Costa del Sol 6 – 12 June 2024 Issue 2031

PM Visits

Pedro Sánchez and Teresa Ribera on the campaign trail.

Credit: PSOE Spain

from Front page

PM in Benalmadena

John Smith

WITH literally a few days to go before the European Elections take place on Sunday June 9, politicians have targeted the Costa del Sol for last minute campaigning.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had planned to appear with Minister Teresa Ribera and former mayor of Sevilla, Senator Juan Espadas at a rally in Malaga City on Wedenesday June 5.

His advisors however decided that as it would potentially clash with a nearby campaign meeting being held by Vox leader Santiago Abascal that it would be better to move the venue to Benalmadena.

So in the early evening of June 5, the three politicians arrived at the Los Nadales fairgrounds in the knowledge that the coast from Malaga City to Estepona is a Partido Popular stronghold as is the Junta de Andalucia, so they weren’t going to be preaching to the converted.

They would also have been aware that current PP leader in the European Parliament Dolors Montserrat had the

previous week spoken to committed party members at Olivia’s Restaurant in La Cala de Mijas.

For this election the number of MEPs overall has been increased to 720, of which 61 will represent Spain which is an increase of two from the last election in 2019 where the PSOE gained 20 seats and the PP 12, but to a great extent MEPs tend to vote with European colleagues than on a country basis.

Due to time restraints as the paper needed go to press before the meeting took place, it is only possible to give an outline of the events surrounding the visit of Prime Minister Sánchez, but with reporters in place in Benalmadena we will publish a full report covering the matters raised by the three PSOE politicians on the newspaper website www.euroweeklynews.com.

On Thursday June 6, another colleague of Sánchez, Minister Yolanda Diaz arrives in Malaga City, although not promoting the PSOE but the more left wing Sumar Party which she has created whilst earlier on the same day, former Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias visited to rally Podemos supporters.

Funding success

THE Mijas Association of Relatives of Alzheimer’s Patients (AFA Mijas) has received funding of just over €90,000 towards the digitalisation of its services, an amount that makes it possible to optimise the treatments received by users.

The mayor of Mijas, Ana Mata, together with the government delegate of the Junta de Andalucia in Malaga, Patricia Navarro, visited the headquarters of AFA Mijas because, as the mayor explained, she wants to continue to work with the association to improve the care provided to patients.

The funding that has been awarded co-

mes from the European Next Generation funds and AFA Mijas was the only organisation to obtain this grant in Malaga Province. The money is being used to buy new computers and digitial whiteboards which will help the organisation with further support for its patients.

AFA Mijas is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to promote an active lifestyle that maintains the autonomy of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias throughout the municipality of Mijas. The new equipment will make a huge difference in achieving these aims.

AFA MIJAS: Has received funding for digitalisation of its services.

Photo: Mijas Town Hall

NIBS EXTRA

Seeing red

THE councillor of Opción Sampedreña, Manuel Osorio, has denounced the poor management of the beaches of San Pedro Alcantara. Osorio has harshly criticised the quality of the sand, describing it as “building site dirt.”

Filling up

THE 11 municipalities of the Costa del Sol have received authorisation from the Andalucian Regional Government for the refilling of swimming pools this summer. The measure is effective from June 1 to September 30.

Fire risk

BARBECUES and bonfires have been banned in parks, woods, forests and recreational areas, from June 1 until October 15. There have been a total of 85 forest fires in Andalucia so far in 2024.

Sundays open

JUNE 2 saw the first Sunday when shops and supermarkets in the province of Malaga can open at the start of the summer season opening hours. In total there will be 21 Sundays and public holidays when shops will open, ending on September 29.

Introduction to Torremolinos

WHEN celebrities including Grace Kelly and Orson Welles walked its streets in the 50s and 60s, Torremolinos was still a seaside suburb of Malaga, attracting tourists looking to get away from the city. More than half a century later, Torremolinos has become one of the Costa del Sol’s main tourist attractions.

The name Torremolinos comes from the fact that there were many windmills in the area together with an old watchtower, which is why it came to be known as ‘Los Molinos de la Torre’. It wasn’t until 1988 that the Junta de Andalucia granted Torremolinos independence from Malaga.

The history of mo-

Lagworthy, called Don Jorge by the locals. He came, like so many others, to spend his

and,

Triathlon World Championships

THE Grand Final of the Triathlon World Championships Torremolinos-Andalucia 2024, which will be held from October 17 to 20 in Torremolinos, will be attended by more than 4,000 triathletes, will attract a total of almost 20,000 people and will generate a direct economic impact of more than €20 million.

The gures for this championship, which will be the most important world triathlon event of the year along with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, were provided on Friday May 31 by the president of the Management Committee of the Spanish Triathlon Federation

(Fetri), José Hidalgo, at its presentation in Torremolinos, where the World Championships Organising Committee met.

The event will crown the world champions in the Elite, Under-23, Junior, Paratriathlon, Age Group, Sprint, Standard and Aquabike Standard distances, and Mixed Relays (Under-23/Junior, Paratriathlon and Age Group).

After hoisting of the ‘World Triathlon ag’, the Andalucian Government’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Arturo Bernal, said, “Andalucia has demonstrated its strength in organising major competitions and o ers ideal facilities.”

Historic Pride

SOME 70,000 people joined in the great 2024 LGTBIQ+ Pride celebration in Torremolinos.

The big parade on Saturday June 1 was the culmination of a week of cultural and social activities co-organised by LGTBI groups and associations and Torremolinos Town Hall. There have been talks, exhibitions, the sixth Proud Pets Contest and the seventh Heel Race among many other activities.

But Saturday was the big day of this Pride Torremoli-

nos 2024. At around 5pm the Pride rainbow procession with over 20 oats began its route from the Plaza Blas Infante to the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre, lling the streets with colour which were packed with people.

Afterwards, performances by artists including Chanel, Kelly Roller, Lara Sajen, La Prohibida, Cherilyn Divine, Sharonne, Varry Brava, Rainbow Voices, Minerva, Gina Turner, Satin Greco, Drag Dennyx and Alma de Soul entertained the crowds.

Now Torremolinos casts its eye forward to EuroPride 2027. The Junta de Andalucia is supporting the town’s bid to host EuroPride.

Championship

MORE than 400 beach handball teams will meet on the beaches of Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Torrox during the months of June and July to take part in ve tournaments organised by Malaga Provincial Council.

The rst event will be the Fuengirola Beach Handball Tournament, included in the Andalucian Beach Handball Championship, which will be held on Saturday June 8 on the Playa del Castillo beach.

tury, he decided to settle down and bought the Santa Clara Castle which he transformed into a hotel-residence. He was always loved and cared for by the people of Torremolinos, and it has been said that he was the one who planted the seed for tourism today.

The municipality has seven kilometres of coastline where most of the hotels, restaurants and beach bars are located. The best beaches are El Lido, El Bajondillo, El Saltillo and, known for the preparation of ‘pescaito frito’ (fried fish), La Carihuela.

Organised by the Fuengirola Beach Handball Club, it will bring together 32 teams from the Infantil and Cadete categories for boys and girls who will play against each other on four playing elds.

The following weekend, from June 15 to 16, the sport will move to Playamar in Torremolinos, which will also host the Andalucian Beach Handball Championship with the celebration of the Torremolinos Cup Diputación de Malaga. Organised by DeporteyEmpresa, the event will bring together 48 Infantil, Cadete and Juvenil male and female teams and an audience of more than 300 people around three playing elds.

holidays there

at the end of the 19th cen-

Photo: Malaga 360

The Pride rainbow procession.

Photo: Facebook / Gay Pride

Modern day Torremolinos.

Food hall plan

CASARES Town Hall has taken another step towards the renovation of the former cinema.

The intention of the council is to create in this unique space a tourist and gastronomic centre, explained the mayor Juan Luis Villalón, “a very important project for the old town as it will allow us to expand the number of food outlets.”

Technicians from the Junta de Andalucia visited the building on Friday May 31 together with engineers from the town hall, to determine whether it is appropriate to renovate the building or whether it should be demolished.

Juan Luis Villalón thanked the delegation for their collaboration, which is very important in order to be able to continue with the drafting of the nal project, since, as with any action carried out in the historic quarter of the town, the building is classed as a Historic-Artistic Site.

E1 winners

MARBELLA has closed the first year of the E1 Competition in Spain, the electric formula 1 of the sea

The financial and media impact of the event to Marbella has been estimated at more than €25 million, with more than 22 million television viewers, 58 million visits on digital television and 20 million interactions on social networks.

The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, who took part in the prize-giving ceremony praised “the great image that the city has offered in this event, which has attracted more than 8,000 people.

“This event has positioned Marbella as the international capital of sailing this weekend,” said the mayor, who thanked, “the great effort made by the organisers to make the event a success, which has been attended by many celebrities, including the president of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno and singer Marc Anthony, one of the captains of the participating teams, who opened the event with a concert held on Fri-

day in San Pedro Alcantara. At the Puerto Banus event, Marc Anthony’s Miami team were victorious. Drivers Anne Glennon and Erik Stark won their first tournament of the season, placing them at the top of the standings. Actor Will Smith’s team, Weestbrook Ración, piloted by Spaniard Lucas Ordóñez and Sara Price, came in second place.

The teams captained by ex-foot-

baller Didier Drogba, music producer Steve Aoki, Formula One driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez and Rafa Nadal came fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, while the team led by former American football player Tom Brady did not compete in the final races due to technical problems during a weekend marked by wind and waves, which made it difficult for the drivers to manoeuvre.

Photo: Marbella

Town Hall

Petition against bullfighting

A PETITION through the platform change.org has collected, in just three days, almost 25,000 signatures against the return of bullfighting to the bullring in Marbella, which is scheduled for Saturday June 8, in the middle of the San Bernabé Fair.

The collection of support, according to the information provided by the platform itself, was launched on May 31, so it has only been running

for three days. During this time, 24,474 signatures have been collected (at the time of writing), asking Marbella’s mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, to put an end to “this bloody torture”.

The petition has been started by a person called Heidi Fulford and is in English, although it has also been translated into Spanish. It describes as “a step backwards” the return of the bullfighting spectacles:

“We respectfully request a stop to bullfighting and a permanent ban on bullfighting in Marbella,” the petition on “change.org” states.

“Compassionate people understand that this violence is unnecessary and unjustifiable,” it says, while arguing that, “opposition to bullfighting is growing both in Spain and around the world.”

You can sign the petition at the change.org website.

Adana’s got talent

ON Friday evening, May 31, Adana Home for Dogs held a Britain’s Got Talent Karaoke Competition evening at O’Callaghans Bar in Sabinillas to raise funds for the Adana Dog Shelter. Fourteen undiscovered singing stars entered into the competition with a donation of €5 each for participation. The competition was judged by Psycho Cowell, Amanda Holds Them In and Lurid Walsh.

During the evening a raffle took place with great prizes along with an auction. All at Adana thank Rob of O’Callaghans along with their staff for hosting the event and a thank you too to everyone who made donations along with donation of raffle prizes and to all who attended and purchased raffle tickets.

All money raised will go towards the 170 dogs in the shelter to provide dog food, vet fees and general care etc. A massive thank you to all who supported this event, Adana (and the dogs) appreciate it.

Adana’s next main event will be held on Wednesday July 3 at the Green House, Dona Julia Golf Club in Casares. A hilarious Curry Comedy evening provided by the The International Studio.

Curry or pizza, rice and salads for only €20 per person, to make a reservation email: ada naevents @gmail.com or call 642 740 708.

Plaza del Toros Marbella.

Foreign residents

THE mayor met with the new board of directors of the Malaga Consular Corps and stressed the importance of foreign residents registering in the city.

Marbella’s mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, got together with the new board of directors of the Malaga Consular Corps and, among other issues, talked about the importance of foreign residents registering in the city.

The meeting with the new heads of the institution, headed by the consul of Armenia and dean of the body, Alberto Benito, explored the municipal collaboration with the different nationalities living in Marbella to promote projects and activities.

The mayor stressed the importance of the local foreign community and said

that the municipality has a total of 153 different nationalities, the third most diverse locality behind Madrid and Barcelona. “These figures show the plurality we have as a society,” she said, adding that, “a third of the 160,000 registered voters are foreigners,” which is why it is essential to register on the padron to make sure each country’s views are heard and help and information can be given as necessary, particularly around the time of elections.

Benito said that, “Marbella is very important within the consular sphere with countries that have chosen the city as their headquarters to provide coverage for their citizens,” and has opted for, “having a more permanent and solid representation in the municipality.”

Grand opening

MARBELLA’S new Mediterranean Park, in the El Pinillo beach area, has opened for the use and enjoyment of everyone.

The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, and the councillors for Works and Sports, Diego López and Lisandro Vieytes, visited the 50,000 square metre facility, which has become one of the largest public spaces of

its kind in Spain.

The new park features courts for the practice of various sports that can be carried out on the sand including football, volleyball and handball. There are also facilities for basketball, 3x3 as well as an outdoor gym, a calisthenics area, a climbing wall and a children’s playground themed with the marine en-

vironment, to which another will be added in June related to mining. In addition, more than 350 trees and palm trees have been planted, as well as 6,500 other plant species and a car park with a total of 260 parking spaces. The park has almost 2,000 square metres of pedestrian walkways and 700 square metres of gardens.

Following a new path

MARBELLA Town Hall has opened a new section of path in the Río Real area which connects the beach with Calle Ignacio Coca by means of a wooden footbridge 250 metres long, three metres wide and with a total surface area of more than 800 square metres.

The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, visited the pro -

ject and said that, “we are continuing to make progress with the great project that this government team started a few years ago to make the more than 27 kilometres of coastline that the municipality has accessible,” she added that “the route from San Pedro Alcantara to this point in Los Monteros can now

proceed and after the summer we will begin the process to extend it to Bahía Marbella.”

Two 60-metre long accesses to the beach have been created next to the new section of the footpath to make it more accessible for residents and visitors who often walk or exercise in the area.

Photo: Marbella Town Hall

FOREIGN COMMUNITY: It is essential for residents to register on the padron.

More hotel guests Working towards a safe coast

THE Costa del Sol leads the ranking of coastal tourist areas between January and April 2024 with more than one and a half million hotel guests.

According to the latest Costa del Sol Hotel Business Bulletin, so far in 2024, the Costa del Sol leads the ranking of hotel travellers in Spanish coastal areas with 1,586,148 travellers and the month of April has a positive balance in terms of foreign hotel travellers with an increase of 15.7 per cent compared to 2023.

Although the number of Spanish travellers has decreased by 2.7 per cent compared to the first four months of 2023, the Costa del Sol has exceeded one million foreign hotel travellers, representing a growth of 15.7 per cent.

In fact, by market vo -

lume, foreign travellers lead the ranking with a substantial increase compared to the same period in 2023. Travellers staying in Costa del Sol hotels are from Poland (up 64.9 per cent), Ireland (+48.5 per cent), Finland

(+26.9 per cent) and Switzerland (+20.2 per cent). Also noteworthy is the growth in priority markets such as the United States with 19.3 per cent, the United Kingdom with 18.6 per cent and Germany with 10.6 per cent.

Paul Edwards

IT’S very easy to take the route of sensationalism and make it look as if the Costa del Sol is facing a problem of criminality when that really isn’t the case.

As part of the community we at Euro Weekly News do however believe that it would be wrong to bury our head in the sands and pretend that everything is perfect.

With summer approaching and the Costa del Sol welcoming large numbers of tourists, visitors are advised

to just take sensible precautions as they would do if they were at home.

This is an area with a large population, most of whom are perfectly respectable but like everywhere there are a few bad apples who are more interested in themselves than being part of the community and of course some crooks like to travel.

There have been isolated incidents of visitors being accosted and having valuables such as Rolex watches removed and in such cases the victims have generally been

quite elderly or have enjoyed a few too many drinks.

Just be alert to your surroundings, don’t take risks and certainly don’t fight back if accosted as you are more valuable than any piece of jewellery which perhaps would be better off being left in a safe if you are likely to be doing a lot of walking at night.

The police can’t be everywhere and the Costa del Sol is still a very safe place but we want visitors to be careful and leave with happy memories of their stay.

Be aware of your surroundings especially in the open.

Photo: Malaga Provincial Council

Credit: Yuri Dondish Shutterstock

HOTELS: Have seen an increase in foreign travellers.

Visit to chocolate factory

Estepona’s new school

STUDENTS with special needs from Mijas and Fuengirola visited the Mayan Monkey chocolate factory on Monday June 3 thanks to the Mijas Traders Association, who were able to arrange this fun excursion for them completely free of charge.

The idea came about at the suggestion of the father of a student from Mijas, who asked for help from the shopkeepers’ association to organise this sweet activity. “It so happens that the people in charge of the factory belong to our association, so we got in touch with them ,” explained Martín Gómez, president of the organisation.

Twenty-two students from the Programme of transition to adult and working life of the IES Ramón y Cajal in Fuengirola took part in the visit, “which brings them many benefits,

Photo: Mijas Comunicacion

THE first Swedish International School opened in Paris in 1976, today there are 18 Swedish schools around the world, of which eight are here in Spain. And on Friday May 31 the new Swedish International School Estepona opened at Costalita close to Cancelada.

because they do something different to get out of the routine and also work on their autonomy,” said Elisa Inmaculada Pérez, tutor of the training programme.

During the morning, the group had the opportunity to make their own chocolate bar, “choosing between dark, white or milk chocolate, and then they added their favourite ingredients”, explained Eva Violet, one of the Mayan Monkey Mijas managers, “and then we also explain to them how chocolate is made and where the cocoa comes from.”

For one day, they all became master chocolatiers, proving that they are not bad at cooking, in fact, said Charlie, one of the students, “at home I often cook pasta and macaroni, and I always help my mother with the shopping.”

As a symbol that the school is now officially open, the flags of Spain, Sweden and Andalucia were raised simultaneously. The primary schoolchildren sang the Andalucian anthem in Spanish to the undisguised delight of the assembled guests, followed by the school’s own multilingual song. Sweden’s Honorary Consul in Malaga, Isabel Pascual Villamor, said, “This new school means a lot for our Swedish community in Malaga. The opening of the Swedish International School marks a signifi -

cant step in expanding educational opportunities for Swedish families living in Estepona.”

The Swedish International School is approved by the Junta de Andalucia with a Swedish curriculum and the addition of Spanish language and culture at the higher level that authorises it to also accept international and Spanish students. The school is also approved by the Swedish National Agency for Complementary Swedish and, this autumn, will grow

to 75-80 students.

The Head of Education of Malaga, Councillor Miguel Briones Artacho, said, “Swedish culture and Spanish culture, because they are so different, find points of union thanks to schools like this.”

Mayor of Estepona, José Maria Garcia Urbano, said, “Estepona welcomes you, we are very proud that you have chosen Estepona. We have schools in English, German and French and now we have Swedish too.”

CHARLIE’S VISIT: The group were given the chance to make their own chocolate bar.

SWEDISH SCHOOL: Means a lot to the community.

Photo: Swedish International School

The spark of summer

MIJAS Town Hall has set itself the objective of making the population aware of the importance of preventing forest fires. For this reason an information campaign has been launched which will be disseminated through the institutional social networks and Mijas Communication.

Mijas, due to its climate and natural characteristics, presents a high risk of forest fires, especially during the summer months. Moreover, the town is included in the danger zones for the risk of forest fires in Andalucia.

“The campaign has a very clear message and that is that no ‘spark’ should put an end to our happiness, to our environment, to our lives.

In Mijas, unfortunately, we have suffered very serious fires that have caused a lot of damage and irreparable consequences for our natural environment. Prevention

is the best tool against fires,” explained the mayor, Ana Mata.

“One spark can ruin a whole summer,” “Don’t let the spark of summer turn into flames” and “Let sparks fly, but only among yourselves” are the three messages around which the campaign is based. The aim is to convey how a sma-

ll spark can cause a fire with irreversible consequences. The campaign will be disseminated in both English and Spanish and will also include audiovisual material.

According to Infoca, between 2013 and 2023 there were 79 forest fires in the municipality of Mijas and the area affected exceeds 2,000 hectares.

International Networking Event

WEDNESDAY June 5 saw the first International Networking Event for businesses here in Mijas at El Chapperal. There was a wonderful turnout with more than 120 businesses represented.

The team from Euro Weekly were very pleased to attend as members of the Businesss 1st Group. Business 1st founded by Sam Campbell currently hosts three different networking groups here on the Costa del Sol. Founded in January 2009, Business 1st is the longest standing Business Networking Group on the Costa del Sol.

The aim of this International Networking Event for businesses promoted by the Department for Foreigners in Mijas Town Hall was for

companies on the Costa del Sol, made up of Danish, Dutch, British, German, Irish, Finnish and Spanish amongst some of the countries represented to meet and share contacts. There was a wide variety of businesses, eight different networking groups took part.

This was a great opportunity for businesses large and small throughout the community to network and the Mijas Foreigners Department support was certainly acknowledged. The fantastic turn out is also a very positive insight for businesses here on the Costa del Sol.

There were some refreshments and tapas and new connections made. The success of the first event will surely mean that there will be another one to follow.

A positive insight for businesses.

Photo: Rawpixel

HIGH RISK: Mijas presents a high risk of forest fires.

Don’t need it donate it

AGE CONCERN Fuengirola, Mijas & Benalmadena is launching a ‘don’t need it donate it’ campaign. They will be running a series of collection events and drop off evenings where they will give special offers along will cava and cupcakes for people donating items.

Right now, Age Concern’s charity shop need your quality clothing and accessories to raise funds for people in need in our community. Your qua-

lity pre-loved clothing can help them be there for people in need. Every purchase from the shops powers the work for older adults across Fuengirola Mijas and Benalmadena.

Age Concern sell new and pre-loved, good quality clothes, shoes and accessories and they need quality donations all year round. The funds raised go to support Age Concern helping people as they need it and their welfare service supports

with a dedicated helpline, translation and transport services and much more. You can donate: quality women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, bags, shoes and accessories, books, CDs and DVDs and homeware. When contributing, please make sure your donations are clean and usable. Your donations should also be worth buying - if you wouldn’t buy it, then they probably won’t be able to sell it.

Brazilian surprise

John Smith

BRAZILIAN

footballer Carlos Henrique

Casimiro has played for top clubs such as Real Madrid and currently Manchester United, but he is now involved with Marbella FC.

He is two years into a four-year contract with the Reds but his form towards the end of last season appeared to be dropping so whether this move is a strategic one as he heads towards the end of his career may soon become apparent.

It has been announced that Casemiro is now a shareholder of Marbella CF which has seen some serious progress in Spanish foot balling terms over the last few years and has just been promoted to Primera Federación, the third category of Spanish football.

In a statement he explained “It is an honour for me to join the Marbella Football Club be cause my greatest motivation is the spectacu lar growth possibilities of the club. I have been to Marbella with my family on several occasions and both my children, my wife and I are in love with this city, with which we want to be linked for life. Without a doubt, together we will dream big to take Marbella to the top, but now we have to enjoy our wonderful promotion to the Primera Federación.”

Quality clothing and accessories needed.

Photo: Pexels CC

Casamiro is number 1 in Marbella.

Credit: Marbella CF X

THE 2024 polo season in San Roque, with 10 tournaments from May until the end of September, has been launched at the Ayala Polo Club, which for the fourth consecutive year is in charge of organising the tournaments which will culminate in the months of July and August, with the 53rd International Polo Tournament.

The mayor of San Roque, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, thanked Ayala Polo Club for the commitment of the last four years, “I hope that everything goes well and that we can continue to enjoy many more years of quality polo in the municipality

of San Roque,” he said.

The general manager of Ayala Polo, Antonio Alés, thanked, first of all the town hall of San Roque, but also Andalucia Tourism and the Provincial Council, which allows polo to continue to be a very important economic engine for San Roque.

He also thanked several sponsoring companies for their support and invited everyone to get to know the world of polo, as the tickets to all the mat

nal Polo Tournament, which will celebrate its 53rd year in 2024, will be the climax of the San Roque season. It will take place between July 22 and August 31, when the eyes of the polo world will be on Sotogrande to enjoy the best players in the world and the best teams, playing on what are considered to be the best polo fields in Europe. The event will also feature a pavilion with a shopping area, an outdoor market, a children’s area and food

Ask for Angela

Summer pests Polo season starts

ESTEPONA Town Hall and LexDatos have joined forces to implement the ‘Ask for Angela’ intiative to help increase security and safety in the town.

Councillors, Paula Herrera and Julia Simón, explained that ‘Ask for Angela’ is an innovative initiative designed to provide a discreet and effective solution in situations of risk or emergency that a client may have in bars, pubs and other establishments open at night and who can ask for help, in a discreet way. “The safety of our residents and visitors is a fundamental priority for the town hall,” said Paula Herrera.

General Manager and Technical Director of LexDatos, Bibiana León and David Fournier, explained that the essence of the initiative lies in its simplicity, so that when a

FUENGIROLA Town Hall is intensifying the work of disinfestation before the arrival of the hot weather.

Councillor for Health, Francisco Javier García Lara, explained that a campaign has been launched throughout the town, which will last for just over a month, with the aim of preventing the proliferation of insects in the runup to the summer.

“We are going to be working until the end of June, and we are going to work in the entire sewage system, because cockroaches breed in damp, shady and dark areas and their biological cycle is accelerated by high temperatures.

“For this reason, every year, Athisa, which is the company that carries out the fumigation service, carries out an intensive campaign that covers all parts of Fuengirola,” explained García Lara.

person feels unsafe or uncomfortable they can discreetly approach the establishment’s staff and ask the question: “Can I speak to Ángela?” or “Is Ángela there?” This phrase triggers an internal protocol that will enable staff to take quick and effective action to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual concerned.

The company will work closely with participating establishments, which will be given a two-hour course to train their staff in the procedures necessary to activate and respond to the protocol appropriately. Collaborating establishments will be provided with an identification sticker.

Estepona Town Hall and LexDatos invite all interested establishments to join this initiative.

The councillor added that, “first thing in the morning they will be working in the urban areas where there are shops and there are more homes, so that the neighbours have minimum problems, and at mid-morning we move to the neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Fuengirola, where there are no shops and the nuisance is minimal.”

In the meantime, if anyone finds an infestation of cockroaches at any point, they can contact the Health Department on 951 915 197. “We would like to remind all residents that if they have any problems or see the need for us to act more thoroughly in a specific area, they should call us or send us an email to sanidad@fuengirola.org,” said García Lara.

Photo: Estepona Town Hall

Photo: Fuengirola Town Hall

Toll increases by 50% Amigos de Mijas

A cheque for €1,000 was given.

THE president of Amigos de Mijas, Brooke Harris, and one of the members of the group, Silvana Celeste, visited the Adimi Day Centre to personally hand over a cheque for €1,000 to the association’s manager, Laura Villa.

The amount comes from different charity events they have organised. “We have held different events to raise money: games, raffles and dinners, as well as trips,” said Celeste, who added that, “we do things to reach more people and thus raise more funds for social or charitable causes.”

For Adimi, this type of contribution is fundamental to be able to continue offering its services to the more than

290 users it currently serves. “We are very happy. We are very fortunate to have the charity and collaboration of such important groups as Amigos de Mijas. Once again, we would like to thank them for their continued support and collaboration with us,” said Laura Villa, manager of the centre.

The €1,000 will go towards covering a list of needs. “We will evaluate as a team where we are going to use it,” said the Adimi manager, who added that, “There are always needs, such as language tests, educational toys, things for the residence, so we will evaluate because we would like it to be something concrete.”

Kevin Fraser Park

WHILE the debate goes on about the elimination of the toll on the AP-7, the Costa del Sol toll is once again much more expensive with the arrival of the high season, with a rise which, as in previous years, translates into more than 50 per cent of its usual cost.

From June 1 until the last day of September, the ‘special season’ prices will be in force for

another four months. And, to give some examples, the €5.25 cost to travel from Malaga to Marbella is now €8.60, which raises the amount by 64 per cent. The journey from the capital to get to Manilva goes from around €10 to cost just over €16.

The entry into force of the summer tariff on the Costa del Sol motorway coincides with the demands of various groups to eliminate the toll for residents, wor -

kers and students of the Costa del Sol and Campo de Gibraltar who have to commute daily. On the same day that the summer toll rate came into force, the Partido Popular commented that, “It is not only wealthy people who live here, it is workers and students who pay the toll every day: for example, going to and from Malaga to Estepona every day costs €389 a month, a cost that rises to €576 in high season.”

Photo: Facebook / Adimi Photo:

Quad Rugby

THE Andalucian wheelchair rugby team, or Quad Rugby, will be appearing at Fuengirola’s Elola sports complex in an exhibition match on Sunday June 9 from midday.

Disabled athlete, Ángel Pérez said that, “on the ninth we are coming to Fuengirola to play for the fans of this sport and the most important thing is that we are playing against the Sevilla team who are national champions. The idea is that we play an exhibition match together to make this sport known so that more people join in.

“This weekend we have the opening of a new sporting discipline in Fuengirola of which we are very proud, because we want to open the way for everyone and adapted sport has been part of our philoso-

phy since the beginning of the season.

“On Sunday we will be able to see a Quad Rugby match, which is played on a court with the usual measurements of a basketball court, with a volleyball, four against four and teams made up of 11 or 12 players,” with councillor for Sports, Julio Rodríguez, adding that, “it is spectacular and is becoming more and more popular in Europe.”

To conclude, fellow

athlete Antonio Guerrero said that, “the idea is to create a club and get to compete as soon as possible. We are planting the seed so that the rest of the people with disabilities can practise sport.

“Sport is good for everyone, but even more so for a person with a disability, because it is rehabilitation, it is therapy and it gives you the opportunity to compete with people who have similar limitations to yours.”

Mijas macro-project approved

THE Mijas property macro-project has received the definitive green light with the approval of the urban development innovation that will allow the transformation of more than one million square metres of undeveloped land.

The publication of the agreement in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucia (BOJA) confirms the entry into force of the new General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) of Mijas, paving the way for a major development on the Costa del Sol.

The project includes an 18-hole golf course, a five-star hotel and 350 tourist apartments. The construction affects land currently classified as undevelopable, where 80 hectares of golf course and 26 hectares of related infrastructure will be built.

The five-star hotel will have 154 rooms, congress facilities, a sports physiotherapy centre,

health and beauty treatments, and an internationally renowned restaurant.

The tourist flats will be located to the northwest of the development, covering 72,549 square metres and with a maximum buildable area of 34,825 square metres. There will be 350 units distributed in a main building and an Andalucian pueblo style area.

The project also includes a high-level equestrian centre for dressage, occupying 41,415 square metres with capacity for 200 horses, and a golf school with practice tees on a plot of 35,385 square metres.

The planned green areas will total almost 53,600 square metres, and there will be more than 500 parking spaces. The widening and urbanisation of the La Cala-Entrerríos road and the installation of four new roundabouts are also planned.

Photo: Google

Photo: Fuengirola Town Hall

MIJAS PROJECT: Includes a golf course, hotel and tourist apartments.

Ultimate Frisbee Building on rural land

David Hart

IF you’re looking to make new friends or want to try a different type of sport, why not try Ultimate Frisbee? It’s a new sport and the team in Estepona is small but mighty and looking for new players all the time, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before.

If you’d like to get a flavour of what Ultimate Frisbee is, head along to their tournament as part of the 24hrs sporting event on Saturday June 8. They’ll be at the Estadio de Atletismo between midday and 2pm and again at 7pm.

What is Ultimate Frisbee? It’s a mixed sport from the USA which involves working a ‘disc’ (a frisbee) down field to reach an ‘end zone’ (a goal), if you catch, you score. It’s fun, simple and fast paced.

The group train in front of Tolone on Playa de la Rada on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm. The team is called Volaores and they have been playing in Estepona for 10 years. The team members are from all over the world and they play all over Spain, including national championships.

If you’re interested don’t hesitate to get in touch via Facebook or Instagram @ Volaoresfrisbee

Lions Summer Fair

THE sun was shining, the park was filled with stalls and all was ready for the people to arrive. They came and soon Butibamba Park was filled with people of all ages anticipating browsing through the stalls, trusting their luck with tickets for the splendid array of raffle prizes and selecting a cake from the many different home baked masterpieces.

The event was opened by the Drang band assisted by four Lions, the current President Brenda, Vice President Karen, Past President Graham and newly inaugurated Lions Sue.

The front line of the Lions drummers were changed and their places were taken by Councillor Mario Bravo, head of the foreigners department plus Katja from the town hall. After his performance on the drums Mario then gave a welcoming speech, responded to by Lions President Brenda.

The fair was open and the stalls were soon busy with people purchasing their goods. John Sharples, an

honorary Lion, was the compere for the day and he was called on to introduce the Pre-Loved Fashion Show. The fantastic outfits were modelled by volunteers that work in the Lions Charity Shops in Calle Torremolinos. All the outfits could be purchased after the fashion show and soon the charity stall in the park was bustling with people buying the outfits that had just been modelled.

The stalls round the periphery of the park covered items made of wood, stone,

THE urban planning, whose final approval is expected in 2025, will allow rural land to house ‘strategic projects’.

The land classified as rustic in the municipality of Marbella will be able to accommodate hotels once the urban planning is finally approved, probably in the second half of 2025.

The General Plan for Municipal Planning (PGOM) will expand the possibilities for the use of rural land, so that these types of plots can house ‘strategic projects’ including universities, sports cities, social and educational facilities as well as hotels, according to the mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, who said, “We wanted to continue with the task of simplifying and making this type of use more flexible, so that major projects can be developed on these plots.”

jewellery, clothes, arts and crafts and even insurance and funeral plans. The Lions diabetic stall was ever present and was providing testing for diabetics and advise for those that have diabetes.

Entertainment throughout the day consisted of a fine collection of songs from Tony Whitehouse, the Costasol singers and the excellent Little Elvis, 12-year- old Maxi.

The event raised over €4,600, which will swell the Lions funds and enable them to continue supporting those in need.

The council’s aim in making land use more flexible is to provide an outlet for large-scale projects that are mostly linked to tourism, but which are blocked under the current urban planning system.

Stalls were selling home baked cakes.

ON Sunday June 2 at 11am the name of Prague Zoo’s new baby male Sumatran orangutan which had been voted for by the public was revealed.

In what was described as a baptism ceremony, the one-month-old baby was named Harapan which is Indonesian for Hope.

The ceremony was conducted by the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský and the British Ambassador to the Czech Republic Matt Field.

It was in mid-May that world renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall travelled to Prague Zoo for only the third time to name a new-born female gorilla and to sign copies of her latest book.

Referring to this visit, Ambassador Field said:

“As apes, orangutans are our family - you may have noticed a resemblance between me and my new godson.

Baby orangutan

Is the Pope a homophobe?

‘FROCIAGGINE’ in Italian or ‘Faggotry’ in English: a storm has erupted over a term Pope Francis used in a meeting with the Italian Bishops’ Conference.

The rumours had been going round for days and then it was confirmed by Dagospia, an Italian website that covers celebrity news, gossip, and politics. Pope Francis used the Italian word for ‘faggotry’. The term was uttered during his closed-door meeting with the Italian Bishops’ Conference, during which the admission of homosexual seminarians was to be discussed.

Frabrizio Marrazzo, spokesperson for the gay party, said that funds allocated by the government for the Catholic Church should be blocked: “We should remember that seminaries are financed with Italian taxpayers’ money, we demand that the government block the funds to the Catholic Church,” he said.

A spokesman for the Vatican trying to extinguish the controversy, said that, “Pope Francis is aware of the articles that recently came out about a conversation, behind closed doors. The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of the term.”

Thank you for fighting against apathy at the Prague Zoo and thus protecting our future.”

Director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek ob-

“By protecting apes, we protect ourselves and nature, and I am happy that I can support the great work of the Prague Zoo. As Jane Goodall says, the greatest danger to our future is apathy.

served “This year is the year of an absolutely extraordinary crop of young. The male Sumatran orangutan, the grandson of the famous Kama, whose parents came from the wild, is also extremely genetically valuable.”

Pope Francis, apparently expressed the view that: “There is already too much faggotry in seminaries.” In short, “welco ming everyone,” as the Pope often repeats, yes, but enough is enough. Other reports have said that the Pope would not only speak of ‘faggots’, but also uses the word ‘queers’, which is certainly not among the most respectful towards homosexuals.

POPE FRANCIS: Apologised.

Photo: Wikimedia CC / Long Thiên

NEW BABY: Harapan and his mother Diri.

Credit: Prague Zoo

Digital nomads

Donna Williams

THE Digital Nomad Index by VisaGuide ranks Spain as the best country for digital nomads to reside.

The Index considers several factors including active visa availability, internet speed, taxation policies and tax-free length, income requirements for visa applications, cost of living in Euros, Global Health Score (GHS) and tourism popularity.

Spain achieved a score of 4.50, with Argentina in second place with a score of 3.78. The remaining top 10 in rank order are Romania, United Arab Emirates, Croatia, Portugal, Uruguay, Malta, Norway and Andorra

According to a recent MBO Partners report, the global digital nomad population has skyrocketed to a staggering 38.5 million. This is a clear indication that in our increa-

singly interconnected world, the allure of digital nomadism continues to draw people in. As AI models evolve in new and exciting ways, the desire to embrace a location-independent lifestyle is sure to become even more popular.

However, being a digi-

tal nomad is not as simple as it might sound and requires a total reimagining of the traditional workplace model.

Of course, one of the benefits of the Pandemic was the ability to see beyond the need to travel to an office every day. Working from home is a wel -

Be prepared in Norway

ALL Norwegians have been advised to stock up on enough basic supplies to keep them going during an emergency.

Everybody should be prepared to exist for at least seven days without running water, electricity, digital communications or electronic payment system, the Civil Defence and Preparedness Agency (DSB) announced.

The seven-day crisis plan substitutes the DSB’s previous guidelines which recommended preparing to survive for three days, owing to a combination of the Ukraine war, digital threats and climate change. “We live in a steadily more uneasy world,” it said.

In an emergency, even though most things might continue to function as usual, it was essential to be prepared for extreme weather, pandemics, accidents, sabotage “and even war” the DSB warned.

come development for some, but it does not go far enough for others. Instead, they seek to embrace technology for a more radical change. They desire to become part of the digital nomad movement and enjoy a lifestyle of unparalleled freedom and flexibility.

The agency has now issued a checklist covering supplies of drinking water, food that can be stored at room temperature, matches, candles, medication and batteries. Although most people now paid by card, they should also have a supply of cash in low-denomination notes and coins.

The DSB recommendations arrived as Norway’s coalition government entered a new partnership agreement on security and defence with the European Union, stressing that “security and welfare depend on one another.”

This was signed by Foreign Affairs minister Espen Barth Eide from the Labour Party and Defence minister Bjorn Arild Gram, whose Centre party has previously argued that Norway’s defence needs were covered by Nato.

Spain ranked the best country for digital nomads.

Thanked for the music

SWEDEN’S best-known and never forgotten pop export, ABBA received official and royal recognition 50 years on from their Eurovision victory with Waterloo.

On May 30 they received one of Sweden’s most prestigious knighthoods, Order of the Vasa, given in recognition of personal efforts for Sweden or Swedish interests, as well as the “successful performance of public duties and assignments.”

Along with all orders of nobility this was phased out for the country’s own citizens in 1975, but was still awarded to foreigners.

Sweden’s parliament restored the practice in 2022 and Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus received the Vasa order from King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia for their “outstanding efforts in Swedish and international music.”

They were the first Swedish citizens to receive the Order of Vasa knighthoods in practically half a century. Agnetha was married to Bjorn and Anni-Frid to Benny, but both couples broke up within a year of each other in 1980 and 1981 respectively. The last time they performed live was on Noel Edmonds’ Late

Late Breakfast Show in the UK in November 1982. The success of Mamma Mia, which followed on from Waterloo in 1975, demonstrated that ABBA weren’t doomed to fade away as onehit wonders, eventually selling more than 400 million singles and albums. Despite ABBA’s ‘uncoolness’ for the next couple of decades, the Mamma Mia! musical, which premiered in London in April 1999, revived interest in the group and subsequent film adaptations have reintroduced the group’s music to younger generations.

Quality of life in Italy

A NEW survey previewed at the Trento Festival of Economics by ‘Il Sole 24 Ore’, investigated quality of life and services offered to the various population groups.

With a trend that remains stable compared to 2023, large cities do not rank well in quality of life. With the exception of Bologna (14th) and Florence (33rd), the large cities all rank from mid-table downwards: 45th place for Milan, 98th place for Rome, and Naples and

Palermo also do badly.

In a win for northern Italy, first place for the quality of life offered to the elderly is Trento; in second place Como, third Cremona. Lodi, Treviso, Vicenza, Padua, Verona and Bolzano are also in the top 10; all are in the north of Italy. Trento, “in addition to being in first place for life expectancy, is second for the civic participation of the over-50s and third for the lowest consumption of drugs,” said Sole 24 Ore

journalist Marta Casadei during the presentation.

First for the quality of life offered to young people is Gorizia at the foot of the alps, closely followed by Ravenna and Trieste. A comparison of this study with previous ones reveals, “a country that is struggling to take care of its young people, 34 per cent of under-20s are thinking of moving abroad,” noted Eleonora Angelini, of online news website, Agenzia Nova.

TRENTO: The best place to live in Italy for the elderly.

TOP HONOUR: ABBA receive their awards from Sweden’s monarchs

Right to vote

Trevor Colt BRITISH nationals living in the Netherlands are being encouraged to vote in the general election this July, finally voicing their views.

In the past, Britain would remove the voting rights of British nationals who lived abroad for more than 15 years, but the legislation was discarded at the beginning of this year, allowing the vote for the 2024 general election.

“Decisions have been made and will continue to be made by the British government that directly affect the lives of thousands of British nationals living and working in the EU,” said Tricia Tarrant from the British in the Netherlands campaign group.

There are currently at least 45,000 British nationals living in the Netherlands, a large

number of whom were unable to vote in the past elections, unable to voice their views.

Despite living in the Netherlands, British nationals have first-hand experience with the British regime, especially with the new income requirements for reti -

ring, looking after an elderly relative or moving back with an EU partner, which has caused a growing discussion.

The elections will take place on July 14, currently led by the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak and Labour Party, Keir Starmer.

THE Primavera Sound Festival is making a much-anticipated return to Porto’s Parque da Cidada from June 6June 8.

Now in its 11th season, the festival promises a mix of established and emerging artists. Festival director Jose Barreiro highlights Lana Del Rey’s upcoming performance as a key attraction. The artist is known for her cinematic music style and ‘tragic ro mance’ lyrics.

Barreiro emphasised Primavera Sound Porto’s commitment to blending well-known artists with up-and-coming acts.

Last year, the festival expanded its

Primavera Sound Stress rates

SWEDEN is breaking records in the number of citizens suffering from stress-related diseases.

The amount of sick days in Sweden due to stress has increased by sevenfold over the past decade; something which has never happened in history, say the IF’s (Skadeförsäkring AB) company researchers.

“These figures are alarming and should be taken seriously. Preventative work is necessary based on an integrated approach, where employers take on the responsibility to stop the development of chronic stress in em-

grounds and extended the event to four days to celebrate its 10th edition, benefiting from the enhancements to Parque da Cidade, which now connects to the sea. Despite these changes, the festival retains its core appeal, drawing a diverse crowd, with many attendees being over 40. The festival can accommodate 40,000 attendees each day, with more than half of the tickets purchased by international visitors, mainly from Spain and the United Kingdom. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in interest from North American audiences as well.

ployees,” said Kristina Ström Ulsson from If.

Sweden’s stress rate has increased by 42 per cent from last year, with 51 per cent of the citizens stating that stress leads to a significant decline in their work.

Skadeförsäkring AB is an insurance company with at least 3.6 million customers in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Based on the company’s study, 88 per cent of workers in these countries experience stress on a daily basis.

Rishi Sunak for the 2024 elections.

Credit: RishiSunak, X

Lana Del Rey brings Old Hollywood glamour to Porto.

Credit: Justin Higuichi Flickr

Will you vote? VOX Pop

WE asked a number of people at random whether they were eligible to vote in the upcoming European elections and if so were they likely to bother or are MEPs a

Dana Dushullina from Russia, living in Altea, is not eligible to vote and is unsure whether she would if she was. “I’m not so confident that my vote would even count… From my personal experience and knowledge of other countries and the systems across the world. In the modern day, there are too many artificially created levers of pressure to count on fair elections, so even if voting, I wouldn’t expect too much of the results.”

election as I am a pensioner are of far more interest to me.”

Dave McGuire, who lives in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca and is from Ireland said “I can vote, but I won’t. I think MEPS are a bit of a waste of time. They don’t seem to make much of a difference in our daily lives.”

Duncan G Inglis from Canada, living in Altea de la Vella has no interest in voting even though he could.

“Voting in general, in any country, is seriously flawed because most people don’t know what they’re voting for; they vote based on tradition and slogan. Voters don’t go into the details of election promises or what the Party will actually do once in power.

“The politicians take advantage of this by omitting details or outright lying. There is too much hypocrisy from both sides. It is a lie when Democracy claims you have the right to choose. There really is not much to choose from. So I don’t bother.”

Debbie Jones originally from Wales but now living in Mojacar commented, “To be honest I don’t take much notice of the European Election, from my point of view, the local elections followed by the Spanish government election and even the UK

Marion Oprel , from the Netherlands living in Javea is not eligible to vote in Spain but would definitely voice her opinion if she could. “I would absolutely vote if I could. I think, certainly these days, every vote counts and matters. Democracy, diversity and peace are now under pressure.

“The vote for extremist and radical rightist parties in Spain is bad news for tolerance, freedom of expression and our culture in general. I wish I could have a say in the general elections.”

Kathleen Misson from England, living in Moraira is only eligible to vote for local elections and has doubts about the elections in general. “Voting is complicated because we don’t know what the truth is. I rarely watch Spanish news because I know the media only tells people what they want them to know and I don’t bother following the votes and the results.”

DUNCAN G INGLIS

KATHLEEN MISSON

DANA DUSHILLINA

MARION OPREL

IRELAND

US visitor

BIRDWATCHERS from all over the country and even the UK are descending on Belcarra (County Mayo) to see the North American yellow-crested night heron which has been spotted in Ireland for the first time. Experts believe the bird must have arrived after it was caught up in one of last autumn’s hurricanes.

Gun law

TRANSPORT minister Eamon Ryan is to introduce legislation that will permit random checks of civil aircraft and non-military planes to ensure that neither weapons nor ammunition are on board. Although the law already prohibits this on Irish soil without an exemption, the current law does not allow for random checks.

NORWAY

Don’t intrude

NORWAY’S Consumer Council opposed proposals to introduce a social media age limit although spokeswoman Inger Lise Blyverket said she understood the government’s wishes to protect children and young people. But age verification was so intrusive that the Consumer Council “simply could not support it,” she added.

Cold War

A RESEARCH conference ending on June 3 in the Arctic town of Bodo could be targeted by intelligence agencies, the authorities believe. The Police Security Service (PST) warned that spies from some of the countries attending would be especially interested in the participants who possessed sensitive information.

ITALY

No cameras

ITALY has approximately 11,130 speed cameras but after new regulations come into force, local prefectures and not town halls will be responsible for their locations. The updated rules will also include the removal of speed cameras on roads in built-up areas where there is a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour or lower.

Tragic fall

THREE members of the Guardia di Finanza (GdF) force’s Alpine Rescue unit, aged 22, 25 and 33, died during a climbing exercise in Val di Masino. A rocky spur gave way as they negotiated the Asteroid Precipice and the three men, who were roped together, fell 30 metres as their colleagues looked on, unable to intervene.

EURO PRESS

PORTUGAL

No charge

ON International Museum Day on May 18, when entry was free of charge, Culture minister Dalila Rodrigues announced that it would soon be possible to visit any of Portugal’s 38 heritage sites without having to pay. The scheme incorporating a mobile app would be implemented “before long”, Rodrigues said.

BELGIUM

Rolling stock

THIRTY people in two carriages of a train that was being uncoupled at Mechelen station found themselves leaving the station without a driver, only coming to a halt when a quick-thinking passenger pulled the emergency cord. Other trains were then halted while the passengers were safely evacuated, rail operator NMBS said.

New batch

BELGIUM could develop antibiotics capable of tackling growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), now that existing medicines are ineffectual and only 10 new drugs were approved worldwide between 2017 and 2023. It was vital to secure support and incentives, said Antwerp University’s Professor Herman Goossens.

DENMARK

Foodora leaves

THE Foodora food and groceries delivery service which operates in northern Europe announced that it was leaving Denmark where it launched in late 2022 and now covers most of the country. Citing “economic developments”, Foodora said it would redistribute the company’s resources to other active markets.

Less red tape

THE government announced that it would save 1,000 man-years of work in 2025 by cutting down on bureaucracy, with further savings in coming years. Finance minister Nicolai Wammen said that having asked Denmark’s towns, cities and regions to streamline procedures, the state also had to play its part.

FRANCE

Quiet please

EIGHTY per cent of the Paris region’s 9.7 million inhabitants endure noise levels exceeding the World Health Organisation’s recommendations, a monitoring organisation said. Noise pollution increased the risk of serious diseases in the area and had an annual social cost of €43 billion, according to Bruitparif.

DNA clues

INVESTIGATORS from France’s Cold Case Unit requested fresh DNA analyses of evidence in the 2012 shooting of a British family and a French cyclist in a remote Alpine village. Detectives believe that re-examining clothing, cigarette ends and fragments of the gun used could throw fresh light on the murders.

FINLAND

Dug up

PARTICIPANTS in the Crowdsorsa mobile phone game can earn up to 25 per cents a square metre for removing non-native plants like Himalayan balsam and lupins from the Helsinki countryside. Every helping hand was needed, the city’s Environment department explained, as mechanical removal was impractical.

Lagging behind

HELSINKI was at risk of being overtaken by Denmark, Norway and Sweden in wooing tourism during the post-pandemic era, a study carried out by the city’s Tourism Foundation concluded. Foreign visitors accounted for fewer than two million overnight stays in 2023, just 78 per cent of the total registered in 2019.

SWEDEN

Storm damage

TWO buildings located between Gothenburg and Boras were struck by lightning on May 27 during violent thunderstorms, although firefighters soon had both fires under control and there were no reports of injuries. Several areas in western and central Sweden were also affected by flooding during the torrential downpours.

Sweet music

STIM, Sweden’s performing rights organisation, announced record revenues of 3.095 billion krona (€269.6 million) for 2023, an increase that was 14 per cent up on the previous year. Forty-two per cent of STIM’s income came from digital sources, which rose by 8 per cent to 942 million krona (€82.07 million).

GERMANY

New residents

APPROXIMATELY 200,100 people became naturalised German citizens in 2023, more than at any time since the beginning of this century and a 19 per cent increase on 2022. Fifty-six per cent, of whom more than half were male, were from Romania, Syria, Turkey, Iraq or Afghanistan, with an average age of 29.3 years.

No jab

MEMBERS of Germany’s armed forces no longer need to provide proof that they have been vaccinated against Covid 19, an obligation introduced in November 2021. This requirement has been dropped on the advice of the military advisory committee and replaced with a “strong recommendation” in favour of vaccination.

NETHERLANDS

Top job

DICK SCHOOF, a 67-year-old senior official at the Netherlands Justice ministry with no current link to a political party, is on course to head the coalition government. As a former head of Dutch intelligence, Schoof is an expert on security and migration, which are key issues for the four members of the coalition.

Going ahead

JUDGES in The Hague revoked a permit to drill for natural gas off the North Sea island of Schiermonnikoog following an appeal from environmentalists in April. Despite the potential risks to nature, the Economic Affairs ministry said the permit has been restored after the drilling firm provided more information.

HERITAGE SITE: 16th century Jeronimos Monastery in Belem.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Homing in

PERSIMMON, which has a market value of £4.7 billion (€5.5 billion) and is the UK’s third most-important property developer after Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, is said to be considering a takeover of its competitor Cala. Owned by Legal & General, the Cala deal would cost around £1 billion (€1.17 billion).

Take a seat

CRITERIA CAIXA, CaixaBank’s investment company, and the Real Automobile Club de Catalunya (RACC) are returning to the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. They left owing to the business association’s former proindependence stance and following board changes, both will now pay at least €75,000 to occupy Cambra seats.

Sob story

ONLINE fast fashion retailer Boohoo has given up on plans topaya£1million(€1.75million) bonus to each of its three top executives. Shareholders have rebelled after sales fell to £1.8 billion (€2.12 billion) and the company racked up a £95 million (€111.7 million) debt for the financial year that ended in February 2024.

Wedding blues

PRONOVIAS, famed for its lavish wedding dresses, announced losses of €93.1 million in 2023 following a 9 per cent reduction in sales and setbacks stemming from the pandemic. The company also revealed plans for a series of “staff adjustments” expected to affect 85 employees at its Barcelona offices.

Numis numbed

DEUTSCHE BANK, which acquired London-based stockbroking group Numis for £410 million (€482 million) in April 2023, has halted its US operations. Nunis’s value has been slashed to £200 million (€233 million) and US staff will either merge with the Deutsche Bank’s own New York head office or relocate.

STAT OF WEEK

€10.4 million

in sales for Spain’s cosmetics industry during 2023, a 12 per cent increase on 2022, the National Perfumery and Cosmetics Association (Stanpa) announced.

Czech-mate for Royal Mail Try later

ROYAL MAIL’S parent company International Distributions Services (IDS) has agreed to a £3.57 billion (€4.2 billion) takeover by Daniel Kretinsky.

The Czech billionaire, who has a stake in Sainsbury’s and West Ham Football Club, is already IDS’s largest shareholder through his company EP Group and will acquire the 73 per cent of Royal Mail that he does not yet own.

“The EP Group has the utmost respect for Royal Mail’s history and tradition,” declared a statement from the man known as the Czech Sphinx. “I know that owning this business will come with enormous

responsibility, not just to the employees but to the citizens who rely on its services every day.”

The deal includes the legal obligation to maintain Royal Mail’s Saturday deliveries and the first

TENDAM, which owns Cortefiel and Women’s Secret amongst other labels, is working flat out to list in Madrid before July 12.

The clothing chain, now pre sent in 79 countries, was acqui red by private equity firms CVC Capital Partners and PAI Part ners in 2017.

With a float that would value

Tendam at an expected €2.5 bi llion, the company headed by Jaume Miquel hopes to attract the big US-based hedge funds whose investments are tied by a norm requiring an inter-

Teknia results

CAR component manufacturer Teknia, based in Zaldibar (Vizacaya) posted a record €460 million turnover for 2023.

Although this was a 19.5 per cent increase on the previous year, its net profit fell by 12.5 per cent to €14 million, the multinational manufacturer said.

The company, which has 1,000 employees inside Spain, explained that it had doubled spending on equipment, which grew from €13.98 million in 2022, to 31.2 million in 2023.

class one-price-goes anywhere pledge. Kretinsky has also guaranteed that he would protect the Royal Mail brand, which goes back 500 years, and that there would be no job cuts. The company will re-

tain its headquarters and tax-residency in the UK for at least five years, he stated.

The Royal Mail deal needs the approval of IDS shareholders at the annual general meeting in September and could still be obstructed under the UK’s National Security and Investment Act.

Meanwhile, although IDS shares rose by 3 per cent to 331p (€3.89) when markets opened on May 29, the price fell short of EP’s Royal Mail offer of 360p (€4.23) per share.

This suggested the markets were not entirely certain that the deal would definitely go through, City insiders said.

Deadline for Tendam

val of fewer than 135 days since the end of a company’s financial year.

Tendam’s ended on February 29, and the company needs to list by Friday, July 12. As the process takes a month, it should make a decision “within days” according to analysts.

The last day that it can formally announce its intention to float is June 12, although the same sources said they believed this deadline would be met.

Uranium

spat

AUSTRALIAN mining group Berkeley is seeking $1 billion (€921 million) in damages from the Spanish government.

The company launched arbitration proceedings with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes via its Spanish subsidiary Berkely Energia on May 28 after Madrid refused definitive approval for a uranium mine in Retortillo (Salamanca).

Permission for the mine was granted in 2013, but the government announced in 2021 and again in 2023 that it intended to prevent the project from going ahead.

An Environment ministry spokesperson explained that Spain’s Nuclear Security Council report had raised concerns regarding the storage of radioactive waste at the facility, but declined to comment on the arbitration request.

THE UK government temporarily shelved plans to sell part of its remaining shares in the NatWest bank, whose 2008 bailout cost £45.5 billion (€53.4 billion).

The sale, preceded by an M&C Saatchi advertising campaign, should have taken place in June, but with a General Election announced for July 4, the Treasury confirmed that a retail offer “would not happen” during the election period.

Any sale was unlikely until the end of this year, and the new government would have to review the proposals, Treasury sources said.

HARLAND & WOLFF might have to close its Arnish and Methil shipyards in Scotland and concentrate on Royal Navy contracts.

The company, always remembered for having built the Titanic at its Belfast yard, is counting on a £200 million (€235.16 million) loan. This will fall through if it cannot secure a guarantee from the government, Harland & Wolff chiefs warned.

According to UK media sources, 500 Arnish and Methil workers have been told that they risk being laid off if the loan does not arrive.

In decline

THE Evening Standard, a London daily since 1827, is to become a weekly paper.

It has lost £84.5 million (€99.3 million) over the last six years and now relies on funding from co-owner Evgeny Lebedev. Other owners include a bank allegedly linked to the Saudi government.

Distributed at the capital’s Underground stations, the Standard has been hit hard by the introduction of Wi-Fi on the Tube as well as changing consumer habits and a switch to working from home.

Industry sources also maintain that Lebedev would have sold the publication some time ago, but was unable to find a buyer.

THE Carulla family, which owns GB Foods, received €52 million in dividends in 2023 via its Agrolimen and Coveral Inversiones companies.

This was the biggest payout in the last 14 years and the first since 2020, according to accounts submitted to the Registro Mercantil, Spain’s equivalent of Companies House.

These revealed the company, which is best known by its former name of Gallina Blanca, had a consolidated net profit of €143.4 million, 14 per cent more than in 2022.

Gallina Blanca payout

NEW OWNER: No change to Royal Mail, Kretinsky pledged.

Photo credit: Flickr/Kai Hendry

JAUME MIQUEL: Tendam’s chief executive.

3I Group 2.896,00 2.928,00 2.895,00 101,00K

Admiral Group 2.734,0 2.750,0 2.723,0 23,05K

Airtel Africa 124,10 125,21 122,70 147,06K

Anglo American 2.478,5 2.557,8 2.468,0 524,32K

Antofagasta 2.215,00 2.277,00 2.213,00 131,14K

Ashtead Group 5.744,0 5.822,0 5.714,0 40,43K

Associated British Foods 2.585,8 2.590,0 2.575,0 78,98K AstraZeneca 12.202,0 12.356,0 12.088,0 253,59K

Auto Trader Group Plc 827,00 833,80 820,00 426,73K

Aviva 482,50 485,80 482,50 769,38K

B&M European Value Retail SA 551,93 556,40 551,20 154,13K

BAE Systems 1.404,00 1.409,50 1.396,50 1,22M Barclays 222,25 224,25 221,95 5,63M

Barratt Developments 507,60 513,00 506,80 120,18K

Beazley 696,50 701,00 694,00 147,92K

Berkeley 5.325,0 5.335,0 5.297,9 13,02K

BP 491,15 494,35 489,70 3,51M

American Tobacco 2.438,0 2.445,6 2.430,0 364,97K BT Group 132,40 132,75 130,80 2,63M

2.968,0 2.998,0 2.946,0 166,00K Burberry Group 1.054,5 1.059,1 1.036,5 109,59K

142,52 145,85 142,25 2,17M Coca Cola HBC AG 2.700,0 2.710,0 2.686,0 141,36K

Euro

EUR/GBP: Down from £0.86 to £0.85

EUR/USD: Up from $1.06 to $1.08

Trade in the euro has been mixed over the past month ahead of a widely expected interest rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) in June.

Supporting EUR exchange rates in recent weeks has been a downturn in the US dollar, as well as some upbeat Eurozone data releases, including a continued uptick in growth in the bloc’s private sector.

However ongoing ECB rate cut bets have ultimately capped the single currency’s upside potential through May.

Looking forward, while a rate cut from the ECB next month is largely priced in, the outlook beyond that is less clear. EUR investors will

Currency outlook: US dollar slides on renewed Fed rate cut expectations, pound strengthens in upbeat trade

be paying close attention to the bank’s forward guidance, with the euro poised to slump if the ECB signals plans for another rate cut before the end of summer.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Up from €1.15 to €1.17

GBP/USD: Up from $1.23 to $1.27

The pound trended broadly higher over the past four weeks, with the increasingly risk-sensitive currency finding strength amid a more optimistic market mood.

However, Sterling got off to a rocky start in May. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation’s (OECD) slashing of its UK growth forecasts, coupled with dovish forward guidance from the Bank of England (BoE) both took their toll on GBP.

GBP exchange rates then

rallied through the second half of May. Sterling initially drew support amid an improving market mood, before a stronger-than-expected UK inflation print propelled the pound to new multi-month highs as GBP investors scaled back bets the BoE may cut interest rates in June.

While a June rate cut now appears less likely, there’s still the potential for the BoE to

surprise markets next month. Even if the bank leaves rates on hold, any dovish signals could reverse the pound’s recent gains.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Down from $0.81 to $0.78

USD/EUR: Down from €0.94 to €0.91

A clear US dollar selling bias has emerged over the

past month. This has been driven primarily by a repricing of Federal Reserve interest rate cut expectations.

Weaker-than-expected US inflation and payroll figures, coupled with cautious comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell following the US central bank’s latest policy meeting, revived bets that US interest rates will be cut multiple times in 2024

The Fed will next meet in June. If the US central bank continues to strike a dovish tone then the USD selloff may persist.

Currencies Direct have helped over 500,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

Trade in the euro has been mixed over the past month.

Piaggio with a story to tell

A THREE-WHEEL Piaggio MP3 motor scooter registered in 2009 fetched €25,420 at auction on Sunday May 26.

had never yet married anyone, finally wed Gayet in June 2022, when he was 66 and she was 51.

Given its age and despite having 34,000 kilometres on the clock, it would ordinarily have had a second-hand value of €1,338, but this was a motor scooter with a past, and a romantic past what’s more.

The scooter had belonged to François Hollande, who was France’s president between 2012 and 2017, and he used it to keep clandestine trysts with his lover, the actress Julie Gayet.

When their affair began, Hollande was in a relationship with journalist Valerie Trierwei ler after separating in 2007 from his former partner, the politician Segolene Royal, with whom he has four chil dren.

Trierweiler left him in 2014 and Hollande, who

FRANÇOISE HOLLANDE: France’s president between 2012 and 2017.

The Piaggio scooter with its AL-807SX number plate was eventually sold off by the Elysee Pala. It was bought by a garage owner in the Poitou region and changed hands twice before it was put up for sale in 2024.

The last owner, aware of its history but no longer able to use it on medical grounds, preferred to sell it than run the risk of having it stolen. With a €10,000 starting price, it went for

ret, will now display the Piaggio at his Prestige & Collection car

tic at the moment. This at

heret told a local newspaper. “There’s nothing at

Airlines fined

Donna Williams

SPANISH CONSUMER AFFAIRS has fined low-cost airlines Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, and Voltea €150 million for anti-customer practices.

The Directorate General for Consumer Affairs led an investigation into their practices in 2023 when associations such as FACUA (a non-profit consumer association independent of political parties and companies) denounced the airlines for practices they considered ‘abusive’. This case has now been resolved, and a steep fine has been imposed.

The fine is for the following four infringements: charging for carrying hand luggage on board, charging for seat selection when travelling with children or dependents, lack of transparency in contractual information and excluding cash payments when buying tickets at the airport.

The report noted that initially displayed prices were not always what the customer paid, making it difficult to compare competitor offerings and therefore, an ‘unfair commercial practice’.

In addition, Ryanair has been criticised for charging unreasonable fees for printing paper tickets at the airport. Consumer Affairs considers the charges - sometimes as high as €20 - disproportionate to the actual cost.

Along with the fine, the outlined infringements are also ‘technically’ prohibited from this point forward. However, as the airlines have a right to appeal, this may not necessarily lead to a complete change in their business models. Ryanair, the primary offender, will bear the brunt of the penalties, although this will only account for a mere 5 per cent of its profits. Just 10 days ago, Ryanair reported a net profit of €1.92 billion, an all-time record for the airline.

Nosy typist

VINOD KUMAR

CHAUDHARY’S latest record-breaking feat has set a new benchmark in an unconventional category: typing the alphabet with his nose.

The 44-year-old Indian man, known as the ‘Typing Man of India’, has once again surpassed his own record for the fastest time to type the alphabet with the nose.

After achieving his rst record in 2023 with a time of 27.80 seconds and improving it to 26.73 seconds later that year, Vinod has now reduced the time to an impressive 25.66 seconds.

To successfully claim this record, Vinod had to type out the Roman alphabet on a standard QWERTY keyboard, ensuring he included a space between each letter.

His dedication to per-

fecting his nose-typing skills has earned him considerable recognition in the computer industry, where he works.

In addition to this achievement, Vinod holds several other typing records.

He boasts the fastest time to type the alphabet backwards with one hand (5.36 seconds) and the fastest time to type the alphabet with hands behind the back (6.78 seconds).

Vinod’s journey into

record-breaking began as a means to combine his professional skills with his passion for typing. He explains that his profession has always involved typing, prompting him to pursue records that align with both his career and interests.

Despite the physical challenges, such as experiencing dizziness and seeing stars during practice, Vinod believes that dedication can overcome any obstacle.

VINOD: Known as the ‘Typing Man of India’.

Ryanair fined along with other low-cost airlines.

I have never voted

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

DEAR Lord; for all our sakes, please reincarnate Screaming Lord Such and his raving Loony Party. Despite the gobbledygook this hippy style bunch of nutty volunteers spouted in days of yore they at least advocated a peaceful co-existence on this utterly war torn globe of ours. Well not any more. Let’s just have a look around, if you actually care that is! The utterly pathetic Westminster woke ticket inspectors are once again traversing bus routes across the country.

Prime Minister Sunak, whose election campaign is probably directed by his multi-millionaire wife Akshata (I bet she’s expensive!) continues to babble unattainable nonsense.

Starmer, ’The Changer’ still carefully disregards what an extreme leftie he was during the reign of Corbyn and remains well under the cosh of Ms ‘Two Houses’ Rayner, who has not only managed to slip out from under the threat of legal action, but made sure to pick up a few black votes by

recommending the reestablishment of Diana Abbot; a woman who appeared to originally gain her status in the party by the positions she managed to accomplish with Jeremy Corbyn during their somewhat torrid affair in the late 70s.

Looking a little further afield we meet up with Mr Putin, the Russian president who has managed to assassinate all his rivals and now runs his non democratic country with a rod of iron as he negotiates his position with other nations ruled by despots of the same ilk. South Africa’s money grabbing, family infested party the ANC, who I warned about years ago, has now churned the country into the dirt and poverty of the farms they destroyed by the assassination and crushing of the conscientious farmers. A bunch of inferior racist racketeers who stood by witnessing the infrastructure and success achieved by the white minority fall into utter rack and ruin. Still don’t trust them.

The column is far too short to mention all the countries whose Western and Eastern leaders are still lurking in the luxury lounges of supremacy and command. Many of them, par-

ticularly Islamic regimes, possess power mad and soul destroying destructive policies. Spain and Ireland, two basically peaceful nations that I do admire, have actually been run by coalitions for some years - probably the answer! And so we come to America. I bet Putin is rubbing his hands. If Trump, who has now attained a criminal record, manages to utilise his new reputation to gain even more popularity and becomes the next president, be assured, both he and the Russian premier will be sharing diplomacies long before America’s new head of state totally conforms with Europe’s Western leaders.

I will also be amazed if doddering Biden, who is undoubtedly controlled in the vice of Kamala Harris and whose son is this week actually facing 25 years in prison for gun offences, actually wins. Once again I reiterate, as an advocate of peace and love I have never voted in my life. And casting an eye around, unless I am reincarnated in about 1,000 years, never will.

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.

Phone bans

DUTCH researchers revealed that prohibiting phones at school does not benefit students.

The Dutch Ministry of Education banned the use of phones in 2023, aiming to improve the experience of students, but the results were not impressive.

A study by the Radboud University in Nijmegen surveyed 1,000 teachers, parents and students on their experience of phone-free schools and found that while parents and teachers were in favour, students rated their experience an average of 4.8 out of 10, compared to 6.8 before the prohibition.

The researcher, Loes Pouwels, shared that increased personal contact led to more cases of ‘offline bullying’ and physical violence. Forty per cent of the students said that their school breaks were better without a phone, while 37 per cent said they missed them.

“I am forced to socialise when I’m not in the mood, which is often,” shared one of the students. Many mentioned the disadvantages of not having a phone and being unable to consult school schedules.

For students with health conditions, including mental disorders, this was particularly difficult, as they were unable to be in touch with family members.

Phone use at school.

Get summer started

Kevin Fraser Park

STARLITE describes itself as the best boutique festival in the world. After 12 years, it has also established itself as the longest running festival, with more than 60 days of concerts. In 2024, Starlite Marbella kicks off on Friday June 14 with a concert by Jamie Cullum and, the next day, on Saturday June 15, Van Morrision will take to the stage in the only performance in Spain by this iconic singer.

Among other artists appearing this year are: Sheryl Crow on June 21, Take That on July 14 and 15, Simple Minds on July 22, Tom Jones on July 23 and Ricky Martin on July 25. The Starlite experience begins before the concert with a range of restaurants in a summer terrace atmosphere, and continues after the show with shows and DJs where you can dance in a unique environment.

The Sessions space of the Starlite Occident festival in Marbella will host DJ sets, after-parties and performances by renowned national and international artists. The event organisers have just announced new

additions that will delight party lovers. According to a press release, the Sessions will host a mix of genres ranging from commercial music to the most avant-garde rhythms. World-class electronic music will be played to the rhythm of international DJs including Robin Schulz and Claptone who brings his Masquerade party to the festival. The Lounge Stage will host Mexico’s Yng Lvcas for the first time on Monday July 22.

With more than 20 million monthly listeners, Daniel Oswaldo Donlucas Martinez, known as Yng Lvcas, has positioned himself as a standard bearer of Mexican Reguetón and leader of the ur-

CANDLELIGHT concerts will light up Marbella in June with programmes ranging from classical music to tributes to some of the world’s leading pop groups. Hurry though because tickets are very limited.

The setting for Candlelight in Marbella will be the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, the five-star hotel located in a picturesque setting between Marbella, Benahavis and Estepona. This elegant, classically styled resort is surrounded by three golf courses, a beautiful lake, a Roman amphitheatre and over 1,200 original works of art.

Starting on Sunday June 7, in the amphitheatre of the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort, there will be a tribute to Queen

and their great repertoire. It will be performed by the string quartet Résonance at 9pm with tickets from €26.

The concert will be repeated on Wednesday June 19 with the string quartet Ensemble Origen and both will feature the greatest hits of the iconic British band including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, Another One Bites The Dust’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ among others.

At the same venue on Friday June 14 a Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Hans Zimmer by the string quartet Ensemble Origen is scheduled for 9.30pm with tickets from €26.

And on Saturday June 29, another Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to Coldplay, performed on the piano by Natalia Kuchaeva from 9.30pm with tickets available from €26.

These concerts are an unparalleled experience that will bathe the beautiful Anantara Villa Padierna Palace in candlelight. All tickets are available from the website feverup.com

ban music movement. There is something for everyone this year at Starlite, tickets still available from the festival website.

Photo:

Occidental

Photo: Facebook / Feverup

Dutch herring party

THE 21st Herring Party of the Marbella Dutch Business Club (MDBC) will be held on Saturday June 15 at the magnificent ‘El Ancla Beach Club’ in San Pedro Alcantara. Following the success of the famous Dutch Haring Party in the park of castle Neijenrode, the first MDBC Haring Party was celebrated in June 2004 at Puente Romano. The ‘founding father’ of the Dutch herring party, Henny ten Brink has given the MDBC board permission to use his successful formula and the MDBC Herring Party has now become one of Marbella society’s most important events.

The herring party is an ideal event for meeting new people while enjoying delicious snacks and drinks and the best music. Discover delectable dishes from the Dutch fish master and prepare for an array of delicious appetisers, an extensive buffet with something for everyone - from meat to fish to vegetarian delicacies. And of course, how could it be otherwise, an abundance of fresh herring, oysters and Dutch shrimps. The Herring Party starts with atmospheric background music at the beginning, perfect for making new contacts and catching up over a drink.

Later in the evening, we treat you to a dazzling live performance by singer Ivanildo Kembel, known from the Voice and the ‘Dinner Show’ of RTL Nederland followed by the infectious beats of Jamm FM DJ Marcel. For everyone who attends, there is again this year a special prize for the person with the most beautiful hat and/or outfit. Every year it is great to see how everyone does their best to win this special trophy with their beautiful attire. The event is in aid of the Crece Foundation, a special education organisation. With a team of psychologists, speech therapists and teachers based in Marbella, they provide early care, to address developmental and learning disabilities in children and young adults.

An evening to look forward to. Don’t miss it, the all-inclusive price for non-members is €169.00 per person.

For all information and ticket sales see https://marbella dutchbusinessclub.nl/ha ring-party-2/

Open from Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only. Kitchen open from 1 8.30 to 23.30, last ord ers 23:00. Ever y night with live music. We are a family-run

adventure Ebike

A YOUNG couple

Nathan and Laura, have recently started up an eco-friendly E-Bike company in the hopes of showing people beautiful Andalucia. They have five years experience in providing bike holidays, so you’re in great hands.

Running out of things to do? Got family coming and worried you’ll be stuck inside in order to stay cool?

Just fancy something different than date-night?

At enduromalaga.com they have been working on something for you.

Three beautiful E-Bike tours, starting in the mountains and flying through the stunning Andalucian countryside to give you not only an amazing adventure, but also something to chat about at the end of the day.

Churros, sea views, winding trac-

ks and not a bead of sweat as the combination of van assisted lifts and powerful batteries will see you have a relaxing and cool trip.

Take your pick out of three tours: Ojen to Fuengirola; Malaga Mountains Natural Park to Malaga City and Mijas Pueblo to Fuengirola. All three have expert guides, van assistance and coffee is included. For €100 per person, the price includes bike rental, helmet, coffee stop, van assistance, expert guides and a route tailored to your needs.

Get in touch via whatsapp on 602 464 082, or via email on info@endu romalaga.com.

Photo: Facebook / Enduro

Pawsawhile Summer Fayre

David Hart

AFTER volunteering for five years at an animal rescue charity Carl and Anita Hooper decided to start their own dog rescue and rehoming organisation near Malaga in February 2019.

The charity is run entirely by volunteers and completely reliant on dona-

tions and fundraising by friends and family to help them care for as many unwanted and abandoned dogs as possible.

Anita and Carl Hooper put on a fayre twice a year to raise funds to cover vet bills, food etc, for the dogs and puppies under their care. This summer’s fayre features a large va-

riety of stalls, a raffle, and a tombola and is being held at Coin Carvery at The Pig, Carretera Cortijo Benitez, Coin on Saturday June 8 from 10am until 2pm with refreshments available.To book a stall or for more information, please contact Pawsawhile via Facebook or email: pawsawhile_ dogrescue@aol.com.

Ecstatic Dance

YOU are warmly invited to a stunning sunset dance session of movement, celebration and heart-felt connection in a beautiful location in San Pedro Alcantara. With special guest RA CHi and Guided Meditation by Dev Modi on Sunday June 16 at 4pm.

MQ Tribe are excited to welcome RA CHI for the first time to Ecstatic Dance Marbella! RA CHi is a renowned DJ, passionate dancer and embodiment facilitator from Ecstatic Dance UK. She is the cofounder of ‘EmboDAY Fest’ - an inner city conscious day festival in London and a devoted yogini/teacher. RA CHi has shared her musical magic in the iconic Hilltop Festival in Goa and has facilitated in many festivals across the UK including Medicine Festival, Latitude and Lost Village.

Ecstatic Dance is an embodied moving meditation to music. It is a powerful practice that invites us into a deeper connection with ourselves and others, to be accepted as you are, to let yourself be expressed fully.

Physically and emotionally it releases stress and tension and opens us up to the present moment. Move,

shake, play, stretch, breathe, dance alone, dance with another, dance as a group... essentially, you move however you feel. After the dance the group will gather for optional (yet highly recommended! community jams, chai social and snacks, A moment to really bask in the post dance glow, connect deeper with your fellow dancers, sing and soak up the stunning Andalucian sunset.

Tickets available from the Eventbrite website and all funds are used to support ongoing community-building efforts. It is an alcohol and drug-free event, the only high available will be 100 per cent natural and from within.

Photo:

Photo: Goodfon

COYA

WELCOME to Coya, a renowned restaurant located at Puente Romano Beach Resort in Marbella. With its exquisite Peruvian cuisine, vibrant ambiance, and exceptional facilities, Coya has become a favourite among locals and tourists alike. From ceviche to tiraditos, anticuchos to grilled meats, and sushi to vegetarian options, Coya’s menu is sure to please even the most discerning palates. With a beautiful terrace for al fresco dining, a fully stocked bar, and a cosy lounge area, Coya offers a memorable dining experience in a stunning location. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Coya is worth a visit for an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Situated on the beautiful grounds of Puente Romano Beach Resort, Coya is a renowned restaurant located between Marbella and Puerto Banús. Offering a unique dining experience, Coya has gained a reputation for its exquisite cuisine, vibrant ambiance, and exceptional facilities.

About the restaurant

Coya is a modern and chic restaurant that specialises in Peruvian cuisine with Japanese, Chinese and Spanish cooking techniques. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu that features a wide range of flavoursome dishes crafted by expert chefs using the freshest ingredients. From ceviche to tiraditos, anticuchos to grilled meats, and sushi to vegetarian options, Coya offers an array of culinary delights that are sure to please even the most discerning palates. The restaurant also offers a thoughtfully curated selection of cocktails and an extensive wine list, making it a perfect destination for a complete dining experience.

Situated in the illustrious heart of the Golden Mile in Puente Romano, Coya Marbella emerges as a beacon of culinary brilliance, effortlessly blending Peruvian authenticity with contemporary European flair, and

elegant haven. Every dish, from the zest-filled ceviche to tantalising tiraditos, echoes the dedication of their expert chefs, ensuring that patrons embark on an unforgettable culinary voyage.

The meticulous presentation, combined with the use of only the freshest ingredients, ensures that every mouthful is a burst of exotic flavours. While one might regard Coya Marbella as a high-end establishment, the diverse menu options, especially the set lunch offering, ensure that the unparalleled dining experience remains accessible to many. Complementing the gustatory delights is the restaurant’s ambiance. With an interior adorned with exquisite art and textiles that undergo a refreshing transformation every three months, it exudes an air of luxury while still resonating with Peruvian warmth.

And for those who cherish dining under the open sky, the outdoor terrace provides the perfect setting with its breathtaking views.

Ambiance of the restaurant

The ambiance of Coya is one of its main highlights. The restaurant is designed with a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The colourful décor, dim lighting, and cosy seating arrangements create an inviting and warm ambiance, perfect for a romantic dinner or a celebratory meal with friends and family. The restaurant also features a beautiful terrace, providing a serene and picturesque setting for al fresco dining.

Coya Marbella stands as a testament to the art of fine dining. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience, where every detail, from food to ambiance, culminates in a harmonious symphony of luxury and taste. It’s an indulgence that, while on the pricier side, guarantees value in every sense of the word.

‘The Ballet’ · dance gala

TEATRO Auditorio

Felipe VI in Estepona is hosting a Dance Gala with Escuela de Ballet de Rusia, the Russian School of Ballet. As every year the Russian Ballet School presents its end-of-year show.

Spectators can enjoy a high-level performance of the school’s young dancers with a programme that combines classical and modern ballet pieces. The ballet school is housed in Casa Rusia in San Pedro Alcantara and is a space where the Costa

del Sol’s Russian community can safeguard their artistry and culture. It is founded by Regina Zarhina, a pro with experience as a dance teacher in the United States and the United Kingdom. Students at the school have taken part in prestigious international competitions and on Sunday June 16 at 6pm, you can see their talent and elegance on display in Estepona. Don’t miss it, for tickets call 682 280 077.

Fiesta time in Alhaurin

The San Juan 2024 Fair of Alhaurin de la Torre will take place from Thursday June 20 to Monday June 24.

Brian Bamford

COUNCILLOR, Andrés García, together with the Fiestas and Tourism team, outlined the programme and highlighted several important new features including the four-day Feria de Día in the Parque Municipal del Mirador de Bellavista, from Friday to Monday, with performances from 4pm by Malamanera (Friday), Comando G (Saturday), Makarines (Sunday) and Al Son de Jerez (Monday).

The fair begins on Thursday with the inaugural parade and, after the cutting of the ribbon, it will be time for everyone to enjoy themselves in the stalls set up in the Recinto Ferial. The Caseta Municipal will host concerts every night at 11pm and, after the concerts, young people will be able to enjoy DJ Eldrian’s sessions.

San Juan will have his big day on June 24, with mass in the Pari-

sh Church of San Sebastián at 6pm sung by the Santa Cecilia Choir and a procession from 7pm onwards. On Sunday June 23 there will be a paella tasting in the Municipal Park for a donation of just €1.

It should be noted that once again, during the five days of the fiestas, there will be noise-free hours in the attractions area from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and, from Saturday to Monday, the park will host activities for children in the mornings with games and shows from 11am to 1.30pm.

Andrés García has appealed to Alhaurinos and visitors to make the most of this Fair, which has been prepared with, “a lot of affection” so that everyone feels represented and finds something to enjoy in the full programme of events planned.

Photo:

Alhaurin Town Hall

Summer fundraiser

Kevin Fraser Park

ACE Shin animal charity has organised a fabulous fun summer fundraising dinner at the Miraflores Golf Bobby Jones Restaurant and Spikes Bar in Riviera del Sol, Mijas Costa on Saturday June 22 starting at 7.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by the sensational Laura Elen singing live. Tickets are €45 per person which

includes a €10 donation to ACE.

The price includes a threecourse meal, a half-bottle of wine per person water, draught beer or soft drinks during the meal.

There is limited availability and you must book in advance.

Tickets are on sale at Miraflores Golf restaurant, Ibex Insurance in Fuengirola or, for reservations and more informatiopn call Martyn on 711 039 124 or email: info@ace-charity. org ACE Animal Care, your local dog and cat shelter is currently caring for 450 dogs and 200 cats.

Please go along and support this amazing charity. In the 25 years the charity has been working, 30,000 animals saved and rehomed.

Family Fun Days

Stars Dine at La Sala Puerto Banus

LA SALA Puerto Banus, renowned for its ultimate social and dining experience, was delighted to welcome Liverpool’s rising stars, Bobby Clark and James McConnell, for an evening of fine dining and socialising with friends over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The talented midfielders, who have been making waves in the Premier League, enjoyed an exquisite meal at the iconic Marbella restaurant, known for its vibrant atmosphere and exceptional service. Bobby Lamont Clark and James William McConnell, are both English professional footballers

playing as midfielders for Premier League club Liverpool. The duo took a well-deserved break after the end of the Premier League season to enjoy an evening at La Sala Puerto Banus. During their visit, Clark, McConnell, and their friends indulged in a variety of La Sala’s signature dishes as they enjoyed the restaurant’s sophisticated ambiance on the sun drenched outdoor terrace. La Sala Puerto Banus has long been a favourite destination for celebrities and sports stars alike, offering a unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and worldclass cuisine.

FAMILY Fun Days are back at the Cazbah Live Lounge in La Cala de Mijas so you can join them for enchanted evenings this summer starting on Monday June 24 and every weekday from 6pm to 8pm right up to September 13.

There will be special guests, Disney Princesses and all your favourite royals. So get ready for non-stop fun, party at the mini disco, shake

The restaurant is dedicated to providing a premier dining experience, making it the perfect venue for both casual dinners and special celebrations. Book your table to spot celebrities in Marbella by contacting reservations@ LaSalaBanus.com or calling 952 814 145

things up playing bingo and put your knowledge to the test with family quizzes. There will be dancing games, sing-a-longs - something different each day. Liven up your weekday nights, contact the Cazbah Live Lounge for daily schedules, further details and to book your space via WhatsApp +34 602 535 710.

See you there!

Photo: Facebook / Laura Elen

Photo: pxhereCC

Our own kind of music

Kevin Fraser Park TICKETS are on sale now for the TAPAS spectacular summer show at Alhaurin Golf Club, Alhaurin el Grande on Saturday June 22 from 7.30pm until 11pm. After two hugely successful sellout shows last year, the TAPAS choir is back performing ‘Our own kind of music’ in a show which features Mama Cath and the Soul Singers. This will be a fabulous night of music and dancing, TAPAS will be showcasing many new and popular hits with fabulous new arrangements by music director James Burn.

There will be something for everyone with music from: Sam Smith, One Direction, Neil Sedaka, The Beatles, Madonna, Lady GaGa, among others. This charity Summer Spectacular will be raising funds for AHT and ADSG, the two charities TAPAS is supporting this year.

For tickets to this event, which cost €12 for members and €15 for non-members, call Linda on 693 104 060.

Beach party time

MARBELLA Town Hall has reconditioned over 50 moraga ‘boats’ throughout the municipality ready for use during the summer season from June 1 to October 15.

The reconditioned barbecue boats which are now available are: 33 at El Cable Beach in Marbella (two for people with reduced mobility); three at Rodeíto Beach in Nueva Andalucia; 17 at San Pedro Alcantara Beach (including two for people with reduced mobility), and

three stands at La Víbora Beach in Las Chapas.

These ‘boats’ filled with sand are the centrepieces for moragas; traditional evening parties on the beach for friends and family, which are typical of the coast of the province of Malaga. They can be requested by anyone of legal age through an online form available on the town hall website, where you will find information on each of the areas.

To use the tables set up in the area, no authorisa-

tion is required and they will be occupied on a first come, first served basis. The moragas must be requested at least three days before the moraga takes place. The persons participating in the moraga, and specifically those who have presented themselves to the Marbella Town Hall as responsible for the moraga, will be obliged to comply with the moraga regulations which will be emailed with confirmation of the booking.

Photo: Facebook / Mama Cath and the Soul Singers

Photo: pxhere

In La Cala de Mijas

Biddy Mulligans, the pride of the Coombe, has firmly established itself as the pride of La Cala de Mijas as well.

FOR over a decade, Biddy Mulligans has been the heartbeat of the local community, offering a warm welcome and a home away from home for both residents and visitors. Open seven days a week from 9.30am, Biddy Mulligans serves delicious, well-priced pub grub until 5.00pm daily. The bar is open daily from 9.30am with last orders at midnight.

Start your day with one of La Cala’s best Full Irish breakfasts, or pop in for lunch on the sunny terrace. The menu is packed with tasty, affordable options, including a variety of sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes, pizzas, burgers, a kid’s menu, traditional Fish n chips and our famous Guinness Steak n Ale Pie. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or a light snack, Biddy Mulligans has something to satisfy every appetite.

The TV system has just been upgraded at Biddy’s ensuring the best

picture possible just in time for the Euro 2024 football kicking off on June 14. Biddy Mulligans is the perfect place to catch all the action. Biddy Mulligans has 18 televisions with seven of them in the upstairs bar, ensuring you won’t miss a single moment.

From Premier League football and Rugby Union to Formula 1 and GAA, Biddy Mulligans is the go-to spot for sports enthusiasts. With all the beers and superb Guinness, a cocktail menu to tickle the taste buds, you won’t want to leave.

Biddy Mulligans’ support for local sports is well-known with sponsorship of the Mijas Eagles Rugby team, the Mijas Athletics club and a proud sponsor of the Costa Gaels, Marbella’s Gaelic football team. The Costa Gaels training will begin again in early September at the Marbella Rugby club. Entertainment plays a significant role at Biddy Mulligans with live music

Biddy Mulligans La cala

In La Cala de Mijas

Live Music

Friday 7th @ 8.30pm - Bú a

Sunday 9th @ 8.30pm - Miranda

Monday 10th@ 5.00pm - Whiskey Piskeys

Open from 9.30AM till late.

ALL SPORTS SHOWN

featuring crowd favourites including Sean Murray, Bua, Miranda, the Whiskey Piskeys and Alex. Please check their Facebook page for updates.

Dave and his dedicated team are known for their friendly service and welcoming atmosphere, making every visit to Biddy Mulligans a delightful experience. Dee and Dave have fostered a strong sense of community.

Dee’s recent organisation of the Darkness Into Light event exemplifies this spirit. The event saw support from locals businesses including The Blarney, The Fiddlers Green, Dempseys and the Irish Times with over 100 locals and tourists taking part on the early morning walk. The total raised so far for Darkness Into Light

2024 is €1,925. Dee and Dave extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause. You Know who you are!!!

Located conveniently next to a taxi rank, Biddy Mulligans is not just a pub; it’s a cornerstone of La Cala de Mijas, embodying the spirit of camaraderie and community. Whether you’re there for the food, the sports, the music, or simply the friendly atmosphere, Biddy Mulligans is a place where everyone feels at home.

David would like to take this opportunity to thank all his staff and customers - past, present and future.

Blvd. de La Cala 29649 La Cala de Mijas 952 494 877

AC/DC in Sevilla June entertainment at El Oceano

AC/DC Back in Black

Kirk Blows

AC/DC rock and rolled back the years as they delivered an exhilarating performance at the Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla on Wednesday (May 29), their first of two nights.

Australia’s finest musical export have been pounding the world’s stages - and ear drums - for more than half a century. And despite their advancing years, with singer Brian Johnson 76 and guitarist Angus Young 69, they continue to defy the odds as they belatedly promote their Power Up album of 2020. Thunderstruck received an ecstatic response from the crowd, who fully contributed to the excitement by roaring their heroes on as the group proved they can still generate awesome power.

With the band now including Stevie

Young (nephew of Angus and former guitarist Malcolm, who passed away in 2017), as well as a new rhythm section, things shifted up a gear with mid70s classics Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and High Voltage.

Other highlights included Highway To Hell and Whole Lotta Rosie, while the epic Let There Be Rock - which saw Angus hog the limelight - rocked and Shoot To Thrill did indeed thrill.

Heads were banged, air guitar was played and the devil’s horns sign was thrust into the air, with the band having developed a fan loyalty that borders on religious worship.

As always, For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) closed proceedings, with the climactic cannon fire ensuring that most went home with (hell’s) bells ringing in their ears.

IT’S another packed month at at El Oceano in Mijas Costa, with all your favourite performers, plus June’s Full Moon Gala Dinner on June 21.

at an actual Elton John concert.

On Monday June 17 there’s a great night instore with ‘Bennie And The Jet’, a tribute to Elton John. An amazing show, featuring Gilly and Carmine as ‘Bennie and the Jet’, the premier Elton John tribute band. Bennie and the Jet is led by Carmine whose vocals are exactly like Elton John and his piano playing is right on the money. Carmine is joined by Gilly on saxophone and has the ability to make you believe that you’re

Every Full Moon Gala Dinner throughout the season will feature amazing live music and entertainment and the next one is on Friday June 21. The Full Moon Gala Dinners are always an amazing night at El Oceano: the shimmering reflections on the waves with a warm sea breeze make the perfect dining experience. Enjoy a superb three-course menu under the moonlit skies accompanied by live music entertainment.

And then on Monday June 24, the always popular entertainer, Frankie B, steps up with his amazing tribute show to the legendary Lionel Richie. All the hits you know… ‘Endless Love’, ‘All Night Long’, ‘Hello’, ‘Say You, Say Me’, and many more. To top off the evening Frankie will be joined by friend James for their incredible Soul Brothers act featuring dance classics from the 60s and 70s.

Top-class live music, superb menus, impeccable service and the best beachfront location on the coast, book your table now, call (+34) 952 587 550 or email: info@ oceanohotel.com.

Credit: Dara Chriss

Photo: Facebook / El Oceano

Skina relocates

MARCOS GRANDA is relocating his two Michelin starred restaurant, Skina, to Marbella’s Golden Mile. Coinciding with its 20th anniversary, the chef has announced a change to the restaurant’s concept and its new space where it will be located from June onwards.

Marcos Granda has long wanted to put everything he has learned in his intense two-decade career into what he calls ‘El gran restaurante’ (The great restaurant). An establishment that is the sum of his experience as a waiter, sommelier, and lover of customer servi-

ce. The young Asturian who, after a three-year experience in London, returned to Spain and applied to the Bellamar school in Marbella, where he was not selected because he was too highly qualified, has evolved, learned and transformed. Receiving a ‘no’ spurred him on and he was convinced that he was in the right place at the right time to create his first restaurant. Resources were limited and he chose a small place in the old town, a modest corner that inspired the name.

Two decades later, Granda is convinced that the best is yet to

come and he is taking a risk with a new location. The new restaurant is set to revolutionise the gastronomic scene in Spain, as well as hospitality and customer service.‘El gran restaurante’ will be located at number 7, Calle Cánovas del Castillo: with capacity for 18 people and a private room for 12, it consists of different spaces both inside and outside. As for the cuisine, its Andalucian identity has not changed. It is still a very recognisable cuisine whose essence keeps to traditional recipes with the added flair of a team responsible for Michelin-starred quality

Drifters Cabaret Show

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GET ready for a night of unforgettable entertainment at the Hotel Cervantes in Torremolinos on June 15!

The Fantastic 50th Anniversary Drifters Cabaret Show promises to be the concert of the year, featuring a stellar lineup that includes The Drifters, European Entertainer of the Year Desi Egan, and the talented Juan Jose Portero.

Tickets are available for €32 at the door, so be sure to grab yours for an evening filled with music, excitement, and celebration.

The Drifters, known for their timeless hits and captivating performances, will headline the event, marking their 50th anniversary in style. Desi Egan, who will also be honoured with the European Entertainer of the Year award from the Irish Music Industry, is set to deliver a show-stopping performance. Signed to Sugo Music, a division of Sony Music, Desi’s ta-

lent has garnered massive global airplay in over 200 countries. Juan Jose Portero, a local favourite, will add his unique flair to the night’s festivities.

The event will attract several celebrities, including Chris Tucker, a former Butlins Redcoat and now a top UK radio presenter, and Nicole King, the beloved local TV star of Marbella Now. Following the main event, the celebration will continue with a late-night after-show party featuring music from local star Daniel of Billie’s Piano Bar.

Join us at the Hotel Cervantes in Torremolinos on June 15 for a night of spectacular performances, star-studded appearances, and nonstop entertainment. This is a concert you won’t want to miss!

C. de las Mercedes, s/n, 29620 Torremolinos 952 384 033 cervantesres@blueseahotels.es

Kevin Fraser Park

MAYBE you’re a fan of darts sensation Luke Littler or perhaps you remember the old TV programme Bullseye from the 80s and 90s; well, the La Cala de Mijas Lions are presenting ‘A Let’s Play Darts’ event, based on the Bullseye show at The Cazbah Live Lounge in Torrenueva on Wednesday June 19 at 3pm. The original series of Bullseye was hosted by the iconic late Jim Bowen and recent reports in the Daily Mirror in the UK have revealed that a reboot is planned featuring presenter Paddy McGuinness to take on the hosting role. But you don’t have to wait that long. It doesn’t matter if you’re an aspiring darts champion or just fancy a fun night out to help a great organisation support local worthy causes, head down to Torrenueva and ‘Let’s Play Darts’.

Tickets are available from the Lions Charity Shop in Calle Torremolinos, La Cala de Mijas and cost just €10 per person.

Score a Bullseye

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Skina

David Hart

THIS isn’t just another singles night, it’s a unique opportunity to build genuine connections without any guessing games and it’s on Saturday June 22 from 8.30pm. The event is structured to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.

The venue is Gigi Marbella, a stunning location providing the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night. It is exclusively reserved for the Singles Soirée and features a fabulous outdoor terrace, a well-stocked bar, and plenty of seating areas.

The hosts are always available to facilitate introductions and spark conversations, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Sol Events’ Singles events are becoming the ‘go-

to’ for savvy singles, local professionals who are tired of swiping with a schedule too busy for endless messaging. The evenings pack a month’s worth of dating into one efficient night out. Join them for an unparalleled experience of socialising and engaging activities.

Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary drink so you can enjoy a glass of wine, cava, beer or soft drink upon arrival. This will be followed by an array of delicious canapés and a fun mingling event, making it easy to connect with different attendees.

Throughout the night you’ll be able to continue to mingle and dance the night away with a

live DJ playing a range of music. Everyone who is single is welcome for a night of elegance and enjoyment. These events boast a high success rate, with many second dates and lasting relationships formed.

The hosts can help facilitate connections after the event by assisting with mutual matches, ensuring you have the chance to connect with anyone who felt the same.

Tickets are €35 per person, including the welcome drink, canapés, entertainment, and a luxurious goodie bag, but early Bird Tickets are available on the sol events.org website now for just €25 per person.

EXPERIENCE the thrill of the open sea with ‘Sailing the Strait’, a premier sailing adventure along the stunning coast of Estepona. Perfectly suited for those yearning to explore the ocean, our real sailing boat can comfortably hold up to eight passengers, offering an intimate and exhilarating journey on the Mediterranean waters. Suitable for youngsters.

With Tomas, a seasoned sailor with years of maritime expertise, at the helm, each trip promises to be a memorable adventure. His passion for the sea and dedication to creating unforgettable experiences ensure that every voyage is unique and enjoyable. This time of year is particularly special, as the warm weather creates ideal conditions for a day on the water. Estepona’s crystal-clear waters are teeming with marine life, and you may even be lucky enough to spot playful dolphins dancing in the waves.

For those looking to get even closer to the underwater world, snorkelling opportunities abound, allowing you to explore the vibrant marine ecosystems just below the surface. The prices are very reasonable, making it accessible for anyone looking to spend a day in maritime paradise. Do keep in mind that trips are weather permitting, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the journey. Join us on ‘Sailing the Strait’ and create lasting memories on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Whether you’re an avid sailor or a curious first-timer, Tomas and his crew are ready to welcome you aboard for an unforgettable day at sea.

Located in Estepona Port Contact Robert - 34 676 270 994

www.sailingthestrait.com

Photo: Shutterstock / Poznyakov

KU’DAMM BERLIN A German Gem in the Fuengirola Harbour

SINCE 1987, Ku’damm Berlin has established itself as a premier German restaurant in Fuengirola’s marina, offering a unique blend of German and Spanish cuisine in an ideal seaside setting. Founded by Michael Lienhoop, this establishment has become a popular meeting point for both tourists and locals seeking an authentic and highquality dining experience.

A Menu for All Tastes.

The restaurant prides itself on a diverse culinary offering that includes traditional German dishes and Spanish specialities. Noteworthy is the threecourse menu for €19.95, which features a selection of starters, main courses, and desserts.

Ku’damm Berlin is also distinguished by its commitment to freshness, offering daily fish specials and seasonal dishes carefully selected from the market.

A Dedicated Team.

Ku’damm Berlin’s success is not only due to its excellent cuisine but also its dedicated and experienced team. Led by Michael Lienhoop,

who arrived in Spain in 1987 and fell in love with the place, the team includes professionals with decades of experience.

For instance, Rafa, the head waiter, has been with the restaurant since 1988, while Irene, the cook responsible for both hot and cold dishes, has been part of the team for 20 years. This familial and cohesive atmosphere contributes to a warm and welcoming dining experience.

Situated in Fuengirola’s marina, Ku’damm Berlin offers a relaxed environment with stunning sea views. This privileged setting not only complements the dining experience but also makes it a perfect venue for celebrations of any size.

For those interested in exploring Ku’damm Berlin’s culinary offerings, the restaurant is open from Monday to Sunday from 11.00am to 11.00pm, except on Tuesdays when it is closed. Additionally, patrons can follow their social media channels to stay updated on special dishes and events.

For more information and reservations Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, 40, 29640 Fuengirola, www.kudammberlin.com 952 472 864 or Facebook KudammBerlin.

NEW , Sala Thai Restaurant opens

FUENGIROLA is now home to a delightful new culinary gem that promises to take its guests on a flavourful journey through Thailand. We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Sala Thai, located at Calle Rodrigo de Triana 3. With a passion for authenticity and excellence, Sala Thai invites you to experience an array of exquisite Thai dishes crafted to perfection. Open daily from 12.00pm to 4.00pm and 7.00pm to 11.00pm, Sala Thai offers both indoor and outdoor dining options, providing the perfect ambiance for every occasion.

The restaurant’s inviting atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy the rich and vibrant tastes of Thai cuisine, right in the heart of Fuengirola.

At the helm of Sala Thai’s kitchen is the esteemed Head Chef, Jarum Khanjai, who brings over 30 years of experience in Thai cooking. Chef Jarum’s expertise and dedication to authentic flavours ensure that each dish is a true reflection of Thailand’s culinary heritage. From aromatic curries to fresh and tangy salads, every

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bite at Sala Thai is designed to transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Bangkok. Owners Jose Jarum and Yupin and their team, look forward to welcoming you with warm hospitality and exceptional service. This week, Sala Thai had the honour of a special visit from Mr Vosita Vorasaph, the Thai Ambassador to Spain, who extended his best wishes for their success.

Join us at Sala Thai for an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the richness and diversity of Thai cuisine. We look forward to serving you soon!

Fairs and festivals

has launched the provisional calendar of fairs and festivals this summer in the municipality.

the Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen in Torreguadiaro, from Thursday July 11 to Sunday July 14. To finish July, the Feria de San Enrique will be from Thursday July 25 to Sunday July 28.

In August the Feria Real de San Roque will take place from Tuesday August 6, and the festival of the patron saint of San Roque will be on Thursday August 15.

Calle Rodrigo de Triana 3. 29640 Fuengirola 952 754 245

The Taraguilla Fair will take place from Thursday June 20 to Sunday June 23, with the traditional celebration of the Night of San Juan on Sunday 23. Also in June, the Guadiaro Fair will take place from Thursday June 27 to Sunday June 30.

In July, the first fiesta is the Feria de la Bahía, from Thursday July 4 to Sunday July 7. This is followed by

Finally, the Feria de la Estación de San Roque will be from Thursday August 15 to Sunday August 18 and, on Tuesday August 20, the festival of San Bernardo.

Brian Bamford SAN ROQUE Council

A Different Kind of Energy More choose Portugal

Photo: Facebook / Limerick Council

LIMERICK is ready to embrace domestic tourism in summer 2024 with the launch of the ‘Limerick: A Different Kind of Energy’, campaign.

The digital and traditional media campaign aims to inspire, intrigue, and energise visitors, highlighting the endless possibilities that Limerick has to offer.

Over four weeks, the ‘Limerick: A Different Kind of Energy’ campaign will engage audiences through a variety of promotional activities including dynamic TV advertising, national radio competitions, social media influencer partnerships, comprehensive PR efforts, e-newsletters, and digital marketing. Additionally, the campaign will feature an exclusive Spotify playlist, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Limerick’s unique atmosphere with a curated all-Limerick soundtrack.

The spotlight will shine on a diverse array of experiences across Limerick city

and county, encouraging all Irish people to discover or rediscover hidden gems. From recommended brunch spots and family-friendly eateries to relaxing day spas, top tattooists and scenic road trip destinations, there is something to energise every visitor.

The campaign also highlights Limerick’s rich culinary scene and lively nightlife, with options ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy pubs and live music venues. Visitors can immerse themselves in Limerick’s warmth and hospitality through its events and festivals, enjoying the unique atmosphere that the city and county have to offer.

Limerick has been overlooked in the past with many visitors favouring Dublin, Galway and Cork, but the campaign aims to show the city’s blend of scenic countryside and urban excitement, making it an ideal visitor destination.

Linda Hall

THE number of le gally-registered Portuguese residents who were born outside the country rose to 1.04 million in 2023.

Of these, 182,000 came from other European Union countries, while 858,000 were from outside the EU. This does not include the roughly 50,000 Ukrainian refugees who have been granted asylum following the Russian invasion.

According to figures from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), an unprecedented 329,000 residence permits were issued in 2023, a rise of 130 per cent on 2022.

Again, as with the overall non-Portuguese population, the 38,000 EU applicants were in a mi-

nority, while most of the remaining permits went to Portuguese-speaking countries outside Europe.

In 2022, the last year with available figures, 31 per cent of Portugal’s non-EU population came from Brazil, while Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, East Timor and Sao Tome and Príncipe accounted for 59 per cent.

The Immigration, Bor -

ders and Asylum Service (SEF), forerunner to the AIMA agency which was introduced in October 2023, also revealed that there were 45,265 Britons living in Portugal in 2022. As the number of immigrants, both legal and illegal, soars, together with those seeking asylum, AIMA is not finding it easy to cope with the influx, Opposition parties maintain.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) said that breaking up SEF and relocating its employees amongst other official institutions was a mistake.

Queues are lengthening outside AIMA offices and with an estimated 350,000 cases still to be settled and more staff set to leave, the situation can only get worse, a PSD spokesperson said.

Scenic countryside.

LISBON: Portugal’s foreign population is increasing.

Photo credit: CC/Filipe Rocha

Mindful motion

Protect your skin

proves flexibility, posture,

viating chronic pain and

nection between mind and body, it also aids in managing

Ideal for those recovering from injury, dealing with chronic pain, or seeking a gentle form of exercise, somatic yoga is especially beneficial

torative way to stay active and

MAY was deemed to be skin cancer awareness month worldwide to educate and prepare us for the sun exposure of the summer months.

While Spain has some of the lowest incidences of recorded melanomas, compared to the rest of Europe, it is still important to be ‘skin smart’ this summer.

The easiest and most effective way is to wear sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF). This will ensure adequate protection against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (UVB and UVA).

The rule of thumb is that the fairer you are, the higher the SPF factor you need. This is because SPF is the amount of additional time you can be exposed to the sun compared to without it. So, for those who burn within 10 minutes unprotected, an SPF 50 should protect you 50 times longer.

Wearing sunscreen should become part of your daily ritual, even if you are walking to the supermarket. Experts recommend applying it at least 30 mi-

nutes before exposure to the sun to allow for effective absorption.

You may be interested to know that chemist Eugene Schueller launched the first commercial sun product in 1936. The founder of L’Oreal developed the first tanning oil to contain UV radiation filtering.

In 1938, Franz Greiter, a Swiss chemist, was mountaineering and got sunburnt. This led to the invention of the first modern sunscreen. In honour of the mountain that inspired the product, he named his brand Piz Buin. Greiter is also credited with inventing SPF, which wasn’t until 1962.

Single shade

MONOCHROMATIC make-up is sweeping the beauty world, bringing a sophisticated and streamlined approach to daily routines. This trend involves using varying shades of a single colour across the eyes, lips, and cheeks, creating a harmonious and polished look. Popular with celebrities and make-up artists alike, monochromatic make-up offers a chic, cohesive appearance that’s both easy to achieve and incredibly versatile. From soft, rosy hues to bold, vibrant tones, this style can be adapted to suit any occasion.

Embracing this trend not only simplifies the make-up process but also enhances natural beauty, allowing for a seamless, elegant finish that flatters all skin tones. Monochromatic make-up is redefining beauty standards with its simplicity and grace.

Luxury spritz

FRAGRANCE is a cherished luxury, with women spending an average of £150 per year on perfume, and men around £100 on aftershave. This annual investment highlights the importance placed on personal scent and grooming.

In the realm of luxury fragrances, the most expensive perfume in the world is ‘Shumukh’, created by The Spirit of Dubai Parfums. Priced at an astonishing $1.29 million, this opulent fragrance is housed in a bottle adorned with gold, diamonds, and pearls, reflecting its unparalleled exclusivity and craftsmanship.

For aftershave, Clive Christian’s ‘No. 1’ holds the title of the priciest, costing around £2,000 for a 50ml bottle. These elite fragrances not only epitomise luxury, but also underscore the significant value individuals place on their scent choices, making them a vital aspect of personal care and expression.

Specialist in pediatrics

THE pediatric specialist at our el Campanario Medical Centre in Calahonda is prepared to deal with preventive and diagnostic care procedures, such as vaccinations, pediatric control, comprehensive and continuous child care, as well as the possibility of providing guidance to the family on the habits healthy for the child in the growth process. When faced with the doubts and concerns of parents, especially those who do not have experience, they will be able to find in the medical team of specialists in pediatrics in Calahonda a helping hand that will provide security and help in the growth process of their children. Likewise, you can count on comprehensive care in the area that requires it, from physical health to psychological and emotional health. Avenida de España 20, Local 5, sitio de Calahonda, Malaga. 952 933 377

Sleep apnea, internal & pulmonary medicine expert

SINCE September 2001, Dr Gabriel Grabowski has successfully operated a practice for internal and pulmonary medicine in Nuremberg and, in May 2022, he opened a second office as a lung specialist in cooperation with internist Dr Lorenzo da Silva in La Cala de Mijas.

For Dr Grabowski, preventative care is essential to a positive and healthy life. That’s why he now works in cooperation with the prestigious Vogue Clinic in Estepona, where he is a dedicated internist and lung specialist.

Previously an aesthetic clinic, the Vogue Clinic now covers all aspects of health - internal and external. This includes ultrasounds and tes-

ting, lung treatments, and abdomen issues.

Lung and respiratory diseases are among the most frequent internal medical problems. Even today, diagnosis is often too late, which limits the therapeutic options, as the progression of the disease leads to functional disorders that cannot be cured.

With the combination of internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and targeted preventive health care, Vogue Clinic provides holistic patient care, underpinned by the knowledge that health is the foundation for a positive quality of life. In internal medicine, the focus of the practice is general preventive health care, which centres around avoiding

the development of diseases or detecting them at an early, easier treatable stage. The goal is an early diagnosis and optimal medical care.

Do you know the reason for your tiredness?

Dr Grabowski is also a specialist in diagnosing sleep apnea, helping clients suffering from symptoms such as snoring, feeling tired during the day, waking with a dry mouth or sore throat, mood changes such as irritability, having trouble concentrating during the day and frequent morning headaches. The majority of people suffering from sleep apnea are not aware that they have the condition - that’s where Dr Grabowski comes in.

Sleep apnea is a potentially

chronic health condition that causes your breathing to pause when you are sleeping. During sleep, when the throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, the soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked and cause a pause in breathing. You can’t get enough air, which can lower the oxygen level in your blood. Your brain senses your inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This pattern can repeat itself

five to 30 times or more each hour, all night, impairing your ability to reach the deep, restful phases of sleep that you need.

Dr Grabowski diagnoses his patients by providing them with a small device to use during the night at home, monitoring sleeping patterns and the type of sleep apnea a patient may have. Depending on the type of sleep apnea, he will then provide therapy to treat this chronic and dangerous condition.

Visit Dr Grabowski at the Vogue Clinic Estepona on Avda. de España, Edificio Zamora N° 2 29680 Estepona, call them on +34 633 318 314, or visit Clínica La Cala de Mijas Dr. Lorenzo, Edif. Butibamba 3-4, Paseo Costa del Sol, 10, 29649 Mijas Costa, or call them on +34 952 493 035.

Polished Man Hormone helper

MEN wearing nail polish is a trend that has gained momentum, surpassing traditional gender norms. This movement is about self-expression, fashion, and breaking stereotypes. Celebrities like Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, and A$AP Rocky have embraced nail polish, influencing many to follow suit.

resting trend is the

‘Polished Man’ movement, where men paint one nail to raise awareness about violence against children. This initiative, supported by celebrities including Chris Hemsworth and Zac Efron, symbolises the one in five children who experience vio -

lence. By painting their nails, men not only make a fashion statement but also support a vital cause.

Nail polish allows men to showcase their personality, creativity, and support for social issues, making it a powerful tool for expression and change.

MORINGA powder, derived from the Moringa oleifera tree, offers numerous health benefits, especially for healthy women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it helps alleviate common symptoms.

Moringa powder contains phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen and can reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Its high calcium and vitamin D content supports bone health, crucial during menopause when the risk of osteoporosis increases.

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Incorporating moringa powder into the diet is easy. Add it to smoothies, sprinkle it on salads, mix it into soups, or blend it with yoghurt.

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Jet-set joy Remember D-Day

EIGHTY years after D-Day, the anniversary on June 6 marks the beginning of the end of the Second World War, which would not have been possible without the dedication of British soldiers.

Elaine Hibbert and her husband Darren, who live in Orba, hosted a hog roast recently in support of the Royal British Legion and raised €1,228,32 to commemorate the historic battle.

Elaine’s father, Alan Bowers, was one of the soldiers who survived the D-Day landings and fought with devotion for his country. After being posted to the 7th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1943, Alan met Sylvia, who was to become his wife just two years later. He continued to write letters from the war zone, sharing his experiences of D-Day: “That was five

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years out of my life and although there was sadness, heartaches, scares, horrific sights and loss of life, I still look back on that period very fondly because of the comradeship that was shared. I salute all my comrades who gave their lives and the others who were wounded fighting for what they believed in - that the world would be a better place.”

Corporal Alan Bowers 23-9-1923 to 21-11-2008

THIS year, summer travel demand across Europe has fully recovered, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

A report from travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys analysed flight searches from January to April 2024, revealing notable trends.

London saw the most significant increase in flight search share for summer 2024 travel, rising by 1.9 percentage points, and now accounts for 5 per cent of all flight searches to the EU.

The excitement surrounding the Paris Olympics is also driving increased travel demand.

Paris experienced a 0.5 percentage point increase in flight search share.

Although the share is slightly lower, this is likely due to many visitors planning their travel well in advance.

Other destinations experiencing grow-

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th include Istanbul (up 0.4 percentage points), Rome (up 0.7 percentage points), and Milan (up 0.7 percentage points).

In contrast, destinations in Spain, Greece, and Portugal, such as Athens, Lisbon, Madrid, and Palma de Mallorca, are seeing a decline after high demand in the post-Covid years.

In Eastern Europe, Tirana continues to rise in popularity, following its recent success, along with Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Ticket data for July and August 2024 shows a shift in consumer preferences.

Travel to nature destinations has increased by 19 per cent, while urban destinations saw a 14 per cent increase.

Traditional sun and beach destinations saw an 8 per cent increase.

This indicates a growing interest in diverse travel experiences beyond the typical beach holidays.

Elaine, granddaughter Claire and great-granddaughter Lucie Elaine.

Credit: Elaine Hibbert

PARIS OLYMPICS: Driving an increase in travel demand.

Sure thing for e-scooters

IT won’t happen imme diately, but there are big changes in store for an ybody using an electric scooter in Spain.

A Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday May 28 appro ved modifications to the proposed Vehicle Insu rance Law which inclu ded obligatory insuran ce for the owners of all types of personal mobility vehicles.

That means mobility scooters and, above all, the increasingly popular e-scooters.

Once the law comes into force, all these vehi cles must be covered by third-party insurance and they will have to be regis tered with the national Traffic Department (DGT) by January 2, 2026.

Some town and city halls as far apart as Beni dorm in Alicante Province and Bilbao in the Basque Region already require the owners of e-scooters to insure them, but this

E-SCOOTERS: More protection for anyone involved in an accident.

has not been mandatory nationwide until now.

The insurance means there will be fair compensation for anyone involved in an accident caused by an e-scooter or a mobility vehicle.

“We want to reconcile the use of sustainable urban transport with better protection for the victims of accidents involving these new vehicles,” a Ministry of the Economy spokesper-

Accidents involving e-scooters are on the rise, with one leading insurance company alone dealing with 300 serious cases in 2023, when 11 people lost their lives and least 287 people were injured.

Having received Cabinet approval, the draft law will now make its way through the national parliament, a process that will take several months.

AI plant search

THANKS to a research project led by the University of Southampton using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the ‘world’s loneliest plant’ may be lonely no more.

The Encephalartos woodii (E woodii), a plant grown and propagated at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, London, is facing a dire situation. With only one male in existence, the plant cannot reproduce and is on the brink of extinction. However, there is a glimmer of hope. AI technology is being harnessed to find a female, potentially saving this unique species from disappearing forever.

Dr Laura Cinti, a research fellow at the University of Southampton, is leading this groundbreaking project. Thousands of acres of the Ngoye Forest in South Africa - where the only known E Woodii was discovered in

1895 - are being scoured using drones. AI is analysing this forest imagery using a model built on an image recognition algorithm. Effectively, it has been trained to recognise plant shapes using generated images of plants that have been put into various ecological settings.

So far, they have covered less than 2 per cent of the 10,000 acres, but Dr Cinti remains hopeful that a female partner for the E woodii will be found.

She said, “I was very inspired by the story of the E woodii; it mirrors a classic tale of unrequited love. I’m hopeful there is a female out there somewhere; after all, there must have been at one time. It would be amazing to bring this plant so close to extinction back through natural reproduction.”

Dr Cinti with E woodii at Kew.

Credit: University of Southampton

Drones over Dublin 84 years overdue

THERE was some amusement as well as surprise when somebody walked into Helsinki’s Oodi Central Library on Monday May 27 with a book that was overdue.

It’s not unusual to be a little delayed in returning a library book, but this one was unusual in as much as it was due back on December 26, 1939 making it just over 84 years late!

The person who returned it isn’t the person who first took out the book The Refugees (Pakolaiset in Finnish) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and it is not known whether there was a fine and if so how much.

Coincidentally, another book which was also 84 years late was returned to Coventry Library in the UK in 2022 and the fine then was calculated at £18.27,

Going up

BY NICOLE KING

being one old penny a week for the 4,385 weeks it was overdue.

Apparently the book returned in Finland was in remarkably good condition and the library is considering whether to make it available to the current generation of readers, especially as this is a survivor of the Russian

MANY of us are suffering the traffic and the season hasn’t even started. The heaviest hit areas are around Puerto Banus and before the tunnel in San Pedro and then leaving Marbella towards Elviria. The amount of accidents is off the charts too, even though you’ll only probably learn of them on social media.

Invasion of Finland which took place at the end of November 1939.

This is not apparently the longest overdue book to be returned in Finland as according to TV station YLE, Helsinki’s Pukinmäki Library received another Conan Doyle novel in 2015 which was 87 years overdue.

monsters going well over the speed limit.

DUBLIN Council has launched its first Drone and Ur ban Air Mobility Strategy for the city, which aims to transform how the city utilises drone technology to enhance public services.

Increasingly dro nes are being applied across a range of city services including: mapping, inspecting dangerous buildings and emergency response. They are also being used to access hard-to-reach areas for surveys and environmental monitoring.

Eileen Quinlivan of Dublin City Council, said: “This strategy marks a significant milestone for Dublin City Council. By embracing drone technology we are paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable city.”

A new dedicated Drone Unit is being established in the council to centralise drone operations and develop new services that benefit citizens and communities as the commercial sector grows.

INTERVIEW

Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, said: “We are delighted to support this initiative by Dublin City Council to develop their drone strategy. By harnessing the potential of drones, Dublin City Council is taking proactive steps to enhance public safety and foster economic growth paving the way for advancements in urban air mobility, benefiting both the public and the broader aviation industry.”

Julie Garland, Founder and CEO of Avtrain, who provided expertise to the council, said: “Drones are revolutionising how we think about urban mobility and public service delivery. Dublin’s strategy is a step towards a future where drone technology can improve our daily lives, enhance safety, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.”

Speaking EuropeanCecilie Gamst Berg

CECILIE GAMST BERG, a Norwegian by birth, has an enduring love for islands. After spending 30 years in Hong Kong, the tightening political climate there prompted her to seek a new island home - “You got out in time” is something she frequently hears from people in Hong Kong.

Cecilie chose Mallorca, noting that it “looked big enough and with fewer typhoons.”

There is no encouragement to use the toll road either to lighten the load and by that I don’t mean just the amount of traffic, but the type of traffic that thunders through our midst.

It’s terrifying to watch trucks and lorries hurtling along the A7, which albeit a major thoroughfare, is bordered by literally hundreds of urbanisations from the Marbella arches to Estepona. There are cars that turn onto the road just to get off at the next exit, not enough time to even pick up speed, certainly not to compete with these massive

Ideally, all heavy lorries and trucks should be made to use the toll road and have permits to only come down into the city at the allocated point to reach their final destination.

Likewise, the cost of using the motorway should be removed. The central government has approved charges to be lifted from many of these motorway toll roads around the country, Alicante being the latest, but apparently Malaga and the Costa del Sol are not to benefit from the same consideration, regardless of the petitions and insistence from our town hall.

Our reality is the opposite, the prices go up!

Despite her Norwegian roots, it’s Hong Kong and China Cecilie misses the most, particularly the Cantonese language seminars she conducted in southern China.

The shift to Mallorca led to a significant change in lifestyle - “In Palma I feel free to move the way I want, without being hindered. There are no skyscrapers crushing me down and the air is better.”

The open spaces and lack of towering skyscra pers offer Cecilie a sense of freedom she found lacking in Hong Kong’s restrictive environment.

However, Cecilie finds the Spanish bu-

reaucracy challenging compared to the efficiency she experienced in Hong Kong“Spanish bureaucracy is so well organised, a whole industry has sprung up around it! There are lawyers and gestors and agents, all ready to tackle problems that don’t, or shouldn’t, really exist.”

After mastering Mandarin and Cantonese, Cecilie turned her attention to Spanish. She explains - “I must admit, after learning Mandarin and Cantonese, I find Spanish not as easy to pick up. I can speak but not well. So I thought, if you want to learn something, write a book about it!”

‘Plonkers Abroad: Learn Spanish Without Really Trying’ is a humorous take on language acquisition through the mistakes of foreigners.

MOMENTS

Cecilie Gamst Berg.

THE REFUGEES: The book was in good condition.

Credit: Oodi Central Library

Photo: Rawpixel CC

Random weather Alfresco fiasco

THERE is a move in Italy’s government towards making tables and terraces outside bars, restaurants and nightclubs permanent.

Having become the norm during the Covid pandemic, the law permitting outdoor tables and chairs for ‘alfresco’ dining was only supposed to be temporary. To the delight of customers and restaurateurs, but not without controversy, the summer season will open with the certainty of being able to continue drinking and eating outdoors, after confirmation of the law that allows restaurant and bar owners to use public land without paying a fee.

Carlo Rienzi, president of Codacons, is one of those voicing disagreement. The association has called the proliferation of outdoor

dining and drinking, “a rape of historic centres and cities.”

Rienzi said: “Despite the fact that the conditions of the Covid emergency that had allowed bars and restaurants to occupy public land no longer exist, the government wants to make permanent a measure that has caused only chaos.”

The greatest resistance to outdoor dining among Italians, according to data, is the excessive occupation of pavements,

followed by chaos in the streets and the lack of parking spaces.

And the figures back up the unhappy residents as in the past three years alone the amount of space in Rome used for alfresco dining has more than quintupled, going from 21,000 sq m to 112,000 sq m. and Monica Lucarelli, Rome’s councillor for Commerce called the plans to extend temporary licences as, “absurd and unacceptable.”

MET ÉIREANN, the Irish National Meteorological Service and the leading provider of weather information for Ireland, has admitted to randomly generating forecasts.

Ireland’s weather is unpredictable although at some point, today, tomorrow or the day after, you could be pretty sure that it’s more than likely going to rain. The people of the Eme rald Isle though, could reasonably have expected to depend on an accurate weather forecast.

However, in a recent statement reported in ‘Meanwhile in Ireland’, Met Éireann admitted to randomly generating the forecast. A spokes person stated, “In the new era of artificial intelligence, we decided this would be the most efficient way to predict the weather forecast in Ireland”.

they weren’t “guessing”. But, no matter how badly they got it wrong, they have always been given the benefit of the doubt and the Irish public acknowledged that you can’t always get it right.

Met Éireann doesn’t have a five-star record when it comes to correctly forecasting the weather, even when

However, following the admission from the National Meteorological Service, that same public has been voicing disappointment and anger on social media. Especially as it transpired that they have been randomly generating the weather forecast for several years without anybody realising.

The same spokesperson from Met Éireann said, “When it comes to the weather in Ireland, sure, it’s anyone’s guess. We’ve been getting it wrong all these years, so what’s the difference?”

Outdoor dining space has grown.

Photo: Pickpik CC

More than likely it will rain in Ireland at some point.

Photo: Shutterstock / Mirelaro

All a load of nonsense

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

AS you all know I love a bit of TV and I enjoy Britain’s Got Talent - except it’s not really is it? I mean every other act is from abroad - Japan or Korea or basically everywhere and also a lot of them are very successful in their own country, winning their country’s version of the show. It’s not really a fair playing field is it? On one hand you’ve got little Johnny from Oldham with (select your own sob story here) against a professional load of singers or an Asian group of karate experts that have come all the way from their own country to compete. It’s called BGT, let it be that. I’m sure there is enough UK talent for it not to be necessary to import it.

So there is going to be a UK general election. Well I’m going to tell you right now it doesn’t matter who you vote for or who wins because every promise they make now to get you to vote for them will be broken. They can’t help it. Every one of them is a lying toe rag. Remember Nick Clegg’s tuition fees pledge?

Building 300,000 new homes per year? Ending rough sleeping? Building 40 new hospitals? Stop the boats? I could list more and more. These are just the Tory ones as they have been in power for over 14 years. But I can assure you the Labour party will not keep their promises either. Don’t forget what Brexit did - we were conned. Covid - we were lied to and conned. All kept inside whilst they were having parties at No.10. It’s all a load of nonsense.

I’m sure many of you have heard of Ozempic. It’s a drug that is being touted as a wonder drug for weight loss and is being sold online for fortunes, mostly to people that want to go from a size 12 to a size 8. If, like me, you were prescribed it by a doctor to help with your diabetes, you will also be peed off that it is no longer available on your prescription because as fast as they make it it’s being wrongly prescribed to salad dodgers by unscrupulous doctors all over the world. It’s quite disgusting really that I can’t get my medication because of a new diet fad. Oh, and by the way, this drug has terrible side effects if misused. That’s why a lot of the fat folks taking it are becoming ill.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

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

San Isidro showdown!

FORGET the fancy footwork, the talk at the recent San Isidro festival in Madrid was political, not bovine! The scrapping of a €30,000 national bullfighting prize has ruffled feathers.

The Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun believes bullfighting is on its, err, last legs, hence the left-wing government’s decision to scrap the prize. This has naturally caused a right royal rumpus among aficionados, particularly younger fans. At Las Ventas Bullring, cheers for the matadors were laced with defiance.

Urtasun defends his stance with figures - apparently, only 1.9 per cent of Spaniards attended bullfights in 2021-22. Animal rights concerns are clearly on the rise.

But wait! Enter Isabel Ayuso, the popular conservative Madrid government region’s head. She’s appointed a retired matador, Miguel Abellán, as bullfighting champion, even creating a new prize to replace the axed national one. Other regions are following suit.

Abellán argues bullfighting, an inspiration for artists like Goya and

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Picasso, is an economic ‘bull by the horns’, creating 15,000 jobs in Madrid alone. Ironically, some newspapers claim these political spats have rekindled interest in bullfighting amongst the young.

So, much like the sunny and shady sides of the bullring, Spain remains divided on this age-old tradition. With 45 per cent for a ban, 24 per cent in favour and 30.3 per cent undecided, this cultural and political clash is far from over. What’s your view? Anyway, buckle up for a wild ride!

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.

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

VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN

Tongue in cheek First erotic restaurant

A YOUNG art student, Alec Geluykens has decided to combine his irritation at the way cyclists are treated in his home Antwerp with his Master’s Degree.

He has created a special art installation the BTS_200X which looks at the difficulty that cyclists face in the city and it is imbued with humour as well as anger with the authorities.

The name stands for Bike To Survive and the 200X refers to the Antwerp post codes.

Describing his creation he said “despite significant government efforts, cycling infrastructure in Antwerp remains inadequate and sometimes even dangerous in many places. With the elections just around the corner, this is the perfect time to highlight the social importance of safe cycling to policymakers.”

Main problems as he sees them are the quality of roads and cycle lanes, long waits for traffic lights to change, dangerous tram tracks and a cycle bridge which leads to steep stairs. His answers include special suspension taken from

a moped to make the ride more bearable, airbags, five wheels forming a roll cage although they do make the bike somewhat higher than norm, an extendable arm to press unreachable light buttons and even a coffee machine so that he can brew up whilst waiting for

traffic lights to change.

Looks and sounds rather odd but this is a working bike and having demonstrated it to Belgian TV crews, he was due to join the monthly Critical Mass bike demonstration through the city on May 31.

IT promises ‘an unprecedented culinary and artistic experience, celebrating passion in all its forms’.

Voglia, Italy’s first ‘erotic restaurant’, has opened in the heart of Milan’s Porta Venezia. It is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Claudia Mangano and Stefano Vaccaro who have created ‘an ode to elegance and sensuality, where every detail is designed to stimulate the senses and enchant the soul’.

Walls and furnishings with erotically inspired images, dishes with ambiguous and alluring names, even a private area with spicy games. This is Voglia Milan’s newest gastronomic experience and Italy’s first erotic restaurant.

The room features a fusion of luxury and suggestive elements, with a combination of brass, red and pink velvet; even the wallpaper has an erotic design. The custom-made plates depict elements and positions from the Kama Sutra.

The menu has been created, ‘to seduce the senses and ignite passion’, it features predomi-

Elegance and sensuality.

nantly fish and shellfish dishes and the names of the dishes are deliberately ambiguous: ‘Carne Fresca’ (fresh meat) is a beef carpaccio with cream of ginger carrot and spring onion; ‘Juicy’ a lamb loin with courgettes and honey, and ‘Meat Me’ a beef fillet with gremolada, black truffle and fondant leek.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, Voglia offers a varied live performance programme including Retro Burlesque, Old Circus, fire dancers and snake shows.

Photo: Instagram / Voglia

WORKING BIKE: The New BTS_200X.

Credit: Alec Geluykens

La Tomatina of Buñol

John Smith

IT was in August 1945 that a number of young men attended a Giants parade in the town of Buñol (Valencia) but there was a bit of an unscheduled scuffle.

Suddenly the peace was shattered and members of the crowd raided a vegetable stall and started pelting each other with tomatoes until the Local Police brought the battle to an end.

The following year, various groups of friends turned up with their own tomatoes and started a tradition that was banned for some years but in 1957, there was a formal burial of a giant tomato

in a coffin accompanied by a band playing the funeral march.

From then on it was all systems go for the event which was recognised in 2002 as a Festivity of International Tourist Interest and takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year.

Thanks to TV coverage, up to 50,000 people have descended upon Buñol and it became very difficult to control so nowadays there is a maximum of 20,000 allowed and they have to purchase a ticket costing €12 to take part even to watch.

The tomatoes are shipped in from Extremadura as they are cheaper than lo-

cal tomatoes and in theory the event can’t start until one person climbs a greasy pole and liberates a ham but because that take so long, invariably mayhem breaks out as people get hold of the red fruit and start throwing it.

There is one major rule which is that you should squash the tomato first so it doesn’t hurt too much and that you are only allowed to battle for one hour and

then you have to stop and the town starts hosing down the streets immediately.

If you are thinking of going, visit https:// latomatina.info/entradas/ to apply for a ticket, or a number of travel agents offer a range of options including coach trips and overnight accommodation with entry.

Kids are not allowed to take part but they have their own event, normally on the following Saturday when those aged from four to 14 can enjoy their own mini-battle (with no parents allowed in the area) for about half an hour and this is a free event with no advance booking.

ADVERTISING FEATURE No job too big or small

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Just because your terrace is separate from the main portion of your home doesn’t mean you have to treat it as an outsider. Start thinking of your terrace as another room in your home that just happens to be outside. They can help you utilise that space so that it can provide you with another place to read, relax, entertain or just contemplate nature.

Their secretary speaks several languages and they have two specialised fitting teams, one for Awnings and one for Glass Curtains. They also offer a very cost effective repair service, very worthwhile for the property rental market as well as domestic and they work closely with many management

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La Tomatina at Buñol is not for the faint hearted.

Enjoying a tomato bath.

The children aren’t forgotten.

Credit:

La Tomatina de Buñol

Costa Blanca South Buyers beware

SPAIN is cracking down on tourists who buy from unlicensed street vendors.

In Costa Blanca, undercover police will be patrolling the streets, ready to fine unsuspecting shoppers.

The government are taking action against illegal street sellers who sell everything from trainers and sunglasses to fake designer handbags and watches.

Tourists are often tempted by the low prices, but now those who buy cheap souvenirs could face a £170 fine.

Plainclothes police will be on the lookout throughout the busy summer season, and anyone caught buying from these unlicensed sellers, known locally as “manteros” or “top mantas,” could be fined up to €200 (around £170) on the spot.

Recently, the Guardia Civil seized several tonnes of counterfeit products from a warehouse in Alicante intended for these street sellers.

Axarquia World Oceans Day

CALLING all Almuñecar nature lovers! Saturday, June 8, marks World Oceans Day, and 10 local associations, including Los Nórdicos de Almuñecar, are joining forces for a beach clean-up event.

Los Nórdicos will be focusing on Playa Puerta del Mar, and everyone is welcome to pitch in! Grab your friends, family, and neighbours for a meaningful morning. The meeting point is 9.30am next to Chiringuito La Corrala (on the beach opposite Las Gondolas). Look for the municipal tent.

The plan is to split into two groups, tackling the east and west sections of the beach. The clean-up will take about an hour, wrapping up at 10.45am back at La Corrala.

To show their appreciation, Chiringuito La Corrala will be offering a drink with tapas to all participants after the clean-up. Don’t forget to bring a large plastic bottle (or similar) to collect cigarette butts, along with some gardening gloves (or any type of gloves).

Mallorca Alcudiamar Regatta

ON June 1 and 2, the port of Alcudiamar hosted the fourth edition of the ‘Trofeo Alcudiamar - Projecte Home Balears’ regatta. This charity competition for ORC/RI cruise boats has firmly established itself within the Balearic regatta calendar, blending intense competition at sea with engaging social activities on land.

Throughout the two-day event, both sailors and visitors enjoyed a variety of activities designed to enrich the experience. Environmental and sustainability workshops, such as the ‘Microplastic Watcher’ organised by Cleanwave Education and ‘Paddle and Snorkel for Science’ by Mar de Fondo, provided educational insights.

Attendees also learned to tie nautical knots with the Fishermen’s Guild of Alcudia and explored the electric sailboat ‘Galaxie’. The Palma Aquarium Foundation educated participants on the dangers facing the Mediterranean, while boat trips and concerts added to the festive atmosphere.

Costa Blanca North Hidden gem

VILLAJOYOSA, the picturesque town on the Costa Blance, has been named the number one hidden gem in Europe by European Best Destination, a platform dedicated to promoting tourism across the continent.

This year, they’ve picked some real rare finds! Among the highlights are Naantali in Finland, Pico Island’s volcano in the Azores, the charming half-timbered houses of Ulm in Germany, the colorful painted village of Cicmany in Slovakia, Wuppertal’s unique suspended metro, the green-roofed houses of Bour, and the floating houses on Lake Bokod in Hungary.

But it is Villajoyosa that steals the spotlight this year.

Known for its wonderful climate, Villajoyosa is “shielded from the north winds by the Sierras de Aitana”, providing a pleasant microclimate and comfortable temperatures year-round. The town’s unique architecture is another major draw.

Almeria

Top destination

ACCORDING to travel portal, Destinia, the number of reservations in Spain for the summer months has already increased by 54 per cent compared to the previous period.

One of the reasons for this increase is the fact that potential travellers are looking to book early in order to try to obtain the best deals and guaranteed cheapest prices.

Beatriz Officialdegui, Destina Marketing Director, said: “We Spanish are getting a long way ahead of ourselves compared to other years. We increasingly see that the cost of holidays are going up so what we do is to get in early to combat this steady increase.”

There has been a huge surge in popularity for Almeria in general and Mojacar in particular with the province jumping from last year’s fifth place to this year’s first.

Mojacar leads the way as top destination and other popular provinces are Tarragona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Cadiz and Alicante.

Costa Calida Day of Murcia

THE Day of the Region of Murcia, celebrated on June 9, is a significant occasion that honours the rich history, culture, and autonomy of the Murcia region. This date commemorates the establishment of the Statute of Autonomy of the Region of Murcia in 1982, marking its recognition as an autonomous community within Spain.

Festivities on this day are vibrant and varied, reflecting the region’s unique identity. Parades, traditional music and dance performances, and cultural exhibitions fill the streets, showcasing Murcia’s heritage and pride.

The Day of the Region of Murcia not only promotes a sense of community and regional pride but also serves as a reminder of the region’s journey towards greater self-governance and its contributions to the broader Spanish society.

This year as it falls on a Sunday it is not classed as an official bank holiday and does not carry over to Monday.

PETS

Find animal loving pet-sitters for your pets

LEAVING pets anywhere when you travel on holiday can be stressful. And many believe it is always best to keep them at home in their own surroundings, if at all possible, ideally with a caring pet lover who’ll watch over them. By joining a house-sitting platform like HouseSitMatch we can help you meet checked house and pet-sitters who will travel to your home and care for your pets for free!

Plus HouseSitMatch Saves Money because the Pet-sitting is Free!

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 an 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 house-sitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

Your pets stay at homeSafe and Undisturbed

All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose House sitmatch.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 homeow-

ner 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

Sherel and John looked after Harry… Sherel and John looked after Harry early April. They sent photos and mails to inform us how he was getting on. My neighbours tell us Harry had plenty of walks. Sherel and John are very nice people, and we highly recommend them as excellent sitters.

Tom Curry, pet owner, Spain

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.

KEEPING your dog’s breath fresh can be a challenge, but healthy snacks can make a big difference.

Carrots and apple slices are excellent choices, providing a crunchy texture that helps clean teeth while delivering essential vitamins.

Blueberries are another fantastic option, rich in antioxidants and promoting overall oral health. Green beans are low in calories and high in fibre, making

Fresh bites

them a great snack for dental hygiene. Additionally, parsley is known for its breath-freshening properties and can be added to your dog’s meals or snacks in moderation.

For a ready-made solution, dental chews specifically desig-

ned to reduce plaque and tartar are effective and enjoyable for dogs.

These natural, wholesome snacks not only contribute to fresher breath but also support your dog’s overall health and well-being.

Meet Nicky originally from Wales who loves to travel by pet-sitting.

ACE OF SHADES

CLASSIFIEDS

AIR CONDITIONING

AIR CONDITIONING by Cool and Cosy. The family company that cares. Installation and repairs. Quality machines. Ecosense movement sensors supplied and fitted from 100 Euros. For other energy-saving products visit www.coolandcosy.es. 952 935 513. We are Junta de Andalucia authorised installers as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017). On the Costa del Sol since 1993 (305311)

Quality Air Conditioning Installations.  Economical heating, & silent in operation. 28 Years installation history in Spain.  EnviroCare. All Areas Covered.   952 663 141/670 409 759  info@envirocarespain. com www.envirocarespain.com (305304)

MR COOL – Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Heating Systems, Sales & Service – Call Christian +34 629 527 587 or Nick +34 618 678 853 – www.mrcool. es (305704)

AIR-CONDITIONING

installations. Service & Repair to any make or model, commercial air conditioning, as well as Bar bottle coolers. Suppliers of catering equipment. All work guaranteed. All areas covered including campo. Contact

Williams Refrigeration 952 596 404 / 679 284 959. (305317)

AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING

28 Years Servicing & Installing in Spain.  EnviroCare. All Areas Covered.   952 663 141/670 409 759  info@envirocarespain. com www.envirocarespain.com (305304)

AWNINGS

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

SUNSHINE AWNINGS/BLINDS

Awnings, Persiana, Shutter & Rejas Specialist. New & Repairs. 25yrs on the coast. 680 323 969 / 952 199 640 (305113)

BLINDS

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

BLINDS, awnings, mosquito

screens, curtains, vast choice. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931 (303730)

MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (304439)

SOLAR BLINDS

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view. SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@ solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (305399)

BUILDERS

BUILDING SERVICES

JIM’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS. Bathrooms/kitchen reforms, repairs, plumbing, carpentry, painting, tiling, maintenance. Give us a call no job too small. 692 207

799 / 645 559 423 (305682)

GENERAL BUILDER, Tiling, plastering, painting, electrician, plumber, carpentry. Reasonable prices. 635 913 885 (References available) (305708)

SWINGLES CASAS SL. For all your building needs. Visit www. swinglescasas.com for more details or call 635 999 765 / 666 960 262 (303441)

PLUMBING & GENERAL BUILDING All your plumbing needs. Bathroom, kitchens, tiling & painting. Benalmadena based, travel no problem. Glen 669 073 773 or Paul 642 098 115 (305519)

QUALITY renovation: Kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, windows, doors, plastering, Total property renovations  info@ masterbuildspain.com 952663141 /670409759 Over 28 years renovating history in Spain (302479)

METALWORK

NEW REJAS, GATES, Carports & Fencing, repairs & alterations. Work Guaranteed. Reliable. 19yrs on Coast. Steve the Welder. Call/ WhatsApp 655 040 648 (300300)

BUY & SELL

HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS, FULL OR PART

CLEARANCE. ALL FURNITURE WANTED, WE PAY MORE. TEL 634 324 914 OR EMAIL houseclearanceman@hotmail. com (305116)

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

ALHAURIN FURNITURE

EMPORIUM Buyers & Sellers of quality furniture. Top prices paid. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (305114)

CAR HIRE

ALH RENT A CAR – SHORT & LONG-TERM RENTALS FROM €15 A DAY. INSURANCE INCLUDED IN OUR PRICES.TLF: 638 846 909 or reser vasalhrentacar@gmail.com (305526)

CHARITY

COLLECTIVE CALLING are urgently requesting donations of clothing, homeware & furniture, so if you are having a House Clearance, Please call us for FREE COLLECTION. We sell good quality items, which then supports low-income families and the homeless in the community. These items can be dropped directly to our charity shop Tienda Solidaria: Av. Pablo

Ruiz Picasso, 4, San Pedro de Alcantara, alternatively, call us to arrange collection on +34 711 006 961 (295137) CHIMNEY SERVICES

CHIMNEY SERVICES, professional chimney sweeping and smoke testing. NACS Qualified. Clean and efficient Tel: Bob 696 320 202 (304443) CHURCH SERVICES

BENALMADENA Elim Family Fellowship. Elimfamilyfellow ship.com or call 951 912 525 or 952 446 627. (10011) LA CALA – Encounter Church (Elim). Family friendly church with kids activities. 11 am Sundays at the Cazbah Live Lounge, Av de Jerez, La Cala 29649. Rev Dave Hodgson 695 115 496 (10012) THE Ark Christian Church. We meet at The Ark Christian School, Calle Río Darro 2 y Plaza Juncal, 29651, Mijas Costa (the road behind the Mijas Aquapark) on Sundays at 11.00am. Pastor, Andrew Seale Tlf 682 713 491 www.thearkspain.com (293850) CLEANING & MAINTENANCE ADVANCED Cleaning Services. Professional carpet, upholstery cleaning, 27 years experience,

wet/dry clean.  Honest, reliable service 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 or email acservs@outlook. com (290189)

UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921 (290189)

STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance. All types of cleaning. Any size of property. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. 682 636451 www. starlight-spain.com (304520)

DECORATORS

RAINBOW PINTURAS. Spray painting, professional finish of kitchens, doors and furniture. All aspects of interior/ exterior paint and decorating under taken. Call/ Whatsapp: 628066308  www. rainbowpinturas.com

Facebook. Instagram: rainbow pinturasmalaga (304244)

DRAINAGE

BLOCKED DRAINS? Leak detection, CCTV survey, root removal, Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (1296197)

ELECTRICIAN

ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL work, re-wiring, fault finding. Certified, Reliable & Guarantee. Frank Tel or Whatsapp 650 561 629 (305657)

FLOOR POLISHING

MARBLE FLOOR (2.50€/m2) WHY PAY MORE. WE CLEAN, CRYSTALLISE, SEAL THEN POLISH YOUR MARBLE TO HIGH GLOSS, NON-SLIP. PROFESSIONAL GUARANTEED, FAST SERVICE. 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. ALSO REPAIRS DAMAGES TO MARBLE, CLEAN AND SEAL TERRACOTTA TERRACES, COVERS ALL COSTA DEL SOL. TEL: 671 244 683 (305397)

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

MARBLE POLISHING, CRYSTALLISING, LASTING, HIGH SHINE. REGRINDING, RESTORATION OF SALTY, DEAD FLOORS. 27YRS EXPERIENCE. RELIABLE. REFS AVAILABLE. CYRIL. 645 840 199 (305107)

FOR SALE / WANTED

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

FURNITURE

FURNITURE wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (305114)

GARDENING IRRIGATION

IRIS-IRRIGATION and landscapes. TRENCHLESS NO DIG Irrigation installation, Cables, Fibre Optic, Electric & Lighting Cables. New Installations & problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden constructions. Tree surgeon. Clearing. Astro Turf (Free Quotation) 676 747 521 (305649)

GATE REPAIRS

ELECTRIC GATE/GARAGE DOOR automation repaired. Free, no obligation quotation. Call Colin636 394 641 (305374)

GATES

ELECTRIC GATES/Garage Doors. Intercoms/access control systems and replacement remotes. New installs and repairs. For all your electric gate and garage door requirements call us on 605 356 469/952 786 178. The Garage Door Co & 2 Way Gates. tgdc@ hotmail.co.uk www.2waygates. com (303198)

GLASS CURTAINS

GLASS CURTAIN repairs, specialist in replacement of discoloured plastic strips that act as a seal between the glass panels. Call Julian 655 825 931 (303730)

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN: General Building work, painting, wall/roof waterproofing & other jobs. Call Michael 622 755 666 (300004)

HEATING

Fires:  Electric, Gas.  Quality guaranteed.  EnviroCare.  All areas covered.  952 663 141 / 670 409759.  info@envirocarespain. com www.envirocarespain.com (305304)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

VINYL WRAP

VINYL SOLUTIONS WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RENOVATE? Modern adhesive

vinyl coverings in hundreds of styles and designs can renovate a tired kitchen, bathroom, wall panels, bedroom wardrobes, fridge doors. Turn a tired looking wood designed kitchen into a modern solid colour or metallic look without painting or replacing. Work carried out on site with 10 year warranties Contact Ian 644 546 176 for design brochure and samples. (305399)

HOT TUBS AND SPAS

HOT TUBS new used, bought, sold, hired. Also move & repairs. Used good Hot Tubs for sale. 691 973 131 / +44 7836 379122 (304541)

HOUSE CLEARANCES

ALHAURIN FURNITURE

EMPORIUM furniture wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (305114)

INSURANCE

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

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure. com (305719)

LOCKSMITHS

ENGLISH LOCKSMITHS,  SECURITY & SHADE EXPERTS. FREE HOME SECURITY SURVEY. 636 770 865 / 952 660 233 WWW.SECURITYOFSPAIN.COM CONTACT DAREN (303056) T1

ENGLISH LOCKSMITH emergency & appointment, locks changed, patio doors & windows secured. All locks supplied insurance approved. Fast & reliable service. No hidden extras or nasty surprises. 657 466 803 www.mrlocksmith. es (305380)

MASSAGE

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

guaranteed. Call 680 177 569 (303249)

MARBELLA CENTRE - the ideal place for relaxing massage in the city centre. Available 24h and prices from €50. For reservations and information call 620 366 817. (302600)

PROFESSIONAL MALE muscled masseur. Full-body relaxing, deep tissue and therapeutic massage. In/outcalls. WhatsApp me 607 595 906 (304067)

BENALMADENA lovely lady, offering you a very relaxing body massage. Call for an appointment 634 209 427 (300305)

FUENGIROLA. Japanese Shiatsu & Zen Ki relaxing and therapeutic massage. Excellent service guaranteed. Home Visits. WhatsApp for appointment 693 988 340 (305599)

AT MY Wellness Massage Studio your first visit will be the first of many. Tel: +34 623 492 262 (304620)

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

SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA –Camila Masseur 33, Slim, pretty – private apartment – Call 603 804 443 (300633)

CALAHONDA. Want to try something different and very relaxing?. Mery young masseur, slim awaits for you to offer a

moment of total relax and floating on a cloud. Believe me, I am spectacular. Let me show you hidden pleasures. By appointment: 650 237 145 (300319)

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

NEW IN FUENGIROLA. Carla beautiful mulatto 19 years old relaxing massage 672 055 839 (FU 3274)

SARA Venezuelan, professional relaxing therapeutic & sensitive massage. I can visit you. For more

INSURANCE

information contact me 632 770 051 (303021)

ASIAN MASSUER offers relaxing full body massage. Home Visits. WhatsApp 641 980 066 for details (304011)

NEW IN FUENGIROLA. 4 friends, private villa, massage and relax 672 055 839 (FU 3274)

VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (300370)

FILIPINA/Thai, exclusive prostatic, deep, hard, soft massage pleasure to body mind

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

ENGLISH ELEGANT independent & affectionate lady in late 40s, gives a sensual golfers massage to relieve tension in her discreet private apartment. Satisfaction

therapy, exotic proffessional relaxation, clean, good atmosphere. Elviria. Marbella. 604 457 672 (MI 584)

NEW IN FUENGIROLA. Sara, 19 years old Colombian, massage and relax, total discretion. 672 055 839 (FU 3274)

BOLICHES: Celina Https:// celina-16.jimdosite.com.

Elegant loving kind lovely delightful lady for educated very discreet, respectable gentleman. Unique relaxing moments, hot sensual massages, private quite place. Enjoy full deep complete, excellent treatment, special attention of your needs and total satisfaction. Demanding impeccable hygiene. Previous appointment 11am/6pm. 622 210 797 (FU 3241)

RIVIERA DEL SOL. Carol, mulatto, slim and funny. Looking for a tantric massage? Call me and you will live a unique experience. Tel: 650 237 102 (300319)

NEW FUENGIROLA. Sofía 22 years old, beautiful mulatto 672 055 839 (FU 3274)

ASIAN lady tantric sensory generate self esteem body technique, fantastic relaxation massage Marbella. 671 442 664 (MI 584

VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (300370)

ASIAN Touch Oriental European massage, prostatic, tantric, very relaxing relief pain stress, private luxury. Elviria. Marbella. 604 473 831 (MI 584)

ASIAN MASSUER offers relaxing full body massage. Home Visits. WhatsApp 641 980 066 for details (304011)

OLGA Mature Masseure relaxing & sensitive. Outcalls & Incalls. 24 hrs. Marbella – Tel: 632 467 580

(304040)

ORIENTAL ladyboy pretty professional traditional, tantric massage relieving. Marbella. 604 428 812 (MI 584)

ASIAN PROFESSIONAL Massage, sensual, relaxing & therapeutic, to release tension & stress. Fuengirola. Call 613 592 062 (304091)

CALA DE MIJAS. Leila, blonde and expert on tantric massage. Real masseur who can transmit emotional and relaxing pleasure in all your senses. Tantric massage and body 2 body to perfection. Ask for your appointment. I do outcalls. Tel. 650 237 145 (300319)

ASIAN ladyboy and gay, authentic professional/traditional massage therapy unique treatment, clean atmosphere. Marbella. 603 257 690 (MI 584)

GENESIS blonde explosive masseur, men and women, from

Venezuela. 24 hours - outcall / incall - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861)

FILIPINO MASSAGE CENTRE, where hearts of Asian proffessional massage daily. 604 421 973 (MI 584)

BARBARA mature masseur educated 42yrs, private, 24hrs, Marbella. Tel 613 213 030 (304740)

CRISTINA and MIA - duo masseurs on holiday in Marbella - infall & outcalls 24hrs - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861)

FUENGIROLA. Marisa, 38 years old, mature, all kinds of massages. Only WhatsApp. 631 659 408 (FU 3225)

WWW.CASAKINKSPAIN.COM

Heated pool, Jacuzzi and private bar. Inland private retreat with a full massage service. 662 913 428 (FU 3247)

EVA, JAMAICAN full body professional massage, discreet,

San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella 613 211 041 (305894)

SAN PEDRO BEACH. RELAXING AND SENSITIVE MASSEUSES WELCOME YOU IN A PRIVATE AND DISCREET PLACE. YOUNG, PLEASANT. WITH APPOINTMENT. EASY, PRIVATE PARKING. 666 194 079 - 674 679 757. (305694)

BENALMÁDENA. FRIENDLY attractive masseuse, relieve

muscle tension. From 50€. 613 106 153 (FU 3269)

FUENGIROLA. Beautiful Venezuelan Ladyboy massage and relax Violeta. 660 867 374 (FU 3273)

FUENGIROLA. Excellent company, massage and more... Blond, tall, pretty lady. In/ outcalls 657 697 397 (FU 3268)

MARBELLA, SOTOGRANDE, ESTEPONA, MANILVA. OUTCALL,

INCALL, HOTEL, HOME. BLONDY POLISH. MASSAGE FOR GOLFERS. 642 935 441 (305997)

Fuengirola Paseo maritimo 61 relaxing massages. Indulgent. Private. Call 658 145 296 (300472)

BARBARA Mature Slim Maseure. Prostatic & Relaxing Massage. Private. Estepona. Call 613 213 030 (300271)

VICTORIA Slim Brunette – all massages in Estepona and Sotogrande. Call 627 112 036 (300271)

MASSAGE and fun!!! Genuine trained exotic Male tantric masseur. Marbella 602 098 606 (FU 3272)

FUENGIROLA. Gisel attractive exuberant blonde masseuse, 38 years old, pleasant Latina, WhatsApp 631 087 168 (FU 3265)

ANGELINA. Near Benalmadena Port. Relaxing massage, full body with warm oils. Bar and hotels visits. WhatsApp: 711 050 627 (FU 3275)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

MOSQUITO SCREENS

CARS, VANS UK OR SPANISH BOUGHT FOR CASH. FREE COLLECTION IN SPAIN / UK. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 OR 952 669 701 (290189)

WANTED, wanted, wanted!! All cars, all years, all models… from exotic to classic. Spanish, English, Dutch plated. Call us on 951 977 329 or 606 647 597. (304490)

MOTORING

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

MOSQUITO Screens for windows, doors and a high-quality sliding patio door screen. All finishes available. Quick service. All areas covered. Call Julian 655 825 931 (303730)

MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours, call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (305832)

MOTORING

CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS, DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290189)

CARS, VANS, ANY RESGISTRATION, INSTANT CASH, FINANCE / EMBARGO UK OR SPANISH 685 524 921 (290189)

included. 605 109 796 (304099)

OTHERS

EDS?  We have the solution, Kam agra pills & jells, Cialis, Sidenafil , over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs.Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

PASSPORT RENEWALS

UK & IRISH Passport renewals including photos. Complete Service. Cath’s Cards. 952 885 759. www.cathscards.es (305529)

PEST CONTROL

COCKROACHES, ants, wasps, rats.  Sanitary department officially registered certificates. Serving the coast since 1985. Only legal English owned pest control company on the coast. If you want the best, call NPS. PAUL 676 700 370(303636)

PETS

LAGUNAPETHOTEL.COM Loving care for cats and dogs TEL 646 066 351 (302996)

KENNELS

FOR SALE

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

CAR SERVICES

ENGLISH bodyshop, fully equipped, Mijas Costa. No Job Too Small. 952 667 074 (305106)

IMPORT/TRANSFER

CARS TRANSFERRED, history checks, Imports and Embargo problems. Change of use and lost papers. Change your car to Spanish plates, simple efficient service. Cars bought and sold. Please call 678808837 or email  carsinspain@live.co.uk (290189)

WANTED

CARS, Vans, Bikes wanted. Any Reg, Anything Considered Call or Whatsapp 687 049 592 (305284)

WANTED CARS AND VANS, FREE COLLECTION, SAME DAY 685 524 921 (290189)

CARS, VANS BOUGHT WITH / WITHOUT PAPERS. CASH WAITING 678 808 837 (303115)

EURO CAR Established since 1998. All Cars / Commercials wanted, runners or no-runners. Cash. Buyer Collects. Transfer

10 am until 2pm. Working closely with the Spanish authorities, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned horses and donkeys. Come and meet our current rescues, learn about our work and how you may be able to help. Run solely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, the Centre is located between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin in Comm. de Viña Borrego behind Venta Miralmonte. For more information and directions see our website www.horserescuespain.org, our Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos or tel. 711070099 (93322)

CAT & DOG World Kennels and Cattery. 952 112 978 / 630 197 435. www.catanddogworld. com (300036)

PET CHARITY

ACE CHARITY ‘El Refugio’ in La Cala de Mijas is a registered charity. We have on average 275 dogs in our care and we receive no help from the town hall or the Andalucian government. We desperately need foster homes and adoptants for our many dogs, especially the small ones and puppies who do not do well in a big shelter. We are grateful for any help offered, including donations of food and blankets. Visiting times are from 13.00 to 15.00 and you can always turn up or make an appointment by calling Denise on 669 018 736. Our website is www. ace-charity.org where you can view all the dogs in our care. (93320)

ADANA THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN ESTEPONA. We always need volunteers to walk and socialise with our dogs and help with cleaning. We also need good homes for our animals that you can see on www.adana.es. Kennels open every day 10-1.30, Camino de Casares, near Parque de los Pedregales, Estepona. (5 minutes from the Poligono) For more information call 952 113 467, available from 10.00am until 2.00pm. (93319)

ANIMEX Foundation offers free will upgrading when leaving something for abandoned animals. Contact animexfoundation@gmail.com or call 692 166 434 now for this absolutely free service (288287)

ARCH - The Andalusian Rescue Centre for Horses, registered charity 8448, is open to visitors on the first Sunday of each month from

SEPE the horse and donkey charity is open to the public at weekends from 10.00 to 5.00. Volunteers are much needed in all departments and are welcome at any time. For our riding for the disabled classes, we are also in need of extra helpers. We are nationally registered by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (164640) but only with your support can we give the equine a voice. If you can just commit to 2 or 3 euros a month it will really help make a difference. You can find us at Lauro Golf Equestrian Centre, Alqueria, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel. 608 258 950 info@ sepeonline.net www.sepeonline. net (93321)

SOS ANIMAL REFUGE we have dogs, young and old looking for homes. Some of our dogs have been with us for some time and would love to find a cosy spot to curl up in and a knee on which to rest their heads. If you have room in your heart and home we would love to hear from you. We do not put our dogs to sleep - no matter how old, they are safe with us. For day to day needs and to pay for veterinary care, we much appreciate the support we receive. We desperately need items to sell on our market stall to help raise funds and are happy to come and collect. So, if you are having a clear-out, please contact us on 605 227 155. If you would like to know more about rehoming, please call 653 257 875. Visit our website www.sos-animals.org or please phone Sandy on 952 385 923 or 666 814 056 if you would like to make a donation or help in any way. (93317)

Costa del Sol Property Sales & Long term rentals wanted. All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@ intermarbella.com (305258)

Thinking of selling your property or interested in a current valuation? We have clients actively looking for properties from Torremolinos to Calahonda. List with us and let us sell your property.  Call Joe 626 864 683 (305376) PROPERTY FOR SALE

WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM

Costa del Sol Property for sale. All areas / all budgets / all types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008 Email info@ intermarbella.com (305258)

SELLING UP?? Why not give us a call and let us give you an honest and realistic valuation of your property. List with us and let us take the stress out of selling your home. No sale no fee!! English agent on the ball with clients waiting. Please call 685 524 921. (290189)

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Audi A3 Black - Sporting and classic saloon

By Mark Slack ROAD TEST

THERE are few companies that build sa loon cars in the traditional sense, such is the dominance of the SUV that even es tate cars are few and far between nowa days. One company that still builds fine examples of both is Audi. Their A3 mo del is a perfect example of a compact saloon that looks both classy and stylish along with a suitably sporting drive.

However, that classy and stylish look might not be upheld to some people if you had an A3 in Python Yellow, to say it’s bright is somewhat of an understatement. That said, the bright colour with black badging does make a statement compared to the myriad of muted tones that seem to adorn most cars there days.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Audi A3 Saloon Black 35TFSI stronic

• Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol developing 150PS

• Gears: 7-speed S tronic automatic

• Price: €44,942/£38,260

• Performance: 0 – 100kph/62mph 8.4 seconds, maximum speed

The A3 saloon range starts from €35,366/£30,080 and encompasses a wide range of trim levels, body styles and equipment. Engine options of 1.5-litre in two power outputs along with a 2.0-litre diesel are offered with both manual and automatic transmission. High performance S3 and RS3 models offer larger, twin-turbo engines.

Standard equipment across the range

232kph/144mph

• Economy: 5.2l per 100km/54.3mpg

• Emissions: 133g/km

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

phone charging, Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Various packs provide additional choice from powered front seats and panoramic sunroof to

adaptive cruise control and matrix LED headlights.

Mention must be made of Audi’s confusing naming of engines, you don’t get the engine size but power, and then it doesn’t seem to correspond to the actual power.

For example my Black Edition 35 TFSI S tronic has an engine that develops 150PS, so where’s the 35 come in? Thankfully this apparent illogicality doesn’t translate to the car.

Priced at €44,942/£38,260 the 35

TFSI Black Edition model I was driving is adorned with more sporting looks, yet with a 0 to 100kph/62mph time of 8.4 seconds the performance isn’t exactly lacking either. On the road the Audi’s typically firm ride still manages to soak up the bumps and potholes and handling wise it’s a delight. The S tronic gearbox provides smooth and responsive changes making for an all-together enjoyable drive.

If you think being a saloon hampers the practicality, well not as much as you might imagine. A trip to the garden centre saw two largish bags of compost and a couple of planters fit in the boot. All told the A3 offers a terrific choice of sporting credentials and classic saloon style in compact form.

includes sports front seats, powered, heated and folding door mirrors, auto dimming door and rear view mirrors, tri-zone climate control, navigation, wi-

reless

Two years for EV refund

THERE has been quite a lot of discussion in Euro Weekly News and our social media sites with regards to the introduction of electric vehicles.

Generally speaking the overall opinion of those readers who spoke to us was a definite thumbs down, but the speculation prompted one of our readers John Cavett to share his story.

He explained that “in the summer of 2021 I had decided that my trusty 22 year old Hyundai had to go and after looking around, decided that a fully electric vehicle was the way to go. More research lead me to the Dacia Spring, a new model which was eligible under MOVES.”

MOVES is a Spanish Government Scheme

whereby if you buy an electric vehicle of an approved sort and scrap an old petrol/diesel vehicle at the same time, you are eligible for a con tribution from the government of up to €7,000 and at that time a 70 per cent contribution for the pur chase and installation of a home charging point.

John visited his Local Renault/Dacia Agents in Torrevieja and placing an order took delivery of the vehicle in December 2021.

“The agents took copies of all of my documents they needed and were ‘dealing’ with the MOVES claim for me but

bill of nearly €1,000 and took a copy of the factura to the agents.

“This is where the problems started. I was asked to provide a Tax Residency Certificate which I obtained and took a copy to the agents. All goes quiet for a while. I did get my

“The following year I was asked to bring the car to the agents so photos could be taken at the request/demand of the authorities together with a document for me to sign. Duly done. Quiet again. December 2023, yet another demand for photos

and another form to sign. Shortly followed by demand for ‘proof of purchase’, (As if the agents would give me the vehicle if it wasn’t paid for) followed shortly for a request from the agents for me to bring the matriculation document so they could copy it and forward to the authorities.

“This they had previously done but had not

included a blank page of the document, quite sensibly in my view, The page in question is blank for new vehicle matriculation documents. As I understand it, these later items were from the Valencian Authorities to whom the claim had been sent.

“Here I am just under two and a half years later and I still haven’t received a eurocent back!”

One wonders if this is a ‘one off’ problem of if bureaucracy strikes again.

Credit: John Cavett