The Gibraltar Magazine August 2021

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE August 2021 | Vol.26 #10

THE

LA ALEGRÍA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR NEXT DESTINATION

AUGUST SCOREBOARD SPORTS ROUNDUP

RELOCATING IN A PANDEMIC THE BEST AND WORST PLACES

Loss, Life, and Love NALANIE CHELLARAM

BEAUTY ADDICT BELIEVE THE HYPE?

THE AWAKENING ST MICHAEL’S CAVE IMMERSIVE LIGHT SHOW

Student Experience

Better in Gibraltar

Less time travelling to and from university means more time for you Discover a better student experience unigib.edu.gi

from the editor

AUGUST ISSUE EDITOR'S NOTE The days are longer, our sleeves are shorter, and the weather is just right.

How have you been spending your summer so far?

AUGUST: THE SUNDAY OF SUMMER.

Some of you have had your nose tucked in a good book – and we asked you all about it. After a period of only reading prisoner autobiographies right before bed, I’ve taken our resident bookworm’s advice and have begun reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. A great read, and the nightmares have stopped! Head over to Hello There for more (p. 8)!

Emma and Jamie have spent their summer wisely, indulging in a trip to nearby winery Bodega Bentomiz, and they’ve returned with some suggestions (p. 63)!

Thomas has been refining his art skills, and is this month teaching us the perfect way to draw a single fruit – namely, an orange (p.49).

Christine (my aunt, but more importantly, ASWAD’s biggest fan) interviews ‘Drummie Zeb’ of popular reggae band ASWAD, who you may have seen performing on Armed Forces Day in Casemates – 15 years on from their last gig on the Rock (p. 55).

And lastly, we have the beautiful Nalanie Chellaram gracing our front cover.

Nalanie’s recent book, Loss, Life, Love is quite exceptional in its rawness and emotion. With a spiritual thread running through its core, her book explores grief in all its entirety, juxtaposing extreme sorrow with acceptance and joy. Head over to our Book Club for a little review (p. 52), and read Joel’s interview with the lovely author herself (p.45).

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

Furry Friends

Lulu

Wolfie

Jack

Daisy

Mickey These stylish pups are loving their new Gib Mag leads!

Would your furry friend like one? Head down to 241 Main Street (Masbro) to pick up your very own – for free!

Don’t forget to take a photo and tag #GibMagPets for a chance to be featured.

EDITOR:

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Sophie Clifton-Tucker editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com DESIGN: Justin Bautista design@thegibraltarmagazine.com SALES: Advertising Team sales@thegibraltarmagazine.com DISTRIBUTION: DHL martin@matrix.gi ACCOUNTS: Paul Cox paul@thegibraltarmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Eran and Ayelet Mamo Shay Jorge v.Rein Parlade Alex Orfila Andrew Licudi Emma and Jamie Zammitt Julia Coelho Pete Wolstencroft Gianna Stanley Jess Leaper Marco Arturo Richard Cartwright Sophie Clifton-Tucker Carmen Anderson Christine Clifton-Psaila Joel Francis Thomas Maxwell

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Views and opinions within articles are contributor's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine.

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly

by Rock Publishing Ltd Portland House, Glacis Road, Gibraltar, PO Box 1114 T: (+350) 20077748 E: editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com © 2019 Rock Publishing Limited.

All rights reserved.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine. www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com Magazine & website archived by the British Library 6

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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content

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08 Hello There: Give us your summer reads!

10 News

BUSINESS 16 Relocating in a Pandemic: The Best and Worst Places 19 Jumping on the Bandwagon

LIFE 25 A Zookeepers Diary: School Tours and Field Trips 31 The Awakening: New Light Show for St Michael’s Cave 35 What We Owe to the Printing Press 36 Rasta Birder: Paul Rocca

85 69

42 Meow: The Problem with Cats

LEISURE 63 A Nearby Winery Escape: Bodegas Bentomiz 67 The Scoreboard 69 La Alegría de Almería 72 Tinto Pesquera: The Wine that Changed a Region 77 Confessions of a Beauty Addict: Believe the Hype or Remove from Basket?

80 Sandals and Summer Shoes

REGULARS 86 Recipes: Pesto and Crema Catalana 88 Information 93 #GibsGems 94 Kids Korner 95 Coffee Time

SCENE 45 A Journey Through Loss, Life, and Love 49 Art Club: Painting Single Fruit 52 Bookish: 3 Books You’ll Love 55 Aswad: A Chat with Angus ‘Drummie Zeb’ Gaye 59 Crafting a Novella: Gibraltar’s First Writing Mentorship Programme

Don't forget to find the Hungry Monkey!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

COVER Nalanie Chellaram PHOTOGRAPHER Sophie Clifton-Tucker 7

hello there

GIVE US YOUR SUMMER READS!

Christian Sanchez, 7 Horrid Henry. Henry, is naughty boy who always wants to get his way and does not like being told of and he loves to play pranks on his well behaved brother Peter.

Talia Sanchez, 10 Student Tom Gates: Genius Ideas. It’s a fun book, full of interesting stories and characters.

Want to see yourself or your team featured here?

Get in touch at editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com and we'll send you our monthly question!

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

hello there

Jacek Zelazny, 30 Transport and Logistics Manager A Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Firstly because it’s short, secondly because it delivers an important message: to enjoy life and the beauty of this world!

Alicja Zelazna, 61 School Teacher

Genevieve Bossino-Soussi, 48 Business Development Manager at ISOLAS LLP

Recently, I have been reading a series of books by Polish author Agnieszka Krawczyk. It is a series called Przyladek wichrów (Cape of Wind), set in Dębki on the Baltic Sea. It is an emotional story about searching for understanding, love, friendship and an attempt to reach out to inner self. It encourages reflection on our lives and relationships with family and friends.

"It is worth listening to the sound of the sea, feeling the freshness of the breeze and getting carried away by stories about people who try to understand what is most important to them and what is worth fighting for."

The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond. “A reminder that rest is not an indulgence, but an essential.”

A thoughtful and enlightening read.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGST 2021

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news ACCESSIBILITY AT GIBRALTAR BEACHES Specialised equipment at our local beaches, such as amphibious chairs and mobile hoists, will provide easy transfer facilities from a standard wheelchair to the beach equipment.

Beach attendants are also at hand to provide any necessary assistance with the equipment.

The accessibility features at the beaches include ramp access from the road to the pergola units, which provide direct access to the shore at the beaches via

COULD YOU BE CABEZON’S FOREVER HOME? Cabezon is a loving, confident, cool boy with a dude-like air and a large head! He has bundles of personality.

Cabezon is an amusing character that makes us laugh every day.

‘mobi-mats’ (synthetic walkways specially designed for the transit of amphibious chairs on the beach).

These can be found at Eastern Beach, Catalan Beach and Western Beach.

Furthermore, at Camp Bay, an accessible ramp leads to the shore and the main swimming pool is also accessible via a ramp and wide steps. The Bathing Pavilion features motorised hoists to assist people with physical disabilities to enter the pools.

Each unit has a pergola that provides a certain element of privacy to carry out transfers, as well as providing a shaded area for users to enjoy.

Why anyone would abandon him on the street to fend for himself is incredibly sad. He’s 5 years old and is neutered. Cabezon spends every day in a cage. He needs his freedom, to experience the comforts of a home again, but most importantly, to have the love of his forever family. If you think that could be you, please contact us on Facebook: Gibraltar Cat Welfare Society.

Further to this, the Accessible Service Unit at Eastern Beach provides a beach tent that can be loaned out for weekly periods.

Accessible toilets are available at Catalan Bay, Eastern Beach, Western Beach and the Bathing Pavilion, with Changing Place toilets also available at Eastern Beach and Camp Bay, where the facilities at the latter were recently refurbished.

The accessible toilet at Camp Bay has also been fitted with a RADAR Key lock, which allows its use by Key holders outside of its normal opening hours.

RADAR Keys and RADAR Key locks are used in accessible toilets by people with certain disabilities who cannot use a standard toilet.

Granting a RADAR Key allows the holder to have the freedom to use accessible toilets that are fitted with this special lock at any time and not just when the accessible toilet is open to the general public.

RADAR Keys are available from the Ministry of Equality on the presentation of an application form. This form, as well as further information can be obtained by sending an e-mail to equality@ gibraltar.gov.gi or can be downloaded from the website www. gibraltar.gov.gi/department-equality.

Changing Place toilets offer the same facilities as accessible toilets, but also provide extra equipment in the form of overhead hoist systems and height adjustable sized benches and extra space in the room to accommodate extra carers or assistants.

For further information regarding the accessibility features at our beaches, please call 200 71648.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

news MRS GIBRALTAR CLASSIC

Edwin Reyes

The first ever Mrs Gibraltar Classic was held last Friday 9th July at the Inces Hall. The Ideal Productions team produced an entertaining show with the ladies going through intricate routines.

John De la Rosa

The show was presented by its Directors Angel Ressa and Mark Andrades, with entertainment by YDS and Dany.

The judges panel was composed of: Anita Lace, Irma Torres, Nathan Cox, Davinia Baglietto and Sara Carreras.

Chairperson Muskan Paryani.

Photographers;

Charlene Busuttil Hair stylists: Mayfair on Main Makeup artists: Star of India Rossanna Ressa & freelance Eva Fernandez & Fatima Ressa

The winners were as follows: Mrs Gibraltar Classic - 2021 - No.8 Jacqueline Ribeiro 1st Princess - No.7 Geraldine Hosken 2nd Princess - No.5 Palmina Ferrary Ana Luisa Ressa Award (charity award) - No.8 Jacqueline Ribeiro Ideal Production Award (best effort) - No.2 Angela Mendez Photogenic Award - No.6 Maggie Teuma Friendship Award - No.1 Audrey Soiza YGTV Award (Best interview) - No.4 Zoraya Fernandez Ideal Model Award (best catwalk award) - No.5 Palmina Ferrary Elegance Award - No.7 Geraldine Hosken In attendance were The Minister for Culture the Hon Dr Cortes and Shadow Minister for Culture Mr GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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news CETACEAN PROTOCOL The Department of the Environment would like to remind all boat users of the need to be vigilant whilst navigating in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGT and to respect marine wildlife by keeping a safe distance at all times and not interfering with any animals. Reports of migrating Fin Whales, for example, are a now common occurrence in BGTW during this time of the year when these majestic animals are seen making their way out of the Mediterranean towards their feeding grounds in the North East Atlantic Ocean. These sightings highlight the importance of our waters as a migratory corridor, not just for whales, but for a variety of marine wildlife such as turtles, sunfish, sharks and seabirds.

a vessel get closer than 60 meters unless in an emergency situation.

3. If whales or dolphins approach or appear within 60m of a vessel, the engine will be placed in neutral or stopped if possible.

4. Further information on the Cetacean Protocol can be obtained from the Department of the Environment's Thinking Green websitehttp://www.thinkinggreen. gov.gi/uploads/biodiversity/2018Cetacean_Protocol.pdf Loggerhead turtles are also strictly protected and also occur regularly during this period when the animals are observed foraging or migrating towards the Atlantic Sea. Some of them can reach as far as the Caribbean and North America. They may sometimes be seen floating motionless on the

surface basking in the sun. This behaviour is normal in Loggerhead turtles and the public is reminded not to touch or disturb the animals in any way.

The Department would once again take this opportunity to remind boat users that the Environmental Protection & Research Unit will be closely monitoring vessel activity to ensure that the requirements of the Cetacean Protocol are met. Any contraventions of the Protocol or the Nature Protection Act will be investigated and may result in legal proceedings being initiated against the skipper of offending vessels. The Department's Environmental Protection and Research Unit should called immediately on 58009620 if any animals are being disturbed or in distress.

All whales and dolphins are protected in Gibraltar under the Nature Protection Act and Gibraltar's Cetacean Protocol introduced in 2014. Under these laws, the following conditions must be strictly met by boat users at all times: 1. The free movement of cetaceans must be permitted in all directions by not intercepting their trajectory, cutting across their path, navigating towards or in close proximity to them.

2. Vessels are required to maintain a distance of 300 metres from any dolphin or whale if there are adults with young animals. The Protocol also establishes a 500 metre radius from the animals within which vessels are only allowed to travel at no more than 4 knots or no greater than the slowest animal in the group.

Under no circumstances must 12

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

news GHA’S DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES RECOGNISED FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PROFESSION

the Hon Samantha Sacramento, said: ‘I am delighted that Sandie’s remarkable contribution to nursing and healthcare in Gibraltar has again been recognised this time by the Royal College of Nursing.

This prestigious honour is testament to Sandie’s exceptional

professionalism and inspirational leadership in guiding the GHA’s nursing services through the extraordinary challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations, Sandie, on this well-deserved distinction.’

The GHA’s Director of Nursing Services and the Ambulance Service Sandra Gracia MBE has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Nursing in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing.

A Fellowship is the highest honour that the Royal College of Nursing Council can bestow on a member.

Minister for Health and Care,

50 wines by the glass 40 small dishes of Mediterranean cuisine 30 John Mackintosh Square GX11 1AA Gibraltar. Tel: 200 70201 info@vinopolisgastrobar.gi www.vinopolisgastrobar.gi GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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news PUNNY CORNER To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing Thanks to Leonard Pennant for sending in this pun! Do you have one to share? Email editor@ thegibraltarmagazine.com!

HMS PRINCE OF WALES MAKES A DÉBUT IN GIBRALTAR HMS Prince of Wales has made her first non-UK port visit to Gibraltar. Gibraltar will host the Royal Navy’s largest aircraft carrier for a short logistics stop from the 6 – 10 July.

The 65,000 tonne Portsmouth based carrier has spent the Spring/Summer on sea trials off the South Coast of England after receiving a series of upgrades and enhancements throughout 2020. The ship has recently rendezvoused with HMS Queen Elizabeth at sea for the first time 14

and HMS Prince of Wales has now operated with the state of the art F35 Lightning 2 jet. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth are both at sea at the same time and both able to operate the F-35 jet. Alongside the UK’s warships, submarines, helicopters and F-35 jets, these aircraft carriers make a significant contribution to NATO Deterrence and Defence.

For many of the ship’s newest sailors, Gibraltar is their first run ashore away from Portsmouth and the visit comes towards the end of an intense training period, including undergoing assessments under the watchful eyes of Fleet Operation Sea Training or ‘FOST’.

Excited to sample Gibraltarian delights, and having only recently joined the ship, Able Rate Susan Stobie said: “I’ve really been looking forward to Gibraltar. It’s my first trip away from the UK with the Royal Navy and it’ll be a good opportunity for the crew to relax after a quite busy period at sea!”

That busy period has included multiple milestones for the ship as it generates towards being a fully operational aircraft carrier. This has included the lengthy embarkation of aircraft squadrons on HMS Prince of Wales. First were the Apache attack helicopters of the Army Air Corps’ 656 Squadron and now the Wildcat maritime attack helicopters of 825 Naval Air Squadron. Both units and the ship working together to train new personnel in aircraft operations whilst also refreshing old hands.

The UK’s Carrier Strike capability (for which PWLS is generating) contributes to European regional security and prosperity in the face of threats to the international

order. It demonstrates that the UK is an outward facing, modern, responsible nation which takes its defence and security responsibilities seriously, and invests in them accordingly.

For Captain Darren Houston RN, the Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, the visit is particularly poignant as it is in Gibraltar where he will hand over the command of the ship to a new Commanding Officer; Captain Stephen Higham OBE RN. Captain Darren Houston said: “This is another moment in history for the ship and my sailors, as we partake in our first foreign port visit after an extremely busy period at sea, successfully completing our operational sea training, which is a critical milestone on the path of declaring the Initial Operating Capability for UK Carrier Strike capability.

As Europe’s leading contributor to NATO, the UK Carrier Strike Group will form a vital component of the UK contribution to the NATO Readiness Initiative. HMS Prince of Wales will directly contribute to the safety and security of the UK and our Allies, through NATO.”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

news FREEDOM OF THE CITY PROPOSED FOR THE GHA The Government intends to move a Motion in Parliament to bestow the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar on the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) and Elderly Residential Services (ERS). This is the highest honour that the Gibraltar Parliament can award.

This proposal is in line with the decision by Her Majesty the Queen to bestow the George Cross on the National Health Service.

The GHA and ERS have been at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 ever since the first case was detected in Gibraltar last year. The organisation rose to the challenge at many levels and across a number of different departments. The key priority in the first and second waves of the pandemic was to protect the beds available in hospital and to save lives.

Gibraltar can be well proud of the fact that we have become world leaders in testing for COVID-19 and also in the vaccination of our entire population aged 16 and over who wished it.

The Chief Minister will table a Motion for the Gibraltar Parliament to consider the matter before the adjournment of the House for the summer recess.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, said: 'It is a pleasure for the Government to use this very fitting moment to move the Freedom of the City, our highest civic honour, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

for the men and women of the Gibraltar Health Authority and Elderly Residential Services. We had already started to move the Freedom for our Emergency Services, having started with the RGP. Now, on the occasion of the bestowment of the George Cross on the NHS by Her Majesty The Queen, we are taking the opportunity to recognise the great work done by our health and elderly care professionals in the grant of the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar to the GHA and ERS. I have consulted with both the Leader of the Opposition and

Ms Marlene Hassan Nahon. Both will support the movement of the motion in Parliament. I expect to move the motion before the adjournment of the House for the summer recess.

'There is a lot we are doing now with our health professionals to ensure we deal with the issues we have to address in the service. This honour will not fix those issues that remain outstanding, but it is worthy of recognition of the magnificent job done in the past year and a half as the world faced an unprecedented pandemic.'

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business

RELOCATING IN A PANDEMIC The best and worst places for relocation in 2021.

T

he majority of people would agree that Gibraltar has been one of the best places in the world to live in during the pandemic, given the relatively low number of COVID-19 cases we had and one of the most successful vaccination programs in the world.

With a sizeable expat community in Gibraltar, not only from the UK, but from a wide variety of countries across the world, the past year has not been an easy one for those on relocation assignments.

According to a recent global survey by InterNations Organisation (May 2021), close to one in five respondents (18%) say that they have returned from a stay abroad earlier than originally planned. When asked about the main reason for their earlier return, many cite the desire to be closer to their family and/ or friends (22%), a job or business opportunity lost due to COVID-19 (21%), or concerns about their personal and/or their family’s health (16%). In addition, 12% were recalled by their own or their partner's employer, while one in 16

ten (10%) was worried about the local healthcare system in their host country.

Among those who were considering relocation, one in six (17%) had to stop their plans either to move abroad in the first place or to relocate from one foreign country to another.

Those respondents who had to put their international relocation plans on hold due to the pandemic often struggle with organisational aspects: 35% say that travel restrictions are the reason for their changed plans. One in five (20%) simply did not feel comfortable moving to another

country in such uncertain times, 11% could not or cannot find a job abroad, and 7% state that their work as a freelancer and/ or new business owner was made impossible by the pandemic.

But COVID-19 has not only disrupted relocation plans; when asked where they see the biggest impact of the pandemic on their personal life right now, expat respondents pointed out its effect on personal travel (25%), social life (23%) and their work and business (16%) in particular: Source: InterNations Organisation survey (May 2021)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

business Indeed, many issues mentioned by expats in the InterNations survey are issues that our relocation advisory team in Gibraltar has had to deal with over the past year, be it in relation to prospective newcomers to Gibraltar or expats living in Gibraltar.

So, which are the best and worst countries to relocate to in 2021?

The InterNations survey looked at responses from expats living in 59 countries, with a minimum of 50 respondents in each country. The survey examined parameters such as Quality of Life, Ease of Settlingin, Working Abroad (job security, career opportunities etc.), and Personal Finance (cost of living vs salaries).

The following are the 10 top and bottom countries to relocate to in 2021:

Source: InterNations Organisation survey (May 2021) For the third year in a row, Taiwan ranked top destination amongst expats primarily due to its Quality of Life and Working Abroad aspects. Expats GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

particularly favoured the quality of medical care there, the high level of personal security, high job security, and the strong local economy. Taiwan also ranked number 1 in terms of the Friendliness of the people there towards foreign residents. Mexico ranked in second place in the overall ranking, with top marks received in the Ease of Settling-In criteria (ranked second in terms Friendliness of the people to foreigners), and also does well in relation to Personal Finance and Cost of Living indices, with over 90% of respondents saying their disposable income is more than enough to cover their living expenses. Mexico however, performed badly in relation to Quality of the Environment and Personal Security aspects.

In terms of the Bottom 10 places, for the seventh time in eight years, Kuwait comes in last place in the survey.

Respondents ranked it lowest especially in terms of Quality-of-Life aspects such as in the Leisure Options, Personal Happiness and Travel and Transportation subcategories.

Kuwait is also the worst expat destination in the Ease of SettlingIn criteria, with majority of respondents commenting on the difficulty of to make friends with the locals there. Italy was voted the second worst country for expats in 2021, performing badly in the Personal Finance and in the

One in five (20%) simply did not feel comfortable moving to another country.

Working Abroad categories, with disposable income insufficient to cover living expenses and big difficulties for foreigners to find a job.

While Gibraltar was not included in the survey, two of Gibraltar’s closer competitors in the online gaming and finance sectors Malta and Cyprus - were ranked in the bottom 10 destinations for expats. This is particularly due to low scores on the Personal Finance and Working Abroad categories.

With summer traditionally being the time of year when most relocations take place, if you are planning on moving to or from Gibraltar, make sure to speak to us, as no relocation is the same and personalised guidance is often key to a successful relocation.

Eran Shay

Managing Director &

Ayelet Mamo Shay

Business Development Director of Benefit Business Solutions Ltd. (+350) 200 73669 general@benefitgibraltar.com

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JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON

After almost two years of little economic activity, negative growth, and very complex times for companies and entrepreneurs it looks like our ships are probably reaching calmer days. But beware that the sea of business is rarely ever calm.

A

brilliant Greek businessman of the past, Aristoteles Onassis once quoted “We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds. For the sea is rarely ever calm.” This coming from this fascinating man is very true and could be applied to any moments of our business careers.

Now that we are probably halfway through the worst of the pandemic we must move forward, no matter how complex and difficult things are. Think of all this darkness in the business world during all of 2020 and a great part of 2021. It has been very tough indeed for most entrepreneurs.

But it is during these crazy times that lucky spells do come along.

When the economy is doing well and everyone seems to be making GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

loads of money it is highly unlikely that you may find a market niche in a hot market. Property developers cannot find land at the right price. Food grocers find it difficult to buy batches of good quality products at discounted rates because the market is loaded with buyers. The stock market does not make much if profits have been on the rise for months. A lot of investors make substantial losses because of entering a market on the rise.

Here the old saying of: ‘If you see a bandwagon, it is too late to jump on it’ really applies. Things are not easy during an economic bonanza.

Trying to get a piece of the action when the train runs well past us is close to impossible. Let us remember the Californian Gold Rush days. A miner struck gold and made himself immensely rich.

Flocks of new miners followed

If you see a bandwagon, it is too late to jump on it. suit, joining the area, and some did find a little gold but nothing like the lucky first. Hundreds of thousands started flocking into the Californian rivers digging for the much-valued precious commodity. Only to realise that nothing was left.

It is fascinating to see how history repeats itself. A recent example is Bitcoin. In 2008 and during a further three years, Bitcoin was trading at $0.01-$20 per coin. Only a few investors took the plunge and invested heavily.

Most people did not bother to look closely into it or simply did know anything about it or hardly 19

understood it. It is fascinating to see that in 2017 the value per Bitcoin jumped to an astonishing value of $17,550 per coin, making initial investors hugely rich. This made new investors to get into the game in a big rush. Just like the Gold Rush in California. What the new investors did not realise is that the large profits had already been made and the timing was late to obtain the large amounts of profit made by the brave entrepreneurs that took the initial risk. The bandwagon was certainly formed.

This even at the time of publishing the article seems to be the trend.

There are hundreds of platforms pushing Bitcoin as an investment and different cryptocurrencies forming. The value of a Bitcoin now, at the time of publishing this article, stands at about $30,700.

This is huge jump from those early days in 2008. The question is, when did you enter the market? If you do so now you are following a trend that may not take you far. Personally, I would take a very careful approach to all this.

Jorge v.Rein Parlade MBA Business Consultant

+350 54045282 jorgeparlade@aol.com

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If there is one thing to be learnt in business it is that 90% of the people get it wrong. It is only possible to make money if you are there well before the party starts.

And this is by no means an easy affair, but certainly not impossible.

There is no doubt that we are all, to a great extent, fashion or trend followers. Our survival instincts have pushed us over the past to stay together in groups. Do what other successful people do because that gave us in the past the best chance of survival. We tend to follow what we believe to be a successful trend. This happens in sports as well. Many followers want to be Messi, Federer, Tiger Woods. But only the top ten, possibly the top twenty really make it happen.

The rest remain wannabes. In the housing market similar situations come up. The last thing you want to do is to buy in a hot

The question is, when did you enter the market? market because there will be little margin for you to make a profit.

Try and buy during a recession or a downturn in the economy, possibly in the middle of a credit squeeze. That is where you will make a good harvest.

Jumping on a bandwagon with promises of hefty gains by platforms that assure you that the value of bitcoin will never cease going up is unrealistic to say the least. Look out for easier forms to make money. Produce or invest in things that are still safely asleep.

There is so much out there to be done. After all the only secret in business is to know something that nobody else knows.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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For businesses, that also means a faster, more secure customer onboarding process and effortless compliance, so they can focus on delivering what matters most – great service!

Pre-register now at www.idclear.com and get your individual idclear subscription, completely free!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

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life Cara Macleod 24

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life

A ZOOKEEPERS DIARY Our spotlight on the superstars at the Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park… and their keepers.

dents adow stu e M s r' o Govern footprints painting

BY JESS LEAPER

S

chool is well and truly out for the summer. The run up to the summer holidays at the AWCP means only one thing - school tours and field trips! After missing the 2020 field trip season due to the pandemic lockdown, it was great to finally have the local school field trips resumed after Easter this year. The AWCP prides itself in its conservation education and informative tours.

This year the program has been further expanded to include outreach sessions at local schools, something the AWCP will now be offering throughout the academic year.

Traditionally, school tours tend to take place from Easter onwards, until the end of the summer term in July. These visits to the

zoo are obviously a source of excitement for the children and being immersed in nature has been proven to enhance learning.

This year, thanks to the addition of Education Interns, the park has been able to begin expanding their education program for schools beyond the usual 3-4 months of the year.

One of the first education interns to the park is 22-year-old Cara Macleod from Scotland. Cara has just completed degree in Biological Sciences at UCL. Cara will be at the AWCP for a full year. This will give her plenty of time to not only help out with the new educational program at the park, but also to gain full training in animal husbandry and various aspects of zoo keeping such as animal training and welfare.

Cara has also begun training in conducting animal behavioural research on some of the animals at the AWCP. Cara was able to take part in the first ever AWCP Outreach Session at Governor’s Meadow School in June this year. The topic up for discussion was ‘Habitats & Endangered Species’. The AWCP Education team has formulated a programme to cover curriculum topics for Key Stages 2-4, (these are now available to view on the AWCP website). Anna Merrett was the first ever Educational Intern at the AWCP and has sadly now come to the end of her 12 months internship at the AWCP. With a background in education and ecology, Anna has been an invaluable help organising the topics into the 25

life Cara teaching ©Lisanne Piñero

relevant Key Stages in readiness for the Outreach Programmes.

The AWCP team arrived at the school just in time for the first classes. The sight of the khaki shorts and AWCP T-shirts caused a buzz of excitement with the children, excited for what was to come. Being offsite and away from the animals was quite unnerving for the team, one of the most challenging parts of Outreach is how to keep the children’s interest when there are no actual animals in tow. The team therefore came prepared with plenty of animal artefacts and even soft toys from the zoo,

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for the activities they had planned for the children throughout the morning.

The Year 2s were divided into three groups to rotate around the three different activities. The first part would be a slideshow and talk from myself, the Park Manager, where the children learned all about what an endangered species is, why they are endangered, their habitats and also what each person can do to help save animal habitats and species. It was great to see that the children were very enthusiastic about this part of the talk and offered up many suggestions on how we can all help to save animal habitats. At the AWCP we have our ‘Habits for Habitats’ campaign which aims to promote simple changes

we can make every day to help save habitats and species around the world. To spice up the classroom time, the children were able to have a close look at some animal artefacts at the end of the session, as feathers, bird nests and snakeskins were passed around the classroom. They even got a close up look at the shed exoskeleton from Charlotte, the Mexican red-knee tarantula!

After some classroom time, the children went to the sports hall to play the Endangered Species Game with Anna. This game allows the children to visualise rainforest

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life habitat destruction and the impacts this has on the individual species living there. Each child was given a soft toy to represent an animal species in the forest.

The gym mats represent the trees and the ‘homes’ of the animals.

Each time a mat (or tree) is removed, animals and species are displaced and the habitat becomes smaller and more restricted, resources (fruits and foods) become scarcer. “I think this game was a real success, you could really see the children begin to understand the impacts of habitat destruction as the game went on,” said Anna. “Learning through play is always very effective, especially at this age.”

Next up was Cara who was introducing the children to the Pharah Footprints, an activity using stencils of endangered species to teach children about the IUCN Red List and the categorisation of endangered species. Each footprint is stencilled in the colour representing the IUCN conservation status of the animal. Cara first explained what each colour represented and the children were able to choose which endangered species footprint to stencil. The area chosen for the stencils was outside of the school dining hall so the children could see their colourful animal prints every day.

A non-toxic poster paint is used which will fade over time, further promoting the fact that these conservation statuses can change over time, either positively, as animals are protected and conservation efforts are

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

Endangered species game ©Lisanne Piñero

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life successful, or negatively as unprotected species define in the wild, demonstrating how crucial conservation action is in helping to save species.

“I found that the children really enjoyed the physical aspect of painting the stencils and getting a bit messy is always fun! It’s great that they will see the footprints every day and be reminded about endangered species and also what they can each do to help save endangered species and their habitats,” said Cara.

After a short bus ride back to the park, the afternoon was business as usual. “I came

are persecuted in the wild and poached for tourist photo props in Morocco. Close-contact selfies with macaques from the Upper Rock Nature Reserve in Gibraltar may seem harmless, but they are unwittingly fuelling the illegal wildlife trade. “It’s great to be involved in campaigns like this and actually help to change people’s perceptions of wildlife and hopefully make them think before posting potentially damaging images of wildlife.

These experiences are a perfect opportunity to drive the message home, especially as many of our own lemurs were victims of the illegal pet trade,” says Cara.

Lemur experiences are available via advance booking only from www. buytickets.gi or the AWCP website: www.awcp.gi or you can contact the team direct on 20064273.

©Lisanne Piñero

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to the AWCP as an Education Intern but I also love the animal husbandry side of the job. It has been great learning about all the different animals and why they are here at the AWCP”.

Education doesn’t stop at schools.

Cara has also been helping out with the ever-popular Lemur Experiences. These experiences have become increasingly popular with locals and tourists alike. Not just a chance to get closer to the animals and help to feed them, the AWCP experiences are a learning experience too. One of the crucial aspects the Keepers try to drive home is responsible tourism and why it is so important to respect wildlife, particularly with regard to posting images online. The wildlife selfie craze is endangering species all over the world, but also, surprisingly close to home. Barbary macaques

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

“I am so grateful to be sober – and that my life’s worth something again.”

Former police officer Niall, now 60, lived a life of drinking and cheating in his marriages. Until one day he was given a final ultimatum that totally transformed his life…

“I worked in the Royal Navy, the police and for the ambulance service. I married at 18 and had a son.

As a father I was useless, more interested in myself, and so I neglected my responsibilities.

My childhood was unhappy. Many nights I sat outside pubs listening to my parents living it up inside.

Aged 12, they broke up. I stayed with my father in London – an easy choice as I always felt a failure around my mother and she never said she loved me. I just wanted to grow up quickly and get away, so I no longer felt different, less than and not part of anything: a massive hole in an unhappy life.

I was drinking regularly from about 12, and even by my early days in the navy I was told by an officer that my drinking was a concern. I took no notice. In fact, I drank throughout my working life, everything revolved around it. I stank of booze most days.

During my marriages I had a number of affairs and sex became a drug as well. I didn’t care who I hurt as long as I felt better, although I remember little as my blackouts were regular. I could turn anything into an addiction, including gambling on fruit machines. Inside, I hated myself and drank more to

try dealing with that.

I never thought at any time I had a problem. But one day my second wife said if I didn’t sort out my drinking she was leaving. She gave me the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) number.

The man I spoke to visited me and we chatted for six hours. I heard that he used to drink like me, but had been sober for nearly 50 years now! I walked unsteadily into my first AA meeting and don’t remember much of what was said – but was shocked to see happy faces and people who were welcoming and loving.

I knew I’d found somewhere safe, where I belonged.

Nobody judged, we were equals with the same disease – and so my recovery began that day in 2012.

Since then, I have never had another drink. Nowadays I actually like the person I see in the mirror.

The only requirement to visit an AA meeting is a desire to stop drinking. If you feel you want help, call the confidential helpline, just like I did several years ago. Then you will know that you’re not alone.”

AA is located along the entire Costa del Sol and there is a meeting with friendly people who will understand your problems somewhere near you every day.

CALL THE AA HELPLINE FOR SUPPORT: +350 200 73774 Gibraltar or +34 600 379 110 Costa del Sol or visit the website for help & information: www.aacostadelsol.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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business

The Angel - © Mark Recagno 30

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life

THE AWAKENING New light show in St Michael’s Cave.

BY SOPHIE CLIFTON-TUCKER By now, most of you have heard about the fantastic new project up in St Michael’s Cave, and some of you may even have experienced it firsthand.

‘The Awakening’ is a high-tech light show, over two years in the making, which catalogues Gibraltar’s rich geological history. We chat to Christian Wright, Director of Wright Tech Media, the company behind this mammoth operation.

Tell us a little about Wright Tech Media, and the projects you have undertaken locally before this one.

Wright Tech Media has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and we’ve been involved from the get go in helping market Gibraltar as a destination for most of that time.

We were responsible for the video content that went abroad for

Our bread and butter is showing off Gibraltar, its people and lifestyle.

‘Gibraltar: A year of Culture’ and ‘Gibraltar: Time to be enlightened’.

As well as numerous other campaigns for both Government and large clients like William Hill and so on. Our bread and butter is showing off Gibraltar, its people and lifestyle.

How did the contract come about?

We had seen an expression of interest come out from Government for Upper Rock development ideas. We had already been thinking about

utilising this kind of technology in some capacity to create a product and this felt like a great opportunity to pitch it. We did, and were lucky enough to be awarded the opportunity to realise our vision.

Where did the idea for the name ‘The Awakening’ come from?

The story and creative process lead to the show title ‘The Awakening’ – the idea is that we are awakening these ancient formations at St Michael’s Cave to tell their geological story and therefore the story of Gibraltar.

What did the process involve?

We had to be sure this technology would work from a technical point of view as well as an aesthetic one – so before starting anything 31

life we mapped the cave in its entirety in 3D to understand the canvas we would be working on. We also had to be sure the acoustics would be on point and engaged with specialists in perfect speaker

We mapped the cave in its entirety in 3D. placement and sound level usage.

Everything was about developing a professional product and there were a lot of checks that needed to be done ahead of any actual work happening on site.

How long did it take, from idea to fruition?

This has been in the pipeline for at least two years, but the idea to move in this direction and try and create an experience of this level for much longer. I had gone to Liverpool on a trip and I visited the Terracotta Warriors on display at the museum. I am a big history buff but expected the entire exhibition to be slightly stuffy and what I had always thought of as a standard museum visit. It was anything but. They used the latest audio-visual solutions to bring not only the warriors to life but the history as well. It was on leaving that I thought it was definitely something Gibraltar could benefit from. Our country is brimming with history and culture but I’ve never thought we’ve told our stories as well as we could – and advances in technology really allow you to engage visitors and tell the narrative you want in a way that excites people. That’s when we began the long journey that would culminate in ‘The Awakening’ Were there any significant challenges that arose?

The Cave - © Mark Recagno

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There were a lot of challenges – from reinvigorating the old infrastructure to making sure that every piece of kit would stand the test of the environment we were working in. This project has cost around the £2 million mark and it has come from private investment. So, the equipment upkeep was key. We actually had to construct bespoke housing units for all projectors used in the experience that contained dehumidifiers and cooling systems amongst other things. We also had to make sure that any work or even the show itself remained GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life sympathetic to what is already a spectacular site by itself. That was the major challenge – as such we had specialised sculptors come in to mask cabling and the show control was programmed to always loop back to lighting that would reveal the natural majesty of the cave with a clean colouring.

What was the most enjoyable part of the project?

Definitely seeing the reactions of visitors; not only tourists, but locals too. It was always a key goal for us to reengage the local population, a lot of whom haven’t been up to the cave in years. Having them re-visit, especially with children and seeing the excitement as they witness everything made all the work worth it.

What future plans are in the pipeline?

We’ve been working a long side educational professionals – namely Headmistress Sonia Lopez and her team at St Bernard’s Lower Primary School, to create educational material for use by teachers and families visiting the site. This is something really important as it will help the younger generation understand more about local history, geology, myths and legends. We will be offering the pack free to download on our website shortly and we will be incorporating QR

codes on all the new signage that allow young children to have access to animated videos that will help explain some of the more abstract formations in a manner friendly to them. We will also be adding ‘Discover More’ QR codes aimed at older visitors giving them access to interviews with experts/ photo galleries and write ups.

Admission to The Awakening is included in the Nature Reserve Fee. For more information, visit www.visitgibraltar.gi/see-and-do/ military-history/st-michaels-cave-9.

Tell us about some of the individual features visitors can expect to see.

The cave has been re-lit with brand new lighting to reveal some of the areas that may have been overlooked and lost during the last lighting set-up. This has been done by specialists who work with the BBC. Everything is a new experience but we have selected four canvases that we are really bringing to life. ‘The Squid’ as you walk in emphasising the science and force in this stalagmite’s creation, ‘The Flowstone’ a waterfall of light, ‘The Angel’ a newly realised formation resembling an Angel spreading its wings before you and the main cavern – a 360-degree projection mapped show about the formation of the rock Gibraltar through its limestone story.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

The Mushroom - © Mark Recagno

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history

WHAT WE OWE TO THE PRINTING PRESS

Do we ever take the time to think about how much time and thought went into inventing things? The Internet, camera, television, and telephone are all examples of inventions that have ultimately changed the way the world functions.

BY GIANNA STANLEY

W

ith August being Inventor’s month, I thought it would be important to highlight one of the most important inventions to date, which is something that allows this very article to be brought to you in magazine format - the printing press.

The printing press is a device that allows for the mass production of printed items, such as newspapers, books, and magazines. The first traces of this invention was seen in China, and was further developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century. The Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist book from China from around 868 AD during the Dunhang Dynasty is said to be the first book ever printed, which is pretty impressive if you think about the fact that the internet GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

was only invented in the late 1900s. They used the method of block printing, which meant that they had to hand carve blocks of wood in reverse in order to print what was needed. Other printed items from the Dunhang Dynasty have survived, which include calendars, mathematical charts, etiquette instructions, dictionaries, funeral, wedding and vocabulary guides, almanacs, and even children’s educational material! These materials don't differ too much from what we print nowadays, the only difference is the method by which they are printed.

Around 1050AD, Bi Sheng from China managed to invent a more efficient way by taking the idea of block printing, but instead creating individual letters that could be reused to create the texts this was called the ‘moveable

Books and printed material soon became a symbol for wealth and high social status. type’. The first moveable type was carved into pieces of clay which was then baked into hard blocks. Cleverly, they decided against using wood because they absorbed the moisture much more than clay, which made clay more appropriate to reuse. By 1200 AD, during the Southern Song Dynasty, books and printed material soon became a symbol for wealth and high social status.

By 1297, we saw the world’s first mass produced book. Wang 35

history Chen developed a new method which made wood more durable and precise, and he organised the letters on a revolving table for typesetters to use more easily. This process sounds oddly familiar - almost like typing on your keyboard. He tried out this new method with an agricultural treatise, which was printed and distributed across Europe. Chen’s woodblock type can still be seen in use in many printers in China.

Johannes Gutenberg is usually cited as the inventor of the printing press, however, we can see that it had already existed long before he came along in the 1400s. Indeed, his contribution to the technology was revolutionary and much more efficient than the previous inventions, which enabled the mass production of books and expansion of knowledge across the world. What differentiated Gutenberg’s design was the use of metal and printing blocks with each letter. He used the idea of replica casting which

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He made the printing process easier by using a winepress! saw letters created in reverse and then replicas made from these molds by pouring melted lead.

Sounds much more complicated than using wooden blocks, huh?

He probably owes the success of the European moveable type to the creation of his own ink, which was better suited to metal. He was also able to flatten paper to make the printing process easier by using a winepress!

Gutenberg’s printing invention soon reached Italy, Spain, and England by 1476. William Claxton was an Englishman living in Germany who learned the skill of printing in Burges. He returned to England and set up his own press in Westminster Abbey, where he continued to work for

the British monarchy. You may think that the larger availability of information was something to be celebrated, but in the 1500s, this meant excommunication for any publications that were unauthorised by the Church.

Of course, we have moved far from these oppressive times.

The invention of the printing press has not only helped create a more literate community, but helped spread education, advice, and allowed people to express their creativity. Without the printing press, we would not have access to many historical facts, let alone literary classics.

It was an extremely beneficial invention during the war periods, to allow the people at home to gain information about what was happening. From 868 AD with individual blocks to 2021 modern day printers - we cannot take any printed material for granted, it is essential that we preserve knowledge.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

WELCOME TO OUR

virtual classroom* *Physical classrooms also available!

Continue your current course (or sign up for one if you haven't already!) from the comfort of your own home.

English, Spanish, and French lessons for all ages and levels, starting at just £10/hour.

Email: info@littleenglish.gi / WhatsApp: +350 54076150

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37

life

RASTA BIRDER PAUL ROCCA

Walking down Main Street you come across any number of individuals who you will never meet personally. Do you sometimes wonder what they’re all about? Who are they, what’s their job, what are their hobbies or pastimes and perhaps more interestingly, what do they think about life’s important issues? Well, I met one!

BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT

H

e’s what you might call a simple bus driver (although driving one of those long, red buses on Gibraltar’s narrow and tricky thoroughfares is no mean task).

He’s a ‘birder’, or goes ‘birding’ – that’s bird watching of the feathered kind to you and me – and he calls it ‘Rasta birding’!

Why? Because he’s very much into reggae music also.

Rastaman Paul fronts the very popular, local reggae band, Heritage. But that’s not all, he’s of the opinion that that higher force which many of us agree exists and we tend to call God - a he or a she - is not a being but an energy or an intelligence which makes the whole thing work, and it’s up to each person to call it what they want - immortal as it may be. A touchy and very controversial subject attracting numerous points of view; a topic perhaps left for another day... So, how’s that for starters?

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Paul Rocca was influenced by his siblings’ choice of music as a child. Being the youngest in the family he just followed what the older ones used to listen to. Pop music of all styles is what they all enjoyed, and much later Paul

Heritage has performed alongside UB40 , Third World, Aswad and at the Gibraltar Musical Festival. moved on to his love for Bob Marley’s brand of reggae. And so the seed was sewn! As with many of us, you start getting together with a friend or groups of friends and begin to explore to see if you can make inroads into the world of music, usually not knowing

where your influences will take you. “I began to get together with the late Michael Danino, and then the Montegriffos – Peter and Michael. And that’s how it started for me,” Paul recalls. He then moved on from there getting into reggae as a duo first. “But not playing Bob Marley at that stage,” he tells me, but since those days the reggae legend has definitely become Paul’s influence and hero. It was at the Rock on the Rock Club where much of that reggae journey started, a venue visited a number of times since.

Paul, a true enthusiast of that Jamaican, catchy musical style that combines rock, calypso, and soul called reggae, is the singer of Heritage, whose members too are ardent followers of that music genre.

The Heritage line-up comprises two guitars – Jeremy Celecia (band leader) and Mark Anthony Celecia, on bass is Alan Gonzalez, Norman Apap on keyboards, Nick GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life Gonzalez is the outfit’s sax player, Tyrone Whiteland looks after percussion instruments and Paul as mentioned, on vocals - having dropped the guitar which he used to play in previous outfits in the early days.

Heritage has been around now for just under 10 years and proud and privileged to have performed alongside reggae greats – as support act – to UB40 up the coast, Third World, Aswad and have also appeared at the Gibraltar Musical Festival (GMF) at Victoria Stadium on the Radio Gibraltar Stage. “Those were great events and incredible experiences. We’ve also played on National Days. On one occasion playing at Latinos on the Beach we had passing boats and other craft coming in closer, stopping and joining in the fun enjoying the music. That was different and turned out to be a great event.”

about 12 years – first showing tourists around on Bland coaches, moving on to the Gibraltar Bus Company. “It’s a good job. I love chatting to the passengers and I would say 95% of them are more than pleasant. You get the odd one complaining when we arrive

late, not taking into account our busy roads especially at certain times of the day. It also affects timings when passengers don’t have their cards ready to show us who they are and others who need to pay and don’t have the correct amount, meaning we have to spend time sorting out change. But those are minor issues and by and large the great majority of those using the bus service are absolutely fine!”

So what of the ‘birder’ who goes ‘birding’ as often as he possibly can? In fact, he says bird watching takes priority whenever possible in his life.

Gibraltar being an important

Unlike other types and styles of music – some of which have slipped in and out of fashion – reggae’s popularity has remained and has constantly kept the flag flying for Bob Marley’s music and other pioneers of the alluring, Jamaican catchy lilt. There are strains of rock in that music too of which Paul is a fan also. Heritage also boasts of a manager in John Paul Bautista. “That’s right, he looks after bookings which are beginning to come in as we slowly, hopefully and finally slide out of the Covid pandemic... But despite the difficulties, venues are opening up and we’re getting busier performing here and there.”

When not on stage or in a rehearsal room somewhere, Paul is driving us around on one of our red buses: a job he enjoys, having been on the buses or coaches for GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

39

life It’s a fascinating world and you never know what you’re going to see. migratory path or channel in the western Mediterranean keeps Paul busy with his binoculars always at hand up the Rock or from other vantage points. “I go along to El Coto Doñana in Spain twice a year. It’s a fabulous area for bird watching where you come across so many species. It’s a fascinating world and you never

know what you’re going to see. I tend to note the fluctuations in species as they come and go and see how some species reduce in numbers and others increase. The destruction of forests and global warming does have some effect.

It’s amazing how some travel from south to north and vice versa at different times of the year. They generally start coming up towards the north as we come into springtime and begin to return down south from late summer onwards.”

Paul tells me there’s a tiny little bird that flies from the arctic somewhere in Canada that wings

its way down to South Africa before the Arctic winter earnestly sets in! How do they do it? Paul is so into it and says when the music and Heritage days are over, he will be spending all of his time birding.

“Absolutely, I do it for the love of it and it’s where I get my biggest gratification.”

Yes, Paul the birder and the bus man who thought he would never perform on a stage has performances to look forward to with Heritage, and watching hundreds and thousands of birds flying in massive numbers, themselves performing in perfect synchronisation way up above, for the likes of birdwatcher Paul...

And after a Heritage concert or a bird watching day out, it’s time to head home as Paul tells me, “Home is where my books are.”

Another topic for another day!

“Home is where my books are.”

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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life

The Teenage Scientist

So, I love cats. I mean, who doesn’t? They’re some of the most fascinating creatures alive, equipped with remarkable intelligence, astonishing agility, and a wide set of skills. The thing is, there’s a problem cats are facing which most people love to protect their ears from, and if left untreated, could lead to some drastic attempts at a solution.

BY MARCO ARTURO Let’s start from the beginning.

Modern house cats are descendants of the African wildcat (Felis lybica), which began their domestication process around 10,000 years ago in the Middle East. Both Egyptians and Europeans soon got ahold of these incredible pets and there’ve even been archeological findings of them being buried next to their owners. As humanity expanded, cats did too. A brand new species - Felis catus, soon became cosmopolitan. Practically every corner of the globe became part of its range, including recentlydiscovered islands which had previously spent millennia in ecological isolation.

As for 2021 and the huge problem cats are in the center of, I’ll be as brief as possible.

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There are between 200 to 600+ million cats on earth. How many native birds, mammals, and reptiles will each one kill?

Cats are extremely efficient predators. They’re proportionally more agile and versatile than lions, and even when they’re extremely well-fed, they’ll hunt out of pure instinct. Since they’re a domestic species which we recently created, they don’t belong in any ecosystem. When an ocelot or a lynx hunts a bird, we’re speaking of a completely natural and ecologically healthy occurrence. The two species have evolved together in the same habitat for millions of years, and they’ve adapted to reproduce in numbers that will keep each other balanced. That is to say, a bird will lay a certain amount of eggs so

that the relatively small number of ocelots in the forest will be low enough to allow it to be replaced by at least one surviving chick.

Now imagine if you multiplied the number of ocelots times 500 and you can imagine how devastating their presence is for native wildlife.

In the United States alone, cats kill up to 3.7 billion birds and 22.3 billions mammals per year.

Measuring the damage to reptile and amphibian populations is hard to achieve, but even harder to think about. In China, the figures are up to 5 billion invertebrates, 3.5 billion fishes, 3.8 billion amphibians, 4.3 billion reptiles, 5.5 billion birds, and 9.8 billion mammals a year, according to a recent estimate. Six endemic bird species in New Zealand have gone GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

extinct because of their impact.

It’s possible that worldwide, every year we lose 200 trillion individual native animals to those fluffy and deadly paws.

Australia is a case study for this subject. Their invasive feral cats have been responsible for the extinction of at least 20 mammal species. Each of these several million critters hunt several mammals per night. For a country like Australia, solving such an issue isn’t a walk in the park. An unfortunate last resort is being taken and proving itself effective: the rifle. Shooting feral cats is something nobody wants to do, much less to have to do. If it’s not too late in the rest of the world, what can we do to avoid an ecological emergency which would require bullets? Well, the answer’s quite simple.

Do not let your cats outside, ever. Keep them indoors. Even if they’re not hungry, their instinct GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

will cause them to hunt whatever they can, anytime they can. Also, since cats reproduce quickly and population growth is exponential, a single pair can leave over ten million descendants in less than ten years, so keep them neutered.

As always, most problems could be easily solved if not for humans’ affinity towards bad ideas. Very large groups of people with an irrational love for cats (to the point where their decisions go directly against cats’ wellbeing) have claimed all sorts of madeup fallacies on the topic. They’ll say, “It’s their instinct to hunt” as if that isn’t the point. They’ll say, “It’s a natural process, they’re part of the food chain” when as I’ve mentioned before, it’s neither natural nor part of the food chain.

They’ll proudly boast about their beautiful pets bringing them dead lizards, snakes, squirrels, and birds, as if it weren’t sickening.

When things such as little bells for cat collars meant to alert birds of their presence are proposed,

Six endemic bird species in New Zealand have gone extinct because of their impact. they’ll falsely claim it’s harmful to their ears. They’ll also pronounce actually accurate statements, such as “We’re the true pest and the reason behind this problem in the first place” but completely off in terms of context and purpose, as if the fact that we caused this didn’t mean we’re the ones who should fix it.

We love cats. We all do. And what’s best for them is to guarantee that the only ones in the next generation are those living happily and well-fed, free of parasites and the threat of being run over or poisoned, on the inside of a house. That way, we can also help many a nest of chicks have their mother return to feed them.

Keep up to date with Marco Arturo via his Facebook page: /ScienceMarco.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

scene

A JOURNEY THROUGH LOSS, LIFE & LOVE

Nalanie Harilela Chellaram is a local yoga practitioner, counsellor, author & founder of the Integral Yoga Centre Gibraltar. Her debut book, Loss, Life, Love, is part novel, part self-help book about grief and the loss of a significant other. Having experienced this first-hand through the traumatic loss of her beloved husband, and counselling countless other people about grief, she is an expert on the subject at hand.

BY JOEL FRANCIS Writing About Grief

N

alanie started writing her book, Loss, Life, Love sixteen years after her husband's death. It took her that long because the grief sucked all creativity out of her.

But when lockdown happened, it was the perfect opportunity; she wrote every day for three months and recalled the events with the help of old journals and her family's memories, since most of Nalanie's experiences had been blurred.

Writing this book was a jarring experience for her; at first, it was like opening old wounds and dealing with all the feelings and realities of new grief again.

But soon, it became therapy, allowing Nalanie to once again come to terms with the loss of her husband and how that impacted the trajectory of her life. However, it also helped her to realise the positives and happiness

It will allow you to come to terms with what has happened personally. she felt during that time in her life: • The support of her friends and family

people on their journey to seeing the light on the other side.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a SwissAmerican psychiatrist and pioneer in near-death studies, created a list in 1969 of the five stages of grief which everyone goes through: Denial: "This can't be happening to me."

• Finding new love

Anger: "Why is this happening to me."

• Working through selfless service

Bargaining: "Make this not happen to me, and in return, I will ..."

• And above all, forgiving the grief for how it affected her life.

Depression: "I'm too sad to do anything."

Understanding the Five Stages of Grief As a grief counsellor, Nalanie has seen many different types of grief and has supported numerous

Acceptance: "I'm at peace with what has happened."

Each of these stages is important but are not always experienced in that order. And there is not a standard period for grieving; some 45

scene people will get through it quicker than others.

It's a Part of Life Grief is a necessary part of life when someone or something you love is lost. You feel the pain, and you have to accept and talk about it; this process can start before you lose the person (if you know it will happen). Reading books about death can help you to come to terms with the fact your life is going to change.

Accepting the pain and discussing it is part of the grieving process; talk to a therapist if you need to, but don't pretend it hasn't happened. The reason for this is that when grief is exaggerated over a long period, it can destroy you.

Another tip that Nalanie says is helpful is to make sure that everybody who has been affected by the loss is included in the grieving process. Children have lost someone too, so it's important to talk to them about what has happened so they too can come to terms with it.

Be Patient with Yourself Nalanie warmly explains that grief is a process that takes time, but as mentioned above, don't let it continue indefinitely. The pain of the loss will only last for a certain amount of time, and then you will be able to look back and remember your loved ones without pain.

Express Your Grief One of the best ways to overcome grief is to express it; many people find a journal (written or 46

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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electronic) as a great and private way to do this. It will allow you to come to terms with what has happened personally and enable you to look back on the positives throughout the times, like your family and friends.

LOSS LIFE LOVE NALANIE HARILELA CHELLARAM

Nalanie Chellaram's new book Loss, Life, Love is currently available to buy at The Integral Yoga Centre Gibraltar & The English Bookshop in Puerto Banus.

If you would like to inquire about grief counselling with Nalanie, you can contact her at enquiries@nalanie-chellaram. com. Purchase Loss, Life, Love on Amazon.com today.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

Gigabit fibre Why wait?!

u-mee PLUS

*

SYMMETRIC

Available EVERYWHERE now!* All inclusive Plus bundle with Gib’s fastest Internet speeds...still the same price! * Terms and conditions apply - visit u-mee.com/plus for details

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• u-mee Plus 1Gbps download / 1 Gbps upload fibre broadband - £69/month • TV with catch-up, 50 cloud recordings and TV+Go for 5 iOS/Android devices • 5 telephone lines/numbers + apps + 500 ‘anywhere’ minutes + free local landline calls • Premium dual-band router with advanced Wi-Fi features • Apps require Wi-Fi or 3G/4G data - charges and service provider restrictions may apply

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

art

Oil Paper (Canson XL range is a good option) Oil Paints (Preferably a beginner’s kit with the core colours) 2 Brushes (Usually included in a beginner’s kit) White Spirit (Usually included in a beginner’s kit)

RT CLUB

Painting Medium (Usually included in a beginner’s kit) HB Pencil Easel Palette (Usually included in a beginner’s kit)

As we are coming into summer swinging, rich with colour, we can start to show this through painting. Painting can be a daunting challenge but by using a single fruit for reference, we can go through how to paint it and from that, learn the main skills required for oil painting. I have only just taken up painting as I usually focus on sketches so will be a journey for you as well as I!

BY THOMAS MAXWELL The main thing you want to look for in painting, and your artwork in general, are value breakdowns.

Values and sectioning your work will allow your piece to blend better and to add further detail.

The best way of doing this is sectioning the piece, look for where the light is coming from and where the shadows are. I usually section on my paper as well as it makes it easier for knowing where I should be painting darker and where I should be painting lighter. Not understanding lighting can cause a ripple effect on your work, making it look less realistic.

Now for this part, we want to start drawing the subject onto our paper. It is important for this bit to not be too detailed as most of these pencil marks will be GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

49

art removed later. Very lightly go over the areas on the paper of where the artwork will go, following on from our previous discussion on sectioning, make sure you know where your light Is coming from as this will be key for the piece. I usually put the stem area just off to the side so that the image isn’t straight on, which makes it easier for realism.

Now we can get to painting! Now it’s important to note that some of the edging on this piece was neatened postproduction purely for teaching reasons. So, what you want to do is mix your reds and yellows to make your orange. To darken, add either some darker red or brown if necessary. To lighten, add either more yellow to make it warmer, or a hint of white.

It is important to remember where

50

your sections are and lightly start applying the paint to the paper.

It is important to dip your brush into the painting medium. What this does is break up the oil paint a little to make it easier for applying more than one layer. Try not to use a lot of paint here because chances are you need to go over the area later.

TOP TIP: If you are struggling to get the right colour, check your brush against the orange.

When starting out, it’s ok to go up to the subject and just check to make sure you are on the right track. Also, another tip would be if you want two areas to blend better, clean your brush and very very lightly go over the area. Oil paint brushes are usually longer than standard brushes; the further away your hand is, the lighter the touch.

The brush would then mix the two areas, and this would create a new median which would blend this together.

It is important to note that oil paints can take up to three days - if not more sometimes - to dry (depending on the size of the piece), so don’t worry if you don’t get this done in a day! This orange

took me three days after work to finish, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint! Apply the paint loosely to begin with, then as you put down more and more layers, you can start to add small little details.

TOP TIP: Don’t start super detailed as this will delay you even longer!

Apply the paint roughly and once you are happy with the colours, start to build up and eventually start adding in more and more detail. If you make a mistake, do not panic!!

Simply wait for it to dry and re-apply the original. Keep building and building the piece until you are happy with how it looks. Remember with painting, unless you want it to be ultra-realistic, you don’t need to add all the detail. For example, here, compared to the reference image, I haven’t included the small dents on the orange because for me I am happy with how it looks and this is all just practise.

Follow Thomas on Instagram: @ thomasomaxwell or visit www.thomasomaxwell.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

NEW

!

IN SHOPS NOW

Mama’s 50 must-try vegan recipes It’s time for a new adventure! With the world changing and adapting to new surroundings and ethical movements to better the environment we live in, we thought it was time to challenge ourselves to create a vegan cookbook with some of our favourite recipes made fresh, and easy, using plant based vegan ingredients.

DISCOVER MORE AT

www.mamalotties.com

BOOKISH...

Join us for our monthly book club!

BY JOEL FRANCIS

W

elcome to the August edition of Bookish! This month, we've got a wide variety of books, from a local autobiographical self-help book to a short story collection, and finally a poetry collection.

While these may seem like obscure genres, I have immensely enjoyed every single one of these books, and I think that if you give them a chance, you might too!

LOSS, LIFE, LOVE Nalanie Harilela Chellaram Genre: Memoir/Self Help For Fans Of: Matt Haig What’s in the pages? Loss, Life, Love follows Nalanie Harilela Chellaram through the hurt and healing of losing her husband. Finally, 16 years after such a painfully life-changing event, she approaches the subject face on, hoping that it will give her peace and, in the end, manages to create a heartfelt, devastating and hopeful book that deals with the subject of grief and the process of moving on and recovering from it, opening up fully to life and all its wonders.

Why should you read it? Loss, Life, Love is the first full-length book

by Nalanie Harilela Chellaram; it serves as a part autobiography on losing a loved one and part self-help book for grieving loss. This book is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and reinforces to take every day as it comes, riding both the calm and the stormy waves.

Loss, Life, Love is both humorous and heartbreaking, which at times can seem like converse feelings to be experiencing simultaneously while reading, but this is the genius of Nalanie's writing - she allows you to realise that a situation is never either black or white, but shades of grey.

Whether it's talking about the loss of Nalanie's husband, the love of her friends that helped her get through or the healing nature of life through service, this is an excellent book for people who have faced death in their lives or are going through a stage where someone close to them might be suffering. It allows you to deal with grief and realise that death and, in turn, suffering itself is inevitable - but you can and will heal from them.

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EVERYONE DIES FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock Genre: Fiction/Short Stories For Fans Of: Taylor Jenkins Reid What’s in the pages? Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town is a collection of short stories about young people from small forgotten towns all across Alaska and America. Each exists in its own right and interconnected through characters and situations from one to the other. However, in towns where "nothing ever happens", Hitchcock shows how this isn't true for the interrelated lives of the people who live within these small towns.

Why should you read it? Hitchcock has written a book that most people from small towns and cities will relate to, and Gibraltarians are the perfect audience. This book is a beautifully poetic look into the mundane everyday events of most people and how these events can be earth-shattering for the person in question.

Writing with a poignant, relevant and critical viewpoint, Hitchcock manages to champion the forgotten and overlooked in society, shedding light on people who may be seen as "undesirable" and showing their humanity. If you're looking for a refreshing book of unique short stories that you can get through quickly, I would recommend Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town because you might even see part of yourself in some of the characters.

BLACKISH Tyrone Lewis Genre: Poetry/Spoken Word

For Fans Of: Kae Tempest

What’s in the pages? Blackish is a collection of poems written by Spoken Word poet Tyrone Lewis. The poems in this book are about love, life and a lot of pop culture and are packed with an unmistakably British style and swagger. If you're new to poetry, I'd highly suggest this collection as an entry.

In both its subject matter and style, this book is very unapologetically British - which is no surprise when the author lives and breathes the London poetry scene; he even co-founded Boomerang, an extremely successful poetry night in London.

Why should you read it? During my time in London, I had the privilege of watching Tyrone perform and grow as a poet many times (mainly during Boomerang, the poetry night he co-founded). He has always been one of my favourite British Spoken Word poets, performing with intensity and style like no other. This style and passion have translated extremely effectively into his debut collection "Blackish”.

Lewis is at the forefront of the up and coming Spoken Word scene in London and is one of its more creative and talented pioneers. One of my favourite parts of reading this book was reliving the poems that I have seen countless times and enjoying them just as much through the written rather than the spoken word. If you've never experienced spoken word before, I would highly recommend watching his poems "Sherlock" or "Grind My Gears" as a precursor to reading this collection of superb poems.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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Christine with 'Drummie Zeb'

music

Legendary British reggae band, Aswad, recently made a welcome return to the Rock for their first concert in 15 months. After 21 albums and decades on the music scene, the band remain as popular as ever. Christine Clifton-Psaila caught up with lead vocalist Angus ‘Drummie Zeb’ Gaye.

BY CHRISTINE CLIFTON-PSAILA

"Q

uick soundcheck and I’ll be right back,” smiles Drummie as he

leaps on stage. And so begins the countdown to Aswad’s long awaited concert on the Rock, having last been here seven years ago. This time it was to headline events to mark Armed Forces Day. Thousands of ardent fans later packed into Casemates Square to enjoy reggae ‘royalty’ at its best.

This lifelong fan was looking forward to sitting down with one of the original band members, but even before I’d formulated my first question, fans arrived eager to have a picture taken as I became the impromptu photographer. I should add it’s not my forte as anyone whose picture I’ve taken will attest to. I only hope I didn’t crop too many heads!

Drummie, I noted, took all the attention in his stride even obliging in signing a crumpled (hopefully GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

unused) napkin. It struck me how unassuming and humble he is. This is confirmed moments later as a curious passerby mistakes him for a member of UB40. Far from being offended, Drummie finds it amusing. Impressive, considering he belongs to one of Britain’s greatest ever reggae bands.

Drummie tells me he still lives in the same part of West London that he had before enjoying such success in the music business. “I was originally playing in a steel band in Ladbroke Grove when I was invited by Aswad’s founding member Brindsley Forde to join the line-up,” he explains.

The group was officially formed in 1975. So, what of the early days? “We were lucky,” he says. “I remember we recorded a number of demos. Armed with these we turned up at Island Records without even an appointment. We were signed up straight away by the label’s Richard Williams. That’s

Drummie obliged in signing a crumpled (hopefully unused) napkin. not to say there was not a fair amount of travelling from gig to gig in their van loading and unloading their own equipment.

Noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to their reggae sound, the group had to wait till 1988 to enjoy chart success with ‘Don’t Turn Around’ penned by non-other than Albert Hammond and Diane Warren. It was originally recorded as a ‘B’ side to Tina Turner’s hit ‘Typical Male’. Later came ‘Shine’ -another smash hit. Having read somewhere the band weren’t originally too keen to record the track I wondered if there was any truth in that. After a split-second pause followed by a 55

music “It’s just selfbelief, and belief in our music and our culture.” quick no, Drummie laughs. “I mean, we were more used to the roots kind of vibe like ‘Love Fire’ and ‘Warrior Charge’. We did it because the Record Company wanted us too. I’m glad we did though.”

To what extent does he feel reggae has influenced other genres?

“Reggae has been a big influence.

Think Soul to Soul to Black Eyed Peas. I mean everybody. We’re just proud of our heritage.” He may also be justly proud being the only original member left in the line-up. When Brindsley Forde left, remaining members chose not to recruit a replacement. With the exception of a brief reunion with Forde in 2009 for the Island Record label’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the band’s line-up has remained much as it is today.

Aswad has proven it’s staying power and are clear as to why it’s been possible. “It’s just self-belief, and belief in our music and our culture.” I’d add great showmanship too.

Favourite destinations include Gibraltar, the Carribean and Brazil (I like to think in that order). “I love it here. It’s such a special place and I don’t want to go back to London.”

Later that evening on stage he jokingly tells fans he’s thinking of flying over for the weekends.

It’s amazing to think Aswad started its musical journey over 50 years ago. Countless singles and 21 albums later, the good news to report is that after completing a UK tour, which is next on the agenda, Drummie confirms they’ll 56

be back in the studio to record a new album.

Who knows, it could well spawn their next hit!

Aswad have played to huge audiences around the world and there have been many memorable moments including playing for Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana. “It was like a dream. It was only after seeing pictures of the events that you think we did actually meet them. What an honour.”

What has been an honour is having Aswad back on the Rock, which is

where they chose to play their first concert since lockdown.

As we wrapped up our chat, Drummie had this message for all Aswad fans: “Big up Gibraltar people, and stay faithful to the faith and reggae music and Aswad… one love.” I’d just add, spoken like a true Rasta!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

prose

CRAFTING A NOVELLA

Aspiring young author, Jared Cruz, has been selected for Gibraltar’s first Writing Mentorship Programme.

BY CARMEN ANDERSON

F

or aspiring authors, the help and support of other skilled writers is invaluable.

Learning a craft can only truly be achieved through working with other craftspeople and this goes as much for writing as it does for other art mediums.

In March this year, as Gibraltar was slowly easing out of the worse days of lockdown and we celebrated the joys of writing through World Book Day, Gibraltar Cultural Services launched an initiative to give aspiring writers that ideal opportunity to learn to craft a work to make it ready for publication.

The initiative offered the opportunity to young writers between the ages of 14 and 25 to apply for a yearlong mentoring programme. The successful GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

applicant would be given the chance to develop their writing talent by working with local authors, being guided through the idea generation, planning, writing, and editing stages of producing a book. The programme will culminate in the young writer’s work being published for World Book Day 2022.

Jared Cruz entered his writing as an applicant for this initiative and was selected for this new Mentorship Programme.

He successfully negotiated a shortlisting process and an interview and is now embarking on his writing journey. He will be guided through the challenge of taking a work from inception to publication by local writers and literary figures.

Over the next few months, Jared will be meeting with various local

organisations and experienced writers and literary professionals to support him through the development of his writing skills.

Jared plans to write and publish a novella during this time and he will be working alongside several individuals who have substantial experience in this field. Writing is a broad field that requires multiple skills and a substantial breadth of knowledge, and Jared will be learning about various linked processes such as editing, typesetting, printing and publishing.

Before sending in his application, Jared had no professional writing experience and had not submitted any work to any other competitions except when he was in school. However, he felt inspired to apply, saying; “I had never seen an initiative like this before in Gibraltar. I thought it 59

prose would be great to apply as I had always thought that I would need to look for external assistance and guidance (outside Gibraltar) so it was fantastic to see something like this being offered in the local scene, especially with the backing of the Gibraltar Cultural Services,” Jared said.

Jared has been writing all his life, however he decided to take this up at a more serious level during the past five years. Separate to this Mentorship Programme, Jared has also written a full-length novel manuscript that he hopes to publish soon. “I am sure that this mentorship programme will also help me understand the final stages of publication, which will definitely assist with my manuscript’s publishing and any future book I write,” Jared went on to explain.

"My writing tends to stray into dark themes and psychological horror" works at Prior Park School and thinks it would be a shame if he were to keep this experience to himself. “I would love to share my knowledge and understanding with aspiring students too so they can have a chance at publishing their own stories one day! Perhaps creating a workshop or club of my own where students can learn the craft and kick-start their writing career,” Jared enthused.

Overall, Jared is looking forward to meeting people in the business

and having the experience of going through the whole process – “Nothing beats experience!

Normally, writing is considered quite a solitary job, so being able to have a team of people to converse with will be a real change of pace and I am already loving it. I will try to act as a sponge for my entire journey in this initiative so that I can take in as much as I possibly can, and hopefully in the future share that knowledge with others too.” We can’t wait to read Jared’s work!

Jared Cruz ©Tasmin Griffith

Whilst for Jared, the application was straight forward and there was nothing he did not expect, he was still surprised at being selected; “My writing tends to stray into dark themes and psychological horror, which I thought may have hindered my submission as these genres are not necessarily loved by all readers (although, you can never please the entire crowd). Instead of trying to write something that could be more appealing to a larger audience, I kept to my strength, and it seems to have worked!”

In the future, Jared hopes to be able to function as a writer/ author in his spare time; “With the experience from this mentorship programme I hope to conjure up stories and publishing at will and have the complete understanding to do these projects from start to finish professionally.” Jared also 60

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

leisure

leisure

Sparkling wine 62

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

leisure

A NEARBY WINERY ESCAPE

Emma and Jamie, the couple behind the @WondersofWine Instagram page, are back after an idyllic trip to Bodegas Bentomiz.

BY EMMA AND JAMIE ZAMMITT

W

e first visited Bodegas Bentomiz on a cold and cloudy winter’s day back in January 2020. It was a last minute and spontaneous booking, and although we were too late for the full tour, we were so glad to have been able to experience the lunch there. It was so good in fact, we had to return for a second visit earlier this year in May - this time for the full winery tour, wine tasting and their five-course lunch.

Insight into the Bodega Bodegas Bentomiz is a familyowned winery, run by Andre and Clara, located near Sayalonga, Malaga. It has a rugged landscape, steep vineyards and spectacular views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and

the Sierra Tejeda mountains.

During our second visit, we had amazing weather and could really appreciate just how beautiful the bodegas’ surroundings are.

When the owners bought this property, little did they know at the time that they would be turning it into the winery that it is today. They realised that the plot was an abandoned vineyard and recognised the potential of their land. The special local climate and characteristics of the slate soils favour the cultivation of the vines, specifically of the Moscatel de Alejandria and Rome varieties (many dating back to over 100 years). This, together with their modern wine making techniques, result in the production of fresh and delicate Ariyanas wines (named after an Arabic settlement nearby and also means aromatic in Arabic) under the Denominación

de Origen Malaga and Sierras de Malaga.

Tour & Wine Tasting We started the day off with a tour of the vineyard and the production area, hosted by their wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide, Rose. She took us through the laborious wine making process, which requires the manual picking of the grapes on the steep slopes during peak summer temperatures - not for the faint hearted! We were then taken to their restaurant where we enjoyed a tasting of four of their Ariyanas wines. What we loved about these wines is how unique and different they are to the Spanish wines we are accustomed to - credit to Clara, the enologist for her attention to every detail. She manages to produce delicate and personal wines of exceptional quality with a 63

leisure perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Food and More Wine…

After the wine tasting, we were led out to their outdoor terrace

Manual picking of grapes on steep slopes - not for the faint hearted! for the five-course tasting menu paired with five of their wines (yes, a lot of wine!). Their menu is seasonal and many of the ingredients are hand-picked from their own grounds and other produce is bought from their local market (everything is always so fresh). This meant that the menu this time was very different to our last visit during

Sweet wine

winter - both just as wonderful.

We could really appreciate the thought and detail that went into each dish which were all executed brilliantly by Andre (the head chef and his amazing team) and perfectly paired with each wine.

For being such a small winery, they have an impressive selection of wines while maintaining the highest quality which some larger wineries may struggle to achieve.

Throughout the day, we tasted their sparkling (Emma’s favourite), white wine, red wines and their award-winning sweet wines (Jamie’s favourites). Unlike many sweet wines which are fortified, theirs go through a temperature ‘shock’ process to stop the fermentation earlier which keeps the wine naturally sweet but also give a certain freshness to the wines.

Where to Sleep Off the Wine The winery is located in a mountainous area and is a steep and windy drive up from Velez Malaga (around 25 minutes). In 64

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leisure order to make the most of the experience, we recommend finding somewhere nearby to stay and get taxis to and from the winery. We would highly recommend staying at the scenic Finca Romé which is located within the same grounds as the winery (a very short walking distance). Finca Romé is a simplistic villa with a modern design which really allows you to take in the beautiful nature that surrounds it (sleeps a maximum of 5 people). Note that availability is very limited and must be booked in advance to secure the date of your intended visit.

Visit their website www. bodegasbentomiz.com for further information and contact details and please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any queries (Instagram: @wondersofwine).

Finca Romé Master Bedroom

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

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L-R: Chris Hedley, Alex Vasquez, Gareth Gomez, Anthony Dafydd Morris 66

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

life

THE SCOREBOARD

FOOTBALL NEWS

So close but yet so far… A familiar scenario for England fans as they dusted off following the disappointment of losing to Italy in last month’s EURO 2020 final.

However, with internationals over, attention returned almost immediately to club football and the four local sides lining up for European action.

European first timers Mons Calpe held FC Santa Coloma to a 1-1 draw in the inaugural Europa Conference League. This new competition represents the third tier of European football (Champions League being the first, Europa League second).

Unfortunately, any hopes of progressing in the Conference League were dashed in the return leg, with Mons Calpe conceding three goals to the Andorran outfit in the first quarter of an hour. The tie ended 4-0 to Santa Coloma, 5-1 on aggregate.

to their European CV, having established themselves as perpetual challengers in the league. They were in Estonia for their first leg against FCI Levadia Tallinn, where the hosts took a three-goal lead before the Saints pulled one back to keep them in the tie at 3-1. They had the best possible start in the return leg, going 1-0 up and knowing one more would see them through on away goals – alas, a Levadia equaliser midway through the second half put paid to St Joseph’s adventures abroad

Europa FC also kicked off with a draw, holding Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris 0-0 at the Victoria Stadium. However it wasn’t enough to see them through the tie, with goals either side of half time in Lithuania resulting in a comfortable 2-0 in the away leg, 2-0 on aggregate.

League winners, Lincoln, would be the only local side to have some joy in Europe – they took a 2-0 lead away at Luxembourg’s Fola Esch in their Champions League qualifier, before the hosts fought back to make it 2-2 after 90 minutes. However, the Red Imps would flex their muscles in the second leg and come away 5-0 victors in one of the most convincing wins we’ve seen by a local side against European competition. Two goals each by De Barr and Walker either side of a Kian Ronan goal underscored their superiority and set them up for a clash against a side with real European pedigree.

St Joseph’s continue adding

CFR Cluj have featured

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

in the Champions League group stages three times in the past 15 years, and the Romanians have also had several respectable runs in the Europa League.

Lincoln took the lead on the stroke of half time in the home leg, but a five-minute double by Debeljuh in the second half would put Cluj in the driving seat. A 1-2 away win for the visitors, and the fixture balancing on a knife edge at the time of going to press!

SQUASH LEAGUE Bavaria FCC have completed an undefeated season, winning the 2nd Division league title.

The winning team consisted of Alex Vasquez, Chris Hedley, Anthony Dafydd Morris, Gareth Gomez, Philip Vasquez and Kenneth Benedict.

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travel

LA ALEGRÍA DE ALMERÍA Move over Sevilla: It’s time for Almería.

BY PETE WOLSTENCROFT Ever since it held its world expo in 1992, Sevilla has been the jewel in Andalucía’s crown and justifiably so. But, once the pandemic is behind us, I have a sneaking feeling that the lesser-known city of Almería is about to have its moment in the sun.

Spain was a largely Islamic country from 711 to 1492 and in Almería, the repercussions of that period are not just felt, but they are experienced on a daily basis. Arab baths, tea houses and water cisterns dot the city. Parts of the paseo marítimo are strongly reminiscent of Tangier, with restaurants catering to the needs of the local Muslim population, signage in Arabic and echoing greetings of ‘Salaam’ ringing out along the waterfront.

The exotic atmosphere that prevails in the city has not gone GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

The repercussions of that period are not just felt, but they are experienced. unnoticed by the film industry, with numerous films having been shot within the city walls. These include such well known films as Patton and less well-known works, such as Tepepa, featuring Orson Welles. Just a few miles away, in the area around Tabernas – mainland Europe’s only real desert – spaghetti westerns such as A Fistful of Dollars and Once Upon a Time in the West were filmed. You can still walk down the dusty main street of an anonymous, one-horse town and stride through the bat wing doors to slake your thirst in some would-be Mexican taverna.

Despite the dry climate, Almería is proud to call itself: “La huerta de Europa” – the vegetable garden of Europe. The area was among the first to grow fruit and vegetables hydroponically in white plastic tunnels, the acreage of which is so great, it can, like so many other things, be seen from the moon.

The output of such systems in the Netherlands has the reputation of being somewhat tasteless, but the tomatoes, aubergines and peppers of Almería are of a different class altogether.

The quality of the city’s cuisine doubtless helped it to be voted Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy in 2019; another factor behind my confidence in a forthcoming change of fortunes. Fresh fish and the aforementioned fruit and veg form the mainstay of the city’s culinary offering. In many bars, tapas are still free and so for 69

travel “La huerta de Europa” – the vegetable garden of Europe. about €2.40 you can get an icecold beer and something to eat.

On one memorable occasion my freebie was a miniature tuna steak grilled to order. Salt cod beignets, battered prawns, dried tuna and ajo blanco – in other parts of Spain a loose soup, but here a thick paste made of almonds, bread, olive oil and plenty of garlic – are some of the more popular offerings.

You can always tell when a Spanish region is on the up and up: the quality of its wine goes up exponentially. Until relatively recently, the province of Almería was not known for its wine, in

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fact the last time I was there, I didn’t find any local wine. Today, a number of vineyards produce quality wine: the areas of Valle de Laujar and Alboloduy being the best and most easily found. In the summer heat though, beer is often the best refreshment and the craft beer scene seems to be taking off, with bars and restaurants offering a range of darker brews, rather than the ubiquitous lagers of old.

The intro to this piece refers to Sevilla and implies that it would be the loser in any comparison between the two cities. I have lived in Sevilla and stand by that claim. Almería is a much smaller city – with a population around 170,000 – and thus feels more intimate. Most of the sites of interest can be found on streets that radiate outwards from the cathedral. The cathedral itself is an impressive sandstone colossus

built in a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles and dates back to 1524. Even in the height of summer, the area around the cathedral has relatively few tourists and even fewer for whom English is their first language.

Many of the historical buildings have been repurposed. Arab water cisterns now house museums dedicated to: Flamenco, bullfighting and photography.

The latter – officially the Centro Andaluz de Fotografía – is particularly interesting and is home to a stunning collection of black and white photos that show the grinding poverty for which certain parts of the region were infamous in the 50s and 60s. As a result of a book by Juan Goytisolo, just the mention of the town of Nijar is enough to conjure up images of abject poverty fifty odd years after the publication of Campos de Níjar.

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travel The boom in hydroponically grown fruit and veg went a long way towards eradicating the poverty of yesteryear. In fact, youngsters who, by dint of their parents’ agricultural nous and graft, speed through the broad streets in Porsches are now something of a local trope. (Check out Mar de Plástico on Netflix if you doubt me.) The local autonomous government has, therefore, had something of a pay rise. Somewhat unusually, from a British point of view, everything they touch turns to gold. And every project is finished off with an aesthetically appealing flourish: pollarded poplar trees line main boulevards, shady parks pop up along the sea front and even the hoardings that shield ugly building works from the public gaze are decorated with photographs of the region.

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But it is the people who are the true wealth of any place. During the few days I spent in the city, I felt extraordinarily relaxed and welcome. Allow me to illustrate with a little cameo.

A trio of women – none of whom would ever see 70 again – were dining in the same restaurant as me. One of the women asked what one of the dishes on the menu was, with the phrase: “¿Cómo se llama?” (What is it called?)

But that same phrase can mean: “What is your name?” The waiter, knowing what he was doing, replied: “Who, me?” The woman said something along the lines of: “No, not you - this thing. Mind you, while we are at it, what is your name?” “Francisco,” came back the beaming reply. The woman turned

on the powers of seduction that must have served her well in her youth, and the waiter returned her ardent gaze with interest, ignoring the fifty years that separated them.

Both of them knew when time was up and they returned to their respective roles. That bit of mild flirtation was one of the most life affirming scenes I have witnessed in a long time.

All the things that draw tourists to Seville: architecture, culture, gastronomy and warm weather are present in Almería. The difference being that, in the dog days of August when the mercury hits 40, you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the sea in this most underrated of cities.

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food and wine

TINTO PESQUERA The wine that changed a wine region forever.

BY ANDREW LICUDI DIPWSET

W

hen the late 1980s arrived, and Alejandro Fernández’s Pesquera was described as the Petrus of Spain by Robert Parker of the The Wine Advocate, unable to buy the wine anywhere in the area, the more curious among us quickly travelled north for Alejandro’s inky-black Ribera del Duero. After all, who didn’t want to taste Petrus?

Like Japanese knotweed in a formal garden, Ribera del Duero began to change the wine landscape in Spain, and we stood and watched mesmerised.

Willingly, we sank into the luscious embrace of reds that were superconcentrated and so elegantly jammy we could have happily spread the wine on our morning toast.

Seeing the overwhelming success of Alejandro’s Fernandez’s Pesquera, new Ribera producers 72

joined the battlefield almost daily, eager to welcome fledgling wine merchants, like us, into their cellars and show us their wines in expensive, paper-thin glasses turning our teeth purple and making us feel inadequate as their faces dropped when we told them we didn’t personally know Robert Parker.

Willingly, we sank into the luscious embrace of reds.

There was nothing for it, if we wanted to taste Pesquera we would have to travel to Ribera del Duero where we would knock on Alejandro Fernandez’s door and hopefully buy a few bottles of the wine suddenly elevated to stardom by Robert Parker, the world’s most influential wine critic, by suggesting the wine could be considered as the Chateau Petrus

of Spain. A comparison which had every wine enthusiast in the world chomping at the bit, after all it was only millionaires who could afford Petrus and here was a chance to taste something equally good at an affordable price. Or so we thought!

Despite Vega Sicilia, undoubtedly Spain’s most famous wine since the 60s, coming from the area, Ribera del Duero was never considered an ideal wine producing region. With an altitude of 800m above sea level and scorching summer weather followed by freezing temperatures in winter, few realised that it was exactly these conditions which were considered the essence of fine wine production elsewhere.

It would seem that Alejandro Fernandez recognised this, and the rest is history as they say.

I recall arriving at Aranda de Duero, capital of the region, but I am sorry to say we were GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

food and wine too intent on acquiring the now famous wine to bother much about sight-seeing. All I can recall of our visit to this small capital was an old helicopter on a roundabout opposite our hotel, a hotel less than salubrious with stained, brown carpets and cheap beds with over-used mattresses.

But who cared, we were on a mission and after a quick breakfast the following morning, we were on our way to knock on Alejandro’s door!

If the internet has shown me anything it has demonstrated that no matter what I conjure up in my head, millions have already thought the same long before I did. Of course, when we arrived at Pesquera the doors were firmly locked with no sign of life whatever. Asking around it seems that hordes of wine lovers had already descended on the winery in the hope of buying some of the famous nectar. It had become a familiar sight seeing hordes of hopeful buyers rattling the locks of Pesquera’s doors like demented zombies in a horror movie. We spent the rest of the morning asking around bars and restaurants, after all we knew that they would have taken delivery of the wine long before Robert Parker’s famous assessment. If the bars and restaurants had any stock, they were not prepared to let us have any, presumably keeping the precious bottles for their regular customers and not itinerant wine buyers like us.

Crestfallen, we headed back to Gib stopping at a roadside café for a spot of quick lunch. Imagine our surprise seeing two bottles of 1989 Pesquera Reserva on the shelf behind the bar! We immediately asked to buy them expecting our offer to be firmly GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

rejected as the lady in charge made it clear how much in demand Pesquera Reserva had become. To our surprise she agreed, insisting on bringing the wine out to the car for us, presumably worried we would shake the wine too much between her café and the car park!

So, was the hype about Pesquera justified? It was at the time. We had never tasted anything quite like it. Used to the leanness of traditional Rioja, the wine seemed to us as superbly exuberant much like eating blackberries on a roller coaster.

Millions of others must have thought the same because Alejandro Fernandez became a wealthy man. Other bodegas soon followed, and Ribera del Duero was soon awash with producers. Many in Rioja, seeing the extraordinary success of their competitors, soon adjusted techniques so that modern Riojas became indistinguishable from Ribera wines. That this should be so is perhaps not surprising after all Tempranillo in Rioja and Tinta Fina in Ribera are one and the same grape.

Over the years, as our palate

We had never tasted anything quite like it. developed, we soon tired of the exuberance of Ribera wines, and we soon sought the familiar complexity of the long-lived wines of Rioja once more. Today, there are few traditional Rioja producers left but those that stuck to their guns, refusing to change their traditional image, are now considered world class wines. These include Tondonia 73

food and wine and Cune to name just two. The modern style has not gone away but there is now a definite move particularly with white Riojas to go back to their roots, forgetting about international varieties like Chardonnay. Exciting times are ahead!

So, whatever happened to Pesquera? Some vintages have proved very disappointing though others have been extremely well thought off. Pesquera is no longer viewed with the awe it once was.

There is intense competition from many new wineries in the area. Wines like Pingus, which sell for hundreds of pounds. (A wine I find difficult to drink due to its overwhelming, fruit driven jaminess but which has achieved cult status.)

Undoubtedly, Alejandro Fernandez not only placed Ribera del Duero firmly on the map but changed Rioja forever and for that matter its reverberation may have been felt as far away as Bordeaux, where modern styles are now commonplace, much to the chagrin of traditionalists. Perhaps though, it’s more to do with global warming than Pesquera - though I wouldn’t bet on it!

Alejandro Fernandez died in May 2021 at the age of 88. He died a sad man. According to ‘El Pais’ his winery and lands seemed to have been forcefully appropriated from him by three of his daughters. The story is clouded and nothing seems to be clear, perhaps more Falcon Crest than real life. It appears at the end of his life he lived with his fourth daughter in Santander receiving 1700 euros a month. It is said he pined for his beloved Pesquera and its vines.

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beauty

CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY ADDICT Believe the hype, or remove from basket?

BY ALEX ORFILA

T

here are so many hypedup beauty products in the industry right now.

We see them gracing bloggers shelves, they’re super Instagrammable, and every Youtuber will give you a hundred reasons as to why you absolutely need to have them in your beauty arsenal.

However, just because there is a certain amount of hype surrounding a product does not necessarily mean that it is particularly good or that it will work for you. After all, the dictionary definition of ‘hype’ is: ‘Extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion.’ Which does not exactly translate to ‘super effective product which does exactly what it says on the bottle’.

If only it were that easy!

I must admit that I have often GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

fallen prey to the allure of purchasing hyped up products.

Not necessarily because I believe that said product will be as amazingly life changing as everyone claims it will be, but because curiosity often gets the better of me. I want to be able to judge it for myself. Even if I end up passionately loathing it. I suppose it is the beauty bloggers equivalent of being able to say ‘I was there’.

time!). Hopefully this piece will help you decide which tried and tested hyped up products of recent times you should purchase or which you should immediately remove from your basket.

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream (50ml, £50) = BELIEVE THE HYPE

My conclusion? Trends and buzz words come and go. It is those products and brands that really work which will stand the test of time and go on to become cult classics, and there are plenty of those too (but that’s an article for another 77

beauty Olaplex No7 Bonding Oil (30ml, £26) = BELIEVE THE HYPE

I can honestly hand on heart say that I have yet to try a drunk elephant product that I haven’t absolutely loved. The brand as a whole has been massively hyped up so I approached it with scepticism. I was however blown away - they are much more than cute packaging and clever marketing. The brands focus is on biocompatible actives, which basically translates to ingredients that your skin can recognise and use. This means they also adopt an ingredient elimination process which means you won’t find any drying oils, silicones, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, fragrances or dyes in any of their products.

Lala retro cream is a versatile lightweight moisturiser with a fluffy whipped cream texture. It can be used day, or night on any part of the body which is parched and in need of hydration. But just because it’s light does not make it any less of a potent moisturiser.

It’s packed with ceramides which are great in supporting the building blocks of your skin. It also happens to be one of my favourite ingredients in skincare. Lala retro can also be mixed with any drunk elephant serum or oil for a supercharged boost of skincare wow.

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I have spoken about this brand before but I could not write an article about hyped up products without mentioning this. It really is that good. I have thick coarse hair and nothing tames my locks quite like this does. What makes Olaplex such an effective range?

It contains a patented bonding ingredient which seeks out brittle or broken bonds in the hair and repairs them. This makes it especially effective on hair which has undergone its fair share of bleach or thermal damage (it’s a double hands up from me!).

I would love to go into detail about every product in the range because I love them all so much but my word count will not permit it. So I leave you with one of my holy grails, the Olaplex Bonding Oil, which is step 7 in the range (there are 8 steps in total). I apply this on dry hair before styling, or sometimes over styled hair for a little extra TLC. Its taming powers are unreal and the added glossiness it delivers is an added bonus too! But remember to use it in small doses as a few drops go a long way.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser (60ml, £36) = REMOVE FROM BASKET The packaging is gorgeous and the cult following is pretty much unrivalled. Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow range is heavily hyped and promises the kind of radiance that is described as ‘glass skin’. It has an impressive ingredients list, packed with vitamins, antioxidants and one of my fave go-to hydrators, Hyaluronic Acid of course!

However, not even this could save it from making my ‘remove from basket’ list.

I was excited to try the gellike formula as I do love a lightweight moisturiser, but much to my dismay I did not find this moisturising at all. The results were more sticky than glassy. The consistency just seemed to stick and sit on the surface of my skin.

That being said, I haven’t given up on the brand completely just yet. They have some other ranges on offer which I am yet to try, so fingers crossed for those.

Thank You Farmer, Sun Protect Water Cream (50mml £18) = REMOVE FROM BASKET I love being introduced to new GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

beauty brands and more specifically new sunscreens. The search for the perfect sunscreen is always a perilous one as we have to balance the right mix of protection, non-greasiness and staying power.

Staying power? Yes, no one wants an SPF that melts off and takes all their makeup off with it right?

Well, if you feel this way too then you probably want to steer clear of this one. I really wanted to love this sunscreen but unfortunately as the day went on, this slid right off with it. It is probably a better option for the winter months as it may have more staying power in cooler weather.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (£32) = BELIEVE THE HYPE It is described as the “undisputed cult classic setting powder” and even this is a huge understatement. This stuff is miraculous. I’ve never been a huge lover of setting powders.

I always thought powders only served to highlight flaws as they can get caught in every nook and cranny. This is definitely not the case in this offering by Laura Mercier. Think weightless, light reflecting particles which actually work to minimise the look of pores and imperfections, whilst adding a gorgeous dose of subtle glow.

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Ever since I incorporated this into my makeup routine I have been repeatedly complimented and asked what I’m doing differently. To which I always respond: “Literally nothing, I can’t take credit for it. Its makeup!” – although I do like to believe the legwork I put in with my carefully cultivated skincare regimen goes some way to contributing to the glow too!

RevitaLash (2ml, £89) = BELIEVE THE HYPE Do you find yourself wishing that you had been blessed with long, thick, enviable lashes? You no longer have to rely on the genetics lottery for that or commit to the expense of eyelash extensions.

Yes, Revitalash is pricey but one tube can last you months so it is still much cheaper than paying repeated visits to the salon. It’s a serum which is applied daily on to the lash line and is packed with peptides and natural botanicals.

It promotes growth and resilience whilst minimising breakage. Within two weeks I started to see results in the form of longer, fuller lashes.

It really is that simple!

Aesop, A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleaner (500ml £33) = REMOVE FROM BASKET

I absolutely love Aesop and I don’t have a bad word to say about the brand as a whole. Their whole aesthetic is fabulous and they have some products which I really do love. It therefore pains me to admit that their body cleanser left me wanting more. If I spend £33 on what is essentially a shower gel I want to be completely wowed.

Perhaps it was as a result of my very high expectations that I was left feeling disappointed. I went for the ‘A Rose By Any Other Name’ cleanser. I loved the name for starters. And secondly, I am a fan of all things rose scented.

Disappointingly the scent was barely there and definitely didn’t linger, it actually didn’t smell any better than a shower gel you can pick up at the supermarket for literally a tenth of the price. My advice? If you want to try Aesop products stick to their Geranium Leaf range - now that is really special!

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fashion

SANDALS AND SUMMER SHOES

Striking the right balance between stylish and comfortable is more important than ever to me these days. While my tolerance for uncomfortable shoes has always been pretty low, there’s something about the very necessary adjustment to our recent way of life that has only intensified this notion. With the simple act of walking pretty much saving our sanity over lockdown, it’s a habit I’ve been personally trying to keep up, and what I’ve established as a result is that if I can't wear it for a whole day without moaning, then it's not going anywhere near my feet.

BY JULIA COELHO

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W

ith socialisation comes a desire for outfits that are a little more visually appealing than the trackies and comfy trainers many of us have lived in for an entire year.

While it’s fairly easy to turn to your most reliable boots and trainers over the cooler months, I think it’s fair to say that finding aesthetically pleasing, durable and blister-free sandals can be somewhat of a tougher feat.

tends to be two separate camps; those who opt for all-out glam with an unyielding post-covidfreedom sentiment, and then on the other hand, an increased appreciation for practicality and utility. Obviously, there’s really no need to choose a side; sometimes I am more inclined towards a toned-down pair, and sometimes I feel like being a bit more OTT. Either way, comfort is king, and luckily for us, it’s definitely not too late to get stuck into a new pair of summer shoes as we’ll be likely wearing them well into October and beyond.

As someone who can’t bear the thought of a closed shoe throughout May to October, I've never been one to turn down a new pair of sandals. This season has been no different, as the extensive variety that our favourite retailers have on offer is enough to tempt even the most dedicated of trainer-wearers. With every new season, there

FISHERMAN SANDALS Undoubtedly one of summer 2021's most popular shoe silhouettes, we have the ‘cage’ or ‘fisherman’ sandal, featuring thick straps, a buckle fastening and a chunky sole. Aside from being super comfy and keeping your feet firmly in place, they also offer an ideal solution for the more GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

unpolished of toes (yes, guilty), yet still allow your feet to breathe and feel cool throughout even August’s stickiest days. They definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea from an aesthetic standpoint, but you won’t find much better options from a utility/comfort perspective.

BIRKENSTOCKS

LEFT PAGE: MONIKA FISHERMAN FLAT SHOES IN TAN, ASOS DESIGN, £25.00 TOP: FLAT LEATHER CAGE SANDALS, ZARA, £89.99 BOTTOM: CAGE LEATHER SANDALS, ARKET, £135.00 MIDDLE:FLAT FABRIC SANDALS WITH BUCKLES, ZARA, £55.99 RIGHT: ARIZONA FLAT SANDALS IN JADE EVA, BIRKENSTOCK, £35.00

I honestly wear my Birkenstocks practically all year round, and whether they’re on trend or not is truly irrelevant, I just can’t get enough. It just so happens that one of the shoes of the moment is the well-loved Birkenstock.

Whether you opt for the classic Arizona model, or prefer one of the more out-there designs, they offer the sartorial trifecta; comfort, versatility, as well as an undeniably effortless cool vibe, whether paired with loungewear or a more refined work/drinks outfit. They also have a vegan range that incorporates the use of synthetic and natural products, which is a massive win for me!

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CHUNKY FLIP FLOPS A lot of the time, I resort to simply chucking on my flip flops for convenience-sake, but I’ve recently discovered chunky iterations that look much more fashion-forward than their flimsy counterparts. I find that my mental registry of quick and simple looks that I know will always work are centred around my go-to sandals, and my chunky flip flops are starting to secure one of the top spots without a doubt. Be it some cropped jeans and a tee, or a ditsy floral dress, there aren’t many outfits that a pair of chunky sandals won’t tie up seamlessly.

STRAPPY STYLES

TOP LEFT: FUELLED CHUNKY LEATHER FLIPFLOPS IN BLACK, ASOS DESIGN, £35.00 BOTTOM LEFT: PLATFORM SANDALS WITH KNOT, MANGO, £49.99 RIGHT: TATE TIE LEG FLATFORM SANDALS IN NATURAL, ASOS DESIGN, £28.00

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The 90s strappy look started several summers ago and has developed over time to include chunkier heels, but predominantly flats! A few years back, I remember flats had many noses turned up at them, I suppose for not being sartorially elevated or as chic as heels. Nowadays, we can find a plethora of flat shoes that look just as good as heels, if not more so. You can’t go wrong with a dainty, barelythere leather lace-up flat, which can do wonders to add a bit of elegance to any summer outfit. They’re also perfect for minimalists who just aren’t about chunky, in-your-face styles.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

TOP: PANDA, STRAPPY, SANDAL, IN, TAN, TOPSHOP, £23.00 TOP RIGHT: FRESH STRAPPY SANDALS IN WHITE, ASOS DESIGN, £16.00 CIRCLE: WIDE FIT SANDRA PLAITE MULES IN SAGE, RAID, £29.99 RIGHT: LEATHER FLATFORM FLIP FLOPS, MARKS SPENCER, £35.00

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fashion CHRISTY TOE THONG HEELED MULES IN IVORY, E8 BY MIISTA, £115.00

KITTEN HEEL MULES As someone who once upon a time rejected even the mere thought of a kitten heel, it looks like my age is starting to show, because I am in on this trend.

I suppose they were once considered questionable due to the tiny, maybe pointless elevation, but we can’t deny that they’re so versatile and have the ability of pulling double duty too, offering an ideal desk to drinks solution. They’re perfect if you're still easing your way back into wearing taller shoes after our lengthy event-drought.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

Comfort, versatility, as well as an undeniably effortless cool vibe.

PESTO Recipe by The Gibraltar Vegan, follow instagram.com/thegibraltarvegan for updates

Pesto is one of those condiments that can turn a wide variety of

INGREDIENTS •

1 large handful of fresh basil

I use it stirred into hot gnocchi or

•

50g pine nuts

with cold pasta which is ideal for

•

3tbsp nutritional yeast

•

1tbsp virgin olive oil

lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes and

•

1 large pinch of garlic salt

vegan cheese. The list is endless.

•

1tbsp water

dishes into something super tasty.

parties and the beach. I also like using it in pita bread filled with

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METHOD 1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend it roughly. Too smooth and you lose that nice texture.

2. If you don’t have a blender, smash the pine nuts in a mortar and pestle, finely chop the basil and stir all the ingredients together.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

CREMA CATALANA Custards and flans are some of my all time favourite desserts. If I find them in mama's fridge I'll end up eating one or two no matter how big lunch was, there's always room.

But my ultimate treat is mama's Crema Catalana made slightly different with the use of orange peel instead of lemon zest.

INGREDIENTS: •

2 Tsp Cornflour

•

1 Orange Peel

•

1 Cinnamon Stick

•

400ML Milk

•

6 Egg Yolks

•

100G Soft Brown Sugar, saving 10G for the top decoration.

METHOD: 1. Pour the milk, zest and GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

cinnamon stick into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

Recipe featured in the Mama Lotties Cookbook - www.mamalotties.com

2. Whilst your milk is heating, beat the egg yolks with the sugar and cornstarch until light and fluffy.

3. Remove the zest and cinnamon from the milk and add in the egg mixture, whisking constantly to ensure the eggs do not scramble.

Whisk until the mixture thickens, this should take around 10 minutes at most.

4. Remove from the heat and pour into ramekins. Allow to cool to one side for a while then place in the fridge to set, preferably overnight.

5. Finish off by sprinkling the tops of your custards with sugar and caramelizing using a blowtorch, so that you end up with a browned glass top.

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff, sent in by @Sophy_Pophy.

One of our readers has had a go at a past Gib Mag recipe - what do you think? Send in your snaps to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com for a chance to be featured!

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Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems.

Meet weekly on Thurs at 9pm at Family and Community Centre, Mid Harbours Estate, Bishop Caruana Road. 54007676 or 54014484.

Gamblers Anonymous Telephone: 54001520 Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tues of every month at 8.30pm at John Mac Hall, except for Jul & Aug. Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 72 Prince Edwards Rd Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: dyslexia.gi Gibraltar Hearing Issues & Tinnitus Association Voicemail: (+350) 200 66755, Text Message (SMS): (+350) 54066055, Correspondence Charity P.O. Box 90220, Gibraltar. Email: info@ ghita.gi, Facebook: Gibraltar Hearing Issues & Tinnitus Association (GHITA & BSL Club), Our support group meets the first Monday of every month at Suite 3, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre as from 5pm.

Gibraltar Marriage Care Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support: Meets every Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Parental Support Group helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and grandchildren. Tel: 200 46536, 200 76618, or 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: Yolanda 54015553 With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities.

Women in Need Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available.

Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

clubs & activities Arts & Crafts Cross Stitch Club: John Mackintosh Hall, 1st Floor, Mon 6-8pm, fee £1.

Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Association: Children: Mon&Fri 12.30-2pm, Mon-Fri 3.45-5.15pm Adults: Wed 5.45-7.15, Sat 10.30 to 12.30, Tel: 20073865 email: gibartsandcrafts@hotmail.com Knit and Natter Group: Tues 11am-3pm, Thurs 5.30-7.30pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balcony. Free to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865.

The Arts Centre: Prince Edward’s Road, Art classes for children and adults. For more info call Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery: At Casemates. Open 10am-2pm, 3-6pm Mon-Fri, Sat 11am-1pm.

The Arts Society Gibraltar: Monthly illustrated talks open to the public.

Registration from 6:30pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Guest fee £12.

We meet at The Garrison Library. Contact gibraltar@theartssociety.org or Claus Olesen on 54036666. Website with all informaiton is gibraltar.theartssociety.org Board Games Calpe Chess Club & Junior Club: meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall Thursday, Juniors: 5p.m. - 7 p.m. / Tuesday & Thursday 7p.m. - 10:30 The Gibraltar Scrabble Club: Meets on Tuesdays at 3pm. Tel: Vin 20073660 or Roy 20075995. All welcome.

The Subbuteo Club: Meets in Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall.

Dance Adult Dance Classes: Wed evenings at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm.

Contact Dilip on 200 78714.

Art in Movement Centre: Hip-hop/Break Dance, Contemporary Dance, Pilates, Capoeira, Acrobatics, Street Kids & Tods, Modern Dance. Performance and Film opportunities. Judo & Jujitsu Classes: Tue/ Thur with Sensei Conroy. All ages. Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. www. artinmovement.net FB: Art In Movement A.I.M, tel 54025041 or 54007457 Ballet, Modern Theatre, Contemporary & Hip-hop: weekly at Danza Academy. Training from 3 years to Adult Advanced. 68/2 Prince Edward’s Rd Tel: 54027111.

Bellydance Classes, all levels, Tue 8-9pm at the Ocean Village Gym (non–members welcome). Contact 54005593.

DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing: Sessions at Central Hall Fri 8.30pm, beginners 8pm. Tel: 200 78901 or tony@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing: Mon at Catholic Community Centre 8pm. Tel. Andrew 200 78901.

Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre: Classes weekly at Urban Dance Studio, 2 Jumpers Bastion.

Tel: Yalta 54012212 or Jolene 54015125.

Rockkickers Linedance Club: Governor’s Meadow 1st School. www.rockkickers.com Salsa Gibraltar Salsa: Tues at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm.

Intermediates 8.30-10pm. Tel: Mike 54472000 or info@salsagibraltar.com Zumba Classes at Urban Dance: Jumpers Bastion, with certified instructor Tyron Walker. Tel: 20063959 or 54012212 or Twitter: @UrbanDanceGib History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust: Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association: Dedicated to the preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Garrison Library Tours: at 11am on Fri, duration 1h 50mins. Tel: 20077418.

History Alive: Historical re-enactment parade. Main Street up to Casemates Square every Sat at 12 noon.

Music Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir: Rehearses at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tel: 54831000.

The Calpe Band: Mon & Wed. For musicians of brass/woodwind instruments of all standards/ages/abilities 7-9pm. Tel: 54017070 or thecalpeband@gmail.com

Jazz Nights: Thurs at 9pm at O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. Tel: 200 70500.

Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gibraltar: Exciting self-development programme for young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Contact: Award House, North Mole Road, PO Box: 1260. mjpizza@ gibtelecom.net, www.thedukes.gi.

Social Clubs The Rotary Club of Gibraltar meets the Rock Hotel, 7pm Tuesday evenings. Guests welcome. For contact or info www.rotaryclubgibraltar.com Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes: (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, 72/9 Prince Edward’s Road - Provincial Grand Lodge, Thu/month, 7.30pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8.30pm. Buena Vista 9975, monthly, Social Lodge. www.akearn1.wix. com/raob-gibraltar, william.tilley.lodge@ hotmail.co.uk, Clive, tel: 58008074 Special Interest Clubs & Societies Creative Writers Group: meets up on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 in O’Reilley’s Irish Bar and it is free to attend. Tel: Carla 54006696.

Gibraltar Book Club: For info Tel: Parissa 54022808.

Gibraltar Horticultural Society: meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, J.M. Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

Gibraltar Photographic Society: Meets on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Wellington Front.

Induction courses, talks, discussions, competitions etc. For details contact the secretary on, leslinares@gibtelecom.net Harley Davidson Owners’ Club: Harley Riders Gibraltar on Facebook Lions Club of Gibraltar: Meets 2nd and 4th Wed of the month at 50 Line Wall Road. www.lionsclubofgibraltar.com St John’s Ambulance: Adult Volunteers Training Sessions from 8-10pm on Tues. Tel: 200 77390 or training@stjohn.gi The Royal British Legion: For info or membership contact the Branch Secretary 20074604 or write to PO Box 332.

UN Association of Gibraltar: PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club: Meets at Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check game is televised. Great food for a lunch if KO is early or an early supper if the game is later.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club: Meets match days upstairs at Time Out Café, Eurotowers. Gooners of all ages welcome.

For info/news visit www.GibGooners.com Tel: 54010681 (Bill) or 54164000 (John).

Gibraltar Hammers: Meets on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome.

For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Leeds United Gibraltar Supporters Club.

Meet at The Trafalgar Sports Bar 1 Rosia Road when live matches are on. All Leeds United supporters and their families are welcome. Join Leeds United Gibraltar Supporters club at: facebook.com/luscgib Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association. Tel: Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions through year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to BWF& BE) junior club/tournaments, senior leagues/ recreational. www.badmintongibraltar.com Ballet Barre Fitness: Adults on Wed 10am & Fri 6pm at The Arts Centre. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST2021

for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory. Tel: 56382000 or 20042788.

Cheerleading: Gibraltar Cheerleading Association, girls and boys of all ages.

Cheerleading and street cheer/hip-hop at Victoria Stadium. Recreational / competitive levels. Tel: 58008338.

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association.

Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Arturo 54025033.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket, National Governing Body & Associate Member of ICC. Governs International & Domestic Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ & Girls’ cricket- league & cup competitions and in-school coaching. www.gibraltarcricket.com, info@gibcricket. com, Twitter: @Gibraltar_Crick Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (full member of WDF & affiliate of BDO). We cater for men, ladies & youth who take part in leagues, competitions and a youth academy for the correct development of the sport. Tel: Darren 54027171 Secretary, Alex 54021672 Youth Rep, Justin 54022622 President. Email: info@ gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 20042941 www.gibraltarfa.com Gaelic Football Club (Irish sport): Males any age welcome. Get fit, play sport, meet new friends, travel around Spain/Europe and play an exciting and competitive sport. Training every Wed on the MOD pitch on Devil’s Tower Road at 7pm. Andalucia League with Seville and Marbella to play matches home and away monthly. Visit www.gibraltargaels. com or secretary.gibraltar.europe@gaa.ie Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults/juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730 for info.

Iaido: teaches the Japanese sword (Katana), classes every week. www.iaidogibraltar.com Ice Skating: Gibraltar Rock Stars Figure Skating Club lessons every Tuesday evening & Saturday morning, all levels including adults. Contact grsfsc@gmail.com or 58700000 Iwa Dojo, Kendo & Jujitsu: Classes every week, for kids/adults. Tel: 54529000 www. iwadojo.com or dbocarisa@iwadojo.com Judo and Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Budokai Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 20043319.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during the evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion.

Tel: 54011007.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association - Karate training for junior & seniors at Clubhouse, Shotokai karate centre, 41H Town Range. Monday: 9:30 p.m. & Wednesday 9:45 p.m.

Karate: Shotokan karate midday Mon beginners, other students 8.30pm. Thurs 8.30pm. In town at temporary dojo or privately by arrangement. Contact Frankie 54038127 or info@fhmedia.co.uk.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Muay Thai and Muay Boran Club: Tues & Thur at Boyd’s Kings Bastion Leisure Centre at 6:30pm, Tel: John – 54024707 FB: Gibraltar Muay Thai Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues. Tel: 20041874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association.

New members welcome. Tel: 54002652.

Pilates: Intermediate Pilates: Tues & Fri 9.30am, beginners Pilates: Fri 10.50am at the Shotokai Centre, 41H Town Range. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Gibraltar Pool Association: (Member of the EBA) home and away league played on Thurs throughout the season, various tournaments played on a yearly basis both nationally and internationally, Tel: 56925000 gibpool@ gibtelecom.net, www.gib8ball.com

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions from 4 years of age, weekday evenings. Tel: 56000772 or Sally 200 74661.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby caters for all ages from 4 years old to veterans (over 35’s). It organises competitions and sessions for Juniors; 4 x Senior Clubs; Veterans team; Touch Rugby and a Referees Society. Email admin@gibraltarrfu. com or visit www.gibraltarrfu.com Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club at 200 78897.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation. Rifle, Europa Point Range (Stephanie 54020760); Clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Louis 54095000).

Snooker: Members of European Billiards & Snooker Association - facilities at Jumpers Bastion with 3 tables. Professional coaching for juniors/seniors. Organised leagues/ tournaments and participation in international competitions. Tel: 56262000 / 54000068, or info@gibraltarsnooker.com Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult and junior tournaments and coaching. Tel: 200 44922.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Noah’s Dive Club and 888s Dive Club. Tel: 54991000.

Commercial sports diving schools available.

Time - Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m..

Telephone, Jenssen Ellul - 54027122 Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo.

Pool open Mon&Thurs: 7-10am, 12.30-4pm.

Tue, Wed, Fri: 7-10am, 12:30-5pm. Sat: 3-5pm.

Sun: closed. Mon to Fri from 5-6pm groups training. 6-7.30 squad training. Mon, Wed, Fri 7.30-8.30 swimming joggers, Tues & Thurs 7:30-8:30 junior Water polo. Mon, Tues & Thurs 8:30-10pm Adult water polo. Tel: 200 72869.

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association training and playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: 56070000 or 20060720.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: Mari 20044142 or www. gibraltartaekwondo.org Tai Chi: Tai Chi for children and adults. MonThur 6.30-8pm at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre and Sat 9am-1pm at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range. Tel: Dilip 200 78714.

Tennis and Paddle Tennis: Sandpits Club.

Junior and adult training available. info : www. sandpits.club. Tel (Louis) 20077035 Ten-Pin Bowling: At King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day. Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Tel: 200 52442.

Triathlon: Hercules Triathlon Club organises swimming, running and cycling training sessions and competes regularly in Andalucia and Internationally. Contact chris.walker@york.gi or Facebook “Hercules Triathlon Club” Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association training, indoor leagues, beach volleyball competition, 3 v 3 competition, juniors and seniors. Tel: 54001973 or 54885000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association: Meet at Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street.

Tel: 20042237.

Trafalgar Theatre Group: Meets 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm.

All welcome.

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Victoria Stadium

3

4

REFERENDUM HOUSE ←→ SOUTH BARRACKS

Market Place loop (Eastbound)

http://www.gibraltarbuscompany.gi

Routes operated by

BOTH WORLDS ←→ ROSIA

Rosia loop (Northbound)

MARKET PLACE ←→ EUROPA POINT

3

Midtown loop (Southbound) Midtown loop (Northbound)

Ocean Village

Glacis Kiosk

WILLIS’s ROAD

MOUNT ALVERNIA ←→ ORANGE BASTION

AIRPORT/FRONTIER ←→ TRAFALGAR

EUROTOWERS ←→ ROSIA

http://citibus.gi

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Bishop Canilla House

PLACES OF INTEREST

Coach Park

Cable Car

Airport

Lighthouse

Cathedral

Museum

BI

Taxis

Seaport

Castle

Beach

Stadium

Trafalgar Cemetery

QUEENSWAY

King’s Wharf

Queensway Quay

Referendum Gates

MAIN STREET

Commonwealth Park

Mid-Harbour Estate

Europort Building 8

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Edinburgh House

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PRINCE EDWARDS ROAD

Eliott’s Way

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ROSIA ROAD

Alameda Governor’s House Meadow House Victoria House

H KS RO AD

BA RR AC

Mount Pleasant

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New Harbours

Cumberland Jumpers Road Building

South Gates

New Mole House

Garrison Gym

© VK (2018)

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Gibraltar Bus Network

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Rosia Plaza

North Gorge

Eliott’s Battery

March 2019 version : correct at time of going to print

Map of Gibraltar

University of Gibraltar

EUROPA POINT

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Schematic Diagram of Bus Network (not to scale)

Buena Vista

Mosque

BUS NETWORK

GIBRALTAR

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Brympton

EUROPA ROAD

SOUTH BARRACKS

SOUTH PAVILION ROAD

St. Joseph’s School

MOUNT ALVERNIA

Schomberg

SO UT

Shorthorn Farm

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R e s e r v e

Rock Old Hotel Casino

RED SANDS ROAD

Lower Flat Bastion Rd Wilson’s Gardiner’s Ramp Road

Morello’s Ramp

TRAFALGAR Convent Place

Blackstrap Cove

N a t u r e

FLAT BASTION ROAD

Sacred Heart Church

Flat Bastion Rd

R o c k

Caleta Hotel

RECLAMATION Cathedral ROAD Square

King’s Bastion

Arengo’s Palace

PORT St. Bernard’s EURO Hospital GASA Swimming Pool

ROAD

Varyl Begg Estate

MONTAGU GARDENS

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British War Memorial

LINE WALL ROAD

BOTH WORLDS ←→ RECLAMATION ROAD

Artillery Arms

WILLIS’s ROAD

MAIN STREET MAIN STREET

Moorish Castle Estate

AIRPORT/FRONTIER ←→ RECLAMATION ROAD

Albert Risso House

Sir William Jackson Grove

Waterport Road

QUEENSWAY

Orange Bastion

Fishmarket Steps

1

William’s Way

U p p e r

SIR HERBERT MILES ROAD

1 2 MARKET PLACE

CASEMATES

Routes operated by

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Notre Dame School

Faulknor House

Constitution House

REFERENDUM HOUSE

WINSTON CHURCHILL AVENUE

Park & Ride

MARKET PLACE ←→ WILLIS’S ROAD

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BUS ROUTES

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AIRPORT/ FRONTIER

DEVIL’S TOWER RO AD

St. Theresa’s Church

GLACIS ROAD

Eastern Beach

CORRAL ROAD

WATERPORT ROAD

C A R C A B L E

Catalan Bay

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restaurants, bars & pubs THE LOUNGE Stylish Lounge Gastro Bar on Queensway Quay Marina serving best quality food prepared by passionate, qualified chefs. Popular quiz on Sundays from 7pm and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. A separate Lounge Bar Area serving a wide range of hot drinks, wines, beers, spirits and cocktails at reasonable prices, with large TV’s for sports and events coverage.

Open: 10am-late Mon - Sun Be sure to arrive early to ensure a seat!

The Lounge, 17 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 info@thelounge.gi

03 Aug 21 to 09 Aug 21

DUTY PHARMACY OPENING HOURS

10 Aug 21 to 16 Aug 21

Monday to Friday (7pm to 9pm) Weekends & public holidays (11am to 1pm & 6pm to 8pm)

17 Aug 21 to 23 Aug 21

For updates, check facebook.com/PharmaGuide

24 Aug 21 to 30 Aug '21

31 Aug 21 to 06 Sept '21

Family Pharmacy

151 Main Street 200 68861

Ocean Pharmacy

Unit 2 Ocean Village Avenue 200 76822

Morrisons Pharmacy

Morrison's Store Westside Road 200 75765,

Family Pharmacy

151 Main Street 200 68861

Bell Pharmacy

27 Bell Lane 200 77289

CHESS PUZZLE ANSWER: 24… b6! is crushing since after 25.Rxc6 Qd5 leads to a faster version of the murderous attack which Black actually launches in the game.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

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Kid's Korner

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE coloring sheet

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1. Raging or frenzied (7)

1. Special, instinctive talent (5)

9. Latin spelling of eastern region of France. German Shepherd dog from here! (7)

2. Part of a staircase (5)

10. Old English weapon (7)

3. Archipelago near Scotland (5,8)

11. Less frequent (5)

4. Soviet dictator (6)

13. Sweet item found in beehive (9)

5. Archipelago near Scotland (6,7)

15. Trees of the beech family (9)

6. Yogi Bear’s constant friend (6)

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19. Tag; address slip (5)

7. Spider’s network (6)

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21. Chats a lot; poor players; burrowing mammals (7)

12. River of Italy (4)

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23. A tribe of many species of flower, the best-known being Iris (7))

15. Part of 3’s largest island (6)

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24. Playful scamps (7)

14. Hybrid equine (4)

16. Jewish teachers (6) 17. Respond. With luck you will now insert this in grid!

(6) 29. Island in 3 (5) 20. Part of 3’s largest island (5)

& YOU COULD WIN

SUDOKU

lunch for two at Write your name and either SNAP and SEND your completed crossword to editor@thegibraltarmagazine.com or RETURN TO THE CLIPPER by 20th August Winners must collect their voucher from The Clipper, and use it within the same month of this publication.

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the defensive genius behind the lines of Torres Vedras. It was here, outside Lisbon, that Wellington impaled the army of the French Marshal Masséna.

This month’s game is one of my own, where I sought to translate Wellington’s military tactics into a chessboard interpretation.

KNOWN UNKNOWNS

BY GRANDMASTER RAY KEENE OBE “There are known knowns. There are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns.

That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know.” Donald Rumsfeld.

This is the most notorious saying of the two times US Secretary of Defence, who passed away at the age of 88 on June 29th this year. At the time of utterance Rumsfeld's pronouncement was considered obscure at best and risible at worst. However, it makes sense once parsed and indeed echoes a similar assertion by the Duke of Wellington.

The conqueror of Napoleon was in fact one of my schoolboy heroes and I tried to model my early chess style on his campaigns, especially the strategic retreat after the Battle of Bussaco and 96

“All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavour to find out what you don’t know, by what you do; that’s what I called – guessing what was at the other side of the hill.” The Duke of Wellington

White: Graham Sandiford Black: Raymond Keene Dulwich College, London, England 1961 Nimzowitsch Defence

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 f6 One of Nimzowitsch’s more extreme ideas, which is far more challenging than 3...Bf5.

4. f4 Bf5 5. Ne2 Qd7 6. Ng3 Bg4 7. Be2 Bxe2 As so often in this defence, the trade of light-squared bishops furthers Black’s aims rather than White’s.

8. Nxe2 e6 9. Be3 Nge7 Almost imperceptibly, Black has gained tangible influence over the centre, and White’s remaining dark-squared bishop is seriously restricted by its own pawns.

10. O-O Nf5 11. Qd2 h5 This strategically valuable advance of Black’s h-pawn plays a vital role.

12. Ng3 …

A common factor in this opening is that White simply cannot tolerate the continued presence of the black knight on f5 and therefore accepts doubled pawns in order to eliminate it. However, White’s doubled pawns on the g-file represent an attractive target for Black’s further attack, by means of ...h5-h4.

12. … Nxg3 13. hxg3 Ne7 14. Bf2 f5

Black no longer requires the f5square for his knight. It is more important to fix White’s g3-pawn as a weakness in preparation for the line-opening attack ...h5-h4.

15. Na3 Ng6 16. Qd3 Kf7 A vital step in connecting Black’s rooks. The king is safer on f7 than it would be after ...O-O-O.

17. c4 Bxa3 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

coffee time 18. Qxa3 h4 The final attack commences. There is no need to risk the opening of the position after 18...dxc4.

19. cxd5 Qxd5 20. Rac1 c6 21. Rc5 Qd7 22. b4 h3

White’s demonstration on the other wing comes too late. There is really no defence to Black's numerous options on the h-file. 23 Qf3! is the sole try.

23. gxh3 Rxh3 24. Qc1 Rah8

The immediate 24...b6 wins more quickly.

25. b5 Ne7 26. Kg2 b6!

This elegant move, somewhat overdue, now gains control of the vital d5 square for Black's queen.

27. bxc6 Nxc6 28 Rxc6 Qd5+ leads to checkmate, while after 28 Rb5 Ne7 (or 28...

Nxd4) White also loses control of the long light-squared diagonal.

0-1, Raymond Keene OBE GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE AUGUST 2021

CHESS PUZZLE Position after White’s 24th move in the game above. How does black to play force a quick win?

Note: We would like to apologise for a printing error last month which meant the wrong grids were used. As always, we endeavour to correct our online version immediately: www.issuu.com/thegibraltarmagazine Thank you for your understanding - enjoy the game!

Answer on page 91 97

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