Gibraltar Insight™ April 2023 by GBZ Media

APRIL 2023

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APR I L ISSUE 82

Contents

Business Insight

Features

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUS

LANGUAGE LESSONS

Community Insight

LADIES THAT ROCK THE ROCK

MADE IN GIBRALTAR ON RADIO

RG TURKEY TRIP

PADEL TO THE METAL

THE SHOWDANCE COMPANY

ST PATRICK'S DAY MUSIC

LETTING GO

SOS PERRERA DE LOS BARRIOS SHELTER

BOUNDARIES

WORLD BOOK DAY AT WESTSIDE

Forces Insight 20

RG RETURN FROM THE GAMBIA

Police Insight 56

WOMEN IN POLICING

Travel Insight

Regular Features

24 REBUILDING TOURISM 26 SHOULD WE RELY ON TRAVEL GUIDES? 27 COVENT GARDEN 28 GIANA SPITERI: 4 SPANISH TOWNS TO EXPLORE 30 TRAVEL ANXIETY 31 CITY OF LONDON 32 BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES 34 TRAVEL IN THE UK 35 MADEIRA

HISTORY OF THE RAF IN GIBRALTAR

MOTORING INSIGHT: CITROËN AMI

ACE ART

GFA: RESILIENCE THROUGH SPORT

WAVE FC

PACS: WELCOME TO PLAY SENSE

MARRIED ON THE ROCK

HOROSCOPES

ADOPT DON’T SHOP: DOGS

VET'S INSIGHT: A LIFETIME COMPRESSED

ADOPT DON’T SHOP: CATS

MAMA LOTTIES

LAS IGUANAS INSIGHT CROSSWORD

Health Insight 48 50 52

MEDICAL DIRECTORY WORLD AUTISM ACCEPTANCE WEEK MAKE YOUR SKIN GLOW

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Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine.

Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din

Published by GBZ Media Ltd, 8A/Unit 6, Crutchetts Ramp Gibraltar GX11 1AA.

Creative Director: Ben Lewis Executive Editor: Ross Ford

Printed by Roca Graphics Limited, 21 Tuckey’s Lane, Gibraltar GX11 1AA

General queries, contact: +350 54023304 Advertising & Sales, contact: jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net +350 54023304 Email: hello@gibraltarinsight.com Web: www.gibraltarinsight.com Socials: @GBZinsight @MumOnTheRockGBZ @BermudaInsight @SYOGuide @GBZmedia

Copyright (c) 2023. All rights reserved. The names Gibraltar Insight, Bermuda Insight, Mum On The Rock, SYOG, Superyacht Owners’ Guide & GBZ Media are marks of GBZ Media (Overseas) Limited, used under exclusive licence. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Gibraltar Insight places great importance on the accuracy of the information contained within this publication, but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Views expressed by contributors and/or correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Neither Gibraltar Insight nor GBZ Media Limited is responsible for any claims made, or material(s) used, in advertisements. For permission to copy cuttings for internal or client use, contact NLA - nlamediaaccess.com or +441892 525273. Cover Photo: Umberto Di Capua

Photo: Elliott Howe

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

GIBRALTAR ISSUES DISCUSSED IN WESTMINSTER THE CHIEF MINISTER FABIAN PICARDO AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER DR JOSEPH GARCIA MET WITH A NUMBER OF WESTMINSTER POLITICIANS INVESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF GIBRALTAR'S BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS. THIS INCLUDED THE FOREIGN SECRETARY JAMES CLEVERLY. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MICHAEL LLAMAS.

The Chief Minister added that the Foreign Secretary, "is a long-standing friend of Gibraltar and we can rest assured of his support as the negotiations enter their final stretch.”

Gibraltar team with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia with James Cleverly.

Meeting with Labour Shadow Europe Minister Stephen Doughty MP.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU The Minister for Justice, Equality and Public Standards, the Hon. Samantha Sacramento has met with the Board of Trustees of the Citizens Advice Bureau following the appointment of new Chair Ivan Navas. Mr Navas succeeds outgoing Chair Marie Lou Guerrero. Additionally, new trustees Tania Rahmany, Gino Deharo and Jane Webber have also been appointed to join the other longstanding members of the Board. The Minister took this opportunity to meet the Board as an introductory meeting and thank them for their work. Minister Sacramento said, “I would like to publicly express my gratitude to Marie Lou Guerrero, the outgoing Chair, for her work and to Mr Ivan Navas and all incoming and long standing members of the Board of Trustees for their work, which is undertaken on a voluntary basis, to assist the Citizens Advice Bureau to ensure that the valuable work they do to improve the lives of people in Gibraltar continues.”

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THE ROCK’S LONGEST RUNNING MAGAZINE

Gibraltar Insight is The Rock’s longest running magazine. For over 25 years we have been distributing this high quality print and online magazine to a wide and loyal audience, catering to Gibraltar’s unique lifestyle, business, lifestyle, sports and culture.

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Quality: our writers, editors and design teams ensure that Gibraltar Insight competes with high end magazines on all levels, making it a sought out publication from a loyal readership. We are passionate about our Rock, the people who live here, the stories we tell, and our valued partners.

IN 12 MONTHS GIBRALTAR INSIGHT HAD ONLINE REACH OF OVER 490,000 IMPRESSIONS PRINT, ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA THE MOST CONSISTENT REACH OF ANY PUBLICATION ON THE ROCK

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FEATURE

WHAT IS CREATIVE TUTOR GIBRALTAR? Creative Tutor Gibraltar is born out of a pure love for languages and making people smile. Specialising in teaching both English and Spanish language as foreign languages, lessons can cover any CEFR level from A1 to more conversational C2 classes. With a wealth of experience in this field, both GCSE and A-Level English and Spanish lessons are also available to help students of all ages and examining boards improve their grades and reach their academic goals. Extra help in humanities subjects, essay writing and study tools workshops are also available, and give students the extra push and motivation they need to succeed academically. Also specialising in Business Language, highly bespoke lesson plans are created to accommodate employees looking to improve their language skills in the workspace.Lessons can take place online to suit any schedule, and with a computer, microphone and speakers, all lessons can be adapted to the virtual space. Whether for leisure or professional goals, language classes are available for adults and little ones and are carefully crafted to meet the requirements of students.

WHY CREATIVE TUTOR? With a wealth of experience teaching students of all ages and backgrounds, Creative Tutor has love, affordability and personalisation as its core values. Resonating with the foundations of Creative Tutor, Dr Wayne Dyer stated that one should seek to help others in all that they do. With tutoring,the beautiful friendships and personal connections made with students over time are greatly valued. Watching them grow, develop, and simply understand concepts when the penny drops has always been the most fulfilling thing. Just knowing that one can make a positive impact in someone’s life, whether it be on a personal or academic level, is the greatest reward. Therefore, the foundation of Creative Tutor Gibraltar is to make people happy, help them achieve their goals, establish meaningful connections, serve as a way for people to bond with their co-workers or make new friendships, and simply have fun whilst learning simultaneously. Believing in students and aiming to make them realise their own academic potential when feeling unmotivated, strug-

Language LEssoNS IN GIBRALTAR gling with their grades, and not receiving enough one-to-one academic support is of the utmost importance. Where there is motivation and passion, anything is possible, and making students feel supported and encouraged will always make a significant difference.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LANGUAGE LESSONS? The benefits of learning a new language are substantial, ranging from personal development and leisure, to academic or professional growth and employability. Lessons at Creative Tutor Gibraltar are highly bespoke and carefully created to suit each and every individual’s needs. Starting with an initial Language Level Test and Needs Analysis, this enables the lessons to suit your learning style and academic goals, and can also be taught virtually. Lessons provide a booster for those seeking extra guidance on a one-to-one or group basis, and have a much more personal approach to the content in question. Unlike attending lectures, or classes with large groups of people with a “one size fits all” approach, tutoring focuses on the individual’s personal struggles, particularly at GCSE or A-Level, and helps them through the process independently. Using a variety of tools and a careful balance of games and materials to cover all aspects of language learning, the approach to every lesson is highly personalised, and ensures to tackle all facets of a language, including phonetics, speaking, reading and writing. Learning a new language also allows you to establish connections with people. For professional adult classes, it can serve as a way for employees to get to know one another in large companies, create healthy relationships, and foment a positive, proactive and productive working environment. Additionally, one can meet new likeminded people, widen their social circle, and increase their chances of being employed by having the ability to speak more than one language, particularly in this part of the world.

WHY GIBRALTAR? Being such a strategical location and bordering with Spain, Gibraltar is an ideal place for language lessons. If you’ve recently moved to the area and are keen to learn Spanish in order to communicate with locals, and immerse yourself in Hispanic culture upon crossing the border, language lessons will make a dramatic impact on your lifestyle. Additionally, many Spanish workers have jobs in Gibraltar, and learning English would greatly benefit them in the workspace, and foment their understanding and communication skills with co-workers. The bilingual nature of our special cosmopolitan fortress is extremely unique, and the ability to speak both languages is a wonderful thing for both personal development and to improve your chances of employability, serving as an extra skillto have on a CV.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR PRACTICING A LANGUAGE AT HOME? When it comes to learning a new language, or simply widening your vocabulary if already quite fluent, immersing oneself in the language daily can become routine. Taking up lessons with an experienced tutor who practices skilful scaffolding techniques and builds upon your knowledge is important, but in order to hone those skills one can practice the knowledge acquired in 7 simple steps: • Read articles and books in the target language • Watch films or series • Listen to podcasts or songs • Use post-it notes around the house to remember grammar • Change the language on your phone to the target language • Build a vocabulary bank of words in a notebook • Use grammar apps

HOW CAN WE GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU? You can get in touch via email at hellocreativetutor@gmail.com WhatsApp: +350 54022746 Instagram: @creative.tutor.gib Or the Creative Tutor Facebook page. Contact Creative Tutor Gibraltar now and let’s work together to boost those language skills!

WORDS BY CREATIVE TUTOR 10

APRIL 2023

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Admiralty Company Formation, Management & Structuring Financial Services Litigation Matrimonial Property & Conveyancing Ship & Yacht Registration Spanish Property & Law

First Floor Suites, 39 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 20072150 Fax: (+350) 20074986 Email: info@attlev.gi Web: www.attiaslevy.com INSIGHT'S ONLINE REACH 2021-22 WAS OVER 520,000 - EMAIL HELLO@GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM FOR ADVERTISING OPTIONS

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FEATURE

THE FIRST AWARDS' CEREMONY FOR LADIES THAT ROCK THE ROCK TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, 8TH MARCH AT A GALA DINNER HELD AT THE SUNBORN HOTEL TO COINCIDE WITH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2023, A GLOBAL DAY CELEBRATING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN.

Organised by Ayelet Mamo Shay, the event celebrated the achievements and contributions of women to society in general and to the community of Gibraltar in particular. The event brought together women and men from different backgrounds, including business leaders and community members. During the Gala dinner, guests were treated to a range of inspirational activities, including an insightful panel, entertainment by a professional dancer, a singer and a magician, networking opportunities, a photo booth and a massive raffle with many great prizes.

BUSINESS LEADER AWARD Sharon Garcia, Piece of Cake Gibraltar

Awards were presented to eight women from across different sectors in recognition of their achievements and who had been nominated by the people of Gibraltar.

HEALTH & WELLNESS AWARD Kathryn Morgan, CorreLibre

Minister for Equality Samantha Sacramento presented the awards and high-

INFLUENCER AWARD Alexandra Caruana, PWC Gibraltar DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD Nicole Buckley, PossAbilities

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD Michelle Pereira & Ginella Attard, Women in Need Gibraltar LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Suyenne Perez Catania, Gibraltar Tourist Board

WOMEN IN MEDIA Christine Vasquez, GBC

lighted the fact that this recognition should exist throughout the year and not just on International Woman's Day. Commenting on the event, Ayelet Mamo Shay said: "We definitely celebrated IWD in style! I have no doubt that next year we will find more great ladies and at some point we will make a collection of ladies that will appear in the second edition of my book The Ladies That Rock The Rock!" The Ladies That Rock the Rock Team will continue to deliver workshops, delegations, events and much more during the year. If you would like to get involved or for further information regarding our activities please feel free to contact The Ladies That Rock The Rock Team on: TheLadiesThatRock@gmail.com

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT WORLD

WORLD BOOK DAY AT WESTSIDE

WESTSIDE SCHOOL’S ENGLISH DEPARTMENT HELD THEIR TRADITIONAL FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE EV FOUNDATION DURING WORLD BOOK DAY THIS YEAR, RAISING JUST OVER £400 FOR THE LOCAL CHARITY. Funds were raised as part of a non-uniform day where pupils could choose to dress up as a literary character and take part in the annual costume competition.

Prizes for the competitions were generously donated by local companies Tramonti Pizzeria, Mamma Mia Pizzeria, The Scented Garden, Thai Orchid Spa, My Wines and The Art Box. Prizes were awarded for best pupil individual and group entries.

APRIL 2023

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

CITY HALL VISIT BY DOWN SYNDROME SUPPORT GROUP In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day His Worship the Mayor, Mr Christian Santos GMD hosted the committee and members of Down Syndrome Support Group Gibraltar at City Hall. His Worship took the opportunity to celebrate the achievements over the past two years of members of the Group in the fields of culture and sport as follows. Lucy Stewart: bronze medal in the Gibraltar International Dance Festival Adam Stewart: for swimming 50m in 43 seconds at a Butterfly swimming competition Jeffrey Migliori: for his participation in the Disability Golf Cairns Cup in the UK

A special mention was also given to Caine McWilliam for dancing Capoeira with Art in Movement for almost 9 years. His Worship spoke about how everyone is unique and how embracing our differences is how Gibraltar has become the beautiful community is it. He praised the Group’s committee, family members and carers for their work and support which further allow members the opportunities to excel in their chosen areas.

Alfred Celecia: for his participation in swimming at the Special Olympics Shane Martinez: for achieving 2 medals for bowling in Malta 2022 Charles Zammit and Nicholas Payas: for taking part in Challenge 21 Virtual 21K steps challenge, walking 21,000 steps and raising over £1,500 between them for Down’s Syndrome Association UK.

PORTRAIT CHANGEOVER THE MELANCHOLY TASK OF REMOVING THE OFFICIAL PORTRAITS OF HER LATE MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II AT NO 6 CONVENT PLACE AND THE CONVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE. Temporary portraits of His Majesty the King and the Queen Consort are now on display with permanent Official Portraits to follow in the summer following the Coronation.

DATA BUOY The Department of the Environment has deployed a meteo ocean buoy within the Seven Sisters Marine Conservation Zone. The buoy collects and transmits wave, wind, sea surface temperature, seabed temperature and barometric pressure data in real time. It has been sourced from Aqualink, a philanthropic engineering organisation who is working towards building ocean conservation technology. The Department will use the data for on-going marine monitoring and research programmes. Gibraltar’s data can be viewed at https://aqualink.org/sites/3199.

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FEATURE

HISTORY OF THE RAF IN GIBRALTAR PART 2

On the 18th of February that same year, General Godley summoned the Heads of all the forces in Gibraltar to discuss the provision of a landing strip in Gibraltar. Although Windmill Hill was considered, it was obvious that the only viable site was the neutral ground, even the possibility of a floating airport off Europa Point was considered. The army were totally against the use of North Front, as they were accustomed to hold their training in this area, and an airport would make this impossible. The Governor decided that steps should be taken immediately to construct an emergency landing strip, for military use only, civilian use would only be considered at a later date. On March 5th 1932, a report was provided to the Governor with sketches and a costing of £373 with an extra £10 for the re-erection of the groundsman’s quarters Admiral Sir John D Kelly, C-in-C Atlantic Fleet, commenting on an emergency landing ground at Gibraltar, in a letter, remarked, "From a naval point of view, it is most desirable to have an emergency landing ground in the vicinity of Gibraltar. In time of war it would be essential for any aircraft defences allocated to the Rock and on ships employed in trade protection in the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic. A landing strip would also appear to be of value in certain circumstances as a link in passing aircraft reinforcements to the East by air.”

The sketch provided to the governor

Gibraltar Airways Windhover

In 1931 Gibraltar Airways started a service to Tangier using a Windhover amphibian flying boat called “General Godley,” after the current Governor. Although the flights were only £1.00 each way, by January 1932 the operation ceased.

After a great deal of correspondents, including the opinion of the Ambassador in Madrid, on May 2nd 1933, the Rear Admiral in Gibraltar, advised that the airstrip had been approved, strictly in accordance with the Governor’s proposal, and that the airstrip was for the use of the Fleet Air Arm and restricted to emergencies only. When the Royal Engineers in Gibraltar began their preparations, it was obvious that the estimates were too low, and a new estimate of £450 was put forward. The work was looked at again, following complaints about the increase, and finally it was proposed to do the work for £470. The Air Ministry agreed this figure and work began on the 14th of September 1934. As this work required modification to the existing racecourse structure, which the Government demanded should be covered by the Racecourse itself, there were protests by both the Jockey Club and the Governor stating that the Racecourse was an outlet for the military and also provided funds to many charities in Gibraltar. Finally, after much discussion, it was agreed that the Air Ministry would bear the cost. The army continued to complain about the lack of training ground and it was not until the 10th of March 1936 that the strip was fully ready. The situation in Europe was becoming ever more unstable, and it was soon realized that a fully-fledged airport would be required in the very near future. Events in Ethiopia, then called Abyssinia, crystallised the thinking of the War Department, and it was inevitable that the Racecourse and Victoria Gardens would be sacrificed for this purpose. Indecision in London, and the fear of up-

setting the status quo with Spain over the neutral ground, was brought into focus in early 1939, when Franco began construction of fortifications on the Spanish side of the fence with the aid of German engineers. The breakdown of International Law at this time provided Britain with the opportunity to disregard Spanish sensitivity. Nobody thought it would ever be possible to build a runway on the neutral ground. Apart from the physical difficulties, many considered the weather to be an important factor against this area being used for aircraft. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Ormsby-Gore, wrote to the Governor, General Harrington, on the 1st of October 1936 suggesting the possibility of reclaiming land from the sea. By November of that year, Ormsby-Gore however, decided that to upset Spain outweighed any advantage of extending the runway. By August 1937, a draft plan was proposed to reclaim an area of 1000 by 800 yards. This plan would require the removal of the Blands ship yard, which did not go down too well with either the Governor or the local population. In December 1937 the Spanish Government indicated that if Britain went ahead with their plans, they would fortify the neutral ground. In November 1938, Harrington was replaced by General Ironside, who began pressing the War Office for permission to go ahead with the proposed airport. In their meeting in London, on the 28th of February, it was decided that land and air action would never come to Gibraltar, the RAF agreed they would only use Gibraltar for occasional visits in peacetime and as a staging post for refuelling units on passage. Trade protection flights would be covered by seaplanes or amphibian aircraft based permanently in Gibraltar. The C in C Mediterranean suggested that a fighter squadron be based in Gibraltar for the defence of the Rock, but the Air Ministry did not consider this an immediate possibility. While all this prevarication continued, on the 21st of November 1939, orders were given that work was only to continue on the strip, the reclamation work would not be proceeded with. Spain continued to complain, but the work went on regardless. However, on the 26th of September 1939, few days after war was declared, the Royal Air Force arrived in Gibraltar from Malta

WORDS BY PAUL BAKER 16

APRIL 2023

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FEATURE

The German invasion of Sicily made the authorities realise that British Aircraft on the way to the Middle East were now at risk and need a refuelling stop in Gibraltar. In a letter to the Ambassador in Madrid, Churchill suggested that in one sense, the war itself constitutes an emergency, and as the landings would be intermittent and are either done singly and unostentatiously, it was not necessary or desirable to advise the Spanish Authorities. On April 6th the first of the transit Wellingtons and Bombay’s were able to carry out successful landings and takeoffs from North Front with a full load. The new OC No. 200 Group, Group Captain Rogers, along with other heads of the services, formed an Inter-Service Committee to discuss any problems associated with the airport. The committee suggested the runway be widened and extended, this was enthusiastically taken up by the Governor, Lord Gort who suggested the quickest method of building the extension was with the use of broken stone from the tunnelling, rolled, and covered in cold sprayed bitumen. Work went ahead quickly, but it was not very ambitious, and it was a surprise to all when an order was received from the Air Ministry on the 27th of October 1941 that the new runway was to be extended to a length of 1550 yards and have a width of 150 yards. This work would require 40,000 tons of fill and would extend 570 yards into the sea. The work was beyond the resources of

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

The Governor had stipulated that no operational flights should take place from Gibraltar, however aircraft carrying anti-submarine patrols were permitted to load 10lb anti-submarine bombs. There was confusion between London and Gibraltar as what exactly the situation was with regard to diplomacy. The local administration believed London did not appreciate the situation in Gibraltar.

A visit by Air Chief Marshal Philip Joubert de la Porte, Acting C in C of Coastal Command, at the end of November 1941, suggested an extension to the runway for a total of 1800 yards, this gesture was approved by the Air Council in December 16th 1941 to a length of 1550 yards. Work began a few days later with the arrival of the first contingent of personnel and plant. Stone and rubble were blasted from the rock and dug from tunnels, then tipped into the sea to form the foundation of the runway, the dust and noise was horrendous.

Accommodation was a major problem, every possible unoccupied building had been converted for the military, the town was brimming with military personnel. In February 1939, 202 Squadron under the command of Wing Commander Blake with the four aircraft, was transferred to Gibraltar. Having provided moorings, test flights, and other preparations, the rest of the Squadrons’ London flying boats arrived on the 10th of September. They were operational next day. In October 1939, the Squadron made its first sightings of a U Boat but the attack was unsuccessful, they also found the German merchant ship Glucksburg leaving Cadiz Harbour, having signalled HMS Wishart, they shadowed the vessel until the destroyer arrived, however the German vessel ran itself aground on the Spanish Coast.

Very few knew the reason for the urgency. The airfield resembled an ants’ nest, all traces of the Racecourse and Victoria Gardens had vanished, in their place buildings were erected. Lord Gort took a keen interest in the work and visited the airport each morning, he obviously knew what was going on. Trucks carrying the scree and rocks from the quarries formed an almost continuous train, requiring the trips to be scheduled, allowing, approximately 30 minutes for each round trip. The daily total averaged 7500 tons. On 12 January 1942, the runway had reached 985 yards and was estimated to reach 1150 yards by the end of April.

From its arrival in September to the end of December 1939, the Squadron carried out 95 anti U Boat patrols, 56 convoy escorts, 13 reconnaissance patrols and six photographic sorties, a total of 1027 flying hours. The dumana before conversion

Correspondence with London suggested that something was afoot, but still only 150 yards of prepared strip was envisaged. On the 21st of November 1939, the Governor received a letter confirming that the reclamation had been abandoned. The strip as it was, hardly provided sufficient runway for aircraft such as Hudsons and Wellingtons which were now in use by the RAF, accidents were common.

Group Captain Harrington with No. 200 Group was carrying out operations using flying boats based in the harbour. Six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish, operating from the emergency strip, assisted the Group. The headquarters of the Group was at the Tower, with the administration based at No.2 Cathedral Square. The operational control of the Navy aircraft was passed to the RAF.

Gibraltar, the United States had obviously been putting pressure on the UK authorities as they required Gibraltar as a stop off point for the U.S. Air Ferry Service from Africa to the United Kingdom. Top priority was given to this work and all necessary assistance was promised. The dilemma of what to do with the road to Spain which crossed the runway, caused a great deal of headache, since up to 10,000 Spaniards crossed the runway twice each day on their way to and from work in Gibraltar. These workers were essential since many worked in the dockyard and on other military sites. It was hoped that the security authorities would be able to avoid infiltration by enemy spies and the possibility of sabotage.

Attacks on Malta was causing problems with aircraft transiting there for the Middle East, it was therefore imperative that the work in Gibraltar be carried out with the urgency, as it was proposed to transit Wellingtons, which had been stripped to the bare minimum in order to fly from Gibraltar directly to the Egypt. Even under these conditions, the Wellingtons would be unable to take off with a full load of fuel until the runway had been extended to nearly 1550 yards.

Maintenance of these aircraft had been a problem but the arrival of the RAF depot ship Dumana, provided some short term relief. The navy had been reclaiming some land at the north eastern end of the dockyard, this land was ceded to the RAF for the duration of the war, and it was developed for, what was to become RAF New Camp, with hangars, slipway, accommodation and maintenance facilities. Around this time Wing Commander Blake relinquished command of No.202 Squadron.

Following an urgent message from London, Lord Gort replied “possibly 3rd April.” The response from the Chief of Imperial Staff was “please convey my congratulations to all concerned.”

Swordfish Floatplane

and the 200 Group was formed. Accommodation in Gibraltar had always been a problem, the RAF set up their headquarters in the Bristol Hotel, operating London flying boats from 202 Squadron. These aircraft began patrolling the area around Gibraltar. By December of that year, 202 Squadron had carried out 95 anti U boat patrols, 56 convoy escorts, 13 reconnaissance patrols and six photographic sorties, a total of 1037 flying hours. Since the airport was an FAA base, it was essential that there was corporation between the two branches of the services. Group Captain Barrington, O/C RAF in a letter to the Commander Mediterranean Command on September 30th 1939 stated that half the prepared strip would not be available in under six months and the other half would not be ready until they could remove some of the obstructions. It was obvious to him, that only an emergency strip was being contemplated, no provision for hangers or maintenance were being considered. The Spanish authorities had been told that this was only an emergency strip and it seemed unlikely that the Foreign Office were likely to change their policy. Since there was an urgent need to patrol the sea west of Gibraltar, he suggested that a squadron be placed at Port Lautey in French West Africa.

Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar. Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com Dedicated On the 100th anniversary in 2018, to RAF Gibraltar, by the History Society Gibraltar.

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MOTORING INSIGHT

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD 18

APRIL 2023

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MOTORING INSIGHT I RECENTLY HAD ON TEST FOR A WEEK A CITROËN AMI CARGO, AND DID IT ATTRACT SOME LOOKS, AND COMMENTS, SOME GOOD, SOME NOT SO GOOD. THE AMI IS 100% ELECTRIC, AND WHEN IT IS FULLY CHARGED CAN TRAVEL 46 MILES (74KM), SO NOT A HUGE DISTANCE. It measures only 2.41m long, so it is tiny, but very easy to park, and probably small enough to take into Morrisons to do your shopping in, and I’m sure it would go up and down the isles, and with a small turning circle, of only 7.2m, it’s very nimble. Citroën has been clever with their design, as the front panel is identical to the rear, just the lights are different. The drivers door opens rearward, and the passenger door opens forward, all Ami’s are left-hand drive, so ideal for Gibraltar and its narrow streets. In the cabin, which is remarkably spacious for such a small car, it is fairly basic, with hardly any nice bits of standard specification. It does have a heater, but I found it to be underwhelming, and you are better not using it, and conserve some electric. The Ami does have a nice touch first used on the Citroën 2CV over 80 years ago, these are the hinged ‘pop-up’ Windows, a bit of retro design in a modern vehicle.

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The Ami is technically not a car, it’s a large electric quadricycle, and in some European countries it can be driven by 14 year olds without a driving licence. This could be a very good or a very bad thing! The electric motor produces just 8 BHP, which gives it a top speed of 28 mph, or 45kph, so highly unlikely you’ll ever get a speeding ticket. RGP, take note.

dealership there, with all the duty fun and games that would entail. But the Ami is not expensive to buy, in the UK the one-the-road price is £7995, but if you do buy one, be prepared for many people looking at it, it does attract lots of attention.

Anyone thinking of buying an electric Ami, really needs to think long and hard about where and when they are going to use it. Its range is going to be very dependent on the gradient of the terrain. Also, obviously, required is the ability to efficiently charge the vehicle. This isn't always practical in Gibraltar if you live on the top floor of a block without parking. The Ami really is a “buyer-beware” vehicle, do your homework before making any buying decisions. It is also available badged as an Opel Rocks Electric, so could be available over the Frontier at the relatively new Opel

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ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

Ten Gibraltar Defence Police Coxswains recently complete their RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yacht Master offshore theory course with the local RYA teaching centre Allabroad Sailing Academy. The qualifications the officers received are recognised by the UK Maritime and Coastguard agency as the UK’s National Standard and their use is required by the Defence Maritime Regulator.

The demanding course covered advanced skills in offshore and coastal navigation by day and night, pilotage and meteorology. The successful candidates will be continuing their professional development and undertake further RYA Training and additional Police Specific Training later on in the year.

MAJOR PITTO RECEIVES MBE

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is delighted to announce that Major Pitto received his MBE from Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, at Windsor Castle. Major Pitto returned to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in July last year after spending two years in British Forces Gibraltar as the Operations and Plans officer. He was awarded an MBE for his services as the primary lead in developing plans and supporting efforts against the COVID 19 pandemic, as well as leading with contingency planning within the military environment, and being a force driver in executing charitable events. He most notably played a huge part in organising the successful first ever Armed Forces Day on the Rock in 2020 which saw Her Majesty’s Naval Base filled by thousands of members of the general public. After receiving his MBE, Battalion Second in Command, Major Pitto said, “Yesterday was a proud and special day. I never expected to have been recognised for such a prestigious honour, I'm truly humbled. To receive the honour from Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, was also very special as she is a big supporter of Gibraltar. I once again want to thank my family for their patience in supporting me over the years.”

RG RETURN FROM THE GAMBIA For the past two months, eight members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG), accompanied by a Royal Marine Medic, spent five weeks in The Gambia, West Africa, where they provided a "Train the Trainer" (AKA T3) package to 61 Officers & Soldiers of the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF).

The RG’s Short-Term Training Team (STTT) spent five weeks based at the British High Commission in Serrekunda, about 10 kilometres from Gambia’s capital, Banjul. The RG have historically conducted training in The Gambia on several occasions over the past 19 years, the last time being in 2021. The recent deployments have seen the RG focus on developing the GAF’s ability to train their own soldiers and office

Many congratulations to Major Pitto from everyone at Insight.

APRIL 2023

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FEATURE

Made in Gibraltar on Radio

Very recently Radio Gibraltar has turned 65, a pensionable age, but its youthful profile keeps it relevant and young in outlook and output. A much younger James Neish now the current CEO of GBC has also hosted the series of hour long weekly programmes ‘Made In Gibraltar’ whose remit was to seek and put out on air the musical labours of upcoming and established local musicians. To keep listeners abreast of the local music scene. Ben Lynch and Jonathan Sacramento have also presented the series in the past. Just six years ago James Culatto took the reins for MIG and has continued the legacy of the popular Radio series and improved its local library by asking artists to submit all their recorded work for consideration, instead of just their latest singles, CD or latest press release.

I sit across James one early morning for coffee while raiding his Churros (Papitas in this case) hoping to gain more insight into how this well-established local talent programme continues to prosper and what its aims might be for continuing into the future. “When I first knew that the presenter slot for MIG was to become available, I sold myself to Ian Daniels (Head of Radio) as I was already working there as an audio visual assistant. I had already worked on music Journalism and I love the interview side of that. Anyway I got the programme and at the beginning it was very difficult getting a pool of songs together, as previously artists were only submitting limited content into the programme. I wanted to expand that and gradually they began to send me more material that I could use in different shows and at the same time build up a local library. Nowadays bands send me everything and I try to mix and match as many different genres of music and artists as I can in order to create more diverse shows.” One thing that MIG has that other shows haven’t got, is that there is no special consideration given to ‘Radio-friendly’ material. James Culatto insists that this Radio criteria should not apply to local music and local artists. The musical palette is multi coloured and independent of commercialism or trends. “You might tune in to hear MIG and it can feature very commercial sounding music at the beginning but later hear some ‘off the wall’ tracks that you would not hear anywhere else. The show is 55 minutes long and if there is an interview in it maybe 20 minutes is given to it. The balance is musical content and links (intros and outros) so the format varies all the time according to content.” I wanted to know whether James could highlight some memories of his six year stint in MIG. “Really I haven’t had many surprises and that is good because it shows that I have been deeply immersed in the local music scene and keep myself abreast of trends.” Indeed James has been in various bands as a guitarist and

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front man vocalist during the last 25 years and there is no one better placed to take the local musical temperature than him. He is seriously curating the radio series and earning it new plaudits at the same time. “There have been people like Jazz guitarist Eli Massias whom I would not have come across as he lives in New York, but other mainstays of local music like Paul Isola, Giles Ramirez, Gavin Garcia, Jeremy Gomez, The 500, Gabriel Moreno and others are regularly featured in my shows. I would like to think that because I play their music and have featured their interviews in MIG, many people are now more aware of local and expat artists. So in that sense the programme nowadays is more varied, well informed and up to date.” “I would say that nowadays there are more singer songwriters than bands who want to promote their work. It’s less hassle I suppose if you are on your own. Every so often we get requests that I play a ‘Dead City Radio’ song (James Culatto’s band). I don’t have so much time now with family commitments and work. I still write songs and try to put the odd gig on in the summer and I think that Radio Gibraltar will always have a commitment to local music and I would like to carry on MIG as long as people are still listening to it. As long as we have the demand for it I am happy to do it. Based on interaction and feedback I know that there are people who listen. Every week I know that there are people listening and nowadays expat artists like Alexeij Vallejo and Chloe Martinez regularly feature, as does Jesse Maclaren, and Jeremy Perez too although he has now settled here.

mer and I think that Gibraltar is producing very good lyricists nowadays. I have to mention Denis Valerga, Leo Sanguinetti and Gabriel Moreno and that I mix their talents with all the other genres of music that local artists are making. That is what the show must represent. We need more people to listen to local music otherwise it’s never going to blossom. It’s a privileged position to be in, to expose these talents to the community. Put another way it gives the upcoming musician a bit of a leg up the ladder.” Since James Culatto started to host the show six years ago, home recording technology has ‘improved dramatically’ and his careful and informed curating of the material that gets played on the show has set higher standards of quality. Any old kitchen table recording will not do. Artists know that they have to aim to produce a properly recorded and mastered song that will stand up to scrutiny and plays well over radio. I have a good feeling that in the hands of James, MIG will continue to grace the airwaves for a few years more, at least as long as our local musical talent pool doesn’t dry up. There are no signs of that happening yet and that makes me very happy. Tune in to ‘Made in Gibraltar’ with James Culatto on Thursdays at 7pm on Radio Gibraltar Plus and help to keep local music alive by being aware of who’s who and what’s what in our world of Yanito music.

“I expect a lot of new material from students this sum-

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY

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APRIL 2023

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

REBUILDING

TOURISM

ONE OF THE MAIN FOUNDATIONS OF THE GIBRALTAR ECONOMY IS TOURISM AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT TOURISTS ARE RETURNING TO THE ROCK FOLLOWING THE LOCKDOWNS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE HON VIJAY DARYANANI MP, MINISTER FOR BUSINESS, TOURISM AND THE PORT, GIVES JO WARD AN UPDATE ON THE TOURISM SECTOR AND OUTLINES HIS HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

WORDS BY JO WARD 24

APRIL 2023

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FEATURE Back in 2019, when Minister Daryanani had only been in office for a couple of months, he was looking forward to getting to grips with the job. “It was an exciting time for me because I had been elected as a Minister and I had been given a portfolio that included tourism and business that I thought I could do a lot with,” he states. “The GSLP Liberals had been governing for eight years, and were doing some wonderful things and I was joining a very proactive and exiting team.” “If had told you in Christmas 2019 that we won't have a cruise ship for eighteen months coming into Gibraltar Port you would have said that I had gone bananas, but that is exactly what happened.” The Minister went on to say that he thinks people realised how serious it was when they announced that they were locking down, that airlines were closing and cruise liners were stopping. A normal term of office for a Minister is four years, and so far the Hon. Vijay Daryanani has been in place for three and a half years, and during that time no tourists were coming through the frontier and cruise liners were not docking in Gibraltar. “It has been a huge challenge and at the end of this term of office it will be as if I have worked for only half a term, because it has been two years of total havoc,” he explains. “There are projects that I have initiated that we haven't been able to get on with because of the financial constraints, but all the time during lockdown we were working hard behind the scenes, navigating the way forward, not knowing when we would be reopening ‘Gibraltar Plc’.”

which were the subject of travel restrictions. In 2021 Eastern Airways announced that it was launching flights to Gibraltar from Southampton and Birmingham in May, and later that year Wizz Air announced the launch of a new route from London Luton to Gibraltar from December. Addressing the fact that both companies pulled out of Gibraltar, The Minister comments that an airline will only come into Gibraltar if they think that they can do business. “If they left Gibraltar it was because there wasn't enough business, and although we talk about that in terms of airlines it is the same in any business, if it doesn't do well and you start losing money you will close as soon as possible,” he explains. “We started talking to Wizz before the pandemic and they eventually came to Gibraltar during the pandemic, and even though the load factor was 65% it wasn't enough to keep the route going.” “In so far as Eastern are concerned, they are a smaller airline and I think that was more of an ambitious project, but having said that I attracted them here and they didn't do well enough and therefore decided that they couldn't continue because they made a hefty loss during the period that they were in Gibraltar.”

This included keeping in touch with airlines and cruise ship companies to see what would happen when eventually they would be able to open up. “I think we have done very well because we have managed to bring back the business that was stopped - that in itself was a huge challenge - but in 2023 we will have very similar figures when it comes to cruise liners and we are pretty much at the same capacity when it comes to our airport,” The Minister says. “People are impressed when I go abroad and they ask questions about how Gibraltar has recovered from the pandemic.” The Minister goes on to clarify that in 2019 there were 197 calls to Gibraltar Port by cruise ships, and that this year they will probably finish at approximately 187 calls. Regarding the land frontier, the figures are once again similar to those pre-pandemic. “The main tourist is someone who is visiting the Costa del Sol and comes to Gibraltar for the day, and this year we will see a huge benefit because more and more people are starting to travel now.” With the news that the Eastside Tunnel under the runway is due to open soon, I asked the Minister what difference he thinks that will make to tourism. “When we have flights coming in to Gibraltar we see the closure of the airfield,” the Minister says. “So, for example, on a Sunday when seven flights arrive, that means fourteen runway closures, but with the tunnel we are confident that we will see the movement of traffic and that the flow will be easier, and hopefully people will love the experience of coming through that tunnel.” During the pandemic, Gibraltar was seen as a safe destination compared to others

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There was also an announcement that Spanish airline Volotea planned to launch direct flights between Gibraltar and Bilbao in Spain, but this never materialised, and the Minister clarifies that by stating that the Spanish Civil Aviation turned their application down. “It’s as simple as that,” he says. Asked if there any other airlines coming to Gibraltar, the Hon. Vijay Daryanani explains that many factors are involved in bringing an airline to Gibraltar. “The main one is the type of aircraft that the airline flies,” he states, going on to say that an airline such as Ryan Air fly jets that are too heavy and can’t land at Gibraltar airport. “I am constantly speaking to all the airlines that can fly to Gibraltar - and even the ones that don't fly here - and it is important to keep in touch because you never know what might happen in the coming years and they might change aircraft.”

attended by CEO’s and presidents of most of the important cruise lines in the world as well as politicians and the industry press. Asked if Gibraltar was losing cruise ships to other ports and whether Gibraltar has the infrastructure and transport to cope with increased demands for cruise ships that may come into Gibraltar, he commented that Gibraltar is a very traditional and wellknown port. “Previously there were only three important Mediterranean ports, Barcelona and Malaga in Spain, and Gibraltar,” he replies, “but today there are ports in Malaga, Cadiz, Valencia, Cartagena, Tarragona, Bilbao and Gijon where there were none ten years’ ago.” The Minister goes on to explain that it is this competition that perhaps makes it more difficult for the cruise liners when they are planning an itinerary because there is now so much to choose from. “All the major cruise liners in the world come to Gibraltar and although Royal Caribbean International will not be calling in 2024, they will be coming back in 2025.” Some of the new cruise ships accommodate 5,000 passengers, so is there enough for them to do when they dock in Gibraltar? The Minister says that there is enough of an offering when you take into account that Gibraltar has a total area of only 2.5 square miles. “We do extremely well in the space that we have and yes, I agree the more the merrier and that if we had more things to do then perhaps we could get more people off the cruise ships,” adding that they are always working on new products and that the Minister thinks they have done well in increasing the kind of offering that they have had in the past. “I think Gibraltar is an exciting destination as it is, but we need to keep working hard to see what we can attract here, and that includes overnight tourism,” he states. “That can only happen in Gibraltar if we have more hotels and that is something that I am working on, but with investments of millions of pounds people have to think properly to be able to say ‘yes’ we are going to invest this kind of money in Gibraltar.” The Minister goes on to say that: “At the moment there is a lot of movement behind the scenes and although it is difficult to get it over the line, we hope to do so in the future.” Another project that the Minister is working on is refurbishing, or possibly building a new cruise terminal. “Again there have been financial constraints otherwise I would have this done by now, but there are all sorts of possibilities on the table and we are seeing what is the most value for money way forward and I hope that we can make an announcement about this soon.” The message that the Minister would like to impart is that Gibraltar is doing well. “We will keep on working hard to make sure that we are bringing as much tourism, new business and new hotels here, and I will carry on speaking to the airlines to see whether we can open up new routes.” He tells me that it is very difficult because if they don't make money they will stop. “It would be easier for me to not do anything because if I don't do anything I won't get criticised, but that is not my style - I like to get stuck in and to make sure that we can do our best and try and attract as much as possible and if it doesn’t work out - at least we tried.”

The Minister recently attended the European Cruise Summit in Paris, a conference

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FEATURE

Should we rely on travel Guides? For a long time, guidebooks were absolutely essential for any traveller. If you were off on holiday, especially to a place you didn’t know, a guidebook was invaluable – they are full of information, phrases, history, and anything else you could require. But now, much of this information is available online and easy to access, and it feels like younger travellers gravitate towards their phones rather than a book. So, for the contemporary traveller, are guidebooks outdated, or do they still have their uses? Guidebooks provide a vast range of information when planning a trip. Blogs will give you a good overview, but guide books go into language, history, food and culture in much more depth. And you can locate it all in one place. Travel guides have existed since humans began exploring the world,with the oldest known example being in 1442. Explorers compiled guides, with information to help pilgrims navigate their travels. There was a boom in guidebook sales such as the Lonely Planet series in the 1990s, as backpackers headed off on their travels – these were essential tools in this immediate period before the age of the internet. A number of independent guidebook publishers sold up, seeing the writing on the wall, although sales have now increased since the pandemic and travel restrictions have eased.

user reviews, giving you a chance to get first-hand insights into the experience of others who have visited the location. By reading through an online travel guide, you can learn about all the highlights and hidden gems that your destination has to offer, helping you to craft a travel itinerary that is perfectly suited to your interests and travel style. Whether you want to explore ancient ruins or sample some local cuisine, with an online travel guide at your fingertips, you can feel confident heading into your trip with all the knowledge you need.

WHEN CONSIDERING TRAVEL, OUR FIST LOGICAL STEP IS TO REACH FOR A GUIDE BOOK OR IN TODAY’S TRAVEL ENVIRONMENT, LOOK ONLINE OR FOLLOW A BLOG. HOWEVER, DO WE NEED THEM AND HOW MUCH DO THE INSPIRE OR CURB OUR ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT?

Save money by planning your trip yourself

Many travellers are dedicated fans of a physical book. They love the feeling of having it in their hands, being able to thumb through it and discover new information. With a physical book, you can mark things with a pen, bend corners, use sticky notes, and have that information on hand anywhere you have the guide. It makes the experience more personal, somehow, and the guidebook transforms into a souvenir when your journey is over.

An online travel guide can save you money by helping you plan your trip yourself. By providing you with information on things to do, see, and eat at your destination, a travel guide can help you make the most of your trip by avoiding expensive tourist traps. In addition, a travel guide can help you find cheaper travel options and accommodation. By taking the time to research your destination and plan your trip carefully, you can save a significant amount of money. So, if you’re looking to save money on your next trip, consult an online travel guide before you book anything.

Learn about your destination before you go

The internet is a helpful source but not a perfect one

An online travel guide is a great tool for gaining an understanding of a destination before you travel there. These guides typically include information about a variety of different aspects of the destination, from its geography and culture to the best restaurants and attractions to visit. Additionally, many travel guides also include

To be fair, the Internet has a variety of strengths over travel guidebooks: • Hotel listings, descriptions, photos and online bookings

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH APRIL 2023

• Information on restaurants (menu, hours, location) and online reservations • Guided tours available and online bookings • Personal experiences/reviews from individual travelers For accommodations, the internet has clearly become a better choice than guidebooks. The descriptions are better, there are lots of photos, you have more reviews to peruse, and you can make your booking on-the-spot. Where do travel blogs feature in reliable information about a destination? Travel guidebooks help you discover less-touristed attractions. Travel blogs have less incentive to write about less-touristed attractions because people don't search for them online. No searches means no traffic, which means no money, so they focus on the most well-known and highest-searched attractions. The first benefit of using travel blogs to plan your trip, is that you can be super-specific in searching for content that is relevant to you. A travel guidebook has to try and cover off all bases, so will generally end up in the middle-ground, trying to please as many people with its information as possible. The majority of travel bloggers are independent, and blog about travel in their spare time. Of course, there are the elite guys at the top who make a living from it, but most of us are doing this as a hobby rather than a business venture. It is common practice in the travel industry for people to accept free trips in exchange for writing an article, or to be under pressure from their publication to produce a certain type of content. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to work out what a truthful opinion is. Some bloggers do this too, but they should make this absolutely clear on their site in line with FTC regulations. The multitude of ways we can find travel information is a positive plus whilst planning our travels. Whether it is a guidebook, blog or internet information, they can all contribute to a better informed experience. However, our own personal expectations and excitement regarding travel cannot be found in any form of guide - only in our imagination.

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What do you conjure up when you think of Covent Garden? You most probably associate the area with the renowned Flower Market that was depicted by Audrey Hepburn as flower girl Eliza Doolittle in the 1964 Warner Bros. production My Fair Lady. Located in the West End, for centuries Covent Garden has been a hub for theatre goers, opera lovers and ballet devotees, especially as it is home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet and there are now twenty theatres in the local vicinity all hosting an

eclectic mix of drama, musicals and comedy shows. If you haven’t ventured into The Royal Opera House before, you don’t just have to go to watch a performance. Take a Behind the Scenes tour and then go up to the Piazza Terrace Bar for a bird’s eye view of the historic Piazza below. At the heart of Covent Garden, the Piazza is where the cobbled streets and arched market buildings hint at its rich heritage. From Tuesday to Sunday, the covered Apple

Market is where you will find stalls selling a range of handmade crafts and goods and on Monday’s you can browse through antiques and collectables. On the western side of the Piazza stands The Actors' Church, known for its long links to London's theatre, designed in 1630 by Inigo Jones. Directly opposite St Paul's is where you will find the historic Punch and Judy Pub, built in 1787 and named for the Punch and Judy puppet shows that were regularly performed to entertain the children of the flower-sellers.

Street performers have been a long tradition at Covent Garden, and nowadays that is no exception. One of my favourite places and a must-visit on any trip to London is the courtyard in front of the Crusting Pipe Wine Bar and Restaurant. If the weather isn’t too cold

you can sit outside with a glass of wine or two and watch the buskers, musicians and opera singers (often from the Opera House), as they perform. One of the most popular visitor attractions for families where you can discover the history of London’s famous transport network is The London Transport Museum, situated on the south-east side of the piazza. Covent Garden is also a foodie lover’s paradise, from fine dining to grabbing a bite to eat before a show, there is something to suit

everyone. If you’re after a cocktail with a difference, head into one of the many themed bars. Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration in Bedford Street is a fun find, with wood-panelled walls, vintage leather seating and artefacts from his supposed travels, as well as a range of exotic cocktails! There are many other hidden gems to visit that are situated in and around Covent Garden, but they will have to wait for another article!

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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FEATURE

SEVILLE Mijas MARBELLA CADIZ

SPANISH TOWNS TO EXPLORE ON YOUR NEXT BANK HOLIDAY

Spring is my second favourite season, not only do the days start to get longer but we also have a handful of bank holidays to look forward to. I usually use every chance I have to get on a plane, but I also want to use this time to explore Spain a little more. If you’re looking for a short-haul weekend away, here are some of my recommendations.

Marbella Growing up whenever I said I was going to Marbella, really we all meant a night out in Puerto Banus, but Marbella town also has a lot to offer. Here you can either spend a whole day shopping in the centre or at the nearby shopping centre of La Cañada or treat yourself to a spa weekend at Marbella Club Thalasso Spa or the Six Senses Spa at Puente Romano Beach Resort. If you are looking for a bit more of a party, then nightclubs like Pangea and Olivia Valere are good options. Marbella has no shortage of good places to eat, and depending on your budget these are some I’d recommend. If you’re a meat lover, then head to Dani Garcia’s restaurant Lena. You can buy a tasting menu here for 75 euros, so it makes it a great place to go for a special occasion. Nobu hotel also has a great japanese restaurant but it’s on the more expensive side. Wabi Sabi is a cheaper option that has funky interiors and serves Hawaiian food, so expect poke bowls, unique burgers, bao buns, tacos and more!

Cadiz Cadiz town is a quaint place, it has lots of cobbled streets and it can be easy to get lost here! We spent a night here and we had such great food that I’d go back just for that. Restaurant Balandro is always fully booked, and has a range of fusion tapas and dishes. We walked passed earlier in the day and managed to book a table for the evening, although the seatings are only for an hour and a half. If you go here, I definitely recommend the truffle tagliatelle and the tuna tartare. I have sushi pretty much everywhere I go, so if you’re the same then book a table at Feng Shui Street. If you fancy finishing the night with something quirky, there is a bar called La Chupiteria that has over 100 shots on the board, and only cost 2 euros each!

In terms of sight-seeing, make sure you stop and look at the Catedral de Cadiz, the Teatro Romano, the Parque Genoves and Torre Tavira for the best views in the city.

Mijas If you're looking for a few photo opportunities in Mijas, then head to the Old Town. You’ll find it is full of white houses, flower pots, cobblestones and the Plaza de Torros. Which is also a great place to grab a cerveza and some tapas! If the weather permits, you can also visit the Aquamijas water park. After spending a couple of days in the Spanish heat, throwing yourself in pools is exactly what you'll want to do. The park is open from June until late September and they also have discounted tickets for children. If you’re a fan of quirky museums, then pay a visit to the Museo de Miniaturas. As the name suggests, the museum is full of hundreds of miniature items picked up by the hypnotist and magician Juan Elegido Millan. One of the most interesting pieces is a painting of the Seven Wonders of the World, on a toothpick, yes a toothpick. In the evening, take a walk through the Paseo Maritimo, where the atmosphere doesn’t die down until after midnight, even on weekdays! I recommend eating at Timollo Limon here.

Seville Seville, or Sevilla is a firm favourite for many. My primary reason for visiting Seville was because I wanted to pace around Real Alcazar, which if you’re a Game of Thrones fan you’ll recognise as the place where the Kingdom of Dorne was set. This place is beautiful and only sets you back 12 euros for a ticket to the palace and gardens, just make sure you buy these online prior to your visit because the

WORDS BY GIANA SPITERI 28

APRIL 2023

queues for this get very long. Within its walls and gardens you can see a mixture of the cultures and religious influences that have helped make the palace what it looks like today. Parque De Maria Luisa is a very picturesque walk where you can rent bicycles, cycling carts and take a ride on a horse and carriage. In here you'll also find the Plaza De Espana, where you can row boats and admire the architecture and these murals dedicated to all of the Spanish provinces. Some scattered landmarks that you might want to check out are the Seville Cathedral, Torre de Oro (a gold tower) which was built in the 13th century and used as a prison; it got its name because apparently the reflection on the water looked gold. The Giralda (a renaissance-style gothic tower) is also a site of interest. We stumbled upon El Papelon for lunch and we all ate really well. They specialise in meat and cheeses, but definitely try the carillada here! If you'd like to stop for some coffee and cake, then La Creme de la Creme and Santagloria are good choices and have tons of breakfast options too. For dinner we found la Taberna Del Torneo which got very busy very quickly, which means they serve you quickly and pretty much want you to move quickly after finishing your meal to make space for the next guests. The food here was delicious and cheap. We had honey glazed aubergines, mini burgers and a whole bunch of other tasty tapas. Triana is quite a hip area and there is plenty of restaurant and cafe choices on your doorGiana Spiteri step. The Mercado de Triana is a good spot is a local writer, to find everything specialising in from paella to oysters to croquettes. lifestyle, beauty

& travel.

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Italy

France

Italy has a free, public wine fountain! Yes, as if you needed any more incentive to visit this Mediterranean country, in the beautiful region of Abruzzo on the shoreline of the Adriatic Sea, you can find a free wine fountain in the small town of Ortona. The concept was brought to life by Dora Sarchese Winery owner Nicola D’Auria and his architect Rocco Antonini with the idea of serving free flowing wine to those travelling the Camino di San Tommaso. Although the winery will not reveal the specific type of wine, reviews from travellers are positive. However, it’s not the first public wine fountain in Italy because Venice has a wine fountain in St Mark’s Square during its annual carnival.

Fastest Roller Coaster If you need excitement, adrenaline and a dopamine rush, you can get all that when a new roller coaster being built outside the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh opens. The ‘Falcon's Flight’ roller coaster will travel about two and a half miles at speeds of up to 155 miles per hour at a record-breaking height of 525 feet and will set world records when it opens at Six Flags Qiddiya theme park in 2023.

Five Unusual World Facts

Jet Lag Jet lag is often the worst part of travelling. Science has proved that jet lag feels worse if you travel from west to east. Our internal clock has a natural cycle of sleep/wake modes that is slightly longer than 24 hours. Travelling from west to east makes the day shorter, while travelling from east to west makes the day longer, making it easier for the brain to adapt.

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The country with the most time zones is France, with 12. The reason for this is because France still administers overseas departments and territories placed far away across the world. Otherwise Russia and the USA cover 11 time zones.

Space Hotel Reserve your rooms now and get ready to go where no man has gone before! The Gateway Foundation has announced the opening of the world’s first space hotel, The Voyager Space Station, in 2027. The hotel will be constructed over 11,600 square meters of habitable space in the shape of a Ferris wheel. Its rotation should create artificial gravity. The gravitational power will be weaker and closer in strength to the one on the moon. Apart from the spectacular view and design, the lack of gravity will create a totally new experience, feeling and sense.

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TRAVEL

ANXIETY MANY OF US AVID TRAVELLERS CREATE A TRAVEL BUCKET LIST FILLED TO THE TOP WITH INSPIRING AND EXCITING ADVENTURES WE DREAM OF EXPERIENCING ONE DAY. Unfamiliarity can make us anxious. And this is especially true during travel since its very nature is about exploring new and unfamiliar places. From the shock of unknown places and cultures (including those that use a different language from your own) to busy airports, jet lag, tourist crowds or unread work emails at home – travel anxiety strikes us all in different ways - at any time. It is impossible to soak in the wonders of a travel destination when our mind is racing. Many individuals find the mere thought of traveling incredibly stressful. Travel anxiety coincides with the conventional meaning of anxiety, which is described as chronic and sustained worry that is significant enough to impact your daily life. But in this case, it is explicitly sparked by travelling. People can experience travel anxiety in response to different triggers, but the symptoms can be similar to those of general anxiety and may include changes in sleep and eating patterns, mood changes, racing heart, sweating, and feelings of being out of control.

PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Anxiety is frequently brought on by feeling uncertain or not being in control of a situation, which is why it's essential to prepare for your trip as much as you possibly can before hitting the road. For anxiety specific to travel, taking small steps to prepare as much as possible in advance can help lessen the severity of your symptoms and help you cope more easily. If you are catching a flight, try to allow plenty of time to get to the airport so you aren't feeling rushed, for example, and look up your terminal in advance. If you are staying at a new hotel, reach out to them in advance and ask if there is anything you should know before traveling or anything you should be aware of before check-in.

TRY STRATEGIES TO RELAX YOUR MIND Our mental health practices are still effective abroad. Whatever your favourites are: breathing exercises, meditation, saying positive affirmations, online therapy or simply doing something you love each day (like running, taking photos, reading a book or listening to music) – it is essential to make time for your mind to keep travel anxiety at bay.

DISTRACTING YOURSELF WORKS WONDERS Something as simple as distracting yourself while traveling can really help. Having some of your favourite activities on hand can feel comforting if you are experiencing anxiety while travelling. Bringing a favourite book or audiobook, or turning to a favourite mobile game, can help to distract you during a flight or in a car. When you get to your travel point, try to incorporate a few tasks that are part of your daily routine. Doing so may help you feel more comfortable and way less stressed. This can include taking an early morning run or walk, meditating, journalling, or stretching it out with some yoga.

VISUALISE YOUR TRAVEL DESTINATION Whether it is sipping piña coladas on a tropical white sand beach, hiking to the top of a mountain, or kicking back by a roaring campfire in the woods, picture yourself having a wonderful time there. Some individuals are triggered with anxiety simply by all the planning and steps it takes to get to their destination. It might be an airport, train station, a your own car or a rental car, it can feel overwhelming and stress-provoking. The reason why you wanted to travel can be easily forgotten. Visualising yourself outside of the stressful travel experience and safely at your destination can help to calm your nervous system down. Naturally, a chilled glass of fizz or cocktail can also offer calming qualities.

AVOID FOCUSING ON WORST-CASE SCENARIOS It is important to do what brings you comfort and ease. If focusing on a

worst-case scenario triggers your stress, consider what would bring you to a level of comfort. For example, If you are driving a long distance and are afraid of getting lost, maybe look up a few different routes you could take and bring a backup charger for your phone in case of an emergency. If you are worried about being in an unfamiliar area, reach out to loved ones that may have visited where you are going, or join an online travel group or forum that can give you more information and make you feel more at ease. Always have some practical and emotional safety nets to give you a sense of confidence.

BRING HOME COMFORTS Similarly, bringing home comforts like a favourite pillow or book can help you feel grounded and at ease in a new destination quickly. This will inject familiarity into an unfamiliar setting – and make you feel comfortable enough to immerse yourself in your new culture and surroundings. Learn relaxation techniques before you leave and use them while you are on your trip. Research shows that mindful meditation can help to significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. Breathing deeply, relaxing your muscles, and grounding yourself can all help you relax and deal with anxiety.

TIPS TO HELP OVERCOME ANXIETY ABOUT TRAVELLING: • Identify your triggers • Plan for certain scenarios • Plan for responsibilities at home while you're away • Bring plenty of distractions • Practice relaxation • Travel with friends • Consider medication • Find the positives in travelling Wherever your travels take you, it is important to approach your journey as simply a part of the process. With some positive, measured steps, you can navigate through any potential travel anxieties and have a wonderful, stress free travel experience.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 30

APRIL 2023

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It’s always the way… when you are born and bred in a place you don’t explore the area as much as you do when you are a tourist. That’s exactly how I approach London now, returning as a visitor and finding all the hidden places that I haven’t been to before. The City of London is very different to when I was growing up in the capital. Skyscrapers dominate the skyline, and despite the pandemic, applications have been put in for ten new tower blocks in a sign of investor confidence.

news is that there are plenty of benches and places to sit down. It’s worth a visit just for the incredible 360-degree views and there is also the opportunity to grab a drink at the Sky Pod Bar or get a bite to eat at the Darwin Brasserie. The Shard, named because of its resemblance to a shard of glass, was once the tallest building in Europe (now the seventh tallest) but still has the accolade of being

If you want to check out some amazing views, there are no shortage of buildings to ascend. The Sky Garden is located in the heart of the city’s financial district at 20 Fenchurch Street in the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building, nicknamed because of its distinctive shape that is said to resemble a two-way radio handset. Access to the Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden with lush greenery and landscaped gardens, is free of charge, but you must book in advance. The good

the tallest building in the UK. The Skydeck offers unparalleled views over the city, but unlike the Sky Garden you have to buy tickets to take the high-speed lifts from Level 1 to Level 68 in sixty seconds to access the viewing platforms on the 68th, 69th, and 72nd floors. The sunset time slots are understandably popular but a night visit is a fantastic experience to see London lit up in all its glory below you.

Tower Bridge is an iconic London landmark that is a feat of Victorian engineering and one that is known the world over, but did you know that you can go inside? Opened in 1894, the bridge spans the Thames from Southwark to Tower Hamlets but due to lack of use it closed in 1910 and didn’t reopen until 1982. Another interesting fact is that any vessel more than 9m (30ft) tall, can request the

bridge to open at any time, day or night. You have to buy tickets but this is definitely a must-do visit for the family where you can visit the Engine Room, view London from a high-level glass walkway between the towers, and also learn more about the construction of the bridge inside the Tower Bridge Exhibition Room.

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Trip out! best travel accessories of 2023

APRIL 2023

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1. sony wh-1000xm5 wireless noise canceling headphones

7. basu ealarm plus 130db emergency alarm

9. incharge 6-in-1 portable keychain charger cable

On the flight, the tried-and-true WH1000XM5—an undisputed upgrade from its predecessor in both comfort and noise-cancelling—is a winner at extinguishing clamors of babies crying or air conditioners, and lets you enjoy your own library of soothing white noise. Just be careful of losing track of the flight attendant's announcements.

If you love to go hiking on your own, the safe thing to do is to get an eAlarm. This little gadget doesn’t require reception and is louder than a whistle at 130 decibels. When you pull the pin, it will sound continuously for 30 minutes or until you put the pin back in. Those bears surely won’t stick around with that kind of noise.

Power is everything when traveling, and a lot of times our chargers can take up tons of space. The inCharge is the size of a small keychain and has six different charging input and output combinations to provide power to your phone, headphones, e-reader, smartwatch, and more. For quick reference, the inCharge has these specific ports: an input USB-C, an output USB-C, a USB-A, and an output lightning plus micro USB.

2. larq self-cleaning purevis bottle When the worst possible lost-in-thewoods scenario comes and you must reserve to taking a scoop from a sketchy stream in the mountain, LARQ's auto-bacterial-killing bottle will come in handy to purify 99 percent of bio-contaminants out of your water. (Or simply use it because different countries have different standards regarding tap water.)

3. tile 4-pack mate essentials So, you can (finally) stop losing things in hotels or restaurants and caving in to the hassle buying a new phone or AirPods in a foreign city or country. Those higher tax rates are no joke.

4. vanelc portable uv light sanitizer wand Just in case your voyage takes place during the cusp of yet another pandemic (do we even know if we are out of the last one?), this handy sanitizing light wand you can fit in a pocket will be able to rapidly sterilize those surfaces frequented by many before you.

5. twelve south airfly pro Simply put, it's a TikTok viral gadget that'll connect your AirPods—or any wireless headphones and earbuds—to the airplane TV. A godsend for your inevitably long, dull flight across the country, or the globe.

6. jepwco g4 pro anti spy detector You never know what kind of creepiness is lurking at your hotel room or AirBnb. Hence, a wireless hidden device detector that'll blow the cover on those pinhole cameras, audio bugs, and trackers. And, it doesn't look like a detective's walkie-talkie, which is cool.

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The ritual of packing for a trip— out of town or across the globe— has come a long way from travel guide books to advanced gadgets. Before, it was just about checked luggage, travel backpacks, and your clothes; the techiest travel essentials you'd bring was probably a set of power adapters. Now, there’s a whole high-tech society of travel gadgets occupying your suitcases and duffel bags whenever you prepare for an outing, short or long, near or far. We have picked out our top 30 travel gadgets 2023 available to purchase online that we guarantee will make your adventures easier and more efficient than ever before. And will be the envy of all your friends. Practical and covetable – it’ll be tough to decide which one to add to your kit first!.

8. glocalme g4 pro 4g lte mobile hotspot Anyone who’s tried out the digital nomad lifestyle knows the world isn’t as connected as you might hope. Wi-fi in hotels, Airbnbs, and cafes are usually not reliable, and it’s a hassle to get local SIMs, especially if you’re going to many different countries. This device gives you peace of mind with a connection pretty much anywhere you go (as long as there’s cellular service). Simply buy a package via the Glocal app (on Android or iPhone), and get internet access in more than 140 countries on up to 10 devices. Unlimited data globally is about $200 per month, though there are cheaper and shorter plans if you’re going to specific locations.

10. perilogics universal in flight airplane phone holder mount If you're looking for a better phone holder for eye-level viewing, then this mount will do the trick. The universal design makes it easy to clip in all types of smartphones for a multi-angle adjustment. Place it on the plane seat in front of you for viewing or onto a nearby table for a quick Zoom call before your flight.

11. luminaid packlite max phone charger A revolutionary 2 in 1 gadget from LuminAID this lantern also doubles up as a phone charger. This super cool travel gadgets is also waterproof, floatable, offers up to 50hrs of light and can be recharged via main or solar energy. Perfect for back country adventures, camping and ‘in the dead of night’ astro photography shoots! It’s one of the most unique travel gadgets on the list.

12. scrubba washing bag If you know you will away from a washing machine for quite a long time (ie. when you are on an overland African Safari!) having a mini washing machine in your bag can make staying relatively clean a whole lot easier. Grab a Scrubba washing Bag in 1 of 2 sizes depending on your needs, and don't worry anymore if you shoulld wear that tee the inside out tomorrow.

13. gotenna mesh sms & gps device Stay connected even when you’re off-grid with the goTenna Mesh. Allowing you to send texts without cell service, this handy gadget is also weatherproof and has up to 24hrs of battery power.

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Travel in the UKcoastline to

jestic wild and unspoilt From Northumberland’s ma the most Dorset beaches, England has the breathtaking beauty of . ’ll ever see incredible shorelines you s bursting with charm and It is also home to many seaside town places such as Whitby from brimming with traditional delights . hton Brig of vibe to the cool at changeable but that can be England’s weather can be somewh life, with daffodils bloomnew one of the joys. Spring is full of cream at the beach and ice g eatin in ht delig we mer sum ing. In ces when the trees sedu mn Autu ide. trys coun picnics in the gs snow, sledging brin er wint and ge, oran turn bright red and le. istib Irres fire. a of t and roaring nights in fron but enchanting locations: Let us look at two very different ide town. Visitors have flocked Margate is England's original seas beaches, out of this world suny sand its for s 1730 the e sinc here s like the shell grotto. ction attra ist tour ue sets and uniq

There are several positive reasons why visiting locations in the UK is a fabulous idea:

Less travelling

Forget hours on a plane or sat in an airport; with a UK break, you rarely have to travel more than a few hours to get to your destination. This means more time enjoying your actual holiday and less stressing about catching your flight or sitting on a crowded plane. Driving? You can also stop and stretch your legs whenever you decide, or coordinate some sightseeing on the way.

Inspiring countryside

For those who enjoy country strolls, more challenging hikes and even adrenaline-rich activities, there is something for you. From the spectacular glens of Scotland to the thatched cottages of the Cotswolds, there are few places as diverse as the British countryside. Honestly, is there anything more lovely than relaxing in a pub garden, enjoying some wonderful views?

Amazing Coastlines

For those who adore the sea, crashing waves and amazing skylines above the water, there are miles of incredible coastline to explore. As an island, the UK has a unique richness

and celebrate age-old reSeaside kitsch is uber-cool. Visit fish and chips, inspiring hes, sort-town traditions – sandy beac er sunset whilst settled on the Turn us famo a ure Capt od. seafo restaurant. seafront steps or a seafront bar or , symmetrical streets, neoclasIn Edinburgh you will find wide es and beautifully preserved spac open n gree , ings build sical to the 18th century. back g datin es hous town Georgian that flaunts both the old and The city is a charming destination n will enchant you with its Tow Old l ieva med nt quai The . new ts and centuries old buildstree ing wind ow, narr , quaint pubs gising atmosphere and ener an ides prov n Tow ings. The New offers something for that city stic maje a is fantastic museums. It of Europe's most one as n know is it everyone. Understandably, beautiful destinations.

regarding coastlines. Envisage the turquoise waters of Cornwall to the unspoilt bays of Wales. Imagine the fossil-rich Jurassic Coast in Dorset and Devon. There are countless, breathtaking areas to discover and explore. Whether you love fishing or surfing, maybe relaxing with an ice cream, you will find yourself making unforgettable memories.

Culture and History

If you adore theatre, comedy or live music then the UK has some of the best entertainment in the world. Step back in time at London's famous Globe Theatre or take in a West End show. Visit the ballet or opera for high-end. Perhaps something a little more modern - visit the famous Edinburgh Fringe or Glastonbury for the biggest live festival in England's legendary home of enchanted and mythical.

Be Environmentally friendly

If you choose to travel by coach, boat, car or train rather than by plane, you will reduce your 'carbon footprint.’ This helps the environment. Scientists' predictions suggest that we have only a decade or so to make some serious changes to the way we live - and travel. Changing our behaviour will help manage the destruction that has already been made to our planet. Not flying is one very significant way we can all contribute. Use public transport, or simply pack up your car and drive to your chosen destination. Cyclists can even bring their bikes along for the ride.

Natural Beauty

We enjoy countless choices when it comes to the great outdoors in the UK. From the rugged coastlines and sandy beaches of Devon and Cornwall to the snow-capped mountains of Scotland, there is inspiration for all travellers. Amid the lush green spaces, forests and woodlands, Great Britain offers an abundance of breathtaking scenery. A considerable amount of it with historical significance that many have travelled extensively to view.

Boost the UK economy

Without becoming too political, wherever you decide to holiday, you are contributing to the UK economy and supporting tourism in this country. This will prove incredibly helpful for businesses now and in our economic future.

Superlative Gardens and Gardeners

As early as the 17th century, horticulturalists of the British Empire explored exotic destinations to bring back unusual plant specimens. The UK's relatively mild climate, an early taste for landscapes as works of art and the fortuitous genius of 18th-century landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown have produced an abundant array of ravishing and fascinating gardens across Britain. When planning a UK holiday, be assured that there are destinations to suit all kinds of travellers and your experience will be memorable.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 34

APRIL 2023

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MADEIRA JUNE TO SEPTEMBER FROM: £590 PER PERSON

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• Direct Return flights (inc Taxes) • 20kg checked bag • Airport taxes • Transfer to and from hotel • 7 nights in a 4* hotel with breakfast.

@ElitetravelGibraltar 40, 44 IRISH TOWN, GIBRALTAR GX11 1AA, GIBRALTAR TEL: +350 200 49401 • www.elitetravelltd.com Voted Europe’s Leading Island Destination at the World Travel Awards in 2020, Madeira’s warm climate, combined with its unique location, makes it a great year round destination. If you want a bit of winter sun, you will find average temperatures around 16ºC during this season. The main island of Madeira is volcanic, with luscious green valleys, steep rugged cliffs and pebbly beaches. Most of the beaches are pebbly, although there are a handful that aren’t, including Seixal in the north-west of the island which is known for its photogenic black sand. A few miles away are the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz, where you can swim in the crystal clear waters without worrying about the waves.

Madeira – Not Just a Piece of Cake!

Madeira Island is one of the best locations in the world for whale and dolphin watching. From November to March, humpback whales and other species can be seen off the coast of the island, and there are plenty of boat trips with experienced guides and spotters to choose from. The pleasant climate makes it possible to grow a myriad of plants from all over the globe and a visit to the Madeira Botanical Garden and Palheiro Gardens is a must if you want to see some truly stunning tropical plants and beautiful flowers. No wonder that the island's nickname is the “Floating Garden of the Atlantic”.

WHAT DOES THE WORD ‘MADEIRA’ CONJURE UP? MAYBE IT’S A LARGE SLAB OF CAKE OR A GLASS OF ITS FAMOUS FORTIFIED WINE, BUT THERE’S MUCH MORE TO THIS GROUP OF PORTUGUESE ISLANDS SITUATED OFF THE AFRICAN COAST IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, AND NOW IT’S MORE EASILY Funchal, Madeira's capACCESSIBLE AS YOU CAN GET A DIRECT FLIGHT FROM MÁLAGA TO MADEIRA DURING THE MONTHS ital,lies on the island’s south coast. Take time to FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER. stroll through the Rua de

Santa Maria in the old town and enjoy the colourful Painted Doors project where every door has been turned into a work of art. Stop For those who love outdoor pursuits there is lots of opportunity to off at one of the many cafés, bars and restaurants offering both traget out and about in the natural habitat, whether that is hiking or biking. The extensive natural reserve and coastal cliffs offer stunditional and international cuisine. Take the cable car up to Monte Palace Tropical Garden or,if you’re up for something more unusual, ning views.There are also eleven cascading waterfalls to visit that speed down the hill on a Madeira Toboggan Ride in traditional wicker are dotted all over the main island, amongst the more well-known basket sledges drive by two men (carreiros). are the 100m high Risco Waterfall group located in Rabaçal, Paul da Serra, part of the Madeira Natural Park. The Rabaçal viewpoint, Madeira, get in touch located at Pico da Urzeon the Paul da Serra plateau, offers unforgetTo experience the delights of special prices for tablescenery within a vast wooded area. From this point you can see ring offe are who el with Elite Trav and hotel. sfers tran the Rabaçal valley, one of the most beautiful in Madeira, surrounded ts, fligh ding packages inclu by the lush vegetation of Laurisilva forest, a 20-million-year-old subtropical rainforest deWORDS BY JO WARD clared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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A WOODWIND QUINTET FROM GIBRALTAR TRAVELS TO ANKARA A woodwind quintet from the Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment recently travelled to Ankara in Turkey, where they spent three days playing music in a variety of locations. During their visit, the quintet were given a tour of the British Embassy, a visit to the Turkish Army Military School of Music and a visit to a British Embassy school. Included in their trip to the British Embassy School in Ankara, the quintet hosted a workshop which focused on teamwork and listening skills through games and activities, culminating in a joint play through some of the band’s music. The musicians were delighted to be able to meet a traditional Turkish band where they learnt about traditional instruments such as a bağlama (a guitar-like instrument with a long handle and played with a plectrum) and a kanun (a string instrument like a piano played by resting on the lap and plucked using a metal plectrum). A member of the quintet, Corporal Panter-Richardson, who is originally from Turkey said: “I enjoyed returning to Turkey to represent the Regiment and translate for my colleagues. It was fun to show the quintet some of the famous sites and let them experience the wonderful Turkish hospitality and taste the famous Turkish cuisine. It was a momentous occasion for me to visit Turkey and it was a highlight of my musical career.” On the final engagement, the band performed at the British Embassy, in the presence of the Ambassador, the Turkish Chief of Defence Staff and various other high profile guests. Upon completion of the trip, all members of the quintet were each presented with a coin from the British Embassy, Ankara for their dedication, commitment, and performances.

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Hey Art Lovers! We have lots to tell you about as we have had a very exciting month with our Ace Art Revolution Exhibition at Gustavo Bacarisas. Months of planning and hard work culminated in a very busy week where we spent 3 days prepping and hanging artwork which filled the 5 vaults at Gustavo with exciting contemporary art and photography. We went on PR overdrive promoting the event with plenty of media coverage for our artists appearing on live GBC TV, live radio and podcast interviews as well as feature articles in the Gibraltar Chronicle. The opening night was very well received and saw our guests indulge in a world of exciting new artwork and an exhilarating performance by Nathan Conroy and the Recycle Junkies. Welcomed into the Gallery by Jana Nicole, guests were treated to a selection of her award winning botanical series. Jana Nicole wanted to celebrate her return to The Rock and pay homage to its natural flora and fauna and created the Mons Calpe collection. Mons Calpe is inspired by Gibraltar and pays tribute to our oldest Barbary apes Mercedes and Giorgio. The two original designs are out now and consist of a limited edition series of 25. Heath Kane is a politically orientated artist who has exhibited alongside Jana in the past, was very excited to visit Gibraltar and was thrilled to witness Jana Nicole get attacked by a local Barbary ape. He stood there recording the moment whilst Jana struggled to keep hold of her bag. Jana did not find this so funny but the rest of us did. Thanks for that Heath! Originally from Australia and now based in the UK, Heath introduced us to a different style of art and delivered his message, which everyone understood and appreciated, none more than the Bayside GCSE and A Levels students. Accompanied by their Head of Department local artist Karl Ullger they had the privilege of meeting and speaking to the artists. This was a very special moment for me personally and the artist themselves as our mission has always been to inspire and support the next generation of artists. Apart from introducing new international art to Gibraltar we always work with, support and promote local artists. On this occasion we had Stephen Hermida headline

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our Photographic vault and Naomi Martinez showcasing her award winning photography and new unseen digital series. Stephen has had his work published in prestigious magazines such as the National Geographic and has exhibited his work in New York amongst the top 50 Humanity Photographers. He is on a mission to get photography seen and appreciated as an art form as he believes this is lacking in Gibraltar and our Revolution exhibition has offered him the platform to do just that. Naomi Martinez has been the recipient of many local awards. She is a multidiscipline artist and is currently exhibiting in both Gibraltar and Spain. Ace Art really wanted to showcase her digital series that was

photographer based in Cadiz who plays with light, shade and exposure to create amazing shots. Marco is working on a new Gibraltar inspired series, so watch this space as we will have more news soon. Ramon Maiden with his original tattooed pin up girls and Rich Levine with his geometric illustrations completed a very different contemporary exhibition. You can find more information on our artists and their work at www.aceart.gi and follow us on social media to stay informed. I would also like to thank everyone who has attended the event, the artists involved and The Wine Shop, Silver Key Estate Agents, GBC and Gabriella Peralta who all helped to promote and sponsor our opening night.

inspired by her Grandfathers photographs which she has brought back to life and added vibrancy with her colourful style. Well done Naomi! We also had works by Monica Popham, Gail Francis-Tiron, Zulaika Vallance, Delia Balaguer and Warren Fox. The exhibition line up was completed by Marco Prizont a very young but mature

WORDS BY JP BAUTISTA

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WORDS BY STEVEN GONZALEZ GFA 40

APRIL 2023

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RESILIENCE THROUGH SPORT SESSIONS DELIVERED WITH THE MINDSPACE PROJECT TO ST JOSEPH’S UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL YEAR 3 PUPILS. THE GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION AND THE MINDSPACE PROJECT TEAMED UP TO DELIVER A RESILIENCE THROUGH SPORT SESSION, TO THE YEAR 3 PUPILS, AT ST JOSEPH’S UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL DURING THE MARCH INTERNATIONAL WINDOW AS PART OF THE SCHOOL’S PROJECT WEEK. the importance of teamwork and the power of positive thinking.

The aim of the morning’s activities, which took place at the Europa Point Sports Complex,was to encourage the children to believe in themselves and demonstrate how when approaching anything that they may find themselves faced with, adopting a positive mindset with belief in themselves, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. The sessions were run by Gibraltar FA Coaches and experts from the Mindspace Project’s Team and began with the children being divided into groups. First up the pupils were involved in various activities that encouraged them to trust each other and work as a team. The Mindspace Project then got the children to think about how their different feelings when they achieve something they have been striving for, and conversely and how they feel when they don’t achieve a particular goal or target, they may be setting themselves. With interaction

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Another key part of the morning was the emphasis on the value of perseverance and how it is essential to overcome all obstacles and achieve success. This is something that is key to any footballer becoming successful in his or her career.

a key part of the sessions, the pupils discussed theirspecific feelings and learned how to train their minds to transform negative thoughts into positive ones and alsohow to help their friends and classmates deal with any of their negative feelings. The children were inspired to have a positive outlook and to believe in themselves and their abilities. Through the activities and using football as a vehicle they were shown and learned

The Gibraltar FA is committed to empowering children through sport and encouraging them to develop important life skills such as resilience, teamwork and positive thinking. The session with St Joseph’s Upper Primary School was a great success and the children left feeling motivated and inspired. The Association is committed to activities like these will continue to work with organisations like the Mindspace Project to do all it can to empower Gibraltar’s youngsters and help them realise their full potential whether it be in a sporting environment or in their general lives.

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FEATURE

Wave FC

WORDS WORDSWORDS BY BYSTEVEN JOHN BYGONTIER XXX GONZALES 42

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FEATURE CLOSING THE GENDER EQUALITY GAP THROUGH FOOTBALL Gibraltar Wave has existed since March 2021. What`s our difference from other clubs? We are the first women-only football club in Gibraltar`s history. This was done without taking a single player from the other four clubs as we want to help develop women`s football and give the female community in Gibraltar a platform to help improve their Body and Mind Health. We are working very hard to be the Web3 Metaverse club of the 21st century and brands like https://www.sponsoo.com/p/gibraltarwavefc and https://blocksport.io are helping us in finding ways to grow. Reducing the Gender Equality Gap motivates and drives us along with our community-enhancing efforts.

URBAN #3X3EACHSOCCER At Gibraltar Wave we play 11-a-aside soccer, futsal and invented and patented #3x3eachSoccer. In our first season, we qualified directly for the Champions League finals in Beach Soccer. We are specifically looking for sponsors to take the team to Nazaré (Portugal) where the Champions League finals in Beach Soccer will be held and also working to create a #3x3eachSoccer World Tour kicking of in Gibraltar streamed to the world for which we are looking for a broadcasting partner like DAZN.

OUR PREFERRED SPONSOR Ideally, we are looking for a sponsor who knows exactly how difficult it is to find sponsors in women's soccer and who is willing to tread a common path with us. Furthermore, the brand should be willing to break new ground and work very closely with us, because only together can we achieve our goals. Our sponsor knows that every cent counts and that our players are all amateur. https://blocksport.io Blocksport is a Swiss SportsTech. They build web3-ready platform solutions for the professional sports and entertainment industry to enable NFT and Fan Token use cases for their fan community. Their solutions open untapped revenue streams and strengthen the community engagement. Blocksport provides a unique digital ecosystem solution that combines fan applications, fan tokens, and NFTs for sports entities. It`s a place where clubs can Discover, create, and distribute NFTs to satisfy the demand of their fans and help raise funds to keep sports club running and entertaining sport lovers worldwide Blocksport is Shaping the future of sports and that of Gibraltar Wave FC with an app we`re very proud of.

COMMUNITY INTERGRATION AND AFFILIATION WITH MONS CALPE Does partnering with men's clubs help or hinder women's football teams? Historically, women have been discouraged from involve-

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ment in sectors of society, including participating and competing in sport (European Commission Citation2014, United Nations Citation2019). This has especially been the case for traditionally male-dominated sports such as football (Caudwell Citation 2011). Football represents a typical example of strong gender bias, with women accounting for less than 10% of total registered players, 28% of the total administrative workforce, 25% of the total management staff and 7% of the total coaches (FIFA Citation2019a). Giulianotti (Citation1999) and Williams (Citation2007) indicate that football institutions have been historical active opponents of the women’s game. However, it can be argued that governing bodies have shifted towards becoming supportive of women’s football development more recently (Gammelsæter and Senaux Citation 2011). In 2018, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) launched the first-ever global strategy for women’s football, in which it stated its goal for all its 211 National Associations (NAs) to have dedicated women’s football development programmes by 2022 (FIFA Citation2018). Actions of meso level institutions, such as NAs or public authorities responsible for sport policy making, are decisive for the advancement of the sport. According to Soss and Schram (Citation2007), policies can play a key role in altering conceptions and influencing public attitudes and perceptions. This is of particular importance to women’s football, due to it being positioned within a complex and gendered environment (Pfister Citation 2010, Allison Citation 2016, Citation 2017). Nonetheless, literature to date has dedicated limited attention to analyse NAs’ engagement with policies aimed at furthering the growth of women’s football (Bell Citation 2012, Kjær and Agergaard Citation 2013, Woodhouse et al. Citation 2019, Añorve Citation 2020).

We did our homework and decided in affiliating with Mons Calpe men`s team while still keeping Gibraltar Wave independent. It`s good to see UEFA and GFA interested in not only Empowering women in and through football. Gibraltar stands a much better chance of doing much better in women`s football than men`s as men`s football is much more advanced in Europe. However, the distance to the top in women`s football is shorter. Over the last decade, women’s football has experienced an unprecedented period of growth. This is an achievement the industry as a whole can be most proud of. Though, this is only the first step – a step in the right direction, of course – but only a first step all the same. There is still so much more work to be done to realise the game’s full potential. The sustainability of the modern football club is built on three fundamental pillars: the men’s team, the women’s team, and the academy. UEFA have recently seen many men’s clubs, including some of the traditional heavyweights in Europe, investing in the women’s game and launching and developing successful teams. However, women teams also need to be "independent" to be able to grow on its own right. The Future pillar of Football is Women`s football and the society should back efforts of clubs like Gibraltar Wave FC. The reality is that the growth of women’s football can only be achieved through taking creative action. This responsibility does not lie with just one organisation alone, but will require the whole women’s football community and its stakeholders to play their part. Improve women’s football competitions and nurture the next generation of talented female players. I have been in the game long enough to fully understand the inequalities that exist and our ability to do something about it. I’m therefore proud Gibraltar Wave is doing something to change things but we need backing not from sponsors and from the authorities like GFA, UEFA and FIFA who to be honest are working hard on making things easier for us the the women`s game. Inspiring creative action to help clubs drive a better tomorrow for women’s football Full scale gender equality in football is an ambitious goal but one that we and many embrace today. We need to work as a collective, from top to bottom, to be the changemakers needed to enable the women’s game to grow sustainably, We want to thrive and ultimately to prosper. Gibraltar Wave is ‘first of its kind’ in Gibraltar and maybe in Europe too!! Football Fan App is another great platform that is kindly giving Gibraltar Wave exposure. Football for women needs all the support it can get. Liking a news story as we have seen many fans and readers do in Gibraltar Insight is an excellent start and makes us proud.

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Early detection of lung International Hospital

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Single visit Pulmonar 47

• Medical consultation pulmonologist

INSIGHT PHARMACY MEDICAL DIRECTORY USING THE GHA APPOINTMENT SYSTEM Same day appointments – Only when necessary: If you need a same day appointment call 200 52441 between 8:15am and 11:00am If you need an emergency evening clinic appointment call 200 52441 between 4:00pm and 6:00pm Advanced Appointments: Patients who wish to make an advanced appointment or a telephone consultation with their named or preferred GPs may do so for up to 4 weeks in advance by; Calling 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm Booking online via Gov.gi: By using the Gov.gi eServices app

Other Services: Patients who wish to use the following services, • Over70’s Driving Medical • Blood Clinic • Well person or Sexual Health Clinic • Smoke Cessation Clinic May either a) Call 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm, b) Book online via Gov.gi c) On the Gov.gi eServices app

Other Primary Care services: Cancel an appointment - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm or do so online via www.gha.gi Repeat Prescriptions – please call 200 07909 between 11:00am and 3:00pm or do so online via Gov.gi or in the Gov.gi eServices app Sick Note - please fill in the required form online via www.gha.gi or Gov.gi General enquiries - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm. For urgent medical advice, patients can call 111 at any time. 48

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ON DUTY PHARMACIES The Opening Hours for the Pharmacies On Duty Are: Monday – Friday: 7pm-9pm Weekends/Public Holidays: 11am-1pm & 6pm-8pm Duty Pharmacies for April: 4th April to 10th April 2023 Mill Pharmacy 21-21a City Mill Lane Tel: 200 50554 11th April to 17th April 2023 Wesley Pharmacy 229B Main Street Tel: 200 67567 18th April to 24th April 2023 Cumberland Pharmacy 33 Cumberland Road Tel: 200 67557 25th April to 1st May 2023 Trafalgar Pharmacy Trafalgar West one Unit G1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 44406

Please contact our main Call Centre on Tel: 20079700 or the Hospital Pharmacy on Tel: 20007107 for any queries.

PRIVATE CLINICS Aria Medical Group Dr Marco Vricella Cosmetic Surgery with complete peace of mind

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HEALTH & WELLBEING WORLD

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE WEEK

MARCH 27TH TO APRIL 2ND MARKS WORLD AUTISM ACCEPTANCE WEEK. THIS YEAR’S THEME, COLOUR, HIGHLIGHTS AND CELEBRATES THE DIVERSITY OF THE SPECTRUM. Autism is more common in males than female. Research has found Autism is approximately 4.2 times more prevalent in males. Additionally, signs of autism are different between sexes. Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. Autism is a spectrum. This means individuals with autism will need varying levels of support. In order to understand more about Autism and increase awareness, members of the community have shared their views on living with Autism. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Karla and Tamara for sharing their views and contributing to spreading awareness this Autism Acceptance week!

What do you wish everybody knew about Autism? “I wish people knew that being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It just means your brain is wired differently hence the reason it works in a different way. It is also not the end of the world. Although it might have been when they first diagnosed my son (reason being I knew nothing about it), I quickly came to understand that he was perfectly healthy and that he was still the same little boy. That just because he's autistic, does not categorise him into a different human being. There's a saying that says 'if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism'. Not everyone with autism is the same, just like not everyone on earth is the same. EVERYONE on earth is different, despite their abilities or disabilities. I also wish people knew that you can't see autism. It's very heartbreaking to hear comments like 'but he looks perfectly fine'. The fact is, he is perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with

What is Autism? Autistic people may: • find it hard to communicate and interact with other people • find it hard to understand how other people think or feel • find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable • get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events • take longer to understand information • do or think the same things over and over him. People with autism THINK differently to us, and have been put in a world where it makes no sense to them. How is that visible? They have differences that we call 'challenges' because WE don't understand how to handle them. But with the correct tools in place, we can learn to understand them better, and they can learn to live in a world that is not catered for them. It's a disability that no one can see, and it's hard for us as parents and for them as individuals. The perfect world would be one where everyone would accept anyone the way they are. Everyone is unique in their own way, and autism doesn't make it any different. Why should I teach my child to act like a 'normal human being'? What is a 'normal' human being anyway? My biggest wish would be for people to be aware of the differences in autistic people and understand that they are just different, just like you and me, and everyone else, but not less!” - Karla Imossi

“That Autism does not have a cure, it’s a lifelong disability. It does not come with a handbook or instructions. Reading about Autism does not make you an expert and all children/ adults are different, and what applies to one does not necessarily work for another.” - Tamara Colton

What are the biggest challenges to those living with Autism/their carers, in Gibraltar? “Access to respite, proper medical and mental management, little resources to maintain a steady and constant care. Everything that needs to done or achieved for our children/ adults is a struggle, nothing is explained when a diagnosis is given and the issues are growing every day. It’s a growing problem as the numbers increase and no proper things are in place”. – Tamara Colton If you think you, your child or someone you love could be Autistic there are various people you could speak to. Receiving a diagnosis is important as it will help put appropriate support systems in place. People who may be able to advise you include: • a GP • a health visitor (for children under 5) • any other health professional • special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child's school More information and support can be found at https://www.autism.org.uk Or locally: Special Needs Action Group www.facebook.com/SNAGgib

WORDS BY ALASKA SANZ, GHA 50

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

How to Make your Skin Glow from the Inside Out The best way to truly get your skin to glow from the inside out is by ensuring that you eat the right diet, including a variety of superfoods, but there are other ways to boost the appearance of your skin. Studies show that supplements like collagen, vitamin C, and multivitamins may help improve certain aspects of skin appearance.

Collagen

Collagen is a naturally produced protein that is found everywhere in our body, from our intestines to our skin, muscles, and ligaments. You may notice some telltale signs as you get older that you are deficient in collagen. This can include: your skin losing its elasticity, developing wrinkles, stiff tendons and ligaments, less flexibility, and reduced muscle mass and increased weakness. If you’re looking to support your skin ageing healthily, you might want to consider taking oral collagen supplements in your mid-to-late twenties. But it’s never too late, collagen has health benefits at any age. HB Collagen Tablets are ideal for those with an active lifestyle. They provide high grade collagen which is hydrolysed to improve absorption and include other essential vitamins and minerals. HB Collagen Support Gummies are tasty strawberry flavoured gummies, clinically proven to promote our body’s natural collagen production. They contain biotin and vitamin C to aid in synthesis of collage production which helps with the skin’s elasticity.

Hyaluronic Acid

Don’t be put off by the word ‘acid’! We produce Hyaluronic Acid naturally in our own bodies as it helps to keep our skin hydrated. Hyaluronic Acid acts like a magnet for water, helping to lock in moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Get glowing skin with Holland & Barrett's Hyaluronic Acid Capsules. Each capsule contains 20mg of hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in skin hydration and rejuvenation.

Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Daily Moisturiser is a good way to start the day as it deeply moisturises the skin, is super hydrating for a long-lasting glow and protects against environmental stressors. If you want to use a serum, try Oleus Hyaluronic Serum. This is a lightweight serum that works to intensely hydrate the skin leaving it looking plump and smooth. It works to help support the skin's natural barrier leaving you with soft, firm and youthful skin.

gen and brighten dark circles, and it also contains Aloe Vera to soothe.

Vitamin A

If you have dry or sensitive skin, then you might want to opt for a retinol cream which will contain some form of moisturising ingredients. If you have oily or combination skin, then it may be worth using a retinol serum because most of them are water-based.

Vitamin A is famed for its contributions to youthful, supple skin. It’s an antioxidant, a substance which disarms the harmful free radicals present in the body. It can also encourage (healthy) oil production, leaving you naturally moisturised. Our vitamin A levels deteriorate if we don’t keep them up, so it’s important to consume a range of vitamin A-rich foods such as: fish, dairy products, eggs, carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens. Did you know that when you eat foods with vitamin A, your liver transforms it into retinol? Vitaskin Vitamin A Intense Cell Renewal Oil is packed with Retinoids and Carrot Seed Oil containing high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin E to help promote softer, smoother and visibly younger-looking skin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful superfood and antioxidant that is needed to maintain a strong immune system and is a key ingredient in giving you healthy, radiant skin. Holland & Barrett Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum has been formulated with high quality, natural ingredients, selected to help you to hit the skin reset button. Use Grounded Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and plump skin with 20% Vitamin C to help boost the production of colla-

Retinol

Retinol’s main appeal is that it stimulates collagen production - keeping skin firm and helping to limit the appearance of wrinkles. Pure retinol is only available via prescription, but there are lots of retinol products readily available online and on the shelves, but which one should you choose - retinol serum or cream?

HB Oleus Retinol Facial Serum available from Holland & Barrett will help stimulate the production of new skin, leaving your skin looking super youthful with an amazing healthy glow.

Superhero Combination

If you’re looking for a superhero squad of skincare products, try a combination of hyaluronic acid, retinol and collagen. Using hyaluronic acid, retinol, and collagen together is considered safe and shouldn’t cause any adverse side effects. In fact, hyaluronic acid and retinol can help each other by outweighing the slight downsides of each. Advisory Information: Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.

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Just ask us T & C’s Apply. Selected items only. Subject to availability.

Need some advice? Why not ask one of our experts? Visit our stores at 53 & 160 Main Street GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

BRITAIN’S CHOICE

2022/23

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Expertly trained

FEATURE

T he Showdance Company Students from Showdance took part in a warm-up session and the presentation of competition pieces at Central Hall on Sunday 19th March. This was to enable the dancers to build up their confidence by working on their dance pieces in front of an audience before they go on to compete in the Global Dance Qualifier to be held on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April.

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PACS

IN OUR LAST ARTICLE, WE FOCUSED ON OUR MONDAY GROUP, TOTALLY TODDLERS. FOR THIS MONTHS ARTICLE, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OUR TUESDAY GROUP.

WELCOME TO

Play Sense

Over the years it had come to our attention that many of our children find our traditional playgroups too loud and overwhelming. Last year we finally achieved our goal of a new sensory friendly playgroup. To ensure that this

Harbours. This group is less structured and we only put a selection of toys out. Upon arrival the children have the freedom to chose what they would like to play with. There is a tent, a ball pit and penty of ride on's. For many of

in the door without holding tighly to their Mum's hand. Those children are now skipping happily into the hall ready and raring to go. Its such a valuable session for children and parents who enjoy a quieter space. When the

group remains small we ask people to pre book a space. We only offer a maximum of ten spaces to ensure we provide a quieter environment. The session opens at 9.45 and finishes at 11.15am at The Family Centre in Mid

the Mum's this group provides a great space to chat about the highs and lows of parenting and to sit on the sofa's whilst their child plays. When we started back in September, we had children who were reluctant to come

children leave we love to watch the smiles on their faces and can’t wait to do it all over again. Come along for yourselves to see what we’re about!

What's On @ PACS TOTALLY TODDLERS - MONDAYS 9.45AM - 11.15AM Mid Harbours Family Centre. Come join us for Storytime, craft and play. PLAY SENSE - TUESDAYS 9.45AM - 11.15AM lay Sense from 9.45-11.15am at Mid Harbours Family Centre. A quieter play session for those children who may find our other sessions overwhelming. To book, please email pacsgib@gmail.com BUMPS & BABIES - WEDNESDAYS 9.30AM - 12.00PM The Methodist Church. Our regular social catch up for parents to be and babies in a home from home atmosphere. This is a relaxed session where parents can meet up with their young babies to enjoy a cup of tea, make friends and talk about the highs and lows of parenting.

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED! always on the If reading that inspired any of you, we are s well received, alway is help Any teers. volun lookout for new le. There is peop of bunch great a with ng and you’ll be worki through our never a dull moment! Please contact us ation! Facebook Page if you’d like more inform

COOKING CLUB – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY The Methodist Church. A fun session aimed at toddlers aged from 2.5 upwards giving children the chance to make and try different foods. Booking required. SENSORY STORY TIME – THURSDAYS 12.30 - 2PM The Methodist Church. Come join us for some interactive Story Time Fun! Different themes every week! DIDDY DISCOVERERS – FRIDAYS 9.45 - 11.45AM The Methodist Church. Come join us for free play, story time and song time fun! MONTHLY CRAFT CLUBS Ages 2.5 upwards. Details will be announced on our Facebook page. FACEBOOK FOR D FOLLOW US ON PLEASE LIKE AN R GROUPS. OU OF TES ON ALL REGULAR UPDA DSOCIETY PARENTANDCHIL FACEBOOK.COM/

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POLICE INSIGHT

HMGOG MINISTER FOR EQUALITY, SAMANTHA SACRAMENTO, VISITED A "WOMEN IN POLICING" INFORMATION STAND AT THE PIAZZA. THE MINISTER HAD A CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE "I CAN DO THAT" CAMPAIGN WHICH WAS LAUNCHED TODAY BY THE RGP’S WOMEN IN POLICING COMMITTEE. FIND OUT MORE AT POLICE.GI/WOMEN-IN-POLICIN

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FEATURE As I made my way down to the Ivy at Ocean Village this past St Patrick’s Day, all I could do is reminisce. I reminisced a whole lot as to how the world and everything has changed in just three years. Three years ago, obviously the world was a different place, and the word lockdown was the word everyone feared but of course as we all know it was inevitable and it did happen. The pandemic was not kind, but it was a huge positive for the Gibraltar Music Scene. Some musicians used it to their advantage and ended up getting to work on projects they unfortunately may be never had the time to work on and some would give it their all via the weekly Friday Night Live program. The event was already full of promise as it would feature the debut of new local band Cedar.

Of course, the moment came, and Cedar took to the stage and might I add how fantastic it is to see Patrick Murphy and Daryl Pallas in the same band again. For those new to the Gibraltar Music Scene, Patrick, and Daryl at least in my eyes formed part of one of the hottest bands to ever emerge from the Rock in Headwires. Alongside their friend Evan Torrente they performed and developed into not only amazing musicians but also reliable ones at that. Cedar also features Harry Meenagh and Bradley Hewett. The band sounded fantastic! They had their audience in the palm of their hands and with heavy riffs, catchy lyrics, and great chemistry, they are a breath of fresh air to the Gibraltar Music Scene. Do not sit on them, go, and see them at their next performance. PS their cover of Boys In The Better Land by Fontaines D.C. is better than the original.

A Blend of Experience makes it a Happy St Patrick’s Day For All!

And to cap off a fantastic night of music, we were treated to seasoned veterans in Jetstream. They kicked off their set with their own track Delta Blues and the rest featured a vast array which featured an

To kick off the event we were treated to three great acoustic acts in Maisy Beth, Max Anderson, and Ethan Rocca. All equally as talented and props especially to Max for still performing even with a drastic cold! As one covers more gigs, one remembers the first time they saw said performer and that was all I could think of when I saw Ethan Rocca take to the stage. I may sound like a broken record when I say it but the first time, I ever saw Ethan perform was in 2010 and he was a part of a stellar cast In Stage One’s show Yesterday When I Was Young. Ethan has really evolved since and of course has become a very experienced performer and

As mentioned above Max Anderson had a bad cold but he soldiered on and treated us all to an exceptionally satisfactory performance. That for me gets high praise and kudos as he could very well have cancelled but in the immortal words of Queen, The Show Must Go On. I really like his way and I look forward to seeing what else he is cookin’ very soon.

one that I had not seen in a while prior to the gig and wowed me with his prowess. Following Ethan, we had Maisy Beth take to the stage. Maisy is someone I had not seen admittedly but I must admit she was mesmerising to listen to. She is soulful, and I really liked her sound throughout. It is all down to the feel as well and aside from myself, it was cool to witness others being glued to what she was doing, and it was a performance worthy of two thumbs up from me.

awesome medley of Bruno Mars’ hits, Coldplay, Queen, you know just what you would have on your own personal playlist. The Jets since I last saw them perform have added John Fredy Garzon on drums. He really has adapted to their sound very well and is really good. Overall, a fantastic night of music and one that was enjoyed by all in attendance. Special thanks to FutureSoundz and the Management at the Ivy for their top class hospitality as always.

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FEATURE

Letting Go TO LET GO IS TO RELEASE, TO SURRENDER, TO TRUST THE PROCESS.. My younger brother died last week. He was 8 years younger than me so I knew him before he was even born and I remember the day like it was yesterday even though it was over 60 years ago. I remember it as possibly the most exciting day of my life and I was able to tell him that in those last days when he was clearly slipping away. He had had a stroke …. An incredibly young and fit man who was healthy and strong and devoted to nature. He was making an amazing recovery from the stroke and, as he did not have a wife or children, I became his next of kin and he was discharged to live with me to continue his rehabilitation. We had a wonderful two weeks and then he suddenly had a second stroke. This time a ruptured aneurysm, and it was massive. He was given two hours to live. He was blue lighted to the nearest high-tech ICU and defied all odds by regaining consciousness and coming through several procedures. We were warned that his physical strength along with a phenomenal spirit may well keep him alive but that the damage to his brain would most likely leave him severely impaired both physically and intellectually. Although he was wired up to more tubes than should have been possible, he was never on actual ‘life support’ so there was never an opportunity to make the life/ death decision for him and so he kept on coming through and proving that his mental function was much greater than could have been anticipated. And, while greatly impaired, it was clear that with

time and intensive rehab, his physical function was also very promising. One by one the tubes were removed and the return to health continued, albeit with the highs and lows of a roller coaster. He was not for letting go and as his communication improved so too did his chances and he was given a place in a highly sought after brain rehab unit. This had taken three months but finally we got there… only for him to get a brain infection and be swiftly moved back to acute neurology. The following three weeks were a blur of antibiotics and Donald coarsing his way through infection after infection. He pulled through again and was on his way back into rehab but it was not to be. Another infection, more brutal than the last, got hold of him again and his strong, lithe little body just could not sustain this one. It was decided to put him onto palliative care and let him go. This last stage came about so suddenly and was brutal. He knew what was happening (I told him gently and carefully – he had to know) and he was scared. I was not alone in this mission, I had the unconditional support and strength of my dear and trusted friend, Martin, who held me energetically, physically and emotionally so I could do the same for Donald. We took turns at sleeping through the night and holding him, reassuring him and encouraging him to let go. It was a heartbreaking gift and a sacred experience. On the final morning he had relaxed and was in a peaceful and deep sleep. It was beautiful. But the most beautiful part was when he suddenly opened his eyes, looked directly at me. (his eyes hadn’t opened for four days), turned and looked directly at Martin, then looked up to a spot on the ceiling, staring wide eyed for 10-15 seconds. I remember jumping out of my chair and saying ,excitedly, “who has come for you Donald?” He closed his

eyes, put his head back on the pillow and was gone. He had finally let go. And he was at peace. I am relating this story as it is still raw and real and the message is so profound that I believe it merits sharing. We are all going to die and, regardless of how accepting we are of this fact, or what our beliefs are, death is unknown and it is the biggest, and most important letting go we will ever do. And we have no choice. There are many letting go’s throughout our lifetimes and they all carry pain and freedom. We hold onto the familiar, even when it no longer serves us, because it is known. We hold on to jobs, relationships, houses, friendships…. The list is endless. Of course, it is important to work through difficulties and challenges before moving on or else we just reel them in again until the lesson is learned. Sometimes letting go can be running away which is not going to work either. So, we must be careful to not run away prematurely and neither to hold on to what has already gone. Having helped my baby brother with his biggest letting go, I am acutely aware of taking on board the reassurance and encouragement that Martin and I were able to give him, that it was safe for him to let go. To witness the childlike beauty with which he was able to trust us and to let go so gracefully is something I feel I have been trusted with, allowed to hold and must continue to hold and share for reasons that will surely become clear as the future unfolds. Trust the process, it is safe to let go and you are enough. Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH. Spiritual coach, teacher and healer. The University of Light Group www.thehealingretreat.net katemch@gmail.com • +44 7712889534

WORDS BY KATE MCHARDY

APRIL 2023

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VICTORIA & BRETT, MARRIED IN GIBRALTAR ON 1ST MARCH 2023. PHOTOGRAPHER JENNA BROWN

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HOROSCOPES

YOUR FUTURE IN THE STARS

APRIL WITH KATE MCHARDY

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 23)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

This month is your period for transformation and transmutation, Aries. This simply means that you can safely act upon your intuition to bring healing and health to yourself and others. Trust the process.

You may find it hard to ‘go with the flow’ this month, Leo as you are certain that there is a better way than the one you are being presented with. But do it anyway. The flow is not necessarily the easiest way. When you heart and head work together miracles happen.

You are familiar with the power of manifesting, Sagittarius, and now it is time for you to utilize this power for the highest good of all. This is not easy as the ego likes to remind us of all the injustices that we have been subjected to but ……..only love is real.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21)

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

Concentrate on your inner happiness this month, Taurus. If you have been feeling a sense of overwhelm then just stop what you are doing and take a few moments to rebalance your thoughts. Do this with some EFT Tapping or with a favourite mantra.

Ask yourself what your life would be like if you opened your heart completely, Virgo? It is a challenge, for sure, but when you do it steps at a time, you will find happiness, healing, abundance and love.

Pay close attention to the stars and the constellations this month, Capricorn. Whether you understand it or not, you are a Universal being connected to the stars. Tune into their wisdom by looking at them and thinking about them. Particularly Venus, also known as The Morning Star.

GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22)

Look at your challenges this month, Libra, and choose to see them as opportunities for growth. Do this from within a bubble of self-love and you will quickly realise just what each one has come to teach you. Open yourself up to the inspiration, support and messages of hope that are all around you.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23) Try to spend some time in nature this month, Gemini. Your soul is craving for the peace and sense of oneness that only nature can bring. We are all nature beings and our lives depend on remembering this and actively maintaining the connection.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19) With faith, you are invincible, Aquarius. You may have temporarily have lost belief in yourself but you are being reminded to trust the truth in your heart and know that faith does not waver. This is your rock solid foundation.

CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 22)

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

You will be tested this month Cancer and you are guided to tap into your innate wisdom and practice compassion. Accept that you are made of divine light and that you are evolved enough to override the ego and connect with the planetary energies that keep life balanced.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

The only truly important law of the Universe, Scorpio, is the Law of Love. And it is probably the hardest one for us to let go to. You can practice by sending love and light to the first person who pops into your mind. No judgement... just love. It works!

This month finds you preoccupied with going back to nature, Pisces, and seeking more fulfillment from the natural bounty that we are surrounded by. Treat yourself to a couple of good books and watch some documentaries to acquire more information and to get started!

For Private Readings Tel: (0034) 666 966 502 Email: katemch@gmail.com Facebook Group: Horoscopes Gibraltar

APRIL 2023

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FEATURE

SOS

FUNDRAISING FOR THE NEW DOG SHELTER IN LOS BARRIOS

The SOS Perrera de Los Barrios shelter for abandoned dogs over the border in Spain has often been subjected to torrential rain and flooding that occurs not just once a year, but often twice. This has caused devastation to the kennels leading to huge salvage operations from locals in the Campo de Gibraltar area as well as people from Gibraltar who have come together to find temporary shelters within foster carers and private kennels for the animals. However, this creates incredible stress and danger to the dogs and volunteers as they evacuate the dogs. Carol Newman, part of the fundraising team for the charity, explains how the cost of running the original site is about €200,000 a year and money is still needed to keep that going at the moment. Thankfully, due to the generosity of two very generous donors, one a businessman from Gibraltar, funds have been provided to purchase a more suitable piece of land on higher ground where the dogs will be able to stay in a safe and secure environment until they can be found permanent homes. Carol says that all the plans have been approved and it is a beautiful large piece of land that is quite high up so it won’t be liable to flooding in the future. “There will be loads of room for play areas for the dogs, with an on-site veterinary clinic which will be available for people from the local community to take their dogs to if they can’t afford to pay full price vet fees.” Added to this there will be a visitor's centre and an education centre. “We want it to be based on the idea of a UK shelter, and not have it called a pound anymore,” Carol states. If anyone knows the UK TV programme ‘The Dog House’ that follows the rescue charity Dogs Trust matching homeless dogs with hopeful dog owners, Carol says that they hope to emulate that with fenced off areas so that there are no distractions when dogs meet their potential adopters. “The fundraising that is ongoing to keep the current pound running is nowhere near enough to cover the massive costs of building and equipping a new shelter,” she says. “The land has been fully fenced now and water has been installed and we are ready to start planting trees to line the fenced perimeter, but we still need a huge injection of funding to continue with the build.” Los Barrios is essentially a council pound that holds approximately three hundred dogs. “All dogs, regardless of age or condition, whether they are pregnant or have puppies, are accepted into the pound,” Carol says. “Once at the pound, they are cared for, fed and receive veterinary care, including spaying and neutering.”

Eight hundred dogs a year pass through the pound, with a third being adopted, mostly in Spain, some in Gibraltar, and the rest going to countries in Europe. Adopting or fostering a dog can be life changing, not just for the dog who benefits from a safe and loving home, but also for the adopter and their family. For all the love we

S S

SOS PERRERA Los Barrios

give them, dogs seem to always give us triple the love in return. The pound is run and funded entirely by volunteers and donations. “We have a lot of Spanish volunteers as well as a high percentage of foreigners, including British, Scandinavians, Germans, and Finnish,” Carol states. “A lot of the dogs go to Finland and Germany as well as to the UK.” There are also people who volunteer their services, such as a lawyer, who are not involved directly. Fundraising is a constant task and instead of just thinking about doing small fund-

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE BY: Bank transfer ES19 2100 8508 5402 0018 7104 Via the Go Fund Me account: ‘Help Los Barrios build their new shelter’ (the money goes directly into the SOS fund), or via PayPal through the website: www.perreradelosbarrios.com More information can be found on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/soslosbarrios

raisers which is what has happened in the past, Carol says that they now need to make it bigger. “There is no way that we can make the money that is needed just in the local area,” she states. In an attempt to raise more funds, Carol is currently applying to international animal funds. “I have got three applications in at the moment, to funds mostly based in the UK, but they supply funds all around the world and in Europe and we are waiting to hear back from them.” Another great way to support the charity is by popping into the SOS Los Barrios Charity Shop Duquesa, situated in the Gallery area in La Duquesa Port. The shop is full of good quality second hand items and clothing and generates a regular income for the charity. “All the money raised in the shop goes into the fund for the new shelter and anything that is raised outside of the general week-to week, monthto-month running of the pound is also put into the shelter fund.” Carol would like to thank everyone for their support. “Now we have the hard task of raising enough money to make the shelter the best place we can for all the discarded dogs in the Campo Gibraltar. This task is huge and we ask everyone to raise as much as they can, in any way they can!” Just as we were about to publish this article, the fundraising team had some fantastic news. “One of the foundations we applied to, The Sunley Foundation, have pledged £100,000 once the build is under way. Also one of the vets that helps on castration days has pledged to buy the equipment for the new veterinary centre.” Carol says, adding that they are ‘over the moon’ to learn about this wonderful support. You can help the SOS Perrera de Los Barrios team make their dream a reality and ensure that the dogs will not have the fear of flooding each and every winter by donating to the fund.

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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ADOPT

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Spanish Stray Dogs UK

DON JUAN

BELLA

Don Juan arrived at the pound in De.’22 and was about 3 years old. He’s a friendly little fellow that gets on well with all other dogs and enjoys playing in the patio. He adores people and would spend all day getting strokes and cuddles.

Bella is a lovely little lady who is around 2 years old. She is great with people, and enjoys playing with children and other dogs. She is really affectionate and enjoys hugs, she is looking for a family to shower her with love.

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

More info: www.ainf.gi

Spanish Stray Dogs

ABEL

SNOWY

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Snowy is an absolutely beautiful boy who is around 2 years old. He is affectionate and gentle with people and gets on with other dogs well. He was found abandoned and now just wants a forever home and lots of love.

Sweet Abel arrived at the pound in Feb. ‘23 and was about 6 years old. From the very first day,all Abel wanted was cuddles. He is a sweet boy that enjoys human company. He’s a friendly little fellow that gets on well with the other dogs. He is a nice small size and would fit nicely into any family that has love to give.

More info: www.ainf.gi

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

APRIL 2023

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

A VET'S INSIGHT

A LIFETIME COMPRESSED

INTO 15 YEARS

A COMMON COMPLAINT I GET FROM CLIENTS IS THAT THEY TAKE THEIR PETS MORE THE VETS THAN THEIR OWN CHILDREN. There are a few reasons for this: Primarily these companion animals are totally dependent on humans for their existence. They exist because man has bred these animals to fit certain stereotypes that are favoured by the whims of humans. Animals have been selectively bred with short noses, long noses, short legs, long legs, big and muscular, thin and sinewy etc etc, the list is endless. As a direct result of this we do not have natural evolution with the survival of the fittest but we have created animals with genetic defects that often leads to illness and physical deficiencies. As a direct result of this we generally have to take pets for veterinary care more often than a wild animal. Another reason is that our pets are totally dependent on us, they can’t make a judgement call and decide that they should pop down to the vets for a check-up. As they can’t communicate their health is totally

dependent on their carer, who has to pick up on symptoms of malaise and seek medical care for them when necessary. Also we treat a pet earlier than we would treat ourselves in many cases. For example, we live in a dense urbanised environment so if you take your dog out and it has diarrhoea you will seek out veterinary care far sooner than if it was yourself. There are few things worse than having to pick up liquid stools!! However I don’t believe you do go more often to the vets more often than you do for yourselves or members of your family, relatively speaking. Our companion animals live for an average of 15 to 20 years, human’s life for an average of between 70 and 80 years. This means that their life and all potential illnesses are compressed into a far smaller timeline. Animals suffer from the majority of diseases that

humans do, obesity, diabetes, liver, kidney etc , just at an accelerated rate due to their shortened life span . In my estimation over our lifetime we are probably more likely to seek medical assistance more than often than your pet, especially due to fact that many of us are hypochondriacs. So keep loving those pets and give them the care they deserve, their life is short, make it great!!!.

For more information please phone Gibraltar Vetinary Clinic on 200 77334

WORDS BY MARK PIZARRO GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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TOMMY

PUMPKIN

Poor Tommy’s owner passed away leaving him homeless, sad and confused. He's a big boy, is around 3 years old and is very friendly and loving. Tommy needs to find stability again in a home that will give him time to adjust. He’s not suited to living with dogs.

Pumpkin is a funny, cheeky, loving 9 year old girl. She is looking for a home with an experienced cat family that will give her the time, patience and reassurance needed for her to really be herself. Pumpkin’s suited to a home with no other cats or young children.

More info: (Facebook) @SaveGibStreetCats

APRIL 2023

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

MATTHEWS JEWELLERY & REPAIRS

Huevos a la Flamenca

Cash for gold, Jewellery repairs, Engraving, Watch straps and batteries 4/4 crutchett's Ramp - Gibraltar - Tel/Fax 20050478

This is a perfect breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, popular throughout Andalusia. I tried to find out the exact origin of this, but it was impossible as there are so many different varieties, and so many places laying claim to it. Sometimes I add some crispy ham on top, and it’s definitely improved with good bread and a glass of red wine on the side.

INGREDIENTS • 1 Egg • 227g Tin Chopped Tomatoes (tomate titurado) • 145g Garden Peas • 1 Potato

• 65g Chorizo Chunks • 1/2 Onion • 2 Garlic Cloves • Olive Oil

METHOD 1. Dice the potatoes into smaller pieces and fry in oil until soft. 2. As the potatoes are frying, chop the onions and garlic into small pieces. Fry a separate pan, until soft and add in the chopped tomatoes; cook together until simmering (taste the tomato sauce, if it’s too sharp add a teaspoon of

sugar.) Add in the peas and chorizo. 3. Once the chips are all ready, mix together with the tomato sauce and other ingredients. 4. Pour everything into a terracotta bowl. 5. Crack 1 egg in the centre of the dish and place in the oven at 180°C until the egg is cooked.

For more delicious Mama Lotties recipes visit:

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APRIL 2023

Fill in the details below and send it, with the completed crossword, to GBZ Media Ltd, 8 A, Unit 6, Crutchett's Ramp,Gibraltar. Entries to be received before 24th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all correct entries and will receive a £50 voucher to Las Iguanas, Gibraltar. Entries must be 18 years or older.

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BMI Group are an established and a leading real estate agency with a strong presence in Gibraltar. Over the past three decades we have successfully played a key role within the local property market and acted as consultants for major residential and commercial developments such as, Atlantic Suites, Kings Wharf, Buena Vista Park Villas, The Sanctuary and The Anchorage to name but a few. BMI offers sales, lettings, commercial, management and consultancy services to a wide portfolio, including banks, law ﬁrms, accountancy ﬁrms, gaming, high net worth clients and private clients.

BMI GROUP ESTATE AGENTS info@bmigroup.gi

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WORDS BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT # B M I G ro u p APRIL 2023

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