Costa Blanca North 31 August - 6 September 2023 Issue 1991

HOSPITAL WAITING LISTS

THE average delay for operations at Denia hospital is less than officially published, and should be blamed on a computer error, Marina Salud has said.

The concessionaire for the hospital stated that the figure is actually 85 days. This figure contradicts the Ministry of Health’s published data of 105 days for the month of June. According to Marina Salud’s manager, Javier Palau, this error was reported to the Ministry of Health, which has refused to rectify it.

“There was a discrepancy in the figure, of which the Ministry of Health was alerted,” said Dr Javier Palau, managing director of the Denia hospital health department.

“This is due to a technical problem in the loading of data, and we are working in a bilateral way to correct it.

“In this sense, we hope to end the summer with an average delay of less than 80 days and the year with 60, a figure much lower than the average for the Valencian Community,” Palau said. The hospital said that in the first half of 2023, surgical activ­

ity was 10 per cent higher than the same period in the previous year.

According to the data, 1,964 operations were scheduled, and by July 31 of this year, 2,149 were conducted.

In July alone, there was a 24 per cent increase in the number of surgeries

performed compared to July 2022 ­ 804 surgeries as opposed to 649 last year.

Credit: Ribera Salud

DENIA HOSPITAL: There has been an increase in the number of surgeries performed.

Memories Online shopping

Jo Pugh

STUDENTS of the summer school of the Gea Academy Study Centre of Altea visited the Municipal Archive for two days to learn about the building and the functions of the public centre. In addition, the young students, aged between three and nine years, made a creative installation called ‘Memory Boxes, spaces and memories’.

“The children have toured the archive and learned about the tasks and functions that take place there,” explained the municipal manager of the archive, the councillor for Cul­

ture, Pepa Pérez.

The school activity was an artistic project where the students selected various materials to make a memory box. Through the memory boxes, each girl or boy related their personal and family memories and linked them to the past, present and future of Altea. Their work is being exhibited in the consultation room of the Municipal Archives and will be open to visitors until September 8, from Monday to Friday, from 11am to 2pm.

The Municipal Archive of Altea is located on Carrer la Vila Joiosa.

INTERNATIONAL residents in Javea began Spanish lessons on Monday, August 21. The department of relations with residents, directed by Toni Molina, provided the course in order to promote the integration of the foreign population.

The course takes place in the facilities of the Municipal Library, has 60 students and will last throughout August and September. The teacher is Isabel Sodric and the students have been divided into two lev­

IN order to promote the online presence of the local commercial and business sector, COEMPA, the Association of Traders and Entrepreneurs of L’Alfas del Pi, has launched the online shopping portal ShopInAlfas, a tool that provides its members, completely free of charge, to sell their products and services over the Internet.

ShopInAlfas aims to become a large online shopping centre in which all shops and businesses in l’Alfas del Pi take part.

The presentation of this ambitious project took place on Monday, August 28, at the Casa de Cultura, during a meeting attended by local authorities, traders and business people from the municpality.

Nearly 100 establishments in L’Alfas del Pi have already joined the project. José Plaza also announced the next edition of the Consumer Voucher campaign, which will begin in early September. “From Monday you can buy the consumer vouchers. This year we have a grant of €260,000, which means that the benefit for businesses and shops in the municipality will exceed half a million euros.”

Learning the lingo

els: Basic and Intermediate. Molina highlighted that this type of course allows people who are of foreign origin to learn the Spanish language, and also invited them to go to the Municipal Library, where they can obtain their free membership card to borrow books in both Spanish and Valencian to improve

their learning.

Likewise, for the entire community of residents, the Library has an international section with books in English, French, German and Dutch that are managed by the international residents themselves with the collaboration of the staff of the Municipal Library of Javea.

MEMORY BOXES: The students’ visit.

Credit: Altea Town Hall

Javea thefts

A THIRD car theft occurred in Javea last week. The event occurred on Monday, August 21, at 7.15am. A driver parked in the port of Javea for 10 minutes, and when she returned, her car was gone. It was a Ford Focus CMax, registration 5646 FKH.

Green flag

MORE than 38 hotel establishments in Benissa will participate in the fourth edition of a campaign that seeks to reward the commitment of municipalities to glass recycling during the summer season. Benissa will compete with 42 towns and will try to snatch the Green Flag from Benidorm.

Skate park

WORK on the new skate park in La Nucia continues to progress at a good pace. The skate park represents an investment of €700,000 by La Nucia Council. The park will host national and international competitions.

Missing woman

REQUESTS for sightings of a 25­year­old resident of El Verger who went missing last week were spread around social networks by police and family members after she went missing with her car. The woman was located a week later, making herself known to police.

Lighting up

THE fourth phase of public lighting with solar street lights has been installed by Teulada Moraira Town Council. The council invested €150,000 in the installation of 96 lights.

Bull protest

A DEMONSTRATION calling for an end to bull­runs and ‘bous a la mar’ took place in Javea port on Sunday evening at 6pm. Javea is due to hold its next ‘bous a la mar’ sessions at the port fiestas between Thursday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 5 inclusive.

Granadella grumbles

Jo Pugh

THE councillor for Citizen Protection and Beaches, Juan Ortolá, held a meeting in Javea last week with the president of the Granadella neighbourhood association, Roland Quesada, and members of the board of directors in order to address their demands and take note of proposals.

This was in order to improve accessibility to the cove for next summer. Ortolá explained to the residents what the ideas

were that the new government had, and conveyed to them the will to

establish a direct channel of communication between them and the local

government.

Security guards who regulate and control access to the coves during the summer also participated in the meeting, who told Ortolá the problems they encountered each day in order to guarantee the safety of all those who live in or visit Granadella.

The beauty spot receives an overwhelming amount of visitors during the summer, and numbers have to be restricted.

Turtle watch Shoe towns

ON Friday, August 25, the ‘Turtle Camp’ was installed on the beach of les Albaranes in Denia. Morning, noon and night, the registered volunteers will camp, and watch and wait for the natural spectacle of the hatching of turtle eggs from the two nests that have been there for weeks.

It will be the first time that a hatching will be witnessed in Denia.

At the beginning of the summer, up to four sea turtles laid their eggs in different parts of the Denia coastline. In the first two cases, the eggs were transferred to Valencia,

89

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S

Heat stroke fatalities

THE multiple heat waves experienced this summer in the Valencian Community have caused the death of 204 people. This is according to data collected by the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) of the Carlos III Health Institute.

Compared to the summer of 2022, 100 fewer people have died so far this summer, from June 21 to August 23. Last year, 304 people lost their lives due to heat as of August 29.

where they have already hatched.

The other two nests are those that remain in Albaranes. The first hatchlings are expected to be born in the coming days, and to control and monitor the process, the Tortuga Camp has been set up, and in which volunteers who have registered are participating.

PIKOLINOS, the renowned footwear brand that has revolutionised the Spanish market since it was founded in 1984, has a wide collection of women’s sandals for the summer. Among the names of its models, Benissa and Teulada stand out, two towns that have served as inspiration for this prestigious firm.

The Pikolinos brand is synonymous with quality, craftsmanship and commitment, and since its inception it has worked hard to make each shoe unique, maintaining craftsmanship in all its pieces. Its collection of women’s leather sandals is no exception and reflects the brand’s commitment to offering unique, high­quality products. In addition to Benissa and Teulada, other names given to the sandals in this collection are Granada, Calella, Ronda, Algar, Talavera, Menorca, Morella, Canarias, Palma, Altea, Mahón, Blanes and Cadiz. Each model is a masterpiece that reflects the brand’s dedication and passion for craftsmanship and quality.

Denia road closures

ON Sunday, September 2, Denia will be completely paralysed. The cyclists of La Vuelta de España 2023 will tour a circuit that has been made to show several of the most emblematic images of Denia on television.

Few neighbourhoods will remain open to traffic that day, at least after 12.55pm, which will be the time of departure.

At the aforementioned time, the cyclists will start their journey from the port of Denia, at the top of Baix la

Mar, to Marqués de Campo, which they will cover completely, going down Diana and returning to the coast through Patricio Ferrándiz. From there, through Castell d’Olimbroi to Joan Fuster, Joan Chabás, Plaza París, Avenida Montgó and Alacant. Almost leaving Denia, they will return to the interior by Abu Zeyan, Avenida Castelló, Alcoi, Ronda de les Muralles, Doctor Fleming, Plaza Benidorm and will leave the urban area via Les Marines.

Even better, our

By month, August has the highest number of deaths as a result of high temperatures with 101 deaths, followed by July with 92 and June with 11 deaths.

Of the 204 deaths that have occurred due to heat, 97 were men. In the case of women, 107 died during the summer season.

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

GRANADELLA COVE: Numbers have to be restricted

A baby loggerhead.

Credit: Javea Town Hall

Credit: Xaloc

QUALITY: The Benissa sandal.

Credit: Pikolinos

Jo Pugh

THE Raúl Mesa Pavilion in Benidorm has reopened following extensive renovation work.

The project was backed by a €294,000 grant from the ‘Plan +Cerca 2020’ of Alicante Provincial Council, and rectified issues such as humidity problems and accessibility. With a budget of €1,175,328, the 35­yearold facility received a thorough renovation. Key enhancements include a revamped roof, improved accessibility, newly added spectator spaces,

Sports centre reopens

changing rooms, and a media area.

Rainwater drainage was redesigned to channel water from the roof to a new gutter on the main façade, boosting water management. An eastern extension introduced a fresh grandstand, beneath which new changing rooms and universally accessible toilets were installed. The effort aligns with the city

First case

council’s commitment to advancing universal accessibility and elevating athlete facilities in the Guillermo Amor Sports City. The councillor for Sports, Javier Jordá, visited the sports facility, and indicated that the objective of the work was to “provide better conditions of use, and enhanced safety” to one of the “most popular facilities used by athletes”.

Loads of rubbish

THE Benidorm ecopark has received 5,053,170 kilograms of waste so far this year, marking a 12 per cent surge from the same period last year. Data from January to June indicated a rise in recycling rubble, metals, chlorofluorocarbon devices, and electrical items.

During this phase, the ecopark received 1,684,800 kilos of rubble, up 12.5 per cent from the prior year. March exhibited the peak with 328,640 kilos, averaging over 250,000 monthly.

Furthermore, the facility processed 35,460 kilos of metals, 750 litres of vegetable oil, 505

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

toner cartridges, 16,335 electrical and electronic devices, 445 fluorescent tubes, 125 empty aerosol cans, 65 X­rays, 41,880 kilograms of flat glass, 585 button batteries, 34,210 devices with chlorofluorocarbons (eg, fridges, air conditioners), and 415 absorbents and cleaning cloths. Additionally, 5,915 litres of paints, dyes, or varnishes were managed.

The Environment councillor, Mónica Gómez, highlighted the ecopark’s free service for citizens and urged its use to promote environmental well­being.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

Meaning it is better to tell the truth than to lie. Benjamin Franklin famously coined this phrase in the 1700s.

THE Valencian Community has reported the first case of West Nile Fever in a human. The affected person was a 72­year­old woman residing in Puçol, who, after several days in hospital, has now been discharged.

The Valencian Ministry of Health has already notified this case to the Spanish government. Despite the lady being discharged on August 9, it was not until last week that the news was released. West Nile fever is an infection spread by mosquitoes. In about 80 per cent of infections people have few or no symptoms. About 20 per cent of people develop a fever, headache, vomiting, or a rash, and less than 1 per cent develop encephalitis or meningitis.

12 cruise ports in Spain.

The renovated facility.

Credit: Benidorm City Council

Free bike repairs

Jo Pugh MUCHAMIEL Council has introduced a bike rack and repair station in the car park behind the new municipal market to encourage ecofriendly travel to the centre.

Hiking victim

THE Alicante Guardia Civil had to rescue the lifeless body of a hiker who fainted while hiking along a route in the Vall de Laguar, as it passed through the municipality of Vall d’Ebo.

It is believed that the 28­year­old tragically suffered the effects of heatstroke, and passed away before he could be rescued. On Tuesday, August 22, at 6pm, emergency services received warning of the fainting of the man, who was accompanied by relatives on the PR­CV 147 hiking route, known as the Barranc de l’Infiern.

A rescue operation was launched, transferring the Mountain Rescue and Intervention Team (GEREIM) of Ontinyent and the Judicial Police Territorial Team (ETPJ) of Altea to the scene. In addition, a helicopter from the Alicante Provincial Fire Department Consortium was mobilised, with a specialised team on board.

Upon arriving at the scene of the incident, medical personnel certified the death of the hiker, and the body was transferred on foot by the officers themselves to a vehicular access point to the route.

Once in the parking area, the body was transferred to the Alicante Forensic Anatomical Institute for a corresponding post­mortem.

Happy holidays

The repair station aims to promote sustainable biking, ensure safe cycling, and enable users to perform basic repairs. By offering these free facilities, the council aims to foster market visits by bicycle, promoting a modern and health ­ conscious image. This initiative aligns with sustainable mobility goals, benefiting residents’ quality of life. Cyclists often lack tools during rides, but this station helps with basic repairs.

It includes a QR code that will allow users to know how it works with a link to videos of product use.

It is equipped to carry out basic maintenance work on bicycles, such as inflating or changing wheels, tightening screws, adjusting brakes or repairing a puncture. It has a built ­ in inflator pump with multi­valve adapter, a tyre pressure table, a tool kit (whose items are attached to the structure by cables), a support with two rubber ­ padded bars to hang a bicycle and facilitate repairs. Users will need a €1 coin to access the repair centre, which is refunded upon exit.

THROUGHOUT the months of July and August, 144 young people between the ages of 10 and 16 participated in the ‘Summer 2023 Programme’ organised by the Benidorm Department of Youth. The programme was conducted biweekly at the facilities of CEIP Leonor Canalejas. The mayor, Toni Pérez, and the area councillor, Ana Soliveres, shared their impressions with the final group of participants, who conclude the activity on Friday, September 1.

As the mayor reminisced, the ‘Summer Programme’ was “an initiative based on educational leisure, enabling young people to learn while having fun through a wide range of activities such as workshops, cultural outings, games, sports, film forums, and emotional intelligence workshops.”

Furthermore, “through this programme, we offered parents a respite option during the summer season.”

The ‘Summer Programme’ took place from Monday to Friday, divided into three periods. In each period, 48 places were made available, organised into groups of 12 minors.

SAFE CYCLING: The repair facility.

Credit: Mutxamel Town Hall

Discount getaway vouchers

ON Friday, September 1, a new period will begin to request the Travel Voucher in the Valencia Region, with which you can enjoy getaways and discover the region, with the aim of promoting local tourism.

If you are of legal age and are registered in the Valencian Community, you can request your CV Travel Bonus from September 1 and obtain discounts of 70 per cent of the cost of your reservation with a maximum of €600. You can request your CV

Travel Bonus either directly in the telematic procedure of the Generalitat or on the web platform bonoviajecv.gva.es

To fill out the application you

need an electronic signature and fill out a declaration ensuring that you meet the legal age and registration requirements.

You can also request the voucher directly from the accommodation or a travel agency, as long as these companies are members of the Viatgem Comunitat Valenciana programme. In this case, the company requests and processes the voucher on your behalf and you do not need an electronic signature.

Care home collaboration

HCB Hospitals and Solvida have signed a collaboration agreement to provide medical and prevention services to the residents of the Beniarbeig assisted residence. In this way, the Denia centre becomes the reference hospital for the residence. Solvida is an assisted residence in Beniarbeig with the majority being foreign patients, especially Germans. In addition, it has an important Home Care service for patients with special needs who do not require the 24­hour assistance of the assisted residence. HCB Denia has organised periodic visits by a doctor to Solvi­

da to care for its residents and monitor their health status, as well as resolve specific medical needs. Solvida users will also receive special discounts on specialty consultation services and radiodiagnostic tests at HCB Hospitals. The HCB Denia ambulances will be able to provide service to the residence to facilitate the service to its residents and, in addition, HCB Hospitals will offer a prevention service with which they will organise talks with medical and health personnel to solve the most frequent doubts and health issues that most interest the residents of Solvida.

Elephant’s birthday

Jo

MORE than 4,000 people celebrated the 51st birthday of the elephant, Petita on Saturday, August 26, at Terra Natura Benidorm. The attendees actively participated in the planned programme, which began in Pangea with the show of a Hindu animation group who received the public by placing the traditional bindi or tidak on their foreheads, which according to Hindu culture symbolises wisdom.

Next, the delegation went to the park’s amphitheatre to witness the offering of fruits and vegetables for the birthday girl Petita and her companion, Kaiso.

The two best­known elephants of Terra

Natura Benidorm tasted a lovely lunch prepared by their keepers, with apples, tomatoes and watermelons, while all the attendees sang happy birthday.

When Petita arrived at Terra Natura Benidorm in 2004, she was initially discriminated against by her new herd due to being underweight. However, thanks to the help of her inseparable companion, named Kaiso, the elephant gradually overcame this rejection and was finally accepted by the herd until she was fully integrated.

Since her arrival 18 years ago, the park has celebrated this festival to commemorate the birth of this emblematic elephant.

Pugh

FIFTY-ONE TODAY: The lovely Petita celebrated at Terra Natura Benidorm.

Weekend in Moraira.

Credit: Teulada Town Hall

Credit: Terra Natura

FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana) has awarded the works for the new viaducts of Algar and Mascarat corresponding to Line 9 of the tram between Denia and Benidorm. The tender, which was divided into two lots, has already been resolved and Pavasal will be in charge of the first, while the Tem­

Altea viaduct approved

porary Business Union (UTE) formed by CHM and Tecsa will proceed with the second. In this way, and in the absence of formalising the contract, the entity will try to

reach the times set, with a goal for completion in the spring of 2025. It must be taken into account that these tracks date from the early 1900s, so they cannot easily ac­

Hairdressing drug trafficker

AN Ondara hairdressing salon owner has been arrested for leading a criminal network. Suspected of orchestrating street­level drug trafficking in Marina Alta, her salon was implicated in money laundering. The investigation commenced in February 2023, spurred by a noticed increase in cocaine use in Marina Alta. To avoid panic and identify culprits, the El Verger Guardia Civil initiated Operation Nobuki.

Initially, suspicion centred on a Spanish couple in Beniarbeig, noted for their excessive home security measures. Surveillance confirmed drugs were being sold in Pego, Pedreguer, and Denia. The gang’s hierarchy was revealed in the next phase of the operation. At the top was a Spanish woman who owned the Ondara salon. Her partner distributed drugs, while three men and a woman managed sales.

All gang members were arrested except one, subject to investigation. Aged 27 to 59, they faced Denia court, which ordered their release with precautions.

commodate the modern trains acquired in 2018. In this way, the Valencian government budgeted €18 million to renew this infrastructure, which in the case of the Algar

viaduct, the solution will be to build a viaduct parallel to the current one. This is part one of the tender, which has been awarded to Pavasal for €7.2 million, taxes included, after having been valued with the best score and with the most advantageous economic offer.

Guns were seized.

Credit: Guardia Civil

ON Wednesday, August 23, every single beach in Villajoyosa was declared smoke free.

The councillor for Beaches, Carlos Soler, the councillor for Tourism, Rosa Llorca, and the councillor for Health, Maite Sánchez, raised the ‘smoke­free beaches’ flags on each of the 13 beaches.

The flags, supplied by the Ministry of Health, are part of an awareness campaign to promote the habit of not smoking on the beaches. This is an initiative that aims to promote respect for one’s own health and that of others, as well as for the envi­

Smoking banned on beaches

ronment, so that all beach users can enjoy a healthy and sustainable environment. The beaches of Carritxal, Xarc, la Caleta, l’Esparralló, Bol Nou, Paradís, Punts del Moro, Centre, Varador, Estudiants, Tio Roig, Torres and Racó Conill already have this distinction.

These flags are the result of the town council joining the

Smoke­Free Beaches Network of the Valencian Community in 2020, to turn these spaces into a healthier and environmentally friendly tourist destination, since, according to Carlos Soler, “not only does tobacco harm the health of bathers, but litter degrades the condition of the sand and waters, as well as creating a bad image of the area.”

Naughty children

COMPROMIS Benissa has used social networks to denounce the state in which Cala de la Llobella beach in Benissa was left a few days ago. The increase in tourism

has left images in which, according to the political party, “the water was dyed blue due to the spilling of paint, as well as stones in the green zone with draw­

ings made by children.”

The group said it regrets the lack of civility and education of the uncontrolled tourism that is currently found, not only on the Benissa coast but in the entire Marina Alta region, and which spoils areas of high ecological value due to their natural state, such as the case of Cala de la Llobella.

This incivility, said Compromis, “is a sample of those people who are not aware of the importance of environmental awareness to keep the beaches and the environment clean.”

For this reason, the Compromis team expressed its discomfort with the events and hopes that they will not be repeated in Benissa or anywhere else. They called for responsibility and encouraged people who choose the coves and beaches of Benissa and neighbouring towns as a holiday destination to take care of the environment.

If you are considering buying a property in Spain, it pays to research the tax implications beforehand so you don’t have any unexpected liabilities in future.

Purchase and local taxes

For new build properties, you pay 10% value-added tax (IVA in Spain) as well as stamp duty. Pre-owned properties are subject to a property transfer tax. The rate varies between regions.

You are then liable for the ‘ Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles’ (IBI), the Spanish equivalent of council tax. Rental and notional rental income tax

If you rent out your Spanish property, your earnings are liable to Spanish income tax.

For residents, income tax is calculated using the general scale rates. You may be eligible for a 60% tax reduction against the net income if it is rented out on a long-term basis.

If you don’t live in Spain, EU/EEA residents are subject to a flat 19% tax rate on the net income after certain deductions, while non-EU/EEA residents pay 24% on the gross income with no deductions.

If you own a Spanish property that is not used as your main home, you may have to pay income tax on the 'notional rental income' during peri

Making a home in Spain? Five financial essentials to consider

year and taxed using the ‘savings income’ rates from 19% to 28%.

If you are over 65 and selling your main home, you may not have to pay tax. If younger than 65, you could also qualify if you use the full proceeds to purchase another main home within the EU/EEA within two years.

For non-residents, capital gains tax is charged at a flat 19%.

consideration when purchasing property, especially high-end property or if you have substantial wealth.

Spain’s ‘solidarity tax on large fortunes’ is a temporary tax introduced to help with the current cost of living crisis. It should be abolished after the 2023 tax year if no further extension takes place.

Spanish inheritance tax

is liable for both wealth and succession taxes, without being eligible for any of the main home allowances. Spanish corporation tax may also be due.

By Mathieu Edwards,

ods when the property is not rented out. This is generally calculated as 1.1% of the ‘valor catastral’ (or 2% if the value has not been revised in ten years).

Capital gains tax

For residents of Spain, gains from the sale of local property are added to

You may also have to pay ‘ Plusvalía municipal’ when selling a property.

Wealth tax

Spain levies an annual wealth tax on the total value of your assets as at 31 December. Residents are assessed on worldwide assets; non-residents on Spanish assets.

Every individual is eligible for a €700,000 personal allowance, and residents receive an additional €300,000 home allowance.

Spanish succession and gift tax is always due on Spanish property, regardless of the residence of the deceased or heirs.

The rates vary depending on who the beneficiary is and the value of the inheritance or gift, as well as on the region. Many regions have now eliminated, or virtually eliminated succession tax for spouses, descendants and ascendants.

Owning property through a company

"Enveloped" property is subject to

Navigating the Spanish tax system can be challenging, especially when you consider how it interacts with the tax regime in your home country. The rules and regulations surrounding taxes can be complex and change over time. Take specialist, personalised advice.

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

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

Partner, Blevins Franks

Jo Pugh

THE British association Giving4Giving, with a presence in various towns in the Marina Baixa, made a donation of €1,000 to the L’Alfàs Social Volunteers, with the aim of helping families with fewer resources in the municipality on Wednesday, August 23.

The presentation ceremony was attended by the president of Giving4Giving, Gary Burr; Martine Mertens, councillor for International Residents of L’Alfas del Pi; Isabel Muñoz, councillor for Cooperation and Volunteering; Patrick de Meirsman, councillor for Relations with Residents’ associations and clubs, and Antonio Viso, president of the Association of Social Volunteers of L’Alfas del Pi.

The town council was grateful for the generosity and commitment of the Giving4Giving association, which has offices in La Nucia, Altea, Villajoyosa and l’Alfas del Pi.

They raise money from the sale of donated

Giving back

furniture, clothes and other objects, which they then donate to different associations, especially to those in the fight against cancer. Throughout its history, this organisation has exceeded €250,000 in donations to different associations.

Photo competition

FOTO Cine La Vila will organise the first Photographic Rally in Villajoyosa on September 16. It is a competition in which both amateur photographers and still image professionals participate. They must travel through Villajoyosa in search of the best

captured image. Registrations can be made through the email of Foto Cine fotocinelavila@gmail. com until Friday, September 15.

The Photographic Rally will be held on the morning of Saturday, September 16

along the route indicated by the organisation of the competition to the participants.

The awards ceremony will be on Saturday, September 23 in the Kilómetro Lanzado Room located in the Cristóbal Zaragoza Municipal Library.

Volunteers of Giving4Giving.

Credit: l'Alfas del Pi Town Hall

Grants

LAST May, improvements to Javea municipal football ground were presented in the call for grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, for town halls and minor local entities of the Community for works of expansion, improvement, modernisation, adaptation or reinforcement of existing sports facilities.

The lighting, scoreboard and the fencing were the main elements that needed to be replaced, for which Javea Town Hall submitted a grant request.

But after the publication in the DOGV, (Valencian government noticeboard), the Ministry has rejected the improvement project, due to ‘an exhaustion of budget credit’.

Faced with this situation, Javea Town Hall included an item to carry out these improvements at the football field.

Something new

THE U3A Marina Baixa Watercolour group has been in operation since 2011 but has had a break since October 2022. However, it is recommencing on Monday September 4. The small group is friendly and open to all abilities. Elaine Mitchell, the group leader prepares a ‘handout’ each month with a sample of the project for the month. The projects are very varied from birds to buildings, food to feathers, thistles to trees.

If you would like to join the group please contact Elaine Mitchell on 636 164 467. The group always meet on the first Monday of the month in the Aula Ceramica on the second floor of the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi. There is a lift available.

If you are not already a member of U3A Marina Baixa you will be able to join on the day as all activities are only open to members. Membership is just €10 for the year.

Following the summer break most of the groups offered by the Association will be up and running in September.

The next meeting will be on Monday September 25 in the Casa de Cultura Auditorium in Alfaz del Pi at 11.00am.

If you are looking to make new friends whilst enjoying a range of activities have a look at the U3A Marina Baixa Facebook page or go along to their meeting in September to find out more.

Discounts offered in Calpe

Jo Pugh

CALPE Town Hall and Creama have launched a new Bono­Commerce campaign in order to encourage purchases in local businesses.

Residents registered in Calpe who are over the age of 18 will be able to request, through a platform, consumer vouchers worth €20, €50, and €100 each, which they can exchange at establishments participating in the campaign. The vouchers are 50 per cent subsidised for the residents of Calpe, and will be exchangeable in participating local business­

es. With this campaign, consumers double the value of their purchase. Each person may request a maximum of €100 in vouchers and each voucher they acquire can be exchanged in a single purchase that must be equal to or greater than the value of the voucher.

On this occasion, the campaign is fully financed by the Provincial Council of Alicante and has a budget of €282,804 corresponding to consumer bonds and €20,000 allocated to operating and advertising expenses associated with the campaign.

WATERCOLOUR GROUP: The projects are varied.

Montgo stableford

MONTGO Golf Society recently played a Stableford competition at Oliva Nova GC, sponsored by Jason Webb.

Thanks go to Jason, for the excellent Swiss chocolate prizes and mum’s home ­ made Marmalade.

The winner was that old veteran John Day with 36 Stableford points, in second spot was Captain George Braddick with 35 Stableford points. In third place was Simon Fox.

There were three nearest the pin prizes on offer 5th in 2, 14th in 3 and

the 16th, and taking home the spoils was Willie Larkin, Pete Turner and Geoff Willcock. There was also one two and that went to John Day with a fine two on the 6th Hole and John was very happy taking home a coveted Montgo Golf Ball.

There wer two guests on the day, Phil Pain and James Carroll. James is now a member. Next week’s competition is the Oliva Nova Cup sponsored by Oliva Nova.

They look forward to seeing you all again next week.

EXPENSIVE: The luxury pad.

Luxury living

Jo Pugh

THE most expensive house for sale in the Valencian Community is a chalet located in the Altea Hills urbanisation, in Altea. It is valued at €8.5 million, according to a listing on the website of Idealista. The house is in position number 20 on the list, which is headed in its first six places by residences in Marbella (Malaga).

The Altea villa is described as an ultra modern villa with swimming pools, tennis court and sea views. Designed by the Spanish architect Carlos Gilardi and built by one of the best local builders, it uses

modern technology and highquality materials, says the portal. It is a 2,000­squaremetre house with seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms on a plot of more than 3,000 m2 with a garden, tennis court, several rest areas, barbecue area, two saltwater pools, as well as a spa with two saunas, a hydromassage, an equipped hairdressing room, gym, library and cinema, among other facilities. There is parking for at least 10 cars. With agents charging up to 5 per cent commission, an estate agent can expect to earn just over €420,000 for a sale.

Plenty of pools

IN Spain there are 1.29 million swimming pools, according to data from the General Directorate of Cadastre, which means an average of one swimming pool for every 37 inhabitants. In the case of the Valencian Community, there is a municipality that stands out above the others and is in the lead in terms of the number of swimming pools.

The winning town is Javea, a beautiful enclave located on the Alicante coast where every year thousands of tourists spend their summer holidays, who of course, dream of cooling off in the pool.

And it seems that they can choose from thousands, as it has 9,175 private pools in its municipal area.

Credit: Idealista

IN this week’s article we will analyse several issues of great relevance when contesting a will. On the one hand, the law applicable to the succession. That is to say, the set of rules and laws that govern an inheri­

tance. On the other hand, the territorial jurisdiction when contesting a will. In other words, what is the competent court to contest a will. To study and decide on the matter. We explain this by means of a recent judicial

success of our firm in the Provincial Court of Malaga.

Which law is applicable to the succession? Regulation 650/2012

To summarise, under Regulation 650/2012, the law applicable to a succession shall be:

1. The law of the habitual residence of the deceased, at the time of death.

2. The national law of the testator, when he/she expressly opted for it when granting his/her will.

The importance of the law applicable to the succession: the forced heirs

In many countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Germany, etc, the law reserves a part of the deceased’s assets to certain relatives. For instance, under Spanish law, children are entitled to 2/3 of their parents’ assets. However, in countries such as the UK, there is absolute freedom when making a will. And it is possible for a parent to leave no assets to his or her children. Given the above, it is easy to understand why it is so important which law applies to

an inheritance. And why so many conflicts arise for this reason. In an inheritance where Spanish law applies, 2/3 of the deceased’s assets must inevitably go to the children. However, if the law of the United Kingdom and Wales applies, there will be no obligation to leave anything to the descendants.

Territorial jurisdiction: the competent court to examine the case

Another separate issue, and one that is sometimes mixed up, is which is the competent court to contest a will. That is, what court can examine the case and issue a judgement on the matter. According to Art. 52.1 4º of the Spanish Civil Procedure Law: “In trials on inheritance issues, the Court of the place where the de­

ceased had his last domicile will be competent, and if he had his last domicile in a foreign country, the Court of the place of his last domicile in Spain, or where the majority of his assets were located, at the choice of the plaintiff.”

The case: jurisdiction and applicable law

An Italian citizen granted a will in 2015 and chose the law of the UK as the applicable law to his succession (he stated that it was his habitual residence at that time). In 2018 he passed away in Spain. One of the heirs contested the will claiming that his father had his habitual residence, at the time of death, in Spain and not in the UK. The Spanish court before which the will was contested, before judging the facts of the case, determined that it did not have territorial jurisdiction to contest the will. On the basis of articles 21, 22 and 23 of Regulation 650/2012, the Court ruled that territorial jurisdiction corre­

sponded to the courts of the UK. Appeal to the Provincial Court Our firm, not satisfied with this decision, appealed to the Provincial Court. We understood that the law applicable to the succession was being confused with the territorial jurisdiction to judge the case. Furthermore, the merits of the case were being prejudged, affecting our client’s right to effective judicial protection. The Court agreed with our appeal and the will is finally going to be contested before a Spanish court. You can check the court’s resolution by visiting our website.

Conclusions

At White Baos Lawyers we are experts in inheritance law, contesting wills and inheritances with an international component. If you have any doubts about this, or other issues related to challenging a will, Regulation 650/2012, etc, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert advice. The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, it simply conveys information related to legal issues.

What is the competent court to contest a will? Contentious inheritances. Habitual residence. Applicable law. Territorial jurisdiction when contesting a will.

Heat claims 1,800 lives

John Ensor

SINCE June 1, the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) of the Carlos III Health Institute has recorded 95,904 deaths. Of these, 1,834 have been directly linked to the

scorching heat. The data shows a peak on August 12 with 79 deaths. However, the latest figures from August 22 indicate 68 heat­ related deaths, though these numbers are continually updated,

according to a news source.

“The impact of heat isn’t merely a heat stroke, which is the least of concerns. The heat itself is a stress for the body,” said Dominic Roye, Head of Data Science at the

Climate Research Foundation (FIC). He, along with Aurelio Tobias from the Centre Supe rior of Scientific Investigations (CSIC) and Carmen Iñiguez from the University of Valencia, recently launched the Summer Heat Attributable Mortality in Spain (MACE) application.

MACE’s data suggests that from June 1 to August 22, there were 8,821 heat ­ attributable deaths. However, it doesn’t account for geographical differences, gender, and age groups, potentially overlooking many more fatalities.

Roye explains that the mortality rate spikes when the av­

erage temperature reaches 26.9ºC. This summer’s average was 24.5ºC, with August at 26.2ºC and July at 25.3ºC. Although this summer has been extreme, it hasn’t been

as severe as 2022, which witnessed 28 days of extreme heat and 8,815 related deaths. Official data from the INE indicates that mortality surged by 20 per cent between May and August 2022, with heat stroke and dehydration deaths doubling compared to three years prior. Heat strokes account for only 2 to 3 per cent of heat­related deaths. The primary concern is the exacerbation of existing health issues, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Poor sleep due to extreme heat also poses health risks.

To combat the heat, it is suggested maintaining a regular sleep schedule, wearing light clothing, ensuring a dark environment, and aiming for room temperatures between 18 and 21ºC. If these conditions aren’t achievable, a warm shower, not too cold, can help lower the body’s temperature, signalling it’s time to rest.

HEATWAVES: Try to keep yourself cool.

Little-known masterpiece

John Ensor NEARLY two decades ago, in October, a construction worker in Salar, Granada, unearthed a mosaic while working on a wastewater treatment plant. The discovery led to the unearthing of one of Europe’s most significant Roman villas, rivalling many renowned sites from ancient Hispania, according to a news outlet.

By 2006, preliminary archaeological explorations began, but the true magnitude of the find wasn’t realised until 2010. Under the guidance of the University of Granada’s Julio Roman, a team of volunteer archaeologists began uncovering the villa’s secrets.

“Everything was so well preserved that it seemed like a dream come true,” Roman commented.

The initial excavation, termed ‘Deck 1’, revealed a Triclinium or dining room. Despite damage from the construction, a vibrant mosaic of plant and geometric designs remains a highlight. “This deck

is the most advanced. In fact, this is where we found the first two statues. They were nymphs half a metre tall in perfect condition that decorated a fountain­spring where the water passed continuously and

refreshed the environment of the dining room,” said Roman.

While the villa is open to the public, Roman feels it’s underpromoted in the tourism sector. “On many occasions the spectacularity of the Alhambra

tarnishes the impressiveness of other monuments,” Roman lamented, emphasising the villa’s significance in studying rural Hispanic architecture.

The villa’s owner remains a mystery.

Barcelona’s unique tribute

ON July 15, the city mourned the passing of Francisco Ibañez, the brilliant mind behind Mortadelo and Filemon. In a touching tribute, Barcelona plans to dedicate a traffic light to these characters, celebrating Ibañez’s legacy, wrote a news source.

Francisco Ibañez Talavera, commonly known as Francisco Ibañez, was a renowned Spanish cartoonist born on March 15, 1936, in Barcelona. He is best known for his comic book series ‘Mortadelo y Filemon’ (known in some English translations as ‘Mort & Phil’).

His creations are immensely popular in Spain and many other countries, making Ibañez one of the most widely read and beloved comic book creators in the Spanishspeaking world. The idea was conceived by Francisco Javier Ibañez, a Spanish­language professor from Navarre. During a visit to Aarhus, Denmark, he was intrigued by a pedestrian crossing featuring Viking figures.

He pondered, why not introduce Mortadelo and Filemon in a similar fashion in Barcelona, the birthplace of the cartoonist? The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, was quick to embrace the idea. “The city council’s technical services would study its development and location,” Collboni confirmed to Ibañez over a phone call. Mortadelo and Filemon hold a special place in Spain’s cultural tapestry. For decades, these characters have entertained, educated, and been a source of pride for countless Spanish readers. Their adventures, wit, and charm have made them household names, symbolising a rich tradition of Spanish comic artistry. Ibañez believes the ideal spot for the signal is near ‘Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ library. Recently crowned the world’s best public library, it houses a section dedicated to the cartoonist. Hundreds have voiced their approval on social media platforms, seeing it as a beautiful way to honour the cartoonist.

MOSAIC UNEARTHED: From a significant Roman villa.

CELEBRATIONS have been underway to mark the 111th birthday of Britain’s oldest man, John Tinniswood, who reached the milestone on Saturday, August 26.

Originally from Merseyside, John Tinniswood was born in 1912. At The Hollies care home in Southport, friends and family gathered to commemorate the occasion. John attributed his longevity to enjoying fish and chips on Fridays and doing things in moderation.

‘Everything in moderation’ is a phrase most of us have heard at some point in our lives, probably advised as caution against going over­

board with an activity, such as eating, shopping, drinking, working out, or spending time watching TV.

1. The Buffet Binge: Ever found yourself at an all­youcan­eat buffet, facing a plate

tower that threatens to eclipse the sun? Moderation steps in like a wise old owl, gently advising you to opt for a selection of bites.

2. The Gym­aholic: You’re at the gym, deadlifting the equivalent of a small elephant while guzzling a protein shake the size of a bathtub. But moderation reminds you that progress doesn’t require bench­pressing the entire gym.

3. The Netflix Marathon: We’ve all been there ­ sinking into the couch with a bottomless bowl of popcorn and

a vow to binge­watch every season of a show in one sitting. But moderation swoops in, proposing a daring compromise: try watching just two episodes and then stretch your legs. You’ll be amazed how many hidden talents your legs have, like walking for example.

4. The Social Media Scrollfest: Scrolling through social media can quickly leave you questioning the meaning of life. Moderation taps you on the wrist to set an alarm that rings once you’ve done your duty to Facebook.

274-Mile cycle ride

WHEN Mark Hughes’ father, Chris, passed away at 62 this year, the bond they shared over cycling inspired Mark to embark on a poignant 274mile journey. Carrying his father’s ashes, he set out on an emotional ride.

Chris wasn’t just Mark’s father; he was his best friend, even standing as the best man at Mark’s wedding the previous year. Tragically, a few months post the joyous occasion, Chris began experiencing severe headaches. In March 2023, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, wrote a local news source.

By July 15, at Ystrad Mynach Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, Chris departed, merely four months post­diagnosis. Mark expressed his desire to share this heartwrenching tale, hoping it might prompt others to be vigilant about potential brain tumours, regardless of age or health.

Just two days after the funeral, Mark began his monthlong cycling expedition around Wales on Chris’s mountain bike.

This wasn’t just a tribute to his father but a mission to fundraise for Brain Tumour Research. Mark, from Roger­

stone, Gwent, said: “When I saw the challenge it seemed a fitting way to celebrate something he loved while raising awareness of brain tumours.”

In the UK, 16,000 individuals receive a brain tumour diagnosis annually, with a mere 12 per cent surviving beyond five years post­diagnosis. Mark hopes that by participating in this endeavour he will motivate individuals to seek medical advice if they harbour any doubts.

As Mark nears the end of his challenging journey, he’s already amassed over £4,000 through JustGiving.

Overdoing

Credit: Prostooleh/Freepik

RECENTLY at the Hastings Advice Representation Centre (HARC) charity shop in St Leonards­on­Sea, a peculiar portrait of a young girl became the talk of the town, according to a news source.

Steve, the store’s overseer, recounted how a middle­aged gentleman handed over the painting, among other items.

Haunted portrait spooks buyers

This artwork, depicting a girl in a crimson dress with a slightly off­kilter expression, caught Steve’s attention.

A female customer remarked on its unsettling nature, noting how its eyes seemed to track one’s move­

Special delivery

COMING from the birthplace of Amazon in Seattle, we are well acquainted with online delivery. And it’s a good thing too.

Living in rural Spain means relying heavily on purchasing things on the Internet. It’s either that or driving a long way.

Generally, we are delighted with the delivery times in Spain. Sometimes, even amazed at how swiftly a purchase is delivered after pushing the Buy button before bed only the night before. But we have learned that here in Galicia when we receive the ‘Your order has been delivered’ email. Delivered is a relative term.

Our online orders will

arrive by one of several different delivery companies. Or even by random taxi. My husband, Jeff, has developed a shipping matrix, so he’ll know where to expect delivery. But the CTT express guy retired recently ­ he was the one who had my WhatsApp and would call me directly, even for packages addressed to Jeff. To make sure I was home or to tell me where he hid the box. The new guy won’t come to the house, and the delivered emails are phantoms. Jeff couldn’t get a straight answer until one terse reply, ‘Your package is at the gas station.’ Our only gas station doesn’t take Ama ­

zon packages. Jeff went there to fill up and enquire about our package anyway. The attendant looked confused, only to return from the back with our box ­ headscratcher.

Random taxis often knock on the door with a package. Correos Express will come to the house. Regular Correos, our mail lady, will also come to the house to deliver for Amazon. She holds the ladder for me if I’m out pruning my fruit trees as an added service. So, we can’t complain. Logistics is better here than in the US, even in rural Spain. And the ladder­holding is always free.

ments. Steve agreed, observing, “Yes, it does follow you around.”

This woman decided to purchase the artwork. However, she returned in a mere two days, expressing her unease with its ‘aura’.

Another lady then bought it, but returned it in a state of fear, stating she never wished to lay eyes on it again. The artwork was then showcased with a sign teasing, ‘She’s back! Sold twice and returned twice! Are you brave enough?’

Yet, the story took a twist. The second buyer, after seeing the online buzz around the painting, reconsidered her decision. She called Steve, expressing her change of heart and desire to reclaim the painting. The identity of the artist and the inspiration behind the portrait remain shrouded in mystery.

Kelli Field is an American expat writer/blogger living in rural Galicia, and a volunteer for Age in Spain. Some of her other writing about moving to and living in Spain can be found at www.vivaespanamovingtospain.com If you’d like to get in touch with Age In Spain, we can be reached at info@ageinspain.org (+34 932 209 741). www.ageinspain.org

Are you brave enough?

THE 30th edition of the International Folk Dance Exhibition, organised by the department of culture, is set to take place at Plaça del Consell In Denia on Friday, September 1, Saturday September 2, and Sunday September 3.

On Friday, September 1 at 10pm, the Naz Dansa Theatre group from Astana, Kazakhstan, will perform. Formed in 1999, the group aims to promote Kaza­

Folk dance festival

kh folk dance. They’ve gained recognition both nationally and internationally, performing in various countries such as the Netherlands, Turkey, China, and more. On the night of September 2, also at 10pm, the ‘Juan Navarro’ Cultural Folkloric Association from Torremolinos will present a diverse repertoire of over

300 Andalucian dances. Their mission is to preserve and celebrate the rich Andalucian heritage, showcasing traditional costumes and dances.

The local band Dianium Dansa will close the festival on Sunday, September 3 at 9pm. Their performance includes giant figures and dragons, adding a touch of spectacle.

All performances are free to attend.

Cocktail competition

GASTRONOMIC Benidorm

2023 returns this September, with the second edition of the Cocktail Contest, set to take place from Friday, September 1 until Sunday, September 10. It involves 12 establishments.

Mayor Toni Pérez praised such events for bolstering Benidorm’s brand and gastronomic identity while enhancing customer experiences. Participation in the event has grown compared to last year.

The contest will allow the public to sample two self­crafted cocktails at each locationone with alcohol and one without ­ for a fixed price of €7.

Following the contest,

awards will be presented, including the Jury’s Best Cocktail 2023 and the Jury’s Best Nonalcoholic Cocktail 2023. The public can also vote, with participants eligible for a draw of six cocktail vouchers.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 19. Mayor Pérez highlighted the event’s significance in showcasing professional mixologists and promoting local offerings, whether on ground level or rooftop terraces.

The 12 establishments participating in this edition of the contest are Café París, Camarote Club, Gastrobar Urban Beach, Ku Lounge Café, La Terrasse Roof Top, Malaspina, Maüi Beach, Mia Social Club, Penelope Beach Club, Pinocchio Playa, Planta 20 By Belvedere and Exotic restaurant.

Mojitos are popular.

Credit: Prostooleh/Freepik

Free canyoning for youngsters

ONDARA Town Hall has announced an exciting free day out for young people.

The activity, scheduled for Sunday, September 10 and aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 30, consists of a multi­adventure day of canyoning in Anna, specifically in the so­called Barranco del Gorgo de l’Escala.

As for the location, it is a ravine within everyone’s reach, with jumps from various heights, in which none of the sections are mandatory, so they can be selected or avoided depending on the abilities of the participants. The ravine culminates with a 30­metre rappel descent through an impressive waterfall, all executed by a professional company with experience in this sector

There will be a bus for the trip and the departure will be at 8am from the parking area on Calle Nacions Sense Estat. As for the return, this will be at noon once the activity is finished.

Those responsible for the area have recalled

that the activity requires mandatory registration, as the data of the participants is needed to be able to prepare all the necessary material and because places are limited. In addition, minors under 18 years of age must have the authorisation signed by their legal guardian.

The activity is free. Registration is by email to joventut@ondara.org.

Happy Tuesdays

EVERY Tuesday, from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Artístics de Denia facilities, you can join co­working of artists, a new initiative of the Proarte Denia multicultural Association.

Each participant will be able to draw, play an instrument, write, sing, dance, paint, recite in a conscious and live co ­

Artisan Fair

creation.

As the organisers pointed out, it is “an authentic laboratory of new and refreshing inspiration so that you dare to connect with the creative power that you carry inside.” The activity is free and it is essential to book in advance, which can be done by calling 602 660 624

Many different stalls.

IN the ‘Artesanía de Autor’ Fair, which is held on the Paseo Marítimo Joaquín Sorolla in the Port of Javea, you can find between 15 and 20 stalls of products made by hand with skill, patience and care, such as watercolours, combined leather with macramé, ceramics, wooden toys and very original jewellery made from recycled cans.

The fair runs daily from 7.30pm to 11.45pm.

TOP TEN HOTTEST PLACES IN SPAIN 2023

SUMMER 2023 is shattering temperature records across the globe with Spain battling yet another heatwave that is rewriting the history books. Let’s have a look at the top 10 hottest places in Spain.

LA DEPRESIÓN DEL GUADALQUIVIR IN ANDALUCIA

This is a geographical depression in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It covers an area of approximately 35,000 km squared. It is bordered by the Sierra Morena mountain range and the Subbética mountain range. The area has an average altitude of 100 metres above sea level making it the lowest in the peninsula. This region is home to the city of Cordoba which holds the record for Spain’s highest temperature ever recorded, a blistering 47.3 degrees Celsius in Montoro.

INTERIOR VALLEYS OF TAJO, GUADIANA AND SEGURA

Situated in the heart of the peninsula, these valleys experience sweltering summer temperatures. Running through this area is the River Tajo, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. Its waters have been diverted to the south of Spain to help with crops since the 1980s, however, due to repeated droughts and climate change, the river is now at the heart of a water dispute. This year the situation is at its climax as Spain faced an unprecedented rainfall deficit. The level of the river is so low it is possible to walk through it in some areas.

EBRO VALLEY IN ARAGON

The Ebro Valley is a large geographical region in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It experiences a meteorological phenomenon known as the Foehn effect, which leads to a rise in temperature and dryness. The Foehn effect is a weather phenomenon where cool wet air on one side of a mountain range becomes warm dry air on the other side. This phenomenon contributes to making the Ebro Valley a hotspot for scorching summer temperatures.

EASTERN CANARY ISLANDS

The eastern islands of the Canary Archipelago, including Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, are known for their hot climates. The combination of trade winds and Saharan dust contributes to elevated temperatures, making these islands some of the hottest in the Atlantic.

ANDALUCIAN HINTERLAND

Beyond the Guadalquivir Depression, the wider hinterland of Andalucia, including areas like Jaen and Granada, experiences searing summer heat.

These regions often see temperatures climb into the high 30s and low 40s making them stand out in the country’s heat map. Due to Granada’s Moorish influences, you can take a break from the heat by visiting some of the region’s most iconic sites like the Alhambra Palace. These buildings really do offer a refuge from the stifling heat due to their clever design and the thick walls.

CENTRAL PLATEAU

The expansive central plateau, including provinces like Ciudad Real and Toledo, is infamous for its scorching summer temperatures. The flat terrain and lack of coastal influences contribute to the intense heat experienced in this region.

MADRID

The capital city and its surroundings are no strangers to heatwaves. With urban heat island effects amplifying the high temperatures, Madrid often swelters in summer.

This is why the ‘madrileños’ tend to have a second home on the coast of Spain where they can retreat during the summer months to take advantage of the cooling sea breeze.

MURCIA

Located in the southeast of Spain, Murcia is known for its arid climate and scorching summers, often exceeding 40°C during the hottest months. The coast of Murcia is known as the Costa Calida, the warm coast, due to its micro­climate there is not much respite to be had. This region experiences high levels of humidity which have caused real feel temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius at times during this hot summer.

VALENCIA

This coastal region experiences a combination of intense summer heat and humidity. The combination of these factors can lead to stifling conditions, making Valencia a contender for some of Spain’s hottest locations. On August 10, during the most recent heatwave parts of Valencia saw some of the highest temperatures in Spain with the area near Valencia Airport recording 46.2 degrees Celsius.

EXTREMADURA

With its continental climate, Extremadura is known for its hot and dry summers. The region’s interior location means it’s not influenced by coastal breezes, contributing to its reputation as one of Spain’s hottest areas.

La depresión del Guadalquivir in Andalucia.

The Alhambra Palace, Granada.

Image: Wikipedia/Mihael Grmek

Summer evening in the Parque Retiro, Madrid.

Image: Shutterstock/S.Borisov

Valencia has broken records for the highest temperatures in Spain 2023.

Image: Shutterstock/Alexey Fedorenko

Image: Wikipedia/Jebulon

Interior Valleys of Tajo, Guadiana, and Segura.

Image: Wikipedia/Heparina1985

Badland area in the Region de Murcia.

Image: Shutterstock/ photorealitydrone21

Time for a siesta

Catherine McGeer

THE siesta is a term derived from the Latin ‘hora sexta’ (sixth hour) and has its origins dating back to ancient Roman and Greek civilisations. The idea of taking a short nap during the hottest hours of the day was a response to the practical need to escape the scorching midday sun and conserve energy.

While Spain is perhaps the country most associated with the siesta it is a tradition that is common in many other countries. In Mediterranean countries, Southern Europe, the Middle East, mainland China, Japan, India, and Central and South America an afternoon nap is also common. Italy calls it the riposo and the coast of Croatia refers to it as the pizolot for example.

The siesta and the long lunch break in the middle of the day seem to have become synonymous with laziness. The opposite of this is in fact true, the Spanish siesta and long lunch breaks became popular after the Spanish Civil War when Spain’s economy was in ruins. Most people needed to work two jobs. Many left early in the morning for their first job, then they came home for lunch and had a rest at midday during the hottest hours of the day, but many people needed to use this time to travel to their second job.

When speaking to Spanish business

owners they commented that the ‘siesta’ time is now used for behindthe ­ scenes work. José Maria Fernández who owns a local shop said “I go home for lunch but then usually come back to restock the shelves before the store reopens in the evening.”

When speaking to locals, international residents, and tourists most said they don’t usually have time to nap, but when they do have time they love it! Julia Mansfield on holiday said “The best thing about being on holiday is having a lovely lunch out by the beach and then going back to the apartment for a siesta.’”Some longtime British residents who have retired on the coast say they always try to have a siesta, especially during the summer months.

When discussing the Spanish siesta one particularly contentious topic that takes centre stage is how long the nap should be. Answers ranged from a quick 10 minutes to a wonderful twohour nap during a summer day off. According to the experts, a 20­30 minute ‘power nap’ between 1pm and 3pm is better than coffee! These short naps can improve focus and memory, reduce fatigue, improve your mood, and productivity, relieve stress, and improve your performance.

There is also a 37 per cent reduction in coronary mortality for those who choose to regularly nap at midday.

EMBRACING THE PAUSE: Discovering the essence and benefits of the siesta tradition.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Another try

MICROSOFT made another attempt to buy Call of Duty­maker Activision Blizzard after UK regulators blocked the original $69 billion (€63.5 billion) deal. Although Microsoft claimed the new offer was “substantially different,” the UK’S Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said agreeing to review the deal was not “a green light.”

Abu Dhabi deal

BRUSSELS authorised the €600 million purchase by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund ADIA of 17 hotels owned by Equity Inmuebles that are run by the Mallorcabased Melia company and include the ME and Plaza de España hotels in Madrid. The deal went through in June, but had to wait until now for the EU’s go­ahead.

Pain gain

ITV is investing approximately £5 million (€5.85 million) in advertising for joint pain relief brand Flarin in return for a minority stake in the company. The Flarin deal is ITV’s first consumer healthcare investment and will introduce brand awareness to millions of UK viewers via ITV platforms, the company said.

Winter warmer

TWO months of the Brussels deadline, Spain is the first EU country to completely fill its gas storage facilities, ready to cover possible supply problems this winter. Europe has achieved storage levels which would have been hard to imagine in March 2022, said Enagas chief executive Arturo Gonzalez.

Slowdown

FACTORY output in the UK slumped to its lowest level since 2020 when the country was emerging from the first Covid lockdown, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) announced. This was the latest indication that the Bank of England’s interest rate hikes were slowing the economy, the CBI said.

STAT OF WEEK €420 million

in turnover last year - a 6 per cent increase - for the Jealsa fishery group’s subsidiary Escuris, the company which supplies Mercadonas’s Hacendado own-label tinned tuna and mussels.

Naturgy

fine Ortega looks West

Linda Hall

AMANCIO ORTEGA, the billionaire Inditex founder, has expanded his real estate empire with the €213 million ($232 million) acquisition of West Loop Tower in Chicago.

The tower located on 727 Madison Avenue has 492 luxury properties distributed over 45 storeys and is Chicago’s tallest building west of the Kennedy Expressway.

The operation was carried out on August 4 by Pontegadea, the company which oversees the real estate and private equity

investments made by Ortega, Spain’s richest man and one of the world’s wealthiest people.

According to reports in the Real Deal publication, the €213 million that Ortega paid was the highest price for a Chicago residential building since be­

TRADE talks between the UK and India are nearing their final “but trickier" stages, government sources told the BBC.

As Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch visiting India for a meeting of G20 Trade ministers on August 23 and 24, conjecture that a trade deal could be struck before PM Rishi Sunak’s September visit.

“Currently there is no expectation in government that a full deal will be agreed by then,” the BBC learnt.

They hoped a deal was only months away, the sources said, but emphasised there were still some ‘big nuts’ to crack.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, promised in April 2022 that a deal would be settled “by Diwali.” Johnson’s self­imposed October deadline came

No AI qualms

CONTRARY to popular fears, more jobs could be available in professions exposed to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A Bank of Spain study concluded that the professions which used new technologies generated most employment.

The Bank’s report, New Technologies and Jobs in Europe, examined links between labour market developments and new technologies including AI in 16 European countries between 2011 and 2019.

“Results appear to be linked to the pace of technology diffusion and education, but also to the level of product market regulation (competition) and employment protection laws,” the report added.

fore the pandemic.

The US is attracting most of Ortega’s property investments, following Pontegadea’s €505 million (€487 million) purchase of a New York apartment block in October 2022 and more luxury apartments, the Kiara

Tower in Seattle, for €305 million ($324 million) at the end of last year.

Pontegadea is not limiting its US investments to residential properties, as Ortega bought an automated logistics centre in southern California’s Inland Empire Area from hypermarket chain Walmart €98.9 million ($109 million) in July.

This came 12 months after he first entered the logistics sector with the purchase of a FedEx platform in Menomonee Falls, near Milwaukee (Wisconsin) worth about €35.2 million ($35 million).

Hopes for India deal

grant more visas for Indian workers.

The UK also hopes that India will agree to allowing a greater number of UK business firms and service industries to establish themselves in the country.

“Up to 80 per cent of the UK economy is services­based,” William Bain, head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce told the BBC.

THE National High Court’s Public Prosecution department has opened an enquiry into Naturgy’s electricity prices.

The investigation follows on from a Facua consumers’ association complaint which maintained that prices charged between March 2019 and December 2020 in the area covered by the Sabon 2 power station in Galicia were illegally manipulated.

Naturgy profited €43 million from the high prices and last June, Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) ordered the company to pay a €6 million fine and €35.5 million to compensate the consumers who were overcharged. Naturgy has confirmed that it will lodge an appeal with the High Court.

Unreasonable

OFGEM has fined the US bank, Morgan Stanley £5.41 million (€6.33 million) after its energy traders communicated via private WhatsApp accounts.

and went, but the UK is still very keen to reach agreement with India.

Over the past 12 months, the trade talks have come up against several obstacles, particularly Britain’s refusal to

Wilko shutdown

THOUSANDS of jobs will be lost as Wilko prepares to close most of its stores ‘in the near future’. No buyer came to the rescue of the family­owned household and garden products chain, which has approximately 400 stores and employs around 12,500 people. As weeks of talks with potentially interested parties fell through, Wilko’s only option was to call in administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers after running out of cash.

The budget retailer borrowed £40 million (€46.8 million) last year, reorganised its leadership team and cut jobs, while selling off a distribution centre to raise cash.

Despite the chain’s economic problems, the Wilkinson family paid itself £3 million (€3.51 million) in dividends during the year ending in February 2022.

The administrators would be supporting staff “through this deeply unsettling time,” they said.

“This is one of the last areas where India would want to reach agreement at this point. “That's where it has leverage,” Bain explained.

“Having much more visa access to the UK will be part of the key things that get a deal over the line,” he said.

Another contract

STATE­OWNED QatarEnergy awarded a €598 million ($650 million) contract to Spanish engineering firm, Tecnicas Reunidas.

The contract, Tecnicas Reunidas’ fourth in two years from QatarEnergy, involves connecting the Ras Laffan industrial area with new liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks and export facilities in the north of the country.

The Spanish company will also provide connections, ancillary systems, and other support elements for LNG facilities at the North Field South Project.

Located in the north ­ east of the Qatar peninsula, North Field is the world’s largest gas field not linked to an oil field and accounts for 10 per cent of the world’s known natural gas reserves.

They habitually discussed transactions when buying and selling energy between January 2018 and March 2020, the UK’s energy regulator said. Morgan Stanley did not take ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that staff used communication methods which could be handed over should investigators ask for information.

This was the first­ever UK fine issued under legal requirements to record and retain electronic communications relating to trading wholesale energy products, the regulator explained.

Near at hand

THE UK’s high street banks must ensure that customers can access cash within three miles of their local communities. Following the closure of thousands of branches and increased online banking, banks failing to provide a minimum service would be fined, the government confirmed, as the Financial (FCA) would make sure that banks and building societies were respecting these standards.

“Ministers are looking to banks to help protect vulnerable groups and elderly customers by maintaining present levels of cash access across the UK,” the Treasury said.

CHICAGO ACQUISITION: Amancio Ortega buys luxury apartment block.

KEMI BADENOCH: Hopes to move India trade deal talks along.

Photo credit: Flickr/Pedro Szekely

Photo credit: members-api.parliament.uk

DOW JONES

Meta blow

CCC BARCELONA DIGITAL SERVICES, whose employees scour social media for illegal content and fake news, is laying off 334 of 2,400 employees, owing to reduced demand from Facebook owner, Meta. The dismissals follow 680 temporary redundancies in March, which resulted in 100 job losses, with another 150 employees leaving amid claims of “worsening conditions.”

Making amends

POST OFFICE chief executive

Nick Read is returning part of his 2021­22 £455,000 (€532,199) bonus that was linked to findings of the Horizon enquiry. Read has apologised for “procedural and governance mistakes” that arose from the faulty Horizon IT system which resulted in erroneous accusations of false accounting and theft for 700 postal workers.

Rose in clover

Linda Hall ALISON ROSE, scandal ­ hit former Natwest chief executive, is not foregoing her £2.4 million (€2.81 million) salary package.

Rose, who received £5.2 million (€6.08 million) last year, jumped before she was pushed, resigning in July amid the ‘debanking row’ involving Nigel Farage, whose Coutts accounts were closed owing to his political views. Coutts now belongs to NatWest, still 38.5 per cent owned by the taxpayer following an emergency bailout in 2008.

Allegedly, Rose also leaked information regard­

Clean ammonia

SPAIN’S Fertiberia will work with Norwegian company Horisont Energi on developing Eurpe’s biggest clean ammonia plant.

Both companies signed an initial cooperation agreement to build the plant in February and have now signed another that gives Fertiberia a 50 per cent stake in the Barents Blue project, which has received a subsidy of 482 million Norwegian krone (€41.74 million).

The project uses natural gas from the Barents Sea gas field and will eventually be able to produce a daily 3,000 tons of clean ammonia.

The carbon dioxide resulting from the ammonia production process, will be permanently stored in a ‘geological reservoir’ on the floor of the Barents Sea, 100 kilometres off the Norwegian coast.

Up and down

ing the Ukip leader’s finances to the BBC.

NatWest revealed she would be paid while working the year’s notice specified in her employment contract. Consequently, the 53­yearold will receive a £1.2 million (€1.4 million) salary, £115,566 (€135,261) in pension payments, and approximately £1.2 million (€1.4 million) in NatWest shares.

Rose will still have access to around £26,250 (€30,723) in perks including a company car and chauffeur, life assurance, and personal security. She could also receive bonuses on top of her fixed pay package.

NatWest stressed that Rose’s notice period “would continue to be under review” and, since her pay was subject to clawback regulations, the bank could order her to return a portion of her previous pay should there be evidence of misconduct.

CASA TARADELLAS, known for ready­to­eat pizzas, ham and chorizo, reported 2022 sales of €1.16 billion, 8.5 per cent more than the previous year and the biggest increase since 2011. Despite a record year, the Catalan company announced that owing to increased overheads its profits had fallen for the first time, although it did not reveal the amount involved.

Arm’s length

CAMBRIDGE­BASED chip designer Arm intends to list on New York’s Nasdaq in September and is currently completing the formalities prior to selling shares in the US. Arm did not reveal the number of shares for sale or their price, but its proposed initial public offering (IPO) is believed to be in the region of $70 billion (€64.22 billion).

PAY PACKAGE: Defenestrated Alison Rose on course to receive this year’s salary.

Photo credit: Flickr/HM Treasury

Everyone needs a dinosaur

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

ODD to be referred to as a Dinosaur in the somewhat derogatory letter published last week. It actually got me thinking how our existence is often steered by those among us who have endured for somewhat considerable periods. Age and experience are of course extremely important to the survival and advancement of the human race. Indeed, if we only relied on the young to guide us in this existence, we probably wouldn’t be allowed to continue beyond the age of around 25!

I do however agree that some of our older representatives can be a total pain in the proverbial to those eager to forge ahead. It got me thinking of my own experiences with those I considered to belong to an age gone by. In the early 50s, my teenage band had attained some measure of success with the introduction of skiffle, which had begun

to sweep the country. At the start of 1958 I received a message from my new agent informing me I was invited to audition for a coming season at the London Palladium in a show entitled ‘Large as Life’.

The pop era was in its infancy and there were still only a small number of UK singers actually involved in this new form of entertainment. I duly auditioned and to my surprise and delight I was actually selected for the show. My skiffle band were not invited as it required Rock n Roll, so it was with a great sadness I decided to leave my beloved group and join the new band that was being formed from jazz and session musicians. It was led by a brilliant saxophone player Rex Morris, who later joined up with ‘Lord Rockingham’s Eleven’, having a hit with ‘There’s a Moose Loose Around this Hoose’ the following year.

The show was to be a presentation of music through the ages. This entailed beginning with minuets and culminating in the new phenomena of RnR. We were told to rehearse four songs for our spot in the final

ENJOY THE FLIGHT OUR VIEW

part of the production. Rex and I attacked the rehearsals with gusto. Unfortunately the other members were jazz men who also hated the new music. Still, we were soon ready. Then the bomb dropped. The producer also despised RnR! He was in fact, yes you’ve guessed it; a Dinosaur! In the end he cut us down to one song (’Whole Lotta Woman’).

He actually went further and even excluded us from the printed programme. We always stormed the show and I even delightfully gained a short fling with Hattie Jacques, who was starring with Harry Secombe and Terry Thomas among others. But we never got anywhere. He also left us out of the Royal Variety Command Performance that year. The show itself was a resounding success but Leapy’s career hit a brick wall. All down to a Dinosaur, who actually gave the public a great show. So you see we do need our Dinosaurs. Even though they are sometimes difficult to agree with.

Keep

THERE is no question that whilst air travel is an absolute necessity in today’s world, it can be stressful and often bring the worst out of travellers.

Unless you are very rich or have a job which allows you to travel in business or first class, the majority of travellers look to get the best deal, often travelling at inconvenient times in order to save money.

It’s something of a conundrum however as the socalled economy airlines continue to create packages which only offer the barest of options such as a seat and access to the aircraft and then passengers have to go through a maze of options regarding baggage, seat position and much more before arriving at a final price.

Then to cap things off, if you don’t follow all of the instructions to the letter then you can find yourself having to pay out even more once you are at the airport to get your bag in the right place and heaven help you if you haven’t downloaded your boarding pass properly.

Assuming the flight isn’t cancelled (which is happening more and more) and you find your seat (which for most people will be cramped) you might discover that fellow passengers are drunk and fighting or that you can’t get a snack on board because it wasn’t booked in advance or the airline doesn’t take cash!

Now some airlines are offering passengers a new option whereby if you pay a premium, you will be seated in an ‘Adults Only’ cabin so in theory you won’t be sat next to screaming babies or noisy children, although how a simple curtain will silence them is not revealed.

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

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NEATER HEATER WANT ‘SQUIRRELS’ AS CUSTOMERS

RICHARD and Tony from NEATER HEATER are urging all our readers to start preparing for next winter now. “We really want peo ple to imitate SQUIRRELS” said Tony “As we know; all the other woodland crea tures just laze about in the summer, relaxing. So when the winter comes they have to furiously compete with each other for the scraps left over or hide ­ away and hiber nate, waiting for next summer. But not the squirrels! Squirrels plan for the winter by hoard ing nuts, berries and seeds in the summer, so when winter comes they are well prepared for it, and are able to enjoy themselves on

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

those nice bright winter days when the sun does come out. They are obviously the wisest creatures in the wood. And that is what we want our customers to be.”

“What Tony is trying to say” interjected Richard, “is that when winter finally arrives in Spain, Northern Europe has been cold for months. This means that Chilly Czechs, Frozen Fins and Shivering Swedes have been stripping the shelves for months. Every year we have panicking customers calling us in December, des ­

perate to have heaters supplied and fitted by Christmas. Frequently these customers have to compromise on their choice, or be put at the back of a long queue. Every year we think to ourselves ­ ‘It’s a shame you didn’t order them in the summer when we had loads of them in stock and, equally as important, the time to process the orders’.”

NEATER HEATER is the sole Spanish distributor for BEHA and ADAX NEO convector heaters. We currently have more stock than ever before at various locations, just waiting for the ‘squirrels’. Please feel free to call us on 634 312 171 for more information, or visit our website www.neaterheater.es , or email info@neaterheater.es.

FROM POSTER GIRL TO MONSTER ON THE WARDS

NORA JOHNSON

BREAKING

VIEWS

TWO scarcely comprehensible questions remain about the monstrous serial killer/psychopathic nurse Lucy Letby: why did she do it ­ and why didn’t the hospital stop her?

We may never know what exactly motivated Letby (‘poster girl’ for her hospital’s fundraising appeal) to commit her evil acts.

But the second question as to how the case was handled ­ the catastrophic and deadly failure by NHS administrators ­ is even more baffling.

Fundamentally, the NHS must learn from this latest shocking failure that stems, partly, from an unwillingness to confront the worst­case scenario, but mainly from a need to protect the reputation of the hospital and its administrators. How ready are

other NHS hospitals to heed the warnings of whistle ­ blowers and act on them promptly?

But surely the worst thing about this story is people’s reaction to it. A generation ago people would react with shock, disbelief, even outrage that someone was accusing our wonderful NHS of providing anything other than first­class care.

Nowadays, people wearily shrug their shoulders and say, “Well, what can you expect, it’s the NHS.” Some will make excuses ­ Letby’s just plain evil, hospitals are understaffed, under­resourced. Others will react with anger ­ but NO ONE is surprised...

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

Stay summer fresh

SPANISH summers, with their increasing warmth, can challenge even the most seasoned expat. Sweating? It’s not just you. To stay fresh, consider light, breathable fabrics, crucial for those midday strolls. Aluminium­free an­

tiperspirants can combat sweat without blocking pores. Remember, local ‘farmacias’ stock refreshing body mists, perfect for a quick spritz. Keep hydrated ­ sipping water cools the body internally. And, embrace the

SPAIN’S beautiful coastlines are not just for sunbathing; they’re also a source of therapeutic sea salt treatments. The mineral­ rich waters of the Mediterranean offer an inexpensive and natural spa experience right at the beach. Bathing in these waters can soothe aching muscles, while the salt’s exfoliating properties rejuvenate the skin.

For those seeking something more structured, many coastal towns offer specialised thalassotherapy centres, utilising seawater

siesta culture; a short afternoon rest indoors evades peak heat. Let’s not forget, the Spanish weather is part of its charm. So, with these tips in hand, you can embrace the summer while staying comfortably fresh.

By Clinica Britannia

Amazing Flash Pearl cleaning system

MANY of us try to hide or are embarrassed of our smile due to having dark or discoloured teeth. This can be due to ‘lifestyle’ habits such as drinking coffee, red wine, smoking or medica tion that we need to take.

Now available is an amazing FLASH PEARL CLEANING system which may be the answer you are looking for, to rid your teeth of those nasty stains.

FLASH pearl cleaning is a safe, gentle, and effective way of removing stubborn lifestyle stains from your teeth helping

Sea salt therapies

and marine products in various treatments. From a simple beach dip to targeted spa therapies, embracing the Spanish sea’s healing potential is a wonderful way to blend relaxation with health benefits.

Expats and locals alike are discovering that the coast offers more than just scenic beauty; it’s a source of well­being too.

to make them appear whiter, brighter and feel cleaner than they ever have before.

Our Dental specialist will use this system to gently remove these stains, restoring your nat­

ural smile. The spherical shape of FLASH pearl cleaning powder is designed to roll smoothly over the tooth surface, penetrating all corners for a perfect cleaning. The advantages of the FLASH pearl treat ­

• Cleans down to the enamel shine, leaving teeth whiter and smoother.

• Erases residue and stains on teeth.

• Reduces the acidity of saliva.

• Inhibits bacteria development

• Sodium­free.

BODY MISTS: Perfect for a quick spritz.

10% of GDP spent on healthcare in the UK.

Running clubs

FINDING a sense of community can make all the difference when adapting to a new country. For UK expats in Spain who enjoy staying fit, joining a local running club can be the perfect solution.

Many Spanish cities offer running groups tailored to the expat community, providing a fun way to meet like­minded individuals while keeping in shape.

These clubs often cater to all levels,

whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out.

Beyond the physical benefits, running with others can boost your mood and foster lasting friendships. So why not lace up those running shoes and discover a welcoming, energetic community waiting to embrace you? The road to fitness and friendship in Spain might just start with a single run.

By Clinica Britannia

Keep an eye on bone health

OSTEOPOROSIS is a ‘silent disease’ that causes bones to weaken, becoming more susceptible to fractures even from minimal impact, occurring gradually over many years without your knowledge, so how can we keep an eye on our bone health?

One way to know how strong your bones are is to have a scan known as a bone densitometry, as until about the age of 30, we produce bone faster than we lose it, but around the age of 40 it tends to plateau. After this time, the reverse is true and bone mass declines and for women this bone loss is particularly accelerated during the menopause.

The Achilles bone density test is a non ­ invasive test that offers a quick and affordable way for an initial osteoporosis assessment and the risk of bone fractures. The exam is quick and comfortable and is performed with the patient seated with one foot placed on the footplate. The machine

Beauty on a budget

LIVING in Spain doesn’t mean you need to splurge on your beauty routine. From local markets offering fresh, natural ingredients for DIY skincare to affordable Spanish beauty brands providing quality hair care, the options are diverse. Tap into the wisdom of generations by using olive oil and lemon for radiant

skin, or explore budget ­ friendly salons known for their excellent service. Supermarkets also carry costeffective alternatives that don’t compromise on quality. The secret to beauty on a budget in Spain lies in embracing local traditions and products, ensuring you look your best without breaking the bank.

uses high frequency sound waves to evaluate the os calcis (bone status in the heel). The patient will receive the results immediately from the specialist performing the test.

Remember it is never too early to start looking after your bones, so book your Achilles Bone density test at Clinica Britannia as soon as possible.

Eyes reveal signs of Parkinson’s

RETINAL

Study identified markers in eye scans.

MARKERS indicating the presence of Parkinson’s disease in patients an average of seven years before clinical presentation have been discovered.

‘Neurology’, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology published the results by research teams from University College London (UCL) and Moorfields Eye Hospital.

These results were made possible by the largest study to date on retinal imaging in Parkinson’s disease. The study identified Parkinson’s markers in eye scans with the help of

artificial intelligence (AI).

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, characterised by a reduction in dopamine, and post­mortem examination of patients with Parkinson’s disease found differences in the INL (inner nuclear layer) of the retina.

The study confirmed reports of significantly reduced thickness of the GCIPL (ganglion cell inner plexiform layer), and for the first time reduced thickness of the INL was observed. In addition, it found reduced thickness of these layers was associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s.

Jo Pugh

BONE DENSITY: Book your test today.

Credit: Freepik

Liability insurance for dogs

THERE has been a great deal of reader comment about the introduction of mandatory third party liability insurance for owners and their dogs.

The general opinion appears to be that it’s either a waste of time and can’t be properly enforced or it’s a money making project (as insurance is taxed) which is go­

Comments

Some 9.3 million dogs in Spain, they estimate lowest cost of insurance about €24 per dog , you do the maths. Was this law written by the insurance companies and of course each policy carries tax. What do you do if you foster dogs for a charity or a stray that is not chipped, has no legal owner, but under the new law the municipality has to take it in and fund all the feeding and vets’ bills .

Brian Flude

Does this apply to UK visitors who bring their dogs to Spain for a month or two?

Colin Compton

In reply to Brian: Such a stupid law and it will probably lead to hundreds of dogs being abandoned. Owners who would love to be able to afford a health insurance for their pet are now being forced into a public liability insurance… even if they have a gentle pet that would never harm anyone.

Tobi

Waste of time. How about compulsory insurance for cyclists????

Roy

Apparently, this still has to be passed by the various communitates which are able to ignore it if they wish. There is likely to be a three­month introductory period as nothing is in place as yet, including the online exam to ensure (not a joke) that you can handle your dogs. Here in Valencia Vox now rule, who are sceptical about welfare acts that over ­ reach the problem, so it is possible they will ignore it.

Peter Squires

I agree with Tobi, I am a pensioner with three rescue dogs and this bill will be added to an ever­decreasing income. My dogs are gentle and well ­ behaved, kept on a lead in public, are microchipped and vaccinated. This new law will solve nothing in the welfare of the mistreatment of dogs, but will only cause hardship to the

ing to particularly hurt pensioners who don’t have a great deal of spare money but rely upon the comfort of their dogs.

Currently many dogs are not chipped and there are daily reports of pets being abandoned without a thought, so maybe this will be another law ‘more honoured in the breach than the observance’.

kind souls who rescue them.

Marileen

What is the impact of this law on tourists travelling from outside the EU with a dog? Does the liability coverage they may have as part of a homeowner’s insurance policy meet the law’s requirements?

Lee Johansen

So what happens to the owners of hunting dogs as they are not even in the animal welfare law here in Spain, which is a disgrace… like they are nothing.

Brian

Yet another necessary yet useless law. Useless because it will not be policed, laws prohibiting dogs on beaches for instance. I live opposite a very busy beach where one of the laws is NO DOGS. There are hundreds of dogs allowed to roam free, unleashed with no police intervention, actually no police presence to be seen and this is in the centre of town. Dog licences should be mandatory, and enforce micro chipping for all pups.

Alan

Great treatment

Hi Leapy, I read with interest, as I always do your columns, about you having a pacemaker, and your praise for the hospitals etc. Like you I have just had my third one fitted, and I also cannot praise the Alicante hospital, and the care I have received enough. Since 2004, the treatment has been brilliant. This latest one has a device by my bed that communicates the information directly to the hospital, 40kms away, they can monitor, adjust etc ... real hi tech! ... just hope they have not put a tracker on it...hahaha. Anyway I hope yours will keep you in good shape, I will clock 80 in January, and feel very lucky to live in Spain.

PS. Last time I saw you was in a bar in Golf del Sur, Tenerife, we all got up and sang a few songs. The guy I was with, John, a drummer, had connections with the Gidea Park band , nice memories.

Best wishes regards Pete Rafferty X

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STARTING September 29, 2023, a significant legal change will take effect in Spain, requiring all dog owners to secure public liability insurance for their pets. This new regulation, marking a noteworthy stride towards safety and responsible pet ownership, aims to provide financial security in incidents involving dogs, safeguarding both owners and potential victims.

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Grooming your pet

FOR UK expats settling in Spain, finding the right pet grooming service is an essential part of ensuring a happy and healthy life for their beloved pets.

Spanish weather, especially in the southern regions, can be a real challenge for certain breeds, and proper grooming becomes more than a matter of appearance. Many Spanish cities offer a range of pet grooming services to suit every budget and need.

From local groomers providing a simple wash and trim to luxury pet spas offering a full range of treatments, the choices are wide.

One thing that’s particularly pleasing for UK pet owners is the emphasis on quality and care in many Spanish grooming salons. Many establishments are staffed by trained professionals who not only understand the best aesthetic treatment for pets, but also have knowledge of skin care to help combat local climate­related issues.

Expats will also find that many groomers offer services tailored to the specific needs of different breeds.

Whether it’s dealing with a thick coat that’s not suitable for the Spanish heat or providing a trim that reflects a breed’s heritage, these groomers can

provide the necessary care.

Language barriers needn’t be a concern either. In many expat­friendly areas, English­speaking staff are common and are more than willing to discuss your pet’s specific needs.

Engaging with local pet grooming services is not just about maintaining your pet’s appearance; it’s about ensuring their comfort and well ­ being in a new and sometimes challenging environment.

It’s a great way to make sure that both you and your pet enjoy everything Spain has to offer.

Public liability insurance acts as a vital safety net, ensuring just compensation without burdening victims or owners. Non­compliance with this essential regulation comes with severe penalties. The fines for failing to secure the mandated insurance can range from €500 upwards to a substantial €10,000, depending on the circumstances.

Spanish authorities have been explicit in their determination to enforce this rule firmly, reflecting the importance of responsible dog ownership. For both expats and locals, understanding and complying with this law, is now a crucial aspect of dog ownership in Spain.

This new rule aligns Spain with other European nations that have similar regu­

lations, creating a culture of accountability and empathy. Now is the time for dog owners to act by researching and securing the appropriate public liability insurance. This step is not just a

legal necessity but a responsible approach to pet ownership. Spain’s move into this new era sends a clear message: owning a dog comes with well­defined responsibilities.

PET GROOMING: To suit every budget.

PET OWNERSHIP: New rule provides financial security.

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RELAX CENTRE in BENIDORM - Excellent atmosphere. Expert Masseuses. 24/7 Outcalls - Tel: 603 324 564 (290194)

NATURIST male gives relaxing massage. Half price 1st time offer €25. For men and women. Private premises in Jávea, WhatsApp Rob on 613 831 380 (304169)

ANA SLIM ELEGANT LADY. PROFESSIONAL RELAXING TANTRIC AND PROSTATIC MASSAGE. ALICANTE. HOME VISITS ONLY 24HRS. TEL 697 207 715. (303631)

MOTORING

AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725.

CAR BODY REPAIRS AND MECHANIC. ORBA AND SURROUNDING LOCAL AREAS. CALL TONY: 669 633 257

LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. 747 438 225 (304048)

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

I BUY RECORDS 50s to the 90s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (303212)

SOFA BED for sale €100. VGC as seldom used. Contact Geoff 648 725 519. Photos available. Buyer collect from Gata de Gorgos (304170)

MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com (302142)

PRIVATE CARE HOME Full Board and Care. British Owned near Alicante. Luxurious Villa. €1,200 per month. Call 747 438 225 (304150)

EL CAMPELLO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY – Life and Family Sunday Service at 11 a.m. Bilingual (English and Spanish) at San Bartolome, 35 (Bajo No. 6), El Campello.For more information visit www.el campellochristiancommunity.or g, email campellocc@gmail. com or call Juan Zúñiga –686203183 (Spanish) or Jim Eaton - 680594134 (English). (233602)

THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10.30am followed by a time of Fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterzimmer er@hotmail.com, www.cen trosaron.com (10008) www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly if you speak Spanish, and have a car (although this is not essential). Tel President 607 387 040. We are an English-speaking charity that assists

MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mbelectrics.es (302561)

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel678 716 693 (288662)

ALL METAL WORK AND MOBILE WELDING. +44 7787 585 714 (302963)

SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@benefi cialinsuranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com for online quote. (303574)

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

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbey gateinsure.com

LEGAL

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, Solicitor, Debt Collections, Bad Tenants. 747 438 225 (304048)

LOCKSMITHS/ELECTRICIANS

ALBIR , ALTEA, MORAIRA, 24 HOUR EMERGENCY. 686 513 510 (294632)

MASSAGE

WIGS

WWW.WIGS-R-US.ES Iindoor market, Rincon De Loix Benidorm. Monday to Friday 10 -4pm Sat 10 – 3pm

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE , SLIM SOPHIE, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages.

METAL WORKS

MOBILE WELDER: GATES, RAILINGS AND GRILLS. ALL REPAIRS. +44 7787 585 714 / +44 7470 059 469 (302970)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

GUARANTEED MORTGAGE 100%. Acceptance. EX Pat Mortgages. Non Resident Mortgages. Spanish Resident Mortgages. Highest LTV in Spain. Call Damian today on: 655 141 092 (302913)

MOTORIBKES

PETER ZWAAN MOTORBIKES, A+ Occasions

Showroom, Harley Davidson Sportster, 1200 cc, yr 2007, 9,000 kms, Euro 7,600,= CostaBlancaMo torbikes.com

CAMPING

WE are currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

MUSIC LESSONS

LB MUSIC SCHOOL: Fully qualified & experienced Music Teacher providing Piano & Singing Lessons. Online or FacetoFace. All ages. Autistic Friendly. To book your FREE trial lesson, call Lorraine 652 948 384. (304224)

NURSING

OTHERS

VIAGRA / KAMAGRA / CIALIS. BEST PRICES. FREE DISCREET DELIVERY. ALL AREAS COVERED. TEL: PETER 644 139 274 (303521)

MALE/FEMALE viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com

DECORATORS W.D.

GILMOUR. Painter & Decorator. Established 35 years in Moraira. ESTIMATES

FREE. Call William on 609 691 776 or 966 490 602 (303340)

PAINTER & DECORATOR. WINDOW CLEANER / MAINTENANCE. CALL NEIL ON +34 642 577 442 OR +44 753 586 6419 (302909)

NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (294597)

BEAUTIFUL & Healthy BICHON FRISE puppy available from responsible breeder. Contact 653 757 768 (302042)

PETS BACK HOME Family pet transporters Spain/UK. Travel with your pets for free. All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.petsbackhome.co.uk

Removals also arranged in other vehicles Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657 (392827)

M-POWER Commercial and Domestic Pressure Washing Services. Professionally cleaned and restored. 633 061 946 (302966)

LOVELY WINTER RENTAL APARTMENT DENIA. 750€ per month + charges. +34 607 733 998. patricia buigues@gmail.com 302962

LONG term rent. €500 PCM. One bedroom apartment. Rincon De Loix, Benidorm. 41m2, 15th floor. Balcony, sea views, parking, wheelchair friendly. Motability scooter charging facility. Suit pensioners. Call Kevin: 639 501 665. NO AGENTS. (302977)

RETIRED couple looking for long term rental in La Marina Baixa - prefer two beds. Needed urgently - call Janice on 0044 7736 251 800 (279523)

APARTMENT REQUIRED FOR WINTER LET. OCT/NOV/DEC. 400€ - 500€ PM. ALBIR & SURROUNDING AREAS. +44 7787 585 714 (302964)

BENIDORM and surrounding areas. Two-man removal. 622 658 992 (301436)

MAN & VAN for hire, cheap & reliable. Jalon Valley & surrounding area. Call/Whatsapp 636 100 873 (303571)

ROLLER SHUTTERS

ROLLER SHUTTER REPAIRS, awnings, motors, mosquito blinds. Calpe + 50 kms. 659 464 992 www.toldosalchemy. com (1296178)

COSTA LESS EXPRESS , small removals and deliveries. Spain/UK budget prices. Urgent jobs undertaken www.costalessexpress.co.uk Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657 (302827)

STRUCTURAL SURVEYS

MARK PADDON BSc Hons. MCIOB, CAAT – for buyer’s survey & defects advice. Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurveyors. com (293633)

Honda Jazz - a standout supermini

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

HONDA’S diminutive Jazz has been in showrooms for 20 years and despite its

compact look is actually of similar dimensions to rivals such as Ford’s Fiesta, Vauxhall’s Corsa, VW’s Polo and Citroen’s C3.

In its latest guise, the first thing that strikes you

once inside the Jazz is the light and airy feel and excellent all­round visibility. This is in no small part due to the almost panoramic windscreen with large quarter lights and slim windscreen pillars.

In comparison to its rivals the Jazz feels very spacious. That interior space is excellent for both height and legroom and although the boot is compromised due the hybrid batteries it’s quite adequate for the weekly shop. The rear seat also slides to assist with those slightly larger loads.

Power comes from a 1.5litre petrol/electric hybrid unit that allows the car to pick the optimum circumstances to bring in electric power. An e­CVT automatic transmission is one of the better units, although there is still the vocal interference from the engine under hard acceleration until the CVT transmission catches up.

All these units operate in the same way and the trick is wherever possible to feather the throttle. Hard acceleration apart, the Jazz is a smooth and refined drive with impressive economy and low emissions. The range starts at €30,162/ £25,900 with base level equipment providing all the essentials

such as automatic lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, powered heated and folding door mirrors, Bluetooth and air conditioning.

My test model was the Crosstar Advance trim that is one below the top of the range.

Priced at €32,619/ £28,010 this includes front

and rear parking sensors, wireless CarPlay and upgraded infotainment and touchscreens. Typically, being a Honda, the build quality is faultless and the fabric seats with soft touch materials on the facia and door panels makes a plain but comfortable place to be for your travels.

The combination of comfortable seats and generous interior space make the Jazz eminently capable of more than just urban commuting.

If the Jazz has a problem, then it’s price. Look at rivals from Ford, Vauxhall and especially Citroen and you can see why in straightened economic times people may drive towards lesser models. Move past the price though and you know that the Jazz will keep you reliably mobile for many years and is a clever choice that sets you apart from the crowd.

HONDA JAZZ: Will keep you reliably mobile for many years and set you apart from the crowd.

SPAIN’S enthusiasm for classic cars is tangible, and for British expats, attending a classic car rally can be an unforgettable experience. It’s not just about admiring automotive artistry; it’s about culture, camaraderie, and connection.

Classic Aston Martins stand proudly alongside vintage MGs, all meticulously maintained by owners eager to share their tales. For British expats, such gatherings are a touch of home away from home. Engaging discussions abound, bridged by a shared love for classic cars. Local Spanish enthusiasts with affinities for British engineering exchange stories, maintenance tips, and express admiration for timeless designs. These rallies often lead to exhilarating drives through Spain’s stunning landscapes, whether it’s along serpentine mountain roads or coastal vistas, each turn showcasing the grace of these classic automobiles. But what truly sets these rallies apart is the sense of community. The warmth and friendliness of the Spanish car enthusiasts make everyone feel welcome, regardless of ownership status.

Classic Car Rallies

CLASSIC CARS: Timeless machines enjoyed by enthusiasts.

A classic car rally in Spain isn’t merely an event; it’s an embrace of a passionate community. It’s a celebration of a shared appreciation for classic cars while creating new bonds and friendships. Surrounded by these timeless machines and the enthusiasts who love them, you’ll find a comforting connection to home, right here in Spain.

Navigating Spain’s toll roads

SPAIN’S extensive network of toll roads, or ‘autopistas de peaje’, offers well­maintained and less congested routes, but can be a costly affair if you are unfamiliar with the system.

Whether you’re on a holiday drive along the Costa del Sol or commuting between cities, understanding the toll dynamics can save both time and money. You must distinguish between toll roads, marked as ‘AP’, and free motorways, known as ‘A’ or ‘N’. Using the latter may add some travel time, but substantially reduce costs.

Planning your journey with a reliable GPS device or app that includes toll information can help you weigh the options. Consider in­

vesting in a toll pass, such as the Via­T, if frequent toll road travel is expected. It’s a transponder that allows for seamless passage through toll booths, often at a discounted rate. It’s compatible across the country and can be an economical option for regular users.

Seasoned travellers may also attest to the benefits of travelling during off­peak hours when toll fees are lower. The key is striking a balance between convenience and economy.

By familiarising yourself with the toll system, investing in a toll pass when needed, and considering alternative routes, you can make informed and cost­effective choices, making Spanish toll roads less of a burden.

THE Spanish International walking football representative side just failed to emulate the achievements of the ladies team when going out in the semi finals of the inaugural WF World Cup with a narrow 1­0 defeat to England who went on to lift the prestigious trophy.

In a tournament where an internationally inexperienced Spain team surpassed all expectations, the squad came out with great credit and many plaudits for the quality of football they played against well fancied opponents.

The group draw threw Spain in with England and the Czech Republic, both eventual finalists, but a string of fine results on day two saw Spain qualify third from a group of eight and play the Caribbean in the quarter finals.

After a tense, goalless match, the game was decided on penalties with Spain going through 2­0 after a fabulous save from Andres Herrmann and fine spot kicks from Alan Pluckrose and Fran Del Pino ­ the second successful penalty kick igniting wild celebrations from the Spanish team and their supporters.

In a footballing format that has seen many nations not particularly known for their footballing pedigree taking part it, was the traditional European power houses of Italy, England, Czech Republic and Spain that made up the last four of walking football’s biggest event.

La Vuelta 2023 begins Quality football

THE Spanish cycling Grand Tour started on Saturday, August 26, in Barcelona, and will finish in Madrid on Sunday, September 17. La Vuelta 2023 features 22 teams and 176 riders from all over the world, all eager to make their mark over the 21 stages of the race.

forced him to withdraw. Meanwhile, the UAE Emirates Team is placing their bets on young talent Juan Ayuso, who secured third place in La Vuelta 2022. He’ll be sharing the spotlight with Portuguese cyclist Joao Almeida.

On a game beamed live from St Georges Park on cable TV ,England and Spain lined up with a place in the final versus the Czech Republic awaiting the winners. In a footballing game of chess that was both technical and incredibly tense to watch, England began to dominate possession and after a series of fine saves from Herrman in the Spain goal, the home nation got the breakthrough they needed with a fine finish.

Despite a strong response, Spain couldn’t fashion the chance to regain parity and bowed out of the competition with heads held high. A loss to Italy on penalties have given Spain an official World ranking of fourth

in walking football. Mark Coleman, the Spain player/manager was asked to comment on their experience:

“I would like to pay tribute to all the players and back room staff for their fantastic contribution in ensuring that Team Spain had a strong tournament, they should feel incredibly proud of their display and are pioneers on the International stage. My coach and assistant, Mark Kavanagh, is an exceptional football man and has played a huge part in our success. I have to make a special mention to Fran, our skipper, who was immense and Andres, our goalkeeper, who won the tournament’s golden gloves award.

Among the cyclists to watch in the 2023 Vuelta Ciclista a España is the current champion, Remco Evenepoel. He will be spearheading the Soudal Quick­Step team, aiming for a second red champion’s jersey in only his second Vuelta appearance.

However, Jumbo Visma, the team that clinched both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France this year, is not to be underestimated. They’re fielding the winners of these two grand tours: Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard, respectively, making them strong contenders for overall victory.

For Spanish fans, two names shine brighter than the rest. Enric Mas, representing the Movistar Team, is looking to bounce back after a crash in the Tour de France’s first stage

Leading the charge for Britain is Welshman Geraint Thomas, the leader of the Ineos Grenadiers team. Thomas, second in the Giro d’Italia this year, will ride the Vuelta for the second time.

So far the pinnacle of Thomas’ Grand Tour achievements was in 2018 when he clinched the Tour de France title, becoming the third Briton to do so after Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

58 athletes from Spain in World Athletics Championship 2023.

SPANISH TEAM: Played a strong tournament and should feel incredibly proud.