Axarquia 28 September – 4 October 2023 Issue 1995

TOURISM WINNERS

Anna Ellis

IN a moment of pride for Nerja, a town celebrated for its mesmerising beauty and warm hospitality, the incredible athlete Perez Garcia has etched her name into the annals of greatness.

Perez Garcia, the unstoppable force, not only clinched two world titles in the gruelling 20 km and 35 km racewalk events at the recent World Athletics Championships in Budapest, but is now poised to receive the illustrious title of ‘Tourist of Honour’.

The stage for this extraordinary recognition is set, and anticipation is building as Friday, September 29, approaches, the date when Nerja will come alive to celebrate Tourist Day in a way like never before.

The grandeur of the occasion will unfurl within the walls of the Plenary Hall at the Nerja Town Council, a fitting backdrop for an event that will not only pay homage to Perez

Garcia’s exceptional sporting prowess but also bestow three additional prestigious tourist distinctions.

Amid the illustrious honourees, the late entrepreneur Miguel Moreno will be remembered and celebrated posthumously, his legacy forever imprinted in the hearts

Sip, shop savour

COFFEE lovers and connoisseurs, rejoice!

The ninth Competa World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is just around the corner, brewing up excitement for another year of community togetherness.

Join the fun on Friday, October 6, at 11am in the picturesque Restaurante Siddhartha on the Rock in Competa.

of Nerja’s residents.

The torchbearers of Mediaset España, a titan in the realm of tourism, will also be recognised for their invaluable contributions to the sector, further cementing their status as indispensable allies in promoting the beauty of Nerja to the world.

RBL Poppy Walk

ARE you ready to show your unwavering support for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Nerja this year?

Why not lace up your walking shoes and join the fun on Sunday, October 15, for a memorable Poppy Walk.

The walk will start at the Al Andalus Hotel at 11.30am and lead you to the finish line at Potter’s Bar, Calle Andalucia, just opposite Villa Flamenca Hotel (rest assured, return transport to the Al Andalus Hotel can be provided).

For those interested in either sponsoring or taking part in the event, please reach out to Dorothy Allen at (+34) 643 212 944 for sponsor forms or more information.

Some lucky walkers will

take away Royal British Legion t ­ shirts, and refreshments will be available for everyone enjoying the fun.

But that’s not all, in addition, get ready to test your luck and take part in the

Royal British Legion raffle which has an array of fantastic prizes up for grabs.

The organiser, Dorothy confirmed, “We typically enjoy a great time with friendly participants, both

the young and not so young!”

So, let’s unite and create a meaningful impact in support of our veterans and the noble cause of the Poppy Appeal.

As you stroll around the town, be sure to explore the craft stalls, offering treasures that will tickle your fancy.

From Nia’s delectable chutneys and jams to Lizzi’s captivating earrings, Liz Scattergood’s array of essential oils and soaps, and Sam’s irresistible chocolates, you’ll find a world of artisanal delights.

For the creative souls, there are Kathy’s cards and Sarah’s stylish sarongs and rugs, along with a curated selection of home­made craft wear from talented artisans like Debbie Wallwork, Leanderjane, Linda Blackburn, Loredona Ellis, and Suzi Hackland.

Tickets are available at Todo Express, Competa, for only €5 per person.

If you’re a skilled baker,

consider sharing your home ­ made cakes or savoury delights by contacting Elaine Greer on (+34) 671 879 701 or email: lainy18@hotmail.com to coordinate.

If you can be generous enough to donate tombola gifts/prizes they are being collected at La Esquina de Miguel, near the Competa car park.

Proceeds support Cudeca, an organisation dedicated to compassionate care for those facing advanced illness.

With a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and physiotherapists specialising in palliative care, Cudeca ensures that every aspect of a patient’s journey is met with personalised care, dignity, and respect.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Nerja / Facebook

PEREZ GARCIA: Clinched two world titles

Ninth coffee morning.

Image: Subbotina Anna Shutterstock.com

Poppies at the Tower of London.

Image: Martin Pettit CC

First leg begins

THE Regional Hospital of Axarquia has rolled out the first leg of the Hospital Cycling Tour of Malaga, a remarkable event dedicated to ostomised individuals and their families.

Kicking off from the Regional University Hospital of Malaga, this initiative is a powerful step towards shedding light on a topic that often remains in the shadows.

The cyclists arrived in Velez ­Malaga on September 26 and were welcomed by the councillor for Mobility, Elias Garcia.

The primary objective of this tour is to provide visibility and reduce the stigma surrounding people

with a stoma, individuals who have undergone surgical procedures and now rely on a bag for their daily needs.

It’s a journey of empathy and understanding, aiming to uplift those who have faced unique challenges.

Elías García, in his heartfelt address, underlined the importance of standing in solidarity with ostomised people. He emphasised the need to not only bring their stories to the forefront but also provide essential support to both those affected and their families.

This, he believes, will contribute to an enhanced quality of life for these individuals.

An eventful week

CANILLAS DE ALBAIDA is gearing up for an exciting and eventful Cultural Week, coinciding with the Festival of the Virgin of the Rosary, the town’s patron saint.

Cultural Week, set to commence on Monday, October 2, and culminate on Sunday, October 8, promises a delightful array of activities for residents and visitors alike.

The highlight of the week is the inaugural ‘Trail Canillas de Albaida Reto

Higinio’, set for Sunday, October 8, which will conclude with a heartwarming solidarity lunch.

This charitable endeavour aims to support the STOP ­ AME Vamos Higinio association, dedicated to a brave four ­ year ­ old boy from the town who battles spinal muscular atrophy.

The mayor of Canillas de Albaida, Jorge Martin confirmed: “This Cultural Week is uniquely designed to honour Canillas de Albaida’s rich traditions, pre­

OCTOBER

EVENTS

LUX MUNDI continue their regular activities: Spanish practice groups (limited numbers) Wednesday and Friday. Time 10.00 to 13.00. Spanglish. General conversation between Spanish and English friends. TBA.

The shop is open Wednesday and Fridays, 11.00 to 13.00. Donations always welcome.

serve its cultural heritage, and showcase its sporting prowess.

“Particularly noteworthy is the involvement of local music groups and artists, a testament to the town’s commitment to nurturing talent.

“Also, the gastronomic contest holds a special place, as it seeks to preserve the cherished recipes of the elders, safeguarding the foundations of the Mediterranean diet.”

Every Wednesday ­ The art group, along with the crochet and craft group meet at the Centre, all are welcome. 10.00 to 13.00.

Every Friday ­ Coffee morning. 11.00 to 13.00.

Friday October 27 ­ Taize Prayer. At the Parish Church of San Andrés, Torre del Mar. After the Mass. Saturday October 28 ­ ‘Oklahoma’ at Salon Varieties, Fuengirola. Tickets €40 with Friends card, €42 for visitors.

Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar, Avda. Moscatel 1”I”, Torre del Mar. Tel. 952 543 334.

Cultural tapas

COMPETA’S highly anticipated gastronomic event takes centre stage on Saturday, September 30, starting at midday.

This culinary celebration promises an extraordinary fusion of cultures and cuisines, featuring a mouthwatering array of 25 dishes hailing from 19 different countries. For €1 per tapa, you can embark on a global tasting adventure like no other. Marius Lawrence Jonke, the councillor for Residents, shared his excitement: “This year, we wanted to celebrate Tourist and Resident Day in a distinctive manner.”

“Competa’s multicultural tapestry is beautifully woven from the threads of 35 nationalities that call this town home. Among the 2,037 Competeños, we proudly host 1,927 foreign residents, creating a wonderfully diverse community” the councillor added.

And that diversity shines bright on Tourist and Resident Day. Dubbed ‘The Flavour of Competa’, this event will embrace and celebrate the rich tapestry of nationalities that coexist harmoniously within the town.

While British, Danish, and Dutch communities are prominent, the cultural mosaic extends far beyond, encompassing Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Canadian, Colombian, and South African influences, among others.

CULTURAL WEEK: Promises various activities for residents and visitors alike.

Image: Mancomunidad de Municipios Costa del Sol Axarquia

CYCLING TOUR: Started from the hospital in Malaga.

Ayuntamiento de Vélez-Málaga / Facebook

And Yet

A NEW temporary exhibition

‘And Yet’ has opened at the Nerja Museum. Housed in the Ana Maria Marquez Room until November 19, the exhibition showcases 60 works by the painter Carlos Alvarez, who lived in Nerja and passed away in 2020. It is a posthumous tribute.

Rincon cafe

HAVE you ever fancied owning your own little cafe? Rincon de la Victoria has put out a tender for the cafeteria service of the Centre for the Elderly. The contract duration is two years. Interested parties have until October 6 at 3.00pm to submit offers.

Over the limit

THE Local Police of VelezMalaga arrested a Romanian man in the early hours of Saturday September 23 for driving with his six­year­old son in the car without seatbelts. After testing, the man was found to be three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Chatos facelift

ALMUÑECAR Council is investing €14,000 in improving the agricultural path of the Coast of Chatos. Councillor for Roads, Luis Aragon, confirmed: “It is a heavily used road that had deteriorated, and action was needed to facilitate access to cortijos and estates in the area.”

Historic event

FOR the festivals celebrating the patron saint of the Guardia Civil, Rincon de la Victoria has started its programme of events, which will run until October 12. An exhibition showcasing historical uniforms is currently on display at the town hall.

Fab fashion

THAT Velez­Malaga is the birthplace of great artists, painters, and poets is well known. To add to this, designs by locals Laura Maria Alvarez and Jairo Moreno have been showcased at Malaga Fashion Week.

Subtropical tastings

IN a delightful fusion of nature, community, and local flavours, the Almuñecar Town Council recently hosted a subtropical fruittasting event for the Association of Friends of the Nude Beach of Cantarriján (AAPNC).

The idyllic setting for this occasion was the chiringuito La Barraca, nestled within the picturesque Cerro Gordo Natural Park.

This initiative is a testament to the strong bond and collaboration between the town council and AAPNC in their joint

efforts to promote the beloved Sexite Nudist Beach.

Beyond that, it serves as a celebration of Almuñecar’s most cher ­

ished fruits ­ the chirimoya and mango, both emblematic to the region.

It’s worth noting that the collaboration between the Almuñecar Town Council and AAPNC has resulted in various noteworthy events, including the extraordinary celebration of eight nudist weddings on the same stage.

This historical feat, which hadn’t occurred since 1934, reflects the dedication of both parties in supporting and nurturing the vibrant nudist community.

Transforming tunnels Fiesta photo fever

THE Ministry of Transport in Nerja is on a mission to revamp and modernise the Tunnel of Capistrano, nestled in Nerja, along with the Torrox Tunnel.

These much ­ needed improvements translate to some temporary adjustments for commuters.

Until Friday, September 29, at 1.00pm, there will be daily lane closures, with alternating lanes being affected as per the project’s requirements.

The affected areas

span from kilometre points 929,400 to 932,300 and from points 935,300 to 937,600 (mileage increasing and decreasing) along this roadway.

Nerja has confirmed that while this may cause a minor inconvenience in the short term, these upgrades promise to enhance the safety and efficiency of these tunnels, ultimately benefiting the countless travellers who traverse this scenic stretch.

66 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Celebrating San Miguel

NESTLED beside the most iconic and time­honoured monument in the millennium town of Almuñecar lies the emblematic Neighborhood of San Miguel, affectionately referred to as the Castle Neighbourhood.

This picturesque neighbourhood, steeped in history, is poised to celebrate the annual festivities in honour of its patron Saint Miguel, a joyous occasion that promises three days brimming with activities, camaraderie, and cultural richness.

ARE you ready to step into a world of elegance and charisma?

From now until October 6, a fiesta photo exhibition awaits you in the Mercado Room of the town hall. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the dazzling candi ­

New feathery residents

THE ornithological haven known as ‘Loro Sexi Parrot’ in Almuñecar is witnessing a delightful influx of new parrot species, all generously donated by compassionate owners.

Carlos Ferron, the steward of Almuñecar’s Parks and Gardens, emphasised the challenges of caring for these majestic birds, highlighting that they require extensive attention and care.

The decision of generous families to entrust their avian companions to the park has been inspired by their unwavering trust in the caretakers and the excel­

lent facilities provided.

Ferrón added, “Thanks to these donations, we are enriching our fauna while ensuring that these birds have a secure home within our municipal facility.”

Prior to joining their new avian companions, the donated specimens underwent a rigorous quarantine period, meticulously overseen by the park’s veterinary team.

Special deworming treatments were administered to guarantee the well­being of all the park’s feathered inhabitants.

dates for Queen and Knight of the Nerja Fair 2023.

The exhibition is open from 12.00pm to 2.00pm and again from 6.00pm until 8.00pm from Monday to Friday. Saturday’s opening hours are from midday until 2.00pm.

From September 29 to October 1, this historic neighbourhood will come alive with an array of events and celebrations.

The festive programme is a testament to the community’s commitment to inclusivity, extending a warm invitation to local residents and visitors alike to partake in the festivities.

LA BARRACA: An idyllic setting for the occasion.

PHOTO EXHIBITION: Get up close and personal.

Image: AlmuñécarLa Herradura Ayuntamiento / Facebook

Resilience shines through

SIXTEEN years ago, on September 21, 2007, Almuñecar faced a devastating tragedy, a stark reminder of nature’s immense power.

On the day of the anniversary, the mayor, Juan Jose Ruiz Joya, said: “We solemnly remember the anniversary of the heart ­ wrenching flood that engulfed our town. It was a day that forever etched pain into our hearts.

“On that fateful day, our streets were trans ­

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

formed into torrents, and we tragically lost one of our own. This tragedy, we shall never forget.

“Yet, amidst the relentless darkness, a beacon of hope emerged, our people’s unwavering strength and remarkable solidarity. Together, we rose from the depths of despair, rebuilt our lives, and showed the world the true essence of philanthropy.

“We pay tribute to those who lost everything and celebrate our indomitable spirit as a

community. Let us always remember that in unity, we find our greatest strength, and together, we triumph over adversity.

“The memory of those trying days continues to guide us, serving as a reminder of our commitment to transform Almuñecar into a safer and more resilient haven for all.

“Together, we are an invincible force, bound by our shared resilience and unwavering determination.”

Top-choice

TORROX is making waves this autumn as a top ­ choice tourist destination, achieving a remarkable 100 per cent occupancy rate in its tourist accommodations during a weekend filled with festivities like the Oktoberfest and the European University Beach Sports Championship.

“We’re definitely in vogue,” exclaimed Mayor Oscar Medina, brimming with delight as he compared these autumn figures to the bustling summer it had just enjoyed.

Mayor Medina proudly highlighted that Torrox is on its way to becoming the tourist hub of eastern Andalucia, a reputation well­earned.

“Adding to our growing acclaim, National Geographic has featured our Oktoberfest as one of the finest recreations of the Bavarian festival on a national scale,” he added.

National Geographic reports that an impressive 35,000 people joined in the festivities during Torrox’s Oktoberfest, further confirming the success of relocating the event to the plain next to the Iberostar hotel.

Not to be outdone, Torrox’s beautiful beach also played host to the European Championships in beach handball, attracting nearly 500 university athletes for some exhilarating competitions.

It’s clear that Torrox has a lot to offer, no matter what the season!

Tourism award

IN a remarkable tribute to the dynamic blend of sports and tourism that defines the Axarquia region, Añoreta Resort is set to be crowned with the prestigious Rincon de la Victoria Tourism Award this year.

Situated at the heart of Rincon de la Victoria, Añoreta Resort stands tall as a true beacon of distinction.

As the world celebrates World Tourism Day, Rincon de la Victoria gears up for an exciting lineup of events and activities running from September 27 to October 1.

Antonio Jose Martn, the Tourism councillor, confirmed: “The Rincon de la Victoria Tourism Award, will honour Añoreta Resort as an undisputed sports and tourism icon in the Axarquia region.

“Añoreta Resort, home to the very first golf course to grace the Axarquia, has transformed into a symbol of excellence, captivating both sports enthusiasts and tourists alike.”

With regards to the award set to be bestowed upon Añoreta Resort, the mayor highlighted the resort’s exceptional sports facilities, labelling it as “the crown jewel of golf courses in Axarquia and a provincial benchmark, boasting a distinct character.”

ALMUÑECAR: Suffered a devastating tragedy.

Image: Almuñécar - La Herradura Ayuntamiento / Facebook

“The cat is out of the bag.”

This means that a secret has been told carelessly or by mistake. It stems from the Middle Ages and was common advice given in the marketplace.

1st King of England said everyone had to be in bed by 8pm.

All That Jazz

CALLING all jazz aficionados, get ready for a musical treat you won’t want to miss!

Nancy Ruth is a versatile Canadian­born artist: she’s a singer, songwriter, composer, and recording artist.

Mini-Germany

TORROX transformed into a charming slice of southern Germany as Friday September 22 marked the grand opening of Oktoberfest, turning the town into a vibrant hub reminiscent of Bavaria.

As the festivities unfurled, an enticing array of beers flowed freely, accompanied by tantalising Bavarian delicacies such as brezn, obazda, hendl, and haxn, adding an authentic touch to the celebration.

Oktoberfest brought not just the spirit, but also the flavours of this beloved Bavarian tradition to Torrox.

Mayor, Oscar Medina, couldn’t hide his excitement as he watched this event gain

momentum year after year. “With each passing season, Oktoberfest has grown exponentially, and this year was no exception.

“The new venue has been a game­changer,” Mayor Medina emphasised. “It’s not just about accommodating more guests; it’s about enhancing their overall experience. The expanded space means more room for delightful food and beverage stalls, reducing congestion, and, most importantly, ensuring everyone’s safety.”

So, if you missed this year’s Oktoberfest in Torrox, rest assured that the next one promises to be even bigger and better.

With a penchant for globe trotting and a magnetic stage presence, Nancy Ruth serves up a tantalising blend of jazz, Latin, and flamenco influ ences that’ll leave you crav ing more.

Drawing from her Spanish heritage, Nancy Ruth has found a creative haven in Malaga where she spends

MARK your calendars and dance the night away because Nerja Fair 2023 is just around the corner!

Elena Galvez, the councillor for Fiestas, has now revealed the star­studded performances lined up for this year’s festivities, set to ignite the town from October 7 to 12.

On October 7, the grandeur kicks off with the Gala for the Election of the Knight and Queen of Nerja 2023.

Cattle Fair

a portion of each year crafting new musical masterpieces.

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 27, at 7.00pm, as that’s when Nancy Ruth will grace the stage at the Casa de la Cultura, Teatro de Almuñecar. Tickets are available for purchase at the Casa de la Cultura, Viajes Eroski, and Libreria Contreras Salobreña. On Friday, November 3, at 8.00pm, Nancy will take the spotlight at the Centro Cultural Villa, Teatro de Nerja, promising an unforgettable evening of music. Tickets through MiEntrada.net

JUST as it happens every year, the eagerly anticipated Royal Fair of San Miguel de Velez­Malaga for the year 2023 is set to grace us with its presence. This vibrant celebration will once again include the beloved Cattle Fair, a highlight of the festivities. Mark your calendars for September 29 and 30, as well as October 1, when the Cattle Fair will kick off at 6.00pm. The Santo Chiquito Esplanade is the place to be, as it transforms into a bustling hub of activity throughout the Royal Fair.

Lineup unveiled

Then, on October 8, prepare to be serenaded by the mesmerising melodies of talented group Las Migas.

The night of October 9 belongs to the legendary Antoñito Molina, a performance that’s sure to captivate audiences. But the fun doesn’t stop there! October 10 is all about laughter and humour, as

Comandante Lara takes the stage to tickle your funny bone. Finally, on October 11, brace yourselves for an emotional farewell tour by Ecos del Rocío, delivering their signature Andalucian charm one last time. All shows start at 11.00pm. Tickets from malagaentradas.com or also available at Fotos Guerrero.

OKTOBERFEST: The flavours of Bavaria in Torrox.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Torrox / Facebook

Canadian, Nancy Ruth.

Image: Nancy Ruth

IN a sporting announcement that has local football enthusiasts buzzing with excitement, the Velez­Malaga Sports Department has unveiled the eagerly anticipated details of the upcoming 23/24 season of the local seven­a­side Football League.

The councillor for Sports, Rocio Ruiz, has officially confirmed the competition is all set to kick off this

November.

A whopping 30 teams will battle it out for supremacy, spread across two divisions.

The Polideportivo Fernando Ruiz Hierro, the magnificent Complejo De­

ing a penalty, to secure your spot costs €15 per player.

portivo Vivar Téllez, the iconic Benajarafe Soccer Field, and the renowned Almayate Soccer Field are the chosen arenas where dreams will be made and rivalries will be forged. Registering is now as easy as scor­

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA recently took centre stage in the world of beach volleyball as it hosted the prestigious 2023 European University Beach Sports Championships on the stunning El Tajo beach over the weekend of September 23.

The excitement reached its peak on the 24th during the closing ceremony, which followed the intense final matches.

Lithuanian Sports University emerged victorious in the women’s category, while Vytautas Magnus University claimed the men’s title.

This remarkable event brought together over 200 elite athletes hailing from 21 European countries and representing 44 different universities. It showcased Rincon de la Victo

In addition to the conventional inperson registrations at the VelezMalaga Indoor Pool and Torre del Mar, this year, the digital­savvy players can complete their registrations with just a few clicks online.

Visit sports.velezmalaga.es and make your football dreams a reality.

7-A-Side season Centre stage

Tourist train

ARE you planning a visit to Rincon de la Victoria or expecting guests who are looking for some entertaining activities?

Why not be guided through the charm of Rincon de la Victoria, ensuring you don’t miss out on the most captivating spots in this picturesque municipality?

The Tourist Train route boasts eight exciting stops: Treasure Cave, La Cala del Moral Church, The Cantal, Tourist Office, Lo­Cea, Villa Romana (opening pending), Bezmiliana Fort House, and the town hall.

ria’s growing reputation as an ideal destination for hosting top­tier international competitions.

Over 500 individuals stayed in Rincon de la Victoria during the event, savouring its

ing local businesses. This not only added to the town’s vibrant atmosphere, but also contributed to the desirable goal of reducing tourism seasonality, particularly at the tail end of the bustling summer

Embark on this exciting journey from the town hall with departures at the following times: 10.45am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.45pm, 5.45pm, and 6.45pm.

During your tour, you’ll be treated to an engaging audio guide narrated in both Spanish and English.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Over 200 athletes took part.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Rincón de la Victoria / Facebook

Ryanair rebuked

BUDGET airline Ryanair has been ordered to pay more than €115,000 to a cabin crew member for unfairly sacking him in 2019.

The court condemned Ryanair for preventing its workers from exercising their right to strike. In this case, the Social Court of Malaga upheld the cabin crew members’ claim that the airline violated his fundamental rights when he refused to comply with last minute flight changes to his schedule.

The last minute changes that Ryanair wanted to impose were refused by the cabin crew member, who was subsequently sacked for ‘failing to provide minimum services’. The man had worked for Ryanair for 12 years.

A MAN died after being brutally gored by a bull in the municipality of La Pobla de Farnals in Valencia on Saturday, September 23.

The incident occurred at around 7.30pm during a bull run taking place as part of local festivities in the town.

According to levanteemv.com, the animal known as ‘Cocinero’ belonged to the Luis Algarra ranch, which was supplying the bulls.

As soon as he was let out of his box, the bull gored two people violently, pinning them up against the bars of a house that was on the route being used for the run.

One of the bull’s victims, a 62­year­old, was transferred in an ambulance to Valencia Clinical Hospital after sustaining four wounds, including one to his side that affected the lung

The judge upheld the claim and declared the annulment of the dismissal, ordering Ryanair to reinstate the worker and pay him €95,268 in wages not received since his dismissal, which was December 2019. Likewise, the judge also upheld the worker’s claim to receive compensation for moral damages of €20,000 and ordered the company to pay the costs of the trial.

Bull run tragedy

and liver and he subsequently died at around 11pm.

The second man who was also said to be in his 60s was gored in both legs and taken to hospital.

After hearing the tragic news, the Pobla de Farnals Council and the Comissió de Bous club, to which both men

belonged, decided to suspend the celebrations that had been planned for Saturday night.

Sunday’s Sant Francesc procession and fireworks displaywhich had already been postponed last week due to the DANA ­ was also cancelled.

Euro Weekly News asked Natasha Retzman, the founder of Mallorca Against Bullfighting for her opinion.

She said: “Bull fiestas are an outdated and cruel event that the overwhelming majority of Spanish want abolishing.

“It is not acceptable to treat sentient beings in this way. In the same way, parties such as the running of the bulls are not only recklessly cruel for the animal but when a large, frightened animal is put in a situation to defend itself, there will always be a high risk of danger and injury to the people in the streets,” Natasha continued.

“The unfortunate accidents that happened in Valencia are another prime example as to why these ‘traditions’ belong firmly in the past. If this is not a wake­up call, what more do the Spanish government need to call an end to bull fiestas.”

TRADITIONAL FIESTA: A typical bull run in Spain.

Credit: San Fermin Pamplona Pexels

RYANAIR: Unfairly sacked worker.

Credit: Kevin Hackett/Unsplash

Accessible cities

THERE are more and more initiatives in Spain that guarantee cultural tourism which is accessible to all. Adapted routes, specialised services, adapted facilities and accessible guides are now a reality in Spain.

Madrid’s culture is more accessible than ever. There are scheduled guided tours adapted for people with disabilities. Visit Madrid’s ‘art triangle’ in a wheelchair, without worrying about architectural barriers, go sightseeing or explore the district of Las Letras with voice­amplified guides, or experience the traditional Christmas celebrations to the full.

Two of the most accessible cultural areas in Barcelona are the Gothic Quarter and the Art Nouveau Route. The Gothic Quarter is part of the old city centre of Barcelona, around the Cathedral, which is accessible to peo­

ple with reduced mobility.

You can also visit the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, both accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona and the Museum of the History of Catalonia are free of architectural barriers and offer accessible activities and information. Audioguides are also available.

Similarly, in Valencia you can explore the parks and sights along the former bed of the river Turia, the his ­

toric quarter, or the avantgarde City of Arts and Sciences, all of which are accessible, as are many more museums and monuments.

Thr European Commission has recognised the good practices of several destinations with the Access City Awards. These cities include Ávila, in Castilla y León; Pamplona, in Navarre; and Lugo and Vigo, in Galicia.

Avila’s city wall is an outstanding example ­ its most recent refurbishment includes access points for people with reduced mobility. In Pamplona, the walls of the Citadel are also accessible for people with reduced mobility. Lugo provides maps and information plaques in Braille on some sites, and pictograms to help people with autism enjoy the provincial museum. And in Vigo, lifts have been installed in places where there are changes in level on tours of the city.

Wheelchair accessibility.

Credit: Freepik

ROMANCE SCAMS:

HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A CATFISHING VICTIM

By Emma Mitchell

CATFISHING describes the activity of criminals creating fake profiles on Social Media in order to target a victim for financial gain. The most common form of catfishing has become the romance scam. Romance scams are big business; the FBI reported that in 2022 around 73,000 Americans lost more than one billion dollars to these types of scams. We’ve put together some startling facts about romance scams:

● 324 million people use dating apps globally.

One in 10 dating profiles are fake.

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE HOW TO SPOT A ROMANCE SCAMMER

● They are never local. The scammer will normally say they live overseas because they need a plausible excuse for not arranging a date.

● Their background promotes trust. Romance scammers often say that they’re military veterans, ex­police forces or some other career which immediately makes victims trust them more.

● Attractive profile photos. Scammers tend to use photos of attractive people they’ve found on the Internet or even other dating sites to reel victims in.

● Moving you off­platform. A romance scammer will want to move victims off the dating app or social media platform they met them on to a more private channel such as WhatsApp.

● No video calls. The scammer won’t video call since they are not who they say they are. The excuses will range from poor Internet connections to lack of privacy.

● The relationship moves fast. Romance scammers profess deep emotions very quickly; often in a matter of days or a few weeks. They may shower victims with compliments (known as ‘love bombing’) and talk about being together.

● They need money. They aim to earn their victim’s trust and then get them to part with money. Sometimes they don’t directly ask for money, but spin a story about some emergency situation and wait for their victim to offer financial help.

WE spoke to a lady on Social Media who has been the victim of a romance scam. Paula met her scammer on a dating site aimed at middle­aged singles. He posed as a 63­year­old retired US Army Captain living in Florida and she described him as, “A good looking bloke; slim, tanned and smiling.” Paula had recently divorced and that made her more susceptible to his story of going through an acrimonious divorce himself.

Her scammer escalated the relationship very quickly, saying he had never had such a deep connection with someone so soon and that he was developing strong emotions for her.

Initially she sent over $1,000 US when he suggested that he fly to Spain to meet her and, if all went well, that he would stay with her and apply for a Visa. “He said he couldn’t buy a plane ticket when all his statements were being looked at by divorce lawyers,” Paula told us.

Having sent him the money he kept pushing back flight dates, using family and his divorce as excuses. He then told Paula that he wanted to start the process of applying for a visa to allow him to stay in Spain. Paula told us, “I knew you had to show money in the bank and he kept saying money wasn’t a problem. He had a good pension from the army.”

Paula sent another $2,500 US after he told her that he was short of the full amount but was hoping to get it together with loans from friends until his divorce was settled. It was only after another few weeks of no movement that she started to get suspicious.

Credit: Federal

● Conduct an image search on the profile photo of the person and Google their name, plus where they say they come from and their job. Most real people leave a trace on Google or LinkedIn.

● Insist on a video call early on; if they have excuses that is a huge red flag.

● Ask about their life and background; where did they go to school? What is their family like? etc. Does every­

She told us, “I just started to get a sick feeling and kept asking him when he was getting the rest of the money from his friends. He started sending angrier messages saying he was trying his best and asking why I didn’t help instead of giving him a hard time.” He wanted a further $10,000 US to ‘plug the hole’. At this point Paula, who couldn’t afford that amount of cash anyway, said no.

Her scammer reacted initially by trying emotional blackmail and saying that he thought she felt the same way he did, but obviously not. When that didn’t work, he became angry and, finally, he simply stopped messaging her and disappeared. Paula said, “I went back on the dating site and his profile was gone. I was devastated as I knew then that it was a scam.”

She told us, “I feel so stupid. I worry that if I tell my children they’ll think that I’m not safe being in Spain on my own anymore.” She went on to say, “And I’m too ashamed to confide in my friends.”

TOP TIPS FOR AVOIDING ROMANCE SCAMS

thing add up or do some things feel a bit off?

● Be cynical. Don’t fall for compliments; examine every piece of information they give out critically. Write down the details they give and look for inconsistencies.

● Tell someone trusted about this new romantic inter­

est; share the details and get their opinion to avoid rosetinted glasses.

● Never, ever send money or buy them anything that can be cashed in.

No matter what the emergency seems to be, hold firm and say ‘no’.

A scammer will quickly lose interest in and move on to an easier victim.

One in three victims met the romance scammer on Social Media. 55 to 64 is the age group most of risk being a victim.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Payback time

POST OFFICE staff whose erroneous convictions for theft and false accounting were overturned will be offered £600,000 (€694,818) each in compensation, the government announced. Approximately 700 prosecutions were based on evidence from flawed accounting software, making it appear that money was missing from branches.

Out of play

PLANS to float Barça Media, the football club’s content creation subsidiary, for $900 million (€973 million) in New York have been put back until March 2024. Shareholders in specially­created Mountain & Co voted in favour of the delay, although some investors have already withdrawn 6 per cent of their funds.

Track record

AVANTI, regarded as one of the UK’s least reliable train operators, won a long­term contract to continue providing intercity services on the West Coast Main line. Transport secretary, Mark Harper, claimed that Avanti was “back on track” although fewer than half of Avanti services ran on time between April and June.

Rato trial

RODRIGO RATO, ex­president of Bankia, ex­government minister and the International Monetary Fund’s former managing director, stands trial in Madrid in December. Rato, 74, who served four­and­a­half years for misappropriation of public funds, is accused of several crimes including tax evasion, money­laundering and corruption.

Harsh taste

NAKED WINES founder and chairman Rowan Gormley apologised to shareholders while reporting losses of £15 million (€17.37 million) for the year ending on April 3 after new sales dropped from £34 million (€39.37) to £26.9 million (€31.15 million). “Falling disposable incomes have put pressure on sales and costs,” Gormley said.

STAT OF WEEK €12 billion

foreign investment in Spain - principally Madrid, Valencian Community and Catalonia - during 2023’s first half was 26 per cent less than the same period last year.

Last orders Steel’s future assured

Linda Hall

THE UK government and Mumbai­based Tata agreed a £1.2 billion (€1.38 billion) deal securing the Port Talbot steelworks.

This safeguards 5,000 of 8,000 UK jobs, 4,000 of which are based at the Welsh plant.

Had the government not intervened with a grant worth approximately £500 million (€578.3 million), Tata Steel would have closed the Port Talbot works and left the UK, Welsh secretary David TC Davies said in a BBC Wales interview.

This would also have affected other areas as Tata

has operations based in Shotton, Llanwern, Trostre, Corby, Hartlepool and Shapfell, he said.

Davies agreed it was “terribly sad” that not all jobs could be saved, announcing that £100 million (€115.6 million) would help those who lost their employment.

“Tata are currently losing

MERCADONA has strengthened its position as Spain’s leading supermarket, Kantar Worldpanel said.

Despite rivals’ growth and a relatively shaky start to the year, Mercadona reversed a tendency to reduce its market share that was detected in the first quarter of this year, according to the market research specialists.

The Valencia­based company headed by Juan Roig finished the summer with a share not far short of 27 per cent, Kantar now finds.

Mercadona’s 26.1 per cent quota between January and August was three10ths of a percentage point more than during the same period last year, exceeding the quotas of its four closest rivals added together.

Not-so-simple

THE Solidarity Tax on Spain’s largest fortunes, introduced at the end of last year, has brought in 60 per cent less than expected. Hacienda, Spain’s Finance ministry which is headed by Maria Jesus Montero, calculated in 2022 that the temporary tax introduced to alleviate the cost­ofliving crisis had the potential to collect an annual €1.5 billion. Instead, the public purse has received just €623 million, with 10,032 Madrid residents paying the lion’s share of €555 million. Although Hacienda initially estimated that the tax would affect 23,000 taxpayers, it has been paid by 12,010, according to figures released on September 20.

over £1 million (€1.16 million) a day at Port Talbot,” the Welsh secretary added. “No company is ever going to accept losses like that, so they decided they were going to close the plant down.”

Davies went on to explain that once it became aware of the danger, the

government began negotiating and asked, “What do we need to do to keep Tata here?”

The £1.2 billion deal entails substituting the existing coal­powered blast furnaces, which are nearing the end of their effective life, with electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy. As a result, the UK’s entire carbon emissions will fall by around 1.5 per cent.

Instead of producing virgin steel, the Port Talbot works will now produce recycled steel, with Tata investing an additional £700 million (€809.6 million).

Own label bonanza

Supermarkets’ own­label items accounted for a record 43.5 per cent of fast­moving goods, without taking into account fresh products, although Kantar predicted this would eventually decelerate.

THE first six months of 2023 saw 383 pubs close permanently in England and Wales.

This practically equals the 386 which shut down in 2022, prompting Chris Jowsey, chief executive of the Admiral Taverns group, to warn that rates relief was vital for the survival of many pubs.

More closures could follow, he added, if chancellor Jeremy Hunt went ahead with his plans to eliminate the existing 75 per cent rebate on business rates next March.

“Without it, costs for many pubs will rise dramatically by many thousands of pounds, fuelling inflation and forcing closure for many independents,” Jowsey said.

Big buildup

SPECIALIST magazine, the Engineering News ­ Record (ENR), again ranked the Turner Construction Company as the leading general building contractor in the US.

Carrefour remained unchanged at 9.9 cent while Lidl increased its market share by six­10ths of a percentage point to 6.5 per cent. Eroski took fourth place with a 4.4 per cent share after Dia lost four­10ths of a percentage point.

Inflation surprise

THE UK’s annual inflation rate dipped slightly to 6.7 per cent in August.

The Bank of England, City and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, had foreseen a slight increase to 7 per cent owing to reduced growth in food prices and monthly reductions in hotel and air travel costs.

The latest drop from July’s 6.8 per cent was the sixth consecutive fall in the headline inflation figure which includes commodities like food and energy.

Analysts pointed out that this does not imply prices are falling but means they are increasing more slowly.

Food and drink prices rose by 13.6 per cent in the year ending in August and although this was lower than the highest inflation rate of 19.1 per cent earlier this year, it is still historically high.

“Price rises are partly responsible as increases were higher for branded goods,” Kantar’s Bernardo Rodilla said. Once these were more in line with manufacturers’ prices, the increased own label sales would slow down, he added.

The secret to Mercadona’s success, Rodilla said, was its decision last April to reduce the prices of 500 own­label products.

All above board

NEITHER Saudi Arabia’s STC, nor its intermediary Morgan Stanley, acted illegally in acquiring a 9.9 per cent holding in Telefonica

Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) ruled out irregularities after its investigators examined recent reports that Morgan Stanley secretly built up STC’s €2.1 billion stake.

Instead it found that the bank initially obtained just under 3 per cent over an unspecified period before acquiring the remaining 7 per cent and announcing the entire 9.9 per cent to the CNMV on September 5.

Consequently, neither STC nor Morgan Stanley infringed regulations that require investors to notify holdings of more than 3 per cent, the CNMV announced.

Turner’s $16.25 billion (€15.14 billion) revenues last year put it ahead of Bechtel, the US’s other leading contractor, the ENR announced.

The company is a subsidiary of ACS, the Spanish multinational company which is headed by Florentino Perez, president of the Real Madrid football club.

Turner was also recognised by the ENR as the country’s Number One Green Contractor for the 16th consecutive year.

Charge for returns

THE H&M fashion chain is the latest retailer to charge shoppers for returning items that have been bought online.

Brought into line with Zara, Boohoo, Uniqlo and Next, who all charge for returns, H&M is now asking customers to pay £1.99 (€2.30) when returning an internet purchase online or instore, with the cost deducted from their refund.

Returns will still be free for H&M members, the retailer said. Sector insiders said returns were “a headache” as this meant warehouse staff took longer to process stock.

PORT TALBOT: Steelworks’ closure threat averted.

MERCADONA: Bigger market share than its four closest rivals added together.

Photo credit: Flickr/Nina Ding

DOW JONES

BUSINESS EXTRA

Tram fiasco

A PUBLIC enquiry into Edinburgh’s tram line said its real cost reached well over £1 billion (€1.15 billion) through a ‘litany of avoidable failures’. The report concluded that Tie, the company contracted to deliver the line, Edinburgh Council and Scottish ministers shared the blame for cost overruns, delays and damage to the city’s economy.

Rain check

THIS year’s olive oil production was one of the worst in a long time, generating 663,000 tons according to Spain’s Agriculture ministry, a reduction of 55.57 per cent on the previous campaign and the lowest so far this century. Producers now hope that a rainy finish to September will help save next year’s crop.

FCA debunks debanking

Linda Hall

THE UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found no evidence that banks closed or denied accounts owing to customers’ politics or opinions.

A preliminary review by Britain’s financial regulator, prompted by the Nigel Farage debanking controversy, established that accounts were closed, suspended or denied when they were inactive or concerns existed regarding finance irregularities.

“While no bank, building society or payment firm reported that they had closed accounts primarily due to someone’s political views,

AVE looks east

SPAIN’S state­owned rail operator Renfe hopes to attract Chinese tourists with highspeed travel during the high season.

Apart from passengers heading for the coast, AVEs are less­used for business trips and Renfe has signed an agreement allowing China’s biggest tour operator, Trip.com.Group, to sell AVE tickets online.

China is now one of the world’s largest

tourism sources, with visitors spending ‘substantially more’ than those from other countries, Trip.com.Group said. In 2019, Spain received 700,000 Chinese tourists, who usually remained in the country for a week and spent an average of €2,407 per person. Approximately 136,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain in the first half of this year, spending €421 million, an average of €3,106 per person.

Next best

further work is needed for us to be sure,” the FCA’s chief executive, Nikhil Rathi admitted.

This entails checking initial information from 34 banks, building societies and payment companies, including cases where accounts were shut down if customers were considered a ‘reputational risk’.

Banks may decide who they accept as clients and can, for instance, legally refuse to do business with persons subject to UK or international sanctions as well as those ‘closely associated’ with them.

The FCA nevertheless added that it wanted to be sure criteria were not being interpreted “too broadly.”

Former UK leader Nigel Farage who was debanked by exclusive Coutts, which deals only with the wealthy, described the report as a “complete and utter farce” and called for sackings at the FCA.

NEXT increased its full­year profit expectations for the third time in four months while predicting that prices could dip next spring. The fashion retailer raised its annual profit guidance by £30 million (€34.6 million) to £875 million (€1 billion), explaining that better ranges, a sunny spring and pay rises for many of its habitual customers had boosted sales.

Store deal

EL CORTE INGLES has sold for €60 million the goodwill of 47 of its 189 Supercor supermarkets to Carrefour in areas in Madrid, Catalonia, Andalucia and the Valencian Community which it no longer considers strategic. The department store chain, which retains the properties belonging to it, announced that the transaction included “certain obligations with regard to maintaining employment.”

NIGEL FARAGE: Former UK leader unhappy with FCA report.

Photo credit: CC/Gage Skidmore

Where’s all the fun

WOW. Delighted to see the tremendous support for the ol boy published in the last week’s edition. Nice to know that enduring readers and their clear thinking cohorts are still seriously seeking some justification for the often totally biased existence we seem to be experiencing in these days of doom and gloom. Where’s all the fun gone?

Well, I’m afraid that’s about the last thing the devotees of the left want us to experience before the next election. About a year ago, I said they would need to keep up all the depressive reporting for at least another two years if they were to continue raising support for the Labour brigade. Well they’re still managing. Every news report that contains some glint of better tidings or somewhat cheerier content is reduced to a minimum.

Accounts of further misery and depression are scooped up with gusto and

spread like marauding plagues of locusts. We already know that the unions are preparing two more major strikes for the approaching winter. Firmly in league with the left, the union bosses are fully prepared to relinquish their luxury abodes on the Costas until they win the battle and are subsequently better able to enjoy some long, financially wellheeled vacations.

Closer to home this week came a call I had from a dear friend in the UK. She was almost distraught into what is happening to their customary way of life. She works in a bridal gown shop and has just been informed (by the not too happy owners) that she can no longer address her new customers as Ladies! Why? Well apparently just because they may not be.

You really couldn’t make it up. ‘Good morning she/her, he/him, they/them, how can I help you’? The mind boggles. She also told me, even more seriously, that she has now been informed by the principle of her eight ­year­old daughter’s new school that her offspring is not allowed to be referred to as a ‘young girl’!

NO NEW TOLLS OUR VIEW

Lord only knows how she’ll actually be referred to. Can you truly believe that this absolute balderdash is being allowed to flourish in the beautiful nation millions of our ancestors fought and died for? Well it sure infuriates me.

Do you know what one of the reasons is for all this idiotic confusion that is being invented by these apparent imbeciles? No? Well give it a thought. All these crackpots hold positions that are the source of their incomes. The only way to keep their jobs is to keep presenting situations and inventing new rules; especially for minorities. It’s irrelevant how ridiculous and difficult they are. As long as it presents confusion and chaos among the majority of normal citizens their power mad bosses will be satisfied and the underling’s bank balances will be happily kept filled by the continuance of their jobs and incomes.

Piece o’ cake. Gee’s a job, I could come up with some great complications and obstacles for minorities. Well, you never know. What goes around… Keep the faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Advertising Feature

SPAIN tends to class many roads as motorways whilst in the UK they would be known as dual carriageways and many are busy and in a poor state of repair.

Anxious to implement changes so that drivers are discouraged from taking their cars on long distances, the European Union wanted to see some form of toll on all roads classed as motorways across all member states.

Even though there is only a ‘caretaker’ government in power until such time as President of the Government is sworn in (or indeed there is another General Election), negotiations have continued and the European Union has given Spain special dispensation to leave the motorways toll free.

This doesn’t mean the current toll roads will be free, but motorists won’t suddenly find themselves spending even more on travel costs.

All well and good, but there is always a quid pro quo in political negotiations and in this case, the government has undertaken to promote the use of rail to transport goods but no­one quite knows how this is going to happen.

Lorry drivers clearly won’t want to see their business reduced and it wasn’t so long ago that independent hauliers caused a reasonable amount of havoc by going on strike.

It is unlikely that this will happen in the foreseeable future as the rail system doesn’t have the infrastructure to carry more freight around the country and there are huge areas where track simply doesn’t exist.

Add to that the need for more rolling stock suitable for goods and the cost would most probably be prohibitive but with no new money coming in from additional road tolls, then how will the government pay for road repairs?

Victoria Car Hire UK Self Drive

WE are based in Horley town centre, just five minutes’ drive from Gatwick airport and a short walk to Horley mainline railway station.

On offer is a range of cars starting with small everyday cars and up to family­sized vehicles to include manual and automatic transmission. We also have a variety of both petrol and diesel fuelled engines.

All cars are well maintained and presented in a clean condition.

We have full 24­hour AA breakdown cover.

The most popular brands used include: Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Citroen and Renault.

We meet our customers just outside the arrival terminal at Gatwick Airport at the authorised collection points at both the North and South terminals. We will then drive to the car rental office in Horley town centre, where the paperwork and payment are processed followed by a demonstration of the car controls and directions to the motorway if required.

The collection procedure is very efficient, taking a small amount of time and

allowing the customer to swiftly proceed with their onward journey.

At the end of the hire the customer returns the car to the rental office and will be driven to the departure terminal at Gatwick Airport.

Office hours are 9am ­ 4pm Monday to Friday, weekends by arrangement

An out of hours service is available for late arrivals and early morning departures. Subject to conditions.

Prices are from £110.00 per week, which is fully inclusive with no hidden extras, the fuel in the vehicles are taken on a like for like basis ­ if the tank is half full, it must be returned as so.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

Can I help you with anything?

SO here’s a little tip for all the moronic idiotic companies that ask me to take a survey after I’ve been hanging on to speak to a person for 45 minutes, then got cut off mid chat and had to call back on your premium number. DO N’T! OK, just DON’T unless you want big fat zeros on every question asked! I can’t even do that sometimes because they don’t allow a zero mark which is ludicrous!

It’s not a good idea to ask me if my query was sorted the first time if it’s the fifth time I’ve called! You don’t have to ask for my feedback on everything I do. Every time I stay in a hotel, hire a car or phone a helpline I get asked for my feedback. If I phone Vodafone within five minutes I’ve got a call or a text asking my opinion on how my call was handled.

I contacted Microsoft live chat because my keyboard and cable needs renewing and was told my £900 Surface Pro 2, which is only two and a half years old and works fine, was now defunct and Microsoft no longer stock any replacement parts but I might find

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

them on eBay or Amazon. Now this winds me up big time on its own because nothing these companies do is backward compatible. Why do they have to change the charger cable for every model? Then at the end of the chat the technician says, “Is there anything else I can help you with today?” and I say, “Well actually what have you helped me with today? Absolutely nothing! All you have done is, in fact, told me you can’t help me with anything so what else would you like to have a go at? My tax return? The Times crossword? The meaning of life?

They have now gone and five minutes later I get an email asking me to rate my experience!! Are you sure? I mark everything the lowest I can and write my reasons in the boxes provided. It won’t achieve anything but hey ho.

What about apps for phones? I use a few of the messaging ones and free call ones. Every time they update they ask me do I want to fill out my profile so I can connect with other people. No I don’t. If I did I would have done it the first time you asked. No I don’t want to add a photo or my location or my date of birth or hook up with people nearby. All I want to do is send my mates or family a message now and again and even call them OK? Leave me alone! You and yer bloody algorithms can get lost.

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

A RECENT questionnaire asked 2,000 Brits aged 18 to 65 what things needed to be done ‘before you die’. The 50 top answers ranged from “Visit at least 25 different countries”, “Find true love”, “Have a onenight stand” (both, presumably, not at the same time!) to “Try an adrenaline ­ packed activity such as sky ­ diving”.

Another response urges us to: “Treat each day like it’s your last”. Does this mean you spend the latter part of each day lying motionless on a bed? An alternative way of treating each day like your last would be, of course, never going to work. Or undertaking any of the above recom ­

mendations. And splashing all your cash on one final shopping trip.

But what a daft, contradictory list!

If you did some things (those related to reckless spending, for example), you couldn’t do others (leave bequests to your family).

Basically, all it amounts to is a recipe for selfish, antisocial, hedonistic/ narcissistic/ Me! Me! Me! behaviour.

Well, if you’ve counted them all up and there’s nothing left to do on your own bucket list, you must have been having a whale of a time! So what now? Easy! Start another one … Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense 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.

Views of a Grumpy Old Man

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

THERE is still a great deal of bitterness amongst UK pensioners now resident in Spain about the lack of support from the British government over the escalating cost of living.

Whilst it has recently been announced that those aged between 66 and 79 who live in the UK are likely to receive a £500 winter fuel supplement, pensioners of similar age who will have made contributions to National Insurance during their working lives are barred from receiving anything except for the £10 Christmas bonus.

I do feel that it is very unfair that those of us living in Spain don’t receive a penny towards the cost of heating. What the government conveniently overlooks is that Spanish properties are generally single glazed, have marble floors, have no insulation and are heated by electric or wood fires.

It can get very cold at night and unless you can afford solar panels, electricity is very expensive, so in some cases we have to decide if we can afford to be cold and eat or be warm and hungry.

Patrick in Ronda

When you live in the Spanish countryside, especially if you are well above sea level, the temperature is much lower than in other parts of Southern Europe, yet I receive no financial assistance from the British government, even though I worked and paid income tax and national insurance in the UK for some 45 years.

Emily in Valencia

Web comments

Disgraceful that Brits in Spain get nothing. Air conditioning is essential in many places and this is using electricity the same as heating. I am 89 years of age and expected to live on €400 , my total English pension.

James

Italy is still considered a cold country but Spain and France were said to be warm because Ian Duncan Smith used their overseas territories temperatures added to the mainland temperatures to increase their average temperatures. Italy doesn’t have any overseas territories, so he couldn’t do that for there.

John

Fighting depopulation

The lack of goverment grants is a big factor in detering population of declining village numbers, IVA attached to basic repairs like roofs and water supplies are putting people off. I have witnessed people turning up to view properties and walking away when the basic repairs + IVA attached is offputting. Italy came up with a scheme to prevent small villages from being ghost towns and if the Spanish government wish to avoid the same, then a radical rethink is long overdue.

Mark

Electric charging

It may help if grants were made available to install home, hotel, office, and public solar chargers. In the UK some highway charging stations have been equipped with solar-powered charging. With its solar profile applying this solution would certainly benefit the Spanish Electric car market.

Edward Wilsom

Welsh speed limit

That is the problem with politics lately, they grab power tempting voters with promises, then once in power for five years all this garbage is pushed through, ULEZ for example etc. There should be a clause placed on all political parties that if the political class fail to achieve a certain level of service to the people who they purportedly represent, then there should be a mechanism to oust them and force a new election. This would focus the system in honestly ruling in the people’s name. Food for thought?

Mark GB

SPAIN’S GREATEST CITY

SPAIN is awash with beautiful cities. Among the less obvious, I would single out Caceres, Cuenca, San Sebastian ... No, the list is too long.

In Andalucia we are blessed with six exceptional cities: Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, Ronda and Sevillaall very different. Cadiz and Malaga have wonderful but quite differing coastal locations; Granada and Ronda are surrounded by mountain scenery; while Cordoba and Sevilla are very hot in the summer. What they all have in common is a remarkable history, each reaching its peak at different times. But one stands out from the others.

After its occupation by the Romans and then the Visigoths, the rise of Cordoba began with the arrival of the Moors who captured it in 711 AD. Forty­five years later, a power struggle was won by Abd ar ­ Rahman I, who declared his city an emirate. After another 30 years the Grand Mosque was built; completed in 786. As the city grew, in 929 under Al ­ Hakam II, it became one of the three caliphates, along with

Baghdad and Damascus. By 935 it was the second biggest city on Earth (after Baghdad).

By this time, Cordoba was also one of the world’s most advanced cities, a great centre of cultural, political, financial and economic activity. It was Europe’s most significant seat of learning where academics from many advanced countries came to teach and to learn subjects ranging from literature, philosophy and maths to medicine, astronomy and botany.

During the ninth and 10th centuries,

while the rest of Europe suffered its darkest, bloodiest period, Cordoba enjoyed freedom and prosperity. Christians, Jews and others were allowed freedom of worship and there was little cultural discrimination. It was also the richest city in Europe.

Al ­ Andalus was the territory under Muslim rule from 714 until 1492 (the reconquest of Granada). It included Portugal, almost all of Spain and a part of France. Most of this area was under the Caliphate of Cordoba, a region covering four­fifths of today’s Portugal and

extending from present Huelva to Zaragoza and from Salamanca to Almeria and Tarragona. It also included the Balearics and Tangier.

Today, Cordoba remains a great city in its own right with wonderful shops and restaurants. Its Roman bridge, crossed by the ancient main road from Rome to Cadiz, is spectacular. The mezquita, the cathedral within a mosque, is one of the most remarkable architectural anomalies. According to King Charles V (who commissioned the project in 1523), a separate cathedral should have been built and the unique mosque left standing. The old Jewish quarter with its floral patios and narrow cobbled streets is unsurpassed.

Sevilla has had its own more recent golden age and, for me, has the edge in its present physical and sensual appeal. Granada has the Alhambra and a beautiful location in the Sierras. Cadiz, Europe’s oldest city, enjoys a unique maritime location on its peninsular.

But none of these cities can match the splendour of Cordoba’s golden age.

NEATER HEATER WANT ‘SQUIRRELS’ AS CUSTOMERS

RICHARD and Tony from NEATER HEATER are urging all our readers to start preparing for next winter now. “We really want peo ple to imitate SQUIRRELS” said Tony “As we know; all the other woodland crea tures just laze about in the summer, relaxing. So when the winter comes they have to furiously compete with each other for the scraps left over or hide ­ away and hiber nate, waiting for next summer. But not the squirrels! Squirrels plan for the winter by hoarding nuts, berries and seeds in the sum mer, so when winter comes they are well prepared for it, and are able to enjoy themselves

on those nice bright winter days when the sun does come out. They are obviously the wisest creatures in the wood. And that is what we want our customers to be.”

“What Tony is trying to say” interjected Richard, “is that when winter finally arrives in Spain, Northern Europe has been cold for months. This means that Chilly Czechs, Frozen Fins and Shivering Swedes have been stripping the shelves for months. Every year we have panicking customers calling us in December, des ­

perate to have heaters supplied and fitted by Christmas. Frequently these customers have to compromise on their choice, or be put at the back of a long queue. Every year we think to ourselves ­ ‘It’s a shame you didn’t order them in the summer when we had loads of them in stock and, equally as important, the time to process the orders’.”

NEATER HEATER is the sole Spanish distributor for BEHA and ADAX NEO convector heaters. We currently have more stock than ever before at various locations, just waiting for the ‘squirrels’. Please feel free to call us on 634 312 171 for more information, or visit our website www.neaterheater.es , or email info@neaterheater.es.

SQUIRRELS: Are well prepared for the winter during the summer and so should you be.

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

In its golden age, Cordoba’s caliphate ruled most of Al-Andalus, the area occupied by the Moors.

Photo credits: geschichte-wissen.de and upload.wikimedia.org

PETS

The best live in dog-sitters

RIO loves having live in dog­sitters

Rio and Blanca are happy to stay at home while their owners travel. They especially love it when new dog sitters from HouseSitMatch live in and make a fuss over them. It’s great entertainment.

It’s a fair exchange

All our sitters offer a fair exchange ­ free accommodation for free pet care and an online review. It’s a win win!

If you’re planning a trip for the holidays, don’t delay. Register today as a member of our network to find affordable home and pet care.

Plan ahead to secure great sitters

However long your trip, pets need someone with them at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from routines undisturbed. Plan ahead of time to find house and pet­sitters who will come to you for free!

Next steps to join

Choose Housesitmatch.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 Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

3D printing for pet prosthetics

IN recent years, technological advancements have dramatically changed the way we approach healthcare, and this revolution hasn’t stopped at human medicine.

tion for the pet. These innovations are particularly important for animals that have been in accidents or have congenital issues requiring prosthetics. The use of 3D printing also makes these medical

Rio loves his live in dog-sitter from HousesitMatch.

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

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work?

HouseSitMatch helps you find sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert with trip dates. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter you want.

Trustpilot Testimonials – 4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesitmatch.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent. Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga

READER OFFER

Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com

House-sitting is a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 20% discount code 20EWN.

One of the most intriguing develop ments is the use of 3D printing in the creation of prosthetics for pets. Tradi tional methods of crafting pros thetics can be time suming and expensive, often requiring multiple fit tings and adjustments.

This can be both distress ing and impractical for animals in need of urgent care. Enter 3D printing: a gametechnology that allows for quick, customised, and cost fective solutions. With 3D printing, veterinarians can now scan the area where the prosthetic will be fitted, creat ing a precise digital model. The model is then printed into a tan gible, biocompatible material that can be further customised for the comfort of the animal.

This not only speeds up the process but also makes it far more accurate, ensuring a better fit and quicker adapta

Dog collars banned

THE new Animal Welfare Law which comes into force in Spain on September 29, brings with it a host of changes for pet owners.

One such item is the punishment collar. Despite not being recommended, and with these collars already prohibited in other countries such as Holland, they can still be purchased in some stores in Spain.

The various types available on the market include choke, spiked or electric shock collars, but from September 29, they will be outlawed in Spain.

This regulation aims to extend the prohibition that some communities have already implemented at the regional lev­

Allergies in pets

el (such as Madrid, Catalonia and Valencia), but which did not yet apply to the rest of the Spanish territory.

With the implementation of this law, Spain joins the growing European trend of abandoning the use of this type of collar. They are known to be annoying for dogs and can often affect their behaviour, not in the way expected, but with many negative connotations say the experts.

It should be noted the new law will not apply to working or hunting dogs, such as those used by the police, or hunters.

After September 29, owners could face fines of between €10,000 and €50,000.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

JUST like humans, our pets can also suffer from allergies. These allergic reactions can be triggered by a range of factors including food, pollen, dust, and even insect bites. Knowing the signs can help you take timely action, making your pet’s life much more comfortable.

The symptoms of allergies in pets can vary, but there are some common signs you should be on the lookout for. These include excessive scratching or licking, red or watery eyes, sneezing, and even digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhoea.

In more severe cases, you might notice bald patches, skin infections, or a foul odour emanating from the skin or ears.

It’s crucial to remember that symptoms can be seasonal, especially in cases of environmental allergies like pollen.

During certain times of the year, you may notice your pet showing these symptoms more frequently.

If you suspect that your pet is suffering from allergies, the first step is to consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis. Your vet may recommend an allergy test or elimination diet to pinpoint the allergen. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include antihistamines, corticosteroids, or changes to your pet’s diet. Allergies can be a significant source of discomfort for your pet, affecting their quality of life.

However, with proper care and attention, you can manage these symptoms effectively, helping your fourlegged friend lead a happier, more comfortable life.

PET PROSTHETICS: Makes aids more accessible to pet owners.

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for a time of Holy Spirit led worship and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards. Sunday Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780

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CHARITY Shop Pocapecunia we need things for the house/kitchen, decoration, vases, plates, cups, saucers, kitchen tools, paintings, pottery pots and pans etc. Prolongacion Avd. Rodgriguez Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)

THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if

you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail. com

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STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbey gateinsure.com (2887610)

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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)

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ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE

THE Andalucia Walking Football League kicked off last weekend with matches in both the Over 50s and Over 60s categories.

AWFL

AC

Verstappen wins Japanese Grand Prix

THE reigning Formula One world champion Max Verstappen is on course for a third consecutive crown.

His 13th win of the season in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Sunday, September 24, brought the Dutchman level with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

Over 50s League

Benahavis 4 v 0 Mollina

This being the first game of the season for both teams, it was hardly surprising that the opening exchanges were rather cagey, with both sides unwilling to risk too much, only to give the initiative to the opposition. However, Benahavis’s accurate passing game eventually told and they broke the deadlock to go in leading 1­0 at half time.

It appeared that they might be in danger of throwing this advantage away in the second half, having two players temporarily sent off for running offences.

The new rules state that, once players from one team commit four running offences, the fourth runner will spend five minutes on the touchline, rather than giving away a penalty to the opposition, as had been the case in the past.

However, the hosts were able to cap­

italise on their lead and their greater league experience to score three more goals without reply before the final whistle. That’s not to say that Mollina did not play their part in this, their first AWFL game; they certainly contributed and tried to press when possible, and at one point in the first half could have drawn level, if not for a remarkable triple save from the home goalie. Unfortunately for them, they were not able to redress the balance and the home side ended 4­0 winners.

AWFL Over 60s League

AC Benahavis 5 v 0 Competa Boca Seniors

Historic point for Portugal

THE Portuguese rugby team achieved its first­ever point in a Rugby World Cup when it drew 18­18 with Georgia on Saturday, September 23.

A thrilling 18­18 result in the Toulouse Stadium, in France, left Portugal bottom of Group C. In the last minute of the game, Nuno Sousa Guedes had the opportunity to give Portugal a first victory but the full­back was unable to convert the penalty.

It took Akaki Tabutsadze, Georgia’s record try­scorer only 75 seconds to charge across the Portuguese line to bag his 30th try in 33 international matches. Tedo Abzhandadze then added a conversion and two penalties to give Georgia a 13­0 lead.

Raffaele Storti then looked like he would become a national hero after the Portugal

winger scored two superb solo tries to put his side in front in the dying stages. Their elation was short­lived however when the TV match official awarded Georgia a try in the 79th minute. Speaking after the match, Augusto Santos Silva, the President of the National Assembly, highlighted the good performance of the Portuguese team. “It’s another milestone on the path we are taking, which now places us as the 26th team in the world,” it was reported.

He believed that Portugal produced a “lesson in playing well,” especially in the second half. Portugal qualified for the 2023 rugby finals in France for only the second time in history. They were drawn into a group that included some real heavyweights from the sport, going up against the likes of Australia, Wales and Fiji.

The Portuguese team debuted in the competition a week ago, with a 28­8 defeat against Wales. Previously, the nation had only participated in one World Cup, back in 2007. This year’s tournament in France runs until October 28.

Competa travelled west in the hope of making a confidence­boosting start to the season. However, the home side had other thoughts and, although the match began slowly, it became apparent that, with their discipline and experience, Benahavis simply had too much strength for the visitors. Competa did put up a fight and showed a creditable amount of resolve, but five well­taken goals from the hosts put paid to any thoughts of a winning start to the season for the visitors.

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THE Solheim Cup remains in the hands of Europe’s female golfers after a thrilling battle on Sunday, September 24.

For the first time in the history of the biennial competition, it ended in a draw, specifically, 14­14. The competition featured the 12 best US players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

This time around, the world’s leading match­play competition for female professional golfers was staged in Andalucia, on the Costa del Sol, at Finca Cortesin.

Europe entered the day’s proceedings trailing 4­0 from the foursomes. However, Suzann Pettersen saw her players stage an almighty comeback with the final accolades falling fittingly to Spanish star Carlota Ciganda as the Spaniard completed her fourth win in four matches.

Due to the status of the remaining matches, the United States had a brief window of opportunity to claim an outright win on the 15th hole after Nelly Korda pulled the match with Ciganda back to all­square.

Refusing to accept the possibility of defeat, a stunning approach shot to the 16th left Ciganda with a birdie putt. A similar feat on the 17th ­

After this victory, with six races still to go, the Red Bull team mathematically won its sixth Constructors’ World Championship.

Verstappen meanwhile sits an astonishing 177 points clear at the top of the drivers’ table and will clinch another world title should he take the chequered flag in the next race in Qatar.

If anybody had doubted his or Red Bull’s ability after a poor showing in Singapore, they were certainly embarrassed in Japan. Red Bull’s incredible string of winning all 16 races of the season came to an abrupt end at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Carlos Sainz scored an emphatic victory for Ferrari, leading the race from start to finish.

Up until that point, either Verstappen or his teammate Sergio Perez had crossed the finishing line in first place, with the Dutch driver sealing a record­breaking 10 consecutive victories in the process.

Britain’s Lando Norris drove another excellent race in the McLaren to take the second position on the podium. In what turned out to be a very one­sided affair, he finished 19 seconds adrift of the Red Bull.

Oscar Piastri gave McLaren another podium spot, the first of his career. Ferrari had to settle for fourth this time out, with Charles LeClerc finishing in the same position that he has occupied for three consecutive outings.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell clearly had no team orders as the Mercedes pair battled for fifth, going wheel­to­wheel at times. The latter eventually had to concede and he finally settled for seventh, with the other Ferrari of Sainz filling the gap between them.

Europe retains Solheim Cup

It had not looked so promising for Europe earlier in the day after Georgia Hall halved her match with Andrea Lee. Madelene Sagstrom subsequently went down 4&3 to Lilia Vu, the World number two. The US seemed certain favourites when Celine Boutier was then beaten 2&1 by Angel Yin.

Scottish rookie Gemma Dryburgh managed to halve her match with Cheyenne Knight. The American newcomer fought back from two down with four to play.

However, following four birdies in five holes, followed by a conceded eagle at the last hole in her match with Ally Ewing, the European veteran Caroline Hedwall clawed her way back to win by two after being three down after 12 holes.

The final result was in the balance after the European women found themselves ahead in two of the last three matches. Lexi Thompson was in a comfortable position against Emily Pedersen which left everything in the hands of Maja Stark and Ciganda.

where she placed her shot just two feet away from the pin at the 145yard hole ­ meant that Europe would retain the iconic trophy if Korda failed to sink her ball.

If the two golfers could win these two remaining matches then the competition would end 14­14 and Europe, as the holders, would retain the trophy, which they did.

Credit: Twitter@TheSolheimCup

European team retained the Solheim Cup 2023.

LEAGUE KICKS OFF: Over 50s AC Benahavis v Mollina.

At last we’re underway!