May 2016 - Costa Calida Chronicle

Transcription

Costa Cálida Chronicle - May 2016
The Longest Established
hed
FREE Magazine
in Murcia
Costa
Cálida
Chronicle
www.costacalidachronicle.com
Issue: 6 Volume: XV
In association with Costa Cálida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com
Date: May 2016
1
Costa Cálida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407
DEAR READERS
Many thanks to Chris Jennings from
Compusurf for his article on ‘Keep
it Local’. You can buy most things
locally and doing this will keep your
local area vibrant and friendly. When
you need help, your local community
will be the first to support you.
Without supporting the local bars and
businesses, the area would quickly
suffer and there would be no local
community. Please also remember
that local businesses work extremely
hard to provide an excellent service,
but there are times when supplies in
Spain are difficult to come by. Do
not always blame the business!
Look out this month for the Leroy
Merlin Cartagena advert to get a
20€ discount when spending more
than 60€. That’s a huge discount!
Please
welcome
the
following
advertisers:
Welcome
Beauty by the Golf
Digger & Tipper Hire
Kidease Nursery Hire
Mazarrón Property
Management & Villa Rentals
Petren Cars
The Clover Bar
The Gallery Murcia
YPM Gardening
Once again we have had complaints
from our readers about irresponsible
dog walkers who do not clean up
after their pets. We have published a
letter from one of our readers who is
very concerned about this issue. This
is just another area where residents
should think about others who live in
their area.
We would like to express our
condolences to Joe Holmes from
Don Tecnico for the recent passing
of his mother. Obviously Joe has
been unable to produce an article
this month, but hopefully Technical
Korner will be back next month.
Congratulations to Ana and Neil from
Tropic Ana’s on their forthcoming
wedding this month! We wish them
all the luck and can’t wait to see the
photos next month.
We are looking forward to a great
summer – maybe not quite as hot as
last year!
From all at the Chronicle
THANK YOU
TO OUR
CONTRIBUTORS
Alan Monk – TV News
Clive & Rosie Palmer – Exploring
Murcia
Dean Colwell – NW Murcia News
Dick Handscombe – Gardening
George Mitchell – Never a Dull
Moment
Ken Whettall – Housing Update
Jane Cronin – Learning Spanish
Liz Edmiston – Life in Spain/Out &
About
Mike Edmans - Poem
N332 – Driving Information
Sara Millbank
Kitchen
–
Ma
Millbank’s
Think Spain – Spanish News
Welcome Back
Bar Canara
Cavalli
Delmonte Catotel
El Faro
Mar
Menor
Services/Liberty
Seguros
Natalia Filbee/Liberty Seguros
Quality Indian
Seguro Parking
TJ Electricals
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costacalidachronicle@gmail.com
3
CONTENTS PAGE
Special Pages
Condado de Alhama
Northwest Murcia
South East Murcia
South Murcia
Sports Section
What’s On
38–39
28–33
42–46
68–75
92–97
83–89
Alan (Huey) Eustace Locksmith
Cerrajero
Camposol Home Delivery Service
CHM
Corral & Alcaraz
deVere Spain
Dragontours
Kitchens Plus1
Legal View
Liberty Seguros
Solpellet
Sparxx
8
48
79
40
34
90
42
58
52
12
80
Charity
Age Concern Costa Cálida
Andrea’s Animal Rescue
Camposol Kitty Kitty
Cavalli Foundation
FAST 2016
Forget Me Not
Help at Home
Helping Hands
Help Murcia Mar Menor
JJ’s
Little Starfish
Los Infiernos Perrera Supporters
Making a Difference
MAMAS
Noah’s ARC
PALS
Pets in Spain
San Animal
Swap Tears for Smiles
70
24
74
20
70
75
44
21
46
58
12
46
22
80
66
24
45
55
75
Children
Mazarrón Bahia Alpha Leos
8
Education
Jane Cronin’s Step by Step Spanish 47
Entertainment
Costa Cálida Country Music Club
The Harlequin Rock Choir
90
102
Food and Drink
Ma Millbank
Menu del Dia
Vegetable of the Month
78
82
79
Groups
Health and Beauty
Beauty Tips
Aditorial
4
Ladies Chatterbox
74
Los Palacios
73
Mazarrón Country Club Events
68
Mazarrón Country Club Residents Social
Club
73
Welcome Group
14
B Clean Gardening Group
Camposol Social Centre
C-Sector Green Fingers Gardening
Group
Ex-Servicemen’s Association
69
56
16
Information
British Embassy, Madrid
36
Business News
6
Cehegin through the ages
28–29
Classifieds
98
Contact Us
4
Contributors
2
Dear Editor
50
Dear Readers
2
Derrick’s Story
61
First Holy Communion in Spain
10
Flower of the month
34
Keep it Local; Keep it Alive
102
Life in Spain
7
N332
62
Northwest Murcia News
30
Out and About
99
Puzzle Page
60
South East Murcia News
44
South Murcia News
72
Spanish News
64
Leisure
Garden News
Never a Dull Moment
Poem
Teresa Hill
TV News
26
18
76
54
76
CONTACT
US
Camposol Office
- 968 970 680
Sales & Marketing
- 619 199 407
Patti Benn - Editor
- 646 005 017
Jo Wrench - Graphic Design
- jo@costacalidachronicle.com
Martine Shindler - Office Manager
& Customer Services - 968 970 680
Office:
35 Calle Jara
Centro Commercial Sector B
Camposol
30875 Murcia
www.costacalidachronicle.
blogspot.com.es/
If you would like to place an
advertisement or write an article to be
included in the
Costa Cálida Chronicle, then please send
it to us costacalidachronicle@gmail.
com
To our advertisers.
Property
Housing Update
99
Religion
Mass in English
Olive Branch Christian Fellowship
Open Door
Rios de Vida
St Nicholas Church
Welcome House
Wellspring Victory Church
21
56
48
69
22
32
16
Sports
Fuente Old Guard
Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC
Los Nietos Golf Society
Los Reyes Golf Society
RC Mar Menor Sailing Group
SAMM
Spanish Supermoto
Straight Down the Middle
VI Regata Bahía De Mazarrón
92
94
93
93
92
96
95
95
97
68
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If you have sent an email to the CCC and
NOT received any acknowledgement
then you can assume that we have not
received it.
In line with our customer service policy
we always reply to every email even if it
is just a short note to say “got it”.
FIND US IN HOLMES AND PEGG’S
OFFICE ON CAMPOSOL SECTOR B
Tues, Wed, and Thurs
from 10am until 2pm.
Costa Calida Chronicle
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x 12,6cm wide x 6,25cm wide x 9,3cm wide
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x
35,00€
To advertise with us contact Sales on 619 199 407 or email us on costacalidachronicle@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER
Whilst the CCC are happy to accept monthly reports from the various organizations in the area, the articles printed are not necessarily
the opinions of the editor or publisher and the contents should be viewed as a guideline only. Professional advice should be sought
to cover any information printed therein. Advertisements and reports are not formally endorsed by the CCC. We cannot accept
responsibility for advertisers’ works, service or goods. The publishers endeavour to ensure the contents are correct, but cannot accept
responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions.
5
If you are an existing customer and you have some Business News that you would like to
share with our readers then why not email it to us to be included on our Business News page.
Please keep your news to about 50 words and send us an email by 15th of the month,
to costacalidachronicle@gmail.com with Business News in the subject box.
Who could believe Oscar’s Bar on
Camposol B have their 4th Anniversary this
month? What a transformation over the
last 4 years – Oscar’s is now the Number
1 Sports & Entertainment Bar in Mazarrón
with live bands every weekend (and during
the week in summer months), a newly
improved casino and a weekly Friday
Market. Celebrate at Oscar’s on 27th and
28th May. Come and join the party.
Tel 603 568 117
Don’t get wait until July or August for air
conditioning. High temperatures last year
resulted in a huge demand leading to most
installers in the Murcia region unable to
source units, leaving many disappointed
customers having to cope without cool
and comfortable rooms. Cool Solutions
are currently offering a limited time offer
of just 500€ per bedroom air conditioning
unit while stocks last.
Take the stress out of finding parking at
the airport. Seguro Parking will meet
you at the airport and look after your car
while you are away and meet you back at
the airport when you fly back – no waiting
for transport! Seguro Parking operate
from San Javier, Alicante, Almeria and
Valencia airports, so if your flight comes in
to a different airport Seguro Parking will
arrange to meet you at the appropriate
airport.
Corinne is looking forward to welcoming
previous, existing and new clients to
Beauty by the Golf at Camposol Golf
Club. To celebrate the new location there
is 10% discount on all treatments during
May. Treatments in include Massages
(Aromatherapy, Swedish, Hot Stones &
Indian Head), Collagen & Luxury Facials,
Manicure & Pedicures, Waxing & Eyelash
& Brow Tints.
Tel 622 062 115
Call Corinne now to book your appointment
on 602 584 714
Due to the forthcoming marriage of Ana
and Neil at Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A,
the bar and restaurant will be closed on
the 12th, 13th, 14th and 22nd May. We look
forward to seeing you all on our return as
Mr & Mrs Garner!
Tel 699 060 472
Tel 608 499 422
All Seasons Garden Services are now
offering a new service - “Man with a Van”.
If you are moving locally or just need that
sofa, mattress or garden waste disposed
of correctly at reasonable rates, call Mikey
on 640 079 161
Solhuse Real Estate Agency has enjoyed
a fantastic start for 2016, achieving a
high number of sales. Reflecting that the
market will soon enter a more stable &
realistic phase for buyers & sellers alike,
the demand for properties has never been
greater and sales are over-riding the
supply! If this is the right time for you to
sell or buy, please get in touch with the
staff at Solhuse.
Tel 607 331 331/968 105 333
Email info@solhuse.com
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Oceans Rattan Furniture in Cartagena,
the leading supplier of Outdoor PE Rattan
Furniture in Spain, are now looking for
businesses who would like to stock a
proven selling Outdoor product. Full
product training and support will be given.
This would suit a business currently selling
indoor furniture.
Please contact Emilio on 672 209 192
www.oceansrattanfurniture.es
Summer is here!
ADS Sunbeds are on the beach and will
be open for business from Saturday 14th
May. Come on down! Enjoy your day on
the beach! Find ADS Sunbeds on the
main beach in Puerto de Mazarrón with
their Sunbeds and Umbrellas for hire. 2
sunbeds and 1 umbrella - 12€ for the day.
Tel Maura +34 646 969 455
The bar at Bar Med in El Alamillo is now
open 7 days a week from 10am until late.
The Restaurant is open 10am-3.30pm and
7pm-9om Mon & Wed-Sat. Sundays open
10am-4pm only for Traditional Sunday
Lunches (new and amazing value!)
New for Home-Dining!
Solpellets brings Uuni to your home
direct from Italy. This unique cooking
concept will enable you to cook pizzas,
meats, vegetables, breads, seafood and
even desserts in the comfort of your own
home. The portable pizza oven, fuelled
by wood pellets, means that you can
dine inside or outside, making the most
of the beautiful weather here in Spain.
Call Neil on 697 949 519 for more
information on the Uuni
Yorkshire Linen in Mazarrón have just
taken delivery of fantastic sheet sets
which will be perfect for the warmer
nights. They are easy-care polycotton and
available in white, blue, cream or biscuit.
Each set includes a flat and fitted sheet
and pillowcase/s.
Single 17.50€; Double 22.50€; King 25€
and Superking 27.50€
Come and choose yours now at Yorkshire
Linen!
Tel 968 595 946
Tel 968 595 864
One of Brian Jones’s specialities is the
installation and repair of shutter blinds or
‘persianas’ as they are known in Spanish.
These blinds are ideal to keep the sun out
of your house during the summer months,
keeping you cool during the heat of the
day. If you are either having problems
with yours or are looking to add some to
your windows, give Brian Jones a call on
646 702 021 for a free quote.
Summer is on its way as Kayaking returns
to La Mariposa in Gebas. The tours are
gentle and the scenery is astonishing.
Tours take place on a calm lake in Mula in
the morning then back to La Mariposa for
an optional 4 course lunch. Single, double
and triple kayaks available so if you fancy
doing something a little more adventurous
than sitting on the beach, call 968 631
008 now to book.
Blankety Blank!
As a girl I never learned to type at school,
given that the option of a much more
exciting ‘build your own amplifier’ course
existed in the electronics department,
but over the years I have found myself
working more and more with computers
and technology and it is a skill that I now
wish I had learned.
one slip to the right or left, and the emails
start to sound like they were written by the
cast of “Allo Allo!”
Years of practice and constant computer
use mean that I am now a very fast and
proficient 4 or 5 finger typist and can bash
away at the keyboard without really having
to concentrate too hard! However I must
pound those keys a little too hard and the
lifespan of a keyboard in my office seems
to be about 6 months, after which point
all the letters have disappeared from the
keys. I have tried everything to keep the
keyboard going just a little longer, as after
all it works perfectly well - it just lacks a
few essential letters!
Spell checkers and proof reading mean
that very rarely does one of these missives
make it to the clients and any visitors to
the office invariably ask “How on earth
can you work with a keyboard with no
letters??”
I tried sticking letters onto the keys, but
they fell off after a day. I tried writing on
the keys with an indelible pen, but the
writing wore off within a week, so I have
given up and just keep going, typing away
merrily and proof reading carefully to make
sure I don’t send out too much gibberish.
“Thank you for youe enquirt. I am pleased
to offer you a proce for the holidat of
XXX. If you can complety and returm the
bokking firm then we can pricess your
bokking straight awau.”
It’s a challenge, but at least it means that
I have now become a half decent touch
typist and the mistakes are much less
frequent.
How will I know when it is finally time to
replace the keyboard?
Well, I think that the time has almost
arrived; a decision prompted by the fact
that I recently started my email to a client
with the immortal words “Dear Toger,
thanks for your enquiry”!!
Liz Edmiston
OwnersAway Property
Management
Contact Liz on 691977107
info@ownersaway.com
www.ownersaway.com
Rentals
&
The problem for my flying fingers seems to
be that if I start off in the right place, then
I type sensible, coherent words. However,
7
April saw the
Mazarrón
Bahia Alpha
Leos busily
preparing for
their 32km
Challenge
Walk which
took
place
on Saturday
23rd
April
we
are
delighted
that
our
friends from
the
Cruz
Roja joined us over the course of the day
& also wish to thank parents & friends of
the Leos for walking with us, providing
vehicle support & generally helping out at
the designated ‘pit stops.’ In addition, Julie
Townsend & Chris Jennings of Compusurf
kindly provided the Leos with both
breakfast & lunch plus a support vehicle &
Alix Fearn & the teams from Alley Palais/The
Clubhouse together with Jane-Ellen Walters
of Jane’s Salon, Bolnuevo supplied much
needed water supplies for the day - a big
#leoroar of thanks to all of you for your
One Key System For The Whole House
Why have a bunch of keys when you can
open all doors in the house with just one
key? I will supply you with a minimum
of 6 master keys (all originals, not
copies) unique to your house, plus extra
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kind support!
General donations & individual sponsorships
are being shared between Yo Sonrío por
Paula & Strides for diabetes awareness
& we also had a brilliant response from
the local business community for the
MABS Mazarrón Hospice ‘Buy a Brick’
Respite Room Appeal (a fundraiser that our
Sponsoring Mazarrón Bahia Lions Club
are supporting as a Lions’ Centenary Year
Project) & we wish to thank:
AC Services/Adam Coyle, Another World
Properties/Vinnie & Sue Walker, Black Bull/
Carol Strain, Branded/Jo Walker & Andy
Brennan,
Cambridge 800 Mazarrón/
Melanie Lay, Camposol Heating &
Maintenance/Kevin & Teresa Hicks, CM
Constructions/Mark Wastell, Compusurf/
Julie Townsend & Chris Jennings, Decklid
Auto Services/Diane & David Stapleton,
Mr Keith Donovan, Elliot’s Restaurant,
Bolnuevo/Carole Grice, TJ Electricals,
Mr Ian Firth, Furniture Plus/Roy Jones,
Mrs Gillian Hart in memory of her husband
Brian Hart (1935-1992), Mr John Hart,
Home Furniture Mazarrón/Janice Sugden,
IBEX Insurance Camposol, Jane’s
Salon Bolnuevo/Jane-Ellen Walters, JML
Building Services/Jason Lay, Liz’s Cafe/
Elizabeth DeGiorgio, Luz de Sol/Mick Yates,
Solpellet/Neil Broadbent, Tel’s Bar/Leanne
Allred & The T-Pot/Jane Ford.
A very loud #leoroar to you all!
Any further donations in addition to the
above will be reported in next month’s
article. Thank you all once again for helping
Leo’s to help others - we are #proudLEOS
to be part of this wonderful Community!
The Mazarrón Bahia Leos hold official
meetings at 7pm on the 1st & 3rd Fridays
of the month in the Camposol Cultural
Centre - the Club is open to children aged
12-18 years.
For more information contact Martin
Shackleton (Leo Club Advisor) at
shackletonm411@googlemail.com
tradesman keys (pool cleaner, gardener
etc), that will only open the locks of your
choice (eg garden gates, sheds etc). These
tradesman keys will not open the house,
but your master keys will open everything.
This Master Key System is also available
for multiple houses
so you can have
unique keys for each
house and a master
key that will work for
all your properties.
Due to the increased
number of people
availing
of
this
service I can now
offer special rates
of
30€uros
per
barrel supplied and
fitted and 45€uros
for a security barrel.
My Master Key
Service has been recommended on
various local sites and I have had many
happy customers in Mazarrón, Camposol,
Playa Flamenca, Pilar de la Horadada, Los
Alcazares, Sucina, Balsicas and La Manga.
For a quote or more information about
this service call Alan (Huey) Eustace
Locksmith Cerrajero on 609 265 899
or email hueynomad@hotmail.com.
9
First Holy Communion
in Spain
by Clair
May is traditionally
the
month
for
children
making their
First
Holy
Communion
in Spain, although
you
may
have
seen
some
c h i l d r e n
dressed
in
the traditional attire in
late April due
to Easter being so early this year. For the children of
practising Catholics it is akin to a wedding
with all the same trimmings, or perhaps
even more.
Three years prior to the Communion the
child (typically 7 or 8 years old) begins
weekly catechism classes (outside of the
school system these days) and is obliged
to attend the weekly Sunday mass. Most
parishes provide a date booklet which is
stamped by the priest or catechism teacher after the mass as proof of attendance.
This system encourages parents and children to attend mass ensuring a fairly high
level of church attendance from one year
to the next. Attendance does fall off to
some extent until catechism classes for
confirmation begin. However, the next
generation of children making their Holy
Communion makes up the shortfall!
10
Different parishes assign various roles to
the parents of those making their Holy
Communion. In some there will be a
church cleaning rota, others may have to
attend various catechism classes, or may
be expected to be involved in the various
Church activities, for example setting up
the annual Belen (Christmas crib) or participating in different processions throughout the year. The final year leading up to
the Communion is generally one of intense
organisation (and often much stress for
the mothers).
houses and then arrange
for caterers and entertainers to come in. With
the recession I am sure that many families
have struggled financially with this event
and even put themselves into debt (just
as people do for a wedding). It is nevertheless an important cultural milestone
and everyone participating agrees on this.
The mothers generally set up meetings to
agree on a shared budget in contracting a
florist, the choir and the photographer to
take photos and a video on the actual day
of the Communion. Deposits are paid as a
guarantee.
Next is the purchase of a Communion dress
for girls and the traditional military or sailor outfit for boys. The white dress can cost
anything from 100-600€. The boy’s attire
is in the region of 150-200€.
Once the outfit is purchased, a date is fixed
with a photographer to prepare a Communion album. If there are siblings, new outfits will also be required for the photoshoot
as they will be included in some parts of
the album. The photos can be shot in the
studio or in various scenic locations. The
album will be prepared for viewing before
the Communion and will cost in the region
of 300-600€ depending on the type of album chosen.
One week
before
the
Communion the
priest organises rehearsals and the hearing
of the first confession. Parents
purchase a present for the catechism teacher (who has been teaching
voluntarily over the years). They are also
provided with an envelope to make a donation to the parish.
During the service all the children participate, whether it is to read or bring up gifts
to the priest. After they have received
Holy Communion for the first time
they are also then presented with a
certificate and a special candle.
Once the mass is over and photos are taken everyone heads off to their respective
venues for a meal and a day of partying.
It is usually a lavish meal that goes on for
hours. The cake is often similar to a wedding cake, with tiers and all guests receive
little token gifts (presented by the child
to each guest from a display such as in
the photo below). It is generally taken for
granted that the child making their First
Holy Communion will not go to school
the next day, if it is on a Sunday, which it
normally is! The parents will avail of this
opportunity to avoid work on Monday as
well if possible!!
A date is set by the priest approximately 4 months prior to the event.
The parents then seek a venue. Bearing
in mind that there will be several children
making their Communion in various parishes on the same day, the competition for
venues is often fierce. Many large venues
hold a few Communions each day and provide extras like bouncy castles and other
activities for the children. These venues
are also likely to be quite expensive - in
the region of 40-50€ per adult and 25€ per
child. The amount of people invited does
vary, but can be anything between 70-200
people. Some people opt for smaller venues, rent out halls, or use their country
Approximately one month before the Communion the child will begin receiving gifts
from all those attending as well as others
acquainted with the family.
These gifts
and the Communion attire are displayed in
a room in the house and everyone is invited to view.
Clearly this cultural and religious event is
celebrated in different ways all over Spain,
but this has been my experience in the
Murcia area, having had two of my children make their First Holy Communion
here and attending several Communions
each year.
11
Benji & Babs
These
gorgeous
Podenco x babies
are now 4½ months
old.
They were
found hiding in an
old tyre down in a
rambler. They are
good on the lead
and in the car. They have had all their puppy
vaccinations. They will be medium in size.
Pip
We rescued this
delightful
little
boy from the local
Perrera. Pip loves
everyone
and
is such a good
little boy.
He is
housetrained, good
in the car and on
and off the lead. He
is an all round lovely
little dog and will
only be small. He
is fully vaccinated,
Summer is right around the corner and
everyone loves the smell of home-cooked
food whilst relaxing in the Spanish sun.
Start your summer off the right way with
the Uuni, the first ever portable pizza
oven, now exclusively available in Spain
from Solpellet, Costa Cálida’s leading
pellet fire specialist.
Uuni has swept the floor with awards
starting originally as a Kickstarter project.
Reaching temperatures of 500° in 10
minutes, including a stone baking board,
12
micro chipped and has his own passport.
Reggie, Malika & Tandy
These babies were
left in a box at only
4 days old.
They
were brought in by
the Police and have
been bottle fed and
weaned by Auntie
Sue
and
Auntie
Sherlie.
They are
nearly
6
weeks
old and will start their puppy vaccinations
shortly. We think they will probably be
medium in size.
Please note all
dogs and puppies
if
fostered
or
adopted
are
subjected
to
a
home check
kind donations be it
things for us to sell,
which we are always
in need of, or money
to cover vet fees.
Special thanks to
Barbara
Galloway,
Irene
McConville,
Clare Belton and
Olga Milosevic.
CDA Fitness on Camposol will be doing a
Team Sponsored Walk on 2nd May, on the
3rd May a Team Step Challenge and on the
4th May a Gym Challenge. Each challenge
will run from 10am until 1pm and it’s a
minimum of 1€ donation to join in. You
can do 30 minutes, 1 hour or whatever you
choose. Money collected will be donated to
Little Starfish, so please pop in and help
with the challenge.
For further information please call 634 304
087
We would like to
thank all of our
supporters for their
this oven can cook the perfect pizza in less
than 90 seconds. Uuni is fuelled purely on
sustainable biomass wood pellets, making it
environmentally friendly and still providing
an authentic, home-cooked taste. Making
the perfect centrepiece for any dinner party,
its flexibility stretches beyond pizzas, to
include meats, vegetables, breads, seafood
and even desserts.
Uuni is just one of the many items added
to the Solpellet portfolio, following Neil’s
visit to the Progetto Fuoco trade fair, having
recently taken place in Verona, Italy. During
his stay, Neil was able to spend a week
making new contacts to further expand the
range of Solpellet’s products.
The selection of different pellet fires now
available is hugely improved and can offer
the perfect pellet fire to suit any customer.
Whether it is free-standing, wall-mounted,
inserted, connected to radiators or hidden
out of sight, Solpellet has the fire for you.
Pellet Fires have been growing in popularity
over the last couple of years due to
ecological benefits of using sustainable fuel
as well as many other advantages, such as;
there is little smoke, no smell and the fires
require little cleaning. They are easier to
operate as the mechanism of a pellet fire
allows it to be self-regulating and it can
be programmed to switch on/off for total
control. They are also more economical to
run; you can achieve up to 50% savings
against traditional fuel costs such as oil or
gas.
Solpellet only supply and install High
Quality fires made in Italy which perform in
excess of 90% efficiency. In simple terms,
Pellet Stoves provide more heat, which is
controllable and the costs are lower.
Solpellet supply Pellet Stoves to the
Murcia, Alicante and Almeria provinces.
Get in contact with Neil to arrange a no
obligation home survey to discuss your
options in detail on +34 697 949 519 or
visit Solpellet.com where you can also
find Uuni.
13
Hello everyone, Shirley here.
Since the last article, Welcome have been
on their cruise to the Canaries and Madeira.
The ship was very comfortable with
everything you could want. The food was
very good, (the diets have now started)
and the entertainment provided something
for everyone. We went to some interesting
places with beautiful scenery and buildings.
Some of us were even brave enough
to have a go on the downhill sledges in
Madeira.
The March
D a n c e
with Sandy
Fitzpatrick
(an
old
favourite of
Welcome’s)
and Darren
Jones went
with a swing.
Sandy started the evening with some old
favourites which we all enjoyed listening
to and Darren continued with songs
by Michael Buble, Bobby Darren etc.
After the food, raffle and anniversary
congratulations (we had a Golden
wedding, 39 years anniversary and
a magnificent 59 year anniversary),
the evening then livened up, with both
singers singing more upbeat songs which
soon had everyone up dancing.
followed by dancing to Rob Sweeney.
Tickets 30€. Coach available for 5€.
Trips Away
12th-16th September Barcelona with
overnight stop at Valencia at 4 star hotel,
then travel to Barcelona for 3 nights staying
in a hotel at the top of the Rambla, close
to bus routes and restaurants. Day trip
to Monserrat. 375€ pp.
3rd November Benalmadena with day
trip to Gibraltar. 4 days/3 nights in 4 star
hotel. B & B and evening meal, includes
wine and water. Show with Ricky Lavazza
included. Another day out is being
arranged. 200€ pp.
4th May @ 2pm Petanca at Mariano’s,
Camposol A. For further information please
contact Les 968 131 880 or Rosemary
601 051 079
10th & 24th May @ 10am Book Swap,
Jigsaws, Magazines etc. At the old
ICA centre on dual carriageway, Camposol
B
Next Welcome Meeting is on 7th May @
2pm at Mariano’s when tickets will be on
sale for:
18th May Dance with Woody and The
Peckers. Always a sellout. Tickets 8€.
Chicken and Chips 5€.
15th June @ 230pm Ladies’ Day at
The Club House, Camposol C with dancing
to Terry J. includes cold buffet, fashion
show, bingo and various stalls. Tickets
10€.
22nd June Summer Ball at Hotel La
Cumbre, Puerto de Mazarrón. Champagne
reception, 6 course meal, including drinks,
9th November Day trip to Benidorm
shopping
at
the
market
in
the
morning, then in the afternoon off to
The Rich Bitch show, then time for
more shopping and dinner before heading
home. 15€.
24th-28th November Madrid 5 days/4
nights. Staying on the Grand Via in 4 star
hotel. Friday is Black Friday, so plenty
of shopping. Saturday trip to a beautiful
palace outside Madrid and Sunday is Horse
Racing. 350€ pp.
23rd-27th
December
5
days/4
nights Christmas in Benidorm. 4
star
hotel,
full
board
with
a
Gala Christmas lunch. Coach travel 260€
pp.
For further information on all events please
contact Rosemary on 620 105 179 or
come to the next meeting. Email
welcomegroupspain@hotmail.com
Facebook welcomegroupspain
www.welcomegroupspain.com
The
Annual
Treasure
Hunt
has
also
taken
place,
leaving
some
bemused villagers behind wondering
what all the cars were doing going back
and forth. Some teams did get lost, but
still managed to get to our destination
of The Wishing Well, without being
too late. Luckily the weather was kind to
us which helped.
The winning teams were: 1st Kent Yorkies,
2nd Foxtrotters, 3rd Green Flash and last,
but not least The Lost Girls. This team
was 2 men and 2 women. They obviously
don’t know the difference, so didn’t stand
a chance of finding clues.
14
15
5 Reasons Why You Should Always Wear
Sunscreen
Isn’t cancer scary enough?
In 20 year’s time you will regret not having
used sunscreen when you look at your skin
compared to family and friends who have
used sunscreen daily, so here are 5 top
reasons why you should NOT skip sunscreen
and it should be included in your daily beauty
routine:
1. Skin cancer rates are on the rise
and sunscreen has been proven to
decrease the development of skin
cancer.
We live in a warm sunny climate, but I can
imagine the amount of people that don’t use
sunscreen outweighs the amount of people
that do!
5. The use of sunscreen slows down
the development of wrinkled and
premature aging skin.
By Michelle, beautician at The Salon
Tel 691 916 717
2. The ozone layer is depleting and your
body needs shielding from harmful
rays.
3. Sunscreen helps to prevent facial
brown spots and skin discolouration.
A God-shaped Void
What is this God-shaped void that we hear
about so often in Christian and church
circles? It has been said that every one of
us has something missing in our lives and
that only God can bring completeness.
their future. All these people, just ordinary
folk like you and me, would say that when
they received Jesus into their lives, He
somehow put meaning back into living;
I guess you could say that God filled the
void.
God?”
I can imagine that my opening paragraph
will have some of you reading this article
a little hot under the collar and maybe you
are thinking - I don’t need God, or the
church and certainly not you telling me
that there is anything missing out of my
life!
A relationship with God takes FAITH. I
personally think that having faith is difficult
when we have so much in this western
world. Without tarring everyone with the
same brush, can I just say this? Generally,
it has become all about us; what we have
done, what we have achieved, what we
have, what we can get and what we can’t
do. There is no room for God! We cannot
see Him, touch Him, or hear Him, so why
should we have faith in Him?
When the chips are down so many of
us will turn to God for help through our
situations. When we have faith in Christ
and love God with all our hearts [which
is the first and greatest commandment],
somehow believing in what we can’t see,
hear or touch, does not seem too big a call.
As a Christian and one who has had a fifty
year relationship with a loving Saviour, I
have come across so many people who
have found that faith in God has brought
completeness to their lives, restoration of
relationships and wonderful purpose for
16
4. Sunscreen helps to reduce the
appearance of facial red veins and
blotchiness.
In nations where people have been
repressed and held down, where poverty
rules lives and where health-care and
medicines are almost non-existent, there
are many people turning to faith in Christ
every day of every week. In China right
now there are 30,000 [that’s right –
thirty thousand] people turning to
Jesus Christ every week!
GOD
When we cannot do anything about our
lives it is so much easier to believe and
have a living faith in God. So many folk
who have no faith or trust in God, find
faith on their death-beds or during difficult
situations in their lives.
Let me tell you a funny story.
Many years ago my Mother-in-Law was in
hospital for an operation and was asked
by the medical staff what religion she
was. Her response was “I am an atheist. I
don’t believe in God.” Well, when she came
round after the op the nurse said to her,
“I thought you said you did not believe in
“Why?” asked Mum-in-Law. The nurse told
her that as they were wheeling her into
theatre she was praying, “Please God, look
after my children for me!!”
I end this article with some amazing words
from Francis Chan’s book ‘Crazy Love’.
“It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God
of the universe; the creator of nitrogen
and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor,
loves us with a radical, unconditional,
self-sacrificing love. What is our typical
response? We go to church, sing songs,
and try not to cuss.
Does something deep inside your heart
long to break free from the status quo?
Are you hungry for an authentic faith that
addresses the problems of our world with
tangible, even radical, solutions?
God is calling you to a passionate
loving relationship with Himself.
The answer to religious complacency isn’t
working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts.
It’s falling in love with God and once you
encounter His love, as Francis describes
it, you will never be the same; because
when you’re wildly in love with someone,
it changes everything”.
Ask God to fill you with His love today.
Your life will never be the same again.
Check us out at Wellspring soon. We look
forward to welcoming you – God bless you.
17
The Committee for State Security
The name sounds quite reassuring actually;
some caring organisation consisting of say
a bunch of cross bench MP’s whose task
is to keep us safe from a terrorist attack
or natural disaster, but the above name
of this ‘committee’ is actually the English
translation for an organisation that put fear
into the hearts of tens of millions of people
for decades.
The ‘Committee for State Security’ is
the dreaded Soviet KGB.
I was in Vilnius Lithuania, now a European
democratic country and part of NATO, yet
it wasn’t so long ago that Lithuania was a
Soviet republic; a place where up until the
early 1990’s people lived in fear.
that by 1991, 300,000 Lithuanians had
been either exiled, imprisoned or killed.
This huge grandiose building in the centre of
Vilnius is a building that not so long ago you
would have walked past, keeping your head
and eyes down. Inside, on the first floor, it’s
been turned into an exhibition. Each room
is dedicated to a different aspect of the
organisation. Photos, original documents,
letters and explanations in English tell the
tale of how the KGB operated and what they
did to the general population of Lithuania.
People were brought to this building for
a number of reasons and usually under
trumped up fabricated charges, but make
no mistake, the people locked up here were
political prisoners who had dared to stand
up against the system.
I’ve visited the ‘House of Terror’ in Budapest
where Hungarians were tortured by the
Communist Secret Police and also the Stasi
building in East Berlin. Now it was time to
visit the former KGB building in Vilnius.
18
While
the
S o v i e t
system itself
controlled
the
entire
e c o n o m y,
the cultural,
political and
social lives of
the people,
the internal
role of the
KGB
was
simple – to
protect
the
communist
r e g i m e
and
to
prevent and
control any
disobedience
against it. Many who stood up against
the system, who were outspoken and
denounced the state, were often classed
as mentally insane and locked up in
institutions. This was a tactic that was used
right across the communist world. Many
more though were imprisoned and shot.
Lithuania, just like every other country in
the eastern bloc, suffered immensely at the
hands of the Soviet KGB. It is estimated
operating right up until 1991. What were
you doing in 1991? Like me, living in
peace and relative comfort I’d imagine. As
I stood in the cells, I felt sick that in my
lifetime, people who wanted freedom were
being locked up for speaking out against
dictatorships.
I’ve said it before, but it needs saying again
- Why are those responsible not being
tried for Soviet crimes?
The KGB spied on the people in the streets,
shops, restaurants, buses, trains, literally
anywhere and everywhere and of course
no-one knew who was watching whom
or reporting back. Surveillance, phone
tapping and eavesdropping were endemic
in this dark world - a real life Orwell’s 1984.
Down the stairs I went, into the prison. As
I stood alone, I tried to imagine the utter
fear and then helplessness people must
have felt after being dragged away from
their homes on false charges and ending
up here. And for what? For speaking out.
The KGB, like their counterparts in the
East German Stasi, when realising their
wicked run was coming to an end, hastily
tried to destroy incriminating documents.
I was shown a cell which contained bags
of shredded documents. I was told that
many other documents had been burned
and those not destroyed, were taken back
to Moscow. There were numerous cells;
tiny individual cells where you couldn’t lie
down, only stand. Some cells were padded
and contained strait jackets. The feeling
inside the dank musky corridors was one
of total dejection. If
you ended up down
here, I’d imagine
it would only be a
matter of time before
you were mentally
broken. I also visited
the execution room
where it is said that
more than 1000 were
shot dead.
Is it not time the world started to talk about
this? Go online and search for communists
brought to trial for their crimes…..sadly
you’ll find precious little info. The leaders of
communism killed tens of millions of their
own people.
I’d seen enough; back up from the cells and
out into fresh air, I sat down on a nearby
bench and noticed something on the actual
walls of the building. I walked over and saw
etched onto the stone, the names of untold
thousands who had been killed inside. Very
moving.
Although
Lithuania
declared
its
independence from a crumbling USSR in
March 1990, the KGB somehow hung on.
It wasn’t until October 1991 that the KGB
in Lithuania finally ceased to exist and
Lithuanians for the first time in decades,
could stop looking over their shoulders.
But the pain inflicted on many
Lithuanians, especially the emotional
scars, are still healing…
What’s
absolutely
vital to remember
here is that the KGB
in Lithuania were
19
Liz and Dominic Doyle have just come
back from the most amazing course at
the Centro Ecuestre de Castilla Leon in
Segovia. It was a 3 day training course
for professionals, trainers and riders in
Adapted and Paraequestrian riding, the
sporting and competition side of Riding for
the Disabled. They were with a group of
trainers and disabled competition riders
from Valencia, Madrid and Asturias;
wonderful people who make the most of
life in spite of their handicaps.
Why were they at the course?
The idea is to promote riding for the
disabled and Para-equestrian competition
in the Region. Liz is the representative of
Adapted and Paraequestrian riding with
the Murcian Horse Riding Federation. This
year she has organised a Regional League
with three optional shows and the final at
the Murcia Riding Club in October. Together
with the Representative of Carriage Driving
she has organised an initiation course in
Adapted/Para-Equestrian carriage driving
and also an Adapted Carriage Driving
League. Dominic Doyle did a beginners’
course earlier this year and he made his
debut at the Exhibition of Adapted Riding
held during the Equimur Fair in March.
He will be competing in the league and
has a good chance of becoming League
Champion.
20
Cavalli Foundation Riding School is one
of the few federated centres that do riding
for the disabled and therapeutic riding.
They now have one pupil training here
and with the ‘Special Olympics’ training
programme in England. Another of their
pupils is competing in Norway.
This year’s Easter activities kept Cavalli
teachers and volunteers on their toes.
The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves
at the camp and also during the Pony
Club mornings. A couple of the little ones
didn’t want to go home they were having
so much fun with the animals, with their
horse riding, with their craftwork (they
made beautiful Easter Bonnets) and just
playing together.
Horse rescue has been a major job
this month.
Cavalli was called on by the Alcantarilla
police to help deal with a pony that was left
tied to a tree and almost choked to death
and to rehome a mare that was about
to be sacrificed for want of a solution.
Fortunately both cases have been solved.
The mare in question is laminitic but a
beautiful, lovely natured animal. A farrier
from Sabadell in the north of Spain saw
Cavalli’s publication on Facebook. His
wife is about to open a centre specialising
in Horse Assisted Therapy so there is a
home and a nice job waiting for the mare
as soon as he has sorted out her hooves
and her aches and pains.
and helped to socialise piggy, Little Miss
Dottie. All the crew were very sorry to see
her go, but she will back to do her EMS
next year. Cavalli is going to be an EMS
centre for several British universities.
Cavalli also
said another
“hasta
la
vista”
to
Ben, one of
our stay-in
volunteers.
He’s
gone
home
for
a n o t h e r
stretch
in
E n g l a n d
b e f o r e
coming out
again to lend
a hand. In
the
photo
we see him
during a last guitar session on the hay
stack with Dominic. Thankfully Leah is still
with us exercising the horses.
For any information about Riding for the
Disabled and Therapeutic Riding, Riding
lessons, about stay-in volunteer work,
hacks and children’s horsey activities:
Tel 636 172 198
Email:
infocavallifoundation@gmail.com
Follow Cavalli on Facebook.
Cavalli Foundation is still based at META
Riding Centre
Los Ventorrillos on the Rm-603, 30.849
La Costera de Alhama
Murcia
Cavalli has just said ‘Goodbye’ to a
special visitor.
It was Sophie’s second stay at the
foundation. She is studying to be a vet
at Edinburgh University and Cavalli
Foundation is in charge of her EMS
placement for work with horses. Sophie
was here when Pitusa arrived and had her
terrible accident in the transport vehicle
that should have taken her up north. Of
course Pitusa stayed here and Sophie
assisted Cavalli vet, Jose and Veronica
with her treatments. This time Sophie
has treated Deacon’s ear infection, Kitty’s
sterilisation scar, Tango’s chronic tendonitis
a
Father,
he
thus
addressed
t h e m
“Where
is
my first-born
son? Let him
come to me,
that my soul
may
bless
him before I
die.”
Roman Catholic Church
We are in St. Joseph’s Church (El Saladillo),
near Camposol and Mazarrón Country Club
urbanizations (exit 17, RM 3 motorway)
Schedule of Masses:
Every Saturday
Mass at 4.30pm (in English)
Every Sunday
Mass according to the extraordinary form
(in Latin) at 4.30pm
Schedule of Confessions:
Saturday from 3.15-4.20pm (also
request)
Sundays from 3.15-4.20pm
Fr. Octavio Carpena 676 219 445
Fr. Carlos Prats 628 824 555
on
St Francis of Assisi
When St Francis was about to leave this
world, being surrounded by his devoted sons,
all grieving at the departure of so beloved
“ONE NIGHT IN VEGAS”
Murcia & Almeria
Three fantastic tributes – One fabulous
show.
‘Sir Tom Jones’ (Andy Wood),
‘Elvis’ (Simon Patrick),
‘Neil Diamond’ (JJ Jones)
Helping Hands are proud to exclusively
present three of Europe’s award winning
top Tribute artistes who have now joined
together to produce their amazing Concert
- “One Night in Vegas - the show that
never was”.
Jones, Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond are on
stage. Open them and you will realise that
there are no better tributes around. Each
act has a wonderful stage presence and
emulates rich and professional voices.
Vera
11th December - Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel,
Aguilas
Book your tickets for one of these concerts
via Linda Ruth Cook on Facebook or call 634
456 701
Helping Hands’ small team of volunteers
work tirelessly to raise funds to help animals
and people locally. Please support us by
coming along to one of our organised events,
or pop into our charity shop in Aguilas
(donations of clothes, furniture, appliances
are always welcome), look at our Facebook
page to view the dogs available for foster
and adoption.
Concert Schedule
10th July - Hotel Playa Grande, Mazarrón
18th September - Valle Del Este Golf & Spa,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/
HelpingHandsSur
For The Rehoming Of Pets Large And Small
Great music, super vocal ability and
showmanship - fabulous venues and a
fantastic evening to be had.
Close your eyes and you will believe that Tom
B e r n a r d
p l a c e d
himself
on
the left side
of St Francis, who, crossing his arms in
the form of a cross, put his right hand on
the head of Brother Bernard and his left
on that of Brother Elias. Then he said to
Brother Bernard “May God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, bless thee with
every blessing, spiritual and celestial; for
thou art my first-born son in God, chosen
in this Order to set an example of every
virtue and to follow Christ in evangelical
poverty; for not only didst thou give all thy
possessions and distribute them freely and
liberally to the poor, but thou didst likewise
offer thyself to God in this Order as a
sacrifice of love. Blessed be thou, then,
by our Saviour Jesus Christ and by me, his
poor servant, with eternal blessings, when
thou goest out and when thou comest in,
when thou wakest and when thou sleepest,
both living and dying. He that blesseth
thee shall be blessed. He that curseth thee
shall not remain unpunished. Thou shalt
be at the head of all thy brethren and all
thy commands the brethren shall obey. I
give thee power to receive into this Order
whomsoever thou willest; no brother shall
rule over thee. Thou art free to go where
thou wilt and to remain where it pleaseth
thee best.”
21
We often wish we could see what lies around
the corner in life then we could prepare for
it, control it, or avoid it.
Because Jesus has promised to care for us
every day and that includes tomorrow, we
can live by faith one day at a time.
A wise person has said, “Though we can’t
see around corners, God can.” How much
better and more reassuring that is!
I have decided to leave tomorrow
safely in God’s hands. HAVE YOU?
I
know
who
holds
the
future,
And I know who holds my hand;
With God things don’t just happen,
Everything by Him is planned. – A. Smith.
One day a young girl and her mum were
boiling eggs for breakfast. As they stared
into the boiling water they wondered how
long it would take to get their eggs just
right, the little girl said, “Pity we can’t open
them up to see how they’re doing.” Mum
agreed, but that would have spoiled them,
so they had to rely on guesswork, with no
guarantee of results. They began talking
about other things that they would like to
see but couldn’t; like tomorrow. “Too bad
we can’t crack open tomorrow to see if it’s
the way we would like it.” But meddling with
tomorrow before its time, like opening a
partly cooked egg, would spoil both today
and tomorrow.
Our Spring/Summer Fashion Show, held
at The Club House on Monday 11th April, was
again a great success thanks the enormous
support we have from all the ladies that
come along to enjoy the afternoon and go
away with some good bargains for their
wardrobe.
22
We were able with their help to raise
1,002€. Thanks, must as always, go to
Daniel Wheatley, who voluntarily provides
the music and to Peter Smith who also
voluntarily gives his time and expertise in
Our vision is: The Oneness of All
Believers.
Help us to achieve that vision.
May Services Sunday @ 10.30am
St Nicholas Church, Calle Sobrija 2248,
Sector D, Camposol
1st Songs of Praise
8th Holy Communion
15th Morning Prayer
22nd Holy Communion
29th Family Service
On Saturday and Sunday 4th/5th
June we will be holding our FLOWER
FESTIVAL
We will have a
variety of artisan
stalls and games
in
the
church
grounds
and
cake stalls and
our
German
friends
are
cooking bratwurst
sausages.
Of
course we will
have displays of
flowers
kindly
donated by local
businesses interested in highlighting the
role of our church in the community. Come
and enjoy yourself, there is something for
all the family. Come and meet us.
Anyone wishing to contact the church please
call us on:
English Branch 665 302 019
German Branch 968 978 961
taking the photos. We would also like to
thank ‘Marvellous Marge’ and her team and
all our volunteers for helping to put the
Fashion Show together. Without them
there would not be one. A big round of
applause for our beautiful models, all of
whom are involved with the charity and
‘strut their stuff’ in order to raise much
needed funds for our cause!
Could
we
ask
our
supporters
and readers
of this article
to ‘LIKE’ our
Facebook
page please?
News of all
aid
days,
shop opening
times, events
and photos
can
be
seen there.
S e a r c h
for
mad.
mazarron
in the search
box. Thank
You.
As mentioned in our last month’s article our
Chairman Tony stepped down and therefore
we have a new Chairperson, Janet McGuire.
Janet has been with
the charity from its
outset and we would
all like to thank her
for taking up the post
to enable us to carry
on our good work.
Thanks also must go
to Tony for his time
as our Chairman and
we wish him and
Anne his wife all the
best and for their
continued support for
the charity.
Thanks to our friends at Chatterbox. We had
lovely aid days this month. The handbags
went down brilliantly. The ladies were all
really touched and there were even a few
tears shed! Thank you all so much.
We are always appealing for toiletries
such as toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel,
sanitary towels etc. Baby wipes and other
baby products are always welcome to be
able to give our families with small children.
If you would like more information about
what we do, or would like to get involved,
please get in touch at madmazarron@
live.com or call 634 357 137.
Thank you
support.
all
for
your
continued
23
Farewell PALS - A live rock concert
At last at PALS, our negotiations are
finished and we have agreed to donate
where our outstanding funds should be
spent.
On Sunday 29th May please come along
to Farewell PALS, a concert with 6 live
bands. The special presentation will be
made at this event. No funds from PALS
are being used to promote this show
which is a standalone presentation, but
we thought we should end PALS’ 16 years
of community service with a special show.
We have therefore gathered together 6
different bands all playing live; no backing
tapes, no computers just good music. It’s
Well another
month
gone
and
once again
it has been
very
hectic, certainly
concerning
puppies and
dogs.
We
have
rehomed all of
Lucie’s puppies; not bad
out of a litter of 8 with
Buster, the smallest one being the last.
Another mamma and her 1 week old puppies came into our care a couple of weeks
ago. The mother is small and her 4 puppies are going to be small too. They will be
24
an evening event starting at 6pm until
midnight in Puerto de Mazarrón. We are
finalising the exact location, (hopefully on
the Paseo at the copy date of the Costa
Cálida Chronicle), but all information is
available on PALS Facebook or call 626
460 465 for further information.
What we do know is that there will be a
bar, there will be food available and there
will be lots of foot tapping and dancing. Our
invited bands are Highway 61, GNT, Jokers
Incorporated, Itchy Fingers, and a new
vibrant pair of bands, recently returned
from a tour of the UK, Black Sheep Puppets
and Snowblind. The show is to be hosted by
our good friend Byron and all this for just
up for adoption
along
with Jeanie
their mother.
Please
take a look
at our FB
page for further updates
and photographs.
We do have
several older dogs that
need rehoming too; not elderly, just more
than a puppy. Cinders is a classic example; a gorgeous mixed breed girl with possibly a little boxer in her. She is good with
other dogs and on the lead. She is ready
to go with all the necessary paperwork and
injections and even spayed, so Cinders
5€ entrance fee.
Tickets will be available from various
outlets including The Tea Pot, Yorkshire
Linen and Jackie Galvez in Puerto de
Mazarrón, see our Facebook page, or from
any PALS members or at the door. There
will be limited seating to allow for maximum
dancing, so arrive early and stay late!
This is the largest one day show on the
Costa Cálida planned this year and the
special presentation will amaze you, adding
to the 250,000€ already spent on your
behalf by PALS on life saving and medical
equipment in the Mazarrón area.
really is the complete package! Give me a
call to find out more about our other dogs.
In recent months the focus has been on
dogs. Unfortunately the problem doesn’t
seem to be improving and abandoned,
pregnant and injured dogs are the norm,
but, we are primarily an equine charity.
I have at least 10 donkeys that need to
be rehomed. They make great companions for animals and humans too, though
maybe not quite like the adorable advert
for Amazon that is continually on our television which I love - little man! Many of
our donkeys do love cuddles though!! They
take a lot of feeding, grooming and looking
after.
This is why your donations and support at
our shops is so vital. We have to make
money in our shops in order to keep our
projects going. We have lots of items in
both shops in Roldan and Mazarrón from
sofas, beds, electrical goods, shoes, clothing, books, CD/DVD’s, bedding, cards and
more. Now we have lots of lovely summer
clothing to choose from too.
As usual I will be on Camposol B car park
every Monday from 11.30am-1.30pm to
receive any of your unwanted items. All
your help really is appreciated.
Thank you
Andrea x
25
How To Be A Successful Absentee
Gardener by Dick Handscombe
Owning a villa or town house in Spain
continues to be a lifetime dream and reality
for thousands of persons from northern
Europe. Many of us purchase properties
as holiday homes often with the view to it
becoming a permanent home on retirement
from full time economic employment. From
day one the vision is of lazy holidays in the
sun. However, the reality often becomes a
very active holiday, starting a new garden
or recovering an emergent garden left some
months before and progressing to the next
phase of a multiyear project. Our garden
was absentee gardening for five years
before it became a permanent home. The
intention was to have a garden that took
up a realistic amount of time both when on
holiday and alongside many other interests
when retired. As always with enthusiastic
gardeners the time spent was sometimes
more than planned, but the end result was
worth it. However, we learned a few lessons
over the years from our own garden and
those of friends and neighbours that are
worth sharing with you.
Ten Guidelines:
26
1. Be realistic from day one! Recognise
that you are buying a house, but if the
Spanish weather lives up to its historic
reputation you will be living in the
garden and not inside the house for
much of the year. What you are about
to buy or have already purchased is an
embryo ‘Garden of Eden’ with a shelter
for sleeping and escaping from the
hottest July and August midday sun and
bad weather. At present what will turn
out to be where you spend most of your
time relaxing, eating, drinking, playing,
taking a siesta and happily pottering in
the garden is probably currently a bare,
rough, parched, reddish clay or sandy
piece of coastal plain or natural rocky
hillside; so often decorated with visible
and invisible Spanish builders’ rubble
and about to become a quagmire after a
refreshing welcoming thunderstorm. We
are sure we are not the only ones who
started that way, but be encouraged;
change can be reasonably swift with a
little foresight.
plants. The following list and actions are
based on our experiences:
A
B
Design for an outdoor lifestyle and
a garden that looks good as you
relax in various corners as you walk
around it even in the early days. A
garden that will be fun to work on
and live in.
C
While an absentee gardener, work on
the garden for only 40% of the time
spent on holiday visits plus a week’s
dedicated garden development each
spring and autumn. Remember that
you purchased in Spain to enjoy
the climate, ambiance, culture and
countryside, not to work in a hot
slave quarry.
D
Develop a simple but interesting
layout, retaining and enhancing the
natural beauty of old terrace walls
and established trees. The latter are
important for natural shade.
E
Don’t waste time on a lawn! Spanish
soil looks much better covered by
terraces, paths, plants and ponds
which in your absence can look after
themselves with the minimum of
watering.
F
Decide on a sequence for developing
the garden. In this respect it makes
sense to concentrate first on creating
a framework of firm, safe paths and
terraces so that eyesores disappear
fast and you can move around the
garden immediately after storms
and not transport red mud into the
house. Avoid un-concreted crazy
paving with plants in the gaps. They
rarely stay level after the first storm!
G
2. Decide whether you want to be
an active enthusiastic absentee
gardener with the courage and
patience to conquer the climate
and the soils of the Costa, an inland
valley or a rocky mountainside.
Conquering on a part time basis of
8-15 weeks a year is very different
from being able to potter 365 days a
year when resident! If this is not for
you, then decide immediately to be an
absentee owner and contract a good
gardener to design, construct, plant up
and maintain your garden to meet your
lifestyle needs.
3. Set some clear design objectives
before you do anything.
There is much to think about and do
before you start to purchase and plant
Develop and maintain the garden
without a gardener. Accept the
challenge and have enjoyment and
satisfaction creating something out
of nothing in a totally new climate.
Accept that you will have a few
setbacks but that you will learn on
the way.
H
For speed, lay terrace and adjacent
unplanted areas with rock chippings
over plastic sheeting. It looks good,
just needing an occasional raking or
sweeping to tidy up the surface. The
shape can be easily changed several
times until you achieve a pleasing
effect and when you have more time,
some areas can be changed to stone
crazy paving or large terracotta tiles
and areas for shrub and perennial
beds are easily created by raking
back the chippings and surrounding
the embryo beds with attractive
rocks.
Aim for all areas of the final garden
to be covered by closely planted
plants, rock slab paths, terraces
and areas of chippings laid over
plastic sheeting to minimise water
evaporation, the need to water, the
prevention of floods and erosion
during heavy storms and the
minimisation of weeds and most
importantly make the garden look
tidy quickly.
I
Plant with trees, shrubs, perennials
and bulbs that thrive, not struggle,
in the local climate. Ours has ranged
from +47º to –15º centigrade and
from 5 months total drought to 10
days of continuous ‘gota fria’ rain
including 45cms in one hour. While
an absentee gardener plant only
drought resistant plants and leave
more delicate plants until resident.
Also plant what will be in flower
when you plan to make visits. Start
with a selection of perennials such
as gazanias, margaritas, mesums
and rock roses; summer bulbs such
as irises lilies and agapanthus; cacti
and aloes; aromatic herbs such as
rosemary, lavender and thyme;
shrubs such as lantanas, jasmine,
oleanders, bignonias, plumbago and
bougainvilleas; trees such as palms,
tamarisk, olives, almonds, mimosas,
almond, fig and citrus. Ensure you
plant a Luna or Eureka lemon early
which flowers every 6 to 8 weeks
and provides a year round supply of
fruit.
J
Most importantly, mulch all plants
as you plant them. At the beginning
of each visit, dig holes where you
plan to plant in six months’ time and
fill with kitchen vegetable and fruit
waste. Leave to rot down and enrich
the soil while you are away.
K
Frame and maximise the benefit of
the best mountain views by planting
some early easy trees such as olives
and acacia.
L
Early on plant a hedge to establish
a screen from planned new houses
and the prevailing wind. We
planted cypresses on one side,
oleander on another and two purple
bougainvilleas on the walled third
and fourth sides. Total coverage was
not attempted until resident.
M Design to maximise the use of
rainwater and minimise the need for
watering/irrigation. Slope all paths
and terraces towards flower beds
and install a basic drip irrigation
system with a battery timer. Before
you depart at the end of each
holiday soak the garden thoroughly
and then irrigate for say 5 minutes a
day.
Above all ‘garden for tomorrow’ which
is where you will spend the rest of your
lives, not only in terms of enhancing your
lifestyle, but also for ease of maintenance
as you eventually age!
©Dick Handscombe
27
Cehegin municipality covers some 300
square kilometres and lies between the
towns of Bullas and Caravaca de la Cruz.
Like so many settlements in this part of the
world, Cehegin can look back on several
thousand years of history and occupation.
era have been found in several locations
around Cehegin.
The subsequent
Chalcolithic period (covering much of the
third millennium BC) is represented by
findings which can be seen in Cehegin’s
Archaeological Museum.
There was
a continuing development of prehistoric
society and from a cave near Cehegin,
pendants and bone figures have been
discovered.
Moving on to the Bronze Age, which
covered much of the second millennium
BC, urban societies began to form with
social stratification and some trading as
economic development also moved ahead.
More sophisticated pottery was produced
and metalworking developed further. A
distinct culture can be identified at this
time in south east Spain – that of the
Argaric civilisation of which the area of
Cehegin can boast several remains.
It is, however, in the first millennium BC,
when things start to become particularly
interesting in the area, especially from
the 6th Century BC, with the Iberians, a
redoubtable warrior people with a clearly
defined culture which had characteristic
ceramics, burial customs, armaments
It is unclear where Begastri stood in
Byzantine times after the Eastern Roman
Emperor Justinian took Cartagena and
began to expand his influence in the south
east of Spain from the mid-6th Century,
but the town would certainly have been on
the frontier between Roman and Visigoth
influence. Whatever its precise position
however, Begastri was never sacked in
the struggle between the Byzantines and
Cehegin’s story begins in the Neolithic era
of prehistory, a time of major development
when the domestication of animals
progressed as well as a more sedentary
form of agriculture, though hunting
remained prevalent. The first items of
pottery also appeared. Remains from this
and social organisation with nucleated
settlements. It was at this time that the
town of Begastri on a small hill near the
present Cehegin developed. Certainly,
Begastri would have exercised an authority
over a wide area of surrounding countryside
during its peak in the 4th and 3rd Centuries
BC.
But if Begastri was important in
Iberian times, it was even more significant
after the Roman invasion.
It was
nevertheless arguably the most important
Roman settlement in the interior of Murcia,
surrounded by a relatively rich agricultural
countryside. Begastri became a Roman
municipium in the 3rd Century AD and
had a period of some splendour in the 4th
Century AD, when it also became the seat
of a Bishop and was the political, economic
and military centre of a considerable zone.
28
Following the Christian Reconquest of
Murcia in 1243, Cehegin passed to being
under the control first of the Knights
Templar and then, in the first half of the
14th Century, the military-religious Order
of Santiago. Remember that the Moors
were not finally defeated in Spain until
1492 and for many years before then,
Cehegin would have been part of an
uncertain frontier zone between Christian
and Arab. The town does not seem to
have fared particularly well at this time
and there is reference in 1352 to its
temporary depopulation with privileges
being offered to new settlers. Attempts
at repopulation were hard hit by Plague in
1348-9. However, the growth in the town’s
population, which began at the end of the
15th Century, seems to have accelerated
in the 16th Century despite occasional bad
harvests and the inevitable visitations of
the Plague, especially in 1507 and 1525.
Following the capitulation of Granada in
1492, the population of Cehegin began to
expand outside the old walls of the town
and along the road towards Caravaca.
From perhaps about 1000 inhabitants
in total in 1468, by 1591 Cehegin was
approaching a population of 5000, out of
a total for the whole of Murcia of between
80,000 and 120,000.
Gradually, Cehegin was becoming the
residence of minor nobles and of religious
orders which no doubt helped its growth
substantially. Unfortunately, around 1600
problems began to arise. First, economic
difficulties started to appear. Then, that old
enemy, the Plague, returned with various
epidemics causing significant mortality.
Indeed, it is held that the 1648 epidemic
saw Murcia’s population reduced by 30%,
although some places were affected far
more. Cehegin’s population may have
been halved to about 2,400 between
1646 and 1717. One interesting feature
uncovered in the Census of 1787 is that
Cehegin appeared to have 560 ‘hidalgos’,
or minor nobility, which was the second
largest total in Murcia after Caravaca de la
Cruz. Other than agriculture, Cehegin had
a notable wool textile and leather industry.
Although the town had grown noticeably
in terms of its number of inhabitants
over the two centuries, by the end of the
18th Century, Murcia’s total population
had soared even more to over 370,000
compared to around 7,000 in Cehegin.
The 19th Century saw progressive growth
of Cehegin.
This was also generally
the case throughout Murcia though with
some geographical differences. Murcia’s
population remained nevertheless very
largely rural at the end of the 19th Century
and only a handful of towns could boast
over 10,000 inhabitants by 1900, with
Cehegin just making it!
During the
century, agriculture developed in the
Cehegin area with apricots and potatoes,
as well as viticulture, assuming greater
importance. By 1900, electricity and public
lighting were established in the town.
The 20th Century saw mixed fortunes.
Modest growth at the beginning of the
century gave way to outmigration in the
middle decades. It was only in the last
quarter of the Century that inmigration
began to reverse earlier trends. There
were also other positive developments in
Cehegin as fruit conserve and small scale
footwear factories were established from
mid-Century. The Murcia-Caravaca railway
which opened in 1919 was something of
a mixed blessing and only lasted until
1971 before it was
closed, but at least
today this has been
turned to positive
effect offering a via
verde (green way)
for
walkers
and
cyclists through the
countryside.
Most recently, there
has been a small
fall in Cehegin’s
population perhaps
reflecting its location
and the opportunities
which a small town
can offer. Thus, in
2015, according to
the Spanish National
Statistics’ Institute,
the population of
Cehegin had fallen
to 15,794, which
may not be many more than Begastri
at its height!
However, the town has a
marvellous offering for tourists as was
recognised by the Spanish Ministry of
Culture which declared the area of the
old town to be of Historic Artistic merit in
1982. It certainly is that!
Part taken from ‘Exploring Murcia –
Cehegin’, by Clive and Rosie Palmer.
Clive and Rosie have written several guide
books on towns and regions in Murcia
which are available, from www.lulu.com,
or contact clive.palmer5@btinternet.
com.
‘Exploring Murcia, Days Out’
and ‘Exploring Murcia – Cartagena’ are
available to buy from the Costa Cálida
Chronicle office on Camposol B, Best
Wishes (who also stock other of their
books), or phone Patti on 646 005 017.
Visigoths. Indeed, it seems to have gone
on to greater things and there are various
references to the town in the Visigoth
Councils of Toledo between 633 and
688. Moreover, Begastri was sufficiently
important to be named in the treaty
between the Visigoth noble, Teodomiro and
the victorious Moorish invader Abdalaziz in
the early 8th Century as one of a handful of
towns which would maintain its autonomy,
although under overall Arab sovereignty.
Even so, the decline of Begastri was
now beginning, as the new settlement
of Cehegin was later established by the
invaders very close by.
29
It’s the merry month of May, so don’t
delay; diaries out, make a plan and have
fun. Tourist office’s website and telephone
number shown below for each town will
provide latest information and booking
advice if necessary. For those tours in
Spanish – they still provide a great way to
explore an area, learn useful phrases and
make friends. San Isidro is celebrated in
many of the towns during May. Check at
your local Tourist Office to find out what is
going on near you.
30
tourist office and takes about 3 hrs – good
walking shoes and own refreshments
required.
Until Wednesday 5th May – If you have
not managed to see the exhibition by
local artist Joaquin Alcazar, you have a
few days left. The exhibition is in Almeria
in the Velezano Museum and is entitled
XVIII Taurean Days.
CARAVACA
www.turismocaravaca.org
T: 968 702 424 – Mon Market
1st-5th May – the Festivity in Honour of Our
Lady and Vera Cruz is a kaleidoscope of
colour and sound: a sensory spectacle of
powerful horses, costume colours, music,
dancing and of course, wine. Events
commemorate conflict between the Moors
and the Christians, while on Sunday 2nd,
highly-decorated horses race through the
crowd against the clock – watch out!
Dragontours have planned a trip to see
the horses on 2nd May. See their advert
on page 85 for more information.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244 – Tues Market
Sunday 1st May - a monthly artisan
market from 9am to 2pm with the
theme of esparto: weaving the local wild
grass. You’ll also find goods and produce
reflecting traditional arts and crafts.
CEHEGÍN –
www.turismocehegin.es
T: 968 723 550 – Wed Market
Sunday 22nd May - bargain hunters can
rummage at the car boot sale in the park
Ginés de Paco at the bottom of Gran Vía.
To book a site at 1€ per metre contact the
Tourist Office.
CALASPARRA
www.turismocalasparra.es
T: 968 745 325 – Fri Market
Sunday 15th May - free guided walk (in
Spanish) through the rice producing
area of the river Segura and includes
exploration of an abandoned original
Moorish settlement. A 9am start from the
Sunday 29th May - crafty shoppers should
browse the artisan market high on the
Plaza del Castillo for local produce and
artefacts.
Saturdays/Sundays – culture-vultures
flock to The Archaeological See of Begastri
open for tours at 10.10am, 11.15am and
12.30pm at only 2€ pp.
Sunday 29th May - an easy 3-hour, 6km
nature walk for all the family from Fuente
de la Hoyaleja – Morra Zenón which is
halfway between Cehegín and Sierra de
Burete. Cars meet at Explanada Centro
Tecnológico del Mármol close to the
motorway west exit at 9.00am and drive
to start of walk. Max 2 children under 14
per adult; bring own refreshments; tour
in Spanish.
Every weekend – the Coto de las Maravillas
has family fun and activities for all ages
including a Quidditch pitch, paintballing,
assault course, horse riding and more.
Check www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
or the tourist office.
MULA
www.mula.es
T: 968 661 501 – Sat Market
Sunday 8th May - free guided tour of the
historical Old Quarter: in Spanish with
leaflets available in English. Starts at
11.30am from the Tourist Office in the
Convento de San Francisco.
MURCIA
www.turismodemurcia.es
T: 968 358 749
Fri-Sat 6-7th May - the SOS 4.8 Music
Festival sees the Manic Street Preachers
and Kiko Veneno head a wealth of talent
– together with displays of art and dance.
2-day tickets only 47.99€ from major
agencies or www.sos48.com
Sunday 8th & 22nd May - free guided
walks in Huerta de Murcia (3.5km) and
Sendero de los Ginovinos (5.7km): meet
at Plaza Antonete Galvez Torreaguera
and Restaurante Santa Ana (Los Ramos)
respectively. Walks from 10am-2pm.
Wear adequate clothing & footwear
and take own refreshments. Info and
booking on 968 212 518 or email info@
ecopatrimonio.es – limited places
available.
Saturday 14th May - free guided tour (in
Spanish) of the historical city centre and
a good way to explore the city.
Saturday 21st – A moonlit bike ride starts
at 8.30 pm in front of the town hall by the
river Segura and is between 10 and 15 km
with no steep climbs. For those without
a bike – municipal bikes are available to
those calling 2 days in advance on 968
200 293.
YECLA
www.turismo.yecla.es
T: 968 754 104 – Wed Market
Sat 14th May - a free 90-minute guided
visit (in Spanish) of the Old Quarter
and its Baroque heritage; and chance to
sample local sweet pastries. Some English
may be spoken and leaflets in English
available. Start at 11am at the Basilica de
la Purisma.
Sat 28th May - a guided visit (in Spanish)
to explore the UNESCO-listed prehistoric
rock art at Monte Arabi. Follow this with
some wine sampling at a local bodega.
Meet at the Plaza de Toros bullring at
10.15am. 7.50€ pp (children under 7
free).
JUMILLA
www.jumilla.org
T: 968 780 237 – Tues Market
Saturday 14th May - free guided tour of
the Old Quarter, starting at 7pm from the
Teatro Vico.
The month of March saw two interesting
walks for the group of WARM. The first
in the Moratalla area and the second in
the Sierra Espuña. Many thanks to all
the leaders of these two walks.
Lawrie and Pat upheld their reputation
by unintentionally diverting from the
intended route a few times, but the rest
of the gang seemed to take it in good
humour! The watering hole – Teresa’s
bar in the village of Casas Nuevas – was
a good choice as the beer and wine was
served quickly with a large bowl of olives
and was cheap as chips (not included!).
The walking season is almost at an end
now for WARM, but if you would like to
join us when we restart in September
please contact warm2005@gmail.
com for details of the walks.
On Saturday 5th March a large group
of 28 in all embarked on the Three
River’s Walk, learning about the
geology, archaeology, plants and the
local heritage around Moratalla. The
circular walk took about 4 hours as we
followed the Moratalla River to Estrecho
del Gorgonegro with stunning views
throughout. We ended with a visit to
the Iberian settlement on Molinicos Hill
near where the Alharabe and Benemor
Rivers join. After the walk many of the
group returned to El Meson in Moratalla
where we enjoyed a lovely lunch.
A select group of 8 members of WARM
met up at the entrance to Casa Nuevas
near Pliego on a wonderfully sunny
Saturday morning and set off on the
14km Umbria del Bosque Walk on the
north side of the Sierra Espuña. The
pathways were varied, from wide firm
tracks through pines to narrow downhill
dirt watercourses, (dry of course),
through mixed trees and herbs and
farm tracks, through olive orchards and
cereal fields.
31
Christian Fellowship WELCOME HOUSE
A different way of doing “church”
https://sites.google.com/site/
casawelcome2013
A comment on a blog I follow read, ‘We
can put all the action and hard work into
the world, but then we have to leave it to
the big fella in the sky. We can’t control
the outcome - only the input, but with
all things being equal and reasonable the
result is usually in direct proportion to
the effort invested.’
That’s just so true! Speaking from
experience, I know when I put my all
into a project I can guarantee no matter
what the outcome, I feel at the end of
it that I have done it to the best of my
ability and I then have to leave the rest
to God. At other times I may think ‘Oh
that will do!’ and each time I come away
from the situation with a sense of loss
and regret. I have let God down because
I didn’t prepare well enough; everything
was last minute. I failed not only myself
but others too. At other times I don’t
understand why it is that God has not
rewarded my efforts. The problem is
that my expectancy is different from that
which the Lord sees fit to bestow on me.
The rain we needed so badly; the sound
of the song birds; the rich fragrances of
the flowers beginning to bloom hailing
the forthcoming summer, or even an
unexpected compliment or phone call;
each of them a blessing from the Lord.
How about just saying THANK YOU
LORD?
If you would like to contact us regarding
anything we have publicised or may be
planning in the future, or just for a chat
our contact details are:
lynda.spain@hotmail.co.uk
derek.tycymru@talktalk.net
Tel 633 447 937
In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read ‘Your ways
are not my ways.’
Next time we feel we have put all that
work in but it’s getting us nowhere, let’s
sit down and take stock. Think about the
blessings that God has showered on us.
Sometimes they aren’t always obvious to
us because we take them for granted, or
perhaps they seem too small.
32
33
Contracting Out explained and why you
should ACT NOW to trace your pension!
- by Richard Samuels, Wealth Manager,
deVere Spain
government paid in an extra 2% of your
earnings into your personal pension. By
1992, over 5 million had left SERPS for a
personal pension.
What are the recent state pension
changes?
The amount of state pension you get has
changed if you qualified for it on or after 6
April 2016. The basic and additional state
pensions have been replaced by a flat-rate,
single-tier state pension with a full level of
£155.65.
“Back in the 1980s, advisers were falling
over themselves to contract people out of
the state scheme into personal pensions.”
Contracting out also ended in April 2016,
but your contracting out history will still
impact how much state pension you get.
In addition to the basic state pension, the
state previously provided a second-tier
top-up pension, based on how much you
earned. Introduced in 1978 and originally
called the State Earnings Related Pension
Scheme (SERPS), it became State Second
Pension (S2P) in 2002.
Before 2012 rule changes, employees were
allowed to ‘contract out’ of this additional
pension. In exchange for lower National
Insurance contributions they gave up part
or all of it and received extra pension from
their occupational scheme or personal/
stakeholder pension instead.
The Government gave incentives to
encourage people to leave the state
earnings-related pension scheme (SERPS).
For the first five years of the scheme, the
34
The flower for this month is the Rose,
for its great flowering. There is a huge
selection of Roses including scented ones
such as Meilland, which are floribundas.
Memoire is a single very elegant Rose.
There are high-scented shrubby and
climbing Minivalla Rose, many of which
flower all of the year. The Rose comes in
many different colours and the flowers can
be single or double.
The Rose is very easy to care for, but
you must take care with excess water as
in these damp conditions give way to a
“If you ask people who have contracted out
whether they understood why, they haven’t
a clue. It really was a case of ticking the
box. Advisers only got small amounts of
commission – say £30, but it was used to
get people in the door.”
Were you one of them?
How can I find out if I have ever contracted
out of SERPS?
If you have contracted out of SERPS the
next step is to trace the pension scheme.
We offer a service that can help you track
lost pensions, including personal pensions
or occupational pensions and schemes used
to ‘contract out’. If you have lost touch with
a pension scheme since moving to Spain we
can contact them on your behalf in order
to find out what your pension entitlement
may be.
Our
Pension
Tracing
Service
is
completely Free of Charge, with no
obligation!
We can also help you get a State Pension
Statement which will give you an estimate
of how much State Pension you may get
when you reach State Pension age.
fungus that is hard
to remove. To avoid
fungus, spray the
Rose plants weekly
with a measure of
2.5-3 ml per litre of
special anti-fungal
liquid for plants. If
your Roses already
have the fungus, it
is better to apply
a systemic antifungicide
applied
every three weeks,
Case Study
Mr B (aged 54) from Hampshire contacted
us with the name of the company that he
had taken out a personal pension back in
the late 1980’s who he had not heard from
in many years. Mr B had moved to Spain 6
years ago and as it turned out the insurance
company had re-named twice.
We were able to track down the current
insurance company holding Mr B’s pension
and established that he had over £30,000 in
a fund used to ‘contract him out of SERPS’.
Better still, Mr B was able to transfer the
benefits from an old style personal pension
to an overseas scheme that will save him
tax and enables him to access the benefits
from the age of 55. When Mr B reaches 55
in June 2016 he will be able to take 25%
(or more than £7,500) as a tax free lump
sum. That new car he was dreaming of is
now a reality!
If you want further information, a State
Pension Statement, or wish to trace lost
pensions please contact
Richard Samuels
Wealth Manager
deVere Spain
Tel 965 020 402
Mob 692 352 156
Email
richard.samuels@devere-spain.es
but it is better to try to prevent the fungus
appearing by spraying once a week.
Other problems that can be found on
Roses are caterpillars or mealy bugs
or aphids. Again, use an anti-bug spray
regularly to kill these creatures as they will
eventually destroy the Rose plant if left.
The use of compost is super important
in early spring as this can encourage the
foliage and it will help the first flowering
buds to increase the colour and number of
Roses.
35
Bacon, butlers and Spanish nudists –
Foreign Office reveals latest top ten bizarre
requests from Brits abroad
Confused callers have looked to the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
for advice on bizarre issues ranging from
where to buy English bacon in Europe, how
to recruit a butler in Lebanon and how to
avoid nudists in Southern Spain.
The FCO has released details of the ten
weirdest consular calls it has received
in the past year, as a reminder to Brits
overseas that they should only look to use
its services for genuine emergencies.
Ø A mother asking for the contact
details of a young British YouTuber,
as her son was a fan of his Minecraft
videos.
Ø A confused businessman looking for
information on the construction of
plug sockets.
Ø A man in South Korea asking what
he could do with his old pound
notes.
The calls included:
Ø A man planning to move to
Spain who was worried he would
encounter nudists walking through
the streets.
Ø A homesick expat asking where he
could buy English bacon.
Ø A lady in Lebanon looking for help
to recruit an English butler.
Ø A holidaymaker trying to find Travel
Advice for a visit to Coventry.
Ø A European filmmaker looking for
an English pensioner to play a part
in his new film.
Ø A woman who was disappointed
the British Embassy had not sent
someone to give her a tour of St.
Petersburg on her arrival in Russia.
Ø A man asking for assistance to get
illegal employment in Singapore.
36
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister
James Duddridge said “Our consular
staff are a helpful bunch and do an
amazing job helping out Brits in trouble
around the world – but it is important
that people remember they are there to
help with genuine emergencies and not
as an alternative to directory enquiries.
Every minute they spend handling a call
requesting advice on butlers or nudists is
time taken away from dealing with life and
death cases, so I urge the public to think
before picking up the phone.”
Latest FCO figures show that over the last
year almost half a million calls were made
to its consular service – which provides
emergency help to
Britons in trouble
overseas. The vast
majority were from
people with genuine
requests and the
FCO assisted with
numerous
cases,
including
3,250
Brits
who
were
hospitalised,
4,770
who were arrested
and
the
families
of 3,670 who died
overseas.
Almost
38,000 replacement
were issued.
travel
documents
British residents in Spain made more than
13,000 telephone enquiries in the past
year, of which a quarter could have been
resolved if callers had first searched www.
gov.uk. The most frequent topics - for
which there is plenty of information online
- included applying for a British passport,
getting UK documents legalised and
registering a birth, death or marriage (see
table below for links). In addition, nearly
2000 of the total calls were inappropriately
seeking ‘lifestyle’ advice, with questions
sometimes similar to the more bizarre
examples received worldwide.
Useful www.gov.uk links:
British passport applications
www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
Legalisation of documents
www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised
Registering a birth abroad
www.gov.uk/register-a-birth
Registering a death abroad
www.gov.uk/register-a-death
Getting married abroad
www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad
Copies of birth or marriage certificates etc
www.gov.uk/general-register-office
FCO staff can support Brits abroad in
many ways, including arranging to visit
vulnerable Brits in hospital or in prison,
advising on how to transfer money and
helping those caught up in crisis situations.
However, recent research* has revealed
that three quarters of Brits (74%) wrongly
think the FCO can get them out of jail if
they are arrested, nearly a quarter (22%)
think the FCO can arrange for them to get
home if they lose their ticket and 15%
presume the FCO will lend them money if
theirs is lost or stolen.
Kelvin Green, Head of the FCO’s Global
Contact Centres, said “We receive
thousands of calls a year, and do all we
can to help people who find themselves
in difficulty abroad, but we cannot help
people make travel arrangements or
lifestyle plans, lend them money or pay
medical and other bills for them. I would
urge people to prepare well before they
travel, making sure they have valid travel
documents and insurance.”
37
The Golf Course at Condado de Alhama
is one of Jack Nicklaus’ exclusive Signature
courses. It is a 6,884 metre, par 72
course designed around five lakes and 116
bunkers. For those that do not want to play
the 18 hole course, there is a practise area,
a putting green, chipping greens which, of
course, include the obligatory bunkers(!)
and a driving range which are conveniently
located close to the first hole.
Club and the Skye Bar and Pizzeria.
There is a golf society which was formed
soon after the course was opened in 2009.
It welcomes holidaymakers and residents
who would like a game of golf whether they
be first timers or more practised players.
The Clover Bar in the Al Kasar Centre on a
Wednesday evening is the place to find out
about this society.
Condado Invest property of the month
Jardín 9 – 2 Bedroom Apartment
Condado de Alhama is close to the AP7
Motorway towards Mazarrón so access is
easy from Alicante in the north and Mojacar
in the south. The nearest airport is at San
Javier, although it is only just over an hour
from Alicante Airport.
38
Walk round this stunning course and you
will be surrounded by the Sierra Espuña
Mountains with pine trees, rosemary and
thyme at every corner and the esparto grass
which is used locally to make the sandals
that are worn with the traditional Murcian
Huerta costumes. Esparto is also used to
make the baskets that the shepherds carry
their water containers in.
The
weather
on
the
Costa
Cálida,
of
course,
means
that
you
rarely
have to carry your
waterproofs,
giving
you more room for
the drinking water
you will need. There
are a number of bars
and restaurants on
Condado de Alhama
including The Clover
Bar, The Condado
Location location location!!! Ideally located
overlooking the pool this is a great start
on the property ladder in Spain. Perfect for
family holidays with the children in the sun.
Great for the older children to holiday for the
first time without Mum and Dad! Within easy
walking distance of the superb Condado
Club bar and restaurant with tennis
courts and mini gym. We also have fabulous
bars and restaurants within the town centre
Al Kasar along with a hair and beauty salon,
bakery and Spar supermarket. The resort is
self-sufficient with no need to leave, unless
of course you wish to visit the vibrant cities
of Cartagena and Murcia or the beautiful
beaches and marina in Puerto de Mazarrón.
Contact us today for more information – we
won’t have this for long!
39
Spanish Income Tax For Residents 2015
Spanish Resident Tax Returns declaring
worldwide income received during the 2015
calendar year will need to be submitted
during April, May and June 2016.
A Spanish Income Tax Return will
need to be submitted in your first year of
tax residency, regardless of how low your
income is. Remember that for tax purposes
you are considered as a resident if you stay
in Spain for more than 183 days a year.
This tax is calculated on your worldwide
income, including pensions from your home
country and interest income from your bank
accounts you may have abroad.
Note:
There are pensions that according to double
taxation agreements between both countries,
can only be taxed in your home country and
never in the country where you are fiscal
resident (such as government pensions paid
to retired civil servants, police, British Army
personnel, or medical and nursery staff from
the NHS), will be taxed in the UK and not
in Spain.
As a Spanish fiscal resident, you will need
to submit an Income Tax Return and pay
Spanish income tax, at progressive scale
rates, on your worldwide income if:
¬ Your annual income is over
€22,000, however it falls to €12,000
(last year was €11,200) when earned
from more than one employer or
when the income is not taxed at
source, such as pensions received
from your home country.
¬ You
receive
Property
Income of over €1,000
Rental
¬ You have obtained capital gains and
savings income over €1,600
¬ When selling your property, you will
have to provide at the Notary, a
Fiscal Resident Certificate issued
by the Tax Office. It is advisable to
appoint a Fiscal Representative
who may apply and receive the
certificate on your behalf. Submitting
a Tax Return, regardless of whether
you are obligated to or not, is the
best way to prove you are Fiscal
Resident in Spain. If you do not
do this before completion, the buyer
will have to retain 3% of the sales
proceeds on account of your Capital
Gains Tax liability.
¬ Spanish Fiscal Residents of over
65 years of age are totally exempt
for Capital Gains Tax when selling
their main dwelling in Spain, but
remember you must have lived in
that property for 3 years prior to the
sale and you will be required to prove
it.
Personal allowances for this year are as
follows:
Under 65 years old - €5,550
(last year was €5,151)
65 years and over - €6,700
75 years and over - €8,100
Tax
rate
after
allowances
and
deductions, for the Murcia Region are as
follows:
Tax Rate
Between €0 and €12,450
- 19.50%
Between €12,450 and €20,200 - 24.50%
Between €20,200 and €34,000 - 30.50%
Between €34,000 and €60,000 - 38.00%
More than €60,000
- 46.00%
Last year:
Tax Rate
Between €0 and €17,707.20
- 24,75%
Between €17,707.20 and €33,007.20
- 30,00%
Between €33,007.20 and €53,407.20
- 40%
Between €53,407.20 and €120,000.20
- 47%
Between €120,000.20 and €175,000.20
- 51%
Between €175,000.20 and €300,000.20
- 54%
More than €300,000.20
- 55%
Income from your savings, different tax
rates apply:
For the first 6K Euros: 19.50%
From 6K to 50K Euros: 21.50%
From 50K Euros ahead: 23.50%
Last year:
For the first 6K Euros: 21%
From 6K to 18K Euros: 25%
From 24K Euros ahead: 27%
This will affect mainly:
Your capital gains made on the sale of your
properties.
Income on your bank savings or other
investments
Remember that banks will make a 19.50%
(19% for this year) tax retention on interest
paid, but you will be able to claim some back
by submitting a tax return.
For more information please feel free to
contact Corral & Alcaraz. It is not worth
risking your assets.
Corral & Alcaraz Law Firm will always be
pleased to assess your personal situation
and answer any questions you may have.
We wish to make your life easier in Spain.
Corral & Alcaraz Law Firm
Lawyers, Barristers & Accountants
Tel 968 078 754
Email celso@corralalcaraz.com
¬ It is your first year as Fiscal
Resident in Spain.
Remember that you will have to complete
and submit a tax return during your first
year of tax residency. Also, please bear
in mind the following:
40
41
Kitchens Plus1 – Let us Breathe New Life
into Your Kitchen.
Just changing the work surface in your
kitchen can make all the difference,
making it look like a new kitchen, but at a
fraction of the price.
GRANITE
Granite top have always been durable and
excellent quality. Kitchens Plus1 has
products supplied directly from Murcia
and exotic tops imported. For a full range
of choices and finishes please contact
Kitchen Plus1.
SILESTONE/Quartz Compac
Silestone is natural stone quartz (the 4th
hardest natural mineral) that has been
ground up, engineered with additional
colours and materials and then pressed
back together (using tons of pressure) to
create a counter or countertop surface that
delivers a consistent look, feel, consistency
and quality. Kitchens Plus 1 can supply
quartz surfaces in a wide variety of modern
designs/colours.
There are different materials and different
prices to suit your circumstances:
Laminate
Kitchens Plus1 has over 30 different Hard
& Durable Laminate surfaces to choose
from. Some of the most popular surfaces
are shown in their Laminate gallery,
however the full range can be viewed in
our showroom. Laminate surfaces are
available in 3cm or 4cm thicknesses and
different profiles.
42
Below are some testimonials from
very satisfied customers of Kitchens
Plus1:
and was extremely clean and tidy! The
only drawback was the amount of money
he cost me in teabags.............
I will recommend you to any neighbour or
friend looking to improve their kitchens
and please feel free to use my testimony
in any advertising you do in the future.
Camposol
Hi Philip & Derrian
We want to let you know that we were very
happy with our delivery of kitchen doors,
worktops etc. All installed now and very
pleased with the end result. They are
such good quality and it has completely
transformed our kitchen. We would not
hesitate to recommend you to our friends
and colleagues.
Thanks again
Debbie & Dave
Monte Golf
Complete change of colours, wall and base
units, work surfaces, tiling and fitments.
See below for our before and after images
and our customer comments.
Hi Phil
Just a quick note
to say how pleased
we both are with
the kitchen. Your
help and advice even after we had
paid - were really
appreciated and your
communication with
us was excellent.
Thanks also to Tony
who did a great job
Call Kitchens Plus1 in San Pedro del
Pinatar to discuss the best way to improve
your kitchen.
Tel 968 184 235
Email info@kitchensplus1.com
43
MABS (Mar Menor) Race For Life
Sunday 8th May
The race starts at 11am with registration
from 10am at Club Nautico, Los Alcazares.
Entry and sponsor forms available from
the MABS shop and The Post Room, Los
Alcazares. Great fun for all the family.
Run, jog, walk, rollerskate, wheelchair, dog
walkers, dance and any combination. Party
atmosphere – come in fancy dress. Get
a team together – there is a team prize.
Sponsorship not compulsory, but gratefully
received. Proud sponsors are DFS & Time
Out, both based in San Javier.
art in all its forms and is going to be
held between 22nd-29th May between the
historic centre and the San Anton barrio
of Cartagena. The Department of Culture
will be responsible for organising it and
projects to be displayed will be selected by
the general public and professionals. When
the festival was hosted between 2006 and
2011, it was credited as one of the most
important festivals of young contemporary
art in Spain. This year it will be open
to all age groups and it is hoped that it
will become an annual significant cultural
event in Cartagena’s calendar.
Hot Rally 27th – 29th May
This motorbike rally and festival in
Santiago de la Ribera, San Javier is
being organised by the San Javier Town
Hall. There will be a motorbike show and
various rock concerts throughout the 3 day
event.
Sunday 8th May - Cartagena is celebrating
the
Centenary
Anniversary
of
Significant Modernist Buildings and if
you’re into museums, there’s a free guided
tour in English prior to the Noche de los
Museos. The tour identifies venues which
will stay open into the early hours with a
varied schedule of events.
CARTAGENA
www.cartagenaturismo.es
T: 968 128 955 ext 1 – Mon Market
Festival Mucho Más Mayo 2016 in
Cartagena
Due to popular demand, Cartagena Town
Hall has reinstated this festival after an
absence of 4 years. It is one of emerging
A Fantastic Donation For HAH (Help At
Home) Mar Menor
On March 28th, HAH were invited to a fund
raising coffee morning at La Tercia Golf
Resort where a fantastic €348 was raised.
44
Local resident Mr David Searle, past
master of the Luz De Murcia (Masonic
Lodge) also came along with his good lady
Kath to present a cheque to HAH of money
raised during his year in office. The total
amount raised was €4,000 which was split
between HAH and AFACMUR, a charity
helping families of children with cancer.
La Union
www.ayto-launion.com
T: 968 541 614 - Tues Market
Saturday 7th & 21st May – Free Guided
Tour of Historical La Union 12pm
Saturday 7th & 21st May – Free Guided
Tour of Roche, La Union to include visit
to Museo Etnografico 10am from museum
Saturday 14th & 28th May – Free Guided
Tour of Portman, La Union to include visit
to Archaelogical Museum 10am
Saturday 21st May – Guided Tour of
Parque Minero. 7€. 10am at Parque Minero
Los Alcazares
www.losalcazares.es
T: 968 575 756 - Thurs Market
Saturday 7th May – Free Guided Tour
of Historical Los Alcazares to include visit
to Hotel Balneario La Encarnacion. 10am
from Tourist Office
Saturday 14th May – Free Cycling Tour
12pm from Sports Centre
1st – 31st May – Treasure Hunt and
Activities for Children in Calblanque
Regional Park, Cartagena. Map for
Treasure Hunt available from Las Cobaticas
Information Centre
San Pedro del Pinatar – Thurs Market
Sunday 8th May – World Migratory Day –
Tour of Salinas de San Pedro 10am-1.30pm
so much money for these 2 extremely
worthwhile charities and hope that this
will go a long way in helping them to help
others in our local community. We know
how hard these volunteers work and the
help they give to so many is exceptional.”
Coffee and homemade cakes were on
offer, along with a tombola, raffle, and a
selection of birthday and occasion cards,
gifts and novelties. Lots of people turned
up in support and an amazing total of 348€
was raised in 2 hours. Both the social team
at La Tercia, and HAH volunteers had been
busy making delicious cakes and it was a
delight to sit in the sun, chatting with so
many people.
Thanking David and Kath, Lesley said
“We are thrilled to have been chosen and
this cheque will help so many who are
struggling following illness to benefit from
the FREE help that we give to so many
people.”
La Tercia Meeting Place Social Group
Coffee Morning Raise Funds For HAH
Mar Menor
On Easter Monday, HAH were invited to La
Tercia Meeting Place where the social team
had arranged a coffee morning to raise
funds for this popular charity.
Santiago de Ribera – Wed Market
Saturday 14th May – Free Guided Walk of
1,000 steps round this beautiful part of the
Mar Menor. 11am from Tourist Office
Angela Brown, HAH volunteer said “It was
lovely to be invited to their coffee morning
and we are delighted that they chose to
support us, what an amazing amount to
raise in such a short time. We would like
to thank Jean and the social team for their
efforts, a very enjoyable morning in a
beautiful setting.”
If you would like to volunteer a little time
to HAH, please email helpathomespain@
gmail.com or telephone 634 358 529
Presenting the cheque to Lesley Eburne
(HAH Founder/Manager) David said “I
am delighted that we managed to raise
Benjamin
is 1 of 3
p u p p i e s
abandoned
in
the
campo.
He
is around 10
weeks
old
and
was
covered
in
ticks
and
fleas,
but
has
now
been treated
and is in good health. He is a very happy
little boy and will be medium/large size
when fully grown.
S n o o p y
Doo
is
an 11 month
old
corgi
x
cocker
spaniel. He
is
chipped,
vaccinated,
neutered
and has his
pet passport.
He is great
with other dogs, cats and children and
weighs around 8 kilos.
Little Nikita
is desperate
for a new
home. When
she
was
found
the
vet informed
us her tail
must
have
been
cut
off as she
has
hardly
anything there. Considering what she has
been through she is a very happy little girl
and so loving. She will be small/medium
size when fully grown.
Call 645 469 253 for more information on
any of the above pets.
To advertise an animal for adoption please
email info@petsinspain.com
To view more animals for adoption go to
www.petsinspain.com
Bridgette is
an adorable
little
pup
that
was
abandoned
in
the
campo. She
has a playful,
loving nature
and
will
be
small/
medium size
when
fully
grown.
45
SPRING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Fashion Show
Thursday 5th May 2016
@
Las Claras, Los Narejos
€3 entrance with free draw, plus raffle
Los Infiernos Perrera Supporters (L.I.P.S)
Fiscal No: G30881924
About Us
Los Infiernos Perrera Supporters
are a group of volunteers, of varying
nationalities, who help out at the dog
refuge in Los Infiernos, 10 minutes away
from San Javier. We have a dedicated
team of volunteers who help to provide
support for a myriad of things for
the dogs; anything from playing with
abandoned puppies to arranging transport
for successful adoptions.
Summer Fair
Saturday 18th June 2016
10.00am- 2.00pm
@
The Arches, Los Alcazares
Various Stalls with Tombola
Brownie
The lovely Brownie was found with
another dog, Magnum, in the area of Pilar
de La Horadada. He was approximately 7
months old when he was brought in to
us at the refuge. He is now around 18
months old. Brownie is approximately
36cms and weighs 18kg. He has a very
calm and laid-back nature, despite his
surroundings! He gets on well with other
dogs and loves a good walk. Brownie
has been neutered and his vaccinations
are up-to-date. If you have room in your
heart and your home for Brownie, please
get in touch.
Magnum
This gorgeous lad is Magnum, who
unfortunately is still here with Brownie!!
He has also come from the Pilar de La
Horadada area and was approximately 7
months old when he arrived at the refuge.
Magnum measures approximately 35cms
and weighs around 14kg. He also gets on
well with other dogs and loves as much
human company as he can get (especially
if someone wants to give him a biscuit
or two!!). If you can offer Magnum a
forever home, please get in contact.
For More Information call
968 570 059
All adoptions are subject to homechecks.
The volunteers attend to the dogs three
times a week (Monday, Wednesday and
Friday), from 9am to 12pm. We are
always looking for more people to come
and join us; not only does it help the
dogs, it is also a fantastic way to make
new friends and is a wonderful form of
exercise! If you are interested in coming
along to help out, or wish to find out more
about adopting one of our dogs, please
contact us via Facebook, Twitter, on our
email Losinfiernosdogs@hotmail.com
or contact Karen MacDonald on 633 357
309.
HELP Make Music in May
Saturday 28th May 2016
6.00pm – 10.00pm
@
Casa Familia, Los Urrutias
With The Geckos
€10 entrance with raffle, BBQ (inc. beer
or wine)
46
Haber and the Present Perfect
Well hello there! Have you had a good
month? Have you been busy? Have you
done anything interesting? What have you
done today before reading this?
Those of you who have been up slightly
longer than I have and are sufficiently
awake should have noticed something
about these questions. They all contain
the word ‘have’ and they are all enquiring
about recent past events.
You should remember that at the end of
last month’s article we said that, however
tempting it is, we cannot translate the
word ‘have’ in these kinds of questions, or
answers, using tener. We have a different
verb to translate ‘have’ or ‘has’ when
talking about the recent past, and that is
haber.
Like all verbs in Spanish, haber changes
its forms depending on who the subject of
the sentence is, that is, who is controlling
the action. This is how haber goes:
Singular
He - I have
Has - You have (familiar)
Ha - He/she has. You have (formal)
have spoken to my neighbour.
Han hablado con mi vecino. - They have
spoken to my neighbour.
To make it slightly more interesting, we
can also change the possessive adjectives,
so that you have spoken to your neighbour
and we have spoken to our neighbour, like
this:
He hablado con mi vecino. - I have
Has hablado con tu vecino. - You have
spoken to your neighbour.
Ha hablado con su vecino.
- S/he
has spoken to his/her neighbour.
Hemos hablado con nuestro vecino. We have spoken to our neighbour.
Habéis hablado con vuestro vecino. You have spoken to your neighbour.
Han hablado con su vecino. - They have
spoken to their neighbour.
If you find this a bit repetitive, well it is,
but I’ve generally found repetitiveness a
very useful thing!
Jane Cronin’s “Step by Step Spanish”
articles are available as e-books at
www.janecronin.eu where you can also
obtain Jane’s “Step by Step Internet
Spanish” course.
Plural
Hemos - We have
Habéis - You have (familiar)
Han - They have. You have (formal)
Taking your minds back an article or two,
we were looking at those things called Past
Participles and saying that they joined
together with these forms of haber to
talk about the recent past. Not wishing
to be tedious, but I want to remind you
again that these Past Participles don’t need
to change at all. They remain exactly as
they are, independently of anything else,
relying on the verb haber to make the
relevant changes for them.
To illustrate this, let’s go back to the first of
our example sentences again:
He hablado con mi vecino - I have
We can change the person doing the action
purely by changing haber as follows:
Has hablado con mi vecino. - You have
Ha hablado con mi vecino.
- S/he
has spoken to my neighbour.
Hemos hablado con mi vecino. - We
have spoken to my neighbour.
Habéis hablado con mi vecino. - You
This verb haber is an odd one because it is
rarely used on its own and generally has no
independent meaning, apart from in a few
odd expressions. Usually haber is used to
help change the meaning of other verbs,
as in the case we are looking at now.
47
Song lyrics are quite significant in our lives
from time to time. All of us, I am sure are
transported back to an experience or point
in our lives when we hear certain songs
or particular words. Rod Stewart managed
to get Celtic Football Club into one of his
songs and there are plenty of other daft
references to odd articles or places or
people in current and older lyrics. I was
listening to some old Led Zeppelin songs in
the car the other day and I was amazed at
how much rubbish they were able to sing
and yet gained such esteem and a huge
loyal following even today by all accounts ‘A spring clean for the May queen’ etc, etc.
Sometimes though people are simply
inspired to write lyrics and I must admit I
do admire people who can be clever with
words in songs; inspired some would say?
Inspiration is to be motivated or empowered
perhaps by some external creative impulse
or power to some abnormal level. How
In April 2016 Camposol Home Delivery
Service was launched offering a wide
range of products at REALLY competitive
prices and with FREE home delivery.
This excellent new facility is managed
by Layla Hickson whom many of you will
know as she has lived and worked in the
Camposol area for 11 years. Layla is a
real ‘Camposol character’ and a pleasure
to deal with. She also has had firsthand
experience of the frustration of living
on Camposol D with no car and a full
shopping list, so has been invaluable in the
development of this new service.
48
much of this is inherent skill, learned or
natural or perhaps a one-off impulse
resulting in the exception?
And....
Discuss? Okay we haven’t got time, but it
is interesting.
The Bible is ‘Inspired’ or ‘God breathed’,
but there is the same sense with Christian
songs from the Psalms and Hymns of old
as well as more modern Christian writers.
While singing ‘How Great Thou Art’ recently
it occurred to me that actually God had as
good as written the words. It was almost
as if God was singing along with us.
When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation.
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim,
“My God, how great thou art!”
Brilliant, inspired, God breathed?
The
office,
which is now
open
on
Camposol
A
is also worth
a visit as you
can
collect
p r o d u c t
catalogues,
price lists and
even request
‘special order’
items.
Layla
is
keen
to
offer a really
p e r s o n a l
You can find us on Condado de Alhama
in the Al Kasar Centre
Come and join us. We offer something
a bit different. Sit around and chat
over a cup of tea or coffee and learn
about God and what He can do for
YOU.
We also hold monthly social events in Los
Almagros. Look out for the posters or go
to our website for details
http://open-door.wix.com/open-door
If you would like to be informed of our
events and be added to our mailing list
please let us know.
Email
opendoorgettogether@gmail.
com
Los Almagros
Fuente Alamo
GPS: 37”45’ 57.77’ North. 1” 15’ 56.95’
West
Ken 646 705 403
Carol 655 141 721
service so go along and have a chat with
her; she will be delighted to see you. Also
on offer are party deliveries of bulk orders
of wine and beer and spirits.
The major advantages of Camposol
Home Delivery Service are already
being talked about and it has become
increasingly evident that this is a solution
for a multitude of different types of
customer. In the first week of trading they
were overwhelmed with requests from
people who had no transport whatsoever,
together with many housebound or
disabled people who were delighted with
the idea. Other customers to rush to sign
up included busy professional people who
simply do not have time to shop.
Some of the feedback received during the
first flurry of orders was also fairly surprising
as a significant amount of residents have
chosen the option of having all heavy or
bulky goods delivered to their door every
week, making the nightmare of parking
anywhere near the commercial centre in
peak periods a thing of the past.
Layla would also like to say personal thanks
to so many from this great community
who have given her their overwhelming
personal support and good wishes for this
new venture.
For more information and to register with
Camposol Home Delivery Service
please contact Layla on 628 153 762 or
visit the new office at Victoria 192, Calle
Tarragona, Camposol A
Open 10am-6pm Monday to Friday
Find us on Facebook
49
Dear Editor
Like many, I have read the articles written
by various contributors regarding the
upcoming June referendum. Some will
try to understand the arguments for and
against without really knowing any facts
and what the repercussions of a ‘Brexit’
will mean for the UK.
As a UK retiree living in mainland Europe, I
am more concerned with the repercussions
of a vote to leave that could affect me and
many other UK retirees. In a previous life
I worked for a large multinational where
it was common practice to analyze past
and present data on a variety of subjects
relevant to our business model. This
analysis was carried out for the purpose of
projecting possible outcomes from a range
of future scenarios. It is from this working
background that I make the following
observations and I hope that those that
have not been denied the right to vote,
do so, because few will be effected more
by the outcome than those that live in
mainland Europe.
As UK expats living in Spain, we enjoy
many benefits because we are part of the
EU. At the moment the Spanish Health
system is available to retired expats who
have obtained their Spanish Health cards.
Like the National Health in UK it is a free
service, but what happens if ‘Brexit’ wins
the day?
2,000,000 expats living and working in
the EU will be affected should this happen
and I cannot see either the UK or Spain
funding our overseas health care. Bilateral agreements might be made. As
most Spaniards in the UK are contributing
into the system, they are entitled to use
it. We retirees are not and we are great in
number and in great need. Going ‘private’
could be prohibitive, especially for those
50
that have existing medical conditions.
The PP party in Spain is openly hostile
to Gibraltar and recently has raised this
hostility to a new level. The attempt to
create a toll road for those that enter Gib.
was only defeated by a slim majority, so
what happens if ‘Brexit’ win? Spain controls
the air space to Gibraltar airport. Would
Spain still allow UK flights through its air
space to Gibraltar and if so what would be
the trade-off?
My concern also lies with our State
Pensions. Under EU rules, the UK cannot
differentiate between UK Nationals that
live in the UK and those that live within
the EU. We benefit from the annual cost
of living increase in the same way as our
fellow countrymen back home, but what if
we leave? Many expats in countries like
Australia and Canada, have their pensions
paid at a lower level of payment and it
never benefits from any annual increase.
If we vote ‘Brexit’ why should our UK
government treat us differently?
The Rating Agencies are predicting a mark
downwards in the credit rating of the UK
should ‘Brexit’ happen along with a run on
the pound.
The House of Lords, who cannot normally
vote in any election, has been granted
a special dispensation to vote in the
referendum, whilst those of us who stand
to be most affected by the outcome, many
have been denied the right to participate.
If many of us are forced to return due to
insufficient finances, then upon our return
our pensions will be paid in full, many will
claim all the ‘extras’ on Social Security and
large numbers will need a protected living
environment which comes with Housing
Benefit and Warden, all paid for by Local
Councils! Many will claim the free bus pass
so that they can get to the hospital and
clog up an already overstretched health
system whilst not forgetting to claim their
winter fuel allowance!
Keith Rains
Dear Editor
DOG OWNERS
Please, please, please DOG OWNERS
when
walking
your
dogs
over
the
hills
on
perimeter
D
would
you pick up after your dog’s mess
and
make
it
more
pleasant
for
other dog walkers that do pick after
their dogs which, unfortunately, are far
and few between. It’s like an assault
course trying to avoid the fouling
which is quite impossible and with heat
coming it brings the flies which bring more
problems.
that is open to the public. There are
serious health and hygiene issues if people
do not act responsibly when walking their
dogs. It does not take much to clean up
after your dog using plastic bags that are
readily available to buy in the shops or
from your local vet.
Maureen Campbell
Dear Editor
Cloud Nine had a resounding success with
our short plays for the Cultural week in both
Mula and Lorca. The students and teachers
loved them and felt that it aided both their
listening, understanding and speech skills
On 14th May, we will be performing a
Murder Mystery evening in Bar Med (for
details please contact Bar Med directly).
We won’t be taking the Summer off as
we will be in discussions for our next
Pantomime - “Oh yes we will!” and
organising reading of plays to stage for
the future. Watch this space for further
details.
We are always on the lookout for
new members both backstage and
on stage.
Contact us at www.
cloudninedramagroupmurcia.com
or
our Facebook page Cloud Nine Drama or
our chairman
keithpatrick@moviestar.es
Ruma
Dear Editor
We would like to express our thanks to
all those who supported the HP/Sew
and Sew coffee morning, on Saturday
16th April, held at the Cultural Centre on
Camposol B. Our special thanks are to the
ladies of the Sew and Sew group who
did such a fantastic job of organising the
function with cake making, teas, coffees
and stalls.
We would also like to thank the Mazarrón
Bahia Lions, for their loan of their raffle
drum and, more importantly, for their
large donation of food to be distributed
to the poor families around Mazarrón.
The total raised on the day was in excess
of 470€, plus all the donations of food
items, brought by people who attended. Fr
Carlos, the parish priest for the areas we
cover, was very happy with the result of
everyone’s efforts.
Joy and John Sloman
Please just think when walking your dogs
and pick up any mess. This is not common
ground and it will make it a better place for
everyone. The same applies to anywhere
51
Liberty Brokers…Stars of the Show!
The
new
Liberty
Seguros
press
advertising campaign for 2016 has been
launched and this year, the ‘stars’ of the
campaign are the actual brokers and
agents themselves!
It’s a nice ‘twist’ from Liberty Seguros
who believe that their intermediaries
(another name for agents and brokers)
should be strongly featured in their
marketing campaigns because they are at
the core of the Liberty Seguros insurance
business.
A specially created microsite was designed
for the intermediaries to access, where
they were able to vote for the ‘real look
and feel’ of a true insurance intermediary.
In this microsite, they voted for the person
that they thought that could represent the
look of a real intermediary from a selection
of photographic models. Two men and two
women were chosen. They also selected
the look and style for the models. The
results were very conclusive, with the
winning choice being a smart but casual
look.
The resultant images are now being used
in the press campaign which will run, in
different formats, throughout this year,
including the current promo ads, where as
much as 50€ can be saved on car, home
and life insurance.
As Iván Ortego, Intermediaries Experience
Director, pointed out, “We value the
amazing support that all our agents and
brokers give to Liberty Seguros and, of
course, to all our valued customers, who
are insured by Liberty Seguros. What
a better way to get them involved in our
business strategy for 2016? We would like
to thank them for their involvement in this
project”
Following the online voting, the chosen
models, two women and two men, were
invited to a photo shoot and were dressed
to fit the chosen smart but casual look and
the shoot began!
Liberty Seguros currently has over 300
expat intermediaries in Spain, providing
professional customers’ advice on any
insurance matter, including car, home, life,
marine, leisure, pet, as well as business
and commercial covers.
Go to www.libertyexpatriates.es or call
902 255 258 for the name of your nearest
Liberty Seguros broker.
52
53
Teresa Hill (pseudonym of Sally Tyler
Hayes) grew up on a farm in Kentucky.
She was a tomboy and learned to drive a
tractor and loved to climb trees. Her mother
warned that one day, when she wanted to
have pretty legs for boys, she would be
sorry about all her scrapes and scars. She
met her husband while they were both
working their way through college when
he was her boss. She wanted to live by
the sea and she wrote her first novel on
a little island off the South Carolina coast.
She and her husband share their home,
a brick ranch (for him) with a view of
the mountains (for her), with a collie, a
German shepherd and a 20-pound cat.
L u k e ’ s
Wish
–
Contemporary
Romance
2011
Disillusioned
with
love,
single
dad
Joe
Morgan
has no time
for his instant
and unwanted
attraction to
enchanting
d e n t i s t
Samantha
Carter,
but
Joe
needed
S a m a n t h a ’s
help.
His
son, Luke, has the crazy idea that
Samantha is the tooth fairy and he’s
saving teeth in a jelly jar so Samantha
will grant his wish for a mother!
Samantha’s wish is for them to be a family,
but that won’t ever happen
Five
Days
Grace - The
M c R a e ’s
Series, Book
4 - 2014
Wounded
N a v a l
Intelligence
Officer Aidan
Shaw is at
the
lowest
point in his
life,
hiding
away
in
a
friend’s
cabin on a
remote Ohio
lake,
then,
the
most
beautiful
woman he’s ever seen breaks in.
While Aidan holds Grace McRae at
gunpoint, she disarms him with her
kindness and concern. Soon Aidan realizes
the only thing he has to fear from Grace
is losing his heart. Grace has already
made one dreadful mistake: falling for the
wrong man. She isn’t sure she can survive
another, but Aidan is a true hero - tough,
honourable and incredibly brave. Aiden is
also determined to do the right thing –
including walking away from Grace if he
can’t be the man she deserves.
With one tender, unexpected kiss, Joe
breaks
through
Samantha’s
fragile
defences and spending time with Joe
and Luke awakens bittersweet yearnings.
T w e l v e
Days - The
M c R a e ’ s
Series, Book
1 - Sam &
Rachel
2000
T w e l v e
Days before
Christmas,
R a c h e l
M c R a e
opens
her
front
door
and a social
worker puts
a baby in her
arms - one
who comes
with a fouryear-old
boy
and
eleven-year-old
girl - siblings abandoned and in need
of a temporary home, but there’s a
catch: Rachel’s family is falling apart.
Rachel and her husband, Sam, have
dreamed of a house filled with children;
a dream that has led them to repeated
heartbreak. Sam McRae has finally decided
the only thing left to do is leave his wife.
Reluctantly, Rachel and Sam take the
children in, but just until after Christmas.
They will do their best not to fall in love
with them, not to get their hopes up that
this time a miracle will happen and that
these children will stay and that their
marriage can still be saved.
54
The 4 Pups – these lovely babies are 4
months old – they were abandoned without
their mother at 4 weeks old. From left to
right; girl – boy – girl - boy. They are ready
to travel within Europe.
to travel nationally or internationally.
Please find it in your heart to offer Lady,
Fozzie or any one of our lovely woofers
their forever home; they so deserve it!”
Lady – was born in 2011, and her shoulder
height is 35cm. She is fully vaccinated,
sterilised and ready to travel within Europe.
She is good with cats and dogs. She loves to
play and is very nosy!!!! She walks well on
the lead. She has a very good appetite and
loves life!
Fosterers
We desperately need people who are able
to foster kittens or puppies in their homes,
often at short notice. We also need fosterers
able to take in adult dogs who aren’t coping
well in kennels.
Volunteers
We are always looking for volunteers to
help out with the animals - for dog walking,
feeding and/or playing and grooming.
Please contact Lorna by email at lorna@
sananimal.org or whatsapp 676 276 199
You can keep up to date with all San Animal
news and events by checking in on our
Facebook page San Animal Santuario or if
you have a Twitter account, you can follow
us at @san_animal
Fozzie is about 18 months old – he is a
people’s dog, loves attention and would
benefit from being the only dog in the
household. He walks well off the lead, keeps
eye contact with his person and doesn’t
stray. A happy little boy who just wants to be
loved!! Approx 35cm to the shoulder. Ready
Events
Looking forward to June 2016
We will be holding our Third Raft Race in
San Juan de Los Terreros in June. The last
couple of years have been a huge success
and immense fun. This event will be held on
June 19th – start building your raft!!!
55
This year my husband and I have been
married for fifty wonderful years. We
have had our moments, but we have
always had good communication between
us and God in our lives and therefore He
has been our main stay.
Over these years we have witnessed
many changes and I hasten to add not
everything I feel has been for the good.
I remember a simple life, when we had
no mobile phone, or computer, or game
boys, or even a land line phone - and yes
no credit cards.
Of course one has to go along with
progress, but this world seems to be
accelerating at such a pace. I have
discovered Skype and I love it. I am able
to speak face to face with my children,
grandchildren and close friends, but the
art of communication is difficult with the
young as they seem to always be on their
phones or playing electrical games.
I expect each generation has had a moan
about the ‘modern times’ in life.
It appears to me to be a world of ‘anything
goes’ which is so sad; so many conflicts
and wars and disasters. A simple thing for
me is the lack in our society of manners.
Our children said to me they don’t know
many couples who have been married for
as long as us. Is this because in this day
and age people don’t work at relationships?
I thank God for my husband and that we
serve the Lord together. He continues to
Bastida in Totana, tasting local produce
and lunch in one of the best restaurants
in Totana, visiting the museum and the
archaeological area.
By the time you read this, we will also
have returned from our day trip to La
We cannot forget the last event of the
month, which was our surprise Tasting
We would love you to join us on a Sunday
morning at 10.30am. We meet at the
Cultural Centre on Camposol Sector B and
we serve communion each week.
The Olive Branch Christian Fellowship are
registered with the Free Methodist Church
and have charitable status.
For more information, please phone
Pastor Ralph and Margaret Locke on 968
199 622 or 618 720 181.
Day of white wine, cheese and sangria –
always a winner!
Don’t forget you can become a member
and hear about all our trips in advance.
Just pop in to Oscar’s on Camposol B to
find out further information or email us at
socialcultural@outlook.es
Hola mi amigos
It has certainly been a busy month with
our events. Our trip to Baeza, Ubeda and
Jaen was a sell out and a huge success
based on the feedback we had.
be in our life and with us each step of the
way. He is with us through everything and
will be until we meet Him at the end of
our time here on earth.
56
57
We wish to take the opportunity this month
to thank those people who have made
donations in order for us to achieve our goal
and help those dogs we are able to rescue
to find a permanent home. Also thanks to
all our volunteers who dedicate their time
in the shop and at the fund raising events
we hold throughout the year.
We were able to send 8 dogs to Germany
on 22nd April and we also managed to
find foster homes for more dogs from
the Perrera prior to their being accepted
for forever homes in Germany. We would
like to thank all those kind people who
have given these dogs a chance of a
better life and to be socialized in a home
environment. We would especially like to
thank the dedicated team who work with
the Mazarrón Perrera to succeed in not
only preparing the dogs for transportation,
but for comforting, walking and generally
looking after these dogs whilst they are
in the Perrera. If you feel you would like
to have an opportunity to foster one of
Losing Money With ‘Valores Santander’
or Other Investments
You will often see in the news an article
referring to the losses suffered by
customers who have invested in certain
products sold by savings banks (ie Bankia),
but what is not known is that there were
other products that also made a hole in the
finances of near 129,000 investors. These
are ‘Valores Santander’, a complicated
financial vehicle in bonds for the first
five years that were transformed into
shares and that the entity issued in October
2007 to capture 7,000 million euros and
thus cover the purchase of the Dutch bank
58
our Perrera dogs for home environment
socializing prior to their going to Germany,
please call Tony on the telephone number
below.
We are always in need of volunteers to
help man our shop in Puerto de Mazarrón
so if you can dedicate some of your time
for that please contact Cathy on 639 604
628. We are always in need of good quality
items of bric-a-brac, clothing, furniture
and bedding, which is suitable to sell in
our shop in order to raise the necessary
funds for our voluntary dedicated team
to continue their role in supporting this
worthwhile cause.
If you have any items that need picking
up, such as several bags or a lot of items
and for whatever reason you are unable to
get them to our shop, please call Anne on
634 338 674 and we will endeavour to
pick them up from your house.
If you think you could spare a few hours
a week helping our team to walk the dogs
at the Perrera to keep them healthy and
have some positive human contact please
contact Tony on 618 034 921.
On the first Saturday of every month we
will be having a Table Top Sale in Nico
& Sonias Bar in Puerto de Mazarrón, so
please come along and support us.
ABN Amro.
sufficiently widespread among investors
and are recommended for qualified
investors, as they may involve a high risk.
As an example, a person who invested
€40,000 in September 2007, has a value
today of €18,105.86.
‘Valores Santander’ are savings products
that were due to convert into Santander
shares in October 2012. The bonds offered
a high 7.5% interest rate in the first year
of issue, which then fell to 2.75% above
the benchmark interest rate until October
2012. Santander shares have fallen sharply
since 2007 to a level of around €3.99 each,
meaning that savers will lose from their
original investment.
‘Valores Santander’ are classified as
“complex” whose characteristics are not
There are a large number of investors,
small savers (such as pensioners), without
any financial knowledge, who lost more
than 55% of their investment. (According
to art. 4.1.12 of Directive 2004/39 / EC
and Art. 78.bis.4 of Law 24/1988), these
investors are “retail clients” and therefore
deserve the highest degree of protection
as consumers.
The Directive 85/611/EEC, as amended by
Directives 2001/107/EC and 2001/108/
EC of the European Parliament and the
Council, impose on Investment Institutions
the obligation to prepare a “prospectus” as
an essential tool to ensure transparency
and investor protection in the field of
collective investment. The information
contained in this “prospectus” is only
written in Spanish, not translated into
English for British customers and it is
insufficient. Banco Santander has been
sanctioned with a fine of €6,900,000.
Legal View represents a group of
investors taking legal actions against Banco
Santander, who have suffered significant
losses with the ‘Valores Santander’. If
you are among the many affected by the
acquisition of these values and you want
to recuperate your funds, please contact
Legal View on 968 199 237
59
R
A
T
S
P
R
T
O
R
57 words of 3 letters or more.
60
ALLOY
ALUMINIUM
BONE
BRASS
CARDBOARD
COPPER
COTTON
GLASS
GOLD
GRANITE
IRON
IVORY
LEATHER
MARBLE
PAPER
PLASTIC
PLATINUM
RUBBER
SILK
SILVER
STEEL
WIRE
WOOD
WOOL
Answers on page 98
Martine and Martin visited me at the
kennels and told me they have moved all
the furniture around in their living room.
Foster mummy said it looks really odd and
not symmetrical, but she doesn’t care, as
she wants me to have lots of room to move
around.
I’m getting more confident with them each
day. Martine has a very soft and gentle
stroke and she said I had to do something
called “smile for the camera”. As usual, I
don’t know what she’s talking about, but
I’m sure I’ll get to know her quirky sayings
soon – perhaps it’s an English thing??
Foster Daddy said it’s only another week
before I’ll be with them and Bubble and
Squeak – Martine said not to worry, there’s
nothing scary, just a house full of love and
attention all for me. She booked a week
off work so she could be with me 24/7 ‘whatever that means’!
4th April:
Well, what an adventure I had! I was put in
a cage for the journey to my foster mummy
and daddy’s house. I was very proud of
myself as I didn’t need sedating and went
in there without putting up any fight. I’m
getting rather brave even if I say so myself.
Lots of new smells and noises to get used to.
It’s very quiet here with the occasional bark
from the dog next door. I also keep hearing
little jingly jangly sounds and Martine said
that it’s the bells that Bubble and Squeak
wear so nothing to worry about
and seek with foster mummy and daddy. I
think it’s hilarious but they’re not too sure!
I love hearing their soft voices calling me as
it means it’s time to play the game. They’ve
bought me some marrow bones as they
think despite my antics, I’m such a good
boy and deserve the very best in life. Foster
mummy said the noise of my chewing kept
her awake for hours but she’s happy to put
up with it as I already have a huge place in
her heart.
8th April:
Foster mummy said she had the best sleep
in a week last night – I only woke her up
once at 2.30am so she’s very proud of
me and is telling everyone how adorable
and what an angel I am! Both of them say
how keen they are for me to agree to go
on a collar and lead or harness as they
want to walk me to meet other dogs and
go somewhere called a beach. Also there
is some mention of going in a swimming
pool when the weather is warmer. It’s all
go here and so many things to look forward
to by the sound of it. Martine and Martin
don’t want my disability to hold me back, so
watch this space.
I know it will take time, but they say they
have all the time in the world for me to try
these things.
Bye for now Derrick xxxx
Foster mummy and daddy have been very
patient with me and I know at times it’s
been quite testing. They keep telling me it’s
natural for doggies to take a while to settle,
not just because of my eyesight. They say
it’s quite normal even for ‘humans’ to feel a
bit odd when they go somewhere new, so
I’m not to worry, but I know secretly she
has not been getting any sleep because of
my antics !
I have been playing games mostly. I’ve
discovered the most amazing bushes to
hide behind so I’m constantly playing hide
Derrick
was
rescued
in
February. He was
found wandering
around
on
M a z a r r ó n
Country
Club.
He
was
very
frightened, not
surprisingly
so, as he has
cataracts in both
eyes and not
being able to see
much, if at all, he
must have wondered what was happening
to him. He needs just short walks, a soft
bed in the warm, some peace and quiet and
kindness. Luckily Martine & Martin stepped
up to help him and offered him a foster
home and just that!
61
Tunnels/Underpasses
Traffic laws must be strictly adhered to
in tunnels or underpasses, with attention
specifically to such matters as using
headlights, observing speed and safe
distance requirements and not stopping,
parking, changing direction or reversing.
When approaching most tunnels a blue
rectangular sign provides some key
information about the tunnel, such as the
name and the length, as well as details
about emergency help points within.
The speed limit in tunnels is controlled with
the R-301 mandatory maximum speed
limit sign (a red circle with the speed limit
in the centre), although many also have an
advisory maximum speed limit, indicated
by the S-7 blue square with white numbers.
Before entering the tunnel you will
also see the R-413 sign, a blue circle
with a headlight pictogram in the
centre, telling us that it is mandatory
for us to use headlights at all times.
There may be other signs on the entry to
tunnels such as the R-306 which prohibits
heavy goods vehicles over 3,500 kg from
overtaking.
Some tunnels have indicators above the
carriageway which shows if the lane is open
or closed. This is sometimes by means of
a standard red or green traffic light and
sometimes by means of a green arrow or
red cross. These indication signs must be
observed at all times. All signs, whether
fixed or temporary, visual or audible, must
be adhered to at all times.
62
exits and help points which are for use in
emergencies only. The exits are indicated
by the universal emergency exit signs of
a pictogram of a figure about to leave a
door, and often accompanied by the words
“Salida” or “Salida de Emergencia”.
The location of the closest emergency
point is indicated by arrows on the wall of
the tunnel. In the event of an emergency
access point being in both directions, often
a larger arrow will indicate the direction to
the nearest emergency point or exit, which
may be in front or behind.
In the event of being involved in an
emergency in a tunnel, you must:
1. Switch off the engine, switch on
emergency hazard lights and leave
your vehicle lights on.
2. If
the
emergency
makes
it
impossible for the vehicle to
continue, try to steer the vehicle to
the area reserved for emergencies
in the direction of travel, such as
the hard shoulder if available, or an
emergency layby. In the absence of
these features, you must try to stop
your vehicle as close as possible to
the right side of the edge of the
roadway.
3. Use your emergency triangles to
indicate your vehicle is creating a
hazard.
4. All vehicle occupants must leave the
vehicle and proceed to the nearest
evacuation emergency exit.
5. In case of fire, the driver must
make every effort to ensure
vehicles do not block the path of
the emergency vehicles attending.
Turn off the ignition, leaving the
key, and leaving the doors open.
All vehicle occupants must leave
by the nearest available exit in the
opposite direction to the fire.
In tunnels or underpasses where
the traffic flows in both directions,
overtaking is prohibited, unless an
additional lane or lanes are provided
for this.
A safe distance must always be maintained
from the vehicle in front, with a minimum
of 100 metres between each vehicle,
the equivalent of a 4 second gap. Some
tunnels have markings on the lanes to
assist in keeping this distance.
In the case of vehicles with a maximum
authorized mass exceeding 3,500 kg, the
safe distance is increased to at least 150
metres or a minimum interval of at least
6 seconds.
Checkpoints
The security services (Guardia Civil,
Police etc) carry out regular checkpoints
on the roads. Sometimes these are part
of routine operations such as combatting
drink driving, or vehicle inspections, or
part of an increase in security. Sometimes,
although rarely, they are directly related to
a specific threat.
Hopefully your passage through the tunnel
will be without incident and as you leave
the tunnel, you will see more signs. As well
as the S-6 sign indicating the end of the
tunnel and subsequent restrictions, you
sometimes see a change in the speed limit,
but there is always a reminder about your
headlights. This S-24 sign is different from
the R-413 as it is a blue rectangle displaying
a pictogram of the headlights along with a
question mark. Whereas it is mandatory to
switch lights on when entering a tunnel,
it is not necessarily mandatory to switch
them off, as it could be night time or during
a period of poor visibility, so this sign is an
informative version reminding us to check
if we need to continue with our headlights
illuminated.
Although it may seem daunting to be
stopped at one of these checkpoints, it
is important to remember that they are
being conducted for your safety. These
checkpoints do catch criminals, those
risking road safety, terrorists and others,
but the vast majority of people are allowed
to go about their business normally.
The key phrase to remember when you see
one of these checkpoints is, “Nothing to
Hide, Nothing to Fear”. The first rule when
approaching such a checkpoint is to stay
calm. Respond and react to the instructions
given to you by the officers conducting the
check. They may usher your vehicle to a
chosen place, they may ask you to exit
the vehicle and they may wish you check
the contents of your car, as well as your
documentation. Simply let the officers get
on with their duties and they will let you
get on your way as soon as possible.
Do not share this location information
to others on social networks such as
Facebook and Twitter.
Do not be overly alarmed. The presence
of additional security teams on the streets
is not a direct indication of an increase
in the threat level. The Spanish Interior
Ministry publish the details of the current
threat level on their website www.
interior.gob.es. On the right hand side
is a green box marked NAA, or Nivel de
Alerta Antiterrorista. If you click that you
will see the current status level. The level
has been at stage 4, high since June 2015.
You can also click the button below to see
the current state for yourself.
Tunnels of some length will have pedestrian
63
Votes For Spanish 16-Year-Olds
Parliament has agreed to put the wheels in
motion for 16 and 17 year-olds to be able
to vote after a motion by the Catalunya Left
Republicans (ERC) was approved by all bar
the right-wing PP, centre-right Ciudadanos
and the Basque nationalists PNV.
ERC recalled, in the motion, that youngsters
aged 16 can legally marry, work, pay taxes,
have consenting sexual relations and give
their permission for medical treatment,
including, (despite the PP’s efforts to the
contrary) abortions.
EU’s Tallest Skyscraper May Be Built in
Madrid
The skyscraper would have 70 floors and be
based in the Chamartín neighbourhood, near
the station of the same name and towering
above Madrid’s current tallest block - the
Torre de Cristal, part of the pictured Cuatro
Torres complex, which has 52 floors.
Developer Distrito Castellana Norte wants to
create a complex with six towers to ‘recreate
Madrid’s skyscape’ and put the Spanish
capital on the map alongside other dynamic,
modern European cities. The project would
involve extending the north end of Madrid’s
main business boulevard, the Paseo de la
Castellana, as far as the M-40 ringroad,
by adding on 3.7km and build a residential
complex of just under 18,000 homes with
various parks and gardens within it, occupying
well over 300 hectares. Only one-fifth of the
residential estate would be taken up with
properties themselves, to include offices and
shops. The bulk of it would be landscaped
gardens and public parks and even include
extra metro stations and outer suburban train
lines being built to serve it.
Around 120,000 temporary jobs would
be created in building the towers and the
housing complex and involve a €6 billion
investment which would bring in €3.3bn to
the city council in tax.
64
Over 6 in 10 Spaniards Want To Legalise
Cannabis For Health Reasons
A poll shows 63.5% of Spaniards agree
that both consumption and sales should
be legalised. Health concerns are among
the main factors that have prevented the
debate from going further due to the highly
addictive and long-term memory problems.
Nearly three million people in Spain
consume cannabis – that’s almost 7% of the
population – and the fact it is not regulated
means certain vulnerable groups are at risk.
Children or young teenagers and those with
mental health issues, suffer serious problems
consuming an unregulated drug. Growing
plants for personal consumption is technically
illegal, but is widely tolerated as long as the
drug is not smoked in public and is not sold
by the growers.
the Italian island of Giglio have been awarded
€12,000 in compensation for the anxiety and
stress they suffered.
Luxury cars stolen in Barcelona and
Madrid
Four top-of-the-range cars stolen from their
owners in Spain have been found in Thailand.
The amounts payable by the cruise company
Costa Crociere have been increased by a few
thousand each for those Spaniards who were
injured in the ship accident on January 13,
2012.
Thanks to the Guardia Civil and Interpol, Thai
authorities recovered five luxury cars in the
port of Laem Chabang, not far from Bangkok.
Of these, four had been stolen in Barcelona
and Madrid and were on their way to Vietnam.
A criminal organisation made up of Bulgarian
nationals had used the port of Oporto, in
Portugal, to ship them to the south-east
Asian country, stopping off in Algeciras (Cádiz
province) in southern Spain, Singapore and
Laem Chabang, Thailand. The cars have since
been returned to their rightful owners.
Cervical Cancer in Spain
Cervical cancer claims 800 women’s lives in
Spain every year despite being one of the
most preventable forms of the disease. In
40% of cases, women do not find out they
have cervical cancer until they are already at
stage III or stage IV, which can mean a cure
is less likely or even impossible.
The Association of Ovarian and Gynaecological
Cancer Victims (ASACO) says if tumours in
the cervix are found early on, treatment is far
less invasive and has a very high chance of
success. Practically no symptoms are noticed
by the sufferer until the cancer is at a very
late stage. Simple signs such as a great deal
of fluid, bleeding between periods or postmenopause, or heavier-than-usual periods
may be experienced with advanced cervical
cancer, but these symptoms cover a multitude
of conditions which, in the huge majority of
cases, are for very minor problems. Of the
2,500 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed
every year in Spain, nearly a third of those
women will die. Women are called up for a
smear test every 2-3 years from around the
age of 21 to their mid-to-late 60’s, depending
upon the individual health authority.
Until recently, cervical tumours were the only
type of cancer which could be prevented.
Pre-cancerous cells found during a smear
test can take years or even decades to
turn into malignant
tumours, but can be
blitzed in an outpatient
appointment
by
laser. 90% of women
whose cervical cancer
is
diagnosed
early
survive the illness and
with regular smear
tests
Spanish
‘Costa
Concordia’
Cruise
Ship
Spanish
passengers
who survived the Costa
Concordia capsizing off
A total of 22 Spaniards spent the night in the
wreckage or on the rocks on the shores of the
island waiting to be rescued, having swum to
dry land.
Paris Attack Gun Supplier Arrested On
Costa Del Sol
Police have arrested a man who supplied
weapons to DAESH terrorists to use in last
January’s attack on a Jewish supermarket in
Paris.
French national Antoine Denive, 27, was
caught in Málaga province after being on the
run for a year. A European arrest warrant had
been hanging over him as well as two other
men, from Serbia and Montenegro, since
Denive disappeared from France weeks after
the attack. He is thought to have supplied
guns to perpetrator Amedy Coulibaly,
who was shot dead by police after killing a
policewoman and four members of the public
in the Paris supermarket.
Fake ID documents, including a valid
European passport belonging to another,
unrelated person were found in the raid on
Denive’s Costa del Sol flat where he and the
other two men were still said to be dealing
arms under cover.
Green Light For European Air Travel
‘Passenger Register’
An air passenger register will be set up for
everyone who catches a flight within the
European Union in a bid to fight terrorism.
The French government said that attacks
committed in France last year were planned
or prepared outside the country and that
the lack of border control as a result of the
Schengen zone meant they were able to move
around freely. France also considers, secret
services did not communicate efficiently
enough, enabling the Jihad terrorists to cover
their tracks.
Data about air travellers will be taken for
the PNR register at the time of booking and
passed onto national authorities and will be
processed by a Passenger Information Unit
(PIU) which the EU now has to set up. This
information will be held for a maximum of five
years, but after six months any data which
allows passengers to be identified, such as
name and address, will be deleted. The data
will be passed onto countries outside the
EU where necessary and the Europol and
Interpol and will apply to flights entering the
EU from outside it, but may be extended to
those within the Union or even within the
same country if member States wish.
The Council of Europe and 27 member States
will need to agree the move before it goes
ahead.
65
Noah’s ARC
66
67
Wow, does time fly! The beginning of the
summer is here so let’s hope that July is a
little cooler than last year.
Below are our events for 2016.
22nd May – Sunday Lunch at Crystals
Restaurant, Campoamor. As I write, there
are a couple of places left.
21st June – A lovely Day Out starting with
a visit to the old Pueblo of Mojacar followed
by lunch at the Miramar Restaurant, Bedar.
Members 22€, non-members 24€. There
us a supplement for lamb which must be
ordered for two people.
16th July - Pool Party at MCC.
At our AGM on 27th April, John, our current
Chairman, stood down so a new Chair and
committee will now have been elected.
Green Fingers has become a group of
like-minded friends, as well as gardeners
(and labourers!). We receive so much
encouragement, making all the efforts
worthwhile. Even if you missed the AGM we
always welcome new committee members
and volunteers - free breakfast butties on
Wednesdays to sweeten the hard work!
Come along and make new friends. Even
if you’re only here for your hols, you’ll be
68
9th August – Lunch at Eduardo’s Restaurant
at Villa Martin.
8th September – A great 4 Day Trip,
staying in Madrid, but visiting Segovia,
Salamanca and Toledo.
24th
September
–
Romans
Cartagenians in Cartagena
and
4th October - our very popular Picnic on
the Paseo at MCC with music by Scott
James.
November 7th – 3 Night Trip to Fuengirola
which will include, by popular demand, a
day trip to Gibraltar. As this is proving to
be a popular trip, we are asking for 50%
beautifying our whole community! This has
been a record year for us.
The flowering shrubs in 8 large troughs
(donated by a Camposol resident – thank
you!) are already looking lovely alongside
the new palm avenue planted along the
Rambla road.
The troughs have been
concreted in and secured with bolts to deter
anyone with light fingers! It was a difficult
task as the ground had to be cleared by
Jose from the Garden Centre on Camposol
B before 4 lorry loads of soil could be
spread. A huge thank you to him and those
who helped - it has made a huge difference
to the main roadways - all paid for by our
fundraisers and donations. It has been a
record year for us - a huge increase of 26%
over last year in our bucket collections
and every penny has been spent on trees,
plants, gravel, membrane and compost.
Thank you everyone!
Our Maintenance Team continued the
street cleaning programme. Every Euro
of each member’s monthly payment goes
non-refundable deposit, per head, on
reservation. Members 150€ per person (2
people sharing) in a double room.
Non-members 170€ per person (2 people
sharing) in a double room. Single rooms
sold out. Includes all transfers.
For more information, contact Tony 968
956 418 or Vivien 968 956 050
Email mcceventsgroup@gmail.com
Visit our website
www.countryclubeventsgroup.org
Look forward to seeing you all soon.
Jennie Iredale
Mazarrón Country Club Events Secretary
towards sweeping, weeding and spraying
the whole of Lower ‘C’, though we may only
reach your road every few weeks. If you’re
not a member and see our teams working,
please contribute a little to our bucket!
They have re-stained the benches, cleared
the flood water and half a ton of gravel
and silt washed down Calle Santuario de
la Fuensanta in the heavy rains, using it to
fill a deep hole left by a burst water main.
Our best wishes go to the new gardening
group being set up on Upper ‘C’ and have
donated some surplus tools to help them
with their future endeavours. Good Luck!
Tickets are now available for our Street
Party/BBQ on 12th June to celebrate The
Queen’s 90th Birthday and save the dates
for our Autumn Social on 23rd Sept and
our Christmas Party on 9th December.
Please check chalkboards, Facebook and
website for information and John can be
contacted on 634 325 427.
More news can be found at http://www.
greenfingersgardenandsocialgroup.
com/
How about getting them to consider
coming along to church one Sunday
morning?
It would be very easy for me to soften my
approach in order to make what I’m trying
to say more palatable, but I believe that we
should all be honest and straightforward in
all our words and actions. It is pointless
to tell people what you think they want to
hear, just to get what you want, so what is
this all about.
Let’s be honest! This is about getting
you to take just a few minutes to really
think about whether you feel that there is
something missing in your life.
One of the problems with us in the so
called ‘Civilised World’ is that we want so
How we all welcome this time of the year
- lovely warming sunshine; not too hot,
not too cold with occasional showers, just
enough to get the plants and trees going
again. The weeds of course seem to take
up the first advantage and, as we are still
waiting for the relevant authority to be
able to spray them, it is likely to be a bit
more of a problem this year.
Since our last Newsletter we have
completed pruning the palm trees along the
duel carriageway and on the roundabouts.
Some of the trees have grown taller than
we feel able to safely tackle so we may
have to resort to seeking professional
assistance, unless of course the council
decides to take on the task.
A number of people did not like the slate
path leading from B5 to the Footbridge, so
we have now laid a concrete path. (Thanks
to the person who couldn’t resist putting his
footprint in the wet cement. There’s always
‘one’ isn’t there?!) We will be putting in
more plants and generally tidying up that
area shortly.
One of our Spanish residents kindly
donated a large number of potted flowers
and plants and these have been used
along with a number of pots donated by
other residents to brighten up the newly
gravelled area along the side of the dual
carriageway. Thanks to all those who help
out in this way and thanks also to all who
stop and donate into our Bucket collections
and to the recent generosity shown by
much. We see what others have and we
feel deprived if we don’t have the same.
In poorer, third world countries, people are
content to have full stomachs and a loving
home. They have far less than us, but find
it so much easier to find contentment with
what they do have.
But are you really content, or is there
maybe something missing, something
you can’t quite put your finger on?
You may appear to have all the trappings
of a happy and successful life. You may
have the comfortable home, the nice
car, all the latest fancy electronic gismos
and cosy lifestyle, but is that enough? Is
there just that little niggling seed of doubt
that creeps in now and again and makes
you think that there must be more to life
than this - something deeper and more
meaningful than material possessions and
worldly success?
Many of us expats are retired and so
have more time to do the things we didn’t
have time for before coming to live in this
beautiful part of God’s creation, more time
to think and ponder on what’s important
in life.
Is there more than this?
Where do we go from here?
Our Sunday morning services start at
11.30am at C/Zorrilla No 7, Fuente Alamo.
For more information telephone Rachel
(English) on 618 963 976 or Pastors Ginés
and Toñi (Spanish) on 629 283 080. You
will be made most welcome.
God bless you all.
Try turning to Jesus.
Try surrounding yourself with like-minded
Christian people. Find out more about your
Heavenly Father.
Oscar and Antonio of the Club Social.
The recent situation relating to the
Green Waste Bins during the past few
months seems to have improved, so we
are optimistic that at last the message is
getting through. The message is simple:
If the Bin is full, take your green
waste to the Eco Park. Please do not
offload your waste onto the tarmac
and expect others to clear up after
you.
We have a continuing need for willing
volunteers! The numbers coming forward
to give help with the planting, weeding,
litter clearing, watering, etc. are few, so
please contact us if you can offer some
assistance. We meet every Tuesday
morning for a couple of hours and
each extra pair of hands makes a great
difference.
Our ‘B Clean’ Community Group
Scheme currently has about 75 members
who subscribe regularly to a fund which
pays for the ongoing costs of our sector’s
upkeep. Without these funds ‘B Clean’
would not be able to function. We hope
more will join the scheme and subscribe
just 5€ a month to help us keep Camposol
looking great. If you are willing to add
your name to the growing list of members,
please contact Colin or Helen for details.
Come to our monthly meetings held on the
last Tuesday of each month at Trevi’s Bar
4-5pm.and tell us what improvements you
would like to see happen on or near your
poligono.
Colin (Treasurer) 727 770 944
Email bartoncc@aol.com
Helen (Secretary) 968 199 506
Email helenwhite522@gmail.com
Bi-Lingual Evangelical Church
As I sit down to write this month’s article
I find myself really challenged. How am I
going to persuade people that they should
carry on reading? How am I going to
convince them that they perhaps ought
to give some thought to finding out more
about Jesus?
69
Community Support Team - FAST 2016
Camposol urbanisation near Mazarrón is
very fortunate to have a group of volunteers
who respond to calls for assistance
when a medical emergency arises on the
urbanisation. The responders can give life
saving treatment and comfort to casualties
and family members until the medical
services arrive.
Unfortunately the service had to be
suspended in December 2015 due to the
discovery that they were not operating
within the Spanish regulations for medical
emergencies. Since then the committee
have been tirelessly working to reinstate
the service to Camposol. The FAST 2016
committee are now confident that they can
soon continue the service. The Murcian
Health Authority have all the documents
needed to give the go ahead. Once the
permission to proceed has been given, FAST
2016 will be back responding to medical
emergencies 24 hours a day 7 days a week
for residents and visitors to Camposol.
Training of responders has been continuing
during the period that the service has been
withdrawn. New responders have been
recruited and will play an important role
once their training has been completed. Part
of that training includes scenarios to enable
the responders to practice their skills out on
the urbanisation in realistic situations.
During the month of May the FAST 2016
vehicles and responders will be seen around
Camposol responding to these training
scenarios.
Fund raising by the supporters has continued
to allow the service to be funded:
The bookstall on the 2nd and last Friday
of the month outside TJ Electricals on
Camposol B
The FAST 2016 May Fair at Mariano’s,
Camposol A will be held on the 28TH May
from 11am-3pm with the normal traders,
along with a cake stall, tombola, jams and
chutneys and the FAST famous Prize Draw
with fantastic prizes. The fair raises much
needed funds to allow the organisation to
provide this valued service to residents and
visitors to Camposol.
If you would consider becoming a responder
or a supporter then please contact FAST
2016
on
Recruitment@fast2016.org
or visit us any Tuesday at 11am at the
Camposol Cultural Centre
Tel 634 309 899
www.fast2016.org
The Black & White Ball is back!
Yes, on Wednesday 7th September 2016!
Tickets go on sale at the Cultural Centre
on Wednesday 4th May. See opening hours
below.
The venue for The Black & White Ball,
Bar La Sal on the marina in Puerto de
Mazarrón, is the perfect setting for an
evening of dining, drinking & dancing
under the stars. The music will be provided
by Karen Noble & Andy Winwood. Why not
dress up, come along & have a good night?
Please Note
Some of our phone numbers have changed.
The only contact number you need for
assistance or information is 634 344 589.
Anything to do with events or fundraising
is 634 336 484.
Forthcoming Events
70
Wednesday
4th May
Talking Shop Social
@ Camposol Cultural
Centre
1.30pm
Wednesday
25th May
Menu del Dia
@ Los Galayos,
Puerto de Mazarrón
Friday
27th May
Table Top Sale
@ Camposol B
Commercial Centre
Information and tickets from:
Camposol B Cultural Centre
Wednesday & Thursday 10am-1pm
Tel 634 344 589
Events 634 336 484
71
Aguilas
www.aguilas.org
Tel 968 493 285 – Sat Market
7th & 21st May - Guided Tour of The
Historic Centre - 1½ hrs starting from the
Tourist Office
Alhama de Murcia
http://turismo.alhamademurcia.es/
Tel 968 633 512 – Tues Market
Festival de Los Mayos 1st-10th May
There are scenes around the town of
political messages and current events in the
news. Sunday is best for families, but there
is a great parade on Saturday night. You can
buy costumes in Alhama at the market in
the weeks before.
In 1990 the fiesta was registered as of
Regional Tourist Interest. It comes from
an ancient custom of creating rag puppets,
called Mayos, which are decorated in a way
to give them human traits (similar to Guy
Fawke). On 1st May these stick figures were
traditionally put on the doors of houses.
The Alhama Department of Tourism and
Culture, in recognition of the work of the
local people in maintaining this cultural
tradition, introduced a new incentive by
the way of awarding prizes divided into
three categories; the most original, the
most traditional and the most unique. The
main topics judged are ancient crafts of the
area, skits and comedy acts representing
everyday life scenes or specific human
issues, generally incorporating rag puppets.
7th & 22nd May - Guided Tour in Spanish
lasting 90mins to the castle, with
official guide. Starting 11am from the
Archaeological Museum Los Baños.
15th May - Theatrical Tour in Spanish 90 minutes panoramic tour. Depart 11am
from Tourist Office.
72
15th May - Classical Music Night at Museo
los Baño – Quarteto de Saxos 8pm.
29th May - Classical Music Night at Museo
los Baño – Dúo Flamenco (Róman López/
Juan José Belchi)
13th May – Eva y Edan @ Teatro Velasco
7pm 6€
14th May – Todo Encaja @ Teatro Velasco
9pm
18th May – International Day of
Museums – Jeff Toussaint -Hypnotist/
Illusionist @ Teatro Velasco 8pm 8€/10€
Fuente Alamo Triathlon
The dates had to be changed due to certain
laws about traffic control and the bank
holiday weekend, and is now rescheduled
for 28th May. The format remains the same
with competitors doing a 750 metre swim in
Puerto de Mazarrón and then a cycle race of
25km to Fuente Alamo and finally a run of
5km round the town.
For more information, visit
www.trifuentealamo.es/
LORCA
www.lorcaturismo.es
Tel: 968 441 914- Thurs Market
Saturday 7th – free tour of the historic city:
starts at 11.30am from the tourist office.
Includes the Medieval Castle, the Jewish
Quarter, Baroque buildings and a wealth of
information on various settlements which
contributed to its history.
Mazarrón
www.mazarron.es
Tel 968 594 426
Organised Walks Around Mazarrón
The Institute of Tourism of the Region of
Murcia (ITREM), of Mazarrón has organised
various cultural routes, hiking trails, boat
trips and ethnographical routes, with
more than 80 routes. For information and
registration go to www.visitamazarron.
com or www.murciaturistica.es
Miss Spain 2016
Maite Martínez y Cristina Oliver will
represent Murcia in Miss Spain. They will
compete with 50 other girls in Madrid on
14th May. 20 girls will compete for the final
of Miss Spain 2016 pageant to be held in
Seville in July.
Charity Concert Of Music Bands
On Saturday April 16th, the Musical
Association “Master Eugenio Calderón ‘and
the Association of Friends of Culture Chirivel
(Almería) held a concert in the Camping’
Playa de Mazarrón, Bolnuevo. Throughout
the day musicians and partners carried out
various activities that included competitions
for the bands, sightseeing, games and
food. The day ended with a concert in the
courtyard of the Cultural Centre of Mazarrón.
The concert included music from ‘Titanic’ by
James Horner and closed with the popular
Queen, ‘We Will Rock You’.
The First of 5 Region Swimming
Competitions
60 swimmers took part in the first 8km
swim across the Bahia Bay in waters of 20º.
César Hernández from Alicante completed
the distance in less than two hours. Ainhoa
Román, from Granada was the first woman
to complete the course.
‘Desde mi Ventana’ (From my Window)
Art Exhibition by Juan Mariano Balibrea
at Mazarrón Town Hall – until 11th June
The tour of this work of the Murcian
landscape began in 2013 in Murcia,
after exhibitions in Cieza in 2014, in the
Byzantine walls of Cartagena, Ceuta and
Molina de Segura.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 10am-2pm
Wed, Thur and Fri 5.30-8.30pm
The exhibition will be closed on Mon 23rd
May, Sat 28th May, Fri 3rd June and Wed 9th
June.
Pedro Alonso, Mazarrón Artist is a
Finalist In The National Competition
“Miradas” in Alicante
Pedro’s work will be exhibited until 20th May
at the Fish Market in Alicante along with 30
artists who have been selected from more
than 120. There is a prize of 4,000€ for the
winning work.
City Hall and Qualification Centre for
Tourist Hotels Offering New Courses
The Department of Tourism in Mazarrón
and the Centre for Tourism Qualification
in Murcia is offering new courses for 15
places for workers in SMEs and those selfemployed in the hospitality sector.
Techniques and skills, introduction to
bartending from 10th to 12th May
Techniques and skills including cutting and
serving ham from 23rd to 25th May
Registrations can be made on
www.cctmurcia.es
Illegal Motorhome Camping
Juan Hernandez, will meet with the
Government Delegate and associations of
caravans and campsites in the region to
“establish concrete measures in order to
redirect this practice towards a situation
of sustainability and legality that does not
harm the tourism business fabric of the
region.
The Institute of Tourism is working on an
order that includes the creation of ‘special
camps for campers and caravans’ and also
addresses the regulation of the special
reception areas which total 14 throughout
the region. The determining factor must
be that the campers who choose to transit
these areas will, in addition to compliance
with minimum requirements for facilities
and services, have a maximum stay of 48
hours.
Easter Monday
This event as usual was a great success.
The children managed to find all the Easter
eggs and didn’t take long to eat them. The
Raffles went very well and the BBQ sold
out, so all in all a great afternoon.
Caravaca & Calasparra 16th May
The trip to Caravaca with a meal at the
Restaurant Santuario de la Esperanza on
16th May has 3 tickets available due to last
minute cancellations. Please ring if you
are interested in this trip. We have been
assured that on Mondays, Caravaca have a
market, so plenty to do on our visit there,
before our lunch.
During the last couple of weeks all the
streets of Los Palacios have been sprayed
with weed killer, so hopefully all the weeds
are now dying off. It would be great if those
who are fit and well enough could spend
just a couple of minutes outside of their
own house and pull out the dead weeds.
Obviously this helps ensure the weeds don’t
return as quickly next time.
Mystery Day Trip With Lunch In June
More to follow on this trip which promises
to be a very exciting trip.
Tarragona & Barcelona 27th September
- 4 Days
A
mini-break
to
Tarragona
and
Barcelona
staying in a 4
star Hotel on a
B & B basis in
Tarragona,
a
UNESCO World
heritage
site.
At the moment
we have a full
list, but only
a few deposits
have been taken
so this could
change. If you would like your name added
to the list then please get in touch either
a massive time commitment.
Having had a busy month, the Los Palacios
Gardening & Community Group has
made significant progress on two new
projects:
Work has now nearly finished on developing
the area adjacent to the doctor’s surgery on
Central Park. Over the next few weeks we
will complete our improvement plan for this
area when the final section has membrane
and gravel laid.
In People’s Park the northern end has now
been completely cleared and the existing
trees and shrubs have all been pruned and
The gardening volunteers are trying their
best, but unfortunately we just don’t
have enough people to do all the routine
maintenance tasks to help keep everywhere
looking at its best. For the first time since
the group started we have just had to pay
a private contractor to carry out the weed
spraying due to lack of manpower. We could
really do with additional people to help
out. Anyone interested can either contact
us on our Facebook page, or come along
to the Commercial Centre on Los Palacios
on a Monday morning between 9.30 and
10.30am and speak to one of the existing
members. Everyone will be made extremely
welcome and it’s a great way to meet new
people and make new friends. Most people
only work for one hour per week, so it’s not
by email or ringing the numbers supplied
at the bottom of the page.
Christmas Party
Our Christmas Party on 9th December
(provisional date) with our grand Christmas
draw. Tickets available later in the year.
Email
www.mccsocialclub@yahoo.
co.uk or tel Shirley on 968 956 070 or
Sue on 968 956 155
trimmed. We now intend to lay membrane
and gravel in between the plants to make
this area much more maintenance-free. We
will also be introducing some new benches
to create a new permanent seating area.
Finally we are pleased to announce that
in conjunction with the businesses at
the commercial centre, Los Palacios
Gardening & Community Group will be
holding a Summer Fair on 16th July. We
already have over 25 stalls, a fashion show
organised and a variety of entertainment
throughout the evening, so please put the
date in your diary and come along to what is
sure to be a great community event.
Hi everyone!
Goodness May already; how time flies. We
are at present sorting out more day trips
with a Menu del Dia included, so watch this
space.
73
Hello ladies!
Our April meeting; yes April already! was a
Fun Quiz, on the longest reigning monarch
in history - her majesty the Queen. Karen
set the questions and thought they were
pretty easy! Well done anyway for trying must revise more in future!!
After tea, Ann & Mags from Age Concern
came along and gave us an insight to some
of the services they offer. Mags spoke
passionately about Age Concern and told
us lots of things we didn’t realise went on.
As I said last month they have provided
my parents with help and I would urge
people to get in touch with them if they
This month I am going to re-iterate what
Camposol Kitty Kitty was set up for and
try to explain how TNR works.
Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is widely
recognized as the most humane and
effective strategy for reducing feral cat
populations.
TNR involves humanely
trapping feral cats living in towns and rural
areas and transporting them to a vet where
they are neutered. Here they also receive a
health check, and can be treated for routine
medical conditions. After surgery, the cat is
then returned back to his colony habitat
where caring individuals provide food,
water and shelter.
Why Does Trap and Kill Not Work?
Animal control agencies will tell you that
trap and kill is the only way to control the
unwanted cat population and they have
proceeded to kill all feral cats that they can.
The fact is that after almost 100 years of
74
can offer help to Age Concern. They need
befrienders and drivers.
The May meeting will be a talk and
hopefully a demo from the FAST team, so
looking forward to that.
Ladies’ Chatterbox meets every second
Thursday of the month 2pm-4pm. The
Book Club meets every first Thursday
2pm-4pm. Both of these are held at
Camposol Cultural Centre.
Our End Of Term Party in June is going to
be a cheese and wine tasting. We are also
going to have games, so watch this space.
For any information on these please call
Chris Leiper on 968 199 441/675 123 098
chrisleiper1944@gmail.com
Email
Facebook Chatterbox
All the trips are fully booked now; sorry
ladies. We do have a waiting list if you
want to go, so please get in touch with
Chris Leiper or via the Facebook page.
Sew & Sew meets every Monday 2.15pm4.30pm at Camposol Cultural Centre.
For information on this group please ring
Karen Dobinson on 696 668 084
killing there are still feral cats. Isn’t that
proof enough?
cats continue to breed.
Why doesn’t it work?
Removing cats from an area only allows
another colony to move into its place.
Essentially you would have to trap and kill
everywhere all at once, to catch all the cats.
The TNR option allows you to stabilize one
area at a time. Once the cat population of a
colony is stabilized, the colony will defend its
territory and keep other cats from moving
in. Working one area at a time allows you
to clean up entire regions, because all food
sources will be utilized for sterilized cats.
To many people, killing the feral cats is not
acceptable. Many people, especially the
elderly living alone, welcome the company
of the cats each day. Others rely on the
cats for rodent control in places such as
farms etc. Without a TNR programme these
people have no alternative but to let the
Why Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR)
Works
TNR works
only if entire
colonies are
stabilized.
Tr a p p i n g
95% of the
cats
in
a
colony
will
not stabilize
the
colony.
By stabilizing
e n t i r e
colonies
at
each
food
s o u r c e ,
ultimately all
food sources
will be used
for sterilized
cats. Unsterilized cats without food sources
will not survive. All sterilized cats have
marked left ears. This makes it possible
for caretakers to differentiate between cats
that have already been sterilized vs. the
ones that have not been sterilized yet.
After reading this I am hoping to appeal
to the people on Camposol A that insist on
continuing to feed the feral cats on the car
park/palm tree near the Indian and hope
that they heed our pleas to please STOP
feeding the cats until we have managed to
catch and manage the colony again. Once
stabilised we welcome the help with feeding,
but while there are sick and pregnant cats
around that are not part of the managed
colony, we really need to be able to take
control – that can only happen if we have a
managed feeding programme to enable us
to trap and neuter.
Please feel free to contact me on 636 316
132 to discuss further.
Many thanks
Alison
Dorothy was not only one of the founder
members of Forget Me Not and was also
an inspiration to us all. Dorothy was always
one of the first to arrive at the Cultural
Centre on Monday mornings and one of
the last to leave – very rarely was she
seem without a smile on her face and her
dedication is almost irreplaceable. Dorothy
sadly lost her battle with cancer on 23rd
December 2014.
Dorothy Kay found her true vocation and
came to nursing in her mid 40’s, after
being a very successful hairdresser. She
sailed through her nurse’s training and in
time became a trainer herself, passing on
her wealth of knowledge to others. Her
boundless love and devotion to her chosen
profession was passed on to the members
of Forget Me Not.
Dorothy was not only a founder member of
our charity, but was a supporter and friend
to many in and around Camposol. This Fun
We
have
had
some
very strange
w e a t h e r
lately;
one
minute hot,
the
next
m i n u t e
wet
and
windy. April
thankfully
saw
the
really
cold
w e a t h e r
gone which
was a real
blessing
to our families who live in very poor
conditions. Some are still without water
and electricity, but somehow seem to
manage.
Thank
you
to the lovely
couple
in
Camposol
who donated
a
washing
machine.
The
joy
on
Rosa’s
face
was
delightful.
Run, in her memory, is a major fundraiser
for Forget Me Not to enable us to continue
our work supporting carers of people
suffering from dementia and other longterm health issues, but, as you know, both
commercial and charitable events involve
both effort and cost, so please come along
and support us.
Entry/Sponsor Forms Are At A Number
Of Venues On Camposol A And B.
If you feel you could support us in some way
by providing sponsorship to cover cost of
the event, we will do our very best to make
that support public. Also, if you feel you
could spare a couple of hours on a Monday
morning, you will also be very welcome to
pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and see
how we work. We have mainly gentlemen
at the moment, who love a game of table
tennis, darts, blow football and skittles to
name but a few games they play – come on
guys, there must be some of you that can
find an hour or two on a Monday morning
to give someone a game?
our members stood down, they were our
chairman and founder member Barbara
Kemp, Vice-Chairman June Rogers and
Secretary Denis Kemp. The committee
were then duly elected:
Chairman – Dee Van Loon Thompson
Vice Chairman – Barbara Clarke
Treasurer – Colin Aubrey Thackwell, voted
to remain as Treasurer
Secretary – Irene Wright
PR/Publicity – Linda Hobbs
Irene Senior Peake proposed a vote of
thanks for those stepping down from the
committee and those joining.
Forget Me Not meets at the Cultural
Centre on Camposol B at 10.30am-1.30pm
every Monday.
Our AGM was held on Monday, 22nd March.
Unfortunately, and with much regret, 3 of
S u s a n
continues
to
knit
wonderful
j u m p e r s
and donates
good quality
items
for
the
Table
Top
Sales.
God
bless
you Susan.
We are so
grateful
to
our
ladies
(and Colin)
who manage
the Table Top Sales each fortnight on
Camposol B and for the donations of food
which they collect from the good souls on
Camposol and the surrounding area. The
food bill continues to grow, but we have
been so blessed recently and we thank you
all for your continued support.
God Bless
Marge and Arthur
Drop off Points
Fortnightly Table Top Sale, Camposol
Sector B
Robbo’s Golf Shop, San Javier - Neil &
Nikki Robinson
Time Out, San Javier - Gary & Sue
Arthur & Marge 659 270 885/689 653
987
Email arthurlaws@hotmail.com
Email
swaptearsforsmilesspain@
yahoo.com
www.swaptearsforsmiles.wix.com/
swap-tears-4-smiles
w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m /
swaptearsforsmiles-spain
One of our biggest events on our calendar
is upon us and that is The Dorothy Kay
Memorial Mile. This event takes place on
Wednesday 4th MAY at 8pm with registration
from 6pm at the Black Bull on Camposol B.
75
A Cup of Tea
In times gone by, it was always kept
under lock and key.
It was sold loose and by the ounce.
All types of tea; black tea, green, oolong,
dark, white, yellow,
Along with blooming tea.
Then it came in little brown paper bags.
Then foil bags came along, labelled and
branded.
Then came tea bags, square, round,
pyramid, all shapes and sizes.
There is something that has stayed the
same through time;
It has always been a cure-all,
From saving someone from shock,
To sharing a celebration or lamenting,
All toasted in tea.
Firstly sorry there was no TV news in April.
I really do not know what happened, but all
of a sudden we were past publication date
and I had not even thought about it!
bad reception. The TV services have been
working well, but are totally dependant
on your internet supply, but then this is
a problem that will be overcome as soon
as internet providers satisfy the demand
needs.
Things are much the same in the Rainbow
Satellites’ household with all the animals
well including the foster dog Lucy who is
still looking for that permanent home. She
really has become a nice dog – good with
other dogs and our cat. If a permanent
doggy resident is not for you, have you
considered fostering? Lots of dogs need
a temporary home and some love and
training before going to a permanent home.
Contact us if you are interested and we can
arrange a chat with the dog organisation
we are involved with.
The garden is growing and coming alive
as spring really arrives – more constant
watering and weeding! With little rain I
wonder how the watering wells will fare in
summer.
76
TV NEWS
The big story must be the reception – or
lack of it! Satellite signals seem to have
crept to their low values as the heat turns
up. Every year they reduce in the hotter
air and many reports of lost channels are
coming in to us. The only real answer is a
bigger dish - a 1.80m is really needed for
successful reception and even then some
channels can be a problem especially in the
far south west areas of the region.
Internet TV is the way forward, but it
seems many of the internet providers
miscalculated their bandwidth needs and
many viewers have been suffering with
Heat and cold cured with tea.
Time of war it has been a morale booster,
A sign of confidence and resolution.
It is an amazing little leaf,
Drunk with mild or neat, with sugar or
none.
It is amazing, the powers of the humble
cup of tea.
by Mike Edmans
There are all sorts of ways to get internet
TV, but beware of some systems unless
you are a real computer ‘geek’. There are
few easy-to-use instant channel access
systems around, but in general will carry
a subscription which should only be quite
small. Buy a box on the market for 100€
and I am sure it will do all the seller claims,
but whether you will be able to make it do
those things and keep it running really is
another matter. Would you buy your TV set,
your washing machine or your computer
from the man on the market or from the
advert that has just appeared in the latest
magazine with no company name, address
or owner? Do not expect the established
TV installation company to sort out your
‘impulse’ buy that looks a real bargain!
We often get asked why our IPTV systems
carry an ongoing subscription and the
question I reply with is “Who maintains the
system long term?” Things will go wrong,
especially at weekends and holidays! With a
cheap ‘one off’ payment, who will maintain
that system over the years? Who will add
and delete channels as they come and
go and if satellite-based, who will change
the broadcast frequency? One answer is
advertising, but do you want an advert
to pop up in the middle of Coronation
Street? “YES” I can hear many of you say!
Ask an established TV installer for some
information on IPTV systems before you
make the purchase.
If you have just purchased a dream
property in Spain and there is no UK TV
installed, which way do you go to get it?
Dish-based systems really do require a
1.80m dish at a cost close to 1,000€ with
a basic digibox. How long will it last? –
Possibly 15 years, but it seems that if the
‘powers that be’ had their way it would be
unavailable tomorrow! Remember that this
system is no longer available from around
Almeria westwards – the signals are just
too weak.
Internet TV has to be the way forward, but
this is not straight forward. You must have
an internet supply that will support TV. Ask
the potential supplier of internet – “will you
support IPTV” - before you commit and
use an experienced installer to get the TV.
This is not a market stall digibox sale, but
a high tech commitment that you will want
to work and be easy to use.
Article sponsored by Rainbow Satellites,
the company for all your TV needs in the
Murcia region. Contact Alan for free friendly
advice at rainbowsats@gmail.com or
phone (0034) 686 358 475.
www.rainbowsats.org has some good
basic information on TV in Spain.
77
Mushrooms are another one of those
vegetables that you can use in cooking,
either to add flavour and colour or can
make a meal on their own. Mushroom
Risotto is one of my favourite meals and
who hasn’t had pizza with mushrooms on
either meat or vegetables; they go with
both. Add mushrooms to your Bolognese
sauce and get some vegetable down the
children without them knowing! These days
there are lots of varieties of mushrooms on
sale in the shops, but if you are worried
about trying different ones, just stick to
the good old fashioned button mushrooms
which are grown indoors in compost and
don’t even need washing! Below are a few
recipes including an easy soup recipe and
if you have never tried making pâté, give
this easy recipe a go; it is delicious.
Buen Appettio
Mushroom Stroganoff
1 onion
2 tsp olive oil
1 garlic (cloves to taste)
1 tbsp paprika
300g mixed mushrooms
150ml vegetable stock
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Small pot of sour cream
Fresh parsley to taste
250g pouch cooked wild rice
Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan
and soften the onion for about 5 mins.
Add the garlic and paprika, then cook for
1 min more. Add mushrooms and cook
on a high heat, stirring often, for about 5
mins. Pour in the stock and Worcestershire
sauce. Bring to the boil; bubble for 5 mins
until the sauce thickens, then turn off the
heat and stir in the soured cream and most
of the parsley. Make sure the pan is not
on the heat or the sauce may split. Heat
rice following pack instructions, then stir
78
through the remaining parsley and serve
with the stroganoff.
Easy Mushroom Risotto
200g pearled rice or risotto rice
25g dried porcini mushrooms
½ tbsp olive oil
1 onion
2 garlic clove, finely chopped
100g chestnut button mushrooms
100ml white wine
1l hot vegetable stock
1 tbsp low-fat crème fraiche
Bunch chives, finely chopped
Handful grated Parmesan to
(optional)
serve
Cover the rice with cold water and soak the
dried mushrooms in 100ml boiling water
in a separate bowl for 20 mins. Heat the
olive oil in a large frying pan. Tip in the
onion and garlic, cook for 2 mins, then
add the chestnut mushrooms and cook for
a further 2 mins. Drain the rice and add
along with the wine. Simmer until almost
all the liquid evaporates, stirring often.
Drain the porcini mushrooms, add them
to the pan and the soaking liquid to the
vegetable stock. Stir in the stock 1 cup
at a time and simmer, stirring often, until
all liquid is absorbed and the rice is just
tender, about 20 mins in total. Stir in the
crème fraiche and season with salt and
pepper. Spoon onto plates and sprinkle
over chives and cheese (if using).
Mushroom and Walnut Stuffed Tomatoes
1 tbsp sunflower oil
175g chestnut mushroom, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
12 semi-dried tomatoes
50g dried white breadcrumbs
25g walnuts
Small bunch parsley
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
4 tsp fresh pesto
Black pepper to taste
2 small red or yellow pepper
Heat oven to 220ºC/200ºC fan/gas 7.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and stirfry the mushrooms over a high heat for 5
mins. Season with a good grind of black
pepper and remove from the heat. Stir in
the garlic, tomato pieces, breadcrumbs,
walnuts, chopped parsley, chilli flakes
and pesto until thoroughly combined. Cut
the peppers in half from top to bottom.
Carefully remove the seeds and membrane.
Place in a small foil lined roasting tin and
fill with the mushroom stuffing. Cover the
surface of the stuffing with a small piece of
foil. Bake for 35-40 mins until tender.
400g mixed wild mushrooms
850ml vegetable stock
200ml tub crème fraise
4 slices white bread, about 100g, cubed
Chives and truffle oil, to serve
Bring a kettle to the boil, then pour the
water over the dried porcini just to cover.
Heat half the butter in a saucepan, then
gently sizzle the onion, garlic and thyme
for 5 mins until softened and starting to
brown. Drain the porcini, reserving the
juice, then add to the onion with the mixed
wild mushrooms. Leave to cook for 5 mins
until they go limp. Pour over the stock and
the reserved juices, bring to the boil, then
simmer for 20 mins. Stir in crème fraise,
then simmer for a few mins more. Blitz the
soup with a hand blender or liquidiser, pass
through a fine sieve, then set aside.
Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan,
fry the bread cubes until golden, then
drain on kitchen paper. To serve, heat the
soup and froth up with a hand blender, if
you like. Ladle the soup into bowls, scatter
over the croutons and chives and drizzle
with truffle oil.
Mushroom and Tarragon Pâté
50g unsalted butter
2 shallot or small onion
1 leek
2 garlic clove, crushed
100g chestnut mushroom, finely chopped
100g shiitake mushroom, finely chopped
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
2 tbsp crème fraiche
3 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (extra to
garnish)
1 French stick
Extra virgin olive oil
Mixed salad leaves, to serve
Heat butter in a large frying pan. Add
finely chopped shallots, leek and garlic,
then gently fry for 7 mins until softened.
Increase the heat, add the chestnut and
the shiitake mushrooms, then cook for
10 mins, stirring until the juices have
evaporated and the mushrooms are tender.
Stir in the mustard and crème fraiche, then
season well. Cook for a further 2 mins then
stir in the chopped tarragon. Preheat the
grill. Cut the French stick into diagonal
slices, drizzle with a little olive oil, then
grill until golden. Spoon the hot pâté on to
the toasts, garnish with the extra tarragon,
then serve with salad leaves.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
25g dried porcini (ceps)
1onion
50g butter
1 garlic clove, sliced
Thyme
Mushroom describes a variety of gilled
fungi, with or without stems.
With most Mushrooms, if the cap is cut
off and placed gill-side-down overnight, a
powdery impression reflecting the shape of
the gills.
Identification of the Mushroom can often be
accomplished by using a Mushroom guide.
Many species seem to appear overnight,
growing or expanding rapidly. In reality all
species of Mushrooms take several days
to form. The cultivated Mushroom and
the common field Mushroom initially form
a minute fruiting body, referred to as the
pin stage because of their small size and
slightly expanded they are called buttons.
Protect Your Entire Home From One
Place
A surge is a sudden increase or decrease
in
the
voltage
of
your
electricity
supply. Surges can damage any appliance
or electrical device connected to the
mains, with the most susceptible being
air conditioning units, fridges, televisions,
laptops and even mobile phones.
Due to its slim design the Surge Guard Pro
fits neatly into the fuse board of any Spanish
Property and protects every appliance from
one place. The ‘auto reset’ feature means
the unit sense surges to within a billionth
of a second and cuts the power before any
appliances can be damaged. When the
surge has passed, the Surge Guard Pro
reconnects you automatically.
The most common Mushroom is the
cultivated white Button Mushroom that
has a stem, a cap and gills on the underside
of the cap. These gills produce microscopic
spores that help the fungus spread across
the ground or its occupant surface. There are
many poisonous Mushrooms and edibility
may be defined by criteria that include
absence of poisonous effects on humans
and desirable taste and aroma. One of the
world’s deadliest Mushrooms, the Death
Cap, is said to have been behind the death
of the Roman emperor Claudius in 54AD.
Although they taste pleasant and resemble
many safer varieties of Mushroom, just
1oz is enough to kill a human. Some
Mushrooms that are edible for most
people can cause allergic reactions in others
and old or improperly stored specimens can
cause food poisoning. Here in Spain there
a numerous wild Mushrooms that we may
find not to our taste, but the Spanish love
them! Some wild species are toxic, or at
least indigestible, when raw. As a rule all
wild Mushroom species should be cooked
thoroughly before eating. Many species
can be dried and re-hydrated by pouring
boiling water over the dried Mushrooms
Why Worry?
Large Power Surges, as with a lightning
strike, can cause instantaneous damage,
‘frying’ circuits and melting plastic and metal
parts. Fortunately, these types of power
surges are rare. Low-level Power Surges
won’t melt parts or blow fuses, but they can
cause ‘electronic rust’, gradually degrading
internal circuitry until it ultimately fails.
Small Surges won’t leave any outward
evidence, so you may not even be aware
they’re happening - even though they may
occur dozens or even hundreds of times
Internal Causes
More than half of household Power Surges
are internal. These happen dozens of times
in a day, usually when devices with motors
start up or shut off, diverting electricity to
and from other appliances. Refrigerators
and air conditioning units are the biggest
culprits, but smaller devices like hair dryers
and power tools can also cause problems. A
Power Surge will invalidate the warranty
on electrical goods.
External Causes
An external Power Surge, stemming from
outside your home, is most commonly
caused by a tree limb touching a power
line, lightning striking utility equipment or
a small animal getting into a transformer.
and letting them steep for approximately 30
minutes.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food eaten
cooked, raw or as a garnish to a meal
and are an excellent source of B vitamins,
such as riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic
acid. They are also an excellent source of
the essential minerals. Some Mushrooms
or extracts are used or studied as
possible treatments for diseases, such
as cardiovascular disorders.
Research
is under way to find their potential to
modulate immune system responses and
inhibit tumour growth and potential antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, antiinflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties.
Mushrooms have long been thought to hold
medicinal value, especially in traditional
Chinese medicine.
Mushrooms
can
be
used
for dyeing wool and other natural fibres.
The chromophores of Mushroom dyes are
organic compounds and produce strong and
vivid colours, and all colours of the spectrum
can be achieved.
each day.
Installation
Installation of the Surge Guard Pro should
only be carried out by a professional person.
When choosing surge protection, choose
the best, choose the Surge Guard Pro.
For more information on price and
availability contact Teresa on 619 483 778
or email
camposolheating@gmail.com
A Mushroom (or toadstool) – seta - is
the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of
a fungus, typically produced above ground
on soil or on its food source. Mushrooms
are not plants! They need water for
their ‘fruit’ to grow. Mushrooms have
no skin so they can lose water to the
atmosphere very easily and if the body of
the Mushroom is submerged in water it is
comparable to drowning.
79
Blanca the
Cat
Blanca is a
lovely pedigree cat who
unfortunately attracts a
lot of attention from the
males in the
village and
so has had
five
litters
in the past couple of years. Whilst some
Spanish people are traditionally reluctant
to neuter their animals, her owner realised
that Blanca needed a better life, but she
also needed help with the cost. When she
found out about MAMAS she asked for our
help with spaying which we were happy to
do and Blanca is now leading a healthier
life without further risk of pregnancy.
We Need Your Help
Everything we do is reliant on your gen-
S.E.S (Sparxx Electrical Services) are
father and son Spanish Electricians and
new to the area. They are both fully qualified and registered with Industria Murcia
and able to provide all paperwork.
erous donations and the purchases you
make from our shop.
Donations
All donations are welcome, as every item
has a value and our sales range from a
few cents for a trinket to many euros for a
piece of furniture, so ‘don’t bin it, donate
it’. We are always short of smaller household items and electrical goods, so if you
don’t need it just drop it off at the shop
(Mon to Sat 10am-2pm)
Purchases
Why not call in the shop and see what we
have? You might find a bargain and you
will be helping MAMAS at the same time.
Every euro we take goes directly to help
the charity as we all give our time freely.
Furniture Sales
We advertise on Murcia Today under MAMAS Resales, or check out our website
mazarronanimalmedi-aid.co.uk where
there is a link to show furnishings for sale.
FREE! Home Electrical Survey with no
catches and no obligation.
80
Because of the many and sometimes dangerous problems S.E.S has encountered,
they have decided to offer, a FREE, yes
Camposol Drop-Off Point
Every Tuesday we are on Camposol B car
park 10am-12pm opposite the petrol station. We can collect items from you there
or arrange collection if needed.
Please contact us if you need help on 666
186 037 or call at the shop
Email mazarronanimalmedi-aid@hotmail.com
We’re Here To Help
complicated system here in Spain and can
at times be stressful, especially with the
language barrier
New In:
A wide range of frames, sockets and
switches.
Thinking Of Changing?
Just ask to see our new case of samples.
You may say “Oh no, not ANOTHER electrician!!!” However, David and Josep are very
serious about providing a legal and honest
service.
What services can Sparxx offer?
First and most importantly, we have been
very troubled by some of the work carried
out in Camposol in the early days and have
come across some very dangerous situations. There are now a few very good English electricians working in the area that
S.E.S are happy to collaborate with (and
do so on many occasions), providing labour, assistance, documentation, etc.
Location
The shop is in Puerto de Mazarrón, just
past the Mercadona/Lidl shopping centre
down towards the port. Go down the hill
past Consum supermarket on your left.
Turn left onto the road immediately between Consum and O’Clock Bar. Drive up
that road and we are in the third turning on
the left (Calle San Juan) opposite the park
on your right.
S.E.S will check and test your electrical
system and also provide you with a free
no obligation quote if your electrical system needs bringing up to 100% Spanish
standard. If you need new sockets, garden lighting, security lighting, alarms, door
bells, even just a light fitting changing; no
job is too small. One common problem in
the area appears to be new “smart meters” switching off
your power supply
whilst using a couple
of electrical appliances at the same time.
Another thing we can
resolve for you.
If you would like to book an appointment
for a free electrical survey or would like
any work carried out please call S.E.S on
642 172 065. Emma is English speaking
and will take your call.
In cooperation with.
We also provide a
service liaising with
Iberdrola on your
behalf if an upgrade
is needed, taking
away the pressure of
paperwork as it is a
81
Menu del Dia
82
RED – Entertainment
GREEN – Charity & non-profit making events
ORANGE – Special menus
BLACK – Fiestas & important events
PURPLE –Market, exhibitions, leisure & meetings
Please refer to the relevant advert or editorial for more details of events
Every Day
Breakfasts @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A from 3.50€ 9am-12pm
Breakfasts @ Liz’s Café, Camposol B (from 9am)
Breakfasts @ The Condado Club, Condado de Alhama 10am-12.30pm
Breakfasts @ Skye Bar and Pizzeria, Condado de Alhama 10am-12pm
Light Bites @ The Condado Club, Condado de Alhama 1-5pm
Afternoon Teas @ Skye Bar and Pizzeria, Condado de Alhama 2-6pm
Menu del Noche @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón from 7€ inc a drink (Tues-Sun)
Earlybird Menu @ Spice Villa, Camposol B 12.50€ inc btle wine for 2 6-8pm
3 Course Menu del Noche @ Elliot’s, Bolnuevo 15€ (exc Sun)
4 Course Menu del Noche @ Restaurante Amapola, Bolnuevo 15€ pp inc
btl wine for 2 (Tues-Sat)
Practice your Spanish with our Spanish Staff @ Oscar’s, Camposol B from 6pm
Every Mon
Yoga with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 10.30am
Jellybeans Mother & Toddler Group @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 11am
Ladies’ Chatterbox Sew and Sew @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 2.15pm
Platos Combinados Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 6-8.30pm
Karaoke with Byron @ Oscar’s, Camposol B (from 16th)
Forget me Not Respite Care @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 10.30am-1.30pm
Andrea’s Animal Rescue Collection @ Car Park, Camposol B 11.30am-1.30pm
Every Tue
Camposol B Clean Working Party @ Commercial Centre, Camposol B 8.30-10.30am
Camposol D Sector Community Group Working Party @ Camposol D
Spanish Lessons @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 9am-2pm
Casual Art Group @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 10.30am
Computer Clinic @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 1-3pm
Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 1pm
Petanque @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 3pm
Guitar Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 4-7pm
English/Spanish Language Exchange @ Isla Plana Social Centre 6-9pm
Yoga in Spanish with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 6.30pm
Menu del Noche @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A
Every Wed
Mar Menor Golf Society Competition
C Gardening Group Clean Up @ Camposol C 9am
Casual Art Group @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 10.30am
SAMM International One Metre Club 11am
Yoga @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 3.30pm
History Group @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 2€ 4pm
Masquerade Musicals Rehearsal @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 4pm
MAMAS Collection/Book Stall @ Camposol B Car Park 10am-12pm
FAST Available for New Volunteers @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 11am
Making a Difference Available for Collections @ Camposol A 11am-1pm
83
Chi Kung @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 5pm
Meditation @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 5pm
Mazarrón AA Group @ Meeting Room adjacent to Cañada de Gallego Church 5.30pm
Yoga with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 6.30pm
Line Dancing @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 7pm
Beacon of Light Meeting 7pm
Karaoke Party Night with Byron @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
Age Concern for tickets etc @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 10am-1pm
HAH Mar Menor Book & DVD Club 2.30-4.30pm
Every Thu
Camposol Market @ Camposol A
Shabby Chic Furniture/Chalk Paint/Upcycling/Handpainting @
Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 10.30am
Spanish Lessons @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 11am
Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 1pm
Folk & Blues Club @ Camposol 1pm
Painting Lessons @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 2-4pm
Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC Meeting @ Camposol 4pm
Reiki Energy Experience @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 5pm
Yoga in Spanish with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 6.30pm
Special Lunch Menu @ Restaurante Amapola, Bolnuevo 10€
Age Concern for tickets etc@ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 10am-1pm
Little Starfish Dog Rescue Table Top Sale @ Lower Car Park, Camposol A from 10am
JJ’s Puppy Rescue Table Top Sale @ Lower Car Park, Camposol A 11am-1pm
Andrea’s Animal Rescue Collection @ Mazarrón Country Club 11.30am-1pm
HAH Mar Menor Book/Card Stall @ Los Narejos 2-4pm
Every Fri
Friday Art Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 9.45am-12.30pm
Miles Umba Dance Fitness @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón 10am
Book Stall/Camposol A Gardening @ Car Park Camposol A 10.30am-12.30pm
Miles A Weigh Slimming Club @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón 11am
SAMM International One Metre Club
Yoga @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 3.30pm
10 Pin Bowling/Camposol C Greenfingers Garden Group @ Totana 4pm
Meditation & Pranayama @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 5pm
English/Spanish/French/German Language Exchange @
Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 6-8pm
Stevie T Costa Calida Radio Fun Quiz on the Road @ Bar Med, El Alamillo,
Pto de Mazarrón 8pm
Mixed Grill Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 10€
Fish & Chips @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 19.50€ for 2 inc btl wine (5-8pm)
Fish& Chips @ Viggos, Pto de Mazarrón
Fish & Chips @ Skye Bar and Pizzeria, Condado de Alhama 7.95€ (from 12pm)
Fish & Chips Night @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
4 Course Special Evening Menu @ Restaurante Amapola, Bolnuevo 28€ per cpl inc btl wine
Live Music @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
FAST @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
MABS Mazarrón booking events etc outside Compusurf, Camposol B 11am
Age Concern booking events etc @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 12.30-2pm
84
Every Sat
The Archaeological See of Begastri Tours @ Cehegín 10.10am/11.15am/12.30am 2€
Yoga in Spanish with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 10.30am
Vegetarian Cookery Workshop @ Café Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrón 11am-1.30pm
Tourism Activity Park Coto de las Maravillas Open, Cehegín
Harlequin Rock Choir @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 1.15pm
Free Tours of Moratalla 11.30am from Tourist Office
Live Entertainment @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón (opt 3 Course Menu del
Noche/A la Carte)
Live Music (pre-book) @ Hotel Restaurante Argos, Ctra Caravaca, Calasparra
8pm (food available)
Live Music @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
MABS MMM Book Sale @ Los Alcázares 10am-1pm
HELP MMM Sale of up-market clothes @ Los Alcázares 10am-1pm
JJ’s Puppy Rescue Table Top Sale @ Pto de Mazarrón
Every Sun
The Archaeological See of Begastri Open @ Cehegín 10.10am/11.15am/12.30am 2€
Tourism Activity Park Coto de las Maravillas Open, Cehegín
Quiz @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 8pm
2 Course Sunday Lunch @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 6€ inc a drink
Sunday Roast @ Liz’s Café, Camposol B from 6.50€
3 Course Sunday Lunch @ Elliot’s, Bolnuevo 10€
Meat Carvery/Vegetable Buffet @ La Mariposa, Gebas from 10.50€
3 Course Sunday Roast/Live Music @ The Condado Club, Condado de Ahama 12€ (1-6pm)
Traditional Sunday Lunch @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
Live Entertainment @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Open Day @ Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, Rojales 1-4pm
MAY
Sunday 1
Caravaca Fiesta Starts (until 5th)
Fiestas de Mayos in Alhama (until 10th)
Fiestas del Barrio de San José Obrero, Alcantarilla
Art Exhibition by Juan Mariano Balibrea @ Mazarrón Town Hall (until 11th June)
Treasure Hunt & Children’s Activities in Calblanque Regional Park,
Cartagena (until 31st May)
Artisan Market @ Bullas
Mazarrón FC v UD Los Garres (away)
Snowblind @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Monday 2
4 Night Welcome Trip to Seville @ 350€ inc 4 star hotel/trip to Jerez tasting at Tio Pepe
Day Trip to Caravaca for Wine Horse Festival with Viajes Dragontours 19€
Bank Holiday Bonkers Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 5€ menu
Mazarrón Bahia Lions @ Camposol 5pm
Little Starfish Sponsored Walk @ Camposol 10am-1pm min 1€
Tuesday 3
Santisima y Vera Cruz, Caravaca
Santa Cruz, Abanilla, Ulea
Los Mayos, Alhama de Murcia
Fiestas de la Santa Cruz, El Estrecho, Fuente Alamo
Stamp Collectors Meeting @ Biblioteca, Pto de Mazarrón 6pm
Wednesday 4
Los Nietos Golf Society Game 11am
Welcome Petanca @ Camposol A 2pm
Crystal & Stones Workshop @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 3.30pm
Camposol Kitty Kitty Day Trip to Benidorm 16€ 9am
MABS MMM Volunteer’s Meeting @ Centro Civico, Roda Bar, Roda 11.15am
Age Concern Talking Shop Social @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 1.30-3.30pm
Forget Me Not Dorothy Kay Memorial Mile from Camposol B 8pm 5€
Little Starfish Gym Challenge @ Camposol 10am-1pm min 1€
HAH Volunteer’s Meeting @ Las Claras, Los Narejos 10.30am
Little Starfish Step Challenge @ Camposol 10am-1pm min 1€
85
Thursday 5
Ladies’ Chatterbox Book Club @ The Cultural Centre, Camposol B 2pm
HELP MMM Fashion Show @ Las Claras, Los Narejos 3€
Friday 6
ESAMD AGM @ Camposol 11.30am
Costa Cálida Country Music Club/Steve Hanks @ Camposol 4€ 7.45pm
Live Band @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
SOS 4.8 Music Festival feat Manic Street Preachers @ Murcia
MABS Murcia NW Outdoor Market Stall @ Calle Segura, Calasparra 9am-1pm
Mazarrón Bahia Leo Club @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 7-9pm
Saturday 7
Free Guided Cultural Walk/Mazarrón Ayuntamiento to The Mines of Mazarrón
Free History Walk/Mazarrón Ayuntamiento through the streets of
Puerto de Mazarrón (in English)
Free Guided Tour of The Historic Centre of Aguilas
Free Guided Tour of Historical Los Alcazares
Free Guided Tour of Historical La Union 12pm
Free Guided Tour of Roche La Union 10am
Guided Tour in Spanish to Alhama Castle 11am from the Archaeological Museum Los Baños
Free tour of the historic city of Lorca 11.30am from Tourist Office
ADAPT Meeting @ Pensionista de Hogar, San Pedro 10.30am
Digital Music Therapy & Om Yoga Workshop @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 12.30pm
Welcome Meeting @ Camposol A 2pm
Rack of Lamb Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A (alternative available)
Dine & Dance/Dee @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
Rod Stewart Tribute @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
SOS 4.8 Music Festival feat Manic Street Preachers @ Murcia
JJ’s Puppies Table Top Sale @ Pto de Mazarrón
Sunday 8
Artisan Market @ Mula
Free Guided Tour of the Historial Quarter of Mula 11.30am from Tourist Office
Centenary Celebrations of Significant Modernist Buildings in Cartagena
World Migratory Tour of Salinas de San Pedro 10am-1-30pm
Mazarrón FC v CD Bullense (home)
Culture Vulture’s Trip to Ballet (Cinderella) @ Murcia 7pm
Pitu @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
MABS MMM Race for Life from Club Nautico, Los Alcazares 11am
Monday 9
Guided Walk/4 Course Lunch inc beer/wine @ La Mariposa, Gebas 12€
Tuesday 10
River Rafting/Breakfast/Menu del Dia @ Hotel Mariposa, Gebas from 60€
Welcome Book Swap @ ICA Medical Centre, Camposol B 10am-12pm
Wednesday 11
General Meeting of SAMM @ Los Narejos 11am
ESAMD 10th Anniversary Dinner/Dance @ Mazarrón 7.30pm
Ladies Wot Lunch @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
MABS Murcia NW Volunteer’s Meeting @ 5pm
86
Thursday 12
Downhill Cycling/4 Course Lunch @ La Mariposa, Gebas 35€ inc bike/guide/safety equip
Ladies’ Chatterbox Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 2pm
Friday 13
Kayaking @ La Mariposa, Gebas
Eva y Edan @ Teatro Velasco, Alhama 7pm 6€
Making a Difference Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre 10am–2pm
FAST Book Stall @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Forget Me Not Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Saturday 14
Free Guided Tour of The Historic Centre of Murcia
Tour of The Historic Old Quarter of Yecla 11am
Free Cycling Tour of Los Alcazares 12pm
Free Guided Tour of 1,000 steps of Santiago de Ribera 11am
Free Guided Tour of Portman, La Union 10am
Regatta & BBQ & Music (8pm) @ Bahia, Pto de Mazarrón
Free guided tour of the Old Quarter of Jumilla 7pm from the Teatro Vico
Murder Mystery Night @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
Todo Encaja @ Teatro Velasco, Alhama 7pm 6€
Sunday 15
San Isidro – Fortuna, Mula, Yecla
Artisan Market @ Caravaca
Free Guided Walk in Spanish of Calasparra Rice Fields 9am from Tourist Office
Artisan Market @ Sanctuary de la Esperanza, Calasparra 10am-6pm
Theatrical Tour in Alhama 11am from Tourist Office.
Ruta del Ferrocarril (Railway Route) with Aguilas Tourist Information Centre
Mazarrón FC v La Hoya Lorca (away)
Regata & Awards & Paella @ Bahia, Pto de Mazarrón
The Streeters @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Classical Music Night/Quarteto de Saxos @ Museo los Baño, Alhama 8pm
Monday 16
MCC Residents Social Club Trip to Caravaca & Calasparra/Lunch
Tuesday 17
HELP MMM General Meeting @ Las Claras, Los Narejos 11.30am
Wednesday 18
Dance Workshop @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 2.30pm
Welcome Dance/Woody @ Camposol A 8€ (opt food avail 5€)
Maria O’Hara @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Jeff Toussaint - Hypnotist/Illusionist @ Teatro Velasco, Alhama 8pm 8€/10€
Friday 20
The Geckos @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
MABS Mazarrón Book Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre 9am-1pm
MABS MMM Share & Care Group @ San Javier 11am-1pm
Forget Me Not Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Mazarrón Bahia Leo Club @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 7-9pm
Saturday 21
Artisan Market @ Paseo de las Comunidades Autónomos , Pto de Mazarrón 10am-2pm
Free Guided Nature Walk –Los Lorentes - with Mazarrón Ayuntamiento
Free Guided Tour of The Historic Centre of Aguilas
Free Guided Tour of Historical La Union 12pm
Free Guided Tour of Roche La Union 10am
Guided Tour of Parque Minero 7€ 10am
Moonlit Bike Ride throughout the streets of Murcia 8.30pm from Town Hall
Paul Christie @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Sunday 22
Car Boot Sale @ Gines de Paco, Cehegín
Baile en Familia (Dance for mums/children to 6 years) @ Yoga Shala Studio,
Isla Plana 11am
Festival Mucho Mas Mayo in Cartagena (until 29th)
Guided Tour in Spanish to Alhama Castle 11am from the Archaeological Museum Los Baños
MCC Events Group Lunch Trip
Dine & Dance/Woody @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
87
Mazarrón FC v CD Juvenia (home)
Highway 61 @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Caribbean Party/Avril Blake/Authentic Jamaican Cuisine @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
Monday 23
Guided Walk/4 Course Lunch inc beer/wine @ La Mariposa, Gebas 12€
Tuesday 24
Fiestas de Mayo – Alcantarilla
Welcome Book Swap @ ICA Medical Centre, Camposol B 10am-12pm
Mazarron FC End of Season Function/Player of the Year Awards/Live Ent/
Buffet @ Camposol
Wednesday 25
Corpus Christi y Virgen de la Salud
Welcome House Theatre & Lunch for MABS 1pm 10€
Karaoke/Memphis Belle @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Thursday 26
FOGS Golf @ Altorreal
Friday 27
Motorbike Rally/Festival/Rock Concerts @ Santiago de la Ribera, San Javier
Dance Therapy @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 7pm
Harlequin Rock Choir Charity Event for MABS @ Condado Club, Condado de
Alhama 5€ 8.30pm
4th Birthday Party with lots of surprises @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Making a Difference Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
HELP MMM Charity Market @ Los Alcazáres 11am-1pm
FAST Book Stall @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Age Concern Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Pets in Spain Evening of Mediumship @ La Marina 6€ 7pm
Saturday 28
ADAPT Meeting @ Pensionistas Centro, Lo Pagan 10.30am
Free Guided Tour of Portman, La Union 10am
Fuente Alamo Triathlon
Paella Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A
Cher Tribute @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
4th Birthday Party with lots of surprises @ Oscar’s, Camposol B 5€
HELP MM Make Music/Geckos & Raffle/BBQ @ Los Urettias 10€ 6-10pm
FAST May Fair @ Camposol A 11am-3pm
Sunday 29
Artisan Market @ Plaza del Castillo, Cehegin 10am
6km Free Nature Walk with Cehegín Tourist Information Office 9am
Jokers Inc @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Classical Music Night/Dúo Flamenco (Róman López/Juan José Belchi) @
Museo los Baño, Alhama 8pm
Farewell PALS Concert/6 live bands @ Puerto de Mazarrón 5€ from 6pm
88
Monday 30
Bank Holiday Bonkers Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A 5€ menu
Tuesday 31
Monthly B Clean Meeting @ Camposol B 4pm
MABS Mazarrón Volunteer Meeting @ Camposol 11.30am
JUNE
Wednesday 1
Fiestas Trinitario-Berberiscas – Torre Pacheco
Welcome Petanca @ Camposol A 2pm
Introduction to the Angels @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 2pm
Los Nietos Golf @ Mar Menor 11am 40€ members/45€ non-members
Rod Stewart Tribute @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
MABS MMM Volunteer’s Meeting @ Centro Civico, Roda Bar, Roda 11.15am
Age Concern Talking Shop Social @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 1.30-3.30pm
Thursday 2
Friday 3
Costa Calida Country Music Club/LA Country @ Camposol 4€ 7.45pm
Saturday 4
St Nicholas Church Flower Festival & Fête @ C/Sorbrija 2248, D20 10.30am-2.30pm
Free Guided Walk/Mazarrón Ayuntamiento to The Erosions/Tower of the Horses (In English)
Welcome Meeting @ Camposol A 2pm
Gammon Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A
Los Duques @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Derek´s Big Birthday Bash/Mark Ellis as Ruby Rox @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
JJ’s Puppy Rescue Table Top Sale @ Pto de Mazarrón
Sunday 5
Artisan Market @ Bullas
St Nicholas Church Flower Festival & Fête & Celebratory Service of Songs &
Praise @ C/Sorbrija 2248, D20 10.30am
Byron G Man Sax @ Oscar’s, Camposol B
Monday 6
Welcome 4 Day Trip to Cuenca/Toledo 190€ inc 4 Star Hotel/Visit to Aranjuez/B&B
Mazarrón Bahia Lions @ Camposol 5pm
Tuesday 7
River Rafting/Breakfast/Menu del Dia @ Hotel Mariposa, Gebas from 60€
Stamp Collectors Meeting @ Biblioteca, Pto de Mazarrón 6pm
HAH Volunteer’s Meeting @ Las Claras, Los Narejos 10.30am
Wednesday 8
Trip to Tabarca Island with Viajes Dragontours 32€
ESAMD Dinner @ Spice Villa, Camposol B 7.30pm
Ladies Wot Lunch @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrón
MABS Murcia NW Volunteer’s Meeting @ 5pm
89
We meet on the 1st Friday of each month
in Mariano’s, Camposol A. This has to be
the best venue in Costa Cálida, particularly
where dancing is concerned. How many
times have you been at a night out with
good music on offer, but simply nowhere
to dance? None of that at our nights.
The floor is big enough to accommodate
different types of dancing; line dancing,
partner dancing, or just whatever you
want to do.
On 6th May we have Steve Hanks. He is
a well-established name in the UK and is
only in Spain for 2 dates. As it is his first
time with us, this is an ideal opportunity
for anyone who has thought ‘Must go along
one night’. You will be made welcome. The
more people we have coming along means
we can fulfil our objective, which is to
bring the best Country music artistes to
the Costa Cálida. Steve certainly falls into
that category.
The evening starts at 7.45pm with requests
and, time permitting, teach a dance or two
with the live act coming on at 9pm. Entry
is only €4.
Welcome To May!
Dragontours would like to thank all of you
for your continuous support throughout the
18 years of our existence. We work hard to
make your holidays perfect, whether it be
a few nights in a nearby hotel, a relaxing
cruise, your Christmas break, a tour of a
continent or that special exotic holiday on
a faraway island. Let us do your planning
and you will enjoy a stress-free holiday
right from the very start.
Spanish Christmas break, we have just
received the “Christmas” brochure from
Gandia Tours, with all the best Benidorm
hotels, as well as hotels in Benalmádena,
Torremolinos,
Peñíscola,
Nerja
and
Mojacar. If you have a favourite, for just
25€ per person, we can reserve your
place for Christmas or New Year today and
avoid disappointment. Last year, by the
beginning of summer, some of the hotels
were already fully booked!
nights) from December 23rd to December
27th, just 390€ per person, including your
Christmas Gala Dinner on December 25th.
Just a peek at the prices: including
coach transfer from Camposol, there and
back, leaving December 24th, returning
December 27thwith Full-Board in the ‘Flash’,
Benidorm, is 335€ per person. There are
alternative dates, the possibility of booking
just B & B, Half-Board or All-Inclusive. Also
possible to include New Year’s Eve. If you
prefer going in your own car there is a
discount of 15€.
It is only May, but for all of you who are
very organized, who love to have all your
reservations clear and set for your perfect
Rather than spending the whole time at
one hotel, you might be interested in a
tour; for example combining Sevilla and
Jerez de la Frontera (Sherry!), 5 days (4
Ever wanted to learn all the popular line
dances? Ann and Roy offer a FREE weekly
class at the Camposol Cultural Centre
every Wednesday night at 7pm.
If you need any more information, have a
look at our Facebook page.
You might opt for a total Christmas/New
Year tour, from December 23rd to January
2nd, visiting Sevilla, Jerez, Córdoba and
Granada, with a possible New Year’s Gala
either in Jerez or Granada. Pop in and see
all the options.
We have just received an amazing
offer from Royal Caribbean Cruises as
well; booking ahead for a cruise from
Fort Lauderdale, visiting south-eastern
Caribbean, departing on January 2nd – 2
people in a balcony cabin can cost as little
as 2,800€ for both, including your tips!!
We will be delighted to give you a quote
and book any of the cruises on offer.
Of course for those of you who wish to
90
book summer vacations – closer than
Christmas – we also have some interesting
offers, so don’t think twice!! Come in
and see Dragontours on Camposol A
Commercial Centre, Local 30 or contact
info@dragontours.net
Tel 968 199 021
See you soon!
91
Two fixtures in March kept Fuente Old
Guard busy with the inaugural intersociety match against Aguilon Golf Society
on 17th March and our Stapleford event
at Lorca on 31s t March. The inter-society
game was held at Hacienda Del Alamo
followed by a fish and chip lunch at the
Spaniards Inn.
On this occasion Aguilon came out as
winners and received the trophy which
was kindly donated and presented by
our sponsors Avalon Europe. The Lorca
Stapleford event was played in ideal
conditions; sunny, dry and not too windy
which helped Maurice Nafzger achieve a
point’s score of 37 points to be Overall
Winner and Winner of Division Two.
Allen Evans came second overall with 35
points, which also gave him top spot in
Division Three and Dave Gray was RunnerUp in Division Two with 29 points with Paul
Western in second place in Division Three
with 28 points.
Meanwhile, up in Division One, Dave
Simpson took first prize with 34 points and
Roy Quigley was in second place with 29
points.
The Nearest the Pin winners were Dave
May, Derek Hayward, Maurice Nafzger,
Peter Court and John McFall, but the Two’s
RC Mar Menor Sailing Group, March
2016 Spring series finals, Lo Pagan.
We saw the second and final round of the
Easter Trophy series at Lo Pagan. The day
started bright and sunny with the wind at
about 4/5 knots.
92
The course was set out in a triangle with
the yachts tacking up to the first buoy with
the wind starting from due east to later
becoming due south. This was followed
by a long downwind run to the far mark,
followed by a beat to the last buoy and a
return tack through the start finish line.
Les was acting as race officer and the
starts were excellent with no-one crossing
the line early or any boat collisions.
Six boats were entered for the second
race of the series and as can be seen from
the score sheet all boats completed the
event without incident with some close
and exciting racing. Full race results are on
the group Facebook page and Club website
www.rcsailingmarmenor.com
Money pot rolls over once again and now
stands at 103€.
Roll on our next fixture at Condado De
Alhama. Should anyone wish to join
Fuente Old Guard at our upcoming
fixture at Altorreal on May 26th.
Please contact us by email at
info@fuenteoldguardgolfsociety.com
take part in the regional regatta in Alicante
on Saturday/Sunday 9th/10th April. Three
of our club members were competing and
they were Julian, Terry and Stuart.
Congratulations go to Julian Hook who
won the series followed by Barry Hooker
in second place and a well-deserved third
place to Graham Jones.
Race photos are provided by Bev this week
as our usual photographer Debs was busy
catching up with essential work on the
Finca. (I will expect a sick note later Debs).
In March the club also welcomed new
member Ian Hawtin and his wife Carol,
bringing our numbers to 14 boats. Ian is
new to any sort of radio control hobby, but
I am sure with everyone’s support he will
soon get into the swing of things.
On a personnel note it’s nice to be back to
the sunshine even if only for two weeks.
The main reason for the hasty return was to
To find out what RC Mar Menor Sailing
Group is all about, or if you require any
further help, please contact David on
968 170 870 or email Bev or Stuart at
rcsailinggroup@gmail.com.
Dress code for the day was long trousers
by all, with a voice from over the borders
accusing everyone to be typical soft
Sassenachs. Although the sun made a
welcome appearance, it was still at times
quite cold with jumpers being stripped
off for a couple of holes and hastily
retrieved from the buggy basket over
the next couple. The course was in great
condition with the fairways soft underfoot
even though a bit on the brown side due
to winter hibernation. The greens were
a completely different story! This is a
Nicklaus design course; all I can say is
Manxman Tony Hayman came out on
top in Los Nietos Golf Society’s April
competition, held at Hacienda del Alamo.
Playing from a handicap of 24, Tony
scored 31 Stableford points, one more
than 11-handicapper Trevor Beechey who
finished second and picked up a prize for
Nearest the Pin at the 13th hole. In third
place was 18-handicapper David Tipping
with 29 points and a Nearest the Pin prize
for the third hole.
Other Nearest the Pin winners were Pat
Hurley on hole eight and Alan Walsh at the
fifth.
Jack must have been in a very bad mood
when he designed the greens. Comments
like, ‘upside down saucers’ and ‘first time
I’ve been sea sick on firm ground’ were
repeatedly heard, with bunkers, (so deep
they looked like escape tunnels), to catch
any ball that wasn’t pitched within a metre
or two of the hole. It took most players
half the round to begin to come to terms
with the speed of the greens, but early
frustration turned into a challenge that
was enjoyed.
The overall verdict was one of ‘thoroughly
enjoyable’. Great thanks to the IRM staff
who resolved the buggy situation with
definitely a return visit on the cards.
silver fox, Ray Reynolds posted a winning
score of 37, followed by his partner in
crime Alan Benton with 34. The guillotine
blade has been sharpened and the basket
is in place for a substantial drop off. 3rd was
‘The Monarch of the Glen’, Neil MacFarlane
with 32 points.
Considering the degree of difficulty,
results were very good. A straight forward
Singles Stableford returned some very
respectable scores, although the one
legged competitors did find it a bit on the
tough side. (A big thank you to Glenn who
saved me having to revert to the zimmer
frame on a number of occasions.) For the
second event on the bounce, our own
For information on forthcoming events,
membership or if you would like to sponsor
a hole, please contact:
Dave Perry 603 118 174
Email perry.dave@hotmail.com
Barry Martin 642 583 864
Email barrymartin.spain@gmail.com
Terry Adams 634 176 561
Email d11toddy@yahoo.co.uk
society outing since undergoing heart
surgery.
start at 11am and the cost is 40€ for
members and 45€ for guests, including
buggy.
Twenty-seven members and guests took
part in the competition and were joined
by wives, partners and friends for the
presentation dinner at El Fraile Bar and
Restaurant in Los Nietos.
‘The KINGS’ would like to invite any
golfer who would like to combine enjoying
his golf with helping kids in need, to
contact us where you will receive a very
warm welcome. We would also like to
thank Costa Cálida Chronicle for their
support in sponsoring a hole at our Open
competition in October.
New members are guests are always
welcome. To find out more, email
crazygolfers55@gmail.com or call in at
El Fraile Bar and Restaurant.
The next monthly event takes place on
Wednesday May 1st at Hacienda Riquelme
and on Wednesday June 1st the society is
in action at Mar Menor. Both competitions
Kevin Shackleton won the prize for the
Longest Drive on the 11th fairway.
The Captain’s Samurai Sword was
presented to Clive Williams on his first
March saw the cold winds continue and
they were joined by a drop of the old
liquid sunshine. Fortunately for us, the
weather took a real turn for the better and
on Monday morning a convoy of motors
headed off to the desert course of La
Saurines. A big thank you to our Sherpa
for the day who guided us directly to the
gate house of the urbanisation, but once
inside managed to get us lost finding the
actual golf course!
93
As the 2015/16 season entered its final
stages Mazarrón FC remained in a playoff position in 4th place, but with just two
points to spare over the teams just outside
the top six. Most of the top teams went
through sticky patches in March and April
and with just six games left at the time of
going to press there was everything to play
for.
After the golf, players and families enjoyed
the usual excellent carvery meal in The
Club House before the various presentations were made to the winning team from
Condado de Alhama Golf and to the golfers
who won the Longest Drive and Nearest
The Pin competitions.
The top two teams are promoted automatically and the next four teams play
off to decide one further promotion place.
Mazarrón FC were, of course, promoted
via the play-offs last season and it would
be a tremendous achievement if they could
repeat that this season. Injuries and suspensions tested the depth of the squad in
recent weeks, with seven players missing
for the away game at Molina which ended
in a goalless draw.
Mazarron’s home games are normally played on Sundays and Los Amigos
de Mazarrón FC organise a supporters’ coach to most away games at 8€ for
members and 10€ for non-members. Full
details of games, date and kick off times
and coach departure times are normally
not announced until the Wednesday before
the weekend on which the game is to be
played and advertised in the local media,
on www.mazarronfc.es, Los Amigos de
Mazarrón FC Facebook page, and on posters at various points throughout Camposol
and Mazarrón.
Admission at Estadio Municipal in Mazarrón
for home games is only €4 with juveniles
free and you can call into the Supporters’
Lounge for a hot drink or beer before the
game and at half time. Hot pies and pasties
are also available in the lounge at half time
if pre-ordered at the Los Amigos meetings.
94
Forthcoming league fixtures:
Sunday 1st May UD Los Garres (away)
Sunday 8th May CD Bullense (home)
Sunday 15th May La Hoya Lorca (away)
Sunday 22nd May CD Juvenia (home)
The 7th Annual
Gala
Evening
and Dinner
was
held
at Hotel la
Cumbre,
Puerto
de
Mazarrón on
We d n e s d a y
16th
March
when guest
speaker Steve
Kindon
and MC Gary
Marshall provided
the
entertainment alongside The Geckos. The evening was jointly
sponsored by Ibex Insurance and The
Club House, Camposol. Former Burnley,
Wolves and Huddersfield star Steve Kindon
delighted the audience with his robust style
of entertainment. Gary Marshall proved to
be most professional and kept the evening
running smoothly and according to programme and he also delighted the audience
with his very special brand of comedy. The
auction of football and sporting memorabilia also contributed to the financial success of the evening with items auctioned
including an Arsenal shirt signed by Arsene
Wenger, a training top signed by Olympic
Heptathlon Gold Medallist Jessica Ennis and
an England cricket shirt signed by Michael
Vaughan.
Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC would like
to thank everyone who supported the Gala
Week events and to our many and varied sponsors: Ibex Insurance, The Club
House, Ex-Pat Pensions, Shirley Fisher and
David S Poole Accountancy Services Ltd
and to our golf hole sponsors: The Salon;
2 Let2Sell2Buy.com; Ian Field, CDA Fitness; Tropic Ana’s; Cat’s Bar; Healthy
H2O; Hair by Carol; Luz del Sol; Holmes &
Pegg; Mercers; T J Electricals; Oscar’s;
Vista Bar; Rudy’s; Another World Prop-
erties; Calida Gas & Oil.
The Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC End
of Season Function and Player of the Year
Awards will be held at The Club House on
Tuesday 24th May. Entertainment will be
provided by the excellent Woody and all
the Mazarrón FC players and staff will
be in attendance. Tickets, including BBQ
supper are €12 for members and €15 for
non-members from the weekly Los Amigos meetings.
At the time of writing there were just a
few tickets left for the end-of-season Quiz
Night/BBQ on 10th June hosted by Alan
and Sue Lyle at their home. Tickets are €8
with all profits going to Los Amigos
Preparations are also well in hand for the
Annual President’s Ball which will be
held towards the end of September. There
will be food, a top musical tribute band
and, hopefully, a number of surprise items.
Watch this space!!
Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC weekly
meetings are held every Thursday at The
Club House at 4 pm with the exception of
the last Thursday of each month which is
reserved for the Members’ Business Meeting and open to members only.
Over €4,200 was raised for Mazarrón FC
during the hugely successful Los Amigos
Gala Week in March. A most enjoyable
Race Night sponsored by David S. Poole
Accountancy Services on Monday 14th
March was followed by the annual Celebrity Golf Competition again kindly sponsored by Ex-Pat Pensions.
Los Amigos membership runs from 1st August each year for just 10€ which includes
reduced coach travel and reduced prices to
most of our social events including the very
successful monthly Luncheon Club.
Email pamada.1130@yahoo.co.uk for
more information on any of the above.
After two days of rain on the preceding
days, the sun finally came out as the
groups set off from the first tee. Lorca
as usual was in tip top condition and the
second hole here is always a test of driving
skills and ruins many a member’s card.
As Norrie Bull and his playing partners
approached the bunker on hole 5, they
spied what they thought was a snake skin
that had been shed, but to their amazement
it suddenly began to move and leave its
sunny position. Being totally fearless they
carried on as the snake disappeared.
Advance Moves backs Loris Ford-Dunn
in Spanish Supermoto
15 year old Loris Ford-Dunn has had
a busy winter testing his new ktm
Supermotoland.com SMR 450cc race bike
as he hops up from the youth Supermoto
Championships of Spain and into the
highly competitive adult classes for 2016.
congratulations go to:
1st Paul Allsop – 37 points (pictured)
2nd Nick Powell – 32points
3rd Jim Booth – 30 points
Nearest the Pin winners were Roy Clark hole 4 and Jim Booth - hole 12Two new members were welcomed into the
club; Roger Joy and David Griffith.
The May meeting will be at Altorreal Golf
Club and members and guests should
get their names in asap as this is a very
popular course.
However, despite all the cards checked
when we returned to the clubhouse and
the following result was declared and
Geoff Sharp
hatters45@msn.com
on
Saturday
30th April at the
Albaida
circuit
near Alcoy, with
the first round
of the Spanish
Championships
on
one
of
the
toughest
supermoto tracks
in Spain. The
very next day on
Sunday 1st May
the world’s best
Supermoto racers
will be racing
at
the
same
circuit for the
2nd round of the World Championship
Grand Prix, so some incredible racing will
be on show over the weekend.
Loris is no stranger to Supermoto racing
where racers battle on circuits made of
asphalt, with off road jump sections thrown
in to make some of the most spectacular
and close racing seen in Spain. Last year
Loris finished in 4th place in the Spanish
Youth Championships for 85cc machines
in his first year of racing. He knows that
he is now stepping up to the top class,
against many racers that have much more
experience than himself, but he is relishing
the opportunity to learn from the best.
This year will essentially be a learning
year as he gets used to the more powerful
bike and the tougher competition. With
Loris competing under the wing of the
Supermotoland.com race team with
continued sponsorship from Advance
Moves International Removals he is
guaranteed the backing and support that
he needs to get himself up to speed.
Loris’ season will have started in Alicante
Tickets are available on the gate at
around 12€ each and the action kicks off
from 10am. If you want to see a great
weekend’s racing action then head for
www.motoalbaida.com where circuit
directions and further details can be found.
Later in the
day
with
research
having been
carried out,
consensus
was
that
it
was
a
Horseshoe
Whipsnake
and is an
endangered
species due
to lack of
habitat.
Snakes alive!!
On 23rd March, 22 members, and one
guest, met up at the Lorca Club de Golf for
the monthly Stapleford competition.
95
Introduction to the MOBO Group
Have you ever looked at the sea on a lovely
day and thought ‘wouldn’t it be great to
have a boat’? Then you thought about the
cost of purchase and the running costs and
the maintenance involved and you rejected
the idea. Well, MOBO Group may have the
answer for you.
MOBO Group is one of the boat share
groups within the Sailing Association Mar
Menor.
SAMM is based at the Santa Cristina centre
in Los Narejos on the Mar Menor and has
several groups covering a range of boating
activities. MOBO Group owns ‘FEFI’ a 22ft
Spanish built fishing boat (Artaban) which
is moored on Santa Cristina’s secure pier.
She has an inboard diesel engine, 2 forward
cabins, and can carry up to 6 people. The
owner members share the running costs,
the maintenance and, most importantly, the
sailing. Generally we sail on the delightful
Mar Menor, but sometimes venture through
the La Manga canal to the Mediterranean.
Entry and running cost are very reasonable
and there are vacancies at present.
If interested, phone Mike at 678 145 674
to find out more and make a date to come
down for a trial run.
96
See us on the SAMM website at
www.sailingmarmenor.com
Email michael_phillips1@msn.com
SAMM Spring 2016 Racing Starts
The crews of seven boats arrived at the
CTD ‘Infanta Cristina’ Los Narejos at 10am
for the first race day of the Spring 2016
Handicap Series to find that something
was missing – the wind. It did not appear
until late morning, delaying the start from
11am until 12.30pm, but then it blew
steadily at between 8 and 12 knots. This
meant that only one six-lap race could be
scheduled.
The larger boats were away first, with the
two Sailfish (Mistral and Sirocco) crossing
the line just feet apart. The dinghies
followed 10 minutes later and all four
crossed within a few seconds, overall a very
good start for all boats.
Mistral held
the lead for
the first four
laps until she
was caught
by the faster
dinghies. The
catamaran
H a m o u r
had a bad
race
and
was lapped
by all the
other boats.
At
times
there
was
some
very
close racing
b e t w e e n
Mistral and
Hamour and
then Mistral and the Gamba Shoestring
Cuatro, the later boat taking over the lead
position with a lap and a half to go which
she held onto till the end, finishing the race
in 1hr, 16mins, 38secs. The last boat to
finish, other than poor Hamour, completed
the course in 1hr. 35mins 16secs.
Final positions once handicaps were applied
were 1st Shoestring Cuatro, 2nd the other
Gamba Shoestring Uno and 3rd the Sailfish
Mistral.
An unwanted bit of excitement occurred
at the end of the race when the crew of
Sirocco went overboard while picking up
the mooring buoy, but a prompt reaction by
the skipper, Julian Pering, had him back on
board before the support boat arrived.
Great Easter Sunday Racing
Easter Sunday, the second Race Day of
the SAMM Spring Series, turned out
to be a great and exciting day, despite
the tardy start no doubt due to the clocks
going forward the night before. There were
two races of 4 laps each with the cruisers
starting 10 minutes before the dinghies.
The Race Officer set what he thought was an
interesting course. With a southerly wind at
about 10 to 12 Knots he set the first mark
due SE of the gate near the moored ferries,
the second due north, the third West and
finally beat back. Number one proved to
be very tricky and forced all crews to think
and work out their strategies.
In race 1, Sirocco and Mistral went
over the line together bang on the start
signal and after the first lap were only 20
seconds apart. Poor old Connie just about
completed one lap when all the other boats
had finished. Shoestring Cuatro and the
Hartley crossed the line together right
on the dinghy signal and exchanged the
lead over the four laps. Shoestring Uno
had reefed and then lost time shaking it
out. The start gate proved to be a magnet
and by the time of the 4th lap the boats
had to dodge, canoeists, a dozen Polish
windsurfers and four CAR boats loaded to
the gills with children. A very close finish,
with Shoestring Cuatro winning by a few
seconds.
By race 2 the
wind started
to
change
from
the
South
to
the
East
and slightly
faded. This
resulted
in
the first lap
taking twice
as long as
the
first
lap in the
first
race.
However
two cracking
starts again.
With
a
shortened
course in mind, the wind picked up to 15
knots and lap times were cut to about 18
minutes, finally resulting in another win for
Shoestring Cuatro.
For information about SAMM go to
www.sailingmarmenor.com
Over 200 Sailors confirm that they will
compete in the VI Regata Bahía De
Mazarrón. The competition, scoring for
the regional calendar, will be held on 14th
and 15th May
The regatta is being organized by the
Yacht Club and the Sports Department
in Mazarrón. It is a scoring event in the
regional calendar Sailing Federation. 50
cruise ships are coming mostly from the
Murcia region, but also from Andalusia
and Valencia. Some of these boats will be
taking part later in the year in the King’s
Cup to be held in Palma de Mallorca. The
competitions will take place within the
limits of Cabo Tiñoso and Cueva Lobos and
will be visible from the coast according to
the technical director of the competition
Pedro Juan Pérez-Castejon.
On Saturday May 14th at 8.30pm there
will be a barbecue dinner with musical
performance at the Yacht Club.
On Sunday 15th May, prior to the awards
ceremony, there will be a giant paella for
all attendees.
All information and registration to
participate in the race are on the website
www.venanavegar.com
The Mayor of Mazarrón, Alicia Jimenez,
stressed that this is an opportunity to show
the possibilities offered by the coast of the
municipality to attract sailing competitions
which thus join the diving tourism.
The organization has arranged the sports
programme with several entertainment
acts that will encourage participants and
the public who want to come and watch
the competition.
97
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE
Roller blind for sale in white 148cm wide
by 85cm drop. Good quality, brand new,
still in original wrapping. €20
Tel 616 240 171 or email
sally@curtain-call.es
BUSINESS
Paint Sprayer system. Earlex 2900 unused.
With instructions. 45€
Tel David 618 423 025 Camposol
Portable, professional beautician’s couch in
excellent condition. 95€
Tel 699 707 954 Camposol
CLASSIFIED ADS ARE AVAILABLE FREE
FOR ITEMS UNDER 500€ OR FOR WANTED/
LOST ITEMS. (FOR NON-COMMERCIAL
ENTERPRISES ONLY AND EXCLUDING
PROPERTIES, VEHICLES AND BOATS)
Maximum 20 words and 3 classified
ads per customer.
Aeres Platform 550 Power Plate. Only
used a few times. Professional piece of
gym equipment. Only 150€
Tel 646 005 017 Moratalla
2 x solid pine wood exterior doors. 72cm and
200cm and 1 at 82cm x 200cm. 40€ each
Modern 2 seater sofa. As new. Main colour
sky blue. 90€ (or offer).
Tel 630 342 408
GROUPS
To Place a Classified Advert:
Please go to our Contact Us page at www.
costacalidachronicle.com
and
put
Classified advert in the Subject line, email
or
call 968 970 680 10-2pm Mon-Fri
PETS
Female and male podenco cross puppies. 9
months old. Both neutered and vaccinated.
Tel 646 005 017
Boggle
Answers:
9 LETTER
WORD IS
TRANSPORT
PAST
PORT
POTS
PRAT
RAPS
RAPT
RASP
RORT
ROTS
SORA
SORT
SPAR
SPAT
SPOT
STOP
TAPS
TARO
TARS
TOPS
TORR
TORT
TRAP
TROT
TSAR
APT
ART
ASP
OPT
PAR
PAS
PAT
POT
PRO
RAP
RAT
ROT
SAP
SAT
SOP
SOT
SPA
TAP
TAR
TOP
TOR
PARROT
PASTOR
RAPTOR
APORT
SPORT
SPRAT
TAROT
TRAPS
TROTS
OPTS
PARR
PART
98
The International Property Consultancy
CRBE has forecast an increase in Spanish
property sales of 20% in the coming year,
with an average increase in values close to
5% for coastal and city properties.
Whilst the increase does not separate
the Spanish home market from overseas
buyers, we have no reason to disagree with
the figures as an average, as they reflect
our own views and based on the year to
date, our sales are almost exactly 20% up
compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Coastal property and country homes have
been very strong sellers this year and we
are now experiencing a shortage of large
detached fincas in rural areas between the
100,000€ to 200,000€ price band.
San Pedro del Pinatar
I was lucky enough to get one night away
recently (no mean feat for me) at the
Thalasia Costa de Murcia Hotel and Spa in
San Pedro del Pinatar.
The hotel is about an hour’s drive from the
Mazarrón area and overlooks the ‘Salinas’
or salt flats, which are famous throughout
the region for the Winter population of
flamingos.
I was there
a year ago,
but
all
I
managed
to see was
one
lonely
flamingo in
the distance,
but this year,
much
to
my delight,
the
birds
were there
en
masse
and
are
absolutely
stunning to
see. The ‘Salinas’ have miles of walkways
and tracks leading to the beaches and
harbour and the whole area is a walker’s
& nature lover’s paradise. I spent Saturday
morning walking through the salt flats to
the beach, followed by a beer in one of the
many sea front bars to recuperate.
In my last column (April 2016) I wrote
about the potential effects of the EU
Referendum – due on 23rd June this year.
I received several emails from potential
vendors in response and hope I was able to
answer their questions sufficiently enough
to reassure them of their doubts. The
most frequent question was – “If I sell my
property after June and wish to return the
proceeds to the UK, will I be allowed to do
so if Britain has voted to leave the EU?” –
The answer of course is yes! – If Britain
votes to leave the EU in June it will still
remain a formal member of the Union for 2
years in order to negotiate free movement
of money, people and many other issues.
Even after 2 years, there is unlikely to
be any obstacle to doing so as people
transfer money all around the world from
and to UK banks and the vast majority of
those countries are not in the EU. Global
banking has no borders unless sanctioned
by the United Nations because they are
considered rogue states or supporters of
terrorism.
I would just like to finish by saying
if anyone is considering putting their
property on the market in the near future
and has any doubts or questions regarding
the effects of the EU referendum, please
don’t hesitate to drop me a line on the
email address below. I shall be delighted
to offer advice and guidance.
Kenneth Whettall
Commercial Director
Fuente Alamo Real Estate/Murcia
Coast & Country
Info@fuentealamorealestate.com
Tel 0034 968 598 173
plazas – definitely worth a visit if you like
to shop!!
de Sal, being opposite the marina and only
a 5 minute drive from the hotel.
Included in the price of the room is access
to the thermal water pool, a salt pool
which is around 33º and rather like a warm
mini Dead Sea! I passed a happy couple
of hours floating there and relaxing on the
Jacuzzi massage loungers before heading
into the Lobby Bar for tapas. It remains a
mystery how I could float without moving a
muscle and my companion sank, although
he rather ungallantly muttered something
about ratio of body fat to muscle!
For a change of scene, a day trip or a minibreak, San Pedro is a lovely location and
a visit to see the flamingos in winter is a
MUST. The birds are there from around
November to April and then migrate back
to their country of origin after the mild
winter in Spain.
The area is a little livelier than our part of
the Costa Cálida and there are hundreds of
bars and restaurants to choose from, with
one of the area’s famous restaurants Mar
The hotel makes a good base to visit the
area, being about 15 minutes drive from
the huge La Zenia Commercial Centre,
which even for a reluctant shopper like me
was a good morning out as it is an open
air complex of Boulevards and bars and
Liz Edmiston
OwnersAway Property
Management
Contact Liz on 691977107
info@ownersaway.com
www.ownersaway.com
Rentals
&
More positive news for property owners in
Spain, looking to sell in the near future!
99
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232
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603 766 214
696 724 123
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968 153 396
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650 631 719
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958 595 945
965 020 402
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602 584 714
Cosmetic Medical Clinic (90)968 199 111
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968 194 006
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638 893 357
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626 960 354
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968 437 270
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968 158 433
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968 971 828
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691 916 717
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968 595 946
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968 193 912
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968 153
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669 046
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968 595
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902 255
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644 300
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968 070
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968 156
851
396
167
945
258
125
020
583
968 970 666
693 231 955
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616 276 379
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634 302 388
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153
334
482
590
347
194
456
258
149 800
813 094
540 016
960
044
691
766
354
742
923
214
968 654 007
638 893 357
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868 181 121
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636 050
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609 265
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601 214
963
250
844
170
008
899
637
579
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659 315 130
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617
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Translation:
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101
Compusurf have always been a champion
for encouraging consumers to shop locally
if at all possible rather than travelling to
save a few euros.
Others include the fact that a flourishing
commercial centre on an urbanization
or suburb of a town only increases the
value of the area. Nothing downgrades a
community more than empty vandalised
shop units.
Don’t forget the convenience of shopping
locally as of course it is so much easier
if you need to return something. You will
generally be greeted with a smiling face
and get a much more personal experience
locally, as the majority of local traders are
experts in their field.
There are many reasons why it is best to
shop locally; the obvious one is keeping
the cash-flow within the local economy.
It’s not long to go now before our first
performance of 2016 on 27th May at the
Condado Club in Condado de Alhama.
The Condado Club has recently had a
refurbishment and it’s a wonderful venue.
After our success at the Clover Bar
in December, we hope the audience at
Condado Club will enjoy us as much if not
more.
We have been enjoying practising hard
of course and our Musical Directors, Ann
and Andy have been doing a good job
making sure our performances this year
are even better than last year, using video
technology! We’ve never been filmed so
much! Watching ourselves is the best
102
There is even the environmental impact
of not driving further than you need to,
but maybe the most important reason
of all, is the investment that is put back
into the communities usually in the form
of charitable donations to local events
and organisations. For example here at
way of looking at ways to improve our
whole presentation and our engagement
with the songs we’re singing. It’s been a
learning curve for us all and not without
some hilarity as it has incited some of us to
practise our singing in front of the mirror.
Recently, on a Saturday afternoon whilst
rehearsing, we have heard an especially
wonderful sound coming from the back.
What’s that we say? It’s the men of course!
Hooray, we have more men in the choir!
What a difference it makes. How great are
they, giving up their Saturday afternoon
sport to come and sing and create a
different dynamic in the sound and the
body of the choir? We’d like to have more
men, so come on gentlemen you can
always watch the replay of that one goal
your team scored on a Saturday night!
Maybe you’re not a sports fan, or your
sport is not on television on a Saturday
afternoon, but you don’t want to spend
time away from your partner? No problem!
Bring them along to join us too. We now
have more couples in the choir. Their
houses must be ringing with song as they
practise during the week!
Compusurf we support the Leos, FAST
and other local organizations that benefit
our local community.
We know the temptation to shop around
to get the best bargain possible is a very
powerful one. Sometimes what you are
looking for is not available locally and for
some, we understand, it’s a necessity to
save every cent possible. However, the
next time you are on a mission to purchase
something, we ask you to remember to
check your local business first. You may
be surprised, plus keep in mind, even if it
is a few euros more than the hypermarket
30km away, those few euros are going
back into your community in more ways
than one.
Chris Jennings
Compusurf CTO
Tel: 968 970 666
If you just enjoy listening to rock choirs,
then come along to hear us sing at one of
our performances. We do it all for charity
and for fun and for even more fun in front
of that mirror!
The Harlequin Rock Choir
Condado Club, Condado de Alhama
27th May, 8.30pm
Entry 5€
In aid of MABS
Don’t be disappointed! Reserve a
seat by popping along to the Condado
Club or by sending an email to Ida at
ihalton@yahoo.com with the number
of seats required and names.
If you’re planning an event for charity in a
suitable venue and an attentive audience
and would like some entertainment for
FREE or if you want to know more about
the Harlequin Rock Choir and how to
join, email me as above or check out our
website harlequinrockchoir.com or our
Facebook site.
Ida Halton
Events and Publicity Co-ordinator
103
104

May 2016 - Costa Calida Chronicle

Transcription

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