march 2015
DESCRIPTION
A local interest magazine based in El Campello, Alicante Spain. Each month, articles about the local area as well as ones of a wider interest such as film reviews and gardening interests are covered.TRANSCRIPT
Tickled Squirrel
FREE EVERY MONTH
Issue 4March 2015
Articles, puzzles, information and advertising from the best local businesses.
Articles, puzzles, information and advertising from the best local businesses.
“Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.” Britt, S. H., Academic (1907-79). New York Herald Tribune, October 1956.
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Inside this month
Website: www.tickledsquirrel.comMobile site: www.m.tickledsquirrel.comTelephone: 634 327 682 (Office hours are 10.00 - 18.00hrs Mon - SatEmails: [email protected]@tickledsquirrel.com
Tickled Squirrel Magazine is published each month by Tickled Squirrel Ltd. UK Reg. No. 9244499
Tickled Squirrel Ltd. accepts no responsibility for the services, goods or work which is provided by any advertiser. Although we do our best to ensure the content is correct we accept no liability for errors or omissions. No part of this magazine, in part or whole, may be reproduced without obtaining prior written permission.
P.4 Urgent Appeal From BARCP.6 Bulbs In The Garden. By Roald Goorman.P.9 ClassifiedAdverts/CharitiesP.10 Brain Drain Puzzle PagesP.13 Making Changes. By Violet King.P.14 FilmReview-IntoTheWoods. By Megan Parker.P.18 DyingInSpain-WillYouRest In Peace?P.22 ReflectionOfTheSon. By Craig McArthur.P.24 LivingInLaos-TheLifeOfAn Ex-Pat. ByJohnNelson.P.26 Music Ramblings. By Vince Tracy.P.28 Tech Tips.P.30 MarketDays/LocalArea TelephoneNumbers.P.31 Puzzle Solutions.
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SNACK ~ A ~ JAX
619 381 722
Come along and see us soon. You’ll fi nd us on the “Island” in Bonalba. We’re easy to fi nd, and you can park outside or nearby.
More than just an English Food ShopCome along and have a browse, then sit at one of our tables for a drink or a snack. You can even enjoy a full English breakfast if you wish before fi nishing your purchases. We stock a good selection of fresh, chilled and frozen English foods, as well as newspapers and magazines.
Agents for TV Choice, RTN and Euroweekly
Wehavealargeselectionofcardsforalloccasions
Lunchtime Specials - 4.95€ including a drink
We are openTuesday 9:30 to 5:30Wednesday 9:30 to 5:30Thursday 9:30 to 5:30
Friday 9:30 to 5:30Saturday 9:30 to 4:00(we are closed Sundays & Mondays)
(Kitchen service ends one hour before closing time)
Easypost AndPassportService
Eurodirectcardsavailable
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March 2015March 1 St. David’s Day
March 15 Mothering Sunday (UK)
March 15-19 Las Fallas Fiestas
March 17th St. Patrick’s Day
March 19 Día de San José
March 29 Palm Sunday
March 29th Clock’s Change +1hr.
El Campello Christian Community Meetings of this Community will be held on Sunday, 8th March and Sunday 22nd March in the Hall next to Meson Pueblo Español (Pepe´s Bar) at 5 p.m. Everyone welcome! For information email: [email protected] or telephone Sue Bishop on 965699991/693048200
Wow, it’s March already! And we all know what March is, don’t we? Whether we live here on the Costa Blanca or back in the UK the weather can be a real mix. March is the battle between winter and spring, and as the old saying goes it’s in like a lion and out like a lamb; and as it nears its end we put the clocks forward one hour.Please read the announcement below from John Mead at BARC. If anyone is in a position to help, give him a call as soon as you can. Thank you.Next month we’ll be bringing you the details of the Bruised But Not Broken Walk for Life which takes place at the beginning of May. Not all ex-pats choose to leave the UK shores and come to Spain. Sometimes they go further afield ... much further, and this month we start a new series on the life of an ex-pat who upped sticks and moved to a small country called Laos PDR. Over the coming months John will tell you of his trials, tribulations and successes. He begins this month with his departure from the UK.Each month we bring you a short story each. We welcome submissions from our readers so if you wish to send your story for consideration please write clearly, in good English and to a word count of approximately 1000. Send your short stories by the 10th of each month via email to [email protected]. Unfortunately we are not in a position to be able to pay you but all work used will be fully accredited to its author. There is no guarantee that we will be able to use your work and we may hold it on file until such a time we have the space to print (poems are also welcome).And finally, life in Spain is generally great, but what happens if things go wrong, if someone dies? Will you be prepared? Take a look at the article on page 18.
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Sam’ssupermarket
Open Monday to Friday 9 to 4:30, Saturdays 9 to 3
965 63 44 45
Baz Traditional English ButcherOpen Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 3
Hair & BeautySalon
EasytofindontheN332betweenLaFont&ElCampello
Spring into fresh Nu Skin!See amazing results with a course of 5 facials over 2 weeks for €180!! Each facial @ €36 saves you 20 euros over the course with results visible after 1st treatment!
Appointments 965 63 44 45
Quality meats includingroasting beef, steaks,home cured gammon,pork with crackling,home made beef and lamb burgers, and much more.
All Your Quality English Products In StockWiderangeofQualityBakewareAvailable
JohnSmith’sandGuinnessWarburton’sBread
Agents for TV Choice
WideRangeOfEasterEggsAvailableFrom20thMarch
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Mediterranean GardensRoald Goorman
Bulbs In The Garden (plants and not light bulbs!)
Bulbous plants are an extremely interesting and worthwhile addition to any Spanish garden. Especially considering the fact that most bulbous plants have evolved in climates similar to what we experience here at the Costa Blanca.
The plant grows when it rains and forms a profusion of flowers and leaves, the leaves then store the energy in the bulb which thickens during the season and with age the plant, accumulating ever more nutrients and water. When the dry season starts, the plant goes dormant, having stored all necessary energy and water in the bulb to survive the dry season. The bulb also gives the plant an advantage when the first rains start again, immediately being able to form new leaves and flowers from the stored energy in the bulb.
What we call popularly bulbs might either be true bulbs or corms, bulbs are actually folded leaves that shoot upwards when in season (like tulips and daffodils), corms are thickened stem bases from which a single stalk emerges with leaves and flowers (like onions).
As both have similar requirements in cultivation, and for the sake of simplicity in the article we will call them all bulbs.
Having lived in South Africa for a year, I have developed a particular love for South African bulbs, as there is such a stunning variety of them, one species even more breathtaking than the other when in bloom!
Also, as quite a few of the nicest species come from the Southwest of South Africa, which also experiences a Mediterranean-style climate, these plants are perfectly suited to our gardens. Some other species come from summer rainfall/ winter dry areas, but with a little extra watering in summer, these could also be grown with success.
It really depends whether you want a water-wise garden with as little extra watering as possible or if you don’t mind doing a bit extra watering to have a wider selection to choose from!
Beware, Mediterranean climate bulbs generally (with a few exceptions) do not mix well with summer rainfall bulbs, as the first would succumb to rot when receiving additional water in summer, so if you would like to grow both, keep them in separate beds with different
watering regimes.
For all bulbs, excellent drainage is important, if your soil is heavy and clayish, then create raised beds with a mix of loam, compost, coarse sand and composted pine bark or potting soil. For the Mediterranean species do not fertilise.
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Most South African species belong to the Iridaceae (Iris-family) or the Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis family), with some like the Kniphofia belonging to the small family of the Asphodelaceae, of which the Spanish native Asphodel is also a member.
Some interesting genera (each having several tens to hundreds of species!) for the Mediterranean garden are:
Winter rainfall: Watsonia, Nerine, Boophane, Moraea, Haemanthus, Bulbinella
Summer rainfall: Kniphofia, Scadoxus, Zantedeschia, Ornithogalum, Clivia, Crocosmia, Agapanthus
From experience, I know that quite a few of these bulb species are hard to come by. What I usually do is order seeds (most bloom within two years after sowing) or bulbs from African Bulbs, a small nursery in South Africa, run by Rhoda and Cameron McMaster. They are both
bulb enthusiasts and very helpful when you want to get information or to order special African bulbs. Take a look at the website www.africanbulbs.com In the next article I will discuss some bulbs native to Spain and the European Mediterranean.
www.mediterragarden.es Tel: 630 477 [email protected]
Avenida del Reino 1, 3a - 30130 Beniel (Murcia)
Gardens tailor made to suit your needs
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� e Royal CarveryAlkabir
Traditional Home Made EnglishFood and Breakfasts
With a Good Choice of Quality Wines
We are openTuesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm 6pm to lateSunday From 1pm
Th ree Courses 10€Sunday Roast
3 Courses and a glass of wine, wateror a coff ee 8.50€
Menu Del Dia
Please book in advance 8€Friday & Saturday Evening BBQ
Reservations: 96 56 36 890We’re easy to � nd on Alkabir
just o� the N332 from El Campello
CASASCAMPELLO
Youhavethepropertyforsaleandwehavetheclientstobuy.
Contactusforinformationonoureasy marketing process.
Your local, friendly estate agency who speakEnglish, Español, Nederlands and Deutsch.
www.casascampello.com
tel: 0034 965638221Calle Montnegre 4, Coveta Fumá, El Campello.
www.casascampello.com
Pric
es st
art f
rom
onl
y 3€
per
m²
We offer a full range ofEnglish & Spanish Legal Services
Buying/Selling Property * RemortgagesProperty Transfers * Rental Contracts & Disputes
English & Spanish InheritanceWills & Probate * Powers of Attorney
NIE & ResidenciasUtility Changes
& much much more . . . . . . . .
Free First Consultation
Tel: 687170241email: [email protected]
www.lbs-spain.com
APAC Animal Protection Charity in El Campello. Dogs of all ages awaiting rehoming. Sterilisation scheme for feral cats. Charity shop at Av. Germanies, 20, El Campello. For information about dogs, call Joy 965699460, and for feral cats call Janice 965638899, or Onny 965940763 (charity no. 3817)
BruisedButNotBroken Cancer Support Charity. Our aim is to provide respite breaks. If you or your family need help, or you wish to volunteer, please get in touch. Tel: Lorraine 608524896 (charity no. CV-01-049781-A)
MABS Cancer Support Group covering Costa Blanca area. Interpreters/Transport/Equipment/Support and nursing available for you and your family in your time of need. Tel: Sue 664266991 (charity no. 7261)
P.E.P.A. Animal Charity is desperately looking for foster carers to help us with the overwhelming amount of abandoned animals. All expenses are paid, all that we ask is that a secure loving temporary home is given. For more information please telephone Pat on 962833325 or the helpline on 650304746 or email [email protected] (Reg. Charity Number: G.97646921)
To include a charity in our listings please supplyavalidregisteredcharitynumber.
Charities
Classified adverts are free for items up to 500€ (MAXIMUM 20 WORDS PER ITEM INCLUDING CONTACT NUMBER). Photographs cannot be included. However, don’t forget that you can also place your adverts on our website, including up to four photographs at www.tickledsquirrel.com
To include your advert in the printed magazine please send by email to: [email protected] BEFORE the 15th of each month. Only one item per email and a maximum of four items each month per email address. Space may be limited therefore adverts will be placed on a first come first served basis. Tickled Squirrel Magazine Classified Ads section is solely for private individuals to advertise items for sale or wanted. It is not for the use of businesses.
Classified Adverts Section
March AdsNintendoDSLite, in black. Great condition. C/W three games – Lego Harry Potter (boxed), Super Mario Bros (boxed), and Grey’s Anatomy (not boxed). 25€. Tel: 634336018
2mens&1ladiesbikes for sale 40€ each. El Campello. Tel: 604164788
ClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsC
lassifieds
ClassifiedsClassifieds
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FIREWOODFree Kindling
And Chimney Sweep
658 626 315
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The Brain Drain Puzzle Pages
1. Smart (7) 4. Hits (7) 8. Lottery (11) 12. Monkeys (4) 13. Relocate (4) 14. Mix smoothly (5) 15. Tell positively (6) 17. Dull yellowish brown (5) 22. Doing nothing (4) 23. Poles (5) 24. Gaming cubes (4) 25. Go into (5) 28. Harsh (6) 30. Water holes (5) 32. Former Russian ruler (4) 34. Extent of space (4)
35. Act of performing (11) 38. Protected (7) 39. Government income (7)
1. Water vapour (5) 2. Rules (4) 3. Perceive with the eyes (3) 5. Light meal (3) 6. Separate article (4) 7. Now and then (9) 8. Hardens (4) 9. Heap (4) 10. Melody (4) 11. Couch (4) 14. For grooming hair (5)
16. View (5) 18. Barrier (5) 19. Leading (9) 20. Speak (3) 21. Small islands (5) 26. Snare (4) 27. Memorandum (4) 28. Shut with force (4) 29. Uncommon (4) 31. Temporary stop (5) 33. The back of (4) 34. Land measure (4) 36. Enemy (3) 37. Abraham (3)
Across
Down
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SudokuEasy/Medium/Hard
1 4 2 5 38 3 1
2 9 3 5 12 6 5
4 89 5 75 6 8 3 2
5 2 44 8 3 9 6
7 9 5 43 1 9 6
36 7 5 1
8 62 9 6 4
49 7 2 5
6 9 3 7
5 6 11 2 9 8
3 61 6
9 4 7 38 5
1 92 3 4 1
4 1 2
1. If your birthday is on the fifth of March, what is your zodiac sign?
a. Libra b. Cancer c. Leo d. Pisces 2. What is your birthstone if you are born in
the month of March? a. Garnet b. Opal c. Aquamarine 3. If you were born in March, what is your
flower? a. Crocus b. Tulip c. Daffodil 4. The month of March is associated with
which culture's god? a. Celtic b. Gaelic c. Norse d. Roman 5. How many days are in the month of March? a. 28 b. 30 c. 27 d. 31 6. The Ides of March is a famous day. What
day is it? a. 5th b. 3rd c. 26th d. 15th 7. Which historical figure was killed on the
Ides of March? a. Joan of Arc b. Plato c. Julius Caesar 8. Which sport has a tournament named
March Madness? a. Hockey b. Soccer c. Basketball d. Baseball 9. The holiday of Nowruz is celebrated in
March. What is this celebration? a. Russian Independence b. International
Human Rights Day c. New Years Day10. Which country celebrates Martisor? a. Vietnam b. Iceland c. Romania 11. Which of these Saint's days is not in March? a. Saint George b. Saint David c. Saint
Joseph d. Saint Patrick 12. Prince Kuhio is recognized in March.
Which culture celebrates this man? a. Hawaiian b. Chinese c. Japanese
MarchMadnessQuiz
Solutions/answerstothepuzzlepages are on Page 31.
Calle San Bartolomé Nº 55 Commercial B El Campello 03560
Telephone 666 967 469 or 622 658 581 English and Spanish spokenEmail: [email protected] Web: www.sundrenchedvillas.com
SUNDRENCHED VILLASSpecialists in Property Sales,Long Term and Holiday Lets
Are you are looking to SELLor RENT your property?
� en come and talk to us. We have a large portfolio of international clients waiting to
BUY and RENT in this area.
(between the lottery shop and the charity shop)
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C/San Bartolomé 47 El Campello Tel: 966 209 539
“A superb dining experience at a very reasonable price.”
Chef’sMenuMon to Fri 11.95€Sat & Sun 14.95€
Open 10:30 to 16:00 & 19:30 to 22:30 every day except closed Tuesday eve and Wednesday all day
Tapas MenuEvery Day 18.00€
(For Two People)
Take Relationships: That involves another person, and we can’t control or guarantee how another person will act out their part in our lives. None of us are the same, and that is what causes conflict at the best of times, but we are all special and we need to handle the stress in our lives in a way that is good for us.
Take Finance: Do we have what we want? Can we get more? What are the probabilities there? So different for each one of us that’s certain. There are so many different circumstances, but it all boils down to one final result.
Take Health: Who knows what tomorrow might bring? All we can be sure of is this moment in time, and if we can’t change it, what can we do?
We can do nothing about changing every circumstance is the answer, but we CAN change how we feel and think about everything we are involved in. Attitude is everything.
WhatMattersinLife?
I’m sure many books have been written on the subject and I imagine that you all have your personal views as you saw that question . . . In fact I believe only one thing matters in life, and that is our attitude towards it, and everything concerned with it. Let’s face it, if we could alter things as we go through the years we could have things the way we want, and that is fine. Sadly life is not always as simple as getting things the way we want them. What would we ever learn if it wasn’t for the ups and the downs?
Making Changes
The past is only a tutor, and there is absolutely no sense in hanging on to it. Learn from it by all means and you can actually benefit from all the things that went wrong. The only thing that we are able to control is the here and now, and that is the only thing we can change, so make the most of it, because having the right attitude today can change our future, and that is what matters in life.I see it working all the time with people who are prepared to make changes to their thinking and move forwards to whatever life has to offer.Because having the right attitude is so life changing it appears that what matters most in life is how we view things and how we handle things. The right attitude colours and changes everything. Keep an open mind, don’t rule out anything that makes sense, even if it is a new way of looking at things.Remember we all have something in our lives to make us happy and we all have things in our lives to make us miserable. YOU choose which you are going to concentrate on each day.I was talking to someone the other day who said she has a plan to do SOMETHING different every day, so that she never wastes it . . . what a healthy attitude!Look for the best in life, and make each day special. Some of us may not have tomorrow, and many of us did not have today.Till the next time!
Violet
Violet King Personal Confidential Counsellor
For information please ring 966928256 or 634312179.
Alternatively send an email to: [email protected]
Website: www.makechanges.webs.com
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Megan Parker
A walk in the woods can be peaceful, undisturbed, and a time of reflection upon nature’s serenity. Step into the woods and you’ll hear the fragile harmonies of the birds’ chirping and the subtle rustling of such wise and gentle trees.
Well, at least that’s what I thought until I witnessed the madness of Into the Woods; a melodrama brimming with displays of energetic and far-fetched fantasy. This particular film stands out through its fantasy genre crossover of many magical Grimm Brother fairy tales. As always, Little Red Riding Hood innocently walks through the woodland to return to her grandmother’s house and while her brief meeting with the wolf is expected, Into the Woods creates her fortuitous encounter with the characters of Jack and The Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Rapunzel.
The story first follows the lives of a baker and his wife who are struggling for both money and the wish of having a child. Their neighbour, a spiteful and mysterious witch, promises to lift a curse laid upon them, giving them the chance to start a family. All fortune will be returned at the cost of four items requested by the witch; a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. And so the baker and his wife eagerly trail ‘into the woods’, unaware of what they will find as they forage further into the darkness. As for Cinderella, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk, the stories are the pretty much
the same as the originals, apart from the vital alternative of ending up in the woods.
Being the narrative voice and playing the character of the baker, James Cordon stars as the protagonist of the film and we see him making his big, theatrical debut. Many other big names star alongside Cordon including Emily Blunt as the bakers wife, Meryl Streep as the evil witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, and Johnny Depp as the wolf.
I can see the reasoning behind the title of Into the woods, because it is sung and spoken more times than the world combined have eaten cooked dinners! The singing only adds to the whimsical and lighthearted nature of the film, creating elements of enchanted surprise and mystical spirit. However, do not be fooled by such moments of joy because the ending will give you a shock, and leave you questioning if things really do end ‘happily ever after’.
Film Review
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KESYPLUMBING
Mob: 652 857 108Tel: 965 632 242
Installation&RepairstoSanitary,GasandCentralHeatingAirConditioningandSolarHotWaterSystemsOfficialGas&WaterInstallers,coveringfromAlicante to Benidorm and Surrounding Areas
AllBuildingServicesAllKindsofElectricalWorkAllKindsOfDrainBlockages
We Speak English - Wij Spreken Nederlands - Wir Sprechen DeutschHablo Español - Parliamo Italiano - Говорим по русский
thir
ty y
ears
expe
rien
ce in
the
trad
e
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Campello AlternativeTherapy
Neuro-MuscularTherapeuticMassageJohnGoodhewD.M.,M.A.S.,Th.M.,S.W.S.MMemberofA.T.M.PractitionersTelephone: 654 254 904Email:[email protected] the best, trained by the best!
Make an appointment with me nowfor a little restorative body work
JacquelineGoodhewReikiMasterS.W.S.MI.H.B.C
Email:jackie@costablancatherapy.comReikiOnetoOneReikiLevel1and2TeachingAnimal Reiki
Call 635 734 647 For A Reiki Appointment
Call me on 654 254 904
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True Blue Pools And Gardens Campello
PoolsOnly 75€ per monthincluding chemicals(Based on a standard 8m x 4mpool on an annual contract)
GardensMonthly maintenance contractsAd hoc work at 12€ per hour.Landscaping - Irrigation Systems - Tree Pruning
0034 677298881 0034 [email protected]
Bar El PobletTel: 965 639 174Christine and Steve welcome you to the
Snacksavailable-Breakfastsfrom10amtonoonKitchenopenfrom9amto3pmand6pmto10pm
Beef,PorkorLamb-eachcomeswithallthetrimmings.MainCourseonitsownisjust6€.Twocoursesare8€.Threecoursesjust10€
Sunday Lunch
free
We’re easy to find - turn off the N332 to El Poblet take the first right and we’re there
IsFunQuizNightCome along and joininthefun.
Friday Night Saturday NightIsSteakNightGammon,RumporBeefFilletwithallthe trimmings and a smallglassofhousewine 9.95€
Dying In Spain ~ Will You Rest In Peace?
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Spanish Funeral System ~ Make sure you understand it.Many British and other foreign nationals are falling foul of the funeral system here in Spain whether on holiday or living here. Why? Spanish system must be completed in a very short time. By law, a death must be registered within 72 hours, and funerals generally take place within 48 hours, with the “norm” being 24hrs. Payment must be made in advance before any funeral can take place, extra days will mean extra mortuary costs. If payment is not forthcoming, then assets and bank accounts can be embargoed meaning very little or even no access to funds.
Noplaninplaceleavesthefuneraldirectorincontrolofyourfinancesandservice.On the day you or your loved ones will have very little choice other than to sign the body release form and go along with the process from there. Not signing will mean that you are left with the body and signing means a financial obligation. The next or even the same day will find you negotiating prices and service, and this is where costs start to escalate. There are many stories and evidence which demonstrate that costs can escalate way above the national average which is currently around 4,500€. The cost of a funeral has risen historically by approximately 10% a year.Losing a loved one is a very distressful and painful time for all. The last thing we need is to be misunderstood and presented with a large bill and a funeral that does not meet your family’s personal needs. Mostly there is a language barrier too. Asking your friend or interpreter to deal with the arrangements is not necessarily the best choice - all s/he can do is interpret and give you the price. The Spanish also fall into the same trap when there’s nothing is in place!
What do the Spanish do? Most Spanish take out funeral insurance but it’s usually taken from childhood. Insurance from birth or a young child can be very expensive . . . imagine a family of four paying for two generations or more . . . here the average person dies at 85. If payments are stopped for whatever reason then all or most of the funds are lost. Quite often insurances ask for more money as the sum assured diminishes over time, or only provide a contribution. Despite popular belief many UK insurance plans do not cover Spain. You or your family may also find yourself dealing with the funeral and reclaiming your costs at a later date. Insurances have clauses so beware!
Pre-paid plans can be a brilliant solution. One phone call can be all that is needed, to an English speaking service and one which can guarantee a fixed cost for life, generally under the national average of 4,500€. They will take care of all the required paperwork. Some even cover you in the UK! There is no need for lump sums either with some companies providing interest free options, or up to 10 years with interest. It fixes the cost at today’s price and it’s guaranteed for life. There are no restrictions and everyone is accepted.
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Reservations 965 63 43 71Overlooking the port in El Campello, La Cova offers a delightful place for a relaxing meal.A La Carte or Menu del Dia, both offer superb food at reasonable prices.
Open Tuesday To Saturday Lunch Times 13:30 to 16:00 Evenings 19:30 to 23:00Sunday Lunch Time 13:30 to 16:00 (Closed Monday all day and Sunday evening)
Dinner Dance - Last Friday Every Month - 17.50€
Menu of the Day 17.50€
96 685 28 46 www.maharaja.esAvda Puerto, 7 Local 6 Bajo Villajoyosa Where a Warm Welcome Awaits You On Th e Sea Front in Villajoyosa
MENU OF THE DAY From 10.00€Served from 12:00 to 3:30 pm
EVENING MENU From 12.90€
Free
We are open from 12pm to 3:30 and6pm to late every day
except Tuesdays when we are closed
RESERVATIONS
96 685 28 46www.maharaja.es
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We are here for you! Affordable, Trustworthy and Transparent.
DO YOU SPEND MORE THAN 4 WEEKS A YEARIN SPAIN?
DID YOU KNOW THAT MOST FUNERALS TAKE PLACEAND MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 24 HOURS?
• Funds are held in Capita Trust Fund, the same as UK Police, Government, NHS and Teachers funds.
• Guaranteed to pay whenever the inevitable happens.• Covers UK as well as Spain.• UK and Spanish company with head of�ices in both countries.• Flexible Payment Options .• Just one phone call needed to an English speaking service.• Avalon has been operating for 25 years.• We conform to UK regulations and procedures, bringing that
reassurance to Spain.• Funeral costs �ixed cost for life.
For further information please call your local representative:
Joe Costigan
Tel. 688 206 107Email: [email protected]
Find out how the Spanish Funeral System works and how itcan affect UK citizens
Avalon off ers a quality pre-paid funeral plan to bring comfortand reassurance to all of us living here in Spain
Craig McArthur
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Reflection of the Son
Following the disappearance of his father the day before, and frustrated by the thought of a forty eight hour wait before he would be declared missing, Isaac took it upon himself to go and look for him. Initially checking the work diary in his office, he got the address of where William was supposed to have been working. Isaac pulled his car into the driveway of the property and was immediately astounded by the look of this tired old building. He could see that it once was a rather grand place to live, with Tudor styling on the apex that faced him. The ground floor contained three large wooden bay windows, each having several panes of glass broken. Patches of render had fallen away exposing red bricks now tinged green. Beyond the house lay a vast field, once containing a lawn but now wild with growth. Isaac spotted his father’s empty van. He called out for his dad. There was no response. A sign mounted on the brick work above the rear door to the building read Rookery Farm - the same name as his family name. The door was unlocked. Isaac entered the building and walked along the corridor, his hand brushing the oak dado rail covered in dust. The corridor opened into a large hallway where a grand staircase faced him. An oak-beamed fireplace was to his right. Noticing engraving across the front of the beam, Isaac ran his fingers across the words. It was written in Latin . . . Isaac vultus ad speculum considerantem quia responsum. Quite the coincidence he thought, as he knew Latin from studying it at college. He translated it to English... Isaac look to the mirror’s reflection for the answer, was what it said. Looking around, he spied a mirror leaning against a wall. As he approached it he saw movement in its reflection. Turning quickly Isaac checked behind him. No-one was there. ‘Dad, are you here?’ he shouted. Wiping the dust from the mirror Isaac suddenly realised he had no reflection! Isaac jumped back in shock, and then he saw something else within the mirror. The room appeared to be new, freshly decorated, the fire was alight and somebody stood there watching the flames dance around. As he moved closer, he noticed the person was in fact his father William, only he appeared older. Isaac turned around to see if he was in the room with him, only to find himself surrounded by the damp ruin of the once grand hallway. He shouted ‘William Rookery.’ Turning back to look at the mirror, Isaac saw his father walking toward him. Unsure what to do, and with the urge to run, William spoke through the glass. ‘Isaac wait, it’s me, dad!’ Unable to fathom how this could be happening, Isaac moved toward the mirror, his hand reached out to touch his dad’s elderly reflection, while a tear ran down his cheek.William explained how he’d discovered the entrance to the cellar in the reflection of the mirror. ‘What cellar?’ Isaac said. ‘Precisely.’ William replied. ‘It can only be seen in the mirror’s reflection.’ He went on to say how after he’d lifted floor boards, he’d discovered and gone down the steps of the cellar only to find himself back in time and at the top of the steps again, and that after several attempts to get back to 2015, he’d found himself trapped in 1855, before the house had ever been built. William described his life, of how he’d met and subsequently married the farmer’s daughter Samantha, that they’d had two children Philip and Mary. ‘How am I supposed to believe you when you only went missing eighteen hours ago?’ asked Isaac. ‘It may only be eighteen hours for you, but it’s been eighteen years for Jane and me. We built this house ten years ago and I have waited here every lunch time in the Hallway in the hope of somehow getting a message to you.’ An idea occurred to Isaac, ‘Dad what if I go down the cellar stair myself, with a rope attached this end, maybe I could bring you back. If not, at least we’d be together.’ ‘And my family too?’ William replied.
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Craig McArthur is a writer from Lincolnshire. His works are mainly science-fiction based. If you’d like toknow more about Craig and his works please contact him directly via email to: [email protected]
Isaac still not fully accepting this ran to his dad’s van, grabbed the rope out of the back, tied it off and then proceeded to climb through the hole in the floor and down the stairs. Eventually he appeared in front of his aged father and after a lengthy embrace, Isaac had a selfish thought. He turned and fled down the stairs again making sure he took the rope with him, he emerged in the middle of the field where the house would one day stand. Next to him he saw his father sat there. Helping his dad to his feet they then both clung onto the rope and pulled themselves back into what would be a stairwell but in this instance a portal opened. To both of them it felt like a mountain climb, constant forces pushing against them. Both Isaac and William emerged at the top of the stairs to see an elderly William looking horrified as he started to decay in front of them. Back into the stairwell they went again, then again until they emerged back in 2015, home safe. ‘Who was that tortured soul who we left behind?’ asked William, panting and out of breath. ‘Dad, that was you eighteen years into what would have been your own future.’ he replied. ‘Would have been?’ William replied. Isaac went onto explain his own selfish actions so that he could have his father back but in doing so he started to slur and stumble about the room. ‘Isaac are you alright?’ ‘No. I can’t.... breath.’ It occurred to William, that the children, Mary and Philip, might be his Great Great Grandfather and sister, that in Isaac bringing him back to the present, he subsequently destroyed their own existences. William knew what he had to do and so picked Isaac up off the floor, but while doing so started to feel himself begin to fade, his lungs feeling empty, he threw himself and Isaac down the cellar stairs, then again and finally battered and bruised one last time. They both awoke to the sight of a lady called Samantha looking over them with concern.
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It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~ Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Living In Laos ~ The Life of an Ex-PatJohnNelson
from my employer so I knew this would be a busy time travelling around and soaking in the delights that South East Asia would have to offer.
Early in February 2013 I had confirmation of a plane ticket for one to Bangkok via Amsterdam leaving at the start of May and returning in early June. WOW! There were no other plans, I hadn’t scheduled in a hotel or guest house in Bangkok, or anywhere in Thailand come to think of it! All I knew as the date got closer was that I wanted to head into the tiny mysterious country of Laos PDR and journey south until I came to the poverty stricken land of Cambodia, and more importantly the ancient wonder of the world which is known as Angkor Wat.
Planning my route through Thailand I knew I wanted to experience something which most tourists and travellers miss out on - a real hands-on animal conservation experience and I found just that with a short voluntary stay at the Elephant Nature Park, north of Chiang Mai city in the northern reaches of Thailand. From here it seemed an easy journey to reach mysterious Laos where I planned on joining a Jungle Trek for three days and nights, sleeping in treehouses and ziplining across the jungle canopy seeking out the elusive and critically endangered Black Gibbon. After those two animal experiences I really hadn’t planned much, apart from trying to experience life as close to that of the locals and natives as possible, and making it to Angkor Wat to see what all the fuss was about. ‘What will be will be,’ I thought to myself sitting in the doctor’s surgery awaiting vaccinations against tropical illnesses rampant in the jungles and hill villages of rural Asia, but then, I worried about the illnesses I would take to the indigenous peoples of Laos and Cambodia.
In no time at all the date to begin my adventure arrived and one of my good friends transported me to Edinburgh airport for my early morning departure to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and my connecting flight into Bangkok.
Next month, read about my experiences in the Orient and the basic schoolboy errors of a novice traveller arriving in a new country for the first time ever…
It all began in September of 2012. The itchiness on the feet, that is! Do you know the feeling? That itch which no scratch will ever help ease. This was the time I began to plan my escape from the ‘rat race’ that was the UK! At that time I was working in a good job as a project co-ordinator for a major convenience store company. My job required me to travel and work away from my hometown during the week, living in hotels and guest houses. It never seemed quite right going home on a Friday afternoon because the itch always got stronger as I drove north to my little home in the beautiful town of Kelso nestled in the Scottish Borders.
In the dark winter nights I began to dream about adventures in faraway lands with just a book, my backpack, and camera in hand. It seemed natural to me to start this journey in Asia, a place I’d had a fleeting stop-over en-route to New Zealand in 2005; and so I looked for a major destination point. Bangkok appeared to be the place all aeroplanes headed, and therefore after making some notes I booked a return ticket to Bangkok. I could only manage a 5-week holiday break
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Vince Tracy
NamesinLights
I got my inspiration for this article from the death of Rudy Pompilli, who died on 5th February 1976. As he was a non-smoker it’s sad to see he might have died from passive smoking which is similar to the fate that befell Roy Castle in the UK. With Bill Haley and his Comets, he had the 1955 UK & US No.1 single with ‘Rock Around The Clock’ and Pompilli released one solo album, Rudy’s Rock: The Sax That Changed the World. He got me thinking about the successful careers of the frontmen in showbiz who might have got nowhere without the aid of these unsung heroes.
The sax is a wonderful instrument and I remember such strong sax influences as the hits by Duane Eddy. He was a great guitarist and I had no idea who was his sax player. Do I take the easy way out and just gloss over this fact
or shall I google it? There’s another dilemma. Do I need a capital G or is the verb now to google. To google or not to google that was the question! Duane Eddy’s wife has apparently verified that he had various sax players with such names as Jim Horn, Steve Douglas and Plas Johnson. Probably these were great careers but not really known to the masses.
Sometimes the backing group would thrive on their own as did The Shadows with and without Cliff Richard. The Tornados managed their hit without Heinz as a frontman. If you google that one you’ll end up with cans of beans on your screen remembering that Beanz Meanz Heinz. Incidentally, Heinz did play bass with the Tornados and the Tornados had backed Billy Fury and John Leyton on a tour in 1962 when they did not even have their own spot as they were not well-known before Telstar.
I was reading about Heinz and was saddened to read he had died in March 2000 after being confined to a wheelchair through Motor Neurone Disease. He was 57 years old and his last performance was given from his wheelchair in a social club in Hampshire.
Following the cycle of life I conclude by looking again to Rudy Pompilli. He was loyal to Bill Haley staying with him for 19 years. Within a few months of joining the Comets he became the band’s most visible member after the
charismatic owner of the kiss curl, Bill Haley. He was named The Sax Player of the year in 1957 by Down Beat magazine. His cousin Al Pompilli had also played with the Comets. I’m sure you will know many good guitarists and singers whose names do not trip off the tongue but you will know class when you see it. You probably guessed I liked the music of Bill Haley and the Comets!
Originally from Birkenhead, Vince began work at a local hospital radio station before joining BBC Radio Merseyside. Significantly influenced by Radio Caroline as well as great entertainers such as Morecambe & Wise, Tommy Cooper, The Two Ronnies and DJs such as Jimmy Young and Steve Wright, Vince has chatted with hundreds of celebrities - musicians/actors/sports stars/politicians. His website lists many of them. Listen to his daily blog/podcasts at http://www.vincetracy.com/blog9 or to view his website go to http://www.vincetracy.com
Music Ramblings
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Tech Tips
Windows10You will probably have seen in the press that Microsoft is bringing out a new version of Windows later this year. I suspect that this news was greeted by many with a yawn, followed probably with a shrug of the shoulders and a “let them get on with it” look. But this Windows release promises to be different and will, according to Microsoft, bring the operating system back to being liked again.Windows 8 proved to be a disaster for Microsoft. It was ill thought out and just too different for the majority of users to want to move onto. Version 8.1 followed quite quickly and addressed many of the major issues, but it still failed to entice users to upgrade to it. Indeed, when XP ceased to be supported, many users upgraded to Windows 7, in some cases even paying extra to get it rather than 8.To discover how this new operating system will work, and more importantly how it will react to some of the software that we use here to produce the magazine (InDesign CS5.5, Photoshop CS5.1, Word2007) I have installed
Windows 10 Technical Preview on one of our PCs as well as on an older Asus Netbook. This latter to see how it performs on a computer with the absolute minimum specification required. Installing this Technical Preview is not something to try on a main PC since not all software will work reliably and updates are frequent and can interrupt your work. Microsoft even go as far as warning that data could be lost. Most importantly to potential users, it is the way in which Microsoft will gain valuable feedback over the coming months prior to the operating system being released to the public in the autumn.Since I have only just started the experience, it is a little early to say what’s changed and what’s better etc., so I will restrict myself to a brief introduction here, with some more information coming next month once I’ve been able to give it a good look.The Upgrade Process and CompatibilityUpgrading to the Technical Preview was painless and remarkably quick, but remember it is only to be installed on a PC that is not critical to your daily needs and you won’t be able to go back to the old operating system easily. Microsoft has said that upgrades to the final version will be free of charge during the first year to anyone running Windows 7 (with SP1) or Windows 8.1. Not only that, but apparently all future upgrades once you are on Windows 10 will be free and automatic for the life of the computer.So far I haven’t found any problems with programs not working. I haven’t used InDesign in earnest yet on the new system since work there is critical to the magazine and any issues would be a problem, but I have certainly tried to break the software with no success (yet). A few of the supplied apps have minor niggles which I am sure will be fixed by the time Windows 10 reaches the public.My first impression is that it is a definite improvement over Windows 8.1 and it’s faster than the Windows 7 that was on the PC prior to the upgrade.
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WhyWindows10,not9?The original reason raised was to allow Microsoft to distance itself from Windows 8 but a newer explanation has recently appeared. Many programs and internet sites look to see what operating system is installed on the PC being used. Some of these check only the first digit, so Windows 9 could have been confused with Windows 97 or 98 leading to some applications possibly refusing to work. So Windows 10 avoids this. This sounds to me like a more reasonable explanation.Next Month will bring you a more in depth view and my honest opinion of the operating system as it is now.
Google ChromecastMany ex-pats living here in Spain have found out how they can watch British TV on their laptop or PC. They do this by either using software to hide their IP address (the address of their computer on the internet) so that the BBC or ITV don’t realise you are not in Britain, allowing you to watch BBC iPlayer or ITV player, or by using a website such as www.filmon.com which lets you watch and (if you pay a subscription) record programs and even download them to your PC.
But laptops are not ideal for a family to watch TV on and it would be better if you could watch the program on your larger TV screen. If you have a Smart TV then you can probably already do this, but if you have a modern, but standard, TV then you need some other method. If your TV and laptop have an HDMI (high definition media interface) socket, you can use a suitable lead to connect them together. This works well, the only downside is that the leads are not normally very long so you need to sit the laptop near the TV.
Alternatively, you could purchase a small device called ChromeCast which uses your WiFi to send images and videos from your PC to your TV. The device plugs into an HDMI socket on the TV (most recent TVs have such a socket
but older ones may not so check first) and gets its power either from a spare mains socket through the power unit supplied or from a USB socket on the TV. Again, many TVs have such a socket. To use the device you need to set the ChromeCast up by going online at https://cast.google.com/chromecast/setup/ . This is quite a simple process and once the device is configured to your WiFi, you can use any of the many programs available to send content to your TV.
One of the easiest programs to use for this is Google’s Chrome browser. This allows you to add what is called an extension which puts a “Cast” button on the screen near the top right corner. Anything you are watching can then be “cast” to the TV.
What if you have a film on a USB stick or on a hard drive that you want to watch on the TV? Simply open a Chrome browser window and drag the film onto the page and it will start playing and be shown on the TV screen as well.
ChromeCast devices cost in the region of 35€ and are available from computer outlets and online.
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Puzzle SolutionsCrossword Sudoku
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1 7 4 9 2 6 5 8 36 8 5 3 7 1 2 9 42 9 3 8 4 5 6 7 18 3 2 7 6 9 4 1 57 5 6 4 1 8 3 2 99 4 1 2 5 3 7 6 85 1 7 6 9 4 8 3 23 6 9 5 8 2 1 4 74 2 8 1 3 7 9 5 6
2 7 9 5 6 4 8 1 34 3 1 9 7 8 5 6 25 6 8 2 3 1 9 4 79 4 6 7 5 3 1 2 88 5 3 4 1 2 7 9 67 1 2 8 9 6 4 3 53 2 7 1 4 5 6 8 96 9 4 3 8 7 2 5 11 8 5 6 2 9 3 7 4
8 9 5 7 6 4 3 2 16 4 1 5 3 2 9 8 77 3 2 9 8 1 5 4 63 5 7 1 4 9 8 6 29 1 4 6 2 8 7 5 32 8 6 3 7 5 4 1 91 7 8 2 5 3 6 9 45 2 3 4 9 6 1 7 84 6 9 8 1 7 2 3 5
1. Pisces - Pisces is the last sign in the zodiac calendar.2. Aquamarine - Aquamarine is a light blue stone.3. Daffodil - This flower blooms in the early spring.4. Roman - The month is named after the god Mars.5. 31 - March is one of seven months that have 31 days.6. 15th - The word Ides loosely translates to mean mid-dle.7. Julius Caesar - Caesar was assassinated on his way to the senate.8. Basketball - March Madness refers to a single elimi-nation basketball tournament.9. New Years - Nowruz is the name of the Persian/Ira-nian New Year. It is celebrated on the equinox.10. Romania - This holiday is normally held on the first of March.11. Saint George - Saint George is recognized on the 23rd of April.12. Hawaiian - Prince Kuhio Day is a national holiday in the state of Hawaii.
March Madness Quiz
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