Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 308 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, BRING ON 2019

Voted

The 10 coolest barrios in Andalucia and Spain worth a visit this year

BEST

expat paper in Spain

Mijas Costa

(Free or paid for)

FREE

Our three year hell

Continues on Page 8

WRONGED: Rob and Scott are suing Spain

See page 10

See page 24

Final countdown With just 85 days until Brexit, Spain promises to protect our rights while British government launches outreach programme for expats

By Laurence Dollimore

BRITISH expats will have their rights protected NO MATTER what happens with Brexit. That is the promise made by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, who vowed that even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on March 29, the more than 300,000 Brits registered here will continue enjoying the same rights. “Their rights will be preserved whatever the scenario,” he said at the end-ofyear news conference on Sunday, traditionally given by the Spanish leader. Sanchez added that by February Spain would have drawn up a law covering citizens’ rights and plans to preserve bilateral com-

‘Give us dual nationality’

CLOSE TO AGREEMENT?: Pedro Sanchez and Theresa May mercial relations. It comes as the British government and expat groups, including Brexpats in Spain, have arranged a series of Brexit meetings across Andalucia in January (see page 5). The meetings will update residents with the latest information on Brexit and what it means for UK nationals living in Spain. A spokesperson told the Olive Press: “The Consular team will be joined by experts on a range of issues, including residency, registration, healthcare

Tel: 902 123 282

Just how do you get a coveted Michelin star? We reveal the trade secrets

Spain is heading for climate disaster and it’s already begun

EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith

TWO British expats are suing Spain for €630,000 after they were ‘wrongly fingered’ for fraud and arrested at gunpoint by undercover agents. Expats Scott Cattell, 47, and Rob Herring, 41, were seized by armed cops and bundled into police vans just hours after collecting chairs from an Estepona office as part of a seemingly innocent odd job in July 2015. The pair were unaware that the office was being staked out by police after it was revealed to be the HQ of an illegal boiler room. The fraudulent Renty123 property company was dedicated to ripping off holidaymakers by posting fake rental properties on FlipKey, TripAdvisor’s rental platform. “The police put two and two together and got five,” Herring told the Olive Press this week. After a police photographer snapped them entering the building they were handcuffed on Cattell’s driveway later the same day. Despite what the expats described as a ‘severe lack of evidence’, the pair were suspects for more than two years before finally being dropped from the case in October 2017. However with no passports and most of their time and funds spent on fighting their cases, both men, from Essex,

See page 22

Vol. 13 Issue 308 www.theolivepress.es January 3rd - January 15th 2019

902 123 282

See page 2

and pensions – so whether you have a specific question about living in Spain or simply want to know more about how Brexit might affect you, please come along and talk to us.” As well as the large number of expats, many of whom live on the Costa del Sol, Brits are also Spain’s largest visiting group.

Favourite

Spain is also the UK’s favourite retirement spot, while the Brits are also the largest group to use

Spain’s health care system. Although 300,000 British expats are officially recorded as living in Spain, the number is actually thought to be over 750,000, as many don’t register. It means any expat who wants to guarantee their lives will continue unaffected must register or sign up to the padron before March 29. British Consul Charmaine Arbouin said: "I continue to urge all UK nationals living in Spain to ensure you are correctly registered and stay up to date with the latest news.”

*Offer ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject to conditions.

Call or Whatsapp

635 699 783

Open 7 days a week

CASHBACK ON YOUR HOUSE

UK BASED

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion

2/8/18 17:01

• Luxury vehicles Door to door service • Airport collections • Weddings transport • Sightseeing day trips • Restaurant shuttles

for Spanish residents

617 333 777

www.globelink.co.uk

PAYBACK WHEN YOU SELL

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

•

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

A GROUP of expats have officially asked the Spanish government to offer dual citizenship, an option currently only available for soldiers from the international brigadistas and descendants of Sephardic Jews. In a document handed to Madrid, the expats plead for a new law which will allow for Brits who have lived or worked in Spain for 10 years to attain dual nationality. Madrid-based Eurocitizens, ECREU (Alicante) and Brexpats (Malaga), argue the case whether there is a deal or not, as currently to get Spanish nationality they have to renounce their British citizenship. “Breaking all ties with the UK means losing the right to relocate there, even if you have to return for family reasons,” the document reads. It added grave concern regarding the more than 107,000 British pensioners living in Spain. If they become ‘third-country nationals’, they may not reach the €26,000 per year minimum income that is required to have a non-profit residence (average British pension is €9,000). While Sanchez has vowed to protect their rights, it is to be on a reciprocal basis. In the UK meanwhile, Theresa May’s government has told EU citizens to apply and pay a small sum to be granted ‘settled status’.

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Beast from East CHINESE gall wasps have wrought havoc on Ronda’s sweet chestnuts causing crops to plummet by 30% over Christmas.

Pension hike SPAIN will increase pensions by 1.6% in 2019 with those on minimum allowance, including non-contributory individuals, to see their pensions rise by 3%.

Kicking off EX-Real Madrid and Liverpool footballer Xabi Alonso could face five years in prison over tax fraud charges.

Shaky ground THE PSOE has announced that Franco’s remains cannot be moved to Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral for security reasons and is seeking an alternative location.

CRIME

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Sick hunt

A bed to die for

Vile Spanish hunter identified in sickening viral torture video A SPANISH hunter has been identified after he was filmed throwing a fox in the air and smiling as he stamped on its head. Aged 35, from Huesca, the man in a high vis jacket, can be heard grunting as he plucks the animal from some grass and hurls it along the ground. After the injured mammal flees, the hunter catches up with his prey and repeatedly

stamps on the fox’s head. He then flings the suffering animal high into the air and then stamps on its head again, before it appears to die. The hunter grounds the fox’s head into the dirt with his foot and can be heard laughing as he smiles directly at the camera. It is not clear when or where in Spain the video was filmed, but the man now faces

TWISTED: Hunter smiles as he tortures fox charges of crimes against wildlife and has admitted killing the animal. Local media reported that at least one of the fox’s legs was amputated after it was caught in a trap.

Cruel camel car park A CARAVAN of camels has been rescued from an Andalucian car park after being forced to offer ‘Christmas rides’ to shoppers while being kept in inhumane conditions. PACMA slammed the operation in Ecija, Sevilla, after images circulated online appeared to show the animals locked in a cage. The footage shows three camels in the multi-storey lot

of a shopping centre fenced into a couple of parking spaces with a thin layer of straw. The animals rights party labelled the camel enclosure ‘abusive’ and said: “They can feel fear, anguish and pain.” It added: “We believe it is necessary for the head of the centre to understand that the animals are sentient beings.” The shopping mall suspended its Christmas camel rides.

ABUSIVE: Camels in car park

Anadel, a Spanish animal rights group, has condemned the incident and called on the public to identify the hunter. “What kind of psychological attitudes do people with weapons licences have in this country?” Elena Lopez, a member of the group said to local media. It’s the latest animal rights controversy to hit Spain, including camels being penned up in inhumane conditions and being used to ride around locals and tourists (see left). Hunters also courted controversy last month as they defended a video of dogs and deer plunging off a cliff. Meanwhile, in October, an emu wound up dead in Spain after being chased by police through a tourist hotspot.

A PRISONER has killed his elderly inmate on his FIRST day behind bars after arguing over who should have the top bunk. The 28-year-old, known only as JMRH, was spending his first night on remand for attempted murder at the Soto del Real jail, outside Madrid, when prison bosses placed him with an older, more seasoned inmate hoping he would settle in easier. However after returning from supper, a fight between the pair broke out over who should sleep on the top bunk. By the time the guards arrived, the older man was critically injured and lying on the floor of the cell. Efforts to save his life failed and he died shortly afterwards of severe head and facial injuries. The killer has been placed in solitary confinement.

Death drive A YOUNG Spaniard has died after being stabbed and thrown from a moving car before being run over by a tourist. The victim died at around 6am on Malaga’s Pablo Ruiz Picasso seafront. The specialist homicide division of the police are now working with forensics to establish the details of what is likely to be the latest mafia murder in southern Spain.

902 123 282 * Fu l l y c o m p r e h e n s i v e o f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y. G u a r a n t e e s u b j e c t t o c o v e r, r e p a i r a t a p p r o v e d g a r a g e , a n d c o u r t e s y v e h i c l e a v a i l a b i l i t y. S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . O f f e r e n d s 3 1 / 0 1 / 1 9 .

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

26/11/18 11:18

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Spoilt...plane and simple

THE prince of Morocco received a private jet for his 15th birthday, it has been revealed. Costing a cool €57 million, the jet was gifted to Prince Moulay Hassan, the son of King Mohamed VI and heir to the Alaouite throne in May. The aircraft, which carries 12 people, was built in 2015 and is top of the range, capable of reaching 1,100km/hr and built with its own anti-missile defence system. Developed by the Israeli military, the system detects the heat of the missiles before scrambling their signals and making them change trajectory. The Gulfstream G650 plane, capable of travelling 13,000km non-stop, also came with a personalised number plate.

LUCKY: (Inset) Prince Moulay and plane complete with personalised number plate

PIC EXCLUSIVE

Hoffy New Year! DAVID Hasselhoff has been spotted ringing in the New Year on the Costa del Sol. The Baywatch star was seen hanging out with pals at a exclusive Marbella hotspot Nobu, owned by fellow Hollywood actor Robert De Niro. The Hoff donned a grey blazer with a white striped shirt and was later seen taking pictures with fans at the Puente Romano hotel on the Golden Mile. LEGEND: Hoff in Nobu

Life’s a beach World-famous surf rockers the Beach Boys coming to Marbella

ICONIC: Beach Boys coming to the costa

TIMELESS: Letizia in dress worn by Queen Sofia (inset)

THE Beach Boys will perform at this summer’s Starlite festival in Marbella. The star-studded festival will host the California surf rockers on July 11, with doors opening at 8:00pm. Organisers said: “Few acts can match The Beach Boys’ spirit and performance, and therefore it will no doubt be a very special night at Starlite 2019.

Blowing in... LEGENDARY US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will perform on the Costa del Sol this year. The 77-year-old will play at Fuengirola’s Mare Nostrum on May 4 as part of his Neverending Tour. The tour began in 1988 and has not stopped since, comprising 100 performances around the world each year. Dylan will play eight shows in

“For them, the beach isn’t just a place where the surf comes to play, it’s where life is renewed and made whole again.” The two-time Grammy-winning group have an impressive back catalogue of 29 studio albums, including the hit singles Good Vibrations, Surfin and I get around. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide Spain, including Sevilla. AmeriTickets went on sale on Decem- the ber 28 from 11am exclusively can musical legends were from www.riffmusic.es. named by Ro-

lling Stone as the 12th greatest band of all time in 2004 and in 1980 were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston lead the current lineup of the iconic band, who return to the Costa del Sol after performing at Starlite 2014. After making their debut over 50 years ago, the Beach Boys come to Andalucia in the middle of their Now and Then tour. Joining them at Starlite will be Il Divo, who return from last year’s event, as well as Maluma, Noche Movida, Diana Krall, Raphael, Melendi, David Bisbal, Ketama, Morat, Los Morancos, God Save the Queen and Malu, among others.

Kim Clark Benefits Consultancy If you suffer from... •

Mobility problems

• Pain

/ Breathlessness

• Falls

/ Stumbles

Or you need... •

Something borrowed... QUEEN Letizia snubbed a host of designers in favour of her mother-inlaw’s dress for the National Fashion Awards. In her last royal event of the year, the former journalist opted for the red blouse and skirt set once worn by King Felipe’s mum, Queen Sofia. Sofia first rocked the look in 1980, pairing it with a pearl necklace and detailed hat. Letizia switched up the ensemble some 38 years later with Magrit heels and a python-effect bag from Carolina Herrera at Madrid’s Museo del Traje.

 

Help with washing /dressing

• Supervision

You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATION call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

 



  

OlivePress - Current.pdf

31/12/2018

www.theolivepress.es

15:24

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

CMY

reservations@oliviaslacala.com Call 952 494 935 - www.oliviaslacala.com Calle Torreรณn 13, 29649 La Cala de Mijas, Mรกlaga

POLITICS

www.theolivepress.es

Driven potty By Heather Galloway

POLICE guards have been forced to install a portable toilet outside Pablo Iglesias’s home after the Podemos leader refused to let them use his toilet. It comes after the Guardia Civil union filed a complaint in October over the ‘lack of amenities’ for guards who protect the property of the left-wing politician in Galapagar, outside Madrid. “Normally, the security installations are set up inside the property of the person being guarded,” union spokesman Guillermo Freire told the Olive Press. “But in this case this has not been allowed. We imagine it is the owner who has said no.” The union is asking the Galapagar council for permission to install a decent prefabricated hut with central heating and other conveniences outside the perimeter of the property where officers are posted 24/7. “The council is collaborating,” added Freire.

Hunger games Susana Diaz desperately holding onto PSOE leadership as challengers emerge

BATTLE: Susana Diaz and Maria Jesus Montero leader Susana Diaz has not gi- hering in a right-wing governven any signals that she plans ment in Andalucia for the first to resign after her decision to time in 36 years. call a snap election on Decem- Diaz is attempting to persuade ber 2 massively backfired, us- the centre-right Ciudadanos to abandon the pact it made with the Partido Popular and far-right Vox, before the three officially form a coalition government on January 16. However Vox has announced that it will Location Time pull out of the pact unless Andalucia opts out of recent genAyuntamiento de Marbella, Pla- 18:00 der violence laws. Meanwhile, za de los Naranjos 1, 29601 Diaz maintains that her party Marbella won the most seats in the elecCentro de Llsos Multiples, Ca- 10:30 tions and that keeping the far rretera Mojacår, 2, 04368 Moright out of the government is jacår, Almeria the most important objective. Miraflores Bar & Restaurant, 16:00 This has seemingly fallen on Camping Los Gallardos, La deaf ears, with the names of Perulaca, s,’n, 04280 Los Gaher potential replacements alllardos ready doing the rounds. Museo Pedro Gilabert, Plaza 10:00 The most likely candidate is Pedro Gilabert, 3, 04660 ArboMaria Jesus Montero, the culeas, Almeria rrent finance minister and leaEdificio Innova, Avenida Fede- 12:00 ding figure in Pedro Sanchez’s rico Garcia Lorca, Arroyo de la female-led government. Miel, 29631 Benalmädena Montero has already made a Tenencia de Alcaldia de Mijas, name for herself and was awarBulevar La Cala 45, 29649 1700 ded the gong for ‘best relaMijas tionship with the press’ by the Association of Parliamentary Journalists last month.

THE brewing internal PSOE battle will erupt into ‘the Hunger Games’ this month, a party representative has said. It comes as current Socialist

Expat Brexit meetings

Date

10 January 15 January 15 January

16 January 24 January

24 January

LEADER: Iglesias

Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

medium - psychic MULTI DIMENSIONAL MEDIUM I’ve been a Holistic Practitioner since 1987 but have been around alternative therapies my whole life. I work holographically and dimensionally with my clients. I have over 30 years experience in the paranormal and course development. I have published two books and written articles for online magazines.

I offer the following services: Psychic Readings - Clairvoyance - Tarot - Quantum Healing - Spiritual Development - Soul Guidance Aura Clearing - Paranormal Assistance - Spirit Release Planetary Healing - Sound Therapy - Mediumship Implant Removal - ET Assistance - EFT Therapy Soul Readings - Holistic Therapist - Chakra Removal Symbol Removal i.e Reiki, Religious or Imprints, Magnetic Therapy, Body Scanning.

Featured in: The Sun newspaper, Chat Magazine, BBC Coventry, Talk Radio Spain and Meridian Radio.

CONTACT tel: 603 347 608 www.paulawratten.com

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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 Worrying pattern THE story of Rob and Scott is, unfortunately, all too common. We have reported countless occasions of Brits having simply been at the wrong place at the wrong time, becoming unnecessary victims of Spain’s painfully slow justice system. In the past 12 months at least four Brits have detailed how they have been wrongly accused of a crime and had their passports confiscated and in some cases locked up for months on end without being charged. Lest we forget the plight of Robert Mansfield Hewitt, who has been behind bars for seven months after a property he was renting for a weekend was raided and found to have contained marijuana. He has still yet to be charged. Elsewhere, Scot Robert McMiller has been stuck in Spain for over a year and has yet to face trial for an identical case. Spain is a great place to live but always keep your wits about you to avoid nasty surprises like Rob and Scott’s. Publisher/ Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Newsdesk Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es

Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

Admin Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

Distribution ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es

For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75

FEATURE

Disenfran January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Will X still mark the spot for expats after Brexit? Amidst a deafening lack of information Lenox Napier looks at voting rights

HE European Union was always more about trade opportunity than displaced citizens’ rights. And nowhere is this more obvious than in our supposed (and somewhat modest) political privileges here in Spain. Indeed, it’s hard to even plan for power and influence when you don’t know how many people are going to participate in elections and are in doubt as to how they might vote. This was the conundrum that faced Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba back in 1995 when President Felipe Gonzalez, observing a small but significant change in the Constitution made in 1992, decreed that Europeans living in Spain would be able to vote in European and municipal elections that same year. Rubalcaba, Minister of Presidential Affairs (the man who much later substituted our residence cards for the handy A4 police letter and passport combo), was appalled. ‘God only knew how they might vote’, he thought. Thus he allowed European residents to go ahead in the European elections (after all, they were voting for people who represent Spanish interests in Brussels) but postponed the municipal vote (claiming there wasn’t time to organise it) until the following elections in 1999. The constitutional change of 1992 was interesting. It gave European residents (who now had to register both on the electoral role – padrón – and their separate plea to vote) active and passive rights. Significantly, they could now join or even lead a local political list. Some of us eventually did and Rubalcaba will have been pleased to note, four years after his meddling, that we voted locally for local candidates and, in short, behaved ourselves. However most of us did not vote. Even today, there are only a modest number of foreign councillors scattered across Spain, in local government or the opposition, and just ONE foreign mayor Belgian-born Mario Blancke, who wears the chain of office for Alcau-

VOTING RIGHTS: Could be a sticking point for British expats after Brexit

cín, Málaga. Secondly town halls, like any other poliMost of these few foreign councillors are tical agency, would take less notice of a British, and thus under threat from Brexit. population that had no suffrage. In all, there are 37 of them. Thirdly, British residents Proportionally speaking, fothemselves would be in the Even today, reign residents are woefully unenviable position of ‘taunder-represented. xation without representathere are only a So, what would happen if tion’ - an ugly place to be, those British councillors be- modest number currently suffered by many came disenfranchised, as is other foreign nationals living of foreign the current scenario under in Spain. Although not all of the Spanish electoral comthem as Spain has bilateral councillors mission which states that agreements with some third ‘‘when and if the UK implecountries. ments Brexit, their nationals, resident in Norway was in from the beginning, later Spain, will lose their right to vote’. followed by Iceland and a few South AmeFirstly, candidates rican countries along with New Zealand, from other EU South Korea and (for some reason - worcountries - thy, no doubt, of a separate investigation) Mayor Mario Trinidad and Tobago, which has just 22 of Blancke for its nationals resident in Spain. example - Citizens from these countries may vote, would lose but not present themselves as candidates way as the on electoral lists. result of the However an article in El País over the holimuch sma- days suggested there may be a change to ller foreign the game-plan, with the British and Spanivote. sh authorities discussing an eleventh-hour agreement to give their guests the vote with both active and passive rights. ‘The Government hopes that the bilateral agreement would be applied already in the municipal elections of May 26th’ re-

Head office

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

AWARDS

2016 - 2018 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2018 Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

FIRST: Foreign mayor Mario Blancke

FEATURE

nchised? www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

olive press online

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

- PURE EVIL: Backpackers beheaded and stabbed to death in Morocco before video shared online in ISIS-inspired attack (10,311)

- Costa del Sol man held over attempted murder of teen who he rammed with car after Christmas club row (7,904)

3 4 5

- 7 New Year’s resolutions for British expats living in Spain (5,770)

- EXCLUSIVE: David Hasselhoff spotted partying for NYE on Spain’s Costa del Sol (5,623) - FLIGHT SHOCKER: Spain could be left with almost no domestic flights in a no-deal Brexit (5,188)

Visitors: 145,134 Page views: 186,011

CRUNCH TIME: Theresa May and Pedro Sanchez have promised equal rights for their respective citizens

ported El Pais. In this agreeable situation, we Brits could keep our vote in local elections even if we were to lose it in the European ones – a small price to pay as things stand. Of course, it wouldn’t be so agreeable for many other nationalities who don’t have the vote here, or the right to appear on an election list. Will those nationals ask themselves once again: just what is it about the Brits? However, in a caveat which would please

PIONEER: Rubalcaba

Rubalcaba, the article states ‘...Once it is signed, the deal will be in the same category as any other international treaty and will require ratification by the Spanish and British parliaments. This will probably not happen in time for the May 26 elections next year, diplomatic sources have admitted’. Roll on the 2023 elections? Maybe we won’t have to wait that long because the article continues: ‘In order to work around this problem, the Spanish Foreign Ministry is considering the option of making the agreement go provisionally into force as soon as it is signed by both governments...’. You know it makes sense … but it would have made more sense to have started this conversation two years ago, instead of last week... Anyway, the electoral commission says it will be sending out an explanatory letter to all registered foreigners who are potential voters. Of course maybe (just maybe) the UK will stay in the EU after all – either via a postponement of their Brexit departure or a second referendum with a happier ending (and hello Westminster, it would be nice if we expats were invited to have a say in

www.allaboutandalucia.com

www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com

We use recycled paper FOREIGN MINISTER: Josep Borrell

that vital plebiscite this time around). If that were the case, we foreign residents would still need to register to vote – by asking for the hoja de inscripción del voto in our local town halls - before January 15 (or December 31 if you are not from the EU). Would there still be time to revise our candidate lists for next May, in the event we keep our vote? Barely.

Reuse Reduce Recycle

Updated daily The Olive Press online www.theolivepress.es The website is conveniently accessible from your desktop computer to your laptop, tablets and smartphones throughout the day wherever you are. www.theolivepress.es

advertising

Have your business seen by over 100,000 readers each issue, with cost effective advertising solutions from the Olive Press Be seen here for as little as €250 per month

www.theolivepress.es

A BRITISH boy has died on New Year’s Day in Spain after being struck by a car. The 14-year-old was tragically hit on a road between Ibiza and Portinatx on Spain’s popular white isle. The boy died in the 10.30pm crash, just a day after celebrating his 14th birthday. He is believed to have been carrying suitcases and was in the middle of the road with no reflective clothing on when he was hit by a Ford Fiesta. The family who hit him are said to be receiving counselling after suffering from trauma.

THE family of a British grandmother in a coma have slammed their insurers after being made to pay almost €6000 to fly her home from the Costa del Sol. Patricia Reid, 61, who suffered a brain haemorrhage on the last day of her holiday in Malaga, was in intensive care at a local hospital when the insurance company refused to cover her transfer costs to the UK. The Scottish gran, from Cambuslang, suffers from cardiomyopathy and asthma, but the company, InsureandGo, claim she never mentioned the conditions.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

‘This is my heyday!’ Expat bares scars to inspire women after men said she was ‘better looking’ before her cancer A BRITISH expat has bared her double mastectomy scars on social media to inspire others and prove there’s ‘a lot more’ to women than just looks. Marbella-based Laura Owens, 38, suffered from breast cancer in 2012 when she was just 31. She had both breasts removed and reconstructed two years later but had to have

them removed in April this year following a severe reaction to the implants. Owens, a yoga instructor, felt compelled to share her story on social media after a male friend told her she ‘looked better in her heyday’ 10 years ago. “It makes me laugh that some people think my heyday was when I wore a face full of makeup, perfect hair,

Justice for Brit gran

CRITICAL: Patricia Reid before and after haemorrhage

“They gave us an ultimatum, sign this disclaimer, or we can’t take the air ambulance to the next stage,” said Patricia’s son Alan, 32.

Alan labelled the company ‘complete scumbags’ and alleged the company were ‘moving the goalposts’, and insisted that his mum’s con-

HERO: Louise Owens sexy outfits, padded bras. i.e. dressing for someone else's approval.

ditions had been declared. The family eventually signed a form and were forced to shell out an eye-watering €5882. Patricia is now in a life-threatening coma and son Alan said it will be a ‘miracle’ if she survives. InsureandGo said: “We’re really sorry to hear about Mrs Reid.” “However, when we listened to the sales call relating to her latest insurance policy, we found she didn’t declare any medical conditions at all.” Alan has now set up a GoFundMe page to support paying off the costs of flying Patricia back.

T PA ES EX RO HE

New Year’s tragedy

NEWS

“F*** that. I'm strong and capable, I stand up for what I believe in. I walk away from people or situations that make me uncomfortable. And I wear what makes me feel happy, not sexy.” In the post, which has had nearly 2,000 likes and over 300 comments of support she explained: “In the last week, I've had two male friends, who I haven't seen in a long time, say to people in front of me: ‘You should have seen Laura in her heyday, 10 years ago’. Rude. “Am I supposed to be grateful that guys used to think I was hot?

Crush

“If I hadn't been through everything I have, and was still the girl I was 10 years ago, it might crush me to hear that. But it doesn't.” Owens hopes to inspire other women of all ages. She said: “I'm scarred, wrinkled and flat-chested, but I'm also feminine and full of life. I'm a strong woman, not a sex object. I'm not here for your benefit. “There's a lot more to me than my looks. And if you can't see that, then it's your loss. This is MY heyday.”

Injustice From front page

spiralled into debt and saw their mental health suffer as a result. Project manager Cattell suffered with PTSD and was hospitalised from alcoholism, while business development manager Herring plunged into a €35,000 debt as the cost of the case rose and he struggled to find work. “I’m never going to be the same person again, it has ruined our lives,” Scott told the Olive Press. Scott also saw his relationship with his fiancé of six years ripped apart due to the stress surrounding his travel restrictions. When she got a call at 3am to say her son had died, a judge prevented Scott leaving Spain and even stopped him attending the funeral, which he says left him ‘broken’ and only ‘fuelled his alcoholism’. “My anxiety has tripled the worries that I have,” he said. “I wake up sweating in the middle of the night and have panic attacks driving down the road.” Rob and Scott claim TripAdvisor are a ‘total disgrace’ and are accusing the site of trying to ‘hide their negligence’ from customers who have lost money from the company. They allege TripAdvisor leant on the judges at Marbella’s Court No 2, in order to protect their reputation on the Costa del Sol, where tourism is vital for the economy. Although FlipKey pledged to investigate the fraud committed by Renty123, Rob and Scott want more, which is why they made their patrimonial claims for a combined €630,000. TripAdvisor refused to comment on the allegations.

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

The Official Distributor of Sunflex Glass Curtains

R DMCS

Enhance your property with a superior system

Glass Manufacturers S.L.

Specialist Manufacturers of Glass Curtains, Stainless Steel, UPVC & Aluminium Windows, Doors and Concertinas

Everything manufactured in house for all your glass needs:

Glass Curtains, Windows and doors, stainless steel, pool surrounds, roofs (manual & electric), steel structures, shop fronts, bespoke furniture, showers, double glazing, splash backs etc…

Tel/Fax: 952 477 963 Mobile: 677 712 742 rdmcsglass@hotmail.com

www.rdmcsglass.com

RDMC’s Glass Manufacturers SL, Glass Curtains & Stainless Steel Specialists

YEA

Pol Ind El Cañadon, Nave 16 & 18, KM2, Camino de Coin, Mijas Costa, Malaga, 29650

AR RAN

R A N TY

DEEP www.theolivepress.es

GREEN SPECIAL

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Andalucia coastline

IMPACT

The polar ice cap meltdown will accelerate due to rising global temperatures, wreaking havoc along Spain’s 8,000 km of coastline. By 2100, sea levels along the likes of the Costa del Sol are expected to rise between 10 and 86 centimetres. Many crucial beaches are at risk of being washed away while large areas of the coast and its resorts could be flooded. Areas under significant threat include the deltas along the Ebro and Llobregat rivers, the seaside spit La Manga del Mar Menor in Murcia and Andalucia’s Donana coast.

Climate change is already wreaking havoc in Spain but the worst is yet to come... THREE QUARTERS of Spain could become a barren desert wasteland within 100 years if climate change is not dealt with. That’s just one of the many stark warnings to come out of the latest Greenpeace report which warns of an increase in forest fires, flooding, coastal erosion and the extinction of

glaciers in our own lifetime. In its annual report for last year, the environmental group detailed the devastating impact climate change has already had on Spain’s environment and the further devastation likely to come. Here we have rounded up eight ways Spain as we know it is under threat.

Desertification

Vanishing ecosystems

Around 20% of Spain is already classed as a desert, but if nothing is done to prevent rising temperatures, this could soar to 75%. According to Greenpeace, desertification is also being caused by the over-exploitation of water resources, poor agricultural practices in elevated areas, overgrazing, intensive agriculture and needless urbanisation.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), around 50% of species studied have been impacted by climate change. The disappearance of bees, in particular, will be a serious threat to Spain’s vital agricultural industries, which see 70% of crops relying on such insects for pollination. The number of bees has plummeted this century due to insecticides and the arrival of predators like the Asian hornet. Meanwhile, deforestation is expected to become more widespread following an increase in intense fires and a decrease in the ability for forests to recover.

Urban erosion

While Spain’s property market and its recovery has been celebrated by economists, the boom on its coastlines over the last three decades has only hel-

Heatwaves The four hottest years in Spanish history have all occurred in the last eight years (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017). And while the whole world will notice a rise in temperatures, Spain’s latitude makes it especially vulnerable to global warming and temperature spikes. It means the country will experience more intense and longer-lasting heatwaves.

Goodbye beaches

Rising sea levels and the changing force and direction of waves will increase flooding and coastal erosion to such an extent that many beaches in Cantabria and the Basque Country could be left without sand. Meanwhile, cities

along the coasts of A Coruna, Gijon and San Sebastian will be partially flooded and, in the second half of this century, more than 200 hectares of coastal land in the Basque region will be at risk of flooding.

ped to degrade the environmental conditions of the shoreline. Its ability to withstand flooding of coastal ecosystems has decreased by 10.6% since 2005.

Last of the glaciers At the current rate of global warming, all of Spain’s glaciers will be gone by 2050. In the Pyrenees, 80% of the glaciers have already disappeared. The glacier at Monte Perdido has shrunk by five metres in the last few decades. Between 1980 and 2010, there has been a 50-metre loss of glaciers across the Pyrenees. There were once 53 glaciers in 1850, there are now 20. As Jordi Camins, glaciologist at the Catalan Group of Climate Change Experts said: “The Pyrenees are the only mountain range on the planet where the extinction of glaciers will happen in one generation: ours.”

Wildfires Climate change is without doubt the leading cause behind the rise in deadly forest fires, and they are only going to become more frequent and more intense. Last year wildfires destroyed 150,000 hectares of land in the first six months of last year after one of the driest winters on record. Since 1968, rainfall has decreased by 25%, meaning Spain is losing out on 16 billion litres of water while average temperatures have risen by between 5C and 8C. Less rain makes the forests much drier and far more susceptible to long-burning fires. Meanwhile, drought and extreme temperatures change the forest mass, making it burn faster. This has already been seen in recent years with fires becoming larger - mostly consuming more than 500 hectares and harder to bring under control.

Photos by: Pedro Armestre

Do you have a what’s on?

LA CULTURA Just the ticket! NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

HISTORIC: Carmona

Magnificent Seven TWO Andalucian villages have made Homeaway’s Seven Rural Wonders of Spain list. Voted for by the travel website’s clients, in fourth place the Moorish hilltop white village of Vejer de la Frontera charmed visitors with its crooked streets and secret flower-filled patios. Set in a fertile green valley surrounded by the orchards of Cadiz, this best-kept village has been declared a historical-artistic complex. Carmona near Sevilla, whose stunning Roman necropolis is one of the best-preserved in Europe, came sixth on the shortlist of 20. The village is loved for its impressive castle and Roman and Arab remains and lives up to the motto bestowed on it by King Ferdinand when he recaptured it from the Moors in 1247: ‘As the morning star shines in the dawn, so shines Carmona in Andalucia’. The list was topped by the obscure hamlet of Robledillo de Gata in the Sierra de Gata mountain range near Casares.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

Cirque du Soleil set for a stellar 2019 Costa del Sol comeback

HOLD on to your seats because the world’s most thrilling show is coming back to the Costa del Sol. The iconic Cirque du Soleil is officially returning to Malaga in 2019 with an all-new show that promises to enchant and shock audiences in equal measures. Kooza is set to premiere on September 13 under Cirque’s iconic Big Top tent at Malaga’s Cortijo de Torres Fairground. The French-Canadian collective goes back to its roots with Kooza - a show that will ‘captivate your imagination and make your heart race’ by

11 11

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

what’s on Legend resurrected A TRIBUTE to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is coming to the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos in Malaga on January 4. Doors open at 8.30pm.

Three Kings SPAIN’S biggest event of the season, the Three Kings will see every town welcome parades on January 6.

LEGENDARY: Cirque de Soleil is in town this year combining acrobatics and the art of clowning, while taking audiences through a journey of fear, identity, recognition and power. Performers will take to the enormous spinning Wheel of Death, balance, turn and twist

between numerous hoops at ming village on the shores of once, teeter along tightropes the St. Lawrence River near 25 feet above the stage and Quebec City. join forces for the Skeleton It was dubbed Cirque du Soleil Dance. as ‘the sun symbolises youth, The show was born in the energy, and strength’. early 1980s when co-creator The troupe toured the US for Gilles Ste-Croix took a troupe the first time in 1987 with seof performers ll-out shows, that were taken to the streets on to London and Paris. of Baie-Saint- Tickets are on sale now at Paul, a char- www.cirquedusoleil.com A HOST of British comics are coming to the Costa del Sol to kick the new year off with a laugh. Run by Stand-up Comedy Spain, the jokes will start on January 17 when four of the UK comedy circuit’s funniest will perform at Estepona’s Louie Louie bar. UN HOMENAJE A LOS ORÍGENES, CIRQUE EN ESTADO PURO The event is hoping to be monthly, with its debut offering featuring Vladimir McTavish, JoJo SuMÁLAGA ESTRENO 13 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2019 therland, John Newton and Nik Coppin. BAJO SU GRAN CARPA Tickets start at €12 and can be bought at www. RECINTO FERIAL CORTIJO DE TORRES eventbrite.es.

Having a laugh!

OFFICIAL PARTNER

PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNERS

Kick start 2019 CELEBRITY life coach Tim Storey will present a half day seminar, New Year New you, at Marbella’s Puento Romano on January 14.

Clowning around WINNERS of the National Circus Award 2017, the Rolabola company, are bringing chaotic new show Rock Cirk to Malaga’s Teatro Cervantes on January 4.

Struggling with EU Property Debt? • Want to sell but can’t? • Mortgage greater than value? • Lost Deposit? • Can’t make your mortgage payments? • Interest Only period ending? • Generally Struggling with your Spanish Property?

We offer assistance and advice in all areas of European property debt

Call us today on: +44 330 124 1230

EU Property Solutions are a team of Insolvency and debt consultants who specialise in property associated debt. Essentially we provide tailored pre-insolvency strategies, we will look at your situation and provide options best suited to your desired outcome.

Calle Marques del Duero 76, 3º C, San Pedro Alcantara, 29670 Malaga Spain info@eupropertysolutions.com np@eupropertysolutions.com

www.eupropertysolutions.com

QUOTE OP0119

LA CULTURA

12 www.theolivepress.es 12 Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Plaza pleaser

Best landmark in Europe in Sevilla, according to Tripadvisor award

EVILLA’S iconic Plaza de España has been crowned Europe’s ‘best landmark’ in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. Destinations, landmarks, hotels, beaches and even airlines all compete at the awards, which honour the highlights in travel by analysing reviews left by tourists. Voted for by the TripAdvisor community, it’s not hard to see why this beautiful square in southern Spain has been crowned Europe’s top dog. “As seen in several movies. Amazing architecture. We only walked

around on the exterior but were very impressed by the size and scope. If you are in the area walk by. Worth the walk,” wrote one reviewer. The Moorish style gardens and square, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition, have indeed had several silver screen appearances. George Lucas chose the perfect plaza for Anakin Skywalker and Princess Amidala to stroll along in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002). Played by Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, the pair appeared with

Sevilla has never shied away from Hollywood royalty. Here are four more blockbuster moments for the city: • Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven (2005) shot at Sevilla’s Casa de Pilatos Spanish film Nobody Knows An• ybody (1999) utilised the passageways of Santa Cruz • Richard Gere visited the city last year, filming new BBC series MotherFatherSon (2019) Season 3 of Netflix epic The Crown (2019), • starring Olivia Coleman, will also shoot there

DID YOU KNOW?

the droid R2D2, as Sevilla’s square was transformed into the kingdom of Naiboo. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Dictator (2012) are among the other big-money blockbusters to use the landmark as a location. The European Film Academy (EFA) have even recognised the plaza’s onscreen contributions, inducting it into their ‘Treasures of the European Cinematographic Culture’ in 2017. With 36,588 reviews on TripAdvisor, the Plaza de España is ranked as the top thing to do in Andalucia’s capital and there are countless ways to explore its beauty. The review site recommend a nocturnal flamenco tour, electric bike excursions or some more traditional sightseeing. A masterful combination of Renaissance and Moorish architecture, visitors are bound to see live photoshoots and TripAdvisor urge tourists to ‘bring a camera!’ As well as claiming the top spot in Europe, the Sevilla landmark was voted second-best in the world after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex. The Asian network of ancient architec-

ON SET: Plaza de España and (inset) Star Wars ture was given a five-star average by 43,175 reviewers and as one of the world’s largest religious monuments, second place for Sevilla isn’t so bad. Even more impressive is the beautiful European landmarks that Sevilla beat to claim the top spot continentally,

none more so than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which came second. Another Andalucian beauty, Cordoba’s Mezquita Cathedral, bagged third place, while Italy’s Duomo di Milano and the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest came fourth and fifth respectively.

The Plaza de España may grab the glory, but which other Sevillan landmarks are worth a trip? Alcazar - The UNESCO World Heritage-protected monument is one of the oldest European palaces still in use Catedral de Sevilla - Also recognised by UNESCO, the cathedral, with its Gothic vaults and 24 bells, dates back to the 15th century (left). Barrio Santa Cruz - winding streets filled with authentic tapas bars make this an unmissable stop on any Sevilla trip (inset top right).

Posh Pets Best seller! Spain

Dog & Cat Grooming Salon Boutique Dog Hotel & Cattery Pet Grooming Courses Pet Transportation Shop

tel: 0034 952 597 035 www.poshpetsspain.com Follow us on Facebook ‘Posh Pets Spain’

And The Bookshop’s best-selling book of 2018 was...

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine By Gail Honeyman

ur number one bestselling book of 2018. Eleanor Oliphant thinks she is completely fine. She is efficient and organised at work from Monday to Friday and survives the weekend by drinking Vodka until Monday comes and she can begin the routine again. The truth is Eleanor is profoundly lonely and socially awkward, mostly because of her traumatic childhood, the details of which come out as the story unfolds. She is intelligent, eloquent and polite, but she lacks the ability to filter what she says and will tell you exactly what she is thinking which leads to numerous hilarious and

cringeworthy moments in the book. Eleanor is the office oddball and has little or no meaningful interactions with her co-workers until one day her computer isn’t working and she meets Raymond from IT. Raymond is kind, caring and intrigued by Eleanor, but she’s not interested. She’s busy trying to re-create herself for the man of her dreams. But after work one day Eleanor and Raymond come across a man who has fallen on the street. Together they help the man, Sammy and so begins a friendship that is the catalyst for the subsequent changes in Eleanor’s life. The story is beautifully told from Eleanor’s point of view and is heart-warming, heart-breaking, charming, hopeful, ins- €11.90, Available from The Bookspiring and a definite hop San Pedro www.thebookshop.es must read!

The cheapest way to get fantastic new designer jewellery is to remodel your own jewellery 30 Years Experience | Diamond Sales Design & Remodeling | Repairs

Contact Tim (0034) 677 195 638

Do you have a what’s on?

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

Promises Promises

Learn more Spanish

But here are 7 New Year’s resolutions British expats in Spain jolly well SHOULD keep (Disclaimer: Not for the easily offended)

T’S THAT time of year again ... Cue the usual ‘new year new me’ declarations and empty promises to give up chocolate, booze or smoking. After eating your whole weight and more in food over the xmas period, gyms and diet products will have their best two months of the year as you desperately kid yourself that 2019 WILL be the year you get into stunning shape … only to throw in the workout towel before February’s out. So in 2019, instead of opting for unrealistic New Year’s resolutions we’ve rounded up a few you can and should keep - and disgracefully they apply to many a British expat here in Spain.

Why move to Spain only to spend half your time looking for the best chippy, curry house or British roast dinner? We all love our comfort foods from home but if you want your fish in batter with mushy peas every week

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

October 24th - November 6th 2018

www.theolivepress.es

EXCLU

Will the socialist maintain their s yet again hold over Andalucia in snap elections?

October 10th - October

23rd 2018

SPAIN’S richest have had their assetspoliticians in a move to restorerevealed public faith. Three millionaire ministers are among the 38 officials ed in the list published includSpanish government. by the IT has been staunchly socialGROUP of expats ist since the death Foreign Minister pealing for funds are apof Franco the instability we to help a topped the list of Josep Borrell in the 1970s. homeless expat pensioner are seeing fat cats with And the Socialist in the rest of Spain,” assets totalling €2.77 party get back on his feet insisted the PSOE leader. million, ly to hold on to power is likeafter he lost his entire family. while Education in AnThe move will Rebecca Pattinson, bel Celaa is worth Minister Isa- dalucia when the region goes be seen by €1.62 million. to the polls in many as an attempt Dave Langshaw, 32 26 and fiance "This government December. (right), helped momentum created to use the take in Graham Nobbs moving forward on is really The challenge to the opposiwhen Socialist Prime Minister last week after noticing (right top) transparency, whichthe path of tion parties has been set, after Pedro Sanchez took over him sleeping rough in a Lidl is the only way to it believes Junta boss Susana Diaz called in June folcar park, in Allowing a no confidence box, Almeria. democracy,” said advance in a snap election for the region vote Celaa. on December in the former PP The Stockport couple Science Minister Pedro Duque, She insisted 2. want to help Diaz insisted thatgovernment. the 69-year-old, a former astronaut, the decision to originally from tions will give a early elecwas the bring forward the Kent, to get a passport, other millionaire election by tion of the publicclear indicacount and NIE number. bank acworth €1.5 millionon the list and many months was to battle mood, after in assets. the ‘instability’ the PSOE minority “Graham is an incredibly around the governrest of Spain. ment - which only intelligent man,” Rebecca told has 84 out the Olive Press “My land does of 350 seats in congress Probed this week. not deserve EAGER: - took power in Madrid. Duque has been Susana Diaz “He hasn't been able probed over Andalucia has always tax irregularities of the pension that to claim any been a he is owed as thermometer for chase of a house over the purhe has no bank account, national atin Valencia in titudes. passport 2005, while culture or any means of communication minister It is the country’s Maxim Huerta stepped with the pension people in the UK.” The kind-hearted down lous region, and most popuin June after just have set up a ‘gofundme’ couple, joined by several back if the PSOE a week in the A SPANISH others, party can improve page where people job when it emerged far-right party help Graham, who on 2015’s can donate to slim win of 47 of €256,000 between he evaded polls indicate it could win has attracted thousands to a ser and Barclays in worked as a salesman for House the total rally as seats, a seat in Congress. 2006 and Vox, founded of FraKensington, and who 2008. it will be a good sign109 25,000 miles across in 2014, has walked around for supporters showing drew its largest ever crowd with Sanchez Justice Minister years ago. Another Spain since becoming homeless some 9,000 Africa’s in Madrid. up to the Madrid five rally at Vistalegre gado is currently Dolores Del- The party has revealed plans migrants page which has so couple have already set up a fundraising Palace. facing calls to and to to revoke Spain’s far raised €400 and litical headache are a poresign after recordings deport ‘illegal immigrants gender money will go towards Rebecca says any who come to Spain violence law as he looks to for Sanchez, extra getting Graham a leased of her talking were re- it greater, but to receive She told the Olive flat of his own. maintain the not to make support handouts.” Spanish police chief, to former Secretary general, Ortega from left-wing base, on the street, we’rePress: “It’s not right to see a frail old man while also larejo, who is under Jose Vil- President Donald Trump Smith, took to the stand to quote “It’s really opened not heroes, we’re just doing the kind saying, “Together US the rise of keeping check on both of our eyes over thing. tion for corruption. investiga- great again.” we will make Spain it makes you appreciate nationalism, perthe past few days An and petuated by the opinion poll suggested Prime Minister Pedro ready raised hundreds the little things.” The expats populist Vox this week that Vox Sánchez close to earning have albut are hoping to get declared assets of still looking for donations is painstakingly party, which can easily seize a seat in Congress to €1000 and are €343,000 and at the next with a predicted 1.5% on the migrants to their page, liabilities of €192,000, general election, scheduled here: www.gofundme.c issue. of votes In 1998, om/helpforgraham.which can be found for 2020. predecessor Mariano while his Vox’s key message has resonated the number of forRajoy greatly had expressed concern eigners in Spain €1.54 million in assets. Do you have a positive over defending Spainwith supporters who have 1.6% made up lan separatists, illegal expat story? Someone done something immigration and under the threat of Cata- and of the total population who has attacks on family by 2016 this had we want to hear special? As a community newspaper values. risen to your stories… email 12.2%. livepress.es newsdesk@theo -

T PA ES EX RO HE

Xmas on the Costa del Sol

NEWS

Millionaire ministers

RED Giving a home Homeless Brit claims to LAhave ND walked 25,000 miles aroundSLIDE? A before being ‘saved’ by expatsSpain

Expats help homeless pensioner get back on his feet

SIVE without Gainin them g mome none ntum of this By Charlie Smith would be happening,” he revealed, been offered help and a home after they scooped him up at Lidl by British expats in Almeria and gave him a bed. during his sixth circuit of the “Life on the road was always up and down. I was always floating, country. The group of half a dozen locals always in suspense. from Albox, stepped in after "And the weather was the most challeng ing thing, particularly the they found him sleeping in a rain," added the supermarket car park. Struggling with former shop as“They have been marvellous, sistant. EUApart Property fromDeb sometim t? es walking for • Want to sell but 14 greatercan’t? in a row to find a shelter, • Mortgagehours than value? • Losthe Deposit? revealed how he had been at• Can’t make your mortgage payment s? tacked • Interest We offer assistan a fellow Only periodby tramp ending? ce and advice in andof was • Generally Strugglin all areas Europe g with your Spanish once rushed Property? to hospital after col- an property debt lapsing by the side of the road. Call us today on: +44 330 124 1230 “This one guy tried to stab me and HAPPY DAYS: Graham enjoys a meal I had to kick him in the stomach to last and (inset) our story issue escape,” he said. www.eu“There propertysolution have been plenty of hairy moments s.com though his family died through sad proper access to medical and you have to try not to show circumst ances in the UK care. fear.” and He continued: "I had a problem from he became estranged One of them Sandie Wines, said this week: where I had a semi stroke and col- He his sister. lapsed at the side of the road from his took to the road, after "We are getting him a car over-exerting. I had to go to hos- vandalswas smashed up by passport first and then who destroyed his his UK pension pital." will start belongings and clothes. to come through in four This lack of access to medical fa- He cilities and other crucial services and later lost his passport weeks' time.” other ID. She is a major problem for those like “They added: "Graham Graham without a permanent picturesdestroyed all my will stay with us until evand I had no oth- erything is home. sorted so he er option,” he insisted. doesn't have He had landed the life after driv- Luckily, Graham has now streets ever to travel the ing to Spain, after the majority of been taken in by three ex- The group again." have set up a pat couples in Albox, as 'gofundm e' page which revealed by the Olive Press they are using to get Gralast issue. ham He is managing to get his "It's back on his feet. easier to home a life back to some normal- dog than an expat on the ity, as they help him get street," various documents, in- partner joked Sandie's cluding a passport and an people John. "Very few put you up, people NIE, so that he can have are wary of the unknown." EU Property Solutions are a team of Insolvency provide tailored and debt consultants pre-insolvency strategies, who specialise in we will look at property associated your situation and debt. Essentially provide options Calle Marques del we best suited to your Duero 76, 3º C, desired outcome. San Pedro Alcantara, info@eupr

GRAHAM’S usual traverse around Spain took him to the north when it’s hot, and he always spends Christmas on the Costa del Sol – his favourite part of the country. His favourite foods on the road are paella and tortilla Espanola. People can donate to Graham here: www.gofundme.com/ helpforgraham

opertysolutions.com

29670 Malaga Spain np@eupropertysolutio ns.com

QUOTE OP1018

Ex-Police Chief had 92 homes BLANK passports, gold ingots and €300,000 in cash have been found in a home owned by disgraced ex-police chief on the Costa del Sol. It comes after Spain’s former police chief, Jose Villarejo, was arrested on November 3 last year, accused of crimes related to a criminal organisation, money laundering and bribery. The investigation has revealed a list of 92 properties belonging to the former police official, including plots of land, apartments, warehouses, commercial premises and offices. An incredible 48 are based in Estepona, 18 in Benalmadena and the rest in Marbella, Torrox, Cordoba, Sevilla and Madrid. One in particular, a stunning €1.5m front line penthouse above prestigious private clinic, Cenyt, in Estepona, yielded the incredible haul, also including a hard drive with year’s of Villarejo’s work. All of it was found in a shoebox in a bedroom of the apartment, registered in the name of Villarejo’s son. The amazing discovery came after the judge leading the case ordered officials to seize the assets, including the home at the Mirador de la Cala building in Estepona, which he used as his home when in the town. According to sources, the property is linked to a separate 10-year-old investigation, the Astapa case, a property corruption scandal worth €40 million. The hard drive found, storing 40 terabytes of secret videos and recordings, is set to reveal the true extent of the ex-police chief’s crimes.

With Brexit looming there has never been a more crucial time to make sure you are registered as a resident and on the padron (electoral role) or you’ll miss out. With everything still up in the air it’s dumb not to do everything you possibly can to protect your status and the life you’ve built here. So follow the advice of our man in Madrid Simon Manley and get registered before March 29.

Get involved Join a charity, champion a cause, help save the planet and think of others more than yourself. This year must have broken a record for the amount of fantastic beach cleanups organised by expats and locals working together. Very well done and long may it continue into 2019. REGISTER!: Says Simon Manley

T PA ES EX RO HE

Around the world

A HOMELESS British man rescued by big-hearted expats has walked an incredible FIVE times around Spain over the last five years. Graham Nobbs, from Kent, revealed that he has hiked the length and breadth of the country on many occasions during his time as a hobo. That is an incredible 25,000 miles… or the distance of the earth’s circumference, he told the Olive Press. It comes after we revealed how the 69-year-old had

If you haven’t already, make 2019 the year you see as many corners of Andalucia as possible. There are amazing tourist hotspots right on our doorstep that deserve to be admired. Cordoba has more UNESCO sites than any other city in the world while Sevilla is stunning at any time of year. But they are just two of dozens of truly unique wonders, from Ronda to Tarifa or the Sierra Nevada, Granada and more.

Facebook groups are great, they can help organise events, aid in the search of missing people and keep you up to date with expat communities. However asking if Mercadona is open on a Sunday or if it’s going to be sunny in Benalmadena in three weeks time fails to help anyone. Use Google. There’s no exercise involved, just let your fingers do the walking.

then you might as well have stayed in Blighty. You’ve heard of the Med Diet - it’s healthy and doesn’t involve giving anything up so it’s a win-win. So get stuck into the olive oil, salad and seafood and hold the tomato ketchup.

Let’s be honest, there are too many of us here who haven’t learnt enough Spanish, despite being here for years or even decades. We all learn at different paces but if, after 25 years, your vocabulary doesn’t stretch much past ‘una cerveza por favor’ then it’s time to have a word with yourself. That word is ¡Aprender! - look it up and act on it. There are all kinds of apps to make learning fun - like Duolingo, which allows you to create competitive groups with your friends - so there’s no excuse!

Get out

Google it

Eat Spanish food

EXPAT HEROES

Good to sea!

A GROUP of expats have been making waves with their inspirational beach clean ups across the Costa del Sol. Plastic Free Seas Worldwide founders , Craig Webb, Natasha Wegloop and Rebecca Bridges, along with ambassador and owner of Olivia’s Cala, Elliot Wright, have been rallying La expat troops to take part in monthly coast clean ups. Despite the horrific storms through Estepona last Saturday, ittearing stop some 60 volunteers includingdidn’t children from E.I Alora school and students from getting out the house and clearing They speared a whopping 400 kilos the coast. later cleared away by Estepona town of rubbish and was It comes after Brit Craig, was inspiredhall. along the coast after watching BBC’s to make a difference up the non profit organisation in Mijas Blue Planet and set Since starting the foundation, volunteeCosta last year. tal of 3,400 kilos in 10 beach clean rs have cleared a toups. Co-founder Natasha, from the Netherla nds, said: “It’s been fantastic, we even cleared a fridge Next month, as well as a clean upfrom the beach.” on November 24 in La Cala de Mijas, Plastic Free Seas Worldwid e will be hosting a fundraising event at Olivia’s La Cala. The glitzy evening will include a three course meal, live entertainment and an auction on Novemb er 22. For tickets call 685283009 or email Plasticfreeseasworldwide@gmail.com

NICE WORK: Expats at clear up and

(right) Elliot Wright

13 13

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Don’t be a racist

While some areas of the coast might have higher concentrations of Brits than others, it doesn’t make them any less a part of SPAIN. The irony of some expats complaining about immigrants here - or worse, calling the Spanish ‘foreigners’ and complaining there are too many of them, as one BeBrit HIV curenidorm famously closer did - is SPANISH scientists believe o m they may have managed c to eliminate HIV from a patient letely using stem cell transplap nt treatment. Scientists in Madrid and Barcelost on lona have managed to remove the virus from the blood and some tissues of six patients using the treatment. ignoAnd one patient now has no antibodies fighting the infecr a n t tion, suggesting it has been completely eliminated. folk. The patients are keeping up their antiretroviral treatment, Let’s treat everbut researchers believe the virus may have been completely removed from their bodies. yone with the same resIt came after the six guinea pigs had stem cell transplants using pect and dignity that the Spacells from the umbilical cords and bone marrows of donors at nish show to us, shall we? the institute for AIDS Research

IrsiCaixa in Barcelona and the Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid. Researchers say the results could open the door to designing new treatments to cure HIV/AIDS.

14 14

LETTERS

LE T T E R S

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es

S A Sierra Nevada

www.theolivepress.es

ierra Nevada

Vol. 13 Issue 307

www.theolivepress.es

December 19th - January 3rd 2019

CHAOS: Drones saw dozens of flight cancellations

Continues on next page

Est. 1946

LT D

Cookshop, Household Goods, General Hardware, Beach Accessories & more

The Rock’s ONLY free local paper

FREE

46 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: +350 200 75188 Email: bia@gibraltar.gi Facebook: GibraltarBIA

Vol. 4 Issue 86 www.gibraltarolivepre ss.com December 19th - January 3rd

BRITON’S PRISON NIGHTMARE CONTINUES

PLUS IN YOUR OLIVE PRESS STOCKING, DON’T MISS...

UN-MERRY XMAS

Five causes worth supporting this festive season See page 6 Mariah Carey gave punters a Christmas to remember

Friends send festive gifts to ‘innocent’ Brit spending Christmas in solitary confinement in Algeciras prison FRIENDS and family are rallying round a seriously ill British man set to spend Christmas behind bars in Andalucia. Robert Mansfield-Hewitt, 51, still insists he known nothing about a €5.5million haul of hashish found in a San Roque Airbnb rental property he stayed at on a business trip six months ago. The Chichester engineer, (pictured right) who has severe liver disease ascites, is ‘miserable’ and ‘confused’ at having to spend the festive season locked up.

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion •

• Luxury vehicles Door to door service • Airport collections Weddings transport Sightseeing day trips Restaurant shuttles

• •

•

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

Letter

2019

INTO FESTIVE SEASON

See page 3

now organised a raffle and do.” raised €200 for him to buy Ford, who visited him a Neither an appeal from his books, shampoo and pens fortnight ago, is extremely local MP or UK press re- as Christmas presents. concerned about his health, ports have helped him get “He’s locked up in a hell after doctors said his ‘liver bail over the offence, for hole and is absolutely dev- was functioning which he has still not been astated to spend Christ- having collapsed at 15%’ following mas there,” said Ford who his charged. incarceration in June. works alongside the Brit at “Robert Mansfield-Hewitt, who is not has a PhD, has been in Al- electrical company Genco needs a walking well - he stick and geciras’ Botafuegos prison Holdings Ltd in Gibraltar. he’s not been given one. He - which houses ETA terroralso told me he has to go ists - since June after 1.5 Concerned back into hospital. tonnes of drugs were found “He’s been stuck in solitary Meanwhile, friend of 20 in the garage of the rental confinement. Imagine that, years, Vicar Rebekah Can- Spain in the New Year home in Campamento. non, an innocent man and keeps based in Chiches- to visit him in prison. His PA, Pilar Ford, 54, told asking ‘why am I here?’ We ter, has also described the According to his colthe Olive Press she has just don’t know what to ‘hopeless’ situation as ‘a leagues he may finally be charged this week stalemate’. She is exasperated that and could face up to six she cannot reach him on years in prison if found the telephone and while guilty. her letters have arrived in He has been denied bail Spain, they are all returned twice, with one reason to sender without being being that a Japanese ‘Katana’ Samurai sword UK BASED opened. “It’s all one way, he sends was allegedly found in us letters but we can’t get the house, the Olive in touch. I don’t even think Press has learnt. his family have got their Appeal letters through the prison,” for Spanish she told the Olive Press. The judge refused residents “Robert has to request per- bail in October given mission for our visits, but the ‘quantity of drugs www.globelink.co.uk since we can’t talk to him seized, which were and none of us speak Span- cated in the garage, loand ish, we just don’t know the presence of a Katawhat to do.” 96 626 5000 na weapon in the living She said one friend has room’, stated in court +44 (0) 1353 699082 managed to get in touch documents obtained by and is planning to fly to the Olive Press.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

See page 22

AXARQUIA

December 19th -

S A Sierra Nevada about ierra Nevada

theolive-ll www.theolivepress.es

the olive press

- October 30 -

November 12 2014

December 19th-

January 3rd 2019

Get in the spirit of the festive season Sierra Nevada special inside

+34 958 481 170 +34 675 470 669 www.alquileressierranevada.es

January 3rd 2019

COSTA DEL SKI www.theolivepress.es

Vol. 13 Issue 307

with our 10th anniversary

Continues on next

on the kids play park

area and (main pic)

the slopes lit up

Yours,

Voted

e Lions Threpub Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am

PLUS IN YOUR OLIVE PRESS STOCKING, DON’T MISS...

BEST

See page 6

(Free or paid for)

FREE

4th es December 20th - January Vol. 2 Issue 44 www.theolivepress.

2019

Voted top expat paper in Spain

See page 6

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.

Why Mallorca is so magical at Xmas See page 22 Untitled-1.pdf

OPINION Chance for change 16/06/2017

THE all but confirmed departure of the PSOE from the Junta is a chance for leaders in Andalucia to finally root out the corruption which has plagued this region for decades. Spain’s most southern autonomous community has so much to offer and has great potential, but it has not been given the chance over the past 30 years thanks to self-serving leaders who cared about nothing more than lining their own pockets. It is time for leaders to address the REAL concerns of the people and to start actually doing their jobs. If current leader Susana Diaz had made a real effort to stamp out corrupt practices then perhaps she would have held onto her job, but she chose to ignore the rumbling discontent among the people and arrogantly called a snap election thinking the voters would never turn right - she thought wrong.

15:36

gation by London Police. “They say they are unable to divulge this information ‘as it is sensitive’ which it is not.” Belmont Insolvency was not contactable for comment, while a website for the firm was down this week. Meanwhile, one former employee who worked for GWD for two years in an office on Avenida Jaume III in Palma told the Olive Press that it was ‘obvious’ that something was ‘not right’. “Everyone working there knew something was up but they were all too happy to ride the gravy train to worry,” he said. Another employee, who left last year, said it was ‘without a doubt being run questionably.’ “By the end, at least, it was Y

CMY

Turn to page 4

XX 1, Santa pagePonca Jaime on Rey more Avenida Find out 0034 871 510 277

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

NEWSDESK SALES Sam Adams newsdesk@theolivepress.es (+34) 634 611 836 Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 sam@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

282 902 123123 Tel: 902

Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es

282

902 123 282

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

SEE PAGE 2 & 19

Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es

IN PU ERT O PO RTA LS ject to conditions. t valid for renewals. Sub *Offer ends 30/11/18. No of wine

FREE

Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es

bottle

DESIGNER Keith Franks

with this ad

2/8/18 17:01

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

Mallorca’s festive lights

the trees, after Investors can’t see the wood from firm, based in Palma investing ‘millions’ in forestry

“We have held a series of meetEXCLUSIVE ings with the management, A MALLORCA-based investBy Laurence Dollimore who are being cooperative,” ment firm is feared to have lost a spokesman for the firm, Bill or ‘mishandled’ tens of millions of euros invested in for- she is being ‘hounded every Ferguson, told the Olive Press estry abroad, the Olive Press day’ by them, and believes her this week. working to get a recovcan reveal. initial investment is linked in “We are ery programme under way in GWD Forestry, based in Pal- some way. ma, has been accused of the The businesswoman invested the new year.” mismanagement of investors’ €8,800 into GWD’s ‘Biomass He confirmed that investors were receiving cold calls, ofcash - with most claiming they arm’ in Brazil last August. ‘substantial’ sums for have never seen a return. “It’s obviously dodgy,” she told fering The company, which invests in the Olive Press, “they are of- the trees, while also claiming agro-plantations, has told the fering me three times what I GWD is under criminal investigation by the City of London Olive Press it is working to ‘pay invested. and is ‘in liquidation’ in back’ its clients. “But they want me to pay police One Irish investor, based in €5,000 ‘in insurance’ BEFORE the UK. Malaga, told the Olive Press they give me the money they “Neither are true, there is no UK company to liquidate,” said he fears he has lost €8,000 are promising.” Ferguson, addinvested in eucalyptus trees in She continued: ing that most of Brazil in 2011, before reinvest- “What gets me the calls were ing another €10,000 in 2013. is how they coming from a know what I company called and Fear invested Belmont InsolWas vency. “I have received one report when. a data in all these years, despite re- there “Belmont say the investment peatedly asking how my stock breach?” after a group of dis- is for a company called Serex was doing,” the investor, who It comes investors contacted Investments Ltd, which is FCA asked to remain anonymous, gruntled Press having created registered...then say the clients the Olive claimed. should consider taking out inonline. transaction for “I have received nothing back a forum the on surance cocoand in acacia and have had no response from “I invested so far none of the pay- €5,000 or more. the company in months, I fear nuts and have been paid de- “We have contacted Belmont to ments due they got our cliI have lost €18,000.” how them one ask promises,” provide eviTo add insult to injury, various spite multiple the GWD Forestry ents details and to their claims investors fear they are now be- wrote onCommunity. dence to support ing targeted by con artists pos- Investor regarding of an ongoing criminal investiing as investment fund manag- “The transparency performance ers looking to take over GWD’s investment and payments has been apoperations. An Australian expat, based in palling.” said: “The after Madrid, told the Olive Press Another has been terrible. sales care Dozens of other investors have said the same thing. Up to 40 victims alone are Carlton being handled by 1 TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd based firm of Huxley, a UK legal and law enforcement consultants. The group have collectively invested around €3.5m. The firm, which specialises in resolving conflicts and probing fraud, is currently negotiating with bosses at GWD, including director Martin Roche, who is based has in Ireland, but also investments in Marbella, GWD OFFICE: In Ave sources told the Olive Press. Jaume III

Brighten up with

TIMBER! Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

Jerome, Marbella

How to celebrate Christmas like a Spaniard

expat paper in Spain

Tina (+34) 647 078 775 tina@theolivepress.es ADMIN Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es

By Elisa Menendez

OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es DISTRIBUTION Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017 HEAD OFFICE

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 Edificio centro comercial El Duque, planta primera, 29692 San Luis de Sabinilla, Manilva

LET’S TALK MENTAL HEALTH

In the aftermath of the tragic death of British teen Richard Fitzsimmons, the Olive Press investigates triggers for teenage suicide and how parents can look out for the signs

COLLECTION of teddy bears, flowers and delicately handwritten notes decorate the wall of a busy department store. It’s hard to believe that one month ago a teenage boy took his own life by jumping from the fourth floor of El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus, in an apparent suicide pact with his girlfriend. The untimely death of 16-year-old Brit Richard Fitzsimmons and the circumstances that surround it have rocked the coast and united many in grief. But the incident has encouraged many to take action by raising awareness about mental health in teenagers and, above all, try to break down the stigma that engulfs it. Aloha College, the private school Richard and his girlfriend, 14, attended, quickly activated a plan following his death and brought in a psychologist to talk to pupils. It also circulated emails advising parents to talk with their children about what had happened. In an open letter, the college described him as a ‘wonderful boy’ and offered their sincere condolences to his family. “Aloha College continues to be focussed on the wellbeing of its pupils, to help them through this difficult time. He will be warmly remembered, and sorely missed.” Although it is unknown what tragically drove the youngsters to suicide, unfortunately their story is not an unusual one. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged between 15 to 29 in Spain, following tumours, reveal national statistics. And growing numbers of teens killing themselves in the UK are sparking fresh concerns over the mental health crisis in young people in general.

EXPERT: Harvard professor Alejandra Hallin

December 5th - December 18th 2018

In 2017 there were 177 suicides among 15 to Olive Press. 19-year-olds, compared with 110 in 2010 - fig- Dr Hallin, who owns mental health centres in ures which have risen almost every year, accord- Marbella, Sotogrande, Malaga, Gibraltar and ing to the UK Office of National Statistics. Cadiz, believes the surge Depression and bipolar are the most common flection of a pressurised, in depression is a recauses of suicide globally, followed by sub- suicide is a consequencestressed society and of ill-treated mental stance abuse, schizophrenia and anxiety disor- health. ders, says Marbella-based child psychologist Dr “The Spanish mental health system is problemAlejandra Hallin. atic, unless you are dying While Samaritans in Spain volunteer, Jilly Hodg- - that’s a luxury they cannotthey won’t see you afford. They don’t es, says exam pressure, gender have enough resources. issues and feeling like an out“We have to start valuing our cast are the main reasons expat mental health and invest in it. teens call the Costa del Sol helpAnother When there’s diabetes in the line feeling suicidal. family, you’re more aware of “Some have a lack of friends, important factor what you eat. It should be the or are unhappy having left their same for mental illnesses, it’s that is very friends in the UK, or feel like an genetic.” outsider especially in Spanish damaging is the The doctor also adds that exspeaking schools,” the Costa pats are del Sol-based Samaritan tells language we use at risk. one of the groups most the Olive Press. Moving to another country, she Despite great advances in meninsists, tal health awareness in recent years, why do so cause of depression, asis the second biggest foreigners do not have many still suffer in silence? the same support network. Dr Hallin says the main problem with suicide is Another important factor it is still considered taboo, despite it being the aging - reflecting societal that is incredibly damviews on mental illness second leading cause of death in the world. and suicide - is the language we use. “There are so many programmes and adverts Supposed ‘throw away’ teaching you what to do when someone has a as ‘I just wanted to kill everyday terms such myself’ are loaded comheart attack or stroke, but there’s nothing about ments for people who have suicide,” the Harvard University doctor told the themselves, or for those thought about killing who have been through

Fine Indian Cuisine

Furniture and Flooring specialist since 1986

Mallorca. Illes Balears

www.mahaltandoori.com 4 hours FREE parking

*valid one ad per table

AP-7

153

www.esteponafurniture.com (+34) 952 798 277

Home Delivery

info@esteponafurniture.com

Estepona Poligono

*Offer ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject to conditions.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

• Talk to your child regularly about what they are doing online and how to stay safe. Let them know they can come to you or another trusted adult if they’re feeling worried or upset by anything they have seen. • Explore your child’s online activities together. Understand why they like using certain apps, games or websites and make sure they know what they can do to keep themselves safe. • Agree your own rules as a family when using sites, apps and games. • Manage your technology and use the privacy and parental control settings available to keep your child safe.

Smash hits

Olive Press ranked Spain’s leading English news website - and top 200,000 in the world

the trauma of losing someone to suicide. Along with ‘I’m depressed’ or ‘he/she is a nutter’ are phrases that have become the norm but unknowingly increase stigma. “Someone who is feeling low and someone who is clinically depressed are not the same thing,” says Dr Hallin, “if you feel better after exercise or socialising, it is a passing emotion, it is not a clinical illness.” Social media has also shown to cause psychological stress. Many have blamed sites like Instagram and Facebook for the surge in teen self-harming and suicide. And it isn’t difficult to see why. Pages and forums dedicated to self-harming, ‘suicide games’, or eating disorders - where thousands share tips for hiding signs from family members - offer outlets for teenagers to feel part of a dark online community. Although they offer a place of refuge for many to normalise their feelings, these pages encourage dangerous self-destructive behaviour. It comes after a recent Children’s Survey report found that more than 100,000 children aged 14 in the UK are self-harming, with one in four teenage girls deliberately hurting themselves this year. The charity found that nearly a quarter of children aged 10-17 said they continuously heard jokes or comments about other people’s bodies or looks. The Olive Press has found numerous alarming and easily accessible Instagram pages dedicated to self-harming. Graphic images of deep wounds bleeding into sinks, hundreds of scars brandishing a girl’s wrist and piles of razor blades are just some of the shocking pictures discovered during the investigation. A pro-anorexia site promotes itself as a ‘diet and lifestyle programme for beginners’ and even offers the option to subscribe. It also sends tips on how to suppress hunger, gives recommendations of dangerous diet pills and even gives advice on how to hide vomit. It’s incredibly harrowing and sad reading.

mother

An NSPCC spokesperson told the Olive Press that social media platforms such as Instagram should filter out content which breaks its own rules. “Young people on Instagram should never be exposed to this kind of harmful and distressing content. “We know from contacts to our Childline that many children are being driven to self-harm as a way of dealing with the pressures and demands of modern-day life,” she adds. Recently the NSPCC launched its ‘Wild West Web’ campaign to call for stricter regulations on social media networks and bring in a law to fine sites which are not adequately safeguarded. Following the campaign, the British government announced safety laws will be brought in to keep children safe on social media and prevent dangers such as online grooming. “It’s vital that the Government holds its nerve and commits to an independent regulator with the powers to hold social networks to account,” adds the spokesper- “If you tell your fans to be thinner, you don’t care about them or their mental health or self worth.” son. But for Dr Hallin Activist Jamil (above) has been particularly these terrifying pag- vocal about her own teenage eating disorder es are not a cause where she ‘didn’t eat a meal for three years’ but an effect of men- and slammed the media for the ‘weapon’ that is airbrushing. tal health problems. “Usually a person has In a bid to fight back, Jamil has launched the already thought about positive campaign ‘i weigh’, which encourages suicide or self-harming be- social media users to post images of themfore visiting these pages. They’re selves including words which celebrate their skills, talents, personality traits, differences and there if you go looking for them. “For example there aren’t more people cooking disabilities - something which has gained much now we have the internet. But the problem is media attention and public participation. that now we have instructions online with hun- Given all of this heavy information, undoubteddreds of recipes available, showing you how to ly it makes sobering reading, but there is a lot parents can do to look for signs of depression in do it in an easier way.” The Olive Press has reported the shocking find- their children and safeguard their online activity. ings to Instagram, although as we went to press But the best piece of advice all experts offer is to talk more. we had received no comment. The social media argument is somewhat of a Costa del Sol Darkness Into Light mental health campaigner Michael O’Halloran advises teens two-pronged attack. With more proximity to celebrities than ever be- to act when they notice a school friend is acting fore, it can be easy for impressionable teens to out of character. believe that re-touched images and collagen-in- “Do not walk away and think he/she is weird. Stop. Ask the question, ‘are you okay?’,” the jected lips are the norm. They are more dangerous than magazine photo expat tells the Olive Press, “sometimes that’s shoots because these images are uploaded in all that is needed to get the person in distress real-time from a mobile phone, giving the im- talking.” pression this is really their ‘perfect’ lifestyle and There are countless organisations making an impact in the UK and Spain offering great supthat person looks flawless in real life. Recently British TV pre- port. A group, Teen Talk, is set to support young senter Jameela Jamil, people across the Costa del Sol with hopes of waged war on celebri- creating new youth hubs, a helpline and comty-endorsed products munity events from the new year. which claim to aid weight Global movement Darkness Into Light on the Dr Hallin’s advice for parents to spot signs in children: loss, such as the famous Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca promote suicide awareness and self-harm prevention through Flat Tummy Tea. • The moment your child mentions killing him or herself, Social media feeds are fundraisers and walks. even if it is calling for attention, it’s not normal - take plagued with images The more we start to discuss and accept mental them to see a medical professional. of stunning celebrities health, the more we will break down stigmas. • Every child is different but irritability, teariness, lack of flaunting their toned abs Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. appetite, insomnia and being withdrawn are warning crediting the ‘teatox’ for signs. Anyone struggling with the issues raised in this their enviable figures. • Even if the child does not want to talk to a profession“Give us the discount article can contact the following numbers: al, parents should see a psychiatrist alone to find out codes to your nutrition- Samaritans in Spain: 900 525 100 whether there is a more serious problem. ists, personal chefs, per- Ayuda a ninos y adolescentes en Riesgo (ANAR): • If you’re ever in doubt, always seek help. If they can’t sonal trainers, airbrush- 900 202 010 talk to you find someone else they may trust. International Bipolar Foundation, Suicide Hoers and plastic surgeons • Ask them if they are okay and create a comfortable space you bloody liars,” tweet- tline Spain: 914 590 050 for them to talk. Telefono de la esperanza: 717 003 717 ed Jamil. Mind UK: +34 (0)300 123 3393

THE Olive Press’ original and in-depth reporting has sent us into the stratosphere. After receiving over ONE million unique visitors over the last two months, we have climbed an incredible 75,000 places globally. According to Alexa.com we are - by far - the highest ranked English newspaper in Spain, sitting at 200,007th place in the world out of over a billion websites. Our amazing year leaves us far higher than any of our rivals, including Euro Weekly News (EWN), which ranks at just 232,000, and Sur in English at 416,000, despite both being in business for many years longer. This might have something to do with a massive 707 important global sites linking in to our stories, including the BBC, Fox News and the Daily Mail, compared to just 402 for the EWN. What’s more our readers - who average around 10,000 unique visitors a day - come from a healthy split between Spain, the UK, America and the Scandinavian countries. We are also in the top 10,000 most popular websites in Spain, sitting at an incredible 9,079th place out of more than 2 million websites in Spain, last week. Our readers spend an average of 2.21 minutes on the site and read two stories. Alexa.com is owned by Amazon.com and ranks the most visited websites globally by analysing traffic statistics. Just two years ago the Olive Press print edition was voted best expat newspaper in Spain and second best in the world, after a worldwide poll of 27,000 expats by The Expat Survey Consumer Awards (TESCA).

2 3

- One punch killer British tourist arrested in

Spain for killing pensioner on Costa del Sol

(10,157)

- British icon Rod Stewart set to perform on

Olive Press Crossword 2/8/18 17:01

TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd 1

Address, C/ Juan de Mena 18, Polígino industrial, Estepona. OPEN Weekdays 9:30-19:00 Saturdays 10:00-15:00

LAMINATE FLOORING WOOD FLOORING VINYL FLOORING ARTIFICIAL GRASS FITTED CARPET

11 12 14

19 20

Answers on page 30

Pearl Luxury Rugs

RUGS BBQ’S GARDEN LIVINGROOM DINING ROOM BEDROOM KITCHEN DECORATIONS AND MUCH MORE !

New

SEEING THE SIGNS

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

Spain’s Costa del Sol (8,103)

- MURDER MILE: Nationality of Marbella shooting victim revealed as murder rate surges

(6,706)

- Rise of the right in Andalucia could make life more difficult for British expats, expert warns

(4,378)

- ROCKY ROAD: Drivers narrowly avoid fa-

lling 5-tonne boulder in Andalucia (10,215)

Visitors: 130,886 Page views: 202,281

Across 1 South North American republic (6) 5 Warning (3-3) 8 Version still being developed (4) 9 Boss (8) 10 Packages (7) 11 Literary work (4) 13 Donkey (5,2,6) 16 Close (4) 17 Commander in chief of a fleet (7) 20 Parasol (8) 21 Wicked (4) 22 Gorge (6) 23 Loftier (6) Down 2 Lift up (7) 3 Hebrew patriarch (5) 4 Fail to notice (8) 5 Class (4) 6 Flourish (7) 7 Eats (5) 12 Submissive to authority (8) 14 Soft and moist (7) 15 Scrutinise (7) 16 Sweatbox (5) 18 Standard of perfection (5) 19 Futile (4)

 

Or you need...

Good news Mobility problems

•

• Pain

/ Breathlessness

• Falls

/ Stumbles

Ronaldo

However, Garcia made it clear that they will have ‘three stars for the rest of our lives’ and asked the team for the ‘utmost respect for Michelin’ as they owe their careers to the organisation.

“Achieving this dream, I will take my vision of Andalucian gastronomy to every corner and every audience in the world,” the father-of-two wrote on Instagram. SHE has be The chef has always been nearly a dec somewhat of a visionary, haBut Columb ving achieved his first star in ties, who acc Ronda at the age of 25 - the The Singer, 4 youngest in Spain at the time. is facing tax The closure will come as a between 201 blow to the many famous Prosecutors faces who have eaten at his days in the c restaurant over the last few would be con years, including Cristiano of her global Ronaldo and Jean ChristoShakira’s law phe Novelli. 183 days of th

Kim Clark Benefits Consultancy If you suffer from...

•

Help with

washing /dressing

• Supervision



You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain



Aliona Newman, Granada

Penny Miller, Nerja

FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATIO N call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

Coulton Berkinshaw, Granada

Home for Christmas A BRITISH expat is set to be reunited with her husband for Christmas after he mysteriously vanished from the Costa del

medium - physic MULTI DIMENSIONAL MEDIUM

Get a grip!

1987 but I’ve been a Holistic Practitioner since my whole have been around alternative therapies with life. I work holographically and dimensionally in the my clients. I have over 30 years experience paranormal and course development. articles I have published two books and written for online magazines.

No other country would tolerate such insolence; shoot the drones down and stop twitting around UK...grow a pair and make us feel safe again!

- Quantum Psychic Readings - Clairvoyance - Tarot Guidance Healing - Spiritual Development - Soul - Spirit Release Aura Clearing - Paranormal Assistance Mediumship Planetary Healing - Sound Therapy Therapy Implant Removal - ET Assistance - EFT Chakra Removal Soul Readings - Holistic Therapist Imprints, or Religious Reiki, i.e Symbol Removal Magnetic Therapy, Body Scanning.

Sue Allder, Malaga

Murky lurky

SPAIN has been blasted after its navy shadowed a Royal Navy nuclear submarine as it left Gibraltar on a secret mission. A Spanish ship breached maritime regulations by following HMS Talent as it left the Rock at the weekend. According to Royal Navy sources, a British frigate had to be scrambled and sent to steer the Spanish ship away from the sub. The incident has been labelled as a ‘clear sabre rattling exercise by Madrid’ over the Gibraltar dispute. It comes just two weeks after the UK filed a complaint with Spain when a warship ‘illegally’ entered British waters blaring the national anthem.

Monkeys

Spain’s inflammatory wargames were shared in an online video and applauded by Spanish Vice-President of the European Parliament, Ramón Luis Valcárcel. his departure HAPPY: Aysla and Donald before The Brussels MEP labelled Gibralferry port before eventarians ‘laughing monkeys’ in an coast to Barcelona, crossed the contacting his family tually explosive Twitter thread, which he then the border into France in the UK. swiftly deleted. took the ferry from Calais. with them now and is “He “Strong applause for the patrol at days of couple a “He spent hopefully we as a family can boat ‘Infanta Elena’ who today sairesolve this.” led past the Rock playing her natioAysla thanked the Olive nal anthem at full volume.” Press and all the other expat British Ambassador Simon Manhad groups on the coast who ley confirmed he was set to send a aided her desperate search. formal complaint ‘in the next few and help your “Thanks for days.’ thanks to everyone for your “As we always do, we will send in am I concerns. and wishes the next few days a diplomatic just so happy he is safe,” she complaint about the incursion of added. the ship in those waters,” he said. Fitzpatrick has revealed THE dad of missing expat teen Amy by a torrent of online abuhow the family have been targeted se. emails from a The family have received 300 threatening after US the in living been sick troll, who claimed Amy has Costa del Sol. EXCLUSIVE she went missing in 2008 from the already sent 37 emails THE International Monetary has hater By Heather Galloway The anonymous online Fund has warned Spain that Amy, who vanished from this month and also claimed that to France. ongoing hikes in property to just 2%. Mijas when she was 15, had been “This person has been prices could create another in Barcelona this is because Amy’s dad Christopher revealed: he seems to be obsessed ‘bubble’ if the approach to “We believe of the political instability in making all sorts of allegations and credit is relaxed. but also becauwith the case. The IMF claims a ‘slight Barcelona is usually the over-valuation’ has been de- se Barcelona he told the Olitected and that authorities trend-setter” Heartbreak despite ve Press. ‘vigilant’ be to need us giving just is but this where prices first “I don’t know why they’re doing it trauma and heartbreak there not yet being clear evi- “It was false hope, it’s only adding to the dence of a significant devia- rose.” Besides offering advice on we have endured all these years.” killed by his ex-wife Aution from credit rules. the IMF report also reChristopher’s son Dean, 23, was According to a spokesman credit, forward 2013. moving in drey’s partner Dave Mahon from Idealista, the price commended throat cancer in prison construction scheMahon, who was diagnosed with run into his knife during index between 2017 and with new order to bring properearlier this year claimed Dean had suicide’. 2018 has risen in Madrid by mes in down. a heated argument in an ‘attempted Persons Day, Christoaround 18% but has dropped ty prices Speaking at the sixth annual Missingmore support for famiSee Don’t Fret, on page 44 pher added: “All I am asking for ishell.” lies because they are all in a living

Missing Amy Dad - Please support us!

Bubble warning

I think I’ll probably encourage my daughter to do it when she’s been here for 10 years (British applications for Spanish citizenship soar 232% as Theresa May faces no-confidence vote, issue 307). For her it’s well worthwhile. She can study and work in Europe hassle free then. Featured in:

BBC Coventry, The Sun newspaper, Chat Magazine, Talk Radio Spain and Meridian Radio.

Julie Frank, Malaga

Harley Dave, Malaga

Hold fire

December 19th - January 3rd 2019

Expat family to be reunited after desperate two-week search ends in good news

Sol for almost two weeks. Aysla Wright was fearing the worst when hubby Donald Wright, 59, disappeared from Fuengirola on December 3. Aysla thought she would be spending the festive period alone after Donald, who told her he was nipping to the bank, failed to return, despite leaving behind his phone. After being put through a hellish two weeks, in which the Olive Press made two online appeals, Aysla was relieved to discover that her husband had shown up in the UK. “I am very relieved,” she revealed. “I’m going over on Sunday for a week so hopefully we can resolve his issues.” Aysla revealed that Donald had simply got in his car and ‘just kept driving’. “He worked his way up the

Why not?

I offer the following services:

CONTACT tel: 603 347 608 www.paulawratten.com

The military should have been alerted immediately there was an identified object flying on that airfield and not left to the local Police which is what happened. There should be a security system in place!



    

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

Running scared

Be prepared The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

will close his Marbella restaurant next year. The decision to shut his seminal eaterie just 22 days after winning the third star has rocked the global gastronomy scene. After taking over 20 years to

Myself and my two kids landed in Liverpool instead of Gatwick - flying from Malaga - at 11pm (we live in Windsor). After two hours waiting on board we were told to either wait for coaches to take us to Gatwick or make our own way (and be reimbursed later). Ended up sharing an Uber with a lovely lady but did not get home until 6am… nightmare!

olive press online

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

TRAGIC: Friends of Richard leave flowers below a message from his

RESERVATIONS: 971 283 410 Puerto Portals 76-78, 07181 Portals Nous

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

NSPCC Social media guide NSPCC tips for safeguarding children on social media:

DANI Garcia has thrown in the towel, less than a month since achieving every chef’s dream of winning three Michelin Stars. Spain’s most recent arrival to the world’s premier division of cooks has announced he

Darcy Tuscano

A TRANSGENDER model has appeared in the final of Miss Universe. Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, 27, from tory in Thailand, but failed to make Sevilla, made histhe top 20 in the final. "My hope is to be able to live in a world of equality for everyone, simply for us all to understand that we are human," she said. Ponce received a standing ovation down the catwalk proudly raisingas she walked Spain sash, with one hand over her her Miss Host Ashley Graham said: "She’s heart. Driven. Beautiful. But her path smart. has been anything but ordinary. And nothing short of extraordinary.” Miss Philippines Catriona Gray took home the Miss Universe crown.

I made it as far as Malaga airport, turned around and came home again. When they closed Gatwick, all other flights booked out pretty quickly. Today was my daughter's birthday. Sorry kids... hope to see you next year.

page

at night

es plans to shut

The 49-year-old, donning a plunging sequin mini dress, teamed with knee-high boots, was enjoying a night out at the end of her festive tour. The five-times Grammy-winning star has toured during the Christmas period for the last five years, ending this year in the Spanish capital.

NINE out of 10 female runners feel unsafe when out jogging alone in Spain. Women in Spain mostly choose to run in busy areas during daylight hours, according to the magazine Runners’ World. Some 28% of female runners claim to have been verbally abused or threatened in some way while out training.

shivering the Pyrenees and they’re of Spain’s WHILE it’s foggy in the sun near the top in the Alps, I’m taking still resecond highest mountain. and yet the Sierra Nevada It’s early December the day. Some people are skiing in mains warm during is looking tanned. and a t-shirts and everyone of a croissant, apple is at a that Even better, my elevenses than €10 euros... and Coke come to less up the slopes! kilomerestaurant halfway not the number of EOE ski of “Here we sell the weather, Luis Hernandez, boss tres,” explains Juan have hardly gone up for years.” the beaschool. “And the prices just over an hour from the celebrated On top of that you are and half an hour to ches of Almunecar to beat. Alhambra. That is hard in the Sierra Nevada though What is certainly changing move forward. is the dedication to coming for 15 years... and this is Believe me, I’ve beenof the Olive Press’ special supplethe 10th anniversary ment on the resort. pistes are added every year and so heavily New kilometres of fortune - it snowed this year - by amazing opened a week earlier than in November, the resort40,000 skiers enjoying the Deexpected, with a record

A new lighthouse

SANTA came early for a group of Madrilenos when their night out was interrupted by a live performance from singer Mariah Carey. The RnB diva wowed punters in the Madrid bar starting a singalong of her famous smash hit, All I Want For Christmas Is You.

win the world’s highest culinary accolade, he will close the doors of his Puente Romano hotel joint at the end of 2019. It comes after Garcia, 42, won the highly-coveted third star on November 21 in Lisbon. The Marbella-born chef announced the shock news on Instagram this week, with a video of a team meeting in which he reveals there will only be 314 days left in business. He explained that he was closing in a bid to focus on his next challenge of making the world fall in love with Andalucian cuisine. “What is life without a dream ahead?” the chef questions his staff in the video. “Now we will chase another dream, to conquer the world in reverse, inverting the pyramid. I’m sorry to do this but we are not only haute cuisine - we are chefs.”

No one knows the difficulties another person is experiencing (FOUND: Costa del Sol British expat missing for nearly two weeks found safe in UK, issue 307). It’s just good to know he is safe and well and his partner can stop worrying.

Xmas ruined

returns Jon Clarke (right) in for his 15th seasontop southern Europe’s skiing resort

LIGHTING THE WAY:

This is fantastic news! (Spain’s Angela Ponce is Thro wn first transgender contestant at Miss Universe final, issue in th e Carey carol to go Andalucia! 307). Way tow el woThis beautiful Spanish Just 22 days after winning a third Michelin star Dani man is extraordinary. Garcia announc

Total nightmare

In reference to your in-depth feature Let's Talk Mental Health last month, let me congratulate you for the fantastic investigative work that you and your team are doing. It is a pleasure to read the Olive Press and I really appreciate all the research and information you disclose. One thing, I would say, there is quite a lot more to the death of that teenager Richard, much of which cannot be divulged, and I suspect you know most of it. All in all then, thanks for being so sensitive to the parents and the school.

The owner of the rental property - a 62-year-old Moroccan-Gibraltari an - has still not been arrested in connection to the stash. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged last year with the possession of cocaine coming into Gibraltar with intent to supply. The case was later dropped. Chichester MP Gillian Keegan has been demanding answers since the Olive Press brought the story to her in September. Our story was followed up in the Mirror, the Sunday People and the Metro in September. Mansfield-Hewitt’s lawyer is set to appeal for bail for a third time in the coming weeks.

In Mallorca Issue 44 19www. ll about

week

Fantastic work!

Will drones replace Santa?

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

of the

restored some credibility to the narchy following the abdication moelephant-shooting father, Juan of his Carlos I in 2014. However, his popularity took a dive following his blistering attack on the Catalan independence movement last In Catalunya, some 64% of peopleyear. are pro-republic. The Spanish royals are at least still popular with Queen Letizia frequently lauded in the media for her fashionable and youthful appearance. In the UK, nearly 80% of the country remained in favour of a monarchy in a recent poll.

Lead the way

Readers react to London Gatwick Airport being closed for over 24 hours by a drone and ruining expats’ Christmas plans

+34 958 481 170 +34 675 470 669 www.alquileressierranevada.es

December 19th- January 3rd 2019

Jon Clarke (right) returns for his 15th season in southern Europe’s top skiing resort

HALF of Spain would like to see the end of the monarchy. A YouGov poll found that 48% of Spaniards favour a republic compared to just 35% who want to keep the royal family. The shock news comes as Spain brated 40 years of its constitutionceleand constitutes a drop of 27% on a similar poll taken in 2010. According to the poll, a worrying 59% of 18 to 24-year olds would like to see a republic. The majority questioned would also like to see a vote on the future of the monarchy. King Felipe VI had initially

DRONE DRAMA

COSTA DEL SKI WHILE it’s foggy in the Pyrenees and they’re shivering in the Alps, I’m taking the sun near the top of Spain’s second highest mountain. It’s early December and yet the Sierra Nevada still remains warm during the day. Some people are skiing in t-shirts and everyone is looking tanned. Even better, my elevenses of a croissant, apple and a Coke come to less than €10 euros... and that is at a restaurant halfway up the slopes! “Here we sell the weather, not the number of kilometres,” explains Juan Luis Hernandez, boss of EOE ski school. “And the prices have hardly gone up for years.” On top of that you are just over an hour from the beaches of Almunecar and half an hour to the celebrated Alhambra. That is hard to beat. What is certainly changing in the Sierra Nevada though is the dedication to move forward. Believe me, I’ve been coming for 15 years... and this is the 10th anniversary of the Olive Press’ special supplement on the resort. New kilometres of pistes are added every year and this year - by amazing fortune - it snowed so heavily in November, the resort opened a week earlier than expected, with a record 40,000 skiers enjoying the De-

Dece

Off with their heads

Get in the spirit of the festive season with our 10th anniversary Sierra Nevada special inside AXARQUIA 19www.ll about theolive-ll about the olive press - October 30 - November 12 2014

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

In Gibraltar Issue 86 LIGHTING THE WAY: A new lighthouse on the kids play park area and (main pic) the slopes lit up at night

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Seen it before

The problem is that if police try and shoot them down and miss the bullet has to come back down and could kill someone and they will have no idea www.the where it comes down. olivepress.es Shooting them down is not the answer, finding the pricks who are risking lives by flying them for fun is what they Flock off need to do and put them away for at least 10 years.

This is Horchata and is a traditional Spanish drink (Why a ‘new’ BriDecemberhas 19th - January 3rd 2019 45 tish vegan milk 45 December 19th - January 3rd 2019 outraged Spain, Milk ing it issue 307). I believe it originates from the Valencia region but when I was in Barcelona or Sitges in 1960s I used to drink it all the time.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

AN Andalucian city has pledged to banish 5,000 pigeons amid complaints from restaurant and hotel owners that they’re driving away tourists. Cadiz is set to remove thousands of its feathered foes after Horeca, a federation of hoteliers in the city, claimed the city centre was overrun with the birds. The group slammed the issue as ‘intolerable’ having lost 20% of its business due to the pigeons, which steal food from customers and leave ‘excrement’ everywhere. Horeca, which first brought up the issue two years ago, said the pigeons could lead to health problems, with waiters constantly cleaning up faeces near customers when they are eating. Some 5,000 birds will be rounded up and relocated to the Valencia town of Riba-Roja de Turia next year.

Lowering the bar

Could it be last orders for Spain’s traditional watering holes

Stephen Snell, London

Conspiracy

SPAIN’S bar culture could be in danger as hundreds of owners call time on their businesses every year, new figures have revealed. Affectionately known as the ‘land of bars’, the country is famed for its independent watering holes but experts fear the culture is under threat. Since 2010, Spain has lost a UNDER THREAT: Thousands of traditional bars have shut staggering 18,269 bars - a trend since 2010 which many believe will conti- dustry as a whole has grown, ment as more than 1.5 million with 5,000 new restaurants and number of bars dropped for nue next year. Spaniards work in the sector. the seventh year in a row, with Despite this, the hospitality in- hotels opening in 2017. This is good news for employ- According to the Spanish Hos- a total of 184,430 across the pitality Federation, in 2017 the country. The industry has blamed not only the recession but also recent demographic changes such as an aging population and the A TOP Andalucia catering college rural exodus movement. has finally reopened its restau- available for €20 and the tasting Federation secretary general rant to the public to an avalanche menu is priced at €50. Emilio Gallego believes the The school is set in a stunning of over 300 bookings. changing property market led La Consula, in Malaga - whe- villa surrounded by gardens that to a reshuffle of city dwellers. re three Michelin-starred chef was an old holiday haunt of wri“The new neighbourhoods atDani Garcia trained – took half ter Ernest Hemingway. tracted more people and buof those reservations in the first The restaurant was much-loved sinesses moved there, while 48 hours of its website going live. by Spanish and expat foodies alitraditional bars in areas with Some 145 students train at the ke for its affordable fine dining aging populations shut down,” academy, while second year stu- but the school closed down in he added. dents create and prepare the 2013 due to the financial crisis. Experts believe the rapid inmenu for diners in the 40-seater La Consula and La Fonda, in BeBACK TO WORK: Malaga school crease in chains has also played nalmadena, will be open to restaurant. The regular menu is the a significant role in the decline public until June 6, 2019. of independent bars.

I find it hard to believe that one one drone or even two could cause so much disruption, I think this was orchestrated by the government as a distraction.

Brian Milner, La Consula come-back

Peter Johnson, Zujar 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

Malaga

Perfect...

DIOS mio but the Brits have been winding up Spanish foodies yet again. Just two weeks ago, Morrisons’ cheesy churros became a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. A flurry of Spaniards took to Twitter to slam the Christmas treat as ‘blasphemous’, begging the UK to ‘take Gibraltar instead’. And now, it has happened again. This time it’s a ‘new vegan milk’ - horchata in Spain made with tiger nuts that’s got everyone roaring with rage. Tiger mylk, created in Bristol, is made with tiger nuts, split peas, sunflower oil, calcium carbonate and sunflower lecithin. Social media site, NowThis describes the milk as an ‘African tradition’ which is delivered to London front doors in reusable glass bottles. Although the video does make reference to the centuries-old Valencian drink, and has additional ingredients, it hasn’t stopped Spaniards from expressing their outrage. “Attention, attention!!! The Brits have discovered horchata. Vegan milk with ‘tiger nuts’ they say. ‘African tradition’ they say. Yes,” tweeted one furious Twitter user.

Now i can have something to wash down my paella sandwich.

Felicia Ang, Marbella

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

16 16

A YEAR AT THE

www.theolivepress.es 24 HOUR LOCKSMITHS & SAFE ENGINEER

SECURITY OF SPAIN

• English Speaking - 30 years experience • Emergency Callout Service 24/7

Your Security Is Our Concern! Fully registered and insured

Property

Tel: 0034 952 753 527

628 339 634 Geoff Guichard www.expressionspropertyservices.com All aspects of property maintenance and care of guests catered for.

LAVADO AUTOWASH ECOLOGICO Protege el tapizado y la carroceria Esteriliza superficies No daña la pinture Limieza libre de quimicos Limpieza de alfombras Recogida y entrega de vehiculo

FROM MANY OF OUR YOUR 2018 WALL PLANN ERESS.ES DON’T FORGE T TO PICK UPEMAIL ADMIN @THEO LIVEPR DISTRI BUTION POINTS OR BEST

expat paper in Spain January 4th - January 16th 2018 Vol. 12 Issue 282 www.theolivepress.es

FREE

4 See page xx

686 793 330

674 513 120

by Mercadona, Sabinillas Tel: +34 952 897 477

www.curtainandbedding.com FREE Consultation and

Measuring Service

C&B Co

from Calahonda to Gibraltar (inc inland areas) Curtain and Bedding

Mercadona

KM 144.5

Calle Bolivia

to Sotogrande Duquesa

to Estepona Sabinillas

Bespoke: Blinds, Rollers, Romans, Venetians, & Curtains

We service domestic, industrial and commercial customers of all nationalities along the coast and inland. NO CALL OUT CHARGE. We operate a fixed hourly rate. DISCOUNTS for Urbanisations, Administrators,

ESTEPONA

Luxury kennels and cattery situated in beautiful countryside with views towards the sea. Located 1.7kms inland from the coast road (N-340) and 1km east of Estepona. Viewings most welcome.

Bookings taken by phone only Tel: +34 952 790 943 www.stefanieskennels.com

Vol. 11 Issue 279 www.theolivepress.es

Urgent action needed

November 22nd - December

SEE PULLOUT

www.oaklandfurniturespain.com

Fuengirola

952 581 561

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

de Alcantara, Marbella Maria, 29670, San Pedro SHOWROOM: Calle St above GM Cash & Carry) Dia Supermarket and Malaga (next to Maxi Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com

• Pet • Home • Car • Health • Business • Travel • Marine • Holiday home

BEST

FREE

Vol. 11 Issue 276 www.theolivepress.es October 11th - Ocotber 24th

Continues on Page

Page 2

Stitch-up Eco-warrior claims expat

BACK FROM BRINK

‘mafia developers’ planted

Continues on Page 7

CONFLICT: Galle wants to develop, while Clavero is opposed

week: “It was a complete up and like third world stitch countries where drug traffickers reign. “It is inconceivable developers

can use these mafia methods to frame environmentalists. “I have never been involved with drugs and the judge agreed.”

EXCLUSIVE

Expats lose €20 million in life savings through failed investment scheme SEE PAGE 4

www.oaklandfurniturespain.com For all your insurance needs! Estepona

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com

Fuengirola

952 581 561

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

SHOWROOM: Calle St Maria, 29670, San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella Malaga (next to Maxi Dia Supermarket and above GM Cash & Carry) Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com

• Car • Home • Pet • Business • Health • Marine • Travel • Holiday home

www.ibexinsure.com www.eliteglasscurtains.com

50%

the land for €11 million a San Roque developer from believed to be launching and is an market hunting business upWhen Clavero returned there. car Guardia Civil officersto his waiting, pulling out a bag were taining the drugs after a consearch of the vehicle. He was taken to Ubrique station where he was keptpolice overnight. “We are certain that there Clavero has been involved connection to the closureis a of a series of protests against in public paths in this stitch-up,” the blocking of footpaths he said. and a He added that his group development in the celebrated Sierra de Grazalema natural now identified the name had and address of the person responPark, between Grazalema and sible for planting the drugs. Ronda. “It has been given to police On the morning of his arrest on the courts, but let’s see and August 26, he had taken part in what a protest against the estate, happens next. by Jerez-based company run “I am not aware Marnix del Agua Investments SL,Breña has anything to do with Galle the village of Benamahoma.near but he should investigate this, The company is owned by actions of his employees the and gian tycoon Marnix Galle, Belclarify what they are is said to be building a who against those who defenddoing huge 800-metre-square mansion of way on public roads.” right on the land. In his court case, last month, Galle, one of Belgium’s the judge at Ubrique richest property developers, purchased ruled that Clavero was thecourt vic-

oN all varifocal lENSES

tel: 952 893 970 / 677 129 727 info@hewitt-hewitt.com www.hewitt-hewitt.com

SEP

OCT

DEC

NOV

2016

1 1

18 19

15 Fathers Day

28 29

30 31

16 17

SAT

Maundy Thursday Good Friday

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

28 29

MON

TUES

3 1

5 1

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

THUR

All Saints Day

Get your wine, delicacies and lottery tickets all in one location

Hispanic Day

WED

THUR

LA MAR DE VINOS Calle Bolivia 1, 29692 Sabinillas (Manilva) Malaga lamardevinos@yahoo.es

SAT SUN MON TUES WED Constitution Day

952 893 694 or 656 257 153

THUR FRI

Immaculate Conception

SAT SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT SUN MON

Christmas Day

Christmas Holiday

TUES

tel: 635 592 777 email:info@deep6underwater.com www.deep6underwater.com

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

BISHOP’S MOVE

Find what you need in an idyllic place in Manilva, attended by professionals where tradition and modernity becomes synonymous.

FRI

TUES

Official Euromillions representative

WED

2 Mothers Day

SUN

Andalucia Day

FRI

MON

Labour Day

2 1

THUR

January

Whether you are starting a new business or simply wanting to refresh or promote your brand we have the expertise to help.

Continues on Page 9

BLINDS & CURTAINS tel: 688 267 101 www.artedellusso.es

See our ad inside for details.

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 11 October

AUG

JULY

JUNE

SALE

See our adverts inside

www.theolivepress.es - 951 273 575

MAY

cocaine in his car

EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan SPAIN and the EU breathed a sigh of relief as Catalan’s leader A LEADING ecologist failed to declare independence blamed ‘mafia methods’ has in a critical parliament speech drugs were planted in his after last night. car to stop him protesting against Instead, Carles Puigdemont the blocking of footpaths. reiterated the region’s right Juan Clavero, a regional break from Spain following to organiser of green group Ecologistas month’s referendum, when this 90% en Accion, believes expat-linked of 2.4 million Catalans voted developers could be behind to leave. the seizure of 47 grams of cocaine Switching between Catalan and found under a car seat. Spanish, Puigdemont offered Clavero, who was arrested an olive branch, proposing charged over the offence, and logue with Madrid after ten diadays now been found innocent has of mounting tension. a judge dismissed the case.after “We propose to suspend He told the Olive Press dependence declaration inthe inthis to work towards puttingorder practice the result of the into referendum. “We are making a gesture of HUNDREDS of Brits responsibility in favour of diain Spain are demandlogue.” ing action after losing He added: “The ballots say up to £20 million in a to independence this is the Yes will failed pension investthat I want to go forward ment scheme. Pension “I want to follow people’s with. will for boss Darren Kirby has Catalonia to become an indefled to Australia, leavpendent state.” ing a string of allegaHe also called for internationtions in his wake.

BLINDS & CURTAINS tel: 688 267 101 www.artedellusso.es

HURRY!

ends 3rd deCeMBeR

for details.

x 40mm OLIVE PRESS – 70mm 22 November FRONT COVER

APR

New Year

Epiphany

Logos to Leaflets Posters to Packaging Adverts to Menus Brochures to Banners Business Cards Let us solve it for you !

info@simply-shuttles.com Tel: 951 279 117 www.simply-shuttles.com

More areas hit by serial dog killers

BACKING DOWN: Carles

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

See our ad inside

2017

Pet poisoners

by 2100

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

SALE oN all varifocal lENSES

Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

Voted

See page 4 xx

almost uninhabitable

50%

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

www.ibexinsure.com

expat paper in Spain

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

info@simply-shuttles.com

Tel: 951 279 117 www.simply-shuttles.com

5th 2017

as Andalucia to be

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

of desertification 70% of Spain in danger in summer Madrid to be 8C hotter under a metre of water Malaga and Cadiz

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com

MAR

FEB

2018 Calendar

Plus our exclusive chat with Eric Knowles over for the 50 plus expo next week

Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

expat paper in Spain FREE

HEADS IN THE SAND For all your insurance needs! Estepona

Local Councils and Water Authorities

Tel: 952 897 516 mob: 674 632 344 email: pipetekbill@gmail.com

KENNELS AND CATTERY

SEE MORE IN

BEST

2 See page xx

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

tel: 952 892 097 – info@costamanilva.com

JAN

thecurtainandbeddingco@hotmail.com

DRAIN CARE & REPAIR

WATER LEAK DETECTION, CCTV SURVEYING, HIGH PRESSURE WATER JETTING AND DRAIN RELINING

STEFANIE’S

BRING IT ON OUR PROPERTY MAGAZINE INSIDE

Voted

Mijas Costa

Tax advisors and Accounting services Non Residents | Vehicle transfers Spanish Car Registration | Assisting at the Notary

Av. Manilva 1 – Edificio Avenida, 1F – Sabinillas 29692 Manilva – Opposite Sabinillas Taxi Rank

2018

TUES

Fully Qualified, Insured and Legal Electrician

Removal & Storage

• Local & national moves • Secure storage facilities & packing materials • Comprehensive insurance services

For all your advertising needs contact the best team on the coast (+34) 951273575 or sales@theolivepress.es

Costa Del Sol +34 956 698154

Gibraltar office +350 200 445 00

www.electricianscostadelsol.com

Email: spain@bishopsmove.com

What have Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and Prince Harry got to do with southern Spain this week? Find out inside

Voted

Mijas Costa

desde/from

25€

Protects the lining and the body Sterilize surfaces Does not damage the bodywork Chemical free cleaning Carpet cleaning Collection delivery service available

C/Espinosa, Edificio Manisabi, Local 13 (frente a Las Brasas)

tel: 951 771 956

EST 1986

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

RECIO & MADRONA Gestoría

• FREE Home / Business Security Survey • Key Duplication, Car Keys, Remotes • Alarm Systems, Patio & Window Locks

The yea began o he g d o dozens o expa s who we e e w hou n e ne o weeks we exc us ve y evea ed E sewhe e B sh expa coup e Va e e and Pa ck Jubb ce eb a ed a a e and s unn ng w n n he Span sh cou s a e eve s ng a de mo on o de on he home hey had bough some 10 yea s be o e We ended he mon h w h an an ma gh s spec a e vea ng how expa K m Ha we p ev ous y accused o an ma m s ea men was wo y ng y se ng up shop aga n We backed up w h a spe c a on he beas y ad ons wh ch s shame Spa n

Happy New Year!

COSTA.indd 1 23/02/2017 11:31 679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_

HORROR: For Donald

Tragic end

A BRITISH rally champ has died after the plane he was piloting collided with a helicopter in Alicante. Milne Donald Scotsman (above) , an instrumental figure in the early success of rallying superstar Colin McRae, died on impact as a chopper struck down the plane he was piloting at the private Mutxamel airfield. The 65-year-old was, according to eyewitnesses, ten metres above the ground when his Bucker Biplane was brought down as the helicopter’s rotor clipped the wing. The father-of-two was immediately taken to Alicante General Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival and will be survived by his wife Fiona and sons Quintin, 37, and Freddie, 28. Milne started his career in the Aberdeen oil industry in the 1970s but got involved in rally driving in 1988. He gave McRae cars to drive in to hone his skills and McRae went on to be the youngest person to win the world title but tragically died in a helicopter crash as well in 2007.

The first sunset of 2018 taken in Malaga, sent in by Olive Press reader Martyn Wilkes

Net-mare!

it became clear they would EXCLUSIVE have no Internet over ChristBy Laurence Dollimore mas. they had been BRITISH expats are de- They claimed promised that the manding answers after be- repeatedly went down in ing left with no internet for service that would quickmore than four weeks over early December It was not. the Christmas and New Year ly be back. Lynda Woodin, 70, whose inperiod. is crucial to her Hundreds of angry custom- ternet access business, magazine of online offices the on ers decended made a ‘priority OliveNet in Marbella when said she wasearly December, concern’ in but she has still not been reSITE: Of fatal crash connected. AS? CHRISTM “It’s just not good enough,” STUCK FOR A PRESENT THIS she told the Olive Press, “I Vrun and I have a business to have just been passed around constantly. JEWELLERS | PAWNBROKERS | ANTIQUES “After visiting the head offices today I was told it would PARKING OPEN: 10AM-2PM MON TO SAT | EASY time I got the be sorted by .COM

Hundreds of punters protest after their internet vanishes over festive period

ANTHONY’S

TEL. 952 588 795 | 609 529 633 | WWW.ANTHON

ders. “They also said if I needed someone to come and fix something that I would be charged, it’s a disgrace!” Woodin was told again last night that it would be fixed, but within an hour of her internet coming back on it stopped working. OliveNet someone to mbeen yet. offered to send home, but it hasn’t her home in Marbella, but video to able been haven’t “I said it would cost 40 euros call family in Australia for per hour. weeks. outrageous,” added “It’s all but apology an for “I asked “Considering what shrug of the shoul- Woodin, I got was a m

www.oaklandfurniturespain.com

YS-DIAMONDS

50%

HELL AND BACK

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com

ON all VaRIFOCal leNses

de Alcantara, Marbella SHOWROOM: Calle St Maria, 29670, San Pedro GM Cash & Carry) Malaga (next to Maxi Dia Supermarket and above Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com

Fuengirola

952 581 561

we have been through they should be sending out repairmen free of charge.” Customers were reportedly sent a letter at the beginning of last month explaining that there would be some issues between December 5 and 11 but that everything would return to normal afterwards, but for most that hasn’t been the case. Another expat businessman claims he had a ‘nightmare’ Christmas period and was also given false promises that it would be fixed within 24 hours on several occasions. “I have no idea what is happening or what has gone wrong, but they are definitely hiding something from their customers,” he told the Olive Press. The restaurant owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said a protest could have erupted last week at the offices in San Pedro. “There must have been 200 people there wanting to know why they have no internet, it was utter chaos.” OliveNet were unable to comment before we went to press.

P ope

sale

For all your insurance needs! m Estepona

See our ad inside for details.

End o E A

Voted BEST

See page xx 8 A

www.theolivepress.es www.theolivepress.es ll about

February14th 15th -- February February 28th 2017 February 27th 2018

ll about Manilva, Sabinillas Manilva, Sabinillas and and Puerto de la Duquesa Duquesa

17 15

Vol. 11 Issue 259 Vol. 12 Issue 285

ONYveS y revea ed how seasoned NTHus WeAexc

OCEAN C@FÉ & BAR

Passion

B I S T R O

Seasoned conwoman Paula Neale ‘flees to France’ with cops in pursuit Estepona

Puerto de la Duquesa,

Banús

Marbella

Puerto Duquesa

www.barandcafegroup.com 0x40_MIJAS_COS 23/02/2017 11:31TA.indd 1 Sabinillas

Manilva’s laidback vibe is founded on fish and wine and that authentic flavour is still something to savour, writes Jed Neill

TS rock pools full of tiny darting fish recall British seaside holidays of old while fishing boats still compete with sunloungers for space on the beach. Manilva is quite unlike your average Costa resort. Even in swanky Duquesa marina, you sense the history of a town whose first health tourist was Julius Caesar. And when you tuck into the shellfish - Duquesa’s speciality - you realise the locals know something about fish. In Roman times, Manilva was to garum (a paste, like GenNATURAL WONDERS: Sights on Manilva’s beaches include a shopping line of drying squids, while (inset) kids play on one of the many rocky coves tleman’s Relish, that was all theoutside rage inofRome) Jerez TS hidden craggy coves fringed with wild grasses and flowers owe Indeed on many weekends July andwhat August, you can practisherry.and a good number have great more to Cornwall’s rugged coastline than Spain’s Costa del Sol. cally have the beaches is to to yourself… But these are the attractive protected natural beaches of Manilva, a chiringuitos to eat on. The town’s roots in fish saltstill you runfind deep - and place you to explore true haven for nature lovers. Worlds away from the heavily commerOn one beach at Punta ing Chullera, the perfect stillwhile seeatthe remains of of tourists cialised sands of nearby Mijas or Fuengirola, four kilometres of golden rock pools and dive into can the sea, another a handful playas areCATCH being kept wildDAY: as anAn ecological reserve. OF THE eel in the rocky Manilva shallows to the half dozen of unspoilt beaches, that lie below the main N340 sunbathe next to a group of squids drying on a line. Continues on Page 16 Endangered western snowy plovers, chameleons and rare species of coastal road. But the beaches are just one of the natural draws of Manilva, which is dune plants are among the flora and fauna in renaissance here since “These are some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol and some broadly split into three areas; beach-front Sabinillas, port-side Duquesa of the least known,” explains Bish Witkowski, owner of local Castles the conservation zone was created in 2011. Continues on next page BRUNOS Unsurprisingly, eagle-eyed tourists are also beginning to be drawn estate agency.

Vol. 12 Issue 285 www.theolivepr ess.es February 14th February

Puerto de la Duquesa

Puerto de la Duquesa,

February - February 28th 2017 February 14th15th - February 27th 2018

www.theolivepress.es www.theolivepress.es

Gone fishin’

OPEN E VE RY DAY

679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_4

Born to be wild

FREE

Chloe Glover discovers the raw natural beauty of the Costa del Sol’s wild west

Manilva magic CAR RENTAL .COM

RENT A CAR ®

Sabi_ink

JOYERIA

LOS PROFESIONALES DEL NEUMÁTICO

Contact Katie

FESTINA • LOTUS • ORQUIDEA VICEROY • LUXENTER • ORIENT

katie@breakingspain.com 616 686 732 951 273 696 www.breakingspain.com

conwoman Pau a Nea e f ed to France after runn ng a property renta scam here for more than four years We had been t pp ng off po ce to her ocat on but they ust m ssed her n G rona We a so revea ed how ch dren s char ty Ch d ne Anda uc a shut up shop after we d scovered t had not actua y set up a he p ne desp te operat ng for years

CLETO

Neumáticos Sabinillas

OFFERING TAILOR MADE EX-PAT SOLUTIONS

Our annual Manilva supplement PUERTO DUQUESA 29692 Manilva, Spain

Car Transfers / Registration to Spanish Plates NIE / Residencia

650 euros per year tel: +34 952 891 415 fax: +34 952 891 461

www.brunoscar.com Tel: 952176557 info@brunoscar.com

www.brunosparking.com info@brunosparking.com

Translations / Interpreting C/Bolivia, 6, Sabinillas Utility Phonecalls

much, much more! THE TYRE& PROFESSIONALS

tel: 952 892 766 mob: 628 265 562

Tattooist Rich Price M (+34) 604 207 149 E richprice66@hotmail.com

Plaza Vicente 9A Espinel en Sabinillas Manilva

Cafe & Grill Bar - Sabinillas

JEWELLERY WATCHES PRESENTS REPAIR SHOP

Calle Duquesa de Arcos, 47, Sabinillas Tel: 952 897 207 Email: joyeriacleto@hotmail.com

Page 15

Travel special

Publisher Jon Clarke’s postcard from Brazil

EXCLUSIVE By Jed Neill

DESIGN & QUALITY • GREAT VALUE

MÁLAGA - GIBRALTAR - DUQUESA

PARKING AT CENTRAL: C. Levante,AIRPORT Edif. Boquerón MALAGA

POLICE are in pursuit soned expat fraudster of seaNeale who has fled to Paula following an Olive PressFrance Detectives contacted probe. lowing a tip off that theus foler-of-two was staying inmotha hotel in Catalunya and preparing to cross the border this She had been staying week. at Hotel Figueres, near Girona, asked to pay for the room and ing her ‘husband’s’ credit usIt comes after four years card. vestigation by the Olive of inPress has uncovered more than 30 victims of her rental undertaken in various scams false names.

Page 36

the olive press - October

16 - October 29 2014

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

ANTHONY S

Top stamps

SPECIAL edition stamps of King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been launched by postal service Correos. Showing ficial photographs of ofRoyal duo, they can the be bought for €1.

Pensioner, 70, complains of discrimination after being ordered despite neighbours to take down extension, all having the same

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan

year legal battle with the hall after they served town with a demolition order her fined her €24,300 in and 2008 for building a loft extension

Boozy trips

ONE in seven youngsters coming to Spain on holiday have admitted that they are drunk on the plane, according to a survey by website Jetcost. com.

Big Willy

MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has told La Liga officials that he was approached by a match-fixing syndicate when playing for Malaga last year.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE:

Offer

March 2018

Issue 19

March 14th - March

SEE PAGE XIV >>

27th 2018

Don’t miss our regular 24-page Property magazine SEE INSIDE

We check out the glorious Costa Tropical SEE INSIDE

Vol. 12 Issue 287

www.theolivepress.es

Malware

David Baird takes a drive through the fabulous, little explored region of

properties RITISH demand for strong in Spain has remained surrounding despite uncertainty Brexit. showed a 7.6% The last quarter of 2017 a huge 19.8% inincrease in prices and crease in sales. on year sales Meanwhile foreign year purchases. rose by 20.4% to 15,266 three months of Foreign sales in last

here. Make sure to head into town to see the seafront monument that recalls Spain’s biggest naval disaster. It occurred in 1562 when 28 ships carrying provisions and the families of soldiers from Málaga to Orán on the African coast took refuge here from a storm. The wind turned, with extreme violence, trapping the fleet between two headlands, Cerro Gordo and Punta de la Mona. Altogether, an incredible 25 vessels sank leading to 5,000 people losing their lives.

the Costa Tropical

Moving along, we come to the other key resort of the Costa Tropical, Almuñecar. When Laurie Lee trekked across Spain in 1935 — vividly recorded in his book As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning — he came to a halt in ‘Castillo’, a village, ‘backed by a bandsaw of mountains and fronted by a strip of grey sand which some hoped would be an attraction for tourists’. Castillo was in fact Almuñecar. Lee changed the name to protect his friends. To-

phony property

uttles.com Mastermind info@simply-sh scammer on

British with 2,384 2017 were led by the and German sales, followed by French and 1,198 purchasnationals with 1,242 es respectively. was also This rise in British engagement a quarter-o

Continues on Page 28

Russia out

By Laurence Dollimore

IT’S the murder that has shocked a nation. An eight-year-old boy strangled to death and thrown down a well - with his evil expat stepmother now admitting to his murder. This week thousands of mourners queued up for hours to pay tribute to the coffin of the small boy Ga-

Goodbye little fish

Rapist caught

EVIL: Ana Quezada

briel Cruz - nicknamed Pescaito, or ‘Little fish’ after his love of the film Finding Nemo. They braved howling winds with his favourite and rain in Almeria to join decked Junta boss Susana Diaz toys. Minister Mariano and Home Secretary Juan Prime summed it up when Ignacio Zoido in offering Rajoy he shared ‘with all condolences to his devas- he said the pain for the tated parents Angel Cruz Spaniards loss of Gabriel’. and Patricia Ramirez. February 27, when The vast majority filed out It was had last been seen in tears after seeing the Gabriel his grandmother’s heartbreaking images of leavingin the tiny hamlet of his small white coffin be- home

2for1 glasses from 59€

including free Sun and uV tint on one pair See our ad inside for details

in sleepy Cabo de Gata, to play with his cousins just 100m away. His grandmother and Dominican stepmother Ana Julia Quezada were the last to see him alive, leading to a two-week search involving over 700 local volunteers. Extending over a 70km radius, the story had soon

For all your insurance needs! Estepona

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com

Fuengirola

gone viral on social media and made the front pages of most national newspapers. But few could have imagined the drama when this Sunday police suddenly ambushed the car of Ana Julia, to find his body in the boot. It emerged they had been watching her actions over Continues on Page 2

OUR PRICE

where??

ANTHONY’S

1,200€

CHASING CORRUPTION

late at night and deletes them the following morning. Analysing the conman’s messages, Marbella-based lawyer Antonio Flores, at Lawbird, told the Olive Press: “It is a scam.

Scammers

The way he writes, alternating formal and informal modes of addressing people and his choice of words tell me he is not a native Spanish speaker (like soltar dinero). “These scammers like to pass for engineers in other countries, I can’t recall how many times I’ve dealt with

‘engineers’ working in Germany, Holland and now, Denmark.” Director of The Finance Bureau, Tancrede de Pola, said a tell-tale sign is when the price seems too good to be true. “Scammers will present themselves as bona fide with a back-story about themselves and will make references to well-known organisations such as Airbnb in order to confer respectability,” he said. The web hosting company failed to comment in time for press.

TEL. 952 588 795

UK BASED

TRAVEL INSURANCE for Spanish residents

952 581 561

www.globelink.co.uk

• Pet • Home • Car • Health • Business • Travel • Marine • Holiday home

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

The money had been set aside to support struggling Andalucian businesses. Instead, Guerrero allegedly awarded fake grants to companies registered in the names of more than 100 of his family members, friends and fellow PSOE politicians. His driver, Juan Francisco Trujillo - nicknamed the ‘co-

to pick up the keys,” said the 55-year-old who has lived in Spain for 32 years. Since we discovered the first property, the scammer has advertised a number of similar luxury properties on Milanuncios for just €300 per month using different hotmail accounts. Interestingly, the scammer uploads the advertisements

page boasted a throng of five-star ratings and a verified account, the website address did not match that of the real Airbnb, nor did it have a homepage. The Olive Press has traced the website IP address and located the fraudster’s computer on a street in Copenhagen. However, the website domain was bought in Germany and was last modified in December 2016, suggesting the shark has been conning holiday makers for some years. Sue Callow, based in Benalmadena, told the Olive Press she almost fell prey to the scammer using the same images five years ago. “It looked gorgeous and it was so cheap, so I emailed. “He said he was in London and asked if I could do a money transfer and once received, I could go to an office - he didn’t say where it was -

www.ibexinsure.com

without the correct planning permission. Several other properties in the Seghers community have similar extensions without planning licences - including Balson's next door Spanish neighbour - but Balson is the

only resident facing court action. "It is completely discriminatory, I cannot help but think that it is not a coincidence that I have been chosen I am the only foreignerwhen ing here," she told the livOlive Press.

Balson believed she had received planning permission when she contracted a Spanish architect Mario Jones in 2005.

AWAY IN WONDERFUL

BENALMADENA. SEE SPECIAL The original SUPPLEMENT and only investigative English-language ON P21-36 newspaper in Andalucía

olive press

the

FREE

Vol. 8 Issue

October

2- October

15 2014

Police probe alleged expat property who ‘took fraudster homes she deposits for didn’t own’

140828_olive_press.pdf

28/08/14

15:02

FOR GOLFERS

THE BEST PREPAID MOBILE PLANS ON THE MARKET! WWW.MASMOVIL.ES/EN

197 www.theolivepress.es

includes 3 rounds of golf

EXCLUSIVE

VICTIMS are hunting erty fraudster an alleged who Costa del propSol owinghas vanished from euros. tens of thousandsthe The Guardia EXCLUSIVE of Civil confirmed By Imogen is investigating days as a Calderwood becca Wells horse-owninglast night it me aroundholiday rental, expat Re- posits to rent but she showed cias against after receiving an 11-monthit and convinced properties claim to. four denunBriton Wells,her. that she contract. me to sign One victim, has no “I want her caught 37, accused British expat clared. of dupingalso known as Prior, and punished,” told Page 11 people into Raymond is positthe Olive Press: he depaying dePaul, Wells, a mother-of-two “I Iost on “She hadrenting a home she a €1,000 de- hampton, appears from Wolveractually didn’t own. same trick to have only rented repeated it for four the region at different properties the over the A Facebook around last campaign eight years. has now launched by the group, been ing to gather aimas possible. as many victims In the case Yorkshire, of Paul, 60, from as a deposithe put down €500 first month’s and €500 for rent at the the erty in propAugust. La Cala de Mijas in But after just three asked Paul days Wells and his clear out wife to certificate‘so an urgent energy dealt with’. matter could be “We were AN embattled two days, left in the dark for centre owner animal rescue discoveredand upon returning has the place another staying is ‘out of admitted couple Kim there, with control’. our possessions many of now Halliwell (above) agreed he said. still inside,” has 15 dogs and to allow an initial “We still her Mijas many cats to get some haven’t managed leave kennels, following absolutelythings back, we to an Olive Press investigation. are It comes furious filed a denuncia.” and have spected after police also inWhen Paul various the site, following set up an meeting BLAZE: urgent mer staff.denuncias from F1 legend cuss whatwith Wells to forGachot (inset) failed to had happened, dis- After we told of loses yacht she conditions’ the Howevershow. at Kim’s ‘terrible in fire Rescue, their earlyanother couple friends and Animal in ers rallied supportup telling 20s also turned around with aim of cutting him they similar amount the had lost a animals by half.the number of of money. “Lots of The Olive her victims worse situation Press are who knows than us, in a emergency meeting,attended an and various other spoke with how are still centres to come many more found new woodwork,” out volunteers. and has he added. of the We have now Another appeal to launched is Stuart victim who lost out animals. find homes for an Hall, 44, the and his

It’s the pits!

Maddie: New sighting claim

EXCLUSIVE

‘Animal centre needs rescuing’

Continues

on Page

See S.O.S

Animal Rescue on Page 6

UK TV Solutions Installations Troubleshooting

• 663 303 932 / 675 033 474 info@alpusat.com www.alpusat.com

Fully accreditted BSKYB technician based in Las Alpujarras Find us on facebook.com/alpusat.alpujarra

Puerto Marina **** Benalmadena, Spain

Christmas 265€ New Year 295€

5 nights

Iberostar **** Nova Sancti Petri, Spain

Christmas 244€ New Year 285€

23/12/14~28/12/14 5 nights 28/12/14~02/01/15 for Christmas for New Year Prices are per person for 5 nights half board, twin room

Isla Canela Golf **** Ayamonte, Spain

Christmas 288€ New Year 389€

GastoN GolF tours Tel: 952 936 803

Email: info@gastongolf.com

www.gastongolf.com

The Olive Press – 170 x 256mm

where??

March

1,200

2 for 1

from 59€ with standard single-vision lenses

TEL. 952 588 795

For all your insurance needs! Estepona

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com See our ad inside for

details.

Fuengirola

952 581 561

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com • Car • Home • Pet • Business • Health • Marine • Travel • Holiday home

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 14 February

www.ibexinsure.com

The mon h saw our co umn nches devo ed o he rag c murder o e Gabr e Cruz who was crue y s rang ed o dea h by h s s epmo her be ore she hrew h m down a we And n a c ass c O ve P ess s ng we exposed a proper y rauds er ren ng ou ho mes and apar men s rom a bo er room n Copenhagen

Our No ot campa gn was p c ked up by a hea th campa gner who began work on br ng ng n much needed eg s at on on the etha pa nk er wh ch has k ed severa expats E sewhere expats v ctory aga nst Nykred t saw C them w n u back the r Costa Nhome and d 000 n damages €500

Available in 17 colours...

REPRESENTATIVE

NoloTil VicTory

loomS

We’ve been through hell!

M %

ANTHONY S

ANTHONY’S

17 January

Available in 12 colours...

April

TRAVEL NSURANCE

FaNtastiC DEals For

UP UP AND

Let HiFX help you reach your destination. www.hifx.co.uk

HUNTED: Rebecca on her horse Wells

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 14 March

Available in 12 colours...

50% o C M va oca enses

Now however, she feels that he did not do his job properly despite being paid €2,500 take over the project and to out the building licence. sort Jones, however, said he feels 'no guilt or responsibility that Balson is to blame and for the situation. He said: "I told her from the beginning that she allowed to build. Mostwasn't people get away with it but she DESPERATE: hasn't. Balson "She is definitely being un- and dogs fairly treated and I am not with so many sure why. I hope that foreigners livtown hall is not targeting the ing on the coast I don't think her it happens now." because she is foreign. Despite numerous attempts "Maybe that sort of thing Estepona Town happened in the old days, and adjoining neighbour’s but answer any of ourHall did not (right) questions. A WANTED property fraudster has been tracked down to a luxury home in Benahavis, after an exclusive Olive investigation this month.Press According to neighbours in upmarket La Heredia urbankids barely went to isation, Rebecca Wells, 37, and rarely even came school has fled owing money out to to sevplay. eral businesses. “She never mixed with Keen horserider Wells the lo- who cal community here and spent eight years posing as day she was gone leavingone an estate agent - is now an being unpaid electricity bill.” sought by police, as reported The Olive Press has still in the Olive Press last unable to contact Wells, been after four denuncias issue, were her defrauding of expats over posted against her. paid rent on properties who “She owes money she to the did not own. DISAPPEARED: Wells butcher, restaurant and and La Heredia, where Wells, aka Prior, allegedly she rented a home baker, as well as for repairsthe to took a series of deposits her car,” said one neighbour. former neighbour Frank homes which she did not for CoAn expat couple living reported concern for her own. myn, president of the four If you have any information Palmsite Wells’ house in oppo- eras del children. the urGolf urbanisation banisation reported that Comyn, who lived opposite about Rebecca Wells, please in Benalmadena Costa, contact newsdesk@theolivehas saw her packing all the they her for two years said: “The press.es ily’s possessions into a famrental car on October 1 the day our expose came out. When the Olive Press a few days later, the visited house had clearly been abandoned and the family car a black Fabulous food and entertainment Chrysler - was apparently including a 5* Christmas dumped outside. or New Years Eve Gala Dinner with fine wine Meanwhile another

The Expat’s No.1 choice

March 28th - April 10th 2018

FAKE VIEWS

117 www.simply-shuttles.com 951 279 Tel: A CYBER-SCAMMER mastermind who is suspected of stealing EXCLUSIVE around €1 billion euros By Elisa Menendez was arrested in Alicante. The detained is reportedly the leader of the A FRAUDSTER is conning gang behind the Carexpats using a fake Airbnb banak and Cobalt malwebsite renting out nonware attacks, which infilexistent properties on the trated over 100 financial Costa del Sol. institutions. An Olive Press probe discovered one property on popular advertisement website, Milanuncios, which was purporting to be a luxury SPAIN will expel two apartment in the centre of Russian diplomats in reEstepona. sponse to the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Extravagant The Spanish government will join more than 20 But the ultra-modern pad countries which have seemed too extravagant and stood in solidarity with too big for a rental price of the UK, collectively exjust €350 a month. pelling over 100 diploAfter making contact, the mats. scammer immediately requested payment of two months of rent and a deposit through Airbnb, along with personal details including A BRITISH pensioner a name, telephone number PHONY: Fake Airbnb site looks like the real deal has been extradited to and I.D. the UK to stand trial for Despite the undercover to a former Spanish political rape. journalist’s persistent readvisor. Jeffrey Waite, 65, from quests to view the property, Choosing to remain anonyHartlepool, was picked the conman claimed he was mous, the victim told the up in Spain after fleeing unable to meet as he had Olive Press his identity was here in 2016 and was recently to Denmark his (above)moved and Gabriel stolen after sending personextradited to the RIP: for an engineering job. UK to al details online when securappear at Teeside parents The fraudster sent a copy of Magising a holiday rental. trates’ Court. his I.D. card which the Olive Although the impressive Press discovered belonged RRP 3,000€ and genuine-looking Airbnb

Costa del Sol

Outpouring of grief for millions as body of Gabriel Ruiz, 8, is found strangled, allegedly by his expat stepmother

CRIME

Mosqu to Screens

Home Insurance benefits include:

March 14th - March 27th 2018

Magic of the Orient

‘The sugar-canes rattled like bones on the wind, and the dark-blue mountains stood close around, sharp and jagged, like a cordon of police’

O wrote Laurie Lee of his first visit to the Costa Tropical, just before Spain was engulfed in its murderous civil war. Drive along the coast today and you can still appreciate his dramatic imagery. Once upon a time this stretch of the Mediterranean was dubbed the Costa del Sol Oriental. Then, believing that they were being sidelined by the rival resorts up the road in Malaga province, the folk in Granada province woke up. They decided to call their coast the Costa Tropical. And with good reason… not only does it play host to one of the best climates in Europe, it is also one of the most scenic stretches of coastline on the Med. To be exact, the Costa Tropical extends from the eastern edge of Malaga province close to Nerja, to the frontier with Almería and La Rabita; some 80 kilometres of stunningly varied scenery. Development has yet to make heavy inroads because of the rugged terrain, so forget the miles of ribbon developments you see around Benalmadena These days they are great to have a poke around and Fuengirola. It’s unspoilt here. and get a photo with the stunning backdrop of the Soaring headlands and cliffs are inter- mountains dropping into the sea. spersed with small coves, except where The first village encountered heading east out of the Guadalfeo river flows across a flat, Nerja is La Herradura, on a beautiful horseshoe fertile delta near Motril. bay. Until tourism arrived it was one of the poorest Here and there, on prominent head- villages on the coast. lands, ancient watchtowers guard the These days it’s a charming spot, sitting on a pretty coast. These torres vigía or atalayas stretch of coastline and with an attractive low rise are a reminder of the time when the cry feel to it. Plenty of expensive homes dot the Punta “¡Hay moros en la costa!” warned of in- de la Mona area, and include that of Spain’s celevaders from Africa and sent whole com- brated guitarist Andrés Segovia, who had a house munities rushing for the hills.

Terttu’s ‘illegal’ extension

FLASHBACK: Wells’ scam revealed last issue

u Excess water consumption in case of water damage claim. u Windows and Solar Panels breakages.

Book2with the www.theolivepre ss.es coast’s most S trusted News IN BRIEF Olive Press transfer probe reveals company

IT has the best caves in Andalucia and some of the best beaches in Malaga province. Known as ‘Balcon de Europa’ it is somewhat fitting that Nerja has been chosen as one of the must visit destinations this year. Travel site Tripadvisor has listed the resort among its top 10 emerging worldwide destinations. It is the only destination in Spain to be tipped, with Gdansk, in Poland, Riga, in Latvia and Rovinj, in Croatia.

u All Risk accidental damage (building and contents). u Repair assistance service 24/7 and a DIY service.

Struggling

olive press

Tel: 951 279 117 www.simpl y-shuttles.co

Paying €1,700 fromChristmas YEar the locks she has preNovember& NEw to change to February, Paula said she was vented anyone else moving in. Taken moving in with her child and However, in just the short a ride for black cat. amount of time she was over However, after reading our ex- this month, two disappointed pose on Neale in early Decem- couples arrived to stay. ber, Belmont quickly started to “One couple from Russia had investigate and found her prop- paid a two month deposit of erty being advertised to rent €1,400 for a year’s rental. They through a variety of Facebook were gutted,” Belmont told the groups. Olive Press. One had been shared an incred- “Then a few hours later an Engible 4,000 times. lish couple turned up, also with Fortunately she was able to a year’s lease and having paid move fast and after coming over a deposit.” It is unknown how many people in total fell for the scam, but her property was in a terrible state with a stereo and a toolkit also stolen. It took three days to clean. “It has got to stop,” added Belmont. “When is this going to end?” So far she has been unable to track down Neale, but has put up reward notices in various vets around Calahonda. In 2017, the Olive Press twice exposed Neale’s antics. But it has also emerged that we exposed her using the name ‘Sharon Tate’ in 2016 in inland Malaga. A new UK number Paula had been using did not answer our calls. A LUXURY nus is ownedyacht that burst into by Bertrand Gachot, ex-Formula Oneflames in Puerto The 51-year-old it can be revealed.racing driver Badan between Frenchman, €2 million 1989 and 1995, who raced for Joris the morning. yacht Gilliana that blew owner of the Two crew up on Sunday members with serious were rushed burns to woman, his hands to hospital, one 34, was treated The 23-metre and another, €42,000-a-week Princessfor smoke inhalation. a yacht Gilliana Rentals. to rent, via costs Diamovit A source Exclusive said: “Gachot The driver is Grand Prix was famouslyvery upset.” thrown team for the roundabout out spraying CS gas at of the Jordan ceived a at Hyde a taxi driver Park Corner, His race two-month prison on for which seat was stint. acher, making he retemporarily his Formula filled by Michael One debut. Schum-

ALL CHANGE: Passport names and (right) 2016 story the owner, mother-of-three, the authorities in Gibraltar, Sara Belmont, rumbled the where she believes Paula keeps scam. her money. The 41-year-old owner, a fire- She told the Olive Press how she fighter from London, has now was contacted by Neale through brought in police and contacted an online rental website.

ffi

CAGED AT LAST!

Co k a

Still on-the-run

EXCLUSIVE By Jed Neill

www.theolivepress.es

January 17th - January 30th 2018

A FINNISH grandmother ordered to demolish a nineyear-old extension has accused Estepona Town Hall of being 'racially motivated' and 'singling' her out. Terttu Balson, 70, has involved in an ongoing been six-

Strike four!

Seasoned conwoman Paula Neale caught by the Olive Press a fourth time

A SEASONED British fraudster has struck again. Paula Neale - exposed in the Olive Press four times in two years - has brought her dirty tricks to the Costa del Sol again. The rentals conwoman has snared a series of unsuspecting foreigners through her well oiled ruse of sub-letting properties. A number of victims have lost thousands in lost deposits, after she took over a two-bedroom apartment in Mijas. Using the alias ‘Sharon Tate’ she rented the Riviera apartment for three months, before

info@simply-shuttles.com

50%

27th 2018

Discover what more Liberty Seguros can do for you.

www.theolivepress.es

Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

Ashya thanks

BRITISH ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, has thanked the Hospital Materno Infantil in Malaga for its treatment of Ashya King, on behalf of the British government.

www.theolivepress.es

ICELAND is the first supermarket in the world to remove plastic packaging from its own-label products. Customers of Overseas, which stocks Iceland products in 20 shops across Spain and Portugal, will benefit from the five-year plan to reduce plastics in 1,400 products. Calling plastics a ‘scourge’ on the world, Iceland managing director Richard Walker said: “A truckload is entering our oceans every minute, causing untold damage to our marine environment and ultimately humanity – since we all depend on the oceans for our survival.” Plastic ready meal trays will be removed first, followed by frozen vegetable bags changing to a paper based material.

We exc us ve y evea ed how sen s ve gove nmen n o ma on may have been s o en n a cybe a ack on G b a a by he n a mous g oup Anonymous n ano he shock ng a e we spoke o an ex RAF expa who once augh P nce Ha y a e he was a acked by a squa e w h an axe n Sev a We a so evea ed ha Pau a Nea e had fina y been a es ed

HACK FEARS

BORDER DRAMA

THE first ever ferry link between Ireland and Spain has been announced by Brittany Ferries. The company presented its new route from Cork to northern Spain today. It will begin at the end of April and will link Cork and Santander, with two return trips per week. It is the first ever link between the two countries.

sale

May

Ransacked

Wasn’t me

Neale, 43, took rental deposits for properties she didn’t and allegedly ransacked own erties she had rented propselling the stolen goods before However, despite four online. stories and at least eight denuncias against her, she has yet ON THE RUN: Paula to be and (above) Spain-Franc picked up by police. e border and her hotel This is looking increasingly They’re singling me out! NEWS He refused to leave his unlikely after a receptionist Freeze on at hire car. tel room or open the doorhothe hotel confirmed plastic that Paula They claimed she had her, setting off alarm bells to had checked out on Tuesday a long chequered track record Neale, who packed up and for morning. IN DENIAL: Guerrero scams and problems, and of after repeatedly trying to left She had been planning raise to a third son, who was had him. cross into France with taken into care. Neale’s speedy departure children, Nina, 12, andher two Oscar, The friend described her came 14 and live in Bordeaux. as the Olive Press ‘unfit mother who longas an handing over details of was Staff at the hotel saidAllthe THE alleged lynchpin aboard! variBalcon wins big room played erratic behaviour’. disous denuncias and victims in was left in a ‘complete Spain’s biggest ever political mess’ PROBE: to On one occasion she even Previous story in the Guardia Civil after she left in a hurry, prein Malaga. fraud claims he made tended to be her daughter the Olive Press A detective confirmed police arriving within an with to previous confessions up. SIX Her they hour. try and strike up a connection were ‘in plan a race to escape against toLIBERTYHOME France Former Junta employment was with her long-lost son. CHANGING FACES: to get an arrest warrant time’ rumbled by her own ducer’. Paula with pal, boss Francisco Guerrero Catalan police. Neale fled to France in- actor Anthony Webster, who But after meeting her sists he did not personally at the One ratted on Neale when he of her victims, Sara hotel and agreeing to found gain from the ERE scandal, out her real identity. drive mont, says Interpol has Belher to Bordeaux, he RRP 3,000€ that saw up to a billion notified but because been Webster told the felt ‘something wasn’tsaid he Press have right’ you when embezzled over a decade.euros this week that he Olive crimes were committed the had recently in got that had she claimed her mother He claims he only gave Spain, she must be charged befriended Neale online. suddenly died and that Liberty needed she there. of the so-called ‘reptiledetails He said she had promised to leave immediately. fund’ help to feeLing? Family and friends back that he allegedly oversaw, his acting career and He researched her online in Liberty that Seguros makes and the UK meanwhile, confirmed after police put considerable she knew people in the stumbled upon our catalogue insurance a better film that industry, claiming to beexperience. she pressure on him. had made it of stories. OUR PRICE ‘a prothe border on Tuesdayacross Guerrero is facing eight in a For an instant quote call 91 342 25 49 or go to www.libertyexpatriates.es years €

in prison for embezzling million of money from €65 €647 million emergency the lic fund that he managedpubbetween 1999 and 2008.

www.theolivepress.es

ffi G nm n

w n

Ge fi h

expat paper in Spain

Mijas Costa

w y

Mak ng h s o y

DOG DAYS ARE OVER

February

Property

expa pape n Spa n

C n

BEST

r 1€ 2 fo59

M X D

p ov ded you heaps o o g na and enga g ng con en A e b eak ng a ou eco ds on ne and ce eb a ng ou 300 h ssue we canno

Vo ed

STILL ON THE LOOSE

M as Cos a

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 3 January

March 14th - March 27th 2018

W K

AN MAL R GHTS SPEC AL

www.ibexinsure.com

Costa Tropical

T ea y was qu e he yea o he O ve Press We b ough you and he na ona p ess n he UK exc us ve a e exc us ve and

SOLD ER ON

• Pet • Home • Car • Health • Business • Travel • Marine • Holiday home

A look back at the biggest stories landmark year for

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

www.theolivepress.es ll about

What a January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Janua y 3 d - Janua y 15 h 2019

Ro up o up a he c cu come o own

HE’S NOT YOUR SON!

NE WS

www

He d Not enough Br t sh expat Suzanna Dave was shocked and saddened when a horr b e Span sh c v ser stars vant refused to g ve her m xed race son an N E

C N k 64 0 2 86

Hot water

June

Co a d So ho ha h mon h o figh d on b o d mo h d

because he d dn t ook enough ke h s mum n another c ass c Span sh case corrupt on and bad p ann ng was revea ed to have seen a huge M €100 b on wasted on P pe ban unnecessary pro ectsSMUGGLERS WALL around the country We a so brought you exc us ve access ns de the murder tr a of K nahan gang member James Qu nn who was found gu ty and sent to A gec ras pr son

N o Kn n d

GUILTY

M N

July

POL CE TAKE A BAT TER

A a ab a o

PONZI KING

As he summe hea ed up so d d he d ama as we exc us ve y evea ed how We sh expa Rhys W ams had a eged y scammed expa s ou o €6 m on The s o y was sp ashed n he Da y Ma s Money Ma We a so evea ed how a B sh am y we e a acked by a monkey n a popu a zoo and how an ndu gen g ass wa on he A 7 des gned o keep ou no se U O % O AC A o wea hy p ope y ow ne s was A WO H k ng b ds wh ch kep GONE mm y ng n o We a so APE sounded he a a m o Faces of hope ou eade s ha a dan ge ous UK paedoph e was ook ng o move o he Cos a de So D a e se ng up so c a med a accoun s h nks o eena Flying into w ge s trouble M m We a so p n ed a doub e page p c u e spec a on he p gh o m g an s a v ng o Spa n

A ran o Wa w nes

UA WO

% O AC UA

OLIVE PRESS

a year! www.theolivepress.es

Janua y 3 d - Janua y 15 h 2019

BEST

SPONSORED BY

August 1st - August 14th 2018

@juliabegbie on Instagram

To herald the arrival of some proper weather we offer two new sections:

Staying in? See our

August

in its don’t want to be spotted. for its polo, golf and sailESPLENDENT in its beauty, secluded million- Internationally renowned exclusiveness, Sotogrande is one to boast ing, as well as burgeoning gastronomic scene, this residents has all aire’s playground that doesn’t like ‘mini Monaco’ of high net worth about it. of a cosmopolitan resort but without all, it’s in a whis- the hallmarks and bling, as we discover on a trip If wealth and fame is spoken of at it, appropri- the brashness per. In Sotogrande they like to keep around the hotspots. place for golfers, polo players, ately, ‘sotto voce’. about however, “It’s a wonderful 74, What it does have a right to brag beaches and and people with boats,” explains Paul Martin, is its low-density living, its stunning marina and who moved to the privileged enclave from Bristol mountain backdrops, plus its amazing in 1988. in England in 1986 and golf courses. ‘super- “After two dull summersmust be a better climate Spain’s largest privately-owned residential of European 1987, I thought therechasing the sunshine that was state’ is a second home for the cream the Rock of Gi- than this! So it the character of Sotogrande is high society. Its privileged views to are enjoyed brought me, but as I had planned to begin here stay, braltar and the Rif mountains of Africa the British royal what made me by the likes of ex-UK PM Tony Blair,celebrities, who and venture out into the countryside.” But you would be mistaken family and countless European for thinking that the residents are unapologetic in their privilege and wealth but on the contrary. Sotogrande is different to other ‘celebrity’ resorts: wealthy, yes but pretentious definitely not. Community is such a strong theme in Sotogrande it almost outshines the summer sun, as 63-year-old Jane Waterhouse from Ascot confirms. “What makes Sotogrande different from anywhere else is that it’s a community, rather than a holiday destination. Continues on next page

Page 15

Voted

15 16

We revea ed how an exp os ve fire n Man va may have been a d stract on tact c for drug traffickers after a 4x4 was found dumped on the beach the fo ow ng morn ng And as the temperature soared we set off to Ec a the fry ng pan of Spa n on beha f of the London Even ng Standard to d scover f ts n ckname s a t s crack ed up to be We a so first revea ed the p ght of Br t sh bus ness man Robert Mansfie d who was thrown nto a ce w th terror sts after an A rbnb apartment he was rent ng n La L nea was unbeknownst to h m found to be a drugs stash The story was p cked up by severa Br t sh nat o na s nc ud ng the Da y M rror and the Metro n another c ass c OP st ng we a so exposed a Br t sh expat who was offer ng five star Tr padv sor rev ews n return for cash

Page 16

By Laurence Dollimore

902 123 282

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

for Spanish residents

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

or in this case THEY say good things come in threes, 300! with In our fitting 300th issue we are packed than ANY other exclusives and original content - more English paper in Spain. TripAdvisor ongoing our and Aside from the news culinary delights probe, we have food features on the on how an of the Basque region, as well as a missive UK’s literacy rates Andalucian weed helped boost the in Victorian times. Valley of the Plus our in-depth dispatch from the with Fallen, where Franco is soon to be exhumed, leading Spain’s of three from exclusive commentary and Giles Hispanists, Paul Preston, Ian Gibson Tremlett. issue, 300th our mark to And in a special supplement came to be we tell the story of how the Olive Press currently and where many of our former reporters work, with some in Russia and America. grab a coffee back, sit So inside. lot a is there Yes, with your or reach for your glass of wine and relax favourite fortnightly newspaper. Hope you’ll still We’re here for at least another 300. be too.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INSIDE

Voted BEST

SEE OUR ADVERT INSIDE

expat paper in Spain

(Free or paid for)

FREE

September 12th - September 25th 2018 Vol. 13 Issue 300 www.theolivepress.es

GIVE IT BACK WITH RESERVATION

EXPATS may have lost millions over the suspicious collapse of a foreign exchange firm being probed over ‘criminal activity’. Dozens of victims have lost up to €400,000 each after Premier FX Limited was forced into administration by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It comes after the firm - which operated from Mallorca, Portugal and London - suddenly stopped trading on July 27, following the death of director Peter Rexstrew. Since then, hundreds of clients, many of them expats,

Expats demand the return of millions after FX company collapses amid fraud probe have been left completely in the dark and unable to access their funds. The group have now formed an action group with nearly 200 members demanding immediate answers. One British expat, based in Mallorca, told the Olive Press she has no idea what has happened to the €30,000 she was holding with Premier FX. “I had used them for many

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

years and there were never any problems,” explained the 69-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous. “I had transferred the money and was waiting for the exchange rate to improve. “The next thing I knew, the money was gone. I feel sick

Mosquito Screens

Call Nick 647 072 861 See page 35

www.mosquitonick.ws nick@mosquitonick.ws

about it,” added the pensioner, based in Palma. Another entrepreneur told the Olive Press she is missing a staggering €400,000. businessUK-based The woman, who previously lived in Portugal for ten years, has made three monthly transactions with Premier FX for 12 years. Despite knowing former director Rexstrew, who also lived in the Algarve, she was given no warning. “I tried to make a transaction but no one would answer the phone. I then emailed and I

received this automatic reply saying they had ceased trading and there’d be no further transactions. “I immediately smelt a rat,” she added. When she called Action Fraud, an operator explained he knew nothing about it. “I’ve been stuck for two months without that money and have no idea whether I’ll get it back. “It’s not just affecting people buying holiday homes, it is also affecting business owners, who can’t pay staff or clients.” Both victims had been promised by Premier FX that their money was being held in ‘segregated, personal accounts’ with Barclays, but administrators now think this was not the case. The FCA has since discovered that the company, set up in 2006, was operating without full authorisation. It was forced into administra-

MINIMARKET

Freshly Baked Deli Products

UK BASED

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion • Luxury vehicles • Door to door service • Airport collections • Weddings transport • Sightseeing day trips • Restaurant shuttles

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE for Spanish residents

Tel: 602 514 384 WhatsApp: 602 559 385 Opp St Anthony’s College La Cala Hills Closed Mondays

CASHBACK ON YOUR HOUSE

www.globelink.co.uk

617 333 777

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

PAYBACK WHEN YOU SELL

Continues on page 8

EXPAT: Andrew Jones

Unfair cop EXCLUSIVE

A GAY couple have denounced a Guardia Civil officer after he allegedly assaulted them. Expats Andrew Jones, 36, from London, and Mario Dieni, 39, from Argentina, claim they were ‘pushed and grabbed’ for no reason. The couple have called in the British embassy and filed an official denuncia over the incident, which took place near Torrox, at the weekend. Jones, who has bipolar disorder, told the Olive Press he was ‘really shaken up’ by the alleged assault, which came after they were routinely stopped at 1am.

Aggressive

“He was immediately aggressive. We are gay and he saw us together, perhaps it is discrimination. I don’t know,” he said. The British expat, who works in marketing, had been driving home having picked up his partner from work at a hotel in Nerja. “He went absolutely berserk, pushing me so hard that the officer behind had to catch me,” added Jones. “He then grabbed Mario and tossed him to one side.” Eventually the officer was moved away by colleagues, who then gave the couple his badge number, so they could file a complaint. A Guardia Civil spokesperson confirmed the incident was ‘being investigated’.

•

THIS is the moment a comet fragment turned into a fireball over Andalucia at the weekend. A piece of the Encke comet entered Earth’s atmosphere at more than 100,000km/hr. According to the Astrohita Foundation, the fireball was visible from 400km away and was detected by observatories in Granada and Sevilla. The fragment extinguished around 63 kilometers above the municipality of Pueblo Blanco in Almeria. Astrohita said ‘the luminosity was so unusually high that nighttime in the southeast of Spain turned into day for an instant.’

We map Spain’s love - or hate - for bullfighting

Page 6

LIT UP: Comet fragment

Page 42

the authorities for ensuring no one was hurt or injured. Guardia Civil told the Olive Press they could not confirm the cause of the fire and added that INFOCA fire investigators needed at least two more days before arriving to a conclusion. The investigation continues.

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

Page 44

For all your insurance needs! Estepona

952 887 125 Fuengirola

952 581 561

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

• Car • Home • Pet • Business • Health • Marine • Travel • Holiday home

Gone fishing Find out why celebs keep sinking their hooks into Spain’s Anglers’ hotspot

www.ibexinsure.com

Page 46

September We d d t We made t to 300 ssues and apt y gave you another exc us ve packed ed t on The co apse of an FX com pany eft expats n Spa n m ons of euros out of pocket wh e over n Torremo nos a gay expat coup e fi ed a de nunc a aga nst po ce for an a eged homophob c assau t We a so aunched an exc us ve appea to find the murde rer of a Br t sh teen who s be eved to have escaped to the Costa de So

Stars from Anne Hathaway to Jodie Whittaker keep visiting Ronda, find out why in our travel supplement inside

New Andalucia Rough Guide See inside

READY: Sierra Nevada slopes

McGough, 60, was left destitute after it emerged she didn’t have insurance on the property by the Arabic Baths, in the heart of the historic old town. She had been unsure where to turn when she was left with ‘only the clothes on her back’ after the Rio Guadalevin flooded her home ‘almost up to the roof’ a

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

fortnight ago. Everything inside was ruined, after an ancient wall of the 14th century baths collapsed. She was forced to throw out most of her furniture, with the Ronda town hall merely offering her a skip. “Everybody has been amazing,” said the Dubliner, “there’s still good people in the world. “Thank you so much to the Olive Press and everyone who has helped.” Following the appeal, numerous expats got in touch to help Trish clear out her home and offered blankets and clothes. One expat visited the retiree over the weekend to help tidy up the house and drove a number of salvaged belongings to Trish’s friend’s house, where the Dubliner is tempo-

SPAIN’S government has declared areas of Malaga, Sevilla and Cadiz as disaster zones following last month’s flash floods. It comes as hundreds of residents are still struggling to get in and out of areas like Forest Hills in Estepona, after access roads were destroyed. According to the Insurance Compensation Consortium, there is set to be more than 5,200 claims spread across Malaga alone, with more than €32 million in damages in-

GAME OVER

TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd 1

‘

NICE promenades, good wine, excellent food and nothing to do…’ Thus Ernest Hemingway wrote off the town where he spent numerous holidays drinking the local wine and carousing at corridas, no doubt disappointing many of Ronda’s proud residents with his puzzlingly lacklustre review. Most of today’s travellers - including Britain’s last two prime ministers and an American First Lady - would certainly disagree with him. Ronda has been crowned Andalucia’s third most-visited town and it’s not hard to see why. The so-called ‘City of Dreams’ is a true wanderlust gem and somewhat of a celebrity hang-out. This year alone, Theresa May, Anne Hathaway, Ricky Gervais, Jodie Whittaker, Gordon Ramsay, Kristin Scott Thomas and Spain’s ex-premier Mariano Rajoy have all allegedly visited the stunning mountain town... so say locals in the know.

Obama

Michelle Obama also made headlines when she visited in 2010, touring the old town and discovering the Moorish dynasty with her daughter Sasha. Celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli went house hunting in the town after falling in love with it in 2009. With its spectacular high sierra setting, leafy parks, cobbled lanes and atmospheric ventas it’s no wonder Ronda has stolen the hearts of so many travellers. Over the centuries a slew of writers have waxed lyrical about its timeless character, stunning views and charming locals. The German poet Rilke baptised it the ‘City of Dreams’, Orson Welles took a shine to its bullfighting scene and Continues on Page 18

Live Music every Saturday Night from now till February See our Facebook page for more details 70+ different beers and 27 artesan burgers 10 Nov Karcsi & Jochen - 9pm 17 Nov Zoo - 9pm 24 Nov Blue Stompers Duo - 9pm

Bar Allioli Plaza San Roque Estación Jimera De Líbar, Jimera De Líbar, Andalucia, Spain

Tel: 606 692 753 / 671 501 054

What do a British pilot, Country Life magazine and two English teens have to do with Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War?

902 123 282

December

Vol. 11 Issue 271

www.theolivepress.es

August 2nd - August 15th

2017

Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

info@simply-shuttles.com Tel: 951 279 117 www.simply-shuttles.com

GET IN IT TO WIN IT!

THE Olive Press is giving away three pairs of tickets for two certs on the Costa del Solof the best conAnd all you have to do is this summer... answer two simple questions! Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night Puente Romano on August at Marbella’s 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

tribute bands Think Floyd, Whole Lotta Led rocking Deeper Purple and out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple at the Plaza del Toros on and Led Zeppelin For a chance to win a August 26. Bolton, just answer the pair of tickets to see was Michael Bolton born question; what year For the Pink Purple Zep in? Fest in Estepona, just tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? Email answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

KILL THE DRUG WIN WIN WIN: Bolton and Pink

Purple Zep Fest tickets

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban ter Briton Graham Ward, afcomplained to the Olive 75, Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by tist last week. It’s thea denone month to knock down very Dr Nina King, of Oasis same drug that was Dental Care in Marbella, only property (pictured their blamed the campaign, telling the fully supports for killing his wife in 2006. Olive Press the drug is not In a court order seen above). she prescribes. by the something The Marbella-based Olive Press, the Wards “It’s not a drug I use, I stick was furious when he wasexpat warned they will be held are told she said, “And after seeing to safe and standard medication,” to take the painkiller nally responsible if they crimiwhat damage it can do, I won’t be using in the it’s a drug Spanish dentist, after by his “I don’t know what to refuse. sufferMarbella-based privatefuture.” ing from a difficult abscess. more, I’m at the enddo anyAlmeda also agrees the doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón His wife Mary, 59, had tether” Gill told the Olive of my died afthe drug,” she told the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe Press, ter being prescribed the “I’m totally exhausted from tients and I am aware ofOlive Press, “I have lots of British pathe drug following a double same whole ordeal.” vasec“There needs to be a lot what it is capable of doing. tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. more research on its impact.” The retired pair, who have “Within 24 hours she spent thousands of euros now in intensive care, her was doctor to get a gal costs, bought the old on lewhite blood cell count plummeted The dad-of-two renewal in April, house ‘in ruins’ in 2004,farmto zero within days,” explains later died from tests showed the were given permission and Graham, a former computer septic shock – drug had caused Velez-Malaga town hall from HAPPIER TIMES: Graham to retechnician, from London. believed to be a toxic poisoning build it. with wife, and Billy She never regained conscious- again. Smyth linked to taking in his bone marBut when the original wall ness and was on a life support “He the Nolotil. Metamizole, row and his lapsed of its own accord colmachine for FOUR months, she said she would be alive if in the US, theNolotil is banned blood cell white Another construction, the Wards’during BritUK, Ireland and was hadn’t taken it, but I have before spending three ish expat Hugh most of Europe, dangerously tect told them it would archiheard fighting the impact years and from dozens of Brits scribed widely but it is pre- Billy, a low. Wilcox was preand that he would let thebe fine of the keen in Spain. Irish who have been given drug, which led to organ scribed the same Irishman sportsman, develhall know. Unfortunatelytown William fail- it,” added Graeme. ‘Billy’ oped ure. for medication Smyth was sepsis for It is the third victim “The chief surgeon at the of the course of thegiven a five-day necrotising and mild Continues on Page shoulder drug fasci8 drug in Februpital promised me he hos- portedthe Olive Press has re- ary. pain on the Costa itis as a result and on in under a year. never prescribe that would Sometimes del Sol. But when the 66-year-old required ‘radical surgery’ drug known also as turned reto He developed severe head to a different Spanish remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life. Continues

Need for more research

www.oaklandfurniturespain.com

For all your insurance needs! Estepona Fuengirola

952 581 561

on Page 2

€

Complete glasses from

952 887 125

estepona@ibexinsure.com

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

SHOWROOM: Calle St Maria, 29670, San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella Malaga (next to Maxi Dia Supermarket and above GM Cash Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com & Carry)

• Car • Home • Pet • Business • Health • Marine • Travel • Holiday home

plus prescription sunglasses FREE

See our ad inside for

details.

Call Nick 647 072 861

See our adverts inside

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 19 July

UK BASED

for Spanish residents www.globelink.co.uk

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

BEST

See page 18 xx

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their home from demolition Malaga over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a with their town hall, battle which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired ple from Cornwall were cougiven

www.ibexinsure.com

2/8/18 17:01

• Luxury vehicles Door to door service • Airport collections • Weddings transport • Sightseeing day trips • Restaurant shuttles •

Voted expat paper in Spain

Mijas Costa

Save our home!

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

Irish tourists. Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescription only. Furthermore it can only be prescribed after a detailed analysis of CAMPAIGN: Previous SALE issue 59 the patient’s medical hisdespite various side effects,Mosquito tory and heritage. Screenswhich It will also have to be can cause a rapid drop in white blood much more closely mon- cells, leaving patients unable to fight infections. Medical translator, Cristina itored. It comes after an Olive Garcia del Campo, who has pulled toPress investigation into gether hundreds of case studies from the mysterious deaths victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she was ‘very happy’ the authorities of expats from have finally reacted. Folthe drug was lowing the results of her See page 43 launched KILL THE rigorous investigation she in 2016, DRUG has now demanded that along with a the drug must not be sold 1,000-strong without a prescription and a depetition to have it regutailed patient analysis. lated a year later. Nolotil, also known as “I am very happy that the problem has Metamizole, is banned in been dealt with,” she told the Olive the UK, the US and most Press. “I will be making sure that the AEMPS recommendations are carof Europe. Despite this, the drug is ried out and if necessary make sure it’s still one of the most pop- banned completely.” The Olive Press ular painkillers in Spain, began investigating after a trio of expat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarCASHBACK ON ily in excruciating pain, after taking the drug in Andalucia. YOUR HOUSE In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to PAYBACK WHEN stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian YOU SELL patients.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion

Lethal painkiller BANNED for Brits after hard-fought battle

banned for tourists in Spain. In a breakthrough move, The Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) has finally issued a directive to all healthcare bodies to stop giving the drug to British and

www.mosquitonick.ws nick@mosquitonick.ws

617 333 777

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

The ast month*Offerof 2018 brought some unexpected drama to ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject to conditions. the Span sh po t ca scene when Susana D az ca ed for a snap e ect on n Anda uc a and u t mate y ost Most concern ng y LET’S TALK MENTAL far r ght Vox party ga ned 11% 2/8/1of 8 17:01 HEALTH A the vote 12 seats the pre ude to a new r ght w ng coa t on that w end 36 years of soc a st ru e n the reg on We a so unpacked menta hea th fo ow ng the trag c su c de of Br t sh teen R chard F tzs m mons who threw h mse f off the E Corte ng es n Marbe a n September n our ast ssue we rev s ted Robert Mansfie d who amaz n g y s st beh nd bars w th ETA terror sts desp te NOT be ng charged Expect more on th s story th s year 6

Voted top expat paper in Spain

OPINION

Chance for change

THE all but confirmed departure of the PSOE from the Junta is a chance for leaders in Andalucia to finally root out the corruption which has plagued this region for decades. Spain’s most southern autonomous has so much to offer and has great community it has not been given the chance overpotential, but years thanks to self-serving leaders the past 30 about nothing more than lining their ownwho cared It is time for leaders to address the REAL pockets. of the people and to start actually doing concerns their jobs. If current leader Susana Diaz had effort to stamp out corrupt practices made a real she would have held onto her job, butthen perhaps ignore the rumbling discontent amongshe chose to and arrogantly called a snap election the people thinking the voters would never turn right - she thought wrong. PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

NEWSDESK SALES Sam newsdesk@theolivepress.es (+34)Adams 634 611 836 Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 sam@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

DESIGNER Keith Franks

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

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

Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es

Tina (+34) 647 078 775 tina@theolivepress.es

ADMIN Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es

OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es

DISTRIBUTION Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

HEAD OFFICE

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 Edificio centro comercial El Duque, planta primera, 29692 San Luis de Sabinilla, Manilva

December 5th - December 18th 2018

In the aftermath of the tragic death of British teen Richard Fitzsimmons, the Olive Press investigates triggers for teenage suicide and how parents can look out for the signs

COLLECTION of teddy bears, flowers and delicately handwritten notes decorate the wall of a busy department store. It’s hard to believe that one month a teenage boy took his own life by jumping ago from the fourth floor of El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus, in an apparent suicide pact with his girlfriend. The untimely death of 16-year-old Brit Fitzsimmons and the circumstances Richard that surround it have rocked the coast and united many in grief. But the incident has encouraged many action by raising awareness about to take health in teenagers and, above all, try mental to break down the stigma that engulfs it. Aloha College, the private school Richard and his girlfriend, 14, attended, quickly activated a plan following his death and brought in a psychologist to talk to pupils. It also emails advising parents to talk with circulated their children about what had happened. In an open letter, the college described ‘wonderful boy’ and offered their sincerehim as a condolences to his family. In 2017 there were 177 suicides among 15 to Olive Press. “Aloha College continues to be focussed on the 19-year-olds, compared with 110 in 2010 - fig- Dr Hallin, who wellbeing of its pupils, to help them through owns mental health centres in this ures which have risen almost every year, accord- Marbella, Sotogrande, difficult time. He will be warmly remembered, ing to the UK Office of National Statistics. Malaga, Gibraltar and Cadiz, believes the surge and sorely missed.” Depression and bipolar are the most common flection of a pressurised, in depression is a reAlthough it is unknown what tragically causes of suicide globally, stressed society and youngsters to suicide, unfortunately drove the stance abuse, schizophrenia followed by sub- suicide is a consequence of ill-treated mental their story and anxiety disor- health. is not an unusual one. ders, says Marbella-based child psychologist Dr “The Spanish mental health system Suicide is the second leading cause is problemof death in Alejandra Hallin. atic, unless young people aged between 15 to 29 in Spain, While Samaritans in Spain volunteer, Jilly Hodg- - that’s a you are dying they won’t see you following tumours, reveal national statistics. luxury they cannot afford. They don’t es, says exam pressure, gender And growing numbers of teens killing have enough resources. them- issues and feeling like an outselves in the UK are sparking fresh “We have to start valuing our cast are the main reasons over the mental health crisis in young concerns teens call the Costa del expat mental health and invest in it. Sol helppeople in Another general. When there’s diabetes in the line feeling suicidal. “Some have a lack of friends, important factor family, you’re more aware of what you eat. It should be the or are unhappy having left their same for mental illnesses, it’s that is very friends in the UK, or feel like an genetic.” outsider especially in Spanish damaging is the The doctor also adds that exspeaking schools,” the Costa del Sol-based Samaritan tells language we use pats are one of the groups most at risk. the Olive Press. Moving to another country, she Despite great advances in meninsists, tal health awareness in recent years, why do so cause of depression, asis the second biggest many still suffer in silence? foreigners do not have the same support network. Dr Hallin says the main problem with it is still considered taboo, despite it suicide is Another important factor that is incredibly damsecond leading cause of death in the being the aging - reflecting societal views on mental illness world. and suicide - is the language we use. “There are so many programmes and teaching you what to do when someoneadverts Supposed ‘throw away’ everyday terms such heart attack or stroke, but there’s nothing has a as ‘I just wanted to kill myself’ are loaded comsuicide,” the Harvard University doctor about ments for people who have thought about killing told the themselves, or for those who have been through

AP-7

Furniture and Flooring specialist

153

www.esteponafurniture.com

(+34) 952 798 277

Estepona Poligono

Address, C/ Juan de Mena 18, Polígino

902 123 282

November 7th - November 20th 2018

Andalucia’s city in the mountains is a hot ticket for world leaders and their wives despite Hemingway’s lukewarm words, writes Elisa Menendez

NOLOTIL VICTORY

Bizarre

Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es

902 123 282

November 7th - November 20th 2018

errania de Ronda

www.theolivepress.es

‘You’re killing us!’

However, her heartfelt messages had a cruel, bizarre twist, when her British-Brazilian boyfriend Richard Fitzsimons managed to take his life off the top of the Corte Ingles department store, while she miraculously survived. THE UK government is drafting It came as a hero security in guard British expats as recruitment somehow managed to grab the girl reach an all time low. numbers before she was able to plunge The to her Ministry of Defence has andeath after her lover. nounced that foreign nationals a tragically sad incident - that willhas now be allowed to join the TRISH: AndIn wrecked home shocked the coast and made British head- army, even if they have lines around the world - the teenagnever lived in the country. A LETHAL wireer,the building. rarily staying. painkiller believed to be rewho we are not naming forPreviously, legal sponsible prospective retiree had been requiring strugMeanwhile an electrician Thereasons, for thesoldiers deaths is now serious from thepats Commonwealth hadof dozens of exis finally being regulated friend has offered to help re- gling to clear the house afin Spain. to have lived in which Britain for five Nolotil, ter spraining her wristContinues havthe Olive Press has invespage years. 2 tigated for nearly two years, has been ing fallen during the floods. “Now it needs plastering, TM Under the policy, recruits will be considered for all forces inpainting and the floors all cluding the Royal Navy and the need doing again. There’s RAF, with applications opening flicted upon the province. still a long way to go but in early 2019. The declaration means there will be ‘tar- I’m feeling more enerIt is hoped the changes will lead geted aid’ from Madrid for the areas af- gised,” she added. to an extra 1,350 people joining fected by the floods, in particular in Teba, Trish still needs funds to every year. The UK armed forcCampillos, Ronda and Estepona. restore the house and buy es are short of 8,200 soldiers, The payouts will be exempt from tax. furniture and clothes. sailors and air personnel, a reThe Vice President of the Government, The Olive Press Help Trish port found earlier this year, the Carmen Calvo, voiced solidarity and un- Ronda Go Fund Me page See page 11 worse shortage since 2010. derlined the support and the responsibility has been inundated with If you have become a fully of the Government ‘in these circumstances. donations and has raised fledged citizen in Spain, howevalmost €1,700 so far. er, you won’t be accepted.

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

Issue 304

GRAND TOUR-ISTS: Painters tackle the gorge, while (inset) recent visitors Anne Hathaway, Gordon Ramsey, Jodie Whittaker and Ricky Gervais

It comes as temperatures dropped to -1 in Pradollano and -6 in Borreguiles, with inSEEBRITS OUR are still dreaming of a termittent snowfall forecastnew life in Spain despite the ed over the next few weeks. ADVERT issues of Brexit. The resort, which was foundINSIDE (Free or paid for) Spain is the most popular ed in 1964, is one of Europe’s destination FREE for UK residents SEE PAGE 13 Vol. 13 Issue 304 www.theolivepress.es November 7th - November 20th most popular ski resorts and 2018 fantasising of a move overWITH frequented by the likes ofRESERVATION King seas, with 13% of the responFelipe of Spain. dents picking it as their number one choice. Australia and New Zealand ranked joint second in the dream move table, with 12% each. ENVIRONMENTAL groups are taking legal action against the Junta for Other popular moves on the ‘failing to tackle toxic air’ in the Campo de Gibraltar. wish list included USA (10%), Ecologistas en Accion has filed a complaint with the Health Ministry, claimCanada (9%), Italy (7%) and ing nothing has been done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants France (6%). caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ industries in the Bay of Algeciras. According to the green group, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous MESSAGES: Left for teenThe data released by AnypolVan.com shows age is a malutants were released into the atmosphere last year. Expat whose house was jor factor in determining the This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing chemical benzene, as well as popularity of a dream move ‘ruined’ in floods says thank other fine particles. abroad. The writ comes as Cadiz province was officially declared to have the you for generous donations worst Young adults prefer countries air quality in Spain. “IT’S a dirty world that I don’t wantmore opportunities for with following an Olive to Press appeal And alarmingly, La Linea, which borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th most live in anymore.” lucrative career prospects polluted place in the world in terms of air quality. These were the intended lastand lavish lifestyles. words The shocking stats were revealed in a damning World Health Organisaof a British teen who had embarked The US came out top choice tion report which lists the world’s ‘most contaminated’ on a suicide pact with her 16-yearfor under 34s, with 16% listtowns and cities. TOXIC: Oil refinery old boyfriend in Marbella. ing this as their favourite, fol- plumes black smoke into the Campo Continues page 11 Adding salt to the wound, Cadiz also came bottom in The privately-educated expat, lowed 14, by Australia and then added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone Spain. who has ever loved/known or supported me, thank you, I love you and I will miss you.”

*Offer ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Su bject to conditions.

TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd 1

ll about

Picture perfect

expat paper in Spain

THE Sierra Nevada is gearing up for the ski season as sub-zero temperatures drop to MINUS six degrees in autumn. More than 100 cannons are being used to set a thick layer of artificial snow across the beginner’s area in Borreguiles and on the El Rio slopes.

www.theolivepress.es

Vol. 13

BEST

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

KIND-HEARTED expats have rallied round an Irish lady, who lost everything after her home was destroyed in the Malaga flash floods. Well-wishers have donated almost €2,000 so far to help Trish McGough following an Olive Press appeal to help her get her Ronda home back to normal.

Voted

November 7th - November 20th 2018

Destitute

A RECORD 30 million tourists will travel to Andalucia this year - despite a significant drop in British visitors. According to Junta boss Susana Diaz, British hotel stays are expected to have dropped by 2.9% this year, while Spanish visitors increased by 1.5% and other nationalities by 0.4%. Diaz stressed that the British market was still the most important while visiting the World Travel Market in London. “We need to reinforce the appeal of Andalucia in the UK, especially taking into account that 24% of foreign tourism in the region is of British origin, which represents almost 10% of our total tourism.” Brits have been turning to rival destinations like Turkey, Egypt and Greece, which have been able to offer more competitive prices.

Princeton interns travel to the Aracena, the hometown of Iberico ham

fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

•

WIN, WIN!

Novembe saw he news we had been wa ng 5 o yea s o hea Fireball! he egu a on o NoSLIDING oNEWS n IN TO XMAS Spain still tops Spa n came a e we aunched a campa gn mo e han wo yea s be o e o o be banned ou gh We a so a sed mo e han €2 000 o sh expa T sh whose Tragic end home had been des o yed by floods n Ronda We aunched ano he Your appea o he p Top ouof country needs you! w ns E k and A exthe a hols 4 who despe a e y need housands o eu os o be e d agnose a de e Disaster zone declared o a ng eye cond on wh ch cou d eave hem Tel: 902 123 282 902 123 282 b nd

estepona@ibexinsure.com

• Luxury vehicles Door to door service Airport collections Weddings transport Sightseeing day trips Restaurant shuttles

• • •

617 333 777

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

2/8/18 17:01

Load of bull?

ABLAZE: Manilva burning while (inset left) recent drug haul and (top right) car pulled from sea

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion

for Spanish residents www.globelink.co.uk

Find out more at: www.simply-shuttles.com tel: 951 279 117 info@simply-shuttles.com

November

Author Guy Watts takes us for another stunning walk

MINIMARKET

www.globelink.co.uk

UK BASED

TRAVEL INSURANCE

2/8/18 17:01

*Offer ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject to conditions.

Jamon town

TRAVEL INSURANCE

by spider bite BED RIDDEN: Aurelia was floored over a month before she was crosis - a reaction that sees given the all clear, although the skin and tissue begin to doctors told her the venom die and rot - on her leg near will remain in her system for the bite. six months. “I had to have an operation While the type of spider was she skin,” dead the to remove never confirmed, doctors told recalled, “I was also vomiting Nesslany her symptoms were and felt nauseous for a week.” a match for only two breeds Nesslany had to check in with - the Violinist tarantula and doctors every other day for the Mediterranean Black Widow - a close relative of the found preCASHBACK ON fatal Black Widow, dominantly in Australia. YOUR HOUSE “Expats and locals need to be really careful,” added Nesslany, “I really hope the club has fumigated or done something because if that spider bites a it could easily kill it.” PAYBACK WHEN baby The Nautical Club failed to YOU SELL comment in time for press.

See page 35

See page 5 & 26

Reliable private hire transfer services for any occasion • Luxury vehicles • Door to door service • Airport collections • Weddings transport • Sightseeing day trips • Restaurant shuttles

Walkabouts

Tel: 602 514 384 WhatsApp: 602 559 385 Calle Acebuche No.6 Local La Cala Hills (56.96km) 29651 Mijas

As her condition deteriorated, Nesslany was rushed to nearby Hospiten the next morning. “The venom had got into my blood and doctors told me my whole body was infected, it was really scary.” The venom was so strong it caused Nesslany to catch ne-

A French expat deta ed the horr fic myste r ous sp der b te she rece ved at a popu ar naut ca c ub wh ch saw her eg beg n to rot Then came the b b ca floods some of the worst ever seen n Ronda and Ma aga Roman baths homes and br dges were destroyed cars were carr ed for m es by fast mov ng rap ds and trag ca y a fire Around the wor d man was k ed On a more pos t ve note we aunched our expat heroes sect on a showcase to the great and the good done by Br ts and other nat ona t es v ng n Spa n

www.theolivepress.es

Racing

UK BASED

town’s Nautical Club when she was bitten behind her knee in August - and she has only just recovered. “I immediately felt the bite and the pain was absolute agony,” she told the Olive Press, “I tried to sleep it off that night but my legs and arms started cramping.”

902 123 282

Page 14

More than 40 firefighters tackled the fires in the area of Los Hidalgos, Hacienda Guadalupe and El Goleto residential developments and campsites in the Duquesa area. The mayor described the event as a ‘night of confusion’, and thanked

WIDOW WARNING

ubject to conditions. ot valid for renewals. S *Offer ends 30/11/18. N

The films you didn’t know were filmed in Andalucia

smoke screen for the drug smugglers. Rumours had circulated that the fireworks may have been to blame for the blaze, but these were quickly squashed given that the fire started around 6km away from the display.

THE Costa del Sol has been rocked by flash floods and hail storms after an orange alert was issued this week. a In heavy downpours even truck was pictured struggling of to drive through the streets San Pedro, while cars were unable to use the Puerto Banus underpass, as the water levels reached a worrying height. Another video sent by a reader showed a home in San Pedro it as water being filled up with gushes through the windows. In the main picture, captured by Julia Begbie, a huge black cloud is pictured moving over the village of Gaucin. it “When the cloud broke on dumped a curtain of hail the Sierra de Crestellina,” she it said. “A friend was caught in driving and said it was incredible heavy.”

On set

According to reports, several 4x4s were seen racing at high speed from the beach while the hills of Manilva burned. “If drug gangs were behind the blaze, then it’s possible a huge amount of drugs was brought to shore that night,” added Shelton. Some 400 residents had to be evacuated as the fire began encroaching on nearby homes. It took emergency services until 8.30am to get the flames under control, providing the perfect

SPIDERS which can kill young children and babies are living on the Costa del Sol, an expat has warned. Aurelia Nesslany, 49, is sounding the alarm after she was hospitalised and treated for OVER A MONTH after being bitten by a mysterious eight-legged beast in Estepona. The French expat was enjoying a game of cards at the

Tel: 902 123 282

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

DRUG trafficking gangs may have been behind a huge Costa del Sol fire. Police have not yet ruled out the idea that brazen smugglers may have set ablaze to Manilva in a bid to divert attention from a huge marijuana haul. The theory comes after a grey 4x4 was dragged out of the sea on a nearby beach the very next morning. “It’s a well known tactic and has been done elsewhere before,” foreign British councillor for Manilva Dean Tyler Shelton told the Olive Press, “although it is just a line of inquiry for the moment.” The grey vehicle is typical of drug gangs and is believed to have been dumped in the sea after its engine failed. The fire started at around 1.30am on Sunday night, while the Manilva feria was celebrating its end with a fireworks display.

Can you tackle Andalucia’s toughest crossword?

Vol. 12 Issue 297 www.theolivepress.es August 1st - August 14th 2018

SMOKESCREEN

Huge Costa del Sol fire that saw 400 people evacuated may have been distraction for huge drug smuggling operation

22 24

(Free or paid for)

FREE

Brain teaser

BEST

See page xx 4

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

13 12

expat paper in Spain

Mijas Costa

TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd 1

La Reserva

Don’t miss our annual pull-out travel guide on Sotogrande, packed with features, restaurant tips plus an exclusive peek at Spain’s first inland private beach, SEE PAGE 17 LEAFY: The marina gardens and (above)

Expat hospitalised for a month after being bitten by a black widow, which could kill a child

Need a good read? book review section

Hail and brimstone as Autumn finally arrives

DON’T MISS

August 1st - August 14th 2018

PICTURESQUE: La Reserva Beach

s October 10th - October 23rd 2018 Vol. 13 Issue 302 www.theolivepress.e

Picture by Jon Clarke

www.theolivepress.es

FREE

WITH RESERVATION

S otogrande Paradise...on the quiet It’s not a town or even a village, yet every summer this exclusive tree-lined urbanisation is a magnet for the global A-list set. Bradley Stokes and Olivia Burke set out to discover the attraction

(Free or paid for)

T PA ES EX RO HE

A ll about

expat paper in Spain

SEE OUR ADVERT INSIDE

exclusive content… and thanks to popular demand, now a crossword to boot! Check out our biggest stories from last year and bring on 2019! TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.indd

October

Voted

stories that made 2018 another for the Olive Press wait to see what 2019 brings. We continue to be the ONLY investigative English newspaper in Spain and the ONLY paper to bring you genuinely original and

17 17

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

industrial, Estepona. OPEN Weekdays 9:30-19:00 Saturdays

LAMINATE FLOORING WOOD FLOORING VINYL FLOORING ARTIFICIAL

since 1986

Home Delivery

info@esteponafurniture.com

10:00-15:00

New

GRASS FITTED CARPET Pearl Luxury Rugs RUGS BBQ’S GARDEN LIVINGROOM DINING ROOM BEDROOM KITCHEN DECORATIONS AND MUCH MORE !

www.theolivepress.es

FEATURE

the trauma of losing someone to suicide. An NSPCC spokesperson told the Olive Along with ‘I’m depressed’ or ‘he/she Press ter’ are phrases that have become the is a nut- that social media platforms such as Instagram norm but should filter out content unknowingly increase stigma. which breaks its own rules. “Someone who is feeling low and someone is clinically depressed are not the same who “Young people on Instagram should never be says Dr Hallin, “if you feel better after thing,” exposed to this kind of harmful and distressing or socialising, it is a passing emotion, exercise content. it is not a “We know from contacts clinical illness.” to our Childline many children are being driven to self-harm that Social media has also shown to cause as a psycho- way of dealing with the pressures logical stress. and demands of modern-day life,” she adds. Many have blamed sites like Instagram Facebook for the surge in teen self-harming and Recently the NSPCC launched its ‘Wild West and Web’ campaign to call for stricter suicide. regulations on social media networks and bring in a And it isn’t difficult to see why. Pages and law to fine forums sites which are not adequately dedicated to self-harming, ‘suicide games’, safeguarded. or Following the campaign, the British eating disorders - where thousands government for hiding signs from family members share tips announced safety laws will be brought in to - offer out- keep children safe on social lets for teenagers to feel part of a dark media and prevent online dangers such as online grooming. community. “It’s vital that the Government holds Although they offer a place of its nerve and commits to an inderefuge for many to norpendent regulator with the malise their feelings, powers to hold social these pages encourage networks to account,” dangerous self-destructive beadds the spokesper- “If you tell your fans to be thinner, you don’t care about them or their mental health or self haviour. son. worth.” It comes after a But for Dr Hallin Activist Jamil (above) has been particularly recent Children’s these terrifying pag- vocal about her own teenage eating disorder Survey report found es are not a cause where she ‘didn’t eat a meal for three years’ that more than but an effect of men- and slammed the media for the ‘weapon’ that is airbrushing. 100,000 tal health problems. children aged 14 in the UK are “Usually a person has In a bid to fight back, Jamil has launched the self-harming, with one in already thought about positive campaign ‘i weigh’, which encourages suicide or self-harming be- social media users to post images of four teenage girls deliberately fore visiting these pages. They’re selves including words which celebratethemhurting themselves this year. there if you go looking for them. skills, talents, personality traits, differencestheir The charity found that nearly a quarter and dren aged 10-17 said they continuouslyof chil- “For example there aren’t more people cooking disabilities - something which has gained much jokes or comments about other people’s heard now we have the internet. But the problem is media attention and public participation. bodies that now we have instructions or looks. online with hun- Given all of this heavy information, undoubteddreds of recipes available, showing you ly it makes sobering reading, but there The Olive Press has found numerous how to is a lot alarming do it in an easier way.” parents can do to look for signs of depression and easily accessible Instagram pages in dedicat- The Olive Press has reported ed to self-harming. the shocking find- their children and safeguard their online activity. ings to Instagram, although as But the best piece of advice all experts Graphic images of deep wounds bleeding offer is into we had received no comment. we went to press to talk more. sinks, hundreds of scars brandishing a girl’s The social media argument wrist and piles of razor blades are is somewhat of a Costa del Sol Darkness Into Light mental health just some two-pronged campaigner Michael O’Halloran advises attack. of the shocking pictures discovered teens during the With more proximity to investigation. celebrities than ever be- to act when they notice a school friend is acting fore, it can be easy for out of character. A pro-anorexia site promotes itself as a ‘diet and believe that re-touched impressionable teens to “Do not walk lifestyle programme for beginners’ and images and collagen-inaway and think he/she is weird. even of- jected lips are the norm. Stop. Ask the question, ‘are you okay?’,” fers the option to subscribe. the They are more dangerous than magazine It also sends tips on how to suppress photo expat tells the Olive Press, “sometimes that’s gives recommendations of dangerous hunger, shoots because these images are uploaded in all that is needed to get the person in distress and even gives advice on how to hide diet pills real-time from a mobile phone, giving the im- talking.” vomit. pression this is really their ‘perfect’ lifestyle It’s incredibly harrowing and sad reading. and There are countless organisations making an that person looks flawless in real life. impact in the UK and Spain offering great supRecently British TV pre- port. A group, Teen Talk, is set to support young senter Jameela Jamil, people across the Costa del Sol with hopes of waged war on celebri- creating new youth hubs, a helpline and comty-endorsed products munity events from the new year. which claim to aid weight Global movement Darkness Into Light on the loss, such as the famous Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca promote suicide awareness and self-harm prevention Flat Tummy Tea. through Social media feeds are fundraisers and walks. plagued with images The more we start to discuss and accept mental of stunning celebrities health, the more we will break down stigmas. flaunting their toned abs Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. crediting the ‘teatox’ for Anyone struggling with the issues raised their enviable figures. in this “Give us the discount article can co codes to your nutritionists, personal chefs, personal trainers, airbrushers and plastic surgeons you bloody liars,” tweeted Jamil.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

olive press online

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

Smash hits

Olive Press ranked Spain’s leading English news website - and top 200,000 in the world THE Olive Press’ original and in-depth reporting has sent us into the stratosphere. After receiving over ONE million unique visitors over the last two months, we have climbed an incredible 75,000 places globally. According to Alexa.com we are ranked English newspaper in Spain,- by far - the highest sitting at 200,007th place in the world out of over a billion Our amazing year leaves us far higher websites. vals, including Euro Weekly News than any of our ri(EWN), which ranks at just 232,000, and Sur in English spite both being in business for many at 416,000, deThis might have something to do with years longer. portant global sites linking in to our a massive 707 imstories, including the BBC, Fox News and the Daily Mail, compared to just 402 for the EWN. What’s more our readers - who average around 10,000 unique visitors a day - come from a healthy split between Spain, the UK, America and the Scandinavian countries. We are also in the top 10,000 most popular websites in Spain, sitting at an incredible 9,079th place out of more than 2 million websites in Spain, last week. Our readers spend an average of 2.21 minutes on the site and read two stories. Alexa.com is owned by Amazon.com and ranks the most visited websites globally by analysing traffic statistics. Just two years ago the Olive Press ed best expat newspaper in Spainprint edition was votthe world, after a worldwide poll of and second best in 27,000 expats by The Expat Survey Consumer Awards (TESCA).

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1 2 3

- One punch killer British tourist

arrested in Spain for killing pensioner on Costa del Sol

(10,157)

- British icon Rod Stewart set to

perform on Spain’s Costa del Sol (8,103)

- MURDER MILE: Nationality of Marbella shooting victim revealed as murder rate surges

(6,706)

- Rise of the right in Andalucia could make life more difficult for British expats, expert warns

(4,378)

- ROCKY ROAD: Drivers narrowly

lling 5-tonne boulder in Andalucia

Visitors: 130,886 Page views: 202,281

avoid fa-

(10,215)

18 18

BUSINESS

www.theolivepress.es

Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

Kicking and streaming SPAIN’S Policia Nacional have seized 800 illegal decoders in just three days as part of a clampdown on illicitly broadcasting football. The operation revealed that 60% of venues visited broadcast LaLiga using boxes with private signals in order to escape paying out thousands of euros in annual streaming fees.

Cybercrime

Officers from the Central Cybercrime Unit visited 2,000 bars on December 11, 12 and 13 after a complaint from Spanish football’s top tier. Broadcasting football in public is more expensive than at home, with Orange charging bars €338.80 a month and Vodafone €395.67. A LaLiga team of 100 staff already detected 9,000 illegal emissions of the beautiful game in 2018 following 20,000 visits to public establishments.

CRACKDOWN: On streaming

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Thanks a trillion THE NATION’S foreign debt shot over the €2 trillion mark for the first time ever in 2018, according to the Bank of Spain. Data from the financial institution showed that an increase of just €9 million (0.4%) between July and September, tipped Spain over the unwanted milestone. The exact amount, €2.004 trillion, comprises 167.4% of Spanish GDP

SKY HIGH: National debt

and is the second-highest in the euro zone after Italy. An excessive debt imbalance is any figure above 35% of a country’s GDP, according to the European Commission. At the peak of the housing bubble the Spanish state borrowed around €100 million, which was also used to help companies and banks expand.

Flight freeze

rajas airport until January 21. Their refusal to work began on December 21 and was or-

St Georges European have been relocating families and businesses across Europe for over 10 years. As one of the UK’s only dedicated European movers, we operate our own fleet of purpose built vehicles manned by our own experienced trained crews. Insured by one of the UK’s leading brokers within the removals & storage industry and with our own containerised storage facilities in both the UK and Spain St Georges European have the solution to your next move.

ganised by the union, Alternativa Sindical. Union representatives alleged that security officers who patrol inside and outside the airport have not been paid their promised bonus. The workers group also claimed the ‘law of prevention of occupational hazards’ is being breached as the staff are not being provided with warm clothes for the cold weather ahead. Meanwhile, Ryanair staff in Spain have planned another round of strikes in the new year, calling the airline ‘childish’ and claiming that 1,800 workers are made to suffer. An agreement has still not been reached between the Madrid workers and Eulen, as it is claimed that the company ‘persists in breaches’ over labour and wages. The company claimed the strike was ‘almost imperceptible’, as extra staff were brought in to cover the shortfall. Eulen did however criticise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government for ruling that even during a strike,

Pension perk THE government has confirmed it will scrap automatic pension rises of 0.25% in Spain for the first time in five years. Instead of increasing by a standard minimum amount, in 2019 the benefit will rise by 1.6%, a figure based on the real CPI (Consumer Price Index) of the last 12 months. The rise is set to be effective from February and will cost Spain around €128 million. The changes will be made by Royal Decree and were labelled a ‘measure of extraordinary and urgent necessity’ by the government, who aim to give pensioners their purchasing power back.

Brits abroad could face New Year travel chaos as Madrid airport workers and Ryanair strikes planned AROUND 300 Madrid airport workers are set to strike because it is too cold are placing thousands of British holidaymakers in jeopardy. As New Year arrives, staff from the company Eulen have said they will strike at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid Ba-

PROTESTING: Pensions

Dirty phone calls

STRIKES: Across Europe 95% of services must be covered. It comes as Spain saw its overseas visitor numbers drop by 4.9% in July in 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. This decrease was the biggest in Spain for eight years, although thousands of Brits were expected to flock to the southern European country over the festive period. Brits are still Spain’s biggest tourist market with 18,779,466 visiting in 2017.

ORANGE and Jazztel head Spain’s league table of telecom spammers, pestering customers with an average 20 sales phone calls per user. Adeces, Spain’s Association for civil, economic and social rights, has slammed the strategy as ‘commercial aggressiveness, excessive and disrespectful’. And their 11th annual Customer Service Report reveals other big differences between phone companies.

Nuisance

Those least likely to stalk users with nuisance calls are Movistar, Pepephone, R and Telecable who call each customer only once. Movistar also heads the rankings for the quality of their customer service - followed by MasMovil and Vodafone - and technical assistance while MasMovil comes top for response time in resolving problems. Adeces recommends phone companies should reduce waiting time and be more transparent with their clients.

The rail deal

SPAIN’S national rail operator has confirmed it will increase regional train fares in 2019. Renfe admitted its regional rates will rise by 3.5%, while Avant train journeys on the AVE tracks will be 7% dearer. The state-owned operator will however freeze Cercanías ticket prices in Spain’s major cities for a fourth straight year. Cercanías, the metropolitan division of Renfe, carried 423.6 million passengers in 2017, while a further 23.6 million used the medium distance trains and 7.65 million used the Avant.

www.theolivepress.es

Gangsters Paradise

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

19 19

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Despite a record year for drug seizures, business is booming for narco-terrorists while Nordic mafias present a new threat on the Costa del Sol

DYCO-Costa del Sol isn't an organisation you hear much of. Working in the shadows, the Unit against Drugs and Organised Crime for Malaga province has has been instrumental in bringing down a host of drug traffickers and their counterparts in 2018. In fact, it was a record 12 months for the undercover unit whose intelligence tactics - including phone hacking and the analysis of bank accounts - have lead to more than 500 arrests and double 2017’s drugs haul. In 2017 UDYCO helped seize 24 tonnes of drugs in Malaga and last year that tally soared past 40 tonnes. Of 2018’s haul, 30 tonnes of hashish were seized and 10 tonnes of cocaine, with the rest made up of marijuana plants, heroin and other narcotics. UDYCO has cost the illegal drug trafficking economy €100 million in 2018 by disrupting the network with its raids and arrests. But despite being the best year 'in a long time' - with some 500 arrests - Chief Inspector Antonio Rodriguez Puertas believes there is still much work to be done as the activity of drug gangs is increasing and the killing shows no signs of abating. It was a 'particularly violent' year which saw around 25 assassinations or settling of accounts in Malaga province alone. And although at least 60 criminal gangs have been dismantled, with Spanish, Moroccan, Dutch, English and French the most predominate operators on the coast. But like cutting off the head of the Hydra, other gangs are stepping in to replace them. What has been most surprising last year has been the arrival of mafia from the Nordic countries - and every year gangs are joining forces. "We constantly find ourselves with more transnational organisations, meaning members from up to three or four different countries," says Puertas, who reveals that 33% of such groups in Spain are based in Malaga province. For UDYCO it was a 'peculiar' year, as it had to deal with its first cases of 'narco-terrorism' following two bomb explosions in San Pedro de Alcantara and Benahavis, followed by another device which had to be detonated by cops in

Marbella. The reasons behind the surge in violence and activity are numerous, according to Chief Inspector Puertas.

Police pressure One reason, he suggested, may be due to the increased arrests and seizures made by police last year. This can cause paranoia and fury among drug bosses, who may fear a leak in the organisation, leading to more bloody reprisals. Additionally if the shipment is intercepted, those responsible for the failure will also likely face deadly repercussions.

Power struggles Often, hits carried out by cartels or gangs are related to turf wars back home. If two Irish gangs are battling for control of an area or are in a violent feud like the Hutch-Kinahan gangs - hits can be carried out in Spain where they are based. But according to Olive Press sources, it is the winding down of Irish activity on the coast which has lead to the significant increase in violence. The Irish mafia has suffered from a continued Garda-Spain crackdown in recent years, causing them to focus more on the Middle East and other markets. It is believed to have left somewhat of a power vacuum in southern Spain, leading to increased competition from English, Spanish, Swedish and other mafias who have tried to fill the void.

Campo crackdown The Campo de Gibraltar has long been a hotbed for criminal activity and a reliable hideout for drug traffickers. This has somewhat changed over the past couple of years with the Government in Madrid sending thousands of Guardia Civil officers to the region in a bid to crack down on the rise in mafia activity. Most recently it announced a €1 billion investment plan in the region aimed at creating a business hub and eliminating organised crime. It has meant that drug-related activity usually concentrated in trouble spots like Algeciras and San Roque or La Linea has now spilled over to the tourist resorts of Costa del Sol, with safe houses, shipments and assassinations popping up in the likes of Estepona and Marbella.

POWER VACUUM: More international gangs are pushing there way to the Costa

'Rollovers' According to the Chief

Inspector, however, the biggest cause of last year’s intensified violence has been the 'rollovers'. This is when drug traffickers steal shipments or hauls from another gang or refuse to pay for the goods. "At least 70% of the settling of accounts last year are related, in one way or another, to the theft or non-payment of merchandise," explains Puertas. But the Chief Inspector had a stark message for the so-called 'narcos': "Work is being done with much intensity and, sooner or later, all those cases will be answered. "Your destination will be jail,” he warned. “The coast is not, and will not be, a pleasant area for the establishment of these organisations." BUSTED: Police crackdowns increased in 2018

PROPERTY

20 www.theolivepress.es 20 Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

Property of the Week

Iznalloz, Granada - TH3962 75.000€ Detached, well presented, furnished 4 bedroom, 2 quality bathroom townhouse with large private garage, great size sun terrace dramatic views over the wonderful countryside is situated in an elevated position on the edge of town.

tel: +34 953 587 040 Calle Abad Moya 4 bajo, 23680 Alcalá la Real, Jaén info@inlandandalucia.com www.inlandandalucia.com

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Power to the people

Property law overhaul as communities given power to ban new tourist blocks

THE government has granted neighbours powers to limit the expansion of tourist renters in their building. Following the success of rental platforms like Airbnb, the Ministry of Development has used a Royal Decree to curb tourist rental effects on local communities. In a bid to put Spanish citizens first, the government has reduced the required ma-

SPAIN FIRST: Jose Luis backs new bill jority to ban new tourist flats from being built in an area. Previously, a unanimous decision was required from residents, but under the new reforms, groups of residents will only need a majority of three fifths. This will make it easy for

Razed to the ground ALMOST 20 illegal homes have been destroyed in Malaga province over the past year. The Prosecutor’s Office revealed that 19 were razed in total, with 16 of those voluntarily destroyed by those responsible. But the Environmental Department has admitted that the true number of illegally built residences could be even higher. “Among other reasons, it is because there is no way to control the actual demolitions carried out with the current media,” explained a department spokesperson.

communities to limit or apply conditions to tourist rentals in their areas. It will therefore be far easier for residents groups to bump up the price for tourists renting in their area, as well establishing special quotas. Spanish Minister José Luis Ábalos backed ‘more people who use the common areas paying more’. This Royal Decree of Urgent Measures has also been employed to change Urban Leasing Law so that it no longer covers tourist properties, which instead will be regulated at a regional level. The new measures ‘help the autonomous communities to mitigate the difficulties of control of housing of tourist use and gives more capacity to the communities of owners’, according to Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Vulture culture THE former mayor of Madrid Ana Botella is facing a multi-million euro fine after being found guilty in a major housing scandal. Botella, also the wife of former PP president José María Aznar, was convicted by the Court of Audit of selling off 1,860 supported housing flats in October 2013 to two so-called vulture funds at a cut price, alongside seven other senior officials. Both funds belonged to Blackstone, an international group that set up Spain’s biggest property empire on the back of the deal, specialising in the acquisition of repossessed housing.

Transparency

Currently Blackstone owns one in four of the Spanish estate agents listed on the stock exchange and rents out 22,000 properties in the country. According to the 90-page court report, the sale by the City’s Property and Land Company (EMVS) of the capital’s supported housing together with a large number of other public properties involved passing privileged information to the funds and the absence of either an ‘initial evaluation’ or public auction. This resulted in a general lack of transparency designed to benefit the buyer. “The sale price of all these properties was under the legal minimum,” concluded the Court of Audit, which has demanded those convicted pay €25.7 million between them for the detrimental effect on the public coffers. Botella and the seven officials said they will appeal.

End the struggle Can you keep up with mortgage repayments this winter?

ITH the winter months closing in the off season for property rentals across Spain is upon us. Declining rental income makes it difficult for borrowers to maintain their mortgage repayments, community fees and IBI tax. EU Property Solutions receive an increase in enquiries at this time of year as many borrowers find it difficult to repay their monthly mortgage and are ‘topping up’ the property from their own funds. For many this is hard to take given their property could be in Negative Equity i.e. the outstanding mortgage is greater than the property value. Many overseas borrowers dream of owning a home in the sun has become a nightmare and financial drain due to no fault of their own. They are a victim of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and subsequent Spanish market decline which no one foresaw. EU Property Solutions offer tailor made solutions to borrowers in Spain struggling with mortgage repayments, suffering negative equity or cannot sell their property. Below is a little more about us: • •

We have an expert legal team in Spain and Multi-lingual team members. We have UK and Spanish offices.

if we can achieve a result. For skeptical poStruggling with tential clients we offer telephone references from clients who experienced our solutions. The case study below outlines a typical case EU Property Debt? settled for happy clients':

Twobut gentlemen • Want to sell can’t? purchased a property in the popular Guadalupe Hills in the Costa Del • MortgageSol. greater than value? The property value was €50,000 which was meagre in comparison to the €120,000 • Lost Deposit? mortgage outstanding with a large Spanish W • Can’t make yourwho mortgage lender acquiredpayments? the mortgage. The longall a termperiod tenant ending? left the property and it was beco• Interest Only ming a financial headache and burden. • Generally Struggling with your Spanish Property? One gentleman held a high-profile job with a large multinational in New York and the other party based in the UK had significant property assets. They were rightly concerned over EU Property Solutions are a team of Insolvency and debt consultants who sp their exposure to the Bank. Nonetheless EU provide tailored pre-insolvency strategies, we will look at your situation and Property Solutions achieved the following: • • • •

We assess your circumstances and offer a specific solution ending the burden and stress of overseas debt. We can protect your home, assets and income. We offer testimonials and case studies

on our website www.eupropertysolutions.com where you can chat live to an advisor for a call back. EU Property Solutions have a proven record of success in Spain and only take on a case

• • • •

Calle Marques del Duero 76, 3º C, San Pedro Alca

The surrender of the property back to np@eupro info@eupropertysolutions.com the lender. www.eupropertysolutio The borrowers' avoided paying expensive sales costs in Spain. A complete debt write off including 2 outstanding quarters of Community Fee payments. Protection of global assets and income An excellent result for both parties.

If you are struggling with to pay a Spanish Mortgage Account or a suffering from Negative Equity and want an end to the stress then call EU Property Solutions today on 0044 (0) 330 124 1230 or visit our website, www.eupropertysolutions.com and chat live to arrange a call back.

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Grapes of wealth

SPANISH company AMC Fresh will make new grape varieties for Walmart in a deal thought to be worth €100 million. The country’s largest fruit producer will use biotechnology to create new types of table grapes for the US supermarket giant. “It is not genetic modification,” said the fruit firm, who are exclusively producing the new fruit for Walmart, who spend around €1 billion annually on table grapes alone. AMC Fresh distribute to 60 of the 100 largest companies in the world, including British retailers Marks & Spencer and Morrisons.

World’s first carnivore holiday pitches up in southern Spain THE world’s first ever carnivore retreat is officially heading to Andalucia this year. 100% Carnivore… and Beyond will take visitors back to the bare bones of our ancestors’ diets, with talks from leading carnivore and paleo medicine

experts and doctors in the setting of a plush monastery in the Campo de Gibraltar countryside. The three-day event, in Finca Monasterio in San Martin

Food fight

BATTLE: In streets

A FLOUR and egg battle has returned to the streets of Ibi, where locals celebrated a 200year tradition outside the town hall. Every December 28 the Alicante town celebrates the Els Enfarinats festival, where revellers hurl eggs, flour and hundreds of fireworks at each another in a staged battle. The fight is split into two sides, the ‘Enharinados’, or the ‘floured’, and the opposition who try and restore order. In Roman times it was the sla-

Unicorn tears

Meat-up EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

ves who took over for a day, but now friends and neighbours wage war on one another. Participants don military uniforms for the food fight, which began again in 1981 as Spain emerged from the dictatorship of General Franco.

Perfect Winter Break 2x1 Special Offer in January and February

21 21

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

del Tesorillo, offers the chance for guests to sink their teeth into workshops, private consultations and food tasting. Organised by Dr Lynn Hardy and health consultant Phil Escott - both carnivores - the pair hope to encourage others to consider a lifestyle change which also explores emotional balancing, cold thermogenesis and sun exposure. Lifestyle consultant and personal trainer, Escott, 56, found carnivorism after he became seriously ill with psoriatic arthritis and autoimmune conditions, leaving him unable to move wi-

TRANSFORMED: Phil

thout severe pain. Escott, a former vegan, insists it is a ‘total con that we need any fruit or veg’ and claims he was cured after radically changing his eating habits. “It’s not whacky, it’s not an extreme diet, it’s taking us back to the basic food of our ancestors. “I got so many health issues as a vegetarian and vegan. When I dropped the last of the plant matter in my diet, that’s when things cleared up,” added the dad-of-three based in Skelmersdale, in Lancashire. His book Arthritis, The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me became an Amazon Kindle bestseller and has since set up a Facebook group which has garnered almost 7,500 members. Tickets for 100% Carnivore… and Beyond cost between €132 for a day pass and up to €1,370 for a private suite for the weekend and can be purchased on eventbrite.com

THE Spanish winery made famous for their blue wine has done it again with a new sparkling rosé called Unicorn Tears. Gik is the Basque-based drinks company behind this fabulous bottle of fizz and claim to have made the ‘pinkest rosé that has ever been created’. Rebranding as ‘Gik Live!’ for this release, the firm says its new creation is tears from an ‘actual unicorn’. Gik, who employ chemical engineers to achieve the drink’s bright colours, say their millennial beverage tastes of candy, while its sparkle comes from natural mineral pigments. Bottles of the 12% volume bubbly are available in threes and upwards, with a triple pack retailing for €39 online.

SPARKLES: Pink bubbly

CalleCool 22 22

www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

the Olive campaigning, community newspaper, in ress represents the huge expatriate community including the pain with an estimated readership, a month. ebsites, of more than 500,000 people

OPINION Absolutely criminal

now leading to OIL refineries and other industries are suggests. more deaths than ever, the latest evidence which places The World Health Organisation report, like DelLa Linea alongside other pollution hotspots who are at hi, will make very scary reading for locals, a higher risk of cancer than most. and San Fert is wrong that towns like Puerto Real the national nando have cancer rates far higher than average in Spain. - even when We do not hold big business to account things need but jeopardy in public health is placed Linea will go to to change. With elections looming, La minds. the polls with the pollution issue on their Prime Minister Andalucia leader Susana Diaz and their sociaPedro Sanchez will need to demonstrate in divestment list principles and show a real interest from fossil fuels.

About time

to painkiller AFTER countless families lost loved ones Nolotil, finally Spain has regulated it. been kept in Victims have had fingers amputated, suffered horriglass-walled solitary confinement and fic illnesses after taking it. Their voices have now been heard. Garcia del In an incredible act of community, Cristina rallied together Campo and expats in Andalucia have listen. authorities to make the Spanish thank you The Olive Press would like to say a huge the countless to Cristina for all her hard work andtell their Nolotil readers who bravely contacted us to stories, which helped us to raise awareness. saved with We are sure many lives have already been

the new regulation. suffeLet’s hope this will be the end of unnecessary ring for tourists and expats. PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

SALES Sam Adams (+34) 634 611 836 newsdesk@theolivepress.es sam@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618

NEWSDESK

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es DESIGNER Keith Franks

Tina (+34) 647 078 775 tina@theolivepress.es ADMIN Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es DISTRIBUTION Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017 HEAD OFFICE

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 planta primera, 29692 Edificio centro comercial El Duque, San Luis de Sabinilla, Manilva

AWARDS

2016 - 2018

Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2018 Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

FEATURE

November 7th - November 20th 2018

Not cool! Not everyone in Madrid’s Lavapies appreciated the neighbourhood being labelled the ‘coolest in the world’, discovers Heather Galloway

felt HE urban bible Time Out may have it was doing the Madrid barrio of Lavapiés a favour last month when naming it the coolest hood in the world, but for the majority of its longterm residents, it was anything but. “What’s happening is not at all cool,” says a member of cultural centre, Tabacalera’s Promoción del Arte team who prefers to remain anonymous. of lot “These kinds of labels do a harm. Flagging it up as trendy means inwhile (above) tourists and that rents go up and there’s anas an NOT FOR SALE: (Left) Sign in Lavapies streets creased police presence as well classes locals stroll along the barrio’s colourful increase in racism because social rebecome polarized. It has pretty negative recovered from the downturn Ahora Madrid, were and havingeconomic crisis, they have now percussions.” at demos-citizen platform during the area and MalaAnother from a recycling art collective went incensed afresh. stance. caught up with the Palacio Lavapiés now Tabacalera’s social space next door It’s not hard to understand their According to idealista, to the world’s coolest area saña. the cenfurther. has the fifth most expensive rents in is ruin- Being elevated “This is exactly the kind of thing that voted. I according to Time Out’s criteria of ‘afford-a ter, trumping areas such as Chamberi and and ing the barrio. I don’t even know who ability’, ‘cool new venues opening’ people Moncloa. So will its new status as the very buzz – ‘This is where mean, who said that? It just depersonalizes multi-cultural cool accelerate its rise? urban of essence the barrio. It’s capitalism run riot.” 15th cen- from near and far live side by side, cooking According to Manolo, one way this could be Since it first came into being in the by those up a bustling cultural life’ – inevitably kills averted is reintroducing five-year term rent in the 2019 tury, Lavapiés has been consideredseedy, no- the goose that lays the golden egg. Tourists the contracts – one of the proposals Iglesias on the ‘right’ side of the city as a streets, flood in along with the well-heeled and budget signed this month by Pablo go area, with its steeply inclinedthe city’s immigrant, artistic and activist communities and incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sánpoverty and distinction as home to responsible for the label find themselves chez. from an once it – lent Those who originally I stroll up and densest immigrant population from squeezed out. are What comes to mind as of Barea, elsewhere in Spain and more recentlyin be- air of street credibility and authenticity down streets where the mother side Senegal to Shanghai and everywhere forced south to barrios such as Carabanchel once carried laundry from the other de Vallecas. According to Manotween. of the divide to the River center of and Puente In 2004, it made headlines as the who met lo Osuna from the NeighManzanares, is the old adoperations for the 11/M bombers phones bours’ Association La Corrala age about the sow’s ear in La Alhambra restaurant and used Jamal Latina-Rastro-Lavapiés who and the silk purse. However barrio for 50 to trigger the multiple explosions from much real estate investment If this goes on It has lived in the Zougam’s phone shop on Calle Tribulete.ter- years, “I like the label and I companies such as EnfoKawill be the we to turn Lavapiés was, then, touted as a hotbed of Islamic like it. On the one hand, want don’t might rorism, an image that has been conveniently it makes me proud because victim of our own into the next Notting Hill, relegated to history. for so long nobody wanted to there is some way to go begoal. was considered their It Curiously, there was a Muslim community here. meet success come they fore just outhere in medieval times. Situatedfor Jewish dangerous and there were no Despite the presence of the It was thanks side the city walls, it was a refuge Centro Dramático Nacional, the young people. immigrant population and Muslim converts and it is thought the University Library in the feet – on to the and area was called Lavapies – wash the local that there was any life at all. ruins of the Iglesia de las Escuelas account of the cleansing rituals inout of the On the other hand, I don’t like it, becausea hip watering holes such as SalaEquis it into fountain of people coming in and it brings more tourists and turnsmy neigh- mentioned in the Time Out report or La on Calle I once knew 90% of neighborhood. become theme park.I barely know 10%. If this goes Playa de Lavapiés and La Libreof Madrid By the 18th century, Lavapies had bours, now Argumosa,this is still a corner the victim of our own success.” where drunks feel at home and dog ownstrongly working class with the Tabacalera 6,000 on we will be mema around HAPS, is providing do words factory pets cigarette ers turn a blind eye when their the cor- Echoing Manolo’s women and 300 men with jobs whilemuch of ber of Fisidici cooperative, which has a sign their business on the pavement. It is also repair shop that says ‘Laten to a ralas peculiar to the area provided mi- outside its bicycle an area where migrants sleep Podemos se vende’. Commenting on the and the accommodation. Gradually, families of Spain vapiés noperplexed tourists on guided walk- room in shifts and activism gravitate grating to the city from other parts groups of thrive. And while tourists might through the area, HAPS says, “We’re to Airbnbs here, the city’s mayor Manuelaid the foundations for the multi-cultural the same abouts not particular this buzz associated with the area. At with the turning into a zoo! A recreational barrio, curb to hopes la Carmena time Lavapies became synonymous essence somewhere that people work and live. The trend with El Plan Especial de Usos del term castizo, used to describe the of these solution has to be both political and local.a Hospedaje that is set to wipe out around accommodaof us who live here have to put up of hailing from Madrid. But neither tourist Those of kind this of be 95% to attributes were considered at the time tion in the city center. to Arturo fight.” particularly desirable. According A Rebel Since 2010, the immigrant population has She does, however, have something of a to Housy, Barea,the author of The Forging of a laun- dropped from 33 % to 22.6%. The exodus of battle on her hands. According trilogy, who lived with his mother, 1914, was kicked started by the urban plan which manages Airbnbs, more in an enforced refurbish- an agency dress, in the hood between 1905 and of 1997 that subsidized buildings – subsidies flats than ever are being refurbished little sign of old residential “At that time, Lavapiés was the frontier by the area for tourist lets with the world ment of Madrid. It was where the city and the limits that according to Manolo were exploited a slowdown in response to the measure. ended (…). People had christened The New investors. Prices doubled and doubled again, It seems sad but almost inevitable that long conof the barrio, The Americas and neighborhoods like Lavapiés, so subjectworld. World. It was, without doubt, another sidered beyond the pale, are now – or inas far as Civilization and the city reached ended.” ed to a different kind of ‘Injuria’ is cool that. And that was where they both belching sult. Raw and colourful, the barrio here Barea talks of open sewers, smoke streets communities the precisely because the Time from factories and blackened putridfrom the don’t care about being ‘cool’ in as prices and the smell of mule dung rising of which Out sense of the word. Ironically, will leave and central patios of the corralas, all Injurias, communities these up, go Conseearned it the moniker, Barrio de los take their ‘coolness’ with them. to just meaning the Neighborhood of Insults. ethnic quently, Lavapies will be reduced seekRecently, however, its castizo and another overpriced shell and those factor credentials have elevated it to an altogether ing to capitalize on the elusive cool priced only condifferent realm. When Time Out not will be chasing the very people they firmed that it was shedding it down-at-heel Tourists get a tour of the baout of their homes south of the river. of cool, image but declared it the champion for Po- ATTRACTION: €43 rrio– advertised on Trip Advisor for its residents, 56% of whom voted

VERY city in Spain has its colourful neighbourhoods whose rhythms move according to the culture and customs of their inhabitants.

Lavapies in Madrid - recently crowned the ‘world’s coolest’ - is no exception, famed for its bustling multi-ethnic vibe, striking street murals and edgy art scene. But it’s

not the only barrio on the block with personality. To prove it, the Olive Press trekked halfway across Spain to come up with our own Top 10.

Chueca (Madrid) Lavapies has a rival on its own doorstep. Chueca is one of the Madrid neighbourhoods which has evolved enormously since the gay community settled in and smartened it up. Now it’s a groovy social hub. With modern and classic architecture anda huge variety of places to eat and drink, from old-school taverns to modern restaurants, Chueca should be checked out.

FOOD,DRINK

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Lavapies, a Madrid barrio with a name that translates as ‘foot wash’ recently won Time Out’s ‘coolest neighbourhood in the world’ award but Pablo Balbontin can find cooler

Plocia Street (Cádiz) Since Cadiz is a beautiful but small city, the interesting stuff can be found in certain streets, rather than neighbourhoods. Some years ago Plocia Street was run down with a dodgy reputation but today it’s one of the best places to eat in Cadiz. It’s loaded with restaurants of every kind, from traditional ventas to burger joints to Italian restaurants, along

with top quality gastro haunts like La Bodeguita, El Patio and El Aljibe

Alameda (Sevilla)

Gracia (Barcelona) The Gracia neighbourhood is a patchwork quilt of people of all ages getting along together. There are the elders whose families have lived here for donkeys years, the young entrepreneurs who’ve set up all kinds of funky businesses and the backpackers who patronise them. The cultural offer is unbeatable, with restaurants of all variety, tons of theatres and concert halls and, of course, Gaudi’s Park Güell, one of the most iconic places in Barcelona.

Another district that has gone up in the world over the last decade. No longer just a place to drink yourself silly until dawn, now it’s up everyone’s alley - for a quick breakfast, a coffee while your kids play around or a quiet dinner at one of its numerous restaurants. The dinky buildings, crooked streets and gigantic Pillars of Hercules columns at the end of the wide tree-lined Alameda avenue remind you that you’re in Sevilla, which always does things on a grand scale and knows how to hang on to its history.

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

& TRAVEL

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Soho (Malaga) Numerous tourism experts have raved about the cultural revival of Malaga displacing Sevilla. The Soho district is one of the guilty interlopers. The hip new side to Malaga, poised between the city centre and the sea, is also home to the Contemporary Arts Centre, the Alameda Theatre and - thanks to MAUS - Málaga Arte Urbano en el Soho - a growing gallery of street graffiti. Art is everywhere you look, signed off by both local an international artists. In fact it’s not really a barrio at all but one seamless open air museum.

Ruzafa (Valencia) Raunchy Ruzafa has morphed from decadent to dynamic in the space of a decade and now this multicultural barrio is one of the places everyone wants to be. It’s heaving with offbeat emporiums, from manga comic shops to art galleries and gastronomic clubs to its great central market. It’s a trend-setting place that will cue you in to the latest groundbreaking fashions, cultural movements and gastronomic experiences but traditional businesses also thrive in this hip hangout.

Santa Catalina (Palma de Mallorca) Some people call it the ‘Soho balear’ (Balearic Soho) and they are right. Santa Catalina is brimming with cultural and gastronomic offers - a place to enjoy a few beers, go shopping or just chill. The Market of Santa Catalina is the beating heart of the neighbourhood which is rammed with art galleries, design shops and craft stores as well as mountains of fresh and local produce. It also caters for exotic tastes with everything from sushi bars and Lebanese restaurants to vegan eateries and South American cuisine.

Albaicin (Granada) This Moorish barrio is designated a Unesco ‘Heritage of Humanity’, something you truly understand when you see it. Like a guardian angel, it watches over Granada from its high pinnacle, bottling the essence of Islam throughout its tricky maze of streets. Its traditional carmen houses with their own walled gardens and water source evoke wonder but there’s always something new to see. As the locals often say, come in and get lost, because in every corner there might be some new bar or event to discover. It’s a neighbourhood full of surprises.

Santa Cruz (Alicante) The old town of Alicante is colloquially known simply as El Barrio but it’s multi-façeted. Plaza de San Cristobal is the perfect spot for al fresco feasting; Centro 14 is a cultural hub offering all kinds of activities, courses and training workshops for youngsters; and then there’s the ruta de la madera (wooden road) a legendary route of bars that started to spring up in the 1980s and has become a right of passage for generations of youngsters growing up in Alicante.

www.bistropoint.gi UNIVERSITY OF GIBRALTAR, EUROPA POINT

Reservations on 200 76588 or bistropoint@huntergroup.gi La Marina (Ibiza) As well as being the Med’s party central, the White Island has its more offbeat diversions and the cool La Marina barrio is one. Found in the old town, its distinguished by its narrow streets, antique walls and tiny wooden houses. During the day craft stalls, Adlib shops and decor shops are the main protagonists, inviting you to wander at will. By night it ramps up the tempo and becomes the meeting point for a rainbow crowd of families, couples and the LGBT community.

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

FOOD,DRINK & January 3rd - January 15th 2019

How to get a Michelin Star After Dani Garcia announced the closure of his restaurant after winning a third star, we take a look at the

“

ONCE you reach this point, you have to carefully think, what else is there? What is life without a dream ahead? Now we will chase another dream.” These were the words of Marbella chef Dani Garcia, just 22 days after achieving almost every chef’s fantasy of winning his third Michelin Star on November 21 in Lisbon. The news that the 42-year-old will close his restaurant in October 2019 to focus on new projects - but keep his three stars - was something that shocked and even d i sappoin-

Open Tuesday to Sunday. until 22.00 Closed 12.00 until mid February

ted customers and admirers. he decided to focus on a new project, El BuAlthough Garcia is possibly the quickest to lli1846, a gastronomical research centre. throw in the towel at the peak of his culinary Meanwhile, dad-of-two Garcia said his decicareer, he is not the first. sion came from a ‘personal need’ to take his Before him famous Spanish chefs such as unique ‘vision of Andalucian gastronomy to Sergi Arola, Carme Ruscalleda and Ferran every corner of the world’. Adria closed their eateries citing the immense Whatever their reasons were for shutting up pressure of maintaining the accolade, econo- shop at the top of their A-game, the age-old mic factors and new ambitions as their moti- question still remains. ves. How exactly does a chef attain, and more imMichelin starred-restaurants portantly, maintain the prestimay be prestigious but it is gious accolade? well-known that they are not British-Spanish Michelin financially sustainable. Star-trained chef, Sebastian Maintaining Most decorated chefs make admits that the three stars is a Menendez, their money from books, guide is ‘elusive’ and the criteTV shows and guest for achieving and keeping lot harder than ria appearances rather an award is ‘vague’. getting them than through the bu“They don’t ever tell you why siness, which has to you’ve gained or lost a star fork out wages for an they try to be very smoke and army of chefs, kitchen mirrors about it all,” says the porters and waiters, who work with as- 29-year-old who worked at the former one-statronomically expensive ingredients and rred Ockenden Manor Hotel in Sussex for over equipment. a year. Staff wages are believed to reach 50% of “We only found out we’d maintained a star for a Michelin-starred restaurant’s expenses, the 14th year when the Michelin Guide arrived despite salaries being notoriously low for at the restaurant. We opened the book and saw it, there was no further explanation. Chef DONE: Ferran Adria closed three-star El Bulli 16-hour working days. Catalunyan chef Ser- thanked us for our hard work and we carried gi Arola was forced on.” to close his epony- Eventually, Sebastian decided to leave the mous two-starred Michelin world for more sociable hours, better restaurant in 2015, pay and above all, the opportunity to create leaving a debt of €7 his own masterpieces in other kitchens. He million, while Carme went on to work as a head chef at fine dining Ruscalleda - the only restaurants and hotels in the UK, Bilbao and woman in the world Ibiza. with seven Michelin His former restaurant, housed at Ockenden after the reality TV programme quarter. Stars - closed her Manor Hotel, lost its only star in recent years ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ started Always loved, forever captithree-starred Bar- and although the reasons have not been resending its ‘stars’ to ‘Marbs’. vating... celona eatery, Sant vealed, Sebastian suspects it was down to a Kebab shops now populate the Despite the issues endured in Pau, last October in ‘reluctance to re-invent’ its menu. road behind the designer boutirecent years, Puerto Banús has a bid to pursue pas- The Mancunian cook, now based in the Chanques, with the arch of the main always had charisma. nel Islands, says he is ‘not surprised’ at Gartures new. entrance to the yacht harbour It remains a place where lovers The owner of five-ti- cia’s move and believes creativity and change all but impassable after the sun of the good things in life can me winner of the are key to staying at the top of the culinary goes down, populated as it is find fine dining establishments, World’s Best Restau- world. with prostitutes and touts hawdesigner clothes stores and exrant, Ferran Adria, “Maintaining three stars is a lot harder than king all manner of counterfeit clusive jewellery shops. closed three-starred getting them, you have to be constantly creagoods. To both the left and right of the El Bulli in 2011. Ex- ting mind-boggling recipes because the whole Bars that were once elegant, harbour visitors will discover hausted with the world is looking at you. glamorous venues for the some of the best beaches on business which he “The third star is the highest you’re ever going ‘beautiful people’ have had to the Costa del Sol. Surprisincalled ‘a monster to to get. After achieving it you can understand employ beefy security guards, gly wide and decked with soft tame and transform’ that many want to slow down and be with the ever vigilant for the trouble pale sand, they are hosts to that can occur when groups of charming chiringuito beach young people imbibe alcohol in bars, fun bars and classy reshedonistic holiday quantities. taurants.The resort’s large Signs of improvement... cinema complex offers a great Locals have been concerned for variety of films and its programsome time about the change to me always includes original certain areas of Puerto Banús versions of foreign films for the and the unpleasant behaviour local communities of non-Spaof some of its new clientele. The nish nationalities. In summer, famous marina was in danger the large square in the middle of losing its prestigious and of Puerto Banús is decorated glamorous reputation, yet new with small white marquees that hope has been proffered this sell clothes, jewellery and many year as authorities attempt to other interesting products, turn the tide. overlooked by the grand departMarbella Town Hall has now ment store of El Corte Inglés. issued widely publicised edicts The core chic essence of Puerto warning of stiff fines for disorBanús remains firmly in place. derly conduct, including on-theAs the positive action to maspot fines for improper public nage the bad elements from attire. Signs of improvement are out of its second line streets already being seen and hopecontinues, both residents and fully this year residents won’t visitors alike can feel positive have to endure any unpleasant that Puerto Banús will remain behaviour when strolling throua fashionable resort for another gh this once-elegant yachting 50 years to come.

Rebirth of Banus Puerto Banus is on the up, writes Adam Neale

HE famous marina of Puerto Banús has a rich and interesting history but its reputation in recent years has been rather less glamorous than its auspicious beginnings. Since the earlier days of its genuine film star allure, the Costa del Sol’s star attraction has been courting a less exclusive crowd and their unfortunate behaviour has concerned residents and regular visitors to the area. Today local authorities are stepping up to address the issues created by over-refreshed lads, ladettes and other seedy reprobates, and the future is once again looking positive for the iconic yacht harbour. Illustrious beginnings... Contrary to its appearance, Puerto Banús is not an authentic fishing village at all but a venue purpose-built in the early 1970s as a pleasure ground for the international jet-set. It was deliberately modelled to look authentically Andalusian, with high-rise buildings tacitly forbidden and a yacht harbour designed to accommodate all but the largest private craft. Once completed, the marina witnessed the arrival of the elite, including Saudi princes and Hollywood movie stars, who could access their sumptuous holiday homes via the sea and in consummate style. The Marbella Club Hotel ini-

tially instigated the reputation of Marbella as an exclusive holiday destination and it was followed by the Puente Romano Hotel. These two illustrious establishments, located just a short drive from Puerto Banús, have continued to maintain the highest standards of luxury ever since. A change of scene... The advent of the cheap package holiday had a distinct impact on towns such as Torremolinos and Fuengirola further along the coast. But initially it appeared that Puerto Banús had escaped the flood of mass tourism by maintaining its air of exclusivity. The attractive waterfront was able to preserve its air of elegance due to the impressive luxury boats in its moorings and the first class restaurants and designer shops located on the port’s frontline. However, eventually the hen night and stag party brigade began to infiltrate the second line of Puerto Banús during the past decade, bringing an unwelcome air of debauchery and an increase in petty crime. As budget airlines enabled raucous youngsters from above all the UK to descend on Marbella for holidays and mini-breaks, parts of the famous port began to cater to a more downmarket crowd. And what was already becoming a problem turned into a PR disaster for the town,

gruelling Michelin world and why the accolade is so hard to attain and more importantly, maintain

Terra Meridiana, 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona • Tel: +34 951 318480 Office Mob: +34 678 452109 • Email: info@terrameridiana.com • Website: www.terrameridiana.com

TRAVEL

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

25 25

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Our courtesy Does your insurance company guarantee a courtesy car after a bump?

F your vehicle is involved in an accident and has to go in for repairs, the last thing you need to worry about is organising alternative transport while your car is off the road. Fully comprehensive car insurance with Línea Directa guarantees a free courtesy car after an accident, for an unlimited period of time, until your car is back on the road. To qualify, policyholders need to take out additional Replacement Car Cover and ensure that the vehicle is repaired in one of their approved national network of authorised repairers. TM

902 123 282

*Fully comprehensive offer valid for new customers only. Guarantee subjec t to cover, repair at approved garage, and cour tesy vehicle availabilit y. Subjec t to conditions. O ffer ends 30/11/18.

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

Audi

TO CLOSE: Dani Garcia’s Puente Romano while (right) three-starred dishes family again instead of spending 16 hours a day in a high-pressured kitchen. It’s really tough physically and mentally,” adds Sebastian. Although Michelin has always kept the details of its rigorous approach under wraps, the guide does outline five criteria that must be met - quality of the products, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for money, and consistency between visits. The Michelin inspectors - made up of ‘passionate’ catering and hospitality experts - dine out anonymously and pay for their meals to ensure they do not receive any special treatment. After dining at a restaurant a number of times, the inspectors decide if it is deserving of an award, with one star for ‘very good cooking in its category’, two stars for ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour’, or the maximum three stars for ‘exceptional cuisine, worthy of a special journey’. Below chef Sebastian helps break down what the all-important criteria entails. Quality of the products “First and foremost the products have to be of the best quality, but they also have to be in season and artisan. That’s crucial,” adds the chef. “For example, we used around 40 different types of tomatoes - yellow, purple, orange, red, yellow with black spots - I didn’t even know that many existed until I went to a Michelin starred-kitchen. You have to adapt dishes to the season.” Sebastian notes that many haute cuisine kitchens also work with a lot of ‘live’ products and prepare everything from scratch. “You’ll find everything from bresaola moulding in the basement, to home-smoked salmon, and freshly made bread rising in the oven. It’s a scientific stepby-step process for most of the dishes,” he adds. Mastery of flavour and cooking techniques Investing in the best kitchen equipment on the market is not only a luxury, it is a necessity, it would seem, in the Michelin world. But it comes at an expensive price. “When we refurbished the kitchen, it cost around £180,000 [€200,000] for equipment. That isn’t even including the fridges, or labour costs etc,” adds Sebastian. Top pieces of kit include a ‘sous-vide’ water bath - a process in which food is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and placed in a hot water bath, which locks in nutritional value, keeps meat succulent and eliminates contamination risks. Meanwhile, a ‘dehydrator’ can turn a piece of raw, wet beetroot into a dry crisp, or a ‘rational’ fan oven heats up to 300 degrees and includes a built-in temperature probe which can be set at a desired temperature to cook meat and hot hold it. One of Sebastian’s favourites is a ‘thermo mixer’, costing around £3,000, which he describes as similar to a blender but ‘spins twice as fast’ to make puree sauces ‘ultra smooth’. “In order to create dishes you won’t find at home - like emulsions - you need to use this specialised equipment.”

What is the Michelin Guide?

1889: Brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin found the Michelin tyre company in France. 1900: First edition of the Michelin Guide is published covering The ‘road atlas’ contained maps, tips on how to change tyres,France. to find lodging, and above all, lists of petrol stations with quality where to stop at while waiting for a car to be repaired. By showcasing cafes places to visit, the brothers hoped more people would buy a all the vehicle, meaning more people would buy (Michelin) tires. As petrol station restaurants improved and started specialising in certain dishes, the guide became more refined. 1926: The guide begins to award stars for fine dining establishments, initially marking them with a single star. 1931: A hierarchy of zero, one, two and three stars is introduced. 1936: The criteria for the starred rankings are published. 2006: Michelin expands outside Europe with the launch of its New York guide, later expanding to some other major US cities and to parts of Asia. 2018: The Spain and Portugal Guide includes 11 restaurants with three stars, 31 with two and 148 restaurants have one star. The GB and land Guide includes five restaurants with three stars, 20 restauraIrents with two stars and 150 establishments with one star.

dishes that already work, sums up Sebastian. “We all know things like cheese and onion go together, or beef and horseradish, but it’s taking those flavours and creating something totally different,” he says, before adding that he believes the guide should have a sixth step for creativity. “Your food could have personality but that doesn’t mean it’s creative. Dishes with personality that have been done 1,000 times before aren’t creative anymore.” Value for money “For me this point is a bit irrelevant when you’re talking about three-star restaurants because you’re spending hundreds before you’ve even paid for a wine pairing. It’s always going to be expensive,” adds the Manuncian chef. Although most Michelin starred-restaurants offer menus that will not suit the majority of diners’ budgets, experts have said this category is more about whether the ‘experience’ was worth the price. Consistency between visits

In order to get an idea of how a restaurant truly operates, Michelin inspectors will usually visit the restaurant twice in the same week - on a busy day and a quiet one - to observe whether the different teams work to the same standard. “They try to catch you out. It’s completely different coming on a busy weekend when the A team is fully prepped, to a quiet Monday night when you might have your B team on,” insists the chef. “It cannot slip, not even for one service.” But how do you maintain such a high standard every day? By weighing every single ingredient by the gram and cutting every slice to the exact same millimetre as the last, says Sebastian. “You have to achieve perfect consistency every time. It has to look exactly the same and taste exactly the same every time, no matter who has made it. You have to measure absolutely Personality of the chef in everything. his cuisine “No step can be skipped. That is true This step is essentially the consistency and it’s head chef putting his spin on TOP TIPS: Chef Sebastian Menendez incredibly important.”

This includes free pick-up and drop-off of the vehicle and they guarantee original manufacturer replacement parts. With a fleet of nearly 1,000 Audi A1 courtesy cars, Línea Directa is already helping to keep its customers on the move. Following a claim, here is what one customer has said about this new and enhanced service: “I am very impressed with Linea Directa in this instance. “They have since updated their courtesy car, I noticed. The car that was allocated to me in this instance is an Audi A1, with Línea Directa livery displayed on the doors. “The car, I think, had done only 350 kms, so was brand new! “Thank you and the company for your help and understanding in this matter.”

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 282 or visit www.lineadirecta.com.

2/8/18 17:01

PAGE SPONSORED BY

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Her achilles’ heel

MADRID’S mayor has been re-admitted to hospital with an infected ankle just a week after having surgery. Manuela Carmena fell and broke her ankle at home last month and is now suffering a high fever in her latest bout of medical turmoil. The 74-year-old city chief is now back in University Hospital of La Princesa, where she went under the knife on December 26. The mum-of-

GET WELL: Mayor two will remain hospitalised until January 2, while she is treated with antibiotics.

HEALTH

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Get the jab!

BREAKOUTS in measles are increasing in Spain and Europe as fewer people get jabbed against the disease in childhood. Teenagers and young adults who missed out on the MMR vaccine are most at risk and are being urged to get their shots

Do you have cataracts? All you need to know about cataracts, from Amrik Sappal, Store Director from Specsavers Opticas Fuengirola

ecember saw Día de Santa Lucia, Spain’s holiday in honour of the Patron Saint of the blind, so this month I wanted to deal with the important issue of cataracts, as they are the most common cause of blindness in the world today. Here is some general advice to help you to spot the signs and seek treatment rather than suffering with the symptoms unnecessarily. Q: What are cataracts? A: There are three main types of cataract: • A nuclear cataract – this causes gradual reduction in vision • A cortical cataract – this may give rise to poor vision associated with seeing haloes around lights or seeing double with one eye. • Posterior subcapsular lens opacities – these tend to cause reduction in vision (especially for reading), susceptibility to bright lights and glare. Q: Am I at risk of developing them?

A: As we grow older, the lens of the eye becomes less clear until, ultimately, a cataract that causes reduction in vision is present. Those with a family history of cataracts should be checked regularly as they are at higher risk of developing early cataracts. Q: What can I do to avoid cataracts? A: Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do to avoid them, as they are generally part of the ageing process. Too much sunlight may make people more susceptible to cataracts so it’s important to wear good quality sunglasses. Q: How are cataracts treated? A: They are treated very effectively by a common surgical procedure, so there’s no need to worry, simply make sure you have regular eye tests so the cataracts can be treated before they significantly affect your vision.

Specsavers Opticas are located in Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. To make an appointment for an eye test or find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es

before traveling abroad. The call comes as the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona announced that five flight attendants and a passenger had been diagnosed with the highly infectious disease in Spain last month. The head of preventative medicine at the hospital Antoni Trilla announced the outbreak on Twitter, saying that those affected had travelled on domestic flights and to other countries in the EU, adding that the possibility of new cases had not been ruled out. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, transmitted by breathing in airborne droplets from the nose and mouth or touching the surfaces they are on. The infection usually lasts seven to 10 days. Symptoms include a red rash on the face and greyish spots in the mouth, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, a high temperature and bloodshot eyes.

Anti-vaxxers causing alarming increase in measles across Spain and Europe

ON THE RISE: Measles in Europe While the UK’s robust vaccination programmes mean outbreaks are rare, European countries are seeing a surge in

It’s official... THE American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is backing the science behind health claims made for olive oil. The magic bullet is its high concentration of oleic acid which can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Olive oils will now be able to carry an FDA ‘qualified health claim’ on their labelling, permitted for products where health study findings show promise. “Supportive but not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that daily consumption of about 1½ tablespoons (20 grams) of oils containing high levels of oleic acid, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease,” says the FDA. However, it adds, producers will need to add that to have any health benefits olive oil, ‘should replace fats and oils higher in saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day’. The FDA looked at seven small clinical studies that evaluated the relationship between diets including oils with a high level of oleic acid - at least 70% percent per serving and improved cholesterol levels, which indicates a reduced risk for coronary heart disease. Aside from olive oil, oleic acid can be found naturally in meat, cheese, nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, pasta, milk, olives, and avocados.

the number of cases which has been blamed on a drop in the number of people being vaccinated. In the first six months of 2018, more than 41,000 people were infected in Europe, according to the World Health Organisation. In 2017 there were 23,927 cases, a huge increase from the 5,273 in 2016. And last August Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England warned: “We have seen a number of measles outbreaks in England which are linked to ongoing large outbreaks in Europe.

Missed

“The majority of cases we are seeing are in teenagers and young adults who missed out on their MMR vaccine when they were children. “Anyone who missed out on their MMR vaccine in the past or are unsure if they had two doses should contact their GP practice to catch up. “We would encourage people to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccine before travelling to countries with ongoing measles outbreaks, heading to large gatherings such as festivals, or before starting university.”

www.theolivepress.es

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Doctor goes viral

Healthy result SPAIN has the best public health service in Europe and third-best in the world, a new study has revealed. The Bloomberg analysis which studied 200 countries placed Spain third, behind only Hong Kong and Singapore, in its Global Health Care Efficiency Index. The study analysed life expectancy and the relative cost of healthcare to discover which citizens got the best healthca-

Sunbathe and stop smoking to reduce heightened risk of MS in Malaga say medics LACK of Vitamin D and smoking are among the leading causes behind a surge in multiple sclerosis cases in the Malaga region, say local doctors. The number of annual diagnoses has doubled from 600 some 20 years ago to around 1,200 today. Now, local doctors have issued advice on how to prevent the debilitating disease, including soaking up the sun

27 27

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

A MADRID doctor has gone viral following a heartfelt new year’s wish for his city’s overstretched healthcare system. “I hope that in 2019 there are no patients that have to be seen by family doctors who have seen 63 people before them,” Javier Padilla said on Twitter. The honest tweet garnered the medical professional more than 17,000 likes as he complained about attending 64 patients in a single day. It comes as successive PP regional governments began waves of health cuts in 2012, in Madrid alone cutting 1,200 beds. re for their money. With a life expectancy of 82.8 and a relative cost of 9.2%, Spain held onto its position in the top three with an efficiency score of 69.3 out of 100.

The UK fell out of Europe’s top 10 based on the data used from 2015, before it had even voted for Brexit, which has already brought huge strains to the NHS.

DOC: Padilla

Sunshine remedy more and smoking less. It comes after a 2017 study in the Neurology journal found that women who had deficient levels of vitamin D defined in the study as fewer

than 30 nanomoles per litre - were more likely to develop MS. Several other studies have shown that smoking not only increases the risk of develo-

Killer ‘cures’ TWO top Malaga health specialists have issued a stark warning over the dangers of homeopathic treatments. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can cause severe liver damages and even death if consumed without medical clearance, warn Raul J. Andrade, head of the Digestive Unit at Malaga’s Hospital Clinic and Maribel Lucena, head of Pharmacology at the same hospital. They are urging the public to avoid all products without scientific endorsement, since their ‘medicinal effect’ is yet to be proven and their side effects unknown. Pointing to the recent health scare over green tea concentrate pills which have been linked to several deaths, they said the components

WARNING: From Raul J. Andrade & Maribel Lucena of herbal remedies on the market are not always as claimed. They might be contaminated by bacteria and metals, an excess of which could lead to inflammation and necrosis of hepatic cells. “The key here is in the dose,” said Lucena. “Even water, drunk to excess, can be harmful”.

ping MS but also the severity of the disease and its speed of progression. Neurologist Oscar Fernandez also advises eating more fish, vegetables and fruit. Following the advice is no guarantee you will not be diagnosed with MS, given that doctors still don’t know how big a part is played by genetics - but it may at least delay triggering the disease or reducing its severity. There are currently 8,000 MS sufferers in Andalucia, two thirds of them women. MS is also the second highest cause of impairment among young people after traffic accidents, and 70% of diagnoses each year occur among people aged between 20 and 40. MS is a chronic disease which can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves leading to a reduction in vision, balance, muscle control and other basic bodily functions.

The smallest thing can make the biggest difference

Come and see a professional audiologist to help you choose which hearing aid best suits you SONTEC OFFERS 5 STAR SERVICE Free Hearing test Free trial Professional Service Money Back Guarantee All Make Repairs

Phone 952 66 74 02 today and book your FREE test C/ Hermanos Pinzón 4, Edif. Florida II, Local 9A, 29640 Fuengirola (Málaga)

info@sontec.es

www.sontec.es

28 28

January 3rd January 15th 2019

www.theolivepress.es

PAPERWORK

Affordable Business Contacts

plumbing

NEED YOUR PAPERWORK DONE?

MALAGA EXPAT CONSULTING NIE, RESIDENCIA, DOCTOR REGISTRATIONS, DRIVING LICENCE RENEWALS, CAR TRANSFERS, TRANSLATIONS, PROPERTY RENTAL LICENSES, RELOCATION ADVICE. OUTSTANDING SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES Irina Saltmarsh - 687 733 743 www.malagaexpat.com

post shops

Plumbing and leak detection Working on the coast since 2000 Call Simon on 625 70 27 72

STORAGE

CLASSIFIEDS January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Electrician

OFFEX offer a secure, reliable and cost effective solution for both businesses and individuals requiring mail and courier services to and from Spain Full range of Royal Mail services Worldwide door to door courier service for time sensitive documents and small packages Economy Courier: Worldwide for to door courier service for less urgent documents, small packages and parcels Budget Courier: European door to door service for non urgent items Luggage Service: Low cost unaccompanied baggage service for your personal effects Iberian Peninsula Courier: Overnight deliveries within Spain Postal Service: Priority Courier:

www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es

MARBELLA TO ESTEPONA

THE POST SHOP

WINDOWS/DOORS Air-conditioning UPVC & ALUMINIUM

679 786 669 - Alan - 606 101 807

CALL RICHARD 687 352 358

Avda. De Tivoli, C.C. De la Miel, Local 13, Arroyo de la Miel Tel: 952 577 816 Mon to Fri: 10.00-17.00 Sat: 10.00-12.00

MANUFACTURER OF

Motorhomes - Caravans Boats - Cars & Vans Delivery & Collection available Short Term - Long Term Established 15 years Safe & Secure - 24hr CCTV

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND REPAIRS

Having difficulty sending and receiving mail on Spain?

Doors • Glass Curtains Windows • Shutters & Waterproofing WE DELIVER & FIT - FAIR PRICES

Contact Pavel: 631 571 108 pavelmihaylov1@gmail.com

AIR CONDITIONING

AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS AND NEW INSTALLATIONS

We specialize in Air-Conditioning and heating systems with thousands of satisfied customers. We also service and repair any make and model of Air-Conditioning. Maintenance contracts available from only 5.80€ per month. Ecosense movement sensors fitted from 100€ We are authorized installers by the Junta de Andalucía as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017)

tel: (+34) 952 443 222 airflowspain@live.com AIRFLOW AIR CONDITIONING SL

coolandcosy@hotmail.com www.coolandcosy.es

pool services

ADVERTISING

SWIMMING

POOL SHOP

Tel: 952 591 053 POOL HEATERS & COVERS LEAK DETECTION & REPAIRS MAINTENANCE & RENOVATION Urb Dona Pilar, Ctra de Mijas, Below restaurante Valparaiso splashpools@electronbox.net www.splashpoolsmijas.com www.splashpools.es

renovations

For all your classified advertising needs, contact Tina on 647 078 775

We do not www.theolivepress.es accept sex adverts!

Single display

Double display

Triple display

39mm x 50mm

79mm x 50mm

120mm x 50mm

49.00 euros

69.00 euros

89.00 euros

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Get seen here

Construction

January 3rd January 15th 2019

TelEPHONE: 951 273 575

clearance

recruitment

29 29

Celebrant

Care and Nursing at Home

For all your classified advertising needs, contact Tina on 647 078 775

Work carer inin Work asasaa carer the UK, the UK, to £580/wk up up to £580/wk Free training given!! Free training and Find out more by selection event calling Jayne Vale on 658 521 907

4th–8th Dec 2017

TVFind out more

Tree care services

Call Jayne Vale on 658 521 907

Celebrant for all types of service

translations OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS. ALL LANGUAGES. SENT BY COURIER. 654613094 sanpedrotranslations@gmail.com

Weddings, Blessings, Funerals, Bar Mitzvahs, Vow Renewal, Baby Naming, Pet & House Blessing www.celebrantpaulawratten.co.uk

tRANSPORT SERVICE/removals



FULLY LEGAL & INSURED TREE AND PALM CLEANING TREE TOPING, PRUNING AND DEAD WOODING HEDGE CUTTING SPRAYING FOR PROSESSIONARY CATERPILLARS AND PALM BEETLES Mobile: 637 407 543 Email: gw@treecarespain.com

finance

dentists

LABORATORIO DENTAL

CASHBACK ON YOUR HOUSE

Jeremy Armitage

617 333 777

952 58 10 33 / 678 318 701 C/ Sta. Lucía Edf. Sta. Lucía - Loc. 2 armitage_jeremy@yahoo.com

Celebrant medium - psychic MULTI DIMENSIONAL MEDIUM I have over 30 years experience in the paranormal and course development.

I offer the following services:

Psychic Readings - Clairvoyance - Tarot Quantum Healing - Spiritual Development Soul Guidance Aura Clearing - Paranormal Assistance - Spirit Release Planetary Healing and more....

CONTACT tel: 603 347 608 www.paulawratten.com

PARKING

Car rentals

PAYBACK WHEN YOU SELL

pets

Eurodog

Removals

Boarding Kennels & Cattery

Fully Licensed Sanitary Approved Large Secure Runs Purpose Built Secure Play Area Established For Over 20 Years 5 Minutes From Fuengirola

679 786 669 - Alan - 952 464 947 www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es

legal

recruitment

EXPERIENCED BRITISH SOLICITOR Spanish speaking providing legal advice: conveyancing, residency and commercial matters. 1 hour free consultation

Contact Victoria at: www.britishlawyerspain.com or + 34 678 826 771

Get the best of both worlds. Live in Spain and work in the UK as a high quality, live-in carer. Apply Today!

For more information call 0034 622047351 or email tracy.jackson@thegoodcaregroup.com

COLUMNISTS Breaking bed 30 30

www.theolivepress.es

Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

“

I TOLD you it was too big!” Storming back up to the apartment I leave my husband and two Spanish delivery men on the staircase lodged behind one very obstinate king sized mattress. Slamming the door behind me I wipe the sweat off my menopausal brow and pick up a copy of the Olive Press, fanning myself into some semblance of sanity. Within four weeks of saying ‘I do’ to our little Fuengirola flat, papers were signed, hands were shaken and just 18 hours earlier the majority of the profit from our Hastings home had been handed over to three squabbling siblings in exchange for a key. But before we can settle into our new life in the sun, we need something to sleep on, and that something is nestling half way up the staircase. My husband summons me from outside and I peer over the railings to see two tanned, plus one beetroot face, looking up at me. “They’re going to wrap a rope around

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

New wife in the sun

Creating the Spanish apartment of your dreams takes some hard graft, Paula Leskovits learns the hard way

it and I’m going to haul it over the balcony…either that or they are going to hang me so PLEASE open the door and let me in!” Reluctantly I press the buzzer, mumbling profanities before ‘he who knows best’ puffs past me and heads out onto the terrace. Five minutes later a makeshift pulley has been attached to the railings and my husband stands precariously on the wrong side of the balcony facing the busy road. One hand grips the wrought iron balustrade and the other a piece of cord which is attached to a very large and cumbersome mattress. The two delivery men haul the bed above their heads and start the countdown. My husband, tethered to the railings by his dressing gown belt, leans precariously over the edge and

grabs the hem of the polythene cover with his fingertips. One worker vaults onto his partner’s shoulders, gives the mattress a shove and husband, bed and common sense fall backwards over the balcony railings, landing together in a heap on the terracotta floor. Brian (the brave) having watched all this from the comfort of a shady corner, meanders over and circles the area a couple of times before settling himself on the mattress, currently on top of my motionless husband. Shoving the disgruntled hound off his new bed, I grasp my spouse’s hand and haul him out from under his plastic prison and we lay the mattress against the apartment wall. Looking around the white-washed walls, an empty shell full of possibilities, the truth hits home and I realise I will never, ever have to mow a wet lawn in November again. No

ROPEY: Hauling a mattress up a flight of stairs is no mean feat mortgage, no biting winters, no more poundland….no more. A thought suddenly strikes me and it chills me to the core, what the hell am

I going to covet now whilst watching Channel 4? Follow our further adventures on www.anewwifeinthesun.com

Festive no man’s land We all get a little bit lost in that weird limbo between Xmas and new year but there’s always Quality Street and Baileys, writes Giles Brown

ONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made it through to another year, as well as getting through that testing time between Christmas and new year when you aren’t really sure what day it is, who you are and what you are supposed to be doing. The only one thing that is certain, however, is that that Festive No Man’s Land period is the only time of year when it is socially acceptable to start the day with a handful of Quality Street and a large Baileys. Unless you work in media, of course. How was it for you? For me, Christmas and new year were the usual hectic blur of visiting friends and family, with my now traditional routine of Swedish style Christmas Eve celebrations with one of my goddaughters. This includes traditional games such as ‘The Bear’ and the ‘Swedish Ring Game’. In case you were wondering, the latter involves secretly passing a ring on a piece of string between players. Just don’t try Googling it on certain search engines, trust me… My Boxing Day bash was a little more subdued than normal. I had planned to make it a smaller affair this

Funeral care Spain is a company dedicated to providing quality services and help at a time when you need it the most. We speak your language and realise the importance that a caring, dignified and unique service can play in the grieving process. We work with all major insurance companies.

www.funeralspain.com 24 Hour Emergency helpline: 660 659 857 or 654 056 653 Office hours (8am - 6pm) 951 909 264

“No Worries, Just Memories” Across: 1 Mexico, 5 Tip-off, 8 Beta, 9 Employer, 10 Parcels, 11 Opus, 13 Beast of burden, 16 Shut, 17 Admiral, 20 Sunshade, 21 Evil, 22 Canyon, 23 Taller.

The only English funeral director covering Spain and all its islands.

year with my close friends and family. The only problem was, however, that when you have friends like mine, they started celebrating at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and so by the time December 26 came along, many of them were in no fit state to move off the sofa, or were still out there! Meanwhile, those with children were unable to extract their little darlings from playing with their presents without provoking an under 10-year-old thermonuclear meltdown. Not being ‘blessed with children’ myself, I was able to spend most of the festive season on the radio, which, along with my live Christmas morning and New Year’s Eve shows, included presenting a series of ‘Best of Giles’ shows. Being something of an oxymoron in itself, these shows mainly consisted of pressing the play button on pre recorded interviews, throwing on a couple of songs, and then settling back with a cuppa to work heroically through a selection of mince pies, After Eight mints and the aforementioned Quality Street. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it! Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy 2019!

Down: 2 Elevate, 3 Isaac, 4 Overlook, 5 Type, 6 Prosper, 7 Feeds, 12 Obedient, 14 Squishy, 15 Examine, 16 Sauna, 18 Ideal, 19 Vain.

SPORT

www.theolivepress.es

From Madrid to Mexico RAFAEL Nadal has joined forces with former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui to open a new resort in Mexico. The new luxury site is located in Tulum, near Cancun, and will be funded by Secrets Aura Cozumel, a firm jointly owned by the Spanish sporting duo. Lopetegui will bid to put a disastrous 2018 behind him w i t h t h i s NADAL: And Julen l a t e s t venture, after he left the Spanish national team to take the helm at Madrid, only to be sacked months later. Nadal meanwhile hopes to kick his 2019 season off with a bang, as he takes to the court at the Brisbane International in Australia.

Silva lining MANCHESTER City star David Silva is the only Spaniard who has made it into the Premier League team of the year. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder made his way into the 2018 XI, chosen by Robbie Savage, following a blistering campaign for the sky blues, already scoring six goals and registering two assists this season. Silva’s national teammate, Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea was the notable exception from the list for the Express.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Year to beat As we look ahead to a new year of sport, we can only hope it was as exciting, emotional and inspiring as 2018

Here we take a look back at the best sporting moments of last year: 1. FOOTBALL: Spain lose to England on home soil for first time in 29 games. The youngest Three Lions side since 1959 battered the Spaniards 3-2 in the Nations League in October and were 3-0 up inside 40 minutes. Gareth Southgate’s team had an average age of just 23 and showed the world just how bright the future of English football could be.

POWER: Irish team

31 31

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Our courtesy Does your insurance company guarantee a courtesy car after a bump?

902 123 282

*Fully comprehensive offer valid for new customers only. Guarantee subjec t to cover, repair at approved garage, and cour tesy vehicle availabilit y. Subjec t to conditions. O ffer ends 30/11/18.

MEMORABLE: England’s Nations League victory 2. HOCKEY: Ireland women lead country to first World Cup final in any sport. Gillian Pinder’s goal in the semi-final penalty shoot-out against Spain made it 3-2 and took her team to the World Cup final in London in August. It was goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran who grabbed the headlines though, after she made three saves and her team defied all odds. GOLF PRO: Holly Haslam 3. FOOTBALL: Gibraltar get highest ever FIFA ranking 4. GOLF: Holly Haslam beafter historic Nations League comes first girl to finish under wins. par in prestigious Spanish tourThe British Overseas Territory nament. The 18-year-old, from jumped eight places to 190 in Essex, celebrated the historic the world back in October, af- win on her birthday in Decemter following up their first ever ber and the teen, whose mum win with another just a week caddies for her, was even showlater. cased on Sky Sports for her Ending a 22-match winless efforts. The Andalucia competirun, the Rock’s 1-0 win over tion has previously been won by Armenia and 2-1 victory Lie- Women’s British Open-chamchtenstein secured the largest pion Georgia Hall and US Open jump up the world rankings by winner Justin Rose. any time.

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

Audi This includes free pick-up and drop-off of the vehicle and they guarantee original manufacturer replacement parts. With a fleet of nearly 1,000 Audi A1 courtesy cars, Línea Directa is already helping to keep its customers on the move. Following a claim, here is what one customer has said about this new and enhanced service: “I am very impressed with Linea Directa in this instance. “They have since updated their courtesy car, I noticed. The car that was allocated to me in this instance is an Audi A1, with Línea Directa livery displayed on the doors. “The car, I think, had done only 350 kms, so was brand new! “Thank you and the company for your help and understanding in this matter.”

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 282 or visit www.lineadirecta.com.

MALAGA REMOVALS

Relax, your move is in safe hands REMOVALS HISTORIC: Gibraltar get highest ever FIFA ranking

What a good sport

THE Queen has not forgotten to recognise British sports stars in her 2019 New Years Honours list and here are the pick of the bunch.

1. Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, who skipped the Vuelta a Espana becomes an OBE. DONE: Southgate A terrific 2018 saw the Welshman becomes WELL Alpe s infamou the the first ever Brit to win d’Huez stage of the French cycling race. 2. England football boss Gareth Southgate joins Thomas with an OBE, while his star captain and Tottenham striker Harry Kane, scoops an MBE. The Three Lions heroes led England to their furthest journey in a World Cup Finals since 1990, as the nation was gripped by football fever this summer, as it looked like it was coming home.

SHOP ONLINE

• Shop at any main high street store or online and have items delivered the following week in Spain

STORAGE

• Secure warehouses in both the UK and Malaga

Call us NOW for a FREE quote

WELSHMAN: Thomas

UK DEPOT

3. Meanwhile, netball star Geva Mentor has become a CBE, after the Bournemouth-born defender helped lead England to a first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. The 34-year-old former Sunshine Coast Lightning captain, with whom she won back-toback titles, has also been honoured for her diplomatic service.

• Weekly full or part load removal service to & from UK, Costa del Sol and the Algarve • Full or part packing service • One box to full load removals • Villa to villa moves within Costa del Sol

Tel: +44 (0) 1621 850070 Mob: +44 (0) 7711 179842

MALAGA DEPOT

Tel: +34 951 218 877 Mob: +34 647 698 465

Email: sales@malagaremovals.com

STAR: Geva Mentor

www.malagaremovals.com

2/8/18 17:01

Voted BEST

expat paper in Spain (Free or paid for) Advertise here for as little as as €80 per issue

Risky business

FINAL WORDS

GIBRALTAR has been ordered by the EU to pay back €100 million in tax benefits that aimed to lure multinational firms to the Rock.

All-time high 2018 saw Spain reach a new record in migrant arrivals by sea, with 57,250 making the crossing, according to International Organization for Migration.

Going green STATE-owned hotel chain, Paradores, has announced that all 97 of its establishments will use only renewable electricity from January 2019.

FREE

Vol. 13 Issue 308 www.theolivepress.es January 3rd - January 15th 2019

www.rcgtreeservices.com rockscampogardens@gmail.com

Barrel of laughs Man sets off on epic Atlantic voyage in wooden barrel

A DARING adventurer has set sail from Spain in a barrel in a bid to float across the Atlantic Ocean using only sea currents. Jean-Jacques Savin, 71, aims to reach the Caribbean in three months after beginning his bizarre voyage in El Hierro, the Canary Islands. At just 3m by 2.10m, the bright

PHONEY: Priest

orange barrel, complete with a kitchen and bed, cost €60,000 and features a porthole in the floor for watching fish. “The weather is great. I've got a swell of one metre and I'm moving at 2-3km/h... I've got favourable winds forecast until Sunday,” said Savin. The Frenchman departed with

Cheeky trousers

WANT to be more daring with your fashion choices this year? Look no further than these ‘assless’ trousers, designed by Andalucia’s very own fashion student turned designer to the stars. The Palomo Spain ‘tailored chaps’ have a removable back, for those who want to keep it professional during the day and be the toast of the party at night. You can find the pantalones in the brand’s winter sale for around €300.

Cut and priest a bottle of white wine to see in the new year, a bottle of red for his birthday on January 14 and even a block of foie gras pate. The former military paratrooper aims to reach Barbados, but joked that he would ‘like it to be a French island’ as it would ‘be easier for the paperwork and for bringing the barrel back’. The resin-coated reinforced plywood capsule is built to be wave-resistant and is strong enough to resist killer whale attacks.

Although the French veteran’s excursion is reminiscent of an old storybook, the trip will help oceanographers from JCOMMOPS study sea currents. Those interested in the mammoth journey can keep updated through the ‘TESA : Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau’ Facebook page.

A FAKE priest in Andalucia has been rumbled after 18 years evading the Catholic Church and conducting hundreds of ceremonies. Miguel Angel Ibarra, from Colombia, has now been dismissed, amid revelations that none of the communions or confessions he heard will be honoured. His holy bosses also revealed that the ‘cut and paste’ method had been used on his ordination papers back in 2011. The former singer, who practiced his pretend priesthood in Medina and Jimena, protests his innocence, claiming he was properly ordained in 1998.