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Content in this newsletter blog site comes from its subscribers, followers & Editor. Submissions are subject to editing and posting at the Editor’s discretion. Content from other sources is credited. The Editor is Naythan, aka DoctorLaptop.
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Announcements
DigameXtra Holiday Schedule UPDATED– No issue on these days.
Posts scheduled for these days will appear in the next issue.
– Saturday, Dec. 31st, New Years Eve
– Monday, Jan. 2nd, 2023, New Years Holiday, a Spanish public holiday
– Friday, Jan. 6th, 2023, Epiphany, a Spanish public holiday
– Saturday, Jan 7th, 2023. 65th anniversary of the Gibson Flying V guitar.
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-Holiday Donation Info-
All donations are greatly appreciated!
You may drop cash donations off in person and say hello, after 2pm M-F, or place them in my mailbox beside my door anytime. Both the door and the mailbox have the name HARRIS on them.
Alternatively, you may send me an Amazon ES (Spain) eGift card by email. You need to have an Amazon.es account. The only info you need is my name and email address, see those below.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND AMAZON UK eGIFT CARDS
Here is the Amazon.es eGift Card Link, (NOTE: YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY AMOUNT YOU LIKE ON THE FORM, it is set at €30 by default):
https://www.amazon.es/Cheques-Regalo-Amazon-es-mail-Amazon/dp/B07SS5PFJK/
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Name: N.J. Harris
Email: digamextra@protonmail.com
Donations From 4,514 Subscribers = 69 (€1805)
2021 = 80 donors / €2400 (Naythan was paid €1.28/hr for editing 6hrs/day)
2022 Goal = €3745 (Naythan gets €2/hr for editing 6hrs/day)
Fundraiser Update: Almost half way to the goal with 12 days remaining in the fundraiser.
– To those yet to donate, please help me reach the goal so I can receive €2 per hour for the work I do everyday providing what many consider to be a valuable community asset!
– Thank you to those of you who donated.
– Issues take 6+ hours a day to assemble, 6 days per week.
– Last year’s donations totaled €2400, providing me €46/wk for 36-hour weeks, or €1.28 per hour.
– I am now aiming for the princely sum of €2 per hour, requiring total donations of €3745, the current goal. If the new goal is not reached by January 7th, it’s not the end of the world, but some changes will need to be made. In that case, DigameXtra MAY change to a 5-days-a-week publication schedule, Monday thru Friday only, in mid January. There may also be some minor rules changes to lighten my editing workload. It all depends on the donations received in the next 2 weeks. It all depends on YOU!
Please Donate Today!
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What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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Phoenix Club: Our social club is fully open so do pop in for a coffee and a chat, or browse our books at 4 for €1. We also have a selection of DVDs/CDs and Jigsaws at various prices
***Trips***
January 2023
– 04th – La Concepcion Botanical Gardens Spectacular Lights Extravaganza. Price 22€pp and includes entry to the Gardens etc Departs Algarrobo Lidl at 17.00
– 6th – Trip to Gib €20pp includes €1 for the driver. Do remember that we have just 3 pick ups usually and we return from Gib at 16.30.
– 13th – La Canada shopping in Marbella and Iceland in Fuengirola €18pp
– 27th – Trip to the Sierra Nevadas €19pp
February
– 03rd – Trip to Gib €20pp includes €1 for the driver. Do remember that we have just 3 pick ups usually and we return from Gib at 16.30
– 17th – A trip to Finca de la Torre, Bobadilla for a tour of their Olive Farm. Price is 55€pp and includes a tour of the Vineyard, olive oil tastings, 3 course lunch, coach and drivers gratuity.
March
– 03rd – Trip to Gib €20pp includes €1 for the driver. Do remember that we have just 3 pick ups usually and we return from Gib at 16.30
May
May 10th – 14th 2023. 5 day trip to Jerez with a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, a Horse Fair, Sherry Bodega, possibly Tio Pepe or Sandeman’s and a guided tour of the old town. It will be on a ½ Board basis in a 4* Hotel. If interested, send me an email and I will contact you with details in the New Year. For further information, please contact Gail on 951067723 / 626370695 or email phoenixsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk for more information or check out our FB page
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Bio Beach Restaurant- El Morche: Lecture Series & Events
– On Monday Jan. 23 at 11AM: U3A History Session: Sue Harrison will continue her timeline (Islamic Invasion Part 2 Cordoba), and John N. with The Battle of Velez Málaga. Interesting history times to come…
– The January Bio Beach U3A second Wed. Lecture is cancelled in January due to the holidays. We will make it up in Feb. when we’ll present two in one month, both at 11am.
– On Wednesday Feb. 8th: The Spanish Civil War: On Feb. 8th at 11am, join us for a heartfelt discussion on what started in July 1936. If you remember last year, I presented La Desbandada, to commemorate the carnage on A340 in our area. This year, The Deadly Dry Run for WW2, a 22mn video will feature background comments (in English) to help our verbal momentum. Jose Manuel Cabezas Cabello, will facilitate the discussion, post viewing the video. This promises to be an educational and sobering session.
– On Wednesday Feb. 15th: Great 20th Century Crooners features 17 different artists and 29 tracks from these singers. The presentation traces the evolution and development of the musical style of crooning from the 1940’s onwards.
– Art Gallery: Exhibition of Paintings and Objects. Local artist Coby Bloemsma is exhibiting her latest work (pic) in the restaurant of Bio Beach Club. Semi-abstract in style, Coby’s paintings often have the human figure as subject. She uses acrylics and mixed-media. Her objects and sculptures are made from recycled materials. The exhibition is on until April 2023 and open during the opening hours of the restaurant. Closed on Tuesdays. Website: www.cobybloemsma.com
Bio Beach, publicity contact: norma2kk@aol.com
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Winter at Potters Bar- Nerja: JAZZ JAZZ JAZZ!!!
– The Jazz Lunch is back! The very talented Spike, Diego & Jonny as the COASTLINE DIXIELANDERS will be providing us with fantastic afternoons of class entertainment. Sundays at 2.00pm. Availability is limited so reserve your table now. €15/person including a great roast Lunch. Phone Cathy on 685435767.
– And Potters Friday nights are not to be missed! Great live entertainment from 8pm, fabulous fish n’ chips and plenty of other options and a great night out guaranteed. Bookings advisable!
– The Potters Pub Quiz! Every Tuesday 8pm. Make a night of It! Good company, good good and great fun and all for just €3/person. Bookings advisable.
If you have never visited Potters Bar we look forward to meeting you! Our contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue.
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Concert- One for my Baby: Friday, Dec 30th 9pm
Auditorium Villa De Salobreña. Entry €15
We conclude this musically successful year with a concert in our beloved Salobreña. One for my Baby will perform songs from our latest CD “Life is like” combined with new compositions and some Jazz/Funk standards.
Info & Tickets at:
https://bravoentradas.es/es/events/one-for-my-baby-jazz-funk-fusion
The band “One for my Baby” is a project of Dirk Van Halewyck (Belgian composer / singer) and Kiko Aguado (composer / arranger / guitarist and musical director), formed in 2014, with members from Salobreña and Granada. The band is made up of eight top-level jazz musicians from the Andalusian jazz scene.
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Velez-Malaga Children’s Shows:
Dec 27 & 28 at 6-7:30pm, Dec 30 5:30-7:30pm. Info at:
https://velezmalagavivelanavidad.com/
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Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Click or tap the image to see an updated report
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NOTICE!
Submissions for posting in sections below
must be signed like this or they will be returned !!!
Sender's First Name / Nearest Town
NOTE: YOU MAY ADDITIONALLY INCLUDE A LOCATION TO MEET OR PICKUP,
BUT YOUR LOCATION IS REQUIRED IN ANY CASE.
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Services Wanted/Offered
Check the DigameXtra Sponsor’s list whenever you need a service. By using these services you are helping support DigameXtra.
Landlords, tell your renters about DigameXtra, where they can get overnight answers to questions about local stuff without having to call you!
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Archgrove Services: A family run light haulage/transport company with bases in Archez, Spain and Cambridgeshire.
We are part of the ADH storage and Transportation company and as such have storage available in Competa and Peunte Don Manuel. Very reasonable rates.
We provide a one stop service for all your transport needs and pride ourselves on reliability, flexibility, good communication and a very much ‘can do’ approach. No job is too small and there is always a solution.
Our services include:
-Regular runs between UK and Spain
-Transport of personal property from full house moves to small single items
-Man & Van services
-Packing, including supply of packing materials
-UK Home shopping with UK delivery address
-Storage of property and vehicles in Spain
If we can be of service please contact Gail. We are on Facebook and always available to chat through your needs and provide a free no obligation quote if required.
UK: 0044 7846672013
Spain: 0034 951 066 093
Email: archgroveservices@gmail.com ; FB Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
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SPW Construction Services: Professional high quality building service, fully qualified tradesmen to all trades.
Extensions, retaining walls, driveways, swimming pools, damp problems, roofs, blocked drains.
Replacement kitchens and bathrooms, Tiling and terraces. Plumbing, electrics and plastering, painting.
Architect service, building licence applications.
Handyman service now available for those smaller jobs.
NEW- Water Deposit Installations: Due to the ongoing drought and current water restrictions SPW Construction are currently offering the following service.
– Supply and installation of new above or below ground water deposits. 1000 litres up to 25000 litres. Delivered and installed, all relevant plumbing. All work warrantied.
– We can also advise you or help to organise water deliveries from local suppliers. For free consultation and estimate contact us on 622 938 440
or email: scottparkwilson AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Scott/Arenas. Home Page and FB-Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
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Mandy’s Paintbox: Painter for 30 years. Painting work undertaken. Inside and outside large or small. Furniture painted or sprayed. Kitchens, cabinets, wardrobes doors any colour any surface. Check out the before and after photos, all the furniture was spray painted.
Call for advice WhatsApp 680739577
Email: amandajosiah@hotmail.com
My contact details can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue. Here are “before” and “after” pics from my latest job.
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Hanningtons Kitchens and Bathrooms: We have been installing kitchens and bathrooms here on the Costa for 13 years. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, highest standards of work and customer service.
Whether you are thinking of updating an existing kitchen or bathroom, or whether you wish to create the kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of, we are here for you, every step of the way.
With an unrivaled knowledge of the best local materials and suppliers we are able to work to all tastes and budgets.
Our full range of services includes:
– Installations and Refurbs
– Wall & Floor tiling
– Full range of Plumbing work including radiators and underfloor heating
– Solar Installation
– Design & planning ideas to get the look you are after
– Electrical works
– Alter / Install walls, dropped ceilings and hang doors
– Plastering, woodwork and floor levelling
Visit our FB page on the link below to be inspired
https://www.facebook.com/hanningtons.kitchens.and.bathrooms/
Call us : 669 665 156
Email us : hanningtons.bathrooms@gmail.com ; Our contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue.
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Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent
Click on pics to enlarge
How to post more photos than the rules allow – use collages. The limit is one pic per item/event. You can combine several of your photos into a
single collage photo by using this free online collage creation tool. It’s very easy to use, give it a try! https://www.photocollage.com/
Are you still dealing with scammers on Fakebook Marketplace?
Sell your items here, to locals, for cash, without the shenanigans.
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BluCee would like to wish all DigameXtra readers a Very Happy New Year!:
Thank you to all of you who have entrusted us with your property this year.
We so often hear “we saw you in DigameXtra!”
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday, however and wherever you celebrate it, and a happy and healthy New Year.
Best wishes Michelle, Henny and Clara.
And a HUGE special thank you to Naythan, we really appreciate the hard work you put into producing DigameXtra.
We are based in Rincon de la Victoria (in 2023 we will be opening our new office in Torre del Mar), please contact us at info@blucee.com
For examples of our fantastic sales and holiday rental properties, please take a look at our website: www.BluCee.com
BluCee.com is a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown here every day.
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Recommendations & Requests
When making a recommendation always include the phone number or website of the biz, service, etc., so readers can reach them.
Note: I can’t post third party email addresses.
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Motor Home Rental: Hello Digamextra readers.
I want to rent a motor home for a month in early ’23. Maybe purchase one later. For one person. Non smoker, no pet. It’s a new venture for me to revisit inner Spain. Any advice +/- would be most appreciated.
Tony, Nerja. Wapp. +49 174 526 8474
sjc2714@gmail.com
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News & Articles
(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }
SPAIN
Storm Ephraim eases drought – most reservoirs recover to 2021 levels: {Translation, summary} 26/12/2022 04:50
– This week, the storm Efraín has caused severe flooding, especially in Extremadura, where it has even split a road and cut off villages. Rainfall has caused many problems, but has also left positive notes: Spanish reservoirs will close the year at the same level as last year when the forecast was to have a dry winter that would aggravate the drought situation that hit the Spanish countryside hard during the summer.
– The reservoirs are currently at 42.01%, compared to 42.31% at this point last year. This figure has been achieved thanks to the rainfall over the last two weeks.
– This makes it possible to close the year in the positive, although far from the forecasts that were made in the summer, so the news is good. The problem is that Spain is, for the second consecutive year, far from the average of the last ten years, which stands at 52.68% at this point in the year.
– Extremadura, which was precisely the region most affected by the storm, has achieved a record recovery in water levels: in just one week, the reservoirs have gone from including less water than in the last two years to exceeding both graphs and remaining very close to the average for the last ten years. The growth has been 13.75%, offering 49.41% of the total capacity, well above the 36.82% with which it closed 2021. Cáceres was the province with the highest increase in Spain, with a spectacular 21.97%. The second, Segovia, with a growth of 13.51%.
– In other places such as Andalusia, Ephraim has allowed for a lukewarm recovery. Andalusia is the region with the lowest percentage of water in reservoirs (28.37%), but the recent growth of 4.4% allows the crisis that the region has been experiencing for months now to be somewhat mitigated. Critical level provinces, such as Almería and Córdoba, are both below the 20% level
– Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid have suffered a similar effect: both were below the levels of other years and thanks to the storm Ephraim, they have managed to recover the figures of 2021.
– In Castile and Leon, Ephraim has only affected the southern area, Segovia. In the northern area (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country), the levels are similar to previous years
– On a positive note, the Valencian Community is the only autonomous region with levels above those of the previous two years, also exceeding the average of the last ten years. Source, Spanish: https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/fuertes-lluvias-palian-sequia-forma-subita-pasado-ano-lejos.html
MALAGA
Renfe’s low-cost high-speed trains will start operating Malaga service next year: The first private operator, low-cost Iryo trains, will be running a rival service to and from Madrid from 31 March and Renfe’s own low-cost Avlo trains (pic) will also start in 2023. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/avlo-lowcost-highspeed-train-spain-20221226105038-nt.html
NERJA
Nerja population increases to 21,450 inhabitants: {Translation}
– The population of Nerja continues to increase and stands at 21,450 registered inhabitants compared to 21,018 the previous year. By gender, women, with 10,921, outnumber men, with a total of 10,529.
– Nerja thus maintains its position as the third largest municipality on the Eastern Costa del Sol-Axarquia in terms of population.
Source, Spanish:
https://www.axarquiaplus.es/nerja-aumenta-su-poblacion-hasta-los-21-450-habitantes
ENERGY CRISIS
The price of electricity rises by 41% this Tuesday, to 113.72 euros/MWh: {Translation, summary}
– The average price of electricity for regulated tariff customers linked to the wholesale market will rise this Tuesday to 113.72 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), which represents an increase of 41.6% compared to Monday.
– In this way, the price of electricity once again exceeds the 100 euro/MWh barrier, a level it has not reached since 19 December. The cheapest price was set on Sunday, Christmas Day, at 10.63 euros/MWh, the lowest level since May 2021.
– In the auction, the average price of electricity in the wholesale market – the so-called ‘pool’ – stands at 109.49 euros/MWh on Tuesday. The minimum price, 62.09 euros/MWH, will be from 03.00 to 04.00 hours, while the maximum price will be recorded between 18.00 and 19.00 hours, with 164.69 euros/MWh, according to provisional data from the Iberian Energy Market Operator (OMIE) collected by Europa Press.
– Added to this pool price is the compensation to gas companies, which must be paid by consumers who benefit from the measure, consumers on the regulated tariff (PVPC) or those who, despite being on the free market, have an indexed tariff, which for this Tuesday stands at 4.23 euros/MWh, according to provisional data.
Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/economia/energia-00341/noticia-precio-luz-sube-41-martes-11372-euros-mwh-20221226132102.html
HEALTH
Why you shouldn’t suck prawn heads during Christmas feast in Spain:
– Platters of prawns form part of the traditional feast on a Christmas table in Spain and every Spaniard knows that sucking on the freshly removed head is the very best part.
– However, the Spanish Food & Safety Agency, (AESAN) issued an advisory warning diners not to suck the heads of such shellfish because of the health risks associated with cadmium. Full article: https://www.thelocal.es/20201217/dont-suck-prawn-heads-spain-issues-health-warning-ahead-of-christmas/
SPORTS
RIP – Kathy Whitworth, winningest pro golfer in history, dead at 83: Kathy Whitworth, whose 88 LPGA Tour victories are the most ever by a player on a pro tour, passed away suddenly on Saturday while celebrating Christmas Eve with family and friends, her longtime partner Bettye Odle said. She was 83. Photo: Richard Heathcote. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/kathy-whitworth-winningest-pro-golfer-history-dead-83-2022-12-25/
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Humour Section
Free Comic Strips provided by https://www.arcamax.com/comics
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Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)
Click chart to see more currencies
Fun & Games
National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages, worldwide: Click Here
Daily Crossword Puzzle: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here
Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles.
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio
Useful Links, Info & Numbers
Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html
Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Velez Malaga, Nerja Car Boot
Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231
Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112
Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238
Local News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Spain National News in English, El Pais: https://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm
DigameXtra Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigameXtracom-100456328093689/ and https://www.facebook.com/Digame-Torrox-Blog-106444724153160/
DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/
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