Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 294 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Corruption and bad planning has seen €100 billion squandered on ‘unnecessary’ projects around Spain

Vol. 12 Issue 294

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Black hole

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By Laurence Dollimore

SPAIN has squandered around €97 billion on ‘unnecessary’ infrastructure projects, a damning new study has found. Unused airports, vanity museums, defunct desalination plants and deserted toll roads are just some of the wasteful projects undertaken. The fast-track AVE railway network - including various lines now shut - accounts for €26.2 billion of bad investment alone. The staggering statistics have been published in a comprehensive joint report undertaken by nine leading universities.

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TOTAL WASTE: The toll roads nobody uses, the AVE train and tramline in Jaen spent the equivalent of 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) between 1985 and 1995, this figure soared to 20% of GDP from 1996 to 2007. From the beginning of the economic crisis until 2016, it has come down to around 3%. Among the projects singled out for criticism was the airport in Castellon, tram lines in Velez Malaga and Jaen and the Pedrizas toll motor-

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In total, Spain spent over €81 billion on infrastructure that was ‘unnecessary, abandoned, underutilised or poorly planned’ between 1995 and 2016. A further €16 billion will have been wasted once the amounts already pledged are taken into account. Regional authority squandering amounted to €34.6 billion of the total, much of it spent on parks, hospitals, cultural centres and events. The list of big spenders is headed by the regional governments of Catalonia (€9.1 billion), Madrid (€7.7 billion), Valencia (€5.9 billion) and Andalucia (€2.7 billion). In the comprehensive national study of wasteful spending, undertaken by universities including Malaga, Sevilla and Madrid’s Complutense, much of the problem was blamed on corruption. While Spanish governments mis-

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way, north of Malaga. Nearly €5 billion was sunk into nearly deserted toll roads outside Madrid, which had to be bailed out by the state. Numerous desalination plants, particularly around Alicante, represented over €2.3 billion in ‘cost overruns, inefficiencies or mismanagement’ alone. The City of the Environment in Soria, the City of Light in Alicante, the City of Justice in Madrid, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and the Alicante theme park Terra Mítica, were all labelled as ‘unnecessary projects’. While a third of the country’s airports are unnecessary - and many were ‘built to attract votes’ - the biggest waste by far though went on AVE railway projects that did not produce the kind of social ben-

efits expected. There were ‘too many multi-million-euro train stations, closed lines, stretches that were dropped halfway through construction, unnecessary lines, and cost overruns’, the report stated. “It was done without a proper cost/ benefit analysis, and often on the basis of estimates of future users or earnings supported by a scenario of economic euphoria that was as evident as it was fleeting,” adds the report. Researchers underscored the cost overruns on the AVE lines connecting Madrid, Barcelona and the French border (over €8.9 billion) and on the Pajares Tunnel (€3.5 billion).

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SOME 14 fire bosses have been arrested for allegedly Reliable private €7 hire transfer embezzling million in servicesfunds. for any occasion public The • Policia Nacional found Luxury vehicles that the Consortium of • Door to door service Bomberos Cadiz took out • Airport collections mass early retirement • Weddings transport insurance policies. day trips • Sightseeing But when their employees • Restaurant shuttles retired early, chiefs siphoned Find out more at: off the money from the paywww.simply-shuttles.com outs. tel: 951 279 Authorities also117 found disinfo@simply-shuttles.com crepancies in the consortium’s training courses. Large sums were paid to a company to provide training courses, but no evidence has been found that these courses

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www.theolivepress.es NEWS IN BRIEF

Local Hero MARBELLA-born poker player Omar de Pino beat 1050 other players to win the main event at the Pokerstars Festival at Casino Marbella. The 25-year-old pocketed €179,000 as well as a place at a tournament in the Bahamas next year.

Award Winner LA Cala Resort picked up Best Luxury Mountain Hotel at the Spain Luxury Hotel Awards 2018. Held at the Westin Palace de Madrid, the panel of judges praised the hotel’s excellence in client service, design, management and environmental awareness.

Hear us roar ANTI-tourism protesters have chained themselves to Gaudi's iconic dragon in Barcelona while calling for a ban on new hotels to deter holidaymakers.

Dying off SPAIN’S population registered a net loss of 31,245 people in 2017 as the number of births dropped 4.5% while the number of deaths rose 3.2%. It’s the first net loss since 1941.

crime

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Narco King snared

Irishman ‘was getaway driver’ in assassination of alleged drug kingpin on Costa del Sol By Elisa Menendez from Malaga court

A SPANISH jury has found Dubliner James Quinn guilty for being the getaway driver in the murder of Gary Hutch on the Costa del Sol. After a four-day trial, the nine-strong jury ruled that the 35-year-old was guilty of being involved in the ‘planned’ shooting of 34-year-old Hutch and of possession of illegal weapons. State prosecutor, Jose Barba, had wanted to hand Quinn a life sentence but jurors stated it had not been proven he acted on behalf of a criminal organisation, in particular the Irish Kinahan clan.

High-security

Quinn could face a total of 28 years in prison – 25 for murder and three for possession of illegal weapons. The high-security trial saw six Guardia Civil officers waiting outside the courtroom for ‘the defendant’s safety’, while Policia Nacional officers testified wearing balaclavas or behind closed doors. Quinn’s lawyer Pedro Apalategui has said he will appeal the

IN THE DOCK: James Quinn at Malaga court (Photo by theOlivePress)

GUILTY verdict. “We completely disagree with the verdict,” he said. Dubliner Hutch, nephew of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, was shot 15 times with two closerange shots to the head on September 24 2015, after an attacker chased him twice round the pool area at the Angel de Miraflores estate in Mijas, where the victim lived. The prosecution shocked the court at the end of the fourth day of evidence, offering the jury an alternative indictment -

that Quinn could be the getaway driver instead of the gunman in a bid to increase chances of prosecution. Although the jury ruled the gunman’s identity was not proven as his face was covered in CCTV footage, they could place Quinn in the BMW X-3 getaway car due to a baseball cap found with his DNA on it, after the car was torched following the attack. They stated that Quinn, after waiting for Hutch with the unidentified gunman for over two hours before the ‘surprise at-

tack’, stayed inside the vehicle on the look-out and ensured a subsequent getaway. The jury, of five women and four men, found Quinn guilty of possession of illegal weapons after a Glock semi-automatic pistol with his DNA on it was found in a box on a bedside table in the apartment where he lived in Benahavis. Handcuffed and guarded by five officers, Quinn shook hands with his lawyer after the verdict before being taken to Alhaurin de la Torre prison.

POLICE have captured the notorious ‘Narco King’ of southern Spain. Antonio Tejon Carrasco was snared in a raid involving 100 police officers in La Linea. It comes after the leader of the Castanas gang, said to be Spain’s biggest drug trafficker, had escaped capture various times this year, on one occasion over the roof of his home. But he was caught after he returned home to see the mother of his two children, Patricia Parody Cano, where he was greeted by police. The youngest Tejon brother has appeared before a judge and remanded in custody. He had become public enemy number one after returning home from Morocco to live in Spain two years ago. Since his return he managed to group together six gangs and form a successful international smuggling operation, which has played a huge part in the rising ‘narco crisis’ in Cadiz. Last summer alone his gang allegedly imported around 3,000 kilos of hashish, earning the brothers around €30 million. According to police, they are to blame for a sharp rise in violence and brazen aggression against law enforcers.

news

www.theolivepress.es RETURN: Erik Morillo

A CAST of attractive girls from around Malaga will be competing in the Miss World Malaga pageant in Alhaurín el Grande on July 21. Those appearing will be dama of Alhaurin María Bonilla and the winner will go forwards to the Miss World Spain event, which will be held in Rota in September.

DJ: Marvin Humes

Party in the mist A PHALANX of dancers dressed in Hawaiian costumes helped Mahiki’s summer launch get off to a bang, even though fog also played its part. But it was an appearance from X Factor star Marvin Humes that stole the show. The famous British singer played alongside a friend with a mini drum kit, to cheer up a rather dismal night, with the fog ruining an otherwise perfect evening. Meanwhile, the hotly-anticipated Gold and White Party at La Sala by the Sea saw a mermaid, a saxophone player and a whole lot of champagne see guests through the evening as the golden sun set over Puerto Banus.

He’s Back to Move it! HE’S been banned by British Airways, arrested three times and nearly lost his arm to Ketamine. But legendary America DJ Erick Morillo has somehow made it through and will be making a solo ap-

Don’t miss this one!

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

pearance on the Costa del Sol this summer. The producer and record label owner will be back in Marbella this summer. The house legend, best known for tracks such as I like to move it, will play Dreamers on August 19.

Culinary kings Spain cleans up at 50 Best Restaurants awards

THEY are the unprecedented stars of the global culinary scene. Spain’s top chefs have once again dominated the ranks at this year’s prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants event. A record seven Spanish restaurants secured places in the top 50, including three snapping up coveted spots in the top 10. Recognised as the most sought-after title in the culinary world, the Roca brothers at El Celler de can Roca were delighted to see their Catalan restaurant move up to second place, having been third last year. They were pipped at the post by Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, in Italy, while Mirazur, in France, came in third. The trio - headed up by chef Joan, sommelier Josep and Jordi as a master pâtissier - is world famous for its experimental extraordinary dishes. Meanwhile, the Basque Coun-

STARS: Aduriz and (right) Jordi, Joan and Josep Roca

try’s very own Andoni Luis Aduriz’s rural restaurant, Mugaritz, stayed put for a second year in ninth place. Another Basque favourite Victor Arguinzoniz’s Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo fell four places to tenth. Also in the top 50, were Disfrutar, in Barcelona, at 18, Arzak, in San Sebastian, at 31, Tickets, in Barcelona, at 32, and Azurmendi, near Bilbao, at 43. The awards night, held last night at the Palacio Euskalduna, in Bilbao, saw the Basque city welcome some of the biggest names in gastronomy with a red carpet and a glamorous

reception. Since the awards were launched in 2002, Spanish restaurants have won the best in the world a staggering seven times, with El Bulli taking the top spot five times and El Cellar de Can Roca twice. America got six restaurants in the Top 50, with England getting four, Italy four, France four and Peru three. Spain also managed to get five more restaurants in the top 100, including Diverxo, in Madrid and Quique Dacosta, in Alicante.

Mission Impossible IT was one of the first sold out events of the summer. And it was no surprise that James Arthur packed out La Sala by the Sea at a fantastic evening bash. The X-Factor winner, known for songs Impossible and Say you won’t let go, was part of a one-off acoustic event to mark the opening of the restaurant. The restaurant is now to welcome back Craig David on June 25.

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DRAMA: Carmen and parents (top)

A Stella start THERE’S nothing like joining the family firm and Stella del Carmen, daughter of Malaga’s favourite Antonio Banderas and ex-wife Melanie Griffith, has announced her intention to study drama. “It surprised us because she has never wanted to be in front of the camera,” said Banderas. A regular visitor to Malaga, especially when her father takes part in the annual Semana Santa processions, Stella will study Drama at the University of Southern California. She lists cinema, poetry and literature as her three main passions.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

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Love is in the air THE number of divorces has fallen by 8.2% year-on-year in Spain so far this year. According to figures for the first quarter of the year, some 27,820 couples decided to part ways. The regions who fell the most out of love were Valencia, with 7.3 divorces per 10,000 residents, followed by the Balearics, Catalunya and Navarra, all with 6.7 per 10,000 inhabitants. They were followed by the Canary Islands (6.6) and Andalucia and Asturias (both on 6.5).

MORE than 900 migrants arrived in Andalucia at the weekend, it has been revealed. It comes after Spain’s new government agreed to take in 630 migrants from a Gibraltar-registered ship only last week. In total, 307 migrants arrived in Tarifa on Saturday, while 682 were rescued from the Straits of Gibraltar and nearby Alboran sea on Friday. In what is believed to be the largest ever rescue effort in Spain, some 14 boats, two helicopters and two airplanes were dispatched to help. In one case, two Guardia Civil officers based in Tarifa even dived into the sea to save a boat with at least three babies on board. It comes after Spain’s new prime minister Pedro Sanchez agreed to take in the 630 migrants from the Gibraltar-registered Aquarius ship after Italy and Malta refused last week.

THREE more victims of ‘lethal’ drug Nolotil have revealed how they have suffered after taking the UK-banned painkiller. It comes just weeks before a health campaigner is set to take her findings to a meeting with Spain’s top medication governing body, in Madrid next month. In the last week alone three new victims have approached the Olive Press with their cases, which will all be included in the high level meeting. Brit, Adrian Bark, 55, revealed how he developed agranulocitosis - which kills

news

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

EXODUS Almost 1,000 migrants arrive by boat in just 48 hours, adding to 630 last week

SAVED: Migrants arrive to Spain

Unicef praised Spain for helping save the group, which included 123 children, insisting Spain had ‘set an example to other countries

Countdown on By Elisa Menendez

almost all white blood cells - after taking Nolotil for back pain in 2010. The Axarquia-based expat was rushed to Hospital with a ‘raging fever’ and rapidly receding gums in 2010. He was kept in a glass isolation booth for two weeks to avoid catching infections. “Thankfully I wasn't aware at the time of the possible severity… I consider myself

on how to share responsibility and act according to humanitarian principles and international law.’ According to experts, fa-

KILL THE DRUG

very lucky,” he added. Scottish victim, Joan Judge, 67, explained how she had fingers and parts of her feet amputated after being ‘diagnosed with sepsis due to a catastrophic reaction to Nolotil’ in 2013. The San Pedro-based expat only took Nolotil for a few days for pain relief until she was admitted to the Hospital Clinico in Malaga. She said: “The amputations resulted from gangrene. As far as I un-

vourable weather conditions and Italy’s new hardline on migrants has led to a surge in people taking the route from northern Africa to southern Spain. In Tarifa, a makeshift centre has been set up where hundreds of people have been treated by the Red Cross. Cadiz and Jerez have also set up emergency centres to help with the influx. Tarifa town hall has requested greater international support, saying: "The solution to the problem is more cooperation and support from the countries of origin.” Last year saw the number of migrants arriving in Spain triple, with the route becoming the fastest growing for those fleeing the Middle East and Africa.

derstand sepsis causes a drastic drop in blood pressure which prevents the normal blood supply to the extremities of your body. “Thankfully I survived and although I'm missing fingers and more than half of both my feet I can tell the tale.” As a final push for regulation, legal and medical translator Cristina Garcia del Campo is still urging expats and holidaymakers to come forward before June 29 if they suffered side effects from the drug. Anyone affected by Nolotil email cristinadrugresearch@gmail.com

JAILED: Urdangarin

Checking in for Chokey IT is unlikely to have gold taps and flunkies running around. But it is the hand-picked prison chosen by Spain’s first royal to face a sentence behind bars. Inaki Urdangarin, the king’s brother-in-law, arrived at Brieva prison, near Madrid, this week, to start a five year and 10 month sentence for corruption. It comes after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against the embezzling charge, which found him guilty of taking nearly €6 million between 2004 and 2006 from a non-profit foundation he headed in Mallorca. The 50-year-old former Olympic handball medal winner, who is married to King Felipe’s sister, will join just over 100 other prisoners at the facility.

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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.

Feat u r e

June 20th June - July 20th 3rd - July 2018 3rd 2018

HE Costa del Sol is a great place to live. Mostly because everyone and anyone is made to feel welcome, making it a brilliant mix of people and characters from all over the world. After living here for some time, you begin to notice there are groups of expats that fall into certain categories. In the name of good fun, we have rounded some of them up below.

The Billionaire You’ll know when they’re here, their huge yachts will be docked in Puerto Banus while holidaymakers snap selfies next to their Lamborghinis and Bentleys. You’ll spot them at pricey hangouts like Olivia Valere or Puente Romano’s Le Suite. If they’re male, they’ll probably be surrounded by young beautiful women with eastern European accents.

OPINION Lost opportunities IT is scandalous that so much public money has been wasted on ‘unnecessary’ infrastructure projects around Spain when so many far worthier projects have yet to see the light of day. How was it possible that so many airports, tram and railway lines were built - and then closed when vital projects, such as a train along the Costa del Sol hasn’t even begun? Such a project would totally transform Spain’s busiest coastline, with the sudden increase in workers’ mobility guaranteed to lead to an influx of new businesses choosing to set up here. Instead, almost €100 billion has been wasted on projects that have done little else than win politicians votes (and often kickbacks) as well as fill the pockets of construction companies. Yet again Spain’s leaders have shown they work for no one but themselves and for those who likely make large donations to their party or election campaigns. When will Spain wake up? It is the fastest growing economy in the EU and has so much potential… if it made the right decisions for the good of the country.

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Elisa Menendez Elisa@theolivepress.es Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es

Head of SALES Sarah Adams sales@theolivepress.es Admin Maria Angeles/Beatriz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es

The Estate Agent Making up around 90% of the Costa del Sol population, you’ll find the estate agent in its natural habitat between Marbella and Estepona. They’re probably wearing a strong blazer/unbuttoned shirt paired with slip on loafers, and can be spotted in La Sala at any time of the day.

The Networker The Classic Expat Well-mannered and quiet, the classic expat usually comes in a pair. They are elderly and can be spotted walking around the pueblos from around 10am. A giveaway is three-quarter-length cargo shorts paired with socks and sandals, and possibly a sunhat.

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They’ll be at every event handing out their cards like its candy, and will always know the latest goss on the who’s who on the coast. And if they’re not organising a ‘networking lunch’ themselves, they will always have a charity event to invite you to – usually a fashion show or Ladies Day.

The Con Artists These are harder to spot, until they disappear with your money. Unfortunately, the slow Spanish legal system and its many loopholes allows them to operate much longer than should be possible. You’ll eventually – and hopefully – see them splashed in the Olive Press when their scams catch up with them.

Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

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Who do you think you are?

The Longtimers They’ve been here since the 80s or longer and know EVERYTHING that has come to pass on the Costas - or inland! These holders of secrets are enjoying their retired lives and can be found sipping vino at organised lunches up and down the coast.

The Animal Rescuer They do the job that many of us simply could not do and which unfortunately, must be done. It’s a shame that so many Brits are forced to take in thousands of stray animals left for dead, but with a stiff upper lip they do it. We salute you!

Do you know any more types? Have we left anyone out? email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Feat u r e

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Go girls!

RIME Minister Pedro Sanchez has made history in more ways than one since he famously became the first politician to unseat a prime minister last month. Most exciting of all for the Olive Press was ‘el guapo’ (the handsome one) forming a cabinet which has the highest amount of female ministers in Spain’s history, with 11

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Margarita Robles Fernández Minister of Defence The León-born judge became the first woman to ever preside over a court and became the fourth female judge in Spain at the young age of 25. Between 1994 and 1996 she served as Secretary of State of the Interior Ministry.

María Jesús Montero Cuadrado Minister of Treasury Serving in the Junta for 16 years, the mother-of-two from Sevilla has a degree in medicine. During her time heading up the Ministry of Health, new regulations were introduced around dignified death and genetic counselling.

María Isabel Celaá Diéguez Minister of Education Born in Bilbao, Dieguez served in the Basque Parliament for a decade. The former English literature professor and motherof-two has a degree in philosophy and law and implemented trilingualism in an educational system, which always focused on teaching Basque as a priority. She has had essays on English literature and poetry published.

olive press online

As Spain gets the most female-dominated government in Europe, Elisa Menendez runs a rule over its members

October 2015

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Spain and Gibraltar’s best English Most read this daily news website fortnight on

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out of 17 appointments being women. In a bid to create a feminist, progressive and pro-European government, the Socialist leader has promoted some of the country’s most interesting and diverse female politicians. Here, the Olive Press takes a look at the rise and rise of Sanchez’ Cabinet of Women

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María del Carmen Calvo Poyato Vice President and Minister of Courts and Equality A former lawyer and PhD professor from Cordoba is a staunch feminist, who has won an award for campaigning for women’s rights. The mother-of-one served as Minister of Culture for the Junta and later held the same position in Zapatero’s Socialist government. Dubbed ‘The Whitney Houston of Congress’ after she famously had a relationship with her bodyguard. She is known for wowing red carpets with her keen eye for fashion.

its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

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Meritxell Batet Minister of Public Administration After studying rhythmic and contemporary dance, along with classical piano in her youth, Batet had dreamed of becoming a professional dancer until she broke her ankle and decided to study law. Batet struggled in her earlier years after she and her mother were evicted from rented homes and paid for university by working in well-known clubs in Barcelona, along with scholarships she won. She later became a professor of constitutional law.

Dolores Delgado García Minister of Justice A veteran state prosecutor of 25 years and former journalist, the Madrilena is one of the country’s best experts on Jihadism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ETA terrorism. The mother-of-two prepared the arrest warrant for the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi to try him for crimes against humanity and was lead prosecutor of ‘Operation Temple’ against Colombian drug traffickers, seeing 34 of them sentenced to nearly 500 years in prison.

Maria Reyes Maroto Illera Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Currently upholding a position as professor of economics at the Carlos III University of Madrid, the Valladolid-born feminist has also been the Socialist deputy of Madrid since 2015, as a spokeswoman for budgets, economy, employment and finance.

Teresa Ribera Rodríguez Minister for Ecological Transition A law graduate and mother-of-three, Rodriguez led the Youth Movement for Peace, worked for the European Association for Nuclear Disarmament and was the director of the Spanish Office for Climate Change for four years. Dubbed a ‘perfectionist’ by friends, she also led the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations - the most powerful European think tank on climate change.

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Magdalena Valerio Cordero Minister of Work, Migration and Social Security

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Cordero, a former lawyer from an Extremaduran pueblo, developed most of her successful political career in Guadalajara where her father, a Guardia Civil official, was positioned. There, she had a successful career in regional politics from 1999 before overcoming her biggest struggle when she beat breast cancer three years ago.

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Nadia Calviño Santamarí Minister of Economy and Business

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Until now the mother-of-four has held the position of general director of the European Commission Budget and is a strong Europeanist. The Galician law graduate also worked as an economics professor at the Complutense University in Madrid.

Carmen Montón Giménez

Minister of Health and Social Wellbeing The Valencian politician has become the second youngest health minister ever. The mother-of-one studied medicine before becoming a councillor for Burjasot in 1999 and later an MP in Madrid. A keen artist, she is known for sharing her works on Instagram and made headlines last year after she cut her hair off and donated it to cancer patients.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Deliver-boo

SPAIN’S service sector has grown at its fastest pace

Cleaning up

June 6th - June 19th 2018

Narcos This is the brown fake taxi that ni ck ed has scammed dozens of victimes on the Costa mdel y Sol cathis r year

A JUDGE in Spain has ordered takeaway firm Deliveroo to pay a fine over labour rights it should have granted a former worker.

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore On the up

CRIM E

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Expat claims at least one 4x4 is stolen by drug gangs every day EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

AT least one 4x4 car gets stolen by drug traffickers every DAY in the Campo de Gibraltar, police have revealed. It comes after British expat Andy Mills, 60, had his Nissan Patrol stolen from outside his home in Los Barrios last weekend. The semi-retired Brit called the Guardia Civil immediately after releasing his car had vanished.

STOLEN: 4x4 and Andy with girlfriend

Get Corner back inside!

in three months, A FAKE taxi which hasto euro according zone bond market been robbing peoplesurveys. on the Police found the vehicle villa. the Olive abandoned and stuffed full “It was used for a drug run examined Press. “It’s being Costa del Sol for months by forensic invesBoost of drugs days later in Se- from La Linea,” Mills told tigators before they bring it back to me.” THE European has been pictured for the ComOdd-job man Mills said he mission has an‘couldn’t believe’ the difEXCL nounced plans to ANOTHER USIV E: Fake first time. taxi alert ference in culture between boost spending in Los Barrios and the Spanish Spain, while the It comes after our exclusive villageCONMAN: of Sedella in inland country still faces Malaga, where he used to double-digit unemlive. ployment. last issue - which warned “The White people here hardly look or talk to you and of the scam - spurred literBets on there’sCitroen been a noticeableand increase in crime since we SPAIN has moved here,” he added. ally dozens of expats27% to year-on-year getseen a our “Police(left) told me a 4x4 gets increase in online stolen by drug traffickers in touch to say they hadrevenue gambling everyday in Los Barrios, for the first quarI will original definitely look into ter, after revenue hit also been tricked. €163.3m. moving.” Police story confirmed that the last vehicle had been found According to our readers filled with drugs but declined issue to comment further. the Brown Fiat driver, who took €77 off tourist John Parker last month, has been operating since at and his wife were waiting driver pulled up saying he least last October. for a bus from Fuengirola was working with the bus One victim, Robert Taylor to Benalmadena when the company and the police. IRISH holidaymakers have warned of a taxi con artist operating on the Costa del Sol. John Parker, 73, was ‘forced’ to pay €77 by a fake taxi driver who had previously offered the trip for €6. Parker was approached while standing at the Miraflores bus stop with his wife in Mijas Costa, waiting to go to La Cañada shopping centre, near Marbella. A Spanish man purporting to be sent from the bus company pulled up in a brown Fiat and told the couple - who were celebrating their 50th anniversary - that all buses had been cancelled. He said he was happy to take them to the shopping centre for the same price as the bus.

“The guy had a badge and seemed pretty official so we agreed,” Parker told the Olive Press. But when they arrived and Parker’s wife first left the car, the driver locked the doors and parallel parked next to another car so Parker couldn’t get out. “He just kept demanding €77 and became very aggressive,” he added. “We thought best to just pay him as we were only here for a week and didn’t want it to ruin our holiday. “We now just want to warn expats and other holidaymakers to avoid scams like these.” Parker, who is disabled, reported the incident to staff at his hotel, who have now informed police.

Hope for animal charity IT has been a tumultuous couple of years for Triple A. But now Marbella’s longest-running animal charity has been thrown a lifeline. The town hall has agreed to donate €30,000 a year to help with the vital work it does to take care of abandoned animals. It comes after a controversial raid by the Guardia Civil’s environmental

arm SEPRONA last year put its future in jeopardy. “There are 43,000 registered dogs in Marbella, so Triple A’s work with abandoned animals is essential,” said Marbella mayor Mari Angeles Munoz. The town is now planning a series of awareness campaigns, especially targeting families about the issue of abandoned animals at the end of the summer.

“He said the bus was four hours late and that he had been sent to take us for a similar price,” Taylor told the Olive Press. “He was driving extremely fast and his meter wasn’t working, so we asked him how much it would be. “He wrote €79 on a piece of paper, at which point we asked to be dropped off at a police station. “He became very aggressive and began lowering the cost before screaming at me to give him €20 and he would let us off there and then.” Fortunately he pulled over

after receiving the money, but not before Taylor was able to snap a picture of the car on his mobile, as it sped off. Another holidaymaker Victor Marshall said: “I would have thought this fraud would have been stopped by now as this man conned me last October while waiting at a Mijas Costa bus stop. “He tried to extract €78 and after a lot of violent intimidation I gave him €40....but I should have shouted for the police!” Another victim reported on a white Citroen that took over €50 euros from him and his wife ealier this year. Police failed to comment on the scam in time for press.

A GERMAN cleaner has scooped the largest jackpot in online gaming history. The lucky lady from Berlin, whose name was given as Christina, won €90 million in the Gibraltar-based Lottoland draw. She had put the bet on the EuroJackpot jackpot via her mobile, choosing the five lucky numbers and the two Euro numbers that bagged her record breaking win. The Berliner found out she had won while working on her late cleaning shift. She plans to quit her job, allow her mother to retire, and hire a motorhome to drive from the East to West coast of America, culminating in a Backstreet Boys concert. Gibraltar-based Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell, said: "This record €90 million win is a breakthrough moment both for our business and the industry as a whole, as it is the largest jackpot payout ever across the online gaming and lotto industry. We look forward to breaking more records in the future."

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

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p o l i t i c s / news

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Dunkirk holocaust hero dies ONE of Spain’s last brave soldiers who survived the holocaust having fought Hitler has died. Malaga-born Jose Marfil Peralta who fought at Dunkirk alongside

British troops - later survived years at the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. The Rincon de la Victoria native, born in 1921, fought alongside his

father against the Germans, before being captured. After surviving the war, Peralta wrote a book, Yo Sobrevivi al Infierno Nazi (I Survived Nazi Hell).

DIG HIM UP!

Dictator Franco to be finally exhumed to create huge memorial against fascism

PEDRO Sanchez has vowed to move the remains of dictator Franco from the Valley of the Fallen and turn the site into a monument of reconciliation. Spain’s new prime minister revealed plans to turn the Madrid mausoleum into a ‘memorial about the fight against fascism’ during his first TV interview. The controversial site has faced huge criticism for being the only remaining

By Elisa Menendez

monument dedicated to a fascist leader in Europe, where Franco’s body was buried some 40 years ago. "We don't have a date yet, but the government will do it," said Sanchez.

Prisoners

Largely built by Republican political prisoners under Franco’s regime between 1940 to 1958, the Valley of the Fallen (Valle

de los Caidos) holds the remains of over 33,000 people from both sides of the civil war. It comes after Rajoy’s PP government had blocked previous attempts to exhume the dictator, stating that digging up mass graves of lost loved ones will reopen a painful part of Spain’s history. However, Sanchez argued on Monday: “It’s not about opening wounds, it’s about closing them.”

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A MEMBER of Spain’s new government has had to resign just a week after joining over corruption claims. It comes after it emerged that culture and sports minister Màxim Huerta had withheld taxes in the early 2000s. The former journalist and TV commentator was also recently forced to pay €365,000 in back taxes, late fees and fines. It emerged he had used a company to deduct expenses on earnings from his work, which included the pur-

w Ne lla rbe Ma spot t ho www.cascadamarbella.com | +34 951567849 Urb Montua, 39, 29602 Marbella

chase of a second home on the coast in Alicante. His replacement in Pablo Sanchez’s new PSOE government is José Guirao, who was director of the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid between 1994 and 2001. Huerta’s resignation was unavoidable given a statement made by Sanchez in 2015, when he declared that any politician who creates a company in order to pay half his taxes would be ejected from his own government the next day.

No snap election SPAIN’S new prime minister will serve out the rest of the current term until elections in June 2020. Pedro Sanchez, who ousted conservative leader Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote this month, said he will not call for a snap election in a bid to ‘normalise’ the country’s political climate. “I plan to call elections in 2020, when the term of office ends,” he stated this week. It comes after the PSOE leader had hinted that he would call an election immediately after replacing Rajoy as PM. Despite repeated calls from opposition parties for an election, PSOE’s ministers have said they need time to enact their policies.

Video rap HE’S popped up again… but this time in a special video message to fans. In a passionate missive fugitive rapper Valtonyc insisted ‘essential rights are not being respected’ in Spain… adding that he would ‘keep fighting today and tomorrow’. He had recorded the video from his hideout, believed to be in Belgium, for a special concert for Freedom of Speech in Palma. During the event at Palma Arena, another artist Pablo Hasel, burned a photograph of the king on the stage.

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ROCKED!

By Laurence Dollimore

COMPANIES House in London has insisted the ‘man who bought Brexit’ reveal how he was able to fund his campaign to pull the UK out of Europe. The finances of Aaron Banks’ Gibraltar-based companies are set for heavy scrutiny, over concerns about his alleged links with Russia in connection to the referendum result. MPs are calling for police and parliament to continue investigating the alleged connection between the millionaire Brexit donor and Russia, after it emerged he met the Kremlin’s ambassador to the UK on various occasions. Home secretary Sajid Javid confirmed last week that Banks’ Russian connections are being examined ‘very seriously’ by two ministers in two departments who want to establish if there was an attempt to undermine parliamentary democracy during the Brexit campaign. Banks, a former Ukip donor and an associate of ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage, gave £8m to the Leave. EU and Grassroots Out campaigns. The money came from offshore firms, a number of which are based in Gibraltar, where 96% of voters ironically wanted to remain in the EU. Leave.EU focused relentlessly on immigration in the run up to the EU referendum and much of its populist strategy was taken from the US presidential campaign of

Gibraltar-based company linked to alleged Russian interference probe that could have ‘bought Brexit’

PALS: Banks and Trump Donald Trump, a man with whom Banks feels a close affinity having met him immediately after his victory in New York. Banks is also still under investigation by the Electoral Commission, which is trying to establish if he was the ‘true source of loans’ to Leave.EU, and whether Better for the Country Ltd, a company he controlled, was the source of donations made to Brexit campaigners. Banks has allegedly also been told by Companies House to publish the accounts of his offshore holding company ICS Risk Solutions, which he uses to finance his activities. The Isle of Man-registered company is reported to be the ‘heart of Banks’s finances’. It is the holding company for Eldon Insurance, the insurer behind Go Skippy, and has paid over £77m since 2015 to prop up Banks’ Southern Rock underwriting arm, based in Gibraltar, after regulators on the Rock found the business was trading without adequate provisions. Banks said he would

Avda. Espana,

comply with any direction from Companies House, according to the Guardian. The pressure is building on Banks, after Labour MP Stephen Doughty, a member of the home affairs select committee, said it should investigate the links between Banks and Russia. “These are incredibly serious and growing allegations about the connections between Banks and the Russians, and their ability to potentially compromise the integrity of the referendum and British democracy,” the Labour MP told the Guardian. “A number of committees in parliament, including my own, will want to [take a] closer look at this.” Labour’s front bench also weighed in with Tom Watson saying: “I thought the idea of Kremlin gold being used to destabilise our democracy became redundant at the end of the cold war. Try as he might, Mr Banks can’t just bluster his way out of these serious allegations. Democratic integrity is too important. If it’s true that his account of events is inaccurate, his links to Russian financiers and mine owners must be subject to detailed scrutiny.” During a UK select committee investigating fake news last week, Banks defended his movement of funds to Southern Rock insisting he was simply shuffling money between two companies that he owns, before accusing MPs of trying to create some ‘shadiness around my business’.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Uber storm

Taxi app criticised after its apparently cheap prices may not be so cheap after all By Laurence Dollimore

UBER has finally arrived on the Costa del Sol – but is it cheaper? The Olive Press team has made some calculations and the answer is – mostly – no.

Saving

Searching at the off-peak time of 12pm, an Uber from San Pedro de Alcantara to Malaga airport, for example, is €84.45 – it’s usually around €70-€80 in a traditional taxi, not quite the saving Uber lovers had in mind. From Marbella to Malaga airport, an Uber estimates €68.43, but residents in Marbella will know that’s not much of a saving, if at all. See our full list of Uber rates on popular routes on the right, is yours cheaper?…

Marbella – Malaga Airport: €68,43 San Pedro – Malaga Airport: €84,45 Benalmadena – Malaga Airport: €15,81 Torremolinos – Malaga Airport: €11,68 San Pedro – Marbella: €14,56 San Pedro – Puerto Banus: €6,42 Marbella – Torremolinos: €61,40 Marbella – Benalmadena: €56,71 Benalmadena – Torremolinos: €5,50 Marbella – Estepona: €40

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www.theolivepress.es By Giles Brown

AN appeal has been launched after a popular Costa del Sol writer died suddenly at the age of 57. Friends have set up a crowdfunding account after Kerry Jane ‘KJ’ Elsdon, who worked at magazines including Essential, Society and Absolute Marbella, passed away mysteriously in Wales. An NHS inquiry is set to be launched after she died from sepsis, following a bout of cystitis. According to her cousin Tim Ricketts she died after making repeated requests to receive a visit from a GP, a request that was denied.

Debilitating

KJ, who had gone home to care for her elderly mother, harrowingly posted on social media just hours before her death, slamming her treatment by the local GP in Pembroke. “I currently have a debilitating complaint that is confining me to the house so, this morning, I phone the local surgery to request a home visit. Request denied,” she wrote on Facebook. “The best that I can do is to make an appointment at the emergency clinic this afternoon, book in at 15:30 and maybe not be

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Sad goodbye for KJ Appeal launched after popular writer dies amid NHS negligence claims

seen for several hours. I ask them if they don’t understand that I can’t leave the house but the doctor point-blank refuses to grant a home visit to anyone who isn’t permanently disabled or a pensioner. “I tell them again that I can’t leave the house. They ask me what I am going to do and I confess that I don’t have a clue. Deadlock. The caring, sharing NHS in action for you - and this from someone who has yet to consult a doctor, so they can scarcely have me pegged as a hypochondriac’. The family crowdfunding appeal for help to cover funeral costs can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kerry-jane-elsdon

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Dirty dive The Simply Diving company spearheaded a cleanup of Marbella’s El Faro beach this month. More than 500 volunteers joined the United by the Sea campaign to clean up the seabed beaches around the Puerto Deportivo and two dive sites. Professional PADI Instructors were on hand and there was free beer at lunchtime.

CLIMATE: The Pope

Pope Francisco, The Green

Sun tax, coal and renewables are all on the agenda for Spain’s new

Pope Francis has weighed into the energy debate by urging the world’s top petroleum and gas companies to get moving on energy transition. In the surprise speech, the pontiff said he was realistic about the challenges ahead and the need to produce enough energy for every person on the planet by exploiting resources without compromising nature. He stated this should be through the development of renewable energies, otherwise climate change would get worse with rising global temperatures, harsher environmental conditions and more poverty. The Pope added that the resolutions adopted in the 2015 Paris Accord were not fulfilled due to the ‘opportunism and cynicism’ of big businesses taking decisions which bring short term gains but disastrous longterm consequences.

By Pablo Balbontin

SPAIN’S new government has vowed to prioritise its green policy during a meeting in Brussels. Teresa Ribera, the new environment minister, announced that ‘Spain is back’ and it would be working towards the EU goal of having at least 35% of its energy coming from renewables by 2030. She said that as renewables are becoming cheaper, there is no reason why the targets cannot be met. The so-called sun tax, which hits anyone getting energy from their own solar panels, is also expected to be repealed. “Spain is no longer a burden,” Ribera said at the meeting held in Luxembourg, “we are aligned with countries who want to make progress.”

We’re back! CHANGES: To ‘sun tax’ (left) green minister Ribera The minister also spoke of the ‘inevitable’ end to coal power, adding that the new government would make up on ‘lost time’ and come up with a plan

for regions who depend on coal for jobs to transition into the green energy market. “The Government is committed to the people, to the regions,”

insisted the minister, who has acknowledged that there is concern in some regions (such as Asturias and Castilla y León) on this issue. The green surge comes after PSOE’s Pedro Sanchez was sworn in as Spain’s new prime minister following a no-confidence vote against the conservative Mariano Rajoy. One of Sanchez’s first moves was to inform Brussels that he would be changing the country’s approach to renewable energy and climate change. “We are going to change the narrative,” said a source in Sánchez’s team. “The energy transition is not a whimsical issue.”

Negative balance SPAIN’S Ecologists in Action group has branded the six-year Rajoy government as ‘negative for the environment’. The green activist organisation has reviewed the failures of the Partido Popular, citing a lack of compromise on environmental issues, resulting in ‘minimal advances and numerous setbacks’. In the first four years (2011-2015) it highlights the modification of the Ley de Costas as the greatest error, as it has left Spain’s shores unprotected from harmful development in order to benefit the construction industry. The so-called ‘sun tax’ owners of solar panels must pay for collecting more energy than needed was another heavilycriticised measure as it has stopped the development of renewable energies to benefit big electrical companies. The PP’s second term (2016-2018) has been even more of a disaster for the environment, increasing the lifespan of coal-fired power plants and, with it, a higher rate of polluting emissions.

 Gibraltar schoolgirl reaches semi

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+TheolivepressEs Kitchen relics BE ‘APPY! TWO Roman ovens have been found in almost perfect condition at an excavation site in Mijas. The ovens, which are believed to be around 2,400 years old, will help Download reveal more our appabout now and the region of Malaga under begin enjoying the best SpanishART: Attack Roman rule. news on the go. near a They were discovered Necropolis located in a twometre deep cellar at Finca Acebedo, in the Las Lagunas area. It has been declared a site of cultural interest.

THEY have been puzzling and entertaining locals and visitors in Malaga city centre for nearly a year. But now a series of mysterious stencils- many of them space invaders - that appear on dozens of walls in the city have got a reprieve… of sorts. After an order to remove them, the town hall has decided it will keep a number of them and relocate the rest. The so called ‘art attack’ - by an unknown artist or artists - has seen pictures of space invaders, cartoon flamenco stars, and other animals, such as whales, appear randomly overnight. In an almost Banksy-style campaign the figurines were mostly popular with locals, but unfortunately not with the Junta,

The Olive Press

After three decades of production, Terry Gilliam has finally lost the rights to his ‘cursed’ epic Don Quixote

TOP for news in Spain!

THE great artist would be proud. Malaga’s Picasso Museum has seen its profit go up for the last three years. The museum, which also gets an annual grant from the Junta, made a record €8.9m last year, according to official figures. This is a rise of €100,000 on the previous year, when it made €8.8m, with some €4.37 million coming from subsidies from the Junta. In 2015 the museum earned €8.7m. It is the first time the museum has made its figures public in five years and comes after pressure to release them.

g r een

IT has been dubbed the most cursed film in history. Now Terry Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, has been dealt another final, and perhaps fatal blow. For him at least. The former Monty Python director has lost the rights to the movie after the French Court of Appeal ruled in favour of former producer Paul Branco and his company, Alfama Films granting him full ownership. Gilliam will also have to pay €10,000 to his company. “We will be seeking damages with interest from all the people involved in this illegal production. We’re holding everyone responsible,” Branco explained. It comes after Branco filed a lawsuit in May, following a

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

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Picasso comes clean

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what’s on

editerranean: An A r c a d i a Reinvented, until September 9.

WITH more than 50 works on display, the exhibition will delve into the main themes of European art from Signac to Picasso. Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, entry €4.50

Not off the wall! which ordered their removal last month. However, Malaga’s mayor has come out fighting insisting some should be allowed to stay. “If they are quality artistic works,

we will work to preserve them,” said Francisco de la Torre. Some building owners have already removed the artworks, claiming it would have been more expensive if the town hall had done so.

Fatal curse contract he signed with Gilliam to produce the film in 2016. However, their collaboration didn’t go ahead and Gilliam continued with the movie in 2017, in a record fourth attempt. The production - which has been plagued with illness, the death of actors, flooded sets and insurance difficulties - finally premiered last month at Cannes Film Festival. It was dedicated to the memory of actors John Hurt and Jean Rochefort who both passed away during the production. Gilliam himself suffered a stroke just two weeks before the screening, which closed the festival with a standing ovation from the audience. The tumultuous production almost didn’t make it to Cannes

after Branco sought legal action, but the Paris Court of Appeal ruled for it to go ahead. Further disaster struck after

THE Costa del Sol’s biggest motorbiking event is coming to Malaga, with exhibitions, motorcycle routes, concerts, markets and competitions. Málaga Municipal Auditorium

O Amazon Studios - who also funded the production - announced it would not distribute the film in the US.

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SPAT ON: King Alfonso XII of Spain was insulted on a state visit to Paris, triggering war between the French and the townsfolk of Lijar

la cultura

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Give war a chance

How a 100-year ‘war’ between an Andalucian village and France forged lifelong friendships, writes Jack Gaioni JOHN Lennon and Yoko Ono’s musical composition Give Peace A Chance is considered the unofficial anthem for the American nightmare known as the Vietnam War. That long and unpopular conflict, like most wars, was replete with death, destruction, dislocation and dissent. Lennon’s lyrics, asserting that the absence of war equates to peace, profoundly resonated with the sentiment of the times. Yet brotherhood, good humour and fellowship were the defining characteristics of a strange 100 year ‘war’ between a small Andalucian municipality and the Republic of France. How was that possible?

...

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STATE VISIT: The King of Spain heads to France

Lijar is a small (500 inhabitants) isolated hilltop hamlet in the interior of Almeria. A two-hour drive inland over some curvy mountain roads, mulberry trees used in the Arabic manufacture of silk still grow on the hillsides. But what is the most impressive part of

Lijar’s history is what happened over a century ago. Local oral tradition has it that in 1883 King Alfonso XII of Spain made a state visit to Paris. It did not go well. He was insulted, spat upon and showered with stones and rotten eggs. When word of this disrespectful visit got back to Lijar, Mayor

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 6th - June 19th 2018

IN THE HILLS: An isolated Andalucian hamlet

Miguel Garcia called for an emergency vil- casional French tourists passing through the lage council meeting. town. Outraged, and with his Spanish pride dented The residents would feign hostilities and war by the insulting French display, Mayor Gar- games against the unsuspecting visitors. But cia took action. The minutes of that council when told the story, the two factions often meeting proclaimed that: ‘Our King Alfonso, ended up with a shared drink or meal ending when passing through Paris, was stoned and with an embrace as friends. offended in the most cowardly fashion by the There are also a number of personal acmiserable hordes of the French nation.’ counts of travelers from Lijar who, while visThe mayor reminded his council that when iting France, would take the time to explain Napoleon’s troops had invaded the area their ‘declaration of war’ to their unsuspect80 years previously, ‘just one woman, who ing French hosts. was old, wretched and bedraggled, but a Both parties would often laugh and enjoy the daughter of Spain nonetheless, had single- fellowship. To this day, lifelong friendships behandedly cut the throats of 32 Frenchmen tween the ‘warring factions’ remain in place. who were billeted in her home.’ He added: The stories that the war produced seem to ‘The example of this woman have brought forth the fact is enough to let the inhabitthat, for the most part, both ants of France fear this village sides were warm and friendly of Lijar. Although it has only Although no shots people, prone to laugh at their 100 able men, we propose to ancestors’ intentions. were fired, nor declare war on all of France Finally, in 1993, Mayor Diego since one man of our village is prisoners actually Sanchez called for a peace worth 10,000 Frenchmen.’ treaty. He proclaimed: “One taken, citizens The council meeting concluded hundred years is a solid never forgot with a unanimous vote to forenough date to end all of this. mally declare war on France. Stopping a war can’t be a bad The council took the time to thing nowadays, can it?” announce the formal war motion to the Span- Dignitaries from France and Madrid attended ish government in Madrid, and by messenger a formal peace treaty ceremony which was to the president of France. signed in the only square in Lijar. It used to Lijar remained ‘at war’ with France for the be called Plaza Generalissimo Franco but next 110 years. was appropriately renamed Plaza de la Paz Although no shots were fired, nor prisoners (Peace Square). actually taken, citizens never forgot. Village A special bond between the locals of Lijar schoolmaster Ezequiel Campos recently re- and the French Republic remains to this day ferred to it: “We were in a state of war and as a result of this war. John Lennon probably everybody in Lijar knew about it, he recalled. would have agreed that, in this instance, “It’s been handed down from parents to chil- giving war a chance can be a blueprint for dren, a sort of oral tradition.” peace. Locals in Lijar are prone to tell colourful sto- And Yoko? She was unavailable for comment. ries of their experiences of meeting the oc-

WAR DECLARED: Lijar up in arms

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Vol. 2 Issue 30

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Birdie birth control HORNY pigeons are coming under attack in an ingenious new birth control scheme in Son Servera. The town hall has introduced six contraceptive-filled feeders for the birds in a bid to cut back on their numbers. The birds are being blamed for damaging buildings, monuments and parks, as well as causing noise pollution and health risks.

A Pollensa Hit the north ll about

Vol. 2 Issue 30

Assy assets DONKEYS have been assigned to graze and clean the water basins in Andratx. Ten donkeys are grazing in the so-called torrents to clear out overgrown plants and reduce the risk of flooding. In 2016 the town had donkeys cleaning the1 torrents Untitled-1.pdf 16/06/2017 with great success.

Don’t miss our 16-page Pollensa supplement inside

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2018

CAPTiON. Umque pro culparu mendio corporepudae ped explab iniITTING high on a promontory hilignis del id lording over the bay of Pollensa sits most exclusive properties.one of Spain’s Owned by British having lunch, or TV presenter Lupton, La Fortaleza wasfinancier, Lord James I did recently on the beach, Louis Theroux, as once the country’s most expensive home Pollensa is also the home playing with his kids. on the market for 125 of former England star million euros and most recently Graham Le Saux (you know, became famous - and perhaps justifies the only footballer as the home of scoundrel to ever admit to reading its price tag. business mogul Rich- For this is the Guardian), couldn’t have ard Roper, played by Hugh perhaps Mallorca’s most remarkable featuring both done more to promote the area as the boss of UK supermarket group as well drama, The Night Manager. Laurie, in the BBC stretch of scenery. Iceland. the town and its nearby environs In the hills nearby the famous March family (of A dramatic finger heavily in the series. An incredible place surrounded the private Banca March) by water and ing drops, no visitorof soaring peaks and plung- The main thing have their amazing pine-covered hills, the to know is that Pollensa estate. to the island will forget 400-year-old fort has breathtaking is only the 45 minutes put up countless VIPs over the years, including - to its historic20 km drive - or cycle if you’re fit it could be from the airport despite feeling like Most people first head for the coastal Spanish artist Joaquin Sorolla, town of a million miles away. lighthouse at the end. Puerto Pollensa, or as it’s who painted it. known locally ‘PP’. It’s as stunning as anywhere I have lived here for nearly A massive 25,000 square You will first manicured terraces and feet of immaculately dissimilar to the famous Newin Spain and not can verify quite how differenttwo years now and calm the sea be amazed at the views and how it is from the better Zealand back- known is here… it is also a little on two pools and seven gardens, it counts drops in Lord of the Rings. towns of Andratx, bit warmer than most other beaches separate villas in its But the whole on the island as it is While they are all about Calvia and Portals. grounds. Pollensa so protected. amazing and just when corner of the island is ing the cash, Pollensa being seen and splash- From But it is the location at the you think the scenery here take a look around glamour and refined taste.is about understated the moored the marina Formentor peninsula that start of the protected couldn’t get any better, it does. makes it so exclusive As a PR job boats before taking a stroll and This is the sort the award-winning Night along Manager former British of place where you will bump into the shaded Pine Walk, which curves for several Prime Minister David Cameron

Pollensa is all about exclusivity understated glamour, writes and locally-based writer Lesley Keith

GIRL POWER

Continues on Page

and partners

Tourists who wish to enter the stunning northern tip of the island will have to take a special shuttle bus from Pollensa Port.

Picture courtesy of Kuhn

First shots landed DISGRACED former ‘King of the Night’ Tolo Cursach has been sentenced to an initial eight months in prison for the illegal possession of weapons. The conviction is the first against nightclub impresario Cursach, who faces a further 16 charges, including homicide, bribery, drug trafficking and corruption. The rifle was discovered under Cursach’s bed during a search of the magnate’s property. Cursach was controversially released on bail in April but must appear at court on the first Monday of every month as his other trial continues.

for cyclists and prevent overcrowding. Under the test scheme only buses and locals will be allowed to take the 20km drive to the famous lighthouse during the hours of 9:30am until 7pm in July and August.

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Spain’s new cabinet is the most female-orientated government in the country’s history RENTALS POLLENSA

By Laurence Dollimore

SPAIN is set to become a beacon of equality. The country’s new prime minister Pedro Sanchez has handed an incredible 11 key cabinet positions to women. The Madrileño is following in the footsteps of former socialist PM Jose Zapatero, who was the first leader ever to create a majority female cabinet, with nine out of 17. ‘El Guapo’ Sanchez has gone a step further, with 11 out of 18 posts being given to women. Describing it as a ‘feminist government’, he has named Carmen Calvo as both his deputy PM and the head of the newly restored Equality Ministry. He has also brought in Teresa Ribera to head up the environment, Meritxell Batet for public administration and Maria Jesus Montero to run 15:36 the Treasury.

FEMALE MAJORITY: The second cabinet of its kind

And in total proof the PSOE leader Sanchez puts his trust

in Spain’s history in women, Magdalena Vale- of Employment, Margarita rio has been made Minister Robles as Minister of Defence

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(the second woman to ever hold this post), Isabel Celaa, the Education Secretary and Dolores Delgado, the new Head of Justice. Finishing off the list is Nadia Calviño, head of business and economy, Reyes Maroto, head of industry and tourism and Carmen Monton, heading up health and consumer affairs. Sanchez is expected to bring new focus to equality issues following recent furores over gender inequality in Spain. Calvo, 60, is an expert in constitutional law and served as deputy speaker in congress under Zapatero. Ribera meanwhile, previously headed up Spain’s Office for Climate Change between 2004 and 2011. The first cabinet meeting is scheduled for June 8.

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He also claimed a RGP police investigation into the affair was continuing but that he could not reveal any more details at this stage. He also confirmed that Assad had applied for Cat-2 status on the Rock in 1999, but that it had been turned down. Al-Assad, the uncle of current Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is being probed in Spain, France and the UK for money laundering, corruption and tax evasion.

‘BUTCHER’: Assad Continues on Page 2

NEWS IN BRIEF

A JUDGE in Spain has ordered takeaway firm Deliveroo to pay a fine over labour rights it should have granted a former worker.

On the up Howard Birch, Scotland

Find out in our monthly Property magazine inside

Outrage as Gib leader spends £30,000 of public money on personal lawsuits By Laurence Dollimore

THE Chief Minister has spent an alarming £6,000 of taxpayers’ money on threatening legal letters this year alone. And Fabian Picardo has issued at least ten separate writs against individuals since he came to power, it has emerged. In total, the GSLP leader has spent £29,978 on legal letters threatening residents with lawsuits since 2013. Each was ordered to stop writing and delete ‘defamatory’ comments about him online, the majority on Facebook. Gibraltar’s leader - who came to power in 2011 - was forced to release the figures after being asked by the GSD opposition party, following complaints. “We seem to have a Chief Minister who is ever-so-sensitive and out of sync with the attitudes of other leaders in Western society,” insisted

WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING THE LEGAL EAGLE TOTALS SPENT 2013/14 - £5602 2014/15 - £7196 2015/16 - £3036 2016/17 - £6056 2017/18 - £2031 2018 (to date) - £6057

EMBATTLED: Fabian Picardo the previous administration a spokesman from the GSD. being dictatorial.” “And this from a Chief MinThe figures were released afister who complained about ter he was grilled in parliament on the matter by both Roy Clinton and former GSD leader Daniel Feetham. They showed that Picardo had spent this figure on letters to six local Gibraltarians and four individuals outside of the Rock, via law

individuals express themselves without a filter of truth or any understanding of the need to ensure that the things they say are not libellous of others.” He said some of the comments included threats to him and his family. The GSD later uploaded a post on its Facebook page, asking: “Is it right the Chief Minister should use your money to defend his reputation?”

Careful

firm Hassans. It is not known if he has taken out any personal lawsuits in addition. Picardo defended the legal letters, insisting it was in the ‘public interest of Gibraltar’, that its ministers should ‘defend their reputations when confronted with defamatory and untrue allegations’. “Too often on social media,

It added: “Careful what you write on social media, you are being watched.” Residents reacting to the clip said they were ‘gobsmacked’. “Unbelievable,” wrote one, “they should pay for it out of their own pocket. Why use the taxpayers money? It’s shameful, the opposition should act.”

UK: +44 772 213 6148 SPAIN: +34 634 682 048

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THE European Commission has announced plans to boost spending in Spain, while the country still faces double-digit unemployment.

Roy Price, Malaga

Big problem This sometimes happens at hotels too. While waiting for your bus to the airport, these fake taxis will pull up. A lot of tourists, when they see a driver will ask ‘is this for Mr Smith?’ and all the fake driver has to do is agree.

COMMENT: Read all about it (IF YOU CAN)

In Gibraltar

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the-mill politician. “I’m a genuine guy who cares about Gibraltar and its people, I’m not entering politics for money, I’m passionate about it.” His announcement that he was joining the GSD executive committee received hundreds of likes on Twitter. “It went much better than expected, but I am like Marmite, you either love me or hate me.” The son of former Chief Minister Sir Peter Caruana has also joined the party.

Boost

SPAIN has seen a 27% year-on-yea r increase in online gambling revenue for the first quarter, after revenue hit €163.3m.

Entering the ring THE Rock is all set for a new political heavyweight. It comes after local boxing hero Kaelan Joyce joined the GSD opposition party. The amateur fighter - who was known for his aggressive style in the ring - will be no stranger to throwing punches at the opposition... which from now on is Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. “I don’t like the way Gibraltar is going in general, it all needs to change,” he told the Olive Press this week. “I don’t mince my words and I’m not your run-of-

SPAIN’S service sector has grown at its fastest pace in three months, according to euro zone bond market surveys.

I just hope they at least gotBetsthe on number plate of the car! Remember, most folks in their 70s don’t have or use smartphones for photos, videos, etc. I wish them well and hope they return to Spain again!

6th - June 19th 2018 Vol. 3 Issue 72 www.gibraltarolivepress.com June

Email: bia@gibraltar.gi Facebook: GibraltarBIA

ASSAD: NOT A FIRE SALE! FABIAN Picardo has been forced to defend the controversial sale of 6-9 Europort in a heated Parliament debate. In a long ten-minute statement he answered seven questions tabled by the opposition about the transaction, which would benefit Syria’s Rifaat al-Assad. In particular, the Chief Minister insisted it did ‘not appear to be a fire sale’ and confirmed that he had personally been working with the French and Spanish authorities, who have been investigating Assad, for years.

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My mate nearly got caught with this taxi scam in Fuengirola. However he took the driver’s picture on his phone and threatened 2 www.theolivepress.es him with the police. Gave him Expat claims at least one 4x4 is €10 and he sped off. He still Deliver has-boo gangs stolen by drug every day the photos!

Sorry

he announcement comes after the Olive Press was ordered to remove its stand from the border. We were suddenly told to remove the long-standing holder from the pedestrian entrance into the Rock ‘on orders from the Chief Minister’, a fact later confirmed by one of our journalists. Fortunately for us, the tour-

PAPERS: At Gib border

ist office kiosk continues to stock the popular free paper - the Rock’s only genuinely independent voice. A pile still greets any tourists or business person crossing into the enclave and - if not on view - please ensure to ask for your copy. Meanwhile, should any business be brave enough, the stand is looking for a new home… and there are more in our office!

Ian Roberts, Marbella

Zara Maria, Marbella

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

Narcos nicked my car

STOLEN: 4x4 and Andy with girlfriend

copy of the photos we took of the car in the hope of catching him. Nasty experience!

EXCLUSIVE: Fake taxi alert

Victor Marshall, Mijas

Scary stuff

filled with drugs but declined to comment further.

FLASHBACK: Our story last issue

Disappointed I would have thought this fraud would have been stopped by now as last October it happened to my wife and me when waiting at Mijas Costa bus stop for Marbella. The fake taxi tried to extract €78 from us and after

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BISHOP’S www.theolive Quality not quantity, and at least half press.es a million readers a month MOVE June 6th - June 19th 2018 Voted

This happened to us on January 18 in Benalmadena going to Fuengirola. I told Fuengirola police who told me to report it to police in Madrid when I got home. I did end up calling them but they said because I had left Spain, they could not take a report from me. Very scary. Julie Milroy, UK

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violent intimidation from him

Get I gave him €40....but I should Corner backhave shouted for the police. One insidof e! the taxi rank drivers took a

THE father of missing expat Lisa Brown’s son has appealed a judge’s shock ruling to release the main suspect Simon Corner. Her former partner Tony Tomillero, father to son Marco, is fighting Judge Garcia Ramila’s decision made in San Roque last month. It comes after the judge shelved the two-and-a-half villa. the Olive “It was used for a drug run examined Press. “It’s being year investigation into the by forensic inves- prime suspect and Lisa’s boyfrom La Linea,” Mills told tigators before they bring it friend, Corner, despite the back to me.” expat becoming a fugitive and Odd-job man Mills said he absconding twice. ‘couldn’t believe’ the dif- Tomillero who is now the sole ference in culture between carer of their 11-year-old son IRISH holidaymakers have warned Los Barrios and the Spanish has requested that his lawyer con artist operating on the Costa of a taxi “The guy had a badge and seemed pretty appeal the ruling. village of Sedella del Sol. in inland official so we agreed,” Parker told John Parker, 73, was ‘forced’ to pay the Olive Malaga, where he used to He wants Liverpool-born fake taxi driver who had previously€77 by a Press. Corner back inside as well as live. offered But when they arrived the trip for €6. and Parker’s wife “The people here hardly five others arrested for their first left the car, the driver locked Parker was approached while standing the doors look or talk to you and alleged involvement in the at and parallel parked the Miraflores bus stop with his case. wife in Mi- Parker couldn’t get next to another car so there’s been a noticeable Spanish jas Costa, waiting to go to La Cañada out. shop- “He just kept demanding increase in crime since we tigating police are still invesping centre, near Marbella. €77 and became the case regardless of moved here,” he added. very aggressive,” he added. A Spanish man purporting to be the outcome of the appeal. “Police told me a 4x4 gets the bus company pulled up in a sent from “We thought best to just pay him as we were stolen by drug traffickers and told the couple - who were brown Fiat only here for a week and didn’t want it to everyday in Los Barrios, their 50th anniversary - that allcelebrating ruin our holiday. buses had “We now just want to I will definitely look into been cancelled. warn expats and other holidaymakers to moving.” avoid scams like these.” He said he was happy to take them shopping centre for the same price to the Parker, who is disabled, reported the inciPolice confirmed that the as the dent to staff at his hotel, bus. vehicle had been found who have now informed police.

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June 6th - June 19th 2018

Flick-ed off THE Spanish Tourism Board is now ‘seriously considering’ suing hit Netflix film Ibiza, citing a lack of respect for the island’s culture, people and music

Pretty woman

RICHARD Gere, 68, has said he is ‘the happiest man in the universe’ after marrying his Spanish 35-year-old girlfriend Alejandra Silva, in a fairytale wedding ceremony in New York

FREE

Vol. 12 Issue 293

A POPULAR park has become a ‘no-go zone’ for children after being invaded by chickens. A sharp rise in the numbers of hens and roosters has left visitors crying fowl at La Paloma park, in Benalmadena. The town hall has confirmed it has received hundreds of complaints from visitors that the chicken population has got out of control.

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June 6th - June 19th 2018

Crying fowl

There are now said to be over 400 birds roaming the park, with some visitors claiming they have completely ‘taken over’. The actual figure could be much higher, as a lack of an official record makes it impossible to record accurately. The town hall says the problem has proliferated due to chicken owners dumping their unwanted birds in the park. Many visitors say

Anger as hen and rooster population make a Costa del Sol park into a no-go zone are increasing the risk of infections and diseases, such as bird flu, in the town. It comes after the budget for park maintenance

birds, which are susceptible to ticks, fleas and lice,

the

was cut by €1 million last year. The town hall has acknowledged the problem as ‘annoying’ and agreed to try to resolve the problem as quickly as possible’.

Rest in peace SPAIN’S oldest nun has died. Victoria de la Cruz Garcia, from Malaga, passed away at 110 after spending more than 80 years in Japan. The devout catholic - who never forgot her home and was always playing the casta-

nets - suffered a cardiac arrest just days before her 111th birthday. She first moved to Japan in 1936 and witnessed the horros of World War II and the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Victoria was born in 1907 at the current site of the Trillo restaurant, in Malaga city.

Feeding frenzy He’s been back

HE’S easily one of the scariest characters in global cinema. Now the Terminator - famous for the phrase ‘I’ll be back’ - has returned to film for the latest sequel around Andalucia this Spring. Played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator 6, also starring Linda Hamilton has been in Almeria for two weeks. The film crew have taken over the small hamlet of Isleta del Moro, in Cabo de Gata, until this Friday. A number of scenes have been filmed in the area, as well as in neighbouring Murcia. The locations and logistics are all being handled by an expat owned film company, based in Malaga. Fresco Film, owned by German Peter Welter, has just finished producing the crime series Snatch, and also worked on Game of Thrones. Schwarzenegger last visited Spain in 2014, when he attended a bodybuilding competition in Madrid. He previously filmed Conan the Barbarian in Almeria, in 1982.

We went to feed the rabbits last week (Crying fowl, issue 293). We threw some food down then chickens started coming from all directions. We couldn’t stop laughing, there were hundreds of them. It’s still our favourite park in the world. Deborah Coulson, Benalmadena

Disgrace Racist people are everywhere (He’s not your son, issue 293). I feel very sorry for them both, appalling treatment. Malcolm Franke, Malaga

Man about town of the

week

Dear Olive Press,

advice

I'm quite egg-cited about this and I bet it's not the first time a cock has been seen in that park (Crying fowl, issue 293).

Gibraltar office +350 200 445 00 Email: spain@bishopsmove.com

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FRANCE - ITALY - PORTUGAL

Egg-cellent

Our readers reveal the aggressive fake taxi scam is happening across the Costa del Sol

Caught on camera www.theolivepress.es

ONE of the island’s infamous accident blackspots is to be remedied this summer. In a sensible scheme, drivers will be banned from entering the Formentor peninsula, near Pollensa, to make is safer

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Fake taxi scam

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FINAL WORDS

I took Nolotil for about five months and I developed agranulocitosis. It basically removed all the white blood cells from my blood. I went to hospital with a raging fever and only through elimination and blood tests was it discovered and linked to Metamizol/Nolotil. I had to spend two weeks in isolation in hospital behind barrier nursing to avoid infections while taking antibiotics to rid me of the drug and allow my white cell count to recover sufficiently to go outside again. I consider myself very lucky to have got through it considering the possibilities. I for one am definitely be backing the campaign.

I saw Ronaldo enjoying a Sunday lamb roast at the water's edge in Fuengirola (Ronny rentals, issue 293). He also had peas and a mug of tea. Then he left to get an ice cream at one of the kiosks before heading down to cable beach and eating a bag of pippas. Ian Upton, León

Not good

I'm not left nor right, but I've lived in Spain for 16 years and I know its politics (Pedro power, issue 293). Socialism in Spain is totally corrupt and evil. Remember March 2004? This country under Aznar was ticking along rather nicely then BANG there was the Madrid bombings. Socialists manipulated that atrocity for their own political gain. What happened? The country was brought to its knees! Take Andalucia, it's totally under socialist control, yet, it's the Adrian Bark, Andalucia poorest region in Spain! Why? Blatant corruption. Yet, election after election they win this region. People are either ignorant or are simply being bought off. Look, I'm The cheapest way to get fantastic new no fan of Rajoy but at least him and his party designer jewellery is to remodel were making this country viable again. He your own jewellery was the man for the job in hand. Rajoy called 30 Years Experience | Diamond Sales this the ‘Frankenstein Design & Remodeling | Repairs Coalition’ and I have to agree. This nation never learns and it continually shoots itself in the foot!

Contact Tim (0034) 677 195 638

Johnny Good, Sevilla

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

Fuengirola

www.theolivepress.es ll about

Issue 294

www.theolivepress.es

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

3 19 19 June 26 - July 9 2014

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

HISTORICAL: From Fuengirola’s Sohail castle to its bullring

FUN-girola!

ROWING up, a holiday was a simple concept; sun, sea, sand and infinite flavours of ice cream. Days were spent swimming and tanning on the beach, evenings were for feasting. Fuengirola – or ‘Fuengi’, as expats have af-

Nowhere lives up to the buzz of the classic family beach holiday quite like it, writes Tom Powell fectionately nicknamed it – epitomises that kind of holiday. In the Costa del Sol’s largest resort, the sun

shines gloriously, the deep blue sea is inviting, the sand is soft and golden and there are more ice cream flavours than you can

shake a scoop at. Let’s not beat around the bush, though. Fuengirola has been bypassed in favour of more glitzy Costa del Sol destinations during the last few decades; Marbella for one. Continues on Page 20

20 20 20 20

Fuengirola So much more

ll about www.theolivepress.es

From Page 19

But those who say it isn’t worth the visit are wrong. Fuengirola is the definitive nerve centre of the Costa del Sol, thriving with business and opportunity. With its 1960s seafront high rises, the town may win no beauty contests (if you want whitewashed houses and pretty streets go to neighbouring Mijas Pueblo) but that’s not the point. Fuengirola is the place to go for that inimitable holiday buzz. And if you live there, the holiday never has to end. Any tour of Fuengi should begin at its most recognisable landmark –

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

A walk along the prom is a delight, with the smell of barbecuing sardines the castle looming high on a hill at the western edge of town. El Castillo Sohail, clearly visible on the bend of the A7 coast road, has had a varied history dating back to Moorish times. After the Muslims left, the Christians took over and the castle again became the town’s fortress. Interestingly, it was home to French troops during the War of Independence at the beginning of the 19th century.

FORTRESS: Sohail castle was built by the muslims and taken over by Christians

For many years afterwards, the iconic monument was abandoned and left to the pigeons, until 1989

when a major restoration project was launched. Ever since, the fortress has not

tel: 952 47 56 32 Calle San Pancracio, LC (57.51 km) Fuengirola, Málaga

only been an aesthetic focal point but also a cultural centre, hosting open-air concerts and festivals

throughout the summer. The castle surroundings are wellworth exploring, with well-kept gardens, paths, Moorish walls and shady fir trees, while nearby parking makes it easily accessible. From this vantage point, the town’s golden sandy beach can be seen, stretching for five miles east to the suburb of Torreblanca, near Benalmadena. A walk along the prom is a delight for the senses, with the smell of barbecuing sardines and langous-

www.theolivepress.es

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

21 21

June 20th - July 3rd 2018 BEACH LIFE: Fuengirola has one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol

ORNATE: Fuengirola mosque opened in 1993

tines wafting on the breeze. Like all the big Costa del Sol resorts, Fuengirola was once a small and sleepy fishing village; and by the smell of it, the locals haven’t lost their touch with seafood. But it is the town’s proximity to Malaga and the airport (25km), and the handy coastal train line running in between, that helped the resort to become ‘the’ Costa del Sol destination for decades. It’s also the reason many expats choose to live here, such as Wolverhampton-born Steph Smith, Manager of Yorkshire Linen in the Myramar shopping centre. “Fuengirola has had a facelift recently, the pedestrianised centre has so much outdoor seating on smart, new paving with shady parasols that it reminds me of Madrid and Barcelona,” says Steph, who has lived in and loved the town for 20 years. “While the seafront is lovely, my favourite part of town has to be Fish Alley. It’s got a wonderful atmosphere with hustle and bustle, great places to eat and drink, plus there are often street performers too.” Fish Alley, one street back from the seafront and buzzing with life at night, is undoubtedly the place to go for dinner. Although be prepared to lose your bearings in the maze of pedestrianised streets and charming squares. Cheap and cheerful or chic and classy, you’ll find all styles here – tapas bars and bodegas, finedining restaurants, chillout cafes and cuisine from around the world, with quirky boutiques, Chinese bazaars and, of course, ice cream parlours squeezed in between. British expat Dianne Peel, leader of the Fuengirola Scout Group, says the town is the perfect place for her pack. “We do so many dif ferent activities here with a really multi-national group,” says Dianne, a retired school-teacher. “We use the beach

WAR FOOTING: Cannons still line the promenade

as much as possible for various training activities and games, plus we host a big group barbecue there in November.” This English-language group has been running for 15 years, welcoming boys and girls of all nationalities, taking them on camps into the countryside and on trips to various attractions. Dianne adds: “I love Fuengirola as a town, it’s great for going out to eat and exploring the many little back streets.” These back streets lead me to the port, a place normally full of adventure and Fuengirola’s is no different. Various water sports can be tried, like parasailing – flying through the air attached to the back of a boat – if you’re brave enough. I was – just about – brave enough and you can read all about my experience further on in this issue! If that seems a little too scary, you can get to grips with speed boats, jet skis or fishing. Talking of sport, Fuengirola also suits keen golfers to a tee, with Mijas Golf’s two courses just a few kilometres from the town centre and many others close by. There are some lively bars both in the port and in and off the main square, Plaza de la Constitucion, the town’s social hub. When the sun goes down, locals and visitors come out to play bigstyle, with various bars and clubs playing great music long into the night. In fact, the town’s tourism history goes way back to 1700 when an inn by the castle welcomed the first visitors. It must have had its attractions then, as it did a century later when it became a battlefield during the Peninsula Wars of 1810, with British and Polish troops clashing over the right to occupy the strategically important town. Modern tourism didn’t really begin until the 1960s, when foreigners started moving in permanently to what was still a fairly quiet, authentic Spanish town. Continues on Page 22

Mighty Mosque

VISITOR: Princess Diana

FLANKED by apartment blocks, Fuengirola’s mosque is a sight to behold. The Mezquita de Fuengirola, also known as the ‘Centro Cultural Islamico Suhail’, was officially inaugurated in 1993 as a place for all Muslim residents on the Costa del Sol to come together. Its mission is to support the principles of liberty, justice and democracy, which are ‘the foundations of healthy society’. Gleaming white and with its ornate spire, the mosque is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in town.

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Fuengirola

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

STARTING 14TH JUNE PURE-BREED: Ronda chef Paco Flores at Pura Sangre made a name for himself with a stunning ‘gazpachuelo’ at Madrid Fusion in 2012. He now divides his time between his La Cala eaterie and a new restaurant, Fabrica, in Fuengirola, which used to be the legendary Toston.

€199

From Page 21

Over the years, Fuengirola has hosted its fair share of celebrities. Princess Diana herself stayed no less than three times at the leafy Hotel Byblos in the hills above town, where she was famously photographed topless by paparazzi. Antonio Banderas and Donald Pleasance are among the rich and famous who have enjoyed this grand dame of Spanish resorts over the decades, as well as former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen, who used to own a villa in the hills. It’s fair to say that, despite its chequered history - there were times when tattooed yobs seriously harmed Fuengirola’s reputation - it has stood up valiantly to the test of time. It has regenerated itself, with a thriving cultural scene, great dining and infinite opportunities for adventure.

Considering purchasing a

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Full of top celebs

Ice cream styles and brands may have changed over time but Fuengirola’s appeal as a fun holiday town will never lose its flavour.

-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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23 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Isle take it

US tycoon snaps up Spanish island at bargain price

MALAGA is struggling to cope with the thousands of mortgage floor clause cases being brought to its courts. The province has the fourth highest number of cases our app now and (6,928), Download beaten only by Barcebegin enjoying best Spanish lona (23,773), Madridthe (17,299) and Sevilla (11,056). news on the go. The news comes after a spe- A US-CUBAN tycoon has cial court was created with two judges to specifically deal with bought a Spanish island which had been on the floor clause claims. Judge Jose Maria Paez has market for 30 years. said the situation is ‘serious’ Alex Meruelo purchased and that Malaga simply ‘can- the Illa d’en Colom islet, off the coast of Menorca, not cope’. for €3.2 million. The waitThe is slowly getting Olive Press shorter, at least in Malaga city, He bought the island where three judges were al- through his company TOP for dedicated news in to Spain! ready exclusively Meruelo Investments, but tackling the cases. had to negotiate with the In the first quarter of 2018, 286 16 heirs to the property judgments have been issued and outbid a French busiin the province and 98.3% of nessman to close the deal. them have been in favour of Despite rising property the defendant. prices, the islet lowered Floor clauses imposed a mini- its asking price on several mum interest rate on floatingrate mortgages by setting a occasions limit on how far they could fall The asking price had in tandem with the benchmark dropped from €6 million in 2010. rate. In practice, this meant that The new owner is a busiSpanish mortgage holders did nessman born in New not benefit fully from the re- York to Cuban parents cord-low interest rates which who left the Caribbean isSpain enjoyed for several land in the 1960s in search years.The clauses were ruled il- of a new life in the Big Aplegal by the Spanish high court. ple. After living in several

Property of the Week DREAM: Illa d’en Colom sold for €3.2m

cities across the country, the Meruelo family settled down in Los Angeles. Meruelo started his empire by acquiring a pizza chain, before expanding into the construction and property sector in southern California. Meruelo’s holding company currently encom-

A viewers dream THE five most viewed homes abroad from curious Brits are all in Spain. According to property website Zoopla, Spain is dominating the top ten viewed homes abroad, with homes from the USA, Italy and France following the costa hot spots.

The most viewed home on the popular website last month was a ten-bedroom house in Ibiza, worth 18 million euros. The second most viewed house is the four bedroom property called Casa Amor, in Mallorca, featured again on the award-winning show Love Island. The modern house is listed at a mere 2.9 million euros. The third most viewed house is a seven-bedroom villa, with marble floors, staff quarters, pool, sauna and guest house in Mallorca's Tramuntana mountains. The seventh most view house is also in Ibiza and number ten is a villa in Valencia, making five of the top ten most viewed properties by Brits in Spain.

passes electricity companies, television and hotel chains such as SLS Las Vegas, and the former Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. He is also the first American of Hispanic origin to acquire an NBA team with a majority shareholding of the Atlanta Hawks. The original proprietor, Antonio Roca Álvarez bought the island in 1904 for the equivalent of around €47,180. It features a beautiful landscape with two beaches— Tamarell and Arenal d’en Moro. There is a country house on the property as well as a 100 square-meter summer home and a wooden cabin. There is running water but no connection to the electricity grid, since everything is run by solar energy. The islet is part of the Albufera des Grau natural park, which greatly restricts development or reforms of any kind.

Castillo de -Locubin Jaen - TH3485 149.000 56.000 € Antequera Málaga Cordoba, Rute --VL831 TH3555 42.500€ Beautiful townhouse inislarge open This three storey, five bedroom house is full of This fantastic property which located in the area where parking is easy. Ground floor charm and character. Theoffers property has a streets front heart of Antequera which cobbled terrace and uniquely tiled outdoor patio, ideal for al hasstunning living room, dining and architecture allroom, within abedroom, short walk frescokitchen, dining. The house contains a large dining/ large bathroom, patio, from the property. It has 3 spacious bedrooms sitting room andand a fitted kitchen. It also contains private terrace with isa andfireplace 2loft bathrooms. 160m2 plot.This property huge area with large windows offering splendid great views. On thecountryside. first immaculately presented wellfloor worththere viewing. views over theand are three bedrooms. A must see!

tel: +34 +34 952 953 74 58715525 040 tel: 25 tel: +34 952 741

Callede Abad Moya 4,29532 Bajo Calle la Villa Villa 14, Calle deAlcalá la 14, 29532, 23680, la Real, Molina, Malaga Jaén Mollina, Malaga info@inlandandalucia.com info@inlandandalucia.com www.inlandandalucia.com www.inlandandalucia.com

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The Grapevine

T’S been another busy month for us at Grapevine Properties in the Guadalhorce Valley. We have been running around here there and everywhere dealing with clients and their myriad of issues. So what are the questions we get asked the most on a day-to-day basis when listing properties? Hint: it's not 'what's the best sangria recipe?' (you can find that on our blog!). What's the market like currently? In the past six months we have seen prices gently increasing in the area and owners are achieving closer to the their asking prices. We are showing more variety of properties than ever before; noticing the rise particularly in the call for urban properties that are a short walk from town centres.

property

June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

By Laura Wood

Heard through the Grapevine

Has Brexit affected sales? The only difference we have noticed at first in sales was the fluctuating pound and how it has affected offers on properties. Now the exchange rate has plateaued slightly, we are not experiencing these issues. We also encourage clients to lock in their exchange rate with a FX company to ensure there are no surprises later on! As far as the actual Brexit is concerned, we don't foresee any issues for people wanting to move within Europe from Britain. We have many nonEU clients that have moved here with

that we may sell your property in collaboration with another agency. This enables you to rely on one agent that you feel have your best interests who will get to know you and your property inside out. It also in some respects makes viewings far less stressful and complicated for you, the seller. How do you value properties? And how much do you charge for this service? Our valuations are 100% free and with no strings attached! In order to value a property fairly, we compare your property to other properties on the market with similar characteristics. We think about what these similar properties are priced at, are they achieving viewings and/or what have they sold for? This way we can help you to make your property stand out as much as possible on paper. What nationality are most of your buyers?

NO PROBLEMS: With Brexit situation no problem as these countries have extensive trade agreements in place to facilitate these types of processes. We have no doubt that when Brexit actually happens, Britain will have similar trade agreements put in place.

How does the system work? I hear all the agencies in the area work together? That is correct. In Malaga province, we

have what we call a 'Multi Listing Database'. This means that around 600 real estate agents all upload properties to one place. We all have access to all the properties on the database and can arrange viewings. This means

Our client base is mostly international. We get a mixture! We have seen a rise in Dutch, Belgian and Scandinavian clients over the past couple of years and have started marketing to specifically target those countries. To book a free valuation please call +952 457 761, or drop us a line at enquiries@grapevine-properties.com

Visit us at Calle El Burgo, 5, Guaro or contact us at tel. 952 457 761 / enquiries@grapevine-properties.com

T is often said something is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. This is true but in order for a bank to lend money against a property it first needs to establish its objective value. In Spain, a property must be valued by a ‘tasador’ before its value is officially registered and accepted by banks, law courts and registrars. This sounds a very sensible procedure and in principle it is; the only problem being, in the absence of transparency regarding sales values in Spain, valuations remain a lottery and rarely reflect real market values. In some cases valuations are so subjective and far removed from the latter as to render them virtually useless in practical terms. Many an estate agent, developer, buyer, homeowner and of course chartered surveyor – such as those working under the banner of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – are far more reliable at accurately establishing a property’s value. Why is this so? Independence of methodology They will use one or a com-

What’s the real value? Are Spanish valuations worth the paper they are written on, asks Adam Neale

bination of well-established methodologies for calculating the value of a property. The most common method is the comparable sales method which compares how much similar properties in the same area/street have been selling for recently, arriving in the process at a benchmark value in real and price per square metre terms that not only tends to accurately reflect current value levels, but also charts their past and future trends.

Through this process one is meant to arrive at an independent valuation of a property. In practice other factors influence the independence and outcome of a valuation such as informing the valuer in advance of the sales price, pressure from estate agents, and pressure from banks. In particular, independence is not something Spanish tasadors can readily attest to, for their methodology is to a large extent dictated to by the Bank

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

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25 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Mega casino project will cost €2 billion and bring 11,500 jobs to Spain A HUGE casino resort costing €2 billion has been given the green light in Spain. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tarragona will spread out over 745,000m2 and will take five years to complete.

No more bets

The resort’s casino floor will spread over 7,595m2. The hotel and casino complex will also include two hotels occupying a total of 63,000m2.

Mountain marvellous MIJAS’S La Cala Resort hotel has been named the Best Luxury Mountain Hotel at the Spain Luxury Hotel Awards. The stunning hotel received the award at a gala dinner at The Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid. The resort includes a hotel, spa, three golf courses, sports facilities and a wide range of restaurants. Hotel manager Sean Corte Real said: "We are very proud and grateful to receive this award and it is without a doubt an acknowledgment LA CALA: Winners of the quality of our facilities, surroundings and the excellent daily work of our staff." A total of 36 finalist hoof Spain. where banks lend with confitels and 108 architects Equally clients must underdence to clients who can buy and interior designers stand that whilst they may with confidence. Clients will vied for awards across 12 pay for a valuation the valuer naturally trust the opinion of different categories. is not working for them but for a bank backed by a Spanish

Lack of transparency, lack of objectivity Trust in the methodology of Spanish valuers is further questioned when you realise that valuations in Spain are not based on figures from actual property transactions. This is not the fault of the Spanish valuer but of the system in general. The problem is the public record of property transactions in Spain is private, individual records cannot be accessed without an owners permission. So you may ask how can valuers arrive at an objective comparative value when they do not have access to the real data to compare? The simple answer is in the absence of real data they cannot be accurate or objective. Margins of error and trust Transparent data is needed for a transparent market

official valuation company to that of an estate agent. A valuation report is after all an impressive looking document, multiple pages of multiple caveats, measurements and comparison tables. However, beneath the veneer the lack of objectivity and more importantly the lack of a published record of prices with which to compare, means in practice Spanish valuations produce in general unacceptable margins of error. Such margins of error can be highly frustrating and costly when you’re trying to obtain a mortgage for ‘x’ amount and the valuation comes back at a much lower amount. The system serves the interests of those who insist upon this way of working (banks among them) more than reflecting reality or serving the buyer or seller – the true participants in the transaction. While the relevant authorities insist upon a tasador registered with them, it is also advisable to obtain the services of a professional surveyor such as those with a RICS certification, or failing that, do your own research and trust your own judgement, because after all your opinion is just as good as the supposed professionals.

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Spain

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

The resort will feature retail space of 15,000m2 and 6,000m2 of leisure and live entertainment facilities, including a concert hall with capacity for 15,000. The mammoth project is expected to create 11,500 temporary and permanent jobs and is forecast to bring more than two million visitors to the Costa Dorada each year.

Concerts

the bank that has instructed them. This means in practice a valuation from a Spanish bank is more a reflection of the banking industry's attitude to risk than a independent market appraisal, which incidentally is what you should be paying for as the client.

Posh Pets

June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Pet Transportation Shop

Budget

Phase One will be completed at an estimated €700 million and will create 2,000 new jobs in the area, according to Hard Rock. Meanwhile, the hotel and casino will contribute €1.3 billion to the economy each year. It has already paid the Catalunya government at least €10 million for its licences to build.

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

MALAGA REMOVALS

Relax, your move is in safe hands REMOVALS

Estate agency boom REAL estate agencies are opening in Malaga province at a rapid rate. In the last five years more than 3,000 agencies have opened in Málaga - 20% of all new businesses inaugurated during that time. Their number is now coming close to pre-crisis levels and for some experts, this could be history repeating itself in a bad way. The province now counts some 10,000 offices dedicated to property purchases and sales. Aedas Homes, Aelca, Metrovacesa and Vía Célere are among the agencies that have grown the most. The increase is also notable in Málaga city and along the Costa del Sol. The average client in these areas comes from northern Europe, is around 50 to 60 years old and looking for a second home.

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MALAGA DEPOT

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

Email: sales@malagaremovals.com

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Getting down to business MALAGA has seen the birth of 2,074 new companies in the first quarter of this year. The figure is a 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. It means Malaga province had the thirdhighest rate of new business creation in

AI to find jobs MALAGA startup Knowledgefy Technologies has recently launched a new app that uses artificial intelligence to help job seekers. Taalently aims to improve the professional capabilities of its users to help them find a better job or get in touch with other professionals in the same sector. According to the company, businesses are placing greater value on candidates’ abilities during the hiring process. Taalentfy allows users to improve their knowledge on certain topics or become ‘Talent Hunters’. which means that they can recommend job offers to their friends and receive money for it. Although the platform has users already it is stills in beta development but founder Alejandro González says the company is ready to release the first commercial version. He states that Taalently is for everyone: from young people with no experience to senior workers who wants to redirect their careers.

Estepona startup receives tens of millions from US investors A COSTA del Sol startup has received €34 million in funding from a Silicon Valley company. Spotahome, in Estepona, is the first company in Europe to receive backing from investment fund Kleiner Perkins, based in California. The brainchild of local entrepreneur Alejandro Artacho, Spotahome acts like a highly visual search engine for medium and long term rentals.

the country, beaten only by Madrid, which saw 8,063 new companies, and Barcelona (5,471). According to the National Institute of Statistics, April saw the creation of 567 new businesses in Malaga, 142 more than last

Costa del Silicon The company offers highdefinition videos of the properties, including 360 degrees photos and detailed information on the surrounding neighbourhood. It visits every single property it has listed, taking its

Doha Direct

MALAGA airport has received its first direct flight from Doha. Qatar Airlines will now have four direct flights per week on a state-of-theart Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 first-class seats and 232 passengers.

MATHSTONE

own photos and video, ‘not relying on landlords’. ‘We open drawers and cupboards and show you every corner of the property,’ its website reads. It also uses eight different languages and stays in touch

The first flight was fully booked and landed half an hour early before being greeted by water canons and a photo op. Malaga to Doha takes just under seven hours.

BETTER IDEAS FOR EXPATRIATE INVESTORS

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

year. The data shows that Malaga province accounts for 36.3% of all new businesses in the Andalucia region. And on the national level, the figures are also positive.

A new style of expatriate investing has arrived.

Are you ready for a change? • LOW-COST, HIGH CALIBRE INVESTMENT SERVICES • TRANSPARENT, EASY TO UNDERSTAND FEES • REDUCING COSTS, INCREASING RETURNS

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To learn more about secure, low-cost investing call: +34 952 768 345 or send an email to info@mathstone.co.uk

Mathstone/BFMI, Marbella Costa del Sol Avda. Ricardo Soriano 72, Edificio Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta, 29601 Marbella (Málaga)

WWW.MATHSTONE.CO.UK

The financial advisers trading under Mathstone Financial Management/BFMI are members of Nexus Global (IFA Network). Nexus Global is a division of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited (BFMI). All approved individual members of Nexus Global are Appointed Representatives of BFMI. BFMI is licenced and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (FSC) and bound by the rules under licence number FSC00805B.

to ensure there are no issues with the user’s new landlord. The cash injection will pay for a range of new products, including upgrading its technology, recruiting more staff and expanding its customer service. The company already has more than 130,000 properties on its books, spread across 450 cities and 65 countries. It recently acquired Erasmusu, an online social media platform for students taking part in the EU-wide Erasmus programme.

Fake goods crack down Marbella has launched a major campaign against fake goods and street vending. Over 4000 counterfeit goods were seized in May alone while police have made 25 arrests and closed two shops that supplied the street vendors. Brand piracy is a lucrative business. It involves a hidden economy of global dimensions and is becoming a chronic problem on the Costa del Sol. It is a major concern for many, from owners of small businesses to heads of state and, of course, the brands themselves. A study by the European Observatory of Intellectual Property Rights for the handbag sector alone estimated in 2017 that the world’s leading brands were losing about €1.6 billion euros a year in the EU alone, which is 12.7% of sales. Of those, €132 million euros corresponded to Spain. A similar study for the jewellery and watches sector places annual losses at €1.9 billion €204 million in Spain.

AGONY ANT

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

ON YOUR WAY!

New squatting rules drastically speed up the eviction process, writes Antonio Flores

HE Senate has approved specific document enabling them to lawfully stay in measures against illegal occupiers the property. of private property. Failing to find this will lead to the court isUnder the new bill, squatters will suing an immediate eviction notice. be served with an eviction notice and told to either justify ownership of the property In addition, under the new law the courts through a title deed, or show the lack of will have to observe the following: one on behalf of the claimant. If no sufficient justification can be pro- ●● Squatters will have no rights other vided, the court will order than to produce a valid immediate repossession of agreement to cover their the home with no chance of stay in the property. OpposSquatters will appeals. ing any application to have What's of particular interest have no right of them evicted will not stop is a drastic change to previthe process appeal and will ous squatters rights, which ●● Squatters will have no allowed them to fight the be immediately right of appeal and will be case in court buying an averimmediately evicted evicted age of 15 months grace. ●● Social services will be Under the new rules a faston standby in case of evictrack procedure has been intion of children, elderly or troduced allowing owners to get squatters people with special needs out in a matter of weeks. ●● The reform will only affect properties Under the changes it states that the rules whose owners are ‘private individuprevent the ‘extorsion’ of the owner with als, non-profits and public agencies the purpose of obtaining financial comthat own social housing’. It leaves out pensation as a condition for the recovery real estate held by banks and investof the property. ment funds It adds that it is often conducted by ‘very organized mafia-style networks’. The above measures will become appliCourts will now serve notice to squatters cable 20 days after the publication of the (identified or not) giving them five days to law reform in the Official Gazette at some produce a rental agreement, or any other point this summer.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

www.theolivepress.es Robin Matthews, of Mathstone (right), on the importance of declaring all your global income before the tax man comes knocking

HE net is closing for expatriates abroad with assets in ‘non-compliant’ investment structures. Starting last year, data collated from financial institutions in 2016 was exchanged between more than 50 nations, with approximately 50 more following suit this year. It is all part of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), set up by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Referred to by some as ‘GATCA’, the intentions of the CRS is to regulate tax paying on a global scale. Ultimately it affects anyone with assets in one country while living in another, and as establishing residency is often littered with grey areas, it’s now more important than ever to determine which tax authorities you should be reporting to. All countries with expatriate communities will be of particular interest with Spain one of the largest. As a Mecca for expats it is common for residents to ‘bury their heads in the sand’ over taxation, believing that holding assets offshore in places like the Isle of Man or Jersey, or receiving a crossborder income negates the need to declare their assets. This is certainly not the case, and blaming a lack of clarity for not acting is no longer considered acceptable by Spain, in particular. Tax residents here should be reporting worldwide income, gains and increases in wealth, and - even if you are being taxed elsewhere - it should still be declared in Spain. Requested or not, like it or not, information relating to wealth at home and overseas will be shared, including bank balances, dividend payments and interest earned, in addition to your

Joining the TrustedHousesitters network led retired couple Angela and John to visit dozens of countries, including Spain, looking after people’s beloved pets

AVING lived all over the world and travelled extensively all their lives, Angela and John Laws decided is was time for a new career when they retired. Both passionate animal lovers, the couple lost their beloved Springer Spaniel Holly ten years ago leaving them bereft. While the time wasn't right to commit to a new pet of their own, animals had always been a huge part of their lives and having used pet sitters to look after Holly for many years, they knew of a way they could once again have the joy of pets, combined with their passion for travel. Pet and house sitting! They knew there was a huge demand, many people needed sitters whom they could trust with their dog and home. Realising this could be a new and exciting chapter in their lives, they decided to give house and pet sitting a whirl. As Angela explains: “John and I enjoyed years of living the expat life in many countries and when retirement loomed, we had no idea where we wanted to live or how we'd deal with the new ‘NORMAL’. “Sure, we'd planned for retirement financially, but emotionally? Err not really. What to do? Where to live? How to cope?” She continues: “We used pet sitters ourselves for many years to look after Holly. Sitters came to us from all over the world, so we decided to look into joining a house sitting service ourselves and found TrustedHousesitters. “It really is like a big family, growing all the time but still retaining a personal ethos and it is a very special organisation to be part of.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Don’t get got by GATCA

MATHSTONE

So, from a tax perspective, what happens if you BETTER IDEAS FOR put your head above the parapet? EXPATRIATE INVESTORS Quite simply, you’ll mitigate the possibility of incurring heavy fines and avoid suffering the exFINANCIAL MANAGEMENT pense and worry of having Hacienda audit your life. tax reference, name and address(es). And while ‘going compliant’ has a cost, there are • LOW-COST, HIGH CALIBRE INVESTMENT SERVICES new verification style of of ex patriate OnceA received, whether the cor- ways of offsetting it with compliant investment • TRANSPARENT, EASY TO UNDERSTAND FEES rect income and tax payable has been declared structures that could leave you far better off. investing arrived. • REDUCING COSTS, INCREASING RETURNS will be possible, and inhas Spain, it will also allow Offshore bonds have been big business over the • FEE-BASED, NON-CONTRACTUAL INVESTING in part down simplified comparisons against Modelo 720 dec- last 20 years, often controversially • FLEXIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, larations in which assets outside of the country to the commission onLIQUIDITY offer for using them. Are ready for a change? need to beyou reported. if used SERVICE correctly they can • PORTFOLIO REVIEW But AND ANALYSIS Change is definitely on its way and be extremely effective and as with all tax authorities, it is almore so, if customers underways To recommended to contact stand345that seemingly 'fixed' Fines applied will learn more about secure, low-cost investing call: +34 952 768 or send an them before they find you. charging structures can actuemail to info@mathstone.co.uk According to Spanish tax expert already be far ally be removed and replaced Francesco Bertagnin at ForesightMathstone/BFMI, Marbella Costa del Sol ongoing management fees higher than they with Consultancy inAvda. Sotogrande, mutually agreed between client Ricardo Sorianothe 72, Edificio Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta, 29601 Marbella (Málaga) clock is ticking and it’s a case of WWW.MATHSTONE.CO.UK and advisor. would have been when, and not if, you are found. The financial advisers trading under Mathstone Financial Management/BFMI are members of Nexus Global (IFA Network). Nexus Global is a division of He toldBlacktower us there had been(International) a ‘huge IfAppointed you are resident in Spain and Financial Management Limited (BFMI). All approved individual members of Nexus Global are Representatives of BFMI. licenced and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (FSC) and bound by the rules under licence number FSC00805B. increase BFMI in is those seeking help have an Isle of Man bond, or with their tax affairs’ over the last any other non-compliant investyear. ment, you are not breaking the law if it’s being But still, too many people come to him - and us declared as it should be. at Mathstone - having already received formal If it is not being declared you run the risk of your notification from the tax authorities. investment becoming more visible and as a conAnd this means fines applied will already be far sequence, subject to increased scrutiny. higher than they would have been. The taxing regime is also more aggressive than it

Pets, travel... and a new career

HAPPY: Angela and John “With listings in over 140 countries it's the largest house sitting website in the world and growing by the day as more and more pet owners learn how they can travel whilst leaving their pets at home, cared for by a loving sitter.” She adds: “Sitting opportunities are varied and there is something for every kind of sitter - whether you’re looking for a city centre apartment, family

home in the suburbs, ocean front living, quiet seclusion in the country, a working farm and even the odd castle or two! You can sit for a weekend, a month or longer in one of your wish list locations. “Registering is easy, the website contains all the information you need to get started on your own adventure.” Angela and John were still living in British Columbia in Canada when they started their first Spanish sit in Benalmadena in 2013. They arrived at the fabulous ocean view Villa for a six month sit and ended up staying for eight months as the family needed to extend their work commitments. “We looked after a 14-year-old rescue Doberman called Bruno. His pet parents rescued him in Dubai and because of his age, didn’t want to expose him to the stress of travel. We did four more sits involving rescue pets, including one in Alhaurin for five rescue dogs and three cats.” The couple were able to experience the real Spain. Not the Spain of their youth (fish and chips and Brits behaving badly), they spent eight months as part of the community. Language was never a barrier, they were made to feel welcome, forging life long friendships and creating memories to last them a lifetime. Angela volunteered with ARCH ... the Andalusian Rescue Centre For Horses and ended up adopting two rescue ponies, Hope and Valiente, and is still involved with the charity. Angela and John are incredibly enthusiastic about house sitting. “This house sitting lifestyle allows us

needs to be and it’s an expense that can be easily avoided by making a few simple adjustments. Spanish savings tax is calculated on a progressive scale: Up to EUR 6,000: 19% EUR 6,001 – EUR 50,000: 21% EUR 50,000 upwards: 23% Non-compliant structures should be reported and then tax paid on the growth, regardless of whether a withdrawal is made or not. Compliant schemes report automatically and are only taxed on the growth element of a withdrawal, and only when that withdrawal is made. The differences are too significant to ignore. Using an example of withdrawing €10,000 annual growth on a €100,000 investment, we look at the comparisons. Spanish taxation on non-compliant investments - Requires reporting by the holder and will then be taxed directly as follows: (6,000 x 19%) + (4,000 x 21%) = EUR 1,980 payable Spanish taxation on compliant investments Reporting is automatic by the custodian and then taxed only on withdrawals made, using the following calculation to define the capital and growth elements: (Initial Investment / surrender or current value) x withdrawal amount (100,000 / 110,000) x 10,000 = 9,091 (capital) 10,000 – 9,091 = 909 (growth) 909 x 19% = € 172.71 payable

to indulge our passion for travel, love of pets and have new adventures in a way we can afford, and that's the key,” she says. “We save huge amounts of money on accommodation, get to travel lots throughout the year, keeping our itching feet happy and leaving many contented pets and satisfied pet parents - glad they had the experience of our special brand of TLC ......... it’s simply a win win for everyone.” In total, Angela and John did 20 sits in 2017. all over the world including the US, UK and Canada. In 2018 they have done five so far, one in the US and the rest in the UK and since they started in 2010 they have house sat in nine different countries and have looked after all sorts of pets including dogs, cats, horses, chickens, ducks and fish. If you would like to become a TrustedHousesitters member, Olive Press readers have an exclusive 50% off membership (usual price €89 per year). Just use code OLIVEPET at the TrustedHousesitters. com checkout TrustedHousesitters was founded in 2010 and is now the world’s largest house sitting business with more fivestar reviews than any other travel or pet company on TrustPilot, facilitating more than two million nights of house and pet sitting globally, and saving its members more than half a billion dollars in accommodation and pet care costs since its inception. Its community, which is nearly half a million strong, is spread across more than 140 countries.

For larger amounts, compliant investments also provide the option of withdrawals by ‘segmentation’. Sub-policies can be created and drawn on individually, allowing you to assess the impact of varying growth rates in relation to the size of withdrawal, and decide which method is most tax-efficient for you. Segmentation can also be particularly beneficial for expats returning to the UK, where the gifting of subpolicies can significantly reduce tax bills. This is where wills and succession planning also comes into focus. Furthermore, assets held in a compliant Spanish investment should be UCITS compliant (undertakings for the collective investment of transferable securities), generally perceived as a mark of quality and providing security for investors. Many exchange traded funds (ETF’s) fall into this category providing a huge range of high-quality, low-cost securities to choose from, many of which pay dividends either for re-investment or as income to potentially reduce the underlying expense ratios of your portfolio. In summary, it is best to establish your position as soon as possible to avoid unwanted complications. We do understand that many old portfolio bonds have charging structures that incur early redemption charges, but this is easily avoided and investments can be transitioned without penalty. If you would like to know more about the benefits of investing in low-cost, high-calibre securities within a Spanish Compliant Investment, offering 100% liquidity and penalty-free access, please get in touch via our website or visit our Lump Sum Investment page . To learn more about secure, low-cost investing call: +34 952 768 345 or send an email to info@mathstone.co.uk

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Hot temperatures cause workplace injuries to increase by almost 10% WEATHER-related sick days costs the Spanish economy €360 million per year, a pioneering study has found. A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) analysed 16 million occupational hazards that occured in Spain over a 20-year period. It found that extreme bouts of cold and hot weather increased the risk of injury by 4% and 9% respectively. It means the rise in temperatures thanks to global warming could equate to greater economic loss for the Spanish economy. The most common types of injuries were bone fractures and superficial injuries. "This suggests that the underlying mechanism could be related to impaired concentration or judgement, which would affect occupational safety," noted a researcher. Moreover, temperature-related effects were not limited to the day of exposure; a ‘pattern of delayed impact’, possibly caused by cumulative fatigue and dehydration, was observed in the days following exposure to extreme weather. The study also concluded that women appear to be more vulnerable to cold and men more

Take a break vulnerable to heat. The youngest workers were the most vulnerable to heat, possibly because they tend to do more physically demanding work. The study found that temperature-related loss of working days had an annual cost of more than €360 million, representing 0.03% of Spain's gross domestic product in 2015. Moderately high temperatures contributed the most to the economic losses. "In the present context of climate change, these results indicate that public health interventions are needed to protect workers," concluded ISGlobal

researcher Xavier Basagaña, the study coordinator. "Most workplace injuries can be attributed to moderate heat and moderate cold. This shows us how important it is for public health policies and plans to take moderate temperature ranges into account, since they are more common than extreme temperatures and account for a larger share of total injuries." Preventive measures that could be incorporated into public health policies include restricting work during the coldest and hottest hours, taking rest breaks and ensuring proper hydration.

Sun cream warning YOU might want to think again if you think your water-resistant sun cream doesn’t need reapplying. A new study by British media group Which? Has found a leading brand’s SPF factor fell by 59% after its user spent 40 minutes in salt water and moving water. Manufacturers allow a product to claim it’s water-resistant if its SPF drops by less than 50%. Another favourite own-brand cream fell by 34% in both salt water and

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Chefs for change

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Oh for green lemons...

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BRITISH supermarkets have been forced to relax their quality specifications to begin selling green lemons. Tesco began selling green lemons to avoid shortages in its UK stores and reduce food waste. The fruitsThe are just as zestyPress and Olive robust as lemons that have turned yellow. TOP for news in Spain! It comes after a shortage of yellow lemons was caused by poor HE is well known for cooking growing conditions in Spain, with it, as well as promoting it which provides the UK with with his love of the Mediterramost of its fruit. nean diet. But now superchef Jamie Oliver has admitted he rubs on his body every day. That is olive oil and he insists it is not just better for human skin, but is cheaper than usual moisturising creams. The British-born restaurateur is so sure about his theory that he has even has applied it to three of his five children. Oliver argues that he is not the TORTILLAS, ceviches, que- first one to use the technique, sadillas and Xinxim… The since the Romans famously best collection of Latin practiced the beauty regime. American dishes are all to Even Cleopatra poured olive oil be found in one exciting new over her skin together with milk place. baths as part of her beauty regiThe popular British brand, ment. Las Iguanas, is bringing its Jamie, who has filmed a numunique blend of Latin Ameri- ber of times around Spain, adcan food and culture into Gi- mitted: “I use Clinique moisbraltar on June 21. turiser on my face and I’m a A great insight into the many massive believer in olive oil flavours of Latin American for the body. You just rub it in food, with Indian, Spanish, vigorously — it’s what the RoPortuguese and African in- mans used to do. fluences all added into the “Why spend a fortune on mix, the exciting joint can be creams when extra virgin olive found in Ocean Village. oil is the purest thing? My legs The story began back in 1991 are all lovely and soft.” in the UK, when Eren Ali Although the unique method and Ajith Jaya-Wickrema has its followers, like Selena Gófounded the first restaurant mez, the specialists doubt about in Bristol. its validity. Since then Las Iguanas has Dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong opened an incredible 53 res- insists that natural oils like oltaurants just in the U.K. The ive oil can actually damage the Gibraltar franchise means a ‘barrier effect’ of the skin and new adventure for the vet- can cause allergic reactions for eran chain of restaurants. some people.

Jamie Oliver rubs himself with Spain’s famous ‘liquid gold’

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THREE of the world's best chefs have joined forces to bridge the gap between high-end cuisine and international development. Spain’s Joan Roca, Eneko Atxa and Gaggan Anand spoke out about how agriculture is the vital ingredient uniting the world's best chefs and the planet's most remote rural communities at the 50 Best Talks event in San Sebastian. All three have been collaborating with NGOs like Farm Africa and TechnoServe and have founded Chefs for Change which will campaign for sustainable farming in rural com-

It’s oil good

OILING UP: Jamie Oliver loves smotehring himself in Spain’s liquid gold

munities. Joan Roca, chef at El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which has twice been ranked No 1 restaurant in the world, said: "A dish is much more than the sum of its ingredients. “If we consider its sourcing, we see that every ingredient has been created by a varied cast of human characters involved in every step of the food's journey from land to the plate. The Chefs for Change movement wants to give a voice to these rural food producers and their life stories, and empower them to grow."

34 34

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34 Food, drink & travel Food, DRINK & TRAVEL Food, drink & travel June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Wander-ful Andalucia

Starting a regular new series on walking in southern Spain, seasoned author Guy Hunter-Watts (left) shares his love of the region’s trails and picks one just 2kms from the Costa del Sol

EMEMBER that song by the The Proclaimers I would walk 500 miles? I reckon that since moving to Andalucía I’ve hiked at least fifty times that distance yet I still feel a sense of pleasure and expectation every time I lace up my walking books and sling a pack on my pack. My first taste of Andalucía came when I crossed Spain’s southernmost region on a rickety old push bike. What most took me by surprise was the variety of landscapes I encountered during that 1000 kilometre traverse. And there was no doubt among the most beautiful anywhere in the world, and in every province of the region you will find good places to walk and stunning scenery. The guides I’ve written since that first foray are a celebration of that diversity, providing an onfoot introduction to this multi-faceted part of Iberia. If Spain, as the advertising campaigns of the nineties would have us believe, is diferente then so too are its many mountain ranges and protected areas.

So, where to walk?

I’m often asked which of the different regions of Andalucía offers the best hiking. The answer will depend on the type of landscape and terrain that ticks the greatest number of your walking boxes, and southern Spain has something to offer hikers of all interests and abilities.

A gentle first taste? Aracena and Cabo de Gata If you begin at the less challenging end of the spectrum the two areas at the eastern and western ends of Andalucia provide a wonderful introduction to the region’s hiking trails. An hour north from Sevilla, running west to the Portuguese border, the Sierra de Aracena is the part of southern Spain that is most reminiscent of northern Europe. The region is delightfully bucolic with a network of ancient cobbled footpaths and tracks connecting a string of remote villages. Most of the walks are short and there is usually a decent restaurant half way or at the end. Visit www.din-

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ingsecretsofandalucia.com to find a few. Travel to the opposite end of Andalucía, and Almeria’s Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata is a land of desert landscapes, of dry wadis lined with cactuses and towering agave, where you can easily imagine yourself in the The deep south of the USA. The region’s mineral landscapes, punctuated by volcanic craters and dotted by abandoned mines, are unique in both Spain and Europe with a stunning coastal path that leads past some of the country’s least known coves and beaches.

Tough it out in the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Cazorla Plum in the centre of the mighty Baetic chain of mountains the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada is cut through by some of Europe’s most dramatic and challenging walking trails. Just 50 kilometres back from the Med the region is home to mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacén, which rises to 3478m.

The plummeting gorges that run south towards the sea and north towards the centre of the park are criss-crossed by a network of paths that give access to the water channels that funnel melt water down to a string of high mountain villages. It’s here, more than anywhere else in Andalucia, that its Islamic legacy is most in evidence: the villages’ narrow, souk-like labyrinth of flat-roofed houses look as if they’ve been lifted straight from the Moroccan Rif. The Parque Natural de Cazorla is a superb destination for year-round walking provided that you’re happy encountering snowy conditions in winter. The park is home to one of Spain’s most spectacular gorges, that of the Río Borrosa, and the hike up to the high lagoons that feed the river is a highlight of any visit to the area whilst half a dozen great hikes lead straight out from the sleepy town of Cazorla.

The white villages of Grazalema West of Ronda the Parque Natural de Grazalema has been a popular hiking destination

with DINING SECRETS of www.theolivepress.es ANDALUCIA.com June 20th - July 3rd 2018

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COASTAL VIEW: Sierra de las Nieves

INLAND VIEW: Sierra de las Nieves a drive along mountain tracks of up to half an hour. But don’t think twice about visiting the park: you’ll be hiking some of Andalucía’s most spectacular and challenging trails.

Forays into the cork oak forests South of Ronda a vast swathe of cork oak stretches south towards the coast. The trees give their name to the park: El Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. Three of Andalucía’s long distance paths pass through the area: the Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk, the GR7 and the Gran Senda de Málaga. This is another great destination for birding with one of the main migratory routes between Europe and Africa running along the western side of the park. On nearly all walks in the area you’re treated to soaring views south to the Bay of Algeciras and Gibraltar and, on clear days, across the Strait to the mountains of northern Morocco. RUGGED: Sierra de Grazalema for some three decades. Grazalema is the best known of the so-called Pueblos Blancos and at the centre of a superb network of trails. The park has astonishingly diverse plant life whilst the region is also one of Europe’s top birding destinations. With mild winter temperatures and just occasional snowfall above 1000m, this is an excellent winter walking destination whilst the annual wildflower explosion in late Spring is an unforgettable spectacle.

Remote beauty: La Sierra de las Nieves North of Marbella the footpaths that cross Parque Natural de la Sierra de las Nieves are more remote and attract far fewer walkers: getting to the trailheads of many hikes can entail

Superb trails just inland from the Costa del Sol Life on the Costa del Sol isn’t only about sun, sea and sand. Just a few hundred metres back from the busy, coastal strip a very different world is waiting to be explored. A series of mountain ranges, including the Sierra Bermeja, the Sierra de Ojén, the Sierra de Mijas and the Sierra de Almijara, rise majestically above the Med to over 2000m and are home to some of Andalucía’s most memorable hiking trails. One of my favourite trails lies just a few kilometres inland from Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmadena, a challenging circular hike that begins just above the village of Mijas. Here it is in all its glory:

Mijas circuit via El Puerto de Málaga This circular walk could be a great introduction to the stunning mountain trails of the Sierra de Mijas. You’re faced with a stiff climb early in the walk as you climb the south-facing flank of the sierra. Reaching Puerto Málaga you cross to the northern side of the range. Here you encounter a radical change in vegetation as you descend through thick stands of oak interspersed with pines to reach a forestry track which you follow on towards the east. At this stage of the walk there are big vistas out across the Guadalhorce valley. Angling back south you begin your descent back towards the sea. Passing by the Los Arenales quarry, now disused, you pick up a narrow path that leads down to the A368. From here you’re faced with a short stretch of road-walking but within half an hour you’re back at the start point of the trail. Getting to the beginning of the walk From the A7/E15 exit for Fuengirola/Mijas. Arriving in Mijas at a roundabout with three palm trees turn left and at the next roundabout take the A387 towards Coín/ Alhaurín. After 1km you reach a parking area to the left, El Mirador de Mijas.

The Route The walk begins at the Mirador de Mijas. With your back to the village turn right along the A387. After 150m cut left up a cobbled path passing a sign board depicting local footpaths and a sign for the route you’ll be at first following, the PRA171. Following a Via Crucis upwards you reach a junction.

The Nitty Gritty Starting point: the Mirador de Mijas, above the village, to the lower side of the A387 Grade: Medium/Difficult Distance: 11.5kms Time: 3hrs 15mins Ascent/Descent: Total 550m Refreshments: none en route

Continue straight ahead following a sign Ruta Cañada Gertrudis and yellow waymarking. Soon you cross a (dry) streambed. The path climbs on in a northerly direction. Levelling it swings hard left then climbs to reach a junction. Cutting right, following a sign Ruta Puerto Málaga, then looping steeply uphill the path reaches a broad forestry track. Here turn right at a sign Ruta Puerto Málaga then after 25m cut left up a path by a blue marker post (50min). Climbing steeply towards the north you come to another junction. Head straight ahead following a sign Puerto Málaga and a second PR sign for Puerto de las Ovejas. Climbing in an easterly direction you reach the Puerto Málaga pass and a damaged information board about the Cabra Montés. Views open out towards the north. Passing a trig point the path descends, at times via stone steps, through a stand of low-growing holly oaks and pines to reach a broad forestry Continues on Page 36

In the heart of historic Vejer

35 35

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track. Here turn right and follow the track on in a northeasterly direction. Angling hard right after 350m you reach a fork. Here head straight on along the main track which runs on through the pines. After 1250m the track bears right, adopting a southerly course, before it hairpins back to the left (1hr 45min). 20m beyond a steel wire stretching between two posts (sometimes down) you reach a junction and El Puerto de las Grajas and a sign board marked El Pino del Puerto. Cut right along a broad track for 200m to reach another junction. Taking the left fork you descend to the quarry of Los Arenales, marked on the ING map as Áridos. Fuengirola and the sea come into view as a low wall runs to your left. Reaching a gap in the wall

some 100m past a storm drainage channel cut left down a narrow path. Descending for some 200m you pass above an old mine shaft. Angling left the path, now steeper and looser underfoot, drops down to the quarry access road (2hrs

20min). Here head straight on and continue on down a narrow path. Descending steeply through pines the path crosses the (dry) streambed of El Arroyo de las Fresas which it soon crosses once again, now following a disused terracotta water pipe. Passing a rocky outcrop the path shortly angles steeply down to the left and crosses the streambed once again. Passing left of another calera you reach again meet with the road you crossed earlier. Here, cutting right, you reach the A368 (2hr 45min). Turn right and prepare yourself for a spell of road walking. Passing by Urbanización La Noria you reach a roundabout and Mijas. Bear right to a second roundabout then angle left at a sign Centro Urbano. Passing a line of restaurants you come to a fork in the road. Here angle right.

When you reach the village consultorio (glossary) cut right up Cañada Gertrudis. Follow the street round to the left then at house no. 71 angle right. At the end of the street, reaching house no. 19, cut right up a flight of steps. At the first junction cut left then once more right to return to the Mirador de Mijas (3hr 15min). Guy Hunter-Watts has lived in Spain for almost 30 years. He is the author of Cicerone’s Walking in Andalucía, Coastal Walks in Andalucía, The Mountains of Ronda & Grazalema and The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk. www.guyhunterwatts.com

Suns are shining EVERYONE knows about Michelin stars, one of the highest recognitions in the world of cuisine. But many less know about the ‘Repsol suns’ or soles in Spanish? The Repsol soles are a culinary achievement just like the ones awarded by the French food bible, but the soles focus exclusively on Spain. Now, after four decades, the sun is most certainly shining on Andalucia and Malaga, in particular. In the new guide, which has just come out, the region has a record 48 soles in to-

Andalucia scoops a record 48 soles in the new Repsol food guide, with Malaga coming out a very clear top

OIL BELIEVE YOU

Created by petroleum giant Repsol, they have rewarded the country’s best and most innovative chefs and restaurants since 1979. They are granted by the members of the Asociacion de Amigos de la Real Academia de Gastronomía alongside the Cofradía de la buena mesa. They give from one to three soles to a restaurant, depending on its quality and variety. While having just one sol is already an enormous privilege, only the best restaurants of the year can get the three soles.

tal spread across 43 restaurants. This is nearly 20% of all

of the soles across Spain, where a total of 524 restaurants are awarded.

Oasis is open IT’S that time of year again. And when summer arrives so do the doors open at The Roman Oasis Restaurant, in Manilva. Kicking off on July 1 for its 36th year, the fact that it has remained under the same caring ownership of Paul Hickling for all that time speaks volumes. Indeed, it must be a record on the coast, particularly for an expat-run restaurant. Make sure you come back and visit this amazing place which has seen lots of changes since those early days. There are plenty of special event nights (See www.romanoasis.com for details) and this season every Saturday is Hog Roast Night with live music, Tuesdays is DJ Wild-

cat on the Roof and Friday the fantastic Steve Nelson. One of the most romantic restaurants on the coast you can dine under a canopy of stars where flaming torches RE-OPENING ON and JULYtwinkling 1st lights create a fabulous FOR OURatmosphere. 36th YEAR! Brutus’s Starter Buffet is laden with International and Mediterranean inspired dishes while at the barbeques there is hearty down to earth fare such as Spare Ribs, Legs of Lamb, Beef, Pork, Chicken and Cumberland sausages. Delicious desserts, speciality OPEN SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK FROM 7.30PM coffees, Stilton cheese and one hundred ports dating back to 1910 follow. If you haven't been for a while, it’s time to go again and if you've never been you're missing something special! In Sabinillas turn inland at Lidl’s and we’re 3kms along the sunday market road on the right or take motorway exit 142 Casares/Manilva and follow the signs

Around Spain, there are currently 329 restaurants with one sol, 158 with two, and 37 which have the highest recognition. More locally, the Malaga region has a record 22 soles. When 10 years ago the region had just five Soles. What this clearly shows is that Malaga has become an essential part of Spanish gastronomy scene. Marbella, in particular, has the most with six soles. The town also has the honour, together with Aponiente from El Puerto de Santa María of having one of the two three soles restaurants in Andalucia… that being Dani Garcia’s restaurant with the same name. “It says a lot about the gastronomic level in Malaga,” Dani explained on the recent honour. “But the biggest recognition comes from the day-to-day client” adds. The restaurants in Malaga with two soles include Don Giovanni, El Lago, José Carlos García Restaurante, Skina, Kabuki Raw and Los Marinos José. In Sevilla, there is Abantal, while in Cadiz you will find El Faro, Campero and El Jardin in Villamartin, all with two soles. In Cordoba, Choco and Noor have two suns.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Food columnist Lisa Burgess of Joffrey’s La Cala on why chefs, and not politicians, are top of the pile for desirable lovers

My sexy choice of hubby A NEW poll has revealed that women regard chefs as ‘the sexiest profession’. When I announced this to my culinary husband Joffrey recently he responded with an effortless gallic shrug and a decidedly arrogant ‘bien sur’. Or ‘of course’ for all you language-challenged readers. There are some very hot chefs abound, including and in no particular order JeanChristophe Novelli, Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Gino Di Campo. One of these likely lads offered to cook me breakfast many years ago but that's another story. Up there with chefs are firemen, doctors and lawyers. Least sexy profession at the bottom of the poll, not surprisingly, are politicians (ED: How do us journos fare?). Trump, Kim Jong-un and John Major immediately spring to mind. Though this seems highly unfair to Canada’s comely prime minister. Talking of chefs, we have a new senior Chef de Partie Kris, pictured here with Joffrey. After a week's trial Joffrey said he was going to cut the mustard. I honestly felt like singing ‘Winner Takes It All’ around the restaurant. Finding a good chef here is truly like winning on the nose in the Grand National. Kris and Joffrey have been devising our fourcourse Bastille Day menu while I have been organising entertainment and all things Français. Mmmmm, is the can-can a bit OTT? Yes, says Monsieur Joffrey so that idea has been duly canned. When I finally got my hands on the menu it made for a mouth watering read. Foie Gras with Brioche Toast & Fig Jam Monkfish with Black Olive Oil, Baby Vegetables & Lobster Bisque Guinea Fowl with Foie Gras Sauce, Pommes Noisettes Mushrooms, Wild Mushrooms & Creamy Polenta Passion Fruit Profiteroles with Mango Puree & Mango Sorbet And all for €65pp including Welcome Champagne and Live Entertainment by Lucy Sassoon, who is a talented jazz and soul pianist and singer.

FRENCH FINAL Joffrey has been making various bets with customers that France will reach the World Cup final on July 15, which is the day after our Bastille Day celebrations. I am fervently hoping he is right otherwise the drinks are going to be consistently on the house and our days off will have Joffrey cooking at various customers' abodes along the coast. A more pressing matter has been organising Joffrey's Charity Car Show on June 30. We have had great support from Ian Giles at the Classic Car Club of Andalucia and I am learning rapidly about different car class-

es and proper order for car competitions or, put more elegantly by Ian, ‘Concours D'Elegance’. As Mahatma Gandhi said: "The simplest act of kindness is by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowed in prayer". I have been blown away by such kindness from offers of prize donations for the charity raffle in aid of the very deserving Lions Club. These include Sai Indian, Treetops, the Big Fish, Legends, Hair by Olivia Jane, Mapuchi Moda Fashion Shop, Biddy Mulligans and Pilates by Joanne Roche, to name a few. Of course, there will be a dinner for two at Joffrey's and a Tapas Platter and Wine for two among the prizes. Any further prizes for the Lions would be most gratefully accepted. Bill Gates are you reading this? Having nearly sorted these two events, I am now on to the next very unusual offering for September 1. Joffrey wants to do a Blind Tasting Menu. Ok this a new one for me. Do you actually wear blindfolds? Is there a prize for best guesser? Are my crisp white linens safe? My google search engine is melting. Only time and some table runners will tell but life is certainly an adventure at Joffrey's.

number:

And here is my recipe of the month, a stunning little

Joffrey's Lobster Bisque Recipe 3 Lobster Heads 1 Onion 1 Carrot 1 Clove of Garlic 1 Sprig of Thyme 1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree 2cl Cognac 2 Litres Water

Joffrey's is open for Tapas from 4-10.30pm daily (4 Tapas & Glass of Wine for €9.95) & A La Carte Dinner from 6.30-10.30pm. Closed on Sundays. Please Joffrey on 952493909 or Lisa on 658748919.

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Can’t make those dates in June? Contact us with alternative dates and we’ll make you our best possible offer. e-mail info@molinodelsanto.com or call 95216 71 51.

“We enjoyed our stay at A N OTHER hotel - but we left early to come back to Molino del Santo. You get ALL the details right. Your staff are great, the location is stunning and the food is excellent.” Stuart & Anne June 2018 Just want to visit for a meal? No problem but it’s best to reserve. And mention this advert for a free gift at the hotel. This offer is NOT available with any reservation website - our best prices are always available by booking directly with us.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018

New wife in the sun In a new regular online blog, Paula Leskovitz returns to Spain from London after two decades away - this time with a family in tow

THINK my husband finally admitted defeat after being forced to watch A place in the Sun 37 times in one month. In the definitive episode, Aunt Maude had left a substantial inheritance to a lacklustre couple who, after being shown several stunning Spanish properties decided they wanted to stay in Accrington after all. Shaking my head in disgust while inhaling my fifth Jammie Dodger, I sighed and pointed out to my ever weary spouse that come next year the choice to relocate to Europe may well be taken away from us Brits and we would have to stay in the UK for-

NERVES: My family

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ERE we go again. The World Cup is here and for many the whiteknuckle ride of supporting England is in full swing. A time of male bonding in the bar, proudly pulling on your footie top and popping out to see the match, returning several hours later, decidedly worse for wear and with your face painted red and white. Russia 2018 is currently underway and it’s impossible to avoid. It doesn’t matter if you have satellite or Spanish TV, the channels will devote hours of coverage to each teams’ chances, the games themselves and a host of expert opinion. You can forget nipping out for the evening to get away from the World Cup. One of the major plus points of living in Marbella is the cosmopolitan nature of the town. This is, however, a double-edged sword. The quality of your dining experience will suffer for example. During the World Cup expect to find service in your favourite

tapas bar a little slow when Spain take to the pitch and don’t even think of ordering escargots if France get beaten. You won’t run out of places to watch the matches either, so why not take in the games in a variety of locations? Sitting with a cool beer in a beach bar watching one of the afternoon matches is a unique pleasure, especially if you normally watch football on a wet Wednesday in Wigan. Who knows, as a neutral supporter you may even be adopted by a set of fans as an unofficial mascot – which is why there is a photo of me somewhere in San Pedro wearing a massive orange hat and clutching a Heineken. I have somewhat hazy memories that Holland may have been playing. When Spain wins a match you can forget all thoughts of sleep. I was driving through Marbella in 1986 when they scored an injury time goal and I swear that the town shot five feet in the air…

ever. Brushing the crumbs off my increasingly expanding belly I sighed loudly and looked out of the rear window at the grey clouds rolling heavily across the November sky. Rubbing away the London smog from his bleary eyes, the man I married only seven years earlier raised his hands in a ‘you win’ gesture and uttered the words I’d been longing to hear “Ok, let’s do it, we’ll move, but YOU can tell the family!” Scraping up my slack jaw from the Axminster, I screamed in excitement and rushed over to the laptop see how much international Schools cost and what was required for Backpacking pets. Behind me I could hear my husband mumbling under his breath about Rabies jabs and how they were missing a trick by not administering them to menopausal housewives. Looking down at the family dog, feet in the air, snoring obliviously, no doubt dreaming of cheese and giant tennis balls, I made a mental note to get his maracas removed before heading on our adventure. The last thing I needed was the pitter patter of 24 Spanish feet while quaffing cheap Rioja. (I did actually enquire with the family GP if the same procedure could be done with my younger husband but alas, the NHS is stretched enough apparently). So here I am, exactly five months later and one week shy of my 51st birthday, staring vacantly out of the airport window onto the grey Gatwick concourse. Beside me, my 12-year-old son mumbles something incoherent about mozzarella and ambles off to purchase a baguette which costs roughly the same price as my first car. The boy child is more than happy to move abroad. He’s watched Baywatch. He knows that everyone runs in slow motion and looks like Pamela Anderson on warmer shores. Plus I’ve bribed him with the promise of a certain Xbox game (yes I am a bad parent, but at least I’ll be a bad parent in a vest as opposed to a cardigan). The house is under offer. The tears have been shed. Man and dog are loaded up in the Jeep, our worldly possessions crammed into every available space. The ties with normality had been cut. I glance down at the case in my hand and grasp the one way ticket to Malaga tightly in my fist. We have no home, we have no jobs. We don’t speak Spanish. We are either very brave or very stupid. Taking a deep breath I drag my belongings and monosyllabic child towards the gate which is now boarding. This is the moment our lives will change forever. I smile to myself and take the first step towards our new life in the sun. Paula has worked in theatre in London for years, while her husband has landed a job at the Salon Varietes theatre in Fuengirola. Visit her blog online at www.theolivepress. es to find out what happens next

-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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REAL Madrid are close to signing much-sought after talent Pedro Porro after a bidding war with rivals Barcelona. Brazilian Porro is currently with Girona, having joined them from Rayo Vallecano last summer. The Don Benito-born winger scored 15 goals and registered 24 assists for the Catalan club’s

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youth team and has already made his first team debut at Girona. The 18-year-old is subjected to interest from both the Spanish giants, but sources say Real Madrid have managed to beat the Camp Nou outfit to signing him.

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SPAIN has ‘no doubts’ about David de Gea after he was heavily criticised for letting in Portugal’s second goal last Friday. The Manchester United goalkeeper was blasted by Spanish press after the World Cup opener, which ended in a 3-3 draw. Spain is preparing for its sec-

Spain standing by David Gea after Portugal draw in World Cup opener

ond Group B game against Iran in Kazan today. "The goalkeeper is a special position, with a special psychology," said newly drafted in

Cheers, Rafa! MARIN Cilic has said he is glad Rafael Nadal withdrew from Queen’s because it means he has more of a chance of winning. The Croatian became the top seed in the grass tournament after Spaniard Nadal withdrew citing fitness issues. It comes after the Mallorquin’s recordbreaking 11th win at the French Open. And while Cilic claims it is a ‘pity’ Nadal is not present in London, he is hoping to use that to

his advantage by going one better than last year and winning the competition, widely seen as the warm up to Wimbledon. “Obviously it’s a pity that they’re not here but it’s probably better for us,” Cilic said. It is not known if Nadal will play at Wimbledon.

manager Fernando Hierro. "We have no doubts. Honestly. He doesn't doubt himself either.” Ronaldo scored from all three of Portugal's attempts on target. Hierro, who was appointed on the eve of La Roja's opening game following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, said he ‘embraced’ De Gea after the game. De Gea was named in the Professional Footballers' Association team of the year after an impressive season at Premier League runners-up United. But his error gifted Switzerland their goal in a 1-1 friendly draw just before Spain departed for Russia, and they have already conceded once more than in the whole of their triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign. "Only those of us who put on the gloves and go out on the field know how difficult it is," said De Gea. "The coach is with me. It was an error and these things can happen."

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Place your bets A TURTLE in Benalmadena Sea Life park has predicted Spain will win against Iran in its second World Cup match after selecting broccoli with the Spanish flag attached over the Iranian alternative.

Makes you sick TOURISTS from Salou to Torrevieja are downing cocktails made with fruit rinsed under beachside foot showers and water from grubby toilets, a major probe into drink sellers on beaches in Spain has revealed.

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June 20th - July 3rd 2018

Bite the bust

Controversial and ‘ugly’ bust of Ronaldo switched after family outcry

A WIDELY-mocked statue of Cristiano Ronaldo has finally been replaced. The bronze bust of the Real Madrid striker went viral last year after fans questioned its likeness to the player. It certainly turned heads when it was put on display at the airport of Ronaldo’s hometown Madeira. Some compared its likeness to former Republic of Ire-

T OU

FAIL: Original bust, Ronaldo and (right) the latest attempt

land captain Niall Quinn, but sculptor Emanuel Santos said his work was just ‘a matter of taste’.

Manilva has Pride

IT was a demonstration of respect and tolerance personified. Manilva’s annual Pride event wowed crowds of onlookers as the procession filed along the coast with numerous performances and plenty of colour. Among those appearing were El Biri, Ashley and Nefertiti, and the weekend did well to raise awareness of the issues 11:24 Page 75 and problems the LGTB+ group suffers on a daily basis around the world.

Since the statue became so deira's airport after Ronwidely mocked, the airport aldo, who is a local hero on The Local Spain issue 70.qxp_The Local Issue 5 06/05/18 has now replaced it with the island for what is seen a bust that bares a greater as his rags-to-riches sucresemblance to the Portu- cess. guese star. Sources say the family of Ronaldo made the request for the replacement via the CR7 museum, which is also based on the island. The switch took place on the same day that Ronaldo, 33, scored a hat-trick against Spain in Portugal's World Cup opener in Russia. But the change has not gone down well with everyone and a petition has been started to bring the old sculpture back. RESTAURANT, GARDEN & GRILL "The bust is more an attraction for our island today and we can not accept in any way its replacement," the petition says. The original statue was revealed in March last year at a ceremony to name Ma-

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OPEN SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK FROM 7.30PM In Sabinillas turn inland at Lidl’s and we’re 3kms along the sunday market road on the right or take motorway exit 142 Casares/Manilva and follow the signs

Lunch with Soul THE ladies who lunch - and some rather fortunate men - have been out in force raising money for photographer David Toms. Holly Millard’s Elite Events company helped to raise €3500 at the event at La Sala to put towards the goal of buying David an electric wheelchair. Toms, who got a huge round of applause at the event, suffered life changing injuries in a motorcycle accident. A charity raffle and auction, which included nights at El Oceano and Nobu Hotels, rounded off the afternoon.

Famous for Lunch Now Open Seven Days For information and reservations

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