Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 194 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

WIN WIN WIN Tickets for Kid Creole concert to be won but be quick! See Page 17 See page 8

EU grants funded the Algarrobico

Massive row between government and Junta over who sanctioned funds for illegal hotel. See Page 10

Drowning tragedy AN IRISH toddler has drowned after falling into a neighbour’s pool. The two-year-old’s father found his body at 10.30am on Monday, at El Coto urbanisation in Mijas. Police were alerted by the child’s parents as they frantically searched for their son, who had been missing for more than an hour. It was just moments after reporting the child missing that they found his body in the neighbour’s pool.

Emergency There were no eyewitnesses, but it is believed the tragedy occurred after the boy fell while walking along a wall separating his family home from the neighbouring property. “I found his father calling out desperately for his son,” said the family’s landlord. “As a last resort he looked over the wall between the two houses and found him there, floating in the pool.” Emergency services were quick to arrive but medics confirmed the death at the scene.

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Incensed!

DOZENS of victims of the horror fire that razed large parts of Mijas and Marbella in August 2012 have still not received compensation. While many trees have regrown and the area is returning to health, the victims - many of them expats - have not received a penny in compensation. Despite being promised €14,500 ‘emergency payments’ from the Junta, the vast majority of families have received nothing. They are living in ‘limbo’ and unable to move on. British expat Sharron Cromwell, who lived in Spain for 13 years until being forced to return to the UK last year, told the Olive Press: “I have lost everything... And have received no help despite paying my taxes in Spain for well over a decade.”

EXCLUSIVE: Dozens of expats still awaiting compensation for fire that razed their homes on the Costa del Sol two years ago

Radio out! Maurice Boland’s back...but what new career path has the celeb DJ picked? See Page 3

By Imogen Calderwood

extinguish the blaze. The clean up, supported by the Olive Press, saw thousands of expats donate food and clothes to those who lost homes. An Olive Press campaign to support the victims’ demands to get help and compensation clearly hasn’t helped. Cromwell, originally from Lancashire, sold two bars in Fuengirola to buy her dream Homeless house and land in Mijas. She had been one of over “I put everything into that 4,000 people who were house but the fire took it from evacuated when the horrific me,” Cromwell, 47, told the blaze had spread rapidly from Olive Press. the Cerro Alaminos area, “I went back the next morning near Coin, to cross four town after spending the night in my boundaries on August 30. car to find my house burnt to Aided by strong winds, high the ground. temperatures and Spain’s dri- “Since then we have tried evest winter in 70 years, it led erything to get help. We went to the severe damage of 224 to the Junta and to Mijas. We homes, and more than 8,200 asked for help from social sehectares of land. curity but they said they could It took more than 600 not help homeless people. firefighters and 28 planes “We went to the Guardia Civil and helicopters three days to and filled out forms detailing

BURNT TO THE GROUND: All that remained of Sharron Cromwell’s dream home, and Sharron (below) trying to get her life back on track

all we had lost.” Yet after two years of waiting there has been no contact from anyone. “I put so much into Spain, I paid my taxes for 13 years and my social security. I wasn’t trying to scrounge and yet it seems to me they are not helping or giving anything back.” “I just want to know why they promised to help us but then gave nothing.” Pat Laing, originally from Manchester, who helped launch the Olive Press campaign after her Mijas home was damaged in the fire said:

Who gets the sunbed? “Many of us are still living in limbo, renting apartments or staying with friends.” The Facebook group Victimas del Incendio is still leading an Andalucia-wide movement to get the Junta to change a 2011 law which is preventing homeowners from starting to rebuild. Meanwhile Mijas Town Hall has confirmed that it was the Junta that made the promise of compensation, and it is the responsibility of the Junta to pay it now. The Junta was unavailable for comment.

German paper on the offensive in ongoing towel war See Page 2

To the hills Explore the chameleon-dotted streets of Andalucia’s own artists’ haven, Gaucin See Pages 21-28

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CRIME NEWS

the Sept 3 2014 theolive olivepress press--August August20 7 -- August 20 2014

A NORWEGIAN expat who was drugged and brutally raped on a night out is determined to have her story told and bring justice to her attackers. A year after she was drugged and assaulted in an Albir bar, in Alicante province, Goril Hvidsten has waived her right to anonymity in an attempt to warn other potential victims. “If this has happened to me, and to other people I know, who knows how many countless other victims there are,” Hvidsten, 48, told the Olive Press. “What about the girls who aren’t in their 40s and aren’t strong enough to go to the police, that are suffering in silence.” Hvidsten - who moved to Albir in August 2013 - was outside the bar when she was approached by three men: two Spaniards and a Romanian. “I had only had two beers so I was far from drunk. But suddenly I was completely out of control. I don’t remember much from the next seven hours, but some things are very clear. “I remember walking outside to a taxi rank, and feeling safe because I was sure that the taxi driver would realise something was wrong. “But then one of the three guys walked to the driver’s side and got in, and I realised it was his taxi. “You’re always told to get a taxi home after a night out because that’s the safest

Rape victim demands justice EXCLUSIVE By Imogen Calderwood

way. But it was these men that attacked me.” Hvidsten was driven to the Romanian man’s apartment, where she was raped by all three men. “They were relaxed, like they had done it before and it was an everyday thing.” Scarred “One man left early because he had to go back to driving his taxi. “It was so brutal that I was bruised and scarred all over, and they crushed three of my front teeth. “When it was over one of them said ‘Okay, you can go now’ and kicked me out.” Hvidsten reported the crime to the police in Altea five days after the assault, and has picked her attackers out of identity parades on three different occasions. The bar-owner showed CCTV footage of Hvidsten and the men to other taxi drivers in the area, and one identified the Romanian man as his own brother. All three men have admitted to having sex with Hvidsten but deny the charges of

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SMAS H the spiki ng

Expat backs Olive Press ‘Stop the Spiking’ campaign after being raped on night out in Spain

JUSTICE NEEDED: Goril Hvidsten recovering, and (inset) Goril’s injuries the day after the brutal attack that crushed three front teeth

drugging and raping her. “But the doctors say I must have been drugged because of the violence I endured,” argued Hvidsten. Medical reports from the Hospital Comarcal conclude that Hvidsten was drugged with Scolapamine, otherwise known as burundanga, previously reported on in an Olive Press investigation into drink-spiking. The drug is powerful, fastacting and notoriously sim-

ple to administer as it does not need to be ingested but merely inhaled. “He had it on his finger and just reached over and put it under my nose, and I was under his spell for seven hours. “If they had asked me to jump out of the window, I would have.” Despite numerous identity parades, the confessions of all three men and a preliminary hearing in March in

front of a Benidorm judge, there is still no court case pending. “Everything just takes such a long time. I only want answers and no one can give me them. I have a Spanish lawyer and he’s trying to help me, but it’s just the system here. There are always so many excuses. The Olive Press has launched a campaign against drink-spiking in Spain, after an exclusive investigation revealed an alarming absence of statistics and advice for tourists. The campaign, which hopes to improve safety for tourists, has three simple aims: more statistics, better policing, clearer advice. If you would like to get in touch with the Olive Press about any aspect of the campaign, email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Tech fights drinkspiking BIG developments have been made by tech experts into preventing drink-spiking. A UK-based company has developed ‘Spikey’, a small plastic tube and stopper that fits into most glass bottles to prevent people dropping substances in the drink. Clubs can even order them in bulk to hand out to their patrons. If you don’t fancy a bottled drink then another gadget is here to help. Developed by David Wilson, a medical technology expert, pd.id is a small, USB drive-sized device to put in your drink that flashes if the drink is tampered with. It can even be synced to a smartphone and give notifications if the chemical composition of your drink changes.

STOP: ‘Spikey’ in action

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NEWS

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It’s matters of the harp THE Prince of Wales’ official harpist has cut strings with her husband to holiday in a mystery Spanish location with Britain’s biggest opera star. Hannah Stone, 27, had been married to Welsh singer Gary Griffiths for two years before opera hotshot Bryn Terfel

Man down!

LOCAL legend Rick Parfitt has fallen ill while on tour in Croatia, forcing his band Status Quo to cancel several shows. The Alhaurin-based guitarist had a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 and tests for possible throat cancer in 2005, but sources cannot confirm if the current illness is related to either. Parfitt, 65, is recovering in a hospital in the city of Pula and will unfortunately have to cancel tour dates until August 10, including shows in Monte Carlo, Germany and Switzerland. Status Quo – who hold the record for the most British singles – is due to play in the UK in December, so let’s hope old Rick makes a speedy recovery!

vorced his wife in 2012. Stone’s friends say she is ‘very happy,’ but it has got to be awkward for Griffiths, whose golden voice previously earned him the label ‘the next Bryn Terfel.’ That title is up for debate, though, as Terfel laps up Griffiths’ sloppy seconds...

Radio to rentals!

Costa celeb Maurice Boland swaps the DJ booth for the property market, and tells the Olive Press he is ‘having a ball’ ‘MR Marbella’ DJ Maurice Boland has laid down his microphone for the last time, to pursue a brand new career as an estate agent. One of the best known characters on the Costa del Sol – after 28 years of radio and countless charity appearances – Boland told the Olive Press he’s ‘quite simply having a ball’. Announcing the career leap on his blog, in a post called ‘Coming out’, MoBo confesses to his fans that he has been working with Bromley Estates Marbella for the last three months. “I have had 12 extraordinary weeks, and not in a million years did I ever think that I would enjoy something so much,” he said. “I’m meeting wonderful

Thank you for the music AFTER sell-out performances from Julio Iglesias and Tom Jones, the month-long Starlite festival extravaganza is finally drawing to a close. But it will be going out with a bang, not a whimper, as an Abba tribute band takes to the stage on Thursday evening to perform a catalogue of pop hits. The festival’s final fling will see Spanish singersongwriter Alejandro Sanz

serenaded his way into her heart. Stone has not yet let on as to what point in her marriage the affair started, but fans date it back to a British TV Christmas special last year, hosted by Terfel, on which Stone performed. Terfel, who is 20 years her senior, di-

perform on August 22. Of the big name performances – including the Pet Shop Boys, the Beach Boys and Ricky Martin – legendary singer Julio Iglesias was one of the highlights. Madrid mayor Ana Botella was in attendance as Iglesias took his audience on an emotional rollercoaster, expressing his gratitude for their support and confessing he ‘sings to continue living’.

EXCLUSIVE

Banderas embraces his roots

people and having such a laugh with them.” And according to modest hints from the man himself, he is already seeing a significant success rate. “The press, which had been negative at times about reporting Costa del Sol property sales, has now changed its tune, and is rightly reporting a large upsurge in the property market,” he said. “We at Bromley have most certainly seen that.” The former iTalk boss has even launched a Facebook page to advertise his ‘Property of the Day’ to his legions of online friends and followers.

Dance ‘til dawn

END OF AN ERA: Boland ditches the DJ booth

BRITISH band-of-themoment Rudimental went down a storm at Puerto Banus’ hot summer venue Aqwa Mist this week. Not arriving until 2am, the boys got in the mood for their set, enjoying Belvedere vodka, Dom Perignon and tequila. At 4am they hit the stage and whipped the crowd into a frenzy for two straight hours, after which they continued to party until the lights came on.

SPANISH LEGEND: Julio Iglesias at Starlite

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PROUD SPANIARD: Banderas, soon to play Picasso

SPANISH film superstar Antonio Banderas promises to use his newfound bachelor freedom to make more Spanish films. After divorcing his wife of 18 years, actress Melanie Griffith, the Shrek star Banderas has moved back to his native Spain and wants to make more films in his homeland. The 53-year-old’s first move will be to play iconic Spaniard Picasso in a biopic about the painter opposite Gwyneth Paltrow. The Expendables 3 star said that his contact with Spanish cinema is ´going to be bigger and bigger´ from now on even though he plans to move eventually from his current pad in Malaga to New York City.

the olive press - August 7 - August 20 2014

AUGUST SUMMER SPECIAL News IN BRIEF

Bus bother SOME 62 tourists travelling from London to Spain with the lowcost travel company Megabus were left stranded for more than seven hours, when the British driver was arrested in Girona.

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Throwing

Get in SPAIN’S sporting prestige is helping to bring in the tourists, according to Spain’s Institute of Tourism Studies. Foreigners made 9,039,000 journeys linked to sport last year.

Luggage lift POLICE have arrested two people for stealing the luggage of distracted passengers at Malaga airport. It comes as part of the Safer Tourism Plan to protect the coast’s holidaymakers.

Some like it hot HOT winds have sent temperatures soaring, even hitting the 40 degree mark. This led to record highs in electricity use, according to gas company Endesa.

7.36am

Rip-off flight sites cost Brits millions of euros

CHEAP flight sites are ripping off Brits by up to €125 million a year. Discount travel sites, such as eDreams, Opodo, CheapOair and Ebookers, lure in customers with deals that undercut airlines’ own prices. But in reality, unavoidable costs make ticket prices soar to almost double the original advertised price. Once you take into account additional costs for luggage fees and admin, final prices are almost always more than that offered by the airline itself. Many sites use additional trickery to up the costs, such as offering a ticket at one price, but only if the customer uses an unusual card such as a Mastercard debit card – only held by one in 100 Brits. On average, these price hikes average €25 per person for a one-way trip, which totals €125 million from British travellers every year. But this is not just a problem for the low-cost airlines, also affecting flag carriers like British Airways. The UK’s Civil Aviation Au-

FALSE BARGAINS: Price hikes affect all airlines Gatwick-Malaga: To fly with EasyJet costs €83.73. The initial price from eDreams is €81.48, the final cost is €112.42. Difference – €28.70 Stansted-Malta: To fly with RyanAir costs €84.99. The initial price from CheapOair is €84.99, the final cost is €113.74. Difference – €28.75 Manchester-Palma: To fly with EasyJet costs €86.24. The initial price from Ebookers is €103.74, the final cost is €103.74. Difference – €17.50 thority is investigating and is believed to be nearing a ruling on unscrupulous pricing. An airline insider said: “It will

never be cheaper to book via an online travel agent compared to a genuine airline.”

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AUGUST SUMMER SPECIAL

in the towel... Brits may need to concede in long-running tourist sunbed war with Germans

SPAIN’S holiday resorts have become the stage for a new round of the bitter rivalry between British and German tourists. Tired of years of criticism for hogging sunloungers with strategic early morning towel placement, the Germans have now launched an offensive. Germany’s biggest selling tabloid, Bild, went on a mission to a Brit-packed hotel in the Spanish resort of Lloret de Mar in Catalunya.

9.21am

Offenders

A clandestine snapshot of poolside loungers taken at 7.36am show them to be empty, but by 9.21am another shot shows every bed has been claimed, yet with not a tourist to be seen. But when the early birds returned from their breakfast to use their bagged loungers,

SPOT THE BRIT: Before, a poolside ghost town, and after,towels (including a Union Jack) give the game away the German reporter quickly discovered the worst offenders were apparently the Brits. In an article entitled: ‘Photo evidence in the war of the towels. The English are the

worst lounger squatters!’ Bild, however, focuses only on three British families and doesn’t provide any details for the other ‘squatters’. British car mechanic Darren from Devon, on holiday with

A Brit less sangria, perhaps? BRITISH tourists are thought of as the heaviest drinkers while on holiday, according to a new survey. Almost half of Spanish respondents claimed UK travellers are the least generous when abroad, but the Germans think they are humorous, courteous and helpful. The findings by holiday site Travelzoo also suggest that the Spanish are the most likeable travellers, with the

Sun cream toxins

MARINE life could be being damaged by toxins released from sun creams, according to the Spanish Centre for Scientific Investigations. On contact with the seawater, the cream releases toxic components which then contaminate the marine area. The Marine Institute of Andalucia explained that while an individual won’t have a dramatic effect, the vast numbers of tourists in Spain could slowly be destroying the beaches they love.

French ranked as the least popular. Travelzoo’s Richard Singer said: “Luckily for us Brits, our world-famous sense of humour continues to be our saving grace on foreign shores but perhaps a bit less sangria and sunshine is called for.” The survey asked 2,400 people across the UK, France, Germany and Spain about what each nationality thought of its fellow Europeans when travelling abroad.

WASTED: Typical Brits

his two young daughters and Union Jack towel, told Bild: “I was in a queue at 8.50am. Without a reservation you don’t stand a chance. There are simply not enough places for everyone.”

Blackspots

Asked whether he thought Germans or Britons were the worst offenders, he said: “I don’t know. We often have exchange students staying from Germany. I find them very polite and friendly.” It was classic British stiff upper-lip as the long-running turf war rages around him. A previous Bild article listed a number of holiday resorts to avoid, because of the number of Brits. The top six ‘blackspots’ listed are: the Bay of Palma in Mallorca; San Antonio in Ibiza; Playa de las Americas in Tenerife; Ayia Napa in Cyprus; Faliraki on the Greek island of Rhodes and Malia in Crete. The Bild article also poked fun at British cuisine, bingedrinking habits, fashion and sport, adding ‘athletically they are not up to much, they can’t even take penalties’.

Forget the shade EVERYONE knows the Spanish sun does wonders for a tan, but new research suggests it could also significantly cut the risk of dementia. Going against advice warning people to stay out of the sun to reduce the risk of skin cancer, this new research recommends making the most of the rays. According to researchers at the University of Exeter, in the UK, people with low levels of vitamin D – obtained from sunshine are twice as likely to develop dementia. The study was carried out on 1,600 healthy Americans aged over 65. After five years 171 of them had developed dementia. Those with a slight vitamin D deficiency had a 53% higher risk of dementia, while those with a serious deficiency had a 125% higher risk. “We have been worried about skin cancer for so long, we have told people to stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, cover up, and the unintended consequence is more vitamin D deficiency,” said Dr David Llewellyn, who led the research. “The potential for making a difference now is just enormous.”

the Sept 3 2014 theolive olivepress press--August August20 7 --August 20 2014

OPINION Left in the ashes FAMILIES in the Mijas area had an apocalyptic vision of hell as their homes went up in flames during Malaga’s worst ever fire in August 2012. And for many of these families, life hasn’t got much better since .Despite two years of promises for compensation up to €14,500, the vast majority of these people have not seen a penny, living in limbo and unable to move on with their lives. It is shocking to think that after such a terrible tragedy declared a national disaster by the government - Spain is unable to help, unable to offer compensation and even unable to help these families rebuild their homes. The Olive Press supported these people two years ago with the campaign ‘Rising from the ashes’, and we are still supporting them now. They still need help.

Stain on Catalunya THOUGH the money-laundering of Catalan ex-President Jordi Pujol is truly contemptible, political leaders can’t use the crime to discredit the region’s whole independence movement. The phrase ‘fighting dirty’ comes to mind. Obviously the region is much larger than the man, so statements like the PP deputy leader’s saying that Pujol’s crime helps reveal Catalunya’s complaints as pure fallacy, seem to intentionally and unfairly paint the entire region as corrupt based on one poorly-timed case. The fact of the matter is, in light of the ERE scandal and Operation Edu, to name just a couple, the PP and the PSOE will have a hard time playing ‘holier-than-thou’ against Catalunya.

Mixed messages AVOID the sun like the plague, it will give you skin cancer... Go outside and enjoy the sunshine, it stops you getting dementia, just remember sun cream... Don’t go swimming in the sea with sun cream on, the toxins can harm wildlife... It’s that time of year again, midsummer’s here and the annual barrage of holiday health headlines has arrived. It’s really no surprise that Brits are perceived to drink the most while abroad. When they are constantly having to rethink their lifestyle to suit the latest university research, who can blame them for relaxing with a few too many ‘canas’ once a year?

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FEATURE

Party Island

From Hollywood’s favourite holiday retreat, through eighties excess and nineties rave culture, Ibiza has seen it all. Now A-lister celebs and cutting-edge musicians are flocking back to Spain’s most alluring party isle - but there’s a price to pay, writes Carey Camel MIDSUMMER madness is upon us, bringing British holidaymakers stumbling in gutters, German tourists bagging the best sun loungers and the annual descent of the Madrilenos to the Costas. But there’s one hotspot that raises the absurd to a whole new level during the holiday month of August: Ibiza. The party island attracts worldfamous celebs and multimillionaire Russian oligarchs like an eight-digit bank account to a gold digger. Nowadays it’s not unlikely to see Naomi Campbell catching up with Kate Moss on a stroll down your local beach, while a pair of pop stars come to blows on a night out. Indeed, the ‘White Island’, as its known, is so packed with celebrities that they can’t help but cross paths… and occasionally swords. Only this month, it became the gladiatorial arena for ‘history’s most pathetic celebrity scuffle’ when US pop sensation Justin Bieber ran into his love rival, British actor Orlando Bloom. The encounter at Ibiza’s favourite star-studded eatery, Cipriani, prompted the Lord of the Rings star to throw a punch at the baby-faced pop sensation. And all allegedly over a girl, Bloom’s ex Miranda Kerr.

HANGING OUT: Beach babe Lindsay Lohan and (below) Paris Hilton and her DJ decks

The ‘in’ crowd But they are anything but the only A-listers to grace the Balearic beaches so far this summer with Lindsay Lohan, Bruce Springsteen, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jared Leto, Zac Efron, the Kardashians and Kate Moss all making a beeline there. It has certainly been a vintage year for Party Island Central, particularly when you add Adele, Neymar and Lily Allen to the mix. But in fact, it is nothing new. The island has been a celebrity party destination for decades. In the 1950s, it was practically owned exclusively by the super rich. The renowned Australian playboy Errol Flynn could regularly be found sipping an Old Fash-

ioned by the pool, accompanied by fellow screen stars Elizabeth Taylor and Ursula Andress, the Swiss-American Bond girl turned international sex symbol. Stars such as comedian Terry Thomas, film director Orson Welles and even punk legend Sid Vicious moved to the island. Ibiza rocked and rolled all the way into the 1980s, when the legendary Pikes Hotel (now reborn as the exclusive 25-room Ibiza Rocks Hotel) was a regular waypoint on rock stars’ tour schedules. Even to this day, Ibiza Rocks proudly flaunts its celebrity status. The lobby sports wall-towall pictures of former guests including Mick Jagger and the Spice Girls, and it is rare to find

DEATH STARE: Bloom, Bieber and Kim Kardashian fewer than half a dozen super- package resort of San Antonio star DJs staying there. (Ibiza’s very own Magaluf). The island had a second boom Ibiza became a victim of its in the 1990s when house cul- own excess when drug-fuelled ture turned the island into the teens desperate for a party hippest place on the earth to nearly destroyed the island party. with night after night of deThe island’s famous clubs, bauchery and excessive drinklike Pacha, Space and DC10, ing. created their own unique vibe The tarnishing of its reputa(and house/trance sound) and tion was largely ignored by the a number of famous DJs upped authorities, and celebs fled sticks to live on the island. the vomit-splattered streets of However, the party island lost San Antonio for more salubrimomentum in the early 21st ous destinations, not realising century, becoming more ‘cheap that the north and centre of thrill’ than ‘chill’ when the rich the island were still incredibly and famous were replaced by unspoilt and exclusive. the young and reckless, particularly in the downmarket

Comeback

or admin@theolivepress.es or sales@theolivepress.es A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 200,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month. Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 Urb Casares del Sol, bloque 21, portal 70, bajo b, Casares 29690, Malaga Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor: Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Reporters: Newsdesk Newsdesk@theolivepress.es Giles Brown Giles@theolivepress.es Tom Powell Tom@theolivepress.es Imogen Calderwood

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GREYSCALE GLAMOUR: Ursula Andress, Errol Flynn and Elizabeth Taylor

So how did the island bounce back? Why is Ibiza again THE place to been seen and heard? Its sensational return to form is partly down to the work of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, which transformed the island’s rundown image and reintroduced it as the music centre for the world. Since 2005, the courtyard of the hotel has become a social magnet for its eponymous Ibiza Rocks party. Attracting big names like the Prodigy and Arctic Monkeys, the venue saw countless musicians and DJs experimenting with new sound mixes, pioneering the now world-famous

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FEATURE

Central GLITTERATI: Adele (above), Naomi Campbell (left), Will Smith (below) and Jared Leto (bottom) electronic dance music craze. Ibiza once again became the place to experience cuttingedge house music, and underground dance parties sprung up all over the island. Many of its clubs - such as Cafe del Mar and Amnesia - have become international brands. The latest hip spot is Ushuaia, a super exclusive (and costly) restaurant and club, while next year Spain’s most famous chef Ferran Adria is set to open the country’s most expensive restaurant on the island. This creative yet upmarket vibe helped bring about the island’s renaissance, attracting thousands of better quality tourists in its wake. Gradually, the glamour has returned, with today’s late-night parties being hosted by famous artists like DJ David Guetta and singer Lily Allen, who performed on the island in July. The parties still go on til dawn

(4am is often when things start kicking off) but they attract a smarter set. However, this fashionable and elitist new party scene has its downsides. The extravagant lifestyles of the mega rich have caused a dramatic price surge in both property, hotels and food. Now many hardcore Ibiza enthusiasts long for the good old days when things were cheaper and less exclusive. Pacha – a popular haunt for glamorous night owls – charges an entrance fee of more than €60 and you can forget about saving money on drinks. A bottle of water alone will set you back more than €6 and a reserved table well into the thousands.

But this is the new era of Ibiza, where VIP lounges are back in vogue and thousandeuro magnums of bubbly are on ice to rake in the cash. Celebrities have come back to the island to splash absurd amounts of cash on these luxury items, which stimulates the Spanish economy and the tourist industry. For what it’s worth, Ibiza will cost you an arm and a leg. But with its massive music scene, Unesco World Heritage architecture, stunning beaches and unrivaled opportunities for stargazing, that’s the price you pay.

ROLL CALL: From top, David Guetta, Zac Efron and friends, and again with Michelle Rodriguez, and Sophie Wessex

the olive press - August 7 - August 20 2014

CMY

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NEWS

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News

Expat pensioners battle banking giant ‘scam’

DOZENS of elderly expats filled a Marbella courtroom to witness the latest step in the long-running Rothschild saga. Two expat pensioners, Jean Leftwick and Julia Holley, both of Alhaurin de la Torre, have brought a deception ac-

Elderly expats cram into Rothschild ‘scam’ case at Marbella court

tion against banking giant N.M. Rothschild and Sons. The pair claimed that they were sold an ‘illegal’ equity release product by Rothschild in 2005, that allegedly

Portrait prowess

resulted in them losing their €490,000 Marbella home. Some 15 British pensioners are currently taking on the bank after allegedly being mis-sold a total of €4 million

SPAIN flaunted its creative talents at the annual BP Portrait Awards in London. Four Spanish artists were selected as finalists, with 29-yearold Ignacio Estudillo Perez collecting the Young Artist prize for his candid portrait of his mother. He won the €8,850 (£7,000) prize – reserved for artists between 18 and 30 – for his work Mamá (Juana Peréz). Perez – who came second in the 2012 contest – studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes in Sevilla.The three other finalists were 34-year-old Maria Carbonell; Javier Palacios, 29, and Jorge Abbad-Jaime de Aragon, 27.

worth of fraudulent equity releases, in a case led by Marbella firm Lawbird. Remarkably, the case was a matter of Parliamentary discussion in England between an MP and Conservative Treasury Minister, Sajid Javid. However, Rothschild director David Shannon and former director Steven Dewsnip denied any responsibility in the court for actively encouraging dozens of expat pensioners to take part in the hazardous scheme. The verdict is expected in October.

DJ Souter victim plea

LIFELIKE: Works by Perez, Palacios, Carbonell and AbbadJaime de Aragon

POLICE in Norfolk are calling for more victims of disgraced Costa del Sol journalist Mike Souter to come forward. British man Jim Belcher, 51, waived his right to anonymity to accuse the former BBC Norfolk DJ of abusing him for more than a year when he was just 16. Souter, 60, who worked for the Sur in English, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in October last year. He was found guilty of 19 counts of historic child sex abuse after assaulting seven different boys aged between 11 and 16, between 1979 and 1999.

the olive press - August 207- -Sept 3 2014 the olive press - August August 20 2014

Sept 3 2014 10 theolive olivepress press--August August20 7 --August 20 2014 10 the

NEWS IN BRIEF Totally safe MALAGA mayor Francisco de la Torre has insisted the city’s feria is ‘totally safe’ after a gang of five raped a 20-yearold woman in the fairground this week. All five men have been arrested.

Self defence SPAIN’S Interior Ministry has been slammed for putting too much blame on women after it released a series of antirape measures.

Fraud fight THE Spanish government has advised the UK to ‘continue fighting’ fiscal fraud in Gibraltar, said to cost Spain €1 billion per year.

Deadly ink A HEALTH agency is warning consumers against the use of contaminated tattoo kits imported from the US, saying they could pose a serious risk to health.

Petrol party PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez will fly to Ibiza in hopes of finding sites for future oil-drilling projects.

NEWS

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The blame game Row breaks out between Junta and central government after it emerges Algarrobico developer got €2.8 million EU grant

A ROW has broken out as it emerges that the developer behind the controversial Algarrobico hotel received money from the European Union to aid construction 12 years ago. The government has now set up a special delegate to investigate the affair and find out how the long-running environmental scandal began. Both the Junta and the central government are denying they were responsible for channelling the €2.8 million grant to the illegal hotel in a

By Tom Powell natural park in Almeria. The Junta allegedly helped to process a €2.8 million grant given by the finance minister to build the hotel in Carboneras, Almeria, on a Unescoprotected site in 2002. The 411-room, 20-storey hotel has been the subject of constant legal wrangling, as well as a Greenpeace campaign in which it had the words ‘Hotel Ilegal’ painted on it.

The PP government has not denied that it was prepared to put forward a grant for the hotel - which remains a half-built eyesore - but is claiming it was up to the Junta to make the final decision as to whether construction was viable and legal. However, the PSOE Junta’s environmental department is, in turn, pinning the blame directly back on the PP government’s grant. The Junta has insisted that it

Pony carousel victory!

MIJAS Town Hall has confirmed it will no longer allow horses or ponies to be used in fairground rides. Mayor Angel Nozal has agreed to completely ban the so-called pony carousel featured in the Olive Press last issue. It comes after a petition with 65,000 signatures was delivered to the town hall. A spokesman for the mayor confirmed that the practice had already been banned in La Cala de Mijas and in the main town’s annual feria. “Sadly we didn’t find out about the one in Las Lagunas local feria in time,” he said, adding: “It will definitely not happen next year.”

The petition was spearheaded by animal rights activist Michael Owens, 76, who was able to collect the signatures from around the world in rapid time. The movement was started after residents were outraged to see one of the carousels at the La Cala feria, when they were meant to be outlawed in Spain. Owens, who previously worked with Born Free Foundation, which opposes zoos and other animal cruelty, told the Olive Press he hasn’t heard anything from the mayor’s office directly, but he is overjoyed with the ban. He said: “I’ve heard nothing, but the ban comes as excellent news.”

BLACK SPOT: The hotel and (inset) Maria Serrano never agreed to give any grant to the company originally behind the hotel - Azata del Sol - and denies any involvement. “The PP deliberately lied about the case and are ‘two-

BANNED: Live pony carousels and (inset) the man behind the petition Michael Owens

faced’ in their dealings with the hotel,” said Maria Jesus Serrano, Junta minister for environment and planning, at a conference in Cordoba. She added that the only possible scenario for the hotel now is its demolition, confirming that on December 12 the Junta will formalise the right to seize the property. She stated that the costs in this process are minimal and will not be added to the €2.3 million that has already been put aside for the acquisition of the land where the hotel was built in 2006. Serrano also demanded that the president of Andalucia’s PP Juan Manuel Moreno confirm his position over the hotel. “Is he going to be brave and make his position on the hotel clear, like we have?”

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News

the olive press - August 7 - August 20 2014

Gibraltar NEWS

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ON the Rock August 21-26

4th Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival Caleta Hotel Further info: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/junior

August 23-31

Annual Gibraltar Fair Naval Ground, 8.30pm

August 29

9th annual Beer Festival Bayside Sports Centre Complex, 7pm-12am Tickets £20 from Lewis Stagnetto Ltd, 41 Main Street Further info: 54005729

August 30

Autism Awareness Day Casemates Square, 9am Further info: 54012163 or www.facebook.com/triple. aaa2014

September 1

National Week Classical Concert St Michael’s Cave, 9pm Tickets £20 from Sacarello’s Coffee Shop, Irish Town and the Silver Shop at 222 Main Street

Gibraltar NEWS

Making a scene FAKE TV scenes showing tobacco smuggling on the Rock have been slammed by the Gibraltar government, following the uproar over an EU report. According to the anti-fraud office OLAF’s report, tobacco smuggling in Gibraltar cost the EU €700 million in tax revenue between 2010 and 2013. Spain’s High Court opened an official investigation, following the recommendation of the 400-page report. “There are reasons to believe that tobacco smuggling and money laundering, which affect financial and other interests of the EU, have been committed in Gibraltar,” states the report. Gibraltar’s government has

condemned the ‘rabid and un-objective coverage presently being afforded to Gibraltar and the issue of tobacco smuggling in the Spanish media’. It has also criticised Spanish television channel Antenna 3, which has apparently been ‘staging’ tobacco smuggling scenes, portraying them as real in broadcasts. The leader of the opposition, the Gibraltar Social Demo-

PASS rates for A level students on the Rock rose to 95% this year, 2% on 2013.

Migrant melee

Security upgrades at the borders of Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla – the only land borders between Europe and Africa – may also have increased sea crossings. More than 75,000 people have tried to cross the Mediterranean from Africa this year, putting pressure on Spain, Italy, Greece and Malta. Around 10,500 children – the majority separated from their families – are included in the number, as people flee violence in Africa and the Middle East. An estimated 800 people have died.

Boat rage

GIBRALTAR has denounced the Spanish government after two Gibraltarian fishermen claim that a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel rammed their boat in Gib waters and held a gun to their heads. The British government expressed its ‘deepest concern’ to the Foreign Office upon hearing about the incident, but it failed to condemn the boat ramming or the use of firearms. It only acknowledged the waters were in fact British. The Spanish, however, maintain that the waters are ‘disputed’. An article in El Mundo said that the fishermen had been tuna fishing when an Algeciras Guardia Civil officer approached the boat to ask for their licence. The fishermen fled the Guardia Civil heading towards Gibraltar and it was then that the police ship pursued. Two Gibraltarian patrol boats and a British Royal Navy boat surrounded the fishermen, impeding the Guardia Civil’s pursuit.

crats, Daniel Feetham, also demanded officials on the Rock be given a copy of the report. “The sensationalist reporting emanating from Spain contrasts sharply with the very little reporting on the EU Commission’s finding on the environmental complaint by the Spanish Government, which became public last week,” he said.

THE Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) has warned of counterfeit football shirts being sold as proud locals celebrate the successes of UEFA’s newest member team. The GFA said that it has seen fake shirts carrying a version of the Gibraltar FA logo as well as one of Admiral Sportswear, the official kit supplier. The GFA commented: “Our official replica kits carry the Admiral Logo stitched into the right hand side of the shirt's breast plate adjacent to the official Gibraltar FA logo on the left hand side. “On the bottom of the shirt there is an official hologram of the Gibraltar FA logo and another official Admiral logo.” Supporters are urged to

FOUL PLAY: Fake footy shirts are being sold

check football shirts before buying to make sure that they are official merchandise. The GFA has also referred the matter to the Royal Gibraltar Police.

NEWS IN BRIEF First class THE winner of the Gibraltar stage of the Universal Postal Union’s letter-writing competition was announced as David Garcia from Bayside Comprehensive. The theme of the letter was about how music can touch lives.

Jail term THREE Spanish nationals who attempted to smuggle 325 kilos of cannabis resin into Spain from Gibraltar were each sentenced to six years in prison.

Footy-kit fakes

Gib government hits out at ‘sensationalist’ coverage of EU tobacco smuggling report and fake Spanish TV footage

Top marks

NEARLY 1,000 migrants were intercepted crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in just two days. Dozens of small boats and makeshift rafts carrying 982 people were stopped in the 15km-wide stretch according to the Maritime Safety Agency. In one day alone, 78 boats and rafts carrying 755 people – including 95 women and 20 children – crossed the shipping lane, a known route for migrants trying to enter Europe. Authorities cited calm seas and warm weather as possible reasons for the sudden rush.

the olive press - August 20 - September 3 2014

Gibraltar Weekend Special See the sights and experience great Gibraltarian hospitality

Friday and Saturday night stay in a sea view room with Continental buffet breakfast Friday • Table reserved for the Valerga Brothers performance • Dinner for two in our award winning Nunos restaurant - a la carte menu excluding wine and beer Saturday • Full body massage per person in our Health and Beauty Club

Price of £130 per person sharing a double room *Upgrade to a suite for an extra £50 per night *Stay Sunday night for £50 including breakfast

T: (+350) 200 76501 | E: reservations@caletahotel.gi www.caletahotel.com | www.visitgibraltar.gi

Axarquia NEWS

Unhappy campers

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Police dismantle two illegal Nerja camps, uncovering 300 kilos of rubbish on a beach TWO illegal encampments have been dismantled by police in Nerja. One operation - on La Caleta de Maro - resulted in an arrest for the attempted attack of a police officer. Another eight people were issued denuncias, including one for indecent exposure to minors.

By Joe Chivers After the encampment was moved on, 300 kilos of rubbish - including mattresses and furniture - were removed from the beach. An operation on Paseo de los Carabineros, in the town centre, ended in the arrest of a Senegalese national – alleg-

Vile and inhuman murder POLICE are investigating the brutal murder of the director of the Nerja Caves Museum Ana Maria Marquez at her home in Torrox. The Guardia Civil have arrested their main suspect, Marquez’s partner Francisco

TEARS: friends of murdered Ana Maria Marquez

Miguel Martinez. Mr Martinez - who allegedly has a history of domestic abuse - has claimed self-defence. Marquez, 37, suffered around 70 stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, hands and neck and blunt traumas, most likely from a bottle. Though Marquez died at the scene after being discovered in her bathtub, police recovered a 30cm kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon. The murder was the third registered incident of domestic violence in Andalucia that week.

Veteran expat celebrates 90th

LONG-TIME Axarquia resident, Lillian Allen, has celebrated her 90th birthday with her family and friends in Torrox Pueblo. Lillian moved to Spain almost 20 years ago after receiving treatment for breast cancer in the UK. She has regular checkups at Carlos Haya hospital in Malaga and Hospital Comarcal in Velez-Malaga. Lillian believes the Spanish diet is a major factor in her longevity enjoying a diet rich in fish, white meat, and olive oil. She also believes the sundrenched days play an important part too, saying: “[how] blessed we are with the weather here in Spain”.

New money NERJA Town Hall is doubling the money earmarked for public investment to €5.8 million – 116% more than the previous budget. Also in the region, Velez-Malaga Town Hall announced that €1.1 million is to be budgeted for a new access road to the Hospital Comarcal. Torrox will also receive €150,000 from the Junta to help those aged over 30 gain employment as part of the Junta’s Emple @ 30+ scheme.

RUBBISH: 300kg of furniture and rubbish had to be removed from the beach

edly in Spain illegally – two denuncias and the seizure of goods which were to be sold illegally. This is not the first time police in Nerja have had to take action against beach settle-

ments, primarily consisting of African immigrants. Camps at Playazo beach, the mirador del Bendito and la cala del Lobo Marino have previously been broken up and moved on by police.

Fiery Shut up three Jimmy charged THREE men from the hamlet of Las Rozas have been charged with arson after allegedly starting a fire which scorched 4 square km of land. It is believed that the men, aged 27, 39, and 69, started the fire after a quarrel between farmers. The fires were apparently started at two locations, situated 50m apart.

NERJA’S biggest nightclub, Jimmy’s, has been forced to close its doors for the second time this year, after violating noise regulations. The club was found to have exceeded noise limits by 21 decibels, and could be fined up to €300,000 as a result. The popular nightspot has been open for just two months after a previous closure for noise violation.

GREEN NEWS

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the olive press - August 20 - September 3 2014

1515

Golf developers probed

Son of disgraced Catalan leader ‘made millions’ from controversial Ronda golf project THE son of disgraced ex Catalan leader Jordi Pujol has been accused of corruption after he ‘made millions’ from one of Andalucia’s most controversial developments. An investigation has been launched after it emerged that Jordi Pujol junior allegedly syphoned off €1.5 million from the disputed Los Merinos golf macroproject, near Ronda. According to reports, the businessman made the money in shady negotiations between the developers and construction company Copisa. The project was stalled for not having permission for water and after a series of large protests involving both Greenpeace and Ecologistas en Accion. Provisionally passed by a former Junta Public Works Minister Jaime Montaner in the

By Jared Garland 1990s, the scheme included two golf courses and up to 1,000 houses built on Unescoprotected land. The scheme went ahead eight years ago despite not having planning permission, with developers carving up a virgin area to start putting in the infrastructure. Activists and locals claimed that the project was being protected from ‘up high’ thanks to Montaner’s close friendship with former Junta leader Manuel Chaves. Opponents were particularly furious after labourers uprooted hundreds of ancient protected oak trees alongside the Sierra de las Nieves natural park. Eventually the authorities stopped the work via the courts, but this has not stopped Ronda

Town Hall continuing to receive stepped licence payments, of up to €20 million. But now a probe by Madrid’s crack police investigation unit UDEF are looking into alleged illegal commissions that Pujol charged to the Copisa Group. The ex-president’s son allegedly took more than €1 million

with profits and area growing year on year. Agricultural technician Victor Gonzalvez, coordinator of the NGO Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture, said: “Ecological farming is growing in Spain and Europe despite the crisis because those who consume organic produce are loyal.”

REPSOL has been given permission from the Spanish government to begin drilling off the coast of the Canary Islands. The €5.24 billion oil exploration project will begin in three months, according to statements from Industry Minister Jose Manuel Soria. The Spanish oil giant was originally granted permission back in 2012, but the project was frozen after huge uproar from environmental action groups, forcing the courts to hear a series of appeals. But the Spanish Supreme Court has since overruled the appeals, allowing Repsol and its partners Woodside Energy Iberia and RWE Dea AG to begin the deep-sea drilling project. Repsol has confirmed that any drilling will be 30km offshore.

VANDALS: Developers killed many protected oaks between 2005 and 2006, for ‘mediating’ between Copisa and Ronda Golf and Country Club SL. This came despite the fact that the president of Copisa, Jose Coronado Mateu, was also a key official at Ronda Golf, meaning he effectively negotiated with himself.

Organic growth spurt Drilling set to begin

SPAIN has the largest area dedicated to organic farming in the whole of Europe, according to Eurostat data. It is also placed fifth in the world - following Australia, Argentina, the United States and China - thanks to its mild climate and perfect farming conditions. The crisis hasn’t put a dent on organic farming, either,

SEEING GREEN: Jordi Pujol junior while (below from left to right) his father, Jordi Pujol, and his associates, Chaves and Montaner Furthermore, in 2008, company New Piave Seis paid Pujol nearly €500,000 for the ‘acquisition and sale of shares’ putting his Los Merinos profits at over €1.5 million. The Catalan businessman has reportedly secured ‘business’ from 17 companies over the last decade, working as a socalled ‘mediator’. He claims to be an expert in everything from real estate to the oil business… and even the development of ‘photovoltaic’ plants.

The investigation into his business affairs was launched as his father was this month stripped of his titles in Catalunya. Pujol senior - who led the Catalan government for 23 years has also lost his privileges and pensions following the confession that he hid millions of euros in offshore accounts in order to avoid paying inheritance tax. In total, investigators found that he had kept €18 million in various accounts in Switzerland.

the olive press - August 20 - September 3 2014

POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 75.76% Same week last year: 85.40% Same week in 2003: 56.36% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.34 American dollars 0.80 British pounds 1.45 Canadian dollars 7.46 Danish kroner 10.36 H Kong dollars 8.22 Norwegian kroner 1.66 Singapore dollars

LETTERS

Good times YOUR article on Harry Hubert (‘The Drifters’, Issue 193), really dug up some memories for me! I knew Harry from the mid60s. Harry was known as ‘Harry the Bar’ to differentiate him from another American living in Torremolinos who practised law and was known as (inevitably), ‘Harry the Law’. This is a photo of one of Harry’s famous weekend barbeque parties taken in 1970/71 at his house in what is now Benalmadena-Costa. Harry is standing on the far right, I am the dark-haired girl sitting on the far left. Those were some of the happiest, craziest days of my life.

Guadalhorce problems WE don't seem to be able to pick up our Olive Press lately from our usual source Bar La Risa at Lauro Golf between Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande. We will be sorry not to get our OP any more as we have enjoyed your pioneering style. Laurogolfer, Alhaurin ED: After the tragic death of our Guadalhorce distributor Tom Stewart, we haven’t been able to distribute as normal this month. Our new distribu-

www.theolivepress.es came and collected it immediately. But since then I have had all sorts of excuses and now I've been told the company has ceased trading. I went to the police but they referred me to consumer watchdog OMIC who were very kind but unable to do anything as I did not get a receipt when they collected the staircase. Pamela Kennedy, Sotogrande

Harry was such a generous man, his house was always open. Thanks for bringing back those memories. tor will be learning the route over the coming weeks so please stay in touch and let us know if you are still having problems.

Hook trap FISHING fans should note they cannot use reel in the Iznajar lake, Cordoba province, only a pole. When I visited the police appeared three times and an Ayuntamiento car passed five times, with a €600 fine and confiscation of tackle for those breaking the law. Ideally everyone should object to this rule and together we may get it removed.

ED: Read part two, p18. George Birnie, Cordoba

Marina upset I PAID Sotogrande marina a considerable sum of money to service, paint and clean my vessel, which was carried out in the boat yard. Afterwards I discovered they had fitted anodes only meant for fresh water, not salt water, which has caused quite severe pitting to the boat legs. Also I have since found out that they were not protected with any paints, which should have been part of the job paid for. Engineers who are now carrying out the work, also say that electrolysis has caused damage to the gear cabling at the gear box connections. Pam O’Mara, Sotogrande

New danger A NEW restaurant in Bedar, Almeria, has opened without any emergency exits, so if a fire occurred people inside would be trapped. Graeme Murty, Almeria

Stair ‘mare AS you are a campaigning newspaper I am contacting you, although I think my experience is all too common. I purchased a stairlift from Salvaescaleras for €2,500 with an agreement to buy it back if I needed to return it within three years. I decided to return the stairlift after just a year, and they

Wendy Rhodes, Almeria

No care

I READ with amazement the article ‘Tangled’ (Issue 193) of how a father took his toddler to Tarifa beach (yes Tarifa, the most popular destination in Europe for the extreme sport of kitesurfing) and watched his three-yearold play at the water’s edge. You have to question his decision to sit on any beach in the vicinity of kitesurfers who can go out of control. The safest place is always up-wind of any kiter. Tarifa is a fantastic destination for families and has many beaches where you can sit in complete safety. This accident put kitesurfing into the press for the wrong reasons and could stop people from visiting one of the most fantastic resorts in Spain.

MY wife and I moved to Spain seven years ago. We obtained Spanish health care on the basis of her being a UK pensioner and I got mine on the back of her status. But after a short battle with cancer my wife passed away in July. Four weeks later I received a letter informing me that as my wife was now dead I was no longer entitled to free health care under the Spanish health system. I contacted the helpline in the UK and was told that this was correct and I was not entitled to any free health care anywhere within the EU. I could still get free NHS health care but only if I moved back to the UK. This was not the first thing to cross my mind when my wife passed away. I hopefully will not get sick or require an operation before October 17 when I become entitled to an S1 in my own right.

Mark Naylor, Mojacar

Peter Johnson, Ronda

Kite safety Lynn Hopkins, Fuengirola

but thankfully, it did no long lasting harm (although it did show up on a mammogram X-ray). We found this one today in my garden (pictured below). They are truly awful creatures.

Bed bite I HAVE just read your story about the centipede (‘Something nasty this way comes’, OP online). I too live in Almeria and was bitten in bed on my boob by a giant centipede. It swelled up and hurt a lot,

Spanish sympathy I CAN’T condone what Spain is doing to make the border crossing such a nightmare, but I can fully understand how exasperated the Spanish must feel. Your article ‘One-sided border passes’ (Issue 193) quotes a worker who states that taxes are payable in only one EU country. That’s absolute rot. If you are a resident in Spain for 183 days a year, you are liable to pay Spanish tax on your worldwide income. Many expats pay taxes to both Spain and the UK. You only need to look at how many Gib registered vehicles there are in Spain (illegally) crossing the border daily into work, to realise how the system is being abused. Peter Hopkinson, La Linea

Letters should be emailed to letters@theolivepress.es. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

CROSSMOT 38

Across 1 Fábulas (6) * 4 Caliente (6) * 9 Lograr (7) * 10 Herramientas (5) * 11 Swan (5) * 12 Convertir (7) * 13 Limitation (11) * 18 Químico (7) * 20 Acted (5) * 22 Desatar (5) * 23 Violet (7) * 24 Silky (6) * 25 Rough (6). Down 1 Francia (6) * 2 Owls (5) * 3 Elemento (7) * 5 Comido (5) * 6 Stumbled (7) * 7 Unties (6) * 8 Descriptivo (11) * 14 Elegido (7) * 15 Lápices De Colores (7) * 16 Se Produce (6) * 17 Basement (6) * 19 Artículos (5) * 21 Holds (5).

la cultura Roll over, Beethoven

17 August 20 - September 3 2014

what’s on

alaga. August 16-23

One of Spain’s largest street parties returns. The Malaga Feria is a nine-day celebration of everything from gastronomy to flower arranging.

abinillas. August 2024 A medieval market

on the paseo maritimo, with a huge variety of stalls and daily performances including falconry and a fire show. Visit www.rtvmanilva. com

abinillas. August 22, 10.30pm A dracula-

themed dance spectacular will be held in El Duque park. Tickets €10 in advance or €12 on the door. Visit www.rtvmanilva.com

ijas. August 29, 1pm The Frank Bowles

Memorial Golf Tournament is seeking teams and single players to make up teams, for the competition at Mijas Golf Los Olivos. Entry at €65, including buggy and buffet at Tamisa Golf hotel. Contact Roger Wedge 669 900 781 or Mijas Golf 952 476 843. Buffet tickets are available in the Lions Charity Shop, La Cala or from Anne Bowles 607 879 450

stepona. September 27-28, 10am-8pm

Classic car and motorcycle rally at the Recinto Ferial in Estepona. Tickets €7, free for children under 14. Email eventoslabomba@gmail. com, or visit www.facebook. com/EventosLaBomba

FEMALE Spanish composers are finally being recognised by the Andalucian Musical Documentation Association (CDMA). The Granada-based association will host its annual workshop for female composers during their Spanish Music Festival in Cadiz this November.

Female composers get long-deserved recognition

The workshop – started in 2005 – brings together female composers from Andalucia and countries worldwide to collaborate and create.

STOP-GOSTOP: The beginnings of the Pompidou Centre in Malaga

Malaga Cube goes pear-shaped A SQUABBLE over concessions has halted construction of the Cube in Malaga - the city selected to host the first Pompidou Centre gallery outside France. Work barely got started on the exhibition space last week before Malaga Port Authority put the brakes on, claiming it was granted the concession for the exhibition centre from the origi-

nal builders. Malaga Town Hall has been issued with a separate concession. Technically, a protocol has been signed by both parties mandating that the town hall receive concession to the space from the Port Authority. Malaga Town Hall has dismissed the spat as a ‘formal problem’.

Kid Creole comp Eye for beauty MARBELLA’S natural beauty is the focus of a new photo competition. Shots of the town’s green public areas should be sent in digital form or printed on photographic paper to the council’s Department of Parks and Gardens before August 31. Pictures should be accompanied by a photocopy of the entrants ID card or passport, and all budding David Baileys (pictured) must be over 18.

KID Creole and the Coconuts are bringing their infectious blend of latin, disco and big band to Marbella on August 23. With his 1930s Hollywood cool and trademark zootsuits, Kid will strut his stuff at the Tennis Club at Hotel Puente Romano with three stylish ‘Coconut’ dancers to back him up. Gig-goers can shimmy along to hit favourites, including Stool Pigeon, I’m a wonderful thing baby and Endicott in the special dance area.

WIN WIN WIN

The Olive Press has a pair of tickets up for grabs, just complete this European Number 1 song title from Kid and his Coconuts: Annie, I’m not your….. Send answers to newsdesk@theolivepress.es, but be quick, you only have two days to enter!

In the workshop’s nine years, 70 new scores have been published along with 65 recordings and 23 articles. Ana Gamez, Granada’s delegate of culture, praised the workshop, commending the CDMA’s ‘ very special commitment to encourage these women to compose’.

TUNE UP: The Cordoba Orchestra perform at the Gran Teatro Fallo during the CDMA’s Spanish Music Festival in Cadiz

Prado speaks on missing masterpieces THE Prado museum has insisted that it knew of its 885 missing artworks for decades, but 137 are still nowhere to be found. Museum representatives contacted the Olive Press to say the vanished works were actually added to the Prado’s inventory when it merged with the defunct Museo de la Trinidad in

1872. While the pieces from the Museo de la Trinidad are technically ‘missing’, in reality they are more likely destroyed, non-existent or on loan, with the numbers having built up over years of poor inventory keeping. Some 1,425 works were reported missing during a 1978 audit, but several in-

vestigations - including one in 2012 that recovered 41 have brought the number of missing pieces down to the current 885. But only 748 of these ‘missing’ works are the result of the Trinidad merger, meaning that there are still 137 masterpieces unaccounted for.

la cultura

Hedonism, hippydom and Harry’s Bar made the world go round for expat pioneers forging the Costa del Sol’s new ‘permissive society’. In the second part of our tribute to The Drifters, James Michener’s evocative 1970s portrait of the coast during the sexual revolution, Jared Garland reveals how the Scandinavian invasion unfettered Franco’s Spain 1960s FLASHBACK: Franco has a stranglehold on Spain. Under Catholicism’s heavy hand, bikinis are illegal - as are all forms of sexual freedom and contraceptives - and the Costa del Sol is a collection of fishing villages, welcoming the occasional foreign drifter. Enter the expats en masse – with American war veteran Harry Hubert in the vanguard. Franco is in for a shock! The inspiration for ‘Joe’, the main character in James Michener’s seminal novel, Harry owned a bar in Torremolinos described by friends today as ‘the former heart of the Costa del Sol’. This was party HQ; the place to know in Spain, if not southern Europe, a forerunner to the fornications we see in Ibiza today. Harry’s Bar, in still-chaste Spain, became a haven for pot-smoking, LSD-tripping travellers, a place to hear the latest sounds from London and California and meet enough Scandinavian girls to

Torremolinos uncovered MUSES: Costa del Sol beach-goers inspired travellers’ fantasies worldwide

Drifters excerpt:

No disappointments in Torremolinos “‘Torremolinos is an obligation,’ the girl told her as they sat in the bright spring air that filled the sidewalk. It’s the only place I recommend, and since it’s a short trip, we don’t make much money on it. The boss asked me, ‘Can’t you bring yourself to like Crete?’ and I told him, ‘I’ll like Crete when I’m as old as you are and need the relaxation.’ ‘In Torremolinos there are few disappointments’ the girl said, ‘because there’s music and the beach and young people who have lost the calendar. For God’s sake, don’t go to Italy. Not if you have a car of your own and a figure like yours.’” Drifters excerpt:

A magnet for youth “So they pushed on, and were soon approaching that extraordinary plateau from whose southern rim they would be able to look down upon the Mediterranean. ‘Ah,’ cried the driver as they reached the edge of the cliff from which the city of Malaga could be first seen, ‘This is Spain!’ He pulled the car to the side bed two at a time, a skill philanderer Harry was famous for.

Sexperimentation Up until this point, courting had been a strictly Spanish affair; which meant hanging

of the road and pointed out the distant cathedral, the bullring, the esplanade lined with palm trees, the copious harbor, and to the west that chain of marvelous fishing villages which the Phoenicians had known. Costa del Sol, this area was called, and it served as a magnet for young people around the world.”

around in the street, trying to catch a glimpse of your potential sweetheart through barred windows (or rejas). There was no chance of sex before marriage but, if you were lucky, you could have a sexy conversation with the girl of your fantasies. The arrival of the first Swedish package tourists – along

with the Germans and Dutch but not, as yet, the Brits – changed everything. Girls went all the way, casting aside their inhibitions with their bikini tops, and guys lapped it up. The science behind the sexual scene is brilliantly conveyed in Michener’s former New York Times bestseller,

where he introduces us to a close-knit group of youngsters who enjoy bed-hopping and ‘sexperimentation’. At one sex party in the hills above Torremolinos, a gay expat Brit pays Afro-American Cato Jackson to spend time at his house, naked, purely to indulge his fetish for voyeurism. With money pouring in from this new tourism, it ‘paid’ the authorities to turn a blind eye to the louche liberalism, with one exception, as Michener notes. Long-haired hippies were packed off home. Sometimes, the police joined in. A former American lover of Harry’s, Sharon Van Den Eeden now living in Mijas, remembers a Guardia Civil officer called Curro who hung around outside Harry’s Bar,

enjoying the atmosphere. “He didn’t drink or party with us but half the time he was stoned,” she recalls.

Hooking up Former brothel Madam Xaviera Hollander – author of The Happy Hooker and one of the first girls to go barebreasted on the Costa del Sol – pulls no punches about the Costa’s sexual revolution: “The Swedes, being horny as hell, were the easiest lays, and if you fed them two drinks they'd spread their legs.” Swedish girls came en masse to Torremolinos and Fuengirola to escape the winter months of darkness back home, and they remain popular Scandi haunts today. Xaviera herself owes a former marriage to her regular attendance at Harry’s Bar (Bar Alamo, in the book.)

Drifters excerpt:

Never refuse sex

HAPPENNING: Calle San Miguel, Torremolinos, was full of tourist traffic in the 70s, while (right) Harry Hubert in Pamplona and his bar - now Angels Bar - on Calle Medina

“After a lifetime of travel he settled here on the Costa del Sol and told us there were five rules for successful travel. Never eat in any restaurant called Mom’s. Never play poker with anyone called Doc. Get your laundry done at every opportunity. Never refuse sex. And order any dish containing WILD: Xaviera wild rice.” Hollander

19 August 20 - September 3 2014

Drifters excerpt:

SWEDE MEMORIES: Scandinavian girls revved the imaginations of Torremolinos travellers

Premonition to come south!

“The travel agency a d v e r t showed a life-size Scandinavian girl in a swim suit standing beside an ancient stone windmill, overlooking the Mediterranean. Only three words appeared on the poster, but they carried a mighty impact: Come to Torremolinos. At this first moment, Britta did not stop to look at the poster, for she did not yet understand that it was the premonition which had awakened her.” “I took a Polaroid of my boobs and posted it in Harry’s Bar with an arrow between them that said ‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’. One night when I was there, a man I had never heard of waited until his girlfriend slipped away to the bathroom

and came up to me, asking for my number.” This was her ex-husband, the late John Drummond. Sharon Van Den Eeden also met her future husband at Harry’s. It was her 23rd birthday and her first time in the bar.

“I was waiting for some money so I walked in and saw three men sitting at a table. I went up to them and said, ‘I’m flat broke, can one of you buy me a drink?’ and they said ‘Yes of course,’ and that’s how it all started.”

The desecration had already begun

One of the men was Don, a Korean War veteran blinded by a bullet in one eye, whom she married; another was Harry, the semi-sacred bar owner whose ‘Bethlehem’ was the annual pilgrimage to Pamplona (as described in Part 1). Harry, a former Marine, exited the Korean War in under a year with a full disability pension which, in pesetas, translated into a comfortable living. The bar was about friendship and a shared lifestyle – never about money. A drifter and goodtime guy, his one-night-stand lifestyle was a direct consequence of his stint in Korea, where a close shave with a grenade gave him a ‘free vasectomy’, as he’d joke. “Everything functioned fine, he was just sterile,” explains expat John Harper, an old friend.

Astounded

Drifters excerpt: “Joe, at the wheel of the pop-top, saw for the first time the desecration that Spain had promoted along the stretch of shoreline reaching westward from Malaga to Gibraltar. As he picked his way through the traffic that jammed it, he was forced to look at what had happened to the small towns which had made this one of the most pleasant roads in Europe. From Torremolinos to Fuengirola a concrete forest had grown up, a plethora of high-rise apartments crowding the waterfront, a jungle of shacks and hot-dog stands inland where the money was being made. What little open land he did see was being converted into golf courses.

PRISTINE TO PACKED: Pre-construction boom, 1960s Torremolinos is almost unrecognisable from a decade later (above)

And it was ugly, ugly beyond the operation of chance. It looked as if Spain had invited to its southeast corner a convocation of the world’s worst architects and given them a commission: ‘Transform this beach into an apogee of ugliness.’ Prize money would have to be divided,

for if the German architects created monstrosities, the Spaniards did it worse. It was ironic - builders who had lived in Stockholm all their lives, seeing the beauty which northern architects had devised, moved into Fuengirola and erected slums, devoid of beauty or congeniality.”

The war also left Harry with a chronic back condition that could have rendered him paraplegic, unable to enjoy the life so nearly stolen from him. It may be why he surrounded himself with friends who had also looked death in the face. That’s the part where Michener diverges. His Harry character, ‘Joe’, opens The Alamo bar after dodging the draft, not bullets. Ultimately it was his life of excess that killed Harry in 1993, aged 61. Over 400 friends from around the globe turned up for his funeral in Fuengirola’s main square. They packed the Virgen del Rosario church all the way out to the steps, where a detachment of Marines saluted and placed a US flag on his coffin. The priest had never known Harry but was astounded by the huge gathering. “He must have been a great human being,” he remarked. “Because in all the years I’ve been associated with this parish, this is the first time I’ve ever seen the church completely filled for a funeral mass.”

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la cultura

August 20 - September 3 2014

Spain’s magnificent seven Missing out on a mention in the world’s 2014 ‘Seven Wonders of Nature’ has pushed Spain into publishing its own list, and one of Andalucia’s best-loved beauty spots is included

N a country saturated with stunning natural landscapes, picking Spain’s top Seven Natural Wonders is no mean feat. But the much-anticipated list has finally been announced. and the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, in Almeria, is among the select septet of scenic locations. Which is more than can be said for the Sierra Nevada, the Canary Islands or the Balearics, none of which made the cut. More than 82,000 votes were cast in the selection of the top seven Spanish destinations, from an original shortlist of 20. The campaign – organised by travel insurance company Allianz Global Assistance – is all about promoting the unknown destinations of Spain. Do you agree with the list? Or

is there somewhere special you think should have been included? Email your suggestions to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

. Gaztelugatxe. The small rocky island on Spain’s northern coast is said to resemble a castle. The main highlight is an 11th century chapel, built in honour of St John . Somiedo Natural Park. Four valleys in northern Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains make up this UNESCO site. It is a haven for some of Spain’s most endangered species, including brown bears, wolves, wild boar and golden eagles . Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Another UNESCO site, this natural park is the largest protected coastal area in southern Spain. Its diverse landscape includes wetlands, volcanic cliffs, white beaches and a saltwater lagoon . Las Medulas. These ancient UNESCO-protected gold mines are a spectacular example of Roman technology. They showcase a groundbreaking system of dams and canals which harnessed the power of

SUBLIME: As Catedrais and (inset) Fuente De water to smash and wash away rock . Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park. This group of 15 interconnected lakes encompasses 4,000 hectares. The Park is home to a wide variety of birds and fish and the Cave of Montesinos, mentioned in Don Quixote . Fuente De. This spectacular gorge in the Picos de

5 6

Europa mountain range can only be reached by cable car. In peak season, tourists form long queues to enjoy the sensational views . As Catedrais. The unusual rock formations, reminiscent of vaults and arches, have earned this natural wonder the nickname ‘Beach of the cathedrals’. It also ranks among Europe’s most beautiful beaches

3 4

WONDROUS: From top, Lagunas de Ruidera natural park, Gaztelugatxe, Las Medulas, (inset) Somiedo natural park and Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park

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aucin and the white villages

August 20 - Sept 3 2014 August 7 - August 20 2014

River deep, mountain high PICTURESQUE: The beautiful whitewashed Gaucin is overlooked by a ruined Roman castle while (above left) a glimpse of how life used to be

With its picture postcard villages and lush landscape, watered by the cleanest river in Europe, the Genal Valley has been called the Cotswolds of Spain. Gaucin, perched on the balcony of the Serrania, is its crowning glory, writes Carey Camel

AIRY bikers and sporty mountainbikers hug the curvy road like a well-loved woman but if you’re a motorist going to Gaucín, wear a seatbelt! The ‘Camino de Gibraltar’, as the old road was known, was built by the Romans to provide access to Gibraltar and the sea from Ronda. And not a great deal seems to have changed, village was pillaged, and nearly judging from the potholes. But brave the long and winding all of its inhabitants murdered. road to this classic white vil- Gaucin was eventually reconlage and your courage will be quered by the Spanish in a rewarded as you arrive in a pic- triumphant battle that is returesque pueblo which seems enacted by the locals annually, wearing authentic French milito collapse in on itself. Colloquially referred to as ‘El tary uniforms. Balcon de la Serrania’ (Balco- Today Gaucin is more famous ny of the Serrania de Ronda), as one of Andalucia’s most Gaucin has a foothold halfway sought-after chill-out destinainto one of Andalucia’s most tions – an artists’ enclave full of character and charm. stunning mountain ranges. Originally settled by the Ro- If you’re looking for a relaxed mans and extended into a mili- holiday, away from the bright tary fortification by the Moors, lights of the Costa del Sol, Gaucin is made to measure. the village is Ask Fatboy rich in history. The Camino de Look out for hand- Slim and his wife Zoe Ball Gibraltar, which painted ceramic who have runs through the village, made lizards that adorn been a couGaucin a popu- the walls of almost ple of times, ask Jamie lar rest stop for every street Oliver, or the Roman soldiers Sainsbury and, later, British family who artists such as David Roberts, a painter from come every summer… and the 19th century Romantic above all, ask Gordon Ramsay who has just spent a week filmschool. However one of the most in- ing a TV show in the town at famous historical dates that Granada Divino restaurant. stands out in the minds of Sleepy and slow-paced but not Gaucin natives today is the devoid of life, you only have 1808 invasion of the French to plug into the breathtaking views to recharge your batterduring the Napoleonic Wars. A heavy loss was suffered by ies: a panorama encompassthe mountain pueblo when the ing the Rock of Gibraltar and

Morocco on one side, and the sweeping valleys of the Ronda mountain range on the other. To appreciate these views at their best, strap on your walking shoes and get ready for some invigorating but very doable hikes along the old Camino de Gibraltar itself, following in Roman footsteps… Finding the path is easy as it is very clearly sign-posted in the village. Just don’t forget your water bottle! To see the valleys, pay a visit to the Castillo del Aguila (Eagle Castle), a Roman castle now in ruins that watches over Gaucin like a sentinel. It’s easy to find from the northern side of the village and well worth the trip. Throw in the mountainside church and high-rise cemetery, and the adjoining history museum, for the complete experience.

Lounge lizarding If you just want to kick back and play lounge lizard, Gaucin can help with that too. Or at least, that’s according to one British couple holidaying in the village. When asked what there was to do in Gaucin, their reply was

succinct: “Sleep.” But while, it can certainly be a quiet restful place for a break, you can also enjoy the buzz in summer hanging out at one of the pavement cafes. Gaucin is bursting with personality, so hanging out in town is an entertainment. Excellent cafes, restaurants, shops and hotels are scattered throughout, and in summer the population of 2,000 inhabitants, grows manyfold. Although distinctly Spanish, Gaucin also bears the hallmarks of an expat invasion. As you browse the artisan shops and trendy clothing boutiques, look out for the handpainted ceramic lizards that adorn the walls of almost every street. These ‘salamandres,’ as they’re known, were created by a couple of locals as a marketing ploy to give Gaucin identity. Though no one knows why the salamander was chosen, they became wildly popular (400 went up in total) through a competition among local artists to create the most original lizard. On the subject of artists, the town has perhaps the most important collection of artists on the Costa del Sol, with dozens having studios in the town. This all becomes abundantly clear when twice a year the group organise their Art Gaucin weekends during which they throw open their doors and sell dozens of paintings. In between retail therapy and lizard spotting, make sure you seek out the centuriesTurn to Page 22

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aucin and white villages

August 20 - Sept 3 2014

From Page 21

old Fuente de los Seis Canos (Fountain of the Six Pipes). This historic attraction – dating back to 1628 – features six waterspouts, each fashioned into the shape of a different animal’s face. The water is potable and mountain cool, perfect for a mid-afternoon pickme-up.

Well-connected If all this peace and tranquility makes you restless, Gaucin has another great advantage: its proximity to Gibraltar, and Ronda, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. To ramp up the fun of a visit to Gaucin, try to plan your trip around one of the annual fiestas. Gaucin holds a massive flamenco festival every summer, usually in the last week of July or the first of August. The ‘Festival Flamenco del Corcho Valle del Genal’ was only started in 1997 but has grown into a widely-anticipated event. And there are many more happenings throughout the year. Best of all, despite its modern restaurants and thriving expat cottage industries selling everything from pottery and paintings to sculptures and hand-forged iron, Gaucin will give you a taste of a more authentic Andalucía, a glimpse of how it once was in the days of the old Camino de Gibraltar. Just belt up for the journey and enjoy!

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: A child baptises his mother in Gaucin’s historic fountain

Art Gaucin: Hop on the art trail IT is easily one of the art capitals of Andalucia. Amid its white washed streets, dozens of international artists have their studios and quietly beaver away, many with considerable global success. This all becomes apparent during the twice a year Art Gaucin Open Studios weekends. Transforming the town into a living gallery the event takes visitors on an art route around the pueblo blanco. Now going for a decade, the event gives visitors a unique opportunity to meet artists in their own studios and to buy work from them directly. And in addition to the group’s sculptors, painters, printmakers and photographers, the even also showcases a handful of visiting artists.

“People come from all over the place, and we often get other artists visiting,” explained British photographer Vivienne Whiffen, who has lived in Gaucin since 1985. “It is always fun. She continued: “We are an interesting group that ranges from super professionals exhibiting in major museums to the self taught, I myself am somewhere in the middle. “But the key point is that we are not just Sunday painters we all make a living from this. “And we are all Spanish speakers who have lived in the area for many years.” Artists such as Jim Rattenbury, Paddy Robinson, Victoria Orr-Ewing, Sebastian Fisher and Jennifer Waterhouse have all had successful exhibitions abroad in Switzerland, Germany and the UK. For more information visit: www.artgaucin.com

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23 August 7 -20 August 2014 August - Sept20 3 2014 July 24- Aug 6 2014

Switching on a light COLDPLAY and Gordon Ramsay are helping to boost Gaucin’s property market, according to a local real estate expert.

RELAXED FOR ONCE: Gordon Ramsay while filming in Gaucin

Tom Beker, of Mary Beker Properties, explains how a recent video for the rock band and a soon-to-be-aired TV show with chef Ramsay has really put the village in the spotlight. “It’s like someone has switched on a light and the market has picked up a lot over the last 12 months,” he explains. “Suddenly there are loads of people wanting to buy houses here,” he adds. “It’s partly the location, as Gaucin is only half an hour

Coldplay and Gordon Ramsay are sending Gaucin’s property market soaring, writes Imogen Calderwood

from the coast, and partly the natural beauty. You can even see the shores of Africa from here. “There is no doubt the excellent local publicity we have had recently has also really helped to put the place in the public eye.”

The most chic retreat

JIMENA is fast becoming the popular village for coastal residents looking for a ‘chic weekend retreat’. Traditional village houses - both restored and ripe for renovation are being snapped up for prices from as little as €50,000. Just one year after opening their latest office in the town, the expansion of Andalucia Country Houses is paying off. The real estate market was showing some slow signs of recovery when the office launched in 2013, and the team hoped they had the timing right for their expansion. But they are now delighted to announce that sales have increased by 50% in the Jimena and Gaucin areas from last year. Tom Tonner, a leading international architect and new resident in Jimena, is currently converting a village house he bought through Andalucia Country Houses. A stylish and contemporary holiday GOOD THINGS: Tom’Tonners home, it is a sign of good things to come! restored holiday house

HOME FROM HOME: There is a range of beautiful properties available in Gaucin and the surrounding area British TV chef Gordon Ramsay filmed an episode of the latest series of his Channel 4 show Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares in the town in June, while Coldplay apparently chose the Andalucian pueblo as the backdrop for their latest music video. “And all this is great publicity for us,” added Tom. Specialising in rural Spanish homes, Mary Beker Properties have 20 years experience of selling on both the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz. They sell throughout the Serrania de Ronda and have all types of properties: hotels in Ronda, rural cottages in Cadiz and townhouses in the white villages, to name a few. Casablanca Properties also have their base in Gaucin, and have noticed a considerable rise in what buyers are willing to pay to live in the area. “We’ve been in business for a couple of years now and when we started most people were looking to spend around €100,000-150,000,” said Polly Anderson, of Casablanca. “But now everyone’s after €300,000-800,000 homes. And what’s especially nice

about this area is that most of the sellers are looking to stay. Rather than leave the area, they tend to just be looking for

an upgrade. “I can see why. It’s stunning round here, it’s just very peaceful and so green.”

Wilderness retreat

THE views certainly couldn’t get much better. If it is rustic charm you are after, few places are more authentic than El Chaparral. Surrounded by miles and miles of cork and chestnut woods, this charming country home has it all. Carefully converted by artist Amapola Bicknell-Daw (right), it certainly has its own creative charms and, best of all, it is licensed to rent out as a B&B in two parts. “It earns a nice income and is the dream escape for stressed out northern Europeans,” explains Amapola, who has lived in the stunning home, near Gaucin for years. Despite growing up in the UK, she has Spanish roots and always knew she wanted to move back to Spain. She is now reluctantly selling up to spend more time at an-

other home in Galicia. The four-bedroom properly sits on three levels and is the epitome of peace. Bee-eaters soar around the area, while wild boar and deer are spotted most mornings. You can walk to the local village of Benalauria and Gaucin is just a 15 minute drive, while Ronda is less than half an hour away. For more information contact amapolapoppy@gmail.com

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Into the valley

THERE are few regions as evocative and unspoilt as the Genal Valley. Spread over 42,000 hectares between the coast and Ronda, the valley is a paradise for walkers, wildlife lovers and those who just want to get away from it all. It even boasts one of Europe’s cleanest rivers. It is made up of a collection of 16 villages within the Serrania de Ronda, some of which are literally off the map. Moreover, while Gaucin, by far the biggest town in the valley, may have attracted an influx of expats in recent years, few have ventured further into the valley. It remains quintessentially Spanish and for every few cars, there seems to be a donkey. In fact, taking a trip through the Genal valley is almost like taking a step back in time. “Life here goes on the same,” smiled Ana Martinez who runs El Quejigo in Algotocin, selling local hams and cheeses in addition to typical artisanal crafts from the area. “There are fewer people these days, it is quieter but it hasn’t really changed much over the years.” Certainly tourism is not generally developed in the Genal Valley. But this is brilliant for those that still venture into it, with each authentic village exuding a sense of the ‘real Spain’ or at least, how it used to be when people lived simpler and slower paced lives.

aucin and area

Walking guru Guy Hunter-Watts describes his favourite route to discover the best of Gaucin’s spectacular scenery

HIS route makes for a great half-day walk out from Gaucin. It’s easy to follow, the views change with every turn in the path and the ancient cork oaks which you pass are home to abundant bird life. Be prepared for a steepish haul first thing as you head up the north-eastern flank of El Hacho and another at the end of the walk when you head back up to Gaucin. After following a narrow, somewhat overgrown path early in the walk - you may feel more comfortable in long trousers there’s a longish section of forestry track mid-walk where you can abandon yourself to the soaring views out towards the Sierra del Pino and the Sierra del Libar: your feet take care of themselves at this point. During the winter months you may come across teams of cork cutters: the oaks are particularly memorable when seen after their nine-yearly cut. The walk begins at the Campsa petrol station on the outskirts of Gaucin, to one side of the A-369. Just before the entrance of the petrol station (at the northern end) head along Calle Camino del Montorio. Reaching house no.16 cut hard left and pick up a path which runs to the left of a line of eucalyptus trees. The path climbs steeply between two fences, past groves of olives and almonds. Ahead you’ll now spot

the path you’ll soon be following, cutting across the northern flank of El Hacho. When you reach a fork, keep left and continue to climb. Shortly the path swings hard right, running parallel to a track which is just above you. It becomes more overgrown as it passes just beneath a large, statuesque rock where it divides. Take the left fork and continue climbing. The path becomes clearer as it passes a post with white and yellow P.R. waymarking then runs up to a pylon at the top of the ridge. (20 mins) Here pass through a wire-andpost gate then, bearing slightly left, follow a narrow path which winds down through thick undergrowth beneath the oaks and conifers. It soon becomes clearer and leads to a fence and another wire-and-post gate. Beyond the gate the path continues to wind on through thick undergrowth before angling right and descending towards a pylon. A few metres before you reach the pylon cut left and continue along the narrow path that snakes through cistus, gorse and oaks then, descending, runs past a calera – an old lime kiln. Passing beneath overhead cables it soon descends to another gate with a sign for Coto Privado de Caza. Go through the gate and bear left along a more clearly defined path. You shortly come to

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25 August 7 20 - August 2014 August - Sept 20 3 2014

Gaucin western circuit: The walk of the cork cutters

y pass to the left of the Bear left here, following ath through the breach hillside. The path runs eneath a green–posted

The nitty gritty

Distance: 11 kms Time required: 4/4.5 hours Rating: Medium Map: 1:50000 Cortes de la Frontera

(1064/14-46) Water: No springs so take plenty

fence, descends, then crosses a (dry) stream, then loops hard to the right. You now lose the fence and shortly come to an indistinct fork. Here bear left.

My Gaucin

e of the first ats to live in area, estate nt Mary Beker members what ucin was when she ved…

tarted with an advert in bserver. Beker, 67, originally Warrington, moved to the n a permanent basis in when Franco was still in e. he tells the Olive Press her early years there. w an advert offering a eekend in Jimena where would show you properound the area. n’t really thought about g here, I just fancied the eekend. ust fell in love with the It was a bit of an advens it was a long way from where. time there was no road coast and no bridge, so d to really want to come t wasn’t convenient. are a lot of English here ut the foreigners that here before were quite turous ere very involved with anish, and they kind of ed us. I was always ‘their

The path winds steeply down then crosses another (dry) stream. Just beyond the stream the path divides. Take the lower, right hand fork and drop down the hill parallel to the stream that you have just crossed. After crossing the second of two small (dry) streams the path angles away from the fence then runs uphill and meets with a track leading towards a newly-built house. Here angle right and drop down the track towards a pylon. Just before reaching the pylon (1 hr) you come to a junction with a broader track. Here arc hard right and head along a broad forestry track: you’ll be following the track for the next 40 minutes so you can forget these notes at this stage.

Lazy contours

foreigner’ and because I had a car I would get invitations to weddings and Matanzas because I could take people. They used to call people who had been as far as Ronda munditos because they had seen the wide world. Most of them had never been to the coast, had never been to the beach even though they could see the sea from Gaucin. Of course, back then there were only three cars in the village. Because there wasn’t much space to park I used to leave the keys in the car and someone would move it if they needed to. There was no concern about anybody stealing it and there still isnt. Women didn’t go in bars in those days and I had to change the way I dressed. All the other women still wore black. Now some of the teenagers seem half naked. It really has changed tremendously, but is still, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in europe.

The track gradually descends as views open out to the west. Passing a quarry, then a farm where pigs and goats are raised, you reach a junction. Carry straight on, ignoring a left fork down towards Finca La Capellania. Continue along the main track ignoring a smaller track which you’ll soon see leading up to the right. The track contours lazily round the valley and eventually Gaucin comes into sight. Soon the track loops sharply left, crosses a tributary of Garganta de las Palas then a few hundred metres further crosses the Garganta de las Palas itself. The track now bears hard left, crosses a cattle grid, then runs on for about 600m and crosses a third stream bed. Careful! 225m past this stream look for a small white sign Camino de Gaucín a Cortes in a tree to the right of the track. (1 hr 45 mins) It’s easily missed but you should also spot cairns - manmade piles of stones - to the left and right of the track. Here bear sharply right away from the track and follow a path steeply up through the heather, gorse and lavender. The path winds on up through the cork oaks and eventually passes through a gate made from an old bed base where it broadens before meeting with a better-defined track by a green metal gate. Bearing right you eventually pass by a group of modern buildings then come to the RondaGaucin road. Turn right. Just past a bandstand cut left along Calle

Queipo de Llano following a sign for Centro urbano. After passing a small roundabout head straight on along Calle Los Bancos then arc right into Calle del Corral. Continue past the Unicaja bank then cross the street and, passing right of Modas Teresa, head to the end of the Calle Barrio Alto. Here bear right and, having passed the Guardia Civil HQ, you reach the Ronda-Gaucin road, the A-369, and your point of departure. (2 hrs 30 mins) The Walk of the Cork Cutters is taken from Walking in Andalucia by Guy Hunter-Watts. The book is available via amazon. co.uk, ISBN: 978-84-8995492-2. The author welcomes feedback about any changes you may encounter via guy@ rondatejar.com

Weaving their way

GAUCIN weavers Lanas del Rio have been busy this year preparing their new showroom at Molino Taponero, the historic mill on the Rio Genal where they design and weave their exclusive range of throws, blankets and many other items made on traditional nineteenth century design machines brought from Yorkshire. Paul and Dawn Sutcliffe, the husband and wife team who own and run Lanas del Rio and Molino Taponero, now welcome, by prior arrangement, visitors to the mill who can see the machinery and how the cloth is made, browse through the showroom and enjoy a refreshing drink with Paul and Dawn on the fig tree shaded terrace. The Rio Genal runs right by so visitors can enjoy the riverside and even have a dip. To reach Lanas del RIo leave the A377 Sabinillas Gaucin road at 21.9km just on the Gaucin side of the bridge, follow the lane for 2.8km passing, on the way, through the gates of El Coto Jarraqueque and look out for the sign on the right. To arrange a visit call Paul or Dawn on 686 458 851 or 952 117 591 or email lanasdelrio@gmail.com. Visit http://www.lanasdelrio.com/ for more information

ll about

aucin and area

WHERE TO EAT

estaurant Pizzería La Casita en Montejaque

Italian International Fusion Enjoy a quiet place where you can enjoy a great meal on our terrace with spectacular views of the mountains and views of our magnificent garden of different levels.

Open every night 7.30pm until 12am Open for lunch Thurs to Sunday 12.30pm until 4pm Proud winners of:

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 The best Italian food in Andalucia Eccellenze Italiane.com

Telf. 632 588 489 info@restaurante-lacasita.com www.restaurante-lacasita.com Calle Herrera Oria, 5, 29360 Montejaque, Málaga

On the up

The Gaucin and nearby white village restaurant scene is improving by the month, writes Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke IT is never a bad thing when superstars like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver drop into your village. And if you have a restaurant, it’s even better. So Gaucin is very much in the foodies spotlight at present, having been recently visited by celebrity chef Ramsay for his TV show Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Centering on new restaurant La Granada Divino, he spent over a week filming the restaurant get up and running and doing his usual ‘rip-it-up-and-start-again-routine’. Whether it needed it was another matter (see review opposite) with the place being actually rather good. Chef Neil Brown has decades of experience, including Scott’s and Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Bar in London, and it’s certainly one of the most charming spots in Andalucia to eat. But the Gaucin and Serrania de Ronda area in general is full of fantastic places to dine. Known for its excellent ingredients - including chestnuts and mushrooms - the best include Meson la Molienda, in Benalauria, El Muelle, in Arriate (currently voted Best Restaurant in Andalucia by TripAdvisor) and Molino del Santo, in Benaojan, which is not just a great restaurant, but also one of Spain’s leading rural hotels. A new contender in the quality stakes is Restaurante Pizzeria La Casita, in Montejaque,

where Carolina and Max have sculpted the most charming spot to dine. Voted as having the best Italian food in Andalucia, the pair have created a wonderful spot sitting in a leafy garden with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. A classic white village, 20 minutes from Ronda and 25 minutes to Gaucin, Montejaque is one splendid place to visit, particularly for anyone who fancies a country hike before lunch or supper. Sardinian Max, a long time talent in the area, creates a range of original dishes and, of course, pizzas, hence the name. Another brilliant place to dine on the way up to Gaucin is at Arroyo Hondo in the nearby village of Casares. This amazing spot is the home of one of Andalucia’s best foreign chefs Christian Robson-Burrell, a well travelled chap who has cooked in half a dozen countries. He and his Japanese wife Noriko, run a tight ship, and you will definitely need to book, particularly at weekends. A true dining secret, the key to their success is consistency and you never have a bad meal here. There is an emphasis on quality, with a twist and expect to find a mix of European dishes with a few Japanese and Thai chestnuts thrown into the mix. These could include a brandade of cod Scotch egg, a king prawn tempura with a Wakame salad and Ponzu dressing, or parmesan gnocchi with white truffle oil. Its attractive terrace, great value menu del dia, a Sunday roast and consistently good quality keeps customers coming back for more.

Restaurant Pizzería La Casita en Montejaque

Italian International Fusion Enjoy a quiet place where you can enjoy a great meal on our terrace with spectacular views of the mountains and views of our magnificent garden of different levels.

Open every night 7.30pm until 12am Open for lunch Thurs to Sunday 12.30pm until 4pm Proud winners of:

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 The best Italian food in Andalucia Eccellenze Italiane.com

Telf. 632 588 489 info@restaurante-lacasita.com www.restaurante-lacasita.com Calle Herrera Oria, 5, 29360 Montejaque, Málaga

August 7 - August 20 2014

27 August 20 - Sept 3 2014

Simply Divino Gordon Ramsay took it apart and put it back to together again in his usual fashion… but now that the dust has settled, how good is La Granada Divino really? Jon Clarke went to find out THE last time I’d met chef Neil Brown he was wearing the long, vacant look of a doctor, who had just finished a nightshift. It was hardly surprising having been at the sharp end of a busy kitchen with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay breathing down his neck for a week. The culmination of an episode of his popular Channel4 show Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, it was supposed to be the night it all came together with a grand fanfare. But with two camera crews filming his every move, producers barking orders like prison guards and a phalanx of waitresses quivering like jellies, it was never going to be the perfect night for a review. While asked to proffer my opinions for the show (whether they use them or not, we’ll have to wait and see when the programme airs), I decided to give the place a proper go last week before putting pen to paper. And the good news is La Granada Divino ticks a lot of boxes. The Gaucin eatery is both inspired in its layout and design and definitely produces the goods on the plate. You can hardly fail to be charmed (assuming you haven’t tried to drive to the door) as you arrive at the wooden door of this pretty grapevine strewn white-washed village house. Unassuming from the outside you walk into a warm entrance space, with a few tables and the kitchen to one side. And then comes the drama, as you are led upstairs and hopefully, on a good day, to one of the tables on the terraces outside. Insist on booking one of the three eagle’s nest tables at the Granada Divino, Gaucin - 951 709 075 -

very top and you will be in for one of the most spectacular vistas in Europe. Spread out in front of you is a blanket of untamed rolling scrubland, interspersed with rivers, lakes, oaks and pine woods, all melting down to the Straits of Gibraltar, the Rock and the distant hills of Morocco the icing on the cake. With castle-topped Gaucin as a backdrop, it is hard to be beaten. Food-wise Neil has done his time in Andalucia (in Medina Sidonia, Frigiliana and Marbella) and is now back in Gaucin for a second stint. A jobbing chef, who trained in London, at places like Scott’s (more recently famous for the Nigella Lawson choke photos last year) and Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar, among other spots, he is a true professional. And, while he complains that the current menu is more Gordon Ramsay’s than his (he is set to change it this September), he certainly honours it well. Out came a mixed starters plate, with all the ingredients for a holiday success… a thimble-full of gazpacho, a fresh anchovy on toast, a puchero croquette in a spicy tomato bisque, pea puree and goats cheese and, of course, a slice

of delicious Spanish tortilla. It was a veritable Andalucian meal in microcosm, not necessarily one for the gourmets, but most tourists will love it. I preferred the amazing flatbreads of mushroom, pesto and grated goat’s cheese, sat on a bed of pumpkin puree, not to mention the healthy dorada (bream) as a main course, which was perfectly grilled and served with a great range of rocket, tomatoes and asparagus. He also wowed with the way he served up Presa Iberica, or Iberian pork underbelly, deliciously rustic and chunky and also served with loads of veg. “I try and use as much local produce as possible,” explains Neil. “The local butcher, the local greengrocer and even fish from the local market. And I plan to change the menu regularly.” I deliberately steered away from grilling him on his Ramsay experience, for fear of being clobbered. Had he learnt anything? Who knows. Who cares. In his own right, he can put this place on the map for all the right reasons.

MUY TIPICO: A veritable Andalucian feast

Serrania de Ronda’s freshest new restaurant

Come and see what Gordon did next! Views to Gibraltar and Africa

Reservations: +34 951 709 075 reservations@lagranadadivino.com www.lagranadadivino.com

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otogrande

August 7 - August 20 2014

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Property

www.theolivepress.es

BRITISH expats in Spain could be rushing home as the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne prepares a new foreign tax raid. The new plan will target expats and oversea retirees – all non-residents must pay tax on UK income – and especially those earning money from UK properties.

Pensioners

More than 175,000 expats who own real estate in the UK would be affected by the scheme. Pensioners could also lose out, with the proposals ex-

Expat tax attack

Tax plan targets oversea retirees with property in UK pected to cut the average couple’s pension draw by up to £4,000 (€4,990) per year.

Second-tier frontier IT’S a buyer’s market in recession-stricken Europe – the perfect time to invest in an urban dream house. Canny investors should look beyond London and Madrid; the real steals are hidden in secondary cities such as Amsterdam, Venice, and Barcelona. “If there is such a thing as a top secondary city, then Barcelona is it,” says Christian de Meillac, head of Spanish sales for Knight Frank.

August 20 - Sept 3, 2014

EU nationals and British expats can currently offset income earned in the UK against the £10,000 (€12,470) personal allowance.

Over 400,000 people could be affected if these new guidelines are accepted. The plan could draw the exchequer an extra £400 mil- CHEQUEING IN: lion (€499 million) each year. George Osborne

Boom to bust

EUROPE’S housing boom could be over by next year. Industry experts claim that prices may continue to rise for another 12 months but that a fall will follow. The crash is predicted as the amount of houses on the market now exceeds the number of buyers. Sellers cashing in on the boom is creating a glut on the market that the shrinking amount of buyers is unable to satisfy. Estate agents, however, deny the claims, saying it will confuse homeowners hoping to sell at the prime time.

Aside from the breathtaking architecture, world-class dining and beautiful beaches, property prices have been falling in the city since 2008. For €800,000 you can grab a three-bedroom penthouse with a roof terrace by the Gothic Cathedral. However, prices like these won’t be around long, warns Knight, as growing demand will soon set second-tier prices sky-high.

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Property PAIN is one of the few countries in the EU which has an unregulated real estate industry. Anyone can buy and sell

The Property Insider by

Adam Neale houses. Of late, a number of professional real-estate bodies – the Andalusian Property and even illegal activity. The Management Business Asso- Junta de Andalucía would be ciation (AEGI) and colleagues responsible for ensuring the involved in the property busi- new rules are followed. ness on the Costa del Sol – Regulation would benefit have been debating the merits both clients and legitimate of regulation in the regional real-estate businesses. It real-estate marketplace. would help to eradicate flyAccording to CEPI, the Eu- by-night 'agents' armed with ropean Council of Real-Es- little more than a telephone, a tate Professions, 15 of the website of copied-and-pasted 26 member states in the EU, listings and a desire to make a including neighbours like quick buck. Although many of France and Portugal, have the shadier characters in the some form of sector were regulation. But, killed off by with the no“Most agents we the crisis, table exception they’re makof Catalunya, looked at weren’t ing a comeSpain is not on even following the back as the list. AEGI house prices was instrumen- basic provisions of and interest tal in passing a in the marthe law” new law in 2010 ket begin to that regulates pick up. the industry in Catalunya, via There is also the larger proban official register, and is now lem of policing the internet. A hoping to introduce similar client recently asked why we legislation in Andalusia. were listing a house at a highAEGI's recommendations in- er price than another agent clude deposits guaranteed by found online. I had never professional insurance, reg- heard of this ‘agent’ and could istration and identification only find a mobile number on of officially-approved agents their website. A subsequent and formal training, or mini- call to the property owner mum academic requirements. revealed that the 'agent' had The goal is to create stable never been instructed. The jobs, contribute to economic seller was furious that his growth, professionalise the property was being adversector and curb uncontrolled tised as a distressed sale.

August 20 - Sept 3 2014

Would you trust an estate agent? With southern Spain’s real estate market picking up, regulation is today’s hot topic of conversation among property professionals. Adam Neale explains how it can benefit clients and businesses alike

Of course, regulations need money and resources behind them to be effective. It remains to be seen whether the Junta is willing to provide them. A recent report by the Which Consumer Association on property industry regulation in the UK is particularly illuminating: “The Estate Agents Act obviously isn't working,” they reported.

“Most agents we looked at weren't even following the basic provisions of the law.” For now, in the absence of regulations, I'd suggest clients simply use common sense. Start by asking friends to recommend agents and other advisers with whom they have had a good experience, and use the internet to carry out background checks.

Good judgement, although essential, is something some people sadly seem to leave at home when they come to Spain, which is why some form of regulatory control is essential. A final word of advice to anyone getting off the plane in Malaga this summer, looking for a place in the sun: everyone you meet is a potential

estate agent. Lawyers, financial advisers, restaurant owners, receptionists, gardeners, bankers ... even dentists ... They all know someone who needs to sell in a hurry at a once-in-a-lifetime bargain price, most likely with stunning sea views thrown in. They're all on the take. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Take it from me; I'm an estate agent.

PROPERY SALES • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PROjEcT MANAGEMENT PLANNiNG • REfuRbiShMENT • TuRNkEY cONSTRucTiON George T Klein, founder of Klein & Partner, has many years of experience and expertise working in the property market of Marbella and its surrounds on Spain's renowned Costa del Sol. The result is that, today, Klein & Partner is recognized as being one of the most established and reputable real-estate agencies in the area - a company that goes far beyond mere property sales and purchase, but provides a whole realm of additional support services. Tel: (+34) 952765636

E: klein@kleinandpartner.com

www.kleinandpartner.com

The Olive Press’

monthly youth and education 31 section

New map for expat parents charts all British schools worldwide when moving abroad. The majority of the schools are scattered throughout Europe, but there are also large concentrations in India, Pakistan and down the east coast of Africa, including Nigeria. They all follow the British curriculum from Key Stages 2-5 to the end of GCSEs. More than 1,000 schools are listed on the map, along with important information such as address, website and stu-

38 57

treme

The hunt is over THE most comprehensive map of schools offering the British curriculum around the world has gone live. Spain - a top destination for British expats - has one of the most complete coverages of British schools in the world, with more than 60. The map (below) was created by expat advice service Expat&Offshore as a resource for British families who want a smooth transition

313 the olive press - Aug 20 - Sept

dent population. A spokesperson for the British School of Valencia said: “Our teaching and training activities reinforce the ties between Spanish and British culture, encouraging the integration of our students and stimulating the person from the academic and personal point of view.” The map and full list of schools can be viewed at www.expatandoffshore.com/ british-schools-abroad

Spain’s new ‘open’ universities GETTING into a Spanish university just got a degree easier for foreigners. In a bid to attract more international students, Spain has eliminated its university entrance exam known as the Selectividad. Education minister Jose Ignacio Wert described the exam as being ‘a huge barrier’ to attracting non-Spaniards to higher education in Spain. Only some 74,000 foreign students were enrolled in Spanish universities last year, compared to 425,000 in Brit-

Spanish teachers head across the pond SPAIN has a new favourite export to the United States, and it’s not olive oil. It’s teachers! The Government of Oklahoma is recruiting staff from Spain to teach the language and culture of their homeland in public schools. The imported teachers are awarded annual contracts on the same wages as resident teachers, and have the opportunity to renew up to two times. Other states have done the same for more than 25 years as a way to enrich their language programmes.

ain and 300,000 in Germany. The old exam was apparently too difficult for non-citizens to pass, as it was in Spanish and rooted in Spain’s literature and school system.

The move is expected to especially appeal to Middle East and Latin American countries, areas where there has been a recent surge in higher education interest.

Twist in the ‘tail’

FISH FANTASY: Could a sex-siren fishtail do it for you?

A WORLD craze for donning fish tails and experiencing life as a mermaid has reached Spain’s sunny shores. The strangest fish school in Spain - Sirens Mediterranean Academy in Tarragona, Catalunya - offers ‘mermaidology degrees’, which owner Susana Seuma confirmed is ‘not a joke’. The mermaid costume helps improve swimming skills, and strengthens the lower back, buttocks, abs, arms and chest muscles. “The basic concept is to do exercises and to practise swimming skills in a fun and different way,” she added. Although a first for Europe, similar schools are already making waves in Florida, Texas and the Philippines.

Top Salud

35 August 20 - Sept 3 2014

Ebola virus triggers Spain scare

Alicante scare comes days after Spanish priest is first Ebola victim to die on European soil

By Jared Garland

THE deadly Ebola virus has caused a major scare in the Spanish coastal resort of Alicante. A Nigerian man presented symptoms of the virus at San Joan Hospital days after returning from Nigeria, including ‘physical discomfort, vomiting and bleeding’. An emergency protocol was put in place while the man, in his 30s, was kept in isolation as doctors waited for test results. However, doctors have now confirmed that he does not have the virus. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the world’s deadliest to date and the World Health Organisation has declared an international health emergency. A Spanish missionary priest became the first victim of the outbreak to die on European soil last week.

FAILED TREATMENT: Pajares being transported by hermetically-sealed medical staff

CONTAGIOUS: Pajares being transported by hermetically-sealed medical staff Miguel Parajes, 75, died at a Madrid hospital five days after being flown to Spain by military plane from Liberia. He contracted the disease while working in a Catholic

Ebola clinic there. So far this year, more than 1,000 people have died of the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. In a recent meeting in Mal-

lorca, King Felipe and Prime Minister Rajoy discussed plans to construct treatment facilities should the outbreak hit Spain.

A SHORT walk could seriously reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to an extensive new study. Middle-aged women who are active for four hours a week are reportedly 10% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who take less exercise. “We found that recreational physical activity, even of modest intensity, seemed to have a rapid impact on breast cancer risk,” said Agnes Fournier, of the Parisian Institut Guztave Roussy. “Post-menopausal women who exercise should be en-

couraged to continue and those who do not exercise should consider starting because their risk of breast cancer may decrease rapidly.” Of the 60,000 women who took part in the study, however, those who were active when younger but stopped were no less likely to get cancer, showing the importance of continuing with exercise. And middle-age is by no means too late to start, as the study showed benefits appearing within four years of commencing an exercise regime.

Fertility tourists Work out to beat breast cancer

HUNDREDS of Irish couples are flocking to Spain for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures. According to research from private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com, searches for overseas fertility treatments have soared by 59% over the last 12 months, while clinics in Ireland have seen an almost 20% decrease. Even though treatments

in Spain tend to cost more than elsewhere in Europe, the country has a worldwide reputation for specialising in this incredibly complex medical field. But WhatClinic.com says the main reason for Irish interest in Spanish fertility treatments is the access to egg donor clinics, which are practically non-existent in Ireland due to a lack of donors.

Dairy: what the doctor ordered

TAKE another slice of Manchego: it might just help to prevent the onset of diabetes. In trials that reverse previous thinking, researchers at Cambridge University tested over 340,000 subjects to find that those with high intakes of dairy fat were less likely to get diabetes. The findings have shocked diabetes associations but it’s good news for Spain, where dairy production has seen a steady increase.

DIETING DOWNER WHILE weight loss definitely makes you healthier, don’t expect it to make you happier, says the latest study. Researchers at University College London found that people who lost more than 5% of their body weight over a four-year period were more prone to depression and mood lows than those who remained within 5% of their original weight. In Spain, conversely, although people are more healthy than happy, they are

still putting on weight. According to the OECD Better Life Index, the average Spaniard scores 8.7 on the health scale but a below-average 6.2 in life satisfaction. However 22.9% of Spaniards are obese, up almost 10% from a decade ago. According to Sioned Quirke, a spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, restrictive diets often lead to boredom, or dieters dodge enjoyable activities - such as the cinema - to avoid temptation.

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Spend pounds, save euros

Sterling is bouncing back meaning serious savings for British shoppers in Spain A pair of Zara snakeskin print stilettos. for example, are sold in the UK for €87.81 (£69.99), but the same pair can be found in Spain for just €59.99 (£47.74). The British holidaymaker stands to save over €27.60 (£22) on one pair of shoes just for buying within Spanish borders. But it is not just Spanish brands that offer significant savings. Swedish clothing giant H&M prices women’s skinny jeans at €19.99 (£15.99) across stores in Spain, while the same pairs go for €25.08 (£19.99) in the UK. But the news unfortunately rides on the back of a struggling economy. The European Central Bank reported last week that inflation rates dropped to 0.4% - almost approaching the deflation danger area - compared to the UK’s 19% inflation. The Eurozone’s high unemployment rates are to blame, particularly in SHOPPING SPREE: Spain’s precarious Spain where unemployment is at economy means big savings at the checkout 24.47%. counter GOOD news for British holidaymakers to Spain: the pound is making a comeback, and that means serious discounts are up for grabs in Europe. Bouncing back from the December 2008 low of €1.04, the sterling exchange rate has hit a healthier €1.25. Shoppers will notice the difference in almost any clothes shop across the country.

35 August 20 - Sept 3 2014

Dying trade FUNERALS are painful events and shouldn’t involve anymore stress than is necessary. That is the view of Funeral Care Spain boss Neil Toplis. The 42-year-old Essex native was inspired to start his Benalmadena-based company – focused on good service and customer care – after the death of a close friend. Faced with the emotionally-draining task of organising his mate’s last rites, he was given the runaround by Spanish funeral companies. According to Toplis, funeral companies abroad can ruthlessly ex-

The ‘dog eat dog’ world of Spain’s funeral industry can be painful, writes Carey Camel ploit expats. In Spain, most funeral costs are covered by life insurance policies, so when an expat with a nonSpanish policy requires these services, most companies size them up and charge a huge price for the ‘private’ service. “It’s dog eat dog out here,” says Toplis. “99% of what you hear from Spanish funeral companies is an absolute lie.” Because of this, Funeral Care Spain – which

Brits back debtors

CREDIT providers should offer more assistance for customers in financial difficulty. So say 75% of the British public, according to figures from London-based market research company Mintel. Toby Clark, director of research at Mintel, said: “It is clear that people think there is a real difference between what lenders and borrowers can be held responsible for. “There is a consensus that it is the borrower’s responsibility to ensure debts are repaid – but that lenders also have a responsibility to give them every opportunity to do this.” But Brits don’t just think debts should be written off – only 27% believe it is unfair to force those who cannot afford their debts to pay up.

operates throughout Spain through its list of approved funeral homes – has a policy of all services being ‘available with transparent and fixed prices, to give you peace of mind,’ according to the company’s website. Although Toplis strives to provide an excellent service, he told the Olive Press that keeping up the business isn’t always easy. Aside from the usual causes of death like car accidents and illness, times when there are severe changes in weather see more deaths than others, as older people have a harder time adjusting to cold snaps or unexpected heat waves. “I never get used to people dying,” explained Mr Toplis. “I’ve even seen people die from lack of alcohol,” he added, recounting a story about a man who suddenly gave up his daily whisky, causing his body to go into fatal toxic shock.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Debt rockets SPAIN’S public debt has topped €1 trillion for the first time, the central bank has announced, despite years of governmentimposed austerity.

Off the rails THE number of people using Spain’s public transport dropped by 1.8% between June 2013 and June 2014 – a decrease of seven million passengers.

Overtaking SPAIN’S economy is now growing faster than Germany’s and France’s, after both countries published negative growth figures, compared to Spain’s 0.6% increase.

Tire time

US tire company Hankook is opening a new technical office in Tarragona, at automobile firm Applus IDIADA’s proving ground. The two companies have teamed up for research projects.

The Insurance Doctor: Danni Worth

Underinsurance and how to avoid it…

THE consequences of being underinsured are often a reduced payment from an insurer when you need it most. Research clearly shows that most homeowners greatly underestimate the value of their general contents and possessions, as the following case study shows: In the example shown (right) a contents claim of €50,000 would have resulted in a claims settlement of €28,000 in Case study 1, and €27.000 in Case study 2. You can therefore see the grave danger that being underinsured presents at a time when you need your insurance policy to perform. Underinsurance is the consequence of many factors, including: • Accumulation – our possessions grow over time, and we tend to purchase more personal effects, such as jewellery, cameras, sports equipment, clothes, laptops etc. • Prices change – generally speaking upwards, and in the case of art, antiques and jewellery, often at a significant pace. • Our interests broaden – leading to collections of various types. • Our leisure pursuits require the purchase of expensive equipment – golf clubs, skis, surf boards etc. • Children happen – and with them comes a whole new variety of toys, gadgets etc. The best way to ensure you are insured correctly is to systematically go through each room in your house and list what it would cost to replace each item – including clothes, curtains, linen etc. Most claims are for partial losses, however, if you suffered a total loss could you replace your home and all your contents and possessions for the figure currently quoted in your policy? Act now to ensure you are not a victim of underinsurance. If you are unsure whether your current level of insurance is adequate, please contact us on 952 882 273 or info@ opdebeeck-worth.com and we will be happy to advise you.

Op de Beeck & Worth - Insurance Brokers C. C. Guadalmina IV - Locales 9798, 29670, San Pedro Alcantara (Málaga) - Tel +34 952 88 22 73/Fax +34 952 88 42 26 olivepress@opdebeeck-worth.com

ROOM

CASE STUDY 1

Hall Study Lounge/ dining room Conservatory Kitchen Master bedroom Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Other items Utility room Outside & garage Client estimate of value Actual value % Underinsured

€2,750 €29,800

€37,100 €11,800 €6,600 €23,940 €9,000 €7,780 €30,050 €1,750 €13,200 €100,000 €177,520 56%

CASE STUDY 2 €1,410 €4,490

€34,950 €4,805 €6,0 60 €15,110 €2,100 n/a €32,085 €815 €6,500 €60,000 €110,310 54%

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Top Dollar Market mumbles

Summer days drifting away

By Mark Rickard DESPITE improved employment data and improved growth forecast from the UK, lower wage inflation data has become a big thorn in the Bank of England’s side. Mark Carney (right) has had to backtrack on some of his earlier forecasts, saying ‘we will react to the data coming in’. Therefore, he delayed the possibility of an interest rate rise in the UK this year. On a similar note, contraction in the German economy and zero growth in France meant the Euro was also under pressure from the US Dollar. It is a familiar truth that the Dollar becomes the investor’s safe haven currency with geo-political unrest, coupled with good data, we could see GBP vs USD heading towards 1.60 before 2015, and Euro vs USD towards 1.25. I feel like a party-pooper reporting the negative news for Europe, as there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of money in our

Costa microclimate. On Thursday evening I went to Puerto Banus and the place was buzzing; they’re opening more runways at Malaga Airport and the Saturday market in Centro Plaza is as busy as ever. It is hard to see any shortage of money or lack of consumer confidence when you’re in Marbella during in August. Despite the oasis of summer holidaymakers, unfortunately the good times will most likely be over when I write my next column. Lets talk again in September when conditions are heading back to normal... and I put my bucket and spade into storage!

Contact HiFX for help with your international transactions Centro Plaza, 951 203 986 or olivepress@hifx.co.uk

Shady stats

SPAIN’S jobs market is full of optimistic reports about rising employment and falling dole queues but misleading statistics could be cause for unjustified celebration. Unemployment dropped to below 25% this month for the first time since the crisis. But new statistics reveal that fulltime jobs and salaries have also seen a decrease. The number of full-time employees has fallen from just under 16.6 million at the start of 2012 to 15.8 million now - a total loss of 824,000 full-time jobs - according to data from the Quarterly National Accounts. The average salary has also dwindled from €15.55 an hour to €15.36 over the past two years. While an unemployment rate tells you how many people are in and out of work, it says nothing of the total number of hours worked, or salaries. This information is needed to reveal the true figure of how many full-time jobs have been created, and how the average salary has been affected. These statistics indicate that jobs have not been created but simply divided, so that while more people are ‘technically’ employed, even more are underemployed. As the saying goes, there are lies, damned lies and statistics...

August 20 - Sept 3 2014

Busted!

Ex-Andalucian tax boss arrested in €2 billion corruption scandal

A FORMER Andalucian tax office chief has been arrested as part of Spain’s ‘biggest ever fraud case’. Angel Ojeda (pictured below) has been charged with forgery, fraud and improper appropriation as part of Operation Oscar, one of many investigations into the scandal. The corruption outrage – which involved hundreds of professional training courses – saw Andalucian officials allegedly siphon off more than €2 billion of EU education funding. Police claim that Ojeda’s business network had illegally obtained €49.8 million – intended as funding for training courses – and expect this figure to grow as the investigation continues. The police report claims Ojeda was leading a ‘very complex business network consisting of more than 50 companies, foundations and associations’ that had received ‘tens of millions of euros’ from the Junta. Eight other people – all linked to Ojeda and his network – were arrested, including his son, Marcos Ojeda. The arrest comes just a month after the arrest of 15 more Andalucian officials as part of connected investigation Operation Edu.

CATALAN ex-president Jordi Pujol has been accused of money laundering and influence tracking in a complaint filed by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) in a Barcelona court. This Spanish anti-corruption organisation claims that Pujol embezzled public funds, accepted bribes and

Are you an orphan policyholder?

If you have a pension, investment or life insurance product arranged by an advisor who no longer works for you, or has gone out of business, read on, writes Richard Alexander

tion is being paid to the investment mix and whether it remains relevant. So often people have said to me, “The investment performance was good in the early years but…” Often, the ‘but’ refers to the period during which they have been orphan policyholders, because no-one has reviewed their investment strategy or rebalanced their portfolio. One thing is certain: it doesn’t really matter how well an investment structure is researched at the outset if it is not reviewed

regularly. Some sectors of an investment portfolio will always perform better than others. In time it becomes out of balance. Then it’s a matter of pure luck as to whether it continues to perform overall. This is more often the case with pension contracts. For some reason – call it human nature – we don’t keep such a close eye on our pension fund performance as we do on direct investments. Maybe that’s because they are more obscure investments which people don’t under-

DESPITE millions of euros in public funding, nine of Spain’s political organisations have gone bankrupt. The spent-up groups with more than €1 million in debt include: the United Left, which has a €13.1 million debt; the Democratic Union of Catalunya, with a €12.4 million debt; Catalan group Convergence and Union, €9.2 million; the Galician Nationalist Bloc, €3.7 million and the Initiative for Catalunya Greens who owe €3.1 million. PSOE and PP – although still afloat – have both faced criticism for irresponsible spending, after blowing more than the public funds they receive.

Shamed Pujol accused again

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander OU may not have heard of the phrase, ‘orphan policyholder’ before but the cap fits the vast majority of ex-pat Brits I meet, in one way or another. Quite often, moving overseas creates the problem in the first place, if the UK adviser is unable or unwilling to continue to advise. There are a number of regulatory requirements they must fulfil to be able to maintain the relationship, and you may need to meet in person. But if you have enjoyed good service it may seem tempting to try and stick with them. However, it’s never satisfactory, as local knowledge is a key factor. So what are the downsides to being an orphan policyholder, where there’s a contract in existence but no ongoing advice? In many cases, where a bank was the original adviser, you could still be paying charges on your account for a service you are no longer getting. Also, where there is an investment content – as there is with most pensions, bonds and some life insurance contracts – no atten-

Going for broke

stand quite as well! So there are two big downsides to being an orphan: you are paying for a service you are not receiving and are at risk of unbalanced, underperforming investments in the long run. The way to fix this is to appoint a new adviser, who is regulated in Spain and has the relevant experience to advise you. You can transfer the servicing rights of your contracts to them and, in most cases, the charges can also be redirected. A winwin situation.

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. Contact him at Richard@ra-fp.com

falsified official documents. It also lists his wife Marta Ferrusola as an accessory. This comes just weeks after the ex-President confessed to laundering up to €18 million in Andorran and Swiss accounts to evade taxes. Pujol, who founded the Catalan political party CDC, was stripped of all titles and privileges, including his pension, personal car and chauffeur and political perks as ex-President. Pujol’s actions have weakened Catalunya’s independence movement, as its central argument – that Catalunya pays more in taxes to Spain than it receives in benefit – has lost integrity

after the money laundering case. “Saying that Catalunya is stripped of everything by the Spanish state is a fallacy that is beginning to be debunked,” said PP deputy leader Maria Dolores de Cospedal. “Obviously Mr Pujol’s confession helps in that sense.” Catalunya’s current president Artur Mas was handpicked by Pujol, though he has distanced himself from the disgraced leader. The corruption complaint has been officially received by the court but the judge must decide whether to take the case, which can take years in Spanish courts.

Contacts for life

CONTACT lenses are popular with people of all ages and lifestyles, but some are wary because they don’t know how to use them. Leighton Griffiths from Specsavers Opticas in Marbella believes advances in technology mean that now almost everyone can use them comfortably and safely. However, the type of lenses you choose must take your lifestyle and medical condition into account. Here are some things to look out for and consider: ake sure your eyes are healthy. Before trying contact lenses for the first time, have a thorough eye test to identify any issues and tailor the contact lenses to you. dentify your visual needs . An eye test gives the latest information on your eyesight and any particular needs which the contact lens needs to compensate for. New multi-focal and vari-focal lenses allow people who are both short-and long-sighted to see perfectly without having to wear two different lenses. atch your lens to your lifestyle. The lens you choose depends on your lifestyle and how often you will

M I

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AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Spanish bureaucracy and tax loopholes

Prepared for takeoff

Antonio Flores explores Spain’s paperwork forests

Merger of British Airways and Iberia sends airline profits skyward

IF I say that Spain is a country in love with bureaucracy, your response might be: “Really…I don’t believe you for a minute?!” Sarcasm is rarely better suited to a statement than here. Yes, unfortunately a good proportion (not all) of the 2.7 million Spanish civil servants need to move paperwork around to justify their jobs and that includes the Hacienda. But they do seem to be getting better all the time. One example is the clampdown on tax loopholes on buying shares of a property-owning company, even considering the exasperatingly confusing layers of new amendments. Let’s take an example of article 108 of the Stock Exchange Act, a precept devised to prevent Spanish property buyers from using companies to circumvent the payment of transfer taxes. The wording of the article, modified at least six times since 1989, has given food for thought to judges, lawyers, tax advisors and notaries who, in very dense interpretations of what the lawman really meant to say, ended up more confused than before (getting many hundreds of property buyers into trouble in the way). Simply put, this article regulated a general exemption of Spanish VAT, transfer tax and stamp duty for the transfer of securities of companies that held real estate assets. Back in the 90s, the article regulated on the scope

THE merger between British Airways and Iberia has helped the newly formed International Airlines Group (IAG) see its largest profits to date. Described as a ‘turnaround

of the exemption of payment of taxes if you bought property via the shares of a company and it talked about not acquiring more than 50% of the share capital of a company whose balance sheet was made up by, in at least 50% of it, Spanish real estate. So many people, ensuring they bought equally with a partner of friend, got away with this and bought property free from transfer taxes, much to the despair of the tax office. In a new twist, the lawman introduced a new condition: that three years had to pass between the time of transfer of the property into the company and the sale of shares (to avoid purpose-made company incorporations). Not being enough, new amendments were introduced but primarily, they came up with one definitive concept: that it was presumed that if any of the above were met, one was definitely trying to cheat the Hacienda. And to close the loop, they introduced the final amendment whereby provided the property was being used for an economic or professional activity, transfer tax will be applied because it is presumed (subject to rebuttal) that one is trying to buy a home and pay no taxes (pretty practical here!). In conclusion, a no-go area for potential tax-avoidance adventurers.

MULTIBILLION: The merger has sent profits up

By Jared Garland project’, the multi-billioneuro 2011 merger has turned a €506 million loss into pre-tax profits of €155

million in just one year. Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive, said: “What you see today is the best secondquarter result for all three airlines, not just Iberia, since 2007.” British Airways raked in €332 million for the year - a full €85 million higher than 2013 - and IAG-owned Vueling made €3 million more. Aside from the merger, Walsh attributes the profits to cost-cutting efforts, which included layoffs. The executive has already cut thousands of jobs, and this month Iberia agreed to a deal that will cut a further 1,427 staff. But the cuts have enabled Iberia to keep its aircraft up to snuff, ordering eight new Airbus A350-900s and a further eight A330-200s this month. And Irishman Walsh has his sights set high for the future, with plans to reach €1.3 billion by the end of the year.

Columnists

Mistress of Sizzle Belinda Beckett on the role of macho Iberico barbecues in the ritual of al fresco feasting WHAT is it about cooking over an open fire that brings out a quality in men that’s part Neanderthal, part domestic goddess You know - guys who would never dream of going near the kitchen cooker but are happy to stand behind a flaming grill in the open air for hours, lovingly pricking sausages and doing their Nigella Lawson impression at that great summer ritual – the barbecue. Meet Barbie Man, a species prevalent at this time of year. Maybe it’s the association with fire and raw meat that brings out their primeval instincts…although it no longer requires hunting or gathering, merely the ability to drive to the supermarket and brandish the correct credit card. But what a performance! When men are in control of a shopping trolley they seem to be driven by an urge to feed the Third World. “Yeah Paul, sling in that side of pork.” “Hey, John, this steak looks great too.” “Mike, grab some

Belinda Beckett, aka the Mistress of Sizzle on the ‘summer male’

Is your guy a ‘Barbie man’? of those pinchitos and don’t forget the chicken wings.”

A detour to the garden centre may also be necessary for sacks of charcoal and the latest shiny-new, hideously-expensive outdoor cooking appliance. The chief cook may also wish to purchase, at this stage, an authentic chef’s hat and silly apron. The establishment of a base camp (if you’re bbq-ing in the countryside) is a territorial affair involving the strategic parking of cars and positioning of tables and chairs to mark boundaries, and woe betide any intruders who attempt to encroach on the chosen site.

SILLY APRON: The dress code for Barbie Man

Burnt offerings

The ritual foraging for firewood is also a very male thing. Off goes Barbie Man and his chums into the bushes, waving a cheery goodbye to the womenfolk who have been ordered to guard the camp and prepare the salad (a bit too girly an activity for a real Barbie Man). If there’s a pub en route, they may be some time as, despite the umpteen crates of beer

CAVE CUISINE: Bbqs bring out men’s inner Neanderthal

and bottles of wine weighing down the car boot, half the fun is doing a bit of male bonding over a bevvy or three. On their return, triumphant with their booty (a few damp logs and a lot of twigs), Barbie Man gets cooking while his acolytes stand around swilling beer and cracking jokes. Wives and girlfriends should in no circumstances interfere by suggesting that the steak has caught fire or that the chicken needs longer to avoid salmonella. Once the meal is served, praise must be heaped on his achievements, even if the salad’s limp and the meat’s cremated. Mission accomplished, Barbie

Man and his cronies will proceed to crack open the Ballantine’s and drink themselves into oblivion. In Spain it’s got to be ‘whikee’ (sic). Barcardi and coke is for maricones. Women are generally not allowed ‘whikee’ although they may be permitted a ‘Byelees’ (sic). They will be required to remain sober in order to mind the children, wash up in the river and drive the car home in a straight line. En route, Barbie Man will demand to be dropped off at the ‘local’ with his pals for el penultimo and you won’t see him again until he’s begging you for the Ibuprofen on Sunday morning. Bless him!

‘Playa’-boy of the western world AS everywhere in Marbella, you’ve got to dress for the occasion and the beach is no exception. While the ladies can effortlessly slip on a sarong and a straw hat, it’s a sartorial nightmare for chaps. Savile Row has yet to come up with bespoke bathing gear, so here are a few pointers. Certain items of clothing on the beach are verboten. These include football shirts, shorts with your national flag on them and male thongs. I don’t care if the latter are the latest from D&G, they’re the work of Satan and I’ll have to call the fashion police. Sunglasses are another tricky issue. Just be sure that they’re not too big and that you don’t wear them too often. Male jewellery also has to be considered. A simple chain or ethnic necklace from Bali is fine but you want to avoid the ‘Triana effect’, with half of Fort Knox nestling on your hairy chest as well as car

keys and mobile phone. And get your back waxed. If I want to watch King Kong I’ll get the DVD. If you’re wealth-conscious and want to make sure everyone knows you’re loaded, even if you’re in shorts, go for the biggest, blingiest watch you can find. It will earn you immediate fawning attention from the beach staff and they won’t know you bought it from a ‘lookie-lookie’ man for €50. The next thing to consider is what kind of beach. To the uninitiated it may seem like a simple strip of sand but on this coast it’s so much more than that. Which beach you hang out at is as important as which restaurant you eat at, which car you drive and what designer label you’re wearing. Naked wrinklies

So let me start with the Giles Brown Beach Rule Number One – avoid the beaches

In the first of a two-part series, Giles Brown has the low-down on how to survive Marbella’s complicated beach etiquette west of Cabopino and Bolonia. Now, I don’t hold anything against naturists – no, let me rephrase that - I’ve got nothing against naturism. At certain times and places, nudity is perfectly acceptable: streakers at rugby internationals, Test matches and any female in the crowd when Brazil are playing, for example. But if you are over the age of 30 and have my basic level of fitness (the last time that I did the 100m in less than 20 seconds was when I fell down two flights of stairs after the Ashes) then it’s just not pretty. And while it’s every teenage boy’s dream to end up on a nudist beach, the harsh reality of life is that you’re more likely to be surrounded by German grandmothers than the supporting cast of Baywatch.

The other problem with nudists is that they can’t just sit there quietly tanning their bits. They have to indulge in sports. A few years ago I found myself on the beach in Bolonia (which is unmarked by the way – I’d have warning signs, barbed wire and the occasional attack dog to fence it off), where I sat down to enjoy my picnic hamper. I was offering my girlfriend a Scotch egg when I followed her look of frozen horror towards an airborne appendage – a nude hippie flying a flexifoil kite! Just the sort of thing to put you off your Cumberland sausage, I can assure you. As I packed the quickest beach retreat since Gallipoli, he was asking if anyone fancied a game of Frisbee… Next week: Once more unto the beach…

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THE MOBILITY WIZARD. The only company in southern Spain that specialises in repairing and maintaining mobility scooters, power chairs and mobility products. Authorised repair agents for most European manufacturers. Most repairs carried out at your place of residence, batteries analysed and replaced if needed, tyres supplied and fitted. Summer’s coming, has your mobility scooter been serviced lately? Full service and inspection at your home for just €60. Large selection of mobility scooters available for sale and rent, no deposit required and free delivery. We also offer roadside assistance, we will come to your rescue if you’re unfortunate enough to have a breakdown or puncture, keep this number handy! Tel 633 127 901 / www.mobility-spain. com / info@mobility-spain.com

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VEG VENGEANCE: Putin puts the brakes on Spanish fruit and veg trucks

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Fruit crushed! Small Spanish farms are bearing the brunt of Russian sanctions revenge, writes Imogen Calderwood EUROPE is to launch a programme to compensate farmers who have been hit by Russia’s ban on imports of European fruit and vegetables. Spain is facing losses of more than €580 million following the ban on exports to Russia, according to opposition groups and farmers’ unions. But the Spanish Government claims the real figure is closer to €337 million. It came after Russia retaliated to European sanctions by banning imports of food from the EU, as well as USA, Canada, Australia and Norway. The ban includes meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and dairy products and small European farms are bearing the brunt. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy – following a meeting with King Felipe – said the sanctions ‘will not help us’. But he added that the ban should be ‘a stimulus, an incentive, for Spanish producers to keep working and contributing to Spain’s economic recovery’.

Spanish agriculture minister Isabel Garcia Tejerina met with the European Commission in Brussels, prompted by Russia’s sanctions. “The ministry will perform specific monitoring of each of the sectors to see how they evolve their markets and to request, in the event of disruption, compensation for these measures from the European Union,” said Tejerina. Miguel Padilla, head of Murcia-based agriculture and livestock association COAG, said: “Exporters have told us that some trucks in the EU are turning around right now because their orders have been cancelled.” COAG, a major producer of fruit and vegetables in southern Spain annually exports more than €33 million directly to Russia, a key buyer of peaches, lettuces and cauliflowers. It is predicted that Putin’s sanctions could cause losses of up to €12 billion across the EU.

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FOOD FIGHT: Putin punishes Spain with food ban

Nutella crisis

POOR weather has devastated hazelnut crops in Turkey resulting in massive price increases for the main ingredient in popular chocolate spread Nutella. Turkey grows over 70% of the world’s hazelnut crop, so after an unexpected frost in March destroyed the young hazelnut flowers during a critical time in their development, the country was forced to up prices on their top export. The price of the nut has already skyrocketed nearly 60%, meaning chocolatiers will have to pay €7,835 per tonne instead of the usual €4,850.

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Wasted or waistline? A CALORIE counting campaign is being launched in the UK to encourage weight-conscious women to drink less. Alcoholic drinks should all display the number of calories in the drink, according to British MPs and peers. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of women drinking and relating that to calorie numbers will have a positive impact,” said Tory MP

Tracey Crouch, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse. Crouch insists the ‘tiny’ voluntary logos on wine bottles warning consumers to drink responsibly are not enough. “I don’t see why alcohol labels shouldn’t include evidencebased health-warnings such as ‘excessive alcohol consumption can harm your liver,’” she added.

Make mine a large one… The number of calories in your evening drink: Pint of Guinness (draught) – 210 Gin and tonic (25ml Gordon’s with standard tonic) – 169 Small glass of white wine (125ml of 13% strength) – 114 Shot of whisky (40ml) – 100 Pint of lager (4% strength) – 189 CHEERS: German beer and sausage in Mijas

Cyber safety...one BOTTOMS UP beer at a time

GERMAN beer is the order of the day in Mijas. Sausages, pretzels and gallons of beer will flood the pueblo’s streets for the Costa del Sol’s annual German beer festival. The festival – in and around the Miguel Gonzalez auditorium – will see more than 200 stalls food, drink and artisanal crafts. Mijas is hosting the festival for the first time, as Mayor Angel Nozal hopes to keep the thriving daytime tourist industry partying late into the night. The festival runs from August 21 to 23, from 8pm-2am.

Olive oil dries up

DRINK RESPONSIBLY: Haclers gather for a beer

BEER and cyber safety don’t seem like natural partners, but Cordoba hacker Miguel Angel Arroyo thinks otherwise. Hack&Beers, a social group created to bring together ‘ethical hackers’, uses free beer as a lure to unite techies who work to promote internet security. At the meetings, more than

50 hackers get together to try out the latest computer technology and trade tips on securing information online. But entrepreneur Arroyo has bigger dreams than just beer. He hopes to expand Hack&Beers into its own security startup, uniting ethically-minded hackers for drinks and a good cause.

SPAIN’S most severe drought ever recorded is causing anxiety for olive farmers. According to weather pattern simulators, continuing dry conditions could force 2014’s olive harvest to fall by up to 40% from last year. Spain produces half the world’s olives and more olive oil than any country in the world, meaning that a decreased yield would drive olive and olive oil prices up worldwide, likely to their

most expensive rates ever, according to speculators. Droughts have already spiked olive prices up 30% since the beginning of the year, causing worry for farmers and distributors that the crop may become less affordable to many. Current world olive oil consumption hovers at 2.3 million tonnes a year, a number which has increased thanks to China and India’s growing interest in the product.

Tomato fever hits

AKE 20,000 festival-goers, put them in a small Spanish T town with tonnes and tonnes of tomatoes and you’ve got a summer festival even messier than a wet and muddy Glaston-

bury. La Tomatina, held on August 27 in the Valencian town of Bunol, is an outdoor fiesta like no other. Tourists have traditionally travelled from all over the world to join in the tomato-flinging jamboree. But after some 40,000 people crammed themselves into the town’s narrow streets in 2012, the town hall decided to limit attendance to 20,000 over health and safety concerns. The chaos traditionally begins at 11am, when a loud shot rings out and several trucks launch an abundance of tomatoes in the main plaza. The tomatoes are grown in Extremadura specifically for the festival, as they are cheaper and lacking taste. Technically, they have to be squashed before being thrown at other revellers. Of course, a whole tomato to the face can be

SPLAT: Tonnes of tomato sludge

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Cupboard crimes EXPERT ADVICE: Wine aging in a cellar (left), wine fridge (middle) and cupboard (right)

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WINE aged in a cupboard at home could be a big disappointment when you come to drink it, according to new research. Scientists claim cupboardstored wines age four times more quickly than those stored in a professional cellar. Premium wines stored improperly at home could be a big waste of money. After two years, wines stored in domestic conditions aged more quickly and had fewer antioxidants, less red pigmentation and a weaker flavour. Fulvio Mattivi, of the Italian wine academy the Edmund Mach Foundation, said: “People think, ‘this is the year my daughter was born – I’ll buy a bottle and save it for ages’. It’s not a good idea.” But he added that, for those without a wine cellar, a wine fridge could be a viable option. “For 30 bottles you can get something very small – around

As the heat soars in August, wine lovers have been warned to prevent keeping their wines in cupboards at home… and to look for the coolest, constant temperatures for their vino By Imogen Calderwood the size of a washing machine.” Wine is one of the few commodities that can improve with age but it can also rapidly deteriorate if kept in inadequate conditions. The three factors that have the most direct impact on a wine's condition are light, humidity and temperature. Humidity is important to stop corks from drying out, while light can quickly damage a wine. Temperature however is the most important factor in wine ageing. If the wine is exposed to too

high a temperature (in excess of 25°C for long periods of time, it may become spoilt or ‘cooked’ and develop off flavours, tasting raisiny or stewed. YOUR WINE AGEING GUIDE TO TEMPERATURE

In general, a wine has a greater potential to develop complexity and a more aromatic bouquet if it is allowed to age slowly in a relatively cool environment. The lower the temperature, the more slowly a wine develops. On average, the rate of chemical reactions in wine doubles with each 8 °C increase.

Most wine experts recommend storing wines in constant temperatures of between 9 and 15 °C. However wine can be stored at temperatures as high as 21 °C without long-term negative effect. The key is keeping the temperature constant. Professor Cornelius Ough of the University of California believes that wine can be exposed to temperatures as high as 49 °C for a few hours and not be damaged. Other wine experts say that the most important thing when storing wines is consistent temperature, but never over 18 °C. The most important thing is to avoid sudden ups and downs of temperature. So if you have a cellar or inside room, or cupboard, that is around 15/16 °C in winter and 20 °C in summer, but the rising of temperature is gradual, you should be fine.

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Cheaper in Marbs MARBELLA is notorious for its weighty price tags. But cash-strapped families in the town can actually shop for cheaper than anywhere else in Europe, as it turns out. A price comparison of Aldi supermarkets across the UK, Spain, France and Germany revealed that the Spanish one in Marbella is the cheapest – with Brits in London paying nearly double. Groceries representing a small weekly shop – including grapes, milk, chicken

Shopping at Aldi in Marbella is an incredible HALF the price of London and wine – came to just €28.84 in Spain. In Berlin the basket cost €29.16, in Paris it came to €33.23, but in a London store it came to €56.03 (£44.92). European shoppers also get considerably better deals on alcohol than their British counterparts, including

wines, beers and spirits. While Spanish shoppers pay just €1.48 (£1.19) for six bottles of 330ml beer, in England the same product will set you back €4.98 (£3.99). Tony Baines, joint managing director of corporate buying at Aldi, said: “The difference in grocery prices

is not specific to Aldi. “We offer our customers the best quality product at the most competitive price. Shoppers know we offer the best value in the UK and won’t be beaten.” The Olive Press did its very own consumer feature on price comparisons of food and vegetables. We discovered there are a number of extremely popular everyday goods on which discerning expats can save themselves more than a few bob. Fans of fruit will be thrilled to find it is much cheaper to reach the ‘five a day’ here in Spain. A kilo of red grapes, for example, costs €2.80 here, while exactly the same amount costs €5.40 in the UK. In fact, almost all fruit and veg worked out cheaper in Spain, apart from, oddly, carrots, which cost €1.25 per kilo compared to just 85c in a UK grocer. Ronda artist Gabriella Chidgey, who runs a household of four, said: “Fruit and vegetables are definitely cheaper here and they are of a higher quality. “However, I have found it much more difficult to get hold of free range chickens here.”

MUSES: The white villages offer great inspiration

High-art hotel BENAOJAN and Ronda are the inspiration for artist Christine Ellingham, who has chosen hotel Molino del Santo to host her new exhibition. A stroke of colour will be on display from August 30, with the preview from 5 to 8pm. Christine has created more than 30 paintings – a mixture of landscape, still life and portraits – using acrylic, oils and watercolours. The work progresses through the seasons with her home village of Benaoján, as well as in Ronda and the surrounding villages all featuring in the exhibition.

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Hotelier and Hoteli-HER

A hard life

AS the owner of a hotel you have to share the experiences of your guests as far as possible. A new wine? Here I am to slug a glass or two. Changes to the restaurant menu? I can help with quality control of another delicious plate of food... Exciting excursions that need to be recommended to our guests? I’m right there to have that experience, whether it’s a ranch for fighting bulls or a hot air balloon ride. We have been offering Thai massages and I’ve enjoyed those too. No comments about

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happy endings please... We also have a new beautician to complement our services. Noemi is well-trained and I was lucky enough to enjoy a great pedicure. A true pampering for the old ‘plates of meat’ that are usually charging around the hotel is a real treat. She didn’t offer to paint my toenails as she does for women, but I think most of us can live with that. Facials and manicures are next on the list. Pampering is as good for this old gander as it is for the younger goose. And you never know what it will be next... I love the variety of hotel life.

Fresh ideas

DO YOU NEED TO ESCAPE

AUGUST ANGST? Peaceful, award-winning hotel near Ronda is the ideal place for you to take it easy for a while

STRONG HANDS: Masseuse Noemi at work

A BUSY kitchen is an great their customers mixture of old and new. on the terrace. in the lunchtime frenzy it’s The same with the waiters great to see the chefs prepar- and wines. There are so many ing a cherished dish that they amazing wines – many local have created many times. – that they want the customBaby broad beans sautéed er to love as much as they do. with black pudding, apple So, this month all desserts on and mint; braised pork the August menu have their cheeks, glazed shallots and dessert wine included. potato gratin and cinnamon Tasting and testing desserts TASTY: Pauline testing custard fritters with orange and sweet wines? Now that’s wines with her nephew brandy sauce to name a few. a part of my job I truly love... and waiter, Manu But new ideas are always being introduced. Chefs are Hotel - Bar - Restaurante. Bda Estacion s/n, creative people and want to 29370 Benaojan, Malaga. 952 16 71 51 - 952 16 Local issue 46:The Local Issue 5 5/12/14 7:29 PM Page 59 share their excitement with 79 27 . info@molinodelsanto.com

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FROM OUR BENAOJÁN CORRESPONDENT Traffic, Queues, Ferias, Visitors, Over-crowding, Parking, Noise, what is complicating your life in the busy month of August? Do you need to get away from routine? Maybe with your special other half who deserves a treat. Perhaps you’d like to take some friends away for a night or more, where cooking, cleaning and clearing can be forgotten. Maybe you’ve been entertaining lots of family and friends and you need to reconnect with someone and show them how much they are appreciated. When you head inland from the Coast you are guaranteed to find a slower pace of life where you can escape the

noise, the traffic, the queues, the mass of humanity for a while. But, if you want quality and comfort, where should you go? There is a country hotel near Ronda, tucked by a mountain stream, where you will find a team of people dedicated to making sure you have an unforgettable, relaxing experience. Molino del Santo offers you excellent food, a stunning stream-side location, 18 comfortable rooms, peace and quiet and much-praised staff. Call 952 16 71 51 (there are always English-speaking staff available) or e-mail the hotel now - info@ molinodelsanto.com to book a room that might just change your summer.

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I’m loving my summer and my new-found fame. Yesterday I was taken for a walk by some guests and their 10 year old son, Samuel. He, was throwing sticks for me in the river. Then two lovely girls, Ellie and Aimee, joined me to play hide and seek with my squeaky hedgehog for an hour. Heaven. And then it all gets ruined because the dog jokes are getting worse The Great Master at Molino del Santo has told me I must chase my tail – he says it’s the only way he can make ends meet.

Follow Eddie’s regular thoughts on our Facebook page – Hotel Molino del Santo

www.molinodelsanto.com | info@molinodelsanto.com | 952 16 71 51

Fighting spirit A HALF-TON bull barreled through San Roque this week for the Toro del Aguardiente bull run. The event is named for aguardiente - a strong spirit - that people shot before dodging death.

Crisis drop SINCE the crisis, Spain has fallen 14 places in the UN human development index. Taking into account health, education and inequality, Spain has fallen from 13th to 27th.

FINAL WORDS

Cliff hanger BRITISH police have raided the home of Sir Cliff Richard, 73, in relation to the alleged sex assault of an underage boy in the 1980s.

Marbs death

the

Covering Andalucia in 2014 with over 200,000 papers EE (130,000 digital) and around 300,000 visits to the R F website each month… The Olive Press just keeps growing!

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August 20 - September 3, 2014

backyard, he was taken to the local vet. Veterinary nurse Emma Wood found a microchip in Dribbler’s collar that revealed his home was in Spain. Dribbler became an overnight celebrity in the town. Residents were amazed that such a tiny creature could make

Rajoy shows Merkel the Way

Shafted

Mass grave SPAIN’S first Black Death mass grave has been unearthed in Barcelona. The 14th century site contained 120 bodies.

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GERMAN chancellor Angela Merkel is preparing to take on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage next week. And none other than Spanish Prime minister Mariano Rajoy will be joining her for the – albeit short - 3 mile trek to Santiago. But instead of finding inner peace or a new outlook on life, the European leaders will be sitting down to a political meeting upon reaching their destination. Rajoy, who is a regular jogger and was actually born in Santiago, is interrupting his summer break for the meeting. But it won’t be easy keeping up with Merkel, 60, who is a keen hiker and holidays in the Alps every summer.

Real joyride GO ahead and take your pants off… just leave your seatbelt on. If you’re having an orgy while driving through Ibiza, that is. It started when police stopped the car of Swiss tourists for a routine breathalyser test. “I heard panting coming from the back,” a policeman said . Opening the back of the car, they found three Swiss couples, wedged together, in the throes of passion. The good news: the driver was stone-cold sober, and for the traditionalists, all the couples were married. The couples were not charged with public indecency, but were actually fined for losing their seatbelts in the heat of the moment. The fine, initially €200, was cut in half because all six paid on the spot.

the journey across Spain, France and, most shockingly, the English Channel. The same trip would have taken 24 hours in a car. Despite the jaw injury, the intrepid cat hasn't been put off his food and is now back to full health after being cared for almost a month.

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It was meant TB

When Dribbler the cat turned up thin and hungry in a Midlands garden, no-one guessed he had travelled all the way from Spain

A FOUR-YEAROLD girl has died in Marbella after contracting meningitis while on holiday with her parents.

A 27-YEAR-OLD has died in Toledo after a three-storey fall down an elevator shaft.

Call

Fur from home A JETSETTING feline has made his way to the UK… all the way from Spain. Dribbler – named due to a jaw injury that causes him to drool at mealtimes – was found in Lichfield, 16 miles north of Birmingham. After the continent-hopping cat was found starving in a

Mosquito Screens

DROOLIO IGLESIAS: Dribbler travelled nearly 1,500-miles from his home in Spain

Drugs bust

OGLE-EYED National Police detained a Venezuelan women at Madrid’s Barajas airport for smuggling cocaine in her fake boobs. The 43-year-old was carrying 1.7kg of cocaine implanted in her breasts – just like the popular cosmetic surgery procedure. The drugs likely originated in the coke capital of the world, Columbia, as the Venezuelan’s flight was from Bogota. Spanish customs control guards were checking out the smuggler’s curves and suspicions were raised when they noticed ‘irregularities’ in both of the woman’s breasts. The woman confessed immediately and was rushed to hospital after authorities realised that back-alley breast implants stuffed with class A drugs could prove fatal.

FUN BAGS: Bags of cocaine that were implanted into a woman’s breasts in a smuggling attempt through Madrid

IT’S the classic fairy tale: Scunthorpe girl meets guy in a Swiss tuberculosis clinic, guy turns out to be a Polish prince, the two cough ‘I love you’s to each other and live happily ever after. Then death tore them apart. That is until they were reunited post-mortem in glamorous Marbella. The Scunthorpe woman, Betty York, met Polish prince Wladvslaw Czartorski while both were receiving TB treatment in 1948. She became Princess Betty upon their marriage in 1949. But the two lived a lowprofile life on a beach house in Cleethorpes, England, until 1979, when the prince passed away and was buried in Marbella. When the ‘Scunthorpe princess’ died in 1983, nobody knew what had happened to her remains. But now the Scunthorpe Telegraph has tracked her corpse down to the Costa del Sol, where she rests alongside her royal lover in eternal unity. Ann Smith, 74, Betty’s cousin, said: "The Czartoryskis are a very famous family in Poland and there is even a museum dedicated to them.”

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