FREE for the locals...by the locals..! AVOID DELAYS SENDING & RECEIVING MAIL OFFICE: C/San Luis 2, 03187 Los Montesinos Alicante Tel. 966 720 959 Visit our website: www.easypost.es Email: [email protected]GOT AN ACCOUNT? • COST effective postal & courier services • NO language barrier - we speak your language • NO queueing • FULL worldwide postal & courier service • DISCOUNTS for bulk mail (50 letters or more) Try us! SAVE MONEY! All parcels delivered within 48 hours NO DELAYS! Tracking Service FINAL document check prior to sending DAILY service to the Passport office in Belfast. The No. 1 Choice for Expats! Renew your British passport www.allabroad.es December 2015 issue number 53 www.currencies4you.es • Expert advice • Simple process Talk to our friendly team! The KAYAK CHALLENGE Full Report inside
Transcript
FREE
for the locals...by the locals..!
AVOID DELAYS SENDING & RECEIVING
MAIL
OFFICE: C/San Luis 2, 03187 Los Montesinos AlicanteTel. 966 720 959 Visit our website: www.easypost.es
Te l : 6 8 9 2 9 3 7 5 7CARABAS I C ENTRO COMERC I A L - GRAN A L ACANT
SPECIAL SUNDAY DINNER
2Courses(Lamb,beef&
chickenavailable)
10.50€Reservationadvisable
ALEXANDRIACHRISTMAS MENU
3 CourseDrinks inc
(Wine & beer unlimited)50€ per person
Choice of Turkey, Lamb or Beef
NEW YEAR’S MENU3 Course
Bottle of Wine or 2 pnts of beer inc.
35€ per personChoice of Lamb or Beef
Right about now, millions of Scandinavians are forcing their freezing bodies into the sea – where the water temperature is just 16°C.
We have the buyers! We are Sweden’s leading real estate agency in Spain. And we’re growing fast, from Barcelona to Gran Canaria. We know the market and have a register full of frozen Scandinavians who dream of a life in the sun. Let us prove ourselves! If we don’t manage to sell your home, you don’t pay anything. But since we sell more than one home every day, that’s probably not going to happen...
FASTIGHETSBYRÅN IN ALICANTE - GRAN ALACANT / +34 966 695 [email protected] / FASTIGHETSBYRAN.SE/OVERSEAS SWEDEN’S LEADING ESTATE AGENT IN SPAIN
Well, what a month. Crowned with the Kayak Challenge on the 28th of Novem-ber when me and my son Mitch attempt-ed to row from Murcia City to the coastal town of Guardamar. All 52km of it. And now I’m trying to type and my arms just want to keep moving after 10 hours of rowing. Still you can read more about it inside this month’s issue with the won-derful Sandra Piddock who dropped everything (it wouldn’t have fallen far, she’s quite short...) and got the report together in record time to meet the deadline on the 29th of November!
I’ll write about mine and Mitch’s personal experiences of doing the Challenge in next month’s issue but for now I’d like to use the space to thank everyone who got involved in whatever way, whether it was 2€ to name the mascot we took with us (a 3 foot high Toucan - -called Whit Bomb by the winner) to those who put in a very generous amount to help us make this journey possible; to raise funds for the AECC and to make people aware of the Samaritans in Spain and the great work they do.
All the sponsors whose stickers you can see on the equipment and the kayaks themselves have given time and money without hesitation when we told them what we were doing and why. And the public that we have met, many for the first time, were the same and have given so generously by donating online, in the various bars and shops or even just stopped us in the street and thrust money in our hands! To the girls and boys of La Piedra, and the locals too who have all given in one way or another and always with a smile. We’ve had some fantastic events that have been full each time and all full of people telling us it’s a
great cause that we are raising monies for. Everyone has been touched by either cancer or needed someone at the end of a phone at some time. And everyone has a story. We’ve heard many over the past 14 weeks, some sad, some happy but all with one message – we hope you make it!
We tried...It didn’t quite go as planned but then thats the idea of a ‘Challenge’ - to throw up the unexpected and present us with ‘obstacles’ to overcome. What we hadn’t anticipated was the un-fortunate sequence of events that de-layed us getting into the water and ulti-mately cut short the adventure...but we aim to finish it on the 9th December.we have a superb team to thank for help-ing us too; Rob Buchanan who did much more than just drive the car over the past few weeks on scouting missions and then on the day to support us. The girls in the car updating people who wanted to meet us on the river and the various social media sites – Christel and Raquel, a great job on the day. Our photogra-phers Shaun Burns and Kristoff Wright worked hard to get some great shots and left us to get on with rowing. And to Sandra Piddock, Maureen Keeler and Susan Reader who made sure everyone knew what we were doing and organised fund raisers to allow us to achieve our goal of actually getting to the river with enough equipment. Others along the way too (you know who you are) and to Rai Woods for the fabulous CBFM Radio Road show at the port in Guardamar. We are humbled by all of you.
So...what shall we do next..? Mitch..?
ALL ABROADwww.allabroad.es
Take a break!Take a break!with
We tried...
3
NOBODY OFFERS YOU MORERosa tours has selected their favourite day trips and city break destinations for you to explore the areas!
Whether you are booking a short break, weekend stay, holiday or cruises, we have some great offers available for you!
Lunch from 13:00 to 16:00 Dinner from 19:00 to 23:00.
C/ Presidente de la Generalitat 8Urb. Doña PepaCiudad Quesada
Tel: 965 72 58 04 Booking essent ia l
A very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
to all our advertisers&
readers!from all of us at
6
Abrimos todos los dias a partir de 18.ooh & los Sabados y Domingos tambien a
medio diaWe are open every day from 6.00pm
and from 12.00pm at weekends
@pizzeriacocoa
/pizzeriacocoa
Summer HoursFrom 1pm every day
7
For a village with less than 4,000 residents, Algorfa knows how to party, especially when it comes to Christmas. Bearing in mind that Christmas is not such a big deal as Three Kings Day here in Spain, there’s still lots go-ing on for both expats and the Spanish resi-dents. One thing I really love about Spain is that Christmas doesn’t really get going until after Imaculada on 8th December. It’s soon after that time that the Belen is unveiled, and in Algorfa, as in most other places, there’s an official inauguration, usually accompa-nied by carols in both English and Spanish. And for the last couple of years there’s been a live Nativity, around the streets of Algorfa. We didn’t make it last year – we were invited out to lunch with friends, who were going to accompany us to the Nativity, but we got detained in Sonia’s Bar in Benijofar ... but that’s another story!
We were very impressed with the last one we went to – the 10 year old angel who was narrating it had a voice like a foghorn, and rattled through his lines at a rate of knots, punctuated by the occasional ‘Vamos a ver!’ which was the cue to process around the vil-lage, collecting Mary and Joseph on the way, accompanied by men playing guitars and abuelas flourishing castanets. Baby Jesus was ‘born’ on the church steps, and there was no messing about with dolls – this was a real live baby. The highlight of the pro-ceedings was unscripted – a billy and nanny goat decided to enact their own Nativity, but luckily the owners managed to call a halt to the proceedings before too many sensibili-ties were offended.Algorfa’s Belen is beautiful, and the finding the caganer – or defecating shepherd, to put it politely – is a serious pursuit for adults and children alike. I’ve been here for 8 years now, but I’m still stunned by the artistry and ingenuity that goes into Algorfa’s Belen. If you’re wondering when the inauguration and Nativity take place, I can’t help you on that at the moment. At the time of writing (24th November) there is still no confirma-tion on the date from the Ayuntamiento. Like I said, Christmas doesn’t start early here! However, it’s usually around the mid-dle of December, on a Saturday, so that’s likely to be either 12th or 19th. If you want to go, check with the Ayuntamiento nearer the time on 965 700 146. If your Spanish isn’t up to the job, ask for Jose, who speaks perfect English.
Remember I’m always saying what a big heart Algorfa has? Well it comes into its own at Christmas. The local traders contribute to the Sorteo de Navidad de Algorfa, which is a scaled down version of El Gordo – and it’s free. Participating local businesses give one free ticket whenever you spend more than a certain amount. For example, Dave Allen in Mailpoint gives a ticket to everyone who holds a mailbox there, and everyone who spends at least €5. Other shops may require a €10 spend, or more, depending on the na-ture of the business. One lucky winner will pick up €2,800 to spend in the participating stores. That in-cludes Mailpoint, the Farmacia, the Florist, the Carniceria, and even the dentists and the opticians! The first draw takes place in the Ayuntamiento on 9th December at 2.00 pm, and if nobody claims the prize, there is another draw on 14th December. The lucky winner then has until 18th December to spend their winnings.
Talking of big hearts, the regulars at the Centro Rural de Algorfa are putting some-thing back into the community by wrapping presents for children in Algorfa who are not going to have much to look forward to on 3 Kings Day, when Spanish children tradition-ally get their presents. Armed with a list of the children’s ages – and whether they are chicos or chicas – the piles of presents are stacking up nicely under what is definitely a different kind of Christmas tree!
The Lo Crispin Residents Cultural Associa-tion is hosting a carol service and Christmas party on 18th December at the Tavern Bar, Lo Crispin. That should get everyone in the festive mood, and hopefully raise a tidy sum for the Torrevieja Alzheimers Association. Whether you are religious or not, the true spirit of Christmas is about caring and shar-ing, and spending time with friends and fam-ily as you make new memories together. There’ll be plenty of that going on in Al-gorfa this Christmas, so why not come and join in? You’ll be made very welcome in my Algorfa – the little pueblo with the great big heart.
Sandra in Spainwww.sandrainspain.com
Around AlgorfaChristmas Algorfa Style
group are a great bunch of guys from all different walks of life and all of different fitness levels and abilities but all with the same interest, they all meet at the shop and cycle together helping each other along and having a really good crack at the same time, Ken also organises a social side to the group where they all meet up for a drink, dance , Bbq, Ten pin bowling etc, with their partners.
The group now have their own identity as they all now have top quality team cycling tops making them not only feel better and part of a group but they also look smart and more professional . We would like to thank all the businesses that sponsored the tops and for their support : The Yorkshire linen Company, Ambience Fire and Solar, Arrow rent a car, Infinity international, Quesada Mini Golf, Go- Satellite and Que-sada Autos. The group are pictured at the
front of the shop with Lynn from Cyclogical in the centre about to have their first ride in their new kit.
The guys leave from the shop every Mon-day and Wednesday at 10am with Group Cyclogical and cycle approx 25 kms be-fore stopping for a coffee and a cake, they will then split into 2 groups with group one returning home with Ken (Spoke ) leading and Sam taking group 2 for a further 50 to 60 kms before returning to Quesada, Sam also does a longer ride ( approx 120kms ) on the first Wednesday of every month with anyone who feels up to it ,and has also started a road bike group on a Friday morning at 9.30am where they cover be-tween 80 and 90kms anyone interesting in meeting new people, making new friends, getting fitter then come along and have a go at any of the groups just turn up or contact Gary on : 637487377.
Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical, in Quesada Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 5.30pm and from 10am -2pm on Satur-days to assist and advise you on all you’re cycling requirements.
Team “Cyclogical” meet every Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 100kms at a moderate to fast pace so if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. We also have a newly formed Improvers Group so if you are look-ing to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.
In early 2010 I decided to start a gents cycling group on Hybrid / mountain bikes as many people had been buy-ing bikes from us but had no friends or anyone to cycle with. Lynn and I were already taking a mixed group out on Saturday afternoons so I asked one of the guys Rob if he would be interested in taking a group out on a Wednesday morning and he was as he was already going out with a couple of friends.
We asked around and on the first Wednes-day we had 12 guys turn up and Rob who was 65 at the time took them out on a 30km ride which was a long ride at that time. They all thoroughly enjoyed it and kept coming back week after week. Rob has covered a few thousand kms since then and has also changed his bike a few times he has even bought himself a road
bike (racer ) so as he can still keep up with his wife Tracy. He is 70 now and extremely fit for his age and has recently passed on the Leaders roll to Sam.
The group was growing quickly and the abilities were all different and one day one of our customers a fellow Scotsman called Ken came in for a new spoke for his back wheel, the following week he was back for another then same again the following week, this kept going on for a few weeks but he would not take any help as he was determined to fix his wheel himself. He eventually gave in and i repaired the wheel for him and since then we have called him Ken (spoke ). We got to know Ken quite well and he said he would be delighted to go with the group and to take the slow-er guys back after about 30 -40kms al-lowing Rob to continue with the stronger ones on a longer ride. Ken who is now
73 had a heart operation a few years ago and has had stents fitted , he has been with the group for 4 years now and enjoys his cycling as it is a great cardio vascular workout with no impact on things like your knees, hips etc. Ken will also take begin-ners out on a one to one basis to assess their ability or just to give them confidence before joining the Monday and Wednesday groups.
Sam who is 63 is now the group leader and has been cycling with the group for just over 2 years. He only started cycling when he moved to Spain after retiring as a Financial consultant 3 years ago and now also has a road bike which he loves . He has also started a road bike group on a Friday morning at 9.30am which he takes out for approx 80- 90 kms. His Motto is we never leave anyone behind.The Cyclogical Hybrid / Mountain bike
CYCLING tips advice routes
by Gary Routledgewww.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
“Get on yer bike!”“Get on yer bike!”Cyclogical’s (Wild Hogs)
Open Mon-Fri 09.30-17.30 Sat: 10.00-14.00Call Gary or Lynn: 637 487 377www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
Calle Los Arcos, 7 QUESADA
Sales, Repairs, Hires, Accessories & Clothing
8
group are a great bunch of guys from all different walks of life and all of different fitness levels and abilities but all with the same interest, they all meet at the shop and cycle together helping each other along and having a really good crack at the same time, Ken also organises a social side to the group where they all meet up for a drink, dance , Bbq, Ten pin bowling etc, with their partners.
The group now have their own identity as they all now have top quality team cycling tops making them not only feel better and part of a group but they also look smart and more professional . We would like to thank all the businesses that sponsored the tops and for their support : The Yorkshire linen Company, Ambience Fire and Solar, Arrow rent a car, Infinity international, Quesada Mini Golf, Go- Satellite and Que-sada Autos. The group are pictured at the
front of the shop with Lynn from Cyclogical in the centre about to have their first ride in their new kit.
The guys leave from the shop every Mon-day and Wednesday at 10am with Group Cyclogical and cycle approx 25 kms be-fore stopping for a coffee and a cake, they will then split into 2 groups with group one returning home with Ken (Spoke ) leading and Sam taking group 2 for a further 50 to 60 kms before returning to Quesada, Sam also does a longer ride ( approx 120kms ) on the first Wednesday of every month with anyone who feels up to it ,and has also started a road bike group on a Friday morning at 9.30am where they cover be-tween 80 and 90kms anyone interesting in meeting new people, making new friends, getting fitter then come along and have a go at any of the groups just turn up or contact Gary on : 637487377.
Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical, in Quesada Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 5.30pm and from 10am -2pm on Satur-days to assist and advise you on all you’re cycling requirements.
Team “Cyclogical” meet every Thursday night at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90 and 100kms at a moderate to fast pace so if you fancy a challenge come along and join us. We also have a newly formed Improvers Group so if you are look-ing to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed and also have a new group of friends to train with then why not come along and give it a try or call Gary on 637487377.
In early 2010 I decided to start a gents cycling group on Hybrid / mountain bikes as many people had been buy-ing bikes from us but had no friends or anyone to cycle with. Lynn and I were already taking a mixed group out on Saturday afternoons so I asked one of the guys Rob if he would be interested in taking a group out on a Wednesday morning and he was as he was already going out with a couple of friends.
We asked around and on the first Wednes-day we had 12 guys turn up and Rob who was 65 at the time took them out on a 30km ride which was a long ride at that time. They all thoroughly enjoyed it and kept coming back week after week. Rob has covered a few thousand kms since then and has also changed his bike a few times he has even bought himself a road
bike (racer ) so as he can still keep up with his wife Tracy. He is 70 now and extremely fit for his age and has recently passed on the Leaders roll to Sam.
The group was growing quickly and the abilities were all different and one day one of our customers a fellow Scotsman called Ken came in for a new spoke for his back wheel, the following week he was back for another then same again the following week, this kept going on for a few weeks but he would not take any help as he was determined to fix his wheel himself. He eventually gave in and i repaired the wheel for him and since then we have called him Ken (spoke ). We got to know Ken quite well and he said he would be delighted to go with the group and to take the slow-er guys back after about 30 -40kms al-lowing Rob to continue with the stronger ones on a longer ride. Ken who is now
73 had a heart operation a few years ago and has had stents fitted , he has been with the group for 4 years now and enjoys his cycling as it is a great cardio vascular workout with no impact on things like your knees, hips etc. Ken will also take begin-ners out on a one to one basis to assess their ability or just to give them confidence before joining the Monday and Wednesday groups.
Sam who is 63 is now the group leader and has been cycling with the group for just over 2 years. He only started cycling when he moved to Spain after retiring as a Financial consultant 3 years ago and now also has a road bike which he loves . He has also started a road bike group on a Friday morning at 9.30am which he takes out for approx 80- 90 kms. His Motto is we never leave anyone behind.The Cyclogical Hybrid / Mountain bike
CYCLING tips advice routes
by Gary Routledgewww.cyclogicalcostablanca.com
“Get on yer bike!”“Get on yer bike!”Cyclogical’s (Wild Hogs)
www.toldospenalver.comSHOWROOM: C/Senija 8 Pol. Ind Carrus ELCHE
15%DISCOUNT
Monty’sBar & RestaurantMontebello - Algorfa
HOME COOKED FOODWith a warm & friendly welcome!
OPEN 7 days a week!
What’s on at Monty’s?!MONDAYMonty’s Monday Madness 5-9pmTUESDAY kitchen closed Bar open 4-9WEDNESDAYBottle top Bingo 2pmand every other week starting on wed 2 dec In-ternational cuisine night starting with Spanish, then on weds 16 dec Dutch nightTHURSDAYCharity Auction 12.30pm(Lots in - between 9am-12pm)Quiz Night 7pmFRIDAYFishy Friday 5-30-9pmFortnightly Richie Sparks from Big FM from Friday 4 dec, free hot buffet and free shot for every singerSATURDAYFootball, Rugby, LIVE SportsSaturday's steak special night 5-30-9SUNDAY Roast12.30-5.30pm
BOOKINGS ARE ADVISABLE PLEASE CALLWE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
THEIR SUPPORT.Montys will be closed from
Mon 7th-9th December for refurbishment.
Avda. del Romero 1-LC-1 - Montebello
Tel. 865 774 669
Christmas Day Menu Please call or pop in for details
WINTER OPENING TIMES Sunday - Wednesday. 10am - 10pmThursday’s - Saturday 10am - late
13
• Expertassessmentofbra size & type
• GettheRIGHTlookfortheRIGHToutfit
• QUALITYstockof:• Lingerie• Dresses• Swimwear
Who needs M&S when there's...
Come&meetThe
SPECIALISTS
Main brands: Daywear by Adini & Casamia
Lingerie and swimwear by Panache & Naturana
AllstockfromUK
manufacturersSWIMWEAR2015byNATURANAnowinstock
Here we are. December already! This year has flown by! I hope everybody has had a great year. Christmas is just around the cor-ner and new year is upon us. Are you staying in Spain for the festive period or returning to the Home-land to spend precious time with friends and family? Are your loved ones coming here?
Maybe you’ve already bought and wrapped everything before Halloween, or maybe, like me, you still haven’t thought about presents until at least the middle of November. The Christmas lights were up in our street in the sec-ond week of November. That’s when we started thinking about it.
It’s time for the belén to open up in the town centres and Santa will be mak-ing his rounds after meeting the kid-dies. It’s lovely watching the little ones’ faces light up, Christmas ads on the telly over and over, then you’ve got the movies, cold walks, mince pies, TV soap operas. A turkey roast with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pud. Having a snooze in front of the Queen’s speech after too much food and too much booze wearing your hat from the cracker! But I’ve not had a Christmas in the UK in 12 years, I’ve usually been working, or hubby has.
Christmas in Spain, on the other hand, is so good it happens twice! Santa AND the kings! Santa pops in and then the
kings visit and leave gifts as well if you’re very good here! Lots of people spend some of Christmas day on the beach and eat turrón. No doubt the restaurants are fully booked, because, let’s be honest, who wants to slave over a turkey when you can have a top class chef do it all for you? And why not indeed?
Christmas shopping. Nightmare. Too many people, crowded streets, but times are a changing now. I’ll bet most have shopped online this year, or do you prefer the bustle of physically go-ing to the shops? It’s all part of the Christmas spirit, right? Office parties, always an excuse for a monster hango-ver, and of course the world can laugh at your antics on social media, I’ll be looking forward to it, watching that is. We won’t be going too far this Christ-mas, my days of wild partying are long gone!
Christmas is a good excuse for a fiesta all over the world, so wherever you are or whatever you’re doing, here’s wish-ing everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and a fabulous, prosperous 2016.
Who’s made resolutions yet?I’ll see you on the other side!
GRAN ALACANT TV is a family business with a great experience in the Telecommunications sector,which is constantly adapting to the new technologies. With more than 30 years experience, working in Santa Pola and later in Gran Alacant areas, we have won our clients´confidence
and affection. We are Broadband Interent and Telephone providers in the whole Gran Alacant area and sorroundings, we offer a solution to the audiovisual needs of our foreign clients and
we carry out the technical maintenance of Community Associations. l
INTERNET FIBRE OPTIC and WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
FROM 10,50 € / month(+VAT)
UNLIMITED DOWNLOADS
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
NEW CLIENTSINDIVIDUAL CONNECTIONS
CONNECTION FEE: 0,00 €INSTALLATION : 0,00 €
WIRELESS ROUTER : 25,00 € ( 50 % Off )MONTHLY FEE: Beginning the following month after installation.
NO OBLIGATION OF CONTINUITY
CONNECTION FEE: 0,00 €INSTALLATION : 0,00 €
WIRELESS ROUTER : 25,00 € ( 50 % Off )CHECK TERMS FOR FREE INTERNET INSTALLATION
NO OBLIGATION OF CONTINUITY
INTERNET & TELEPHONE FIBRE OPTIC and WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
FROM 15,50 € /month(+VAT)
UNLIMITED DOWNLOADS NEW CLIENTSCOMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
SAME TERMS THAN INTERNET SERVICE +5,00 € included in phone calls per month
Billing per secondsThe most competitive prices
Keep your telephone number for freeCheck terms for telephone kit
INDIVIDUAL CONNECTIONS
TELEVISION FREE SAT UK TV CHANNELS : No monthly paymentsIPTV ESCANDINAVIAN CHANNELS : check monthly payments*
IPTV RUSSIAN CHANNELS: check monthly payments*
ESCANDINAVIAN CHANNELS FREE SAT UK TV CHANNELS
*Internet and Telephone: VAT not included . Check terms for free internet installation and equipments prices. Ask for avalaibility of service in your area. Price may varyIPTV : Gran Alacant TV is an authorised installation company, monthly fee will be paid to the IPTV television provider. FREE SAT: Gran Alacant TV is not responsible of any change in the satellite configuration or location. VAT included.
Reliable and offering a great service, DIGINOVA has been operating succes-fully in the region for 10 years and of-fers a superb after-sales service.
With no monthly payments and no more expensive
installations
Repair your
1.1 metre dish from
€30
2 YEARS WARRANTYCREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
19
THAT DARN CAT
In all honesty, I am not a cat lover, or
even a pet lover. That does not mean
I don’t like animals, I do, but I believe
they should be free to roam. Even as
children we had a monkey and a par-
rot, which were allowed their freedom
much to the annoyance of neighbours,
and they both learnt to find their way
home from the pub unaided, after a
drink with my dad, who was a sailor,
but I digress.
Anyhow, I got stuck with a cat two
years ago that has inveigled itself into
our house and hearts, the only place in
the house it has not claimed is the bed-
rooms, and not for lack of trying.
The other day, while busy sorting
bedding out in the divan drawers; it’s
time for warmer quilts and brushed
cotton sheets. During that morning I
noticed that cat was not
around as
she
normally is, following me to the loo or
waiting for me to sit down so she can
curl up on my knee.
I didn’t give it much thought, she has
outside to curl up in a warm spot if she
so desires, but by evening she had not
made her presence known anywhere.
Hubby set off a searching; dreading he
may find her squashed on the road or
worse still injured somewhere, but his
search was fruitless.
We lamented the loss of the cat, which
didn’t come home that night.
Now hubby and I have been mar-
ried long enough, i.e. 37 years to
know sleeping in different beds does
not harm our marriage, sleep is more
important these days. I am a restless
sleeper and he likes his eight hours I
have a 4tog quilt he has a 13tog, so he
trips off to his bed about midnight and
left me reading until 2am.
I could feel myself drifting into
the arms of Morpheous
when the door flew
open. Hubby stood
looking harassed
and afraid,
declaring the
cat was dead
and haunt-
ing his room,
he could hear
the bell ring-
ing and her
scratching. The
obvious reason
for this mad-
man in my room
was easy to discern,
he must have fallen to
MANDY’SSpanish Diary
by Mandy Tams
sleep worrying about her and dreamt
she was there.
Like a naughty child he refused to go
back to his bed, slipped in besides me
and determined to keep me awake
with, ‘Did you hear that?’ or ‘There,
the bell.’ I feigned sleep.
At 5am, I am still awake, when he
slips off back to his room, knowing I
am slightly upset with him.
Once again Morpheous reached out
tantalizing me with the promise of
sleep when the door burst open and
my husband, stark naked, is standing
in the doorway crying, ‘See I’m not
mad, you thought I was mad, well look
I’m not,’ and proof were told as he
held his outstretched arms to show me
the cat, unruffled and unperturbed.
Darn it, says I under my breath,
where was she? He had risen at 6:30
convincing himself he needs medical
attention, when as he left his room to
bewail his lost sanity the cat cried out.
On turning around, he was horrified;
the noise came from his bed.
With a certain amount of trepidation,
he pulled open the divan drawers one
at a time to find her curled up and
yawning, she had obviously slipped
in when I was searching out bedding.
But, the odd thing is, we checked all
the drawers twice knowing I had been
in there, so where was the darn cat all
that time?
I know exactly where she is at this
moment though; stretched across my
legs fast asleep, which means I am
stuck for an hour until she wakes, darn
thing.
20 Advertising hotline! 606 540 408 - TAKE UP OUR OFFER!
After a week of cold, windy weather and showers which caused some concern to Dave and Mitch Bull and their support team, Saturday 28 November, dawned bright, warm and clear, as No-vember mornings often do on the Costa Blanca. However, if the weather was co-operating, fate certainly wasn’t! A big accident on the N332 closed the road in both directions near Gran Alacant, and the diversion included a rat run for tractors – or at least that’s what it felt like as the anxious cavalcade made its way to Murcia.The timings were worked out to the last detail, but it was 90 minutes after the official start time that the boys finally got started on the Kayak Challenge. The first real cause for concern was a big weir soon after the start of the journey, and the sup-port team slung ropes across the river to slow down the kayaks, but they weren’t needed. Dave and Mitch negotiated the obstacle like they’d been doing it all their lives. Those of us following the Challenge through videos on Facebook were just really glad we weren’t daft enough to do it!The good wishes weren’t just coming from Spain either – people from all over Europe were cheering the boys on virtually, and donating to the special Rowing for Cancer fund on the Pink Ladies website. So far, almost €300 has come in online, and well over €2,000 has already come into the fund. With sponsorship money still coming in from Gran Alacant, Algorfa and other places around the Costa Blanca, as well as money from the dinner dance, charity auction and fashion show held at La Piedra Bar and Grill dur-ing the week before the challenge, the Bull Boys seem certain to achieve their target of €5,000 for AECC.Although the day was warm, and got even warmer, the boys were soon cold, wet and muddy, so they really needed the snacks and drinks as they came out of the water at the various stop offs. As
far as Beniel, they were making rapid progress, and they hoped they might make up some time, otherwise they would be finish-ing the challenge in the dark. You seldom see anyone rowing or kayaking along the 52 kilometer stretch of river between Murcia and Guardamar, and now the Bull Boys know why! Though the Spanish word for river – el rio - is masculine, the Segura behaves like a bit of a bitch in parts. There are a number of weirs and rapids – including a monster 4 footer at Rojales – and there are chains across it in various places. It’s not easy to know where they are unless you’re local, or have rowed the river before, and the boys hadn’t, because they didn’t feel it would be a real challenge otherwise. The Spanish are notoriously bad at re-cord keeping, and there are not a lot of maps around to help. Add to that the slow running sections – which come towards the end of the route when the boys are too tired to strike out a bit – and you get an idea of the problems they faced.Unfortunately, Dave and Mitch were unable to make up the valu-able time they lost at the start. They were still 90 minutes behind schedule when they were met by Dawn and Kayleigh Lawrence of Monty’s Bar, Algorfa at Benejuzar. Then they hit the really slow stretch, which meant it was 6.15 pm when they arrived at Algorfa. The spectators there were perfectly happy, having been supplied with wine and cup cakes by Brigitta and David from the Vestry Restaurant, Algorfa. However, they had to leave to open the Vestry before Dave and Mitch touched base. As for the spectators, they were probably nursing hangovers and sunburn on Sunday morning. The hot afternoon, and the late arrival of the Bull Boys, meant that more wine and sun than was really healthy was en-joyed during the afternoon!Dave and Mitch came ashore at Algorfa – 35 kilometers into the
The Big Day Arrives For The Bull Boys’
Kayak Challenge!
21
52 total – just before darkness fell. They were keen to continue – especially since the Rawhiders Motor Cycle Club and Maria’s Pink Ladies were waiting to welcome them at Guardamar Port. How-ever, they had the most dangerous part of the Segura to negotiate in the dark, and they had already been on the water for 9 hours. The support team made the decision to pull them out, and the spectators helped to persuade them that they should save it for another day. As one commenter on Facebook observed, they boys
had undertaken the Kayak Challenge to help save lives, not risk their own! From the round of applause that greeted the lads when they agreed to call it a night, you’d have thought the whole of Algorfa was on the riverside, rather than the dozen or so staunch souls who had waited to see the lights on the kayaks approaching.The boys were wet, muddy, exhausted and frankly smelling like a good squire of Right Guard wouldn’t come amiss, so I did the obvious thing and whisked them off to Piddock Place for tea and
Photo by Kristoff
Photo by Kristoff
Photo by Kristoff
22
a hot shower once the photo opportunities and hugs were out of the way. Then came my per-sonal highlight of the day as Dave stripped off his wetsuit while he waited for Mitch to come out of the shower. Us older ones aren’t so inhibited as the youngsters, and before the kettle boiled for tea, Dave was down to his boxers. And very nice boxers they were too – although you’ll have to take my word for it, because that was one photo opportunity that didn’t come off. And neither did the boxers, even though I offered to add an extra €50 to the fund for the Full Monty!So, the Kayak Challenge didn’t reach its conclu-sion, but the Bull Boys more than fulfilled the challenge they’d set for themselves, and they will be back in the water to complete the 17 kilome-ters from Algorfa to Guardamar as soon as they are rested and the back-up crew can be reas-sembled.
What really moved and impressed Dave and Mitch was the support and good wishes they received all along the route, from spectators who’d come specifically to cheer them on, curious bystanders and the omnipresent flocks of weekend cyclists. They really needed that encouragement, because although they were as well prepared as they could possibly be – having each gained 9 kilos of muscle during their punishing 13 week training schedule – they hadn’t realised just how challenging the Kayak Challenge was going to be!
The Bull Boys would like to say a massive Thank You to everyone who sponsored and supported them, in the run up to the challenge and on the day itself. You’ll all get a proper show of apprecia-tion when it’s all done and dusted and the money is in and we can give a final total. For now though, we are moved and humbled by your kindness and generosity. You already know who you are, and so will everone else in the next issue of the maga-zine.
Secadora Indesit, Lavadora Beko y calefacción desde 14,90
299€
HEATINGKeep your home wrm
this winter.
From 14.90€
EV7100
1000RPM 7kg
289€
Lavadora BEKO
INDESITDRYER
319€
IDCL 75BH
Condensaton
7kg
OPEN THE DOOR TO CAR HIRE YOU CAN TRUST ON THE COSTA BLANCA
including Alicante & Murcia airports
We appreciate that hiring a car can some-times be a confusing experience. At Coys Rent a Car, we try harder to make car hire as simple and transparent as pos-sible. That means no jargon, no paying for full tanks of fuel, no deposits taken from credit cards and no hidden extras.
Coys Rent a Car is an independent car hire company based and established in the Spanish town of Torrevieja since 1992. We are not just offering competitive prices with no hidden charges, we offer the highest of customer service, easy booking procedure, fast replies and most of all quality cars.
We have a very clear pricing structure so as not to confuse the customer. We understand that it is very important that the customers know what they are going to pay when they arrive. The price you get quoted is the price you will pay, with
no hidden surprises!Our easy to use NEW web site clearly displays the initial hire price with the fuel charge and then the optional excess waiver charge should the customer choose to take it.
Also, if you would like us to fill the tank or for example deposit 30.00€ of fuel, advise us on making your reservation and we will charge you accordingly. You can have up to 4 drivers FREE of charge, unlimited kilometres and FREE one way rentals between our rental locations. To get an instant quote or reserve your car for 2016, have a look at our NEW web site now www.coysrent-a-car.com
If you prefer, you can telephone us on:(0034) 966 702 816(0034) 629 362 764 or Email: [email protected]
26
27
Computer help & advice
with
Computer help & advice
with
Sunday 8thWednesday 9thLansdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Cages – 10pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Dance with Tomo – 3pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Ed Temple – 9pmTradewinds, La Fuente – Fundraiser – Dan Davy plus – 11am – 6pmEmerald Isle, La Florida – HAH Xmas Dinner dance with Reef Band – 7pm – 12 Euros with 2 course meal.The Royal Oak, Campoamor – Car-ols with TAABS for Elche Childrens Home – 7pmMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Juanjo – 2pmBar Britannia, Torrevieja – Blue Waves – 3pmFriday 11thMonos Bar, Quesada – Freddie Kool – 9pmEm’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas – 9pmO’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Vinny Mack – 10pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Dee – 9pmThe Tavern, Lo Crispin - Double Trouble – 9pmLaurel and Hardy’s, Quesada – Ran-dall Cain – 8pmThe Final Whistle, La Marina – Chloe Leigh – 9pmTorrevieja – Carols in The Square – 5pmBonanza Bar, La Siesta – Benny Van de Burg – 9pmThe Local, La Florida – Black Rose – 8pmEl Castillo, La Marina - Paso Paso Christmas Glitter Ball Dinner and Dance – 7.30pm Saturday 12thRestaurante Los Rosales, Guar-damar – Dee, Angie McKay and Richie Alexander – Christmas Crackers. - 14 Euros inc 2 course meal - 7.30pmLa Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Rebecca Holt – 9pmPablo’s International, Playa Flamen-ca – Cassi Kennedy – 9pmLaurel and Hardy’s, Quesada – It Takes Two – 8pmThe Club, Quesada – Beatle Tribute – 9pm – 12 Euros with mealLandsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10.30pmBog Road, Cabo Roig – Tullamore Duo – 9pmThursday 17thPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Paul Allen – 9pmImanyos, Daya Nueva – Soul Train with JJ and Gemma – 2pmFriday 18thEm’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas – 9pmNew Tavern, San Miguel – Cassi Kennedy – 9pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca –6th Birthday - Zodiac duo– 9pmO’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Vinny Mack – 10pmBonanza Bar, La Siesta – Benny Van de Burg – 9pmThe Local, La Florida – Black Rose – 8pmThe Final Whistle, La Marina – Paul Christie – 9pmLo Crispin Christmas Fayre – Carols, Bella Luna etc – 6pmThe Club, Quesada – Chloe Leigh – xmas meal and show 14.50 EurosCoopers Arms. Dona Pepa – Dee and Darren Jones – 9pmNations, Blue Lagoon – Dan Davy - pre xmas dinner – 8pm – 12.95 EurosBog Road, Cabo Roig – Tullamore Duo – 9pm
Saturday 19thPablo’s International, Playa Flamen-ca – Cassi Kennedy – 9pmEm’s Dreams, La Marina – Benidorm Drag artist James McDonald + DJ – 9pm – 7 Euros
Laurel and Hardy’s, Quesada – It Takes Two – 8pmLandsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10.30pmMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Angie McKay – 9pmChristmas Eve – Thursday 24thLa Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Benny Van de Burg – 9pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Soulful Xmas with Richie Alexan-der – 4pm – 12am The Club, Quesada – Vise Verse Her – 19.50 Euros with meal - 9pmMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Andy Jones – 9pmLansdowne, Playa Flamenca – Done n Dusted – 10pmGran China Restaurant, Ricky Patton – 9pmChristmas Day – Friday 25thRestaurante Los Rosales, Guar-damar – Dee – 30 Euros with full xmas meal and drinkImanyos, Daya Nueva – Francis Sings – 6.pm - 5 course meal 35 Euros from 3pm.Madhouse, Pueblo Principe – Sun-flower Valley – 10 Euros – 8pmNations, Blue Lagoon – Richie C – 8pmBoxing Day – Saturday 26thPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Cassi Kennedy – 9pmLandsdowne, Playa Flamenca – Richie Alexander – 10.30pmMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Juanjo – 6pmHen’s Teeth, Villamartin Plaza – The Streeters – 8.30pmNew Year’s Eve – Thursday 31stEm’s Dreams, La Marina – Paul Vegas – 9pmSunleys, Formentera – Paul Harris – 9pmPablos International, Playa Flamenca – Disco with Ed Temple – 9pmBar Carlos, Torrevieja – PDQ – 9pmLa Bodegueta, Lo Crispin – Tim Taylor – 9pmLaurel and Hardy’s, Quesada – Ran-dall Cain– 9pmThe Final Whistle, La Marina – Cher-ry K and Rebecca Holt – 9pmMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Dee – 8pm – 15 EurosThe Club, Quesada – Party with Richie Sparks – 25 EurosEmerald Isle, La Florida – Abba Elite -3 course meal – 7pm – 30 EurosStray Sod, La Fuente, Campoamor – Bella Luna – 10pmRoyal Oak, Campoamor – Gemma B – 9pmBar Carlos, Torrevieja – PDQ – 9pmDoolans, Via Park 3 – Nikki G – 9pmLandsdowne, Playa Flamenca – The Streeters – 10.30pmThe Local, La Florida – Colt 45 – 10.30pmPortico Mar, Guardamar - Paul Christie – 9pmShannon Bells, Villamartin Plaza – Angie McKay as Cher – 10pmMono’s Bar, Quesada – Crazy “G” – 9pmPaddy’s Point, La Zenia – The Cages – 10.30pmWok Buffet, Guardamar – Ricky Patton – 9pmMed Bar, El Raso – Stevie Spit – 9pmNations, Blue Lagoon – Jeff Allen and Richie C – 8pmLilly’s Restaurant, Pilar de La Hora-dada – Francis Sings – 7pmSports Bar, Playa Flamenca – Vinny Mack – 7pmFriday Jan 1stO’Riordans, Cabo Roig – Vinny Mack – 10pmSaturday Jan 2ndMarabu Lounge, Pueblo Bravo – Samantha Curtis – 9pm
What’s On Gig Guide - Dec 2015 - Jan 2016Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all our readers from everyone at “All Abroad” and “Lets Rock Shows”. This year has been a tremendous one already and with lots of festivities going on around the Costa there are plenty of chanc-es to get out and celebrate. This month there is a plethora of Christmas and New Year parties going on for the ladies to get out those sparkly dresses and everyone to get together and expe-rience the season of good will, food and lots of drinking. There is plenty on to tempt you out and about whatever style of music you like. From Motown, to Rock n Roll, Tributes and Bands to Christmas Carols, Discos, Variety shows and even a Glitter Ball.
My show “Christmas Crackers” at Los Rosales on December 12th has 3 of the top acts on the Costas on the bill - Dee, Angie McKay as Cher and “The King of Soul” Mr Richie Alexander. As well as having top acts what is making the show special for Christmas is that the raffle will be in aid of Elche Children’s Care Home. Let us not forget that while we are all having so much fun, there are so many people who have nobody to support them. As a child there is no more important time than the thrill of Christmas and the expectations that go with it. As well as the normal festive shows and events there many fundraisers happening for all types of charities, including Help at Home, Paul Cunningham Nurses, Afghan Children Home and many more. This is the perfect time of the year for these events as people are at their most generous.
Believe it or not, this is also the month when bars and venue book for 2016. With many acts having full diaries for next year already, I can tell you that it is going to be a bumper 2016 for superb entertainment. 2015 has been pretty special and along the way we have lost some acts back to the UK, but have also gained new ones. This flow of acts in and out of the Costas is what keeps entertainment fresh and exciting. I would also like to thank them all for all their hard work through the year. For work-ing in temperatures of 35 degrees in the Summer (that seem a long way off now!), for giving so much of their time for free to help all sorts of charities and mostly for making all our lives so much richer by just the talent that they exude.
May I also thank every one of All Abroad readers for the lovely emails I have had. If you would like your events in our next issue, it’s free. Just let me know who, where and when by email-ing me at - [email protected] Or visit www.lrshows.com for show and event details.
Love your life. Love live music and Keep on Rocking!Jax Lawson x
