del Almanzora, Albox, Huercal-Overa, Pulpí and Macael. As the slogan Say Yes to Children suggests, all money raised next Wednesday will go to projects that the Spanish Red Cross in Almeria has set up to help children and youths. These, according to the president of Spanish Red Cross in Almeria, Maria del Mar Pageo, are “priority areas of care.” The economic difficulties faced by many families in the province have a direct impact on children, who are deprived of the resources necessary for their proper development - a situation the charity is trying to address.
Cash for fishing sector THE Junta de Andalucia regional government has pledged €1.8 million for initiatives run by the Local Action Group (Grupo Accion Local) of the Levant Fishing Sector. The group, which covers Almeria, Níjar, Carboneras, Mojácar, Garrucha, Vera, Cuevas del Almanzora and Pulpi, will use the money to
fund training courses on diving, adapting a boat for the use of the disabled, maintenance and cleaning of port facilities and other uses. In 2018, €7 million has been given to seven Local Action Groups of the Fisheries Sector of Andalucia, of which Almeria initially received €2.15 million, with another €920,000 given since.
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28th September - 4th October 2018
Get snappy
OJACAR’S council has said its annual photography courses and workshops have returned for a new series, with an extensive programme of study and activities on offer. The sessions are being put on in partnership with the town’s Artistic Cultural Association, ACAM Arco de Luciana. The council said in a statement those interested in taking part could sign up at any time. Classes take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the town’s Edificio de Usos Multiples at the Fuente. There is the opportunity to take either full course or to take individual workshops, the council said. “All workshops and courses aim to allow the student to learn the fundamentals of the topics presented and provide sufficient technical skills to express their photographic creativity,” council officials added. The classes include three month-long modules which address topics such as mobile phone
News
Fighting for equality UNIONS have described a strike as a ‘resounding success’ a strike by textile workers in Almeria after the failure of talks over the past few months. Almost 500 workers in the sector, backed by the CCOO and the UGT unions staged a protest outside Almeria City’s Mediterranean Shopping Centre. There was also a demonstration in the streets by hundreds of support of the strikers. The leader of the UGT union in Almeria, Toni Payan, explained that the objective is to “raise awareness of and combat the existing wage gap of more than €200 a month between our province and others in the country.”
Police staff call
PICTURE PERFECT: Registration for the classes is now open. photography. There will also be introductory classes for Photoshop running from January 15 to February 15. These will be followed by
classes on how students can get the most out of their cameras on February 15 until March 15. The whole programme of classes goes on until
May. There will be opportunities to take field trips to photogenic sites if there is enough student demand, the council said. Classes are set to be
led by Miguel Garcia Campoy, a creative professional photographer who works for Jarabe de Luz. For more information visit www.mojacar.es.
FOUR trade unions representing police officers in Almeria have written to authorities to call for more officers to deal with the rising number of migrants arriving in the province. The SUP, CEP, UFP and SPP unions said police had seen the number of migrant boats arriving rise from 1,469 in 2015 to 7,553 so far this year.
NEWS
MOJACAR’S council has said it wants to invite all English-speaking residents in the town to a question and answer meeting this Saturday. The local authority said in a statement Lucas Mayo, its foreign relations spokesperson and citizens commitment head Maria Luisa Perez would both be on hand for the meeting. The session is set to take place at the Centro de Usos Multiples, Mojacar Fuente, in the basement salon. It is due to start at 11am. The council said the meeting was designed to help English-speaking newcomers settle in. People living in the town for some time who had questions they wanted to raise with the council are also welcome, the authority added. Anyone who would like more information can call 950 615 009 or email info@mojacar.es.
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Cruising in
A CHARITY for the elderly in Almanzora has said it will hold a fundraising event with a nautical theme in November featuring clothes, cava and canapés. Organisers Age Support Almanzora said their ‘Cruises, Cava and Canapes’ event is to go ahead at the Unique bar in Arboleas on Saturday November 3. It comes on the back on a successful family fun day held last August, the charity said. The latest event is set to featuring a compere, music from Smooth FM DJs, live acts as well as a surprise guest. In keeping with the seagoing theme, the bar will be transformed into HMS Unique for the evening, Age Support Almanzora said. “There will be plenty of laughs, chances to buy clothes, be entertained, dance and enjoy the evening with the friends,” the group said. Age Support said there
CREDIT: Age Support Almanzora
English speakers Q&A
28th September - 4th October 2018
CRUISE CONTROL: The ship boasts a jacuzzi with sea views.
A journey to remember SETTING SALE: Clothes from the Age Support shop will be available at the event. would be several ‘cruising’ clothes available to buy, with a wide selection available for both men and women. There will also be stalls selling accessories and the chance to win big
on a raffle. The venue is close to the Happy Garden restaurant in the town. Tickets cost €5 and are available from Age Support’s shop opposite the Peugeot garage in Albox.
THE cruise ship Azamara Journey of the Royal Caribbean company, stopped in Almeria on Monday, making it the fifth tourist liner to do so this month. It boasts a capacity of more than 1,100 people, 760 passengers and 390 crew, travelling through t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n i n t h e s u m m e r, a n d t h e Caribbean and Australasia in the winter. Despite the luxurious facilities on offer, the management believes that ‘guests of this cruise are those who think more about the destinations, than the ship itself.’
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News
28th September - 4th October 2018
Anti-bullying campaign Ed. 654
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HE National Police have increased their efforts to combat bullying in schools. T h i s w e e k o ff i c e r s have begun to visit schools throughout the country to offer talks to pupils and teachers to raise awareness about bullying and other problems. Ta l k s w i l l i n c l u d e issues such as harassment, discrimination, drug and alcohol consumption, violence against women, violent gangs, racism and the risks of new technologies and social media networks. The efforts come in light of recent statistics compiled by the Central Unit of Citi-
zen Participation which showed a ‘high percentage’ of school children aged b e t w e e n 11 a n d 1 6 years of age had been bullied at some point in the past, mostly mild or less serious. It is also as a response to the fact that bullying has now moved into the digital world due to the rise in new technologies and increased access to the Internet. Due to this, any situation can become viral online and extend and prol o n g t h e s u ff e r i n g o f victims. During the past 12 months, the National Police have held 5,000 such talks and this new venture into schools hopes to build on this figure.
FIGHTING BACK: The National Police are raising awareness about bullying in schools.
28th September - 4th October 2018
Weekender Jos Biggs’ column Page 12
3D built houses Page 14
Food & Drink Page 19 - 20
A change of scene Page 23
Keep thieves out Page 18
Vitamins are vital Page 21
Eating out success
Out of this world
Page 26
Page 39
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Feature
28th September - 4th October 2018
Bear’s bad day BEAR, my new microwave, with his compact form and readily understood controls couldn’t be more of a contrast to his predecessor, the Empress. Although I tried not to show it I was afraid of the Empress. Her size alone over-awed me; She was more complicated to operate than t h e L a r g e H a d r o n C o l l i d e r, s o every time I needed something unfreezing or whatever I would approach her with trepidation. Bear and I, on the other hand, have an excellent relationship; In fact I would go so far as to say that we are friends. Together we have boiled, grilled, Combi’d and unfrozen all manner of things. He has done without prevarication all that I have asked of him, and in return I have cleaned him
By Jos Biggs
assiduously and told him how much I love him on a regular basis. However it was during the Great Nectarine Glut of 2018 that our relationship was tested, and I am ashamed to say that I failed him. The grapes, apples and pears, oranges and lemons all come to maturity in sequence, but the nectarines and plums all ripen together - and all on the same day! Yesterday they were not ready, tomorrow they will be spoiled there is no saying ‘I’ll pick some today and leave the rest for tomorrow.’ So on the day that they decide to ripen, all the kitchen surfaces will be covered with nectarines, and something has to be done with them! This was the precursor to Bear’s bad day!
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
Albox set to rock
CREDIT: Hamlet, via Facebook
ROCK OUT: Hamlet will feature at the festival.
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LBOX has begun preparing for its fair this November, with several different bands and music artists set to perform over the month. Rock Albox Festival is due to kick off on November 1. The festival, one of the longest running rockthemed events in Spain, features a line-up of six bands with the first taking the stage at 5pm. Hamlet, a heavy rock group from Madrid with a to-
tal of 12 albums spanning over 30 years to their name, are the headliners. Other acts include Red Soil, EraZero, Contagious, La Patera and Fausto Aranto. Tickets in advance are priced at €10 and are available from Albox’s Recinto Ferial where the festival will take place. Mikel Erentxun, the Venezuelan-born Spanish rocker, is set to rock audiences in Albox on November 3 at the same venue. Erentxun began his ca-
reer in 1992 and has released 16 albums. He was at one time a member of the group Duncan Dhu. Tickets to his show cost €10 in advance and €15 on the door. The following evening is due to see a more traditional offering when three male and two female singers perform classical Spanish music alongside Albox’s Municipal Symphony Band. The show is due to take place at the town’s marquee. They cost €5 in advance and €7 on the night.
Weekender
Married with no children WHERE once the driving force for young couples to get on the property ladder was the desire to start a family, now a growing segment of the market is devoted to people with no intention of ever having children. For these people lifestyle is the driving factor and has led to the emergence of so called ‘dinks’ or Double Income No Kids couples. And there are a lot of them in Spain, with the National Statistics Institute saying around four million homes in the country are owned by young couples who not only have no children, but have no intention of ever having any. Across Europe around 53 million homes are owned by childless couples, a figure that has grown by 14 per cent in 10 years. Their importance to the market is increasing year by year in line with their spending power. ‘Dinks’ are defined as being between 25 and 40 years old, and their lifestyle is based on leisure. They live in the city and have good incomes and high educational levels. Their lifestyle is based on travelling, going out for dinner, buying the latest technology and enjoying unique experiences, the typical philosophy of Generation Y, people born between 1980 and 2000 who seek passion, challenges and happiness in everything they do - as long as no children are involved!
Property
28th September - 4th October 2018
Quite some print job CREDIT: WATG URBAN DESIGN.
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DESIGN: Impression of a 3D printed house.
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VALENCIA start-up called Be More 3D plans to build six houses in Cuenca using a 3D printer. Once completed, the small company intends to move on to projects in South America and the near East, improving on the technology it is currently using to add a second storey. First, Be More 3D must finish the 24-square-metre pilot project on a plot of land that adjoins the Valencia Polytechnic University’s School
of Fine Arts. The fledgling company’s four young partners built the concrete printer, which is six metres high and three metres wide, and produced the house inside three months with €25,000 received through the Acciona start-ups initative. The house was printed out, layer by layer, in 15 hours. “It could be done in eight, increasing the speed of the machine,” said Vicente Ramirez one of the Be More
3D founders. During the house-building process, a printer will be used on-site, taking three hours to set up. Nevertheless, there are limits to what the printer can
do. “Afterwards it needs a roof made from prefabricated panels, plus windows and doors as well as taps and weatherproofing,” Ramirez admitted. He insisted that 3D technology is competitive compared to traditional building methods or prefabrication. The basic structure of a 70square- metre house could be put up in under a day, and when ready to occupy would cost an over €50,000.
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Weekender
Property
28th September - 4th October 2018
Discovering Andalucia with MC Experiences WHEN looking to buy property in Spain there are many reasons to look at Andalucia and the Costa del Sol. The iconic Marbella Club Hotel and Resort explains several of the best reasons, saying: “Andalucia is the second largest region in Spain and occupies almost the entire south of the Iberian Peninsula. “Its impressive historical legacy and multiculturalism help make it a unique and unforgettable holiday destination. The city of Marbella boasts a privileged location, ideally situated so you can discover all the wonders and hidden treasures of this spectacular region. “Not many travellers are aware that from our beaches you can see the coast of Africa or that you can go skiing so close to the Mediterranean Sea, or that some of the most spectacular monuments in Spain such as the Alhambra in Granada or the Giralda in Sevilla are nearby. “No matter the time of the year, our privileged and warm weather
SEVILLA: The Giralda.
ICONIC: The Marbella Club Hotel & Golf Resort. will allow you to always find a plan.” For those thinking to buy a property on the Costa del Sol, it is a good idea to ‘try before you buy’ and the Marbella Club - which is one of the main reasons Marbella became such a favourite destinati o n fo r p e o p l e seeki ng a l uxury property - is the perfect place to do so.
They offer a series of plans designed to help you discover all the best of Andalucia while being based in luxurious surroundings. Yo u j u s t n e e d t o c h o o s e f r o m their range of activities, get your camera ready and prepare yourselves for a fantastic experience. More information: www.marbellaclub.com.
GRANADA: The Alhambra.
Lifestyle
28th September - 4th October 2018
Worth giving it a crack CONTRARY to popular belief, the peanut is n o t a n u t , i t ’s a v e g etable which belongs t o t h e l e g u m e f a m i l y, along with peas and beans. A great source of protein, the peanut is extremely versatile and can be enjoyed in its natural form or used in a host of dishes. And growing your own couldn’t be easier, especially here in Spain. They need full sun. If you have heavy soil,
ensure good drainage by working in enough organic matter to make it loose. Peanuts come in their shells and can be planted hulled or unhulled. But if you do shell them, removed the thin covering or the seed won’t germinate. They should be planted two inches deep and five inches apart in rows two to three feet apart. Firm the soil and water well. When a peanut plant is about a foot tall, create a
ENERGY bills can go through the roof, with houses full of devices devouring electricity, even when appearing to be turned off. Many appliances constantly use energy when not actually switched on or are on standby. The Energy Saving Trust has outlined how to detect which appliances use the most electricity, and how to save money on bills when leaving your home empty. One of the biggest mistakes
hill of earth around the base. Long, pointed pegs, also known as peduncles, will grow from faded flowers and then push up to three inches down into the soil beside the plant. A nut will form on the end of each peg. Place a light mulch of straw or grass clippings, to stop the soil from forming a crust to allow the pegs to penetrate the soil. One inch of water a week is sufficient for a
p e EASY: a n u t pGrow lant. A s part your of the legumes family, own at home. peanuts supply their own nitrogen so it’s a d -
Small moves to cut costs homeowners make is leaving devices on standby, which can add an average of €35 a year onto bills. It is advisable to remove plugs, which also avoids the risk of electrical fires.
Weekender 17
Normally forgotten about, Broadband and wifi modems and routers, television sets and telephones all use small amounts of energy when not being used. According to the Trust, they can
visable to avoid nitrogenrich fertilizers which promote foliage rather than fruits. Well-prepared soil will provide all the nuactually consume €10 worth of energy a year. Fridges are one of the biggest consumers of energy, giving off light and constantly remaining cold. Full fridges use more energy. So before going away, get rid of unnecessary goods and set the temperature to 3.3 degree Celsius to save costs. If possible, empty the fridge completely and turn it off. This will save the most money on energy.
trients the plants need. Yo u c a n h a r v e s t t h e crop when leaves turn yellow and the peanuts’ inner shell have goldmarked veins. This can be checked every now and again by pulling out a few nuts from the soil and shelling them. If left too long, the pegs will become brittle and the pods will break off in the ground. This will make them harder to retrieve. Dig up or pull out the plants and roots when the soil is moist. Shake off excess soil and dry the plants out in an airy place until the leaves become crumbly. Then remove the pods. If stored in airtight containers, unshell the peanuts and keep for up to a year.
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Weekender
28th September - 4th October 2018
Lifestyle
Don’t let thieves in while you’re out STATISTICS show that homes in high-visibility areas, like corner plots, are less likely to be broken into. While those in the middle of blocks or isolated, make better targets, particularly if there is an unguarded area behind the property. But, inadvertently, we could be all sending our own little indicators that make our home a target to thieves. According to a leading British building society, 40 per cent of people admit to posting pictures on social media while they are out and about or on holiday, making their house a prime target for anyone with ill intentions. The advice is to make sure profiles aren’t public and wait to post beach selfies until you are back home. Your garden or yard could be sending out a message. If you have toys and bikes lying around, the chances are there are expensive game stations inside, an attractive thought for opportunists. If you normally leave your blinds or curtains
SENSOR: A sudden flash of light can deter thieves.
SELFIES: Can be a blatant advertisement that your home is empty while you’re away.
open during the day and close them the day you leave for a period of time, this could be a calling card for burglars that nobody is home. Remove any cut flowers which are visible if you won’t be in for a few days so that they aren’t left to wilt. If a home looks wellkept from the outside or through a window, it stands to reason the occupant isn’t going to leave dead flowers in a vase. If you are going to be away for a long spell and have a lawn, arrange for a friend or neighbour to cut it in your absence. Obituaries and announcements in newspapers can tip off thieves that properties are empty on certain dates and even times. But as well as an alarm system and/or a guard dog, there are ways to make it look like you’re at home, or protect it while you’re away. The last thing a burglar wants to do is attract attention, so a sudden flood of light from motion sensor lights can help. Or invest in remote controlled lighting. If you’re going to be away for the day, leaving a television or radio on is an idea, but any longer than that could imply the opposite. Fake television devices are available on the market which mimic the flickering of the real deal. They can be programmed to kick in at certain times to be more realistic. Try leaving a car on the driveway, if you have one. If you need your own, ask a friend or neighbour if they could leave theirs there on occasions.
Food & Drink
28th September - 4th October 2018
BREAD ROLLS: Fill with bacon and mushrooms and enjoy.
Soft Bread Rolls O
F course we can all buy ready baked bread here, but the type of rolls we like here at Olive Tree Farm, are hard to find. I decided to put myself to the test to see if I could create some that were just as we remembered when we were in the UK. After a quick look for recipes on the internet, I came a cross one that had hundreds of reviews. They were described as, soft, fluffy, delicious and the list goes on. They were made using a bread machine. Brilliant! I got the machine out and set it going. Taking it to dough level, I tipped it out. It was a bit wet, and very sticky, but that was what the recipe said it would be like. I kneaded the dough and shaped them, they didn’t rise much, I baked them, they were a total fail! The pigs loved them though. I tried again, maybe the water wasn’t warm enough the first time? I repeated the process, but again a total fail. Was there a problem with my yeast? I tested it. It was dead. I bought new yeast and went for a third run. They rose nicely, I baked them. I let them cool and then eagerly tore a chunk off one of them. They were horrible. I could taste the salt although they were overly sweet, and the egg which was part of the recipe, gave them a cakey texture. They were nothing like I remem-
OLIVE TREE FARM was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultry for meat and eggs, goats for milk, rabbits and small pigs for meat and harvest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. bered at all. Back to the drawing board and I decided to try the soft roll recipe provided in the booklet for the machine (which I have tried before but I was never happy with). I used milk, instead of water and milk powder, I melted the butter and added to the milk and put everything in, in the correct order, the new yeast was sat on top of the flour and there was no egg involved. The first prove came almost to the top of the tin. I then kneaded the dough for a good eight-10 minutes before shaping them. The manual did not say to do this by the way,
but my research on using a machine, had brought this up numerous times. I shaped them, dusted them with flour and covered with a damp tea towel, like my nan used to do. I sat the tray outside as it was really warm and within around 40 minutes they had risen beautifully. After baking for 15 minutes in the middle of the oven using top and bottom heat, they were done! Success! These were the rolls we remembered. They were quickly filled with bacon and mushrooms and devoured. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely! Recipe - Add to your mixer in the order the ingredients are listed below. 1 and a ¼ cups of warm milk (around 50ºC as you are adding the dry ingredients last) 2 tablespoons of melted butter 2 tablespoons of white granulated sugar 1 and a ½ teaspoons of salt 3 and a ¼ cups of strong bread flour 1 and a ½ teaspoons of activated dry yeast Use the dough setting Approximately one hour 30 mins. When the cycle has finished. Tip out and knead for at least eight minutes, this is key. Shape into six or eight rolls, dust with flour (don’t use butter as glaze, I tried that and it will not give you the same result as I got for this version). Leave to rise in a warm place covered with a damp towel until double in
size). Bake in the centre of a preheated oven at 190ºC for 12-15 minutes. Leave to cool on a wire baking rack. If you would like to join my cooking group on Facebook, search us out - ‘Cooks in Spain.’
Weekender 19
20
Weekender
Myths about Spanish paella M
ANY tourists that come to Spain for holidays think that ‘ p ael l a’ i s a ty p ic a l Sp a n is h dish and that it is served everywhere in Spain with the same quality. Go to Valencia and the local population will disabuse them of their ‘misconception.’ The locals insist that paella is in fact a dish that is only ‘typical’ of the
Food & Drink
28th September - 4th October 2018
Va l e n c i a r e g i o n , n o t S p a i n a s a whole. And, they will claim, that paellas cooked in other parts of Spain, unless in a restaurant specialising in Va l e n c i a n d i s h e s , w i l l n e v e r b e t h e same quality as paella ordered in any village of the Valencian Community. But whether a matter of regional pride or not, paella is worth trying everywhere in Spain!
Get juicing!
PAELLA: Is worth trying everywhere in Spain.
An apple a day … ACCORDING to research, an apple a day really will keep the doctor - and a whole range of diseases away. Scientists from Cambridge University, who surveyed 30,000 people about their diet, found that those who ate fruit were twice as likely to outlive those who don’t. But what exactly in an apple is good for you? The skin of apples contains Pectin, which helps lower cholesterol and stabilises sugar levels. The flesh of an apple has many nutrients and benefits: An apple provides 25 per cent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C; Vitamin E fights off free radicals responsible for our skin ageing; Boron helps keep energy levels high and Potassium helps the healthy functioning of cells, nerves and muscles; Dental experts are warning that the fruit can be as bad as eating sweets. It should not be eaten as snacks because of its high level of sugar and acidity which erode teeth. The fruit’s sugar content has risen by up to 50 per cent over the last decade, which means it contains the equivalent of four teaspoons of sugar.
JUICING is a great way of getting essential vitamins and nutrients into your body and with so many different combinations and options to try there is a taste to suit everyone. For maximum health benefits, make sure you include some of the following: Kale: a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C and K. It is a good source of potassium and aids in muscle and heart health. Ginger: adding ginger to juice recipes can reduce nausea and stomach distress and can improve the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Lemons: rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, lemons also contain beta carotene which supports eye health and helps protect bones from osteoporosis. Blueberries: often described as a ‘super food’ they are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and juicing with blueberries can help the body overcome urinary tract infections. Cinnamon: helps the b o d y f i g h t o ff c o l d s and mild bacterial infections. Adding cinnamon may also help control blood sugar levels and reduce joint pain.
VITAMINS: Juice is healthy and tasty.
Health & beauty
28th September - 4th October 2018
Weekender 21
Healthy additions
SUPPLEMENTS have grown more popular over the years with a number of studies claiming their benefits for a number of different health conditions. Calcium is vital for healthy bones, which play an important part in a person’s health as they provide structure for the body, perfect organs and anchor muscles. Poor bone health can result in osteoporosis, which can make them more prone to breaking. With age, the intestines absorb less calcium from the diet, and the kidneys become less efficient at conserving it. As a result, the body can steal calcium from bone for a variety of important metabolic functions. Experts claim the memory can be protected as early as possible with a fish oil supplement which are packed with omega-3s, specifically docosahexaenoic (DHA), which help improve the way brain functions and increase new cell growth. And vitamin D supplements can help to lower the risk of heart disease. Anybody over the age of four should take 10 micrograms each day.
POPULAR: The supplement market is huge.
Measles case hits Maine MAINE in the USA has reported its first case of measles in 20 years. The patient was diagnosed with measles after travelling overseas and the Centre for Disease Control, (CDC) has now released exact details of where the patient has been and has urged people to seek tests if they were in the same places at the same times. Measles is caused by a virus and is highly infectious. The skin is covered in a rash and the sufferer will have flulike symptoms. The disease was almost completely wiped out of America in the 60’s according to CDC. However, there have been more cases of parents choosing to avoid the MMR, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
22
Weekender Spain leads assisted reproduction
SPAIN is leading assisted reproduction in Europe with almost 110,000 treatments a year. This puts the country ahead of Russia and France, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). The institution has compiled data from national records of assisted reproductive treatment cycles in Europe since 1997 and in its latest report, relating to 2014, concluded that 109,275 cycles have been performed in Spain. This was followed by Russia with 94,985 cycles and France with 90,434, which was the former leader in the field. The figures related to treatments with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), egg donation and intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, the data did not yet include figures from the UK, but in 2013, the UK performed 61,000 assisted reproduction treatments. The ESHRE report confirms that European clinics continue to favour ICSI or IVF treatment in a ratio of two to one and European results consistently show that the pregnancy rate (by embryo transfer) is higher with IVF (34.6 per cent) than with ICSI (33.1 per cent). The percentage of double or multiple pregnancies continues to decline in Europe and was found in 2014, to be at approximately 17 per cent.
Health & beauty
28th September - 4th October 2018
ASSISTED REPRODUCTION: Includes in vitro fertilisation, egg donation and intrauterine insemination.
You got that gut feeling? WE all get that ‘gut feeling’ from time to time, but scientists say it is actually a thing as they believe they’ve found a link between human guts and feelings. Research has been ongoing for several years on the bacteria in the gut and a new study from UCLA in America has found a connection between the gut and emotional responses. They had 40 women divided into two groups by the composition of their gut bacteria. Their brain activity for emotional responses to images was then measured and it was found that the brains of women with different bacterial profiles reacted differently to the stimuli. Studies of mice have also shown that if they are not exposed to normal bacteria as they develop from birth, they tend to be less anxious. When they were introduced to microbiota taken from humans with high anxiety levels, the mice also became more anxious. Whilst evidence is somewhat convincing that there is a link between the brain and gut, it is not clear if it is the gut influencing the brain and its development, or if the brain is influencing the gut as researchers say research is still in its early stages.
Know the risks WEARERS of contact lenses are being warned to look after their eye hygiene following the detection of cases of a rare infection which can
cause blindness. A preventable condition called Acanthamoeba keratitis causes the front surface of the eye to be-
come inflamed, and contact lens wearers are most at risk. The Acanthamoeba can survive in the space between the lens and the eyes. To prevent the condition, lenses must be properly disinfected before wearing. Experts warn that poor hygiene habits while handling the lenses can also increase the risk of contamination. And showering or swimming while wearing contact lenses can further raise the odds.
CONTACT LENSES: Make sure they are properly cleaned.
According to the American Optometric Association, wearers should never sleep in contact lenses, unless prescribed by a doctor, never put them in the mouth and do not swap with anybody else.
PETS
28th September - 4th October 2018
Weekender 23
Sponsored by
Fancy a change of scene? EVER thought of house-sitting or pet-sitting? At HouseSitMatch we are always looking for experienced pet lovers who want to travel and are happy to exchange their time and experience in pet care for free accommodation when house-sitting. For people who love pets and are experienced in caring for animals this can be a great way to travel on a fixed budget. We currently have house-sits in the UK, France, Spain and further afield in Australia, the Ukraine and even Belize! Have a look at our listings and consider house-sitting as one of your affordable travel options. How we work HouseSitMatch is a house-sitting network where new members register online. We ID check everyone to ensure we know who you are, and in addition sitters are police checked. We charge for membership to ensure that there is a commitment from both parties and that we can afford to manage our network online professionally. Our latest review on Trustpilot ‘HouseSitMatch has helped us greatly by enabling us to explore house-sitting. They look at ways to fine tune their website to the benefit of others, making it easier to use. Lamia the owner is always available to help and will do so as quickly as
Job attracts thousands WHEN a couple advertised for someone to look after 70 cats for four hours a day, they never expected the response they received. The job on the Greek island paradise of Syros with stunning views of the Aegean attracted 35,000 CVs. The advert described the ideal candidate as being ‘a mature and genuinely passionate cat lover who enjoys tranquillity, nature and their own company. Desired skills: cat-whispering, feline psychology, veterinary experience. Driving licence. Remuneration: modest, but includes the chance to live a meaningful life.’ Founder of God’s Little People Cat Rescue, Joan Bowell, asked others to share the Facebook posting and her wish was everyone’s command as it went viral. The amount of CVs has required Joan and husband Richard to take on five volunteers to go through the thousands of applications. The job comes with a small house, a car, all expenses paid and a salary of £450 per month. Applicants came from all over the world including Australia, USA, and Mexico.
HELP WANTED: Could you care for this cat in his home? possible. The yearly membership is value for money and I would recommend this company to anyone.’ - Review by Jean James, Dog owner, Alicante. How you benefit - as a home and pet owner Our membership offers access to a secure network helping you find suitable sitters. We hide your contact details and address. You post an advert ahead of your travel dates, we publish the advert then housesitters apply.
You can view their profiles and chat with them before you accept an applicant. If you join as a Premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started and manage your account. How you do join? Please register online via our website: • Choose a membership plan • Standard (DIY option) = £49 pa • Premium (with support at each step) = £79 pa
Do you need a house or pet-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com 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
Veterinary Clinic
Avenida de Almeria 1 Bis Local 2 Edf La Para,04639 Turre Almeria
CliniVet
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Weekender
Puzzles
28th September - 4th October 2018
Wordsearch Human Bones
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.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
TARGET:
TIBIA
TRAPEZIUM
RADIUS
STERNUM
MALLEUS
COCCYX
METATARSAL
FIBULA
CLAVICLE
FEMUR
TEMPORAL
STAPES
HAMATE
SCAPULA
ULNA
TALUS
PATELLA
Quick
Across 1 Grave (7) 5 Small fragment (5) 8 Connections (5) 9 Regulations (5) 10 Amazed (7) 11 Be in debt to (3) 12 Command (5) 14 Threaded metal fastener (5) 19 Put on (3) 20 Applicable to an entire class or group (7) 22 Nearby (5) 23 Vacuous (5) 24 Ludicrous, foolish (5) 25 Triumph (7)
Down 1 Regular payment (6) 2 Talks in a noisy, excited or declamatory manner (5) 3 Make less visible or unclear (7) 4 Tough (6) 5 Firm (5) 6 Give or bring back (7) 7 Treat with excessive indulgence (6) 13 Fundamental (7) 15 Of or relating to the heart (7) 16 Widely known and esteemed (6) 17 If not, except when (6) 18 Surfeit (6) 20 State of high honour (5) 21 Desire intensely (5)
• Average: 18
• Very good: 35
• Good: 25
• Excellent: 46
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
dodo dope hoed hope foible ivied edible void voided vied vide video vibe viol tipi wipe died diode dipole diet doeth dole idol pied pity poet pole peel phat bide bided bode boded bodied bole bleep beep beet epode heel hate lode lope lobe elope tepid thee
Cryptic
Across 1 Cannot find a volunteer for a piece of music (7) 5 Soothes a hundred with charity (5) 8 Met to compose a song (5) 9 Excalibur manufactured in the country (5) 10 Stupid point employed in an argument (7) 11/19 Chase after a pooch for its identity disc (3,3) 12 Virginia allowed a manservant (5) 14 March about for a spell (5) 19 See 11 20 Robert's musical wild animals (7) 22 Bit of grass for a dashing fellow (5) 23 Golf shot with determination (5) 24 Rub tea with iron (5) 25 Hill split by heavy rain (7)
Down 1 Set up tents on the US university grounds (6) 2 No Middle Eastern journalist is mentioned (5) 3 The performer is surprisingly tastier (7) 4 Henry leaves port for a shady spot (6) 5 Denounce phoney cures (5) 6 Learned about hero worshipper (7) 7 Mean fraud ending anyway (6) 13 Garble a new form of mathematics (7) 15 Miser finds it more difficult to keep nothing hidden (7) 16 Motionless atmospherics (6) 17 Complain about the article (6) 18 It protects an inventor's rights, that's obvious (6) 20 Introduction to book by mere poet (5) 21 Pier's curious steeple (5)
Puzzles
28th September - 4th October 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
Kakuro
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS DAY (M 1. First broadcast in 2008, which BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game hosted by Professor of Ignorance John Lloyd has had a number of curators including Bill Bailey, Sean Lock, Jon Richardson, Jimmy Carr, Phill Jupitus, Sarah Millican and Jo Brand? 2. Founded in 1852, the name of which London museum is often abbreviated as the V&A? 3. In which city did the Anne Frank House, a biographical museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank, open in May 1960? 4. Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited over an area of 72,735 square metres (782,910 square feet) in which Paris museum, the largest art museum in the world? 5. The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is located in
which English city? 6. The best-known work on display at which national art museum is Las Meninas by Velázquez? 7. The State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg was founded in 1754 by which Empress of Russia? 8. What is the name of the prominent art museum located adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria in central Florence? 9. Which actor starred as night watchman Larry Daley in the 2006 American fantasy-comedy film Night at the Museum? 10. Which influential American architect designed the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as The Guggenheim, in New York City?
Answers
AY 18)
1. THE MUSEUM OF CURIOSITY, 2. THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, 3. AMSTERDAM, 4. THE LOUVRE, 5. OXFORD, 6. THE PRADO MUSEUM, 7. CATHERINE THE GREAT , 8. THE UFFIZI GALLERY, 9. BEN STILLER, 10. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
SUDOKU
Weekender 25
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
CrosswordSolutions from last week Quick
Cryptic
Sudoku
Irregular Sudoku
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Weekender
Feature
28th September - 4th October 2018
Eureka I discovered it by Sandy Shore WHAT is the secret of restaurant success? It is perfectly understandable that some restaurants will be busy whilst others struggle to make ends meet. Location too is important as is the variety of food on offer. However, we see busy restaurants that are situated out of the way and others located in main plazas with many free tables. Unless you’re a rabbit or a grazing sheep the choice set out on one’s menu has to be changeable and appealing. If the menu isn’t changed then the customers will. When I was a little less well placed than I am now price was a factor. Time after time, my wife and I moved on from an appealing restaurant because the prices were a little beyond our means. True, those who are well heeled will shun overpriced eateries too; their bank accounts are healthy because they don’t buy on price, but on value for money. Lost business has its source in
PICKY EATER: Sandy prefers the intimacy of smaller restaurants. poorly paid staff who lack training, are demotivated and unappreciated by management. When I recently asked for my bill it was carelessly dropped with a clatter on the table without a word of
thanks. I didn’t tip the uncouth youth. Maybe those who regardless of poor service do tip bear some of the blame. Occasionally, waiters get the wrong customers but it works both
ways when diners get the wrong waiting staff. I could never figure out why those lacking people skills are attracted to jobs in which customer empathy is essential. We have all been in jobs we sim-
ply aren’t suited to and time drags. On the other hand, I have looked forward to going to work and disliked it when time to go home. This reminds me; I recently celebrated my birthday in a restaurant considered by many to be the best in the region; I would not argue with that. To get a table it is necessary to pre-book and there is rarely a spare table for those who lack such foresight. It isn’t cheap and is not touristy. The restaurant is discovered on a country lane approaching an unremarkable Spanish town. The stage show was admirable but many entertainers are excellent. The menu was faultless but this goes for rival eateries too. Eureka! I found the recipe for restaurant success: We were not served by waiters nor were we entertained by artistes. The occasion and atmosphere was very much like a private party livened up by friends who waited upon us and entertained us. Clearly they love their job and adore their customerfriends. There is your Holy Grail.
Behind THE MUSIC
Live Aid - Where Were You? V L James | vljcomms@gmail.com | Facebook: @vljamesinfo ley Stadium. DIFFERENT In 1984 news generations have a moment footage of the devastating in history where famine in supposedly Ethiopia had so everybody redisturbed the m e m b e r s where they Boomtown Rats’ frontman were when that he got tosomething gether with his monumental music biz mates happened. ROCK ON: Live Aid made waves in 1985. and at very When JFK short notice was shot, when Neil Armstrong took his daily constitutional recorded and released ‘Do They Know It’s on the Moon, when Elvis died, when Christmas’ under the name Band Aid. It would become the biggest selling sinPrincess Diana died. For my generation one of the events that everyone seems to gle in British chart history. Boy George had sung on the record but wasn’t satisfied. He remember was Live Aid. On July 13, 1985 Bob Geldof swore on demanded that Geldof organise a massive TV and demanded your money so that we concert to raise even more. could feed the starving millions in Ethiopia. I remember where I was. My friend Liz In return he would give us many hours of was having a party round hers. The TV quality music live from the stage at Wemb- was on all day. What a day!
Feature
28th September - 4th October 2018
Weekender 27
At card school avoiding the war by John Redfern A CARTOPHILIST is a person that collects small cards that were given away free mainly in cigarette packets. I will refer to them as fag packets and frig the Yanks! Why? Because a fag to the yanks means, cough, cough, slurp of the red stuff and a drag on my silk cut fag and a nod’s as good as a wink to a blind horse! These cards were originally given away in fag packets with fine illustrations on one side and detailed texts on the reverse. Let’s take a step back in time… give me a second just having a sip of the red stuff, (slurp, that’s better. Just lit up my fag). In 1888 WD and HO Wills started to put these cards in their fag packets. The first set was titled ships and soldiers, which no doubt represented the target market for their future cancer sticks. I own hundreds of sets of these cards and will now tell you why ! I was sent to a school in Coventry called Stoke Annex, which was a school for slow learners. My teacher was a chap called Colin Jordan and was a leading figure in
EDUCATION: Learned more from cigarette cards than school. post-war Neo-Nazism and a supporter of the Third Reich (check this piece of filth out on Google. He had an empty hand grenade on his
desk and used it as a paper weight. I was bored rigid at this man’s lessons and nearly every day got
six of the best on each hand, which I began slowly to enjoy from this sick, repulsive so-called teacher. My fingers used to swell
up but my young brain went into overdrive. I sat in the gutter at the age of seven, wearing short itchy trousers made of flax- a plant fibre which in the winter used to make your upper thighs red raw - bunking off from school just so I could sit there and think to myself! While doing that I would flick these beautiful free cards from empty fag packets as far as I could, and as they floated down to the ground they seemed to float like butterflies. I became addicted to these cards and gained more knowledge from the information from these cards than my racist teacher. Fag cards became my teacher and I owe the tobacco companies my gratitude for my education!
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Weekender
28th September - 4th October 2018
Leisure
Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio has plans for four series IF you’re already lamenting David Budd’s absence from our screens, never fear. A lot more Bodyguard could be heading our way. In an interview with The Sun, Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio revealed that he has plans for up to four series of the show. “It’s fair to say we would probably approach any thoughts of a second series with the idea that it would create an opportunity for a third or fourth,” Mercurio said. “We do feel very privileged and fortunate that there’s been such a response that it gives us that opportunity to at least think about doing more.” Yet, now Julia Montague’s assassin has finally been unmasked, what could be next for David Budd? Could Bodyguard follow a similar format to Mercurio’s other hit series Line of Duty, in which Ted Hastings’ team of anti-corruption cops investigate a new murky case each season? After the events of this series of Bodyguard, would anyone be in a rush to assign Budd to protect another senior politician anytime soon? We’ll have to wait and see, as Mercurio was reluctant to definitively confirm a second outing. If the series were to be renewed, he said he would have to finish working
COMEBACK PLANS: Mercurio (right) said Bodyguard could run for many series to come. on the latest Line of Duty first before his thoughts turned back to Budd. “We’re going to be shooting right up until a few days before Christmas and doing all our editing early in the New Year, so I’m full-time on Line of Duty,” he said.
“We don’t know yet,” he said when asked about a second series. “We’re just beginning that conversation with the BBC.” At least we know that, if a second series is confirmed, Mercurio has plans for Bodyguard to run and run.
If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.
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Weekender
Feature
28th September - 4th October 2018
Travel
M
ENTION the Balearic Islands in conversation with anyone and the majority of people will immediately only think of Mallorca and Ibiza. However, geography students and travel experts will know that their often forgotten neighbours of Menorca and Formentera have their own individual attractions on offer. Menorca (or Minorca) takes its name from its size when contrasting it to the nearby island of Mallorca. With a population of roughly 95,000, Menorca is particularly well known for its traditional summer fiestas, with the biggest held at the end of June during the ‘Festes de Sant Joan.’ Spanish fiestas in general are known for their strange and unusual traditions that are often on display during their local parades, and Menorca certainly has one of the more off-beat among them. On the first day of the three-day festival, a man carries a freshly groomed sheep on his shoulders and parades it around the streets! The production of wine has been a major part of the local economy of Menorca since ancient times. However, over the past 100 years or so, the industry saw a severe decline which has now been reversed again thanks to the number of new micro-
Menorca and Formentera - the forgotten islands?
Photo credit: PRichardson Wikimedia
QUAINT: Ciutadella Port in Menorca... a hidden gem. wineries that have started up. When it’s said that the Spanish islands are invaded by Brits (on their holidays, of course), in the
case of Menorca it’s also historically true, since the Royal Navy invaded the island in 1708 during the War of Spanish Succession. This
long-standing British influence may well explain the Menorcans’ love of gin, and during the local fiestas the spirit is mixed with bitter lemon and
known as a Pomada. Nearby, just six kilometres south of Ibiza, is the island of Formentera. This really is the baby of the Balearics, with a resident population of around 9,000 on an island that is only 19 kilometres long. Politically, there is only one municipality on the island - imaginatively called Formentera - and the island has a number of major villages such as Sant Francesc Xavier, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, El Pilar de la Mola and La Savina. It is believed that its name derives from the Latin word ‘frumentarium’ which means granary, and many time-served tourists say that Formentera is ‘what Ibiza was 20 years ago.’ Extra connections from the Spanish mainland and inter-islands have developed the tourist trade although still remains popular for naturists who use the long sandy beaches for an ‘all-over tan.’
CLASSIFIEDS
BUILDERS • CARS WANTED • HEALTH & BEAUTY • HOME MAINTENANCE • INSURANCE • SITUATIONS VACANT
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TELEPHONE ALBOX OFFICE 950 633 217 or MOBILE 642 454 311 or sales@soltimes.com
BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.c om (253556)
CARS WANTED CARS WANTED for Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)
CHARITIES/CHURCHES GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks. For Hire 5.00€ per hour. Tel 639 089 170
COSTA Almeria and Costa Calida. Mojacar Eucharist Sunday 11am, at San Pascual. Aljambra Chapel, Albox, Eucharist,
second and last Thursday of each month, 11am. Evensong, second Sunday of each month 6pm. Llanos Del Peral, Cucador, Eucharist or morning worship, Sunday 11am. Church Wardens: Pam Carter 667 947 573. Janet Smith 671 451 838. For more information go to their website at www.mojacarchurc h.org
The Spiritualist Centre, Benijofar meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. Our Open Circle is every Thursday at 6.30pm. The Divine Service, with Mediumship on Sunday 16th September will be taken by Linda Sheppard (UK Medium). The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday18th September, will also
ANGLICAN CHURCH SERVICES FOR COSTA ALMERIA & COSTA CALIDA Oct 7 Oct 7 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 21 Oct 25
Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra, Albox Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra, Albox
Oct 28 Mojacar Oct 28 Llanos Del Peral
BUILDERS
11am 11am 11am 11am 11am 6pm 11am 11am 11am
Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Evensong Eucharist Eucharist Dedication Festival followed by Monthly lunch NO SERVICE 11am Licensing Service
be taken by Linda Sheppard. The Divine Service on Sunday, 23rd September will be taken by George Lawson (UK Medium). Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gm ail.com or info@spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.
DRAINAGE
HEALTH & BEAUTY GIRASOL HEALTH FOOD SHOP, Calle Malaga, Albox. For all your dietary needs, health foods, organic foods, supplements, super food powders, organic eggs and veggie box scheme. Est 2006. Tel 639 089 170
HOUSE FOR SALE
INSURANCE ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399
MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
INTERNET GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or email mark.w@euroweeklyne ws.com for more details.
Classifieds MOTORING
28th September - 4th October 2018
PLUMBING SERVICES
SITUATIONS VACANT
SOLAR ENERGY /POWER SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.c om (276001)
WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
KNOWLES PLUMBING. No 1 for plumbing! Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 (278824)
REMOVALS/STORAGE
PERSONAL
GENECO Pool construction. Tel 950 478 086 for no obligation quote (93401) ARE YOU selfmotivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesa les candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowe eklynews.com.
PETS
LEASE HOLD
FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport. com 634 33 64 68 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (276002)
FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 336 468 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (279773)
SWIMMING POOL
PERSONAL
THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6.25 euros, medium dogs 7.00 euros, big dogs (over 20kg) 7.75 euros, cats from 5.50-7.00 euros a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@g mail.com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.3012.30 and 18.00-19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (279669)
TRANSPORT
REMOVALS/STORAGE
TILING FLOOR AND WALL TILING SPECIALIST Not a jack of all trades, just a master of one! Call Steve Holman on 697 678 708 (255340)
SECOND HAND
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SERVICES
BUILDERS • CARS WANTED • HEALTH & BEAUTY • DRAINAGE • HOME MAINTENANCE • INSURANCE • SITUATIONS VACANT
If you are reading this it is because we get your attention, try it with your business
TELEPHONE ALBOX OFFICE 950 633 217 or MOBILE 642 454 311 or sales@soltimes.com BUILDING SERVICES
CAR VALETING
DRAINAGE
STORAGE
MECHANICS
FIREWOOD
DEBT COLLECTOR
PAINTERS
REMOVALS & STORAGE
SOLAR ENERGY
Services REMOVALS & STORAGE
28th September - 4th October 2018
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36
Sport
28th September - 4th October 2018
Sports for kids A
DRA’S council has said it is bolstering its offering of sports aimed at local children and now has up to 15 different activities on offer throughout the town’s Sports Schools. Council officials are aiming to increase the number of local boys and girls taking part in physical activities. The registration period for the 2018 to 2019 season is now open and training sessions for some activities have already begun. Sports on offer for this season include chess, badminton, basketball, handball, football (both indoor and outdoor), gymnastics, judo, karate, swimming, paddle tennis, skating, rugby and volleyball. Taekwondo and mountaineering are also included for the first time this year, the council said in a statement. Jesus Rivera, the council’s sports spokesperson, said the council was focused on improving facilities in the town and on getting more people involved in physical activities. “We have invested heavily in sports in Adra. We are due to replace the track at the Sports Pavilion and improve the paddle tennis court among other projects,” Rivera said. The councillor added almost 1,000 people had taken part in sports across the town during the last season.
Evenly matched EL EJIDO Football Club has returned to training after two rest days on Monday and Tuesday. Coach Alberto Gonzalez gave the players the rest after playing a game against Badajoz on Sunday, which they lost. But the team were back to work on Wednesday, going through a video analysis session before going through drills on the field in preparation for the next league game at home against Real Murcia on Sunday. El Ejido CF won its two previous home matches against Sevilla Atletico and Villanovense, and so will go into the game full of confidence. Star player Emilio Cubo said that Real Murcia is “a very strong team which has been boosted with good signings. “We already know they have great fans and are one of the most popular sides, so it will not only be an important match, but a hard one.” Cubio added that he hoped there would be a “good response from our fans and that there will be a lot more supporters for us than them, and that we will be superior not only on the pitch, but in the stands.”
CREDIT: Adra Council
ACTIVITY CALL: Registration for sports for children is now open in Adra. “That is an increase of 10 per cent on the season before and marks three consecutive years of growth,” he said.
Anyone interested in registering for any of the activities can do so at the council’s Sports Pavilion.
Monthly medal THE following is a match report from the 19th Hole golf society. The 19th were back at the gorgeous Aguilon course for their Monthly Medal and some of their members excelled in the beautiful weather. None more so than Ladies’ Medal winner Karyn Esposito, who scored a very impressive net 66 thus guaranteeing herself a lower handicap for next week. Also falling foul of the handicap secretary were Mike Donarski who won the Mens’ Medal with a score of net 67 and Sean Curtis who recorded a creditable net 68. There were six two’s recorded by Steve Lawrie and Ron Curtis (3rd), Nick Pogson (14th), Sean Curtis, Alan Brigden and Mike Donarski (all 17th). Nearest the pins: 3rd Chris Heed. 8th Peter Watts. 11th in 2 Colin Mathews. 12th Colin Mathews. 14th Bob Tagg. 17th Alan Brigden. The 19th Hole GS play every week on local courses. Contact mikeesposito54@yahoo.com for information.
French connection
CREDIT: Pascal Guignard
NEW KITS: Pascal Guignard (left) presented the team with their strips. THE Partaloa fooball club has been presented with donation of 22 high quality football kits by a French leisure and sportswear company. The team received their new strips at the Complejo Municipal Deportivo in the town last Tuesday. Pascal Guignard was on hand to deliver the kits from the RD Group SAS company which is based in Perpignan. Cecilio Vicente Cervilla, President of the club, said: “The team and I are de-
lighted to receive this equipment which will allow us to play in optimal conditions whilst proudly displaying the colours of the village. “We are all very grateful for the generosity of the RD Group SAS on this occasion.” Guignard, who is a member of the Advisory Board of RD Group and also part-time resident of Partaloa said: “Partaloa has a lovely community spirit which my family and I have particularly
enjoyed over the years. “It is only normal that as the RD Group continues to expand in Spain, we first show our gratitude to the people who have welcomed us with open arms. “We would like to wish the club the very best of luck with their games in the many seasons to come.” Antonio Penuela Gonzalez, the mayor of Partaloa, was on hand for the presentation of the kits.
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Motoring
28th September - 4th October 2018
Ford Transit debuts hy FORD’S Transit Custom strengthens its position as Europe’s leading onetonne van with the public debut of the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, shown for the first time in production form at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, Germany. The Transit Custom PHEV features an advanced hybrid powertrain system that targets a zero-emission driving range of 50 kilometres (31 miles), and uses the multiaward-winning Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine as a range extender for a total range exceeding 500 kilometres (310 miles). Ford is the first volume manufacturer to offer PHEV technology in this segment of the van market. The technology enables the vehicle to be charged with mains electricity for zero-emission journeys, contributing to reduce local emissions and allowing the vehicle to enter low-emissions zones. The PHEV model will enter volume produc-
ECO-FRIENDLY: Can use mains electricity for zero-emission journeys. tion in the second half of 2019. “The Transit Custom PHEV re-writes the rule book for a general purpose one-tonne van, providing a versatile performer with zero-emission ca-
pability,” said Ian Porter, chief programme engineer, Transit Custom, Ford of Europe. “Transit Custom PHEV demands no compromises, offering the same load capacity as a diesel van, and the free-
dom to complete long-distance journeys without the need to stop for a charge.” Ford also announced - major enhancements - to the Transit Custom line-up, including an upgraded 2.0-litre
A beautiful ‘small’ car UNIQUE: The Mini is still a favourite in the small car range. Photo credit: BMW Press room
Motoring
28th September - 4th October 2018
ybrid model
EcoBlue diesel, with more powerful 185 PS variant, a segment-first diesel mild hybrid powertrain option, and advanced new connectivity with driver assistance features. Using the charge port locat-
ed within the front bumper, the Transit Custom PHEV can be charged using a domestic 240 volt 10 amp power supply, achieving full charge in five hours, or a commercial 240 volt 16 amp or 32 amp supply, which can bring the pack to full charge in three hours. Designed to enhance performance and cost of ownership, the changes include an upgraded version of Ford’s 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engine, further optimised for fuel efficiency and now available as a more powerful 185 PS variant. Transit Custom also offers a segment-first mild hybrid (mHEV) diesel powertrain option that delivers additional fuel efficiency improvements, with particular benefits in urban stop-start conditions. The FordPass Connect onboard modem technology is introduced, and the Transit Custom can also be specified with an enhanced suite of advanced driver assistance technologies including Active Park Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid and Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow.
IT’S a small car but you just can’t miss it. Expressive visual appeal and an exceptionally large number of customisation options simply turn the Mini three-door, Mini five-door and the Mini Convertible into real eye catchers. The current edition of the Mini, which was comprehensively revised at the beginning of the year, thus repeats the success of the British original in the premium small car segment from 2014. In that year Mini won the ‘autonis’ award following the most recent generation change. Its stylishly refined design is what made the new Mini excitingly attractive and the voters’ favourite car. Newly designed LED headlamps and LED tail lights with the characteristic Union Jack design make for an unmistakable appearance. The colours Emerald Grey metallic, Starlight Blue metallic and Solaris Orange metallic are now also included in the paintwork programme. The extended range of light alloy wheels, the Piano Black exterior option with black surrounds for headlamps, radiator grille and tail lights, which is available for the first time, as well as new leather equipment, interior surfaces and colour lines for the interior, extend the possibilities of turning the Mini into a personalised one-of-a-kind specimen welcome everywhere. In the ‘small car’ class, the Mini won by a clear margin over its five competitors.
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The sky is not the limit
NISSAN has unveiled the out-ofthis-world Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept at the 2018 Hannover Motor Show, proving that the sky is never the limit. Developed in the UK in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the concept vehicle functions as a mobile astronomy lab, featuring a world-leading, observatory-class telescope on a bespoke off-road trailer. As the latest embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the vehicle comes with ProPILOT driver assistance technology, which has been upgraded to make it the most capable pickup for safe and convenient towing. ESA is mapping the stars with unprecedented precision using the Gaia satellite, which has already observed more than a billion stars. The Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept supports this project by helping astronomers conduct follow-up observations of the universe from hard-to-reach, so-called ‘dark sky’ locations - away from the night-time glow of urban areas, which decreases visibility. “The Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept is a brilliant example of Nissan serving as an authentic partner, empowering our customers to go anywhere,” said Ashwani Gupta, senior vice president of Nissan’s light commercial vehicle business. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility and ProPILOT, we are creating the best solutions for the next frontiers of business, no matter how complex
ANYWHERE: Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept is its own astronomy lab. the commercial need.” The design of the Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept takes its inspiration from the cosmos. The dark exterior colour scheme features nebula motifs using parametric patterning, and the interior brings together the deep hues of the night sky with the orange shades of a setting sun. Reflective orange piping on the seats also provides visibility inside the vehicle, negating the need for white lights that would disrupt the astronomer’s night vision. Since red light affects human night vision least, both the vehicle and trailer exclusively use red lighting to avoid visual disruption during observations. Working closely with ESA, the trailer module also incorporates a special refrigerated atmosphere, allowing the
telescope to remain stable and calibrated at the optimum temperature in transit to any location. Once at the desired, often hard-toreach destination, the trailer module’s mechanised roof can be opened to focus the telescope on the night sky. Using a 40-centimetre (primary) mirror, it has the ability to give detailed views beyond the rings of Saturn, to distant galaxies, nebulae and supernovas. Additional smart features include Wi-Fi, a laptop station and UHF transmission to relay data instantaneously, anywhere in the world. Eight combined radar units, on each corner of the vehicle and trailer, update the driver on the vehicle’s surroundings through the NissanConnect infotainment touch screen on the dashboard.