Property
Is it a bird, is it a plane, or is it a church? And how does this crazy new building link with a Playmobil hotel, a flying yellow submarine and the lost city of Atlantis? Find out in our Property Supplement inside
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A CASH payment for the Prime Minister’s suits, a €300,000 bung to a former treasurer and a backhander to pay for an elite wedding. These are just three of the illegal ‘caja B’ cash payments made by the former PP party during Mariano Rajoy’s tenure. Revealed in a series of sensational hand-written notes and documents, kept by disgraced former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, they clearly demonstrate how the party was illegally funded on a national scale. Dubbed the ‘Operacion Kitchen’ papers, they have only now been made public, after being published in national newspaper El Mundo. What is even more shocking however is the way the dossier was allegedly stolen from Barcenas by police and not handed over to the courts in the recent Gurtel investigation into corruption. A Madrid judge has now opened an ‘urgent enquiry’ to look into why these documents have only now been made public. Judge Jose de la Mata has demanded the Home Office explain how police and the PP party allegedly conspired to keep the papers hidden. The documents were appar-
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November 21st - December 4th 2018
leading the way despite Brexit fears
FOREIGN FIREBALL
AN avalanche of foreign buyers is setting Spain’s property market on fire! A total of 53,359 homes were acquired by foreigners in the first half of 2018. The massive figure dwarfs the 33,000 sales recorded in the same period of 2007, when Spain’s property market was at its peak.
And, no surprise, the British continue ting for a record 7,613 purchases, up to lead the way, accounThat’s according to the latest official 8.8% on 2017. ries showing that 14% of all foreign figures from Spain’s notabuyers were British.
Second up come the French, who bought drop of 5% on last year) and the Germans,4,211 properties (a Destination-wise, Valencia was the favourite province for inwho bought 4,138 vestors, accounting homes, some 2% less than last year. for a third of all foreign sales, with 15,613 sales. When it comes to buying trends it turns out that the Irish, Da- It was the nish - and most interestingly, the Moroccans region with the highest year-on-year growth at - are the fastest 16.7%. growing nationalities. Andalucia came in second with 8.2% Spicing up the market, Moroccans bought of the foreign market 3,662 properties, a (9,737 sales), growth of 29% on last year, while the Danes were up by 18% singly a 5.3%followed by Catalunya with 7,570 sales, unsurpriand the Irish 25%. decline from the same period last year, much to do with current political tension. Romanians meanwhile continue to be a strong market having The fifth bought 3,872 homes. highest destination was Madrid, where foreign market sales increased by 5.4% (4,911 purchases).
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brace yourself Mallorca will be among worst affected by extreme weather as climate change takes hold SEVERE: Flooding in Mallorca while (top right inset) huge 40ft wave in Tenerife and tornado in Italy to become the norm in the future MALLORCA will be hammered by fiercer and more frequent storms as climate change ‘fuels the fire’ of extreme weather, scientists have warned. The warning comes after dev-
astating floods claimed 13 lives last month, including a British boy, two British tourists and a Dutchman. This week, monster 40ft waves demolished balconies in Tenerife, while the Costa del Sol
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and Costa Blanca were also hit with flash flooding terrifying bouts of lightning. The Balearics were also put on red alert again for further flooding. But these incidents are just a snapshot of what is to come as temperatures rise, say scientists. Professor Peter Stott, at the UK’s Met Office, insisted: "People imagine going to places like Tenerife or Mallorca the weather will be nice. "Instead we see these images of massive waves and flooding. Tenerife is vulnerable to storms of course, but these are things people aren't expecting. Climate scientists
have been saying for a long time we do expect a rapid increase in the frequency of extreme weather." He added that violent Atlantic storms are becoming more common in Spain and when they hit they are going to become more dangerous. While experts say it is not possible to blame individual storms on global warming, research is already pointing to much higher levels of rain that lead to killer floods. Professor Stott said one study on Hurricane Florence in Florida - which was described as a ‘thousand-year rain event’ - suggested climate
change had increased rainfall by 50%.He said: "That's just one example of how climate change is making these storms more powerful and more intense when they hit land. "We have sea surface temperatures one degree higher than in pre-industrial times. "That brings 6 to 7% higher moisture in the atmosphere as more water evaporates off the surface. “All that is fuel to the fire — there's more energy fuelling extreme weather events." Meanwhile, sea levels are rising by 3mm every year, undermining coastal defences. IN
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THE PERFECT FRAME: An indoor cubed garden leads on to a view new home in Sotogrande, see page of Gibraltar at XXVIII
ANGELIC ARCHITECTURE: A Madrid architect has won an award from for his unique take on religion, the RIBA see page XXXIV
Massive growth in buyers from abroad, with the British
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NEWS IN BRIEF Train tragedy A TRAIN in Barcelona has derailed following a landslide, killing one and injuring 49 others.
Budget blast The EU has criticised Pedro Sanchez’s 2019 budget, saying it thinks the Spanish economy will deviate significantly from medium-term goals while warning about the need for new structural reforms.
Peking interest Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Spain on November 28 to discuss the Belt and Road trade initiative with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Spain shame SPAIN is worse for street harassment against women than the US, UK, France, Italy and Germany, a study has found, with 92% of women affected.
NEWS
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
DEAL WITH IT!
AN investigation has been launched after a Palma woman was murdered by her exboyfriend two days after she had reported him to police. Calls for a much tougher response to gender violence are being made after Sacramento Roca Martín, 36, was stabbed to death while leaving work by Rafael Pantoja, 45. It comes after Roca filed a
Vicious murder leads to gender violence probe
complaint with police when Pantoja appeared at her place of work and keyed her car and slashed her tyres when she refused to speak with him. She told police he was also
responsible for distributing flyers, reading 'call me if you want a good time' next to her phone number. However, police failed to act and two days later CCTV captured Pantoja, a security guard, hiding in the parking lot of the shop Conforama, where she worked, before stabbing her six times as she walked to her car.
Stop screwing us! PRISON workers have gone on strike to demand more staff and higher wages. The two-day walk out in Palma saw 20 workers go on strike, while around 100 union members gathered outside the prison in solidarity. “The lives of the prisoners are in danger,” warned Palma prison's UGT delegate David Rodríguez. “There is a lack of personnel in all areas, including doctors, nurses and health officials.” There are currently 3,400 job vacancies in the Balearic prison network, with 70 unfilled jobs in Palma alone. The Palma prison officers are
The incident happened in the same week Mallorca’s police union, the SUP warned that officers were not properly protecting women on the island. The union claimed there are only four officers trained in dealing with gender violence cases, in the Palma area, while there are around 750 victims. Other towns around the island have similar problems with gender violence, including Manacor where only two officers are responsible for 100 reported incidents. Roca is the 44th death from gender violence in Spain this year. An internal investigation has begun within the Police departments to clarify if police and the system as a whole failed Roca.
OAP abuser caged A CARER has been cuffed after allegedly abusing her 100-year-old patient. The unnamed worker was rumbled after the victim, in Palma, managed to reach her emergency alarm and her cries for help were heard by authorities. It came after her carer, who was drunk when police arrived, had left the woman stuck in her mobility chair after shouting verbal abuse and hitting her. The home was a mess, with many damaged items allegedly broken by the abuser, who now awaits trial.
Not singing anymore also denouncing the 'continuous aggression' against workers, with 62 employees assaulted while on duty last year, while demanding a salary bump. The demands come after a British grandfather spent eight days in Palma's jail after police mistook him for an escaped inmate.
Police mistook Eddie Gossage, 68, from Merseyside, with Michael Phillips a heroin dealer, who has been on Interpol’s Most Wanted list for a few years. It took authorities over a week to confirm that Gossage was actually on holiday with his wife. He is now expected to sue.
A POP star’s tour manager has been arrested as part of one of Europe’s biggest ever drug hauls. Manu Chao’s chief roadie Jorge Gomez Calvino is one of 29 people arrested after over 3.4 tonnes of cocaine was seized in Spain. Calvino, based in Galicia, is said to be one of the masterminds behind the €100 million shipment, which was destined for the Andalucia and Madrid markets.
The music empresario - who travels around Europe with half-Spanish singer Manu Chao (right), famous for massive album Clandestino was linked to a similar haul in 2013. The seizures in the Canary Islands and Galicia has dealt another blow to the Colombian cartels.
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Expat detectives A BBC drama based around expat life on an island has begun filming in Mallorca. The crime drama written by Dan Sefton – the man behind The Good Karma Hospital – is based around a British and a German detective, both with very different personalities working among the expat community. Cameras have been rolling in Inca and Felanitx for The Mallorca Files, and will soon begin in Palma, Soller, and Pollensa. The series will film for the next six months, with Julian Looman as German extrovert and funnyman Max Winter and Elen Rhys as the more timid British detective, Miranda Blake.
IT is set to be the maddest AND coolest Mad Cool festival yet. British legends The Cure are set to headline Madrid’s celebrated pop festival next summer. The former punk band, whose debut came out in 1978, have just celebrated their 40th anniversary. They will be joined by fellow British indie group The 1975, Scottish rock band Mogwai and The National, from Ohio. Fellow Brits Milk Teeth and
British pop royalty arrive by private jet for wedding of Zara owner’s daughter
IN a bespoke Valentino dress and floor-length veil, the daughter of Spain’s richest man has married the son of one of the country’s top fashion designers. Unsurprisingly, no expense was spared for the wedding of Marta Ortega, 34, daughter of Zara billionaire owner Amancio Ortega (pictured below right). Most of the 400 guests - including Coldplay’s Chris Martin and DJ Mark Ronson - arrived in private jets to witness her wedding to Carlos
Royal screening IT is fittingly known as the ‘Kings and Queens’ district of Sotogrande. So how appropriate that the area of grand avenues named after Spain’s former monarchs should become a setting for scenes in the globally adored series The Crown. Netflix producers jumped at the opportunity to film in the exclusive private enclave for the third series of the smash hit drama about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
HAPPY: Couple (right) while (top) Chris Martin and (above) Norah Jones By Elisa Menendez
Torretta, 35, son of fashion maestro, Roberto Torretta. The festivities began at the Ortega family home in A Coruna, before continuing into the early hours of Sunday at the Casas Nova equestrian club.
Exquisite
Other guests included Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica and heiress Athina Onassis. And it was Best of British when it came to choosing entertainment, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, serenading the couple for the first dance, before nine-time Grammy winner, Norah Jones took to the stage. The couple went back to their roots for the exquisite ca-
tering, led by Spain’s Albert Adria - the co-owner of fivetime winner of the World’s Best Restaurant, El Bulli. Marta, a senior creative consultant for Zara Women, wowed in a modern Valentino high-neck dress with puff sleeves and a bow tied at the waist, finished with an elegant flower garland. Her father, 82, is the fifth richest man in the world, just behind Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg with a fortune of €61 billion. In 2015 and 2016 he was briefly named ahead of Bill Gates as the world’s wealthiest person by Forbes. Groom Carlos - son of one of Spain’s top designers - has worked as a representative for Victoria’s Secret supermodels Adriana Lima and Kendall Jenner.
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PAZ Vega was all smiles ahead of being honoured at the Sevilla Festival of European Cinema. The actress, herself from Sevilla, donned an ankle-length dress with polkadot detail before receiving the lifetime RTVA award for her glittering career. The 42-year-old is one of Spain’s biggest acting exports, making her Hollywood debut in 2005’s Spanglish. Her Hollywood fame will only grow as the mother-of-three is currently filming Rambo 5, scheduled to be released next year.
Bring on the boys!
BACKSTREET’S back alright — and they’re coming to Spain as part of their biggest arena tour in 18 years. The Backstreet Boys announced a 70-date tour alongside news of their upcoming 10th studio album DNA. The boys will visit Madrid on May 13 followed by Barcelona on May 17.
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the Snuts have also been added to the bill, along with the top-rated Bon Iver, from Wisconsin. It comes after Massive Attack announced two concerts in the capital next year. The 2018 Mad Cool festival was awarded ‘best line up of the year’ by NME this month, for featuring The Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode and the Arctic Monkeys on the same bill. For more information visit www.madcoolfestival.es
Coldplay serenade
Christmas Special A CHRISTMAS special of Love Island is in the works as ITV plans to reunite the cast in the famous Mallorca villa – Casa Amor. This year’s winning couple Jack Finchman and Dani Dyer have reportedly been contacted by producers to return to paradise along with stars from every series. Dyer, 22, is the daughter of Eastenders star Danny Dyer, and moved out of the family house and bought a house with boyfriend Finchman, 27, shortly after falling in love in Mallorca. An ITV source said: “Bosses have been wanting to get the cast back together for a few years now but have finally been given the green light because of the success of this year’s show. “They know exactly the kind of drama that viewers want to see and getting together the couples who have split will certainly make for tense viewing.”
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November 22nd - December 5th 2018
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SPAIN has doubled down on its threat to vote down the Brexit withdrawal agreement if there are no further assurances on Gibraltar. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday that he will vote against the UK's exit deal if the text on Gibraltar is not changed. The PSOE leader said: "As of today, if there are no changes with respect to Gibraltar, Spain will vote no to the agreement on Brexit." Madrid refuses to accept the Rock is a part of the UK despite it being an overseas territory since 1713. Downing Street hit back insisting the deal would apply to the 'whole UK family' including Gibraltar and other overseas territories.
DIRTY SANCHEZ: Spain’s leader has reneged on the agreement with May Spain is demanding that a specific opt out on any trade deal be added to the part of the divorce committing the EU to negotiate it. Speaking in Brussels, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said: “The negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar... future negotiations on Gibraltar are separate negotiation. “And that is what must be made clear. “Until we have the future declaration and we know what it says, whether we agree or not, we are also not going to approve the withdrawal agreement.”
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said it was 'no surprise' to see Spain’s last minute intervention. He said: “The language of vetos and exclusions should be the language of the past. “It has no place in the modern Europe of today at a time when when the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are trying to build a positive future relationship with the EU.” Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said earlier this week that Madrid needed more clarity on the future status of the Rock before it can offer its full support for the UK’s deal. “There is an article that we only found out about on Wednesday,” Borrell said, following a meeting of EU’s European affairs ministers. “We want to make sure the interpretation of this text is clear and shows that what’s being negotiSPAIN’S foreign minister has ated between the EU and ignited fresh Brexit tensions by the UK does not apply to saying Madrid will not stand in Gibraltar.” the way of an independent Scot- It comes just days before Theresa May is hoping to land joining the EU. Josep Borrell’s inflammatory re- seal the deal in a key meetmarks attracted widespread crit- ing with EU leaders on icism among British Conserva- Sunday. tives, who called his comments May is already struggling with euroskeptics within hypocritical. They insisted his views on Scot- her own party, who see tish nationalism completely con- the deal as a non-starter flict with Madrid’s tough stance for giving too much power to the EU. on Catalan independence. Former Brexit minister David Meanwhile Labour unJones labelled Borrell’s com- der Jeremy Corbyn has ments ‘appalling hypocrisy’, already vowed to vote while the Scottish Conservatives down the agreement in said the foreign minister was parliament. Adding to embattled May’s obstacles, ‘quite simply wrong’. Borrell had said he had been Spain has now requested more ‘worried’ about the unity changes to Article 184 of of the United Kingdom than the the draft exit treaty, despite chief negotiator Miunity of Spain. “I think the United Kingdom will chel Barnier insisting that split apart before the Kingdom of the text agreed last week shouldn’t be readdressed. Spain,” he said in an interview.
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Operation kitchen takes hold From front page
ently stolen from Barcenas - currently serving 33 years in prison for creaming off €1.24m in bribes. Barcenas instructed his wife to hide the huge dossier in their house inside furniture and his private office. However, she confided in the couple’s long-standing chauffeur where the documents were being hidden. Unbeknown to them he had become a mole of the Nation-
al Police, who photocopied the documents and handed them over. The police, under disgraced former chief Jose Villarejo, then shockingly chose to conceal the evidence from the judiciary. Prime minister Mariano Rajoy became the first serving leader in Spain to testify in a criminal case when he was grilled on Gurtel’s dealings. He always denied receiving cash payments.
Happy days PEOPLE living in the Balearic Islands are the happiest in Spain, a new study has found. Taking joint first place with Navarra, residents of the Balearic Islands were ranked at 7.85 out of ten on a ‘happiness’ scale. Conducted by the Centre for Sociological Investigation (CIS), the study asked some 3,000 people 40 questions to determine how satisfied they are in their respective regions. Galicia came last with a happiness rating of 7, revealing that residents are prescribed more antidepressants than any other region. It comes after a recent national study by the OECD found that men were generally in brighter spirits than women, while the happiest age group was unsurprisingly adults aged between 18-25.
Garbage run A WOMAN had to be rescued from her own home after becoming buried in rubbish. The Palma hoarder had to be rescued after she collapsed and was unable to escape the huge piles of trash that had blocked her way to her front or back door. Police were called after neighbours heard her cries for help. There was so much rubbish and clutter in the home that a team of firemen and paramedics could not open the front door. They finally forced their way in to find the woman on the floor. She was rushed to hospital, before council workers and a fire crew took much of the rubbish away. The woman suffers from Diogenes syndrome, which has symptoms of extreme hoarding, selfneglect and social seclusion.
In hot water THE president of Mallorca’s water company is in hot water as the fake degrees scandal rocks the Balearics. Emaya president Neus Truyol is facing calls for her resignation, after the body allegedly covered up claims that their workers had falsified qualifications. PP party spokeswoman Marga Durán launched a scathing attack on Truyol, which has led to three employees being laid off. Duran insisted various staff got jobs by making up fake degrees. And she added: “Despite the fact that we pay one of the most expensive water rates in Spain, Truyol will leave us a debt of €44 million.”
GREEN
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Pile in the green SOLAR energy could light up Spain with investments worth up to €70 billion by 2030, Secretary for Energy Jose Dominguez Abascal said. Speaking at a conference in Madrid, the politician added: “Spain is going through a unique historical moment, which should be taken advantage of. It’s a great challenge, but also a great opportunity for development.”
Gold
Sunny Spain hopes to have 35% of its energy needs met by renewable energy by 2030, putting it ahead of any other European country. Industry leaders have enthusiastically greeted the government’s commitment to renewable energy. Antonio Delgado, from Aleasoft Energy Forecasting, said “We are living a revolution and Spain is a gold mine.” Solar energy firms have created 19,000 jobs and the sector is set to boom with plans to remove a tax on home and business owners who use solar energy making it an ever more attractive alternative to fossil fuels.
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
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End the atrocity Outrage after video of dogs and deer falling off cliff edge during hunt goes viral HUNTERS have hit back after a video of 12 dogs and a deer falling off a cliff went viral. Hunting groups insisted it was an isolated incident and that all the animals were quickly treated at the scene by vets. The shocking footage however was blasted by animal wel-
fare groups after being first reported by the Olive Press this week. Animal rights political party PACMA went on to dub the incident in Extremadura as ‘cruelty’ and said: “It’s time to demand responsibility from politicians who are insensitive to the suffering and lives of animals.”
Life and death THE Madrid mayor who saved Spain from a €2.7 billion pollution fine has now issued a stark climate change warning to her government. Manuela Carmena, 74, took the stage at the Madrid World Forum on Urban Violence to make her views known to Minister of Ecological transition, Teresa Ribera, in the audience. The Madrid mayor labelled climatic change a ‘matter of life and death,’ adding that she wants to leave behind the ‘partisanship’ surrounding pollution, claiming it ‘costs lives’. She was referring to the political opposition she has received for implementing green measures, from those such as Ribera, who criticised her green bike scheme in Madrid.
Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias tweeted: “The people responsible for this atrocity only have one name; criminals..let’s end this once and for all and punish those who are guilty.” In the video, shot in Herreruela, near Caceres, dogs can be seen running towards a wounded deer on a cliff edge. As they all attack, some begin to fall off the edge while a passerby shouts to the hunter ‘run, the dogs are falling’. The hunter fails to get to the dogs in time before making a failed attempt at finishing off the deer by stabbing at it with a knife. More dogs plunge to the bottom of the cliff, followed by the deer, making a loud noise as they hit the ground. A spokesperson for the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation has since claimed the dogs were treated at the scene before being taken to nearby vets. It’s not clear how many survived. President Angel Lopez Maraver blasted the Olive Press for ‘using the footage to criminalise hunters and hunting.’
SHOCKING: Dogs plummet down ravine
Ozone grown
THE ozone layer could be restored by 2060 if regulations on greenhouse gases remain the same in a change that would reduce global warming by 0.4°C. Currently the ozone layer recovers between 1% and 3% of its surface every decade, but experts warn that it is impossible to know exactly when the atmosphere would be rid of all its harmful elements.
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November 22nd - December 5th 2018
what’s on
A
MANACOR’S autumn fair continues with a concert of chamber music on Nov 30, with seasonal songs from Schumann, Brahms, Strauss, and more.
H
PALMA'S Christmas Market has begun this week, with craft stalls, food stands and entertainments around Placa Major, Placa d'Espanya, Via Roma and down the Rambla – open daily until 9pm.
L
ight it up
THE annual Christmas lighting ceremony in Palma returns tonight (Thursday), with entertainment for the whole family beginning at 5pm on Passeig del Born.
Send your informa tion to November 22nd - December 5th 2018 newsdesk@ theoliv epress.es
Christmas mania
utumn tunes
oliday shop
Do you have a what’s on?
NOT TO BE MISSED: Christmas markets
THE comic-book world is mourning the death of two legends. Last month saw the death of Spain’s cartoon hero Carlos Ezquerra - co-creator of the iconic character Judge Dredd - who died age 70 after being diagnosed with lung cancer eight years ago. And just last week Marvel genius, Stan Lee, died age 95. Spider-Man and Fantastic Four fans across the world paid tribute to the US artist by signing off Tweets with his catchphrase, ‘excelsior’ meaning onward and upward.
Enthralling
Zaragoza-born Ezquerra started his career drawing war comics in Barcelona, before moving to London where the transgressive,
DOZENS of markets, fairs and events are set to ring in the Christmas season this year. A Christmas Carol will be a popular hit with kids at the Palma auditorium (from December 14 – 16) and a snowy Christmas village which will take over Pueblo Español. The village will boast an ice skating rink, live music and traditional foods from December 5 to 9. From December 21, Port Adriano becomes a winter wonder-
land and features the largest ice rink on the island, open daily until January 7. Porto Portals, meanwhile, opens its Christmas Market on December 20, while on the first Sunday of December, Montuiri celebrates the Fira de Sa Perdiu – the partridge fair – featuring traditional foods and crafts. Most other towns will also host a Christmas market, including Arta, Can Pastilla, Llucmajor, Santa Ponsa, Cala Millor and Esporles.
Rest in print Comic-book fans lose two of their superheroes as Spain’s Carlos Ezquerra and America’s Stan Lee pass away just weeks apart anti-authoritarian character Judge Dredd was born, enthralling readers of British comic magazine 2000AD for more than four decades. The Spaniard gained critical acclaim for his fusion of Spanish fascist iconography, the 70s British punk movement, and TV images of policemen charging miners on strike in northern England. Dredd’s eagle motif and helmet were inspired by fascism, the truncheon from police on the picket line, and the zips, chains and knee pads from punk. “I was living in Franco’s SPAIN has launched its first homegrown subscription streaming service, dubbed ‘Spanish Netflix’, which will focus on Spanish films and series. The streaming service, called FlixOlé, is the creation of Orange Spain, and will be available for €2.99 a month with the first month
ICON: Ezquerra
Spain,” said Ezquerra, “but I was also living in Mrs Thatcher’s England.” He later went on to create the groundbreaking El Mestizo, a black slave fighting in the US Civil War. Other famous characters include 2000AD staple character Johnny Alpha for the strip Strontium Dog. In 2010, Ezquerra broke the news to fans that he had had a lung removed, having been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. He wrote: “OK, one less lung but... who the hell needs two for drawing?”
Get your calendar! DIVERSITY of Mallorca 2019 Calendars are now available through the JoyRon Foundation with 100% of the proceeds going to the Children in Need Balearics charity. Photos for each month include a snowy mountain top, a sunrise shot of the cathedral, and vineyards from the country. For a donation of just €13, the calendar can be picked up for the new year and could make the perfect stocking filler. The calendar marks all UK and major Spanish holidays, and can be ordered online or picked up around the island in shops and bars, including Portals bar The Ship.
Netflix-o free. With over 3,000 HD films and TV series, the new entertainment platform will be a rival for Netflix in Spain, who’s monthly subscription is three times more expensive at €9.99 a month.
FlixOlé chief executive Enrique Cerezo said: “Cinemas are now losing moviegoers, because there is now a great multitude of ways to watch movies. “Being able to collect on a platform, the history of cinema - which is the history of our country - is a Olive Press 2018_Layout 1 16/04/2018 14:57 Page 1 great achievement that FlixOlé now offers.”
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Chaplain: (+34) 971 866 689
www.anglicanchurchmallorca.org
Flamencoders A PHD student at the University of Sevilla has developed a pioneering computer algorithm to preserve the heritage of flamenco. Nadine Kroher has created new computer code to collect and find new knowledge to help keep the Andaluciaborn Spanish tradition alive. A research field called Music Information Retrieval (MIR) already uses algorithms to extract information from recordings, but the code is only used for classical music, not flamenco. Kroher’s former professor at the university, José Miguel Díaz-Báñez, said: “Flamenco should be seen as a field of study as worthy as any other.” The algorithm will constantly scour the internet and collect images, videos, recordings and information related to flamenco and store it all in one place.
Property
be Ma s m t p laga ag ro ’s az pe in rty e
www.theolivepress.es
Issue 25 November 2018
www.theolivepress.es
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
7
ON YOUR BIKE: The Olive Press takes a cycling tour through rural Calvia, see page VI
Divine inspiration
ANGELIC ARCHITECTURE: A Madrid architect has won an award from the RIBA for his unique take on religion, see page XXXIV
Massive growth in buyers from abroad, with the British leading the way despite Brexit fears
Foreign fireball
AN avalanche of foreign buyers is setting Spain’s property market on fire! A total of 53,359 homes were acquired by foreigners in the first half of 2018. The massive figure dwarfs the 33,000 sales recorded in the same period of 2007, when Spain’s property market was at its peak. And, no surprise, the British continue to lead the way, accounting for a record 7,613 purchases, up 8.8% on 2017. That’s according to the latest official figures from Spain’s notaries showing that 14% of all foreign buyers were British.
Second up come the French, who bought 4,211 properties (a drop of 5% on last year) and the Germans, who bought 4,138 homes, some 2% less than last year. When it comes to buying trends it turns out that the Irish, Danish - and most interestingly, the Moroccans - are the fastest growing nationalities. Spicing up the market, Moroccans bought 3,662 properties, a growth of 29% on last year, while the Danes were up by 18% and the Irish 25%. Romanians meanwhile continue to be a strong market having bought 3,872 homes.
Destination-wise, Valencia was the favourite province for investors, accounting for a third of all foreign sales, with 15,613 sales. It was the region with the highest year-on-year growth at 16.7%. Andalucia came in second with 8.2% of the foreign market (9,737 sales), followed by Catalunya with 7,570 sales, unsurprisingly a 5.3% decline from the same period last year, much to do with current political tension. The fifth highest destination was Madrid, where foreign market sales increased by 5.4% (4,911 purchases).
II8
November 2018
PROPERTY
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
The holiday rental laws are changing in Spain, writes Spanish Property Insight’s Mark Stucklin
Rental woes?
W
HEN it comes to tourism, Spain is a superpower with more than 75 million visitors each year, outstripped only by France and the USA. Millions of visitors have long appreciated the sunny welcome they get. But tourists need places to stay, which means they compete with locals for accommodation where it is scarce, and are thought to be driving up housing costs in some tourist hotspots, according to local politicians and housing activists. This is leading to a clampdown on holiday rentals in areas where housing costs are now a hot potato, and where the tourist welcome isn’t quite so sunny. But holiday rentals are frequently part of the game plan for second home buyers looking for extra income from their investment when not in residence. Platforms like Airbnb are making it easier than ever to reach holiday rental clients, and many owners are taking full advantage of this, but the risks of falling foul of changing rental laws are growing. Holiday rental restrictions are tightest in the Balearic and Canary Islands, where some sort of restrictions have been in place for more than a decade, but are now getting tighter. A
powerful hotel lobby is ready to make on tourist rentals in all apartments the most of anxiety about housing and semi-detached homes, though costs for locals to stamp on what they detached homes can call ‘unfair’ competinow get a licence once tion from holiday rentagain. In the rest of als. The fines for the archipelago, it will The Balearic regional be difficult, though illegal tourist government has renot impossible, to get cently introduced a apartment rental lirentals have new tourism law that cences, whilst rural vilrisen to up to restricts holiday rentals las on rustic land will to certain areas and no longer be eligible. €40,000 types of property. PalThe authorities seem ma de Mallorca, the to be getting more Balearic capital, is takserious about busting ing a hard line with an outright ban rule breakers, and the fines for illegal
tourist rentals have risen to between €20,000 and €40,000, so it’s getting riskier to ignore the regulations. The restrictions in the Canaries are more confusing than most, which is saying something in Spain. Bizarrely, the latest draft law on tourist rentals in the Canaries aims to stamp them out in areas defined as touristic, but not in other areas. That measure has the fingerprints of the hotel lobby all over it. In other tourist hotspots, Barcelona already has a moratorium in place on new holiday rental licences, and Madrid is looking to follow Palma towards a total ban in the city cen-
tre. We are moving towards a patchwork of outright bans or restrictions on days per year and other obstacles depending on the region, so a typically Spanish legal mess. Fortunately, for the time being at least, holiday rental restrictions are some of the lightest in the most popular destinations of the Costa del Sol (Andalucia), and the Costa Blanca (Valencian Community). In both regions, you need to register your intention to engage in tourist rentals with the local tourism office, and in Andalucia meet some basic requirements on the condition and features of your property, but there are no impossible hoops to jump through, and no restrictions by area. But even in areas where restrictions have been in place for years, there are ways around the rules if you are careful. In the Balearics, for example, you can still rent on a short-term or extended stay basis (3 months or more) so long as you are very careful not to offer the property as a tourist rental with services for tourists, claims local legal expert Will Besga. “Just like under the previous law, the Spanish Tenancy Act allows for the renting out, in principle for any period of time, of any type of property,” explains Besga. “But because there is a regional law regulating touristic rentals, extreme care must be taken in ensuring that the short-term rental does not fall within the touristic rentals’ parameters, which effectively means that ‘short-term lets’ can be done under certain limiting conditions.” The trend is likely to continue towards restrictions in all hotspots where accommodation is scarce, in particular, the islands and Barcelona.
CG Property C/ Julia Bujosa Batle, 6 07184, Calvía Mallorca Tel: (+34) 971 670 300 Mob: (+34) 628 196 939
www.gc-property.com
Calvia – 845,000€
ref: CT30
A fantastic house close to the centre of Calvià and yet on a very quiet and private street. The house sits on a plot of 1,300m2 with 240m2 of living area, 26m2 of basement and 80m2 of terraces. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite) and a terrace with exceptional views towards the countryside and mountains. Downstairs is the living room, dining room and kitchen. In addition there is the conservatory, bathroom and large bedroom. Outside there are extensive grassed areas along with a pool and bbq. The property also boasts parking for 4 cars (car port for 2 cars), a basement, gas central heating, a/c and fireplace.
Es Capdella – 2,500,000€
ref: CAP25
A lovely family finca in Capdella with a very large urban plot. The plot itself is 3,277m2 and is 100% useable, flat and private. The traditional stone finca is situated in the middle of the grounds and was built in the 1800s. There are views all around of the mountains. The house has a total of 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. There is a brand new kitchen, huge living area and a games room with pool table etc. Outside there are huge covered terrace areas, a private pool and lovely grassed areas with mature trees. Other features of the property are storage, covered parking, central heating, a/c and its own water supply.
www.theolivepress.es
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
9III
November 2018
Pink party raises €9,000 THE islands’ biggest real estate portal has raised over €9,200 for needy children in Mallorca. Real Estates United joined up with Spectrum FM to raise the money for the JoyRon Foundation at a charity bash in Portals. At the party at the OD Port Portals hotel hundreds of people wore 'a splash of pink' and partied the night away with live music. “It was a fantastic night with well over 250 guests,” said Real Estates United boss Donna Suarez, from Shropshire, who has lived on Mallorca for two decades. “It all went smoothly and it was great to make so much money for a good cause The JoyRon Foundation is working with Children in Need to build an activity centre for a children's safe house in Palma, helping traumatised children recover. Real Estates United has over 80 members, including lawyers, construction companies, with the majority agents, who work together in collaboration for both buyers and sellers.
High-rent lifestyle THE average worker in Spain is forking out almost 50% of their earnings on rent, shocking new figures have revealed. A surge in demand has bumped up the national average rental price by 15% in just one year, while wage increases trailed by a measly 0.6%. Tenants in Madrid and the Balearics were left most out of pocket, with rent swallowing around 70% of their income. In Valencia the figure was close to 60%. Those in Catalunya, the Canary Islands and the Basque Country see close to 55% of workers’ earnings going on rent.
Pedro Sanchez orders banks to pay stamp duty tax but battle might not be over BANKS will pay the stamp duty on mortgages, not the buyer, a decree by Spain’s prime minister has ruled. It comes after a busy couple of months for Spain’s flipflopping Supreme Court, which couldn’t seem to make up its mind on the controversial tax, which sees up to 2% of the full property price paid to the notary. After ruling in October that banks should pay the tax since it benefits them - it
Mortgage mayhem reversed the decision following an outcry from the lenders in November. The banks claimed the up to €17 billion they would be forced to pay back if the
ruling covered backdated stamp duties over four years, could lead to a crisis. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias blasted the decision, saying on Twitter: “The
Home for high flyers
BACK TO THE FUTURE: British home to feature first landing pad for €1.7 million flying cars
IT’S the first-world problem facing the super rich of the future; where will I park my flying car? Look no further than Nottingham, where the world’s first home with a landing pad for airborne vehicles is under construction. It’s no flight of fantasy. The pad is being built in Edwalton village at the £10 million (€11.5 million) home of property developer Guy Phoenix in partnership with VRCO, a British company working on a flying
car design. The electric powered NeoXcraft two-seat vehicle, which will cost a cool £1.5 million (€1.7 million), will be able to zip to London in half an hour and VRCO expects to have a prototype in the air next year. The pad is six metres in diameter and has a renewable energy source to recharge the aircraft. It will be included in the asking price for the home, called Hermitage, when it goes on the market early next year.
banks have won and citizens have lost.” But just a day later, Spain’s new Socialist prime minister criticised the Supreme Court for yielding to the banks and not acting in the interest of the people. He signed a decree ordering banks to pay the full amount of the tax. But MPs are calling for the decision to be made into a bill and be voted on, since it concerns the law of Spain.
Fail Known as the AJD tax in Spain, it allows banks to start foreclosure proceedings should the client fail to keep up with mortgage payments. For the past 23 years it has been the norm in Spain for borrowers to pay the tax.
Healthy changes THE LUXURIOUS four-star Lindner Golf and Wellness Resort is undergoing a huge €6 million renovation this winter. All rooms at the hotel in Portals Nous are being redesigned and updated, with the addition of ten new rooms – all keeping with the popular Africaninspired theme.
Exotic 'Fresher, more open and more exotic' is the motto of the planned renovations. The current breakfast room will be transformed into 'vinotheque' – an open-plan bar with local wines.
Green light A BUILDING licence has been granted for ten new homes, a ground floor shop and a parking lot on Palma’s Paseo de Mallorca. Palma City Council has granted the licence on the basis that the developers use some of the features for the original building which has now been demolished. This includes antique windows that will be reused in the lobby of the building.
Let us guide you home Real Estate | Immobilien | Inmobiliaria
www.themallorcadeal.com | +34 971 961 057
IV 10
November 2018
PROPERTY
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
Architectural award special
Madrid masters CREATIVE: Emilio Tunon
T
Leading Spanish architects scoop top British award from the RIBA
WO Spanish architects have been awarded a ‘lifetime honour’ award by the presitigous Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Ignacio Vicens y Hualde and Emilio Tunon are among seven laureates set to receive 2019 International Fellowships at a ceremony next February. The lifetime honour recognises the contributions
of architects internationally and allows recipients to use the initials FRIBA after their names. Tunon, of Tunon and Ruckstuhl Architects in Madrid, has taught in universities around the world and was previously awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts from the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Hualde, head of Madrid-based Vicens + Ramos
CONGRATS: Ignacio Haulde
Architects, has also taught across the Americas and Europe. His notable works including the School of Communications at the University of Navarra and the Churches of Rivas-Vaciamadrid. Together they are changing the skyline of Spain and Andalucia with their iconic structures. We delved into their portfolio of projects, completed or underway, to bring you the highlights.
Atlanterra style Church of Ponferrada
On a steep slope overlooking Playa Alemanes, in Atlanterra, this majestic 400 m² house will be carved into the land through a set of horizontal platforms, protected from the wind by thick concrete pillars. The top floor of this Tunon creation boasts stunning views over the ocean and houses a kitchen and master bedroom. The lower platform houses the pool surrounded by thick pillars, with parking on the floor below.
Another divine inspiration has been this imposing modern church in Ponferrada. According to Haulde, the church’s main space is designed as a meeting place ‘for the joyous celebration of the Sacrifice.’ Its layout emphasises community and is littered with symbolic references while the design ensures that the altar, Holy See and pulpit are visible to the entire congregation.
Valladolid Wine Dome This proposed design is set to rise up on the banks of the river Duero, replicating the neat rows of the surrounding vineyards so precisely it’s almost invisible. Incredibly spacious inside, the Wine Dome is a basic structure of 86m2 with a square courtyard in the centre inspired by medieval monasteries which, according to architect Tunon, ‘treasured the wisdom of wine production’.
Church of Santa Monica The Madrid-based studio by Hualde was commissioned to create this Cubist-style place of worship for the quickly ballooning population of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, a new residential development 10 miles from the capital. The church has a linear design to make the most of the plot and provide maximum capacity. The building also contains management offices, classrooms and accommodation for two priests.
www.theolivepress.es
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
Curious yellow
V 11
November 2018
Is it a balloon, a zeppelin or a yellow submarine? No, it’s an ultralight pavilion dreamed up to promote Spain at the next world EXPO ULTRA MODERN: The nine inflatable canopies will thrill visitors in the Middle East
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WO Madrid architect firms have joined forces in a bid to design Spain’s National Pavilion for EXPO 2020 in Dubai. Their incredible design includes an inflatable canopy of nine custard yellow cylinders set within a steel framework. The ‘breathing pavilion’ design allows two inflatables to move the cylinders up and down to respond to views, light and breeze. Reinterpreting a typical Spanish plaza, the
project includes an elevated square underneath inflatables with room for diverse programming and installations. According to Arch Daily, the shaded space is is designed to adapt to the climate of Dubai with natural thermal conditioning. Below, a matrix of large fans will move air to accompany the gentle breeze generated by natural wind flow. There will also be a restaurant and tapas bar, mixing gastronomic experiences ‘with spatial and sensory stimuli’ - not unlike
squares and famous steps across cities in Spain The pavilion is designed to emit zero emissions with the help of 1,000 square meters of rooftop photo-voltaic panels. In turn, the design team designed the inflatable deck with more than 80% certified recycled materials. The ultralight pavilion aims to be a more sustainable structure that could be easily removed and transported as it takes on other lives after EXPO.
#ClimateChangeIsReal
THERE IS NO PLANET B
Only Mallorca Real Estate - Here to make a difference
onlymallorca.com
VI 12
November 2018
PROPERTY
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
Rental crisis caused by tourists
Inspection
Pollensa looks at ways to get cheaper rents
A PLAN to encourage owners to rent out nearly 300 empty homes in Pollensa is unlikely to solve the town’s acute housing crisis. While a study has discovered at least 268 vacant apartments and houses in the town, owners would probably not agree
A FINCA with over 550 acres of olive groves in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains has gone on the market for €9.5 million. The seven-bedroom historic stone farmhouse is surrounding by olives and natural woods, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The views of the sea and the north of Mallorca are spectacular. Inside you’ll find beams of natural wood against white walls and local stones. The property also has a barn and a hunters lodge with room for expanding. The estate is on the market exclusively with agents Engel & Völkers.
to rent them out at affordable prices. It means that locals will continue to find it almost impossible to rent in Pollensa and will continue to have to find homes elsewhere, such as in Sa Pobla. The issue has worsened after it emerged that the town has
the second highest number of tourists per resident in Europe. There are 25 tourists to every resident in the town, which is only beaten by Ibiza town, which has 26. In addition, the number of tourist rentals available in the area has almost doubled in the last seven years, and now exceeds the number of hotel beds. According to a study by the University of the Balearics (UIB) the town has lost 1,100 residents since 2009, which is having a negative impact on the town. The UIB study concluded that the town must guarantee affordable housing, and suggested either creating social housing projects or letting families fix-up old apartments as partial payment for rent.
Mountain acadia!
Jon Clarke (left) takes an E-bike on a village and property trip around of rural Calvia ADVENTURES: Olive Press’ Charles and Jon head inland towards Es Capdella
I
FELT hardly out of breath as we arrived at the pretty church in the heart of the sleepy village of Galilea. Yet, we had peddled mostly uphill the whole way from Son Bugadelles industrial estate, some 15 kms away. Like riding in Doctor Who’s tardis we had arrived at the 460m high village in less than 45 minutes and had a chance to take in some of the best scenery on the island en route. Let me explain. The incredible experience was all thanks to a pair of electric bikes myself and Olive Press Mallorca sales rep Charlie Bamber had rented from Yes We Bike.
STUNNING: Calvia is full of surprises
It’s owner Oliver Wienrich had pointed us Even bette ning signs in the right direction and off we went. Heading initially inland towards Calvia, we keep an e quickly took a turn off to the village of Es In 20 min Capdella - and within five minutes we were pdella, a Tramuntan in stunning countryside. Whichever of the three settings on the bike excellent we used completely took the edge off the starred re hills and while we still had to pedal - and There are ultimately workout - we could go about twi- traces her ce the speed and distance we would have from the normally riden. alongside The plan was to visit some of the most scenic corners of the Calvia district… a comAnd like a plete contrast to the nearby timewarp, we famous touristy resorts of Magaluf, Santa Ponsa and were soon Portals Nous. Recommended the route by pedalling throug Calvia estate agent Justin a leafy valley Pardon, of GC Property, we got to see exactly what a contrast the area of Calvia offers to tourists and property buyers. east. It’s a And like a timewarp, we were soon peda- king its hu ling through a leafy valley with amazing From here country properties on both sides. sharply up Best of all was the way cyclists are catered breathtak nal views for in Calvia. An easy-to-follow route there were plenty We were of cycle lanes and an amazing number of UNESCO cycling signs every few hundred metres, minutes l made our ensuring you don’t lose your way.
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WE SELL YOUR PROPERTY IN A VERY SHORT SPACE OF TIME WE HAVE VERY INTERESTING OBJECTS FOR BUYING (INVESTMENT): BUILDINGS, APARTMENTS, HOUSES, PLOTS AND FINCAS
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www.theolivepress.es
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
Calvia – 845,000€ A fantastic house close to the centre of Calvià and yet o street. The house sits on a plot of 1,300m2 with 240m2 basement and 80m2 of terraces. Upstairs there are 3 be (1 ensuite) and a terrace with exceptio nal views towards mountains. Downstairs is the living room, dining room an there is the conservatory, bathroo m and large bedroom. grassed areas along with a pool and bbq. The property a cars (car port for 2 cars), a baseme nt, gas central heatin
ARRIVAL: At Galilea church (left)
church, where conveniently the Cafe Sa Placa awaited for a tapa and a cold beer. It’s a charming spot, sitting by the celebrated Galatzo mountain, which is said to be magical and the church dates back to 1806. From here, it was all mostly downhill - and the big surprise was how chilly it got on a late afternoon in November, particularly taking into account the wind-chill factor. That said, this was one of the most enjoyable cycle rides I have ever taken and, thanks to Yes We Bike there are plenty more routes to be taken nearby.
YES, HE DOES: Oliver
November 2018
Rural dreams
n tour
er, were the number of clear wars for motorists to slow down and eye out for us. nutes we were arriving in Es Cacharming town, nestled in the na foothills and home to some shops and even a two Michelinestaurant. e plenty of Arabic and Roman re and a good mix of properties, well build stone village houses e stylish modern homes. It’s a very international community, which helps to keep it alive throughout the year, and there are a number of top hotels nearby, including the stunning restored castle hotel of Castell Son Claret which dates gh back to the mid-1800s. We found this amazing spot sitting in its own valley, as we took the MA-1032 towards Puigpunyent heading north amazing line of palm trees maruge gated entrance. e, the road started to wind more phill, until we found ourselves in ing pine woods, with the occasiodown towards the coast. e now inside the Tramuntana protected area, and some ten later we arrived in Galilea and r way to the main square by the
VII 13
E-bike company Yes We Bike rents bikes on an hourly, daily or weekly rent from its base in the Son Bugadelles Industrial Estate, in Santa Ponsa. “It’s a great way to see the island,” said owner Oliver Wienrich, who has lived in Mallorca for decades. “They are the future, a fabulous way to see more of the island and a great way to commute to work,” added the German businessman. His team have now developed a series of routes for clients to follow around the island. The four exciting routes are
Yes, they can
STUNNING: Amazing €1.79m finca near Es Capdella
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HERE are some amazing places to buy in the inland Calvia area. And there’s something to tailor almost all budgets, explains Justin Pardon, boss of GC Property, whose agency has been covering the area for over a decade. “It’s a really pretty area, very rural but also well located for international schools and Palma,” he explains. “While international in feel, the villages are still Spanish and you can quickly get off on some amazing walks and cycles,” he adds. Es Capdella, in particular, is ‘well sought after’ for its handful of good restaurants and its excellent municipal outdoor pool, which is a real magnet in summer. Galilea, in contrast, is a fair bit cheaper, being further inland and out of the way. “But it is picture perfect
LOCATION: Four bed home costing €845,000 in Calvia village
READY TO REFORM: 3-bed villa in Galilea at €495,000
with amazing sea views and yet still close to all the key parts of the South West,” adds Justin. Calvia remains a very solid investment, while Son Font is an amazing location with views. Here are four properties for sale via GC Property, which can be located at www.gc-property.com
simple to follow and can be easily accessed via a mobile phone. Loaded onto any phone via the scan of a QR code, they then give detailed instructions for each route. The company specialises in sales and rentals of electric bikes of all calibres and budgets. Visit www.yeswebike.es for more information
LUXURY: Amazing six-bed villa in Son Font comes in at €2.95m
Carrer de la Galera 1 • 07002 Palma Tel.: +34 971 721 898 • service@inm-immobilien.com • www.inm-immobilien.com
HELPING YOU FIND THE PROPERTY OF YOUR DREAMS.
Your Volker Schug
Hotel in Majorca's wine-growing region
Finca Hotel, Seminar and Event Hotel. The finca hotel, built in 2002, extends over 29,230 sq.m. On 1400 sq.m. of living space and 1,886 sq.m. of floor space there are 14 rooms, reception area, event areas plus an additional residential side building, pool and air conditioning Price 1.895.000 Euro
Typical apartment building in Palma‘s old town This house in need of renovation has 8 residential units with approximately 643 sq.m. of living space on 103.m. floor space. Roof, electricity, wáter and sewage already renewed. Current rental income € 53,000 after renovation > € 100,000. Old leases without long notice periods. Price 2.200.000 Euro
14
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
Ref: 11913
Bedrooms:2
Bathrooms: 1
Build: 100m2
445,000â‚Ź
Apartment near the beach, Portals Nous Apartment near to the Beach in Portals Nous. This nice apartment consists of two bedrooms and one bathroom, modern open kitchen, spacious living room with access to a terrace with partial sea views. This apartment is completely furnished with furniture of high quality. It is located to few distance of restaurants and nice shops, only ten km from the capital of the island, an approximately 16 km from the airport. Ready to live!!!
Ref: 11954
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Build: 60m2
239,000â‚Ź
Apartment in next to the beach in Nova Santa Ponsa Refurbished apartment next to the beach in Santa Ponsa. This beautiful apartment consists of 60 m2 distributed in two bedrooms and a bathroom, large modern style kitchen integrated into the living room with access to a terrace of 7 m2 approx. This apartment has been completely refurbished in 2004 including electricity and plumbing system. It is located a few meters from one of the beaches of Santa Ponsa, in a completely quiet area to live but close to all necessary services, supermarkets, schools, pharmacies, etc. and only ten minutes by car from several golf courses and the famous Puerto Adriano. A visit is worth it !!!!!!
WWW.SGI-MALLORC A .COM
YO U R Pwww.theolivepress.es A R T N E R S I N M A K I N G YO U R D R E A M S C O22nd ME TRUE November - December 5th 2018 A PA R T M E N T S
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TOWNHOUSES COMMERCIAL
Ref: 11966
PLOTS •
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PENTHOUSES
VILLAS
R E N TA L S
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Bedrooms: 2
FINCAS
15
Yo u r s H e r m a n n K ö p p l e r
FULL SERVICE
Bathrooms: 2
Build: 200m2
695,000€
Terraced House in Nova Santa Ponsa Charming terraced house in sought-after residence in Nova Santa Ponsa. This charming terraced house is located in a sought after residential complex in Nova Santa Ponsa, near the new marina of Port Adriano and the golf courses of Santa Ponsa. The house has a living-dining area with bar to the fitted kitchen, a covered terrace and a small garden. In the upper area it offers two bedrooms with terrace and two bathrooms (one en suite) Furthermore, the house has a beautiful roof terrace and a spacious private underground garage with storage room.
Ref: 11967
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Build: 67m2
157,000€
Modern townhouse on the golf course of Campo de Mar Modern apartment with panoramic sea views in Magaluf. This attractive apartment is very well maintained and has just been renovated. The property has a terrace with lovely views of the sea and the landscape of Magaluf. The apartment offers a living-dining room, where the sofa can easily become a bed, a separate bedroom, a complete bathroom, a kitchen and a terrace that makes you fall in love. The property has a quite modern style and is ready to release.
P U I G D E S C A S T E L L E T . 1 - 2 , B L . 3 , 0 7 18 0 S A N T A P O N S A , M A L L O R C A ( + 3 4 ) 9 7 1 6 9 5 9 12 • INFO@SGI-MALLORCA .COM
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November 2018
PROPERTY
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
Keys Isl nd to the
By Amanda Butler
Bumped up NOT ASTRONOMICAL: There’s new interest in this Mallroca gem
The Balearics may offer some of the highest rental prices in Europe but Amanda Butler is managing to scout out the gems for an affordable price tag
I
T can be quite challenging writing a bimonthly property report. Not only coming up with diverse and interesting real estate related updates and topics, but on a personal level it doesn’t half make the months fly by incredibly quickly! Only 5 weeks to Christmas – jeepers, where did 2018 go? Starting with real estate news – there are no new sales statistics to report until the new year, however on the rentals front it appears that the crackdown on holiday lettings has not eased up availability or prices in the market at all.
The national ministry of development’s latest study reveals that the Balearics is one of three regions with higher rental prices than 2007, with the Canaries 3.1% higher, in Madrid 5.4% higher and the Balearic Islands 9% higher than before the economic crisis hit. Those of you who read my last article will know I had the magnificent Mallorca Astronomical Observatory on my hands and I’m pleased to say that the viewing last week proved to be quite successful. My client declared his interest, but has become aware
that further ‘due diligence’ regarding the area and the business as a whole needs to be done. We are trying to buy some more time, having requested four weeks before deciding whether to sell it off to a ‘cheap and cheerful’ hotel group. Nothing definitive but there’s a small ray of hope. I also had an interesting few days last week with a client looking for a sea view plot to develop for himself in the South West. As I normally focus on new and existing properties, I was seriously surprised at the lack of availability of any decent plots - having last looked only two years
ago - with what I would call a good ‘sea view’! It appears that developers have rushed in on a buying spree over the last few years, picked up most of the available plots and are now either selling them completed, or with licences and projects at surprisingly high prices. Some are in the region of €1 million for a 1000 sqm plot with a compromised view, or €2-3 million with a decent one. Having been involved in real estate here for 16 years now, it’s certainly very interesting to watch the transition of the marketplace – but concerning what the future will hold.
Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!
BENDINAT GOLF APARTMENT – SW Mallorca
2 Beds 1 Bath 85 m²- Living 15m² – Terrace € 395.000 Ref: 18018
Charming 2nd floor apartment with views across Real Golf de Bendinat Course and one of the largest communal swimming pools in Mallorca. Bright open plan lounge and dining room, breakfast bar and kitchen; small terrace overlooking golf course and a large rear terrace for alfresco dining. Indoor Pool with gym and sauna. Only 10 minutes to Palma, walking distance to shops and cafes.
Contact Amanda J Butler your one stop property advisor in Mallorca email: ajb@mjcassociates.net or tel: (+34) 690 075 169
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November 22nd - December 5th 2018
Lost and found? A
have been scientifically tested in a lab in Modena, Italy, which is used in testing ancient Roman finds. "The results of the tests prove the age of the finds are older than Roman or Greek, and that they were more advanced," Akers said. The film was produced on the back of the new images, which were taken with the help of satellite imagery. Filmmaker Donnellan said: "Finding and filming Atlantis has been life changing. Talk about a purpose. "All my skill sets and passions have come together in the creation of this series of films. The discovery of Atlantis is monumental. "Suddenly we know, not think, but know that humanity, in an advanced stage of development, existed, so long ago. "And had existed undisturbed for many thou-
November 2018
ADVANCED: (Left) Mock-up of Atlantis, while (right), satellite images of seabed where structures may have stood
Historians have ‘finally discovered’ Lost City of Atlantis in southern Spain and evidence of historic - and advanced - building methods NEW documentary has claimed the Lost City of Atlantis was in fact off the coast of Andalucia. Atlantica, produced by Michael Donnellan, claims ancient ruins analysed off the coast of Cadiz prove Atlantis’ huge harbour walls once stood in southern Spain. Maritime historian Tim Akers, head of research at Merlin Burrows which studied the pictures, also said ‘laboratory analysis’ of material recovered showed evidence of a type of cement not seen before. "We have filmed clear PLATO: First wrote evidence and have collected samples which about Atlantis
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sands of years prior to its destruction. "The imagination boggles when considering their capabilities. We have a lot we can learn from this civilization, to help move our own into a better future." Dr Giacomo Falanga, from the Modena Centro Prove, a chemical testing laboratory in Modena, Italy, said: "These structures contain binders, like calcite. The presence of mica, potassium, and other trace minerals show proof of artificial mixing of an ancient, prehistoric concrete." Andrea Carpi, a space materials engineer from the laboratory, added: "We can confirm with certainty that the samples analysed were the creation of an ancient civilisation with advanced construction methods, which makes me believe that we're talking about a civilisation with very advanced technology."
SEA WALL: Entrance to Atlantis
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November 22nd - December 5th 2018
BUSINESS
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19November 22nd - December 5th 2018
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November 22nd -December 5th 2018
Not so British
Rail-y good news A SPANISH train builder is on track to create 1,000 jobs in the UK. It comes after manufacturer Talgo decided to build a plant in Scotland to build trains to be used on the first phase of the HS2 high-speed railway project, which will connect London and Birmingham by 2026. Madrid-based Talgo employs more than 2,000 people to construct high speed trains across two factories in Spain and one in Kazakhstan. On choosing Scotland's Fife, President Carlos de Palacio said: “This has been a tremendously challenging mission for Talgo and I have personally seen excellence in all corners of the UK. “It has been a difficult decision to make as the quality has been so high in so many places.”
BRITISH Airways is reportedly in talks to be considered a Spanish company after Brexit to keep its status as a European carrier. International Airlines Group (IAG) has been seeking the support of the Spanish government and the European Commission for over a month to stop Britain’s exit from negatively impacting the business.
British Airways seeks to become Spanish company as it steps up preparations for no-deal Brexit
The IAG group, which also owns Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, has registered offices in Madrid but but its operational headquarters are based in London, meaning a no-deal Brexit could be detrimental to the airline. EU rules currently state that more than 50% of an airINTERNET companies in Spain line must be must offer every small town in the owned and country high speed internet, the controlled by government has ruled. member states Giants Movistar, Vodafone and Orin order for ange must offer at least a 30 Mbps it to be conservice to 90% of people in towns sidered an or localities with less than 5,000 European carresidents by January 1 2020. rier - someCurrently, only around 32% of thing IAG these populations have access to may struggle internet of 30 Mbps. to meet after
Hook them up!
Brexit. Ahead of Britain’s exit in March IAG - believed to be worth €23 billion - hopes it will continue be considered an EU-based company and therefore covered by same rules. According to three government sources and one from the EU, it will be Brussels that will have to ratify the nationality of the group.
Party
Following the news of IAG consulting the Spanish government, deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, Tweeted: “Spanish Airways”. IAG was founded in 2011 and is the sixth largest airline company in the world.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Hotels with the eX-traordinary Factor
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
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Nov 22nd -Dec 5th 2018
Spend the night gazing at the stars inside a giant transparent bubble for the ultimate ‘womb with a view’ experience. Miles Estrellas, close to famous Banyoles Lake in Borgonya, is a cluster of seven translucent pods
GLOBAL ROAST: At Meke
Let’s get ethical A NEW ethical wine and coffee bar is coming to Palma. Meke Cafe and Wine Bar in Santa Catalina is the third location for the Ibizan coffee chain, which proudly roasts ethically-sourced beans from around the world. Meke was created by three brothers in Ibiza in 2012 to offer quality fair trade coffee to the Balearics, opening their first cafe in San Juan in 2017. “Meke encompasses the union of special coffee, natural and organic wine and craft beer,” said Jono Paetz, who will be running the new cafe and bar, which opens on November 30.
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AMERICAN-style ribs, burgers and steaks are drawing big crowds at the new Tony Roma’s in Palma’s Porto Pi. Tony Roma’s has been a big name on the American food scene for more than 40 years and has been exported around the world. The Palma rib house joins more than 200 locations in 33 countries.
What’s on for foodies!
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urkey and stuffing A THANKSGIVING dinner with all the trimmings is offered tonight (Thursday) at The Boat House in Palma. The seafront hotspot is hosting a ‘Friendsgiving’ feast for Americans and friends to enjoy while away from home.
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o u n t a i n mushrooms A MUSHROOM and Mountain Fair returns to Mancor de la Vall on November 25. There are bound to be loads of mushrooms after the recent rains.
named after a constellation. Some bubbles include chimneys and gardens, and come with heating, wifi and private bathrooms.
From snail shells to Playmobil pillows, try these in 2019
ed down in a bubble like Michael Jackson, snuggle up in a snail shell or branch out with a night in a treehouse … If expanding your horizons is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, there’s heaps of wanderlust inspiration on the doorstep. The Four Seasons and Palladium
chains are the latest hotel giants to invest in Spain but why not try some of the country’s more leftfield lodgings in 2019? In the spirit of ‘new year, new me,’ we’ve rounded up some of the wackiest hotels in the country where kids can be kids and grown-ups can indulge their inner child.
Cabanes als Arbres, Sierra de Montseny
Hotel del Juguete, Alicante
No ribbing!
Miles Estrelles, Girona
If you’ve got kids in tow, you are going to score serious ‘cool parent’ points with a holiday to this playful four-star hotel which brings Toy Story to life. Each of the 21 rooms is based on popular toys like Playmobil and Lego, while the Juegaterapia room will transport you to the world of videogames. It may drive grown-ups mad being surrounded by happy figurines and dazzling colours all day but it will certainly keep the little ones entertained. Adults can have their fun too in the ‘Back to the Past’ room, which comes with retro games like Pac-Man and Rubik Cube and a king-sized bed.
Isla Tagomago, Ibiza
If you want to reconnect with nature but find camping too uncomfortable, a night in an eco tree house will take you back to your prehistoric roots in style. Submerged in the forest canopy of the Sierra de Montseny, some 84 kilometres from Barcelona, the Cabanes als Arbres comprises 10 wooden tree top lodgings perched up to eight metres high. Each named after a different bird, these flights of architectural fantasy are built from natural untreated wood, with a layer of hemp and fir tree fibre for ventilation and double-glazed windows.
The private paradise island of Tagomago is the most exclusive in the Mediterranean and you can enjoy it all to yourself, along with an incredible luxury five-bedroom villa. The white-washed ultra-modern pad is the sole property on the island. It features state-of-the-art technology, a saltwater pool, rainfall showers and magnificent floorto-ceiling windows overlooking the Ibizan coastline, five minutes away by boat. This castaway island experience can be yours if you can run to the whopping €100,000-a-week price tag.
Hotel Los Caracoles, Frigiliana Malaga’s delightful snail hotel is exactly what it says on the tin. The 12 semicircular cave-rooms are designed to blend in with the surrounding nature, with rustic features and charming circular Hobbit windows. To emulate real snail shells, the dwellings have been built without straight lines, fusing nature and architecture with extravagant swirls, curves and vibrant colours reminiscent of Gaudi.
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Fish supper In the third installment of Fiona Dunlop’s book Andaluz – a Food Journey through Southern Spain, she shares two tasty fish recipes. Andaluz is available to buy on amazon.es at the end of November
A MUST READ: Brit Fiona Dunlop’s Andaluz - a Food Journey through Spain
LA ALCADIMA, LANJARON
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onzalo Rodriguez, owner of La Alcadima, in Lanjarón, in the Alpujarras, turns out to be a dedicated, impassioned cook: “I studied traditional recipes and talked to old people who told me about their family dishes. Most of what we serve is Alpujarran as we have such a wealth of ingredients—and we’re lucky to have good soil and water.” Witnessing him work in the kitchen is like watching a tornado, his turbulent energy in high contrast to his calm sous chef, Monserrat, who works steadily beside him. “It was the mix of Jews, Arabs, and Iberians that produced the incredible richness of our cuisine,” he explains.
Confit of sardines Moraga de sardinas This dish looks beautiful, even if it’s in a battered old pan. This traditional technique of preserving fish allowed it to be stored for months in a terracotta dish in a cool, dry pantry. However, unless you are very experienced in home canning with the proper equipment, it is best to serve immediately and store any leftovers in the fridge. Serves 4 to 6 1 lb (500 g) sardines, tripes, scales, and heads removed 2 cups (500 ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons pine nuts 12 black peppercorns Salt 1 lemon, sliced 9 oz (250 g) clams, rinsed well 3 bay leaves Lemon for juice Small handful of parsley, chopped Rinse the sardines well and drain. In a large wide pan or a terracott a dish, low heat, then add the garlic and the pine nuts and saute until just beginnin heat the oil over g to turn golden. Toss in the peppercorns, salt, lemon slices, and clams. Carefully lay the sardines in the oil like the spokes of a wheel, add the bay leaves, then squeeze some lemon juice over the top. Simmer until cooked, about 5 minutes, depending on the size of the sardines (Atlantic ones are bigger than Mediterranean ones), then remove from the heat and scatter with parsley. Serve at room temperature.
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
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November 22nd -December 5th 2018
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randson of the founder of the legendary Faro restaurant, Mario Jimenez Cordoba (pictured right) is on a mission for change. “This place opened back in 1964,” his eyes widen, “so there’s a lot to renovate.” But nothing alters the steady rhythm of the piscatorial seasons or El Faro’s reputation as THE place for fish, rice, and
EL FARO DE CADIZ seafood in Cadiz whether at the packed tapas bar or in the calmer restaurant. Right now red mullet is ending, and the famous almadraba season is beginning. “We just had 60 pounds (27 kg) of fresh Bluefin tuna delivered from Barbate!”
He summons the kitchen ‘fisherman’ who emerges clutching a giant corvina, then shows me mountains of shrimp from Sanlucar. In this treasure trove of the ocean, every dish reflects tradition, freshness, and long experience.
El Faro’s fish soup with orange Caldillo de perro Typical of El Puerto de Santa Maria, the port across the bay from Cadiz, this tangy fish soup is said to date back to the Re-conquest when its odd Spanish name was coined. Allegedly, Christians who were brought from the north to live in Cadiz called all pork-averse Muslims ‘dogs’ (perros). For some reason, the fish soup gained the same nickname. What’s in a name though? The soup is delicate with a faint orange flavor, and since Mario insists that, “odd numbers are very important in a garnish,” make it three fennel fronds, not two. Serves 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cloves garlic, skinned and sliced 2 onions, chopped 4. quarts (4 liters) hot water 2 potatoes, sliced into half-moons
Salt 1 lb 5 oz (600g) fresh white fish steaks, such as hake, with bones and skin Generous . cup (200 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice Zest of 1 orange Fennel fronds, to garnish
Remove with a slotted In a deep saucepan, heat the oil and fry the garlic until golden. spoon, leaving the oil in the pan, and set aside for the garnish. (2 liters) of the water, Add the onion to the pan and saute. until translucent. Pour in 8. cups ly until the potatoes vigorous Simmer salt. of pinch a with season and slices, potato the add the fish steaks into are nearly done, though still firm at the core, about 10 minutes. Lower e to simmer vigorContinu juice. orange the with water the of rest the in the liquid and pour ously until the fish is cooked, about 7 minutes. the potatoes and divide Remove the fish and set it aside. Using a slotted spoon, remove them if necessary, them among serving bowls. Arrange the fish pieces on top, cutting fennel fronds. Pour the sprinkle with orange zest, and garnish with fried garlic and some broth into a jug to serve at the table.
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COLUMNISTS
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November 22nd - December 5th 2018
Why we remember Nov 22nd -Dec 5th 2018
Sometimes we have to look at the grisly past to stop it becoming the future, writes Lesley Keith
I
DID something today that I haven’t done for years, I went to church. Not for a wedding, christening or funeral, I chose to go an actual Sunday service, the remembrance By Lesley Keith service as I’m writing this on Sunday 11.11.18 and it’s the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war. I’m not religious at all, I won’t bore said to me yesterday that this meant you with my thoughts on this except very little to them and they gave it no to say I can’t believe that a kind and thought. loving superior being could allow us I say we have to remember or we’ll go to continually experience such atroci- through it again and again. You only have to look at current picties. I’ve been watching some of the pro- tures of Syria, they bear a chilling and grammes about that war and you frighteningly close resemblance to cannot fail to be moved by what all the carnage of the Belgian trenches. So many dead, so those poor innocent many still dying in the soldiers, nurses and name of freedom. animals endured and Well I wanted to acI mean from every I wanted to knowledge their sacricountry or side. acknowledge fice in some way. Spain They all believed they were fighting for future their sacrifice in was neutral in both the World Wars, building freedom. Most had up to and dealing with probably never had a some way their own tragic civil fiver in their pockets war and so they don’t or left their home vilmark this anniversary. lages and knew virtually nothing of where they were go- There is an Anglican church up in the ing. They believed they could make a North here so I got dressed up like my difference and the whole thing would Mum used to tell me I had to and took be over ‘by Christmas’. Someone myself along to there.
Mallorca diaries
REMEMBERANCE SPECIAL: Lesley’s 11/11 brooch I was wearing my jewelled poppy brooch that I bought ages ago - yes, don’t worry I still put money in the pot every year - and went down there. In my usual disorganised fashion I’d got the time wrong assuming it would be 11am and so rocked up for the last verse of the last hymn. There were no seats available so I just stood at the back feeling a little silly. I’m telling myself not to give myself a hard time, at least I’d made the effort, I’d actually walked there as well! One good thing that came out of it
though is that I bought my Christmas cards….. OK I apologise now that this column is a bit of a soap box but this is another thing I feel strongly about. I don’t really like what Christmas has become, it all seems to be about commercialism, shops making the most money, people showing how much they care by how much they spend. Spending money we can’t afford buying things people don’t really want. Really haven’t we all got enough? I
try very hard to buy cards with something to do with the Nativity story, not easy to do especially here, but on this score the church didn’t let me down and I’m now sorted. I said earlier I’m not religious but surely Christmas is the most religious of festivals, the one that started it all for most of us? What has a robin or snowy scene got to do with it? All that is a myth, I like to have fun and party with the best of them but let’s not forget why we’re doing it. One of the things I love about living here is that Christmas is still about togetherness and kindness. My partner tries to gently remind me occasionally that I can’t save the world. No I can’t, but if we all pull together maybe we can make a difference, one tiny thread will break easily and blow away, but twist those tiny threads into a rope and you’ve got strength and stability. We are all individuals with choices, make those choices to benefit others and perhaps…… OK enough, I’m off to the mainland for a few days now, a long distance ferry ride in November, what could possibly go wrong? I will no doubt bore you with that next time when my normal airheaded service will be resumed. lesleykeith62@gmail.com
Music, gastronomy, design, comfort and great art.
OD Port Portals combines good location with contemporary and mediterranean design. For work or for pleasure, as a true symbol of quality, OD Port Portals is everything anyone staying in Majorca can ever wish for. A lively place, with its own events, Burger Meets Gin, Mexican Brunch or Tasting Brunch, where locals and visitors are welcome. Av. Tomàs Blanes Tolosa, 4 07181 Calvià | Mallorca +34 971 675 956 odportportals.com
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GOLD: Pat McCormack
Twinning TWINS have helped England triumph not once, but four times in Vallodolid at the European Union Boxing Championships. The McCormack brothers, Pat and Luke, from Sunderland, bagged two of England's four gold medals, following their European and Commonwealth podium finishes earlier this year. After Luke beat Italy's Paolo Di Lernia to win the light welterweight 64kg title, Pat joined his sibling’s success, overcoming Spain's Youba Sissokho to take the welterweight 69kg title. Their countrymen Frazer Clarke and Benjamin Whittaker, brought home England’s other golds, winning the superheavyweight and light-heavyweight finals respectively. England’s dominance would have stretched to five golds, had it not been for Ireland’s Kurt Walker, who emerged victorious over Peter McGrail in a tense bantamweight 56kg final.
November 22nd - December 5th 2018
Triple threat
Spain, Morocco AND Portugal want to joint-host the 2030 World Cup, but they have stiff competition SPAIN is officially bidding to joint-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that he has already pitched the idea of a joint bid. "I made the proposal, firstly to the government then to King Mohammed VI to launch a shared application with Morocco, Portugal and Spain to host the 2030 World Cup," the PSOE leader said in Rabat after a meeting with the monarch. "It will be the first two-continent application, with Europe and Africa, and King Mohammed VI welcomed the proposal warmly." It comes after the King ordered the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to launch
Our courtesy
their own World Cup bid earlier this year. The office of the Moroccan prime minister Saad Eddine el Othmani refused to comment on Sanchez's statement. The north African country has failed five times to bring the tournament to the southern shores of the Mediterranean, with the US, Canada and Mexico most recently beating them to the 2026 competition.
Bidding
Another triple threat, formed of Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, have also proposed a bid to coordinate the 2030 event, which will mark 100 years since the first tournament. Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia are also considering a joint bid, as are the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The official bidding process is set to being in 2020.
Leave him alone!
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If you would like to contact Linea Directa, please call 902 123 282 or visit www.lineadirecta.com
SPAIN’S football boss has blasted criticism of David de Gea as ‘unfair’ - but failed to confirm if the under-pressure goalkeeper would remain as a starter for his country. Luis Enrique defended De Gea after he was blamed by many for Tin Jedvaj's late winner in the costly 3-2 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League. The Manchester United man has been a poor show on the international stage, saving less than half of the shots he has faced since the start of La Roja's disappointing World Cup campaign. Enrique did not confirm if De Gea would carry on starting for Spain, but said: “Criticism must be for the whole team and the coach, too...when it's aimed at one person it's unfair because this is a team sport. "Goals aren't just scored because of the goalkeepers – when we concede we're all responsible.” He added: "I won't talk about my preferences, as my actions speak louder than words."
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November 22nd -December 5th 2018
MILLIONS across Spain can now watch Fulham battle it out with Burnley for a goalless draw, as sports streaming giant DAZN continues its European march. That is because Premier League and MotoGP are the latest TV rights granted to the broadcaster in Spain, as its CEO Simon Denyer aggressively targets European markets. Denyer said: “We’re expanding at an incredible pace with our unique approach, breathing new life into sports with long and distinguished heritages and growing audiences.”
Comeback kings ENGLAND have booked their place in the Nations League final, getting revenge over Croatia just four months after their World Cup loss. Gareth Southgate’s men fought back from 1-0 down with two late goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane to beat a strong Croatia side at Wembley. Kane once again saved his country on the international stage, poking home in the 85th minute, following a Ben Chilwell free kick, just minutes after sub Lingard had knocked in the equaliser from close range. England needed two goals to top Group 4 in League A and they will now play in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament in Portugal in June.
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Vol. 2 Issue 42 www.theolivepress.es November 22st - December 5th 2018
AN infamous letter which labelled Mallorcans as ‘selfish, careless and insensitive animals’ has sold for more than €20,000 at auction. The scathing missive was SIX neighbourhoods in Palwritten by French novelist ma have 35 new brown garGeorge Sand (aka Amantine bage bins for organic matter Lucile Aurore Dupin) after and compost that can only she moved to the island with be accessed with a residents composer Frederic Chopin in card. the 1830s. The famous pair, who had Cashing in moved from Paris, said they found the lifestyle on the MALLORCANS inherit Balearic island ‘backwards’ an average of €150,087 and ruffled feathers with lowhen parents or family cals by not being married. members die, among Sands, in particular, shocked the highest in Spain and the conwell above the national servative average of €105,000. community by wearing Crawl away t r o u sers and ANDRATX has begun insmoking jecting pine trees with a cigarettes, fluid intended to prevent things the return of the processiot h a t nary caterpillar - capable weren’t of killing cats and dogs typically next spring TheBoathouse_XmasAd_OlivePress 05/12/2017 17:28 Pageby 1 done TOME: Sands’ Mallorca book w o m e n
Compost convenience
expat paper in Spain
Paws for breath A PUPPY had to be revived with an oxygen mask after being rescued from a fire in an apartment in Palma. A crowd gathered to take care of the pup, who luckily made a full recovery. The fire was quickly brought under control.
Blast from the past Iconic hate-filled letter about Mallorca in the 19th century sells for tens of thousands at the time. “The most unfortunate trip you can image,” she wrote to her friend François Rollinat just months after arriving. “The selfishness, the carelessness, the insensitivity, the bad faith and the animal nature of the Mallorcan people... “Spain is an abominable nation, a country of devotees, uncultivated and radicals as in the time of the Inquisition,
there is no friendship, faith or honour.” The letter more accurately describes her unhappiness on the island than her autobiography A Winter in Mallorca, which would come out years later. Among the other 'misfortunes' the couple faced were exorbitant prices for food, which were at nearly ten times their real value.
Meanwhile, the cold and dank house in the winter in Valldemossa only worsened Chopin's tuberculosis, and eventually their landlord threw them out for fear of the disease. "The indigenous judiciary would have plucked us like chickens,” the letter claimed. The penned diatribe was sold to the Chopin Institute in Warsaw for €23,400.
Bite size problem SOME 98% of Balearic residents don’t know how to chew properly, a bizarre study has claimed. The study found that most people chew with only one side of their mouth, which can cause headaches and neck pain. Other bad habits include swallowing too much food at once and too quickly, or having the wrong tongue placement, or taking too large of a bite. The study by the Asociación CSD Compromiso y seguridad dental claimed learning to chew properly as a child can prevent a lifetime of discomfort and pains.
Cast off A YOUNG driver has been fined for driving with a broken arm in cast in central Palma.
If you’re looking for the best place for some festive fun this side of the North Pole, look no further. The Christmas party starts here! You’re always guaranteed a very warm welcome along with food and drink that’s fit for a king – or even three kings. For more information, to book a bash or a table at our fabulous New Year’s Day Brunch, simply call our resident Party Elf, Cristina on 971 220 990 or slip an email down our chimney. In the meantime, we'd like to wish all of our customers a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
Located on the dockside, opposite Palma Auditorium. On site 24 hour car parking. www.theboathouse.es • events@theboathouse.es • 971 220 990 www.facebook.com/theboathousepalma