ISSUE 657 • 19th - 25th October 2018
EST 2005
Spain’s capital of Student funding gastronomy CREDIT: Almeria City Council
THUMBS UP: Fernandez-Pacheco said the city would be ‘the country’s gastronomy showcase.’
By Cathy Elelman ALMERIA City is celebrating being named Spain’s culinary capital. The selection panel has officially rubber stamped the provincial capital’s triumph as Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2019. Almeria mayor, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, said the city would be “the country’s gastronomy showcase.” Plans will now go ahead for around 300 food related events next year. The Spanish Capital of Gastronomy is an annual event promoted by the Spanish Catering Federation
and the Spanish Federation of Tourism Journalists and Writers. The jury, headed by Secretary of State for Tourism Isabel Oliver, valued Almeria’s candidacy for its “solid institutional backing, the more than 10,000 letters of support, an excellent offer of land and sea, a revolutionary production model which is a commitment to sustainability, and a creative cuisine which combines tradition and innovation.” The national Food Capital crown will be passed on to Almeria from current title holder León during the Fitur International Tourism Fair in the last week of January next year.
claims
MEMBERS of Albox’s conservative Partido Popular (PP) have claimed local students have not been able to access grants due to the council leaving an Almanzora town umbrella group. The party said the decision to leave the Commonwealth of Almanzora Municipalities was ‘unfortunate.’ They also claimed up to eight students in the town were missing out on €150 a month grants which could help them pay for their studies. “Our party filed a motion for Albox to return to the Commonwealth but Mayor Francisco Torrecillas does not seem interested. He has done absolutely nothing after 10 months,” the PP said. “The Commonwealth has invested more than €4.5 million in education programmes, initiatives and scholarships since 2012. Albox residents have not been able to benefit from this,” the group added. The decision to leave the Commonwealth was taken by Torrecillas’ predecessor Rogelio Mena. The PP claimed the decision was now impacting on students on apprenticeships with the Consentino company. The Commonwealth grants are aimed at helping students on low incomes pay for transport to training courses, according to the PP. They can also help the unemployed by providing them with grants while they attend skills training courses.
2 NEWS BITES
High-speed demand THE Opposition Popular Party has demanded the government guarantees t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e AV E high-speed rail link in Almeria in 2023 in the state budget.
Anniversary THE Almeria branch of the UGT Trade Union celebrates the 130th anniversary of the organization today (Friday) with a ceremony at the Archaeological Museum under the banner ‘Historic Memory of the Working Class, past, present and future.’
Protest D E L E G AT E S f r o m a union representing Almeria prison workers took part in a protest in front of the Interior Ministry in Madrid over pay and conditions in the sector.
News
19th - 25th October 2018
Women’s art on show ART lovers have the chance to see an exhibition by some of the most exciting women artists in the world. Almeria Museum (El Museo de Almeria) is hosting an international exhibition of contemporary art by women artists. Ars Visibilis Genius is presenting its fourth edition of an international programme of exhibitions and meetings about contemporary art in which ‘women artists will provide this event with the genius that history continuously and systematically snatches away from them.’ It will be held in two exhibition venues, in the Museum of Almeria, and in the MECA Mediterranean Artistic Centre room, explained the councillor for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Alfredo Valdivia. The exhibition at Almeria museum will close on November 18. The MECA exhibition will run from November 9 to 30.
ON DISPLAY: A work by Carmen Sicre.
New hall
HUERCAL-OVERA is going to get new sports facilities thanks to the provincial council It is to pay out around €550,000 for a new sports hall to complement existing complexes. The new pavilion is expected to provide the option to practice up to 11 different disciplines. Now the plans for the multipurpose hall have been out to tender. The project means some outdoor sports tracks will have to make way as the sports complex is expanded. The new building will be connected to the current one by two entrances.
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News
19th - 25th October 2018
Ex-politician dies
Rural women event A THEATRE in Cuevas del Almanzora has played host to an a series of events aimed at encouraging women living in rural areas become empowered in work and society. The event, the first of its kind in the town, was put on to mark the International Day of Rural Women which took place last Monday. The event saw more than 100 people attend a panel discussion, a film screening and a question and answer session with an actress from Almeria. Antonio Fernandez Liria, the mayor of Cuevas del Almanzora, said: “This event served to give more visibility to women who work in rural areas, the foundation of the local economy in some areas.”
Creative arts centre VERA’S council has collaborated with a local artist to open a new drawing and painting centre in the town to teach locals creative techniques. The council joined forces with Alex Arias Avila, 28, who has previously carried out art training sessions and workshops across Almeria Province. The artist said he had been working with the council for months to set up the centre where locals could go and immerse themselves in art. “It is a space rich in opportunities where everyone from young to old can feel like true artists from the start as well as participating in our exhibitions and creative projects while learning,” Arias Avila said. Isabel Belmonte, the council’s children and seniors spokesperson, said: “The council has entrusted Alex Arias with the
CREDIT: Vera Council
TRIBUTES from Almeria Province and Andalucian officials have poured in following the death of former Diputacion president Antonio Maresca. Maresca, who died this week aged 80, became the first member of the left-leaning Partido Socialista to serve as president of the Diputacion de Almeria in 1983. He remained in office until 1987. The politician and historian, who was born in Pechina, also served as a Senator and sat on the Commission for Public Works. Susana Diaz, president of the Junta de Andalucia, said: “I regret the death of my comrade Antonio Maresca, a socialist historian and former president of the Diputacion de Almeria.”
GETTING CREATIVE: The centre is open to the young and elderly. stewardship of the centre due to his great experience in the world of contemporary art and is recognised as an up and coming artist.” The centre is set to
host drawing and painting classes, as well as sessions for the elderly including memory workshops, healthy habits, Latin dances, gymnastics, computer classes
and cooking slots. Arias Avila has previously collaborated with the council on a graffiti programme aimed at young locals during the summer.
NEWS
19th - 25th October 2018
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Dames events
HISTORY NIGHT: The digs took place in Mojacar this year.
Digging deep THE results of archaeological digs which took place this year are set to be displayed in Mojacar this evening. The Mojacar la Vieja (Mojacar Old Woman) exhibition is open to the public and starts at 7pm this evening in the town’s Multiple Use Centre. The event is due to feature the showcasing of finds from excavations at the original ancient settlement that spawned the modern-day town of Mojacar. There is also due to be two photography exhibitions, a live music performance, craft beer tasting and handcrafted products on sale,
the council said. Archaeology specialists from the University of Granada’s Medieval History department are set to attend, including Dr Jose Maria Martin Civantos, Rocco Corselli, Jorge Rouco Collazo, Pablo Romero Peliltero, Dr Julio Miguel Roman Punzon and Dr Lara Delgado Anes. They are due to discuss the results of analysis of their findings with those in attendance. Emiio Aramburu is set to show photographs of the dig from the first stages to the final results. Roberto Manzano is also due to display a 3D photography exhibit
of some of the finds. Officials from Mojacar Council including tourism spokesperson Emmanuel Aguero Leclerc are also due to attend. The President of the Valparaiso Foundation, Beatriz Beckett, and the group’s project director Teresa Santiago are also set to be there. A flamenco performance from guitarist and vocalist Francisco Santiago Camacho will also feature. Almost 60 archaeologists from across Spain took part in the excavation over the summer, with the finds analysed by researchers in July.
THE following is a programme of upcoming events with the Dames in Turre group: D a m e s i n Tu r r e O c t o b e r m e e t i n g will be held on Monday 29th at The H o s t e l R u r a l i n Tu r r e , c o m m e n c i n g a t 11 a m p r o m p t w h e n o u r s p e a k e r will be Kevin Boorman. Kevin is a well-known author and will be giving a talk on his latest book. Everyone is welcome, so do come along and hear about his new book. For more information please cont a c t o u r P r e s i d e n t S o o Wa l l a c e o n telephone number 667 362 713 or Membership Secretary Eileen McGill on telephone number 652 298 072. Forthcoming events:- Shopping trip to Murcia on Monday November
12 - €15 per person, or if you fancy spending Christmas in La Zenia p l e a s e c o n t a c t S o o Wa l l a c e b y e mail on sillyboo59@yahoo.co.uk. Their Christmas Market will be held on December 8 in Turre Square with plenty of stalls, Bumper Raffle, To m b o l a , m u l l e d w i n e w i t h m i n c e pies and sausage rolls, Bric a Brac and a craft stall, so do pop along and enjoy Christmas shopping with a friendly atmosphere.
If you would like to run your own stall please again contact Soo Wa l l a c e by e-mail on sillyboo59@yahoo.co.uk. Look forward to seeing you all there.
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News
19th - 25th October 2018
ALMERIA Province has the lowest house prices on average of any in Andalucia, according to industry data. Figures from the Noteges Club showed houses fetched an average of €100,258 in the province up to August 31. The average across Andalucia was €113,242. Cordoba Province had the highest house prices with properties selling for
CREDIT: Mojacar Royal British Legion
House prices lowest an average of €136,563. It was followed by Sevilla Province with €124,741. The Noteges Club study found that the average gap between the advertised price of homes and their final sale price was a difference of 33 per cent. The largest gap was in Malaga Province with 44 per cent and the lowest was in Sevilla Province with 25 per cent.
FUNDRAISER: The weekend took place at Los Conteros.
Charity weekend MOJACAR’S branch of the Royal British Legion held a charity weekend earlier this month with the aim of raising money to mark this year’s Remembrance Day. The group said it would like to thank Lenka and Chris of Los Conteros in Villaricos for hosting the weekend, which took place from Saturday October 6 to Sunday October 7. The group are aiming
to raise €1,111.11 by 11am on November 11th, Remembrance Day, for the Royal British Legion. “The music was provided fantastically by M & M who also raised money by donations for requests. “Everyone was up and dancing and a wonderful evening was enjoyed. In addition to money raised from the event, Chris and Lenka also
donated a raffle prize,” the branch said. The Branch said it would also like to thank Gordon of Oasis Bar, Palomares for his continued bi-monthly support of Fish ‘n Chip Quiz nights in aid of Poppy Appeal. “The Branch wishes all bars, shops and restaurants who are helping by having a Poppy Collecting tin this year every success,” they said.
8 NEWS BITES Healthly flavours THE Almeria provincial government’s Family and Agriculture Department is organising a new ‘Almeria Health and Flavours’ campaign aimed at offering families a blueprint for the basis of a healthy diet.
Education PROVINCIAL trade union representatives have demanded support for schoolchildren with special educational needs is taken out of the hands of private c ompan i es an d i s in stead provided by public sector experts.
Subsidies POLIT I CA L par t ies i n Almeria will receive nearly €320,000 in subsidies for electoral expenses for the next regional election on December 2, according to the order published in the Junta de Andalucía Official Bulletin.
News
19th - 25th October 2018
Two anniversaries in one A
DANCE group and a charity both celebrated their 10th birthdays recently with parties and joint events. Members of Eleanor and Gilly’s Monday afternoon Line Dance Class celebrated the group’s 10th anniversary with a party at Chapman’s Bar Restaurant in Albox. The Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone (FACE) is also celebrating its 10th birthday this year. A spokesperson for the Line Dance Class said they decided to invite volunteers from FACE to join their celebrations. The class has consistently supported the charity since it was set up, the spokesperson added. “Class members celebrated by taking part in a Fancy Dress Competition, which was judged by the FACE Committee Members,” the spokes-person said. The winner was Chris McPhie with second place going to Alice Bradbury and third place to Ann Green. “All the dances throughout the afternoon were party themed dances. There was a Raffle for FACE and a superb buffet provided by Chapman’s Bar Restaurant,” the class spokesperson said. Three members of the class
CREDIT: Line Dance Class
BIRTHDAY BASH: Members of the class and charity celebrated together. joined during its first year in existence, and to mark the occasion all three ladies were presented with a Certificate of Loyalty. These were Ann Green, Alice Bradbury and Pat Steele. “There was also a superb birthday cake and cava was supplied by Chapman’s Bar Restaurant. To finish the afternoon class memvbers surprised the FACE Committee Members by presenting them with €204. This means that
the Line Dance Class has raised over €3,500 for FACE over the last 10 years,” the group said. “Eleanor and Gilly would like to thank all the class members, both old and new, for their support over the last 10 years. They would also like to thank all the management and staff at Chapman’s for welcoming and accommodating them when the dance clubs previous base closed suddenly without warning at the begin-
ning of the summer,” the group added. Eleanor and Gilly said that if it had not been for Chapman’s the Line Dance Class may never have reached its 10th birthday. The Line Dance Classes are held every Monday afternoon between 2.30pm and 4.30pm and is a great place to make friends and meet friends. If you would like any further information please ring 647 932 078.
NEWS
T
19th - 25th October 2018
Water worries
HE province is going to need close to 240 cubic hectometres of water in the next 12 years to keep its intensive agriculture sector going, the Almeria Water Board has warned. In a statement the platform calls for ‘new hydrological resources capable of eliminating the current uncertainty over water which affects not only some production areas, but in some cases has led to commercial operators losing confidence in Almeria suppliers.’ The board backs upping desalination, recycling and transfers of water from other regions in order to protect underground aquifers in its study of the province’s hydrological needs for 2030. It said it wants to promote the implementation of a new model of irrigation, which rather than being sustained by aquifers ‘responds to the new demands of the horticulture markets,’ and which aims to ‘ensure the sustainable origin of irrigation water used for food production.’
RESERVE CONCERNS: Uncertainty remains over water levels at Cuevas reservoir.
Doubling the capacity of the Carboneras desalination plant from 42 to 84 cubic hectometres is a priority, according to the Water Board. It also wants to see the construction of a new desalination plant in the Lower Almanzora area producing up to 30 cubic hectometres a year, and the repair of the Villaricos plant, in-
creasing its capacity from the current 15 cubic hectometres to 20. The interconnection of the water resources available in the province is essential in the view of the Water Board to make the province’s agriculture sector an example of sustainable water use and to contribute to the re-
covery of underground aquifers by 2030. The so-called ‘Water Highway,’ which will connect the Beninar reservoir in the west of Almeria with the Cuevas del Almanzora reservoir, allowing for transfers of water both ways according to the needs of each area, is the key says Board to achieving these goals.
9 Theatre programme PULPI’S council has announced an autumn and winter theatre programme which is set to begin this Sunday and continue until February. The ‘Come to the Theatre’ cycle of plays, put on in collaboration with Diputacion de Almeria, is set to see shows performed every Sunday in the La Sociedad Cultural Centre at 7pm. Admission is free until full capacity at the centre is reached, the council said. Juan Pedro Garcia, the mayor of Pulpi, said: “By 2019 this theatre cycle will be put on in a new scenic space that is currently under construction. The new space will have capacity for almost 600 people. The programme is split into the autumn and winter cycle, covering October to December and January to February respectively.
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News
19th - 25th October 2018
Beautiful towns meeting REPRESENTATIVES from Mojacar Council are set to travel to Cordoba Province for a meeting of delegates from Spain’s most beautiful towns tomorrow (Saturday). Emmanuel Aguero Leclerc, the council’s tourism spokesperson, and Tourism Department director Carmen Garcia Campoy are both set to attend the Southern Assembly of the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages Association. It is set to be held in the Casa de la Cultura of Zuheros in Cord o b a P r o v i n c e . To p i c s o n t h e agenda include looking ahead to the World Association meeting in France and a meeting on November 15. The Southern Region FIÑANA’S annual feria is set to begin today (Friday) with a variety of performances and events planned. This evening is set to see the presentation of a trilogy of books from writer Luis Caparros. The author is planning on deliver-
chapter ’s President and Secretary are also set to be elected and they will serve a term covering the next two years. The meeting follows similar gatherings that Mojacar hosted in October and December last year which saw mayors and council officials from towns in the association visit for talks and events. S a t u r d a y ’s m e e t i n g c o m e s ahead of the November 15 gathering which is due to see the Association’s Senate meet for the first time. Attendees are due to discuss tourism, innovation and environmental issues in rural Spain and t h e c o u n t r y ’s Q u e e n E m e r i t u s
ing a talk on his books about the history of a Moorish family Fiñana’s Municipal Theatre at 8pm. A variety of events including a visit to the town’s 14th century Moorish cistern and the Almohad mosque are planned for Satur-
Sofia is also set to join those present. The Association has also arranged for meeting with utility companies with the aim of striking deals for member towns, especially the smallest in the group. The meeting this weekend is due to coincide with a festival that will see 12 Andalucian towns and ones from Tejeda and the Canary Islands offering food and products from their areas. There is also due to be traditional dances, workshops and a historical re-enactment of the Grazalema bandoleros. The Mojacar Parador is the only hotel of the chain in Almeria Province.
Fair events
GET TOGETHER: The officials will travel to Zuheros for the meeting.
day. There is also set to be a parade through the town centre as well as fairground rides and entertainment. The mayor of Fiñana Rafael Montes said the programme offered a variety of events which would give visi-
tors the chance to explore the town’s history and culture. “ We w a n t p e o p l e t o come and take advantage of the day to discovering a side of Fiñana you may not know including unique architectural gems,” the mayor said.
NEWS
19th - 25th October 2018
A SOCIAL group from Almanzora took a trip to Granada Province last week to visit a prehistoric cave which lies under the ruins of a Moorish castle. The Almanzora Group of Friends journeyed to Piñar, home of the Cueva de las Ventanas, last Thursday October 11. The group said the destination was kept secret until the end in keeping with the tradition of their regular mystery trips. Many attendees thought they were travelling to nearby Guadix until they arrived at their destination at the foot of the Sierra Araña mountain range, the group added. “We visited the Cueva de Las Ventanas (The Cave of the Windows) which has the status of Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and Natural Monument of Andalucia,” the group said. “We took a small train to the caves where an English-speaking guide took us around the cave complex and gave a very detailed explanation of all the different sights that we were about to see,” the Friends added. The group said they explored the inside of the cave and that
CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons
Mystery cave trip
CAVERN TREK: The Cueva de las Ventanas are in Granada Province. they saw one section used for concerts where they acoustics were ‘excellent.’ “With the stalagmites and sta-
lactites, visual displays and the excellent English commentary the visit proved very popular with our group as a whole.
“A really interesting visit which was a first for the Almanzora Group of Friends and somewhere to take visitors when you have run
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out of the usual ideas,” the group said. The Cueva de Las Ventanas (The Cave of the Windows) is 1,000 metres above sea level. The temperature inside is stable all year round at around 13 degrees and the relative humidity is 100 per cent. The cave was visited and occupied from the Upper Palaeolithic era approximately 50,000 years ago, according to finds dated from the site. The caves were also used by Iberians, Romans and Moors. Don Manuel Gill created the first written references to the cave, which date back to 1839. Another man, called Fajardo, made a pen drawing of the main gallery, the first known image of the cave, which was published in 1912. In the 1950’s a group of cavers from Granada began exploring the cavity and a topographic survey was started in the early 1980’s. The cave is managed by Piñar Council and is one of the largest in Granada Province at around 1,200 metres, 500 of which are open to visitors.
News
19th - 25th October 2018
CREDIT: Huercal-Overa Council, via Facebook
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Ed. 657
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FAIR LAUNCH: Festivities began last Wednesday. THE annual feria of Huercal-Overa began this week, with a variety of events planned to mark the occasion set to take place over the coming days. The festivities kicked off on Wednesday and are set to continue over the weekend before closing this Tuesday. Huercal-Overa’s mayor Domingo Fernandez said all locals and visitors were welcome to come and enjoy the events and feria atmosphere. “I want to thank officers from the Local Police, Guardia Civil and Civil Protection units as well as firefighters and municipal workers who make sure we can enjoy a safe and orderly feria,” he said. The event began with the traditional reading of the Proclamation by Pedro Gomez Ballesta, a Huercal-Overa native and professor of Art History at the University of Granada on Wednesday. He has been
Fun of the feria appointed the honorary preacher of the feria for this year. The reading was followed by the switching on of the feria lights by Mayor Fernandez. The midday fair opened yesterday (Thursday) and saw a breakfast held for elderly residents of Huercal-Overa. It was followed by performances from local bands including La Grama, La Nava del Coco and Arrumbao from 7.30pm. They were followed by sets from Arco and Skorzo. Today (Friday) is set to see a child-
friendly ‘Running of the Bulls’ event, with inflatables in place of the real animals, as well as more band performances at the feria ground from 8pm. The festivities are due to arrive in the centre of Huercal-Overa tomorrow (Saturday) with the parade of floats which starts at 1.30pm by the town hall. The feria continues tomorrow evening with a free concert from The Arrebato in the Municipal Caseta from midnight which will be followed by a fireworks display. Sunday is due to feature a 25th anniversary performance of the Pandilla de Dril in a show aimed at children followed by music from Los Brincos in the evening. These are followed on Monday by a musical and other performances and the feria’s Children’s Day on Tuesday. A children’s play area will be open from 2pm to 8pm every day of the feria.
Weekender 19th - 25th October 2018
Jos Biggs’ column Page 12
Protect your shed Page 19
Coastal Cleaners
Add some spice
Page 20 - 21
Page 23
Bob Marley A legend
Eye masks help
Page 28
Benefits of a pet Page 29
Page 27
Best ever results Page 38
Photo credit: SEAT Press Room
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Feature
19th - 25th October 2018
Pause for others THE move to our new home is now at last complete, the final item fetched being my 65-year old Riley, which now resides in its new garage. Not without some difficulty, I might say, as it strongly resisted leaving its previous home, with what turned out to be a blocked fuel line. And as I struggled with the workshop manual in my efforts to diagnose and repair the fault, I was reminded of a story of a mechanic called to a car that similarly refused to start. As the mechanic made his initial checks he found, to his horror, the fuel tank contained water, whilst there was oil in the radiator and petrol in the sump! Small wonder the car wouldn’t start! The owner readily acknowledged that this was his doing; he’d been told to keep the car topped up with petrol, oil and water, and had done just that, so where was the problem? The mechanic asked if he’d read the car’s handbook, explaining that all this and far more was explained in that document, but the owner had found it boring, irrelevant and in far too technical a language that he struggled to understand, so had done what seemed right to him. And anyway, he added, it was his car, so he was entitled to do as he wished, without having to comply with the manu-
facturer’s instruction manual. Crazy, yes. And may seem a very improbable story. But how often do we act in similar way, ignoring our own manufacturer’s instruction manual, the Bible? How frequently, in a similar vein, do we complain that it’s boring, irrelevant and hard to understand? How often do we live according to our own standards, living as we wish, in the belief that we can manage our own lives as we please, despite the inevitable consequences? For, like the car’s handbook, the Bible shows us how to live, to get the best out of life both for ourselves and for the community, urging us through word and example to live for others, rather than ourselves. So let’s ensure that we’re fuelled with God’s spirit of service rather than personal self-interest and just maybe we can, with His help enjoy a more fulfilling life. Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida (further detail available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at d.burr@albox-online.net
The Tuck Conundrum By Jos Biggs
THE deep fat fryer expired suddenly and inconveniently in February due to old age. Although I don’t eat many chips, when I fancy a chip I fancy a chip, so I hie’d post-haste into Electro Curro, where they had the wherewithal to pander to my foibles, and to provide me with a shiny new addition to my kitchen furniture. There were deep fat fryers aplenty, all pretty similar and all fulfilling my two important criteria: Simple and cheap. So I shut my eyes and pointed. “That one,” I said. I bore it home and with crossed fingers; plugged it in, and in short order I was enjoying chips on demand, and done to perfection. I was delighted, named him Tuck and welcomed him as a cherished member of my household.
Even though my consumption of chips is sporadic, Tuck and I became firm friends, and this harmony held good until recently. I t w a s a c h i p - f a n c y i n g d a y. I checked his oil and plugged him in. This procedure is normally followed by a green light to signify that he has understood me, and is acting upon my command, and also a red light, signifying that he’s doing is best, but is not quite ready yet. But on this occasion he remained obstinately unlit. Perhaps it was a faulty socket, which would not be his fault, so I plugged him in another socket - He continued to demonstrate the Dark Side. I felt surgery was called for, so I took him apart. Then what?
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
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Weekender
Property
19th - 25th October 2018
HEMP could soon be competing with conventional bricks, cement, concrete and synthetic insulation. In recent decades interest in natural materials like clay or haybales has reemerged, particularly amongst owners looking for bioclimatic houses whose designs are based on local climate, aimed at providing thermal and visual comfort while making use of solar energy or other environmental resources. Bricks manufactured from hemp fibre mixed with lime or clay fit this bill and are now used in constructions from France to Israel to Australia, although the market for them in Spain, where they have been used for 300 houses, remains small. Most are one-family homes on two or occasionally three floors and the majority are in rural areas, although they are also popular for restoring traditional regional buildings - Asturian horreos and Valencian barracas for instance - and monuments. Hemp is claiming a place for itself, although the marihuana-connection
Photo credit: Barbetorte
The house that hemp built HEMP: A legal and subsidised crop. formerly thwarted its potential in the construction industry. Both hemp bricks and marihuana are made from cannabis sativa, but hemp is a legal and subsidised crop containing less than 0.2 per cent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabis’s principal psychoactive constituent, compared to marihuana’s 10 per cent. Hemp is more than a versatile con-
struction and insulation material as it is fire resistant and since hemp fibre contains no nutrients for hungry parasites, it does not need treating in the same way that wood does. The biggest drawback is price, as sufficient hemp bricks to build an insulated and medium-sized one-family dwelling cost between €10,000 and €15,000.
PLANNING PERMISSION: The licence is simply essential in Spain.
A licence to thrill SHOULD you be thinking about building your dream home from scratch or making major changes to your existing house, it should be noted that a First Occupancy Licence will be needed. This is the document that is issued when the local council is satisfied that the construction project or adaptation work meets all technical standards and regulations, including health and safety. There are three types of First Occupancy Licences: for new builds; for those that have been substantially modified (eg an extension), and those premises that have changed their purpose.
The licence is necessary when securing contracts to make the house habitable, such as water, electricity and gas. It acts as a guarantee for third parties that may purchase the property in the future, proving to them all the paperwork is above board. Moreover, any sale of properties that do not have the licence can be declared null and void in a court of law, which would be a very costly mistake and the buyer may be entitled to compensation. The licence is also essential for the opening of industrial and commercial establishments in Spain.
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Weekender
Lifestyle
19th - 25th October 2018
Grow your own
garlic
SIMPLE: Harvesting your own garlic is easy and satisfying. GREAT for killing off bacteria, warding off coughs and keeping your heart healthy, garlic is also a great flavour enhancing cooking ingredient. So what could be more satisfying than preparing your favourite dishes using your own home-grown garlic. As well as being cheap and fun, it’s easy to do, even if you’re not particularly green fingered. Garlic, ‘allium sativum’, is a member of the onion family, together with leeks and shallots, but instead of one bulb, it produces around a dozen small cloves. These are surrounded by a flimsy, papery skin, and each one is a seed.
The best way to get good garlic bulbs is to grow lots of leaves before bulb development, and the trick is in the timing. Garlic isn’t particular and can be planted in late autumn or early spring, but it is better later in the year, providing the winter is not too severe. It needs to go through a cold spell if the head is to develop well, so November is ideal. Choose a site that is open and sunny, with a fertile, well-drained light soil, as heavy soil leads to misshapen bulbs and makes harvesting difficult. Garlic doesn’t need a soil high in nutrients so can be
TASTY: The ‘allium sativum’ also has health benefits. planted once a summer crop has been lifted. When selecting cloves to plant, choose bulbs that are healthy and firm. Pick the larger, outer cloves, and ensure they are smooth, fresh and free of disease. Place them 15 to 18 cm apart, in rows 30 cm apart. The closer together they are planted, the smaller the mature bulbs will be.
Make sure they are flat base down, at a depth twice the length of the clove, with a couple of centimetres of soil above. It’s important to keep the soil moist. Remove any flowers as they appear, keep the area weed free and wait. The tops will turn yellow when the garlic is ready to harvest. Remove gently with a fork, remove excess soil and leave them somewhere dry until the skin becomes papery. Mature bulbs are best stored in a cool, dry place, but not a refrigerator, as they will begin to sprout.
Lifestyle
19th - 25th October 2018
PROTECT: There are techniques to safeguard the contents of your shed. WHILE the sun shines for a good part of the year in Spain, it’s still worth protecting your shed from the inevitable rain. Most wooden sheds come with a wood-based primer coating that secures against natural weathering, but sometimes it’s not enough. It’s worth waterproofing to add extra protection and safeguard everything stored inside. While nothing is completely foolproof, the following tips will certainly minimise any damage.
Weekender 19
STRENGTH: Waterproof paint protects against weathering.
Waterproof your wood shed The first step is to ensure the shed is slightly off the ground, to prevent water seeping up from below which can destroy your shed in months. Use old scrap metal and concrete blocks to elevate your shed. Adding a wood preservation treatment is a great way to keep your shed in good shape. It’s a
simple process, spray all over the wood, and let it dry. You may want to use a spirit, instead of a woodbased preservative, because this type will soak more efficiently into the wood. Leave for a couple of days, and then paint over with a waterproof paint to add extra weathering strength.
For the best moisture protection, seal the wood shed both inside and out with a commercial sealer. One specifically designed for wood will produce a better result, but it isn’t necessary. Begin by sealing the perimeter of the roof, paying particular attention to the corners which is where water slips through, and continue
with the walls, and again the edges at the bottom. A waterproof roof is vital, so it’s worth adding a protective layer here as well. This can be done by adding sheets of old scrap metal or fibreglass to the inside. Insulation is also a good idea. There are many products you can use, ranging from bubble wrap to double glazing with insulated window frames. You can also buy breathable linings and membranes, but be aware of your needs and budget.
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Weekender
FEATURE
19th - 25th October 2018
Coastal Cleaners Andal WE did it! ‘THE BIG Kayak clean 2018’ An ambitious plan to clean every beach and bay along a 3.2km / two-mile section of local coastline from both land and sea was successfully completed on Wednesday October 10. The event organised by Coastal Cleaners Andalucia (CCA) saw 31 volunteers forming two teams, one on land and the other using kayaks, to be able to reach areas which are usually inaccessible and removed a whopping 115 bags of litter, mostly plastics, from 26 separate spots. The activity took place from Playa de Las Conchas to Playa Invencibles between Villaricos and El Calon in a four-and-ahalf-hour clean up. This area was chosen because unlike the main Mojacar and Vera beaches, these stretches are not cleaned by tractors during the summer. A local company, Sama2005, supplied the kayaks for the day along with two lifeguards on the shore and two in the water to watch over the teams’ safety during the event. Since the organisation began in late March this year Coastal Cleaners Andalucia and Sama2005 have teamed up twice previously for fun days out that include snorkelling and swimming along with a beach
clean of an inaccessible spot. The success of these trips, the rubbish found in otherwise idyllic places and the enthusiastic response of the participants is what inspired Suzanne Parmenter-Phillips, Coastal Cleaners Andalucia’s founder to create the Big Kayak Clean. The organisers reflected on the day saying: “The event has taken a lot of planning. Mapping the Coastline, dividing the route between the two teams, devising solutions to potential problems and the general logistics of having 35 people (including the lifeguards) actively involved in what could be a dangerous activity.” The Big Kayak Clean 2018 was generously sponsored by numerous local businesses. The collected funds provided equipment for the day and refreshments for the teams after the event. A superb buffet was kindly prepared by the staff of Bar La Reva in Vera Playa where the team gathered to relax and celebrate after the work was done. Remaining money will be used for further equipment and to continue our work in other ways. Sol Car Rentals provided a high sided transit van along with a driver for the day which was used to move the collected rubbish along the route. John Miller from the company had
CLEAN UP: 31 volunteers filled 115 bags with litter.
Kayaks ready. this to say about their involvement. “Sol Car Rentals are proud and grateful to be one of the headline sponsors of the Big Kayak Clean 2018. Many thanks to Sue and her team for all their hard work in making this happen and also to the 31
Vans of trash. people who collected the 115 bags of rubbish. “Sol Car Rentals will continue to serve our community and look forward to participating in the next event. Well done everyone.” The van turned out to be especially helpful as despite a
Just some of the rubbish. meeting and numerous emails with Cuevas Council, recycling and general waste containers were disappointingly not provided by the company in charge of delivery on the day arranged. Leaving the team to have to try to dispose responsibly of the collected litter. Suzanne Par-
FEATURE
19th - 25th October 2018
Weekender 21
lucia - Big Kayak clean
DIRTY WORK: But good fun. menter-Phillips said: “Every step along the path of planning this event received support and positivity from the local expat community, both the public and businesses. “Our team are giving up their time, local companies are providing the bags, gloves, picking
sticks, water and kayaks. “I hope in the future we can develop more of a relationship with Cuevas Council which will mean that we get more assistance with our projects and that together we can improve facilities and reduce the quantity of litter on these beaches and in the area as a whole.”
There are certainly signs of change locally, with councils stepping up and getting involved. Vera Council have arranged beach cleanup days this year, the Recreation and Tourism department of Cabo de Gata held a huge event to clean numerous areas using boats on the same day as we
were out doing our clean and earlier this year once Coastal Cleaners Andalucia and P3 had cleared the rubbish near Garrucha Tanatorio the council there put containers in place to segregate the rubbish and prevent it from spreading. The risk to marine creatures (from plastics especially) has been highlighted this year by two whales being washed up on our shores. One in the Mazzaron area was found to have 25kg of indigestible plastic in its stomach and was believed to have starved to death. This topic was part of the response of another of the headline sponsors, The Five Bones Hotel. Anita Naylor sent this message: “The Five Bones Hotel wishes to thank Coastal Cleaners Andalucia for giving us the opportunity to be involved in this highly worthwhile project. However the most thanks would come from all the sea life whose lives have been saved by the Big Kayak clean 2018. So thank you from us all.” Richard Shanley looked toward the future in his message: “Spectrum FM Costa Almeria were extremely proud to be one of the headline sponsors of the Big Kayak Clean 2018 as it dovetails perfectly with the pick
up three campaign that we have been running this year. “Coastal Cleaners Andalucia are doing a fantastic job in raising public awareness of the ongoing plastics and litter problem in our area and together we will continue banging the drum to hopefully change attitudes before it’s too late to save our planet for future generations.” CCA themselves plan on tackling the cause of the problem in a number of ways in the coming year. Education will be a key part, showing people alternatives to single use plastics, making the public aware of the amount of litter on our beaches and in the sea. Helping them to reduce their use of plastic and inform people of what, where and how they can recycle the things they do use. Another important part is getting people outside, into nature to help reconnect us to a world many have become very much removed from. To achieve these things future plans include more litter picks, ramblar cleans, kayak trips, walks, beach days and other projects to spread the word of our work and to get others involved both with us and also in their own homes. If you are inspired to get involved look at Coastal Cleaners Andalucia on Facebook. The next event is on Monday October 22 where a group will be cleaning up Macenas beach in Mojacar. Come and meet our network of friendly volunteers and help keep our beautiful world litter free.
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Weekender
Food & Drink
19th - 25th October 2018
SAUSAGES IN WINE: One of the best tapas in Almeria.
Round Spain on a plate: Almeria THE gastronomy in the province of Almeria, Andalucia, is, as well a s t h e i r o wn o r i g i n a l dishes, a mixture of influences from the Granada Alpujarra re-
gion and the Murcia kitchen. One of the most popular dishes which is also served as a tapa in the
bars is Jibia en salsa (cuttlefish in sauce). The cuttlefish is usually either boiled or grilled lightly and the sauce is made with a strong saffron in-
fluence and the juices from the fish - simple but very tasty. It is usually garnished with vegetables which have been boiled in the sauce to make them tastier. Caballa con pimientos (mackerel with peppers) is another typical dish of the area and, as the name suggests, it consists of lightly grilled mackerel, just seasoned with salt, and roasted peppers with a very light yet full flavoured wine reduction sauce. Cazon en adobo (marinated dogfish) is one of the region’s favourite tapas and is just simply dogfish which has been marinated in a mix of vinegar, saffron, oregano, paprika, salt and water. Just leave for a few hours then coat it with flour and deep fry. Serve with a lemon wedge or a little of the left over marinade. Salchichas al vino (sausages in wine) is another tapas bar favourite. This is sausages fried in olive oil and when they are nearly done onions and other vegetables are thrown in to absorb the flavour of the meat juices coming off the sausages and topped off with a healthy dash of wine - reduce and serve. Just remember to start off with good quality sausages.
Food & Drink
19th - 25th October 2018
Feeling Chilly?
FEELING HOT: Chillis can add a bit of spice to your life!
I
T hasn’t half cooled down over the past week or so. We still haven’t lit the fire here at Olive Tree Farm, but who needs a fire when you have lots of chillies to warm you up! Having had little success growing our own chilli peppers, the local market seemed a good idea to go on the hunt for some. When I think of the time and effort we had put in for little reward, it was much easier to just have a wander around the market and come back armed with lots of them for just a couple of euros. My first mission was to make my own Red Thai Chilli (curry) paste. Once you have made your own, there will be no going back! It can be added to many dishes using meat and fish and seemed a good choice to make use of some. Here is what I used, it is quite a list of ingredients but very satisfying to make. Red Thai Chilli Paste Ingredients 1 shallot (or 1/4 cup chopped purple onion) 1 stalk fresh lemongrass (minced) 1 to 2 red chilies (or 1/2 to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, or 2 to 3 tsp. Thai chili sauce) 4 cloves garlic 1 thumb-size piece galangal (or ginger, sliced) 2 tbsp. tomato ketchup (or tomato puree) 1 tsp. ground cumin 3/4 tsp. ground coriander 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper (available in most spice aisles)
keep it in a sealed jar for about a week in the fridge, after which it needs to be frozen. Put it in ice cubes trays and once frozen tip out and pop in a freezer bag which makes it easier to use a couple at a time as and when you need it.
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. 2 tbsp. fish sauce (I used Worcestershire sauce) 1 tsp. shrimp paste 1 tsp. sugar 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. chili powder (reduce a little if you don’t like things too hot) 1 to 3 tbsp. coconut milk (I used the rest in a chicken curry) 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice Optional: 1/4 tsp. cinnamon (or add 1 cinnamon stick to your curry pot) Add all your ingredients to a blender and give it a whizz making sure it is smooth with no lumps. It took me a couple of extra pulses before everything was blended in. Once blended, you can
Thai Chicken curry When I came to make my chicken curry, I diced a leek and fried gently for a few minutes in a little oil along with 2 heaped tablespoons of the curry paste and 3 cloves of garlic grated. Add your chicken pieces, I used skinless, bone in thighs, but cubed chicken breasts would be fine and will cook much faster so adjust your timings accordingly. Stir the chicken through the paste mix making sure it is covered in the paste. Pop in a couple of bay leaves, a cinnamon stick, and some thinly sliced bell peppers; I used red, yellow and green to give it lots of colour. You can add things like aubergine, tomatoes, spinach or courgette, basically whatever you fancy. Pour in the remaining can of coconut milk, add salt and pepper and a stir everything through. I cooked it in a covered pan on the hob for about an hour and a quarter on a lowmedium heat, stirring regularly so it didn’t stick on the bottom. Uncover for about 15 minutes at the end to thicken the sauce. Alternatively put it in the oven in a covered ovenproof dish. Cook until the meat is tender and cooked through,
again about for around an hour and a quarter at 190 degrees C, uncover for about 15 minutes at the end to thicken the sauce. Test for seasoning when cooked through and serve with freshly chopped coriander (cilantro) and rice.
Weekender 23
24
Weekender
Puzzles
19th - 25th October 2018
Wordsearch Gases
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:
ARGON
METHANOL
RADON
HELIUM
OXYGEN
METHANE
CARBON MONOXIDE
NITROGEN
HYDROGEN
FREON
XENON
PROPANE
NITROUS OXIDE
Quick
Across 1 Liquid preparation for washing the hair (7) 5 Overly self-confident or self-assertive (5) 8 Pal (5) 9 Small, voraciously carnivorous South American freshwater fish (7) 10 Noisy disturbances (7) 12 Beer mug (5) 13 Long for (6) 15 Not open (6) 18 Flashy, ostentatious jewellery (5) 19 Fifth letter of Greek alphabet (7) 21 Extends in one or more directions (7) 22 Separate (5) 23 Rise rapidly (5) 24 Triumph (7)
Down 1 In a softened tone (7) 2 Viper (5) 3 Search or inquire in a meddlesome way (3) 4 Be against (6) 5 Pupa of a moth or butterfly (9) 6 Own up (7) 7 Desire strongly or persistently (5) 11 Undue assumption of importance (9) 14 Ship's captain (7) 16 Gives as a gift (7) 17 Against (6) 18 Give a benediction to (5) 20 Depart (5) 22 Continuous portion of a circle (3)
• Average: 17
• Very good: 35
• Good: 24
• Excellent: 45
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
erns errs answer foes fool food foods fern ferns fowl fowls fore fores form formal ford fords foot foots floe floes flow flows flower flown floor flood floods font fonts doofer does doer dowse dowser dower down downs dorm dolor dolt dolts door doorman drew drowse drown drowns drool dots dost
Cryptic
Across 1 Ma’s Latin is poor, that’s its charm (8) 4 Hand out port (4) 8 Large one next to a country in Africa (5) 10 A hundred agree about extent of land (7) 11 Ruler hiding a chemical (7) 12 Consumes ingredients from meat safe (4) 14 A refusal, thanks to a minor railway official (6) 16 Spot a good man, one good with mum (6) 19 Courage that may be needed on icy roads (4) 21 Influence in part of church (7) 24 Ali runs around, surrounded by water (7) 25 On the lookout for real model tenant (5) 26 Rich heavy drinker (4) 27 Lump of rock broke the radio set (8)
Down 1 Open-minded to the French rave (8) 2 Phoney engineer is a disgrace (5) 3 Stays will alter a waist (6) 5 Was once on the stage to be precise (5) 6 Told tales about idle doctor (4) 7 Hemingway and Sterne break up (6) 9 Bishop’s final outburst (5) 13 Brilliant tent deal is ruined (8) 15 Unsettle informant with title it lost (6) 17 Depressing English muck (5) 18 Big cat losing direction is in the river (6) 20 Breaks in to arrest suspect (5) 22 Musty endless yarn (5) 23 Quietly unwell, so take a tablet (4)
Puzzles
19th - 25th October 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
Kakuro
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : ORTHOGRAPHIC NEIGHBOURS 6. Gleam or glow intermittently and turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame? 7. Not tense or taut and a small crude shelter used as a dwelling? 8. Produce a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth and cut small bits or pare shavings from? 9. Raiders who attack and rob ships at sea and a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture and enhance mental? 10. The act of fighting and a burrowing herbivorous Australian marsupial about the size of a badger? Not a lot of people know that... you and ewe, eye and i and oh and eau are pronounced the same but have no letters in common
Answers
Each of the 10 questions below contains dictionary definitions of two words that differ by just one letter (orthographic neighbours), for example: rubbish carelessly dropped (litter) and a written message addressed to a person or organisation (letter) 1. A series of connected underground tunnels occupied by rabbits and providing no shelter or sustenance? 2. A series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep and fearful expectation or anticipation? 3. A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity and a person taking part in a sport or game? 4. Be abundant or plentiful and by a circular or circuitous route? 5. Food made of flour, water, and yeast mixed together and baked and not detailed or specific?
1. WARREN and BARREN, 2. DREAM and DREAD, 3. PRAYER and PLAYER, 4. ABOUND and AROUND, 5. BREAD and BROAD, 6. FLASH and FLUSH, 7. SLACK and SHACK, 8. WHISTLE and WHITTLE, 9. PIRATES and PILATE, 10. COMBAT and WOMBAT
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
Health & beauty
19th - 25th October 2018
Brainy bilingual babies just listen A STUDY has found that babies surrounded by two languages are able to make sense of them just by listening and can process languages from just 20 months of age. Researchers at Princeton University in the USA found that their pupils dilate when they hear a different language proving they recognise the difference. The study involved 24 French-English bilingual infants and 24 adults and involved showing them photographs of familiar objects as they heard sentences in either a single language or mix of the two. They then measure the pupil dilation, which is an involuntary response, to show how hard the brain is working and the cognitive effort. This showed the pupils dilate the moment the languages switched showing the infants were processing the information and recognised the second language. The study aims to reassure teachers and parents that growing up bilingual does not confuse children and that they aptly adapt to the two. Being bilingual can also boost brain power. A 2015 study by the University of Kent found that those who had learnt a second language from the age of 10 had ‘higher levels of structural integrity’ in the brain in areas responsible for language learning and semantic processing. The findings were similar to previous studies that found these improvements in people who learned a second language at a much earlier age.
Simple Aussie hack could help children eat more veg STRUGGLING to get the youngest members of your family to get enough fresh vegetables? You’re not alone, but scientists in Australia say they believe they may have found a simple way of ensuring your child gets their daily intake. Researchers at Deakin University’s Centre for Advanced Sensory Science believe it is all down to the way vegetables are served and tested their theory on a control-group of 72 children of primary-school age. Each child taking part was given a 500g box of peeled carrots on one day, and the
same amount of diced carrots the next day, with 10 minutes to eat as much as they liked. The trials found that chil-
dren ate the whole carrots for longer, which meant they ate about 8-10 per cent more of the carrot compared to the
diced ones. This could also be a blessing to parents who painstakingly cut, dice and slice fruit and vegetables thinking it will make it easier for their child to eat. The researchers believe this simple change in the way food is served could also be applied in reverse to unhealthy foods. So for example, cutting up a chocolate bar into smaller squares can lead to less being consumed. Less than 10 per cent of Australian children are believed to be eating their recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. FRESH VEG: Children preferred eating the whole carrot.
Simple over striking MORE simple and streamlined make-up routines have led to a slowed growth in colour cosmetics this year. Research from a leading global market intelligence agency reveals that consumer desire for
more simplified make-up routines has resulted in colour lip cosmetics, facial cosmetics and eye cosmetics each growing around two percentage points slower this year compared to last year. Whilst fewer consumers are looking for bold
colours, opting for a more natural look, Mintel research shows that more are looking for cosmetics that also had added skincare benefits. Of course, age plays a significant role in the benefits consumers look for, reflecting the differing skincare n e e d s o f a w o m a n ’s l i f e stage. Not surprising, female consumers aged 55 and over are most likely to be interested in products with anti-ageing claims (68 per cent compared with 18 per cent of women aged 18-34), while those aged 18-34
Health & beauty
Masking sleep problems I N t o d a y ’s w o r l d , s l e e p c a n b e something that is difficult to accomplish. Bombarded by email, phone apps and text messages, it can be hard to switch off from the technological buzz of modern life, not to mention the constant stimulus provided by 24-hour cities, never-ending TV series and the multitudinous mountains of stress that often overshadows us. Health experts often remind us to avoid caffeine, to take hot baths or apply soothing lotions. Yet, maybe the problem can be removed by eliminating the one major obstacle to sleep: light.
EYE MASKS: Could be a cheap and easy answer to sleep problems.
The solution could lie in an eye mask Eye masks have existed for centuries. Over the years with the increasing demand for health and beauty products, they have been developed to suit various sleep problems and individual needs. O n t o d a y ’s m a r k e t , s c e n t e d , padded, moulded and vibrating eye masks are all on the shelves, made aesthetically pleasing given they come in a whole range of colours and designs. Yet this simple accessory appears to be rather underrated given its benefits for some insomniacs or wired-up individuals.
COLOUR COSMETICS: More simplified make-up routines are being used.
are most likely to seek products that treat acne (24 per cent compared to 2 per cent of women over 55). Interest in products that i m p r o v e t h e s k i n ’s a p p e a r ance extends to new product innovation as well, as poreminimising products and colour-correcting palettes garner the strongest appeal from female colour cosmetics users.
Weekender 27
19th - 25th October 2018
On a scientific level, it is worth remembering that when your brain senses pure darkness, it causes the production of melatonin, the sleep chemical. Blocking out both noise and light massively increases your ability to sleep so earplugs would be a welcome addition to complete the outfit. Deciding on which eye mask to buy can be difficult so choose its purpose. Shift workers would be better choosing a 100 per cent light blocking variety for daytime slumber whilst stressed out non-sleepers could opt for lavender-scented or massaging types.
Cotton is always a good choice given its breathable nature in hot, sticky summer weather and moulded or contoured eye cavities add greater comfort. Gel eye-pads inserted into the eye cavities can be very soothing and add a light massaging pressure to induce sleep. When aiming for herbal eye masks, check firstly against any allergies although most are completely natural. Sleeping pills should be a last resort to sleep problems so, given that eye masks are both affordable and accessible, the answer seems to be as clear as a well-rested mind.
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Weekender
by Sandy Shore IN the 1990’s we entered the online world and were told that everything would be easier; they were telling porkies. Whilst the internet does have its uses in many cases it has made our lives much more complex and intolerable. Booking a foreign holiday once required a 15-minute shopping break to arrange a holiday at high street travel agents. After a little humming and hawing we chose 10 days in Turkey over a week in Morocco or Spain. Getting the plastic out we packed for a relaxing break in which everything was taken care of; what could be easier? Online banking would make our lives easier, so we were told. Is that so? Then why have I just spent much of the morning at my bank whilst staff tried to figure out why my debit card was ‘unauthorised’? Online analysis suggests the failure was due to my making a transaction using a phone other than the one we had registered with. Gritting my teeth, I decide to
Feature
19th - 25th October 2018
They lied to us
ILLUSION: The online world has robbed us of the simple things in life. seek solace with soothing music purchased from Amazon online. But, the shipping company cannot find our address despite having GPS; my money
is eventually refunded. As a writer I like to see my latest book printed and concede that a month to deliver is quicker than it used to be.
However, I still miss the days when I simply placed my MSS in an envelope and let typesetters and bookbinders get on with their work. A computer has
since put these craftsmen on the dole. Print on Demand is Do-it-Yourself publishing but it is an infuriatingly complex process. For years my day began with the Daily Mail delivered to my door. The newsagent’s bill was modest and I spent a pleasant hour or so enjoying my daily read. The same newspaper is now online, it is stuffed with trivia, and pop-ups have made it unreadable. I met my girlfriends and eventually my wife at the local dance halls. I am sorry but there is no way that online dating can compete with the delirium of finding the love of one’s life at the dance hall or ballroom. I once had friends whom I met regularly and as we bantered we exchanged opinions. I try it on Facebook and I get a 30-day block for a politically incorrect remark. I once thought it horrifying that prisoners had their letters read by strangers; now everyone reads my online mail. Yes, the internet has brought blessings but on the whole I miss what used to be. Am I alone in wishing we could go back to 1960 and give it another try?
Behind THE MUSIC
Bob Marley & The Wailers - A legend V L James | vljcomms@gmail.com | Facebook: @vljamesinfo
At the time of his death on IN 1963, Bob Marley, Peter May 11, 1981, Marley’s Tosh and Bunny Wailer (Livingston) formed The image was one of the most recognised on Wailers. With the adthe planet. dition of various perIn 1984 Island sonnel during the Records released 60’s the Wailers remained a cult regLegend, a compilation of recordings gae/ska band until from 1972 until Mar1974 when Tosh and ley’s death. The origiWailer left the band. nal vinyl version Marley recruited was an immediate more skilled musicians SOUL REBEL: Legend success, selling and backing vocalists smashed the charts. (including his wife Rimillions of copies around the world, ta) and set about touring the world in between recording al- but particularly in the USA and the UK. bums under the name Bob Marley & With various reissues over the years sales are now touching 30 million. The Wailers. During the 1970’s reggae would beIs This Love, No Woman No Cry come more mainstream and its popular- (live), Could You Be Loved, Three Little ity would grow. Legendary live shows at Birds plus many more instantly recogLondon’s Rainbow theatre would see nisable smashes made this a vital part of any record collection. Marley achieve true pop superstardom.
PETS
19th - 25th October 2018
Weekender 29
Sponsored by
Well travelled dog loves new home NINA’S owners approached us this week with a request. “Please can you find us some kind house-sitters who will look after Nina, our rescued and rather well travelled dog in her new home.” Nina was rescued by her owners from the streets in Peru. They had seen her a few times abandoned in the street and decided to adopt her as a family pet. Some years later, after having travelled with them to Chile and then onto Spain, she is finally settled. They want her to have a sense of security and comfort at home even when they travel on holiday. They are now talking to a small selection of checked sitters we have found for them. How do 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: “As an old cynic I can only speak as I find. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the founder of HouseSitMatch and her staff who are friendly, caring and efficient. As have been the house-sitters who have looked after my home and cats. If anyone has any doubts about using HousesitMatch, doubt no more. This company is ab-
Pet benefits
BEST FRIEND: A pet can help your health and wellbeing.
LOVED: Nina rescued in Peru has travelled across Latin America and now loves her home in Spain. solutely first-class. I am a very happy old cynic, thank you HSM.” Review by Alan O’Leary, pet owner - Altea. How do 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 house-sitters 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 www.Housesitmatch.com where you can choose from the following membership plans; • 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
HAVING a dog or a cat in your life can have all sorts of benefits for health and well-being, and for the retired or anyone with time on their hands in particular. It goes without saying that dogs need walking, so of course that means at least moderate physical exercise for the owner too. Add to that chucking a stick or ball about for your furry friend and you’re talking even more cardiovascular activity. Getting out the house several times a day also opens us the possibility of social interaction, meeting and chatting with fellow dog walkers, as well as providing some kind of routine to the day. Pets don’t judge us. What they do offer is affection, companionship, fun and even comfort, helping to combat feelings of loneliness or depression, and boosting levels of happiness. Four-legged friends need care and attention, and looking after a pet makes us feel useful and needed. Pets really can be the best therapy.
Veterinary Clinic
Avenida de Almeria 1 Bis Local 2 Edf La Para,04639 Turre Almeria
CliniVet
30
Weekender
Leisure
19th - 25th October 2018
Martin Freeman will lead ITV’s A Confession about real-life criminal case from Little Boy Blue writer
NEW SHOW: Freeman (inset) is set to star in the series from the writer of Little Boy Blue.
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
ITV has announced a new six-part drama starring Martin Freeman. A Confession, from acclaimed Little Boy Blue screenwriter Jeff Pope, also stars Imelda Staunton. Set in Swindon, Wiltshire, the series is about the disappearance of 22-year-old Sian
O’Callaghan in March 2011. Charlie Cooper stars as Sian’s boyfriend Kevin Reape, who reports her missing, while Sian’s mother Elaine O’Callaghan is played by Siobhan Finneran. Halliwell’s shock confession results in sinister conse-
quences and steers the investigation in an unforeseen direction. Staunton stars as Karen Edwards, the mother of Becky Godden - a 20-yearold who disappeared 10 years ago in 2003. ITV’s head of drama, Polly
Hill, said: “It is wonderful to be working with Jeff Pope again on this compelling and important true story. I’m delighted that the brilliant Martin Freeman and Imelda Staunton are leading the cast, making this an unmissable drama for next year.”
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.
Feature
19th - 25th October 2018
Weekender 31
The swinging 60’s I
HAD finally found an instrument that suited me, a bass g u i t a r. C o r b l i m e y, I w a s chuffed to bits, I found a way of practising on the bass guitar which was unique to me. Put the end of the guitar neck touching a hollow door in my house and it boosted the sound without me plugging into a combo amp and allowed me to practise without annoying my wife and neighbours, Yippee I was on my way to becoming a bass player and started to think about my future in the world of entertainment! Mods and Rockers had arr i v e d i n t h e m i d - 1 9 6 0 ’s a n d music was changing fast. The British young people were getting fed up with being fed fake news by Harold Wil-
Credit: www.bertweedon.com
by John Redfern
POP TRIO: John Redfern, bass, John Clarke, guitar and singer, Alan Harding, drums. son. The press at the time used to give these two conflicting groups of young men a bad name and sparked a moral panic within the establishment. They were called violent, unruly, troublemakers by the hierarchy. The men in double breasted suits, hand-made brogue shoes, kipper ties and haircuts w h i c h w e r exx c a l l e d t h e b a s i n cut, were so out of touch with the working class young people. They patronised us and became a figure of contempt. That was a signal to the British youth, an old geezer smoking a pipe telling us what to do. It was a big mistake Mr Wilson. The young men in the mid-60’s were getting tired of being told what to do! We h a d g o n e t h r o u g h 1 0 years of schooling which had
included the dreaded cane and teachers who enjoyed dishing out this punishment. Mods and Rockers had had enough so you needed to make a choice, a mod or a rocker, brother against brother. You had to choose a side, was it a scooter or was it a motorbike? Was it a leather jacket or was it a parka? My bass guitar was starting to become an addiction so I formed a pop trio, drums, guitar and me on the bass and started to play working men’s clubs which I enjoyed for many years. We only played covers of existing bands of the day but I was finally getting a wage. It was tough because in the m i d - 6 0 ’s o t h e r g r o u p s w e r e starting up so competition was getting tight but we had gained a large following in the Midlands and the bookings kept coming in. We w e r e n o w o n t h e r o a d and making an impressive wage and I was getting quite snappy on the bass and wanted more!
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BUILDERS • CARS WANTED • HEALTH & BEAUTY • HOME MAINTENANCE • INSURANCE • SITUATIONS VACANT
Some of our fantastic sections, select one or create the best to reach success
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.com (253556)
CARS WANTED CARS WANTED for Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)
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.mojacarchurch.org
DRAINAGE
COSTA Almeria and Costa Calida. Mojacar Eucharist Sunday 11am, at San Pascual. Aljambra Chapel,
ELECTRICS ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (278878)
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
VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialize in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (279615)
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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
ESTATE AGENT
Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Evensong Eucharist Eucharist Dedication Festival followed by Monthly lunch NO SERVICE 11am Licensing Service
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
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.
MOTORING
NAUTICAL COURSES INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929
PETS 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)
THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6 euros, medium dogs 6.75 euros, big dogs 7.50 euros, cats from 5.25 euros a day . 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre @gmail.com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.30-12.30 and 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (279669)
Classifieds PLUMBING SERVICES
19th - 25th October 2018
SITUATIONS VACANT
KNOWLES PLUMBING. No 1 for plumbing! Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 (278824)
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.com (276001)
PROPERTY TO LET
SWIMMING POOLS
ARE YOU selfmotivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesal es candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowee klynews.com.
REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 33 64 68 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (276002) www.ukspainuk.com We’ve 18+ years’ experience. New Clean Vehicles running 2/3 times monthly. ONLINE QUOTES. Insured with RSA. ANY size move. Worried who to use? We’ll look after you. Call BMC European free on Spain 900 984 960 or UK 0800 612 4677 (WhatsApp +34 622 588 222) (279154)
Earn 75€-400€ weekly, flexible hours from home working with a leading Swedish health & beauty brand. No selling required or experience needed as full training given. Apply now at www.the-vistagroup.com (277919)
TRANSPORT
CHARITY
FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotranspor t.com 634 336 468 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (279773)
XXX RELAX
GENECO Pool construction. Tel 950 478 086 for no obligation quote (93401)
TILING FLOOR AND WALL TILING SPECIALIST Not a jack of all trades, just a master of one! Call Steve Holman on 697 678 708 (278887)
INSURANCE
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36
Sport
19th - 25th October 2018
Climb every mountain MOJACAR played host to
Bedar, Cuevas del Alman-
around 600 hikers from
zora, Pulpi, Sorbas and Ni-
across Spain last weekend
jar.
who came to take part in
The council said in a
the 45th annual National
statement many of the
Veteran
walkers stayed in the town
Mountaineers
event.
beyond the three days of
The event saw climbers,
the event to take in its sites.
walkers and hikers aged 40
The hikers took the
and above scale the
Sendero de la Mena trail
foothills of the Sierra Cabr-
which goes from Mojacar to
era and the area leading to-
Carboneras. Mojacar Coun-
wards the town’s coastline.
cil said the walkers were
They were joined by Ana
able to take in spectacular
Garcia, Mojacar Council’s
views, old mines, tourist
sports spokesperson.
spots and cultural heritage
It was organised by the
sites along the way.
Spanish Federation of
Civil Protection officers
Mountain Sports and Climb-
were on hand throughout
ing (FEDME) and the An-
the weekend to help walk-
dalucian Mountaineering
ers on their journey and
Federation (FAM), along with the councils of Mojacar,
provide them with refreshWALK ON: The walkers hiked in the hills near Mojacar.
ments.
Ready, set, go CREDIT: Diputacion Provincial de Almeriawebsite
INCLUSVITY sport promoting personal development in persons with an intellectual disability
Special basketball championship MOJACAR and Garrucha are playing host to the Adapted Basketball Championship of Spain this weekend, an event organised by the Spanish Federation of Persons with an Intellectual Disability, with the support of the Los Carriles Foundation. In all 26 men’s and
women’s clubs are taking part from eight different regions of the country. The action is all taking place in the two municipalities’ sports pavillions. Speaking at a presentation of the event about the role of public institutions, provincial Social Wellbeing Deputy Ángel Escobar stressed the importance of
‘recognising the inclusive role which sport plays.’ “For us it is a pleasure to be able to have the pioneers in the use of sport for personal development in persons with a disability,” adding that for the provincial government adapted sport “is one of the pillars of the promotion of physical activity.”
CREDIT: Almeria City Council
READY, SET, GO!: More than 500 runners are expected to take part. MORE than 500 runners are expected to take part in what Almeria City Sports CouncillorJuanjo Segura described as the ‘one of the prettiest races,’ the Flamingo Running in the Las Salinas area of the Cabo de Gato Natural Park. This, the third edition of the event, will take place on Sunday October 28. Participants will either run or walk the 13- kilometre route, or there is the option of an eight-kilometre family walking
route. Children’s races will be held in the Cabo de Gata Church Square. Segura described running through the natural parks as a ‘pleasure,’ adding that the event was also aimed at attracting tourism and would ‘promote o n e o f t h e c i t y ’s e n c l a v e s w i t h m o s t personality.’ The race will raise funds for the NGO El Teléfono de la Esperanza (The Telephone of Hope).
38
19th - 25th October 2018
SEAT returns best ever results
Motoring
GREEN MACHINE: Owning a Bullitt is as cool as it gets.
Going like a Bullitt
Photo credit: SEAT Press Room
GROWING BRAND: SEAT has continued success in Spain, Germany and the UK.
S
E AT ’ S global sales up to September set a new record. Since January, the car maker delivered 415,600 cars worldwide, which is 17.1 per cent more than in the same period last year (354,900). This figure is the best result ever in the hist o r y o f S E AT, a n d i s higher than the January to September posting in 2000 (394,400 cars sold). SEAT vice-president for Marketing and Sales
Wa y n e G r i ff i t h s e x plained that “Sales up to September gave SEAT a new record and established us once again as the fastest growing brand in Europe. Just as we had expected, the September result was influenced by the effect of the W LT P, which strongly boosted car deliveries in July and August. The final quarter will be a challenge, as the WLTP will have an impact on the number of
vehicles registered in Europe. Nevertheless, with three months still left before concluding 2018, we are on track to achieving the highest sales volume in the history of SEAT.” Deliveries of the Spanish carmaker went up from January to September as a result of the momentum in the major European markets, which all posted double-digit growth. G e r m a n y i s S E AT ’s leading market with 90,400 cars delivered
(22.8 per cent) and achieved its best historic result. Spain follows closely behind with the second highest number sold (85,900 vehicles; 16.5 per cent) and tops the list of brands and registered vehicles with the Leon and Ibiza in first and second place. Furthermore, with an increase of 14.1 per cent (50,500 units) the UK rounds off the company’s top three markets and also broke its sales record.
THE new Ford Mustang Bullitt is a homage to the film that put dark green Mustangs on the map, in time for its 50th anniversary. Steve McQueen’s iconic portrayal of Lieutenant Frank Bullitt also involves one of the most revered car chases in cinematic history through the streets and hills of San Francisco. Ford has produced Bullitt special editions of its Mustangs before, in 2001 and again in 2008. No edition tries to reinvent the wheel as that would take away from the Mustang’s famous aura. But there’s a new inlet manifold and induction system which boosts the standard 5.0 litre V8’s power by 10bhp to 454bhp, plus a sharpened chassis and subtle tweaks to the electronics. Inside, you enjoy Recaro leather seats and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Dark Highland Green paint mirrors the car in the film, with matching green accents throughout the interior, including the LCD dials. There is also a cue-ball gearknob: a murderous blacked-out grille and equally menacing 19-inch black alloy wheels. Few cars rumble and vibrate with such vigour, and you can’t really tell where the dropped nose ends. You will need to use some muscle to get the nose turned in using the meaty steering, or to pound the gear lever through the gate. On the open road the Bullitt comes into its own, the nose responding sweetly with plenty of grip, and when you squeeze the throttle the car hooks up and blasts you out of the curve in a wall of noise. This iconic car has been built with the singular aim of being cool, whether you’re in San Francisco, St Tropez or Solihull, and in this it succeeds magnificently.
Motoring
19th - 25th October 2018
39
‘Czech’ out the new Skoda Scala SKODA reveals the name of its new compact model: Skoda Scala. The name comes from the Latin word ‘scala’ which means ‘stairs’ or ‘ladder’, signifying the next step forward for the Czech car manufacturer in the compact segment. The Scala is the first Skoda production model in Europe to bear the Skoda lettering in the middle of the tailgate instead of the usual logo. Bernhard Maier, Skoda Auto CEO, says: “With the new Skoda Scala we are opening a fresh chapter in Skoda’s compact class. This is a completely new development that sets standards in terms of technology, safety and design in this class. We are confident that the Scala has the best chance of redefining the Asegment for Skoda.” With the Scala, Skoda presents its new emotional exterior and interior design language for the first time in series production. It already caused a sensation at the recently held Paris Motor Show in the form of the Vision RS. The traditional Czech brand is also taking a leap forward in terms of tech-
Photo credit: Skoda Press Room
LOGO: New model will feature the brand name instead of the logo.
nology, offering innovative features in the new model that so far have only been seen in higher segments. The name Scala is therefore a perfect match as Skoda have taken several major de-
Classic Tatra T600 at auction
velopment steps forward. It also perfectly embodies the brand’s values, which the term ‘smart understatement’ aptly summarises. In addition, the Skoda Scala sports
AN example of the amazing, streamlined Tatra T600 ‘Tatraplan’ family car that came to exemplify the innovative Czech car manufacturing industry after the Second World War, is coming up for auction. The T600 was first produced from 1948 to 1952 at the Tatra factory in Koprivnice. In 1951, three years after the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia, the state planning department decided that the Tatraplan should be built at the Skoda factory in Mlada Boleslav. This example from 1950 is one of just a few T600s known to exist in the UK out of only 6,342 built at both sides. It is entered into the Charterhouse auction of classic and vintage cars on Sunday November 4 at the Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet.
another new and unmistakable feature; the first European series model of the brand to feature the word ‘Skoda’ affixed in individual letters instead of the logo to the centre of the boot lid.
It is expected to sell for between €9,000 to €13,600. Although that might seem a bargain, one look will reveal it requires a little more than a brush up, and probably a trip to the Czech Republic to find parts. Finished in silver with brown leather interior seating for six people, the T600 has its 2.0 litre flat-four engine in the rear. As with most Tatras, the engine was air-cooled. More remarkable than its rear-engined configuration though, is the distinctive fin at the back of the aerodynamic body. It took Formula One 70 years to catch up. Matthew Whitney of auctioneer Charterhouse said: “It is quite unusual in appearance, almost sinister, and with a connection believed to be with the Czech Embassy, who knows what stories it could tell?