ARBOLEAS LIFE Issue Number 6 April 2020

ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

ARBOLEAS LIFE Newsletter sharing your news issue number 6

My name is Emma, I am 24 years of age and work in the Emergency Department. As I put on my gloves I am preparing to care for those who are battling this horrible virus. I’m putting myself at risk to make sure your loved ones get the care they need and deserve. Please stay at home to protect not only yourself but your family and friends and the rest of the population. It’s not too much to ask. The moment you step outside your door you are responsible for yourself and for others. Don’t be selfish! STAY AT HOME

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 1 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

EDITORIAL

Well we have survived 5 weeks now and still fairly sane. The weather hasn't been so kind to us has it ? I hope very much you enjoy this bumper edition of our Magazine. What have we got for you this time. Well the lovely Jos Biggs has penned a story for us again and Belinda has sent me another item for your amusement. We have a super article about Bees with incredible close up photographs and Skye’s story continues. What have some people been doing to pass the time? Well you can find out in this edition. We also have the first part of of Jean Bye's trip to Africa. You will realise how remarkable a feat this was for Jean when you read it. Plenty of other articles for you to read as well. Normally we report on the events happening to help all our local charities, sadly none of these can happen. We must remember that charities need income to do all the good work they do. Please keep back some spare cash if you can for when we get back to normal. This will help keep our local charities going. Have you decluttered yet - pack all those filled bin bags away until you can take them to your favourite charity shop. Enjoy the read and thank you for all the support and positive comments on our Facebook page. I hope you find it helpful to you. Thank you. Alan Pearce! PS !What did I do during lockdown - ! !it took me three weeks to read the April issue of Arboleas Life! !and in-between I made a cake for Sue’s 70th birthday

Third party advertisements and links to other sites where goods or services are advertised and are not endorsements or recommendations by Arboleas Life. Your access to or use of them is at your own risk.

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 2 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

MY NAME IS SKYE This is my story

Well pack, neighbours and all my friends here kingsize was essential for a dogs good sleep. we are again. The first few months were Eventually my staff and I went down to the frantic . "The Sleep Centre", lovely helpful people I might add. I leapt upon the first bed but was I was multitasking, one minute supervising speedily removed by female staff, as a administration the next my civil engineering warning eyebrow was raised behind the and building hats on as a counter, ooops ! Male staff was new office was created to insistent that we had a particular keep staff in during the day kingsize bed and he duly paid for when they were not doing the new mattress, wincing as he my bidding. Then my does at actually parting with landscaping skills were money. Off home we went and called for as work was staff agreed in anticipation of the carried out by staff under new mattress due to arrive in two my direction in the garden. days that they would take the old To be frank I am totally bed out of my bedroom and put exhausted most days and the new bed-frame together with so enjoy my bed after I push the old mattress, even though it one of the other of my staff was too narrow being a 4ft 6inch. I out, serves them right for not getting the supervised but I am certain that all was not bigger bed from the garage. I even have to well, when the 4ft 6 inch mattress exactly have a Siesta myself in summer. fitted the new bed frame. Male staff huffed The garage was full of furniture, off and went straight for the cooking sherry, unsurprisingly as staff had whilst female staff was in also brought the contents of paroxysms of silent laughter. my new kennel in a blood Eventually male staff rush to their respective heads shamefacedly rang "The Sleep I fear. There was much of Centre", and requested a new 4ft male staffs very important 6inch mattress. I raised my eyes items (Ummm that description to the sky in despair, I can see I is open to interpretation) but am going to have my work cut did include a nearly new bed out keeping these two under my which male staff had said I paw of iron. I guess he will have could have a new mattress on to sleep in my dog bed then? If once we arrived in Spain. you think that was the end of the Eventually a path way had bed saga, just wait ! A dog been cleared to the aforementioned bed needs a BIG bed if they are to frame. I must admit that I had cheated as you share it with the two paws. are aware by pushing both out of bed as they continued … slept to remind them that a king size or super

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 3 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 56 April 2020

SKYE’S STORY

I insisted that staff toe the line and knowing beginners class, organised by our wonderful male staffs habit of letting standards slip or Town Hall. It was apparent that staffs indeed slipping into the nearest bar. I was mumblings were not conducive to a new life in formally registered and received my resident Spain, whilst I could now bark in three dogs card, my passport had Spain added to languages, having practiced my Spanish bark it, thats me international dog of mystery, since I knew I would be moving to Arboleas. I Romania, United Kingdom (South Ferring would accompany them to the classroom and actually) and now Spain. Male and female stay outside in the car to ensure they did not staff applied for their health cards slink down to Maloans bar as was and residencia and male staff even their wont when unsupervised. registered to pay tax, which was Back in my new kennel male staff probably a first for him. They both often cooks and on these obtained Spanish driving licences, occasions, there is much coughing which surprised me, having with smoke emitting from the travelled with them both. First time kitchen window, prior to him I have experienced driving by carrying out some unrecognisable touch was when I met up with my charred item which he proudly new staff members and was offers to the table, inevitably the chauffeured around in the dog Bombero's would arrive and staffs mobile (Renault Scenic), although I new found language skills went was particularly observant if I allowed them to some way to placating them, along with drive my Mercedes Benz and it was kept bottles of beer. Actually we did receive a note virtually unscathed. prior to the first Christmas lunch, requesting that male staff kept away from the kitchen, as After several the Bomberos would like to enjoy their wonderful social Christmas dinner too. Fortunately the evenings with the wonderful Sue and Alan invited me to marvellous Sue and Christmas dinner and staff were allowed to Alan next door, I accompany as long as I kept the cooking realised that during sherry under lock and key for the whole day. these early months they were keeping me Just prior to our first Christmas in Spain, male sane, also raising the staff was sent back to the UK in the english tone of conversation registered "Dogmobile", with instructions to that I was normally return with my Mercedes Benz. I had left it to subjected to. They also keep Serrano Ham be sold, however or fortunately this coincided for me to sample, so much consideration and with the UK's anti diesel engine paranoia and kindness to me, I can now get from my kennel the Mercedes was still there. Sometime later to theirs in 5.2 seconds when the gates are staff returned with my car and now I could be open. They are wonderful cooks, which transported in the style I deserved. brings me on to another area. I managed to continued … get my staff enrolled on the Spanish

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 4 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 56 April 2020

SKYE’S STORY

It was pleasing to see how much all our view surrounded by 3 metre high fencing. household were enjoying our new life in We were told to stop and wait, whilst the dogs Arboleas with trips out and gentle lunches in were put away, then we drove in to the our area. compound which enclosed a cave house. By now temperature outside was 40 degrees and Well up comes the bed issue, again, as leaving the car, they were brought into the summer approaches once more. In the cave house which was cool. The bed is in winter, I noticed, there were no complaints in one of the rooms we haven't decorated so having a "Hot Dog", sleeping on the duvet for stay here, we will bring it through. Apparently staff to snuggle up too. Male staff noticed a male staff was delighted with his purchase large Spanish bed-frame advertised for sale and it was duly loaded in the car. "You can at a good price (that means cheap in male find your way back OK ? "said the vendor staff terms). I groaned, these schemes of his "fine" said male staff. Off they went. tend to end in disaster, however he painted a Eventually they regained the highway. After wondrous picture to female staff and I, of this a while Alan said to staff "What is that odd luxurious new bed. We have been here smell?" After much prompting, male staff before I thought to myself. admitted he could smell it too, the bed frame The rest of this tale, is as my was the culprit. Alan told me, he had good friend Alan, recounted it to said, Skye and other staff won't like me, as he had been co-opted that, as male staff shrunk down in the into the hare brain scheme to driving seat. I was waiting back at use his larger car for transport. home and after nearly 4 hours they Off they go like Steptoe and returned and the bed-frame was son, well neighbour. They drive unloaded by a crestfallen male staff. to Baza and stop at a filling "It might need a bit of tidying up" he station to call the vendor of the said defensively whilst female staff just bed as arranged. The vendor sniffed, sniffed again and turned on said "Great I will be 5 minutes". her heels to head for the gin bottle. After quite a while said Alan, "a dented 4x4 The bed frame was left leaning against arrived" and the chap driving said follow me, the garage. there is a bit of unmade road but it is fine. I Bearing in mind that this was high summer, rolled my eyes to the skies as I heard this and the bed frame had been left out in nearly 40 held my breath. Poor Alan and I were sitting degrees of heat, for about a week. Then under his sun shade whilst he fortified himself male staff whose ego had been severely to settle his nerves from his ordeal as male deflated by the bed episode, gathered female staff had driven apparently. "Well" said Alan, staff and I together and said "He could make the tarmac road stopped after 50 metres and the bed-frame good, remove the old paint and then they were bouncing across the desert, re-paint it, which would seal the last vestiges up hill down Rambla's, across rustic bridges. of the objectionable odour in”. After half an hour they approached by way of a washed out track, now angled at 40 continued … degrees sideways, a compound came into

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 5 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 56 April 2020

We all agreed more out of hope than anticipation. However after stripping the nials and after much use of sandpaper and sweat, male sta set to painting the head and foot boards. I had to step in as I felt great pity for him by now having seen his rst results. "Look here" said I, "do not try to spray paint in 40 degrees of heat, by the time the paint hits the wood you are spraying sand onto it !" He was so grateful, I said to him "Have a long siesta, do not go to the bar ! And at around 10 pm, try it then or get up early (fat chance) and do it at 5 am".

End result pretty good. And thanks again to the wonderful Alan, when a mattress materialised and I could have a good nights sleep at last.

I do like happy endings, Dogs rule of course.

PS my own two paws helped with the spelling, thank you Moyra Blackburn More Next Month

A.P.S.A. Animal Protection Society Albox

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 6 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 56 April 2020

HELLO MOTHER - CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Hands up if your daily routine has gone out of my other half would see what I was ordering the window…… and that would never do! Hands up if you don’t know what day of the Gradually we have settled into a routine of week it is without looking at the calendar……. sorts. A sense of calm has settled over our house with no rush to be anywhere or do Hands up if your recycling bin goes out more anything we have been given time to just be often than you……. still. A few weeks ago I was running around with Whilst decluttering things from your my boys for Rugby, Football, Scouts, School cupboards or wardrobe feels good and the Trips, Parents evening and then just like that sense of achievement with your tidy space it came to an abrupt halt! can be fulfilling there is nothing like clearing Like many others I spend my life dashing your mind. from one thing to the next always in a hurry to Over the past few weeks we have all noticed get somewhere or get something done. My things that we take for granted or just don’t husband lives in another country and we see see. In our garden we have blackbirds him during school holidays so I am chief nesting, starlings, pigeons and even a robin cook, bottle washer and taxi driver. who all come to visit – when they can’t see Then the Pandemic hit! Obviously we had the cat Tinkerbelle! We have seen Bees - been following the news and watching what enormous this year, wasps - not my dad’s was going on World Wide but somehow it felt favourite, ladybirds different because it was now affecting us. and butterflies. The sky is clear blue with So… what to do? no aircraft buzzing I set myself a list of jobs which obviously overhead and the included my husband much to his delight. He roads are quiet. had managed to get home before the borders It’s like mother Nature has taken her foot off closed in the country he works in. the gas and given us all time to appreciate For the first two weeks we had to combine the things we have. school work for the boys which was like Much to the amusement of my family I have pulling hens teeth, my other half working from started growing some plants from seed and to home and me wandering about with my the annoyance of my husband declaring clipped wings. surprise and joy every morning when a new shoot appears. This year we will have lettuce, beetroot, No more tomatoes and peppers quick trips to the hopefully if I can keep supermarket because I them alive….. had forgotten something continued … for tea, no more parcel deliveries from clothes shop – partly because

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 7 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 56 April 2020

HELLO MOTHER - CAN YOU HEAR ME?

We have watched the trees go from the house which left us branch, to bud and then to full bloom. looking like we had been Everything feels like it has a new burgled – thankfully as lease of life from having a rest. good scouts they had to put it all away again too! As a That’s how we should look at this time family we have played in we have on our hands as a period of the garden, played games rest, reflection and reconnection. and generally had ‘family Every day I Video call my parents and time’ all of which are my mother in law. precious and will be remembered longer than We chat about what we have done the time we were ‘locked during the day, what we are having in’. for tea, what’s going on in the world and about family. Don’t get me wrong I am nervous and excited for the They have all said I don’t need to call day when things go back to ‘normal’ but I am everyday but it is my way of checking they hoping my new normal won’t be quite so are ok. hectic. I have spoken to friends that I have been My one goal to achieve before things go back meaning to ring but never seem to find the to normal is to beat my husband at UNO… time. We have had virtual quiz evenings with now where did I put the cards!!!! friends on a Saturday. Our youngest is in the Scouts and they have been doing Scouts Take care and see you again soon virtually including a scavenger hunt around Belinda xxx

Established in 2000 and going that extra mile to make your Almeria property dreams a reality. [email protected] Landline: 0034 950430763 Mobile: 0034 634302801

Page 8 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

FRONT LINE DEDICATION

Meet Emma and her colleagues. They are Staff Nurses working front line in the emergency department of the Ulster Hospital, Northern Ireland. In 2015 Emma contracted Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and recovered to complete her nurse’s training. She is now doing work she thoroughly enjoys and continues to smile (for the camera) despite the current situation with this dreadful virus. Emma’s parents have ‘underlying health issues’ and to avoid putting their lives at risk she moved into accommodation with her two friends, both in the same situation. Help staff like Emma, STAY HOME and reduce the spread of the Coronavirus EMMA infection.

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 9 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

WALK FOR LIFE IS STILL HERE TO HELP

Walk for Life, Arboleas would like to reassure their existing and new clients that we are still here to assist you. Because of the vulnerability of our clients we will not be carrying out home visits during the lockdown, but rest assured we have measures in place to carry on our service to you. We have had confirmation from our Translators that they will be available to assist our clients and if anything changes regarding their access to the hospitals then they will notify us immediately. If you have any concerns and would like to chat please feel free to contact either our Client Lead, Irene Barber 643 638 177 or Jean Bircher 696 674 456 THE WALK 2020 POSTPONED UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR! The 2020 Walk will not be able to go ahead in May, but we will have a Walk later this year and will announce the date as soon as possible. If you would like a sponsorship form they are available online at walk4lifearboleas.com, click on the button just below the main headline or email [email protected] For Walk for Life the work doesn’t stop, people do not stop needing our help and so, with the walk and other events being postponed, we need your support more than ever. Please put your coins in our tins if you see them. The Arboleas Farmacia, Total Entertainment, Font Arboleas, Harrisons, The Corner Shop, Sol Supermercado, Nexo Vets Albox, Solo Buen Precio (todo shop Arboleas) and Iceland at Vera are remaining open and have tins. If anyone would like to donate you can do it directly into our account at any UNICAJA bank - IBAN No: ES 73 2103 5140 0600 3000 7723 - Swift BIC code UCJAES2M WALK FOR LIFE CALENDAR 2021! Walk for Life will be producing its fourth calendar later this year. The cost of production is covered by the advertising so that every penny of the €5 paid for a calendar goes to the charity. Last year’s advertisers will be given priority and we have a number of new advertisers but there are still a few spaces available. Advertising spaces are all €50; if you would be interested in advertising email [email protected].

continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 10 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

WALK FOR LIFE IS STILL HERE TO HELP

Most of us are sat at home looking for things to do. Why not go through your phone and camera memory cards and find some photos to submit to the Spring section of the Walk for Life Calendar photo competition; spring flowers, empty beaches, almond and orange blossom or inland towns. Because of the shape of the calendar photos must be wider than they are tall. You can upload your photos on the website at www.walk4lifearboleas.com or email to [email protected]

We are also looking for an image for the front page, something immediately recognisable as from our area. A well-known landmark or building or maybe a view of our mountain Teta. This needs to be a slightly different shape, taller than it is wide or at least square and with a blue sky so the designer can fade it out under the date. Here are the 3 previous front pages as a guide.

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 11 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

ZURGENA: STEVE COLLINS [email protected] ALBOX: JAN EDWARDS [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE! Meetings will not take place until rules of the State of Alarm permit public socialising

ARBOLEAS HOME WATCH

Arboleas Home Watch has recently had a few more people join. Whilst the current situation is on and you wish to join us, please email me your name, address and phone number. I will sign you up immediately. Send to :[email protected]

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 12 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN LEISURE

Many people will know RICHARD AND WENDY of Calida Homes. For many evenings they have posted videos of many songs and dances to try and cheer people up. Here are a few still photos of their antics.

HILDA PYE lives in Los Requenos, she decided to fish out her paints after a long time tucked away. She has produced the attached pictures which I am sure you will agree are really good. Hilda’s comment - a rewarding pleasure

JEAN BYE from La Perla has been using her time to make new covers for her outdoor chairs ready for summer. Jean’s comment - luckily I had bought the material before lockdown!

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 13 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN LEISURE

JANE THOMAS from Arboleas has been busy following Belinda’s suggestion and decluttered around her home. Jane’s comment - more room for more shoes and more handbags!

JANISE AND GORDON have a black tie dinner dance every Saturday at home. Various friends' attend ' online, in Glasgow and Newcastle. Janise & Gordon’s comment - It’s our way of coping, and of telling the virus it's not welcome here!

These two girls are taking social distancing seriously

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 14 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

DON’T GET ME WRONG … BUT …

We are all in this together. We can’t go out. And if we do only one of us can go, and then only to shop for essentials. We can’t call in for a coffee and a tapa, or go round to see our friends. The diversions with which we filled our days are now no longer. We are stuck inside our houses, like it or not. We’ve arrived at a junction along our Road of Life. We have a choice: Doom and gloom. Isolation and boredom. Or you could … Get on with all those jobs that you were going to do, but haven’t. Go through the house and garden as if you have just moved in, and enjoy the opportunity of seeing your surroundings in a fresh light. Move that picture, re-position the furniture, swap the ornaments around, render a whole multitude of spiders homeless. Relish the feeling of satisfaction from your labours – look around and congratulate yourself before you sit down to wonder what the heck to do with the assorted objects that you have unearthed; objects that you didn’t know you had or forgotten about, and now that you’ve found them, wonder why you had them in the first place. And while you are on a roll, decide to Do Something. Something you’ve always had an inclination to try your hand at, but have never got round to actually doing. Here the world is your oyster, through the medium of the World Wide Web. Study for a degree in nuclear physics? Learn Medieval English? Take up potholing – no, maybe not potholing! Perhaps instead try out new recipes, or variations of recipes, using only the things you’ve got in your cupboards. Do all the crosswords and puzzles, not just the easy ones! And of course there is always the trusty jigsaw. And don’t forget Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook and any others that you may fancy. Since I haven’t met a fellow human face-to-face since last week’s Mercadona outing, I have spoken to more people via the above than in a normal week! Whether you decide to be an opti or a pessi mist there is the radio or the telly, and an unceasing stream of Youtube to distract you from the here and now. It really is up to you. Sit and watch the clock go round, or Get On With whatever you’ve decided to get on with! A word of warning; If you decide the latter, plan your day, otherwise it will run away with you! You will find that you are deeply immersed in 4 down, 6 across only to look up and see that it is 5 o’clock, and you’ve forgotten to take supper out of the deep freeze!

continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 15 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

DON’T GET ME WRONG … BUT …

It’s up to you what you make of it. Personally I am finding it an opportunity for all of us to make new friendships, learn new things, and above all, to draw together in our time of trial. My wish for the future? That the drawing together that many of us have experienced, the reassessment of values, the appreciation of Life in all its many forms, will stay with us once we are allowed out again. You get out of Life what you put in. And come on! We can communicate with each other, we can show friendship and fellowship to others, we can fill our days meaningfully. Having to plan our shopping and wear a mask and gloves is not the end of the world, is it? Make a resolution for today to do something that you enjoy, and speak to someone who would like to hear from you. You will find that what you have put into Life will come back to you better and stronger. Carpe Diem – Seize the day! Remember Monsters Inc? The monsters harvest the screams of frightened children to provide a life force for them, until the big blue monster, Sully, discovers that the most powerful force in the world is laughter! (James P ‘Sully’ Sullivan) Jos Biggs

LOCKDOWN RESCUE

JOHN AND JACKIE went to India for Jackies’s 60th birthday to photograph tigers. Suddenly they found themselves trapped by rules of the lockdown. They are pictured at the airport waiting twelve hours for a flight home. Jackie’s comment - we are now safe at home and thanks for WhatsApp - we can chat and see our daughter and new granddaughter.

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 16 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

BEES BUZZING IN ARBOLEAS

Guy Marchal from Belgium is an excellent photographer. Before the lockdown he visited the beehives owned by Diego who owns Bar Colmena opposite the Ayuntamiento in Arboleas. Diego will sell the honey produced by his bees in the Bar, when it is allowed to open again. Guy went with Diego up into the hills to see the bees and get up close to the hives to see them in action. The following article tells us all we need to know about bees in Spain. Plus the photos are stunning.

Bees play a However, the queen bee, the only fertile bee crucial role in in the colony, can live for several years. the world’s Life Cycle of a Honey Bee! ecosystem! A honey bee's life cycle consists of three In fact, the honey stages: the larval stage, the pupal stage and bee is the world’s the adult stage. Collectively, this is known as most important single species of pollinator, complete metamorphosis because the form ensuring people and animals have the food of the bee changes drastically from the larva they need to survive. If there were no honey to the adult. The larval stage is bees, the world similar for worker bees and wouldn’t have queen bees, which are both broccoli, berries, female bees that hatch from a apples, cucumbers fertilised egg. Worker bees, and lots of other drone bees and queen bees are foods. Bees also all fed royal jelly in their first few produce honey and days as larvae, but after that only wax. Despite having the queen bee continues to such important jobs, receive the royal jelly, the honey bee has a supplemented with honey toward fairly short life span. the end of the larval stage. Worker bee larvae are mass-fed a compound known as "worker How long a jelly" or "brood food," while drone bees, male honey bee lives bees that hatch depends on from unfertilised whether it is a eggs, are fed a drone bee, a modified version worker bee or a of the worker queen bee. bees' diet, The lifespan of a honey bee depends on the including type of bee it is. Drone bees (male bees increased hatched from unfertilised eggs) live for quantities of around eight weeks. Sterile worker bees tend pollen and to live for up to six weeks during summer and honey, during five months or more during winter. the larval stage. continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 17 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

BEES BUZZING IN ARBOLEAS

Small hairs also hours after mating with the grow on the bee's queen, and the rest of the body. Typically, drone bees survive only as the total time it long as the worker bees allow them to. If takes to become there is a shortage of food, the worker bees a fully developed kill or kick out the drones. Drone bees rarely adult bee is survive the winter, as the worker bees want to around 21 days protect their limited resources. When a drone for workers, bee is ejected from the hive, he soon dies around 24 days from cold or starvation. The average life span for drones and of a drone bee is eight weeks. around 16 days for queen bees. Queen bees develop faster Life Span of Worker Bees! thanks to their rich diet. The first part of a worker’s life is spent The honey bee queen is also the largest of working within the hive, while the last part is the bees in a colony, measuring around 2cm spent finding food and gathering pollen or – about twice as long as a worker bee. nectar. Worker bees also gather water to use Drones are slightly bigger than workers, but to cool the inside of the nest on hot days, and never as big as queens. use water to dilute the honey before feeding it to the larvae. It is worker bees who are Life Span of Honey Bees! responsible for pollination: When they land on plants or A bee colony, an extremely organised, flowers, sophisticated society, is made up of they three castes (categories): A single collect fertile queen bee, hundreds of male pollen drone bees and thousands of sterile dust all female worker bees. A bee's caste, as over their well as the time of year in which it was bodies, born, affects its lifespan. Summer and then workers have the shortest honey bee use their lifespan, while the queen bee outlives specially both other castes. adapted legs to discard the pollen, leaving it on other plants. Life Span of Drone Bees! During summer, worker bees only live for five Adult drones have no useful purpose within to six weeks, purely because their heavy the bee hive. They don't provide food, feed workload often gets the better of them. This is the young or produce wax. In fact, they waste their most active time of the year, when they the colony's resources and only serve one spend their days foraging for food, storing purpose: To mate with the queen bee. Drone nectar, feeding larvae and producing honey. bees first leave the hive six days after Worker bees live longer in winter – five emerging from the pupal cell, flying to areas months or more – because their fat supplies known for drone congregation and going increase and their well-developed glands back to the hive only when they have failed to provide food for larvae. mate. Successful maters die minutes or continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 18 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

BEES BUZZING IN ARBOLEAS

Life Span of Queen Bees! worker bees protects the queen and regulates her The queen bee has a very important function temperature. within the colony, and has the longest life span by far. While the average life span of a The worker bees keep a close eye on the queen bee is two to five years, queen bees queen bee to make sure she is up to her job. have been known to live up to seven years, If she doesn't lay enough eggs, the workers will start developing a new queen to replace the old one, a process known as supersedure. The new queen is pampered with food and affection, while the old queen is neglected and left to waste away. In some beekeeping practices, the beekeeper replaces the queen after one or two years.

Factors Affecting Honey Bee Life Span! although this is rare. About a week after a The life span of a bee can be affected by new queen emerges from her cell, she goes many factors. Often, bees die from natural on several flights in order to mate with as causes, but sometimes they can be eaten by many as 20 drones. After the queen bee other animals or killed by other bees. Worker returns to lay her eggs, she will rarely leave bees may die due to overwork. However, the the colony. Thereafter, the queen bee lays biggest threat to bees is disease or infection, between 1,000 and 2,000 eggs a day inside which can destroy entire colonies in severe the hive (she has enough sperm stored in her cases. For example, the parasitic fly sperm pouch to enable her to fertilize her Apocephalus borealis forces bees to leave eggs for the rest of her life). If the queen bee the hive and die, and then fly larvae emerge fertilizes the egg, that egg will become female from the dead bees. This fly also spreads – a worker bee or a queen bee. However, if deformed-wing virus. Other threats to honey the queen bee does not fertilize the egg, it bees are pesticides, habitat loss and mites. will become a male drone bee.

The queen's survival in the difficult winter months depends largely on how viable her colony is. A strong group of

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 19 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

THE START OF A NEW WAY OF LIFE JEAN BYE

Just before my 80th birthday my life changed dramatically. I lost my husband of 42 years. I got to a point in the year that followed where I started to think of what I had always wanted to do, but for family commitments had never been able to. One of those things was going to do voluntary work in Africa. So, that is what I started to plan in January 2017.

This is what happened.:- MY TRIP TO UGANDA AT 81yrs of age!

My first quest was to find out if any of the organisations, that send volunteers abroad, would accept me at my age. Despite being over 80, I found several groups that would accept me. However I was disturbed to learn that of any money raised I would have to pay them a percentage and also a lump sum of several hundred pounds. I had not expected to have to give them money out of what had been raised and felt that this was unacceptable. I decided to look at whether it was possible to do this independently.

I was happy to pay for my flight and accommodation as my contribution.

As a result of talking to various people, and one neighbour in particular, I gained the name of a contact who was able to give me details of a school in Uganda that would benefit from the help of volunteers as she had been a volunteer at this school. She also was able to provide me with details of a lady who owned a hotel in the town where the school was, who had gone to Uganda as a VSO (voluntary service overseas) and had stayed there. This lady accommodated people who were doing voluntary work at a cheaper rate than normal. So here was my starting point.

Then, just by chance, one of my friends noticed on Facebook a lady who appeared to be a volunteer in Uganda. She passed this information on to me. I contacted the lady concerned and we struck up a friendship. Her name was Ruth. She was a very big help to me not only in planning the trip but in helping me when I arrived there.

I then had to look at what vaccinations I would need, then go to Almeria to get them. There was a hiccup in that I was not able to have Yellow Fever as I am too old. I talked to the Ugandan Embassy in London about this, as it was one of the requirements, and was told not to worry it would not be a problem, I just kept my fingers crossed he was right. continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 20 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

THE START OF A NEW WAY OF LIFE JEAN BYE

With the help of all my family, friends and also in particular, the Walk for Life committee who helped by letting me have a stand at their annual walk day in May and other things too, we managed to raise just over £3000 to spend for the school.

Many people very generously gave me items of stationery, pens, pencils etc to take with me and items of clothing for babies and children. The result was that I had two large suitcases and one small bag accompanying me on the trip. Everyone was so generous it was wonderful to see.

The journey started at 5.30am on 22nd October 2017 when one of my dear friends took me to Almeria Railway station to catch a train to Madrid. It was the start of a very interesting and happy trip.

At one of the early stops on the way to Madrid. a young man got on the train. His seat was next to me and we started talking. He was Spanish but spoke very good English and we had a very good time talking all the way. I found out he was meeting his girlfriend’s mother in Madrid and travelling on to her home where his girlfriend was. When we arrived in Madrid he helped me off the train with my suitcases. When we met his future Mother-in-law he asked her if she minded him helping me to a taxi. I told her what a lovely young man he was and that she had a really kind future Son-in-law.

I had an overnight stay in Madrid before my flight the next day to Amsterdam. The taxi driver was very kind to me and checked that my booking in the hotel was ok and then took my cases in to the porter for me. Everyone I met was so kind it made it a really lovely start to the adventure.

More to follow next month…

LOCKDOWN LEISURE

HOLMAN BLACKBURN re-covered dining chairs and made four rustic outside lights from bracketery, old drain pipe, HD wire, tube of silicone and 8 cut up wine bottles. Holman’s comment - Well actually more than 8 wine bottles as one broke in the process so I had to consume the contents of a further bottle. Eventually completed task after falling over a few times.

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 21 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN STARS

Arboleas — Not just a village but a community to be proud of

A month ago a lovely lady from Piedra Amarilla - Julie Davies, and her friends started a nightly tribute. To give heartfelt thanks to our front line workers: the doctors, nurses and other health carers, shop workers, truck drivers, Police and Army, they arranged a nightly song to be played out loud, along with the banging of pots and clapping. Word spread and the nightly tribute has reached Arboleas.

What better way to show our appreciation, a fun way that also draws us together as a community whilst keeping at an appropriate distance.

Music has a way of lightening the mood and raising the spirits. Every evening at 8pm people from each corner of the village, from Los Torres 1 and 2, La Judea, La Perla, Los Carrascos, Los Golondrinos, La Cueva, Los Garcias and Los Higuerales are joining in with the fun. Julie and I post on Facebook daily with news of the songs that have been chosen from the list of requests and each evening we stand outside and give it our heart and soul.

We are all in this lockdown together, for as long as it lasts, and some daily music is just the medicine to help us get through this and keep our spirits high.

Why not come and join us and help show support for those who are putting their lives at risk to keep us safe and healthy in these worrying times of Covid-19.

Andrea Hollings !

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 22 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN STARS

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 23 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN STARS

I AM 60 AND A CARE BEAR

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 24 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA

As we all are aware, the Government has asked everyone in Spain to stay at home. This means even people who may not be at • Befriend an older person a high risk should only leave the house for • Lead a fitness group limited reasons. These measures are to help • Drive older people to a local activity prevent the spread of the virus, and protect that they look forward to attending the most vulnerable. • Cook and deliver lunch for an older person Our Charity Shop and Welfare department • Support someone on their journey must remain closed to the public until home to/from hospital further notice, though we remain • Assist in our shop committed to looking after all clients • Provide an ear to listen, or mobility currently receiving our care or support and aids to assist our clients although we remain closed to the public, our Welfare team and Befrienders are You could make a huge difference. Right still working hard assisting or visiting those now, so many older people in our area have in need in our care. no one to turn to for help and support. If you need to request assistance during this • No one to ask for advice lockdown, you can do so by calling our • No one to help in a crisis mobile number - 642045210. • No one to talk to when they're feeling desperately lonely This is an incredibly difficult time for us all, and we appreciate your ongoing support By volunteering for ASA, you'll be making a during the Coronavirus crisis. difference to older people's lives in everything you do. You'll learn new skills, Join Our Team meet new people, and forge amazing friendships. At ASA, one of the ways we try to combat loneliness in later life is through our befriending services. We offer two different types: All our volunteers make every day a little brighter for older people. From helping Telephone befriending someone regain confidence after an illness Telephone Befriending or fall, or helping with shopping trips for is where a volunteer people with mobility issues, there are so befriender will phone many ways you can help. an older person at an agreed time for a chat. Age Support Almanzora (ASA) need support The older person is with different services, these are some of matched with a the ways you could help, unfortunately befriender who has under the current lockdown rules some of similar interests, and these tasks are not permitted to take place. who will provide friendly conversation and companionship on a regular basis over a long period of time. continued …

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 25 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA

Face-to-face befriending chat, often when they have no one else to talk to at home. And while all this is happening, you'll be helping ASA raise vital funds to make our area a better place to grow older. Welfare Office is situated at the rear of the Shop and carries a stock of disabled and assistance aids which are available on a free loan, to residents of the Almanzora Valley irrespective of nationality. As a volunteer you would man the office and be available Befriending service will often involve a to issue these devices upon application. The volunteer befriender visiting an older client would need to complete a person in their home, perhaps for a cup of registration form and the item would be on tea and a chat, or accompanying them to an a 6-month loan period. You would also be activity (such as a trip to a cafe or a weekly able to listen to the clients need and advise shopping trip). In some cases, a volunteer them accordingly using the resources of the may accompany the older person to office. These resources are held on the occasional hospital or doctor's office computer using basic skills to access appointments. the information. Charity Shop volunteers What's in it for you • Making friends • Learning new skills • Supporting a great cause at the heart of your community • Being part of a fantastic team If you can spend 3 or 4 hours a week, we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in joining us, please contact us on 642045210. We look forward to you Volunteers are book readers, bric-a-brac joining our team. collectors or fashionistas. They are listeners and friends. They all know that one person's unwanted clutter is another person's treasure. As a shop volunteer, you'll serve customers, sort stock, arrange window displays and light dusting/cleaning. But the role is so much more than that. Our shop is a centre of activity where people visit to browse and

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 26 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCKDOWN LEISURE

PAMELA has been very busy. After decluttering the freezer she had a baking session to fill those spaces. Pamela’s comment - can't meet my neighbours to share the baked goods over coffee (or wine)

PAMELA is painting the study and sorting out seat cushions ready for summer - B A R RY i s i n t h e garden putting in an irrigation system, 200 metres of pipe work and eight access taps!

SHEILA ALDOUS from Los Garcias has spent her time during lockdown to make this beautiful quilt. What a lovely colourful item to make. Sheila’s comment - it’s work in progress and should keep me busy

ELIZABETH decided to clean her car, inside and out. Elizabeth’s comment - definitely no before photos, you can have some of the finished job. clean and shiny interior brilliant shine on the exterior

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 27 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

LOCAL GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS DIRECTORY

Organisation / Charity Contact and information AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA https://www.facebook.com/ASAheretohelp/ was known as Age Concern Mobile: 634 333 544 ALMANZORA GROUP OF Sarah Makin FRIENDS [email protected] Shelagh Murdock [email protected]

APSA Avenida Lepanto 25, Albox Animal Protection Society Albox www.apsa.org.es/ https://www.facebook.com/ APSAanimalrescue/ Arboleas Friendship Group Nina Higggins Mobile: 676587435 CLEAN UP CREW Brenda Partridge [email protected] Mobile: +44 7788596953 F.A.C.E Mobile: 634306727 Fundraising in Arboleas Caring for www.face-charity.com Everyone HAA https://helpnganimalsalmanzora.webs.com/ https:// Helping Animals Almanzora www.facebook.com/animalsalmanzora PUPPY RESCUE https://www.facebook.com/puppyrescueinspain/ WALK FOR LIFE For help [email protected] 643 63 81 77 For volunteering and events [email protected] 608 76 27 48 Website www.walk4lifearboleas.com ROYAL BRITISH LEGION http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/mojacar MOJACAR MACS http://www.macscancersupport.co m/shops.php Mojacar Area Cancer Support

LUVVIES Theatre Group Mobile: 634 346 309 [email protected] LITTLE OWLS [email protected]

Zurgena & District British Legion Meets on the first Thursday of each month at The Heathers Bar & Restaurant, La Alfoquia, Zuegena at 11.00 am your group here …………… ………………………………………………….

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 28 of 29 ARBOLEAS LIFE issue number 6 April 2020

COLOUR FOUND IN READERS’ GARDENS

ARBOLEAS LIFE Page 29 of 29