Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 313 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

As spring blooms in Spain, don’t miss Andalucia’s Property most King of cool colourful Property Magazine s a’ ty ag er al op e M pr azin st be mag

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Issue 27

March 2019

Know what this is? It’s just helped an architect win the world’s most prestigious prize

March 13th - March 26th 2019

See Legacy on page VI

Spanish maestro celebrated for five decades in the business, see STARchitect page XII

STILL HOT SIMPLE, INTRICATE AND STYLISH: Bofill’s works are all, or a mixture, of the three

FREE INSIDE

RITISH buyers in Spain have beaten pre-Brexit referendum records despite the doom and gloom, new figures have revealed. Shrugging off the UK’s imminent departure from the EU, the sale of homes to plucky Brits rose 12% in 2018 to 10,178 - beating the 2016 record of 10,156. While UK buyers declined significantly in the quarters after the referendum in June 2016, and by a massive 28% in the last quarter of 2016, they started recovering to increase by double-digits

The Brits have not stopped investing in Spanish property with a 12% rise in purchases last year

last year. It means the UK’s share of the foreign market has been steadily increasing from a low of 14% in the first quarter of 2017 to 17% at the end of 2018. Although this is not yet back to the levels prior to the referendum

due to other nationalities flooding the market, it is expected to rise again this year. According to property expert Mark Stucklin, of Spanish Property Insight, the weakness of Sterling against the Euro was the leading cause of the drop in demand. “Once the Pound stabilised at a lower level British demand also stabilised and then began to grow again,” he explained. Continues on Page III

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Vol. 13 Issue 313 www.theolivepress.es March 13th - March 26th 2019

Romanian swap

British expat trades in his British passport for Romanian one to keep freedom of movement A BRITISH citizen has swapped his UK passport for a Romanian one because of Brexit.

Expat Nenei Newman, who has lived in Spain for 15 years, revealed he made the move to guarantee his right

See page 5

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EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

to freedom of movement. The builder, whose mother is Romanian, told the Olive Press last night: “I want to travel around Europe freely, and I have a life here, I don’t want to have to get a visa or become a third national.” The 41-year-old, who lives in the Axarquia, added: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have applied for Romanian citizenship before the referendum, but when Leave won and after seeing the mess being made by politicians I thought it was the best option for me. “I don’t regret it.” Newman insists he still loves the UK and hopes it will recover from Brexit’s side effects - despite the daily racism he suffered there.

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“I was so disappointed by the result, but I understand why Leave won,” he added. “So many people who wanted to cut down immigration have been influenced by the biased media, who only wrote negative things about people like me. “Yet I worked incredibly hard every day to be on building sites for 6am and never complained. “That was despite me and my mother both receiving regular racist abuse” He added: “That said, I

am still proud to have grown up in London and I still admire the British and will always support them 100%.” His decision comes as a nightmare no-deal scenario is still a likely outcome just days before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. Some 700,000 Brits believed to be living in Spain are particularly at risk, with healthcare, pensions and travel all points of concern. Brexit Shambles, page 5

Passport power In the 2019 Global Passport Ranking, compiled by the CEOWORLD magazine, the UK ranked below Spain, the UAE and 16 other European and Asian countries. The list ranks the passports of 193 countries and six other territories by counting the number of countries each passport can access without an advance visa. Romania was only 16 places behind the UK but that could change if visas become a requirement after the UK leaves the EU.

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Fight the power! Pylon the pressure THE Olive Press is this week launching a campaign to protect two of Andalucia’s most emblematic areas from a destructive electricity project. Our ‘Fight the Power’ battle comes as more than 4000 written allegations were submitted in opposition to the massive electrification scheme that will see 80m-high pylons spanning the Lecrin and Alpujarras valleys of Granada. This is despite a joint study by Granada and Cambridge universities estimating that a loss to businesses in the area will amount to €16 million a year. “We’re delighted the Olive Press is taking up our cause and I really hope we can save this stunning area,” said celebrated British writer Chris Stewart, of Driving Over Lemons fame, who lives in the Alpujarras.

Support

Fellow expat Michelle Howard, who has lived in Lecrin for almost 20 years, added: “It’s great news that your paper will be mounting a campaign to support Di No A Las Torres against these destructive plans!” Their allegations were presented by the campaign groups last week in Granada. Under the scheme, the 220-kilovolt cables will cover a distance of 182 kilometres between Almeria and Granada, with 362 pylons and with a 14,000 square metre substation built in Saleres. A spokesperson from Red Electrica insisted it was a positive project, telling the Olive Press last night: ‘the better the electricity network, the better the tourism’. See Pylons in Paradise, page 6 & 7

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

Running again CARLES Puigdemont, the former Catalan premier who fled Spain to avoid charges of rebellion in October 2017, has announced he will run as a candidate in the European parliament elections on May 26.

High-lying LUXURY cars, a villa in Sotogrande, jewellery and wanton €5,000 purchases - the lavish lifestyle of Antonio Tejon drug mogul wife led police to the alleged drug trafficker’s door in a raid on Tuesday.

Uncovered POLICE have arrested in Marbella two Spanish men, aged 35 and 40, for stealing 375 manhole covers across Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola. The covers are valued at more than €160,000.

Neighbours in shock after British man allegedly murders muchloved Spanish wife of 30 years TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a ‘kind and generous’ Spanish mother, allegedly stabbed to death by her British husband in Estepona. Neighbours told the Olive Press how Gloria Tornay, 58, had been round for a drink with her husband Geoffrey Elton, 55, on

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

the eve of the brutal murder, adding that ‘nothing seemed wrong’. Retired satellite technician Elton went home at 7pm to ‘put a lamb’s leg in the oven’, befo-

Marco was a marked man POLICE believe a popular Marbella businessman killed outside his villa had been a money man for Ireland’s biggest mafia gang. Spanish detectives have told an Irish newspaper that Marco Yaqout, 49, who was shot at more than 20 times in San Pedro, worked for the Kinahan clan. Investigators initially believed Marco, who co-owned popular bar Linekers and other nightspots in Puerto Banus, was targeted after he was suspected of stealing from the cartel, led by Daniel Kinahan. However detectives now suspect another motive after learning the entrepreneur had an ‘excellent’ relationship with the Kinahans, based in Estepona for many years. A source told the Irish Sun: “It

SLAIN: Marco has been established beyond doubt that he was acting as a money launderer for the Kinahan cartel.” There is no suggestion that any of Yaqout’s business partners or the nightclub itself were involved in laundering or aware of his criminal activities. Police are also exploring reports the murder was linked to the 400 million timeshare ‘pyramid scheme’ operated by murdered gangster, John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer.

TRAGEDY: Elton ‘killed Gloria after losing his mind’ re Tornay was found dead at 11:45pm in the couple’s bed. During the vicious attack the week of International Women’s Day she received 10 stab wounds to her chest and back, cuts to her arms and hands. He then attempted to kill himself by slashing his wrists. Police sources confirmed there had been so much blood through the house in the leafy Forest Hills area that police could not figure out where the attack began. “Gloria was my best friend. I could confide in her about everything. She was generous, kind, hard-working,” the Spanish neighbour, who gave her name as Carmen, told the Olive Press. “It’s incredible that we had been socialising with them just a few hours earlier and he had even been cradling my granddaughter in his arms. “He must have completely lost his mind.” Tornay, from Montejaque, used to run a bilingual school for children in Cancelada, before changing jobs to work for Elton’s mother, Carol James, who

runs a maintenance company. Elton, who spoke fluent Spanish, used to run a business installing satellite dishes along the Costa del Sol. He had lived in the same urbanisation with his wife for more than 20 years and had supported her through significant tragedy over recent years, including the death of her sister and brother, both allegedly from suicide. An ex-associate described Elton as ‘lacking humour’ and ‘not the kind of person you could sit down with a beer and take the mickey out of’. Reports suggested Elton had locked his 15-year-old son out of the house around 11:30pm before police were alerted by neighbours to a heated discussion that ended with Tornay dead. Elton was rushed to hospital where his critical condition stabilised on Sunday and he has now in custody awaiting trial as an investigation into homicide is underway. Estepona observed three days of mourning while her hometown of Montejaque held a five-minute silence on Sunday in remembrance.

LAWYERS for the family of well victim Julen Rosello have appealed against a judge’s decision to reject evidence he could have been killed by a rescue worker’s pickaxe. Antonio Flores, from legal firm Lawbird, believes that little Julen’s fatal injury was caused from a pickaxe blow. His report, based on the preliminary autopsy, rules that at least four blows ‘penetrated at least 35cm’ into the earth covering Julen in the well.

Illegal

However, the judge in Malaga said the report was not based on the findings of an ‘expert’, as the final autopsy has not been presented. Lawbird is representing uncle David Serrano, who owned the land in the Axarquia on which the illegal well had been dug and is facing charges of ‘reckless homicide’. Serrano’s team responded insisting the report was made ‘in good faith’ and is also based on reports by the Guardia Civil. The report claimed that eight hairs from the minor were found on the end of the pick. Lawbird argues the judge’s decision to reject it puts Serrano at a ‘clear disadvantage’.

BRAZILIAN authorities in Santos have confiscated 1.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden among boxes of green limes on a cargo ship bound for Algeciras.

Brutal

AG A

When life throws limes

Julen case picked apart

NEWS IN BRIEF

March 13th - March 26th 2019

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Liam v Damon,

NEWS

Joint arrival THEY have famously fallen out on numerous occasions, often coming to blows. When it comes to rock rows, few run as deep as the one between Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher. So it is intriguing - and somewhat incredible - that the pair will both be headlining festivals in Spain on the very same night this summer. But before the rumour-mongers get excited they are playing hundreds of miles apart, with Liam Gallagher playing at BBK in Bilbao on July 11 and brother Noel (below) playing at Mad Cool, in Madrid that night. And, as Liam said a couple of years ago: “I’d rather eat my own shit than be in a band with him again.”

FROM the man who once claimed to have slept with 3,000 women comes a new vainglorious gloat: at the age of 75, Julio Iglesias ‘swims naked’ to keep fit. It is unknown if he sticks to his mantra of having sex every day, but the singer admitted his secret to staying fit while on his 50th anniversary tour included wine and ‘two to three hours’ of sport and aquatic liberation. Spain’s most successful singer kicked off his golden tour in Texas, where he introduced a pair of dancers, saying: “Tango is

BRIT ICON: Blur’s Damon Albarn

Shooting stars

Music fans are spoilt for choice with BEST EVER list of stars performing in Spain this year

TONY Hadley, Fatboy Slim and Elton John are just three of the amazing acts coming to Spain this summer. The British superstars are joined by Franz Ferdinand, Kings of León and New Order, who are set to headline the Low festival in Benidorm this summer. Meanwhile Iggy Pop, the Cure and the Chemical Brothers land in Madrid, while Oasis stars Noel Gallagher and brother Liam play in the country

Baring all

NOT SHY: Julio the music that, if you dance, you get pregnant, even if you are taking the pill.”

All white on the night

part II

NE of Spain’s top music festivals will pitch Liam Gallagher (left) against Damon Albarn for the first time in Spain. The British legends - who famously fought for the UK’s number one slot with their bands Oasis and Blur in the 1990s - are to headline BBK festival in Bilbao this summer. Fortunately on different nights, Liam Gallagher will play under his own name, while Albarn will perform with his new band The Good, the Bad & the Queen. And to add a bit of extra British sizzle to the mix, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke will be on hand to perform his new album Tomorrow's Modern Boxes.

March 13th - March 26th 2019

PENELOPE Cruz wowed in white at Chanel’s final fashion show directed by its late creative director Karl Lagerfeld. The Spanish actress blended in with the winter wonderland theme and snow-covered runway, donning a long-sleeve top with several ruffles, a furry skirt, statement belt and platform shoes. The stunning Madrileno shared pictures of the wintry scene at the Grand Palais in Paris, which became ‘Chalet Gardenia’, and included snow-covered mountains, log cabins and a snowy runway. “What an honour to walk the last Chanel show designed by Karl. What an emotional moment!” she wrote. Lagerfeld died on February 19 from a short illness at age 85.

CRUZ-ING: On-screen star Cruz takes to the catwalk MUSIC ROYALTY: Cook, Elton and Tony Hadley ON THE VERY SAME DAY in July. Former Spandau Ballet frontman Hadley is to play at the Puente Romano Tennis Club on August 10. He will be joined during the Marbella Music Week by The Jacksons two days before. Other huge draws on the Costa del Sol this summer, include Rod Stewart and The Beach Boys. The California legends will be performing as part of Marbella’s Starlite Festival, while Stewart stars at Fuengirola’s Marenostrum Castle Park in July. Bob Dylan is also coming to Fuengirola as part of his Never Ending world tour. Meanwhile, Spain’s biggest music festival FIB has confir-

med Fatboy Slim, Kings of León, The 1975 and Franz Ferdinand. The Benicassim festival has just added 12 other new acts for its 25th anniversary edition, including Kodaline, Lana del Rey and George Ezra. Other big names rocking out Spain this summer, include Elton John in Madrid on June 26 and Ed Sheeran, also in the capital, on June 11. Another exciting festival in Valencia, 4ever, has confirmed British favourites Keane and Tears for Fears will be playing alongside Spanish giants Los Planetas. Madrid’s Mad Cool festival has one of the best line ups to date featuring Bon Iver, The Chemical Brothers, Iggy Pop, the National and the Cure.

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I’ll speak out more! A SPAIN-based Hollywood star faces eight year in jail in his native Egypt for speaking out against the regime. Amr Waked, who lives in

SENTENCED: Waked

Barcelona, has been sentenced by a military court for ‘publishing fake news and insulting the state institutions’ of President Sisi. It comes after the star of Syriana and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen tried to renew his passport in 2017 but was rejected by the Egyptian embassy in Spain. The 45-year old said: “I’m a civilian, I don’t know why I’m on military trial.” Waked has been outspoken on Sisi’s targeting of political opponents and believes the charges are an attempt to silence him. He said: “This will not stop me. On the contrary it will make me more vocal.”

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NEWS IN BRIEF Roman relics THE Roman ruins of Italica, near Sevilla, are expected to become a candidate for elevation to UNESCO world heritage status following a campaign by civil association CIVISUR.

Grounded THE EU has suspended the use of the new Boeing 737-MAX 8 planes, after nine Britons and two Spaniards were killed when an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed after taking off from Addis Ababa.

Brexpact A SPECIAL committee has been formed, comprising the 11 departments of the Junta de Andalucia, to introduce measures that will reduce the impact of Brexit on Andalucia’s 70,000 British residents, citing that the UK is the region’s top customer for tourism.

Mercadona MERCADONA has unveiled in Valencia its first macro warehouse exclusively dedicated to online orders, with plans to open a dozen more in a bid to challenge internet retailers Carrefour and Amazon.

Girl power WOMEN across Spain have organised 500 protests across the country on International Women’s Day. Students in Madrid and Barcelona went on strike at midday to highlight the crucial role of women in society. Feminist group, Comisión 8M, said the aim of the marches was ‘subverting the world order and the pervading hetero-patriarchal, racist and neoliberal rhetoric’. Meanwhile, in the Andalucian parliament the 12 deputies of the far-right Vox party are the only politicians to reject the calls of the left-wing PSOE for political groups to join the strikes. It comes as President of the region, Juan Manuel Moreno, is set to create a working group to tackle gender violence.

NEWS

Hundreds of animals facing death after generational farm ‘cut off’ after ‘offending’ new residents A BRITISH expat is campaigning to save a herd of cows after a local farmer’s electricity and water supplies were ‘cruelly’ cut off by the town hall. Julie Crowson, 59, is supporting Jose Luis Sanchez Real, 56, whose 485 dairy cows are facing ‘almost certain death’. It comes after the farm in Rota which has been in Jose’s family for generations - had its water supply cut off without warning following ‘a string of complaints’ from neighbours. To make matters worse, electricity was severed a few days later leaving the family desperate for a generator to milk their cows.

€100m on public projects ESTEPONA Council has spent €100 million on public works since 2011, it has been claimed. Mayor Jose Maria Garcia

NEW: Hospital

Urbano has spent the money on several large projects, including the new athletics stadium, which cost €6 million. A further €10.5m has been spent on the gardens and plants, leading to the ‘greatest transformation the city has ever experienced’. This year’s budget will see more money going to the construction of Estepona Hospital, to the tune of €15 million.

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Save the cows! By Joshua Parfitt

“Cutting off the water supply is just cruelty to animals,” Crowson told the Olive Press. “I don’t care if the mayor comes after me, I don’t want the cows and a family to be destroyed.” It’s not Crowson’s first battle with mayor Javier Arana after she thwarted his efforts to bring back bullfighting to the town two years ago. The expat, who has lived in the town for 30 years, famously kissed a bull as part of her campaign to raise awareness.

FARMER: Jose Real

CAMPAIGNER: Julie Crowson with endangered cow She has now taken up the cause of farmer Jose, who has worked on the farm since he was 12. According to the town hall, complaints of smell by nearby urbanisations, which have sprung up over the last decade, led to a court order forcing his relocation. However, farmer Real insisted the council was merely planning to ‘slaughter’ his cows, give him money for the meat and charge him €31,000 for the service. “They are threatening me, yet my cows have the best genetic indices in all of Andalucia. And while I know I must leave, it will cost me €1.5 million to rebuild

my farm,” he told the Olive Press this week. “I don't have that kind of money.” Mayor Arana, from the PSOE, defended the decision, telling Rota al Dia he had given Sanchez a ‘month’s warning’ about imminent cuts to provisions. However the warning letter shown to this paper, dated November 29, did not specify any dates. “With elections coming up on May 27 I imagine the mayor is hoping to fulfil a campaign pledge,” Crowson, who will be creating an online petition, added.

NEWS

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Maddie doc gearing up AN in-depth documentary on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is expected to be released this month. The Netflix series - which involved the Olive Press - will re-tell the harrowing story of the most famous missing persons case in European history. A series of interviews with dozens of investigators, journalists and friends of the family will piece together how the three-year-old went missing from her holiday home on the Algarve in 2007. The documentary, which started filming in

October 2017, is expected to be presented in up to eight parts. The Olive Press worked with the production company Pulse Films for a number of days, as its editor Jon Clarke was among the first journalists on the scene. The documentary has faced a big backlash from Maddie’s family, who claimed it ‘could hinder’ the continuing search effort for their daughter.

Something in the water EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith

POLICE have been called in after a series of dogs died after drinking lake water at a popular beauty spot. The Guardia Civil environmental arm Seprona has taken water samples after up to six dogs collapsed from drinking at Lake Istan, near Marbella. One expat, American Livia Taravella, 39, from Florida, told the Olive Press she was ‘devastated’ after her dog became the fourth pet to be poisoned from the water in just one week.

Dog poisoner returns!

A DOG has died and four more have been poisoned in Marbella. The shocking news comes as fears grow that an apparent pet poisoner has returned. Owners have now been warned not to walk their dogs in the La Campana area, where 15 pets were poisoned in October 2017. Borja, a vet at UrVet clinic in Marbella, raised the alarm over the shocking events. The medical expert claimed the five dogs, which he treated, were ‘the same as before’. He added that inhaling the substance ‘can cause death,’ but could not identify what it was. He also insisted children should not enter the area until it had rained and the substance was washed away.

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Unhappy hour BRITS caught drinking on Marbella’s paseo maritimo this summer could be fined €3,000 thanks to a new crackdown on boozy tourists. Happy hours have also been banned in popular resorts across Spain following an international summit to battle unruly holidaymakers in Mallorca last month. The result has been to declare zones of ‘special tourism interest’ where police will work to control drinking and bad behaviour. It means from April 1 to September 30, tourists face €3,000 penalties if caught drinking alcohol or eating in the street. Bars will be fined for offering happy hour deals.

End of the line €15,000 military operation as fish and chip shop owners return to the UK with 50 dogs and cats in tow

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

POISONED: Skye Taravella recalled how her one-year-old pet Skye became violently ill and died in just 15 minutes. “I just don’t know how to handle it,” the mother-of-one said. “Why would someone put poison down by the lake, or in it. I don’t understand.” The heartbroken expat said: “Everything was fine until we got to the water and drank some. “Almost immediately her eyes began looking very droopy, she lost her balance and almost fell into the lake. Just quarter of an hour later she was dead.” There are various theories about what could have killed the dogs, although one neighbour, who lives by the lake, believes they were poisoned by a naturally occuring algae or cyanobacteria that grows on stagnant lakes. “I live here and I am 100% sure it’s coming from the algae,” she said. “It is illegal to swim in it, because it is stagnant, it’s not some local going around killing dogs.”

A BRITISH couple have returned to Blighty with 50 dogs and cats in tow. Fish and chip shop owners Jacqui and Tim Kerswell, 44, spent €15,000 to get their beloved pets home to the UK after making the decision to relocate. The pair, who ran Tim’s Fish & Chips, in Duquesa, have returned to their farm in Devon with 32 cats and 18 dogs, over two legs and with a van completely full. “Pets are like children: if you can’t take care of them, then don’t have them,’’ Jacqui, 54, told the Olive Press. The military operation took months to prepare, particularly as they had to carefully place the pets in cages to avoid them fighting on the route. “Spain is a prime spot for abandoned dogs and cats, but many expats also abandon their pets because they don’t want to fork out for transport,” added Jacqui. ‘’We haven’t got a lot of money, but I would rather go without food than see my animals suffer.” The pair, who lived in the small village of Algatocin, near Ron-

Brexit shambles By Tim McNulty

THERESA May has lost a second meaningful vote on her proposed withdrawal agreement, with only 17 days to go until Brexit. MPs heavily rejected the Prime Minister’s ‘improved deal’ by 149 votes after May lost the first vote in January by a historic 230 vote margin. May immediately announced Parliament will get a vote today (March 13) on whether to leave the EU without a deal. If MPs reject the no-deal option, there will be a further vote on a potential extension of Article 50. May said: “Voting against leaving without a deal, and for an extension, does not solve the problems we face. “The EU will want to know what use we want to make of that extension. The house will have to answer that question.”

Humiliating

LOADED UP: Jacqui in van with pets and (inset) with Tim in fish and chip shop da, rescued every one of their to be walked every four to five pets from around their home hours. over the last decade. According to the owner of Each was given a microchip and transport company Paw’s pet passport and they have all Transport Service, Diana Laubeen vaccinated against rabies - rie, it is the single biggest trip a process costing between €80- she has heard of. €150 each. She explained that a total of 28 They also had to be dewormed separate cages were fitted with and had to be checked by the ‘non-spill water bowls’, while couple’s vet Pablo Gonzalo the cats had special hiding spafrom Mediterranea Vet Practi- ces to relax. ce, within five days of travelling. “Everything has gone to plan… “They are wonderful people and and it is a lovely story about two very pet-friendly,” he said. nice people who weren’t going Both journeys to the UK took to leave one of their beloved 36 hours, with the dogs needing pets behind,” Laurie said.

Sell Quickly & Professionally

The humiliating defeat comes despite the last-minute concessions May secured from Monday’s summit with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. “This is the moment and this is the time – time for us to come together, back this motion and get the deal done, ” said May ahead of the vote. A total of 75 Conservative MPs rebelled against the deal whereas three Labour MPs rebelled against their leader by voting in favour. In a statement the EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier said: “The EU has done everything it can to help get the Withdrawal Agreement over the line. “The impasse can only be solved in the UK. Our “nodeal” preparations are now more important than ever before.” A total of 75 Conservative MPs rebelled against the deal whereas three Labour MPs rebelled against their leader by voting in favour.

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FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

March 13th - March 26th 2019

SHOCK: How the pylons could look if the project go ahead

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 Humiliation HUMILIATED by yet another heavy defeat on her brexit deal, Theresa May’s authority is now well and truly shattered. Her desperate pleas and bribes were not nearly enough to overturn the historic defeat she suffered in January. A route out of the latest Brexit disarray is for Parliament to wrestle back control by extending Article 50 in today’s vote. And then to order another referendum and, next time, for everyone to vote understanding the full implications, with no lies and spin. For expats, fearing the loss of their pensions and access to healthcare, anything to ward off the UK’s looming exit date now is worthy of pursuit. May’s attempts to run down the Brexit clock has backfired spectacularly forcing her to concede Tuesday’s vote and possibly over the coming days her premiership. Expats currently watching this pitiful climax to three years of work will hope that any time added on will usher in a renewed focus on their plight.

Separate lives TRIBUTES have poured in for Spanish mother Gloria Tornay, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her British husband of 30 years, Geoffrey Elton at their home in Estepona. Gloria’s neighbour Carmen was among those grieving, as she described her friend as ‘generous, kind and hard-working’. Her words contrasted sharply however, to the news that neighbours had shared a drink with Gloria and Geoffrey hours before the brutal murder. These details demonstrate how quickly life can change and that you never know what is going on behind closed doors. Although the dust has not yet settled on this tragedy, it is clear that locals were surprised such a horrific crime could have occured on their doorstep. Many expats can feel isolated and lonely in Spain, and conversation is so important for our mental health. If you notice a neighbour or someone in the community acting strangely, offer a friendly face and do not hide away behind the walls of your urbanization.

Publisher/ Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

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Pylons in paradise In the heart of Spain’s Driving Over Lemons country, residents and celebrities are gearing up for a David and Goliath battle to stop a chain of mega pylons from wrecking their rural idyll By Tim McNulty, Charlie Smith & Joshua Parfitt

“

In the softening light of the afternoon I drove high up and found a spot where I could see the whole valley, green and lovely and apparently inaccessible.” That is the description of life in one quiet corner of Granada’s Alpujarras by one of the founding members of Genesis, Chris Stewart. Writing in his seminal book Driving Over Lemons, published in 1999, the ex-drummer extols the rolling beauty of the fertile hills that sit below the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. After buying his El Valero farm near Orgiva in 1988 with wife Ana, Stewart - like many other expats of the era - upped sticks and left the UK in search of a simpler life. But that paradise, home to thousands of

Fight the power! On the eve of Andalucia day, we look at the history of one its most famous group of residents, gypsies

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ELECTRIC SHOCKER Celebrities join furious expats and locals to stop ‘abomination’ of pylons set to ruin series of celebrated tourist valleys

POWER STRUGGLE: Christ

(Free or paid for)

Stewart and Dr Robert (inset

Mijas Costa

POWERLESS: The Holdups

Black out

A BRITISH expat couple are facing a ‘disaster’ after they learnt one of the ‘monstrous’ electricity masts (left) is to be built in their back garden. Steve Holdup, 62, and wife Karen, 61, who live on a self sufficient farm near Orgiva, could ironically even lose their sole source of power from solar panels, which are in the way. The retired teachers, who moved from Cumbria a decade ago, claim they have been kept in the dark by energy company REE, and only found out about the pylon from a friend. Steve told the Olive Press: “From having a fantastic house we rebuilt from scratch ten years ago, we’ve ended up with a disaster. “We put all of our life saving into it and now we face having to live with a 220 volt tower directly behind our home.” If built, the tower and adjoining service road will cut right through their field of 13 solar panels. “So somebody in Germany gets a load of electricity from Morocco as a result of putting a tower at the back of our house and we end up losing the little electricity we have for ourselves.” He added: “It has been done in the most chevalier fashion you could imagine.

above) join long, snaking protest against pylon project Over Lemons novel made the EXCLUSIVE gion famous - added his name toreWhile supposedly necessary to take By Tim McNulty growing collective of campaigninga electricity from Morocco to Europe, Howard, who has lived in the Lecrin expats battling the proposal. it is set to ruin the untouched beauty Valley for two decades, told the Olive Press: “The These include former 80s star Doc- again private financial interests are of the area, enjoyed by tens of thou- massive pylonsproject to take these tor Robert, from the Blow Monkeys, riding roughshod over the will and sands of nature lovers across our valley is each year. an abomination. It will have devasthe rights of the people, leaving, as The Di No A Las Torres (Say No To tating who li- ever, a wake consequences ves in the tion,” Stewart of heedless destruc- The Towers) group argues high vol- lly and economically. environmentatold the Olive Press, tage towers would have n e a r b y this week. a ‘devastating effect’ on tourism and agricul- “It’s a magical place, a ‘Vale Of HaL e c r i n “One day the ppiness’, as the Moors called it, V a l l e y , reasonable, tide will turn and more ture, as well as health. place of natural beauty and conser-a which is prevail; but sustainable ways will A petition has been launched, while vation. TM seemingly a not protest saw over a thousand peoyet; so... also set to it’s back to ple march near the village of Con- “These giant pylons will scar the be badly The outragethe barricades again.” landscape, could destroy the local a f f e c t e d vealed energycomes after it was re- char on Sunday. tourist businesses and ravage company Red Electri- The protest, which included the by the ca de España (REE) many environment. plans to install expats and children, is the start project. See pages 40 of “There are no benefits at all a network for local “ O n c e across the of some 211 giant pylons many to stop the scheme. two valleys. Blow Monkeys singer Robert people - we must fight to stop them.” Ecotourism is vital to the region, which was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017, mainly for having some of the world’s oldest oli*Offer ends 30/11/18. Not ve groves. valid for renewals. Subjec t to conditions. Some 245 businesses work in UK BASED rural tourism and the valley which is set to have 109 of the pylons - receives an estimated 8,000 visitors every weekend. Reliable private hire transfer The figures for the Alpujarras, 2/8/18 17:01 for any services occasion which will see pylons stretfor Spanish • Luxury vehicles ching all the way to the Alme• Door to door service ria border, are certainly much residents • Airport collections higher. • Weddings transport Scottish expat Teresa Mcwww.globelink.co.uk See page 2 • Sightseeing day trips Keon, 49, who has been at the • Restaurant shuttles forefront of the campaign, told the Olive Press: “The whole Find out more at: 96 626 5000 place is going to be destroyed www.simply-shuttles.com it is just awful... it really is aw+44 (0) 1353 699082 tel: 951 279 117 ful.” www.eliteglasscurtains.com X-GENESIS drummer Chris Stewart has joined the fight against a ‘motorway’ of power lines planned for Andalucia’s iconic Alpujarras region. The British author - whose Driving

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PARADISE LOST: The beautiful vistas under threat from mega pylons and (above our front page last issue expats and locals alike, is now under threat. types of complaints against the plans was The Junta de Andalucia has given partia- fortunately extended to March 7, such was lly state-owned company Red Electrica the the outpouring of rage. green light to install a neOne form alleges that the twork of 362 giant electricity pylons would be damaging pylons across the Alpujarras for local business, including “I think the and neighbouring Lecrin Vatourism, while the other electricity lley. claims the unique flora and Stretching over more than fauna of the area would be company thought 100km of rural landscape, put at risk. the blueprints include towers it would be a big Michele Howard is one loup to 80m high, which has cal British expat who has walkover” campaigned against the enraged plans and has been gaFlight Risk lc oomcmau -l thering some of the 4,000 alegaciones (claim) forms sent to Grananities. More than 200 protected species could be The long, ugly line of da City Hall and other local councils by affected by the power lines, of which metal has no human lo- residents. over half are birds. They include the gic, arriving as often on The wife of Blow Monkeys singer Dr Robert the peaks of hills as in told the Olive Press that she and other camiconic Bonelli’s eagle which is unpaigners have been collecting a cardboard the gardens of locals. der threat of extinction. Thousands of people box full of forms every day, since they found The large bird of prey is underare affected and the about the infrastructure project last month. going a serious decline in Spain proposed route, which “I think the electricity company thought it mostly due to electrocution, begins in Fargue in the would be a big walkover,” she told us from illegal shooting and habiwest and ends at Bena- her idyllic terrace, which looking down the tat destruction. hadux in the east, was lush Lecrin Valley, where numerous celebriJuan Manuel Plegueapproved back in 2015. ties, including Alexei Sayle and Peter CapalBut such is usually the di, of Doctor Who, and Blow Monkeys singer zuelos Zoology Professor at the University way in Spain, oppo- Dr Robert, have homes. of Granada said: “Spain is home to over nents of the plans, in- “These areas are very well-known interna75% of Europe’s Bonelli eagle population cluding many who are tionally and there has been a huge bacand therefore holds the greatest responsiset to have pylons or klash. bility for its conservation.” access roads encroa- “It’s a paradise this place, it’s just ridiculous ching their land, claim what they are doing, to put pylons through they were not told until here will devastate the area socially and economically.” a month ago. The deadline for people Tour manager Michele is the organiser of to register two different protest group Di NO a las torres de alta ten-

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

BLOTTED: The route the pylons will take around the town of Orgiva

- British man stabs Spanish wife to death on

Spain’s Costa del Sol before slitting wrists and trying to kill himself (24,083)

2 3 4

- Huge traffic jams after truck overturns on

Local business could be devastated

SOUTH OF GRANADA: Alpujarras on map of Spain sión en el Valle de Lecrín. The platform claims tourism is one of the ‘few remaining industries’ left in the area and Michele herself believes the pylons will risk leaving the valleys ‘impoverished’. Of Andalucia’s 30.5 million tourists in 2018, 15.3% visited Granada, including the area where the pylons are to be built. Along with hikers and cyclists, one of the most common types of visitors to the Alpujarras and the Lecrin Valley is the eco-tourist. And many of those who are after a ‘greener’ holiday, away from the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol, end up at British expat Rita Islip’s hillside cortijo just outside Orgiva, the spiritual heart of the Alpujarras. “I don’t have fences or a pool but people want that back-to-nature experience,” she tells us as we sample her cold-pressed olive oil, made at her home, which she rents out to weary backpackers chasing down what remains of the area’s Moorish history. “I am very successful in that and I am quite unique, I’m booked up from June to August. “It was a massive shock when I found out about the pylons after 36 years of living like

Business has been excellent over the last two years with tourism booming, explains estate Agent Martin Leenaars. “Buyers came here for nature and because they are put off by how busy the coast has become” he explains. But the 67-year-old is already seeing the power line project drive away potential buyers. “I had a couple from South Africa who wanted to buy a cortijo, but then heard about the project and pulled out. “Another couple lived here 20 years ago and wanted to come back, but they heard about the electricity posts and pulled out. We sell 4 or 5 houses a year, so that’s a significant part of our income.” Leenaars is clearly concerned: “I have some more viewings in the coming weeks so I don’t know what their reaction will be. But the project will definitely affect our business, I don’t know why they don’t go alongside the motorway, why cross our valleys?”

this, it’s going to be very harmful for tourism. “People come here from all over the world, Almeria. but they won’t want to come here anymore But the energy giant assured the Olive if its ugly and spoiled.” Press this week that it has ‘nothing to do And Rita is more affected than most, as she with taking electricity from Morocco’. points to where the pylons will run invasi- “It’s a project for a region that is not suvely, directly over her house. fficiently connected to the grid,” insisted Her anger is shared by neighspokesman Jose Montero. bour Ian who popped by with “It’s true that a number of foarchitectural plans to show “Spain views the reigners will be impacted, but us how both their houses, there are thousands of peoAlpujarras as and their other neighbour ple in Granada demanding Dan’s, are not even recogni- some backwards more energy.” sed by Red Electrica. But despite Red Electrica Pointing to the three blue place where the claiming they have been marks he has added to symdown to speak to local resiMoors lived” bolise their homes, you get a dents, the company’s plans sense of the scale of the fido appear to show a lack of ght that residents of ‘Driving care for the area, its history Over Lemons’ country are up against. and its current populations. The situation is best described by Dr Robert, “I get the impression the rest of Spain views of the Blow Monkeys, who shares a house in the Alpujarras as some backwards place the hills with his wife Michele. where the Moors once lived,” Ian told us, re“It’s a ‘David and Goliath’ situation,” he told ferencing the last Sultan of Granada’s banius. “The multina- shment in 1492, before he rushed off down tionals are moving the valley to help Michele and the others file Famous faces in the Lecrin valley and the Alpujarras in and everyone is the last of the alegaciones forms before the saying ‘no’.” Red deadline. Robert and Michelle fell in love from 80s band Killing Joke), comeElectrica, Spain’s This is a view shared by most people who with the area 18 years ago and dian Alexei Sayle, and actor Peter main electricity su- live in the valleys - and none more so than see it’s eco-friendly culture as Capaldi (below) have also set up pplier, is a multina- Chris Stewart, whose arcadian escape now a microcosm of what the world base here. The sublime landscape tional in the truest seems destined to become an area many could be. But the Blow Monkeys also inspired the literary sense. may want to flee from. frontman (below) and his wife are giants of the 1930 Rumours have “Once again private financial interests are not the only creatives to call the like the Bloomsbury been rife about riding roughshod over the will and the rights valley home. Record group’s Gerald Brewhy the €1.4 bi- of the people, leaving as ever a wake of desproducer Martin nan (pictured) and llion-a-year com- truction,” he told the Olive Press. Glover (Youth Virginia Woolf. pany plans to ins- Red Electrica remains firm that the route tall its electricity would not be moved, however admitted ‘mischeme. nor adjustments’ could be made. Local residents Either way, it confirmed that the thousands claim the pylons of alegaciones will now be studied and set to tear their more announcements will be made later lives apart are this year. transferring so- In the meantime, the Olive Press has starlar-generated elec- ted its first campaign of the year - putting a tricity from Moroc- stop to the pylons in the Lecrin Valley and co to France, via the Alpujarras.

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Spain’s Costa del Sol (13,004)

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Costa del Sol sees hottest temperatures in country (9,931)

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largest leisure park in southern Europe to Spain’s Costa del Sol (8,579)

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laundered Kinahan cartel money as latest Marbella shooting sparks manhunt (7,794)

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King Joffrey jets in

GAME of Thrones star Jack Gleeson has paid a flying visit to Malaga. The actor, who plays King Joffrey in the acclaimed HBO series, dropped in to the city’s FreakCon convention, a celebration of comics, manga, anime, TV and video games. Held at the city’s Palacio de Ferias y Congresos last weekend, GoT fans lined up for Instagrams with the king of Westeros and purchased memorabilia. Finn Jones, Gleeson’s co-star who plays Loras Tyrell, was also due to appear at the festival but cancelled due to work commitments.

MALAGA’S carnival week has ended with the traditional burning of a giant anchovy. The week-long celebrations, centring around Plaza de la Constitucion, took place

A STATUE of the king of Spain that the buyer ‘must burn’ has gone on sale for €200,000 in Madrid. Whoever buys the 4.5m-tall royal effigy will be forced to sign a contract committing them to burn it within 12 months. The piece, titled ‘Ninot’, is described as a ‘hyperealistic’ depiction of King Felipe VI of Spain. It is on display at Ifema for the duration of the capital’s 38th Contemporary Art Fair. The towering statue features the Spanish monarch in a blue suit and gallery staff even periodically spray it

Felipe VI effigy comes at a price … a legally-binding contract to burn it

with Hugo Boss ‘Dark Blue’ cologne. An internal structure of polyurethane, cardboard and fabric inside the king’s body will reveal a skull protected by fireproof material, once it is set alight. Once the burning is carried out, ‘in a private and legal place’ the owner will only get to keep the rights to the video of the event. Santiago Sierra and Eugenio Merino, both known for

tury, when children of the choir were allowed to parody religious festivals, such as Saint Nicolas Day. After a protracted history, the carnival began again in 1982, and to this day culminates in a bizarre parody of a funeral procession: the burning of a massive anchovy. The symbolism of the anchovy is supposed to be a purging of laziness, gluttony and abundance, in preparation for the fasting period of Lent. Similar funeral processions

TOP OF THE CLASS The Benalmadena International College would like to congratulate two of its students Larissa Schuurman and Radu Socol, for attaining the highest examination marks in Spain, for Fine Art and in English First Language, awarded by Pearsons (Edexcel) Examination Board. Also congratulations to Siena Hall Rogers from Yr 5 for coming in first in her Squash Tournament held in Lugo on the 15th February.

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what’s on St Patrick’s Day JOIN the March 17 festivities at Constitution Park in Marbella opposite the Claddagh Bar as crowds celebrate the traditions and culture of Ireland.

their controversial art, are behind Ninot. Sierra said he intended to represent ‘what Trump lacks, his head’ with Ninot, and joked that he hoped his critics ‘would not hit him’. Previous edgy art by the pair includes a statue of General Franco in a Coca Cola fridge (Always Franco, Merino, 2012) and a video work of black and white people having anal sex (The Penetrated, Sierra, 2008).

Animal House THE Foundation for Abandoned and Mistreated Animals is holding a charity auction on March 22 at 7pm, Restaurant Hoyo 19, in Fuengirola, with a wide range of items going under the hammer.

Screen Time

Headline to come

between February 23 and March 3. Prizes were awarded for the best copla music performance, the best paso doble dance and the best comparsa (group of dancers) who took part in the parade. Drag Queens also competed for the Queen of Malaga crown. The Carnaval de Malaga traces its history BON-VOYAGE: Anchovy alight back to the 16th cen-

9 9 March 13th - March 26th 2019

March 13th - March 26th 2019

THE biggest celebration of Spanish films takes place from March 15-24, highlights include a free screening of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner plus lots of famous faces on customary red carpets.

Paint Night

are common all over Spain, but usually the fish of choice is a sardine.

GUARANTEE: Buyers get to keep video rights

ENJOY a creative evening of painting paired with great wine at the Doss Restaurant in Marbella on March 20 - the price of €35 includes canvas and all other materials you need.

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Anarchy, Andalucia and Free Women Rural, isolated and bound by tradition, Andalucia’s women went on to sow the seeds of female rights in the 1930s. In a fascinating dispatch to celebrate International Women’s Day Jack Gaioni recounts the history of Spanish anarcho-feminism

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Mystery

This deadly mystery will have you reading page after page

The Lost Man by Jane Harper BROTHERS Nathan, Cameron and Bub Bright live on their vast cattle ranges in the Australian Outback. When Cameron is found dead at the base of the legendary Stockman’s Grave the brothers can’t understand how he could have found himself in such an iso-

lated place without any provisions to protect him from the scorching December sun. Cameron’s car was found nine kilometres away, well stocked and in perfect working order. Why would Cameron have left the car and set out on foot? Was this a case of suicide or did something more sinister take place? His death is a horrifying mystery which Nathan is compelled to solve. What follows is a tale of family dynamics and secrets, of violence and abuse and the complexities of conflicts and loyalties between the members of the Bright family. With The Lost Man, Harper has crafted a compelling and atmospheric page-turner. €16.90, Available from The Bookshop San Pedro www.thebookshop.es

HAT’S the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'anarchy' - defined as ‘a state of disorder due to the nonrecognition of authority’? France’s infamous Reign of Terror, perhaps, or the present-day situation in Venezuela or Syria? If you are the parents of hormonal teenagers (gulp!) you probably know a thing or two about it. Whatever your perception, it might be surprising to know that Spain has a long tradition of 'disorder due to the non-recognition of authority'. In the middle of the 1800s, political ideologies long thought to be extremist were brought to Spain from the hotbeds of revolutionary Europe. French Revolution, Karl Marx, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Locke and many more, collectively resonated with those who sought fairness in society. From early on, Spanish style 'anarchists' believed strongly in the class struggle against the cabal of the church, the state and the landed elite. They saw these powerful forces

exploiting workers, the poor and the landless, resulting in grinding poverty, starvation and war. Early Spanish anarchists opposed any authority that claimed the right to have power over anyone else. Anarchy first gained a foothold in Catalunya, then a crucible for proletarian and trade union rebellion. Revolutionary ideology was propagated in neighborhood cafes, by radio broadcasts and newspapers, propaganda tours and travelling libraries. The oppressed and marginalised throughout Catalunya, and later the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, were very receptive to an ideology that opposed authority, namely: the 'state' with its brutality and corruption; unchecked capitalism with its grand wealth and wretched poverty; and the coercive institution of organised religion. In the run-up to Spain’s greatest nightmare, Spanish Civil War, anarchists, communists, socialists, unionists and a melting pot of political factions joined forces against entrenched authority. In Andalucia, however, the conscious 'non-recognition' of authority began to take on a new and strangely positive dimension. The social structure of Andalucia in the early 20th century, being primarily agrarian, required a division of labour based on gender roles. Men participated in field tasks such as harvesting crops, animal care, irrigation, using farm equipment, and so on. Women mostly participated in farmhouse tasks like tending family gardens, preparing and preserving food and maintaining the home. They were expected to be the 'angeles del hogar' (angels of the hearth) at home and the perfecto casada (perfect wife) in their marriage. Socially, the conditions for agricultural women was uniquely oppressive and they could be forced into arranged marriages without their consent. Once married and without her HEADS UP: The slaughter of the Reign of Terror has come to symbolise anarchy

CULTURA

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TOGETHER: Around 1,000 milicianas joined Rebubñican militias

husband’s approval (called 'permiso marital'), Popular Front). These rural women were dea woman was prohibited from ownership of dicated to the belief that women’s issues property or travel away from home. There were were inseparable from the social upheaval punitive penalties for adultery, while divorce of the day. They passionately argued that the was impossible. Single women could not lea- double struggle for women’s liberation AND ve the farmhouse without a male chaperone. Spain’s greater social revolution (Spanish CiMost women were financially dependent on vil War) were equally important and should men and had virtually no access to education. be pursued in parallel. Conditions for women outside Andalucia The women’s movement that took hold here were, on balance, slightly better. For example, was not confined to southern Spain. In the Catalunya had a thriving textile north, one group in particular, industry where over half of the Mujeres Libres (Free Women), workforce were women. In Maself-described as an 'anarTheir stated drid, Zaragoza and other norcho-feminist' organisation, thern cities, women were able emerged as a strong leader in mission was to find at least some degree of their dedication to empower to free women autonomy in domestic work outworking class women. Their staside the home, and in commuted mission was to free women from ‘the triple nications. from 'the triple enslavement to enslavement’ In Andalucia, however, women ignorance, as women and as found themselves in a deploproducers'. The group soon had rable state. In 1936, women in over 30,000 active members. Malaga, Cadiz and Sevilla began to develop They successfully articulated visions of a new an extensive network of organisations dedi- social life for women. Mujeres Libres sponcated to the idea of women’s liberation. With sored programmes on maternal and child very little to lose and under such detestable health, day-care, female biology and sexuality. circumstances, women activists travelled They pointed out that virtually all education through the Andalucian countryside to set for women had been controlled by the Cathoup rural collectives where they organised lic Church. Mujeres Libres were pioneers in schools, literacy programmes and women-on- openly discussing taboo subjects like sexual ly social clubs and newspapers. More impor- freedom, birth control, abortion and co-habitantly, the women of Andalucia were some tation and how these issues could not be seof the first to join forces in alliance with the parated from the greater social revolution. larger Republican (anti-Franco) constituents As any student of the Spanish Civil War will tell of communists, socialists and unionists (e.g. you, things did not end well for the Republicans - the socialist, communists, unionist and anarchists. of ed form , rkos ana reek n/G With Franco’s victory ●● Anarchy: From medieval Lati in 1939, Republican an-(without) and arkhos (ruler). sympathizers were nFra ing dur rchy ana of bol sym at the very least ●● The guillotine became the r thei lost 00 40,0 over silenced, went unce’s Reign of Terror. It is estimatedh!) including Louis XVI, derground or exiled. heads to its unforgiving blade (oucRobespierre. ien imil Max and More likely, they were Marie Antoinette executed. But the litary men docu tive rma info t, beration ideology of ●● Vivir la Utopia is an excellen (1997). It consists of 30 infilm by Juan Gamero women, born of their Spain’s of bers mem g ivin surv with terviews stifling experience for ed view be can It nt. eme mov anarchist in Andalucia, was a e. free on YouTub planted seed that would come to fruia re●● ‘Anarcho-feminism’ is still inist tion later on in the fem y’s toda in term ised cogn late 20th century. hori -aut anti ng bini Com movement. It has been said that ept conc the m, inis tarianism and fem the en masse beeres was popularised by Spain’s Muj headings and anar. tion nisa orga es Libr chy associated with France’s Reign of Te-

DID YOU KNOW?

rror was a necessary precursor to the ideals of The Enlightenment. (Those who lost their head would certainly disagree!). And who can possibly predict the outcome of the chaos in

present day Venezuela and Syria? As for advice for parents on their hormonal teenager’s inherent 'non-recognition of authority’? Good luck with that…

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Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es In Gibraltar Issue 91

Vol. 4 Issue 91 www.gibraltarolive press.com

‘RUBBER MAN’ BOUNCES BACK AN octogenarian fisherman whose boat was smashed on rocks during strong winds has told the Gibraltar Olive Press how remaining calm was key to staying alive. Pensioner Hector Baglietto, 80, was forced to swim to safety and clamber over jagged rocks when his sixmetre fibreglass ship, Tyjack, ran aground close to Europa Point (pictured left). The former fireman, who had been fishing when a three-metre wave slammed his vessel onto rocks, told the Gibraltar Olive Press: “I am lucky to be alive.” He added however he was ‘never afraid’ when he got into trouble during strong winds last Tuesday.

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Readers react to news that Gareth Bale has been criticised for not speaking Spanish or socialising after six years at Real Madrid

Plane terror

THIS is the dramatic moment a British Airways plane hit heavy turbulence while trying to land in Gibraltar. The clip, which went viral on social media, shows the plane tilting violently from side to side while attempting to land. One Gibraltar resident, said: “I was in that plane, it was very scary indeed.” Another witness of the plane, that was eventually forced to divert to Malaga, wrote: “It was awful! Never seen a plane rock from side to side as much! I’m still shaken by it!” British Airways confirmed the plane was diverted due to strong winds and that it landed safely in Malaga.

February 27th - March 12th 2019

NO COMPRENDO: Bale uses little spanish

Opinion Page 6

Best to remain

80-year-old Hector Baglietto tells Olive Press how he survived dramatic Europa Point boat crash

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In Mallorca Issue 49

Letter

THE Gibraltar government waded into a dramatic day in Parliament yesterday, insisting the cancelling of Article 50 and staying in the EU would be ‘the best possible outcome’. A spokesman made the comments, just hours after the UK’s Labour Party announced it would support a second referendum, while Theresa May confirmed MPs would get a vote on whether to delay Article 50 on March 13. Gibraltar said it would back a ‘remain’ outcome in any new referendum, despite the many concerns it had over EU institutions and countries. However, the Rock remains concerned over the delay of the so-called meaningful vote for MPs until March 12, just two weeks before the UK departure date.

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Billionaire beer heiress and partner killed by noxious gas in €8 million rural finca

Mallorca Photo by: Mvaquerm - Trail Running

‘Such terrible luck’

he owner of nearby restaurant Sa Font Cuberta, in Lluc, Ernesto Couto, 49, told the Olive Press the couple had just finished an expensive renovation on the €8m home. “It was a big house and they had perhaps done it up too well, closing off all the gaps so there were no draughts,’’ he said Couto added all the locals use wood-burning stoves to heat their homes - but they keep at least a window slightly open. ’’They probably closed all their new windows without realising, such terrible luck.’’

Ed. It is our pleasure. We have always campaigned to protect the environment, and it is something we continue to pursue in our journalism. Our latest environmental campaign is against the electric pylons planned for the Alpujarras and the Lecrin Valley. See page 6-7.

idyllic finca near Escorca (main) was poisoned by gas at her poisoning occurs Philippine de Mevius (inset) night that Carbon monoxide builds up in your GASSED: Billionaire heiress gas we had a Police confirmed last the morning, last week, whenproperty,” there were no signs of a break-in or when the toxic ed the alarm after noticing bloodstream. meeting about their new in criminal activity. much-loved couple, who had bought Your body replaces the oxygen not she said. The couple were found dead in bed your red blood cells with the cothe property two years ago, had “It had only just been refurbished come out of their locked bedroom. & and was in perfect condition. It all by police. lourless and odorless gas, which damage Detectives from Inca are now probThe owner of a neighbouring bed to un- can lead to serious tissue seems so strange.” 15:36 in an attempt 16/06/2017 1 deaths, often ing the breakfast told the Olive Press last had oc- and death. “They came to the island quiteUntitled-1.pdf re- derstand how the gas leak night how sad the local community and were really good people. It is curred. was on hearing the news. sad.” very ally “I only saw them on Wednesday

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Answers on page 54

Each to their own I used to teach and I can honestly say from experience, some people are absolutely not naturals with languages. People’s skills vary and his skills are obviously in other regions.

Jane Halliday Van De Vyver, Malaga

Kind regards, Istan Ahora

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt, Charlie Smith & Tim McNulty

A BELGIAN beer heiress has been killed in a tragic poisoning accident while on holiday in Mallorca. Mother-of-three Philippine de Mevius, 52, whose family own the worlds biggest brewing firm Ab Inbev, died alongside her partner Andre Emsens, at the weekend, due to faulty log-burning stove. An investigation has been launched after the super-rich couple - whose families are worth more than €10 the billion combined - were found in bedroom of the stunning rural estate of Finca Muntanya, near Escorca. The pair had been spending a half term holiday on the island. in The couple, who own property Malaga, as well as a 600-hectare estate, Château d’Emptinne, in Belgium, had recently finished renovating the beautiful farmhouse, which TraSerra the of heart sits in the muntana, near Lluc. The family of Philippine - a professional osteopath and generous benefactor - are the third largest Ab shareholders of multinational Inbev, based in Belgium. ExIt is listed on the New York Stock change and brews Budweiser, Beck’s and Stella Artois among other beers. They are believed to be worth just under €7 billion. Her businessman partner Andre, who was found dead in bed alongside her, is also an heir to a massive fortune. His family, worth €3.3 billion, own Sibelco, a Belgian mineral giant with more than 228 mines around the world. has Workers on the finca, which chickens, donkeys and goats, sound-

week

Good afternoon. Thank you very much for sharing our campaign on the oldest tree in Malaga with all your readers, we are very grateful. We want to take this opportunity to thank the readers of the Olive Press for being interested in learning about our campaign and sharing it. The Sierra de las Nieves is a beautiful place to go hiking, with an idyllic setting in which to disconnect from the madding crowd and fully enter nature. But thousands of visitors walk over its roots and prevent it from breathing and absorbing the water it needs. We think your campaign will really make a difference.

added. Gibraltar will continue to brace itself for a no deal Brexit. “The position of the Government is that Gibraltar must continue to prepare for all eventualities as we leave the EU. The detailed planning for a no deal Brexit will continue.” Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “The final potential outcomes of this process remain unclear. “We have therefore been working hard on all reasonably predictable outcomes to deliver the results we need certainty for all citizens and businesses alike. “We will continue to do so and to engage with the UK, the EU institutions and Member States, including Spain, to ensure all our citizens are equally and reciprocally protected in all eventualities.”

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Consequences

If May’s deal is rejected, MPs will then vote on whether they want to leave the EU with or without a deal on March 13, before a vote is held on extending Article 50. “The Government is concerned about the consequences of an extension for obvious reasons,” the No6 statement

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WE GOT HOOKED

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February 27th - March 12th 2019

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The ports, beaches and hilltop town of Manilva are home to a significant foreign population. Joshua Parfitt finds out what’s drawing them in

T Kinsale restaurant in the heart of Duquesa port you can order a fantastic homemade pie washed down with Guiness, while almost next door is Tim’s Fish & Chips. Around the corner buy a copy of your favourite British daily paper, while an English butcher has plied his trade for nearly two decades nearby.Brexit? Sod that. Perhaps that is why the municipality of Manilva has

such a high percentage of foreign, settled residents - 42% according to Dean Tyler Shelton, one of the only British councillors in Spain, and Manilva’s councillor for foreign affairs. Officially over 3,000 British expats live in the 17,000-strong municipality, either in the coral-white marina of ‘La Duquesa’, upon the mile-long beachfront of San Luis de Sabinillas or up on the hilltop lookout of Manilva itself. Though the Brits and the 180-odd Continues on Page 16

“That first wave knocked me forward, cracking my rib and half-flooding my boat,” Baglietto, a former Gibraltar footballer, revealed. “The next wave threw it onto shallow rocks. It was very scary. If it had capsized I would not be here to tell the tale.” REPLICA: Of boat while (above) brave Hector Speaking at his Glacis Estate home, he revealed: “I bruises.” Despite his inju- Service treated the ‘shaken’ then waded across the rocks ries, he added that he was Gibraltarian, before he was while being lashed by the ‘very calm’ throughout the transferred to St Bernard’s waves until I got to dry land ordeal thanks to his de- Hospital for medical attennear the Europa Point cot- cades of experience. tion. The grandfather, who is Hector tages.” explained how he one of 11 children, is known had been He continued: “I was soaked brought up in a right through and in quite a to his friends as the ‘rubber family of fishermen in Catalot of pain, also with a bro- man’ as he always manages lan Bay. ken toe and plenty more to get back up without seri- The brave local, who reous injury. tired “It is a nickname that I have Fire from the Admiralty had for years, and it seems it Service at 50, admitted would be the last time he appropriate this time, that went out sailing on his own. is for sure,” he joked. He The Royal Gibraltar Police stopsaid: “I was planning to (RGP) responded to the thinkin summer anyway so I that is it for me. distressed vessel off Europa “I was sad to lose my boat I Point at 9:00am on Thurs- had day after Baglietto had set ters named after my daughTyrene and Jaqueline, sail at 6:30am. Reliable private hire transfer but Gibraltar Fire and Rescue ter as my nephew said, betservices for any occasion my boat than me.”

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Vol. 13 Issue 312

Across 7 Inexpensive (5) 8 Adage (7) 9 Make more enticing (7) 10 Give consent (5) 11 Female servant (4) 12 Block (8) 16 Reduce (8) 17 Woodwind instrument (4) 19 Such as floribundas (5) 21 Cheering person (7) 23 Frog larva (7) 24 Disgusting dirt (5) Down 1 Vegetable with a knobby root (8) 2 Malice (5) 3 Competition for all comers (4) 4 Faithfulness (7) 5 Successor (4) 6 No-show (8) 7 Long-leaved lettuce (3) 11 Chair (8) 13 Common electrical conductor (3) 14 Portable weather protection (8) 15 Retirement income (7) 18 Smell (5) 20 Team (4) 21 Storage shelter (4) 22 Dashboard measure (1,1,1)

Not the sharpest The guy’s an idiot. I have lived in Spain for 11 years and l don’t speak fluent Spanish, but I have enough to have got on during that time. It’s only right to try and speak the language of the country you live in. But having listened to Bale talk, he isn’t the sharpest knife in the box.

Ellen Leigh, Cuevas de San Marcos

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Manilva is a lovely area (Supplement, Issue 312). My Mum lived in Duqesa for 10 years and she loved it. Sadly she passed away last April. The care she was given was excellent. I visit regularly and love Torreguadiaro, a little further up the coast towards Gibraltar. ALL TYPES OF REPAIR AND MECHANICS

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Christine Holmes, Liverpool

Costa del terror Real or not real, he could have been a terrorist and have been shot dead (Guns drawn, reveller ‘pulls out gun’ during fight on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Issue 312). It just goes to show how the security situation is in some of these resorts. 38

COLUMNISTS PRIVATE BRIAN

Bath, London “ Michael SAVING Feb 27th - Mar 12th 2019

Boot Camp? Like in the Military? I don’t even own any boots, only trainers. Is Brian going too?” My son stares at me through narrowed eyes, arms crossed, already a couple of inches above me in height and leagues ahead of me in attitude. Prepared for his reaction, I silently place a flyer in front of him which explains the 5-day summer course based up in no dib dibbing, considerably the Alhaurin hills called ‘Eagles Training hotter with mutant-sized mosquitoes?” he enquires. Camp’. I nod my head in agreement and remain With a sullen expression he reads it, quiet as he takes the pamphlet grunts a couple of times and then looks into his bedroom and closes the door. back up at me. “So, basically it’s like the scouts but with I can hear the familiar sound of the Xbox controller being taken out of its stand and I reach for the phone, hoping he will forgive me in years to come for making this decision on his behalf. Thinking back to my own childhood filled with fresh air and conkers amid endless summer holidays, I smile at the recollection of my bygone youth. San izal (medicated toilet paper), a prerequisite in all the school toilets then once we escaped the confines of our dusty classrooms, playing kiss chase until the sun set over our freckled faces. Faggots and peas or Findus crispy pancakes graced most of the dinner tables in our cul de sac, in fact anything highly processed and on offer at Kwik Save being the staple diet of most children OFF TO CAMP: Paula’s son of the 70s, the more E numbers, the

Haribos and ice cream. Can Paula Leskovitz convince her son to go to bootcamp?

When you live abroad it is totally disrespectful not speaking the local language, after even a year, no matter where you are. English speakers always think everything revolves around the fact that English is spoken anywhere. Be humble and less arrogant, and you will gain much more empathy around the world. Ethics are the base of any culture. We do not live around you. I think with Brexit this should be even more of a reason to embrace!

Monica Fabiani, Valencia

No excuses He should learn to speak Spanish. The guy gets millions. I've been living here for over four years now. Before I moved here I could hardly speak a word. I can speak the odd few sentences and can order stuff now. There's no excuse why people can't learn the language of the country they’re living in.

Billy Allen, Gibraltar

Harder than you think I don’t live in Spain, but I do work there. I am struggling to learn, because I can’t get in one place regularly enough to have lessons, but I do speak some and can converse.

Desperate Italians

Haha, I really enjoyed this pieceMAL (AnAGA idyllic cottage by LS the REM lake OVA in Andalucia gave The Quiet Life? Giles Brown a W bit more than he bargained for, Issue 312). And yes, if www.malagaremovals.com there are desperate Italians on the loose, I’ll leave my doors and windows open too! Relax, your move is in safe hands

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I'm sure he said ‘Hala Madrid’ on day one. I’m not sure about it since then. But the Madridistas didn't look too arsed when his overhead kick flew into the net in Kiev.

Les McKee, La Linea Save our tree! By Laurence Dollimore

THE Olive Press is throwing its weight behind a campaign to save the oldest tree in Malaga. El Castaño Santo is around 800 years old but it is plagued by disease and is ‘dying from stress’. The chestnut tree, in the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, needs decking to protect its roots. A petition has now been launched to have the tree, near Istan, declared a ‘natural monument’. Green group Istan Ahora, which launched the campaign, said: “We encourage all readers of the Olive Press to visit El Castaño Santo and sign our petition to have it registered as a monument. “It is also a beautiful place to go hiking, with an idyllic setting in which to disconnect from the madding crowd and fully enter nature.” The group insists the tree, which sits on private land, is being badly affected by thousands of hikers visiting it each year. “Visitors walk over its roots and prevent it from breathing and absorbing the water it needs. “Another major problem is that it is affected by the plague of ‘gall wasps’ which make it increasingly weak and defenseless.” Visit the Istan Ahora Facebook page for updates and tips on how to help. See Garden of Spain Page 6

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

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An idyllic cottage by the lake gave Giles Brown a bit more than he bargained for

HEN I moved into my idyllic cottage by the lake and escaped the madding and in all directions. frequently maddening crowds on the Luckily for me, Florin, my unflappable gardener has moved back. coast I did so for a variety of As a Romanian ex-paratrooper, he took Some were financial; it's a lot cheaper reasons. one look at the devastation, muttered Some were spiritual, although I have inland. yet to turn dark language (I'm guessing something in a very all ‘New Age’ and there is a permanent a Transylvanian curban on se) and set about constructing crystals, wind chimes and anything resembling some boar defena ces. dream catcher at the Casita. It's been very quiet up there since, although As an aside, why do people put dream I'm in their cars? Shouldn't they be focusingcatchers reluctant to check. on the I might find myself hanging road ahead rather than allowing themselves upside down by my to ankles from a tree, or much worse, on the wrong dream? end of one of his fiendish traps. Although, in all fairness, dream catchers in Mar- It's not just my place that has bella are pretty much the equivalent been lively, however. of furry dice Istan was rocked by the discovery of a mummified in Essex. pensioner at Zahara de Istan, one of the And then there were the health issues more upstood a higher chance of not getting my – as in, I market resorts in the area – so full of wholesome hed in by a bouncer again if I was living face mas- quinoa-eating young professionals that it looks like a version of Dawson's Creek – which It was the quiet life I was after, and within Istan. added a setting over the lake and wild goats grazingthe sun dash of David Lynch-style macabre horror. on the And then there was the far bank, it seemed that I was living in an office two kilometres up the police raid on a large villa cube rat's screensaver. road that ended with two Camora Mafia fleeing into the surrounding Looks can be deceptive, however, as camthe past few po. days have proved. 'Lock your doors and windows', First off was my well-documented run in with the dia Civil, 'there are desperate advised the GuarWild Boar. Italians on the loose'. Now, I'm not sure if they read the Olive after my column appeared in the last Press, but At which point, one of my best female friends who tusked terrors have redoubled their issue, the lives in Cerros del Lago, a more, ahem, 'bohelast week carried out what looked like efforts and mian', urbanisation than Zahara, sent me a text bombing operation on the top garden,a precision message. with turf, 'Desperate Italians on the stones and the remnants of the shrubbery, loose?’, she purred, flung 'I'm leaving my doors and windows wide OPEN!'

Julie Payne, Malaga

Sausage surprise How is chorizo, morcilla, longaniza etc. healthy? (Health freaks, Spain crowned world’s healthiest country due to ‘Mediterranean diet’, Issue 312) I live in the mountains, maybe people eat more healthily in the lowlands.

Anne Germain, East Grinstead

Hala Madrid

New wife in the sun

pavement below his naked pads. “Where’s the car parked mum? I’ve not better. been in it for weeks,” my son enquires, Looking down at my weathered hands, as we make our way over the Miramar I dial the number on the flyer and after Bridge. a brief conversation with a lovely lady I point in the direction of the car park called Debbie, the wife of Micky (ex-miwhere our dusty jeep sits forlornly in the litary, no nonsense) my only child corner, patiently awaiting its next advenis booked on the five day survival course ture. which provides children and teens Unfortunately, the one downside the basic skills to cope in the wilderness, living in the town centre is the lack of of and also how to deal with bullies in parking, the real world. food shopping is nigh impossible. The small selection of boys and girls A trip to Lidl involves double parking would sleep in adjoining tents placed outside the apartment, hurling all of the adjacent to the family house, high up shopping into the communal hall, jumin the hills and I smile to myself, wishing ping back into the car, parking it several I was young again and able to happily ICONIC: Mr Brain’s faggots miles away, sprinting back on foot to function on a daily basis without the flat to find everything has already the aid his teenage years. deof HRT or Silverkrin. frosted and henceforth, that evenings Sitting on our apartment balcony I hold “Ok, I’ll do it, it actually looks good fun. tea will consist of a various assortment “But I want to take lots of Haribo the still warm phone in my hand and snacks and get my hair cut before for of food items that cannot be refrozen. look out over the street. I go”. “Why don’t you sell the car mum Nodding my head in agreement and get The world is passing by in a sunny haze of him back and fail to mention that I hug a couple of motorbikes; at least we can garbled conversation and noisy mopeds. he is leave those parked outside already enrolled starting the following the flat… My son’s bedroom door opens and can I have 3 scoops?” he asks all in he Monday and that, although the one walks over to where I am sat. camp is in the wilderness, they conveniently breath while perusing the assortment of sugar-laden Silently, he places have a tuck shop available on site from I stop dead helados on offer. his arms around 3-5pm. in my tracks, of course, this is the obvious my neck and gi- Brian places a paw upon my lap and of it myself. solution, why didn’t I think ves me a hug. looks beseechingly I smile up into his morning walk. at me; it’s time for Flog the car and get a couple of moClipping his lead on, peds, do as the his brown eyes, I bribe the boy locals do, when in Rome knowing full well on our jaunt withchild to accompany us and all that. the difficulties he cream en route. the promise of an ice After all, what could possibly go wrong? faces, an English The hairy hound child in a foreign of a strawberry is also partial to a lick Follow our further adventures and land approaching before the sun mivi and we all set off video clips on has time to heat up the www.anewwifeinthesun.c om

Down: 1 Prenatal, 2 Slay, 3 Papa, 4 Teachers, 5 Wish, 6 Styles, 7 Grand, lactic, 15 Operas, 17 Tides, 19 Raid, 12 Overhaul, 13 Eel, 14 Ga20 Tube, 21 Pods.

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March 13th - March 26th 2019

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Across: 7 Gorilla, 8 Edict, 9 Annoy, 21 Paced, 22 Adieu, 23 Bedsits. 10 Alcohol, 11 Ditto, 13 Emerges, 15 Oil well, 16 Split, 18 Earshot,

12 12

Jenny Mayhew, Granada

PoorNEWS boy

February 27th - March 12th 2019

We give warnings

How are they even surviving in Spain? (Teen appeal, new police appeal for British boy missing from Spain, mum and grandad wanted for his Ice cream parlours insist product warnings are always given after ‘abduction’, Issueallergy 312) nine-year-old death Poor boy. I hope he’s found soon.

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

A SERIES of ice cream parlours in Fuengirola told the Olive Press they always warned clients of the contents of their produce, after a British girl died from an anaphylactic shock during half term holiday.

It comes after the family of Habiba Chishti, 9, insisted they hadn’t been warned, before the schoolgirl died from a fatal nut allergy. “They asked the ice cream place whether there were any nuts and they had been told not,” one of her uncles said. “Habiba knew about the nut allergy and was very careful.” He added: “Her dad was on top of it and this has never happe-

ned before.” The dentist’s daughter, from Yorkshire, went into anaphylactic shock at Mijas’ Club La Costa World resort after suffering from a severe allergic reaction. She died two days later at Malaga’s Hospital Materno Infantil. Yet, an ice cream parlour and a frozen yoghurt vendor on the ground floor of the nearby Miramar shopping centre - where the ice cream was allegedly

Francesca Khan, Paris

A BRITISH teenager who vanished in Malaga in 2017 would be 13 this week. His mum, Melanie Batty, 37, and grandad David Batty, 59, are both wanted in connection with Alex Batty’s abduction. UK detectives are now re-appealing for help, and believe he may have been taken to Morocco. After staying in Benahavis, the family, from Oldham, were due to return home on October 8 2017. But police investigations

Teen appeal believe trio may have tried to make the journey from Malaga Port to Melilla that day. Melanie is not the teenager’s legal guardian, despite bringing him to Spain with Alex’s grandad.. Alex is white, with blond hair, about 5ft, slim and has a northern accent. Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you can help. MISSING: Alex

bought - showed the Olive Press clearly displayed charts showing all allergens in their products. One member of staff said allergens ‘were the first thing they were taught’ when starting their job, and doubted that a customer would have been provided false information. Neither wanted to issue an official statement however, despite the claims from the UK. An investigation is currently probing what caused the death, led by a judge from Malaga court. A secondary autopsy will provide more details of precisely which allergens caused the severe reaction. According to a source with links to the Fuengirola mosque, the young girl’s body was flown home a week after she arrived in Malaga. Her family told the Olive Press this week: “We are grieving and unable to give any further comments at present.” The director of Miramar declined to comment.

ARE YOU A UK NAT ONAL LIVING IN SPAIN? As the UK prepares to leave the EU, there may be changes that affect you. From residency rights, to work and pensions and local healthcare, you can find the latest information in the UK government’s living in Spain guide. Sign up for email alerts and get the latest information at gov.uk/living-in-spain

Property

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Issue 27

March 2019

Know what this is? It’s just helped an architect win the world’s most prestigious prize

March 13th - March 26th 2019

See Legacy on page VI

King of cool Spanish maestro celebrated for five decades in the business, see STARchitect page XII

Still hot

SIMPLE, INTRICATE AND STYLISH: Bofill’s works are all, or a mixture, of the three

The Brits have not stopped investing in Spanish property with a 12% rise in purchases last year

II14

March 2019

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Going steady

Foreign buyers back off but there’s no cause for panic yet, writes experienced analyst Mark Stucklin from Spanish Property Insight

OREIGN demand for property in demand has come to an end, at least Spain is getting more diversified for now. Back in Q4 2017, foreign debut the overall number of buyers mand was growing at 20% per annum, did not grow last quarter for the whilst back in 2016 it was growing by more than 30% in some quarters. But first time in years. The Association of Spanish Land Regis- even though growth has fallen to zero trars has just published its Spanish pro- as of Q4 2018, foreign demand is stiperty market report for the last quarter ll around 13% of the Spanish property of 2018 in which, amongst other things, market, where it has been since 2014, it breaks down demand by nationality. having risen from a low of 4% in 2009. The latest figures show the overall market was up 7% in Q4 to 120,199 home Who’s buying? sales inscribed in the Broken down by nationality the British are still Spanish Land Registry. number one with 2,524 That was the lowest level The German recorded purchases and of growth in the annualised quarterly figures market looks like 17% foreign market since the Spanish proshare in Q4 2018. They it’s overtaking perty market started to were followed by the recover back in 2014. Germans with 1,178 the French The growth was entirepurchases (8% market market ly driven by rising local share) and the French demand - up by 8.6% to with 1,130 acquisitions 104,982 home sales. (7% market share). The biggest group, with 6,863 purchase Foreign demand in Q4 2018 and 45% of the foreign market, was the The number of Spanish homes bou- rest of the world, the sum of all other ght by foreign buyers in Q4 2018 was countries whose nationals have bought 15,217 - almost unchanged compared property in Spain. to the fourth quarter of 2017. So the British are still the single biggest Unchanged means that foreign de- group by far, despite all the uncertainty, mand did not grow at all in the last problems, and weaker pound brought quarter for the first time since 2010, on by Brexit. meaning the upward trend in foreign It’s also interesting to note that the Ger-

mans were the second biggest group of buyers in three quarters out of four last year, whereas traditionally the French have been the second biggest group after the British. The German market looks like it’s overtaking the French market, with potentially positive implications for the Balearics, where the Germans mainly buy, and negative ones for Catalunya, where the French tend to buy. Looking at the annualised change in foreign demand by nationality we see more countries contracting than growing for the first time since the bust a decade ago. Important markets like Sweden (-29%) Norway (-16%) and Belgium (-15%) were heavily down. Were it not for growth in the two biggest sources of foreign demand – the UK (+6%) and the rest of the world (+13%) – overall foreign demand would have been significantly down in Q4 2018, with all key countries bar the UK in negative territory

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(chart above). I assume the growth from the rest of the world group comes from an increasingly diversified number of countries providing a small number of buyers each (the Registrars don’t tell us). For the first time since they started publishing this data the US was a big enough market - with 144 buyers in the quarter - to be listed in its own right. What’s going on? Clearly, foreign demand for Spanish property is cooling down and each market will have its own story to tell. But the fact that so many key markets are going cool on Spain at the same time suggests part of the explanation lies in Spain itself. I guess part of the story is rising house prices that make Spanish property start to look expensive, or at least no longer a bargain. For quite a long time during and after the Spanish real estate crash

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that started a decade ago, Spanish house prices looked like an absolute bargain to many foreign buyers. In retrospect it was a great time to buy. House prices have been steadily rising ever since in most areas that attract foreign investors. And at some point, rising prices combined with other reasons to be wary about investing in Spanish property are bound to give a growing number of foreign investors cold feet. Or maybe it’s just a temporary dip before the trend roars back up. Time will tell, but I have my doubts. I don’t expect foreign demand for Spanish property to go into a sharp decline but I wouldn’t be surprised if growth is weak, flat or even negative over the next few quarters. And once again, the British are holding up foreign demand. Brexit, just around the corner, could have a big impact, one way or another, though, nobody still seems to know what Brexit is or will be.

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Keep calm and buy on From front

He added that buyers at the bottom end of the market simply lowered their budgets, rather than abandoned altogether their intention to buy. “And at the high end of the market there has been little change in budgets, I’m told. People with money tend to be well diversified.” Other agents said the trend is likely to continue after Spain this month vowed to protect the rights of Brits living in the country.

Fiasco Conor Wilde, head of agency Found Valencia said: “Over the past four months we have been consistently showing more property to British buyers. “These buyers will revisit Spain once Brexit has settled. And since the news last week that the Spanish Government will safeguard the rights of British people living in Spain we have seen a dramatic increase in enquiries from the UK.” He added however: “We will not see a large scale sales change until this Brexit fiasco is over.”

COMFORT: Huge Mallorca pad helping Schumacher (inset) recover from injury

Up to €6,000 per metre squared, as prices of a new des res on the coast soar THE price of new property on the Costa del Sol has soared to upwards of €6,000 per square metre as demanding buyers drive up quality. Clients are now mostly wealthy foreigners who want a place for personal use rather than for investment, according to real estate consultants CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). The CBRE study also revealed new build properties are now of a higher quality with better design and communal services. “Before the crisis properties were

built without thinking of the client’s needs or quality because everything sold,” said CBRE valuation director

Brilliant score PRICEY: Building in Mallorca and (right) Andy’s new pad

vate terrace overlooking the Plaza de las Tortugas where second division Real Mallorca RCD celebrates its victories. The property’s 2,500 square meters of floor space is divided into five homes, the most expen-

sive of which was sold for 10 million euros. Former US tennis pro Kohlberg, is co-owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team and has been President of RCD Mallorca since September 2017.

Andres Moreno. “Now a lot more care is being taken; everything is designed with the end

March 2019

Formula Mallorca min, in Port d’Andratx, Mallorca,. confirmed they saw the German racing legend arrive by dark blue helicopter on the Spanish island. It is believed that Schumacher was also at the property for New Year’s celebrations and his 50th birthday on January 3, though it is not known if he is living there permanently. Schumacher won 91 races in a record-breaking F1 career before suffering a

Costa lotta

BOSS: Andy Kohlberg

THE president of Mallorca’s football club has brought an exclusive penthouse on top of the most expensive building in Palma. Andy Kohlberg snapped up the 500 square metre apartment in Palau Can Puig, a historical building on Palma’s prestigious Avenida Born, for almost €6 million. One of the penthouse’s many attractions is the pri-

MICHAEL Schumacher is reportedly spending winter at a luxury €30 million Mallorca mansion with round-theclock carers. A respected German magazine said the seven times Formula 1 Champion’s family celebrated Christmas at the mammoth property they purchased last year – swapping icy conditions at their home at Lake Geneva, Switzerland, for sunny skies in the Mediterranean. Neighbours of the Villa Yas-

III 15

buyer in mind; it’s no longer a case of ‘anything goes’.” The most expensive properties are found in Nueva Andalucia, in Marbella, and Benahavis, which weigh in at €6,000 per square metre. Meanwhile, developments for sale in Torremolinos and Fuengirola go for prices above €4,000 per square metre. The report reveals the areas with the greatest property sales growth are Benahavis and Manilva, at around 40%. Growth in new home sales has grown in almost every Spanish region each month for the last two years, according to separate research by Lucas Fox. The average property prices in Madrid ended the year on €3,846 per square metre In the capital’s most sought-after districts of Chamartin, Chamberi and Salamanca housing went for €5,016 per square metre to €6,043 per square metre. Property prices are also on the up in Barcelona where a flat in the desirable district of Gracia goes for €4,346 per square metre.

traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013. He was reportedly receiving €50,000-a-week treatment from a team of 15 physicians and nurses at his Swiss home. Villa Yasmin previously belonged to Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, and boasts two swimming pools, a large manicured garden, a helipad and stunning western views over the Balearic Sea.

Betting on Madrid

CHAMPION British jockey Richard Dunwoody is on the hunt for a new home in Spain. The 55-year-old horseracing hero who won the Grand National in 1994 revealed to the Mail on Sunday that he has his sights set on buying a new pad in Spain and property hotspot Madrid is leading the field.

Crushed Dunwoody currently rents a home there with his wife Olivia, 46 and their three-year-old daughter Millie. “I like going out for breakfast here,” he said, “I will have a cafe latte and toast with crushed tomato in a cafe, and try to read what is going on with Brexit in the Spanish newspapers - I can read Spanish a lot better than I can speak it.” He added that it made sense to rent a place first before buying a home.

JOCKEY: Richard Dunwoody

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Bravo for Brava! March 2019

Authorities take radical step to block thousands of homes on stunning Costa Brava

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are delighted with a shock move that has left thousands of owners and developers high and dry on the Costa Brava - at least temporarily. As many as 15,000 new homes and at least two hotels could be affected in the radical ruling by the Girona authorities. The regional planning department has imposed a total stop on all new development covering 2,000 hectares of the stunning stretch of coastline. “It’s an incredibly brave step and well overdue,” insisted a spokes-

BEFORE AND AFTER: Costa Brava has been branded overdeveloped while (inset) photo of coast from the 1950s

man for green group SOS Costa Blanca. However, local landowners dis-

Get Intu it!

agree insisting it leaves countless plots of building land virtually worthless, both as an investment

and even to build homes. A series of mayors have hit also out insisting it will seriously affect

British developer brings southern Europe’s largest leisure park to the Costa del Sol

GAME-CHANGING: New park will feature huge water spaces, a shopping centre, theatre, aquarium, wind tunnel and more with an estimated cost of €600 million

HE massive shopping and leisure park planned for Torremolinos is green for go after years of delays and setbacks. British developer Intu has announced that the first batch of contracts have been awarded to builders Dragados and Sando, which collectively form the Temporary Union of Companies (UTE). Set to cost around €600 million, Intu Costa del Sol will feature a theatre, wave pool, aquarium, hotel and a 23,000 square meter sports area with a climbing area and wind tunnel. Intu claims the complex, just north of the Palacio de Congresos, will be the largest commercial and leisure park in southern Europe. Its design will follow the ‘shopping resort’ formula, which allocates one third of space to commercial businesses and two thirds to leisure activities. The shopping mall will house some of

the world’s leading brands, some of them for the first time in Spain. The huge project only won approval after stumbling blocks over its effect on nearby roads and water systems were finally removed by the developers. The complex will use renewable power and an energy-saving system while at least 20% of the development will feature recycled materials. A water recycling system will irrigate green areas while native plants used to Spain’s dryer conditions will reduce the amount of watering needed. Intu has also vowed to hire unemployed locals and make the ‘smart city’ as accessible to the disabled as possible. The €160 million starter fund will be spent on removing earth and making way for the foundations. IDOM and SBS engineering and the WATG architecture studio are involved in the design aspect of the project.

the local economy, already badly affected by the Catalan independence issue. The so-called ‘moratorium’ - even on land zoned as urban and developable - affects 19 of the 22 municipalities on the coast, between Portbou in the north and Blanes in the south. Only the municipalities of Castell-Platja d’Aro, Calonge i Sant Antoni and Castello d’Empuries have escaped the ruling. All land within 500 metres of the coast is affected and any development in this strip is immediately suspended if 50% or more of the plot has a gradient of 20 degrees or more. How far the ban reaches inland depends on the municipality but in some areas it stretches kilometers into the interior. The regional authorities have justified the moratorium on the grounds of protecting the landscape in an area bidding for Unesco Biosphere Reserve status.

Shelved The building freeze has been brought into force while a new Master Urban Plan for the region (Plan Director Urbanístico or PDU) goes through the process of public consultation. The PDU aims to reorganise urban planning with a stronger focus on environmental sustainability. The most hard-hit municipality is Roses, where some 5,900 new homes are put in jeopardy. The area around the upmarket town of Begur is also seriously affected, with hundreds of projects temporarily shelved. Well-known tourist hotspots like Cadaques, Tossa de Mar, and Sant Feliu de Guixols have also had all new licences suspended. Begur mayor Joan Loureiro blasted Girona for imposing the plan without consulting the municipal authorities. “We wanted a moratorium for problematic areas but they have imposed it on all the territory, and where before there were no problems now there are,” he insisted.

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Legacy Architect of Spain’s largest indoor sports arena scoops this year’s prestigious Pritzker Prize LEAVING HIS MARK: (Left to right) the Domus in A Coruña, Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi and the D38 Office in Barcelona

APANESE master builder Arata Isozaki has won the architectural world’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The 87-year-old maestro was crowned the winner of the 2019 Pritzker architecture prize for his decades of thought-provoking and original work. Regarded as a visionary who helped foster an architectural dialogue between east and west, Isozaki was behind several projects in Spain including the Palau Sant Jordi, still the largest indoor sports arena in Spain.

He created the 17,960-capacity complex for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, siting it partially below ground to draw focus to the surrounding hillside. He is also known for designing an inflatable concert hall in Japan. The jury for the Pritzker noted: “In his search for meaningful architecture, he created buildings of great quality that to this day defy categorisations.” Isozaki was born in Oita on the island of Kyushu, in 1931. The 1945 atomic bombing of

ORIGINAL: Inflatable concert hall

nearby Hiroshima had a profound impact on him as a child. “I grew up on ground zero,” he recalled. “It was in complete ruins, and there was no architecture, no buildings and not even a city. “Only barracks

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and shelters surrounded me, so, my first experience of architecture was the void of architecture, and I began to consider how people might rebuild their homes and cities.”

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Going the extra tile Ceramics are the hot new design trend styling up interiors this year

F you love interior design and are not afraid to use bold colours and patterns, you would have been in your element at this year’s Cevisama. The only annual ceramic tile trade show which tracks European trends, statement-making designs were the clear star of the show, held in Valencia last month. “The trends for 2018 and 2019 follow the path they opened during last year’s trade fairs: risky products where colour and decoration are once again on show,” said a Cevisama spokesperson. “Small or large, the material is the protagonist: marbles, granites, large-veined stones, flecked.. It is a good time for raw and also polished materials that are strengthened thanks to the growth of the worktops sector.” Here we have rounded up some of the most on-trend looks from the expo to make you smile as you restyle with tile.

Tile déco Hark back to the Art Deco era with a modern take on classic designs from the 1920s and 30s.

Brutalist Style Raw and rough, this industrial style takes its cue from geological rock formations of old and modern block design. Tiles featuring stone fragments, volcanic stones and igneous rocks such as granite are bang on trend right now.

MidCentury A clear nod to pop art influences from the 1950s and 60s, this trend pairs vibrant coloured tiles with dark wooden furniture.

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March 2019

Light Marbled The mottled surfaces and subtle veins of marble create a room that lives and breathes.

Restored materials Simple but creative designs which see classic ceramics and tiles used in very unique ways.

Dark & watercolour Dark, shadowy and watercolour effects on surfaces create spaces with an air of decadence and sophistication. Neutral, grey and black tones combine with cold white and blue to create dreamlike atmospheres.

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Good eye in the sky Incredible drone shots show one city’s symmetry from a bird’s eye view

HESE are the stunning aerial images of Barcelona that have won a European photographer worldwide acclaim. The fascinating eye-in-the-sky collection by Hungary’s Marton Mogyorosy ditch the city’s most photographed sites for simple, symmetrical apartment blocks. Captured from way above the rooftops, his images take on the geometric appearance of abstract art. Several photographs focus on the Walden 7 apartment designed by Spanish architectural maestro Ricardo Bofill (see STARchitect overleaf), who made headlines recently for transforming an abandoned cement factory into his own home. Mogyorosy used a drone to take the striking images which reveal the Catalan capital’s precise grid design.

EYE-CATCHING: Stunning aerial shots feature Barcelona’s ports and apartment buildings which reveal a strikingly symmetrical design, including the Walden 7 apartment block designed by celebrated Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill (right)

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STARchitect Spanish maestro’s five decades career celebrated as he turns 80

ORIGINAL: (Top left and centre) Walden 7 building in Barcelona while (bottom left and inset) Obecni Dvur in Prague

NEW book has been published to honour one of Spain’s most successful architects in the year he turns 80. Ricardo Bofill: Visions of Architecture presents a collection of the maestro’s best works over 56 years. Born in Barcelona, Bofill has produced a massive range of thought-provoking building designs as well as landing huge glitzy commercial contracts - including the Desigual headquarters and Quingdao Airport in China. In Spain he is best known for La Fabrica in Catalonia, a cement factory which he transformed into his own luxury home and studio. A labour of love that took 40 years to complete, the brutalist grey concrete exterior - pictured in Olive Press property in 2017 - hides a sleek modern home covered in bright and alluring flora. ‘Bofill is a romantic’ explains respected architecture news website Wallpaper. ‘His work channels the mystic geometry of Giorgio de Chirico, the bright palette of Luis Barragán and the carefully controlled perspectives of Piranesi. ‘Ultimately, however, the artist at work is Bofill himself.’ Continues overleaf Take our photo tour of the starchitect’s best works.

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March 2019

COLOUR BOMB: Pink and blue La Muralla Roja sits next to the green and abstract Xanadu - which houses 19 apartments on the coast of Alicante

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STARchitect cont.

UNIQUE: (Clockwise from top left) Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, the Meritxell shrine in Andorra, the Les Espaces dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Abraxes in France and (below) the El Anfiteatro, consisting of 27 luxury apartments, located in Calpe in Alicante

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LUXURY LIVING: (Left) Bofill’s own home while (right) a villa he designed in Emporda while (below) a previous issue featuring his home on our front page

Property www.theolivepress.es

STRUGGLING March TO29th - April 11th 2017 SELL YOUR SPANISH PROPERTY?

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Anything but a dump Mogul’s Marbella TV debut

Page III

Tivoli world makeover

Page V

A dedicated Spanish architect has spent more than 30 years turning a rundown cement factory into his perfect home and office space

Page XI

Bad practi ce

T is a practice that most property professionals had hoped was a thing of the past. But Olive Press Property can reveal that tionable practice of charging buyers the ethically quesrearing its head again on the Costa del as well as sellers is Sol. According to sources, at least two agents in the Marbella area have recently stung their buyers with bills of up to 5%. The so called ‘finder’s fees’ are in addition from taking commission from the seller.

“It’s disgusting,” said Terra Meridiana’s nothing wrong with finder’s fees if you Adam Neale, “I have ent beforehand, but I have heard from agree it with the clicertain agents are adding a 5% fee with several buyers that “It’s bad ethics and gives agents on the no prior warning. Costa del Sol a bad name.” Mike Smith, Chairman of Marbella-based agreed that charging potential buyers First Choice Spain, such fees was ‘ob-

EXCLUSIVE: Agents unite as some ‘bad apples’ are slapping finders fees on buyers without warning

scene’, especially when you consider high purchase taxes which are often inthey already have very “We as agents are paid by the sellers excess of 10%. and we never charge a fee to a buyer,” he said, “On the whole very well as it is, without the need to start our industry works additional fees to buyers. We should charging such high be encouraging them to invest here!” Ben Bateman of Holmes in Sotogrande added he was aware of the practice happening ‘in a few cases’. “It is totally unethical and gives our business a bad reputation for sharp practices,” he said.

“I have no objection to agents operating but I do object when these so called with a finder’s fee, without declaring from the outset that buyers bill both sides He added: “When unscrupulous agentsthey will be doing so.” abuse the system by adding extra amounts, the whole industry suffers. “Beware of this sharp practise.” Legal expert Antonio Flores added that such practises can be deemed illegal. “It is not illegal to have your commission with the agreement of the vendor,” he built into the price, The problem is when an agent adds told the Olive Press. but does not tell the buyer or seller. a commission on top “This happens when the agent is the middle man and the parties are not in touch via their lawyers. This is actually a criminal offence.”

Have you been a victim? email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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Granada’s new eco-village

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Andalucia’s highest towns

Page xVII

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NEW SKOOL: Lady Elizabeth School in Javea comes complete with a new indoor swimming pool and football pitch and a cooler than cool design by Arquivir Arquitectos

Design lesson

IT is certainly one of the most stunning school developments of recent years. And now with the completion of its indoor pool, the brand new Lady Elizabeth School, in Alicante, is to have its grand inauguration this month. The €13 million development, in Benitachell, near Javea, took a year to finish and now houses over 1,000 pupils all under one roof (well a few to be fair). “It’s an inspiring place in and it’s functioning well,” explains Canadian headmaster Chris Akin. Prospective parents will literally be blown away by the location and style of the place, which took a year to build and unites the junior and senior schools for the first time. The international school was designed by Arquivir Arquitectos and built by local firm VAPF . The school is part of a chain of over 30 international schools globally, including Laude in Marbella and the British School of Malaga, formerly St.George’s.

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

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

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

NEW LISTINGS

Tel: +34 951087933

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU - ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION

ELVIRIA BAJA

SAN PEDRO PLAYA

APARTMENT ·285.000€

·Ref A1352

·Beds 2/ baths 2

·Built 111m2

·Terrace 28m2

·Fully furnished

·Pool communal

·South facing

·Garden views

·Close to golf

APARTMENT ·430.000€

·Ref A1347

·Beds 2/baths 2

·Built 119m2

·Terrace 22m2

·Pool communal

·Beach 350m

·Garden views

·Garage and storage

DUQUESA

CASARES

VILLAS ·From 495.000€

·Ref V1338

·Beds 4-5

·Built 424m2

·Terraces 144m2

·Pool 32m2

·Plot 519-654m2

·Sea views

·Eco design villa

APARTMENT ·179.000€

·Ref A1351

·Beds 2/ baths

·Built 82m2

·Terraces 37m2

·Pool communal

·Private garden

·Garden views

·Garage and storage

NAGÜELES

ESTEPONA BEACH

ELEGANT VILLA ·1.598.000€

·Ref V1346

·Built 471m2

·Plot 522m2

·Beds 4/baths 5

·Cinema, sauna

·Double garage

·Sea views

·Close to golf

PENTHOUSE ·645.000€

·Ref A1318

·Beds 3/ baths 3

·Built 155m2

·Terrace 80m2

·Garage and storage

·First beach line

·Gymnasium

·Indoor pool

More New Developments 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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March 13th - March 26th 2019

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

OVER 50% SOLD!

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

Surrounded by golf

•

Apartments with private gardens

•

Modern design

•

Middle floor apartments with private roof terrace

•

Private gym and spa

•

Duplex penthouses with private pools

•

Huge saltwater pool with beach entry

•

Enquire today! 50% already sold!

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

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

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

PROPERTY www.theolivepress.es

A piso Gaudi

March 13th - March 26th 2019

XIX 31

March 2019

ICONIC: (Left) Casa Calvet while (clockwise) modern bathroom, bedroom and kitchen show off unique geometric tiling

Turkish art dealer builds home inside iconic tourist attraction AN award-winning Gaudi building has been transformed into a stylish apartment thanks to a local design firm. Mimouca Barcelona used muted greys and blacks to bring to life the colourful mosaics and features left by the maestro in Casa Calvet. Based in Calle Caspe, in the city’s Eixample district, the building was one of the artist’s first projects in the city. Built as a home and studio for the textile manufacturer Pere Màrtir Calvet, in 1900 the city’s town hall awarded it the prize for the best building of the year. Oak bookshelves, 1950s armchairs by Gigi Radice and black appliances perfectly compliment the Valencia pink marble chimney and Casadesus sofa. The project was commissioned by one of Istanbul’s biggest art collectors who was looking for a home for his family in the Catalan capital. For the redesign, Mimouca Barcelona paid meticulous attention to the vaulted ceilings and commissioned ceramics from top Spanish mosaic company Nolla to faithfully reproduce Gaudi’s inspired vision.

VILLAS FROM 995,000€ Occupation Spring 2019 Bedrooms: 3-4 / Bathrooms: 3.5-4.5 Build: 160 - 225 m 2 / Plots: 553 - 758 m 2 Atalaya, Estepona www.arboledavillas.com

VILLAS FROM 1,075,000€

Las Perlas de Monte Biarritz

With building licence Bedrooms: 4-6 / Bathrooms: 4-5

Build: 386m

Plots: 1221 m 2

Atalaya, Estepona www.lasperlasdemontebiarritz.com

XX 32

March 2019

PROPERTY

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Retreat to Paradise With snow-capped peaks in one direction and the Mediterranean in the other, the owners of this stunning retreat worry their selling point could be ruined

HEN alternative therapist Adrian Wynter rebuilt a cortijo in the Alpujarras mountains, he spared no expense on the design. Bedrooms were rewired to hide unaesthetic cables, windows were ‘precision-angled’ to catch the spring equinox sunset and the best Moroccan artisans were hired to create his vision of a healing environment. But the devil was in the detail after all. For now Adrian, 51, and his wife Ceri, 38 (pictured inset), could have a 220km string of giant electricity pylons rampaging across their valley vista. The House of Light retreat centre in Bayacas, near Orgiva, was a six year labour of love and was finally ready to open its doors when news of the pylon

By Joshua Parfitt project hit. “The view is our selling point,” yoga teacher Ceri told the Olive Press, adding that Adrian had already educated himself about the alleged dangers of electromagnetic radiation while caring for his terminally ill sister. “In one direction you can see the Sierra Nevada, and on a clear day you can see the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the other - unless they plonk a pylon down the valley.” Ceri and Adrian, who have two young children, have poured their savings into the retreat which offers 15 to 20 guests at a time in-house vegetarian chefs, a yoga studio, a pool, olive groves and views over the majestic Alpujarras. The interior is a nod to Moorish design with arabesque plasterwork by a Granada-based studio and tiling by an expert who worked on the Alhambra Palace. Rummaging through antiques markets TRANQUIL: The House of Light boasts stunning views of the Alpujarras and is littered with Moroccan-inspired furnishings, making it the perfect idyllic retreat for yoga lovers or those looking for a break from the rat race

led Ceri and Adria to knock-off Rajastani pillars and a carved Mogul beam which now has pride of place above the kitchen sideboard. Traditional Moroccan tadelakt lime plaster was used in the showers. “I was worried Adrian would annoy the builders,” admits Ceri, explaining how her ebullient husband angled the property’s latticed arabesque window so it would align with the setting sun on the spring equinox. But she says the attention to detail has

left them with a stunning centre where every feature has a story and a purpose. “The central courtyard is supposed to reflect the quiet contemplative space in yourself we are trying to create,” says Ceri. But now the couple worry their tranquil space will be marred the massive project which proposes running 212 pylons, some up to 80m high, throughout the Alpujarras and the neighbouring Lecrin Valley.

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Spring Times

XXI 33

March 2019

Advertorial

M1 Legal is stacking up the victories against Spain’s Timeshare giants with 11 victories in January and February worth over €170,000 Cala Pi – Maintenance Fees Victory M1 Legal’s clients had two contracts, Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. and Noarre S.L. The case was initiated by their resort Cala Pi processing a claim against the client for unpaid maintenance fees totalling over €12,000. M1 legal stepped in on the grounds that the company pursuing the case was simply just the maintenance fee company i.e. Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. M1 also submitted a claim against the contractual party Noarre S.L. ●● The contract with Cala Pi Maintenance S.L. was dismissed on the grounds of no right or capacity to bring action to appear in court. ●● The contract with Noarre S.L. was found to be in perpetuity (no end date). The judge ordered Cala Pi Maintenan-

ce to write off the debt for maintenance fees and the contract with Noarre S.L. be deemed null and void. Mr & Mrs Gough commented on their case: ¨Cala Pi started a claim against us for unpaid maintenance fees, it ended up around 12,000 euros. It took some time but we expected that being a court case in Spain. M1 legal were totally behind us in defending us against one of these money grabbing timeshare companies. M1 went to court on behalf of us and our 2 contracts were quashed. We always pay our bills so having a company demand a substantial amount from us was extremely stressful. We cannot thank M1 Legal enough that this is now over and we can move on with our lives without this hanging over us.¨ With all this exposure and publicity, there can be no better time to start your claim, Real People, Real Results, Real Rewards.

Football Stars’ link to timeshare ´mis-selling` David Brown from The Times published a great article on February 21 relating to famous footballers Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville commenting on their connection to a Maltese timeshare resort which is in the spotlight for mis-selling timeshares and related loan agreements brokered by unregulated introducers. M1 Legal were also mentioned being the lawyers that instigated the investigation on behalf of many Azure clients that they represent.

Contact us on: (0034) 951 562 209 OR Visit our offices at AV. CARMEN SAENZ DE TEJADA, PARQUE MIRAMAR S208 BUILDING 4TH FLOOR B, 29651 MIJAS COSTA, MALAGA, SPAIN.

PROPERTY MORTGAGE XXII

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

March 2019

THINK TANK

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

Get it while it’s hot Prices are still rising and Spain’s market is proving buoyant but don’t wait around, writes Tancrede de Pola

PRING has sprung, the mortgage market is blooming and the property picture is fairly rosy for 2019. House prices are expected to grow by more than 5% in the next few quarters while last year saw a 10% increase in mortgages, new figures have revealed. According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE), 345,186 mortgages were taken out in 2018 compared to 310,096 in 2017. Meanwhile, the value of mortgages was also up from 2017, with the average loan given to buyers increasing by 5.6% to €123,727. The total value of mortgages granted in 2018 increased to €42.7 billion, which is 16.5% higher than in 2017. It’s a sign that Spain’s healthy recovery is staying on track since it began in 2014. The welcome figures come as CaixaBank Research suggests growth in house prices will remain at above 5% over the next few quarters. Large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona and tourist destinations around the Mediterranean were the first regions to recover, and are still bringing in big numbers.

However markets like the Balearics have seen a slow down in sales (-3% in Q4 of 2018), following new rental restrictions. Elsewhere, Sevilla, Malaga and Valencia continue to be strong but in other parts construction still remains sluggish. Essentially, the coming years are promising and evidence suggests you can be confident and optimistic about Spain’s property expansion continuing. However history teaches us to approach the future with a touch of caution. In other words, if you’re thinking about biting the bullet, now is the time to do it. And if you do decide to take the plunge, the Finance Bureau will be on hand to get you the best mortgage deal possible. We will be in your corner to highlight any hidden fees or compulsory add-ons tucked away in the small print and ensure you get the best possible mortgage rate to suit your needs and circumstances. The Finance Bureau has more than 15 years’ experience in finding expats the best deal possible and making sure they’re avoiding the many pitfalls associated with buying abroad. When it comes to buying a mortgage, getting it wrong is not an option.

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

& D E S IED N F CE RTI I L E C

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We also offer: Aerial Video & Photography for hotels, resorts, golf courses, marina’s, restaurants, wineries, commercial properties 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

SALES@NITROSHOOTMEDIA.COM TEL: + 34 611 312 434

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

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R DMCS

Enhance your property with a superior system

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Specialist Manufacturers of Glass Curtains, Stainless Steel, UPVC & Aluminium Windows, Doors and Concertinas

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RDMC’s Glass Manufacturers SL, Glass Curtains & Stainless Steel Specialists

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Pol Ind El Cañadon, Nave 16 & 18, KM2, Camino de Coin, Mijas Costa, Malaga, 29650

AR RAN

R A N TY

XXIV 36

March 2019

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Taking off A

NEW VENTURE: For former RAF pilot Mark Dean

BRITISH fighter pilot turned property entrepreneur is hoping to save you tens of thousands of euros in estate agency fees when you sell your home. Spanish Properties Direct, co-founded by former RAF pilot Mark Dean, is a concept new to Spain, but a proven winning formula in neighbouring France where its sister company, French Properties Direct, has been operating successfully since 2014. After a diverse flying career, Mark now has both feet firmly on the ground and has joi-

ned forces with the founder of French Properties Direct, Sue Adams, to create Spanish Properties Direct. Using the successful French model, they have created a business which enables private sellers to advertise their Spanish property cost-effectively on leading international websi-

MARBELLA URBAN PLAN REACHES FINAL STAGES There could now be an end to the chaos in Marbella Town Hall’s planning department, writes Adam Neale

FTER thousands of hours of work on the part of urban planners, lawyers, architects, engineers and town hall councillors, Marbella’s PGOU (Plan General de Ordenacion Urbanistica) is on the final straight. The annulment by the Supreme Court of Spain in December 2015 of the planning directive created by the Marbella Town Hall in 2010 plunged the resort town into a period of chaos. With the 2010 PGOU provisionally Marbella has adapted to the replaced by the 1986 one while le- planning delays gislators worked on a new plan to present to the Junta, the status of In addition the market in Marbella, some 16,500 properties legalised always in high demand by foreign in 2010 was once again up in the buyers, has adapted and evolved to fit the new paradigm. air. Moreover, many projects ready to Instead of waiting months if not be launched suddenly became un- years for a licence to build a new feasible as under the 1986 plan- home, a boom in reform of older properties has been ning code they now gathering pace in all fell outside the zone areas of Marbella, of land that can be deMarbella will particularly in Nueva veloped, or at the very have an ally Andalucia and the least saw their legal Golden Mile. destination changed inside the Junta The result has been considerably. In an area as depen- for the first time a mini boom in the sale of older properdent upon residenin decades ties in highly desiratial development as ble locations which Marbella, this caused have been completely many projects to be reformed to suit mocancelled or forced to return to the drawing board and seek planning dern tastes. Not only has this made a lot of moapproval all over again. With the chaos in Marbella’s plan- ney for some clever developers wining department, approval could lling to take on the expense and ditake up to two years, and while this fficulty of large scale reforms but it has obviously cost Marbella dearly has also proved a winning formula in terms of lost investment, revenue for the market. and jobs, it hasn’t hurt the Costa del Sol as such, since no such pro- Signs of hope for Marbella’s town hall plan blems exist in neighbouring towns. The likes of Estepona, Benahavis, Ojen and Mijas have drawn much of The final stages of the new PGOU the development and new projects – which has been several years in of recent years to within their muni- the making – have been led by Jose Maria Morente since 2017 – with a cipal boundaries.

view to overseeing its completion and subsequent presentation to the Junta, the governing body of the Autonomous Region of Andalucia. Interestingly, Marbella’s leading town planner has made a major career move and will be fulfilling this role on behalf of a higher body – the Junta itself! While his move may cause a slight delay in the completion of the new PGOU for the town, it is of great strategic value, as Marbella will have an ally within the Andalucian body for the first time in decades. The man who also worked on urban planning for Malaga, Ronda and Benahavis forms part of the winds of change surging through Sevilla, as for the first time since its founding over 40 years ago, the Junta de Andalucia passes from socialist control into the hands of a centre-right coalition. This too should be in Marbella’s favour when it is ready to submit its plans, as the ‘rich’ resort town has always been the subject of envy and obstruction within Andalucia’s government. With the wind in its sails as never before, the Marbella Town Hall will be working hard to find a replacement and push through the completion of the PGOU, so that its urban planning can begin to function properly once again and business can return to normality.

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

British RAF pilot brings new - and MUCH cheaper - property listing concept to Spain

tes, as well as the company’s own website. Enquiries are screened and then passed to the property owner to manage. Once a sale is agreed the legal process is conducted in the usual manner. The company charges no commission or success fee, but charges an initial fee to cover the work involved in creating and placing the adverts. This can be as little as €240 to advertise for six months on Zoopla, Prime Location, Rightmove and A Place in the Sun. As Mark explains: “Vendors get a lot for their money – we create the adverts and place them on the various websites, design a downloadable PDF brochure for every house we advertise and use social media plus targeted e-mail campaigns to maximise the exposure of every property for sale. “Vendors can also add floorplans, a video of their property and up to 30 photographs to their advert on our website. This is all included in the fee we charge. “Sellers do not need to be technically minded – they complete a simple questionnaire and send the us photographs of their property. We do the rest. We can even provide a

professional photographer if a vendor is not comfortable taking and sending their own digital photographs. “And we are on hand throughout to provide support to our clients should they need it” For buyer and seller’s peace of mind Spanish Properties Direct is registered with the Association of International Property Professionals. This is a voluntary body set up to ensure professional standards in an industry which has not always had the best of reputations. It is also affiliated to The Property Ombudsman in the UK. Mark, who moved to Spain as a child, adds: “We also work closely with a firm of Spanish lawyers, Perez Legal Group, to ensure that we are compliant with Spanish law and that our clients receive the right advice when they need it.” Sue Adams, the founder of French Properties Direct has over 25 years’ experience of working in the property industry in France and in the UK. She added: “French Properties Direct has enabled many people to sell privately and save money. We look forward to being able to provide the same service to property sellers in Spain for many years to come.”

Contact Mark to find out more on: hola@spanishpropertiesdirect.com Telephone +34 (0)622 142692 www.spanishpropertiesdirect.com

PET PROJECT: Iconic Maria Barrabino villa in Torremolinos

Raising the roof RESTORATION is to begin on a historical 19th-century property in the heart of Torremolinos town centre The Maria Barrabino villa in the center of Torremolinos has been abandoned for two decades.

A tender has been put out to restore the house and repair its colonial terrace at a cost €147,000 Maria Barrabino was a local landowner, credited with being behind the growth of modern Torremolinos.

www.inlandandalucia.com

www.theolivepress.es

March 13th - March 26th 2019

*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

89.000 €

Caserias - Alcala la Real - Jaen

CJ461

37.000 €

NOW PRICED TO SELL! This well presented 2 double bedroom, 2 bath townhouse is situated in the beautiful town of Montillana. The property is bright, fully reformed, including a new roof, is connected to all the amenities and ready to move in to. The ground floor has a large dining-room with a fully fitted kitchen.

Montillana - Granada

TH2777

Live and work in the same location. This is an opportunity to acquire 40000 m2 of beautiful countryside with an established business and family home. The plot comprises of a main dwelling, three cortijos, two separate one bed dwellings, licensed kennels, two licensed caravan plots, all set in fantastic wooded land.

197.500 €

Alcaucin - Malaga

60.000 €

Badolatosa - Sevilla

69.995 €

La Carrasca - Martos - Jaen

325.000 €

Zafarraya - Granada

TH3994

289.950 €

Alcaucin - Malaga

TH3944

179.000 € Cartaojal - Antequera - Malaga

This 186m2 build Spanish countryside home with 3 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms has a private garage with a storage room, double gated entrance onto a front patio with mature grapevines and a good size swimming pool.

A well presented 3 bed, 3 bath townhouse within minutes walk of Vinuela. The property has been maintained to a high standard and benefits from a modern fully fitted kitchen. It has a master bedroom with en suite, two further double bedrooms, lounge, dining area, three bathrooms, terraces and a swimming pool.

This 3 bed, 1 bath townhouse is within walking distance to all the local amenities. The front of the property has been nicely finished making it stand out on a very clean and tidy street. Entrance leads straight in to the main lounge with access to a separate dining room and onto the kitchen with plenty of storage.

Malaga Office 952 74 15 25

info@inlandandalucia.com

Calle de la Villa 14, 29532 Molina, Malaga

FI94

VL881

This stunning 4 bed, 2 bath villa certainly has the wow factor! Includes air-con. Situated in an elevated position between Puente Don Manuel and Los Romanas, it has great views over the surrounding mountains and Lake Vinuela. The villa is private and is approached through automatic gates into a driveway.

CH23

This 3 bed, 2 bath beautiful rural chalet style villa property is located on the outskirts of the towns urrounded by stunning countryside scenery. The property sits within lovely grounds which include patio areas, a private swimming pool, beautiful garden areas, fruit trees and terraces.

Jaen Office 953 58 70 40

contact@inlandandalucia.com

TH4005

This 135m2 build 3 double bedroom townhouse boasts a generous plot size of 250m2 with private swimming pool, patio and garden. Located on a wide street with on road parking you enter the property into a good size lounge diner.

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

Axarquia Office 952 51 97 18

info@inlandandalucia.com

Cruce Puente D. Manuel 4, Edif. Al Zabel, 29713 Alcaucin

www.theolivepress.es

Property of the Week

XXVI

March 2019

PROPERTY

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Risky business Renting property has become much more hazardous for landlords, which will reduce the number of properties available, writes surveyor Campbell Ferguson

T Mollina, Malaga - TH4008 79.000€ This lovely 3 bed, 1 bath townhouse is located close to shops, banks, restaurants and municipal swimming pool which opens throughout the summer. It has a gated patio garden with lemon trees and access to storage room and outside bathroom.

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

HE halcyon days of their family could continue coining it in by let- in occupation for the reting out your Spanish mainder of the lease. property could be co- The proposals would also ming to an end. restrict deposits to a maxiIn addition to the controls mum of 2 month’s rent on seasonal holiday let- and peg rent increases to a tings, there are now fur- maximum of the retail price ther changes index. proposed for Property bumust long term After Brexit UK yers now respect rentals, wheowners letting ther registepre-existing red, informal, their homes are lease agreeformal 11-month likely to pay tax ments, or informal. or whatever, So, it’s which will have at 24% absolutely eshuge sential that significance there is no tenancy of any for buyers and landlords. Tenants will have the right kind when you buy, as theto stay for up to five years, re must be the possibility of with that possibly being ex- even the ‘informal’ tenant tended by a further three appealing and holding up years. vacant possession for monEven if the tenant has to ths. leave for health reasons, Also, regarding holiday there is a possibility that lettings, these can now be

controlled by Communities of Owners in an Urbanisation, by being banned completely if 60% of the owners demand it. And, if it is permitted, the Community can put a 20% surcharge on the monthly charge applicable to an apartment that is offered for holiday let. And remember, after Brexit, UK owners letting their properties are likely to have to pay tax at 24% of gross income, instead of the 19% of net income after expenses that applies now.

SURVEY SPAIN NETWORK OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS, WHEN CARRYING OUT BUILDING SURVEY AND/OR VALUATION INSPECTIONS, CAN INCLUDE A CHECK FOR ANY INDICATION THAT THE PROPERTY IS PERMANENTLY OCCUPIED OR HAS TENANTS.

www.surveyspain.com

XXVII

www.theolivepress.es

PAIN is set to introduce new rental regulations in a bid to protect tenants from rising prices and low supply. The decree extends the duration of the rental contract from three to five years and prevents annual rent hikes of more than the consumer price index (CPI) within that period. However new rules do not put a cap on how much rent a landlord can ask for, as left-wing Podemos had pushed for. The changes, ushered in by Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE government, apply to new leases signed after March 6 2019. The decree must be ratified by Congress within a month, but parliament is dissolved due to the snap general election coming on April 28. The task of ratifying the decree will therefore fall to a permanent congressional committee. See the main changes below: Contracts The minimum length of a contract has been extended from three to five years (or seven if the landlord is a business). Tenants will now have more security as the period of tacit renewal has also been extended, from one to three years, and landlords will have to give at least four months’ notice to end the agreement while tenants must give two. Rent hikes capped While earlier contracts could

March 2019

What you need to know Rules for renting out your property in Spain are changing thanks to new PSOE decree establish their own provisions for annual reviews, the new decree prevents annual rent hikes of more than the consumer price index (CPI) within the contract period.

Limit on property costs In addition to a one-month deposit, property owners can only ask a tenant for additional guarantees equivalent to two months of rent. If the landlord is a legal entity, it must cover any real estate agency expenses.

Price benchmark system The decree introduces a state benchmark index for rental More security prices that will for tenants be used to follow changes The changes have The decree in the market equally recogbeen ushered nizes contracts and help determine whether registered with in by Pedro an asking price the Property ReSanchez’s PSOE gistry and those is adjusted to that have not market realigovernment ties. This index been registered. will provide the In other words, average price in if someone buys any given part of Spain, and a property that is already renundergo annual reviews. The ted out, they must respect the government has given itself tenant’s lease agreement. eight months to produce the first figures.

Evictions All eviction processes will go through social services first to determine whether a tenant is in a vulnerable situation. If so, the eviction process will be pushed back one month (three if the owner is a business) to help the tenant find a new place to stay. Judges must also communicate the exact date and time that the eviction will take place. Holiday rentals The decree says that a building’s apartment owners may collectively agree to place limits on the use of units for the purposes of tourist accommodation. The measure comes amid growing public debate over the impact of online services such as Airbnb on city centers and on the price of housing.

March 13th - March 26th 2019

i n s t a l a c i o n e s info@instalacionesemasur.com www.instalacionesemasur.com

Air Conditioning Electricity Solar Panels – Plumbing Automatic Doors Swimming Pools Renewable Energy

tel: 952 89 25 15 C/Espinosa – Edif Manisabi, Local 12 Ctra Sabinillas, 29692, Manilva (Málaga)

20 years of experience

PROPERTY

XXVIII

March 2019

La La lovin’ it!

Jon Clarke takes a tour of design guru Philippe Starck’s exciting new organic olive oil ‘experience’ THE small picture window perfectly frames the mountain range, and reason, why this corner of Spain is almost as green as England. In the shimmering distance you admire the fabled peaks of the stunning Grazalema mountains - Spain’s wettest place - just over 10 miles away. Perched on a stool to enjoy it, the solid copper structure/frame is just one of a dozen or so interesting exhibits that make French designer Philippe Starck’s exciting new LA Organic Experience well worth a visit this year.

PICTURE THIS: Seated exhibit

EUROPEAN REMOVALS &

The ‘immersive’ cultural centre on the outskirts of Ronda has taken ten years and a reported €20 million to come to fruition. Designed by the global design guru Starck - alongside six other investors, including French wine maker Michel Rolland - it sits on 25 hectares and has seen the planting of over 9,000 trees as well as 1,000 vines. Entirely organic, it includes a superb ecological vegetable garden, as well as dozens of different types of trees, mostly fruit and the majority olives. This is the second part of the exciting project, that began over a decade ago with the launch of LA Organic olive oil, its stylish cans also designed by Starck, and for sale around the world in shops including Planet Organic, Harvey Nichols and Waitrose. The multi-millionaire designer, who worked for the likes of fashion guru Pierre Cardin and former French president Francois Mitterrand, will introduce a third stage, including a giant olive mill and restaurant over the next year. Starck also sculpted the rooms of a mini-hotel in the grounds and has made the unusual visitor centre, basically a converted warehouse, into a space that cleverly blends into the landscape. STORAGE Visitors are taken on a winding tour of Andalucian culture, incorporating olive groves, fruit orchards and vineyards. There are various exhibits scattered around, such as a mirror strategically placed for the visitor to become ‘the star’

Weekly service to Spain, France, Portugal and Gibraltar St Georges European pride ourselves

by professionally serving and relocating families, individuals and businesses across Europe for over 10 years.

St GEORGES

VISTAS: The landscape and views are the real stars of LA Organic

of the landscape, as well as a slightly bizarre cracked mirror under some eucalyptus trees. You are primarily here to learn about the region’s olive oil though, which its owners believe has far too long been globally put in the shade by oil from Italy. There are 20 different types of olive trees planted in different ways from the old fashioned system of 100 trees per hectare to the intensive 1800 trees per hectare modern method. “The oil from Andalucia is as good as anything in Italy and we want to promote it at its very best,” explains director Santiago Muguiro. “We hope to educate the public in the different ways of creating it and the idea is to become pioneers of olive oil tourism in Spain, as some of the big

vineyards have become in Rioja,” he adds. The tour costs €20 for adults and includes various olive oil tastings and a film. Visit www.laexperience.es for more info

With our fully trained experienced team, reliable fleet of purpose built vehicles and leading Insurance cover, we’ll make your moving experience run smooth and hassle free. To help you, we also have a fully secured storage facility in both Spain and South East UK, just in case you need it.

So come and talk to our friendly team at St Georges European.

SPAIN + 34 952 485 984 UK +44 (0)1322 383 233

trade@stgeorgestransport.com www.stgeorgestransport.com DESIGN SPACE: The converted warehouse has a bar and area for tastings Olive Press - St Georges European Ad 170 x 124 mm.indd 1

16/01/2019 11:40

tel: 952 81 01 02 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

FABULOUS VILLA WALKING DISTANCE TO THE BEACH AND ALL TYPE OF AMENITIES KSSIR-25192P Bedrooms: 5 · Bathrooms: 5 Built: 421,27 m2 · Plot: 1,409 m2

2.100.000 euros Elegant 5 bedrooms villa located between San Pedro de Alcantara and Puerto Banus. Built in one level, the property consists of entrance hall, large lounge with fireplace and dining area, four suites, including large master suite with fireplace and big bathroom with bathtub and separate shower, maids bedroom and bathroom, spacious fully fitted kitchen with informal dining area, laundry room, large covered terrace, beautiful mature garden with swimming pool. The villa have top quality finishing material such as A/C, satellite TV, underfloor heating all throughout, alarm system. A beautiful villa walking distance to all type of facilities and amenities

LUXURY APT IN THE MOST EXCLUSIVE AND PRESTIGIOUS COMPLEX IN MARBELLA GOLDEN APPLE

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KSSIR-25114P

Bedrooms: 2 · Bathrooms: 2 Built: 134 m2 · Terrace: 35 m2

Bedrooms: 4 · Bathrooms: 4 Built: 287 m2 · Terrace: 40 m2

2.700.000 euros This large apartment is located in Marbella town only in the limit of the Golden Mile two minutes walking distance to the beach and the Promenade. Enjoying stunning sea, gardens, and mountain views. Situated on the seventh floor facing to the west it offers large and very bright rooms, comprises; an entrance hall with guest cloakroom, large lounge with dining area and direct access to a big terrace, modern fully fitted kitchen with breakfast area, three main bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

KSSIR-25255P

1.800.000 euros It is situated on the second floor offering views over the landscaped gardens, the huge communal swimming pool, a beautiful artificial lake and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Located in one of the best communities around Puerto Banus offering 24 hour gated security, indoor heated swimming pool, outdoor pool, restaurant and social club, this represents a great opportunity to purchase an ideal holiday or permanent residence. This property enjoys an entrance hall, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, master en-suite, living/dining room, large terrace and fitted kitchen.

PROPERTY

XXX

March 2019

Life of luxury These dream Costa del Sol pads could be on show at Monaco’s property expo for millionaires

PAIN’S most expensive homes are set to feature at one of the world’s biggest property expos. Pads worth up to €50 million will be just some of the stars at the Monaco International Luxury Property Expo 2019, the world’s central B2C exhibition for upscale international real estate. Held from May 15-16 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, exhibitors include upmarket property developers and real estate agents from 80 countries.

The exhibition will showcase properties located in all areas attractive to investors - not only Spain but the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and countries across Asia, the Americas and Middle East. The exhibition will also feature commercial real estate (hospitality, office, and retail properties) and rental and investment properties. Organised in partnership with the Monaco Convention Bureau, the Monaco International Luxury Property Expo attracts home buyers from 25 countries as well as top realtors, developers and investors. Take a sneak peek around our three favourite luxury properties currently on the Spanish market that could be hot contenders for Monaco’s prestigious property showcase. For more detailed information about the expo, contact the organiser at: info@ielpe. com.

MALAGA REMOVALS

Cabo Plata, Ibiza €24.5 million 6 beds 7 baths 10,225 Sq Ft. 5.9305 Acres

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SUPERMANZANA H, NUEVA ANDALUCÍA A fantastic Mediterr anean family villa in the heart of the Golf Valley enjoying beautiful views and privacy 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 484m2 Built | 1.263m2 plot REF: 176-01367P (Resales R2886374) | 1.995.000€ You enter the villa through the private driveway either straight in front of the house or into the large garage. The main entrance with its double ceiling creates a welcoming and luxurious feel leading you into the living and formal dining area. The double terrace doors takes you out onto the massive covered terrace and BBQ area that leads straight onto the heated pool. There are 3 bedrooms suites plus a complete separate apartment on the lower floor with private entrance. The house has a large well equipped kitchen with an informal dining area and access to a small private terrace area. All materials are of top quality with a timeless design and functionality. A perfect family house that has to be seen!!

LA COLINA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA Bright, spacious and with spectacular 360-degree mountain, sea and golf views; a south-facing. 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 267m2 Built | 124m2 plot REF: 176-01488P (Resales R3178576) | 699.000€ This corner unit town house situated in one of the best neighbourhoods within the Aloha Golf community; the property is in a gated complex of only 18 properties, having well-kept tropical gardens and an attractive community pool. The property is built to 267 sq metres plus, is fully alarmed and offers a large chefs kitchen, full air conditioning and mains gas central hearing, open fire place, mosquito screens, blinds and a large integral garage/utility room plus service road with gated parking. The garage is connected to a separate guest area having its own living room, kitchen, “extra bedroom” (5th) and bathroom. This ground level area can be accessed with an independent entrance or through stairs within the house.

CENTRO COMERCIAL PLAZA 63 | INFO@ANDADEV.COM | 29660 NUEVA ANDALUCÍA | SPAIN | +34 952 816 250

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BUSINESS

March 13th - March 26th 2019

Solar plan off the ground SPAIN’S airport operator has announced ambitious plans to produce most of its own electricity using solar power. Aena, which manages 46 airports and two heliports across Spain, will invest €250 million in renewable energy to save on its electricity costs and cut carbon emissions. The board of directors announced the money would be used to install solar panels in half of its airports, cutting electricity bills from €75 million a year to €23 million. The move should also lower carbon emissions by 40% by 2025, and make Madrid and Barce-

POWER UP: Panels

Don’t bank on it Spain tops the health league but all is not well for expats, writes Michael Doherty (right), CEO of the Woodbrook Group

WORLD health index has awarded Spain its top accolade. Last year the University of Washington’s Health Metrics Institute ranked the country second in its healthy nations league. Now another major rating agency, the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, has gone one better and declared Spain to be the healthiest country in the world. The index classifies nations according to variables such as life expectancy, tobacco use and obesity. Environmental factors,such as access to clean water and sanitation,are also taken into account. The index gives Spain the highest life expectancy at birth among European Union nations and forecasts that by 2040 it will have the world’s longest lifespan, at almost 86 years, followed by Japan, Singapore and Switzerland. Tobacco use is the only factor on which Spain does not score well. Its big plus appears to be its diet. Bloomberg quotes from a study by University of Navarra Medical School which concludes that eating habits are the key to the health levels enjoyed by Spain, and also Italy, placed second in the Bloomberg index.

“Mediterranean diet, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, had a lower rate of major cardiovascular events than those assigned to a reduced-fat diet,” said the study. Spain’s high health ranking may convince many British expats they have made a wise move. But the health bonus only kicks in if they are prepared to live a Spanish lifestyle. That much-vaunted diet includes a large amount of fish and a moderate intake of red wine. The lesson is: eat and drink like a Spaniard, just don’t smoke like one. Unfor tunately, many Britons seem to do it the other way round, which may explain the UK’s ranking at No 19 on the list. Bloomberg praises Spain’s public health system but expats find that access to it is limited and Brexit may curtail that even further for British citizens, although it seems likely that British expat rights will be preserved. Spain operates a combination of private and public health care, with public health care available on a contribution-based system, meaning that you have to pay into the social

Spain is still raking it in from tourism and will grow even more this year ONE in every seven euros paid into the Spanish economy comes from tourism, new figures have revealed. The stats, from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), revealed the industry is vital to the country’s economy as it overtook the US to become the world’s second-largest receiver of international tourists. The statistics showed Spain’s tourism sector grew by 2.4% and contributed a whopping €178 billion to the economy or 14.6% of the country’s GDP last year. It also accounted for 2.8 million jobs - 14.7% of all jobs in Spain. Some 55% of tourists were from abroad, with 45% being domestic visitors, the figures also revealed. “In Spain, consumer spending experienced robust

Tourist trap

growth and the tourism sector performed well last year,” the WTTC said.

A RECORD breaking number of tourists visited Spain in January, figures have revealed. According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), nearly 4.2 million people visited the country in the first month of this year, a 2.2% rise from January 2018. The largest portion of tourists came from the UK with over 800,000 visitors, followed by Germany with over 500,000 and France with a little under 450,000. Just under 150,000 came from the US, representing a 25.5% year-on-year increase. The month also saw a record amount spent by tourists visiting Spain (including travel costs from their home countries) at €4.7 billion. The most popular destination was the Canary Islands - which boasts the warmest climate during winter - receiving 1.16 million visitors. They were followed by Catalunya with 910,000 and Madrid and Andalucia each with over 500,000.

members close by, you may need to pay for care. Private nursing homes are expensive. Expect to pay between €2,000 to €5,000 a month for 24-hour care. Planning is the key to a successful expat life and health care should be budgeted for for as part of your wider financial planning. My advice to expats is to take good, impartial advice and make your plans as early as possible. A good financial adviser will help you set a plan for get-

“Spain has the potential to increase the size of its travel economy even further by growing the size of its business tourism sector. At present, business travellers account for only 12% of all spending in Spain against a European average of 21%. “It is fitting, then, that WTTC will be hosting its 2019 Global Summit in Sevilla this April, bringing together global leaders and sector experts to gather in the European hub of travel.” Spain was the fifth largest tourism economy in the EU and ninth in the world in terms of total contribution to GDP. The sector is expected to grow by 2.8% this year - above the European average of 2.5%.

ting and keeping your finances in shape. Woodbrook Group are experts in the field. We are not owned by any financial institution or life insurance company. This makes us different from the majority of financial advisory companies and means we can offer you unbiased and impartial advice tailored to your individual requirements. So, while you try to keep your body in shape, we will help to look after your bank balance.

LIDINGTON: And Josep

New tax treaty

SPAIN and the UK have reached an agreement to fight tax fraud and money laundering in Gibraltar. The treaty, signed by David Lidington in London and Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell in Madrid, will set out stricter rules for determining the tax residency of individuals and businesses. Corporate entities are taxed at a top rate of 10% in Gibraltar, compared with 25% in Spain, and the territory has 55,000 businesses registered there despite having a population of just 30,000.

BASKING: Tourists on typical Spanish beach

Record smashed

security system in order for you and your dependents to have access to free health care. Since more than half the hospitals in Spain are privately owned, most expats believe private health insurance is a wise precaution. In particular, those intending to retire in Spain need to plan for the possibility of deteriorating health. Most Spanish pensioners are looked after by their own families. Unless you are fortunate enough to have family

lona’s airports carbon neutral by 2030. The 51% state-owned company owns vast tracts of empty land located near to their airports where the new panels will be installed. In addition to Madrid and Barcelona, plans are to install solar panels in 20 out of the remaining 46 airports in Spain - which in Andalucia include Malaga, Almeria, Granada-Jaen, Cordoba, Sevilla and Jerez. Aena also plans to introduce 2,300 charging stations for electric cars in its parking lots. The plans are intended to aid Spain in reaching the European Union’s objective to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Residents

The deal will require individuals who spend more than 183 days of the year in Spain, whose spouse or partner is a Spanish resident, who own a regular home in Spain, or who keep two thirds of their assets of Spanish territory, to pay taxes in Spain. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “What we have done – as we have long been offering to do – is reach an arrangement to resolve cases of dispute as to the residence of individuals and companies. “As a result, I trust we will now be able to end the irritating myth that Gibraltar is anything other than entirely cooperative when it comes to the exchange of tax information.

HELPING HAND: Expats may soon have to get private healthcare

*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

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Mar 13th - Mar 26th 2019

Farmers in southern Spain ‘terrified’ of no-deal Brexit impact on crop sales THE prospect of a no-deal Brexit is striking fear into the hearts of Andalucia’s fruit and vegetable farmers. Large swathes of the region, particularly Almeria, make more than €100 million per year solely from the British market, which spends big on high quality produce like avocados and mangoes. It means the threat of UK import tariffs, volatile exchange rates and a damaged British economy is sounding alarm bells among local growers. “The fruit and vegetable produ-

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Don’t leaf us this way

GROWING PAINS: The UK is Almeria’s third-largest market

Flowerpower

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

DIVERSE: Sabor y Salud

Perfect Winter Break 2x1 Special Offer in January and February

Tesco, told The New European. Scores of other Spanish growers export their watermelons, cucumbers and lettuces to UK giants like Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer while northern Europe freezes in the EDIBLE flowers should be an integral to winter. cooking according to a Malaga company Almeria delithat supplies one million flowers a year to vered almost Spain’s leading chefs. 285,000 meSabor y Salud boasts having the best chefs tric tons of in Spain as clients including the Roca brofarm produce thers, Juan Mari Arzak, Pedro Subijana, last year to Dani Garcia, Jose Carlos Garcia, Kisko GarEngland, Scotcia, Carme Ruscalleda and Ferran Adria, all land and NorMichelin star chefs. thern Ireland, The company grows more than 200 dimaking the UK fferent varieties of flowers at their 12,000 the province’s square meters Axarquia facility. third-largest The certified organic business foresees a rise market after in production and sales in 2019 of 40%. Germany and Sabor y Salud Manager Peter Knacke said: France, accor“We are not just farmers, we are lovers of ding to Spain’s culinary experiences, taste, aesthetics and General Direchealth. Edible flowers are a visual conditorate for Cusment in the kitchen.” toms.

ce for the UK market is of top quality, so the prices paid by the supermarkets there are very attractive for us,” farmer Andres Gongora, who sells most of his tomatoes and other crops to

The sales brought the region just over €274 million euros in revenue in 2018. “If the British economy goes through a tough period, in terms of the people, their wages, we’re wondering what their purchasing power will be like,” added Gongora. Alicia Sanchez, a ministry of commerce official dealing with foreign trade, warned of new border delays, with a nightmare scenario seeing fruit rotting on trucks while drivers wait to have their paperwork stamped and permission to enter the UK. And if Spanish growers are forced to compete for customers in other EU countries, it could create a produce glut and drive down prices. “It will be hard to find new clients or new countries. It’s almost impossible,” added Sanchez, saying that farmers who sell almost all of their produce to the UK ‘are terrified’.

ENJOY TOP QUALITY FOOD IN OUR REFURBISHED RESTUARANT OR TAKE AWAY SPECIALISTS IN SEAFOOD, RICE AND FLAMEGRILLED MEATS MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY & SUNDAYS 12:30-23:00 FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS 12:30-23.30

Calle Espinosa, Sabinillas, Manilva Tel: 952 893 198

restaurant | lunch and dinner restaurant | lunch and dinner

March 13th - March 26th 2019

FOOD,DRINK

By Joshua Parfitt

'm a vegetarian but this is not propaganda. It's a bad idea to be vegetarian if you want to get on in Spain. In Bar Castillo, in Manilva, even the 'salad' has tuna in it. "This dish is a tomato stew with chickpeas," says Juan (pictured above), the owner of the bar, neglecting to add there could be some pig's feet in it too. If you want to connect to a foreign culture, you have to find a route in. A shared delight. And so I'm sat in Bar Castillo, in the central spine of Manilva town, surrounded by elderly Spaniards shouting at each other with their hands while eating beef livers and downing golden wine. As glass gives way to glass, I watch as one Spaniard - on crutches - limps all the way to behind the bar just to grasp Juan's shoulder while making some earnest point about politics or ham, then limp back to his stool for more wine. Juan duly distributes to his well-worn customers from a plastic bottle in the fridge. "What are they all drinking?" I ask Juan, as he supplies me with manchego cheese—his final culinary compromise before kicking me out. "Ah, it's just our wine," says Juan, shrugging in the Spanish fashion, "you can't buy it anywhere." After a small glass of the fullest, richest wine, that tastes like sweet earth and peaches and mirth, I found my route into Manilva. "The moscatel de Alejandria is the best table grape in the whole of Spain," says Antonio Collado Rodriguez, 48, in his garage just outside of Manilva. He says that the grape is specific to Manilva, whose slopes have been continuously planted with vineyards since 1501. "In the olden days, probably 90% of this town made a living from selling grapes, the trucks used to come from as far as Bilbao and whatever was left over we would turn into wine," adds the native Manilveno, who has

WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM ESTACIÓONDE DE ARRIATE ARRIATE ||ARRIATE (MA(MA 7400, KM 4)KM 4) ESTACIÓON ARRIATE 7400, 0034637 637784 784 416 416 | 166166 370370 0034 | 0034 0034952 952 CLOSEDON ONMONDAYS MONDAYS CLOSED TRADITION: A winepress in Manilva

Tasting Manilva Discovering another side to the white town through the shared delights of a cottage industry wine

won seven local awards for his home- va, and they only sell the dry one," made 'vino mosto', as moscatel wine he says. "You can't buy 'Manilva sweet' anis known here. The golden-white wine, he tells me, ywhere." comes in three different forms: dry, When I ask who brewed the one I’m for which the grapes are plucked be- drinking, he looks up and points fore maturing; sweet, across the bar to a yefor which the grapes llow-shirted elderly man are left to ripen; and called Bartolo, just as ‘Every drop of semi-dry, a blend of the he's walking out the two. door. wine we are Antonio's garage is proI run after Bartolo to drinking was bably better described awkwardly say thanks. as a laboratory. Makes- made by my own He and his wife look hift distilleries, wooden around at this English sweat’ barrels and concoctions apparition. But when litter the dusty subterraI utter the word 'vino nean space. mosto' he instantly "My father taught me to make wine, grasps me by the shoulders, shouting and his father taught him - it's the tra- about his small vineyard and how you dition of Manilva," he says, clutching can only get 'moscatel de alejandria' a glass jug wrapped in a straw casing in Manilva, and that they're the best woven by his late father's hands. table grapes in Andalucia, definitely He shows me videos of his garage in Spain - probably the world.... full of Spaniards shouting loudly at But they're not. Moscatel de alejaneach other, as if exorcising the space of silence. "When my garage is full of all my friends, and every drop of the wine we are drinAre you or a loved one in need of assistance with king was made activities of daily living? by my own sweat I am a retired nurse (graduated from the Edinburgh School in my vineyards of Nursing), with experience in all aspects of elderly care. and my wineEnglish is my native language. press, there's My hours are flexible and I can support all your healthcare nothing that saneeds, particularly on The Costa de la Luz or Western Costa tisfies me more del Sol. in life - it's what I would also consider a live-in position offering you we live for," he companionship and peace of mind to says. continue living in your own home. Back at Bar Castillo, Juan tells Alternatively, there is a small en-suite me the sweet guestroom in our home for any family vino mosto I am member needing respite care. drinking is 'illeWe live in a rural area near Jerez, in a very gal'. safe neighbourhood surrounded by nature. "There's one company that Contact me for more details, Lesley at officially sells lesnyu@gmail.com or (0034) 654121451 vino mosto, Nil-

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with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

& TRAVEL

March 13th - March 26th 2019

HERITAGE: The slopes outside Manilva have grown grapes since 1501

dria are grown everywhere from the US to Australia, and I'm sure the French would have something to say about table grapes.

The vineyards surrounding Manilva are also dying out and being sold off to developers - very few young people know how to make wine anymore - and you can't even buy it anywhere, let alone a grand cru. But still, knowing all this, would you really choose to stay at home, smug in your Wikipedia-gathered superiority, when you could spend an afternoon grasping an elderly Spaniard's shoulder and shouting about this over six glasses of his own wine? Maybe it’s just the strength of the golden wine hitting me, but you might just find yourself coming back for more.

HOMEGROWN: Antonio, fourth from left, wins ‘best dry wine’

GOOD NEWS!!! WE’rE...

( for the less intelligent ones, it’s a back!! ) After a “short” break since last November, Hotel and Restaurant Molino del Santo opens its doors for its 33rd season from the 15th March 2019. We’d love to welcome you to the mountains for a bit of rest and relaxation with great food and service. Mention “the Olive Press” for a 20% discount on remaining rooms until 28th March 2019. Restaurant open every day but please reserve if you can.

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info@molinodelsanto.com

www.molinodelsanto.com | info@molinodelsanto.com | 952 16 71 51 ESTACIÓN DE BENAOJÁN, NEAR RONDA, MÁLAGA