Corralejo
a paradise of white sands and clear water!
Corralejo is featured in June’s edition of the
glossy magazine Europa which is distributed free of
charge to passengers onboard Air Europe’s planes
all over the world..more
Sales
brought forward The
first six months of 2008 have been difficult ones for
many of the islands’ small shopkeepers due to
the current international financial crisise .... more
Moda Calida
the crème de la crème
of the designers and buyers gathered together for
this year’s Gran Canaria Moda Calida beachwear
fashion parade in Maspalomas.....
more
Airbus
A380 to land in the islands? the inability
to cater for the giant plane could well be a stumbling
block for the future of the islands. According to professional
pilot Sergio Herrera . . .. more
Twenty
two year old Rafael Nadal could not believe it when he won
last week’s Wimbledon Men’s Final after a record
breaking 4 hours and 48 minutes of play. Although rain stopped
play on more than one occasion Nadal was forced to endure
ve long gruelling sets before he could nally be declared
the champion of one of the world’s most prestigious
tennis tournaments. Rafa was quick to win the rst two sets
but Switzerland’s Federer fought back and won the following
two sets having taken advantage of the break caused by heavy
rainfall on the centre court. However not even Federer could
cope with Nadal’s ne physical form and fell victim
to the skill and agility of the Majorcan 6-4 , 6-4, 6-7 (5),
6-7 (8) y 9-7. To the amazement of the crowd Rafa then proceeded
to break the protocol of Wimbledon climbing up the seating
where his family were watching the match before greeting Spains’
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia who had also travelled
to the UK for the occasion.
New resident
discount rules
Planning
an inter-island trip, you need to make sure that you have
the correct documentation to entitle you to the available
50 per cent residents’ discount. While many non-national
residents continue to hold the laminated resident card as
they are still ‘in date’, under a new Real Decreto
(royal decree) issued in 2007 and now in effect this is no
longer valid for proof of your residencia in relation to the
travel discount. Possession of a travel certificate from your
local council, which you can easily obtain may not be enough
if not presented alongside the new Certificado de Registro,
an A4 size green document which must be obtained at the police
station, these are issued on the same day as long as all your
documentation is in order. As always there does seem to be
some confusion with some the use of the new form with travel
companies, best advice check before you travel as Binter and
Spanair have now confirmed that your residencia is not enough
From The Editor
If you have anything to say, want
to have a moan or have any thing interesting
to share with the readers of el sol news then write
to us at info@el-sol-news.com
Canarian Folklore Traditional Canarian music
is the result of a number of cultural influences, both European
and South American, that have enriched the islands. ..........
MORE
WINDSURFING AND KITESURFING WORLD CUP
Windsurfers and kite boarders will compete in 5 different
events here in Sotavento from the 18th July till the
2nd August 2008..........
more
Power Station
Axed
News of Tuineje council’s decision to scotch plans for
the new power station which was going to be constructed in Valle
de Agando was made public at the beginning of July. The news was
understandably well received by the local residents who had taken
part in the street demonstration organized for June 12th over
the polemical proposal to construct the power station in order
to increase the amount of electric power needed in the more highly
populated areas of the island. Basing their argument in the health
risks associated with similar power stations the neighbours had
collected 4,600 signatures to try and pressure the council into
rejecting the initiative. It would seem at least for the time
being that their protest has been successful.
New mayor in la
Oliva
The socialist Rosa Fernandez on Wednesday 9th of July was voted
in as the new mayoress of La Oliva (Fuerteventura) to succeed the
vote of no confidence against the previous mayoress, Claudina Morales,of
the Coaliccion Canaria party. The handover was made possible thanks
to the seven votes of the PP councillors and two of the elected
representatives of the PSC-PSOE, which gave an absolute majority
to the new council.
Tense climate The plenary session was held amid a tense atmosphere,
which was well attended by public, some of them came from Gran Canaria.
The vote was interrupted several times by applause or boos of attendees.
Hitman investigation
A Lanzarote man has been accused
of hiring a hitman to kill a local lawyer and an architect from
Tenerife has been remanded in jail pending further investigation
into the case. Oliver Rodríguez, a businessman and well-known
rally driver from the island, is said to have recruited a German
man for 20,000 euros to “deal with” the two men, who
allegedly owed him money. The German was detained by police and
another man a few weeks ago after the brakes of a car belonging
to the lawyer were tampered with. Telephone taps ordered by a judge
revealed further details of the contract and measures to pressure
the two men into settling their debt. Two other businessmen from
Lanzarote have been interviewed in connection with the alleged contract,
which only came to light when reporting restrictions were lifted.
Summer Crackdown
This summer
there will be an increase in police presence in the Canary Islands.
The Spanish Ministry for the Interior wants to increase security
in tourist areas from July 1 to September 30. They have chosen ten
regions, including the Canaries, and as many as 6,300 National Police
and Civil Guards will take part in the exercise aimed at increasing
controls on traffic and the movement of people in tourist areas,
with a greater police presence in stations, ports, airports, hotels,
beaches and camping sites, there will also be more police at shows
and any events where there are large numbers of the public.
The
rising cost of scrap
Whilst in England the cost
of some scrap metals is on the increase, even to the point that
houses and power lines are being stripped, here in Fuerteventura
a company has paid the price for failing to clear up scrap items
such as old vehicles, iron, oil and batteries. It has just been
fined a total of 90,000 euros by the agency responsible for the
port for breaches of management. ·
Corralejo
a paradise of white sands and clear water!
The beauty of Corralejo is featured in June’s
edition of the glossy magazine Europa which is distributed free
of charge to passengers onboard Air Europe’s planes all over
the world. The magazine, which is dedicated to beach lovers and
water sports enthusiasts, refers to the island as “La Isla
Tranquila”, the peaceful island and claims that Fuerteventura’s
beaches are second to none in the Atlantic. With reference to Corralejo
in particular the publication describes Corralejo’s kilometre
after kilometre of beautiful white sands with views of the Isla
de Lobos as being the perfect place to forget it all. Corralejo
town council’s department of Tourism is delighted with the
coverage explaining that many would be visitors from the Spanish
mainland are unaware that it is not necessary to travel to the Caribbean
to find amazing white sands and crystal clear waters.
Sales
brought forward
The
first six months of 2008 have been difficult ones for many of the
islands’ small shopkeepers due to the current international
financial crisis and many of those resident in the islands are struggling
to make ends meet and are therefore limiting any purchases to essential
items.In an attempt to boost the income of the small and middle
sized businessmen while at the same time helping the public purchase
the clothes and electrical appliances they need FEDECO the local
businessmen’s organisation has proposed that the official
starting date for this year’s summer sales be July 7th instead
of July 12th as was originally agreed. Many shopkeepers had already
lowered their prices in unoffi cial sales, explained the Chamber
of Commerce, which decided to accept the proposal, and there was
no real reason why the customers should have to wait and extra week
to make the most of the sale prices The Consumer’s Association
was not however so in favour of the change explaining that many
residents will have just been paid their salaries and will be tempted
to spend too much money on the bargains. The Association urged
consumers to think carefully about what they really need and not
to impulse buy.
Moda
Calida
Maspalomas in the South of Gran Canaria was a hive
of activity in June when the crème de la crème of
the designers and buyers gathered together for this year’s
Gran Canaria Moda Calida beachwear fashion parade. The glamorous
Eva Divine collection inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s
Golden years was the first example of Canarian design to be seen
and Miss Bikini from Italy was the first international collection
on the catwalk demonstrating a selection of tribal designs with
other designers including Vitamina C ,Miranda Kerr, TCN, Andrés
Sardá, America’s Diane Von Furstenberg, Israel’s
Gideon Oberson and Guillermina Baeza among a long list of the world’s
top beachwear specialists. This nineteenth edition of the Moda Calida
catwalk show was a great success and was furthermore broadcast live
on national and international television
Chamber
proposes paying tour companies to bring in the tourists.
The idea of
paying tour operators 8 euros for every tourist they bring to Fuerteventura
is the latest brainwave of the island’s Chamber of Commerce
believing that this will be the most effective way of reviving the
sector. The proposal, obviously aimed at helping the island rise
above the actual crisis in the sector, is based on the theory that
each tourist spends an average of ten days in Fuerteventura and
that each tourist bed can be occupied three times a month which
at 30,000 beds means around 90,000 tourists per month and a considerable
amount of euros to be paid to the Touroperator responsible for bringing
the visitors to the island each month! According to the Chamber
of Commerce the huge bill for the “subsidy” should be
footed by the Cabildo but justify the proposal explaining that the
300 million euro benefi ts , the recovery of the sector and the
creation of 2,000 new jobs would make it all worthwhile.
Three
flags for Rosario
Congratulations
were in order for island capital Puerto del Rosario after the council
was awarded three flags (of a possible five) by the National Jury
for Responsible boroughs. The flags in recognition of refuse management,
gardens & cleaning standards, Care of the environment and citizen
participation were handed over at the beginning of June by the committee
which has awarded a total of 79 flags throughout Spanish territory.
Tamagon children’s park was the place chosen to fly the coveted
(albeit somewhat miniature) green flag in recognition of the high
standards of the borough’s gardens and the work carried out
to improve the access to the capital the autovia del sur. Although
the green flag was only flown for a short time the council hopes
to install a replica on a permanent basis
Department
of Coasts to pay for campsites
The Spanish Coasts Division has announced that
it is prepared to finance the creation of legal campsites in Fuerteventura
with the aim of eradicatingthe problem of uncontrolled camping.
The official aim of the department is to provide an alternative
for all those who are having their holiday plans quashed due to
the application of the rules restricting the occupation of the coastline
of the island by constructing official sites for the activity although
the campers believe that the idea is more to control the very essence
of their hobby which is the freedom to choose when and where they
spend their break. Furthermore it is unclear whether there would
be a charge for using the sites or whether or not they will be large
enough to cater for everyone.
30% fuel
cuts for professional drivers
Although the Canarian transport workers did
not take such an aggressive approach to protesting about the rise
in fuel prices preferring to negotiate a solution with the regional
government, it would appear that they have achieved their objective
before their peninsular counterparts since the Canarian government
has announced that professional drivers in the islands will be eligible
for a thirty percent discount on fuel before the end of this year
and not by 2010 as was originally promised. This 30% reduction will
suppose a drop in income for the government of around 8 million
euros for the Regional Government and although a small percentage
of the Canarian transport workers believe there should be even more
reduction the President of the Transport Federation Agustin Espino
believes that the 30% reduction is a huge step forward explaining
that the government has kept its promise, backed the sector and
has definitely not let them down.
Airbus
A380 to land in the islands?.
The airbus A380 is undoubtedly the largest passenger plane in the
world. It is capable of carrying 800 passengers and beats the Boeing
747 hands down, as far as comfort is concerned as well as marking
the way forward for the future ofinternational air travel, yet the
Canarian authorities are reluctant to adapt the
installations of the regional airports to allow the monster to operate.
The maiden flight was made in France
in April 2005 carrying only the crew and heavy equipment to represent
the weight of 800 people but it was not until October of the same
year that the plane landed at the international airport of Frankfurt
de Meno complete with passengers as numerous trial flights were
made to investigate the best way to deal with what is also the heaviest
plane in the world.
This new airbus is the shape of things to come. It is more respectful
to the environment and much cheaper to run than any other plane
since less fuel is used to carry more passengers and although the
huge air transport machine will probably never wipe out the smaller
charter planes which carry tourists back and forwards to the Archipelago
the inability to cater for the giant could well be a stumbling block
for the future of the islands. According to professional pilot Sergio
Herrera there is no real reason why the super plane should not be
able to use the airports of the Archipelago.
Apart from the construction of adequate boarding bridges (fingers)
which is a mere formality, Herrera explains that the only thing
standing in the way of the airbus A380 are the politicians of the
islands who are demonstrating the usual unwillingness to give way
to progress!
News
Roundup and stories from the mainland
Zapatero announces cheaper
night time power
From now on we could well be getting up at the crack of dawn to
do the washing or cook the lunch if Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero has his way! The fact is that after announcing a 32% increase
in the price of electricity used at peak times of the day Spanish
premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
tried to soften the blow by explaining that between 10pm and 12pm
midday electricity will cost 47% less than at present. This is a
considerable reduction for nightime power but exactly how many people
will benefit from the initiative?The news was given a mixed reception
since the majority consider that the reduction in the nocturnal
tariff will only benefit those who are not employed outside the
home adding that using electric drills, blenders, washing machines
etc. is not feasible at three o’clock in the morning because
of the noise involved. Others questioned the method behind the idea
asking how the metres will know what time it is and how they will
know that we are an hour behind in the Canary Islands?
Gay Pride
Two brightly decorated “guaguas” (buses) from Fuerteventura
took part in the grand parade organized in Madrid on June 28th to
celebrate “El dia del orgullo gay”, Gay Pride Day.
Sources estimate that around two million homosexuals, lesbians,
transsexuals and bisexuals watched the parade as it moved through
the streets of the capital
and Fuerte’s gua guas one of which was conditioned as a tourist
information office and the other as a caravan attracted a great
deal of attention.
Fuerteventura is very popular with gay and lesbian tourists since
the sector is openly accepted by the general public and the gua
guas together with the exuberant 2008 concert organized in Puerto
del Rosario will no doubt consolidate the importance of the group
for the sector.
High cost of living in the islands
Shopping in La Gomera is the most expensive than anywhere else
in the Canaries whilst Fuerteventura is second followed closely
by Lanzarote, El Hierro
after, followed then by La Palma. Tenerife and Gran canaria are
the least exspensive as logically is where all the goods arrive
at the 2 main ports of santa cruz in Tenerife and Las Palmas in
Gran Canaria, before being transported the the other islands.
Monkey Business
An African monkey was spotted wandering round a hotel in Playa
de las Americas Tenerife last week. Police specialists from the
SEPRONA division were called in to trap the animal which did not
have an identity chip. The member of the Cercophitecus Campbelli
family of monkeys was taken to a local zoo since it was impossible
to locate the owner.
New spotter plane for Canarian Coast
Spanish Home Office Secretary Alfred Perez Rubalcaba was proud
to present Spain’s very first vigilance plane. Which will
patrol the stretch between the African coasts and the archipelago
in an attempt to control illegal immigration, drug smuggling and
other illicit activities.
The CN 235 is in fact the first of two planes that will complement
the activity of the 37 helicopters and other vehicles that keep
watch over the coasts in search of fishing boats loaded with illegal
immigrants. The airplane weighs about 16,500 kilos and can travel
at a maximum of 245 kilometres an hour. It can fly independently
for about ten hours and has a radar reach of 850 metres as well
as featuring the latest technology in other equipment. The main
advantage of the new plane is however that it will be able to operate
further out at sea than the helicopters and as such will put a stop
to the activity of the organized ma as which have chosen to operate
“out of the reach” of the helicopter radars.
World
news
Road
Safety
The small town of Bohmte in Germany has scrapped
all its trffi c lights and road signs in a bid to cut down on crashes.
The idea is based on the European
Union-supported ‘shared space’ concept of traffic management
developed by the Dutch traffi c expert Hans Monderman. ‘Politeness
pays - we have proved that,’
said Klaus Goedejohann, the mayor of Bohmte near Hanover. According
to the plan, road users have to negotiate their behaviour with each
other, rather than have it prescribed by rules - the idea being
that people will pay more attention to what other road users are
doing and hence cause fewer accidents.
Now the town reports not a single scrape, bump or pedestrian injured
in the month since the scheme started and several other towns in
Germany have
expressed interest in copying Bohmte.
Bear with a sore head
The 26 stone black bear went in to the water after
being shot with a tranquilizer dart after it was caught roaming
around a Florida neighbourhood. However as the drug took effect
the creature panicked and started to drown. The wildlife officer
wasted no time in jumping in to the rescue. As the animal struggled
to keep its head above water, the wildlife officer slipped one arm
under the bear to cradle its body and clamped the other on to the
scruff of its neck, dragging it ashore. Incredibly all that the
wildlife hero suffered was a few scratches from the bewildered bear.
The animal later recovered and was released into a state national
forest. The bear has fully recovered and has been relocated to Florida’s
Osceola National Forest
Bring me sunshine
Millions of stressed-out office workers see less sunshine
during the working day than coal miners, a survey has revealed.
The majority of desk-chained employees now spend less than one hour
a day in natural sunlight, as they increasingly skip lunch breaks
and take their work home. An alarming 22 per cent see less than
20 minutes of daylight during the entire working day, the survey
of 1,000 city workers found. The lack of sunshine in their lives
has left two-thirds of workers feeling depressed, and four out of
five feeling unmotivated by being stuck indoors.
One year on in a smoke free
England
More people are trying to quit smoking, the air in
pubs and bars is cleaner and rates of compliance with smokefree
laws remain high, according to a new survey looking at the first
year of Smokefree England, published today. The report Smokefree
England: One Year On summarises key findings from businesses, health
workers and the public regarding the Smokefree legislation which
was introduced one year ago today. The key findings are: One year
on Smoke free legislation has been a big success and changed lives
- including healthier environments for people whose jobs exposed
them to second hand smoke. Smoke free England has extensive public
support - 76 per cent of people and 55 per cent of smokers reporting
that they supported the law; and 98 per cent of all premises and
vehicles that were inspected comply with the law Exposure for bar
workers to hazardous secondhand smoke has been reduced by 76 per
cent. Prior to smoke free legislation, non-smoking bar workers were
found to be inhaling up to six times as much cigarette smoke as
the average non-smoker Compliance rates are high: 98 per cent of
all premises and vehicles inspected were smoke free in accordance
with the law. Smoke free law has created a more supportive environment
to help smokers quit the habit with a 22 per cent increase in the
number of people quitting with local NHS Stop Smoking Services compared
to the same period in 2006/07 between April and December last year.
Minister for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said: “We introduced
this law one year ago to cut people’s exposure to secondhand
smoke. It’s clear the law is working. Bar workers are inhaling
far less smoke and most people think the law has had a positive
effect on the country’s health. “This could not have
been done without the tireless work and support of local authorities,
business and health campaigners. I also commend smokers themselves
for their willingness to protect the health of others by so readily
complying with the law”. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam
Donaldson said: “A year ago today in England, we took one
of the most important steps forward in public health for many years.
One year on and the smoke free law has been accepted by the general
public and businesses alike. “We must do more if we are to
continue to reduce the harm of tobacco use in our communities. Measures
such as the introduction of picture pack warnings this autumn and
the current consultation on the future of tobacco control are essential
to keep up the momentum to create a truly smoke free future”.
Professor Robert West, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco
studies based at UCL, presented findings yesterday from the Smokers’
Toolkit Study at the UK National Smoking Cessation Conference in
Birmingham. Results show that the smoke free law in England has
helped more smokers to quit than ever before and will help prevent
an estimated 40,000 deaths over the next 10 years. In 2007 the age
of sale of tobacco was increased from 16 to 18 years and hard hitting
picture warnings will appear on all tobacco products produced for
the UK market from 1 October 2008.
Britains’ most dangerous
road
A scenic route through a picturesque beauty area was
named today as Britain’s most dangerous road. Topping the
risk list for accidents is the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton road
in the Peak District, according to the ITV programme Police Camera
Action. The programme worked with the European road safety organisation
EuroRAP to analyse main roads by compiling the number of serious
injuries against the volume of traffic. The single-lane A537, known
as the “Cat and Fiddle”, had has 250 fatal or serious
accidents for every billion kilometres travelled on it. EuroRAP
has given the A537 a black (high) risk rating, meaning you are up
to 30 times more likely to be killed or injured on that stretch
of road than a lower (green) risk road - the category that 76% of
Britain’s motorways fall in to. “UK roads remain amongst
the safest in the world and we’ve made significant progress
in recent years in reducing incidents and casualties on England’s
motorways and major A roads. Institute of Advanced Motorists Trust
director Neil Greig said: “For too many young drivers and
their passengers, rural roads are killers for which their driving
tuition and driving tests may not have prepared them. “Deaths
on our roads have fallen below 3,000, now we must lower the target
to fewer than 2,000. Achieving a new lower target needs a greater
focus on EuroRAP’s message that we must make roads safer,
and more forgiving, when crashes happen. Only when we have five-star
drivers in five-star cars, driving on five-star roads will British
motorists have the road system they deserve.” The most dangerous
roads by region are:
A259 Hastings-Eastburne
A48 Chepstow-Gloucester
A1065 Swaffham-Fakenham
A5 Daventry-Rugby
A53 Leek-Buxton
A495 Whitchurch-Welshampton
A537 Macclesfield-Buxton
A61 Barnsley-Wakefield
A688 Barnard Castle to the A68
A99 Latheron-Wick
Women's Land Army will eventually
receive their badge of honour
A ceremony will be held at No.10 Downing Street on
23rd July for around fifty Land Girls from across the country representing
their former colleagues. They will meet the Prime Minister and Environment
Secretary Hilary Benn, and be presented with their badges. Land
Girls across the country will then be sent their badge and a certificate
in the following weeks, and events will then be held in every region
around the country to celebrate this formal recognition of the Women's
Land Army's role in the war effort. Over 29,000 applications for
the badge have so far been received. Further information Secretary
of State Hilary Benn announced on 6th December 2007 that former
members of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps would
be awarded with a specially designed badge of honour commemorating
their efforts during the Second World War. Due to the huge number
of applications for the badge it has not been possible to acknowledge
every application. However, all applicants not meeting the eligibility
criteria have been advised in writing. All other applicants will
receive a badge. Those attending the event at No.10 Downing Street
have been selected at random from each region of the UK to represent
their former colleagues. In addition a few Land Girlswho have been
instrumental in organising reunions and other events for their former
colleagues over the years have been invited in recognition of their
efforts.
SPORTS
ROUNDUP
Alonso to sign
Rumour has it that super racing driver Asturian Fernando Alonso
is about to sign a contract with Ferrari for the 2009 racing season.
Alonso who had a difficult season with McLaren before going back
to Renault and suffering even more hopes that Ferrari will turn
out to be his best bet . Ferrari in turn believe that Alonso is
the only driver capable of replacing Michael Schumacher.
WINDSURFING AND KITESURFING WORLD CUP
Fuerteventura
has got the perfect weather conditions for the windsurfers and kite
boarders, which is why year after
year the World Championships are held here.
Windsurfers and kite boarders will compete in 5 different events
here in Sotavento from the 18th July till the 2nd
August 2008.
Spectators can relax on the beach with drinks and music in a 1,000
m² lounge area whilst watching the competitions.
In the evenings, thousands of tourists, locals and, for the prize-giving
ceremonies, riders will mingle at the legendary
World Cup parties in the 2,000 m² party marquee.
The event is sponsored by the municipal of Pajara and the Spanish
government.
18th July Registration in the Competition and Opening Ceremony
This is open to anyone who wants to participate in the Championships.
The ceremony will take place in the Marquee
in Sotavento
19th July-23rd July Windsurfi ng PWA Slalom 42 Grand Slam
19th July-23rd July Kiteboarding PKRA Speed Grand Slam
24th July-28th July Windsurfing PWA Freestyle Grand Slam
First Olympic
pool for Fuerte
Fuerteventura’s very first Olympic swimming pool was inaugurated
mid June by the president of the Cabildo Mario Cabrera, the mayor
of Tuineje Salvador Delgado and the manager of the Playitas Grand
Resort Hotel Javier Stocker. The fifty metre long pool has eight
lanes divided by floating corks and a subterranean gallery to carry
out maintenance and repair work. The pool is also equipped for water
polo and has changing rooms and graduated seating to accommodate
300 people. Cabrera underlined the importance of the pool for the
island explaining that the installations would now attract a different
type of tourism, that connected with sporting events adding that
the German swimming team had used the pool to prepare themselves
for the Peking Olympics and several reservations had already been
taken from other swimming groups for the next few months. However
the mayor of Tuineje Salvador Delgado commented that the pool was
not only intended for professional use explaining that Playitas
Grand Resort is a pool for everyone and as such is open to the public.
Your Letters
The Editor, El Sol News
Dear Sir/Madam, I read with interest
the letters regarding the decline of
tourism in Fuerte, I have been coming
to your beautiful Island for 9 years now
and I have seen a steady decline in the
nightlife in Caleta de Fuste.
I had a wonderful time in 1999 when
things were really buzzing around the
Happy Center now its dead after 10pm.
I believe that all inclusive deals in hotels’
like the Barcelo have a lot to do with
this but also a complete lack of things
to do during the day must also put a
lot of people off especially the younger
generation.
I realise you cannot look back but I’m
afraid the fun has disappeared from
Caleta, which is a great shame but having
said all that nothing will keep me away in
my advancing years so I will see you all in
September.
Yours faithfully
Dave Kelly
Having recently returned from a
wonderful three week holiday on your
lovely Island I thought I must make
a comment about the above article.
We were staying with friends on
Chipmunk mountain. it is our fifth trip
to Fuerteventura in the last two and a
half years and we have noticed a gradual
decrease in the number of holiday makers,
especially in the Monte Castillo Centre,
which we use frequently because of it
proximity to our location. Since our last
visit last November another substantial
restaurant and bar have closed and the
remaining owners must be worried sick
that they will probably be next.
It is such a shame as it is such an ideal
spot, although perhaps in need of a
little re-vamping. The town is also much
quieter than we previously experienced,
although we have never visited in May/
June before so perhaps these are quiet
months anyway? I am sure that the main
reason for the deterioration in visitors’
numbers is the all inclusive package on
offer at most of the hotels now. No matter
how smart and welcoming (and cheap) a
Restaurant or Bar is, they cannot entice
people inside who are simply not around.
I also fully agree that there is a lack of
flights to the Island, we tried to book
from our local airport (Leeds/Bradford)
last year for this trip but there is such a
limited number of flights and the flights
available carry such a big supplement
that we had to travel to Manchester,
which is off putting in itself! I hope that
the situation improves, but I cannot see
how it can whilst all inclusive deals are
offered. The same thing happened in
Malta a few years ago and all but finished
the surrounding area. Good Luck!!!
If you have anything to say, want to
have a moan or have any thing interesting to share with
the readers of el sol news then write to us at info@el-sol-news.com
give
the animals a chance
Felix the cat has been shot with a
shotgun.
Who did it?
We don’t know,
Why did they do it? For the sake of
sport, mistaken identity
Or just because the hunter doesn’t
like cats.
Felix’s back leg is broken and the knee
joint is disintegrating, this shouldn’t be
happening to a cat less than 1 year of
age or to any animal that has done
nothing wrong.
The animals of Fuerteventura and the
world need a chance, the cruelty is not
necessary.
We speak out for the animals.
Help them when you can.
Don’t hit, shoot or harm them, they
are our friends and they cause you no
harm.
To all the good people who help
and look after them we thank you and
many thanks to the vets in Gran tarajal
and Corralejo for trying to save Felix’s
back leg
Have a heart
Signed
Felix the cat
To be continued …………
Dear Sirs
Just returned from another great holiday
in Fuerteventura. How nice it was to
escape the political correctness that
is now current in the UK for a couple of
weeks.
In Fuerteventura, people seem to
smoke wherever they want, (a non
smoker myself ). Carrier bags are dished
out carte-blanche in supermarkets. Bins
are emptied daily not fortnightly like
home, no limit and all for €45 a year.
We even went to see a Circus with live
animals (all looked very fit and well), a
long gone tradition at home due to the
p.c. brigade.
Whether these items are ‘’correct’’
or
not, the people seem to have the right
to make up their own mind on what
is acceptable or not rather than being
dictated to.
A further bonus was the price of fuel. I
know that the locals won’t agree with
me on that one.
Can’t wait to return.
Roger Green