Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 306 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 13 Issue 306 www.theolivepress.es December 5th - December 18th 2018

Don’t miss our special supplement on Guadalhorce - the ‘garden of Malaga’ See Inside

The

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All about Vol. 13

Issue 306

December 5th - December 18th 2018

uadalhorce

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alley

December 5th - December 18th

June 26 - July 9 2014

2018

GET LOST IN THE GUADALHORCE Charlie Smith discovers why so many expats have found their Eldorado in the white towns of the green Guadalhorce

Don’t miss Coin’s famous Flea market, while (left) a town near Alhaurin

SPEND 15 minutes gaw- It feels like we’re in the with a piping ping at the rugged Alhau- wilds cafetiere of Over a second cuppa, Hazel g r e e n , rin el Grande mountain licias, but this is Las De- the good stuff, lives up to and fellow British expat Ur- g r e e n range from our balcony Coin an urbanisation in the Las Delicias name. sula before I realise I am late for laga, just 33 km west of Ma- We aren’t the only guests at galingLewis endorse that, re- grass of me with tales of their her and 30 km north of the Palms breakfast. ex-hoand Lights B&B adventures Marbella. through the me. which Hazel runs with her valley We’re running on empty After during their 25-year “Every pulling my travelling husband but the cloud-covered peak partner SunTony, having made friendship. day there is a flea of the Sierra de Mijas loo- fortable Juan from his com- the leap to Spain from Wo- “Sundays ming beyond the palm trees downstairsbed, we amble kingham 18 months ago. gettable,” in Coin are unfor- market in La Trocha,” says Ursula, who Hazel continues, where our host There are outside the window is more Hazel referenRennalls has cooked ying which Americans sta- has travelled over 600 km cing the swish than enough to distract me up is clear proof. from her home commercial a mean breakfast. in Valencia centre Guadalhorce from hunger pangs. ‘Spanish toast’, complete ternational Valley has in- for another glimpse of the likes that has enticed the of El Corte Ingles and appeal. valley - a reminder of the Dunnes Stores to branch

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Election shocker as PSOE to be ousted from Junta after 36-year reign

unpacking mental health

We speak to experts following the tragic Marbella El Corte Ingles suicide pact Page 6

massacre march

Don’t miss our second serialisation of the History of the Defeated by British expat Jonathan Whitehead Page 12

merry sherry

We visit the world’s only restaurant with a venenciador, right here on the Costa del Sol Page 30

GUTTED: Susana Diaz likely out of a job after losing snap election A STUNNING electoral defeat has ended the PSOE’s stranglehold on Andalucia after more than three DECADES in power. The 36-year reign - mired by a litany of corruption scandals - has finally come to an end, and Spain’s most populous region looks set to usher in a right-wing government for the first time since 1982. In a dramatic twist, Sunday’s snap election saw the Socialists lose a massive 17 seats, just months after leader Susana Diaz called for the vote, confident of a resounding victory - after all, Andalucians had always voted for the left. But the once loyal voters, it seems, finally snapped. The epic misstep left the PSOE with just 33 seats, which when paired with Adelante Andalucia’s 17, gave her a coalition of 50, five short of the 55 absolute majority needed to form a government. Her only very slim hope

GAME over

REGIONAL LEADERS: (Left to right) Vox’s Francisco Serrano, Ciudadanos’s Juan Marin and Partido Popular’s Juan Moreno of staying in power is to persuade Ciudadanos to pact with PSOE. Her loss comes after decades of corruption have plagued the region and made once sensationalist stories the norm, from the ERE slush fund to the millions of euros of public money spent by bent politicians on strip clubs and luxury items. Paired with a lacklustre approach to the migrant crisis and the perceived lack of progress made on the local

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Current leader Diaz was forced to defend ex-PSOE junta bosses Manuel Chaves and Jose Antonio Griñan, who both served consecutive terms for a combined 23 years, when they appeared in court earlier this year. In what was a PR disaster for the Socialists, Diaz insisted they did not personally benefit or become rich through the scandal. Chaves is facing a 10-year ban on running for public office while Griñan is looking at six renewals. Subject to conditions. years in prison and a 30-year Call or Whatsapp ban on running for public office UK BASED 635 699 783 for misappropriation of public funds. Under Chaves’s presidency be2/8/18Open 17:01 7 days a week tween 2001 and 2008 more than €576 million was diverted CASHBACK ON into the fund. In what was bad for Spanish timing for the PSOE, they both YOUR HOUSE residents appeared in court last week. Elsewhere, voters looked for a www.globelink.co.uk tougher stance on migration after a record-breaking year in terms of migrant arrivals - exthe two seats picked up 96 626 5000 PAYBACK WHEN plaining by Vox in each of Almeria, Cadiz +44 (0) 1353 699082 YOU SELL and Malaga.

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economy, voters finally turned to the right for an alternative. Centre right Ciudadanos picked up 12 new seats, giving them a total of 21, while the far right Vox - which campaigned hard on illegal immigration - picked up its first ever seats with an astonishing 12 members elected to the regional parliament. Coupled with the conservative Partido Popular’s 26 seats, it means a coalition of the right-wing parties is the only likely outcome with a 59-seat majority across Ciudadanos, Partido Popular and Vox. It is a shocking defeat for Diaz, who had hoped to boost fresh-faced PSOE prime minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid who now faces an uphill See page 24 battle come the general

election in 2020. Diaz looked exhausted as she addressed crowds on Sunday evening while warning against the rise of far right Vox - which wants to undo gay marriage and abortion rights. Her unprepared concession speech came after the polls failed to read the situation on the ground, with most predicting the incumbent Socialists to pick up 47 seats - while Vox was forecast to win just one. Corruption naturally loomed over the elections as the infamous ERE trial continued to rumble on in Sevilla. One of the biggest corruption cases in Spanish history, the scandal saw mostly politicians from the PSOE-run Junta embezzle public money meant for unemployed and retired workers. In total, at least €855 million in public funds were fraudulently taken via the Junta over a decade. It’s just one of several fraud cases to have rocked the Junta since the end of the Franco regime in 1975.

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Eyes peeled

Brit Luke Daniel Clarke is believed to be on Costa del Sol BRITISH police have issued an urgent appeal to find a wanted man who they believe has fled to the Costa del Sol. Luke Daniel Clarke, 22, was due to appear at Warwick Crown Court on November 22 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Officers fear the Brit, from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, has now fled to Marbella or

By Elisa Menendez

Malaga. Clarke was arrested and charged in November 2015, after officers stopped the car he was travelling in and found £15,000 in cash and £40,000 worth of cannabis. It comes after a Clarke and his gang knocked down a police officer as they tried to evade arrest on a dual car-

Sacre blow! AN expat has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after crashing his car and exposing almost 480 kilos of hashish and cocaine in Malaga. The 30-year-old Frenchman was busted after crashing his Range Rover into a truck in Las Pedrizas, where officers found a cache of 15 packages hidden inside several backpacks. They contained 450 kilos of hashish and 28 kilos of marijuana. Officers also discovered that the car been stolen from Switzerland with a false registration plate stuck on top of the original. The incident took place at around 10.45pm on Saturday on the A-45 towards Granada.

SEEN HIM?: Clarke

riageway in Coventry. They were were travelling in a VW Golf and a Ford

Pistol whipped POLICE have arrested a Uruguayan man after he pistol whipped a mechanic in San Pedro before fleeing in a car. The 60-year-old was held on crimes of threats, possession of illegal weapons and assault, after he discarded his firearm in a bush. He repeatedly smashed his victim in the face, before they were rushed to hospital in Marbella. After the South American beat his victim, who pleaded for help, he threatened everyone in the shop and sped off in car.

Transit, when officers tried to stop them as part of an intelligence-led operation, reported Coventry Live. The car was brought to a halt but the van sped off, knocking down the officer. Clarke has previously pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply in connection with a different incident in May 2016. Warwickshire police are collaborating with Spanish police to find the Brit.

Hope

Detective Sergeant Richard Brown said: "We believe Clarke has fled to Malaga or Marbella and we are working with the Spanish authorities to try and locate him and ensure he is returned to the UK so he can be sentenced. "We're appealing for anyone who has family or friends who live in or are visiting Malaga or Marbella to share our appeal on social media in the hope that they can help us locate him." Anyone with information that could help police locate Clarke, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call Warwickshire Police on 00441926410000.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Shame TWO of Spain’s expat newspapers have stopped publishing this week. The Round Town News (RTN) has been closed after two decades of serving the British community in Spain. It comes as the axe also fell on a second expat newspaper, The Sol Times, run out of Almeria. The paper, which has been running since 2004, has also been shut after a poor year of business. Both publications were taken over by the Euro Weekly News Media Group, last year, however initial plans to make the newspapers profitable backfired.

Resources

Steven Euesden, the media group’s sales director, claimed ‘the popularity of the Euro Weekly News’ was the reason for the titles folding. “We have decided to put all of EWN Media Group’s efforts and resources into the Euro Weekly News,” his statement on the EWN website read, with a picture showing him celebrating with champagne. It comes after a record Autumn for the Olive Press, both in terms of sales and online views, with nearly one million hits on our website in October (See Smash hits page 7). Despite the success of the Olive Press, Euesden add-

ed: “We feel sorry for all of the other publications in the marketplace trying to make headway against us.” The RTN, which set up in 1999, was voted the second best expat paper in Spain last year after The Olive Press, which came first in the TESCA awards. The London TESCA awards are voted for by tens of thousands of expats around Europe. The Round Town News, better known to most people as the RTN, was established by businessman Geoff Gartland, and was an innovative paper with popular columnists, as well eye-catching designs and an extensive use of colour, which was ahead of the pack. The RTN was also never afraid to dig to find the truth behind stories thanks to staff who had a track record in real journalism, including the much-missed Louise Clarke. The paper was bought by Euro Weekly in February 2017, describing the RTN as reaching ‘the very heart of the community’ and ‘a highly trusted name in Spain’. Gartland's son, Danny Wilkinson, who later ran the paper, said: “This is a very sad for everybody. Unfortunately, the new version of the RTN was never going to be the same as the original”.

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NEWS

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

Bridging the gag

COUPLE: Arg and Gemma

Made in Marbs ANOTHER celebrity wedding is set to come to the Costa del Sol. The Only Way Is Essex stars Gemma Collins and longtime on and off love, James ‘Arg’ Argent have announced plans to marry in their favourite holiday hotspot Marbella. Although Arg, 30, hasn’t popped the question yet, he insisted he’s asking the ‘GC’ to marry him in the new year.

Bashes

And Gemma is more than ready, announcing that she would like at least five bashes to celebrate the affair - with one definitely in ‘Marbs’. "The first time we made love was in Marbella, so it would be nice to get married there," said the 37-year-old blonde bombshell. ‘Marbs’ has long been the go-to holiday destination for the TOWIE stars, with six spin-off series in the Costa del Sol town.

KEVIN Bridges has revealed how an impromptu trip to Spain saved his career in comedy. The Glaswegian funny man was ready to throw in the gags after becoming disillusioned with the showbiz industry two years ago. The 32-year-old said he became jaded towards the end of his 145-date tour in 2016. “I just got fed up one night and I was questioning how much I was enjoying it because I’m not motivated by money. So much stuff in my own life had been put on hold [for the tour] and it was a wee bit of a shambles,” he said. He decided to take some time out in Madrid, which he revealed ‘cleared his head.’ “I was walking about Madrid where nobody knows you. You have a freedom and you start to think life’s alright and I started missing stand-up.” Bridges’ The Brand New Tour DVD is on sale now.

All I want for Christmas

An abandoned Galician village is the perfect gift for loved ones, says Gwyneth Paltrow

FORGET socks, jewellery or candles for Christmas presents, now you can buy a Spanish village. At least this is what Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow recommends on her famous lifestyle and gift website, Goop. Ahead of the festive season the Shakespeare In Love star has compiled ‘The Ridiculous But Awesome Gift Guide’, including suggestions such as breakfast with giraffes, a clip on toilet bidet, 24K gold rolling papers, or even an aban-

Señor Shelby

PERFECT GIFT: Aldea village while (inset) Paltrow doned village in Galicia. For a modest price of €149,550 the quaint Aldea, in the province of Lugo, can be bought complete with a 360sq metre house next to a river.

New pace of life

MERSEY BOND: No more for Gerry

SIXTIES Brit icon Gerry Marsden has hung up his guitar to retire on the Costa del Sol. After almost six decades of touring around the world, the You’ll Never Walk Alone singer has announced his retirement, saying he wants to spend more time with his family in Spain. The 76-year-old lead singer of Gerry And The Pacemakers has a home in Mijas and now spends most of his time there with his wife Pauline. Announcing the news on his website, the post read: “Gerry would like to say a special thank you to all his fans for the unconditional support down the years and will sadly miss them all.” The Pacemakers made history as the first Liverpool band to reach number one and were the second group to sign to manager Brian Epstein after the Beatles.

The little two-story home features a 22sq metre bread oven, a cellar, a hay barn and a horreo - a typical Galician stone building used for drying maize. Admittedly the abandoned village - of which there are 1,949 in Galicia alone - seems like an unusual choice for a multi-millionaire actress. But Elvira Fafián, who runs the estate agency selling the property, said it is ideal for ‘rural tourism’ and has received a lot of interest from Swedish, Swiss and Dutch expat buyers. “She appears to have chosen it at random,” added Fafian, “But for the price of a space in a parking building in Madrid or Barcelona, you can buy a village and leave the stress of city life behind.”

REAL Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has sent Instagram into a frenzy after a picture of him and his son had fans comparing him to Peaky Blinders. The Andalucian hunk’s upload to the social media site received 750,000 likes and saw the centre back likened to gang boss Tommy Shelby, the lead character of the BBC drama. One admirer wrote of the father-of-three, ‘Sergio Shelby,’ while another commented, ‘who needs Peaky Blinders when Ramos is here.’ The 32-year-old and four-time Champions League-winner, captioned his father-son snap: “My Alejandro is taking a roll. I like that face, 'old man'. I love you with all my soul.” In the picture Alejandro sports grey chinos with matching Nike trainers and jacket, while Ramos pairs a smart felt coat with a casual shirt and brown flat cap.

Splash the cash

CELEBRITY Masterchef winner Ona Carbonell, 28, has given her €75,000 prize to charity and pledged to ‘help children.’ “I want to help children fulfill their dreams,” said the synchronised swimmer after she blew actress Paz Vega out of the water in the show’s final. The athlete-turned chef admitted she could not even make a fried egg before the competition, despite her win, which was judged by former triple Michelin-starred chef Ferran Adria. “I am not a mother, but I understand that there is nothing worse than having a sick child,” the star added, commenting on her donation to the Pequeño Deseo Foundation.

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

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Expert concern as Andalucia lurches to the right THE rise of the right in Spain could spell trouble for British expats, an expert has warned. Former minister of Europe Denis MacShane has sounded the alarm following the shock result of the Andalucia elections. The stunning result saw the leftist PSOE and Adelante Andalucia (Podemos and Izquierda Unida) fail to win the overall majority of 55 seats needed to form a government - paving the way for a right wing coalition. But what could a right-leaning government mean for British expats in Andalucia? Writing for The Independent, MacShane, who writes on European politics and policy, has warned of tit-for-tat politics as Theresa May looks to make it harder for Europeans to live and work in the UK. “What should worry Britain is that if, as seems likely, Theresa May proceeds to set up a giant immigration bureaucracy to stop Spanish and other EU citizens from living and working here, other EU capitals will reciprocate and British expats could face pressure,” he wrote. It comes after May came under fire last month for saying she would stop EU citizens from ‘jumping the queue’. MacShane added: “The majority of British expats in Spain are not officially registered as they take advantage of EU citizenship to buy flats or small houses or set up bars, cafés, and small business on the basis of the freedom of movement philosophy. “The socialist administration of Andalucia stretching from Gibraltar to the costas, where most British expats in Spain live, has always been friendly both to Britain and its citizens in the region. A new right-wing administration perhaps tinged with open anti-immigrant xenophobia will not make life easier for Brits as London turns the screw against students, baristas, and other workers from the continent, including Spain.”

NEWS

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Total War-fare EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith

A BRITISH war veteran is suing Ryanair for €30,000 amid claims the airline falsified documents and fraudulently took his money. Expat Dan Sweeney, 73, claims he has proof from a leading handwriting expert that the budget airline ‘copied and pasted’ his signature. The Malaga-based ex-soldier has been locked in a vicious 12 month legal battle with the Dublin-based airline, which denies his claims. The dad-of-four, who lives in Casarabonela, Malaga, claims a document apparently signed by him could not ‘possibly’ have been, as he had flown back to Spain two months prior. “It’s absolutely disgusting,” Dan said. “Ryanair are ripping people off left, right and centre - and getting away with lies like this.” It comes after Dan took a trip back to the UK for a military reunion last year and hired a car via Ryanair’s website. He ended up booking the car via local company Easirent, based at Stansted airport. Although he had already paid

War veteran recruits fraud expert to investigate airline in €30,000 claim

for the car online he was told by was signed November 3, two Easirent staff that they had not months after Dan had returned received payment. to Spain. Under duress he agreed to pay Luckily he had kept the origithe extra fee, as staff assured him nals, so he and wife, Yvonne, 71, he could claim it back through poured over the documents. the airline online. “We kept staring at the two docBut when the pensioner checked uments and it dawned on us that his bank statement, a few weeks they are identical,” added Dan. later, The pair he was decided shocked to recruit to disone of c o v e r the UK’s that he leading had been h a n d charged writing twice. experts, H o w Margaret e v e r , Webb, when he who speb r o u g h t EVIDENCE: Alleged faked signature cialises up the in fraud. discrepancy with Ryanair, the She concluded that Dan’s signacompany initially refused, before ture had ‘100%’ been copied over agreeing to investigate further. and said ‘there is no natural variA month later he was subse- ation evident’, while most signaquently sent a copy of the rental tures vary slightly each time they agreement, in which he realised are written. his signature had been falsified. She added: “Mr Sweeney’s origA refund was quickly made. inal signature has been used Fundamentally, the document by the copy and paste method,

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EXPAT: Dan Sweeney which has been fraudulently applied. It is not possible to sign one’s name identically.” It comes after a Sunday Times investigation revealed in October that another Ryanair-affiliated car rental giant, Goldcar faced scores of allegations from British holidaymakers over claims their documents had been falsified and money had been stolen. “It’s really outrageous. I’ve given up a year of my life working on this, but it will only be worth it if we can stop them,” Dan continued. “I have been fighting people all my life though,” the veteran of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, added, “so I have been around the block a few times.” Ryanair insisted that it was not responsible for the case, adding the money had been refunded, and pointed us to the hire car company instead. Easirent told the Olive Press: “Mr Sweeney has been shown a freshly-generated rental agreement which shows the date the copy was generated, rather than the original rental date, which may explain the confusion.”

FEATURE

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 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 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. Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

SALES Sam Adams newsdesk@theolivepress.es (+34) 634 611 836 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

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 By Elisa Menendez

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.

Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017 Head office

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EXPERT: Harvard professor Alejandra Hallin

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Let’s talk mental health

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 in depression is a reDepression and bipolar are the most common flection of a pressurised, stressed society and causes of suicide globally, followed by sub- suicide is a consequence 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 they won’t see you While Samaritans in Spain volunteer, Jilly Hodg- - that’s a luxury they cannot 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 helpWhen there’s diabetes in the Another 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 one of the groups most del Sol-based Samaritan tells language we use at risk. the Olive Press. Moving to another country, she Despite great advances in meninsists, is the second biggest tal health awareness in recent years, why do so cause of depression, as 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 that is incredibly damit is still considered taboo, despite it being the aging - reflecting societal views 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’ everyday terms such teaching you what to do when someone has a as ‘I just wanted to kill myself’ are loaded comheart attack or stroke, but there’s nothing about ments for people who have thought about killing suicide,” the Harvard University doctor told the themselves, or for those who have been through

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

olive press online

NSPCC Social media guide

NSPCC tips for safeguarding children on social media:

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

• 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

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

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 spokesperson. But for Dr Hallin these terrifying pages are not a cause but an effect of mental health problems. “Usually a person has already thought about suicide or self-harming before visiting these pages. They’re there if you go looking for them. “For example there aren’t more people cooking now we have the internet. But the problem is that now we have instructions online with hundreds of recipes available, showing you how to do it in an easier way.” The Olive Press has reported the shocking findings to Instagram, although as we went to press we had received no comment. The social media argument is somewhat of a two-pronged attack. With more proximity to celebrities than ever before, it can be easy for impressionable teens to believe that re-touched images and collagen-injected lips are the norm. They are more dangerous than magazine photo shoots because these images are uploaded in real-time from a mobile phone, giving the impression this is really their ‘perfect’ lifestyle and that person looks flawless in real life. Recently British TV presenter Jameela Jamil, waged war on celebrity-endorsed products which claim to aid weight : Dr Hallin’s advice for parents to spot signs in children loss, such as the famous Flat Tummy Tea. herself, or him killing s mention child your t momen • The Social media feeds are take normal not it’s n, attentio for calling is it even if plagued with images onal. professi them to see a medical of stunning celebrities of lack s, tearines ity, irritabil but • Every child is different flaunting their toned abs warning are wn withdra appetite, insomnia and being crediting the ‘teatox’ for signs. their enviable figures. on• Even if the child does not want to talk to a professi “Give us the discount al, parents should see a psychiatrist alone to find out codes to your nutritionwhether there is a more serious problem. ists, personal chefs, percan’t they If help. seek always doubt, in ever • If you’re sonal trainers, airbrushtrust. may they else e someon talk to you find ers and plastic surgeons space able comfort a create and • Ask them if they are okay you bloody liars,” tweetfor them to talk. ed Jamil.

Seeing the signs

“If you tell your fans to be thinner, you don’t care about them or their mental health or self worth.” Activist Jamil (above) has been particularly vocal about her own teenage eating disorder where she ‘didn’t eat a meal for three years’ and slammed the media for the ‘weapon’ that is airbrushing. In a bid to fight back, Jamil has launched the positive campaign ‘i weigh’, which encourages social media users to post images of themselves including words which celebrate their skills, talents, personality traits, differences and disabilities - something which has gained much media attention and public participation. Given all of this heavy information, undoubtedly it makes sobering reading, but there is a lot parents can do to look for signs of depression in their children and safeguard their online activity. But the best piece of advice all experts offer is to talk more. Costa del Sol Darkness Into Light mental health campaigner Michael O’Halloran advises teens to act when they notice a school friend is acting out of character. “Do not walk away and think he/she is weird. Stop. Ask the question, ‘are you okay?’,” the expat tells the Olive Press, “sometimes that’s all that is needed to get the person in distress talking.” There are countless organisations making an impact in the UK and Spain offering great support. A group, Teen Talk, is set to support young people across the Costa del Sol with hopes of creating new youth hubs, a helpline and community events from the new year. Global movement Darkness Into Light on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca promote suicide awareness and self-harm prevention through fundraisers and walks. The more we start to discuss and accept mental health, the more we will break down stigmas. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. Anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article can contact the following numbers: Samaritans in Spain: 900 525 100 Ayuda a ninos y adolescentes en Riesgo (ANAR): 900 202 010 International Bipolar Foundation, Suicide Hotline Spain: 914 590 050 Telefono de la esperanza: 717 003 717 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).

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

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Spain for killing pensioner on Costa del Sol

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- British icon Rod Stewart set to perform on

Spain’s Costa del Sol (8,103)

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

Visitors: 130,886 Page views: 202,281

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8 Spanish warship sails into Gibraltar waters blaring national anthem A SPANISH warship has ‘illegally’ sailed into British waters off Gibraltar while blasting its national anthem. Gibraltarian Fisherman Nicholas Karnani filmed the Spanish naval vessel passing the Rock before uploading the incendiary clip to Twitter. In the video, ‘Marcha Real’ can be heard blaring in the latest gesture of military might near the British Overseas Territory. Karnani wrote: “Enough is enough, it may not undermine sovereignty for the UK, but for us Gibraltarians it’s an invasion of BGTW (British Gibraltar Territorial Waters).

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Songs of war By Charlie Smith

“The UK Government must take action in defence of its people.” The UK Defence Journal also confirmed the news and said the boat was an Infanta Elena, a Descubierta class corvette dating from 1980. Another Gibraltarian, John Connor MBE said: “Clear provocation. Looking forward to the Foreign Office’s impotent PC verbal response.” The inflammatory military exercise by the Spanish comes after the British nuclear submarine HMS Astute arrived in Gibraltar at the weekend. Last month also saw a Royal

CONTROVERSIAL: Ship sails into Gib waters Navy ship off Gibraltar fire a warning flare when a Spanish Guardia Civil boat got too close

A phlegming outrage A COMEDIAN has appeared in a Madrid court for blowing his nose on the Spanish flag during a TV sketch. Spanish television host, Dani Mateo, faces serious allegations following the comic act last month on La Sexta’s satirical news show, El Intermedio. The judge is investigating whether Mateo committed a crime of offense or public affront to Spanish symbols - an article in the country’s criminal code which is punishable with a fine. If it is found to be a hate crime, he could be sentenced to up to four years in Spain. It comes as Spanish actor and activist Willy Toledo faces prosecution ‘for offending religious sentiments’ after he made comments on Face-

book insulting God and the Virgin Mary. In the sketch, Mateo joked that the only text which has ‘general consensus in Spain, is the patient guidelines on a packet of [cold remedy] Frenadol’. As he read out the instructions for the drug, the comedian pretended to sneeze and blew his nose on the Spanish flag. “Christ, sorry! I didn’t want to offend Spaniards, nor the kind, nor the Chinese who sell these rags. Not rags, I didn’t mean rags,” joked Mateo. The comedian soon became a trending topic on Twitter where social media users slammed him for the act, causing La Sexta to pull the sketch the following day.

to nuclear submarine HMS Talent. There have been growing tensions between the UK and Spain since discussions over the future of Gibraltar’s sovereignty emerged during the Brexit talks. Spain’s troublesome foreign minister Josep Borrell ignited fierce debate after he said: “I think the United Kingdom will split apart before the Kingdom of Spain.” He also claimed Spain would not stop an independent Scotland joining the EU before Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also appeared to reopen the debate on the sovereignty of the Rock when he attempted to amend the draft withdrawal agreement to include more Gib concessions.

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

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Climate of fear MORE than half of all Spaniards believe climate change will threaten their health, the economy and the survival of the human species, a YouGov study has revealed. Health is their main concern, with 64% fearing that lives could be put in jeopardy by the appearance of new and more deadly diseases and a rise in extreme weather events. And over half - 52% - think that climate change will cause new world conflicts for natural resources. But Spanish pessimism runs deeper than that, with 51% believing climate change will have huge impact on their pockets as it pushes up the price of energy, food and insurance - and those earning the least feared it most. Those earning less than €12,000 per year (44%) said that measures to combat climate change would weaken the economy, whereas only 35% of people on double that salary shared that opinion.

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

Europe comes clean

Sweet times for would-be beekeepers, the Junta is offering more than 1,200 free spots for beekeeping

Licenses to use the plots are issued every four years and are free of charge. The Junta identifies the rural areas that are not only most likely to be good for honey production but places where bees can be of greatest benefit to the environment by pollinating wild and rare flowers and blossoms. "The placement of beehives is

one of the most important uses of the Mediterranean forest," the Junta said in a statement. "They have significant impact on the economy and rural development, we must highlight the importa n t role of bees in t h e

conservation of the environment, with pollination being the best service for nature and for man." A total of 1,224 settlements are available for use 2019-2023 - 178 are in the province of Almeria, 31 in Cadiz, 116 in Cordoba, 159 in Granada, 311 in Huelva, 144 in Jaen, 109 in Malaga and 176 in Seville.

National

Many of the plots are located deep inside Andalucia's national parks including in the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Baza in Granada. According to quotas set up by the Junta each plot across the region can hold a minimum of 50 hives and maximum of 100 hives. For example, Almonte in Huelva has 106 plots up for grabs capable of hosting 5,300 hives, or 50 on each plot. One hive can house anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 worker bees and produce up to 26-kg of honey a year.

THE European Commission has presented a 30-year plan to reduce 80% of pollutant emissions by 2050 and become a carbon neutral economy under the terms of the Paris Agreement. Under the slogan ‘A clean planet for everyone’, the scheme will kickstart in 2020 with the aim of cutting emissions by 45% in 2030. It will work towards its end goal by shunning petrol and carbon and embracing electricity and gas. “There are many challenges along the way but with current climate change forecasts, carrying on as usual

is not an option and we can’t afford the price of inaction,” declared Arias Cañete. The Brussels plan will focus on renewable energy but with some leeway for nuclear energy which does not generate CO2. It will also push the use of electric cars - in fact petrol and diesel vehicles will be illegal in Spain by 2040. Cities will be required to to improve their public transport system and promote bicycle lanes and car sharing. The Commission also proposes to introduce eco taxes on businesses which cause excessive pollution.

Solar so good A BRITISH firm has been given the go-ahead to build four solar parks in the region. The green company Solarcentury, founded in 1998, said each park will generate 50 megawatts capable of powering 105,000 homes in total. Construction of the renewable energy sites will begin in 2019 and is expected to take 12 months. The solar parks, which will be built in Alcala de Guadaira, east of Sevilla, were de-

scribed as a ‘win-win for the region’ by Jose Miguel Ferrer, Solarcentury's managing director for Iberia. He added: “They will be built with no public subsidies, be a net generator of employment and environmentally friendly.” It comes as neighbouring Murcia commenced the building of an 84.7-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility through green company Enel Green Power Espana.

A NICARAGUAN school built out of recycled plastic bottles has inspired a generation of young students in Andalucia to save the planet. Sage College British School in Jerez has partnered with Ometepe Bilingual School - a tiny institute in the Pacific Ocean encouraging a community to eradicate plastic waste. The school, made from Ecobricks - hundreds of 1.5 litre plastic bottles filled with waste, such as wrappers and straws - is

INSPIRED: Andalucia teens

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struggling financially and relies on donations and volunteers. A group of Year 10 girls at Sage have organised a series of bake sales and events raising hundreds for their Nicaraguan counterpart, while carrying out assemblies and projects to teach fellow students about plastic waste. Connie Lawyer, head of primary at Sage, felt ‘inspired to help’ after a friend stumbled across the school during a cycle around the world. Students at the Brit school, Paula Crespo, 14, and Isabel Sanchez, 14, have high hopes of taking their environmental initiative to the town hall to make change. “We want to eradicate plastic waste in Jerez. We see it every single day and we want future generations to be able to swim in the sea like we did,” added the girls.

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“No Worries, Just Memories”

LA CULTURA www.theolivepress.es

Cavemen may have invented the Zodiac to keep track of time, a new study reveals

AUTHOR: Barry Waters

Destined for the top A NEW expat novel about London’s gritty criminal underbelly has been taking the Costa del Sol by storm and is available just in time for Christmas. “It’s gang warfare, romance, humour with a little bit of sex thrown in,” the book’s author Barry Waters told the Olive Press. Barry, 63, from Newcastle, is happily retired in Manilva where he has lived with his wife Louise, 65, for five years.

Guitar

It is the first novel from the British expat, who had previously focused on poetry, short stories and playing his guitar. “It is surprising how easy it was to write, it just flowed out,” said Barry, who was raised on a literary diet of Lee Child and books about the Kray Twins. Barry revealed that he is already ‘well into the sequel,’ and will even be taking inspiration for his follow-up from some of Manilva’s more unsavoury characters.

ANCIENT Spanish cave paintings have revealed how humans used astrology to tell the time as early as the Paleolithic era, scientists have revealed. What were originally thought to be abstract depictions of animals could be zodiac signs based on constellations as they appeared at the time. The new research suggests that humans had sophisticated knowledge of complex star systems as long as 40,000 years ago. Cave art found throughout Europe reveals that humans measured time by watching how stars change position in the night sky, using them to mark events such as comet attacks. The phenomenon, known as SPAIN has made ‘no effort’ to return priceless art looted by Nazis during World War II, US officials have revealed. After 600,000 paintings were stolen during the war, with 100,000 still missing, the Washington Principles was founded in 1998 to return them to their rightful owners. Some 44 nations including Spain committed to the treaty.

Do you have a what’s on?

NEWS

Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Stellar discovery ANCIENT: Cavemen’s drawings in Spain precession of the equinoxes, is caused by the gradual shift of Earth’s rotational axis – a discovery previously credited to the ancient Greeks thousands

of years later. Their knowledge may have even aided navigation on the open sea, giving us a broader understanding of prehistoric

Give it back!

Effet de Pluie to heirs of the Cassirer family, once-noted Parisian art dealers. The painting - worth around €26 million - is housed in Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemisza, a museum established by the Spanish government after buying the collection from the Thyssen family.After years of legal battles, the government claims it is a ‘private museum not covered by the

But US official adviser Stuart E Eizenstat, slammed Spain for ‘taking no steps’ to fulfill the principles. Spain refused to return Pissarro’s looted 1897 Rue Saint-Honore, Apres-Midi,

11 11

December 5th - December 18th 2018

human migration. Teams from the universities of Edinburgh and Kent studied Palaeolithic and Neolithic cave paintings in Spain, Turkey, France and Germany. “Early cave art shows that people had advanced knowledge of the night sky within the last ice age,” said Edinburgh university’s Dr Martin Sweatman. “Intellectually, they were hardly any different to us today.”

Sophisticated

The team discovered that all sites used the same method of recording dates based on sophisticated astronomy, even though the art was separated in time by tens of thousands of years. Animal symbols daubed on the cave walls were aged by chemically dating the paints. Then the team used computer software to predict the positions of stars when the paintings were made. The results showed that what looked like abstract depictions of animals could be interpreted as zodiac signs based on constellations of the time.

what’s on Christmas sparkle MALAGA’S Christmas lights have now been switched on at Calle Larios until January 6, with the Christmas markets on from 11am to 8pm at weekends.

Pigs in blankets MIJAS has the show for children as the Three Little Pigs come to the Las Lagunas Theatre on December 16 at 6pm.

Lovebirds THE Teatro Cervantes theatre in Malaga shows Romeo and Juliet on December 12 at 8pm for those looking to get their Shakespeare fix.

Russian beauty ESTEPONA plays host to the Nutcracker at the Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI on December 7 and 8 at 7pm, the perfect production for ballet fans.

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

The Death Dec 5th - Dec 18th 2018

In the second serialisation of the book History to the Defeated, Jonathan Whitehead recounts how Franco’s Foreign Legion marched forward committing massacres in every town along the way resulting in the massacre of Badajoz Don’t miss the third part of our serialisation of History to the defeated next issue

tel: 0034 952 597 035 www.poshpetsspain.com

n August 7th Franco flew from Morocco to Seville and ordered the main column of the African Army on a rapid march northwards towards Madrid. Mérida fell to the advancing army on August 10th. Having secured the town, Lieutenant-Colonel Yagüe ordered his 3,000 man force to march on Badajoz, a last Republican outpost which lay some 60 kilometres to the west on the Portuguese border. Apart from men of the élite Foreign Legion, his troops included some 750 regulares; North African soldiers recruited by the colonial army who were well-trained, brave and ruthless. So highly did Franco rate their contribution to his cause, that when the

war was over, he chose them to provide his personal guard of honour. Of all the ironies of the civil war, none matches the role of North African Muslims in a crusade described by its leaders as a movement of National Catholicism. After three days of artillery bombardment and air raids, the Nationalist forces launched their attack on Badajoz on August 14th. After fierce engagements on the city walls and hand-to-hand fighting on the streets, the Nationalists were able to take control of the city soon after nightfall. No prisoners were taken, and the Foreign Legion executed the wounded they found in the military hospital. In the streets, the legionnaires ripped men’s

shirts off to check for evidence of the recoil of a rifle. Those with bruising on their shoulder were immediately shot or dispatched to the bull-ring where an execution squad awaited them. At the Portuguese border police turned back many townspeople seeking refuge and even expelled some refugees who had already crossed the frontier, including the Mayor. No records of the killings were kept, bodies were left to rot in the streets, buried in mass graves or burnt on pyres. The most famous report of the blood-letting was by Jay Allen of the Chicago Tribune, who arrived in the city nine days after its ‘liberation’ by the Nationalists. He wrote of: ‘Files of men, arms in the air. ‘The Reds.’

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Column December 5th - December 18th 2018

Well-trained, brave and ruthless HORROR: Franco’s ruthless march through Spain ended in bloody massacre They are still being rounded bull-ring where he saw the maup. At 4 o’clock in the morn- chine-guns but found only reling they were turned out into atively small numbers of pristhe ring through the gate by oners awaiting death. He manwhich the initial parade of the aged to interview Yagüe and bullfight enters. There machine asked him if there had indeed guns awaited been 2,000 exethem.’ cutions. AccordDescribing ing to a report reports from in The Guardian, The cemetery was witnesses, he Yagüe respondfull of dead bodies ed that, ‘2,000 wrote that after the battle was perhaps either burned or 1,800 men an excessive piled up waiting to estimate of the and women had been exnumber murbe burned ecuted in a dered.’ Yagüe 12-hour-perilater confessed od. Pro-Franto New York Herco Spanish ald Tribune jourhistorian Pio Moa does not nalist J.T.Whitaker, ‘Of course deny the massacre, but dis- we shot them. What do you misses stories of mass execu- expect? Was I supposed to tions in the bull-ring. He points take 4,000 reds with me? Was out that Allen’s testimony was I expected to turn them loose not first-hand and insists the in my rear and let them make number of victims in the weeks Badajoz red again? ‘ following the battle was ‘only’ British historian Hugh Thom493. The Portuguese journal- as visited Badajoz in 1959 ist Mario Neves, who was in and in ‘The Spanish Civil War’ Badajoz on 15th August, wrote confirmed the story of the masin the Diario de Lisboa of the sacre but disputed the signif‘spectacle of desolation and icance of the bull-ring: ‘The dread’. He was allowed into the exact number of those killed in the bull-ring will probably never be known, though it is more likely to be 200 than 2,000.’ In his own work ‘The Spanish

SLAUGHTERED: Yague gunned down thousands in Badajoz bullring

Holocaust’, the hispanist Paul Preston quotes the more recent research of Spanish historian Francisco Espinosa Maestre who estimated at least 3,800 died in the repression. Espinosa wrote that the scene in Badajoz was apocalyptic, ‘the cemetery was full of dead bodies either burned or piled up waiting to be burned.’ He describes the legacy of Yagüe in ‘two’ words, ‘genocide and war-crime’ and suggests that his actions would have been judged by the War Crime Commission ‘within the judicial context of post-war Europe, if the Allies had defeated fascism in Spain.’ Amongst Republicans, Yagüe’s army became known as the Columna de la Muerte. In her biography of Franco, in which she delves into the ‘psyche’ that shaped the military and political strategies of the insurgents, Ashford Hodges claims: ‘ . . . like the Nazis in Germany, Nationalist Spain thus provided many perfectly ordinary people with a legal outlet for fundamentally criminal behavior. Murder, torture, rape and looting became acceptable because they were carried out on behalf of an idealized higher ‘authority’’.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

14 14

LA CULTURA

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Y viva España! Spain is the humblest country in Europe when it comes to shouting about its national patrimony - way behind boastful Britain and gloating Greece, according to a recent poll. But Pablo Balbontin has 10 reasons to be proud of his native land!

Folklore

Flamenco may well be the bestknown genre of Spanish folklore and while it deserves the spotlight, there are others that should take a bow. Every region has its own identity, manifested in its diverse folklore: these include the ‘Castells’, or human castles from Catalunya, the ‘Jotas’ in Aragon, and the celebrated ‘Carnaval’ in Cadiz.

Health

Spaniards have one of the longest average life expectancies in the world, at 83 years. And there have been many eminent studies into what keeps us so healthy. The long list includes the Med Diet, the low suicide rate and the excellent health service, with hospitals making major breakthroughs in genetics and transplants. Spain invests €1 billion annually on cancer research. The great weather also has an influence, creating outgoing citizens who enjoy busier social lives. While the streets of northern Europe are dead past 22:00 Spain’s are full of life.

Food

MAESTRO: Picasso is one of Spain’s finest exports, while Dali (below) is an art iconan icon

HE Spanish are the least culturally arrogant race in Europe. Only one in five Spaniards regard their traditions and cultural exports as superior to others. Carried out by the Pew Research Centre between 2015 and 2017, the study found that only 20% of Spaniards believed their culture was ‘superior’ to others. This compared to a shocking 89% in Greece, 47% among their neighbours in Portugal and 46% in the UK. Following the surprising news, the Olive Press picked out 10 cultural traits that debunk the stats:

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Social Achievements

The Spanish have always been well aware of their rights and have fought bravely to achieve them. The Second Republic in the 1930s, for example, was one of the first governments to give women the right to vote, thanks to activists like Clara Campoamor. Students and workers struggled against Franco’s dictatorship but even after democracy, people gave their lives to achieve the status of Autonomous Communities for their regions. The birth of the 15M movement which caused a political earthquake, questioning the bipartisan model, shows what Spaniards can achieve.

As any global gourmet will tell you, Spanish cuisine is up there with the best. And we’re not just referring to the famous Mediterranean diet (see below), that is helping to maintain the Spanish as the second longest living race in the world. Globally famous chefs including David Munoz, Eneko Atxa and Martin Berasategui not only hold three Michelin stars here in Spain, but have their own restaurants in the global food capital of London. And in addition, the country that made tapas go viral is also home to some of the best wines in the world in Ribera del Duero, Rioja and, of course, in Jerez, where according to the world’s most famous wine critic Robert Parker, there are half a dozen 100 out of 100 wines. And let’s not forget jamon Iberico, bluefin tuna and Sanlucar prawns.

Architecture

The Romans started it and the Moors continued the tradition creating wonderful architectural masterpieces in Spain. Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Cordoba’s mosque and Sevilla’s cathedral, the third largest in the world, are among the treasures on offer, while the country’s 20th century creativity has left Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, the Metropol in Sevilla and the Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Centre in Avilés.

Tolerance

Art, literature and fashion

Nature

History

The Iberian Peninsula has an incredible heritage from the Tartars to the Greeks and the Romans to the Arabs … every one of these civilisations has left its mark on Spain. From culture to entirely new towns, visitors have made Spain diversity personified and all Spanish people have a little bit of their DNA. That may be why Spain is the only place in the world where the three monotheistic cultures cohabited peacefully: Christians, Muslims and Jews back in the days of Al Andalus. Our culture went on to found the amazing cities of Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City and Buenos Aires and Spain was once known as the ‘Empire where the sun never sets’ for its vast colonies stretching east to west.

The Inquisition aside, Spain’s diverse history has made it one of the most tolerant countries not just in Europe but the world. It was the fourth country to legalise gay marriage, with 77% of Spanish in favour of it. Unlike Germany or Hungary it is also one of the most tolerant towards Muslims. One of the biggest Jewish communities in Europe is on Costa del Sol and the extreme right has almost no political representation, despite an alarming worldwide growth trend. We can even make jokes about our national flag!

ART: Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao

A road trip throughout Spain shows us a land with a thousand faces: the dense forests of the Basque Country and Galicia, the majestic mountains of Asturias and Catalunya, the bright blue Costa del Sol sea, the vast plateau of Castilla La Mancha, the lunar landscapes of Almeria … the list goes on. The country also has the world’s rarest wildcat, the lynx, while boasting flamingoes, wolves and Griffon vultures. It also has the largest area of protected parkland in Europe.

GRANADA: “La Sale du tribunal à l’Alhambra de Grenade”

Ask anyone in the world to name a great artist off the top of their head and Picasso’s name is likely to come up first. And what about Goya MUSIC: and Velazquez Manuel de Falla and 20th century creatives like Dali and Miro? The history books are bulging with Spanish artists and writers, such as Cervantes, the so-called Spanish Shakespeare who is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. Don Quixote? Hmmm, who hasn’t heard of that. Then there’s impressionist painter Joaquin Sorolla, composer Manuel de Falla and hip designers like Alejandro FOLKLORE¨Flamenco passion Palomo and Balenciaga.

Technology

FASHION:

Balenciaga

Many Spanish inventions have become household names, including the famous candy ‘chupa chups’ and the mop. But did you know the wheelchair also has Spanish DNA, and the disposable syringe. The first submarine was also conceived here in 1888. And the list goes on in the 21st century with the country helping to build the ‘desert AVE’, a train that travels across Saudi Arabia from Medina to Mecca. At almost 500 km long and running through inhospitable desert terrain, it was a major challenge.

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LETTERS

LE T T E R S

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Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es

In Gibraltar Issue 84 Property

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

Issue 25 November 2018

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Massive growth in buyers from abroad, with the British leading the way despite Brexit fears

Is it a bird, is it a plane, or is it a church? And how does this crazy new building link with a flying yellow submarine and the lost city of Atlantis? Find out in our Property Magazine FREE inside

FOREIGN FIREBALL

AN avalanche of foreign buyers is setting Spain’s property market on fire! A total of 53,359 homes were acquired by foreigners in the first half of 2018. The massive figure dwarfs the 33,000 sales recorded in the same period of 2007, when Spain’s property market was at its peak. And, no surprise, the British continue to lead the way, accounting for a record 7,613 purchases, up 8.8% on 2017. That’s according to the latest official figures from Spain’s notaries showing that 14% of all foreign buyers were British.

Second up come the French, who bought 4,211 properties (a drop of 5% on last year) and the Germans, who bought 4,138 homes, some 2% less than last year. When it comes to buying trends it turns out that the Irish, Danish - and most interestingly, the Moroccans - are the fastest growing nationalities. Spicing up the market, Moroccans bought 3,662 properties, a growth of 29% on last year, while the Danes were up by 18% and the Irish 25%. Romanians meanwhile continue to be a strong market having bought 3,872 homes.

Destination-wise, Valencia was the favourite province for investors, accounting for a third of all foreign sales, with 15,613 sales. It was the region with the highest year-on-year growth at 16.7%. Andalucia came in second with 8.2% of the foreign market (9,737 sales), followed by Catalunya with 7,570 sales, unsurprisingly a 5.3% decline from the same period last year, much to do with current political tension. The fifth highest destination was Madrid, where foreign market sales increased by 5.4% (4,911 purchases).

Est. 1946

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Are the alarming levels of pollution in Gibraltar causing higher cancer rates, as has been claimed by pressure groups?

Nolotil in €500m lawsuit A CLASS action has been launched against the manufacturers and distributors of the deadly drug Nolotil. Law firm De Micco and Friends have filed the claim worth €500 million on behalf of over 200 victims claiming damages. Anyone affected by the numerous side effects of the lethal painkiller can register for free on the Mallorca-based law firm’s website. It comes after a two-year battle - launched by the Olive Press - came to an end, when the drug was banned for tourists to Spain from Britain and Ireland.

Shame

The Olive Press investigates, see Blowing in the wind, page 6

IT’S A NO FROM ME

By Laurence Dollimore

SPAIN has doubled down on its threat to vote down the Brexit withdrawal agreement if there are no further assurances on Gibraltar. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday that he will vote against the UK's exit deal if the text on Gibraltar is not changed. The PSOE leader said: "As of today, if there are no changes with respect to Gibraltar, Spain will vote no to the agreement on Brexit." Madrid refuses to accept the Rock is a part of the UK despite Deaths The drug is believed to be it being an overseas territory responsible for the deaths of since 1713. dozens of expats, who also Downing Street hit back insistnow only be given the drug ing the deal would apply to the under strict monitoring rules, 'whole UK family' including after a Spanish Medicine Gibraltar and other overseas territories. Agency (AEMPS) ruling. The Olive Press launched Spain is demanding that a spe- tiation. an investigation after three cific opt out on any trade deal “And that is what must be expats died after taking the be added to the part of the di- made clear. vorce committing the EU to drug in 2016. “Until we have the future decThe drug is banned in the UK, negotiate it. laration and we know what Speaking in Brussels, Spanish US and most of Europe. it says, whether we agree or However, we revealed how it Foreign Minister Josep Bor- not, we are also not going to is readily available across the rell said: “The negotiations approve the withdrawal agreebetween the United Kingdom counter at various pharmament.” cies in Gibraltar in an investi- and the EU do not apply to Gibraltar's Chief Minister FaGibraltar... future negotiations gation earlier this year. bian Picardo said it was 'no on Gibraltar are separate negosurprise' to see Spain’s last

DISGRACE: Parents scrap at kids’ footie match

Last minute Spanish U-turn puts Brexit deal in jeopardy

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DIRTY SANCHEZ: Spain’s leader minute intervention. He said: “The language of vetos and exclusions should be the language of the past. “It has no place in the modern Europe of today at a time when when the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are trying to build a positive future relationship with the EU.” Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said earlier this week that Madrid needed more clarity on the future status of the Rock before it can offer its full support for the UK’s deal. “There is an article that we only found out about on Wednesday,” Borrell said, following a meeting of EU’s European affairs ministers. “We want to make sure the interpretation of this text is clear

has reneged on the agreement

and shows that what’s being negotiated between the EU and the UK does not apply to Gibraltar.” It comes just days before Theresa May is hoping to seal the deal in a key meeting with EU leaders on Sunday. May is already struggling with euroskeptics within her own party, who see the deal as a non-starter for giving too much power to the EU. Meanwhile Labour under Jeremy Corbyn has already vowed to vote down the agreement in parliament. Adding to embattled May’s obstacles, Spain has now requested changes to Article 184 of the draft exit treaty, despite chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisting that the text agreed last week shouldn’t be

Letter

with May

readdressed. Borrell warned that his country’s support for the deal is now contingent on the content of the political declaration on the future ties between the two sides. Sources from the meeting claim Spain argued Gibraltar is not a part of the UK, meaning any future agreement can’t apply to its territory. It also said that if the Rock wanted an extended transition period along with the UK, it would have to negotiate its own. “The future negotiations over Gibraltar are separate,” Borrell told reporters in Brussels. “Until that’s clear in the exit text and the political declaration over the future relationship, we won’t be able to agree to it.”

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We were waiting at the bus stop outside Leila Playa and were the only people there. A taxi driver pulled up and said that all the number 220 buses were cancelled. I didn’t hear him properly, but my other half Mike did. He knew it wasn’t true, because they don’t cancel the buses, so he slammed the door. People may not realise it’s a scam and then get in the taxi. If I was in London I would not even go over to the car, so I was very annoyed at myself. When you’re in holiday mode sometimes you don’t check things. We normally feel so safe here. Mike said anything could have happened, he could have grabbed us. We had our phones and wallets. It’s shocking there are all these scams out here, but then again it is the ‘Costa del Crime.’

Issue 25 November 2018

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THE PERFECT FRAME: An indoor cubed garden leads on to a view of Gibraltar at new home in Sotogrande, see page XXVIII

Divine inspiration

ANGELIC ARCHITECTURE: A Madrid architect has won an award from the RIBA for his unique take on religion, see page XXXIV

Massive growth in buyers from abroad, with the British leading the way despite Brexit fears

FOREIGN FIREBALL

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BRACE YOURSELF

A CASH payment for the Prime Minister’s suits, a €300,000 bung to a former treasurer and a backhander to pay for an elite wedding. These are just three of the illegal ‘caja B’ cash payments made by the former PP party during Mariano Rajoy’s tenure. Revealed in a series of sensational hand-written notes and documents, kept by disgraced former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, they clearly demonstrate how the party was illegally funded on a national scale. Dubbed the ‘Operacion Kitchen’ papers, they have only now been made public, after being published in national newspaper El Mundo. What is even more shocking however is the way the dossier was allegedly stolen from Barcenas by police and not handed over to the courts in the recent Gurtel investigation into corruption. A Madrid judge has now opened an ‘urgent enquiry’ to look into why these documents have only now been made public. Judge Jose de la Mata has demanded the Home Office explain how police and the PP party allegedly conspired to keep the papers hidden. The documents were appar-

Mallorca will be among worst affected by extreme weather as climate change takes hold SEVERE: Flooding in Mallorca MALLORCA will be hammered by fiercer and more frequent storms as climate change ‘fuels the fire’ of extreme weather, scientists have warned. The warning comes after dev-

Turn to page 4

while (top right inset) huge

astating floods claimed 13 lives last month, including a British boy, two British tourists and a Dutchman. This week, monster 40ft waves demolished balconies in Tenerife, while the Costa del Sol

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40ft wave in Tenerife and tornado

and Costa Blanca were also hit with flash flooding terrifying bouts of lightning. The Balearics were also put on red alert again for further flooding. But these incidents are just a snapshot of what is to come as temperatures rise, say scientists. Professor Peter Stott, at the UK’s Met Office, insisted: "People imagine going to places like Tenerife or Mallorca the weather will be nice. "Instead we see these images of massive waves and flooding. Tenerife is vulnerable to storms of course, but these are things people aren't expecting. Climate scientists

in Italy to become the norm

have been saying for a long time we do expect a rapid increase in the frequency of extreme weather." He added that violent Atlantic storms are becoming more common in Spain and when they hit they are going to become more dangerous. While experts say it is not possible to blame individual storms on global warming, research is already pointing to much higher levels of rain that lead to killer floods. Professor Stott said one study on Hurricane Florence in Florida - which was described as a ‘thousand-year rain event’ - suggested climate

in the future

change had increased rainfall by 50%.He said: "That's just one example of how climate change is making these storms more powerful and more intense when they hit land. "We have sea surface temperatures one degree higher than in pre-industrial times. "That brings 6 to 7% higher moisture in the atmosphere as more water evaporates off the surface. “All that is fuel to the fire — there's more energy fuelling extreme weather events." Meanwhile, sea levels are rising by 3mm every year, undermining coastal defences. IN

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Unfit to have children I can't believe they really want their own kids to see them like that. No matter which country it happens in, parents be ashamed of yourself! I can hear kids screaming "papa!" You are not fit to have children.

1 Paid announcement (13) 2 Tanner's aid (7) 3 Depend (4) 4 Confine (8) 5 Unit of weight (5) 6 Relating to building design (13) 7 Born in early December, perhaps (11) 12 Affliction of cats and other fur-lickers (8) 14 Violently frenzied (7) 16 Small in number (5) 18 Home of Salt Lake City (4)

A clifftop village in the south of Italy has caused controversy by charging visitors to enter its historic centre. Tourists have to pay €5 to enter the cobbled heart of Polignano a Mare, a village of whitewashed houses and churches perched on top of vertical cliffs in Puglia. Other towns are considering similar measures. Is it time for the Costa del Sol to follow the example set by some Italian towns? David Baird, Malaga

Hitting a million Thank you the Olive Press for publishing the story re: orangutans and Iceland (Almost a million sign petition to have Iceland’s Greenpeace Christmas ad allowed on TV, Issue 305). The petition was just 15,000 short of a million signatures, The Olive Press will help it get over the line, and hopefully pressure Clearcast to show the advert on TV. Anna Dinder, Malaga

Pernille Mortensen, Malaga

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A TRIO of lucky winners have scooped a copy of the latest edition of the Andalucia Rough Guide. The group, Lucy Emma Kruck, Deborah Buxton and Graham Williamson, answered correctly that author Geoff’s favorite hike was in Cazorla and his favourite new theatre was in Jerez. Thanks to the dozens of people who entered the competition. Better luck next time.

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Frosty reception THE heartbreaking story of a baby orangutan hiding in a little girl’s room has already become this year’s most talked about Christmas advert. Created by Greenpeace for supermarket giant Iceland, which has 17 shops in Spain, the advert has caused outrage worldwide after being banned from broadcasting it on TV. Narrated by Dame Emma

Almost a million sign petition to have Iceland’s Greenpeace Christmas ad allowed on TV

Thompson, the tragic cartoon was deemed ‘too political’ by the UK advertising regulatory body, Clearcast. Since its ban the video has garnered almost 990,000 people signing a petition to get the cartoon shown on TV. Western] student is Iceland, has no control,” he said. “So [the has which less likely to put in the extra effort.” College, Madrid, three superChief Academic Officer at King’s markets on Dawn Akyurek, agrees. with the right teachthe Costa del “I believe all children can achieve amount of effort,” Sol, dedicater, the right conditions and the right self-belief.” ed it to the she told The Olive Press. “It’s aboutSpanish education orang‘25 The OECD recently criticised the learning. rote on utans we lose system for focusing too much remembering facts’ day’ every It said the Spanish were ‘better at creative thought or due to the but ‘fall down when it comes to destruction problem solving’.

LEARNING ABOUT LAZINESS

than effort in the SUCCESS has more to do with talent minds of most Spanish adolescents. believe good results Only 30% of Spanish 15-year-olds can be obtained through effort. of South Koreans This compares to an incredible 60%2018 PISA report. in the same age bracket, found the Western As a result Asian students are outstripping OECD’s Education pupils academically, believes the Asian children boss Andreas Schleicher. He believes hard work can be are more receptive to the idea that West. the in children than rewarding which the student “Talent is seen as something over

of rainforests for palm oil. The advert shows cute baby Rang-tan telling her friend how she ended up in the little girl’s room and shows harrowing images of machines ravaging forests and taking orangutans with them. The supermarket chain has vowed to remove palm oil from all its products until producers of the oil stop devastating rainforests. Clearcast has since been forced to shut down its Facebook page after staff were ‘threatened and abused’ over the decision. A spokesman insisted Clearcast is ‘not a regulator’ and has ‘no power to ban ads’, but that it was not able to approve the ad due to its political stance.

Employment drive THE government is taking on 3,618 new staff in the Andalucian Health Service, with 10% of posts reserved for disabled people.

Nordic surge ICELANDIC expat retiring numbers in Spain are up 10% this year with around 700 registered with most in the Costa Blanca.

Pokerface THE Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell has accused David Cameron of ‘playing poker’ with the UK and said he ‘won’t go down as the best Prime Minister of Britain’.

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They should stop selling alcohol at the grounds. We had to stop a fight yesterday and the idiot was full of beer! It is disgraceful and the poor kids suffer! Jacqueline Graham, Malaga

European problem I've seen the same stupidity in Belgium. It’s so sad. Nicolas Busschaert, De Pinte, Belgium

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The poor kids. The parents should be deeply ashamed of themselves! Silvia Holsters, Estepona

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Cooking the books

Act your age Readers react to news of a violent fight between parents breaking out at a children’s football match in Murcia, where children watched on sobbing

THE PERFECT FRAME: An indoor cubed garden leads on to a view of Gibraltar at new home in Sotogrande, see page XXVIII

Divine inspiration

ANGELIC ARCHITECTURE: A Madrid architect has won an award from the RIBA for his unique take on religion, see page XXXIV

December 5th - December 18th 2018

See a shrink! These people need psychiatric help. Michael Bath, London Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress

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Cheers Olive Press Great article on pollution (Blowing in the wind, Gibraltar Olive Press investigates pollution on the Rock, Issue 84). Keep up the good work! Andy Hunter,Director

Ignorance is bliss At least these children know where meat comes from (PACMA slams hunting rituals in Spain where 10-year-old children’s faces smeared with blood, online). The killed animal looks like a wild boar killed for food. I eat meat and a wild animal is happier than an intensely farmed animal. I would rather eat the hunted wild boar as it had a better life. Denise Bayliss, Torre del Mar

c n ho

Dirty Sanchez It’s electioneering (It’s a no from me: Spain threatens to veto Brexit deal, Issue 305). A Spanish veto is not worth anything, and there It’s a no are regional elec- from me tions in Andalucia in the next few weeks. The Gibraltar issue seems to magically find its way to the top of the pile every time the Spanish PM needs to look strong internationally and nationally. Then it gets forgotten about a week or two later. Oliver Neilson, S’Arraco, Mallorca

SPAIN has reiterated its threat to torpedo the Brexit withdrawal agreement if there are no further assurances on Gibraltar. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (above) confirmed he would be voting against the UK’s hard-fought exit deal if the text on Gibraltar isn’t changed.

In an apparent U-turn, having initially supported Theresa May’s 585-page blueprint for an EU departure, he said: “If there are no changes, Spain will vote no to the agreement.” It came after Foreign Minister Josep Borrell insisted Madrid needed more clarity on the future status of the Rock before it could ratify the deal. “There is something we only just found out about,” Borrell said, following meeting of the EU’s European affairsa ministers. “We want to make sure the interpretation of this text is clear and shows that what’s being negotiated between the EU and the UK does not apply to Gibraltar.” The delay, which made front page news in Spain, put further pressure on British Prime Minister May, who is already struggling with eurosceptics within her own party.

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THE Olive Press is laun appeal to help a desperat save her four-year-old tw going blind. Little Erik and Alexia urgen more tests to determine if th riorating vision can be treat But the expensive tests are c the Torremolinos-based fam Liverpudlian mum Fabiola 39, told the Olive Press how partner, Juan, 36, a mecha ‘hopeless’ after selling thei pay for the escalating medic It comes after the twins we nosed in April with a rare retinal dystrophy - a genetic which gradually causes blind But after three rounds of tests costing almost €3,00 doctors are still unable to the gene, meaning they can

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Issue 306

December 5th - December 18th 2018

uadalhorce

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June 26 - July 9 2014

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Get lost in the Guadalhorce Charlie Smith discovers why so many expats have found their Eldorado in the white towns of the green Guadalhorce

Don’t miss Coin’s famous Flea market, while (left) a town near Alhaurin

SPEND 15 minutes gawping at the rugged Alhaurin el Grande mountain range from our balcony before I realise I am late for breakfast. We’re running on empty but the cloud-covered peak of the Sierra de Mijas looming beyond the palm trees outside the window is more than enough to distract me from hunger pangs.

It feels like we’re in the wilds but this is Las Delicias, an urbanisation in Coin just 33 km west of Malaga, and 30 km north of Marbella. After pulling my travelling partner Juan from his comfortable bed, we amble downstairs where our host Hazel Rennalls has cooked up a mean breakfast. ‘Spanish toast’, complete

Ye Ole’ Butchery A Traditional Butchers supplying all the best cuts of meat. Homemade sausages, burgers, cooked meats and savouries.

with a piping cafetiere of the good stuff, lives up to the Las Delicias name. We aren’t the only guests at the Palms and Lights B&B which Hazel runs with her husband Tony, having made the leap to Spain from Wokingham 18 months ago. There are Americans staying which is clear proof. Guadalhorce Valley has international appeal.

Over a second cuppa, Hazel and fellow British expat Ursula Lewis endorse that, regaling me with tales of their adventures through the valley during their 25-year friendship. “Sundays in Coin are unforgettable,” says Ursula, who has travelled over 600 km from her home in Valencia for another glimpse of the valley - a reminder of the

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green, g r e e n grass of her ex-home. “Every Sunday there is a flea market in La Trocha,” Hazel continues, referencing the swish commercial centre that has enticed the likes of El Corte Ingles and Dunnes Stores to branch

out into the rural hinterland to cater for the growing expat population. Continues overleaf

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December 5th - December 18th 2018 Continues from page 17

“The market is brilliant,” Ursula cuts in. “And very cheap. You can get anything from a pipe for your toilet to a lovely wardrobe.” Just as you can get pretty much anything in Coín, the valley’s cultural centre, a mix of old and new, traditional and expat. The feel of authentic rural Spain with a European veneer explains why so many expats from the UK and other parts of northern Europe, have chosen to call it home. Even one of the tapa we enjoyed at the Nueva Alameda cafeteria was a fried bacon, eggs and mushrooms dish. Does it get more British? Only the name Coin, perhaps, when spoken of by newbie Brits. It’s pronounced ‘Co-een’ but they call it like the money. Historically, Coin is very much on the money with a cosmopolitan past stretching from the Roman Empire to pop culture. ‘Eldorado’,

Los Barcos, the setting for “Eldorado”

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uadalhorce Valley

Tolox is the back door to incredible mountain wilderness

the BBC’s famously flopped soap, was filmed on a purpose-built set outside town. The Romans set the place up as the market town of Lacibis, mining the terrain for minerals and laying the foundations for the area’s latterly burgeoning ‘Green Coin’ ceramics trade. Marble from the quarries of Sierra Blanca, five kilometres south, was used to construct the amazing Roman town of Italica, near Sevilla, the birthplace of the mighty Emperor Hadrian in 76AD. Then, like many parts of Spain, Coin fell to the Moors in the 900s before being reconquered by the Christians in the late 15th century. The town buckled under a siege in which, legend has it, the great New World explorer Christopher Columbus took part. The fascinating 9th century Moza-

rabe Monastery will take you back de las Nieves, then Tolox is the to those swashbuckling times. toenail’. But the draw of the mountains is Once part of the Kingdom of Sotoo strong and we set off to explo- leimán, this whitewashed Moorire them. sh village also draws visitors to We went to see the Sierra de las explore the healing properties of Nieves, Spain’s newly-declared its Fuente Amarga Spa. National Park to the west of the Stress and muscle fatigue are Guadalhorce Valley. washed away with a Largely untouched variety of therapies by tourists yet ridiTake water for ranging from natuculously close to the ral gas inhalation coast, it’s a weekend the steep climb to mud spray treatgetaway begging to and a camera ments. Former Spabe booked. Pinsapo nish Prime Minister fir trees, Spanish ibex for the awesome Miguel Primo de Riand thriving otter povera is among the scenery pulations are some more famous faces of the gems that won to have indulged. it National Park protection. Conveniently close to the spa on Tolox is the back door to this in- the fringes of the Sierra de las credible mountain wilderness. Nieves sits one of the GuadalhorAs someone once described it, ‘If ce Valley’s finest hotels. Coin sits at the foot of the Sierra Offering eagle-eye views as far as

Charming Tolox

Malag a , the Cerro de Hijar hotel is one of Andalucia’s more remote places to rest your head. If rigorous adventure is more your backpack, you should try the winding walk from Marbella, which takes in the towns of Ojen, Monda, Guaro, Coin and - if you have the energy - eventually Alhaurin. Take water for the steep climb and a camera for the awesome scenery and views. Every hairpin bend round the steep cliffs offers up a fresh angle on the Guadalhorce Valley. Looking up at the imposing ceiling of white cloud, and down to waterfalls trickling below, it’s

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Don’t get left behind

More and more buyers are looking inland, says agent Richard Woodland, from Property Overseas

HEADY HEIGHTS: The Caminito del Rey and (right) the Barranco Blanco waterfall

easy to forget that the Costa del Sol metropolis is just over the mountain. Arriving in Alhaurin is like deja vu as a ‘castle’ looms into view. It’s the famous brick water tower that starred in the opening credits of the Eldorado series, built to look old. More striking is how Alhaurin has grown. Where Coin may have a few amazing tapas places or cake shop, Alhaurin has more. The route south west out of Alhaurin brings you to the serene Barranco Blanco

HOTEL: In hills near Alhaurin

(White Ravine). A photographer’s favourite, buried in the countryside where wild boar feel safe to roam, its aquamarine waters end in a magical waterfall. Everyone mentions the Nazis, who allegedly used the area as training camp during WW2, due to the alliance between Franco and Hitler. You can still see a white building that was used as a sentry point as you arrive. And on the other side of the valley let’s not forget the Caminito del Rey, a huge hit with thrill seekers. Once dubbed ‘the world’s deadliest walkway, and with 1,000 visitors a day, this high-adrenalin hike above the El Chorro gorge, is in high demand. It was recently praised as a ‘shining example’ of a sustainable tourist attraction. Director of tourism for the Costa, Arturo Bernal, said thousands have visited the site this year, while ‘last winter saw visitors of 84 different nationalities flock from five different continents’. Emerging at the other end of the Caminito in Ardales, you’ll be hard-pressed to get in your car and leave. Often called Andalucia’s Lake District, with turquoise waters surrounding tree-lined islands, it’s easy to see why. The scenery is more akin to the cantons of Switzerland than anything found on the Costa del Sol. So many white villages, so much still to discover about the Guadalhorce Valley. In the towns our catchphrase of the day became ‘We’re not lost’ when people saw us consulting our tourist office maps and offered help. But really that is the only way to experience the Guadalhorce Valley. Just lose yourself.

ndeed, the majority of homes his agency Property Overseas Group have on their books are less than 30 minutes from the coast… and no more to Malaga airport. The demand for inland property, especially country fincas, has continued to grow this year, as buyers are looking for affordable properties with a different, more Spanish lifestyle away from the coast. There is also growing rural tourism industry in the area which is stimulating the market. Although there is some indecision from Brit buyers over the uncertainty of Brexit and the fluctuating exchange rate, there is still a rush from buyers in the Netherlands, Bel-

gium and Scandinavia as well as Spanish buyers also coming back into the market. “We haven’t seen a noticeable rise in prices but the difference in the asking and selling price has shown a decrease,” explains Woodland. Selling property on rustic land can prove more complicated when fincas are not registered correctly or have difficulty in achieving the AFO. The AFO was introduced in 2012 to help regularise the legal status of buildings in rural areas but this has only hindered the buying process. Every town hall has different regulations, fees and timescales for obtaining the certificate and the administrative bureaucracy can delay purchases and potential sales can suffer. “Scenically, the area is very attractive and, due to the lower prices than the coast, the demand still continues,” he adds. “I expect the market to continue a steady and gradual growth in 2019, and more competitive with less properties becoming available for sale. “Buyers need to make sure they don’t get left behind as many properties are getting picked off the shelf.”

Richard’s office in Coin is opposite La Trocha of visit the website www.propertyoverseasgroup.com

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Andalucia’s own ‘bread basket’ THE Guadalhorce Valley is 804km2 in size, and home to around 150,000 permanent residents, while many more own second homes there. It has always been known for its citrus production, with orange and lemon plantations stretching out in every direction from the valley’s towns. Of the eight municipalities, Coin is the biggest. But towns such as Alhaurin El Grande, Alora and Cartama are also immensely popular with expats. While first colonised by the Romans, it was the Moors who have had the largest influence on the area. Everywhere there is evidence of their work, which tamed the tumbling streams into irrigation systems and brought fertility to the whole of the valley.

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Alluring

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Alora A Travel back in time in a classic whitewashed pueblo

HISTORIC: Alora castle

WAY from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Coin and Alhaurin, a sleepy, white-washed Andalucian pueblo sits waiting to be explored. Despite keeping its fascinating history to itself with unwarranted modesty, Alora has blossomed into a hive of cultural activity. Marked out by its stunning Arabic castle atop Cerro de las Torres hill, the sprawling streets are brought to life through Moroccan and Roman influences before them. However, the castle is even older and was originally built by

Phoenicians, before being expanded under Roman rule. And later destroyed by Visigoths in the fifth century before the Moors finally came and rebuilt it. The Muslim minaret is still clearly visible today, protruding defiantly from the elegant and immaculately preserved castle.

Castle in the sky

ARTAMA castle at night is a magical juxtaposition of ancient and modern. The crumbling hilltop remains are bathed in floodlights at night, recently installed by the Town Hall. Even in daylight, no other vantage point in the vicinity offers such far-reaching views of the Guadalhorce Valley. Cartama spreads out below,

at the head of the Guadalhorce river, where a restored iron bridge connects the town with its train station. A rocky path zig-zags up from the main square to the castle, meandering beneath shady pine trees, with benches placed at intervals for much-needed breathers. At the top stands a pretty shrine to the town’s patron saint - the Ermita de Nuestra Senora de los

CASTLE: Cartama

Built in 1462, from local history expert and museum worker, Maria Jose says. “You can see evidence of all the different ages of the castle, it is so interesting and such a shame that so few people come and see it.” It is a wonderful place to visit, but Remedios. Built in the 17th century on top of the original 15th century building, the sanctuary was restored as recently as 2007. Inside you can still see the ornate ceiling with its crystal chandelier, the elaborate decoration contrasting with the spartan wooden benches that seat the congregation. Above the shrine are the remains of the 10th century Moorish castle. The crumbling walls are all that’s left of the impenetrable fortress that originally boasted ten watchtowers, but the views are still to die for.

unfortunately the castle is not often open to the public. A short walk down narrow traditional streets leads to the town’s lowest-lying square. Here stands the impressive 17th century Catholic church of La Encarnacion, which somehow appears to be even larger on the inside. Adjoining the church is the municipal museum, complete with ancient pottery, historical displays and intense mustiness. It is a Mudejar construction dating from the 16th century and supported by stone pillars and columns. “Alora is such a wonderful town, there is so much culture to see in the artists, history and of course, the best food in the region is here,” explains local tour operator Kora Buggel. Hidden right in the heart of the town is an old molino, where olive oil was traditionally produced but it is now used for the occasional concert. Various small museums and bars

have sprung up in the centre since the turn of the century, as this town continues its legacy as one of the most important settlements in the Guadalhorce Valley. It is certainly a fairly bustling place, much busier than most of the valley’s pueblos. One of the highlights is the small bodega belonging to José Miguel Pérez Hidalgo, which produces a range of wines from the Guadalhorce Valley’s vineyards, and offers tasting sessions to organised groups.

Killing

At the foot of the hill on which Alora rests is a railway station, and it was here, just five years ago, where the houses were struck by a terrible flood, killing livestock and destroying homes. From the castle it is easy to see where the river ripped apart a bridge, separating Barriada Estacion from neighbouring Barriada del Puente.

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The Garden of Allah Alhaurin blossomed under Moorish rule and has since been a key market town

WALK: Just outside Alhaurin

The more you take out, the higher your refund.

T was in Phoenician times turies of Arabic rule can still that Alhaurin el Grande first be found, particularly at the developed its role as an im- Arco del Cobertizo, which was portant market town, as the a gateway to the medina, that already established Iberian had a souk specialising in silk. tribes bartered their goods with One of the last towns to be connew arrivals from Lebanon. quered by the Catholic kings in Later the town thrived under 1485, it was eventually merged Roman occupation when a with Alora, Cartama and Coin number of wealthy merchants in 1666 to form a single entity from nearby Malaga made known as the Four Towns. money from the rich mineral Though it was anything but deposits in the nearby hills. plain sailing for the united They built sizeable villas, such municipality and there were as Villa de la Mata, and la- epidemics of plague and even belled the town Lauro Nova. an earthquake in 1680. Evidence has been found in Later, Alhaurin was occupied the numbers of coins, statues for four years by the French and pillars, a trio of which during the Peninsular War in stand pride of the early 19th place opposite century, which the town hall led to the inevThe type of expat today. itable destrucBut it wasn’t tion and upnow coming to until Moorish heaval. live here is more Since rule that the then, town really apart from the interested in blossomed, as turbulent perithe Arabs plantod during the integration ed new crops in civil war, the the wide fertile biggest threat to valley that is civil peace has crossed by two rivers, the Fa- been an influx of English hoohala and Blas Gonzales. ligans, who thankfully have They introduced acequias (or now all but gone. water courses) to irrigate the There is no doubt that Alentire valley and built a num- haurin el Grande has been ber of important mills, such through a dramatic transforas the Molino Morisco de los mation over recent years but Corchos. there is a now a real swagger An area of particular beauty – about the place. not to mention an extremely Businesses are opening and clement climate – it had soon the type of expat now coming taken on an appropriate new to live here is more interested name, that of ‘Garden of Al- in integration, learning the lah’, or Alhaurin. language and enjoying the Remnants of the eight cen- town’s varied culture.

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WHERE TO EAT

Valley tucker A longtime agricultural hub, it is no surprise you can eat well in the Guadalhorce Valley, writes Jon Clarke

LL around the Guadalhorce Valley you will find vegetable gardens, orchards and fields of crops. And with such a fabulous range of local produce it is no surprise you can eat well here. Few places are more authentic than the charming Bohemia restaurant in Coin. Run by creative owner Pedro Trillo, it is full of antique furniture and a range of Pedro’s amazing knitted tapestries on the wall, worth a visit alone. But you are here for the food, which is classic soul food with a heavy emphasis on vegetables and, in particular, I loved the aubergines layered with salmon, parmesan, chives, caviar and cherry tomatoes. The courgettes stuffed with goat’s cheese were amazing

TALENT: Pedro at Bohemia also knits his own tapestries too and the portions are of an excellent size. Also in Coin check out Casa Paco which has an amazing range of fresh fish and seafood and has been running since 1985 with current owner Juan starting to work there at the ripe old age of 16. A livewire, he works extremely hard and this is one of the genuine ‘dining secrets’ of Andalucia. The hot conchas finas are incredible, while the razor shells are as fresh as could be. Also in Coin you might want to check

Ye Ole’ Butchery A Traditional Butchers supplying all the best cuts of meat. Homemade sausages, burgers, cooked meats and savouries.

Cut above the rest Refrigerated deliveries available

Call Martin 667 431 366

yeolbutchery@gmail.com IF you’re still thinking about what meat to cook for that all-important Christmas roast, a GuadalTues: 9.30am-2pm Wed-Fri: horce-based butcher may 9.30am-4pm have just the thing. Sat: 9.30am-2pm Closed Now taking orders forMonday the festive season, Ye Ole Butchery in Alhaurin El Grande, offers a piece of home with Irish legs of lamb, Lancashire and Cumberland sausages and a selection of Cheddar cheeses. The traditional English butcher, headed up by Brit Martin Randall, is a family-run business, which uses old recipes passed down through generations. Running for almost eight years, the butchers make all their sausages, burgers, pies and savouries on site and even cure their own bacon. For those run off their feet cooking the roasties or brewing the mulled wine, a home delivery service is available ahead of Christmas.

out Mumtaz Mahal, a popular, well established Indian restaurant. The food is always good and you can sit on the terrace or in the charming interior. Another great dining spot is Finca La Mota on the outskirts of Alhaurin, which sits in its own secret valley. Also Dutch-owned, you dine on a candle-lit terrace at night surrounded by mature pine, orange and avocado trees. A classic rural idyll, the diners are spoilt with a great mix of international dishes, with a slant on the oriental, Moroccan and Thai. Meanwhile you must try herring on brown bread, the the chicken satay and a splendid ‘zarzuela’, which has a top mix of shellfish, rosada and langoustines. The Thai prawn and chicken curry came in red, green or yellow depending on your preference for spice and was delicious. The apple strudel was a sure fire winner to end the meal. Another true star of the valley is Jaap Schaafsma, 31, who I first singled out a decade ago, for my book Dining Secrets of Andalucia, while working at the then-amazing Santa Fe restaurant in Coin. After it shut in the recession he headed back to his native Holland for a few years, but is now back at the helm at the excellent Castillo de Monda. It has an inventive menu and there are always specials of the day, plus a great wine list. If you are looking for Gallic flair then look out for stalwart El Postillon, where you eat on a fantastic terrace overlooking a leafy garden and with views into the nearby Sierra de Mijas. You will be spoilt by the cooking from Xavier Sierra, who after working in his parents’ restaurant in France and studying at the best cooking school in Bordeaux, Ecole Hoteliere de Talence, packed up his kitchen utensils and headed to Spain 20 years ago.

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23 December 5th - December 18th 2018 JOANNE MARIE’S FURNITURE

WHERE TO STAY

Guadalhorce valley has some great rural retreats, writes Jon Clarke

HERE are some amazing places to stay in the Guadalhorce Valley, where peace and mountain landscapes merge. One of the most reliable is Finca la Mota (www.fincalamota.com), in Alhaurin el Grande, that was once one of the biggest estates in the entire valley. The 350-year-old farmhouse sits in its own secret valley, surrounded by stunning countryside and with views to match. Run by Dutchman Kees and his two sons Reuben and Danny, you enter into a classic patio Andaluz with a huge pool and its own terrace restaurant. Inside it is charming with comfortable rooms and various dining areas, one with two roaring fireplaces. A lovely shady pool and views to match make up the scene. The rooms are all different and most have a nice atmosphere with good views. You might also consider staying in the soaring Castillo de Monda, which lords over the Guadalhorce valley with mountain views in all directions. Taken over by three talented Dutchmen, the place has spacious bedrooms, replete with four poster beds, jacuzzi baths and private ter-

Sweet dreams ATMOSPHERIC: One of the rooms at Finca la Mota

races, but it also has a spa. Best of all, one of the trio, Jaap Schaafsma, 32, who is in charge

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Turbulent times SPANISH airlines are officially the most complained-about in Europe, a new government report has revealed. Iberia, Vueling and Air Europa, along with Ryan Air, Norwegian, Wizz Air and the now defunct Air Berlin were the airlines that came up most often in passenger complaints filed with Spain’s State Air Security Agency (AESA). In 2017 the governmentrun body saw a staggering 50% rise in complaints from 2015, with 15,604 travellers voicing their concerns. National flag carrier Iberia came out top for providing a poor service for flyers, with 2,400 filed complaints and Vueling was a close second with 2,300, followed by Ryanair with 1,789. AESA partially blamed the ‘increase in air traffic Spain’ for the rise in customer gripes. However, Spanish airport authority AENA argued that the number of travellers grew by only 19% during the two year period.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Family affair

Dried ham deal helps China alleviate Trump trade war in $10 trillion foreign imports move CHINA has secured a lucrative jamon deal with Spain to protect itself from the $250 billion (€220 billion) of trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. President Xi Jinping flew to Spain for a three-day state visit last week, where he signed around 20 government and business agreements, including one to export on-the-bone legs of Iberian ham to China. In a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Madrid’s City Hall, the Chinese premier said he wanted to import $10 trillion (€8 trillion) worth of goods over the next five years. The Chinese president described his country as being THE Bank of Spain has revealed it has written off €42 billion of debt since the financial crisis of 2007-2008. Only €4.5 billion has been recovered so far said the bank, which committed €54 billion of public money to rescue 14 financial institutions since 2009. On top of the €4.5 billion however, the bank, which is

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VALUABLE: Jamon is a luxury in China

Hamming it up

at a ‘crossroads’ in their economy, as he vowed to increase imports of jamon, something considered a luxury product in China. Spanish jamon producers

will now look to cash in off the back of the deal, by expanding exports to China, the world’s top pork consumer. Xi said: “In economic terms, we need to decide if we are

Complete write off headed by Pablo Hernández de Cos, said that a further €10 billion could be recouped. Speaking about the loss of public funds, Klaus Regling, executive director of the European Stability Mechanism, said: “I’m not surprised. Resolving

the crisis was very expensive.” The largest cash injection for any bank after the financial crash in Spain was to Bankia in 2012, which was given a staggering €24 billion by the Bank of Spain.

going to follow the economic globalisation and free market or if we are going to choose unilateralism and protectionism.” It comes as Spanish exports to China increased by 28% last year to reach €5.7 billion. A Spanish government source did however reveal that Madrid would not sign up to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, a development that links several of China’s global infrastructure projects. Xi, who is the first Chinese president to visit Spain on a state visit for 13 years, will now travel to a G-20 leaders’ summit in Argentina, and then on to Panama and Portugal.

FAMILY-OWNED businesses keep the Spanish economy afloat generating the vast majority of jobs nationwide, new figures have revealed. Across Spain, small to medium sized enterprises owned and operated by families create 67% of jobs and account for 57% of the total value of goods and services produced each year. Daniel Ron, who represents families at the Confederation of Andalucian Businesses, said families are the ‘backbone of the national economy’ and even more important in Andalucia where family-owned businesses create 83% of jobs and 78% of the region's wealth.

Growth

The trend is most pronounced in the agricultural, construction, commerce and hospitality sectors. Even with the growth of new technologies and industries, Ron said Andalucian families will remain the main driver of the regional economy and he called on the Junta to improve its tax policies and put in place incentives for family-owned businesses.

Snowball effect • Advertorial •

M1 legal appeal against Club La Costa sees four more victories against the timeshare company

Who Are M1 Legal?

M1 Legal are a firm of independent Spanish lawyers based in Fuengirola that provide legal services to consumers that have been subject to mis-selling and breach of statutory obligations by their resort in relation to timeshare products and services. These include floating weeks, points based timeshares, holiday clubs and fractional ownerships.

The story so far… Following on from our ‘Resort Appeals Overruled’ article in the last issue, we have an update on the story so far. After an initial court decision that the case did not fall under Spanish jurisdiction, M1 Legal appealed the decision which was reversed by the Malaga Court of Appeal. The defence argued that the case should not be heard in Spain claiming that the contract fell under English law. The appeal judge ruled that the contractual party i.e. Club la Costa (UK) Sucursal en España is a Spanish entity and the case should be heard in

Setting a precedent M1 Legal currently have 418 cases in court and 250 are being prepared for submission. Furthermore, cases won on appeals will be fast-tracked through the lower courts. Not fake! Spain. All cases with the above contractual name are currently being re-submitted to the court of first instance.

The snowball effect M1 Legal are pleased to confirm receipt of FOUR more victories

against Club La Costa on jurisdiction regarding the above named contractual party, capping off a successful year.

We can confirm receipt of all sentences issued against the timeshare resorts. Plus newspapers will not publish such statements without seeing proof. Victories are published on the website www.m1legal.com.

FACT! Apart from the appeal victories against Club La Costa in November, M1 have secured payouts for clients against Anfi Group, Lion Resorts and Silverpoint totaling £99,514. For any enquiries contact Sharon Johnson at sharon@m1legal.com

BUSINESS

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

AGONY ANT

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Home sweet home Spanish Supreme Court rules on former matrimonial homes, writes Lawbird’s Antonio Flores

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RECENT Supreme Court (SC) divorce case law has placed regular disputes over the ‘family home’ in a prominent position. Not only is this a very emotional subject at the core of some of the most acrimonious divorces, it is in fact believed that therein lies the root of many domestic abuse cases - some fatal - when a new partner starts living in the former matrimonial home with the one given the right to stay. Article 96 of the Civil Code paragraph 1 states that ‘in the absence of an agreement between the spouse approved by the Judge, use of the family home and the objects of ordinary use therein shall correspond to the children and to the spouse in whose company they remain’. In 2013, the SC stated that the use of a family home but the spouse in charge of the children was not temporarily limited but adding that such relief was available so long as the home did not ‘lose its family home nature’, or it was proven that the ‘children had their accommodation needs covered

elsewhere’. In these cases, the occupying spouse would lose the right of use. In 2017, the same court ruled that the existence of a new partner in the marital home - given to an ex-wife and children - should necessarily reduce the maintenance payments by reason of the rule of proportionality. And as of November 24 2018, a plenary meeting of the First Chamber of the SC ruled that where a father or a mother who,

having been given the right to live in the former jointly owned matrimonial home with the children, enter into a new relationship and live together in the said home, by application of new doctrine the spouse with right of use will automatically lose such right of the former matrimonial home. The immediate effect is that this property can now be subjected to a forced sale, in case the former partners do not agree on voluntarily selling up.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

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Poor show TODAY’S under 30’s in Spain are worse off than they were a decade ago, new data has revealed. Despite undergoing better training, people born in the 1990s have lower wages and more temporary jobs. A deterioration in working conditions following the crisis, means youngsters are poorer than 10 years ago.

Generation

According to the Annual Salary Structure Report, the average salary among teenagers dropped by 28% between 2008 and 2016, while 20-24 year olds’ pay packages decreased by 15%. The second biggest change is the fact the newest generation of workers is quite simply smaller. Some 4.8 million workers aged 20 - 29 were registered at the start of this year - a drop of 30% compared to the 6.7 million registered in 2005, revealed the Spanish Statistics Institute.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Oil is well Spain pipping rivals to the post in the olive stakes as harvests soar

OLIVE production in Spain is bucking the global trend by soaring 25% this year. It comes as the average global harvest has dropped by 5%, with traditional rivals Greece and Italy expected to see levels drop by 38% and 35% respectively.

Social Security incentives and bonuses for training and learning contracts. They also allegedly paid the hairdressers less than minimum wage to boost profits. The head of the Court of Instruction 19 of Sevilla, Ana Escribano Mora, is investigating for alleged crimes of falsification of documents, corporate crime, fraud, misappropriation of funds and unfair administration related to the defrauding of millions from Social Security. After being arrested by Policia Nacional, the 35 accused will appear before a judge from December 15.

STAYING STRONG: Spain’s olive market

ers caused mainly by dry weather, Agriculture Minister Luis Planas said the figures are ‘better’ but urged more work be done to develop the industry's

potential. The strong results are good news for Spain’s olive oil industry, one of the country’s biggest exports. In Antequera, recent rains have delayed the start of production but the town is hoping for a bumper crop of around 700,000 kilos of oil in a bid to thrash last year’s total of 634,700 kilos.

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

Army

TREAT YOURSELF: Brits and Spanish love hols But despite coming out as the most satisfied countries in the study, they still complained with 47% of Spaniards and 48% of Brits stating they had not taken enough holidays.

THE bosses of Low Cost hairdressers are being probed for allegedly defrauding the taxpayer out of millions of euros. A judge in Sevilla has ordered the investigation into at least 35 employees and bosses, who are believed to have swindled the junta into handing out cash incentives by setting up fake training courses for their employees. In 2015, Low Cost managers created a huge network of franchises alongside companies supposedly dedicated to training, which allowed them to benefit from

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

Gimme a break WORKERS in the UK and Spain take the most holidays in the world, a new study has found. The poll by travel agency Expedia revealed that Spain, followed closely by the UK are the ‘least holiday-deprived’ countries. The annual survey measures holiday habits in some 11,114 adults in 19 countries. Most respondents in Spain had taken between 21 and 30 days off in a year, while over half of UK workers had done the same.

Cut and blow dry case?

Our courtesy

Uncertain

The International Olive Council estimates that the 2018-2019 Spanish crop, however, will weigh in at about 1.5 million tonnes, an increase of just over 25% on last year. It is potentially the best harvest since 2013-2014 when farmers picked 1.78 million tonnes of olives. After a series of uncertain years for olive farm-

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

Perhaps unsurprisingly, India was found to be the most holiday-deprived, with the country’s punishing work culture taking its toll on a whopping 75% of people.

An army of 4,923 harvesters, 10 cooperatives, one bottler and one marketing expert make up the team. The best D.O. olive oil is destined for China, the biggest importer, and countries in northern Europe with a share reserved for local markets. Antequera produces 10 recognised varieties of olive oil, from popular hojiblanca to rarer arbequina and picuda, each with its own distinctive flavour.

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

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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.

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PROPERTY

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Dec 5th - Dec 18th 2018

Competitive streak SPANISH mortgages are no longer the cheapest in Europe, new data has revealed. The average interest rate in September was 1.94%, only slightly above the euro zone average of 1.79%. Spanish rates are now higher than Germany (1.86%), France (1.51%) and Italy (1.79%), according to European Central

Bank figures. It comes after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez introduced a law forcing lenders to pay a mortgage tax that had been previously levied on borrowers until now. He claimed that a competitive market would avoid banks passing on the added costs to clients through higher interest rates or extra fees.

Spain proves its still an expat favourite with more than 50,000 buying properties this year DESPITE Brexit, Spain has proven it is still an expat favourite with over 50,000 foreigners moving to the country this year, new fig-

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Still got it

ures have revealed. Compared with the first half of 2017, the country has seen a 5.6% increase in expats ditching their home country for sun, sea and sangria in 2018. According to new data published by the General Council of Notaries, some 53,359 property sales were carried out in the first half of the year. The data, which compiles property sales from all autonomous communities, found 44% were through foreign buyers. Brits still dominate house sales in the country, with 14% moving over this year, followed by nonEU foreigners at 11% and French buyers in third place at 8%. The figures reveal that Brits’ favourite location was the region of Valencia, with a whopping 15,600

buying properties, followed by Andalucia with 9,740. Asturias saw some 214 Brits setting up shop in the colder northern region.

Surprisingly

Whereas French expats overwhelmingly chose Catalunya more than any other region, with 7,560, compared with Aragon in second place with some 864 moving to the province. The most significant annual increases were in Aragon increasing by 30%, Extremadura by 27%, and Murcia and Castilla La Mancha by 20%. Surprisingly, the Balearic and Canary Islands suffered the biggest drop in expat buyers, with a decrease of around 11% respectively.

Top cities TWO Spanish cities have made it into the top 40 best cities to live in the world. Barcelona has beaten its old rival Madrid to be crowned Spain’s ‘most liveable’ city, as a list of the world’s top 50 is released. Madrid trails in at number 39, scoring 90.9%, Barcelona is placed 30th with 92.5% in the annual global habitability index compiled by the The Economist Intelligence Unit. The five criteria used to calculate each city’s score were stability, education, culture and environment, health and infrastructure.

Identical

Both Spanish cities had identical scores for the first three categories but Barcelona edged ahead with better health and infrastructure rankings than Madrid. London only made it to number 48 (89.1%) on the list while Ireland’s best-performing city, Dublin, finished 41 (90.7%). Manchester is the most liveable British city at number 35, ahead of Madrid, with a habitability score of 91.3%. Australia, Canada and Japan dominate the top 10, but the number one spot goes to Vienna, Austria, which received a near-perfect score of 99.1%.

A gran via

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

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MADRID’s famous Gran Via has seen a multi million makeover in time for the festive season. After almost a year of construction work, the grand road running through the city’s center has been transformed to compete with other European capitals. After a 9 million facelift, pedestrians now have more walking space on the busy pavements with an extra 6,800 square metres. Whereas drivers now have one less lane to get through the center, inciting traffic fears in many residents. Some 140 new benches have also been installed with more recycling bins.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

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LEGEND: Jose Andres

Peace of the pie BIG-hearted Spanish super-chef Jose Andres has been nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize after helping disaster victims. His World Central Kitchen organisation, set up by Andres in 2010, helped feed three million people in Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Most recently, the humanitarian and author, who has a series of restaurants in America, helped feed 15,000 survivors of the California wildfires, mobilising local and celebrity chefs.

Innovative

Democrat Congressman John Delaney, who nominated Andres, said: “With an incredible spirit and an innovative mind, Andres is solving one of the world’s ancient problems.” Andres wrote about his Puerto Rico efforts in his book: We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Written in the stars

Culinary maestro Albert Adria introduces London to ‘cakes and bubbles’ in first foodie venture outside of Spain

NE of Spain’s most iconic chefs is set to cook up a storm in the UK. Albert Adria, former co-owner of the five-time winning World’s Best Restaurant El Bulli, has opened his first permanent restaurant outside Spain. The legendary pastry chef joins fellow Spanish chefs David Munoz, Eneko Atxa and Martin Berasategui in London, with his new neoclassical eatery. Called Cakes & Bubbles, it will only be serving up champagne and pastries. Housed in the luxury five-star hotel Cafe Royal on Regent A BRITISH supermarket has sparked outrage among Spaniards after announcing it will sell cheesy churros this Christmas. Foodies have taken to Twitter to slam Morrisons for 'blasphemy,' claiming that this new twist on their beloved breakfast treat does not deserve to be called churros. One Spanish foodie insisted: ‘Keep Gibraltar but don't

Sweet success

Street, Cakes & Bubbles is a spin-off from La Dolca - the fantasy desert space at his restaurant Tickets, in Barcelona. The choice of London for his first non-Spanish venture was an obvious one for gastronomic revolutionary Adria, who

describes the city as ‘the great capital of the world’. “You’re not going to find anywhere in the world like this, London was the perfect venue - a gift,” said 49-year-old Adria. “I have been working 33 years towards such a project.”

Cheesy idea do this please,’ while another joked, ‘cooking fish and chips with vanilla ice cream in three, two, one.’ Morrisons describe their controversial Christmas creation as a ‘blend of mashed potato, cheese sauce and Gouda cheese with a red pepper dip and a medium-fat hard cheese sprinkle.’ It comes in the wake of Jamie

Oliver’s foodie faux pas, when he insisted that chorizo was an integral part of paella. Nevertheless, cheesy churros will go on sale from December 16.

Undoubtedly, the star of the menu is the chef’s world famous Tickets’ cheesecake - a trompe l’oeil hazelnut and white chocolate coulommiers cheese wheel. Creating a guilt-free haven, Cakes & Bubbles’ treats have less added sugar than usual, no colourants, icing or glitter and are based on seasonal produce to emulate Japan ‘where their desserts reflect the different seasons of the year’. Each dessert takes the team of seven three hours to create batches of 150 treats. Other patisserie winners include the ‘air-pancake’ finished with caramelised banana, Thai grapefruit and papaya salad, frozen coconut and chocolate flower and a strawberry and chocolate marshmallow After Eight.

The perfect Autumn escape. •

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December 5th - December 18th 2018

ANDALUCIA is quickly becoming a hotbed for Michelin excellence. The region now has two three-Michelin starred restaurants and a total of 22 stars, more than double than a decade ago. Andalucia has moved into fifth place in Spain for the most stars, with two new restaurants joining the glittering list. While, Marbella’s Dani Garcia stole the show, gaining an incredible third star, Pedro Sanchez’s Baga in Jaen and Juanlu Fernandez’s Lu Cocina Y Alma won their first stars, in the new 2019 listings of the famous French food guide. “The region is certainly very fashionable at the moment,” added the region’s other three Michelin-star chef, Angel Leon. The ‘Chef of the Sea’ is currently wowing diners at Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa Maria and Alevante in Sancti Petri, both in Cadiz province. Spain’s legendary chef Ferran Adria, told the Olive Press earlier this year that he had seen a massive growth in Andalucia over recent years. “The chefs are very talented and the quality of ingredients is second to none in Europe,” he told editor Jon Clarke.

*** Dani Garcia (+1*) Marbella, Dani Garcia

* LU Cocina y Alma (+1*) Jerez, Juanlu Fernandez

* Baga (+1*)

Jaen, Pedro Sanchez

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FOOD,DRINK &

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Sherry versatile There’s a sherry to go with everything, writes La Bodega del Cantinero’s sommelier, Juan M. Padron

HERRY is often called ‘the most civilised aperitif in the world’. Few wines can match a chilled fino or manzanilla when it comes to preparing our palate for the culinary delights to come. What few know, however, is that

the possibilities of sherry wines go much further at the table than the pre-prandial nibbles. If sherry could be summed up in one word, it would be ‘versatile’. There is a type to suit every taste, occasion and moment of the day, and every course

on the menu. Sherry enhances the flavours of our favourite dishes and offers marriages of sensations that other wines simply cannot. Sherry and manzanilla are produced in Jerez, Spain’s oldest winegrowing region. Sherish was the arab name for

TRAVEL

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

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MASTER CLASS: Left, owner Alberto and (above) Olive Press journalist Elisa the city founded by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago and the words sherry and Jerez trace their roots back to it. Throughout history, sherry has occupied a privileged position. It was the favourite wine of adventurers such as Columbus, its praises were sung by William Shakespeare and Alexander Fleming who invented penicillin declared it to be the best remedy against disease. This exceptional drink is produced by one of the oldest and most unusual wine-producing techniques in the world. The secret of sherry’s unique character lies in the ‘flor’, a layer of yeast that insulates the wine and protects it from contact with air. The flor appears spontaneously on the surface of the wine once the fermentation process has finished. Each year when this is complete, the Jerez ‘caparaces’ - ‘cellarmen’ - are faced with one of their most important decisions - how each wine is going to be aged and what style it is destined to become. The palest, lightest wines will be aged biologically to become fino or manzanilla. Wines with more body will undergo oxidative ageing in direct contact with the air to become olorosos.

Perfect sherry pairings Sherry is a singular wine and as such, it is worth bearing in mind a few simple tips in order to enjoy it at its best - maximum enjoyment being the objective

The ageing process begins in butts of American oak. In the case of fino and manzanilla the wine is protected from oxidation by its ‘flor’. As the flor is a living organism (yeast), it interacts with the wine, giving it aromas and flavours. Oloroso’s higher content of alcohol prevents the appearance of ‘flor’. The wine is aged according to the ‘soleras and crianzas’ system. The butts are stacked in

La Bodega del Cantinero in San Pedro is a little corner of Jerez on the coast rows according to their age. Those with the oldest wines rest on the floor (suelo in Spanish, hence the name solera). When the wine is extracted for bottling from the solera butts, it is immediately replaced with wine from the next level up, known as the primera criadura - literally the first nursery. This in turn is topped up with wine from the row above it and so on, up to the top row containing the youngest wine. Within the wide range of different sherry wines there are

December 5th - December 18th 2018 1. The traditional sherry glass is not essential. Try serving it in a wider white wine glass and you’ll enjoy it just as much. 2. Try mixing it with ice or using it as a base for a refreshing summer cocktail. 3. Fino is a pale golden wine with a sharp, delicate bouquet of almonds. Light and dry on the palate, it is perfect with all types of tapas, jamon iberico, fish, shellfish and all vinegar dishes. 4. Manzanilla has a very pale straw colour, a dry sharp bouquet, light on the palate and is also ideal for tapas, fish and shellfish, vinegar dishes and smooth cheeses. 5. Amontillado is an elegant amber coloured wine with a subtle bouquet of hazelnuts, complex and evocative. It’s the perfect pairing for soups, white meat, oily fish, wild mushrooms and semi-cured cheeses and the only one that goes with artichokes and asparagus.

three great families. Generoso wines comprise manzanilla, fino, amontillado, oloroso and palo cortado; generoso liqueur wines, which include medium, pale cream and cream sherries; and Natural Sweet wines, including P e d r o Ximenez and Moscatel. On the other side, the Consejo Regulador certifies three special categories according to the peculiarities of their ageing: Sherries with an indication of age of 12 and 15 years Sherries with a certified age of 20 and 30 years.

HERITAGE: Above a venenciador tastes the sherry, while (below) a Jerez bodega brews wine and (right) an octopus and potato tapa at La Bodega del Cantinero bodegas in Jerez

December 5th - December 18th 2018

6. Oloroso has an elegant amber-to-mahogany colour. Full bodied with a pronounced nutty bouquet, it is the perfect partner for red meat, game, stews and casseroles. 7. Medium sherry is a light mahogany coloured wine, slightly sweet on the palate. Besides being a pleasant aperitif, served chilled it is the most suitable wine to accompany pate, quiche and any spicy dishes such as curry. 8. Cream is a sweet wine, full bodied and velvety, with an intense aroma and a mahogany colour. The perfect wine to accompany fruits, pastries and ice cream. It can also be paired very well with foie gras and blue cheese. 9. PX is a full vigorous dessert wine in its own right. Exceptional with bitter chocolate, ice cream and strong blue cheese, such as Cabrales, Roquefort or the Andalucian Payoyo blue cheese.

VOS - Vium Optimum Signatum in Latin, or Very Old Sherry, are vintage sherries with a certified age of more than 30 years VORS - Vium Optimum Rare Signatum, or Very Old Rare Sherry. One of the most important processes involved in making sherry is extracting samples. From the first classification of ‘must’ and through the lengthy process of ageing in the criaderas, the bodeguero constantly needs to taste the content of each butt. This is done through the historic Jerezano art called venen-

ciar. It is the venenciador - the taster - who slides the venencia - a long flexible stick with a cup on the end of it - into the bunghole of the cask and through the flor to extract a wine sample. The central part of the butt is deep below the ‘flor’ layer where the sediment collects and can only be reached with a venencia. Then the sample has to be skilfully poured at height - to aerate the wine and open up its flavours - into a tiny tasting glass - an art practiced in bodegas that is not only vital but a long-standing irreplaceable tradition as well as - these days - a tourist attraction. La Bodega del Cantinero in San Pedro de Alcantara, is a little corner of Jerez on the coast boasting the only restaurant in the world to practice this ancient tradition every single day. This little corner of Jerez on the coast is also the only place for miles around where you can enjoy not only sherries but a whole range of authentic Andalucian flavours. From the cuisine to the service, the ambience to the flamenco shows, it’s the perfect place to get better acquainted with Vinos de Jerez.

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Dec 5th - Dec 18th 2018

The G-astronomical Dani Garcia As Dani Garcia wins a coveted third Michelin star, the OP tracks the Marbellin’s astronomical culinary journey

DID YOU know 1 Home-grown in Marbella, Dani trained in Malaga at La Consula cookery school, formerly a villa where Ernest Hemingway spent his holidays.

HEN Dani Garcia became the youngest chef in Spain to receive a Michelin star at the tender age of 25, it was clear he was destined for greatness. After 20 years of slaving in the kitchen, the 42-year-old Marbella wunderkind has won the highest culinary honour in the world. The Michelin guide praised his ‘unique way of reinventing Andalucian gastronomy in a contemporary form’. His Marbella-based restaurant at the Puente Romano Hotel was the only one in Spain or Portugal to be awarded a trio of stars – the highest accolade – in the 2019 Michelin Guide, announced at a glittering ceremony in Lisbon this month. To celebrate his stellar success the Olive Press has rounded up 10 facts you might not know about the culinary maestro.

2. While he has three Michelin stars he doesn’t even make Tripadvisor's Top 100 for Marbella.

special hamburgers for McDonalds, the Grand McExtrem Bibo and the Grand McExtrem Dani Garcia.

3. He won his first Michelin Star at Ronda’s Tragabuches restaurant at the age of 25.

6. As well as three restaurants in Marbella and one in Madrid he opened the Deli Bar at Malaga airport in 2013.

4. He had a restaurant in New York called Manzanilla which survived for only one year, closing in 2014. 5. He caused controversy in 2015 when he created two

7. He has become famous for playing with the concept of opposites - hot and cold, rough and smooth, salty and sweet. Dubbed ‘Contradicion’, it’s a play on two

words: ‘contradiction’ and ‘with tradition’. 8. He’s been dating a Russian woman since splitting from his Spanish wife Aurora, with whom he has two teenage daughters. 9. He’s a massive fan of sneakers. “I adore them, I’m truly a fan of sneakers”. 10. His next adventure is in the middle east with Bibo Qatar, set to open next year.

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Vaya Dani! Olive Press editor Jon Clarke salutes Dani’s achievements

T was during an interview with British TV chef Jean-Christophe Novelli that I first realised the significance of Dani Garcia to Andalucia. Stood on the famous Ronda bridge, he told me that the mountain town had it all. History, landscape, romance… and now a Michelin-starred restaurant. That was 2009 and he had come to spend a fortnight in the town to find inspiration. He found it with Dani, back then a local Marbella lad, not long out of Andalucia’s best cookery school, La Consula. Young, ambitious and with exciting new methods - like his liquid nitrogen invention - he was always going to succeed. And he did. I ate his food half a dozen times up there before he moved to his celebrated Calima restaurant in Marbella - a very different project and double the price. It deservedly garnered a Michelin star but it wasn’t until he moved to Puente Romano, and was given

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the financial backing of its wealthy owners, that he could spread his wings. He quickly landed a second star and with his Marbella All-Stars extravaganza, where once a year he brought the world’s best chefs to Andalucia, the third was only a matter of time. Finally here it is and it couldn’t happen to a more decent chap, always happy to chat with a big smile and proud of his native Andalucia. In the words of Ferran Adria, Spain’s most famous culinary export, ‘Dani’s a true crack, a real dynamo’. Well done Dani you deserve it!

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Hard cell THE EU has awarded a prestigious grant to a Spanish university for groundbreaking research into the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Scientist Marta Alonso has received the European cash injection for her work

with childhood cancers. Working at the University Clinic of Navarra, she is part of a team now giving adults with glioblastoma - an aggressive form of brain cancer - a single dose of the virus. “This virus steps on the accelerator so the tumour is destructed faster,” Alonso said.

Sili-con A SPANISH consumer group has blasted the lack of transparency surrounding the removal of breast implants. Facua, the nonprofit consumer advocacy group has called it ‘worrying’ that only 16% of notices about issues with implants’ removals come from health professionals. The majority of problems reported to the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps) come from the companies themselves.

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Spanish medical schools joined Facua in criticizing the ‘mostly private companies’, calling for the EU to ‘review and reinforce’ the control of implants. “The lack of transparency of the national registers... place the problem in a very important magnitude,” said the The General Council of Official Associations of Physicians of Spain. An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists found that patients across Europe ‘receive virtually no information’ when a medical device is removed.

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HEALTH

December 5th - December 18th 2018

Dec 5th - Dec 18th 2018

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REVOLUTIONARY new centre has opened on the Costa del Sol to battle the serious bone disease osteoporosis. OsteoStrong, in Marbella, helps people tackle the disease characterised by weakened and brittle bones...and from as little as 15 minutes of exercise a week. The centre is an excellent resource for elderly people and women, who are particularly at risk as their bones can be greatly weakened as a result of the menopause. There is usually no warning signs of osteoporosis before that fatal trip and fall, often resulting in a serious hip fracture. And most alarmingly, the mortality rate for a hip fracture in elderly people is sim-

TRAGIC: The virus can cause deformities at birth

Zika weaker Wait off the mind ANDALUCIANS wait on average 20 days less for surgery than the rest of the country. According to new data, they wait just 73 days for interventions compared to the national average of 93 days. Ministry of Health data shows that Melilla patients had the shortest waiting time of just 24 days, while Rioja and Madrid only waited 47 days Expat hotspot, the Canary Islands, had the worst waiting times, with patients waiting 147 days on average.

SCIENTISTS in Spain have developed a vaccine for the deadly Zika virus, which still affects over 90 countries worldwide. Madrid’s National Center for Biotechnology has developed the pioneering treatment, which has been capable of immunising mice.

Vaccine

There is currently no licensed vaccine for the virus, which can cause serious neurological conditions like microcephaly, where a baby’s head develops abnormally, making it smaller than usual. The breakthrough means that the most ‘immune’ parts of the virus can now be neutralised by the vaccine, which stimulates the body to produce ‘high levels of antibodies’.

15 minutes to save your life ilar for women diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s already impacting the quality of life of more than 2.8 million people in Spain costing the economy approximately €4.2 billion in 2017. Thanks to an amazing new breakthrough in America, a biomedical engineer has found a solution to the problem. Involving various machines, OsteoStrong helps to create stronger bones, while avoiding the

need for drugs, which can cause serious side effects. “OsteoStrong can help to reverse osteoporosis totally drug free and in just 15 minutes a week,” explains owner Charles Berger. “Come and visit our clinic for a free scan to discover your risk from this often fatal disease,” he added. Visit www.osteostrong.es for more information

Email: marbella@osteostrong.es