Costa Calida 28 September – 4 October 2023 Issue 1995

Issue No. 27 (1995) 28 Sept - 4 Oct 2023

HISTORIC FESTIVAL

Catherine McGeer

EVERY year, the streets of Cartagena come alive with the history, tradition, and spectacle as the Carthaginians and Romans celebrate their annual festivals. On Saturday, September 23, the climax of these festivities was reached with the reenactment of the famous battle and the grand parade through the streets of Cartagena that brought together thousands of spectators.

Civil, military, and mercenary groups, numbering over 5,000 participants, marched to the rhythmic beat of drums, showcasing a rich variety of costumes and performances that delighted the crowd. Fire­eaters and other entertainers added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.

Despite the threat of rain that often looms over Cartagena in the autumn, the weather remained pleasant, allowing the festivities to shine even brighter. There were some beautiful stand­out moments included in the festivities such as Sergio's proposal to María José from the Ara Pacis legion, which she joyfully accepted.

As the parade neared its end, Aníbal and Himilce, played by Julio Guillamón and Esther Escolar, graced the procession, marking another pivotal moment in the

IN San Javier a remarkable initiative has taken root, reminding society that the fight against gender violence should never fade. The ‘All 25 are 25N’ event, held on the 25th of each month, gathers community members at the ‘Ana Orantes’ Equality roundabout to commemorate the victims of gender violence.

Led by Mayor José Miguel Luengo and councillor for Social Rights María del Mar Pérez, the initiative aims to keep the issue of gender violence at the forefront of public consciousness throughout the year. Mayor Luengo emphasised the importance of dedicating space to equality and the fight against gender violence.

Councillor Pérez, in her first participation, stressed the need to remember vic­

Scouts cleanup

THE ‘Hipocampo 503’ Scout Group is taking on an exciting new series of activities, kicking off with a favourite annual event ­ the clean­up of hard­toreach areas within the mud flats of the Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar. This eco­conscious initiative is organised by Pinatar Natura as part of the LIBERA Project.

Joined by the mayor, Ángela Gaona, and Youth councillor, Valentín Henarejos, Hipocampo 503 marked the beginning of the 2023 ­ 24 ‘So ­

lar Round’. Among the litter collected, they retrieved a variety of waste, including cans, wipes, cigarette butts, and various discarded objects. Notably, they recycled plastic bottles repurposed as mud containers, left behind after treatment.

This project showcases a commitment to environmental preservation and community engagement, reminding us all of the importance of looking after our beautiful natural spaces.

festivities. The public was treated to over two and a half hours of a varied and eyecatching parade, with the Libyan Hoplite Lancers and the legionnaires of the Extraordinary Shock Forces delivering a thrilling finale. All in all the spectators were wowed by the intricate and realistic details that brought this festival alive.

The grand finale of the Carthaginian and Roman festivals included the extinguishing of the Sacred Fire and a spectacular fireworks display over Cantón Av­

enue. This memorable weekend of celebration concluded with a quieter Sunday, featuring naval modelling exhibitions, cultural battles, open camps, fairs, and vintage markets.

As the troops and legions closed their camps after midnight, another year of Cartagena’s historic festivals came to a close. This annual event continues to captivate hearts and minds, preserving the rich heritage of the Carthaginians and Romans for generations to come.

tims continuously, not just on a single day. She lamented the alarming statistics, citing a recent case in Cieza and the tragic numbers of wom­

en murdered by their partners in the summer of 2022.

The monthly event is a unifying force, bringing together diverse social groups,

such as housewives and schoolchildren, who join hands to plant a tree at the roundabout ­ a powerful symbol of hope and unity.

HIPOCAMPO 503: Scouting for a cleaner tomorrow.

TAKING ROOT: Javier’s monthly tribute to the victims of gender violence.

Image: Facebook/San Pedro del Pinatar Town Hall

CELEBRATING HISTORY: Carthaginian and Roman festivals unite the ages.

Adapt gives back

Murcia in autumn

WHILE Murcia may not be renowned for its traditional autumn vibes, there are some hidden spots where you can savour the essence of autumn while sipping on your pumpkin­spiced latte!

Almadenes Canyon: Nestled in the Sierra de la Serrata, the Almadenes Canyon offers a unique hiking experience. As you follow the meandering Segura River, you’ll have the chance to explore a stunning canyon and witness ancient cave paintings. Autumn’s milder temperatures make it an ideal time to take on this adventure.

Ricote Valley: Picture­perfect orchards and

lush landscapes define the Ricote Valley. Autumn is the perfect season to immerse yourself in its natural beauty. The Ruta de las Norias trail will lead you through orchards, along the tranquil Segura River, and past historic waterwheels.

Sierra de Espuña Natural Park: During autumn, this park dons a vibrant cloak of red and orange foliage, making it an ideal destination for hiking. If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, head over to the Fuentes del Marqués, a park located just over two kilometres from Caravaca de la Cruz’s town centre. This idyllic spot is a must­visit in Murcia during autumn.

THE Adapt Theatre Group, a bilingual amateur dramatics group, is busy preparing for their upcoming pantomime of Ali Baba and the Four and a Half Thieves. The group was thrilled to have a near ­ full turnout for their first rehearsal, and the actors were eager to get started.

As the Adapt Theatre Group’s pantomimes are performed in both English and Spanish, one of the biggest challenges for the actors is learning their lines

in both languages. To help with this, each actor is sent an audio file with their Spanish lines recorded by a native speaker. Despite the challenges, the actors are all enjoying putting the pantomime together. They know that the result will be a fun and festive show that will raise money for a good cause.

For the past 13 years, the Adapt Theatre Group has worked hard to raise money for local charities. This year, they are donating

their panto profits to AFEMAR, a non­profit organisation that works with people with mental health problems in the Mar Menor area.

The Adapt Theatre Group’s pantomime of Ali Baba and the Four and a Half Thieves will be performed at the Lo Pagán Auditorium in the Casa del Cultura on December 8­10. For more information about the group please visit their website at https://adaptthe atregroup.wordpress.com

THE Basketball Super Cup which recently took place in Murcia, has not only ignited the passion of basketball enthusiasts but has also given the region an economic boost. This event, which marked the beginning of Europe’s premier basketball significantly impacted the city’s economy, generating an astounding impact of nearly €3 million.

Rebeca Pérez, the assistant mayor and councillor for Development and Heritage of Murcia’s City Council, shared these

Basketball bonanza

remarkable figures, noting that expectations were surpassed by a staggering fivefold compared to the initial investment in the pavilion. The city’s hospitality sector witnessed a remarkable upswing during the tournament, with hotel occupancy soaring to an impressive 90 per cent, a substantial 16point increase from the previ­

ous year. Furthermore, the average hotel price rose by €20, reaching €87.

Pérez emphasised the city’s commitment to becoming a hub for top­tier sporting events and expressed a strong desire to achieve one million overnight stays, solidifying Murcia’s position on the global sports map. The Basketball Super Cup has demonstrated the immense potential of sports events in boosting the local economy and fostering tourism in the city of Murcia.

Image: Adapt/Gill Brown Adapt Theatre Group prepares for pantomime season to raise money for local charity.

NIBS EXTRA

Tercia protests

OVER 200 residents of Tercia took to the streets for the third time this year to voice their opposition to the AVE and central ring road projects. They fear these infrastructures will isolate their town and hinder mobility. Holding a banner reading ‘Plataforma Tercia Incomunicada’, protesters marched near the unfinished Churra bridge.

Medical unity

CANCER experts in Cartagena and Murcia unite, establishing a non­profit foundation to elevate oncological care in the Region of Murcia. Their mission is to pioneer innovative treatments for cancer patients, making the community a hub for cutting­edge care.

Beach inquiry

MAZARRON mayor, Gines Campillo, met with State Coastal Demarcation head, Daniel Caballero, to discuss ongoing studies assessing Port Beach sand quality. The council previously alerted the Ministry for Ecological Transition about the beach’s poor condition, seeking solutions.

Natural roots

THE ‘Roots’ exhibition, by Mayca Montero Gil, graces the Francisco Rabal House of Culture in Aguilas until October 6. This display combines photographs of women in natural settings across the Region of Murcia, featuring locales like Cocedores Beach, Marqués de Caravaca’s Fountains, and Lorca’s Contreras wineries.

Fashion show

MABS San Javier will host a fashion show of high­quality clothes, shoes, bags, and jewellery for autumn, winter, and the party season on Tuesday, November 7 at Hotel 525 at 1 pm. Tickets cost €5 and are available now from their store in San Javier.

Biking in the city

THE Murcia en Bici association rallied cyclists of all generations in a resounding call for a sustainable future in mobility. With the slogan, ‘For mobility without bad smoke’, the participants biked through Murcia City starting from the iconic Plaza de Belluga, as a symbolic gesture for change.

Their route weaved through significant landmarks, including the Puente de los Peligros and the charming Carmen neighbourhood, while also including the

bustling avenues La Fama and La Constitución. The journey finished at Gran

Vía. The association’s message resounded loudly: a

collective discomfort with the reopening of the ‘Old Bridge’ to vehicular traffic, proposed changes like ‘kiss&go’ that encourage private vehicle use, and the city council’s lacklustre maintenance of bike lanes. They demanded clear paths for cyclists, free from obstructions.

In this demonstration, Murcia en Bici champions a vision where sustainable mobility becomes a cornerstone of urban living, paving the way toward a cleaner and greener future.

Loco for Lorca A-30 accident

BETWEEN May and August, Lorca welcomed 15,331 tourists, marking a 9.2 per cent increase from the previous year, as reported by Santiago Parra, the councillor for Tourism.

This figure is considered ‘excellent’, showcasing a promising recovery. However, it remains 31 per cent below the pre ­ pandemic levels of 2019. The visitor records from various sources, including the tourist office, and Lorca castle, were considered for these statistics, with the castle being the most popular attraction, drawing more

than half the total tourists.

National visitors constituted 70 per cent of the total, with Madrid, Malaga, Almeria, Alicante, Albacete, and Valladolid being the top contributing regions.

Foreign tourists increased by 8 per cent, primarily from the United Kingdom, driven by an interest in Lorca’s culture, monuments, museums, and architectural landmarks. Notably, visitors from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Holland also made a significant presence, while French and Belgian tourists declined during the summer.

95 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Autumn Equinox

THE Humanists of Murcia celebrated the Autumn Equinox on Bolnuevo Beach after a long summer. Regrettably, Chairman Jon and organiser Joan couldn’t attend, but the group wished Jon a swift recovery. Annie and Geoff admirably stepped in to ensure its success.

AN incident unfolded on the A­ 30 highway in Murcia recently, resulting in a multiple ­ vehicle accident involving four cars. The incident, which occurred at the motorway’s exit toward Ronda Norte, left six individuals injured, including two children. Numerous concerned citizens alerted the 112 Emergency Coordination Centre of the Region of Murcia about the collision. Swift response teams, including units from the Guardia Civil and Emergency Management, as well as Health Emer ­

A boost for pensions

IN January, Spanish pensions are set to witness another historic increase, even in the absence of a government or approved budget. Over nine million pensioners can expect their payouts to rise, as legally protected by the revaluation reform designed by Minister José Luis Escrivá, linking pension increases to inflation.

This safeguard ensures that regardless of political or economic fluctuations, pension benefits will automatically increase in January.

The pension increase in 2024 will potentially exceed 4 per cent due to high in­

flation rates. This translates to a significant boost in retirees’ payrolls, with average pensions surging to over €1,240 per month, setting a record. The maximum pension may approach €3,200.

Additionally, non­contributory pensions and minimum widow’s pensions will see substantial growth, benefiting vulnerable groups. Moreover, retirees receiving a gender gap supplement will witness a 10 per cent increase in the bonus. Maximum Social Security contributions will rise automatically, exceeding €4,700 per month by 2024, impacting 1.3 million workers.

gencies 061, rushed to the scene.

Among the injured, two women aged 47 and 40, along with an 11­year­old boy, were transported to the Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital for medical attention. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by a 45year­old woman, 41­yearold man, and 15 ­ year ­ old boy, were less severe, and they received immediate treatment at the scene without the need for hospitalisation. The authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident.

The evening began with lively pétanque and Jenga games, while others enjoyed snacks and drinks. A pause came when succulent roast chickens were served at the five tables. As night fell, the competitions concluded, with Tom and Jan winning Jenga, and Maggie and Pete securing victory in Pétanque.

The group announced a countryside walk on October 18 and a rafting day on the River Segura on October 19. Check out Facebook, call 603 205 649, or email humanist sofmurcia@gmail.com or darwiniangardeners@ gmail.com

and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

GREEN MOBILITY: Pedalling for a sustainable tomorrow.

Images: X/@murciaenbici

Childhood cancer care

LA ARRIXACA HOSPITAL, in partnership with the Aladina Foundation, has initiated a heartwarming project to improve the experience of children undergoing radiotherapy for cancer. This unique effort focuses on personalising the daily ­ worn thermoplastic masks used throughout their treatment, which can be over a month.

These masks are vital for children with head and neck cancers, ensuring precise immobilisation during radiotherapy. To make this process less intimidating, the hospital’s radiotherapy technicians engage young patients by incorporating creativity and playfulness. Before treatment begins, a generic mask is moulded to fit each child’s facial contours. Technicians then ask

the children what they’d like their masks to resemble, turning the radiotherapy session into a game.

Throughout the treatment course, the technicians gradually decorate and customise the masks. By the end, the children have personalised masks, adorned with their favourite cartoon charac­

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

Cruise dreams for Mazarron Police tutors

THE San Javier Local Police is reinvigorating its Police Tutor Unit in collaboration with the Department of Education. Two dedicated officers, José María Molina and Francisco Asensio, are committed to this vital service. The initiative primarily targets school­aged children, ranging from early childhood to secondary education, in local educational institutions. It addresses contemporary challenges such as technology misuse among youth, road safety education, and conflict resolution. Moreover, the Police Tutor Unit will actively intervene in issues like bullying, absenteeism, and inappropriate behaviour.

To facilitate communication and reporting, a contact phone number and email will be prominently displayed in educational centres and public buildings. This outreach aims to encourage reporting of vulnerable situations to the dedicated officers.

MAZARRON is setting its sights on becoming a soughtafter destination for cruise ships in 2024. The announcement was made by the town’s mayor, Ginés Campillo, who has been actively collaborating with the Cartagena Maritime Captain and a cosignatory company to turn this vision into reality.

ters or the colours of their football teams. This initiative not only leverages technology to enhance treatment precision but also injects humanity into the clinical setting, alleviating children’s fears associated with treatment and encouraging their active involvement in the radiotherapy process.

Councillors Alba Sánchez and María José Bernal highlighted the importance of collaboration among parents, teachers, and students to address these challenges effectively. The Unit will conduct age­appropriate training, covering topics like road safety, substance abuse prevention, responsible social media usage, and cyberbullying.

Autumn 2023

AUTUMN 2023 has officially arrived in Murcia, ushering in a season of vibrant colours and cooler temperatures. According to calculations from the National Astronomical Observatory, this year’s autumn began on September 23 at 06.50 UTC and will last approximately 89 days and 21 hours, concluding on December 22 with the onset of winter.

This autumn promises celestial spectacles, with both a solar and lunar eclipse. The annular solar eclipse on October 14 will be visible in parts of America, while the partial lunar eclipse on October 28 will be viewable across eastern America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

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.

Astronomy enthusiasts can also look forward to meteor showers, including the Draconids, Orionids, Leonids, and Geminids, with peak viewing times scattered throughout the season.

In the coming months, a comprehensive project will be unveiled, showcasing an array of attractions and experiences for cruise ship passengers during their day­long visit to Mazarron. This enticing itinerary will focus on the region’s rich history, including its Argaric, Phoenician, and Roman heritage. Additionally, tourists will have the opportunity to explore over 10 kilometres of pristine bays and savour the local cuisine, including the renowned dish, ‘rice with lobster’.

To make this ambitious plan feasible, authorisation from the General Management of the Merchant Navy is imperative. This governing body will oversee the arrival of international ships to Mazarron’s waters, accompanied by the implementation of a customs service under the purview of the Guardia Civil. The proposal also involves the innovative approach of larger cruise ships anchoring off the coast, with passengers ferried to the port in smaller boats, similar to the practice in Monaco.

“The cat is out of the bag.”

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

PERSONALISED MASKS: Bring smiles to young cancer patients at La Arrixaca Hospital.

Image: carm.es

Orchestra of Murcia

THE Symphony Orchestra of the Region of Murcia (OSRM) achieved remarkable success at the ‘Otoño Musical Soriano’ Festival, collaborating with the renowned pianist Joaquín Achúcarro. The concert, conducted by Virginia Martínez, took place at the Palacio de la Audiencia in Soria and featured captivating renditions of Chopin and Tchaikovsky compositions. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports, this event was a highlight of the ‘Soriano Musical Autumn’, an International Festival of Music in Castilla y León.

Achúcarro’s extraordinary performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was followed by OSRM’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, resulting in a sold­out concert that left a lasting impression. OSRM, Achúcarro, and Virginia Martínez will rekindle their collaboration later in the season with performances in Aguilas on October 27 and Murcia City on October 28, promising more exceptional music for eager audiences

Global regatta

LOS AlCAZARES mayor Mario Pérez Cervera recently unveiled the upcoming ‘What to Celebrate in Los Alcazares’ event, taking place from October 4 to 7. This eagerly anticipated occasion is more than just a local festivity; it’s a globally renowned sporting event that reaffirms Mar Menor’s status as a top­tier regatta destination.

In the words of Mayor Mario Pérez Cervera, “The town council remains committed to bolstering the symbiotic relationship between tourism and sports. This synergy not only enriches our community but also revitalises our economy, especially during the non­summer months.”

Los Alcázares will welcome athletes and sailing enthusiasts from around the world, this event promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism and a testament to the town.

TikTok tastes Vaccine initiatives

WHEN an American tourist recently ventured to Murcia, he set out on a culinary adventure that left him utterly surprised.

At one of the city’s most prominent events, he decided to sample Murcia’s quintessential dishes, the one that surprised him the most was the Murcian blood sausage, known locally as ‘La Morcilla.’ The ensuing TikTok video by content creator Dre Pao (@drepaofficial) has gone viral and given Murcian gastronomy a new spotlight.

The Region of Murcia is gaining recognition as a top gastronomic destination, with a 2023 study ranking it in the top 10 favourite destinations for gastronomic tourists in Spain. Traditional cuisine is a significant draw, with 82 per cent of visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the local gastronomy according to one survey.

In his TikTok video, Dre Pao expressed initial surprise at the appearance of the Murcian blood sausage and likened its

taste to that of flowers. Despite finding it sweeter than expected, he admitted he would try it again. Murcian cui­

sine is making waves on social media, introducing the world to its unique flavours and traditions, one viral video at a time.

Underwater specialists

THE Guardia Civil has introduced a specialised diving unit known as the Technical Activities Group Underwater (GRUTAS) within its Underwater Activities Unit. This elite team will focus on high­level technical diving, particularly in complex environments like deep waters, and caves.

This development comes in response to the increasing popularity of recreational diving and advancements in diving technology, which have raised safety concerns for citizens engaged in such activities.

The Guardia Civil has equipped GRUTAS with state­of­the­art gear, including rebreathers, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and a hyperbaric chamber on a lorry. This enables the group to respond effectively to various incidents, including search and rescue missions. Furthermore, GRUTAS will provide training and support to other law enforcement agencies and emergency services.

THE Ministry of Health in the Region of Murcia is taking a proactive step in safeguarding newborns against bronchiolitis, marking a significant move as one of the few autonomous communities to initiate this immunisation programme which began on September 25. Infants born in all maternity hospitals, be it public or private, can receive the protective antibody against bronchiolitis at birth.

In addition to this, parents of children born after April 1 of this year have been promptly notified via telephone and SMS to visit their health centres for the vaccination.

Moreover, the Region is facilitating flu vaccinations for three and four ­ year ­ old children in schools this year, streamlining accessibility for families.

Approximately 30,000 schoolchildren are expected to benefit from this initiative, which began this week.

The Minister of Health, Juan José Pedreño, emphasised the importance of convenient vaccine administration to enhance access and reduce hesitancy among the population. To this end, intranasal flu vaccines are being administered to three ­ and fouryear ­ olds in schools, sparing them from an injection.

DISCOVERING MURCIAN FLAVOURS: One American’s TikTok adventure.

Image: TikTok/ bysherezade

Moors and Christians

SPAIN has a long and often turbulent history and the past is still considered part of the present, especially when there’s a party to be had!

The Iberian peninsula consisted of a number of territories ruled by different Christian nobles until the Moors from North Africa invaded in the eighth century and took over much of what is modern day Spain, thereby creating a special part of the country’s heritage.

Skirmishes took place between Moors and Christians over the centuries, however slowly but surely the Moors were driven further south by the 11th century, but still held vital cities such as Cordoba and Granada for another 400 years.

Gradually, over a period of several hundred years the Christians regained most of Spain through a series of battles (although in some cases battle is too

strong a word as the numbers involved in the fighting were relatively small) and in many towns and cities especially in Valencia Province, history is re­enacted annually. There are Moors and Christians Festivals held in individual towns on or around the date of each one’s victory over the Moors and they are a great excuse to enjoy a

few days and nights of dressing up and partying.

Local groups dress up in medieval costumes (and plenty of people are happy to be a Moor for a week), local markets are turned into Souks, there are parades, mock battles, cannons firing blanks, cavalry, plus of course the inevitable and much appreciated food, drink and music.

A GREAT EXCUSE: Dressed to kill!

1st Inclusive Mini-Golf Tournament

IN an effort to make the world of sports more inclusive, La Manga Adventure Golf is pioneering a groundbreaking event ­ Europe’s first­ever Mini Golf Tournament exclusively for individuals with disabilities. We had the privilege of chatting with the organiser of this inspiring event, Ian Miller, to discuss their motivations, goals, and vision for the future of inclusive Mini Golf.

What inspired you to organise this event?

Since La Manga Adventure Golf opened three years ago, we have welcomed many individuals with a wide array of disabilities. One particular 14­year­old young man called Ashton, a wheelchair user, has been my inspiration to stage Europe’s first and groundbreaking Mini­Golf Tournament, dedicated to disabled communities.

What were your main goals for this tournament?

Our main reason for staging this first­ofits­kind tournament is to demonstrate and promote that Mini­Golf is a truly ALLINCLUSIVE activity for everyone, completely regardless of their disability, their mobility impairment, or intellectual impairment. Mini­Golf, which only involves putting, allows everyone to play and enjoy this exciting activity, where the ability to putt and take part, supersedes any disability.

What kind of impact do you hope this tournament has on the par ticipants and the community?

Competitors in this tournament will hopefully discover a completely new and rewarding activity, which they may not have considered in the past.

Have you faced any challenges while organising the event?

The main challenge has been the publishing and promotion of this tournament. However, with the recent support of the Euro Weekly News, we are now confident that word of this unique tournament will quickly spread throughout Spain.

What are your plans for the future of the tournament?

Hopefully following a successful tournament on November 4 and 5, our plans are to involve numerous other mini ­ golf courses, where ultimately, a series of European Mini­Golf Tournaments dedicated to disabled communities will be created.

Entry will be free of charge for the entire two­day tournament. Players will be placed in Leagues, where they will enjoy a series of Round Robin Matches during Day One. Day Two will comprise the quarter and semi­finals, culminating in the Grand Final and Awards Presentation.

Channel 4’s ‘A New Life in the Sun’ will also be covering the event.

This inaugural tournament will be open to all ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, regardless of their age or disability. It will be limited to the first 24 people who register to take part in this groundbreaking tournament.

For more information and/or to register your entry call or WhatsApp Ian on 0034 693 934 381. The closing Entry date is Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Mazarron’s healthcare

IN a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure, Ginés Campillo, the mayor of Mazarron recently toured the construction sites of the future Guadalentín Hospital in Mazarron. This project will breathe new life into the municipality by generating over 300 jobs and bolstering local services.

The mayor of Mazarron expressed his appreciation for Mederi Salud’s unwavering commitment to this crucial project, which will undoubtedly be a game­changer for the community. He stated, “The healthcare activity of the Guadalentín Hospital will not only bring about substantial economic benefits, but it will also elevate the quality of care

available to our residents.”

Scheduled to open its doors at the beginning of 2024 in the Camposol urbanisation, the Mederi Guadalentín Hospital is a state­of­the­art facility. Its impressive features include a central building for hospitalisation, operating rooms, and diagnostic services, as well as an outpatient consultation pavilion, extensive parking, lush gardens, and open­air galleries.

With a footprint of 2,500 square metres, the hospital boasts spacious rooms for inpatient care, three cutting ­ edge operating rooms, six consultation areas, and a dedicated nursing service ­ all operational 365 days a year.

Putting Inclusivity

First: Europe’s inaugural allabilities Mini Golf Tournament.

High-speed showdown

RENFE’s Avlo trains are set to race ahead of the competition, as the battle for passengers on the MadridMurcia high ­ speed line heats up. Renfe, the stateowned operator, plans to introduce its low­cost Avlo trains to Murcia before May, aiming to outpace private operator Ouigo. Ouigo recently received authorisation from Adif to run four daily trains between Murcia and Madrid, featuring affordable fares starting at just €9.

Renfe’s strategy includes launching a direct train service between Murcia and Madrid next year while extending the Avlo service to Murcia. Their objective is to compete head ­ to ­ head with Ouigo, which intends to transport 14,000 passengers per week on doubledecker trains with two stops in Elche and Albacete.

Additionally, Adif plans to reopen the CartagenaChinchilla line, passing

through Cieza and Hellín, before the next summer season. Meanwhile, there are ongoing protests in Alicante over the modernisation of the Murcia­Alicante Cercanías line, which is expected to be resolved once the Cieza line reopens.

Adif Alta Velocity has also announced a tender for the construction of electrical traction substations and associated infrastructure, signalling progress on the Murcia­Almeria line, set to complete in 2026.

Mar Menor measures

THE Mar Menor has long been dealing with the issue of excessive nutrient entry, primarily through the Albujón Rambla. In a significant move to address this problem, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) has initiated a crucial project aimed at improving the pumping systems in the region.

As part of the priority action plan under the Ministry for the Ecological Tran­

GET ready to embrace an active and enriching lifestyle at the Pensioner’s Facilities of San Pedro del Pinatar and Lo Pagan as the registration period for their exciting activities is just around the corner. Starting in October, these homes offer lots of engaging workshops and events designed to keep pensioners in the community physically, mentally, and socially active.

From invigorating sessions of Gymnasia, Tai Chi, and Yoga to adventurous Hiking trips and informative YouTube Workshops, there’s

sition, CHS has awarded a contract to Eppa Engineering, SL, to enhance and expand the pumping capabilities at three vital stations: Albujón, Los Narejos, and El Mojón. The project, with a budget of €211,000, involves the installation of new vertical pumping groups, flowmeters, and valves, with a specific focus on hydraulic and energy optimisation.

The objective of this un­

dertaking is clear: to reduce the influx of nutrients into the Mar Menor. The Albujón Rambla, in particular, has been identified as a significant source of pollutants, with 8.52 cubic hectometres of water containing 1,090 tons of nitrates and 0.68 tons of phosphates entering the lagoon annually.

During heavy rains, these figures increase, exacerbating the issue.

Active retirement

something for everyone. Unleash your creativity with Craft sessions, sway to the rhythm with Ballroom Dancing, or join the Choir for some melodious fun. Sharpen your mind with Memory Workshops, find joy through Laughter Therapy, and explore your artistic side with Painting classes.

To participate, ensure you are a

registered resident of San Pedro del Pinatar with a valid Padron and meet the pensioner criteria. Registrations are conducted at the Counselling of Homes on Mondays from 4pm to 5pm and from Tuesdays to Fridays from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm. For more information you can contact the following numbers 968 180 853 or 986 185 343.

AVLO vs OUIGO: A race to Murcia.

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 ­

Spain is a safe country

John Ensor

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.

ON Wednesday, September 20, in Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor, the interim Interior Minister, Fernando Grande­Marlaska, chaired the main festivities marking Police Day. He commended the National Police’s efforts, asserting that their dedication is a key reason why ‘Spain is one of the safest countries in the world’.

The events were reported by the National Police which culminated in the celebration of the Holy Guardian Angels, the National Police’s patron saints. Present alongside Grande ­ Marlaska were notable figures including Rafael Perez, Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Pardo, the Police’s general director, Virginia Barcones, the Government'’s delegate in Castilla y Leon, and Salamanca’s mayor, Carlos Garcia.

In his address, Grande ­ Marlaska emphasised, “Spain is one of the safest countries in the world, our high degree of citizen security is one of the factors that has contributed the most to strengthening our institutions by allowing a model of peaceful and social coexistence. Tolerant, accessible and inclusive.”

Looking ahead, Grande ­ Marlaska noted the National Police will celebrate its 200th anniversary on January 13, 2024. He expressed hope for the force’s con ­

tinued relevance and growth: “The National Police of the future will be egalitarian.” He firmly declared, “The Police of the future will be feminine or it will cease to exist.”

Highlighting recent efforts to bolster female representation, he announced, “we will continue to adopt innovative measures to achieve real equality between women and men.”

The event also saw the presentation of police merit awards. These accolades recognised outstanding contributions to the police’s image and honoured members of other security forces. Seven police dogs from the Canine Guide Unit received special mentions.

A poignant ‘in memoriam’ ceremony paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the force’s 199­year history.

A Spanish village

REDEIA , AlmaNatura, and IKEA have jointly launched the fourth edition of ‘Holapueblo’, a platform dedicated to combating depopulation in villages with fewer than 5,000 residents, with the aim of increasing their population and revitalising their local economies. This initiative collaborates closely with municipal authorities, forming connections between individuals interested in living and starting businesses in rural Spain, thereby fostering economic activity, job creation, and prosperity.

In the three previous editions, ‘Holapueblo’ helped with the relocation of 133 individuals from 51 families to 34 villages. This resulted in the establishment of 30 new businesses in various sectors such as rural accommodation, bakeries, artisan workshops, and elderly care services.

Moreover, the platform successfully reclaimed two

disused municipal spaces in participating municipalities, namely Almedina (Ciudad Real) and Jaraba (Zaragoza), transforming them into a co ­ working space and renovating a cultural centre, respectively, as part of the Reactivators Project.

Roberto Castro González, the deputy mayor of Ribas de Sil (Lugo), said, “We’ve often heard that opportunities are scarce in small towns. While it’s true they may not be abundant, many existing opportunities remain untapped. This means that there is ample room for entrepreneurs to

build a promising future in our rural areas.”

The fourth edition is open to municipalities committed to rural development and in search of new residents who can make a positive impact on their communities.

As a significant innovation, this edition will focus on researching ongoing initiatives and successful cases addressing the challenge of housing access in rural areas. The objective is to develop a roadmap that assists municipalities in creating or enhancing housing options within their localities.

Wheelchair accessibility.

Credit: Freepik

National Police almost 200 years old.

Credit: Policia

HOLAPUEBLO: Combating depopulation in local villages.

Credit: HolaPueblo

Spain abolishes motorway charges

THE Spanish government has agreed with Brussels that there will be no highway tolls in 2024. The agreement was met after the European Commission accepted the Spanish government’s proposal to “remove from the Recovery Plan the initial idea of introducing payment for the use of highways.”

A commission spokesperson confirmed that “Much progress has been made and constructive conversations are being held with the Spanish authorities with a view to finalising the evaluation as soon as possible”. The agreement with the

European Commission rejects highway tolls and instead promotes rail transport.

Eliminating tolls means finding alternative funding for road maintenance. The main issue is how to secure nearly €10 billion that is needed for road repairs. According to the Spanish Road Association, currently, 11 per cent of the road network in Spain (26,400 kilometres) is seriously deteriorated.

To be more precise, €9.918 billion is needed for road repairs: €3.261 billion for the national network (26,400 km) and €6.657 bil­

lion for regional and provincial governments’ networks (75,300 km).

However, finding this €9.918 billion without tolls or similar fees remains a significant challenge, as 95 per cent of it is needed for basic ‘replacement and road reinforcement’.

The agreement with Brussels rejects tolls and suggests transporting goods via railways. In Spain, 95.8 per cent of goods are transported by road, with only 1.2 per cent by rail, making the transition challenging.

Traffic on roads continues to grow faster than other modes of transport. While in

the past year overall cargo transport increased by 5.7 per cent, road traffic surged by over 10 per cent.

Traffic on motorways also increased significantly, accounting for more than half of the country’s cargo movement.

As a result, roads are becoming increasingly congested, making a seamless tran­

sition from lorries to trains unrealistic. While the government’s plan hints at this

direction, it requires substantial investments in both funding and logistics.

Cruise tax warning

SIMON CALDER has issued a warning to people going on a cruise around Spain. The expert is renowned for his travel advice and regularly shares the latest guidance on Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and This Morning. In his Independent column, he has explained how some cruise ship passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are being hit with charges during their trips.

The expert explained on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: “When is an ‘inclusive drinks package’ not inclusive? On Norwegian Cruise Line voyages that include Spain.

“Passengers who sign up for the Free at Sea deal don’t get entirely free drinks: they must

pay the tax on anything they consume within Spanish waters.”

The expert explained the Free at Sea package typically costs £20 per person per day and includes all inclusive drinks and wi­fi. However, voyages beginning at ports in Spain and, and while in Spain territorial waters during other cruises, attract 10 per cent in VAT on drink.

Simon explained NCL passengers were told: “10 per cent VAT will be applied to all food and beverage purchases made on board, including purchases made under our Unlimited Open Bar or Speciality Dining packages, for certain sailings departing from Spain or any European itinerary while in Spanish waters.”

TOLL BOOTHS: There will be no highway tolls in 2024.

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.

DENMARK

Cannabis disposal

DENMARK has disposed of 145,000 kilograms of cannabis, primarily from its medical cannabis programme. Government data reveals that over 300 permits were granted for intentional destruction, involving companies authorised to cultivate within the country's pilot programme. Numerous factors led to the disposal of these significant cannabis quantities.

Border control

A RECENT EU court ruling mandates that Denmark cannot turn away non-EU citizens at its borders with Germany or Sweden if they have legal residency in any EU country. The decision, based on the 'Returns' Directive, emphasises procedural adherence and applies even to those apprehended within Denmark's territory.

Marina award

THE award for the Best International Marina has been won by Vilamoura Marina on the Algarve, for the seventh time in eight years. This prestigious titleawarded by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) - was once again bestowed on the Portuguese marina during the Southampton International Boat Show 2023.

NORWAY FRANCE

Price hike

NORWAY's central statistical bureau, Statistisk sentralbyrå (SSB), reported a 4.8 per cent annual price increase, though it's a decrease from earlier this year. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is now 4.8 per cent higher than a year ago, with food prices still 9.3 per cent higher year-on-year.

Ice arrow

A 4,000-YEAR-OLD arrow has been unearthed on Norway's Mount Lauvhøe, courtesy of the Secret of the Ice glacial archaeology programme. The melting ice in Innlandet since 2006 has unveiled a trove of artifacts, including textiles, transport tools, and leather. This discovery sheds light on ancient life in the Jotunheimen Mountains.

Wine fatality

WINEMAKER Marco Bettolini, 46, tragically died attempting to rescue his colleague Alberto Pin from a vat of wine at Ca'di Rajo winery in Italy, both overcome by toxic fumes. The incident, highlighting a lack of safety equipment, has intensified concerns and calls for enhanced workplace safety measures in Italy.

Air tragedy

A FRECCE Tricolori plane crashed at an air show in Turin, due to a suspected bird strike, tragically killing five-year-old Laura Origliasso and injuring her family. The pilot ejected and survived. The incident, marking the Italian Air Force's 100th anniversary, has drawn national grief and responses from Italian political figures.

Price plunge

GERMAN housing prices experienced their sharpest drop on record due to highinterest rates and rising materials costs. Residential property prices fell by 9.9 per cent YoY, the steepest decline since 2000. Larger cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich saw apartment prices drop by 9.8 per cent.

Nagelsmann named

JULIAN NAGELSMANN has been confirmed as the new head coach for the German national football team. He will lead the team until the end of the European Championships next summer. Nagelsmann takes over from Hansi Flick, who was dismissed after a series of poor results in September.

Troops withdraw

EMMANUEL MACRON, the president of France, announced on Sunday, September 24, that French troops will be withdrawn from Niger. “We are ending our military cooperation in Niger. The soldiers deployed there will also return by the end of the year,” he confirmed. “The French ambassador to Niger as well as the diplomatic staff present there will also return to France,” Macron indicated.

Bad sardines

AT least 15 customers of a restaurant in the French city of Bordeaux were identified by the local authorities as 'suspected cases of botulism' after eating sardines. Meticulous work by the health authorities in the French city allowed all 15 potential patients to be located, one of whom tragically died. They were all verified to have been customers of the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar between September 4 and 10.

Flight detour

A TURKISH Airlines flight from Dublin made a U-turn after Garda National Immigration Bureau detectives identified an on-board suspect wanted for serious assault.

The non-Turkish foreign national was arrested upon return and faces charges in Ireland, with no bail request made.

Rescue triumph

IRISH entrepreneur Niall Harbison's rescue dog, Buttons, abandoned in Thailand, has found a new home with Oasis star Liam Gallagher after a 10,000km journey. Harbison, founder of Lovin' Dublin, now dedicates his life to rescuing street dogs in Thailand, aiming to save 10,000 dogs monthly.

Long life

BELGIUM’S oldest person, Magda Janssens who was born in Deurne, Antwerp, Belgium on March 16, 1912 died in her sleep on Monday September 18 aged 111. Longevity ran in her family as her sister lived until she was 103, although she lost her first husband at an early age, but her second died at 96.

Bike index

BICYCLE theft in Belgium is becoming a major problem and although thieves prefer ebikes and scooters, the humble pushbike is now a target, so the Brussels registration scheme is to be expanded across the country from 2024, with participants receiving a special identification sticker to place on their bikes.

THE NETHERLANDS FINLAND

IRELAND PORTUGAL SWEDEN

Remembering victims

THREE memorial benches were unveiled on September 19 in the municipality of Zwartewaterland, in memory of the victims of Covid-19. The three towns of Hasselt, Genemuiden, and Zwartsluis within the municipality were among the hardest hit during the first weeks of the pandemic.

Transfer tax

SCHIPOL Airport in Amsterdam is one of the busiest European hubs for transfer passengers but an in principle decision by the Dutch Parliament is likley to see a special transfer tax being applied to passengers which could be as expensive as €26 per person and is opposed by the airport and Dutch carrier KLM.

Dark web

EUROPEAN law enforcement, led by Finnish Customs and supported by Europol, successfully dismantled 'Piilopuoti', a Finnish dark web marketplace notorious for illicit trade, operating since May 2022. The crackdown precedes the annual Dark Web Conference at Europol’s headquarters. Investigations continue to identify platform users.

Cold War

RAF Typhoons and Norwegian F-35s trained in Finland, reviving Cold War tactics of landing on roads, amid rising tensions with Russia. This marked the British Typhoon's first Finnish road landing, showcasing capabilities for dispersed operations. The exercise anticipates similar F35B operations in the UK and Finland's F-35 acquisition in 2026.

Motorway sinkhole

A LANDSLIDE in Southern Sweden caused a giant sinkhole to open next to the E6 motorway that connects the city of Gothenburg with Oslo in Norway. Three people were hospitalised after at least four cars left the road, along with a bus. An area of approximately 14,000 m² was affected - which is roughly equivalent to 21 football pitches - with the hole measuring some five to six metres in depth.

Koran denied

SWEDISH police denied serial Koran-burner Salwan Momika permission to hold a planned demonstration in Malmö. He had presented a written application to burn another Koran, but Rickard Lundqvist, a spokesperson for the police, said: “We have made the assessment we cannot guarantee public order and security at the gathering.” Two people were arrested after violent riots broke out in Rosengård the last time.

The Marina of Vilamoura. CREDIT: EDUARD MARMET/CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-SHARE ALIKE 2.0

Growing road menace

THE escalating issue of wild boars on Spanish roads, particularly in regions like Catalonia and Galicia, has been causing a considerable number of accidents, raising questions about road safety and animal control.

In Catalonia, the Servei Catala de Transit has highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that wild boars have been the cause of a significant number of accidents. The Mossos disclosed that the region experienced around 15 accidents daily last year, contributing to a national total of 6,000 accidents, marking a rise of over 30 per cent, according to a news source.

The majority of these incidents typically happen after 6.00pm, the time when wild boars are most likely to cross roads. Certain areas in Catalonia, such as Central Catalonia, the Pirineu, and Terres de Ponente, are more prone to these accidents, witnessing a higher frequency of such occurrences.

Similarly, Galicia, and especially the province of Lugo, is grappling with this issue. Of the 13,000 traffic accidents reported, about 4,000 were attributed to wild boars, resulting not just in property damage but also in serious, sometimes tragic, consequences.

Addressing the wild boar problem is no easy task. Authorities have experimented with various strategies, including ultrasonic emissions and spreading synthetic wolf

urine, with limited effectiveness. Fences have proven to be more reliable, but the considerable destructive capabilities of these animals make this solution challenging.

Interestingly, a large number of these incidents take place on secondary roads, where wild boars tend to roam more freely. Despite ongoing efforts to curb this issue, a comprehensive and effective solution still seems out of reach, and the number of accidents continues to rise annually.

The escalating issue of wild boars on Spain’s roads is a growing concern. In a time of increased sensitivity towards animals, witnessing a continuous rise in accidents is distressing. While enclosing all roads with fences is a daunting proposition, alternative measures have yet to prove their effectiveness.

A Stake in Vodaphone

John Ensor

ON Friday, September 22, Zegona officially confirmed ongoing negotiations with Vodafone for a potential acquisition of either a part or the entirety of the telecom giant’s business in Spain. The London Stock Exchange received a statement highlighting the possibility surrounding the €5 billion deal, wrote a news source.

“There are talks with Vodafone to acquire the operator’s business, but there is no certainty,” Zegona announced. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has, upon Zegona’s request, halted its listing on the London Stock Exchange.

This development follows recent industry shifts, including Saudi Arabia’s STC acquiring a 9.9 per cent stake in Telefonica for €2.1 billion. Additionally, Mario Vaz from Portugal is tipped to succeed Antonio Coimbra as Vodafone Spain’s chairman on October 1.

Zegona is actively engaging with several banks to secure financing for this potential transaction. The deal’s conclusion is dependent on finalising terms with Vodafone and completing due diligence of the Spanish subsidiary. Acquiring 50 per cent of Vodafone Spain could streamline the transaction process.

The estimated value of Vodafone’s Spanish business exceeds €5 billion, as reported by ‘Expansion’. Other investment firms, including Apollo, Apax, Iliad, and Liberty, are also considered potential con ­

tenders for acquiring the subsidiary.

Zegona is no stranger to the Spanish telecom sector, having previously acquired and sold Asturian telecommunications operator Telecable. Zegona subsequently held a significant stake in Euskaltel. In March 2021, Euskaltel faced a takeover bid from MasMovil, valued at €3.5 billion, marking a 26 per cent premium.

Vodafone Spain reported a turnover of €3.907 billion in the last fiscal year, a 6.5 per cent decrease from €4.180 billion the previous year.

WILD BOAR: Are a growing concern.

Credit: Zoltan Major/Shutterstock.com

Stock Market listing.

Credit: adison pangchai/Shutterstock.com

98% number of people in Spain who are literate.

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.

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

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

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

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

have panicking customers calling us in December, desperate 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 infor ­

BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate. Tel. 966 712 440 - BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics). Tel. 966 188 170 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)

Reprieve for UK tourists

John Ensor

UK holidaymakers are receiving a temporary respite as the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) faces further delays.

Initially, the system was scheduled to be operational by May 2024, but the commencement has now been shifted to May 2025 at the earliest.

This deferment means that British citizens planning to visit the European Union won’t have to bear the cost of a travel visa until 2025, providing them with an extended period of unhindered travel.

ETIAS, an electronic travel authorisation, is designed to facilitate individuals travelling through EU countries without necessitating a visa. The postponement of this digital permit system has been announced once again, marking another shift in its anticipated launch

timeline.

In addition to ETIAS, another border security mechanism, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), is experiencing delays due to challenging deadlines. It is an automated IT system designed to register travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border.

“Both systems are deeply linked. Though the Entry/Exit can function properly without the ETIAS, it is impossible for the latter to become operational without the EES,” an EU official explained.

“We had initially hoped for the EES to become operational by the end of this year or, at the latest, the beginning of the next year. Due to unforeseen delays, it has become evident that this timeline is unattainable.

“As a result, the implementation of the ETIAS has been rescheduled to May 2025, with the possi­

bility of further postponement,” the spokesperson concluded.

ETIAS is projected to have a fee of approximately €7 for individuals above 18 years of age, will allow UK nationals to remain in Europe for a maximum of 90 days within a 180­day span.

The authorisation will be valid for three years, and will permit multiple entries to Europe. Once ETIAS is in effect, it will be a requirement for entry into 30 European nations, including Spain and Portugal.

75 miles furthest point in Britain that you are from the coast.

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

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. DON’T! OK, just DO N’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 re-

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

placement parts but I might find 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!

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

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

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.

PETS

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

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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

Allergies in pets

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 re­

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

member 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 four ­ legged friend lead a happier, more comfortable life.

PET PROSTHETICS: Makes aids more accessible to pet owners.

Watch out for patches.

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ORA Funky CAT First Edition - engaging and stylish

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

AS a motoring writer I’m lucky to receive invitations to drive new cars on their launch, and later to have such cars for extended periods. Driving a car for a few hours on a launch, and then sampling it for a week, can confirm your initial thoughts, or

Facts at a Glance

sometimes highlight issues over the time of longer loan.

When I first drove the ORA CAT last year I came away impressed, and having spent a

week and several hundred miles behind the wheel my view has remained largely unchanged. The CAT isn’t possessed of the usual aggressive looks,

lights and sharp angles. Style is always subjective but those who saw the ORA all thought it a pleasant change from the more usual brutalist styling stance of many new

charging, built­in sat nav’, high beam assist, auto lights and keyless entry and start. Heated seats would have been welcome on colder mornings, but these aren’t even available as an option.

You can specify a number of colour schemes that match exterior with interior and while maybe not for everyone’s they add a bit of life to the usually rather dull automotive palette on offer from many car makers. The build quality of the ORA appears good, although cheaper, hard plastics lurk at lower levels in the cabin. In general it’s a nice place to be and certainly doesn’t lack comfort for longer journeys.

keep kept activating and the emergency braking decided to apply itself when an oncoming car was waiting in a filter lane. The car behind me was not happy!

To be fair to the ORA there are still updates to be done so these tweaks will hopefully improve matters, and add the long overdue Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It’s an engaging car but at its price these niggles should have been dealt with long before the car came to market.

Although only minor issues, when added together they make a potentially good car rather irritating.

• Model: ORA Funky CAR First Edition

• Engine: 48 kwh battery – 171 PS

• Gears: Automatic

• Price: €36,807/£31,995

• Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 8.3 seconds/Maximum Speed 160 kph (99 mph).

• Range: 310 km/193 miles on single charge

• Charging: 100kw DC charger from 15% to 80% = 42 minutes/11kw AC charger from 15 to 80% = 3 hrs/6.6kw AC home charger from 15% to 80% = 5.5 hours

• Emissions: 0 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

The fuel war hots up

REPSOL recently announced it was launching an offer which lowered the price of fuel for its customers. On September 15, it was the turn of competitor Galp to tempt motorists with succulent discounts.

Since the government scrapped the 20 cents per litre fuel discount at the start of 2023, the oil companies have all been battling to attract new customers with a variety of special offers.

With fuel prices increasing for the 10th consecutive week, motorists cannot be blamed for being tempted by good offers.

As a result of this announcement, the Portuguese multinational Galp will be offering direct discounts to individuals, including a discount of 10 cents per litre on all regular fuels, as long as they are a user of the Mundo Galp loyalty programme.

GALP: Offering tempting discounts.

In addition, a 15­cent discount per litre will be added if premium­Evologic fuels are chosen.

However, the most interesting discount comes from the Mundo Galp application itself. The first refuelling as a loyalty member will generate a direct discount of up to 15 cents per litre on all petrol and diesel fuels.

Meanwhile, with the premium ­ Evologic fuels, the savings will be up to 20 cents.

To access these discounts, in addition to being registered in the application, motorists will have to enter the code MUEVETUCOCHE.

As a result, by following the Repsol initiative, if you also contract solar energy services with Galp, you obtain a discount of up to 35 cents per litre on regular fuels and 40 cents per litre on Premium ­ Evologic fuels. This scheme has a maximum refuelling limit of 2,000 litres per year.

entry ­ level model, but it comes as standard with smart cruise, auto dimming rear view mirror, electric front seats, wireless phone

Unfortunately, it does lack the range of some competitors, the 193 miles official figure would in reality be more like 160 miles in my view. The main issues though are the ridiculously over sensitive safety features, such lane keep and autonomous emergency braking.

No matter the road lane

some tweaks.

1/2 an ounce of fuel only is needed to start a car.

September sailing

ON Sunday, September 17, the second race day of the SAMM autumn season proceeded smoothly without any unexpected surprises. The initial race faced a delay due to insufficient wind, commencing at 12.00 with a mere 2.8 knots of breeze.

However, since none of the Balaton Sailfish were in competition, organisers decided to proceed. The race commenced impressively, with all five dinghies

REAL MURCIA travelled to the Estadio Iberoamericano de San Fernando in Cadiz on Sunday, September 24, to face San Fernando Club Deportivo Isleño. The final scoreline read 1 ­ 1, but the match was anything but ordinary.

Dani Aquino of San Fernando opened the scoring in the 25th minute and it appeared as though the hosts might secure a hard ­ fought victory, but Real Murcia had other plans. In a dramatic twist of fate, Iker Guarrotxena

crossing the line within 30 seconds. Despite the challenging conditions, all boats successfully completed four laps.

Moving on to the second race, a shift in wind direction prompted a course reversal. An error by the Race Officer caused a slightly chaotic start, necessitating a total recall. Within five minutes, the race resumed, and all dinghies crossed the line together. The wind strengthened to six

Title beckons

knots, leading to a classic race with four boats completing seven laps and one finishing six.

Despite the shifting winds, all participants enjoyed a satisfying day. After applying handicaps, the average lap times in seconds for the first race were Cuatro 509, Uno 530, Dos 541, Tres 565, and Laser Radial 572. In the second race, the results were Cuatro 367, Dos 384, Laser Radial 412, Tres 419, and Uno 439.

Late drama

stepped up in the 91st minute to slot home a penalty, rescuing a precious point for his team.

Real Murcia’s Uruguayan coach, Gustavo Munúa, shared his thoughts after the game, expressing a desire for more points despite the late equaliser.

He emphasised the need for composure and ambition, stating, “You can’t be calm with just four points, we thought about having more points. The game is coming.

“If we want to be a leading team in the category, we also have to know how to live these moments.”

PEDRO ACOSTA’s dominance in the Moto2 World Championship continued with a spectacular victory at the Indian Grand Prix, extending his lead over rival Tony Arbolino by 39 points. The race was marred by chaos, with accidents and a red flag that shortened it to 12 laps. Acosta’s lightning­fast rise to the front of the pack showcased his exceptional skills and composure, earning him his sixth win of the season. This victory edges the young driver from Mazarron closer to a historic Moto2 title before his anticipated move to MotoGP next season.

The race also witnessed dramatic incidents, including Arón Canet’s collision with Sam Lowes, Ai Ogura’s crash, and Jake Dixon’s disappointment despite starting from pole position. Sergio García narrowly missed his first Moto2 podium after a fierce battle with Joe Roberts. Acosta’s commanding lead in the championship marks a turning point, as he aims to stay focused and prepared for the challenges ahead on his path to glory.

Double overtime

IN an electrifying showdown at the Palacio de los Deportes de Granada, UCAM Murcia clinched a heart­pounding victory against Covirán Granada, marking an unforgettable debut in the 2023 ­ 24 season of the Endesa League.

With 6,947 spectators on the edge of their seats, the university students triumphed 101104 after enduring two gruelling overtimes, resulting in a contest that stretched beyond two and a half hours of realtime action.

Under the leadership of their coach, Sito Alonso, UCAM Murcia’s

revamped squad showcased their resilience and determination. Throughout the game, it seemed like their victory was all but assured, with control swinging their way at the end of regulation time and halfway through the first overtime.

However, Covirán Granada refused to back down, demonstrating unwavering belief in their chances.

In the end, UCAM Murcia emerged victorious, but not without suspense, suffering, and a true display of basketball skill, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

Image: Facebook/ Real Murcia CF SAD

DRAMATIC EQUALISER: Real Murcia salvages a point.

Image: SAMM/Terry Chapman

SETTING SAIL AGAINST THE WIND: SAMM autumn races.

PEDRO ACOSTA: The Moto2 maestro, speeds towards championship glory.