Costa Cálida Chronicle December 2015

The Longest Established
hed
FREE Magazine
in Murcia
Costa
Clida
Chronicle
www.costacalidachronicle.com
Date: December 2015
Issue: 1 Volume: XVI
SPECIAL PAGES
Christmas
Mar Menor
Mazarrn
Northwest Murcia
Sport
Whats On
50-57
40-42
26-32
70-73
94-97
85-91
In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com
ADITORIAL
Cash Clearances
Dragontours
Martinez de la Casa
Sovereign Wealth
18
92
58
74
CHARITIES
Age Concern
Andreas Charity
Cavalli Foundation
Dogs Looking 4 Homes
ESAMD
FAST Camposol
Forget Me Not
GOmaD
JJs
Lions
Little Starfish
MABS Mar Menor
MABS Mazarrn
MAMAS
Noahs ARC
PALS
Pets in Spain
San Animal
Swap Tears for Smiles
28
68
24
7
61
26
12
18
16
38
12
42
28/59
8
22
10
41
80
24
CHILDREN
Leos
38
EDUCATION
Jane Cronin
44
ENTERTAINMENT
Carols on Camposol
Cloud Nine
Costa Clida Radio
Country Music
Los Canovas Players
Masquerade
FOOD & DRINK
Ma Millbank
Menu del Dia Guide
Veg of the Month
27
49
25
92
39
67
60
84
62
GROUPS
ADAPT
40
ADAPT Ramblers
42
Art Group
30
Camposol B Clean
27
Camposol C Greenfingers 26
Camposol Sector D
29
Camposol Social Centre 29
Humanists/Walkers
82
Ladies Chatterbox
32
Los Palacios
30
MCC Events Group
32
MCC Social Group
32
Welcome
76
INFORMATION
Advertisers Directory
100/101
ASPADEM
14
British Embassy
14
Business News
6
Charities etc
83
Classified Ads
98
Crimestoppers
46
Dear Editor
74
Donor Dogs
40
History of Alhama Castle 34
Mazarrn News
62
N332
Northwest Murcia
Out & About
Spanish News
Technology Korner
Tried & Tested
36
71
102
65
48
102
LEISURE
Author Review
Gardening
Hiking in Moratalla
Never a Dull Moment
Poem
Puzzle Page
Puzzle Solutions
TV News
WARM
64
78
70
20
43
66
99
16
72
PROPERTY
Housing Update
Property Matters
99
99
RELIGION
Mass in English
68
Olive Branch
10
Open Door
64
St Nicholas Church
58
Welcome House
73
Wellspring Victory Church
63
SPORT
Camposol Golf
95
Fuente Old Guard
96
Los Amigos Mazarrn
94
Los Nietos Golf
95
SAMM
96
Straight Down the Middle
97
Price List - All Prices are excluding IVA

A - Full Page
B - Half Page
Size of advert
19cm wide x 26,5

cm high
19cm
wide
13,1cm high
Full Colour
250,00
135,00
C - 1/4 Page
x
9,3cm
wide
13,1cm high
85,00
12,6cm wide x
8,7cm high or
6,25 wide x 17,5
cm high
6,25cm wide
8,7cm high
75,00
45,00
F
Card
x
Business
9,3cm wide x 5cm

high
35,00
To advertise with us contact Sales on 619 199 407 or email us on costacalidachronicle@gmail.com
Page 2
Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com
Please tell our customers that you saw their advert in the Costa Clida Chronicle

Page 3
Firstly we would like to thank everyone who

sent in photos for the 2016 Costa Clida
What a fabulous
Chronicle calendar.
response we had!
The photos are still
available to view on the website www.
costacalidachronicle@gmail.com.We
would also like to thank everyone who
voted for their favourite photos. The voting
was very close, but the two most popular
photos were Kayaking near Bolnuevo by Bob
Shoesmith and The Church at Isla Plana by
Michelle Edwards. Both of these photos are
now on the calendar which we are offering
free to anyone who would like to call at the
Costa Clida Chronicle office on Camposol
B or Los Belones Laundrette in Los
Belones. All advertisers on the calendar will
have a number of calendars to give out to
their customers.
We hope that you enjoy the special Christmas
edition of the Costa Clida Chronicle and
we would like to thank all of our advertisers,
new and old, who have taken out special
Christmas greeting adverts thanking their
customers for all of their support during 2015.
Welcome:
Alens Family Shop
Eco Pool Saber
Happy Pets
Hotel & Restaurant Argos
Hotel La Cumbre
Jijonenca
Mamma Mia
Mercers
Quick Save
Quipar Vet
The Tea Pot
We Deliver to Spain
Winders Specialist Cleaning (Upholstery)
Welcome Back:
Another World Properties
Branded
Bodegas Martinez
Cambridge 800
Clinica Camposol
C M Constructions
Hair by Carol
Jackie Galvez
Llamas Chimeneas
Mountain View Kennels
Multiopticas
Pampered Paws
Quality Indian
All that remains is for all of us at the Costa
Clida Chronicle to wish everyone a Very
Happy Christmas and Prosperous New
Year.
Take Care
Be Safe
THANK YOU TO OUR

CONTRIBUTORS
Alan Monk TV News
Christine Lawford - Poem
Clive & Rosie Palmer Exploring
Murcia
Dick Handscombe Gardening
George Mitchell Never a Dull
Moment
Ken Whettall Housing Update
Jane Cronin Learning Spanish
Joe Holmes Technical Korner
Liz Edmiston Out & About/
Property Matters
N332 Driving Information
Sara Millbank Ma Millbanks
Kitchen
Think Spain Spanish News
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.
Page 4


Page 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.
In addition to the Chiropodist and

Chiropractor
service
at
Clinica
Camposol, Camposol B, you can now
have a complete blood test for only 60
by prior appointment with the Nurse.
Tel 968 199 111
Visit Multipticas Cristal Opticians

at Camposol Sector B or at Avda
Constitucion in Mazarrn before 31st
December and take advantage of their
current offer. Buy one pair of Varilux
lenses and get a 2nd pair of glasses
absolutely FREE.
Tel 968 199 361 (Camposol)
Blues House, Bolnuevo will be

continuing their live entertainment
on Sunday afternoons throughout
December from 3pm, but they will close
from 28th December and re-open on 5th
January 2016 ready for Three Kings.
Tracy, Scott and staff would like to wish
all their customers and our readers a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Tel 968 150 967
Elliots in Bolnuevo will be closed from

26th December until 2nd January.
Contact tel number for reservations is
672 518 261.
Visit the newly refurbished DFS Store

in San Javier. New stock, new brands.
Now is the time for new furniture.
French Connection sofas now available
exclusively to DFS.
Tel 968 334 194
Ken Sherwood motor mechanic at La

Pinilla will be closed for the Christmas
holidays from 24th December to 4th
January as well as 6th January.
Tel 679 646 589

If you have not booked your Christmas
Day meal, you will need to be quick to
guarantee enjoying a superb meal at
the Old Market Tavern in Puerto de
Mazarrn.
You can have a choice of traditional
Turkey or Pork, Salmon or a Vegetarian
option. Carlos will ensure that you have
a special day.
Enjoy festive fayre from Lizs Caf on

Camposol B. Orders are now being
taken for all your favourite Christmas
food such as Pork Pies, Mince Pies and
Fruit Cakes. Call in for a 4 course preChristmas lunch from 20th December.
Call 968 154 330 to reserve a table.
Tel 696 724 123
During the Christmas & New Year, Happy

Pets will be open on Christmas Eve and
New Years Eve 10am-1pm. Boxing Day
open as normal 10am-1pm.
Closed
Christmas Day, New Years Day and Three
Kings 6th January. However, there will be
someone on duty constantly so please, if
any of your pets need
Emergency Treatment call 696 855
567.
Clinic tel 968 199 235
Page 6
Solhuse Real Estate Agency continues

to maintain a high number of sales for 2015.
More & more people are discovering this
beautiful region and the continued strength
of the GBP continues to attract investors
who are now convinced that this is the
time to buy! There is only a residue of
properties left now from the crisis years
and they are being snapped up!
Tel 607 331 331/968 105 333 or email
info@solhuse.com.
Get 10% discount off any item taken

to Los Belones Laundrette. Go to
page 42 for a special cut-out voucher to
claim your discount. Free delivery and
collection to local areas.
Tel 968 569 096
The weather is changing! If you have

not got your logs in for winter, or if
you need to re-stock, call Pedro from
Garden Centre 2003 near Camposol.
They have excellent fruit logs with free
delivery in the Mazarrn area.
They also have Repsol Butane Gas
bottles.
Tel 626 957 599

Cally
This lovely boy is a neutered Podenco
cross approximately 3 years old. He is
very friendly and mixes well with other
dogs, but he has spent the last 2 years
in kennels and would love his own family.
suit anyone as they will not be too big

when fully grown.
Call 620 582 654 for more information

on any of the above pets.
Misca
She is a Sharpei cross approximately 3
years old. Misca has been spayed and
has also been in kennels for over 2 years.
She loves human contact and gets on well
with Cally. She is good on the lead and
loves her walks. Can you give Misca a
home? She would be a brilliant 1 to 1
companion.
Zadie is a German/Belgian Shepherd

cross female who is a lovely dog
looking for her forever home. She has
been spayed and is up to date with her
vaccinations. Zadie walks brilliantly on a
lead and although is a fairly big dog, is
very gentle and is looking for someone to
love her. She deserves to have a home
and not live in a kennel for the rest of
her life.
Jack and Jill are 2 little Podenco cross

pups looking for a loving home. They
have had all their initial vaccinations and
are loving their walks. If you are looking
for a pup either or both of these 2 would

Page 7
Hi everyone, December and Christmas

only weeks away! Why dont you pop down
to the MAMAs superstore just behind
Consum in Puerto de Mazarrn?
Turn
between there and the Oclock Bar and we
are in the third road on the left, Calle San
Juan, and see what smashing things we
have! Furniture and bric-a-brac galore!
MAMAs is here to help you financially with
a veterinary bill. If you have a rescue dog
or cat and are finding the bills difficult to
pay, just pop your letter into the shop or
contact us by phone or email so that we
can present it to the committee and we will
do our best to help you. If you can get a
quote from Paco, which is one of the vets
we deal with, even better. Then contact
us later to receive information on when to
Living in the campo over the last 15 years,

we have become familiar with the ways
many locals treat their dogs and we have
at present six abandonado dogs. Until
July it was only five, then Arnie entered
our lives, though we called him Foxy back
then because of his cute foxy face.
We thought he was an abandoned dog
that the old shepherd across the road had
taken in, adding him to his ramshackled
pack, but Foxy preferred to spend most
of his time outside our front door. All the
shepherds dogs came from time to time
for extra food, but Arnie, being tiny, had
to accept what little if anything was left
unless we intervened and made sure he
had his fill. One day in July he appeared
with the others, bleeding, unable to stand
and in a terrible state. With the help of a
Spanish neighbour, whose wife is a local
vet, I approached the old man and he
admitted that Foxy, actually a puppy of
one of his own dogs, had been hit by a car
the day before and had two broken legs.
I appealed to him to let my neighbour
take him to be treated, or put down if it
was kinder. Not seeing Foxy any more, we
assumed that he was dead.
Many weeks later in August, Foxy appeared
again suddenly, badly crippled and
struggling to coexist with the old mans
other dogs. He was so thin he seemed
almost transparent. We could not watch
him slowly die and asked the old shepherd
to give him to us. He agreed with a shrug
and we took him immediately to Happy
Pets in Camposol. We changed his name
to Arnie because in our minds one day he
would be as strong as Swartzeneger. He
was very trusting, but quiet and wan.
The vets at Happy Pets were very caring.
They treated his infestations of ticks and
fleas and his treatment began. X rays
showed that his untreated broken bones
had fused back together, but, in the case
of the back leg particularly, at abnormal
and painful angles. Blood tests showed
that with a disease caused by ticks he was
too ill to be operated on; far too sick and
Page 8
pick up your voucher.

We all work hard to make money to help
your animals and always need good quality
furniture (which can be collected) or small
electrical goods which you can drop in
the shop or hand to Richard who is on
Camposol B lower car park from 10am12pm Tuesdays. Furniture can also be
found in classifieds on the Murcia Today
site. There are usually items to be found
on Facebook items for sale as well.
Rolo
This big fella has been adopted by a
Spanish family who came to ask for help
with him. He was thin and wormy, but now
with help from MAMAs he has been given a
full MOT at Pacos and vaccinated, wormed
and debugged
and his owner
brought him
to the shop to
meet us! He
is handsome
isnt he!
As
always
we
need
volunteers
in
particular
strong
men
who
could
help with the furniture deliveries - are
there no men in all of Mazarrn?
Tel 666 186 037
mazarronanimalmedi-aid@hotmail.
com
thin at only 6 kilos. His blood was also

too thin - a very poorly little scrap. We all
agreed we had to build him up for trauma
surgery. Happy Pets were wonderful with
his care and generous with their discounted
charges.
In October Arnie was strong enough for

surgery on his back leg. He had gained
weight and his ribs and spine no longer
protruded.
He was proving a happy,
loving, confident and amazingly resilient
little chap. He became an essential part
of our pack of dogs, who have all cared for
him and loved him from the start.
It was at this point that I approached
MAMAS to help with the costs which
were going to be considerable, despite
the generous discounts from Happy Pets.
They agreed to help and their donation
was amazing; much more generous than
we could have hoped for. We cannot thank
them enough. MAMAS (Mazarrn Animal
Medi-Aid) and their work is so valuable in
this area.
Arnie was operated on very successfully
by a top trauma surgeon from Murcia
and is now running around happily with
a corrected leg which gets stronger every
day. The front leg that was also broken is
short, but does not hurt or trouble him, so
will be left as it is for now.
goods to their shop in Puerto de Mazarrn.

Also I am going to give to them 5 for
each of my books (not E book) sold up to
Christmas at least. Who Dares... by Pat
Kruger can be
found
on
our
Kruger
Canopies
stand
on
the
Friday
markets
on
Camposol B
and at the
M o n c a y o
market
on
Saturdays in
G u a r d a m a r.
The book is
also available
f
r
o
m
Amazon and
Authorhouse.
Costa
The
C l i d a
Chronicle did a review of my book in their
February edition which you can access on
line if you want to know more about it.
Thank you again MAMAS and Happy
Pets.
We are determined to repay MAMAS one

way or another over the years by taking


Page 9
Christmas has arrived again!! The years

seem to fly by.
Out come the Christmas trees lights and
decorations.
This is usually a family time; presents are
exchanged; eating too much Christmas
pudding and spending too much money.
What a blessed time for Christians to
remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, born to a young virgin named
Mary. Her life would never be the same
again.
How many people go to church at
Christmas to rejoice that Jesus was born
and is now the Saviour of the world?
How many enjoy singing carols at
Christmas? In the UK how many nonChristians go to church on Christmas Eve?
Seasons Greetings from PALS who have

pleasure in thanking those who cruised with
us in October, our last event of 2015. The
Sponsored Swim on New Years Day at
the Bahia Beach will be the last fundraising
that we as a registered organisation are
undertaking.
Since our formation in 2000, PALS
(Protection and Life Saving) have
purchased life-saving medical equipment
to the value of 190,088, all of which has
been utilised locally through the Saluds,
112, Cruz Roja or FAST, with a few small
exceptions such as donations to ASPADEM
and the Tsunami fund. PALS were the prime
leaders in providing a new ambulance for
the Mazarrn area at a cost of 57,391 and
were the instigators in initiating a concert
for relief following the Lorca earthquake
where we provided life saving equipment to
the value of 6,543.
PALS have extreme pride in being the
Just for the singing, but do not attend a

church in the New Year and repeat the
same thing the following year - just go to
the Carol service?
Christ is the anointed one; one especially
chosen for an important purpose. The title
Christ identifies Jesus as the anointed Son
of God; the true Messiah, the Saviour of
the world.
Jesus was used mainly then as His
earthly name and Christ as His eternal
name.
Christian means a follower of Jesus Christ;
one who belongs to Christ. Christians
commit themselves to Christ. They trust
Jesus Christ to guide their decisions,
actions, and attitudes.
first non-Spanish registered charity in the

Mazarrn area and were the first to be
granted permission to collect cash locally via
donation tins. PALS were heavily involved
in having a health centre built on Camposol,
(the only such urbanization health centre
in Spain), we kick started FAST with a
material purchase of defibrillators and other
equipment to the value of 10,536.35 and
assisted other organisations and charities in
administration setups and management.
PALS fund raising activities were ground
breaking and we introduced locally many
activities that have since been adopted and
copied by other charities and organisations
including Beetle Drives (the cards used are
copies of those originally designed by us),
Saturday Night Dances, Bingo Evenings,
Garden Parties, Black and White/Summer/
Christmas Balls, Picnics in the Parque, Beach
BBQs, Day Trips, Short Holiday Breaks and
the Cruise concept. We also have the New
Years Day swim which will continue to
We would like to welcome you to come

and learn more about this amazing
Jesus.
We wish you all a very Happy and blessed
Christmas and a peaceful New Year. We
meet each Sunday morning on Camposol
B at the Cultural Centre at 10.30am.
We are registered with the Free Methodist
organisation and we have charitable status.
Communion is served every Sunday
morning.
For more information please contact Pastor
Ralph and Margaret Locke on 968 199
622 or 618 720 181
be organised by stalwart members of the

outgoing committee. The money raised for
this from 2017 will be donated to a worthy
local charity.
The 2016 New Years Day Swim at the
Bahia Beach will have all proceeds added
to the fund accumulated by PALS awaiting
distribution. We hope to see you all there
to participate or support our costumed
waders. In the water for 1pm. Sponsorship
forms available from 626 460 465.
A Trip To Benidorm over St Patricks/St
Jose 2016 is sold out (however we maintain
a cancellation list) and the proceeds will be
donated by the three members of the current
PALS committee who have organised this
trip, to the PALS bank account.
The funds that are in hand, plus those
anticipated from the swim and the
Benidorm trip are currently the subject of
much deliberation among the committee.
We have held discussions with the Saluds,
112/Cruz Roja and Mazarrn Ayuntamiento.
When the monies are distributed PALS
intends to publish a detailed accounting of
our income and expenditure over the 15
years.
PALS has fulfilled the initial brief and with
the increasing age of our members it is
now prudent to call it a day. We thank our
supporters, our members past and present
and the various administrations in the area.
Without support and encouragement, an
undertaking such as we have, would have
been impossible and we hope that the
legacy by way of medical equipment we
leave is sufficient to prove the effort of
everyone involved.
Page 10


Page 11
The festive season is almost upon us and

at Camposol Cultural Centre on Monday
mornings weve been pretty busy making
bit and pieces for Christmas and generally
enjoying each others company.
Everybody is busy this month, but do
please try to spare the time to come
along to the Cultural Centre on Monday
7th December at 11.30am to enjoy a Carol
Sing-A-Long with Masquerade Music
Hall. Refreshments will be available, along
with a raffle and some simple gifts and
decorations for Christmas.
We will also have items for Christmas on
our Table-Top Sales on the second and
third Fridays of this month on Camposol B,
Poppy
This gorgeous little girl was found on
Camposol Sector B in a swimming pool
pump house on Remembrance Sunday;
hence her name.
She is one of four
abandoned on various parts of Camposol.
Poppy is really good at night, walks on a

lead and is good in the car. She is also
along with our usual items for sale.

Many people have been generous with
their donations, but we would particularly
like to thank Joyce and Kim Brice who very
kindly raised 200 after Forget Me Not
responded to somebody who needed our
help.
On the subject of Dorothy Kay, a tree was

planted in her memory outside the Cultural
Centre on Monday 20th November. Dot
was a lovely lady and a founder member
of Forget Me Not. She was a friend and
supporter of many in the area. She is sadly
missed. We hope to report on the planting
next month.
Looking forward to the New Year, we have

a date for your diary Forget Me Not will
be hosting the Dorothy Kay Memorial
Mile Run on 4th May 2016 from 8pm, so
brush off those trainers soon and feel free
to contact us if you want to take part, or
would like to help sponsor the event. More
details soon.
All that remains is to wish all our friends

and supporters a Merry Christmas and
a happy and healthy New Year.
The
committee would particularly like to thank
all our members who give up their time
and work away in the background. If you
would like to help, or have any items to
donate, you can find us at the Cultural
Centre, or at the Table-Top Sales.
housetrained and has had her vaccinations.
Gaby has also been vaccinated.
Gaby
This little girl as you can see is the sister
of Poppy. She was found by bins on
Camposol Sector C and is all of the above.
The only difference is she is quite a bit
bigger. The two others, a boy and another
girl have already found forever homes.
Harriet, Hector & Sandy

This wonderful trio are ready for their
forever homes. Harriet and Hector are
brother and sister. There is also a 3rd called
Hettie. They are Galgo cross and are
approx 12 weeks old. They are playful and
full of fun, so would be great in a family
home. Sandy is not a Starfish boy, but has
been waiting years for a home of his own
so we thought he deserved a mention.
We would like to wish our supporters a

very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. This our first Christmas as Little
Starfish and already we have homed so
many dogs and puppies and its all down
to your help with donations of goods and
money. Thank you
Happy Endings
Molly, Izzie, Phibi, Luca, Candy,
Barney, Dotty, Alice, Tess & Lulu all
homed UK and Grace in Belgium.
Page 12


Page 13
New
British
Consul-General
announced
for North-East
Spain
The
British
Embassy
has
announced that
Lloyd
Milen,
currently
Vice
Consul for the
Alicante region,
has
been
appointed
as
Consul-General in
Barcelona and the Consular Regional Manager
for north-east Spain, which includes the
popular regions for Britons of Catalunya and
the Balearic Islands. Mr Milen, who will take
up the position in December, replaces Andrew
Gwatkin, who has left for a new role outside
the Foreign Office. Recruitment for a new Vice
Consul in Alicante now begins.
As Consul-General, Mr Milen will represent
UK interests and lead the teams of the British
Consulates in Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca
and Ibiza, as well as the British Honorary
Consuls in Menorca, Tarragona, Gerona and
Andorra.
Lloyd Milen said I am delighted to take up this
opportunity to lead three very experienced
consular teams who provide high quality
assistance to the British visitors and residents
ASPADEM is an association of Mazarrn which

is part of the federation at the national level
FEAPS Murcia, now called Full Inclusion of
Murcia. We are open to the public associations
defending the rights of people with intellectual
disabilities or development and their families.
We perform many activities, but include
the service we promote in our association
in relation to therapeutic treatment in the
swimming pool. This therapeutic treatment
of ASPADEM, is centred round the group of
that need our help. The consulates of NorthEast Spain are among the busiest in the
world, together handling nearly 600 serious
assistance cases last year from deaths to
detentions to hospitalisations - and issuing
more than 1200 emergency passports.
The North-East Consular Region sees some
5.2 million British visitors every year, many
to the popular destinations of Barcelona,
the Catalan coast and Balearics resorts.
In addition, more than 37,000 Britons are
registered as residents of the region, with
many more thought to reside for all or part
of the year.
Simon Manley, British Ambassador, said Lloyd
has been a fantastic asset to British tourists
and residents in the Alicante region for the
last seven years and I am very pleased that
he will now be taking his skills and experience
to lead the teams in North-East Spain and
Andorra. I also have no doubt that we will be
able to recruit a talented person to replace
him as Vice Consul in Alicante, in order to
carry on our valuable work there.
Mr Milen was born in Middlesbrough and
studied political science at Brunel University,
followed by roles in the NHS and housing
charities, before moving to Spain in 2006. He
was appointed Vice Consul in Alicante in 2008.
The consular network covering Spain and
people with disabilities and rehabilitation for

people with physical, mental, intellectual or
sensory impairment.
The ASPADEM Association, is authorized
for the activities outlined above until
May 6th 2018, by the Accreditation and
Inspection Service of the Ministry of Health
and Social Policy Murcia. They can carry
out activities relevant to the individual
treatment and collective needs to improve
those with diseases and disorders such as
Andorra is led and made up as follows:

Spain North-East (Consul-General Lloyd
Milen, based in Barcelona) responsible
for the consulates in Barcelona, Palma de
Mallorca and Ibiza, which cover Catalunya,
Aragon and the Balearic Islands, as well as
the Principality of Andorra
Spain Central and East (Consul Sarah-Jane
Morris, based in Madrid) responsible for the
consulates in Madrid, Alicante and Bilbao,
which cover Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Pas
Vasco, La Rioja, Navarra, Castilla y Leon,
Madrid, Extremadura, Castilla La Mancha,
Valencia and Murcia
Spain South (Consul Charmaine Arbouin,
based in Malaga) responsible for the
consulates in Malaga, Tenerife and Las
Palmas, which cover Andaluca, the Canary
Islands and Ceuta and Melilla.
orthopaedic,
rheumatologic,
paediatric,
neurological and psychiatric disorders etc.
They can also carry out different types of
maintenance to ensure the proper operation
and hiring of equipment, which is covered by
installation insurance and liability insurance.
In addition, the users of the Centre for
Child Development and Early Intervention
for children of 0-6 years currently numbers
195 users. Those making use of the facilities
and the staff of the Day Centre for people
with disabilities totals 30 users. The Open
Classrooms are for children of school age,
who are most seriously affected. They can
use the facilities until their 18th birthday in
collaboration with the Murciano Health Service.
Every year ASPADEM celebrates their
anniversary, on the closest Sunday to November
10, to recognize different people, companies
and organizations throughout the year who
have collaborated with us and helped us.
We need a multipurpose centre where all
necessary services for people with intellectual
disabilities, cerebral palsy, other mental
illnesses and Alzheimers are available.
This may be the first proper residence
for respite care. Respite care is where
the family of people with disabilities can
stay while the family is hospitalized etc.
Right now were trying to get this project
carried out by the political representatives
of Mazarrn and also at regional level.
We appreciate all the help that we get from
everyone. Thank you very much for your
help; a big hug to everyone.
Juan Zamora
Page 14


Page 15
We wish to take the opportunity this month

to thank Paco and his staff at Clinica
Veterinaria in Puerto de Mazarrn for their
continued support and help in our quest to
find forever homes for the dogs and puppies
we rescue. They play a vital part in our
achievement to do so, inoculating, spaying
or castrating and with the sick and injured,
nursing them back to health in order for them
to become healthy enough to make such a
journey to a new life.
On Friday 13th November we were able to
send a further 14 dogs from the Perrera to
Germany, so it was a lucky day for them and
for the dedicated team Helping The Perrera
Dogs. We have also been able to home 3
dogs locally, so a thank you to the families
who have adopted those dogs and given them
a comfortable and secure home.
We are of course at present preparing more
dogs and puppies for transport this month as it
When you read this newsletter we will be

into December and the festive season will be
approaching. Spain still does not really get
in the mood until mid-month and I do like
that. I expect the UK has been full on since
Halloween. Spain is changing Leroy Merlin
had the decorations out for sale at the start of
November and I expect it will not be long until
Spain has the full two month warm up! Having
lived here almost 20 years, I remember when
Christmas in Spain was very much a religious
time and 6th January (3 Kings) was the
festivities that had NO commercial mention
until after Christmas how times change!
We at Rainbow Satellites wish all our

readers a very happy season and may
2016 bring you all you want, with a
special thank you to all our clients.
TV NEWS
Not really a TV item, but I just wanted to
mention that the IMF cinema in Torrevieja has
started showing at least one VOSE (original
language) film every night of the week (www.
cinesimf.com). The website only tends to
show todays screenings, but if you go into
Comprar Entradas (buy tickets) you can
usually look two weeks ahead and pre-buy a
ticket saves queuing and ensures a seat.
(Look for VOSE to get the English screening.)
There are lots of eating places around the
cinema. Parking for one euro makes a good
night out seeing a film on the big screen with
the real cinema feel an audience gives. It
really is the way to see film. I went to see
Page 16
is a never ending
task to prepare
more and more
dogs that come
into the Perrera.
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 Mazarrn, next to the Old
Market Tavern. Please come along and
support us.
We are also in need of volunteers to help
James B in Spectre and really enjoyed it. Use

it or lose it!
Lots of people have been asking why their
FREESAT recording box is doing odd things.
Well its because the Satellite Frequency
that controls these boxes is now really
weak. Boxes are having problems booting
up and then recoding channels not set or not
recording or ???? All very odd ,but due to the
weak control frequency.
Can you do anything?
Well maybe. Firstly we need to visit and
ensure the dish alignment is maximised
for the required signal. This should help to
alleviate the problem, but may not entirely.
It will depend on your dish size, make and
model, along with the LNB and your location,
but if you are having these problems get us
to look.
Make sure your digibox software is up to date.
The website of the box you have will tell you
how to do this. We have mainly supplied
Manhattans and the latest software is 1.5.3
just released. The website will tell you how
to load it in the digibox, or if you want we can
do it for a nominal 5 when we are in your
area. Just ask. We can do that dish tweak as
well for 30.
This problem does NOT apply to SKYPLUS
recording boxes. The control frequency for
them is now a strong signal.
man our shop

in
Puerto
de
Mazarrn, 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-abrac,
clothing,
furniture and bedding; anything 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 endeavor
to pick them up from your house.
On the SKY box subject; I have said before,

but we are still getting clients trying to
change the number in the box to get it
going. This is history! No number change is
now required. If you have, then set it back
to 11778,27500,V,2/3 and if the box will not
work you have another problem, but it is NOT
the number in the Default Frequency box.
However you view your UK TV, please always
remember that you are not supposed to! The
arguments for watching are another subject,
but at this time we should not, even though
we all do! Some people think we should and
want every channel 24/7, but I have to say we
must consider ourselves lucky to view what
we do. Perhaps BBC HD is not available on a
cloudy evening, or some other channel goes
off-line for a few hours. All installers try their
best to provide the best thats available, but
remember that not far west of Lorca, no
satellite UK TV is available. Just because
we are in the EEC, there is NO right to
watching national TV. Yes its annoying when
you miss your favourite programme, but that
is the way it is down here - mostly reliable
24/7 TV, but not 100%.
Rainbow Satellites always welcomes any
questions you have about TV in Spain
(remember to ask about TV availability in a
property before you finally buy)
Email rainbowsats@gmail.com
Tel (0034) 686 358 475
www.rainbowsats.org


Page 17
Hi Im Julie!
I have been in the second hand trade
for many years in the UK and have run
successful shops and market stalls. I
moved to Spain 3 years ago and decided to
settle on the Costa Clida. Itchy feet and
fingers got the better of me and seeing a
gap in the market I decided to open up a
shop in Fuente Alamo.
We opened Cash Clearances in May
2015 and very quickly expanded to
include the premises next door. We sell
Recently at the Los Amigos Golf Society

Evening, we were very honoured to accept a
cheque for 1000 from them. Their kind and
generous donation has enabled us to purchase
much needed articles for the youngest of our
clients in the form of nappies and baby wipes
etc. We thank them for their cooperation and
support.
everything from cups and cutlery to

the kitchen sink and all at a great price.
If you no longer want your furniture or
household items, let us have a look. We
buy quality pre-owned goods from a single
item to a full house clearance.
You can find your free Costa Clida
Chronicle and buy your TV magazine and
your cheap-rate phone cards in store. We
are also pleased to be a drop off point
for Fuente Angels (helping people help
will be distributing gifts at the beginning of

December for Christmas and in January too,
for the 3 Kings celebration. It is not too late
to donate! Call the number below for drop off
points or to arrange collection.
animals within the Fuente Alamo area). If

you would like to donate anything to this
charity you can leave items at the shop.
Come along to Cash Clearances and have
a browse. If there is anything specifically
you are looking for, then talk to us. We will
do our best to find it for you.
We look forward to seeing you between
Tuesday and Friday when we are open from
9.30am until 5.30pm and on Saturdays
from 9.30am until 2pm.
Each month we have more families to add to

our client list, all of whom come to us for help
via Mazarrn Social Services. Throughout the
year, we gratefully receive deliveries from el
Banco de Alimentos de la Region de Murcia
of several tons of food for us to distribute in
the local area. However, we do still have to
buy many further supplies to add to this basic
provision.
Our Outreach Team work together to provide

for our clients in Mazarrn and the countryside
around Caada de Gallego, supplying them
the basic sustenance to help them survive,
as well as other essential items such as
toiletries, warm clothes, shoes, blankets and
furniture. We thank all those volunteers who
give their time freely and also the people who
make their generous donations to enable us
to continue to do what we do.
We also thank the wonderful Welcome

Group, who recently donated a multitude
of toiletry bags stuffed full with goodies
for our Christmas Gift Appeal to present to
our teenage boys and girls together with a
kind donation of 150, with which shampoo
and shower gel have been purchased. We
Page 18
As always, we need donations of toiletries

such as shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste,
deodorant and ladies sanitary wear and
popular food items including tinned fruit,
tinned vegetables and packets of dehydrated
soup.
Childrens clothing is also in high
demand as usual. We are truly thankful for
your continued support for our worthwhile
cause to help those in our area who are less
fortunate than ourselves.
We will be celebrating this festive season

with our Christmas Dance on Saturday 12th
December at The Club House, Camposol.
Entertainment will be provided by Pitu. Please
call 634 357 137 for more information.
Seasons Greetings to you all and thank you
for your continued support.


Page 19
The Other Side of Istanbul

Istanbul is charming. Istanbul is stuffed
full of culture; an exotic mix of European,
Turkish and Asian. Istanbul boasts stunning
architecture and grand mosques, but there is
another side to Istanbul - a city of poverty,
slum areas, pick pockets, street children and
a growing number of Syrian refugees.
Starting in the Fatih District, where many
Syrian refugees are working in restaurants,
I headed off, staying well clear of any tourist
areas and soon found myself in a sector of this
charming city that was anything but charming
- run down, ramshackle buildings, many in a
shocking state of repair and rubbish strewn
around. This is where the poor of Istanbul
live and there are many of them. I wandered
the streets, taking photos and couldnt quite
believe it was the same city as Id viewed the
day previously. Millions have been spent on
the tourist-friendly centre of Istanbul, but
not here. This is something the western
visitor rarely sees.
Why should they want to you may ask? Well,

in my opinion, even if you are here just for a
long well-deserved weekend romantic break,
I think you should go and wander round
these places. Only when one does wander
around them do you get an honest feel for
the whole city. It puts things into perspective
and although this may be a tad depressing,

it is real life. Im suddenly reminded of the
lyrics to the very poignant Ralph McTell song,
Streets of London.
Let me take you by the hand and lead
you through the streets of London. Ill
show you something thatll make you
change your mind.
Believe me, I dont take pleasure in seeing
squalor, poverty or ruin, but if you base
your opinion on just the nicely painted,
reconstructed and sanitised parts of wherever
you are; well for me its not the full picture.
Due to the
brutal
war
in
nearby
Syria, Turkey
has taken in
more
than
1,000,000
S y r i a n
refugees. No
country
in
fact has done
more to help
the plight of
the Syrians.
Many
are
housed
in
camps
near
the
border
and in other provincial cities, but in central
Istanbul, where there are an estimated
60,000 plus, some are openly begging on
the streets and the patience of the locals is
wearing thin.
Near Taksim Square I saw them for myself.
I was standing in the middle of Istanbul in
2015 and children were running around with
no shoes on. It is very sad, but heres the
debate. There are camps with food provided
and housing available, so now the question should you give to street children or not?
The advice is dont, but thats easier said than
done.
I remember years ago

when living in London
when I was sitting
outside a coffee shop
and a young girl of
about ten came over to
me. She was definitely
Roma, wore soiled
clothes and held out
her hand towards me.
I was in the process
of taking a big bite of
my all day breakfast
sandwich
and
felt
guilty. I knew I had
change in my pocket
Page 20
and decided Id give her whatever there was

in there, be it 23p or a couple of quid. I put
my hand in my pocket, took out the change
and placed it in her hand. She looked at it
and quickly did the maths - it came to round
about 1; not an insignificant amount if you
are hungry or homeless Id have thought,
but what she then astonished me! She
threw the money on the table and demanded
more. I shooed her away and watched her go
across the road to re-join the organised gang
of adults who were obviously in charge. She
wanted richer pickings, but she wasnt getting
it from me! If Id been genuinely hungry, Id
have been delighted to have been given 1.
Apparently in London, some beggars can

make hundreds of pounds per week. The
decision to give to someone begging is never
an easy one. If you think that sounds harsh,
consider this it is estimated that many of the
foreign child beggars in London are exploited
by criminal gangs who make millions. A good
option is to give food instead of money.
I did give change and bread to some kids
in Istanbul and they were grateful, but I
got chatting to a policeman who told me I
shouldnt encourage them. He also said that
the majority of Syrians dont like the kids
begging either as it gives them all a bad
name.
Theres also a lot of pickpocketing going on
in central Istanbul, but it would be unfair
to blame the Syrians, for its been going on
for years, usually done by Turkish kids in
organised gangs. The tourist police do what
they can, but I saw the kids at work. They
are fast, professional and have very nimble
fingers. Fagin would have been very proud!
And with that thought - RIP the great Ron
Moody!
For more information on Georges writing, go
to georgermitchell.com


Page 21
Page 22


Page 23
We had a wonderful response to our prayers

for extra food during November. A great
big thank-you to Wellspring Christian
Fellowship for the amazing collection of food
and little extras. Our families really had the
benefit of things we all take for granted. We
would also like to thank the lady who gave
a trolley full of food to our lovely ladies at
the table-top. God Bless you all for your
kindness.
Sadly, all is not well with some of our families.

There is very little work around and one of
our biggest families will have to leave their
house because they cannot pay the rent.
We dont know where they will find shelter,
but we hope and pray they will come to the
church hall and collect some food.
pray that you will keep Christ in Christmas

and remember how blessed we are on a daily
basis.
We would like to take this opportunity of
thanking everyone who has donated food and
essentials over the last year. We are humbled
at how much you care. God Bless you all and
have a peaceful and loving Christmas and a
blessed New Year from us all at Swap Tears
for Smiles.
Drop off Points:
Fortnightly Table Top Sale - Camposol B
Robbos Golf Shop, San Javier - Neil & Nikki
Robinson
Time Out, San Javier -Gary & Sue
As you prepare for the Christmas festivities,

please think about the many people in this
area who will have very little to celebrate. We
From Cavalli Foundation a Very Merry

Christmas to all our readers.
This month Cavalli horses wish to give a 25%
discount on any riding activity to those of you
who come to ride with us during the month
of December. Simply cut out the voucher
from this months issue of the Costa Clida
Chronicle and present it when you come to
ride (one voucher per person and activity!).
True to our motto: Helpng horses help people,

Cavalli horses have just donated all their Car
Boot Sale clothing to the needy people in the
good hands of Charity organisation, GoMad.
Darrel came along with his van and took away

bags and boxes of shoes and clothing for
ladies, gents and children.
O c t o b e r
t h r o u g h
November
has been a
time of curing
a n i m a l s
and
sorting
out
their
problems;
horses
with
colic, allergic
reactions and
infections
caused
by
fly bites and
a dog with a
broken
leg.
The
drastic
weather and
temperature
changes have
given Copito, Sabba, Lily and Pixie wind
colics and diarrhoea. Our brilliant little pony,
Magic, has a tremendous inflammation and
infection caused by fly bites and Tibet is on
his 4th plaster cast.
Other more chronic
conditions were treated
by Jackie Barry in her
very interesting clinic
Level 1 in which she
showed the Cavalli
team how to use
Massage,
Stretching
and
Acupressure
to relieve arthritis,
muscle
contracture
and various aches and
pains brought about
by horses emotional
upsets
like
grief,
depression, stress and
worry.
She herself
treated
Sandros,
Page 24
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
Mollie, Sabba and Tango with acupuncture.

Soon we will be organizing Level 2 with
Jackie, so anyone interested in solving their
horses back problems, lameness or saddle
fitting, please contact us.
Our Halloween Celebrations stretched into

2 weeks of kiddies fun. Halloween Camp
was such a success that we are giving the
kids a treat and organizing a Christmas
Camp and visit from Father Christmas the
weekend of 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th December.
Bimba gave us 6 lovely Podenco puppies. All
have found good homes. Now its time for
her to be sterilized; appointment was set for
19th November.
As you can imagine our vets bills are
ginormous, so any Christmas donations
would be well appreciated.
We hope your month of December is as
special as ours is going to be.
Contact
us
via
email
at
infocavallifoundation@gmail,
through
Facebook or call us (whats app) on 636 172
198.
Please note that Cavalli Foundation is still
based at META Riding Centre in La Costera
de Alhama.


Page 25
Here are a few thoughts which FAST

wishes to convey to you, particularly as
Christmas is fast approaching!
Consider the following when enjoying
your celebrations!
1. Last year 4 people broke their arm
pulling Christmas crackers!
2. 3 people die each year testing 9v
batteries on their tongue!
3. In 1998 eighteen people suffered
serious burns when trying on a
jumper whilst smoking a cigarette!
4. Over a period of 3 years, nineteen
people
died
through
eating
Christmas
decorations
thinking
they were chocolate!
collection was made for FAST rather than

receive payment for his services. 217
was collected and donated.
Thanks are conveyed to Dave Couchman,
family and friends. Following the sad
passing of Lesley, donations were kindly
made to FAST from both UK and Spain,
totalling 554.
during the coffee and tea break.

A date for your diary - Leg Waxing Night
For The FAST Nurses!
You will not want to miss the opportunity
to watch, and possibly sympathize when
some of our FAST (Male) Nurses will be
having their legs waxed!
The FAST Stalls are on Camposol B on a

Friday morning. Purchase books, obtain
information of events, have your blood
pressure taken by FAST. Our Team will
always be happy to chat and answer any
questions you may have.
5. 31 people have died since 1996 by

watering their Christmas tree whilst
the fairy lights were switched on!
On Saturday 5th December 7.30 pm at
the Black Bull, Camposol B, Matron Hattie,
Nurse Carletta, Nurse Bedpan Bertha
and Nurse Suzie will be sorted out by
two ladies from The Beauty Palace whilst
asking to be sponsored which might help
them to get through the pain - in order to
raise money for FAST.
THANKS
We wish to thank all the businesses,
organisations and public for the generous
donations and prizes to FAST. It is greatly
appreciated.
Los Amigos Golf Society kindly donated
500 to FAST during their Presentation
Night at the Black Bull.
Camposol D Sector Gardening Group

held a Disco recently. Carl Thomas, the DJ
and FAST Responder, requested that a
The sunshine is still lovely, but the nighttime temperatures are now chilly and so
are the early mornings when our dedicated
maintenance team and volunteers turn
out! We continue our search for new
volunteers: Even if you arent resident and
just holiday here, you are very welcome to
join us. We offer bacon or sausage butties
every Wednesday as an incentive! If you
would like to offer your services, just get
in touch with John, our Chairman. If youre
not able to join our working parties, but
you would like to donate a raffle prize or
plants, we would love to hear from you. We
always have ongoing projects, but please
let us know if you have any particular task
you would like us to tackle in your area?
This month there has been major weed
clearing, both in our streets and on the
verges, while the ground is soft after the
heavy rains. New plants have been planted
and railway sleepers have been collected
and positioned. 22 tons of gravel has been
spread and the Jardineria El Milagro,
Bolnuevo have replaced two broken
Page 26
FAST Practice/Training is held on a

Tuesday morning at Camposol Cultural
Centre. Anyone interested in finding out
more about FAST is invited to drop in
at 11am. Join and chat to the Members
and five cracked planters. We have also

moved all our tools and equipment from
its previous store and a huge thank-you
goes to Greg and Liz Green for the free use
of Sensol Villas underbuild over the past
three and a half years.
We woud like to ask any new homeowners
on Lower C to consider joining our
Community Maintenance Scheme; our
members pay just 15 per quarter to
improve the whole area down to the
Rambla and Green Fingers have made a
vast difference to the look of our streets;
gravelled verges, dustbins off the roads,
water butts installed, landscaped areas
with benches, many new plants and trees
now becoming established and repairs to
kerbs and roads where needed. They have
undertaken these tasks until the local
council totally take over responsibility for
Camposol C. Its lovely to look around our
sector now and it is no longer overgrown
and forgotten. Please give some thought
to becoming a member and enable the
good work to continue. Please contact
FAST Emergency phone number 968 970

626
FAST Enquiries 634 309 899
Website www.fastcamposol.com
John or your local representative.

Our Christmas Meal & Dance on 11th
December at the Golf Club with live music
from Abba Dabba Do!, may still have a
few tickets available as this goes to print.
Please contact John on 634 325 427.
Please also remember the Carol Service
at C Sector Triangle on 18th December at
6.15pm with free mulled wine and mince
pies provided by Green Fingers!
Our chalkboards, Facebook and website
have
more
news
http://www.
greenfingersgardenandsocialgroup.
com/

year we will be joined by UkulelesRUs who

will be playing their special selection of
Christmas songs, so come along and join
with us as we set the scene for a special
season of celebration. Please bring lamps
and lanterns so that you can read the
song sheets and dont forget to wear your
special Christmas hat as we will be giving
away a prize at each concert for the best
head-gear.
It will be our seventh year on Camposol

and each year we have had a great time
bringing you a mixture of Christmas Carols,
readings and seasonal songs, followed
by mulled wine and mince pies. We have
been amazed at the numbers who turn
out every year to sing with us and I am
sure that this year will be no exception. We
will again be collecting at each concert to
provide food parcels for local needy people
over the Christmas period. To help us this
Well, yet another year has nearly passed

us by and some of us over a certain age
feel that they dont seem to last as long as
they used to! It seems only recently that
we were out pruning the dual carriageway
palm trees and already it is nearly time to
do it all over again! It has been a busy time
for all the gardening groups and I think
most would agree that Camposol has been
looking blooming wonderful this year!
As the housing market improves we are
seeing many new faces. If you are a newly
arrived resident of B Sector and would
like to join us keeping Camposol looking
great, we would love to welcome you into
our group of B Clean volunteers. We are
a legally registered group who, through
subscriptions, other donations and regular
working activities, aim to keep B Sector
looking great.
All of our concerts will start at 6.15pm and

will last for approximately one hour. Our
schedule is as follows:
Tuesday December 15th - Outside Cats Bar
[Sector A]
Triangle
Friday
December
18th
roundabout [Sector C]
Monday December 21st - Main road triangle
by St Nicholas Church [Sector D]
Wednesday December 23rd - Commercial
Centre [Sector B]
We are hoping to have the snow machine
in action again on Sector B It was great
fun last year.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our
special Christmas Celebration Concerts
and we wish everyone a blessed and happy
Christmas and New Year.
ask. Well, we do! - and we, along with

the residents living nearby, are getting
pretty fed up with it! If you find the bin
is full, please, either take your rubbish
back home or take it to the ECO Park.
Directions:
Drive to the big roundabout at the end of
the RM3, turn right and the Eco Park is
about 1km on the right (clearly marked).
The bins are provided for residents
garden green waste only. They
should not be used by professional
contractors who dump large trailer
loads of rubbish to avoid visiting the
ECO Park. Dumping waste onto the
car park is the same as Fly Tipping.
Identified offenders are likely to find
themselves reported to the local authority.
Note: We have requested additional bins

and more frequent collections.
B Clean Meetings are held on last
Tuesday of each month at 4pm. Please join
us and let us know what you want us to do
to improve B Sector.
The Working Group meets every
Tuesday morning 8.30am-10.30am.
For more Information:
Sandy (Treasurer) 968 986 030
Email sanandstu@gmail.com
Helen (Secretary) 968 199 506
Email helenwhite522@gmail.com
Once again this year we will be doing an

Open Air Christmas Carol Concert on
each of the four sectors of Camposol.
Current Progress
The trees that have not survived will be
replaced by Pedro from the Garden Centre
in the next few weeks. The recently
pruned Oleanders that have given us
such a splendid display over the past
months will soon recover, now that they
are well established. Gravelling and
planting alongside roads continues and
Helen has been out painting many of the
concrete seats provided by the council.
We hope shortly to complete clearing the
scrubland, lay membrane and gravel the
road continuing on from B7 ending at the
B9 roundabout. We also intend to carry
out similar work along the perimeter road
leading from B20 to the Bridge.
Green Waste Bins
Despite our best efforts to keep the area
surrounding the Green Bin on the lower
Commercial Centre car park tidy, there
are some apparently mindless people
who think it is OK to dump their rubbish
alongside the bin when it is full. The
council contractors will not remove
this overflow! Who cares? some may

Page 27
Rain
fails
to spoil 10th
MABS Race
for Life!!!
The
rain
could
not
dampen the
enthusiasm
of the 60+
runners/
walkers
in
this
years
Race for Life
on Camposol
Despite the
sometimes
d r i v i n g
rain, the participants did us proud with
sponsorship and pledges set to reach
almost 4,000
MABS Cancer Support Group are

currently assisting 65 patients at the
moment by providing:Transport to and from hospitals
Translators to attend hospital and clinic
appointments
Carers to help after treatments and
hospital stays
Winners were:4km Race

Womens - Sarah Taylor
Mens - Miles Mohan
Childrens - Jack Walker-Dawson
8km Race
Womens - Karen Andrew
Mens- Martin Freeman/Mark Jessop
Team Winners
CDA Fitness
Thank You to everyone who braved the

rain to take part in this year. It is the first
time we have had rain in the 10 years of
organising this event, so we would like
to say a very special thanks to our
volunteers who were out at 8am in the
pouring rain making sure the course was
safe in time for the start.
We were unable to hold our Christmas

Fayre at the usual venue this year, so we
were invited to join the Christmas Charity
Market in Marianos on Camposol A.
Thank You also to:Dario Pinturas for sponsoring the T-Shirts.

Mazarrn Town Hall for your assistance
and participation.
Cruz Rojo and Policia Local for their
attendance and help making sure the
runners were safe
We were there with our cake stall, tombola

(both of which completely sold out on the
day!) and our advice & information desk.
An array of Christmas produce & gifts was
Finally, Thank You to everyone who

sponsored our runners/walkers
MABS Cancer Support Group is a
registered charity providing help and
practical support to local people who have
been affected by cancer. Although legally
registered, they do not receive any local
or central government funding. All of the
services they provide are paid for from
fundraising events, like the Race for Life
and donations.
on sale and we were joined by the choir

from the Wellspring Victory Church,
which this year included their talented
ukulele players, for Christmas songs &
carols.
The proceeds from the door were
donated to Age Concern, MABS &
FAST.
Many thanks to Pauline & the market

traders for your support.
Tuesday
19th January
Trip to Nueva Condomina shopping centre, Murcia
In November we took a coachload of

clients, volunteers & friends to Murcia for a
visit to the city centre. Everyone enjoyed a
couple of hours admiring the cultural sights
of our regions capital. On the way home
we made a pre-arranged stop at El Pagan
in Librilla, just off the motorway, where we
enjoyed an enormous Menu del Dia with
copious quantities of wine included.
Wednesday
27th January
1.30pm Menu del Dia at Bocapizza,

Puerto de Mazarrn
There will be no Menu del Dia in December.

The next is on Wednesday 27th January at
Bocapizza.
Friday
29th January
TABLE TOP SALE at Camposol B

10am to 1pm
We look forward to seeing you at Camposol

Cultural Centre Wed/Thu 10am-1pm, Fri
12.30-2pm
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday
9th December
Talking Shop Social at Camposol Cultural Centre,

1.30pm
Friday
Table Top Sale at Camposol B
11th December 10am to 1pm
Information from:
Camposol Cultural Centre
Wed/Thu 10am-pm
Friday 12.30-2pm
Telephones:
Lifeline 634 325 408
Advice & Info 634 310 216
Telephone 634 310 216
Page 28

Firstly, I would like to thank those of you that

have become a member of the Social Club
at Camposol. You can now start enjoying
discounts at the Club, on our cultural trips
and activities, at the Farmers Shop when its
open and of course at Oscars Bar. You will
also be first to know about all activities and
will be able to book before anyone else, so
really you are a VIP! The cost is just 17
a year upon approval of your application.
The membership card is per person, but of
course you may use it for family and friends
if they are accompanying you. Please
contact us if you need more information.

At the time of writing, we were looking
forward to our November Cultural Trip to
the Olive Oil Factory, Shoe Factory and
Totana Market, followed by lunch. This trip
was quickly sold out so we are repeating
the trip on December 16th. The price is 22
including transport, insurance, translation
services and lunch and you can pop in to
the Social Club to purchase tickets on
Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3.30pm
and 5pm.
We have been busy planning our Christmas
Tasting Day at Oscars Bar on 1st
December where there were 3 aperitifs and
225l of red and white wine on offer. If you
are reading this during the first few days of
December, I would imagine there will still be
some recovering from a sore head!!
Our trip to Granada mentioned in last
months article had 3 days of fantastic
weather, great company, lots of fun and
full of interesting and beautiful scenery and
historic buildings.
We are also taking part in the tapas
competition, between 5th and 13th December
at Cresto del Gallo in Mazarron, during the
Fiesta.
Our
On 5th October we held our AGM and

members were voted on to the Committee
as follows:
Ken DAngelo Chairman
Sam Woods - Vice Chairman
Anita Girvan Treasurer
Linda Crook - Community Secretary
The minutes are viewable on the website.
charity
donation
of
250
Due to the limited number of volunteers,

the Gardening Team is going to concentrate
on maintenance of existing gardens,
roundabouts, Jubilee Garden and the dual
carriageway. If anyone would like to be
involved in this work, PLEASE check our
community website or community Facebook
page. We still desperately need volunteers
and would be grateful for any help you
can afford us. We are changing the day
of working from Fridays to Wednesdays in
the hope that it will suit more people. Many
thanks to Mercers, who have sponsored 20
High Vis waist coats for our volunteer teams.
Finally, to all our customers and friends that

have supported us so fantastically during
2015, we would like to say a huge Thank
You and wish you all a Merry Christmas and
a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Please note Spanish Cookery class will
take place on Wednesday 23rd instead of
Thursday 24th and Wednesday 30th instead
of Thursday 31st
clubsocialcamposol@gmail.com
during
Over the summer period, unfortunately we

have lost some plants due to heat. At the
top of D25 there were a number of dead
conifers, which have now been cut down and
removed.
It is with regret that we were informed on 6th

November Keith Wilcock passed away. Keith
was one of our gallant pothole volunteers.
He will be sadly missed by the team and the
community. Our thoughts go out to Chris
and their family at this time.
Our dedicated band of Potholers have been
out and about (usually on a Thursday) doing
minor repairs to the roads around D Sector.
Further information on the website. We have
installed trenches to divert water bringing
down mud on to the roads. Unfortunately
we will have to take a further look at these
trenches as in places they are not working
as we expected.
November went to Cruz Roja (Red Cross).

We look forward to helping many more
charities during 2016.
Our Quiz Night on 21st October was very

successful and all the monies raised were
donated to FAST.
The D Community Christmas Dinner
Dance is taking place at Marianos, Sector
A on 12th December. Please check website
or contact Laurie on 605 184 170 for
availability of tickets.
Visit the D Community website for more
Email adm-com@live.co.uk
https://www.facebook.
Facebook
com/pages/Camposol-DCommunity/370267473135907
Membership cards for D residents, both
permanent and holiday are accessible on the
Website or from the bucketeers on Fridays.
Signs have been purchased by the group.

One sign has been placed on the golf club
roundabout giving directions to C and D
sectors and a sign locating the D Sector
map for new arrivals
and contractors. More
signs are for the few
dog walkers that do
not clear up their dogs
mess.
Our next meeting will be on 7th December in

the Golf Club at 4pm.
We are looking at
starting competitions
to
use
the
D30
Ptanque
court
and have a bit of
fun with a league
and
playing
other
groups. Information
will be posted on the
community website.

Page 29
Hola amigos
I dont really know where to start as theres
so much happening, its impossible to cover
it all, although I will try!
As 2015 draws to a close, Los Palacios

Gardening & Community Group would
like to take the opportunity of thanking both
the local businesses and local residents that
have supported us financially throughout the
year. Your kind donations and support have
enabled us to make a number of significant
improvements around Los Palacios as well as
continuing to carry out routine maintenance
to help ensure our area always looks at its
best.
the commercial centre by providing 66 trees

in planters has really improved the area and
we have tiled and painted 24 benches around
the whole of Los Palacios. The area at the
entrance to the footbridge has been gravelled
and we have planted outside Marianos.
We have received really supportive feedback

and encouragement on both our Facebook
page and from members of the community
when we are out and about working, which
culminated in our group receiving a PYM
award, of which we are all very proud.
We hope that by reminding you of our
achievements this year, we can count on your
ongoing support next year and hopefully we
will be able to continue making significant
changes that benefit us all.
In total we have completed twelve

different projects this year, significantly
more than normal, which is a reflection
of how much support you have shown us.
As you can see from the photographs opposite,

we have created several raised rockeries
outside of the doctors surgery and planted
and gravelled three new areas on Central
Park. We have also created a garden area and
planted a new hedge on Peoples Park, built
the Circle of Remembrance, replanted and
gravelled the Memorial Garden and covered
a large area with stone in the Memorial Park.
Defined the seating and parking areas outside
Do you want to bolster your brain

power as you get older?
We all want to ward off memory loss and
keep our wits sharp as we age. It has been
proved that one of the best ways to do
this has been to take up art. It wont stop
senior moments, but it can boost your
brain power as you get older.
Recently a study by the BBC and
Newcastle University set mature
people various tasks over eight weeks
to see how they did, testing them
These improvements have cost a total of

12,750 which has been raised via our bucket
before and after the eight weeks. Each

group was allocated a different activity
for 3 hours a week; these included brisk
walking, doing sudoku puzzles and art.
At the trial end everyone had improved a
little, but the most enthusiastic and standout group was the art class, which could
have been something to do with staring at a
naked man for 3 hours a week!
When you learn something new, your
brain changes, no matter how old you are.
Learning how to draw develops hand and
eye
co-ordination
skills too. The art
class was the most
socially active; also
essential if you want
to keep your brain
sharp.
Pablo Picasso said,
Every child is an
artist. The problem
is how to remain an
artist once we grow
up.
Did you enjoy art as
a youngster but have
done nothing since
Page 30
collections,
Book
Club
donations,
raffles
held
at Tels and
Cats
Bars
during
the
summer and
during
our
fund raising
trips
and
events
that
have
been
really
well
supported. A
lot of the local
businesses on
Los Palacios
have
also
provided
financial
support
for
the group and we are grateful they recognise
the importance of putting something back
into the community.
Finally on behalf of everyone at Los Palacios

Gardening & Community Group, we wish
everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
you left school? Once you pick up brushes

or pencils, those health benefits and
enjoyment can be yours. Pencils and paint
do not carry warnings that you must know
what you are doing. You are not setting
out to create an artistic masterpiece; just
to enjoy yourself and if you do create a
masterpiece what a bonus!
At the Friday Art Group we use various
materials and techniques and have a library
of books and magazines to inspire you and
help you develop your skills. We do not
run set classes and there is no charge. We
are a friendly self-help group with various
levels of ability and experience. Everyone
is enthusiastic about their hobby and
exchanging ideas and knowledge. We get
great satisfaction from our art and most of
us have a painting hanging in our home that
we have produced.
The Art Group meets each Friday at the
Cultural Centre, Camposol, Sector B,
between 9.45am and 12.30pm and new
members, whether wishing to start a new
interest or rekindle an old one, are very
welcome. You can just turn up, or contact
Lesley Dunton on 968 199 966 or Viv
Eagling on 968 153 529.


Page 31
Ladies Chatterbox Meeting November

12th
It was a busy afternoon with bookings for trips
and our Christmas Party. Two of our committee
members were giving the demonstrations and
we had to call on our members to make the
afternoon run smoothly. We need to give a
big vote of thanks to all who stepped in at the
last minute and helped out, with ticket sales,
raffle sales and most importantly tea/coffee
making. Thank you ladies! We hope you will
continue to help each month; it is a good way
to get to know each other better.
is always entertaining and full of fun. Jackie

had a few examples for sale and these were
quickly snapped up.
Jacky started the afternoon off with a

wonderful demonstration, of how to make
marzipan fruits, choirboys and animals. It
made a very popular afternoon. She makes
it look so easy; she is a very talented lady and
December 10th is our Christmas Party.

This promises to be a fun packed afternoon.
There will be canaps on arrival, followed by
a Christmas buffet, entertainment, fun and
games, with a chance to let our hair down
Not long now to 2016 and our New Year trip

to Benidorm!
bags in the coach and in the luggage hold on

the way back. Look out for our next shopping
trip in March!
S u n d a y
S p a n i s h
lunch at Los
Balcones.
We
had
a
great
afternoon at
Los Balcones
with
great
music
from
Pitu,
good
food and of
course great
f r i e n d s .
What a way
to spend the
afternoon!
The La Zenia
Shopping Trip was a sell-out as usual and
we all had a great time. Rain was forecast for
the morning, but we were lucky and missed
it. There were a good number of shopping
The second half was a flower demonstration by

the equally talented Karen. She demonstrated
how to make three arrangements suitable
for Christmas, using just a few flowers,
some greenery, baubles and ribbon. Karen
explained how it isnt necessary to spend a
lot to create good displays. These flowers
displays were raffled and three lucky ladies
went home with lovely arrangements.
We were pleased to welcome Carol and Ray

Young on our 3 night stay in Benidorm as
this was their first Events Group trip.The
event went well despite the storm on the day
of arrival.
Below are our future events with spaces
available (all room prices are PP based on
two sharing double room enquire for single
occupancy price):
after a busy few months. Please bring your

Secret Santa presents costing no more than
5 and wrapped. A really fabulous Christmas
raffle will be available, consisting of a ham,
cake, Christmas pudding and a tin of sweets.
Ticket price is 12 for members and 15 nonmembers.
All Ladies Chatterbox Group Meetings In
Camposol Cultural Centre:
Ladies Chatterbox December 10th
Reading Group December 3rd
Sew and Sew each Monday 2.30pm
For further information Contact Chris Leiper
968 199 441
10thMarch 2016 Shopping Trip To La

Zenia Boulevard.
21st April we will celebrate the Queens 90th
birthday with a meal in the Salon at MCC.
May 9th -11th 2016 - We have booked a number
of rooms, for Three Nights In Cordoba for
The Festival of Los Patios which, according
to locals and friends who have been, say its a
fabulous event and not to be missed. Places
are limited, so if you are interested, please
let us know, as this trip will sell out quickly.
We are trying to book more rooms, but the
hotel is filling up fast!
7thDecember 3 Night Trip To Gibraltar

- perhaps to do your Christmas shopping?
The price includes hotel B&B, transport and a
day at Los Canadas shopping Mall in Malaga.
Members 145, non-members 150. There
are a four spaces left for this great value trip.
For more information, contact Tony 968

956 418, Vivien 968 956 050 or email
mcceventsgroup@gmail.com
www.
countryclubeventsgroup.org
12TH December Christmas Race Night at

the Taberna on MCC. Tickets 6 members
and 7.50 non-members.
Look forward to seeing you at the events and

meeting new friends.
Bye for now.
Jennie Iredale
Mazarrn Country Club Events Secretary
Tickets 11 members and 13 non-members.

Return coach is at 4pm.
Hi All
Just to remind everyone that tickets for the
Christmas Party on December 11th at the
Hotel Costa in Mazarrn are still available
at 27 for members and 29 non-members.
Coaches are provided at a cost of 3 from
Camposol at 7.15pm outside Marianos,
Camposol A and the Country Club at 7.30pm
and will be leaving the event at 00.30. This
promises to be great evening with a banquet
meal and drinks throughout the meal, with
entertainment by Terry J.
On Tues 12th January 2016 we are doing
a Trip to Ikea, Thader Centre and
Condomina especially for the sales, leaving
the Country Club at 10.am and 10.05am from
Marianos, Camposol A - 7 members and 9
for non-members. Tickets will go quickly so
get them now, as they will be on a first come
first served basis.
Page 32
On Sunday 7th February 2016 we have our

Trip to Bullas Wine Museum with a tour
and a taste of Bullas wine. After this, have a
wander around the El Zacatin Artisan Market.
We are expecting local bars to have a wine
and tapas route on offer from 1pm. Coach
leaves MCC at 9am and Camposol at 9.05am.
You can purchase tickets for all events and

trips by contacting Linda on 968 956 278
or Shirley on 968 956 070, or by emailing
www.mccsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk

Chris had only arrived back in the UK to

live in Clevedon after twenty years living
and working abroad a few weeks before she
received the phone call from Madrid asking
her if she would be willing to accept the
honour. Until that phone call, Chris had no
idea she was even being considered for any
kind of award, so it was a huge surprise to
her and for a short while she was completely
taken aback. In fact Chris could not talk on
the phone when she took the first call as she
was parking the car and asked the caller, who
said he was the British Ambassador to Spain
to call back in ten minutes. At that point Chris
was convinced it was one of those scam calls
and never expected a return call. Her shock
was visible when she realised it was genuine
and she was actually being honoured by the
Queen for her services. When she returned
to join her husband, Lubbertus, she told him
that it was the Spanish Ambassador on the
phone, but she had been sworn to secrecy
so she couldnt tell him what it was about.
Eventually she relented and did tell him,
swearing him to secrecy as well.
Over those twenty years abroad Chris
worked as a therapist and counsellor, first
in Singapore, then in Thailand. In 2004 she
was part of the team helping and supporting

survivors of the Boxing Day Tsunami there. In
2008 Chris retired to live in Spain with her
husband, but rapidly found herself involved in
the recently formed Samaritans in Spain. By
2010 she had become their President, moving
the organisation forward and overseeing its
expansion to a full 24/7 phone service and
expanding out to Madrid. Throughout this
time she was still offering help and support to
a wide range of individuals.
Chris sees this award not just as
recognition for all the work she has done
over the years, but also a recognition of
the hard work of all those involved in the
Samaritans, both in Spain, the UK and
around the world, and as recognition of
all those carers all over the world who
offer so much to others.
Chris finally retired when she moved to
Clevedon, but as all those who know her will
attest, we probably havent seen the last of
her helping others.
Good
Friends
- Good Times
- All Good for
Samaritans!
In June this year
a new social and
fundraising group
was formed called
the Friends of
the Samaritans
in Spain (run
by Kim Taylor of
Los Montesinos).
They meet regularly with the aim of raising
money and awareness for the very busy
charity Samaritans in Spain.
The charitys telephone help line is
now FREE for callers, so it has become
even more important than ever to raise
extra funds to pay for this emotional
support service in English which is available
24/7 - 365 days a year on 900 525 100.
The Friends first major event was a Fun
Day held in Bar Dominos, Torrevieja on
Saturday 10th October. It was a fantastic
success, raising an amazing 1057.16,

which was presented by Kim (in the photo)
at the Samaritans Drop-In Centre and
Charity Shop at Punta Marina shopping mall.
Samaritans President Eddie Purcell said it
was an amazing effort and expressed huge
gratitude to all involved.
Kim would also like personally to thank JoJo,
Norma, Sandy, Sally and Helena for helping
on the day and Saranne from Dominos Bar
for hosting the event. There were lots of stalls
and fun things happening throughout the day.
Willing participants Jo, Tracey, Jacquie, Harvey
and Bethany all were sponsored to sit in a bath
of baked beans. Kevin and Martin had their
heads shaved. They were all so very brave!
The Friends Group meets every Monday at
Bar Spangles in Los Montesinos, who support
them by raising money at the weekly
bingo starting at 1.30pm. All are welcome and
if you would like to join the group, Kim would
be very happy to see you there, or you can
email her at friends@samaritansinspain.
com.
Friends of Samaritans in Spain have also
set up their own new Facebook page which
has lots of photos of the Fun Day and they
will announce future events there soon.
More information about the charity meanwhile
can be found at www.samaritansinspain.
com
If you would like to find out how to
become a trained listener please contact
stephenrbaker@outlook.com

Page 33
B
E
M
Investiture
for Clevedon
Resident
On Friday 6th
November
a
BEM
Investiture
Ceremony
was held in
Spain
for
Clevedon
Resident,
Chris Sumter.
The
British
Ambassador
to
Spain,
Simon J Manley, GMG presided over the
ceremony in Alicante Spain. The BEM was
awarded to Chris in the Queens Birthday
Honours List in June and the citation
is for meritorious civil service to the
English speaking community in Spain.
Travelling
down
the
Autovia
del
Mediterraneo (A7) past Alhama de Murcia,
there is one unmissable sight (other than
the enormous El Pozo meat processing
factory!) the remains of the castle
towering over the settlement below. The
castle is situated on top of its hill at an
altitude of 298 metres and can only be
approached up a very steep slope by paths
and numerous steps (we were told 300!)
mostly going at an angle across the slope.
There is, in fact, a higher area of land to
the north of Castle Hill, las Paleras, with
important archaeological remains of its
own, but it does not dominate the land and
settlement at the foot, in the same way as
does the site of the castle itself.
Although remains from the general area

have been found from well before the
Christian era, from Neolithic, Bronze Age
and Iberian times and the Roman Baths
below, attesting to Alhamas importance
at that time, the history of the castle is
somewhat more modern. It is thought that
the Islamic Castle was first constructed
around the end of the 11th Century AD,
although the exact date is unknown. It
was continuously occupied until the 16th
Century. The reason for its construction
was probably purely strategic. As well as
providing a central defensive structure
for the surrounding population which was
localised in small settlements with greater
resources including more abundant water,
cultivating the fertile soils around the base
of Castle Hill, in a much wider sense the
castle controls a highly strategic route
between the cities of Murcia and Lorca
down the Guadalentin Valley.
Indeed,
Alhama was sufficiently important for
its head to be a signatory of the Treaty
of Alcaraz in 1243, whereby much of
Arab Murcia accepted the sovereignty of
Christian Castile in exchange for being
allowed to continue with their own way
of life. Alhamas castle opened its doors
peacefully to its new overlords.
Alhama was very much involved in a
rebellion by Murcias Moors in 1264
and gave refuge to a convoy of 800
soldiers and 2000 mules carrying
supplies sent from Granada to help
the uprising. However, once the city
of Murcia fell in February of 1266, the
rebellion quickly faltered.
Thereafter,
many people of Moorish origin left for the
south and some were replaced by Christian
settlers.
However,
Page 34
Alhama
castle
still
action subsequently.
The Christian
takeover was most certainly no guarantee
of peace and, just as the Moors had seen
infighting among themselves, so was the
case now among the Christians. In April
1296, the Aragonese army entered Murcia.
Alhama and its castle was one of the
towns which resisted the Aragonese
advance, having been repopulated
by Castilians in the early years of the
Christian takeover. In January 1298
Alhama finally fell after a siege in which
catapults were used, with evidence of
the projectiles impact still recognisable
on the northern face of the keep (Torre
de Homenaje). The territorial disputes
between Aragon and Castile appear to have
been settled, at least for the immediate
future, in 1304, under the Treaty of
Torrellas, when Murcia and Alhama passed
back to Castile.
Responsibility for the castle passed

through various hands in the succeeding
years, being handed by the crown of
Castile to the church of Cartagena for
several years before being given to one
Juan Manuel and then apparently having
no clear person responsible for it until, in
1338, King Alfonso XI of Castile ordered
a Gonzalo Rodrguez de Avils to repair
several castles in the area, including that of
Alhama. This was, perhaps, not surprising,
as, during the 14th Century, Alhama had a
relatively sparse population, but was in
a very strategic zone on the borders of
the Christian territories and those of the
Moorish Kingdom of Granada further south
with incursions always a threat from the
latter. In 1387, King Juan I of Castile gave
the castle and the surrounding lands to a
particularly powerful noble, Alonso Yez
Fajardo. The Fajardos, as Marquises of
Vlez came to control vast areas of Murcia
in subsequent years.
Thereafter, however, there seems little

of great significance to recount. True, it
appears that King Ferdinand II of Aragon
passed through Alhama on 6th June 1488
on his march south to prepare a campaign
against the Moors of Granada. Of course,
it was Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabel of
Castile, as the Catholic Monarchs, who
finally succeeded in taking the Kingdom of
Granada in 1492 and uniting Spain under
their rule. At the same time, this sowed
the seeds of disuse for a castle such as that
of Alhama. No longer had it a strategic
function in the Christian Reconquest of
Spain and Alhama was hardly a major
town. Indeed, a German traveller reported
in 1494 that the settlement consisted of
30 houses, a castle, thermal springs and a
glass factory! By 1530, the population of
Alhama, despite the new found peace, was
said still to be under 400 people. The focus
of the settlement, however, had now moved
down the hill to around the Plaza Vieja (Old
Square). As a result, the castle was allowed
to decay and even used as a source of raw
material especially for construction of new
houses in the land below. From the 18th
Century, the materials from which
the walls had been constructed were
also demolished for their saltpetre
content for use in the manufacture of
gunpowder in factories in Murcia City!
It is really only since the 1980s that

attention has been directed to the remains
of Alhamas castle with archaeological
investigations and restoration (using local,
national and European funds) taking place.
In 1985, the castle was recognised, as
being of National Cultural Interest. The
work appears to have some way still to go
and it will be extremely interesting to see
what restoration works are completed in
future years as further parts of the castle
are rebuilt in traditional style and by
traditional methods.
Part taken from Exploring Murcia A
Guide to Totana, Alhama de Murcia,
Aledo, Pliego and the Sierra Espua,
by Clive and Rosie Palmer which is 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 Clida Chronicle office on
Camposol B, Best Wishes (who also stock
other of their books), or phone Patti on
968 433 978.
saw


Page 35
N332 - Driving In Spain

Advice and information about driving in
Spain.
Drink Drive Message Still Being
Ignored
The stark realities of the impact of driving
under the influence of alcohol or drugs is
still failing to reach far too many drivers
who are putting their own lives, and the
lives of many innocent bystanders at risk.
So far this year, officers from the Guardia

Civil traffic department have found
83,978 drivers who have tested positive
for excessive alcohol or drugs. This
shocking figure doesnt include those
detected by various local and regional
police forces across the country.
Out of this figure, 6,171 are recent

reoffenders; in other words, drivers who
have already been caught and penalised
in the previous year, who have now
received a 1,000 fine and the deduction
of 6 points from their licences.In addition,
30,000 drivers have been reported in the
last year having produced positive tests
with more than double the maximum
permitted amount of alcohol in their
body.
During this year, 2,975 drugs tests were
carried out following an incident on the
roads, from which 611 drivers tested

positive, 21% of the total. There were
2,678 drugs tests following a road traffic
infraction, resulting in 1,542 drivers being
found over the limit, a staggering 57.6%.
A total of 59,653 drugs tests were at
checkpoints, where 18,868 drivers failed,
a total of 32%.
When we look at alcohol test figures, we
find that 81,681 tests were carried out
following an incident or collision, resulting
in 3,615 positive tests, 4.42% of the
total. There were 510,131 alcohol tests
following an infraction with 3,893 drivers
testing positive, 0.76% of the total, and
at checkpoints there were 3,787,746
alcohol tests conducted, which 55,450
positive results, 1.46% of the total.
As a result of these findings, the DGT
has announced an intensified campaign
to increase the number of controls
monitoring for alcohol and drugs with
road users expected to undergo tests
on any roads and at any time of day.
However, special emphasis will be
placed on those groups and people who
get behind the wheel and are regularly
consuming alcohol and or drugs. The
latest study of prevalence of psychoactive
substances produced by the DGT in 2013
concluded that driving after consuming
psychoactive substances is frequent in
Spain, reaching twelve hundred drivers.
In 2014, 39.09% of the drivers who died
in road traffic incidents produced positive
blood results revealing alcohol or drugs,
or both, in their system. Similarly, 40%
of all pedestrians killed last year tested
positive for alcohol or drugs, highlighting
that the problem is not exclusive to
drivers.
It is worth remembering that the
maximum permitted alcohol limit in
Spain is much lower than that in the
UK and other countries, however the
only recognised safe limit is zero
alcohol or drugs when driving. There
is no escaping the fines and sanctions for
driving under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. In fact, the matter is so serious
that it becomes a criminal offence if the
maximum rate is excessively exceeded,
resulting in a prison sentence. However,
fines, sanctions and imprisonment are
nothing compared with knowing that
you have caused death or serious injury
to somebody you never met before, or
somebody you claim to love or care for,
because the reality is precisely that,
driving under the influence of alcohol or
drugs wrecks lives.
fine until the 1st of January to sort out

their documentation. That amnesty will
expire on New Years Day.
Full details about the instructions
clarifying European driving licence
renewals were published when the
amnesty was first announced and are
available to read on the website, but it is
also important to remember that as the
deadline approaches, so does the holiday
period, and therefore the time to act is
now, as there will be zero tolerance.
If your license has an indefinite date, or

more than 15 years validity and you were
legally resident in Spain before January
19, 2013, you should have already
renewed your driving license. If you only
became resident after that date, you had
until 2 years from your date of residency
to renew.
If your license has expired or is due to
expire, you must renew it in your country
of residence. In other words, if you are
a resident in Spain, your current licence,
once it expires, must be renewed in
Spain.
The rules only apply to foreigners who
are resident in Spain but please dont
think that simply denying you live here
will mean you can get away with it. You
will still be fined and it would be up to you
to appeal through a long and complex
process. That said, there are also a
number of benefits to changing your
licence to a Spanish one. The Spanish
issued licence is linked to your NIE, so
officers at a roadside check can see all
of your relevant information immediately,
thus speeding up that process. You will
also not be liable to on the spot cash
fines as is the case for foreign licensed
drivers. You will be given a ticket with
a qualifying period in which to pay at a
reduced rate.
Time really is running out.
Please, make the change today.
Time Running Out for Foreign Licence

Renewals
From January 1st some drivers holding
foreign licences can once again be fined.
The rules came into force last year, but
on account of the number of foreign
drivers living in Spain, the DGT issued an
amnesty in March of this year, allowing
those drivers who would be liable to a
Page 36


Page 37
As I am sure a lot of people know MABS now

have a room at the Hospice facility at Villa
Martin. This facility is in great demand and
MABS would like to obtain a second room to
facilitate the demand. The cost of each room
is around 16,000 per annum.
buy a brick; eg 10 people at 5 each, or even

businesses donating towards a brick. A display
will be produced to show how the collection is
going by colouring in as the bricks are paid
for. A name of a loved one or company etc can
be noted on the brick and a brick receipt will
be given for donations.
The Mazarrn Bahia Lions have been in

discussion with MABS and have offered
to help in the fund raising for this second
room. The idea that a Lions member, Andrew
Brown, came up with was the breaking down
of the cost into bricks, namely 350 bricks at
a cost of 50 a brick. The idea is that people
may like to buy a brick in memory of a loved
one, or groups may like to join together to
On Thursday 12th November the Lions held

a Fun Race Night at Marianos and it was
The Leos
month!
sharing another fun environmental project

and educating us at the same time.
have
had
another
productive
Our
good
friend
Mark
Hepworth
f
r
o
m
Camposol
C
Sectors
G r e e n
F i n g e r s
Gardening
Group came
up with yet
another great
idea
to
construct
a
bat box for
placement at
a future date
in a suitable location. Amongst other things,
we learnt how just one bat can eat many
thousands of mosquitoes each night and our
conclusion; Camposol clearly needs more bat
boxes! The box was constructed under Marks
guidance & then painted with a suitable logo.
Were looking forward to seeing it in-situ
and we then need to patiently await some
occupants! A very loud Leoroar of thanks
to Mark and the Green Fingers Group for
Page 38
A collection bucket will also be on the Lions

Stand on a Friday at the Commercial Centre
on Camposol B outside Oscars, so if you have
an odd euro or two, you could drop it in the
bucket towards a brick.
On Halloween the Leos donned appropriate

attire and duly haunted the bars on
Camposol A & B, but of course it was all for
a good cause. Many members of our local
community gave donations that night towards
the Strides Sponsored Walk in aid of local
children with diabetes and we once again
thank you for your generosity and support.
The Leos also gained sponsorship from some
local businesses including Compusurf, Tels
Bar, Black Bull, Trevi Bar, Ocean Fish Bar, Alley
Palais and The Club House - a big Leoroar
goes out to all who sponsored us.
On Saturday 14th November the Leos joined
with members of their sponsoring Lions Club,
our good friends from the Cruz Roja and the
Mayoress of Mazarrn, Alicia Jimnez, on the
Paseo in Puerto de Mazarrn for the Strides
Walk and duly completed the full 6km
distance honouring all who sponsored them.
At the last count, funds raised came to over
900 raised between the Lions & the Leos
which is a brilliant sum and will go a long way
towards sending local children with diabetes
away to summer camps next year.
agreed that the proceeds of the evening would

go to start the fund off. Almost 650 was
raised on the night with proceeds and several
donations meaning that 15 bricks were paid
for! The Lions feel that this was a good start
and hopefully people will get behind the
initiative as most people are touched by the
need for this resource, either for a loved one
or someone they know.
The Mazarrn Bahia Lions meet at Cats
Bar at 5pm on the first Monday of the month
if anyone is interested to come along and talk
to us about the work we do and maybe join
as a member.
As we leave 2015, the Alfa Leos Mazzarn

Bahia proudly enter into their 3rd year of
Charter and we look forward to 2016 and
the new challenges it may bring! A merry
Christmas & a happy New Year to you
from all the Leo Club Members.
The Mazarrn 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

Los Canovas Players Present

The Los Canovas Players are now
in rehearsal for their next production
to be performed next February
on Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and
Saturday 27th at the Los Canovas
Theatre. Curtain up will be at 8pm
on each performance night. As usual
a refreshments bar will be available
before, during the intervals and after
the performance.
Tickets will become available after the

Christmas break, so look out for further
information in Januarys edition of the
Costa Clida Chronicle.
From all of us at Los Canovas
Players - have a good and enjoyable
festive season.
The play is by Martin Clare and titled

(for the moment!) The Mr Misty
Mystery.
It is a full length light comedy set
mainly in the living room of a cheap
flat rented by Abbey whose brainwave
is intended to help herself and her
flatmate Jess out of their financial

difficulties and becomes more and
more complex. Her carefully planned
art heist seems foolproof until
accomplices Suzy and Eva become
involved, as does the local Deputy
Assistant Commissioner of Police with
surprising results.

Page 39
Donor Dogs Needed
founder Mark Lewis, dog adopters Pascal

Lillie and Bob Watts and one of the charitys
collaborating vets Rebecca Gosset.
There is no dog blood bank on the Costa

Blanca. If a dog needs a blood transfusion
where does the blood come from?
Pets In Spain has launched a new longterm campaign for dog owners to register
their dog on the Dog Donor register in order
to meet the demand from vets for muchneeded life saving blood transfusions. Pets
In Spain animal charity does not receive any
grants from local or regional government and
is totally self funding. They rely on income
generated by volunteers working in their two
charity shops, private donations and sponsors
to fund their many animal welfare projects.
The Pets In Spain animal charity responds

to appeals from vets for a dog donor to
provide blood when its urgently needed for
transfusions to help save the life of a family
pet. Rescued dogs in the care of the charity
have donated blood for seriously injured
and chronically ill dogs, much to the relief of
worried pet dog owners when their family pet
is suffering. This service by the charity is free
of charge and collaborating veterinary clinics
will carry out free blood tests on a dog that
is brought in prior to the extraction of blood.
A Donor Dog reunion took place this week
at the Pets In Spain charity shop in La
The association of English speakers (ADAPT)

of San Pedro del Pinatar recently acted as
coordinator for the N332 presentation given
by Francisco Morales, a Guardia Civil Traffic
Officer, to help English speakers understand
traffic laws in Spain and to give guidance on
road safety, vehicle registration and much
more.
Francisco, together with Mark Nolan of the
Marina Urbanisation, which brought together

previously rescued dogs that have donated
blood. The photo shows rescue dog donors
Zac, Stella, and Murphy with the charitys
N332 website, gave an excellent presentation

to an audience of ADAPT members, members
of other associations and members of the
public at the San Pedro Casa de Cultura on
Wednesday 21st October.
Covering a wide range of traffic law issues,
the presentation was highly informative, upto-date and more importantly, the information
given was from an authoritative source.
The
presentation
pictures, graphics and
content were highly
professional
and
combined with speaker
knowledge and with
emphasis
on
the
subjects, it made for a
very well received set
of messages on road
safety and Spanish
traffic laws.
The audience left the
presentation
clearly
far better informed
than
when
they
arrived and they will
Page 40
To register your dog on the Blood Donor

register, or for more information about the
Pets In Spain animal charity call 645 469
253, email info@petsinspain.com or visit
their website www.petsinspain.com
hopefully pass on the up-to-date and accurate

information.
Our thanks go to Francisco and Mark for

making the time and effort to give such an
excellent presentation.
John Frame
President of ADAPT

Charlie is a
small
beagle
cross
and
was found in
a garden of
a boarded up
house. He is
an
adorable,
loving
little
boy, neutered,
chipped
and
vaccinated
and great with
other dogs.
This little girl
pup is 1 of
6
German
Shepherd pups
in need of a
new
home.
They
are
around 7 weeks
old, great with
other dogs and
in good health.
Bobby
is
around
11
months
old.
His mum was
found in San
Luis when she
was pregnant,
so she went
into foster and
had 8 pups. Out
of the 8 there
are still 2 in
desperate need
of new homes.
Bobby
is
housetrained,
good
with
other
dogs,
very good in
the house and
is chipped and
vaccinated.
Call 645 469 253 for more information on
these pets and the Pets In Spain charity.
To advertise an animal for adoption please
email info@petsinspain.info
To view more animals for adoption go
to www.petsinspain.com
Dinner and Dance

Pets In Spain held their autumn Dinner
and Dance fundraising evening on Monday
2nd November at La Marina Sports Complex
and raised an amazing 500 to help rescued
animals.
The evening was enjoyed by over 70 attendees

and after a delicious two course meal they
were entertained by the wonderful sounds
of Diverse Duo who very kindly gave their
services for the night free. A raffle was held
on the evening with prizes including a free
meal at the Big Eat restaurant in La Marina.
Kia
A few months ago Michael Hack and Rob
Roberts fostered a dog named Kia that had
been rescued by Pets In Spain. When Kia
was found a permanent home by the charitys
adoption team, Mike and Rob decided to adopt
a dog from the charity and subsequently
volunteered their services to organise a fund
raising event to provide much needed funds
to help the charity finance the rescue and
rehabilitation of more
stranded pets.
connections and collaboration with many

other animal rescue organisations. A new
awareness campaign has been started with
the aim of persuading dog owners to register
their dog on an emergency blood donor
register. The charity is totally self funding and
is committed to the rescue and re-homing of
abandoned and displaced animals. They also
run a very successful feral cat sterilisation
programme in the La Marina area.
Pets In Spain is a registered charity with the
Valencia Regional government and provide
the best of care with a great team of foster
carers and all necessary veterinary treatment
and rehabilitation for an animal. They run two
modern charity shops to provide much needed
funds to continue their work. Any donations
of clothing, household items and furniture are
very gratefully received and collection can be
arranged for large furniture items.
The
Lets
Eat
Restaurant in Benimar
was the venue and
Michael
being
the
host for the evening
greeted everybody as
they arrived, providing
them with a glass of
Cava and escorting
them to their table
for an evening that
started and finished on
a real high. After three
courses of delicious
and beautiful plates
of food selected from
the A la Carte menu,
the atmosphere was
electric
when
Rob
Roberts took to the
mic to enthrall and
entertain
with
his
incredible singing voice
and interaction with
everyone. With many
great raffle prizes, all
thankfully
donated
and with a proportion
of ticket sales going to
the charity, the total
amount raised during
the evening was 720.
Tommy, Timmy and Tinkerbell were found

abandoned in a box behind the bins at a
local supermarket. They were just 3 weeks
old and had to be placed in a foster home to
be bottle fed. They are now around 7 weeks
old and adorable, friendly kittens. Tommy
and Timmy are boys and red-point Siamese
and Tinkerbell the girl is a chocolate-point
Siamese.
The Pets In Spain

team
has
many
projects
to
help
animals in need and
also has great success
in reuniting lost pets
with
their
owners
thanks to their long
established
Europe
wide
networking

Page 41
Guardamar Del Seguras Pine Forest, Rivers &

Canals - November 14th
eucalyptus trees, covering over 800 hectares.

Once parked up next to Marjal Campsite,
Sue led off for our 4.5 mile circular walk. We
made our way alongside the smaller of the
two Segura Rivers. These rivers are popular
with English anglers because of its unique
location and wild carp. Man-made irrigation
canals can be seen running into the Segura.
They are controlled via sluice gates by the
local farmers. Sadly most of them are poorly
maintained and full of debris and plastic
bottles.
Eleven members including new to the group,

Carol and Jon, headed north on the N322 to
Guardamar Del Segura which is located next
to the mouth of the River Segura, overlooking
a long beach bordered by a large expanse
of sand dunes and pine forest. The Dunas
De Guardamar forest parklands running
parallel to the coast are covered with pine and
The MABS charity shop in San Javier is run

by volunteers who give their time freely.
The shop is open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm.
The day starts at 9.45am when the volunteers

for the day arrive and prepare the shop
for the day ahead. This includes dusting
and general tidying of the shop floor and
making sure that there is a small float in
the till and theyre ready for business. At
10am the doors open and the day begins....
Donations arrive steadily throughout the
day. Furniture donations need to be arranged
on the shop floor to look as appealing and
presentable as possible. Furniture donations
are often collected from the benefactors
home and delivered to the shop by our van
drivers. They will then unload it and find
room in the shop. This is often challenging
especially if its a particularly heavy load.
After a short walk along the river path we

were in view of the Dunes Pine Forest which
is unique and becomes a different world when
you step into it. Climbing steadily for 30
minutes, we reached the top of the highest
dune ridge from which we had good views of
the surrounding forest and the Mediterranean
Sea. We found a safe descent route, reaching
a small track which took us back down to
River Segura and the open sea.
Donations of
bric-a-brac
are checked
over to make
sure
they
are
intact
and
then
priced
and
put out on
the sale floor.
Electrical
goods
are
checked
to
ensure they
are in good
working order
before being
priced to go
out for sale.
After a short break we crossed over the

smaller river via one of the bridges. We
then had fantastic views of the larger river.
For the twitchers in the group, this was
an opportunity to see Herons, flocks of
Cormorants, Little Egrets, numerous species
of Ducks and Kingfishers of which three were
spotted by Gary. The only other wildlife to
be seen were the groups of wild cats and one
rabbit.
We continued walking parallel to the main
Segura for about twenty minutes, then we
turned inland on a circular path, taking us
through agricultural land, fruit orchards, olive
trees and more irrigation canals. We made
our way back to the smaller of the two rivers
via one of these canal paths and after a short
walk we reached our car park. After our 2.5
hour walk we made our way to The Marial
Campsite which is one of the most modern
tourist complexes on the Mediterranean. It
has a restaurant and social bar and a good
Menu del Dia. We settled on the outside
terrace for our well-earned drinks.
They must be clean and not heavily worn.

They are then paired, lightly cleaned and
priced. Only one shoe is ever displayed
so the other is kept neatly in a cupboard.
Clothing donations take up a lot of time for the
volunteers in the shop. Initially, they are taken
upstairs where they are sorted and checked
to ensure that the items are clean and in
good condition. The clothes are then ironed,
hung on correct hangers, sized and priced
before being placed on the sales floor. Out
of season clothing is folded and stored
until required. The clothing is consistently
checked and restocked throughout the day
and the mannequins are frequently changed
so that a good selection of clothing is
available at all times. A rotation system
is in operation, which ensure that nothing
is displayed for more than 3 or 4 weeks.
Shoes and handbags are sorted for sale.

The cashier has several responsibilities in
addition to the sales transactions. Tickets
for our fundraising events are on sale at the
counter. Sometimes there is an in store raffle
so raffle tickets are also sold. The cashier will
take deposits for larger items and mark them
as sold on the sales floor. They will also arrange
the collection of donations for the van drivers.
The volunteers
at The Arches,
in to the shop
books stocked
to sort out any
who run the book stall

Malcolm and Val, come
every week to keep the
and organised and also
new donations of books.
2pm comes around very quickly and the shop

is closed for the day. The till will then be cashed
up, bins will be emptied and everything is left
clean and tidy for the next days volunteers.
If you have just 4 hours a week (or more) to
spare and would like to be involved volunteering
in the shop then please contact Sylvia
on 679 034 415 or email mmvolunteers@
outlook.com. You could also call into the
shop and ask to speak to the day manager.
You can keep up to date on our events by
liking our Facebook page https://www.
facebook.com/mabsmurciamarmenor/
Page 42

If you only had a bowl of rice

And I had a very large sack,
Would I fill your bowl again
And not want anything back?
If I had a well full of water!

And you had only a cup.
Would I say bring a barrel,
And let me fill it up?
And what if you had a crust of bread

And I had food to spare?
Would I say Come to my table
And find hospitality there?
If I could see that you were cold

And I had wood to spare,
Would I share my wood with you
And give you a coat to wear?
Were looking at an attitude

Thats almost foreign to me.
They are values that have long been lost

In a fractured humanity.

Page 43
Gerunds imported into Spanish

Well, I havent forgotten your homework,
and here are the answers.
However, as their main purpose is to

practice the language and not worry about
what they actually say, I will concentrate
on the job at hand.
What are you doing?

Qu ests haciendo?
I am measuring the wall.
Estoy midiendo la pared.
You are telling the truth.
Ests diciendo la verdad.
My husband is washing the dishes.
Mi marido est lavando los platos.
We are spending a lot of money.
Estamos gastando mucho dinero.
My children are cleaning the house.
Mis hijos estn limpiando la casa.
Ive just noticed that almost every one of
these sentences expresses something that
is highly unlikely to happen in my lifetime!
As always with translations there are a few

details that could be written differently; for
example instead of los platos you might
have written la vajilla. Also it depends
whether a wall is interior pared - or
exterior muro - to know exactly which
word is appropriate.
The main point
though is the construction of the verb
which hopefully is now clear.
I thought a small digression would be good
now, as it is still something to do with the
connection between English and Spanish
languages and cultures. I have mentioned
already that the Gerund is used in a far
greater variety of ways in English than in
Spanish, to the point where, for a foreigner

our language appears to be full of these
ing words. I suffer from the fact that
my surname ends in in. There isnt a
Spaniard in Spain who doesnt spell my
surname Croning the first time they come
across it!
There is a phenomenon that occurs in
languages which is the incorporation of
words from other languages. It is because
of this and from the fusions of peoples over
the centuries that new languages are born.
English is a dominant language in the world
for a number of reasons and the result is
that it is invading the Spanish language,
particularly in the form of Gerunds. Here
are some examples of what I mean:
Body-building,
camping,
casting,
catering, doping, feeling, footing,
happening,
lifting,
mailing,
marketing, overbooking, parking,
peeling, piercing, rafting, shopping,
surfing,
traveling,
windsurfing,
zapping.
This is actually a small selection of the
Gerund loan words that now appear
frequently in Spanish speech and writing
(notice writing). The curious thing is
that quite a few of them slightly modify
the original meaning (notice meaning)
of the word, which creates some strange
problems when translating (notice
translating).
For example:
camping means camp site
casting means audition
footing means jogging
mailing mean mail shot (or whatever
the real word for that is in English)
parking means car park
peeling refers only to beauty treatments
and never to potatoes! piercing refers
specifically the adornment of the human
anatomy
traveling has something to do with
camera movements on film sets.
The potential for confusion between
English and Spanish speakers with these
words is amazing. (Hmmm amazing!)
I shouldnt really admit to this, but a few
months ago over the summer I watched the
castings for Factor X on the television;
that was in between sending out mailings
from my website.
One day someone
offered me a peeling, but I thought that
was a bit decadent, especially as I would
not allow my daughter to have a piercing.
I keep thinking that I should go back to
footing, but Im too lazy! Driving to a
parking is more my scene these days.
Whilst on the home front, Im more like to
spend my time zapping than organizing
a happening.
Now youve got something else to fill your
time Gerund hunting!
Jane Cronins Step by Step Spanish
articles are available as e-books at www.
janecronin.eu where you can also obtain
Janes Step by Step Internet Spanish
course.
Page 44


Page 45
Most Wanted fugitive arrested in Spain

An Operation Captura fugitive has been
arrested in Spain on suspicion of being a
member of an international drug trafficking
organisation.
Michael Roden, aged 26, from Redditch,
was captured on 4th November in
Alomartes, Andalucia. Roden was one of
seven people apprehended for allegedly
belonging to a criminal organisation
involved in drug trafficking, illegal
possession of firearms, money laundering
and forgery. He is currently detained along
with three men and three women who are
Chilean, Romanian, Georgian and Spanish
nationals.
Six house searches resulted in the seizure of
approximately
30 kilos of
cannabis, drug
packaging
material,
s e v e r a l
firearms,
high-value
vehicles,
85,000 Euros
and 600.
A
European
A r r e s t
Warrant
for
Roden,
who
featured
on
the Operation Captura fugitive list, was
also wanted by West Midlands Police in
connection with the
importation of 70
kilos of cannabis in
2013. An extradition
hearing is expected
to take place in
Madrid.
Dave Allen, Head
of the International
Crime
Bureau
at
the NCA, said The
arrest
of
Michael
Roden marks yet
another success for
Operation
Captura
and highlights the
Page 46
effectiveness of the campaign in flushing

out fugitives.
Weve caught 73 out of 86 fugitives on
the Captura list and will continue to work
closely with our law enforcement partners
to find the remaining 13.
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and
Chair of Crimestoppers, said The success
of Operation Captura has been quite
incredible and I commend all those at
Crimestoppers, the NCA and the Spanish
authorities for their tireless work in
locating these wanted individuals. We
are now down to the unlucky 13 who still
remain at large and I would ask anyone
with information on their whereabouts
to contact Crimestoppers anonymously
on 900 555 111 in Spain or 0800 555
111 in the UK, so we can bring them to
justice.
Operation Captura is a multi-agency
initiative between Crimestoppers, the
NCA and the Spanish authorities to
track down suspected or convicted
criminals on the run in Spain.
More information and pictures of the
remaining 13 fugitives can be found in the
Most Wanted gallery on the NCA website
at http://www.nationalcrimeagency.
gov.uk/campaigns/most-wantedhub/operation-captura-spain


Page 47
Backup Your Data:

Over the past
few months I
have mentioned
a
few
times
about backing up
your PC, laptop
or other device,
including
your
smart
phone.
Many people ask us a few questions about
doing this. The main question is always,
What should I be backing up and how often?
Well, the answer to the first part is always
that you should back up all the data that you
have created, i.e. your music, photos, written
documents, spreadsheets, accounts, etc - all
the items created by you.
Generally it is not necessary to back up the
complete operating system of your device.
This is because the operating system is
generally easily available to re-load. Also it
will consume a large amount of your backup/
storage device, but it can be included in your
initial backup. This will make recovery a bit
simpler as you will generally not have to
reload all your drivers and other software to
get your device working again.
When should you backup?
Again, this will depend on how you use your
device. If you create large amounts of data,
then you will need to do this on a weekly, or
even daily, basis. For most users, every two
or three weeks is generally sufficient.
You can also set your
to make incremental
automatically backup
changed on your device
i.e. daily.
backup programme
backups. This will
anything that has
on a frequent basis,
Where should I backup to?

The answer to this one is down to the
individual. There are a number of options
available to you including the following:
Cloud storage.
Optical storage such as DVD.
Additional hard-drives, internal or external.
Page 48
Cloud Storage is a
good option, mainly
because it is remote
from you and your
device. This is what
is known as Off-Site
Storage. Regardless
of what has happened to your device, your
data is secure, but Cloud storage comes at
a price. Most companies will offer a small
amount for free, but then will charge as your
requirements grow.
Optical
Storage
is
generally
satisfactory, but I
would only advise
this method if you
have a small amount
of data to backup.
The reason for this
is simply that you
will need to be very well organised to ensure
that you have sufficient discs, correctly
labelled and stored somewhere safe. It is not
recommended for the faint hearted!
The best alternative
for most people is
simply
to
obtain
an External Hard
Drive. These can
be purchased in a
variety of physical
sizes
offering
a
selection of storage
capacities; in some cases up to 3 terabytes,
(3TB). However, for most people, 500GB
750GB will generally be sufficient. The
majority of these external hard drives will
be powered by USB, so will simply plug into
your device, (Except if you are using an Apple
device where you will generally only be able
to use iTunes or iCloud).
What programme should I use to backup?
There are number of different programmes
that you could use to backup your data.
Many are available from companies such as
Norton, Panda, etc, but there are also some
free alternatives. Consider using the Windows
built-in programmes, the File Recovery tool
in Windows 7, or the File History tool in
Windows 8 to create
a system image and
a recovery CD/flash
drive.
Subsequently,
use Windows Backup
to
back
up
your
important data daily,
weekly, or monthly
to the hard drive.
If youre using an
Android device you will
have access to Google
Drive. This is an offsite storage solution
specifically for Android.
Summary:
You can now
c o n s i d e r
your
backup
options.
You can decide
whether
to
use an off-site
storage facility
or an external
hard drive.
You can choose
a programme
to
use
to
backup
your
devices.
You
can
decide on the
frequency
of
backing
up
your data from
daily to monthly.
You can also speak to us at Don Tecnico for
any further advice or help.
Finally,
we
would like to
wish all our
customers
and
friends
a very Merry
Christmas
and
a
prosperous
and
Happy
New Year.

Have you got your tickets yet?

This is your last chance. Only
a few days left before our first
night:
THE CLOUD NINE MERRY
CHRISTMAS SHOW
Theres something for everyone!
Seasonal songs from the
Harlequins Rock Choir
Mini-Panto Chaos in Fairy
Wood
One Across Comedy short play
(or How to Annoy the Wife at
Christmas)
11th, 12th, 13th December 2015 at

8pm
at
LA MOLATA SOCIAL CENTRE, LOS
MUOCES
(between Camposol and Alhama de
Murcia)
TICKETS: 5.00 Adults and 2.50
for under-16s
Contact: lamolata@outlook.es
We look forward to seeing you
there!
www.cloudninedramagroupmurcia.com
Vent (or Threes a Crowd)

Comedy sketch

Page 49
Who sang the following Christmas songs?

1.
Snoopys Christmas
2.
I believe in Father Christmas
3.
Reggae Christmas
4.
Merry Xmas Baby
5.
Lonely this Christmas
6.
Where did my snowman go
7.
December will be magic again
8.
Insanity over Christmas
9.
Christmas Bop
10.
Christmas wont be the same this
year
11.
Run Rudolph Run
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Its a wonderful
Tim Burtons The Night
Santa Claus conquers the
Which band took New Years Day to
number 10 in the charts in 1983?
Which of Santas other 8 reindeer
was the father of Rudolph the rednosed one?
In what year did Coca Cola begin
featuring Santa in their advertising
at Christmas?
On 26th December 1898, Marie
and Pierre Curie announced the
discovery of which element?
In what year did Band Aid release
their record Do They Know Its
Christmas??
The music to Silent Night was
originally written for a
a) guitar,
b) piano,
c) harpsichord or
d) pipe organ?
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
In Dickens Christmas Carol, how

many children does Bob Cratchit
have?
In order to make their geese
happier, fatter & tastier for
the coming Christmas season,
farmers in Cheshire have begun to
a) dress them in woolly hats &
scarves,
b) feed them mulled wine,
c) put up heaters in the coops or
d) let them live in their houses?
The mistletoe grows
a) only on conifers,
b) only on deciduous trees or
c) on both?
True or False: only male reindeer
have antlers?
The Christmas Star (Poinsettia)
originated from
a) Cuba,
b) China,
c) Mexico,
d) Brazil?
Complete the title of each of the following

Christmas films.
12.
Holiday
13.
Were no
14.
Bad
15.
The Bells of
16.
The Polar
17.
18.
19.
20.
Page 50

Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his
sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down
where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the
hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby
awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he
makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down
from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is
nigh.
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay.
For Jesus Christ our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satans power,
When we were gone astray.
Chorus:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day.
In Bethlehem, in Jury,
This blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
Upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee

to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I
pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy
tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with
Thee there.

Page 51
Chorus:
From God our heavenly Father,
A blessed angel came.
And unto certain shepherds,
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born,
The Son of God by name:
But when to Bethlehem they came,

Whereas this Infant lay
They found him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
God bless the ruler of this house

And send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas
May live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred
That live both far and near.
Chorus:
Chorus:
Chorus:
Fear not, then said the angel,
Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour,
Of virtue, power, and might;
So frequently to vanquish all,
The friends of Satan quite;
With sudden joy and gladness

The shepherds were beguiled,
To see the Babe of Israel,
Before His mother mild,
O then with joy and cheerfulness
Rejoice, each mothers child.
Chorus:
Chorus:
The shepherds at those tidings,
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding,
In tempest, storm, and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed Babe to find:
Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood,
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas,
Doth bring redeeming grace.
Chorus:
O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Chorus:
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Page 52

Are met in thee to-night.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
breaks,
And Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray!
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!
How silently, how silently,

The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him
still,
The dear Christ enters in.
Chorus:
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever,
Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
Chorus:
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh:
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on high.
Chorus:
We Three Kings Of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and
mountain,
Following yonder star.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume;

Breathes a life of gathering gloom:
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Where children pure and happy

Pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee,
Son of the Mother mild;
Where Charity stands watching
And Faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory

Page 53
Chorus:
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice.
Heavn sings
Halleluja;
Hallelujah the earth replies.
Chorus:
Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born.
Son of God loves pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Good King Wenceslas
Silent Night
Hither, page, and stand by me,

If thou knowst it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,

Bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine,
when we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went,
Forth they went together;
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather.
Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how;
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page.
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.
In his masters steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.

All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Good King Wenceslas looked out,

On the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Tho the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathring winter fuel.
Where and what his dwelling?

Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence,
by Saint Agnes fountain.
Page 54

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,

Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.
As white as lily flower,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet saviour
Chorus:
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
To do poor sinners good.
Chorus:
The Holly and The Ivy
The holly and the ivy,

Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
Chorus:
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
Chorus:
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
For to redeem us all.
Chorus:
As with joyful steps they sped,

Saviour, to Thy lowly bed;
There to bend the knee before
Thee, whom heaven and earth adore.
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek the mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At the cradle, rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sins alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
The holly bears a blossom
The holly bears a prickle

As sharp as any thorn,
On Christmas Day in the morn.
As With Gladness
As with gladness men of old,

Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee!

Page 55
Holy Jesus, every day

Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls, at last,
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There for ever may we sing
The First Noel
The first Noel

The angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay,
In fields where they
Lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winters night
That was so deep.
Chorus:
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up
And saw a star
Shining in the East
Beyond them far,
And to the earth
It gave great light,
And so it continued
Both day and night.
Chorus:
Chorus:
This star drew nigh
To the northwest
Over Bethlehem
It took its rest,
And there it did
Both stop and stay
Right over the place
Where Jesus lay.
Chorus:
Then did they know
Assuredly
Within that house
The King did lie:
One entered in
Then for to see,
And found the Babe
In poverty.
And by the light

Of that same star
Three wise men came
From country far,

To seek for a King
Aas their intent
And to follow the star
Wherever it went.
Page 56

Chorus:
Begotten, not created:
Then entered in
Those wise men three
Full reverently
Upon their knee,
And offered there
In His presence
Their gold, and myrrh
And frankincense.
Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
O Come All Ye Faithful
Chorus:
Then let us all
With one accord
Sing praises to
Our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven
And earth of naught
And with His blood
Mankind hath bought.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,

Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Chorus:
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgins womb;
Very God,
ANSWERS FOR QUIZ

The Royal Guardsmen
11.
Chuck Berry
21.
Donner
2.
Greg Lake
12.
Inn
22.
1931
3.
Bryan Adams
13.
Angels
23.
Radium
4.
Bruce Springsteen
14.
Santa
24.
1984
5.
Mud
15.
St. Marys
25.
a) guitar
6.
Petula Clark
16.
Express
26.
7.
Kate Bush
17.
Life
27.
a) dress them in wooly hats & scarves
8.
Madness
18.
mare before Christmas
28.
c) on both
9.
Marc Bolan
19.
Martians
29.
False
10.
Jackson 5
20.
U2
30.
c) Mexico
1.

Page 57
Fall Sobrija 2248

Sector D 20
Camposol
If you are buying a new calendar for 2016
make sure you check it very carefully, to see
that there are 12 months and not just 11,
because I believe someone is making the
years shorter! Surely it cant be December
already! I know, Christmas is the same date
every year, but somehow we seem to be
surprised when it arrives.
If after all these years we are not ready for
this very special time, how do you think
those shepherds felt? There they are, sitting
on the hillside, just the same as any normal
night, probably tucking into their snacks
and having a crafty drop of wine, when
wham! Their lives are turned upside down.
Out of the blue appears an angel telling
them about the birth of the Messiah the
Jewish nation had been awaiting and right
here in Bethlehem, just down the hill. If
that wasnt enough, more angels fill the sky,
singing hymns of praise. I bet they thought
theyd overdone the alcohol that night, but
they felt the need to see this occurrence for
themselves!
Energy Performance Certificate In

Rental Contracts
For rental contracts it is only necessary
to attach a printed version of the Energy
Performance registration receipt proving
the certificate has been registered (not
the complete EPC) to make it valid. You
could potentially be fined for not having
your EPC available if you were to have
any disputes with the tenants or with any
inspection by your agent.
The EPC is the same document for selling
as it is for renting. If you are thinking of
They saw.
They believed.
They worshipped and shared this with
others.
How else would we know?
Sometimes I think the simple faith of people
like the shepherds is deeper than that of
others who hear the stories of Jesus, but
dismiss the truth behind the Good News.
Too many folk these days worship at the
checkout counters and accept the glitter
and dazzle of commercialism, instead of
taking the time to visit the humble stable
to see Christ in their Christmas. Okay, so
angels may not bring the glad tidings to
us on Christmas Eve, but why not leave
the partying and share the wonder of this
special occasion with us this year? The
message is the same as it was 2000 years
ago.
The Saviour of the world is here. Come and
share His birthday with gladness and joy.
We would love to see you at our Christmas
Eve service. A warm welcome awaits you
all.
leaving your EPC until a sale has been

agreed, be aware that organizing an EPC
in a hurry or panic could incur much higher
fees by companies taking advantage of the
situation.
An EPC is valid for 10 years and the same
electronic copy (along with registration
receipt) can be used as many times as
necessary. More often than not, you dont
even need to print a hard copy; simply
email a copy to your solicitor, agent, buyers
or tenants. The complete process has been
designed to be electronic for this purpose.
Wishing
you
a
healthy
Christmas
God bless.
Reverend Maureen
peaceful
and
and
2016.
December Services
Sunday 6th Songs of Praise 10.30am
Sunday 13th Holy Communion 10.30am
Sunday 20th Joint Service in Puerto de
Mazarrn 11am
Sunday 20th Carols & Readings 6pm
Thursday 24th Midnight Holy Communion
11.30pm
Sunday 27th Morning Prayer 10.30am
As well as these services, we offer Wedding
Blessings, Holy Baptisms, Confirmations
and Funerals. We also have a Pastoral
Care Group throughout the year, with
people willing to listen, talk and help anyone
sick or in need. The Pastoral Care is in
complete confidence.
For further information please contact:
Rev Maureen Kent 968 970 637/636 099
679
Rev Bill Coyle 636 143 260
Rev Eberhard Klute 968 978 961 (German
Branch)
If you need an EPC, Martinez de la

Casa can guarantee 24/48 hrs delivery of
the certificate, plus we offer substantial
discounts for group visits, therefore
please consider asking your friends and
neighbours if they need one and you can all
benefit from saving money. If you require
an Occupation Licence or an Antiquity
Certificate on any undeclared extension,
book together as with the EPC for similar
scale discounts.
If your solicitors are
already working on your case, ask them to
contact Martinez de la Casa and we will
make all the process faster, cheaper and
easier for you.
Thank you very much for the speedy
and efficient service you provided. I
would not hesitate to recommend you
to anyone. I found your professionalism
to be outstanding and the explanations,
timekeeping and updates first class - the
most efficient I have experienced during
my time in Spain. Nothing has been too
much trouble for you. Thank you.
Mr John Rolt, Country Club. Mazarrn
Martinez de la Casa Architects is one
of the most prominent and respectable
practises in the area, providing all types of
Certificates and Licenses, amongst other
services. They are the Number 1 company
in EP Certificates (121 inc IVA), Final
de Obra Certificates (190 plus IVA)
and Number 1 for Antiquity Certificates/
Retrospective Licences for pools (190
+IVA) and extensions (270 +IVA).
For all enquiries, or to arrange an
appointment please call 665 810 411 or
visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see
an impressive list of over 150 testimonials
by different clients.
Page 58


Page 59
Root Vegetables
This time of year there is a lovely selection
of Root Vegetables at the markets
including Parsnips, Turnip and Swede.
Apart from making a tasty vegetable soup
or stew for cold winter evenings or roasting
them, what can you cook? Well why not
try some of the recipes below like the war
time popular Woolton Pie which can take
any Root Vegetable, not just Carrots and
Swede? The Leek and Parsnip bake also
works well with other Root Vegetables
and the Vegetable Shepherds Pie is very
good for people watching their weight and
also of course vegetarians. Finally, some
Root Vegetables can be a bit woody in the
core, so try glazing them with the recipe
below? I have put it for Parsnips but any
Root Veg is fine done this way and saves
throwing them away!
Buen Apetito
Spicy Honey Glazed Parsnips
Parsnip
Olive Oil
2 tsp butter
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
Chilli flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
being careful not to burn the parsnips.

Woolton Pie
1lb diced potatoes
1lb cauliflower
1lb diced carrots
1lb diced swede
3 spring onions
1tsp vegetable extract
1tsp oatmeal
Page 60
Vegetable Shepherds Pie

2kg potatoes
cup butter cut into cubes
cup of brown lentils
A few mushrooms
6 garlic cloves chopped
1 tsp salt
5 tsp Olive Oil
3 cups chopped onion
2 tsp tomato paste
2 cups dry white wine
8 cups vegetable broth
2 tsp soy sauce
Ground black pepper
12 cups of root vegetables (turnips, swede,
carrot, parsnip or others)
Cook everything together with just enough

water to cover, stirring often to prevent it
sticking to the pan. Let the mixture cool.
Spoon into a pie dish, and cover with a crust
of potatoes or if you have it, wholemeal
pastry. Bake in a moderate oven.
Leek and Parsnip Bake
350g parsnips (cubed)
350g leeks (chopped)
1tbsp olive oil
3 eggs separated
2tbsp plain flour
225g low-fat soft cheese
Salt and pepper
Toss the veg in oil and bake for 35 to 40

minutes in oven pre-heated to 180. Heat
butter, vinegar, chilli and honey until melted,
stir occasionally. When vegetables are
ready, drizzle honey glaze over and toss to
coat. Put back in the oven for a few minutes
spread the leek/cheese mixture over the

top. Serve either hot or cold.
Boil parsnips in water until tender and drain

and mash. Heat the oil and cook leeks until
tender. Add half the leeks to the parsnips,
stir in the flour and then the egg yolks. Beat
egg whites until stiff and then add to the
mixture. Spread the mixture in a tin and
bake on 190 degrees for 25 minutes. Stir
the remaining leeks into the soft cheese and
heat up. Add seasoning to taste. When the
bake is cooked remove from the oven and
Peel, chop and cook the potatoes and mash

with the butter for the topping. Heat the
oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add
onions and cook until light brown, add the
garlic and cook for a further minute or 2.
Add tomato paste and mix and then add
stock, wine and soy sauce and season
to taste then simmer. Prepare veg and
arrange on baking tray and roast in oven
for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook
mushrooms and then layer the pie dish with
first veg, then mushroom and then lentils.
Pour the stock over the complete dish and
then spoon potatoes on the top. Bake for a
further 30 mins.


Page 61
Cycling Events
Mazarrns
commitment
to
cycling
is
reflected in the extensive programme up
to June 2016 with eight major competitions
that will bring together more than 2,300
cyclists. The municipality has the only
BMX circuit in the region of Murcia.
Cycle race in Mazarrn Bay November 15th
In the first race of the season, 343 riders took
part in the XX Mazarrn Bay Cycle Race.
Winner was Ismael Snchez from Cartagena
in a time of 2 hrs, 4 mins and 24 secs. Agustn
Herreros and Jose Perez were second and third.
On 23rd and 24th January will be National and

International Open BMX in Mazarrn with
200 participants.
seem to correspond to the ribs of the ship.

This has been preserved and is in the National
Museum of Maritime Archaeology (ARQUA).
On February 21st will be the XCO Open Rally

which will attract nearly 300 cyclists.
Boat two is almost completely preserved in

situ today, protected by a metal frame and
covered with sand in order to ensure its
preservation. It is 8.15 metres long and 2.25
metres wide and was built with cypress wood,
Aleppo pine, olive and fig tree and was located
in 1995 with all its cargo, crew possessions
and the anchor, one of the oldest of its kind.
On 26th, 27th and 28th February the Vuelta

Costa Calida II Elite U-23 will pass through
Mazarrn with 250 cyclists.
On 5th and 6th March the VIII Mountain Bike
of Mazarrn Race will take place with a total
of 700 participants.
th
th
th
th
On 7 and 8 May and 14 and 15 May will

be the 5th Vuelta Ruta de Cadetes in the
Region of Murcia with 200 runners.
In June there will the III Showcase
of Cycling Schools in Murcia with the
participation of 180 cyclists.
Lucia Palomares, from El Valle XC Team,

was the first woman to cross the finish line.
Agustn Herreros was the Senior winner and
Oscar Mendoza, won the Junior category. The
veterans, Master 60, went to Manuel Lopez.
Root Vegetables are plant roots used

as vegetables. They are generally storage
organs, enlarged to store energy in the form
of carbohydrates. Starchy Root Vegetables
are important staple foods, particularly in
tropical regions. The most commonly used
Root Vegetables are of course the potatoes
and carrots, but there are other very popular
Root Vegetables.
Most Root Vegetables are available all
year round, but they tend to be best picked
and bought when the weather is cold. Root
Vegetables keep very well for several
months if stored correctly in a cool, dark,
well-ventilated place, either on racks or in
breathable bags. Dont wash them before
storing. A covering of earth will help keep
them fresh. Many Root Vegetables can also
be blanched and frozen.
Parsnip - chirivia
The Parsnip is a root vegetable closely
related to the carrot and parsley. Its long
tuberous root has cream-coloured skin and
flesh and can be left in the ground when
mature as it becomes sweeter in flavour after
winter frosts. If unharvested, it produces a
flowering stem, topped by an umbel of small
yellow flowers, in its second growing season.
Wrecks now in a local Museum

Los barcos de la Playa de la Isla is one of the
jewels of the Archaeological Heritage of the
Region of Murcia and two underwater wrecks
are considered of cultural interest (BIC). This
site has two ships dating from the 6th century
BC. The first boat has 4 metres of keel and
wooden pieces with cylindrical shapes which
By this time the stem is woody and the tuber

inedible.
The Parsnip is native to Eurasia. It has been
used as a vegetable since antiquity and was
cultivated by the Romans, although there
was some confusion between Parsnips
and carrots. It was used as a sweetener
before the arrival in Europe of cane sugar.
The Parsnip is usually cooked, but can
also be eaten raw. They resemble carrots
and can be used in similar ways, but
they have a sweeter taste, especially
when cooked.They can be baked, boiled,
pureed, roasted, fried or steamed. When
used in stews, soups and casseroles they
give a rich flavour. Parsnips are high
in vitamins and minerals, especially potassium.
They also contain antioxidants and both
soluble and insoluble fibre. Parsnips can
be cultivated in deep, stone-free soils. They
can be attacked by the carrot fly and other
insect pests, viruses and fungal diseases, of
which canker is the most serious. Handling
the stems and foliage can cause a skin rash if
the skin is exposed to sunlight after handling.
Roast Parsnips are considered an essential
part of Christmas dinner in some parts of the
English-speaking world and frequently feature
in the traditional Sunday roast. Parsnips
can also be fried or thinly sliced and made
into crisps and can also be made into a wine
that has a taste similar to Madeira.
In Roman times, Parsnips were believed to
be an aphrodisiac. However, Parsnips do not
typically feature in modern Italian cooking.
Instead, they are fed to pigs, particularly
those bred to make Parma ham. In traditional
Chinese medicine, the root of Chinese
Parsnip is used as a herbal medicinal
ingredient.
Page 62
The
Third
Congress
Of
Mazarrn
And
Beyond
20th/22nd
February
Researchers, scholars and enthusiasts of
the mystery and the occult will host the
event with the investigator, Antonio Perez.
Outer space was chosen because of the
mystery surrounding this part of the Mazarrn
coast, as it was a place of a mysterious
unsolved crime in the late 50s, dubbed the
Crime of Three Cups. The case even inspired
a film called The strange journey directed
in 1964 by Fernando Fernan Gomez and
starring Carlos Larraaga and Lina Canalejas.
Those interested in attending
Congress must register via
congreso@mazarron.es
the Third
email at
Sweet Potato - batata

The Sweet Potato is a large, starchy, sweettasting, tuberous root. The young leaves and
shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. It is
native to the tropical regions in the Americas.
The Sweet Potato is only distantly related to
the potato but many are poisonous. The plant
is a herbaceous perennial vine with an edible
tuberous root which is long and tapered, with
a smooth skin. The colour ranges between
yellow, orange, red, brown, purple, and beige
and the flesh ranges from beige through to
white, red, pink, violet, yellow, orange, and
purple. Sweet Potato varieties with white
or pale yellow flesh are less sweet and moist
than those with red, pink or orange flesh.
The Sweet Potato is often called a yam

which is native to Africa and Asia and are
grown in tropical and warm temperate
regions where there is sufficient water to
support their growth and does not tolerate
frost. They are served as a favourite dish in
many Asian countries. Europe has only a very
small Sweet Potato production.
Sweet Potatoes can be cooked in similar
ways to the potato, but they cook much
more quickly. Bake, mash or roast Sweet
Potatoes, or use them in vegetable soups
and bakes. Alternatively, add them to risottos,
pasta dishes and curries.

A Very Different Kind of Christmas

The Season of Goodwill is almost
upon us and for many people here on
the Costa Clida that hunt for the perfect
present will start with a vengeance. There
always seems to be a heightened sense of
excitement as Christmas gets nearer and
we party, we celebrate, we give, [even
when we cant afford it] and we send cards
to people scattered all around the world;
some of whom we are rarely in contact with
throughout the rest of the year.
When asked the question why? the normal
response is Well, its Christmas.
Dont take my comments wrongly Im not
having a dig at what we do and I believe
it is wonderful to celebrate the birth of
Christ by giving and receiving. Whether
or not Jesus was born on 25th December
is immaterial. Its a fact that he was born,
grew up, had a brief three years teaching
and healing lives, died aged 33 years on
a Roman cross and started something that
has gloriously impacted our world for ever.
That is far more important than when we
have our Christmas holiday The birth of
Jesus changed history and the world
would never be the same again.
The question I want to ask today is,
Why do we just celebrate a Season of
Goodwill?
I hear many comments like Thank goodness
thats all over for another year and I think
to myself, What a shame!. Christmas is
not about over-spending, shopping until we
drop, partying all night, drinking ourselves
stupid and walking around with silly Father
Christmas hats flashing and wobbling all
over our heads. In the light of my last
comment, I can understand the Im glad
its all over comments.
new way of giving and a new way of loving.

This is how his birth was announced to
the local shepherds in the fields outside
Bethlehem. And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying: Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill toward men.
Hold it there! Did I miss something? Not a
mention of a season anywhere and it was
not our goodwill at all. It was His goodwill
towards us and it was without a time
limit.
As Christmas approaches, could I encourage
you to make this Christmas, A Different
Kind of Christmas. Dont stop giving,
loving and serving others when the used
wrapping paper is thrown into the bin. Take
hold of Gods goodwill gift to you - His Son
Jesus and take His gift of unconditional
love to a hurting world during 2016.
Join with us for our Special Christmas
Eve Carol Concert at Wellspring Church
starting at 7pm. It will be a very different
celebration of the birth of Jesus in word and
song. If you have never been to one of our
Christmas Eve Concerts, we encourage
you to join with us. It is a special time and
you will not be disappointed.
We will again this year be holding Carol
Concerts around each sector of Camposol
during the two weeks before Christmas.
Come along and help us celebrate.
On behalf of Wellspring I wish everyone
a blessed and joy-filled Christmas and
a Happy New Year.

Jesus did not come for a Season of

Goodwill, he came to show us a new way
of living, a new way of serving others, a
Page 63
S o m e
people may
remember
B a r b a r a
F r a n k e n
when
she
lived
on
Mazarrn
C o u n t r y
Club
and
ran Sacred Hearts. She loves to express
all that she is through her Writing, Art
& Photography and consciously be her
Magnificent Self inspiring others along
the way. She now lives with her husband
Tom on the beautiful Mediterranean Coast
in Benalmadena and together they enjoy
a relaxed and balanced life, walking in
nature, meeting interesting people, tasting
good foods and wines and travelling to see
friends and family.
Barbara has had a magical experience
journeying to this moment and has written
her first book: Your Magnificent Self...
A Journey to Freedom to share with
others about the potential of the New
Energy Consciousness and how it inspires
each person to choose love over fear and
allow them to be their Magnificent Master
Creator self, creating themselves and their
life anew beyond anything known.
Your Magnificent Self... A Journey to

Freedom
Consciousness expands and Humankind
takes a quantum leap into the unknown
Just back from 10 days in sunny

Scotland working on properties which
needed gutters, doors and windows fixed.
Although many of these properties are
getting on a bit, they only required a bit
as
they
discover how
to go beyond
seduction,
limitation,
the
ailing
and ageing
body
and
the
death
trigger. They
enjoy living
and creating
as
Loving
D i v i n e
H u m a n
Beings
in
a
timeless
space
of
freedom
and
an
expanding
field
of
potential
where they experience rejuvenation,
abundance and an infinite flow of pure love
and joy.
The story is a magnificent love affair
between Divine and Human selves who
find each other after many years apart and
become one. It is an amazing journey that
begins with the questions Who am I?
and What is life all about?
The more she explores, the more aware
she becomes and her mind grows quiet,
allowing her to perceive nine Elemental
of encouragement to keep going for a few

more years. Repairs, repainting or varnish
and some adjustments put new life back
into these homes which are now better able
to face the Scottish weather. It reminded
me that at times we all need a bit of
maintenance and repair or encouragement
to keep us going as life can wear us down.
The Bible tells us that we are body, mind
and spirit and like a three legged stool
there needs to be some equality to keep
things balanced. Now physically there are
a lot of aids available to keep our bodies fit
and I am sure this Christmas will provide
many people with keep-fit products that
will be re-sold on ebay pronto. To keep the
three legged stool balanced I believe that
the long-forgotten art of encouragement
can have the desired effect of re-vitalising
the other two legs of mind and spirit. I also
believe that encouragement works both
ways; for the one encouraged and the
encourager both benefit from the practice
of it.
Encouragement is sadly lacking in todays
world, both inside and outside the church
as people seem to be very keen to point
out ours, or others failures, neglecting the
parts which are worthy of praise. Accepting
that there are things that need fixing or
dealt with; it is the way we do this that
can either encourage or discourage those
Page 64
Beings who come to remind her of her core

truths which take her from a world of fear,
struggle and limitation into a New Energy
Consciousness of love, grace and freedom.
In this loving space she is able to observe
and feel the natural integration of her
Divine and Human self, coming together as
one Loving and Magnificent Master Creator
who chooses, expresses and creates heart
and soul passion on the physical plane and
beyond; beyond imagination, words and
everything that is known.
Connect with Barbara
Website
http://www.
memymagnificentself.com
Email barbara@memymagnificentself.
com
Twitter
http://twitter.com/
sacredhearts
Facebook
http://facebook.com/
memymagnificentself
LinkedIn /barbara-franken
Pinterest /barbarafranken
Barbara has created a Spanish non-profit
Asociacion Conciencia Magnificato
raise money from the sale of her books
and
Master Creator Classes to fund Project
Magnificent Consciousness, a Creative
Art Project she brings into local schools
and after-schools to inspire young children
through fun, playful and creative art to
explore, question, experience, discover
and express the magnificent consciousness
they are and all life is.
involved.
In the Bible Paul says we should
...encourage one another daily as long as
it is called Today - Hebrews 3 v 13 - Daily?
Theres a challenge - what a difference that
would make.
You can find us Sunday evenings 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 at opendoorgettogether@
gmail.com
Los Almagros
Fuente Alamo
GPS:3745 57.77 North 1 15 56.95
West
Ken 646 705 403
Carol 655 141 721

Even
today
the dictators
n a m e
r e m a i n s
almost
a
swear-word
in Spain and
towns across
the
country
are gradually
t e a r i n g
down
all
monuments,
plaques and
street names
set
up
in
his
honour
during
his
reign. Until a few years ago, the country was
littered with streets called C/ Generalsimo,
or Grand General, but these are gradually
being changed and locally-born celebrities
or late heroic figures are taking over road
names instead.
Franco had already hand-picked Juan Carlos
I, grandson of the last-reigning monarch, to
be King and Head of State. It was the then
monarch who, along with new president Adolfo
Surez, took Spain through the transition to
democracy, formed the Constitution and gave
recognition to the 17 autonomously-governed
communities which still exist today.
In the months leading up to his abdication,
King Juan Carlos I was suffering from poor
public image and bad press due to having
been photographed shooting elephants on
safari hunts. The anti-monarchy sentiment,
fuelled by the embezzlement and tax fraud
trial surrounding Juan Carlos Is younger
daughter has largely been felt and expressed
by those born in the 1970s or 1980s or later.
Whilst anyone over the age of 40 was a child
of the Franco era, it is unlikely anyone under
55 or 60 would remember much about his
reign of terror. Political views which differed
from the status quo were punishable by
prison and even women in bikinis on beaches
could be arrested. Regional languages
were banned and, if heard in the street,
could result in arrest. The police state
meant protests, demonstrations, or any
form of dissenting was unheard of, and the
press, TV, radio and justice system were
controlled by the government. Censorship
did not only affect the media, but even the
arts underground cinemas appeared as
controversial film directors would not have
been able to broadcast their work in the
mainstream picture theatres.
The Civil War from 1936 to 1939 often
considered a prelude or warm-up to World
War II, where Franco was a great supporter
of Hitler as well as the post-war era,
was fraught with State-led violence and
repression, with the Republicans defeated by
Francos supporters, known as the Falangists.
Anti-fascist groups are calling for Francos
remains to be exhumed and removed from
the Valle de los Cados, which is supposed to
be a war memorial site.
Animal Therapy Scheme Launched

Thanks to a grant of 10,000 from the La
Caixa Bank social fund, new association
ASISCAN, a non-profit society based in Jvea,
Alicante has started two weekly sessions at a
centre for the elderly, mainly treating users
with dementia or who are physically disabled
due to old age and spend a lot of time alone.
This is the first animal therapy scheme to be
launched on the Costa Blanca and one of very
few in Spain.
Those who lead a lonely existence are
finding comfort from the dogs presence,
since stroking an animal creates peace and
tranquility and spending time with the pets
helps them to feel useful. As well as the
emotional side, ASISCAN says its trained
dogs bring huge benefits for the elderly Day
Centre users with Alzheimers or severe
dementia who find it difficult or impossible to
communicate normally with other humans.
Elderly Day Centre visitors are just one of
the areas ASISCAN hopes to work in plans
are afoot for therapeutic sessions with other
types of vulnerable residents, including the
sick and disabled, adults and children with
psychological problems and teaching new
skills to the mentally-handicapped.
Stone Art Craze Is Destroying Historical
Site
A volunteer session is being held at the
Formentera historical site with members of
the public helping to dismantle the stone piles
and put the parts back where they belong.
Environment councillor Daisee Aguilera
says EsTrucadors is vulnerable to erosion
caused by the wind and waves and that any
alterations in its structure could worsen the
risk. The sandy soil, which is very poor, is
covered by plant life which has adapted over
centuries to its conditions, but which is easily
damaged and piling up stones onto it can
kill it off. Stone labyrinths built by visitors
and dry-stone walls many decades old have
been taken down to create Stonehenge-type
structures. EsTrucadors is a tiny peninsula,
or arm of land stretching out to the north
of the island of Formentera, forming part
of the SesSalines salt-flat nature reserve.
It includes the sculpture park, La Riada,
created by German Johannes Schultz in 1992
and which he continues to add to every few
months.
Speed Limits On N-Roads
The General Directorate of Traffic intended
to increase the limit on motorways in certain
areas where conditions were considered safe
enough, in response to the fact that cars
today are more powerful, faster and have
better braking systems than decades ago
when speed limits were introduced.
will reduce that of secondary roads from its

current 100km/hr to 90km/hr.
According to the DGT, cutting speed limits on
main non-motorway roads from 100km/hr to
90km/hr will prevent up to 200 road deaths
a year. Spain is one of just three European
countries with a 100km/hr speed limit on
roads other than motorways, along with
Germany and Austria. The UKs speed limit
on conventional roads is only slightly lower
than in Spain at the equivalent of 96km/hr.
Electric Cars To Go In Madrid
Electrically-Powered cars can be hired in
Madrid for just 19 cents a minute, without
booking in advance and picked up from
almost anywhere in the city.
The largest consignment of electric cars
(350) in Spain and the third-largest in the
world have been delivered to Madrid and will
be available for hire over an area of 53sq
kms. Customers can register with Car2go
and validate their driving license in one of
its shops or one of the 35 car collection points
in the city. This is free of charge until January
31st, after which a small one-off charge will
apply. Once the user is registered, he or she
can hire cars with no prior booking.
They can park the electrically-powered cars
in any legal space in the city. Finding a car
collection point is a simple exercise involving
a mobile phone App. Drivers have no need to
refuel car batteries are recharged back at
base by the company.
Aircraft Part Found In Field Near
Alicante-Elche Airport
Part of a fuse box measuring 4 metres in
length and half-burnt out fell from a plane
and landed in a farm field in Elda, Alicante
just a few kilometres from the airport.
The strip of metal was found between the
Cmara and Umbra mountain ranges,
where planes are frequently seen circling
overhead as they reposition themselves
ready for landing at Alicante-Elche airport.
Experts from the National Police chemical
and explosives unit TEDAX were called
out to check it did not contain radiation or
present any other potential danger to nearby
residents. The fuse box part was charred
along one side and badly deteriorated along
another, although both of these features
could have been caused by the impact, since
hitting the ground at the height and speed
involved in falling from an aircraft would have
caused considerable damage. At first, it was
thought the part was from a space rocket,
given that two very similar pieces were found
in Mula and Calasparra on separate occasions
recently, but closer examination revealed that
it was likely to be from a commercial aircraft.
Toll
companies
felt
a higher speed limit
would
encourage
more drivers to use
motorways,
since
the recession means
motorists are more
inclined to take the
back roads to avoid
paying ever-increasing
A-road fees and toll
firms are losing money.
To create an incentive
to
use
motorways
without changing their
existing speed limit
of 120km/hr, the DGT

Page 65
Spain Remembered Francos Victims

Numerous demonstrations filled the streets
as Spain celebrated the 40th anniversary
of the death of Dictator General Francisco
Franco, on November 20th 1975.
55 words of 3 letters or more.
BAUBLE
TINSEL
LIGHTS
PRESENT
STOCKING
WRAPPING PAPER
CARD
SNOWMAN
REINDEER
SLEIGH
FROST
TURKEY
CANDLES
STARS
FAIRY
SPARKLE
WREATH
CAROLS
CHRISTMAS
FREEZING
SHEPHERD
ANGEL
Answers on page 94
Page 66

Christmas comes just once a year thankfully

say some, but for Masquerade it is the
opportunity to share our love of singing with
family and friends at this very special time
of year.
by our resident guest artistes Clifford Jay and

Julia and an afternoon of joyful singing and
laughter is guaranteed, with the opportunity
to give generously to our adopted charity
Forget Me Not.
The
first
performance
of this years
Christmas
Show
will
be
at
the
BuenaVista
Sports and
Social Club
in Puerto de
Mazarrn on
December
where
2nd,
our
hosts
Francisco and
Mercedes will be waiting to greet a record
number of revellers. As usual we will be joined
The second performance will be at the

Cultural Centre on Camposol B where we
have the great pleasure and privilege to
entertain and bring the festive cheer to the
clients, friends and family of Forget Me Not
at their Christmas luncheon and another
opportunity to raise more funds for this very
worthy cause.
We have a few vacancies for ladies who have

a good singing voice and are able to make
simple movements in time to the music,
although the latter is not essential. If you are
interested, then email Maddie Munday or Ray
Jose at MasqueradeMusicals@gmail.com.
We rehearse every Wednesday afternoon
4-6pm at the Cultural Centre on Camposol.
Masquerade Musicals would like to wish
all our friends, and friends to be a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year
Another highlight this month will be our

appearance with Karen Noble at the Magic
of the Musicals Show which will take place
at the La Cumbre Hotel, Puerto de Mazarrn
on December 13th. The invitation to appear
was a great surprise, but was very eagerly
accepted. This will be an evening which will
live long in our memories and is perhaps
just reward for all the hard work put in by

our ladies. We will be singing songs from our
repertoire and will also give a glimpse of our
new show The Pride of London which we
will be performing for the first time at the El
Saladillo Restaurant on February 25th. Tickets
at 10 will be available shortly and will include
a Menu del Dia.

Page 67
Well
my
favourite
time of year
is
quickly
approaching
now. I love
Christmas
with all the
glitter
and
sparkle
and
seasonal
goodwill. We
will of course
be having our
festive mince
pies
and
sherry event
on Camposol
and
some
of our star
residents will
be making an
appearance
on
14th
December in
the car park
on Camposol
B from 11.30am-1.30pm. We look forward to
seeing lots of our supporters and friends. It is
a fabulous time for us to catch up with some
of our re-homed friends.
her begin her new life in the New Forest in

England. What a fabulous place for her to
live!
So much has happened at AAR this month;
both exciting and exasperating!
Gabby, Pandora, Little Legs, Basil, Layla
to name but a few, have been re-homed.
Our stunning horse Sophia who came into
our care 2 months ago has made great
progress. She is walking well and has had
some specially made silicone shoes that help
her walk a little easier. This elderly girl is
up for adoption and would love somewhere
special to live quietly. She still has some
medical issues, but she deserves a special
home and AAR will continue to fund her
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 on request)
Sundays from 3.15-4.20pm
Fr. Octavio Carpena 676 219 445
Fr. Carlos Prats 628 824 555
St Francis of Assisi
Now it happened that a man of the name
Page 68
We now have 21 donkeys, 2 horses and 4

ponies in our care with another 3 donkeys
waiting to come in! This all takes a lot of
time and money, but AAR we are so proud
of everything we have achieved. This could
not be done without our wonderful supporters
and donations, so once again a massive thank
you to all our supporters and volunteers.
Please give me a call to chat through a rehoming procedure and what is involved.
We have our very own Christmas cards for
sale - yes they have donkeys on! They are
sooo sweet and only 4.50 for a pack of 4
to help support AAR. We can send them to
you or call in to one of our shops in Mazarrn
Town or Roldan.
I am on Camposol B car park every Monday
11.30am-1.30pm to collect unwanted items
or please drop them off at one of our shops
11am-2pm.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
everyone at the Costa Clida Chronicle,
for their continued support throughout the
past year so to them and all our readers and
followers, Have a very Merry Christmas and a
Prosperous New Year.
Before then I have a very special mission

to complete. I am personally escorting
Narlia to England. This wonderful little girl
who was at deaths door 3 months ago, is in
good health and well enough to travel and
it is with a heavy but happy heart I will see
Roman Catholic Church

We are in St. Josephs Church (El Saladillo),
near Camposol and Mazarrn Country Club
urbanizations (exit 17, RM 3 motorway)
medical treatment.
Charlie is a little boy who came to us in a
terrible state. He has been nursed back to
good health by our foster carer Gill. He is
leishmania positive, but it is a controllable
condition. Look at our FB page for further
details or give me a call.
Andrea x
of Silvester, seeing how St Francis gave so

much money to the poor, being urged on by
avarice, went to him and said Thou didst not
pay me enough for the stones I sold thee to
repair the church; now that thou hast money,
pay me what thou owest.
St Francis, much surprised at such a
demand, but, according to the precepts of the
Scriptures, not wishing to dispute with him,
gave it to Silvester, saying that, if he wanted
more, he would give it to him. Silvester, being
satisfied, returned home, but in the evening
of the same day he reflected on his avarice
and on the holiness and the fervour of St
Francis. That night also he saw St Francis in
a vision and it seemed to him as if a golden
cross came out of his mouth, which reached
up to heaven and extended to the extreme
east and west.
After this vision

he gave all he
possessed
to
the poor, for the
love of God and
made himself a
Brother Minor.
He became so
holy and was
favoured
with
such
special
graces, that he
spoke with the
Lord as a friend
speaks with a
friend, of which
St Francis was
often a witness.


Page 69
Pantano del Cenajo 25th October

We awoke to the sound of robins chirping
outside our windows at the Hotel Cenajo
where some of us had stayed overnight prior
to the days walk. After breakfast we were
joined by the rest of the walkers who advised
us the rain had started to fall, but we were all
determined to brave the elements and indeed
after a further shower the sun showed its face
and stayed with us for the rest of the day.
Wearing our raincoats we started our walk,

quick to observe the awesome scenery
surrounding the Hotel Cenajo and the
magnificent dam that towers over it. 70
metres of concrete unmoving, as if watching
us lean against its walls and showing no
effort in carrying out the arduous undertaking
of controlling the waters of the Rio Grande.
We marvelled at the human daring, always
determined to control the forces of nature
that built this dam. Even more to think that
this dam had already stood for more than
half a century, a major hydraulic works of its
time and with the building methods available
then. A pair of cormorants circled over us, as
if welcoming us.
We continued on our way to a place that

had hosted the small town where some of
the workers and their families lived. Today

all that was left was some steps and a few
walls, engulfed by the lush vegetation. Where
there were barracks and housing there had
developed a curious forest of eucalyptus
and the pine Aleppo, which had reached
dizzying heights seeking sunlight. The rain
stopped and a foggy and bright atmosphere
surrounded us, a ghostly light filtered through
this golden autumn, plunging us into a
romantic and melancholic atmosphere. The
last constructions we saw before following
the river were small cave houses; the
remains barely visible with just a few blocks
remaining. The road ahead was bordered by
a magnificent plant and tree tunnel in which
we took endless photographs.
The songs of the robins were still
accompanying us and soon we began to
hear a dull rumble hidden among the poplar
trees. It was the drainage channel from the
reservoir and it was here we ate by sound
of the water. Lower down was a tumultuous
small stream, hidden amongst the thicket of
brambles and fig trees winding up the ravine.
Before us was a curious galleried forest of fig
trees and a species of Baladres went almost
unnoticed among the fig and sarsaparilla.
We slowly ascended opposite the snowwhite layer of mountains which contrasted

incredibly with the golden poplars. At this
particular point in the walk several examples
of various geological eras were before us;
Jurassic, Triassic and Miocene separated by
a few metres and millions of years - just
amazing!
We had yet to reach the goal that we had seen
from the base of the dam; the Cruz del Obrero,
so we hurried to seek the path that led to it.
We saw fox droppings and traces of its main
diet at this time of the year; juniper berries.
There were also traces of ibex before we came
upon a dam that slowed down the waters that
once ravaged the Murcian landscape further
downstream. Mavi explained that the arc on a
monument represented the catenary arch or
Gaud - Gaud in his temper.
Later, over lunch in the restaurant of the

hotel Eco Cenajo, which was used as a
laboratory during construction of the dam,
we contemplated the effectiveness of this
myth of modernist architecture. Also from our
vantage point, we saw how low the reservoir
was, despite the heavy rains of late summer
and early autumn. Its intense turquoise
waters and the breathtaking surrounding
landscape delighted our photographers.
As we watched the undulating meandering
riverbed, we understood the reference to a
horseshoe in this unique place.
We resumed the path and crossed back inside
the tunnel taking us through the dam wall.
Sometimes a pair of Bonellis Eagles can be
seen, but we had no such luck. Below us on
one of the rocks, emerging from the blue
waters, we saw cormorants drying themselves
in the sun.
We pressed on towards the hotel restaurant
where Manolo, in charge of the restaurant
kitchen, prepared our exquisite food with no
less than five starters and five main courses
to choose from. The dessert, I admit I fell
in love with - strudel cheese and quince - a
delight! We celebrated three birthdays, so we
celebrated with a cake produced by Elena of
Confiteria Roch. A great end to a perfect day,
pleasant surroundings, excellent company
and the warmth of friendship.
Next walk 16th December Cuerda de La
Gitana from Puerto Alto 10
Optional meal 15
8am from Moratalla Tourist Office
9am from Caada de la Cruz
Page 70

By the time you are reading this, we have

probably got more seasonal weather after
the delightful November. The log burners and
central heating will be on and the dark nights
will be spent in, but there are still many
events going on in the area for you to enjoy.
Church of La Concepcin and the Casa Jaspe.

Following the tour of the town there will be
a visit to the school of wine in the Palacio de
la Tercia where you will learn all about wine.
The tour is free and it will last approximately
2 hours. Comfortable footwear is advised.
Hotel and Restaurant Argos on the

Calasparra Road are having music nights on
Saturday evenings. Food is available, but you
are welcome to just come and have a drink
and enjoy the evening. The hotel offers good
accommodation, so if you have friends who
prefer to be a little bit independent, this is an
ideal location when visiting Northwest Murcia.
There are some fabulous festive menus
available from 18 per person and if there are
at least 20 of you going, they will put on a
free bus for you.
Tel 968 720 707 or 665 330 771
Begastri
The Archaeological See of Begastri is opened
for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from
10am-2pm. You will be able to see a video
presentation followed by a guided tour to
see the remains of the Iberian culture before
the IV century B.C.
For more information on the Carol Concert

and other meetings, call 633 447 937.
Quiz Nights
Unfortunately the Quiz Night at Bar Rinales in
Calasparra has finished at least until the New
Year. If anyone would like to help organise it
in the future, please get in touch with Sandy
on sandyrobinson1@hotmail.co.uk
Caf Bar El Rincon del La Tapa in Cehegin
runs a Quiz Night once a month. This month
they are combining the Quiz Night with a
special Christmas Dinner on Saturday 19th
December.
Cehegn Highlights In December
The El Mesoncico market will be on Sunday
27th December. During the Christmas
celebration you can enjoy traditional music
from the best country groups, Cuadrillas.
This is the second opportunity to listen to
Cuadrillas at El Mesoncico whilst enjoying
typical Christmas sweets of the area.
Free parking is available at the Marble
Technology Centre situated in Carretera
Murcia, approached from the West.
On Monday 12th December admire the history
of the Old Quarter of Cehegn visiting the
Archaeological Museum, the Main Street, the
The tourist walks are free and start at 9am

and are usually 4-9km and take 2-3 hours.
On Sunday 27th December the walk will be to
Mina de Oro Romana.
Coto De Las Maravillas
The newly reopened Eco Park called Tourism
Activity Park Coto de las Maravillas offers
paintballing, horse riding, an assault course
and a Quidditch pitch as well as many others
activities for all ages. There is a campsite
within the park and refreshments are
available in the bar.
Peas Caballistas
For those interested in horsemanship the
Spanish way, this course has been running
since March and is available until 31st
December.
6 for over 18s
2 for under 18s
Oficinas de la Cofrada, Calle de las Monjas, 9
Tel 968 70 75 28
www.lacruzdecaravaca.es
Walk Round Caravaca Sunday 20th
December
You will visit the Baslica-Santuario de la
Santsima y Vera Cruz and continue through
the streets of Caravaca to the Medieval
Quarter and the Plaza del Arco, past the
Church of El Salvador in Calle Mayor and
Church of the Society of Jesus. You will then
ascend to the old town to the Plaza del Hoyo
and then down to the Plaza del Temple. You
can visit the handicraft market and there are
plenty of places to eat.
Please wear comfortable shoes and coats.
The walk will take about 1hrs and there will
be a guide.
Please reserve your place at the Tourist Office.
Tel 968 702 424
info@caravaca.org
www.turismocaravaca.org
The park is open throughout the weekends.

For entry at other time please telephone 691
200 353 for more
information.
Any further enquiries
please contact the
Cehegin
Tourist
Office in front of
the Town Hall on
968 723 550 or visit
the website www.
turismocehegin.es
Santiago Leo
Cehegin Tourist Office
If you are looking for something very

traditional, Welcome House at Campillo
y Suertes in Cehegin are having their
Christmas Carol Concert on Sunday 6th
December at 11am. There will be live music
with Sammy and Bobby, so make sure you are
in good voice! Derek and Lynda very kindly
hold various events throughout the year, as
well as running the only religious gathering
in the area. The Carols will hopefully be held
outside, so make sure that you come well
prepared for the possibly cold weather!
Free Nature Walks

These walks take place on the last Sunday of
each month. They are designed for people of
all ages who enjoy hiking at fairly easy levels
which makes them accesible for the whole
family.
in Caravaca.
www.sporttia.com
Tel 968 703 563
Rutus
Senderistas,
Caravaca
Merendero
ArribasLas Balsicas Sunday
13th December
The walk will start
at 9am and will take
approx 4-4 hours.
This 18km walk is of
medium difficulty.
To reserve a place,
please contact the
Concejala de Deportes

Page 71
Halloween Walk - 31st October

For the majority of WARM members who
live in the north-west of the Region, a walk
along the beautiful Murcian coastline means a
drive of at least an hour to reach the starting
point. On this occasion it was at Las Gredas
(eroded sandstone formations) in Bolnuevo
near Puerto de Mazarrn.
7th NOVEMBER
On a beautiful sunny Saturday morning,
15 eager walkers met outside Camping La
Puerta near Moratalla to enjoy a relatively
easy walk, passing along the Rio Alharabe,
through forest and then down to a thermal
pool, before returning on good track to our
starting point. However, the day was to
turn into a fun team-building event as we
encountered and solved several challenges.
Rivers had appeared where they had not
been before, established paths had been
washed away and re-arranged and a
waterfall replaced a previously gentle drip of
water which flowed gently into the thermal
pool. We rallied together, offering solutions on
how to traverse streams. Socks and boots

were removed, dams and bridges built and
a new skill of cane-walking mastered as we
forged new paths along beside the Rio. This
challenge was a result of the storms of the
previous week and the enormous damage it
had left in its wake. The day was great fun,
with a new challenge at every turn and all
approached with smiles and great humour.
We even enjoyed a lesson on wild setas. Our
adventure ended with a well earned beer at
Camping La Puerta.
If you would like to join us on one of our

adventures then please contact warm2005@
gmail.com for a copy of this seasons walking
programme.
However, we were an impressive, if compact,

group of 12. The forecast had been for a
cloudy day and, yes, there were clouds, but
they never shut out the sun. However, thanks
to a nice sea breeze we had a comfortable
walk. The coastline from Bolnuevo past the
various beaches in the direction of guilas
is stunning you just have to block out the
invernaderos nestling in the foothills of the
Sierra de las Moreras and the sea was a

beautiful translucent aquamarine. Added
to all that was the impressive backdrop of
mountains. Its an easy undulating linear
walk and we stopped for a picnic on one of the
unspoiled rocky beaches Robs Garibaldis
and Juans freshly picked pomegranates were
a treat before heading back via a short inland
detour. We wonder if Maria has yet recovered
from our encounter with a naked man walking
on our narrow path in the opposite direction
(no photo!) ..... Where does he put his car
keys?? Thanks to all who made the outing a
really nice experience.
Page 72

The Lords Prayer is sometimes called the

family prayer.
As a child growing up I repeated it at so many
services that I soon was able to remember
it by heart. Sadly that means often it is
said parrot fashion and without reverence.
These days it seems we rarely speak it in our
services, although that is not the case in the
church we attend when back in Wales.
At one time it was the first thing that you
came to in the front of your hymn book so
that if you didnt know it, there it was for you
to read.
The Lord gave this prayer to his disciples
when they asked Him to teach them how
to pray and folk arent happy when there
are variations made to it, although the two
accounts in Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2 are
slightly different, so which is the correct one?
That is not the point. I think it was really
meant as a guide line to show us how to
pray, especially when we feel lost for words headings to expound on.
I have listened to many a message about the
Lords Prayer, but as I write its crossed my
mind just how important it is. It serves as
a reminder that we are all one in Christ and
as such should be striving for unity amongst
Christians. Forgive us our debts as we
forgive our debtors.
I am often being told we cant agree amongst
ourselves, so why would I want any part of it.
A view point of a non-Christian. How sad and
what a missed opportunity.
My prayer this Christmas is that we might all
learn to be tolerant of each others opinions,
even though they may not be our own and
for a united front so others may see in us the
love of Christ Jesus.
Welcome House can be

Campillio y Suertes, Cehegin
found
at
https://sites.google.com/site/
casawelcome2013/editorials
lynda.spain@hotmail.co.uk
derek.tycymru@talktalk.net
Tel 633 447 937
3A

Page 73
Dear Editor
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2015
At the time of writing, the poppy boxes
have been collected from the many bars,
restaurants & shops in the area which
participate in the Annual Poppy Appeal. The
donations are being counted and the final
figure will be published in the next edition of
the Chronicle.
Many thanks to everyone whose generous
donations will help servicemen and women,
their families and veterans in times of need.
My dad used to work in a paper mill and I

have always recycled paper goods. I buy
handmade paper to make cards, but it is so
nice I dont use it. I just keep it (how sad is
that!)
Dear Editor
Plastic Bottle Tops For Eva
Multiopticas, Camposol B, Eva and her
family would like to thank everyone for their
continued support collecting plastic bottle
tops. For anyone who has not heard, the tops
are collected and taken to a Central Collection
depot in Lorca. They are then sold to a recycle company and the money raised helps
for Evas ongoing treatment.
The recycle points for greeting cards are

the Post Office and Best Wishes Sector B
Camposol, and Noahs ARC charity shop in
Puerto de Mazarrn.
Eva was born with a genetic disease and the

constant treatment in America is essential
for her continued progress. Eva responds
well to these sessions and is now able to do
many things that her parents thought would
never be possible, but the treatment is very
expensive. Even though we need millions of
bottle tops to fill the skip and get 200, every
bit of money raised helps.
Hi, many people on Camposol know that the

social groups and handicraft groups recycle
cards. Some are re-cut to make cards and
Regards
Ann
Thank you
Mercedes
A Year In Review...
Wills
This is the first one that comes to mind.
Remember all of the changes across the EU.
If you have not done it already, check your
will and make sure it conforms to the new
legislation and basically does what you want
it to do. In our article we mentioned speaking
to a Notary to ensure your will is exactly what
you want it to be.
we know this does not impact on many

of you in Spain. These different types of
investments can offer much higher returns.
Take this opportunity to look at your savings
and make sure you are maximising any taxfree savings you can and that the returns you
are getting are the best they can possibly be.
Think about other types of investment and
ask yourself if you are happy with how your
money is performing. The financial reviews
we perform are free and without obligation.
We can generally offer alternatives to clients
that improve their situation.
Ex Servicemens Association of Mazarrn

District
esamd.espana@gmail.com
Tel 626 209 419
Dear Editor
With Christmas fast approaching, it is not the

right time to introduce new financial topics;
everyone is far too busy.
The season of goodwill is not the time to think
about being sensible with money; its time to
live a little.
gift boxes to sell for the charities in our area.

(Noahs ARC is one of them) The recycled
ones are sold at Welcome Group Book
Swap and meetings. Then monies are shared
between MABS, Age Concern and GOmaD.
The remainder of the card and paper is then
put into the paper bins on Camposol B car
park. People think this is much better than
just putting them in the rubbish. Hopefully it
saves more trees being cut down!!!
This reminds me of a true story; whether

it is funny or not depends on your sense of
humour, but shows a key reason for Financial
Planning. Someone I know had their father
go into hospital. Whilst in hospital he asked
his son to keep an eye on the bills. The son
was a little shocked to find that his parents
current account had over 80,000 pounds in
it. When he questioned his father, he said
they were saving the money for a rainy day
and when they get older. However, being in
his 80s might suggest that now was the time
to enjoy the money. By all means save,
but when you have enough emergency
money, think about what you want to do
and how you want to enjoy yourselves.
Pensions
There have been many changes to UK
pensions. You can now access your money at
55, taking 25% as tax-free cash. The major
concern was that people would take their
money and spend it on luxury items without
considering the future, but fortunately this
has not happened. People on the whole have
shown themselves to be far more financially
savvy. Annuity rates remain low, but they
still represent a good investment in many
circumstances. Take an opportunity to look
at your pension papers; think about what you
want to do and if we can help get in touch.
As usual, I have strayed a little off topic.

We thought it might be a good time to read
through all of our articles for the year and
provide a short list of financial hot topics to
think about as you go into the New Year and
as things go a little quieter. Consider these
when you have an opportunity:
Investments
The current school of thought is that interest
rates will not change in 2016. This means
savings in High Street banks will continue
to not offer much return. During the year
we have written articles about collective
investments (Unit Trusts and Open End
Investment Companies) and investment
trusts. We have also touched on ISAs, but
Page 74
Savings
The other thing to remind you about is money
in the UK. If you have money in a UK bank
account, remember that the protection on it is
being reduced from 85,000 to 75,000. We
appreciate that this will not be a problem for
most people, but do consider moving funds so
that you only have the maximum amount in
any one bank that is covered by the Financial
Services Compensation Scheme. As we said
in our article, no UK banks are in any danger
and so this should never be an issue, but
the phrase dont have all your eggs in one
basket is good advice.
Now it only goes to say; Have a wonderful
Christmas and New Year. Enjoy your mild
weather while we battle through the current
batch of storms. We look forward to speaking
to more of you in the New Year.


Page 75
Hello! Shirley here with the Welcome

Group report.
At the Welcome Meeting in November we
were pleased to present handmade soap
bags made by the ladies of Sew and Sew
filled with toiletries donated by Welcome and
also over 50 bags of toiletries, also donated
by Welcome supporters to GOmaD.
Welcome are always pleased to donate to

people who are needy at this time of year.
The October Dance was held on Wednesday

21st when we were entertained by the duo
Diverse and the lovely Lucinda. There was a
great variety of music ranging from the 50s
to now, which had everyone singing along
and up dancing. A great time was had by
everyone.
Petanca on 4th November was well
attended. The next friendly game is on

2nd December, then the next game is on 6th
January.
The day that the ladies had been waiting for!
Page 76
Shopping
At Benidorm
Market on 11th
November and
then the Rich
Bitch
Show.
This time some
men managed
to get tickets
no
they
didnt
dress
up as women!
Two
coaches
left Camposol
early, but the
good company
and good weather made up for that.
The day started with the shopping at the
market, then back on the coaches to go to
the Old Town for the Rich Bitch show. The
show lived up to its usual high standard
with plenty of laughs. They also had a guest
appearance from Jennie Renn, one of the
original members of the cast. After the
show there was time for a meal and guess
what! - more shopping. Everyone returned
tired, broke, but happy.
There is only one Book Swap in
December on the 1st and then on 5th and
19th January,10am @ ICA Medical Centre,
Camposol B.
The next Monthly Meeting is on 5th
December at 2pm when tickets will be on
sale for:
Race Night on 3rd February at Trevis Bar
in aid of MABS and Age Concern. Tickets
3
Games Night on 6th January. Tickets 3.

This is a fun evening.
January Dance on 27th with Terry
J and Angie McKay.
Tickets 8.
Chicken & Chips 5.
All events are held at Marianos Restaurant,
Camposol A unless otherwise stated.
February Dance on 24th featuring
Viceverseher. Tickets 8. Chicken & chips
5
Trips:
Christmas in Benidorm December 23rd 27th. 4 nights/5 days, staying at the 4 star
hotel Helios. Includes coach, full board with
Gala Christmas Lunch. 250 pp.
2016 St Valentines Weekend In
Benalmadena February 12th - 15th. 3
nights/4 days staying at the 4 star Hotel
Mac, Puerto Marina. Half board, wine and
water included. Trips to Ronda and Malaga
included. 170 pp.
Cruise to Madeira, Canary Islands etc.
10 days sailing on the Norwegian Epic.
Leaves 5th March. Includes coach, hotel
in Valencia, cruise, drinks package and
insurance. Cabins from 1,020 pp.
Trip to Sevilla staying at 4 star Hotel
Sevilla near the Plaza de Espaa. 5 days/4
nights leaving on 2nd May. B & B, including
day trip to Tio Pepe for sherry/brandy
tasting with tapas. 350 pp.
Christmas Party Night on 9th December

with Ricky Lavazza and Time Warp. Tickets
12.Time to get in the party spirit.
Trip to Cuenca and Toledo, leaving on 6th

June to Cuenca staying at 4 star NH Cuidad
Hotel. 7th/8th to Toledo staying at the 4
star Eurostar hotel, both on B & B basis.
Trip to Aranjuez included. 190 pp.
New Years Eve Dance on 31st December

with Rob Sweeney, Dan Davy and Christine.
Lizs caf is supplying the buffet and at
midnight champagne. Tickets 20. Coach
available for 7. Bring in the New Year with
all your friends at a great party.
For further information on any of the above,

please contact Rosemary on 620 105 179
or email welcomegroupspain@hotmail.
com or come to the next meeting.
www.welcomegroupspain.com/
Facebook welcomegroupspain


Page 77
Vetiver A great new plant discovery by

Dick Handscombe
harvested from the outside of the clumps to

expand your plantings.
To provide a wind break around a

vegetable garden.
I am just back from an interesting lecture

tour giving talks the Costa Blanca Gardening
Circle, the Amanzora Valley Gardening Club
and the Axarquia Gardening Club in just one
week. During my travels it was very evident
that many expats were living in properties
with steeply sloping gardens, in part or totally
and were concerned about what to plant to
reduce, or hopefully totally stop, soil erosion
during heavy rains, especially gota frias.
(The two photographs illustrate what a just

planted row of rooted slips on a steep slope
would look like and the same row just four
months later.)
To hide away the compost heap or

perhaps experiment with an econatural compost heap with three sides
provided by mature Veltiver plants.
If cut a couple of times a year, in

addition to the above uses, the
cuttings can be dried as a feed for
horses and rabbits.
If you have a small vegetable plot or

orchard in the agricultural countryside
with imprecise boundaries between
yours and others, surround yours with
a boundary of Vetiver plants.
As one of the plants used to create

a natural water-cleaning system for a
swimming pool or koi carp pond.
At the first two talks we naturally discussed

repairing or building terrace walls, stabilising
earth walls, planting deep rooted ground
cover plants, heavy mulching, developing a
system of sloping paths with inner earth walls
held back with one two or three thick tree
trunks or straight branches, but with no really
cost-effective solutions. Then, by chance,
keen gardeners Anne and David Olson kindly
picked me up from Malaga airport to drive to
Competa for the third talk. Quickly we were
discussing a wonder plant that they had
used to solve severe access and corrosion
problems on their steeply sloping plot of
land.This sounded interested so en-route we
visited their garden to see the benefits of
the plant Vetiver, Chrysopogon Zizanioidea
variety Monto, in their own and surrounding
gardens and the way they were now growing
and harvesting young plantlets or slips for
sale. I was amazed and wished that someone
had many years ago introduced the plant to
Spain. They had only done so some five years
before.
I discovered that Vetiver is originally from
India and is related to lemon grass. It is an
attractive green and grows in clumps up to
1.5 metres high and with vertical roots going
down to 2 or 3 metres into the ground hence
its stabilising properties and need for little
watering after the first three or four months.
Little fertilizing is required, but a dilute grasstype liquid fertilizer and fire ashes are of
benefit. Its upper growth with a grass-like
tuft turns an attractive purple colour. Once
you have two year plants, plantlets can be
Page 78
Being highly drought-resistant once its roots

start to grow, Vetiver therefore has the
potential for a wide variety of uses beyond
just preventing soil erosion as outlined below.
14 practical ways to use Vetiver plants
in gardens:
To prevent further erosion of steep

slopes.
To prevent the constant erosion of

the outer edge of plateaux created to
provide a level area on which to build
a house and surrounding terrace on
sloping sites.
To create terrace walls on sloping

sites as a less expensive alternative
to stone or block walls.
To repair the banks of

agricultural water channels.
As a backdrop to a garden pond. Not

just good to look at, but could attract
birds that like reeds in which to rest
and nest.
In containers to provide greenery on

eating terraces.
To hide an unattractive concrete block

dividing wall.
To provide internal windbreaks in

windy gardens.
To provide low maintenance green

hedges on either side of the drive
from the entrance gates or in front of
the garage.
unlined
That list was just a quick thoughtful brain

dump at 6am! I am sure that there are
others.
I came home with a few plants to use in my
garden and gardens of friends with immediate
needs. My plants are being used to hide the
green painted back wall of my paella kitchen,
as a decorative feature on my largest raised
terrace and as a feature in a new water
garden that I am developing. Two friends are
planting them to block out an unattractive
view beyond the garden and stabilise an
earth bank surrounding two sides of a horse
paddock.
Anne and David are the only suppliers of
Vetiver plants in Spain and are contactable
via www.vetiverspain.com and info@
vetiverspain.com.
They
supply
the
inexpensive plant in two forms; young
cuttings or slips and potted cuttings with
larger root balls. The former are the least
expensive and easiest for postal or courier
delivery if you do not live near enough to
collect grown-on cuttings/slips in containers
of various sizes and age.
Dick Handscombe
www.gardenspain.com


Page 79
My name is
Dolly
I was found 6
weeks ago in
a cardboard
box next to
the rubbish
bin
all
alone.
The
kind
man
who
found
me took me
home
and
looked after
me
for
a
week. I am
now in foster
care. I have
got lots of canine siblings to play with and
Im having a great time. Oh - and there is
a cat too - shes nearly twice the size of
me, but we get on well!! Tee hee!! I weigh
about 3 kilos and Im about 12 weeks old.
I have had my first injection, so will be
ready to travel soon.
Might you be able to offer me my forever
home?
Lindy Lou
I was thrown
from
a
truck when
my
owner
no
longer
wanted me
he had
finished
using me for
breeding. I
was hungry
and skinny.
Look at me
now! Im as
fit as a fiddle.
I would love
to have a permanent home with someone
who would love to take me for long walks. I
love other dogs and contact with humans.
If you would like to share your home with
me, contact one of our team! Thank you so
much! Lindy Lou!
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 arent 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.
Page 80


Page 81
Planting of Lasting Memorial

In previous years the Humanists of Murcia
have followed tradition and laid a wreath of
poppies at Remembrance Day ceremonies.
This year a more lasting memorial has
been planted in the form of a red flowering
cherry tree in the Plaza Miguel Angel Blanco,
Mazarrn. Permission had been given to
use the site by Alcaldesa Alicia Jimenez
who was represented at the ceremony by
Juan Miguel Muoz Blaya the councillor
responsible for parks and gardens of the
ayuntamiento. Twenty of the groups thirtynine members were present along with the
local representatives and a number of other
guests.
local council. His kidnapping and subsequent

execution by the Basque separatist group ETA
had a deep impact on the whole of Spanish
society.
Philosophy Group - The Morality of
Borders
This months discussion was led by Keith
Patrick, who spent 150(!) years in Her
Majestys Customs and Excise department in
various roles within the immigration section.
The meeting began with some information
about how formal immigration controls began,
with the 1902 restrictions imposed following
the European pogroms against Jews, which
led to large numbers of people trying to flee
from persecution. Border controls were then
tightened up significantly at the outbreak of
World War I and yet more with the onset of
World War II.
Further disruptions occurred with the Soviet
clamp-downs in Hungary and Czechoslovakia
and when African nations gained independence
from Britain, often bringing the expulsion of
groups such as Indians who had previously
been encouraged into these countries to start
businesses. Today all immigration (to the UK)
has to comply with the Human Rights Act.
During the non-religious ceremony of

thoughts and readings by group members,
The Humanists observed a two minute
silence before the ceremonial planting of
the tree by the groups founding members,
Chairman John Blakey and his wife Rhian
along with Councillor Juan Miguel. A stone
mounted brass plaque in Spanish and English,
permanently positioned alongside the tree
reads: This tree was planted by the
Humanists of Murcia as a living memorial
to all who died in war and conflict
11/11/2015. The tree is a Prunus Pissardii
an ornamental plum tree. It has an eventual
height and spread of 4x5 metres.
Several other prunus varieties are planted
in the garden which was established by the
people of Mazarrn in memory of Miguel ngel
Blanco Garrido (13 May 196813 July 1997),
a politician for the Popular Party -PP on his
but when she won the Nobel Peace Prize, the

papers all heralded her as a British hero.
The Philosophy Group is part of Humanists
of Murcia and meets at the Hotel la Cumbre
in Puerto de Mazarrn at 4.30pm until 6pm on
the third Thursday of every month.
Rule 1 of Philosophy: For every philosopher
who has an opinion about a subject, there
is another philosopher with an equal and
opposite view.
Rule 2 of Philosophy:
wrong.
Both of them are
Walking Group
The first walk of the season was in the Sierra
Espuas. The group went on the Eagle Walk,
which took around 3 hours. The weather was
good, although a little warm when going up
the slopes. Audrey came up trumps and took
great care of the walkers, warning of any part
that needed special care and again she did
not lose anyone. She explained that the walk
was closed to the public during the eaglebreeding season so that the birds were not
disturbed.
The group agreed that all countries should

take a sympathetic view of asylum seekers
and genuine refugees, but need to be aware
of the significant number of economic
migrants who should be vetted carefully
and only admitted if they brought skills the
country needs. The fear of possible terrorists
entering under the guise of refugees was a
significant fear for many of the group.
There was much discussion about mistakes
of the past and the not-too-distant past. As
examples, during the potato famine, many
Irish people entered the UK illegally and a
lot were sent back to probable starvation.
There was also a backlash to the 1950s
influx of Afro-Caribbeans who had in fact
been invited to come to Britain by the
government. There was even resistance to
allowing Malala Yousafzi into the country for
medical treatment following the attempted
assassination of her by the Pakistani Taliban,
Jon was missed as he is recovering from a

nasty fall whilst pruning his bougainvillea.
His little, sometimes implausible (surely not?
ED), stories keep us entertained.
There were 16 walkers and 2 very well
behaved dogs on leads. Lunch was held at
the La Parra Restaurante, El Berro and was
very good.
The December walk is on Saturday 12th
December from Mazarrn Country Club,
meeting at 10am. Walks will be on the third
Saturday of each month in different areas.
The walks normally last about 3 hours.
A new venture is an Easy Rambling
Walk, which is on the level and lasts two
hours. This will be on the second Saturday of
each month; the November one was from La
Azohia. If there is the demand, a walk will be
held on 26th December, probably in the Coto
Fortuna area.
Details of the above walking groups at www.
bolnuevo.com or email humanistgroup.
murcia@gmail.com
Humanists are non-religious people who seek
to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis
of reason and humanity. The Humanists
of Murcia, have regular programmes
of walking, gardening, philosophy and
discussion groups. They use the solstices and
equinoxes as a good reason for a celebration
in addition to many informal get-togethers.
For details of local meetings and activities,
see https://humanists.bolnuevo.com and
for more general information visit https://
humanism.org.uk
Page 82

CHARITIES:
Age Concern
Mazarrn 634 310 216
Alcoholics Anonymous
Mazarrn 646 290 420
Cabo De Palos 968 545 181
Costa Blanca Samaritans
www.costablancasamaritans.com
Ex Servicemens Association Mazarrn
District
629 818 611
FAST
Camposol 968 970 626
rabt.val@hotmail.com
Forget Me Not
GO maD
Mazarrn 634 321 161
HAH Help at Home
San Javier 968 134 978/633 673 034
Help Murcia Mar Menor
Los Alczares 968 570 059
Helping Hands
contact@helpinghands.org.es
Lions Club Mazarrn Baha
Mazarrn 636 746 959
MABS Mar Menor 693 275 779
MABS Mazarrn 620 422 410
MABS NW Murcia
mabsmurcianw@gmail.com
PALS (Protection & Life Saving)
Mazarrn 626 460 465
San Animal
676 276 199
Samaritans Spain
900 523 100
Swap Tears for Smiles
Mazarrn 659 270 885
CHURCHES:
Beacon of Light
Caadas del Romero 620 877 326
Mass in English
Pastrana, Mazarrn 628 824 555
Olive Branch Christian Fellowship
Camposol 618 720 181/968 199 622
Open Door
Los Almagros 646 705 403/655 141 721
Puerto Lumbreras Church
619 945 283
St Nicholas Church
Camposol 968 970 637/636 099 679
Welcome House
Cehegin 633 447 937
Wellspring Victory Church
Mazarrn 620 599 270
GROUPS:
ADAPT
San Pedro 966 189 402
Arts & Cultural Association of Murcia
655 421 120
Camposol Bridge Club
968 130 583
Camposol B Clean
968 199 506
Camposol C Greenfingers
634 325 427
Camposol D Community
606 874 193
Camposol & District Model Club
647 259 914
Caring for Carers
San Javier 968 185 008/667 587 187
Classic Car Club
634 135 214
Cloud Nine Drama
644 400 123
Country Music
Camposol Residents Association
info@cracamposol.com
Culture Vultures
Mazarrn 968 599 031
Darwinian Gardeners
darwiniangardeners@gmail.com
Ex-Servicemens Association
Mazarrn 629 818 611
Forget Me Not
forgetmenot@bolnuevo.com
Friends & Buddies
Harlequin Rock Choir
Humanists of Murcia
www.bolnuevo.com/social/
Evolutionists
Ladies Chatterbox
Camposol 968 199 418/619 575 463
Lo Pagan Radio Control Club
968 170 870
Los Palacios
Camposol A Post Box A512
www.lospalacios-gardeners.com
Magenta Ladies Harmony Choir
636 417 454
Masquerade Musicals
masquerademusicals@gmail.com
Mazarrn Bay Bridge Club
602 539 830/616 849 517
Mazarrn Country Club Events Club
968 956 126
Mazarrn Country Club Social Club
609 900 476
Mazarrn Ladies Circle
692 992 117/602 659 252
Mazarrn Leos
654 874 563
Model Club
647 269 914
SAMM
www.sailing marmenor.com
Spangles Harmony Chorus
Los Alcazares 968 334 527/968 423 525
Stamp Collecting
guentherohly@web.de
Team Harmony
968 959 257/650 077 882
Teatro Canovero
Las Canovas 968 151 149
Welcome Group
Camposol, Mazarrn 620 105 179
If you would like details of your club or
organization included on this page, please
send an email to
costacalidachronicle@gmail.com

ANIMAL ORGANISATIONS:
ACTIN
968 163 529
Andreas Animal Rescue
Fuente Alamo 690 906 565
Camposol Kitty Kitty
Camposolkittykitty@gmail.com
Cavalli Foundation
Alhama de Murcia 636 172 198
infocavallifoundation@gmail.com
Cruz Azul
Los Alcazares 693 017 616
Easy Horse Care
Rojales 652 021 980
Equipo Bastet
Alcantarilla
adopcionesbastet@gmail.com
Galgos del Sol
Murcia
galgosdelsol@hotmail.com
JJs Puppy Rescue
Mazarrn 618 034 921
John Kemps Puppies
La Pinilla, Fuente Alamo 646 737 230
Little Starfish Dog Rescue
littlestarfish@doglover.com
MAMAS
Mazarrn 666 186 037
MARA
Mula 685 311 599
Noahs ARC
Mazarrn 699 352 818
Pto de Mazarrn shop 634 364 553
Camposol shop 634 332 335
PAPS
San Javier 968 370 800
Pets in Spain
San Fulgencio/La Marina
info@petsinspain.info
San Animal
lorna@sananimal.org
Page 83
Page 84

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 Anas, Camposol A from 3.50 (from 9-12pm)

Breakfasts @ Lizs Caf, Camposol B (from 9am)
Breakfasts @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
(Tues-Fri 10am-2pm/Sun 10am-12pm)
English Breakfasts @ El Rincon de la Tapa, Cehegn from 3.50
Menu del Noche @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn from 7 inc a drink (Tues-Sun)
Earlybird Menu @ Spice Villa, CamposolA 12.50 inc btl wine for 2 (6-8pm)
Menu del Noche @ Quality Indian, Camposol B 12.95
3 Course Menu del Noche @ Elliots, Bolnuevo 14
Every Mon
Yoga with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 10.30am

Dancercize with Zizi @ The Arches, Los Alczares 12pm
Ladies Chatterbox Sew n Sew @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 2.30pm
Entertainment Quiz @Tels Bar, Camposol A 8.30pm
Breakfast & 2 Free Steak Meal when booking overnight stay @
La Mariposa, Gebas 49 per cpl
Forget me Not Respite Care @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 10.30am-1.30pm
GOmaD collections @ Mazarrn Country Club (opp Community Centre) 11am-1pm
Andreas Animal Rescue Collection @ Car Park, Camposol B 11.30am-1.30pm
Camposol B Clean Working Party @ Commercial Centre, Camposol B 8.30-10.30am
Camposol D Sector Community Group Working Party @ Camposol D
Spanish Lessons @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 9am-2pm
Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 7 1pm
Computer Clinic @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A 1-3pm
Beginner Spanish Lessons @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 2 4-5pm
Guitar Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 4-7pm
Zumba @ The Arches, Los Alczares, 4.30pm
Intermediate Spanish Lessons @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 2 5-6pm
English/Spanish Conversation Group @ Neighbourhood Association Bar, Isla Plana 6pm
English/Spanish Language Exchange @ Isla Plana Social Centre 6-9pm
Learn to Ballroom Dance with Jacqui @ The Arches, Los Alczares 7pm
General Knowledge Quiz @ Tels Bar, CamposolA 8.30pm
Every Tue

3 Course Turkey & Tinsel Menu @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
12.50 inc btl wine for 2
Evening Menu @ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo 15pp
Menu del Noche @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A
Menu del Noche @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Pre Christmas Lunch @ Elliots, Bolnuevo
Karaoke with Lynden B @ The Arches, Los Alczares

Page 85
MAMAS Collection/Book Stall @ Camposol B Car Park 10am-12pm

FAST Available for New Volunteers @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 11am
GOmaD Collections @ Camposol A 11.30am-1pm
Every Wed
Mar Menor Golf Society Competition

C Gardening Group Clean Up @ Camposol C 9am
Dancercize with Zizi @ The Arches, Los Alczares 11am
SAMM International One Metre Club 11am
Line Dancing with Lyn @ The Arches, Los Alczares 3pm
Yoga @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 3.30pm
Meditation @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 3.30pm
History Group @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 1 4pm
Masquerade Musicals Rehearsal @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 4pm
Chi Kung @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 5pm
Mazarrn AA Group @ Meeting Room adjacent to Caada de Gallego Church 5.30pm
Yoga with Lisa @ Yoga Shala Studio, Isla Plana 6.30pm
Line Dancing @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 6.30pm
Games Night @Tels Bar, CamposolA 8pm
Pie Night @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Steak Night @ La Vida, El Pareton from 10.95
Happy Dinner 2 for 1@ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo30/cpl inc btl wine
Karaoke Party Night @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn
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

PATA Cake Social Group @ Bar Med, Pto de Mazarrn 10.30am
Shabby Chic Furniture/Chalk Paint/Upcycling/Handpainting @
Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarron 10.30am
Avon Lady @Tels Bar, CamposolA 10.30pm
Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre (opp MABS Office) 7 1pm
Painting Lessons @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 2-4pm
Los Amigos de Mazarrn FC Meeting @ Camposol4pm
General Knowledge Quiz @Tels Bar, CamposolA 8.30pm
3 Course Turkey & Tinsel Menu @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
12.50 inc btl wine for 2
Evening Menu @ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo 15pp
Bangers & Mash @ El Rincon de la Tapa, Cehegn (pre-order)
Curry Night @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Pre Christmas Lunch @ Elliots, Bolnuevo
Every Fri
Page 86
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
JJs Puppy Rescue Table Top Sale @ Lower Car Park, Camposol A 11am-1pm
Andreas Animal Rescue Collection @ Mazarrn Country Club 11.30am-1pm
HAH Mar Menor Book/Card Stall @ Los Narejos 2-4pm
Solar Light Centre @ Camposol B Market
Friday Art Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 9.45am-12.30pm
Miles Dance Fitness @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 10am (exc 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
Book Stall/Camposol A Gardening @ Car Park Camposol A 10.30am-12.30pm
Miles A Weigh Slimming Club @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn
11am (exc 25 Dec & 1 Jan)
SAMM International One Metre Club
Yoga @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 3.30pm

10 Pin Bowling/Camposol C Greenfingers Garden Group @ Totana 4pm

Meditation & Pranayama @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 5pm
English/Spanish/French/German Language Exchange @
Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 6-8pm
Fish Night at The Bistro/Quiz @ La Vida, El Pareton from 5.50
(food from 12.30pm, quiz from 9pm)
Mixed Grill Night @ Tropic Anas, CamposolA 10
Romantic 2 for 1Dinner@ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo 33/cpl inc btl wine
Fish& Chips @ Viggos, Pto de Mazarrn
Fish& Chips @ El Rincon de la Tapa, Cehegn (pre-order)
Fish & Chips @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Live Entertainment @ Oscars, Camposol B
Live Entertainment @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn from 8pm
Karaoke with Bernie Mac @Tels Bar, Camposol A
FAST @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
MABS Mazarrn booking events etc outside Compusurf, Camposol B 11am
GOmaD Donations @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B/Costa Clida Radio 12.30-2pm
Age Concern booking events etc @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 12.30-2pm
Every Sat
The Archaeological See of Begastri Open @ Cehegn 10am-2pm

Vegetarian Cookery Workshop @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 11am-1.30pm
Tourism Activity Park Coto de las Maravillas Open, Cehegn
Harlequin Rock Choir @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 1.30pm
Free Tours of Moratalla11.30am from Tourist Office
Steak Night @ La Vida, El Pareton from 10.95
Special Gourmet Menu @ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo 20pp inc btl wine for 2
Steak Night @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Roast Dinner @ El Rincon de la Tapa, Cehegn (pre-order)
Live Afternoon Entertainment @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 1-4.30pm
Live Entertainment @ Oscars, Camposol B
Live Music @ Hotel Restaurante Argos, Ctra Caravaca, Calasparra 8pm (food available)
MABS MMM Book Sale @ The Arches, Los Alczares 10am-1pm
HELP MMM Sale of up-market clothes @ The Arches, Los Alczares 10am-1pm
Every Sun
The Archaeological See of Begastri Open @ Cehegn 10am-2pm

Tourism Activity Park Coto de las Maravillas Open, Cehegn
Sunday Lunch @ Tels Bar, Camposol A from 5

Sunday Lunch @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A from 6 inc a drink
Sunday Roast @ Lizs Caf, Camposol B from 6.50
Traditional Sunday Lunch @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarron from 8.50 12-4pm
3 Course Sunday Lunch @ Elliots, Bolnuevo 10
Meat Carvery/Vegetable Buffet @ La Mariposa, Gebas from 10.50
Sunday Roast @ The Old Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn
Sunday Roast @ La Vida, El Pareton12.30-3.30pm
Live Entertainment @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Open Day @ Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, Rojales 1-4pm
DECEMBER
Tuesday 1
World Aids Day

Welcome Book Swap @ Camposol B 10am-12pm
Stamp Collectors Meeting @ Biblioteca, Pto de Mazarrn 6pm

Page 87
Christmas Tasting Day @ Oscars, Camposol B 6 (7 non-members) 6.30pm

HAH Volunteers Meeting @ Las Claras, Los Narejos10.30am
Wednesday 2
Welcome Trip-3 Nights to Benalmadena inc HB in 4 Star Hotel/

Trip to Malaga/Gibraltar 175
Straight Down The Middle Golf Society Game 10am
Los Nietos Golf Society Game 40 inc buggy10.25am
Welcome Petanca @ Camposol A 2pm
Masquerade Musicals Christmas Show @ Caf Buenavista, Pto de Mazarrn 12.30pm
MABS MMM Volunteers Meeting @ Centro Civico, Roda Bar, Roda 11.15am
Thursday 3
Santa Brbara - Archivel, Caravaca de la Cruz (until 8th)

San Francisco Javier, San Javier
Christmas Shopping to Ikea/Thader/Nueva Condomina with Viajes Dragontours 15
Ladies Chatterbox Reading Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 2pm
Friday 4
Santa Brbara, Mazarrn

CC Country Music Club/Red Strokes & Christine/Proceeds to MABS @ 7.45pm
Culture Vultures Trip to Murcia Murcia Symphony Orchestra from 12 8pm
Cavalli Christmas Camp (until 7th Dec) with visit from Father Christmas
The Geckos @ Oscars, Camposol B
MABS Murcia NW Outdoor Market Stall @ Calle Segura, Calasparra 9am-1pm
Mazarrn Bahia Leo Club @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 7-9pm (12-18 year olds)
Saturday 5
ADAPT Meeting @ Pensionista de Hogar, San Pedro 10.30am

Welcome Meeting @ Camposol A 2pm
Chinese Night @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A
Cher Tribute @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 1-4.30pm
Paul Christie @ Oscars, Camposol B
The Geckos @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
FAST Leg Waxing Night @ Camposol B 7.30pm
JJs Table Top Sale @ Pto de Mazarrn
Sunday 6
Dia de la Constitucin National Holiday

Fiestas de la Virgen, Yecla
St Nicholas Day
Artisan Market @ Bullas
Mazarrn FC v UD Los Garres (home)
Welcome House Bethlehem Walk &Christmas Carol Singing with Open Door 11am
Wild Cat @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Monday 7
Trip to Caravaca de la Cruz Medieval Market with Viajes Dragontours

Camposol D Group Meeting 4pm
MCC Events Group 3 Night Trip to Gibraltar 145 (150 non members)
Lions Meeting 5pm
Tuesday 8
Page 88
Imaculada Concepcin National Holiday

La Pursima, Mazarrn
Santa Eulalia, Totana

3 Course Pre-Christmas Lunch @ La Vida, El Pareton 16.95

inc coffee/tea/mince pies 12-4pm
Wednesday 9
General Meeting of SAMM @ Los Narejos 11am

Welcome Dance/Ricky Lavazza & Time Warp @ CamposolA 12
New DFS Store opening in San Javier
3 Course Pre-Christmas Dinner @ La Vida, El Pareton 16.95
Turkey & Tinsel Dinner Dance/Dee @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
MABS Murcia NW Volunteers Meeting 5pm
Age Concern Talking Shop @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 1.30pm
Thursday 10
Downhill Cycling/4 Course Lunch @ La Mariposa, Gebas 35

inc bike/guide/safety equip
Fuente Old Guards Golf Society Game
Ladies Chatterbox Christmas Party/Buffet @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B
12 (15 non-members)
Friday 11
MCC Social Club Party/Terry J/Banquet Dinner/Drinks @ Mazarrn

27 (29 non-members)
Cloud Nine Merry Christmas Show @ La Molata Social Centre 8pm 5 (2.50 under 16)
Live Entertainment (Artiste tbc) @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
The Police Tribute Band @ Oscars, Camposol B
GOmAD Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre 10am2pm
FAST Book Stall @ Camposol B Commercial Centre
Age Concern Table Top Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre 10am-1pm
Saturday 12
2 Hour Guided Tour of Cehegn/School of Wine

Humanists of Murcia Walk from Mazarrn Country Club 10am
Humanists of MurciaEasy Rambling Walk from La Azohia
Cloud Nine Merry Christmas Show @ La Molata Social Centre 8pm
5 (2.50 under 16)
MCC Events Group Christmas Race Night @ Mazarrn Country Club
6 (7.50 non-members)
ESAMD Christmas Dinner/Christine @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarron 7.30pm
Pre Christmas Dinner @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A
Graham York @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn1-4.30pm
Martin Ross @ La Mariposa, Gebas
Live Entertainment (Artiste tbc) @ Oscars, Camposol B
GOmaD Christmas Dance/Pitu/Christmas Carvery @ Camposol C 15 7.30pm
Artisan Market @ Mula
Cloud Nine Merry Christmas Show @ La Molata Social Centre 8pm 5 (2.50 under 16)
Rutus de Senderos, Caravaca - Merendero Arribas-Las Balsicas9am
Open Door Christmas Carol Singing @ Open Door Christian Centre,
Condado de Alhama 6pm
Sunday 13
Pitu @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm

Monday 14
Guided Walk/4 Course Lunch inc beer/wine @ La Mariposa, Gebas 12

Walking Route with Discovering Moratalla/Cuerda de la Gitana from Puerto Alto 8am
Andreas Animal Rescue Sherry/Mince Pies @ Car Park, Camposol B 11.30am-1.30pm

Page 89
Tuesday 15
Wellspring Victory Church Carol Concert @ Commercial Centre, CamposolA 6.15pm

HELP MMM General Meeting @ Las Claras, Los Narejos 11.30am
Wednesday 16 3 Course Pre-Christmas Dinner @ La Vida, El Pareton 16.95

Turkey & Tinsel Dinner Dance/Abba DabbaDoo @ Bar Med, El Alamillo,
Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
Thursday 17
Humanists of Murcia Philosophy Group @ Pto de Mazarrn 4.30pm

3 Course Pre-Christmas Meal @ La Vida, El Pareton 16.95
inc coffee/tea/mince pies 12-4pm & 6-9pm
Friday 18
Wellspring Victory Church Carol Concert @T riangle Roundabout, Camposol C 6.15pm

U2 Tribute Band @ Oscars, Camposol B 5
MABS Mazarrn Book Sale @ Camposol B Commercial Centre 9am-1pm
MABS Murcia NW Outdoor Market Stall @ Calle Segura, Calasparra 9am-1pm
Mazarrn Bahia Leo Club @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B 7-9pm (12-18 year olds)
San Animal Santuario Christmas Party/Disco/Cava Reception/Buffet 12 8pm
Saturday 19
ArtisanMarket @ Paseo de las Comunidades Autnomos, Pto de Mazarrn 10am-2pm

Christmas Dinner/Quiz @ Rincon de la Tapa, Cehegn
Anas Buffet Night @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A
Soul Afternoon/Richie Alexander @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 1-4.30pm
Monsters of Rock @ Oscars, Camposol B
Highway 61 Christmas Special @ Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
Sunday 20
Artisan Market @ Caravaca

Artisan Market @ Sanctuary de la Esperanza, Calasparra 10am-6pm
Rutadel Ferrocarril (Railway Route) with Aguilas Tourist Information Centre
Walk Round Caravaca
Monday 21
Winter Solstice
Wellspring Victory Church Carol Concert by St Nicholas Church, Camposol D 6.15pm
Tuesday 22

3 Course Pre-Christmas Lunch @ La Vida, El Pareton 16.95

Wednesday 23 Welcome 4 Night Christmas Trip to Benidorm
inc 4 star hotel/Full Board/Transport 250
Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre
(opp MABS Office) 7 1pm
Wellspring Victory Church Carol Concert @ Commercial Centre, Camposol B 6.15pm
Open Door Christmas Carol Singing @ Hacienda de Alamo 8pm
Thursday 24
Carol Service @ Wellspring Victory Church, Calle Madrid, Pto de Mazarrn 7pm
Christmas Eve in the Grotto with Santa, Mince Pies etc/GNT @ Bar Med,
El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn 8pm
Gastro 3 Course Lunch @ La Vida, El Pareton 19.95 pp inc btl wine/cava for 2
3 Course Dinner/Retro @ Piccolos, Camposol B 40 inc btl wine for 2 from 6.15pm
Page 90

Friday 25
Christmas Day National Holiday

Christmas Lunch @ Tropic Anas, Camposol A
Christmas Lunch @ La Cumbre Hotel, Pto de Mazarrn 28
5 Course Christmas Lunch @ Viggos, Pto de Mazarrn 30 inc glass of Bucks Fizz
3 Course Christmas Lunch @ Market Tavern, Pto de Mazarrn 39.95 inc coffee
Saturday 26
Boxing Day/St Stevens Day

Michelle & Friends Boxing Day Special/Mexican Menu del Dia @
Bar Med, El Alamillo, Pto de Mazarrn1.30-4pm
Sunday 27
Nature Walk to Mina de Oro Romano @ Cehegn 9am

Artisan Market @ Plaza del Castillo, Cehegin 10am
The Streeters @ Blues House, Bolnuevo from 3pm
Banda de Musica de Moratalla Christmas Concert @ Teatro Trieta 7.30pm
Monday 28
Guided Walk/4 Course Lunch inc beer/wine @La Mariposa, Gebas 12
Tuesday 29

Monthly B Clean Meeting @ Camposol B 4pm
Wednesday 30 Spanish Cookery Lesson/Lunch @ Camposol Social Centre

(opp MABS Office) 7 1pm
Thursday 31
New Years Eve

Welcome Party/Rob Sweeney, Dan Davy & Christine/Buffet @ CamposolA 20
Gastro 3 Course Lunch @ La Vida, El Pareton 19.95 pp inc btl wine or cava for 2
3 Course Menu @Quality Indian, Camposol B 15.95 inc first drink and poppadum
3 Course Menu/Fireworks/Entertainment @ Spice Villa, CamposolA
30 inc unlimited beer/wine/spirits
3 Course Menu, Fireworks/DJ @ Piccolos, Camposol B 50
inc unlimited beer/wine/spirits
7 Course Menu/Music @ Amapola Restaurante, Bolnuevo 75pp
inc pre-dinner drink & wine
Gourmet Spanish Menu/Music @ La Cumbre Hotel, Pto de Mazarrn 90pp
inc cocktail, wine & cava
NYE Party/Bernie Mac/Free Finger Buffet @ Tels Bar, Camposol A (fancy dress opt)
NYE Party & Disco/Free Buffet @ Oscars, Camposol B
NYE Party/Abba Dabba Doo/Gourmet Buffet @ Bar Med, El Alamillo,
Pto de Mazarrn 10
Friday 1
National Holiday
Bernie Mac @ Tels Bar, Camposol A from 1pm
Saturday 2
ADAPT Meeting @ Pensionista de Hogar, San Pedro 10.30am
Sunday 3
Artisan Market @ Bullas
Tuesday 5
Three Kings Night
JANUARY 2016
Welcome Book Swap @ Camposol B 10am-12pm

Stamp Collectors Meeting @ Biblioteca, Pto de Mazarrn 6pm
HAH Volunteers Meeting @Las Claras, Los Narejos10.30am
Wednesday 6
Three Kings National Holiday

Welcome Games Night @ Camposol A 3
Thursday 7
Romera del 7 de Enero, Totana

Page 91
Our first charity night will take place on

Friday 4th December in our normal venue,
Marianos, Camposol A. All proceeds will be
given to MABS.
artistes; Dolly, Shania, Garth Brooks and

Kenny Rogers. They gave us a memorable
night last December and no doubt will do
so again.
Starting at our usual time of 7.45pm,

requests will be played and, time
permitting, a line dance and a partner
dance will be taught. At 9pm Red Strokes
and Christine will take to the stage with
their Stetsons and Petticoat Show,
singing songs from our favourite country
If you have ever thought Must go along

there sometime, this is the time to do it.
Not only will you be made welcome and
have a good night out, but you will also be
helping a local charity.
December 2015 Almost Christmas!

Its that time of year again and first
and foremost, Dragontours would like
to thank all of our customers for your
continued support during 2015 and
especially wish all our customers tried
and true and possible new a very happy
holiday, and 2016. Whether you spend
these days with loved family or try a new
adventure, exploring far away or nearby
worlds, we hope your holidays are peaceful
and fulfilling.
rather than on the internet.
Dragontours will have just a few day trips

during the month of December.
On December 3rd, we plan to go Shopping
To The Murcian Malls, including Ikea,
Thader and the Nueva Condomina, so
come along and start your Christmas
preparations.
On December 7th, we will go to Caravaca

de la Cruz, to enjoy their Medieval Market.
Watch geese parade through the town,
visit the castle and the church and try
some tasty Spanish sweets and Christmas
cakes.
This month we would also like to talk about
more important trips and the reason we
suggest you book them with us, in Spain,
Charity events are all about raising money,
Firstly, when we offer a trip to any

destination where a visa is required
(China, India or Russia for example), if you
are resident in Spain, an internet company
will not be able to fulfill this requirement
for you. You will need to get a visa from
Spain, as a resident here. This is possible
of course, but the tour operators we deal
with, departing from Spain, will offer a
more competitive price and with far less
hassle, the organization of your visa and
also travel insurance for your trip. We
will be able to get you an all-inclusive
price, meaning a package tour with flights
from Spain, tours in English, visas and
when necessary, travel insurance, usually
offered by the company and tailor made
for the specific trip you desire, at better
prices than individual insurance policies.
so if you have any ideas which would do

that, let us have them!
Ann and Roy continue with their line dance
class in the Camposol Cultural Centre each
Wednesday at 6.30pm. If you go along
and whisper in their ear You, Ann and Roy
are wonderful! they will let you in for free.
If you need any further information on the
Costa Clida Country Music Club call up
our Facebook page.
With respect to travel insurance, you must

also keep in mind that many companies
will not cover cancellation costs for a trip
booked previously. This is the same with
flights only. In order for the insurance
to cover cancellation costs of a flight in
event of grave illness, or any of the other
situations normally covered by this type
of insurance, the insurance and flight
must be booked at the same time. This
is especially important when you book a
cruise, since cruise companies will always
offer a very reasonably priced insurance
for your booking, when done all together.
Pop in and see us for any and all of your

travel requirements. We can offer the best
prices for cruises, hotels, package holidays,
flights, with the guarantee of our nearly 20
years of experience. We look forward to
seeing you throughout the New Year.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from
Dragontours.
Camposol A Commercial Centre
Tel 968 199 021
Page 92


Page 93
Mazarrn FCs impressive form continued

into November with a run of five wins and
two draws from seven games, taking them to
within touching distance of a play off place.
After a dreadful start to the season, with only
one point earned from the first four games,
new coach Victor has certainly managed to
mould together a team capable of playing
good football and winning games.
away games, at 8 for members and 10 for

non-members. Full details of all games 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, on Los Amigos de
Mazarrn FC Facebook page and on posters
at various points throughout Camposol and
Mazarrn.
in our theme of comedy and mayhem, by

our MC and Comedian Gary Marshall. The
evening will be rounded off with music from
the excellent Geckos and dancing into the
early hours.
Why not pop along to the Estadio Municipal

in Mazarrn for one of the home games?
Admission 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.
The new-look side with only Juan Andreo,

Enrique and Alfonso remaining from last
seasons promotion winning squad have
already beaten league leaders SFC Minerva
and high flying Cartagena and held second
placed Jumilla to a 1-1 home draw in a game
they could and should have won.
The squad has strength and depth and, with a
clever rotation system, Victor is managing to
keep the players happy by giving as many as
possible a fair run in the team. He normally
makes changes each week without weakening
the team and this policy should reap rewards
later in the season if the squad can be kept
together to cover for injuries and suspensions.
Forthcoming league fixtures:

Sunday 6th December UD Los Garres (home)
Sunday 13th December
CD
Bullense
(away)
th
Sunday 20 December
No Game
Sunday 27th December
No Game
Sunday 3rd January La Hoya Lorca CF
(home)
Sunday 10th January CD Juvenia (away)
More than 40 members enjoyed the October
Luncheon Club outing to the Restaurante
El Puerto 1 on Tuesday 27th October. The
coach made a scenic journey through the
Murcian countryside and arrived in good time
to sample the excellent Menu del Dia with
copious amounts of beer and wine included
with the meal.
Invitations have been sent out to all teams

who took part last year. There will be a two
course carvery lunch at The Club House for
players and spectators at 8.50 immediately
following the golf.
The November Luncheon Club outing was
to Casa Nono Restaurant at Isla Plana and
there will be a report in next months edition,
There will not be a December Lunch, but
normal service will be resumed on the last
Tuesday in January. For details and availability
email pamada.1130@yahoo.co.uk, but
please do so quickly as these outings are soon
fully booked,
Page 94
As part of the Gala Week Celebrations we will

be holding a Race Night at the Trevi Bar,
Camposol B on Monday 14th March sponsored
by David S Poole Accountancy Services Ltd.
7.30pm by ticket only at 3 (includes Race
Card on entry). Bar snacks will be available.
The Annual Celebrity Golf Day at Camposol
Club de Golf on Tuesday 15th March will be
sponsored by Ex-Pat Pensions and Steve
Kindon, Gary Marshall and Tony Currie, who
will be taking part in the competition which
last year attracted 64 entrants and proved
very popular and successful.
The last time Mazarrn were in the Preferente

Division in the 2011/12 season, they were
relegated with only four wins from the 34
games played that year. This season, with a
much more experienced squad, they won five
and drew three of their first ten games and
seem to have a realistic chance of achieving a
play-off position again with the possibility of a
second successive promotion.
Mazarrons home games are normally played

on Sundays and Los Amigos de Mazarrn
FC organise a supporters coach to most
The event is once again sponsored by Ibex

Insurance and The Club House, Camposol
Club de Golf. Tickets 40 which includes
a five course dinner with local beer, wine
and soft drinks during dinner. There are a
limited number of VIP tickets at 50 which
includes preferred seating and admission to
a VIP Reception with the celebrity guests in a
private room at the hotel prior to the dinner.
Tickets are selling very quickly for the 7th

Annual Los Amigos de Mazarrn FC Gala
Evening and Dinner in support of Mazarrn
FC at the Hotel la Cumbre, Puerto de
Mazarron on Wednesday 16th March. One of
the funniest speakers on the Football AfterDinner Circuit, former Burnley, Wolves and
Huddersfield Town star, Steve Kindon is our
guest speaker. He will be aided and abetted
Tickets for the Gala Dinner, Annual

Celebrity Golf Day and the Race Night are
on sale at our weekly Los Amigos meetings,
or ring Barbara on 627 0126 46, Dave on
634 369 639, Gerard on 624 320 567 or
or
email pamada.1130@yahoo.co.uk
losamigosdemazarronfc@hotmail.co.uk
Los Amigos de Mazarrn FC weekly
meetings are held every Thursday at The Club
House at 4pm with the exception of the last
Thursday of each month which is reserved
for the Members Business Meeting and open
to members only. Membership runs from
1st August each year at 10 which includes
reduced coach travel and reduced prices to
most of our social events including the very
successful monthly Luncheon Club.

In the 25-36 category, Kevin Shackleton

carded the best front nine and Darrell
Merrett the best back nine.
For
the
second
month
running
12-handicapper Trevor Beechey was the
winner of the Los Nietos Golf Society
competition.
Alan McNicol won the prize for the best back

nine among the one to 24 handicappers.
With 38 Stableford points, Trevor won the

annual Henry Wilce Memorial Trophy,
adding to his Captains Day success the
previous month. Twenty-six members
and one guest enjoyed a sunny afternoon
at La Serena course in Los Alcazares.
Other Nearest The Pin prizes were won by

Nick Wilce, Clive Williams and Bill Stone.
Steve Barlow won the prize for the Longest
Drive at hole 11.
There was even more success for Trevor

as he also picked up the prizes for
Nearest The Pin at the 15th and Nearest
The Pin with his second shot to the 8th.
After
the
competition
the
players
were joined by wives, partners and
friends
for
a
Presentation
Dinner.
The next competition is on Wednesday
December 2 at Roda. New members and
guests are always welcome. To find out
more email crazygolfers55@gmail.com
Charity Quiz Night

The Charity Quiz the CGA held on Friday
30th October was a great success. 138
people took part in the Quiz and 88 of
them took advantage of a meal beforehand
of which was excellent value at 5 a head.
The winning quiz team, the Saga Louts,
were made up of Sam & Mary Armitage,
David & Marilyn Jones and Colin & Sue
Wheeler. The evening was most enjoyable
resulting in 756 being raised for this
years CGAs chosen charities FAST and
MABS who do some remarkable work on
our behalf.
Annual Club de Golf Competition
The Annual Club de Golf Competition
sponsored by Luz del Sol took place on
Wednesday 28th October.
The overall
winner Malcolm Lee received the Stuart
Smith Memorial Trophy with 37 points.
Peter OBrien was 2nd with 36, and 3rd was
Lloyd Roberts with 35 points.
Malcolm Lee also won the Longest Drive
and the Ladies Longest Drive was won by
Vron Porter.
Also presented on the evening was the

Annual Knock Out trophies. The Mens
Singles Winner was Eugene Toye. The
Mens Doubles Winners were Gary
Powell and Paul Betts. The Mixed Knock
Out Competition was won by Debbie
MacLachlan and Eugene Toye. The Ladies

Singles Winner was Mika Bogerd.
met from other clubs, so we have agreed

we will have friendly competition team
games with the 3 different golf courses
with ladies mixed in together. The first of
these games will be scheduled for the New
Year. We all really enjoyed our Ladies
League encounters, so if you are a group
of Lady Golfers who would like to be part
of our group, you are very welcome to join
us. We will still be playing at reciprocal
golf courses at reduced green fees. If you
are interested in joining us for next years
season or would like more information
please contact Betty Roberts at
bettylloyd1560@hotmail.com.
Second overall with 35 points was

23-handicapper Steve McGovern and third
with 34 was Per Stokken, also playing off
23, who also carded the best front nine in
the one-to-24 category.
After all the presentations there was a

carvery followed by dancing to the ever
popular Martin Ross. A good time was had
by all.
Christmas Dinner Dance
The CGA has booked the ever popular
Hotel Costas Celebration Rooms in
Mazarrn for the Christmas Dinner
Dance on 18th December. Tickets 25
for an 8 course meal with coffee, liquors,
wine, beer, water and soft drinks whilst
you are eating your meal. There will be
an optional bus stopping at all the usual
stops on Camposol and Mazarrn Country
Club for 5 pp return. The poster on the
notice board in the Gents changing room
already has 93 signatures on it, but more
the merrier, so please come along it is sure
to be a good night.
Costa Clida Ladies League
Unfortunately one of our teams dropped
out of the League and it was not thought
possible to have a league with only 3 teams
in it, therefore I am afraid the Ladies
League has folded. We have decided
that we do not want to lose touch with
the friends and acquaintances we have

Page 95
There were several guests on the day and the

top scoring player was Alan Tipper who took
the prize for best guest with 35 points.
October was a busy month for Fuente Old

Guard with our annual Matchplay Knockout
Competition held on October 11th at Hacienda
del Alamo.
After a hard fought battle Ron Smart was able
to come out the winner with Chris Andrews
once again Runner-Up and then on Thursday
29th saw the Old Guard make their way to
the excellent course of Lorca Golf Resort. 32
players assembled at the club house to draw
the order of play and with the cooperation of
the staff, all the players were on the starting
tees by 9.45am for the days Stapleford
Competition.
The best score of the day went to Neil
MacFarlane with 38 points off a handicap of
5.6 with Lenny Whalen a close second with 36
points. Neils score also gave him first place
in Division One while Lenny took top spot in
Division Two.
Runner-Up in these divisions were Gerry
McRobert in Division One with 32 points and
Dave Barrett in Division Two with 35 points.
SAMM Raise Money for AMMA

The Dia de Caldero is an annual fiesta
held on the beaches of Los Alczares
and greatly enjoyed by the Spanish and
ex-pat residents alike. For the last few
years SAMM (the Sailing Association
Mar Menor) has participated. In 2015 it
was held on October 12th, a beautiful day,
weather wise, for the occasion.
Meanwhile in Division Three, Allen Evans took

first place, but only on count back from Dave
May, both with 29 points.
Nearest The Pin Winners were Gavin Elbourne,
Chris Andrews and Neil MacFarlane, but none
of them were able to claim the Twos Money
which rolls over to the next game.
Our next game is at La Serena Golf on

December 10th. If anyone would like to join
FOGGS or just play as a guest, please contact
Dave on 868 082 013.
members in one of their Gamba dinghies.

SAMM Member Nilam Wright provided a
delicious curry for those who wanted a hot
dish, while other members cooked their
own food on the BBQs provided.
consider. After considerable discussion

it was decided that the Whaly 435R best
suited the requirements and budget and
was available from a local dealer in Cabo
de Palos.
The proposal, with a finance plan for both
the boat and a new engine at a later date
was put to the members at the October
general meeting and approved by an
overwhelming majority. One of the existing
40hp engines SAMM has for the Rib will
be used on the Whaly until the funds for a
new engine are available.
Willing volunteers erected the SAMM

Marquee early in the morning and during
the day at least 100 members of SAMM,
many dressed as Pirates, arrived to enjoy
the celebrations. Drinks were provided
by the SAMM Social Committee free
of charge and other refreshments were
delivered to the marquee by Shoestring
The photograph shows an example and is

not the actual boat purchased.
During the day Raquel Pea, the President

of AMMA (Association Mar Menor
Alzheimers) was presented with a cheque
for 1255 raised by the SAMM Charity
Race in held in June.
SAMM to buy New Support Boat
The current SAMM Support Boat, a Valiant
450DR Rib, was purchased, second hand,
in 2011 and has given sterling support to
the SAMM Race Programmes and many
of the SAMM Groups since then.
Forever looking to the future, the SAMM
Committee decided that the time had
now come to invest in a replacement.
The Mar Menor is a beautiful place to
sail, but because the water is very salty
and warmer than the open sea, it is a
harsh environment for boats and their
engines, especially Ribs. It was thought
that a better solution to another Rib
would be a roto-moulded, polyethylene
vessel. Considerable research was carried
out into various craft by the Race Group
Chairman who identified five models and
obtained prices for the Committee to
Page 96
Unfortunately SAMM had to cancel the last

three scheduled Race Days; two because
of bad weather and one because of the air
show in San Javier and a jet ski race on
the same day.
As the support boat is still giving SAMM
trouble, they have decided to cancel the
rest of the Race Days and re-group for
next year when they will have their new
Whaly boat.

Closely following on in second place was

Pete Smithson with 27 points.
Stormy Weather
Following a few unsettled days when the
weather had not been so kind to us golfers,
but loved by the local farmers, the Straight
Down the Middle society members set off
for the monthly Stapleford to Altorreal Golf
Course.
One point behind him in 3rd was Jeff Braine

on 26.
The Nearest The Pin Winner was Norrie
Bull.
The skies were leaden when we arrived, but

by the time our first tee arrived the cloud
was beginning to break and by the time the
first group reached the 3rd hole the sun had
started to shine.
On a course which is quite tight on some
fairways, open and tree lined on others,
a good days golf was in prospect. The
fairways have a semi-rough which can take
some getting out of without a little effort.
were checked and Geoff Sharp (pictured)

had recorded the winning score of 30
points. I now wait to see what the handicap
secretary does next month.
There is to be a Dinner Dance for the medal

presentations on 6th February 2016, at the
Costa Hotel, in Mazarrn and all who are
interested should let Joe Chalk know asap.
Geoff Sharp
hatters45@msn.com
On returning to the clubhouse the scores
The December meeting will be the Christmas

Fun Day at the par three course at TorrePacheco on December 2nd starting at 10am,
followed by lunch in the club house.

Page 97
FOR
SALE
SOFA BED, excellent condition, hardly used.
Sleeps 3 as has an extra mattress. Cost 550
new. Now 120 Price includes the quilted throw
Buyer
to
collect
Calasparra
area
Tel 680 632 618/602 465 560
Wooden mirror sailing dinghy. Hull and spars

must be sound, but cosmetic condition not so
important.
Phone Peter on 649 207 376 or email peter.
curtaincall@gmail.com
BUSINESS
Jecobin
Model
Ship
Plans.
1:96
Scale,
HMS
York
(D98)
1986
4 Sheet set new not used. OAL OF HULL 59. 75
Jecobin
Model
Ship
Plans.
1:96
Scale
HMS
York
(D98)
1998
3 Sheet set new not used. OAL OF HULL 59. 70
Tel 667 395 746
6 kva. Diesel Generator. Both 110 & 220
volts outputs. Will run house. Can deliver
350
Tel 693 814 929
Log Burner with pipes and cowl. 230 ono.
Buyer collects.
Tel 695 532 476
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.
GROUPS
Hardly used Yamaha PSR520 with bonus
Yamaha Corporation cartridge/stand/variety
of music books including The Complete
Keyboard Player manual. Includes all
orchestral sounds ie.Pop, Rock, Dance, Jazz,
Piano, Ballroom and many more. 150 ono.
Tel 968 974 053 Camposol
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
costacalidachronicle@gmail.com or call
968 970 680 10-2pm Mon-Fri
WANTED
2 Single beds with headboards, preferably
waxed pine (not honey pine), but wrought
iron is fine.
Tel 658 323 257 Cehegin area please
Boggle Answers:
9 LETTER WORD IS
LOATHSOME
55 WORDS OF 3 LETTERS
OR MORE (NO PLURALS)
shalom
shalot
hames
homes
loose
Page 98
moose
shame
shoal
shoat
shoot
tames
aloe
atom
halo
hame
hams
hoes
home
hoot
hose
lame
loam
lose
mesh
moat
sham
shoe
shoo
shot
sola
soma
some
sool
soot
tame
tome
ham
hat
hoe
hot
lah
loo
lot
mat
moa
mol
moo
mot
oat
soh
sol
sot
toe
tom
too

Whilst its still important to follow the official

trends, I have to admit the best assessment
of the market is still our own experiences on
the ground, meeting buyers and vendors on
a daily basis, getting feedback from those
actually buying or selling property.
In 2015 we found the average buyer views
3-4 properties with us, though some have
The Price Is Right

As the end of 2015 approaches, it is time to
review your prices and policies for guests
before the usual New Year booking frenzy
begins.
Every year you should review prices to
maximise your rental returns, but it is not
always as simple as a price hike at the end
of every season!
Here are some hints and tips to ensure that
you make sensible decisions re your rental
prices:
Firstly, decide if your price is an all

inclusive price, with Wifi, final clean
and all other services included. If
so, then the price on your advert is
the final price that guests will expect
to pay, so make sure that ALL your
additional costs are recovered within
this price.
If you decide to charge for additional
services, then make sure that these
prices are clearly displayed on your
advert and guests are aware of any
actually viewed with other agents before, or

go on to view with other agents after. The
average offer is usually 10-25% below the
asking price, although we have seen a sharp
increase in vendors achieving full asking
price, or even a little more if there are 2
interested buyers in the equation. Properties
at or below current market value are by far
the most popular this makes sense when
you consider how much buyers research,
using property portals such as Rightmove
Overseas and Zoopla etc.
been stable for the whole of 2015, creating

confidence in the market, so, as this year
draws to a close, we can look back on a very
satisfactory 12 months, with significantly
increased sales, more buyers and the
reputation of the Spanish property market
restored and in good health.
Spring and summer always brings out the

coastal buyers in volume, whilst autumn and
winter is certainly the preferred time of year
for those seeking country properties. The
urbanisations such as Camposol, Mazarrn
Country Club, El Alamillo and El Alcolar are
popular all year round. Property prices have
Kenneth Whettall
Commercial Director
Fuente Alamo Real Estate/Murcia Coast
& Country
Info@fuentealamorealestate.com
Tel 0034 968 598 173
charges.
If you have an aircon meter installed,

make sure that guests are aware
that the AC is an additional charge,
although it is common to include a
set amount of starter credit, which
guests can then top up as they
require.
Check out other properties in the area

and get a feel for what the competition
is charging. Judge your property
honestly against what is available in
area in terms of location, dcor and
amenities.
Keep an eye on the exchange rates

if you price in Euros. With sterling
rates still offering a very good deal for
holidaymakers, you need to be aware
of how your prices compare in both
currencies.
Remember that many guests still try

to haggle a little on price, so be wary
of setting price bands at levels that
leave you no room for negotiation!
We would like to take the opportunity of

thanking everyone for their positive feedback
regarding this column and wish you all a very
happy Christmas.
Offer an early booking discount and a

late booking discount as an incentive.
Typically the early discount is around
5% and late booking (to fill left over
weeks) a more generous 10%.
Analyse your trend for bookings

year on year - which country did the
majority of guests come from? Which
sites gave the best return vs. your
marketing spend? With many sites
charging quite large annual fees, it
pays to know where your bookings are
generated, and where to invest future
cash in advertising.
A sensible pricing policy combined with quick

response times to enquiries will make sure
that you can get the 2016 holiday season off
to a flying start!
Liz Edmiston
OwnersAway
Property
Management
Tel + 34 691 977 107
info@ownersaway.com
www.ownersaway.com

Rentals
&
More conflicting Spanish Property Price

Figures!
Throughout the year I have opened this
monthly column with the latest sales
statistics regarding values and the volume of
sales in Spain, particularly the Murcia/Costa
Clida region. Every month there have been
conflicting opinions and figures from several
official sources and the longer this situation
persists the more sceptical we all become.
Page 99
Page numbers are in black
Accommodation:
Hotel La Cumbre (11)
968 594 861
Hotel/Restaurante Argos (73)
968 720 707
La Mariposa (37)
968 631 008
Accountants:
Auna (72)
Corral & Alcaraz (44)
Legal View (33)
Silvente (33)
968
968
968
968
Airpark Parking:
Airpark Murcia (69)
Seguro Parking (10)
618 806 989

622 252 372
Architects:
Martinez de la Casa (59)
665 810 411
Banking & Finance:

Sovereign Wealth (75)
968 972 432
703
078
199
332
Bars, Cafs &Restaurants:

Alandalus (72)
968 459
Amapola (79)
968 156
968 002
Bar Canara (73)
Bar Med (89)
968 595
Bar La Llana (40)
968 103
Bar Yan (71)
666 999
Blues House (89)
968 150
Caf Buenavista (84)
868 088
968 705
Cafeteria Plaza (70)
Choc O Latte (69)
619 003
El Rincon del La Tapa (72)
645 894
Elliots (44)
968 158
Hotel La Cumbre (11)
968 594
Hotel/Restaurante Argos (73)
968 720
Jijonenca, Calasparra (72)
638 330
La Chara (23)
968 152
La Mariposa (37)
968 631
La Pasteleria (87)
629 079
La Taverna de Juan Chara (84)
968 152
La Vida (63)
625 917
Lizs Caf (76)
696 724
Mamma Mia (17)
628 682
473
754
237
058
311
503
264
864
300
518
967
140
406
022
968
Piccolo (35)
968
Quality Indian (85)
Sartaj (84)
968
Spice Villa (49)
968
Tels Bar (56)
634
653
The Arches (40)
The Old Market Tavern (45)
968
The Tea Pot (56)
634
Totana Tennis Club (84) 968
Tropic Anas (85)
699
Viggos (85)
968
Builders/Building Services
CM Constructions (51)
659
968
RS Builders (95)
Fuente Building Services (80)
696
JD Roofing & Building (14)
630
Kevins Flyscreens (35)
650
S & D Builders (73)
622
Tonys Building Services (63)
647
Woodworks Direct (38)
649
Car Hire:
Bolnuevo Cars (43)
F & C Rent a Car (58)
131
199
115
199
143
081
515
198
260
226
088
341
154
313
421
060
154
330
572
804
472
544
159 948
153 347
744 982
269 994
662 579
691 923
119 952
540 016
968 150 979

968 199 156
Cars Sales:
Renault Murcia (19)
968 369 800
Specialist Vehicles SL (99)
968 146 158
808
499
861
Chimney Sweep:
Llamas Chimeneas (35)
Sooty & Son (74)
707
Cleaning:
KJ Total Care (54)
688 697 629
Winders Upholstering Cleaning (16)
636 193 256
614
016
008
523
530
425
123
302
968 591 030

660 478 881
Computer Repairs/Sales/Servicing:
Cuatro (29)
868 189 677
Compusurf (103)
968 199 191
Don Tecnico (48)
968 594 825
KP Computers (78)
693 231 955
Loco Murcia (43)
968 971 893
MW I.T Services (54)
640 074 989
Dentists:
Centro Odontologico (Cehegin)(73)
968 742 206
Centro Odontologico (Mula)(73)
968 637 576
968 199 111
Clinica Camposol (19)
English Speaking Dentist (70)
968 707 428
Dr Olivier Houdusse (43) 968 153 645
Fescodent (71)
968 077 396
Electricians & Electricals:
AC Services (80)
Cuatro (29)
KP Computers (78)
Louis Harris (61)
T J Electricals (15)
672
868
693
619
868
Entertainment:
Harlequin Choir (87)
RETRO (86)
628 149 840

657 596 638
Florists:
Riquelme Florist (20)
968 423 024
Funeral Plans:
ASSSA (79)
968
Avalon (81)
966
English Funeral Director (45)
650
Ibex Insurance (43)
958
850
189
231
712
181
963
677
955
821
121
153 396
799 070
631 719
595 945
Furniture:
Cash Clearances (19)
DFS (41)
Furniture Plus (104)
727 734 822

968 334 194
968 153 907
Garden Services:
All Season Gardens (100)
Anchor Landscapes (27)
Garden Centre 2003 (67)
Jardineria El Milagro (74)
Tidy Gardens (57)
640
622
669
610
619
079
648
565
949
869
161
038
402
595
115
Hairdressers & Barbers:

Hair by Carol (52)
Janes Salon (23)
The Beauty Palace (103)
The Salon (45)
The Salon 2 (45)
968
968
968
691
686
974
158
971
916
354
989
433
828
717
232
Health & Beauty:

AguaEs (37)
691957395
Alternative Therapies (80)634 327 241
Calida Caring Agency (48) 634 317 092
673 162 695
Cambridge 800 (12)
Freedom Health & Beauty (61)
638 893 357
Health Treatments by Lisa (43)
626 960 354
Healthy H20 (39)
647 424 430
Janes Salon (23)
968 158 433
The Beauty Palace (103) 968 971 828
The Fuschia Beauty Clinic (21)
630 439 480
The Salon (45)
691 916 717
The Salon 2 (45)
686 354 232
Yogamayga (90)
968 150 755
Heating & Aircon:
AC Services (80)
672 850 963
Calida Gas & Oil (96)
659 761 771
Camposol Heating & Maintenance (4)
968 199 184
868 189 677
Cuatro (29)
Page 100

968
619
697
868
591
712
949
181
030
821
519
121
Home Furnishings:
Curtain Call (97)
616 240 171
Yorkshire Linen, Pto de Maz (9)
968 595 946
Yorkshire Linen, San Javier (9)
968 193 912
Insurance:
ANRA (50)
ASSSA (79)
H R Insurance (68)
Ibex (53)
Nash Warren (60)
968
968
669
968
968
979
153
046
595
156
851
396
167
945
583
Solar Light Centre (92)

Woodworks Direct (38)
968 551 464

649 540 016
Painting and Decorating:

Pinturas Acosta (7)
626 960 354
RJB Dcor Painting (39) 699 044 742
Plumbers:
Apache 24/7 Plumbing (67)
674 788 693
Calida Gas & Oil (96)
659 761 771
Camposol Heating & Maintenance (4)
968 199 184
Paul the Plumber (55)
634 326 804
Printing & Design:
Entorno Grafico (77)
Mister Print (61)
968 654 007

638 893 357
Internet Cafs:
Camposol Computers (103)
968 199 191
Compusurf (103)
968 970 666
KP Computers (78)
693 231 955
Property Rentals:
La Manga 4 U (42) 0044 7921 351298
691 977 107
OwnersAway (97)
Sensol Golf Villa Rentals (80)
968 970 614
Kennels/Catteries/Pet Care:
Catatonic (30)
655
Mountain View Kennels (18)
676
Pampered Paws (20)
634
Pet Sitter (55)
690
Property Sales:
Aagaard Property (Solhuse Real Estate)
(61)
968 105 333
Another World Properties (50)
968 592 679
Best of Spanish (93)
968 598 173
Casas del Mar (37)
968 152 350
Condado Invest (93)
868 082 019
Fuente Alamo Real Estate (11)
968 598 173
Holmes & Pegg (67)
968 199 290
Jackie Galvez (53)
968 153 707
968 199 188
Mercers (54)
Old Farmhouses (46)
968 159 631
Prime Property Murcia (55)
646 692 471
141 721
394 431
302 388
190 230
Kitchen Fitters/Suppliers:
German Kutchen Studio (79)
636 306 711
Laundrettes:
Los Belones Launderette (42)
968 569 096
Legal Services:
ANRA (50)
968 979 851
Auna (72)
968 703 473
968 078 754
Corral & Alcaraz (44)
Costa Clida Property Serv (51)
968 199 251
Ferrandez (Cartagena) (11)
968 521 008
Ferrandez (Pto de Maz) (11)
968 154521
968 154 045
Gestoria Carvajal (61)
Legal View (33)
968 199 237
Professional & Legal Solutions (7)
968 595 826
Silvente (33)
968 332 058
Locksmiths:
ADS Locksmiths (60)
Locksmith Murcia (78)
600 255 250

609 265 899
Mechanics:
Decklid Auto Services (82)
626 678
Euro Tyre Totana (13)
968 424
Ken Sherwood Mechanic (39)
679 646
Kwik Fix English Mechanic (14)
968 972
Mobile Car Mechanic Peter (49)
666 161
Mobility Products
Freedom Mobility (61)
840
605
859
006
129
Outdoor Living:
CRS Builders (95)
DFS (41)
Furniture Plus (104)
667
956
634
872
884
Repair/Sale of White Goods:

Cuatro (29)
868 189 677
Retail Outlets:
Alens Family Shop (50)
699 658 660
Bodegas Martinez (50)

968
Branded (51)
607
Cash Ruperez (72)
669
669
Costa Pool (67)
Cuatro (29)
868
968
Don Tecnico (48)
Gafas,es Opticians (21)
868
German Kutchen Studio (79)
636
KP Computers (78)
693
629
La Pasteleria (87)
Multipticas (46/47)
968
Quick Save Supermarket (56)
968
868
199
050
471
565
189
594
300
126
309
058
402
677
825
400
306
231
079
199
711
955
523
361
650 722 905
Sport & Leisure:

Anglo Info (97)
Cavalli (24)
Costa Clida Radio (25)
Espua Adventure (37)
Yoga with Lisa (43)
617
636
968
968
626
213
172
595
631
960
969
198
862
008
354
Swimming Pool Construction, Cleaning &

Maintenance:
Costa Pool (67)
669 565 402
Eco Pool Saber (38)
659 315 139
Khn Pool Service (68)
968 138 638
Watermaid (23)
646 705 088
Telephone & Mobile Providers:
Compusurf (101)
968 970 666
KP Computers (78)
693 231 955
Mas Movil
1473*
965743473
Telitec (3)
Translation:
Costa Clida Property Serv (83)
968 199 251
Jackie Galvez (53)
968 153 707
Travel Agents:
Dragon Tours (88)
968 199 021
TV & Satellite:
Cool Solutions (31)
608 499 422
CTV Aerial & Satellite Systems (83)
600 218 046
Cuatro (29)
868 189 677
KP Computers (78)
693 231 955
671 682 579
Loco Murcia (43)
Rainbow Satellites (16) 686 358 475
968 959 673
Streamon (75)
868 181 121
YPM Satellites (93)
628 234 045
Veterinary Clinics:
Clinica Veterinaria Pto Maz (39)
968 153 931
Emerg 608 466 553
Clinica Veterinaria Sur Este (40)
965 352 438
Happy Pets (53)

968 199
Emerg 696 855
Qupar, Calasparra (72) 968 955
Emerg 609 215
Veterinary Clinic Maskota (49)
968 597
Emerg 619 378
235
567
903
989
929
473
199 860
181 121
638 893 357
Motorhomes:
UK Motorhomes Wanted (20)
0044 797 66 2395
Opticians:
Gafas.es Opticians (21)
Multipticas (46/47)
Removals & Storage:

Advance Moves (17)
968 654
Costa Clida Transport (76)
660 359
696 180
Hardy Removals (67)
Lords Removals/Storage (101)
608 061
Mar Menor Removals (39) 696 621
Spas & Hot Tubs:

Eurospas (5)
868 300 400

968 199 361
968 153 347

968 334 194
968 482 456
Security:
AC Services (80)
ADS Locksmiths (60)
Cuatro (29)
Eriks Metal Works (43)
Locksmith Murcia (78)
672
600
868
636
609
Solar Power:
Freesol (47)
Solar Directa (101)
Sol Pellet (49)
659 232 507

659 315 130
697 949 519
850
255
189
050
265
963
250
677
008
899

Page 101
Llamas Chimeneas (35)

Louis Harris (61)
Sol Pellet (56)
Out and About

Mundo Part 2
- Riopar and the Ro
After spending our first day in Pearrubia

hiking, we had planned to spend Day 2
walking up to the waterfalls nearby. All
that was needed was a little light breakfast
to set us up for the walk...but someone
forgot to tell the staff at the Posada! I had
pre-booked breakfast at 5 per person
and it proved to be an excellent decision.
Our waiter brought out a huge platter of
ham and cheese, a plate of sweet pastries,
enormous chunks of homemade bread
for tostada and offered us a choice of
drinks. Tea, coffee and orange juice or hot
chocolate .. or would we prefer a glass of
red wine?!!
As the designated driver that morning, I
managed to resist, but Davd succumbed
to the temptation and declared it was the
best breakfast he had ever eaten and we
later discovered that there had been no
extra charge for the wine, meaning the
Posada Pearrubia jumped up another
notch in our estimation!
The drive to the waterfalls, known as Las

Cascadas, or sometimes Nacimiento del
Ro Mundo, took less than half an hour,
but our slightly late arrival around 12 noon
meant that there was a queue to enter the
car park which results in a lot of cars doing
u-turns in the middle of the road to join the
queue and some very dodgy manoeuvres!
We waited about 20 minutes for entry, but
it was worth the wait. We set off from the
car park up the trail and the first viewpoint
is an easy 700mtr walk along a fairly flat
path, suitable for most levels of mobility. At
the first level, you have views of the base
of the waterfalls and the river that flows
away. The second viewpoint is accessed via
a fairly steep path, with some steps and
leads up to the midpoint approximately of
the falls.
The
views
are stunning
and
well
worth
the
climb.
We
passed many
families with
y o u n g e r
children
climbing at a
slow, relaxed
pace.
Once at the
viewpoint,
this
being
the age of
the
mobile
p h o n e
camera, the
majority of
folk
seem
to take a
selfie with
the falls in
the background, if only to prove that they
actually made it. Both being non-techie, we
managed the selfie part, only to discover
after the descent that we had been facing
the wrong way and had a lovely photo of 2
people smiling in front of a rock face!
There are several routes down from the
viewpoints back to the car park, leading
through the forest and along the river bed
and within a couple of km of the falls, there
are several bars and restaurants on the
main road for refreshments after all that
exertion.
Here are some tips to make the most of
the falls:
On Fiestas and weekends there may
be queues to enter. Be cautious
when driving up the approach road.
The driver in front is almost certain
to make a U-turn at short notice to
get in the queue!
At busy times, staff in the car park

and road control access. Follow
their instructions.
The best time to go to avoid queues
is lunchtime. As we left the falls
around 2.30pm the road was empty
and not a car in sight.
There are loos in the car park. A
good idea to use before you ascend;
with the sound of all that running
water!!
Make sure you wear good walking
shoes with grips on the sole. The
trails to the viewpoint are rocky
and the rocks get slippery with the
spray from the falls. Take a jacket
or waterproof clothing.
The best season to visit the falls is
late autumn or early Spring; after
the Winter rains the waterfalls are
much more impressive.
Plenty of info about the area and
the Cascadas del Ro Mundo is
available on the tourism website for
Castilla La Mancha on this link
h t t p : / / w w w .
turismocastillalamancha.es/
patrimonio/riopar-73031/visita/
You can download a tourist guide for the
region (in Spanish) on that link.
I would love to go back to the area, as
the whole natural park was stunningly
beautiful, but in the meantime I will carry
on walking closer to home and share with
you some of the stunning local scenery we
have right on our doorsteps.
Liz Edmiston
OwnersAway Property
Management
Tel + 34 691 977 107
info@ownersaway.com
www.ownersaway.com
Rentals
&
We held our monthly meeting at Tropic

Anas on Camposol A and what a super
choice for Menu del Dia at only 6 including
a drink. Everything was presented well and
the food was very tasty! We will certainly
be going there again! P
day. Even the starter size was more than

adequate (chicken goujons x 3) and I just
about managed dessert. Ive never been
able to resist cherry pie and this one was
definitely worth putting on a few extra
pounds for! M
including a bottle of wine for 2 AND coffee.

We were glad we arrived just before 2pm
as on leaving some hours later, every
table was full, which is a recommendation
in itself and it was nice to see a mix of
Spanish and English. M
We havent been here since it was taken

over and the name changed to Bar Med
in Puerto de Mazarrn as we are normally
restricted to going out for Sunday lunch
due to other commitments, but this bar
was always previously great for a Sunday
lunch. It is fantastic to see the standard
is even better and I have to recommend
it for excellent value, superb roasties,
good sized portions and nice choice of
veg (carrots, cabbage and broccoli)
and absolutely gorgeous gravy. Im a
northerner and gravy is important to us
- none of your Bisto granules here! There
was certainly enough for us not to want
to eat anything else for the rest of the
What can I say about The Tennis Club

at Totana other than thank you? We
happened to be in Totana renewing our
EHIC cards & ordering a replacement car
key, so on the spur of the moment we
decided to pop in for lunch as it was such
a glorious day & the views are so lovely.
We had salad to start, then I ordered lentil
stew. You would have honestly been hard
stretched to finish this as a main course,
but this was a starter! Not quite sure why
they then brought me what I am sure
was a whole fish after Id ordered what I
thought was one portion! Then came my
favourite dessert profiteroles to finish.
What fantastic value for money at only 9,
We have had solar powered hot water for

over 10 years which was installed by Keith
from Solar Directa and we have been
extremely pleased with the system. Keiths
company should not be confused with any
other similar named company! We moved
house this year and the previous people
cleverly took the instruction booklet for the
back-up thermostat, so when we needed
to boost the hot water, we struggled to
work the thermostat out. Keith very kindly
quickly came out to sort it for us, so with
the change in the weather almost certainly
on its way, we will now have constant hot
water. P
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Costa Cálida Chronicle December 2015

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The Longest Established

Date: December 2015

Issue: 1 Volume: XVI

In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com

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Blues House, Bolnuevo will be

Elliots in Bolnuevo will be closed from

Visit the newly refurbished DFS Store

Ken Sherwood motor mechanic at La

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Tel 679 646 589

Enjoy festive fayre from Lizs Caf on

Call 968 154 330 to reserve a table.

Tel 696 724 123

During the Christmas & New Year, Happy

Solhuse Real Estate Agency continues

Get 10% discount off any item taken

The weather is changing! If you have

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

suit anyone as they will not be too big

Call 620 582 654 for more information

In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com

Zadie is a German/Belgian Shepherd

Jack and Jill are 2 little Podenco cross

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

Hi everyone, December and Christmas

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Living in the campo over the last 15 years,

pick up your voucher.

thin at only 6 kilos. His blood was also

In October Arnie was strong enough for

goods to their shop in Puerto de Mazarrn.

We are determined to repay MAMAS one

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

Christmas has arrived again!! The years

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Seasons Greetings from PALS who have

Just for the singing, but do not attend a

first non-Spanish registered charity in the

We would like to welcome you to come

be organised by stalwart members of the

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com

Costa Clida Chronicle Sales 619 199 407

The festive season is almost upon us and

In association with Costa Clida International Radio and www.angloINFO.com

Poppy is really good at night, walks on a

along with our usual items for sale.

On the subject of Dorothy Kay, a tree was

Looking forward to the New Year, we have

All that remains is to wish all our friends