Mallorca Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 16 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 1 Issue 16 www.theolivepress.es November 23rd - December 6th 2017

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BUYING Find out where footballer Harry Winks is investing in Spain

BUY IT Where to get a 13th century philosopher’s home

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Believe it Award-winning centre finally opens after 12 years in the making

November 2017

The thinker’s finca

Issue 17

Heads up!

November 22nd

- December 5th

2017

Find out how drones are changing the property game and how they help you sell your can home

SEE PAGE XVIII >>

DON’T think about owned by one of it too long… but this historic home just come up for the godfather’s of Spanish philosophyonce has The 1,500 metresale. once owned by square country home, Casa wrote in Catalan.Mallorcan philosopher Ramon Mata, was Llull, who Credited as being one of the forefathers of the Catalan language, Llull sity named aftereven has a univerhim in Barcelona. On sale via various agents, the stunning hunting estate in Mallorca has 53 hectares of prime land and numerous outbuildings. The 13th century writer and artist was hugely influential land and once taught on the isking James II of Aragon. Llull lived in the huge estate near ANCIENT: a Llull book Algaida from 1250 until a series of six religious visions a missionary converting leave his family to lead led him to a life as Muslims and Jews cism. to catholiHe wrote over 200 works during his tomb in Palma’s life and has a basilica of St Francis, ing restored. currently beHis family sold the home in the 16th It sits near Llucmajor century. on the road from Montuiri. Randa to

The Brits are back

BRITISH buyers bounced backhave in Spain over the ond half of the secyear. According to one developer, the key ber of British numers has more buydoubled on the than period last year.same Between July and October 2017, homebuilder Taylor Wimpey has a whopping seen 118% increase in buyers from the UK. “We are extremely proud of the results generated to in 2017,” said date sales boss Marc Pritchard. “And it is great to see the British buyers back. “They have been of the buyers in half PAIN’S property market is set last four months.”the for another healthy Another 12 months So far this Sales and prices year. year, of are expected more Spain’s to rise… as leading sales - as long as growth in Spain with 10% been called for December no sudden economiclong as there are Catalunya is dealt 21, and the housebuilder situation has calmed reported a 13% has one of the country’s shocks, predicts 6.9% this with year. However, this has down. crease in sales inAccording to Anticipalargest agents. direct rule. (388 sales will rise by Prices for resales and new of Spain’s largest not stopped some properties) 9.3% next year to builds The property companies meanwhile, compared to 342 homes up from 481,000526,000 properties, to increase are expected to continue est region is regarded as the wealthi- with links to the region, seeing their last year. more than in 2016.this year and 21% quarter of by 5.8% over the fourth has in Spain and its capital Barcelona share prices slump. this year. seen some of the Enquiries for Prices are also highest property Merlin Properties and Colonial The firm’s price holifell by day 5.3% and 6.4% 6.1% next year, onexpected to rise by compiled latest report, however, was It is rises this year. homes during respectively at the before hoped top of an expected height of the independence the summer season independence andCatalunya declared ty will not that the political uncertain- Investors, crisis. affect sales too much, Madrid imposed were up by 13% though, are adopting ticulary as regional par- the elections have now and see’ policy in the run up a ‘wait biggest growth seen to the in the elections. last six years.

BRING IT ON PHILOSOPHER’S STONES: Thinker Llull (left) once lived stunning Casa Mata in

See more in our property magazine inside Buying or selling?

Urgent action needed as parts of Spain to be almost uninhabitable by 2100 2007

Olive Press appeals for action as scientists forecast threedegree global temperature rise

SPREADING: The march of desertification will stifle much of Spain by 2100 predict scientists

2100

LARGE parts of Spain could be desertified by the end of the century. It comes after climate scientists projected global temperatures will rise by 3.2C by 2100 if drastic measures are not immediately imposed. They say the earth will soon reach ‘the point of no return’, which spells likely continual drought conditions for most parts of Spain. An alarming 70% of the country is at risk of desertification, according to official government statistics. A third of Spain is set to become as arid as the desert of Tabernas in Almeria. Meanwhile, the narrow green strip running along the north of Africa will disappear, devoured by the desert, dramatically worsening the migration crisis.

HEADS IN THE SAND

Underwater

70% of Spain in danger of desertification

Madrid to be 8C hotter in summer Palma endangered from metre sea rise Untitled-1.pdf

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Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

SPREADING: The march of desertification is draining Spain’s vital water resources, including El Pla de Mallorca reservoir

Spain’s forests will end up confined to the highest hilltops, while cities, including Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and San Sebastian, will suffer as sea levels rise by up to a metre, leaving large areas underwater. Meanwhile Madrid will suffer one of the biggest temperature rises in the world, making the city almost uninhabitable in summer. Green group Climate Central said it would worsen the capital’s ‘heat island’ effect, with temperatures rising between 4.3 degrees and 8 degrees in summer. Due to its contamination and altitude only three other cities - Sofia, Skopje and Belgrade - will fare worse. “We find ourselves in a situation where we are not doing nearly enough to save hundreds of millions of people from a miserable future,” said Erik Solheim, the UN environment chief, at this month’s crucial global climate conference in Bonn. Despite Spain being one of the country’s most at threat, it comes 21st in the list of EU countries for tackling CO2 emissions. It is well behind in its actions to help stave off a critical two-degree rise in temperature, in line with the 2015 Paris agreement. “Even if the objectives of the Paris Agreement are met, Mediterranean landscapes will change, and the dryer areas will advance north,” says Joel Guiot, a French researcher from the European Centre for Research and Teaching in Geosciences (CEREGE). Incredibly, Spain did not even send a respresentative to a global conferContinues on Page 5

crime

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News IN BRIEF

Taxi thieves SOME 20 Palma taxi drivers have reported a wave of break-ins to their cabs and suspect it is the same teenager caught for the same crime last year.

Thick as thieves FOUR thieves and their buyer have been arrested for a string of burglaries in rural homes near Sa Pobla.

Out of line FIVE men are on trial for running a cocaine ring in Mallorca in 2015, the prosecution is asking for six years prison.

AN AMERICAN gun not available in Spain was found under ' King of the Night' Tolo Cursach's bed. The charge for an illegal possession of a firearm comes separately from the set of 16 original charges against the alleged crime boss. He now faces an additional one and a half years in prison for possession of the black market rifle. It comes as Mallorca’s deputy head of tourism Pilar Carbonell resigned due to alleged links to the huge crime investigation. She stepped down after being summoned to court on November 29 to explain how she gave alleged favours to the crooked businessman. Police believe she helped him get licences, in particular concerning the Mega Park development in Arenal. They are also probing her connection to his BH Hotel in Magaluf and how it got its fourth star. While detectives have not found any proof of payments to Carbonell, a series of 21 phone calls between her and Tolo’s

Air head A BRITISH thief was arrested after getting stuck in an air conditioning duct while robbing a shop in Palma at night.

More time RESIGNED: Carbonell and (right) Cursach

Armed Mallorca AN alarming 40,000 homeowners have guns in the Balearics. The Guardia Civil claims there are 80,000 shotguns, and almost 20,000 other weapons throughout the islands. Palma has the highest number of gun licenses with over 25,000. Inca is second with just under 5,000 homes with at least one gun inside. Those as young as 14-years-old can legally use a firearm, with the right licenses, for hunting or in sports competitions.

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Crime boss faces extra year in prison for gun, while tourism chief resigns over links to case deputy showed clear evidence of collusion. She also received free tickets and parking at a David Guetta concert last year. So far, her boss, tourism chief Biel Barcelo, has refused to resign over the links between the ministry of tourism and Cursach's crimes. He insists he is innocent, despite the claims of rival parties. He added he was collaborating with the police ‘100%’ and that he had been backed by the president of the islands, Francina Armengal.

Landlord rapist A TENANT in Inca has claimed she was raped by her landlord. Police are probing the case after finding the woman in a bad state and naked in the early hours. She was rushed to hospital for an examination. The landlord was arrested and is currently awaiting trial in custody.

Carer steals €20,000 A SHAMELESS carer has been arrested for pilfering €20,000 in cash and a large amount of jewellery from her elderly victim in Palma. The female thief was tracked down to Ibiza, where she fled after robbing the pensioner and her husband. She was only ten days into her job, involving giving the woman 24-hour care, when she stole the money and fled. Police found over €16,000 in cash when they arrested her.

Boozing checks DRINK driving is to come under the spotlight in Calvia this festive period. Police will be making increased stops for alcohol and drugs over the coming month. Palma residents and university students are frequent visitors at this time of year.

ne ws

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Perfect for Portals! SHE couldn’t keep away. Love Island star Tyla Carr is back in the Balearics and shooting for a 2018 calendar. The 24-year-old beauty has a long connection with Mallorca, first vistiting when she was just two-years-old. She returned to work this summer during the hit series of the show, which was filmed near Sant Llorenc des Cardassar. “I really want the calender, which is a mix of lingerie, fashion and swimwear, to come out in time for the Christmas markets in Portals. “Mallorca is such a special place for me and I hope that the TV series, whatever people thought of it, did the island justice because it showed off some of Mallorca’s finest locations.”

THE world’s most morally bankrupt TV lawyer has sought solace on a famous Spanish pilgrimage. Actor Bob Odenkirk, who plays Breaking Bad brief Saul Goodman, walked a large section of the Camino de Santiago - the Way of St James - earlier this year, it has been revealed. The 54-year-old took spent two weeks walking a large section of the route, taking in Merida, Caceres and Salamanca.

GOODBOY: Odenkirk

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

good Walking 16 to 23 kilometres a day, he said his goal was to ‘eat only for survival reasons and clear my life of worries.’ The Catholic said he could easily have ‘spent two weeks in Salamanca’.

Knowles what he likes

THEY might be revealing but they are not just for the beach. So claims model/actress Emily Ratajkowski about her new Mallorcainspired swimsuit line. The American Entourage star insists her eclectic mix of retroinspired bikinis are also for women to wear in their ordinary lives. “In Mallorca in the summer I saw women of all shapes and sizes, of all different ages, living in their bathing suits, cooking, eating, laying out, and taking care of their kids – all in their swimsuit,” she explained.

Exclusive By Jed Neill

Wonderkid, part 4 CRISTIANO Ronaldo has welcomed a baby girl into the world with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez. The 32-year-old Real Madrid star shared a picture of his 22-year-old girlfriend holding baby Alana Martina with Ronaldo’s son, Cristiano Jr in the background.

SQUARE MEAL: Eric (below) loves Il Giardino muntana mountain range best and we tend to hover between Pollenca and Alcudia,” said Knowles. “I also enjoy going round various inland towns, such as Santa Maria, looking for antiques. “You have to plough through an awful lot of rubble though to find that golden nugget.” He added: “Above all, when I come here I like to do a little bit of aerobic arm lifting with some good Rioja’s by my side.”

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“At this point in my life, you might have expected that at least one person would have told me how beautiful and vibrant these Spanish regions are,” he said. “Now I can return to L.A. and be that person.”

Not just for the beach!

Antiques Roadshow guru is part of the furniture at his favourite Pollenca restaurant

HE’S been coming to the island for an incredible two decades… but he has never stayed in the same place twice. However, when it comes to food, Eric Knowles knows what he likes. The Antiques Roadshow star has been eating at the same restaurant in Pollenca for 20 years running, it can be revealed. He told the Olive Press: “I’ve gone to the Il Giardino restaurant in the main square for the past 20 years. “I go with my wife Anita and various friends and family and love it there.” The celebrity, who has been a presenter on the popular BBC show for over three decades, first came to Spain for a camping trip in 1980 and now comes back every year. The 64-year-old father mostly spends his holidays in Mallorca, although he often visits his brother in La Herradura, Andalucia. “And we never go to the same villa twice,” he joked during an interview to promote his appearance at a lifestyle show on the Costa del Sol next month. “I like the Sierra de Tra

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Love Iceland HE’S gone from the heat of Love Island to chilly ice skating. Winner of the hit show filmed in Mallorca, Kem Cetinay is to star in Dancing on Ice, skating with Alex Murphey, who has already won Holland’s Skating with the Stars. Bake off champ Candice Brown, model Donna Air and Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent will also compete on the ITV show, out in January for its tenth season.

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News IN BRIEF

Castle repairs BELLVER Castle is to get some major restoration work, mostly structural, thanks to a one million euro grant given to the city.

Expat-Spanish couple move to mainland after continual attacks for asking for Castilian in school By Joe Wallen

Taking off A DOZEN new flights from Palma to the UK - six to Leeds and Manchester - have been scheduled over Christmas by budget airline Jet2.

Free riders CHILDREN as old as 14 will be able to ride on buses free around the island after EMT raised the age limit for children.

Refugee rescue AROUND 600 African migrants were rescued in 24 hours off the coast of Murcia. This comes as the number of people arriving by sea in Spain has nearly tripled over the last year to 17,687.

AN expat and her Spanish husband have left Mallorca for mainland Spain after suffering ‘continual’ harassment for asking that their children be schooled in Castilian. Austrian Doris Burgstaller and husband Joaquín Lopez were labelled ‘fachas’ – or fascists – by Arta residents after requesting their children, 3 and 5, didn’t just learn only in Catalan.

ne ws

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Language fascists FORCED OUT: Couple flee the island in Catalan language school row

Ignored

They have now left the island, where they have lived for 18 years, to move to Asturias after the issues they had at Na Caragol school. The school ignored their demands, ruling that Castilian could only be spoken at lunchtime… and ONLY if pupils were willing to forego their playtime for extra lessons.

This is despite Spanish law insisting that six hours of Castilian Spanish must be taught in schools every day. To add insult to injury, school employees handed out newsletters and hung banners claiming the pair were secretly working for the PP government. They claimed the cou-

ple were fundamentally against the language and culture of the Balearics. Amazingly, the couple received no support from the Ministry of Education. “They did nothing but instead tried to justify these actions,” Doris told El Mundo newspaper. “It was very difficult to live with dignity in a society where nationalists impose their fanaticism and where good people look the other way,” she added. “We lived it and it was hell.” The couple’s experience is not unique as the trend to exclusively teach Catalan

in schools gathers momentum. Parents of students at the Ses Rotes Velles school in Santa Ponça were told they would only be able to communicate in Catalan. Ludicrously, parents unable to speak Catalan were told to speak to their children ‘by signs instead’, rather than use Castilian. One mother recalled how she was reprimanded by a teacher when she asked her three-year-old how his day had been. “The teacher frowned and covered the child’s ears, so that he wouldn’t hear me speak Spanish,” she said.

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Fire razes Marratxi estate A DEVASTATING fire has destroyed ten warehouses at the Marratxi industrial estate. Over 20 firefighters battled the blaze, that started from a printing business.

Tramuntana ranked a favourite THE Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is the third most popular UNESCO World Heritage site in Spain. The rugged range falls only behind the Roman aqueduct of Segovia and the city of Sevilla itself, according to TripAdvisor users. The Mallorca sierra ranks an impressive eighth out of ALL of Europe's UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Cancer ward closure By Lucy Jayne Lutener

THE island’s only hospital ward providing emergency care for cancer patients in Son Espaces has been closed due to lack of staff. Patients suffering from cancers are now having to visit general emergency wards, where they are exposed to much greater risks. "We now have to wait in general emergency wards, posing huge risks for us as we are vulnerable with our low immune defences,” one local cancer patient said. Medics justified the closure, insisting there were not enough staff for the ward. “We are overwhelmed with poor staff levels, so there comes a time when you have to prioritise and it was decided to close the emergency room,” said a spokesman. The regional authorities insist the closure is only temporary and that an extra €456,303 will be spent next year to reform the oncology department and another €350,000 to reform their emergency centre.

Path closed after death AN alarming two people have fallen - one fatally - off a path near Soller. The path at Bens d'Avall has now been closed after a German woman died and a local Spaniard also fell in two separate incidents. Handrails will now be installed before the path is reopened.

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A COMPETITION offering all expenses paid ‘school trips’ to Mallorca has been launched by Jet2. The competition for UK schools will send nine British classes for a break at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort next year. To enter, a promotional piece of work for the hotel must be submitted as a joint entry from one class or a piece of work from each pupil

within a class. The ‘ultimate school trip’ will include workshops on science, history, drama, as well as a school disco. Boss of Jet2 Steve Heapy explained that the trip will provide an innovative learning environment for pupils.“School trips provide many of our best school memories and create some of the most valuable educational experiences,” he said.

green

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Desertification nightmare looms ence on the threat of desertification in China, in September. Even the EU recently slammed Spain’s over-use of water, in particular on vital aquifers such as those in the Donana National Park, between Cadiz and Sevilla. An investigation launched in 2009, demanded Spain immediately deal with the situation, or face being heavily fined.

From Front

UNESCO has also threatened to remove protection status. Just this week, Madrid undermined Mallorca’s attempts to close down its massive polluting coal plant, in Alcudia, condemning it to remain open for the forseeable future (story see below).

The promotion of electric vehicles, more public transport and grants for using solar panels have all been stifled due to pressure from the big electricity companies. It comes after the worst drought in 150 years hit Spain in 2014. The predicted long periods of drought would also spark further mass migration of people from Africa.

DISGRACE! Polluting coal plant must remain open by orders of Madrid A POWER station that counts for 62% of all the pollution in Mallorca must stay open. It comes despite continual campaigning from green groups and local politicians. A plan to shut Alcudia’s Murterar coal plant to create a ‘greener’ energy model for the island was roundly rejected by Madrid.

energy projects. He added natural gas plants at Son Reus and Cas Tresorer could also take Murterar’s energy load as both are well under capacity. But Secretary of State for Energy, Daniel Navia insisted the plan was too costly, despite Spain publicly insisting it was working hard to meet carbon cutting deadlines in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Limits

OPEN: Polluting coal plant

Mallorca’s energy minister Marc Pons insisted that shutting Spain’s

Sewer upgrade A MASSIVE €26 million is being spent to remedy flooding in Palma caused by heavy rainfall. Emaya is in charge of upgrading sewers, as well as building a new reservoir in Playa de Palma’s Coll den Rabassa. The goal is to reduce the amount of waste that gets flushed into the sea when it rains and the pipes are overused. The new reservoir will reduce waste flowing into the sea by 80%.

eighth most polluting plant would be easily compensated with new solar

Going green MORE than €1 million has been invested into green projects by Calvia town council. In particular, lighting has been upgraded to more energy efficient models. The town hall also bought an electric car for official duties.

Pons has described the ruling as a ‘serious error’ and has announced plans to appeal the ruling, noting that it flies in the face of the Paris agreement. “Keeping open indefinitely one of the most polluting plants is in total contrast to the trend in other European countries,” he said. Most European countries have already put end dates on coal plants, from 2023 to 2030. The government has insisted that the plant will have to undergo works to reduce emissions by 2020 since it exceeds EU limits. A spokesman for Podemos Laura Camargo accused the ministry of energy of being ‘insensitive to the environmental interests of the Balearic Islands’.

Freeing the willies! Shining THE stretch of water between Barcelona and the Balearics, known as the Mediterranean Whale Migration Corridor, will be declared a Marine Protected Area. In a victory for the environment, the 46,263 square metre area will be banned from any new oil or gas drilling projects. It is an important migration area for whales and the second and third largest species on earth, Fin and Sperm whales, both migrate through it. These, along with Pilot whales,

Cuvier’s beaked whales and other species also live for much of the year north of Mallorca. In early 2016 the migration corridor was labelled a ´black spot´ or an area exposed to a significant amount of noise. Seismic exploration for hydrocarbons using air guns emit an explosive sound of up to 240 decibels with projects lasting for weeks. The loud noises are often deafening to whales, and extreme noise pollution has killed hundreds of them.

example THE construction of seven new solar plants will boost the islands’ green energy by a quarter. The projects, five of which are in Mallorca, will create another 20 megawatts of energy. The government aims to produce 250 megawatts of clean energy by 2020. This leaves the government 150 megawatts short on its targets even with the new plants.

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

With the anniversary of General Franco’s death in November 1975, Alastair Stewart remembers the Scottish anarchist who tried to take out the dictator ... inspired by his granny

Mallorca’s original community newspaper

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION The sands of time THE world is on a collision course with mother nature yet governments and world leaders don’t seem too fussed. And it is an absolute scandal that right here in Spain those who want to do their bit are being restricted by shameful laws. The fact that anyone wanting to generate solar electricity must pay a tax, when there should be incentives for it, not to mention a shameful waste of water around is a crying shame. Despite 70% of the country being at risk of desertification, Spain couldn’t be bothered to send a delegate to a global conference on the issue this year. And at a time when the country’s reservoir levels reached all time lows and we are due to enter one of the worst droughts for decades. All of us need to do more to protect the environment, whether its on the micro level of recycling more and using less water, or on the macro level, voting for green politicians in local elections, installing solar panels or lobbying government for action. But it is the government ultimately that needs to enforce laws and introduce programmes that will help stave off disaster. It is simply shameful to do nothing, while knowing that in just 80 years this region could be largely an uninhabitable desert.

COTTISH history is awash with legendary figures but Stuart Christie - a young Glaswegian involved in a plot to assassinate General Franco - is not the first name that springs to mind. Nevertheless, on August 11 1964, this 18-year-old idealist was arrested in Madrid for attempting to do just that. And in a further bizarre twist, the young suicide bomber was found to be carrying a kilo of explosives under a woolly jumper knitted by his grandmother. By way of swashbuckling plots and tales of derring-do, the coup was straight out of a Hemingway or le Carré novel. Indeed, Christie reveals all its intricacies in his intriguingly-titled autobiography, 'Granny Made Me An Anarchist’. Born and raised in Glasgow, Christie became involved in left-wing politics at a young age. Disillusioned with the Labour Party, his involvement with the city’s Anarchist Federation brought him into contact with operatives from Defensa Interior, an organisation dedicated to fighting Francisco Franco. It was the 1960s and Franco was in his third decade of power. The presence of a dictatorship in Western Europe, even at the height of the Cold War, was always an embarrassment. Spain was a social and economic pariah on the continent, strategically tolerated by Western powers only because of the Generalissimo’s hatred of communism. Nevertheless, the scale of his repression, torture and murder made him a natural target for political campaigns and the morally aware. When Christie moved south to London to work as a sheet-metal apprentice, he came into contact with Spanish anar-

KNITTED: Christie carried a kilo of explosives in his granny’s sweater

INSPIRATION: Many female Republican volunteers fought Franco

who fought with the International Brigade against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, he acted. Christie left London for Paris where he met members of the Defensa Interior organisation. His assignment was to deliver explosives to Madrid for an attempt on Franco's life, without actually knowing the details of the plot to blow up the dictator at a football match. Although Franco died ten years later, the plot had particular significance as the last of at least 30 attempts on the fascist leader’s life.

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Spanish anarchists lit the path but his grandmother influenced him chists in exile. They convinced him he had to do more than pay lip service or partake in marches to defeat Franco. ‘Much as I liked girls and dancing, I felt it was impossible to remain silent and inactive in the face of a fascist dictator’s repression of his country’s people,’ he wrote in his memoir. ‘It was time for action.’ The young man’s motivation, while revolutionary and in line with general sentiment against the dictator, was also inherently idealistic. It might have been Spanish anarchists who lit the path but, as the title of his autobiography suggests,he was also strongly influenced by, his formidable grandmother Agnes. Agnes, a strict Presbyterian, helped Christie’s mother to raise him after his father walked out. It was she who encouraged a passion for social justice

The only way to disguise myself was with the baggy woollen jumper

ICON: George Orwell inspired Christie

and who provided ‘a moral barometer which married almost exactly with that of libertarian socialism and anarchism, and she provided the star which I followed.’ So taking heed from his grandmother and inspired by the likes George Orwell

By Christie’s admission, his hitchhiking effort to Madrid and general appearance were not proper spycraft: ‘With the plastic explosive strapped to me, my body was improbably misshapen,’ he wrote. ‘The only way to disguise myself was with the baggy woollen jumper my granny had knitted to protect me from the biting Clydeside winds. At the risk of understatement, I looked out of place on the Mediterranean coast in August.’ The circumstances were against him too: Defensa Interior was already heavily infiltrated by the Spanish security

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issue of the November 23rd - DecemberEach 6th print 2017

Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news best English websites.

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EVIL: Franco was a vicious dictator, who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of his own people

Mallorca’s daily news website

October 2015

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fortnight on to close - EXCLUSIVE: Irish expat forced popular Costa del Solwww.theolivepress.es bar after town hall started works without warning (7,633)

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 Costa delfor Sol British on weatherdad alert - MISSING: Appeal launched withairport dropping temperatures last seen at Malaga (3,934) and

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the key figures past and present of

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biggest shopping and leisure Page Views:lucia’s 175,413 centre - 3122 views

Visitors: 125,673  Gibraltar schoolgirl reaches semi -final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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SOCIALMEDIA services. In Madrid, en route to meet his contact, an empty taxi pulled up to the pavement beside him. When the driver appeared to invite him to get in, he realised it was an unmarked police car. ‘As I steeled myself to make a dash through the crowds I was suddenly grabbed by both arms from behind, my

SUICIDE BELT: Explosives

face pushed to the wall and a gun barrel thrust into the small of my back. I tried to turn my head but I was handcuffed before I fully realised what had happened. It was all over in a matter of moments.’ Christie was arrested along with his Spanish contact Fernando Carballo Blanco. In a humorous sidebar to the story, it was falsely reported that he had been wearing a kilt at the time which confused the Argentine press into describing him as ‘a Scottish transvestite’. Charged with ‘banditry and terrorism’, he faced a military trial and a possible death sentence by garrotte, a particularly nasty form of strangulation. Christie wasn't tortured, as was common in Franco’s Spain. He signed a confession four days later and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Blanco got 30 years and held the awkward distinction of being the last political prisoner of the Franco regime. Because of his youth and nationality, Christie’s involvement received significant international attention from the likes of Bertrand Russell and Jean-

SPANISH dictator Francisco Franco told his propagandists to describe him as an ‘indomitable soldier’. However, Spain’s infamous dictator really was one of the luckiest men in Europe after he survived a rumoured 20 failed assassination attempts. The first is believed to have taken place in the Canary Islands in 1936. Several anarchists attempted to storm Franco’s bedroom as

Franco in firing line

he slept, but after the alarm was raised, the future dictator survived the night. Stuart Christie may also not have been the only Brit out to get Franco, according to MI5 files that have been made public. It is believed that Harold ‘Kim’ Philby, a fanatical anti-Nazi

Paul Sartre, among many other social activists. In prison, he studied for his A-Levels in history, English and Spanish and met other anarchists. His incarceration prompted global protest. He wrote, ‘I was told by the British consul that there were demonstrations all over the world. The most beneficial thing was that my arrest provided a focus for what Franco was doing. Here he was trying to pass himself off as an old avuncular gentleman on a white charger while in fact, he had all these political prisoners, thousands of them who were tortured and some of them killed. The monster was growing again.’ He served three years before international pressure and public protests in the UK forced Spain to release him. The official reason cited by the Spanish regime was a plea from Christie's mother. Later in life, Christie was glad that the assassination attempt was unsuccessful. ‘The arrest turned out for the better. I probably did more for the cause of anti-Francoism by not killing him. There is that law of

and British journalist, attempted to kill Franco in 1939 under the orders of Josef Stalin, but was unsuccessful. Other failed attempts included shooting Franco, blowing him up with ‘100 kilos of explosives’ and bombing his yacht from a fighter jet.

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Useful numbers Emergencies Ambulance/ Fire brigade/ Police 112 BRAVE: Christie today believes the arrest worked out for the better

unintended consequences.’ It's impossible to deny that Christie was brave and that his sense of justice led him into great danger. Did his idealism overtake an appreciation for the perils of a fascist state? Perhaps. But then again, that was the case for the 2,400 British volunteers, 549 of them Scottish, who travelled to serve in International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. Quite rightly, they're honoured with a statue in Glasgow (left). History knows how fascism in Spain died with Franco, but it's remarkable to muse what might have happened if it had stopped sooner, thanks to a young Scot.

Transport Railway Line Palma-Inca / Palma-Manacor – 971.177.777 Buses in Majorca – 971.177.777 Railway Line Palma-Soller – 902.364.711 Airport information – 971.789.000 Road Traffic Information – 900.123.505

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

olivepressnews

fights what’s+TheolivepressEs on Madrid to lift ban on

i g h t BE up

‘APPY! bullfighting in

Balearics

PALMA will turn on t he C hr i s tmas l i g hts on MADRID is set to fight a N o v e mbe r 2 3 , with new law on the Balearic Ismus ic , dan c i ng and lands which bans the killing a c r o b a ts . F ood s talls a n d mark e t g ood s of bulls in bullfights. Download our app now and w i l l l i ne the s treets Mariano Rajoy’s conservaa n d s qua re begin from nowthe best enjoying Spanish tive government said it was t hr o u g h to challenging ‘certain parts’ news onThree the go. K i n gs Da y. of the legislation, which was

u s h r o o m madness

adopted last year and hailed by animal rights groups. “The autonomous community doesn’t have in its mandate the specific power to protect animal rights,” said Inigo Mendez Press de Vigo, Culture Minister. The new law does not out-

law bullfighting completely, but it forbids the use of ‘sharp implements that can injure and/or kill the bull,’ effectively outlawing the animal’s slaughter. It also limits the number of animals that bullfighters can spar with to three, and gives a maximum duration

Swedish Christmas

TH E B aR ockBallet c om es t o t h e Pal ma Audi tor i um on Dec ember 6, c o mbi n i ng ba roq u e mus ic wi th roc k and c o n t emp orary da nci n g w i th c l as s i c al ball e t for a un i que and i m a g i na ti ve s how.

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Baying for blood

ALAR O 'S ann ua l Mus hroom F est i v a l i s bac k wi th loc a l re s ta uran ts cele b r a ti ng the Thefunky Olive fu n gi i n a n arra y of pr e parati ons . On for news in Spain! D e c e mbe r TOP 10 al l are w e l come to vi s i t one o f t h e fi ve c e l e brated r e s t auran ts p articipa t i ng .

ock Ballet

a ve2017 NEWS u ha6th November - December o yo D23rd

A UNIQUE holiday experience is Palma’s Swedish Christmas Market, which has been running for over 30 years. The bazaar is filled with all sorts of Swedish crafts, and most popular of all, Swedish food. The market runs from November 24 to 26 at the Swedish Church in Palma with live music on every evening.

of ten minutes per bull. It also forces bullfighters and animals to take antidoping tests before and after the corrida, and allows only people aged 18 and above to watch. Restrictions and bans have increased across the country as a growing number of Spaniards see the sport as a cruel spectacle. These restrictions however, have ofSanta Ponsa town hall’s interten come national department will be up against hosting their annual Christstrong resismas fair.On Sunday December tance from 3 market stalls will fill Calle su pporters Riu with festive food and warm drinks. who see the Santa Clause himself will make tradition an appearance and collect letas an inteters from the children, naughgral part of ty or nice. Spanish culture.

Santa’s coming

Lights, camera, Christmas! GET your mittens on and head into Palma for the annual Christmas market, ice rink and holiday festivities. It all kicks off November 23, with the annual lighting of the city. This year the town hall has spent €1 million on lights for the centre, its largest investment ever. A total of 92 streets will be lit up, while musicians, acrobats and circus performers will perform.

Dijous Bo MALLORCA’S largest fair, Dijous Bo, returned with over 100,000 guests to dance, eat, shop and celebrate the best Thursday of the year. Over 700 market stalls filled over 40 streets for the famous festival in Inca.

Alano

MALLORCA

International Recovery Support Centre What we offer: Access to 12 Step Recovery programs • An in house library to help you find some answers. English Speaking Meetings • Cafe and Courtyard An independent (Non-Profit) foundation established for the primary purpose of providing a safe, clean, secure and non judgmental environment for those who have a desire to stop drinking, using drugs or any other form of addictive behavior which is having a negative impact on their lives. We are not on a mission to stop the social/recreational fun of the world, only to assist people who have recognised a problem within themselves and have a desire to seek help.

We understand that such problems are hard to deal with by an individual, but with help in numbers it is possible. Anyone who walks through our doors will be granted full confidentiality/anonymity and will never be asked to disclose any information about themselves they do not wish, and nothing will be recorded or held on any database.

Contact: info@alanomallorca.com tel: +34 66 999 6975 / +34 871 032 689 Plaça del Progrés, 11b, 07013 Palma de Mallorca Illes Balears, Spain

www.alanomallorca.com “We are not a treatment center nor a religious organisation we are simply a group of people who ourselves have found a solution to our addictions”

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9 MallorcaNovember - Living Inspiration 23rd - December 6th 2017

olive press

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November 2017

Issue 17

We give your dreams a home

Tel. +34 971 23 85 84 www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca

The thinker’s finca

DON’T think about it too long… but this historic home once owned by one of the godfather’s of Spanish philosophy has just come up for sale. The 1,500 metre square country home, Casa Mata, was once owned by Mallorcan philosopher Ramon Llull, who wrote in Catalan. Credited as being one of the forefathers of the Catalan language, Llull even has a university named after him in Barcelona. On sale via various agents, the stunning hunting estate in Mallorca has 53 hectares of prime land and numerous outbuildings. The 13th century writer and artist was hugely influential on the island and once taught king James II of Aragon. Llull lived in the huge estate near ANCIENT: a Llull book Algaida from 1250 until a series of six religious visions led him to leave his family to lead a life as a missionary converting Muslims and Jews to catholicism. He wrote over 200 works during his life and has a tomb in Palma’s basilica of St Francis, currently being restored. His family sold the home in the 16th century. It sits near Llucmajor on the road from Randa to Montuiri.

The Brits are back

PHILOSOPHER’S STONES: Thinker Llull (left) once lived in stunning Casa Mata

Bring it on S PAIN’S property market is set for another healthy year. Sales and prices are expected to rise… as long as there are no sudden economic shocks, predicts one of the country’s largest agents. According to Anticipa sales will rise by 9.3% next year to 526,000 properties, up from 481,000 this year and 21% more than in 2016. Prices are also expected to rise by 6.1% next year, on top of an expected

Another 12 months of growth in Spain with 10% more sales - as long as Catalunya is dealt with

6.9% this year. Prices for resales and new builds meanwhile, are expected to continue to increase by 5.8% over the fourth quarter of this year. The firm’s latest report, however, was compiled before Catalunya declared independence and Madrid imposed

direct rule. The region is regarded as the wealthiest in Spain and its capital Barcelona has seen some of the highest property price rises this year. It is hoped that the political uncertainty will not affect sales too much, particulary as regional elections have now

been called for December 21, and the situation has calmed down. However, this has not stopped some of Spain’s largest property companies with links to the region, seeing their share prices slump. Merlin Properties and Colonial fell by 5.3% and 6.4% respectively at the height of the independence crisis. Investors, though, are adopting a ‘wait and see’ policy in the run up to the elections.

17 Property Shops on Mallorca We give your dreams a home

Tel. +34 971 23 85 84 www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca

BRITISH buyers have bounced back in Spain over the second half of the year. According to one key developer, the number of British buyers has more than doubled on the same period last year. Between July and October 2017, homebuilder Taylor Wimpey has seen a whopping 118% increase in buyers from the UK. “We are extremely proud of the results generated to date in 2017,” said sales boss Marc Pritchard. “And it is great to see the British buyers back. “They have been half of the buyers in the last four months.” So far this year, Spain’s leading housebuilder has reported a 13% increase in sales (388 properties) compared to 342 homes last year. Enquiries for holiday homes during the summer season were up by 13% - the biggest growth seen in the last six years.

II 10

Property

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November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

Spain is the foreign favourite and Brits are still out in front, writes Mark Stucklin

OREIGN demand for property in Spain rose 11.6% in the third quarter of the year, driven by global buyers compensating for lower British and Scandinavian interest, according to data from the latest housing market report from the Association of Spanish Registrars. Some 15,312 home sales deeds involving a foreign buyer were inscribed in the Spanish land register in the third quarter of the year, up 11.6% compared to the same period last year, but down 1.8% compared to Q2 of this year.

Growing

As a result, foreign buyers are now 12.9% of the Spanish housing market, down from 13.3% a year ago, simply because local demand is now growing faster than foreign demand. Demand for Spanish property today is global, but just eight countries (excluding Romania and Morocco, which would be the 7th and 9th respectively, if not excluded) contribute 56% of buyers, led by the British as always, with 2,252 purchases recorded in the period (15% of foreign demand), followed by the French (1,299 transactions, 8% of foreign demand), and Germans (1,192 sales, 8% of foreign demand). Out-

this rate. There was robust growth of 15.6% in Russian demand after several years of big declines, and reasonable growth of almost 6% from France, the second biggest market today. At the other end of the scale, British buyers continue to decline in the wake of Brexit, while Sweden and Denmark both fell by 7.5%. The overall picture, however, is another quarter of growing global demand for homes in Spain.

British demand for property in Spain Q3 2017

Foreign affairs

side the big eight markets, the rest of the world (including Romania and Morocco) delivered 6,744 buyers in the period, 44% of total foreign demand.

How is foreign demand for property in Spain changing? Overall, foreign demand for homes

in Spain increased by 11.6% in Q3 compared to the same period last year. Looking at the change in demand per country, we see strong demand up more than 20% from Romania, China, Holland, Ukraine

and the ‘rest of the world’, and a big increase of almost 20% in demand from Germany – the third biggest market and on course to overtake France in the number two spot at

British demand for property in Spain was on fire after the crash ended in 2012-2013. UK investors were attracted to Spanish property by low prices and rising confidence, with demand growth close to 50% or more in many quarters between the start of 2014 and the beginning of 2016. However, after the Brexit vote in June 2016, British demand declined significantly, but only for a few quarters. It now looks like British demand will return to positive growth in the next quarter or two. It looks like Brexit was just a temporary set-back. What is driving the change in British demand? More than anything, in my opinion, the Pound-Euro exchange rate that determines British spending power in Spain. British demand for property in Spain lags behind the exchange rate by a couple of quarters. I’ve also heard reports of a recent flood of enquiries from British clients looking to escape Brexit Britain and the hard-left Government that looks likely to control it. Interesting times when Spanish property is seen as a safer bet than British assets. www.spanishproper tyinsight. com

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 – 850,000€

ref: CT132

A beautiful 4 bedroom property with lovely views on the outskirts of Calvia village. It has a plot of 1270m2 and a living area of 170m2. The habitable area of the property is set over one floor and consists of an openplan living room & dining room with central fireplace, kitchen & pantry, 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Outside there is a beautiful pool area and also lovely manicured gardens. Other features are central heating, a/c, laundry, carport and an irrigation system.

Calvia – 685,000€

ref: CT134

A lovely 4 bedroom detached villa in the village of Calvia. The property has an approx total constructed area of 196m2 and sits on a plot of 600m2. On the ground floor you will find the lounge/dining room, kitchen, library/entrance, double bedroom & bathroom. Upstairs there is the master with ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe, 2 more bedrooms and another bathroom. Outside there is a private pool and lovely manicured gardens. Other features are parking for 2 cars, central heating, a/c, laundry & storeroom.

www.theolivepress.es Property

Record hotel prices HOTEL prices have rocketed in the Balearics by a third in just a year. Prices have zoomed by a shocking 30% on last year’s prices, higher than anywhere else in Spain. While the growth is 12% higher than the national average, the regional authorities claim the extra revenue is also being passed on to staff. Hotels have indeed, agreed a 17% rise in wages to be spread over the next four years, something made possible by increasing prices. The industry also claims the rise is reflected in the amount of money being spent in upgrades and the raising of standards.

November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

III 11 11

Top ten for expats SPAIN’S biggest cities are in the top ten best places in the world for expats to live. Madrid (right) comes third thanks to its good value rents, inexpensive bills and high job satisfaction, while Barcelona (left) came sixth thanks to its

quality of living and ease of settling in. The poll by InterNations was based on survey responses from nearly 8,000 people in 40 countries. Surprisingly Namana in Bahrain came top, while Prague came second.

First home built by the Spanish icon has Moorish influences

HE first house designed by maestro Antoni Gaudi has opened to the public for the first time. The Casa Vicens has gone through a restoration project over the last two-anda-half years and has been kept to its original design.

Pastiche

Gaudí, the master of modernism and creator of the iconic Sagrada Familia, had been qualified only five years as an architect when he was hired in 1883 by a tile manufacturer, Don Manuel Vicens Montaner, to design a summer house Harry Winks announced as thein ambassador of the WINKS: Investing in Gràcia, then a suburb of luxury villa project in Marbella

Marbella’s Heights (below) Barcelona. Gràcia has since been swallowed by the city, and to the

Winks moves in

ENGLAND star Harry Winks has invested in a new development on the Costa del Sol. The Spurs midfielder is a shareholder at the Heights, at La Resina Golf Club, in Marbella. The 11 opulent new villas, deThe second veloped ambassadors is the former U.S. Open by the La Sala group, Champion Michael Campbell

include infinity pools, wine cellars and 24 hour security. They also have direct access to the celebrated golf course.

Oh my Gaudi! DETAIL: Exterior features are unusual and colourful

visitor, happening upon the house in its narrow street, among offices and apart-

ment blocks, the Casa Vicens comes as a delightful surprise: a faux Moorish pal-

ace that might have dropped in on a magic carpet. It’s full of built-in furniture,

ARABIC: Inside spaces have Moorish influences

Views

“Each villa has specially designed entertainment areas to enjoy the uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean,” said a spokesman for The Heights. “The breathtaking environment comes with elegant contemporary architecture achieving the perfect balance between design, (Development comfort and Manager), respect for Melanie Warwick Michael nature.” ampbell (Ambassador), José María García Urbano Winks recently made his dethe Mayor of Estepona), Ian Radford (developer), but for Gonzaléz England in a 2018 FIFA Federico (developer)

World Cup Qualifier against Lithuania and has made eight starts for Spurs so far this season. He joins a long list of other footballers, who have invested via the La Sala group including David Bentley, Stephen Carr and Shay Given. Golfer Michael Campbell is one of the ‘ambassadors’ for the Heights development, where prices start at 1.275 million euros.

One for Santa’s list

INSPIRED by the architect Gaudi himself, how about this little hilltop stunner for Christmas? The lovely eight-bedroom finca, which has various Gaudi inspired touches, also comes with a home cinema, pool, gym, wine cellar, a garage for six cars, jacuzzi, BBQ area and an apartment for your staff. It sits in Monport in Port Andratx and offers stunning views of the harbour and village. And with a price tag of €17million let’s hope you’ve been extra good for Santa this year. Visit www.fara-homes.com for more information

murals of herons and cranes, and spaces between beams filled with paper-mache carvings of cherries of leaves. And there is a clear Andalucia influence inside the Arabian smoking room, where Gaudi incorporates a polychrome pastiche of the stalactite ceilings of the Alhambra in Granada – made of moulded cardboard. Fans will have to be lucky when visiting the new mustsee, as only 500 people are allowed inside each day.

Nun too clever

A GROUP of nuns have been fined €170,000 by the Junta for beginning upgrades on a 17th century organ without permission. The culture ministry has sent the fine to the Clarisse nuns of Sevilla’s Santa Ines convent for restoring the temple’s organ. The sanction will be reduced to €102,000 if they voluntarily pay the fine. The organ, by 17th century artist Perez Valladolid, has been listed since 1983.

STUNG: Nun at cathedral

IV 12

Property

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November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

Luxury home row ‘Barbaric’ development is to be built in Deia after decades of waiting

A LUXURY development described by opponents as ‘barbaric’ is to be built next year in Deia. The 21-home Petit Deia project (pictured below right) will be finished by 2019 despite green groups insisting it is unsustain-

Madrid by sea

UROPE’S largest man-made beach is coming to INLAND Spain. The 15,000 square metre stretch of sand is being installed in the town of Alovera, 50 kilometres north of Madrid. The €14 million leisure project will also feature a huge inland lake, created by Chilean company Crystal Lagoons. Developers Grupo Rayet predict the attraction will be visited by around 250,000 people a year paying €10 a head. Computerised images show windsurfers, kayakers and swimmers enjoying themselves in Caribbean-style transparent water. A restaurant, beach bar, toboggan slides and a sailing school, plus 1,000 parking spaces are to also be built.

Port Andratx: reformed villa with sea views near the beach, const. area 153 m2 , plot size of 320 m2 , 3 bed, 2 bath, pool, whirlpool, heang, A/C, parking, Ref. 1546, 2.200.000 €

MOCK UP: Visitors hang out by one of the several restaurants and bars planned for the area

By Gillian Keller

able. The group Agrupacion Deia claims the houses, which will cost between €500,000 to €2m, are pushing young buyers away. It will also worsen parking problems and not aid the issue of water scarcity in the town they claim. Despite the opposition the project of two and three bedroom homes, designed by architect Toni Juncosa as a small village in the Clot area is going ahead.

Both the town hall and the Consell’s heritage department have finally signed off the project, that was first put forward in 1992. “Because the urban regulations have not changed in all these years, the town hall has no choice but to grant the licence,” said mayor Magdalena Lopez. “If not, we could be involved in a claim for compensation from the developers.” A spokesman for Agrupacio Deia, Lluís Apesteguía, said: “If we see that there is some way to paralyse the project, we will do it.”

Taking off

INVESTMENT in the tourism industry has increased by 25% this year. Businesses have spent €162 million this year so far on the construction, extension and renovation of hotels on the island. That is €26.6 million more than last year, with another 49 hotel improvement projects set to begin this winter.

Port Andratx: apartment in walking distance to the port, const. area approx.105 m2, terraces approx. 20 m2, 3 bed, 2 bath, pool, parking, air condion, Ref. 1549, 395.000 €

FARA HOMES, Calle Cristobal Colon 1, 07157 Port Andratx, Tel. +34 971 672 455, info@fara-homes.com, www.fara-homes.com

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Finest Real Estate Mallorca

Son Vida: Elegant residence with spa and sea view in the most exclusive residential area of Palma. Three storey villa with a well-kept garden, 5 bed., 5 bath., outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, indoor pool, fitness area, staff apartment, terraces, under floor heating, garage. E&V ID: W-023KAU · € 4,500,000

Llucmajor: Luxury finca with open views and guest apartment located in a quiet area. It was refurbished in 2017 and has 4 bed., 4 bath. en suite, pool, elevator, central oil heating, air conditioning, own well, garage, automatic gates and much more. E&V ID: W-02958N · Price € 3,600,000

Palma: Fantastic penthouse apartment with private terrace in La Lonja. Part of a spectacular renovation project consisting of five luxury apartments with exclusive design and majorcan flair; underfloor heating, air conditioning, terraces, balconies and lift. E&V ID: W-029AR9 · € 2,500,000

Puerto Alcudia: Fantastic waterfront apartment with amazing sea views and direct beach access. Very good condition, featuring in 3 bed. and 2 bath., sunny terraces, underground parking space. Perfect location, close to all amenities. E&V ID: W-02996M · Price € 675,000

Puerto de Andratx: Luxury sea view villas with modern architecture and high-quality materials. 3 bed., 3 bath., pool, elevator, chill-out lounge, garden, underfloor heating, high-quality and fully-equipped kitchen, domotic system and much more. E&V ID: W-02793J · Price from € 1,890,000

Valldemossa: Stunning Majorcan house with impressive views surrounded by porches and gardens. It has a large entrance hall, living and dining room with fireplaces, kitchen with storage, 6 bed. and 5 bath. Pool, garage and parking space. E&V ID: W-029ZLN · € 2,250,000

Engel & Völkers Mallorca · Tel.: +34 971 23 85 84 Mallorca@engelvoelkers.com · www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca

VI 14

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A cut above

November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

END RESULT: One of VillaPix’s portraits

Using a drone can really mean lift off for any property on the market to sell or rent

HE drone was already over 100m into the air and going at a rate of knots, before the device hit a temporary hitch. As if 45 degree slopes and a legion of cypress trees to avoid was not enough, the alarm had gone off on the console and wouldn’t go off. Quickly establishing this was no issue with batteries, the team Gary Edwards and Dave Vickers from VillaPix soon realised that this was a warning about a restricted zone. Despite being in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda, a few miles outside the historic market town, there was oddly a ‘no-fly’ ban over 100m in the air. Both experienced photographers, they were well used to the rules involving flying around airports, royal palaces and sensitive city zones. So what was this? It turns out the ban was due to the Spanish Foreign Legion base a few kilometres up the road and, as Gary explained they could still get the perfect aerial shot, but they would be very careful not to break the rules, something that is important to note. Since the emergence of commercial drones a year or two ago, a raft of aerial production companies have launched in Spain offering the service to rental homes and particularly estate agents and developers. But few are properly licensed, understanding the laws of flight, not to mention having any clues about proficiency. “Becoming legal is expensive and involves taking courses,” explains Gary, who has lived in Marbella for two decades. “There are theoretical exams covering ‘AESA’ regulations, international air law, meteorological conditions, theory of flight, communication, as well as a practical exams.” On top of this, the vast majority of companies have no understanding of visual marketing and how to best process the captured photos.

UP UP AND AWAY: But the pair have a lot to check before the final result (4)

“It’s one thing to string together a series of aerial images, another to make those images function, reach their target and get your phones ringing,” adds Dave, who has been a filmmaker and photographer for two decades. The pair - who have travelled extensively working for Turkish Airlines over the last four years saw the opportunity to launch their product earlier this year as the property and tourism market began to grow again in Spain after years of recession. With tons of international experience - both as agency photographers and filmmakers - they are in the perfect position to offer not just the perfect angles to promote your property, but know how to stage it first … and finally how to best deliver the finished product be it film, stills Carlos Hotel, Molino del Santo, El Oceano and or video. Sunset Beach Club. Before the “We really try hard to elicit the shoot, the pair sit correct feel of our surroundings, down with their clients and discuss in length what The final product how each shot would influence a prospective client and why, and they are looking to achieve from is little short of of course what could be done to the filming. shot in post-production to “This way we can decide how amazing and the each help the final image.” the shots need to be set up and He continues: “Large properties which props may be required and pair don’t limit on the Costa del Sol are often where they should be. Attention themselves built on hilly plots. To get a photo detail can be the difference tograph of the whole property is between a good image and a very difficult as the cameraman stunning image,” explains Gary, has limited space and is unable who has worked with many of Spain’s top hotels and beach clubs, including Nikki Beach, the Don to get the distance from the house. “With the availability of the drone, the problem is solved - often only 15 or 25 feet off the ground can be the difference between a very ordinary image and a stunning one combining the property, the gardens, pool and the view.” He goes on to explain the complicated new laws brought in by this fairly new flying technology, and that using a licenced company is vital to avoid any fines in the future. “Be warned this is very important. It could have expensive implications for your business.” One client, Gabriella Chidgey, at www.alcantarilla.co.uk, whose house near Ronda features in these images, was blown away by the quality of images, many which are now on her website and being used by some of the UK’s top rental agencies. “All in all, the final product is little short of amazing, and the pair certainly don’t just limit themselves to the aerial drone shots… they did a range of pictures inside and out with a series of different cameras. VISUALISING YOUR SHOT: No better way than at Estepona Golf

TRADITIONAL: The pair also do standard pics “Even better they were very fussy on getting the right items for the set up. This included colours and the right shaped towels! They both knew exactly what would work best.” Apart from villas and hotels, the company has been using its drones for golf courses, most recently Estepona Golf and the 5* Monte Rei Resort in Portugal.

Contact VillaPix at villapix.es or call 610713334 or 618876348

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When it comes to the world’s most opulent hotels, Spain’s star is in the ascendent

PAIN continues to be the most visited European country by Brits and fellow Europeans. Last year it raked in €77 billion from tourism and it is already on track to smash that record this year. And with the opening of stunning new hotels and the renovation of historic classics, in Andalucia and nationwide, we can expect the country’s luxury bed night count to continue rising. Last issue, we reported on Finca Cortesin’s inclusion in Conde Nast Traveller’s World Top 50 rankings. Check out some of the other Spanish establishments named in that prestigious roll of honour, and others that we think should also have made the hotlist.

Branching out!

THEY have had one of the most respected woodwork and carpentry companies on the island for nearly two decades. Now Susanne and Stefan Stommel have branched out to launch they own homeware business, Leanti, on the Son Bugadelles industrial estate. Previously the location of Home Love and Adeste Kitchens, it is now so much better, a genuine cornocopia of items for the entire home. The German couple, who herald from near the Alps, are friendly and knowledgeable and understand the homeware market well. They have also kept a carpentry section and are still involved in all types of woodwork.

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa, Mallorca, from €400/ night Perched on a dramatic hilltop adjacent to the sea, the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa includes nine separate buildings comprising 120 beautifully-adorned guest rooms, four distinctive restaurants, a Talise spa, two swimming pools, three meeting rooms and a naturally lit ballroom.

Visit www.Leantigroup.com

home

elements

Taste of luxury

kitchen

Barcelo La Bobadilla, Granada, from €186/night Barcelo La Bobadilla sits on a magnificent 1000-acre private estate. Reminiscent of a romantic Moorish village with its own Mediterranean chapel, the hotel’s rambling sections are interconnected by a labyrinth of overhangs, courtyards, vaulted passageways and a soaring marble colonnade. This private, 350 hectares estate of varied and unspoilt countryside has rolling hills and valleys covered with wild flowers and fragrant culinary herbs, forests of holm-oaks, olive groves and almond tree orchards: it is a paradise for animals, birds and game.

c/. Son Bugadelles, 9 | 07180 Santa Ponsa | +34 971 13 42 45 www.leanti-kitchen.com

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017 November 2017

Hotel Alfonso XIII, Sevilla, from €280/night Named after the king who commissioned it in 1928, this classic was designed to be Europe’s most luxurious hotel. Situated among the arches and arabesques of Sevilla’s historic city, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is only minutes from the monumental Reales Alcazares and Plaza de Espana. It’s easy to see why it has often made Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold Lists.

Belmond La Residencia, Deia, Mallorca, from €400/night The Belmond is one of the world’s most renowned hotels. Consisting of two manor houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, it provides real style, charm and character. Situated in the mountain village of Deia, Mallorca, the bedrooms are individually furnished and decorated in traditional Majorcan style. The wooden shuttered windows overlook the lush landscaped gardens, which provide fresh herbs and olive oil for the kitchen, fruits for the homemade morning marmalades and fresh flowers for the rooms.

Palma’s new Congress Centre is a stunning addition to the city’s skyline, writes Gillian Keller

The Westin Palace Madrid, from €230/night Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Valladolid, Spain, from €390/night This massive converted Baroque-Romanesque abbey surrounded by vineyards is two hours north of Madrid. Its medieval aesthetic features vaulted ceilings, thick stone walls and a silent cloister. Bright modern furnishings are accented with warm wood and soaring windows, and there’s a one Michelin Star restaurant, Refectorio. Examine the peeling frescoes while you make your way through a fixed price menu that might include smoked cauliflower soup and roasted squab with an artichoke and olive confit.

Gran Melia Colon, Sevilla, from €160/night In the historic old quarter of the Andalucian capital, the neoBaroque façade and grand public spaces of Gran Melia Colon are steeped in legend in what is known as the hotel of the matadors. With nods to Roman antiquity, regal red-and-gold tones fuse with award-winning contemporary furnishings by the most influential designers of our time, Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and Edra, to name a few. Throughout, you will encounter an aesthetic that finds meaning in contrast, playing historical reverence against a wry, modern wit.

Soaring simplicity

Another hotel commissioned by Alfonso XIII in 1912, this mammoth building was built in just 18 months, born out of a desire to give Madrid a hotel worthy of a capital. Since then, The Westin has been a meeting point for important events connected with Spain’s history. It’s a member of the Starwood Luxury Collection and is known as one of the most luxurious hotels in Madrid, combining turn of the century grandeur with new amenities and high tech touches of the modern world. Work out at the 24 hour fitness centre, relax In the sauna or solarium, then enjoy elegant dining at La Roto.

Finca Cortesin, Casares, from €460/night This 67-room hotel in Casares is the elegant centerpiece of an ambitious real estate project that includes private villas and a top-rated golf course. Finca Cortesin takes its cues from traditional Spanish farmhouses - low-rise, whitewashed, terracotta-tiled and built around interior courtyards that often have Moorish decor. It’s a favourite for golfers and celebs, including Gareth Bale.

IT only took 12 years, but Palma’s Palacio de Congresos is finally open for business. The bold modern building on the Paseo Marítimo creates the perfect counterbalance to the GothicRomano masterpiece of Palma Cathedral, a few minutes up the road. The brainchild of Spanish architect Francisco Mangado, 60, building work began in 2008, but stopped and started multiple times for economic reasons. Now Mangado has been rewarded for his patience receiving the 2017 Spanish Architecture Prize for his innovative design. This is the second time the noted Navarran architect has won the award in 25 years, the first time for the Spanish Pavilion at the the world Expo in Zaragoza in 2008.

Green

His new convention centre uses 100 percent green energy, and all units and areas operate separately to ensure minimal energy use. In line with its green philosophy, the centre will host the first national conference on energy efficiency in February. Spain’s King Felipe I recently praised the centre as being an ‘extraordinary’ building, not just for its style but also its social impact on the city. He said Palma was now a ‘true city for meetings’. Meliá Hotels has opened its hotel Melia Palma Bay, with 268 rooms, alongside the building and expects 2018 bookings to double next year. By the end of this year, the centre will have hosted 170 events with more than 30,000 guests and 15,000 hotel stays. For a chance to check out the architecture and views of the bay first hand, book tickets for the centre’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Party.

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Ref: 11789

Bedrooms: 5

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Bathrooms: 5

Build: 355m2

2,590,000â&#x201A;Ź

Modern House, Santa Ponsa Spectacular modern style house in Santa Ponsa. This beautiful house has been built on a plot of 1080m2, has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms en suite (plus guest toilet) distributed over 2 floors. On the main floor there is a large bright living room with a modern style kitchen integrated into the living room, 2 double bedrooms with bathrooms en suite. On the upper floor there are 3 large bedrooms all with spacious bathrooms en suite and with access to a terrace of about 78 m2 with beautiful panorama views and partially to the sea. Outside the house we find large areas of gardens and terraces as well as a nice pool and a lovely porch. This property is located in a residential area of Santa Ponsa, very quiet to live and 10 minutes by car from all necessary amenities, pharmacies, supermarkets and shops, it is very close to several golf courses in the area, beaches and the famous Puerto Adriano with its shops and restaurants. A dream place to live !!!

Ref: 11783

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Build: 100m2

1,300,000â&#x201A;Ź

Impressive Penthouse, Puerto Portals Impressive penthouse in Puerto Portals. This penthouse consists of 100 m2 of living space that has been completely renovated with high quality materials. It has 3 large bedrooms with 3 bathrooms en suite, the main bathroom has a bath with Jacuzzi. Guest toilet, elegant modern style kitchen open to the living room, bright living room with access to a terrace of 25 m2 with the best views of the sea and Puerto Portals. This apartment is located in a luxury complex that has a communal pool and several terraced areas as well as direct access to the wonderful Puerto Portals and its beaches. With all necessary amenities, international colleges, pharmacies, supermarkets close by. An ideal place to live !!

W W W. S G I - M A L L O R C A . C O M

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Y O U R PA R T N E R S I N M A K I N G Y O U R D R E A M S C O M E T R U E A PA R T M E N T S

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TOWNHOUSES COMMERCIAL

Ref: 11788

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PLOTS •

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VILLAS

R E N TA L S

PENTHOUSES •

FINCAS

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Bedrooms: 3

Yo u r s H e r m a n n K ö p p l e r

FULL SERVICE

Bathrooms: 2

Build: 301m2

1,270,000€

Townhouse, Bendinat Beautiful rustic style townhouse in Bendinat. This cozy house has 301 m2 total area and 152 m2 living area distributed on 2 floors. On the main floor there are 2 double bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen open to the cozy dining room and a living room with a nice fireplace which has an access to the outside area where we find a charming and large terrace with garden of more than 100 m2 and BBQ area. On the second floor there is a very large double bedroom with integrated bathroom, shower and dressing room. A lovely office with access to a terrace of 15 m2 with beautiful views over the bay and the sea. This house is located in a luxury urbanization where they have several garden areas and a nice communal pool. Located in a residential area very quiet to live and just minutes from the golf course in the area. Very close to the famous Puerto Portals with its shops and restaurants and only 10 km from the center of the city of Palma. An ideal place to live!

Ref: 11785

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 3

Build: 240m2

465,000€

Duplex, Santa Ponsa Duplex with garden in the Golf Complex of Santa Ponsa. This beautiful duplex consists of 137 m2living area, distributed on two floors. On the lower floor there is a fully fitted and equipped kitchen, a guest cloakroom, a very bright and spacious living room with access to a terraceporch and a nice private garden of 65m2. On the upper floor there are 2 double bedrooms, the main one with bathroom en suite and access to a large terrace with views over the beautiful gardens and pool of this luxury complex. This great apartment is located a few meters from one of the golf courses in the area, very close to the famous Puerto Adriano and with all the necessary amenities just a few minutes away by car. An ideal place to live or spend your holidays !!!

P U I G D E S C A S T E L L E T. 1 - 2 , B L . 3 , 0 7 1 8 0 S A N TA P O S A , M A L L O R C A (+34) 971 695 912 • INFO@SGI-MALLORCA.COM

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ON TOP: The palace sits high above Ibiza with amazing views

it of coin

STUNNING: Rooftop pool and (below) cave pool

Palace in Spain is first in world you can buy with cryptocurrency Bitcoin

T the highest point of Ibiza’s skyline stands the medieval Palacio Bardaji, built in 1742. With just under a square kilometre of floor space, which includes a near quarter kilometre of accessible rooftop, it can all be yours for 1850 bitcoin. How much that actually is in euros changes everyday, but at time of press, around €12 million. The Palacio Bardaji has gone through a rigorous yet protective renovation to bring it into the modern day, following strict guidelines from UNESCO (it is in a world heritage site, Ibiza’s Dalt Villa).

Luxury

It follows other luxury Bitcoin sales, such as Dubai Science Park which is selling units for Bitcoin and a luxurious London townhouse is also selling for Bitcoin this year. In total, the Ibiza palace has 921 square meters of floor space, and 220 square meters of land. It comes complete with six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a private garage among its three stories. The property also includes a separate, fully appointed apartment, as well as staff accommodation. Curro Quevedo Bueno of Zooo, the real estate agency responsible for the sale, says the owner sees Bitcoin as ‘a big thing in the near future’. “That led to the decision to become part of this new financial world. “We are very aware that doing the transaction this way will definitely not make things easier, as we still have to figure out a way to make this connection between this new world and the old one.”

ORIGINAL:

MODERN: Gold, white and spacious interiors

The interior decor is stylish and different

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November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

ET in a beautiful and peaceful valley at the foot of the Sierra Tramuntana mountain range, Alaró is a lovely traditional Mallorca town nestled in beautiful countryside with two striking butes as its backdrop. Traditional stone-faced architecture and narrow cobbled streets combine to create a traditional charm that provides a stark contrast to betterknown coastal resorts. Believed to be part of an Arab farmstead originally called Oloron (from where a local vineyard has taken its name), Alaró’s notoriety starts with the Catalan conquests of Mallorca in the thirteenth century where Alaró Castle, standing high above the village since Moorish times, was so impregnable that it became the Arab’s last stand. The Arab commander was able to hold out for two years after the Christian conquest, where the two heroes of Mallorcan independence were burned alive on a spit when Alfonso III of Aragon

By Amanda Butler

Tradition! This strictly Moorish and old school Mallorcan village of Alaró is a stunning setting for a home

finally took it by storm. Later, electricity and industry played an important role in its growth, with the town being the first to receive electricity, enabling the rapid growth of the shoe making business. At its height it was home to 30 factories employing more than 2,000 people. Today it is still home to the workshop of Tony Mora, renowned globally for his handmade cowboy boots. The only other indus-

try in the town is a sail making warehouse, one of the original reasons it is so popular with many yachtie expats finding their home here. Things to do: At the centre of the village is a charming square surrounded by a few traditional bars, restaurants, a hotel, the town hall and the Church. There’s even a homemade ice-cream parlour which I highly recommend!! There are a few oth-

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er shops selling clothing to brick-a-brack, as well as standard services – everything you need from a country village. Alaró is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of walking routes, cycling and climbing to choose from. Castell de Alaró (Alaró Castle) is a a popular walk from the town (approximately 2 hours, or further up the hill if you prefer to drive) which takes you to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel offering spectacular views of the Tramuntana mountains and over towards Palma and all the way to the sea. There is a well known lamb restaurant called Es Verger half way up the hill which is well worth the stop – quite rustic but a great experience. There is a weekly market every Saturday, from 8.00 to 14.00 selling everything from vegetables and flowers to clothing and jewelry. Alaró also has one of the biggest Nit de Foc (Night of Fire) Fiesta’s on the Island taking place on August 16th annually, with numerous events and activities leading up to the St Roc festivities. Living in Alaró: This town has a large and diverse international community, but remains authentic in its Mallorcan attitude and country way of life. An easy 25/30 minute commute to Palma, Alaró has something for everyone, with the traditional stone townhouses dominating the centre of town, and the further you get from the centre of the town providing more choice, from traditional fincas to modern villas. Whether you want to spend 170,000€ on a centrally located apartment or up to 6,000,000€ on a country estate, you will find it here in Alaró, one of my favourite towns on the island.

25 October

Contemporary stone-faced country house, beautifully re-built with striking views towards Alaró´s twin sisters - walking distance to town. 6 Beds ● 6 Baths ● 490 m² Living ● 68.000 m² Plot ● Pool ● €6.2m ● Ref: 17017 Beautiful newly re-built country home, just 10 minutes walk from the sought after village of Alaró, and sitting in complete tranquility and privacy overlooking the striking twin mountains. A light-filled entrance hall welcomes you into this elegantly ‘country’ yet contemporary home combining both modern and re-claimed features. Comprising a substantial solid oak kitchen with dining area opening onto a large side terrace, a spacious double height lounge with a beamed ceiling, library and fireplace surrounded on three sides by windows affording views over a large covered terrace, pool area, and the twin mountain butes. There is plenty of accomodation with five en suite bedrooms in the main house, and a self contained double bed guest house. Under-floor heating with high quality materials used throughout. The grounds are a mixture of mature woodland with a fountain, fruit trees and vegetable garden to the front and side, and a large swimming pool surrounded by lanscaped gardens and overlooking natural Mallorcan woodland maintained by grazing sheep. Moreover there is a covered carport and an outbuilding that could be converted into guest or staff accommodation. This is a delightful country home with viewing highly recommended.

Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!

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WELCOME: To Santa Ponsa’s kitchen specialities

Kitchen confidence!

GLOW: Leichts at night

WHEN it comes to kitchens few people understand better than the team at Leicht, Cocinas de Nopper, in Santa Ponsa. Now opened on two sides of the main entrance to the Son Bugadelles industryialestate, the range of top quality kitchens is second to none on the island. The team of mostly German sales staff are knowledgeable about their products and will always find the most fitting deal for clients. Come and visit their new showroom next to the petrol station in the industrial estate.

TOP DRAWER: Glossy kitchen units galore, all complete with the latest state-of-theart technology, all available at the new Leicht show room

www.leicht-mallorca.de

A r e y o u l o o k i n g f o r a n e w k i t c h e n ? We would be happy to help you plan the kitchen of your dreams. Why not visit our showroom in Santa Ponsa and be inspired! Plan your individual kitchen space with our kitchen design specialists and see for yourself the diverse possibilities of the LEICHT kitchen world. x

An elegant touch for your home. This is

Carrer Illes Baleares N°4

07180 Santa Ponsa

www.leichtmallorca.com

Cocinas de Nopper

Tel: +34 971 690 155

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olivepressnews

Up in armsBE ‘APPY!

+TheolivepressEs By Laurence Dollimore

HOLIDAYMAKERS to Mallorca are being warned of increasingly complex holiday THE UAE has signed a con- rental scammers. tract with Spain’s Airbus De- It comes after 5,826 Brits fence and Space company for lost more than €8 million to five C-295 military transport fraudsters last year, a 20% increase from the year beaircraft. The Middle Eastern state’s Download our app nowfore, and according to Action military announced the deal Fraud. enjoyinglast the best Spanish at the Dubai begin Airshow news on the go. week.

Major General Ishaq Saleh Al Baloushi, head of the Executive Administration of Industries and Development of Defense Capabilities at the UAE Defence Ministry, didn’t say how much the contract was worth.

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Common

Scammer alert

Fake holiday rental companies, mostly offering holiday villas, are becoming increasingly common, with one rental villa specialist saying he has identified more than 75 such websites this year alone. The Olive Press The fraudsters tend to target prestigious areas. Summer Commitment for news in Spain! include Mallorca, “This purchaseTOP highlights the destinations commitment to the develop- Ibiza, the Algarve, the Canary ment of the Armed Forces and Islands and Santorini. the provision of all the elements that enable them to carry out their responsibilities and fulfil their duties,” Baloushi said in a statement released by THE Barceló Group has the UAE armed forces. launched a multi-billion euro The UAE is a key member of takeover bid for rivals the NH a Saudi-led coalition that inHotel Group. tervened in the Yemen war in The Mallorcan conglomerate 2015 after the Iran-aligned has offered €2.2billion, which if Houthi rebels marched on accepted would create the largthe southern port city of Aden est hotel group in Spain. and forced President AbdThe merged companies would Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee. run over 600 hotels together Yemen is currently gripped by globally. a famine, caused by a Saudiled blockade.

Fake holiday rental problem is only getting worse, experts warn

Glitzy ski resorts such as Val d’Isère, Courchevel and Verbier are also attractive targets. They often base their fake websites on legitimate company sites, using them to advertise properties that they do not own, or have the right to rent. Andy Castle, managing director of Ski in Luxury, said: “They steal pictures from le-

Twin room please? It is understood that The Barceló Group have given the NH Group three months to respond to their offer. “The merger makes great strategic sense and offers exceptional potential for the creation of value for the shareholders in both companies,” a spokesman from The Barceló Group told the press.

Are you looking to join the A-Team?

gitimate rental agencies and will often use fake names for the chalets to make it harder to spot what they have done.” They can even pay to appear at the top of Google search results, allowing them to rank ahead of credible companies, adding an aire of legitimacy. Many also have accompanying Facebook pages. One such page, known to be a fraudulent business, has more than 11,800 likes, despite having been created only at the end of October. Action Fraud says an obvious giveaway should be deals that seem too good to be true. Many fake villa and chalet websites promote unrealistic deals to lure bookers. Castle added: “Someone was quoted €1,800 for three nights in an eight-person chalet in Verbier, Switzerland, over New Year. In reality, a week over that period costs about ten times that.”

Pumping power SPANISH energy firm Acciona has secured two six year water treament contracts worth €11 million in the Balearic Islands. The first contract, worth €4.5 million covers most of southern Mallorca including the upkeep of treatment plants in Llucmajor and Felanitx, while the second, worth €6.5 million covers northern Menorca. The contract adds to Acciona’s expansion on the islands, taking over control of the sewers from the Balearic Islands Water Agency (Abaqua). The deal also includes the Llucmajor plant which supplies water to dozens of golf clubs in Mallorca. Currently, Acciona provides water to three million people in 70 municipalities across Spain and with the deal starting early December that figure is likely to dramatically increase.

Digital Surveillance Systems

FieLd/General Sales person We are looking for an outgoing self-motivated individual to fill this key position for the Mallorca edition. This is an important role that will command a basic, plus generous commissions. Key Requirements: ●● ●● ●● ●● ●●

A year of proven sales experience, preferably in media Good phone maner and strong work ethic Good at building key reliationships with clients Good admin and communication skills Spoken English and preferably Spanish Journalist and writers

We are looking for a trained journalist to sniff out and stand up a range of interesting stories in and around Mallorca, as well as writers for features and specialist sections Key Requirements: ●● ●● ●● ●●

Experience of writing for newspapers preferable Good phone maner and strong work ethic Being fearless and outgoing Spoken English and preferably Spanish DIRECTOR OF SALES

Due to recent expantion of the brand we are looking for a mature and experienced Director of Sales for our head office in Malaga. This is a multi-facated role building on 10 years success of the business. Excellent pay and benefits are available to the successful applicant. Key Requirements: ●● ●● ●● ●● ●●

Five years proven sales experience, preferably in media Excellent management skills Building key reliationships with clients Good admin and communication skills References essential

Please send your CV to admin@theolivepress.es

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017 November 23rd - December 6th 2017

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Banks beware! Banks set to lose millions worth of equity release contracts

RECENT ruling by the appeal Now, the Bilbao Appeal Court has court of Bilbao is to set the said the warning was no ‘mitigating’ ground for future cases on factor because it misled the claimthe so-called Equity Release ants into believing that the loan they mortgage loans. were sold was financially secure Three Judges in the Basque High when, in fact, most of it was invested Court have ruled that banks - and by via unregulated Isle of Man based extension any other financial servic- dubious Premier Group. es company- that do not have a valid The relevance of the ruling, which operating licence will brings an end to the sufsee their agreements defering of the victims of clared null and void, be it this scam, is twofold: it It misled the mortgage loans, investnullifies contracts isclaimants ment contracts or any sued by unregulated other. companies and it fully into believing In late 2014, 20 penendorses the allegations their loan was sioners (mostly British) of the claimants that the bought an action to set financially secure widely publicized Inheriaside 12 equity release tance Tax benefits were mortgage loans against false, emphasizing that SLM worth 6 million eusuch conduct is deceitros, a Cheshire-based lender. The ful and fraudulent. lender had not secured the manda- It is believed that defunct Luxemtory regulatory license although they bourg-based Landsbanki Bank had did warn they had no license to op- lent a staggering 100 million euros erate in Spain as, according to them, in Spain to reduce death duties that they were only providing lending for thankfully will be difficult to recoup, customers seeking to raise cash on whilst Rothschild Group could be set their homes. to lose 40 million Euros.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

British Airways vows to modernise with wifi and more meals BRITISH Airways has said it’s bringing back the ‘glory days’ with wifi and more meals. CEO Alex Cruz, who took the top job 18 months ago, announced a £4.5 billion investment that would make British Airways ‘the airline of choice for everyone’. “The glory days are coming

Glory days

back,” he said during a speech at World Travel Market in London over the weekend. “I

Cata-strophic

PRIME Minister Mariano Rajoy has said 500,000 jobs would be created if the Catalunya region returned to ‘normality’. He added that the country’s economy would grow a third faster than currently predicted if order is restored after the regional elections next month. It comes after Madrid lowered its GDP growth forecast for 2018 from 2.6% to 2.3% last month as the Catalan situation reached crisis point. “If this calms down, the economy could grow five or six tenths more next year,” Rajoy said in an interview.

firmly believe that our best days lie ahead.” Cruz said the cash injection would go towards procuring 72 new aircraft, upgrading 128 existing planes, training staff and rolling out ‘the best Wi-Fi in the sky’. He also committed BA to installing at-seat power points in all cabins and improving long-haul catering in economy, with the return of a proper second meal instead of a snack. “What else can passengers expect? Lower fares, better service and new destinations.”

Excel currencies will let you know exactly how much they make with every money transfer

Transparent Times

DECEMBER

CHANGE is afoot for the many who transfer money to and from Spain. For years the money transfer industry has been plagued with hidden exchange rates, commissions and transfer fees. I’m sure many of you who are reading this article can relate to this... Have you ever wondered how much is made when you transfer money overseas? Or Thought, ‘How can I be sure that I’m truly getting a good deal and I haven’t fallen for the big marketing campaigns’? The only way to be certain that you are getting a fair and consistently great exchange rate, is to know how much the money transfer company is making, right?! At Excel Currencies, we have taken our transparent product that is used by our corporate customers and have given it to our personal customers. The customer will see what we make as a company before they agree to the exchange rate. This transparent approach has led to an increase in customer loyalty and a 60% increase in unprompted customer referrals (the latter a pleasant shock to us).

It’s clear that customers want to refer a company they trust to offer the best deal all the time and not some of the time. Why did we feel now was the right time to offer this? Some 14 years ago, when we first started in business, many customers were unaware what the mid-market price was. So, to even mention it would more often than not confuse matters. However, today this is certainly not the case. Our customers today have evolved with the internet and the ability to easily access FX rates online. Our goal as a company is this Firstly, reduce our marketing spend. Secondly, this allows us to improve our exchange rates. Thirdly, we then ask our customers to speak about our brand on Trustpilot and other social media platforms because this is far more valuable than us trying to say it ourselves. We have a special offer for readers of the Olive Press too, if you contact us before the 14th November you can receive up to £200 cash back on your first transfer.

-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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Food, drink & travel

September 27th - October 10th 2017

Oil’s good BE ‘APPY!

Catalan boycott fail

+TheolivepressEs

THERE’S good news for cooks who might finally get a break on grocery bills after three years of increasing olive oil prices. Spain’s Deoleo, the world’s Download our app nowexand largest olive oil supplier, beginglobal enjoyingoutput the best Spanish pects rising in 2017-2018 bring newsto on the go. prices of the Mediterranean staple down. Bigger olive harvests across much of the Mediterranean region will lift oil output by an estimated 12%. High prices have recently led shoppers to choose cheaper options like sunflower-seed The Oliveoil.Press

Young maestro best in Spain for third consecutive year

A SPANISH maestro has been TOP for news in Spain!

SPAIN’S most skillful ham cutters joined forces to smash two Guinness World Records in Malaga. The event in Alhaurin de la Torre, tried to break the record for the largest number of people carving at the same time and the most amount sliced in one go. In order to break the record 243 ham cutters had to cut at least five slices of ham between 0.5 and 1.5 milimetres thick in two minutes.

27 27 27

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

olivepressnews

Hammed in!

November 23rd - December 6th 2017 September 14 - September 27 0th 2017

named the Best Young Chef in Spain and Portugal for the third year in a row. David Andres, 30, the su chef at Abac in Barcelona, will now travel to Milan next year where he will compete to be named best in the world at the finals of the S. Pellegrino Young Chef comeptition. Andres beat out his compatriots with a cold starter followed by a hot plate which wowed the jury and left them to choose him as the victor unanimously. The hot dish, titled Buscando el aprovechamiento del atún rojo, was bluefin tuna with

TRADE groups across Spain have been calling for a boycott of goods produced in Catalunya following the region’s secessionist attempts. There are now apps that identify Catalan products so customers know which to avoid. But the shunning of wine and food products are having knock on effects for manufacturers in other regions. One boycott target has been cava, the

sparkling wine produced primarily in Catalunya. The two major cava producers, Freixenet and Codorníu, bottle their wares using glass from Aragón and León, cork from Extremadura, capsules from La Rioja Alavesa, and labels from Murcia, and are shipped in boxes made in the Valencian Community — so decreased sales of their wines means lost income all over Spain.

History repeats seaweed consomme, a tuna fritter, aioli made from the fat of the fish with grated sea-

weed and a lettuce papillote and the tuna’s head served on a spike.

"It looks for sustainability and full use, so much so that I have taken advantage of the skeleton and bones of the tuna,” explained Andres. Judge Oriol Castro, who owns restaurant Enjoy in Barcelona, praised the tuna dish. “"It's a balanced dish with a great flavour and it uses parts of the tuna that are not normally used in the kitchen," he said. Andres will compete against 20 other finalists in Milan in May. He placed third last year.

Charity Christmas fiesta THE Boat House in Palma is hosting the JoyRon Foundation's Carols by Candlelight and the annual Christmas Extravaganza Fiesta on Saturday December 2. Market stalls and activities for young and old begin at 4pm, with Santa Clause himself making an appearance. Four hours of live entertainment lined up, including a children's choir singing carols. All ticket sales go the the JoyRon foundation to aid 'Children in Need in the Balearics'.

Love, love will take you there...

Mallorca Ibiza Marbella Madrid Valencia grupocappuccino.com

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food, drink & travel

November 23rd - December 6th 2017 November 23rd - December 2017 September 28th - October 11th 6th 2017

Shroom time I

Mushrooms are heading onto menus around Spain including Joan Marc’s original eaterie in central Mallorca, writes Jon Clarke

DELICIOUS: Tasting menu and (above) varieties for sale in a Spanish market

t's mushroom season again - and chefs around starred Can Fabes in Sant Celoni near Barcelona Spain are conjuring up a raft of delicious dish- before refining his skills under his ‘godfather’ es based around the wild autumn favourite. Marc Fosh in Palma, now has his own red meals From succulent Boletus to delicate Chante- status with Michelin. relles and from marvellous Morels to perfect I particularly liked his pork liver dish served with Portobellos there is such a variety here. succulent cep (niscalos) mushrooms. The rains of autumn bring out dozens of differ- This was the very definitive taste of autumn with ent types and each has its own its locally grown white beans as specific flavour and complimena base. tary dish. The duck terrine with black trumThe blini dessert pet mushrooms was also deliThe Serrania de Ronda, in Malaga, is said to have 30 different cious, while the true winner was edible species alone, while each came with truffles the stewed beef cheeks (carilregion of Spain has its specific lada) with Boletus. commercially varieties. The dorada served with shititafarmed in nearby kes was also a stunner. “It's one of my favourite times of year,” explains chef Joan Marc, Puig de Santa hills The blini dessert came with trufwhose same name restaurant fles now commercially farmed in has been doing a brisk trade for the nearby Puig de Santa magdasix years in Inca, in Mallorca. lena hills. “I love pairing the different types with meat and “It has taken him years but now he has a few fish as well as just serving them on their own.” dogs trained up to find them,” explains Joan. He has come up with a fantastic eight-course “They are best in December and January.” mushroom tasting menu which includes an origi- The eight course menu came in at 65 euros nal black truffle ‘cocao blini’. a head while a shorter four course number The chef, who trained at legendary two Michelin- weighed in at just 41 euros including iva.

ON THE HUNT: After the rains those in the know head out for mushrooms

SWEET FINISH: Joan Marc’s truffle blini

l e tt e r s

www.theolivepress.es REACTION: The UK parliament WILL get vote on final Brexit deal before country leaves the EU

Not what it seems However David Davis told eurosceptic Tories that if MPs reject the legislation the UK will leave the EU without a deal. Philip Hart

Democracy That's democracy for you.....

Debbie Forster, Palma de Mallorca

People have spoken It is democracy. The people voted for brexit! The sooner people realise that the better. Samantha Bell, Pollensa

Let us vote I’m just going to give everyone a small reminder that nobody knew the terms of Brexit before the vote, and therefore should be able to have an opinion on those terms. That would be real democracy. Andy Smith

Foolish

‘Tis true my old mucker! Whether individuals voted in or out, it was done in ignorance of what laid ahead. This is the case for many voters at election or by-elections too. The difference being, in those elections the result is ‘temporary’ but the Brexit vote is long lasting. Bertrand Russell quote for you ‘if 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing’ Simon Leadbetter, Leeds

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Sick puppy owner

Our readers react to the news of a German Shepherd puppy being dragged for miles while tied to the back of a jeep. Barbaric act

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BUGGERED Huge finca of ex-Marbella town planner sold

BUY IT Where to get a 13th century philosopher’s home

BUYING Find out where Harry Winks is investing on the coast

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The thinker’s finca

Issue 17

Heads up!

November 22nd - December

5th 2017

Find out how drones are changing the property game and how they can help you sell your home

SEE PAGE XVIII >>

The Brits are back

DON’T think about it too long… but this historic owned by one of the godfather’s home once of Spanish philosophy just come up for sale. has The 1,500 metre square once owned by Mallorcancountry home, Casa Mata, was philosopher Ramon Llull, wrote in Catalan. who Credited as being one of the forefathers of language, Llull even the Catalan sity named after him has a univerOn sale via various in Barcelona. agents, the stunning hunting estate ca has 53 hectares of in Mallorprime land and numerous outbuildings. The 13th century

writer BRITISH buyers have was hugely influential and artist bounced back in land and once taught on the isking James Spain over the secII of Aragon. ond half of the year. Llull lived in According to one key ANCIENT: a Llull book Algaida fromthe huge estate near 1250 until developer, the numof six religious visions a series led him to ber of British buya missionary converting leave his family to lead a life as ers has more than Muslims and Jews to cism. catholidoubled on the same He wrote over 200 works period last year. tomb in Palma’s basilica during his life and has a Between July and of St Francis, currently ing restored. beOctober His family sold the home 2017, in the 16th century. homebuilder Taylor It sits near Llucmajor on the road from Randa Wimpey has seen Montuiri. to a whopping 118% increase in buyers PHILOSOPHER’S STONES: Thinker Llull (left) once from the UK. lived in stunning Casa Mata “We are extremely proud of the results generated to date in 2017,” said sales boss Marc Pritchard. “And it is great to see the British buyers back. “They have been half of the buyers in the last four months.” PAIN’S property market So far this year, for another healthy year. is set Another 12 months of Spain’s Sales and prices are expected more sales - as long as growth in Spain with 10% been called for December 21, and the housebuilder leading to rise… as long as there has Catalunya is dealt with reported a 13% insituation has calmed down. are no sudden economic shocks, crease in sales (388 However, this has not one of the country’s largest predicts 6.9% this year. stopped some properties) of Spain’s largest property direct rule. Prices for resales and According to Anticipa sales agents. comwith links to the region, companies pared to 342 homes 9.3% next year to 526,000 will rise by meanwhile, are expected new builds The region is regarded as the seeing their last to continue wealthiproperties, to increase year. up from 481,000 this by 5.8% over the fourth est in Spain and its capital Barcelona share prices slump. year and 21% quarter Enquiries for holiMerlin Properties and has seen some of the highest more than in 2016. of this year. Colonial fell property 5.3% and price rises this The firm’s Prices are also expected 6.4% respectively at by day homes during the the summer to rise by compiled latest report, however, was It is hoped that year. 6.1% next year, on top season before Catalunya declared the political uncertain- height of the independence crisis. of an expected independence were up by 13% - the Investors, though, are adopting and Madrid imposed ty will not affect sales too much, par- and a ‘wait biggest growth ticulary as regional elections see’ seen have now elections. policy in the run up to the in the last six years.

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Urgent action needed as Andalucia to be almost uninhabitable by

23/02/2017 11:31 .indd 1 679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA

LARGE parts of southern Spain could be desertified by the end of the century. It comes after climate scientists projected that global temperatures will rise by 3.2C by 2100 if drastic measures are not immediately taken. They say the earth will soon reach ‘the point of no return’, which spells almost continual drought conditions for most parts of Andalucia. The entire region is susceptible to desertification, alongside an alarming 70% of Spain, according to official government statistics. In the doomsday scenario, a third of Spain will be as arid as the desert of Tabernas in Almeria. Meanwhile, the narrow green strip running along the north of Africa will disappear, devoured by the desert, and dramatically worsening the migration crisis. Spain’s forests will end up confined to the highest hilltops, while cities, including Malaga and Cadiz, will face ‘severe scenarios’ as sea levels are set to rise by up to a metre, leaving large areas underwater. Meanwhile Madrid will suffer one of the biggest temperature rises in the world, making the city almost uninhabitable in summer. Green group Climate Central said it would worsen the capital’s ‘heat island’ effect, with temperatures rising between 4.3 degrees and 8 degrees in summer. Due to its contamination and altitude only three other cities Sofia, Skopje and Belgrade - will fare worse. Dozens of cities across the country could have average temperatures in

70% of Spain in danger of desertification

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Jill Sibbett, Malaga

Standing together I think we all stand on the same side of the fence on this one, tie him to the back of his car and drag him to the point of death and then leave him to die very, very slowly. Marcia Dobson, Leeds

Knowledge is power I know a particularly nasty debt collector from England. Shame he’s in England, I’d pay good money for him to sort this guy out and I hope the man responsible will go to prison. Roy Price, Mijas

952 887 125

Deserves same treatment Don't waste tax payer's money on this EVIL man. No fine or imprisonment would be severe enough. Tie him to the back of a vehicle and drag him, put him through the same pain and suffering that poor, poor dog went through.

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Real justice needed I feel sick seeing this and imagining the sheer pain and terror the puppy must have gone through. I own a German Shepherd and they are the most loving and loyal breed. It is a sick, barbaric and incredibly cruel act. I suspect justice will be served by outraged citizens.

tel: 688 267 101 www.artedellusso.es

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The Rock’s original community newspaper

Vol. 3 Issue 58 www.gibraltarolivepress.com November 22nd - December 5th 2017

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Respect democracy! “SPAIN has a problem with democracy,” claimed Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell. The long-time friend of Gibraltar is now calling on Madrid to respect the wishes of its region Catalunya, as well as those of its neighbours on the Rock. The 51-year-old vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gibraltar insisted Madrid should take heed of referendums ‘instead of bludgeoing the people and bullying them into submission.’

Problem

“I’m afraid that Spain does have a problem with the concept of democracy,” said the MP for Romford. “For more than 300 years, Gibraltar has wanted to stay attached to the UK and not attached to Spain. Geographically, it may be attached to Spain but in terms of every other sense, they want to stay British. “Gibraltar has made its views known in two referendums, but the Spanish seem to never accept this. “We’re seeing a similar thing in Catalunya, it’s for the Catalan people to determine what constitutional status they want.”

Rosindell: Friend not foe

EXCLUSIVE

November 22nd - December 5th 2017

Spain must do more as migrant numbers triple across the straits By Joe Wallen

MIGRANTS crossing the Gibraltar straits have increased threefold this year, it has been revealed. A staggering 15,000 people have been rescued in what is now the fastest growing route for those fleeing war or seeking a better way of life. The number of migrants and refugees rescued in the straits has increased by 338% on last year’s totals as conflicts in Syria and the Middle East have worsened. The number of migrants crossing the Straits has grown from INADEQUATE: Spanish authorities have been criticized for not doing enough 3,323 people in 2012 to 14,557 people in 2017. Spain’s southern coast in Sep- “I can’t believe The number of boats mean- tember, a route that has tripled am alive, but I am here, that I Concerns are also growing over the rise of unaccompanied chilwhile, has increased by five in popularity this year, and The Spanishwe made it.” times from 104, in 2012, to 617 which has so far killed at least been criticized authorities have dren and women making the by the UN for al- crossing. so far this year. 156. locating inadequate resources to They are particularly vulnerable One migrant, Aboubacar Sylla, “There were ten of us on this tiny the route. to human traffickers en route from Mali told the Gibraltar Ol- rubber boat meant for maybe “The state isn’t prepared and and once in Spain. ive Press he had recently arrived two people,” said Aboubacar. there aren’t even the resources The route from Morocco has near Algeciras aboard an inflat- “We each put in €10 for the total and the means to deal with the gained in popularity largely beable dinghy. cost of the boat which was €100 flow of people The 34-year-old took the 14km and then spent 16 hours pad- spokeswoman arriving by sea,” cause Libya is now considered María Jesús Vega too lawless to escape via Italy. crossing from Morocco to dling across from Morocco. said. Thousands of migrants have

been imprisoned en route with no food or water, assaulted or forced to work in the sex industry and traded like slaves. Oumar Diallo, 23, from Senegal told the Gibraltar Olive Press how Morocco was considered a much safer place for departure. “In Libya, so many Africans go missing and they never turn up again. I know so many of our women who have been raped and forced to work on the streets.

Safer

“Morocco is definitely safer and we are mostly left alone unless we are caught stealing or something,” he says. Many sub-Saharan Africans like Oumar have also benefitted from King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s political overture to West Africa, as prospective Spanish migrants can now travel into Morocco directly from countries like Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Senegal without needing a visa. Due to the proximity of Gibraltar – the distance is a mere 14km – migrants can also organise the journeys themselves, cutting out dangerous people smugglers. “The Spanish authorities must respond urgently to this situation,” said Estrella Galán, head of Spain’s refugee watchdog (CEAR). Opinion Page 6

FISHING ROW HEATS UP

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A TENSE stand-off between the Royal Gibraltar Police and Spain’s Guardia Civil has broken out over fishing rights. Officers from both organisations were called after the Environmental Protection and Research Unit boarded notorious Spanishowned Virgen Carmen Primero last week, while fishing illegally in Gibraltar. While the situation was resolved peacefully this time, it shows how easily fishing rights could lead to conflict, as reported in our last issue. Despite heightened surveillance from the Gibraltarian authorities, the captain of the Virgen Carmen Primero (right) remained resolute in his actions when we spoke to him this week. Fisherman’s Fiend, page 6

In Gibraltar

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Anything but a dump

Mogul’s Marbella TV debut

PAGE III

Tivoli world makeover

PAGE V

A dedicated Spanish architect has spent more than 30 years turning a rundown cement factory into his perfect home and office space

Page XI

BAD PRACTICE

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I’m backing British expats ALBERT Rivera is giving his ‘total support’ to British migrants living in Spain. The Ciudadanos leader told the Olive Press he realised the importance of British expats and tourists on the costas. In the week Brexit is being invoked, he promised to back our rights to stay here. He later told a rally in Mijas he was going to be fighting corruption in Andalucia over the coming years and hoped to bring a train line to the coast. BACKING BRITS, PAGE 9

T is a practice that most property professionals had hoped was a thing of the past. But Olive Press Property can reveal that tionable practice of charging buyers the ethically quesrearing its head again on the Costa del as well as sellers is Sol. According to sources, at least two agents in the Marbella area have recently stung their buyers with bills of up to 5%. scene’, especially when you consider The so called ‘finder’s fees’ are in addition from taking comhigh purchase taxes which are often inthey already have very mission from the seller. “We as agents are paid by the sellers excess of 10%. “It’s disgusting,” said Terra Meridiana’s and we never charge a fee to a buyer,” he said, “On the whole nothing wrong with finder’s fees if you Adam Neale, “I have very well as it is, without the need to start our industry works ent beforehand, but I have heard from agree it with the clicharging such high additional fees to buyers. We should certain agents are adding a 5% fee with several buyers that be encouraging them to invest here!” “It’s bad ethics and gives agents on the no prior warning. Costa del Sol a bad Ben Bateman of Holmes in Sotogrande name.” added he was aware of the practice happening ‘in a few cases’. Mike Smith, Chairman of Marbella-based “It is totally unethical and gives our business agreed that charging potential buyers First Choice Spain, a bad reputasuch fees was ‘obtion for sharp practices,” he said.

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“I have no objection to agents operating with a finder’s fee, but I do object when these so called without declaring from the outset that buyers bill both sides He added: “When unscrupulous agentsthey will be doing so.” abuse the system by adding extra amounts, the whole industry suffers. “Beware of this sharp practise.” Legal expert Antonio Flores added that such practises can be deemed illegal. “It is not illegal to have your commission with the agreement of the vendor,” he built into the price, The problem is when an agent adds told the Olive Press. but does not tell the buyer or seller. a commission on top “This happens when the agent is the middle man and the parties are not in touch via their lawyers. This is actually a criminal offence.”

Granada’s new eco-village

PAGE XIV

Andalucia’s highest towns

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PAGE XVII

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WHAT A PANE! Expats take legal action on double glazing firm over thousands of ‘missing’ euros

revealed that he was offered a €187 discount if he did a bank transfer immediately. “The man’s impossible to deal with,” said Jones, 69. “We could never get him again. “We have used another company now. I just want my money back from Ware.” Another victim, Pete Jones, paid Ware half of a €9,000 quote for bifold doors in his as deposits on contracts kitchen in October. that were never completed, After hearing nothing for some up to €20,000.” five weeks, Jones was told Kaiser, who lived in London by Ware via text that he was for 30 years, began work at having computer problems the Marbella-based compaand that work would start ny four years ago working ‘imminently’. as a salesman and on social “Of course, nothing hapmedia. pened,” said Jones. “Since However, it soon became then I have been constantly apparent that boss Vincent trying to contact him withJones, claims he never two patio doors in Estepona Ware, also 58, was not deout luck. heard from Ware again aflast October. livering what he promised. “I am sure, like others who ter transferring €2,000 for Jones, from Cheltenham, One victim, expat Graham have lost money, plea for there is very little Becky that can be done. “I think exposing his practices will at least help people in the future.” A HOMELESS couple towards a deposit for a By Chloe Glover One client, hotelier have received much needflat, which they are in the Andy Chapell, was plight last issue. ed financial help thanks to process of looking for. forced to go to court Kennedy, who runs the an Olive Press story. “If it wasn’t for groups to demand the reHelp the Homeless Costa Leslie and Paul Dunt, who and people like Joel, we turn of €800 paid del Sol Facebook page, were left sleeping between wouldn’t be as close to for a safety fence, said the money had been their car and a shed, have finding anywhere,” said which never arleft over from a recent been offered €500 by Paul. “We are very graterived. group fundraiser. good samaritan Joel Kenful for their generosity and Malaga Court ruled Paul will put the money nedy who read about their support.” DONOR: Joel

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

A WORD IN YOUR SHELL LIKE: Olive Press reporter Joe Duggan interviews Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera

March 29th - April 11th 2017

AN employee at a well known glass and windows company has come clean after dozens of clients complained about unfinished work. Expat Rudi Kaiser, 58, revealed that tens of thousands of euros of work has not been completed by his former firm Andalucia Glass & Steel. He admitted he ‘could not take it anymore’ after receiving a barrage of complaints and being cited in various court cases. “I have been tarnished by this company and I’m not happy about it,” the German told the Olive Press this week. “We are talking about large Lastpaid MARBELLA of money, amounts LANDMARK FOR ditch NEWS

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March 15th - March 28th 2017

CANCER BATTLER

MORE than 160,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org asking for a street in Marbella to be named after brave cancer sufferer Pablo Raez. The campaign has been set up in response to Raez's inspirational campaign to increase awareness, as well as the num-

ber of bone marrow donations. Raez sadly lost his battle to leukaemia in February, but not before launching a campaign that went viral, its aim being to increase donors from 230,000 to one million. The petition has now been submitted to Marbella mayor José Bernal. MISSED: Pablo Raez

Homeless plea 4

Eviction

“We are really grateful we have this hut for now, but it has no running water, electricity, heating or gas. “I’m really worried what effect living in these conditions will have on Paul’s health and my own,” she continued. The couple, who moved to Spain 15 years ago, had fallen into financial difficulties last year when Paul had to stop working when he had a pacemaker fitted following a heart attack. As he was unable to continue running his mobile car valeting service they quickly fell behind in the rent. “The heart attack left him dependent on crutches to walk which meant he couldn’t work for 18 months,” added Leslie. After receiving a letter in January from the landlord telling them he was taking them to court, they were evicted on March 7. “It was horrible to find police and bailiffs banging on our door telling us

We’ve got Andalucia covered

Olive Press story helps homeless couple March 1st -

€245 +IVA

March 14th

2017

Drug plea

of EU citizens fibrosis believes THE numberUK actually inExpat with cystic leaving the help save lives last year. By Chloe Glover creased by 17% new pills could the amount In the year of Brexit,to the EU or is pleading for of people returning increased A BRAVE expat denied a vital moving elsewhere help after being 103,000 in one operation. from 85,000 to lung transport who has cystic year. Becky Baker, revealed that relies on an New figures also fibrosis, currently as UK breathe. Spaniards registering oxygen mask to from Coin, is fell by 2,000. a residents also The 32-year-old, readers to get has been Meanwhile, there asking Olive Press campaign in the number sharp increase the country folbehind a nationwide new US of Brits leaving June 23 result to legalise a pioneering lowing the shock drug called Orkambi. for somelast year. She is also searching the Office for able to help her The figures from one who may bemedication. show that National Statisticsthe UK rose find alternative live,” said Becky, emigration from “I just want to Spain with her in 2015 to now and before by 9%, from 297,000 who moved to lungs. Becky Baker, from Burncluding my newa chance that I 323,000 in 2016. 20 BRAVE: mum Sarah Spencer Málaga to push in Somerset “If there was treatment or a Fibrosis Quística ham-on-Sea could get more UK I would go its legalisation. to years ago. campaigning stay alive every for transplant in the there is re“I’m fighting to life and am in “We’ve been for the past year back but the weather get it legalised single day of my to repair lungs and I don’t expensive costing ally bad for mybe here now if I’d WORK is underway constant pain. kilos (1.25 stone) and yes it’s patient per year…. wrecked by think I would Malaga beachesfloods. “I’ve lost eight months alone, €120,000 per consider that stayed. it of any other last December’s will be spent in the last few pills a day and but when you who are using “If anyone knows have to take 50 fed at night as some people to take their othA total of €4.1m may help I would sand and retreatment that them as I am on restoring have to be tubemany calories as now don’t needor stay in hospital of love to hear from at the mo- pairing the infrastructure er medication I’m burning so so high. stretching from feeling very down my heart rate is Spanish doc- it’s not bad.” coastal areas recently refused ment.” Spanish doctors “At the moment, a campaigning Manilva to the Axarquia. been a lung transplant, anything to help Becky, who has have already tors won’t do only keep me to give Becky See Off CF Spain, her main hope website called a fundraiser for Diggers sand from one stretch which had been me. They will hopes to launch cystic fibrosis moving to another in Estein of survival. stable. amyloidosis of beach which is legal Marina, research into more because I have “But Orkambi, that has been “It’s pona and at Casares cures. a well,” said Becky. the US, is a drug both badly hit with Becky to even if I had lung function by as To get in touchhelp, go to www. which were “They said that proven to boost too the confrom floods. find out how to of kidney transplant and would thinning mucus. it, as would lots seeoffcfspain.com dition would return organs, in“I’d love to try know here.” other other people I up with charity damage my She has teamed

Contact spencersarah46@yahoo.com or visit www.seeoffcfspain.com if you can help

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MAKESHIFT: Leslie and Paul are living between a Ford Fiesta and a hut

are desperate and don’t know what to do.” Their good samaritan, a local Spanish landowner, jumped in to help after seeing a plea a friend of theirs had posted on Facebook. He quickly offered blankets and dog food and allowed them to live in the hut on his land. “But now we need someand permanent thing would be over the moon if anyone out there could help us. “We almost have enough to pay a deposit and would find enough money somehow. “We just need a little help to get us over this hump. It is incredible how quickly you can fall here.”

to leave. “Fortunately we were able to move our belongings to

our neighbours’ houses temporarily and live in our Ford Fiesta, but we

Anyone able to help can contact Leslie and Paul via newsdesk@ theolivepress.es

Continues Page 4

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A DETERMINED expat is devastated after being told she cannot have the drug she has been campaigning for. Doctors told Coin resident Becky Baker, who has cystic fibrosis, she is now too ill to have the Orkambi drug, despite being well enough when she first requested it a year ago. It is the latest blow for Becky, 32, who spoke to the Olive Press last issue (see left) after Malaga’s Carlos Haya hospital, where she NEWS Br-exodus - as they is a patient, said she was no longer fight to leave UK!eligible for for a lung transplant due to having too low a lung function. She had been campaigning to have American drug Orkambi legalised in Spain, which thins mucus, to help Coast clear those with the progressive lung condition. “For the hospital to only say now I could have had the drug were I betback on your ter when I began to campaign to get Due money long ago is so gutting,” said Becky, originally from it so mortgage? Spanish Somerset. FREE family has ramped up its plea to find an alternative HerRISK Call us today - 952 78 03 38 treatment. 647 20 20 29 - NO FEEout there has any other suggestions for us or NO WIN “If anyone In association with... would like to fundraise to enable more research into CF that would be great,” said Becky’s mum, Sarah.

www.theolivepress.es March offer

Long term expat couple need urgent help after being forced to live between their car and a hut

By Chloe Glover

A BRITISH couple have pleaded for help after eviction left them living between their car and a shed. Leslie and Paul Dunt are desperately hunting for somewhere to live for themselves and their 17 rescue dogs after being thrown out of their home in Coin. Paul, 56, who has a pacemaker, and Leslie, 63, who has a serious back problem, now fear for their health, as they struggle to survive on a small plot of land of a friend in Alora. “We can’t believe what’s happened,” said Leslie, who comes from east London.

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Troubled waters

Lesley Boon, Alcaucín

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress

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SPREADING: The march of desertification is moving from east to west Andalucia

HEADS IN THE SAND

Surely something has to be done. This is barbaric and makes me sick to my stomach and the people who let him off are just as bad.

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November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Mallorca diaries

By Lesley Keith

Dealing with the off season has been harder than expected, writes Lesley Keith

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T’S been such a strange time here. The season has finished and I expected that restaurants and bars would close as the tourists gradually dwindled away but I was not prepared for the speed at which it happened. This, I know is probably nothing new to anyone that’s been here for some time but this really was an eye opener for me.

Winter is here

Emptied

Within the space of a few hours, and I am not exaggerating here, the place just emptied and closed. Will the last one please turn the lights out? Seriously, one day there were holidaymakers enjoying themselves on the beach and around pools at hotels, restaurants had their tables spilling onto the pavements, sunbeds filled the beaches plus the sun was of course shining and then, wham…. it was all gone. I had walked down to the main square and sat down to have a coffee, and the place was a hive of activity even though it was early in the morning. As I finished up, the tables and chairs were rem o v e d f r o m around me and by the time I’d paid the bill, brown paper was pasted in the windows and the café was gone! All around the scene was the same so I headed to the beach front but everywhere there had already gone too except for one lone chinese restaurant which has assured me it is staying open throughout the winter. I returned to the square and only one café remained, Spanish owned. Wow, just like that, now you see them, now you don’t. The hotels that the day before seemed full of people were deserted and sealed up with tumble weed blowing across the streets and left me with an eerie sensation of being watched. To make things worse the weather has changed. Yes, I remember from my school geography that the Mediterranean has warm wet winters with westerly winds, and there certainly are wet winds, but where’s the warm winter? OK it’s hardly the Arctic here but I did have to put a heater on

SUCCESS: Newly painted drawers by Lesley

last night. called Linda sorts me out Right so with with everything I need and this in off I go. mind I The flat is being transr e a l i s e formed and even though I I’m re- do say so myself it is looking ally go- so much better. The tables ing to and chairs, my sideboard n e e d (remember them?), heads o m e - boards, shelving, stools, thing to yes everything is now colour do. My co-ordinated and fresh. My work is partner, always master of s e a s o n - the understatement, looked al, like around the other day and most peo- said ‘OK, so that’s enough ple here and now I’m ‘rest- blue’ but frankly what does ing’. I’ve managed to pin he know? This is a man that my Spanish landlord down wears patterned socks. and get him to agree to let So I’m all set for the winter me update the rather dated season, I’ve unpacked all furniture. my warm clothing that cerOrange pine and black tainly hasn’t been needed ash may suit him but my until now and put away all heart would the beach sink every gear. I have time I walked found the few Orange pine and places that through my door. staying black ash may suit are There is open, which him but my heart are certainly hope, however, in the to be sank everytime I going shape of enough for chalk paint... me and the came home and I have rest of the bought a lot hardy souls of it. If you that remain. haven’t heard of it, it’s won- I’ve also sourced the very derful, amazing stuff. few flights back to Blighty, It covers everything, abso- no chance of a local airport lutely everything without it seems but due to a certhe need for any rubbing tain airline getting some down, undercoating, primer atrocious publicity lately etc. It works on melamine, there are some blinding glossy varnish, stone, bargains to be had. wood, tiles, you name it, it I think it’s going to be great covers it. having the place to ourIt’s a miracle worker. I go selves, just don’t sit still down to my local paint shop too long or you might just where a lovely English lady get painted.

-final -final ofofSpanish Spanish TVTVtalent show- -final of Spanish TV talent show - talentshow 3065views views 3065 views 3065

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Sports & yachting

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

31 31

November 23rd - December 6th 2017

olivepressnews olivepressnews olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs +TheolivepressEs Mallorca +TheolivepressEs

Magnificent Márquez

tennis star has had a stellar BE BE‘APPY! ‘APPY! BE ‘APPY! season both on and off court

MARC Márquez has tied up his fourth MotoGP world title in five years after triumphing at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix. Going into the race, Márquez knew he needed to finish in 11th place or better to take the title. The 24-year-old successfully finished in 3rd place despite a scare, meaning he finished ahead of his rival Italian Andrea Dovizioso in the standings, taking the crown. The Catalan is known as the ‘Ant of Cervera’ and despite his tender age his current MotoGP victory total of 35 places him in the top ten race winners of all time. He is also only one of four riders to have won world championship titles across three different categories, adding to his successes in Moto2 and 125cc.

Messi worries about La Roja

IT has been quite the year for tennis ace Rafael Nadal. The 31-year-old Mallorcan Download Download ourapp app now nowand and named the best Download our app nowour and has been begin begin enjoying thethe best bestSpanish Spanish Spanish athlete in the last begin enjoying theenjoying best Spanish newsononthethego.go.50 years by Diario AS and news on thenews go. will receive the award from King Felipe I of Spain in Madrid on December 4. He is also set to finish the year as world number one SPAIN was held to an exhila- after beating Australia's rating 3-3 draw by next sum- Nick Kyrgios at the China mer’s World Cup hosts Russia Open, winning his 75th careerPress title. in Saint Petersburg.The ThePress Olive Olive Press Olive Speaking to journalists after The resultThe means that Spain has extended their unbeaten the match he said: “It has been TOP TOPfor for news inSpain! Spain! TOP for under news in news Spain! aninamazing year. One year run to 15 games manago, for sure I never dreamed ager Julen Lopetegui. Real Madrid defender Sergio about being World No. 1 again Ramos scored two penalties at the end of the season. in the game, with the other “It’s something that means a goal coming from Barcelona’s lot to me. But the season is not over.” Jordi Alba. The game comes after super- He will return to court at star Lionel Messi commented the end of December in Abu that the worst possible draw Dhabi for the Mubadala for his Argentina side would World Tennis Championship, where he could face be to face La Roja. rival Novak “The worst that could happen long-time to us would be to draw Spain Djokovic. in the group stages,” Messi The tennis champ has also won a defamation suit told the press. “They’d be such tough opponents, I think at the moment they’re one of the strongest teams who are playing the best, with the best players.”

BRILLIANT YEAR: Rafa is riding high

Acing it

against France’s former health minister Roselyne Bachelot. Bachelot had accused the Spanish tennis star of doping on national TV and claimed that Nadal feigned an injury to avoid giving a drug test because it would

have been positive. Nadal, who has never failed a drug test, had been seeking €100,000 in damages but Bachelot was ordered to pay €10,000 and a €500 fine. He said he will donate the damages to an NGO or French charity.

TOP OF THE WORLD: Spaniard Márquez

Boats, bikes and automobiles…

E3sy lover

Mallorca magic REAL Mallorca continue to embrace life in the Segunda B Group 3 division and look certain to achieve a return to the Segunda División this year. Los Bermellones 2-0 victory over Elche on November 19 takes them an astounding 13 points clear at the top of the table. The champions of Group 3 will achieve automatic promotion back to the Segunda División. Goals from Lago Junior and forward Álex López ensured Real Mallorca ran out victors against ten-man Elche, who had Tekio sent off. This season is the first in 36 years that the club hasn’t played in either La Liga or the Segunda División.

Readers’ choice Club de Golf Alcanada has been voted the best golf course in Europe for the seventh year running in a survey by 1golf.eu. According to the online survey the club, near Port d’Alcudia, saw off competition from 28,500 rival European courses with 86% of respondents coming from Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Stunning Sa Cabrera, the Club de Vela Winter Series and a classic car gathering... all in a week for Hamish Goddard

AVING returned from a weekend sailing to the small island of Sa Cabrera off Mallorca's southernmost tip, I feel rather bad having highlighted the slightly negative Trip Advisor reviews on the island's one and only 'restaurant' in my previous column of two weeks ago. We were met by the harbour boys who showed us to our mooring and then found the same team behind the bar of 'La Cantina' offering coffee and sandwiches. It isn't a restaurant at all, but a quaint little stopover in the bay - and we were glad for its existence. No doubt they tend to the island’s pristine flora and fauna too - and were charming throughout. It reminded me a little of the 1983 film Local Hero, when a certain Mr Urquhart seemed to fulfil every role in the small Scottish fishing village in which it was set - lawyer, accountant, B&B host - in the time left over from horizontally refreshing a certain Mrs Urquhart, which he seemed to be doing for most of the film... The carefully controlled number of yachts allowed to visit Sa Cabrera during the

high summer season makes it a peaceful oasis when compared with the packed coves of southwest Mallorca. To go there in November accentuates this even more - having the bay effectively to ourselves over a blissful weekend, book-end-

ed by spectacular sailing in bright fork lifts, scaffolded painting tents November sunshine to and from and superb engineering going on, the archipelago. our role is enable many boats winLast weekend was the second tering in Palma - or off across the round of the Andratx Club de Vela's world's oceans to warmer climes Winter Series for ORC Class yachts to stay as IT connected, wherever and our 'secret weapon' - a TP52 they are, as they would be in their sailor - gave us a good day on the home or office. It is a huge box for water, coming 6th out of the 30 or owners and captains to be able to so yachts taking part in a pictur- tick and I'm very glad to be a part esque loop around of it. Dragonera island Moving onto the - 'winter' being the classic car scene, equivalent or better Summer makes it don't forget that The than any (forever) aua peaceful oasis Boathouse Bar and tumn day that I can Restaurant on the compared to the Paseo Maritimo hosts ever remember whilst sailing in the Solent. car gatherpacked coves of aingclassic My work with E3 Sysevery Wednesthe southwest tems, the island's day evening - this leading yacht comweek's to discuss the munications compaevents programme ny, continues apace – spending going into 2018. Depending on the much time in Servicios Tecnicos weather - with many open-topped Portuarios - known to all in the in- and polished chrome vehicles dustry as 'STP' - immediately in slightly averse to the rare occafront of Palma Cathedral. It is a sions when it might rain - we still veritable hive of extraordinary ac- get a lively gathering of like-minded tivity and one of the world's leading souls keen to share their enthusiSuperyacht refit yards, employing asm and provide a warm welcome several hundred local and overseas to anyone who would like to come workers on the island. In amongst along. And it's nearly time to roll out all the immense yachts, travel lifts, the mulled wine!

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Water anarchists

OVER 700 families in El Palo were without water for a few days after three people poured detergent into a well. Police tracked down the culprits but no arrests have been made.

FINAL WORDS

Mourning comedy ONE of Malaga’s most loved comedians has passed away. Household funnyman Chiquito de la Calzada died aged 83 from coronary heart disease, six years after the death of his wife, Josefa Garcia.

Real deal

A PORTRAIT hanging in a Welsh castle, for 150 years, long thought to be a copy has been exposed as the real thing. Painted by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo the portrait depicts Don Diego Ortiz de Zúñiga.

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Vol. 1 Issue 16 www.theolivepress.es November 23rd - December 6th 2017

Brits living in Benidorm not fans of Spanish food, culture or the locals ONLY 3% of British expats in Benidorm prefer Spanish food, while 67% speak no Spanish at all. The survey of 700 Brits living in the downmarket holiday resort, also found that only one in ten of them had been to Madrid and over half smoked.

Shocking

But when it comes to food, the results were the most shocking. An incredible 15% said they preferred Chinese food, 13% preferred Indian nosh, while just 3% plumped for Spanish delicacies. And when it came to Span-

Expat shame! ish people, they certainly wouldn’t miss them if they had to move home, with only 1% listing them as the best thing about living in the country. Culture was also, unsurprisingly, not top of their list, with just 4% listing it as a top reason for living in Spain. Indeed, their favourite reasons for choosing to live in Benidorm was cost of living (35%) and the climate

What a barney! A MAN in Porto Cristo has been arrested after pushing his partner’s car into the sea after an argument. The 32-year-old, described as being ‘incredibly strong’, also fell into the water after pushing the car in.

(30%). The survey by Lottoland discovered that just 6% spoke Spanish fluently and an alarming third had voted for Brexit in the the EU referendum. This was despite 76% of them admitting they are concerned about the impact of Brexit on their continued rights to remain in Spain. The average expat questioned had lived in Spain for 12 years.

Heresy sandwich

SPANISH police have joined the outrage over a British supermarket’s controversial ‘paella sandwich’. In an unconventional Twitter post, the Guardia Civil de-

Fired up REAL Madrid striker Karim Benzema is a lover of all things fast, including the kebab. The 29-year-old Frenchman has revealed that his favourite restaurant is a kebab house, in downtown Madrid. The multimillionaire has been a regular at the restaurant near Atocha station for a number of years. Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is also said to be a fan of the place.

scribed Tesco’s snack as ‘heresy’. Cops have joined forces with outraged Spanish foodies who want to outlaw the 'limited edition' readyto-go sandwich, which sells at £2.20 (2.50 euros) It follows outrage last year at a Jamie Oliver paella recipe that included chorizo. The British chef faced outrage in Spain with his controversial addition to the Spanish classic. The Tesco sandwich - that includes rice, prawns, chicken, and Oliver's favourite untraditional addition, chorizo - has been on sale for five years.

Some boob SPANISH TV presenter Adriana Abenia suffered a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ while posing for at an awards bash. The 33-year-old presenter exposed her left breast as she was turning for photographers at GQ magazine’s Men of the Year Awards in Madrid. She later posted the photo on Twitter, writing: “I had another photo ready, but since this one is going to accompany me all my life...here you have it!”

BOXER: Hatton in Spain

Knees up BOXING legend Ricky Hatton got a lot of laughs with his costume at a Spanish festival. The festival – a favourite among Brits – regularly throws up some of the best fancy-dress outfits around and Hatton has joined the list. In footage posted to his Twitter account, the 39-year-old is seen dressed up as an Irishman on top of a leprechaun. He dances for the camera by lifting up his fake legs and singing to the camera. The man filming bursts out into laughter and Hatton's 530,000 fans were also in stitches. “Absolutely brilliant this. What a legend! Love the Hitman.” Another: “Not a monkey given. Different class.” It comes as the former world champion said he would come out of retirement to fight Rio Ferdinand after the Manchester United announced he was training to become a boxer.