Mike

Hello, Editor’s Slice

Special thanks to our writers and contributorsAlice MarriottBeckii SmithElla DurhamJon Sutton Paul Sutton

Scott Gilmore Stephen PadleyStuart LangleyTricia Johnson

The Andalucian X5092417DCalle Juanito Romero s/nCampillos 29320, Malaga

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If you’re anything like me, you won’t be at all ready for the fact that we are now only weeks away from Christmas – to be honest, our household isn’t anywhere near ready for the merriment to come! Despite all the heavy rain recently, I still find it difficult to feel very festive when the sun comes out.

If you need any last-minute gifts, we have a fantastic feature on not only the Tuesday Trapiche market, but also the weekly Wednesday market held at Saydo Hotel in Mollina. With the variety of stalls there, you are bound to find something to suit that special someone. I’m not guaranteeing you’ll find any of our Hot Toys from page 10 there but the article certainly brings back some memories for me; I hope you enjoy it too.

I tend to try and stay out of the kitchen on Christmas Day, other than to top up a glass or two, but for those of you cooking this year, our turkey timings should come in handy on page 14. Christmas meals take on a whole new meaning in Spain, and you can read all about the Spanish traditions on page 6.

All that is left is for me now is to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year ahead, so until 2013… Feliz Navidad… and hasta pronto!

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Law & Order

A Lasting Power of Attorney for UK Assets By Jon Sutton, Partner, De Cotta Law

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This month we continue our feature on Power of Attorneys. This time we focus on the ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ that can be used for UK assets.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?It is a legal document which appoints someone to undertake actions and execute documents on your behalf. It is often used by those who wish to plan ahead and set out in advance what they would like to happen should they become unable to make decisions for themselves in the future.

The rules on this changed fairly recently and for some, it appears more bureaucratic and time-consuming. The LPA superseded the old Enduring Power of Attorney in October 2007. An LPA is a ‘Legal Document’ under UK law, and allows someone you have chosen to act on your behalf if you are unable to act for yourself due to infirmity or lack of mental capacity.

How does an LPA work?Firstly, an application must be made to the Office of the Public Guardian, outlining who you wish to appoint as your Attorney. You can have more than one Attorney if you choose. Within the document, you can state whether you wish to restrict your Attorneys in any way. For instance, you may allow them to make decisions for you regarding some aspects of your property or investments, however you could restrict them from making decisions or taking action relating to others. It is up to you.

When the application forms have been completed, signed and witnessed, they are registered with the Court of Protection in the UK.

Once registration is complete (this takes about 12 weeks) the LPA can be used by your Attorney to carry out transactions on your behalf. Institutions such as your bank will record the details of your LPA for future reference, if and when your Attorney first needs to use it.

Who can have an LPA?You must be over 18 years of age, of sound mind when appointing your Attorneys and have assets in the UK. You do not have to live in the UK.

What happens if you do not have an LPA?In the past, it was usual for family members to look after their relatives and to act for them when they became infirm or incapacitated. Children would care for parents and married couples would continue to look after each other’s affairs. Under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which incorporates legislation surrounding LPAs, this is no longer possible. If you have not appointed an Attorney, then no-one can act for you

Law & Order

5

The Court of Protection will take control of your estate. A Court solicitor will be appointed to deal with your affairs and all decisions and transactions will be carried out by that professional, with significant fees being deducted from your assets.

If property or bank accounts are held jointly, the joint owner loses control over the asset until alternative arrangements have been agreed by the Court of Protection.

A family member or friend can apply to the Court of Protection to become your Deputy. This is a very lengthy process and that person may not be the person you would choose. Annual accounts have to be submitted to the Court and any decision made on your behalf has to be heard by the Court and permission granted. Each time permission is requested, Court fees are payable.

As a safeguard when someone applies to register an LPA in their favour, or applies to be appointed as a deputy, the court will notify direct family members or close friends who are referred to in the LPA document.

How can De Cotta Law help you in this matter?It is most important to ensure that you fully understand the principles of establishing an LPA and that your Attorneys are aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

De Cotta Law specialises in dealing with all aspects of Spanish Law for English-speaking and international clients. Offices in Coín, Mijas-Cost/Calahonda, Tenerife & Nerja.

If you would like De Cotta Law to prepare an LPA for you, or you wish to have a private consultation, please contact your nearest office.

Head Office Spain (Mijas-Costa / Calahonda):Tel: +34 952 931 781Fax: +34 952 933 547

Monday to Thursday 09.30 – 17.30 – no siesta09.30 - 14.30 Fridays

E-mail: mijas@decottalaw.net

Coín Office:Tel: +34 951 315 161

Monday - Friday, 10 am – 7pm, no siesta

E-mail: coin@decottalaw.net

STOP PRESS!Tax Incentives for Property Purchases in Spain end on 31st of December.Contact The Property Law Experts at De Cotta Law for more information:www.decottalaw.com conveyancing@decottalaw.com

Roaming Andalucía

Countdown to Christmas in Spain

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Long-time residents — as well as first-time visitors — often marvel at the fantastic celebrations which take place throughout Spain over the festive period. Some traditions are almost the same as those in the UK and other parts of Northern Europe, while others have a more Mediterranean theme. But whatever the origin, the whole 12-day period is still just one long party – in any language.

One familiar symbol of Christmas which still maintains much importance throughout Spain is the Nativity scene. These scenes occupy plazas in cities and small towns throughout the country, and can also be seen in the doorways and entrances of many Spanish homes, as well as in storefront windows. They can be quite elaborate. In many small towns, during the nights just before Christmas, plazas might even have a live Nativity scene, with actors and actresses playing the parts of Mary, Joseph and the three wise men − as well as the live animals often associated with the birth of Christ, such as lambs, sheep and donkeys.

Also during the days leading up to Christmas, you might hear the voices of children singing in the streets; especially in the villages and small towns of rural Spain where they still participate in the age-old tradition called the "aguinaldo". Even though not as popular in recent times, in years past the children would sing Christmas carols in their neighbourhoods, outside the homes of their neighbours or next to a Nativity scene. In exchange, the neighbours typically give the children a piece of candy or a few coins.

Around December 21, two important events take place. Students are released from school for their winter vacations and perhaps more importantly, the winning number of the famous ‘El Gordo’ – or ‘Fat One’ - Christmas Lottery is announced. This lottery, by far the biggest in Spain, is a tradition followed by many people who long to win the grand prize, which would make them instantly rich. This tradition is deeply embedded in these holidays, dating back to 1763 when Carlos III initiated it. Since then, not one year has passed without it, and it now is the symbolic moment in which Spaniards begin to celebrate the Christmas holidays.

Christmas Eve in Spain, called Nochebuena, is celebrated with two very important traditions: eating an enormous and decadent meal, and going to Christmas Mass. A wide variety of typical foods is found on plates across Spain on this night, and each region has its own distinct specialities.

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Roaming Andalucía

Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are roast lamb and suckling pig (typically served in the regions of Castilla y Leon, Castilla la Mancha, and Madrid), fowl such as turkey or duck (commonly prepared in Andalucía), and an enormous variety of seafood including shrimp, lobster, crab and various types of fish such as hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass and salmon (common in many regions, but mostly on the coasts). Of course, the celebrations which take place on New

Year’s Eve − or Nochevieja − in Spain are quite an impressive spectacle. In all plazas of Spanish towns big and small, you can see a similar scene, and it will undoubtedly include church bells and grapes. When the clock strikes 12, the church bells sound 12 times and at this moment, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes − one for each toll of the bell. According to tradition, those who eat all their grapes in time will have 12 months of prosperity in the New Year. Families and friends stay together for this celebration, which marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new one, and for most Spaniards, this means a lively celebration will be had until the wee hours of the morning.

While most of the world has already begun packing up the Christmas ornaments, throwing out the tree and finding a place for all of their gifts, Spaniards are continuing the celebration on what is actually Twelfth Night. January 6, Three Kings’ Day, is the long-awaited day when the Three Kings bring their gifts. On January 5, children go to a parade where they see the Three Kings arrive at their town or city, and take the opportunity to ask them for gifts. In Malaga province particularly, these parades are both noisy and colourful, and tradition calls for the crowds lining the procession route to be pelted with small sweets – so take a bag to collect them!

Later, before going to bed, children leave their shoes out in a visible spot in the house or on their balcony, and go to bed hoping that when they wake up, they will find gifts left by Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. For breakfast or after lunch, families often have the typical dessert of the day, the ‘Roscon de los Reyes’. This is a large, ring-shaped cake decorated with candied fruits, symbolic of the emeralds and rubies which adorned the robes of the Three Kings. Somewhere inside the cake there is a surprise, and the person to find it will be crowned King or Queen of the house for the remainder of the day.

And then it is all over for another year......so ‘feliz Navidad’ – Happy Christmas. Particularly if you will be experiencing your first Spanish Christmas, make sure you enjoy this multi-cultural time to the full.

For dessert, there is quite a spread of delicacies; among them are turron and marzipan − desserts made of honey, egg and almonds which are Arabic in origin − as well as polvorones, a sweet kind of bread looking like elephant ears. There is also a variety of nuts and dried fruits. To drink, you must have a glass of cava, the Spanish equivalent of champagne which Spanish people reckon is much better. After the meal, many Spaniards get their second wind and go to midnight Mass, known as ‘La misa del Gallo’, or ‘Rooster Mass’, so-named because the rooster is known as the first to announce the birth of Christ.

Christmas day is more or less a continuation of what began the day before. People spend time with their families; they eat another large meal -- although not as big as the one the day before --and in many families nowadays, children enjoy the gifts that they have received from ‘Papa Noel’, the Spanish equivalent of Santa Claus. The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as it is in many countries, as Spaniards traditionally wait until Three Kings’ Day to exchange gifts.

December 28 marks an exclusively-Spanish day of celebration known as the Day of the Innocents. Although the roots of this day are bloody, the customs practised in modern times are very jovial. It actually commemorates the anniversary of the murder of many children by Herod in Judea but ironically, many laughs are had on this day − especially by the natives. Many foreigners who are in Spain become very confused as absurd or incredible news appears in the papers, municipal governments stage baffling practical jokes on their citizens and friends and acquaintances cannot be trusted for their word. In this respect, the day closely resembles April Fools’ Day.

All I want for Christmas

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‘Tis the season, and time for the puzzle which all parents and grandparents secretly dread: what is the hottest new toy your beloved little one wants to find under the Christmas tree this year?

When I say ‘hot,’ I mean the ones flying off the shelves − the ones which every kid just HAS to have; the kind of toy which apparently brings out the best in everyone. Children (and even some adults) spend their time feverishly begging and pleading for the item – normally from September - while usually calm and level-headed parents turn into hot-headed shopping maniacs.

I could have easily made a list of the top 50 hottest Christmas toys in history. It was hard to leave out the famous Spirograph, Action Man, Star Wars and the good old Slinky − among others − but in an effort to narrow the list down, I tried to focus on crazes that seem…well… crazy today or have crazy stories related to their popularity.

So, join me on the crazy train through Christmas must-haves history! Here is my list of top toys of all time placed in order of their release dates:

Mr Potato Head, 1952, 1 million sold - Hasbro

It’s thanks to Hasbro that we have to endure the never-ending chorus of “I want one,” as in September 1952, Mr Potato Head was the very first toy advert on telly; those cries of “Can I Mum, can I?” haven’t died down to this day!

The craze reached its peak in 2003, when a six foot tall 150 pound Mr Potato Head statue went missing from the entrance of a private estate on Rhode Island, showing up a few days later in a field. Local sergeant James Quinn said that Mr Potato Head was “mashed a little bit” during the incident – my money is on a peeved Mum who has yet another ear from the vegetable fiend stuck in her Dyson hose!

Pet Rock, 1975, more than 5 million sold in 6 months, Rock Bottom ProductionsIn his own words, American advertising executive Larry Dahl says he “hit on the idea while boozing with pals.” Once he’d sobered up, he sent a press release to “virtually every major media outlet,” leading to articles in several newspapers and even an appearance on The Tonight Show.

The fad peaked when it is estimated that Dahl earned more than 15 million dollars during the six months that Pet Rocks were popular, to the point where 100,000 people were paying their hard-earned cash for a rock every day during the 1975 festive season – not bad for a booze-fuelled conversation!

If you missed out on this 70s special, you can still buy an original Pet Rock on eBay for 15€.

Originally, George Lerner’s idea for this famous toy spud seemed like it might be a dud. At first, no one seemed interested in his idea, but eventually a small family-run toy company called Hasbro began production. Mr Potato Head became so popular that a Mrs Potato Head was introduced a year later – to all parents’ delight!

Interesting Facts

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Cabbage Patch Dolls, 1983, 3 million sold, ColecoOn record as the most successful new doll introduction in the history of the toy industry, these squashed-faced toys were a first in many ways. Being the start of a new celeb-culture, they were the most sought-after gift, having been seen under the arm of many a high profile person in the 80s.

Shortly after Jimmy Carter’s daughter Amy was seen with one, Coleco began aggressively pushing the dolls. Using a relatively new technique, the marketing department sent dolls directly to reporters. It worked, the publicity was amazing and led to more than two million dolls being “adopted” in the first six months of the year.

Tickle Me Elmo, 1996, 10 million and counting, TycoIt’s a case of Christmas in July − or at least that’s when this Christmas story begins. Rosie O’Donnell introduced Tickle Me Elmo to her viewers and handed out 200 Elmos to her studio audience. According to some accounts, Tyco had already sold 400,000 of the toys before he made his appearance on the show; in others, Tyco was not expecting the rather expensive doll to do so well, and it began life as a slow seller.

By December 1983, Cabbage Patch dolls were on the cover of magazines and every child wanted one; they soon became in short supply. The first shopping frenzy surrounding a toy is well documented on the internet. With manic panic buying in many stores, where stocks were having to be delivered to some stores by armoured car, Coleco decided to pull the TV commercials in an attempt to tame the madness; one desperate and doting Kansas City dad even flew to London to get his daughter a doll.

The Cabbage Patch doll gave birth to the first instance of a fad toy causing the phenomenon now known today as ‘Christmas Gift Buying Rage.’

Game Boy, 1991, more than one 1 million sold in the US during its first Christmas Season alone, NintendoA year after its release in Japan, the Game Boy conquered the Christmas shopping season in both Europe and the USA. Contributing to its popularity, Game Boy gave you 35 hours of play on one set of batteries, in contrast to its competitors at the time. Also, it came with Tetris − a game which appealed to all ages. After years of Atari’s bat and ball TV only Pong game, it did seem like a huge jump in technology.

The original Game Boy console design is instantly recognisable and has become a pop culture icon. For the ultimate fan, there is a choice of Yuletide gifts: Game Boy wallets, handmade dresses, fully-functional dress-up costumes, tattoos and even condoms!

Similar to the Cabbage Patch craze, the low stocks of the dolls made them even more desirable, so that in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Tickle Me Elmo dolls were seen for sale in newspapers with price tags as much as £1500 each!

Continued on page 12

Interesting Facts

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One department store employee described what happened to him on December 14, 1996:“I was pulled under, trampled − the crotch was yanked out of my brand-new jeans…” said the shop worker, who suffered a pulled hamstring, injuries to his back, jaw and knee, a broken rib and concussion. “I was kicked before I became unconscious.”

Furby, 1998, 1.8 million sold, Tiger ElectronicsLike most of the other toys appearing later on this list, the Furby was introduced at the Toy Industry Association’s annual Toy Fair. This took place in February, months before the toy’s planned release in October. Premature media coverage caught the attention of toy stores and Tiger had sold all of them before the factory had even started production. Parents were just as intrigued, because the toys sold out at the stores immediately.

Over 14 million Furbies sold in 1999, but it was the Christmas of 1998 when Furby fever hit its height − mainly due to its lack of availability. I was one of those parents in line desperate to get one.

Furbies were re-selling for hundreds; their original ticket price was £25. For the first time in toy history, parents turned to the internet to satisfy their Christmas toy cravings. To put this into context, eBay was only four years old in 1998 and only 26.2 percent of US households had internet access. One eBay seller made at least $2600 selling Furbies to 33 buyers. Unfortunately, most of them were only buying Furbies of the imaginary variety because the eBay seller was a scammer, cashing in on the Furby frenzy.

However, they are currently enjoying a new lease of life. Not only are they back being advertised on the telly once again, but there is actually a website dedicated to rehoming this 90s classic − www.adoptafurby.com − because the good people there believe in “giving every Furby a chance at a new life, regardless of their past.” Hundreds and hundreds have already been adopted through this site.

Playstation 3, 2006, sales – unavailable and probably unbelievable, SonyThe PS3 had several features which set it apart from all other consoles. Its ‘unified online gaming service’ encouraged online play, so you didn’t have to sit in solitude playing bat and ball on your own Christmas day; you could play with anyone in the world. It had functionality for multimedia storage and play (photos, music and movies) and it primarily used Blu-Ray discs for storage.

The Play Station 3 was unveiled in May at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo and shown again in September at the Tokyo Game Show, but there was no operating version of the game system to demonstrate at either of these shows.

The international release date was originally set for November, but the PAL version was delayed until spring 2007; incredibly, more than 81,000 PS3s sold within the first 24 hours of the Japan release.

These factors contributed to a tense environment surrounding the American release date as PS3s had been pre-sold for thousands of dollars online and, more than ever, people were camping outside stores. The long build-up of anticipation resulted in numerous reports of gun violence in the news − armed robbery, shootings, drive-bys − and brawls; in one case, 60 shoppers were involved.

One rather crafty consumer hoped to increase the queue for the toilets in an effort to lessen those for the cash desk. Having found out that there were not enough PS3s to go round, he treated people ahead of him in line to coffee spiked with laxatives. Talk about playing dirty!

“Sometimes the hot toy is not such a good toy,” said one toy expert during the Furby craze. I have to agree, the Furby was not only annoying – it also freaked out quite a few kids − and adults. My daughter used to turn hers to the wall at night time as it would suddenly start talking; it wasn’t a great hit with the family dog either!

It was possibly based on the main Bret Easton Ellis’ 2005 book Lunar Park, where the main character is tormented by his step-daughter’s Terby toy. Not just similar in name, the doll has a beak, fur and ‘comes to life’ − although in Ellis’ case, the Terby flits around and tries to kill him; maybe not the best idea for a toy!

Well, let the battle commence. ‘Tis the season - time once more to rush down to the shop or snipe a fellow internet shopper to get this year’s hottest toy – whatever it may be!

Interesting Facts

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Food & Drink

Turkey timing to perfection

The meal of the year can be a stressful time for some cooks so it is very important to plan your cooking time in advance, if only to make sure you get the turkey in the oven early enough to cook it thoroughly. A large turkey can take several hours to cook properly.

These cooking times are based on an unstuffed bird. To cook your turkey more evenly and to ensure that the cooking guidelines will be more accurate, it is better to cook stuffing in a separate roasting tin, rather than inside the bird. However, if you cook your bird with the stuffing inside, you will need to allow extra time for the amount of stuffing and allow for the fact that it cooks more slowly.

Ovens such as fan-assisted varieties might cook the bird more quickly – check the manufacturer's handbook for your oven if you can. Always check that the meat is cooked thoroughly before serving.

Make sure you remove the giblets and that your turkey is fully defrosted.

As a general guide, in an oven preheated to 180ºC (350ºF, Gas Mark 4): • for a turkey under 4.5kg, allow 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes• for a turkey weighing between 4.5kg and 6.5kg, allow 40 minutes per kg• for a turkey over 6.5kg, allow 35 minutes per kg

A good tip is to cover your turkey with foil during cooking and uncover for the last 30 minutes to brown the skin. To stop the meat drying out, baste it every hour during cooking.

Check your bird is cooked Our guidelines are only estimates; always check that the bird is properly cooked before serving as eating undercooked poultry can lead to food poisoning. The three main ways to tell if poultry is cooked are: 1 The meat should be steaming hot all the way through.2 When you cut into the thickest part of the meat, none of the meat should be pink.3 If juices run out when you pierce the turkey on the thickest part of the thigh, they should be clear.

Cooking times for other birds Other types of poultry require different times and temperatures. The oven should always be hotter for duck and goose to melt the fat under the skin. Goose should be cooked in a preheated oven at 220ºC/425ºF/Gas Mark 7 for 35 minutes per kg. Pierce the skin before cooking to help drain the fat and pour away any excess fat halfway through cooking.

Duck should be cooked in a preheated oven for 45 minutes per kg at 200ºC/400ºF/Gas Mark 6. Pierce the skin before cooking and drain off the excess fat halfway through cooking.

Chicken should be cooked in a preheated oven at 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4 for 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes. Cover with foil during cooking and uncover for the last 30 minutes to brown the skin. To stop the meat drying out, baste it every 30 minutes during cooking.

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Interesting Facts

From feathers to fingers

A decade ago, I’d have been flicking through my tatty old address book, biro poised, glass of wine next to the stack of Christmas cards on the table ready for the annual onslaught of sending festive greetings from one home to another. How things have changed: with emails and e-cards gracing my inbox, the art of writing seems to have lost its meaning during recent years. Do I print out my emails and stick them crudely to the wall or do I just tell the kids that Auntie Flo sends her best?

The first primitive types of paper were clay tablets which were engraved with the help of a straw, cut diagonally in such a way to leave a mark on the soft, wet surface of the clay. Only after drying would previously-engraved lines become imprinted.

The Egyptian scribes learned to fabricate red and black ink by mixing soot and oxidised iron with water and glue – typing an email does suddenly seem so much easier! In order to write with this tenacious elementary ink, the scribe would submerge the point of a reed so that its capillary action was able to absorb a small quantity of rudimentary ink — enough to allow several characters to be written at once. This dipping action had to be repeated numerous times until the scribe completed his work, a task which was necessary until the end of the 19th century.

The first writing instrument with a point similar to that of a modern day fountain pen nib was created from a papyrus stem, during the days of the ancient Greek civilisation. This new-style nibbed pen was constructed by first drying a stem and then cutting it on one side in such a way that the point resulted from splitting one opening into two. This obtained better results than the reed used by the Egyptians, even though its correct use required much practice.

With the introduction of parchment paper, the goose feather pen surpassed that of the reed or straw, given its additional strength and better flexibility. From the 16th century, this quill was commonly used. The most sought-after feather on everyone’s Christmas list was the last external one of the right wing of the bird, as it had a natural ‘turn’, helping the hand which subsequently held it.

Leaping on from this simple invention of written communication, the true history of the pen begins with the invention of paper made from papyrus, thanks to those multi-skilled Egyptians. The intrinsic characteristics of the paper demanded ink in order to leave legible marks and lines.

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Interesting Facts

The process of making a good quill was introduced by the Dutch and comprised two phases: during the first, the feather was buried for a short time under a layer of fine and very warm sand in order to dry its inner and external membrane, and then it was immersed in a boiling solution of alum (aluminium potassium sulphate) or nitric acid in order to strengthen the feather for future use.

The manufacture of the modern pen did not happen until the 20th century. The first patent had been issued to leather tanner John Laud in 1888 − he had developed the pen so he could write on his commercial products – and although this failed, it proved to be a leap forward for writing on smoother items such as paper.

Between 1904 and the years of WW2, there were many alterations to Laud’s pen. Many of these crude implements did not write cleanly and often resulted in ink being sprawled across the paper in fits and starts.

In 1941, the Bíró brothers and a friend, Juan Jorge Meyne, fled worn-torn Germany and moved to Argentina. Later that year, they filed another patent and formed Bíró Pens of Argentina. The pen was sold under the Birome brand, which is how ballpoint pens are still known in Argentina today. This new design was quickly licensed by Britain, and these new British-produced ballpoint pens were handed out immediately to the RAF as they worked much better than fountain pens at high altitude. So the ‘Biro’ was born.

It was not until László Bíró, a Hungarian newspaper editor who was getting rather peeved with the amount of ink being wasted and the state of his smudged pages, thought to use print press ink instead. With the help of his chemist brother, he developed a new type of tiny rotating ball to fit in the nib which moved along the paper, picking up ink and depositing it where he wanted it. In 1938, a British patent was applied for.

With centuries of history behind the pen and paper, I must admit I prefer to send and receive greeting cards but times have changed again. I do wonder, though, what those first inventors using humble clay tablets would make of my electronic tablet as I simply press ‘send’ and all my e-cards are delivered in one go?

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Viñuela Sew & Sews - December update

Our exhibition seems a long while back now but we were thrilled to have raised just over 2000€ for our nominated local charity, Anne-Axarquía, based in Velez Malaga. Anne-Axarquía are delighted with this donation, which we will be presenting to them at the beginning of January. Thank you to all those who bought raffle tickets and items at the exhibition - this doubles the amount we donated after the last exhibition two years ago.

The Viñuela Ayuntamiento has refurbished an old building at the entrance to the village and generously offered us the use of this wonderful new space, which is large enough to hold our weekly meetings and workshops on the same day. Access to the building is much easier now: no more stairs to negotiate with our tools and machines, along with ample parking space. The first meeting in the new hall was held mid-November and all who attended declared it to be brilliant. A new workshop commenced in November too, with 12 attendees working on a ‘Mystery Quilt’ project designed and led by Rachel.

The group is looking forward to the end of year Christmas lunch, to be held at Meson Sara, Puente don Manuel, on December 18. There will then be a three-week break before we reconvene in January, with members looking forward to more workshops, including a session on basic sewing machine use led by Jan; other patchwork projects are planned too. The Design Group also has a new project in the pipeline - more news on all these activities in the New Year.

As a direct result of the exhibition at Garden La Palma, our regular group numbers have been swelled by no less than eight new joiners, three of whom are Spanish. It’s just as well that we have been offered the use of a brand-new hall for our regular meetings.

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Sport & Leisure

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Short Story

All spruced up! By Ella Durham

She lay quite still. The little girl could hear the winter winds blowing wildly outside the window. It was a freezing cold night. She felt glad that she was safe and warm here inside. The logs crackled in the grate and the brilliant flames danced a tango behind the fireguard. She was getting just a little too hot resting there − after all, she’d been lying in that cradle for quite some time now. She wanted to get out, but she knew she would have to stay where she was. It was like this every winter.

Of course, she felt helpless without her dear Papa and Mama. They usually took great care of her and all of their other children but it seemed tonight they were in too much of a rush to pay her particular attention. It was not like them to leave her this way but, she reckoned, they didn’t mean to do it. Perhaps they thought she would be all right by herself for a while. Perhaps they thought she was just too small to go outside in the bitterly cold weather… who knows? Besides, there are so many other things to do and plan and worry about at Christmastime these days, it was not so surprising that she felt a bit left out!

Well, she would just have to wait for the family to return. She was in no danger here. Little ladies, such as she, always waited with a certain air of resignation, a certain style: uncomplaining. She liked to think it was her good nature − her upbringing if you like − or the way she was made.

The mantel clock ticked the minutes away. By now, the waiting was becoming irksome and her patience was being sorely tested. It was almost Christmas Day. Surely it couldn’t be much longer until her family returned? She prayed they wouldn’t be much longer. She wanted to join in the fun; share the laughter and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. After all, Christmas Eve was the best of times in her eyes: full of excited anticipation. Everything was ready. The larder was full to bursting, the presents were wrapped and tagged ready to be placed under the tree and the gifts for the reindeer and the sherry for the Big Fat Old Gentleman were laid out on the hearth. The little girl hated the house being so quiet.

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Short Story

The family was out singing carols or having fun at the neighbours’ party while she was left behind. She felt sad at the thought but, as usual, she could say nothing about it; she was resigned to her fate.

Suddenly, there was movement behind her. She heard a sort of shuffling noise. She felt the presence of a living soul. It was a bit scary. She was sure that everyone had left hours ago. It must be Buddy, the cat. He’d been outside earlier, either stalking mice in the snow-covered garden or schmoozing some innocent queen cat who fell unwittingly for his feline charms. She listened again. Yes, there was definitely someone or something there. She didn’t move.

‘Silly cat! He should have stayed inside keeping me company and dozing in front of the fire like any sensible cat would do. It’s freezing out there,’ she thought, as she saw fresh snowflakes falling onto the window sill, ‘I bet he’s got frozen paws and icicles on his whiskers by now but then again, perhaps he’s had too much fun to care about me.’ The shuffling noises abated. Whatever they had been, had stopped. The little girl relaxed once more.

chocolate and stealing mince pies to munch secretly under the eiderdowns, before being shooed off to bed. Toasty warm at last! Oh, how I wish I could be with them.’ The little girl could almost hear their chatter and excitement, Papa and Mama chuckling at their children, loving their innocence.

“Father Christmas is on his way,” they always said. “Hurry now and go to sleep. Go to sleep!”

And the little ones would be tucked up tight in their beds, with a small kiss for each of them. Obediently, they would squeeze their eyes shut tight − afraid to be seen awake because then Father Christmas would not leave them the toys they had asked for on scribbled notes and posted in the village post-box weeks ago.

The little girl lying on the pillow in the cradle by the fireside was sure they would realise they had forgotten about her and come for her soon. When they did, she would be ready. It was just a matter of time. All the others had already arrived and made themselves at home. She’d wait. She was good at waiting. Just as well, as she really had no option.

Then, there was that shuffling noise again! It sounded like the rustling of tissue paper or things being pushed around on the floor. She tried to turn her head in the direction of it, but it was no good. The chair wing blocked her view. She tried to see out of the corner of her eye.

Continued on page 22

If only she could join in. It all sounded so wonderful; the parties, the children playing, singing along to the Christmas songs on the radio, pulling crackers and unwrapping all the presents. What a marvellous time of year − unless you were on your own. Then it wasn’t so grand. She tried to smile but her lips refused to move. She hated being here alone when everyone else was out there, having fun. Inwardly, she sighed.

‘Oh, please let them come and find me soon. I want to be part of it and enjoy it with them! I can’t see anything much stuck here and, at this rate, Christmas may be over by the time I get involved. And I do so want to see the children’s faces when they come in from the cold; all rosy cheeks and blue noses. They’ll blow on their hands and with coats, boots, gloves and hats discarded, they’ll hurry towards the fire while Mama warns them not to get too close for fear of getting chilblains! Then later, they’ll be sipping hot

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Short Story

There was no-one within her vision. But she knew they were there. Had they seen her? She held her breath. Then, someone spoke.

“Aha, there you are! I’ve been looking for you all over the place. We thought we’d lost you. What are you doing down there in baby Molly’s cradle? Has she been playing dolls with you again?” The little girl felt warm hands reach down and lift her up. A huge, grinning face peered at her. It was Papa. He gave her small, hot cheeks a rub with his thumb. It felt good.

“I bet you thought we’d forgotten all about you, my angel. Well, there’s little chance of that. There’s no good starting Christmas without you, is there? Besides, you are always my excuse to avoid the carol singing! My voice can curdle the morning’s milk!” He laughed as he stroked her golden hair and straightened down her silver and white gown. He put the tiny wand back into her hand. Then he reached up and placed her, proudly and securely, on the top of the Christmas tree.

“There! Just wait till Mama and the children get back. What a surprise they’ll get to see that I’ve finished trimming the tree, complete with our beautiful fairy on top.”

Merry Christmas!

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Charity News

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary (NDS) By Paul Sutton

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity dedicated to rescuing, caring for and protecting donkeys, mules and horses. Since opening in June 2004, the sanctuary has rescued hundreds of equines, caring for them and then moving them on to new homes where possible. Along the way, it has given refuge to many other farmyard animals: countless goats, pigs, chickens, cats, turkeys and even sheep.

This is all achieved thanks to your kind donations. But the sanctuary does need so much more, and you can help by adopting one or more donkeys for a year for 25€ each. You’ll receive a laminated certificate and receive updates via email on how the donkey(s) is/are doing.

NDS is holding a Christmas Fayre on Sunday December 16 from 1pm to 6pm. There will be pony rides, mulled wine, a cake stall and market stalls; loads of fun for all family members, whatever the age!

More things that you can do to help NDS:

There will be a Sunday market stall during the winter so if you have any unwanted items − furniture, electrical goods, clothing, toys or books, etc − please donate them to be sold on the stall to create that much-needed revenue.

This year, NDS has produced its own calendar for 2013 and these can be purchased for 10€ each – a really handy gift or a great stocking-filler.

You can pledge a monthly donation − maybe 5 or 10€ − through PayPal, or why not make a one-off donation whenever you can via the NDS website? You can use a credit card or PayPal.

Or perhaps you could consider holding a fund-raising activity in support of NDS? The proceeds can be sent on via card or PayPal.

Visiting the Nerja Donkey Sanctuary is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, too. You can feed the animals by hand − watch out for those sneaky pigs! – stroke the donkeys and talk to the volunteers about the sanctuary and the animals, finding out their names and why they are there.

Opening hours are 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 6pm, and they are located near the Rio Chillar Bridge on the opposite side of the river to Supersol. Ask for “Nerja Burros” if you take a taxi. You can bring carrots and apples to feed the donkeys.

NDS is always keen to get more volunteers to help, so if you’re interested, you can pop along or call for more details – 618 467 575. NDS is also on Facebook and you can visit the website www.nerjadonkeysanctuary.com

Nerja Donkey Sanctuary, founder of the Asociacion de Malaga de los Santuarios del Burro, is a registered charity (no: 7502) dedicated to the rescue and care of equines.

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Now is the time to turn those green fingers to cleaning up certain areas of your garden and start thinking about how you can increase your stock for the season ahead.

Dead HeadingThe removal of spent faded flower heads is an essential part of top pruning as it can prolong the flowering period by generating a second display of flowers. Plants are programmed by nature to grow and flower to produce seeds to complete their reproductive cycle. By removing the faded flower, the plant is tricked into producing more flowers to complete its cycle. This also allows you to keep your plant in shape.

There are two exceptions: the first is for plants which produce bigcolourful hips through the winter months. These heads should not be removed if you want a display of colourful rose hips. The second is for any plants from which you want to save the seeds.

Programmed PruningThis process makes the plant produce its flowers when you want the display. For example, when a house-holder goes away for a period of time — say from July till August — all flowering buds and shoots are removed in early July. The flowers are not needed then and will not be appreciated, but on the owner’s return, the plants will have new fresh growth and an abundance of flowers and buds. If you have several shrubs of the same variety, pruning can be staggered over one, two or three weeks, instead of pruning all the shrubs on the same day. This will extend the flowering period next season.

Increasing StockMost offcuts from pruned hedges and shrubs can be prepared and used as cuttings; these can be grown on for future use to create a solid, thick formal boundary, divisional hedge or a single shrub.

Winter Tasks• Clear all drains and watercourses, store water where possible.• Continue removing dead heads of spent flowers.• Clear all planting beds and borders of debris and dead leaves.• Reduce your irrigation programme • Trim back shrubs as and where required, but not too severely or you could lose the winter blooms.• Lightly prune Lantanas to remove the berries and any straggly branches, unless you want to save the seeds. • Continue the preparation of planting areas for trees and shrubs.• Plant trees, shrubs and roses now, if watering is not a problem.• Pots, urns and troughs can still be planted up with winter and early spring flowering annual plants• Visit garden centres, for now is the time for them to re-stock for the winter and it is the main planting time of the year.• All outdoor planting of spring flowering bulbs should ideally be completed this month.• Check tree stakes and ties to make sure all are secure.• Where black plastic electrical zip-style ties have been used, check frequently as they will strangle the stem, allowing the top of the plant to break off in the wind.

For more information and contact details see Stephen’s advert opposite.

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In the garden this month By Stephen Padley

Green Fingers

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‘Tis the season to be WOW By Beckii Smith

Health & Beauty

December is the month when sudden changes in temperature can have dramatic effects on our hair, skin and nails. This month, the Perfectas Salon team from Alhaurín el Grande will be letting you in on some tip-top secrets on looking good and feeling better, and they will also tell you how to put the WOW in your look for your festive parties.

Dead and dry skin, cracked heels and shabby-looking nails are out in force with these current weather issues − but this is nothing that can’t be dealt with and kept away.

Here at Perfectas Salon, we offer home remedy treatments as well as branded names and Moroccan oils in the comfort of the salon, so if you feel you would like a helping hand to kick start your WOW look this Christmas, our team is ready and waiting. But we also like sharing, so here are some of our salon secrets with which you can indulge yourself at home.

Get your skin glowing − and feeling young and fresh again − with this simple body scrub: all you need is you and your household sugar or table salt. Firstly, choose an oil, which could be baby oil, extra virgin or coconut oil. Allure make-up artist Joanna Schlip uses olive oil on Eva Longoria. All you need now is 1 part oil and 2 parts sugar/salt. It’s up to you how much you make, but simply place anywhere from a few tablespoons to a cup of salt or sugar in a container and add half the amount of this in oil. Mix with a spoon. Don't freak out if the salt settles to the bottom — it's virtually impossible to keep it mixed!

Now grab your loofah mitts or exfoliating gloves, and evenly spread your homemade mixture over your body, scrubbing in circular motions.

Treating those dryer areas, such as heels, knees, elbows etc, is just as easy. Cut half a lemon and apply a bit of salt onto both halves, and scrub over those stubborn areas.

Rinse off thoroughly with a nice soothing shower gel cream, pat your skin dry and step out glowing and feeling fresh with all the brand new skin you’ve awakened.

Perfectas is now offering a wide range of paraffin wax treatments to help with dry/dead skin on your hands and feet, and this is great for blood circulation.

Our nails need to look good over the Christmas period too, so if you’re suffering with dry and brittle nails which are breaking easily, here’s a Perfectas treatment you can carry out at home whilst watching those Christmas films. Then you can treat yourself to nail enhancements or gel polishes.

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Health & Beauty

Sea salt soaks for brittle nails2 tbsps fine grain sea salt2 drops lemon essential oil or some lemon juiceAdd the ingredients to a bowl of warm water and soak your nails for 10-15 minutes. Then apply hand cream. Do this twice a week and you will soon notice a huge difference.

Get the WOW look at all those Christmas and New Year parties. This season’s colours have got to be my favourites! Cherry and berry shades are all in for the lips; nudes, smokey browns and navy are all in for eye make-up. Team these up with thick eyeliner on the top lid — taking us back to the 60s look which is in for this Christmas season. New Year, however, is meant to be bringing back the 80s with neon, bright colours on eyes, cheeks and lips, so this festive season is certainly set to be a bright one!

Why not mix it up and have a change? You can check out all the season’s looks on our facebook page www.facebook.com/perfectas.salon along with regular announcements of all our special offers.

Sleeked back, off-the-face hair is also in vogue this winter, along with big messy buns which are finished off into true masterpieces with various fascinators. If this isn’t for you, why not try the sleek and wavy vintage look? All looks that make you look WOW!

Whatever look you choose, the team at Perfectas would all like to wish you a very bright and colourful Christmas.

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Prevention is better than cure by Scott Gilmore

Trade Talk

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During this difficult economic time, we are all looking at ways to save money and tighten the purse strings; however some things are not worth cutting back on. Not having your car serviced or poorly maintaining it − or any vehicle − is certainly not recommended as it WILL cost you more in the long run. In fact, recent studies have proved that cars which are regularly serviced, use ‘ultimate’ fuel in their tanks and have non-essential jobs repaired promptly remain reliable and far more cost effective compared to those which don't.

Waiting until that inevitable break or snap finally happens often means lengthy repair times — leading to your vehicle being off the road for possibly a long period, and often incurring what could have been avoidable expense.

ITVs here in Spain have become more comprehensive with added emphasis on BRAKES, SUSPENSION and EMISSIONS, yet with simple routine checks and servicing of these elements, you can minimise not only the risk of failure to your vehicle, but also prevent those unexpected and normally hefty repair bills.

With the Spanish economy in crisis and the Guardia Civil trying to lower the number of road accidents, vehicles are being spot-checked with more vigour than ever before. Police are particularly interested in SAFE tyres, brakes and lighting systems — bulbs and brake lights − and of course, your paperwork. Make sure all of these are in good order at all times to avoid on-the-spot fines!

It has become apparent that the Spanish motor industry is finally introducing a cheaper range of parts, which seem to be of a reasonable quality, in order to help motorists stay safe and keep their cars maintained to a good standard. So with this in mind, keep your car in order to help keep your budget in good health, too.

Our recommendations are:1. Service your car as per your dealers’ schedule2. Use ‘ultimate’ fuel every fourth tank you fill3. Visually inspect your tyres, levels and lights on monthly basis4. Do not ignore any unusual sounds, squeaks, rattles or feelings - get it looked at sooner rather than later5. ANY CONCERNS, call your mechanic

For more information see Scott’s advert on page 4.

Food & Drink

Wishing you a Wining Christmas

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When people think of Spain, bullfights, paella and flamenco probably spring to mind. Rioja may also feature well up the list − and rightly so, as it contributes to a vast proportion of Spain’s wine exports. It is almost certainly one of the best-known Spanish wines – if not the best known. However it isn’t the only wine which is produced here. With the festive period here, why not take time to get to explore the diverse range of stunning Spanish wines on offer? You are sure to be in for a real treat!

Legendary Rioja Rioja is named after the region in which it is grown, and it is made predominantly from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes. They produce a very fruity red wine with caramel (and often oak) flavours. It is a great match for rich red meats. It is probably worth bearing in mind that because of its reputation, Rioja can often command high prices; this means that although you’ll be getting a great-tasting bottle of wine, you won’t necessarily be getting the greatest value for money in the world.

Value regionsIf value for money is your thing, then you might want to look to Navarra, the neighbouring region to Rioja. It produces some great-tasting Spanish wines, similar to those coming out of Rioja but without the price tag. Also in the North is Priorato, which is doing big things with some of the international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, as well as Tempranillo and Garnacha. Look to Rías Baixas and Rueda for some delicious dry whites − including Albariño and Verdejo − as well as Sauvignon Blanc. In central Spain and to the South, try the regions of La Mancha, Yecla and Jumilla for a selection of dry Spanish whites and fruity reds. Here in the South the area is, of course, more famous for its sherry production.

Food & Drink

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Grapes Huge numbers of grapes are grown in Spain, including many international varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Alongside these, you’ll also come across a range of exciting native wines including Albariño, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-Lo.

“Crianza” indicates that the wine has been aged for two years, and spent at least six months in oak (12 in Rioja). It is a relatively easy-drinking and young wine.

“Reserva” means that the wine has been aged for three years and spent a minimum of one of those years in oak. Finally, “Gran Reserva” indicates that the wine has been cellared for five years, with at least two in oak, and is considered a high quality, mature wine.

Whichever bottle you choose to open this Christmas – cheers!

Understanding the lingoCertain terms are used about Spanish wines to describe how old the wine is and how long it has been aged in oak barrels. These are also indications of the quality of the wine, so it’s worth taking the time to learn what they mean. “Vino Juven” literally means young wine. It is bottled the year after it’s grown and is sold immediately.

Hi, it’s me again − Alice

I’m getting quite excited about Christmas! I have started on my list of things I’d like and I asked Mum if she had; her response was, “Oh, I need turkey, mince pies and well − all the other stuff too, really!” Not sure she was listening properly.

In the spring we were given two new cats, Sid and Lola. We had to have Sid put to sleep last month as he had leukaemia. It was really sad as he was so funny and cute, even if he was rather plump.

The vet, Carmen, said that all cats can have an injection so they don’t get this really nasty disease, so please make sure you get your cats jabbed against it. I wonder why they can’t inject people against it?

There are only a few weeks left of school and I really can’t wait. We have had an exam nearly every day and I’m even getting a sore finger from writing so much – roll on the holidays.

One of my exams was in gym. You have to stand with two feet together and jump as far as you can; no run up – it’s really hard – try it and see how far you get. Mum and Dad tried in the lounge – I’m glad to say I scored higher than both of them with a 135cm jump, but this still only got me a 1.5 score. I really can’t see how this is going to get me a job, so I’m not too worried about this exam.

Well, have a great Christmas and I hope your list is more exciting than my Mum’s!Love, Alice x

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Jumping into Christmas By Alice Marriott, aged 14 and ¾

Alice’s Wonderland

Electrician all areas covered. Call Tom for a quote on 606 694 536

Gardening – all aspects undertaken. Free quotes. No job to small. Call 952 737643

General handyman and pool cleaner. Reliable and experienced call 680 323649

Services Offered

Contact us for all your advertising needs 952 723075

See www.theandalucian.com for prices

Classified Adverts

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Deposito Legal MA-1110-2004Copyright © 2004 - 2012 All rights reservedAll advertisements are published in good faith and are for information purposes. We do not under any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy of such advertisements, nor is any kind of warranty or endorsement expressed or implied by such publication. The editorials are not a substitute for legal advice, and not intended or offered as such. The Andalucían does not therefore accept any duty of care to anyone who makes use of, or seeks to rely on, material in this publication.

No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the prior written consent of the owner.

Weblings

Cracking Christmas Quotes

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What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic

There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries - WJ Cameron

From a commercial point of view, if Christmas did not exist it would be necessary to invent it - Katharine Whitehorn

Open your presents at Christmastime but be thankful year round for the gifts you receive.

The one thing women don’t want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband - Joan Rivers

Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present.

Christmas is a race to see which gives out first – your money or your feet.

Even before Christmas has said hello, it’s saying ‘Buy Buy’.

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn’t for any religious reasons. They couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin.

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it.

Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and clears out faster than the Christmas spirit.

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.

You know you’re getting old, when Santa starts looking younger.

For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph - Shirley Temple

“A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” cried a cheerful voice. “Bah!” said Scrooge. “Humbug!” - Charles Dickens

Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas - Johnny Carson

There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake on Christmas morning and not be a child.

I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying ‘Toys not included.’

Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.