Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 305 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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s a’ ty ag er al op e M pr azin st be mag

Property

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

Issue 25 November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

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

Divine inspiration

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

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

FOREIGN FIREBALL

AN avalanche of foreign buyers is setting Spain’s property Second up market on fire! come the French, who bought 4,211 properties (a Destination-wise, Valencia drop of 5% on A total of 53,359 homes were acquired was the favourite province for inby foreigners in the homes, some last year) and the Germans, who bought 4,138 vestors, accounting first half of 2018. for a third of all foreign sales, with 15,613 2% less than last year. sales. When it comes The massive figure dwarfs the 33,000 sales recorded in the nish - and mostto buying trends it turns out that the Irish, Da- It was the region same period of 2007, when Spain’s property with the highest year-on-year growth interestingly, the Moroccans - are the market was at its growing nationalities. at fastest 16.7%. peak. Andalucia came in second with 8.2% Spicing up the market, Moroccans bought And, no surprise, the British continue of the foreign market 3,662 properties, a (9,737 sales), followed ting for a record 7,613 purchases, up to lead the way, accoun- growth of 29% on last year, while the Danes were up by 18% singly a 5.3% decline by Catalunya with 7,570 sales, unsurpriand the Irish 25%. That’s according to the latest official 8.8% on 2017. from the same period last year, much to do with current political tension. ries showing that 14% of all foreign figures from Spain’s nota- Romanians meanwhile continue to be a strong buyers were British. market having The fifth highest destination bought 3,872 homes. was Madrid, where foreign market sales increased by 5.4% (4,911 purchases).

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It’s a no from me SPAIN has reiterated its threat to torpedo the Brexit withdrawal agreement if there are no further assurances on Gibraltar. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (above) confirmed he would be voting against the UK’s hard-fought exit deal if the text on Gibraltar isn’t changed. In an apparent U-turn, having initially supported Theresa May’s 585-page blueprint for an EU departure, he said: “If there are no changes, Spain will vote no to the agreement.” It came after Foreign Minister Josep Borrell insisted Madrid needed more clarity on the future status of the Rock before it could ratify the deal. “There is something we only just found out about,” Borrell said, following a meeting of the EU’s European affairs ministers. “We want to make sure the interpretation of this text is clear and shows that what’s being negotiated between the EU and the UK does not apply to Gibraltar.” The delay, which made front page news in Spain, put further pressure on British Prime Minister May, who is already struggling with eurosceptics within her own party.

Mijas Costa

Vol. 13 Issue 305 www.theolivepress.es November 21st - December 4th 2018

twin hope

APPEAL

As festive season approaches, heartbroken family needs thousands to cover medical costs for four-year-old twins going blind THE Olive Press is launching an appeal to help a desperate mother save her four-year-old twins from going blind. Little Erik and Alexia urgently need more tests to determine if their deteriorating vision can be treated. But the expensive tests are crippling the Torremolinos-based family. Liverpudlian mum Fabiola Heston, 39, told the Olive Press how she and partner, Juan, 36, a mechanic, feel ‘hopeless’ after selling their car to pay for the escalating medical costs. It comes after the twins were diagnosed in April with a rare form of retinal dystrophy - a genetic disease which gradually causes blindness. But after three rounds of medical tests costing almost €3,000 each, doctors are still unable to identify the gene, meaning they cannot di-

By Elisa Menendez

agnose the severity, nor advise on treatment. And now the twins have to undergo a fourth genetic test costing a staggering €2,700 per child. “It’s changing our lives completely, we just don’t have money like that,” she added. “It’s impossible to save up. We’re really struggling.” Now something urgently needs to be done, as Erik’s vision has rapidly deteriorated in just two months. His disease is classed as ‘severe’ and worse than his sister’s, meaning identifying the gene as soon as possible is crucial. “Any help we can get will be amazing. Thank you so much,” added the mum. Depending on the gene diagnosed,

See page 5

Tel: 902 123 282

FAMILY: Mum Fabiola with Alexia and Erik an eye injection - Luxturna - may each day, as well as eye drops. be able to help, but comes at a stag- Their eyesight is so sensitive that geringly high price of €745,000 per they have to wear three different child. types of special sunglasses during “It’s the only treatment in the world the day, as sunlight can further dethat can slow down the disease,” stroy their sight. But even artificial light in the house can be too much. added Fabiola. The couple first noticed Despite Fabiola’s best efforts to an issue with Erik’s’ shield the children from the reality eyesight at ten months of the illness, it ‘breaks her heart’ to old, and had to get him hear others question why they wear glasses, at a cost of up sunglasses inside. to €800 a pair. Alexia “I don’t know why people make needed them by age stupid comments. I try to act like three. The pair also there’s nothing wrong and say they need to give the twins look lovely in their cool glasses. See page 2 expensive supplements They’re only young but they know something isn’t right. “I want them to enjoy their childhood. I want them to remember and see everything possible before they lose their sight,” added the mum.

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CAN YOU HELP? The family needs €5,400 for eye tests, and more for an appointment at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital - the best in Europe. The Olive Press has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise funds. Anything our readers can spare will help greatly. To donate visit: gofundme.com/twins-4-losingsight-need-urgent-helpfor-tests

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Teacher beater A MIJAS student has received six months in prison and a fine after assaulting her teacher last February.

Bleach attack A MAN, 49, has been arrested in Malaga after he broke into an 80-year-old man’s house and sprayed him with bleach, stealing €170.

Spain shame SPAIN is worse for street harassment against women than the US, UK, France, Italy and Germany, a study finds, with 92% of women affected.

Phoney fags ONE third of cigarettes smoked in Andalucia are smuggled in, according to data from the ‘Empty Packet Survey’ released by the Altadis tobacco company.

CRIME

November 21st - December 4th 2018

COOKING THE BOOKS

Documents from ‘Operacion Kitchen’ allege police and PP conspired to cover up national corruption scandal A CASH payment for the Prime Minister’s suits, a €300,000 bung to a former treasurer and a backhander to pay for an elite wedding. These are just three of the illegal ‘caja B’ cash payments made by the former PP party during Mariano Rajoy’s tenure. Revealed in a series of sensational hand-written notes and documents, kept by disgraced former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas, they clearly demonstrate how the party was illegally

funded on a national scale. Dubbed the ‘Operacion Kitchen’ papers, they have only now been made public, after being published in national newspaper El Mundo. What is even more shocking however is the way the dossier was allegedly stolen from Barcenas by police and not handed over to the courts in the recent Gurtel investigation into corruption. A Madrid judge has now opened an ‘urgent enquiry’ to look into why these doc-

Not singing anymore A POP star’s tour manager has been arrested as part of one of Europe’s biggest ever drug hauls. Manu Chao’s chief roadie Jorge Gomez Calvino is one of 29 people arrested after over 3.4 tonnes of cocaine was seized in Spain. Calvino, based in Galicia, is said to be one of the masterminds behind the €100 million shipment, which was destined for the Andalucia and Madrid markets.

The music empresario - who travels around Europe with half-Spanish singer Manu Chao (right), famous for massive album Clandestino was linked to a similar haul in 2013. The seizures in the Canary Islands and Galicia has dealt another blow to the Colombian cartels.

uments have only now been made public. Judge Jose de la Mata has demanded the Home Office explain how police and the PP party allegedly conspired to keep the papers hidden. The documents were apparently stolen from Barcenas - currently serving 33 years in prison for creaming off €1.24m in bribes. Barcenas instructed his wife to hide the huge dossier in their house inside furniture and his private office. However, she confided in the couple’s long-standing chauffeur where the documents were being hidden. Unbeknown to them he had become a mole of the National Police, who photocopied the documents and handed them over. The police, under disgraced former chief Jose Villarejo, then shockingly chose to conceal the evidence from the judiciary. Prime minister Mariano Rajoy became the first serving leader in Spain to testify in a criminal case when he was grilled on Gurtel’s dealings. He always denied receiving cash payments.

Torched cars mystery MARBELLA locals were left puzzled after two torched cars appeared outside their homes overnight. The Land Rover and Toyota were discovered in a car park next to a row of homes and apartment blocks in Nueva Andalucia. “They just appeared today,” one local told the Olive Press, “they must have torched them last night, you can still smell the burning rubber.”

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

The vehicles were likely used in crimes before being burnt to destroy any evidence. It comes after a wave of high-profile drug-related incidents have rocked the Costa del Sol this year. A similar burnt out 4x4 was discovered in Algeciras after it had been used to kidnap a gang member in Estepona before he was tortured and killed.

Gangland warfare A MAN has been shot dead in Marbella in what police believe to be the latest gangland attack. The victim, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was shot dead at around 8.30pm last night. The incident is believed to have taken place on a residential street in the Sierra Blanca area of upmarket Nagueles, a source told the Olive Press. Although his nationality has not been confirmed, well placed

sources said that he is foreign. He was shot several times while opening his garage door, before the attacker fled on a motorbike, in what police believe to be a ‘settling of scores’. It comes after a sudden surge of brazen gangland killings which have ravaged the coast in recent months. The terrifying attacks have seen four victims tortured and killed, while last month two bombs exploded in San Pedro de Alcantara and Benahavis.

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NEWS

www.theolivepress.es IT is set to be the maddest AND coolest Mad Cool festival yet. British legends The Cure are set to headline Madrid’s celebrated pop festival next summer. The former punk band, whose debut came out in 1978, have just celebrated their 40th anniversary. They will be joined by fellow British indie group The 1975, Scottish rock band Mogwai and The National, from Ohio. Fellow Brits Milk Teeth and the

Royal screening IT is fittingly known as the ‘Kings and Queens’ district of Sotogrande. So how appropriate that the area of grand avenues named after Spain’s former monarchs should become a setting for scenes in the globally adored series The Crown. Netflix producers jumped at the opportunity to film in the exclusive private enclave for the third series of the smash hit drama about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The Golden Globe-award winning programme was filmed in various places around Sotogrande, including on Avenida Paseo del Parque and in the nearby Valle del Guadiaro area.

Prestigious

The hit drama sees Broadchurch’s Olivia Colman taking the prestigious role of Queen Elizabeth, with Academy Award nominee, Helena Bonham Carter playing sister Princess Margaret. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones’ Tobias Menzies assumed his role as Prince Philip. Princess Diana is expected to be introduced in the upcoming season - something fans have long awaited. The Crown is currently the most expensive TV programme made in history, with the first season given a budget of $130 million.

Cool as F***

IN a bespoke Valentino dress and floor-length veil, the daughter of Spain’s richest man has married the son of one of the country’s top fashion designers. Unsurprisingly, no expense was spared for the wedding of Marta Ortega, 34, daughter of Zara billionaire owner Amancio Ortega (pictured below right). Most of the 400 guests - including Coldplay’s Chris Martin and DJ Mark Ronson - arrived in private jets to witness her wedding to Carlos

Hot Rod

BRITISH icon Rod Stewart is coming to the Costa del Sol. The London rocker will be performing in Fuengirola at the Marenostrum Castle Park next summer. The Do You Think I’m Sexy singer will be on stage on July 3. Tickets will be available from Friday November 23 via Ticketmaster.

HAPPY: Couple (right) while (top) Chris Martin and (above) Norah Jones By Elisa Menendez

Torretta, 35, son of fashion maestro, Roberto Torretta. The festivities began at the Ortega family home in A Coruna, before continuing into the early hours of Sunday at the Casas Nova equestrian club.

Exquisite

Other guests included Bruce Springsteen’s daughter Jessica and heiress Athina Onassis. And it was Best of British when it came to choosing entertainment, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, serenading the couple for the first dance, before nine-time Grammy winner, Norah Jones took to the stage. The couple went back to their roots for the exquisite ca-

Snuts have also been added to the bill, along with the top-rated Bon Iver, from Wisconsin. It comes after Massive Attack announced two concerts in the capital next year. The 2018 Mad Cool festival was awarded ‘best line up of the year’ by NME this month, for featuring The Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode and the Arctic Monkeys on the same bill. For more information visit www.madcoolfestival.es

Coldplay serenade British pop royalty arrive by private jet for wedding of Zara owner’s daughter

November 21st - December 4th 2018

tering, led by Spain’s Albert Adria - the co-owner of fivetime winner of the World’s Best Restaurant, El Bulli. Marta, a senior creative consultant for Zara Women, wowed in a modern Valentino high-neck dress with puff sleeves and a bow tied at the waist, finished with an elegant flower garland. Her father, 82, is the fifth richest man in the world, just behind Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg with a fortune of €61 billion. In 2015 and 2016 he was briefly named ahead of Bill Gates as the world’s wealthiest person by Forbes. Groom Carlos - son of one of Spain’s top designers - has worked as a representative for Victoria’s Secret supermodels Adriana Lima and Kendall Jenner.

Pretty in pink PAZ Vega was all smiles ahead of being honoured at the Sevilla Festival of European Cinema. The actress, herself from Sevilla, donned an ankle-length dress with polkadot detail before receiving the lifetime RTVA award for her glittering career. The 42-year-old is one of Spain’s biggest acting exports, making her Hollywood debut in 2005’s Spanglish. Her Hollywood fame will only grow as the mother-of-three is currently filming Rambo 5, scheduled to be released next year.

Bring on the boys!

BACKSTREET’S back alright — and they’re coming to Spain as part of their biggest arena tour in 18 years. The Backstreet Boys announced a 70-date tour alongside news of their upcoming 10th studio album DNA. The boys will visit Madrid on May 13 followed by Barcelona on May 17.

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NEWS

November 21st - December 4th 2018

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NEWS

of his football team became ill with cancer. The Only Way Is Up singer joined Louis and his classmates at Marbella’s English International College (EIC) to record the song and a video. “I heard the song on YouTube and wanted to recreate it,”

Blind eyes

Despite 80% of Andalucians believing the Junta is corrupt, the socialists are expected to win the elections A MASSIVE 80% of Andalucians believe Susana Diaz’s government has ‘allowed corruption’ within the Junta. A shocking 78% of 1,803 respondents to a GAD3 survey agreed with the statement that the PSOE-led government ‘permits corruption’ in the re-

gion. Despite the staggering lack of trust, the Socialists are still expected to win snap regional elections on December 2. The latest polls show the PSOE will win around 40 seats, although this could sink to as low as 34, if all voters make it

Fascist boob A GROUP of topless women were kicked to the ground as they protested the anniversary celebrations of former Spanish dictator Franco’s death. Shocking images showed the right wing supporters attack the protestors, who bore the slogan ‘Legal Fascism, National Shame’ painted in ink across their chests. The women were angry that fascist supporters were al-

lowed to march around Madrid city centre in opposition to plans to exhume the dictators body in the next f e w weeks.

to vote. It is however 15 shy of the 55seat majority needed to win, with the PP party expected to win between 20 and 31 seats, Ciudadanos up to 26 seats and the left-wing coalition of Adelante Andalucia (IU and Podemos) getting around 20 seats. For Diaz to lose, experts say the PP and Ciudadanos would have to win the maximum seats forecast, which would just give them the 55 majority. The probability of that outcome has been put at 4%. The positive news for Diaz came as she was forced to defend her leadership during a Madrid political inquiry into the ERE scandal, one of Spain’s biggest ever corruption probes. The decade-long scandal saw politicians from the PSOE-run Junta embezzle almost €1 billion in public money meant for unemployed and retired workers.

November 21st - December 4th 2018

T PA ES EX RO HE

The only way is up - the charts!

SONY Music has given permission for an expat schoolboy to release a Christmas charity song fighting cancer. Louis Spinola, 12, recorded a cover of Michael Jackson’s hit Heal The World with 80s pop star Yazz after the goalkeeper

Nov 21st - Dec 4th 2018

said Louis. “I am team captain, so I wanted to do something to help my friend.” The song, which is now on sale at various shops along the Costa del Sol, makes the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.

Nolotil in €500m lawsuit A CLASS action has been launched against the manufacturers and distributors of the deadly drug Nolotil. Law firm De Micco and Friends have filed the claim worth €500 million on behalf of over 200 victims claiming damages. Anyone affected by the numerous side effects of the lethal painkiller can register for free on the Mallorca-based law firm’s website. It comes after a two-year battle - launched by the Olive Press - came to an end, when the drug was banned for tourists to Spain from Britain and Ireland. The drug is believed to be responsible for the deaths of dozens of expats, who also now only be given the drug under strict monitoring rules, after a Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) ruling.

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FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION

Operation cover-up IT might possibly be the cover-up of the century. And prosecutors have only really scratched the surface of the Gurtel case and the emergence of Operacion Kitchen that is rocking the PP party. The corruption didn’t just ravage resources in Valencia and Madrid, as previously thought, but shockingly it was a scandal that involved every region in the country. After various officials were sentenced to 84 years in prison just a few months ago, PP officials tried to claim they were merely ‘a few bad eggs’ in the party. But that is clearly far from the truth. Shocking new evidence has implicated a huge web of shady police officers and numerous PP officials. It is expected to lead to resignations. If this information had come to light earlier, countless more would have probably been sentenced. And they should be. It is disgraceful the people of Spain have been lied to for so long and deprived of funds urgently needed for better use. Let’s hope this new information makes sure justice is finally served.

Cause for concern POLLUTION in Gibraltar and the nearby Campo needs to be investigated much more thoroughly if we are to have any real chance of change. After weeks of work by several Olive Press journalists, what has frustrated us the most is the lack of cancer statistics available on the Rock. Yet through our in-depth research and interviews with local charities, government sources and health experts, we believe there may be a link between the serious pollution and cancer rates. And we believe we are not being given the full picture. It is interesting to note that Gibraltar’s previous director of public health received an MBE last Christmas, despite not releasing full cancer statistics during his 10 years in the job. Will his successor be keener on transparency? Either way, we salute organisations like Ecologistas en Accion and Pollution Watch, who continue to dig and attempt to shine a light on the issue. And we vow to continue investigating what appears to be a worrying link between pollution and cancer in the area. We owe it to our readers to inform them.

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

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

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

Tina (+34) 647 078 775 tina@theolivepress.es Admin Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

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AWARDS

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

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

By Charlie Smith, Diana Tang and Grace Lee

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Black clouds of pollution billow daily from the industrial chimneys of the Campo de Gibraltar. Is it all merely hot air or a smoking gun for cancer?

HEN Gibraltar’s tourist board coined the marketing slogan ‘More than you can imagine’, they weren’t counting on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to confirm it. But according to its damning new study, there’s more pollution on the Rock’s borders than most other places in the world. And the smoky clouds drifting across the frontier from the Campo de Gibraltar’s petrochemical chimneys don’t need to be imagined. They can be seen on a daily basis. Gibraltar borders Cadiz, which has the dirtiest air of any province in Spain, according to the new WHO report. And while La Linea ranks as the 30th most polluted place in the world - on a par with industrial hotspots like Delhi - the Rock has the second worst pollution in the UK, after Scunthorpe. And no wonder! A stone’s throw away in the Bay of Algeciras sits the Acerinox stainless steel works, to the north is the petrochemical plant PETRESA and next to that, on the Guadarranque Industrial Estate, the sprawling CEPSA refinery, dubbed by locals as the ‘Hollywood of Spain’ for its incredible bright lights and flares that shoot out at night. But there is nothing vaguely stardust-y in the new WHO report, which is causing untold distress to residents who have feared for years that they are at a higher DAMAGING: The Cepsa refinery in the Bay of Algeciras and (left) Gibraltar Cancer Servirisk of cancer. ces Coordinator Isobel Ellul And those fears are not imagined either. The els of pollution for benzene and carbon Campo officially sits be- monoxide, which are PM2.5 and PM10. side the ‘cancer trian- PM2.5 and PM10 are incredibly small gle’ of Sevilla, Cadiz and particulate matter, and PM2.5 is particHuelva, cities which top Spain’s list of cancer ularly dangerous, because its tiny size deaths according to a Health Ministry study. means it hangs in the air for a long time. It is easy to see how the black pollution However, the same cannot be said for clouds generated by CEPSA’s gas flares drift known carcinogen nitrogen dioxide across to Gibraltar, but the Rock is even more (NO2), which exceeds the targets set of a magnet for pollution than imagined. by the EU’s Air Quality Directive by 25%. The prevailing easterly and westerly winds The 2018 NO2 average so far is 56 µg/ funnel any pollutants through Gibraltar, m3, which significantly exceeds the EU while the Rock’s geology attracts a build up limit of 40 µg/m3 (see graph). of clouds overhead, hence the grey Levanter “From an environmental point of view cloud that often hovers over the peninsula it’s not ideal, but I think it’s one of like a shroud. those realities, that one in three people One health expert this week told the Olive are going to get cancer,” Ellul told the Press ‘it is a complex situation’ and that the Olive Press. CEPSA refinery and pollution could not alone “Yes, I am worried in general but no, I be blamed for cancer rates in the area. am not more worried about Gibraltar “The border was closed for 25 years,” the than anywhere else in the world.” source said, “so you have a whole genera- Her relaxed attitude is echoed by those tion who did not have access to fresh fruit in power on the Rock, who have been and vegetables. relatively slow to move on the toxic air “There are also more cars, more buildings threat, particularly in relation to transand more ships, but the politicians play port. down the cancer risk because they want in- The government’s most significant efvestment in Gibraltar and don’t want it to be fort at understanding the link between seen as a dangerous place.” pollution and cancer So should Rock and Campo was an epidemiological study DANGER ZONE: Spain’s highest cancer residents be worried? way back in mortality rates by province, taken between “The politicians commissioned That’s an emphatic ‘no’ from 2010. 2000 and 2014 per 100,000 inhabitants Gibraltar Health Services Conducted by professors play down the Cancer Services Coordinator, Hans Sanderson and Patrik Indeed, it is incredibly hard to find in-depth Isobel Ellul. “We don’t link cancer risk Fauser of the National Envi- studies on the pollution risks to health on cancer to pollution”. ronmental Research Institute both sides of the border. because they Despite her important canat Denmark’s AARHUS Uni- While a study was allegedly conducted by the cer work, for which she was versity, the study set out to Royal Navy in 2011 in reference to pensions, want investment” awarded an MBE in 2011, establish ‘whether Gibraltar for various reasons it was not apparently rethe mother-of-two does not is a high-risk community for leased. seem overly concerned with cancer’; and whether there the threat posed by pollution,” she told the was a ‘greater than expected incidence of “It was a risk study for soldiers in Gibraltar, which found that cancer rates were higher Olive Press. cancer in Gibraltar’. “Our numbers are comparable to the rest of A categorical ‘no’ was the answer to both than expected,” a well placed source rethe EU,” insisted the former MP and found- hypotheses: ‘Gibraltar is not a high-risk com- vealed. “It was connected to pensions and future er of Gibraltar’s Breast Cancer Awareness munity for cancer,’ they concluded. health planning as I understand it,” he addCharity. “It is very difficult to link the two.” But their study used data from 2008, now a ed. “It made for pretty damning reading.” Indeed, pollution data for 2018 shows that decade old, and follow-up scientific analysis Another healthcare professional Grainne Gibraltar is in line with the EU’s target lev- has been apparently scant. McKenna, of the Rock’s longest-serving cancer charity Cancer Relief, confirmed it was very hard to get concrete facts. “To the best of my knowledge there are no published researched studies or statistics in this field,” she said. However, the ensuing years have seen dozens of media reports documenting the views of residents worried about the health effects of pollution. One of the most emotive accounts was across the border about a household plagued by cancer, including a five-year-old girl with a brain tumour. The Rivas family live just 25m away from San Roque’s CEPSA refinery, reported the El Español article in 2017, which made for harKILLER: Graffiti artists in Gibraltar hit back over pollution

Blowing in the wind

FEATURE

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

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November 20th

2018

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

‘

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

www.theolivepress.es Picture by Jon Clarke

Obama

Michelle Obama also made headlines when she visited in 2010, touring the old town and discovering dynasty with her daughter the Moorish Sasha. Celebrity chef Jean went house huntingChristophe Novelli in the town after falling in love with With its spectacularit in 2009. high sierra setting, leafy parks, cobbled spheric ventas it’s lanes and atmono wonder Ronda has stolen the hearts of so many travellers. Over the centuries have waxed lyrical a slew of writers character, stunning about its timeless views and charming locals. The German poet Rilke baptised it the ‘City of Dreams’, Orson Welles took a shine to its bullfighting scene and

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

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Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.gibr altarolivepress.com November 7th - Novembe r 20th

2018

‘YOU’RE KILLING US!’

THE leaders of Andalucia helped to cover up a system of corruption for at least a decade. A total of 21 senior Junta politicians, including two leaders, established a former hidden system of illegal grants and ments that could add up payto over one billion euros. The claims come in the prosecutors summing state the system of corruption up of heart of the so-called EREat the dal trial that has rocked scanIn a damning conclusiónSpain. allegations levelled at theto the leaders, including ex-presiden ts Manuel Chaves and José Antonio Grinan, the anti-corrup tion prosecutor described a long 'opaque system' decadeof bent transactions to friends and family. "They took the conscious decision to look away, to more," read a statementnot see Sevilla Provincial Court. at the It added that for 'ten years opaque system of grants an created' that served the was Junta and not the local population In total, hundreds of millions. of euros from Madrid and sels were syphoned into Bruscalled 'reptile fund' whicha soused to bribe and reward was TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes black smoke local into the Campo de leaders, businessmen Gibraltar and lo- E N V I R O N cals in return for votes and ME sup- groups are taking N T A L Junta for ‘failing to tackle port for the PSOE. Ecologistas en Accion legal ac- toxic air’ in the Campo de filed has tion against the Andalucia

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Andalucia Junta slammed for failing to tackle pollution after Cadiz revealed to have worst air in Spain and highest cancer rates in Spain

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

MILLION MONTH BONANZA

a complaint with the revealed in a damning and transpare World Health Organisa nt meaHealth Ministry, claiming - surements or estimates tion report which lists nothing has been done of the pollutants by law,” to world’s ‘most said a protect citizens from a rise ed’ towns and contaminat- spokesman. in air pollutants caused cities. The group says oil by Adding salt refinthe expansion of ‘toxic’ Cadiz also to the wound, eries and other industrie industries in the Bay came bottom are posing a real threat s Algeciras, which sits of in the list of Spain’s ‘most public to just health. sustainab le cities’, a few kilometres from Gi- duced by the Observatpro- A recent study by the Carbraltar. of Sustainability (OMS).ory los III Health Institute, According to the funded by the Ministry green Green group group, more than 10,000 Ecologis- of Health, tas en Accion insists revealed Catonnes of dangerous the diz, lutants were released pol- Junta is failing to fulfill haveSevilla and Huelva to into its duty to ‘adopt the highest number the atmosphere last year. whatever of measures are necessary to Sancancer deaths in Spain. This includes potential Roque, - achieve a high level ly lethal cancer-ca of pro- has one of the meanwhile, using tection for people and highest perchemical benzene, as the centages of lung and bladas other fine particles. well environment'. der cancers in the country, The writ comes as directly linked to air Cadiz polprovince was officially Failing lution and in particula declared to have the r It adds that the Sevilla- benzene. air quality in Spainworst based body last is failing to The surrounding towns, week. ‘adopt plans to improve including the likes And alarmingly, La Linea, air quality of and adopt con- Puerto Real and San Ferwhich borders Gibraltar trol and inspection mea- nando, also have far , ranks as the 30th sures.’ er cancer rates thanhighpolluted place in the most “It needs the national average. world to develop in terms of air quality. quality control systema The shocking stats were that ensures consistent Opinion page

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SOME 14 fire bosses have been arrested for allegedly embezzling €7 million in public funds. The Policia Nacional that the Consortiumfound Bomberos Cadiz took of out A HOTEL is to be knocked mass early retirement insurdown for not having enough ance policies. class! But when their employees Benalmadena’s Hotel retired early, chiefs siphoned Vista off the money from the de Rey must be demolishe payd outs. within three months, a court Authorities also found has ruled, discrepancies in the Andalucia’s Superior consorCourt tium’s training courses. of Justice ruled that the hoLarge sums were paid tel falls short of its four-star to a company to provide training requirement. courses, but no evidence has been found that these courses Probing took place. Meanwhile, It began probing the irregularit three were also found in grants ies star hotel and apartmen and subsidies, which cops block in 2011 after it was t were used to pay for believe nounced over planning deprivate trips. which set aside the plot rules The irregularities date for a four star hotel only. back to 2008 and cops believe According to the PGOU least €7 million has been at town stoplan an apartmen len by those at the top. t block was not permitted

Pipe ban

FRUIT growers in the quia are facing a 60% Axartion in water use from reducVinuela reservoir with the La no solution in sight. The Junta has decided limit its use as the reservoir to already at 22.7% capacity is could drop even lower and dry weather keeps up. if the

December 6th - Decemb

‘He deserves it’ Not enough CHOKING: Thick smog engulfs the Rock and (below) the above the line nitrogen levels star s per month on Dockyard Road in Gibraltar, while (left) GHA charity worker Heidi Jeffries

Costa del Sol hotel has three months to fight decision before it is demolished

and it breached rules by being also over 700 square meters bigger

er 19th 2017

From Page 1

DOOMED: Costa hotel

than permitted. Although the town hall developer maintain this and cess was later corrected, exthe judge ruled that the rectification would have taken after the granting of place the licence, so does not count. The building has 61 ments and 46 parkingapartspaces. The original building was granted planning permission by then mayor Enrique Bolin in 2001.

SMUGGLERS’ WALL

POLICE officers have formed a human wall along a beach in La Linea construction of a beach to ensure that the The wall, between the wall went ahead. Senora del Carmen and church of Nuestra the perimeter wall of the fishing port of La Atunara, hopes to

deter drug smugglers from using the beach as a drop off zone. A combined police presence local and national officers of Guardia Civil, were present as fears grew that drug and disrupt the work. smugglers would try

He even got himself a financial advice slot known radio station, through on a well which he snared unsuspect ing victims. However, a comprehen sive Olive Press investigati posed his scams that involved on stamps, coins and gold. exWe also revealed how wined and dined up tohe and his close pal Barry Nathan a dozen criminals, anonymou through the food column. sly, He eventually fled the but we soon tracked him country following our expose, down to the UK, where changed his name by he had antiques on eBay fromdeed poll and was selling coins and He was quickly found a small Berkshire cottage. guilty under English law people and given a suspended of conning prison sentence only due to health “And because he promisedreasons. to never go back to his online cons,” one of the British victim explained. But this is apparently two victims claiming not the case with he is still using eBay to sell ‘dodgy’ coins and stamps from his unpaid flat in Brighton, using the names ‘gqtrading ’ and ‘gqtrading2’. “We are pretty sure he bail conditions and will has broken his go back to prison,” said have to finally “The nerve of this man one victim. His landlord last nightis unbelievable.” something was up from insisted he should have known “When we met to sign the start. slippery, I went to pay the contracts I thought he was a bit for my coffee only for the tell me he had left without barista to He continued: “He paid paying his bill.” then just stopped. He for the first couple of months but told us his account had due to a money laundering been investigation, which is frozen ably true. “He then told probcused us of harrassme us to stop contacting him and acnt. “Now he is claiming he is seriously ill and can’t make payments. work to “We’ll see him in court.”

See the month’s biggest stories below...

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The Olive Press received close to one MILLION hits in October, making it one of our best months in the history of the paper. Some 611,378 people came online to read the latest and breaking news, bringing more than 865,000 hits. A further 100,000 hits came from our other websites. It is a sign of the times as we continue to grow and leave our competitors in the dust.

- Two BOMBS explode in Marbella and Benahavis as drug mafia wars reach new heights (27,803)

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more deaths,” she said. One of the few follow-ups to the 2010 scienrowing reading. “Here you don’t breathe oxygen, you breathe Although the Gibraltar Health Association tific paper was written by the same two Danpoison, and it extends throughout the prov- (GHA) support the charity Heidi works for, ish university professors together with fellow theTOhealth organisation is not obligated to academic Per Lofstrom in 2013. ince depending on the winds,” said Carmen ARTWORK SETUP 25% OF ACTUA ARTWLORK SIZE.SETUP TO 25% OF ACTUA L SIZE. provide data, including cancer statistics, to It focused on the prevalence of carcinogens Rivas. within a 10km radius of Gibraltar and identi“The smell of gas gets into your head, just the public. above the nasal septum, and then your head The government’s only annual statutory obli- fied the main pollution sources, in particular gation is to produce the census and reports Acerinox, which releases these chemicals as hurts. It’s horrific.” Now the topic is very much back in the public on employment, tourism, hotel occupancy part of its welding of Stainless steel. It’s conclusions: the carcinogen chromium eye, after Ecologistas en and air traffic. was at critical levels in GiAccion launched a law- Pollution data is published by braltar and those exposed suit against the Junta the Gibraltar Environmental for ‘failing to tackle toxic Agency, and – perhaps some“Here you don’t to it have a heightened risk what dubiously – by the inof lung and other respiratory air’. breathe oxygen, cancers. The green group alleges dustries that sit along the Bay What is most unclear is exactthat over 10,000 tonnes of Algeciras. you breathe ly how far - and in what direcof pollutants were re- But in both cases, cancer tion - these dangerous chemleased into the atmo- statistics are conspicuous by poison. It’s their absence. icals and the smoke from the sphere last year. horrific” Cepsa refinery spread. This might explain why We can only go on local data It is generally believed that so many Gibraltarians and at Heidi’s small organisathe prevailing winds take the and people living in the Campo regularly suf- tion the facts alone speak for themselves, as they have already logged 25 pollution as much into Algeciras and Los Barfer sore and itching throats and eyes. Someone who witnesses the CEPSA refin- new cases of breast cancer this year, which rios, as they do towards Gibraltar and east towards Estepona and Marbella. ery ‘ash clouds’ on her daily commute and is something of an alarming record. directly helps those living with cancer is Hei- “It is certainly high for us… and I think that is Do they reach as far as Jimena de la Frontera, or as far as Ronda? What impact do di Jeffries, secretary of local charity Breast because of pollution,” insists Heidi. But again, there is no data to back up such they have on Sotogrande and Tarifa? Cancer Support. It is very hard to find out, but interesting to She believes cancer rates in Gibraltar are claims. In fact, if anything it is the opposite. note that at least two engineers who work well exceeding anywhere else in the EU. “For me, pollution is a problem,” she told the The most recent government statistics, from at the Cepsa plant told the Olive Press they 2015, show 235 registered deaths in Gibral- would ‘not consider’ living in the Campo de Olive Press. She was clear, however, that her personal tar of which 22% were due to cancer, down Gibraltar with their families. “I’m not taking any chances,” said one, who views do not necessarily reflect those of the from 28% in 2014 and 31% in 2013. charity, adding that traffic congestion in Gi- Cervical cancer vaccinations, along with insisted on not being named. breast screening waiting times, appointment With no complete picture the answer, as Bob braltar was equally to blame. “A good percentage of Gibraltarians put the attendances, are the only ‘evidence’ publicly Dylan sang, is blowing in the wind. pollution down to cars and I think this causes available.

- RED ALERT: Highest warning issued for Spain’s Costa del Sol while third death announced in Mallorca

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2 3

- Marbella hotel IN FLAMES after being

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- CHAOS: Fire, landslide and flights delayed

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Marks & Spencer opening new store on Spain’s Costa del Sol (10,215)

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GREEN

November 21st Nov - December 21st - Dec 4th 2018

‘End the atrocity’ Outrage after video of dogs and deer falling off cliff edge during hunt goes viral

HUNTERS have hit back after a video of 12 dogs and a deer falling off a cliff went viral. Hunting groups insisted it was an isolated incident and that all the animals were quickly treated at the scene by vets. The shocking footage however was blasted by animal welfare groups after being first reported by the Olive Press this week. Animal rights political party PACMA went on to dub the incident in Extremadura as ‘cruelty’ and said: “It’s time to demand responsibility from politicians who are insensitive to the suffering and lives of animals.” Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias tweeted: “The people responsible for this atrocity only have one name; criminals..let’s end this once and for all and punish those who are guilty.” In the video, shot in Herreruela, near Caceres, dogs can be seen running towards a wounded deer on a cliff edge. As they all attack, some begin to fall off the edge while a passerby shouts to the hunter ‘run, the dogs are falling’. The hunter fails to get to the dogs in time before making

SHOCKING: Dogs plummet down ravine a failed attempt at finishing off the deer by stabbing at it with a knife. More dogs plunge to the bottom of the cliff, followed by the deer, making a loud noise as they hit the ground. A spokesperson for the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation

has since claimed the dogs were treated at the scene before being taken to nearby vets. It’s not clear how many survived. President Angel Lopez Maraver blasted the Olive Press for ‘using the footage to criminalise hunters and hunting.’

Life and death THE Madrid mayor who saved Spain from a €2.7 billion pollution fine has now issued a stark climate change warning to her government.

Ozone grown THE ozone layer could be restored by 2060 if regulations on greenhouse gases remain the same in a change that would reduce global warming by 0.4°C. Currently the ozone layer recovers between 1% and 3% of its surface every decade, but experts warn that it is impossible to know exactly when the atmosphere would be rid of all its harmful elements.

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Manuela Carmena, 74, took the stage at the Madrid World Forum on Urban Violence to make her views known to Minister of Ecological transition, Teresa Ribera, in the audience.

Change

The Madrid mayor labelled climatic change a ‘matter of life and death,’ adding that she wants to leave behind the ‘partisanship’ surrounding pollution, claiming it ‘costs lives’. She was referring to the political opposition she has received for implementing green measures, from those such as Ribera, who criticised her green bike scheme in Madrid.

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LA CULTURA

NEWS

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Netflix-o SPAIN has launched its first homegrown subscription streaming service, dubbed ‘Spanish Netflix’, which will focus on Spanish films and series. The streaming service, called FlixOlé, is the creation of Orange Spain, and will be available for €2.99 a month with the first month free. With over 3,000 HD films and TV series, the new entertainment platform will be a rival for Netflix in Spain, who’s monthly subscription is three times more expensive at €9.99 a month.

Losing

FlixOlé chief executive Enrique Cerezo said: “Cinemas are now losing moviegoers, because there is now a great multitude of ways to watch movies. “Being able to collect on a platform, the history of cinema - which is the history of our country - is a great achievement that FlixOlé now offers.”

Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

THE comic-book world is mourning the death of two legends. Last month saw the death of Spain’s cartoon hero Carlos Ezquerra - co-creator of the iconic character Judge Dredd who died age 70 after being diagnosed with lung cancer eight years ago. And just last week Marvel genius, Stan Lee, died age 95. Spider-Man and Fantastic Four fans across the world paid tribute to the US artist by signing off Tweets with his catchphrase, ‘excelsior’ meaning onward and upward.

Enthralling

Zaragoza-born Ezquerra started his career drawing war comics in Barcelona, before moving to London where the transgressive, anti-authoritarian character Judge Dredd was born, enthralling readers of British comic magazine 2000AD for more than four

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Rest in print Comic-book fans lose two of their superheroes as Spain’s Carlos Ezquerra and America’s Stan Lee pass away just weeks apart

decades. The Spaniard gained critical acclaim for his fusion of Spanish fascist iconography, the 70s British punk movement, and TV images of policemen charging miners on strike in northern England. Dredd’s eagle motif and helmet were inspired by fascism, the truncheon from police on the picket line, and the zips, chains

and knee pads from punk. “I was living in Franco’s Spain,” said Ezquerra, “but I was also living in Mrs Thatcher’s England.” He later went on to create the groundbreaking El Mestizo, a black slave fighting in the US Civil War. Other famous characters include 2000AD staple character Johnny Alpha for the strip

TRADITION: Flamenco

cordings, but the code is only used for classical music, not flamenco. Kroher’s former professor at the university, José Miguel Díaz-Báñez, said: “Flamenco should be seen as a field of study as worthy as any other.” The algorithm will constantly scour the internet and collect images, videos, recordings and information related to flamenco and store it all in one place.

what’s on Live music THE first in a series of live music every weekend kicks off at Bar Allioli on Saturday November 24 with the Blues Stompers from 9pm.

Open sesame Strontium Dog. In 2010, Ezquerra broke the news to fans that he had had a lung removed, having been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. He wrote: “OK, one less lung but... who the hell needs two for drawing?”

LA Quinta Golf & Country Club plays host to the The Women’s Spanish Open, where golf’s top pros will compete from November 22 - 25.

Sweet dreams MALAGA will see Tchikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet come to the city’s Teatro Cervantes on November 28 after it was first performed in 1890.

Flamenco-ders A PHD student at the University of Sevilla has developed a pioneering computer algorithm to preserve the heritage of flamenco. Nadine Kroher has created new computer code to collect and find new knowledge to help keep the Andalucia-born Spanish tradition alive. A research field called Music Information Retrieval (MIR) already uses algorithms to extract information from re-

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Free booze THE 33rd Fiesta del Mosto takes place in Atajate on November 24, a celebration of winemaking, where thousands of litres of naughty water are given away for free. ICON: Ezquerra

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LA CULTURA Cultural warfare GREEN

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Nov 21st - Dec 4th 2018

Malaga uni faces backlash in South Korea for ‘offensive’ film festival posters using Japanese war propaganda MALAGA university has been slammed for using Japanese ‘fascist propaganda’ on its film festival posters, making national headlines in South Korea. Fancine, an annual film fes-

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tival organised by the University of Malaga (UMA), has come under fire for its promotional posters featuring the Japanese Rising Sun flag and imperialist iconography. The festival, running until November 22 is celebrating Asian cinematography for its 28th edition, with the campaign ‘Asia through the veins’. But images decorating the city centre and posters used on social media have been blasted as ‘offensive’ for victims of ‘Japanese aggression’ during the Pacific War and the Southeast Asia colonial period. “Imagine a German film festival, whose poster is the Nazi flag,” said Oriental Asia Studies teacher, Macarena del

Campo. The UMA has apologised and said ‘often the ignorance of other cultures leads us to make unwise decisions’. Despite the apology and removing the imperialist images, in exchange for the Asian Lucky Cat and Maoism symbols, the Malaga festival has made big national headlines in South Korea.

Blasted

Yaonhap Television, the Korean equivalent of CNN, blasted the use of the Rising Sun flag and reported that there have been several complaints to the Ministry of Education in Spain. The posters dealt a huge blow to a number of South Korean

OFFENSIVE: Poster universities, with which the UMA has strong ties, including a student exchange programme and various projects across East Asia.

My life at the top Michelle Obama’s new revealing book is the perfect present this Christmas

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ichelle Obama’s book is the embodiment of ‘The American Dream’. Born in to an impoverished household and growing up on the south side of Chicago at a time when it was one of the most racially segregated towns in America, Michelle had to work hard and excel academically to get ahead. The book is divided into three sections; Becoming Me, which details her life growing up and pursuing law with all the hassles and hardships she faced. Becoming Us follows Michelle meeting Barack and creating a life with him. Her struggles with IVF and the

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We hosted a successful launch of Andrea Prior’s new book A Piddle of Puppies. Filled with lively illustrations and hilarious rhymes, A Piddle of Puppies is an educational and fun picture book aimed at children aged 5 to 9. Andrea entertained children at the event with explanations of a ‘Flamboyance of Flamingos’ and a ‘Memory of Elephants’, among others, while the grow-ups enjoyed drinks. Her other book A Parcel of Pigs is also available at the bookshop. Her other book A Parcel of Pigs is also available at the bookshop.

strains politics put on their relationship. Finally Becoming More shows us life after the White House and Michelle’s vision of, and optimism for, the future of America. The biography is inspirational, frank and unapologetic in its honesty. She writes in the preface: “Since stepping reluctantly into public life, I’ve been held up as the most powerful woman in the world and taken down as an ‘angry black woman,’. “These three words beg the question which part matters the most — is it ‘angry’ or ‘black’ or ‘woman’?” A powerful read.

€29.90, Available from The Bookshop San Pedro - www.thebookshop.es

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Issue 304

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20th 2018

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

‘

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

Picture by Jon Clarke

Obama

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

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

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Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.gibraltarolivepr ess.com November 7th - November 20th

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2018

‘YOU’RE KILLING US!’

THE leaders of Andalucia helped to cover up a system of corruption for at least a decade. A total of 21 senior Junta politicians, including two former leaders, established a hidden system of illegal grants and payments that could add up to over one billion euros. The claims come in the state prosecutors summing up of the system of corruption at the heart of the so-called ERE scandal trial that has rocked Spain. In a damning conclusión to the allegations levelled at the leaders, including ex-presidents Manuel Chaves and José Antonio Grinan, the anti-corruption prosecutor described a decadelong 'opaque system' of bent transactions to friends and family. "They took the conscious decision to look away, to not see more," read a statement at the Sevilla Provincial Court. It added that for 'ten years an opaque system of grants was created' that served the Junta and not the local population. In total, hundreds of millions of euros from Madrid and Brussels were syphoned into a socalled 'reptile fund' which was TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes black smoke used to bribe and reward local into the Campo de Gibraltar leaders, businessmen and lo- E N V cals in return for votes and sup- groupsI R O N M E N T A L Junta for ‘failing to tackle Ecologistas are taking legal ac- toxic air’ en Accion has port for the PSOE. in the Campo de filed a complaint tion against

the Andalucia

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with the Health Ministry, claiming nothing has been done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ industries in the Bay of Algeciras, which sits just a few kilometres from Gibraltar. According to the green group, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous pollutants were released into the atmosphere last year. This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing chemical benzene, as well as other fine particles. The writ comes as Cadiz province was officially declared to have the worst air quality in Spain last week. And alarmingly, La Linea, which borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th most polluted place in the world in terms of air quality. The shocking stats were

Andalucia Junta slammed for failing to tackle pollution after Cadiz revealed to have worst air in Spain and highest cancer rates in Spain

revealed in a damning World Health Organisation report which lists the world’s ‘most contaminated’ towns and cities. Adding salt to the wound, Cadiz also came bottom in the list of Spain’s ‘most sustainable cities’, produced by the Observatory of Sustainability (OMS). Green group Ecologistas en Accion insists the Junta is failing to fulfill its duty to ‘adopt whatever measures are necessary to achieve a high level of protection for people and the environment'.

Failing

It adds that the Sevillabased body is failing to ‘adopt plans to improve air quality and adopt control and inspection measures.’ “It needs to develop a quality control system that ensures consistent

and transparent measurements or estimates of pollutants by law,” said a spokesman. The group says oil refineries and other industries are posing a real threat to public health. A recent study by the Carlos III Health Institute, funded by the Ministry of Health, revealed Cadiz, Sevilla and Huelva to have the highest number of cancer deaths in Spain. San Roque, meanwhile, has one of the highest percentages of lung and bladder cancers in the country, directly linked to air pollution and in particular benzene. The surrounding towns, including the likes of Puerto Real and San Fernando, also have far higher cancer rates than the national average. Opinion page 6

SOME 14 fire bosses have been arrested for allegedly embezzling €7 million in public funds. The Policia Nacional found that the Consortium of Bomberos Cadiz took out mass early retirement insurance policies. But when their employees retired early, chiefs siphoned off the money from the payouts. Authorities also found discrepancies in the consortium’s training courses. Large sums were paid to a company to provide training courses, but no evidence has been found that these courses took place. Meanwhile, irregularities were also found in grants and subsidies, which cops believe were used to pay for private trips. The irregularities date back to 2008 and cops believe at least €7 million has been stolen by those at the top.

In Mallorca Issue 41

Pipe ban

FRUIT growers in the Axarquia are facing a 60% reduction in water use from the La Vinuela reservoir with no solution in sight. The Junta has decided to limit its use as the reservoir is already at 22.7% capacity and could drop even lower if the dry weather keeps up.

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HOMEBUYERS will have to pay the hefty mortgage tax when purchasing a property, Spain’s Supreme Court has finally ruled. After 15 hours of debate over who should pay the tax, known as the AJD, judges from the Supreme Court voted 15 to 13 that the client should foot the bill, NOT the bank. “The banks win and the citizen loses,” said Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. The tax is a substantial fee - up to 1.5% of the property price - which is paid to the notary and allows banks to start foreclosure proceedings should the client fail to keep up with mortgage payments. The tax has been paid by the client for the past 20 years.

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the in sidered for all forces including THE UK government is drafting Royal Navy and the RAF, with appliBritish expats as recruitment num- cations opening in early 2019. lead to bers reach an all time low. an- It is hoped the changes will The Ministry of Defence has will an extra 1,350 people joining every nounced that foreign nationals year. The UK armed forces are short air pernow be allowed to join the British in of 8,200 soldiers, sailors and this army, even if they have never lived sonnel, a report found earlier the country. year, the worse shortage since 2010. Previously, prospective soldiers from If you have become a fully fledged the Commonwealth had to have lived citizen in Spain, however, you won’t in Britain for five years. be accepted. Under the policy, recruits will be con-

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However, her heartfelt messages her had a cruel, bizarre twist, when British-Brazilian boyfriend Richard life Fitzsimons managed to take his deoff the top of the Corte Ingles partment store, while she miraculously survived. It came as a hero security guard girl somehow managed to grab the her before she was able to plunge to death after her lover. has In a tragically sad incident - that shocked the coast and made headlin

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Probing

It began probing the three star hotel and apartment block in 2011 after it was denounced over planning rules which set aside the plot for a four star hotel only. According to the PGOU town plan an apartment block was not permitted and it also breached rules by being over 700 square meters bigger

DOOMED: Costa hotel

POLICE officers have formed a human wall along a beach in La Linea to ensure construction of a beach wall went that the The wall, between the church ahead. of Nuestra Senora del Carmen and the perimeter wall of the fishing port of La Atunara, hopes to

than permitted. Although the town hall and developer maintain this excess was later corrected, the judge ruled that the rectification would have taken place after the granting of the licence, so does not count. The building has 61 apartments and 46 parking spaces. The original building was granted planning permission by then mayor Enrique Bolin in 2001.

deter drug smugglers from using the beach as a drop off zone. A combined police presence of Guardia Civil, local and national officers were fears grew that drug smugglers present as would try and disrupt the work.

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ily in excruciating pain, after taking the drug in Andalucia. In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian patients.

CAMPAIGNER: Cristina

olive Press medical campaign finally draws blood with Nolotil regulation close EXclUSiVE By Elisa menendez

AN Olive Press health campaign has led to ‘the biggest’ drug probes in Spanish history. Our investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the painkiller Nolotil last year, is finally being acted on. In a landmark breakthrough, a national probe is expected to lead to new regulation of the drug, which is banned in the UK and most of Europe. “It has been a long time in coming and by raising so much awareness, I am sure lives have already been saved,” medical and legal translator Cristina Garcia del Campo told the Olive Press. The medical professional found our 1000-strong petition online and took it forward after one of her patients died from the drug. “Spain wants to help,

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loomS TRAGIC: Graeme Ward with wife Mary (left) and Billy Smyth, who both died from Nolotil

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EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore

Vol. 11 Issue 271

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

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore

one month to knock down their only property (pictured above). In a court order seen by the Olive Press, the Wards are warned they will be held criminally responsible if they refuse. “I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m at the end of my tether” Gill told the Olive Press, “I’m totally exhausted from the whole ordeal.” The retired pair, who have now spent thousands of euros on legal costs, bought the old farmhouse ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and were given permission from Velez-Malaga town hall to rebuild it. But when the original wall collapsed of its own accord during construction, the Wards’ architect told them it would be fine and that he would let the town hall know. Unfortunately for Continues on Page 8

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August 2nd - August 15th 2017

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very same drug that was blamed for killing his wife in 2006. The Marbella-based expat was furious when he was told to take the painkiller by his Spanish dentist, after suffering from a difficult abscess. His wife Mary, 59, had died after being prescribed the same drug following a double vasectomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. “Within 24 hours she was in intensive care, her white blood cell count plummeted to zero within days,” explains Graham, a former computer technician, from London. She never regained consciousness and was on a life support machine for FOUR months, before spending three years fighting the impact of the drug, which led to organ failure. “The chief surgeon at the hospital promised me he would never prescribe that drug

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

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

Kill ThE drug

need for more research

Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.”

HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth

again. “He said she would be alive if she hadn’t taken it, but I have heard from dozens of Brits and Irish who have been given it,” added Graeme. It is the third victim of the drug the Olive Press has reported on in under a year. Sometimes known also as

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Metamizole, Nolotil is banned in the US, the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, but it is prescribed widely in Spain. Irishman William ‘Billy’ Smyth was given a five-day course of the drug in February. But when the 66-year-old returned to a different Spanish

doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.

The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. Another British expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same medication for mild shoulder pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2

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Nolotil, or Metamizol, is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain, yet the most feared side effect is agranulocytosis, a severe and rapid drop in white blood cells, which leaves patients unable to fight infections. Garcia del Campo noticed that a large number of other English

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cante-based Garcia del Campo spotted our campaign, while working with an Irish expat who suddenly became critically ill with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis after taking the drug. He died later in November.

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and Irish patients had been suffering with sepsis at hospitals along the Costa Blanca. “I thought, this can’t be normal,” explained the translator, from Madrid. And after looking at patients’ notes, she found that each had one thing in common - they were all taking Nolotil. Although manufacturers list side effects such as agranulocytosis, necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis, they are considered ‘very rare’ affecting one in every 10,000. The figures did not seem to add up to Garcia del Campo so she set about doing her own research. However, no information existed in Spanish media. The only articles she could find on the drug and its lethal side effects was in the Olive Press. “I was in disbelief,” continued the Javea-based translator, who lived in the UK for 18 years. “I thought this was surely wellknown and someone was doing something about it. Except it wasn’t. “I felt I had to inform Spain

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SPAIN’S wind power is officially back after breaking all records in October. Rajoy’s PP administration may have shunted wind power into the doldrums, but this squeaky clean source of energy is back on the map with the amount of electricity generated by turbines in October breaking all records for that month. It contributed to a 5.3% saving for the consumer, the Business Windpower Association told the Olive Press. Adding to this gale of good news, wind went from covering 12.2 % of total demand on the Iberian Penin-

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NoloTil VicTory that’s for sure. I have had support from every healthcare professional I have spoken to. “If I hadn’t come across your article I wouldn’t have realised what was happening to the English community,” she added. We launched our ‘Kill the Drug’ campaign against the painkiller last August, after learning that dozens of British and Irish expats had died after their immune systems were allegedly destroyed by the commonly prescribed drug. A trio of families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain. Yet, authorities refused to take our claims seriously, despite the evidence being backed up by local doctors. Fortunately, Ali-

A bumper month for wind power in Spain this October proves a blast for the consumer

ANDALUCIA will be one of the beneficiaries of a €64.7million cash injection from an Commision for green initiatives the Europein Spain. The money is destined for 32 projects in Spain earmarked under the LIFE Programme, covering environment protection, energy sustainability and low CO2 emissions. Among the projects earmarked for funding is the recycling of olive oil waste, a problem which particularly affects Andalucia.

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

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24/11/2017 11:18

SPAIN will close most of its coal mines by the end of the year under a €250 million deal with the unions. The money will be invested in the 10 affected mining communities over the next decade to help them recover from the shut down. The agreement also allows miners over 48 years old to seek early retirement and includes re-skilling schemes for those working in new ‘green’ industries. But over 1,000 miners and subcontractors will be made redundant by the new year closures. , “With this agreement, we have solved the first urgent task we had on the table when we came to government,” said Teresa Ribera, minister for ecological transition. “Our aim has been to leave no one behind.”

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ED: Sorry to hear of your plight Arthur. What a horrible thing, and we have come across this before. Sadly, there is not much we can do unless you take this further.

town hall estimating that now suspect it could be an the damages stand at over inside job. €40,000. Although there is an operat- "It is clear that the person ing CCTV camera in the car who has done it has very park of the station, no im- little fear of entering a poages were recorded from the lice station, he has done a night as a new server is wait- lot of damage to all citizens, ing to be installed. because we pay for this with The installation is expected everyone's taxes," said head to be carried out next week. of Seguridad Ciudadana, AnIt comes as Palma has been gelica Pastor. brutally hit by some 300 Palma Policia Local chief, Joarson attacks in the past 11 sep Palouzie, said there are months. clear indications that the fire It took over an hour to extin- was deliberate as the flames guish the flames, with Palma started at several different points at the same time. The official did not rule out the possibility that the attackers could also be responsible for a wave of deliberate fires started in bins and cars across Palma in recent weeks. Many police officers SEE MORE IN have been forced to take the streets on foot or in THE RESTAURANT to groups in a van. Police lockers were also destroyed in SECTION INSIDE the blaze.

902 123 282 See page 11

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Irish tourists. Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescripbe tion only. Furthermore it can only of prescribed after a detailed analysishisthe patient’s medical despite various side effects, which tory and heritage. can cause a rapid drop in white blood It will also have to be cells, leaving patients unable to fight much more closely mon- infections. Medical translator, Cristina toitored. Garcia del Campo, who has pulled It comes after an Olive gether hundreds of case studies from Press investigation into victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she the mysterious deaths was ‘very happy’ the authorities have finally reacted. Folof expats from lowing the results of her the drug was rigorous investigation she launched See page 43 2016, has now demanded that in the drug must not be sold along with a 1,000-strong without a prescription and a depetition to have it regu- tailed patient analysis. has lated a year later. “I am very happy that the problem Nolotil, also known as been dealt with,” she told the Olive Metamizole, is banned in Press. “I will be making sure that the the UK, the US and most AEMPS recommendations are carit’s of Europe. ried out and if necessary make sure Despite this, the drug is banned completely.” The Olive Press still one of the most pop- began investigating after a trio of exular painkillers in Spain, pat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessar-

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

reA LETHAL painkiller believed to be exsponsible for the deaths of dozens of pats is finally being regulated in Spain. Nolotil, which the Olive Press has investigated for nearly two years, has been

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However, a comprehensive Olive Press investigation exposed his scams that involved stamps, coins and gold. We also revealed how he and his close pal Barry Nathan wined and dined up to a dozen criminals, anonymously, through the food column. He eventually fled the country but we soon tracked him down to following our expose, changed his name by deed poll andthe UK, where he had was selling coins and antiques on eBay from a small Berkshire cottage. He was quickly found guilty under English law of conning people and given a suspended prison sentence only due to health reasons. “And because he promised to go back to his online cons,” one never of the British victim explained. But this is apparently not the case two victims claiming he is still with using eBay to sell ‘dodgy’ coins and stamps from his unpaid flat in Brighton, using the names ‘gqtrading’ and ‘gqtrading2’. “We are pretty sure he has broken his bail conditions and will have to finally go back to prison,” said one victim. “The nerve of this man is unbelievable.” His landlord last night insisted he should have known something was up from the start. “When we met to sign the contracts slippery, I went to pay for my coffee I thought he was a bit tell me he had left without paying only for the barista to his bill.” He continued: “He paid for the first couple of months but then just stopped. He told us his account had been frozen due to a money laundering investigation, which is probably true. “He then told us to stop contacting him and accused us of harrassment. “Now he is claiming he is seriously ill and can’t work to make payments. “We’ll see him in court.”

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NOLOTIL VICTORY

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for taking legal action against the Junta ENVIRONMENTAL groups are de Gibraltar. ‘failing to tackle toxic air’ in the Campo with the Health Ministry, claimEcologistas en Accion has filed a complaint citizens from a rise in air pollutants ing nothing has been done to protect industries in the Bay of Algeciras. caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous polAccording to the green group, more last year. lutants were released into the atmosphere chemical benzene, as well as This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing worst other fine particles. was officially declared to have the The writ comes as Cadiz province most air quality in Spain. borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th And alarmingly, La Linea, which of air quality. polluted place in the world in termsin a damning World Health OrganisaThe shocking stats were revealed‘most contaminated’ tion report which lists the world’s towns and cities. bottom in came also Cadiz wound, the to Adding salt

“IT’S a dirty world that I don’t want to live in anymore.” These were the intended last words of a British teen who had embarked on a suicide pact with her 16-yearold boyfriend in Marbella. 14, The privately-educated expat, added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone who has ever loved/known or supported will me, thank you, I love you and I miss you.”

He even got himself a financial known radio station, through whichadvice slot on a well he snared unsuspecting victims.

A HOTEL is to be knocked down for not having enough class! Benalmadena’s Hotel Vista de Rey must be demolished within three months, a court has ruled, Andalucia’s Superior Court of Justice ruled that the hotel falls short of its four-star requirement.

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football AMATEUR team, Clapton Community FC, has gone viral in Spain for its anti-fascist shirt commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.

Bumped A MAN has been crushed by a 250 kilo giant globe while taking part in the running of the balls festival in Madrid.

Vandalized history

Masked A man wearing a medical mask and a cap broke into a coffee shop in Málaga and threatened the workers at gunpoint, robbing about 1,000 euros.

Bite-mare!

Slice of fortune

A SPANISH restaurant has forked out €14,300 for a block of cheese. The owners of Llagar de Colloto, in Oviedo, paid the astronomical sum for a block of the Asturias region’s famous Cabrales. The cheese in question was a 2.5kg Valfriu, whose makers Salud and Francisco Herrero, won top prize in this year’s annual Cabrales Awards. You can buy your own Valfriu by the same cheese makers at supermarket Corte Ingles for €20 a kilo. Cabrales is a blue cheese made with cow's milk or a mixture of goat, cow and sheep’s milk, and with the bite same fungus as Roquefort nasty a WATCH OUT: Black flies leave cheese, its French predewith residents of Madrid sub- cessor. bites. now suffering Butarque, urb allergic you are. a saw region the Cabrales cheeses are maLast year Their bites are capable of kill- whopping 28,500 medical the consequences of a black tured for between two to fly plague. ing mice and birds. consultations, according to El Experts say they have colo- four months. When they first appeared in Confidencial. Aragon in 2006, over 2,000 They are slowly coming south, nised on the nearby Manzanares River, which will people had to be treated for expand them help most likely to other areas. The black fly has already reCataTHERE have been ZERO produced massively in claims by lunya and Valencia and most fake food poisoning Brits on package holidays to recently in Murcia. rent a WHY rent a room when you could "They are here to stay, and Spain this year. saw ‘grubby’ sofa for €375 a month? they are going to go further... It comes after 2013bogus outrage This is the advert which has caused a FaceIn the last ten years we have a 500% hike in thedubbed across social media this week, after seen how specific plagues claims, which were industry rent’ in a book user advertised a ‘sofa for Ibiza. have already multiplied," ani- by the Spanish hotel Lucientes as the ‘diarrhoea scam.’ Javier shared apartment in tourist hotspot expert mal for rent in Last year was one of the worst The Facebook post read: “Sofa very nice said. acBalearics, ample living/dining room with three of us A blurry image of the 6.6 foot couch was He added that climate change on record in the balare the FederaThere from Hotel view balcony. the matters of the with Mallorca’s by a shot views from was making the feed our- companied social media users slammed the gastroand we need to reduce expenses to cony, while worse, as the mild winters tion announcing false ‘grubby’. TheOlivePress-256 them off. enteritis claims had soared by selves.” not killingx170-CAR-4.indd grim-looking piece of furniture as forced were to profession1 cost three had the party island are The current roommates “They are taking advantage 700% since 2015 and€50 milwith a People living on prices, especially during the als - were looking for a ‘quiet tenant of the higher winter tempera- hotels on the island to parties pay astronomical lion in 2016 alone. job and good vibes who does not go summer season. tures,” he said. often’.

VILE blood-sucking flies are on the rise in Spain - and they're spreading around the country. La Mosca Negra - or the black fly - was first detected in the country in 2006 along the banks of the river Ebro, in Aragon. Unlike other flying insects, the black fly attacks during the day, and is able to get inside long garments to reach your skin. Only the female bites and in the most serious cases they can land you in the hospital. When they bite, they remove a little piece of skin and inject a special anesthetic to be able to feed on your blood for a while without you noticing. The saliva of the fly causes the reaction, which is usually a red lump which can swell and be aggravated depending on how

A VANDAL has drawn a cat face in blue on a 12th century marble sculpture at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a World Heritage site. The vandalism is seemingly a tribute to rock band Kiss.

The gag is up

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Back to the 80s

Marbella Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 12. Tel. 952 863 332 Fuengirola Avda. Ramón y Cajal, 6.

While reading a back copy of your paper, I came across an article about the ‘Mosca Negra’ (Vicious black fly is buzzing its way down to the Costas, Issue 299). Could this be the same species that plagued Dorset in the UK back in the 80s? Back then it was known as the Blandford Fly and was an absolute curse. Its bite gave similar symptoms to the Mosca Negra, with similar consequences. As I recall, the authorities had to get a special licence to spray the banks of the river Stour where it overwintered, which had to be repeated several times before it was successfully eradicated. Perhaps the experience of that plague could be of some use to the authorities over here? Tel. 952 467 837

2017

Eroski billboard.indd 1

More than 20 police vehicles Palma ‘intentionally’ set on fire in euros causing tens of thousands of in damage

Voted

Mijas Costa

www.theolivepress.es

End of an era

We can’t keep this fossil fuel nightmare going indefinitely in the face of climate change, which is rapidly speeding up (Spain to close most coal mines Green gold for An by new year in €250 million deal, Issue 304). A lot more than a few thousand people will be out of work if we don’t start listening to our planet.

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

From Page 1

Available exclusively at Eroski

teaser Brain Can you tackle Mallorca’s

TORCHED

But in mid-October, a decision was taken by the Supreme Court dictating that the banks should pay as the document in question is in the lender’s interest. However, as shares in a number of Spanish banks, including Bankia and Sabadell, promptly tumbled at the prospect of a massive payout on on retroactive legal claims, the President of the Administrative Litigation Division of the Supreme Court, Luis Díez-Picazo, dictated a day later. Had the judges decided the banks should shoulder the minimum of four years of backdated payments, the €6 billion-plus bill would have been a blow to the financial sector, but according to Manuel Pardos, President of Adicae, an association for bank clients, the banks are ‘being cry babies’. If the decision had been in favour of the buyers, the Balearic government would have had to pay back €157 million in tax refunds. Balearic DOZENS of police cars and citizens would have saved the motorbikes have been set on most out of anyone in Spain, fire in Mallorca causing more averaging a savings of €2,375 than €40,000 worth of damper mortgage. ages. 15:36 and claim16/06/2017 “They’re moaning 1 Untitled-1.pdf The blaze destroyed half a ing they’ll be ruined, which dozen police cars and some simply isn’t true,” he said.

1 7

December 6th - December 19th

Costa del Sol hotel has three months to fight decision before it is demolished

Nightmare

Readers react to news that Nolotil has finally been banned for British and Irish tourists after a long-running Olive Press campaign

www.theolivepress.es

Hot water

Voted

After 20 years in Spain, I have heard about xenophobia often in Spanish courts, ensuring foreigners get no justice. In my case I was pushed down stairs by a Spanish neighbour - sustaining injuries - with four dogs on leads meaning I couldn’t defend myself. The attacker reappeared with police officers and claimed my dogs urinated in front of his house. I denounced him, despite friends warning that the attacker worked with the Guardia Civil. In preliminary evidence to the court, I said the attacker couldn’t have seen my dogs outside his house. The story was changed to me having fallen by accident. I was then informed my status would become ‘a witness’ with no need for a lawyer. However, on the day of the hearing, the attacker found two ‘witnesses’ and I had to wait outside until the end of the day to give evidence. The judge asked one question: “Why did you attack this man?” After two years with no information, NEWS I went to El Palacio de Justicia where found ‘He deserv es it’it funny I asked because the Not clerks attacker had been found not guilty ON enough THE DAY OF THE TRIAL. stars Why was I not informed of this progress? Why was I told to wait for the result when my new position as a witness SMUGGLERS’ WALL meant I wouldn’t be told? I made enquiries about what the witnesses testified about me but was told I’d need to pay a lawyer €250 for the testiA range monies and Aarange bailiff. of Waitrose of Waitrose It’swines the firstwines time I’ve felt like a second-class citizen in Spain and wonder how many others have been subject to this type of legal farce?

November 21st - December 4th 2018

At last!

week

Expat injustice

In Gibraltar Issue 83 Stars from Anne Hathaway to Jodie Whittaker keep visiting Ronda, find out why in our travel supplement inside

of the

LE T T E R S

FINAL WORDS

12 12

Frames + tailor-made varifocal lenses

WE LEAD: Others follow our front pages, as seen in the local English papers last week, as well as the Sunday Times in the UK

Job well done I want to say thank you to The Olive Press for all your hard work to raise awareness about Nolotil. I remember your first article two years ago. Myself and I’m sure many expats along the coast had no idea about the life-threatening consequences of the painkiller until we read the appeal. Even more shocking was that no other British or Spanish newspapers went on to cover the story. I’m sure many lives were saved as a result of your reporting and for the people who sadly couldn’t be saved, it gave them a voice. Well done for your thorough investigations. I’m so pleased there has finally been a result.

Christine Charlton, Malaga

Voices finally heard It is very important to note that the first call to ban Nolotil came from The Olive Press when you launched a campaign against the drug back in August 2017. The pills were held responsible for a number of deaths – oddly, all British visitors to Spain. Despite a petition at Change.org, the Spanish health authority ignored the situation, but this has now changed. Well done guys!

Lenox Napier, Mojacar

OLIVE PRESS – 105mm x 256mm – Colour

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29 August

Antonio William Aragonés, Gibraltar BUSINESS

www.theolivepress.es

November 7th - November 20th 2018

Quashed! Slavery inevitable Advertorial

Malaga law firm M1 Legal continue their battle against timeshare companies

FOLLOWING on from our Time’s Up La Costa ad in the last issue the Olive Press (see right), we of pleased to announce that actionsare in the Spanish courts which were subject to appeals by Club La Costa and Anfi Resorts have now been overruled in favour of our clients. Here is the story to date:

Club La Costa After an initial court decision that the case did not fall under Spanish jurisdiction, M1 Legal appealed the decision which was reversed by the Malaga Court of Appeal. The defence argued that the case should not be heard in Spain, claiming that the contract fell under English law. However, the appeal judge ruled that the Club La Costa (UK) PLC Sucursal en España is a Spanish entity and the case should therefore be heard in Spain. It means the case is now being re-submitted to the court of first instance. Coincidentally, a similar decision against Club La Costa the contractual party being Continental Resort Services S.L. These decisions enable us to re-present many cases to the court of first instance which were originally rejected on the grounds of jurisdiction.

plus interest and also declared that the contract be deemed null and void. Anfi Resorts appealed against the judgement and we are pleased to report that the court of appeal in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has confirmed the original sentence.

Time’s UP La Costa

A BRITISH couple are celebrating one of the biggest legal victories a timeshare company in Spain, against thanks to a local law firm.

These are just a few of the issues that M1 Legal are pushing forward and fighting on behalf of hundreds of clients who were mis-sold Spanish timeshares.

Mr & Mrs Sewell-Rutter, from Southampton won 365,000 euros against La Pinta Beach Club in Tenerife after having to remortgage UK and losing most of their their home in the life savings through dodgy contracts.

The minimum wage is an essential starting point, without which, cruel unfairness becomes the norm (Minimum wage hikes Putting on ON YOUR HIKE! will a show! cost T 150,000 jobs, claims bank boss, Issue 304). The Tories in the UK have recently increased the minimum wage, or, having stolen the idea, now call it ‘the living wage’ – Hah! Before the minimum was introduced, it was common to see ads for security patrol men, offering £2.50 per hour, stipulating ‘own dog and transport required’. If an employer cannot afford the minimum, then they do not have a viable business. Even Henry Ford (no Socialist he!) realised he would not be able to flog his Tin Lizzies if the workers couldn’t afford them. His assembly workers thus became some of the best-paid manual workers around, being then a pattern for many other successful capitalist projects. The absolute logic of a free-for-all, race-to-the-bottom on pay, leads inevitably to slavery. Anfi Resorts

The court of first instance issued judgement whereby Anfi Resortsa had to refund the sum of £19,607

FACT! NOT FICTION, NOT FAKE!

Some resorts are claiming that our news reports are fake!

SETTING A PRECEDENT We have 375 cases in the Spanish courts, 180 are being prepared for submission, and now, cases where the judge has overruled on jurisdiction can be fast-tracked through the lower courts.

PROOF We have the court sentence for every case PLUS newspapers will publish such articles without seeing the proof! All victories are not published on our website at www.m1legal.com

FACT Since the Spanish Supreme Court Ruling was implemented in March 2015, victories are becoming a routine topic at our weekly meetings. top of the latest appeal victories, in the month of October alone, M1 On Legal has secured judgements awarding payouts of £100,000. What is FACT and what is FAKE – You Decide! We are also pleased to announce in the New Year, that we will be launching a consumer awareness campaign in the UK media.

The historic victory came after the judge ruled that the contracts should be deemed null and void due to perpetuity. Under Spanish Timeshare Law, weeks sold after January 5 1999 cannot be in perpetuity and not for more than 50 years. Mr Sewell-Rutter said: “We have had timeshare weeks with La Pinta for over 10 years and every year we went there, we were resales department, pressuringapproached by the us to buy additional timeshares which they promised to sell at a profit. “They put so much pressure on us each time to make us part with our money that we felt quite exhausted and gave in.

“As a result, we lost most of our savings, having remortgage our house to and take out a bank loan. In the end we had lost a considerable amount of money.”

Sharon Johnson, of Malaga-based M1 Legal ECC, acting for the Sewell-Rutters, told the Olive Press: “As far as we are aware, this is the largest timeshare victory ever achieved. “M1 made this possible due to the continuous dedication and commitment supporting this case.”

PROOF’S IN THE MAKING

M1 Legal provides legal services to support European Consumer Claims who have been subject to mis-selling and subsequent breach of statutory duties by the resort in relation to holiday ownership products and services sold transnationally. These include floating week timeshares, points-based timeshare products, holiday clubs and fractional ownerships.

For any other timeshare enquiries contact Sharon Johnson at sharon@m1legal.com

• 350 cases in the Spanish courts

• A further 177 being prepared for submission

Real People Real Results!

Club La Costa Double Victory £37,483 AWARDED

Leisure Dimensions Ltd (Infiniti Club) £21,101 Awarded

For any enquiries please email: sharon@m1legal.com or call 0034 951 562 209.

Another Club La Costa Victory £19,674 AWARDED

Anfi Beach Club Victory - £20,583 AWARDED

Call us: 951 562 550 (local) 0800 6101512 (UK) Visit us:

www.ecc-eu.com

FLASHBACK: Our advert from the

As seen on SKY TV Property Magazine in issue 303

The popular lifestyle event returns to the Coast with all its regular features.. plus many new attractions

Costa del Sol

Hotel

IPV Palace wage Minimum & Spa, Fuengirola hikes will - Sat 17th & Sun 18th November, 2018 cost Open: 2pm to 7pmjobs, each day claims 150,000 bank boss

The Hotel is located on the A7 at Km 207 next to Fuengirola (Sohall) Castle HE hugely popular 50 Plus Show is back on THE governor of the Bank 150,000 the Costa del Sol. less jobs. of Spain has blasted gov- A Returning favourite Eric total of 0.8% of Spain’s Knowles, known to millions ernment proposals to dra- labour force could be at risk for his appearances on BBC's matically increase the min- of redundancy, warned the Antiques Roadshow, will once imum wage - saying it will governor. ADMISSION again be on hand to offer trigger major job losses. He claimed the evidence free valuations of small items Pablo Hernández de Cos available Costa del Sol shows that miniand larger items from photoclaimed the 22% increase mum YOU DON’T HAVE graphs. STARS: Will be on hand from UK in minimum wage put for- have wage increases always TO BE OVER 50 – Tom KeaneUNHAPPY: (Cash Hernández in the Attic, Antiques Tom Keane who has apa ‘negative effect’. Road Trip) EVERYONE ward by Pedro Sanchez’s He will be advising on jewellery, peared on Cash in the Attic er Colin Guesdon WELCOME! fect, items. minority Socialist (PSOE) in said: “The increase but we have few experings & other small and The Antiques Road Trip, Meanwhile, the minimum wagewatches, Modern dance classes in riences of collectibles government internationally New! high rises, Mapuchi-Moda would result none fashion will be offering free valuations acclaimed in small FREE antique amounts valuationshas with little efof 22%.” expert Mike Kelly shows at 3pm both days Eric Knowles from of watches, jewellery and oth- will Antiques Roadshow be offering free valuations When Sanchez unveiled his of coins, 2019 budget proposals last medals stamps and month along with Pablo Igbanknotes. At the lesias, the Podemos leader, last event Mike diswho supports his minority SPAIN’S economy is outshining the rest of Europe as its covered coins worth administration, the ministeady growth continues throughout 2018. Art tuition from well-known €50,000 Euro! The economy has expanded at a mum wage increases were Coast artist Roger Cummiskey, rate of 0.6% this quarter, Acapella singing which is triple the rest of the euro-zone. the most striking change. group Reflections Twice-daily performances by acapella President of the International Domestic demand Andalucian is reported Artists Cooking Group. to be Free the blood Wealth will also be appearreason glucose & blood management, behind singing group Reflections pensions and the Leading expert Mike Kelly will value continual boomdemos! Beginners welcome! of Spain’s economy, pressure testing from Diabetic Inequality while ing twice daily. insurance advice exports from experts were coins, stamps and seen to prove a hindrance to growth. medals Support Group Well-known costa For Sanchez’s of more It comes amid significantly halted email will theinfo info@slp.ie show government or ring 003531 4969028 be fashion • seniortimes.ie Plus: Art exhibition, crafts, growth artist Roger Cum- shows featuring for other Europroposed jewellery, pean states, fashions, an increase including Italy and Germany. consumer, legal designs from & financial advice, property... andof miskey will be giving Sara Haley’s much more! €164.1, boosting The Bank of Spain has however highly acclaimed the Spanart tuition as well Mapuchi growth is set to slow, due to risks warned that economic ish monthly minimum Moda range which as hosting an exhi- is increasingly The government predicts the rate including protectionism. wage from €735.9 to €900. of expansion in 2018 will bition by the Anda- label of choice becoming the drop to 2.6%. The proposals, which Herfor the Coast’s lucian International discerning Pedro Sanchez’s minority government fashionistas. nandez de Cos alleges Artists group. could also affect Colin Jordan will once again the country’s economic growth, would create ‘job loss and A new attraction at be giving struggled to pass bills on cuttingas his administration has REFLECTIONS: Appearing twice daily increased inequality’, conthe deficit and has also 3pm on both days Latin dancefree modern and faced some pushback from Brussels lessons stitute the highest miniover a tax plan in Spain for 2019.

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What I can’t understand is Nolotil is only the brand name. It is the tablets inside the packet, which are Metamizol 575mg, that are killing people. There are lots of other drugs being sold which contain Metamizol, which people are not being warned about. They need to warn people about Metamizol, then they can check that other tablets they are given do not contain this drug.

Julie Dodd, Vera

Death without warning People have died or been severely affected by taking Nolotil. What’s more, the outcome had been reported to the makers and they continued to sell it without giving out warnings to the doctors prescribing it or the patients taking it. It’s not an upset tummy we are talking about, but in some cases death. Just because some people benefit from it, it isn’t good enough - there are alternatives that don’t kill.

Chris Mounsor, Ronda 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

mum wage increase since 1977.

Stefanjo, Malaga

Other initiative wetlands in Mu vasive plant sp reduction of the farms and vario change. “These program European coope Arias Cañete, Eu ergy and Climate

Property

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

www.theolivepress.es

Issue 25 November 2018

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

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

Divine inspiration

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

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

Foreign fireball

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

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

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

II14

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

November 2018

The holiday rental laws are changing in Spain, writes Spanish Property Insight’s Mark Stucklin

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Rental woes?

HEN it comes to tourism, Spain is a superpower with more than 75 million visitors each year, outstripped only by France and the USA. Millions of visitors have long appreciated the sunny welcome they get. But tourists need places to stay, which means they compete with locals for accommodation where it is scarce, and are thought to be driving up housing costs in some tourist hotspots, according to local politicians and housing activists. This is leading to a clampdown on holiday rentals in areas where housing costs are now a hot potato, and where the tourist welcome isn’t quite so sunny. But holiday rentals are frequently part of the game plan for second home buyers looking for extra income from their investment when not in residence. Platforms like Airbnb are making it easier than ever to reach holiday rental clients, and many owners are taking full advantage of this, but the risks of falling foul of changing rental laws are growing. Holiday rental restrictions are tightest in the Balearic and Canary Islands, where some sort of restrictions have been in place for more than a decade, but are now getting tighter.

A powerful hotel lobby is ready to on tourist rentals in all apartments make the most of anxiety about hou- and semi-detached homes, thousing costs for locals to stamp on what gh detached homes they call ‘unfair’ comcan now get a licence petition from holiday once again. In the rest rentals. The fines for of the archipelago, it The Balearic regiowill be difficult, though illegal tourist nal government has not impossible, to get recently introduced a apartment rental licenrentals have new tourism law that ces, whilst rural villas risen to up to restricts holiday rentals on rustic land will no to certain areas and longer be eligible. €40,000 types of property. PalThe authorities seem ma de Mallorca, the to be getting more Balearic capital, is taserious about busting king a hard line with an outright ban rule breakers, and the fines for illegal

tourist rentals have risen to between €20,000 and €40,000, so it’s getting riskier to ignore the regulations. The restrictions in the Canaries are more confusing than most, which is saying something in Spain. Bizarrely, the latest draft law on tourist rentals in the Canaries aims to stamp them out in areas defined as touristic, but not in other areas. That measure has the fingerprints of the hotel lobby all over it. In other tourist hotspots, Barcelona already has a moratorium in place on new holiday rental licences, and Madrid is looking to follow Palma towards a total ban in the city centre.

We are moving towards a patchwork of outright bans or restrictions on days per year and other obstacles depending on the region, so a typically Spanish legal mess. Fortunately, for the time being at least, holiday rental restrictions are some of the lightest in the most popular destinations of the Costa del Sol (Andalucia), and the Costa Blanca (Valencian Community). In both regions, you need to register your intention to engage in tourist rentals with the local tourism office, and in Andalucia meet some basic requirements on the condition and features of your property, but there are no impossible hoops to jump through, and no restrictions by area. But even in areas where restrictions have been in place for years, there are ways around the rules if you are careful. In the Balearics, for example, you can still rent on a short-term or extended stay basis (3 months or more) so long as you are very careful not to offer the property as a tourist rental with services for tourists, claims local legal expert Will Besga. “Just like under the previous law, the Spanish Tenancy Act allows for the renting out, in principle for any period of time, of any type of property,” explains Besga. “But because there is a regional law regulating touristic rentals, extreme care must be taken in ensuring that the short-term rental does not fall within the touristic rentals’ parameters, which effectively means that ‘short-term lets’ can be done under certain limiting conditions.” The trend is likely to continue towards restrictions in all hotspots where accommodation is scarce, in particular, the islands and Barcelona.

Villa, Sotogrande Almenara Golf

Finca, San Enrique near Sotogrande

4 bedroom / 4 bathroom • 329m2 built • 1202m2 plot of land Welcoming family home • Frontline golf with lovely country views Spacious and bright interior • Sunny southern orientation

5 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms • 323m2 built on 6.6 hectares of land Only 10 mins from the coast • Great house in excellent condition License for stable block in place • Located in the Polo valley

Price: €1,150,000

Price: €2,499,000

Apartment, Sotogrande Marina 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • 133m2 Frontline Marina views • Short walk to port and restaurants • Very close to the beach • Covered terrace year round use • Parking & storage room

Price: €425,000

Pueblo Nuevo De Guadiaro Calle Sierra Bermeja Tel. 956 795 300 / 628 574 953 WWW.JS-SOTOGRANDE.COM

Townhouse, Frontline Almenara Golf 3 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms • 275m2 with 30m2 garden • Gated community of only 20 houses • Beautiful golf views • One pool for every 5 houses • Excellent condition

Price: €397,000

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

III 15

November 2018

The hanging gardens of Banus

GREEN: Breathe in Banus

High-rent lifestyle THE average worker in Spain is forking out almost 50% of their earnings on rent, shocking new figures have revealed. A surge in demand has bumped up the national average rental price by 15% in just one year, while wage increases trailed by a measly 0.6%. Tenants in Madrid and the Balearics were left most out of pocket, with rent swallowing around 70% of their income. In Valencia the figure was close to 60%. Those in Catalunya, the Canary Islands and the Basque Country see close to 55% of workers’ earnings going on rent.

AN exciting new hangout - with greenery in its DNA - has got the Costa del Sol talking. Aptly-named Breathe is a restaurant-cum-bar where you happily struggle to see the walls from the trees. With shrubs on the walls and even hanging from the ceiling, plus a big green wall outside, it is more than doing its bit for the environment. Run on renewable energy sources, the Puerto Banus joint is ‘on a mission’ to provide an environmentally-friendly gastronomic

Pedro Sanchez orders banks to pay stamp duty tax but battle might not be over BANKS will pay the stamp duty on mortgages, not the buyer, a decree by Spain’s prime minister has ruled. It comes after a busy couple of months for Spain’s flip-flopping Supreme Court, which couldn’t seem to make up its mind on the controversial tax, which sees up to 2% of the full property price paid to the notary. After ruling in October that banks should pay the tax since it benefits them - it reversed the decision following

experience. “We’re combining modern urban architecture with a large dose of natural elements to create energising spaces,” explains manager Victor Krensler. “Breathe is for people who care about their food and where it comes from. We’re all about careful selection and artisan preparation. Quality is not negotiable.” “And we really do care. From our innovative ground-source renewable energy to our gardens and the food on your plate, we have the environment and sustainability in mind.”

Mortgage mayhem an outcry from the lenders in November. The banks claimed the up to €17 billion they would be forced to pay back if the ruling covered backdated stamp du-

ties over four years, could lead to a crisis. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias blasted the decision, saying on Twitter: “The banks have won and citizens have lost.”

Home for high flyers

BACK TO THE FUTURE: British home to feature first landing pad for €1.7 million flying cars

IT’S the first-world problem facing the super rich of the future; where will I park my flying car? Look no further than Nottingham, where the world’s first home with a landing pad for airborne vehicles is under construction. It’s no flight of fantasy. The pad is being built in Edwalton village at the £10 million (€11.5 million) home of property developer Guy Phoenix in partnership with VRCO, a British company working on a flying

car design. The electric powered NeoXcraft two-seat vehicle, which will cost a cool £1.5 million (€1.7 million), will be able to zip to London in half an hour and VRCO expects to have a prototype in the air next year. The pad is six metres in diameter and has a renewable energy source to recharge the aircraft. It will be included in the asking price for the home, called Hermitage, when it goes on the market early next year.

But just a day later, Spain’s new Socialist prime minister criticised the Supreme Court for yielding to the banks and not acting in the interest of the people. He signed a decree ordering banks to pay the full amount of the tax. But MPs are calling for the decision to be made into a bill and be voted on, since it concerns the law of Spain.

Fail

Rooms with a view THE prestige Palladium hotel chain has chosen Málaga for its first opening in Spain. With 330 rooms, the beachfront Palladium Hotel Costa del Sol will open in July 2019, offering jaw-dropping views over the Med. Just 20 minutes from Malaga airport, it will feature a ‘stylish and contemporary design’ with spacious rooms and three dining spaces: a show-cooking restaurant, an a la carte eatery serving local and international dishes and a seafront beach club. There will also be a Sky Lounge where guests can enjoy cocktails while they drink in stunning sunset views. Other features include an outdoor pool with a bar, gym and spa equipped with a thermal circuit, jacuzzi, sauna and private treatment cabins.

• See Hotels with the eX-traordinary Factor page X

Known as the AJD tax in Spain, it allows banks to start foreclosure proceedings should the client fail to keep up with mortgage payments. For the past 23 years it has been the norm in Spain for borrowers to pay the tax.

• See more in What’s the point? Page XXX

SLICK: New hotel to open

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

Phone us now on +34 951 516 905 • 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

It’s your move!

IV 16

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

November 2018

As Malaga and Puerto Banus prepare to reimagine their blood-stained bullrings, the Olive Press takes a look at the most impressive restoration projects ringing the changes across Spain

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Ringmasters Tarraco Arena Plaza, Tarragona

T is the controversial tradition that has divided a nation and horrified and amazed tourists in equal measure. But one thing cannot be disputed - Spain’s bullrings offer some of the most incredible architectural delights the country has to offer. As Malaga commits to revamping its white and yellow-clad facade, and with Puerto Banus pledging to turn its famous bullring into an arts and gastronomic venue, plazas de toros nationwide are going through a cultural metamorphosis. Some seven years after matadors hung up their red muletas for the last time in Catalunya, its bloody battlegrounds have become shopping hubs, while those abandoned in other regions have become bustling hotels and restaurants. Here the Olive Press rounds up the ringleaders of this no-bull restoration movement.

Looking like a spaceship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Tarragona’s futuristic Tarraco Arena Plaza is a visionary masterpiece. Originally designed in 1881 by architect Ramon Salas, the 32-metre high building was modelled on Madrid’s famous plaza de toros Las Ventas. The unused historic site was renovated in 2006 for a cool €18 million with a convertible roof and capacity for a whopping 10,800 people. Now, it holds mega concerts, sports events and its epic annual Castells Competition where hundreds of ‘castellers’ compete to build the biggest human pyramid (see far left).

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QUOTE OP1118

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

17V

November 2018

Las Arenas, Barcelona Undoubtedly the prize for the most famous bullring transformation goes to Las Arenas, in Barcelona’s iconic Plaza de Espana. What was once a site of bloodshed has become a modern shopping and leisure centre, featuring a 100m diameter dish with a roof terrace offering unbeatable panoramic views of the city’s skyline. Designed by British architect Richard Rogers, the 19th century building was reopened in 2011 - one year after the Catalan Parliament voted to ban the ‘sport’. Despite falling into disrepair in the 1990s, the neo-Mudejar facade was perfectly preserved and lifted above street level to create the impressive site it has become today.

Hotel Plaza de Toros de Almaden, Ciudad Real Not many can say they have rested their head where matadors once stepped into their suits of lights before taking on a bull. In the sleepy town of Almaden in Ciudad Real, the fourstar Hotel Plaza de Toros is one of the most original lodgings in Spain, boasting 24 rooms originally intended for miners working in the area in the 18th century. Built in 1752, the luxury hotel was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, largely due a one-of-a-kind feature - the hexagonal shape of the internal bullring. The building also features El Trapio restaurant incorporating the torero theme with a terrace backing onto the old yellow ring - the perfect spot for a sol y sombre night cap.

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Mercado Gastronomico de San Albin, Merida Another bullfighting-themed eatery attracting travellers from far and wide is housed between the walls of Merida’s red-washed 20th century bullring. Transformed into a gourmet street market, each original

alcove features individual stalls serving up the best in Spanish tapas. Reopening in 2015, the Badajoz architectural gem still manages to hold corridas, as well as a summer cinema and concerts.

Restaurante Plaza de Toros, Antequera Nestled below Antequera’s bullring, with sloping wooden beams, winding corridors and torero memorabilia, the Restaurante Plaza de Toros seats some 200 diners. The building, which opened in 1848, also hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the tradition. Interestingly, the ring above still hosts bullfights, particularly during annual festivals in May and August, meaning diners get more than their meal’s-worth if they book a table during those months.

Plaza de Toros, Ronda

Widely regarded as one of the oldest and most beautiful rings in Spain, Ronda occupies a special place in modern Spanish culture and history, being the birthplace of the Rondeno style of bullfighting. Construction began in 1779 and was designed by Jose Martin de Aldehuela using only stones - unusual for most Spanish bullrings. Some years later, the grand main entrance - wide enough to fit horses and

carriages - was completed with the royal shield of Spain surrounded by baroque edging. Although the ring has space for only 5,000 spectators, the rueda - the large circle of sand in the centre - is the largest in the world at 66 metres in diameter. Still occasionally hosting bullfights, the site also houses the Museo Taurino, dedicated to matador regalia and weapons used during Spain’s many wars.

Which is the oldest bullring in Spain? It’s the million dollar question no one seems to know the answer to. Sevilla’s stunning La Maestranza is often considered the oldest, with construction commencing in 1761 and finishing in 1785. Others argue that Ronda takes the crown for hosting the first official corrida in 1784. But, if we’re being technical, the real winner is, in fact, Bejar’s El Castanar Plaza de Toros near Salamanca, where the first bullfight was held in 1667 in an improvised square enclosed with granite stones and wood. It was no architectural beauty but a local duke granted permission to replace the makeshift ring with a real one in 1711, which still stands today (see pic above right).

Surprisingly, the world’s first official bullring was not built in Spain. Jalisco’s Rodolfo Gaona in Mexico takes the crown, having opened in 1687. And Peru’s Plaza de Toros de Acho in Lima - a national historic monument - is third oldest in the world, dating from 1776.

DID YOU KNOW?

November 21st - December 4th 2018

ALL COSTA DEL SOL - ASK MORE INFORMATION!

Tel: +34 951087933

LA CALA GOLF

BENAHAVIS

APARTMENTS ·From 285.000€

·Ref A1339

·Beds 2

·Built 155m2

·Terrace 55m2

·Pool 37m2

·Parking

·Storage

·Golf views

·Close to golf

VILLA ·1.590.000€

·Ref V1337

·Beds 5

·Built 606m2

·Terrace 248m2

·Pool 69m2

·Plot 1.772m2

·Sea views

·Car parking

covered

DUQUESA

VILLAS ·From 495.000€

·Ref V1338

·Beds 4-5

·Built 424m2

·Terraces 144m2

·Pool 32m2

·Plot 519-654m2

·Sea views

·Eco design

NEW CONSTRUCTIONS

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ESTEPONA VILLA ·695.000€

·Ref V1339

·Beds 4

·Built 226m2

·Terraces 125m2

·Plot 981m2

·Heated pool 37m2

·Sea views

·Car parking

42 VILLAS

NUEVA ANDALUCIA

LOS BOLICHES

BUILDING PLOT NUEVA ANDALUCIA ·695.000€

·Ref PL1343

·1.856m2

·20% volume

·Sea views

·Close to golf

APARTMENTS ·From 135.000€

·Ref PL1338

·Beds 2-3

·Built max 95m2

·Terraces max 35m2

·Optional storage 12,46m2

·Town center

14 APARTMENTS

More New Constructions And Resales Properties On Our Website! Telephone: +34 951087933 Email: info@elegantmarbellaestates.com Website: www.elegantmarbellaestates.com Avda Manolete 1, C.C. Centro Plaza, shop 5 Nueva Andalucia, 29660 Marbella

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Gaudi-licious An alternative view of Spain’s wackiest architect

NTONIO Gaudi’s iconic Sagrada Familia has finally begun its final phase of construction, more than 100 years after it began. It is just one of dozens of iconic masterpieces created by the Spanish legend (right) throughout the 19th and 20th century. The Tarragona native is rightly known as the most influential Spanish architect in the 20th century. The creator of Catalan Modernism spent most of his life in Barcelona, which has been blessed with most of his works. Gaudi’s out-of-the-box designs shaped the way of thinking about architecture for a whole generation, and to this day his buildings make up half of the ten most visited sites in Barcelona. Here we offer up three views you may not have seen before.

INTRICATE: (Anti-clockwise from top left) Inside the Sagrada Familia, the top of an apartment building in Barcelona city centre and the famous Guell Park in Barcelona

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR THE FINEST COUNTRY PROPER TIES IN ANDALUSIA, SPAIN

CORTIJO WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS, GAUCIN

Cortijo near Gaucín, Málaga, Andalusia. This country property has panoramic views towards the Mediterranean coastline, Gibraltar, Africa and the white-washed village of Gaucín. The Cortijo has ample terraces, surrounding the property, all with breathtaking views. This country home is ideal for those looking for country living yet want to be close to the amenities of a village. 186-00797P

4 bedrooms

3 bathrooms

400 m2

15.000 m2

private garden

private pool

890.000 €

CORTIJO & BUNGALOW, ANTEQUERA

CONTEMPORARY VILLA, TARIFA

CHARMING VILLA, TARIFA

Reformed 16th-century Cortijo, with quality bungalow, surrounded by stunning nature near Antequera, Málaga. Spectacular views of El Torcal. It’s been reformed to maintain it’s charm and authenticity. Also, a top quality 3-bed log bungalow.

Spectacular villa with uninterrupted views of Africa, located near Tarifa, Cádiz. This modern property has breathtaking views, looking across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Atlas Mountains.

Charming spacious villa for sale near Tarifa, Costa de la Luz, Andalusia. The villa is in a spectacular position, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlas Mountains. An absolute dream!

6 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 553m² build | 210.000m² plot Ref: 186-00794P

3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 200m² build | 2.300m² plot Ref: 186-00790P

7 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms | 388m² build | 2.250m² plot Ref: 186-00784P

1.695.000 €

895.000 €

1.200.000 €

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PROPERTY

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November 2018

Hotels with the eX-traordinary Factor From snail shells to Playmobil pillows, try these in 2019

ed down in a bubble like Michael Jackson, snuggle up in a snail shell or branch out with a night in a treehouse … If expanding your horizons is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, there’s heaps of wanderlust inspiration on the doorstep. The Four Seasons and Palladium

chains are the latest hotel giants to invest in Spain but why not try some of the country’s more left-field lodgings in 2019? For our last property magazine of the year we’ve rounded up some of the wackiest hotels in the country where kids can be kids and grown-ups can indulge their inner child.

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Miles Estrelles, Girona Spend the night gazing at the stars inside a giant transparent bubble for the ultimate ‘womb with a view’ experience. Miles Estrellas, close to famous Banyoles Lake in Borgonya, is a cluster of seven translucent pods named after a constellation. Some bubbles include chimneys and gardens, and come with heating, wifi and private bathrooms.

Cabanes als Arbres, Sierra de Montseny

Hotel del Juguete, Alicante If you’ve got kids in tow, you are going to score serious ‘cool parent’ points with a holiday to this playful four-star hotel which brings Toy Story to life. Each of the 21 rooms is based on popular toys like Playmobil and Lego, while the Juegaterapia room will transport you to the world of videogames. It may drive grown-ups mad being surrounded by happy figurines and dazzling colours all day but it will certainly keep the little ones entertained. Adults can have their fun too in the ‘Back to the Past’ room, which comes with retro games like Pac-Man and Rubik Cube and a king-sized bed.

Isla Tagomago, Ibiza

If you want to reconnect with nature but find camping too uncomfortable, a night in an eco tree house will take you back to your prehistoric roots in style. Submerged in the forest canopy of the Sierra de Montseny, some 84 kilometres from Barcelona, the Cabanes als Arbres comprises 10 wooden tree top lodgings perched up to eight metres high. Each named after a different bird, these flights of architectural fantasy are built from natural untreated wood, with a layer of hemp and fir tree fibre for ventilation and double-glazed windows.

The private paradise island of Tagomago is the most exclusive in the Mediterranean and you can enjoy it all to yourself, along with an incredible luxury five-bedroom villa. The white-washed ultra-modern pad is the sole property on the island. It features state-of-the-art technology, a saltwater pool, rainfall showers and magnificent floor-toceiling windows overlooking the Ibizan coastline, five minutes away by boat. This castaway island experience can be yours if you can run to the whopping €100,000-a-week price tag.

Hotel Los Caracoles, Frigiliana Malaga’s delightful snail hotel is exactly what it says on the tin. The 12 semicircular cave-rooms are designed to blend in with the surrounding nature, with rustic features and charming circular Hobbit windows. To emulate real snail shells, the dwellings have been built without straight lines, fusing nature and architecture with extravagant swirls, curves and vibrant colours reminiscent of Gaudi.

tel: 952 81 01 02 23

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

info@kssir.com www.ksmarbella.com MARBELLA

SOTOGRANDE

G I B R A LTA R

SEVILLA

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

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.

IMPRESSIVE LARGE APARTMENT WITH SEA VIEWS NEXT TO PUERTO BANUS

ELEGANT SOUTH FACING VILLA SIERRA BLANCA

KSSIR-25066P

KSSIR-20500P-G5ZEYY

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.

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Curious yellow

Is it a balloon, a zeppelin or a yellow submarine? No, it’s an ultralight pavilion dreamed up to promote Spain at the next world EXPO ULTRA MODERN: The nine inflatable canopies will thrill visitors in the Middle East

WO Madrid architect firms have joined forces in a bid to design Spain’s National Pavilion for EXPO 2020 in Dubai. Their incredible design includes an inflatable canopy of nine custard yellow cylinders set within a steel framework. The ‘breathing pavilion’ design allows two inflatables to move the cylinders up and down to respond to views, light and breeze. Reinterpreting a typical Spanish plaza, the

project includes an elevated square underneath inflatables with room for diverse programming and installations. According to Arch Daily, the shaded space is is designed to adapt to the climate of Dubai with natural thermal conditioning. Below, a matrix of large fans will move air to accompany the gentle breeze generated by natural wind flow. There will also be a restaurant and tapas bar, mixing gastronomic experiences ‘with spatial and sensory stimuli’ - not unlike

squares and famous steps across cities in Spain The pavilion is designed to emit zero emissions with the help of 1,000 square meters of rooftop photo-voltaic panels. In turn, the design team designed the inflatable deck with more than 80% certified recycled materials. The ultralight pavilion aims to be a more sustainable structure that could be easily removed and transported as it takes on other lives after EXPO.

T: +34 956 793 200 E: info@sotograndesales.com www.sotograndesales.com

SOTOGRANDE COSTA KINGS & QUEENS - S323 Beds 7 · Baths 7 Build 549 m2 · Plot 1928 m2

Bristow Property Group SL Locales 16/17, Galerias Paniagua Sotogrande 11310, Cadiz

€2.600.000

SOTOGRANDE ALTO FRONTLINE GOLF - N398

SOTOGRANDE ALTO FRONTLINE GOLF - N408

SOTOGRANDE ALTO PANORAMIC VIEWS - N429

POLO APARTMENT - B130

Beds 5 · Baths 5

Beds 3/4 · Baths 2.5

Beds 3 · Baths 3

Build 360 m2 · Plot 1.070 m2

Build 620 m2 · Plot 3.859 m2

Build 219 m2 · Plot 2476 m2

Build 167 m2

€1.325.000

€3.200.000

€760.000

€430.000

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

DUNES BEACH MARBELLA LUXURY LIVING and FINEST FINISHES Just steps from Marbella’s best sandy beaches

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Energy efficient homes equipped with smart home technology, contemporary design and the latest state-of-the-art amenities. Stylish and spacious interiors with a bright open floor plan. Private jacuzzi on the terraces. Secured residential complex especially developed for you to enjoy stunning common areas, social club, climatised beach-like swimming pool, design chill out area, gym, designated underground garage and storage. Walking distance to shops, tennis courts, golf courses, Cabopino marina. Surrounded by Mediterranean mature gardens, natural dunes and sandy beaches.

RESERVE NOW!

www.dunesbeachmarbella.com +34 608 487 084 sales@dunesbeachmarbella.com

Calle La Gaviota Las Chapas, 29604, Marbella

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

style from the gods Spanish convent born again as culture and foodie hotspot

I Property of the Week

Ventas Del Carrizal - TH3765 44.000€ With 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms you could move into this property straight away. It has off road parking and for heating a large log burner. Spread over 3 levels the ground floor offers a living room, separate diner, traditional fitted kitchen and downstairs bathroom.

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

T’S the last place on earth you’d expect to find comfort and luxury. But if you’re looking for some upmarket R&R, get thee to a nunnery. Or rather, two nunneries. Spanish interior designer Francesc Rife has transformed the 17th-century San Jose and Santa Teresa convents in Valencia into a food market and cinema and plans to add a hotel. Rechristened Convent Carmen, the palm-strewn grounds have been fitted with shady pergolas and three shipping containers which house funky al fresco ‘food truck’ style restaurants - serving everything from regional classics like esgarraet and espetos to ramen and pad Thai. The main buildings, which have been reconstructed in a minimalist style to accentuate the structure’s domed ceilings, will host film screenings and public talks. “We sought to create very little noise through the design of a specifically minimalist structure,” said Rifé. “Through light, we have worked to highlight the main elements of the church… The RGB colour light system allows you to experience space in a much more mystical and special way.” A 50-room hotel is slated to open at the complex in 2020.

CAPTIVATING: Ceiling celebrated with new framework while (below) new screening and dining areas give convents a totally new look

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

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November 2018

Flying high Expat drone company can give ANY business the fairytale filter it deserves

F you want to sell or rent a home, you need to tell a story. That’s the advice of British expat Peter Walkley, whose high-tech drones capture homes and businesses in ways which could rival Disney. The former pilot set up Nitroshoot Media three years ago after noticing a gap in the Spanish real estate market for slick aerial video footage and images. “If you’re trying to entice buyers from somewhere like the US, they don’t want to swipe through still images,” explains Peter. “A high tech video, including aerial and interior footage, will give them a much better idea of the property’s

layout and will speed up their decision-making and ultimately help close deals a lot faster.” Now, the Dover native and his wife-cum-business partner Brigitte Knufsman have expanded to focus on Airbnb rentals and hotels, as well as other businesses including yacht charters, golf courses and even weddings. “We’ve had a great response,” Peter said, “All our clients have seen a surge in interest and business after receiving one of our packages.” Indeed it’s not just aerial imagery on offer, Nitroshoot will help build your social media and website thanks to tech expert Brigitte, who has years of experience in web design. “We’ve just done a boutique hotel in Ronda and two properties in Mijas and Marbella,” adds Peter, who previously worked as a pilot in the oiling industry, before skippering a yacht in the Caribbean. “The reaction has been fantastic, the need for our service is really taking off.”

AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW: Nitroshoot team at work in Mijas and Ronda

Contact Peter and Brigitte at www. nitroshootmedia.com or on 00 34 611312434

Do you want to gain fast Worldwide Exposure and distribution for your Real Estate properties? Increase your Marketing Power and promote your business through Video Marketing!

We also offer: Aerial Video & Photography for hotels, resorts, golf courses, marina’s etc.

A Web Video Tour is the Future and the ultimate way to promote Real Estate properties. Stand out from the competition and contact us today!

NITROSHOOT MEDIA WWW.NITROSHOOTMEDIA.COM

TAKE OFF TIMES: MON-FRI 08:00-22:00 SAT 09:00-18:00 SUN 09:00-18:00 SALES@NITROSHOOTMEDIA.COM TEL: + 34 611 312 434

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November 2018

PROPERTY

November 21st - December 4th 2018

EXCITING: Entrance to La Gran Reserva, which is expected to be as successful as La Reserva Beach (below) that was 35% over its target this year

Jon Clarke takes a ride into the lush La Reserva hills to have a look at one of Spain’s most exclusive real estate projects

AM surrounded by lush matoInmobiliaria, one of Spain’s leading rral vegetation, a pungent mix of real estate publications. broom, wild palms and olives and This has gone hand in hand with the a small smattering of oaks. adjacent golf course finding itself as The air is pine fresh and the overall Europe’s 36th best golf resort, according to Golf World, read by 128,000 sensation is one of silence, only occasionally broken by birdsong and the UK golfers a month. squawk of a juvenile Booted eagle The second-highest new entry, it was high up above me. lauded for its general ‘feelgood factor’ as well as for its ‘excellent’ resIn the distance I can see Africa and taurants, great service and the practhe peak of Gibraltar, while in the foreground I look down to Sotogrande tice facilities which are ‘among the port, a mere five minutes drive away. best’ in Europe. This is easily one of the most exciting The course meanwhile won ‘Best Service’ at the World Golf Awards in Slonew developments in Andalucia today. venia and is included in the World’s A completely virgin area in rolling Top 100 golf courses and ranked 9th hills near the Alcornocales Natural in Spain, rated for its wide fairways, Park, the La Gran Reserva project ‘large and beautifully maintained comprises hundreds of hectares of greens and gentle yet challenging land, but with less than two dozen undulations’. properties. Now December is almost on us and “Yet you can be in Sotogrande port the Beach has closed for the winter in just a few minutes and it’s wonderseason, Sotogrande’s bosses have ful for families, with kids turned their attention to being able to cycle, walk finishing the landscaping The Seven or horse-ride around and planting of the La the area in total safety,” Gran Reserva, as well as comprises of explains Sotogrande SA beefing up security and brand manager Juliana seven of the most laying the foundations Velez. the first villas. amazing homes in for Even better, as of this The series of stunning Spain summer, a stunning new properties sit in an enclave that can only realifestyle project opened lly be compared to La some 400 metres below. Zagaleta, in nearby Benahavis, but The so-called The Beach is a breathtaking inland lagoon and restaurant, with better communication and much which counts on 2,800 square metres nearer the beach. of shoreline and a nearly a dozen acIn one of the lowest density developtivities for the family including water ments in Europe, buyers have a choice of two different options, ‘The 15’ sports, tennis and padel courts. and ‘The Seven’. After it opened in June, next to La Reserva golf club, it became one of the The first, a series of 15 plots are coast’s most-talked about attractions, around 5,000m in size and a range of architects are available for the and it surprised everyone by bringing design and build, while the stunning in 35% more visitors and turnover ‘The Seven’ project comprises seven than bosses had initially predicted. of the most amazing properties (see Unsurprisingly, it has just won an pullout right) to be built in Spain. award as 2018’s Best Real Estate “We have not officially started marProject in the fifth Andalusian Real keting the 15 yet, but the plots are Estate Awards, created by Andalucía offered to those who want to be part of this exclusive community” explains sales rep Vanesa Butron, who showed me around the site. “Each house will be well integrated into the landscape, blending into nature and with lots of wood and stone and only natural building materials,” she adds. “All will have a very high end finish, geared towards high net worth individuals and if buyers want to use their own architect they will have to adhere to our standards and we will maintain the right to have the final HARD AT WORK: Landscaping team

say to maintain the general quality and style.” Nearby, buyers will have to move fast to acquire one of the four villas left in the outstanding separate gated-com-

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

Gumuchdjian studio

Studio MK27

Jensen & Skodvin

Welcom

munity of El Mirador, which has direct access to the golf course and is already approaching completion. Created by leading local architecture firm ARK, each villa is different in

style, with price tags from €6m, and with landscaping and views to the maximum. Finally a nearby series of homes in the so-called La Reserva Collection

Andreas Martin-Lof

TAKE seven leading international architects, give them seven generous plots and command blue sky thinking, but with authenticity and nature as part of the mix. This is the concept behind The Seven, an amazing seven villa gated-community set in 10 hectares of virgin woodland in the hills above Sotogrande. With leading French landscape gardener Jean Mus sculpting this ‘patch of Provence’ in Andalucia, it is set to be one of most exclusive developments in Europe. The price-tag starts at €15m and each home counts on at least a hectare of plot as well as guaranteed uninterrupted mountain and sea views. The seven architects include London’s Gumuchdjian studio, that has worked on the Centre Pompidou-Metz and Kew Gardens, and also won awards from the RIBA in the UK. It also includes Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan – of Sao Paolo’s Studio MK27 – for his first Andalucian project. His Kogan Villa is a delight for its use of space and wood, which is no surprises for a studio that has won over 200 awards. Swede Andreas Martin-Lof has created a wonderful internal garden that cleverly frames the Rock of Gibraltar, while Valencia-based Fran Silvestre

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

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November 2018

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

me to paradise start at €2.5m for a four to five bed villa. “All four projects are a lot more than just owning a property,” explains Juliana Velez, who has worked in La Re-

serva for three years. “We are selling a barefoot luxury lifestyle perfect for families both to live or as a second home. “La Reserva is the perfect place to re-

connect with yourself and your family and our high level of service is key. “Everything here is about authenticity, low density living, space and quality. As simple as that.”

Manuel J. Ruiz Moriche, ARK

GLOBAL POSSE: (from left) Ben van Berkel, Fran Silvestre, Jan Jensen, Manuel J. Ruiz Moriche, Andreas Martin-Lof, Philip Gumuchdijian, Marcio Kogan

UNStudio

has gone big on landscaping and environmental touches. Having designed the amazing Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, Ben van Berkel, voted the A&W architect of the year,

was always going to create something stunning, while Norwegian architect Jan Jensen is big on nature and brings his Viking spirit to Sotogrande for the first time.

Finally, local architect Manuel R. Moriche, from ARK in Sotogrande, has come up with a stunning modern design with an indoor and outdoor pool to make up the Seven.

Festive delights IT is a busy month ahead for Sotogrande with more events than ever taking place within its leafy borders in the run up to Christmas. As ever there is a big focus on culinary events, and the Christmas street market will be a key focus in December in the Marina. One particular date for your diary should be December 15 when there will be a Santa’s grotto, live music, as well as food and drinks, all organised by Sotogrande International School. It will certainly be a great time to take a visit to the El Mercado de Levante at La Marina, where most of the restaurants will have special festive menus, including pick of the bunch Don Diego, which has a special Christmas menu. Up at La Reserva club, there are a series of fabulous Xmas menus at excellent restaurant L’Olive. Chef Cristina Gutierrez (one of Andalucia’s top female chefs) will be undertaking a ‘show cooking’ event geared towards Christmas on December 12.There are also a series of excellent Christmas menus for companies, which start from just €20 a head for a basic cocktail and tapas menu, and from €55 for a proper sit down meal. Plus an excellent Christmas Day brunch for anyone looking for a good place to enjoy this festive day. And for a great way to see in the New Year and brush off the cobwebs of 2018, why not head to L’Olive on January 1 for a very special New year’s brunch.

Walk for Danii La Reserva are very proud sponsors of the upcoming Sotosol Walk and Fun Run, which is taking place this Sunday (nov 25) through the reserve hills. The popular annual event is organised to raise money for the charity of local girl Danii Toni, who attended the local Sotogrande International School and has gone on to university in the UK, despite having cancer. The Danii Cancer charity was set up to help her battle with leukemia, and it has so far raised nearly €180,000 for three different causes, including the children’s oncology ward at Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Sevilla. You can walk or run 5km or 10km routes, around La Reserva, starting and finishing at Sotogrande International School. Great for all the family, why not bring your

dogs and enjoy the fresh air and exercise even if you are not competitive. This really is an event for everyone, so get a team together, pick up a t-shirt from outside the school and get involved – the more the merrier!

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www.theolivepress.es

November 2018

Why Scandinavians keep on investing in Spain despite a property problem at home

OR years, the Scandinavian property market has seemed not merely buoyant but shock-resistant. The latest signs, however, cast a shadow over more growth in the short term as experts predict that one of Europe’s most dynamic real estate markets could be set for a correction. We tend to think of Scandinavia as the doyen of social democracy, liberal politics and humanistic ideals - a reputation derived from half a century of leading the world in progressive thinking. One manifestation of this socially responsible attitude was the fact that housing has traditionally been viewed in Scandinavian countries as a social benefit rather than an asset class. As a result, successive governments have tried to tame the real estate bull and stop it from becoming a volatile medium of speculation. But it seems, the long battle was finally lost around the turn of the century. Property markets in Scandinavia are no longer purely concerned with housing and have become popular forms of investment. Add reasonably buoyant economies in recent years, along with rapid population growth through immigra-

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Scandi power tion, and the housing markets of Norway and Sweden in particular have spent most of the past decade expanding rapidly in sales, construction and prices. This is as true for commercial real estate as it is for residential, and has been most marked in the capital cities of Stockholm and Oslo, the latter being the fastest-growing metropolis in Europe for some time now. New realities The dynamism was such that an area often overlooked by international investors now attracted them in numbers, and the result has been visible in a level of growth and price rises that were, inevitably, hard to sustain. In Sweden, for instance, property prices have risen by over 50 per cent in five years and are now 70 per cent higher, on average, than during the pre-crisis peak. It seems too much hot air has flowed into the Scandinavian property balloon. This has lead analysts – including those at Goldman Sachs – to predict a corrective

contraction in the market in the short in 2016 the Swedish authorities decided term that they believe will be followed by the time had come to curb what it saw as a period of relative stasis. a potential threat. In other words, for now the dynamism is Sweden had been creating its own future out of the Scandinavian property mar- subprime situation by inverting the lenkets and you’d better look elsewhere for ding to repayment situation. Stricter new opportunities. mortgage repayment That said, the predicted regulations were introdu10 per cent drop in proced that increased cash The situation perty values is indeed deposit contributions in could herald an property purchases and a correction, not a full-blown crisis. However, forced lenders to pay opportunity to the problem lies not off the principal more only in overly high prodraw even more quickly. It proved decisiperty values but also ve for the market which, Scandi buyers in the more worrying without the turbo-boost phenomenon of high inof previous years, all but debtedness. It’s another ground to a halt. characteristic we would normally not There’s a delayed reaction between suassociate with Scandinavian countries. pply/demand factors playing out and But the easy hand-out of mortgages and prices responding to them. But already, other forms of financing over past years prices have begun to fall, and now it has led to rising levels of indebtedness – seems the Scandinavian property sector now at its highest level since Scandinavia has some difficult years ahead of it due began recovering from its banking crisis to a controlled/induced slow-down that back in the early 1990s. Debt-to-income may have averted a bigger crash. ratios have been climbing steadily, and Having said this, some experts are more

positive about the outlook for the Scandinavian property market, arguing that macro-economic indicators combined with the prospect of long term low interest rates and low unemployment mean a much softer landing is in store for the market. What it means for the rest of Europe Those Scandinavians with cash and equity - and there are still many - will simply turn their attention away from their home markets and focus more on opportunities elsewhere, in countries such as Spain, for instance. The Scandinavian economies are still performing well, so the slowdown is largely limited to the property and construction sectors, though it will of course also have an impact on banks. As always, the lower to medium end of the market is most strongly affected, among them first time buyers, so more affluent buyers will find cash purchase opportunities at home and attractive investment opportunities overseas. Ikea sales in their home market might drop too, but for the likes of Spain the situation in Scandinavia could actually herald an opportunity to draw even more Scandinavian buyers to its warm shores.

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

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

0€

Tel +34 952 816 250

VILLA – EL CAMPANARIO, ESTEPONA 4 Beds • 3 Baths • 550 Built m2 • Terrace 200m2 • REF 176-01380P New project now being built and with estimated delivery summer 2019. This very well located residential site overlooks the charming El Campanario Golf & Country Club, just minutes from San Pedro and Marbella. The development will consist of 4 luxury, southfacing golf villas with built sizes of over 300m2 and plot sizes of over 550m2. Modern design and high quality materials are the principals of the project. There is now an opportunity to reserve your new home and customize & modify the choice of materials and even the layout and distribution. There are basement options and an option for a roofterrace with wet bar and jacuzzi. All villas have 3 off-street parking spaces. Prices starting at 869.000 euros

Centro Comercial Plaza 63, 29660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella Tel +34 952 816 250 • info@andadev.com • www.andadev.com

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

SELLING HOMES FASTER

W E H AV E B U Y E R S C U R R E N T LY W A I T I N G F O R L U X U R Y P R O P E R T I E S WITHIN THE WIDER AREA OF MARBELLA

The Golden Mile l Sierra Blanca l Cascada de Camoján l La Zagaleta Nueva Andalucía l Puerto Banús l Guadalmina

Contact us for a discreet and no obligation valuation on 952 77 44 33, or out of hours on 677 79 40 60 or visit our office directly opposite Marbella Club Hotel www.marbellalvs.com

LUXURY VILLAS HL60.indd 2

24/10/18 17:58

PROPERTY

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

XXI 33

November 2018

ADVANCED: (Left) Mock-up of Atlantis, while (right), satellite images of seabed where historians believe structures once stood

Lost and found? Historians have ‘finally discovered’ Lost City of Atlantis in southern Spain and evidence of historic - and advanced - building methods

NEW documentary has claimed the Lost City of Atlantis was in fact off the coast of Andalucia. Atlantica, produced by Michael Donnellan, claims ancient ruins analysed off the coast of Cadiz prove Atlantis’ huge harbour walls once stood in southern Spain. Maritime historian Tim Akers, head

PLATO: First wrote about Atlantis

of research at Merlin Burrows which stage of development, existed, so studied the pictures, also said ‘la- long ago. boratory analysis’ of material reco- "And had existed undisturbed for vered showed evidence of a type of many thousands of years prior to its cement not seen before. destruction. "We have filmed clear evidence and "The imagination boggles when conhave collected samples which have sidering their capabilities. We have been scientifically tested in a lab in a lot we can learn from this civilizaModena, Italy, which is used in tes- tion, to help move our own into a ting ancient Roman finds. better future." "The results of the tests prove the Dr Giacomo Falanga, from the Modena Centro Prove, age of the finds are a chemical testing older than Roman or laboratory in ModeGreek, and that they We’re talking na, Italy, said: "Thewere more advanced," Akers said. se structures contain about a The film was produbinders, like calcite. civilisation with The presence of mica, ced on the back of the new images, which potassium, and other very advanced were taken with the trace minerals show technology help of satellite imaproof of artificial migery. xing of an ancient, Filmmaker Donnellan prehistoric concrete." said: "Finding and filming Atlantis Andrea Carpi, a space materials enhas been life changing. Talk about gineer from the laboratory, added: "We can confirm with certainty that a purpose. "All my skill sets and passions have the samples analysed were the creacome together in the creation of this tion of an ancient civilisation with series of films. The discovery of At- advanced construction methods, lantis is monumental. which makes me believe that we're "Suddenly we know, not think, but talking about a civilisation with very know that humanity, in an advanced advanced technology."

SEA WALL: Entrance to Atlantis

REMAINS: Of ancient civilsation, while (above), map of where city stood

Spanish Properties Direct Buy or sell a Spanish property privately. No estate agency fees to pay.... Our sister company “French Properties Direct” has successfully operated in France for over four years and now the team is launching in Spain. Using our marketing skills and support services you can sell your Spanish property without using an expensive estate agent. We offer a cost effective, professional, tried and tested service, designed to make selling your Spanish property simple and straightforward. We advertise on major international property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla and for your peace of mind are members of AIPP and the Property Ombudsman Scheme. HAVE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

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XXII 34

PROPERTY

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Madrid Leading Spanish architects scoop

T CELEBRATED: Emilio Tunon

WO Spanish architects have been awarded a ‘lifetime honour’ award by the presitigous Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Ignacio Vicens y Hualde and Emilio Tunon are among seven laureates set to receive 2019 International Fellowships at a ceremony next February. The lifetime honour recognises the contributions of architects internationally and allows recipients to use the initials FRIBA after their names. Tunon, of Tunon and Ruckstuhl Architects in Madrid, has taught in universities around the world and was previously

Cadiz On a steep slope overlooking Playa Alemanes, in Atlanterra, this majestic 400 m² house will be carved into the land through a set of horizontal platforms, protected from the wind by thick concrete pillars. The top floor of this Tunon creation boasts stunning views over the ocean and houses a kitchen and master bedroom. The lower platform houses the pool surrounded by thick pillars, with parking on the floor below.

Casa Caceres This picturesque home by Tunon is to be built using quartzite from Caceres. Inside there are nine cubic rooms each measuring 4.20m2 which connect to the outside through large square oak windows. The stunning home will come complete with a pool for the scorching Andalucian summers.

Valladolid Wine Dome This proposed design is set to rise up on the banks of the river Duero, replicating the neat rows of the surrounding vineyards so precisely it’s almost invisible. Incredibly spacious inside, the Wine Dome is a basic structure of 86m2 with a square courtyard in the centre inspired by medieval monasteries which, according to architect Tunon, ‘treasured the wisdom of wine production’.

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

XXIII 35

November 2018

masters top British award from the RIBA

awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts from the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Hualde, head of Madrid-based Vicens + Ramos Architects, has also taught across the Americas and Europe. His notable works including the School of Communications at the University of Navarra and the Churches of Rivas-Vaciamadrid. Together they are changing the skyline of Spain and Andalucia with their iconic structures. We delved into their portfolio of projects, completed or underway, to bring you the highlights.

Madrid home The construction of this unusual single-family home was carried out on lot #26 of Las Encinas Neighborhood, in Pozuelo, Madrid. The Hualde design has a huge surface area of 14,077.83 m2 and boasts a trapezoidal shape. CONGRATS: Ignacio Haulde

Church of Ponferrada Another divine inspiration has been this imposing modern church in Ponferrada. According to Haulde, the church’s main space is designed as a meeting place ‘for the joyous celebration of the Sacrifice.’ Its layout emphasises community and is littered with symbolic references while the design ensures that the altar, Holy See and pulpit are visible to the entire congregation.

Church of Santa Monica The Madrid-based studio by Hualde was commissioned to create this Cubist-style place of worship for the quickly ballooning population of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, a new residential development 10 miles from the capital. The church has a linear design to make the most of the plot and provide maximum capacity. The building also contains management offices, classrooms and accommodation for two priests.

XXIV 36

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

November 2018

By FX trader Mark Rickard

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Key exchanges

Back to Basics A S the turbulent political arena in the UK goes into overdrive, the Hokey Cokey comes to mind. And hey presto, the volatility in the markets follows. Daily fluctuations for the Pound to the Euro have become addictive viewing (better than Netflix for a currency broker) for many people regularly moving money back and forwards between Britain and Spain. And successful traders and Singapore speculators will now have ordered the fattest, plumpest, organic turkey for Christmas, after the huge profits they have probably made over the last few months. For regular folk, however, volatility just translates to worry, anxiety and more often than not disappointment. The Pound is like Prime Minister Theresa May, caught between the devil and deep blue sea with no place to go or hide… it doesn’t know if it is coming or going at the moment. One minute hitting €1.15 and then next slipping to €1.13 the

Locally-based FX trader Mark Rickard looks at the ways to avoid Theresa May messing up your Christmas - and not missing crucial stage payments

next day. I also didn’t see an olive branch of ‘true belief’ in the draft Brexit document from her cabinet either. I don’t know if, by the time this issue goes to print she will still be in a job. But she claims to be a survivor and vowed to dig in her heels. Cue song by Gloria Gaynor. Help is at hand Whenever geopolitical turmoil rules the markets, a responsible fx trader should be recommending ‘a forward contract’. This fixes the exchange rate for a deliverable date in the future. This ‘peace of mind’ financial tool enables us mere mortals to budget, and know what our costs will be in the months ahead. Last week I recommended this fix deal to some British sellers who

were repatriating their Euros back to Pounds, as well as some British offplan buyers in Marbella to ensure they could cover their regular stage payments well into the new year. Ultimately I am protecting these clients from any downside and giving them less reason to worry. Sure, it might not end up being the best rate they could have achieved .... as an exchange rate might improve when you have a fixed contract. However, they won’t need to be glued to the money markets morning, noon and night for months, stressing over something they are not in control of. There are no costs to buying a forward contract but there can be a cost to not securing the exchange. Most seasoned traders and international commercial directors em-

ploy ‘hedging strategies’ to avoid risking their hard earned profits, the same should apply to your personal

wealth. God bless Theresa May!! And The Pound.

Please feel free to contact me at Key Currency if you have any questions regarding choosing your foreign exchange broker • www.keycurrency.co.uk • Call +44 (0)1872 487 500

www.efpg-raine.com +350 200 65065

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www.inlandandalucia.com November 21st - December 4th 2018

*includes videos *google street maps *full descriptions *chat box

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

VOTED BEST and MOST INFORMATIVE WEBSITE

G R U P O

42.000 €

Alcala la Real - Granada

TH3917

28.995 €

Las Higueras – Cordoba

29.995 €

Alcala la Real - Jaen

TH3925

89.000 €

Alcala la Real - Jaen

69.000 €

Casabermeja – Málaga

CH14

84.950 €

Fuente de Piedra - Malaga

235.000 €

Zagra - Granada

Situated in the beautiful hamlet of Ermita Nueva, this detached spacious 3 to 4 double bedroom townhouse boasts great outside spaces and views over the wonderful Andalucian countryside. Double fronted property with on street parking.

A 3 double bedroom townhouse situated in this historical town in the Jaen region of Andalucia. This great value property has on street parking outside the large solid double doors which takes you in to a wide hallway with steps down to a basement storage area, the hallway leads on to a private internal courtyard.

This beautiful chalet style property sits in one of the most idyllic locations surrounded by views of stunning countryside. It is located within a plot of over 5,000m2 with established almond and olive trees. The living area consists of 2 good size bedrooms a spacious living room with open fireplace and plenty of storage.

275.000 € Villanueva Del Trabuco – Malaga VL774 An amazing property surrounded by stunning views of the countryside. It has a gated entrance which leads on to the private driveway and double garage with electric doors. The grounds consist of mature established planting, a large summer kitchen and a stunning 6m x 4m private swimming pool.

Malaga Office

TH3918

This bargain 4 bedroom townhouse is situated close to the popular town of Priego de Cordoba and boasts views on the wonderful Andalucian countryside. With plenty of on street parking right outside the property.

CJ461

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.

TH3898

Semi detactched townhouse located on a popular urbanisation in the beautiful town of Fuente de Piedra just a short walk to all the local amenities, shops, bars, restaurants and the famous flamingo lagoon and nature reserve which is very popular with bird watchers from far and wide.

CJ273

This is a stunning property, set in a rural location giving views of the beautiful countryside and famous Iznajar lake. It is set within 1500m2 of land and has beautiful private garden patio areas and swimming pool. Offers a well fitted kitchen, lovely dining room, separate lounge, 5 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms.

Jaen Office

Calle de la Villa 14, 29532 Molina, Malaga

Calle Abad Moya 4b, 23680 Alcala la Real, Jaen

info@inlandandalucia.com

contact@inlandandalucia.com

952 74 15 25

953 58 70 40

XXVI 38

PROPERTY

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

HOMESELLERS REPORT

T was mid-2003 when Zoe Males packed up her VW camper van and headed ‘as south as you could’ from her home in rainy Wales. With two young kids and her ex-partner in tow they eventually arrived in the isolated, dusty corner of the Iberian Peninsula, near Mojacar. It was the new life dream they were both after, but the price of buying a home in Almeria didn’t unfortunately fit their budget. “I loved the idea of Mojacar having worked there as an au-pair at 17, but we just couldn’t afford to buy anything there,” explains Zoe, 40, of Olvera Properties. “Then we spotted a house on the market in an inland town called Olvera, which cost just €27,000 and came with a garden. “It sounded perfect and after looking at nine other nearby properties we ended up buying it.” The mother-of-four continues: “Like many people we quickly realised we could not get what we wanted on the coast and we simply moved inland.” The former customer services manager was soon hard at work with her partner renovating the house, and most importantly learning the local language. There were few foreigners living in Olvera - a charming mountain town be-

About turn! It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Welsh agent Zoe Males, of Olvera Properties, since arriving in Andalucia in 2003

tween Ronda and Sevilla - and practi- the town of around 50 miles and takcally none of the locals spoke English. ing in Ronda, Zahara and Algodonales. “I knew I had to learn the lingo and I “We were run off our feet in 2005 and got the biggest Spanish/English dic- 2006, with so many buyers, sometionary I could find and I simply learnt times four to five a day to look after,” hundreds, then thoushe explains. “In one sands of words,” she week we actually sold says. six properties. I got the biggest Her quickly-improving “But by 2008 the crash grasp of the language Spanish dictionary I started to happen and soon led to other buyby 2009 we were hapers asking her for help could find and simply py if we sold one propin local matters and learnt thousands of erty a month.” this led to a job with a So what did she do? words rapidly growing estate She bought the agenagency, run by another cy off the owners, who expat couple Melanie moved back to the UK, and Anthony out of their to find a new life. home in the heart of the town. “It was certainly a tough choice and By 2005 the market had ‘gone wild’ things continued to be tough,” she and the new agency was inundated recalls. “In 2010 we even had six with buyers, looking in a radius around months when we didn’t have a sale. It

was a very tough time.” Meanwhile, she had two more children and eventually teamed up with another business partner Anne Marie, who also came from Wales. Trade however continued to be tough, but the pair somehow managed to survive (with Zoe having to spend much of the year working in the UK) and by 2016, the market finally started to turn. After years of flatlining prices, the number of buyers is rising, alongside the average price of properties. “Thing’s have really picked up in the last couple of years,” explains Zoe. “Last year was really healthy and the first half of 2018 was great. “The amount people are coming with are going up well and with people looking at townhouses that we were selling for €40,000 to €50,000 two

TEAM: Zoe and Anne Marie in Cadiz years ago, now most clients are coming with €70,000 to €80,000, and we’re definitely seeing a lot more interest. “There are also a lot more country property buyers in the €250,000 bracket these days,” she adds. And this is no surprise given how stunning the countryside is around the area, with the landscape and views not dissimilar to the Highlands of Scotland or Snowdonia, but with sunshine. In total Olvera Properties has just over 300 properties on its books. “We know every listing inside out and are good at matching buyers with homes,” explains Zoe, adding that most of her buyers are British. Visit www.andaluciaolveraproperties.com and contact Zoe at olveraproperties@hotmail.com or (0044) 7969 450 206 in the UK or Annemaire on (0034) 686 131 908

Phone: +34 686 131 908 / +34 628 402 957 / UK +44 7969 450 206 email: olveraproperties@hotmail.com Calle Llana Bajo 2, 11690 Olvera, Cadiz, Spain

Olvera Properties A N D A L U C I A

R E A L

E S T A T E

www.andaluciaolveraproperties.com Find the steps to the church and castle and you’ll find us! We specialise in helping you buy property in Olvera, a medieval town in the North of Cádiz province, 1 hour from Jerez & Sevilla airports, inland from the Costa de la Luz, where prices are still reasonable.

SIERRA VISTA 62,000€ ref: AM254

FINCA MAGNA 320,000€ ref: Z479

RUSTIC ECO PROPERTY 195,000€ ref: Z481

FINCA DE LA LUCI, 980,000€ ref: AM263

GARDEN VIEWS 66,000€ ref: Z482

2 bed 2 bath Build: 67m2

3 bed 2 bath Build: 140m2

3 bed 1 bath Build: 140m2

6 bed 4 bath Build: 358m2

2 bed 1 bath Build: 91m2

We have known this house from its very beginnings as a romantic craggy ruin set high up at the top of the town, through to total demolition and its loving reincarnation to what is presented today.

A stunning country finca set in a beautiful part of the Andalusian Hinterland with wonderful views of Zahara de la Sierra. Just a 5 minute drive from Algodonales, an hour to Jerez and Sevilla and about 35 minutes to Ronda.

We love discovering a treasure, and this property sure is one! Set just 45 mins from Seville in the most gorgeous of locations this finca really is stunning.

Here we have a beautifully presented and perfectly wonderful country home that would and has worked as business accommodating larger groups of holiday makers on guided tours.

We love this one, on one of our favourite streets (with my favourite neighbours) with easy walking to the old town, close to the main street in Olvera.

November 21st - December 4th 2018

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With you every step of the way, making sure your dream is realized to the last detail.

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advice

XXVIII

www.theolivepress.es

November 2018

PROPERTY

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Secret to living longer

How a little bit of what you fancy does you good, writes Michael Doherty CEO of the Woodbrook Group

Tranquilo,

they’re on their way home..

FRANCE - ITALY - PORTUGAL

SPAIN - UK - IRELAND

DEFRA AUTHORISED ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION We are Defra Authorised and you can rely on us to take very good care of your pet. We will make sure that they are comfortable and have regular stops to be made a fuss of and carry out neccessary business. Our professional and friendly service will keep them happy until they are reunited with you..

For a quote and some friendly advice

Just Call Jack on the dog & bone.. (+34) 902 109 560

info@unionjackremovals.co.uk

www.unionjackremovals.co.uk

ERE is some good news for expats: moving to Spain could help you live longer. But terms and conditions apply - and the most important one is that you have to adopt the Spanish lifestyle. That may be a problem for Brits who like to stick with the full-English breakfast, Sunday roast and a curry on Friday nights. If, on top of all that, your idea of exercise is walking from your car to the bar to watch a football match, your chances of a long and healthy life will be no greater in Marbella than in Manchester. But if you copy some of the ways of your Spanish neighbours, it could put years on you - in a good way! A report by the Washington-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has predicted that the Spanish are about to overtake the Japanese as the longest-living people in the world. They are outliving the average person in Britain by almost three years and the formula is simple and doesn’t involve running, gym workouts or extreme diets. In the words of one British doctor, the secret of Spanish success is more fruit, more walking and more crumpet. These were the Spanish habits she thought we would all do well to adopt. Take a walk Not a hike, not a marathon, just a regular stroll. Health experts advise that people should walk for ten minutes or more at least four days a week and the Spanish ‘paseo’ ensures you will do just that. The Spanish are also enthusiastic about walking or cycling to work. In Britain, the weather may hold you back. But if you’ve made the move here, you have no excuse. Drink more wine

STRESS RELIEF: Benny Hill knew the secret to a longer life

Well, to be honest, that’s not exactly the advice. But a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fish, nuts and fresh vegetables, accompanied by a glass or two of red wine, can do wonders for both your physical and mental health. “There is little doubt that eating this way is one of the underlying reasons Spanish people are living so long,” said Helen Bond, a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. Take more naps The Spanish may be missing out on this one themselves, since the tradition of the siesta seems to be dying. But, in general, the Spanish practice of a lengthy working day punctuated by coffee breaks and a long lunch is thought to be good for well-being. Enjoy your lunch Britons tend to eat their biggest meal in the evening. A hearty lunch and a smaller evening meal is what the doctor orders. Have more sex That’s the crumpet reference, for those of you too

young to remember Benny Hill. An international survey found that Spanish women had sex an average 2.1 times a week compared with 1.7 times for British women. Spanish men were top of a list of best lovers in a poll of 15,000 women and a survey of dating websites listed Spanish women as ‘the most flirtatious’. As the old Marie Lloyd song had it ‘a little bit of what you fancy does you good’. Take it easy - let Woodbrook do the work for you Avoid stress. Don’t worry about the things you can’t change and plan for those you can. The Woodbrook Group can’t help with your diet or your exercise and we’ve nothing at all to say about your crumpet quota. But we can take some of the stress out of the expat life. We are the leading financial advisers for expats. Unlike many financial advisory companies, Woodbrook is not owned by any financial institution or life insurance group, and so can offer you unbiased and impartial advice. Our experienced consultants can help you balance your savings and investments, by setting up a strategic plan which meets your specific needs. Our expert staff can help you set a plan for getting and keeping your finances in shape - what you do with your body is your own business.

*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 Woodbrook Group is regulated by CySEC.

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

Inmobiliaria - Real Estate

La Serranía Services

Welcome to Serrania Services, Ronda Estate Agents, we are inland property specialists in the Serrania de Ronda, Andalusia. We have properties for sale and to rent in Ronda and the famous White Villages, Pueblos Blancos of the Serrania de Ronda.

Country House, Ronda

Historical townhouse

Historic Quarter

Beautiful country house, pool and guest apartment with stunning views over the Serrania de Ronda and Grazalema. The main house comprises 4, spacious bedrooms, master bedroom with shower and bath, family bathroom, large breakfast kitchen leading out to terrace with spectacular vistas, sitting-room with dining area and feature fireplace.

Townhouse with huge patio enjoying excellent views. A majestic property in good condition comprising 10 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, kitchen and several reception rooms. Would make an ideal Boutique Hotel. In the basement is an old wine-tasting bodega and shop which would convert easily into a cafeteria or restaurant.

Ronda Townhouse with views, pool and gardens. The house has been renovated to a high standard and enjoys a privileged position standing in the Historic quarter and only a short walk to the centre. Large traditional door gives access to the hallway leading to a well equipped, fitted kitchen, utility room, spacious sitting-room with fireplace and storage room.

Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 3

Build: 320m2 Plot: 71,000m2

Bedrooms: 10 Bathrooms: 2

Build: 560m2

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2

Build: 256m2 Plot: 302m2

Ref: 100964

€595,000

Ref: 101280

€249,000

Ref: 101283

€375,000

Finca, Ronda

Grand Ronda Townhouse

Finca, Genal Valley

Finca close to Ronda with excellent views ideal for vineyard, bodega and land 84200 m2. Olives in full production with subsidy. Comprises 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, sitting-room with fireplace. Electricity & water from own well. Good access. Coast 45 km. Malaga Airport 100 km.

Townhouse situated in the heart of Ronda with a splendid interior patio Andaluz. Currently a large family home but is ideal for a Boutique Hotel with all amenities on the doorstep. It retains authentic features with beautiful domed ceilings, arched doorways, splendid windows and marvellous tiling throughout. It has 3 large reception rooms, 2 kitchens, utility area, terrace and 2 patios.

A very light and airy country house, beautifully presented comprising 2 ample size bedrooms, master bedroom en-suite with built-in wardrobe space and dressing area, a large mezzanine can be used as additional accommodation, spacious fitted kitchen containing wood burning stove with oven, separate laundry, doors to patio with views and additional storage housing boiler.

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1

Build: 80m2 Plot: 84,200m2

Bedrooms: 15 Bathrooms: 4

Build: 370m2 Plot: 161m2

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5

Build: 508m2 Plot: 32,391m2

Ref: 101234

€750,000

Ref: 101228

€1,000,000

Ref: 101059

€550,000

tel: (+34) 952 187 313

movil: (+34) 608 765 990

www.laserraniaservices.com

XXX 42

PROPERTY

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November 2018

November 21st - December 4th 2018

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

Banks are now being forced to cough up the stamp duty tax in Spain, but the borrower will probably still pay for it, believes Finance Bureau’s Tancrede de Pola

What’s the point?

EDRO Sanchez has officially reversed the recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling which stated that homebuyers, not banks, should pay the up to 2% stamp duty. It comes after a 15 hour debate over who should pay the tax, known as the AJD, saw judges vote 15 to 13 that the client should foot the bill, NOT the bank. New prime minister Sanchez blasted the Supreme Court after it had already decided in mid-October that the banks - not buyers - should pay, given that the tax benefits them. The court sided with the banks against the people, changing its ruling after outcry from several lenders, who complained that they would have to pay back potentially tens of billions in backdated claims covering the past four years. It led Sanchez to reverse the decision by Royal Decree, which came into effect last week.

However it could mean clogging up the judicial system - already overburdened with floor clause cases - with thousands of retroactive stamp duty claims. The tax is a substantial fee – 1.5% of the loan amount plus the interest payable over the term (equivalent of up

to 2% of the loan amount) - which is paid to the notary and allows banks to start foreclosure proceedings should the client fail to keep up with mortgage payments. For the past 23 years it has been the norm in Spain for borrowers to pay the tax.

While Sanchez is trying to look out for the little man, will his interference actually save them money? Here at the Finance Bureau, one of our lenders in October cancelled the requirement of our clients to pay the AJD tax on all new mortgages. However, in this case, what they gave

in one hand, they promptly took away in the other, as they also raised their interest rates by up to 1% with immediate effect. In the run up to the November 5 ruling, house buyers with binding mortgage offers were being urged to complete as soon as possible as ‘terms will not be so good if the final decision goes against lenders.’ Essentially, banks are not in the business of losing money, meaning the borrower is going to pay one way or another. Other experts have also warned that banks will simply pass on the cost to borrowers in higher mortgage rates or other charges, but the Government denies this will happen, and says it will take steps to prevent it - although it has yet to explain how. In the short run, the change will at least remove a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the mortgage market, which should be good for the housing market. Either way, one can expect to see increased interest rates and more expensive mortgage terms for the buyer.

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

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Resort appeals

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

OVERRULED! Malaga law firm M1 Legal continue their battle against timeshare companies

FOLLOWING on from our Time’s Up La Costa Advertisement in the last edition, we are pleased to announce that actions in the Spanish courts which were subject to appeals by Club La Costa and Anfi Resorts have now been overruled in favour of our clients. M1 Legal are pushing the way forward and fighting on behalf of hundreds of clients who were mis-sold Spanish timeshares. APPEALS FROM TIMESHARE RESORTS OVERRULED IN OUR CLIENTS’ FAVOUR

(UK) PLC Sucursal en España is a Spanish entity and the case should be heard in Spain. The case is now being re-submitted to the court of first instance. There was also a similar decision against Club La Costa the contractual party being Continental Resort Services S.L.

These decisions enable us to re-present many cases to the court of first instance which were originally rejected on the grounds of jurisdiction.

Anfi Resorts S.L. The court of first instance issued a judgement whereby Anfi Resorts had to refund the sum of £19,607 plus interest and also declared that the contract be deemed null and void. Anfi Resorts appealed against the judgement and we are pleased to report that the court of appeal in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has confirmed the original sentence.

FACT!

NOT FICTION, NOT FAKE! Some resorts are claiming that our news reports are fake!

PROOF

We have the court sentence for every case PLUS newspapers will not publish such articles without seeing the proof! All victories are published on our website at www.m1legal.com

FACT

Since the Spanish Supreme Court Ruling was implemented in January 2015, victories are becoming a routine topic at weekly meetings. On top of the latest appeal victories, in the month of October alone, M1 Legal has secured judgements awarding payouts of £100,000.

For any other timeshare What is FACT and what enquiries contact Sharon is FAKE – You Decide! Johnson at sharon@m1legal.com

PROOF’S IN THE MAKING • 404 cases in the Spanish courts • A further 222 being prepared for submission

Real People Real Results! Anfi Group Appeal Victory on 2 counts £19,607 - AWARDED

Anfi Group Triple Victory £38,766 - AWARDED

Anfi Group £31,703 - AWARDED

Anfi Group £23,983 - AWARDED

Call us: 951 562 550 (local) 0800 6101512 (UK)

Visit us: www.ecc-eu.com

As seen on SKY TV

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

BUSINESS

45 45 November 21st - December 4th 2018

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Making its Mark MARKS & Spencer is opening a new store in Malaga. The British favourite has already begun preparing the space on Calle Nueva in Malaga’s city centre. It is the brand’s second store in Spain after it opened a branch in Marbella’s La Canada shopping centre in 2009. The new Malaga location will replace a Sephora. It will be open by next month in time for Christmas.

SOLAR energy could light up Spain with investments worth up to €70 billion by 2030, Secretary for Energy Jose Dominguez Abascal said. Speaking at a conference in Madrid, the politician added: “Spain is going through a unique historical moment, which should be taken advantage of. It’s a great chal-

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Pile in the green lenge, but also a great opportunity for development.” Sunny Spain hopes to have 35% of its energy needs met by renewable energy by 2030, putting it ahead of any other European country. Industry leaders have

ated 19,000 jobs and the sector is set to boom with plans to remove a tax on home and business owners who use solar energy making it an ever more attractive alternative to fossil fuels.

Not so British

BRITISH Airways is reportedly in talks to be considered a Spanish company after Brexit to keep its status as a European carrier. International Airlines Group (IAG) has been seeking the support of the Span-

British Airways seeks to become Spanish company as it steps up preparations for no-deal Brexit

ish government and the European Commission for over a month to stop Brit-

Hook them up!

SPEEDY: Internet for towns

enthusiastically greeted the government’s commitment to renewable energy. Antonio Delgado, from Aleasoft Energy Forecasting, said “We are living a revolution and Spain is a gold mine.” Solar energy firms have cre-

INTERNET companies in Spain must offer every small town in the country high speed internet, the government has ruled. Giants Movistar, Vodafone and Orange must offer at least a 30 Mbps service to 90% of people in towns or localities with less than 5,000 residents by January 1 2020. Currently, only around 32% of these populations have access to internet of 30 Mbps.

ain’s exit from negatively impacting the business. The IAG group, which also owns Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, has registered offices in Madrid but but its operational headquarters are based in London, meaning a no-deal Brexit could be detrimental to the airline. EU rules currently state that more than 50% of an airline must be owned and controlled by member states in order for it to be considered an European carrier - something IAG may struggle to meet after Brexit.

Ahead of Britain’s exit in March IAG - believed to be worth €23 billion - hopes it will continue be considered an EU-based company and therefore covered by same rules. According to three government sources and one from the EU, it will be Brussels that will have to ratify the nationality of the group.

Rail-y good news A SPANISH train builder is on track to create 1,000 jobs in the UK. It comes after manufacturer Talgo decided to build a plant in Scotland to build trains to be used on the first phase of the HS2 high-speed railway project, which will connect London and Birmingham by 2026. Madrid-based Talgo employs more than 2,000 people to construct high speed trains across two factories in Spain and one in Kazakhstan. On choosing Scotland's Fife, President Carlos de Palacio said: “This has been a tremendously challenging mission for Talgo and I have personally seen excellence in all corners of the UK. “It has been a difficult decision to make as the quality has been so high in so many places.”

Party

Following the news of IAG consulting the Spanish government, deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, Tweeted: “Spanish Airways”. IAG was founded in 2011 and is the sixth largest airline company in the world.

SURGE: In UK j0bs

GIBRALTAR FINE WATCHES & JEWELLERY

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with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

www.theolivepress.es

November 21st - December 4th 2018

Rise to the top

A dozen Andalucian bakers have entered Spain’s top bakeries list MOLLETES, barras, pitufos, bastons… a dozen Andalucian bakers are listed in the country’s best places to buy your favourite type of bread. The group have been listed

among the 80 best bakeries, according to the ‘Good Bread Route’, compiled by Panatics, an organisation on a mission to promote good local produce.

Sticky slope

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

‘FAKE’ honey from China is decimating Andalucia’s honey industry, farmers have warned. The produce from the far east - which often comprises rice or corn syrup - is being imported at much cheaper prices, making local produce less competitive and cutting beekeepers’ profits by half. The region has seen a decline in production of up to 50% over the last year, described as near ‘fatal’ by a farming boss. “We cannot compete…Multinationals are importing produce from places like

China, which already accounts for 80% of the honey in Spain,” said Lorenzo Ruiz, of the Farmers Union, in Cordoba. The price of Andalucian honey has fallen from around €4 per kilo to just €2.20 per kilo while Chinese honey costs a maximum €1.10 per kilo. A similar decline can be seen in other regions across Spain and the amount of honey produced nationally fell by 6% in 2017. Andalucia is home to largest number of beehives in Spain with over 600,000 hives producing 7,337 tons

WINNERS: Algatocin bakers Juan and Manuela Three of Malaga’s best include Puerto de la Torre’s Horno de Lena Martin, El Mastren in La Vinuela and Pan Pina, in the tiny village of Algatocin, near Ronda. “We bake 700 loaves a day in our wood oven and we have over 170 different types of bread on offer,” its owner Juan Manuel Moreno, told the Olive Press. As well as baking a golden loaf, which can cost up to €200 each, he has gluten-free, vegan and numerous other types of bread. Much is sold to local Eroski supermarkets on the coast, while he supplies numerous leading restaurants, including Michelin-starred Bardal, in Ronda. The bakery has been open since 1940 and it has been in his family for generations. A firm believer in the Slow Food Movement, he and his wife, Manuela, who have three children, bake bread seven days a week.

The perfect Autumn escape. •

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“Everything should be done with good ingredients and in particular not in a hurry. Local produce is everything and KM-0 is the future,” he added. The new route has been compiled as consumers are turning more and more to supermarket giants at 38%, while 37% remain loyal to their local baker. Despite the 300 types of bread on offer, Spaniards are eating less than ever, consuming 37 kilos per person in 2013, dropping to 32 kilos last year. In a bid to tackle this, Panatics’ Michelin-style route chooses bakeries based on taste, touch, smell and appearance. Nijar’s La Tahona is famous for centuries-old recipes using lengthy fermentation processes. Cordoba’s Panaderia Hermanos Fernandez also featured for its values and passion to serve the community.

Xmas and New Year copy.pdf

16/11/2018

13:02

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL November 21st - December 4th 2018

Fish supper Nov 21st - Dec 4th 2018

In the third part of our serialisation, Fiona Dunlop shares two tasty fish recipes from her book Andaluz – a Food Journey through Southern Spain, available on amazon.es at the end of November

LA ALCADIMA, LANJARON

onzalo Rodriguez, owner of La Alcadima, in Lanjarón, in the Alpujarras, turns out to be a dedicated, impassioned cook: “I studied traditional recipes and talked to old people who told me

about their family dishes. Most of what we serve is Alpujarran as we have such a wealth of ingredients—and we’re lucky to have good soil and water.” Witnessing him work in the kitchen is like watching a tornado, his turbulent energy in

PAGETURNER: Andaluz book is packed with recipes and food history

high contrast to his calm sous chef, Monserrat, who works steadily beside him. “It was the mix of Jews, Arabs, and Iberians that produced the incredible richness of our cuisine,” he explains.

Confit of sardines Moraga de sardinas This dish looks beautiful, even if it’s in a battered old pan. This traditional technique of preserving fish allowed it to be stored for months in a terracotta dish in a cool, dry pantry. However, unless you are very experienced in home canning with the proper equipment, it is best to serve immediately and store any leftovers in the fridge. Serves 4 to 6 1 lb (500 g) sardines, tripes, scales, and heads removed 2 cups (500 ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons pine nuts 12 black peppercorns Salt 1 lemon, sliced 9 oz (250 g) clams, rinsed well 3 bay leaves Lemon for juice Small handful of parsley, chopped

Special Midday Menu 15€ inlcluding 1 drink (weekdays) Open for Christmas Day and New Years Eve with special menu and entertainment

Rinse the sardines well and drain. In a large wide pan or a terracott a dish, low heat, then add the garlic and the pine nuts and saute until just beginnin heat the oil over g to turn golden. Toss in the peppercorns, salt, lemon slices, and clams. Carefully lay the sardines in the oil like the spokes of a wheel, add the bay leaves, then squeeze some lemon juice over the top. Simmer until cooked, about 5 minutes, depending on the size of the sardines (Atlantic ones are bigger than Mediterranean ones), then remove from the heat and scatter with parsley. Serve at room temperature.

Available for Events Fridays Live Music Bar Open Weekends till 01:00 tel: 952 89 50 35 info@restaurantesarmiento.com Wed-Mon: 13:00 to 16.00 & Wed-Sun: 19:00 to 22:30 Crta. de Casares Km 12’5

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authenticity, spontaneity and enjoyment when being around a table

McCamel with fries, please EVER tucked into a llama burger? How about camel or zebra? Well now’s your chance. Popular expat haunt Bar Allioli, in Jimera de Libar, is now offering a staggering 27 different burgers all inspired by the food traditions of different countries. There is the Tunisian-inspired Camel burger, featuring north African spices and yoghurt and served in a pitta bread, and the Hungarian-inspired horsemeat burger with a goulash sauce. Other adventurous meats include byson, ostrich and kangaroo. And if you’re wondering what to wash them down with, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an amazing 70 different bottled beers available, and eight more on tap, all served by friendly owner Paul, who has run the welcoming hotspot for a decade.

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

Bar Allioli

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

Tel: 606 692 753 / 671 501 054

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November 21st - December 4th 2018

EL FARO DE CADIZ

randson of the founder of the legendary Faro restaurant, Mario Jimenez Cordoba (pictured right) is on a mission for change. “This place opened back in 1964,” his eyes widen, “so there’s a lot to renovate.” But nothing alters the steady

rhythm of the piscatorial seasons or El Faro’s reputation as THE place for fish, rice, and seafood in Cadiz whether at the packed tapas bar or in the calmer restaurant. Right now red mullet is ending, and the famous almadraba season is beginning. “We just had 60

November 21st - December 4th 2018

restaurant | lunch and dinner

pounds (27 kg) of fresh Bluefin tuna delivered from Barbate!” He summons the kitchen ‘fisherman’ who emerges clutching a giant corvina, then shows me mountains of shrimp from Sanlucar. In this treasure trove of the ocean, every dish reflects tradition, freshness, and long

restaurant | lunch and dinner

El Faro’s fish soup with orange Caldillo de perro Typical of El Puerto de Santa Maria, the port across the bay from Cadiz, this tangy fish soup is said to date back to the Re-conquest when its odd Spanish name was coined. Allegedly, Christians who were brought from the north to live in Cadiz called all pork-averse Muslims ‘dogs’ (perros). For some reason, the fish soup gained the same nickname. What’s in a name though? The soup is delicate with a faint orange flavor, and since Mario insists that, “odd numbers are very important in a garnish,” make it three fennel fronds, not two. Serves 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cloves garlic, skinned and sliced 2 onions, chopped 4. quarts (4 liters) hot water 2 potatoes, sliced into half-moons

Salt 1 lb 5 oz (600g) fresh white fish steaks, such as hake, with bones and skin Generous . cup (200 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice Zest of 1 orange Fennel fronds, to garnish

Remove with a slotted In a deep saucepan, heat the oil and fry the garlic until golden. garnish. the for aside set and pan, the in oil the leaving spoon, (2 liters) of the water, Add the onion to the pan and saute. until translucent. Pour in 8. cups ly until the potatoes vigorous Simmer salt. of pinch a with season and add the potato slices, the fish steaks into are nearly done, though still firm at the core, about 10 minutes. Lower e to simmer vigoContinu juice. orange the with water the the liquid and pour in the rest of rously until the fish is cooked, about 7 minutes. the potatoes and divide Remove the fish and set it aside. Using a slotted spoon, remove them if necessary, them among serving bowls. Arrange the fish pieces on top, cutting fennel fronds. Pour the some and garlic fried with garnish and zest, orange with sprinkle broth into a jug to serve at the table.

Time for tea ENJOY traditional afternoon tea in the elegance of Olivia’s idyllic, sun drenched terrace every Saturday from 12 noon to 5pm. The La Cala restaurant’s three-tiered gold stand boasts finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, home-made jam and a delicious selection of cakes and pastries. The deal is just €20 per person and for €35 you can upgrade to the unlimited cava package!

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