Costa Women Blogs

Sue and Peter Doran, with their daughter Justine, moved to Spain 9 years ago for a quieter life.  They wanted to share more time together as a family.  However, 6 weeks before the move from Lincolnshire, Pete had a heart attack and had to have stents put in.  That sealed the families plans as “We figured the climate in spain would be the better option for his long term health”. Sue said, “we moved to Spain to live a quieter life.  Pete, my husband is a builder and we planned to build our house in the campo in the “the real Spain”.   Justine our daughter, who is now 17, went to Spanish School and in no time was fluent in Spanish. The plan was to live a simple life. We had no mortgage or bills and lived a good life.  It sounds corny but we had an ideal life. Pete’s health is now monitored and he is well” Sadly on 31st August their life changed rather dramatically, Sue shares what happened:- “I had just finished work in El Chaparral.  We picked up our Neighbours and stopped for a drink on the way home. After about hour our neighbour rang and said I better get home; there is a fire raging near us. We rushed back. We got the three dogs into Pete’s van and three passports, a few photos and tablets, plus some bits into a case. Luckily our daughter was living with a friend in Fuengirola so she didn’t have to suffer the ordeal.  From the neighbour phoning to our evacuation from the house was 30 minutes.  The next morning when we went back to the house. We had stopped at a friends in Riviera and to be honest thought our house would be ok as it was at the top of the hill.”  Sadly for the Dorans their home was raised to the ground. “Since the fire, we have had no help from the Town Hall or Mijas Council or social services.  No financial help and nothing from the proceeds of the Fire Aid Concert.  We were able to get clothes etc from SOS Andalucia.  Then Costa Women organised a sponsored event to buy tool vouchers for Pete.” The Dorans are currently staying in a rented apartment on Mijas Golf.  Sue said “we have to take each day as it comes; think positive and wait for the Town Hall, hopefully to issue an emergency repair permit. We may receive compensation from the Government, but we won’t know till February” With the tools which the Costa Women have donated Pete has been able to moved all the rubble from the top floor of their home and tightened up the building.  However he can’t proceed with building until the Council give the go ahead. He is planning to move the rubble and move some of the surrounding land. Pete is semi retirement as he is not up to full time work or do too heavy work.  However Sue shared that he has a labourer so that’s not really a problem. Peter is a bricklayer by trade but can do anything in the building game.  Sue is a the full time worker especially in summer.  She previously worked for the local Government in Totnes, Devon, but now looks after an elderly lady 10hrs a week and cleans holiday apartments “A total change from my Job as payroll officer before but I like the change!”. Their daughter, Justine, has had to return to the UK to live with family.   Whilst hopeful that this shouldn’t happen again, Sue said, “The wind that night made the fire spread so quickly.  We were the lucky ones. One thing that would help us is for the Spanish to realise that fires cannot be allowed to be started, however small, during summer.  They need to be educated.  They have always burnt their rubbish in summer-sod the rules.  That does make me bitter.  Two weeks after the Fire a neighbour to us was burning rubbish – I thought this was extremely inconsiderate to our situation” Asked about their future, Sue said “We will be fine.  It is hard but all we can do is be grateful we are all well. We can replace most things – its the photo albums, baby photos etc that cannot be replaced. What I have learned is and I don’t want to sound bitter is that when things like this happen you find out who you can rely on and it is not always the ones you would expect. Some strangers have given us immense support”. Thank you Sue for sharing your story. If you, or any friends, have any tools which can be donated to help the Dorans, or the other people who have been affected by the fires, please contact SOS Andalucia who are running a Tools Appeal      

  Andalusia is a land of contrasts & Hollywood producers know it too. The number of Films made in Granada and Almeria over the years has dwindled but there is an impressive list Read more here:  http://piccavey.com/hollywood-in-andalusia/   Have a fabulous weekend ladies   Molly

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition characterized by the fact that the immune cells, or lymphocytes, promote inflammation of the joints. The exact causes are still unknown and this chronic disease can lead to long-term joint damage resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis progresses in three stages. The first stage is persisting synovitis, the inflammation of the synovial lining of the joints causing pain, warmth, stiffness, swelling and redness. In the second stage, the rapid division and growth of cells causes the synovium to thicken to the extent that it is palpable as a “boggy” swelling around the joints and tendons. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that will damage the underlying cartilage, causing it to thin.  Over time, the joint will lose its shape and alignment, eliciting more pain and loss of movement. Rheumatoid arthritis may at times last only for a while and go away; it may also go into remission and then flare up again, or it may continue indefinitely. In Chinese Medicine, this condition is called Bi syndrome and is typically characterized into four types: Wind-Cold, Cold, Damp and Heat. During an initial consultation, including an assessment of the pulse and tongue, a diagnosis is made and your type of arthritis is determined. Specific acupuncture points are used and an appropriate diet is designed. Green onions and ginger will help cases of Wind Bi. For Cold-Bi, black pepper and dry ginger are beneficial. Soy bean sprouts and pearl barley help cases of Damp-Bi while mung bean sprouts and winter melon are advised for Heat-Bi. In addition, the following are useful for arthritis: Helpful herbs and spices: Black peppercorn, dill, fennel, coriander, marjoram, sage, saffron, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, onion, chives, garlic, horseradish (best if pickled in vinegar) and ginger root.  Of these foods, onion and garlic are especially helpful in reducing the formation of inflammation as they contain the bioflavonid quercetin. Beneficial Foods: Fish with ample Omega-3 such as trout, anchovy, sardines, salmon, tuna and butterfish, chicken Angelica, cinnamon bark (these last two as part of a herbal treatment).  Pearl barley, tofu, celery and Chinese yam to help alleviate swollen joints. You should also avoid any calcium inhibitors: excess meat or protein from any source (especially red meat, which tends to cause more inflammation), intoxicants (alcohol, tobacco, coffee), refined sugar and too many sweets, excess salt.  Also restrict foods in oxalic acid, such as rhubarb, cranberry, plum, chard, beet greens and spinach.

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Gone is the Summer sunshine and warmth and as the weather gets colder, wetter and windier (especially of late), people are more likely to develop signs of colds (cough, sore throat, runny nose) or flu. The best way to treat a disease is to prevent it.  So, do something to boost your immune system now before you start showing any symptom. Chinese herbs such as Huang Qi (Astralagus) are used to strengthen Qi and to boost the immune system. Acupuncture can help rebalance energy, regulate the Qi and stimulate the immune system. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture and herbal medicine in particular reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of time one is ill. When you get sick with a cold or the flu, do not wait. Start acupuncture treatments in the early stages. It may help eliminate pathogenic influences.Regular exercise of sufficient intensity (to warm you up, but not to make you sweat- not overdoing it) has been shown to reduce the incidence of the flu. Exercise such as Qi-gong, Tai-Chi, and Yoga can help reduce emotional and physical stress. It also strengthens the immune system and prevents disease from arising. Keep a good diet. Make sure to eat a full balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Foods containing beta-carotene are thought to help boost your immune system and keep your mucous membranes and upper respiratory system healthy and harder to infect. Carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, garlic and tomatoes are high in beta-carotene. Eating lots of them during the flu season may help you avoid illness, or recover sooner. Drink water to prevent dehydration. Ample liquids can help your body flush the invaders and the debris from their battle with your immune system. Chicken soup is recommended because it adds extra water and expels mucous to help you get rid of the illness. Try to drink an 8-ounce glass of water every hour. This is very important to help your body recover from the flu.Extra rest will help you save energy for battling the illness. This is particularly important if you became sick when you were already tired or run down. Get more sleep and take a nap in the afternoon; it will help you recover faster.

If you were weaned on The Wooden Tops… if you associate Cher with Sonny … if Joni Mitchell makes you misty eyed… never mind. Welcome to Generation Jones, the club for misfits who are neither hippy Baby...