Costa del Sol 16 – 22 February 2023 Issue 1963

NEVER-ENDING

ARCH (the Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses and Donkeys) is facing its 14th year of fighting for the rights of equines. The Alhaurin­based charity was founded in 2009 and since that time has helped countless horses, ponies and donkeys go on to better lives. At their AGM at the end of last month President Jill Newman­Rogers told members that last year alone the charity took in 40 equines and found homes for 30.

ARCH is a rescue centre, not a sanctuary (though some of the rescues stay for a long time). It is a place of safety for the abandoned, abused and neglected, working closely with the authoritiescruelty cases come to ARCH through SEPRONA (the animal welfare arm of the

Guardia Civil), abandoned animals are brought in by the Local Police. Some of the cases are pitiful and upsetting. Together with a dedicated animal rights lawyer ARCH tries to prosecute the offenders but this is a frustrating and slow process ­ at the moment there are 23 outstanding cases waiting to be heard in the courts, some dating back years. New Animal Welfare legislation has been slow to be followed, and SEPRONA are frequently understaffed. Often by the time the necessary formalities have been completed to confiscate the suffering animals it is too late for ARCH to save them.

ARCH President Jill Newman-Rogers with the newly-rescued mare.

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from Front page

Lux Mundi excursion

Struggle never ends More strings

Things could be worse in 2023 as the cost ­ of ­ living crisis continues to bite. Last week there were three new arrivals at the Centre.

Confiscated by SEPRONA on veterinary advice as they were considered to be in a life­threatening situation, two aged mules and a 20 ­ year ­ old mare were brought down from Cordoba Province.

The mare is in a particularly bad way having been confined in a dark, cold basement with no bedding and inadequate food for a very long time. When brought out into the light she almost fell, has difficulty in walking and may have a systemic infection. The ARCH vet is currently assessing and treating her, but her situation does not look too hopeful. Sometimes all ARCH can offer is veterinary care, comfort, and love in their last days.

The ARCH rescue centre is open to the public every Sunday from 10.00am until 2pm. For directions and more information visit their website www.horserescue spain.org or their Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos (the charity’s registered name in Spain).

THERE is still time to book a space on Lux Mundi’s latest excursion. The Ecumenical group, based in Fuengirola, is planning a day trip to Frigiliana Market on Thursday, February 23.

The town, in Axarquia is a distinctively Andalucian village with whitewashed buildings, filled with culture and history. On arrival, guests will have the opportunity to wander around and get lunch before heading to another beautiful local town, Torrox Costa.

Here, guests will be invited to take a coastal walk, taking in the sights of the Mediterranean Sea and mountains and a beautiful lighthouse. Guests can also view Roman ruins under a transparent walkway, from the ‘Mirador Balcony’ simulating the prow of a ship.

Tickets for the trip cost €19 for Lux Mundi members and €23 for non­members from the centre at Calle Nueva No 3, Fuengirola.

A few doors down from their centre, Lux Mundi also has a boutique shop on Calle Nueva, No 7. The shop is open from 10am1pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.

The group will also hold a Taizé prayer event in San José church on Friday, February 24, where all are welcome.

TIMS’ Magical music

THE International Music Society (TIMS), has returned to entertaining the Costa del Sol since the pandemic interrupted performances. After losing several members during the pandemic, TIMS has now rebuilt and has an exciting programme of upcoming engagements.

After a successful programme of Christmas concerts, TIMS strode into the new year with a successful appearance at Malaga Cathedral at the end of January. The group has started to take engagements for the Easter season.

The next performance is set to be a service of hymns and Taizé chants at St Andrew’s church in Los Boliches, on Thursday March 2 at 6pm. The choir will also perform a concert for the U3A, also at St Andrew’s church on Friday April 28 from 11am.

The choir is available to perform at functions across the Costa del Sol. For more information, please contact President Gilly on 654 891 790.

The choir is a four­part harmony group which was created more than 30 years ago.

More information is available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TIMSCHOIR or website: http://www.timschoir.org/?fbclid=IwAR2zy4zK5ZmC2ds5mAt ­ g2qZDiDaADWCnBdX8drD3ProXwFrtb vWej2Ar8.

LA CALA LIONS are delighted to add more strings to their bows.

Recently the La Cala Lions Club were pleased to be able to help ladies who have suffered from lymphedema, following breast cancer treatment and mastectomies.

For the past six years, the Mijas Town Hall has been running a programme to help these ladies, together with the Mijas Hunters Association and the AECC.

The ladies who suffer from lymphedema often use archery to help them cope with this condition. The vibration produced by the string on the bow when the arrow is released towards the target is a gesture which favours the drainage of lymphedema.

This is not only supported by scientific studies carried out on ladies suffering from breast cancer, but also corroborated by the users of this programme here Mijas.

Several of the ladies explained their lymphedema had decreased in size after just six weeks.

Lions’ President, Wynson Beswick, was delighted the Lions were able to help the Huntsman Association by presenting a cheque for €1,400.

Rapid intervention

ESTEPONA Town Hall has now confirmed that 23 defibrillators have been installed in public buildings and facilities.

In the event that it is necessary to use the device, it will not replace the medical staff; rather, it will allow the person with a heart attack or heart problem to be cared for while a doctor and emergency services arrive on the scene, providing crucial assistance while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

This distinction of a cardio­safe space is awarded by the Andalucian Regional Ministry of Health and Families, following the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Intensive, Critical and Coronary Care Medicine.

In addition, the municipality has a total of six mobile defibrillators, three in Local Police vehicles and two in Civil Protection vehicles, as well as one exclusively designed to assist the town centre.

For the correct use of these devices, the Consistory has trained all the officers of the Local Police and Civil Protection. In addition, there are also employees responsible for the use of these devices in each municipal unit, in total around 200.

A cheque for €1,400 was presented to the group.

Image: La Cala Lions

Visitors from Lux Mundi Ecumenical Group on a past trip to Tarifa. The group holds regular excursions.

Photo credit: Lux Mundi Centro Ecumenico (via Facebook)

NIBS EXTRA

Garden of the senses

MARBELLA City Hall has completed the work that has transformed the park in Calle Valentunana into a ‘Garden of the Senses’ with more than 1,000 square metres of green space. Three large trees were felled there last October in front of the Marbelsun III building.

Back to life

THE former Convent of San Andres, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, is coming back to life after a comprehensive refurbishment that has turned it into a multipurpose space for Malaga with a new municipal public library and various spaces for several different local associations.

Safe roads

TORREMOLINOS has created a large network of safe school paths. The council confirmed: “We have called this project ‘Safe School Roads’ because it involves a series of very important planning actions and works in a bid to improve the safety of the route that children take to school."

Educational tool

THE Alezeia Theatre Group from the Maravillas school in Benalmadena is leading an Erasmus programme focused on the use of drama as an educational tool. Through this project, the theatre group will be able to train a group of students from the Bavarian town of Bamberg.

Floating

MARBELLA City Council has requested a grant of €1,920,000 to improve the efficiency of the urban water cycle. A spokesman pointed out that this project “is part of a series of works which will make it possible to have a more segmented knowledge of the areas with the largest floating population.”

THE Benalmadena firefighter, Oscar Raggio Perez, has been part of a nine­person team from Firefighters Without Borders, who travelled to Turkey to collaborate in the rescue work and attend to the victims of the earthquake that shook the country.

The human team is made up of a paramedic, a dog guide and seven rescuers, who worked in Kahramanmaras, considered earthquake zone 0, until February 14.

The team carried out their work with a light USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team, a rescue dog and technological equipment, com­

Betty Henderson

True courage

the same day that the earthquake occurred, Oscar Raggio Perez requested permission to participate in the rescue work in Turkey, receiving the authorisation immediately.”

THIS

posed of geophones and video cameras.

Benalmadena Fire Chief, David Banasco, confirmed:

AFTER two successful creative writing masterclasses, the Centro de Exposiciones de Benalmádena is offering two more workshops. The ‘Writing from the Art’ workshops return on Wednesday, February 22 and Saturday, February 25.

The unique activity has been designed to accompany the museum’s current multi­faceted exhibit by the local artist Sebastian Garcia Garrido. The workshops are designed for beginner or intermediate creative writers and will be de­

“The team worked non­stop for 60 hours.”

The councillor for Security, Javier Martin, explained: “On

The councillor also expressed his admiration and gratitude “for the professionalism, solidarity and commitment shown by Oscar Raggio with this action, which demonstrates the deep vocation of public service of the Firefighters of Benalmadena.”

Writing from the art

livered in English.

The local writers, Janet Floyer and Amy Young are facilitating the workshops. Floyer is the founder and host of @Malaga Nights, an online space for writers and performers and author of short stories and poems. Young is an educator who has developed several creative writing courses including for the U3A.

Swimmingly well

A ROUND of applause from Torremolinos was sent to local swimmer, Carmen Balbuena, who won the silver medal in the 200 ­ metre butterfly race.

The race took place at the Lisbon International Meeting on Sunday, February 12, in a competition that brought together about 800 swimmers from different countries in the Portuguese capital.

Balbuena, who competed with the Portuguese club, Louletano, clocked a time of 2:16.06 in the 200 metres butterfly, just behind the Portuguese swimmer Ines Jacinto Henriques who won the gold medal with a time of 2:15.60.

The local athlete, who is currently in the ranks of Inacua Malaga, was also

Traffic tech

POLICE in Fuengirola are embracing new technology with the development of a new artificial intelligence system for traffic control. The move, which was announced on Tuesday, February 14, is part of the ‘smart city’ initiative to modernise the town.

The workshops will be held in the museum’s coastal space on Avenida Antonio Machado, 33, with the first taking place at 10am on Wednesday, February 22 and the second at 5pm. The workshops each last for two hours and are free of charge, although guests are asked to sign up by contacting the centre: 952 562 820 or email: ce@benalmadena.es

Solheim visit

GOLFING fans in Benalmadena will be pleased to hear that the 2023 Solheim Golf Cup Trophy will pay the town a visit.

very close to getting on the podium in the 100metre butterfly where she finished fourth, with a time of 1:01.84, in a test in the one won by British swimmer Jessica Calderbank with a time of 1:01.60.

The Lisbon International Meeting was attended by swimmers from up to 100 clubs from countries such as Angola, Spain, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and Ukraine.

Benalmadena’s mayor, Victor Navas, confirmed: “The trophy will visit the town from May 8 until May 12. That is five days during which we will organise a series of public events to bring the cup closer to the people of Benalmadena. We will make sure that it travels around the most emblematic places in the town.”

The councillor for Sports, Joaquin Villazon added: “The Solheim Cup is a top­level competition, and the trophy’s visit to the municipality brings a very significant tourist projection to Benalmadena.”

Navas also confirmed that, within the space of two weeks, a meeting will be held with the managers of Golf Torrequebrada, ambassadors of the competition, to finalise the prepara­

tions for the organidation of the special events on the occasion of the visit to Benalmadena of the trophy of the Solheim Cup 2023.

The Solheim Cup 2023 will take place from September 22 until September 24 September at Finca Cortesin in Marbella.

The new technology will combine existing traffic light control systems with new sensors that use images processed by artificial intelligence (AI). A total of 153 artificial intelligence video sensors will be installed at 47 points in the town working through a 5G mobile network. The new technology will also allow authorities to run an app for residents with the most up­to­date traffic information.

Local councillor for Technology, Isabel González explained “We are using new technology to manage council services better. This ambitious plan will make Fuengirola safer and improve quality of life for residents,”

RESCUE WORK: The firefighter travelled to Turkey.

Image: Benalmadena City Council

Carmen won a medal.

Image: Torremolinos City Council

MARBELLA City mayor, Ángeles Muñoz announced that renovation work in the Bello Horizonte park is set to come to a close in April during a visit on Tuesday, February 14.

Several areas of the park have been overhauled as part of the project which has included the development of a new 600-metre squared skateboard park, a purpose built dog park as well as resurfacing for sports facilities and a new lighting system. Authorities have also improved safety in the park by installing a fence to keep wild boars out of the park.

The next phase of the project which is now underway

Park progress

Coastal defence

ESTEPONA’S mayor, Jose Maria Garcia Urban, has once again requested the government takes the necessary steps to agree that Estepona can carry out the necessary works for coastal defence.

includes the expansion of the children’s playground, taking it from a 260-metre squared space to more than 600-metre squared, and boasting new playground equipment for children of all ages. Improvements will also be made to the park’s water

network and new park furniture will be installed.

Muñoz described the aims of the project as “Trying to improve recreation and leisure spaces for local residents,” adding that the park was chosen due to population growth in the local area.

After the damage caused by the last storm, the mayor explained that the Consistory has the will and the means to carry out these necessary actions to protect the coast in the municipality, which has a length of 22 kilometres of coastline.

“This issue is a priority for the Consistory,” said the mayor, who regretted that there is no urgent planning by the central government to solve the problem.

The mayor added: “The continuous storms that hit the Malaga coast have become a periodic threat to the coastal strip, causing numerous problems and serious damage to public and private infrastructure and equipment.

WITHOUT a doubt, the zebra is one of the most recognisable, colourful and popular mammals in the wild.

The breed that resides in Selwo Aventura in Estepona is the plains zebra (equus quagga), the most common and widespread type of zebra.

The plains zebra lives in all habitats in Africa - mostly in the southeast - from sea level to 4,300 metres on Mount Kenya, with the exception of rainforests, deserts or dune forests.

PARKOUR is a type of training and a physical discipline that consists of going from point A to point B in the most efficient and simple way possible. It requires jumping, climbing, running, rolling, swinging, walking on all fours and any other type of movement that the situation demands.

Those who practise it (the so-called traceurs) must combine strength, speed, agility, coordination, control and abundant creativity.

Fuengirola is set to create an area for Parkour practice next to the new

“The regret is that this is affecting the competitiveness of the province as a tourist destination and causes a negative impact on this sector of activity.”

The mayor recalled that in other places on the coast of Estepona where coastal defence works have been carried out, there are clear results of stabilisation and protection against storms.

Selwo Zebras

The white stripes on their dark body characterise them and distinguish them from their relatives, the horses.

It is still not clear why zebras are striped animals and why they have evolved in this way. There are different theories: from those that

claim that the stripes serve to regulate body heat to those that claim that they are a protection against insects and predators, or those that speculate that they may serve to distinguish the different individuals in the group.

Of particular importance is that the pattern of each individual is unique (like the fingerprints of humans, for example), while other distinguishing features are the scent and vocalisations of each individual.

Practising parkour

our town and for the government that I lead. We put a lot of effort into involving them in the life of the town.

Natural Park.

The news was announced on Monday, February 13 by mayor, Ana Mula. She confirmed: “Young people are a very important sector for

“Offering activities and facilities where you can develop personally and have fun is one of our priorities. We are delighted to present what will be one of the elements that will make up a new large leisure and recreation area for all the people of Fuengirola, and especially for this sector of the population.”

The mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz tours Bello Horizonte park ahead of its reopening in April.

Image: Rellim Photos

COASTLINE: The issue is a priority.

Image: Funegirola City Council

A new type of training.

Ayuntamiento de Marbella

‘‘The course of true love never did run smooth’’

Meaning

that true love is never easy and can incur difficulties. This expression derives from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1598.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

THE La Espana Azul scientific expedition, investigating plastic pollution around Spanish coasts, is arriving in Marbella. Famous adventurer Nacho Dean will be giving a press conference at the Real Club Maritima at midday on Wednesday February 22.

La Espana Azul (www.laes paaazul.es) is an expedition led by adventurer and naturalist, Nacho Dean ( www.nacho dean.com) aimed at raising awareness of marine plastic waste and promoting care for marine habitats.

The boat and her crew left San Sebastian in September 2022 and will continue travelling around the Spanish coastline until June 2023. In cooperation with the University of Cadiz, their mission at each

Plastic pollution

supporting this project on behalf of the three Rotary Districts in Spain, as well as actively helping during the stops in various harbours. Rotary Club Marbella­Guadalmina is the Ambassador club of the Rotary movement, EndPlasticSoup, ( www.endplasticsoup.nl ) which began in Amsterdam in 2018 and now involves over 300 Rotary Clubs across the globe.

stop is to conduct scientific research, beach clean­ups and seminars for schools, local governments and their communities.

For further information or if you would like to join the press conference please contact: communications@marbellaguadalmina­rotary.club.

Rotary End Plastic Soup is

€500,000 of storm damage Housing high

MARBELLA City Council reported on Saturday, February 11, that the recent storms have caused at least €500,000 worth of damage to the Malaga municipality’s beaches.

Angeles Muñoz, the city’s mayor, visited the coastal areas affected by strong waves. She lamented that due to the “negligence of the central government, the breakwaters have not already been made.”

The mayor also criticised the fact that the council: “has to allocate a new emergency budget item to repair the numerous damages due to the inaction of the Ministry for Ecological Transition to carry out an action that is essential.

“Unfortunately we have to put up with the fact that one more year, due to the abandonment of the Sanchez Executive, the stabilisation of the beaches has not been undertaken.” She recalled how the town hall had already allocated more than €2 million to improve the coastline in the last 12 months.

“When the next storm occurs, sadly, the situation on the coast will already be very weak,” Muñoz assessed, while detailing that there has been damage to the accesses, sanitation, shelter areas, and street furniture of the beach bars.

Help for homeless

THE Red Cross in Marbella said it has tripled resources to support homeless people during the recent cold snap in the city. The health and social care organisation held a Valentine’s Day fundraiser in the city, selling chocolate roses on Tuesday, February 14.

The organisation has joined forces with Marbella City Council on the homelessness support programme that was launched back in January to support the city’s homeless population through the winter. Several weeks of rain, wind

GOOD news for homeowners in Marbella as it has been confirmed the city now leads the increase in the price of houses for sale among the large Spanish municipalities.

The prices have a year­on­year increase of almost 20 per cent in January, followed by Orihuela (18.5 per cent) and Torrevieja (16.1 per cent). The prices in these three cities have reached historical highs.

In Marbella, housing is at a record price of €4,121/m2, compared to €2,246/m2 in Orihuela and €1,672/m2 in Torrevieja, according to data from the specialist portal Idealista.com.

Two other towns on the Costa del Sol, Mijas and Fuengirola, are also among the 10 cities where housing has become more expensive in the last year.

and cold weather means that the Red Cross has seen a threefold increase in the need for services in recent weeks.

The council­led initiative provides homeless people in the city with essential products including hot meals, blankets, and hygiene products. Homeless people are also given the option to stay in accommodation in hostels funded by the City Hall and organisations like the Red Cross.

The money raised from the fundraiser will be used to fund social programmes in the city.

Mijas has recorded a 14.2 per cent price increase closing January with a record price of €2,440/m2 and occupies the fifth position among the biggest increases.

Housing in Fuengirola registers an average price of €2,892/m2 after registering an increase of 12.1 per cent in the last year, and the municipality occupies the eighth position among the most expensive in Spain, according to the report.

Image: End Plastic Soup / Justin Hofman

Marine plastic waste.

Bustling business

A WHOPPING 100,000 plus cruise passengers are expected to pass through the port of Malaga this summer. The news has been confirmed by MSC Cruises, the third­largest cruise company in the world.

The general manager of MSC Cruises in Spain, Fernando Pacheco, explained that the cruise line will make more than 500 calls in Spain in 2023, which translates into more than two million tourists.

Of these, 384 will take place during the summer on itineraries operated by more than 20 ships which will pass through 140 destinations and 40 countries.

In the case of the port of Malaga, there will be a total of 39 calls, 26 with embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, making it the company with the most operations in the port facilities.

The president of the Port Authority of Malaga, Carlos Rubio, confirmed “Last year we started with a series of calls with MSC Cruises and the objective for this year is to reinforce this collaboration by increasing the number of calls from 29 to 39.”

No serious damage

AFTER the storms experienced over the previous few days on the coast of Mijas, the councillor for Beaches, Jose Carlos Martin paid a visit to the coastline on Wednesday, February 15, to survey for damage.

The councillor confirmed: “So far the coastal path has not suffered any damage. It is true that the sand has reached out to some sections away from the beach so, since Saturday, we have had machinery and personnel clearing this infrastructure.

“Now along the coast of Mijas, 100 workers have been deployed who are responsible for removing sand from the

ACCORDING to Emergencias

112 Andalucia a female mountaineer lost her life on Saturday afternoon, February 11, in the Alora municipality of Malaga Province. The incident reportedly occurred as she was preparing to practise climbing and a rock fell from above and struck her on the head.

paths and cleaning the vegetation that has been brought by the storm. For the same reason three tractors, a mini machine, an 18­tonne rotary and a loader have been put into operation.

“Our aim is to act quickly and to keep an eye on how the weather evolves,” adds

Saint George’s solidarity

ONE local organisation has taken its support for the community to the next level. The Duquesa Charitable Society of Saint George made a donation of a staggering €12,000 to the EMAUS Social Kitchen in Estepona on Wednesday, February 9.

The money will be used to fund the kitchen’s ‘Feed a Child’ campaign which provides a breakfast and packed lunch for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

the deputy mayor.

“One of the concerns that most worries the public is the state of the beaches in the run­up to Easter, as this is when our tourist season begins and affects many businesses, but by then the coastline will be ready to receive visitors.”

Mountaineer dies

A colleague raised the alarm by calling the 112 number to request medical assistance for the woman in the Asteroid Rain route in Alora. The caller informed the operator that the victim was already dead. 112 immediately deployed

the Guardia Civil, which in turn dispatched its Special Rescue Group for Mountain Intervention (GREIM) to the location. They subsequently removed the woman’s lifeless body from the scene of the accident.

Representatives from the Saint George charity; Dean Shelton, Gary Beaumont, Judith Beaumont, and Jose Manuel Fernandes met with the manager of EMAUS,Ildefonso Abril Tirado, and general secretary Charo Abril Rubio to present the cheque. Saint George also pledged to cover EMAUS’ cooking gas costs for the rest of 2023.

The groups also discussed a new project at the meeting for the establishment of a social kitchen in Sabinillas, in Manilva. The initiative was first proposed by the PP political party in Manilva.

Saint George and EMAUS’ collaborations stretch back several years with Saint George recently providing EMAUS with a nearly­new laptop, a donation to fund the group’s Christmas hampers and donations from Saint George’s Christmas campaign which raised another €16,000.

MIJAS COAST: Workers have been removing sand from paths.

Members of the Saint George charity present a huge cheque for €12,000 to EMAUS Social Kitchen.

Photo credit: Duquesa Charitable Society of St George

Image: Mijas City Council

Almost ready

FOR many months we have been watching the construction of the new Estepona Town Hall located in the centre of the town, on Avenida Juan Carlos I, next to the promenade.

The mayor of Estepona, Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, has announced that the building will be inaugurated on March 10.

This building for administrative use consists of 13,068

square metres, of which 9,157 will be built above ground: the ground floor plus seven floors (same height as the adjoining building).

Big brother

It will also delve 3,911 metres below ground, in a mezzanine and a basement intended for parking with 131 spaces. On the ground floor, the uses of greater public concurrence will be established, with the access hall, reception, general register and technical assistance, in an open space that will allow access to the different departments and that will connect with the rest of the building.

Jewellery robbery foiled

LOCAL POLICE in Torremolinos stopped two jewellery thieves in their tracks, leading to a seizure of more than €195,000 worth of stolen jewellery on Tuesday, February 14.

Police officers from the Lima unit were completing usual patrol duty in Torremolinos at around 11.45am when they identified two people looking suspicious next to a jewellery shop window. The

two people later entered the shop and made off with several pieces of jewellery in a broad daylight robbery.

Thanks to their earlier observation, Local Police sent two plain­clothes police officers to arrest the first individual while the other suspect escaped in a getaway vehicle. Police followed the getaway car and another suspicious vehicle, leading to the arrest of

four suspects in total.

The suspects were detained and transferred to National Police custody where officers seized a total of €195,000 worth of stolen jewellery from the suspects.

The mayor of Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid thanked the officers for their hard work and visited the scene of the crime, including speaking to the shop workers.

ESTEPONA now has a new system of intelligent cameras for the control of urban traffic, which is a pioneer in the province for the type of technology it uses.

Now it will allow the Control Centre of the Local Police Headquarters to have a quicker response whilst also being available to other Security Forces that require it.

The system will allow all Local Police patrol vehicles to have a technical assistance device that will allow them to access the traffic video cameras installed on public roads.

The company Aplicaciones Tecnolgicas Juma has been responsible for the installation of a total of 240 cameras in 75 different points.

In addition, checkpoints have been placed in the access areas to Sierra Bermeja This new

system of intelligent cameras also includes the installation of an IOT sensor platform that allows the measuring, among other things, of the mete­

orological data (temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, rain, wind speed and direction), air quality and noise.

New town hall nearing completion.

Image: Estepona City Council

Betty Henderson

ALGERIA has knocked the USA off the top spot as the biggest natural gas supplier to Spain in data from the start of 2023. Figures released on Friday, February 10 showed that most of the liquified natural gas received in Spain came from the North African nation.

Providing 8,545 gigawatt hours (GWh) of natural gas to Spain, Algeria was the country’s biggest partner, leaving the USA in second place. The USA provided a total of 7,102 GWh to Spain in second place before Nigeria who provided 6,932 GWh.

The figures paint a picture of a shifting energy market in Spain. Although Algeria became the biggest supplier of natural gas, the country actually provided 11.17 per cent less gas than this time last year. Meanwhile, the USA took a huge cut in natural gas sales, providing nearly 46 per cent less natural gas to Spain than in January 2022. Nigeria provided 37 per cent more natu­

New partner

The majority of Spain’s natural gas which arrived in the country in January 2023 came from Algeria.

Driving forward

ral gas than in January last year.

Spain imported less natural gas this year than last, partially due to warmer weather, as well as sanctions on the former biggest gas provider, Russia.

Dodging sanctions

RUSSIA’S invasion of Ukraine has caused many Western countries to issue broad packages of sanctions against the rogue nation. But one panel of experts has expressed their concern that in looking for new trading options, Russia is using the Spanish enclave, Ceuta, to dodge sanctions.

Oil industry experts spoke out on Friday, February 10, saying that Russia is using international waters around 20 kilometres from Ceuta as a strategic location to load and transfer oil cargos to transport onwards to China. In the past, these trans­

fers were completed in ports in the United States or Denmark, but both countries have now imposed sanctions on Russia.

The experts believe that Russia has transferred between 600,000 and one million barrels of crude oil between ships in the ocean off Spain’s North African enclave.

Spain does not allow these ship­to­ship transactions in its waters, but it is believed that the transfers are taking place outside of Spain’s jurisdiction.

Spain is not permitted to act unless the ships cross into national water.

A BRAND­NEW study has revealed that Spain has the eighthsafest drivers in the world. The report by Compare The Market price comparison site was released on Friday, February 10, and had some surprising results.

The report assessed indicators of safety including speed limits, alcohol regulations, quality of motorways and annual deaths from traffic accidents to come up with an overall rating out of five.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Japan topped the list for driving safety partially thanks to the country’s low alcohol tolerance for drivers. The Asian country came away with the top score of 4.57 out of five. However, aside from Japan, eight of the countries in the top 10 list were European countries.

Japan was followed by the Netherlands who similarly scored highly with 4.02 points and Norway with 3.99 points. The other countries to make the top 10 were Estonia, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Singapore and Portugal.

Spain made eighth place on the list with an impressive score of 3.72 thanks to a low rate of fatalities in car accidents and a good quality road network.

A BRAND­NEW study completed by global financial service, Remitly, has revealed the most sought­after job in each country. And Spain’s most popular dream job might be a surprise to some.

In the report, Spain was the only European country to record an online role as the most popular dream job, with ‘online influencer’ being the

Dream jobs

top pick. By contrast, traditional jobs like ‘lawyer’, ‘firefighter’ or ‘teacher’ were the most popular dream jobs in most European countries.

The most popular dream job worldwide was ‘pilot’ with more than a million searches, followed by writer which saw more than 800,000 searches.

SWITZERLAND announced on Friday, February 11 that it would block Spain’s decision to send two Swiss­made antiaircraft guns to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion. The central European country said that this would break their centuries­long policy of neutrality.

The decision was announced on Friday after Spain

Neutral ground

submitted a request to send the weapons back in mid­January.

Switzerland’s policy of neutrality in conflict expressly bans the sale of Swiss­made

products to be used in conflict scenarios, under its War Material Law. Any country pur­

chasing weapons from Switzerland must gain permission before re­exporting

them.

Switzerland has already blocked similar requests from other European countries including Denmark and Germany, but it is the first time it has happened to Spain. Last year, Swiss authorities moved to block a German export of Swiss ammunition for Gepard tanks and a Danish request to supply Piranha III battle tanks.

Despite Switzerland’s lengthy neutrality stance, the country has complied with the European Union’s economic sanctions against Russia, leading Russia to label Switzerland as a ‘hostile’ state since the beginning of the war.

BARCELONA has officially recovered its population and has reached 1,656,725 registered people. These figures confirm that the city has broken the trend of the last two years.

The Municipal Data Office (OMD) shows that, in less than a year, the population registered in the city of Barcelona has increased by 16,744 people, 1 per cent.

This is revealed by the latest available data, which reach October 2022, and which evidence this stable and moderate upward trend, with the growth of one point compared to the last annual reading of the register, made on the first day of 2022.

The evolution of the population registered

Broken trend

in Barcelona during the first 10 months of 2022 reveals two phases, one of initial decline with a minimum reached in March, and one of subsequent recovery since then, which reaches the peak in October 2022, with 1,656,725 people registered.

With regard to the population registered by nationality, no major variations are observed in relation to the previous months. At the beginning of October 2022, the Spanish population represented 76.8 per cent of the total resident population.

Battery building

SPAIN is reportedly one of the final candidates being considered by Jaguar Land Rover as the company aims to expand operations to build more electric vehicles. Jaguar has committed to going 100 per cent electric by 2025 and needs infrastructure to support its pledge.

The British car makers’ parent company, Tata, announced last month that the company was planning to expand battery building within Europe and India, but sources revealed on Friday, February 6 that Zuera in Zaragoza and Aragon could be chosen as locations for the new factory.

One of the sites was formerly considered as a location for a Volkswagen factory, and although it was not selected, it is considered a good strategic location for vehicle manufacturing. The final decision on the manufacturing site has not been made yet, but it is expected to depend on national and European incentives. If either of the Spanish locations are chosen, it would give a valuable boost to the automotive sector.

Switzerland prohibits the use of Swiss-made weapons in situations of conflict, including in Ukraine.

Supporting money-saving currency transfers for 20 years

1. Hi Peter, firstly, congratulations on your 20th anniversary with Currencies Direct! That’s an incredible achievement. Things have changed a lot over the last two decades, but what would you say have been the biggest changes for Currencies Direct?

Currencies Direct was established back in 1996, making it one of the first specialist currency providers in Europe.

Since then the company has experienced phenomenal growth, expanding across the world.

We now have branches across Spain (20+ and counting!) as well as branches in Portugal, the UK, South Africa, the US and India.

As the number of Currencies Direct branches has increased, so has the number of currency experts we employ to support our customers. In Spain alone we have a team of over 100, and watching our presence in Spain grow has been a pleasure.

As we’re always investing in our people and technology, our service offering has changed a lot over the years as we’ve adjusted to meet our customers’ changing requirements. A number of years ago we launched a market­leading online service and app, so while our customers can still come to see us in branch or give us a call, they also have the flexibility to manager their money on their terms and make 24/7 currency transfers.

While I’ve seen the number of currency providers increase during my time with Currencies Direct, we’ve managed to stay ahead of the curve by changing with the times and always putting our customers

first. However, one thing that hasn’t changed in the last 20 years is the unrivalled level of personal support we provide.

2. From an industry level perspective, what is the biggest change you’ve seen?

Brexit undoubtedly inspired a huge amount of change in our industry. The EU referendum and everything that followed created historic amounts of volatility in the currency market and extreme uncertainty for our customers.

Preparing for Brexit and the end of the transition period was a mammoth undertaking, but the measures we took (such as obtaining the required authorisation to operate in the EU from the Bank of Spain) meant that our customers experienced no disruption or loss of service.

3. How did Covid change your business?

Covid had a significant impact on all of us, but as a business our priority was to acclimatise to support customers as much and as safely as we could.

While we really missed being able to in­

teract with customers in person in our branches, we found many of our customers embracing our online service and app for the first time. The convenience of being able to check live exchange rates and make transfers 24/7 meant that our online service and app continued to be extremely popular even after restrictions were lifted.

However, we’re really enjoying seeing customers back in our branches again. There’s no substitute for real interaction!

4. In your opinion, what makes Currencies Direct different from other currency providers?

Factors like the exceptional exchange rates we offer, the fact we don’t charge transfer fees and our exclusive relationship with CaixaBank all help us stand out from the crowd, but it’s our individual account management and customer service that truly set us apart.

When customers register with us they’re assigned a personal Account Manager, a dedicated currency expert to work with them throughout their lifetime with our company. We take the time to really get to know our customers, understand their requirements and help them get more for their money. The success of this approach has led to multiple award wins (like MoneyAge Money Transfer Provider of the Year four times) and the highest TrustScore in our industry. We have an ‘Excellent’ five­star Trustscore on Trustpilot and thousands of wonderful reviews from happy customers, something which really means a lot to us.

5. Why have you been proud to work for Currencies Direct for so long?

Working for such a customer­centric company is a big source of pride for me, and I’ve really enjoyed playing a part in our evolution ­ it’s amazing to think of where we started to where we are now.

One of the best things about working for Currencies Direct has been working with such an incredible team. Without the dedication and exceptional performance of our employees the company wouldn’t have seen the success it has.

6. Looking to the future, has Currencies

Direct got anything on the horizon that our readers might be interested in?

We’ve actually got a very exciting development to share. In late March we’ll be introducing our customers to a better way to pay with the launch of our multi­currency debit card. Customers will be able to put funds in their EUR, GBP, AUD or USD currency wallets and spend seamlessly in over 200 countries.

They’ll also be able to withdraw money from ATMs and keep track of their spending in our app. We can’t wait to provide our customers with this great new service, and it marks another exciting chapter in our history.

7. Finally, how did you celebrate your anniversary?

I was taken out for a lovely meal and presented with a wonderful gift ­ a Spitfire experience for me and my son!

As Peter Loveday, Currencies Direct’s Managing Director of Southern Europe, is celebrating his 20­year work anniversary, we sat down with him to find out all about his time with the company and why he’s been happy to work with them for so long.

The Art Society Benahavis

ON Friday February 17, Age Concern will be hosting their 10­year celebratory gala. Celebrating all the hard work from the team and volunteers throughout the years while also raising funds for a new patient lift. As proud sponsors of the event we can’t wait to see how the night will go and are so excited to cover it for you!

Age Concern do what they can for the community and by raising funds for a new patient lift, this ensures that those who are elderly or vulnerable are able to get the best possible care. If you would like to donate or learn more about Age Concern, visit their Facebook pages or contact Michelle on 0034 619 792 738.

Donkey Walks and Yoga

AFTER two amazing Donkey Walks and Yoga events with Seana, Donkey Dreamland are doing it again! On Saturday February 18, join Seana for a Donkey Walk with a difference. Tickets cost just €40 for a four­hour experience with Seana and their beautiful, rescued donkeys: Start with a tour of the Sanctuary and an introduction to the Rescued Donkeys and then take some of them for a walk in the countryside

surrounding Donkey Dreamland.

Afterwards, surrounded

by the donkeys, enjoy a relaxing Yoga and Meditation experience with Seana, followed by an amazing Andalucian brunch of fresh bread, locally produced organic virgin olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and a wide selection of fresh fruit, accompanied by fresh orange juice or mimosas.

To find out more information visit Donkey Dreamland’s Facebook page to keep up­to­date.

ON Tuesday February 21, Marc Allum will be hosting a special illustrated lecture for the The Arts Society Benahavis. Taking you through the nitty­gritty of antiques and what to look out for. Marc’s portfolio is something that is filled with incredible talent and pieces.

As a freelance art and antiques journalist, writer and broadcaster based in Wiltshire, he is shortly to begin his 23rd year as a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Having appeared on various radio and television shows

this won’t be something that you will want to miss.

Marc has long been a collector of interesting and historical fakes and this talk centres on man’s age ­ old fascination with faking and forging. The lecture itself will

Starlite Tom Jones

THE legendary Tom Jones will return to the festival on Monday, July 10. Known as one of the greatest singers and entertainers of all time with a career spanning more than six decades. Jones will capti vate audiences with his enduring talent and charis ma.

‘Delilah’, ‘Green, Green, Grass of Home’ or

‘What’s New Pussycat’ are something that you can look forward to hearing when coming to Starlite this July. His diverse music styles are what truly make

be taking place in Benahavis Town Hall at 6.30pm, prompted with a complimentary drink beforehand. The lecture will be free for members while welcomed and encouraged visitors’ tickets are to be purchased for €12 at the door.

Live Fuengirola with Love

THIS weekend Friday February 17, Live Fuengirola with Love will be making up for cancelled events that were to take place on the lead up before Valentine’s Day due to the stormy weather of this last week.

From Friday afternoon at 5pm, a magic show with love will begin, in the Plaza del Carmen de Los Boliches; an hour later, at 6pm, but in Plaza Punta Umbría, the illusionism show with love will take place; At 7pm, in the Plaza de Los Niños, there will be a children’s musical show.

For those who are looking to stay out later, that same day, from 8pm to 10pm, anyone who wishes will be able to experience the most romantic moments with the 360º photo booth, which will be in Plaza Reyes Católicos.

At the same time, at 8pm, in Plaza de España, the Chassé dance academy will perform a musical.

Finishing the day at 9pm with a concert, in the Plaza de la Constitución, by the group Sesión Golfa.

Marc Allum will lecture.

A donkey walk with a difference.

TOM JONES: Boogie along to his tunes.

Image: Donkey Dream Land

Live Fuengirola with Love

MAKING up for lost time Live Fuengirola with Love events continue on Saturday February 18.

Starting at 10am, with a pilates session for couples at Plaza Pedro Cuevas (Los Boliches) and a family hike will also take place from La Cantera park to the Los Deportes park, starting at 11am and finishing in Los Pacos at 1pm. Get your tennis shoes on and enjoy the fresh air around you.

At 12 noon, there is to be an illusion and a music show in Los Pacos with a 360º photo booth available to all residents.

In the afternoon, at 5.30pm, the young ones will be able to participate in the Cupid gymkhana ‘Las flechas con Amor’, in the park of Spain. With the great parade of Love to start at 6pm, which will run along Avenida de Condes de San Isidro and end at Avenida de Los Boliches.

With BailaConmigo dance academy closing the night at 7pm, in the Plaza de España there will be fun­filled activities taking place and dancing!

Carnival in Fuengirola

CARNIVAL is set to commence in Fuengirola on Saturday February 18.

With Saturday being dedicated to the adult public, there will be a fantastic costume party and Carnival performances to take place throughout the week.

It will start at 7.30pm at the Plaza de la Constitución, with the musical performance of the quartet ‘¿Qué ha pasado?’ and at

Darkness into Light - Then til Now

STARTING off with small beginnings in 2009, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, with 400 participants to now taking in over 200,000 participants in Darkness into Light each year.

This year Darkness into Light Gibraltar is especially grateful to the children of Loreto Convent who painted pebbles with messages of hope as part of Mental Health Awareness week.

The pebbles will be distributed throughout Gibraltar the day before the walk to sprinkle a little joy all over the community. A reminder that a little bit of love can go a very long way. The walk will allow you to

connect with the local community and bring hope to those impacted by suicide. Darkness into Light raises funds that are essential in keeping suicide prevention charities and helplines open 24/7. Having raised almost €29 million in its 14 years, Pieta allows for those in need the facilities for care.

The walk will be taking place on Saturday May 6 and online registrations for the event are due to open in March. If you would like to find out more information follow the Darkness Into Light Gibraltar social media pages.

8pm the group costume contest will take place, with winners taking home a prize worth up to €200!

With music due to start at 8.30pm by group ‘in the name of Moma’.

Followed by the chance to win best individual costume at 9.15pm, where the winner will receive a prize worth €100. The evening will continue with further musical guests throughout the night, with the final act commencing at 10.15pm.

With Sunday dedicated to the Children’s Carnival , the Carnival party will begin at 11am. Starting at Avenida de Condes de San Isidro, from Calle Molino de Viento to Camino de Coín, where you will be greeted by bouncy castles!

Music, carnival themed workshops and more will be taking place in the Cristóbal Blanca del Moral auditorium.

Belfast on film

ON Thursday February 23, the Cine Club Estepona will be continuing their winter cycle and showing the film Belfast by director, stage director, screenwriter, actor and Belfast boy Kenneth Branagh.

Originally released in 2021, Kenneth Branagh tells the heart warming tail of a young boy and his family during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Set in the 1960s the film gives you an insight into the minds of families and individuals during this tumultuous period. Actors include Kenneth Branagh, Jude Hill, Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Judi Dench, among others.

The screening will be on

School Charity Disco for Ukraine!

THE International School Estepona is organising an important charity raising event for the children in ‘war torn’ Ukraine.

The initiative ‘United for Ukraine’ has been developed by the British Embassy in collaboration with the British Council, NABSS and the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain to raise money and awareness about what is happening in Ukraine.

Having identified three basic but crucial needs of ordinary Ukrainians and with the funds collected from the disco they will be helping provide necessary means such as generators to help provide electricity, medicines, medical equipment and armoured ambulances to safely transport civilians to professional medical help.

ISE has joined and in turn is supporting this initiative with a special event that will take place at the School on Friday February 17.

Thursday, February 23, at 8.00pm, at the Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, in the original version in English subtitled in Spanish, with free admission until full capacity is reached.

All the children can come to the school wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag and bring in a donation. With different activities set up throughout the day, including a junior disco for the KS2 children, with entertainment being provided by Spectrum FM.

Would you like to donate? For further details please contact daniela@mar bellaschool.com or call +34 951 742 736.

CARNIVAL: Performances will take place throughout the week.

A heart-warming tale.

Image: Ayunamiento de Fuengirola

Image: Ayuntamiento de Estepona

Chase the sun and live the suite life

ESCAPE the winter blues and feel embraced by the warmth of our Mediterranean resort. Live life to the full! Enjoy a complimentary upgrade to one of our dreamy beachfront suites. We’ll also welcome you with a fabulous Six Senses Spa in-room amenity.

Prepared for you at the spa’s Alchemy Bar, is perfect for enjoying some sensuous inroom pampering. Start each day with our legendary breakfast overlooking the sea and during your stay we also invite you to indulge in a complimentary gastronomic lunch at our signature Sea Grill restaurant.

Here you can sip a cocktail by our heated pools, enjoy the privacy and seclusion of your suite and private terrace, and feel the vibrancy of our destination with our culinary landmark restaurants, bars, and refined nightlife.

If what you need is to reset and revitalise, we’ve got winter wellness covered too, with our Health & Fitness centre, beach yoga, as well as our unique Jungle Gym. This new open-air training area secluded in our lush, Mediterranean gardens, will inspire, and motivate with specially curated training circuits.

Raise your game with a complimentary round of golf or feel the adrenalin on our championship tennis courts. For the ultimate in rejuvenation and relaxation, then call upon the talented experts at our Six Senses Spa. Indulge your spontaneity - in a few hours you and your loved ones could be under the Andalucian sun, living the suite life. Chase the sun this winter and experience the Mediterranean lifestyle at Puente Romano Beach Resort. We’ll even give you late check-out so you can make every moment count.

Your stay includes:

• SUITE VIEWS – Stay in one of our dreamy sea view suites.

• EXTENDED STAY – Enjoy every moment with late check out.

• SPA GIFT – Natural, handmade in-room well-being amenity by Six Senses Spa.

• KIDS CLUB – Complimentary morning for your youngsters at La Casita Club.

• BREAKFAST – Start each day with our legendary beachside breakfast.

• LUNCH – Relish a complimentary lunch at our signature Sea Grill restaurant.

• GOLF – Raise your game with a complimentary round of golf.

• WELLNESS – Health and Fitness Centre, Jungle Gym, and beach yoga.

• PRIVILEGES – Preferential bookings at our restaurants, Tennis Club and Six Senses Spa.

To book: reservas@puenteromano.com +34 952 82 09 00

NEW TAX ON RICHES

A NEW tax implemented by the Spanish central government, named as Temporary Solidarity Tax

on Large Fortunes, has got right ­ wing parties up in arms. According to Isabel Díaz Ayuso, head of

the Madrid regional government led by the PP, this inopportune tax is going to have a serious twofold negative impact on foreign investment in Spain: loss of new investment and capital flight, calculated in the billions.

This tax initiative was implemented to counteract the elimination of wealth tax in Madrid and Andalucia and establishes the following tax bands, applicable to both tax residents and non ­ residents:

1.7 per cent to wealth between three and five million.

2.1 per cent to wealth between five and 10 million.

3.5 per cent to wealth

By Antonio Flores

Abogado/Lawyer LLM (Essex)Reg. Nº 4712 I.C.A. Málaga

E-mail: aflores@lawbird.com

Homepage: http://belegal.com/blog-byantonio-flores www.lawbird.com

tax above 10 million.

There is evidence that Portuguese tax ­ specialist firms are holding meetings in Madrid to provide advice on moving residency to Portugal; also in Madrid, investment banks have leaked that Latin American fortunes looking to move to Spain are considering other countries.

In their defence, the

Israeli alliance

Spanish government insists that the impact is minimal: only some 3,700 people will pay the 3.5 per cent rate set by the new solidarity tax for large fortunes with assets of more than €10 million, thus affecting 0.2 per cent of taxpayers.

The PP has now upped the ante and on February 1, challenged the law in the Constitutional Tribunal on no less than six legal grounds, the most relevant being the illegality of stripping the wealth tax jurisdictionstatutorily held by the autonomous regions ­ in favour of the Socialist central government or the dubiously legal practice of implementing the levy in December 2022 albeit with retroactive application to January 1, 2022.

THE President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso made a visit to Israel on Monday February 13, where she met with top ranking officials including the country’s President.

Ayuso broke away from the mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau’s decision to break ties with the middle eastern nation over its occupation of Israel.

Ayuso said that Colau’s decision does not represent either Catalonia or Spain, describing Madrid as “welcoming”.

Speaking with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Ayuso said “We are not in a time where we should be breaking relations with anyone, particularly with a democratic nation like Israel.”

Angolan relations

Betty Henderson

THE Spanish royals left Angola on Wednesday, February 8 after making an ‘express visit’ to the southern African nation, hoping to open a new phase in relations between the two countries.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrived in Angola a day and a half earlier as they look to create bilateral agreements amid the shifting world order. Despite spending less than two days in the country, the royals packed in plenty of engagements including creating new business deals, conferences with President, João Lourenço and appealing for the end of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Spanish King also addressed the Angolan parliament in the capital of Luanda, speaking about the greatest challenges facing Africa toda.

Meanwhile, Queen Letizia visited a maternity hospital with the Angolan First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço where they saw the hospital’s latest policies to deal with health challenges including reducing HIV transmission to newborns with the ‘Born Free to Shine’ programme’.

Renewable Repsol

REPSOL has started producing electricity at its first renewable project in Castilla y Leon, named PI. Located in the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid, it consists of seven wind farms which will have a total installed capacity of 175 MW once completed.

The company has success-

fully completed the grid connection of the first wind turbines. These turbines, located at the La Serna wind farm in the town of Cigunuela in the province of Valladolid, are already feeding 100 per cent renewable energy into the grid on a trial basis.

Once the seven PI wind

farms enter commercial operation, they will produce 596 GWh of renewable energy per year, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 170,900 households, ie some 427,250 people, which is equivalent to more than the combined population of Valladolid and Palencia.

Spanish royals met with President and First Lady of Angola during state visit.

Photo credit: Familia Real Española (via Facebook)

Betty Henderson

SPAI N’S foreign debt will fall below France’s in 2024 for the first time since 2012 according to the latest report from the International Monetary Fund, released on Wednesday, February 8.

The IMF’s latest economic forecast predicts that economic measures

Foreign debt falls

in Spain will cut foreign debt to 110 per cent of the country’s GDP by 2025. Meanwhile, France’s foreign debt is

set to rise to 115 per cent of its GDP during the same period.

During 2023, the IMF expects that Spain’s for -

eign debt will fluctuate around 112.1 per cent, slightly above France’s which will hit 112 per cent this year. By 2024, Spain’s

foreign debt is set to fall to just above 110 per cent while France’s will climb to 114 per cent of GDP.

The news is encouraging

for Spanish economic ministers who are on track to bring foreign debt down more than 10 percentage points from around 120 per cent of GDP, during the pandemic.

The IMF has also asserted its prediction that Spain will lead economic growth in the Eurozone in coming years.

Six arrested, seven to go

THE National Crime Agency and partners have renewed an appeal to help trace some of the United Kingdom’s Most Wanted fugitives.

Twelve months ago the NCA launched its most recent appeal to find 13 men on the run ­ all believed to be hiding in Spain or with strong links to the country.

In that time, six wanted men have been traced, arrested and are at various stages of the extradition and judicial process.

Today, the appeal ­ run in conjunction with independent charity Crimestoppers, Spanish law enforcement, and UK policing ­ is renewed.

The wanted men are:

Heavily tattooed Jack Mayle, 31, on suspicion of supplying Class A drug MDMA and other drugs.

Asim Naveed, 31, and 6ft 2in tall, is accused of playing a leading role in a highly organised crime group (OCG) that trafficked 46 kilos of co­

caine into Wales.

Calvin Parris, 33, who has gold upper teeth, is accused of being a customer of Naveed’s OCG and selling cocaine on in Cardiff.

John James Jones, 32, of Ormskirk, Lancashire, is wanted for wounding with intent.

Callum Michael Allan, 24, of South Shields, is sought for 12 alleged offences.

Mark Francis Roberts, 29, of Liverpool, is wanted for alleged grievous bodily harm.

Alex Male, 30, of Westonsuper­Mare, is alleged to be a regional distributor of

drugs across the south west of England. He has links to Spain, Portugal and Turkey.

Steve Reynolds, NCA regional head in Spain, said: “Spain is immensely popular with British people who live and take holidays there, but it is not a safe haven for criminals.”

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or fill out an anonymous online form at Crimestop pers­uk.org.

Callers in Spain should dial the freephone Spanish number 900 926 111.

FUGITIVES: The appeal for information has been renewed.

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Newly announced prequel

By Peter McLaren­Kennedy

THE popular TV murder series Dexter is to get a prequel that will detail his path to becoming a serial killer.

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The new series, which will be set in Miami, is entitled Dexter: Origins according to a report by a UK news source on Tuesday, February 7.

It is understood the show will start around the time he attended university and will focus on real cases from the period which will be portrayed as having influenced his decision to become a serial killer.

The series, which follows the life of forensic technician Dexter Morgan, became the mostwatched Showtime series in 2021.

A new series of Dexter: New Blood is also planned that will follow

the emergence of his son Harrison according to Dexter creator Clyde Phillips.

There are other spinoffs to the series with The Trinity Killer with John Lithgow in the lead role, a performance for which he received an Emmy for best ­ supporting actor in a drama series.

The Dexter prequel is going ahead but there could be more if creator Clyde Phillips has his way.

Invited to Coronation

IT was revealed late on Friday, February 10, that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are on the guest list and will be invited to the Coronation of King Charles III in May, according to an exclusive report by a UK news source.

“They’re on the list and planning is well underway to make sure the proceedings run as smoothly as possiblewithout any drama,” a source told the news outlet.

After Harry disclosed Royal Family secrets in his recent best ­ selling memoir ‘Spare’, there had been doubts over whether his father would invite him to the massive event in a few months’ time. The appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could overshadow the occasion it was suggested by many.

Seating arrangements in Westminster Abbey are allegedly being done in such a precise way that Harry and his brother

William will not be seen together.

The final guest list is expected to include around 2,000 names and should be confirmed in the next few weeks the source explained. Domestic and foreign royals will of course be on the list, along with world leaders and foreign dignitaries.

Bomb blows

A SECOND World War bomb which was uncovered on Tuesday, February 7, by construction workers in the Norfolk coastal town of Great Yarmouth reportedly exploded at around 5pm on Friday February 10.

Norfolk Police tweeted: “We can confirm the unexploded Second World War bomb in Great Yarmouth has detonated. This was not a planned detonation and happened during slow burn work to disarm the explosives. All army and emergency service personnel are accounted for. We will bring you further info when we have it.” Homes and businesses were previously evacuated in the vicinity of the £121 million project to construct a third crossing over the River Yare. Bomb disposal experts have been at the location attempting to defuse the device.

More vapes removed

ALL the leading supermarkets in the UK have confirmed they have removed some vapes from their stores over health fears. The vapes were banned after an investigation by the UK press showed the items to contain more nicotine than the legal limit of 2ml or 2 per cent strength. Sainsbury’s confirmed on Friday, February 10 that Elf Bar products are the items that were found to be unsafe, with the vapes no longer for sale. A spokesperson for Elf Bar has apologised claiming some batches were overfilled in error. A Morrisons spokesperson said: “As part of our ongoing investigation into the legal compliance of Elf Bar 600 disposable electronic cigarettes with Trading Standards, we have made the decision to remove all flavoured variants from sale.

“The products will only be returned to sale once stock that fully complies with UK legislation becomes available.”

Elf Bar is one of the leading vape brands in the UK selling around 2.5 million Elf bars weekly.

DEXTER: The most watched series in 2021.

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Hidden riches

ROMAN gold coins, rings and precious stones now on show in Denmark's National Museum in Copenhagen were all discovered by amateurs who used metal detectors. The treasure trove is the result of a Danish law obliging detectorists to hand over their finds in exchange for a finder’s fee.

THE NETHERLANDS

Crying shame

CLIMATE change is affecting onion production in The Netherlands where they have fetched a record wholesale price of 70 cents a kilo. Growers blamed the increase on increased costs initially triggered by the pandemic, followed by the Ukraine war, high temperatures last summer and insufficient rainfall.

BELGIUM

Royal fans

FIFTY-EIGHT per cent of Belgians are in favour of the monarchy, with support for the royal family lower in Flemish-speaking Flanders where the population wants more regional autonomy. Walloons are more accepting of monarchs Philippe and Mathilde who, although multilingual, are francophone by birth.

GERMANY

Stuck fast

MORE than 10,000 police officers in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region will be given training in dealing with climate activists who glue themselves to the road. This will speed up removal procedures and also reduce traffic incidents, as currently very few officers know how to unglue the protesters.

FRANCE

Stay-at-home

MORE than 40 per cent of French residents who ski each winter told the Campsider Winter Observatory that they would not be doing so this year. They could no longer afford the average outlay of between €900 and €1,000 per person plus another €1,350 for equipment, they said.

NORWAY

Owning up

NORWAY’S 29-year-old Justice and Public Safety minister, Emilie Enger Mehl, finally admitted that she had installed TikTok on her official phone after several days of giving only evasive answers in parliament. Critics said that the Chinese app could be used by the Beijing government’s intelligence services.

FINLAND

Fur exports

FINLAND is Europe’s largest fur-producer and importer although a large proportion of its imports are re-exported to South Korea and Vietnam amongst others. According to animal protection charity, Humane Society International (HSI), Finland exported fur worth €126 million in 2021, compared with €477 million in 2013.

IRELAND

Jobs axed

MICROSOFT will cut 120 jobs from its Irishbased workforce as it carries out the global cost-cutting plan affecting 10,000 global jobs announced last month. The company employs more than 3,500 people in Ireland in different roles that cover operations, sales, engineering and product development.

ITALY Left out

GIORGIA MELONI, Italy’s prime minister criticised France and Germany for excluding her from a Paris dinner with Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. This was in marked contrast to 2022 when Meloni’s predecessor, Mario Draghi, cooperated with Macron and Scholz on Ukraine.

PORTUGAL

Joint effort

PORTUGAL’S prime minister Antonio Costa suggested that Portugal and Spain should join forces and work together to exploit the large reserves of lithium that are located on both sides of the border. Instead of separate battery factories, both countries should develop a common strategy, Costa said.

UKRAINE Ukraine helps

KYIV sent 88 rescue workers to assist in rescuing Turkey’s earthquake survivors and build temporary shelters. “There is a war in our country, but we have to help. There is no other way to do it,” said Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, a spokesman for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

SWEDEN

Wolf clash

HUNTERS shot 54 wolves last in Sweden’s largest cull ever, provoking the ire of conservationists and satisfying farmers. The Swedish government has authorised the shooting of 75 wolves this year, while scientists warned that wolf numbers were insufficient for a healthy population.

STAT OF WEEK €257 billion

is the record-breaking amount paid to Spain’s tax authority Hacienda last year, just over 15 per cent more than in 2021, and outstripping a predicted 8 per cent.

BUSINESS EXTRA Ticket to ride FINANCE

Tighter belts

AS shoppers spent less and awaited increased energy bills, UK retail sales growth more than halved at the start of the year. The country’s total retail sales grew by 4.2 per cent last month compared with 11.9 per cent in January 2022, British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed.

Art lovers

SPAIN’S millennials born between the early 80s and mid90s are not investing in art, according to several Madrid auctioneers and dealers, accounting for between 3 and 4 per cent of sales. In contrast, their international counterparts accounted for 34 per cent of new buyers, London­based Christie’s said.

Lidl surprise

MARKETING data company

Kantar revealed that customers who habitually shop at Marks & Spencer, Waitrose or Sainsbury’s spent £120 million (€135.5 million) at Lidl last year. The equivalent of £10 million (€11.3 million), this rose to (£11 million (€12.4 million) in January, suggesting a new trend.

More jobs

THE number of workers working for Spain’s largest companies rose last year by 5.2 per cent compared with 2022, tax authority Hacienda revealed. Their salaries rose by 3.7 per cent in the largest increase recorded since 2008, but well below late December’s 5.7 per cent inflation rate.

Gone to waste

MILLIONS of pounds’ worth of UK energy vouchers have not been cashed as one in five homes with pre ­ payment meters have failed to redeem approximately 380,000 of them. The government urged energy firms to ensure that vulnerable customers received the help they were entitled to.

Nissan’s veiled message

THE “economics must work” if Nissan decides to make its new Juke and Qashqai electric vehicles in the UK.

Speaking to the BBC recently, Nissan’s CEO Ashwani Gupta said that Britain faced a challenge if it was to remain competitive in comparison with other car­making countries.

Manufacturing costs were higher than in other countries owing to higher energy bills and overall inflation, he pointed out, warning that lower costs were key to keeping the UK competitive.

Also prominent in making the UK attractive to car makers was continuing government support in the transition to electric vehicles, coupled to dependable supply chains, Gupta added.

Nissan is committed to producing the Leaf electric car’s successor at its Sunderland factory which employs 6,000 people. At the same time the CEO said that the company “needed to have the economics to justify it” when allocating production of the new Juke

and Qashqai models between its 44 plants worldwide.

Determining where to build the Juke and Qashqai will not be immediate, as the new models of these Sunderlandmade best­selling cars are not due until 2027­28 and decisions are usually made two or three years earlier.

Nissan recently secured approximately £100 (€112.5 million) in public money towards the £1 billion (€1.125 billion) it will invest in expanding a Chinese­owned battery plant adjoining the Sunderland plant.

Meanwhile, as the global car manufacturing is reshaped, the US is offering tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to the car industry and EU is expected to respond with its own enticements.

Hacienda blacklist ruling

RAIL tickets in the UK could soon be priced like airline seats, based on a demand­based system now being tried out.

Mark Harper, Transport secretary, announced recently that the cost of tickets on some long­distance trains on the East Coast line run by the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) will vary according to availability.

The state­run train company would eventually phase out return tickets across its network, dependent on a pilot programme determining whether to introduce this nationally, Harper said.

The current trial follows a successful scheme selling only single­leg tickets on some longer intercity routes including London­Edinburgh.

Game over

SPAIN’S Blacklist of tax

defaulters will henceforth name only those with definite, confirmed debts.

The Supreme Court analysed four cases before announcing a decision that will now set jurisprudence. Two cases arose from the alleged debts of public bodies, including the Social Security Fund. Two others were related to two businessmen who lodged an appeal against Spain’s tax authority, Hacienda, after they appeared on its notorious 2018 Blacklist.

In all four cases, the

New clients

SANTANDER’S online Openbank is making a €50 payment to the holders of new accounts opened before February 20.

Unlike other banks whose sweeteners depend on new clients paying in their salary, Openbank is asking them only to deposit a minimum of €1,000 before March 8 and to keep it there until March 31 when they receive the €50.

The bank emphasised that there was no charge for opening, maintaining or closing the new account, and standard transfers in euros were free within the European Union.

Supreme Court concluded that the Blacklist should name only those with confirmed debts. This was the first time that the tribunal had ruled on the scope and interpretation of Blacklists

referred to in Spain’s General Tax Law.

Legal sources explained that this latest decision questions the future of this type of list, although it appears that Hacienda has asked for time to study the decision and assess its implications and consequences.

According to these same sources, the Supreme Court’s decision was based on “overwhelming common sense” as it allowed taxpayers to exhaust all available options before they could be added to the

Cosentino fined

MULTINATIONAL marble company, Consentino, was ordered to pay €1.1 million compensation to five stoneworkers who contracted silicosis.

The company’s owner Francisco Fernandez Cosentino also received a sixmonth suspended prison sentence.

In a later statement he admitted providing insufficient information to a Vigo (Galicia) firm regarding the composition of Silestone, the company’s star surface composed of minerals, quartz and recycled materials.

This posed a “much greater health risk” to the five Vigo employees than natural stone, ruled judge Montserrat Delgado.

Accepting both the sentence and compensation, Fernandez Cosentino went on to say that the five affected staff members worked at a specific workshop.

Blacklist.

The tribunal’s decision also suggested that an affected taxpayer appealing against a Hacienda decision or demand could not be included while a case was ongoing, even if the debt was not paid.

This, the Supreme Court said, was the only way of ensuring that the Blacklist complied with the Constitution “and the right to honour and privacy”, bearing in mind that the alleged defaulter could later win an appeal after appearing on the list.

Unhappy staff

PERSONNEL at privatised air traffic control towers at 16 Spanish airports intend to continue stoppages each Monday throughout February.

The 162 employees work at airports in Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Sabadell, Vigo, Jerez, Sevilla, La Coruña, Madrid­Cuatro Vientos, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Murcia, Castellon, Lleida and El Hierro.

In 2020 two companies, Ferronat and Saerco, paid the Spanish government €102 million to operate 12 of these airports for seven years.

The controllers decided to strike after negotiating the sector’s fourth collective bargaining agreement broke down in January.

The stoppages arrived at the same time as government plans to privatise the service at another seven control towers.

MICROSOFT’S acquisition of Activision was in question after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) predicted harm to gamers.

The (CMA) already expressed concerns about Microsoft’s plans last year, but declared recently that the deal could adversely affect fans of video games.

The CMA has now published the provisional findings of its investigation into the Microsoft and Activision deal after deciding that this could result in higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation for UK gamers.

The CMA suggested possible remedies that include Microsoft being forced to sell off Activision Blizzard’s business associated with the Call of Duty game.

Plenty space

MARK BOGGETT, Seraphim Space’s CEO, described last January’s failed Virgin Orbit satellite launch from Cornwall as “a slight setback.”

The UK, whose space industry currently supports nearly 50,000 jobs, remained a global leader, and was currently attracting more investment in space projects than any other country apart from China and the US, Boggett insisted.

Despite the Virgin Orbit setback, Boggett believed there was still “significant dry powder” by way of cash reserves that corporations and private equity funds were prepared to deploy for attractive investment opportunities in Britain’s space industry.

Photo credit: Nissan Global

ASHWANI GUPTA: Nissan CEO said company committed to producing Leaf model.

Photo credit: Zarateman

SUPREME COURT: Judges rule Hacienda may only name confirmed defaulters.

DOW JONES

Not so cheap

UK consumer association

Which? found that shopping at the big supermarkets’ convenience stores could add more than £800 (€902) to a family’s yearly food bills. Tesco Express charged higher prices, Which? said, and also found that Sainsbury’s Local outlets were more expensive for essentials.

On the payroll

ANTONIO GARAMENDI, president of Spain’s Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), is no longer registered as a self­employed ‘autonomo’. Instead Garamendi now draws an annual salary of €400,000, an improvement of 9 per cent on his income during his first term as CEOE president.

Not me

LIZ TRUSS admitted to a Spectator interviewer that cutting the 45p (88 cents) tax rate was “perhaps a bridge too far.” She also argued that it was not fair to blame her for rising mortgage rates and said she believed that there were other factors involved apart from the mini­budget.

Profits down

SPANISH insurance company Mapfre earned €29.5 billion last year with premiums growing by 10.8 per cent to €24.540 billion. Profits fell by 16 per cent to €642 million, owing to the impact of inflation, an increase in the number of accidents and ongoing drought in some regions.

On the road

CAR sales in the UK last month grew by 14.7 per cent compared to January 2022 with a total of 131,994 vehicles registered. The MG HS hybrid was the best­selling car while Nissan’s Qashqai ­ the UK’s mostbought new car in 2022 ­ fell to third behind the VW TRoc.

Recharging Britishvolt

Linda Hall

RECHARGE INDUSTRIES, an Australian company was named preferred bidder for Britishvolt which collapsed last month.

The company manufactured batteries for electric cars and would have built a £3.8 billion (€4.3 billion) factory near Blyth in Northumberland with government funding had it found investors. Instead, it went into administration.

As reported in the Euro Weekly News, Recharge Industries, an Australian start­up, showed an immediate interest in Britishvolt and outbid rivals for the company.

Recharge Industries put together an ‘aggressive’ package that revived hopes of going ahead with the £3.8 billion (€4.3 billion) gigafactory in the north of

England, which could supply UK­built electric vehicles without relying on Chinese materials. It would also provide 3,000 skilled jobs.

The Australian company, a start­up linked to the New York­based Scale Fa­

Russian exit

cilitation investment firm, overcame three other offers to become the preferred bidder and take Britishvolt out of the administrators’ hands.

Recharge will work simultaneously on rebuilding Britishvolt and the new plant while going ahead with its own plans for a battery factory in Geelong, the former car manufacturing hub in Australia.

Thanks to Australia’s mineral deposits, the proposed lithium­ion plant would not be dependent on China or Russia and risk supply­chain delays.

Recharge’s proposals to Britishvolt’s administrators, which stressed both strategic and diplomatic ties, also received backing from the British government’s trade envoy for Australia, the ex­English cricketer Ian Botham.

Spain’s desirable renewables

GOLDMAN SACHS announced the launch of Verdalia Bioenergy involving an investment of more than €1 billion in Europe’s biomethane sector.

The American multinational investment bank and financial services company will focus on ‘developing, acquiring, building and operating’ biomethane plants across Europe, contributing to the European Union’s decarbonisation agenda.

Verdalia will invest in early­stage development projects and larger operational assets and has already signed its first agreement, subject to regulatory approval.

Once given the go­ahead, Verdalia will purchase a portfolio of biomethane projects in mid­stage development in Spain, with a total capacity of approximately 150 gigawatts per year. Goldman Sachs is joining forces with Fernando Bergasa and Cristina Avila.

The former chiefs of Spanish electricity, oil and gas distribution company Redexis, they have a strong track record in the natural gas sector, Goldman Sachs sources said. Under their leadership, Verdalia aims to become a leading biomethane operator, starting in Spain and subsequently expanding across Europe, deploying more than €1 billion over the next four years.

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT), which formerly dominated 25 per cent of the Russian market, intends to leave this year.

Following the Ukraine invasion BAT, which makes Rothmans and Lucky Strike, announced that it intended to leave Russia and would sell its operation there to a local partner. It is also making plans to transfer its unit in Belarus in 2023.

The group reported an adjusted profit of £12.4 billion (€13.9 billion) in 2022, an 11 per cent increase on 2021 thanks to demand for its e­cigarettes and oral nicotine products.

Glass ceiling

“We are excited to work with Goldman Sachs Asset Management and benefit from their investment experience,” Fernando Bergasa, Verdalia’s executive chairman said.

“Renewable gas will be a key tool to assist Europe in its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”

BBVA and Turkey

TURKEY’s disastrous double earthquake puts more pressure on BBVA’s investments there.

BBVA is the owner of Turkey’s largest bank, Garanti, which has 972 branches and more than 21,000 employees.

Adversely affected by galloping inflation and the weak Turkish lira over the past 12 months, Garanti had a bad start to 2023 with shares devalued by 31.2 per cent since January 1. They fell by 6.57 per cent on the

Istanbul stock exchange the day after the earthquake.

Garanti is proving a headache for BBVA and in the 2022 financial year its Turkish subsidiary had a €324 million impact on results owing to hyper­inflation that had reached 64 per cent by the end of December. BBVA was counting on Garanti to generate neither profits nor losses for the group, but instead the bank improved on forecasts, with benefits of €509 million.

Fish on the menu

FISHING plays a minor part in the UK economy but featured prominently in the Brexit campaign to regain control of British waters.

In 2020, when Boris Johnson announced details of his new Brexit trade agreement with the European Union, he promised that Britain would catch and eat “quite prodigious quantities of extra fish.”

Fisheries minister Mark Spencer told

MPs in December 2022 that the country was 30,000 tons better off now that it was outside the EU, although fisheries biologist Dr Bryce Stewart from York University maintained that the government had overestimated the long­term impact.

Much of the benefit arrived in 2021 when 15 per cent of the EU’s overall 25 per cent share was transferred to Britain, with much smaller transfers due between now and 2026, Dr Stewart said.

THE Women Matter España survey by McKinsey & Company, found that women occupied few senior executive posts in Spain. After studying more than 45 companies with approximately 300,000 employees between them, the international management consultants found that the glass ceiling remained relatively intact.

Only 6 per cent of director general positions were filled by women in 2022, compared with the European Union’s 8 per cent.

On the other hand, Spanish companies had more female board members, with an average of 33 per cent against 31 per cent in the EU.

Nice earner

THE UK’s 4,185 speed cameras cost almost £29 million (€32.7 million) in maintenance over the last five years.

They also brought in £391 million (€441.7 million) in fines, according to research by the new and used­car comparison site Carwow.

Councils spent £3.2 million (€3.6 million) between 2018 to 2022, police forces paid £4.6 million (€5.2 million), and transport authorities, including Transport for London, spent a hefty £20.9 million (€23.6 million).

Many authorities willingly shared their costs for running their speed cameras with Carwow but others declined, claiming that this could affect maintenance negotiation in future.

Some police forces also preferred not to divulge speed camera numbers, citing crime prevention.

BRITISHVOLT: Australian Recharge Industries has revived its hopes.

BIOMETHANE PLANT: Goldman Sachs are investing in renewable energy.

Dangerous breeds

HEART rending photos last week of fouryear­old poppet Alice Stones, savagely mauled and subsequently killed by a pet dog. How long is it going to be until the authorities realise that a number of canine breeds are actually no more adaptable to the living conditions of human beings than many dangerous wild animals?

To my mind the likes of Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Mastiffs, Rottweilers etc should be viewed in one place and one place only; the local Zoo.

In the last 10 years there have been 34 deaths in the UK due to dog attacks, many on children, with over 200,000 reports of dog bites in the last year alone! These are horrendous figures and the most tragic fact of all is that the majority of victims were extremely young.

Many of these tots, now scarred for life, have had their whole futures altered beyond redemption, simply because the two­legged animal that should be the most responsible of all, deems for some unknown reason to allow unpredictable, potentially life destroying four legged canines to share their homes. When are they going to recognise the devastation these animals are actually capable of?

I do actually shudder when I see pho­

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

tos, or postings of dangerous dog breeds, cuddling up or licking the faces (not too hygienic anyway!) of babies sometimes a few months old. One split second vicious snap and those faces could be gone or ravaged forever.

When is the government going to see some sense and ban certain dangerous breeds altogether? Personally I am myself a true dog lover. My beautiful pet is a cross between a Boxer and a Labrador and consequently quite big. You would find it hard to meet a more loving and faithful animal.

However I can quite honestly say that if my children were still young and living with me, the chances of my precious animal actually sharing our home would be completely zero.

It’s time some of the parents who allow dangerous breeds to mix with their youngsters were locked up. Doing a bit of jail time in an environment which may

very well contain only dogs that can tear you apart, may just bring them to their senses.

I do actually remember the last time I included dangerous dog owners in my weekly blurb; I almost had to run for the hills. Once again I await the slings and arrows of DDO’s with my usual full metal jock strap firmly in place.

Just a quick final word here to those woke fantasisers, who seem to have completely lost the plot of our human existence with their paltry trans gendering pronouns and other misanthropic diversity nonsense; turn your hearts and minds to the true horror in our world; the suffering of the men, women and children, caused by war in the Ukraine and the disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Thank our true Spiritual Father it’s not you.

ARMCHAIR DETECTIVES OUR VIEW

THE hunt for missing dog walker and mother of two Nicola Bulley is almost reaching the end of its first month and police are still making repeated calls for “armchair detectives” to stop hindering their investigation.

While interest in true crime has always held a fascination for the UK public, social media and the rise in Netflix cold case documentaries has only helped increase interest.

This poses important questions about the role of the press in solving crimes. Police have traditionally issued public appeals for information via the press, often with incredible results.

However, when does this go too far? Rather than providing useful information, in the case of Nicola Bulley, many people have used her disappearance as an opportunity to vent their own theories, criticise the police, or even further their own YouTube followings with videos shot from where she is thought to have gone missing.

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Police have now issued a rare order preventing the latter behaviour, but how much of their time went into following spurious leads and tackling online misinformation rather than trying to find the missing mother?

More importantly even is the effect this has on the families involved, including Nicola’s small children, who are surely the most innocent victims in this tragic tale.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

THE WALTER MITTY FOR OUR TIMES

HAVE you heard of the recently elected New York congressman George Santos?

He campaigned as the openly gay son of Brazilian immigrants, the Jewish grandson of Holocaust survivors and a Wall Street banker, but has seen a catalogue of untruths unravel in recent days. He has confessed to lying about working for two Wall Street banks and has been exposed for claiming that his mother was killed in the World Trade Centre on 9/11 ­ she died in 2016.

Santos also said his grandparents fled the Holocaust, but no record of them can be found. He has falsely claimed to have been the target of an assassination attempt and victim of a daylight mugging on Fifth Avenue but has admitted he is not Jewish, as he claimed, but “Jew­ish”. Additionally, he faces local, state and federal investigations in the US, and a fraud case in Brazil.

So Santos, the almost perfect self­inven­

tor, has made himself up ­ and I’m not referring to his past as a drag queen in Brazil. But then George Santos’s election

has come at a time of great liars. In politics, the one declared 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump is a persistent, shame­free liar. Podcasts and Netflix series have brought the fake heiress, Anna Sorokin, to the notice of millions. Last November, Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos went down for 11 years.

So we can place the George Santos phenomenon in the wider social (identity politics) and political context (a culture of alternative facts). But to be honest, it boils down to the fact that he is a chancer and a liar, a con man and a fantasist with serious problems, whom the Republican party shamefully and shamelessly is, at best, willing to suffer, at worst, embrace, because it suits its interests.

A bit like our Boris then?

However, the fact is Santos got further than he would have done 20 or more years ago. Forty years ago, he would have been forced to resign and shunned by all. Sixty years ago, he would probably have been charged and put in prison. That progression is part of the current problem of identity politics and the ending up in the ‘my truth’ era.

There used to be a time when honour

was an essential part of a politician’s make up, or at least the expectation, that they were honourable. It seems that we, as an electorate, have lost that requirement. We all knew Boris lied, it was part of his cheeky chappy personality. He was the one we wanted to drink with down at the pub. Matt Hancock has sought to “redeem” himself by willingly humiliating himself on TV and, for Santos, notoriety is an electoral plus, at least he stands out.

The problem is we have forgotten that the job of politicians is to govern. We now judge them on their entertainment value. So our own two political leaders, Starmer and Sunak, are considered boring, not inspiring. Yet they both work hard, think deeply about the decisions they take and don’t overpromise.

If the trend set by George Santos continues, he is not an outlier ­ he is the future. Help!

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.norajohnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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Nora’s latest thriller.

NORA

BREAKINGVIEWS

BILL ANDERSON A PUBLIC SERVANT

I AM very proud of where I live. Yes, I am a foreigner in a strange land, but I don’t live here by an accident of birth, but by choice. I accept the cracks in the system as part of the cost, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter where you live, once you have been there long enough, you will always see the things you don’t like much, and things you feel could be done better. Overall, I know that this is where I want to be. But that doesn’t mean blind acceptance of the things that irritate me, especially when I think of the municipality where I live: Mijas.

Unfortunately, some time ago I was introduced to a website which is called dyntra.org. This independent organisation provides information on transparency across , amongst other things, Local Authorities in Spain. I check it out from time to time to see how Mijas is doing and it is disturbing. Whilst our neighbours in Fuengirola still come equal first across Spain, Mijas comes a miserable 200th in transparency.

Having attended council meetings for almost four years now, it doesn’t surprise me. Getting blood out of a stone is an easy task compared to getting a

AS OPAQUE AS IT IS UNDERWHELMING

you admit to your failures, no one dies other than perhaps a little bit of the ego which in my experience is no bad thing, from time to time at least.

The advice may be 5,000 years old but it appears not to have been learned by many: “The wise man (or woman) considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teacher.” (Lao Tzu) Having tried this out, I can confirm that it works. Maybe in the next 5,000 years some others may even take this advice to heart.

straight answer. Mijas gets a flat ZERO for open access to data, closely followed by a meagre 14 per cent in financial transparency. As a taxpayer, this disturbs me. It doesn’t do much better in transparency for contracting of services at only 33 per cent transparency.

I am far from being an apologetic foreigner in this strange land. When I pay my way as I have done for over 20 years

Little green men

SALLY UNDERWOOD

POLITICAL ANIMAL

ARE aliens really hovering above the earth? The more cynical might say that recent behaviour by some politicians was proof that aliens have in fact been roaming among us for some time now.

In all seriousness though, the objects found floating above the United States over the last week have caused consternation among politicians and the public alike.

Certainly the almost coy statements from the White House over the unidentified objects have done little to prevent tin hat enthusiasts all over the globe sharing their conspiracy theories.

Surely much more sinister than the thought of an advanced race embarking on some mild intergalactic tourism though ­ or even than ‘Project Blue Beam’ (the theory that governments across the world would unite to fake an alien invasion just to gain more control of the earthling electorate) ­ is the much­morelikely prospect that tensions really have

increased between China and the west.

Rishi Sunak has since vowed to do “whatever it takes” to keep Britain safe and that he is in “constant touch” with the UK’s allies abroad.

One thing this global issue has shown though is the relative stability we enjoy in the west; and how much having allies matters.

The partnerships the UK has built up over decades are the very thing that prevents some of the worst global issueswar, famine, genocide ­ from knocking directly on our door.

One of the strongest arguments for staying in the European Union was just this ­ that we are stronger together.

In matters like the balloons however, it becomes clear how much more partnerships mean than sheer safety in numbers.

As the UK government works with its allies to share information, it’s this sharing of ideas, of technology, that will ultimately be our biggest strength in defending ourselves.

Perhaps rather than politicians seeking ways to constantly undermine each other then, they should remember that idea sharing ­ working together ­ is one of the strongest weapons we have.

Sallysopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

in Spain, I expect straight answers to my concerns, not deflection, blaming others, or downright insults for questioning things.

Am I perfect? I wish! But, what I discovered many years ago was that when you listen to the criticism of others, two things happen. Firstly, you may have the opportunity to learn and do things better in the future. And secondly, when

I accept that criticising is now, especially in election time, a team sport, and if you add Social Media into the equation, it may be considered an Olympic sport: an opportunity to show how smart we are and how dumb others are, which is why I prefer, whenever possible, to present the facts and let others decide what they think about it all, But, there are exceptions, especially when it comes to spending my hard earned cash.

Mijas’s transparency is as opaque as it is underwhelming. Take it as a criticism if you like or take it as a lesson to be learned. I want to know what is happening to my money, and I don’t think it is too much to ask.

In financial distress

THE Brish Benevolent Fund tries to help those Britons in extreme financial distress often for no fault of their own.

With the after effects of Brexit still being felt by many people we have an increasing number of cases of people who have found themselves without residency rights, which include the ability to work legally in Spainyet they remain.

For those people, many of whom are living in precarious circumstances, living off casual cash in hand and temporary jobs ­ many people have done this for years and been able to make a living and lead a life.

With those who do not have residency rights that also means the right to work.

Once that work dries up difficult choices need to be made including repatriation to the UK.

Once such applicant came to us over Christmas. He had been living rough for some months aer years of living and working in Spain.

He lost his job and no wages were given. He had no rights and soon found himself in the downward spiral of depression

and ill health due to his circumstances.

He had placed his belongings in a station locker but no longer had the funds to retrieve them.

The British Benevolent Fund was able help him with recovering his possessions, and provide emergency accommodation and a flight back to the UK, where we had arranged for him to be met by an aiport care team.

For many like him a return to the UK is not a welcome one. There is no cup of tea and a help to get yourself back on your feet. From being homeless in Spain he went to being homeless in the UK.

Like so many he had to prove that he was living in the UK by passing the Habitual Residency Test ­ which takes up to three months before it is processed.

In the meantime he was on the streets begging and spending nights in homeless sheltersas far away as can be imagined from his life in Spain.

He still has one month to go before he can apply for state support and housing so he can put his life back together. Please visit our website www.britishbenevolentfund.or g or contact me olaf.clayton @britishbenevolentfund.org.

MIJAS: I want to know what is happening to my money, it’s not too much to ask.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

The reign in Spain

LINDA HALL

THE Spanish are not born monarchists but benevolently damn Felipe VI with faint praise by admitting that he “does his best.”

Nor is there a political divide, as even those who vote to the right are not necessarily royal groupies.

In Xativa (Valencia) where I now live, Felipe V’s portrait hangs upside down in the local museum because he set fire to the city in 1707 after it backed Archduke Carlos of Austria’s claim to the Spanish throne.

Interestingly, the portrait was reversed in the 1940s by a Franco ­ supporting mayor during the dictatorship. It has remained upside down ever since, during local governments of all colours and will stay that way until a Borbon king visits Xativa and apologises.

Felipe VI has not yet set foot there and is unlikely to do so. The same can be said for his self­exiled father, Juan Carlos I, who now lives a life of luxury in Abu Dhabi after blotting his copybook in multiple ways.

The interesting thing about Juan Carlos is that during the period when he helped to steer Spain through the transition to democracy, even republicans eventually became Juancarlistas, including the Communist leader Santiago Carillo.

Few could have foreseen when he was proclaimed king in November 1975 that Juan Carlos would uphold democracy and extricate the country from a military coup in February 23, 1981.

Everybody around at the time was relieved that he pulled it off for a variety of reasons. Apart from my own political leanings I was exceptionally glad as my husband was in Valencia, one of the coup hotspots where there were tanks on the streets. It was even worse for my Benidorm neighbours, a socialist lawyer and his teacher wife who were politically active and hurriedly burnt incriminating papers and books.

Juan Carlos, his reputation shot, might now resemble a florid Borbon in one of Goya’s more unflattering portrait, but every February we still have much to thank him for.

Feijoo’s task

CASSANDRA NASH

THE Partido Popular is still revelling in the coalition government’s fractious parleying over its Guarantee of Sexual Freedom or “Only Yes Means Yes” Law.

Modifying the flawed text of Equality minister Irene Montero’s prize project betrays the PSOE­Unidas Podemos coalition’s differences which, with municipal elections in May and a general election in December, is just what the PP and Alberto Nuñez Feijoo need.

“We are here to offer reliability, maturity, a sense of state and a clear direction,” Feijoo declared on succeeding defenestrated Pablo Casado as the Partido Popular’s national secretary general. “My project is a project of understanding.”

These qualities were in evidence during his time as president of Galicia’s autonomous government where he had no trouble in notching up overall majorities in four successive regional elections.

Once installed in Madrid this didn’t prevent him from choosing the PP’s default opposition mode of anti ­ PSOE overstatements and doom­laden gener­

alisations. Surprisingly, Feijoo, now 61, voted PSOE in his youth, joining the PP in 2002. The former Feijoo re­emerged on February 9 when the Constitutional Tribunal threw out the PP’s objections the 2010 Abortion Law which allows terminations on demand up to 14 weeks.

Feijoo immediately announced that 13 years later the correct decision had been reached and he respected the Tribunal’s decision. As he too had condemned the 2010 law this could have been political strategy, aware that abortion is a sensitive issue. And, having censured the way Pedro Sanchez’s government allegedly rides roughshod over the Constitution, he could hardly criticise the Tribunal.

Meanwhile, Feijoo has his own problems and, like Pablo Casado, must decide what to do with Vox, Santiago Abascal’s extreme right ­ wing party which wins seats municipally, regionally and nationally by hiving off PP votes.

Veer further right, stay put or shift to the centre to underline the party’s moderation? Feijoo has until May to make up his mind and decide which of his – and the party’s ­ multiple sides will show to their best advantage.

Take a break

SPAIN’S siesta, a tradition still practised by those with the opportunity to take an afternoon snooze, now has academic backing.

University of California professor, Gloria Mark, said that brain slumps are real.

“The antidote to this mid ­ afternoon mind sludge isn’t muddling through,” she declared.

“It’s the opposite: You should take a break.”

A review published in 2022 also found that short breaks of no more than 10 minutes helped to diminish mental fatigue and improved the ability and willingness to produce quality work.

These breaks improved performance when performing creative tasks, the experts found, rather than activities like basic arithmetic.

Long Covid Burning issue

DOCTORS writing in the British Medical Journal’s Open Sport and Exercise concluded that golf was good for the health and “probably” better than Nordic walking.

Shortly afterwards, more experts described ways to burn calories without leaving the home.

Their recommended cold shower might not prove popular during Spain’s current cold snap and few women need to be told that housework is one way of working up a sweat.

Meanwhile, eating celery burns more calories than those consumed and chewing gum uses an extra 11 calories an hour, the investigators found.

Women are winners

A HARVARD study suggested that Long Covid rates could drop by half if people ate healthily and exercised.

Using data from more than 32,000 female nurses, scientists wanted to determine how underlying health dictated a person’s risk of fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath.

Those living healthily were nearly half as unlikely to suffer lingering symptoms after overcoming Covid. They also found that sleeping less than seven hours a night and a body mass index below 25 were the greatest risk factors.

Dry February

DRY January was introduced to compensate for the alcoholic excesses of the Christmas season.

Now that it has ended, health experts suggest that the one in seven Brits who stayed on the wagon last month would benefit from dry February, or even longer. They would sleep better, as alcohol ini­

tially acts as a sedative but actually raises adrenaline levels which act as a stimulant.

The liver has to work overtime to break down alcohol, which also disturbs sleep patterns, and, because alcohol is a diuretic and produces more urine, drinkers have to make extra trips to the bathroom during the night.

ANYBODY who normally has only one or two mild respiratory illnesses each year clearly has an efficient immune system.

And that lucky person is likely to be a woman.

During the Covid pandemic, men were 60 per cent more likely to die if they were infected than women.

That was because the genes responsible for immunity are found on the X chromosome, of which women have two and

men just one.

Women also win out because the hormone oestrogen strengthens the immune system, while the male hormone, testosterone, weakens it.

When women’s oestrogen levels fall with the menopause, so does their defence against infections, suggesting that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could also help to reverse damage to the immune system.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Those of women are stronger.

HOUSEWORK: Burns excess calories.

Photo credit: Pixabay/stevepb

Photo credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio

SEVEN superfoods can help to reduce anxiety.

Eggs are packed with Vitamin D, which the body needs to produce moodboosting serotonin and counteract anxiety.

Blueberries are rich in Vitamin C which reduces stress hormone, cortisol, and can help to banish feelings of anxiety.

Hummus contains tryptophan, needed to produce melatonin and serotonin, which should assist in dismissing anxiety.

Yoghourt’s probiotics ease an upset stomach, a classic anxiety symptom when stress hormones interfere with the digestive

Cafe con leche

SCIENTISTS recommend drinking coffee with milk, maintaining that this could be twice as good for you.

Coffee is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols and these have been shown to reduce inflammation, they explained.

Inflammation is the body’s response to outside threats that can range from bacteria, toxins, and trauma to extreme temperatures, all of which can injure body tissue.

Latest research in Denmark suggests consuming items rich in polyphenols like coffee, together with those packed with amino acids like milk, makes the antioxidants more effective when reducing inflammation.

Mask or no mask - what is right?

ON January 26, Spain’s Minister for Health, Carolina Darias, announced that she would submit “the proposal to remove the obligation to wear masks on public transport.”

system.

Peppermint tea, although caffeine­free, helps you remain alert throughout the day while its polyphenols reduce inflammation and lower anxiety.

Salmon’s Omega ­ 3 fatty

acids can lessen inflammation in the body and, again, combat anxiety.

Last of all, chocolatepreferably dark ­ is rich in antioxidants but also offsets anxiety because it is linked to comfort.

Upset tummy

GASTROENTERITIS frequently hits more often in the winter because norovirus, one of its common forms, prefers cooler temperatures.

People can also pass on gastroenteritis without suffering from it themselves, or before their own symptoms have developed.

Although the illness can be more serious for infants, the elderly and those who are immunecompromised, most people will recover in a few days as the body fights off the infection and recuperates on its own.

Treatment involves

drinking plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration although doctors reject the old standby of a fizzy drink that has gone flat, as the sugar only makes diarrhoea worse. Small amounts of bland food are also recommended.

150%

This was done on February 7 and from February 8 of this year, the government of Spain ended the obligation to wear masks on public transport.

The requirement to wear a mask in Spain still remains in place in health establishments and services and for workers and visitors attending health and social care facilities.

In light of this ruling, we asked our readers on Facebook how they felt about the change of rules: 53.6 per cent of respondents felt the move was positive, Darren Poston said: “Not before time!! But each to their own!! But for me wearing a mask? no thanks!!,” whilst Lesley Carrington said she was, “Pleased,” and added, “but you can choose for yourself now.”

A total of 31.8 per cent of respondents confirmed the ruling would not stop them from wearing a mask. Henry Shurben said: “Midwinter with all types of respiratory illnesses in full bloom. A good time to change the rules?”

The remaining 14.6 per cent of respondents were not concerned either way.

As in all situations, there

are pros and cons. Recommended by public health authorities, wearing a mask has an advantage that cannot be taken for granted because it protects us and we protect others by using it properly.

Some of the disadvan ­

tages that people have said regarding wearing a mask, are, it is harder to breathe, to hear the person you are talking to, and your glasses fog up, etc.

Ultimately the choice is yours ­ to mask or not to mask ­ what is the answer?

BLUEBERRIES: Vitamin C reduces stress and reduces anxiety.

shortage of medicine in Spanish pharmacies.

THE AGE OF LIGHT

What the universe has in store

HELLO my angels, this week is all about love, but not in the way you are all assuming, it’s all about self love ­ some of you may be in a relationship, just coming out of a relationship, or single!

Any situation you are in, what I am about to explain to you is very simple and anyone can start this today. “Ego says once everything falls into place i’ll find peace” spirit says “find your peace and everything will fall into place.” Every single one of us has an ego, this is something we build up over time. The ego can stop you from practising self love, it forms a barrier that stops anyone from enjoying this feeling. So remove the ego you might say and problem sorted? And this is exactly what I am going to teach you today.

Children are not scared to express their emotions, they are not scared to say what they think or what they feel, they live in the present moment. In the first part of our own personal inner growth, we try

to adapt to different people and situations to feel worthy and accepted. Our mind starts to work and our egos start to grow and begin to take control of our life and our thoughts. I have five ways to start you on your journey of self love:

1. Practise forgiveness and letting go.

“The weak can never forgive.”

The most powerful tool to learn to let go of our egos to make life easier is to practise forgiveness. We have to learn to forgive the people who hurt us and most importantly we have to learn to forgive ourselves. Accept, let go and keep moving forward. Forgiveness will open the windows to your soul, and remove the negativity to allow room for new happiness.

2. Practise honesty and being open.

The most important sentence I’ve ever heard, and I’m sure you’ve heard it too. “The truth will set you free.” Suppressing our emotions can develop depression and anxiety. Learn to say no to the things that dont add value in your life, and open your arms towards the things that do.

3. Surrender your need for control.

Break the fears and trust life! Don’t be scared to love. Take risks. Be curious. Explore. Do what makes you happy.

4. Enjoy silent moments with yourself.

Every day perform a selfless act of love, and enjoy giving without the expectation to receive.

5. Practise gratitude

“It’s not happy people who are thankful; it’s thankful people who are happy.”

Grateful people feel more love and compassion, take five minutes each day and write down three things you are grateful for every day and watch your life change.

Right, back to the card, ‘The Age of LIGHT’ you have been training for this for lifetimes, self love is the most important progression you are ever going to do for yourself and everyone of us can start today.

I challenge you to try this for one week and write in and let me know how you feel and you will see the positive changes unfold, your thoughts are powerful, what we think we become, I will be going more in to this next week!

If you would like to know more or have a reading please go to my website to book your own personal privet reading with myself you can find me on Instagram @theangelic.medium or visit my website. https://www.theangelicpsychicmedium.com sending lots of love yours Emma.

GOD BLESS YOU

HI Leapy

Due to Brexit, which I voted for and still wholeheartedly believe is the best option for the United Kingdom, I have to adhere to Schengen rules which is not a problem as my husband and I get the best of both worlds in our lovely homes in Javea, Costa Blanca and Weston Super Mare, North Somerset.

So that I don’t miss your weekly column I get the Euro Weekly online each week when I am in England.

Keep doing what you’re doing and God bless you for doing it

Best wishes

Julia

I need to retire

HOW amazing is it that we are part of the 71.6 million tourists that come along to Spain every year. I can remember coming to Spain when there were no real tourist attractions other than the beach, fishing huts and predominately all Spanish­speaking. I have been coming to Spain for the best part of 40 years and the only linguistic knowledge and ability that I have found to do me well is ‘la cuenta por favor’ and ‘cerveza’. The life over here is so much better, I am in in my 70s and still haven’t retired, but I know that I need to. Spain is calling my name and I know that I need to enjoy it before it gets too late. Three weeks in the sun in July isn’t enough, I need it and want it 24/7.

Need to retire

BYE BYE FLYBE

ry and Meghan are about to do next regarding Archewell. It says in their usual way of talking ‘the key pillars are building a better online world, restoring trust in information and uplifting communities.

We’ve rolled up our sleeves, opened our arms, and opened our hearts, creating connections through care and compassion’ ­ I think that is enough of that rubbish. How can they be for caring about mental health when they are causing so much in their own families? Poor Camilla has been targeted and used as a punch bag, all because Ginge’s father loved her. It was obviously OK for Meg to be married before.

Obviously that woman who went to Buckingham Palace looking to trap someone into being an alleged racist would never have done that without Harry’s stupid lie, that he later retracted, about the Firm being racist. That didn’t do a lot for the victim’s mental health. I guess only he and Megan’s mental health matters.

My main question this week is thoughdoes he realise what a major thing that was for the late Queen, allowing Harry and Meg to marry in church in pomp and circumstance, designer dressed in white, when she was a divorcee. What a favour the royal family did them. Charles and Camilla slipped away quietly and married. You cannot please that awful man.

Rant over. Sylvia

Thank you

David

IT is awful to see so many airlines go down the drain these days, so many livelihoods gone. I remember the first time I went on a plane it was to the Isle of Man to watch the TT. It was like a tin shack in the sky, and I was holding on for dear life. I felt like what I would imagine the motor cyclist most have felt like going around the track but a day prior and a further drop. The pilot’s name was even ‘scary’. That was something for the books.

With love, Mairie

Beaver access

HOW incredible, something positive and something the kids can learn now and watch before they fall asleep. Thank you, Euro Weekly , for putting these snippets of information in. You don’t know how much it helps.

Thank you! Jessica Rant

over

LEE, I was just reading the report of what Har ­

WHAT interesting Breaking Views articles, thank you, Nora. Long may you write your amusing column for the Euro Weekly News . I always read it. Well done and keep it up!

Alex Walker

Slow down

UK car production has slowed down, that is not a surprise to me. It just feels like we are outsourcing more and more these days. Long gone are the days for many car producers and producers of ‘British’ products. It was something to see in its day. My father was a mechanic, and everything had to be so pristine and perfectly done. Even down to the shining of the chrome in places where it is least likely to be seen by a normal eye. The old car shows, show you a snapshot of what it was like, the human assembly line of what it used to be, and all the men in their blue boiler suits. My father looked so handsome in his. It seems so trivial these days, but these are the things that stand out for me. I wish we were able to have more British things, it makes you proud of where you come from. Obviously, these days it is easier to get things from abroad, but it was nice to relive a memory I haven’t thought about in a long time.

Yours, Sandy

GARDENS and other green spaces are highly sought after in urban settings right now.

More than half of the world’s population lives in towns and cities. In the European Union, that figure is currently standing at about 75 per cent and looks set to keep on rising. Urban life is the way forward. This means that interactions with nature and time spent outdoors are becoming more and more precious, with gardens and green spaces improving the quality of life in cities more than anywhere else.

Whether they’re in an urban or rural setting, though, green spaces are more than just

Green spaces

tants from their surroundings, improving the local climate and air quality. Flower beds, vegetable patches, shrubs and wildflower meadows provide a habitat for a host of animals and support biodiversity and the conservation of birds, mammals, and insects.

somewhere for people to relax and unwind. Plants absorb CO2 and filter particulates and pollu­

ZERO­emission ferries, cruises and cargo ships will set sail in UK waters within two years. This is expected to create thousands of new jobs thanks to a £77 million UK government investment in clean maritime technology.

This is the first time in UK history the government is intervening to specifically target this level of funding on green maritime tech which is already well developed. The funding will take the tech from the factory to the sea, identifying which projects will have a longterm impact in reducing emissions.

Successful projects must show they could use this money to work with major UK ports

Where there are plants, it is also easier for the soil to absorb and store water in the soil, which will prove incredibly important if extreme weather conditions do become more frequent as expected.

Zero-emissions

and operators to launch a zero­emission vessel by 2025 at the latest.

Examples of such technology include battery electric vessels, shoreside electrical power, ships running on low­carbon fuels like hydrogen or ammonia, and wind­assisted ferries.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “When it comes to tackling climate change, we are taking action on all transport modes, which is why we’re making sure our worldleading maritime sector has a greener future.”

Plants absorb CO2.

Image: Guas / Shutterstock.com

MARBELLA MOMENTS

BY NICOLE KING

I HAVEN’T had any tests done yet but I think I’ve just found out that I’m allergic to cheese.

This for me is a big deal as I love cheese and one of my favourite meals is cheddar cheese and small cherry tomatoes with a nice cup of tea. I’m also partial to a provolone, or spaghetti Bolognese covered in cheese or a lasagne with extra cheese, the list goes on. I even chose my wedding

CHEESED OFF

venue based on the best cheese board selection offered.

They do say our bodies change with age but I didn’t think one of the spin offs could include acquiring new food allergies. I am now only putting two and two together because whilst having dinner with my dear friend Charo I started coughing, to such a degree that she became concerned. At first, I thought it might be

the draught from the door as I felt perfectly well and the cough seemingly came from nowhere. I just repeatedly felt this weird sensation in the middle of my chest, like an allergic reaction I noted.

It was only when Charo asked if perhaps I was having a reaction to the copious amounts of cheese I was heaping on my Bolognese that the penny dropped. I realised that the previous evening a cough had also appeared out of the blue, just before I went to bed. It became so intense and repetitive that I had to get out of bed to cut some onion to put in my socks.

(Thanks to Merich of Bel Mare restaurant I had learnt last winter that a

slice of onion in each sock whilst sleeping reduces coughing. I had tried it at the time with very positive results and so I stuffed each sock and fortunately managed to fall asleep.

(You must try it if needs be!)

I also realised that I had actually eaten my cheddar and tomato special for dinner, just before the coughing set in. It seems to add up.

Following Charo’s suggestion I will lay off the lactose for a couple of days to see what happens and make a note of what I eat and any reactions to anything.

I’m so grateful that she pointed this out to me

www.nicoleking.es

because I really don’t think I would have come to this conclusion without prompting. I was fully aware that milk can produce more mucus and phlegm in the body but I didn’t for one second think to connect the dots.

As soon as I got home I searched the Internet for additional information and yes, it is possible that within minutes of eating

dairy products our bodies can produce profuse amounts of phlegm that we obviously try to expel by coughing.

I have to admit I’m pretty cheesed off that the one thing I most like to eat is for the moment at least ‘off the table’, but happy to share the experience with you in case it resonates (and the tip about the onions).

WORLD CUP WALLY

PART of me would like to see my country’s footballers win the World Cup, especially under the leadership of Gareth Southgate and also to prove a point. But then I look at the pompous attitude of so many supporters, the general public, (“we won it in 1966”) and the media (“the dust is still settling in Doha after England’s defeat”) and I sigh.

In sport, playing at home is an enormous advantage. Federer always won the indoor tournament in Switzerland and Margaret Court won 11 major titles in Australia. The UK’s record number of Olympic medals was achieved in Britain in 2012. Henry Cooper knocked down Muhammad Ali in London. England reached the final of the UEFA Nations Cup in 2021 and the Lionesses won the World Cup in 2022. Both in London, England.

It is especially so in the

World Cup. Non ­ footballing countries such as the USA, South Africa, South Korea and even Saudi Arabia (with Arab support) have all advanced to the knock ­ out stages on their own territory, where they have the support ­ and can call the shots.

Any detraction from England’s World Cup victory in 1966 is considered sacrilege. It

is too widely perceived as our greatest achievement of the last century, ahead of the 1940 Battle Of Britain, the 1947 foundation of the NHS and our 1974 admission to the EEC. World Cup Willy was a mascot introduced for the 1966 World Cup taking place in England. In that year the FIFA president was English. England played all their matches in the

comfort of their capital city, while the fancied Portugal team was sent to Manchester, Liverpool and then to London to meet England in the semi­final where they narrowly lost.

Blatant tactical decisions by English referees had already ensured the early elimination of the strongest teams (Brazil and Hungary). Brutal fouls on Pele and his teammates were not penalised. Against England, Argentina’s captain was sent off after half an hour for no explicable reason. Argentina’s 10 men lost to a late goal by England.

Finally, England was awarded a winning ‘goal’ in the final against West Germany when the ball had not crossed the goal line. Everything was contrived to guarantee a World Cup for England. In these circumstances it is not surprising that, together with decades of

hooliganism, the tournament has not been held in England since.

To this day, England is the only World Cup winner not to have won it (or even reached the final) on foreign soil.

Over 56 years later, there is still no end to the gloating over England’s 1966 triumph every time the World Cup is mentioned, but the ‘fixing’ (or assisted passage) of the results is never mentioned. “Football’s coming home” they chant every four years, as if England has an unalienable right to lift the trophy. Surely, the true home of football is Brazil ­ or Argentina, Germany or Italy.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

I think I’m allergic to my favourite food - cheese!

England have won the World Cup once (at home). Pele has won it three times (away from home).

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

Photo Credits: sportskeeda.com and rudebutgood.blogstop.com

David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors

PETS

Rabbit bonding

INTRODUCING rabbits who don’t know each other needs to be done carefully. Begin by building up the time they spend together gradually. Once they’re spending one to two hours together without problems, they’re ready to start sharing living space.

The best way is to neuter both rabbits before they meet. Male rabbits can take up to six weeks to become sterile after they’re neutered. Females shouldn’t be bonded with another rabbit immediately after neutering to reduce the risk of injury.

Side ­ by ­ side enclosures help the rabbits to get familiar with each other from a safe distance. Provide a barrier between their enclosures that still allows them to see and smell each other, and to lie side­by­side.

There may be some unrest in the beginning. This is normal and may last about seven days.

Prepare a neutral area separate from their enclosures. This area needs to be somewhere neither rabbit has been housed before. Have hiding places and toys ready to put in the area, but leave it empty for when you first introduce them.

Once the rabbits are comfortable with the sight and smell of each other, they can be introduced for short periods in the neutral area.

THROUGH HouseSitMatch, our house­sitting and pet­sitting network, we help pet owners meet great checked pet­sitters, and secure care for their pets, for free! If you are planning a trip later this year please register now to find pet­sitters in time. Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Let us help.

Choose Houseitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post a house­sit advert stating your plans for next year’s holiday Covid permitting. How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your ad­

GETTING ALONG: Rabbits need time to adjust.

Smart cats

A NEW study at a Japanese university is once again backing up the age ­ old cat lovers’ theory that felines are just as clever as dogs.

Forty ­ nine domestic cats were used for the study at Kyoto University, which tested their ability to remember which food bowl they had eaten out of after 15­minute intervals.

The cats, reported psychologist Saho Takagi, appeared to remember exactly which bowls should still contain food, suggesting they had what is referred to as episodic memory.

“Cats may be as intelligent as dogs, as opposed to the common view of people that dogs are much smarter. Also, an interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experiences just like humans,” the scientist said.

Purr-fect play

vert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials – 4.9 / 5 Excellent

“HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house­sitter…

HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house­sitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and attention that Hous eSitMatch took in helping us find the right person.”

Ros Morris ­ Dog owner

How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com.

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation!

Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN –an exclusive offer for readers.

To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Pet-sitters for your holiday Better adjusted

PETS can serve as important sources of social and emotional support for “everyday people,” according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

“We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of well ­ being outcomes and individual differences than non ­ owners on several dimensions,” said lead researcher Allen R McConnell, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio.

“Specifically, pet own ­

ers had greater self ­ esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extroverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non­owners.”

A study involving 217 people (79 per cent women, with a median age of 34) answered surveys aimed at determining whether pet owners differed from people who didn’t have pets in the areas of well­being, personality type and attachment

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

style. Several differences between the groups emerged, and in all cases, pet owners were happier, healthier and better adjusted than non­owners.

PLAY is often considered an indicator and promoter of animal welfare. Playing with your cat may also nurture closer cat­human bonds. In a new study, scientists have investigated these links by applying indepth empirical methods to analyse data gathered from around the world.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide created an online survey in consultation with veterinarians, animal behaviourists, and cat guardians, to investigate play­related factors associated with the welfare of cats.

“Our survey results, based on responses from 591 cat guardians from 55 countries, indicated greater cat playfulness and more types of games played were significantly associated with better cat quality of life,” said the University of Adelaide’s Julia Henning, a PhD Candidate, who led the study.

“Also, longer amounts of daily play, greater number of games, both cat and guardian initiating play, and heightened guardian playfulness were also associated with better quality cat­guardian relationships.”

Lucy and her dog Luna a Cockerpoo, greet Sonya their pet-sitter.

Image: krithnarong Raknagn / Shutterstock.com

CLASSIFIEDS

AIR

AIR CONDITIONING by Cool and Cosy. The family company that cares. Installation and repairs. Quality machines. Ecosense movement sensors supplied and fitted from 100 Euros. For other energy-saving products visit www.coolandcosy.es. 952 935 513. We are Junta de Andalucia authorised installers as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017). On the Costa del Sol since 1993 (1296179)

QUALITY Air Conditioning Installations. Economical to use, & silent in operation. 26 Years installation history in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas

Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (301178)

MR COOL - Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Heating Systems, Sales & Service - Call Christian +34 629 527 587 or Nick +34 618 678 853 – www.mrcool.es (302027)

ACE OF SHADES – All colours available. Urbanisations catered for, electric and manual operation; also recovery service available, largest selection of colours and designs on the coast. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades. design T1(101730)

SUNSHINE AWNINGS/BLINDS

Awnings, Persiana, Shutter & Rejas Specialist. New & Repairs. 25yrs on the coast. 680 323 969 / 952 199 640 (302506)

ACE OF SHADES - Vertical, Venetian, Roman, Roller, Wooden blinds, various colours available, also blackout blinds. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceof shades.design (101730)

BLINDS, awnings, mosquito screens, curtains, vast choice. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931 (294242)

SOLAR BLINDS

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view. SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@solar shadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (292919)

SERVICES

JIM’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS. Bathrooms/kitchen reforms, repairs, plumbing, carpentry, painting, tiling, maintenance. Give us a call no job too small. 692 207 799 / 645 559 423 (302457)

www.handymanservices.es

Electrician, plumbing, construction, painting. Innovation. ROT deduction for Swedish, Sotogrande to Marbella 648 712 530 (302411)

GENERAL BUILDER, Tiling, plastering, painting, electrician, plumber, carpentry. Reasonable prices. 635 913 885 (References available) (302414)

SWINGLES CASAS SL . For all your building needs. Visit www.swinglescasas.com for more details or call 635 999 765 / 666 960 262 (295953)

PLUMBING & GENERAL BUILDING All your plumbing needs. Bathroom, kitchens, tiling & painting. Benalmadena based, travel no problem. Glen 669 073 773 or Paul 642 098 115 (302310)

RELIABLE Quality work, 21+ yrs experience. Need Remodel, Reform, or Refurbish. Kitchen, Bathroom. Floor tile.waterproofing. Painting. Counter top epoxy refurbish.Installation services. Maintenance service fix price.Commercial & Residential. RAMIN +34 635 204 123.INFO@HAWKSMBD.COM (302493)

METALWORK

NEW REJAS, GATES, Carports & Fencing, repairs & alterations. Work Guaranteed. Reliable. 19yrs on Coast. Steve the Welder. Call/WhatsApp 655 040 648 (302691)

WELL-established and thriving pet transport business for sale. For more info, please contact info@petchau ffeur.eu (302737)

Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (302036)

WE BUY vintage antiques, designer clothing & accessories. Good rates paid. Discretion assured. 613 822 572 / +447778 422 305 (302627)

ALH RENT A CAR – SHORT & LONG-TERM RENTALS FROM €15 A DAY. INSURANCE INCLUDED IN OUR PRICES. www.alhrentacar.com - TLF: 638 846 909 or reser vasalhrentacar@gmail.com (295923)

DECORATORS

HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS, FULL OR PART CLEARANCE. ALL FURNITURE WANTED, WE PAY MORE. TEL 634 324 914 OR EMAIL houseclearanceman@ hotmail.com (301282)

PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM Buyers & Sellers of quality furniture. Top prices paid.

BENALMADENA Elim Family Fellowship. Elimfamilyfellowship.com or call 951 912 525 or 952 446 627. (10011)

CALAHONDA: Encounter Church (Elim), Family church with kids’ activities, Iglesia San Miguel, Sundays 4.30pm, Rev. David Hodgson, 695 115 496 (10012)

THE Ark Christian Church. We meet at The Ark Christian School, Calle Río Darro 2 y Plaza Juncal, 29651, Mijas Costa (the road behind the Mijas Aquapark) on Sundays at 11.00am. Pastor, Andrew Seale Tlf 682 713 491 www.thear kspain.com (293850)

CLEANING/MAINTENANCE

ADVANCED Cleaning Services. Professional carpet, upholstery cleaning, 28 years’ experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable service 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 or email acservs@outlook.com (290739)

CONEJO CLEANING & Property Management. Est. over 25 years. Rentals management, one-off cleans. New Property set up service. Wendy 635 630 370 / 952 964 407 www.conejoclean ing.com (302025)

STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance. All types of cleaning. Any size of property. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. 682 636451 www.star light-spain.com (302059)

CARS , Vans, Bikes wanted. Any Reg, Anything Considered Call or WhatsApp 687 049 592 (301470)

CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS, DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290739)

COLLECTIVE CALLING are urgently requesting donations of clothing, homeware & furniture, so if you are having a House Clearance, Please call us for FREE CO LLECTION. We sell good quality items, which then supports low-income families and the homeless in the community. These items can be dropped directly to our charity shop Tienda Solidaria: Av. Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 4, San Pedro de Alcantara, alternatively, call us to arrange collection on +34 711 006 961 (295137)

CHIMNEY SWEEP. Clean reliable professional. All types, special price for more than one. Chris 608 337 497 (296265)

APEX CHIMNEY SERVICES , professional chimney sweeping and smoke testing. NACS Qualified. Clean and efficient Tel: Bob 696 320 202 (301300)

RAINBOW Pinturas . English Painters & decorators. All aspects. Interior/exterior, private residential, commercial & communities. Spraying: door, kitchens & furniture. Light construction. Call/WhatsApp: Daniel: 628 066 308 www.rainbowpin turas.com (302039)

ATD DECOR. British Painter. 30 Years’ Experience. Punctual. Great Rates. Call for free quote. 603 132 783 Facebook: @ATDDecorMalaga (302412)

DOMESTIC APP REP

DOMESTIC Appliance repairswashing machines, fridges, cookers, ovens, water heaters, gas / electric, professionally repaired. Christian 608 337 497 (296265)

WASHING MACHINES, Ovens, Boilers etc. All work guaranteed by ex Zanussi technician. Reliable rapid service. Joe 609 345 096 (302458)

DRAINAGE

BLOCKED DRAINS? Leak detection, CCTV survey, root removal, Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (292976)

CLEARFLOW – Unblocking, CCTV inspection, repair and installation. Tel: 630 200 600 / 952 885 661. www.desatorosclear flow Facebook: DesatorosClear flow (301154)

ALL ELECTRICAL work, rewiring, fault finding 30 years’ experience. Frank Tel. or Whatsapp 650 561 629 (302735)

ELECTRICIAN FLOOR POLISHING

MARBLE FLOOR (2.50€/m2) WHY PAY MORE. WE CLEAN, CRYSTALLISE, SEAL THEN POLISH YOUR MARBLE TO HIGH GLOSS, NON-SLIP. PROFESSIONAL GUARANTEED, FAST SERVICE. 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. ALSO REPAIRS DAMAGES TO MARBLE, CLEAN AND SEAL TERRACOTTA TE RRACES, COVERS ALL COSTA DEL SOL. TEL: 671 244 683 (295522)

MARBLE FLOORS polished high shine non-slip. Fast Service Reliable, family-run business. TERRACOTTA CLEANED and sealed. No job too small. Cleansol 10am –10pm 7 days all areas. 952 930 861 / 607 610 578 Discount code: EWN 1 CLEAN (206437)

FILMS

PLAZA MAYOR CINEMA Malaga

ANT MAN AND WASP: QUANTUMANIA

EVERYDAY: 19:55

SUN: 12:30

THE TRIANGLE OF SADNESS

SUN: 12:40

TUES: 20:20

THE FABEL MAN

SUN: 12:25

TUES: 19:10

TITANIC

SUN: 13:15

THE BANSHEE OF INISHERIN

TUES: 22:20

THE WHALE

TUES: 17:55

RED DOG CINEMA

Puerto Banus

ANT-MAN AND WASP: QUANTUMANIA

ALL WEEKDAYS: 17:00, 19:20 AND 21:45

SAT

22:10

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER 3D

ALL WEEKDAYS: 17:15

SAT AND SUN: 15:00, 18:30

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

SAT AND SUN: 11:30

BABYLON

EVERY DAY: 19:20

PLANE

ALL WEEKDAYS: 19:00

SAT AND SUN: 16:45

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH EVERY DAY: 17:15

SAT AND SUN: 12:00, 15:15

THE AMAZING MAURICE

EVERYDAY: 17:15

SAT AND SUN: 12:00, 15:00

THE FABELMAN

ALL WEEKDAYS: 17:00

SAT AND SUN: 15:00, 17:45

THE WHALE ALL WEEKDAYS: 19:40

SAT AND SUN: 20:30

WOMEN TALKING

ALL WEEKDAYS: 17:15, 19:20

SAT AND SUN: 15:30, 19:45

FOR SALE/WANTED

ANTHONY’S ANTIQUES JEWELLERS AND PAWNBROKERS IS NOW BUYING ALL TYPES OF WATCHES AND JEWELLERY IN ANY CONDITION, ALSO, SILVER, ANTIQUES AND THE UNUSUAL. WE BUY, WE PAY MORE, WE PAY CASH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL ANTHONY ON +34 609 529 633 (296440)

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

HEALTH & BEAUTY

CHIROPRACTOR

FUENGIROLA, Myofascial Release. J Schaegen, specialised in treating neck, back & extremity disorders, 30 years in practice. 652 291 224 www.bodywork.es (301414)

HEATING

MASSAGE

al pleasure with the 5 senses. Sensual tantric massage or body to body to perfection. Make an appointment. 650 237 145 (302347)

SAN PEDRO. Sandra. Professional relaxing, tantric massage. Young, slim, work alone, unforgettable moments. Nueva Andalucia. 641 346 278

FURNITURE wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (302036)

FURNITURE GARDENING

PROFESSIONAL garden services from Fuengirola to Estepona. All aspects of gardening and full maintenance and landscaping, free quotes, competitive prices. Contact Andrew 600 259 981 Andrew@ garden-professionals.com (295350)

IRRIGATION

IRIS-IRRIGATION and landscapes. TRENCHLESS NO DIG Irrigation installation, Cables, Fibre Optic, Electric & Lighting Cables. New Installations & problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden constructions. Tree surgeon. Clearing. Astro Turf (Free Quotation) 676 747 521 (301097)

GATE REPAIRS

ELECTRIC GATE/GARAGE

DOOR automation repaired. Free, no obligation quotation. Call Colin - 636 394 641 (302074)

GATES

ELECTRIC GATES /Garage Doors. Intercoms/access control systems and replacement remotes. New installs and repairs. For all your electric gate and garage door requirements call us on 605 356 469/952 786 178. The Garage Door Co & 2 Way Gates. tgdc@hot mail.co.uk www.2waygates. com (294592)

BE PROACTIVE: Electric/Gas fires, Wood Burning Stoves. Quality guaranteed. EnviroCare. All areas covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759. info@envirocarespain.com www.envirocarespain.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

VINYL WRAP

VINYL SOLUTIONS WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RENOVATE? Modern adhesive vinyl coverings in hundreds of styles and designs can renovate a tired kitchen, bathroom, wall panels, bedroom wardrobes, fridge doors. Turn a tired looking wood designed kitchen into a modern solid colour or metallic look without painting or replacing. Work carried out on site with 10 year warranties Contact Ian 644 546 176 for design brochure and samples. (293467)

HOT TUBS AND SPAS

HOT TUBS new used, bought, sold, hired. Also move & repairs. Used good Hot Tubs for sale. 691 973 131 / +44 7836 379122 (302313)

MATURE elegant lady. Offers tantric and other massage. Personal home visits. 687 387 680 (286295)tp3

RELAXING Massage for Men & Couples. Feel free from tension & stress. Call Dany 603 202 758 (302579)

PURE RELAXATION in Nueva Andalucia with attractive independent masseuse. Tantric and other special massages in private apartment. For gentlemen and couples, with no rush attention to your needs 656 350 401

ENGLISH ELEGANT passionate lady in late 40s, gives a sensual massage in private apartment. Satisfaction guaranteed. Call 680 177 569 (302492)

CASSIE. Mature English lady. Discreet and clean. 667 914 732 (FU 2884)

MASSAGE! Outcalls everywhere in Costa del Sol! Gentlemen, ladies, couples are welcome! 604 256 336 (FU 2875)

BUTTERFLY - Massage, is a space designed for people with high sensitivity, with a taste for body to body interaction, who enjoy the sensuality and magical trantric, to feel the warm hands of an attractive masseuse running through your body. Our masseuses have been chosen not only for their physical attractiveness, but also for their sensuality and massage skills. Only by appointment 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302347)

CALA DE MIJAS. Excellent professional masseuse with exclusive attention for people who want to change their routine and want to relax and live a relaxing experience. If you are looking for discretion and good treatment, here I am. I’m Noa and I hope you make your appointment as soon as possible because I am very requested. 650 237 145 (302347)

MY HANDS can transmit a very important message and make us feel connected. I will create a suitable atmosphere for relaxation and sensuality without noise, candlelight, soft music, nothing should disturb that moment. Before we start, all you have to do is relax, breathe slowly to free your body and mind... I’ll take care of the rest. Irina, qualified masseuse with many years of experience. Book your appointment. 650 237 145 (302347)

HOUSE CLEARANCES INSURANCE

ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM furniture wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (302036)

MOTOR INSURANCE . For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance

Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com (291234)

IT’S TIME to try something different and very relaxed. Sara, elegant masseuse, I offer massage, tantric, sensitive, prostatic, authentic relaxation that will leave you floating on the cloud. believe me spectacular! Very clean. I give and demand total hygiene! Let yourself go and you will discover the most hidden pleasures. Only by appointment. 650 237 145 (302347)

RIVIERA DEL SOL . Treat yourself to an Excellent Massage! Irina, Cuban masseuse, fun and spontaneous. Only when a massage is something more than a massage, and becomes a unique experience, with a mixture of smells, sounds, sensations, only then is when you enjoy the perfection of the exclusive massage. Ask for more information without obligation 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302347)

RIVIERA DEL SOL . I am Noa a simple and natural girl who hides among her shy appearance the best kept secrets of relaxing, decontracting and stimulating massage. I am a specialist in eliminating your worries, muscular tension thanks to a depurative massage technique that I combine with a sensory capacity out of the ordinary. I massage both men and couples. 650 237 145. by appointment only (302347)

CALAHONDA . I am your ideal masseuse if you want to enjoy a massage, relaxing and sensual and want to try the sensations that this generates. I will use my hands and body with techniques of relaxation and mutual connection. Carla –650 237 145 (302347)

THE BEST RELAXING MASSAGE CLOSE TO ELVIRIA Tantric massages. Come and enjoy today with us. Latin masseuses for men. Come and relax. Outcall, too 650 237 145 (302347)

GLASS CURTAINS HANDYMAN

LOCKSMITHS

TANTRIC masseuse in Calahonda. Cristal, expert in the art of seduction and tantric massage. Authentic masseuse who manages to transmit the physical and emotion-

GLASS CURTAIN repairs, specialist in replacement of discoloured plastic strips that act as a seal between the glass panels. Call Julian 655 825 931 (301104)

HANDYMAN: General Masonry work, painting, wall/roof waterproofing & other jobs. Call Michael 622 755 666 (302732)

INSURANCE

LOCKSMITH emergency / appointment. Doors opened without damage, locks changed, patio doors and windows secured, 24 hour honest, fast and reliable service. Call Paul 657 466 803 (288129)

ENGLISH LOCKSMITHS, SECURITY & SHADE EXPERTS. FREE HOME SECURITY SURVEY. 636 770 865 / 952 660 233 WWW.SECURITYOF SPAIN.COM CONTACT DAREN

NEAR ELVIRIA. Masseuse, elegant with a high dose of implication. Very special tantric sensory massages. I will make you feel very relaxed with a good massage. 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302347)

MARBELLA CENTRE - the ideal place for relaxing massage in the city centre. Available 24h and prices from €50. For reservations and information call 620 366 817.

PROFESSIONAL MALE muscled masseur. Full-body relaxing, deep tissue and therapeutic massage. In/outcalls. WhatsApp me 607 595 906 (301288)

ASIAN TOUCH unique deep massage excellent relieve pain stress luxury service guaranteed. Elviria. 633 705 558 (MI 551)

FUENGIROLA - Johanna Brazilian Mature Masseur. Relaxing Massages. Best relax guaranteed. Tel: 617.818.615 (302421)

ASIAN MASSEUR Massage relaxing & therapeutic, to release tension and stress. Fuengirola. Call 634 103 607 (301171)

LOS BOLICHES - Carolina Pretty Masseur, Relaxing Massage, Guaranteed relax - 634.703.111 (302421)

BENALMADENA lovely lady, offering you a very relaxing body massage. Call for an appointment 634 209 427 (302733)

FUENGIROLA. Japanese Shiatsu & Zen Ki relaxing and therapeutic massage. Excellent service guaranteed. Home Visits. WhatsApp for appointment 693 988 340 (302511)

WWW.LAILALYNCH1.COM

Heated pool, Jacuzzi and private bar. Inland private retreat with a full massage service. 662 913 428 (FU 2901)

FUENGIROLA. Amazing full body massage by spectacular blonde lady. 657 697 397 (FU 2776)

ESTEPONA . Susana, Latin Girl sculptural body, trained for deep relaxing massage. 697 705 304 (FU 2786)

BENALMADENA Costa by the windmill roundabout, complete body massage done Sabrina in a heated room. 50% off seniors, pensioners, retired. 658 336 295. (2905)

ASIAN wellness massage Nice area west Marbella. Guaranteed results. 623 554 233 or 623 594 698 (301500)

ESTEPONA near Cancelada. Asian Kannika gives full relaxation and more. Complete fulfillment. WhatsApp me 602 427 095 (FU 2891)

FILIPINO MASSAGE CENTRE

MARBELLA, where hearts of professional massage, open daily. 660 578 171 (MI 558)

FUENGIROLA Paula 30 years old beautiful, soft sensitive massages, deep body relaxation techniques 641 244 707 (FU 2908)

TWO filipina, simpathic excellent unique relaxing massage authentic oriental massage, exclusive. Elviria. 679 126 231 (MI 558)

FUENGIROLA. Russian blonde lady, professional Tantric massage. Whatsapp and Viber 613 818 042 (2869)

UKRAINIAN slim, friendly, beautiful hands european massage. Marbella. 604 428 812 (MI 558)

BOLICHES CELINA independent loving lady, kind, beautiful affectionate only for educated discreet respectable gentleman! Enjoy deep sensitive exciting relaxing massages in private discreet apartment, quite cosy atmosphere high satisfaction! Excellent calm treatments! Demanding excellent hygiene! Appointments 11am/6pm 622 210 797 (FU 2887)

BEAUTIFUL Asian lady offer exclusive, sensitive, prostatic, deep, soft massage pleasure to body and mind pleasure, good clean atmosphere, Marbella. Elviria. 603 257 690 (MI 558)

ASIAN touch www.asianmassage marbella.com combination oriental/ european massage. Elviria. 633 705 558 (MI 558)

BENALMADENA . Villa with 7 masseurs, jacuzi, room rentals, massage from 50€. Street Imperio Argentina Nº1 in BenalmadenaTel 666 29 43 26 (302798)

CANDI Spanish Student Masseur 20yrs, Ask for pictures. At Massaur center or I can come to visit. Tel 662 527 815 (302798)

ORIENTAL lady, tantric sensory generate body to body, technique, deep, soft massage. Marbella 603 208 080 (MI 558)

BENALMADENA . 2 young masseurs 19 & 22 for individual massage or couples. Hotel or home service. Tel 679 267 197(302798)

MARBELLA . Karina ts, 29, Brazilian masseuse feminine blonde. Whatsapp 667 846 464 (FU 2903)

MARBELLA Experienced mobile Masseuse. Therapeutic, & Relaxing massage for your body and mind. Call Monik 686 740 661 (302625)

SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARACamilla Masseur 33 - private apartment - 603 804 443 (303040)

FUENGIROLA. Thai body massage. Hawaiian, Balinese, Sonia 40, independent 657 697 397 (fu 2878)

THAI Benalmádena Costa. Bodybody full massages. Visits. Whatsapp 689 387 448, 632 092 619 (MI 557)

VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (302736)

NEW Salome 19 years old beautiful Arab masseuse, massage and relaxation 631 862 272. (FU 2904)

JAPANESE massage. Marbella. Relaxing, less stress. 664 177 216 (MI 559)

NEW Jazmin 19 years old Dominican mulatto, beautiful masseuse, massage and relaxation 631 862 272 (FU 2904)

BENALMADENA. FRIENDLY attractive masseuse, relieve muscle tension. From 50€. 612 503 055 (FU 2906)

FUENGIROLA Centre. We are 5 beautiful friends, masseuses, discreet. Treat yourself. 631 862 272 (FU 2904)

JESSICA 28, Estepona. Full tantric massage. High class service. Private apartment. 711 030 670 (302663)

DEEP relaxing Tantra Yoni/ lingam massage sessions warm eastern oils. Genuine trained Masseur. Marbella. 602 098 606 (FU 2902)

MARBELLA Tantric ritual massage with aromatherapy to leave completely renewed. 642 751 070 (2907)

SARA Venezuelan, professional relaxing therapeutic & sensitive massage. I can visit you. For more information contact me 632 770 051 (303021)

GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

ACE OF SHADES - Don’t let the bugs get you! Available in enrollable, slider and pleated. Large choice of colours including wood effect. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceof shades.design (101730)

MOSQUITO Screens for windows, doors and a high-quality sliding patio door screen. All finishes available. Quick service. All areas covered. Call Julian 655 825 931 (301104)

MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours, call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (295855)

my web page – www.robertson cars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: ther obertsonclan@gmail.com

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

CAR SERVICES

MOBILE MECHANIC will come to your home or work. Servicing, repairs, ITVs & diagnostics. Call Mick on 617 553 072 (301482)

ENGLISH bodyshop, fully equipped, Mijas Costa. No Job Too Small. 952 667 074 (302028)

WANTED

FOR SALE

ROBERTSON CARS...would like to thank all of my past, present & future clients for their continued support over the last 35 years here in Spain. Stay safe and outdrive everyone. If contacting Samantha in the afternoons, please only Whatsapp on 608 658 785 or Email therobert sonclan@gmail.com as I am driving mostly & unable to take your calls.

ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE

SALE: RANGE ROVER SPORT

4X4 DIESEL /AUTOMATIC WAS €18,995 NOW €17,995 2011.Looks right in White, only 130,000 kms (approx 80,000miles)

Private Lady Owner, parking sensors, reverse camera, sat nav, ITV till June 2023. turns heads good looks and quality. Samantha. See photos on my web page – robert soncars-spain.com text or whats app. 608 658 785. email therobertsonclan@gmail.com

ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE

SALE: AUTOMATIC / CABRIO MERCEDES SLK WAS €11,500 NOW €10,995 2006 Stunning Silver only used as holiday car with 55,000KMS (Approx 35,000miles)

2 Seater Convertible have fun in the sun. New ITV. Just Passed July till 2023 ,Electric Roof folds into boot. Selling Under Book Price. Classy Great Shape Mercedes Cracker of a Cabrio. See photos on my web page – www.robertson cars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: therobertsonclan@gmail.com

ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE

SALE: CABRIO FORD FOCUS WAS €7,995 NOW €6,995 2007 ONLY 33,000kms approx 20,000miles. Manual, great 4 Seater convertible, striking sea blue, air-condition, cd player, electric hood folds into the boot. Private gentleman owner returning to UK. Excellent condition. See photos on my web page –www.robertsoncars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: therobertsonclan@gmail. com

ROBERTSON CARS NEW YEAR.. LIKE A NEW GOLF?AUTOMATIC VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF TSI EVO ADVANCE 2019 only 30,000kms, sliver, 5 door hatchback. Condition like New, super to drive, it’s VW Golf enough said! ONLY €22,500 See photos on

SOLUCIONES RAPIDAS - We will Paint your apartment in maximum 2 days. 640 350 479 (301298)

UK & IRISH Passport renewals including photos. Complete Service. Cath’s Cards. 952 885 759. www.cathscards.es (295683)

ALL CARS / Commercials wanted, runners or non-runners. Cash. Buyer collects. Transfer included. 605 109 796 (301158)

WANTED, wanted, wanted!! All cars, all years, all models… from exotic to classic. Spanish, English, Dutch plated. Call us on 951 977 329 or 606 647 597. (301127)

CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS, DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290739)

CAR , VANS BOUGHT WITH/WITHOUT PAPERS. CASH WAITING 678 808 837 (290739)

CARS , VANS UK OR SPANISH BOUGHT FOR CASH. FREE COLLECTION IN SPAIN/UK. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 OR 952 669 701 (290739)

CARS , VANS, ANY REGISTRATION, INSTANT CASH, FINANCE/EMBARGO UK OR SPANISH 685 524 921 (290739)

WANTED CARS AND VANS, FREE COLLECTION, SAME DAY 685 524 921 (290739)

IMPORT/TRANSFERS

CARS transferred, history checks, Imports and Embargo problems. Change of use and lost papers. Change your car to Spanish plates, simple efficient service. Cars bought and sold. Please call 678 808 837 Or email carsinspain@live.co.uk (290739)

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (301483)

MALE/Female Viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly all areas. Mixed trial packs available. Delivery or mail order available 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail. com

COCKROACHES, ANTS, insects, fleas, mice, rats, wasps, termite specialists. Fumigations, bars, restaurants, houses, etc. Sanitary department officially registered certificates. Serving the coast since 1985. Only legal English owned pest control company on the coast. If you want the best then phone N.P.S. Paul 676 700 370 (1296213)

WELL-established and thriving pet transport business for sale. For more info, please contact info@petchauffeur.eu (302737)

KENNELS

CAT & DOG World Kennels and Cattery. 952 112 978 / 630 197 435. www.catanddogworld.com (302565)

ACE CHARITY ‘El Refugio’ in La Cala de Mijas is a registered charity. We have on average 275 dogs in our care and we receive no help from the town hall or the Andalucian government. We desperately need foster homes and adoptants for our many dogs, especially the small ones and puppies who do not do well in a big shelter. We are grateful for any help offered, including donations of food and blankets. Visiting times are from 13.00 to 15.00 and you can always turn up or make an appointment by calling Denise on 669 018 736. Our website is www.ace-cha rity.org where you can view all the dogs in our care. (93320)

ADANA THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN ESTEPONA. We always need volunteers to walk and socialise with our dogs and help with cleaning. We also need good homes for our animals that you can see on www.adana.es. Kennels open every day 10-1.30, Camino de Casares, near Parque de los Pedregales, Estepona. (5 minutes from the Poligono) For more information call 952 113 467, available from 10.00am until 2.00pm. (93319)

ANIMEX Foundation offers free will upgrading when leaving something for abandoned animals. Contact animexfounda tion@gmail.com or call 692 166 434 now for this absolutely free service (288287)

ARCH - The Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses, registered charity 8448, the Centre is open to visitors every Sunday from 9am until 2pm. Working closely with the Spanish authorities, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned horses and donkeys. Come and meet our current rescues, learn about our work and how you may be able to help. Run solely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, the Centre is located between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin in Comm. de Viña Borrego behind Venta Miralmonte. For more information and directions see our website www.horserescue spain.org, our Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos or tel. 610 845 491 or 656 935 613 (93322)

SEPE the horse and donkey charity is open to the public at weekends from 10.00 to 5.00. Volunteers are much needed in all departments and are welcome at any time. For our riding for the disabled classes, we are also in need of extra helpers. We are nationally registered by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (164640) but only with your support can we give the equine a voice. If you can just commit to 2 or 3 euros a month it will really help make a difference. You can find us at Lauro Golf Equestrian Centre, Alqueria, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel. 608 258 950 info@sepeonline.net www.sepeon line.net (93321)

SITUATIONS VACANT

SOS ANIMAL REFUGE we have dogs, young and old looking for homes. Some of our dogs have been with us for some time and would love to find a cosy spot to curl up in and a knee on which to rest their heads. If you have room in your heart and home we would love to hear from you. We do not put our dogs to sleep - no matter how old, they are safe with us. For day to day needs and to pay for veterinary care, we much appreciate the support we receive. We desperately need items to sell on our market stall to help raise funds and are happy to come and collect. So, if you are having a clear-out, please contact us on 605 227 155. If you would like to know more about rehoming, please call 653 257 875. Visit our website www.sos-animals.org or please phone Sandy on 952 385 923 or 666 814 056 if you would like to make a donation or help in any way. (93317)

PROPERTY

WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM

Costa del Sol Property Sales & Long term rentals wanted. All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@intermarbe lla.com (295509)

PRIOPERTY FOR SALE

WWW.INMOANDALUZ.COM.

Bargain inland properties for all budgets, fincas, village homes, apartments and villas. Legal building plots. 952 491 609 / 685 514 835 (295954)

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Costa del Sol Property for sale. All areas / all budgets / all types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008 Email info@inter marbella.com (295509)

PROP MAINTENANCE

DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE TO UK AND EUROPE (INCL SCOTLAND). WORLDWIDE SHIPPING TO USA, AUSTRALIA, ETC AND FULL STORAGE FACILITIES. TEL (0034) 952 578 507 OR (0034) 637 892 278 / EMAIL garymoveit@yahoo. co.uk (301295)

JDS EURO TRANSPORT & REMOVALS - Regular trips throughout Europe. Call or WhatsApp Julian 0044 7884 908 929. See Facebook Page for recommendations (301271)

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (293486)

STORAGE

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (293486)

ROLLER SHUTTERS

SWIMMING POOLS

POOL MAINTENANCE , & Repairs, including heaters & regrouts. Friendly & reliable service. Malaga to Estepona & inland areas. 678 791 495 / 951 536 389 www.sparklenripple.net (291440)

SWIMMING Pool Heating Pumps, Pool Covers, Rollers, Filtration Systems. 26 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality Guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@envi rocarespain.com www.enviro carespain.com (301178)

WESTARPOOLS. Pool construction, renovation, repairs and heating. 619 246 372 / www.westarpools.com

PLUMBING POOLS

PROPERTY WANTED

PLUMBING . Leak detection & blocked drains. Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (292976)

SELLING UP?? Why not give us a call and let us give you an honest and realistic valuation of your property. List with us and let us take the stress out of selling your home. No sale no fee!! English agent on the ball with clients waiting. Please call 685 524 921. (290739)

THINKING of selling your property or interested in a current valuation? We have clients actively looking for properties from Torremolinos to Calahonda. List with us and let us sell your pro perty. Call Joe 626 864 683 (302705)

STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. Persiana repairs, Decorating, Electrial & Plumbing repairs. 682 636451 www.starlight-spain.com (302059)

PROPERTY TO LET

LONG TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE and also wanted. Super prices. Apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, shops, offices, bars, restaurants. Coast & inland. Tlf 679 111 522 (301480)

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Costa del Sol Property Long Term Rentals All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422 UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@ intermarbella.com (295509)

REMOVALS & STORAGE

15 CUBIC metre van returning to the UK 2 nd March 2023. Space available each way. Tel. 639 928 090 (295249)

MAN AND VAN

MAN & VAN, 20€ ph. Removals, Rubbish & House Clearances. Paul 634 112 677 (291430)

2 MEN, Van €30 p hour. House Clearances & Storage. 651 081 610 (302401)

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (293486)

STORAGE, Storage, Storage. Man & Van Services. Call/Whatsapp 690 155 340 (302418)

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

PROFESSIONAL LOCAL REMOVALS AT AFFORDABLE RATES. 1/2 DAY FROM €90. FULL DAY FROM €175. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FORTNIGHTLY

SITUATIONS VACANT

ACE OF SHADES - PERSIANA (security shutter) electric and manual, various colours avai lable including wood effect, we also offer a repair service. Make your home more secure! Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design

ROLLER shutter repairs, 7 days a week, conversion from manual to motorised, new installations. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931

SITUATIONS VACANT

WE ARE a Marketing Company looking for fluent English speakers for Tele-marketing. Great opportunity to grow within the company. Basic Salary + commission. Please send your CV to vic.orei lly@aol.com or through Whatsapp on +34603 285 963

SOLAR

SOLAR Hot Water heating: FREE HOT WATER. 26 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@envi rocarespain.com www.enviro carespain.com (301178)

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for Large Glazed Areas to Reflect Heat / Glare And Stop Furniture Fading And Still Keep The View. Save Heat in The Winter to Improve Your Living Environment. ian@solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176

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CURTAINS, blinds, cushions and much more. Free estimates and home visits. Tel 657 369 343 or rosannacarmella8@gmail.com

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ADVANCED Cleaning Services. Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, 28 years’ experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable. 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 acservs@outlook.com (290739)

CARPETS AND SOFAS cleaned. Reliable, fast service. Family run. Cleansol 952 930 861 / 607 610 578. 10am - 10pm 7 days, all areas Discount Code: EWN 1 CLEAN

UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921

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WATER HEATERS

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WINDOWS

DREAM Windows & Building Services UPVC windows & doors. High quality at great prices 15yrs on the coast. All work guaranteed. Also offer Aluminium windows, Mosquito screens, Persianas, Glass replacements, shower screens & much more. Call us on 619 604 562 dreamwindow1@outlook.com

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Isuzu D-Max - urban trend setter

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

AT a point not that long ago you would only have ever associated pick ­ up trucks with builders, tradesmen and farmers. They would have been of a specification and look that made utilitarian seem sumptuous. How things have changed! Most now look rather smart, don’t look like they’ve spent much time in the local building supplies yard or farm and can cut it on the style stakes with the best SUVs. Manufacturers realised that they were missing a trick and a pick ­ up with good levels of standard equipment and a variety of optional hard tops and accessories can appeal to a whole new range of potential buyers. Add in the possibility of all­wheel­drive and the chance to carry five people, as well as a decent load bay and towing ability, and

the appeal is obvious.

Isuzu have long been a ‘go to’ manufacturer for those wanting a comfortable, rugged and stylish pick Good standard equipment with excellent accessory packs and options means the Isuzu D range can

there are single, extended and double cab options.

Prices start at €25,690/ £23,149 and peak at

D­Max does bounce around on rougher surfaces but things are better with a weight in the rear. For such

Facts at a Glance

Model: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Engine: 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Euro 6D developing 164PS

Gears: 6-Speed manual, all-wheel-drive

Price: €45,247/£33,499 + VAT at 20% in UK

Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 12.7

seconds/Maximum Speed 180 kmh (112 mph)

Economy: 9.2l/100km / 33.6 mpg Combined driving (WLTP)

Emissions: 220 g/km (WLTP)

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

the other issue with the D­Max is noise. Pickups are never the most refined, but the D ­ Max does get rather vocal under acceleration, not helped one suspects by the modest engine size.

cover every scenario from building site to trendy wine bar. The range is essentially split into two halves, the business line­up and the VCross and Artic models and

€56,058/£47,999.

Power comes from a fourcylicinder 1.9 ­ litre turbo diesel that propels the Isuzu well for such a large vehicle. With an empty load bay the

a large vehicle the D­Max is an easy drive and can be piloted through bends with much more aplomb than might be expected. Bouncy unladen weight ride apart

The build quality and equipment in the D­Max is excellent, and betters some cars, with an interior that lacks the ‘bolt­on iPad’ style touchscreen in favour of a

neat built ­ in screen. Softtouch materials are also evident and although some of the touchscreen functions look a little dated they all work very smoothly.

If you’re into your pick­up trucks, the Isuzu looks the part too. If you’re looking for something a bit different on the rugged transport front, then the D­Max can be a surprisingly sensible choice.

PICK-UP TRUCK: The D-Max is a surprisingly sensible choice.

Fuel prices drop Car Finance

ACCORDING to the latest data from the European Union Oil Bulletin on Thursday, February 9, the average price of fuel in Spain dropped for the first time this year.

Specifically, petrol dropped by 0.33 per cent to €1.65/litre and diesel by 1.5 per cent to stand at €1.68/litre.

Since the beginning of 2023 ­ after the government discount of 20 cents was stopped ­ petrol has accumulated a rise of 4.5 per cent, compared to a 1 per cent rise for diesel. However, even with these price levels, both fuels remain far from the highs they reached last summer when in July petrol reached €2.141, and diesel hit €2.10.

Compared to a year ago, the price of a litre of petrol is 6.2 per cent more expensive, and that of diesel is 16 per cent higher. As a result, filling

age 50 ­ litre tank costs almost €5 more with petrol, and about €12 more in the case of diesel.

With these levels, the price of 95 unleaded petrol in Spain remains below the average for the European Union, located at €1.73/litre, and at €1.78/litre in the eurozone.

In the case of diesel, the price in Spain is also lower than the EU average, which is 1.76/litre, and also in the eurozone, where it stands at €1.79/litre.

Price checker

DO you think that pump price prices should be freely available to the public?

The UK government has confirmed that it is now considering a scheme whereby petrol stations would have to share live prices, potentially bringing more price transparency for drivers.

Following reports of the government’s proposal, RAC fuel spokesperson, Simon Williams, said: “The Competition and Markets Authority is already investigating the way fuel retailing operates, so we hope its eventual recommendations to the government result in better value at the pumps for drivers.

“An online fuel price checker that resembles those available to drivers in Germany where prices are displayed for individual forecourts in real ­ time could be helpful, but may

not, on its own, lead to fairer prices.”

He added: “Certainly, we don’t think any UK ­ wide system should mimic what already exists in Northern Ireland where fuel prices are only updated once a week and there’s no indication of which forecourts

are cheapest.

“One issue that often leads to widely varying prices locally, which badly needs addressing, is the fact major retailers operate regional pricing which can mean much higher prices where there is little or no competition.”

DESPITE the rising interest rates, it seems more and more UK consumers are turning to car finance.

Interactions with finance calculators on used car adverts are up with a 42 per cent increase on January 2019 levels and an 11 per cent increase from January 2021.

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader commented on the recent rate rise: “Sizeable increases in new car annual percentage rate (APR) averages, up from 5.1 per cent in January 2022 to 8.1 per cent 12 months later, have followed the recent spate of interest rate rises.

“As most drivers don’t have a choice about whether to stay on the road and with post­Covid stock shortages keeping prices high, motorists are having to swallow extra costs. As a result, many are turning to car finance, with nearly two million finance interactions each month.”

The Classic & Sports Car Club of Andalucia

February Car Run

another super day out last weekend and my thanks go to Steve Robinson for ably organising everything for our enjoyment. A superb route with some amazing views and scenery followed by an excellent lunch at Venta Los Conejitos near Alora.

We were delighted to boast two marvellous Morris Minor Convertibles with us, one in green the other in pale blue. Both cars well modified with, basically, 1275cc MG Midget engines and much more. One very well prepared version driven by well known endurance rally specialists Paul and Sandra Merryweather which was remarkably agile around the lanes of Andalucia. Very sadly, the green Minor of Chris and Zena Ring suffered a clutch hydraulics failure at the Cava stop in the middle of nowhere! Thankfully, a rescue truck (grua) came within about 30 minutes and carried the car and crew

back to Nerja, but it did mean they missed an excellent lunch!

Nice too to see two Mazda MX­5s out enjoying themselves in the hands of Willy and Anne Kempeneer in a red version and Tarik Wildman, navigated by the delightful Louise McSorley, in a blue version.

The event started from Venta La Victoria, just off the Malaga ring road in the direction of Granada and, within about three kilometres had ventured well off the beaten track on mountain roads that the Club has never used before.

A coffee stop was arranged at Co­

co’s Bar in Almogia where the MGB V8 of ian Giles had a problem with blown fuses. Actually, a single blown fuse but that caused by a fat­finger problem as another fuse was knocked out and parked itself under a very hot exhaust manifold. Glass fuses for a 1970s MG are difficult to find but local man, Simon, came to the rescue with a modified, modern, plastic version attached to two small wires which neatly fitted to the fuse holder! Electric fans now working, the car ran beautifully for the rest of the day.

Around 40 people sat down for

lunch at Los Conejitos in Alora and many locals came out to view some very special cars. A rare Peugeot 205 Gti Griffe was driven by event organiser Steve Robinson. A beautiful red Alfa Spyder S4 was enjoyed by Gunnar and Marie Gardemyer and Graham and Liz Ross brought out a stunning Spanish built ‘Hurtan’ ­ a rare beast indeed!

Jan Alvemark and David Geddes came from Nerja in Jan’s stunning low mileage Jaguar XJ and, keeping up the luxury car entries, Ian Ashworth and Claudia Langer brought out their Lexus 430SC convertible.

Martin Hall and Gwen Howe had fun in their Chevvy Camaro as did Chris Needham driven by Henrietta Duffy in a very nice BMW Z4. ‘Henri’ was on her first ever event and did very well, navigating faultlessly!

Jaguars are always popular on CSCCA runs and along with the Alvemark XJ were a brace of very pretty F­Type models and a lovely red XK8 Cabrio in the hands of Willy and Helen Burns. Porsches too are always in demand for these events and Peter and Pauline Bull brought their bright red 911 variant.

Another superb CSCCA run, the next one is on Saturday March 11 which will finish at the fabulous Nueva La Reina restaurante near San Pedro. Next Club lunch is at La Sierra Restaurant in Cerros del Aguila on Tuesday, March 7.

Next major event for the Club is a four­day Tour de Sierras Filabres starting in Nerja on Tuesday, February 21. Some places still available.

Image: Aleksandar Malivuk / Shutterstock.com

PUMP PRICES: New scheme being considered.

67% of Spanish workers use cars as their predominant means of transport.

FEBRUARY EVENT: A superb route with some amazing views and scenery followed by an excellent lunch.

Lawler moved out of ICU Real Madrid Fifa Club World Champions

JERRY ‘The King’ Lawler was moved out of the hospital ICU on Friday February 10 after massive suffering a stroke earlier in the week in Florida.

A post on Lawler’s official Twitter profile read: “Jerry is out of ICU and will return to his Florida home for outpatient rehab for his limited speech and cognitive skills. Doctors hopeful for full recovery and Jerry is looking forward to returning to his fans very soon. ­ Lauryn #LongLiveTheKing”.

WWE legend Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler is believed to have suffered a stroke on Monday, February 6. His friend ­ and fel­

low Monday Night Raw commentatorJim Ross, revealed on Twitter that he had visited the wrestling icon in the hospital in Florida.

“I spoke very briefly with @JerryLawler tonight,” Ross tweeted. “He’s obviously weak but I could understand his affected speech. Jerry’s prognosis is positive but he needs all our thoughts and prayers. #LoveYaKing,” he tweeted.

The 73­year­old wrestling great had apparently been staying at his Florida condo at the time of the incident. As reported, it is thought that Lawler had earlier been out with friends for lunch.

Sponsorship proposal leak

AN investigation into a leak of the proposed sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur by the South African tourism board, Brand South Africa, is to go ahead after criticism of the potential deal.

According to EWN on Wednesday, February 8 the deal would see the tourism board pay ZAR1 billion (£46 million).

Acting CEO Themba Khumalo said that the malicious leaking of the information had potentially scuppered the deal, with talks still ongoing.

Referring to the negative press coverage following last week’s leak, he said that the deal had been taken out of context and that the full benefits of the deal had been

overlooked.

Following the leak and the news of the investigation, the Chair of the Portfolio Committee Chairperson on Tourism, Thandi Mahambehlala, ordered the scrapping of the deal. No reasons were provided why the proposed Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal is to be cancelled.

Terriers sack manager

REAL MADRID are the Fifa Club World Champions for a record ­ extending fifth time after they beat Al ­ Hilal 5 ­ 3 in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on Saturday, February 11. No other side in world football even comes near the incredible feat that Carlo Ancelotti’s team has achieved.

They were victorious for four consecutive years from 2014 to 2018 with the tournament being won by a European club on each of the last 10 occasions.

Los Blancos took an early lead in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

through Vinicius Junior after 13 minutes. Federico Valverde doubled the lead in the 18th minute. The Saudi Arabian side reduced the deficit after 26 minutes thanks to a goal from the Mali international Moussa Marega.

Karim Benzema joined in after 54 minutes and the Uruguayan Valverde was on target again to make it 4 ­ 1 four minutes later. Former Fulham Luciano Vietto striker bagged a goal for the Saudi team ­ managed by former Oxford United boss

Ramon Diaz ­ in the 63rd minute to reduce Madrid's lead.

This was short ­ lived though when Vinicius added his second to make the score 4 ­ 2. Al ­ Hilal never really looked capable of winning this match and it was all over when Vinicius hit his second in the 69th minute.

vvVietto grabbed his second goal after 79 minutes to make it 5 ­ 3, but by then, it was too late, and means that no Asian team has yet won this trophy.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN is looking for their third manager this year after they sacked Mark Fotheringham, with the side yet to win a game this year.

A news source reported on Wednesday, February 8 that Fotheringham had been released with immediate effect bringing to a close a five­month spell at the John Smith’s Stadium.

It is understood that assis­

tant Kenny Miller has also left leaving Narcis Pelach to take charge of Saturday’s game against Wigan Athletic, the second time he has done so this season. Earlier in the season he managed a 1­0 victory over Cardiff City during an earlier managerless period.

Fotheringham took over in September following a poor start to the season by his successor Danny

Schofield.

Although any victory this year would’ve taken them out of the relegation zone, the side continues to concede soft goals. That combined with a less­than­dangerous attack, the side has found it difficult to get results.

Since taking charge in September the side under Fotheringham managed only 21 points in 20 games.

FOTHERINGHAM: Managed to gain only 21 points in 20 games for the side.

Real Madrid winning the Fifa World Club trophy.

37% on consumer card spending on sporting goods, services and experiences went up in 2022.

RAIN STOPS PLAY, BUT PLENTY MORE TO CONTEMPLATE!

THE inclement weather last week prevented any matches going ahead: this was more about player safety when travelling to grounds than the condition of pitches! However, there is still much to ponder over, beginning with the EWN league standings as they were at the beginning of this week:

Upcoming Events

Walking Dead WFC Charity Gala

As mentioned previously, the Walking Dead Walking Football Club are organising a ‘Gala Night’ in conjunction with and at The Millenium Cocktail Bar in Calahonda on Saturday March 25. As well as raising awareness of prostate cancer, the aim is to raise over €2,000, with all proceeds being donated to the health charity Prostate Cancer UK. Good luck, Walking Dead!

El Canadon WFC Tournament

Malaga WFC are holding a friendly, fun WF tournament on Saturday February 25 at El Canadon, Las Lagunas de Mijas, kicking off at 11.30am and continuing well into the afternoon. Apart from two home sides, this also involves teams from Benahavis, Alicante and Scotland! Refreshments will be available and entrance is free. This would be a great opportunity for you to find out what Walking Football is all about!

PFC MALAGA eased to a 10­0 home win over bottom side UD Algarrobo, claiming their ninth consecutive league win in a row.

Shakira Fuentes found the back of the net in the 12th minute giving PFC Malaga the motivation they needed to get back in a match that looked like it would go either way. UD Algarrobo came out not like a bottom of the league team, but a team ready to fight.

But PFC Malaga was prepared and after Fuentes’ goal, Tamara Vazquez got the home side up 2 ­ 0 going into half­time.

After half ­ time PFC Malaga came out a completely different team.

Vazquez again saw the back of the net and brought the team up a

comfortable 3 ­ 0 in min 52. Paloma Valenzuela got her first points in min 55. Idaira Bautista who was brought off the bench scored in min 60 followed minutes later by Valentine’s second goal putting PFC Malaga up 60.

A header by Fuentes in min 66 followed by Ralston whose shot in the top right hand corner slid in from the top of the goalie’s hands in 68. Fuentes got her third goal in min 87 and a hat trick. Fuentes also moved into fourth position in goals for the league with 17. Bautista put the final nail in the coffin in min 89 making the final score 100.

The rematch is on March 12 at Malaga, with huge playoff qualifications.

WALKING FOOTBALL: Come along and join in.