Costa de Almeria 29 Aug – 4 Sept 2024 Issue 2043

Viva Almeria

ALMERIA celebrated

non-stop for nine days of gastronomy, music, entertainment, excitement, history, heritage and culture.

On Sunday, August 25, the city of Almeria honoured its patron saint as it had through the entire Fair; steeped in tradition, bringing together everyone and everything that makes Almeria what it is.

The crowd on the last day was an eclectic mix of Almeria’s life, including the mayor of Almeria, María del Mar Vazquez, members of the brotherhood, devout nuns, faithful worshippers, respectful atheists, local residents and curious visitors, fanatics in traditional costumes and relaxed attendees in holiday attire; all equally celebrating together in a beautiful display of culture and community.

For nine days markets and music filled the streets of the capital, residents gathered and celebrated their

culture, visitors immersed themselves in the festivities, the famous gastronomy of the province was shared and honoured and local artists were put in the spotlight.

In the same fashion, on Sunday, the Almeria Fair came to an end.

once more, attendees finished the fair on the beach, marked with fireworks filling the sky, and all now await next year’s celebrations.

The city of Almeria, along with its province, has a deep history and has not always been favoured easily, yet remains resilient through every generation, proven by the people who make it, who came together through the Almeria Fair, who celebrated with smiles, shared food and music and laughter, rejoiced with one another, sticking to tradition and celebrating what’s new, all in honour of their province and their patron saint, the Virgin of the Sea

Long live the Patron Saint of Almeria.

Long live Almeria.

The Virgin Mary returned to her sanctuary

Costa de Almeria • Issue No. 2043 • 29 Aug - 4 Sept 2024 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATUITO VRIJ LIVRE

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G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G

Credit: Maria del Mar Vazquez /fb

A crescendo of fireworks brought a fitting end to the fair.

(Mini) Hollywood stars

Harry Sinclair

THE MiniHollywood of Almeria is welcoming two real Hollywood stars to its western set this summer.

The Oasys MiniHollywood village is hosting a team of more than 300 people, 100 of which are extras, working in the Tabernas desert filming an advertisement for an American company dedicated to the cryptocurrency market.

Included in the cast are two actors who bring their prestige to the production; Vincent Cassel and Chazz Palminteri.

Cassel is known for his roles in Irreversible, The Hate and Black Swan, while Palminteri is known for his part in films such as A Bronx Tale, Bullets Over Broadway and The Usual Sus -

pects.

In a surprise bonus to visitors, Oasys MiniHollywood remained open during filming, allowing guests to experience being behind-the-scenes and get a sneak peek at the acting icons.

The production used sets such as the characteristic saloon - built in 1965 for the filming of For a Few Dollars More - and the main street that connects the cemetery with the square.

For the French actor, this is Vincent’s return to Tabernas acting performing in the western Blueberry, the secret experience in 2002, however, this is the first time Palminteri has set foot in the province, declaring on socials “Shooting in Almeria, could life be any better? I thank God for the life I have.”

More pay, less hours

THE Almeria City Council have unanimously approved a major improvement to the conditions of workers.

In an extraordinary session held by the Corporation on Friday, August 23, the city council approved the agreement on Civil Service Personnel and the Collective Agreement for Labour Personnel for the four-year period 2024-2027, following its agreement and signature last July.

Maria del Mar Garcia Lorca, the councillor responsible for the Department of Security and Public Service, acknowledged this as “the best agreement that could have been reached.”

“It is a good agreement that improves the conditions of the workers, as was our

commitment when the negotiations began,” as explained by Garcia Lorca.

The councillor went further to state the agreement “not only consolidates all the rights acquired by municipal public employees, but it also substantially improves many other aspects with respect to the condition of the previous agreement.”

The result of this negotiation includes the implementation of a 35-hour work week for

positions assigned to the general work week, the establishment of an additional annual payment, totalling four annual payments, as well as improvement of the municipal contribution to the Pension Plan, among other additions.

The Corporation is committed to the reconciliation of the personal, work and family life of the municipal’s employees and proves it through this unanimous agreement.

Credit: Shutterstock + Chazz Palminteri /fb

Hollywood stars perform at Almeria’s own MiniHollywood in Tabernas.

The Plenary Session of the Almería City Council finalised the agreement on Friday.

Destination Dupes

AS the end of summer approaches, many holidaymakers will be gearing up for a last-minute getaway. For those on a budget, a new trend is gaining momentum across Europe, ‘destination dupes’. These are lesser-known, budget-friendly alternatives to some of the continent’s most popular and invariably overcrowded tourist spots.

This trend offers a perfect opportunity to explore new locations with the

same charm, beauty and cultural richness without the hefty price tags and overwhelming crowds. The concept of destination dupes is similar to the widespread fashion/ designer dupe phenomenon, where affordable alternatives to high-end products become the goto choice.

According to some travel experts, the demand for these alternative destinations stems from a growing desire among travellers to avoid the

drawbacks of tourist hotspots. These include long queues, inflated prices, and fully booked accommodations, which have become increasingly common in Europe’s most visited cities, particularly this year.

Travellers are increasingly seeking authentic experiences in quieter, less commercialised areas, driven by a combination of cost-effectiveness and the desire for a more intimate travel experience.

Melanie Fish, Chief Trend Tracker for Expedia Brands said, “Dupes are like cheaper versions of luxury brands. They are destinations that are a little unexpected, sometimes more affordable, but every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true places travellers love.”

Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach getaway, an exciting city break, or a scenic countryside retreat, there’s a destination dupe waiting to be discovered.

2024 European Dupes

SOME European Dupes to consider: Santorini: Paros o ers the iconic whitewashed buildings and the stunning Aegean Sea views that Santorini is famous for without the overwhelming tourist in ux.

Dalmatia: For the Croatian coast head to Istria instead of Split and Dubrovnik. Known for its picturesque towns like Rovinj, Istria o ers stunning Adriatic views, historical sites, and excellent cuisine at a fraction of the cost and with fewer tourists.

Stockholm: Stockholm is fantastic, but Bergen o ers similar Scandinavian charm, with colourful wooden houses, rich maritime history, a vibrant cultural scene, and a beautiful mountain backdrop.

London: London is often the rst city people think of when it comes to the UK, but Liverpool o ers a comparable experience with its own northern twist. It’s home to The Beatles, has a thriving arts scene, and has a rich naval history. It also o ers a more a ordable and less crowded cultural hub with its museums, galleries, and vibrant waterfront.

Lisbon: As Lisbon’s popularity has risen, so have prices and tourist numbers. Palermo, the capital of Sicily, o ers a similar blend of history, architecture, and vibrant street life but is less popular with tourists.

Sevilla: Sevilla is popular for Andalucian charm, but Cordoba o ers a rich experience without the crowds. It’s home to the iconic Mezquita and embodies the essence of southern Spain.

SOME things to consider to make the most of your ‘destination dupe’

Do your research: When planning your trip to less popular destinations, it’s essential to conduct thorough research. For example, looking into accommodation options, transportation, and local attractions. Travel off-peak: To save money and avoid large crowds, consider travelling during the off-peak season. This can further reduce costs and provide a more serene travel experience.

Engage with locals: To truly immerse yourself in these destinations, try to engage with the local community. Take advantage of local markets, guided tours, and cultural events to interact with residents and gain a deeper understanding of the area. Engaging with locals will enrich your travel experience and create lasting memories.

Discover a destination dupe for a quiet beach getaway.

Credit: Shutterstock: song_about-summer

Cordoba, a destination dupe for Sevilla.

Credit: Pixabay

Geodes & wine Toy store of the century

Harry Sinclair

THE Geode of Pulpi, a local natural phenomenon regarded as one of the most impressive in the world, is getting an upgrade.

The giant geode is a natural jewel and a beauty to behold, attracting thousands of tourists a year to revel in its wonder.

Recently it has been announced that the geode is receiving some new tourist additions.

Mila Carretero, the geologist and coordinator of the centre, shared the ambitious project coming to Pulpi’s geode.

A museum is set to be erected on the esplanade of the visitor reception centre, which will feature two domes where tourists can interact and educa-

te themselves on the authentic meteorites.

Initially meant for northern Europe, the museum is being built by a group of Chilean researchers from the only meteorite museum in the world, Museo del Meteorito in Chile, who after visiting the Pulpi geode decided it was the perfect fit.

In addition to the museum of meteorites is the other half of the project: La Sacristia.

ONE toy store in Albox opened its doors before the Second World War and thrived for over 100 years.

Justo Martinez opened his toy store in 1920, just after the First World War had ended and King Alfonso XIII reigned over Spain.

Despite the obvious political and economic turmoil, Martinez went ahead with his passion for spreading joy, selling his first toys; wooden horses and precarious dolls.

What Justo could have never predicted was his store running for more than 100 years, living through history, including the Second Republic, the Civil War, the Second World War, the moon landing and the technological revolution.

Through these historic events, Justo’s passion, and his store, never faltered.

For 104 years the toy store now known as Hiper Ocio established itself amongst these historic events, unfortunately leading to its final day on September 1.

The reason for closure seems obvious to the owners, attributing the declining success of the physical store to the online domain.

“The day I realised was when I sold a toy on Amazon to a long-time customer who lives 500 metres from the shop. It was a shock for me,” stated Antonio Martinez.

Although his grandfather’s century-old establishment will close its shutters, the online will continue the legacy and passion of the Martinez family.

OFF the coast of the Cabo de Gata beach a stranded sailboat has caught the curiosity of locals and tourists.

For the past week, Cabo de Gata beachgoers who looked out to the horizon could see a white mast, emerging diagonally from its hull sinking slowly.

editorial@euroweeklynews.com distribution@euroweeklynews.com

Stranded ship

On Tuesday, August 13, Salvamento Maritimo received an emergency call from a boat requesting assistance.

The sailboat was stranded on the coast of Cabo de Gata with six crew members on board.

The gallery known as La Catedral is being transformed into a bodega, featuring a variety of organic white and red wines including ones from Bodegas Palomillo, famous for its production of wines.

The Geode of Pulpi is doubling down on its tourist attraction combining the location’s natural history with the nation’s culture of wine.

The Salvamar Spica from the Almeria coordinating centre attended the scene, confirming the sailboat’s anchor was stuck in the nautical channel of Cabo de Gata.

The crew was transferred by the Maritime Rescue Team to the Port of Roquetas de Mar, while the boat, the Intrepido, was left stranded next to the watchtower.

Ten days later, Ocean Group, a private company, began the recovery process of the boat, which involved using a separate boat, My Destiny, to remove the ship from its anchor and begin the refloating process, necessary before being able to begin towing it.

The Geode of Pulpi is adding to its already impressive tourist destination.

Salvamento Maritimo save several boats a week from being stranded or sinking.

Harry Sinclair ONCE again the beaches of Cabo de Gata have been flooded with rubbish from the busy summer months.

Art enjoyed al fresco Rubbish fines

As one of the main tourist attractions of the province, the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park severely suffers from a large number of beach goers ‘forgetting’ their waste and rubbish.

For those who do leave rubbish, they should expect to receive a fine ranging from €60.10 to €601.01, if the fine is given by the Junta de Andalucia.

Cabo de Gata initiates a clean up team and higher fines for littering on its beaches.

Other municipalities, such as Nijar, classify this infringement more seriously, issuing fines from €101 to €750.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalucian Government highlighted that there is a collaboration between the local administrations (municipalities of Almeria, Nijar and Carboneras) and the autonomous Andalucian Government to address the

LAUJAR DE ANDARAX hosts the first edition of its international urban art festival, Al Fresco.

With support from the Andalucian Government and the Provincial Council of Almeria, Laujar de Andarax filled its streets with art, music, performances and local pride on Saturday August 17.

As stated by the Laujar de Andarax Town Hall, the first edition of this urban art festival was an “Absolute success,” with “the streets of the municipality filled with art and people enjoying the beauty of (the) town.”

The night featured a full programme, with urban dancers, catwalks, human statues, and live graffiti, finishing with live music in the Plaza Mayor.

effort and clean-up required by the “inappropriate behaviour of an uncivilised minority.”

In response to this issue, the administration for environmental sanitation and the maintenance of this natural habitat has created a team made up of four members who attend to the beaches of Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, ensuring they’re clean and hygienic in accordance to Coastal Law.

The event aimed to “pay tribute to a generation that has taken the streets,” as stated on the town halls socials, adding that “If there is a characteristic image of the Alpujarra, it is that of spending summer nights “al fresco”, with the company of the neighbours.”

The deputy for Culture, Cinema and Almeria Identity - and mayor of Laujar de Andarax - Almudena Morales, highlighted the importance of this event, stating “It is the best time to discover everything that our town and one of the most beautiful regions in all of Andalucia has to offer.”

Laujar de Andarax filled its streets with urban art for the first edition of Al Fresco.

easyJet to Almeria

easyJet announce five new routes connecting Spain with London Southend.

Harry Sinclair EASYJET is coming to Almeria in 2025, with five new routes connecting several Spanish airports with the UK.

The budget-friendly British airline has launched five new routes that connect several Spanish airports with the United Kingdom at different times of the year.

According to the airline, there are four routes that will connect London Southend with Almeria, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Reus during the 2025 summer seasons.

Additionally, a new route connecting Gran Canaria and Edinburgh has been put up for sale for next winter.

On April 1, 2025, flights connecting Almeria with London Southend will begin with two weekly options; Tuesdays and Saturdays.

This will greatly benefit the connection between the UK, specifically London, and Almeria, which currently has fewer options for flights at higher prices, due to the size and frequency of the airport.

These new routes coincide with the opening of a new three-aircraft base in London Southend.

Starting approximately in March 2025, easyJet will establish this new base at London Southend - featuring three aircrafts and servicing a total of 10 routes - designed to streamline business trips and boost travel efficiency.

From this, easyJet will create around 130 direct jobs for pilots, crew and staff, and support many more indirect jobs.

Fighting for felines

A GROUP dedicated to the protection of cats is looking for more cat lovers to volunteer and get on board.

Proyecto Gato Almanzora is a cat-dedicated, active group of multinational people based in the Almanzora Valley.

The group of volunteers are “fairly small, but growing,” according to the organisation, and is looking to “get more cat lovers on board.”

rity status by the Andalucian Government, now awaiting the documents necessary so they can obtain their CIF number, allowing them to fundraise.

The Almanzoran group primarily focuses on Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR), following the law passed in 2023.

TNR is the humane and effective approach for stray and feral cats, with studies showing it

with the people living near them; decreasing the size of colonies.

Proyecto Gato’s trained volunteers humanely trap the strays and take them to the vet to be neutered and returned to their colonies.

“We focus on the TNR of colony cats as we believe by controlling the population, we are also assisting in the health and welfare of the cat colonies,” states the organisers.

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Proyecto Gato Almanzora is calling for more volunteers.

Harry Sinclair ALMERIA displayed its undying support for all of those affected in Ukraine.

Last weekend, Nicolas Salmeron Park was dyed blue and yellow to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day, a special day for coexistence, deep support and patriotic sentiment.

Traditional food and popular songs were brought with nostalgia and hope for those in Almeria who are, and for those who have been forced to be, far from their homeland.

The day was organised by the Ukrainian Association Dnipro, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Association ‘Gromada’ from Cartagena and the Association ‘Slava Ucraini’ from Granada.

President of the Ukrainian organisation, Anastasiia Lavryk, highlighted that “Each of these

Blue and yellow Runners resilience

two associations had its own musical programme with Ukrainian songs,” emphasising that they “really had a great time.”

There was also “Ukrainian food” for people to try, and so “Ukrainians could feel a little more comfortable away from [their] country,” stated Lavryk.

The day was in celebration of their homeland,

in honour of those still there and in support of those here, as summed up by Anastasiia, “We commemorated our heroes who can no longer celebrate and thanks to their sacrifice we can celebrate 33 years of independence.”

LOCAL runners known as Los Bandidos have once again proved their endurance in a 10-kilometre race.

Eight Los Bandidos runners took on the 38th AguaCarbo race on Saturday August 24.

“It was hilly, hot, humid and had a headwind nearly all the way!”, the group shared.

After being bused from Carboneras to the start of the race, the 9.8k run set o from Agua Amarga, straight up a brutal 2k climb, past Playa de los Muertos, then a long downhill to the Paseo Marítimo and the streets of Carboneras, nally nishing at the Castle of San Andrés. Support along the course was amazing and helped runners keep going to the nish line.

It was a tough route, but most enjoyed the event; “some even said they would do it again!”

according to the organisers.

according to the organisers.

The winner nished in 32:25, with the rst lady in 36:43, with 570 runners crossing the nish line.

Trophies were awarded to rst, second and third places in each age group and to the overall winners. All competitors received a commemorative t-shirt, a shoe bag and refreshments.

See the full list of Los Bandidos nish times on the web article.

Almeria honoured and celebrated Ukrainians in the city and back in their homeland.

Runners from Los Bandidos prove their stamina at the 38th AguaCarbo.

It’s easy to hold onto what’s familiar, and Britons feel comfortable with premium bonds and ISAs. But besides the possibility of improving returns, once you leave the UK the tax incentives provided by these savings in the UK fall away and they become subject to tax in Spain.

Is it worth keeping premium bonds?

Premium bonds feel part of the fabric of British savings – it’s likely your parents and grandparents owned some and your first bonds may have been a gift from them. Your capital is protected by the Treasury, and you have the enticing possibility of winning a million pounds (although an incredibly slim probability). And, of course, their tax-free status is a compelling incentive. But does this mean you should keep yours, especially if you own many?

Investment returns

Although premium bonds are a form of savings product, whether you earn anything from them or not is essentially a gamble and down to luck. They do not provide any automatic interest earnings or capital growth, so their value is eroded over time by inflation, unless you happen to win big enough to com-

UK Premium Bonds and British expatriates

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

pensate.

What are the chances of winning big? The odds of winning anything from a single bond are one in 21,000. The odds of scooping the £1 million top prize from a single bond in one draw is one in 59,082,205,208.

Can expatriates own premium bonds?

Yes, you can, but it’s not that simple. As the National Savings & Investments (NS&I) website explains,

while they do have some customers outside the UK, you need a UK bank or building society account. It can only make payments to, or receive payments from, a UK account in your name.

The problem here is that, since Brexit, many UK banks have closed accounts belonging to EU residents because they don’t have the necessary regulation.

How premium bonds are taxed in Spain

Premium bonds are not tax free if you live in Spain though. If you win one of the prizes, you’ll share your good fortune with your local tax authority.

As a Spanish resident, any premium bond winnings are taxed with your other general income, at the scale rates of income tax of up to 47% in Andalucía.

Some expatriates mistakenly think that since premium bonds

and ISAs are UK investments, they do not need to be declared in Spain. In fact, they do, and with today’s global automatic exchange of information, the Spanish tax authorities are informed about your UK investments.

Tax-efficient wealth management in Spain

There are very tax-efficient investment vehicles available to residents of Spain. With specialist advice, you could enjoy extremely favourable tax treatment on your capital investments. Speak to an adviser who can guide you on both UK and Spanish taxation and tax planning opportunities.

Taxation is not the only reason to review your savings and investments. Consider whether they are suitable for your life in Spain (for example, what currency should they be in?); your future expectations (will you stay in Spain or re-

turn to the UK in future?); your objectives (are you looking for income or growth?); your time horizon and your risk tolerance.

Too many people have portfolios which are no longer suitable for them today. You need personalised advice from a Spain based cross-border adviser providing holistic advice covering investments, tax efficiency and estate planning.

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevins franks.com.

Rent rising

THE price of rent is on the rise in the province of Almeria following its growing attraction.

The price of rental housing has risen in the entire region of Andalucia. Specifically, rental prices rose by 7.8 per cent in July compared to the previous year, reaching €10.41 per square metre, however, this was a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to June, the

previous month.

Almeria has seen a hike in rental prices, with the cost of housing rising by 4.5 per cent in July, one of the highest in Andalucia.

In 15 of the 17 autonomous communities, the price of rent is at a record level, mainly due to the intense demand, as Fotocasa explains it as “the main housing solution for accessing housing in Spain,” and

reduced supply.

According to Fotocasa, for the first time in history, the price of rent has exceeded the tacit barrier of €1,000 per month on average. This is the case for all eight of the Andalucian provinces, with Almeria being the third highest on the list, seeing the yearon-year price of rental housing rising by 4.5 per cent.

The Americano

Harry Sinclair

A CURIOUS pink drink has put Almeria on the social media map once again, showing off its unique mixology.

This time it is not the capital’s gastronomy that has caught the eyes of those online, but a colourful drink, the Americano, sold from the Amalia Kiosk.

Mikaela Valentina, an Ecuadorian resident in Almeria, has brought international attention to a local favourite, stating on TikTok “This is the most famous drink in all of Almeria,” adding that it was “highly recommended.”

Sharing with her more than

600,000 followers, Mikaela “realised that they order it a lot,” stating “An Americano comes out every minute.”

A usual Americano in Spain is a shot of espresso with water, but at Amalia’s Kiosk, they’re a little different.

As the TikToker explains, an Americano from Amalia tastes “like a strawberry shake.”

Amalia’s original drink is made from sugar, lemon peel, hot milk and cola liqueur or cream, and gets its signature colour from the liqueur, but legend says it gets its name from the first time it was ordered in the 70s by an American actor filming in Almeria.

Almeria sees a rise in rental prices, along with the entire region.

Amalia Kiosk in the centre of the city serves a unique drink.

Harry Sinclair

A FEARFUL forecast from the State Meteorological Agency for the province of Almeria has come true.

The AEMET warned Almeria Province of heavy rainfall and grey skies on Sunday afternoon, specifically in the regions of Los Velez, Almanzora, Nacimiento and Campo de Tabernas.

Just as predicted clouds overcast the sky and rain fell on parts of the province, but one municipality took the brunt of the storm; Maria, in the Los Velez region.

A downpour of hail hit the towns of Maria, surprising its residents with a drowning storm that left almost seven litres per square metre of rain and hail, with balls the size of the palm of a hand.

Six times the limit Rossman in Huercal Hail hits

A LORRY driver cruising on the A-7 was pulled over for suspicious dri ving, only to be cau ght doing something much worse.

Guardia Civil specialising in Transport from the Traffic Subsector of Alme ria, spotted a lorry driving abnormally, zigzagging across both lanes on the A-7, around Kilometre 786.

After pulling the lorry over, the usual process was carried out and the driver was subjected to the alcohol detection test.

Shockingly, the test showed a rate of 0.93 mg/l, which is six times higher than the maximum rate established for professional drivers, causing impaired vision, hearing speech and motor skills.

Unfortunately for the driver, he will

now face the consequences, as he is under investigation for an alleged crime against road safety, for driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and is facing a three to six-month prison sentence, community service for 31 to 90 days or a hefty fine.

The driver will also lose the right to drive motor vehicles and mopeds for a set period, between one and four years.

Velez-Blanco received 5.4 litres per square metre, while Chirivel had 3.2 litres of rainfall per square metre.

Cañada de Canepla, in the Maria municipality, saw the majority of the hailstorms and 6.9 litres per square metre, with the entire region seeing similar skies.

Other parts of the region also saw slight rainfall, including Abrucena and Seron, with 2.3 millimetres of rain per square metre, and Velez-Rubio with 1.7 millimetres.

THE La Cepa shopping park in Huercal de Almeria is welcoming a new business to its venue.

Opening in October, Rossman, a cosmetics and drugstore chain considered one of the largest of its sec-

tor in Europe.

It is not the first of Rossman to enter Almeria, in fact, the new opening will mark its third establishment, joining the existing ones in Albox and Vicar, and will be the sixth in the region of Andalucia.

The German cosmetic franchise is scheduled to open in La Cepa on October 18, and will be located in the warehouse where the former Decathlon was located.

Rossman has almost 4,000 stores around the world, including in six

European countries, with more than 25 open in Spain and continuing to grow.

Following its slogan, ‘your beauty, your home, your drugstore’, Rossman has revolutionised the drugstore model to meet all household needs.

Since 2020, the multinational has been offering a unique assortment in Spain, adapted to the national market, already present in Valencia, Catalonia, Mallorca and Murcia, with plans to open more in Malaga, Barcelona and Valencia.

Hail has hit the province of Almeria.

The Guardia Civil caught a drunk driver six times over the limit.

THIS charming townhouse is located in the quiet town of Palomares, in the beautiful province of Almeria. With its three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this spacious property is perfect for a family looking for comfort and space. It is located just a few metres from the centre of the village where you can find a doctor, bars, restaurants, bakery, etc.

Entering the property, you will find a nice porch, a spacious and bright living-dining room that connects with the modern kitchen, creating a cosy and functional atmosphere, which also gives access to a back terrace. From the back terrace we can enjoy wonderful views of the village and the sea. This floor also has a complete bathroom.

In the upstairs part of the property you will find the three bedrooms

around the hallway, two double bedrooms and one currently used

as an office, but which can also be used as a third bedroom if desi -

red. You will also find a complete bathroom and two spacious terraces with excellent views to the Mediterranean.

The property has a garage space and a large storage room. It is sold fully furnished.

Palomares is a quiet and picturesque coastal town, perfect for those looking for a relaxing environment close to the sea. With its proximity to golden sandy beaches and a wide range of local amenities such as restaurants, shops and supermarkets, this location offers an exceptional quality of life. It is also within easy reach of other popular coastal destinations such as Mojacar and Vera.

AYUNTAMIENTO DE MOJACAR

Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1 - 04638 Mojácar (Almería)

Telef. 950.615.009 Fax: 950.475.200 info@mojacar.es ayuntamiento.mojacar.es

Saint celebrations

THE residents of Mojacar immerse themselves in the celebration of its Patron Saint Festivities.

The festival in honour of Saint Augustin, the patron saint of Mojacar, began on Saturday, August 24, reflecting the tradition and culture of the municipality.

Residents of the town took to the streets to open the traditional midday fair, accompanied by the Juaraguinos band.

The mayor of Mojacar, Fran Garcia, highlighted the importance of this local event, stating “The San Agustin Patron Saint Festivities are a unique opportunity to enjoy our traditions, share with our friends and show the best of Mojacar to those who visit us.”

The rst day saw the proclamation, held by Francisco Baraza “whose words full of emotion and

Mozzies begone!

THE Mojacar Council is further establishing its commitment to its public health and overall quality of life.

In an attempt to protect the environment and reduce the impact of irritating insects, the Mojacar Council has implemented an advanced mosquito and cockroach control treatment plan.

The plan, designed to protect both the municipality’s residents and the natural environment, is based on an approach that “prioritises prevention and respect for the environment,” according to the town hall.

The council has adopted an “integrated control system” as the central strategy, “aimed at early detection and preventive intervention,” as explained by the Mojacar Town Hall.

a ection have inspired and reminded us what it means to be Mojaqueros,” said the mayor of Mojacar.

Following the proclamation was the coronation of the queen and ladies which marks the official beginning of the festivities.

As the celebrations continue, the town has been able to partake in traditional activities, including the horse race, an indoor football tournament, a domino tournament, and several evening concerts.

Wednesday, August 28, was the patron saint’s day, celebrated in Mojacar with a mass in honour of San Agustin, followed by a procession through the streets and the children’s ribbon race.

5-star service

THE tourist hotspot of the Almeria Province is receiving its rstve-star hotel in the next couple of years.

No more Spanglish

FULLY immerse yourself in the life, culture and specifically the language of the land we live on.

Tired of not being able to understand the locals, or just want to up your language game?

The Culture Department of the Mojacar Town Hall has organised a Spanish course for foreigners. The language course is “perfect for those looking to improve their language skills” in addition to exploring our culture,” as described by the town hall.

Ana Maria Garcia, the Councillor Delegate for Health and Senior Citizens in Mojacar, has highlighted the overarching aim of this project, stating “Our priority is to guarantee a healthy environment for our residents and visitors.”

In addition, Garcia stated the importance of this programme, “With this plan, we are not only acting reactively, but we are putting in place preventative measures that make a significant difference to the quality of life in Mojacar.”

The implemented approach seeks to reduce the increasing number of pests, as well as emphasise the use of alternative techniques and environmentally friendly biocides, harmless to the insects, demonstrating the town’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.

In just over two years, Mojacar will open its rst ve-star hotel after the Cosentino family closed an agreement with a subsidiary of the international hotel chain Hyatt Hotels Corporation for the opening of this hotel.

The construction of the new hotel will begin at the end of this year and is expected to be open by 2026, as announced on the Macenas website.

The property plans to invest more than €40 million in the construction of the establishment, operating under the brand Destination by Hyatt, which already has hotels in Ibiza, Sardinia and Scotland.

The hotel opening in Mojacar will feature exclusive architecture, services and designs that integrate into the topography of the land, inspired by the provincial agricultural tradition of cultivating terraces.

This will be the rst ve-star hotel in Mojacar, named the ‘Hotel Business & Golf’ and will feature alongside the Macenas Mediterranean Resort complex, as stated on the resort’s website.

The director of the Cosentino family, Alvaro de la Haza, expressed his satisfaction “to have the support of the Macenas Meditteranean Resort hotel project from a brand with the international positioning of Hyatt.”

Starting on October 8, the Mojacar Town Hall will be providing engaging and in-depth lessons to help you learn the national language while immersing you in the culture of Mojacar. Registration is now open and available to book your spot, with the closing deadline on September 20. To register, visit Mojacar Informa on Facebook (the official page of the Mojacar Town Hall) or visit the online version of this article.

The Spanish course for foreigners will run from its start date, October 8, all the way up until June 30, 2025, giving you all the skills you need to traverse the Iberian Peninsula like a native.

The Mayor of Mojacar celebrated with the town the coronation of the queen and ladies

Mojacar implements protective and preventative measures for irritating insects.

Credit:

Mojacar

Town Hall

Credit: Fran Garcia /fb

The Macenas Resort will add a 5-star hotel to its establishment by 2026.

Credit: The Macenas Resort /fb

A BOOK on Greek mythology caught the eye of a would-be burglar in Rome, leading to him getting caught red-handed.

The Italian press are reporting on an attempted burglary in the Prati district of Rome. A 38-year-old housebreaker had entered via a balcony while the occupants were still asleep, noticed the copy of a book about Homer’s Iliad, and thought he’d have a browse through its pages.

So engrossed was the thief that he didn’t notice the 71-year-old owner had woken up

Burglar caught reading a book

and called the police. Caught off-guard, the would-be burglar tried to make a run for it, escaping by the same balcony, but it was too late and the police had already arrived.

The book that captured the attention of the burglar, ‘The Gods at 6 o’clock’, told the story of Iliad from the perspective of the gods. In his defence, the man claimed to have climbed

onto the balcony to see a friend of his, but had got the wrong flat, saw the book and started reading it.

On hearing the news, the author of the book was delighted and wants to ensure the alleged thief gets a copy of his own so he can finish it.

He also said his own favourite Greek god was Hermes, God of Thieves and Books.

Cucumber kerfuffle

SUPERMARKETS in Iceland have been impacted by a viral TikTok trend, leaving its cucumber shelves empty.

A viral TikTok trend circling the Nordic country has caused an unprecedented surge in demand for cucumbers, forcing suppliers to race to keep up.

The trend began after one in uencer shared a salad recipe of grated cucumbers, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar and chilli oil, prompting other in uencers to join the trend and lead it to virality.

The recipe was so popular that it a ected the suppliers, with farmers in the country unable to keep up with the unpredictable demand, according to the Horticulturists’ Sales Company (SFG), Icelands Farmers Association.

SFG’s marketing director, Kristin Linda Sveinsdottir, admitted that currently, farmers in Iceland are not managing to keep up with the drastic demand - but hopes supply will be back to normal “in a week or so” - with one supermarket chain, Hagkaup, saying cucumber purchases had more than doubled.

According to Kristin, the recipe had proven to be “really popular” as other

A viral trend has landed Iceland supermarkets in quite the pickle. Credit: Shutterstock

ingredients involved were equally selling out.

The viral trend originated in Canada where the ‘cucumber guy’, Logan Mott, shares his unique recipes using the staple ingredient.

The food in uencer has more than 5.5 million followers, sharing cucumber recipes almost every day since July.

Cost-of-living advantage

AMID the global cost-of-living crisis, Spain continues to offer a more affordable lifestyle compared to many European countries, making it an attractive destination for expatriates.

According to 2022 Eurostat data, Spanish households spend a smaller portion of their budget on essential expenses like housing, food and transportation than their counterparts in other EU countries.

Housing costs, including utilities, account for 22.3 per cent of a typical Spanish household’s budget. This is lower than the UK (25.7 per cent), France (26.2 per cent), and Germany (24.6 per cent). Groceries also take a smaller share of the budget in Spain, with households spending around 13 per cent, slightly below the EU average of 13.6 per cent. In contrast, UK households spend 16.7 per cent on food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Transportation costs in Spain represent 11.9 per cent of household budgets, compared to 13.1 per cent in the UK and 13.5 per cent in Germany. Spain’s well-developed public transport system further enhances its affordability. Healthcare spending in Spain is also notably low, at just 3.2 per cent of household budgets, significantly less than in France (4.6 per cent) and Germany (4.9 per cent).

Credit: Pixabay.

Overall, Spain’s lower expenses on housing, food, transport and healthcare make it a cost-effective option for expatriates, especially when compared to popular destinations like the UK, France, Germany and Italy.

Despite rising living costs across Europe, Spain remains a top choice for those seeking a high standard of living without overspending.

Thirsty countries

WHEN it comes to drinking Europe has the lifestyle for it, but trends are changing creating healthier relationships with alcohol.

Alcohol consumption overall is on the decline in the EU, but only by 0.5 litres between 2010 and 2020.

To clarify, the World Health Organisation stated that “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”

Nevertheless, Europe still has a big drinking

nent, and may not always listen to the warnings.

Overall alcohol consumption is defined as the annual sales of pure alcohol in litres per person aged 15 and over; The data does not include unrecorded alcohol consumption, such as domestic or illegal production.

In the EU, overall alcohol consumption per person aged 15 years and over dropped by 2.9 litres in the last four decades, falling from 12.7 litres in

which corresponds to a 23 per cent decrease.

Annually, on average every person, aged 15 years and above in the region, drinks 9.5 litres of pure alcohol; This is equivalent to 190 litres of beer, 80 litres of wine or 24 litres of spirits.

Of the ‘Big Four’, Germany had the highest amount of alcohol consumption at 10.6 litres, followed closely by France at 10.4 litres, Spain at 7.8 litres and Italy at 7.7 litres. The UK consumes on average 9.7 litres.

Which countries in Europe drink the most alcohol?

Spain offers an affordable lifestyle.

€7 to enter the EU from next year Nature efforts

Anna Akopyan

THE country with the most Blue Flag bea ches in the world, at least 70,000 animal species and more than 10,000 plant species, Spain is renowned for its unique environment. But how successful is it in preserving its nature?

According to UNESCO, Spain occu pies the first place in the world in biosphere reserves with 53 of such spaces across the country. These are territories which successfully balance environmental conservation, cultural diversity and economic development through the relationship between people and nature.

As protests against tourism continue to rise across Spain, the residents of Barcelona are particularly frustrated about the deteriorating state of the environment.

Seventy-five per cent of the CO2 emissions from tourism come from aeroplane transport; used by 82 per cent of the visitors - Spain is also the most cruise-polluted country in Europe, with 14,496 metric tons of sulfur oxide released in 2017.

Evidently, Spanish authorities place a lot of effort into securing the country’s environment; Spain has dedicated 35.7 per cent of its land as a forest area and protected 27 per cent of its surface.

Adam Woodward

THE European Union is to introduce a €7 fee for UK citizens to enter EU countries as from the first half of next year.

The new scheme to be applied to people from 60 non-EU countries including the UK is looking like it will be introduced around May, 2025. The system is part the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) - which will require non-EU travellers to register fingerprints and a photo instead of having their passport stamped - will start on November 10 this year.

With such an impressive environment comes the cost of high visitation, as millions of people from all over the world travel to discover Spain’s unique beauty.

But despite the efforts, more attention is granted to the country’s economy and its relationship with tourism, which continues to worry residents and environmental organisations.

England’s homelessness

AN estimated one million people in the EU and UK sleep rough every night and in countries like Germany and France, the number has doubled in the last 10 years. In fact, European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) says the number is likely to be far higher due to the fact that there is no universally decided definition of homelessness and so each country presents its own interpretation of the issue.

According to OECD data, England has the highest rate of homelessness in the continent of Europe, which includes people sleeping on the streets or housed in emergency accommodation, with 43 homeless people per 10,000 residents.

Within the EU, France has the highest number of homeless individuals with 30.7 homeless for every 10,000 people, followed by Czechia (28.4), Germany (25.8), and Ireland (25.3). Spain fares somewhat better (5.4) and Nordic countries also reported

lower rates of homelessness.

According to an OECD report, the total estimated number of homeless people is about 333,000 in France and 263,000 in Germany while the UK housing and homeless charity Shelter estimated that there are a shocking

309,000 homeless people in England alone.

Rocketing housing costs and economic changes go some way to exposing the situation. Also, inadequate benefits, including freezing of people’s housing benefit compound the problem further.

But is it as Orwellian as some claim? Visas for citizens not on the list of 60 non-EU will be charged €80. This new €7 waiver is aimed at more frequent visitors from countries outside of the EU. Once ID has been es -

tablished and the waiver charge has been received, it will cover visitors from outside of the EU and Schengen zone, just like the US ESTA visa, and it will be valid for three years.

Further details are yet to be released by the EU, but part of the concept is to speed up entry and

exit at passport controls once implemented. Over 700 million visitors entered the Schengen zone last year, and this new system is also expected to make it more difficult for criminals and terrorists to enter Europe including cutting down on the use of fake passports.

Waiver will speed up passport control.

Credit: Riccardo, Pexels Natural spaces in Spain.

Your

Do you think self-service checkouts are a good idea?

IN the UK, at least, it seems the love affair supermarkets have had with self-service checkouts is coming to an end. Customer dissatisfaction and a wave of shoplifting have been cited as the main reasons for this turnaround. Customer feedback has included issues with them being slow and frustrating to use.

In fact, popular supermarket chain Morrisons has made it clear that it will be looking to reduce the number of self-service checkouts in its stores, admitting that the concept ‘went too far’. Asda has also stated that it will not be expanding self-service technology but instead will invest in increasing the number of cashiers at its manned checkouts.

a cop-out. It should be about consumer convenience after all. Have manned checkouts for 10 or fewer items by all means.”

In considering the staffing issue, Mark Morris said, “What’s the point in shutting down two till points and then having two staff members helping out in self-checkout?”

Also, on staffing, Karen Joy Harley expressed, “I refuse to use them as I am paying for my shopping; I am not paying to be a cashier and do these unsung heroes out of a job.”

In light of this news, we asked Euro Weekly News readers if they think self-service checkouts are a good idea.

Sue Stephenson said, “I’m not a lover of them. I only use them when I have a couple of items; otherwise, I go straight to the cashier.”

Sandie Laidlaw is vehemently against them and stated, “Refuse to use them... would rather queue, thank you.”

Stephen Cosgrove is also very much against them and says, “I despise them. OK, standing with one or two items behind numerous people with full trollies is annoying, for sure, but usually because they’ve only got a couple of tills manned. I get why self-checkout appeals to and suits the supermarket, but it’s

However, Ken J Brooks is very much in favour of them and questions whether they cost people their jobs; he shared, “Yes, definitely. However, the idea that people lose their jobs because of self-checkouts is not necessarily true. While it has happened, most people replaced by self-checkouts are offered a similar position.”

Likewise, Andrew McLaughlin Findlay is in favour, “Love them; they don’t throw the items at you!” he said.

Carol Fraser was a little more pragmatic when she said, “Only for people like workers who want to buy their lunch and small baskets of shopping.”

A comment from Andrew Fitzgerald, and my personal favourite, raises an interesting point, “No, people need jobs, and the lack of human interaction in day-to-day life is turning everyone into socially anxious zombies,” he expressed.

Sunflower overtakes olive oil

PRICES of olive oil have meant that it has been toppled from the top spot as Spain’s favourite oil.

The news has left many in the World’s largest olive oil producers shocked, as rising prices force consumers to switch to cheaper options. In the first half of 2024, Spaniards bought 107 million litres of olive oil compared to 179 million litres of sunflower oil. According to the Ministry for Agriculture, only 34 per cent of oil sales used to be the sunflower varie-

ty and 64 per cent olive oil. But rocketing olive oil prices have forced many Spaniards to change their palates.

When olive oil prices per litre hit near the €10 mark last year, in part due to low yields caused by the drought, many family budgets couldn’t keep up with the increased cost, and so turned to cheaper sunflower oil, currently averaging around the €2.40 per litre, according to Olimerca, an industry publication.

Spain has famously been the World’s biggest supplier of olive oil after having overtaken Italy several years ago, but continued drought conditions are causing exports to reduce too, a potentially devastating impact on the olive industry in Spain.

Spaniards are in danger of losing their number one staple ingredient as prices are leading it to become a luxury most families struggle to put in the shopping basket.

Sunflower oil takes over as most popular oil in Spain.

Credit: Freepik

Worth of art Portugal airport strikes

FOLLOWING the theft and the removal of Banksy’s artworks from public spaces, the artist’s craft has become more desired than ever. Arguably the most famous living artist in the world, how much does it cost to own a work by the British icon and is it worth it?

The art network MyArtBroker surveyed more than 1,400 people in the UK to find out what they think about the controversial artist. When asked how they felt about Banksy, 66 per cent of the respondents

were said to be “inspired,” and 51 per cent bolstered the “thought-provoking” nature of his work.

If given a choice of purchasing a new Porsche 911 or an original signed Banksy print, 45 per cent said they would prefer to get the iconic artwork.

On average, Banksy’s work costs around €235,987. The most that’s ever been paid for his print is €21.3 million; Love is in the Bin, which has ironically been interpreted as a representation of Banksy’s

sceptical attitude towards art selling.

Although the purchase may come with potential physical threats of theft, investing in Banksy’s art means becoming a part of art history and obtaining a limited product. Not just the artwork itself but its representation; the freedom of artistic expression and social consciousness, the scarcity of Banksy’s art is likely to increase and increase in value in the future, making it a meaningful investment.

PORTUGUESE Transport Workers’ Union (Sttamp) has warned of the “severe constraints” the Groundforce workers’ strike will cause at airports.

The Sttamp issued a strike notice covering all national airports, ‘from 00:00 hours on August 31, 2024, until midnight on September 1, 2024’, in protest over low wages.

The strike was called against “the existence of base salaries lower than the national minimum wage” and “the systemic use of workers from temporary employment agencies,” as stated in the Sttamp’s document.

Following the release of their document, “As there has been no negotiation development to date that would allow the strike to be called off,” the Sttamp has stated that “if it were to take place it would certainly cause severe constraints at national airports.”

The union specified that in particular “Porto and

Lisbon” will feel the effects the most, “of which are currently completely unpredictable.”

The union guarantees that there will be delays and “numerous flight cancellations” to all destinations operated by airlines assis-

ted by the SPdH (Groundforce), a Portuguese handling company.

Sttamp also recommended that passengers with trips scheduled for the days of the strike confirm their travel with the services of their respective airlines.

Banksy’s art . Credit:

Division in the UK - even on scones

THE eternal debate over how to pronounce scone has been going on for generations. Is it scone (as in ‘bone’) or scone (as in ‘gone’)?

Pollsters, YouGov, have just released the results of a UK survey into how we really pronounce the word scone, and where.

Some 54,400 Brits were quizzed on the subject and the result ended up looking very similar to a certain referendum result. Fifty-one per cent were insistent that you pronounce it scone (like ‘gone’) while 45 per cent voted for scone (as in ‘bone’).

There are some geographical trends, as can be expected, and the ‘gone’ sounding scone can be

found predominant in the most northerly reaches of the UK where almost 90 per cent of respondents wouldn’t budge on the issue of pronunciation.

From Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria, up to the most northerly reaches of Scotland, don’t waste your time pronouncing scone like ‘bone’.

Only Essex (68 per cent) and Cornwall (58 per cent), home of the cream tea, showed that scone as in ‘bone’ outweighed any other pronunciation of the word. Most other areas of southern England

were almost 50/50 on the issue.

The highly controversial hot potato of scones didn’t stop there. YouGov also took it upon themselves to ask the British public whether one should put cream on scones first before the jam, or if it must be jam first followed by the cream!

Provocative talk from one of the UK’s biggest polling companies.

Sconewars - How do you pronounce it?

Overtourism: When your favourite spot becomes a

selfie sumo wrestle!

much? Cities are packed with tourists, and it seems like you need to go somewhere, even just for a selfie. With cheap plane tickets, travel is now accessible to many, whereas it was a luxury for the wealthy just 40 years ago.

IT’S pretty self-explanatory: overtourism is when we all flock to the same iconic spot for the exact same selfie, turning a picturesque landmark into a people soup. Basically, it’s the art of ruining a place by loving it too much.

So here’s my joke of the week:

A husband and wife packed their suitcases in a rush, barely making it to the airport on time. The wife said, “I wish I’d brought the refrigerator.”

“Why?” asked the husband.

“Our tickets are on top of it!” :)

Back then, honeymooners might have dreamed of a quiet beach in Spain. Today, those honeymooners are jetting off to the Canary Islands, Bali, or Cancun. The world has opened up so much that everyone, from middle-class families to adventurous souls, can explore far-flung destinations. A friend of mine spent less than €700 to visit Bali - proof that exotic travel is more accessible than ever. It makes me wonder if the world feels smaller for mega-wealthy individuals, who are now planning trips to space or Mars.

Everyone’s buzzing about it, so here’s my unsolicited two cents. I’ve been that wide-eyed tourist, feeling locals’ icy stares like I’d crash-landed from another galaxy. Now I’m savouring the sweet revenge. If you’re a local, you know the drill: supermarkets are sardine cans, highways are parking lots, and restaurants have waits longer than your last relationship. It’s like we’re all extras in ‘Tourist Takeover: The Revenge’, and spoiler alert: the plot’s a disaster.

On New Year’s Eve in NYC, we arrived at 10am, hoping for a fancy ball drop. By 8pm, we hadn’t reached Times Square, spent an hour waiting for a bathroom, and felt like a human traffic jam. Our ‘best night ever’ became a ‘worst nightmare’ with no restrooms, overpriced everything, and freezing cold. We were a miserable river of people just trying to escape. Why is everyone travelling so

I’m all about travel - who isn’t? But outright rejecting tourism isn’t the answer, though a few tourists chilling on Mars might be a win. Let’s focus on respecting local cultures and managing the tourist flood. How about a system that actually works? Maybe offer further discounts for off-peak travel so we don’t all show up at once. Encourage smarter holiday planning and thinking outside the box.

Let’s revive travel agents - they’re the ultimate vacation planners. Pair them with local tourist offices to manage the crowds and keep popular spots from becoming chaos. It’s a win-win!

And last but not least, here’s an undeniable truth: We’re all time travellers, moving at the precise speed of 60 minutes per hour. Bon Voyage!

Movaldi’s

MOVALDI’S AMERICAN 2 CENTS SNAPSHOT

FROM COAST TO COAST

Defeat and misery

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I AM heartily sick of the ever increasing issues in today’s society that appear to somehow, cause ‘offence’.

Although the luvvy woke and PC brigade, consistently seem to exhume more self-righteous attention seeking pathetic claptrap every day, there are actually a number of ‘offending’ examples that stick very heavily in this ol boys craw as well. The TV commercial, which showed in full close up, two girls sticking their tongues down each other’s throats. Although I am by no means against this depiction in the context of a story line, I object most strongly to this being presented as an advertising ‘norm’ in front of young, impressionable children in my front room.

What about the media onslaught of sneering ungrateful foreigners telling us how the British should run the country?

Normal heterosexuals, often nastily, being forced to accept extreme gender issues. The cruel bleeding to death of animals for Halal meat. Being told how to discipline your children, usually by

those who have none of their own. Minorities being given undemocratic precedence over majorities, simply because they are minorities. Moves to change our time honoured, much loved fairy tales, because they are deemed sexist or encouragers of sexual abuse.

The removal of centuries old important works of art, merely because they are considered offensive to a very small minority. Being told by immigrants we should change our culture to accommodate theirs. Benefit scroungers who consider their bone idle existence a ‘right’.

Authorities who, citing human rights, kowtow (and are now releasing) the criminal perpetrators, while denying the rights of their victims. Women who would like us to re-establish Victorian attitudes, which presumably would include the placing of skirts on the legs of grand pianos.

The ongoing, paedophile abuse cover ups of politicians and celebrities. Being considered racist for uttering some incongruous trivial remark, often objected to by individuals, who, by their extreme reactions, reveal themselves as the biggest racists of all. Our appeasing beleaguered police, afraid to react to the insults and disorder of ethnic minorities

in case they get ‘upset’ or run riot. The growth of ‘No go’ areas in major cities. The ever leaning to the left of the main media. And the biggest affront of all?

Women who constantly gripe about men who never put the seat down! There you are. That should ‘offend’ just about everyone. As a final word, I see another two horrendous attacks by suspected immigrant terrorists in both Germany and France has left dead, injured and terrified locals in their wake.

When are the authorities going to realise that high proportions of the people they are encouraging are riddled with militant extremists? Do our ‘leaders’ honestly believe that many of these people have any intention whatsoever of integrating with the law abiding innocent citizens of the Western world? Have you all lost your minds? Or is it all a devious misguided plot to change our culture into something you think can be easily manipulated? Well I’m sorry; your express train into communism has only one terminal - and it has utter defeat and misery written all over its platforms.

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.

Wrong pilgrims on El Camino

OVERTOURISM is not just having its effect on coastal Spain, with the increasingly popular ‘El Camino’ now feeling the brunt of Spain’s booming best industry.

Last week was the turn of one careless pilgrim who provoked one of the biggest wildfires in the north of Spain’s history. The hapless 33-year-old foreign walker (of undisclosed origin) was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 20 after being accused of having levelled 800 hectares of forest and grasslands by fire. He was arrested in Foncebadon, in the province of Leon, not far from the origin of the blaze. Once the fire was underway, he calmly continued his hike as though nothing had happened. Tip-offs from other walkers helped the Guardia Civil locate the man.

This fire is just one in a litany of accusations against the upsurge in tourists participating in the Camino de Santiago over recent years. One resident of Bertola, a village where everyone grows their own crops, has woken up the next day to find walkers have made off with his lettuces. Others complain of tourists using their gardens as toilets. A local woman in Galicia complains of a case with one so-called ‘pilgrim’ who jumped her garden fence during a family barbecue, stripped naked and jumped in her swimming pool.

Increasing tourism on El Camino out of control.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Knuckles rapped

THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) imposed a £15 million (€17.6 million) fine on PwC, one the Big Four accounting firms.

According to the FCA, PwC missed ‘a number of red flags’ when carrying out an audit on London Capital & Finance (LCF) and failed to make an immediate report of suspected fraud.

Lots of pizza

CASA TARRADELLAS posted a record €1.37 billion turnover for2023,18percentupon2022 and its best annual growth in more than 20 years as well as its first double figures since 2010. The Catalan company, best known for pizzas, ended 2023 with 2,948 employees, 10 per cent up on the previous year.

Shops closed

TED BAKER, trading as No Ordinary Designer Label, fell into administration in March 2024, when it shut 15 shops. The fashion firm which delisted after US group Authentic brought it for £210 million (€246.5 million) in 2022, has now closed its remaining 31 stores, entailing the loss of 513 jobs.

Grain gain

SPAIN’S cereal harvest will top 22.5 million tons this year according to estimates prepared by the Cooperativas Agroalimentarias, which represents more than 3,600 cooperatives throughout the country. This was well above the 17-million-ton average of recent years but far below 2020’s record 27 million tons.

Hat trick

THE hat which actor Harrison Ford wore in Temple of Doom, the second instalment of the Indiana Jones films, fetched $630,000 (€564,42) at auction in Los Angeles. The brown felt fedora-style hat that was made specially for the film later belonged to Ford’s stuntdouble Dean Ferrandini who died in 2023.

STAT OF WEEK

€2.1 billion

paid out in dividends to US multinational investment company BlackRock by 21 of Spain’s Ibex 35 companies during the first quarter of 2024.

Sky clouds over for BT

BT’S market value plummeted by around £1 billion (€1.17 billion) after Sky signed up with CityFibre to deliver broadband for its network in 2025.

The transaction dealt an unexpected blow to BT, which currently provides the service for Sky via its Openreach network. Shares sank by 8.2 per cent when the news first broke on August 20, eventually closing 6.4 per cent down.

News of the Sky deal cancelled out most of BT’s gains following Bharti Enterprises’ announcement on August 12 that the Indian conglomerate had acquired a 24.5 per cent holding in the company.

Shares rose to 145p (€1.70) before falling to 136p (€1.59) on August 20, giving the company a market value of £13.5 billion (€15.8 billion).

Despite the Sky setback, City insiders saw the commercial impact as “manageable” for BT.

“Sky would maintain its long-term relationship with BT’s Openreach, given the significantly larger size of its network,” analysts at the Citigroup investment bank told the Telegraph

Meanwhile, an Openreach spokesperson said the UK’s fibre broadband market was becoming increasingly competitive.

“We’re building fibre faster, more efficiently and providing better customer experience than anyone,” the statement continued, pointing out that with more than 15 million premises reached, it expected this to reach 30 million by the end of the decade.

CityFibre is one of Britain’s largest alternative network - ‘alt net’ - providers challenging both BT’s Openreach and Virgin media. It already has a broadband network of more than 3.8 million homes and premises with plans to extend this to eight million.

A very exclusive club

INDITEX shares rose above €48 on August 20, giving the company a market value of €150.035 billion.

That made the fashion chain, owner of the Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius labels, the first Spanish company with a capitalisation of more than €150 billion.

Inditex is now the most valuable of the companies listed on Spain’s Ibex 35, an index of the country’s 35 most-traded companies, putting it ahead of energy giant Iberdrola, worth €80 billion,

Bedford project

UNIVERSAL is discussing tax incentives with UK ministers regarding a future multibillion resort in Bedford.

Comcast, Universal’s owners, bought the 500 acres (202.3 hectares) of land as a possible site for Europe’s largest theme park in 2023.

According to the Financial Times, Comcast’s decision will partly depend on the outcome of the government talks.

Should they fail, Comcast could look elsewhere in Europe for the project, the FT’s sources said.

and Banco Santander (€67 billion).

On the Euro Stoxx 50 index of 50 stocks from 11 Eurozone countries, Inditex comes sixth.

The Spanish company is preceded by ASML, the world’s leading supplier for the semiconductor industry and worth €339.85 billion); luxury brand MVMH (€339.2 billion); German software company Sap (€243.5 billion); another luxury brand Hermes (€231 billion) and L’Oreal (€206.4

Fillip for Grifols

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

is in talks with banks to refinance Grifols’ €9.5 billion debt, prior to a takeover.

Shares in the Spanish plasma therapeutics company rose by 6 per cent in Madrid as news leaked out regarding the Toronto real estate investment company’s plans.

One source close to the transaction, quoted by Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, said the funding would probably be in dollars. Another revealed that participating banks had committed to backing the loans before spreading them amongst third-party investors.

The Barcelona-headquartered company said in July that the Grifols family and Brookfield had already agreed to the takeover in a move that will almost certainly lead to delisting.

billion).

Inditex shares sixth place with TotalEnergies, which is also worth just over €150 billion.

On track in Saudi Arabia

SPANISH rolling stock manufacturer Talgo is in talks to supply Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) with a further 20 high-speed trains.

Talgo’s chief executive Gonzalo Urquijo revealed recently that the company had “intensified” contacts with SAR without reaching agreement regarding prices.

The original €1.6 billion, 12-year contract signed in 2012 to provide and maintain trains for the Medina-Mecca railway included an option to provide additional units.

This was now necessary as passenger numbers had increased, and Urquijo said Talgo was prepared to provide the trains but emphasised that costs had risen “substantially” since the €35 million per train agreed in 2012.

BRITISH firm Mamod, founded in 1936, has ceased producing scale models of steam engines.

Owner Adrian Lockrey told the Daily Mail that the company made a steady £50,000 (€58,714) a month until sales plunged 50 per cent in February.

The miniature engines are powered by hexamine tablets, now banned as they can be used to create explosives. It was like selling a torch without batteries, he told Counter-terrorism in London, but the authorities were adamant that Lockrey could not sell the tablets.

“It’s heartbreaking,” he lamented.

THE Post Office spent £256.9 million (€301.6 million) on engaging 15 law firms and two barristers’ chambers between 2014 and 2024.

Their services were required for the Horizon IT scandal where innocent subpostmasters were accused of apparent financial shortfalls actually caused by flawed software.

The amounts involved were made public following a freedom of information request from the Lawyer magazine.

The outlay on legal costs was practically identical to the financial redress of £261 million (€306.5 million) paid out so far to Horizon victims.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

company Digi has grown more than any other Spanish company but its debt has increased at the same time. Over the last 18 months this rose by 35.2 per cent from €1.1 billion at the end of 2022 to €1.5 billion by June 30, 2024.

Consultants quoted in the Spanish media said that Digi’s debt did not entail significant financial risks, since this was a manageable 2.3 times more than the company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation.

BT: £1 billion wiped from market value after Sky chooses CityFibre.

Photo credit: BT

Photo credit: FB/Amancio Ortega Español Oficial

AMANCIO ORTEGA: Founder of Inditex, now worth €150 billion.

3I Group 3.192,68 3.204,00 3.179,00 29,87K

Group 2.929,00 2.958,00 2.924,00 8,44K Airtel Africa 113,93 114 112,6 188,86K

American 2.252,00 2.252,50 2.240,00 55,39K

1.844,57 1.852,00 1.832,50 95,81K

22,81K

British Foods 2.495,00 2.499,00 2.485,00 16,39K

13.128,00 13.132,00 13.052,00 97,75K

Trader Group Plc 837,6 841,8 837 123,54K

496,65 497,4 494,3 533,95K B&M European Value Retail SA 442,2 443,6 438,8 345,06K BAE Systems 1.308,00 1.320,00 1.308,00 136,46K

227,18 228,15 225,85 2,64M

Developments 552,89 556,6 551,4 100,57K

Beazley 755 761 754,5 71,76K Berkeley 5.165,00 5.185,00 5.150,00 7,7K

BP 428,23 430,85 427,9 2,67M British American Tobacco 2.768,00 2.777,00 2.766,00 134,05K

3.188,00 3.196,00 3.186,00 20,89K

BUSINESS

EXTRA

New entry

PRIVATE EQUITY

company Carlyle Group has acquired a 60 per cent stake in technology consultancy, Seidor, based in Vic (Barcelona) for an undisclosed sum. The remaining 40 per cent stays in the hands of the Benito family, who founded the business in 1984.

Fast food

MCDONALD’S is to spend £1 billion (€1.17 billion) on more than 200 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland over the next four years, focusing on high street locations. The expansion plans will also create approximately 24,000 new jobs.

Pawnshops back in business

THE owners of small British businesses are turning to pawnshops for cash.

One of the UK’s largest pawnbrokers, H&T, with 282 premises nationwide, explained that with banks agreeing to fewer business loans, people were pawning personal possessions.

Builders and shopkeepers were going to H&T, its chief executive Christ Gillespie revealed, after failing to obtain funding for more materials or new stock.

Tasty

“We’ve got people who use it to pay their quarterly VAT bill or wages,”

deal

ALVARO MORATA, captain of Spain’s national football team, and his business partner Pablo Nuño sold part of their Manolo Bakes holding for €5.5 million.

Arte y Sano Millenium, jointly owned by Morata and Nuño, currently has a 30.7 per cent holding after selling 5,838 of their shares to VGO Capital, a UK private equity firm.

he said.

Items pledged to H&T were usually valued at

The British company has become Manolo Bakes’ principal shareholder after paying €14.2 million for the shares owned by the Manzano family, creators of the original recipe for the popular ‘Manolito’ croissants.

VGO spent a total of €27.5 million on acquiring 49.9 per cent of the company and now plans to open further branches of the bakery chain outside Spain.

around £200 (€234.50) with an average loan worth less than that.

Gillespie nevertheless added that more businesses were asking to borrow £5,000 (€5,862), bringing in expensive watches and jewellery as

“The banks will not lend you money against your watch,” he pointed out.

On repaying a loan, the pawned articles are returned, otherwise they are sold through H&T’s retail stores.

The value of the chain’s pledge book stood at £105 million (€123.1 million) by June 2024 compared with £101 million (€118.4 million) in December 2023.

Income rose to £55.8 million (€55.4 million), 11 per cent up on the previous year, while pre-tax profits of £9.9 million (€11.6 million) increased by 12.5 per cent.

Build it up

BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS is now on course for a £2.5 billion (€2.9 billion) takeover of Redrow, six months after announcing a deal that would give Redrow shareholders control over one-third of the business. The transaction will create the UK’s biggest housebuilder, capable of putting up a potential 23,000 homes each year and creating revenues of £7 billion (€8.2 billion).

Family affair

CORPORACION

CES-

LAR, the third most-important el Corte Ingles shareholder and the company that handles the 9 per cent holding belonging to relatives of the department store’s founder Ramon Areces, posted a net profit of €24 million last year. This was mainly due to €12.9 million received in dividends, a 68 per cent increase on 2022.

Photo credit: Flickr/Sarflondonunc

Double bill

FILM lovers and enthusiasts rejoi-

Starting from Monday, September 2, and then on the first Monday of each month going forward, there will be a double-bill film afternoon at the Total Entertainment cinema

in Albox.

Held in an intimate venue these exclusive evenings hold space for only 10 people, so make sure to book in advance.

Artisanal ice cream

pany in Almeria, ‘Sabor Helado’.

ich Thai flavours with our i Th ifl i h iit

Indulge in rich Thai flavours with our exquisite cuisine, meticulously prepared by our exper t Thai chef. Our exclusive menu features a delightful array of classic and authentic dishes, each crafted to perfection. Savour your meal in our beautiful restaurant, conveniently located near the golf course, where the ambienc e enhanc es your dining experience.

The first double bill event, starting at 12:30pm on September 2, will be showing two classics; The Full Monty and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Keep your eyes peeled for future billings, the organiser has a wide appreciation for movies, ranging from world cinema to Tarintino, so expect an eclectic, cultured list.

Tickets to each film night are €10 per person, which includes tickets to the double billing and two drinks, and can be purchased at Total Entertaiment in Albox.

All proceeds will go to Corijo Buho, a privately owned wildlife sanctuary based in Benamaurel, Spain.

THE first artisanal ice cream company in Almeria just joined Sabores Almeria to bring gourmet ice cream to the province. Sabores Almeria has expanded its range of gourmet products, incorporating the first artisanal ice cream com-

The gourmet brand of the province aims to grow and, as it has with Sabor Helado, add more brands under its umbrella, “thus achieving advantages to be able to promote the products of the province” as clarified by the Provincial council in a statement.

Carlos Sanchez, the deputy of Agri-Food Promotion, visited the facilities of the Sabor Helado, based in the municipality of Velez Rubio, and the owner, Jose David Sanchez, to learn first-hand the manufacturing process of gourmet ice cream.

Carlos Sanchez expressed his satisfaction, stating “With this addition, the ‘Sabores Almeria’ brand expands its variety of products and compliments it with these top quality artisanal ice creams.”

Now, “the company ‘Sabor Helado’ can enjoy the advantages offered by the gourmet brand of the province,” according to the provincial deputy.

Harry Sinclair

ce! A monthly double-bill cinema event is coming to Albox.

Reser vations (+34) 681 87 18 51

Valle del Este Resor t, Avenida Valle del S ol, 04620 Vera (Almeria)

Sawad ee Thai Restaurant sawad eerestaurant

Gem of a day

ANIMAL lovers Clare and Shane, who opened Castellon de Bédar seven years ago, are organising their third special fundraising event for PAWS-PATAS.

Clare, a qualifi ed bespoke Goldsmith with over 30 years of experience - who once made a special piece for King Charles in celebration of the 40th year of The Prince’s Trust - will be offering a discount on her service, professionally cleaning your jewellery for €4 instead of €10/15, explaining “There’s more to it than just dipping jewellery into some solution.”

Simultaneously, Shane will be making cakes which can be purchased with tea or coffee for €2.50. Additionally, there will be special

jewellery and PAWS-PATAS merchandise on sale, plus a raffl e.

The two have built an incredible reputation, with people travelling from all over the world to stay in their exquisite suite and make their own wedding rings.

Clare and Shane want to emphasise that every cent raised on the day will benefi t PAWS-PATAS.

“We already have €150 in the bank from recent costume jewellery sales and we want this to be our biggest fundraising day!” beamed Shane.

Come and join them and their adopted PAWS-PATAS cats, Smudge and Fudge, on Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 5pm. For further information call +34 642 435 909.

Ice cream connoisseurs

Harry Sinclair

THE province of Almeria holds some of the best places for home-made ice cream in all of Spain, perfect for these hotter days. What better, and tastier, way to battle the heat than ice-cold ice cream?

There are a few top-tier ice cream parlours with high-quality products in the province of Almeria that are truly unmissable.

La Flor de Valencia in the Marina of Aguadulce is a fan favourite in the province, evening receiving a Solete from the

Repsol Guide.

Mojacar has the best in the entire Levante of Almeria, Gelateria Italiana Alberto.

Founded in 1988, it has a variety of artisanal ice creams to be enjoyed in front of the beautiful beach of Mojacar.

Close by in Carboneras, Di Martino offers 100 per cent natural ice cream, also earning a Solete from the Repsol Guide.

Gelato Ice Cream Parlor, located in the town square of San Jose, is run by an Italian making authentic and unique ice

cream, ranking as one of the most popular on TripAdvisor.

Gelateria Fantasia Italiana in the provincial capital is one of the most popular among the city’s residents, with an extensive variety of options including the signature Delirio de Almeria (delirium of Almeria).

Finally, just outside the city of El Toyo, Retamar, Helados del Desierto is a benchmark for artisanal ice cream in Almeria, as all its products are made with raw materials from the Almeria market.

Credit: Castellon de Bédar

The two fundraising legends, Clare and Shane, featuring proof of their involvement with King Charles.

Sponsored by

Food for thought

BOOSTING your memory can be as simple as making the right choices in your diet. Certain foods are known to enhance brain function, helping you stay sharp and focused. Fatty fish, like salmon and mackerel, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health. These healthy fats build cell membranes and promote the growth of new brain cells, crucial for memory retention.

Broccoli and leafy greens such as spinach and kale are packed with antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin K, which has been linked to improved cognitive function. Berries, particularly blueberries, are another

powerful ally, containing flavonoids that have been shown to enhance memory and slow down age-related cognitive decline.

Nuts, especially walnuts, provide a good source of vitamin

ne. Additionally, whole grains and avocados support brain health by improving blood flow to the brain.

Incorporating these foods into your diet can help protect your memory, keeping your mind active and healthy as you age.

Write, reflect, revive

JOURNALING is the practice of regularly writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, providing a private space for self-reflection. This simple yet powerful habit can significantly enhance your mental and emotional well-being. By putting pen to paper, journaling allows you to process complex emotions, gain clarity, and reduce stress. It acts as a therapeutic outlet, helping to release pent-up feelings that might otherwise remain bottled up, leading to anxiety or depression.

In addition to emotional benefits, journaling can also improve cognitive function. The act of writing helps to organise thoughts and improve focus, which can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with busy or stressful lives. Journaling can also foster a greater sense of gratitude, as it encourages you to acknowledge positive experiences, no matter how small. By making journaling a regular practice, you can create a deeper connection with yourself, paving the way for enhanced self-awareness, emotional balance, and overall health. It’s a small commitment with potentially significant rewards.

Shutterstock/

Tatjana Baibakova

Whooping cough

A TENTH child has died from whooping cough as the virus outbreak rose above 10,000 cases, stated UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency), warning that children are foremost at risk.

An outbreak of whooping cough began in November last year, continuing to spread with 10 child deaths re corded in the UK; UKHSA urges pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect more children from the disease.

Whooping cough is cau sed by the bac terium Bordetella pertussis with early symptoms including a stuffy nose, low-grade fever, and a mild cough. If escalated, the condition progresses to coughing fits, distinctively accompanied by a ‘whoop’ sound upon inhalation.

occurring in the UK in 2016 with almost 6,000 confirmed cases. The cause of outbreaks isn’t determined but is related to declining immunity at the population level; something which since Covid-19 has been especially noticed.

Every few years, there are large outbreaks of the disease, with the last one

Director of immunisation at the UKHSA

Dr Mary Ramsay emphasised; “With cases continuing to rise and sadly 10 infant deaths since the outbreak began last November, ensuring women are vaccinated in pregnancy has never been more important.”

Evidence from UK health experts states that vaccination at the right time during pregnancy grants 92 per cent protection against infant death; moreover, all fully vaccinated children are 84 per cent less likely to contract whooping cough.

Unplug and unwind

IN today’s digital age, reducing screen time for adults has become essential for maintaining both mental and physical health. Prolonged screen exposure is linked to eye strain, poor sleep, and even anxiety, making it crucial to find effective ways to limit screen use.

One simple strategy is to establish screenfree zones in your home,

such as the bedroom or dining area, encouraging more face-to-face interactions and restful environments. Setting specific times to unplug, particularly before bed, can also help reduce the temptation to mindlessly scroll through social media or emails.

Engaging in alternative activities, like reading a book, taking a walk, or practising a hobby,

can provide a refreshing break from screens while enhancing overall well-being. Additionally, using apps designed to monitor and limit screen time can be an eye-opener, helping you to become more aware of your usage patterns. By consciously adopting these habits, you can reclaim valuable time and improve your quality of life.

Cancer breakthrough

RESEARCHERS

at Western University in Ontario, Canada have discovered a protein that can curb DNA damage.

The breakthrough discovery could have practical applications in anything from developing cancer vaccines to creating drought-resistant crops.

The researchers found the protein - called DdrC (DNA Damage Repair Protein C) - in a common bacterium named Deinococcus radiodurans. The protein has the incredible ability to withstand between 5,000 and 10,000 times the radiation that would kill a normal human cell.

Lead researcher Robert Sczabla says that Deinococcus also stands out for its ability to repair DNA that’s already been damaged. He explained that while every cell has a DNA repair mechanism, it has

clearly defined limits.

According to the researchers, this breakthrough could have exciting scientific implications that extend beyond the medical world. In theory, the gene could be introduced into plants, animals, or humans to increase the DNA repair efficiency of the organism’s cells.

The hope is that this could offer hope for a

cancer vaccine in the future.

Cancer treatment currently very much relies on treatment once a diagnosis has already taken place.

The prospect of a vaccine that could prevent it is an exciting one for the medical community and the many people around the world who have been touched by cancer.

Andropause: hype or reality?

THE concept of a ‘male menopause’, often referred to as andropause, is a topic of ongoing debate among health experts. Unlike female menopause, which involves a clear and rapid drop in hormone levels, the changes in men are more gradual and less defined.

According to the NHS UK website, testosterone levels fall as men age, the decline is steady at about 1 per cent a year from around the age of 30 to 40, and this is unlikely to cause any problems in itself.

Symptoms sometimes associated with the so-called male menopause include fatigue, mood swings, reduced libido, and

difficulties with memory and concentration. However, the NHS points out that these symptoms are often linked to lifestyle factors such as stress, obesity, or lack of exercise, rather than just a decrease in testosterone levels.

Lifestyle improvements like regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and stress reduction can significantly alleviate these symptoms. In rarer cases where testosterone levels are significantly low, medical intervention, such as hormone replacement therapy, may be considered, but should only be pursued after consultation with a healthcare professional.

Credit: National Cancer Institute.

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

Costa del Sol Rescuing Tivoli World

WATER, peacock feed and cleaning materials make up the bulk of the donations that former workers who are still in charge of maintaining the park are receiving.

It’s coming up for four years of being closed for Tivoli World in Benalmadena, and four years since ex-employees have been holding out hope that the much loved theme park will one day reopen. A group of them remain defiant and determined to not let the site fall into rack and ruin, acting as unpaid security and maintenance staff.

Unprompted, local residents, inspired and uplifted by the devotion to Tivoli World, began delivering donations to the park gates. Paint, cleaning products, gloves and bottles of drinking water and even feed for some of the peacocks at the park.

Benalmadena Council members are now planning meetings for the beginning of September with the owners of Tivoli to hammer out a solution to a future reopening of the park.

Axarquia

Torre del Mar airshow

FLIGHT enthusiasts and thrill seekers will be looking forward to the Torre del Mar Airshow this September, being held from Friday 6 to Sunday 8.

Jet fighters and acrobatic planes, historic aircraft, police helicopters and the Eurofighter, the most advanced fighter jet in the World, all performing breathtaking aerial feats over the sea to amaze a beach audience.

This air festival is an aeronautical, sporting and family event that brings together more than 300,000 spectators every year to enjoy the best acrobatic pilots in the world.

The airshow can be seen from any point on Torre del Mar beach, but the organisers recommend the Biblioplaya area to best enjoy all the crosses and pirouettes performed by the pilots in the most advanced aerospace technology. Sunday will be the best day, following all the practice runs, although there will be plenty to see and do the previous two days as well.

Mallorca Asian wasp warning

THE Regional Ministry of Agriculture launched a campaign on Friday August 23 urging the public to be on the lookout for an invasive species of wasp that the Ministry body is trying to eradicate. The Asian wasp, which first arrived in Mallorca in 2015, is an insect which reproduces successfully at an astonishing rate, and could upset the balance of other native species of wasps across the island.

The Ministry highlights that so far this year a total of 10 colonies of Asian wasps have been identified across Mallorca, with nests located in Palma, Calvià, Sóller and Mancor de la Vall. A document has been published on the government website to help the general public successfully distinguish between the Asian wasp and other species.

Following a protocol whereby nests are seized and frozen in order for scientists to carry out tests on genetics to confirm the origin of the insects, the ultimate goal is to eradicate the species from Mallorca entirely and prevent it from spreading.

Costa Blanca South Balcony braveheart:

FELIPE DAVID SOUZA, a young Brazilian who has resided in Alicante since 2019, will be honoured for his bravery during the city’s Volunteer Day celebrations in November.

The council’s security department, led by Councillor Julio Calero, plans to formally recognise Souza’s courageous act of saving a child from a precarious situation.

On August 19, Souza became a local hero when he risked his life to save a child hanging from a balcony.

Souza, who works as a painter, was on the job renovating a house near Plaza de Galicia in Alicante when he heard a commotion.

A six-year-old boy was precariously dangling from a balcony. Without hesitation, Souza dashed to the scene.

He climbed onto the building’s ledge with only his hands for support, reached the frightened child and brought him back to safety inside his home.

Costa Blanca North Loud and Proud

GET ready for the most vibrant, colourful and fabulous Benidorm Pride yet. It’s the last Pride in the European summer calendar, and it will definitely be worth the wait. Taking place between September 2 and 7, the city of Benidorm will pulsate with energy as tourists and residents come together to celebrate and express their love and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The 2024 programme is packed with a variety of new and exciting activities, building up to the highlight of the festival, the vibrant Big Parade procession, scheduled to take place on the final day at Levante Beach.

As in previous years, it will start from McDonald’s (el Rincon de Loix) at 5.00pm, continue its route along the Paseo del Levante/Avda Mediterraneo, and finish at the stunning open-air Julio Inglesias Auditorium.

This is destined to be the party to end all parties and will feature performers galore.

Costa Calida Breakfast bash

IN Roda, San Javier, the summer festivities have a tasty tradition: the ‘English Breakfast.’ This event, part of the local celebration honouring the patron saint, the Virgen de los Remedios, draws a crowd of over 500 people each year. Held in the scenic pinada of San Javier, where many English, Scottish, and Irish expats live, this breakfast has become a summer classic.

Starting at 10am, volunteers whip up a traditional English breakfast, featuring fried eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, and baked beans, all for just €2. This event, known as ‘International Day,’ is a hit among both locals and visitors.

The mayor, Eulogio Sánchez, noted the event’s growing popularity, saying, “Roda has something special; people love coming here and having a good time.”

The festivities continued through the weekend with more activities, including international dinners, themed parties, and a mix of local celebrations.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Casa Roja

in La Alfoquia

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Two minutes drive to Zurgena village, eight minutes drive to Arboleas village, 12 minutes drive to Huercal-Overa town and 30 minutes drive to the coast at Mojacar, Garrucha and Vera.

Casa Roja is situated in the heart of the village on a quiet lane with hardly any passing traffic and plenty of safe on street parking. Buying this property is an excellent opportunity to live within a Spanish and expat commu-

nity with numerous amenities all within walking distance.

To the front of the house is a small terrace to enjoy the sun or shade depending on the time of day. The front door takes you into the entrance hall. To the right is the living room / dining room. To the left of the entrance hall is a large double bedroom and a shower room.

A passage way leads you to two more double bedrooms, a large single bedroom and the family bathrooms. Also at the end of the passage way is the fitted kitchen with breakfast bar and separate larder.

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trap or great place to enjoy the cool shade. External stairs lead up to the sun terrace where you can enjoy the views over the village and surrounding countryside.

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For more information and to arrange a viewing or a meeting in our offices please contact Voss Homes DIRECTLY on 0034 950 616 827 or email us on enquiries@vosshomesspain.com.

INTERVIEW

Speaking European –

Esther Stoel

Esther was travelling across Europe on an eye-opening journey of culture when she came to Spain and decided to settle down.

BORN in the Netherlands, Esther has spent the last six years living in the tourist magnet, Greece. “The plan was to keep travelling across the EU,” said Esther but Valencia struck a chord in her soul and she began to settle just outside the main city.

Despite Valencia’s tourist appeal, Esther said it is “nowhere as crowded as in Greece.” The Netherlands’ “expensive lifestyle, bad weather and constant stress,” caused Esther to move abroad, but the “poverty and the increased cost of living” in Greece made Esther concerned about her and her son’s future. Esther now works as an online sports nutritionist and is building a

yoga retreat. Since coming to Spain, she has been deeply invested in the “laid-back lifestyle” of the Spanish. She believes that Europeans who have moved to Spain need to “learn to slow down,” to enjoy a life abroad.

Living in a city as diverse as Valencia, Esther is constantly faced with the unique Spanish fusion of “historic celebrations and traditions,” and the “modernity and open-mindedness of the locals.”

She shared that although some traditions can be “difficult to understand,” she makes an effort to learn about Spain’s culture and treat it with respect.

Dog lovers duped online

SCAM artists conning animal lovers on social media have just been arrested by the Guardia Civil. Their modus operandi consisted of publishing fake advertisements online claiming they were selling dogs, when the dogs never actually existed.

Operation ‘Dog Fake 2022’ identied nine alleged perpetrators who have been accused of fraud, money laundering and of belonging to a criminal organisation, according to a Guardia Civil statement.

An investigation began in 2022 after a urry of reports by people claiming they had been conned in online puppy sales on social network platforms. Scammers gained their trust by sending photos of the puppies and then requesting a Bizum payment or bank transfer under a va-

riety of concepts such as ‘transportation’, ‘insurance’, ‘vaccines’, among other ctitious expenses.

IRRESISTIBLE: Dogo Argentino puppy.

Credit: Jarda Apollo - Shutterstock

Most of the victims were in Nerja (Malaga), Pamplona, Lerín (Navarra), Albacete and Castelldefels (Barcelona). One person reported that they had been a victim of an online scam when he tried to buy a Dogo Argentino puppy through a puppy sales website. He contacted the seller and was asked to transfer €260 up front, followed by another transfer for €1,200 to cover the rental of a cage, and then a further €800 for travel insurance, of which the victim could only manage €400. And then, he was told to pay another €525 for supposed vaccinations.

through a pu-

Esther Stoel with her son.

Quincy needs a dog-sitter

BICHON FRIEZE dogs are famously friendly and rather cuddly. Quincy and his siblings love company and playing at home. That’s why it is easier to find HouseSitMatch pet-sitters to suit their needs when their owners go away on holiday.

By joining a house-sitting platform like HouseSitMatch we facilitate an old-fashioned barter exchange where a pet owner provides the pet-sitter with free accommodation and the sitter cares for the pets and property with due care and attention, just like old fashioned barter.

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 ac-

commodation for free pet care! HouseSitMatch is Safe - All Members Are Checked

All members are checked for safety, you choose which house-sitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

Your pets stay at home - Safe and Undisturbed

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

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

1. Register as a homeowner on Hou seSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£69 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.

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5

Excellent

My neighbours tell us Harry had plenty of walks…

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 C - homeowner in Mojacar

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.

Helping hand

DOGS, like humans, can suffer from a variety of allergies, including environmental, food, and contact allergies. Environmental allergies are triggered by pollen, mould, dust mites, or certain grasses. Symptoms include itching, sneezing, and watery eyes.

Food allergies, often due to

common ingredients like beef, chicken, or dairy, can cause gastrointestinal issues, itching, and ear infections. Contact allergies result from direct exposure to irritants like certain shampoos, cleaning products, or materials and can lead to skin irritation and itching. To help your dog manage

TIP ‘Windows to Wellness’

these allergies, it’s essential to identify the allergen. A vet can perform tests to pinpoint the cause. For environmental allergies, regular baths with hypoallergenic shampoo and keeping your home clean can reduce exposure. Dietary changes can alleviate food allergies; switching to hypoa-

ROUTINE vet visits are essential for early disease detection and maintaining overall health. Schedule annual check-ups, or more frequently for older pets. Regular exams include vaccinations, dental care, and monitoring weight and behaviour changes.

llergenic or limited-ingredient diets often helps. For contact allergies, remove the irritant and consider using gentle, pet-safe products.

Always consult your vet for the best course of action, ensuring your furry friend remains comfortable and healthy.

With 25 years experience in transporting pets, from collection to delivery your pet’s comfort and

Quincy loves company and will entertain the dog-sitter.

/ Masarik

45 CLASSIFIEDS

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

ACCOUNTS

MISCELLANEOUS

AIR CONDITIONING

BUILDERS

We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 711 086 162 (10021)

ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.com (253556)

BUY & SELL

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

CHURCHES

Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at  www.almeria-anglican. com. Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org. uk/counties/spain-north

ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email  zurgenarblchair man@gmail.com - (253989)

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

MOTORING

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)

OTHERS

ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (305398)

ESTATE AGENT

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

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

LANGUAGE CLASSES

€9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com fivebonehotel.com (305296)

EDS?  We have the solution, Ka magra pills & jells, Cialis, Side nafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs. Available by mail-order. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

PETS

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (300468)

REMOVALS

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@ sunergyalmeria.com (305375)

Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

Car requirements

IN Spain there are specific documents and items you must keep in your vehicle at all times.

As in many countries, there are a set of required documents and items for legal obligation and practical necessity to ensure smooth interactions with authorities, and to be prepared for any emergencies.

The National Police recently provided a list of all that is needed in your car.

First is a driving licence, which must be valid and appropriate for the vehicle type.

Next is the Circulation Permission and technical sheet, which vehicle is registered in name.

The ITV certificate (MOT) and windscreen sticker are also mandatory in proving that your vehicle has passed the inspec tion.

You must also have proof of insurance, which covers at a mi nimum third-party liabi lity.

A European accident

form should also be kept in your car to officially report any accidents.

Reflective jackets and warning triangles are important, in case of a breakdown or roadside accident.

A spare tyre and repair kit are necessary, in case of a breakdown on the side of the road.

In addition, although not a requirement, authorities recommend first aid kits, a fire extinguisher and spare lightbulbs.

When driving in Spain there are required documents you must keep in your car.

Sven-Goran Eriksson

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON, ex-England boss, and coach at Lazio, Benfica, Manchester City, Leicester City, has died aged 76.

Eriksson, who saw the England team through three major tournaments, enjoyed a celebrated career in management, which also included spells in charge of Lazio, Benfica and Manchester City, passed away on Monday, August 26 after suffering pancreatic cancer. He was just recently the subject of a swan song documentary in which he reflected on his life, career and legacy.

Eriksson was the first non-British manager of the England national team when he was appointed in 2001, and during his five years in the position, Eriksson led the nation to three major tournaments.

During the filming of the Amazon Prime docu-

mentary, Eriksson, already well aware of his medical condition, said “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully at the end people will say, yeah, he was a good man, but everyone will not

“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.

Largest football stadium

MOROCCO is set to make history with the construction of the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, which is poised to become the largest football stadium globally. It boasts a seating capacity of 115,000 and has been designed by the renowned Oualalou + Choi in collaboration with Populous.

The stadium pays homage to Moroccan culture, drawing inspiration from the traditional ‘moussem’, a cultural gathering symbolising community.

The stadium’s most distinctive feature is its expansive, tent-like roof, made from an aluminium lattice. Elevated 28 metres above the ground, this roof shelters the crowd while evoking the communal spirit of a moussem.

The structure is supported by 32 grand

Legendary return

“I WANT my children to remember me competing in the Paralympics,” said Sarah Storey about her return to the Games, rigorous to score yet another gold medal and make her children proud.

Today, Storey is the most awarded British Paralympian of all time, holding 28 medals, including 17 golds in swimming and cycling.

In light of the Covid-19 crisis in 2022, Storey competed in the Tokyo Paralympics without the thrill of having a live audience and in the same year, suffered a severe injury, after a crash at a World Cup race left her with broken ribs, a partially punctured lung and a concussion.

She confessed; “Nearly two years later, my body has finally started to recover after having such a horrendous time at the end of 2022 - there was one point where I wondered if age had caught up with me...”

Despite the drawbacks, the Paralympian will compete in the 2024 Games in the road race and time trial.

Storey is a victor in these cycling categories, having earned her 17th Paralympic gold in Tokyo in road race and having won gold at every Games in time trial since Beijing Games 2008. She shared that

most of all, she anticipates her children, 10-year-old Louisa and six-year-old Charlie watching her compete. “Charlie has never experienced a Games - hopefully he and Louisa will remember this.”

Gout Gout

A 16-YEAR-OLD Australian Gout Gout is set to become the new star of sprinting, breaking record after record as he makes a name for himself.

showing the 16-year-old runner complete a 100m race at the Queensland Athletics Championships in March this year within just 10.29 seconds. Spectators were stunned by his incredible speed; although he spent the first 40 metres in line with the rest of the runners, he suddenly accelerated to the front, as if a ‘cheat code’, was pressed, as some fans commented.

stairways leading fans through lush gardens, offering a unique blend of modern architecture and natural beauty.

Beyond its role as a sports venue, the Grand Stade Hassan II serves as a botanical oasis amidst urban Casablanca. The surrounding greenery visible throughout the stadium ensures that visitors experience both the thrill of the game and a connection to nature.

Set to meet FIFA standards, the stadium is a contender to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, reflecting Morocco’s ambition to become a global sports hub.

new Usain Bolt; “The way he runs and leaves opponents behind him, remind us a legend. Usain Bolt.”

Born in Australia to Sudanese parents, Gout Gout began sprinting at 14.

Last year, he set a new national record for the 200m sprint under-18 at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Brisbane; clocking 20.87 seconds, which is less than 0.30 seconds from Usain Bolt’s record at Gout’s age.

Credit: Gout.gout, Instagram

“It’s pretty cool because Usain Bolt is arguably the greatest athlete of all time and just being compared to him is a great feeling,” said Gout Gout at the national championship in April. “Obviously I’m Gout Gout so I’m trying to make a name for myself.”

The Grand Stade Hassan II may host the 2030 World Cup final.

Sarah Storey Paralympian champion.

Credit: Sarah Storey, Facebook

Gout Gout sprinting