Out and About December- issue 203

www.outandaboutmagazine.net 

Your FREE LEISURE MAGAZINE 

for the Costa Blanca 

Out & About® 

December 2022 • Issue 203 

Costa Blanca 

The Man Behind the 

Story of Father Christmas 

See pages 18-19 

Merry 

Christmas

2 | OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA

DECEMBER 2022 | 3 

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4 | OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA 

DEAR READER 

Dear Reader 

Christmas is nearing our 

doorsteps. Not long to 

go....how lovely!! I know 

this can be daunting for some but I really 

do enjoy Christmas time. I’ve just sent 

my Christmas list to Santa and I’ve been a 

good girl, so perhaps I will get everything 

I have requested in my letter to him. So 

hopefully the new Jaguar will be parked, 

gift wrapped, outside my door Christmas 

morning? Santa will be very pleased to 

know, he can use the chimney this year, 

as we now have central heating. He can 

leave the presents under the tree, as he did 

last year. I am so looking forward to the 

glitz, sparkle, Christmas cards and all the 

joy it brings. Yes, panadols for the hang 

over’s!! Christmas cards and present lists 

are being made and Santa can create lots 

of happiness for people but please spare a 

thought to those that are not in a position 

to enjoy Christmas. There are people that 

find Christmas a difficult time and are sad 

and lonely. So remember to spare a thought 

to a friend, neighbour, or someone that 

needs a bit of Christmas comfort and cheer. 

My decorations are everywhere in the 

house and each day there are 

more. It is like Santa’s Grotto. Still 

Santa will appreciate it when he 

arrives. On this happy note I would like 

to send my sincere Festive greetings to 

all Out & About readers and advertisers. 

Also, thank you for your support and 

a big Happy Christmas and New Year 

from us all at the magazine. Remember 

you are never alone with an Out & About 

magazine with more exciting articles in 

the New Year. Here’s wishing you a very 

Happy and Healthy Christmas and New 

Year and special greetings to friends and 

writers. 

The next time I will be writing to you is 

“after” your New Year’s resolutions. I am 

wondering how many of these pledges 

would have been kept i.e. becoming a non 

smoker, a tea drinker, slimming, saving or 

perhaps making up an overdue argument 

or to be kind to “nearest and dearest”. 

Please let me know, if you dare ha! 

Enjoy yourselves, smile, be happy, 

healthy and keep that “special greeting” 

for everyone. 

Carol R. Levey


C O N T A C T S 

EDITOR 

CAROL LEVEY 651 459 776 

CALPE AND JAVEA 

LISA HANNAM 642 911 110 

MORAIRA, JAVEA & CALPE 

PETER FROST 634 333 240 

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COVER IMAGE: 

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THIS MONTH 

08 Readers’ Letters 

10 Anne Rodger 

14 David Moorhouse 

18 The story behind Father 

Christmas 

22 Big Ben is a superstar 

24 Christmas greetings 

28 Walsh’s Wisdom 

32 Whining On 

34 A Medium Rare 

38 Albir Family Medical 

Centre 

42 Paws For Thought 

43 Puzzle Page 

45 Book Review 

47 Horoscope 

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All articles are checked for accuracy, however, Out & About cannot legally accept any responsibility for any misrepresentation that 

may occur on factual features, or errors that may occur by misprint. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and authenticity 

of advertisments appearing, Out & About does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions 

expressed in the articles in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or other staff. 

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Hamiltons Moraira 

Ctra Moraira – Calpe nº 15, Bajo 1 

www.moraira-hamiltons.net 

(+34) 96 649 1883 

moraira@moraira-hamiltons.net


Happy 

Christmas 

Moraira · Jalon · Calpe · Denia · Javea


AGONY UNCLE 

@ 

Can our AGONY UNCLE help you 

Readers 

Letters 

Email to: relojdesol@mail.com 

This will be a difficult Christmas. Money is tight 

and just about pays the bills. People have told me 

not to get into debt just to provide presents, but 

when you have kids it’s hard. 

Damara. Teulada 

Damara, Yours is one of the many mails I 

have had regarding finance and Christmas 

this year. I can empathise with you that 

inflation makes gifting hard. Concentrate 

on the kids. 

Make a stocking of little gifts that they can 

open on Christmas Day and tell friends that 

this year your focus is on your kids and 

no presents please. Yes we give to receive, 

and it’s not essential. Send out an online 

card message and pay your bills. Please do 

not think of further debts. There are hefty 

electricity bills ahead and it’s not easy but 

put up the decorations and make Christmas 

Cookies and bring the fun back to a happy 

family Christmas. Your children have your 

love and that is everything to them. 

Do you think that I should trace my 

husbands calls? I suspect he is seeing 

someone and I feel that he is lying to 

me. 

Sondra (SMS) 

Sadly, when a relationship gets 

to this stage it is always sad to 

feel that there is a truth that you 

are not a part of. I understand 

you suspect and your intuition 

is telling you that something 

is not right. Be prepared to 

learn the truth and accept the 

consequences. Of course you 

should have a right to his fidelity 

and his honesty, but right now 

both are in jeopardy of your 

relationship. Tread carefully, and 

do what you feel is right for you. 

JÁVEA · ALTEA 

yorkshirelinecostablanca.com 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

AGONY UNCLE DECEMBER 2022 | 9 

I recently went back to the UK and I was 

shocked to see my father since he has aged 

and lost weight since the last time I saw 

him. Now on my return I feel guilty to 

leave him. 

Fiona. La Nucia 

I can imagine how you are feeling 

Fiona. Age does creep up, and we 

did have a bad time with COVID so 

you couldn’t travel to spend time 

@ 

with Dad. If your life is here in Spain 

then you are not guilty of anything 

but living in another country. See to 

it that your father gets the very best 

attention and that he is well cared 

for. You do not mention that he lives 

alone, and if he does check out carers 

and strengthen his network. Stay in 

touch all you can. He will feelyour 

love around him. 

Readers can now send their questions and problems to a newly appointed Agony Uncle. 

He is a Therapist, Counsellor, Psychologist and Life Coach and will be answering the 

best from his mailbox exclusively here in Out and About, every month. Every email gets a 

personal reply from Agony Uncle and with your consent, and subject to space; question 

and reply can be printed in a future edition of Out and About. Names and/or locations will 

be disguised assuring confidentiality. Email to: relojdesol@mail.com 

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When I went to England for 2 weeks 

in July, I was excited to find out 

what the Vegan lifestyle was 

about. My granddaughter, Lobby, has been 

a committed Vegan for over a year, 

and she wanted to introduce 

me to her way of life, and 

share her videos and 

recipes. I hoped to 

learn a lot and come 

back with my Vegan 

article and recipes 

already written for 

August. 

You will gather 

from the tone of 

this introduction, 

that it did not 

happen. Yes, I spent 

time in conversation 

with Lobby, watched 

her videos and shared 

her recipes. So why can’t I 

write an informative article? 

On reflection I realise that I have 

to approach the subject from a different 

angle. It seems that being a Vegan is what 

you want it to be - depending on your views 

about animals. 

Some take the view that the use of animals 

in any way is not for them. They do not eat 

meat or fish and use no animal products. No 

eating dairy, wearing fur, or having leather 

furniture. (That’s the tip of the iceberg) 

I remember catering for a Vegan wedding 

reception 50 years ago and being completely 

thrown by the desserts (no eggs, cream, 

cheese, gelatine, etc.) 

On my first morning in England, cooking a 

“full English” breakfast, I asked Lobby if she 

wanted anything else on her plate with the 

mushrooms, tomatoes and sourdough toast. 

Imagine my surprise when she said “Two 

VEGAN 

(noun or adjective?) 

By ANNE RODGER 

fried eggs please.” 

During the meal she explained that 

it’s OK to use the eggs that happy, free 

roaming chickens drop in the straw. These 

are the only eggs she will use. 

Commercially produced eggs 

involve battery hens, which 

she believes is abuse, and 

she will not condone any 

kind of animal abuse. 

I suppose I should 

have asked why she 

doesn’t drink milk, 

but my confusion 

had already begun. 

The usual reason 

why something 

becomes fashionable 

with young people, 

promoted by the media, 

is that lots of people are 

making lots of money. 

I saw this when we were 

shopping for the ingredients for 

the cheesecake that Lobby was going 

to make as the dessert for the family meal. 

She already had store cupboard ingredients, 

so we had only to buy the extra Vegan 

ingredients - which cost over 10 pounds. It 

also had to be started the day before, as the 

large bag of cashew nuts had to be soaked 

overnight before being pureed. 

The resulting cheesecake was served in 

small slices and was OK. I did not ask for the 

recipe as the time taken and the expense had 

ruled it out for me, even before tasting the 

finished product. 

To summarize, all I can say is that 

“anyone” can be a Vegan if they want to be. 

The extra step from being Vegetarian is of 

your own choosing and and seems to depend 

on your personal beliefs about the use of 

animals.

TRUE HAPPINESS 

by John David Moorhouse 


How can we mere mortals true happiness define? 

Some think it is a gift sublime, 

not hemmed in by place or time. 

Others see it as momentary, a passing mood 

that on life will barely intrude.... which can be said 

of many things! 

I felt true happiness when I learned a bike to ride.... 

but was it actually nothing more than boyhood pride? 

Yes, it was an achievement, a mile-stone in my life, 

but was it something real (not just true) in Brodick 

that summer’s day? 

Sometimes I think ‘true’ gets in the way of 

learning what life’s about. 

It’s not the here and now that matters 

or truly takes us forward - up and up - 

to drink from Life’s bottomless cup and 

discover the joys waiting in our future.... 

If ‘here and now’ matters not 

how should we treat family and friends? 

As mere shadows, to be used, then forgotten? 

Looking back to my great grandfather, Mark Gibson, 

(born 1841 - died 1874) 

absorbing all my father told me, 

Mark was a British Army man. 

Setting out from Manchester, he joined the Army - 

to see the world, to move up in life, his flag unfurled; 

promoted to sergeant, then sergeant major, 

he worked with the wounded and sick; 

and died in Aldershot, just 36. 

Did Mark Gibson find a new realities, 

perhaps happier than before? 

He surely had his ups and downs, 

shifting sands, strange grounds.... 

We humans can create happiness and cultivate 

friends 

here on Earth while we are alive.... we can do more 

than just survive! 

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MEMORY LANE 

JANUARY 2022 | 13 

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Our policies come in English, Spanish and German. 

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Magic Travel 

Moments 

Highlight those (many) travel moments in 

my life when things have ‘sparkled’. 

by John 

David 

Moorhouse 

DAVID MOORHOUSE. 

Those Kentucky Pony-Trotters 

When we saw them come trotting 

into the Ring, riders almost sliding 

off precarious mini-seats at the rear 

of their chariots, we were completely taken by 

surprise! 

They looked so confident, so self-assured, 

almost as if their riders (jockey-like) were not 

needed.... all of us reacted spontaneously, 

clapping our hands enthusiastically and 

cheering them on as they circled the perimeter 

three times, then cut straight across the middle 

of the Ring. They half-kneeled and brazenly 

stared at us (we were about 40 in number).... 

“Well, guys! What d’you think of us? Aren’t 

we magnificent! We’re not big animals but we 

are certainly impressive! You’ve never seen 

anything like us, have you!” 

They were straight out of Kentucky Blue 

Grass Country. In harnesses gently held, 

they turned, pranced and cavorted through a 

number of spell-binding routines, all perfectly 

performed in matchless unison. 

The show ended after some 15 minutes. 

We left the Ring and were treated to 

steaming mugs of strong coffee but the 

Trotters were burned into our memories 

forever!


Land of The Free 

Our minds are not in chains. 

GOD rules and ordains; 

He guides us through trials and pains. 

His love everlasts and sustains. 

Changes there are and always will be; 

turn left, turn right.... fight the good fight. 

Look up, not down; His Creation see. 

Go forward with Eternal Light. 

by David Moorhouse 

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The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas, 

St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and The Red Suit 

So let’s start off this holiday with some history. 

The Victorians did more than anyone to give us 

our “modern” Christmas. For the Christmas was 

a time for children, charity and religion. As the 19th 

century wore on, new traditions were imported 

and invented. Whatever we call him, he 

continues to dominate the popular culture 

of Christmas across the world and is 

showing no sign of slowing up. 

The Father Christmas Stories… 

which one would you like to believe? 

There are several legends about St. 

Nicholas, although we don’t know if 

any of them are correct and accurate! 

In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas 

Nast drew on Moore’s poem to create 

the first likeness that matches our modern 

image of Santa Claus. His cartoon, which 

appeared in Harper’s Weekly, depicted Santa as 

a large, elderly, cheerful man with a full, white beard, 

he is dressed in a red suit trimmed with white fur, with 

a wide black belt, a matching hat, long and floppy in 

nature, dark boots, carrying a large brown sack on his 

back, filled with toys for lucky children. Images of him 

have a beard but with no moustache. Urban myth has 

it that the red suit only appeared after the Coca Cola 

company started an advertising campaign depicting a 

red suited Father Christmas in the 1930s. However, the 

red suit was used long before, by American illustrator 

Thomas Nast. 

Prior to Nast’s work, Santa’s outfit was tan in 

colour, and it was he that changed it to red, although 

he also drew Santa in a green suit. This change is often 

mistakenly attributed to the work of Haddon Sundblom, 

who drew images of Santa in advertising for the Coca- 

Cola Company. 

Father Christmas is the traditional British name for a 

figure associated with Christmas. The term is also used 

in many English-speaking countries outside Britain. 

A similar figure with the same name exists in several 

other countries, from Père Noël/Papa Noel/Padre Noel, 

Spain, all Hispanic South America, Brazil, Papai Noel, 

Portugal, Pai Natal, Italy Babbo Natale. 

In England the earliest known personification of 

Christmas does not describe him as old, nor refer to him 

as ‘father’. A carol in 1435, a song dialogue between a 

choir and a figure representing Christmas, variously 

addressed as “Nowell”, “Sir Christemas” and “my lord 

Christemas”. He does not distribute presents to children 

but is associated with adult celebrations. Giving news of 

Christ’s birth, Christmas encourages everyone to eat and 

drink. 

Ben Jonson, December 1616, his ‘Christmas’ character 

therefore appears in outdated fashions, long Stockings, 

a close Doublet, a high crowned Hat with a Broach, a 

long thin beard, a Truncheon, little Ruffles, white shoes, 

his Scarf and Garters tied. Later in 1638, “Christmas” 

appears as “an old reverend gentleman in furred 

gown and cap”. 

In 1686 he is described as an elderly 

gentleman of cheerful appearance, with 

cherry cheeks and white locks. His 

character is associated with feasting, 

hospitality and generosity to the 

poor rather than the giving of gifts. 

It is believed that Father 

Christmas comes down the chimney 

to put presents under the Christmas 

tree or in children’s rooms, in their 

stockings. Some families leave a glass 

of sherry or mulled wine, mince pies, 

biscuits, or chocolate and a carrot for his 

reindeer near the stocking(s) as a present for 

him. In modern homes without chimneys he uses 

alternative means to enter the home, such as a magical 

key that unlocks all doors. In some homes children write 

Christmas lists (wishing for presents) and send them up 

the chimney or post them. 

He is often said that he lives at the North Pole but is 

also said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in 

Lapland Province, Finland. 

Another story told. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who 

lived in the fourth century AD in a place called Myra in 

Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man 

because his parents died when he was young and left 

him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had 

a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts 

to people who needed it. 

The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how 

the custom of hanging up stockings to get presents this 

is how it first started! 

There was a poor man who had three daughters and 

he did not have enough money for a dowry, (a sum of 

money paid to the bridegroom by the bride’s parents on 

the wedding day), so his daughters couldn’t get married. 

One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold 

down the chimney and into the house (this meant that 

the oldest daughter was then able to be married). The 

bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to 

dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter. 

Finally, determined to discover the person who had 

given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire 

every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag 

of gold. Nicholas begged the man not to tell anyone what 

he had done, because he did not want to bring attention 

to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone 

received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was 

from Nicholas.


Because of his kindness Nicholas was made a Saint. St. 

Nicholas is not only the saint of children but also of sailors 

as sailors were caught in a dreadful storm off the coast of 

Turkey. The storm was raging and the men were terrified 

that their ship would sink. They prayed to St. Nicholas to 

help. Suddenly, he was standing on the deck. He ordered 

the sea to be calm, the storm died away, and they were 

able to sail safely to port. 

St. Nicholas was exiled from Myra and later put in 

prison during the persecution by the Emperor Diocletian. 

No one really knows when he died, but it was on 6th 

December in either 345 or 352 AD. In 1087, his bones were 

stolen from Turkey by some Italian merchant sailors. The 

bones are now in the Church named after him in the Italian 

port of Bari. On St. Nicholas feast day (6th December), the 

Bari sailors carry his statue from the Cathedral out to sea, 

to give them safe voyages throughout the year. 

Many countries celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on 

6th December. In Holland and some other European 

Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled 

with presents. 

In 1823 the famous poem, ‘T’was the Night before 

Christmas’ describes eight reindeers and gives them 

their names. They became really well known in the song 

‘Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer’, written in 1949. 

Father Christmas, his elves and reindeers, do they live at 

the North Pole or reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi 

in Lapland Province, Finland leave you to choose? 

In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and traditions 

about St. Nicholas had become very unpopular. But 

someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, 

so in the UK, he became ‘Father Christmas’, a character 

from old children’s stories; in France, he was then known 

as ‘Père Nöel’; in Germany, the ‘Christ Kind’. In the early 

USA his name was ‘Kris Kringle’. Later, Dutch settlers in 

the USA took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and 

Kris Kringle became ‘Sinterklaas’ or as we now say ‘Santa 

Claus’! 

Many countries, celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on 

6th December. In Holland and some other European 

Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled 

with presents. They also believe that if they leave some 

hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas’s horse, they 

will be left some sweets. 

In 1823 the famous poem ‘T’was the Night before 

Christmas’, was published. The eight reindeers became 

really well known in the song ‘Rudolph the Red nosed 

Reindeer’, written in 1949. 

Tinsel and The Legend of the Christmas Spider Tinsel 

was first created in Nuremberg, Germany in the 1878 

when thin strips of silver foil were sold as ‘Icicles’. In 

1880 ‘angel hair, made from spun glass was sold. The first 

‘tinsel’ garlands were sold in the 1890s from silver plated 

copper wire. But when plastic/man made… 

Christmas is a season of enjoying the simple things that 

make life beautiful. Happy Christmas to you!! May your 

world be filled with good health, warmth and good cheer 

now and throughout the year. 

All proceeds are for the needy animals of Calpe 

A difficult year for all of us but we still need to raise money for Calpe’s lost or abandoned 

dogs and cats. 

Our shop is an Aladdin’s cave of clothing, books, DVDs, bric-a-brac and household goods 

so come along and snap up a bargain. The shop is situated in the lower ground floor of 

Edificio Perlamar on the Gabriel Miro, Calpe and is open from 10am until 1pm 

Mondays to Fridays. 

The president, Elinor Gonzalez lives in Las Bassetes where she cares for 

Calpe’s abandoned and sick animals, bringing them back to health and 

finding new caring owners for them. Her telephone number is 

620 106 733 

and she also has a stall on the Wednesday and 

Saturday market in Calpe if you wish to offer help 

or Dog walk, or adopt one of the lovely dogs 

Elinor would be so pleased to hear from you.


Esmeralda Jewellers is an established family business with a fantastic array of 

beautiful jewellery so adorable you would stand and gaze at the beauty and 

craftsmanship of their products. 

They are very professional, reliable people and also very helpful so your very 

precious watch or piece of jewellery in need of repair or cleaning is safe in their 

hands. Thus when looking for that special gift, you need to visit Esmeralda 

jewellers. It is a family run business so you are made very welcome and the 

staff will help you choose jewellery, watches, porcelain Lladro status, Swarovski 

Silver crystal, clocks and much more. It is well worth a visit. The shop has been 

newly refurbished. 

The display is so lovely you would “Fall In Love” with the Jewellery. 

CONTACTO 

Av. Gabriel Miró, 29a, 03710 Calpe, Alicante Teléfono: 965 83 06 33

Carretera Moraira-Calpe 

coast road No 144, (in front 

of Euro Gym), Moraira 

Tel: 96 649 2436 

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK. 

(CLOSED ALL DAY ON MONDAYS) 

12.00 – 15.30/18.00 – late. 

For reservations call on 

966 492 436. 

DECEMBER JULY 2022 | 21 

OPEN OVER 

CHRISTMAS 

Monday closed. 

Tuesday - Sunday 

13.00-16.00 - 

18.00-23.00. 

Welcome to ‘The Kathmandu’ restaurant in Moraira where the food is prepared in the Nepalese 

style giving you fragrant and tasty dishes from India. 

Kathmandu Restaurant is a very popular Nepali-Indian Restaurant in Moraira. 

The restaurant serves quality Indian and Nepali dishes at reasonable prices or to Take Away. 

NOW OFFERING FREE HOME DELIVERY. 

There are special discounts for celebrations and parties. 

The Kathmandu has free parking directly outside the restaurant. 

The menu at The Kathmandu includes a wide selection of Indian and Nepalese dishes to choose from. 

Nepalese cuisine, is known for the flavours and textures of their curries. For those of you who enjoy 

a hotter curry, then just ask the Chef and he will certainly be able to accommodate. 

There is also a very well stocked bar to suit all tastes. Inside the restaurant is spacious and attractive 

in design. Outside has a stylish, also spacious semi covered lovely terraced area. 

Great Indian food, owner and members of the staff are really friendly and you will find it a pleasure 

eating there! There are other Kathmandu restaurants in Javea, Denia, Albir, Moraira and Valencia.

BIG BEN IS A SUPERSTAR 

Big Ben isn’t actually the official name of the famous 

landmark. That’s right – this famous London landmark 

isn’t officially named Big Ben. For hundreds of years, 

it used to be called, simply, the Clock Tower. But in 2012, the 

landmark was renamed the Elizabeth Tower to commemorate 

the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. So what people actually refer 

to when they say “Big Ben” is the bell inside the tower. Oddly 

enough, the bell’s real name isn’t “Big Ben” either; it’s called 

the Great Bell. So where did “Big Ben” come from? Well, it is 

a nickname given to the bell and it came from Sir Benjamin 

Hall’s name. He was the first commissioner of Public Works in 

London who was in charge of the construction of the Houses of 

Parliament, the building to which the tower is attached to. His 

name is inscribed upon the bell when it was casted in 1858, thus 

the nickname Big Ben. 

Big Ben is big. 

The bell weighs 13.7 tons, which is about twice the weight of a 

T-Rex! Its diameter is at 8.9 feet, while the hammer inside the 

bell weighs 441 pounds. Meanwhile, there are four clocks on 

the tower, one on each side of it. Each clock has a diameter of 23 

feet. The hour hand is 9.2 feet long while the minute hand is 14 

feet long. The tower required more than 3,000 cubic feet of stone 

and almost 92,000 cubic feet of bricks to construct. The face of 

each clock is made of 312 sections of opal glass and requires 

cleaning every 5 years. 

Big Ben wasn’t designed by a clockmaker. 

Edward Dent, a clockmaker, created the initial design of the 

clockwork. But Edmund Beckett Denison changed Dent’s 

design so much that he became known as the chief designer. 

As you already know, he wasn’t a clockmaker. He was a lawyer 

who, interestingly, did not patent his design, so any clockmaker 

is free to use it. 

Big Ben has pennies on the pendulum. Each clock has a 

pendulum that swings back and forth to control the movement 

of the hands. If the clocks happen to run fast, an English penny 

is added to the pendulums. On the other hand, if the clocks 

happen to run slow, an English penny is taken away from the 

pendulum. This practice is where the British idiom “putting a 

penny on” came from. 

Big Ben chimed for the first time 160 years ago. 

On July 11, 1859, Big Ben chimed for the first time. However, 

just two months later, the bell cracked and the clock tower 

was silent for four years afterwards while the bell was 

being repaired. Although that wasn’t the longest time 

that the clock tower did not chime; in 1976, the bell was 

repaired for nine long months. 

Big Ben is a superstar. 

One of the most interesting facts about Big Ben 

is how often it is featured in films. You can see the 

famous London landmark in seventeen Disney 

films including Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, The 

Parent Trap, A Christmas Carol, and most recently 

Mary Poppins Returns. The earliest movie to have 

recorded the clock tower was Stage Fright in 1950. 

It also appeared in The Day the Earth Stood Still 

(1951), 28 Days Later (2003), V for Vendetta (2006), 

Like Crazy (2011), Spectre (2015), and London Has 

Fallen (2016). Aside from numerous appearances in 

films, Big Ben is also very popular among tourists and 

in fact one of the most popular tourist attraction in the 

United Kingdom. 

Big Ben has seen quite a bit of history. 

Big Ben has stood tall through the reigns of six 

monarchs: Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King 

George V, King Edward VIII, King George VI, and 

Queen Elizabeth II. As a tribute to the first monarch that it has 

lived through, all of the clock’s faces are inscribed with “Oh 

Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First” in Latin. Aside 

from monarchs, here are other historical facts about Big Ben: 

• The bells toll at the 11th hour of November 11 (Remembrance 

Day) each year to commemorate the end of the First World War, 

thanks to the Armistice that took effect in 1918. 

• During World War II, the Clock Tower dials remained unlit 

due to wartime blackout rules in the City of London. 

• In 1941, a bomb from a German aircraft hit the top of the 

tower, resulting in exterior damages. 

Big Ben is lit. 

Big Ben is lit both in the literal sense and the millennial meaning 

of the word. In the literal sense, the faces of the clocks are lit 

by 28 85-watt bulbs that are so energy efficient, they can last 

up to 60,000 hours – that translates to 2,500 days or almost 7 

years! The lights also tell us something about the UK Houses 

of Parliament. When it is in session, the Ayrton Light on top of 

the tower is lit up. 

Big Ben is currently under construction. 

The Clock Tower closed for tours in 2016 due to renovations. 

One of the things they were working on is the installation of 

a lift made tours a lot more accessible. A toilet was installed 

inside the tower. Tours of Big Ben are resumed in 2020. You 

can catch a glimpse of the exterior via one of the London Tours. 

Big Ben Cool Facts 

Here are some other cool facts about Big Ben. 

• A flock of birds rested on the minute hand in 1944. They were 

heavy enough that they caused the clock to run slow. 

• Big Ben chimed late on New Year’s Eve in 1962 because of 

snow and ice that weighed down the hands. 

• The Clock Tower leans in an angle of about 0.04 degrees. The 

inclination is so minute that you won’t notice it unless you pay 

close attention. 

Once tests of the quarter bells have been completed 

Parliament will be able to announce a specific date for when 

the bells will be heard permanently. Parliament’s overriding 

priority is the completion of the project to schedule, on time 

and to the highest quality. It remains on track to do so. 

Earlier this year, the Great Clock’s Victorian mechanism was 

successfully re-installed and has been functioning correctly 

for several months. The final stage in the Great Clock’s 

restoration will be the return of Big Ben’s ‘bongs’ - ringing 

out across London accompanied by the Tower’s quarter 

bells, which chime the famous ‘Westminster Melody’. 

Once testing has been completed on the Great Clock 

and the bells have been brought back into regular use, 

the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower will be complete. 

Over the Summer, power and data infrastructure 

would have been connected and fire safety systems 

installed - including the complex sprinkler system 

and fireproofing that will help safeguard this historic 

building. 

Soon after, the lighting systems in the Tower will 

also be completed, with the clock dials’ new energyefficient 

LED illumination in operation. The new 

lighting system behind the dials will have the ability to 

change colour when required. 

Parliament will then resume ownership of the 

building and begin to prepare it for future use. The 

installation and testing of new exhibition spaces, 

workshops and tour routes is expected to be completed 

in the Winter. Parliament expects to welcome its first 

visitors back inside the Elizabeth Tower soon after, in 

Spring 2023. More information on the visitor offer will 

be provided in the coming months. 

Big Ben is coming back.


KOSTA! 

R E S T A U R A N T 

C/Mulhacen 10 

On the Coast Road | Between Moraira and Calpe, 95 

03724 Moraira, 

Tel. 865 77 83 00 Mob. 608 733 584 

Every day 12:30 - 22:00 

Simply The Best – What More Could You Ask for! 

AT KOSTA everything is outstanding - beginning with the welcome from the 

owner Christian, who makes everyone feel welcome like a special and valued 

guest in his home along with the very attentive multi-lingual staff and 

great service. 

Enjoy a wonderful lunch time or evening meal with friends 

or celebrate a family birthday. 

Food is excellent quality and presented beautifully. 

This is a restaurant that you simply cannot fault for food quality, service and 

value for money 

What more can you ask it’s perfect

24 

Christmas 

| OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA 

Joyeux Noël Happy Christmas 

greetings 

Gelukkig Kerstfeest 

Fröhliche Weinachten 

Feliz Navidad 

With Christmas and 2022 just around 

the corner, we felt it might be a good 

time to reflect on the past year and look 

forward to the coming year. 

Looking back on 2021 

It’s impossible to talk about 2021 

without mentioning Covid. But in the 

final 3 months of the year, we really feel 

life is getting back to normal. 

All our staff are now back working and 

as mentioned last month, we have even 

taken on new staff. More about that in 

January. 

During the year, we have worked on 

the business, looked at how we do our 

marketing and we feel we are even more 

better positioned to do what we do best, Thank You to.. 

selling and renting property. 

Wish all their clients and 

In August we completed our own move 

to new offices in Jalon and began 

searching friends for new offices in a Javea really and enjoyable 

Denia 

Looking Foward to 2022 

Christmas and New Year with 

The main thing will be expanding the 

business and opening new offices. We 

name the public’s mind. 

hope good to have new health offices in both Denia and happiness. 

and Javea, and maybe even further 

afield. We’ll continue to invest in our 

staff and our marketing. We’ve actually 

got buyers waiting for the right property 

so if you’re thinking of selling, you really 

should consider contacting us. 

We couldn’t have got through the last 

2 years without the loyalty and support 

from several quarters. Our staff have 

been amazing and have shown that 

going the extra mile helps everyone. 

Our marketing partners have been really 

supportive in ensuring we’ve kept our 

And of course, our buyers and sellers, 

without whom we wouldn’t have a 

business. To everyone that has listed, 

bought or sold, the heartiest of thanks 

you’s and to everyone a very happy 

Christmas and prosperous 2022. 

Cheers! 

Contact us (all areas): 

+34 96 649 1883 

moraira@moraira-hamiltons.net 

www.moraira-hamiltons.net 

would like to wish all 

their customers a 

Happy Christmas and a 

prosperous New Year. 

Phil and Julie wish their 

clients a really 

Happy & Healthy 

Christmas and 2023. 

Isabel and team at Opticas 

Audífonos Signes Calpe 

wish you all a very Merry 

Christmas and a Happy and 

Healthy New Year 2023. 

British Medical 

and Dental Centre 

Every good wish for 

Christmas and 2023 from the 

Family Medical Centre Team. 

“We’re here to care for you”. 

Tel. 966 865 072 

www.albirmedicalcentre.com 

Calle Mostoles 33, Moraira 

Gary, Ellie, Jen, Darren 

and all the team 

Would like to take this opportunity 

to wish our clients and staff a very 

Merry Christmas and a Healthy 

Happy New Year, 2023. 

with International Food Calle 

Mulhacén, 7, send their best 

wishes to customers and staff for 

Christmas and New Year. 

Kirsty, Gary, Laura and 

Cate, would like to wish their 

customers and staff a very 

merry Christmas and a 

Happy New Year. 

LIBRERÍA 

EUROPA 

BOOKSHOP 

Gill from Libreria Europa, Calpe. 

May your Christmas sparkle with 

moments of laughter and goodwill 

and may the New Year ahead be 

filled with contentment and joy. 

To all our customers and 

readers wishing you all a 

wonderful Christmas and a 

Prosperous New Year. 

Email: mark@fosterconsulting.es | Tel: 96 583 83 84 | Av. Gabriel Miró 18, Entlo. 2 - 03710-CALPE 

...a smooth experience 

Holiday greetings to all our 


staff and customers 


for Christmas and 

the New Year. 

JÁVEA · ALTEA 

Would like to yorkshirelinecostablanca.com 

wish all their clients and friends a 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 

very healthy and happy Christmas and New Year. 

The beautiful coastal village Moraira, located on the Costa Blanca


Lucy, Gemma and all at the Bed Centre would like 

to take this opportunity to wish clients and friends 

a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. 

Bar 

El Martillo 

Carretera Teulada 

Moraira 52 • Moraira 

would like to wish all 

their clients and friends 

a very happy Christmas 

and New Year. 

wishes everyone very happy 

Christmas and New Year. 

OUT & ABOUT 

COSTA BLANCA MAGAZINE 

Carol and her team would like to take this 

opportunity to wish a Happy Christmas 

and New Year to everyone involved 

with the magazine from our Graphic 

department, our fantastic journalists, 

representatives, readers and advertisers 

plus the outlets that help with the 

distribution. Good health and happiness 

for 2023 New Year. A big thank you for 

your support.


Everything You Need 

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF


We pride ourselves on having an exceptional 

choice of bed linen to choose from for 

comfort and ambience. Along with pillows, 

cushions, rugs, bath towels, toppers, 

mattresses, mattress protectors, throws, 

bedspreads, UK and black-out curtains (plus 

an in-house seamstress service), we have it 

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. 

Our friendly and knowledgable staff are 

always there to help you in any way they can. 

Come and get inspired!! 

Centro Comercial Montgó 

Cap de la Nao Plá 68 

Jávea 

Tel: 966 462 275 

Partida Planet 177 

Altea 

Tel: 965 841 399 

yorkshirelinencostablanca.com 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 

and you could WIN a 40€ voucher.


Walsh’s Wisdom 

WHY DO WE MAKE LIFE 

DIFFICULT 

I 

recall the time when the U.S. space 

agency NASA once spent millions 

developing a pen that would write in 

a non-gravity environment. The Russians 

replied; ‘we use a pencil.’ A friend once 

boasted that if you pressed a little button on 

his new battery-powered watch the hands 

lit up. I asked him if he had never heard of a 

luminous watch. 

Why do we make our lives so complicated 

and for what purpose? Information fatigue: 

a single edition of the New York Times 

contains as much information as would be 

learnt in an average man’s lifetime a couple 

of hundred years ago. Adding to my store of 

useless knowledge, there is more hi-tech in 

my mobile phone than there was in the first 

spacecraft. 

In some ways, it can be argued that we 

all benefit from the remarkable advances 

that have taken place over the last decades. 

The next frontier to be broken down is 

surely the simplification of gadgets. Many 

of today’s aids to modern living are beyond 

comprehension. 

This a pressing problem for we are 

becoming programmed to look for difficult


rather than simple solutions. Why is there 

a reluctance to explain gadgets in a 

comprehensible way? I can well 

imagine someone replying 

to NASA’s scientists that 

the pencil solution is too 

simplistic. 

Having failed to master 

all but the basics in 

many household 

gadgets I once 

conceded that I had 

technophobia. I kept the 

grim finding to myself. 

That was until a 

national newspaper 

tasked their readers with 

their ability to use gadgetry 

common to modern 

households. It was discovered 

that over 80 per cent of us cannot 

quite get the hang of programming 

devices or putting things together. 

I downloaded and print the instruction 

manual for my very modest digital 

camera. The instruction book is the size 

of a telephone directory and largely 

incomprehensible. 

There is something about the human 

condition that strives for change whether 

it is necessary or not. They boast of multimillion-euro 

fighter jets and state-of-the-art 

early detection systems. Recently a couple of 

Swedish self-publicists flew a light aircraft 

unimpeded in and out of Belarus territory. At 

the height of the Cold War, a German student 

flew a single-seat Cessna across the USSR 

and landed it in Red Square. 

Thanks to my PC I can listen to local radio 

stations or read the local press anywhere 

in the world. I like just two and I have no 

need for the other several million. Two 

newspapers used to be enough; one national, 

one local. 

As Albert Einstein surmised: ‘It has 

become appallingly obvious that our 

technology has exceeded our humanity.’ 

If you have a book or indeed any writing needs contact Michael by emailing him at keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com 

Michael Walsh Heart to Heart Poetry, Amazon Books. 

Email: keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com 

AMAZON ‘TOP 100 

BOOKS OF THE YEAR’ 

Website: www.mikewalshwritingservices.wordpress.com

30 | OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA WALSH’S WISDOM 

10% 

Discount 

on Takeaways 

Menu of the Day 

15.95€ 

Special Nepalise 

Thali dish 

• There are set menus. 

• Group menus, 

• Special Occasion menus 

Ctra. Moraira-Caloe , 

11 Edif. Estrella, 

local 3, 03724, Moraira. 

TELEPHONE 

965 74 54 59 

PETE FROST 

will be performing all your 

favorite songs on on Christmas 

Eve from 7.30 pm until late. 

www.himalayatandoorimoraira.es

WALSH’S WISDOM 

DECEMBER 2022 | 31


Whining on 

with Steve 

As we approach New Year 

and prepare to welcome 

2023! I thought it the ideal 

time to take a look at Sparking 

Wine, Champagne, Cava and 

Prosecco. 

Champagne is naturally the 

international go to for celebrations 

but for Spain Cava is easier and 

more affordable option. 

The production process for both 

is the same and both tend to use 

a three- grape blend. Champagne 

uses two reds grapes Pinot Meunier 

and Pinot Noir and one white, 

Chardonnay. Cava commonly 

uses two white and one red, 

Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo. 

These grapes are then blended 

according to the wine makers choice 

before being added to a bottle/ 

tank and mixed with “liqueur de 

triage” a mix of sugar and yeast. 

During fermentation a pressurised 

atmosphere creates carbon dioxide 

gas which is trapped in the bottle by 

a cap. The wine remains in the bottle 

for at least 9 months as the yeast 

eats the sugar so producing more 

gas and alcohol, the carbon dioxide 

creates the bubble inside the wine, 

the bottles are stored upside down so 

that the dead yeast can be removed 

via freezing the neck and disgorging 

at the final stage to remove the 

stopper and waste. 

The longer the fermentation 

process the greater the number of 

bubbles and the dryer the wine will 

become. 

The process for Prosecco is 

basically the same but with less 

aging and so generally less bubbles 

and consequently producing more 

sugar making it sweeter. 

Champagne can only be named 

such if it originates from the 

Champagne region. Cava may 

come from any of 159 municipalities 

throughout Spain but principally 

it is more widely produced in 

Cataluna. 

The main difference between 

Cava, Champagne and Prosecco, 

like all wines is the terroir, the 

land makes the grape and the 

grape makes the flavour, personal 

preference will always be the key 

deciding factor as some good Cava’s 

and Prosecco’s can rival Champagne 

in both taste and sparkle but not yet 

cache. 

So, which to buy for your New 

year celebration? Clearly this is about 

budget and taste, good Champagne 

is expensive, usually quite smooth 

and dry with plentiful bubbles. Krug, 

Dom Perignon are obvious options 

for those happy to be well north 

of 100 euro, Ruinart is a very nice 

option closer to 50. These are good 

options for a real celebratory pop but 

30 euro will get a really nice Cava 

such as Bertha Siglo XXI a good high 

quality wine. 

If you’re just looking for a good 

drinking bottle of fizz to end the 

evening, then a reliable Freixnet Ice 

always hits the spot, or a Freixnet 

Prosecco for those with a sweeter 

tooth, both around a more affordable 

10 euro. 

Whichever way you go, be sure to 

have a good and happy New Year. 

Un Salud. 

Until next time, Salud!


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34 | OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA A MEDIUM RARE 

I 

really cannot believe that I am writing 

my Christmas Message right now. 

After two years of confinement and 

restrictions this year has flown by. 

It’s been a year that passed so very 

quickly. I never know what really causes 

this. I used to think it was because I am 

in senior years, but that’s not necessarily 

true since young people feel the same fast 

frequency of the passing of time right now. 

In many ways Time has become an illusion, 

and the days seem to fly on by, without a 

doubt. Is it because we live in a high tech 

World? Maybe life in Spain is the reason? 

Endless days of sun and blue skies? 

Whichever, I am always looking back at 

things and treasuring memories, hopefully 

I can be a part of whatever comes next, and 

be of some use to the process that we call 

our sharing of lives to build a better future. 

Sadly it doesn’t always work out! 

This year Christmas is in reality so close, 

and normally I have prepared for it. I am 

inclined to buy little gifts throughout the 

year, whenever I can, but right now I have 

yet to put both heart and soul into the 

Festive Season. My cupboards are not yet 

full. 

I don’t think that the state of the World 

actively promotes peace and goodwill 

anymore. Thus Christmas becomes the 

antidote to bring some focus to the drawing 

in of another year. Wars that seem pointless 

and maniacal and general suffering do 

nothing to make us feel that Christmas Day 

is special when it’s actually just another 

date in the calendar. This year we won’t 

have the traditional Queen’s speech, 

something so traditional that it has always 

punctuated a home Christmas since I was 

knee high to a grasshopper. Social conflicts 

see pensioners crowding into Shopping 

Malls to keep warm; presumably having to 

think twice before they eat or heat because 

both together are deemed a luxury. Human 

lives are in jeopardy as the desperate 

seek solace in the UK, and that involves a 

treacherous journey across the Channel in 

flimsy, unsafe vessels, and possibly death 

by drowning. 

Money is too tight to mention. Inflation 

has galloped out of control so that we don’t 

get the bang for our buck anymore. 

Fortunately the Christmas Season brings 

a lot of kindness. For those who give time, 

food and money to the many Food Banks, 

bless you. I am always on the look out 

to gift a Random Act of Kindness. This 

is paying for groceries to a stranger who 

doesn’t have enough cash and is frantically 

scraping coins up to pay at the check out, 

or looking to see what items they could 

do without. It’s buying a Secret Santa 

gift and delivering it. Buying a homeless 

person a gift needn’t cost the Earth, and 

your kindness will help them. Yes, it is the 

thought that counts! 

My local church has set up a space where 

clean warm clothes can be left. Foods can 

be donated for delivered weekly boxes, and 

any specific needs are clearly advertised. 

Pasta, tinned tomatoes and rice are always 

on that list, and every tin or packet counts. 

Sometimes it is the difference between 

a meal or hunger. Some residents in my 

village no longer have an electricity supply. 

Others have electricity and are scared to 

turn it on because of inflated bills they can’t 

pay. What kind of a World is this? 

My sincere wish is that everyone enjoys 

the Christmas Season. Personally I feel it is 

a time to celebrate the year no matter what 

it has brought you. I still do love to decorate 

the house and hear the Carols sung. I am 

happy with a Turkey sandwich and some 

cranberry sauce and maybe the odd mince 

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pie, or two. I like the messages people send 

and the fact that they communicate with 

each other so we can join up the World 

with an intention to celebrate. I love to 

watch people opening their gifts and to see 

their reactions rather than to open any gifts 

that I get. I love the bustle of the Christmas 

Shopping and the lights in the streets. Dark 

nights come alive with a touch of sparkle 

and I can dream happily and remember 

Christmases if the past. I love to have a 

log fire and sit and watch the flames as the 

house heats up and the fact that I can lose 

myself in the glow. Small things mean a lot. 

My Mother died on Christmas Day and I 

know each year that I celebrate she would 

heartily approve. It was her who stayed 

up late on Christmas Eve to decorate 

the house single handedly when I was 

small. I also know that she would hate 

for me to mourn or be distressed, since 

she loved the Festive Season and all that 

came with it! Every Christmas I celebrate 

the eighteen years I had Christmas with 

my Mother; and I have had fifty years 

celebrating without her. I wonder what she 

would have thought had she lived to see 

the breakdown of our Planet right now. 

The destruction of needless War in the 

Ukraine and the unrest brought about by 

pure greed and stealth in general. The fear 

of a lack of fuel and spiralling prices do 

nothing to comfort those vulnerable people 

calling out for help in a World that may be 

seen as non caring. Show that you do care, 

whatever you do, make this Christmas 

count for you and all you love, as well as 

those who may well need your generosity 

and kindness just to carry on. Everything 

you can spare is a gift that someone, 

somewhere will treasure. 

Happy Holidays to you all, Bless you! 

Love & Light, - Kenny Corris 

New stock 

arriving 

weekly 

Fashion 

clothing & 

accessories 

Everything 

at Budget 

prices 

from 

10€ to 

30€ 

Carrer San Joan de Garay, Carrer La Santamaría corner 

Come and enhance 

your fashion life!! 

EVERYTHING AT 

AFFORDABLES PRICES 

No matter what the occasion, 

we have the outfit for you! 

FOR HER - from dresses & blouses to 

jewellery and handbags


OPENING HOURS 

Mon 3 – 9 

Tues 3 – 9 

Weds 3 – 11 

Thurs CLOSED 

Fri 3 – 10 

Sat 2 – 10 

Sun 10 – 8 

Father Ted’s 

Camino del Pallero, 6, Moraira 

Father Ted’s can be described as a “Jewel in a Crown” 

as it sparkles with personality and is a “gem” of a bar to 

visit with a warm welcome. 

In the Moraira area where there are plenty of fizzy beers, it’s a joy to 

get a decent pint of Guinness, properly served. The owner and staff are 

professional and friendly and the food is very good. It has a relaxed and 

civilized feel about it, everything a bar should be. Another big asset is 

the wide selection of “GUEST CRAFT ALES” available including “ADNAMS 

BROADSIDE” and “NEIPA” on draught. 

GUEST BEERS CHANGED REGULARLY. 

What a find! Great food and service and good value for money. Treat 

yourself to a traditional Sunday Lunch with a choice of starters, main 

courses of Roast Beef, Roast Chicken, Roast Lamb, or Roast Pork served 

with all the trimmings, starting from 10.95€. Spaces are limited though 

so give Gwen a ring on 966 490 277 or 630 965 392 to book. 

Lunch will be served from 1.30. 

Staff very friendly and attentive. Home-made Specials from €6.95. 

Inside seating 52 people and on the terrace 20. 

Plenty of outside parking space. 

Check us out on Facebook for Up and Coming Events. 

XMAS 

OPENING 

HOURS 

Sun 18th 

XMAS TURKEY ROAST 

Mon 19th Normal hours 

Tues 20th Normal hours 

Wed 21st Xmas Quiz 

Thurs 22nd Private Party 

Fri 23rd Normal hours 

Sat 24th Xmas Eve Open 2.00 

Sun 25th Xmas Day 

12-4.00 drinks only 

4 onwards Xmas dinner 

Reservations only 

Monday 26th Boxing Day 

Boxing Day Buffet 4.00 

Tues 27th CLOSED 

Wed 28th 

FUN QUIZ normal hours 

Thurs 29th CLOSED 

Friday 30th Normal hours 

Sat 31st NEW YEAR 

BUFFET & MUSIC 

Sun 1st CLosed 

EVERY WEDNESDAY FUN QUIZ NIGHT 

Mon 2nd CLOSED 

€5.00 MEAL DEAL 7-7.30, QUIZ 8-8.30 

EVERY SUNDAY TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH 

3 COURSES €12.95 

Please check our Facebook page for revised times, capacity and entertainment, as these 

may change due to the easing of restrictions 

SELECTION OF CRAFT ALES 

Including Punk IPA and 

Bombardier on draught. 

New beer arriving on draught. 

TV - WATCH IT INSIDE & OUT 

All your favourite sports! 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT 

Quiz Night & The Open Box 

FRIDAY NIGHT 

Homemade fish & chips 

plus a selection of 

homemade pies for 7.95€ 

SATURDAY NIGHT 

Meal deals from 5.00€ 

SUNDAY LUNCH 

Available from 11.95€


Father Ted’s 

Camino del Pallero, 6, Moraira 

A Gem of a Place 

One Course 11.95€ 

Two Courses 13.95€ 

Three Courses 15.95€ 

NORMAL OPENING HOURS 

Mon 3 - 9 , Tues 3 – 9, Weds 3- 11, Thurs Closed, 

Fri 3 – 10, Sat 2 – 10, Sun 10 – 8 

Opening hours may vary and entertainment due to ongoing restrictions. 

Check our Facebook page or phone the bar on 966 490 277/630 965 392 

Booking advised: 966 490 277 / 630 965 392 

Camino Del Pallero 6, Moraira


DAWN BLYTHE 

STRESS FREE FAMILY 

CHRISTMAS, IT´S ALL IN 

THE PLANNING!!! 

Christmas is a time where 

families and friends get 

together. Unfortunately 

families all under one roof for a 

long period of time can be stressful. 

Cooking, entertaining and trying to 

please all members of the family can 

be difficult to achieve. 

Firstly resolve any grievances in 

the past year with family members or 

friends that are going to be around. 

This will stop old grudges and 

arguments from being ignited. 

Give people jobs to do on the 

day, people like to feel useful. By 

delegating the pressure of doing it all 

is relieved and the feeling of being 

taken advantage of will subside. The 

more active people are, the less likely 

they are to be confrontational or 

grumpy. Do not be a martyr - allow 

people to help!! 

• Discuss beforehand what your 

visitors would like to eat and watch 

on television, and what the children 

would like to do

DAWN BLYTHE 


• Try and have some kind of timetable 

otherwise people will just sit for 

hours watching television. 

• Avoid spending too much time with 

individuals that you do not always 

get along with. 

• If people or children are getting 

restless or overexcited, go for a long 

walk. A change of scene and fresh air 

will make everyone feel better. 

• Try not to drink too much alcohol!!! 

Ha! 

• If you are going to a family members 

for Christmas set boundaries 

beforehand like the time to arrive and 

when you have to leave 

• Avoid certain triggers like 

conversation topics such as religion, 

politics 

Think positive, every family has some 

conflict. It is normal and every family 

has it. You will survive it just pre plan 

before, try and get a good night’s sleep 

the night before. At some point during 

the day sit back and enjoy it!!! 

And for those who STILL haven´t 

finished their Christmas shopping 

for that special person or loved one, 

remember Christmas gift vouchers are 

still available at The Family Medical 

Centre, Albir. 

· Article by Dr jose Antonio Canovas Ivorra 

· The Family Medical Centre, Albir. 966 865 072 

· www.albirfamilymedicalcentre.com


PETE FROST 

singing all your 

favourite songs. 

Christmas Eve singing 

at 7.30 pm until late 

at HIMALAYA 

RESTAURANT, 

Moraira 

Entertainment 

Sports 

Movies 

Video Club 

Box Sets 

Catch-up TV 

Tel: 965 584 097 

Mobile: 660 186 505 

For all your Satellite or 

Internet TV viewing 

Set Top Boxes 

Dish installations 

Dish re-alignments 

info@ccsattv.com 

www.ccsattv.com

DECEMBER 2022 | 41

42 | OUT AND ABOUT COSTA BLANCA PAWS FOR THOUGHT 

Hi Folks 

I 

have decided to retire and hand over my 

story to my step brothers, Bentley and Alfie. I 

feel I am getting too old to put paw to paper. 

However, knowing how the little one Bentley 

can take over, I have decided to become a Ghost 

Writer. This way I can keep an eye on them. 

I explained to Santa how I am retired and 

unable to help this year and I had a reply from 

Santa and he would have liked my help to pull 

his sleigh again but can understand my decision 

as not young now! The Reindeers did need my 

muscle power as there are many more presents 

to deliver and more places to call on. However, 

he has accepted the help from my step brothers 

Bentley and Alfie. They did do a good job last 

year under my guidance, so do have some 

experience now and they enjoyed giving a helping 

paw. I know Santa will not mind them helping 

with the sacks of presents. So here I am now 

passing the article over two my step brothers. 

We, Bentley and Alfie are all getting really 

excited about opening our Christmas presents. 

Tyson is more grown up than us but we do tend to 

show off and get our own way. We are such spoilt 

dogs we have already torn open a few. Alfie has 

a squeaky toy in his mouth now running around 

the room, trying to catch everyone’s attention. 

There are many less fortunate dogs in Shelters 

that would love to have a “Forever Loving” 

home, even fostered would be a better situation 

and not all my furry friends would have such a 

fun Christmas as the three of us have. So please 

give those less fortunate a thought and adopt or 

foster for Christmas. Alfie is normally full of life 

and I know he will enjoy the fast pace of getting 

to every place in time. We will definitely be tired 

after but the excitement of Christmas day will 

keep us on our paws! 

I do love my sleep and sometimes use Alfie as 

my pillow. He doesn’t mind as he likes to be close 

to me. It was so comfortable. As you can see from 

the photo. We are two very placid dogs. Bentley 

the smallest is the “Boss” dog. He always has to 

win and have the toys first. We give in to him all 

the time, as he gets grumpy with us if we don’t. 

I have been wearing my Bio flow-collar now 

for some time and no aches or pains. It has really 

solved my rheumatism problem as I pulled a 

back leg muscle. My family contacted Carol of 

Eternal Health about the Bio flow magnetic collars 

for animals. Also available for humans. From 

the very first day of wearing the collar I had no 

discomfort or pain. I would strongly suggest that 

your family contact Carol. A lovely Christmas 

present coming along for some furry friends!! 

I enjoy playing games with Bentley and Alfie 

especially tug of war with my rope toys. We have 

two big boxes of toys in the lounge and each of us 

has a favourite. 

For more info on ??? please telephone 

the PEPA helpline on 650 304 746 or email 

p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com. 

To all my furry friends. Have a woofing, tail 

wagging Christmas Festive season with lots of 

tail wags, paw, paws and licks for the New Year. 

Tyson, Bentley and Alfie. We cannot wait to open 

our toys. Have opened one or two already. The 

squeaky toys Alfie howls at the noise but he still 

squeezes them. We bark with laughter at him. 

Until next year!! Happy 2020. Keep wagging those 

tails!! 

Tyson 

Av. Constitució , 18, planta bajo, 

La Font d’En Carros, 46717, Valencia, España. 

Telephone: 650-304-746 

Email: p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com

PUZZLY PAGE 


Firefox 

https://arenacloud.cdn.arkadiumhosted.com/overwr 

ACROSS 

1 Unready king making girl embarrassed (8) 

6 Article I’m to make objective (3) 

9 Precise former spouse has to do 

something (5) 

10 Directors and editor got on (7) 

11 Oil change after journey in African port (7) 

13 “Room at the Top” in Greek (5) 

14 Teased for being badly dressed (6) 

15 Beer? Bert is ordered to swallow it (6) 

19 Aimed to reform press, TV, etc. (5) 

21 Allowances made for disturbance on stair? 

(7) 

22 Just say I may be found in a French resort 

(7) 

23 New gown about right? No, it’s not Firefox right (5) 

24 Observe the bishop’s territory (3) 

25 Drink that’s bad for teenager? (5,3) 

https://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 

9 10 

11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 

18 

19 20 21 

22 23 

24 25 

ACROSS 

DOWN1 Unready king making girl embarrassed (8) 

2 Dashing 6 Article in great I'm to confusion make objective (7) (3) 

5 8 1 

7 2 

3 Scoff 9 Precise when leader former is spouse knocked has out to in do something (5) 

10 Directors and editor got on (7) 

preliminary round (3) 

9 

11 Oil change after journey in African port (7) 

4 Bunny 13 "Room talk? (6) at the Top" in Greek (5) 

5 Mad 14artist Teased turns for playwright being badly (9) dressed (6) 7 

6 9 8 

15 Beer? Bert is ordered to swallow it (6) 

6 Check 

19 Aimed 

car heading 

to reform 

for 

press, 

Tottenham 

TV, etc. 

(5) 

(5) 8 4 

5 

7 Another 21 Allowances word for doctor made for found disturbance in some on stair? (7) 

dictionaries 22 Just say (5) I may be found in a French resort (7) 

8 Browbeat 23 New Trojan gown hero about (6) right? No, it's not right (5) 9 

2 

24 Observe the bishop's territory (3) 

12 Working 25 Drink with that's gear bad in top for form teenager? (9) (5,3) 

7 

9 4 

16 Pair DOWN involved in most woe (7) 

17 Quit 2and Dashing write in one’s great name confusion again? (7) (6) 

4 6 3 

1 

18 Royal 3 Scoff pop star when (6) leader is knocked out in preliminary 

round (3) 

19 Mother 4 Bunny has second talk? (6) thoughts after 

8 

contagious 5 Mad artist disease turns (5) playwright (9) 

20 Teacher 6 Check with car north-eastern heading for poet Tottenham (5) (5) 1 7 

8 6 9 

7 Another word for doctor found in some dictionaries 

23 Be (5) successful for first half of season (3) 

How to play 

8 Browbeat Trojan hero (6) 

Test your brain on our SUDOKU puzzle. 

12 Working with gear in top form (9) Sudoku is a logic Fill puzzle each where square you so have that to each populate row, column and 

16 Pair involved in most woe (7) the grid with numbers. each 3x3 A number square can contains appear only all digits once from 1 to 9. 

17 Quit and write one's name again? 

in 

(6) 

each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be 

solved using logic from the given information and 

18 Royal pop star (6) 

Answers to both puzzles can be found on page 47 

requires no guesswork. 

19 Mother has second thoughts after contagious 

disease (5) 

20 Teacher with north-eastern poet (5)


LIVE 

MUSIC 

most weekends 

(Check Facebook 

for updates). 

Calle Móstoles 33, 

Rada de 

Moraira. 

Telephone: 

965 74 43 66 

There is something for 

everyone at Hill Top Pub! 

Open Christmas Day 

and New Year’s Eve 

tickets only 

Breakfast from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm. 

Lunch and Evening meals available. 

• Pool and Terrace • 

ALL SPORT/BIGGEST 

SCREEN IN MORAIRA 

in a new glass enclosed terrace. 

Sunday lunches 

from 1.00 pm 

Pool Table available 

Open 7 days a week, early until late.

BOOK REVIEW 


Book Review 

CALP 

Blanc i negre 

PRICE 

35€ 

A passion for collecting and for recovering 

the history of Calp is what our director, 

Joaquín Vázquez Boronat (Jacky), feels, 

and it is a passion that has carried out 

many decades of exercising it day by day 

and materializing it in a large documentary 

and graphic archive, which he has led to 

collaborate with the last publication of 

Editorial “TIVOLI” entitled “Calp. Blanc 

i Negre. 1920-1970”, a book that shows 

a graphic vision and a Calp unknown to 

many people and that will bring much 

longing to others. 

Available at Bookshop Europa, Calle Oscar 

Espla, Calpe. Price: 35 Euros. 

FOR THE FRENCH SPEAKERS AMONGST YOU, 

ON JULY 14TH AT 19:00 

LOCAL AUTHOR JULIA PARIS WILL BE SIGNING 

HER NEW BOOK “L’IMPRÉVU”. 

at LIBRERÍA EUROPA BOOKSHOP, 

Calle Oscar Esplá 2, CALPE, 965835824. 

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.00 - 14.00 & 17.00 - 20.00. SATURDAYS 10.00 - 14.00. 

ADMISSION 

FREE 

NO 

RESERVATION 

REQUIRED


Out & 

About 

Costa Blanca Magazine 

Write an email to 

carolrlevey@gmail.com 

for further information 

or telephone 651 459 776. 

NEEDS YOU! 

BECOME A 

SALES 

REPRESENTATIVE 

IN YOUR AREA 

Part-time or full time


Awarded the maximum 5 star rating in the most recent poll by 

the American Federation of Certified Psychics and Mediums. 

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 21: 

Mercury and Pluto in the tenth 

house…time to deep think on the 

true meaning of life with sweeping 

changes. Take control, because you can. 

TAURUS APRIL 22 - MAY 21: 

Venus, your planetary leader instals 

some love and tender care right when 

most needed. Be passionate about 

yourself too, it’s about time! 

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 22: 

Jupiter transits the eleventh house, 

time to reach out and connect. 

Transformation is a slow progress…so 

hang on in there. 

CANCER JUNE 23 - JULY 23: 

The Full Moon shines on you and 

illuminates skills you hide for no 

good reason. Take the higher ground and be 

you, it’s not selfish it’s realistic! 

LEO JULY 24 - AUG 23: 

Mercury retrogrades on the 29th. 

Check out that small print before you 

sign anything. Stall if you have to and check 

everything first. 

VIRGO AUG 24 - SEPT 23: 

Jupiter in the eighth house bodes a 

step ahead on finances. Money comes 

and goes but find a way to squirrel 

away that you deserve. 

https://arenacloud.cdn.arkadiumhosted.com/overwrites-live/iframe-rend... 

LIBRA SEPT 24 - OCT 23: 

Mercury and Pluto in the fourth 

house sees a focus on a family matter 

that needs your tender loving care to 

see it through. Be frank but fair! 

SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22: 

With Mars retrograde in the eighth 

house ask yourself what is your 

motivation? After all, it wasn’t you 

who decided to change the goalposts. 

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21: 

The Sun in your second house sees 

you seeing things from a different 

angle. Make no plans to return when 

in your heart you are adamant. 

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20: 

The New Moon in your sign brings 

you: new values, new aspects, a re-set 

and a new you too. There is no going 

back now! 

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 19: 

Live for the moment! Believe in the 

unseen and the invisible because they 

are starting to exist for you. Faith is 

your strength and your light! 

PISCES FEB 20 - MAR 20: 

Mercury in your eleventh house 

resonates with Pluto this month. Stop 

wishing and make dreams your true 

Firefox 

reality. Now is your time. 

https://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/games/bes 

E T H E L R E D A I 

7 

M 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

H E A A R U E 

8 

E X A C T 

10 

B O A R D E D 

9 

C R B M I I 

11 

T R I P 

12 

O L I 

13 

A T T I C 

O N P T T 

14 

R A G G E D 

15 

B I T 

16 

T E 

17 

R 

R 

18 

P S W E 

19 

M E 

20 

D I A 

21 

R A T I O N S 

U O T I S I 

22 

M E N T I O N 

23 

W R O N G 

P N N C I M N 

24 

S E E 

25 

G R E E N T E A 

PUZZLE 

PAGE 

ANSWERS 

6 5 8 

9 3 2 

7 1 4 

3 8 1 

4 9 5 

2 6 7 

8 4 6 

5 2 9 

1 7 3 

1 9 4 

7 8 5 

2 6 3 

4 7 2 

3 1 6 

8 5 9 

9 3 7 

6 4 1 

5 2 8 

3 7 2 

4 1 6 

9 8 5 

5 6 9 

8 2 7 

1 4 3 

2 5 1 

7 3 8 

6 9 4 

arrassed (8) 

3) 

do something (5) 

How to play 

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate 

the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once 

in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be


Calpe, Benissa, Altea, Moraira 

COBAT welcomes you to 

theCosta Blanca. 

Since 2003 

Buying or selling a house or apartment is an 

important matter. Doing so, you will need a 

personal and professional service. In another 

country, where not everybody speaks your 

language and laws and customs are different, 

you will certainly have to rely on experts. 

Nederlandstalig 

makelaarskantoor in Calpe. 

Let our team find 

your dream 

At COBAT we take every question serious, we 

make plenty of time to negotiate and satisfy all 

parties, we arrange all the paperwork properly, 

sign with you at the notary and after the sale we 

are still here for you! 

An enthusiastic five linguistic team: Johan, 

Katleen, Celine, Olga, Christel, Annette and 

Tanya will work together with you and their vast 

network to find the right buyer or the dream 

property for you.

Out and About December- issue 203

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