Axarquia 11 – 17 April 2024 Issue 2023

Rowing resilience

Catherine McGeer

LA CALA DEL MORAL

Rowing Club, situated in Rincon de la Victoria, is set to hold a special open day on Sunday, April 14 at 11am at Varadero de La Cala del Moral, dedicated to women who have battled breast cancer. The club, known for its efforts to combat the disease, invites survivors to join in the various activities they have organised.

Established in 2021, the

‘Vikingas Rosas’ (Pink Vikings) team comprises of breast cancer survivors who compete in rowing events under the Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) category. Beyond competitions, the team actively engages in outreach programmes across Andalucia, advocating for rowing’s therapeutic benefits in breast cancer recovery.

The ‘Vikingas Rosas’ achievements include clinching the BCS 2023 trophy

IN a quest to unearth the hidden treasures of Nerja, one family from a well-known social media account made up of three influencer families from Navarra, collectively amassing over 68,000 followers on Instagram under the alias ‘Se Me Cae la Casa Encima,’ (The house is falling on me) enjoyed an expedition through the town. Specialising in chronicling travels, accommodations, and experiences across Spain, these families are celebrated for their insightful content. One of these families graced Nerja’s shores, getting to know the stunning coastal town. Welcomed by Tourism councillor Ana María Muñoz at the local Tourist Offi -

and securing long-distance championship titles in Andalucia in 2022.

Supported by Unicaja bank and the Rincon de la Victoria Town Hall, the club continues its mission with the acquisition of a new boat for the BCS team and collaboration in constructing a gym. Their dedication highlights the power of sports in promoting physical and emotional well-being post-cancer.

Nerja uncovered

Nerja explored.

ce, they were warmly thanked for selecting Nerja as their destina-

‘We are looking for Warriors, do you want to be a Pink Viking?’ they asked on their social media pages. They added ‘If you are a breast cancer survivor come and try rowing for free and discover the benefits of outdoor sports.’

For more information about the event and what they are about call 0034 644 653 254 or email club deremolacaladelmoral@ gmail.com.

tion. This visit not only showcases Nerja’s attraction but also underscores the growing influence of social media in shaping travel preferences.

With their substantial online following, the influencers’ posts are anticipated to shed light on Nerja’s offerings, potentially sparking an increase in tourism and economic vitality within the area.

May Crosses

TORROX Town Hall, through its Department of Culture and Popular Traditions, has launched a call for entries for the May Crosses route competition. Participants can choose to create their displays in three styles: altar, flower, or Granada-style.

Mayor Óscar Medina and Councillor Salvador Escudero unveiled the event’s poster, announcing its scheduled dates from May 2 to May 4, covering various streets in the town. Last year saw over 10 crosses and altars displayed by different groups and associations, a number expected to increase this year.

Mayor Medina highlighted the event’s local significance, stating, “Few towns in the province of Malaga can boast May crosses set up in altars.” After the registration deadline, a route map will be provided for residents and visitors to explore. Participants can register at several locations including Torrox Town Hall’s Citizen Service (SAC), the Tourism Office in Torrox Costa, or El Morche’s Deputy Mayor’s Office, or online through the municipal website until

Empowering breast cancer survivors.

May Crosses in Torrox.

Image: Shutterstock/ Salvador Aznar

Image: Nerja Town Hall

Easter impact

Grace Meredith

DATA from the Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs of the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) reveals a decline in hotel occupancy in Axarquia and the Costa del Sol during March 2024, primarily attributed to the stormy weather during the Easter period. According to Aehcos, occupancy between March 22 and 31 stood at 71 per cent, dropping further to 69 per cent from March 27 to April 1.

Aehcos President José Luque expressed disappointment, stating that while the Easter period alleviated water scarcity in the province, it adversely affected hotel entrepreneurs, with only Benalmadena and Ronda surpassing 80 per cent occupancy.

Overall, March closed with a 75.10 per cent occupancy rate, marking a 2.53 per cent decrease from March 2023. Domestic tourism accounted for only 30 per cent, with international visitors making up the remaining 70 per cent.

Comares summit

COMARES, known as the ‘Balcony of Axarquia’, is set to host the first provincial meeting of hikers and mountaineers.

On April 14, 200 athletes will gather in the town to take the route from Fuente Gorda to Masmullar Mesa, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1931. The event, limited to 50 participants due to its location in a restricted area, promises to be a unique outdoor experience.

Despite this setback, the first quarter of 2024 saw positive growth compared to 2023, with January and February recording 58.23 per cent and 71.55 per cent occupancy respectively.

Andalucia experienced an 18 per cent increase in tourist spending during Easter, reaching €478 million.

José Miguel Ruiz, Comares’ Sports councillor, extended an invitation to nature enthusiasts to explore the cultural, scenic, and gastronomic richness of the area. The journey, starting at Puerta de Malaga, will cross through historical sites and stunning landscapes, covering over 10 kilometres with a manageable ascent.

Registration, priced at €10 for federated participants and €13 for non-fe-

derated, includes a t-shirt, paella, and a beverage. With expectations of over 200 participants from across the province, organisers anticipate a day filled with fun among Comares’ breathtaking natural scenery, offering additional activities like rock climbing and Spain’s longest natural zip line. Juan Antonio Blanca ‘Arfi,’ delegate of the Andalucian Federation of Mountain Sports, praised the initiative for promoting outdoor sports and showcasing Comares’ charm as a tourist destination.

Free transport

THE Rincon de la Victoria Town Council has announced an update to the free transportation service, Rinconbus, starting Monday,

April 15. This update, according to Mobility and Transport councillor Pablo Pardini, will be free and will primarily affect those under 18 and students aged 18 to 25. This marks the first update since the introduction of the free transport card in March

It’s important to note that the Rinconbus urban transport service is free in Rincon de la Victoria for minors under 18, students (aged 18 to 25), and seniors over 65. Therefore, it’s crucial for those turning 18 to reapply for activation as students aged 18 to 25 if they remain registered in the town and are pur -

Young people can apply for the card in person at the General Entry Registry of the Rincon de la Victoria Town Hall or online through the Electronic Headquarters, with the mandatory submission of the following documentation: ID of the cardholder, proof of enrolment in a public or private institution for official studies.

Weather dampens Easter tourism.

Image: Shutterstock/ MikeDotta

Image: Shutterstock/ Antonio Ciero Reina

Scaling new heights.

NIBS EXTRA

Book fair

VELEZ-MALAGA is hosting a book fair from April 18 to 28. This year the book fair will honour Maria Zambrano’s legacy, a writer from Velez-Malaga, on what would have been her 120th birthday.

Spring fest

ON April 20 the Almuñecar Town Hall is hosting the Fiesta de la Primavera Almuñecar 2024 (Spring Festival) in Parque El Majuelo at 12pm.

Flamenco show

AT the Casa de la Cultura Almuñecar on April 26 a flamenco show titled ‘La Serranilla’ at 7pm. Tickets are available from €15 at bravoentradas.es.

Spring fun

THE Frigiliana Town Hall has organised a Spring Festival on Saturday, April 13 from 6.30pm at the Parque de Andalucia. There will be activities, DJs, and much more.

Morcilla day

THE town hall of Canillas de Aceituno will host their annual Dia de la Morcilla (the Day of Spanish blood sausage). Thousands will gather as local butchers prepare this specialty free of charge. There will be beer and wine to accompany the sausage.

Join AAR

THE Axarquia Animal Rescue charity store in Torre del Mar is still looking for volunteers to help out for a couple of hours a week. For more information contact Liz on 657 293 663.

Senior celebration

THOUSANDS of Torrox residents are gearing up to enjoy a multitude of activities throughout the Month of the Elderly. Mayor Óscar Medina, alongside councillor Sandra Extremera, unveiled the town’s campaign themed ‘With Heart’.

Running until the end of May, Torrox’s town hall has arranged an array of events for the Month of the Elderly. Mayor Medina expressed the significance of the elderly, highlighting them as the cornerstone of society. He emphasised the substantial budget allocated to the Elderly Affairs department, vowing to further support this demographic.

Activities range from cultural outings to recreational events. Notable highlights include the inaugural Humour Gala, a Charity Gala benefiting the Olivares Foundation against childhood cancer, and a cultural excursion to Almuñecar catering to people with mobility issues.

Activities are diverse, including literary events, Nordic walks, and

Beach blaze

AROUND 50 kayaks and a wooden shed on Burriana Beach in Nerja were engulfed in ames. The cause of the re remains unknown for now.

An estimated 50 kayaks along with the wooden shed they were stored in were a ected by a re on April 7 at Burriana Beach in Nerja, as reported by the Provincial Fire Consortium of the Malaga Provincial Council. The incident took place in the early hours of April 7 around 12.30am. A team from the Provincial Fire Consortium of the Malaga Provincial Council responded to the scene, successfully extinguishing the re by approximately 2.30am, as con rmed by the consortium on their social media channels.

The exact cause of the re has not been determined yet, and authorities continue to investigate. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. Local beachgoers and businesses expressed their concern over the damage caused, highlighting the need for vigilance and safety measures along the coastline.

musical therapy workshops, all aimed at promoting the well-being of seniors. The month-long celebration finishes with a historical tour of Torrox’s old town, promising a fulfilling experience for all participants.

Safety boost

VELEZ-MALAGA Town Hall, through the Infrastructure Department, has revamped the area designated for the Feria Chica in Torre del Mar, swapping the traditional dusty sand for crushed asphalt milling. Spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Jesús Pérez Atencia and Infrastructure councillor Jesús María Claros, this initiative aims to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the spot while boosting safety for users, especially during events like the Torre del Mar Triathlon.

The renovated area, situated at the end of Torre del Mar’s promenade near the lighthouse, underwent a complete transformation. The project will reduce wind impact and enhance accessibility and road traffic safety. The use of recycled asphalt milling material will eliminate dust issues.

The work will increase parking spaces, and along with previous work near the National Police station, the area now offers parking for around 50 vehicles.

Portovelis market

THE upcoming Mercado Portovelis is set to transform the Historic Centre of Velez-Malaga into a vibrant hub of animation and entertainment.

Spearheaded by Velez-Malaga Town Council, in close collaboration with the Velez-Malaga Merchants and Entrepreneurs Association, this market promises success from its debut on Sunday, April 21.

O cials including Lour-

des Piña, responsible for Popular Traditions; Juan Fernández Olmo, overseeing the Historic Centre; and Beatriz Gálvez, in charge of Commerce, have unveiled details of the event.

The market will feature food, crafts, local products, and artistic creations across three locations: the San Francisco Market, Plaza de la Constitución, and Plaza del Carmen.

Beatriz Gálvez emphasised the event’s inclusivity, inviting participation from businesses, artists, artisans, and food producers. Prospective participants have until ve days before each event to apply. The opening hours will be from 10am until 5pm and everyone is encouraged to get involved. Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming market.

AXARQUIA villages are set to bene t from the establishment of the region’s rst Online Training School, thanks to an agreement between President Vicente Campos of the Sierras Tejeda and Almijara Natural Park Consortium, local mayors, and Matrícula 10 company.

President Campos stressed the importance of education in securing employment opportunities. With courses priced around €40 each, residents can access a wide range of professional development opportunities.

These courses aim to enhance skills, thereby increasing employment prospects and eligibility for job pools and civil service exams.

Those interested can register through o cial town websites and Matrícula 10’s social media platforms by April 19.

Torrox’s Month of the Elderly. Image:

Storm damage

IN a recent unfortunate turn of events, Sarja Microsanctuary, located in Competa, finds itself dealing with the aftermath of the recent storm.

The sanctuary, which houses over 50 rescued animals, including pigs, goats, and chickens, suffered significant damage as the external wall collapsed, crushing the carefully constructed fencing and causing flooding in various areas.

Raquel, Otto, and Marty, the dedicated caretakers of the sanctuary, have been tirelessly working to clear debris and make temporary repairs to ensure the safety of

the animals. Despite the extensive damage, the silver lining remains: no injuries were reported among the animals or staff.

However, the financial strain on the sanctuary is palpable.

Already operating on minimal funding, the unexpected costs of repairs pose a significant challenge.

In response, the sanctuary is reaching out to the community for support.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to raise funds for the necessary repairs, with additional appeals for monthly sponsorship and regular donations.

To contribute to the Sarja Microsanctuary’s recovery efforts or to become a monthly sponsor, please visit their Facebook page for more information and access to the GoFundMe link.

RESIDENTS along the shores of Rincon de la Victoria and Torre de Benagalbon have been treated to a mesmerising sight recently: the breaking waves transition from white to electric blue for fleeting moments. While this might seem like magic, it’s actually the work of Noctiluca scintillans, the same type of zooplankton responsible for the famous red and green tides on the coast. This curious manifestation,

however, comes with a cautionary note. According to Juan Antonio López, president of the Mediterranean Sea Aula del Mar Foundation (FAMM), such occurrences are often triggered by a ‘chemical imbalance caused by discharges that may not necessarily be toxic’. It’s simply a biochemical reaction, possibly exacerbated this time by rising sea temperatures.

But is it harmful? “By itself, it’s not toxic,” explains

ONCE again, Frigiliana steals the spotlight as it clinches its well-deserved spot among Spain’s most beautiful towns, this time recognised by ABC Andalucia. Nestled snugly in the province of Malaga, in eastern Axarquia, Frigiliana boasts a charm that’s as timeless as it is captivating.

Stroll through its narrow, winding streets that are overflowing with bursts of colourful blooms, and you’ll see why Frigiliana keeps winning hearts. But it’s not just about the pretty façade - it’s the town’s ‘soul’ that wins over the hearts of the visitors. The locals, with their

THE agricultural sector in Malaga Province is hopeful for some relief, especially in the Axarquia region, from the stringent irrigation measures imposed for the past year and a half.

According to a recent report by Ecologists in Action, the Viñuela reservoir has emerged from its status as a ‘dead reservoir,’ marking the only reservoir in the province in a better state than a year ago. Yet, agricultural spokespersons express

López, “but it can become so if it consumes other dinoflagellates or diatoms containing toxic elements.” Nevertheless, there’s no need for alarm as they eventually fade away and are recycled within the environment. This phenomenon, although common in Galician coasts and other parts of the world is not as common on the Mediterranean coast and so has drawn many onlookers hoping to capture this phenomenon.

friendly smiles and welcoming spirit, make you feel right at home.

Frigiliana’s Festival of Three Cultures is a true testament to its rich history and diversity, where Jewish, Muslim, and Christian influences converge in a celebration of unity making this beautiful whitewashed village even more interesting and unique. So, if you’re seeking a slice of authentic Andalucian charm, Frigiliana is the town for you.

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply in search of a relaxed rural retreat, this town promises an experience you won’t soon forget.

a continued reliance on rain, hoping for a repeat of the rainy episodes experienced over Easter.

Ecologistas en Acción continues to recommend caution, echoing sentiments from regional and local administrations across Malaga Province. They stress, ‘The hydrological situation in Andalucia is relieved but not solved.’

They emphasise the

need for prudent resource management, urging sustainability criteria to prevent an unsustainable increase in irrigated land.

Experts highlight a lack of comprehensive data on groundwater levels, emphasising the importance of these resources for agriculture.

While recent rains have replenished surface water reserves, groundwater levels remain a concern.

Image: Sarja Microsanctuary

Drought plan

RINCON DE LA VICTO-

RIA approved the Drought Emergency Plan aimed at ensuring the town’s supply of drinking water.

Sergio Díaz, councillor for Works and General Services explained that this is a regulatory document mandatory under the law, the National Hydrological Plan, which “adds to the actions we have been carrying out in the municipality to save and improve water consumption efficiency,” he stated.

“Awareness campaigns for the reasonable use of water are ongoing. We’re

also promoting the use of alternative water resources for non-potable uses and improving wells to supply the water network,” added Díaz.

Mayor Francisco Salado emphasised the severity of the drought situation, urging “efficient use of water, rational and efficient use, given the worrying scenario we are facing.”

He reiterated the town’s commitment to addressing the alarming situation and called for efforts from all residents to avoid misuse of drinking water.

In addition to detailing

measures for different scenarios, monthly demand distribution, and triggering actions, the plan establishes a drought monitoring committee.

For over two years, the Rincon de la Victoria Town Council has implemented measures to combat drought, including the recent initial approval of an ordinance for efficient water use. Restrictions on water use, such as watering gardens, filling private pools, and nightly water cuts from 11.00pm to 7.00am, remain in effect due to the town’s water deficit.

VELEZ-MALAGA has decided to bolster the lifeguard team with an unconventional addition: trained rescue dogs. Instead of solely relying on the skills and experience of conventional lifeguards, the team will now include specially trained dogs, equipped for aquatic rescue and lifesaving tasks.

This has been made possible through collaboration with the Canine Aquatic Rescue Association and the expertise of canine aquatic rescue professionals. These experts dedicate themselves to training dogs with specific skills tailored to handle any emergency that may arise in coastal waters.

From rescuing struggling swimmers to transporting floatation devices to critical points, these rescue dogs become a powerful force when it comes to saving lives at sea.

But their duties don’t end there. These dogs are also trained to use their keen sense of smell in search and rescue operations. In murky or low-vi-

Paws patrol

sibility waters, where human sight may be limited, the highly developed olfactory senses of rescue dogs enable them to detect missing people beneath the surface, streamlining search operations and increasing the likelihood of

successful rescues.

Identified with special vests distinguishing them as part of the rescue team, these canines will work hand in hand with human lifeguards, forming a cohesive and efficient team in emergencies.

Decisive action to tackle drought threat.

Image: Shutterstock/ Bits And Splits

IN an era in which smartphones seem to have become a natural extension of our hand, there is a restaurant in Italy that invites you to rediscover the pleasure of conversation at the table, free of all digital distraction.

This is Separè 1968, a restaurant and wine bar run by Niccolò D’Andrea on the seafront in Tuscany’s Marina di

Mobile-free dining

Cecina.

Here, couples who choose to dine without their mobile phones for a few hours are rewarded with a discount voucher, in a social experiment that aims to promote greater human connection.

The idea, for which D’Andrea admits he was inspired

by Scandinavian practices, invites diners to deposit their phones in a basket at the entrance, promising in return a €20 voucher valid for the next dinner.

This initiative, called ‘Let’s talk again’, was enthusiastically received by customers, many of whom thanked the owner for “reminding them what it means to enjoy a few hours like this”.

The initiative also addresses the dilemma of those who, while wanting to disconnect, feel compelled to remain reachable for emergencies, especially parents. D’Andrea proposes a simple but effective solution: leave the restaurant’s number as an emergency contact, thus ensuring peace of mind for customers without sacrificing the immersive dining experience.

Cooking a revolution

A COOKING school for Down’s Syndrome children has opened in a villa confiscated from the mafia.

D’Andrea says the absence of the mobile phone increases attention to the food, the flavours, the smells and, of course, to the person sitting opposite. In an increasingly connected world, sometimes disconnecting can be the greatest gift we can give ourselves.

Casa Mehari belonged to Camorra boss Nicola Imbriani but now the confiscated villa has be come a cooking school where children with Down’s Syndrome can as pire to become chefs. Be lieving in the ‘Cooking a Revolution’ project is Mi chelin-starred chef, Gen naro Esposito, who had gathered the support of other colleagues to put together the neces sary funds for the purchase of a profes sional kit chen.

The villa is in Na ples, in the south of Italy where chef Gen naro has his own res taurant, the Torre del Saracino in Vico Equen se near Sorrento. “I am

sure that this learning opportunity proposed for the children will be well received. Kitchens are places of inclusion where teamwork and mutual respect win out,” Gennaro told Ansa.

“A professional kitchen for young people has always been one of our dreams and today we have finally realised this goal,” said Maria Trapanese, of ‘La Bottega dei Semplici Pensieri’, a non-profit association set up by family members of people with Down’s Syn-

The inauguration of the cooking school was held on Wednesday April 3 and Gennaro told those present that, “the kitchen is a magical place. A magic that, judging by the smiles and a few tears that escaped the boys at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, has already taken up residence in this place ready to christen the first chef trained at Casa Mehari.”

Michelin chef Gennaro Esposito.

Photo: Facebook / Gennaro Esposito

Welcome to Hell

IN Norway, there’s a quaint village named Hell with just over 1,000 residents.

It’s pretty special because it’s close to Trondheim’s international airport and has its own train station, which adds to its charm.

Naturally enough, English-speaking tourists show considerable interest in the place and the name Hell.

Most head for the major landmark, the Hell

railway station, where people are photographed under the famous sign ‘Hell Station - God Expedition’.

Although the station is now closed, most trains stop here (on signal).

But there’s more to this village than just its name.

If you take a short walk from the station along a marked trail through the forest, you will find ancient rock carvings of reindeer, thought to be about 5,000 years old.

These carvings give

us a peek into the area’s long history and cultural heritage.

Besides its historical significance, Hell has modern stuff too.

There’s a hotel and a small shopping centre for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Despite its quirky name, Hell is a beautiful and interesting place, blending old treasures with modern comforts.

It’s a memorable stop for anyone exploring the region.

George Cunningham

Discovering Hell.

Image: Visit Norway.

Anna Ellis

IN the realm of animal tales, one story stands out: the remarkable journey of Nils Olav, a penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.

While it’s true Norway didn’t knight a penguin, the Norwegian King’s Guard did bestow upon him a series of honorary military titles.

Nils Olav’s story began in the early 1960s at the Edinburgh Zoo, where he lived among his penguin pals.

His life changed when a Norwegian regiment visited the zoo in 1961.

The soldiers took a liking to Nils Olav, sparking a special connection.

In 1972, during another visit, the Norwegian King’s Guard named Nils Olav as their official mascot.

This marked the start of his unique military career.

Over the years, Nils Olav rose through the ranks within the Norwe -

Sir Penguin

INTERVIEW

gian King’s Guard.

He received promotions during their visits, with ceremonies attended by royal family members and dignitaries. In 1987, he became a Corporal, and in 2001, a Sergeant.

A highlight came in 2008 when the Norwegian King’s Guard knighted Nils Olav in a grand ceremony witnessed by thousands.

He became Sir Nils Olav, Knight of the Norwegian King’s Guard, solidifying his status as a symbol of friendship between Norway and Scotland.

Nils Olav’s knighthood was just the beginning and he has continued to receive honours.

In 2023, Nila was promoted to Major General in the presence of 120 guardsmen.

Kate’s cookery course

On a quest to improve her kitchen skills, Winslet joined a class at the well-known culinary school managed by famed Irish chef Rachel Allen, earlier in April.

Nestled in the lush landscapes of County Cork, the school is known for its comprehensive cooking courses.

Local media said the actress was seen in

Spain is now home

Simone Elster, originally from Germany, was pursuing her studies in hospitality management when she made the decision to relocate to La Marina, where her parents were operating a restaurant.

the company of Rachel Allen and her husband, Isaac, exploring the picturesque locales of Cork.

She reportedly stayed at the prestigious Ballymaloe House and visited the scenic Ballyshane Coastal Retreats with a friend. Engaging in a short but intensive two-and-a-half-day cooking course, Winslet is among the celebrities drawn to Cork’s vibrant culture and culinary prestige.

VIEWING it as an opportunity for an international experience and career advancement, she embraced the move. However, upon arri ving in Spain, she quickly found herself falling in love with the country and its lifestyle. Twenty-five years later, Simone remains happily settled in Spain, with no intentions of returning to Ger many.

mily and certain cultural elements like lush green landscapes and traditional sausages, Simone expresses a deep affection for her adopted home. She highlights Spain’s warm, open minded and friendly people, the sunny climate, picturesque palm trees, delicious cuisine, and relaxed lifestyle as reasons why she considers it home.

This particular week, Rachel Allen is leading a fully booked course titled ‘Cooking for Family and Friends’, which spans three day and costs €865. It highlights the diverse interest in culinary arts, even among the glitterati.

Her life took a significant turn with the arrival of her two sons, prompting her to prioritise family over her demanding career in hospitality. Transitioning to a new role at Falken Tours, she has spent the past 13 years spreading joy to others.

Although she admits to missing aspects of Germany, such as her fa-

Reflecting on her early days in Spain, Simone recalls the initial challenges she faced, but also the immense support she received from the local community. Through dedication and immersion, she quickly mastered the Spanish language, describing it as “beautiful” and expressing her love for its elegance.

Kate Winslet’s visit resonates deeply with her iconic role in Titanic. Cobh, just a short drive from Ballyshane, holds a significant place in Titanic’s history, as it was the final port of call before the ship embarked on its ill-fated maiden voyage across the Atlantic. With its rich cultural tapestry, Cork continues to enchant individuals from all walks of life, including those from the glitz of Hollywood.

Simone Elster.

KATE WINSLET: Improving her kitchen skills.

Credit: GabboT/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

SIR NILS OLAV: Now Major General.

Image: Edinburgh Zoo

Gets better every day

WENT to a very nice restaurant the other day - I can’t name it because I’m about to rip into them. I booked a table and when we arrived we were told we only had the table for two hours as it was booked again later. What’s that all about? I was told by the friends we were with that two sittings is quite common now - is it? Not in my world it isn’t. There were six of us and four are good drinkers - me and the Mrs not drinkers at all.

One of the wonderful things about living in Spain has always been the leisurely lunches and dinners especially when tapas are involved but now we are on the hurry up. I told the restaurant the only way I would be leaving in two hours is if I had finished and suggested they change this new rule if they ever wanted me back there again. By the way I’ve been going to this place for years. I don’t see how this can work or why punters would stand for it. Oh and there was entertainment there too and according to their new rules we would have to leave

before the entertainment had finished. We didn’t leave in two hours and actually if I had finished I wouldn’t have gone on principle and I won’t be going back till they decide it’s a dumb ass thing to do!

Have you noticed now on Facebook and Instagram all the videos that pop up are part one and you can’t find part two anywhere? One was titled ‘Imagine a busker playing an Eric Clapton song and suddenly Eric walks past’. Well no I can’t because although the busker is playing the song Eric never turns up!! I’m not playing that game anymore. As soon as I see ‘part one’ or stars turning up to listen to their song, I’m gone. Shove your click baiting right where the sun don’t shine.

Looking at some old photos the other day made me realise with all the great cameras we have on our phones we don’t get the old red eye pics. Used to ruin so many photos - bit of positive stuff there folks.

I was reading about the cost of sending all the asylum seekers to Rwanda and realise that, as it stands at the moment, there has been more UK Home Secretaries sent there than asylum seekers. Just gets better every day.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

Killing the Bear

John Smith GOING back to Roman times, pagan festivals celebrated the New Year and this still carries on across Europe with Silio’s Vijanera being Spain’s most famous version.

Soon after Franco gained control of the country, bowing to complaints from the Catholic Church, the many Vijaneras which took place across northern Spain were banned.

It wasn’t until 1981 that a group of residents of the town of Silio (a suburb of Moledo in Cantabria) decided that the time had come to resurrect the festival although in that first year, it took place in the summer.

From 1982 onwards it returned to the turn of the year and is celebrated on the first Sunday of January each year when at 6am youngsters go through the town ringing bells and shout out that this is a special day.

As there were still a number of people alive who

remembered the Vijanera prior to its banning, it was relatively easy for the new version to follow the traditions of the past.

Around 150 mainly male locals dress up in 80 different costumes representing animals, wood sprites (Trapajones) men, women, hun-

ters (Los Zarramaco) and many more.

The Zarramaco are dressed in sheepskins with large cowbells and it is their duty to hunt the Bear which represents evil and once it is killed so the New Year may be welcomed in with the promise of a fresh start.

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

Some of the 80 different characters.

Credit: Vijanera Facebook

The Bear captured by the Zarramacos. Credit: Vijanera Facebook

IRELAND

Richest Irish

ONLY one Irish billionaire did not maintain or increase his wealth in 2023, Forbes’ annual billionaires list revealed. Construction tycoon Shapoor Mistry headed the list with $9.9 billion (€9.1 billion) but the fortune of John Armitage, who is the co-founder of Egerton Capital, fell to $1.5 billion (€1.38 billion).

Lost weekend

AN inspector from the Roads Policing Unit told the RTE broadcaster that an “alarmingly high” number of people were arrested over the Easter weekend while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and sometimes both.

This was confirmed by the Garda’s Roads Unit who arrested 140 for “driving while intoxicated.”

NORWAY

Threat defused

THE Police Security Service (PST), working with Oslo police, traced a person who made one of the two bomb threats that the Norwegian parliament received on April 3, the PST told state broadcaster NRK.

A spokesman from the PST declined to confirm if the same person was responsible for making both the threats.

Golden eggs

SUPERMARKETS expressed their “frustration” at the continuing shortage of eggs over Easter although Nortura, the egg industry regulator, explained that production numbers were no different from Easter 2023.

“The recent focus on eggs has probably led to a lot of hoarding,” a Nortura spokesperson suggested.

EURO PRESS

Strait talking

A BRIDGE over the Strait of Messina connecting Sicily with the mainland is a step nearer after a compulsory purchase order for the necessary land was published in local and national newspapers. The notice follows approval six weeks ago by the board of state-owned Stretto de Mesina which will build the bridge.

MESSINA: Soon to be linked to the mainland by bridge, not ferry.

SWEDEN

Bike it

STATISTICS SWEDEN found that nearly a third of Sweden’s working population lived 15 minutes by bike from their workplace although most used other forms of transport.

Municipalities with populations below 100,000 were more likely to have a cycling commute of less than 15 minutes, the survey found.

April snow

HEAVY snow around the Gothenburg area on April 2 was responsible for such long tailbacks on the E20 motorway and National Road 26 that police declared a major incident. With traffic held up for hours on some stretches, they recommended that motorists avoided both roads until conditions improved.

PORTUGAL BELGIUM

Mystery cargo

AFTER years spent analysing the remains of crockery and cutlery washed ashore in 2014 at Belinho beach, near Porto, experts dismissed original theories that they came from a wrecked Iberian vessel. They believe they were the cargo of a prosperous 16th century merchant who would have sold them for use aboard ship.

Worth its salt

THE future Albufeira desalination plant has received a favourable preliminary assessment on its environmental impact although another will be required at a later stage.

Despite the need for a reliable water supply, not all locals support the project, owing to its heavy carbon footprint and effect on seawater salt levels.

DENMARK GERMANY

Jet sale

ARGENTINA will buy the 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft which Denmark is replacing with F-35 jets, Defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced. “The sale was carried out in close collaboration with the US government, who has approved the sale of the American aircraft,” the Defence Ministry said.

Long journey

THE message in a bottle that five-yearold Harry Liddle threw into the sea in Sunderland on August 28, 2023, was found on March 6 by Frederik Bilgrav Schramm, from Romo who contacted the Liddles on Messenger.

Harry, who imagined the bottle would be found on the Sunderland beach was “super-excited”, his mother said.

NETHERLANDS ITALY

Stoked up

SEVEN coal-fired power stations were closed down in late March, energy companies RWE and LEAG announced.

Two were already operating after their planned shutdown but five more were started up last winter to compensate for a shortfall in gas supplies as Germany reduced its dependence on Russian supplies.

Trunk call

BOTSWANA’S president Mokgweetsi Masisi considered sending 20,000 elephants to Germany after the Environment ministry proposed limiting imports of hunting trophies to prevent poaching.

Botswana has an elephant population of 130,000, the President said, and hunting kept them in check while protecting crops and property.

FRANCE

Orca loss

INOUK, a 25-year-old orca who spent his life in captivity, died at Marineland in Antibes, the second orca to die there in six months.

The cause of Inouk’s death has not yet been established, but he had severe dental problems and mouth ulcers after wearing down his teeth by constantly gnawing the sides of his concrete tank.

Ethical chocs

CONCERNS about child labour and underpaid cocoa-bean farmers in Africa are growing in chocolate-loving France where each person gets through seven kilos a year. Members of the Committed Chocolatiers Club announced that they will promote a “greener and more ethical” process that pays producers more fairly.

FINLAND

Sky-high

AMPERE (population 226,696) will have the world’s tallest cable car system linking an 88-metre-high hotel in the city centre to the Nasinneula observation tower 1.5 kilometres away.

Originally planned as a ski-lift over Mustanlahti Bay, the project has evolved into what developers say will become a Tampere landmark.

No change

FINLAND’S eastern border with Russia, closed since December following an influx of undocumented asylum-seekers, will not reopen when the current schedule expires on April 14.

The government will also announce its decision on international protection applications, resulting in possibly just one entry point.

Steady rises

BELGIUM’S minimum wage rose to a pretax €2,029.88 per month on April 1 after a €76.28 hike in April 2022 that was followed by a €35.70 rise on April 1, 2024, with another planned for April 2026. The increases will benefit 80,000 employees nationwide, according to figures released by the ACV union.

In bloom

THE Halle Bluebell Festival begins on April 13 but the first blooms were in flower a week earlier in the Halle woods not far from Brussels, days before crowds would flock to see them.

As usual, Halle City Hall will be putting on a free shuttle bus service to the woods each weekend until the end of the month.

Go easy

DEBT collection agencies must now respect more stringent rules, which include a new law that bans them from exerting pressure on debtors and obliges them to register with the authorities.

Existing agencies were given a year to sign up but new companies must do so immediately, the Justice and Safety department said.

Call-up

APPROXIMATELY 200,000 young people who are 17 or about to celebrate their 17th birthday are currently receiving conscription papers.

Although they will not have to complete military training, all Dutch citizens between the ages of 17 and 45 must be prepared to be called up “in exceptional circumstances.”

Photo credit: CC/Oursane

Catherine McGeer

Takes Torrox by Storm Margaret Riordan

MARGARET RIORDAN, a self-taught artist hailing from Bristol, has been making a significant mark in the art world from Somerset to Torrox, where she splits her time and has done so for nearly 25 years. Having retired from a career in secretarial and administrative roles, Riordan found her passion in painting and has since sold over 500 pieces of her work across the

UK, Europe, and beyond. Riordan’s art is versatile, spanning various subjects from people and animals to landscapes and much more. Her preferred mediums include oil, acrylic, watercolour, and pen and ink sketches, showcasing her proficiency in diverse artistic techniques.

The artist’s exhibition at JEM’s café in Torrox, which began on April 9 displays her finest works for a six-

Image: Shutterstock/ Standret

Magic Festival

PREPARE to be spellbound! Velez-Malaga is set to host its inaugural magic extravaganza, ‘VelezMágica’, on April 13 and 14. This enchanting event, unveiled by Popular Traditions councillor Lourdes Piña, promises to captivate audiences of all ages with two mesmerising shows at Teatro del Carmen and a street performance on Calle Canalejas.

The magic-themed weekend kicks off on Saturday, April 13, with a special treat for youngsters at Teatro del Carmen. Magician Fran Qué, a two-time Spanish Magic Champion, alongside performers Javi Cruz and Anahí, will dazzle the audience with mind-bending tricks and illusions during the children’s matinee at noon. Later that evening at 8.30pm, families can enjoy another spectacular gala featuring magicians Manolo Costa, Mindanguillo, Javi Cruz, and Anahí, promising an evening of wonder and entertainment.

Sunday’s finale takes magic to the streets of Canalejas at noon, inviting families to experience the enchantment in an open-air setting. Magicians Javi Cruz and Luigi, both double Spanish Magic Champions, will amaze audiences with their street magic skills.

Don’t miss this magical weekend in Velez-Malaga! Tickets for the show at the Teatro del Carmen are priced at €10.

week period, excluding Mondays.

Additionally, Riordan’s art currently adorns the walls of La Casa Hotel and Restaurant in Torrox Pueblo in an additional exhibit, open daily from 9am until 1.30pm and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

Riordan’s admiration for fellow artist Jack Vettriano is evident, as she pays homage to him by reproducing some of his renowned pieces, with

Fitzgeralds).

Poppy Appeal

THE Royal British Legion Nerja Branch is gearing up for a festive celebration this St George’s Day on Saturday, April 20, at 2pm.

The event promises an enjoyable afternoon filled with games, food, and drinks at the Marazul Hostal, Avenida Mediterraneo 2 in Nerja (The New

Curry

GET ready to spice up your life and support a great cause at the same time! The ‘Todo Ayuda Project’ invites you to indulge in a flavourful evening of curry and entertainment on Wednesday, April 24, at La Carpinteria Bar. This event isn’t just about savouring delicious curry; it’s about coming together as a community to help our furry companions in need. As the saying goes, just like a well-made

his explicit permission. One such masterpiece, ‘Dance Me to the End of Love,’ will be showcased at JEM’s café alongside Riordan’s original creations.

For those eager to witness Riordan’s talent firsthand, her exhibitions offer a delightful opportunity to experience the world through her eyes, where every stroke of the brush tells a story of passion and creativity.

Dorothy Allen, the Poppy Appeal Organiser, extends a warm invitation to all, emphasising that the occasion aims not only to mark the spirit of St George’s Day but also to raise funds for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Attendees can look forward to a fun-filled time with activities like tombola stalls, where all donations and

gifts will be gratefully received. Every penny raised during the event will contribute to the noble cause of supporting veterans and their families through the Poppy Appeal.

For inquiries and further information, contact Dorothy Allen on 643 212 944 . Let’s come together to celebrate, support, and honor veterans this St George’s Day!

curry, our community thrives on its blend of kind hearts. Tickets for the event are priced at €20 per person and can be purchased online at https:// fienta.com/curry-for-a-cause or in person at Todo Express. Every ticket sold brings us closer to supporting local animal welfare charities in the Axarquia region.

Image: Shutterstock/ nelea33

Night

With live entertainment by Eliza Handley, this promises to be an evening filled with warmth, laughter, and goodwill. Remember, 100 per cent of the profits will go directly to the Todo Ayuda Project, ensuring that every penny you spend goes towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of our four-legged friends. So mark your calendars and enjoy a night of curry and compassion.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Shelling out

BRITISH taxpayers will have to cover part of the expense of dismantling some of Shell’s most polluting North Sea platforms. The Ospar Convention governing marine pollution ruled that waste should be removed from the oil rigs and both the UK Treasury and Shell must pay the £400 million (€467.2 million) cost between them.

Broken toys

IMAGINARIUM, which in 2021 closed most of its toy shops in Spain, announced on Facebook that it was closing its last store in Zaragoza, leaving 101 redundant employees without compensation. The sale of shares to investors in Costa Rica could not revitalise the chain and the company went into receivership in 2022.

Chelsea pad

SHEIKH Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ), the United Arab Emirates president, has paid £65 million (€75.9 million) for a mansion in exclusive Chelsea, Bloomberg revealed. Located on the site of a former telephone exchange, the transaction is one of the biggest home purchases in London since the pandemic.

Grifols mission

NACHO ABIA, a former executive with Japanese firm Olympus and a Grifols board member since February 2024, took over as chief executive of the Barcelona-based pharmaceuticals company on April 1. His initial objectives involve demonstrating greater transparency and reducing Grifols’ €9.420 billion debt.

Family affair

DAVID AL-MUDALLAL, Frasers Group’s 31-year-old chief operating officer, was promoted to its board, making him one of the youngest directors of an FTSEs 100 company. He is also dating Matilda Ashley, whose father founded the £3.6 billion (€4.2 billion) company and is a majority shareholder.

€15 billion STAT OF WEEK

in dividends is due to be paid out by 12 leading Spanish companies between April and June, with CaixaBank, Inditex and BBVA all paying more than in 2023.

Can Royal Mail deliver

ROYAL MAIL owner Distribution Services (IDS) wants regulator Ofcom to allow it to reduce second-class deliveries to two or three days a week.

That would mean cutting almost 1,000 jobs while saving an annual £300 million (€350.4 million, IDS said.

Ofcom calculated that delivering the existing universal service obligation (USO) costs between £325 million (€379.5 million) and £675 million (€788.2 million) a year. Reducing the number of delivery days could cut costs by up to £650 (€759 million), it predicted.

The Royal Mail sugges-

tion followed consultations with Ofcom on restructuring regulations in light of the declining volume of letters now sent, although IDS emphasised its commitment to continue delivering first-class letters from Monday to Saturday.

This pledge was received with relief by wee-

NATURGY shares have lost a quarter of t eir worth this year, giving the company a stock market value of €20 billion.

Nevertheless, Naturgy shareholders voted in favour of all proposals at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 2 although some smaller investors were dissatisfied.

“I bought at €25 and now the shares are worth €20. Their price is lower than Endesa, Iberdrola or Repsol’s,” one pointed out during the AGM.

Naturgy is Spain’s leading natural gas company and second-largest electricity supplier however its sha-

kend magazine publishers as well as greetings card manufacturers and small businesses who rely on Saturday deliveries in time for celebrations like Easter and Mother’s Day that fall on a Sunday.

Ofcom suggested a series of options for solving Royal Mail’s problems

which included reducing the service from six to five or, possibly, three days a week. Some plans would have involved changing regulations but IDS said its own scheme would not entail legislative changes and called on Ofcom to “take swift action” and introduce reforms by April 2025.

Together with its ”alternate day” plan, IDS said that first-class letters could be delivered via the Royal Mail vans that are used for parcels, while business mail including utility company bills, would become second-class mail delivered within three weekdays instead of two.

Highs and lows

Nice little earner No trains today

ALSTOM’s Litchurch Lane plant in Derby, the UK’s largest rolling stock factory, is making plans to lay off hundreds of workers.

Its final production run has been completed and with no further government orders on the horizon, the management is launching a voluntary redundancy programme.

So far, however, Alstom has not mentioned closing the Derby site although this could be ‘inevitable’ unless more orders materialise to cover the two empty years that the France-based company must fill until it starts building the HS2 trains.

SPAIN’S First and Second Division football clubs earned €4.349 billion during the 2022-2023 season. This was 11 per cent more than the previous season, which was 6.4 per cent up on 2020-2019, a survey by DBK Sectors Analysis found.

Excluding players’ transfers, last season’s income of €3.985 million was 8.7 per cent more than in 2021-2022, with €3.644 billion from the First Division and €341 million from the Second.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona accounted for 41.4 per cent of the revenue between them, four percentage points more than during the 2021-2022 season.

Real Madrid’s €843 million – 21.1 per cent of the total - not only outstripped other Spanish clubs last season but all European clubs, including Manchester City. Barça contributed 20.2 per cent of the total with €806 million.

res began dropping in late 2023 but exclusion from the influential Morgan Stanley Capital International indexes (MSCI) in February this year was the biggest blow.

The MSCI moves multibillions in worldwide investments and Naturgy shares have fallen by 14 per cent since then.

Despite Naturgy’s lower share capital, the company made a €1.2 billion profit in 2021, €1.65 billion in 2022 and €1.98 billion in 2023.

REVOLUTION BARS shares were suspended on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) as the company tried to raise cash.

The chain, which runs more than 50 bars and clubs as well as 20 pubs across Britain, could close up to 25 per cent of its venues to prevent its collapse.

Revolution Bars lost £22.2 million (€25.9 million) in the year ending June 30, 2023, and its shares have dipped by nearly 70 per cent over the last six months.

Increased energy costs, the cost-ofliving crisis and Generation Z’s lack of interest in alcohol were responsible for the company’s problems, insiders said.

MERGED Orange and MasMovil, now called MasOrange, hosted a meeting for 3,000 employees at the WiZink Centre in Madrid on April 2.

Another 2,000 staff members attended online as chief executive Meinrad Spender and chief financial officer Ludovic Pech outlined the new company’s future plans which include making a combined profit of €490 million within four years.

MasMovil would move from Madrid’s Alcobendas to the Orange headquarters in Pozuelo’s Finca business estate.

Spenger stressed there were no plans for compulsory redundancies but the new telecommunications company might be offering early retirement and voluntary redundancy options.

First appearance Blown away

MORE than £16 billion (€18.7 billion) could be squandered this decade because Scotland produces more wind power than it can send south.

Owing to regulatory and planning delays, there is insufficient infrastructure to transmit the renewable energy from Scotland, where most is produced, to England, where it is needed. Windfarms are currently paid to switch off their turbines while gas-fired power stations in the south have to be paid extra to produce more electricity. This cost more than £700 million (€817.3 million) in 2023 alone, the Carbon Tracker thinktank said.

Sevilla in Saudi Revolution revelations

AYESA recently won a €95 million contract to design 190 water distribution and wastewater treatment plants in Saudi Arabia.

The company’s Saudi deal with the National Water Company (NWC) will incorporate ‘innovative and sustainable technologies’ for water treatment, as well as measures to reduce energy consumption.

The agreement with the Sevilla-based company is part of NWC’s commitment to spend approximately €200 billion on providing safe drinking water and effective sanitation for the entire country by 2030, explained Jose Ramon Delgado, Ayesa’s manager for Saudi Arabia.

Photo credit: CC/Naturgy Energy Group

Photo credit: CC/Kolforn

ROYAL MAIL: First-class letters could be delivered with parcels.

FRANCISCO REYNES: Naturgy chief executive announced increased profits

Fare play

SPAIN’S National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) is analysing the track access charges that train operators Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo pay state-owned infrastructure-providers

Adif and Adif AV. These charges are amongst the highest in Europe after France and the UK.

Double trouble

EVERTON FC lost £89.m (€103.9m) during the 2022-2023 season, almost double the £44.7m (€52.1m) losses of 2021-2022), which the club attributed to the suspension of sponsorship deals. The club’smajorityshareholder

Farhad Moshiri said he “remained confident” the takeover by Miami-based investment company 777 Partners would soon be completed.

On track for Egypt

BRITISH STEEL has won a contract to supply railway tracks for Egypt, the company announced.

The deal involves producing approximately 9,500 tons of rails at British Steel’s Scunthorpe works for the Green Line railway linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

The route will be Egypt’s first fully-electrified mainline and freight network, with trains capable of reaching 250 kilometres per hour.

“We are delighted that British Steel will be involved in such a transforma-

tional project for Egypt,” the company’s Commercial manager Jerome Bonif said.

Dorna Sports takeover

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION, which owns Formula One motor racing, now controls MotoGP after acquiring 86 per cent of Dorna Sports.

Liberty Media Corporation’s president and chief executive Greg Maffei confirmed motorsport’s most important corporate transaction for many years in a €4.2 billion deal on April 1. The remaining 14 per cent stake remains in the hands of Madrid-based

Dorna Sports’ management.

The deal, due to be officially concluded in late 2024, also includes exclusive rights to Moto2 and Moto3 races as well as the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship for electric bikes.

Carmelo Ezpeleta remains as Dorna’s chief executive and continues at the head of the company, which will maintain its headquarters in Madrid.

Without disclosing the sums involved, he revealed that supplying rails for the 660-kilometre network would involve “multimillions.”

The April 2 announcement followed February 2024’s protests over future job cuts in Scunthorpe if blast furnaces were closed and replaced with an environmentally-acceptable electric arc furnace in line with British Steel’s objectives of creating ‘a green and sustainable company’.

These plans would put up to 2,000 people out of work, the unions warned.

Meanwhile, owners China’s Jingye Group maintained earlier that it had invested £330 million (€385.3 million) in steelmaking in the UK.

The first shipment of track will be sent from Britain to Alexandria in North Egypt in April with a further delivery scheduled for June.

Office jobs

BIG FOUR accountant

Deloitte is renting three floors of a Farringdon block near its New Street Square headquarters, two years after reducing its London office space by 250,000 square feet (23,226 square metres). This helped to reduce overheads during the pandemic as employees worked from home, although more are beginning to return to the office for team projects.

Flight plan

CONSTRUCTION starts in two years’ time on what will be one of the biggest plants in Europe for generating renewable kerosene (SAF) from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Once in full production, the €780 million site in Garay (Soria) is expected to produce an annual 60,000 tons of kerosene, enough for 12,000 flights between Madrid and Palma de Mallorca.

Photo credit: CC/Geograph Britain and Ireland

SCUNTHORPE WORKS: British Steel plans blast furnace closures.

It’s all a charade

‘POLITICIANS come and go but governments go on forever’. Didn’t this quote hit the nail squarely on the appendage? As I have observed in this blurb on a number of occasions, the whole political masquerade is merely an illusion. Because we freely elect our politicians, we are under the almost laughable impression that we also in some way control our own future.

Ha! Pure naïve bunkham. We are all players in a subversive system implemented by the shadowy billionaires that are our true masters. A preconceived plan to keep us all happy and firmly convinced that our democracy and ‘freedom’ are so important to us they are ultimately worth dying for. The truth is the more chaotic and precarious our societies become, the more the money manipulators like it. Keeps us all nicely occupied ya see.

I was recently speaking to a member of the Home Office and asked him if a newly elected government made

any difference to the workings of his department. With a barely detectable smirk he told me that, apart from a few small ‘irritations’ at the outset nothing changes at all, the department simply carries on just as before. In fact, he went on to say that many new politicians are so inexperienced, they actually ask the department to advise them on what procedures they should follow. This is precisely what happens with the world’s faceless financiers; they simply carry on business as usual, irrespective of governments or politicians. And they all cover each other’s backs.

Remember that Khashoggi, embassy murder affair a few years back?

Did you honestly think the King of Saudi Arabia, (Family worth an estimated $2.4 trillion!) would have his position threatened in any way by the actions of these assassins; even though, in my opinion, he almost certainly instigated the whole unsavoury affair himself? Why not? Because he’s in league with the true rulers of the planet - as any leader of that oil-soaked country of corruption will always be. Murder means nothing to them.

These people are a law unto themselves, an elite ‘club’ of secrecy and subterfuge who don’t care what government or dictator happens to be in power, just as long as they don’t threaten their own exalted positions.

Among the many disruptions to society these faceless few revel in war, it’s a wonderful source of income and keeps the participants thoroughly occupied and out of their hair. They are no doubt also revelling in all the Mideast war and unrest, which is also keeping enormous numbers of the peasants extremely busy.

It’s all a charade and they the all-powerful puppet masters. Their aim is to make us fear life itself. They want us to hate ‘the other’. They love confusion. They want us to practise aggression. They seek to divide us all. With division comes chaos and chaos is their greatest ally. And there ain’t a darn thing either you or I can do about it.

On a lighter note ra tah! I see the pests of summer are already arriving. Flies, mosquitos, tics, cyclists, etc!

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

Feathered fiasco

A BIRD caused disruption at Brighton train station on April 2 by wandering onto the tracks during rush hour.

Thameslink had to shut down three platforms around 7.00pm to safely remove the bird, which was identified as a herring gull.

This affected services such as the Brighton to London route and the Gatwick Express, causing delays until around 8.20pm.

Thameslink advised passengers to leave 20 minutes earlier for their journeys and to check for updates on departures.

Some passengers joked about the situation being an April Fool’s prank or questioned if herring gulls are truly endangered.

One traveller expressed frustration over cancellations and feeling stranded in bad weather.

Thameslink later apologised for the inconvenience and reassured passengers that the bird was removed safely, even sharing a picture of the young gull.

Despite being common in coastal areas, herring gulls have been on a conservation watchlist since 2009 due to declining populations.

This status indicates increasing concern for their conservation, as determined by leading bird conservation organisations in the UK.

A Brush with history

IN an attempt to smarten up his church for Holy Week, a local priest on Tenerife, Héctor Lunar, unintentionally whitewashed listed 300-year-old frescoes at St Anthony of Padua Church in El Tanque. The blunder sparked outrage among locals, leading to an investigation by the Canary Islands’ government.

Lunar, once threatened in Venezuela for criticising the regime, claimed ignorance of the frescoes’ protected status.

The 16th-century church, rebuilt after a volcanic eruption in 1706, held the hidden gems under protective paint.

Lunar admitted that he had no idea what was on the walls he ordered to be stripped and repainted, and that the church’s heritage status meant he should have first consulted the Canary Islands’ government.

Local and regional heritage experts are examining the walls to see if the frescoes can be salvaged. Meanwhile, his apology was accepted by the local religious bro -

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.

therhood that had called for him to be replaced as parish priest.

In this island drama, with tensions as hot as Tenerife’s volcanic past, only time will tell if Lunar’s blunder will fade into history or leave a lasting mark on El Tanque’s cultural legacy. Indeed, the priest’s inadvertent brushstroke serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us all to tread carefully when painting over history.

Meanwhile, locals jest, “Only in Tenerife could a priest’s brush be mightier than his sermon!”

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Couple across the Street’ (www.no ra-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

Image: Thameslink

Eco chic nails

ACHIEVING strong, resilient nails doesn’t always require harsh chemicals or artificial treatments.

Embracing organic methods can promote nail health while minimising exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.

Start by nourishing your nails from the inside out with a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like biotin, vitamin E, and protein. Incorporate foods like nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and lean meats to support nail growth and strength.

Externally, opt for organic oils like olive oil or coconut oil to moisturise and condition your nails and cuticles. Regular-

doing household chores and avoiding harsh chemicals. By prioritising natural nail care prac-

strong, beautiful nails without compromising your health or the environment.

Effortless style

AS we usher in spring, the modern pompadour emerges as the hairstyle of choice for fashion-forward men. This contemporary twist on a classic look combines sleek sophistication with effortless style, making it a versatile option for any occasion.

Characterised by its voluminous top and neatly tapered sides, the modern pompadour offers a fresh take on traditional barbering techniques. With its ability to be tailored to suit individual preferences, from subtle to bold variations, this hairstyle is versatile enough to complement any face shape or hair texture.

Whether styled with a matte finish for a casual daytime look or slicked back for a more polished appearance, the modern pompadour adds an element of refinement and confidence to any ensemble. Embrace this timeless trend and elevate your spring style with the modern pompadour.

• News Across The Regions •

Costa del Sol Restrictions more flexible?

THE rains that fell during Easter Week have brought good news to Andalucia. The Concepción reservoir has gained 10 cubic hectometres of water, and the level now exceeds 66 per cent, the highest since July 2023.

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, headed by Carmen Crespo, confirmed the region will reduce the current restrictions on average per capita water consumption, irrigation in the countryside and use in the industrial sector.

According to the councillor, thanks to the intense rainfall, the summer is expected to have “more capacity and possibilities,” which is why it might be possible to make the restrictions more flexible.

The committee will now analyse whether or not to relax the ban on filling private swimming pools for the summer.

Costa Blanca South Shipmates’ support

THE shipmates of the Torrevieja Branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNATB) make donations to different charities each year.

This year one of the shipmates’ four chosen charities to receive a donation was the Movers & Shakers.

The Association of Movers & Shakers (AMS) is a charity supporting people with five neurological diseases and their families.

The local Almoradi-based group working across the Costa Blanca meet regularly each Friday.

AMS also have a Facebook page and their website amscb.org.es has more details of the five diseases including Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

RNATB shipmate Brenda Maw nominated the Movers & Shakers as one of the charities for this year and was at the presentation of the donation from RNATB Treasurer, Carl Louden to AMS President, Marion Smith.

Mallorca

34 evacuated in Soller

FIRE broke out in the the Bens d’Avall urbanisation in Soller during the night of Sunday April 7, destroying pine and olive groves and requiring the evacuation of 34 people.

Residents sounded the alarm at 12.30am on Sunday, having noticed the fire near the road junction between Soller and Deia. The evacuees were lodged in a hotel in Soller.

It took almost 12 hours to bring the fire under control due to high temperatures, low humidity and strong gusts of wind.

The all-clear was given the next morning. Some people decided to return to their homes to check for damage and collect some personal belongings, before going back to the hotel.

The Guardia Civil’s official investigation is still open.

Costa Blanca North The Ghost Pipers

THE Ghost Pipers of the Somme marched the streets of Denia to the sound of live bagpipes and the colours of the Scottish flag, commemorating their ancestors lost to the First World War.

On April 5, the centre of Denia united the community in the streets where native music, costumes and flags were exhibited to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme during the First World War.

With the collaboration of Denia’s Culture Department and the Denia-Fane Ouverture Francophone Association, the day was marked to remember some of the bravest Scottish and Irish soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme and who after the war had to rebuild their lives in France.

Traditional Irish hymns swayed the town, performed live by the French band made up of descendants of the courageous Scottish and Irish soldiers.

Almeria Saving lives

A MAN from Almeria has saved five lives by donating his organs, as reported by Torrecardenas University Hospital. The generous act of his family made it possible for different organs and tissues to be transplanted, with teams from various countries and provinces collaborating in the process.

The hospital management expressed gratitude towards the donor’s family for their solidarity during such a difficult time. They also thanked the professionals involved in the transplant procedures, both within the hospital and those from other parts of Spain.

Transplant coordinators provide families with information and support during the grieving process, emphasising the positive impact of organ donation on the lives of others. Increasingly, families are volunteering to donate organs and tissues upon learning of critical illnesses with poor prognoses.

Costa Calida Skydive success

IN a remarkable display of courage and compassion, Mark Wilson soared through the skies in support of MABS Cancer Support Fundación. Wilson’s daring skydive served as a fundraiser for the organisation, which provides crucial assistance to people suffering from cancer.

The event garnered widespread praise, with supporters expressing immense pride in Wilson’s accomplishment.

MABS Cancer Support Fundación is dedicated to offering practical aid and solace to those impacted by cancer in Spain. Their unwavering commitment revolves around the mantra of ‘To care, comfort, and counsel people affected by cancer.’

MABS emphasises that their services are available to those directly diagnosed with cancer, as well as people affected by a loved one’s diagnosis or loss.

PETS

Need a pet-sitter to keep your pets happy at home?

DO you have multiple pets? Then you know the challenges - finding pet care, expense of pet care. The more pets, the greater the challenge.

HouseSitMatch saves you money - pet-sitting is free

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IGUANAS: Now banned from being kept as pets.

Animal welfare law

ON Friday, March 29, the new law imposes strict regulations on the ownership of certain wild and exotic animals. However, some have criticised the shortage of centres able to accommodate these pets.

Individuals who possess pets that are now deemed illegal, face a crucial deadline. They are required to report their ownership to the authorities or face severe penalties.

Such pets include venomous creatures like scorpions, reptiles weighing over two kilos such as iguanas, any primate species, and wild mammals heavier than five kilos such as the Vietnamese pig.

The legislation not only bans the captivity of wild animals and their use in entertainment but also ends a six-month grace period for circuses to comply.

The law’s reach extends beyond public entertainment, impacting private pet owners who now confront the end of a grace period to declare their animals.

Those found guilty of illegal possession or trafficking of protected or banned species could incur fines up to €30,000 for the most severe breaches, €2,000 for significant infractions, and up to €500 for minor offences.

Despite the law’s intent, there’s a growing chorus of concern over its practical implications. Many have highlighted a lack of preparedness for

the law’s consequences. They argue that there has been no infrastructure brought in to house the potential influx of animals.

Critics argue that the legislation was enacted without adequate consultation with hobbyists, veterinarians, or scientists.

The uncertainty now facing pet owners is palpable, with many reluctant to part with their animals. The coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal the law’s real-world effects, as pet owners navigate this new legal landscape.

If you use HouseSitMatch.com you find free checked pet-sitters who pay their way to stay in your home caring for your pets in your absence. It’s a house-sitting arrangement facilitated by a managed online system.

Our house and pet-sitting works as an exchange of services - free accommodation for free pet care!

HouseSitMatch is safe - all members are checked

All members are checked for safety, and you choose which housesitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

Your pets stay at home - safe and undisturbed

All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.

If you’re travelling in 2024 join now and get organised today:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 pa) to ensure you get help online

3. Create a profile with photos of your pets and home

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then build an advert to find sitters.

House-sitters see your advert, respond and you choose from the applicants.

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5 Excellent

I have used HouseSitMatch for the last three years and would highly recommend it. Very easy to communicate with and very helpful by phone if needed. Janet Bryant, pet owner.

How do you join? Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com.

Need a pet or house-sitter? House-sitting is a win-win, free house and pet-sitting exchanged for free accommodation!

Reader exclusive offer – 20% Off Any New Membership Register as either house-sitter or homeowner. Get a 20% discount - Use coupon code PERFECT20.

Rio, Sandy and Rex stay at home when their owners go away.

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ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE Cup semi-finals confirmed!

Axarfusion Cup Over 50s

• Marbella Marbesula 3 v 2 AC Benahavis

This was an extremely physical game and, with two such highly-rated, competitive teams, it was no surprise that the scoreline was so close. Goals for Benahavis came from Darrell O’Grady and Lee Weatherall with no current information available as to the scorers for Marbella.

• Internacionales Mollina 1 v 5 Real Calahonda

Much as they tried, Mollina could not cover up their defensive frailties and this contributed greatly to the scoreline. The visitors kept up the pressure throughout with some fine passing and movement, with goals coming from Tommy McMillan, Sean McVitty and a Gary Robertson hat-trick. In the second half, Andy Barnet pulled one back for the home side but by then it was too late!

These and previous results led to the following draw for the semi-finals:

Over 50s Semi-finals:

Malaga v Real Calahonda

Inter Mollina v Marbella Marbesula

Over 60s Semi-finals:

Real Calahonda v Malaga

Boca Seniors Competa v Nerja United

*All semi-finals to be played before May 26. The Final will be played in early June. Keep checking your local club’s

Facebook page or website to discover the exact dates for these matches and go along to support!

And elsewhere.......

AWFL Over 60s

Boca Seniors Competa 0 v 7 AC Benahavis

The visitors began strongly, playing some fluid football and, with most of the pressure on the hosts, Benahavis had comfortably scored five by the break. In the second half, Competa were able to regroup somewhat and defended more effectively but were unable to prevent another two goals for Benahavis without being able to reply. Visiting scorers were Marc Morris (4), Mark Cooper (2) and Rob Fitz. This serves to reinforce the attacking reputation of AC Benahavis and their untouchable league top spot.

Paris Olympics news

IN what is denied as being a U-Turn, the British government has reportedly written to the Presidents of the Olympic and Paralympic Committees given an unexpected approval.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2023 which was supported by Belarus, the then (and still) Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer was quoted as saying that “any plans to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in Paris are not credible.”

This followed a decision announced by the two Committees that both countries would be banned from competing in Paris in 2024 and this in turn was supported by a 36 country summit chaired by Lucy Frazer.

Now however the Olympic Committees have had a change of heart and are prepared to allow athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete in Paris provided that they are not part of any team and should they win medals their national anthems would not be played, no flags would be raised and their kit would not bear any country emblems.

In addition, they must not have publicly supported the invasion nor could they be in any way associated with the military of either country.

With the impositions of these restrictions, the UK government has confirmed that it supports the decision so, some athletes from the two countries may appear in the 2024 Olympics which run from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics which take place from August 28 until September 8.

Walking Netball

IN an exciting development for netball enthusiasts in Torre del Mar, the local netball club is thrilled to introduce Walking Netball, a programme open to individuals of all abilities and fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a complete beginner, this initiative is designed to provide a safe and happy environment

for everyone to learn and enjoy the sport.

The club, founded with inclusivity in mind, boasts a dedicated coach ready to offer valuable advice and tips to enhance participants’ skills. The rules are refreshingly simple: prioritise kindness, have fun, adhere to a sports footwear-only dress code, and leave jewellery be-

hind for safety reasons. All that’s required to join is a positive attitude and a smile.

For those eager to give it a shot, the first two weeks are absolutely free. If you decide to continue, a nominal fee of €1 will contribute towards court and lighting costs. For more information, interested individuals can reach out via email at Netballto rredelmar@gmail.com.

Lace-up those trainers and bring your enthusiasm to Torre del

Velez CF struggles

VELEZ CF, a century-old team and pride of its community, faces one of the toughest challenges in its history in Segunda RFEF. Plunged into an unprecedented financial and sporting crisis, the club fights to stay afloat as its foundations are shaken by a series of unfortunate events threatening its existence.

This situation traces back to the summer of 2023 when the club anticipated a bright future with the arrival of a French investor. With high hopes for investment and a competitive team in mind, the Axarquia-based club geared up to leap forward in its sporting journey. However, what ensued was a series of disappointments and broken promises that plunged the club into a downward spiral of uncertainty and despair.

The previous board, led by Jesper Norberg and Magnus Pehrsson, placed

their faith in the French in vestor, believing his arrival would mark a new era for Velez. However, as the pro mised funds never mate rialised and financial com mitments began to pile up, the club found itself quickly on the brink.

tiago Nilo as the new ow ner in March of this year brought renewed hope for Velez. With an am bitious vision and bold plans to revitalise the club. However, the road to recovery is difficult and Velez on the pitch woes continue. Suppor ters and fan clubs have united in a joint effort to su pport the team and have raised funds to co ver some of the player’s needs.

VELEZ CF: Battling through turmoil.

Torre del Mar Netball’s Walking Netball.

Image: Shutterstock/ simez78