What fun & games Jos Biggs is sharing with us today ?? We all consider that we are as near to perfect as it is safe to be. Yes, there may be the odd little tarnish to our glowing halo, but it’s only a small imperfection, all we have to do is turn the halo round a bit so that it doesn’t show. Either that, or spit on our hankie and give it a quick rub. I was smugly confident that in certain respects I was pretty high up the perfection scale. I might be found lacking in certain aspects of perfection, namely physical dexterity - I’m as clumsy as a carthorse in Wellies trying to dance the tango. I don’t excel at joined up thinking, especially where numbers are concerned. However, my mental sheepdog can usually round up my errant thoughts and set them on the straight and narrow. Organisational ability have I not. I’m fine if left to get on with things in my own way, but should I ever tidy up I know for certain that there are things which I had just now, and put somewhere safe and which will now never see the light of day again. Physical perfection? I’m relying on the mantra that Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder. This probably works as long as the beholder is extremely short-sighted and the lighting is less than adequate. But my forte lies strongly with Addiction. I thought I was not addicted to anything apart from breathing. I don’t smoke, don’t drink to excess, and can bypass a meal if I’m not hungry, but I find it necessary to breathe in a regular pattern, even at night. However, my confidence has been severely dented - I have an addiction of which I was completely unaware. This revelation came about when the laptop suddenly decided that I was to be protected from gmail. It decided that gmail was some kind of malevolent force and I should not be exposed to its evil intentions. So I disconnected the laptop from its life support and hastened it to the House of Correction and the ministrations of Steve Hayes. Here it resided for a couple of days of Attitude Adjustment. I shed no tears over the thought that it might be undergoing painful internal surgery, possibly without anesthetic; in fact I even uttered ‘Serve it right’ under my breath. But in its absence I lost count of the number of times I went to its spot in the kitchen to look something up, see what the world is up to, or even to actually do some work. I realised that I am addicted to it. I have Laptop Addiction! I am beginning to vaguely comprehend why it is that the young are constantly gazing deeply into the faces, not of their enamorados, but of their phones!

For 6 years Gloria Davis-Tovey has organised raising money and putting together Christmas presents for children from less fortunate families in Arboleas. The first 2 years she did this on her own. Then Gloria was assisted by Pauline Harvey up to and including last Christmas. Gloria has the help of finding out who are in need of help from Cecilia Molina Verdú from the Arboleas Pharmacy. Cecilia provides a list of the families along with the names and ages of the children. Gloria is assisting in helping to get the clothing items organised before she goes back to the UK to live later this month. She is very pleased to inform you that Gwen Williams and Jo Kershaw will be carrying on with this wonderful thing to do.. THISNIS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE !!! There are 43 Children this year. Ages of the children go from 2 months to 16 years. We need sweets like Christmas bags mixed chocolates, Selection Boxes. Toys for all ages & Puzzles, again for different ages. Last year each child received some new clothing. In a lot of cases, winter quality pyjamas were bought. They also got a toy or puzzle and a Selection Box or Bag of sweets. We also need Cash Donations to help purchase the clothing items for the Children. Plus to be able to buy Meat Vouchers and a Box of Chocolates for the parents of these Children. If you can help with any of the above can you take to either Andrea Hollings at Dream Homes Almeria Office in Arboleas or to Kath Harvey at Arboleas Friends Association, AFA, Shop opposite the Atuntamiento in Arboleas. The photos below show the big bags of presents which were given last year to each child. STOPPRESS. Kutbaton Quiz. A. team called the Fishy Couples they have put together fantastic raffle prizes which has made well over 200 euros which is donated to the childrens fund. Once again they have started selling tickets for another prize draw. There is also a lady called Joanie in El Chopo who runs a ladies lunch group who is putting together a luxury Christmas hamper to raffle for the Children’s presents too. So please help Gloria, Gwen and Jo make this year a special Christmas for these children and their parents. If you need any more information on how you could help with cash donations, chocolates, toys,etc, you can also pm me and I will pass on to the Gwen & Jo. Thank you so much for any help you can give.

12.11.21. Arboleas & Region Covid Update. Arboleas still showing 1 active case which is the only one in last 14 days. Noticed a slight rise in new cases to recoveries in Andalucia totals. Next report on Monday 15.11.21. Charts Below.