Costa Calida 29 Aug – 4 Sept 2024 Issue 2043

Pride Power

RECENTLY Aguilas was vibrant with the fourth annual Pride LGTBIQ+ celebration, drawing thousands of people for a lively mix of festivities and activism. The event, set against a backdrop of inclusivity and joy, emphasised both celebration and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

The day began at Plaza de Antonio Cortijos with an opening ceremony organised by the Departments of Equality and Festivities. Jessy and Zaffyro hosted the event, which featured an inspiring speech by Supremme Deluxe. For the first time, the speech included sign language interpretation, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity. Aguilas’ mayor, Mari Carmen Moreno, along with councillors Elena Casado and Cristóbal Casado, also participated, showing strong community support. The local group Aguilas Diversa, a key organiser, played a crucial role in making the event a success.

Following a lively parade along Paseo de Parra, the festivities continued with a dynamic party at the Auditorio Esplanade, featuring numerous performances that kept the energy high.

Pride in every colour.

Supporting LGBTQ+ events like this is vital for several reasons. These events provide visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, helping to combat prejudice and promote acceptance. They offer a platform for celebrating diversity and encourage people to stand up for equal rights. By promoting inclusivity and equality, such events contribute to a more

just and compassionate society.

The fourth annual Pride LGTBIQ+ festival in Aguilas was a perfect blend of celebration and activism, highlighting the town’s dedication to embracing diversity and advocating for equal rights. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Camposol’s green team

THE Green Fingers Camposol maintenance team and volunteers were hard at work recently, taking on the task of painting over graffiti that had popped up around their sector. Although they’d much rather have been focusing on their usual job of caring for the local plants, trees, and bushes, they stepped up to clean up the mess left by vandals.

Camposol is lucky to have such dedicated volunteers. Their work was supported by the community, which recently came together to raise an

impressive €387. This generous donation covered the costs of paint and ma-

terials, showing just how much people appreciate the efforts of Green Fin-

gers. These volunteers play a key role in keeping Camposol looking great. They put in their time and energy to maintain public spaces, improve the local environment, and build community spirit. Even in the heat of August, they’re out there making a difference.

Looking ahead, Green Fingers will benefit from a raffle on August 31, during the Savage Cabbage performance at Sector A’s bars.

Tickets are just €2 and can be bought at Tel’s Bar, Cat’s Bar, and Rendezvous Camposol.

Breakfast

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.

Alba Sánchez, the local Festival councillor, and other officials praised the expat community for their dedication. The local 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 lively mix of local celebrations.

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2043 • 29 Aug - 4 Sept 2024 FREE

Image: Facebook/ Paul Cassidy Local volunteers make a difference.

Images: Aguilas Town Hall

Catherine McGeer

IN Calasparra, a family of four had a close call when they were swept away by the current in the Moratalla River, which merges with the Segura near Camping Los Viveros. The 112 emergency number received an urgent call reporting that the family, including two children, was in trouble. The group had managed to cling to some reeds while waiting for help.

World Folklore Capital River rescue

Due to the challenging conditions in the river, emergency services took some time to reach them. Local Police, environmental officers, and firefighters from the Consorcio worked together to rescue the family. The rescuers helped the family to safety, ensuring they stayed safe from being carried fur -

ther downstream.

Once out of the water, paramedics provided immediate care to the adults and children, aged 11 and nine. Thankfully, everyone was unharmed and did not need to go to the hospital. What could have been a tragedy ended up being just a frightening experience.

Los Alcazares Tapas Route

THE Los Alcazares Town Hall is gearing up for a delicious celebration of food and drinks. From September 19 to 29, the town will host its annual Tapas and Cocktail Route. This event invites locals, visitors, and tourists to enjoy a fantastic variety of tapas and cocktails across the town.

The Economic Promotion Department of Los Alcazares has opened registration for local establishments interested in joining the festivities. To be part of the route, restaurateurs should send an email to con cejaliacomercio@gmail.com

Additionally, the Tapas Route is part of the ‘Gastromar’ experiences, which will take place in Los Alcazares on October 18, 19, and 20. This culinary event will ser-

ve as a delightful appetiser for the larger gastronomic fair. So mark the dates and get ready to savour some great food and drinks in Los Alcazares!

Grace Meredith

THE 34th International Folklore Festival

‘Virgen de las Huertas’ the local patron saint will transform Lorca into the world’s folklore capital from September 4 to 8.

Organised by a local group this event will showcase traditional music and dance groups from South Korea, Croatia, and Panama, along with Spani -

sh performers.

The festival, a highlight of the ‘Feria Chica’ (Little Fair), will begin with a welcome reception at Lorca Castle and conclude with a closing ceremony at the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Huertas. Santiago Parra, the city’s Culture and Tourism councillor, praised the festival for its role in celebrating global traditions and its importance as

a major cultural event for Lorca.

This year’s festival poster, titled ‘Pasión’ (Passion), was created by Isabel Moreno Martínez, the winner of last year’s photography contest. The festival remains a key event in Lorca, attracting a variety of cultural groups and reinforcing the city’s international folklore reputation.

Image: Lorca Town Hall

Image: Shutterstock/

Global folklore takes stage.

Tapas and cocktails galore.

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

High-end hotspots

Catherine McGeer

IN Murcia, the priciest street for buying a home is Gran Vía Escultor Francisco Salzi llo. According to a study by Idealista, homes on this street sell for an average of €742,417, making it the most expensive in the region. Despite this, Murcia ranks seventh lowest in terms of the highest-priced streets across Spain’s regions.

To put this into perspec tive, Murcia’s highest-priced street is more expensive than similar streets in Aragon, Asturias,

GOOD news for tourism in the Region of Murcia! July saw a 5.2 per cent increase in hotel stays compared to last year, with 391,299 overnight stays recorded. This marks the third consecutive month of growth in the region.

Spanish travellers

Castilla-La Mancha, La Rioja, Navarra, and Extremadura. However, it’s far from the ultra-luxury prices found elsewhere in Spain.

For example, in Benahavis, Malaga, properties on the exclusive Coto Zagaleta fetch an average of over €12 million. Similarly, in La Moraleja (Madrid), prices average €11.3 million. While Murcia’s prices are significant regionally, they’re modest compared to the luxurious coastal and city properties in Spain’s top markets. So, while Gran Vía in Murcia might be pricey, it’s still a more affordable option compared to Spain’s real estate hotspots.

Hotel hike

made up 75 per cent of the visitors, spending an average of 2.8 days in the area. Overall, 164,579

travellers stayed in Murcia’s hotels in July, which is a 5.77 per cent increase from the previous year.

Of these, 74.93 per cent were Spanish and 25 per cent were international visitors.

Hotel occupancy reached 56.36 per cent for the month, peaking at 66.33 per cent on weekends. The average daily room rate was €85.96. Employment in the 188 hotels also grew by 2.7 per cent, reaching 2,703 workers.

Nationally, Spain saw a 2.2 per cent increase in hotel stays, totalling 44 million in July. However, prices have risen over the past year, reflecting a broader trend in the hotel industry.

Noise reduction

RESIDENTS of Los Belones, living close to the La Manga motorway, will soon enjoy a quieter environment thanks to a new acoustic protection system. The Regional Ministry of Development and Infrastructure is in-

vesting €560,000 in this project to reduce traffic noise for local homes.

The new system features noise barriers, but that’s not all. It also involves building embankments and planting vegetation on the top of these

embankments. This will help absorb and block sound more effectively. The barriers will be installed between kilometres 12.3 and 13 of the motorway, starting just beyond the local football field and surrounding the nearby residential areas.

By placing these barriers between the noisy road and the homes, the transmission of sound is greatly reduced. The noise barriers absorb much of the traffic noise, making life a little more peaceful for the people living nearby.

Murcia hotels see growth.

Image: Onahotel.com

Murcia’s most expensive street.

Image: Shuttestock/ Yarchyk

Action needed

Catherine McGeer RESIDENTS and visitors of Condado de Alhama are enduring a serious issue: an unbearable smell coming from the ornamental lake in the La Isla nei-

ghbourhood. The local PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) is demanding that the mayor, María Cánovas, take immediate action to address this problem.

The PSOE has reques-

ted new technical reports from the town council to assess the current condition of the lake and determine if it poses health risks. They also want access to the latest water quality analyses.

Residents have reported a range of health issues, including headaches, throat irritation, and stomach problems.

According to the PSOE, the lake has been neglected, with stagnant water for over a year, which has lowered the level needed for oxygenators to work. This has led to foul odours and a buildup of sludge.

The PSOE criticised the mayor for avoiding responsibility and not providing the requested information. They are now insisting that she address the issue urgently and not ignore her duties.

Coastal mess

THE broken sewer at Cala Reona continues to be a major concern for the residents of Cabo de Palos. Since its construction, the sewer has broken seven times, and now it’s leaking directly into the shore. Karina de Santiago from PROCABO, a local advocacy group, points to issues with the EDAR Mar Menor facility as the core problem.

Recently, locals staged an ‘embrace the water’ event at Cala Reona, demanding urgent action to stop the sewage discharge. In response, Cartagena’s local government, backed by the Partido Popular and VOX, has proposed an emergency measure to fast-track the construction of a new sewer, citing potential serious risks.

The ongoing problem impacts beachgoers, especially during the summer. Delays in resolving the issue have led to concerns that the project might become unfeasible. In the meantime, locals are also calling for broader environmental protections, including measures to safeguard turtle nests and restrict heavy machinery on beaches.

Neglected lake threatens health.

Image: Facebook/ LV Maricruz/PSOE

Residents demand urgent repairs.

Cave adventure

Grace Meredith IN Calasparra, the Cueva del Puerto is a mustsee for those interested in exploring caves. This underground wonder stretches 700 metres and offers a fascinating experience year-round.

The tour lasts about 75 minutes, guiding visitors through a series of passages and large rooms. With a constant temperature of 18ºC and sta-

ble humidity, the cave is comfortable to visit any time of year. Inside, you can see various formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and unique shapes such as columns and curtains. The Sala Gaudí is known for its unusual formations, while the Sala de Minerales Luminiscentes features 1,500 glowing minerals from around the world. For a more challenging

experience, adventurous visitors can try a sportier tour through narrower passages, led by trained guides. The Cueva del Puerto, formed 15 million years ago by hot, mineral-rich water, is a valuable natural and cultural site. To visit, call 643 701 056 to make a reservation. Tickets are €16 for adults, with discounts available for children and seniors.

Golf course objections

THE Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition is pushing back against a new housing development plan called ‘El Escobar,’ which includes a golf course in the Murcia region. The Office for the Technical Management of the Mar Menor (OTMM) has raised several concerns about the project’s potential negative effects on the Mar Menor lagoon and flood prevention efforts.

The ‘El Escobar’ plan covers 500 hectares and includes 2,900 homes in nine phases. OTMM fears that this development might harm the lagoon’s watershed and interfere with flood control pro-

CARTAGENA’s local council is proposing an innovative approach to improve the city’s sustainability by encouraging the installation of green roofs on municipal buildings and private homes. With Cartagena’s semi-arid Mediterranean climate and the increasing impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, the city is looking for ways to adapt and create a healthier urban environment.

Green roofs, also known

jects. They note that past disorganised land use has already damaged the environment.

The golf course could also increase the risk of flooding in nearby towns like Torre Pacheco and Los Alcazares because it involves sealing more land. Additionally, it might strain local water resources and worsen environmental problems.

The Ministry suggests delaying the project until a new Territorial Planning Plan for the watershed is approved. This plan will help ensure that environmental impacts are properly evaluated and managed before moving forward.

Green heights

as rooftop gardens, are a practical solution to many environmental challenges. These gardens not only add aesthetic value to buildings but also contribute significantly to the well-being of the community. They help purify the air, reduce noise pollution, lower the surrounding temperature, and enhance biodiversity.

By investing in green

roofs, Cartagena can address the lack of green spaces and counteract the dominance of concrete structures in the city. The initiative aims to make the city cooler and more liveable, promoting sustainability. This approach has already been successfully implemented in other cities across Spain, demonstrating its effectiveness in city areas.

Experience nature’s hidden treasures.

Beware of the croc

THE red ag was hoisted and L’Arenal beach in L’Hospitalet de l’Infant (Tarragona) closed early on August 22.

A security guard hired to keep an overnight watch over in atable slides and other oating attractions raised the alarm after catching a glimpse of a crocodile that he believed to be 1.5 metres long. He said afterwards that he had also seen its tracks in the sand.

Local Police o cers and lifeguards scouring the beach, assisted by members of the region’s Rural Unit, found no trace of the crocodile, and the L’Arenal beach reopened later that morning although the precautionary yellow ag was own during the rest of the day.

Protección Civil, equivalent to Civil Defence, explained later to the Diario de Tarragona newspaper that only one person had claimed to see the crocodile and they had received no other reports.

DRIVERS who are dropping off their loved ones at Britain’s airports have been advised that many airports have been increasing their drop-off zones over the past 12 months.

The RAC, an automotive services company based in Britain, warned motorists that most popular sites continue to increase the charges applied to their drop-off zones.

According to the RAC, prices across the board have increased by up to £1 since 2023, with some airports charging upwards of £7 to use convenient drop-off areas.

Due to the poor state of public transportation systems near airports, and general public access, most travellers have no choice but to use drop-off zones. Rob Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, recognised this, stating “To have to pay £5, £6 or even £7 for the briefest of stops to simply open the boot and take some luggage out for a friend or loved one is bordering on the ridiculous.”

Dennis added that “if the alternatives are non-existent, expensive or unreliable then what choice do people really have?”

Drop-off charges

Major airports in the UK are continuing to increase their drop-off fees.

Referring to a study carried out by RAC, the airport with the most expensive drop-off zone fee is London Stansted, charging a whopping £7 for just 15 minutes. Many other airports limit drivers to much shorter periods of time for a similar price, such as Leeds Bradford, which charges £6.50 for 10 minutes in the drop-off zone.

Sevilla awoken by earthquake

MANY residents of southern Portugal and Andalucia were woken up on Monday August 26 by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake. Multiple calls came into 112 emergency services from towns that felt the shake at 6.11am.

The epicentre of the quake just off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal, was strong enough to be felt as far away as Morocco.

The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 28km, had an initial magnitude of 6.2 on the

Richter scale in the Atlantic, while by the time it reached Sevilla, it registered 5.5, making it the strongest earthquake in the region in 15 years, according to seismologists. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries and no tsunami warnings. The quake was the strongest to hit along the coast of Portugal since 2009, when a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast.

One of the worst seismic disasters happened in 1755, when a powerful earthquake killed up to 50,000 people, including 10,000 in Morocco. In the last seven days, Andalucia has registered 20 cases of seismic activity, the strongest being In Alboran at 3.7 magnitude on the Richter scale, something quite common in this part of the World.

Oasis back together

OASIS fans have been sent into a frenzy since hearing this week of the Gallagher brothers’ intention to get back together and tour. Tickets go on sale August 31.

Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher confirmed an Oasis reunion tour with 14 UK and Ireland dates for 2025. So far, the tour begins in Cardiff and closes in Dublin, but it’s early days and there are hopes the tour will be extended internationally.

The Gallaghers hinted there might a comeback on Sunday August 25, but it wasn’t until August 27 that they confirmed with a list of upcoming concerts. The brothers said in a joint enigmatic statement ‘The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised’.

Fans on social media are expressing concerns over the ticket prices

yet to be announced, and the rush to obtain them, worrying that the online chaos will replicate the near impossibility of buying Taylor Swift tickets. Liam wrote on X ‘This is it, this is happening. Tickets on sale this Saturday August 31’.

Dates announced so far are: Cardiff Principality

Stadium - July 4/5, 2025; Manchester Heaton Park - 11/12/19/20 July (there is speculation about more dates being added in that week off); London Wembley Stadium - July 25 & 26; August 2 & 3; Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium - August 8 & 9; Dublin Croke Park - August 16 & 17.

Cleared of doping

JANIK SINNER, the Italian tennis player currently ranked as the World Number One, has been cleared of doping.

The 23-year-old from Italy’s South Tyrol received an automatic provisional suspension after he tested positive for banned clostebol on two occasions in March this year. He was able to keep playing following an appeal.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has since concluded that clostebol’s presence in Sinner’s urine was the result of an ‘unconscious intake’.

Clostebol is a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass but is also found in the over-the-counter spray which Sinner’s fitness trainer Umberto Ferrera gave to his physiotherapist Giacomo Nal di to treat a cut on his hand.

The ITIA accepted the Sinner team’s argument that the physiotherapist had unwittingly transferred this du ring massages carried out without gloves.

Sinner thanked Naldi and Ferrara for their assistance so far, stres sing that they had pla yed “a huge part” in his career.

Nevertheless, he has now dispensed with their services.

“I’m not feeling

that confident to continue with them,” the player admitted.

“We wish them the best of luck,” a spokesperson said.

Inevitably, other players have criticised the speed with which Sinner’s case was resolved and suggested there was preferential treatment for top players.

Nick Kyrgios went further, claiming on X that the Italian’s exoneration was “ridiculous” whether accidental or intention.

“You should be gone for two years. Your performance was enhanced,” Kyrgios declared.

The brothers buried the hatchet.

Moors & Christians

Catherine McGeer

GET ready for an unforgettable experience at the Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Festival) in Murcia, which runs from September 3 to 16, and it’s packed with exciting events.

The fun begins on September 3 with the release of the festival magazine at noon. On September 4, from 5 to 9pm, join the ‘Festive Blood Drive’ at the Federation of Moors and Christians headquarters. On September 6, enjoy a Medieval Dinner at Casón de la Vega starting at 9pm.

ghout the day.

September 9 is a highlight with a festive parade at 8.15pm, followed by the official opening ceremony at the Romea Theatre at 9pm. The evening continues with a lively parade at 10pm and the opening of the Medieval Camp at 10.30pm. The next day, September 11, features a drawing contest, medieval crafts for kids, and chess games throu-

September 12 offers a children’s parade at 7pm. The Grand Parade on September 14 starts at 8pm, leading to an evening full of festivities.

September 15 includes flower offerings and a reenactment of the city’s founding story will take place at 9pm.

The festival concludes on September 16 with another parade at 8.30pm and a massive gazpacho feast at 4.30am.

COSTA CALIDA

THE 43rd annual Cartagena Jazz Festival is gearing up to be bigger than ever. Running from October 10 to November 17, the festival has announced a stellar lineup, including Salvador Sobral, Pat Metheny, Chief Adjuah, Robben Ford, Kronos Quartet, GoGo Penguin, and many more.

This year, the festival expands with 21 concerts, up from 15 last year, thanks to increased funding from the Cartagena City Council, which has allocated €200,000, and contributions from the regional and national government. Concerts will take place in venues like

Cartagena Jazz Festival

El Batel Auditorium, featuring artists such as Pat Metheny, Theo Croker, and Yerai Cortés. In addition, El Batel’s terrace will host shows from Gilipojazz, Guadalupe Plata, and O Sister! on the festival’s Sundays. Tickets, including a special pass for nine key concerts, are now on sale.

The complete programme will be revealed in mid-September, with concerts also planned for Mr Witt, Puertas de Murcia, and the Ramón Alonso Luzzy Cultural Centre. The festival promises a diverse celebration of jazz, blending innovation and tradition, and offering something for every jazz lover.

Cabeytu Brothers Live

ON Wednesday, September 11, the renowned Cabeytu Brothers, one of Benidorm’s top musical acts, will be performing for one night only at the Hotel Senator Aguilas. Known for their sell-out international tours, the Cabeytu Brothers rarely perform locally, making this a unique opportunity for attendees to enjoy their fast-paced and dynamic show in a luxurious setting.

This special event is being organised by Helping Hands/Manos que Ayudan, a small charity dedicated to supporting

both animals and people in need. With a significant workload, the organisation relies on fundraisers like this to sustain its operations. The performance at Hotel Senator Aguilas, which boasts its own marina and spa, aims to raise much-needed funds while offering attendees high-quality entertainment.

Tickets for the event are priced at €22, with an optional pre-show buffet available for €18 (pre-order required). To book tickets or for further information, interested parties can contact 634 456 701.

Image: Facebook/ Cartagena Jazz Festival

Image: Murcia Town Hall

Image: Facebook/ The Cabeytú Brothers

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).

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 culture across the conti-

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.

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.

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 1980 to 9.8 litres in 2020, which corresponds to a 23 per cent decrease.

Which countries in Europe drink the most alcohol?

Spain offers an affordable lifestyle.

Credit: Pixabay.

€7 to enter the EU from next year Nature efforts

Anna Akopyan

THE country with the most Blue Flag beaches 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 suc cessful is it in pre serving its nature?

According to UNES CO, Spain occupies 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.

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.

As protests against tourism continue

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.

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 -

INTERVIEW

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.

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.

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.”

Esther now works as an online sports nutritionist and is building a

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.

Esther Stoel with her son.

Waiver will speed up passport control.

Credit: Riccardo, Pexels Natural spaces in Spain.

IRELAND

Birds return

IRELAND now has 233 areas occupied by corncrakes, more than at any time since 1999, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) reported. Numbers of the shy and secretive birds with a distinctive call had increased by 45 per cent since 2018 thanks to cooperation from farmers and landowners, the NPWS said.

Great escape

ANGLERS were concerned at the escape of up to 30,000 farmed salmon in Rosroe (County Galway) after the netting on one of the cages was damaged following a collision with a fish farm boat. The massive escape posed a “serious risk” to salmon genetics should they interbreed with wild salmon, experts said.

FRANCE

Summer fire

A WILDFIRE fanned by strong winds in southern France forced thousands to flee before 600 firefighters brought the blaze under control, regional officials said on August 19. They included 3,000 tourists from a campsite in Canet-en-Roussillon, near Perpignan, who were temporarily housed in a municipal building.

Loubo lives

LOUBO, a dog belonging to Alain Delon who died on August 18, will not be put down and buried with him as the late actor had wanted. Responding to an outcry from animal protection groups, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced that Delon’s family had emphasised that his last wish would not be carried out.

ITALY

Finally found

A HIKER in the Forcella Serauta mountains discovered the remains of two Italian soldiers who died there during the White War between Italy and Austria-Hungary (1915-1918). The bodies, exposed after the recent heatwave melted the ice which usually covers the area, will be buried in the Asiago military cemetery.

Dear Milan

RENTING a single room is more expensive in Milan than any other city, online estate agency Immobiliare.it found. Monthly rents averaged €637 compared with the national average of €461 although in Garibaldi, Moscova and Porta Nuova, Milan’s most expensive districts, one room would cost a monthly €720.

EURO PRESS

DENMARK

Hidden treasure

GUSTAV BRUNSGAARD, a 22-yearold archaeology student, found seven silver bracelets while using a metal detector in Elsted, an area that was once a Viking settlement. Experts said the ninth century bracelets weighing more than 500 grammes would have been a “considerable treasure” at the time.

VIKING TREASURE: Located by an archaeology student.

SWEDEN

Whisky sour

SWEDISH whisky distiller Mackmyra filed for bankruptcy, citing escalating problems with cash flow and profitability. The company’s shares slid in mid-2021 but after reaching an all-time low in April this year, the newly-appointed board decided to cease operations on the company’s 25th anniversary.

Out of work

FINLAND NORWAY

Tit-for-tat

FLOATING fjord saunas in Oslo’s Aker Brygge district could be removed or fined after two that are owned by the KOK company were found to be operating without permits. The infringement came to light after city hall received a tipoff from rival sauna Mad Goats, which was fined earlier for lacking its own permit.

In a fix

NORWAY’S Competition Authority took a tough line with the three companies that control 95 per cent of the country’s supermarkets, fining them a total of 4.9 billion krone (€417 million). They had been breaking competition law “for years”, the Authority said, by exchanging information amongst themselves to agree prices.

Red skies

SUNSETS were redder than usual over Finland around August 20 when smoke from forest fires in Canada drifted over the country. Fine particles were so high that they did not cause health problems or unusual odours, while the red skies were the result of particles filtering the rays of the setting sun, meteorologists said.

Berry permits

FINLAND has granted 900 residence permits to seasonal Thai workers hired to bring in the 2024 fruit harvest. Their eventual arrival in mid-August surprised the authorities as Thailand had previously barred their departure following reports that the Finnish berry farms allegedly exploited and mistreated Thai employees.

THE number of jobless university students in July was 33 per cent higher than during the same month last year, according to unemployment insurance fund Akademikernas a-kassa. Spokesperson Alexandra Oljans Ahlin said unemployment always rose in the summer, but this year was unexpectedly higher.

GERMANY

Non grata

RUSSIA’S lower house, the Duma, proposed that Deutsche Welle, Germany’s state-owned international broadcaster, and the British Council should be put on the list of ‘undesirable’ organisations. Those cooperating or establishing contacts with them, will now be subject to ‘administrative and criminal liability’.

Chips ahoy

THE European Commission approved a €5 billion grant enabling Germany to assist the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) in building and operating a microchip manufacturing plant in Dresden. Once operating at full capacity by 2029, they will be able to produce an annual 480,000 semiconductors.

PORTUGAL BELGIUM NETHERLANDS

Seal seen

A HEALTHY seal was spotted at the Fisherman’s beach in central Cascais, further along the coast near the Monte Estoril boardwalk and also in Oeiras. The local authorities warned members of the public not to approach it, as “seals look harmless and playful, but they bite if they feel threatened.”

Clammed up

OLHAO’S Maritime Police seized 10 kilos of coquina clams after a Portuguese Navy ship reported seeing a pleasure boat that was trawling in front of Culatra island in Faro. On reaching the boat and inspecting their catch, officers saw that the clams were still alive and returned them to their natural habitat.

Home again

A MAN who disappeared from an Ostend beach returned to his Aalst home in swimming trunks and caught a train where no tickets were checked. Worried friends, unaware that he was safe, contacted the police who launched a search operation, prompting Ostend’s mayor to later question “some people’s sense of responsibility.”

Mass appeal

WHEN Pope Francis visits Belgium between September 26-29 he will say Mass before more than 35,000 in Brussels on the final day. Free tickets offered to the public via the Ticketmaster platform on August 19 at 10am were snapped up so fast that more will be printed for disappointed applicants.

Nothing to do

TWO vulnerable girls aged 12 and 14 admitted setting fire to a shop, which was destroyed, and attempting to start fires in another six in an Alkmaar shopping centre. “It’s the holidays, they have no school, nothing to do all day,” their lawyer said. “We cannot see inside the brain of an adolescent.”

Eagle shield

AN offshore Zeeland wind farm is the second in the province to use smart cameras which automatically slow the turbine blades after spotting sea eagles and other big birds when they are 1.1 kilometres away. Fast-turning blades have killed numerous large birds, prompting calls for all wind farms to install protection systems.

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.

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

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.”

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.

Credit:Pexels: Jack Sparrow

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

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.

NGO calls out supermarket pricing abuse

Adam Woodward

MASSIVE supermarket price hikes in a handful of days have spurred FACUA to launch a new app for comparing prices.

FACUA, Consumers in Action is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to the defence of consumer rights who are calling out supermarkets for what they see as abusive price hikes, including a 70 per cent increase in oil prices in the last fortnight.

Oil prices hit an all-time high in 2021 in part due to the drou ght, in part due to the war in Ukraine. Con sumers accuse the big supermarket chains of

an abusive pricing policy since the government reduced VAT on a list of essential items, such as oil. The government has defended the supermarkets by saying that they are within the margins allowed by the National Commission of Com-

there are still shops with disproportionate prices.

For this reason, the consumer organisation has launched a website where shoppers can monitor price variations by day, fortnight and month. And it is a fascinating tool to try out. The website can be accessed at super.facua.org

Shocking recent increases at the supermarket checkout.

Secretary General of FACUA, Rubén Sánchez said, “This is a tool that we offer to empower consumers. The goal is for us all to become market watchdogs and to know who, how much and when price increases to food are applied.”

Consumers can also check the price of milk which the consumer group also claim has experienced wild fluctuations in recent weeks.

240 stings

Harry Sinclair

A MAN miraculously survived after being stung 240 times by a swarm of wasps while feeding his chickens.

The 57-yearold returned from a bike ride on Sunday and went to feed his chickens when he was ‘swarmed at’ by wasps, he told Sky News.

Andrew Powell, a festival organiser who li ves near Brecon, Powys, said his local hospital saved his life after he was stung 240 times by a swarm of wasps, confessing he was in “agony” after the attack.

Credit: Shutterstock

A swarm of wasps unexpectedly attacked an unfortunate cyclist.

Powell told the Daily Express “It was like a scene from a movie,” explaining he was “standing at the garden gate when I saw them heading towards me. I said ‘Oh my God’ and ran.”

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“By the time I got to my back gate, which is probably four seconds, I was covered,” he said, adding that he “ran up the steps into my bungalow, into the bathroom, put the shower on and the bathroom was full wasps.”

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ECOCORP SOLAR

ECOCORP SOLAR SL have been trading in the area since 2007. Covering the whole of Almeria Province and beyond they are experienced in the design and configuration of bespoke solar power systems, tailored to meet their clients’ individual needs. They are a family business, albeit now with extended members to the team.

Many of the bigger solar energy companies throughout Spain use subcontractors for their installations. Not Ecocorp. Their team are all from the local community, both English and Spanish and all are fully trained to the Ecocorp standard. Currently Ecocorp Solar SL employs 13 full-time team members including the family, Vic, Samantha, Daniel and Holly. They have two installation teams and two part-time team members.

All of the friendly team are very

knowledgeable in their fields. They take pride in their professionalism. It is often noted on their customer feedback forms that the installation crew are very efficient in their installations, which are done in a timely fashion and always left tidy.

Customer service is paramount for Ecocorp Solar - in a recent customer satisfaction survey 100 per cent of their customers said that they would recommend them to others.

In April of 2022 Ecocorp opened their offices in a unit on the popular and easily accessible Parque ‘El Real’ at Antas. Their new showroom has been started and should be completed by the end of this summer. Using cloud based technology Ecocorp solar offer their virtual battery service to those customers who are tied to the grid. Enabling the custo-

mer to feed back ex cess energy. This energy is stored in their virtual battery and drawn down when the sun isn’t shining. Thus the client has the opportunity to use 100 per cent of their solar energy production and to reduce the price of their electricity bill significantly.

Of course there are plenty of solar companies to choose from for residents of sunny Spain. However, it is important to realise that not all solar is the same.

The long term benefits and savings from solar can be fantastic, but a poorly designed, badly installed or low quality system can cause a long term headache. A

wrong choice can cost dearly in the long run. Choose the experts for the best advice. Ecocorp Solar offer quality products and have the experience to ensure their clients solar energy system is one that will be reliable and cost effective.

Their knowledgeable and friendly team will work closely with you to provide and install a solution that meets your unique requirements.

Ecocorp Solar offer a FREE no obligation home assessment and quotation service. They deal with all the necessary technical and administrative paperwork on your behalf. Furthermore, all systems are linked to your computer, mobile or tablet so that you can monitor your consumption AND your savings on the App. Well done to Ecocorp Solar, a great family business built from the ground up.

Time to go out again

EVER noticed how beautifully different nationalities greet each other? Bonjour in French, hola in Spanish, ciao in Italian, kon’nichiwa in Japanese, namaste in Hindu - you get my point. The best us Brits, especially southerners, can come up with is a slight nod of the head and a mumbled ‘alright?’ And to make it worse we say it to the non-Brits that have just greeted us so nicely in their own language.

This is, of course, my observational humour which seems to be the thing these days. No more joke tellers. That’s all been killed by WhatsApp etc. Just stand on stage, talk about what’s going on in the world, swear a bit or, even worse these days, just have a pop at the audience and let them do the show for you. I’ve seen several recently that just pick on the first couple of rows for an hour and that’s it. Some of it is quite amusing but after hearing one guy call a few blokes’ wives a slag a few times, it kind of wears a bit thin for me - anyway each to their own.

Got a site come up on Insta, or maybe Fa-

Mike’s

cebook telling me at last there is a site where I can watch terrible fatal accidents. What’s going on for gawd’s sake? Who needs that? Why is it allowed and who decided it’s what I needed to brighten up my day?

So the government is going to treat misogyny as extremism? How’s that going to work when they can’t even define what a woman is?

The World is a sh1t show at the moment. I watched Sky News the other night and they were covering the terrible stabbings in Germany. What didn’t make sense to me was their priority was how the far right would react without once condemning the geezer that did it as an ISIS terrorist. Am I missing something or what?

I recently bought a new dishwasher and washing machine and was asked if I wanted one with Bluetooth connection? What on earth is the point of that? Why would anyone need an internet connection to wash yer undies? It’s bad enough that Siri and Alexa pipe up every now and again, I don’t need the washing machine piping up as well.

It’s nearly September and I will venture out again and get a parking space - WOO HOO!

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

Roman city discovery

ARCHAEOLOGISTS unearth longlost Roman city and 57 settlements between Jerez de la Frontera and Ronda, shedding new light on the extent of Empire in Andalucia.

The discovery suggests there was another hidden Roman city in Spain that was previously unheard of. Archaeologists only assumed they would find a few remains in the area of Bornos in the Sierra de Grazalema, but have been surprised with what they have discovered.

When the team of archaeologists set out on their examination of this area last year in 2023, they had little idea they would discover so much. Experts now believe the area to have been a much more significant hub to the Roman Empire than anyone ever imagined.

State-of-the-art technology, including the latest in ground-penetrating radar, is being used to delve deeper down to what has not yet been visible to the naked eye. Excavation teams have unearthed a Roman villa in Cañuelo in Bornos, in the Grazalema Valley where they discovered buildings with walls that separated work areas from li-

University of Cadiz uncovering Roman remains.

ving quarters.

The team of archaeologists believe the remains probably date back until 264BC, around the time the Romans began their conquest of southern Spain. Roman history in Malaga, Sevilla, Granada and Ronda is already well documented, but this discovery sheds new light on the extent of the Roman Empire across Andalucia and the importance of the region to Ancient Rome.

JOHN TINNISWOOD, the world’s oldest living man, has turned 112 at his care home in Southport, Merseyside.

John was born in Liverpool on August 25, 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, and the same year New Mexico and Arizona were admitted as states number 47 and 48.

Mr Tinniswood became the world’s oldest living man in April, admitting his secret to longevity is “just luck.”

When asked how he felt about turning 112, John told the Guinness World Records, “In all honesty, no di-

Old wisdom

erent. I don’t feel that age, I don’t get excited over it,” adding “That’s probably why I’ve reached it.”

“I just take it in my stride like anything else, why I’ve lived that long I have no idea at all,” Tinniswood said, stating that he couldn’t “think of any special secrets” to reach his age.

“I was quite active as a youngster, I did a lot of walking,” John said, “Whether that had something to do with it, I don’t know.”

John Tinniswood has re-

mained humble in his year, explaining “to me, I’m no di erent [to anyone]. No dierent at all.”

The oldest man, born in 1912, expressed that for him, “It’s not better in my opinion, or hardly any better, than it was then. Probably in some places it is, but in other places it’s worse.”

When asked about his secret, John told Guinness World Records it’s “just luck,” stating “You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it.”

John Tinniswood turns 112 and shares his wisdom with Guinness World Records.

Credit: Guinness World Records /fb

Credit: Universidad de Cádiz, X

Diets duel it out

ARE you an adherent of the Mediterranean diet? Well, here’s some food for thought: have you considered an alternative?

Recent studies indicate that the Atlantic diet of north-west Spain (rich in seafood, fruit, vegetables alongside meat, dairy, cereals AND potatoes) significantly reduces type 2 diabetes and heart-related conditions.

Now, whilst acknowledging its potential benefits, an American cardiologist questions certain aspects. His scepticism regarding specific recommended foods like brassicas (no better than ‘other combinations of vegetables’) and especially potatoes reminds us that not all components of a diet may contribute equally to overall health.

He also wonders whether this might all be a case of old olive oil in new bottles. “This Atlantic diet is basically a Mediterranean diet with a slightly different fashion style and dialect. To folks in the region, those little differences are a point of cultural pride.”

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

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

Far from sounding like a hazing ceremony on a pirate ship, the Atlantic diet nonetheless offers an intriguing example of how regional dietary patterns can inform discussions on nutrition and health.

But let a local have the last word: “We don’t rush things here. When we sit down to eat, we sit down to eat. We don’t muck about.”

Which reminds me. Last week in the UK three guys were stabbed at breakfast with a Weetabix. Police are urgently looking for a cereal killer...

Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Girl across the Lake’ (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

Overtourism: When your favourite spot becomes a selfie sumo wrestle!

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!” :)

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

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.

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.

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!

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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

• 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.

Almeria Stranded ship

OFF the coast of the Cabo de Gata beach a stranded sailboat 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. 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 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, a private company, began the recovery process, to remove the ship from its anchor and begin the refloating process, before being able to tow it to shore.

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.

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 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 hypoallergenic 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.

A natural allure

CATNIP, a perennial herb from the mint family, is famous for its intriguing effects on cats. Scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone. This replicates pheromones, which are che-

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 accommodation 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:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.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

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.

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

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micals that cause all kinds of ‘feel good’ reactions and can trigger a burst of playful energy or relaxation in felines.

When a cat encounters catnip, whether by sniffing, licking, or chewing it, the nepetalactone binds to receptors in their nose, stimulating sensory neurons linked to the brain.

This interaction can cause behaviours like rolling, purring, and leaping about with joy. Interestingly, not all cats

are affected - about 30 per cent to 50 per cent are immune to its allure, a trait believed to be hereditary.

The effects of catnip are short-lived, typically lasting around 10 minutes, after which cats lose interest. Catnip is harmless and non-addictive and adds an extra dimension of entertainment and enrichment to your cat’s life, providing a delightful way to engage their natural instincts.

Tom C - homeowner in Mojacar

Quincy loves company and will entertain the dog-sitter.

Shutterstock / Masarik

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CARS FOR SALE

MG3 Hybrid + competitive, endearing and huge fun

By Mark Slack ROAD

TEST

WHEN Chinese automotive maker SAIC took over what remained of the Rover Group there were a lot of very unhappy Rover and MG enthu siasts. It’s fair to say that MG today looks nothing like it did when SAIC took it over, and began to resurrect a car company from what remained of Rover. Much of the criticism was unfair because SAIC were never going to replicate the Rover and MG of old, it wouldn’t have been profi table for starters!

Among the reborn MG models that emerged at that time the little MG3 was much underrated, despite being rather old tech it had character, lots of equipment and was cheap.

The MG3 soldiered on longer than any of those initial models with only a minor facelift during that time. Now there is a very new and much more modern MG3 Hybrid + and it’s a delight.

Priced from €21,805/£18,495 it retains a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder power unit but works with a 100kw electric motor and 1.83kwh battery mated to a three-speed automatic gearbox.

Facts at a Glance

Performance: 0 to 100kph/62mph 8 seconds/Max speed 170kph/106 mph

Economy: Combined 4.4l per 100km/64.2mpg

Emissions: 100 g/km Co2

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels

It’s unusual in that the electric motor leads, rather than the more usual set-up of the petrol engine leading. This means the MG3 has exceptionally good performance with the benchmark 62mph passed in just eight seconds. On the road it’s huge fun and res -

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 shows the vehi cle is registered in your

The ITV certificate (MOT) and winds creen sticker are also mandatory in proving that your vehicle has passed the inspection.

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

A European accident form should also be kept in your car to offi

cially 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.

Credit: Shutterstock

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

pension on UK MGs to our roads. Standard fare is excellent, on the lead-in SE version it includes navigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic air conditioning, rear parking camera and six-speaker DAB audio system.

The higher spec Trophy ups the specification to include heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and start, rain sensor, auto lights and privacy glass.

The interior is a comfortable place to be and despite rather a lot of bargain basement plastics it still feels well bolted together.

The driver instrument screen is too busy for such a small screen and the steering wheel would benefit from reach as well as height adjustment.

ponds more like a pure electric than a hybrid.

The fun continues with superb ride comfort that offers enough resistance to make twisting cross country roads fun.

I suspect a lot of this is down to a UK-based team who tune the sus -

Over its predecessor the new model has impressively reduced Co2 emissions from 147 g/km to just 100 g/km and similarly fuel consumption from 6.57l per 100km/43 mpg to 4.4l per 100km/64 mpg. It has always been an endearing car and now has become a very competitive and endearing car.

and prices may vary in

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

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.

This project, driven by King Mohammed VI’s vision, is expected to be a national landmark, redefining sports experiences in Morocco and elevating the country’s status on the world stage.

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