Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 311 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

Property

’s ty ga er ala op M pr azine st be mag

www.theolivepress.es

Issue 26

February 2019

From medieval to modern

Find out why many of Spain’s top Thinking ofare Buying or www.inlandandalucia.com agents using our monthly 32-page info@kssir.com LET´S CONNECT Selling? *includes videos *google street maps *full951 descriptions *chat box www.ksmarbella.com 490 503 Propertyinfo@rightcasa.com Magazine FREE inside tel: 952 81 01 02

We uncover February 13th - February 26th 2019 Spain’s most iconic frescos, from the dark ages to the 21st century, see Fab Frescos page VIII

As Spain adds 11 new towns to its ‘most beautiful’ list, we explore how their unique architecture helped get them there, see Belissimas page XXVI

T: +350 20051020 E: info@century21gibraltar.com Unit 3 Royal Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village, Gibraltar

www.century21gibraltar.com G R U P O

SOTO GRANDE £325,000 West One - 601

G I B R A L T£330,000 AR ·

Waterport Terraces - 603

Merlot House - 617

£299,995

ELEGANT PROPERTY IN MARBELLA

S E V I POA LLA

1 bed 1 bath apartment Located on a low floor Fully furnished throughout Large communal pool

2 bed 1 bath apartment Located on a low floor Fully furnished throughout North views to the sea

3 bed 2 bath Located on a high floor Fully furnished throughout 1 lock up storage

Genista House – 75

Quay 29 – 635

Vineyards – 625

KSSIR-23619P

£700,000 Bedrooms: 4 · Bathrooms: 4 Built: 553 m2 · Plot: 2.000 m2

£220,000

3 bed 2 bath apartment Mid/high floor Private allocated parking Views facing Africa/bay

£335,000

Studio apartment, New development Views over looking town towards the rock, Communal swimming pool, Gym & gardens

This elegant property is situated in the upmarket area of Hacienda Quay 29 – 633 Ocean Heights – 629 Las Chapas which is to the east of£860,000 Marbella, offering easy£240,000 access Vol. to the beach and the town. Constructed to a high standard this traditionally styled villa has East facing orientation that makes full use of the wonderful Mediterranean climate. The villa offers on the main floor a lovely entrance hall with extra high ceiling and floor to ceiling glass windows, elegant drawing room with interconnected dining 2 bed 1 bath apartment 4 bed 2 bath apartment room, fully fitted kitchen, a guest cloakroom, TV room withHigh flatfloorscreen New development, Views to the West facing with partial sea views West towards the bay, Communal swimming pool pool, Gym & gardens and fireplace, 3 spacious bedroomsswimming en-suite with dressingCommunal rooms or fitted wardrobes, plus a maid’s room. On the top floor weOcean can find Sanderson Suites – 632 Spa Plaza Chrysanthemum – 525 £172,500 the huge master bedroom with en suite bathroom, walk-in£529,500 dressing room, an office and a private terrace with some Sea views and accessed to the garden and pool. The property also includes gym, separate staff apartment and garage for 3 cars.

FREE

£650,000

3 bed 2 bath duplex Fully furnished Fantastic views over the bay Allocated pParking

South District – 620

Rosia Court – 639

All Property Types Sought For a Range Of Client Needs

Voted

Marketed Internationally Across Major Internet Ad Portals

BEST

Monthly Vendor Updates Using Latest Data Analysis Tools

145.000 €

expat paper in Spain

Motivated Professional Sales Team 49.995 € Puente SaliaHighly - Malaga VL878

A great detached 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom value property offered for sale in very good order and in a great location with superb views. The property was built by an English Builder and is of good construction and sits in the middle of a generous plot.

2 bed 2 bath apartment New development, Communal resort style swimming pools & Spa Located on a high floor

£995,000

Are bones in Mijas of missing expat Amy?

Castillo de Locubin – Jaen

TH3966

Discuss all your property requirements at our Calahonda Oﬃce - Calle Merida de Jarales 14, Centro Commerical Jarales de Calahonda, Mijas Costa, 29649

Visit our Website at www.rightcasa.com - Email: info@rightcasa.com

(Free or paid for)

£359,000

130.000 €

Tozar - Granada

TH3952

48.000 €

Iznalloz – Granada

CH129

89.000 €

See page 8

Alcala la Real - Jaen

CJ461

Ex clu siv e

Dead for a year

4 bed 2 bath house 2 large decked terraces Over 3 levels Parking for 2 cars & 2 bikes

This spacious 336m2 build 3 bed, 2 bath, well presented townhouse is situated in an upmarket area of the traditional sunny Spanish town of Tozar and offers the opportunity to create a separate apartment with its own side entrance on the lower ground level, or to expand the already large living accommodation.

This 186m2 build countryside home with 3 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms is situated on the outskirts of the village of Las Caserias. It has a private garage with a storage room, double gated entrance on to a front patio with mature grape vine and a good size swimming pool.

3 bed 1 bath apartment Fully furnished Walk in wardrobe Large patio

Ocean Spa Plaza Avalon – 528

Quay 29 – 529

1 bed 1 bath apartment New development, Located on a high floor, Communal resort style swimming pools & spa

1 bed 1 bath apartment New Development, West facing views towards the bay, Communal swimming pool, Gym & gardens

£420,000

continued to be in the top three destinations for property investments in the world for Brits. The only regions where sales fell were in the Canary and Balearic Islands, the latter of which saw a significant 3% drop in the last quarter. Meanwhile, the Spanish house price index published by Tinsa, Spain’s biggest appraisal company, showed such as Barcelona and Madrid were up 9.4% prices in the big cities in November. The Mediterranean coast shot up 7.8%, and the Balearic and Canary Islands up 2.3%.

This spacious 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom 236m2 build townhouse sits on a generous plot size of 300m2 boasting a large private terrace and good size garden with spectacular views over the town, countryside and to the mountains beyond.

13 Issue 311 www.theolivepress.es February 13th - February 26th 2019

IMPRESSIVE LARGE APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS NEXT TO PUERTO BANUS KSSIR-25066P

4 bed 3 bath townhouse Views overlooking the bay 4 floors Gated community

3 bed 1 bath apartment High floor 2 lock up Storages + lock up garage Fully furnished

Ex cl pi usiv c e

Studio apartment Partial sea views Tropical roof garden & spa Central location in Gibraltar

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Gardiners View – 637

1.790.000 euros

Mijas Costa

Expansion for two more years, as market approaches growth of 17% this winter

Buena Vista Park Villas – 308

by our 2017 customer database survey of 13,500. SEE for yourself

VOTED BEST and MOST INFORMATIVE WEBSITE

MARBELLA

LET IT GROW

SPAIN’S property market is expected to continue growing for at least another two years, experts have predicted. According to a leading Catalan institute, ITEC, there will be no slow down until at least 2021. It comes after last year saw sales reach crisis, with a 9.7% year-to-year increase their highest since the 2008 from January to September. Growth was particularly strong in Murcia, Meanwhile, the number of sales in October up 53%, and interestingrose by a huge 17% com- ly, Sevilla province pared to the same month in 2017, according to official government Growth was also saw a 50% spike. statistics (INE). strong across the board in Catalunya, and Barcelona in particular with a rise of 31%. New home sales were up 15% to 7,971 and resales up 17% to 43,536. And it was hotspots like the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca which

410,000

This 3 bed, 1 bath chalet style corner property is ready to move into and being sold fully furnished. With new flooring the property has internet, electricity and town water connections also being located on the corner of two wide streets you have plenty of parking right outside.

Expat daughter keeps 74.995 € Fuente de Piedra – Malaga mother’s body for a year at luxury villa

TH3694

This fantastic townhouse is located in the very popular town close to all the local amenities and just a short walk away from the beautiful flamingo lake and nature reserve. This 4 bed, 2 bath property sits within an urbanisation and has access to several swimming pools and community garden areas.

ELEGANT SOUTH FACING VILLA EXCLUSIVE Malaga Office SIERRA BLANCA By Joshua Parfitt

952 74 15 25 KSSIR-20500P-G5ZEYY

info@inlandandalucia.com

Jaen Office 953 58 70 40

contact@inlandandalucia.com

179.000 € Cartaojal - Antequera - Malaga

CH23

This beautiful rural 3 bed, 2 bath, chalet style villa property is surrounded by stunning countryside scenery. It sits within lovely grounds which include patio areas, a private swimming pool and beautiful garden areas which include fruit trees and terraces that take in those stunning views.

89.950 €

Humilladero - Malaga

TH3888

This large 5 bed, 2 bath family home sits within the bustling town of Humilladero close to all the local amenities. Humilladero has to offer including plenty of shops, bars and restaurants and a local street market every Thursday. The property is set out over 3 floors, with plenty of storage and spacious bedrooms.

Axarquia Office 952 51 97 18

info@inlandandalucia.com

A BRITISH grandmother dead Calle Abad Moya 4b, 23680 Alcala la Real, Jaen Cruce Puente D. Manuel 4, Edif. Al Zabel, 29713 Alcaucin Calle de la Villa414, Molina, Malaga Bedrooms: · 29532 Bathrooms: 3 whose Bedrooms: 2 · Bathrooms: 2 body was hidden Built: 986 kept m2 · Terrace: 86 by m2 her daughter Built: 110 m2 for a YEAR at their luxury villa, suffered 600.000 euros 3.700.000neighbours euros from dementia, have reveaStunning duplex apartment offering on the first floor a good size living led. Elegant south facing villa designed in beautiful classical Mediterranean area with an open plan kitchen, fitted with good quality appliances, and style and situated in the prestigious of Sierra Blanca Residents of neighbourhood her exclusive gatedestate, AN investigation including a nice dinning area and a balcony. In the second floor, downstairs, only a few minute’s driving distance from the town centre and the popular community, near Marbella, claim underway after there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the masteris one is en-suite. Puerto Banus. Built over two main levels plus a basement, which provides Valerie Butroid, 71, kept inhuge blaze left New A/C has been installed. A bright property recentlyarefurbished. an integral garage for 8 carswas and gym. doors in the run up to her death a Marbella chiby her daughter Louise, after ringuito compleshe ‘kept wandering off’ due to TRAGIC HOME: (Left) Louise Butroid, Istan lake and tely destroyed. her illness. (inset above) house where Valerie was found Flames begun in Guardia Civil officers recovered the centre of the Valerie's ‘mummified’ body on teenage daughter was It is not known who continued to feed Playa Padre club Saturday morning from beneath allegedly taken into care. it, though the groundskeeper confirmed - a favourite of a plastic mattress and cardboard “I really hope the fami- Louise is still living at the €300,000 viPamela Anderboxes. ly gets some help,” another lla, overlooking lake Istan. son and Eva LonThe Lincolnshire-born pensioner, whose British expat, who asked to remain He said she was ‘keeping watch’ and only goria - at around son is a councillor in the UK, was found anonymous, added. left the house when no one was around. 7pm on Monday FIRE: At club while (above) fully clothed, surrounded by empty air “Louise was an intelligent woman, it’s An Olive Press reporter visited the home aftermath and (inset) fresheners. such a shame it had to come to this.” this week, but despite hearing a dog barContinues page 5 Pamela Anderson and The gruesome find came a year after re- Another neighbour added: “They locked king nobody answered the door for comowner at launch event sidents’ complaints about a foul smell Valerie in the house because she was ment. emanating from the property, which sits wandering around and getting lost.” The porch was littered with seeds and an in Zahara de Istan development, fell on A local gardener told the Olive Press how awning at the back of the house was misdeaf ears. Valerie - who is believed to have died of sing planks. “The home was always dirty and scum- natural causes on March 12 last year, just Despite speculation in the UK press that my, and I just wanted social security or after Mother's Day - was often seen wal- Louise was claiming her deceased mosomeone to clean up, but Louise wouldn’t king a brown labrador. ther’s pension, the groundskeeper said it talk to anyone,” a British neighbour told “I used to see Valerie walking the dog was unlikely because the family seemed the Olive Press. every day, but then she didn’t seem right ‘well off’. The neighbour was extremely ‘worried’ in the head and disappeared,” he said. The gardener, who has worked in the urthat the recruitment consultant may not Locals said the brown labrador has not banisation for seven years, said Butroid be of sound mind and ‘could be of danger been walked since Valerie was kept in- ‘never spoke with any of the neighbours to herself’. doors and that its faeces was ‘all around and didn’t know a word of Spanish’. Reliable private hire transfer The tragedy comes a few years after her the property’. He added: “When the granddaughter services for any occasion was younger she never went • Luxury vehicles to school, and social security had to take her away to a • Door to door service foster family or a boarding • Airport collections school.” • Weddings transport “After two or three years she • Sightseeing day trips came home—I saw her last • Restaurant shuttles week in the car with her moFind out more at: UK BASED ther.” www.simply-shuttles.com According to her social media tel: 951 279 117 profiles, Louise is believed to info@simply-shuttles.com have worked at Job Finder Spain. TM A spokesman from the company refused to comment for Spanish but said the press had got residents things ‘completely wrong’. See page 9 & 23 Meanwhile, Valerie’s son Riwww.globelink.co.uk chard Butroid said he was TM ‘saddened and shocked’ at the news. The Lincolnshire county 96 626 5000 councillor said that he has www.eliteglasscurtains.com +44 (0) 1353 699082 been estranged from the faSee pages 31 mily for eight years.

beach Inferno

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Tel: 902 123 282

902 123 282

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NEWS IN BRIEF Independence THE 12 leaders of Catalunya’s failed independence referendum have gone on trial at Madrid’s Supreme Court.

Ice cold

EXCLUSIVE: How the OP exposed one of Spain’s great expat conmen, who died this month

Time’s up for Toni

ONE of Spain’s ‘most despicable’ British expats has finally expired. After fleecing millions from thousands of unwitting victims, Timeshare bandit Toni Mul-

A MAN, 43, has been arrested in Madrid after police found the body of his girlfriend, 22, chopped up in a freezer.

Locked up THE hitman, James Quinn, 36, locked up for Gary Hutch’s murder will spend 22 years behind bars after losing his appeal.

Three to go THREE workers at Gibraltar’s St Bernard’s Hospital arrested on suspicion of manslaughter have been released after the death of a newborn baby.

doon has finally bitten the dust. The long-time fraudster, who admitted to conning nearly 18,000 innocent people, died of cancer having recently got out of prison in the UK. The pint-sized conman served just half of a seven year sentence for a €6m euro escort scam, which the Olive Press helped to convict him for. A number of our stories on his schemes, set up from his base in Fuengirola, were used as evidence and even read out in his Ipswich court case, in 2013. In an audacious probe, we had installed an undercover journa-

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Thousands of victims funded Muldoon’s lavish lifestyle which included a mansion in Benalmadena and at least two yachts. As well as running a water taxi business, he also had a ticket agency, a brothel and a car repair business. In total, Muldoon was linked to more than 50 companies in the UK and Spain, part of a huge international racket investigated by Interpol. The Olive Press ended up working alongside police and assisted several probes and asked to provide evidence and assistance. This included Suffolk police, who were investigating Muldoon for running a fake male escort business in the UK. Muldoon conned people into signing up to act as ‘non-sexual’ companions with the promise of earning up to €700 a day. Clients paid an upfront fee of over €400 but never received any work.

October 2 - October 15 2013

n fraud, the Despite being caged for a multimillio empire of Toni MulOlive Press has discovered the on the Costa del Sol, doon (left) continues to thrive with a new lieutenant in charge

EASTER NO SEX ADS HAPPY INDEED, ASEDITORIAL OLIVE PRESS FINALLY REACHES ALL AND 50 PER CENT EIGHT ANDALUCIA CONTENT PROVINCES GUARANTEED... DON’T ACCEPT LESS WITH 30,000 PAPERS PRINTED

THE businesses of a leading Costa conman jailed in a three-year fraud enquiry are still going strong, the Olive Press can reveal. While Toni Muldoon has finally been caged after two decades of crime on the

EXCLUSIVE By Alex Iszatt

Costa del Sol, sources reveal that his former call centre in Alhaurin El Grande is up and running again. A similar ‘deck’ is said to be operational

VIDEO NASTY

See page 13

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Vol. 6 Issue 136

Carry on Golfing

ess ive Pr the Ol IGATES ST INVE

in Fuengirola. An anonymous source claims staff who manned the desks at Muldoon’s Alhaurin office, are now carrying it on at the business centre down the road. The unnamed business is allegedly being run by Timecharge of share Toni’s lieutenant AnNEW BOSS: Bartle is now in thony Bartle. Mijas home and yacht business Gloucestershire-born Bartle has been involved in the timeised regular work, but after share market for many years, purports to offer timeshare the company – Diamond UK it can be revealed. owners a way to leave their – took his money, he never While he has largely gone unschemes, via an ‘arbitration heard from them again. der the radar, a now defunct service’. The Olive Press source is conEnglish company, LA Bartle, But on its own website, it vinced that Bartle’s network predits a for than derided more been has leaves nothing is connected to Muldoon, atory business practice. PO Box in Marbella to contact who was convicted in Suffolk The company charged £600 and in one section does not in July for running his own to help people get back their even spell its own company dating agency. membership fee, by allegedly name correctly. In total, Muldoon took fees finding buyers, revealed antiThe cost to initiate this ar- from escorts and netted him fraud forum Mindtimeshare. bitration is an eye-watering and his associates £5.7m. Although hundreds lost out, £1900 paid up front by bank The 41-year-old, yacht-loving Bartle was never taken to transfer. Bartle, is also coincidentally court and is no longer based Other companies to ‘watch the administrator of MulMediaABC in the UK, instead relocating include out for’ doon’s former Mijas villa, to Benalmadena. tion, Baines-Cohen and PH which has been at various The website, which helps (none of which are reLegal times a brothel and a swingvictims of suspected fraud, lated to real firms with simi- ers venue. claims to have found other lar names). from Cheltenham, schemes connected to Bartle. is also concern around Originally is There the sports-car loving busischeme such One Bartle’s other businesses, nessman is the administrator J.G.Maach, a website that in particular Adult Network for Eurosur Property Services Limited, which was struck off SL, which acquired the villa by Companies House in Eng- from Muldoon’s previous Also In Gibraltar: land. right hand man Bradley RogUK TV + Free WorldWide One victim, Raja Khan, ers, just months before he too Calls + UK & ES Landline claimed he had lost more was jailed at Ipswich Crown than £200 when he answered Court in July. 24,95 €/month a scam advert from through Turn to page 2 951 40 40 05 the website. Khan was prom-

JUSTICE: Years of Olive Press investigations list at his HQ, where he under- though, where a string of further cases would have likely led took dozens of different frauds. In total, we discovered he was to his arrest. taking around €1,200 for every One joint action on behalf of 190 timeshare victims, for victim. On sentencing, which he had been found guilty, Judge Rupert was hoping to prize money out Overbury des- of him for damages. cribed him as Marbella lawyer Antonio FloThe scam laundered millions of euros a ‘thoroughly res, of Lawbird, had already from the UK to Spanish bank accounts. dishonest, ma- got him a two-year suspended When we confronted him about claims nipulative and sentence and an order to return that he was set to flee to Turkey to evamean indivi- €500,000 to the victims of his de justice, he said: “I’m not in Turkey, I’m lucrative €9 million scam. dual’. here, I’ve been here 26 years and I’m Incredibly, he “But that wasn’t enough. What not going anywhere – does it look like was able to he did was rip people off once I’m in a rush to leave? leave prison to and then rip them off again “Just because I got a two year suspencontinue his offering them legal services to ded sentence, so what?” dirty work and recover their stolen money. The conman – accompanied by his ateven boasted “It was another trick,” explaitractive wife with a range of vehicles inabout it in a ned Flores, who painstakingly cluding a white sports car and quad bike series of trashy went through thousands of doclearly visible on the drive – took excepbooks, in which cuments. tion to our visit, making it clear we were he admitted his He added at the time: “He’s a not welcome. clever guy who knows how to many crimes. Amid a foul-mouthed rant he issued He had been run a business – with offices a barrage of threats before declaring: unable to re- and staff and telephones. “now do yourself a favour and f*** off. turn to his ‘be- “They start at 9, they finish at loved’ Spain 6 and in that time they have a dozen Spanish INVASION OF THE ROCK: By story on P13 schoolchildren. See shocking

See page 21

Ill gotten gains Read more on page 39

the

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BUSINESS AS USUAL

MELANIE C JAZZES UP GIBRALTAR

SCAMMER: Muldoon

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MISS GIB: THE NEW PEOPLE’S PRINCESS

Drug bust OVER 500 police in La Linea have begun a huge anti-drug trafficking operation, using helicopters and boats.

February 13th - February 26th 2019

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Neighbours and victims overjoyed as Timeshare Toni arrested over a €6 million money-laun dering fraud

A stain on paradise EXCLUSIVE By James Bryce and Jon Clarke

PORN films and wife-swapping parties. These are just some of the unsavoury events that neighbours insist took the palatial home of Toni Muldoon.place at So they were decidedly over the moon week, when they heard the dramatic this news that he had been arrested in connection with a multi-million euro fraud.

Pictures by JANE JEWSON

In a classic case of Dunkirk Spirit, ball played through a raging fire a fournilva this week even when firemen in Matheir line. See full story on page 5 ruined

Now awaiting extradition to the UK, the Olive Press can reveal that Antony Michael Muldoon, 65, was picked up two-week manhunt on the Costa after a del Sol. Ordered by Interpol, he was located at the low key Miramar Hotel in Fuengirola. According to a police report, checked in with his Kenyan he had Nyambura Jane Wangari, who girlfriend is in her 20s. Geraldine French, 59, from Scotland and 29-year-old South African Bradley Rogers have also been arrested. At least 11 arrests have been made last year on instruction from UK over the authorities for similar offences. Muldoon is currently being held in Madrid, awaiting extradition.

A number of luxury cars and a have been seized, while police yacht also scoured various properties. Brought by Suffolk Trading Standards, Muldoon (above) is charged with merous counts of fraud and money nulaundering totalling well over €6 million. A spokesman for Britain’s Serious Or-

ganised Crime Agency (SOCA) firmed the arrest to the Olive Press. conA spokesman for the British Embassy also confirmed that it ‘was aware’ arrest of a British national, but noof the sular assistance had been sought. conNeighbours meanwhile, at his upmarket Turn to Page 2

to sign up a certain number of people. “He is a despicable criminal. He has ripped thousands of people off. Some of them elderly vulnerable people.” He died of terminal cancer on February 5.

He deserved it!

“Most people on the Costa del Sol will be having a drink to celebrate.” Those are the words of one Fuengirola expat, who know Muldoon well. The 45-year-old, who did not want to be named added: “I never wished death on anybody, but an obituary has never given me greater pleasure to read. “When he got out of prison, he started a few websites like Scambusters, reportedly offering people help who’d been scammed. “He was up to his old tricks.”

NEWS

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NOT FAMOUS: Elsa in Oz

Keeping their roots! SPANISH model Elsa Pataky has revealed how she makes sure her children with Thor star Chris Hemsworth hold onto their heritage. The 42-year-old, who left Madrid for Hemsworth’s native Australia four years ago, said she surrounds her three kids with Spanish people ‘so they never lose their roots’. “I have almost all my family here to speak to them in Spanish,” she said. “I’m going to try to go to Spain almost every summer, so that they know it and experience its culture. “I also teach them about typical Spanish dishes.” She added that her and hubby Chris, 35, keep their daughter India, six, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, four, as sheltered from the public eye as much as possible. “ T h e y don’t know their family is famous,” she insisted.

Gangster’s question time Pulling teeth, torture and chokey… Krays’ associate Dave ‘Dangerous’ Courtney set to come clean at ‘Costa del Dosh’ show

Running rings ECCENTRIC: Guest list only for Courtney event using a knuckle duster when debt-collecting. In and out of court since a youngster, he famously arranged the security for the funeral of Ronnie Kray in 1995. Courtney, from Bermondsey, London, claims he ‘had to kill to stay alive’ during his criminal years and has allegedly been shot, stabbed and had his nose bitten off. He revealed to the Olive Press how he also lived in Marbella twice for periods of between six to eight months. “I was debt collecting and doing other bits, we used to call it the Costa del Dosh,” he

Flop trumps WATFORD flop Mario Suarez may have dropped the ball when it comes to his football career, but he’s picked a winner in the marital stakes. The Spanish footballer, who moved to China after failing to set the Premiership alight, has now moved back to Madrid with his Scandinavian wife Malena Costa Sjorgren, 29, who grew up in Mallorca. He has landed a job with Rayo Vallecano, while wife Malena has won over the web with this picture of herself squatting naked on a horse. The model, from Alcudia, has amassed 409,000 followers on Instagram, unsurBAREBACK: For Mario’s missus prising with photos like this.

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GETTING SPLICED: Ramos and Pilar to get married

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

A FORMER British gangster who rolled with the likes of the Krays and the Richardsons is coming to the Costa del Sol. Dave Courtney, 59, is set to appear in An Audience with Dave Courtney in Fuengirola this month. Taking place at Bar Mortoni the session will focus on ‘anything the audience wants to know’, he promises. “They can ask me anything about my career and the people I’ve worked with and I’m still friends with, I’ve got great stories to tell, including many from the Costa del Sol,” he told the Olive Press. Courtney was once an associate of the Kray twins and cultivated a reputation for

February 13th - February 26th 2019

revealed. “This was back when the coast was more like a gangster’s paradise, I think those days are gone now,” he added. Courtney still has a holiday home in Marbella which he visits every year. “I love it out there,” he added, “I usually I keep a much lower profile than this.” Courtney often refers to himself as Dave Courtney ‘OBE’, for ‘One Big Ego’, and has been linked to smuggling, assault and murder. In his book F**k the Ride, Courtney claims to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials, although he spent 16 weeks in Belmarsh Prison for assault. Bar owner Hayley Mortoni told the Olive Press: “Dave’s my good friend of 25 years. “He is a comedian, eccentric, and highly entertaining.” The event is guest list only ‘for obvious reasons’ so enquiries must be made directly via Facebook. Hayley added: “There will be strictly 60 guests and security on the door. “There’s a €2 cover fee for each guest payable on the night and no entry unless you’re on the list.”

HE is known as the hatchet man of Madrid. Now Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos has carved out a new ambition - to marry his sweetheart this summer. The Spanish defender has confirmed he will take his TV presenter girlfriend Pilar Rubio down the aisle in June. The A-list wedding will take place in Sevilla on June 15 with Ramos, 32, describing it as ‘the ideal moment’ for the nuptials. The lovebirds chose the Andalucian capital for a more private affair, and will ask guests to leave their phones and came-

ras at the door. Ramos, who has won the Champions League four times with Madrid, said: “We’ve decided to get married in Sevilla because we’ve been in Madrid for so long now, it means there’ll be less people. Rubio, 40, who was voted sexiest woman in the world by FHM magazine, suggested a top music act could perform at the wedding, describing them as ‘very big’. Ramos was born in Sevilla and also began his career at the La Liga side, before being transferred to Madrid for €27m.

Lining up to star ANTONIO Banderas will baptise his new Malaga theatre by starring in a version of hit musical A Chorus Line. The Hollywood actor, 58, has chosen the famous show for the opening of his new venture, Teatro de Soho CaixaBank. The Malagueño said the show will run for three months at the new theatre, which will be within the renovated Teatro Alameda.

The show will begin in the autumn and Banderas, best known for The Mask of Zorro and a string of Pedro Almodovar films, will be playing one of the leading roles.

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Scorched to the ground From front

before spreading across its three buildings ‘within minutes’. The flames were put out at around 8.30pm after several fire trucks, Policia Nacional and other emergency staff rushed to the scene next to the Puerto Deportivo Marina La Bajadilla.

Star-studded

Police told the Olive Press that the cause of the fire is not yet known but that the buildings were made of ‘highly flammable’ wood and straw. The club was due to open on Semana Santa, although sources told this paper that it was up for sale. Owned by well known Marbella businesswoman Maria Bravo, the club was opened in a star-studded event - which featured Pamela Anderson and Eva Longoria - in the summer of 2017. “Everything is burned, thank God nothing has happened to anyone,” Bravo said in a statement to press. Policia Nacional are investigating.

Windrush expat ‘terrified’ no-deal Brexit would force him back to the Caribbean EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

A BRITISH expat fears being kicked out of Europe just before his 90th birthday in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Windrush pensioner and former train driver, Basil Moonilall, 89, relies heavily on Spain’s health system after having a throat tumour removed in 2000. However if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, Moonilall, based in La Linea, fears he won’t be able to afford private insurance on his €511-per month pension. “If I don’t get free healthcare, I don’t get to see the doctor,”

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Ill wind coming!

Moonilall, who only has one vocal cord from cancer, told the Olive Press. The expat, who worked as a train driver in the UK for 35 years, also fears that if he was forced to return to Britain he could be deported back to Guyana after arriving as part of the Windrush generation in 1958. “I’m worried that if I leave, I will have to start life all over again,” added the anxious grandfather, who moved to Spain in 1993 to be with his Spanish wife - who sadly passed away two months ago. The Windrush generation were born British subjects and

Elections loom SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is considering calling early elections on April 14, a government source has revealed. The state-owned Spanish news agency EFE reported the news on Monday, after speaking to an unidentified source. It comes as the Spanish parliament is LEADER: set to vote on Sanchez’s 2019 budget Pablo on Wednesday. The ruling PSOE party do not have an overall majority and are supported in government by the Podemos.

arrived in the UK before 1973 from the Caribbean, but shockingly in recent years some have been refused healthcare or had their citizenship revoked. Some have even been forced home. “They were asked to come to the UK to rebuild the country after the war,” Moonilall’s son Raymon, who lives in Gibraltar, told the Olive Press, adding that he is worried his father may be sent back to Guyana. This despite not visiting since 1958 and where only one of eight siblings is still alive. “In the draft withdrawal deal we only have until 2020 to enjoy free healthcare, but what happens at the end of those two years?” Javier Rodriguez, an assessor with the Expat Agency, insisted he expected more problems for expats like him in two years. He told the Olive Press that most private health insurance companies ‘don’t want to cover you’ if you are 65 and over. He said: “I know many Spanish people who when they reach 70 their insurance companies don’t want to cover them, or make them pay as much as €1,000 per month.”

FREED: Joan Roca

Roca rolling

FEARFUL: Expat Basil He added that over-65s could pay into the Spanish social security system, for which the minimum payment is currently €283 per month. It would mean however that, without any reciprocal agreements between the UK and Spain, in the event of a no deal Brexit, the next best scenario could see Moonilall with only €228 spare capital per month. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU in just six weeks. See Anxiety Rises, page 6

HE was the svengali who made Spain’s biggest-ever corruption scam tick like clockwork. The mastermind behind Marbella’s infamous Malaya case, Juan Roca, has finally been let out of prison after serving 12 years of a 20-year sentence. A judge deemed the former Marbella urban planning boss eligible for release as he had completed over half his sentence and been a model prisoner. This is despite the politician amassing a fortune worth at least €125 million, including a string of properties, a huge collection of exotic animals and a private art portfolio that included a Miro that he kept in the loo. Roca was convicted of being the ringleader of the Malaya plot, which saw 53 officials, including three former Marbella mayors, tried for embezzlement of public funds and fraud between 1991 and 2006.

FEATURE

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Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Rock and a hard place IT’S high time the British Government stop infighting and get on with delivering Brexit, whatever it may be! The human impact of the UK’s divorce from the EU was revealed to its fullest extent this week, as Basil Moonilall, who turns 90 this year, revealed it could see him kicked out of TWO countries. Basil came to the UK in 1958 with the Windrush generation, before he moved to the Campo de Gibraltar in 1993 to be with his Spanish wife, who sadly died two months ago. His future is more uncertain than most, with his healthcare and citizenship in question, but his story should resonate with the hundreds of thousands of Brits who have built their lives here in Spain. The biggest fear for British pensioners is that their healthcare will not be covered by the NHS after the UK leaves the EU. Whatever the outcome, there needs to be something concrete from the Government so that people like Basil - who spent his whole working lives in the service of the British public - can begin planning their futures after March 29.

Tragedy in Paradise THE tragic tale of how a grandmother’s dead body was kept indoors for nearly a year signals the spiralling isolation that can hit bright-eyed British expats arriving in Spain. Guardia Civil officers on the scene last Saturday speculated that Louise Butroid could have hid her mother beneath a mattress and cardboard boxes to continue receiving her mother’s pension. But the sorry state of the house and neighbours’ comments heard by an Olive Press reporter indicate that the family’s problems were not just economic. The nearly €300,000 luxury chalet overlooking a mountain stream and the sublime Lago de Istan looks like paradise in a brochure, but expats must try to integrate, make meaningful friendships and get a useful grasp of spanish. Without this, the troubles, divorces or illnesses that can happen in life will hit 10 times harder. Community spirit is what keeps expats thriving. So even if it means calling for help, find the strength to do so... this shouldn’t be the Costa del Solitude.

Publisher/ Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

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Anxiety rises PACKED: Hundreds of expats came to hear the latest updates from Simon Manley in Manilva

A deal, or no deal, expats are growing increasingly concerned about Brexit next month… here Charlie Smith and Joshua Parfitt present their Brexit Survival Guide

ILL I be deported? Can I still see a doctor? Do I have to fly the Spanish flag? It’s no wonder fears are swirling among the up to one million expats who call Spain their home, as the Brexit deadline approaches like an express train. With just over six weeks to go before the UK pulls out of Europe, it is still unclear exactly how the 300,000 registered Brits in Spain will be treated… let alone all those who come and go on a temporary basis. In a mercy-type mission to ease these concerns, British Ambassador to Spain,

CAPTION

TENSION: Jean Claude Juncker shares frosty moment with Theresa May as Brexit looms

Simon Manley has been undertaking a series of roadshows around the country. At one, taking place to a packed hall of expats in Manilva last week, his How to get your Spanish citizenship message was simple: After living in Spain for 10 ‘Keep calm, years you can apply for Spaand get renish citizenship. gistered’. Getting this ‘golden ticket’ Alongside means you can travel, work an expert and visit within the EU. panel, he Spain does not permit dual carefully citizenship however, so you and clearly would have to give up your responded UK passport. to people’s But, you can also become a Spanish citizen through birth or marriage, even if your Spanish parents were born outside the country. The other requirements include being a ‘good citizen’ and being integrated into Spanish society. To be a good citizen you must be financially stable and without a criminal record. Being integrated means that you must be able to speak some Spanish and ‘take part in Spanish social activities’. If you are applying after having lived in Spain for 10 years, you must first have permanent residency. To apply for Spanish citizenship you will need to visit your local Civil Registry office. You will need to fill in a citizenship form and bring the following documents:

fears about their status in Spain come March 29. Above all, he assured the 200-plus people gathered that under the draft withdrawal agreement there would be no significant changes to anyone’s rights until the end of a transition period, set to last until December 31 2020. However, he raised a few key concerns and warned what could actually happen if the UK leaves the EU with no deal, as could still alarmingly be the case. Here, the Olive Press breaks down the key talking points of the Brexit seminar, on everything from healthcare to pensions and the peculiar situation where Spain permits foreigners to get dual-citizenship.

●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●●

A valid passport and copy For under-18s: a guardian, or both parents Spanish Resident Card (TIE) Birth certificate printed within last 90 days Criminal record check printed within last 90 days Marriage certificate if applicable Registration certificate printed within the last 90 days A CEFR certificate of at least A2 in Spanish A CCSE exam certificate showing the result of an exam on Spanish laws and culture ●● A payment of €100

HERE TO HELP: Ambassador Simon Manley

FEATURE

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

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

- Another Spanish warship enters Gibraltar waters playing national anthem in two-hour Royal Navy stand-off (13,533)

PANEL: Experts giving their advice just weeks before the UK divorce date

Deal - ‘Your rights maintained’ but new ‘TIE’ green card needed Expats crammed into every available space of Villa Mathilde, in San Luis de Sabinillas, in Manilva, as British Ambassador Simon Manley rose to his feet to assure anxious attendees that ‘with a deal, your rights in Spain will be guaranteed by force of international law.’ “The deal will maintain your right to residency, pensions will continue to be uprated and healthcare will continue as before,” he said. And the diplomat calmed nerves by saying that a grace period - a paradise period for some - in which all paperwork could be sorted out, would remain until December 31, 2020. “But that withdrawal agreement can only enter into force when it has been approved by the UK,” added Manley. The Brexit divorce is being felt in many parts of the Union, but at this stage of negotiations it appears the source of heartache for expats on the Costa del Sol is not the English channel, nor Brussels, but the House of Commons. If it passes before March 29, the key component of the deal for British residents in Spain will be the transition to a new form of identification. The Ambassador announced that ‘a new card will replace the green card’ that British expats currently wield as their right to residency in Spain. Brits will ‘at some point’ during the transition period need to submit their green registration certificates for a Foreigner’s Identity Card (TIE) - it’s the same identification that grants non-EU nationals residency in Spain - but Brits will not need to fulfil the same requirements as non-EU nationals. Those who are NOT currently registered via the National Police will NOT however be able to acquire a TIE card. “Please apply now,” the Ambassador urged, “there’s nothing more important you can do.”

No Deal - Assuming our rights will be maintained, but no agreement yet In the worst-case scenario that an agreement is not reached, and the UK leaves the EU with no deal, the Ambassador warned that British expats’ rights in Spain will ‘not be protected’. He spoke passionately about meetings with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who insisted he greatly valued the British presence in his country. However, as with promises surrounding pensions, healthcare and rights to residency, the recurring word in the Ambassadors oratory was ‘assume’. Concerning healthcare, he said: “The intentions are clear, but we have to find an agreement with Spain.” Regarding pensions, Manley added: “We need a reciprocal agreement with Spain, because without that the default position is pensions will not be uprated - British expats in Australia do not have uprated pensions.” A royal decree is expected this month to underline how Spain will treat British expats should Britain exit the EU without a deal. There were sterner warnings however, from panel legal expert Myra Azzopardi, of Citizens Advice Bureau Spain. She warned the Olive Press that up to 700,000 British people either living full time here unregistered or with interests in Spain could face immigration issues soon after March 29. She said that under EU law, British citizens would be allowed 90 days in Spain before they would have to register themselves at the nearest national police station. Though Spain currently has no powers to expel Brits who stay over this 90-day period, she said ‘after Brexit you will be expelled as an illegal alien, you could be deported.’

Dual citizenship exists for a chosen few

Spain does not permit dual citizenship, except for two very specific groups of people. But who are these chosen two? 1. International Brigades veterans: This group of volunteers fought as soldiers for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. Named after the 50 countries from which they came, the group’s largest intake was from France with 9,000 joining from the country. The UK contributed 2,000 men to the International Brigades and 500 were killed while 1,200 were wounded. 2. Sephardi Jews who can prove a family relation to Spain: These Jews are an ethnic group originally from Spain or Sepharad, a place of uncertain location that is mentioned once in the Bible. The Sephardi Jews set up communities throughout Spain and Portugal, before they began to be exiled in the 15th Century. About 16% of the global Jewish population is Sephardi and around 40,000 are thought to live in Spain.

- WATCH: Spaniards fuming at viral video of two drunk British women being treated at hospital in expat hotspot (12,392)

Number crunching

- Dog walker finds dead narco washed up on Costa del Sol beach after high speed police chase (8,069)

- WATCH: Wild boar shot and killed by cops after rummaging through bins on Spain’s Costa del Sol (7,300)

- Man in Spain arrested as police find his girlfriend chopped up in freezer (4,880)

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IT’S been another bumper two weeks for the OP website, as we have shot into the top 200,000 in the WORLD, leaving our English rivals in the dust.

●● 700,000 - the possible number of unregistered Brits who could be forced to leave Spain ●● 26,000 - the income (in euros) you might have to prove to gain residency in the event of a no-deal Brexit ●● 1,735 - the number of workers hired by the Spanish government to deal with Brexit ●● 10 - years you need to live in Spain to get Spanish citizenship ●● 5 - years you need to live in Spain to get permanent residency

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Is it Amy? Voted

Human remains found in Mijas Costa give hope of closure to family of missing Amy Fitzpatrick THE aunt of missing Irish expat Amy Fitzpatrick has told the Olive Press the family is ‘desperate for closure’ after a set of human remains were found near the teen’s Malaga home. Christine Kenny reached out after reading our exclusive story about the bones found by a British expat in his garden in La Cala de Mijas last issue. Kenny is now wondering if the remains, which appeared to be those of a teenage girl, could be that of Amy. The Dubliner was 15-years-old when she vanished walking

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‘Julen family must NOT be charged!’ EXCLUSIVE

THE uncle of little Julen Jimenez, whose body was pulled out of a well on Saturday, has blasted state prosecutors who are seeking a reckless homicide charge against him. David Serrano Alcaise is facing prosecution alongside Antonio Sanchez, owner of company Triben Perforaciones, which originally dug the well. Both are facing between 18 months and four years behind bars and could be ordered to pay up to €1.5 million in costs borne by the state in the biggest rescue mission in Spanish history. Marbella lawyer Antonio Flores, who is representing Alcaise, told the Olive Press he is devastated and is still reeling from losing Julen. “It is a very sad situation and totally unfair,” he insisted. “This family are really poor and are in no way responsible.

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

Little Julen fell down the opening on January 13, sparking a 13-day rescue operation involving 300 specialists and costing the state at least €1.5 million. His lifeless body was recovered from the wreckage at around 1.30am last Saturday.

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COULD SET OF HUMAN BONES DUG

See page 5

Death probe

UP IN GARDEN BE BEHIND HAUNTING?

Olive Press helps police after expat uncovers body of a ‘teenager’ in his back garden

SHOCK FIND: Expat Nicholas with bones found in garden

AN investigation has been launched after an Olive Press tip off led police to a mysterious set of human remains. It came after British expat Ni-

EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith & Laurence

Dollimore After meeting the former bricgarden. The dad-of-four from klayer and authenticating the Leicester was left stunned when find, the Olive Press tipped off he happened upon the discovery the Guardia Civil immediately. Cops were on while burying his home within the scene at his dog at his home of taped off the the hour and had 12 years on the Costa ying out a full area before carrexcavation. del Sol. They told the He believes the bo- week: “We canOlive Press this confirm that a nes are those of set of human a teenager, who located on a remains have been property in the La THE COAST’S PREMIER, ENGLISH SPEAKING appears to have been Cala area. HEARING CARE PROFESSIONALS AND AUDIOLOGISTS murdered and bu- “We cannot comment any furried at his home in ther as this is See pages 39 & 40 now an ongoing La Cala de Mijas. investigation.” Smith believes that the bones could be up to 100 years old, a fact, confirmed to him by the police. The East Midlands exUK BASED *Offer ends 30/11/18. Not pat also believes the bovalid for renewals. Subjec t to conditions. nes could be the cause of a series of supernatural

See The World Wept page 7

from a friend's house to her home in nearby Calahonda on New Year's Day in 2008. “The remains were found very close to where she disappeared,” Kenny told the Olive Press. “It all seems very strange to me.” The human bones had been found when expat Nicholas Smith buried his pet dog Elsa a month ago.

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A TRIAL date has reportedly finally been set for missing Agnese Klavina. It comes four years after the young woman disappeared from Aqwa Mist nightclub in the upmarket Puerto Banus. According to the Find Agnese Klavina Facebook group, the trial into her disappearance will begin in April. The group said: “To all of you who have been following the case into Agnese’s disappearance we are pleased to inform you that after four and a half years of waiting, the trial of the individuals accused of taking her against her will is finally due to take place between 18th to 20th March 2019 in the High Court of Malaga with a further date set for the April 1. “Our prayer remains that justice will ultimately prevail and that the soul of our beloved Agnese can finally rest in Peace.”

ppened to Amy. “All we want now is to get a location of where she is, we’re desperate.” It comes a week after the family shared poignant photos of Amy in a communion dress on what would have been her 27th birthday. Kenny maintains that there are still people in the expat community that know what happened and who could help bring the case to an end. “People need to come forward, it’s been 12 years now,” she said, “someone out there knows something that could end our suffering.” A Guardia Civil officer who excavated the bones following our tip off did not deny the possibility that the remains could be those of Amy. He told this paper last night: “We cannot yet comment on how old the bones are or whether or not they belong to a teenager.” When asked if it could be of Amy Fitzpatrick he said: “We know nothing for sure yet.”

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PEDRO Sanchez has become the first Spanish Prime Minister to publish a book while in office. His seminal work, Manual de Resistencia, a journey of the PSOE politician’s route to the top, will hit the shelves on February 19. The 320-page hardback will retail for €20.50 and is published by Ediciones Península. Spaniard’s made fun of the Prime Minister’s announcement with jokes on Twitter. One user wrote ‘in the time I make a paella, Sanchez writes a book and a doctoral thesis’, while another said, buying the book is ‘the main concern of the Spaniards ahead of unemployment’. According to the its synopsis the book covers: “A four-year period of acceleration in politics, where everything has become unpredictable.” As well as current affairs, readers will be treated to ‘the unknown side of the President’, who acts as the book’s narrator.

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Big in Britain

THE BBC has crowned Pablo Picasso as the greatest artist of the 20th century. The Malagueño beat out Alfred Hitchcock, Virginia Woolf and Andy Warhol in the Artists & Writers category of BBC Two’s ICONS series. The history series profiled great people from seven different fields of human endeavour and asked British viewers to vote for their

Pedro in print

Do you have a what’s on?

9 9 February 13th - February 26th 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

himself to be restricted. “What’s more, he consistently evolved and changed his styles, taking influence from the places he lived – including Madrid, Barcelona and Paris – and the writers and artists he met along the way. “Yet there was a coherent vision behind this creativity, a way of feeling the world that permeated all of Picasso’s art.”

favourites. The BBC said: “Picasso’s work spans a head-spinning variety of styles, genres, art forms and ideas. From drawing to painting, sculpture to poetry – and beyond – Picasso never allowed

Comic stream Malaga artist’s comic book to become new Netflix series

NETFLIX has announced the comic book El Vecino, from the Malaga artist Pepo Perez and screenwriter Santiago Garcia, is set to become a new series. The digital streaming platform will adapt the graphic novel, which tells the story of struggling artist Javier whose life changes when an alien falls on him and in a dying act passes on its superpowers. The trouble is that Javier’s new-found abilities initially prove useless as he gets fired from his job and his girlfriend decides she wants to take a break. The series will be directed by

REGGAETON star Daddy Yankee has been confirmed as a headliner for this summer’s Mad Urban Fest (MUF) on the Costa del Sol.. The six-time Latin Grammy Award-winner takes to the stage in Fuengirola on June 1 alongside Class-A, Omar Montes, Jthyago and The Minions, among others. It comes as the Marenostrum Castle Park also hosts 60s

what’s on Faulty Towers FAULTY Towers The Original Dining Experience claims to be the world’s longest running dining experience, and will present an interactive theatre show alongside a three course meal at Sunborn Gibraltar (Feb 22).

Carnival THE Carnaval de Malaga is a popular festival that precedes the time of lent, and sees colourful, multicultural and spontaneous celebrations across the city (Feb 17-23).

Tributes LA Caterina Brewery and Music Venue in Puerto Banus offers a selection of craft beers served with live music— check out a the Santana tribute band Jingo Experience (Feb 16) and Kool & the Gang tribute Costa del Soul (Feb 23).

San Valentin

COMING SOON: Comic made into Netflix show Nacho Vigalondo, director of 2016 science fiction film Colossal, and star actors Quim Gutierrez and Clara Lago. “Everything has developed really quickly since last February when we sold the rights to Zeta Audiovisual,

Daddy’s coming legends Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan over the summer. Free buses to the legendary event that returns for its 6th year, run from Malaga Auditorium, El Corte Ingles, Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Marbella. Tickets start from €35.

which in May entered Netflix,” Pepo Perez said. The graphic novel was first published in 2004, and the story develops over five volumes as neighbour Jose Ramon teaches Javier to use his superpowers for good—as well as how to hide his secret identity from his girlfriend who begins investigating Javier’s superhero alter-ego Titan. “The comic is a situation comedy with this chaotic character who is very normal except for being a superhero,” Perez said. Filming will start in March, and will most likely launch in 2020, though the date is not yet confirmed. Writer Santiago Garcia was the translator for Spanish-language series of Spider Man,

X-Men and Calvin and Hobbes. Continuing its investment in local-language production in Europe, Netflix is producing El Vecino as one of five new Spanish-language productions to launch worldwide on the streaming platform in 2020. There are currently six Spanish Originals series on Netflix, and this recent investment comes after the establishment of the streaming giant´s first European production hub in Madrid.

MANY beachfront bars will be putting on special Valentine’s Day dinners, but you could also think about sailing trips, visiting famous landmarks or even walking the ‘10 Pasos del Amor’ specially created along the streets of Villanueva de la Concepcion.

Animal Farm AN adapted version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, directed by Oliver Leiva comes to the The Salon Varietes Theatre in Fuengirola from February 22 to 26.

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10 www.theolivepress.es 10 February 13th - February 26th 2019

Battle for February 13th - February 26th 2019

How British expat miners and a dozen chickens led to Spain’s great love affair with football, writes Jack Gaioni

ootball is unequivocally the most popular sport on the planet. It is estimated that close to four billion (yes, you read that correctly - billion, not million) tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup last summer. The sport has the highest paid athletes, the most professional leagues and the most expensive television rights. At any given time, more than 240 million people worldwide are active participants in football (or ‘soccer’ for those North Americans EXPAT: William McKay was one of the first miners to export football to out there). But the history of this Spain in Huelva revered sport is complicated. Records trace the genesis of something similar to football back 2,000 years to ancient Read this latest thriller, but maybe keep China, Greece, Rome and even the lights on Central America. More recently though, it was in Village of the Lost Girls the 13th Century that the British by Agustín Martínez began kicking around an inflaFive years ago, 11-year- died, and the injured ted pig’s bladold friends Ana and survivor is Ana. der. Lucía disappeared wi- A new investigation is Local denizens thout a trace from the launched in the hopes would travel beisolated village of Mon- of also finding Lucía tween villages te Perdido in the Spani- alive, but Ana is trauwith the aim of sh Pyrenees. matised and cannot kicking the ‘ball’ Now, in the present, remember details that against a desigthere has been a car may help the police in nated church crash. The driver has their search. door to settle loThe initial investical disputes. gation was plagued The game was with mistakes, so often violent and this time investigators Sara Campos and Santiago Bain are sent from Madrid to lead the hunt for Lucía. As the investigation unfolds, we are treated to a multi-layered, atmospheric crime thriller with plenty of twists. The eagerly awaited TV series will be available on La 1 this year under the Spanish title of La Caza: Monteperdido.

Haunting

HISTORIC: Huelva Recreation Club was founded in 1889 and (right) Spain win the World

sometimes deadly. In 1815 Cambridge university and Eton College began to codify the rules and by 1863 the English began to form the leagues and federations we know today. Over the next 50 years football was spread by British immigrant workers, colonialists, sailors and exchange students to nearly all the corners of the globe and Spain was no exception…. The first recorded football game took place in Andalucia. In 1873, amidst the instability and financial bankruptcy of the Spanish state, the Rio Tinto mines near Huelva were purchased by British entrepreneurs. Over the next few years an influx

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of British miners, garrison soldiers and railroad workers arrived. In 1887, on the feast day of San Roque (the patron saint of the sick and disabled) locals and Brits gathered to celebrate. This two-day fiesta had a reputation as a drunken melee which included (when the men were sober enough to stand upright) climbing a greasy pole, donkey races, a tug-of-war, etc. But on that year the Brits celebrated by forming two teams that were picked exclusively from among non-Spaniards in the first recorded ‘foot-ball’ match on the Iberian Peninsula. Captain W.F. Adams, member of an English garrison unit that served to protect British mining interests, chronicled the event to his superiors. He wrote: “Marched out of Huelva on Wednesday. Played football with some railway workers… the only diversion we truly had.” Although the note was short, cursory and handwritten, it remains the earliest tangible proof of Rio Tinto’s claim to be the ‘cuna del futbol espanol’ (birthplace of Spanish football). Was it truly the first football game played on Spanish soil? It depends on who you ask…. Nine hundred kilometers to the north, in the Bas-

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or recognition Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

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d Cup in 2010

que country in and around Bilbao, a different story is told. Once again, the ‘first game of football’ was tied to the British and mining but in an entirely different context. The Rio Tinto enterprise was run like a mining camp with the local Spanish miners’ subject to exploitation and the uncertainty of mineral supply and demand. For the most part they were segregated from British management. Not so in the more developed/industrialized north. Bilbao, unlike Andalucia, was becoming an industrial dynamo. Technology and the second half of the British industrial revolution required steel, shipbuilding and chemical industries - Bilbao’s tour-de-force. Local Basque shippers and industrialists were front and centre in forming a strong Spanish entrepreneurial class not subject to the rule of British demands. Many of the sons of the educated class went to Britain to complete their education where they unsuprisingly developed an interest in football and upon their return began to arrange matches with British workers. Thus, football’s Anglo-Saxon roots had to contend with the Basque’s strong sense of an independent culture and political identity. Unlike the Rio Tinto/Huelva case, the early introduction of football to the Basque Country provided an avenue for integration and participation between the British expats and locals. An 1893 article in a Bilbao newspaper records this when a group of Bilbainos challenged a team of Los Ingleses to a football match. The Englishmen won the toss and chose to play the first half with the sun behind them. The game was noted to be

very physical with heavy tackling that angered the Bilbainos and gave the Los Ingleses a 0-2 advantage at halftime. With low spirits, the local team returned to their locker-room and were confounded by the delivery of 11 ‘exquisitely roasted’ chickens as a gift of restitution from their opponents. The game was delayed to allow the locals to enjoy their meal- just as the wily Ingleses had planned. By the time play resumed the sun was setting, hampering the Bilbainos in both light and indigestion. After their 0-6 humiliating defeat, the locals vowed then and there to build competitive teams. In 1897, four years after that definitive ‘chicken match’, Basque football enthusiasts were confident enough about their own abilities to form one of the first local, all Spanish, soccer clubs. Even though the club was called (ironically) the anglicized ‘Athletic Club’, it is emblematic of being the first example of the transmigration of football into the DNA of Spanish culture. The first recorded football game may have taken place in Rio Tinto but the first football team sprang up in Bilbao. The passion of soccer quickly spread exponentially from the Basque country across northern Spain to Madrid, Catalunya and beyond. By 1915 regional Spanish teams set up a league. In 1920 Spain won the silver medal in the Olympics (Antwerp). By 1928 the meteoric rise of league rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona had become a Spanish obsession. Spain’s international teams are prolific as well. They finished fourth in the 1950 World Cup and won the European Championship in 1964 and were runners up in 1984. Winning the gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is a source of great national pride as was winning the World Cup in 2010. Suffice it to say that football…errr… fútbol, had taken root in Spain.

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LETTERS

LE T T E R S

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es In Gibraltar Issue 89 A A

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PEDRO, LET IT GO!

DRUNK: Brits in Spanish hospital

Spain PM to bid for Gibraltar’s sovereignty AGAIN as Theresa May returns to Brussels after UK MPs take no-deal off table

THE epic battle over Gibraltar’s sovereignty has reared its head yet again as MPs voted in Parliament last night on a series of amendments which could change the course of Brexit. Politicians passed a breakthrough, although nonbinding, amendment that rules out the option of the UK leaving the EU with-

By Elisa Menendez

out a deal. Lawmakers also voted to reopen negotiations with the EU over the Northern Ireland backstop, which would act as an insurance policy to avoid a hard border with Ireland after Brexit. Meanwhile, after weeks of

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should be honoured for his services to Gibraltar journalism. Garcia, who set up the paper in 1975, has been given a Governor’s Coin for his ‘excellence in journalism’. He was handed the award by Governor and Commander in Chief, General Lieut Edward Davis, who praised Garcia’s ‘remarkable and profoundly significant’ contributions to journalism. Highlights of Garcia’s illustrious career include being Gibraltar correspondent for the Financial Times for 25 years and El Pais for 10 years. He was the first Gibraltarian journalist to be honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. He has an MBE. Panorama was the first publication to launch its own website in 1997.

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ENCIL cases to fill, textbooks to buy, packed lunch menus to plan weeks in advance… the first day of school can be as big a deal for parents as it is for their kids. For new students, those first tentative steps across a schoolyard filled with strangers is one of life’s key rites of passage. So making sure it’s the right school is a test all parents want to pass with flying colours. Whether it’s playschool, primary school or secondary school, parents in Andalucia and Gibraltar have as many choices as back home in Holland, Sweden or the UK. Of course, your selection will depend on certain key factors: distance from home, budget, academic standards, teaching style and word-of-mouth recommendations, to name just a few. So where do you start? The first item on your checklist should be Public or Private – do you opt for an international college or a Spanish state school? It’s generally an easier decision to make for younger children, as primary schools throughout Europe are more or less comparable. Around two thirds of expats send their children to local state schools – called ‘colegios’ (primary schools) and ‘institutos’ (secondary schools). There are two serious advantages to Spanish public schools. One – children will learn Spanish fast and should integrate well into their new home country. Younger children, in general, thrive in state schools with the under nines normally picking up impressive spoken Spanish (usually, far better than their parents) within a year, just by socialising with their friends. Two – state schooling is free of charge from the age of three, when children can

Vol. 4 Issue 89 www.gibraltarolivepre ss.com January 30th - February 12th 2019

HE has edited around 18,000 editions across a career than spanned an incredible five decades. So, it seems reasonable, that Panorama editor Joe Garcia

OPPOSITION leaders have appealed to the government to help save over 100 banking jobs. It comes after Jyske Bank announced it was set to pull out of Gibraltar over Brexit fears. The Danish financial group is set to sell off its Gibraltar subsidiary, citing the UK’s departure from the European Union as a major reason for the move. Other reasons cited included the loss of ‘crucial synergies’ between Denmark and Gibraltar, and the intention to focus more on their Hamburg clients. Political party Together Gibraltar has now called on the Government to protect the Scandinavian bank’s 100 employees on the Rock. The party said the Government needs to ensure Jyske workers’ ‘livelihoods and service are considered before a deal is reached’.

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refusing to hold talks with Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he is finally ready to meet and outline the agreement his party wants with the EU. Following the monumental night in the House of Commons, May will return to Brussels, now armed with a mandate to renegotiate a deal MPs will back. The EU, however, has fiercely reiterated that the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement is ‘not open for renegotiation’. It came as Spain, once again, insisted yesterday on excluding Gibraltar from all of its post-Brexit agreements with the UK and the EU. Diplomatic sources revealed how Prime Minister Pedro

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Sanchez looks set to revive Spain’s bid for shared sovereignty over the Rock after the UK leaves the EU. “In every agreement reached with Great Britain there will be an asterisk which explains that the deal will not affect Gibraltar,” the source told Reuters. Gibraltar, which has been a British territory since 1713, is set to leave the EU along-

side the UK.

Fight

But Spain is not giving up without a fight - one that Sanchez backs up with the fact that 97% of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum.

Tel: 902 123 282 902 123 282

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“After Brexit, Spain wants to include in writing in every document signed with the EU, that it has nothing to do with Gibraltar, which should be based on a different relationship,” said the source. “This strategy will be followed in all agreements that will be signed.” It comes after a fiery dispute between Sanchez and May over the Rock threat-

ened to delay Brexit negotiations in November, but an 11th hour deal made sure the 27 EU states agreed on the Withdrawal Bill. But the issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty will not be the only spanner in the Brexit works. A spokesperson for President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said that although the EU ‘welcomes’ and ‘shares’ the UK’s ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario, the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation. However there were unconfirmed reports as we went to print that the EU ‘would consider’ an Article 50 extension.

See page 2

This well problem does need to be reported. I nearly fell down an open well myself many years ago when the horse I was riding in the mountains threw me. I landed on the pile of rocks that had been placed as a marker. I had one leg hanging into the well. Although I broke my back, by a miracle I didn’t end up down the well or I wouldn’t be writing this now. Jean Gilhead, Marbella

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INVESTIGATIONS into a Palma forestry investment firm is heating up after the Olive Press revealed British expat investors may have lost MILLIONS due to mishandling of funds. Complaints against GWD Forestry have since been filed with police in Spain and the Netherlands while authorities in Canada are believed to have also launched an investigation into the Mallorca firm’s crops there. British legal firm Carlton Huxley, which has been investigating the company’s Brazil operation, is expecting to release a full interim report in the next two weeks. “We can confirm that we are probing their projects in Brazil,” spokesman Bill Ferguson told the Olive Press, “We are analysing their value and their accounts to see if there are discrepancies. “It’s a difficult process but we will have answers and a full report in February.” The Olive Press revealed in December how GWD Forestry, based in Palma, was accused of the mismanagement of investors’ cash - with most claiming they have never seen a return. The company, which invests in agro-plantations, told the Olive Press it was working to ‘pay back’ its clients. One Irish investor, based in Malaga, told the Olive Press he fears he has lost €8,000 invested in eucalyptus trees in Brazil in 2011, before reinvesting another €10,000 in 2013. “I have received one report in all these years, despite reContinues on page 5

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PEDRO, LET IT GO!

2/8/18 17:01

Spain PM to bid for Gibraltar’s sovereignty AGAIN as Theresa May returns to Brussels

THE epic battle over Gibraltar’s sovereignty has reared its head yet again as MPs

282 902 123123 Tel: 902

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looks set to revive Brussels, now armed with Sanchez bid for shared sovvoted in Parliament last By Elisa Menendez a mandate to renegotiate a Spain’s over the Rock after ereignty night on a series of amenddeal MPs will back. UK leaves the EU. ments which could change with Ireland after Brexit. The EU, however, has fierce- the every agreement reached that the UK’s “In the course of Brexit. Meanwhile, after weeks of ly reiterated Great Britain there will Politicians passed a break- refusing to hold talks with Withdrawal Agreement is with asterisk which exthrough, although non- Prime Minister Theresa May, ‘not open for renegotiation’. be an that the deal will not binding, amendment that Labour leader Jeremy Cor- It came as Spain, once plains Gibraltar,” the source rules out the option of the byn said he is finally ready to again, insisted yesterday on affect UK leaving the EU without a meet and outline the agree- excluding Gibraltar from told Reuters. which has been a deal. Lawmakers also voted ment his party wants with all of its post-Brexit agree- Gibraltar, territory since 1713, to reopen negotiations with the EU. ments with the UK and the British is set to leave the EU alongthe EU over the Northern Following the monumental EU. 15:36sources revealed 16/06/2017 1 Ireland backstop, which night in the Diplomatic House of ComUntitled-1.pdf Continues on page 4 would act as an insurance mons, May will return to how Prime Minister Pedro policy to avoid a hard border IN

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Readers react to news of Spanish anger over a video of two drunk British women being treated in hospital

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Across 1 Minor Biblical prophet (5) 4 Used for treating malaria (7) 8 Small house (5) 9 Something unpleasant to look at (7) 10 Notice (7) 11 Map within a map (5) 12 Temperature measuring instrument (11) 17 Racecourse (5) 19 Human air intake? (7) 21 Warrior of feudal Japan (7) 22 Visible vapour (5) 23 Setback (7) 24 Very steep (5) Down 1 Barrack (6) 2 Seventh day (7) 3 Invalidate (5) 4 Form (13) 5 List (7) 6 Golf clubs (5) 7 Builds (6) 13 Ramshackle building (3,4) 14 Body part pierced for rings (7) 15 Roman general (6) 16 Unpowered aircraft (6) 18 Ship of the desert (5) 20 Draws into the mouth (5)

Mijas Costa

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FREE

This is obscene (Family of little Julen ‘must not be charged’, says Marbella lawyer representing uncle of tragic toddler, Issue 310). Whoever left the hole uncovered should be charged, not these poor parents.

Susan Gail Cortes, Saint Albans

British oppression

COULD SET

De pro

EXCLUSIVE

THE uncle of little Julen Jimenez, whose body was pulled out of a well on Saturday, has blasted state prosecutors who are seeking a reckless homicide charge

against him. David Serrano Alcaise is facing prosecution alongside Antonio Sanchez, owner of company Triben Perforaciones, which originally dug the well. Both are facing between 18 months and four years behind bars and could be ordered to pay up to €1.5 million in costs borne by the state in the biggest rescue mission in Spanish history. Marbella lawyer Antonio Flores, who is representing Alcaise, told the Olive Press he is devastated and is still reeling from losing Julen. “It is a very sad situation and totally unfair,” he insisted. “This family are really poor and are in no way responsible.

Olive Press h police after e uncovers bod a ‘teenager’ i back garden

“If anyone it is responsible it is the professional who dug the well. “By law he should have plugged hole with concrete and he didn’t.” the Speaking from the family home in El Palo, Malaga, he added: “They only bought the land two months ago and wanted to use it for horses. “We will fight as hard as we can to prevent him having to face these charges." Little Julen fell down the opening on January 13, sparking a 13-day rescue operation involving 300 specialists and costing the state at least €1.5 million. His lifeless body was recovered from AN investigation has been launthe wreckage at around 1.30am last ched after an Olive Press tip off Saturday. led

police to a mysterious set of human remains. It came after British expat Ni-

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I would of left them pissed on the street. They don't deserve hospital treatment, it's for people who are ill, not pissed. It's their own fault they got into that state.

Vol. 13 Issue 310 www

Laura Charles, Marbella

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They could also produce and give out pamphlets to the public informing them of the great harm these ingredients do to their bodies (400 of biggest brands in Spain set for ivePress-256x170-Bin IKE-4.indd 1 bid to imhuge sugar TheOltax prove health, Issue 310).

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The real problem is that the UK is such an oppressed Valerie Benchetrit, Mijas society. The Brits come to Spain and go wild because they feel like they've just been let out of jail. Not January to 30th - February 12th 2019 GREEN www.theolivepress.e 10 booze mention that the iss so cheap. It’s the same with Climate EU clips Spain’s Green any country that has strict controls. People just lose End of wings over wild campaign songbird contests line thego after almost 2 their heads and crazy! MILLION are nation A GAS pipeline planned to run through Spain and Fran- captured and ce has been rejected by regu- caged for sadistic lators in both countries. The Midi-Catalonia (MidCat) tradition pipeline is now unlikely to be finished after an investment request to build its central THE European Commissection was denied. to clamp Permission for the central sion has told Spainto end the portion of MidCat, the Sou- down on its efforts birds th Transit Eastern Pyrenees capture of small wild (STEP), was refused on the for traditional bird singing grounds of a lack of necessity contests. and high cost The ancient practice, known The project also ‘fails to com- as silvestrismo, is an essenply with market needs and tial part of Iberian culture, to maturity lacks sufficient according to its supporters. be considered,’ according to Between 2013 and 2018, a joint statement by Spain’s local governments across CNMC and France’s CRE. Spain gave permission for It was also deemed at odds 1.7 million wild birds - such with the EU’s recent environ- as goldfinches and canaries mental goals.

BIRD BAN!

- to be trapped with nets, caged and trained for the contests. In 2018, after intense pressure from Brussels, every region in Spain - except Madrid – agreed to stop giving out permits to catch the birds. But the EU is demanding further assurances and a complete ban. SEO/Birdlife, an organisation for the protection of birds, said many varieties of finches are in decline and their populations need to be safeguarded.

Francesca Khan, Paris

Spain needs Brits

PRIME Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to spend €235 billion over the next decade to combat climate change in Spain. The socialist premier apologised for the country’s inaction on climate change over the last decade, which he blamed on the hostile economic crisis Spain suffered for around six years. A new energy and climate chanStress ge plan is expected to be subsaid are mitted soon to the European songbirds The little revealed, which to suffer severe stress du- Union, Sanchez investments of €235 biring capture. A plan has now will see from 2021-2030. been put forward to set up llion He added that new eco-frienda breeding programme for ly legislation will be presented finches so that the traditio- to parliament by the end of nal singing competitions can January. continue. “Spain is ready to contribute to But supporters of silvestris- creating a global economy that mo say the breeding scheme is prosperous, fair and ecologiwill not work because it pro- cal,” the PM announced at a hiduces weak and sickly birds gh-level discussion in Madrid. and adds to environmental Sanchez added that he is aiming for the newly eco-conscious degradation. just’ In the meantime, the EU has country to become ‘sociallysuch warned of legal repercus- while keeping labourers many mind, sions unless all the regions as coal miners in to lose their set of Spain, including Anda- of whom are plans to switch to lucia, fully comply with EU jobs as Spain by electricity renewable laws on the hunting and cap- 100% 2050. ture of wild birds.

The Spanish wouldn't survive without the money the English bring in to prop up their economy, and the killing Make a money other countries’ expats bring over to keep their economy going. TRADITION: Practice of silvestrismo

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Gail Nelson-snell, Malaga

Fat folk Drunks, excessive smokers and especially obese fat folk should have to contribute to the health service, and transport and care costs.

If they’d drop the taxes on solar panels, Spain would already be one of the greenest countries about (Spain to invest €235 billion to tackle climate change over next decade, Issue 310).

Gordon Sandilands, Dundee

Little England A pub for the Little Englanders. (British expat bar owner in southern Spain faces huge fine for refusing to take down Union Jack, Issue 310). The bunting is not just a flag on the pub itself, it is all over the street. It is crass, ugly and must annoy the locals (and normal Brits). It is too tacky, even by Benidorm standards.

BUSINESS www.theolivepress.es

Ban-ting

A BRITISH expat has been threatened by police with an €800 fine for not taking down

Union Jack bunting at her ‘Little Britannia’ bar in Spain. Tracey Walker, 54, from Bradford, and her customers told the Sun that her business in Benidorm was under threat, due to the anti-UK sentiment surrounding Brexit. “It is a British bar so what harm are some flags doing promoting my business?” she said. “I wonder if they’d do the same if the flags were Spanish?” Police even threatened to double the fine to €1,600 when Tracey refused to take down the flags at the bar in the city’s old town.

Solicitor

The Yorkshire woman says her bunting has been up for two years and that now she is hiring a solicitor to fight the fines. One of Tracey’s regulars also told the Sun: “There’s real concern that local bigwigs have ordered a crackdown on Brit bars.

“There’s not a lot of love lost for Brits in Europe right now, and this could be Benidorm officials giving Brits a kicking in their own way,” they added. The bunting has now been taken down, while Tracey looks to overturn the ban.

FIGHTBACK: At Brit bar

DESTINATION: New York link

Ronaldo pays price for tax evasion in Spain but avoids jail as teammate Alonso ris prison protesting innocence CRISTIANO Ronaldo has been slapped with a 23-month prison sentence as well as a hefty €18.8m fine for tax evasion during his time at Real Madrid. But the deal he agreed with prosecutors is a virtual get-out-of-jail-free card that will keep the five-times winner of the Ballon d’Or from being banged up behind bars. In Spain convicts rarely do time for sentences of under two years and, due to the non-violent nature of his offence, Ronaldo has received the equivalent of a suspended sentence.

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

to Malag

Game o halves

It is interesting to read more about him (How did new Andalucia leader Juanma Moreno go from green grocer’s assistant to Junta boss?, Issue 310). He sounds a first class candidate for the job. Edith Farminer, Mijas

Based in Spain

The 33-year-old forward was all he arrived at cou drid with his fian gina Rodriguez f cing. The Portuguese crimes relate to between 2010 a when he avoide tax while a Rea Player.

Riches

Forbes lists Ro the third-richest a the world, and he ght to be worth m €108 million. His ex-Los Blanc mate Xabi Alonso in court, where h tained his innoce three counts of sion. But unlike Ronald so did not accept a Prosecutors had a a five-year senten €4m fine for the player in relation ged tax evasion b 2010 and 2012. He said: “I have t viction and confid having done eve right, collaboratin the start without anything. “I’ve come here a going to keep goin the end because confidence in justi done everything rig However a longer s ce means that he face prison time.

Property

be Ma s m t p laga ag ro ’s az pe in rty e

www.theolivepress.es

Issue 26

February 2019

We uncover Spain’s most iconic frescos, from the dark ages to the 21st century, see Fab Frescos page VIII

February 13th - February 26th 2019

From medieval to modern As Spain adds 11 new towns to its ‘most beautiful’ list, we explore how their unique architecture helped get them there, see Belissimas page XXVI

LET IT GROW SPAIN’S property market is expected to continue growing for at least another two years, experts have predicted. According to a leading Catalan institute, ITEC, there will be no slow down until at least 2021. It comes after last year saw sales reach their highest since the 2008 crisis, with a 9.7% year-to-year increase from January to September. Meanwhile, the number of sales in October rose by a huge 17% compared to the same month in 2017, according to official government statistics (INE). New home sales were up 15% to 7,971 and resales up 17% to 43,536.

Expansion for two more years, as market approaches growth of 17% this winter

Growth was particularly strong in Murcia, up 53%, and interestingly, Sevilla province saw a 50% spike. Growth was also strong across the board in Catalunya, and Barcelona in particular with a rise of 31%. And it was hotspots like the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca which

continued to be in the top three destinations for property investments in the world for Brits. The only regions where sales fell were in the Canary and Balearic Islands, the latter of which saw a significant 3% drop in the last quarter. Meanwhile, the Spanish house price index published by Tinsa, Spain’s biggest appraisal company, showed prices in the big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid were up 9.4% in November. The Mediterranean coast shot up 7.8%, and the Balearic and Canary Islands up 2.3%.

II14

PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Land of contrasts

Spain’s property growth could be slowing down - with some regions seeing growth of 25%, while others are 50% down, but generally the country is still in a strong position, writes Mark Stucklin

HE number of Spanish home sales inscribed in the National Land Registry rose by 3% in November last year compared to the same month in 2017. There were 38,084 Spanish home sales inscribed in the Land Register in November, and 42,150 if you include subsidised homes (known as VPO), all according to the latest figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), based on data from the Spanish Land Registrars’ Association. The Spanish market has been growing since it started to recover in 2014, but the recent figures suggest that growth is starting to slow down, as one would expect it to one day. The average sales growth over the first 11 months of 2018 was 12%, compared to 16% in 2017. New home sales were up 8% to 8,043 and resales up 3% to 34,107, both in positive territory as they have been al-

most every month since August 2017. By region, November was a mixed bag, with sales up strongly in small markets like Cantabria and Asturias in the north, as well as isolated, but beautiful Teruel, in Aragon. The province of Girona, in Catalunya home of the Costa Brava - also had a good month. In contrast the Andalucian province of Huelva, home to the Costa de la Luz, suffered a 54% decline in sales (ED: This is amazing, if true, given I know the area well and many of my agent clients and friends say it has been pretty steady there). Looking at how sales changed on a year-to-date basis (11 months) in regions that attract the most attention from foreign buyers, interest was up in all regions bar the Balearics, where sales fell 3% (see above right). Growth in sales was also comparatively weak in Catalunya, possibly due to the political

SALES: Teruel came out top, while Balearics saw a 3% drop while (below) January saw the best sales last year

situation. Murcia deserves a mention in dispatches for it’s 24% growth. Despite it’s romantic name, rugged landscape, and sunny climate, Murcia is a bit of a backwater that is popular with British buyers, perhaps because of the marketing efforts of mega-developer Polaris World back in the boom years. Had it not been for Polaris World spending big on marketing in the UK before it succumbed to the Spanish property crash, Murcia might not be on the radar of British buyers as much as it is. A new airport in Murcia that has just become operational might boost foreign demand for the region over time. Visit Spanishpropertyinsight.com for more information

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

February 2019

A SERIES of iconic 20th century images have been recreated for an original advertising project, selling homes on the Costa del Sol. The brainchild of developers Urbania, the photographs have been superimposed and re-imagined alongside vistas of the development, Higueron West 217, between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. The snaps include the legendary Abbey

INSPIRED: Green belt

Door-todoor binmen

AN entrepreneur has launched a new refuse collection service that comes to your front door. The trash-collection service, Mi Basura, is now operating in Benalmadena, having already established itself in Sevilla, Huelva and Jerez de la Frontera. Founder Francisco Jose Novalio, 48, from Sevilla, insists the service has been very popular and he already has thousands signed up in the Costa del Sol resort. He collects the rubbish from 3,500 homes in one urbanisation alone. He insisted ‘lots of people’ were too lazy to dispose of their rubbish, while many older residents were ‘too scared’ to go out at night. The service costs €10 a month per house.

Line it up!

Turning heads Road photo featuring The Beatles, and one of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s looking through a glass window. In the Abbey Road photo a group of builders dress up like the original Fab Four crossing a road in the development, with a dozen vintage cars from the era in the background. Another uses Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famous photo of a sailor kissing a girl during the VE celebrations in New York. The resort, set to open in 2020, is bidding to be one of the most environmentally-friendly developments ever with a 100,000m2 ‘green belt’ at the forefront of its marketing campaign.

ICONIC: Abbey Road shot

KNOCKDOWN DEAL!

THE mayor of Marbella is pushing to get a train line from Malaga along the coast ‘as quickly as possible’. Angeles Munoz (below) believes it is a vital infrastructure project for the key Costa del Sol towns. “It’s really important for Marbella, but we have to push, everyone has to push to get it built,” she told a meeting of expats at the Beach House restaurant, in Elviria. She added that she wanted a stop for the hospital, one for San Pedro and one for central Marbella. She admitted the project would cost ‘a lot of money’ at around two billion euros, but that technical studies were already underway. She also promised that security would be improved in Marbella this year with 35 extra policemen contracted, as well as 30 more traffic cops.

British pensioners set precedent in getting demolition order suspended on their home

AN elderly British couple have ‘set a precedent’ by getting a demolition order on their house suspended. Pensioners Noel and Christine Payne emerged victorious after a 16-year legal battle with the regional authorities. It came after the couple in their 70s were granted an all-important AFO on their home in Almeria. The so-called AFO (asimilado fuera de

ordenación) grants the retired expats ‘semi-legal’ status on their house in Albox after it was built illegally. The pair moved into their Andalucian dream home in 2003, but have been fighting for its protection ever since. Their anxiety increased substantially when nearby homeowners, Len and Helen Prior, also in their 70s, had their home demolished on an order from the Junta in 2008.

Going up-ski THEY have become one of the key growth markets along the Spanish costas over the last decade. Thanks to the golden visa scheme tens of thousands of Russians have now bought homes in key resorts such as Marbella, Estepona and around Mallorca and the Alicante region. So it was only a matter of time before they started to build their own churches. After one went up in Altea, Alicante, last year, a new one is starting to rise up in the hills near Estepona. The €1.1m project, in the Selwo area, was designed by Tobal Architects, in Marbella, and is being built by Jamena and is due to be finished by the end of the year. The church will be called the Templo de la Ascensión de la Ortodoxa Rusa and

III 15

on the 14,000 metre plot it will have a cultural centre and a park. The building will be a contemporary in-

terpretation of a traditional orthodox church with a golden dome and will be able to fill 500 worshippers.

Dole them out TRAILBLAZERS: British expats

Maura Hillen, president of illegal homes action group AUAN, believes the ruling is a ‘positive’ sign of things to come. “We hope that judges will see this case as a precedent for others going through the courts in the future,” she told the Olive Press. It comes after the couple’s lawyer, Gerardo Vazquez, who also works with AUAN, used a new piece of legislation introduced in 2015. Article 108.3 recognises that the demolition of a home built in breach of building codes is not the only route to restoring its legality. “There are some common sense solutions out there, we just have to get them into law,” continued Hillen. “With this case it’s all credit to Noel and Christine for sticking to their guns. “If there is a demolition, it is very damaging for the community and there is a lot of human misery involved.” The Priors were finally paid a settlement of almost €236,000 by Vera Council, last year.

AN Andalucian town hall is splashing out €2 million on council housing. Fuengirola is set to purchase dozens of private homes worth up €150,000 each and rent them out to lower income families. The homes must be free of debt and will have a minimum 40 square metres in size. Each purchase must represent ‘good value for money’.

Fruits of corruption A NEW language school is being built thanks to more than €1 million recovered from the Malaya corruption case. The EOI Marbella language school will move to a new 1,000-square metre site next year in Edificio Feria. Its current location will be turned into 12 apartments made specifically for younger people in the area to rent. Meanwhile up to 1,800 students will be able to attend the new school.

IV 16

PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

made it big times There’s no surprise this Balearic beauty has caught the attention of house hunters across the pond

SPACIOUS: This finca sits on 60 acres of lush landscape

STUNNING Mallorca finca has featured in the New York Times. The rustic farm property is set on 60 acres just outside Llucmajor and dates back to the 14th century and was the centrepiece in the American newspaper’s House Hunting in Spain feature this month. The property is surrounded by a stone wall and has many features and structures created from local stone, mortar and cement. And if you can afford the €6.9 million price tag, you will get a three-bedroom villa, guesthouse, separate casita with one bedroom, a pool house, spa and fully equipped stable house with two bedrooms. Elsewhere the property boasts several covered and uncovered terraces, as well as orchards, riding trails, a large garage and swimming pool. And if you love your flora, feast your senses on the myriad of species, with orchards of almond, orange, lavender and olive trees adorning the property. The property is listed with Sotheby’s International Realty.

www.theolivepress.es

February 13th - February 26th 2019

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PROPERTY

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Pole Position O February 2019

N a key strategic corner of central Marbella, an elegantly-dressed lady holds court, surrounded by half a dozen men. “Hola Guapa,” shouts another from across the street, while a pair of bankers in pinstripe suits and ties sit patiently waiting for her in the conference room. Welcome to Kristina Szekely Sotheby’s Realty’s brand new agency.

HOLDING COURT Kristina with clients

Wall to wall glass, travertine marble floors and the distinctive navy blue signs, this is exactly what you would expect for one of Spain’s most experienced expat agents. Now in five separate bases, including Puerto Banus, Gibraltar, Sevilla and Sotogrande, the agency is clearly doing well. It certainly looks this way at the new office, where a team of agents beaver away on phones and writing emails, while a pretty receptionist smiles and offers everyone tea and biscuits. It only opened last month and is a good barometer of the year ahead for the company, believes Kristina, who has lived in Spain for over four decades. “It’s strategic to cover the central Marbella area and great for listings,” she explains. “I spotted it available on a Saturday, and again the next morning. It really got me thinking. Then when I drove past it again on Sunday evening, I decided I better stop and get the number to make an enquiry.” Within a few days she had acquired the excellent location just a Golden Mile villa’s length from Marbella’s famous Alameda gardens and right opposite the entrance to the historic old town. “It’s proved to be very positive, with so many friends and former clients popping in since we opened,” she continues. “There are plenty of people round there who have known me for 20 to 30 years and some families, who I have worked for for three generations. “One came in and told me I had sold his mother’s house and really recognised the effort I had put in some decades back,” she continues. “Hopefully he will use us when he comes to sell his home.”

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Kristina Szekely has just opened a brand new office in the nerve centre of Marbella, writes Jon Clarke

CORNER AGENCY In Calle Ricardo Soriano

She has decided to open the new office to service the key part of Spain’s most exclusive resort, already having an office in Puerto Banus port. A far more intelligent woman than many give credit for, she is a clever operator who understands the market better than most. “We have had various people coming in looking for hotels, car parks, even petrol stations. They know the returns on the coast are easily 5% per year, compared to much less in other areas.” She continues: “Ricardo Soriano is also the international hub for lawyers and many other businesses. This is the financial district of Marbella and important to be seen here.” Visit the new office at Calle Ricardo Soriano, 5, Marbella, or contact the team via www.kssir.com or 952772000 or 952810102

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Build: 107m2 Garage: 1 space

The Campanario Hills is located i Estepona, a charming seaside town, just a few kilometers from San Pedro de Alcántara, Puerto Banus and Marbella. The luxury of this development is not only found inside the apartments. The complex has a state-of-the-art, gym, spa, Turkish baths, pressure jet shower and a relaxation area. Also offers a large communal infinity pool as well as a children’s pool located in a completely safe area.

www.theolivepress.es

February 13th - February 26th 2019

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VIII 20

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February 2019

Fab frescos

ROM cave paintings to church frescos to modern murals of epic scale, countless artists have left their brush marks on Spanish architecture down the centuries for

PROPERTY

February 13th - February 26th 2019

After a fresco was uncovered in Estepona, we look at the tradition in Spain visitors to enjoy today. These are not all frescos in the strictly technical sense but whether classical or street art, some Spanish murals are downright impressive.

Sistine Chapel of Extremadura Looks are deceiving … If you came across this modest shrine in Badajoz, you’d never guess it houses a treasure known as the Sistine Chapel of Extremadura. Olive trees and streams surround the Shrine of Virgen

Madrid’s Goya dome Abbey El Escorial The historic home of the Spanish monarchs has as many impressive frescos as it has legends. From this colossus reigning over the city of Madrid from its northern hills, King Felipe II could sit in the library and ponder art representing the seven liberal arts: Rhetoric, Logic, Music, Grammar, Arithmetic, Geometry and Astronomy. The majority of the El Escorial frescos were painted by the 16th century Italian sculptor and mural painter Pellegrino Tibaldi.

Frying pan masterpieces IT is Spain - and Europe’s - hottest place in summer… and Ecija, in Sevilla, also counts on some of the most beautiful frescos in the coun-

try. The ones painted on the Palacio de Penaflor are 60 metres in length and were created by artist Antonio Fernández in 1764.

del Ara in Fuente del Arco. For a chapel in the middle of nowhere, it’s surprisingly large but the whitewashed walls give no clue to the magnificent polychromic frescos that lie within.

Saint Louis of France frescos

The Royal Chapel of San Antonio de Florida boasts a jewel to match its regal name - ceiling and dome frescos by the great Francisco de Goya, painted in 1798. They depict Saint Anthony of Padua raising a man from the dead to free his innocent father from murder charges. They took Goya just six months to complete.

Recently restored, the church of San Luis de los Franceses in Sevilla showcases some of the finest examples of Spanish Baroque art in the country. It’s not so famous for its quantity of frescos as for their harmony with the architecture. With ornate artwork rampaging over arches, domes and cupolas, completely disguising supporting pillars, it’s difficult to see where the painting ends and the church begins.

Frescos of Abdon de Paz A series of 17th century religious frescos recently discovered by accident when the owners of the house in Abdon de Paz Plaza, near Toledo, was doing it up. The whitewashed walls of the traditional patio home hid awesome paintings depicting the parable of the Prodigal Son and other religious scenes. The family renovation project continues, this time with the help of an archeological team.

St. Antony of the Germans fresco frenzy Founded in Madrid by Felipe IIl at the beginning of the 17th century, the church of San Antonio de los Alemanes is one huge wall-to-wall fresco. It’s also the only church in the region with an elliptic form. Originally built alongside a hospital for Portuguese

migrants, it was later rededicated to German immigrants The frescos are by Luca Giordano and Francisco Ricci - the former a prolific Neopolitan court painter renowned for his speed of painting, nicknamed Luca fà-presto (Luca-get-it-done-fast).

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

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February 2019

Penelles Art blooms in the most extraordinary places and surprises wait around every corner in this Lerida (Catalunya) village. Penelles may count only 500 inhabitants but this pint-sized pueblo has become a reference point for street art and painters from all over Europe come here to leave their creations. Many of the murals tell the story of the town and its residents - like El tato and El sison, a native bird from Lerida.

Fresnedillas’ Living Houses Fresnedillas de la Oliva used to be a ghost village, like many other pueblos in northern Madrid abandoned by their inhabitants for jobs in the city. To encourage people back, the town hall devised the

Casas con Vida project to restore the dilapidated village houses. The artist Elena Parlange was commissioned to embellish them and her stunning murals lend a bright new tone to the village.

El Provencio’s comic walls

Galactus lives on the walls of El Provencio, in Cuenca, along with Silver Surfer, Captain America and other comic book heroes. The origin of these original artworks was the Comic Walls initiative organised during the International Comic Convention. Hosted in July, it attracts fans from all over the country who agree, El Provencio is a comic ‘Marvel’.

Fresco faux pas The Ecce Homo in the Zaragoza village of Borja is famous for all the wrong reasons. It was just another of many sacred paintings found across Spain until 2012 when a well-meaning resident decided to do a bit of restoration work, with hilarious results. The Christ figure on the canvas took on a more comic look and became the laughing stock of the Internet. But this previously unknown village is laughing too, all the way to the bank, having welcomed more than 200,000 visitors since.

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Chic retre

RURAL: The idyllic Portugal resort overlooks the sea

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February 2019

Famous nightclub designer behind stunning new resort THE man behind Marbella’s iconic Valere nightclub has launched an idyllic new resort in Portugal. Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Comporta, Quinta da Comporta is the new sustainable signature project by renowned Portuguese architect Miguel Cancio Martins. The collection of dwellings is described as a ‘tribute to the cultural heritage of Comporta, built from the love and respect its author feels for the location’. Providing an authentic local experience and high quality service, Quinta da Comporta’s 73 spacious double, deluxe and duplex rooms, suites and pool villas, create the perfect resort for a ‘genuine journey inwards’. Its website explains: “Infused with a contemporary feel, simplicity unveils elegance in every detail and invites you into a deep retreat, where wellness and tranquillity play a leading role. “Discover a new sense of belonging and create authentic memories at Quinta da Comporta.”

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XII 24

PROPERTY

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February 2019

Noguel de Higueron, Benalmadena

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Golden

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

XIII 25

February 2019

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XIV 26

PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

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Facts are facts

Malaga law firm is hitting Spain’s timeshare resorts hard WE revealed in our last article how Malaga based law firm Maxima 1 Legal S.L. (M1 Legal) is now regulated by the Claims Management Regulator in respect of regulated claims. Now we can report that M1 Legal ended the first month of 2019 on an all-time high resulting in NINE client victories totalling £152,451 PLUS two Club La Costa appeal victories.

●● Continental Resort Services (Club La Costa): £29,556 awarded ●● Leisure Dimensions x 2 : £14,050 awarded ●● Anfi Group awarded

x 3 cases: £49,271

●● Marriott Vacation Club: £33,992 awarded ●● Anfinpan: £7,985 ●● Diamond Resorts: £17,597

FACT NOT FAKE!

Fake news currently being circulated by Club La Costa to their members is both defamatory and unprofessional. It is shocking that a company would go to such lengths to discredit another company. To prove the point we go back to the evidence which is FACTUAL: Would M1 Legal now be regulated if they were fake? Maxima 1 Legal S.L. is regulated by the Claims Management Regulator in respect of regulated claims management activities under registration number: CRM44126

Appealing Victories! Club La Costa (UK) Sucursal en España

M1 LEGAL TEAM IS GROWING Some resorts are stating that Maxima 1 Legal S.L. (M1 Legal) are not real lawyers and we would like to address this statement.

●● M1 lawyers are registered with the Bar Association and are qualified to pursue all types of claims in the Spanish courts. ●● M1 are now regulated by the

Claims Management Regulator in respect of regulated claims under the registered company name Maxima 1 Legal S.L. ●● M1 are in possession of every judgment issued by the courts Current Cases ●● 510 cases in the courts (197 are against CLC amounting to £4.8 million) ●● 256 cases being prepared for submission (66 are against CLC)

Furthermore, after an initial court decision that the case did not fall under Spanish jurisdiction, M1 appealed the decision which was reversed HOW WE TOLD: Last issue by the Malaga Court of Appeal. The defence argued that the in the proceedings against them case should not be heard in Spain was to extend the case as much claiming that the contract fell under as possible. In order to do so, English law. The appeal judge ruled they submitted an objection that the contractual party i.e. Club based on jurisdiction stating la Costa (UK) Sucursal en España is that the Spanish Courts are not a Spanish entity and the case should competent to deal with the case. be heard in Spain. We can now In this instance, their specialised confirm yet another appeal victory lawyer as well as the Public regarding the same contractual Prosecutor defended the Spanish party has been won through the jurisdiction to deal with this lower courts. case. The Court has dismissed the appeal filed by CLC (Paradise Paradise Trading S.L. Trading S.L.) and it will be resubmitted through the lower Paradise Trading’s main strategy courts.

For any timeshare enquiries regarding this story call 0034 951 562 209 or email sharon@m1legal.com

PROPERTIES SELLING FAST AT THE SPANISH ESTATE AGENT! Thinking of Selling? Get in touch with The Spanish Estate Agent – the fastest growing agency on the Costa del Sol

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It’s your move! • Properties urgently needed for eager buyers • Tap into our worldwide, award-winning marketing • Dynamic, motivated and professional sales team Come and discuss your property with our friendly sales consultants at Avenida Espana 250, Estepona 29680. Or visit our website at www.thespanishestateagent.com Email info@thespanishestateagent.com

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

fairways@startgroup.com www.fairwayslacalagolf.com Agents welcome!

OVER 50% SOLD!

2 bedroom apartments with 55m2 terrace from only €285.000! Welcome to Fairways, La Cala Golf! Fairways is a new development that consists of 54 modern 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses with the best possible views over the La Cala Golf Course! •

Surrounded by golf

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Apartments with private gardens

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Middle floor apartments with private roof terrace

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Duplex penthouses with private pools

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Enquire today! 50% already sold!

STARTGROUP proudly present Fairways La Cala Golf On behalf of the Marbella based developer Exxacon, STARTGROUP are carrying out the sales and marketing for this exciting new development. Launched in April 2018, Fairways is ALREADY OVER 50% SOLD!! The plot sits right on Campo America; one of the three 18-hole championship golf courses that La Cala Golf has to offer. Fairways has uninterrupted and exclusive views over the golf course; the front view taking in holes one, two, and three, and the duplex penthouses will also enjoy views of holes five and six. Fairways’ elevated position also offers distant sea views, as well as taking in the villages of Mijas and Fuengirola. The modern design of this project is just the beginning - Exxacon have focused on creating luxury living inside with 54 apartments spread over nine blocks, with six apartments per block. The ground floor apartments offer huge 70-metre terraces and varying sized gardens, as well as a back terrace, while first floor apartments boast large terraces off the lounge and bedroom, and an extra south facing terrace, elevated to the same level of the penthouse. And finally, the duplex penthouses (both two and three bedroom) offer terraces on both levels, with the top floor of the apartment consisting of master bedroom en-suite and a wrap-around terrace of 40 metres. The three-bedroom penthouse also offers a plunge pool, outdoor shower and two parking spaces as standard.

Fairways will be an exclusive gated community, with visitor parking and underground parking for all residents. Garages will offer storage and an area for golfers to clean their clubs and equipment, as well as electric car charging points. In the communal areas there is a large 198 square metre infinity swimming pool, luxurious wellness centre, with large Jacuzzi, a fully equipped gymnasium and sauna. For the keen golfer, Fairways has no less than 16 golf courses within a 25 kilometre radius. Commonly known as the “Costa del Golf”, you will never be far away from a new challenge on the golf course. Located just an 8-minute drive from the very popular village of La Cala de Mijas with its bustling atmosphere, Fairway is also just down the road from La Mairena and Elviria, both of which offer up a host of great bars and restaurants. Glamorous Marbella is only minutes further afield, while busy Fuengirola is just a 20-minute drive away, and Málaga 40 minutes. With current prices starting from €285,000, owning an apartment at Fairways might be closer to reality than you may first imagine. Building license due anytime with a build start date by END MARCH 2019 and COMPLETION date of Q3 2020.

For further information or to book a viewing, please call (+34) 637 008 455 or e-mail fairways@startgroup.com

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PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Stunning House refurb revives the art of local craf and slashes €€€€ off the bill, writes Jon Clarke

EXQUISITE: Indian marble reception and outdoor tables, while (right) Guy and Lucy

ITH its forest-green marble reception desk, 400-year-old red pine doors and hand-painted wallpaper from London, one might have expected the recent renovations at Marbella’s Beach House restaurant to have cost as much as a private Caribbean atoll. On the contrary, its resourceful British owners Guy and Lucy McCrow went the selfbuild route, sourcing the materials and using just local tradesmen and their very own team to create the new look. The end result is spectacular… dramatically

increasing the value extend rant guests by means of a perience something which w been economically viable h contracted out. “We created the wine cell ceilings, laid the floors and

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ftsmanship

ded to all restauan enhanced exwould never have had the job been

lar, installed the d even ended up

February 13th - February 26th 2019

February 2019

New dawn building our own chairs and tables,” exp- designing bespoke pieces for the five-star lains Guy, 35, from Hertfordshire. Puente Romano hotel, and local upholsterer This is perhaps not surprising after receiving Paco who’s attention to detail is astonishing. countless quotes for contemIt is a similar story with the beauporary, commercial grade furtiful reclaimed doors, which lead niture which were way out of the charming pool and garAccess to such into their budget. den of The Residence, their all “€1000 chairs may be ac- specialised skills new bed and breakfast venture. ceptable in a Zagaleta dining a short investigative stint as an individual After room, but we needed lots of that would have given David Dicthem and we were definite- is unthinkable in kensen a run for his money, they ly not about to compromise” salvaged a pair of antique doors London continues the friendly fatherfrom a reclamation yard in Monof-three, who has lived in tes de Malaga. Spain for over a decade. “Made from the same cut of AnThey ended up using friend and specialist dalucian red pine felled to build the Spanish metal worker Will, who is normally found Armada,” explains Lucy. “the chap who salvaged them even insisted on installing frames of the same age to ensure perfect harmony.” Perhaps the single greatest example of local expertise are the stonemasons who were responsible for the book-matched, rain forest-green marble which clads the reception, kitchen pass and main bar. “To have access to such specialised skills as an individual would be unthinkable back in London. It’s so refreshing to work with these talented and modest people without the necessity for CAD drawings and horrendous design fees.” And as Lucy so perfectly sums up: “Of course, undertaking a project like this means things take much longer but it also means you get them exactly the way you want them, and exactly the way your clients deserve them.”

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WELL APPOINTED: Entrance to B&B and (below) a suite

For more information, visit www.beachhousemarbella.com

Taste of the sea

In kee ping with the Bea ch Hou se’s stun nin g mar itim e location Guy and Luc y cho se ligh t blue bes pok e wal lpap er, des igne d by Ital ian pain ter Pier o Fornas etti , who died in 198 8. Full of fan tastica l fish , it mak es a bold stat eme nt while har mon isin g with the oce anf ron t env iron men t.

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PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

an architectural eye English snappers scoop majority of global architectural photography awards

HE winners of the global annual Architectural Photography Awards have been declared... and the most prized gongs have gone to a British snapper. Pawel Paniczko from Manchester, was declared the overall winner for his shot of the Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai, China, built by Atelier Deshaus. He beat out more than 1,200 entries across four main categories, grabbing the $3,000 (€2,365) cash prize and gong at the WAF Gala dinner in Amsterdam. The Brit photographer also won the Portfolio category for his shots of the Harbin Opera House in Harbin, China, created by MAD Architects. Compatriot John Pinder from Surrey, won the public vote

WINNER: Panickzo’s portfolio of Harbin Opera House

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in the Mobile category for his image of a spiral staircase, taken with a Galaxy S8. The official Mobile category award went to He Zhenhuan, from China, for his shot of an overpass in Chongqing. Andrew Robertson, another Brit, won the Interior category with his image of the Ouse Valley viaduct in Sussex. Elsewhere, Omer Kanipak, from Turkey, won the Buildings in Use category for his shot of the Hive at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London; and Marco Tagliarino from Italy, won the Sense of Place category with his shot of the Piazza Duomo, taken from the Arengario Balconi of the Palazzo dellÁrengario, Museo del 900 in Milan.

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The Olive Press gives you more!

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February 2019

FROM TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE: Robertson’s Ouse Valley, Pinder’s Half Spiral, Pancikzo’s shots of Long Museum West Bund, Tagliarino’s Piazza Dumo and Kanipak’s Kew Gardens

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

T: +350 20051020 E: info@century21gibraltar.com Unit 3 Royal Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village, Gibraltar

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West One - 601

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Buena Vista Park Villas – 308

1 bed 1 bath apartment Located on a low floor Fully furnished throughout Large communal pool

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Genista House – 75

Quay 29 – 635

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3 bed 2 bath apartment Mid/high floor Private allocated parking Views facing Africa/bay

Studio apartment, New development Views over looking town towards the rock, Communal swimming pool, Gym & gardens

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4 bed 2 bath apartment New development, Views to the West towards the bay, Communal swimming pool, Gym & gardens

2 bed 1 bath apartment High floor West facing with partial sea views Communal swimming pool

4 bed 2 bath house 2 large decked terraces Over 3 levels Parking for 2 cars & 2 bikes

3 bed 1 bath apartment Fully furnished Walk in wardrobe Large patio

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£172,500

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Studio apartment Partial sea views Tropical roof garden & spa Central location in Gibraltar

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PROPERTY Making history www.theolivepress.es

February 13th - February 26th 2019

February 2019

Historic buildings on the Rock recognised for their sympathetic restoration

SILVER: Plata Villa appropriately came second

OUR buildings in Gibraltar have been awarded coveted awards from the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. The first Group Heritage Award went to The Arches, Gibraltar’s old police barracks which has had a

Commonwealth. The second Group Heritage Award went to Plata Villa on Witham’s Road. Originally a private home and then an orphanage, before becoming a school, it also housed Gibraltarian evacuees who started returning to

massive facelift. The building in Irish Town is a rare example of neoclassical architecture with Tuscan columns and arcades. The Royal Gibraltar Police, established in 1830, is the world’s second oldest police force and the oldest in the

ARCH VICTOR: The Arches development won top prize

PROJECTS We have exciting residential work happening in Ocean Village, Royal Ocean Plaza, Gibraltar Town and South District. HOME REFURBISHMENT DECORATING GENERAL BUILDING SERVICES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Call us on: +350 (0) 200 43222 or email: hello@b2projects.co.uk to discuss your project and get a quote. To see more examples of our work Follow us on: Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn

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XXI 33

Gibraltar in 1944. The building has been subdivided into four private flats in the new Plata Villa development. Meanwhile Grape Vine House at 23 Naval Hospital Road, owned by Gil Podesta, scooped the Individual Heritage Award. And a Special Commendation was handed to Orion House on George’s Lane, a traditional townhouse now converted into four apartments retaining a retail outlet on the ground floor.

OTHER WINNERS: And prizes below

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PROPERTY

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February 2019

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work

RISING TO THE HEAVENS: Gallego (inset left) has built Mejorada church from the ground up

Spaniard vows to complete solo cathedral project as 93rd birthday approaches A NONAGENARIAN is vowing to complete his solo cathedral project before he dies. Justo Gallego has been building his tribute to the heavenly father in Mejorada del Campo, on the outskirts of Madrid, since the early 1960s. It came after the former monk was kicked out of a monastery in Madrid when he was struck down with tuberculosis. He fought for his life for many years and promised God that if he pulled through he would honor him by building a church. Initially financed by inheritance, he began his project more than 40 years ago with a 130-foot dome, on a large patch of land his family owned 13 miles east of Madrid. Since then funds have come from parceling off and selling some of the land his family owned and from gifts from tourists, well-wishers, and businesses. Sympathetic construction crews donate leftover materials while paint-factory workers and marble cutters have been known to do the same.

www.inlandandalucia.com

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

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by our 2017 customer database survey of 13,500. SEE for yourself

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February 2019

PROPERTY

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

Buy your own pueblo Gwyneth Paltrow recommends it and there are plenty for sale in Spain, writes Michael Doherty of the Woodbrook Group

W CEO: Michael Doherty of the Woodbrook Group

ould you like to own your own village? Spain has a few to spare. They are the forgotten pueblos - once thriving rural communities, now devoid of life, their stone buildings crumbling, their cobbled streets silent. It is estimated there are as many

as 3,000 of these abandoned hamlets, scattered around Spain, particularly in Galicia, Castilla y León, Aragón and Asturias. The actress Gwyneth Paltrow shone the spotlight on such unusual investment opportunities when she recommended buying a deserted Galician village as a Christmas pre-

DESERTED VILLAGE: One of the hamlets for sale and (below) Gwyneth

BRAND NEW: But not in as much demand, as before

Foreign buyers reject new builds

Interest in the property market is at an all-time high with foreign investors, but it seems they’re not interested in new builds, writes Adam Neale

N a recent article, newspaper El Confidencial questioned whether there is a problem with foreign home buyers occupying more of the market than ever, without being interested in new-build homes. The publication confirmed that overall interest among international buyers is high, with 53,359 transactions registered in the first quarter of 2018. Some 33,000 homes were sold to foreign buyers in the first half of 2007, just before the property bubble burst. This would suggest we're at an all-time high. But, according to the article, sales of new homes to foreign buyers are at an all-time low across Spain, despite more new projects reaching the market all the time. This means there is increasing competition among modern property developments, and this proliferation of choice may be one of the reasons why they don't sell as quickly as before.

Prices are a contributing factor One factor is the rise in property prices, which due to limited land and growing construction costs, have increased significantly and more rapidly than those of resale homes. The latter are now seen to offer a lot more home for your money. Therefore there has been a notable shift towards resale properties in recent times, and especially in relation to the pre-recession years, when over 60% of all property transactions involving non-Spanish buyers were new. So, while demand is strong many experts worry about the lack of appetite for new homes. Planning delays are another contributing factor A greater worry is the added time and cost caused by building licence delays and maybe this is a frustration that poten-

tial buyers feel as well, prompting them to opt for the easier choice of a resale property ready to move into. There are currently around 200 new projects on the Costa del Sol alone, but if the reports are correct the new flow of developments should begin to slow down considerably. The British, who have always been keen buyers of both resale and new homes in Spain, have seen their share within the foreign buyers' market drop considerably since Brexit. Where once they made up over half of the total, that share has now fallen to less than one-fifth, and this can be another explanation for the lack of interest in modern properties. The state of the overall market is healthy thanks to a revival of the domestic market and strong demand from especially Scandinavian, Belgian and French buyers, but right now it's clearly focused on resales.

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

sent on her website, Goop. A Dutch couple took up her suggestion and are in the process of clinching the deal for around €150,000. That’s a bit below the average asking-price for these villages although some have sold for as little as €50,000. That expenditure, however, will only get you the deeds to the properties. Most of these villages are in a state of complete ruin and AldeasAbandonadas, a real estate agency specialising in such deals, estimates a price of between €500,000 and €600,000 to make the buildings habitable. Nevertheless, there is considerable interest. Aldeas Abandonadas reports that 70% of clients come from abroad. British buyers lead the way followed Belgians, French and, of late, an increasing number of investors from Russia and Arab countries. Interest from Spaniards is small but growing. It is not easy to secure these purchases since would-be buyers must deal with a number of owners, including some who have left Spain and others who have inherited the property. AldeasAbandonadas and similar agencies will locate the owners and do the necessary paperwork with the public notary, the land register and the local councils. Some buyers plan to set up a tourism business, others to farm while some are simply seeking an unusual retirement haven. If that is your dream, then go for it. However I always advise caution to expats who want to invest in specific properties or property schemes. I am not thinking here of people buying a home for themselves. There are beautiful properties to be had in wonderful Spanish locations, often at very reasonable prices.

But it is one thing to look at a house and decide if it is right for you. It is quite a different matter to assess the market and decide if it is where you want to place your capital. Deserted villages at least have an aura of romance. That can’t be said for every new marina and tourist development but, as an investment, they can prove just as risky. What most expats want is peace of mind and a secure environment in which their money can grow. For that, you need advice. Let me declare an interest here. My company, the Woodbrook Group, is an international firm of financial advisers and, of course, we would be very pleased to handle your business. But whoever you take advice from, make sure it is sound and impartial and do not rush into any investment without knowledge. The Woodbrook Group is not owned by any financial institution or life insurance company. This makes us different from the majority of financial advisory companies and means we can offer you unbiased and impartial advice tailored to your individual requirements.

*For more information, contact our team at the Woodbrook Group Office in Marbella: Av. Ricardo Soriano, 72 Edificio Golden Portal B, 1ª Planta 29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain. Telephone: +34 952768471 Email: officemarbella@woodbrookgroup.com

February 13th - February 26th 2019

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9 SA 0 VE % M

ON EY *

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PROPERTY IN SPAIN?

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Belissimas! February 2019

11 new villages have made it onto Spain’s ‘most beautiful’ list, writes Laurence Dollimore

ATTENTION all Instagram addicts! A further 11 new villages have been added to the list of the most beautiful in Spain. The list is created by the Asociación de Los Pueblos Más Bonitos De España (Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain) to celebrate and create awareness of some of the more scenic but under-visited spots in the country. Be sure to add some of these gems them to your getaway list for 2019.

February 13th - February 26th 2019

Níjar, Almería This Moorish wonder is steeped in history and sits between the Sierra Alhamilla and south-east coastline of Almeria. Its sea of white houses and churches make it one of the most picturesque. It’s also renowned for its pottery, new performing arts centre (above) and sits in a stunning natural enclave, right on the edge of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.

Carmona, Cantabria Nestled in the leafy region of Cantabria. Carmona has been declared an official Historical-Artistic Site thanks to its typical mountain houses which give it its traditional aesthetic. It sits on the picturesque Nansa River and is surrounded by bright green valleys, making it a top contender for Spain’s ‘most beautiful’ list.

Property of the Week

Roda de Isábena, Huesca Estepa, Sevilla - TH3978 79.000€ This beautiful 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse sits within the town of Estepa. It’s been well finished with a ground floor bedroom at the front of the property, a central sitting room with stairwell onto a fully fitted kitchen with plenty of storage.

tel: +34 952 741 525 Calle de la Villa 14, 29532, Mollina, Malaga info@inlandandalucia.com www.inlandandalucia.com

This village, dating back to the medieval period, is the smallest in Spain to have a cathedral. Destroyed in the late 10th century, the holy building was rebuilt between 1053 and 1067 and continued to be remodelled in the 12th century. Today its old refectory has been turned into the restaurant of the hostel that is now located there.

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February 13th - February 26th 2019

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February 2019

Potes, Cantabria This colourful town is located in the centre of the Liebana region in Cantabria. It sits at the confluence of four valleys with bridges and gorgeous views adding to its charm. Its rainbow-coloured homes and buildings are complemented by its Mediterranean climate and walnut and poplar trees. Earthy orujo grape brandy is a local speciality produced by its valley. vineyards.

Setenil de las Bodegas, Cadiz Based in Cádiz, this quaint town is famous for its troglodyte dwellings built into rock overhangs above the Río Guadalporcún. According to the 2005 census, the town has a population of just 3,016, many of whom live in nearby Ronda. The town extends along the course of the Rio Trejo with some houses being built into the rock walls of the gorge itself, created by enlarging natural caves or overhangs and adding an external wall.

San Martín de Trevejo, Cáceres This idyllic village in Extremadura is a heritage treasure with one of the best-preserved historic quarters in Spain. Streams run down the centre of the streets and the roofs of the houses practically touch. Just 15km from Portugal’s border, only 800 inhabitants live here today and speak a dialect no visitor will recognise - Fala - quite different to Spanish and Portuguese though closer to the latter.

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February 2019

PROPERTY Bagergue, Lleida Bagergue is first mentioned in documents dating back to the early 14th century when its people swore allegiance to the King of Aragon, however it is much older. Perched high in Catalunya’s Aran Valley at 1,419 m, its parish church of Sant Fèlix dates back to the second century. The sanctuary of Santa Margarita de Bagergue, one kilometer north of the town, is another sight to behold.

Tazones, Asturias Tazones is a beautiful Asturian village set just metres from the sea.The small fishing village, made up of typically Spanish architecture, is wrapped in charm. Once a well-known whaling port, the pueblo clings to the side of the mountains, surrounded by pine trees and eucalyptus. A walk through its network of cobbled streets reveals quaint low-level houses decorated with brightly-painted balconies and windows.

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by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

Bursting bubbles Latest mortgage news shows no bubble is forming in Spain, writes Tancrede de Pola

THERE is no property bubble forming in Spain. That’s the conclusion of property expert Joaquin Maudos from the University of Valencia. And despite the continuing growth of the market over the past four years, according to his latest report, Spain now accounts for just 5% of all mortgages signed in Europe. To put that in perspective, that figure was at 20% just before the bubble burst in 2007. “Despite the recent growth, there is no objective evidence to suggest that a real estate bubble is forming,” concluded the report. The document also highlights that the granting of mortgages has increased by 10% since last April. In the last 12 months, meanwhile, some €43.5 billion were granted in mortgages, while in 2014, in the middle of the crisis, that amount stood at just €21.8 billion. Maudos also added that in the last three months there has been an increase in in-

terest rates. It comes after the uncertainty generated by the back and forth in Spain’s court over who should pay Spain’s version of the Stamp Duty tax, the buyer or the bank. The decision to put the responsibility on the lenders, even if it is just on new mortgages, is believed to be behind the rise in interest rates. The report also compares the weight of variable-rate mortgages in different countries and shows that while in Spain they represent 38%, in other countries such as Germany they are only 11.5% or in France 2.2%. Yet when the crisis started, variable-rate mortgages in Spain represented 90% of all mortgages. The report paints a competitive but positive picture for Spain’s property market. But as ever, to get the best mortgage possible, be sure to hire a mortgage broker like the Finance Bureau, who can read between the small print and has decades of experience and contacts with the main lenders.

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

XXIX

February 2019

Viniegra de Arriba, La Rioja At 1,182 m above sea level, as its name suggests it’s the highest of the Seven Villages of La Rioja. The old quarter is crammed with romantic old buildings dating back to the 17th century but today only 50 local residents remain to appreciate them. However it’s location puts it right on the tourist route for wine lovers. It’s also close to several Unesco World Heritage sites including Atapuerca, the earliest human settlement in Europe.

Bonilla de la Sierra, Ávila Nestled in the heart of the Castille y León region, this once unassuming town has been thrust into the limelight after making it onto this year ’s list. Boasting 15th century gothic churches and buildings, the quaint village is the smallest to receive the accolade of ‘most beautiful’ and, with just 152 inhabitants, one of the least populated pueblos in the country.

Viniegra de Abajo, La Rioja Five kilometres away from its twin sister lower down the valley but with double the inhabitants, the village is a collage of sepia stonework and terracotta tiles. Famous landmarks including the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, located at the top of Mount Turza, a 16th century church and historic La Soledad hermitage. Set in farming country, the fresh river trout and wild boar are perfect accompaniments for a glass of the region’s world-famous wine.

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QUOTE OP0119

XXX

February 2019

PROPERTY

Giving it to you straight In his 20th quarterly market report, established surveyor Campbell Ferguson, of Survey Spain takes off the rosetinted specs to give his realistic - some would say pessimistic - views on the year ahead

T’S early February and I am beginning to see more half finished developments finished. There are finally curtains in the windows, cars in the garage and generally more activity around the costas, all of which is reassuring. There is no doubt the pie is getting bigger and while some agents and lenders might still be feeling the pinch it is because there is a lot of competition out there. There are continuing reports of large, principally American funds, purchasing portfolios of mortgage debt and recovered

The % difference between Asking Prices and actual Buying Prices 20.00% 18.00% 16.00% 14.00% 12.00% 10.00% 8.00%

Breakdown by Sotogrande The number of resale venders is increasing. Many are senior and perhaps they have accepted that they will sell even if the market is not the most buoyant because their circumstances require it. There are indications that Spanish buyers are coming back, but principally at the lower end of the market. There is some new build but when added to the existing resale properties, the demand will have to increase for them all to be occupied. There must be a slight danger of a bubble. There are few Gibraltar buyers or sellers, who are waiting to see how Brexit will turn out. A recent sale of an apartment saw a drop of 7.4% between asking and actual sale price, which is standard now.

6.00%

Costa del Sol East and ‘Inland Spain’

4.00% 2.00% 0.00%

Marbella and Benahavis

property. And they will be pushing these on the market as soon as possible in order to get an immediate return for their investment. Many are concentrating on creating rental portfolios, indicating that Spain has one of the lowest rental and social housing percentages in Europe. But perhaps that can be countered by the ambition of most Spaniards to actually own their

homes. What is certain is that 2019 and 2020 are going to be interesting years, especially as the effects of Brexit are felt not just in the UK but throughout Europe. The economies of the UK and EU are borderline in recession, as are a number of significant economies around the world. Even China has seen a serious downtown, so we could be seeing a slowdown worldwide,

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which is bound to have a spin off on all countries, including Spain. Considering that the second home market tends to be the one hit hardest if there is a downturn, as people concentrate on their first home and business, the market here could be more volatile over the next two years. However, one should not forget the basic reasons for buying in Spain: As the sun has begun to shine again and the temperatures have risen, so this place becomes one of the world’s best places to live or take a holiday. Analysis of Prices and Valuations RANGE As always, there is a substantial range of prices around Spain. The highest valuation - €11,343 per m2 for an apartment in Marbella - was closely followed by a property in Cancelada, near Estepona at €10,900 per m2. Strangely, the lowest valuation was also in Estepona - €545 per m2 - nicely illustrating that average rates per sq m don’t relate to individual properties. % DIFFERENCE Analysis of asking prices, buying price and valuations since the start of our records in 2014 show a decrease in the differences, as follows: ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●● ●●

3rd Quarter 2014 -15.80% 4th Quarter 2014 -11.41% 1st Quarter 2015 -18.64% 2nd Quarter 2015 -10.73% 3rd Quarter 2015 – 8.72% 4th Quarter 2015 – 9.38% 1st Quarter 2016 – 11.68% 2nd Quarter 2016 – 5.69% 3rd Quarter 2016 – 11.97% 4th Quarter 2016 – 13.48% 1st Quarter 2017 – 6.94% 2nd Quarter 2017 – 6.76% 3rd Quarter 2017 – 12.01% 4th Quarter 2017 – 9.56% 1st Quarter 2018 – 7.05% 2nd Quarter 2018 – 9.79% 3rd Quarter 2018 – 5.37% 4th Quarter 2018 – 7.38%

There has been a slight rise from the last quarter. But as the general range of up to, say, 10% discount for negotiation is to be expected, there should be few surprises with these averages.

In the higher value properties, both have had a good year and there is little sign of that stopping. There is good demand from local and international developers. There is little additional hesitation by the Belgian and Scandinavian buyers but the Brits are undoubtedly playing the Brexit waiting game. The urban planning situation in Marbella is improving, with the town hall making speedier decisions, which will assist development.

The market has been better than last year with strong demand for new build. Values are increasing as the market grows. The British are hesitant, both regarding purchase and sale. Strong buying from Nordic countries and Belgium. As Spanish banks are beginning to lend more - though demanding a large % as deposit - there is an increase in interest from Spanish buyers.

Mijas, Fuengirola and Benalmádena Many Scandinavians buying for second homes and many Brits selling up. There is little Spanish activity.

Casares and Manilva

Estepona There is plenty of activity, but looking at stats for a number of estate agents along the coast, the last quarter has seen a 20% drop in enquiries from Swedish buyers. Perhaps this is related to the drop in value of the kroner which has gone down more than sterling. Another reason could be the great summer weather in northern Europe last year, which made many delay thoughts of a home in the sun. Perhaps they are considering it will be a permanent change due to global warming. The sterling changes due to Brexit has seen some Brits rushing to sell and take a gamble on that particular outcome. There is great interest in new build, with Nordic buyers looking for winter homes to rent out over the summer. That rent is important to help them cover costs, rather than as an investment return. Generally optimistic for the future.

The infrastructure of the area is getting better all the time and the development of the hospital in Estepona is another boost. People see Sabinillas/Manilva as Estepona 10-12 years ago and consider that it will continue to grow. Sabinillas has improved greatly in the last three years, with new developments and especially older shell developments being completed. However, the prices for new homes are all well above the current resale market and it will be interesting to see what happens in 2020, when most are predicted to be completed. The resale market is strong and increasing. More are buying or renting to live and work in the area, perhaps from Gibraltar but also from home. Buyers are Belgian, Nordic and German. There is good French interest, but principally in renting. As for the Brits, both sellers and buyers are hesitant, waiting to see what happens with Brexit and exchange rates.

XXXI

February 2019

town and region for 2019 Costa Blanca North Agents report that after the encouraging market at the beginning of the year, 2018 did not see the improvement expected. Whilst the number of enquiries and viewings remains high, purchasers are not following through with offers. Anecdotally, purchasers of all nationalities are concerned about the economic outlook (both as a result of Brexit and internationally) and are delaying making large financial commitments. Conversely, the possibility of a no deal Brexit has ‘panicked’ some UK buyers into making fast purchases, in case the buying process becomes more complicated and the exchange rate falls significantly. In these cases, desirable properties in good locations at the right price are receiving offers close to the asking price. Agents are not expecting the market to improve in the first quarter of 2019, with continuing uncertainty over Brexit and international economists pessimistic over the prospects for the future.

Balearics Almería, Murcia and Alicante South The yearly statistics of a Spanish ‘tasador’ show that the number of sales in the area have increased significantly, as have their valuations. The first new development in Mojácar (Almería) for many years, has been started. The prices are high but in line with predictions for the completion date if values continue to rise.

Pre-Christmas business was good, but not spectacular. It’s seasonally quiet at the moment, but with more professional work than usual. Brits are holding firm for now but Italians bought more property than Brits in 2018, with a lot of focus on Formentera and Ibiza. The Swedish seem to have fallen back too. Germans remain the principal purchasers.

INDICES All indices show that the national and regional market prices continue to rise. However, these grouped statistics are made up of many different individual purchases and estimates, portfolios, new property and resale, and so are of little assistance in gauging the current market value of a particular property. Our research for individual valuations still shows that some property values are reducing, whilst others are increasing significantly. NEW BUILD Off-plan values are still consistently above equivalent resale values. This will give purchasers cause for concern if resale market values have not caught up by the time they take possession of their new build. Indeed, with so much demand being taken up by new build, resales may be coming down in price to attract buyers. OVERDEVELOPMENT Despite all this activity, and the concerns we have, based on reports of potential over development in many popular coastal areas, the Bank of Spain is stating that there are no signs of overvaluation creating a new property bubble in Spain. Statistics are often stated as being lower than those of the peak before the bubble burst in 2007/8, but it should be remembered that

those values were shown to be unrealistic. The country should be using lower values as the measure of a stable, sustainable market. BRITISH BUYERS and BREXIT British buyers continue to purchase more homes in Spain than any other foreign buyers. According to data from the Association of Registrars, 15% of properties bought by foreigners were purchased by Brits between the last quarter of 2017 and the first three quarters of 2018. But this is almost 6% below 2015 figures when Brits accounted for 21.34% of home purchases by non-Spaniards - perhaps an indication of the slide after the Brexit vote in 2016. A number of markets are seeing increasing hesitation from British potential buyers related to Brexit - should they buy ahead of Brexit, wait to see what the terms are or even if it happens at all? The reducing value of the pound to the euro is also making purchases more expensive. But it does encourage potential sellers to drop their prices as they will get the same in sterling as expected previously. If, as expected, sterling drops further, it would be better for owners intending to buy in the UK to wait until that happens, thus having more sterling from their sale. Residents staying and living off UK income have seen their bu-

ying power reduced by at least 25% over the last couple of years. In addition, the potential for higher taxes as non-EU citizens, and movement restrictions, are persuading some UK residents who have not integrated to consider selling up and going ‘home’. SUBSIDENCE On non-economic matters, geologists have reported an interesting effect in some areas of the costas. Where there has been substantial new building of apartments, the weight of those combined with the extraction of water from the aquifers below has led to the steady lowering of the land. This has affected services and infrastructure, with pipes breaking and cracks opening for what was previously thought to be no apparent reason. When that is combined with the rising sea levels due to climate change, it means that beach-front properties need to be looked at more carefully for how they will change in the next 30, 20 or even 10 years. CONCLUSION 2019? I am not holding my breath. Brexit or no-Brexit, it’s going to be bad in the short/ mid-term for business, but once through the other side, I anticipate a big lift, whenever that will be!

tel: 952 81 01 02 info@kssir.com www.ksmarbella.com MARBELLA

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ELEGANT PROPERTY IN MARBELLA KSSIR-23619P Bedrooms: 4 · Bathrooms: 4 Built: 553 m2 · Plot: 2.000 m2

1.790.000 euros

This elegant property is situated in the upmarket area of Hacienda Las Chapas which is to the east of Marbella, offering easy access to the beach and the town. Constructed to a high standard this traditionally styled villa has East facing orientation that makes full use of the wonderful Mediterranean climate. The villa offers on the main floor a lovely entrance hall with extra high ceiling and floor to ceiling glass windows, elegant drawing room with interconnected dining room, fully fitted kitchen, a guest cloakroom, TV room with flat screen and fireplace, 3 spacious bedrooms en-suite with dressing rooms or fitted wardrobes, plus a maid’s room. On the top floor we can find the huge master bedroom with en suite bathroom, walk-in dressing room, an office and a private terrace with some Sea views and accessed to the garden and pool. The property also includes gym, separate staff apartment and garage for 3 cars.

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Bedrooms: 2 · Bathrooms: 2 Built: 110 m2

Bedrooms: 4 · Bathrooms: 3 Built: 986 m2 · Terrace: 86 m2

600.000 euros

3.700.000 euros

Stunning duplex apartment offering on the first floor a good size living area with an open plan kitchen, fitted with good quality appliances, and including a nice dinning area and a balcony. In the second floor, downstairs, there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the master one is en-suite. New A/C has been installed. A bright property recently refurbished.

Elegant south facing villa designed in beautiful classical Mediterranean style and situated in the prestigious neighbourhood of Sierra Blanca estate, only a few minute’s driving distance from the town centre and the popular Puerto Banus. Built over two main levels plus a basement, which provides an integral garage for 8 cars and gym.

BUSINESS

Brexit fears

SPANISH businesses are being warned of the potentially major consequences of a no-deal Brexit. The tax office has sent letters to thousands of export firms advising them on how to adapt to the worst case scenario, should the UK crash out of the EU without a deal in March. The letters warn that trade flows between Spain and Britain would cease to be considered internal European transactions and would instead be subject to customs formalities.

Logistics

“Brexit could have a significant effect on your organisation and its logistics flows,” the letter reads. “If there is no exit agreement that includes a transitional period, this will mean that on March 30 the UK will leave the single market and the customs union.” The number of Spanish companies exporting to the UK grew by 8% between 2012 and 2017 to 11,695. The UK was the fifth top destination for Spanish exports in 2017, after France, Germany, Italy and Portugal.

Huge minimum wage hike begins in Spain as companies admit they will increase prices COMPANIES across Spain have begun reacting to the controversial 22% minimum wage increase. It comes after the central bank warned the massive hike, from €736 per month to €900, could destroy around 125,000 jobs this year. The PSOE government, led by Pedro Sanchez, believes the salary bump, which came into effect in January, will bolster spending and hiring, helping Spain’s economic expansion reach the next level. MORE than 82 million foreigners visited Spain last year, breaking tourism records for the sixth year in a row. Despite renewed competition from Turkey, Tunisia and Greece, the total number of tourists increased by 1.1% from 2017. Overseas visitors spent almost €90 billion in total, a 3% increase on the year before, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). The average daily spend by individual tourists has also grown to €146. Despite the number of British visitors declining by 1.6%, they

Wage war

The €164 monthly wage increase affects around 8% of the country’s workforce about 1.2 million people. However fears that the increase would push prices up are beginning to bear fruit.

Boss

Jorge Montes, the boss of a dry cleaners in Madrid, told press he will be raising

On fire

were still by far the biggest foreign group with 18.5 million holidaying here in 2018. The number of Germans dropped by 4.1% to 11.4 million while Scandinavian visitor numbers also dropped by 0.7% to 5.7 million. But visitors from the US grew by 11.8% to reach just under 3 million while Russian tourists jumped by 6.3% to 1.2 million. Tourism is among Spain’s most important industries, accounting for around 16% of GDP.

The Only Specialist Sixth Form College in Málaga We look for students of diverse academic levels who have the drive to discover their true potential. Founded by three teachers with much UK & International School teaching / education administration experience, who have lived for almost 20 years in Málaga, we are a selective private school, teaching A-levels & PCE (selectividad) subjects. Our A-level teachers are highly committed and qualified with degrees from Oxford University, Trinity College Dublin and Durham University and we enable students to gain access to university not just in the UK, but also in Spain and the rest of the world. Our Subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Politics, Spanish & Further Maths, alongside a choice of six Spanish PCE subjects (selectividad). This year we plan to add Business, IT and Law We are at: Calle Méndez Núñez 5, 1º D (junto a plaza Uncibay) Málaga 29008 Call us on: +34 952 22 02 75 Email us at: info@phoenixcollegemalaga.com

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his prices for the first time in over a decade to pay for his two full-time employees’ new earnings. ““I’m going to try to pass that on to the consumer,” Montes said, “I didn’t dare do it before because I didn’t want to lose market share.” Spain is not the only country to increase its minimum wage, following in the footsteps of France, Greece, parts of Canada and the US. Seen as a sure fire vote winner, the move is hoped to jump-start broader salary growth, which has failed to keep up with the pace of GDP expansion. It is also hoped it will weaken the appeal of far-right populist parties like Vox, which is predicted to do well at the next elections.

February 13th - February 26th 2019

No way Jose JOSE Mourinho has been handed a one-year prison sentence for tax fraud in Spain - but he will not serve any time. The ex-Manchester United manager struck a deal with prosecutor and agreed to pay a €2 million fine. The 53-year-old Portuguese’s crime relates to tax fraud in 2011 and 2012 while he was the coach of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

COUGH UP: Jose It comes after fellow ex-Real star Cristiano Ronaldo was given a 23-month prison sentence and an €18.8m fine for tax evasion. Xabi Alonso, who played alongside Ronaldo under Mourinho, is also accused of tax fraud.

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Pear-shaped FOOD chiefs in Malaga have revealed they are increasing prickly pear imports as they battle a tiny beetle decimating their crops. The cochineal beetle has plagued harvests of the fruit, also known as ‘chumbos’, in Cadiz, Huelva, Malaga, Granada and Almeria. Only Cordoba and Almeria still grow prickly pears, with each province having just 12 and two hectares of dedicated land respectively.

MASTER: Ferran Adria

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Bena-beauty

IT is already one of the main hotels of reference in Puerto Banus. Now, the Benabola Hotel is becoming a true landmark with a remarkable transformation of its roof terrace. Known as the Sky Lounge, the stunning cocktail terrace has one of the best views on the Costa del Sol, particularly at sunset. Even better, you are bound to meet the odd local celebrity… and you even get two hours FREE parking in the hotel car park below.

Food lab

LEGENDARY restaurant elBulli is set to reopen next year after a £10 million revamp - but there won’t be any food on the menu. Ferran Adria’s Catalunyan restaurant was ranked as

the best in the world for four years in a row. But it has now been brought back to life as a laboratory and museum of culinary innovation. Adria, 56, said: “The mission

Taste test-icle

SPERM is finally on the menu in Spain. Cod’s sperm that is. The Japanese delicacy, known as shirako, sees the testicle of the fish - containing its semen - served as a tapa. It is usually served raw and with a seaweed sauce, although there is an option to have it fried. The dish is available for the first time in Spain at Kiro Suhi, in Logroño, in the La Rioja region. Diners who have tucked into the testicle-based menu item describe it as soft and ‘similar to the brains of a lamb’. Others said it tasted of cream cheese. OH MY COD: Fish sperm dish

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of elBulli1846 is to create quality knowledge of restaurant gastronomy and everything that surrounds it.” The ‘1846’ is a tribute to Auguste Escoffier, the French maestro who became known as the ‘king of chefs, chef to kings’. Born in 1846, he is credited with popularising haute cuisine, and inspired Adria to accomplish a similar feat with molecular gastronomy, which mixes

World famous elBulli restaurant to reopen as museum textures and flavours like edible foams, papers or jellies. The original elBulli, named after a French bulldog owned by the German-Czech couple that built the place in 1961, shut eight years ago due to heavy losses despite its huge popularity. The new project will open by February 2020. Professionals will work there on how to innovate efficiently, be it in the big-league restaurant business or on a smaller scale, Adria said. The parallel museum will offer guided tours by prior appointment only.“There’ll be people saying that this won’t work, but they used to say the same in the mid-1990s,” added Adria.

Rose ole SPANISH rose is tipped to be one of the biggest trends in the world of wines this year. According to respected industry paper The Drinks Business, the country’s winemakers have been working hard to compete in the growing market. Rioja king Muga recently added Provence-style pink, Flor de Muga, made from old vine Garnacha to its range. Barrel-fermented and left on its lees for four months, it is a delicate pink shade with notes of cantaloupe, peach and rose blossom. Meanwhile, its Rioja neighbour, Marqués de Riscal, has taken its rosé in ‘a fresh direction’. “It has lightened its colour to the ballet-shoe pink consumers crave by changing the blend from 100% Tempranillo to 80% Garnacha and a 20% mix of Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca,” the Drinks Business reported. Cava producer Codorníu set the rose trend in motion last summer with Anna Rocks, a frozen rosé popsicle made with its semi-dry Cava, Anna Ice Edition Rosé, created by pastry chef Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona.

FOOD,DRINK

The Cat’s Wh February 13th - February 26th 2019

restaurant | lunch and dinner restaurant | lunch and dinner

As the tiny village of Robledillo de Gata is singled out alongside Carmona and Vejer as among Spain’s best rural retreats, Jon Clarke extols the delights of a week in the little-known Sierra de Gata

CHARMING: Hervas village stroll and drinking fountain

WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM ESTACIÓONDE DE ARRIATE ARRIATE ||ARRIATE (MA(MA 7400, KM 4)KM 4) ESTACIÓON ARRIATE 7400, 0034 637784 784 416 416 | 166166 370370 0034 637 | 0034 0034952 952 CLOSEDON ONMONDAYS MONDAYS CLOSED

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

OOKING for a quiet corner of Europe, where you are almost guaranteed to hear no English, French or German? A place where even in summer you will hardly meet a tourist? Head to the Sierra de Gata, a rolling collection of hills that meander gently down to the Portuguese border between the Salamanca and Caceres provinces. Meaning the ‘Cat Mountains’, few parts of Spain have such a wonderful collec-

tion of pretty, mostly untouched villages paired with wow factor walking terrain. For outdoor types it’s the cat’s whiskers! One of Spain’s most remote corners, yet only five hours by car from the Costa del Sol or two from Madrid, you will find yourself in a different world wrapped in lush wooded forests, home to storks, black vultures and other impressive birds of prey including booted eagles, sparrowhawks and goshawks. Even better, the villages are as old as the Doomsday book and offer up an excellent range of places to stay and eat. We discovered the Cat Mountains (not to be confused with the Catskills, in the US) while looking for somewhere to escape the sweaty Spanish coastline in August, having packed the kids off to their grandparents for a week. While much of central Spain - particularly Extremadura - becomes a frying pan in summer, the northern hills of Caceres at mostly over 1,000m in altitude are five-to-ten degrees cooler and temperatures drop down nicely at night. We had initially planned a trip to the neighbouring area of Los Hurdes, equally dramatic and magical although nowhere near as pretty as the Sierra de Gata. While Los Hurdes was said to be so poor a century ago there was widespread starvation and even cannibalism, its FOUNTAIN: In Robledillo WATERFALL: Near Robledillo near neighbour was blessed with more journey of discovery. fertile land and hi- Set on a jaw-dropping 200-hectare estate of oak woodland, it’s a genuine susgher rainfall. This was clear, with tainable working farm, producing its own most of its two olive oil, honey and milk. Owner Miguel dozen villages fee- takes his large herd of cows out to grass each morning and brings ling dethem safely back each cidedly night. lived-in There’s well He and wife Maria were and relaso enthusiastic for their tively posignposted guests to really explore pulated, footpaths in the area they devoted with qui10 minutes every morte a few many of its ning over breakfast to a younger, villages rundown of suggestions, m o r e most of them excellent. educaSome even involved Mited urban types arriving to guel coming to pick you up in his ancient run restaurants and 4x4 after a long and lubricated lunch at one of the nearby village ventas! b&bs. We found one of One of the area’s big draws is its locathe latter in the de- tion on the long-distance GR-10 footpath lightful Finca el Ca- which spans Spain and Portugal, running bezo, which proved from Valencia to Lisbon. the perfect place to This means you get a series of well-sighole up and use as nposted footpaths out of many of its villaa launchpad for our ges, most heading on ancient medieval EVENING WALK: Around San Martin de Trevejo

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

& TRAVEL

hiskers

February 13th - February 26th 2019

WHERE TO STAY

AUTHENTIC: Breakfast is served at Finca el Cabezo

VERDANT: Sierra de Gata valley, map (inset) and local horseman (below)

DIP: In dammed river

vas, at the other end of Caceres, just off the main N-630 motorway that would take us back to Sevilla. One of lesser-known towns of the celebrated Ruta de la Plata, it’s home to the most remarkable collection of buildings of anywhere I have visited in Spain. Medieval in look, but unique in style, with roof tiles that stretch down the sides of the buildings, much of the town was built by jews before the full force of the Reconquest took hold. It has a curious, well preserved jewish area, and an extremely atmospheric ancient centre, buffering on the river. It also has a number of decent places to eat. It’s also an excellent base for hiking, with plenty of trails taking you into the nearby hills, one heading to a splendid waterfall for an icy cool midday dip. All in all, this was a very eye-opening trip of discovery for us, a little-heard about region and practically never written about, in English at least. I hope the Sierra de Gata stays something of a secret for now. So try not to let the cat out of the bag!

paths into the hills and on to the next village. Each day we would get up and hike for two or three hours before the heat of the day took a grip. During the evenings we would head out to visit the charming villages, with Robledillo de Gata one of the true gems of the region, a real photographer’s delight with wonderful well-preserved old buildings and a breathtaking green backdrop. But other villages like San Martin de Trevejo and Trevejo its tinier sibling are equally worthy of visits, particularly for their excellent local restaurants. And the square in San Martin is the epitome of ‘charming’, such beauty in a pinprick of a town coming as a complete surprise. Our side-trip to Portugal for the day was also fun, although much much hotter. We ended our week in the fascinating village of Her- REMARKABLE: Hervas has one of the most unusual collections of buildings

Finca el Cabezo is one of the most stunning country farmhouses in Spain. Authentic in the extreme, you will be amazed at its charms, not to mention its peaceful location and incredible landscapes. While there is no pool, you can find a series of natural pools to swim in nearby and LOCATION: Cabezo and you can walk right from (below) El Jardin the door. www.fincaelcabezo.com In Hervas, you might want to consider El Jardin del Convento, a charming townhouse hotel with one of the most amazingly kept hotel gardens in Spain. A peaceful spot, expect to hear the owner’s family playing the piano in the evening, while the building has been little altered in 200 years. www.eljardindelconvento.com

WHERE TO EAT Sesamo in Hervas is a charming spot at the bottom of the town specialising in healthy mediterranean cuisine and heavy on vegetables. www.sesamocasadecomidas.com El Buen Avio de Trevejo is a tiny hole in the wall in one of Spain’s smallest hamlets of Trevejo. A tiny spot high up in the Sierra, it nonetheless has charm personified and some amazing good local, organic produce, thanks to its owner.

TOP TIP - Roman Gem of Merida

one night in the wonderTake my advice and spend at least the way to the Sierra de on da Meri of city ura mad ful Extre Gata or back. Unesco World Heritage August is a great time to visit this de la Plata, in south Ruta us famo the gem, which sits on amazing Roman siExtremadura. Why? You can do the keep you occupied to gh enou tes by day (and there is play at the original for at least two days) and take in a awesome stone Roman amphitheatre at night. This C, is surrounded by structure which dates back to 16B world’s oldest, still the of one nd ry…a histo ng fascinati functioning Roman bridges.