February 2013 - Costa Calida Chronicle

Costa 

The Longest Established 

FREE Magazine 

in Murcia 

Cálida 

Chronicle 

www.costacalidachronicle.com 

Date: February 2013 Issue: 3 Volume: XIII 

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

Please tell our customers where you saw their advertisement in the Costa Cálida Chronicle 

Sales Contact Teresa 619 199 407 or for the Editor Contact Patti 646 005 017 

www.costacalidachronicle.com email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com 

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www.costacalidachronicle.com email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com





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SPECIAL PAGES 

Mar Menor 26-31 

Mazarrón 52-57 

Northwest Murcia 68-73 

Sport 88-90 

What’s On 82-86 

ADVERTORIAL 

Cambridge 800 48 

Corral & Alcaraz 24 

Linea Directa 16 

X3Int Systems 16 

CHARITIES 

ADAPT 26 

Age Concern 56 

Andrea’s Animal Charity 

67 

Dogs Looking for Homes 

69 

Easy Horse Care 30 

GO maD 40 

HELP Mar Menor 31 

JJ Puppies 46 

John Kemp’s Dogs 60 

Lions 56 

MABS Mar Menor 28 

MABS Northwe st 73 

MAMAS 10 

MARA 71 

Noah’s ARC 36 

PALS 50 

Pets In Spain 20 

CHILDREN 

Chatterbox 34 

EDUCATION 

Jane Cronin’s Spanish 64 

ENTERTAINMENT 

Classic Artistes 81 

Costa Cálida Music Club 

42 

Spangles 27 

FOOD & DRINK 

Food for Thought 14 

Fruit & Veg 78 

Herb of the Month 73 

Ma Millbank 58 

Supermarkets 44 

Wine of the Month 7 

GROUPS 

ADAPT 26 

Alecedo 38 

Cloud Nine 48 

Darwinians 32 

Evolutionists 65 

Hondon RBL 26 

Ladies’ Chatterbox 57 

Orihuela RBL 28 

Sector C Greenfingers 53 

The RBL in Spain 42 

Welcome 60 

INFORMATION 

Advertiser’s Directory 96/97 

Animal Matters 16 

Arab Calasparra 70 

Ask Jennifer 22 

Bee Keeping 6 

Business News 12 

Chinese New Year 8 

Classified Ads 92 

CRA 50 

Charities etc 80 

Dates to Remember 30 

Dear Editor 64 

Distribution Points 94 

Fiesta Camposol 53 

Horoscopes 50 

Las Fallas 87 

Life in Spain 40 

Mazarrón News 54/55 

Mula Castle 72 

Northwest Murcia 68 

PLC Awards 57 

Price List etc 98 

Spanish News 74 

Subscriptions 94 

Tallante Pea Flower 47 

Teresa’s Travels 14 

Vultures 69 

LEISURE 

ACAM 46 

Author Review 22 

Gardening News 76 

Hiking in Moratalla 71 

META Riding 32 

NEST 10 

Puzzle Page 66 

Puzzle Solutions 98 

TV News 79 

WARM 72 

PROPERTY 

Housing Update 93 

RELIGION 

Beacon of Light 38 

Mass in English 7 

New Life Church 30 

Olive Branch 45 

Open Door 14 

Puerto Lumbreras 48 

St Nicholas Church 20 

Welcome House 68 

Wellspring Victory Church 

60 

SPORT 

Cross Country Run 88 

Fuente Old Guard 90 

Golf Tips 89 

Los Amigos Mazarrón 90 

SAMM 88 

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email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com

We are pleased to report that is has 

been another very busy month here 

at The Costa Cálida Chronicle, 

certainly in comparison to the same 

time last year. It has also been a real 

pleasure working here over the last 

month mainly because of the amazing 

weather we have been experiencing. 

It is also very pleasing to see businesses 

changing hands as well as 

businesses opening up, so it is not all 

bad out there, despite what you may 

hear. 

In a recent meeting with a prospective 

customer it was pointed out to us 

that our Business Directory at the 

back of the magazine is now the largest 

of its kind in the area and where 

“everybody looks” for phone numbers 

for businesses and useful numbers. 

Our What to Do/Where to Go section 

has also been complimented recently 

for the same reason as above, 

as it is the most comprehensive guide 

to entertainment in the area, so we 

are pleased that our hard work is appreciated. 

If you are thinking our going out for 

St Valentine’s Night this year, you 

will be spoilt for choice. Most of our 

regular advertisers are offering something 

special and of course if you want 

to pamper your loved one, the beauty 

salons are offering special packages 

for this special day. Please do spend a 

little time reviewing what is on offer. 

We are very lucky to have this much 

choice and at great value for money! 

New Advertisers 

Golden Sun Properties 

Club Copi Coy 

Boca Pizza 

The Country Kitchen 

Welcome Back 

Bistro Bulgaria Camposol 

Corral & Alcaraz 

Crystal Conservatories 

Money Corp 

The Laundry Shop 

The New Royal 

Costa Cálida Properties 

Kennelly’s Bar/Restaurant 

Kennelly’s Electrical Services 

The Village Supermarket (HDA) 

Bistro Bulgaria (CDA) 

Tropic Ana’s 

Costa Cálida Transport 

We are pleased that we have been 

working with Murcia Today and 

hope that you enjoy these articles this 

month. Look out for more articles in 

future editions of The Costa Cálida 

Chronicle. 

Could contributors please note that 

because space is of a premium, we 

do need articles updated each month 

to keep the magazine looking fresh 

and if sending in photos or posters, 

we require original copies of these at 

300dpi. We are still able to offer charities, 

groups and organisations free 

limited space each month. Please 

contact the Editor for more information. 

From all at the 

Costa Cálida Chronicle 





email: costacalidachronicle@gmail.com 

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When we first got interested in bee keeping, a 

friend told us that if you ask six bee keepers 

for the best way to do something, you will get 

at least six different answers, from each!!! 

This is our condensed version of that vast array 

of advice. 

Honey bees are called ‘beneficial insects’. 

They are not friendly, but we benefit from 

their work. 

Early in 2012, I built a hive, which consists 

of a floor, roof and three boxes; a large base 

box called a brood and two smaller top boxes 

called supers. These boxes each contain ten 

frames, which are sheets of wax suspended in 

small wooden supports. 

The bees arrived early in May from a supplier 

in Essex. There was a queen, about ten 

drones and five thousand workers, all in a box 

about the size of a file cabinet drawer. The 

bees are transferred to the hive, and they begin 

work right away. 

The workers, who are all female, collect nectar 

and pollen from flowers and store it in the 

hive. This is their food for the coming year. 

They also regurgitate nectar to form wax, 

with which they build the hexagonal cells into 

which the nectar is stored. 

The male drones have a pretty good life; they 

mate with the queen and eat nectar, leaving 

all the work to the females (sounds familiar). 

The down side is that they only get one year. 

In October they are dragged out of the hive 

and have their wings clipped off leaving them 

to die. 

The queen is bigger than all the other bees 

and after mating with the drones, she lays 

thousands of eggs into the honey-filled cells 

in the brood box. She is prevented from getting 

to the upper boxes by a perforated sheet 

called a ‘queen excluder’. The holes are big 

enough to let the workers through, but too 

small for the queen and her drones. This prevents 

the top boxes having eggs and enables 

us to “steal” the honey. 

The eggs grow to become workers and they 

will have a life of about six weeks during which 

they collect nectar from a series of flowers 

and transfer pollen from plant to plant propagating 

them. If more drones are needed, the 

workers feed some eggs with small amounts 

of Royal Jelly. If a new queen is needed, larger 

amounts of Royal Jelly are fed to the egg. 

During the year the population of the hive 

grows from about 5,000 to over 50,000, then 

as winter approaches the queen stops laying 

eggs and the numbers fall back again. The 

life of the workers is extended during the 

winter because they don’t have to work, giving 

sufficient numbers to start the work next 

year. 

The honey 

is extracted 

twice a year; 

in May and 

August. A 

one-way device 

is put 

into the hive, 

which lets 

the workers 

go down 

from the top 

boxes to the 

brood, but 

prevents their 

return. When 

the bees are 

all gone, we 

quickly open 

the hive and 

transfer the frames to a sealed box. If the 

box is not sealed quickly enough, the bees 

will attempt to get their honey back. A member 

of Jenny’s bee keeping society put his 

frames in his garage overnight and failed to 

seal the boxes. By morning all 36 pounds of 

honey had been taken back by the bees! 

The frames have the wax capping removed 

with a knife and are put into a sort of spin 

dryer to extract the honey. This is then triplefiltered 

to remove the wax and any impurities. 

The moisture content is checked using 

a refractometer, and a reading of 20% or less 

is required before the honey can be sold. This 

year, our first, we got 24 pounds, which is 

considered excellent for a beginner. There 

are very strict rules about producing honey. 

All the containers and equipment must be of 

good quality, all chemicals must be removed 

from the extraction room to prevent contamination, 

and the labels must conform to strict 

requirements. 

This has been one of the most rewarding hobbies 

we have ever tried - the only problem 

has been finding names for all the bees! 

Jenny & Geoff Bennett 

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Mass in English is celebrated every Saturday 

at the Catholic chapel at Pastrana, approximately 

10km from Mazarrón 

Schedule of Masses: 

Saturday at 4:30pm 

Schedule of Confession: 

Saturday from 3:45-4:25pm also on request 

Bible Study: 

1 st and 3 rd Sunday at 4:30pm 

Fr. Carlos Prats 628 824 555 

Fr. Octavio Carpena 676 219 445 

www.pastranaonline.com 

The Graces of Intercessory Prayer 

On the day of the wedding feast at Cana 

in Galilee, present was the Mother of Jesus 

along with Jesus and his disciples. They ran 

out of wine, since the wine provided for the 

feast had all been used, and the Mother of 

Jesus said to Him “They have no wine and 

interceding for the wedding host. 

The Mother said to the servants, “Do whatever 

he tells you.” 

Wines of 

the Month 

chosen by 

Yoann from 

Le Gourmet 

Wine Bar, 

Puerto de 

Mazarrón 

This white 

wine is the 

f a m o u s 

“Sancerre”. 

It’s a 2011 

dry crisp 

wine with 

very typical 

flinty flavour. 

It goes ideally 

with fish, white meat or other light dishes. 

100% Sauvignon. Serve slightly chilled 

at 10ºC. An excellent quality wine for only 

11.95€. Selected by the sommelier! 

The red wine this month 

is one of my favourites. 

Its name is Clara and 

is a mixture of Syrah 

and Grenache and is 

from near Narbonne 

in France. It’s a fruity 

and strong wine about 

14.5%, but you don’t 

notice the strength because 

of the red fruits 

you can taste, especially 

cherry. It is a very 

nice wine to go with red 

meats or spiced meals. 

This month it only costs 

8.90€ from Le Gourmet. 

Enjoy these wines and 

we hope to see you soon in Le Gourmet in 

Puerto de Mazarrón, on the corner behind the 

Avenida Restaurant. 

There were six stone water jars that the servant 

filled with water. He said “Draw some out 

and take it to the head of the feast.” 

The head of the feast then said to the bridegroom, 

“You have saved the very best wine 

for last.” 

The Cross on Calvary stands as the greatest 

evidence of the power of sacrifice, as intercession. 

For this intercessory sacrifice to the 

Father was to allow mankind to share in the 

Divine Life for ever. The Cross from which 

came the greatest intercessory prayer ever, 

“Father forgive them for they know not 

what they do”. (Luke 23:34) 

In the diary of St Faustina we find many 

examples of the ways in which she showed 

love which was pleasing to God. One of the 

most exceptional ways in which she showed 

this love was interceding for others through 

prayer. Jesus even granted her special graces 

so that her intercessory prayers would be especially 

powerful. 

St Faustina intimately understood the importance 

of praying for the souls of sinners and 

we, as devotees of Divine Mercy Devotion, 

must learn from her example and incorporate 

into our prayer life a special commitment to 

praying for souls, especially those souls who 

might be in conflict with God 

St Faustina’s prayer: Jesus, I beg You by 

the inconceivable power of Your mercy, 

let all the souls who will die today escape 

the fires of hell even if they have 

been the greatest sinners ever. 

Jesus granted her request. 





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This year, 2013, Chinese New Year is on 

10 th February and is a National Holiday in all 

Oriental countries. It is celebrated for up to 

15 days and is also known in China as Spring 

Festival. This festival is like Christmas and 

New Year in the Western world. 

Legend has it that there was a monster called 

Nian that attacked Chinese villages every 

spring, eating and destroying anything from 

people, animals and plants and even the occasional 

building that came in its way. To deter 

the monster, the villagers would hang red 

paper on their doors and burn bamboo. The 

bright colours and the crackling of the fire 

frightened the monster and it rapidly fled. 

This is supposed to be where the word ‘nian’, 

Chinese for year, came from and is why the 

colour red means so much to the Chinese. 

At Chinese New Year, red signs and lanterns 

are used to decorate homes and restaurants 

and firecrackers are set off to create as much 

noise as possible. 

Like all holidays and 

fiestas, the Chinese 

celebrate their New 

Year in style, with 

lots of noise and 

families join together 

for festive meals. 

The food is a large 

part of the celebrations 

and includes 

all kinds of meat and 

fish, much of it very 

significant within the 

Chinese traditions 

such as the noodles 

which symbolize long 

life. Much of the celebrating 

goes on in 

the streets with Chinese 

dragons weaving their way through the 

crowds and fireworks and fire crackers going 

off. Children particularly enjoy the custom 

of receiving red envelopes which contain 

gifts of money and are distributed by 

family elders to young unmarried relatives. 

Chinese calendar: 

2013 is the Chinese Year of the Snake 

People born in the Year of the Snake often 

appear calm. They are not talkative but they 

are deep thinkers. Snake people never need 

to concern themselves worrying about money. 

Money seems to come to them naturally 

and they are shrewd in their business dealings. 

Despite this good fortune, they are often 

miserly in their spending habits and may 

tend to hoard money. 

Snake people are also generally quite good 

looking and along with their physically attractive 

features they can be rather conceited and 

vain about their appearance. While many people 

in the West have ‘snake trouble’, those in 

Chinese culture born in the year of the Snake 

are very self-reliant and do not trust others 

easily or take outside advice well. Usually the 

Snake is correct in his opinion as he usually 

seems to have excellent judgment. 

Snakes Likes: 

Colour: Red 

Gems and Stones: Topaz, Jasper, Bloodstone 

Suitable Gifts: Binoculars, Tarot Cards, Oils 

and Lotions, Stamp Collection 

Hobbies and Pastimes: Astrology, Painting, 

Touring, Photography 

Snakes Dislikes: 

Being interrupted, being misled personally or 

professionally, failure. 

Despite their negative characteristics, 

Snakes are capable of great sympathy and 

can be very generous under the right circumstances. 

Snake people have the greatest 

compatibility with those born under the signs 

of the Ox and Rooster. 



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Easy, non-sporty, social walks in places of 

outstanding beauty. Meet new people and 

make new friends and have fun! Bring cameras 

and have a complete change of scene and 

a mini-holiday! Wear sensible walking footwear, 

bring a smile, water to sip and enjoy a 

wonderful (optional) meal in good company! 

Friday 8 th February – Early Almond Blossom 

Walk and Meal at Restaurant in 

Sierra Espuña with chance of seeing Wild 

Boar. Meet 10.30am in the village car park in 

El Berro, opposite the Restaurant Sierra Espuña 

and Camping Sierra Espuña. The almond 

blossom is coming out early this year, so an 

extra date has been added combining this 

pretty walk around El Berro with the chance 

of seeing wild boar in Sierra Espuña, by the 

beautifully tucked away gem of a restaurant 

amongst the pine trees there. The walk is 5€ 

with the optional, delicious, 4 course menu 

del dia at 9€ including coffee. 

Wednesday 20th February - Almond Blossom 

Walk completed with a drive surrounded 

by fields of almond blossom (blossom 

willing!) stretching into the horizon, to an authentic 

Spanish restaurant near Mula for an 

optional 9€ menu del dia. Spectacularly pretty 

walk with honey-scented almond blossom 

everywhere . The walk alone is 5€. This is a 

very popular outing and a brilliant buzzy restaurant 

worth the morning out in itself. 

Dogs are welcome on both walks, but not at 

the indoor Mula restaurant. The slowest people 

take priority on easy NEST walks and we 

always wait, so no need to be anxious (but 

you do need to be in good health). 

Please book & wait for confirmation giving 

Spanish contact phone number and full 

names, either by text/tel to 679 002 147 or 

email natureespunatrails@gmail.com 

Register at http://www.nestwalks.info to 

get more dates for March onwards etc! 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ 

natureespunatrails 

Looking forward to seeing you all! 


Tina and Ella 

These poor animals were found by a caring 

neighbour trapped in 

the derelict pool of 

an empty property. 

She had to get into 

the pool to lift them 

out, but because they 

were so frightened 

they immediately ran 

away. Luckily they 

returned a few days 

later, starving and exhausted 

and she was 

able to nurse them 

back to good health. 

With help from Mamas 

they have been 

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spayed and Tina has already been found 

a new home, but Ella is still searching for 

one, so if anyone 

would be willing to 

adopt a seven month 

old Labrador/Husky 

please get in touch. 

We Need Your Help 

Although times are 

very difficult, we 

do need your donations 

to carry out our 

work, so please don’t 

forget us. Animals 

can’t ask for our 

help; only the people 

that care about them 

can make sure that they don’t suffer. 

Can we assist you with your pet? 

Have you provided a home for an animal 

from a rescue centre or shelter for a stray 

dog or cat? Don’t struggle to pay those vet 

bills on your own. We can provide financial 

assistance towards the cost of spaying or 

castrating your new pet and those unexpected 

vet bills, if funds are available. 

To do this we need your unwanted 

items. 

You can donate at the shop, Mon to Sat 

10am-2pm. (Take the third left after 

Barclays Bank on your way into Puerto de 

Mazarrón). We have a good selection of 

furniture, household items and clothing, so 

make us your first port of call or check out 

our website 

mazarronanimalmedi-aid.co.uk 

Camposol Drop-Off Point 

Tuesdays on Camposol B Sector car park 

10am-1pm opposite the petrol station. We 

will take any saleable items however large or 

small, to raise money in order to help other 

people with the medical expenses for their 

pets. 

Fuente Alamo 

You can leave items at The Dog Bowl, Fuente 

Alamo Fridays until 12pm. 

Furniture Pickup Service & House Clearance 

Try our 50/50 scheme. We can take anything 

from a single large item up to a full house 

contents. We will collect larger items free of 

charge, display them in our shop to ensure 

that you receive the best possible price for 

them and then forward your 50% share of 

the proceeds to you. 

Tel 666 186 037 or call at the shop 

Email mazarronanimalmedi-aid@hotmail.com 

Helping You Helping Animals 

Registered Charity No 9537/1a 









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Phillip Dawe, Chiropodist has moved 

his clinic on Camposol to new premises at 

Sensol Golf Villa Rentals half way up the 

dual carriage way near the hotel on Sector 

C. The clinic is open every Monday and 

subject to demand, also on Thursdays. 

Contact details for an appointment for existing 

and new clients are unchanged. 

Tel 968 150 244 or 659 468 092. 

As & When Cleaning Services run by 

Anita is a new branch of Fuente Building 

Services. Everyone loves to have a 

cleaner now and then, or has your mobility 

hindered your shopping or getting your 

house ready for visitors? This new business 

could be the answer for you. For an 

efficient, reliable and friendly service from 

someone experienced with the elderly, call 

Anita on 670 552 448. 

La Vida Bar and Bistro (formerley Scottees) 

in Los Cantereros Nr. El Pareton is 

under new management. 

If you have not visited this venue for a 

while then you really should. It has been 

totally refurbished in recent months. 

La Vida offer a superb range of food and 

entertainment including traditional Sunday 

Roasts, Candelit Gourmet Cuisine in the 

evenings, Fish & Chip and Steak Nights. 

Jason is still the chef there after nearly 9 

years of producing top quality food. What 

are you waiting for? 

Call Sheryl on 625 917 425. 

Stuart, Colin, Katie and Alix would like to 

welcome all customers, old and new, to 

The Club House on Camposol. They have 

recently taken over The Club House and 

will endeavor to make it a wonderful place 

to have a drink, eat or hold a fabulous 

function whilst enjoying magnificent views 

over the golf course. Stuart has now given 

up his working abroad to run The Club 

House. A new food menu will be available 

day and night. The famous carvery is still 

available every Sunday 12-4pm for 12€ 

(children under 12 can eat for 8€). There is 

a very busy Quiz Night on a Monday, Open 

Mic Night on Thursdays and Live Entertainment 

on every Saturday night. 

Tel 968 978 855 

Alley Palais on Camposol B are pleased to 

be celebrating two birthdays this month; yes 

two! The Alley Palais Entertainments 

Centre and Diner has now been open for 

four years and already a year has gone 

by since the ever-popular Bistro opened. 

For more information on what’s on offer, 

please telephone 968 978 869. 

Le Gourmet, the popular wine bar in Puerto 

de Mazarrón has a wonderful selection 

of chocolate for that extra special Valentine 

present. You will also find a good 

selection of fine pates, wine , champagne 

and sweets. 

Call Yoann on 968 15 43 15. 

Bistro Bulgaria on Condado de Alhama 

are offering 50% discount to over 60’s 

between 6pm and 8pm every day. They 

are also offering free pick-ups and returns 

after 7.45pm from outside the Caixa Bank 

on Camposol and from Mazarrón Country 

Club! In February they will be putting on a 

free bus service from Puerto de Mazarrón, 

Mazarrón Country Club and Camposol on 

Saturday evenings for the shows with a 

return trip at 11.30pm. 

Tel 0034 968 328 084 for more details. 

Visit the new butcher’s section at the Village 

Supermarket at Pueblo Español on 

Hacienda del Alamo Resort for all your favourite 

cuts of meat. They have a large 

selection in stock or they can order it in 

specially for you. Their bodega is also 

worth a visit 

Tel 608 053 555 

Are you worried about security? Eriks 

have been working for over 12 years in 

the Murcia region and are experts in all 

types of metal work including rejas for 

your doors and windows and garden gates. 

They will also make a superb job of renovating 

by sandblasting and repainting all 

metal work. 

Tel 636 050 008 


Jim and Margaret, formerly of Sensol 

Golf Club, are pleased to announce their 

new venture “The Taste of Home, 

Country Kitchen”. They now offer 

freshly made tasty and nutritious fresh, 

chilled or frozen meals and desserts delivered 

directly to your door. They are 

also available to cater for private dinner 

parties, birthdays or other celebrations 

in the comfort of your own home. 

Tel 603 135 387 

Smile White Teeth Whitening is now 

available at The Salon, on Camposol 

C. No bleaching or peroxide products 

used!!! Totally safe and painless treatment. 

Get your ‘Hollywood Smile’ for 

an introductory price of 75€. Two fully 

qualified technicians. Booking essential. 

Tel 691 916 717 

Garden Centre 2003 has a new range of 

cleaning products. Buying in bulk quantities 

significantly reduces the cost of these 

everyday products that we all use. There 

is everything you could want for household 

cleaning at very reasonable prices. Why 

not take a look? 

You can find them in the wooden reception 

office at the entrance to Garden Centre 

2003 or call Juani on 669 565 402. 

Old Farmhouses SL has an affiliated 

company, Ros Castren SL managing the 

sale of coastal properties on the Costa 

Cálida. This company is now based in our 

office in Fuente Alamo, C/ Pedro Guerrero 

14. If you have a coastal property to sell 

please contact us. 

Tel 968 159 631/636 529 085 

New to the Bistro Bulgarian on Camposol 

7 nights a week, 3 course + 1 beer/ 

wine/soft drink Menu del Noche 7-10pm 

15€. Happy Hour every day 4-6pm, buy 

1 get 1 free (except cocktails), or buy 2 

drinks and get free tapas and bread. 6 

days a week 3 course + coffee Menu del 

Dia 1-4pm only 8.95€. Sunday Lunch 

1-5pm from 6.50€. Outside heating for 

your comfort. 

Tel 968 199 914 

Are you thinking of making the most of the 

fantastic weather here in Spain by having 

your own swimming pool installed? Give 

Jorge’s Pools a call. They can show you 

a selection of pools that they have installed 

in the area. 

Tel 966 443 211 or 674 168 000 

If you are an existing customers 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. 

Page 12 









Page 13

The La Cumbre Hotel has long been a well 

known landmark in Puerto de Mazarrón, and 

although we had been several times for drinks 

on the terrace overlooking the sea with family, 

we had never ventured there for a meal. 

However, the board advertising the Menú del 

Día for just 10€ caught our eye recently and 

so we decided to give it a try. 

The dining conservatory had all the windows 

open with stunning views over Bahía, and 

our visitors were suitably impressed by the 

setting. The menu offered 2 or 3 choices for 

starter and main course, and there was a 

salad plate to share, followed by bean salad 

or tortilla for the first course, and a choice 

of baked chicken or swordfish for the main 

course. All came with a side order of vegetables 

and although drinks are not included, 

the house wine was reasonably priced, and 

there was a good selection on the wine list. 

The homemade tortilla was definitely one of 

the best we had tasted, and the fish was delicious. 

As ever, for my dessert-loving family, 

the choice of puddings was the tricky part. 

As well as fresh fruit, there was Pan de Calatrava 

or a homemade cake. Amazingly, my 

son chose an apple, but I´m afraid the rest of 

us have absolutely no willpower and the cake 

was the dessert of the day! The staff were 

chatty and service was good, and we were 

feeling so relaxed we only made it as far as 

the terrace for our coffee. 

There is also a “menu de degustación” for 

those with more discerning palates than my 

family, and at 18 to 20 euros a head, I´m 

sure it will be as good as the set lunch. The 

La Cumbre has gone to the top of our list as 

a place to take visiting family for a good meal 

in a lovely setting. 

Rating : (out of 5) 

Quality : 

Service : 

Value for Money : 

Location / setting : 

Just lately, on more than one occasion, I have 

been asked by members of the public how I 

manage to write my “Teresa’s Travels” column 

without running into conflict. I was therefore 

quite shocked to discover that they had assumed 

that I accepted free meals, haircuts, 

beauty treatments or show tickets and then 

simply wrote nice things about them. Well 

please let me put the record straight; I do 

not! 

I have a very simple policy; I try to spend my 

money with those that spend money with us 

wherever possible. We have a large customer 

base of professional businesses and it is a 

pleasure to do business with all of them. I 

have my hair regularly done by The Salon in 

Camposol. Yvonne from Beauty Essentials 

does my nails. For other, irregular beauty 

treatments I will also use The Beauty Palace, 

The Fuchsia Clinic or Jane’s Salon. I 

regularly have a small breakfast somewhere 

depending on my schedule at Liz´s Café, Alley 

Palais, The Steak Out or The Bistro 

Bulgaria on Camposol, or if I am down on 

the coast I will opt for Restaurante Marina, 

or The New Royal in Puerto de Mazarrón or 

Elliot’s in Bolnuevo. 

After a recent trip back to the UK I was staggered 

at just how much costs have risen over 

there. My young daughter-in-law (to be) pays 

over £130 for a ½ head of highlights. I pay 

under 30€ here by comparison, so I consider 

myself very fortunate to have such a rich 

and diverse assortment of businesses on our 

doorstep, all offering superb value for money, 

which is even more important in this economic 

climate. Costs also vary greatly throughout 

this region, but a cup of coffee is still between 

1€ and 1.50€. Have you been into a UK coffee 

shop lately?!! 

I would like to express our thanks to Tim from 

Kwik Fix who quickly came to the rescue 

when one of The CHM team managed to remove 

the door of one of the vans by accident! 

All sorted within the hour; thanks Tim. 

More next month 

Teresa 


The last cry 

from Mel Gibson 

in Braveheart 

acting 

as William 

Wallace was 

FREEDOM. 

His whole 

adult life under 

the oppression 

of 

the English 

invaders and not to mention several Scottish 

Lords was focused on setting Scotland free. 

In the end he and many others gave up their 

lives in the quest for freedom. Scotland will 

soon have a vote on political “freedom” and 

Page 14 

many of the principles of the United Nations 

and governments in the “Free” world are centred 

around freedom; Freedom from Hunger, 

War, Oppression, Slavery and so on. 

Many of the recent civil wars are simply people 

trying to be free from the tyranny of leaders 

who have had the freedom to behave as 

they like, often resulting in taking freedom 

away from others. 

Freedom doesn’t always lead to peace as we 

have seen recently and often comes at a high 

price. Wars have casualties on both sides, 

guilty and innocent. One person’s freedom 

may be at some cost to others. The problem 

with freedom is that it is almost impossible 

to be free from everything 

that affects us. 

Freedom from debt 

may lead us to worry 

about spending money 

in case we lose that 

freedom. There are a 

lot of miserable lottery 

winners! 

Freedom from work 

may result in boredom 

or dissatisfaction. 

Freedom from relationships 

may leave us 

lonely. 

Freedom from speed 

limits could result in 

injury to others and us. 

Complicated isn’t it! In the end any freedom 

we enjoy could be replaced by some other 

bondage we hadn’t thought of or considered, 

so when Jesus says ”If the Son sets you 

free, you will indeed be free”, John 8v36, 

it might be worth exploring what He meant 

by that and how it could affect your life now 

and forever? 

Want a FREE Bible? - contact us. 

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 

Find us at Los Almagros, Fuente Alamo, 

30320, Murcia. GPS: 37”45’ 57.77’ North. 

1” 15’ 56.95’ West 

Phone Ken 646 705 403 or Carol 655 141 

721 









Page 15

Our Pets’ Eyes 

Our cats and dogs have certain anatomic differences 

in their eyes. This makes them see 

the world in a different way from the way 

we do. The location of the orbit in the head 

gives the position of the eyes and also the 

amplitude of the field of vision. Non-predator 

species such as horses, sheep, pigs or cows, 

have their eyes in the side of their head. This 

gives them very good panoramic vision. The 

carnivorous animals such as cats and dogs 

have the ocular globes in the front part of the 

head, so if they lose panoramic vision, they 

have a very highly developed binocular vision, 

formed up by the superposition of the 

field of vision of both eyes, and have a visual 

field angle of between 200 and 270 degrees. 

Depending on the race, this is inferior to herbivores, 

but noticeably superior to humans, 

that only reach 100-120 degrees. 

Photoreceptors are the cells of the retina that 

make the process of the reception of visual 

stimulus. There are two kinds; the cones that 

perceive colours and details, and the sticks 

that detect movement and are sensitive to 

lower intensities of light. Dogs and cats have 

many more sticks than humans do, but many 

less cones, so their vision in the darkness 

is quite good and they are better at detecting 

moving images than fixed ones. This fact 

justifies that our dogs see the ball perfectly 

when we throw it several metres away, but 

they can’t find it when it is completely static 

only a few centimetres from them. In the 

same way, every dog is able to identify their 

owners by the way in which they move, but 

they can’t see their features with sharpness. 

Dogs don’t see in black and white, but in colour. 

These animals have bi-chromatic vision 

and they are able to distinguish blue and yellow 

colours and the different tones of grey. 

This means that they can’t differentiate yellow 

and orange, green and red, or green and 

grey, so guide-dogs do not differentiate the 

colours in a traffic-light, but the brightness 

and the position of the light. This, as well as 

the traffic noise and the flow of the traffic, allows 

them to know the right moment to cross 

the road. 

Finally, cats can only differentiate blue and 

green colours and probably, red and their 

eyes are specially adapted for night vision 

which is estimated at five times superior 

to ours. On the other hand, when they are 

hunting or running after a toy, they are able 

to concentrate themselves on their prey and 

take out the rest of the objects inside their 

visual area. They see their object with sharpness 

and the other ones with a kind of blurred 

mass. 


Cornelius Jaschko, the owner and mastermind 

behind X3Int.Systems, became interested 

in Computers & IT Technology at the 

age of 15 and saw the potential that it could 

deliver to the modern world. He worked for 

one of the largest companies in Germany 

providing Help Desk Service to their national 

& international clients. However, he felt the 

service was limited and decided to build up 

something gradually that his clients would 

appreciate. 

It was at this time that he also discovered the 

power of Web & Graphic Design and Search 

Engine Optimisation. As a client of X3Int. 

Systems you need look no further for anything 

related to IT Solutions. If you have a 

business, X3Int.Systems can set up a Complete 

Design or develop a Solution & Network 

whether it be a server for 1 or 1,000 clients. 

X3Int.Systems can help new businesses 

build up their Web Presence ranking well on 

the internet within the various Search Engines. 

X3Int.Systems has websites ranking 

throughout the Search Engines as number 1 

worldwide for Search Terms of your choice. 

Most clients underestimate the power of 

websites and what it means to have one that 

ranks well in the Search Engine Results. This 

is where X3Int.Systems can help. 

When Cornelius arrived in Spain about a year 

ago, he needed to use “Google” to search 

for information on the internet, starting with 

specific requests such as “British Car Mechanic 

Mazarrón” or “British Butchers Murcia”. 

It is quite simple - if you are not up 

there, no-one will know about you! 

Nowadays, anyone can build a website as 

there are plenty of free tools around the 

internet, but if you have got only a “home 

made” website you will never be recognised 

by the search engines as worthy of being 

ranked at all. 

Remember - your website reflects your 

business. 

A homemade website does not look or feel 

like a professionally built one. X3Int.Systems 

build professional websites that will 

rank high in the Search Results and that will 

really work. They are 

easy to navigate by all 

clients no matter what 

their age or computer 

literacy. They are built 

using the newest approved 

standards of 

scripts and they are 

hosting them with the 

biggest players in the 

industry, ensuring any 

work done for their clients 

is future proof. 

If you have any business 

idea, no matter 

what – internet sales 

shop, etc, X3Int.Systems can advise you 

and tell you exactly how everything works. 

If you want to put your business on the internet, 

X3Int.Systems’ initial consulting 

service is free of charge and they will tell 

you exactly how everything will operate in an 

honest step-by-step approach. 

X3Int.Systems’ latest introductory offer for 

new clients: 

X3Int.Systems install, partition and advise 

new clients in the comfort of their own home 

on how to use Windows 7 Ultimate 64 or 

32 Bit, including Office software anti-virus, 

Firewall & Skype which can be used for free 

video calls to family & friends here or abroad 

all for just €100. 

X3Int.Systems can support your installation 

remotely once it is all set up. 

Did you know that 99% of viruses and malicious 

software is usually down to the user’s 

fault and not some mean hacker getting into 

your private computer for bit of fun? 

X3Int.Systems hopes to hear from you 

soon and look forward to helping you in either 

English or German language. (No call 

out charge for the Mazarrón area.) 

Tel: 691 993 219 

Email: info@x3int.net 

Page 16 









Page 17


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Page 19


St Nicholas Ecumenical Church 

Calle Sobrija 2248 

Sector D20 Camposol 

By Rev Len Eaton MBE 

www.stnicholaschurchspain.com 

The Christmas period at Camposol was very 

quiet. It seemed that many people had gone 

away to be with families elsewhere for the 

festivities and immediately prior to Christmas 

Eve there were large numbers who went for 

a Christmas break to Benidorm. Despite this, 

all of our services during this time were reasonably 

well attended and it was nice to see 

those who had been away back in the fold. 

On 13 th February (Ash Wednesday), there will 

be a service at 10am followed at 10.45am by 

our Annual General Meeting. The Church is 

governed in a democratic way by members 

being elected to the Church Council. Some 

of the positions become vacant each year and 

new members are elected to fill those posts. 

It is also an important time to review the 

Church’s progress over the past year and to 

see where and how we can improve ourselves 

in the Lord’s work. 

The “Grub Tub” initiative, food for the needy, 

went down very well over the Christmas and 

New Year periods, so much so that we intend 

to keep it going as long as the need exists. 

The food is distributed to the needy by 

Rev. Bro. Konrad and helpers and is spread 

throughout Bolnuevo, Mazarrón and Puerto 

de Mazarrón as required. There are a number 

of organizations locally involved in this work 

and if you wish to contribute, they, as well 

as us, would be glad to hear from you. Telephone 

numbers are at the end of this article. 

At long last we have received permission from 

the Town Hall to erect a Cross on the Church. 

This work is now proceeding and will make 

the Church much more visible, especially for 

newcomers to the area. We still await the 

permission to erect direction signs, but we 

are confident that is will come in due course. 

Services for February 2013 

Sunday 3 rd 

Songs of Praise 

10.30am 

Sunday 10 th 

Holy Communion 10.30am 

Wednesday 13 th 

Ash Wednesday 

10.00am 

Sunday 17 th 

Morning Prayer 

10.30am 

Sunday 24 th 

Holy Communion 10.30am 

All services take place at Calle Sobrija 2248, 

D20 Camposol, where a warm welcome 

awaits you. Services offered by the Church 

are Wedding Blessings, Holy Baptism, 

Confirmation and Funerals. We have a 

Pastoral Service throughout the year, people 

who listen, talk and are there to help anyone 

who is sick or in need. The Pastoral care is 

absolutely confidential. 

For any of the Church Services offered, or 

other information, please call Rev Len Eaton 

on 968 138 952, Rev Deacon Maureen Kent 

on 636 099 679, Rev Deacon Bill Coyle 634 

143 260, or Rev Bro Konrad 679 927 268 

Call 645 469 253 

Call 659 274 573 

Call 655 027 676 

Macho was 

brought to us 

with his sisters 

when 

they were just 

week-old kittens 

and had to 

be bottle fed. 

He is now 11 

weeks old, tabby 

and white 

colouring, and 

desperate for a 

home. 

Jackson is a 

handsome 1 

year old Podenco. 

He is vaccinated, 

chipped 

and has his 

pet passport. 

Jackson is 

very friendly 

and gentle, 

walks well on 

the lead and 

loves to be with 

you. 

Hop-along is 

a special cat. 

He has 3 normal 

legs and a 

1 stumpy leg. 

He was born 

this way and 

has adapted 

very well and 

plays with the 

other cats and 

dogs. He has a 

very sweet and 

kind nature 

and loves to 

get attention. 

Penny, a 12 month old Pointer cross, is in 

lovely condition and she loves to play. She is 

chipped, vaccinated and is very good with other 

dogs. Call 655 103 082 

To view more animals for adoption go to 

www.petsinspain.com 

To advertise an animal for adoption email 

info@petsinspain.info 

Page 20 









Page 21

A Year Of 

Change 

Time stands still 

for no man and 

just as we think 

we are adjusting 

to the austerity 

measures, we 

are hit by more 

change either 

in our personal 

lives, financial 

circumstances, 

family dynamics 

or life in general. 

There are times when all we want is for the 

World to stop spinning, but unfortunately it 

just carries on. Many of us have made our 

New Year’s resolutions to try and ring in 

positive change in our lives and to those, I 

say “Don’t give up as Hope is always round 

the corner”. 

To go on this journey alone can be frightening 

at times, so now is the time to pick 

up the courage and get a supportive network 

of friends and family around you. 

Whether you want to lose weight, find 

employment or sell your home, it always 

helps when you can share it with friends. 

After all, it is said, “a problem shared, is a 

problem halved”. You may find that others 

are trying to make similar changes in their 

lives, so why not support each other? 

Jennifer. 

Dear Jennifer, 

I can’t face another year in Spain. Our 

dream for a peaceful retirement has been 

shattered by the economic downturn in 

Spain and I just want to return to England. 

My problem is that my husband wants to 

stay, but I want to leave! It is causing so 

much friction in our marriage and something 

will have to give. We are in our seventies 

and I am afraid that at our age it 

is too much of an emotional and financial 

rollercoaster. I should be enjoying my hard 

earned retirement, not making ends meet 

each week! I am so sad and it is affecting 

my health. 

Sue M. 

Dear Sue, 

Firstly, you are not alone in your dilemma, 

as many are faced with making some 

harsh decisions about their future. Secondly, 

no-one really knows what future lies 

ahead for Spain and for us expats. Whatever 

it is, we will have to face reality and 

decide whether to ride the storm or return 

home. Not an easy decision at all! What 

can make the decision-making easier is a 

consensus of opinion with your loved ones. 

If you haven’t as yet, please discuss your 

feelings with your husband. It may be the 

case that you return home first and he follows 

later. Decisions that are emotionally-led 

can have a negative rather than a 

positive outcome for you both. Now is the 

time to make a decision that is mutually 

acceptable and draw up your blue-print for 

the future. 

All the best, 

Jennifer. 

Dear Jennifer, 

My husband has told me that I am fat. This 

hurtful remark was made on New Year’s 

Eve and he was drunk at the time, yet it 

plays on my mind constantly. I have tried 

to diet before and had no success and as 

such am reluctant to try again. I don’t 

think I am fat, but agreed that the pounds 

have slowly crept up over the years. I want 

to leave him! 

Mandy B. 


Dear Mandy, 

To leave your husband over an ill-timed yet 

hurtful remark is surely not a good reason 

to walk out on a marriage, unless there are 

other reasons which you have not mentioned. 

You need to look at your marriage 

firstly, and decide if it is worth keeping and 

secondly, you need to look at what is really 

making you unhappy and cocooned 

in low self-esteem. Is it the weight gain 

or is it something else? If you decide to 

make some changes in your life, there is a 

variety of good weight-loss clubs and programmes 

around, which have high success 

rates. Joining a weight-loss community 

can also give you added boost and motivation 

to follow through with the weight-loss 

programme. Have a moment to yourself, 

review your life and make a blueprint for 

change this year. Only you can make the 

necessary changes to your life, no one else 

can do this for you. 

Jennifer. 

If you would like Jennifer Rahman to answer 

your questions, please send your 

question to jennifer@lifemaxxinternational.com. 

Jennifer is a qualified Life 

Coach, NLP and Emotional Wellness Coach 

in Spain. 

Page 22 









Page 23

The Spain 

Hemingway 

Never Saw 

It started as 

a nostalgia 

trip, but now 

it’s become a 

school textbook. 

Acclaimed 

for 

its humorous 

bitter-sweet 

account of 

the impact of 

modern ways 

on a rural 

community, 

David Baird’s 

book “Sunny 

Side Up 

- The 21st 

Century Hits a Spanish village” has been 

honoured by being selected for study at language 

institutes and secondary schools in 

southern Spain. 

“This is a real surprise,” says David. “I started 

writing it in a nostalgic vein, seeking to reflect 

how dramatically life had changed in my 

near-medieval village.” 

Born in Oswestry, Shropshire, David worked 

as a journalist in the UK (Yorkshire Evening 

News, The Sun, The Times, Daily Express) 

and in Canada, Australia and Hong Kong before 

settling in Spain. He has had a number 

of fiction and non-fiction books published, but 

this is the first time his work has become part 

of a school curriculum. 

“Sunny Side Up” documents - hilariously at 

times - the drama and the passion played out 

in a typical Spanish village as it switches from 

old ways to the more modern of the computer 

age. 

“All human life is here, in all its varieties,” 

says Baird, who with his Dutch wife found refuge 

in such a village, seeking ‘the simple life’. 

He admits that they soon found things were 

anything but simple. 

While the book may read like fiction, it’s all 

fact. This is the Spain that Hemingway never 

saw and never wrote about. You’ll find passion, 

but also pathos in this sharply observed 

dissection of local ways and it includes a wicked 

glance at expatriate eccentricities when 

they confront traditional Spanish life styles. 

“Baird’s ironic glance back over the past 30 

years is recommended reading for anybody 

who has ever wondered what happened to 

‘the real Spain’,” says the Sunday Times, of 

London. 

Baird’s other books include “Between Two 

Fires”, a highly acclaimed account of a largely 

unreported guerrilla war in Spain in the 

1940’s. “This superbly written book could not 

be more timely,” says historian Paul Preston. 

He has also written several travel books and 

two works of fiction (“Don’t Miss The Fiesta!” 

and “Typhoon Season”). 

“Sunny Side Up”, distributed by Maroma 

Press (http://maromapress.wordpress. 

com/), is on sale through English bookshops 

in Spain and from Amazon and other Internet 

sellers. 

A German edition, “Leben im Pueblo”, is available 

from the publisher, Verlag Winfried Jenior 

(www.jenior.de), of Kassel, Germany. 


The Spanish Tax Office Has Recently Introduced 

a New Tax Form Concerning 

Fraud and Money Laundering. 

This is the tax form no. 720 and it must 

be completed by all tax residents in Spain. 

All below mentioned assets held as of the 

31.12.2012 with a value of more than 50,000 

Euros must be submitted on this form between 

March and April 2013. 

1. Accounts in foreign banks: Balance at 

31st December 2012 and average balance 

in the last quarter. 

2. Properties and property rights owned 

in any other country. 

3. Shares, rights, life insurances and incomes 

deposited, handled or obtained 

abroad. 

Tax evaders will incur a penalty of €5K for 

every asset not declared after the deadline 

with a minimum penalty of €10,000. 

In addition, non-declared assets might be 

considered by the Tax Office, as capital gains. 

This means that tax evaders would have to include 

it on the 2012 Income Tax Return, and 

it could be taxed up to 56% tax rate depending 

on the Province, plus an additional penalty 

up to 150% over the total taxable amount. 

This is an extraordinary tax return, and it 

won’t have to be completed again unless 

you subsequently acquire additional assets 

abroad with a value in excess of €20K. 

Although this will apply to Spanish citizens 

and expats, foreigners are more likely to have 

offshore assets. 

Tax returns will only be accepted through online 

submission. Therefore an electronic certificate 

issued by the Tax Office is required to 

submit the tax forms. 

For more information please contact your 

specialist team at Corral & Alcaraz. It is not 

worth risking your assets. 

Tel +34 968 078 754 

E-mail info@corralalcaraz.com 

www.corralalcaraz.com 

Page 24 









Page 25

More Ex-Forces Personnel in Prison than 

Serving in Afghanistan 

At the Hondon Valley British Legion AGM, 

the Chairman Dave Stewart advised us of 

some staggering statistics. 

He stated that there are 20,000 ex-forces 

personnel in prison or on probation; twice as 

many as are serving in Afghanistan, an increase 

of a third in the last 5 years. Many of 

these Veterans are suffering from undiagnosed 

Post Trauma Stress. More British Service Personnel 

who served in the Falklands have committed 

suicide, than were killed in the conflict. 

Last year, the Royal British Legion took 

1,485 calls from homeless ex-service personnel. 

By law, they should be offered ac- 

commodation as a priority, yet councils fail 

because of their long waiting lists. Others 

are denied home ownership because the 

heightened risk of suicide means they can’t 

get life insurance to guarantee a mortgage. 

Dave thanked everyone all over Spain, who 

supported The Royal British Legion and the 

Poppy Appeal. 

He promised that at the Christmas Party on 

18th December at the Monte Alto Restaurant, 

Hondon de las Nieves, he would unveil the 

final amount raised by the Hondon Valley 

branch this year. 

Legion Members would welcome anyone to 

join them for their monthly meetings held on 

the 3 rd Tuesday of each month at Monte Alto. 

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

Over this holiday period there have been 

many activities to raise money for families 

who are struggling to survive in the current 

economic climate. The ADAPT Association 

of San Pedro del Pinatar has also joined these 

efforts by providing shoe boxes with gifts for 

the many children who would otherwise not 

be receiving presents from the kings. 

When the call went out in October to provide 

shoe boxes covered with Christmas paper and 

containing presents for boys or girls from 0 

to 14 years old, there was a tremendous response 

not only from ADAPT members, but 

also many other friends and contacts. As a 

result there were more than enough boxes, 

along with hats, gloves, scarves, socks, pyjamas, 

baby supplies and hygiene products to 

give to the families normally helped by the 

El Samaritano Association. Consequently, a 

large number of presents also went to the local 

Cáritas Association for other children in 

the town in the same circumstances. 

This shoe box campaign has been run alongside 

ADAPT’s usual fundraising activities in 

which members take along bags of food to the 

monthly meeting to pass on to El Samaritano. 

As a result of this year’s ADAPT panto “Snow 

White and the Seven Guiris”, 1618€ has been 

raised to buy food and other essential items 

for needy families over the Christmas period 

and throughout the coming year. 

The next ADAPT meeting will be on Saturday 

2 nd February at 10.30am in the Hogar del 

Pensionista, Calle Floridablanca, San Pedro 

del Pinatar. 

See our website for full information www. 

adaptsanpedro.eu 

Page 26 

Please 

Please 

tell 

tell 

our 

our 

customers 

customers 

where 

where 

you 

you 

saw 

saw 

their 

their 

advertisement 

advertisement 

in 

in 

the 

the 



Cálida 

Cálida 







email: 

email: 

costacalidachronicle@gmail.com 

costacalidachronicle@gmail.com

Fundraiser for Quartets to Represent 

Spain in Dutch Contest 

As members of the Spanish Association of 

Barbershop Singers (SABS), Spangles Ladies’ 

Harmony Chorus of Los Alcázares organised 

a series of concerts to raise funds to 

help two young Spanish barbershop quartets 

to represent Spain at the European Contest in 

Holland in March this year. 

Torrevieja quartet, Fourmidables, SABS 2012 

Silver medallists and Cataluña-based quartet, 

Hanfris, SABS 2011 Gold medallists, 

appeared with Spangles (SABS 2011 Gold 

medallists) and the Torrevieja Harmonisers 

(SABS 2011 Bronze medallists) at two concerts 

in Los Alcázares and Castalla, and the 

two quartets also sang to a packed house at 

Diamante’s Restaurant in El Mojón. 

Audiences, whose vision of barbershop may 

have been of four men in boaters and stripy 

waistcoats, were blown away by the stunning 

voices of the two young men’s quartets and 

the entertaining 

and professional 

performances 

of the choruses. 

Their comments 

ranged from “I 

didn’t realise that 

barbershop could 

be so entertaining” 

to “The show 

was unbelievable 

value for money”. 

SABS President 

and Spangles Musical Director, Gail Grainger, 

commented “These young guys are great 

ambassadors for SABS and we are so proud 

that they have qualified to represent us on 

the European stage. It will cost approximately 

2,400€ for each quartet to compete in Holland 

and Spangles wanted to show their support 

by helping to raise funds for their trip. I’m delighted 

to say that we raised 1,000€ from the 

series of concerts and we’re extremely grateful 

to our wonderful audiences.” 

After winning 

a Gold medal, 

quartets and 

choruses cannot 

compete in 

the following 

year, so Spangles 

and Hanfris 

will be going 

for gold again 

at the SABS 

Convention in 

Benalmádena, 

Málaga in April. “The Chorus is working hard 

on two contest songs and will be showcasing 

them at a show in March this year” remarked 

Gail. “Details will be announced in the press 

and we’d love to see all our supporters there.” 

Following on from their gold medal success, 

Spangles has released a CD called ‘Pure 

Gold’, which includes their two winning contest 

songs and many audience favourites. 

‘Pure Gold’ is on sale at just 5€. Call 968 432 

525 or 968 334 527 to order your copy. 

Spangles welcome new members, so if 

you’re looking to make new friends and enjoy 

singing, why not visit Spangles when they rehearse 

at Las Claras? They meet every Thursday 

from 10am-1pm. 

Please call Lyn on 968 432 525 or Anthea on 

968 334 527 to book Spangles or to find 

out how to join, or visit the website www. 

spangleschorus.com. 

Photographers: Vincent de Vries, Carlos Duart, 

Kristoff . 

Email: 

Web: 

info@spangleschorus.com 

www.spangleschorus.com 

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





Page 27 Page 27

Christmas Cheer for MABS Murcia 

The lead-up to Christmas was quite a busy 

one for MABS Cancer Support Group in 

Murcia. On 14 December, Iceland Overseas, 

San Javier provided mulled wine and Christmas 

nibbles while Spangles Ladies’ Harmony 

Chorus sang Christmas songs to their customers. 

A raffle was organised and Laurence 

from Murcia Today was on hand to sell plants, 

donating the proceeds to MABS. The event 

was a huge success, raising more than 600€ 

to add to the Iceland’s total for 2012. 

Jo Rea & Sheena Sample of Ascension, Hair, 

Beauty, & Holistic Centre in Los Alcázares 

contacted MABS back in November to say 

that they were going to run a Christmas Raffle 

to raise funds for MABS Murcia. The 

twelve prizes were all for Hair & Beauty treatments 

and the draw took place on 22 nd December 

with some of their regular clients eagerly 

waiting to see if they had won a prize! 

The Raffle raised 189€. Janet B thanked Jo 

& Sheena for all their hard work selling tickets 

and for choosing MABS as their charity. 

MABS Murcia is a registered charity (No. 

7261) offering help and support to local people 

of all nationalities who have been diagnosed 

with or are being treated for cancer. If 

you or someone you know would like some 

confidential help or support call our Helpline 

693 275 779 or visit their website www. 

mabsmurcia.com 

Photographer: Adrian Chorley. 

Iceland Overseas Continues to Support 

Mabs Murcia 

MABS Cancer Support Group volunteers 

from Murcia/Mar Menor branch were back at 

Iceland Overseas in San Javier this week to 

collect a cheque for 1,635€ which was raised 

throughout 2012. The money was raised with 

various events through the past year at the 

Iceland Overseas store and they have confirmed 

that MABS Murcia is their nominated 

charity for 2013. 

“We’re really looking forward to working with 

everyone at MABS again. Their volunteers 

are game for anything and are a great help 

when they’re packing customers’ shopping. 

We love the atmosphere created at Christmas 

when Spangles come to sing and get our customers 

in the mood for the festive season.” 

said Sorelle Fox, Supervisor at the store. 

The MABS Fundraising team is now busy 

working with Iceland Overseas on new events 

for this year, so keep checking the press and 

the MABS website to make sure that you 

don’t miss out on the fun. 

Photographer:Geoff Bell/Roger Honess 

MABS Murcia is a registered charity (No. 

7261) offering help and support to local people 

of all nationalities who have been diagnosed 

with or are being treated for cancer. If 

you or someone you know would like some 

confidential help or support call our HELPLINE 

693 275 779 or visit their website www. 

mabsmurcia.com 


The Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal 

British Legion was in Christmas mood at 

the December Branch Meeting attended by 

almost a hundred members after which they 

were entertained by the popular TAABS led by 

Cathy Carson. The Balladeers sang a selection 

of Christmas carols before launching into 

some of the most popular Christmas songs 

of bygone years. Most members joined in the 

singing which included the traditional song 

‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’ although 

some of the responses were thought to be 

rather suspect! But it was a fun evening despite 

the rationing of the mince pies. 

During the earlier business part of the meeting 

Branch Chairman, Keith Carter, formerly 

announced the total achieved during the 2012 

Poppy Appeal in what has now come to be 

the traditional way with members and visitors 

displaying the figure. This year it was 

yet another record amount of €28,688, far 

surpassing anything achieved to date and 

only €3,000 below the magical €100,000 figure 

that Members have now collected since 

the Branch formation in 2008. The figure 

was brought even closer with a donation 

on the night of €460 from the Costa Cálida 

Chronicle who raised the amount from their 

advertisers during the poppy appeal. There 

was also a further presentation made on 

the night to ‘Mick the Grip’ who raised over 

€5,200 during the year by holding sponsored 

golf competitions in support of the appeal 

On closing the Chairman, on behalf of the 

committee, wished everyone a Merry Christmas 

and a Happy New Year. 

The Orihuela Costa and District Branch 

meet at The Olympia Restaurant Mil Palmeras 

every 3 rd Thursday of the month, 7 for 

7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and 

join. You DO NOT have to be ex-service to 

do so. For more information visit our website 

www.orihuelacostarbl.com 

Page 28 


Sales 

Sales 

Contact 

Contact 

Teresa 

Teresa 

619 

619 

199 

199 

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407 

or 

or 

for 

for 

the 

the 

Editor 

Editor 

Contact 

Contact 

Patti 

Patti 

646 

646 

005 

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email: 

email: 



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





Page 29

School Comes To Horse Around EHCRC 

We have had an exciting Christmas period at 

the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre with 

our educational visit from the pupils of The 

Escuela Europa of Alicante. The pupils who are 

studying charity work as part of their course 

work, came to spend a morning with us at our 

charity shop in Guardamar. They visited the 

EHCRC in Rojales, to meet some of our rescued 

residents and get an understanding of 

what the aims of the Rescue Centre are and 

all the things that we have to consider when 

running the Foundation, from raising money 

for food, water and vet bills, to advertising for 

volunteers, staffing shops etc. 

The pupils enjoyed meeting Bronson, Dallas, 

Rocky and little Cruz and saw just how 

well they are doing since their rescues. Some 

of the pupils also got to see our vet Dorothea 

in action and ask her questions. It was real 

pleasure to have such well-behaved children 

at the Rescue Centre; they are a credit to the 

Escuela Europa. We look forward to seeing 

them again in the New Year when they will be 

working with us on their own charity project 

to help us raise some much needed funds towards 

a new tractor. 

We would love to take this opportunity to invite 

pupils from other schools in the area to 

come to visit EHCRC in Rojales, Alicante. If 

your school, class or club wish to visit EH- 

CRC, please contact us as we are currently 

taking provisional bookings for the forthcoming 

year. We will be offering Wednesdays afternoon 

tours, to schools and other organisations. 

Children will have a tour of the Rescue 

Centre and have the opportunity to ask Sue, 

the founder, any questions about our equines 

or indeed any other animals we home here at 

the centre. We can provide lunch facilities for 

packed lunches and we also have a snack bar. 

All that we ask in return is that the children 

enjoy their day and hopefully take back with 

them a new love and respect for the animals 

around them, as we feel that to educate the 

young on how to behave towards animals at a 

young age turns them into well rounded individuals 

in later life. We look forward to hearing 

for you. 

To volunteer or to book your school trip, 

please contact Sue on 652 021 980 or email 

rescue@easyhorsecare.net 

More details of the work of the centre can be 

found at www.easyhorsecare.net 

EHCRC was also delighted to appear on Guamipi 

(the fantastic Canal 9 animal show). We 

wish to thank the film crew for their wonderful 

production. If you missed the show you 

can watch it on http://www.rtvv.es/va/ 

guamipi/Guamipi-Cap_13_834046589. 

html 

We are urgently looking for volunteers to 

help out at the Rescue Centre to help cleaning 

feed buckets, help with field clearing etc. 

You do not need to be a horsy person or have 

any horse knowledge. All the help we can get 

would be great even if it is just 2 hours a 

week, so if you feel like getting fit, toning up 

and losing some of those Christmas pounds, 

please give us a call. 


3 1966 The Soviet probe ‘Luna 9’ made 

the first controlled landing of a manmade 

object on the Moon. 

5 1953 A decade of wartime sweet rationing 

ended in Britain, sparking a 

scramble for toffee apples and nougat. 

5 1996 The first ‘genetically modified’ 

foods went on sale in the UK; a tomato 

puree with no ‘rotting’ gene. 

7 1992 The Maastricht Treaty established 

the European Union of 12 nations, 

including the UK. 

7 2005 British yachtswoman Ellen Mac- 

Arthur set the fastest ever time for 

sailing solo around the world. 

8 1983 Record-breaking Derby winner 

Shergar was kidnapped by the IRA 

and ransomed for £2m. He was never 

seen again. 

11 1975 Margaret Thatcher became the 

first woman to head a British political 

party, leading the Conservatives. 

11 1990 South African anti-apartheid 

campaigner Nelson Mandela was released 

from prison after 27 years. 

15 1971 Decimal currency was launched 

in Britain, replacing the traditional 

‘pounds, shillings and pence’. 

18 2005 A law banning the hunting of 

wild mammals with dogs came into 

effect in England and Wales. 

22 1997 The first successful cloning of 

a mammal, Dolly the sheep, was announced 

by scientists in Scotland. 

Page 30 

Please 

Please 

tell 

tell 

our 

our 

customers 

customers 

where 

where 

you 

you 

saw 

saw 

their 

their 

advertisement 

advertisement 

in 

in 

the 

the 



Cálida 

Cálida 



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Contact 

Contact 

Teresa 

Teresa 

619 

619 

199 

199 

407 

407 

or 

or 

for 

for 

the 

the 

Editor 

Editor 

Contact 

Contact 

Patti 

Patti 

646 

646 

005 

005 

017 

017 



email: 

email: 



Members’ Lunch 

The annual HELP Murcia Mar Menor members’ 

lunch was held this year at Diamantes 

on 13 th December, when members, family and 

friends enjoyed a superb Christmas lunch accompanied 

by a wonderful afternoon of entertainment 

with Paul Allen singing ballads (not 

forgetting the very amusing Ryanair rant). 

HELP MMM’s President, Bernard Ash thanked 

everyone for attending. In his report to the 

last General Meeting of the year he had said 

that in difficult times for the Spanish economy, 

HELP had had a successful year and 

everybody should give themselves a pat on 

the back for the work they had done. HELP 

MMM had helped at least 500 people in 2012 

with the services that they provide in terms 

of mobility equipment, hospital visiting, and 

information given from the office or over the 

telephone, talking books and all the other services 

that HELP provides. They had also been 

able to make donations to a children’s charity 

and to CARITAS, and had made progress on 

integration with the Spanish community. 

Bernard Ash, the President of HELP MMM, 

accepted the money raised from Marilynn 

Pearce at HELP’s office on Friday 21 st December. 

The donation was much appreciated and 

will be a welcome addition to HELP MMM’s 

funds. 

It is estimated that in 2013, around 5 million 

people will need help with food in Spain, and 

HELP will endeavour to assist where it can. It 

is hoped to have a reasonable surplus available 

at the end of the year so that further 

donations to good causes can be made. 

HELP has a great team of volunteers and 

members and Bernard is sure the good work 

will carry on in 2013. There are new initiatives 

which will be put in place in January that respond 

to needs that have arisen over the last 

2-3 years, which will be publicised in the New 

Year. He thanked all the members for their 

loyalty during the year. 

Lady Golfers in Red & Black 

In December, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Club 

held their Ladies’ Annual Christmas Competition. 

The golfers, all dressed in red and black, 

wore a Christmas hat and had mince pies and 

brandy half way round the course. The Golf 

Competition was supported by 65 ladies and 

80 people attended lunch. A charity raffle at 

the lunch raised €585, which they donated to 

HELP MMM. 

HELP Murcia Mar Menor’s car boot at the 

Autocine, Los Alcazares was busy on 23rd December. 

HELP MMM continues its aim of loaning out 

mobility equipment, visiting people in hospital, 

providing assistance where it is needed 

and giving to good causes. Please ring our 

office on 968 570 059 for details on how we 

can help. 

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





Page 31

Sponsored Walk Organised by Murcia’s 

RDA Association – La Asociación Murciana 

De Terapias Ecuestres (AMTE) – 

With The Help Of META Riding Centre 

Twenty three people turned out to participate 

in the sponsored walk on Sunday 30 th 

December. It was a glorious, sunny day 

and our sponsored walk was a perfect way 

to let in the New Year. We had a mixed 

group of walkers, English, Spanish, German 

and a dog. They were of all ages and 

from all walks of life, from everywhere in 

the Region. We started at the Restaurante 

Mirador de Gebas where we were served a 

delicious breakfast of fresh juice, coffee, hot 

chocolate and home-made Spanish cakes 

(‘buñuelos’ and ‘paparajotes’) to pep up our 

energy levels before starting our 5km circuit 

around the Barrancos de Gebas. 

When we had finished, to conclude a great 

morning and courtesy of the AMTE, we went 

back to the Mirador for a few beers and a 

huge ‘bocadillo’. 

The walk raised enough money to cover our 

rescue mare Sabba’s upkeep and to pay for 

a day spent at the stables grooming, riding 

and just enjoying the horses for a group of 

youngsters from a children’s home in Murcia. 

All that’s left is to say a big ‘Thank you’ to 

our generous sponsors, Piccadilly Coffee 

Company, El Mirador de Gebas, Humanymal 

Consultores, META, our walkers, the friends 

and family who sponsored them, and to the 

Costa Cálida Chronicle for supporting us as 

always and printing this article. 

We are planning a longer Sponsored Walk in 

the same area; a walk through the almond 

trees in blossom; pure beauty. Anybody 

who would like to tag along please get in 

touch and we’ll send inscription form, Sponsor 

sheet and dates. 

Tel: 636 17 21 98/600 871 628 

Email meta@meta.nom.es 

On Saturday January 12 th 38 members travelled 

by coach to Viveros Hoya near Torre Pacheco, 

who specialise in growing plants and 

trees for dry conditions. 

During a tour of the tree nursery, our guide 

gave us lots of information about the various 

trees, growth habits, suitability for different 

sites etc and especially useful, an explanation 

of the correct way to plant a tree so as to ensure 

success. 


On returning to the sales area we were treated 

to refreshments and our next was a tour of 

the glasshouses, again with a wide variety of 

drought-resistant garden plants, which members 

were able to buy at advantageous prices. 

We then went to a restaurant for an excellent 

lunch, which whiled away the afternoon until 

we boarded the coach. Five members won prizes 

in the raffle and we returned to Camposol 

around 6pm 

Our next event at 11am on Saturday February 

2nd is a talk on plants for dry gardens by 

local horticulturist Andrew Brown, at the Casa 

Colorao Restaurant, Leiva on the D4, and will 

be followed by lunch there, with a raffle and 

plant swap stall. 

For further information and a warm welcome 

visit our web pages at www.bolnuevo.com 

or email darwiniangardeners@gmail.com or 

phone 669 338 885 

Page 32 









Page 33

Hi, it’s Shannon here again and I am going 

to tell you about the Christmas Carol 

services and gatherings we had over 

Christmas. The first one was on the 15 th 

December and the last one the 22 nd December. 

They were all brilliant. I was 

the official Open Door photographer, so 

I felt quite important. Loads of people 

turned up and we raised a lot of money 

for the people on Camposol. I thought 

the singing was great. There was a service 

in a pub and after a slow start, everyone 

joined in with the singing and enjoyed 

themselves. I took loads of photographs 

at every event. We were on Camposol 

and my brother, Ben, played carols on his 

bagpipes. I thought it was quite funny 

seeing the look of surprise on everyone’s 

faces when he did that. I don’t think they 

knew you could play Christmas Carols 

on bagpipes. The crowd sang along to 

Ben as well. The second time we were 

on Camposol, Ben had been so popular at 

the first that he was asked to play more 

than the night before, so he played a few 

Scottish tunes as well as carols. Everyone 

there really enjoyed that and clapped 

along. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. 

We went up to Cehegin for a Service 

up there for Derek and Lynda. They 

had a brilliant crowd with 45 people turning 

up. They all stayed after the service 

to mingle and chat and have mince pies. 

I liked that part. We also had a service in 

our local casa in Los Almagros. Again it 

was well attended and people seemed to 

appreciate the fact that Mum had sorted 

some Spanish songs for us all to sing as 

well. I didn’t sing very much as I was 

taking photographs. I hope we do loads 

more events this year so I can continue 

taking pictures. It was great to see so 

many people at all these different events. 

Thanks for coming and look out for the 

next ones from Open Door! 


Well, hello again, Connor here with more 

news for you to read. As you may have 

already guessed, I am going to write 

about Christmas, and I have chosen to 

tell you about our Christmas Day. When 

I went to bed on 24 th I didn’t sleep at all, 

well, not until 3am. I was clock watching. 

Then I was woken up at 5.30am when a 

door opened and slammed; maybe it was 

Santa! Eventually everyone else woke up 

and the day began with us all opening 

our stockings. It was a laugh. Shannon, 

Nathan and I got all the usual stuff, deodorant, 

playing cards, pens, pencils and 

things to make. Ben, on the other hand, 

got a load of strange stuff, like oranges, 

a spinning top, a Christmas bauble and 

a very strange thing that we were not 

too sure what to do with! It looked like a 

spinning blade, but was plastic and really 

did nothing. It was very funny and Ben 

just laughed and we had fun opening the 

Hi Nathan here again. I hope you all had 

a good New Year. I am going to write 

about the Christmas Dinner we had at 

our house for Open Door. On arriving at 

the house everyone was offered a glass 

of Champagne, or Orange for the drivers. 

Brian and Mo were the first to come and 

they brought some friends as well. Brian 

loves his roast potatoes, so in the afternoon 

I peeled lots of potatoes, making 

sure I did extra for Bri! Shannon folded 

all the napkins into wonderful shapes and 

she and Mum set all the tables. Connor 

helped me with the carrots, then we carried 

the chairs in and put cushions on 

them all. Mum and Dad did everything 

else. We had to take the settees out of 

the house to fit the tables in! After the 

Champagne everyone sat down at the tables. 

Shannon, Connor and I were the 

waiters for the tables we were sitting at, 

as we were all on different ones. There 

were three courses and each course had 

a choice of three different things, so we 

rest of the stuff. A bit later on Arthur and 

Marge joined us for the rest of the morning. 

We were all given a ton of chocolate 

this year, which is good as we all love 

chocolate! Our main gift from Mum and 

Dad was a full sized American Pool table. 

were kept very busy, making sure everyone 

had the right food and the drink 

containers were topped up. There was 

a mixture of Pumpkin Soup, Spring Rolls 

and Roast Vegetable towers with Goat’s 

cheese made by Mum for the starter, Turkey 

or Beef or Vegetarian option for the 

main meal and Christmas Pudding, Trifle 

It was in the room all the time, but we 

didn’t see it as Mum had hidden it under 

a cloth and it just looked like the normal 

dining room table! I didn’t notice that it 

was a lot bigger, but I suppose that was 

because I wasn’t looking for that. We 

have had loads of games already, noone 

can beat Dad, but the rest of us are 

evenly matched. After Christmas Dinner 

we sat down and watched a film on the 

television. Matt had brought some over 

with him and it was good to just relax, eat 

chocolate and watch a film together. The 

Cattery was full over Christmas, so Dad 

had to pop out to feed and clean them 

out. It is good to see it full. It was a good 

Christmas Day and I don’t think anyone 

went to bed with an empty stomach! Now 

we are getting back to the normal routine 

of school, but I will tell you about that 

next month. 

or Apple crumble made by Mum, for the 

dessert. Brian got loads of extra Roast 

potatoes, so he was pleased. We all told 

each other the awful jokes from the crackers, 

but it wouldn’t be Christmas without 

those would it! Just before the pudding, 

Santa came and gave us all gifts; 

of course, Mum missed him again! She 

always seems to do that. Odd! The evening 

was finished off with coffee and mince 

pies and everyone stayed for ages to just 

chat and enjoy the company. When the 

house was empty again, we had to clear 

up and wash the dishes. It was a good 

evening. 

Page 34 


To Sales place Contact an advertisement Teresa 619 with 199 us 407 please or for see the page Editor 5 or Contact contact Patti Teresa 646619 005199 017407 







Page 35


Page 36 








Page 37

The Alcedo 

Association 

is a group of 

friends who 

have common 

interests 

and objectives 

such as 

protection of 

our environment, 

the practice of outdoor sports, the interpretation 

of our natural environment, etc. 

Environmental education is therefore one 

of our main 

goals and to 

this end we 

will work primarily 

with 

children, as 

our intention 

is that future 

generations, 

will be more responsible with the nature 

around us than we have been. 

Though just begun this new and exciting way, 

we already have a head full of ideas. We will 

try to carry out projects such on February 16 th 

the Alcedo Association will be helped by 

the members of The Mazarrón Bahia Lions 

Club to create an aromatic herb garden with 

lavender, rosemary, thyme, etc. at Camposol. 

Other activities planned to help the Alcedo’s 

role in their work with children will be an 

excursion to locate water points and carry 

out an amphibian census and a trip to the 

largest solar plant in Europe. We also have 

planned workshops, lectures and exhibitions. 

Ultimately our wish is to enjoy and share the 

activities that we perform in our natural environment 

whilst learning to respect the environment. 

Consuelo Murcia 656 443 465 

Gina 968 978 810 

Email asociacionalcedo@gmail.com 

Despite the 

cold, we were 

absolutely 

thrilled to see 

so many of 

our loyal supporters 

at our 

first meeting 

of 2013 on 

January 2 nd . 

This was taken 

by our ever 

popular Marilyn 

Webb, who 

once again inspired 

us with her inspirational words in her 

philosophy and amazing demonstration of 

clairvoyance. In April Marian will be starting 

fortnightly two hour workshops. Places for 

these are limited and reservations are being 

taken. 

The month continued with Debbie Blevins, 

Morag Bullock and Sammy Fitzsimmons. We 

were delighted to be able to welcome international 

Spanish medium Mercedes Garcia who 

has lived in England for many years. This was 

Mercedes’ first time to return to work in Spain. 

Mercedes gave an evening of clairvoyance to 

both a Spanish and English speaking audience. 

We hope we will be able to persuade Mercedes 

to return to The Beacon of Light in the future. 

February’s guest mediums will be: 

February 6 th Anna Marie 

February 13 th Jimmy McArthur 

February 20 th Sammy Fitzsimmons 

February 27 th Joy & John Sloman 


Page 38 

The Beacon of Light Centre continues to 

grow and to those we have met and those we 

have yet to meet “a warm welcome” is assured 

and hopefully the doors of the Beacon 

of Light will remain open for many years to 

come. Our meetings are every Wednesday 

from 7pm with weekly guest mediums. There 

is healing available at the end of the meeting 

which usually finishes at approximately 

8.30pm. As always the evenings end with a 

friendly chat and cup of tea and biscuits. All 

our meetings are funded by donations given 

during the evening, 

Do you seek a special place?, 

The welcome’s warm, a friendly face, 

Do you need a place to go? 

When you feel good or you feel low. 

Do you want to know some more, 

For when we exit Earth Plane’s door, 

Healing you can get from there, 

Given with lots of loving care. 

Mediums travel from afar, 

Some by ‘plane and some by car, 

Messages of hope to bring, 

From loved ones as we proudly sing. 

Life does not end at the grave, 

Eternal love to you they gave, 

They’re never very far from you, 

So very close in all you do. 

So why not pop along and see, 

And join us for a cup of tea, 

If you would like on a Wednesday night, 

Come to our Centre - The Beacon of Light 

For further information please phone 

620 877 326 

Email beacon.of.light.murcia@gmail.com 

http://beaconoflightmurcia.webs.com 

or join us on facebook 

Beacon of Light Murcia 









Page 39

GO maD would like to publicly thank all those 

who supported us last year, in so many different 

ways: 

• All our volunteers, drivers & translators, 

without whom we could not 

manage to operate all the areas of GO 

maD! 

• The numerous donors of everyday 

items, & kind givers of monetary donations. 

• Various bowls clubs, golf societies, 

other associations plus YOU the general 

public. 

• The weekly donations of food & toiletries 

from ‘The Fat Club’, Camposol 

A who have just donated 10 pairs 

of children’s shoes. One of the ‘Fat 

Club’ Ladies, by accident or was it, 

stumbled upon a Mazarrón Aid Day, 

when she was so touched by a child 

with poor footwear, that she wanted 

to Make her own Difference. The story 

was shared with the group & a decision 

to purchase shoes was made. 

• The rental/management agents who 

kindly collate all the left-over food, 

toiletries & babies nappies from renters 

& kindly pass onto us. 

• ‘The Dog Bowl’, Fuente Alamo who 

donate unsold bread, which is kindly 

collected & dropped off to our shop 

by our ‘Community Star’, Colin Thackwell. 

• The Business’s who partner with us in 

holding food collection bins & to those 

not mentioned but you know who YOU 

ARE. 

• The publicity people from the newspapers 

and magazines who spread the 

word for us. 

As we enter the New Year, our work is not 

easing up. Every week from our Town Hall 

Offices we see a queue of applicants of varying 

nationalities patiently waiting. Everyone 

has a heart wrenching story! 

We are working on new projects & trust by 

the next edition that we can share these with 

you - maybe they would whet your appetite 

to partner with us. 

We are pleased to announce, that our 

Mazarrón Shop is now open on Fridays 10am- 

2pm. 

Shop, Mazarron 634 321 161 

Outreach/Enquiries 634 357 137 

Email madmazarron@live.com 

Face Book mad mazarron 

Legs 11? 

I might not be the tallest person in the world, 

measuring in at 164cm, or about 5´3” in old 

money, but oddly enough I have, according to 

my husband “very long legs for a short person”! 

It is true, that whilst he is much taller 

at just under 6 feet tall, he takes a 31 inch 

inside leg in trousers, whilst I take a 30 inch 

leg. 

You would have thought that here in Spain, 

where I tower over some of the older generation 

at the local market, I would not have a 

problem getting trousers to fit. 

Wrong!! For reasons best known to the clothing 

manufacturers here, trouser legs are 

made for people the size of giants, and I regularly 

hold up clothes against me in the shops 

to find an extra 6 inches of fabric trailing on 

the floor. 

Shopping with my mother, a mere 25 inch 

leg and 5 feet tall, becomes a nightmare, 

as there is enough spare fabric to practically 

make a new pair of trousers and don’t ask me 

to sew them up, since my version of hemming 

involves nothing more complicated than a roll 

of sticky webbing and a hot iron. 

The solution seems to be to buy from retailers 

with just a little more sense, who realise 

that women actually come in different heights 

and produce trousers in differing lengths, but 

I was a bit offended to find that 30 inch leg 

comes in as “short”! Ah well, Alex my son had 

the ideal solution. Last time we were in the 

changing room together, he offered his wise 

fashion advice on the clothes I was trying on. 

“The top makes you look like a clown, but the 

jeans will be OK if you wear shoes with heels 

ten metres tall.” 

Gok Wan, your job is safe! 

Liz Edmiston runs Murcia Property Services 

& OwnersAway Rentals offering a full range 

of services to property owners on the Costa 

Calída. 

Contact Liz on 691 977 107 or 

info@ownersaway.com for more information. 

Visit the websites www.ownersaway.com 

& www.villasalesmurcia.com to view the 

full range of properties and services. 


Page 40 









Page 41

Although it is some time since the November 

Poppy Appeal, we thought it relevant to include 

a couple of emails to update everyone 

on how the appeal went in 2012 and where 

the money goes. 

Following various queries as to where the 

monies raised in Spain goes to for the Poppy 

Appeal, Ian C Wilson, President, Ex-Servicemen’s 

Association of Mazarrón District (ES- 

AMD) sought confirmation from the District 

Chairman of the R.B.L. 

Dear Ian, 

ALL the monies raised in Spain are used here 

for our beneficiaries. At the end of each year, 

whatever surplus is left in our Welfare Fund, 

is returned to the UK as it earns much higher 

interest there. This is the same for ALL 

Overseas Branches around the world, however, 

that money is always available for us 

should we need it. Obviously, it would not 

make sense to keep building up a huge surplus 

here. For instance, last year we raised 

over €134,000 and to date have given out 

around €80,000, so when this year´s collection 

is added in, the surplus from last year is 

returned to the UK. 

Although the majority of beneficiaries here 

are elderly, there has been a sprinkling of 

younger claimants. 

Please thank your members for all their hard 

work and efforts in collecting for the Appeal 

this year. I will be announcing the Poppy total 

in January but it already looks like another 

record breaker. 

Thank you 

Chris Wyatt 

Chairman 

The Royal British Legion in Spain, District 

North. 

The Royal British Legion in Spain recently held 

their Annual Conference in Alicante. Members 

attending heard the District Chairman, Chris 

Wyatt, say “I am amazed and truly overwhelmed 

at the response to the Poppy Appeal 

for 2012. I would like to thank from the bottom 

of my heart, all those who have contributed 

to the fantastic total of €171,376.88. 

(making an increase of 28% over the money 

raised in 2011 ) Not just in terms of cash, but 

all those unsung volunteers who have given 

so freely of their time to go out to airports, 

shopping malls, bars etc throughout the year 

in order that The Royal British Legion in Spain 

can help our Beneficiaries.” 

Robin Hargrave, the District Poppy Appeal Coordinator, 

said “We must remember too, that 

every centimo we receive is used towards 

the welfare of serving and ex-service men 

and women and their families who find themselves 

in great need” 

As our veterans can now be as young as 18, 

the Legion is there to support them for the 

rest of their life. Spending as it did last year, 

£250,000 every day, shows our total commitment 

to those who have served their country 

but may need our help in the future. 

To find out more about The Royal British Legion, 

please go to our website: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spain-north 

or email 

secretary.rbl.dns@gmail.com 


LA MOLATA, LOS MUÑOCES, CAÑADAS DE 

ALHAMA 

First The Bad News! Unhappily, because 

of the considerable reduction in patrons currently 

attending ‘First Fridays’ at La Molata, it 

was decided at the ‘open forum’ to hold ‘First 

Friday CM Discos’ from Easter to December 

only. Accordingly, the next ‘First Friday’ 

will be on Friday 5 April and thereafter on a 

monthly basis up to and including 6 December. 

This reduced period of opening may be 

extended again at a later date subject to demand. 

The organisers would like to thank all 

the stalwarts who have supported them so 

well in the past, especially during the recent 

inclement weather. 

Unfortunately the artist booked for 15 February 

has had to ‘cry off’ for health reasons, 

leaving the organisers insufficient time to engage 

a suitable substitute. The club will, 

therefore, be closed on that night. 

Now The 

Good News! 

Cálida Country 

CMC is to 

run a coach 

to this year’s 

Costa Blanca 

Country 

Music & Line 

Dancing 

Festival at 

ECO Camping 

Marjal, 

near Catral 

on Sunday 10 March. The cost of the coach 

will be subsidised by Cálida Country and tickets 

are on sale now from Mervyn Booth on a 

first come, first served basis, with preference 

being given to existing regular Costa Cálida 

CMC patrons. 

More Good 

News! The 

next quarter’s 

programme 

starts with 

another ‘first’ 

for Cálida 

Country CMC. 

Friday 15 

March heralds 

their first 

ever ‘double 

bill’ featuring, 

all the 

way from England, ‘Cactus Jack’ and ‘Eddy 

Miller’. Both are fantastic artists guaranteeing 

you a night to remember. Doors open at 

8pm & entry is €5pp. Tickets not required. 

The club is located 10km from Camposol at 

the Social Club in La Molata, Los Muñoces – 

take the exit just north of the Condado de 

Alhama exit, located off the RM32/MU 603, 

(signposted Venta Aledo & Los Muñoces). 

This non-member club is a non-profit making 

organisation. Any excess of income after 

expenses is currently dedicated to the Community 

Ambulance Fund España (CAFE). 

Boasting a large dance floor, this licensed 

premises sells drinks at Spanish prices and 

their hosts, Antonio & Cheryl, maintain a superb 

kitchen. The ‘fish and chips’ are ‘to die 

for!’ Advance bookings for meals call Cheryl 

on 619 003 022. If you fancy a ‘bit of a boogie’ 

on a Friday night, or simply want some 

line dancing, go along and give it a try! 

Always remember to... 

KEEP IT COUNTRY! 

For further information on what’s going on, 

contact… Mervyn Booth on 968 163 082 

or visit their Facebook page at: ‘CALIDA 

COUNTRY Country Music Club’ 

Page 42 









Page 43

In these difficult times, we can all take time to 

save money, but make sure that this is what 

you are actually doing and that you are not 

spending money unnecessarily. We all need 

food, but Supermarkets in particular are 

experts in getting us to buy the maximum 

amount of produce whilst spending the maximum 

amount of money. They spend millions 

each year researching the ways and means of 

making us spend more than we actually need. 

Try to make a list of the shopping that you 

actually need and stick to this list. Don’t 

be tempted by the offers for items that you 

don’t really need. Do you really need to buy 

an extra item, even if you might be saving a 

few cents? Will it sit in your cupboard for the 

next six months? The best way to make your 

shopping list is to write a meal plan for the 

week/month so that you can work out what 

you’re going to eat every day, incorporating 

the ingredients you already have in your cupboards. 

food, so increasing the supermarket’s profit. 

One tip is to eat before you go shopping so 

that you are not thinking about food as you 

walk up and down the aisles. 

You may think that it is inconvenient having 

to walk all round the supermarket finding all 

your normal shopping, but this is a deliberate 

tactic used by the supermarkets to make you 

do this. We all know about Ikea making you 

walk through the whole store even if you only 

want one item! 

Supermarkets in the UK were discouraged 

from selling sweets near the check out as 

children always wanted sweets they could 

see while the parents waited in the queue to 

pay, but here in Spain, Supermarkets have no 

such qualms. 

You will notice that the core products like tea, 

coffee, sugar etc are quite often on the top or 

bottom shelves and the most profitable products 

are at eye level. Often ‘bargains’ are put 

at the entrance to the store, or at the end of 

aisles and of course there are always the ‘discount’ 

or ‘sale’ signs to look out for. ‘On Offer’ 

does not always mean that it is cheaper! 

Nowadays Supermarkets often produce their 

own brands and it is worth trying them. Just 

because a product is more expensive, doesn’t 

always mean that it is better. Sometimes the 

packaging looks nicer, but that doesn’t mean 

that what is inside it is any better than a basic 

pack. Often the cheaper product is made at 

the same factory as the more expensive one. 

Of course the Supermarkets have to differentiate 

the products and the known brands often 

put the words ‘Premium’ or ‘Finest’ on the 

packets to make you think that their product 

is superior to a similar cheaper one. 

Do you know the difference between a 

‘best before’ and ‘display until’ date? 

If not, the likelihood is you’re throwing 

away a lot of food unnecessarily. 

‘Use-by’ dates mean chuck food away after 

this date, as otherwise it’s a health risk. These 

include dairy, milk, fish and egg products. 

‘Best before’ dates mean food is usually still 

OK to eat after this date, so don’t waste money 

by throwing perfectly edible produce away. 

‘Best before’ labels usually have nothing to do 

with safety; they’re just the manufacturer’s 

view of when they’re at optimum quality. This 

is usually longer lasting foods such as frozen 

meals, tins, sugar, pasta and cereals. You can 

eat after the ‘best before’, but the food may 

lose its flavour, colour and texture slightly. 

Not only is it usually safe to eat food beyond 

‘best before’ dates, it is legal to sell them. 


Why do you think that supermarkets have 

freshly baked bread on the premises? How 

many times have you thought what a lovely 

smell freshly baked bread is? The smell makes 

us hungry and this in turn makes us buy more 

It is not just food that is worth testing. Many 

of the known brands of washing powder and 

other cleaning products are bought purely because 

of good advertising. We may have been 

brought up with certain brands and think that 

these are the best, but nowadays many of the 

cheaper makes are just as good. Again it is a 

matter of trying them and seeing if they are 

as good and of course there are still the old 

natural methods of using vinegar and lemon! 

The ‘display-until and sell-by’ labels on products 

are for shop staff only and indicates 

when the products should be removed from 

the shelf. 

Page 44 





Well, 2012 is another year over; some will say 

what a great year that was, and others will be 

pleased that it is over. 

2013 has arrived and with it are we expecting 

or hoping for new beginnings? We in the 

Olive Branch Christian Fellowship, as 

scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the same 

yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 

13 verse 8). 

In Psalm 18 verse 2 it says ‘The Lord is my 

rock and my fortress and my deliverer. 

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge’. 

Christian Fellowship? It is very important 

to know your final destination, and we do not 

want anyone going to a lost eternity. 

Do not hesitate to come and join us today. 

You will be assured of a good welcome. We 

hold communion each Sunday during the service 

at the Community Centre on Camposol B 

and we commence at 10.30am. 

Please contact us Pastor Ralph and Margaret 

Locke on 968 199 622 or 618 720 18 

We have a hope and a future and the good 

news is that if you are a follower of Jesus 

Christ we know that one day we will spend 

eternity with Him in heaven. 

Do you know where you are destined to be 

when you leave this earth? If not, why not 

join us in this New Year at the Olive Branch 





Page 45

2013 is the European Union Commission 

Year of the Citizen. Consultation has taken 

place by the EU Commission throughout 2012 

on barriers to access for EU Citizens. During 

the next 12 months it will be a lot easier for 

citizens to gain access to their rights on mobility 

throughout Europe, having a voice in 

the communities where they live and accessing 

the public facilities and services that are 

available to them. 

Everyone has the right to work and play within 

the place that they live. They also have the 

right to access public facilities in education, 

culture and leisure. ACAM and in particular 

a project working within the legal framework 

of the charity, Murcia Dance, have exercised 

this right. 

Following the closure of Murcia Dance’s 

base and a restructure in the management 

of the Camposol Casa Cultura, ACAM Murcia 

Dance has received a license to use the 

facilities for the children and young people of 

Camposol. The Mazarrón Ayuntamiento will 

sponsor the facilities as is the case with all 

other charities using the venue. They will also 

ensure that a consistent programme for the 

children and young people will take priority. 

In return, Murcia Dance will continue to integrate 

into the Spanish culture by performing 

in Mazarrón carnivals, fiestas and events. 

For Murcia Dance this is valuable part of the 

programme. It is a celebration of all that the 

children and young people have achieved in 

their dance classes and it is something that 

the members and residents of Camposol can 

be proud of. 

Murcia Dance has a very strong community 

who acknowledge and respect the benefits of 

the project’s aims and identify that the young 

members of the projects are our future citizens. 

The community is made up of family, 

friends, charitable associations, businesses 

and a pro-active Parent Association. 

ACAM’s second AGM will take place on Friday 

15 th February and tie in with a Family 

Valentine’s Dinner and Dance. Anyone can 

become a member of and attend the event. 

All you need to do to register is contact one of 

ACAM’s officers giving your address and NIE 

or passport number. 

ACAM projects serve the community of Murcia 

and its visitors, so you can live anywhere 

to become a member. There are many other 

membership levels. There is ‘participatory 

membership’ where you can access the activities 

of Project Members who deliver the 

aims and objectives of ACAM’s constitution. 

Membership is also open to organisations and 

individuals who want to support the development 

of ACAM whilst delivering its aims. 

There are many incentives to becoming a 

Project Member of ACAM. Organisations and 

individuals will be set up within a legal framework 

which offers advice on delivering quality 

Arts & Leisure activities for a community. 

You will have a fiscal number, virtual office 

address, office space for meetings, public liability 

insurance and, new for 2013, an accountant. 

There are terms and conditions in 

applying for ACAM Project Membership, but 

if you’re qualified, positive, enthusiastic and 

pro-active in enriching your community within 

the realms of the resources available in Murcia, 

ACAM would be very interested in hearing 

from you. Two ACAM projects, Murcia 

Dance and Mazarrón Festival de Baile had 

a fantastic 2012. 

Murcia Dance, a community dance project 

based on Camposol, delivers street and theatre 

dance, ballet, Zumba and Zumbatomic 

to children, young people and adults. A programme 

of dance with enthusiastic members, 

families and friends has all made a huge impact 

on developing a community for families 

through the art form of dance. They perform 

regularly within Mazarrón Town and village 

fiestas and enter competitions throughout 

the summer months. Murcia Dance has 

supportive links with the local council and is 

strengthened further by an active Parents’ 

Association. 

Mazarrón Festival de Baile 2012 saw 450 

new visitors to the area. A three day dance 

festival with aims of celebrating the art form 

of dance was strengthened by 25 volunteers, 

150 dancers from 7 different dance schools 

and 300 spectators. For 2013, the event for 

under 21’s will take place at the Playa Grande 

Hotel, Puerto de Mazarrón between 29 th June 

& 1 st July. The adult and semi professional 

categories of the festival will take place during 

Autumn 2013. 

For more information on the Arts & Cultural 

Association of Murcia please visit: 

http://www.facebook.com/acam.murcia 

http://acammurcia.tumblr.com/ 

www.mfdb.net 

www.murciadance.com 

or telephone ACAM President Louise Bremner 

655 421 120 


Registered Charity Nº 8.714/1ª 

JJ’s Puppy Rescue Association has been a 

Spanish Registered Charity since March 2007 

with a Management Committee, Association 

Members, Volunteer Helpers and Foster Carers. 

We rescue abandoned puppies in the Mazarrón 

area and care for them in foster homes where 

they can be trained and socialised whilst we 

are finding them a loving forever home locally 

or abroad with the help of rescue organisations 

in the UK and Holland. To be successful 

in our work we are always in need of foster 

carers. We pay for all vaccinations and veterinary 

costs and give you support whenever 

you need it. If you feel you can offer a place 

in your home and your heart for one of our 

rescued puppies short or long term as a family 

pet or companion then please talk to us about 

our Foster Charter. 

To help us raise the funds needed for our work 

we are dependent on public support and generosity. 

We have a Charity Shop in Puerto de 

Mazarrón located near the Arbol Supermarket. 

The Charity Shop is staffed entirely by 

volunteers and we really need all the public 

help we can get. Any unwanted saleable items 

that can be sold in our charity shop or table 

top sales to raise funds will be gratefully received. 

We can arrange for donated items to 

be collected by one of our Association Members. 

We also need volunteer helpers who can 

give some of their free time to work in our 

Charity Shop so if you would like to help come 

in and have a chat with the staff. 

For More Information or Collection of Donated 

Items Give One of Our Committee 

Members a Call 

Tony 618034921 or Mike 634143242 or call 

into our Charity Shop in Puerto de Mazarrón 

WeDoItAll4ThePuppies 

Page 46 





This humble 

plant Tallante 

Pea Flower 

faces extinction. 

The village 

of Tallante, 

on the inland 

road between 

Cartagena 

and 

Puerto de 

Mazarrón, is 

hardly famous, but it is home to a very rare 

species of plant. The Astragalus Nitidiflorus 

was first documented in 1909 by the botanist 

Francisco de Paula Jiménez Munuera, 

and only one specimen was ever found in 

the area between Cartagena and Mazarrón 

before it was declared extinct, well before 

the middle of the 20th century. However, 

in May 2003, Sergio Martínez, a keen cyclist 

and amateur botanist, re-discovered 

an example of the plant in a ditch after almost 

a hundred years. Local experts then 

found over 40 plants nearby, but although 

it appeared to have re-established itself by 

2008, when there were 3,000 specimens 

documented, this year the numbers have 

once again fallen following the hot dry 

weather of the last couple of years. Current 

populations of the plant exist in the areas 

of Tallante, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán. 

scheme, and in addition a sum of 97.404€ 

has been allocated for ensuring land where 

the plant grows naturally is conserved. The 

scheme also aims to create a network of 

voluntary reserves in the area, bringing 

in those who own land on which the plant 

currently grows. To this end, a number of 

special days will be held to introduce the 

scheme to the residents and farmers of the 

area. 

Article by www.murciatoday.com local 

news and where to go for the Murcia Region 

http://www.murciatoday.com/fight-to-preserve-the-tallante-pea-flower-garbancillode-tallante_14432-a.html 

The habitat of the plant is limited to the 

areas around the volcanic plugs of the 

area, in particular Cabezo Negro, and it is 

now known to be poisonous. Rabbits don’t 

touch it, while sheep and goats will tear it 

out of the ground but never eat it. This is 

one of the features which enable it to survive. 

A report has recently been published 

in “Flora”, revealing that each plant lives for 

between three and four years, and produces 

between 5,000 and 10,000 flowers per 

year. This prolific rate in turn means around 

2,000 fruits, each containing between three 

and five seeds. However, the survival of the 

species is far from guaranteed. According 

to Juan José Martínez Sánchez, the author 

of the report, in some years there is 100% 

mortality rate. The seedling phase is apparently 

extremely delicate, as new plants find 

it hard to become established in the soil, 

and a fire, or a couple of years of extreme 

drought, could cause its disappearance. 

Some new plants are being grown in secure 

conditions at experimental plots run 

by ANSE in the Sierra de la Muela and 

Peñas Blancas, and seeds are being kept 

in the Universidad Politécnica and in the local 

Department of Agriculture. The region 

of Murcia, in collaboration with the Universidad 

Politécnica de Cartagena has now 

launched an initiative to conserve the plant 

and try to protect it within its native environment. 

The project Life+ BIO/ES/727 will 

last for 4 years and will involve a number of 

initiatives to try and ensure that residents 

of the area are aware of the importance of 

this plant and know how to identify it on 

their own properties and also to create new 

populations of the plants in areas which are 

suitable for growth. In addition, seeds will 

be collected and stored in seed banks. 

1.263.033€ is being invested into the 





Page 47

Good news stories are hard to come by when 

we are faced daily with headlines of fires 

sweeping the countryside, landslides due to 

long awaited rain, not to mention the constant 

barrage of newspaper and TV reports 

telling us that there is no money, the world is 

financially broken and nobody has jobs. 

It is humbling to be able to buck this trend 

and Cambridge 800 has done just that. Setting 

their sights on a new country-opening in 

Spain and launching their Head Office in Mijas 

January 2012, Cambridge 800 has gone 

from strength to strength. 

Consultants give their customers support and 

give one-to-one advice on weight loss and 

long term dietary intake which ensures the 

weight they have lost does not rebound, followed 

up by sound advice on increasing exercise 

to help balance calories input to the 

energy spent. 

Cambridge Consultants are different. 

• Firstly, they are the only people that 

can provide their customers with 

Cambridge 800 – not available in 

shops, online or by post. 

• One-to-one - All Consultants receive 

intensive training and they have to 

pass an exam. This is why they are so 

good at supporting their customers. 

• They adhere to strict ethical and medical 

protocols to ensure their customer 

is on the right programme. This 

means they are able to help a wide 

range of customers, even those with 

complicated medical conditions including 

Diabetes. 

• Most Cambridge Consultants are 

not doctors, but some are, indeed 

many nurses turn to Cambridge as a 

career choice. 

We are proud that Cambridge 800 is able 

to offer careers in this drought of opportunities 

throughout Europe, not just Spain. Losing 

weight is a very personal issue and each 

customer has a different story and reason for 

wanting to lose weight. The clinical benefits 

of a healthy BMI are common knowledge … 

how to achieve that goal is a different story. 

If you have struggled with your weight, only 

to gain more with each diet, you are not 

alone. With the help of your Cambridge 800 

Consultant you too can look good, feel great 

and lose weight … for good. 

For more information call 965 326 082 to 

speak to Lynda or Lauren or alternatively call 

952 586 324 

Email simply18es@hotmail.com or 

info@cambridge800.es 

www.cambridge800.es 

www.facebook.com/cambridge800 

By the time you are reading this our Panto, 

Dick Whittington, will be coming to a close 

but we would like to thank you for your 

support. Read all about it in next month’s 

magazine. 


Our next show will be two short comedies to 

be performed in May – watch this space for 

further details. 

The Third Annual General Meeting of Cloud 

Nine Drama will be held on Thursday 28th 

February at 15.00 hours in La Molata Social 

Centre. 

New members are always welcome. 

For more information contact: 

Pat Hunt 644 400 123 /patsy.hunt@ 

gmail.com 

www.cloudninedramagroupmurcia. 

com 

SUPPORTED BY COSTA CÁLIDA CHRON- 

ICLE 

Puerto Lumbreras Christian Fellowship 

now meets every 1st and 3rd Sunday each 

month at 11.00am in the premises of the 

Spanish Evangelical Church Puerto Lumbreras 

Tel 619453283 Paul and Sandra 

Page 48 








Page 49


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Page 51

The sponsored swim by any criteria was a 

success; we had over400 people attending 

and 22 swimmers of all ages and nationalities. 

The 112 and the Red Cross were there 

and it really buzzed. The money that was 

raised is still coming in, but with one team 

pledging 890€ it looks like a great start to the 

year. We find it takes about two months for 

all the pledges to be satisfied, but we will let 

you all know, and thank you to everyone who 

attended and in particular to the entrants, especially 

those dressed for the occasion; chickens, 

Tina Turner, cold Scotsman, the works 

- great fun. 

As we mentioned last month, this year all 

the activities of PALS will be devoted to increase 

the CAFÉ fund which currently stands 

at 44800€. We want to get this ambulance 

on the road and unless we all make a concentrated 

effort another year slips by. The 

money that PALS currently hold is not affected 

and discussions are underway with the 

112, Red Cross and the emergency teams locally 

to see if we can help them with essential 

life saving equipment. So far PALS have 

donated 177,000€ worth of such equipment 

to the Mazarrón and surrounding areas. We 

realise that there are other humanities charities 

around, but our spending is across the 

board, and our equipment donated used for 

everyone regardless of race colour or creed. 

How do we raise money? 

By finding events and places that you may 

have thought of going to, or indeed want to 

revisit. Our tickets sell fast because we believe 

that we offer value for money and that 

you are entitled and assured that every cent 

we get is shown to be spent properly. 

This year we have: 

A 3 day trip to Benidorm - SOLD OUT. 

A cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey, 

in April - a cancellation list exists. 

A 3 night trip to Salamanca, Segovia and 

Avuila in June is similarly placed. 

By popular demand we are having a trip to 

Mojacar, Bedar and then to the ICELAND 

shop in Vera on 17 th March one coach only; 

25€ including lunch at one of our very favourite 

restaurants. 

In May we are going back into the Espuñas 

for a lunch and a stop off somewhere you may 

not have visited. Date and price available by 

the publication of this article. 

A special, yes very special, trip with planned 

excursions included, to Cantabria and 

Galicia, full board 6 th October 285€. 

Tickets are available from Saralaras Wednesdays 

1-3pm or at the Trevi Bar Saturdays 

11am-1.30pm or call 626 460 465. 

On a sad note, Graham Moore who was President 

of PALS for a number of years has 

passed away after a battle with cancer. He 

was instrumental in getting the formalities of 

PALS initiated; no easy task, as we were the 

first expat charity to register in Murcia, and 

created a well founded substantial transparent 

organisation. We will miss him and send 

thanks for his assistance and friendship and 

condolences to his family and friends. 


During the years the CRA has represented the 

views of those who live on Camposol, it has 

adopted a non-political stance. This meant 

the Association could and indeed did speak 

with local parties and their elected Councillors 

without bias when addressing the issues 

which faced Camposol and its residents. 

In the run-up to the last local elections, the 

CRA met with and sought assurances from 

the main political parties and were promised 

definitive action in dealing with Camposol’s 

problems. During the local elections all parties 

came to Camposol campaigning for votes 

and promising urgent action in completing 

the Urbanisation to the expected standards. 

It has to be said that most of the promises 

have largely been reneged upon. 

After the elections the CRA had great hopes 

that the situation would improve for Camposol, 

but this has proven not to be the case. 

It was this sense of frustration which led the 

CRA Committee to ask at the AGM for support 

towards adopting a more overt political 

stance in relation to solving the problems of 

Camposol. This move was supported overwhelmingly. 

As such, the CRA has set up a 

Political Sub-Committee which will explore 

ways of achieving the objective of obtaining a 

direct voice for the people of Camposol on the 

Council itself after the next local elections. 

How this will be achieved will emerge over 

the coming months. 

The Spanish system is based on Proportional 

Representation which in basic language 

means a party achieves its number of seats 

relative to the number of votes it receives. 

The CRA has calculated from the last local 

elections that a party gains a seat for approximately 

500 votes. With a membership 

approaching 3000, providing it was possible 

to persuade people to register to vote, Camposol 

itself could gain a number of elected 

Councillors. To encourage this process, the 

CRA is attempting to get the Cultural Centre 

adopted as a Polling Station at future elections. 

This will make it easier for people to 

vote on Camposol. 

As can be appreciated this process will be a 

complex one, but the Political Sub-Committee 

does have time to consider all options prior 

to the next local elections. As such, it would 

welcome suggestions and observations from 

the people of Camposol in relation to this 

strategy. 

On the news front 

After efforts by the Deputy Mayor failed to get 

Masa to take an active role in removing the 

embargos placed by the courts on land it has 

already sold, (but not registered with the land 

registry), the CRA has taken steps themselves 

in defence of their members interests. 

Bob Owen has consulted two firms of lawyers 

who are both of the opinion that they can 

approach the courts and prove that the embargos 

have been put on land not owned by 

Masa. Although this will not rectify the problem 

100%, it will at least stop the plaintiffs 

attempting to auction the land that members’ 

homes are built on. At the time of writing we 

are still in the planning stage and hope by the 

next edition to have more positive news. The 

Mayor has informed us that adoption is imminent 

and they are hoping to receive the bonds 

shortly. This will enable the council to start 

work soon on Camposol’s problems. 

The CRA CLC are attempting to arrange a 

meeting directly with the Confederacion Hidrografica 

in the hope of convincing them that 

the storm water drains are working efficiently 

on D Sector. If they can be convinced, it is 

hoped they will remove their objections to escrituras 

being issued to those affected. 

Having now got back into regular monthly 

meetings with the Mayor we start the New 

Year on a more positive note. 

Website: www.cracamposol.com 

Email: info@cracamposol.com 

Page 52 





Our volunteers returned to work in January 

after their Christmas break, enjoying the free 

and well deserved bacon butties as usual on 

their regular Wednesday mornings! We are 

always looking for new blood to help out – 

there are both light and heavier duties so 

please come and join us at 9am by the Sensol 

Villa Office (old Masa house) and make a 

difference to our community, even if you can 

only offer holiday cover. Making new friends 

is good and the huge transformation our club 

has made to ‘C’ over the past year is incredible! 

We thank everyone who has joined the 

scheme and paid a little each month (5€) 

to cover costs, has meant the ‘pavements’ 

around our sector have been gravelled and 

planted, and the block paving maintained and 

weeded regularly. Membership is really making 

a difference so please get in touch if you 

would like to join. 

Spring is well and truly on the way, with 

lovely sunny days and cold nights; the perfect 

weather for all those pesky weeds to 

grow even more vigorously and yet also the 

perfect weather for planting and transplanting! 

Thanks to anyone who takes the time 

to maintain and water the plants and verges 

near their homes and if any of you have a 

shrub or plant which has outgrown its space 

or is surplus to requirements, our team will 

happily come and remove it to a place where 

it can grow on for all to enjoy. 

The maintenance team has been continuing 

the programme of weeding, brushing 

and spraying all the streets of ‘C’. Potholes 

have been repaired on the temporary Rambla 

crossing, but this looks as if it will be a long 

term task as so much traffic uses it! Hopefully 

the bridge will soon be completed, but 

please think of Green Fingers when you cross 

any newly filled potholes, both down in the 

Rambla and on the tarmac roads on ‘C’. A 

small donation in our bucket would be very 

welcome, thanks. We are looking for someone 

to stand in occasionally on our Monday and 

Wednesday maintenance team, sometimes at 

short notice to cover sickness and holiday periods; 

just contact us if you would like to help. 

Our Chairman John can be contacted on 634 

325 427 or check the chalkboards, Facebook 

and website for any more news http:// 

www.greenfingersgardenandsocialgroup.com/ 

YOUR Camposol Fiesta! The Fun Has 

Started….. 

The Camposol Fiesta 2013 is now confirmed 

as Friday and Saturday 14 th & 15 th 

June. Although the finer details are still to be 

worked out, it is proposed to start the event 

at 7.30pm on Friday evening with a Music 

Extravaganza by local acts followed by a fun 

packed Saturday with events for all the family. 

We will be holding a Camposol’s Got Talent 

Competition on the day which will be open 

to all with a cash prize for the lucky winner. 

There will be the usual Paella and Fireworks 

and a programme of British and Spanish 

events to entertain young and old. 

The fun of the Fiesta is not limited to the 

weekend itself and we have already held 

events to engage the community and raise 

funds. We held a Three Kings Children’s’ 

Party which was held in Oscar’s Bar and Trevi 

Restaurant supported the Fiesta with a Race 

Night. 

It costs around 10,500€ to stage the Fiesta 

and we have to fund this from the Fiesta 

Funds. Over the next few months we have 

various entertainment events planned and a 

number of raffles. All you have to do is purchase 

tickets….enjoy the events and help us 

raise funds at the same time! Simples! 

Here are some of the events we have planned: 

• Wednesday 6 February, The Steakout 

Camposol B, It’s Buzzare TV Game 

Show, an interactive and visual quiz 

for all the family. Tickets 10€ per team 

(max 4) or 3€pp 

• Saturday 9 February, Alley Palais, 

Camposol B, Dave Rawson Comedy 

Hypnotist Show. Dave is a fantastic 

hypnotist from Ibiza who recently hit 

the headlines after hypnotising Rylan 

Clark from the X Factor! Tickets 10€pp 

• March 2013, Race Night in conjunction 

with Mazarrón Lions. Details tbc 

• Week commencing 25 th March Chocolate 

Factory Coach Trip. Details tbc 

• Saturday 16 th March, Rock’n’Roll/ 

American Dinner Theme Night at 

Oscar’s Camposol B. Details tbc 

• Saturday 24 th May Spring Ball at The 

Club House. Details tbc 

Tickets are available from Paramount Villa 

Rentals/Sales, Camposol Sector C. 

Fiesta phone: 642 795 193, email 

info@camposolfiesta.com or message our 

Camposol Fiesta Facebook page. We will also 

be present whenever possible at the Thursday 

& Friday Camposol Markets. 

Plea for help!! 

We are desperate for volunteers to help us 

sell tickets, whether for raffle tickets, event 

tickets and very soon the tickets for the Grand 

Car Draw. If you can spare just a couple of 

hours a week please contact us. 

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





Page 53


Replanting of Trees 

On 13 January, several members of the 

Merchants Association of Mazarrón and Comarca 

(Acoma) replanted pines donated 

by the Town Hall, in front of the Municipal 

Cemetery of Mazarrón. As explained by 

the Councillor of Commerce and Environment, 

David Fernandez, “60 pines were distributed 

among traders and now they begin 

a new life for with this reforestation”. 

One of the representatives from ACOMA, 

Paqui Madrid, thanked the Department of 

Commerce for the assignment of the pines for 

Christmas, as well as their campaigns to promote 

local commerce. Madrid said, “We need 

to be aware that if they give us a pine then we 

must replant it, and creating new green areas 

in the municipality.” 

103 rd Birthday 

On Thursday 10 January, Ana Blaya received 

a visit from the Mayor, Ginés Campillo, and 

Council Members Maria Martinez and Juan 

Miguel Muñoz when she reached 103 years, 

making her the oldest person in Mazarrón. 

This is definitely a record that represents 

an example of vitality for all Mazarrón. 

Surrounded by family and friends, Ana excitedly 

blew out the candles on her birthday 

cake and received a bouquet of flowers from 

the Mayor and Councillors on behalf of all citizens 

of the municipality. Ginés Campillo said, 

“It is always a joy to celebrate a birthday, 

not only because it’s for the oldest woman 

of Mazarrón, but also because it represents a 

great familiar figure around which are located 

several generations.” 

Prize Draw 

La Plaza Toneleros in Puerto de Mazarrón recently 

hosted the III competition of “La Caja 

Magica” the Asociación de Comerciantes de 

Mazarrón y Comarca (ACOMA ). The ceremony 

was attended by the Mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés 

Campillo, Councillor of Commerce, David Fernandez 

and its President, José María Delgado. 

In total, over 40 raffle prizes were donated 

by businesses themselves and there were 

also three great prizes. The first, consisting 

of 2 nights accommodation for 2 people 

with full board and a spa circuit in the 

“Hotel & Spa Sierra de Cazorla”. The winner 

was Magdalena Aznar Lopez. The second 

prize, donated by Costa Cálida Radio 

was a 3-day stay for 4 people in the rural 

apartment “Casa Jarillas” de Oria (Almeria), 

which was won by Tania Veintimilla. 

The Mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, said 

during the ceremony “It is important that we 

continue to support trade in our town as you 

can get good buys at great prices and help 

the local economy by creating jobs and supporting 

our neighbours.” 

Belen Awards 

Sunday 13 th January was the 9 th awards contest 

for the “belenes” which each year is organized 

by la Asociación de Amas de Casa, 

Consumidores y Usuarios “Almazarrón”. The 

award ceremony was attended by the Councillor 

for Culture of the City of Mazarrón, Maria 

Celeste Soria, and ended with a snack 

consisting of pastry sweets and hot chocolate. 

For infant “belenes” two first prizes were 

awarded. One of them went to José María 

Celdrán de Haro and the other to Alfonso Hernandez 

Campillo. Also two second prizes were 

awarded; one to Juan Antonio López Sánchez 

and the other to María Jose López García. 

For the “belenes familiares”, two first prizes 

were awarded to Maria del Carmen Moreno 

Zamora and Anita Garcia Sánchez. Three second 

prizes went to Amparo Duran Granados, 

Maria Jesus Gil Paredes and Maria Dulce Martinez 

Morcillo. 

Finally, the first prize for the school’s entries 

was awarded to college La Cañadica, while 

the second prize went to the institute Domingo 

Valdivieso. 

Tourism Course 

The Mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, and 

the President of the San Antonio Catholic University 

of Murcia, José Luis Mendoza, signed 

an agreement to launch a Diploma Course in 

Quality Management Audit and Tourism. The 

course aims to train graduates and tourism 

professionals who want to guide their professional 

activity in the field of tourism quality. 

This training will allow them to function in 

tourism consultancy and quality departments 

of businesses related to tourism and quality 

managers in the public service. Enrollment is 

in the Casa de la Cultura in Mazarrón on Mondays 

from 4pm to 9pm. Part of the course will 

be conducted in an online mode to facilitate the 

participation of tourism professionals who own 

a company or business related to this sector. 

30 places are available and the course fee 

is 300€ and will commence on 18 February. 

Ginés Campillo said “We hope that this new 

course will be as successful as the “Fotogenio 

Formacion” which was carried out 

thanks to the initial agreement we signed 

between the municipality and the UCAM. 

It is certainly a good opportunity to train 

and gain knowledge in a sector like tourism. 

For us it is so important and we want 

to move towards excellence in tourism.” 

Page 54 





Writing Competition 

The XXIX Story Contest “Villa de Mazarrón 

- Antonio Segado del Olmo” is announced 

by Mazarrón Town Council through the 

Universidad Popular de Mazarrón; a competition 

which is open to everyone. 

The works, which must be unpublished stories, 

should be written in Castilian and should 

be submitted as originals with a maximum 

length of 8 pages typed double-spaced on 

one side and be in triplicate. Signed with a 

pseudonym, the papers are to be submitted 

in a sealed envelope with the title of 

the story and the writer’s pseudonym on 

the outside and your personal data inside. 

Manuscripts should be addressed to “Universidad 

Popular de Mazarrón”, Avda de la Constitution 

65, Postal Code 30870, Mazarrón 

(Murcia) The XXIX Story Contest “Villa de 

Mazarrón - Antonio Segado del Olmo”. The 

deadline for receipt is February 28, 2013. 

The competition sees the delivery of two 

awards: A first prize of 3,600€ together with 

a plaque and a second prize of 2,400€ and a 

plaque. The jury’s decision will be made public 

on July 19, 2013 and the awards ceremony 

will be held, as usual, at a gala to be held on 

July 26 with attendance from various personalities. 

For more information you can go to the site 

www.upmazarron.es 

Town Hall Agreements 

Mazarrón Town Council has signed three 

co-operation agreements aimed at developing 

projects that improve the lives 

of people at risk of social exclusion and 

the elderly in the municipality. They 

have signed agreements with Caritas in 

Mazarrón, Caritas in Puerto de Mazarrón 

and the Association for Seniors in Mazarrón. 

This gives the amount of 5,000€ to each 

for the purchase of food and other essential 

items to be distributed between 

those who, before the economic crisis, 

were experiencing difficulties. The Mayor of 

Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, was responsible 

for signing two agreements together with 

Priest Julio Romero, President of Caritas in 

Mazarrón, and Pastor Justo Jose Sanchez, 

President of Caritas in Puerto de Mazarrón. 

“The intervention of municipal services in food 

sometimes takes several weeks to become effective, 

so with these conventions we are able 

to offer a fast track intervention in situations 

of urgent need,” the Mayor stressed. “The excellent 

work that these organizations are developing 

in the municipality to help our neighbours, 

deserve our recognition and support 

from the Municipality in order to maintain social 

policies that we believe are so necessary.” 

2,500€ has been given to the Association for 

Seniors in Mazarrón to develop cultural activities, 

leisure and exchange with other major 

centres in the region or beyond. 

Visit to Tahiti 

The College of Education and Primary “Infanta 

Leonor” of Mazarrón visited Tahiti, between 

6 and 14 December, as part of the Comenius 

project “Be healthy, feel happy”. The project 

is working on awareness and promotion of 

healthy lifestyles and the importance of physical 

activity in our lives, as well as knowledge 

and respect for different cultures and ways 

of life of the other countries participating. 

Eight schools in different areas and countries 

took part, such as Portugal, Italy, England, 

Greece, Belgium, Poland, Spain and 

French Polynesia. The Centre’s Director, Antonio 

Gallego, was the representative of the 

school during this visit with ten other European 

Teacher Representatives from the 

other schools participating in the project. 

During this visit there were many places that 

were visited and many activities. Participants 

enjoyed the visit to Papeete, capital of Tahiti, 

where they were received by the authorities 

and by the Minister of Education of French 

Polynesia. In addition, they could see their 

ancient culture with a visit to the Museum 

of Tahiti and its islands, and the influence 

of colonization on their culture. In a visit to 

Tahaa, the “Vanilla Island”, they experienced 

the life marked by the influence of the Pacific 

Ocean with stunning coral reefs and ocean 

wildlife composed of dolphins, whales, sea 

turtles, sharks and countless tropical fish. 

Finally, during the visit to the island of Raiatea, 

the participants were welcomed by the inhabitants 

of this island with extraordinary hospitality 

and friendliness. A visit to two schools 

in the town of Fetuna, south of Raiatea, demonstrated 

how much can be achieved with 

work of vocational teachers. Meals based 

on natural products and tropical fruits with 

seafood of the South Seas was one of the 

great attractions of this extraordinary visit. 

Diving in coral reefs, canoeing and traditional 

games showed the real life of the local people 

and how much they are rooted in their 

lives and their desire to preserve their language, 

Tahitian, which has been included in 

the school curriculum. 






Page 55 Page 55

On behalf of the The Lions Club of Mazarrón 

Bahia we would like to thank everyone for 

their support in enabling us to be able deliver 

a total of 325 presents and bring lots of happiness 

to the children of Mazarrón. The children, 

supported by the Cruz Roja of Mazarrón 

and Social Services were absolutely thrilled 

and as always we could not have done it without 

your help. 

The work of the Lions of Mazarrón continues 

with our support of the Alcedo Association 

which was formed recently and on February 

16 th members of the Lions of Mazarron 

have been asked to join members of Acedo 

in their quest to create an aromatic herb garden 

at Camposol. This Spanish association, 

formed by a Spanish lady Chelo, wants to 

educate children to respect and be more responsible 

for the environment. The environment 

is a major concern for the International 

Lion Clubs, so we are always glad to help in 

doing whatever we can in our community. 

We are continuing with our fund raising for 

the rebuilding of the disabled children’s centre 

at Lorca, which is now completed, but still 

needs extra money for specialized equipment. 

To do this we hold a weekly sale of books etc 

on Camposol B and that money goes into our 

Lorca account. Do you have any unwanted 

items of bric-a-brac or books etc for us to sell 

in order that we may continue with our work? 

As always The Lions of Mazarrón Bahia 

would like to thank everyone for all their support. 

We could not do it without you. 

Our grateful thanks to you all 

“HELP US TO HELP YOU” 


Age Concern was again invited by Rosemary 

Beak, who runs Welcome, to attend their 

monthly meeting to receive a donation of 

€300. This we were delighted to do in order 

to be able to thank Rosemary and all of Welcome’s 

supporters who made this donation 

possible, so a big thank you to everyone who 

attends Welcome’s events, which helps to 

support us and other local charities. 

Age Concern Needs Your Help. 

There are two committee positions unfilled. 

Maybe you have skills or just sound judgement 

and common sense we could use. 

We also need volunteers to help in all our areas 

of work which are as follows: 

We offer advice and information at the Cultural 

Centre, Camposol B three days a week, 

but are hoping to expand this to other areas. 

This is interesting and requires research and 

other types of office work as well as dealing 

with people’s problems face to face. 

Our welfare work with our clients in the community 

can be very rewarding and it often 

needs only a couple of hours a week, but it 

makes a huge difference to people’s lives. 

We also hire out medical equipment which 

needs controlling and maintaining. 

Fundraising is a necessary part of our work as 

we do not receive funding from anywhere else 

and therefore can only operate if we have the 

resources and volunteers. This can be selling 

tickets, helping set up functions or table top 

sales, ‘meet and greet’ and other things that 

make the functions we hold each year a success. 

Another part of our organisation is our social 

activities called “Talking Shop”. These 

are usually held on the 1 st Wednesday of the 

month at the Cultural Centre, Camposol B. 

This is a chance to come along for a cup of 

coffee, and a chat, with new friends, which 

beats sitting at home. If you cannot make 

your own way there give us a ring and we will 

try to transport you there and back. 

On the last Wednesday of the month we have 

our Menu del Dias at local restaurants, at €10 

with some form of entertainment. This is another 

opportunity to get out and enjoy good 

food and good company. On 27 th February we 

will be going to Viggos in Puerto de Mazarrón. 

If you are interested in our Age Concern Organisation 

and wish to discuss any aspect of 

our work or the work of our volunteers come 

along and see us at the Cultural Centre, Camposol 

B on Wednesday 10-1pm, Thursday 10- 

1pm and Fridays 12.30- 3.30pm except the 

first Friday, 12.30-2pm. 

Advice and information 634 310 216 

Lifeline (Welfare) 634 325 408 

Medical equipment 634 306 927 

Fundraising 634 336 484 

Page 56 





January saw nearly fifty ladies meeting together 

again after the New Year celebrations. 

Annette from Sit 2B fit, (who jumped in at extremely 

short notice to help us out when our 

booked speaker went down with a nasty dose 

of the flu – thank you Annette), talked about 

fun ways of participating in physical activity 

even when one might have disabilities, limitations 

or “challenges”! We were then able to 

try out some of the seated activities and we 

were really surprised to discover how easy it 

is to raise your heart rate whilst still sitting 

down! I think some members will be joining 

Annette’s classes after learning how necessary 

it is to keep moving even when you may 

have an injury or illness that you might find 

limiting. 

The next meeting is on February 14 th at 2 

pm. Jenny will be talking to us about Care of 

Plants, in particular house plants. It is very 

different in Spain and it will be good to get 

information from someone as knowledgeable 

in dealing with both garden and house plants 

as Jenny is! She will be bringing examples of 

plants with her so we may also get to learn 

the names of those we don’t know. 

Chatterbox Ladies’ Group meets at Camposol 

Cultural Centre on the 2 nd Thursday of 

each month. If you would like further information 

please contact Rosemary Scott on 619 

575 463 or Chris Leiper on 968 199 418, or 

just turn up on February 14 th at 2pm in the 

Cultural Centre on Camposol. Look forward 

to seeing you! 

Chatterbox “SEW and SEW” is a group for 

anyone who would like to meet with other 

sewing or craft work enthusiasts (not necessarily 

very experienced!) to work together, 

chat and enjoy a cuppa! We meet every 2 nd 

Monday 2.30-4.30pm in the Camposol Cultural 

Centre. Next meeting 4 th February at 

2.30pm. 

Philip Langley, MD of PLC Inter-Communications 

said: ‘I didn’t have an inkling. 

It was a real surprise to receive the 

award, which is a lovely incentive for the 

PLC team and a reward for all of their hard 

work and efforts of the past year’. 

PLC Inter-Communications handles the 

expat advertising and marketing, including 

creative work, PR, outdoor and radio 

advertising for some of the biggest brands 

throughout the country. 

Some of their clients, to mention just a few, 

include LIBERTY SEGUROS, MÁSMÓV!L 

and SPECSAVERS. 

Check out www.plcspain.com to find out 

more about PLC and their clients or simply 

phone: 956 794 112 






Page 57 Page 57

Winter Warmers 

It’s turned cold and the heat of the sun that 

we moan about every year seems a long 

way off! Still, compared to England our winters 

are shorter and nowhere near as cold, 

but it does come as a shock when I have to 

get some logs in for the fire and find some 

newspaper! The oven seems to be on a lot 

while we eat comfort food, but it does help 

to warm the house. Below are some of my 

favourite recipes to warm the cockles of your 

heart and keep the cold out. Try my special 

Chicken Cacciatora which is a hearty chicken 

casserole and refers to food prepared ‘bounty 

style’. The Tomato and Pesto Potatoes are 

ideal for vegetarians and my Chicken Soup 

with dumplings is a just good old fashioned 

winter warmer and a favourite in our house! 

Buen Apetito 

Chicken Cacciatora 

4 chicken legs 

2 large carrots 

1 large onion 

2 large celery sticks 

2 tbsp olive oil 

2 tbsp white wine 

400g can tomatoes 

50g stoned green olives 

Salt and pepper 

2 rosemary sprigs 

Roughly chop the carrots, onions and celery. 

Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the chicken for 

5 minutes. Remove from pan and fry onions 

in the same oil for 5 minutes or until soft. 

Add the carrots and celery and fry for a further 

3 minutes. Stir in the white wine and 

tomatoes and juice. Season to taste and return 

the chicken to the pan and cover. Simmer 

for 15 minutes and add rosemary and 

olives. Simmer for a further 10 minutes or 

until the chicken is tender. 

Sausage and Sultana Casserole 

1lb sausage 

1 large onion 

2oz sultanas 

1 sour apple 

Stock 

Pinch of herbs 

Salt 

Chop up and fry onions, then fry sausage in 

the same pan. Pour into casserole dish and 

cover with stock. Add sultanas, apple, herbs 

and salt and cook slowly in oven for 35 – 40 

minutes. 

Tomato and Pesto Potatoes 

40g butter 

1 clove of butter 

700g potatoes 

225g large tomatoes 

1 onion 

200g Mozzarella cheese 


140ml single cream 

1 tbsp pesto sauce 

Butter a suitable dish and peel and thinly 

slice the potatoes, tomatoes and onions. 

Peel and crush the garlic. Layer the potatoes, 

tomatoes and onions and season. Top 

with cheese. Mix the pesto and cream together 

and then pour over the potatoes. 

Bake in an oven 180º for 1 hour or until the 

potatoes are tender. 

Chicken Soup with Dumplings 

1.1kg chicken 

1 medium onion 

1 litre chicken stock 

350g carrots 


100g celery sticks 

50g pearl barley 

Dumplings 

40g butter 

2 eggs 


Pinch of grated nutmeg 

100g semolina 

Peel and chop onion and carrots, slice chicken 

and put all three into a saucepan with the 

stock and pearl barley and bring to the boil. 

Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Make 

the dumplings by melting the butter, whisk 

the eggs and add to butter. Season with salt 

and pepper and nutmeg. Gradually whisk in 

the semolina to form a thick paste. Allow to 

stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Shape the 

dumplings and drop into soups along with 

the diced celery. Simmer for 20 minutes and 

serve. 

Mince Cobbler 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 onion 

1 clove garlic 

2 carrots 

450g minced beef 

1 tbsp tomato puree 

1 tbsp flour 

300ml beef stock 

1 bay leaf 

1 tsp Worcester sauce 

Scones 

225g self raising flour 

1 tsp dried herbs 

50g butter 

150ml milk 

1 egg 

Chop and fry onions, carrots and garlic in olive 

oil. Add mince and fry until brown. Stir in 

flour, stock, bay leaf and tomato puree. Add 

seasoning and Worcester sauce. Simmer for 

20 minutes and then remove bay leaf. For 

the scones, mix flour with the herbs and seasoning. 

Rub in butter and add milk to make 

soft dough. Roll out on a floured surface and 

cut into rounds 1cm thick. Put mince into 

a shallow over proof dish. Arrange scones 

around the top and glaze scones with egg to 

help brown. Bake for 15 -20 minutes. 


Page 58 









Page 59

The New Year is now well under way and 

soon it will start to get warmer. One of the 

loveliest things which we look forward to 

every year about this time is when the almond 

trees come into full bloom. Wherever 

we go we see field after field of beautiful 

pink and white blossom and for many of us 

it is the sign of new life and promise for the 

year to come. The trees don’t seem to mind 

the cold nights and in January and February 

the gnarled and leafless trees begin to 

blossom which will lead to the new leaves 

forming. Soon the new fruit will be set, but 

in the meantime the flowers provide nectar 

for the wild bees and they in turn pollinate 

the flowers. 

Almond trees are mentioned ten times in 

the Bible, beginning with Book of Genesis 

43:11, where it is described as “among 

the best of fruits”. The buds and blossoms 

were depicted in the Tabernacle and Temple 

furnishings. The candleholder or menorah 

had this design with three of the cups 

shaped like almond blossom. 

Aaron’s rod was a branch of the almond 

tree and it miraculously sprouted leaves and 

blossom at the same time. Tradition has it 

that the rod blossomed on one side with 

sweet almonds and the other side with bitter 

almonds; if the Israelites followed the Lord, 

the sweet almonds would be ripe and edible, 

but if they were to forsake the path of the 

Lord, the bitter almonds would predominate. 

It was God’s sign that Aaron’s tribe were set 

apart to serve the Lord as priests. Many miraculous 

signs took place with this rod. 


The almond tree in the Old Testament is a 

symbol of watchfulness and promise due 

to its early flowering. The Hebrew word for 

watching” sounds like the Hebrew word for 

Almond Tree. 

As part of the appointing of Jeremiah as a 

prophet God showed Jeremiah a branch and 

asked him what he saw. “I see the branch of 

an almond tree,” Jeremiah replied. 

The Lord replied in Jeremiah chapter 1 “You 

have seen correctly, for I am watching to 

see that my word is fulfilled.” 

As we feast our eyes on the fields of blossom 

this year, let’s remember that the God 

of Miracles is watching us and His Word to 

us is promise and blessing when we turn to 

Him, receiving forgiveness for things we’ve 

done in the past and asking Him to come 

into our lives. Then His word will be fulfilled. 

He will rescue you 

He will shield you 

He will shelter you 

Evils will not touch you 

He will be with you 

He will satisfy your life with good things 

A warm welcome awaits you at Wellspring 

Victory Church. We meet every Sunday at 

11am at Callé Madrid in Puerto de Mazarrón. 

Page 60 









Page 61

Hello from Bob with your latest report from 

Welcome. 

Haven’t we been lucky with the weather so 

far this winter! None of that nasty ice and 

snow to contend with, just lots of lovely sunshine 

and warm days to spend outdoors relaxing 

doing our favourite things. Spring is 

almost upon us with the promise of more of 

the same with the almond blossom to remind 

us that the days are getting longer and that 

summer will be here again before we know 

it, but we won’t mention the return of the 

dreaded mozzies! 

We went to Benidorm at Christmas and stayed 

at Hotel Helios. Five days of good company, 

fine weather, excellent food and a Christmas 

Day Gala Lunch that couldn’t be faulted. The 

restaurant staff were first-class, with silver 

service at the table and the whole thing going 

on for almost three hours! It was so good 

that Rosemary has already booked it again for 

next Christmas, so put your name down soon 

if you want to go – it will sell out fast. 

New Year’s 

Eve saw The 

Entertainers, 

with lots of 

dancing as 

usual, a firstclass 

buffet, 

Steve’s disco, 

and the best 

way on Camposol 

to see 

in the New 

Year. Many 

thanks to 

Rosemary and all her helpers for their hard 

work in preparing the room and during the 

night. 

The Games Night was on 9 th January, with 

a beetle drive, quiz and bingo. We finished 

the night with Family Fortunes. Some of the 

questions provoked answers that we can’t 

talk about in a family magazine – if you 

were there, you’ll know what I mean! If you 

weren’t, ask me privately, and I’ll tell you, but 

I won’t mention any names, of course! 

The Mijas Races Trip in February is now 

fully booked. 

14 th February St Valentine’s Day Dance @ 

Mariano’s, Camposol A at just €10, and €5 

more for lamb and chips. Entertainment will 

be by The Jazz Singer, and also Gene Pitney 

and Matt Christian. Tickets still available. 

6 th March Ladies’ Day €3. There will be the 

usual stalls selling jewellery, cards, etc, and 

the normal fashion show and bingo. Martin 

Ross of The Beagles will be providing the entertainment, 

so this looks like it will be very 

busy and a great success. Order your ticket 

now to avoid disappointment. 

13 th March Welcome Dance with the lovely 

Sandy Fitz and Kevin Tyler Just €8, and €5 for 

chicken and chips. Tickets for these events 

will be on sale at the February meeting on 

2 nd , as will tickets for the April 10 th dance with 

Angie McKay and Dan Davey €9, and €5 for 

pork and chips. 

The Norwegian Cruise on 11 th May. Contact 

Rosemary for full details. 


On September 16 th , we are going to Sevilla for 

4 night’s B & B, staying at Hotel Becquer, right 

in the city centre, near restaurants, bars, etc, 

and only a short walk to the river where you 

can take a boat trip, or just have a drink at 

one of the many cafés. We stop at Granada 

on the way and included are trips to Huelva 

and a ‘jamon’ factory, and a visit to Cordoba 

on the return journey. At just €350, this will 

be very popular, so reserve your place now. 

Book/Jigsaw Swap dates for February are 

5 th and 19 th . Call Jo on 669 457 985 for full 

details. 

Petanca is on Wednesday 27 th February. Ring 

Les on 968 131 880 for more information. 

For full details of all events, and to purchase 

tickets, call Rosemary on 620 105 179, or 

email rosemarybeak@hotmail.com, or visit 

www.welcomegroupspain.com. 

Page 62 









Page 63

One of the first things 

we are taught 

when learning a 

new language 

is telling the 

time. We 

might not 

think that it 

is that important, 

but 

of course our 

lives revolve 

round the time 

whether it is the 

actual time during 

the day, or whether it is 

the day or month. 

Qué hora es? 

What time is it? 

Es la una 

It’s one o’clock 

Son las dos 

It’s two o’clock 

Son las tres 

It’s three o’clock 

Son las doce 

It’s twelve o’clock 

Es la una y media 

It’s half past one 

Son las dos y media 

It’s half past two 

The word “past” is translated as “y” 

Es la una y cinco 

It’s five past one 

Son las cuatro y diez 

It’s ten past four 

Son las doce y cuarto 

It’s a quarter past twelve 

Son las ocho y veinte 

It’s twenty past eight 

Son las once y veinticinco 

It’s twenty five past eleven 

Son las cinco menos diez 

It’s ten to five 

Son las siete menos veinte 

It’s twenty to seven 

Son las diez menos cuarto 

It’s a quarter to ten 

¿A qué hora? 

At what time? 

To express a time arrangement rather than 

the time now, we substitute “es” or “son” 

for “a” (at) 

A la una 

At one o’clock 

A las seis y media 

At half past six 

Más o menos 

More or less (approximately) 

En punto 

Exactly 

Sobre las dos y media 

About half past two 

A las 10 de la mañana 

At 10 o’clock in the morning 

A las 7 de la tarde 

At 7 O’clock In The Evening 

Quiero hacer una cita 

I want to make an appointment 

¿Qué hora le viene bien? 

What time would suit you? 

Jane Cronin, Spanish Classes and Talks. 

www.janecronin.eu 

Tel 968 183 258 


No Carbon Monoxide Alarm? Read this and 

think again. 

After a long day in the garden, followed by 

a big meal and a couple of glasses of wine, 

Geoff and I settled down in front of a log fire 

to watch TV. After a while we both felt sleepy 

and both complained of headaches. We put it 

down to the hot sun and the nice red wine. 

Then the carbon monoxide alarm went off, 

that woke us up. We quickly opened the doors 

and windows and shut the fire down. The 

alarm continued to sound. Thinking the problem 

had been dealt with; we put the alarm 

outside to quieten it. (How stupid was that?) 

Then Geoff went back to watching TV whilst 

I busied myself in the kitchen. After a couple 

of minutes I called to Geoff, no response, I 

called once again, still no response. When I 

went into the lounge he was virtually comatose. 

I managed to rouse him and dragged 

him out into the garden where he quickly recovered. 

All this time, the doors and windows 

had remained open. 

The following day we had the fire checked out 

and found the chimney partially blocked and 

the door seal badly fitted. The two faults combined 

culminated in carbon monoxide fumes 

seeping into the room. All fixed now, and 

Geoff has just put new batteries in the alarm. 

Log fires do produce carbon monoxide, and 

it can kill. If you’ve thought about getting a 

carbon monoxide alarm, but not got round to 

it. Do it now. It might just save your life. 

Jenny & Geoff Bennett 

Page 64 





Evolutionists Celebrate The Winter 

Solstice. 

Seventeen members of the Evolutionists 

of Almeria and Murcia, gathered on the 

harbour in Aguilas on Friday 21 st December, 

the day of the Winter Solstice. 

We took a gentle stroll along the Paseo to 

the Marina near the Don Juan Hotel and 

bemoaning the fact that on the rotation of 

the Earth and its orbit round the sun causes 

it to be the shortest day of the year leading 

to a time of growth and renewal, and yet 

somehow this physical annual event seems 

to be hijacked by cranky superstitions and 

weird beliefs. 

So the world did not end and after an excellent 

game of mini-golf we all repaired 

to the Picolo Mundo Restaurant for a superb 

seasonal meal and general conviviality. 

We were happy to be joined 

by two humanist guests from Norway, 

Agnes and Xavier, who had seen the notice 

of our celebration on our website. 

Our next event is planned for Saturday 16 th 

February which will be a walk in the Mazarrón 

area. Everyone is welcome to join us. 

Richard Ward taperleg@hotmail.com 





Page 65

Quiz questions on the 

January 2013 Costa 

Cálida Chronicle 

1. What did the Chronicle 

wish you for 2013? 

2. Who offering galvanised 

T=Bar washing 

line poles? 

3. Where can you get Aloe-Vera 

inch loss Body- 

Wraps? 

4. Who offered a dinner 

and dance featuring the 

“showgirls”? 

5. Where can you find the 

Monument? 

6. Who is asking you to Sit 

2B Fit with Annette? 

7. Who’s offering Semi- 

Permanent Make-Up? 

8. What was the herb of 

the month? 

9. What does Le Gourmet 

offer you? 

10. Who’s offering you to 

join there biggest loser 

club? 


Answers on page 98 

ACROSS 

1 Serving dish 

5 Totals 

9 Bungle 

14 Sharpen 

15 Juno 

16 “Remember the __” 

17 Whim 

18 Cain’s brother 

19 Hazes 

20 Literature 

22 Modern female mystery 

writer Christie 

24 Spicy 

25 Serf 

27 Sweet potatoes 

31 Cafe 

32 Microgram 

34 Lick 

35 It __ Upon a Midnight 

Clear... 

38 Compass point 

40 1997 Madonna movie 

42 Aloft 

44 Hair stuff 

46 Very big striped cat 

47 Singing group 

48 Card game 

50 Aborts 

51 Garden tool 

52 Tiff 

55 Not many (2 wds.) 

57 Goofs 

59 Simply 

61 Hotel 

64 Courtyards 

66 Jacket part 

68 National capital 

71 Country in SE Asia 

73 One of Columbus’ 

ships 

74 Shelter under 

branches 

75 Bunsen burner 

76 Shred 

77 Teensy 

78 Record 

79 Lazily 

DOWN 

1 Upper leg 

2 Cowboy show 

3 Concerning 

4 Time period 

5 Expression of surprise 

6 Lowering 

7 Coffee residue 

8 Genuflect 

9 Slash 

10 Facial soap brand 

11 Food and Agriculture 

Organization (abbr.) 

12 Madagascar franc 

(abbr.) 

13 Goddess 

21 First woman 

23 What a nurse gives 

26 Brew 

28 Reorient 

29 Paired sock 

30 Poles 

31 Hindu goddess, consort 

of Siva 

33 Gain 

35 Hoard 

36 Detest 

37 Cow 

39 Electroencephalograph 

(abbr.) 

41 Scene 

43 Stray 

45 Affairs 

49 Football assoc. 

53 Often poetically 

54 Wimpered 

56 Snake like fish 

58 Eating utensil 

60 Raccoon-like animal 

61 Watched secretely 

62 Punitive 

63 Wing shaped 

65 Weightless 

67 Negative (prefix) 

68 Panama 

69 Is 

70 North by east 

72 Pouch 

Page 66 





On Monday 17 December, as promised, we 

took two of our girls to meet their supporters 

at Camposol. However we nearly didn’t 

make it as Lola, our more placid girl decided 

that she was not going into the box. 

We pulled, we pushed, we bribed, for about 

three quarters of an hour, then Manuka, who 

was such a darling, walked straight in and I 

think that seeing this Lola repented just a 

little and we managed to get her on board. 

We arrived at the car park just 15 minutes 

late and we were met by some very 

nice friendly folk. We were there until 2pm. 

Friends new and old (not in age I may add) 

came along and gave the donkeys carrots 

and apples, and there must have been hundreds 

of photographs taken of the girls. A 

couple came from the local choir and we 

had a bit of a sing along, “Little Donkey” of 

course was the tune of the day! We had 

some cash donations as well as the usual 

items of clothing and bric-a-brac and electrical 

goods. Thanks to all that donated, not 

just on that day, but throughout the years. 

Nine days into the New Year we received 

our first call for a rescue. In a field near 

to Fuente Alamo, there was a dead dog and 

huddled up to her was her baby. We went 

and managed to get the pup. She was very 

frightened and bit Kevin as we took her away 

from her mum. She was hungry, dehydrated 

and full of fleas, but luckily no tics - I hate 

tics! She was sprayed and within a day she 

was in the house! Her mother’s body was 

taken to the vets for cremation. She had 

an injury from her lower jaw all down her 

neck and chest. Don’t know how long she 

had been there, but it was not new. Maya 

the pup is doing fine; a little weary, but getting 

lots of food, water and most of all love. 

She is going to be a cracking girl, so much so 

that she has now been homed on Camposol. 

Till next time, 

Take care, 

Andrea 

We still have 

dogs looking 

for new 

homes. You 

can see them 

on our Facebook 

site. 

Have you 

joined our 

group yet? 

Why not? It’s 

free and you 

can follow 

what we are 

doing on a 

daily basis. 





Page 67

Are we heading for a late winter? The weather 

has been so good, but we all know that 

we can still get snow into February and March 

and even April. The almond blossom once 

again has been stunning - let’s hope that late 

frost do not damage the buds causing problems 

to the almonds. 

Looking at photos from Dick Whittington, performed 

by Cloud Nine, we should be in for a 

good night at the panto in Bullas on Saturday 

2 nd February – if you have managed to get 

your Chronicle in time, you should still be able 

to get tickets for this. Tel Pat on 644 400 

123. 

It is at this time of year when the sun is 

out and it is lovely and warm during the 

day that visiting the coast is one of the best 

things about living in Spain. We had to go to 

Mazarrón the other day and so we called in 

to the Piramide Center in Puerto de Mazarrón 

and visited some of the shop there, such as 

the Yorkshire Linen Co, Legs & Co and 

Furniture Plus. They are all above Mercadona 

and there is plenty of parking right next to 

these stores. After that we decided to go on 

to the Paseo and sit at the only English bar on 

the front in Puerto de Mazarrón. We usually 

support the Spanish bars, but we just fancied 

Fish & Chips! It was a really good choice, as 

every Friday and Saturday at Restaurante 

Marina, you can have 4 x fish & chips and 

a bottle of wine for 20€! We really enjoyed 

sitting in the sun looking out over the superb 

blue waters in the bay of Mazarrón. 

CEHEGÍN SCENE 

On the last Sunday of every month from October 

2012 to May 2013 (excluding March 

2013) in the “Plaza del Castillo” there is a 

craft market known as “El Mesoncico”. There 

you will find more than 50 craftsmen of the 

area with stalls displaying such products as 

cured meats, hams, pottery, cakes, wines, 

cheeses, etc. Each of the monthly markets 

has a different theme showing traditional 

and local crafts. You will be able to taste and 

enjoy the foods and products most typical to 

this area. On 24 th February we will remember 

the ancient craft work with demonstrations 

of wood turning, ceramic, wrought-iron, 

woven grass and enjoy the art of the spinners. 

Cehegin council is providing free refreshment 

such as the typical ‘Rin-ran’ and 

other things including good wine. All accompanied 

by a traditional group of musicians 

“Animeros del Campillo de los Jiménez”. 

Free parking is available at the Marble Technology 

Centre situated in Carretera Murcia, 

approached from the West. A free bus service 

is operated to the market place every 20 

minutes. 

The Carnival of the Northwest will be held 

from 10 th to 16 th February with many activities 

programmed during these days. 

Sunday 24 th is also the start of the 5th Tapas 

Route in Cehegín. 

The Archaeological See of Begastri is 

opened for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays 

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. 

Free Nature Walks 

Cehegin provides a variety of landscapes 

which include woods, mountains, hills, sloping 

valleys, scrubland and streams. These 

natural habitats host flora and fauna of special 

interest which provide a priceless tourist 

and educational resource. 

These walks take place on the last Saturday 

of each month. The next nature walk will be 

on 23 rd February. The walks are designed for 

people of all ages who enjoy hiking at fairly 

easy levels which makes them accesible for 

the whole family. The tourist walks are free 

and start at 9.00 am, they are between 4 and 

9 km, and will take between 2 to 3 hours. 

***THE ECOLOGICAL PARK WILL BE 

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ** * 

Any further enquiries please contact the New 

Cehegin Tourist Office located in front of 

the Town hall at 968 723 550 or visit our 

tourist website www.turismocehegin.es 

Santiago Leo 

Cehegin Tourist Office 


I wonder what your resolutions are for the 

New Year! I promised myself I would walk 

more and get to grips with learning Spanish. 

So far I have only been for one walk and not 

even looked at Spanish. We all have good intentions 

which seem to take a back slide at 

times. 

Already it’s February, the month for valentines 

when we send cards to express our 

feelings for someone we love. Some are lighthearted, 

others incognito and some are desperate 

for recognition. A good time to make 

yet another resolution, to reflect more on the 

greatest love story, a very special love and 

what it means to us. 

God’s love. 

John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world 

that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever 

believes on him shall not perish but 

have everlasting life.” 

Isaac and Rebecca. 

There are other love stories in the Bible, some 

with not so happy endings. In Genesis we 

read about Isaac and Rebecca. Isaac’s father 

Abraham sent his servant to find a wife 

for him. When Isaac saw her from a distance 

it was love at first sight. 

Jacob and Rachel. 

Jacob was a very patient and determined 

man. He had to wait for 14 years before he 

was able to marry Rachel. Then in the book 

of Ruth we read of her eventual marriage to 

Boaz after her kindness to her mother-in-law, 

Naomi. 

There are others, but what about Joseph 

and Mary? She gave birth to a son who was 

called Jesus and although he was not Joseph’s 

child, he brought him up as his own. Jesus 

was the son of God; The Messiah. He came to 

lay down his life for his friends. “No greater 

love has this than when a man lays down his 

life for his friends” John 15:13 AND His love 

is forever. 

The 3 rd Febuary is our next event at 11am: a 

celebration of love, recommitment, meaning 

and relevance in our lives. Why not join us 

to receive a valentine and share in a birthday 

lunch? 

Lynda.spain@hotmail.co.uk or 

Derek.tycymru@talktalk.net 

Tel 633 447 937 

Page 68 





Layla 

This lovely natured dog has been looking for a 

new home since her Mum went back to the UK 

18 months ago. She is about 7 years old and 

has been spayed and has been tested negative 

for Leishmania. Layla has been fostered 

by a couple who are only in Spain for holidays 

and they have said that she is no trouble and 

loves to go on walks with them 

Brandy 

This little dog was brought in after her Dad 

died and her Mum said that she could no 

longer look after her. She has been spayed 

and is no trouble. Brandy loves her walks 

and would just like someone to love her and 

take care of her. 

Please telephone 620 582 654 for more information 

on any of the above dogs. 

Rosie 

This Pointer Cross was found hardly able to 

stand. She has obviously had pups and is 

about 3 years old. She is due to be spayed 

shortly and has had her vaccinations and 

been tested negative for Leishmania. Rosie 

has now put on weight and is ready to be rehomed. 

She is good on the lead and loves 

her walks. 

5 Young Vultures Returned to the Wild in 

Caravaca de la Cruz 

These vultures have received treatment in 

the regional wildlife rescue centre at El Valle 

in Murcia. The regional centre for wildlife rescue 

and recovery, (Centro de Recuperación 

de Fauna Silvestre de El Valle), released five 

vultures (Gyps fulvus) which had been recovering 

in the centre’s facilities back into the 

wild recently. 

The release of these five birds, which are a 

catalogued species of special interest, took 

place in the Sierra de Mojantes, in Caravaca 

de la Cruz which is a Special Protection Area 

for Birds (SPA) (Zona de Especial Protección 

para las Aves (ZEPA).) The vultures had 

been found by individuals in the municipalities 

of Lorca, Molino Derribado (Cartagena), 

Murcia, Pastrana (Mazarrón) and Somogil 

(Moratalla), between October and November 

last year.The most unusual rescue was of one 

particular vulture which had become entangled 

in telephone wires on the motorway to 

Pulpi where it passes through Lorca, whilst 

another was found on a terrace of a 15 storey 

building in Avenida de La Libertad in the 

centre of Murcia. 

The clinical condition of all five birds presented 

a similar picture of malnutrition, dehydration 

and exhaustion, with the birds being unable 

to fly. This necessitated treatment with 

vitamins and water in addition to their diet 

of meat and also rest in a spacious aviary 

which allowed them to fly for short distances 

until they had recovered their total physical 

fitness. 

Autumn is the time of year when the centre 

receives the most calls from concerned 

members of the public who see the vultures 

on rooftops and terraces of houses and industrial 

buildings or on roadsides. In most 

cases, these birds have only stopped to rest 

and leave a few hours or days later, but in 

some cases may require intervention from 

the Rescue Centre. It’s quite common to find 

vultures suffering from dehydration and malnutrition, 

as the birds rely totally on carrion 

for their feed and in this day of modern living, 

there are less corpses lying around waiting 

for vultures to come along and clean them 

up. As a consequence, young birds often 

find it difficult to find enough food to survive. 

Vultures are large birds, measuring up to 

110cm long, with a wingspan of between 250 

and 280 centimetres when wings are fully 

opened, making it easier for them to maintain 

height and circle in thermals when searching 

for food. 

All the birds were ringed prior to release to 

make it easier to identify individuals should 

they turn up again in the future. 



http://www.murciatoday.com/5-young-vultures-returned-to-the-wild-in-caravaca-dela-cruz_14540-a.html 






Page 69

Calasparra’s undoubted star of the Arab period 

is the village of Villa Vieja. These remains 

are to be found off a minor road a few 

kilometres from the centre of Calasparra on 

the right bank of the Río Segura. This settlement 

was occupied from the 11 th Century 

until it was abandoned after the failed Arab 

uprising of 1264-66, following the Christian 

takeover of Murcia in 1243. It is thought that 

those who settled here then, may have been 

Berbers from the Maghreb in North Africa. It 

is possible to visit the site by making an appointment 

through the Calasparra Tourist Office 

(tel 968 723 000). A superb Interpretation 

Centre has been built within the fenced 

area which includes much descriptive material 

and reconstructions of the typical rooms in 

the houses, the foundations of which you can 

view around the site. More than 20 houses 

have been identified of the 60 or so that are 

thought to have once existed here, giving a 

population when the village was at its largest 

of perhaps some 240 people. 

Where the house had a single storey only, 

a curtain would subdivide the main room at 

night to give a separate sleeping area. There 

would be very little furniture, although carpets 

would cover the floor and there would 

be hangings on the wall. 

The Interpretation Centre also houses replicas 

of some of the finds which have since 

been transferred to the Archaeological Museum. 

You will also be able to see an excellent 

photograph of the site of the village 

from above, to give you a good idea of its 

layout and situation above the river. A more 

detailed plan of the whole site shows the full 

extent of the village as well as the sites of the 

individual houses. 

the Order of St John who were responsible 

for Calasparra and the surrounding area. Today, 

little of the castle remains, but there are 

remains of defensive walls and towers which 

still dominate the town and are visible from 

much of the surrounding countryside. 


The houses were quite modest and were very 

similar to others in the interior of Murcia, Valencia 

and Eastern Andalucia. We were told 

during our guided tour that the typical house 

in Villa Vieja had no external windows! The 

purpose of this was to ensure that neighbours 

and passers-by could not see in, although 

it was also a way of keeping women 

out of sight. The entrance door was directly 

off the street into a hall area which would 

often have a stable to one side and a toilet 

to the other. A patio was the only open 

area in the house and would, at least in the 

larger houses, have some vegetation such as 

an orange or pomegranate tree and Mediterranean 

herbs to give a pleasant aroma. To 

one side of the patio was the main room with 

its principal wall facing north to help keep it 

cooler in hot times of the year. The kitchens 

had built-in storage areas and a hole in the 

middle of the floor where the fire would burn. 

It appears that there was no chimney and the 

floor would simply be left open in an attempt 

to disperse any smoke. The houses could 

have two floors with the bedrooms upstairs. 

Page 70 

Another visual aid shows the plans of the different 

house types identified in Villa Vieja. 

The most usual form was of a rectangular 

shape, with rooms off a central patio. Small, 

poor houses may have had just two ground 

floor rooms, though they could also have 

two floors and be built on to the surrounding 

wall, thereby serving an ancillary defensive 

purpose. They would also be attacked first 

before the grander residences! Some of the 

houses were expanded as a requirement for 

more rooms arose. Indeed, one very large 

house has been identified which had been 

subdivided at some point in its life into two 

dwellings, reversing the expansion process, 

possibly, it was suggested to us, because of 

some family dispute. 

Little is known for certain about the origins 

of Villa Vieja, but it is thought that it was 

probably founded in the 11 th Century. A surrounding 

wall with towers and a ditch later 

provided the village with some protection 

on the other sides of the site away from the 

river where the land is level. The remains 

of the base of one tower can be seen just 

inside the gate as you enter the site. Also, 

next to the wall by the entrance to the settlement, 

there has been identified the site of 

some small closed buildings which fronted a 

square. This may well have been a market 

area. 

As you walk around the site of the village, 

you can clearly see the foundations and the 

plan of the various houses, together with the 

path of the narrow streets. Most of these 

internal roads just seem to end, with only 

one apparently continuing through the entire 

settlement. The main street, which had an 

east-west orientation, was 2.5 metres wide. 

It appears fairly certain that Calasparra Castle 

was built by the Arabs some time after the 

village of Villa Vieja, perhaps to protect this 

and any other nearby isolated settlements. 

The castle remained in use after the Christian 

Reconquest of the 13 th Century for the use of 

You can easily, if somewhat steeply, walk up 

to the remains of the castle from the centre 

of Calasparra. Between the Iglesia de 

San Pedro and the Archaeological Museum 

at the bottom of the Calle Mayor is a sign 

which directs you up a steep path to the 

castle (0.4kms distance) and the Iglesia de 

los Santos (0.6kms). There are also several 

viewpoints and planted areas beside the 

paths making the ascent reasonably attractive 

in its own right. Clearly, the Town Hall 

has spent money on making this a pleasant 

area and on one flatter portion just below 

the castle itself, there are seats looking out 

across to Calasparra. 

At the top, under the outcrop of rock on 

which the castle stands, you can continue on 

a path behind. Unfortunately, when we were 

last there (September 2012) restoration 

work was in progress and the final few metres 

of ascent into the castle area itself was 

out of bounds. In truth, however, there is 

not a great deal more to see if you were able 

to go to the very top. It is thought that there 

was little internal building with the principal 

aim of the Arab structure being to act as a 

fortified enclosure for people from the surrounding 

areas in times of trouble. 

Article by Clive and Rosie Palmer, who have 

written several guide books on towns and regions 

in Murcia. These can be seen at, and 

obtained from, www.lulu.com, or contact 

clive.palmer5@btinternet.com. Clive and 

Rosie’s most recent book, “Exploring Murcia, 

Days Out” is available to buy from the 

CHM/Costa Cálida Chronicle office on Camposol 

B, Best Wishes (who also stock other 

of their books), or phone Patti on 986 433 

978. 





MARA is a small non profit animal rescue association 

based in Mula. We try to held injured 

and abandoned animals in the best way 

we can. We have recently under gone extensive 

refurbishment in our animal compound 

to try and make the conditions more comfortable 

for the animals in our care. With only 6 

kennels, we are constantly in need of foster 

carers to help look after the animals until we 

can get them re-homed. If you are interested 

in becoming a foster carer you can contact us 

on one of the numbers listed below. 

We have a charity shop in Mula where we 

sell second hand items to raise the money 

we need. If you have anything at all that you 

no longer want or need that could be sold in 

our charity shop; items such as clothing, brica-brac, 

furniture, kitchenware or toys, then 

please contact us and we can arrange to collect 

your unwanted items. We have moved to 

new premises which are on the same street 

as the old charity shop, about 20 meters 

nearer to the Town Hall and on the opposite 

side of the street. Please call in and visit us. 

We are open from 10.30am-1pm every day 

except Sunday. 

Please help us to help animals and stop animal 

cruelty. 

Visit our facebook page on MARA Mula. 

For more information about our shop or to arrange 

for a collection of unwanted items ring 

Marion on 628 811 187 or 968 979 865. 

For more information about fostering or 

adopting please ring Keith on 628 811 188. 

For more information about our association 

please ring Amalia on 607 461 932. 

Route No. 6: Ascension THE STONE MOR- 

ATALLA 

On 16 th December the walk took us in the 

direction of Cañada de La Cruz, the westernmost 

point in the municipality of Moratalla. 

This border town owes its name to 

the meeting of two ancient gorges, the 

Cañada Real del Moral (Camino Real de Granada) 

and the old road to Zumeta Cell. 

the difficulties, this beautiful species, which 

have unique traits. These semi-wild goats 

graze in very high areas where there is no 

pollution of any kind. This gives the meat 

flavor and exceptional quality. His nephew, 

Juan Benito, shows off their animals; a kid 

and his mother that delights us all. He explains 

the features and benefits of this species, 

their curious horns and the beautiful 

coats. John’s eyes light up when he sees 

the male’s big, powerful, slender, spiral 

horns that rise to infinity, and so noble that 

they do not touch the mastiff as he runs 

between the herd. We said goodbye to John 

and Benito, grateful for the time we have 

spent, with an eye on the final goal of the 

day. 

spectacle. The photography lovers tried to 

portray the beauty. 

Tired from the steep ascent, we reached the 

curiously flat top, which allowed us to enjoy 

unbeatable views of the Sierras de Taibilla 

and Las Cabras, Revolcadores, the Sagra, 

the vast plains of Caravaca, Moratalla and 

Puebla de D. Fadrique. We took some quick 

photos and began the descent. We went 

down quickly using the paths of goats and 

headed to the Camacho Bar, where we enjoyed 

a meal of albondigas soup, bread and 

desserts. We thank Paco, Adela and everyone 

in the bar. The great food put the finishing 

touches on the last tour of 2012 in 

Glen Cross. 

Despite the rise in temperatures, the morning 

was fresh and we welcomed the furnace 

heat of José María Bakery, which we participated 

in under our section “Moratalla Tasting”, 

which aims to meet local craft products 

and quality products backed by centuries of 

tradition. In this case, due to the proximity 

of Christmas and celebrating the solstice 

tradition of devotion to wheat, we enjoyed 

a tasting of Christmas sweets, accompanied 

by Misteli, coffee and coffee liquor. There’s 

nothing like tasting shortbread, cordial and 

orange cakes fresh from the oven while 

we saw how the bread is kneaded with explanations 

and details of tricks that make 

the candy Mari prepares so exquisite. We 

squeezed orange juice and the meringue 

worked well with the almonds and walnuts 

from the area. The whole class enjoyed 

the produce and finally fell into temptation 

when a few boxes flew into our cars to be 

shared with family and friends along with 

the memory of the excursion. 

Leaving the sweet hot oven of José María 

we moved in search of the second challenge 

of the day; another example of wisdom 

and love of work at Cabra Blanca Celtibérica 

de Juan de Benito, an endangered native 

breeder lives. This grandson, son and 

father of livestock have preserved, despite 

The climb to the Stone of Moratalla, with its 

1968mtr, is considered the second highest 

summit in the region. The wind gusts were 

strong and we prepared well before tackling 

the ascent as we expected the rocky 

summit to be as difficult as its name. We 

started the climb at Aguas Blancas and then 

entered the forest of oak and black pine 

that protected us from the prevailing wind, 

which led us along the slope, stripping us 

out of the outermost layers. A couple of 

griffon vultures hovered near us, occasionally 

one caught our attention. Lichens hung 

from the twisted trunks of oaks and pines 

and there were curious forms of limestone, 

traces of ibex and foxes and the landscape, 

the more we ascended, the more impressive 

were the displays before our eyes; 

rough, round, multi-colored steppe like a 

sea pouring between Moratalla, Caravaca 

and Puebla de Don Fadrique, with grain 

fields dotted with oaks and decorated with 

wisps of clouds and mists from which the 

sun was making inroads in a jaw-dropping 

Our sincere thanks to all those who have 

accompanied us during 2012 and we hope 

you enjoyed it as much as us. We wish that 

2013 will bring us all new experiences for 

Moratalleros Landscapes. 






Page 71 Page 71

The ten year old girl was injured when she fell 

ten metres from the tower known as Torre del 

Polvorín into one of the wells within the structure 

of Mula Castle, in the Northwest Region 

of Murcia. She suffered minor contusions and 

possible fractures to her arms and legs and 

was transferred to the hospital Virgen de la 

Arrixaca, having been rescued by members 

of the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Police and 

Guardia Civil. In total more than 24 personnel 

were involved in the rescue. 

It was another twelve year old girl, who had 

been playing alongside the victim within 

the structure of the castle, who raised the 

alarm, calling the Emergency 112. 20 years 

ago another youngster died after falling into 

this same well, so although the youngster involved 

suffered fractures, she was lucky to 

escape with her life. 

The council of Mula has been involved in an 

ongoing attempt to gain control of the castle 

so that it can be properly cared for, as it is currently 

privately owned. The castle has passed 

through various families by inheritance and 

its current owners have little interest in maintaining 

the structure, which is being left to fall 

into ruin. Although parts of the castle have 

been boarded over to prevent accidents, vandals 

continue to break down fencing and enter 

the structure, leaving behind graffiti and 

rubbish, a situation which the council would 

like to change. In January 1990, this Castle 

was registered to the family Beltran de Lis y 

Pidal, and the owners sought the backing of 

the Supreme Court and the Castle remains in 

their hands, in spite of several attempts being 

made to reach an agreement for it to become 

the property of the Council. Local business 

owners are backing the council, recognising 

the tourism value of the castle, an emblematic 

symbol of the town, which can be seen 

clearly from the main motorway, proud on 

the skyline, arguing that if measures are not 

taken to protect the structure it could easily 

deteriorate. Local traders are also keen to see 

the castle cleaned and restored, preventing 

accidents such as this from happening and 

providing a marketable tourist attraction for 

the town. 

Disputes between local townspeople and the 

owners of this castle are nothing new. It was 

built as a result of the quarrels between the 

Fajardos (who became the Marqueses de Los 

Vélez) family and many of Mula’s more powerful 

citizens as a statement of the power 

and wealth of the Fajardo family during the 

16th century. In 1373 Alfonso Yáñez Fajardo 

I bought the land and water rights in La 

Puebla de Mula from the council. He was not 

in control of the local jurisdiction at the time, 

but this purchase signaled his first steps into 

taking control of the Mula area. His son, Alfonso 

Yáñez Fajardo II, received control of 

Mula on 12th September 1430 from King Juan 

II, in recognition of his withstanding an attempt 

by Prince Enrique de Aragón to take 

control of the title of Marquis of Villena (part 

of the struggle between Castile and Aragón). 

This effectively gave the Fajardos ownership 

of Mula and caused a great deal of upset 

amongst the local leading families who never 

really accepted this royal gift being made, 

and they continually leveled accusations of 

unfair treatment against the Marquis de los 

Vélez and his successors. 

These accusations are a constant feature in 

the history of the Marquises de los Vélez, as 

can be seen in the message written by the 

Governor General to the Mayor of Mula in 

1653: “The complaints received by the estate 

are numerous, particularly from the “villa of 

Mula”. The official record books of the house 

of Vélez make extensive mention of the cases 

presented by Mula. In one such case a request 

was made for limits to be set on the powers 

and jurisdiction of the Mayor. In another, they 

requested that it should be the council who 

appointed the sheriff and the town scrivener, 

in another that the council should appoint 

town clerks, etc. 

The Murcian Governor General was forced 

to admit that the people of Mula were tough 

nuts to crack. Nearly 400 years later, and 

the townspeople of Mula are still fighting the 

owners of its emblematic castle for control! 

Maybe this will be a turning point. 



http://www.murciatoday.com/girl- 

falls-down-well-in-mula-castle_14535- 

a.html 


A group of old and new members of WARM 

enjoyed a Christmas walk and lunch in December 

on a warm and sunny day. 

We met at Casa de Cristo and walked along 

some beautiful tracks with amazing views 

until we reached the “Snow House” of Moratalla. 

Whilst it is now in ruins, it is easy to 

imagine how it was many years ago when 

the ice was transported from here to the 

coast. Upon reaching the “Snow House” we 

enjoyed a festive picnic of cava, mince pies, 

chocolates, biscuits and other seasonal goodies. 

We then retraced our steps to Casa de 

Cristo, where we enjoyed an excellent lunch 

in the restaurant. 

WARM (Walkers Around the Region of Murcia) 

is a friendly group of people who enjoy 

walking. We cover the region of Murcia, although 

at the moment the majority of our 

members live in the North West of the region 

(Mula, Bullas, Calasaparra, Cehegín and Moratalla). 

We have a wide variety of walks and a 

reasonable degree of fitness is required for all 

of them. The walks can be anything from 3 

to 7 hours with lunch being a picnic or a meal 

in a local restaurant. The walks are arranged 

by the members and each member takes full 

responsibility for their walk. In February we 

have two programmed walks and in March we 

have three. 

If you would like to join us please contact 

warm2005@gmail.com for further information. 

Page 72 





Oregano is a popular herb used in various 

styles of cooking. It is native to warm temperate 

climates, especially in Mediterranean countries. 

The plants like a dry climate and should 

be planted in early spring in a dry soil where it 

can get the maximum sunlight. Oregano can 

also be grown well in pots or other containers. 

The plant should be kept well pruned and 

pinched out at all times during the growing 

process, keeping it rounded and bushy. This 

perennial herb grows up to 80cm with purple or 

pink flowers and it is often known as wild marjoram. 

There are numerous varieties of Oregano, 

all with different flavours from spicy to 

sweet. Simple Oregano is often a bit bland and 

therefore is not regarded as the best variety 

for cooking, but Oregano produced in Greece 

and Turkey tends to be darker in colour and is 

considered to be the best all-purpose Oregano 

for culinary uses. 

MABS Murcia Northwest 

Christmas Party 

In Murcia Northwest, 

120 guests enjoyed a 

great Christmas Party 

at The Sanctuary Restaurant 

in Calasparra, 

with a delicious menu 

and excellent service 

from Paco and his staff. 

‘Woody’ provided the 

music and everyone 

was up and dancing to 

his Buddy Holly Tribute. 

This event raised a 

grand total of 700€ which will go towards the 

good work that MABS volunteers are doing in 

the Northwest Murcia area. 

MABS Murcia NW’s next fundraising event 

is the St Valentine’s Dinner Dance at the 

Bar Cantero in the Gran Via, Calasparra on 

16 th February, with 

entertainment from 

Tony Kelly (Rat Pack 

tribute). These events 

are always popular, so 

please make sure that 

you book your tickets 

early by calling Sandra 

628 792 687, 

Lyn 622 751 273, 

Pat 676 541 146, or 

Astrid 628 744 906. 

MABS Murcia is a 

registered charity 

(No. 7261) offering 

help and support to local people of all nationalities 

who have been diagnosed with or are 

being treated for cancer. If you or someone 

you know would like some confidential help 

or support call our HELPLINE 693 275 779 or 

visit their website www.mabsmurcia.com 

The leaves of the Oregano plant are more 

pungent when dried and they have an aromatic, 

warm and slightly bitter taste which makes 

them ideal for various recipes and sauces. 

Good quality Oregano may even numb the 

tongue slightly, which is why it is used to spice 

up recipes. In Italian cuisine, Oregano is used 

with roasted or fried vegetables, meat and fish 

and of course on the ever-popular pizzas and 

tomato based dishes, but it is used extensively 

throughout the Mediterranean. 

Oregano is used in herbal medicine and has 

been used as a cure for stomach and respiratory 

ailments such as bronchitis and asthma for 

centuries. It can be used as a palliative for 

sore throats and as an antiseptic and it has also 

been used as an antidote for venomous snake 

and insect bites. Oregano Oil is used after 

dilution and topically applied to treat toothache 

as well as painful joints in patients. Due 

to the high antioxidant activity in Oregano, it 

has been used as an antimicrobiotic remedy for 

bacterial infections such as food poisoning, although 

like many of these natural remedies, 

the medical profession dispute these findings. 

Oregano is strongly sedative and should not 

be taken in large doses, though mild teas have 

a soothing effect and aid restful sleep. Used 

topically, Oregano is one of the best herbal 

antiseptics because of its high thymol content. 





Page 73 

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


Droughts in Spain are Getting Longer 

and More Severe 

Experts have studied periods of low or nonexistent 

rainfall in the country over the 60- 

year period between 1945 and 2005, and say 

the worst droughts - those which last five 

years or more - tend to be in the south and 

centre of the country. Spain’s High Council 

of Scientific Investigation (CSIC) says that 

of the 187 river basins they studied, the 

Tajo in the centre of the country, the Júcar 

near the east coast, the Guadiana, and the 

Guadalquivir in the Sevilla province are the 

worst-affected and see some of the longestlasting 

droughts. 

Only the river Duero, to the north of the centre 

and northwest of Spain and the Segura 

River in southern Alicante and northern Murcia 

have seen a slight reduction in drought 

severity. The results of this research will 

be used to ascertain how the effects of the 

droughts can be minimised. 

Rajoy Announces State Law Reforms For 

This Year 

Reforms are on the cards for 2013 by Mariano 

Rajoy’s government, include greater supervision 

of town and city councils, removing 

trade barriers, restricting the abortion law 

and radically revamping the education system. 

Public administration procedures and public 

sector services have not been reformed in 30 

years and methods will be modernised. Rajoy 

also hopes to save 3.5 billion Euros by reducing 

the number of councilors, standardising 

salaries in Town Halls and those of mayors, 

cutting out duplication of work and clarifying 

roles within local authorities. He says this 

reform will be worked out ‘with’ the mayors 

rather than being ‘imposed upon’ them. 

Education Minister José Ignacio Wert’s proposed 

schools reform, which has met with 

an unpopular reaction - especially in regions 

with a co-official language in addition to 

Spanish - is more or less complete and will 

be debated and given the seal of approval in 

Congress this year. 

Justice minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, former 

Mayor of Madrid, is expected to have 

completed the abortion law reform by the 

end of the first quarter of 2013. In it, he has 

decided that the deformation or severe physical 

or mental handicap of the unborn child 

will not be legal grounds for terminating a 

pregnancy, and girls under the age of 18 will 

once again require their parents’ permission 

to have an abortion. 

A proposed Law of Market Unity aims to remove 

trade barriers and nationalise Spain’s 

Page 74 

markets, which are currently decentralised 

and segmented into 17 different ones – one 

for each of the federal, or autonomous, regions. 

A new Law of Entrepreneurs is being designed 

to give extra support to small and 

medium-sized businesses and help create 

employment. 

Population Falls as 118,000 Spaniards 

Leave the Country 

Around 55,000 Spanish people had left the 

country for good by the end of the third 

quarter of 2012, meaning the exodus has increased 

by over a fifth in the past year. 

With job vacancies being practically nonexistent 

and career progress unlikely in the 

current economic climate, more and more 

qualified young Spaniards are seeking their 

fortunes abroad. Nine in 10 student nurses 

interviewed expressed a wish to go overseas 

to work when they qualified, with the 

UK, Norway, Germany, Canada, the USA and 

Latin America being the favoured destinations 

and Germany’s government has been 

offering jobs they cannot fill in the past year 

to unemployed Spaniards, with vacancies in 

engineering and the hotel and catering sector 

being the most-advertised. 

Between 5,500 and 7,000 people left Spain 

for good, or for the long-term, every month 

last year, according to the Institute of National 

Statistics (INE). Nearly a million people 

emigrated in 2012, although all bar around 

118,000 were expatriates returning to their 

home countries. Of these, over half a million 

were men. 

Spain’s population has fallen since last 

year, partly due to returning foreigners and 

Spaniards moving abroad and partly due to 

the ever-falling birth rate. A recent survey 

showed that 8 in 10 couples or single women 

who want to have children have chosen not 

to because they could not afford to bring up 

a baby. Many of those interviewed fear that 

by the time the country is back on its feet financially 

and they have a stable job enabling 

them to afford to raise children, they will be 

past fertile age. 

School Drop-Out Levels in Spain ‘Twice 

the EU Average’ 

Spain’s school drop-out rate is as high as 

three in 10 pupils in several regions and well 

over a quarter in the country as a whole, according 

to education authorities. This is a 

long way from meeting the European Union’s 

maximum levels, which for the year 2020 

must be 10% for other EU countries, and 

15% for Spain. 

The figures are taken 

by counting up 

the number of 18-24 

year olds who do not 

have their Bachillerato 

- Spain’s answer 

to A-levels - or any 

other kind of professional 

qualification. 

Spain’s average is currently 

26.5%, which 

has come down from 

31.9% three years 

ago. All 17 regions 

have managed to cut 

their numbers of pupils 

leaving at 16 and 

ending their education 

there, but there is still a long way to go, says 

Spain’s ministry of education, culture and 

sports. The worst record is held by Andalucía, 

with a 32.5% drop-out rate. 

Part of the reason for the reduction in abandonment 

of post-16 education is that with 

the financial crisis. Those with few or no 

qualifications are actively seeking to improve 

their CVs as the job market has become 

more competitive and drastically reduced. 

More and more young adults are going back 

to college to take their Bachillerato, or A-levels, 

and enrolment figures for vocational and 

professional qualifications have rocketed. 

Prior to the recession, drop-out numbers 

were higher because of the huge number of 

vacancies in the construction industry, many 

of which required no formal qualifications. 

Thousands of pupils left school as soon as 

they were old enough in order to earn some 

money, but the property crash has left them 

with no chance of finding work unless they 

qualify in another area. 

High Court Repeals A&E Overnight Shut- 

Down 

The High Court of Castilla-La Mancha has 

suspended overnight closure of A&E at health 

centres in 21 towns and villages. 

Mass protests and entire local government 

parties resigning have been just a part of the 

outraged reaction to regional president María 

Dolores del Cospedal’s decision to shut casualty 

units after 8pm and even after 3pm in 

some cases because they only deal with two 

to three patients a night. 

This bid to save money has been hugely unpopular 

across the region and central government 

health authorities warn other parts 

of Spain may decide to follow suit. Since the 

shut-down started, the town council of Tembleque 

(Toledo province) has appealed to the 

regional High Court of Justice. 

A judge ordered that night-time closure of 

A&E departments should be suspended for 

three days to allow them time to investigate 

the situation. The regional government of 

Castilla-La Mancha says it will comply with 

the decision, but intends to appeal if their 

shut-down plans are reversed by the court. 

Regional health authorities say it is unfair 

that the court should overrule them when 

other regions have already taken the same 

stance. 

These include the closure of overnight emergency 

surgery in the towns of Ondara, Pedreguer, 

El Verger and Gata de Gorgos, 

among others, in the province of Alicante, 

but this has not been a regional government 

decision since they fall within the remit of a 

private company which manages the district 

health service. 

Although Cospedal’s cabinet says it is not 

worth keeping surgeries open all night for 

‘just two to three patients’ who can ‘get 

treated in their nearest hospital anyway’, it 

means a total of 63 patients a night, or nearly 

23,000 patients a year, who will be affected. 

In some cases, they will need to travel 

up to 50 kilometres or wait for an ambulance 

to get to them at home from the same distance 

away, which could mean life or death in 

certain cases, such as for patients who have 

suffered heart attacks. 





XXI 

agendas escolares • diseño gráfico • catálogo de productos • displays 

folletos publicitarios • carteles • calendarios • libros • papelería corporativa 

Pol Ind. Marimingo - C/. Campo de Cartagena, 27 - 30180 BULLAS (Murcia) Telf./Fax: 968 654 007 

entornograf@entornograf.com • www.entornograf.com 





Page 75


Paths Can 

Add Interest 

to Your 

Garden by 

Clodagh and 

Dick Handscombe, 

Spain’s best 

known gardening 

authors 

who 

have lived and gardened in Spain for 25 

years. 

A Dilema 

Why are so many gardens designed with 

straight garden paths? 

Why is the path around so many new houses 

laid up against the wall of the house allowing 

no possibility for shrub and perennial 

beds around the house? 

Why are all paths in many gardens finished 

with a single surface rather than using different 

surfaces in various areas to add 

contrast and interest? 

Historically most main paths in gardens 

were straight in order to set up a washing 

line alongside and not get ones feet wet if 

it had recently rained, but that constraint 

went years ago with the advent of rotary 

drying frames and washing machines with 

driers, so why not more creativity for the 

layout and construction of the network 

of pathways have a major impact on the 

quality of a garden? 

Decide Why You Want Paths 

The first thing is to recognise why we have 

paths in gardens. The following reasons 

are extracted from our books: 

To enable persons of all ages to move 

around the garden easily and safely in any 

weather. 

To move things around the garden without 

fear of tripping or straining. 

To link the different areas and features 

in an interesting way; indeed to create a 

mystery tour which changes season by 

season and by time of day and weather 

conditions. 

To move rainwater around the garden to 

areas where most needed. 

To create interesting and often unexpected 

internal and external vistas. 

To make a small garden seem larger by 

varying the width of paths from near the 

house to outer areas. A straight path which 

narrows twenty percent from beginning to 

end can work wonders as can curving and 

snaking paths. 

To link terraces. Together with terraces, a 

network of paths can reduce the planting 

areas and extent of garden maintenance. 

Indeed see terraces as wide paths with a 

number of connecting paths to other terraces 

and garden features. 

To provide a moisture reservoir and shade 

for the roots of plants lining the paths. 

To establish a formal, informal or mixed 

garden style. 

If you are having a new house constructed, 

decide on the network of paths around the 

house while the house is being built and 

get the builder to lay down what you want 

for an elegant garden rather than an easy 

concrete path attached to the house. 

Beyond designing the network, the next 

thing is surfaces and edgings. These days 

the choice for surfaces is enormous, ranging 

from coloured concrete to natural 

stone slabs, from stone chippings to sand, 

from low growing herbs to grass or plastic 

imitation grass, bark chippings or compost 

between rows of vegetables and formal 

stone cobbles or bricks. Not all paths need 

to be continuous, for stepping stones laid 

in grass or in areas of stone chippings can 

add interest in low use areas. 

In many gardens edgings to paths are useful 

to add interest and formality and keep 

stone chippings from being spread outside 

the intended path areas and to control the 

velocity of torrents of rain water running 

off paths to planted areas. Path edging 

can range from small rocks to terracotta 

edgings, wooden slats or small plants and 

bricks on edge, to narrow concrete edging 

slabs. 

This week two persons sent in questions 

related to problems with fruit trees. When 

we asked for information, it was not available 

as the writers indicated that they rarely 

visit those areas of the garden. 

Look at your own gardens. Would more 

features, special plantings and seats with 

pleasing vistas prompt you to walk your 

network of paths more often or add new 

paths? 

We looked at paths at this time of year as 

changes are best made during the cooler 

months. Fast changes can be made by 

using stone chippings laid between small 

rock edgings. They can always be covered 

with stone slabs laid on concrete at a later 

date. We had that idea in parts of our 

garden twenty years ago but the mature 

stone chipping paths laid on solid plastic 

sheeting, or in one part on overlapping 

supermarket plastic bags to minimise the 

cost, still exist and need little maintenance 

or weeding. 

If you have terraces upstairs go up there 

now and look down at the garden. Are 

there paths that go to all parts of the garden? 

Are they too formal or two higgledypiggledy? 

Are there interesting plantings 

on both sides of most lengths of paths? 

Would it be worth the effort to make some 

changes before Easter once the winter cut 

back is complete? 

Clodagh and Dick Handscombe’s 

books include the following: 

• Your Garden in Spain 

• Apartment Gardening Mediterranean 

Style 

• Growing Healthy Vegetables in 

Spain 

• Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain 

• Living Well from Our Mediterranean 

Garden 

• Making Waterless Gardens a Practical 

Reality Worldwide 

• The latter is available as an Amazon 

Kindle E-book. 

More details of each book will be found on 

www.gardenspain.com 

( c) Clodagh and Dick Handscombe 

www.gardenspain.com January 2013. 

Page 76 









Page 77


How to Store Fruits And Vegetables and 

Tips and Tricks to Extend the Life of Your 

Produce Without Plastic. 

Many fruit and veg is sold in plastic wrapping 

or containers. This should be removed as 

soon as possible and the produce stored appropriately 

to maximize its usability. Plastic 

will make most produce sweat and so paper 

bags are preferable for storage. Many vegetables 

will freeze easily, but if you want to 

eat them fresh, good storage is essential. 

Fruit: 

Apples - store on a cool counter or shelf for 

up to two weeks. For longer storage keep in a 

cardboard box in the fridge. 

Citrus Fruit - store in a cool place, with good 

airflow, never in an air-tight container. 

Apricots - on a cool counter to room temperature 

or fridge if fully ripe. 

Cherries - store in an airtight container. 

Don’t wash cherries until ready to eat as any 

added moisture encourages mould. 

Berries - Don’t forget, they are very fragile. 

When storing be careful not to stack too many 

high; a single layer if possible. A paper bag or 

basket works well and only wash before you 

plan on eating them. 

Dates - dryer dates (like Deglet Noor) are 

fine stored out on the counter in a bowl or the 

paper bag they were bought in. 

Moist Dates (like Medjool) need a bit of refrigeration 

if they’re going to be stored over a 

week, either in cloth or a paper bag as long as 

it’s porous to keeping the moisture away from 

the skin of the dates. 

Figs - don’t like humidity, so, do not use 

closed containers. A paper bag works to absorb 

excess moisture, but a plate works best 

in the fridge up to a week un-stacked. 

Melons - leave these uncut in a cool dry 

place, out of the sun for up to a couple weeks. 

Cut melons should be in the fridge, an open 

container is fine. 

Nectarines - store in the fridge if ripe, but 

best taken out a day or two before you plan 

on eating them so they soften to room temperature. 

Peaches (and most stone fruit) - refrigerate 

only when fully ripe. More firm fruit will ripen 

on the counter. 

Pears - will keep for a few weeks on a cool 

counter, but they are fine in a paper bag. 

To hasten the ripening, put an apple in with 

them. 

Plums etc - store at room temperature. 

Pomegranates - keep up to a month stored 

on a cool counter. 

Strawberries - don’t like to be wet. They do 

best in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a 

week, but check the bag for moisture every 

other day. 

Vegetables: 

Always remove any tight bands from 

your vegetables or at least loosen 

them to allow them to breathe. 

Artichokes - place in an airtight container 

sealed, with light moisture. 

Asparagus - place it loosely in a glass or 

bowl upright with water at room temperature. 

(Will keep for a week outside the fridge) 

Avocados - place in a paper bag at room 

temp. To speed up their ripening, place an 

apple in the bag with them. 

Arugula - arugula, like lettuce, should not 

stay wet! Put in cold water and spin or lay 

flat to dry. Place dry in an open container, 

wrapped with a dry towel to absorb any extra 

moisture. 

Aubergine - leave out in a cool room. Don’t 

wash it, as eggplant doesn’t like any extra 

moisture around its leaves. For longer storage, 

place loose, in the crisper. 

Basil - is difficult to store well. It does not like 

the cold, or the wet. The best method is store 

it in an airtight container/jar loosely packed 

with a small damp piece of paper inside on a 

cool counter. 

Beans, shelling - open container in the 

fridge, eat ASAP. Recommend freezing them 

if not going to eat right away 

Beets - cut the tops off to keep beets firm, 

(be sure to keep the greens!) Leaving any top 

on root vegetables draws moisture from the 

root, making them lose flavour and firmness. 

Beets should be washed and kept in an open 

container with a wet towel on top. 

Beet greens - place in an airtight container 

with a little moisture. 

Broccoli - place in an open container in the 

fridge or wrap in a damp towel before placing 

in the fridge. 

Broccoli Rabe - left in an open container in 

the crisper, but best used as soon as possible. 

Brussels Sprouts - if bought on the stalk 

leave them on that stalk. Put the stalk in the 

fridge or leave it on a cold place. If loose, 

store them in an open container with a damp 

towel on top. 

Cabbage - left out on a cool counter is fine 

up to a week, or in a crisper. Peel off outer 

leaves if they start to wilt. Cabbage might begin 

to lose its moisture after a week. 

Carrots - cut the tops off to keep them fresh 

longer. Place them in closed container with 

plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp 

towel or dunk in cold water every couple of 

days if they’re stored that long. 

Cauliflower - will last a while in a closed container 

in the fridge, but cauliflower has the 

best flavour the day it’s bought. 

Celery - does best when simply placed in a 

cup or bowl of shallow water on the counter. 

Celery root/Celeriac - wrap the root in a 

damp towel and place in the crisper. 

Corn - leave unhusked in an open container, 

but corn really is best the day it’s picked. 

Courgette - does fine for a few days if left 

out on a cool counter, even after cut. Wrap 

in a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage. 

Cucumber - wrap in a moist towel in the 

fridge. If you’re planning on eating it within 

a day or two, it should be fine left out in a 

cool room. 

Fennel - if used within a couple days, fennel 

can be left out on the counter, upright in a 

cup or bowl of water (like celery). If wanting 

to keep longer than a few days place in the 

fridge in a closed container with a little water. 

Garlic - store in a cool, dark, place. 

Green Garlic - put in an airtight container in 

the fridge, or leave out for a day or two, but 

best used before dried out. 

Greens - remove any bands etc. Most greens 

must be kept in an air-tight container with 

a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. 

Kale, collards, and chard do well in a cup of 

water on the counter or fridge. 

Green Beans - like humidity, but not wetness. 

A damp cloth draped over an open or 

loosely closed container. 

Green Tomatoes - store in a cool room away 

from the sun to keep them green and use 

quickly or they will begin to colour. 

Herbs - a closed container in the fridge to 

keep up to a week. Any longer might encourage 

mould. 

Lettuce - keep damp in an airtight container 

in fridge. 

Leeks - leave in an open container in the 

crisper wrapped in a damp cloth or in a shallow 

cup of water on the counter (so the very 

bottom of the stem has water). 

Okra - doesn’t like humidity, so a dry towel in 

an airtight container. Doesn’t store that well, 

so best eaten quickly. 

Onion - store in a cool, dark and dry, place. 

Good air circulation is best, so don’t stack 

them. 

Parsnips – in an open container in the crisper, 

or wrap in a damp cloth in the fridge. 

Potatoes - store in cool, dark and dry place, 

such as a box or a paper bag. 

Radicchio - place in the fridge in an open 

container with a damp cloth on top. 

Radishes - remove the greens (store separately) 

and place them in a open container 

in the fridge with a wet towel placed on top. 

Rhubarb - wrap in a damp towel and place in 

an open container in the refrigerator. 

Snap Peas - refrigerate in an open container. 

Spinach - store loose in an open container in 

the crisper, cool as soon as possible. Spinach 

loves to stay cold. 

Spring Onions - Remove any band or tie and 

place in the crisper. 

Summer Squash - fine for a few days if left 

out on a cool counter, even after being cut. 

Sweet Peppers - only wash them just before 

you eat them as wetness decreases storage 

time. Store in a cool room to use in a couple 

a days. Place in the crisper if longer storage 

needed. 

Sweet Potatoes - Store in a cool, dark, wellventilated 

place. Never refrigerate as sweet 

potatoes don’t like the cold! 

Tomatoes - never refrigerate. Depending 

on ripeness, tomatoes can stay for up to two 

weeks on the counter. To hasten ripeness 

place in a paper bag with an apple. 

Turnips - remove the greens (store separately). 

Store them in an open container with 

a moist cloth. 

Winter Squash - store in a cool, dark, well 

ventilated place. Many growers say winter 

squashes get sweeter if they’re stored for a 

week or so before eaten. 

Page 78 





Regular readers will be pleased to know 

that all is well at the Rainbow Satellites 

camp – mums are OK and we are all slowly 

proceeding out of hibernation and into 

spring! The garden is slowly becoming 

alive again and there is more movement 

from the goldfish and terrapins. Nature 

rolls on year after year and soon, (or when 

you are reading this) one of the wonders of 

Spain will be with us – the almond blossom 

will be in full bloom. If you have never 

seen it, drive out into the countryside in 

early February to see field after field of 

white and pink “snow” covered trees. 

TV NEWS 

Firstly, not a real TV item, but we went 

to the IMF Cinema in Torrevieja last week 

where the films are shown in dubbed Spanish, 

but you can get headphones for the 

original English soundtrack. Well worth 

the visit and we will be going to see more 

films there. (We thought Les Miserables 

was fantastic!). It is a bit of a trip, but for 

cinema lovers a great new venue to watch 

latest movies on the big screen in English. 

Look at the website and films with a “VO” 

in listing are available in English with the 

headphones. Use it or lose it!!! 

Most of the satellite changes have now 

been made and it has had very little effect 

on us in Murcia. So much for all that doom 

and gloom ‘bar talk’ that we would lose UK 

TV in its entirety! If you look at our newsletters 

over the past six months you will 

see that our predictions have mostly been 

right - listen to the real experts, not the 

ones propping the bar up! 

For those of you who don’t have, or can’t 

have a big dish to receive UK TV, we now 

can supply a good range of TV via the internet 

– two packs – mainstream UK TV 

and a sports pack. It comes with a small 

“digibox” – just plug into router and TV 

and away you go. You do need at least 

2MB speed and a good consistent connection, 

but it works well. There is an annual 

subscription, but you do not need a UK IP 

address. Contact us for more details. 

If you don’t have internet for whatever 

reason, then we now can help you install 

the “TOOWAY” system - Satellite internet 

that is available anywhere. No landlines or 

sight of an internet operator’s transmitter 

required. We did look at “TOOWAY” in 

its infancy a few years ago and we did not 

like the quality of the equipment or the 

service, but they have certainly overcome 

those problems. The equipment is vastly 

improved and the service is excellent. If 

you want internet and can’t have it for 

whatever reason, this is a solution. Again 

contact us and we will guide you through 

the procedures. 

Do any of you regular readers remember 

my telling you about the new satellite 

TV system “REAL DIGITAL” well over a 

year ago? Well it seemed to die a death 

after numerous false starts, but it has announced 

it will be relaunching this spring. 

The advantage of “REAL” is that it is basic 

FREESAT, but you can add SKY SPORTS 

by the month; perhaps ideal for you part 

time residents, or if you just like, UK cricket 

or Rugby, you can add it just for the season 

it’s on. Watch this space for more info. 

My thanks to Terry and David for pointing 

me to “DIGIGUIDE:TV”. It’s a great 

app for your pads and phones giving full 

TV listings with a big advantage of having 

a moving vertical real-time line for showing 

the current programme so that the one 

hour difference – UK to Spain – is eliminated 

and you don’t have to think ‘is that 

on an hour ago or an hour later’! 

Remember that we still have the very 

cheap full SKY packs available – all your 

sport and extra programmes for less than 

4€ a week! 

That’s it for February. Article sponsored by 

Rainbow Satellites, the company for all 

your television needs in the Murcia Region. 

Contact Alan or Matt for free friendly advice 

by email rainbowsats@gmail.com 

or telephone (0034) 686 358 475. 

Our website www.rainbowsats.org has 

good basic information on TV in Spain. 





Page 79

ANIMAL ORGANISATIONS: 

ACTIN 

968 163 529 

Andrea’s Animal Rescue 

Fuente Alamo 

690 906 565 

Easy Horse Care 

Rojales 

652 021 980 

Galgos del Sol 

Murcia 

galgosdelsol@hotmail.com 

Help Murcia Mar Menor 

Los Alcazares 

968 570 059 

JJ’s Puppy Rescue Organisation 

Mazarrón 

618 034 921 

John Kemp’s Puppies 

La Pinilla, Fuente Alamo 

646 737 230 

Pets in Spain 

San Fulgencio/La Marina 

info@petsinspain.info 

MAMAS’s 

Mazarrón 

666 186 037 

MARA 

Mula 

685 311 599 

Noah’s ARC 

Mazarrón 

699 352 818 

968 154 507 (shop) 

PAPS 

966 769 137 

Protector de Animales 

http://protectoraanimalparraga.net/ 

RAD Animal Association 

655 027 676 

CHARITIES: 

Age Concern 

Mazarrón 

634 310 216 

Alcoholics Anonymous 

Mazarrón, Cuevas de Reyllo 

646 290 420 

Cabo De Palos 

968 545 181 

Costa Cálida Samaritans 

www.costablancasamaritans.com 

GO maD 

Mazarrón 

678 598 677 

Help Murcia Mar Menor 

Calle Penélope No 11, Los Alcázares, 

968 570 059 

Helping Hands 

contact@helpinghands.org.es 

Lions Club Mazarrón Bahía 

Mazarrón 

636 746 959 

MABS Mar Menor 

693 275 779 

MABS Mazarrón 

620 422 410 

MABS NW Murcia 

mabsmurcianw@gmail.com 

PALS (Protection & Life Saving) 

Mazarrón 

968 437 837 

CHURCHES: 

Beacon of Light 

620 877 326 

Mass in English 

Pastrana, Mazarrón 

628 824 555 

New Life Church 

Los Belones 

966 769 300/650 509 606 

Olive Branch Christian Fellowship 

Cultural Centre, Camposol B 

618 720 181/968 199 622 

Open Door 

Los Almagros 

646 705 403/655 141 721 

Pilar Christian Community Church 

Pilar de la Horidada 

966 769 300/650 509 606 

Puerto Lumbreras Church 

619 945 283 

St Nicholas Church 

Camposol, Mazarrón 

968 138 952 

Welcome House 

Cehegin 

633 447 937 

Wellspring Victory Church 

El Alamillo, Mazarrón 

620 599 270 

GROUPS: 

ADAPT 

San Pedro 

966 189 402 

Arts & Cultural Association of Murcia 

655 421 120 

Camposol Bridge Club 

968 130 583 

Cálida Country Music 

968 163 082 

Cloud Nine Drama 

Mula 

644 400 123 

Darwinian Gardeners 

darwiniangardeners@gmail.com 

Evolutionists of Almeria and Murcia 

www.bolnuevo.com/social/Evolutionists 

Ex-Servicemen’s Association 

Mazarrón 

968 965 058 

Friends & Buddies 


968 163 758 

HAH Help at Home 

San Javier 

633 673 034 

Ladies’ Chatterbox 

Camposol 

968 199 418/619 575 463 

Los Palacios 

Camposol A 

Welcome Group 


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 


Page 80 




Pat Benatar 

(born Patricia 

Mae 

Andrzejewski 

on January 

10, 1953 

in Greenpoint, 

Brooklyn, 

New 

York City.) 

is an American 

singer 

and fourtime 

Grammy 

winner. 

She has had 

considerable 

commercial 

success, particularly in the United 

States. During the 1980s, Benatar had two 

RIAA-certified Multi-Platinum albums, five 

RIAA-certified Platinum albums, three RIAAcertified 

Gold albums and 19 Top 40 singles, 

including the Top 10 hits, “Hit Me with Your 

Best Shot”, “Love Is a Battlefield”, “We 

Belong” and “Invincible”. Benatar was 

one of the most heavily played artists in the 

early days of MTV. Her musical training was 

strictly classical and theatrical and Benatar 

surprised family, friends and teachers by deciding 

a classical career was not for her and 

pursued health education at the State University 

of New York at Stony Brook. At 19, 

after one year at Stony Brook, she dropped 

out to marry her high school sweetheart Dennis 

Benatar, an army draftee who trained at 

Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then served 

with the Army Security Agency at Fort Devens, 

Massachusetts, before being stationed 

at Fort Lee, Virginia. Dennis Benatar was 

stationed there for three years, and Pat 

worked as a bank teller in Richmond, Virginia. 

In 1973, Benatar quit her job to pursue a 

singing career after being inspired by a Liza 

Minnelli concert she saw in Richmond. She 

got a job as a singing waitress in a nightclub 

named The Roaring Twenties and started 

singing in a lounge band named Coxon’s 

Army, who were the regular band at Sam 

Miller’s Basement Club. The band garnered 

enough attention to be the subject of a never-aired 

TV special, and the band’s bassist 

Roger Capps went on to be the original bass 

player for the Pat Benatar Band. The period 

also yielded Benatar’s first and only single 

until her eventual 1979 debut on Chrysalis 

Records, “Day Gig” (1974). Her big break 

came in 1975 at an amateur night at The 

Comedy Club, Catch a Rising Star in New 

York. Her rousing rendition of Judy Garland’s 

“Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a 

Dixie Melody” earned her a call back by club 

owner Rick Newman, who went on to become 

her manager. 

Following Dennis’ discharge from the army, 

the couple moved back to New York and Benatar 

went on to be a regular member at 

Catch A Rising Star for close to three years, 

until signing a record contract. She divorced 

Dennis Benatar in 1979. 

Catch A Rising Star was not the only break 

Benatar got in 1975. She landed the part 

of Zephyr in Harry Chapin’s futuristic rock 

musical, The Zinger. The production, which 

debuted on March 19, 1976, at the Performing 

Arts Foundation’s Playhouse in Huntington 

Station, Long Island, ran for a month and 

was a huge success. Benatar noted: “I was 

22 by the time I started to sing rock, so at 

first I was very conscious of technique and I 

was overly technical. That proved to be inhibiting 

so it was a disadvantage until I began 

to sing intuitively. That’s the only way to sing 

rock – from your gut level feelings. It’s the 

instinct that the best singers have.” 

Halloween 1977 proved a pivotal night in Benatar’s 

early, spandex-wearing stage persona. 

Rather than change out of the costume 

she wore to a Halloween contest at the Cafe 

Figaro in Greenwich Village that evening, 

she went onstage at Catch a Rising Star in 

costume. Benatar said: “I was dressed 

as a character from this ridiculous B movie 

called “Cat-Women of the Moon.” Despite 

performing her usual array of songs, she received 

a standing ovation. Between appearances 

at Catch a Rising Star and recording 

commercial jingles for Pepsi Cola and a number 

of regional concerns, Benatar headlined 

New York City’s Tramps nightclub from March 

29 - April 1, 1978, where her performance 

impressed representatives 

from several record 

companies. She 

was signed to Chrysalis 

Records by cofounder 

Terry Ellis. 

Benatar recorded her 

first album, “In the 

Heat of the Night”, 

in June and July 1979. 

It was a critical and 

huge commercial success. 

She won an 

unprecedented four 

consecutive Grammy 

Awards for Best Female 

Rock Performance 

from 1980 to 

1983 for her second 

album, “Crimes of 

Passion” and the 

songs “Fire and Ice”, 

“Shadows of the 

Night”, and “Love Is 

a Battlefield” written 

by Holly Knight and 

Mike Chapman. Of 

the ten Grammy Award ceremonies in the 

1980s, Benatar was nominated for Best Female 

Rock Performance eight times, including 

for “Invincible” in 1984 (written by 

Holly Knight and Simon Climie), “Sex as 

a Weapon” in 1986, “All Fired Up” in 1988 

and in 1989 for “Let’s Stay Together”. Benatar 

also earned Grammy Award nominations 

in 1984 for Best Pop Vocal Performance, 

Female with “We Belong” and in 1986 for 

Best Rock Vocal Performance, Duo or Group 

as a member of Artists United Against Apartheid 

for their single, “Sun City”. Benatar 

is also the winner of three American Music 

Awards: Favourite Female Pop/Rock Vocalist 

of 1981 and 1983, and Favorite Female Pop/ 

Rock Video Artist of 1985. Although not as 

commercially successful as her heyday in the 

80’s, Benatar still made music although preferred 

to spend more time with her husband 

and two children. 

Pat Benatar was inducted into the Long Island 

Music Hall of Fame at the Second Induction 

Award Ceremony and Fundraising Gala 

held October 30, 2008. 

I would like to thank Teresa for requesting 

this article and I hope I have done one of her 

favourite artistes justice. 

You can listen to Mark Davies on Costa 

Cálida Radio on Nite Express on Mon and 

Wed 7-9pm and on Friday evenings on Cálida 

Rocks 7-9pm. 






Page 81 Page 81

RED – Entertainment 

ORANGE – Special menus 

PURPLE –Market, exhibitions, leisure & meetings 

GREEN – Charity & non-profit making events 

BLACK – Fiestas & important events 

Please refer to the relevant advert or editorial for more details of events 

Every Mon 

Art Classes @ Jane’s Salon, Bolnuevo, 9.30-11.30am 

Fit4Life Group-exercise/positive thinking workshop @ Jane’s Salon, Bolnuevo, 4pm 

Chiropody with Phillip Dawe @ Sensol Golf Villa Sales building, Camposol C 

Bowling League @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 7pm 

Quiz Night @ The Club House, Camposol C 

Menu del Noche @ Alley Palais Bistro, Camposol B, 9.75€ 

Duplicate Bridge @ La Cumbre Hotel, Pto de Mazarrón, 9.30am 

2nd Hand Goods to Buy/Sell with HAH @ Brenda’s Boutique, Los Urrutias,10-1pm 

Andrea’s Animal Rescue, Shop Collection @ Car Park, Camposol B, 11.30-1.30pm 

Hoy (card) Bingo/HELP MMM @ La Zona Bar, Los Alcázares, 2.00pm, 1€ per game 

Every Tue 

Dance Fitness with Annette @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 10-11am 

Quiz Night @ Restaurant Manchica, La Manchica, optional meal for 5€ 

Football Training Session (ages 4-17) @ El Pareton, 6-7pm 

2 Course Candle Light Supper @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 7.30pm, 8€ inc btl wine for 2 

3 Course Menu del Noche @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 8€ 10€ inc btl wine 

Treat Menu del Noche @ Elliott’s, Bolnuevo, 10€ 

B Clean Weekly Working Party @ Commercial Centre, Camposol B, 9am 

MAMAS Collection/Book Stall @ Camposol B Car Park, 10-1pm 

Pick/Try/Choose/Buy/Donate/MABS Murcia NE @ Baños de Fortuna,10.30am 

Every Wed 

Mar Menor Golf Society Competition 

Menu del Noche @ Alley Palais Bistro, Camposol B, 9.75€ 

3 Course Steak Night @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 15€ 

Happy Dinner (2 for 1) @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 30€ inc btl wine for 2 

3 Course Steak Deal @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton, 25€ for 2 inc wine/cava 

Karaoke & Disco @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 9pm-late 


Every Thu 

Gardening Group Clean Up @ Camposol C, 9am 

Camposol Bridge Club, Duplicate Bridge @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 9.30am 

2nd Hand Goods to Buy/Sell/HAH @ Brenda’s Boutique, Los Urrutias,10-1pm 

Age Concern booking events etc @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 10-1pm 

The Art Workshop with MABS MMM @ Café Golf, San Javier, 10-12pm, 2€ 

PALS for booking events etc @ Saralara’s, Pto de Mazarron, 1-3.30pm 

Book & DVD Club with HAH @ La Zona Bar, Los Narejos. 2.30-4.30pm 

Beacon of Light @ The Old School House, Cañadas del Romero, 7-8.30pm 

Camposol Market @ Camposol A 

Dance Fitness with Annette @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 11.30-12.30pm 

Italian Night @ Alley Palais Bistro, Camposol B 

Pie Night @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton 

Steak Night @ Restaurant Manchica, La Manchica, 16.95€ for 2 inc btl wine 


Please tell Please our customers tell our customers where you where saw their you advertisement saw their advertisement in the Costa in Cálida the Costa Chronicle Cálida Chronicle 

Page 82 Sales Contact Sales Teresa Contact 619 Teresa 199 407 619 or 199 for the 407 Editor for Contact the Editor Patti Contact 646 005 Patti 017 646 005 017 Page 82 




Open Mic Night @ The Club House, Camposol C 

Age Concern booking events etc @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B, 10-1pm 

Pick/Try/Choose/Buy/Donate/MABS Murcia NE @ Baños de Fortuna, 10.30am 

PALS for booking events etc @ Tel’s Bar, Camposol B, 11-1.30pm 

Andrea’s Animal Rescue Collection @ Mazarrón Country Club Bar, 11.30-1pm 

Every Fri 

Sit 2B Fit with Annette @ Mariano’s, Camposol A, 10.30-11.30am 

Fish & Chip Night @ The New Royal, Pto de Mazarrón, 6.50€ 

Fish & Chip Special@ Rest Manchica, La Manchica,11€ for 2 (12-3pm/6.30-10pm) 

Fresh Fish Night, 3 Courses @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 10€ 

Fish/Chips 4 x ½ cod 20€/2 large 19€ inc btl wine @ Rest Marina, Pto de Mazarrón 

Romantic Dinner (2 for 1) @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 36€ inc btl wine for 2 

Fish/Chips/Fun Quiz @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton 

Disco @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 9pm-late 

Live Music @ Kennelly’s, Pueblo Español, Hacienda del Álamo, 9pm 

Live Music/Dancing/Dinner @ Copi Coy, Playa Grande, Puerto de Mazarrón 20€ 

Camposol Bridge Club, Duplicate Bridge @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 9.30am 

The Friday Art Group @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B, 9.45-12.30pm 

Book Sale & Bric-a-Brac with Noah’s ARC @ Camposol B, 10-2pm 


Age Concern booking events @ Cultural Centre, Camposol B, 

Book Stall, Camposol A Gardening Group @ Car Park Camposol A, 10.30-12.30pm 

Lions Bahia Mazarrón booking events @ Compusurf, Camposol B, 11am 

GoMad Available Donations @ Camposol Cultural Centre/Costa Cálida Radio 12.30-2pm 

Age Concern booking events etc @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 12.30-3.30pm 

10 pin Bowling, Camposol C Garden Group @ Totana, 4pm 

Every Sat 

Paella Lunchtime Special @ Rest Marina,Pto de Mazarrón, 7€ inc sm beer 

Fish & Chip Special @ Rest Manchica, La Manchica, 11€ for 2 (12-3pm) 

3 course Saturday Special @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 20€ 

Fish/Chips 4 x ½ cod 20€/2 large 19€ inc btl wine @ Rest Marina, Pto de Mazarrón 

Curry Night @ Rest Manchica, La Manchica, 4 courses, 19.95€ for 2 

3 Course Steak Deal @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton, 25€ for 2 inc wine/cava 

Exotic Menu (different wine with every course) @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 

22€ inc btl wine for 2 

Live Entertainment @ The Club House, Camposol C 

Live Music/Dancing/Dinner @ Copi Coy, Playa Grande, Puerto de Mazarrón 20€ 

Disco @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 9pm-late 

Book Sale with MABS Murcia MM @ Outside The Arches Bar, 10-1pm 


PALS for booking events etc @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, from 11-1.30pm 

Every Sun 

Car Boot Sale @ Cañadas del Romero Social Centre 8.30am 

Car Boot Sale @ Venta Romero, Cuevas de Reyllo 9am-2pm 

Sunday Roast @ Boca Pizza, Pto de Mazarrón, from 6.50€ 

Sunday Lunch @ Bistro Bulgaria, Polaris World, Condado de Alhama, from 6.50€ 

Paella Lunchtime Special @ Rest Marina, Pto de Mazarrón, 7€ inc sm beer 

Sunday Roast @ Restaurant Manchica, La Manchica, from 7.50€ 

Sunday Lunch @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton, from 7.50€ 

2 Course Sunday Roast @ Rest Marina, Pto de Mazarrón, 8€ inc glass wine/sm beer 

Sunday Lunch @ Bistro Bulgaria, Camposol B, from 6.50€ 

Sunday Roast @ The New Royal, Pto de Mazarrón, 8.50€ 

3 Course Sunday Roast (lunch/evening) @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 

10€ inc btl wine for 2 

3 Course Sunday Lunch @ Elliot’s Bar and Restaurant, Bolnuevo, 10€ 

Lunchtime Carvery @ The Club House, Camposol C, 12€ (8€ for under 12’s) 






Page 83 Page 83

3 Course Sunday Roast @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 16€ inc btl wine for 2 

HELP MMM Car Boot @ Autocine, Los Narejos 

FEBRUARY 

Friday 1 

Saturday 2 

Outdoor Market Stall/MABS Murcia NW @ Calle Segura, Calasparra, 9-1pm 

La Candelaria, Beniel 

Dick Whittington by Cloud Nine Drama @ El Auditorio, Casa de Cultura, Bullas 

Gallop Exams @ META, La Costera de Alhama 

Woody @ The Club House, Camposol C 

The Everly Brothers @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama, 8.30pm 

ADAPT Meeting @ the Pensionistas de Hogar in San Pedro, 10.30am 

Darwinian Gardeners Meeting/Presentation/lunch @ Casa Colorao, Leiva, 11am 

Soccer School Fundraiser/buffet & dancing @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 8pm, 8€ (3€ for children) 

Sunday 3 

Artisan Market @ Bullas 

Mazarrón FC home game against Corvera CF 

Valentine & Birthday Lunch with Welcome House, Cehegín, 11am 

Monday 4 

Tuesday 5 

PALS Monthly Meeting @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 11.15am 

D Sector Community Group Meeting @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 4pm 

Sew & Sew with Ladies’ Chatterbox @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 2.30-4.30pm 

Cartagena Carnaval 5-11th 

Book Swap with Welcome @ ICA Medical Centre, Camposol B, 10-12pm 

Coffee Morning with MABS Mazarrón @ MABS Centre, Camposol B, 11-1pm 

HAH Volunteer Meeting @ Bacchus Restaurant, The Oasis, Los Narejos, 11.30am 

Auction with MABS Murcia NE @ Bob’s Bar, Fortuna, 2pm 

Wednesday 6 

Thursday 7 

Friday 8 

Volunteers Meeting with MABS MMM @ Las Claras, Los Narejos, 11am 

Push the Buzzer Games Night/Camposol Fiesta @ The Steak Out, Camposol B 

Grand Auction with Age Concern @ Mariano’s, Camposol A, Hammer down 1pm 

Aguilas Carnaval 8-17th 

Indoor Market/fashion/bling/DVD’s etc @ Alley Palais, Camposol B 

Walk with NEST/optional meal, Meet El Berro Car Park, Sierra Espuña, 10.30am, 5€ 

6 Course St Valentine’s Dinner @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 25€ inc btl wine for 2 

Rock and Roll Bingo @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama 


Saturday 9 

Sunday 10 

Book Sale with MABS Mazarron @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 9-1pm 

Party Night with The Beagles for Noah’s ARC @ Camposol Golf Club, 5€ 

Cehegin Carnaval 9-16 th 

Caribbean Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 2 Courses 8€ inc btl wine for 2 

Angie McKay @ The Arches, Los Alcázares 

The Bee Gees Tribute @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama, 8.30pm 

Dave Rawson Hypnotist Show/Camposol Fiesta @ Alley Palais, Camposol B, 8pm, 10€ 

Chinese New Year 

Trip to Aguilas Carnaval with Viajes Dragontours, 26€ 

Page 84 





Artisan Market @ Mula 

Carnaval of Northwest Murcia, Cehegin (to 16 th February) 

Walk in Moratalla/Inazares Los Obispos - Moratalla Tourist Office 

Mazarrón FC away game against Atletico Pulpileno 

Tuesday 12 

Shrove Tuesday 

Table Top Sale with HAH @ La Zona Bar, Los Alcácares, 10-2pm 

Charity Market with Help MMM @ La Zona Bar, Los Alcazáres, 11.30am 

Wednesday 13 Ash Wednesday 

St Nicholas Church AGM @ Camposol, after morning service 10.45am 

General Meeting for SAMM @ CAR Infanta Cristina, Los Narejos, 11am 

Ladies’ Lunch Club/MABS Murcia NE @ Las Palmeras, Baños de Fortuna, 1pm 

Volunteer Meeting with MABS Murcia NW @ Hotel Argos, 5pm 

Thursday 14 

St Valentine’s Day 

St Valentine’s Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 2 Courses 10€ inc btl wine for 2 

Special St Valentine’s Dinner @ Quality Indian, Camposol B, 15€ inc first drink 

Special St Valentine’s Dinner @ Kennelly’s, Pueblo Español, Haciende del Alamo 

3 Course St Valentine’s Dinner @ La Vida Bistro & Bar, El Pareton, 16.95€ inc glass cava 

4 Course Dinner & Dance @ Alley Palais Bistro, Camposol B, 17.50€ 

3 Course St Valentine’s Dinner @ Elliott’s, Bolnuevo, 19.95€ inc cava/btl wine for 2/gift 

4 Course St Valentine’s Dinner/Music @ Leonardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 

20€ inc champagne cocktail & 1 st drink 

4 Course St Valentine’s Dinner/Music @ Mamma Mia’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 


4 Course St Valentine’s Dinner @ Don Ricardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 20€ 

6 Course St Valentine’s Dinner @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 25€ inc btl wine for 2 

Special St Valentine’s Dinner @ Chez Zoe, Pto de Mazarrón (call in for details) 

The Bandit Band @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama, 8pm 

Chatterbox Ladies’ Group @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 2pm 

St Valentine’s Party for JJ’s @ Oscars, Camposol B 5€ 7.30pm until late 

St Valentine’s Dance with Welcome @ Mariano’s, Camposol A, 10€ (food 5€) 

Friday 15 

Carnaval Aguilas/Cartagena/Cehegín 

St Valentine’s Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 2 Courses 10€ inc btl wine for 2 





6 Course St Valentine’s Dinner/Music @ Rest Amapola, Bolnuevo, 25€ inc btl wine for 2 

Book Sale with MABS Mazarrón @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 9-1pm 


Share & Care Group with MABS MMM @ MABS Cancer Centre, San Javier, 11am 

Saturday 16 Caribbean Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 2 Courses for 8€ inc btle wine for 2 





Adele Tribute @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama, 8.30pm 

Walk in Mazarrón with The Evolutionists of Almeria & Murcia 

Creation of Herb Garden with Lions Mazarrón & Adeo @ Camposol 

St Valentine’s Dance/MABS Murcia NW @ Bar Cantero, Calasparra, 20€, 7.30pm 






Page 85 Page 85

Sunday 17 

Monday 18 

Tuesday 19 

Artisan Market @ Caravaca 

Mazarrón FC home game against Nuestro Abaran CF 



4 Course St Valentine’s Dinne/Music @ Leonardo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 


Sew & Sew with Ladies’ Chatterbox @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 2.30-4.30pm 

Book Swap with Welcome @ ICA Medical Centre, Camposol B, 10-12pm 

General Meeting with Help MMM @ Las Claras, Los Narejos, 11.30am 

Ebony/Ivory Ladies’ Lunch Club/MABS MMM @ Diamante’s Rest, El Mojon, 

1.30pm, 3 courses 10€ 

Wednesday 20 Walk with NEST with optional meal, 5€ 

Chatters with HAH @ Bacchus Restaurant, Oasis, Los Narejos, 11.30am 

Thursday 21 Trip to La Zenia Shopping Centre with Lions of Mazarrón, 15€ 

Bargain Hunt/Auction with Help MMM @ Paddy Singh’s, Los Urrutias, 2pm 

Friday 22 

Indoor Market/fashion/bling/DVD’s etc @ Alley Palais, Camposol B 

Table Top Sale with GO maD @ Camposol B, 10–2pm 

Book Sale with MABS Murcia NW @ Trevol Bar, Calasparra, 11-2pm 

Card Games/Quiz/The Friendship Group/Help MMM @ Café Golf, San Javier, 12pm 

Jigsaw Bereavement Group/MABS Mazarrón @ Cat’s Bar, Camposol A, 2pm 

Saturday 23 

Nature Walk, Cehegín 

Caribbean Night @ Tropic Ana’s, Camposol A, 2 Courses 8€ inc btl wine for 2 

Pablo Bloom @ Bistro Bulgaria, Condado de Alhama, 8.30pm 

“Soul Power” (Motown and Soul band) @ The Arches, Los Alcázares 

Sunday 24 

Artisan Market @ Plaza del Castillo, Cehegin, 10am 

Tapas Route starts in Cehegin 

Walk in Moratalla/Tercia de Ulea-Rio, Moratalla Tourist Office 

Mazarrón FC home game against Alquerias FC 

Sevillanas Social Meeting @ Asturias Restaurant 

Tuesday 26 

Monthly B Clean Meeting @ Trevi Bar, Camposol B, 4pm 

Wednesday 27 Botox and Fillers Clinic @ Jane’s Salon, Bolnuevo 

Volunteers’ Meeting/MABS Murcia NE @ La Carcelera, Urb Las Kalendas, 

Fortuna, 11.30am 

Petanca with Welcome @ Mariano’s Restaurant, Camposol A, 1pm 

Menu del Dia with Age Concern @ Viggo’s, Pto de Mazarrón, 10€ 


Thursday 28 

MARCH 

Friday 1 

Saturday 2 

Sunday 3 

Monday 4 

Cloud 9 Drama AGM @ La Molata Social Centre, 3pm 


ADAPT Meeting @ Pensionista de Hogar, San Pedro, 10.30am 

Artisan Market @ Bullas 

Mazarrón FC away game against CD Algar 

PALS Monthly Meeting @ Camposol Cultural Centre, 11.15am 

Page 86 





Photos copyright: 

Eileen Jenkins, Dragontours. 

The Fallas in Valencia just has to be one 

of the best, craziest and most Spanish of all 

the fiestas in Spain. A celebration of spring, 

mixed with the Mediterranean passion for 

fire and fireworks, the festival coincides with 

Saint Joseph’s Day (patron saint of carpenters), 

and dates way back to medieval times. 

Spring cleaning made into a macro touristic 

attraction! 

The trip departs very early in the morning 

and gives everyone time to admire the many 

“Fallas”, and to experience the “mascletá”, a 

ground-shaking 15 minute fire-cracker/fireworks 

display which begins at 2pm sharp in 

front of the Town Hall of Valencia. During the 

day there are parades throughout the city, 

especially with the “fallera” groups dressed 

in spectacular traditional finery on their way 

to the flower offering to the Virgen – a huge 

wooden structure which by the end of the day 

is full of fresh bouquets. 

So, come along – sign up with Dragontours 

for this unique fiesta – only 25€! 

From the night of the 15 th of March, when the 

“ninots” - huge wooden structures are “planted” 

throughout the city, until the night of fire 

“nit de foc” – March 19 th - when they are all 

burnt down, there is a 24 hour a day fiesta 

going on. 

Dragontours will be running a coach to Valencia 

on March 18 th , a Monday, to enjoy a full 

day in this lovely city and plenty of time to 

take a look at the “Fallas”, these enormous 

statues built of wood according to extremely 

detailed plans. They are crafted by neighbourhood 

organizations “grupos falleros” and 

take nearly a year to complete. Most depict 

well-known persons, be they actors or politicians 

or television personalities and the 

themes are invariably critical or satirical. 





Page 87

On Tuesday 15 January by the Erosions in 

Bolnuevo around 600 children and young 

people from different schools in the municipality 

participated in “La Carrera De Cross 

De Deporte Escolar” that ended with the 

presentation of trophies to the top three finishers 

in each category by the Sports City 

Councilman of Mazarrón, Andres Valera. 

Benjamin Male 

1 st was Jaime Escoba, from Colegio “Siglo 

XXI” 

2 nd was Adrian Aparicio, of CEIP “Manuela 

Romero” 

3 rd was Carlos Navarro, from CEIP “Infanta 

Leonor” 

Benjamin Female 

1 st Yetteke Philips, of “Siglo XXI” 

2 nd Celia Moreno, of CEIP “Francisco Caparros” 

3 rd Kaotar Kadfi, from CEIP “Bahia” 

Avelin Male 

1 st Aziz Zarguit Aziz, from Colegio “Bahia” 

2 nd Bilal Kadfi, from “Infanta Leonor” 

3 rd Ruben Jumilla, from “Manuela Romero” 

Avelin Female 

1 st Eva Yepes, of “Caparrós Francisco” 

2 nd Hajar Lahlal, from the school “Bahia” 

3 rd Nadia Kadfi, from the school “Bahia” 

Male Infant 

1 st Juan Manuel Navarro, from “Antonio Hellin” 

2 nd Jonathan Jumilla, from “Antonio Hellin” 

3 rd Isam Ghoumed, from “Antonio Hellin” 

Female Infant 

1 st Juana Maria Calles, of IES “Domingo Valdivieso” 

2 nd Dora Fabiana Alcon, from “Antonio Hellin” 

3 rd Syomara Diaz, from “Siglo XXI” 

Cadet Male 

1 st German Cervinos, from “Siglo XXI” 

2 nd Marcus Herrero, from IES “Domingo Valdivieso” 

3rd Domingo Cabrera, from”Antonio Hellin” 

Cadet Female 

1 st María Sanchez, from “Siglo XXI” 

2 nd Cristina Cotes, from “Siglo XXI” 

3 rd Mary Parades Grandados, of “Domingo 

Valdivieso” 

Young Men 

1 st Alejandro Navarro, of “Antonio Hellin” 

2 nd Juan Paredes, from “Domingo Valdivieso” 


Change 

Venue 

2013 

Of 

For 

The meetings 

are to be held 

on the second 

Wednesday 

each month 

at 11am, are 

now at CAR 

Infanta Cristina 

Mar Menor, 

Avda, Mariano 

Ballester, 2, 

Los Narejos. 

Visitors are always welcome. SAMM is 

for people interested in sailing on the Mar 

Menor or in the Mediterranean Sea. For 

more information see the website 

www.sailingmarmenor.com 

Page 88 





Good fundamentals are the key to consistent 

golf by David Gay PGA professional 

Each golfer has a unique swing and there is 

nothing wrong with that. Even the guys on 

the PGA Tour have different motions, tempos, 

setups and quirks, but there is one thing that 

all good players share; that is good fundamentals. 

Players should have a relaxed position over 

the ball with their knees slightly bent and 

the player bending over slightly at the waist. 

The player should not be hunched over at the 

shoulders and their arms should be relaxed 

yet straight. 

Finally we come to the grip, which is considered 

the most important fundamental because 

it is the only contact a player has with the 

golf club. Arnold Palmer said that his father 

showed him how to properly hold the golf club 

at a young age. “Put your hands on the club 

like this and don’t ever change it!” The club 

should be held more towards the fingers than 

the palm of the hand with delicate pressure. 

There are different ways to hold the club and 

it is all a matter of personal preference. The 

best players in history have all held the club 

different ways, the overlap grip, the interlock 

grip or the ten-finger grip, but hand position 

and pressure is paramount. 

To the beginner/high handicapper the fundamentals 

are where you should start if you 

want to get the most out of your golfing experience. 

For the more seasoned player, an 

error in fundamentals could be the lone problem 

standing in your way of shooting better 

scores. 

The foundation of the swing comes in the 

fundamentals. I like to teach them from the 

ground up and not in order of importance. If a 

student has a glaring weakness in one aspect 

of the fundamentals, we will focus on that until 

it is understood. The player’s stance is what 

keeps them balanced during the golf swing. 

The stance should be a shoulder’s width apart, 

with the weight toward the front of their feet. 

At this time another fundamental is covered 

and that is ball position. The ball should be 

played in the middle of the stance for short 

irons and gradually moves toward the front 

foot with long irons, hybrids, fairway woods 

and eventually the driver, which is played off 

the front heel. 

After players have developed their stance and 

their ball position, their posture is examined. 

Two of the most successful golf instruction 

books of all time cover each of the fundamentals. 

Ben Hogan’s ‘Five Lessons’ is widely 

considered the game’s greatest instructional 

book and Harvey Penicks ‘little red book’ includes 

a lifetime of instruction that he compiled 

throughout his career. Regardless of how 

the player swings the club, the fundamentals 

are in place for solid, consistent contact. 

For information on lessons and club repairs 

you can NOW find David at Peraleja Golf Resort 

in Sucina on 670 083 939 

Email: david@peralejagolf.com 






Page 89

December 13 th proved to be another fine day 

for the Old Guard to challenge the course at 

Roda Golf Resort. Although it’s still a lengthy 

distance from the car park to the club house 

and then to the buggy park and back, the 

players of FOGGS still made the first tee in 

good time. 

Hole 7 is noted as the players are required 

to clear 130 metres of water to land on an 

island just 33 metres in length with a green 

to hit of just 22 metres wide before the water 

claims the ball. 

Danny Lewis, in great form, was the Overall 

Winner and Winner of Division One with a 

massive score of 38 points. 

Division Two was deservedly won by Roger 

Olenshaw with 26 points. 

With the same score of 26 was Gavin Elbourne 

to take first place in Division Three. 

Dave Barrett had a remarkable double by taking 

the Plonker Trophy with 18 points, but had 

a fantastic shot on the 7th hole to win Nearest 

the Pin Prize. 

Our next outing was at Lorca in January and 

Altoreal in February so if anyone is interested 

in joining FOGGS or playing as a guest, 

please contact Dave May on 677 623 914. 


Mazarron FC’s performances continued to 

improve! Having drawn away to unbeaten 

league leaders Yeclano Deportivo and hammered 

CD Cieza 6-0 at home in the last game 

before the Christmas and New Year break, 

Mazarrón FC travelled to CAP Ciudad de 

Murcia for the first game of 2013 and came 

away with a hard fought 2-1 victory. This was 

followed by a 4-1 home victory against CF 

Molina on 13 th January. 

Only league leaders Yeclano and second 

placed Jumilla had a better record over the 

last nine games as Mazarrón FC moved from 

the foot of the table into a respectable eighth 

position, just 7 points away from an automatic 

promotion spot. Having gained only two 

points from the first six games of the season, 

the turnaround has been quite remarkable. 

Mazarrón FC’s home games are normally 

played on Sundays with varying kick off 

times. Admission is just €4 with juveniles 

free. Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC organise 

a supporters coach for 7€ to most away 

games leaving from the car park opposite 

Consum supermarket. 

Full details of all games, both home and away, 

are announced on the Tuesday before the 

weekend on which the game is to be played 

and advertised in the local media, on our 

website www.losamigosdemazarron.es 

and on posters at various points throughout 

Camposol and Mazarron. 

Forthcoming fixtures: 

Sunday 3 rd February 

Corvera CF 

Sunday 10 th February 

Atletico Pulpileno 


Nuestro Abaran CF 


Alquerias FC 

Sunday 3 rd March 

C D Algar 

(HOME) 

(Away) 

(HOME) 

(HOME) 

(Away) 

The 4 th Annual Gala Evening and Dinner 

organised by Los Amigos de Mazarrón 

FC is almost a sell-out. A handful of tickets 

remain on sale at €40 which includes a five 

course meal with coffee and local beer, house 

wine and soft drinks included during dinner. 

This fabulous event, again sponsored by New 

Images and Ibex Insurance will be held on 

Tuesday 12 th March at the Hotel la Cumbre, 

Puerto de Mazarrón with former Manchester 

City and Wolves midfielder Steve Daley as the 

guest speaker. 

As last year’s NC, comedian Pat Martin has 

returned to the UK, Justin Sane has kindly 

agreed to step into his shoes and we look forward 

to his unique brand of comedy. The musical 

sounds of the Beagles complete the entertainment 

line-up for the evening and there 

will be the usual auction of sporting memorabilia 

which has proved so popular in the past. 

To book your tickets, please ring Andy on 

634 040 990, Dave on 626 465 847, email 

losamigosdemazarronfc@hotmail.co.uk 

or call at the Trevi Bar, Camposol B, Thursdays 

3-4pm prior to the Los Amigos de 

Mazarrón FC weekly meetings. 

On Monday 11 th March, there is a Celebrity 

Golf Day at the Sensol Golf Club in which 

Steve Daley and Tony Currie will play. There 

are two packages available for golfers who 

wish to take part: 

6 places are available to play alongside either 

Steve Daley or Tony Currie; 3 will play 

in Steve’s foursome and 3 with Tony. Photographs 

will be taken with both celebrities. After 

the golf, lunch is included in the The Club 

House bar with Steve and Tony. The cost to 

play 18 holes including lunch is 50€. Buggies 

are available at an additional discounted cost 

of 10€ pp. 

The remainder of the golfers will play in the 

same competition and the cost for the 18 

holes will be 32.50€ (normal price is 40€). 

Buggies are available if required for 10€ pp 

and lunch is available at normal golf club 

prices. 

If you would like to join us for this celebrity 

golf day please ring Andy on 634 040 990 or 

email losamigosdemazarronfc@hotmail. 

co.uk. 

Los Amigos de Mazarrón FC hold weekly 

meetings each Thursday, 4pm in the Trevi 

Bar, Camposol B. 

Page 90 









Page 91

FOR SALE 

Log burner. Complete with stainless steel 

chimney. Very good condition as little 

used. Price new 1300€. 499€ ono. Buyer 

collects. Fitting can be arranged for 180€. 

Tel 968 131 725/682 151 780 

IKEA 2 black tables 120 x 60 €20 each, 1 

black table 200 x 60 €25, 10 black wooden 

chairs €10 each. White table 120 x 60 €10. 

Immaculate cond! 

Tel 680 326 337 Aledo, Totana 

Ladies and Gents bikes (not mountain) 

both need new inner tubes (supplied) 35€ 

each. 

Tel 606 446 662 Calasparra 

Parafin heater fan assisted 60€. Teka electric 

oven 75€. Portable aircon 50€ 

Tel 637 948 602 Murcia 

Samsung Fax/telephone /answer machine/copier. 

Inkjet model SF-360. Instruction 

Manual/printer software CD. 

Hardly used. Exc cond. €50. Breville baker’s 

oven, ‘Deluxe’ model/instructions/recipe 

book. Exc cond. €50. Food processor/ 

tools and attachments. Hardly used. Exc 

cond. Bargain €45 

Tel 649 296 658 Camposol 

Unwanted Christmas Gift. Nilfisk Jet washer 

CllO brought for fifty nine pounds never 

been out of the box. Offers invited 

Tel 07549115838 

WANTED 

Alfa sewing machine wanted for the electric 

motor so can be working or not. 

Tel 625 797 461 

GROUPS 

CLASSIFIED ADS ARE AVAILABLE FREE 

FOR ITEMS UNDER 500€ OR FOR WANT- 

ED/LOST ITEMS. (FOR NON-COMMERCIAL 

ENTERPRISES ONLY AND EXCLUDING 

PROPERTIES, VEHICLES AND BOATS) 

Maximum 20 words and 3 classified 

ads per customer. 


New Petrol chainsaw (unwanted gift) 

80€. 44 Piece Viners Silver Plated cutlery 

in presentation box. Exc cond 75€ 


10 ft diameter inflatable pool with filter, 

cover and foot pump. Still in box 60€ Tel 

636 456 278 

Nilox TV digital decoder for Spanish 

TV as new and boxed 18€. HP Deskjet 

printer 12€. Sony wide angle lens VCL 

0637H mag power 0.6, 37mm thread 25€ 


Hostess trolley. Can collect. 

Call Ken 646 705 403 or Carol 655 141 

721 Small Petrol Outboard 325hp required. 

Any cond. Can collect. 

Tel 646 705403 

Garden furniture, ornaments, sunbeds, 

cement cast table, chairs/benches, wall 

plates/wall pots etc. Also freeview digibox, 

wardrobe. 

Call 968 130 787 

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 

Page 92 





Much talk had been about the introduction 

of SAREB (bad bank), but it is too early 

to tell if this will have any impact on local 

prices. I have been researching one of 

the local banks websites and there is nothing 

advertised on there now for Mazarrón. 

When I looked 6 to 9 months ago, there 

were a fair few bargains to be had on 

Country Club and Camposol, but that’s not 

the case now. 

This is an excerpt taken from the property 

portal keyro.com’s newsletter – “Murcia is 

touted as one of the most upcoming regions 

in Spain, and property prices here 

are almost 50% cheaper per sq. m. than 

anywhere else. 

Spain has been one of the top tourist destinations 

in Europe for many years. The 

recent press on the market crash in Spain 

has also put a dampener on the average 

person looking to buy, but the biggest 

downturn has been in the Costa del Sol, 

leaving the rest of Spain still ripe for investment. 

In a recent Daily Mail article, Murcia was 

being touted as the newest hotspot in 

south-east Spain. This region has been 

slow to jump onto the tourism bandwagon, 

but is it making up for lost time? Anyone 

who has flicked through the Real Estate TV 

channel in recent times will have undoubtedly 

come across the “Next Big Thing” – 

Murcia. With 180 miles of coastline, unspoilt 

villages, and one of the warmest climates 

in Spain, any investment in Murcia 

today will reap excellent rewards in the 

years to come.” 

Interesting reading, as living and working 

in the area we sometimes take a different 

view. 

That’s it for this month. 

Jennie Iredale 

Best of Spanish 

Email infor@bestofspanish.com 

Telephone (0034) 635 434 651 






Page 93

Albacete 

Alicante 

6. Caravaca De 

La Cruz 

La Paca 

Vélez Rubio 

A-91 

Moratalla 

3. Calasparra 

El Berro 

Cieza 

Archena 

7. Cehegin 

RM-15 

Molina de 

Segura 

16. Mula 

17. Pliego 

Alcantarilla 

C-3315 

27. Blanca 

26. Fortuna 

A-7 

Murcia 

Orihuela 

RM-1 

Catral 

N-332 

Torrevieja 

RM-19 

Pilar De La Horadada 

1. Alhama 

de Murcia 

11. La Torre 28. San Pedro del Pinatar 

Aledo 

RM-2 

29. Torre 

9. Fuente 

19. San Javier 

21. Totana 

Pacheco 

RM-3 

Alamo 

A-7 

RM-23 

12. Los Alcazares 

23. Los Cantereros 

A-30 AP-7 

5. Cañadas del 

33. Cuesta 

Lorca Romero 

Las Palas Blanca 

8. El Algar 10. La Manga 

4. Camposol RM-3 

13. Los Belones 

20. Tallante 

32. La Union 24. Cabo de Palos 

14. Mazarrón 

22. Purias 

Cartagena 25. La Manga Club 

AP-7 2. Bolnuevo 18. Puerto de 

Mazarrón 

Vera 

31. Águilas 

All our advertisers have current copies of Costa Cálida Chronicle, 

and other outlets are planned. 

If you have any problems obtaining a copy, please call Patti on 646 005 017. 


If you would like to buy a subscription for the Costa Cálida Chronicle 

to guarantee your monthly copy of the magazine, please fill in 

the form below and hand it in to the Costa Cálida Chronicle office 

on Camposol, or send it to Costa Cálida Chronicle SL, 35 Calle 

Jara, Centro Commercial Sector B, Camposol, 30875, Murcia, or go 

to the website www.costacalidachronicle.com 

Name: ............................................................ 

Address: ............................................................ 

............................................................ 

............................................................ 

Email: ............................................................ 

Telephone: ............................................................ 

Price for 6 months to UK: €36 

Price for 6 months in Spain: €18 

Other countries: 

POA 

Reserved copies (per month) €1 

In Costa Cálida Office, Camposol 

Method of Payment 

Paypal (€3 extra) - costacalidachronicle@yahoo.es 

Bank Transfer: 3058 0206 91 2720017764 

Page 94 









Page 95


Accountants: 

Corral & Alcaraz 968 078 754 

Silvente 968 332 058 

Airport Parking: 

Coastline Auto (Alicante) 966 799 326 

Seguro Parking 622 062 115 

Banking & Finance: 

Lloyds Bank International 902 024 365 

Money Corp 902 887 243 

UK Tax Refunds 965 636 938 

Bars, Cafés & Restaurants: 

Alley Palais Diner 968 978 869 

Amapola Restaurant 660 328 092 

Bistro Bulgaria (CDA) 968 328 084 

Bistro Bulgaria Camposol 968 199 914 

Boca Pizza 618 440 592 

Cafeteria Plaza 968 705 406 

Chez Zoe 676 691 324 

Club Copi Coy 968 154 119 

Don Ricardo’s 968 155 887 

Elliot’s Bar/Restaurant 968 158 499 

Kennellys Bar/Restaurant 686 341 749 

La Vida 625 917 425 

Le Gourmet 968 154 315 

Leonardo’s 628 682 303 

Liz’s Cafe 696 724 123 

Mamma Mia 628 682 303 

Quality Indian 968 199 198 

Restaurant Manchica 672 909 503 

Restaurant Marina 619 500 555 

The Bistro (Alley Palais) 968 978 869 

The Club House 968 978 855 

The New Royal 968 595 864 

The Arches 653 081 341 

Tropic Ana’s 699 060 472 

Builders: 

Fuente Building Services 696 744 982 

Kennellys Electrical Serv. 968 341 749 

Tony’s Building Services 647 119 952 

Building Services: 

Crystal Conservatories 680 386 142 

Doors And More 968 431 190 

JD Roofing & Building 630 269 994 

Kennelly’s Electrical Serv. 968 341 749 

VIP Services 650 893 607 

Woodworks Direct 649 540 016 

Butchers: 

Anros Butchers 968 541 422 

The Village Supermarket 608 053 555 

Carpentry: 

Philip Carpenter/Joiner 680 443 219 

Car Hire: 

Bolnuevo Cars 968 150 979 

F&C Rent a Car 968 199 156 

Cars & Transport: 

Puncture Safe Murcia 968 979 260 

Specialist Vehicles SL 968 146 158 

Chimney Sweeps: 

Home from Home 660 478 881 

Tony Chimney Sweep 646 438 694 

Chiropodists: 

Phillip Dawe 968 150 244 

Cleaning Services: 

K J Window Cleaning 688 697 629 

Limpieza Rosa 619 199 407 

Tony Upholstery Cleaner 646 438 694 

Clothes Shops: 

Legs & Co. 660 792 513 

Computer Repairs & Sales: 

Camposol Computers 968 199 191 

Consulting IT Services 691 993 219 

Informaticasa 634 352 166 

Loco Murcia 968 971 893 

Dentist: 

Dental Care 968 199 111 

Olivier Houdusse 968 153 645 

Electricians: 

Amigos 619 025 160 

Kennelly’s Electrical Serv 686 341 749 

Louis Harris 619 712 821 

Entertainment 

Angels Instead 634 165 296 

Nigel Birchill (Elvis) 602 439 313 

Funeral Plans: 

ASSSA 968 153 396 

The Funeral Director 650 631 719 

Furniture: 

DFS 968 334 194 

Furniture Plus 968 482 456 

Time for a Change 968 136 501 

Garden Centres: 

Garden Centre 2003 669 565 402 

Hairdressing: 

Jane’s Salon 968 158 433 

The Beauty Palace 968 971 828 

The Salon Camposol 691 916 717 

The Salon 2 686 354 232 

Health & Beauty: 

Beauty Essentials 663 176 233 

Cambridge 800 965 326 082 

Freedom Mobility 638 893 357 

Jane’s Salon 968 158 433 

Rosies Toesies 639 171 835 

The Beauty Palace 968 971 828 

The Fuschia Beauty Clinic 630 439 480 

The Salon 691 916 717 

The Salon 2 686 354 232 

Heating and Aircon: 

Calida Gas & Oil 659 761 771 

Camposol Heating & Maintenance (CHM) 

968 199 184 

Crystal Design 680 386 142 

Llamas Chimeneas 968 591 030 

Louis Harris 619 712 821 

Home Furnishings: 

Curtain Call 616 240 171 

Yorkshire Linen, Pto Maz 968 595 946 

Yorkshire Linen, San Javier 

968 193 912 

Page 96 





Insurance: 

ASSSA 968 153 396 

Ibex 968 595 945 

Liberty Seguros 902 255 258 

Linea Directa 902 123 975 

Nash Warren 968 156 583 

Internet Cafés: 

Alley Palais 968 978 869 

Camposol Computers 968 199 191 

Kennels and Catteries: 

Catatonic 646 705 403 

Colina Kennels 639 012 342 

El Carro Cattery & Kennels 

620 582 654 

Laundrettes: 

The Laundry Shop 670 847 305 

Rainbow Laundrette 634 309 603 

Legal Services: 


Costa Calida Properties 968 199 251 

Nicky G Translation Serv 968 199 245 

Silvente Accountant/Lawyer 

968 332 058 

Locksmiths: 

ADS Locksmith 600 255 250 

Mechanics: 

Colair 626 796 149 

Decklid Auto Services 626 678 840 

Eurotyre 968 424 605 

Ken Sherwood Mechanic 679 646 859 

Kwik Fix English Mechanic 968 972 006 

Lopez Milan 968 429 216 

Mobile Car Mechanic 666 161 129 

Neumáticos El Ceña 968 422 015 

Metalwork & Security: 

Eriks 636 050 008 

Mobility Products: 

Freedom Mobility 638 893 357 

Medical: 

Dr Enrique Garcia 667 448 109 

Outdoor Catering: 

Country Kitchen 603 135 387 

The Roving Diner 676 217 059 

Outdoor Living: 

Furniture Plus 968 482 456 

Painting and Decorating: 

RJB Décor Painting 699 044 742 

Trevor Smith 968 163 298 

Plumbers: 

Apache 24/7 Plumbing 674 788 693 

Calida Gas & Oil 659 761 771 

Camposol Heating & Maintenance 

968 199 184 

Printing & Design: 

Entorno Grafico 968 654 007 

Mister Print 638 893 357 

Property Maintenance: 

Trevor Smith 968 163 298 

Property Rentals: 

La Manga 4 U 0044 7921 351298 

Owners Away 691 977 107 

Paramount Resort Villa Rentals 

968 970 614 

Property Sales: 

Another World Properties 968 592 679 

Best of Spanish 635 434 651 

Fuente Alamo Real Estate 968 598 173 

Golden Sun Properties 968 152 515 

Holmes & Pegg 968 199 290 

Old Farmhouses 968 159 264 

Removals: 

Advance Moves 968 654 667 

Costa Calida Transport 968 130 846 

Dainton’s 696 180 634 

Lord’s Removals & Storage 

608 061 872 

Retail Outlets: 

Just Fabulous 634 338 840 

Kitchens Plus 1 968 184 235 

Legs & Co 660 792 513 

Le Gourmet 968 154 315 

The Village Supermarket 608 053 555 

Time for a Change 968 136 501 

Services: 

4 Legs Dog Grooming 608 712 599 

Compusurf 968 970 666 

Healthy H20 968 437 270 

House Clearance 639 737 944 

Petro Alhama 626 993 109 

Puncture Safe Murcia 968 979 260 

Solar Power: 

Freesol 659 232 507 

Solar Directa 659 315 130 

Solicitors: 


Professional and Legal Solutions 

968 595 826 

Silvente 968 332 067 

Spas & Hottubs: 

Eurospas 650 722 905 

Sport & Leisure: 

Alley Palais 968 978 869 

Club Copi Coy 968 154 119 

Costa Cálida Radio 902 903 783 

Dance Zone 649 647 467 

Horse Riding META 636 172 198 

The Club House 968 978 855 

Swimming Pool Cleaning & 

Maintenance: 

Alpha Pools 968 971 824 

Jorge Pools 674 168 000 

Köhn Pool Service 968 138 638 

Watermaid 646 705 088 

Translation: 

Costa Calida Property Serv. 

968 199 251 

Nicky G Translations 968 199 245 

Travel Agents 

Dragontours 968 199 021 

TV & Satellite: 

CTV Aerial & Satellite Systems 

600 218 046 

ISS 655 480 543 

Loco Murcia 968 971 893 

Rainbow Satellites 686 358 475 

YPM Satellites 628 234 045 

Veterinary Clinics: 

Clinica Veterinaria Pto Maz968 153 931 

Emerg 608 466 553 

Clinica Veterinaria SurEste 965 352 438 

Veterinary Clinic Maskota 968 597 929 

Emerg 619 378 473 

Window Cleaning 

KJ Window Cleaning 688 697 629 






Page 97

Please limit all reports to 300 words. 

We reserve the right to amend all articles 

for publication. 

CLASSIFIEDS ARE AVAILABLE 

FREE FOR ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE 

OF 500€ OR FOR WANTED/LOST 

ITEMS, FOR NON-COMMERCIAL EN- 

TERPRISES ONLY. CARS AND BOATS 

ARE NOT INCLUDED FOR FREE. Max 20 

words. Max 3 classifieds 

How to Place a Classified Ad 

Please go to www.costacalidachronicle. 

com and click on classified, or email 

costacalidachronicle@gmail.com or 

phone 968 970 680 between 10-2pm 

We will include inserts and flyers provided 

by you at a cost of 10 cents per 

flyer, max size A5. 

All adverts must be paid for before 15th 

of the month prior to publication. Please 

make cheques payable to Costa Calída 

Chronicle S.L. (Minimum amount for 

cheques is 50€). The closing date for 

adverts is the 15th of the month prior 

to publication. If you would like to meet 

someone to discuss your advert then 

please contact Teresa on 619 199 407 

to arrange an appointment, or visit Teresa 

in the mornings in CHM / Costa 

Cálida Chronicle Office (inside Holmes 

and Pegg), Camposol Sector B. 

If you wish to design your own advert, 

please send through a hard copy and a 

copy on disk (please label the disk with 

your name and telephone number), if 

possible. Please use Microsoft Word 

or save advert as JPEG file (300 dpi). 

Please do NOT send in adverts in 

Powerpoint as they are not good 

enough quality for printing. 


January 2012 Quiz Answers 

1. Who claims to have a slot in “A Place 

in the Sun”? 

Another World Properties. 

2. Where will you find a Chestnut Fool? 

Ma Millbank’s Kitchen 

3. Who is “Spangles”? 

Ladies Barbershop Harmony Chorus 

4. What does “A Time 4 A Change” offer 

you? 

DISCLAIMER 

Buy or sell your second hand furniture 

5. What was the herb of the month in 

December? 

Mint 

6. Who are the new manages of Tel’s 

Bar? 

Leanne & Steve 

7. What year did the Indian Ocean that 

the tsunamis happen? 

2004 

8. What does Philip Peacock do? 

Carpenter /Joiner 

9. Who was last month’s Author? 

Elizabeth Noble 

10. Who claims that December is the 

last time they will pay your extra 3% 

I.V.A (VAT)? 

Furniture Plus 

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. 

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February 2013 - Costa Calida Chronicle

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