RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca North 17 - 23 August 2018 Issue 980

FREE! COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Issue 980 17th - 23rd August

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New Brexit legal challenge BRITISH Prime Minist e r T h e r e s a M a y, i s facing a major new legal challenge over Brexit, with an expat in Spain playing a major role. Sue Wilson, Chair of Bremain in Spain - a group campaigning tirelessly for the rights of British citizens in Spain and the EU - is lead claimant of a group of British citizens living in EU27 countries which has issued a court challenge against Brexit. In summary, the claim argues that the illegal conduct of Leave organ-

isations during the 2016 Referendum campaign should nullify the Prime M i n i s t e r ’s d e c i s i o n t o notify the EU of the UK’s intention to withdraw. It is hoped that the case will be heard on an expedited basis and referred promptly to the Supreme Court. The premise for the legal challenge is that the triggering of Article 50 was not in line with ‘constitutional requirements.’ They claim that had it been a binding referendum, the result would be declared null and void, adding that in their view it cannot be right that a non-binding referendum on which politicians nev-

Photo credit: Euro Weekly News

by Darren Parmenter

NEW HOPE: Sue Wilson at an earlier Bremain in Spain event.

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from Front page

We won’t stop fighting ertheless decide to act is not subject to the same scrutiny. The court will be asked to declare that the Prime Minister ’s decision to notify the European Council of the UK’s intention to leave the EU be set aside. Sue Wilson says: “The Electoral Commission found ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ that Vo t e L e a v e b r o k e t h e law by exceeding spending limits during the Brexit referendum campaign. “This matter has now been referred to the police for a criminal investigation. Our case will argue that the electoral offences nullify both the result of the referendum and, given that she relied upon that ‘democratic decision’ the Prime Minister ’s notification to

leave the EU under Article 50.” Wilson continues: “The accumulated rights of British citizens living in the EU are at serious risk in the event of Brexit. While many rights have been ‘agreed,’ as part of the Withdrawal Agreement, other rights haven’t. “These include our freedom of movement and ability to work in other EU countries. “As we’re constantly told that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,’ it’s no wonder that so many of us, as with EU citizens in the UK, live in a continuous state of fear and anxiety about our futures.” Will the outcome of this latest legal challenge result in another referendum? F i n a l l y, S u e W i l s o n explains that “If the Brexiters firmly believe

the public knew what it was voting for in 2016, and that the result would be the same again, let’s put this idea to the test. “Give us a referendum on the final deal and we’ll see if it really is the ‘will of the people,’ going forwards. “Whatever the result of this legal challenge, we hope to demonstrate that you can’t win by cheating. “If another referendum occurs, we mustn’t see a repeat of the illegal activity of 2016. “We haven’t taken back control - instead, we have been put in the hands of those who care more about their careers and political party than their count r y. T h e U K d e s e r v e s better, we deserve better, and we won’t stop fighting until we succeed.”

STANDING TOGETHER: Public workers and officials in defiance of gender violence.

Benidorm holds a minute’s silence in memory of gender violence victims BENIDORM held a minute of silence in memory of the latest victim of male violence in Spain. The mayor Toni Pérez joined representatives of several political groups, public workers and members of social associations - amongst others - to stand against violence outside the doors of the city hall. Last Monday (August 6) a 78year-old woman was murdered by her 82-year-old husband in the Barcelona district of SantsMontjuïc. The murderer had used a knife

which he later used to injure himself. The Mossos d’Escuadra (Guardia Civil Cataluña) detained the man at his home after being alerted by his family. So far this year, 24 women have been killed due to male violence in Spain and 14 children have been orphaned. A toll-free number - 016 - has been set up by the Department of Equality to help anyone in need of support. The number leaves no trace on the telephone bill.

Fire compensation pledge THE Government Delegate to Valencia, Juan Carlos Fulgencio, has pledged government support for those affected by the wild fire

that devastated Llutxent. He has emphasised that there are grants available to help people recover. Anyone wanting

to make a claim will have one month from the moment the fire was declared extinguished last Sunday) in which to do so. Aid will be available to families for personal injury, as well as for damage to property as well as financial support for local authorities. The fire had burned for a week before it was finally extinguished. It scorched 3,270 hectares of land, destroyed or damaged 40 homes and forced the evacuation of 2,620 peiople. At its height the blaze which was started by lightning strike in the area of Valencia threatened the seaside resort town of Gandia. More than 700 ground based personnel and 31 helicopters and planes were drafted in from Valencia, Castellon and Alicante, as well as from

EXTINGUISHED: Firefighters worked hard to put blaze out.

the forestry service and military units to contain the fire which had been whipped up by strong gusts of winds.

The districts of Gandia, Llutxent, Pinet, Ador, Barx and Quatret o n d a w e r e a ff e c t e d , with 120 people from

Pinet joining 2,500 evacuees from La Drova and the Montesol and Montepino urbanisations.

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Chinese store fake raids Photo credit: Guardia Civil

EXCESSIVE: More than 1,000 counterfeit items found.

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WO Chinese women aged 46 and 48 have been arrested by the Guardia Civil in connecting with selling a selection of counterfeit goods. An investigation into another 32year-old woman - again of Chinese nationality - is also underway. The raids in three shops located in Altea, Albir and Alfaz del Pi netted a total of 1,057

articles of clothing, bags and fake watches with an estimated street value of around €357,000. The arrests came after a number of complaints were received by the Guardia Civil from small businesses in the area when they noticed an excessive amount of suspected counterfeit products on sale in shops run by Chinese nationals.

The subsequent raids on the stores saw 412 well-known brands of t-shirt being seized in addition to 102 caps, 57 watches and 51 wallets among others in the Alfaz shop. According to a report in the Spanish media, one particular item was on sale for €10 when the real cost should be closer to €400. A further total of 213 and 69 garments were discovered in Albir and Altea respectively.

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Knives thrown at Local Police FOUR people have been arrested by Local Police in Pilar de la Horadada after barricading themselves in the house they were planning to rob. The quartet of attempted thieves, all believed to be around 20 years old, had entered the villa but were surprised by the police officers after the alarm had been raised by local neighbours in the early hours of Saturday morning. They became aware that several people were inside the property after they’d woken up due to the noise being made. As soon as the Local Police arrived, they saw that a window had been broken to gain entry and could see that the property had already been r a n s a c k e d . H o w e v e r,

they quickly realised that the thieves were still inside and when they entered confronted them. The four then rushed up to the top floor of the house but had no way of escaping due to the security grills on the windows. After being cornered b e h i n d a b a r, t h e y b e gan to throw various objects at the officers which included chairs, broken glass and even knives. The police called for support and a further six officers rushed to the scene. They were eventually able to break down the door and overwhelm the four men in one of the upstairs rooms, where they were arrested and subsequently held in the local Guardia Civil barracks.

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Credit: 210 – Michel Curi/Flickr

NICKED: Chief Inspector fell foul of Local Police.

‘Police chief’ held in taxi row LOCAL POLICE in Benidorm were called to an incident in the centre of the well-known British area of the tourist capital... but nothing to do with those traditional customers and problems. In this case, it was a chief inspector of one of the National Police units based in Valencia who ended up detained after an alleged altercation with a taxi driver. According to a report in

the Spanish media, two members of the Local Police were slightly injured. Events unfolded after three people, including the chief inspector who was not in uniform at the time, approached a taxi in Calle Ibiza in Benidorm. When the driver said that he wasn’t on duty, a row broke out and led to the Local Police being called. When they arrived at the scene, the now arrested man was described as being ‘very upset’ at what had

taken place and was quick to praise his two companions who had tried to calm the situation down. However, when he was asked to prove who he said he was, he allegedly refused and threatened to report the now five members of the Local Police that had arrived. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the National Police station in Benidorm where legal proceedings were put into operation.

Steep hill cycle death A 36-YEAR-OLD cyclist has died in Calpe after crashing into an electric box on a bend of a road. The Belgian national allegedly lost control of his bike as she rode down a steep slope in the Los Girasoles II area of the municipality along the Morro de Toix. Local Police from both Calpe and Altea and the Guardia Civil were called to the scene, as were an emergency paramedic team, but were unable to save the cyclist.

Plastic action demanded

Illegal parking concerns

A SPOKESPERSON for the opposition Ciudadanos (Cs) party in Benidorm has presented a motion to the council to reduce the amount of plastic litter in the municipality. Their principle aim is to ensure that single-use plastics should be banned from fiestas held in the city. In addition, they also call for more promotions which give greater awareness to the issues surrounding plastic, with particular emphasis on the damage being done to the marine environment.

RESIDENTS of Arenales del Sol have made a number of official complaints about the amount of traffic that uses areas which should only be used by pedestrians and bicycles. The area is especially busy in the summer months, and parking has been an issue for a number of years, with many locals highlighting those who park in the ‘illegal’ zones close to the popular Playa Carabassi. As well as blocking a number of access points, the movement of dust and sand created by the amount of vehicles on a daily basis has ended up on nearby balconies, patios and windows that have only increased the ire and frustration of the local people. Locals acknowledge that the Local Police do their best, but realise that there aren’t the resources to continually monitor and deter the offending drivers.

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Fines don’t deter

Masons health boost DENIA’S Department of Health has received a generous donation of €80,000 from the Valencia Masons Association. It has already been decided that the money will be used to purchase four new ultrasound machines for the local health centres, which will allow the tests to be undertaken without the need to go to the hospitals.

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The little escape by Darren Parmenter FOUR-YEAROLD boy escaped from a school in Beniarbeig and walked all the way home alone. According to reports, the toddler - named as Neizan - walked all of 680 metres to his front door and crossed two roads in the process. The last thing the boy’s father expected to see at the front door after the doorbell rang at 2.25pm was his young son...but there he was. If he’d waited a little longer, Neizan’s parents were due to pick him up from the Baladre school he’d attended since July at 3pm. His route from the school saw him walk along a country lane surrounded by orange groves, past the cemetery and crossed a major road which, fortunately, wasn’t busy at the time before arriving at his home in the

Photo credit: Diputacion de Alicante

DESPITE more than 100 fines being issued in one day, drivers aren’t being deterred from parking along the yellow lines in an area of Javea. One of the major concerns is the number of cars hindering the passage of ambulances and any other emergency vehicles needing access to the popular Barraca and Ambolo coves; something that has already happened this summer. The situation is so bad that the day after the 100 fines, cars still parked illegally and this was also in the face of an additional threat of their vehicles being forcibly removed by the grua (tow away) service. One such offender parked their car on a roundabout and blocked a key exit point to one of the beaches.

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SHOCKED: Toddler walks home through the municipality of Beniarbeig. centre of the municipality. Needless to say, his father was shocked to see him. Young Neizan answered what he was doing by saying that he’d become fed up of waiting for the school day to finish and so simply upped and

left and ran all the way home. As soon as he arrived home, his father telephoned the school but it transpired that they hadn’t realised the mischievous boy was no longer there. The director of Baladre,

Enrique Enguix, said that never before, in the more than 35 years that the school has been open, has something like this happened before and he sees this as a ‘wake-up call’ to ensure it never happens again.

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Credit: Ayuntamiento de l'Alfàs del Pi

Home alone AN 11-year-old was taken into care in Oliva after he was found crying in the street as he searched for his mother, a Moroccan, who had left him at home while she went out drinking.

Second chance THE regional government will post non-established state-school teachers who are out of work as they lack qualifications in

Valenciano to the 165 municipalities in Alicante, Valencia and Castellon where only Spanish is habitually spoken.

Drying up TARBENA’S mayor asked residents to use water ‘sensibly’ and warned that there will be cuts in the supply as the artesian well supplying the town’s water cannot meet the demands of the increased summer population.

La Cala make-over LOCALS and visitors to the La Cala area of Benidorm will soon see a new promenade area built. In addition, the existing main car park will get a make-over with a full resurfacing. The project - with a budget of €538,000 was announced by the Villajoyosa Town Coun-

cil and is seen as a major invigoration of the increasingly popular tourist area. Mayor Andreu Verdu said: “We look forward to seeing the new seafront area in La Cala; something that has been widely demanded by the local residents for some time.”

LANDSCAPING: The mayor and councillor visit the project.

Significant grant allows employment training in l’Alfàs del Pi by John Smith

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HE Council in l’Alfàs del Pi is in the process of developing a landscape regeneration project in the Parque de Escandinavia, which includes cleaning, pruning, repair of degraded areas and

landscaping. This action is part of the project Escoles d’Ocupació Et Formem, a mixed programme of employment and training for people who have had difficulty in finding work or belong to vulnerable groups, thanks to a grant of €199,830 from the Generalitat Valenciana The mayor of l’Alfàs, Vicente Arques, and the councillor for Technical Services, Óscar Pérez, recently visited to view the work carried out by members of the programme, which has focused on the cleaning of degraded areas and actions to improve stormwater drainage. It is a mixed programme

of training and employment, so from the first day people are hired and receive an assignment while learning a trade. This is the second project developed in the municipality through the Escoles d’Ocupació Et Formem programme as the town received an earlier grant of €64,843 which allowed the hiring of 10 people for four months to carry out a landscape regeneration project on a municipal plot in l’Albir. Once the course was passed, the students obtained a level 1 professional certificate. Thanks to this new grant the programme could be extended for one year.

Improved beach access IN a bid to avoid the current and regular build-up of traffic at the Albir exit of the N-332, a new bridge is being built over the ravine in Calle San Miguel. The aim of the €312,000 spend by the local Alfaz del Pi Council is to give easier access to vehicles wishing to get to the popular beach and nearby commercial areas. The programme of works, that is expected to last around four months, will also see the creation of an 80 space car park.

Flipflop-fall A YOUNG man has suffered from a number of injuries after being trampled on by a heifer during the local fiestas in Calpe. Tw o o t h e r p e o ple were also hurt as part of the ‘Bous de Carrer ’ event that sees people trying to escape from the animals as they climb over an obstacle in the road. The man - who fractured an arm and a leg - was apparently wearing flip-flops which were totally unsuitable, and as he attempted to flee the heifer tripped and fell over. As he lay on the ground, the heifer slightly gored him and he was later taken to the Denia Hospital for treatment.

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Burglar caught

Cause for celebration ANIMAL rescue charity ALMA is celebrating three years of making a difference by staging a fundraising party. As well as finding permanent homes for cats and dogs, Danny Del Castillo, spokesman for the organisation based in Hondon De Las Nieves, Alicante region, said: “Through awareness and sterilisation we try to tackle the problem of abandonment and the importance of the identification of animals.” As part of the line-up of events, Danny himself will be putting on a canine display of obedience and agility. Other attractions include a Flamenco concert and a Salsa dance class courtesy of Paola Yenay from the Dance School of Continuous Movement. There will also be a raffle and vegan buffet, with other options available. The fundraiser takes place on Saturday, September 8, 6pm, at the Tipsy Terrace in Hondon de los Frailes.

DOG DISPLAY: Fun ways to raise awareness and funds. Tickets cost €15 in advance. To find out more call Danny on 622 708 013, Centro Veterinario Hondon de las Nieves on 865 772 724 or The Tipsy Terrace on 655 186 590.

Credit: National Police

NATIONAL POLICE arrested a 36-yearold man in Benidorm when they caught him allegedly trying to break into a home. Officers were alerted by a local resident who had spotted the man jumping over walls and apparently trying to break in to a building in the resort city. Police quickly swung into action with several patrols coordinating to ensure there was no chance of escape for the suspected thief. When police arrived at the scene the suspect ran off, with officers giving chase on foot. On catching him, a body search revealed several valuable articles, which police quickly found had gone missing from several nearby buildings. They arrested him on suspicion of breaking and entering and theft. Now officers have launched an investigation to see how many other burglaries the suspect may have been involved with. Judicial sources say the detainee has a long police record for similar crimes. He has now been turned over to the custody of the Instructing Court in Benidorm.

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Gang members arrested (stock photo).

Operation sees arrest of 4 alleged drug dealers by John Smith IN a combined operation between officers of the National Police based in Alicante and Murcia a gang of four alleged drug dealers have been arrested and two kilos of cocaine seized. The group were known to the police and were being observed by officers in Murcia, but it was believed that they were looking to expand their area of operation into Al-

icante City. As the gang travelled to the Alicante capital, officers who had been in communication with their colleagues in Murcia, swooped on the group and arrested them, discovering two kilos of cocaine. Searches of the property of the four men aged between 32 and 59 revealed €3,000 in cash and a special radio device believed to be used as a frequency jammer to inhibit messages between officers.

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Taxis to get the blues by Darren Parmenter Photo credit: Flickr

FOLLOWING on from similar initiatives in Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece, Spain is the latest country to introduce a system of blue number plates for its taxis. The measure has been brought in as part of a number of attempts to crack down on the illegal, private hire and pirate taxis. The new law came into force at the beginning of August and will require the rear number plates of taxis and other legal operators of vehicles of up to nine seats to be coloured blue, with white characters. There will be no change to the front plate which will remain the traditional white with black lettering and numbers. Owners of the vehicles affected by the change in the law will have up to a year to change their registration plates, although they can do so immediately if they choose. The change follows an amendment to the law approved back in 2016 and followed a substantial increase in the number of pirate companies and private vehicles intruding on legal taxi areas.

NEW LAW: Taxi number plates will now be blue.

July blip for airport numbers by Darren Parmenter

FOR the first time in six years, there has been a decline in passenger numbers for Alicante-Elche Airport for the month of July. The figure of just over 1.5 million passengers is 2 per cent down compared to the same month last year, although still keeps the airport as fifth across Spain in terms of traveller numbers. The data, supplied by airport managers AENA, also showed a 1.8 per cent drop in the number of flights using the airport. This decrease confirms reports of a minor tourism slowdown in the first part of the summer in which popular resorts such as Benidorm have seen their hotel occupancy fall by a similar 2 per cent. Back in 2012, a total of 1,076 passengers passed through the terminal which represented an 8.4 per cent drop compared to July 2011. Since then, the numbers have grown to extraordinary levels with a historic record of 12 million annually recorded in 2016. However, despite the decline in July 2018, the annual figures to date continue to be positive. During the first seven months of the year, Alicante-Elche Airport registered 7,919,047 passengers, representing an increase of 1.1 per cent year-on-year.

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Short news In the deep end CAMPELLO’S €5 million covered municipal pools will remain closed until 2019 as all offers to supply gym equipment must be re-examined after a bidder claimed that two rival companies had not complied with requirements

Apt app THE Ibi Guardia Civil rescued a 53-year-old hiker lost in Barranc de la Font del Llop even though it was dark and he could not describe his location as a WhatsApp message provided his coordinates.

Road deaths SEVENTY-FIVE people were killed on Valencian Community roads in the first seven months of this year, an increase of almost 40 per cent and the sharpest rise in mortal accidents in the last 10 years.

Top up OWING to the drought and lack of irrigation water, Ondara’s Environment department had to release water from a 10,000-litre cistern lorry into the l’Assut wetland area to prevent the deaths of fishes and wildlife.

Wreck found THREE pieces of pottery that divers Rafa Martos and Javier Reyes salvaged after discovering a sunken ship off Les Marines in Denia enabled historians to place the shipwreck between 1375 and 1400.

Fine to-do ALCOY City Hall fined 64 dog-owners €38,000 since January for not cleaning up when their pets foul streets, although one offender who did not muzzle his dog had to pay €7,212.

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Alcoholics Anonymous anniversary year THIRTY years ago on September 6, 1988, a lady by the name of Tracey B set up the very first English-speaking meeting of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the newly built multi-denominational La Siesta Church in Torrevieja. When it first opened, Tracy would often be sat there all on her own… just occasionally a couple of members from the Alicante International Saturday meeting would turn up and then another,

who had a holiday home in Torrevieja, would attend whenever he was in the country. However, over the past 30 years, the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous has grown tremendously along the coast. They now have as many as 11 meetings each week ranging from Montebello to Torrevieja and down to Los Alcazares. There are also what have been called ‘Al-Anon’ meetings… a sister organisation for

family and friends of the still-suffering alcoholic. The AA will be holding their 11th Annual Convention on September 14, 15 and 16 at the Hotel Playas de Torrevieja, formerly Cabo Cervera. If alcohol is costing you more than money, the AA helpline numbers are: Costa Blanca North 648 169 045; Costa Blanca South - 625 912 078; Costa Calida - 679 385 105 or check on the website at www.aa-costablanca.org.

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Lightning strikes once

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Boost for local sea patrols

FIREFIGHTERS based in Denia were called to fight a blaze in the Vall de Laguar mountains area after being struck by lightning. It broke out in Les Juvees de Dalt between Laguar a n d t h e Va l l d ’ E b o c l o s e t o w h e r e t h e B a r rance de l’Infern passes through. The fire brigade were helped by the 17 litres per square metre of rain which fell after the lightning strike. In addition, the flames were confined close to the summit and weren’t able to spread any further.

Water supply restrictions TWO highly populated areas of the Marina Baixa will be experiencing cuts to the water supply at night, with the iconic Altea Hills already suffering interruptions. Because the water reserves aren’t able to meet the demand in the area, restrictions will be brought in from 10pm to 7am. The other municipality due to be affected

throughout August is Tarbena. In the case of the large Altea Hills urbanisation, the local council has already warned people not to use the water supply in cooking until further notice due to the alleged poor quality. The situation has not been helped due to electrical problems reported with the pump in the well located in Murta.

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Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Teulada Moraira

SHIP AHOY: New craft presented in the company of Mayor Carlos Linares (third from right).

by Darren Parmenter

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HE mayor of TeuladaMoraira, Carlos Linares, was on hand to proudly receive the new boat for use by the Local Police. The craft will be used to monitor the sea bed and to stop any possible dumping of rubbish that has a detrimental effect on the marine environment. In addition, it will be available to control the amount of other boats in the bay and also offer better se-

curity to the local people. Even though the final permission and legal documents have only just come through, a provisional permit was awarded to allow the boat to be used to accompany the Virgen del Carmen during the celebration of Moraira’s patron saint. Gonzalo Mengual, managing director of Nautica Mengual, a local business that donated the boat, assures that everyone in the municipality will benefit from the new service and is delighted to be able to support such projects that

are for the good of the community. In reply, Mayor Linares thanked Nautica Mengual for the collaboration and generosity in this service and for the yacht club for the availability of the berth. “It’s important that everybody knows about this service which is there for all of us in case of emergency,” he said. The new craft will be skippered by a fully trained member of the Local Police and accompanied by one of their colleagues or a volunteer of the Civil Defence.

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New ferry plan is a gas!

No hiding places

Family in sea rescue MEMBERS of the Red Cross rescue team came to the aid of a young family that became trapped in the sea by high waves off Javea’s Arenal beach. The family of five, which included an 11-year-old girl, were already in the

sea before the lifeguard service started in the morning and so there was no red flag flying at the time. They found themselves caught in two-metre high waves and in the section of the water that is notoriously dangerous due to strong currents.

by Darren Parmenter ERRY company Balearia has recently invested close to €55 million by purchasing the ship called Visemar One... a vessel that’s been part of the company’s fleet for the past seven years. This latest acquisition takes the number in the fleet owned by Balearia to 26 out of 30. The Visemar One ferry started with the company back in 2011 on the Barcelona - Palma route, and currently operates between Valencia and Palma. It’s 186 metres long and is famous for having the capacity for carrying large loads that respond to the needs of the companies using the service between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands. In addition, the ship - built in 2010 - can carry 600

Photo credit: Vince Vega Wikimedia

TRAFFICKERS attempting to ship drugs on the Denia ferry to Ibiza and Formentera are finding more inventive ways to hide their supplies from the authorities. H o w e v e r, e v e n t h o u g h a 3 8 - y e a r - o l d S p a n i a r d h i d h i s i n o n e o f t h e c a r ’s airbags, he was still arrested. He was found to have 2.6 kilos of cocaine and 360 grams of methamphetamine (MDMA) as he was about to drive onboard, and was discovered when officials became suspicious of the car. During a search they found the dashboard and passenger airbag was loose and found the stash inside which is understood to have a street value of just over €100,000.

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FAMOUS: The Visemar One has been on the Balearic routes for seven years.

passengers and navigates the seas at a top speed of 24 knots. Balearia has plans to extend their presence even further with two new ferries powered by natural gas currently being constructed in

the Italian shipyards of Cantiere Navale Visentini. The company also intends to convert five of the ferries it presently owns to this cleaner and more environmentally friendly form of energy.

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Beach sellers on the decrease

Two in one day THE municipalities of Teulada-Moraira and Javea have both been the scenes of serious crashes on the same day. In Javea, a 17-year-old motorcyclist hit a car that had stopped at traffic lights on Avenida Palmera at the entrance to Javea. He suffered from a broken leg and a bad cut to the groin, and was taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Meanwhile, on the road from Teulada to Moraira, two high-end vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. A Jeep Wrangler SUV ended upside down after hitting a Jaguar, with both drivers suffering minor injuries.

Emergency service link-up LOCAL POLICE in Denia have been integrated into the 112 emergency telephone networks to make their response times more efficient. Brought into operation at the start of the summer, the aim is to improve the communication ability between all areas of the emergency

services which includes the fire and ambulance. According to a statement from Councillor Jose Martinez Espasa, the enhancement to the service comes after more than a year of technical upgrades and tests.

Connected at last THIRTY years after the municipalities of San Juan del Alicante and Muchamiel were ‘separated’ by a major roadway, a project is about to be put in place to connect the two via a pedestrian and cycle path. The project, understood to cost a total of €34,000 - will see almost one and a half kilometres linking the area of La Alqueria and the IES Garcia Berlanga to the outskirts of Muchamiel. As well as the pathways, the area will be relandscaped and feature a number of shaded areas with seating, as well as the installation of new street lighting.

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by Darren Parmenter

INCE a major incident last summer in Benidorm that saw one of the many beach sellers involved in an altercation with the Local Police, the number of arrests and convictions has significantly reduced. This is especially the case with those who are known as ‘mojiteros’ (based on the popular cocktail Mojito) who sell cold drinks in plastic glasses. As well as being illegal to operate this way, the origins of the liquid in the drinks was often unknown and contravened health and safety regulations. Last summer saw the first punishment handed out to people that trade in this way and, according to a report in the Spanish media, it has proved a suitable

Photo credit: Sami Keinänen Wikimedia

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MOJITOS: But the contents of the cocktails are often unknown.

enough deterrent; although it hasn’t stopped the odd beach retailer supplying over-priced cans of wellknown brands when nobody is watching. Until now, Local Police in Benidorm became frustrated as even though local bylaws prevented beach trading, any subsequent fines of €300 were never paid because those arrested were always declared as being insolvent. The turning point was the

fight between the mojiteros and the Local Police last August which saw people taken to court and charged with ‘disobedience of authority.’ Not only did they get a criminal record, they were fined €4 a day for four months and ensured payment over a period of time. Councillor Lorenzo Martinez said there were around 50 or 60 men selling daily on the beaches last year... this has now reduced to around 20.

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17th - 23rd August

by Barry Duke

AFTER ascertaining that I spoke English, a woman in charge of a pay-now-die-later stand in Benidorm asked: ‘can you spare a moment to discuss what plans, if any, you have for your funeral?’ ‘No,’ I snapped. ‘I’m running late for an appointment - and I am not planning on having a funeral. EVER!’ She looked aghast. If I had the time I would have stopped to explain the brush-off I’d just given her. Just a week before I took possession of a Spanish directive drawn up by a lawyer which says that if were to be struck down by any condition likely to leave me permanently disabled, I should be allowed to die. The legally binding Acta De Manifestaciones also stipulates that I want my organs harvested, and whatever remains is to be donated to medical science. If my cadaver is deemed unsuitable for either organ transplants or for sci-

No funeral for me, thanks ence study, then I am simply to be incinerated at minimal cost without a funeral - just like David Bowie, who took the direct cremation route in 2016. And, in a belt-and-braces move, I had tattooed at the base of my neck the words ‘do not resuscitate me’ in Spanish. The document also makes my partner, Marcus, my next-of-kin. This was an important part of the document, for I had just learned of the bureaucratic nightmare into which the family of a friend had been plunged when he died suddenly in Spain. The authorities flat-out refused to hand over the body to his partner because the couple were not married, did not have a civil partnership nor any documentation to indicate that they were in a relationship. They would only deal with family members who were unable to come to Spain. The upshot was that the body was kept in storage for around three weeks while the authorities sorted the necessary paperwork for a funeral. What reminded me of this ghastly incident was a distressing

FUNERALS: Most Spanish families have plans. news report on tellie last week. ITV reported that an increasing number of people in the UK were finding it impossible to meet the escalating costs of funerals, and that bodies were being held in mortuaries for lengthy periods while relatives struggled find the cash to lay them to rest. A Freedom of Information request by ITV News revealed that a quarter of hospital trusts in England have held bodies for three months or more. And two trusts said they kept bodies for up to 14 months. ITV News also surveyed 120 fu-

neral directors - they too have had to keep bodies for up to eight months because families struggled to pay. The latest industry research shows the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK now stands at £4,078.00. How does this compare with Spain? Back in January 2018 a couple called Bob and Pat posted this message on Expat.com: ‘We were stopped in Carrefour by two female sales people selling death plans. They said Spain is the most expensive place to die and we need a €20,000 plan. Is this true?.’

This prompted a flurry of replies from people who insisted that Bob and Pat had been lied to; that the cost of a Spanish funeral is, in reality, more in the region of €3,600, and in some regions far less. The problems reported on by ITV simply don’t exist in Spain because the law here requires burials or cremations to take place within 48 hours of death - and most Spanish families have funeral plans or insurance. Furthermore, greater numbers of Spanish people are opting for non-religious funerals. This is in keeping with the rapid secularisation of Spain since the dark days of the Franco regime. Last year the website ThinkSpain reported that while Catholic funeral services and wakes are still in the majority, secular funerals are rapidly increasing in number, especially in large, cosmopolitan cities. Cataluña is the region with the highest number of secular funeral ceremonies in Spain, which fits in with a recent survey showing that as many as 55 per cent of the region’s residents do not identify with any religion at all.

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17th - 23rd August

Alicante ruling the cruise waves

Photo credit: Wikimedia

Photo credit: Günter Wieschendahl Wikimedia

A

LICANTE has seen a substantial increase in the numbers of cruise passengers for the first six months of the year. According to data provided by the Puertos de Estado (Spanish Ports Association), a total of 42,201 people arrived up until the end of June representing an increase of 8.8 per cent when compared to the same point in 2017. Across the Valencian Community as a whole, the ports of Alicante, Valencia and Castellon surpassed 199,000 passengers... 5 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year. Cruise tourism has become a regular feature in many Spanish ports, with more than 4.4 mil-

Benidorm’s busy clean-up team

DEDICATED: Ninety people help to keep Benidorm clean every day.

by Darren Parmenter BOOST: One of the many cruise ships visiting Alicante port.

lion passengers arriving in the 46 locations between January and June. This means a major increase of 23.5 per cent year-on-year and, according to figures sup-

plied by the International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA), this gives a boost to the Spanish economy of €1.4 billion and direct employment to 31,233 people across the country.

IT will come as no surprise to anyone that keeping Benidorm’s beaches clean and tidy in the high-season is a priority. With thousands of people visiting the tourist city every day, it needs a professional and dedicated team to keep the cleaning services going 24-hours-a-day. From early morning - before many have woken up from a night on the town the beaches are being swept and dragged - until the overnight street-washers that patrol the Old Town, around 90 workers are involved across the shifts to ensure Benidorm is kept in tip-top condition at all times. It may go unnoticed by many, but the litter from the streets and from the smaller rubbish bins is collected on foot by a team of

cleaners every hour of the day and night to ensure no unsightly build-up of waste. As people begin to leave the beach at 6pm, the team get to work and are still cleaning and raking at 3.30am along the six kilometres of sand. These latest details have been announced by the Benidorm Council as part of a summer awareness campaign to keep the area tidy. According to a spokesperson, the beaches take the most time. “It’s not like you’re finding bottles or large items during the daily clean, but smaller pieces of litter such as cigarette butts which are the hardest to remove.” Even the sea water gets a daily check-up, with a boat searching the shoreline between 7am and 12 noon for anything floating around that could prove a danger to swimmers and small boat users.

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17th - 23rd August

Market traders suffer in heatwave Photo credit: Zeisterre Wikimedia

W

ORDS and phrases such as ‘insufferable,’ ‘horrible’ and ‘third world conditions’ have been used to describe the conditions endured in the Alicante Central Market. This has been due to the failure of the air conditioning system due to the appliances overheating. At one point, the temperature inside the building reached 40ºC and, according to a report in the Spanish media, an estimated 30 per cent in the turnover of fruit and vegetables had been lost. Another area severely affected has been the fresh fish department. Most of the system has now been repaired, but both traders and customers alike are going to have to wait until October

WASTE: Fruit, vegetables and fish lost in air con failure.

until it’s due to be fully restored. Speaking to the Spanish media, local trader Ana Girones said: “We had to spray our customers with water to keep them and allow them to buy our produce. This is a very serious situation.” A number of stalls have also installed

their own fans to keep themselves and their products as cool as possible. In the fish market, traders said that twice as much ice than usual was used to cover the wide variety up for sale and thus has led to increases of their electricity bills of up to 20 per cent.

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vox pop

Is it important to speak Spanish when holidaying or living in the Costas? Name: Mark and Angela Age: 52 and 51 On holiday: Yes Where from: Birmingham

too. We’ve never really had a problem with not being able to speak the language, people do try to help if there are communication problems. We get by in restaurants and shops. Saying that, I’m a primary school teacher and I do think there should be more emphasis on learning languages at a much earlier age, in nursery would be better.

MARK: It depends where you go. Here, in the Costa del Sol, it’s less important because most people speak or understand English. But in the more rural areas, it’s different. I have a friend who went to Name: Hannah Styles a small place in Age: 27 Sevilla and he On holiday: Live here Where from: Leeds said he really struggled I lived here and went to and had to school here when I was use his mogrowing up, so I am fluent. bile phone I moved back to the UK in to translate. 2011 and came back two Angela: years ago. I don’t think it’s We came important to speak the lanhere last year, guage if you are holidaying and have been here, the Costas cater for to Mijas and other tourists very well. But if you areas around here, Mark and Angela

want to live here and enjoy the Spanish way of life, of course, it is better if you can communicate. Name: Malcolm Berry Age: 64 On holiday: Yes Where from: Hull No, not in these sort of holiday resorts anyway. I know the obvious, how to say hello, goodbye, please and thank you, and order basic drinks. My wife is better than me, we have been holidaying in different parts of Spain for years and she likes to practise before we come. Name: Margaret Smith and Elaine Bell Age: 58 and 63 Margaret: I have just the odd little

words but I get by. I think it’s because Fuengirola is a holiday resort and caters for the British. I don’t think it’s possible to learn the language of every country you visit, it depends how often you go to the same place. Elaine: Sometimes I think we can be a bit lazy. We should probably make more of an effort to speak the language. At least here they are friendly and helpful. When we went to France and tried to speak a bit of French they seemed to appreciate it, Margaret Smith and but in Germany Elaine Bell they didn’t want to know.

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Calpe tourism boom continues PROVISIONAL figures released by Calpe’s Department of Tourism have pointed to an increase of 10 per cent for the month of July in visitor numbers. This was after a 9 per cent figure for June. Much of the growth has been explained by the extra occupancy that has been registered in campsites and apartments. The numbers are in comparison with the same two months in 2017. For this year, the occupancy rate for June and July was 75.91 per cent and 82.65 per cent respectively. In addition, it was revealed that the numbers in Calpe hotels is virtually unchanged - although showing an almost unnoticeable dip - and so it’s the different holiday choices which have boosted the figures. Councillor Jan Van Parijs is satisfied with the provisional data, and contrasts with the overall downward trend that has been generally recorded in tourist numbers in other Spanish cities. Much of this can be attributed to the recovery of previous popular tourist hotspots across the world such as Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Greece and Tunisia. As for the nationalities that have visited Calpe in July this year, there has been a noticeable increase in Spanish tourists from 51 to 56 per cent and those from the UK (13 per cent) and Belgium (6 per cent) staying stable. At the other end of the scale, visitors from France and Germany fell by 4.5 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.

SPOTLIGHT ON CALPE THANKS to the AVALEM Youth Guarantee programme set up by the Valencian Employment and Training Service (SERVEF), 37 young people have begun working for Calpe’s town council. This is the latest of a number of initiatives by SERVEF which offers unemployed youngsters an opportunity of a job. This is the second year in a row that Calpe has taken advantage of these grants which are able to help people in the municipality and give them the chance to work, on a contract, for a full year in a number of different council departments. They will be hired under two separate schemes known as the EMPUJU - those without qualifications - and the EMCUJU for those who are qualified. The latter include 16 people who have studied civil engineering, architecture, psychology, computer science, biology and social work. The other 21 will take part in other areas within the municipality such as painting,

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Work experience for Calpe’s young

SUBSIDY: Calpe joins work experience scheme for a second year.

gardening, general labouring and admin assistants. The total cost of the subsidies across both schemes is just over €780,000. Those involved this

year have been greeted by six Calpe councillors that included the second deputy mayor, Ana Maria Sala, who said that “Calpe has once again opted to be part of this

programme as we believe it’s a great opportunity for our young people to acquire work experience that can benefit them enormously in their future chosen career.”

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17th - 23rd August

Photo credit: Diego Delso Wikimedia

Five hurt in Alicante crash FIVE people have been slightly injured in a traffic accident in the centre of Alicante. According to a report in the Spanish media, the person who allegedly caused the incident was driving without a licence. For reasons that are still being investigated, the car hit another from behind after which it then crashed into a third as they travelled in the direction of Alicante along the Avenida de Villajoyosa.

Cigarette attacker sought OFFICERS from the National Police are looking for a young man in connection with an attack on another person after they refused to give him a cigarette. The attacker, believed to be around 25 years old, approached the victim and demanded a cigarette. When he said that he didn’t have any, the young man - understood to be of Moroccan nationality - walked away but then, without warning, grabbed a stone and hit the 50-year-old on the head from behind. According to a report in the Spanish media, the victim also had an amount of money taken from him after he was assaulted.

DIZZY DAYS: Alicante General Hospital experiencing air con issues.

Air-con fault stresses patients by Darren Parmenter HUNDREDS of patients attending the Alicante General Hospital have had to put up with the excesses of the current heatwave due to problems with the air conditioning. At one point before the system was worked on by engineers, around 20 patients ending up sweating in one of the hospital’s

waiting rooms when the temperature registered 30.5ÂşC at 11am. Others throughout the hospital are also understood to have suffered bouts of dizziness, with a number also being put at a higher risk of infections. According to reports in the Spanish media, a significant number of visitors to the hospital have taken advantage of a Chinese supermarket opposite the Alicante General

Hospital to buy a variety of fans. One of the problems is the alleged age of the air conditioning ducts which affect the distribution of the air. In addition, the change in the levels of humidity can reduce the efficiency of the equipment by 25 per cent. Until the faults are completely repaired, a number of portable airconditioning units and fans are being deployed within the hospital.

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17th - 23rd August

money

Check those sofas and drawers Photo credit: Public Domain Images

NINE months after the old £1 coin ceased being legal tender, the Royal Mint has said that there are probably £170 million worth of them hiding in sofas, drawers and pockets. And with so many British expats moving to Spain before that cut-off point, there’s probably a few million over here too; many in savings jars in readiness for a quick trip back to the UK or some welcome pocket money for visiting grandchildren. The old £1 coin can’t be used any more in shops, but can be deposited in UK banks with most of them still happy to exchange them for the newer ones. However, unlike the old bank notes, the old £1 coin can’t be returned to the Bank of England for an un-

VULNERABLE: The original £1 coin is still out there... somewhere. limited time after they go out of circulation. According to a report in the UK press, a spokesperson for the Royal Mint said it had expected around 85 per cent of the 1.7 billion old £1 coins worth £1.4 billion - to be returned during the advertised transition time. The estimate was based

on the number of 50p coins returned when that changed to its smaller version 20 years ago. Because the old £1 coin had become increasingly vulnerable to counterfeiting, it was replaced by the version resembling the old 12-sided threepenny bit in March 2017 after being first introduced in 1983.

NO CHANGE: Bank of England rate hike not filtering through... yet.

Savers awaiting hike benefits FOLLOWING the recent announcement by the Bank of England to increase interest rates to 0.75 per cent, it is the majority of loyal savers that are yet to see any benefit. The hike in the base rate was much anticipated and for many people who are getting historically low returns on their savings it came as somewhat of a boost. But it wasn’t to be, with only a handful of banks and building societies announcing rate increases to both savers and borrowers. The delay in passing over the benefits of interest rate rises is nothing new, as a number of banks appeared to be unwilling to put a smile on their

customers’ faces after a similar increase in November last year. Rather than the full 0.25 per cent rise, the average rise was just a mere fraction at 0.09 per cent. According to a report in the UK press, finance expert from MoneyComms.co.uk - Andrew Hagger - said that “just one in 10 acted within five weeks [last time]. Most are sitting on the fence again now.” He continued: “Big banks and building societies seem to be more focused on profit margins than looking after savers. There is no reward for loyalty, so do not feel bad about taking your custom elsewhere.”

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Advertising Feature

Help is at hand for blocked drains THERE can be few people who haven’t experienced the inconvenience of blocked drains, often coupled with pest infestation, but Unblock-A-Rod SL with 15 years of experience in Spain can help turn a nightmare into a positive result. The company offers a dedicated, professional drainage service including 24hour emergency call out ensuring a rapid solution at unbeatable cost. They have new high tech equipment offering services such as high power jetting to clean and clear drains and CCTV cameras for internal waste pipe inspections. Any excavation works required to replace or repair damaged waste pipes or to construct manholes/inspection points is carried out to the highest standard and any excavations will be reinstated by qualified engineers. This fully legal registered business in the Costa Blanca employs a large staff of experienced professionals who are able to converse in English and Spanish which could be very helpful if they need to approach neighbours for access. Blockages can happen at the most in-

UNBLOCK-A-ROD SL: Professional help when you need it.

convenient of times and Unblock-A-Rod offer a 24-hour phone service with no extra call out charge and will turn up ready to do what is necessary to resolve any problem. Covering an area from north of Benidorm to south of San Javier airport/Murcia and inland, the company works for private and business customers, as well as having many con-

tracts with urbanisations to carry out routine services, maintenance and repairs. There is little doubt that Unblock-ARod rightly boasts that it offers the best service and pricing on the Costa Blanca and will work happily with insurance companies to ensure that their specifications are complied with. Broken drains are often accompanied

by the arrival of pests and this is another area where the expertise of the company can come in very useful. For a complete service at prices which will be a pleasant surprise, contact Unblock-A-Rod, Poligono Industrial La Fabrica, Calle Algorfa 3, Daya Nueva, 03159 (less than 10 minutes from Quesada) which is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

The office telephone number is 966 720 109 whilst the important 24/7 Mobile/WhatsApp number is 618 356 270. To find out more visit www.unblockarod.com, email info@unblockarod.com or visit their Facebook page Unblockarod.

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17th - 23rd August

FOOD Focus

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Freshly baked and delicious THE Pizzeria and Heladeria Bambino serves delectable, hand prepared pizzas cooked to order at their beach-side restaurant in La Cala Finestrat. Situated next to the Supercor shop, staff at the Pizzeria pride themselves on home-made cooking using only fresh ingredients. This ranges from their delicious pizzas, with an extensive choice of toppings to their freshly made icecream and fruit juices. Customers can start their day with a traditional English breakfast or choose a baguette with a selection of fillings, set to tempt anyone’s taste buds. The varied menu also includes a choice of salads, pasta dishes, beef steaks, burgers and tapas options, and the children are sure to love the selection of ice-creams and snacks. The Pizzeria and Heladeria Bambino has a large and sunny terrace where customers can enjoy sitting out and watching the waves lap over the stunning La Cala beach, or use their very popular take-away service. Ideal for those planning a beach day. With so much to choose from, why not visit this family-run business and meet the friendly staff, who will happily make your personalised pizza right in front of your eyes. The Pizzeria Heladeria Bambino is open daily from 9.30am until 1pm, Avenida Marina Baixa 1, La Cala Finestrat, telephone 966 807 122.

DELICIOUS: Hand prepared pizzas cooked to order.

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Versatile - eat in or take away THE Quartz restaurant and snack bar in La Cala Finestrat is an ideal place to enjoy one of the many menu choices, be it sitting out on t h e i r sheltered terrace, or inside the traditional restaurant area. Situated right next to the beach, Quartz offers its customer the choice to either eat in or take away. So if you fancy something to nibble whilst enjoying the sunbathing hours, or a place to spend some time away from the heat and enjoy a meal, this is the place to go. The extensive menu at Quartz includes spit roast chicken, home-made lasagne, horse steak and burgers, one of which - the curry burger - comes with marinated chicken, onions, cheddar cheese, salad and

QUARTZ: This is the place to go for eat in or takeaway.

BBQ sauce. For those who prefer a lighter bite try the Caesar salad, one of the delicious pasta dishes or a tasty baguette, offering all Quartz customers a great choice whilst maintaining a quality of service and excellent food. The friendly staff are happy to help you make your selection or provide more information about anything on their menu, advising on a suitable wine to have with your meal or address any allergy requirements. Open from 1pm until 5pm and again at 8pm until late. Closed on Wednesdays. Telephone 659 164 448.

FOOD Focus

17th - 23rd August

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Big down under

by Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors. I WAS fascinated to discover that one of my ancestors, a certain Josiah Bird, was sentenced to transportation to Australia for seven years in October 1818 for stealing a pork pie from a butchers shop in Cambridge. He might have got away with a much lighter sentence, had he not asked for a further 86 offences to be taken into consideration and paid the assize judge the disrespect of hawking the contents of his nose against the side of the dock. My forebears were not the brightest of creatures and another I have tracked down - one Uriah Henry Bird - was a lesser player in the gunpowder plot of 1605 and was arrested whilst smoking his pipe astride a keg of gunpowder in a secret store room in Bow, illustrating that if brains were themselves gunpowder, Uriah would not have possessed enough to blow his hat off. But to get back to Josiah. Almost exactly one year after his trial he was taken aboard the vessel Coromandel along with 300 other felons and sailed for the new territories in Australia.

TRANSPORTED: Pork pie theft earned a free trip.

There is no record of what life aboard was like or how long the voyage lasted, but bearing in mind that under arm deodorant spray had not yet been invented and there was just one WC for the

lot of them and no paper products, it would not have been the happiest of passages. Their destination was Van Dieman’s Land in New South Wales and that’s

where the story becomes patchy, because having served just eight months of his sentence in the penal colony, and according to prison records regarded as a model prisoner, Josiah somehow managed to escape but there was nothing to indicate that he was ever recaptured. It is also stated in the escape report, that Josiah took with him a number of pork pies and a flagon of strong beer from the prison kitchen and puzzlingly, several silk handkerchiefs belonging to the governor. All I can think of is that pork products were still very much on Josiah’s list of favourite food items and perhaps the nasal problems that had landed him in the mess to start with, were still giving him grief. Be that as it may, Josiah was never heard of again, at least not as far as the authorities were concerned. But coincidentally some years later in Brisbane, a young man by the name of James Inigo Bird a baker specialising in prime pork pies, was credited with making the first commercially produced kangaroo sausages carrying the slogan: ‘Josiah’s Original since 1820.’ Coincidence? These days starting a new life in Oz is a very attractive proposition for many, but of those thousands of transported convicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, how many I wonder, recognised it as an opportunity and in spite of their criminal past became successful entrepreneurs?

Advertising Feature NOT everyone knows that taking out a home policy is not mandatory except when the house is mortgaged. That is the only situation that requires a person to have a policy which protects their home in Spain. However, it is worth saying that, although it is not mandatory, it is advisable and necessary to be prepared for any eventuality. Our home is our most precious asset and if we want to avoid surprises and unforeseen events, it is important to get an insurance that gives us the peace of mind knowing that whatever happens in our home there will be someone who is responsible for solving it. The first thing you should know is that you do not have to contract your home insurance with the entity that is granting you the mortgage but you can compare prices in the market and hire the product which provides the coverage that best suits your needs. Until a couple of years ago, banking entities could condition their mortgage lending with an ‘obligation’ to contract some linked products, such as the Home insur-

Our house, our refuge, our castle... In short, our home

ance. But now, with the approval by the European Parliament of the Mortgage Credit Directive, banks are prohibited by law from linking a mortgage to the purchase of insurance. Your insurance company might include a clause in your policy registering your lending bank as mortgage beneficiary, to cope with the request of the bank. Then, the key question is, what is the best insurance for my house? In this article we give you the keys so that you can make the best decision when taking out your home policy insurance. The value of the Building There are two criteria to assess a home insurance policy: the Building and Contents. The ‘Building’ section of your policy refers to the costs of rebuilding your home, not to the market value or the cadastral value. However, it is of key impor-

tance to declare the whole size of the property, according to the cadastral property details. The value of the Contents The ‘Contents’ section of your policy refers to economic valuation of all the household goods: furniture, including kitchen furniture, electronic devices, musical instruments, jewellery or other objects of special value. Check that the imputed valued of the content can cover the value of all those things.

Although in many cases the sentimental value is higher than the economic one, the best advice is to add all the important items in the content to secure them. Special features Besides worrying about the Building and the Contents, there are other very interesting and useful covers to consider that not all insurance companies offer. Liberty Seguros is offering among others the following great covers: • Up to €1,000 compensation for the additional water consumption costs due to water leakage when you take out their premium home policy. • An unrivalled DIY

Service, to avoid the hassle of assembling packed furniture, fitting curtain poles, hanging pictures, etc. • Damage to your garden furniture, even if it has been damaged by adverse weather conditions. • Your goods will be insured on a ‘value as new basis.’ • Legal defence, claims for damages and IT assistance service. • Home assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with just a simple and FREE telephone call on 900 243 657, in English or German. • A return ticket to your home in Spain, if you are abroad in your home country should an unforeseen claim happen. Apart from all these advantages, Liberty Seguros has an extensive network of over 300 brokers and agents who are dedicated to providing unbiased, friendly and expert advice, because every home is different and such an important decision deserves a face to face chat with a professional insurance advisor, in your own language, to discuss the most suitable cover for your home in the sun.

With insurance, not only for home, but also car, life, pet, business, commercial, leisure, public liability and personal injury, Liberty Seguros is considered by far, the expat’s number one choice in Spain today. To find out more visit www.libertyexpatriates.es or simply call 913 422 549.

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9:20am 9:50am 10:20am 10:55am 11:25am 11:50am 12:20pm 12:55pm 1:55pm 2:25pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm

Frasier Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons Come Dine with Me Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun The People's Vet Escape to the Chateau: DIY Channel 4 News A Year in the New Forest Fixing a Hole Terminator Genisys Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

11:00am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:35am Access 11:40am Police Interceptors 12:25pm Police Interceptors 1:20pm Police Interceptors 2:20pm Police Interceptors 3:20pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 4:15pm Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords 5:15pm Rich House, Poor House 6:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 7:10pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:00pm Cricket on 5 8:55pm 5 News 9:00pm Blind Date 10:00pm Gino's Win Your Wish List 11:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 12:05am Best of Bad TV:Most Shocking Ever

6:00am Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special 6:30am Monster Family: Special 7:00am Waiting for You 8:40am 2:22 10:25am Quackerz 12:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 1:50pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:30pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 2:05am Waiting for You 3:45am Trafficked 5:30am Quackerz

7:00am 7:15am 7:30am 7:45am 11:00am 12:30pm

Frasier Frasier Frasier Sunday Brunch The Simpsons The Simpsons Peng Life Location, Location, Location A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Homes by the Sea The Devil Wears Prada Channel 4 News Flying Across Britain with Arthur Williams Hidden Britain by Drone Bridge of Spies First Dates Still Alice Building the Dream

5:45am 6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 11:00am

5:30am Quackerz 7:00am Top Ten Show, the 2018 7:20am Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:20am Kingsman: The Golden Circle 11:50am Patti Cakes 1:50pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:30pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 6:30pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Patti Cakes 1:40am The Resistance 3:35am Canaries 5:20am Quackerz

SATURDAY 12:30pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Athletics 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Wedding Day Winners 7:15pm Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out 7:40pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Impossible Celebrities 8:50pm Pointless 9:40pm Casualty 10:30pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Weather 11:20pm Match of the Day 12:45am The Rugby Codebreakers

9:55am Nature's Miracle Babies 11:00am Natural World 12:00pm Miniature Britain 1:00pm Nigel Slater: Eating Together 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm Great British Menu 2:30pm Homes Under the Hammer 3:30pm Garden Rescue 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:00pm Flog It! 5:50pm Inventing the Impossible: The Big Life Fix 6:50pm Reinventing the Royals 7:50pm BBC Proms Extra 8:30pm Dad's Army 9:00pm Blitz 10:00pm QI XL 10:45pm The Boy with the Topknot

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

Drop Dead Weird ITV News Zoe Ball on Saturday Saturday Morning with James Martin James Martin's American Adventure Eat, Shop, Save Love Your Garden 10k Holiday Home ITV Lunchtime News Tenable Tipping Point The Chase WOS Wrestling ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Japandemonium Big Star's Little Star Info not available ITV News Play to the Whistle Jackpot247 Eternal Glory

5:30pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:25am

1:00pm 4:00pm 4:15pm 6:15pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:05am 12:35am 12:45am 1:00am 3:05am 3:30am

EFL Greatest Games EFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games Football Soccer A.M. Best Championship Goals 2017/18 Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Football EFL Goals: Championship Football Best Championship Goals 2017/18 MLS Greatest Games MLS Greatest Games Football Football's Greatest Football's Greatest Teams

SUNDAY 12:25pm Homes Under the Hammer 1:00pm Animals Behaving Badly 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather for the Week Ahead 2:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:45pm Songs of Praise 3:20pm Fake or Fortune? 4:20pm Eat Well for Less 5:20pm Pointless 6:05pm Swallows and Amazons 7:35pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm Fake or Fortune? 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News

9:35am Countryfile 10:30am The Beechgrove Garden 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm Great British Menu 1:00pm Great British Menu 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm The Hairy Bikers' Best of British 3:00pm Sailing 4:00pm Motorsport 5:00pm Seven Wonders of the Commonwealth 6:00pm Tribes, Predators and Me 7:00pm Fighting for Fresh Air 8:00pm Inside the Factory 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon 11:00pm Supercar, Superfam 11:30pm Man Like Mobeen

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

Zoe Ball on Sunday Japandemonium Cannonball! Ninja Warrior UK WOS Wrestling ITV Lunchtime News Big Star's Little Star Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury Paul O' Grady's Little Heroes Tenable Tipping Point The Chase ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Info not available Unforgotten ITV News Info not available Info not available

9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 1:30pm 1:55pm 2:25pm 2:55pm 3:55pm 4:25pm 5:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:45am 1:45am 3:30am

11:35am 12:20pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 3:10pm 4:10pm 5:10pm 8:00pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

House Doctor Great Scientists Wildlife SOS Milkshake! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Holidays Make You Laugh Out Loud Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Cricket on 5 5 News Greatest Ever Celebrity Wind Ups Celebrity Big Brother Straight Outta Compton

12:30pm EFL Goals: Championship 1:30pm EFL Greatest Games 1:45pm EFL Greatest Games 2:00pm EFL Greatest Games 2:15pm EFL Greatest Games 2:30pm EFL Greatest Games 2:45pm EFL Greatest Games 3:00pm EFL Greatest Games 3:15pm EFL Greatest Games 3:30pm EFL Greatest Games 3:45pm EFL Greatest Games 4:00pm EFL Greatest Games 4:15pm EFL Greatest Games 4:30pm EFL Greatest Games 4:45pm EFL Greatest Games 5:00pm EFL Greatest Games 5:15pm EFL Greatest Games 5:30pm MLS Greatest Games 5:50pm Major League Soccer 7:55pm Football 10:00pm Football 12:05am Phenoms - England

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

MONDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Royal Recipes 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Impossible 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm The Pope and I 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Legal Weapon Panorama 10:00pm Who Do You Think You Are? 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Cuckoo Cuckoo

7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Impossible 9:00am The Sheriffs are Coming 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Coast 1:25pm Whisky Galore! 2:45pm Building Dream Homes 3:15pm Collectaholics 4:15pm Nature's Weirdest Events 5:15pm Oceans 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:45pm The Repair Shop 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 9:30pm University Challenge 10:00pm Bollywood 11:00pm The Wedding Guru 11:30pm Newsnight 12:10am Weather

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Give it a Year 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Lewis 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Regional News and Weather 11:45pm The Detectives

10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm How to Get Rich Quick 9:30pm Jamie Cooks Italy 10:00pm Saving Poundstretcher 11:00pm Who is America? 11:35pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

7:00am Milkshake! 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:10pm Access 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm The Art of Murder: Garage Sale Mystery 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Celebs on the Farm 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side 1:05am Frozen: Cryonics 2:00am Super Casino

5:20am 7:00am 8:45am

Quackerz Canaries Goodbye Christopher Robin British drama charting the fraught relationship between Winniethe-Pooh creator AA Milne and the son who inspired his writing 10:45am The Truth About Lies 12:35pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 3:15pm Patti Cakes 5:15pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 7:10pm The Truth About Lies 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Patti Cakes 1:40am Waiting for You 3:30am Trafficked 5:25am Quackerz

2:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Football's Greatest 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm EFL Goals: League One and League Two 8:30pm EFL Goals: Championship 9:30pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18 10:00pm MLS Greatest Games 10:15pm MLS Greatest Games 10:30pm MLS Greatest Games 10:45pm MLS Greatest Games 11:00pm MLS Round Up Show

9:25am

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm 10k Holiday Home 9:00pm Love Your Garden 10:00pm Long Lost Family 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Regional News and Weather

10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Ackley Bridge 10:00pm 999: What's Your Emergency? 11:00pm Manhunting with My Mum

10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:10pm Access 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm I Know Your Darkest Secrets 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm The Last Days of Patrick Swayze 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

5:25am 7:00am 8:50am 10:50am

12:00pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Football's Greatest 1:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 2:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 2:30pm MLS Round Up Show 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm MLS Round Up Show 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm MLS Round Up Show 7:30pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live 12:15am EFL Greatest Games

TUESDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Murder, Mystery and My Family 3:30pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Royal Recipes 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Impossible 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Age Before Beauty 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News

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

The Farmers' Country Showdown Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Super League Show Coast Natural World Building Dream Homes Collectaholics Nature's Weirdest Events Oceans Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea A Passage to Britain Goodness Gracious Me Special Newsnight Weather

12:50pm 2:30pm

5:10pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:40pm 1:10am 3:05am 5:00am

Quackerz Waiting for You Patti Cakes Goodbye Christopher Robin The Jurassic Games Star Wars: The Last Jedi With the Resistance cornered, aspiring Jedi Rey must persuade the great Luke Skywalker to save the galaxy once more. The Truth About Lies Goodbye Christopher Robin Star Wars: The Last Jedi The Jurassic Games Patti Cakes The Resistance Canaries

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

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WEDNESDAY 4:30pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm 12:15am

Royal Recipes Flog It! Impossible BBC News Regional News The One Show Rip Off Britain The Lenny Henry Birthday Show The Real Marigold Hotel BBC News Regional News Weather A Question of Sport Live From the BBC

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

Collectaholics Nature's Weirdest Events Oceans Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Recipes That Made Me Recipes That Made Me Horizon Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience Newsnight Weather

2:00pm 2:25pm

ITV Lunchtime News Regional News and Weather 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Paul O' Grady's Little Heroes 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Info Not Available 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

Nature's Weirdest Events Great Bear Stakeout Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea Searching for Mum Quacks Newsnight Hospital Who Do You Think You Are? Angela Carter: Of Wolves and Women

9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Inside the Court of Appeal 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:45pm David Walliams Presents...Return of Alright on the Night 12:45am Unforgotten 1:40am Give it a Year 2:05am Jackpot247 4:00am Shopping: End of the High Street? Tonight

2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm

Bang on Budget Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Orangutan Jungle School 10:00pm 24 Hours in a and E 11:00pm Hang Ups 11:30pm How to Lose Seven Billion Pounds

3:15pm 4:20pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

Cagney and Lacey Forgotten Evil 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Cricket on 5 Big Week at the Zoo Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Extraordinary People 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side 1:05am The Last Days of Jimi Hendrix 2:00am Super Casino

7:00am Waiting for You 8:50am The Jurassic Games 10:30am Goodbye Christopher Robin 12:30pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 3:10pm The Truth About Lies 5:00pm Patti Cakes 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Mountains May Depart 2:00am The Jurassic Games 3:30am Patti Cakes

3:00pm

4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

6:00am Anon: Special 6:30am Moana: Special 7:00am Mountains May Depart 9:25am The Truth About Lies 11:20am Goodbye Christopher Robin 1:20pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:00pm Don't Hang Up 5:30pm The Jurassic Games 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Don't Hang Up

5:00pm 5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Football's Greatest 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:15pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live

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

Flog It! Impossible BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Celebrity MasterChef Keeping Faith BBC News at Ten BBC London News New Tricks Miriam's Big American

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

3:10pm 4:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm Inside Alton Towers 11:00pm Grayson Perry: Rites of Passage: Death 12:00am Who is America?

Til Death Do Us Part 5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight World Rally Championship 2018 Highlights 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Nando's Saucy Secrets 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

9:00pm 9:15pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Football's Greatest One2eleven One2eleven Football Years Football Countdowns EFL Greatest Games EFL Matters Best Championship Goals 2017/18 EFL Greatest Games EFL Greatest Games EFL Matters Championship Season Review 2017/18 The Debate - Live

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

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Food & Drink PREPARED: Precautions and tips

Holi Festival ERRA NATURA Benidorm is hosting its Holi Festival 2018 on Saturday, also marking the birthday of Petita the park elephant. Also known as the Festival of Colours, or the Festival of Love, the religious celebration of Hindu origin, symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Men, women, rich and poor, young and old, mark the occasion by throwing coloured powder over each other. And at the weekend, the Benidorm theme park is offering the chance to take part in one of these colourful battles, together with traditional music and dance. This will be followed by a musical parade and multicoloured foam party in the water park. All of the special festival activities will be included in the normal ticket price for Terra Natura, or a combined Aqua Natura entrance.

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The Holi Festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

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17th - 23rd August

37

Food & Drink

Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy

Salt: essential but potentially dangerous

HE last monthly ‘Social Sunday’ was attended by 18 people which followed the morning service on the first Sunday in August. The group kept very cool inside the building where they enjoyed either an ice cold Gazpacho or a fresh fruit salad... perfect refreshment with an outside temperature close to 42ºC. On Monday, the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy has been given permission to join the craft stalls by the Albir Anchor. They are holding a ‘Euro Spiral’ - something they’ve never done before - and are hoping to raise a substantial amount of money as a result of this table top event. Come along and join them from 8pm, although you’ll find them around earlier if you’d like to stop for a chat. They have a number of other events coming

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Photo credit: Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy

SALT is the world’s oldest condiment it has been used since time immemorial - ancient China, the Egyptians and the Phoenicians all used it to make their food more palatable. It was even used as money: the word ‘salary’ comes from the Latin ‘salarium’ which, some scholars believe, was a form of payment for soldiers. Sodium chloride, s a l t ’s c h e m i c a l name, helps the body, among other things, to regulate liquids and process nutrients like potassium, but too much salt can have negative effects on the body. High consumption of salt is considered to be 1.25 grams or more per day so extra attention must be paid not only to what we put on our food w h e n i t ’s o n o u r plate but also to the salt content already in the food we are eating. Foods like Serrano ham obviously have a lot of salt as we can taste it, but there are less obvious high-salt-content foods, including cheese and almost any ready to eat meal, these can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. To a v o i d a n y health problems with salt it is best to eat around 0.75 grams per day.

IN THE COOL: Members enjoying the recent ‘Social Sunday.’

up; full details can be found on the website at w w w. c o s t a b l a n c a - a n glicanchaplaincy.org. A service of Holy Communion is held in Albir every Sunday at 9 . 4 5 a m . Yo u c a n f i n d them in the centre of Albir, turn up the main road hill, Camino de la Cantera, (quite near the Consum Supermar-

ket), signposted Rober Palas Hotel, turn right in front of the hotel and the Church (Norwegian Seaman’s Church) is just inside the next road on the left, Carrer Mart. Also, every Thursday at 11am, Holy Communion is held at the Forum Mare Nostrum, Alfaz del Pi, with a healing service taking place on the second Thursday of each month. If you need any further information please telephone the local Church Warden, Elaine Mitchell on 966 864 962 or mobile 636 164 467.

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Celebrating the Muscatel grape EULADA-MORAIRA is one of the few remaining municipalities that are still producing a significant amount of the muscatel grape. And so, the town council - in collaboration with the Association Amics de Teulada-Moraira - have organised a Muscatel Fiesta that begins next Wednesday and goes on until Saturday August 25. The event sees a grape competition among the local muscatel producers, followed by a dinner and entertainment supplied by the Font Santa dancing chorus. Thursday and Friday - August 23 and 24 - the Auditorio TeuladaMoraira will feature a short film festival where the winners out of an initial 200 short film entries will be presented. Not only do those taking part come from the local municipality and Spain, but from 10 different countries such as the USA, Brazil

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Teulada

by David Bennet

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CHEERS: Carlos Linares launching the grape festival. and Afghanistan. The winner of the best film with a muscatel theme will receive €1,000 in prize money courtesy of the TeuladaMoraira Council. For the first time, there will also be a prize for the best film in the Valenciano language.

Carlos Linares, mayor of Teulada Moraira, emphasised that he’d like to see as many people as possible taking part which will enable us “not to lose sight of the work our ancestors did that we’re striving to pass on to the future generations.”

Good for you and tasty too MILLIONS of people appreciate the taste of Serrano ham but they may not be aware that it also has numerous health benefits. Many expats have joined their local neighbours in tasting ‘jamon serrano’ as it is known in Spanish. Considered a great delicacy throughout the world, this tasty food has also been championed by many experts as being an important source of healthy nutrients. The ham is high in monounsaturated fats which the body uses to create beneficial HDL cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Its high protein content provides all of the amino acids needed by the body to build muscle and other tissues. A rich source of B vitamins and important minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc, Serrano ham is also an excellent food for protecting our bone structure and preventing osteoporosis.

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Food & Drink CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons

SALES RISE: There is one bar or restaurant for every 175 people in Spain.

Bar and restaurant sales up ALES at bars and restaurants in Spain rose by 2.5 per cent last year with a total of more than €3.6 billion made by the sector, according to industry data. Figures show there was a total

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of 277,539 food and drinks establishments in Spain by the end of last year. That is the equivlant of one for every 175 people in the country. There is a total of 49,642 food and drinks establishments in An-

dalucia. The region has the highest number of bars and restaurants of any in Spain. Cataluña came second with a total of 43,859, followed by Valencia with 32,104 and Madrid with 30,882.

Food species going extinct W HI L E t h e w o rl d ’s farmers are growing more food than ever before, we have never had so little choice in the varieties of certain species we can buy. I ro n i cal l y p eo p l e have an ever growing taste for new and exotic foods but are seei n g t h e ch o i ce available in more traditional foods plummet. Acco rd i n g t o t h e World Seed Bank, in Svalbard, Norway, the USA has lost 86 per cent of its apple varieties and the once popular Corn-

wall cauliflower has completely disappeared. The reasons behind this are purely commercial; some varieties of fruits and vegetables are easier to grow or they just simply produce more w ei g h t p er u n i t those which don’t are being left behind. Ryan Walker, of the EU Conservancy Department, states that some produce just fits better on the shelf - it is more homogenised, easier to deal with and therefore more commercially viable.

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Eating healthily… WHICH is the healthiest food? Sushi? Steamed vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil? Whatever the answer, it is unlikely that one single meal could cover all nutritional needs. The human body needs a balanced diet in order to work correctly; eating a wide variety of food also helps the body to avoid coronary problems and fight diabetes and osteoporosis. Foods that help us do this can be divided into five groups. Fruits and vegetables; these give us vitamins, fibres and minerals - it is generally understood that the body needs five of these every day. Carbohydrates; these give us slow release energy and should constitute a third of our daily food intake. Meat, fish and eggs; these make up the protein part of our daily food intake and the body needs between two and three portions per day. Milk and lactose products; these give us proteins and calcium - two or three portions per day are recommended. Fats and sugars; these give us energy and the body only needs one portion of this per day.

GREEN TEA: Has many benefits.

The advantages of drinking green tea SIANS have been drinking green tea for its health-benefits for thousands of years but the drink did not become popular in Europe until relatively recently. Green tea flavoured with lemon, jasmine or mint is now readily available for those who find the taste of the basic beverage not to their liking. The benefits of green tea are so numerous that it’s worth persevering to find a flavour which appeals. It is rich in a special type of polyphenol, an antioxidant substance which is also present in other tea varieties but is destroyed during processing. Green tea leaves are steamed rather than being fer-

A

mented and this preserves the health-giving substances. Scientific studies continue but green tea has already been shown to inhibit the growth of many different types of cancer cells. It also provides cardiovascular benefits by preventing abnormal blood clotting and reducing plaque formation in arteries. It lowers total cholesterol but increases HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol levels, helps regulate blood sugar and even prevents tooth decay. An additional benefit for body-conscious individuals and dieters is that the tea speeds up metabolism and is therefore helpful for reducing weight.

HEALTH FOODS: which should we be eating?

Why white wine has to be cold IF you are a wine buff or an ignoramus on the matter everyone knows that white wine should be consumed cold, at between 3.8 and 10 degrees centigrade. The more body a wine has the higher the temperature at which it should be consumed. The reasons behind this are mainly related to the bouquet rather than taste. At lower temperatures the floral, fruity and citric aromas come through more strongly and crisply. At higher temperatures they become more mature and less elegant; they also give the wine a more alcoholic taste.

WHITE WINE: Should be served cold.

Do yourself a favour and help MOST British supermarkets are well-stocked with organic foods but they can be difficult to find in Spain. Local farmers’ markets can provide a solution. The availability of organic produce is limited in Spanish supermarkets, with only the largest of them providing any organic alternatives alongside regular products. Whilst organic foods tend to be slightly more expensive in all countries, the difference is even more marked here and can be prohibitive for many customers.

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What’s On FRIDAY 17 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Canalejas, 1 Alfaz del Pi - Avda. Pais Valencia, 44 La Nucia - C/. Alicante, 8 Altea - Avda. Comunidad Valenciana, 6 Benissa - C/. Padre Melchor, 8 Calpe - C/. Corbeta, 10 Ed. Apolo VII, L-4 Moraira market is held every Friday morning from 9am until 2pm www.teuladamoraira.co m.es. Alfaz del Pi market is held every Friday from 9am until 2pm. www.lalfas.es. Guadalest Fiestas Final night begins at 8pm La Nucia Fiestas Begins 8pm Albir Fiestas - Opening night of the threeday celebration starts at 7pm Altea - Every Friday during August, the Tourist Office is offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or email: altea@touristinfo. net

SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Colon, 39 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Bulevar Los Musicos, 18 Fase 2 BJ. Ed.Viminal La Nucia - Av. Coloma, Nº1 - Loc.9 (Zona Com. Plaza del Sol) Altea - C/. Carretera, 13, Local 2 (Altea La

DO NOT MISS

Free music for all. 7.30pm - Calle Mar: Black Tie Swing and 8.30pm - Plaza la Sort: Daisy's Swing Band

Guadalest makes a noise!

IT may be one of the smallest municipalities in Spain - with just over 200 inhabitants - but it doesn’t stop El Castell de Guadalest (or simply Guadalest to many people) from holding and enjoying a spectacular annual fiesta. The final night of this year’s celebrations in honour of the Virgen de la Asunción is tonight (Friday) and promises to complete the four-day event with some memorable experiences. The evening programme gets underway at 8pm with the traditional parade by the local band

Vella) Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Rosa de Los Vientos, 4 L-14-15 Benissa Farmers Market is held on the second Saturday every month from 9am until 2pm. www.ajbenissa.es. Benissa general market is held every Saturday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.ajbenissa.es. Calpe market is held every Saturday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.calp.es. La Nucia Fiestas - Final night begins at 8pm Albir Fiestas - Flower Party at 5pm. Parade of the Peñas sets off at 10.45pm

SUNDAY 19 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Colon, 39 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Bulevar Los Musicos, 18 Fase 2 BJ. Ed.Viminal La Nucia - Av. Coloma, Nº1 - Loc.9 (Zona Com. Plaza del Sol) Altea - C/. Carretera,

through the streets. This is then followed by the equally traditional solemn procession in honour of the Patron Saint, which for many is the most important part of the fiestas. This starts at 9.30pm and the evening will end with a bang at 11pm... literally, as the locals and a large number of visitors alike will almost certainly be covering their ears as the ‘Mascleta’ is set off and a cacophony of wonderful noise fills the streets.

13, Local 2 (Altea La Vella) Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Rosa de Los Vientos, 4 L-14-15 Benidorm market is held every Sunday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.Benidorm. org. Albir market is held every Sunday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.lalfas.es. Altea - Every Sunday during August, the Tourist Office is offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or email: altea@touristinfo. net Albir Fiestas - Final night parade of the fiesta Queens begins at 7pm

MONDAY 20 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Relleu, 20-22 Alfaz del Pi - Avda. del Albir, 44 Ed. El Llobarro La Nucia - C/. Sagi-barba, 14 Altea - C/. Cap Negret,

18 Bajo G Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - C/. La Niña, 7 Denia market held every Monday morning from 9am until 2pm www.denia.es. Albir - Coffee morning . If you’re new to the area or just feeling a bit lonely, a group of ladies - ‘Morning Miss-Chiefs’ meet every Monday at 12pm for a chat, organise meals out, cultural trips etc. Find them on Facebook or pop along to Together Café & Pet Spar, Albir to meet them.

TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Cervantes, 51 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Federico Garcia Lorca, 19 La Nucia - C/. Carretera, 2 Altea - Plaza Ayuntamiento, 22 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Ifach, 10 Altea market held every Tuesday morning from 9am until 2pm www.altea.es.

Denia - Bassetes Concerts. Free concert starting at 10.30pm in Parc de les Bassetes. Grupo Flamenco

STUNNING: Guadalest’s tranquillity changes for the fiestas.

Moraira - Voramar Street Jazz Festival. Free music for all. 7.30pm - Calle Iglesia: Little Big Band, 8.30pm - Calle Dr. Calatayud: Giorgie and the Fire Lights and 9.30pm Calle Castiillo: Jazzymakers

WEDNESDAY 22 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Arsenal, 44 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Pau Casals, 5 L-2C Pd. Albir Ed. Sta. Barbara La Nucia - C/. Aladroc, 1 Urb. Holiday Club Altea - C/ Pont de Moncau, Nº1 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Av. Juan Carlos I, Nº12-14 Ed. El Dorado L-4 Altea - Every Wednesday during August, the Tourist Office is offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or e-mail: al tea@touristinfo.net Moraira - Voramar Street Jazz Festival.

THURSDAY 23 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Barranquet, 14 Esq. Avda. Benidorm Alfaz del Pi - Avda. Miguel Hernandez, 1 L2 Ur. San Rafael La Nucia - C/. Alicante, 8 Altea - C/. La Sequia, 17 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Urbanizacion El Tosal 2 J Javea market is held every Thursday morning from 9am until 2pm www.ajxabia.es. Villajoyosa market is held every Thursday morning from 9am until 2pm www.villajoyosa.com. Teulada - Voramar Street Jazz Festival. Free music for all. 8.30pm - Plaza del Ayuntamiento: Jazztembre Altea - Summer Night Concert at the Plaça de l’Aigua starting at 9pm and featuring Duo Fermato. Tickets are priced at €5 each. Teulada - Guided tour around the historic centre in English. Each tour starts at 7.30pm and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Places must be reserved in advance by calling 965 745 168.

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The winds of change

by Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com

WHEN on February 3, 1960, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan made his shameful Wind of Change speech to the parliament of South Africa the smarter of us were underwhelmed. In diplomatic platitudes the premier informed South Africa’s ethnic-Europeans, who since the 16th century had turned a wilderness into one of the world’s most benign and prosperous republics, that they were to be betrayed. Macmillan’s speech was met with stony resignation. Like Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan was half-American. Both men worshipped the United States and supported the concept of American Imperialism. What we were witnessing was the transfer of European colonialism to Wall Street’s banking

dynasties. Many colonies, like the then Belgian Congo, were scuttled. Sadly, life for Black and White Africans is far worse now than it was under European colonialism. The Congo Crisis occurred between 1960 and 1965 during which time I spent a while in Boma. The small town stands on the Congo River 100 kilometres upstream of the Atlantic. Due to my facing death on at least two occasions my mortal remains nearly became part of the local fauna. The horror of being captured in the African jungle never leaves one. On another occasion, I was held by up to 10 fully armed trigger happy troops of the Armée nationale Congolaise (ANC).

Spending much time in the many nations that make up West Africa I learned much as I mixed with the Dark Continent’s many ethnic groups. Senegal and Gambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Sierra Leone where I had the pleasure of being treated for a medical condition by the country’s Minister of Finance, who was a doctor and chemist. Liberia and what were then the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin, I visited them all. Then there was Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and on to the Congo; much more besides. Nail-biting adventurous, high risk and high humour, I have nothing but the fondest of memories of Africa. Strangely, many Europeans familiar with Africa

CLOSE: Macmillan ‘worshipped’ America.

for all its risks love it better than they do Europe. I feel sorry for post-colonial Africa and I know many Africans and Europeans look back and see European stewardship as a Golden Age. Colonialism is never perfect, although it has to be said that vast tracts of Africa pillaged by the allies from Imperial Germany in 1919 were paradisiacal compared to now. Macmillan’s Wind of Change

was one of many of the 20th century’s great deceits. Perhaps this is why Woodrow Wyatt, politician and journalist, quoted Macmillan’s son, Maurice, who before his father ’s death exclaimed: ‘I hope he dies before they find him out.’ The Last Gladiators by Michael Walsh (Amazon Books) details the mercenary wars of post-colonial Africa.

Mike Walsh’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers advertisers or sponsors.

Irregular verbs ‘ir’ and ‘haber’ ha

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

IT’S amazing really just how much hard work the present simple tense is in Spanish. It’s for that reason that I like to tackle a few other tenses and verb forms first, which are not only easier but in many ways more useful. Things like expressing intention ‘voy a hablar’ and the recent past tense - ‘he hablado’ may crop up more in our day to day communication than simply ‘hablo’ - ‘I speak.’ However, let us not be fainthearted, especially as we have covered nearly all of the present simple tense in theory, with only our four irregular verbs to go. So now here they are, in all their glory. The first one is haber which goes like this: Haber he has

hemos habéis

han

If you can’t remember what this means, it’s because it doesn’t actually mean a great deal on its own. In fact, this is the verb we use in the tense just mentioned, the one that refers to the recent past, for example - ‘He visto la película’ (‘I have seen the film’) and such like. ‘Haber’ is a grammatical type of word that is only used on its own in limited ways and principally helps us to form tenses by combining it with other verbs. Of course we could say that ‘haber’ means ‘to have’ but that can cause confusion with the verb ‘tener.’ We need to keep the difference clear: ‘tener’ means ‘to have’

generally in the sense of possession (‘Tengo un perro’ ‘¿Tienes una bolsa?’), whereas ‘haber’ is the grammatical ‘have’ In the sentence ‘I have seen the film’ there is no sense of possessing the film, only an indication that it was seen some time in the past. Our second irregular verb is ir meaning ‘to go.’ This one is just weird in every way. Here it is: voy vas va

vamos vais van

As you can see these changes bear no relation whatsoever to its infinitive

form. In fact, they look as though they belong to an ‘-ar’ verb, perhaps ‘var’ which unfortunately doesn’t exist, but it would make more sense if it did. Again, we have come across most, if not all of these forms in our previous articles, particularly in relation to ‘intentions.’ If we put the word ‘a’ after each of these we can express the equivalent of the English ‘I’m going to’ ‘you’re going to’ etc. However, this is far from the only use of IR which can be used in the straightforward present simple tense as follows: ‘Voy a clases de español’ (I go to Spanish classes). Here we have added ‘a’ again, but in the meaning of ‘to.’ ‘Vamos a la playa los domingos’ (We go to the beach on Sundays) is a similar use. IR is a good example of a verb that, although it is irregular, is used so commonly that it becomes second nature very quickly. Well, our final two irregular verbs are SER and ESTAR and clearly I cannot possibly do them justice at the end of this article, so I will devote the whole of next week’s article, just for them. If you like I will talk about the uses as well as the irregularities. I can sense the anticipation already - what sad people we are!

www.rtnnewspaper.com by Inmaculada Rodríguez

17th - 23rd August

When should you apply for Family Therapy?

info@psicologainmarodriguez.com FAMILY THERAPY is a type of psychological treatment that includes all the family members who live and want to help the identified patient. It is a short term approach, lasting for one hour every two weeks and normally does not take more than 15 sessions to resolve the problem. In my experience working with families, sometimes clients express their doubts about what type of therapy intervention to choose and not many people know about family therapy. Clients usually request individual therapy for their loved ones when family therapy could be a better intervention. I currently work with families that have a member suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. In these cases, it is usually the family that one looks to for help, as the patient

FAMILY THERAPY: Often the best course of action. is not always fully aware of the need for psychological treatment. Some of the cases which would benefit from Family Therapy can be eating disorder, any kind of addiction, alcoholism, depression, severe mental health problems, OCD, hyperactivity, child psychological disorders and so forth.

I would say that family therapy can help in any case and most importantly, gives the whole family the chance to participate finding the solution. Some cases might need a combination of individual and family therapy, overall when the patient is an adult. Family therapy is a positive technique

for finding solutions with the family. It promotes the family strengths that are usually forgetten in periods of crisis. Family dynamics are also reviewed in case these need to be improved, always aiming at the health of the family and the patient. The family therapist collaborates with the family and never against it. His/her aim is to help the family system to improve its communication skills and relationships. Family therapy does not make the family or the patient dependent, instead provides the whole system with the skills to function in an autonomous way. Other situations when family therapy is a must are when certain events affect the balance of the system such as dwelling, divorce, gender violence, dependent relationships, lack of employment, illnesses etc. Not all families have the skills to deal with these kind of situations and they might need help from a professional. The general aims in Family Therapy are: • To improve the family functioning. • To improve the understanding and the communication between its members. • To develop strategies when dealing with difficult situations.

If you have any questions about family therapy or any psychological issues, please do not hesitate to email your comments to info@psicologainmarodriguez.com, Tel: 722 254 848 • www.psicologainmarodriguez.com

Get children gardening

GARDENING: Enjoy the benefits. GARDENING could be the perfect way to help your child stay slim. The claim is made by researchers from the University of California in America who found that teaching your child how to garden could help them stay healthier. The team studied the impact of gardening lessons of children aged nine to 10 years old at four schools across the state of California. They looked at 230 children who did gardening and 179 who did not, over the course of the school year. As part of the classes they grew their own vegetables which were then used in cooking demonstrations and served in the school canteen. Those in the gardening group saw their BMI (Body Mass Index) rate decrease in children who were slightly overweight,

showing that the messages in gardening their own healthy produce was having a positive effect on their health and helped them to lose weight by teaching them more about healthy foods. The actual physical activity of gardening was also a factor in reducing weight. If your child’s school does not offer gardening as an option, try and get your child outside at home and enjoy the benefits for yourself also. Gardening is seen as a moderate intensity level activity and according to the CDC Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2.5 hours of gardening a week can help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.

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health

New fibre bond technology THIS week in Clinica Britannia we have been very busy with one of our new procedures. We have had a number of patients with mobile teeth due to gum disease. Gum disease is the most common disease in the world after dental decay. In susceptible indiv i d u a l s t h e b o d y ’s i m m u n e s y s tem reacts to toxins produced by certain bacteria. This results in the bone around the teeth reducing and over time can cause loosening of the teeth. Due to our new fibre bond technology we have managed to splint the teeth together to hold them in place for many years to come as long as regular dental hygiene visits are maintained. Benefits of this is you keep your own teeth and avoid a denture, it’s done in one visit and it’s low cost. If you have any mobile teeth or are worried about gum disease, call us for a free consultation to see if this low cost treatment is suitable for you.

Look better after your holidays! MOBILE TEETH: Caused by gum disease.

Please call Britannia Dental on 965 837 553 for a free consultation to see if you are suitable for this treatment. Also like us on Facebook. Britannia Dental Clinic Avenida Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS 1st Floor (Not ground floor) E-03710 Calpe (Alicante).

Feeling stressed, frustrated at a loss? Relationships Depression Anxiety Trauma Addiction Sexual issues Bereavement and Loss I provide integrative Psychotherapy, counselling and coaching for individuals or couples in need of help and support to overcome difficulties. With a wealth of experience spanning over 24 years working both in Spain and the UK, to serve the Costa Blanca community. Fully regulated by BACP accredited, FDAP accredited, C.O.S.R.T member. If you live between countries or travel much of the time I also work via Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp audio or telephone. Please contact Annie on 634 333 169, +44 7712033508 or send an email to annie@annie-bennett.com Or visit my website www.annie-bennett.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to Clinica Britannia A BRITISH Medical and Dental Centre established in Calpe since 1997. English, German, Russian, French and, of course Spanish are also fluently spoken by our staff. Always, feel free to contact us immediately in case of emergency (24h/365d). Our current services include Nurses; General Practitioners; Dentists, DR MAREK PALKA: Orthodontics, Medical Consultant physician Specialists ( Skin Specialist, Gynaecologist, Urologist, Psychiatrist, Ophthalmologist, BotoxHialuronic Aesthetic); Non-surgical treatments (Haemorrhoids and Varicose Veins); Surgeons (General, Digestive, Orthopaedic, Plastic and Aesthetic); Allied Health Professionals (Acupuncture, Counsellor, Psychologist, Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Chiropodist, Audiologist, Hydro Colon Therapist); and Well-Being Specialists. Clinica Britannia expands their international medical team with Dr Marek Palka. He will attend as a long experienced Family Doctor the needs of the national and foreign patients. In case of diagnostic procedures or consultations you will be attentively referred, as soon as possible, to any of our associated hospitals, either IMED Hospitals (Teulada, Benidorm or Elche) or VITHAS Hospitals (Medimar or Perpetuo Socorro) in Alicante.

WE like to hear that ‘It looks like the holiday made you well,’ but nobody has to know that it didn’t all come by disconnecting and a relaxing beach life. In fact, many of the aesthetic treatments done today, have no down time, and if it’s done by a good doctor, people can only say you look better, but not necessarily say what you had done. They might even say you went to the hairdresser, or got a nice tan. If you’ve ever thought of making a little adjustment to your appearance, rejuvenating your look or improving your skin, this is the time to do it. Take advantage of your holidays and go for a first free consultation. More and more people are deciding to go for this attractive way of combining leisure and beauty treatment. You can choose between a wide variety of sophisticated and innovative treatments here, ranging from cosmetics to plastic surgery, and including techniques which require no surgery at all. Enjoy a dream holiday, improve your appearance and give yourself a boost. Derma Clinic Spain are located at Camino del Pincho 2, 03580, L’Alfaz del Pi, Alicante. For more information call 674 255 579 or email info@dermaclinicspain.com. Alternatively see our Facebook page facebook.com/DermaClinicSpain.

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health

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Boosting your mood simply and easily DESPITE the seemingly endless sunshine, sand and sangria lifestyle we can benefit from living in Spain, everyone feels down from time to time, no matter how much the sun shines. Whilst it is a natural part of life, sometimes these feelings can get stronger and last longer, leading to more serious bouts of depression. It can be difficult for

people to accept that they are depressed, and studies have shown that many people, especially men, will try and hide their symptoms rather than address their feelings. More serious symptoms of depression can be continual feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness and fatigue as well as weight loss, persistent aches or pains and insomnia and anyone suffering from these should seek medical advice, but there are things you can do yourself to help boost your mood. Go for a walk. Numerous research has been done over the years which shows that exercise can lift your mood. Even just a short walk outside in the fresh air can make you feel more positive. Get some light. Natural, outdoor light not on-

DEPRESSION: There are things you can do yourself to help boost your mood.

ly helps regulate the body’s rhythm which aids sleep, it also provides vitamin D. Without enough vitamin D in the body it can lead to feelings of tiredness and depression. No more sugar. Although the sugar rush from chocolate and sweets can give us an immediate mood boost, this can also lead to a later crash and low blood sugar can contribute to feeling down which then leads to a vicious cycle as it can make you crave sweet snacks. St John’s Wort. This traditional herbal remedy has been used for centuries to lift moods and some studies have shown in people with mild to moderate depression it is just as effective as anti-depressants. Try yoga. Weekly yoga classes have been shown to reduce depression in the largest study of its kind, with symptoms being reduced by half. However, the US researchers said the biggest results were seen after six months of classes, so it is maybe not a quick fix.

Advertising Feature

Summer contact lens care advice SUMMER is a time when many people use contact lenses, for flexibility, the freedom to play sports, choose the sunglasses they want, or to dress to impress at all the summer events. However, summer can be a tough time for contact lenses due to the heat and endless days at the pool or the beach, so we’ve asked Louise Stone, from Specsavers Opticas Calpe and Javea for their advice on how to use contact lenses this summer. Take care with air conditioning Air conditioning can dry out your eyes, making them feel itchy and irritated and this is a particular issue for contact lens wearers. Switch air conditioning off where possible and avoid fans and air jets pointed directly towards the eyes to control this. Eye drops can help keep your eyes hydrated if this is a problem for you over summer. Remember to remove them before swimming It is tempting to just dive into the pool or sea on a hot summer’s day, but exposing your contact lenses to water is risky. This is because water is full of bac-

CONTACT LENSES: Remember to remove them before swimming. teria including an amoeba called acanthamoeba. If this gets under your contact lens and multiplies it will irritate your eye and can cause a serious infection which can lead to permanent visual impairment

or blindness. Of course this is rare, but it is important to take the risk seriously and remove contact lenses before swimming. If you swim a lot, it’s worth investing in prescription

swimming goggles to protect your eyes and maintain good vision. Don’t forget your sunglasses A key benefit to contact lenses in summer months is that you don’t need prescription sunglasses, and you don’t have to keep switching between your normal glasses and sunglasses. However, most contact lenses don’t protect the eyes from the powerful UV rays at this time of the year, so it’s important to always wear good quality sunglasses with 100 per cent UV protection whenever you’re out in the sun. Specsavers Opticas have just launched their new easyvision aquiane daily disposable lenses. These innovative silicone hydrogel lenses were made with comfort in mind, providing everyday value, convenience and health benefits for just €16.50 for a box of 30 lenses.

For more information and to find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es

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17th - 23rd August

Word Ladder Can you by changing 1 letter at a time, get from the first word to the last word in the given number of moves?

Puzzles Page

LEFT 1 2 3 4

Kenny Corris For Readings, Consultations and Castings kennycorris@hotmailcom www.kennycorris.net Mobile: 686 361 594 / Tel: 965 878 424

Aries. This is not a time to rake up the past, rather than to move on from where you are even now. There is nothing that is worth holding onto right now, whilst your priorities are an indication of your next move; highlighted by a corner of achievement and reward, bordered by an ebullient Jupiter in trine midweek with a buoyant Neptune.

Libra. With Jupiter in trine this week, some good fortune is about to rub off on you. Being blessed and feeling happy with what you do is more than just a give-on, and you do finally deserve your slice of the pie. Enter in to a care free week, when dreams become a distinct reality, and you realise that you are more than you think you are!

Taurus. This is the start of something new, and you are gifted various portents that spiritually show you that you are very much on the right track. Spurred on to achieve, take time to know what lies ahead by both instinct and gut feelings, but do not be put off! Mercury sextiles Venus, so, right now, the word is out, love what you do.

Scorpio. Mixed emotions are riding high at the present. You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t, but it is time that people saw the healing heart and soul that beats within you. If peace is a solution, and love, a blessing, then you are deserving of both; and you are about to show others just how far your caring energies can stretch to.

Gemini. The reactions of others has been quite a slap in the face; especially when your good intentions have been deliberately misconstrued, for no reason. With all the will in the world you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! The midweek brush up between Ceres and Kora puts you straight back to routines best suited to heal all wounds.

Sagitarius. With the Sun ensconced in Virgo and planning a future trine with Uranus, it is easier to see the wider picture right now. The grass may look greener on the other side but you have your feet firmly on the ground this time. An offer seems too good to be true this week, and yet you have to start somewhere, even in your dreams.

Cancer. Someone is in line for a nasty nip this week, and not before time, either! You are non-judgmental and free thinking, but it is time to let off steam, and you can’t think of scheduling a retreat into your shell. Moon magic is there for you, and cosmically, after the Sun enters Virgo, midweek, things will just fall into place at long last.

Capricorn. Under the guise of Mercury, what goes around comes around and you are capable of better. There is no easy way down sometimes but you do have to know what you do. Be true to your instincts and take things with a pinch of salt, if they stand in the way of your happiness this week. Something better is now waiting around the corner.

Leo. Pride comes before a fall, but you have to look before you leap. Right now you are about to resume responsibility in the work front. This will not only show others what you are capable of, but also that, above all, you are not to be messed with. This week the Sun interacts with Mars bringing you enlightenment backed up to the hilt!

Aquarius. Say what you think this week, as your silence does nothing to help an ongoing situation. You may be biding your time and holding your tongue, but there will never be a right time for this, and you do not have to wait. The imminent actions of the Sun in trine with Uranus sheds new light on what’s wrong, so spill the beans!

Virgo. Mercury’s sensitive coupling with Venus, in sextile this week, brings you a means of communicating your exact wishes. Be clear in your intentions, because such clarity can and will be rewarded once you get down to the nitty gritty. Mixed messages may have been sent in the past as a defence not now needed, in the current scheme of things.

Pisces. Your own, specific psychic skills are heightened this week as Comic energies abound and you can relate to the shift. Venus bonds with Neptune, unleashing love energies on all levels, and it is time to love as you are loved, with an open and hungry heart. Feel special, because you are, and because you are worth your weight in gold.

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Cryptic

Down 1 Bands' trip to England in a ship (7) 2 Headless rodent left by bird (5) 3 Outlines for small, confused clients (8) 4 Recognise a South American stringed instrument (6) 5 Actually has one on your side (4) 6 Criticise bats, male bats (7) 7 Time rove to wander about to find treasure (5) 12 Emperor turning pale? No, no! (8) 14 Rear back around that dry, little snake (7) 16 They help make curls and waves (7) 17 Prepared sauces for the campaigns (6) 18 Phosphorus is put on many bits of land (5) 20 A good person isn't a revolutionary (5) 21 Correct some submitted items (4)

SHOE Weekly Stars

Across 1 Places one vessel inside another (5) 4 Rattles baffled young film actress (7) 8 Name of bloke to steal cattle, it's said (7) 9 Dance in a state of uncertainty (5) 10 Stick with musical animals (8) 11 We must accept silver as payment (4) 13 Scottish beginners wrap an ancient manuscript (6) 15 Bird of prey, a sort of parrot (6) 18 Abit of apathy is a way of life (4) 19 Use girl outside fairground ride (8) 22 Anointed muddled oldie (5) 23 Rearranging set with needle is unproductive (7) 24 Priests drunk some spirits (7) 25 Paper money produced by musician (5)

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 1 represents F and 20 represents C, so fill in F every time the figure 1 appears and C every time the figure 20 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Play on Words

Answers A finger in many pies. Leave no stone unturned.

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17th - 23rd August Across 1 Of or relating to very low temperatures (9) 7 Agreement's conditions (5) 8 Synthetic silk like fabric (5) 9/5 Rallying shout (3,3) 10 Large edible fish (6) 14 Edible nut (6) 15 See 19 Down 18 South American mountain range (5) 20 Cognisant (5) 21 Mobsters (9)

Quick

Down 1 Make reference to (4) 2 Nautical-spar part (7) 3 Breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted (4) 4 Being usual, typical or standard (6) 5 See 9 Across 6 Sunshade (6) 11 Ordinary, banal (7) 12 Yellow fruit (6) 13 Occurring together or simultaneously (6) 16 Forbids (4) 17 Charges for services (4) 19/15 Cigarette butt (3,3) Across 1 Estrellas (5) 4 Snail (7) 8 En contra de (7) 9 Hielo (3) 10 Alga (7) 11 Down (physical movement) (5) 12 Escobas (6) 14 Finally (6) 17 To fear (be afraid) (5) 19 Barriles (7) 22 Caliente (3) 23 Example (7) 24 Respect (7) 25 Afeitar (5)

Down 1 Tiendas (5) 2 Device (technical) (7) 3 Soft (pleasant to the touch) (5) 4 Sister-in-law (6) 5 Delay (hold-up) (7) 6 Fall (physical action) (5) 7 Acostarse (3,4) 12 Carnicero (7) 13 Label (tag) (7) 15 Mop (for floor) (7) 16 Worker (agriculture, industry) (6) 18 Motorbikes (5) 20 Cuerdas (gruesas) (5) 21 Salsa (5)

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

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, we have had bumps and knocks in our village house for several years, but just recently we are experiencing that someone is walking up and down the stairs. There is nobody there. Is it time to take action, and what do we do? Hege B. Hi Hege! Sounds like you have an entity in your house, but not a threatening or demanding one. The dead do not belong on this Earth amidst the living, but those who do not move on usually gravitate around the homes they once occupied when living. They should be encouraged to move on for their own good, so do this. I have sent you a set of instructions, and if you have any problem please contact me. You are the best to start the process, but I will take over if I have to! Good luck!

Kenny Corris Don't forget to email or message me with your Postbag Questions!.

Check out my new website: www.kennycorris.net

Kakuro 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.

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For Birthday Celebrants Biding your time, as you are, is just like a shot in the dark, but you are on tenterhooks as to what the outcome could be. This is not a time to give up hope, but neither should all your eggs be in that same basket!

Sudoku

Funagram Unscramble the name of a university degree (three words): AFTER SCHOOL BAR Unscramble the name of a variety of fruit (two words): BROADEN LOGO ANSWERS: - BACHELOR OF ARTS - BLOOD ORANGE

Fill the grid so every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9

50

AIRPORT PARKING

CHARITIES ELCAMPELLO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY - nondenominational Church. We hold two services every Sunday - 10.30am in English (Spanish translation) and 12.00 in Spanish only at Calle San Bartolome 35, Bajo, No.6, El Campello. Everyone welcome. For more information: www.el campellochristiancommuni ty.org or email: campello cc@gmail.com. Sue Bishop - 693 048 200 (English) or Carol Castlejon - 661 532 260 (Spanish / French). (233602)

CLEANING SERVICES APPLIANCE REPAIRS REPAIRS TO WASHERS, DISHWASHERS, FRIDGES FREEZERS, COOKERS, AIR CONDITIONING. CALL SHOP 965 874 838 (9.30AM2PM) FROM BENIDORM TO DENIA. K & M ELECTRODOMESTICOS (276886)

BUILDING SERVICES MINI DIGGER, Dumper, Bobcat with operator for hire. Pedregeur based. Keith 639 620 448 (276893)

BUY & SELL

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I BUY RECORDS 50’s to the 90’s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (276035)

A1 SPECIALIST CLEANING. Carpets, upholstery, 15 years’ experience 965 058 177/ 697 511 071 marc@barnaclebills.co.uk www.britishbusinesspa gesinspain.es (259042)

INSURANCE

MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Electric bill optimisation for free. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mb electrics.es (259056)

SITUATIONS VACANT

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (whatsapp) info@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialin suranceinspain.com for online quote. (259397)

METAL WORKS MOBILE WELDING SERVICE Gates, rejas, railings etc. Made to measure or repaired. Free quotes. No job too small. Calpe. Made to measure or repaired onsite. Call Dave 965 834 869 or 616 173 699

MOTORING ELECTRICIANS

MOTORING

AUTOS GARAGE L’OLLA. Partida La Olla 126 (N332, KM 160) Altea. Telephone: 965 841 036. Sale new cars, Renault & Dacia. Sale used cars. cash for your car.(279879)

AUTOS GARAGE L’OLLA. Repairs, clean spools of automatic gearboxes. We rectify your problems. 40 years of experience in repairing all brands. Electronic and inspection (ITV) service, hand free sets, towing hooks, reversing camera (245€) Free quotation of the repair if you know the problem. Telephone: 965 841 036. au toslolla@gmail.com. (279879)

WRITING SERVICES

PLUMBING HANDYMAN PURELY MAINTENANCE For all your maintenance needs - big or small, contact Carl on 965 878 866 or 684 414 730 email: purelymaintenance@hot mail.com (233351)

MISCELLANEOUS POOLS

REMOVALS & STORAGE

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17th - 23rd August

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SPANISH COURSES

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)

MARCELO GESTIONES JAVEA. We can import your Cars, RD Vans and Pickups with or without import taxes. Call: 609 600 993/965 795 846. We provide a professional and fast service in approx. 5 days. (276038)

REMOVALS & STORAGE

PAINTER/DECORATOR HILLIER’S PAINTERS & Decorators. Covering the Costa Blanca & inland, 35yrs established. www.hillierpaintersanddec orators.com. Tel: 644 355 137 Facebook Hillier PaintersCostaBlanca

PEST CONTROL

SITUATIONS VACANT

BUGBUSTERS BENIDORM: Fully Legal Costa Blanca Pest Control Company. EST 1994. For all pest problems, commercial and domestic. Call Lois Clark 619 054 939/96 686 5204. bugbusterslois@hot mail.com. ROESB 05552 CV

Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers

Word Ladder LEFT LOFT SOFT SOOT SHOT SHOE

Codebreaker

Kakuro

Quick

Sudoku

English-Spanish

www.rtnnewspaper.com • General Enquires:

951 386 161 Local call rates

• Deadlines: Adverts: copy changes, classifieds and editorial Copy: Tuesday 5pm for following Friday’s edition.

News & Views from the North & South Costa Blanca & Costa de Sol

Cryptic

Edita : RTN Publishing and Media SL Deposito Legal : South A-853-1999 • North: A-134-2004 • Costa del Sol MA-630-2017

All adverts must be prepaid whether they are placed at our offices, by email or fax, or via our sales team. The advertisers full name, address and ID number must be supplied (not for publication). RTN does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non-appearance of advertisements or advertorials. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or nonappearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. The publisher does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed by readers in the ‘Mailbox’ section of this newspaper. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publishers is prohibited.E:&O.E. All rights reserved/Todos los derechos reservados

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PEST CONTROL MOSQUITO & Wasp Control, Garden treatments from 30 Euros. Visit www.fogoffspain.com or call/whatsapp 681 609 730 (258886)

PETS

SITUATIONS VACANT FREE accommodation in Spain in return for handyman work. Email oasisparks@ya hoo.co.uk. Telephone: 696 090 776 (256587) TAKE CARE of your Career as a live in Carer in the UK. If you have good written/spoken English with a British or EU passport you can earn from £952 - £1456 for 2 weeks. Contact Sandra Field on 658 965 204 or email s.field@consultuscare.com (258473) FIELD SALES positions available. Must have own transport, English and Spanish preferred, but not essential, must have local knowledge of the area and be smart and presentable. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruit ment@euroweek lynews.com

NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (241910)

PROPERTY RENTAL RETIRED COUPLE LOOKING FOR LONG TERM RENTAL IN LA MARINA BAIXA - PREF TWO BEDS NEEDED URGENTLY - CALL JANICE 0044 7736251800 (279523)

WORK FROM HOME! WE ARE LOOKING FOR LADIES AGED 20 TO 65 TO TAKE CALLS FROM AN ADULT-HOTLINE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH OR SWEDISH. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR INFO: work@kkhot line.com (279398)

STRUCTURAL SURVEYS MARK PADDON BSc Hons. Building surveying. MCIOB, CAAT. From 245 EUROS + IVA. Insured and legally registered in Spain. Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurvey ors.com (256116)

REMOVALS/TRANSPORT MAN & VAN. FOR HIRE. CHEAP AND RELIABLE. JALON VALLEY + SURROUNDING AREAS. 636 100 873 OR 966 480 757 OR (279522)

RESTAURANTS BAR RESTAURANT OLD GERMANY, Avenida La Marina, 45, Benissa. 966 499 149. Fresh Chanterelles variations and German food. Monday to Friday 11.30am 14.30pm and 18.00pm till late. Saturday BBQ 11.00am -16.00pm. (279920)

TV & SATELLITE

TELECOMS FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070

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pets

17th - 23rd August

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• sponsored by

Pet-sitting is personal PETS make great holiday companions. For some people pets are the habit of a lifetime. I must confess I’m of that tribe. While I founded Housesit Match.com to help pet owners and sitters meet safely online, I also love to pet-sit for ‘authentic travel.’ I believe if you see a new location from a pet’s point of view, you see it with a fresh perspective. I love to pet-sit People often ask if I use HouseSitMatch myself? I can honestly say that I do. While we no longer have pets at home we still use house-sitters to care for our garden while on holiday some call it tomato-sitting! Recently, I helped clients close to my own home in Buckinghamshire, UK to care for their dog ‘Nuka.’ They had a wedding overseas and a last-minute arrangement between neighbours had fallen through. They registered with HouseSitMatch and I offered to help. Authentic travel The home owners introduced me to their favourite places to visit and shops of nearby food artisans, bakers, cheese makers, honey producers all working locally with organic materials producing delicious food. I had my own personal tour guide in Nuka the dog, walking me to stunning vista points in the Chiltern Hills, I followed her down the footpaths her owners favoured and she was my local expert

ACCORDING to a recent survey of 10,000 animal lovers, Britain tops the polls for pet friendly places. When it comes to a fun day out with your dog, Britain led the way for having more pet-friendly outdoor attractions than any other country, with sites like Glastonbury Tor, the Cerne Abbas Giant and Newbattle Abbey in Scotland, which were the most highly recommended for dog walkers. From over 54,000 locations which were recommended worldwide, 30 British places made the top 100 list, making the UK the most pet-friendly place in the world, followed by the USA with 26 locations and Australia with 20. Australia took the top spot for the world’s most pet-friendly beaches, while Portobello Beach in Edinburgh received the most recommendations in the UK.

FOUR-LEGGED SPACE: Glastonbury Tor among the most pet-friendly.

The UK also came first for pet-friendly cafes, most of which - including one whic h welc om es dogs , c at s and a friendly ferret - can be found in Brighton.

www.apasa.eu APASA Giving dogs a new home

Dog-sitting for Nuka. guide. It was a wonderful experience, an authentic holiday literally walking in the footsteps of the home owners showing me new vistas. How we work All new members register to join our online HouseSit Match network. On registration we ID check every new member to ensure we know who you are, and in addition sitters are police checked by us. How you benefit as a home and pet owner Our membership offers you a secure network to help you find suitable sitters. We don’t reveal your contact details, or your address. You

Pets welcomed here... and there

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 your choice of applicant. If you join as a Premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started. How you do join? Register online via our website www.Housesit match.com •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 winwin for both parties, free house- and pet-sitting, plus 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- or pet-sitter go to www.HouseSitMatch.com call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742 or email admin@housesitmatch.com.

MOST communities in Spain maintain a ‘perrera,’ a dog shelt e r, w h e r e s t r a y s , homeless ill-treated or merely lost dogs and cats can be cared for. There are rumours that if the animal is not claimed in 21 days, it is sacrificed. I n A PA S A ( A s o c i a cion Protectora de Animales de San Antonio) this NEVER happens. Their raison d’être, their goal, is to find every dog an appropriate new home, and if you’re looking for one then why not click on the ‘Adoptions’ button on the website ( w w w. a p a s a . e u ) t o find a suitable one for you. They always have several Podencos, which the locals use

NEW HOMES: APASA announce a series of new fundraising events.

as hunting dogs and are very often illtreated or abandoned. They make wonderfully loyal pets. T h e A PA S A s h e l t e r is in Cami de les Sorts, next to the Ecopark, in Javea where you can view dogs for adoption. Visit their Charity Shop in Avenida del Pla, selling clothes and household items, however we can no longer accept any

electrical goods. As from Saturday S e p t e m b e r 1 , A PA S A will be holding fundraising car boot sales in Pinosol Park, Javea and on Saturday September 8, there’s a 70’s and 80’s Night at Al Camp Garden Centre in Javea. Call Teresa (618 754 634) or Sue (965 741 668) for more details or log on to the website at www.apasa.eu.

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motoring AS investment in self-driving vehicles continues to rise the smart money is on production efforts merging with those of electric vehicles. Of course, this is already evident at Tesla, which has invested billions in developing both technologies, but more and more companies are now trying to follow their lead. Both engineering and human factors suggest that the two technologies will eventually combine, especially as support from the Chinese government is pushing both techs forward in one of the world’s most important markets. The growth of advanced automotive technology has led to the rise of companies such as Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd an innovator in advanced vision sensor systems for assistant driving, semi and fully autonomous vehicles. Tesla Inc found a foothold in China. General Motors will start mass production of self-driving vehicles next year and has been pushing its latest electric SUV to the Chinese market. Apple Inc is developing a sophisticated self-driving system that fuses multiple sensor inputs. And Intel Corporation has joined the sector by acquiring Mobileye,

The self driving EV future

EV FUTURE: Self driving and electric vehicles - the two technologies may eventually combine. bringing its technological clout to sensor technology. Though many people still see self-driving cars as science fiction dreams, such vehicles are coming close to reality. Big players such as Tesla and General Motors are pushing forward with this technology, showing their

faith in the market. Alongside them, a wealth of smaller specialist businesses are emerging to provide critical components. Analysis by Lux research indicates that battery-powered engines and sensor-equipped selfdriving vehicle manufacturing will almost inevitably merge with

each other. There are practical engineering reasons for this, tied to the batteries of electric vehicles. For example, the voltage and storage capacity of an electrical vehicle’s battery are better suited than the capacity of a conventional fossil fuel-powered

Hyundai enter compact SUV market SINCE the launch of the Santa Fe in small-displacement petrol engines with 2001, Hyundai Motor has sold more high low-end torque and excellent fuel efthan 1.4 million SUVs in Europe beficiency: a 1.0-litre T-GDI with a sixcoming an established brand in the speed manual transmission and 120 PS segment. (88 kW) (fuel consumption combined: The Tucson is Hyundai’s fastest selling 5.4-5.2 l/100 km; CO2 combined: 125SUV in Europe with more than 250,000 117 g/km) as standard sales since launch in 2015. and In 2018 the Korean manufacturer has extended its SUV family by entering the B-SUV or compact SUV segment. It has developed a completely new platform to meet highest European customer expectations. The manufacturer views the Kona as an important milestone in its plan to become the leading Asian automotive brand in Europe by 2021 with the launch of 30 new models and derivatives. Right from the start, the Kona offered the choice between two turbocharged, HYUNDAI KONA: An important milestone.

a high-power 1.6-litre T-GDI with 177 PS (130 kW) and Hyundai’s self-developed seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and four-wheel drive (fuel consumption combined: 6.7 l/100 km; CO2 combined: 153 g/km). Hyundai is also launching its next generation of efficient 1.6-litre diesel engines for the Kona, also available with sixspeed manual or the seven-speed dual clurch transmission with optional four-wheel-drive. But perhaps more exciting is the news that the first versions of an electric version are starting to arrive in Europe. The completely new platform of the Kona enables the optional fourwheel drive and makes the Kona suitable for an electric powertrain with an optimised underfloor design.

car’s battery for sustaining selfdriving equipment. This gives designers more freedom to create the best possible sensor and processing technology for self-driving vehicles. Automated driving could help to solve one of the biggest drawbacks of electric cars: driving distance ranges. Automated driving leads to more efficient driving, reducing a vehicle’s fuel consumption and allowing electric cars to travel farther before they need to recharge. The behaviour of consumers will also play a part in this emerging trend. Early adopters who pay a high price for Tesla’s electric cars are more likely to try out other innovations, such as the self-driving vehicles that use vision sensors like Foresight’s. They will want to see these features combined, and manufacturers will be keen to fulfil this request because winning the support of this group is vital to the success of any product. Both technologies are expected to mature enough for mainstream use around the same time. They are forecast to hit the mass market together, and so it will make commercial sense to combine them.

Higher points penalty for phone use THE cost of using your mobile phone while driving could soon be raised from three points to between four and six. Government officials are studying ways to reduce the road death toll, and the use of mobile phones has been identified as a major cause of fatal traffic accidents, far exceeding speeding or alcohol consumption. Driver distraction is now the leading reason for fatal road crashes and the DGT traffic department recently launched a campaign against using phones while on the road. Motorists are being warned that a new type of speed camera has been developed that can identify drivers who are on the phone while behind the wheel. Officials are also considering one relaxation of the rules. It might cease to be an offence to look at your phone while waiting at a red light.

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sport

SHOOTING STARS: Spain will offer perfect views of the Perseid meteor shower

17,046 people reached with 395 reactions

Lana Phillips It's all happening

Atletico are the Real deal REAL MADRID began life witho u t C r is tia n o R o n aldo and Zinedine Zidane with defeat in the first ever UEFA Super Cup derby, as Atletico Madrid scored twice in extra time to win 4-2. Two well taken late goals from Koke and Saul sealed victory for Atletico, after the game ended 22 in normal time. Gareth Bale had set up Karim Benzema with a header at the back post for Real’s first, and captain Sergio Ramos slotted home a penalty to give them the lead after Juanfran was penalised for handball. But Diego Costa was in the mood and had scored twice for Atletico, thumping in the opener after 49 seconds and tapping in

Credit: atletienglish/Twitter

Have your say...

SUPER MEN: Atletico players celebrate their victory.

Credit: The Tour of Britain/Facebook

@RTNNewspaper Most liked posts from this week • Benidorm holds silent vigil in memory of gender violence victims • Spain rejects Aquarius migrant rescue ship docking request • Costa Blanca market traders suffer in heatwave • Migrants rescued from small boat and taken to Benidorm

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EASY RIDERS: Thomas and Froome are long-time race partners.

Thomas and Froome join forces again TOUR DE FRANCE winners Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome will lead Team Sky at next month’s Tour of Britain. They will line up on the start line at Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire, on Sunday September 2. Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France champion who has family roots in Carmarthenshire, and four-time Tour de France winner Froome will be joined by Dutchman Wout Poels.

The rest of the Team Sky line up has yet to be confirmed, but Thomas said: “As soon as I’d finished the Tour I knew I wanted to ride the Tour of Britain.” Six-time Grand Tour winner Froome last took part in the Tour of Britain in 2009, while Thomas finished seventh overall last year. Their participation rules them out of the Vuelta a España which starts on August 25. Froome has focused on

La Vuelta for the past four years, and said: “I’m really looking forward to riding. I always remember there being a great atmosphere at the Tour of Britain and the race has only got bigger over the years.” Following the start in Wales, this year’s Tour of Britain will take riders into the West Country and up to Cumbria before returning to its regular finishing circuit in central London on September 9.

the equaliser with 10 minutes remaining. Full-back Marcelo wasted an excellent chance to score the winner for Real with an overhead kick in the final seconds of normal time, as his side looked to become the first to win three Super Cups in successive seasons. It was the fourth time in the past five years that the Super Cup was contested by two Spanish sides, but the first with both teams from the same city. Real Madrid’s failure to sign a direct replacement for Ronaldo, who left for Juventus for €110 million will be a concern for fans, but there were enough signs from Bale, Asensio and Benzema that Los Blancos can be title contenders.

Nadal aces Rogers Cup RAFAEL NADAL ended the fairytale run of Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his fourth Rogers Cup title. Ts i t s i p a s , a p p e a r i n g i n h i s s e c o n d ATP final on his 20th birthday, was the b r e a k o u t s t a r i n To r o n t o , b r i n g i n g plenty of personality to the court too. He brilliantly knocked out four top-10 players as Dominic Thiem, Noval Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson were swept aside en route to the final. But Spaniard Nadal, 32, was in no mood to pander to the crowd, who were firmly behind the birthday boy appearing in his first Masters Series final. His relentless consistency and powerful groundstrokes were too much for Tsitsipas to cope with, and the French Open champion ran out 6-2 7-6 (7/4) winner. The young Greek could not find an answer to Nadal’s serving until late in the second set, when a first break of the match forced a tie break. But the bullish Nadal regrouped to win his 80th ATP Tour title, sinking to his knees and roaring to the skies. E a r l i e r, R o m a n i a ’ s S i m o n a H a l e p beat American Sloane Stephens in three sets to win the women’s event in Montreal. In a rerun of the French Open final in June, Halep eventually came out on top 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-2.