Costa Blanca Olive Press - Issue 11

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Septic shocker A FAMILY of Brits have had their holiday ‘ruined’ after a young girl fell into a septic tank at a ‘death trap’ villa in Alicante.

The group of 14 arrived at the Villa L’Arc in Moraira - after forking out almost €7,000 - only to find ‘loose hanging handrails’ over a six metre drop and a ‘loose manhole’ covering up the fetid tank.

It was here Steven Wright, from Surrey, told the Olive Press his 15-year-old niece fell ‘up to her waist’ into the filthy water.

“She came out screaming,” Wright, 57, said.

“But if she’d been any younger she could have died in a dark concrete tank of dirty water.”

He alleged his young relatives were ‘cutting their toes’ on the broken covers of the pool skimmers, and said the sinks and drains were blocked for the first three days.

“When you’re paying €6,800 it really is a poor show,” Wright said.

“I feel robbed, misled and cheated Alquileres Guzman should not be allowed to offer family holidays in dangerous homes like this.”

Wright claimed that workmen from

Vol. 1 Issue 11

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Denia court orders ‘gypsies and squatters’ to vacate apartment block where British pensioners have been threatened and assaulted VICTORY is soon at hand for homeowners living in a ‘hellhole’ urbanisation occupied by gypsies and squatters after a court has ordered their eviction. At least 24 of the 64 apartments at the Mirador Monte Pedrera were illegally occupied as the squatters accessed water and electricity at the expense of legitimate homeowners.

It comes after a series of Olive Press stories shined a light on the shocking takeover which left expats living in fear for their lives.

British apartment owner Linda Brown, 61, told the Olive Press how she was punched in the ‘eye and the gut’ by a gypsy woman

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

NEWS

SPAIN is one of Europe’s worst culprits when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, figures have revealed.

The country has seen the biggest increase in emissions on the continent, with a 51.7 million tonne rise between 1990 and 2017.

Emissions grew by 17.9% during that time, while the EU collectively REDUCED its emissions by 23.5% during the same period.

Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Portugal also failed to reduce emissions effectively.

Climate leaders however, are optimistic as Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE government plans to boost renewable energy production.

Not only will clean energy become cheaper, but there will also be more electric vehicles on the road.

EXCLUSIVE

By Josh Parfitt

‘Hellhole’ urbanisation sees two more

2

CRIME

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May 23rd - June 5th 2019

Please help us!

Expat pensioners assaulted as their once luxury apartment block is ‘mobbed’ by squatters

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

ANOTHER two families have fled an urbanisation that families leave descended into ‘hell’ after due to problems squatters began a ‘violent with squatters coup d’etat’ five years ago.

A retired German couple and a Spanish family have had enough of living in the Mirador Monte Pedrera estate, in Denia, which has become a plain and simple,” British ‘hellhole’ for legal residents. expat Linda, who has owned As reported in our last is- a penthouse apartment with sue, only 11 of 64 apartments her partner Arnene since were sold in 2007 when 2007, told the Olive Press.

Spain sunk into recession.

“They want all the owners The rest remained empty and out so they can completely just four of the legally-owned rule the kingdom.” apartments are now inhabi- The latest departures come ted all year-round, after the just days after Linda, 61, was Germans and Spanish also in court after she was punmoved out. ched in the gut and the eye According to a British cou- by a female squatter. ple, who still live there, one It came after she had asked of the Germans, from Mu- the neighbour to turn down a nich, had to be ‘hospitalised’ ‘blaring karaoke system’. after suffering a ‘breakdown’ She and Arnene, 72, sleep from stress. with the ‘burglar alarm on’ “The squatters want us out, and have barricaded themselves in on their fourth-floor apartment as they live with daily death AN investigation has been A BRITISH holidaymaker has died threats and abuse. launched after the body of after falling from the 15th floor of The pressure was too a British diver was found his apartment block in Benidorm. much however, for a 170 ft underwater off the Colin McGarry, 48, from Belfast, young Spaniard, who died at around 1.45 am on Suncoast of Murcia. told the Olive Press day morning after plunging from Phillip Evans, 69, got sethey were leaving A the balcony of Torre Gerona. parated from his diving after his wife, who is place. take to due is post-mortem group in the Islas Hormieight-months preg-

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June 6th - June 19th 2019

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A GROUP of British pensioners are pleading for help after their block of flats descended into ‘hell’ due to squatters.

The expats - who have lived in the Denia urbanisation for a decade - are desperate after a mob

Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca

of ‘gypsies and squatters’ began breaking in five years ago.

They insist neither the police or local authorities have helped to tackle the illegal occupants, who have taken over 25 of the 64 apartments in the Mirador

Monte Pedrera complex.

“They have turned what was once a lovely community into a no-go area,” said the 72-yearold, who is too frightened to give her name out of fear of retaliation.

The grandmother continued that the squatters had punched a number of pensioners and even broke a handyman’s arm with baseball bats.

“We came here for a peaceful retirement and what we’ve got is

hell on earth,” she told the Olive Press.

“My partner got punched in the gut and the eye by one for simply asking to turn down a karaoke system blaring out during siesta hours,” she continued.

They are due to attend court this week over the assault, but are not expecting anything to be done.

Other residents, who include Germans and Spaniards, have also come under attack.

“A handyman tried to stop three men breaking into an apartment and was thrashed by baseball bats just five weeks ago,” the pensioner said.

“They broke his arm in two places.”

The problems began when the recession curtailed sales in the block in 2007 and only 11 of the 64 apartments were sold.

Many of the vacant homes were later seized by the squatters, a number of them even being sublet for money, it is claimed.

Collectively the 11 owners are having to cover all the communal bills for the urbanisation, which includes a ‘€20,000 debt’ incurred by squatters stealing electricity and water In addition, they claim the developer owes €200,000 to the community.

Police told the Olive Press they were unable to enter the properties as they are on ‘private land’.

NEWS IN BRIEF King and country KING Juan Carlos has retired from public duty, exactly five years after he abdicated in favour of his son, King Felipe VI. Juan Carlos, 81, will retain his royal title as King, however.

after requesting she turn down blaring music during siesta hours.

She said the owners of the four remaining legitimate apartments in the urbanisation lived with Diving ‘death threats’ before, in June, disaster 15-storey fall a German elderly couple finally caved in and left Spain after 12 years.

A Spanish couple, who asked to VICTORY: For couple Linda and Arnene while (inset) previous remain nameless, also told the story Olive Press how they were flee- to stress. byshire, described how the couple ing after the eight-month preg- “The squatters will be €60 gone by were forced to sleep with the ‘burContinues on Page 5 nant wife was ‘hospitalised’ due September, thank the Lord and glar alarms on’ as the stairs up to thank you Olive Press for cover- their penthouse apartment were ing the story,” Linda Brown, who barricaded by an iron gate. lives with partner Arnene, 72, “They have no choice now, they must all now leave,” a spokespersaid.

“There were 23 defendants in son for Japsa, the urbanisation’s promoter, told the court and 22 lawTHIS is the second pig to have trotted Olive Press. yers, it was bedinto a British-run rescue centre on the “Our police force lam.

Costa Blanca. is excellent, but “But the public The Olive Press previously reported the courts were prosecutor was how Rupert the pig ran 3km from the not giving them very passionate ‘filthy, dirty shed’ where he was living warrants to act. and firm in sumand wandered into the Easy Care Horse “In Spain, squatming it up.”

Rescue Centre near Torrevieja last month. ters are given ocThe success comes (inset top right). The clever pig trotted in cupancy rights if following a ‘coup ‘as if he knew where he was going’ in what they are not red’etat’ after a Easy Care owner Susan Weeding could only moved within 24 62-year-old gypsy describe as ‘a nearly impossible feat’. hours of entering. ‘patriarch’ moved But that feat was repeated when Penelo“But now all of in, bringing his pe the pot-bellied Vietnamese pig turned up them have been 10 sons and their SHOCKING: Squatter ‘completely out of the blue’. given an eviction wives and children. damage Susan admitted she has ‘no idea’ how far this order and a month A reign of terror one has travelled in search of freedom. saw young children, many not at- to find a new place to live - if they “Obviously someone has been watching Babe, or tending school, shouting ‘sons of don’t leave, the police will kick maybe flicking through the pages of George Orwell’s Animal Farm - the pigs are rising!” b*tches’ and ‘we will kill you all’ them onto the streets.”

Susan told the Olive Press. Susan added Rupert wanted ‘nothing to do with Penelope’ however, as Rupert up at the British pensioners. prefers ‘being around people’.

Opinion Page 6 Linda, an ex-copper from Dergas marine reserve.

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A SERIES of Whatsapp messages to a girlfriend have spared a teenager from a prison sentence for armed robbery.

The 19-year-old Spanish student from La Nucia was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of holding up a casino and robbing €11,500 at gunpoint.

But a Benidorm court heard how WhatsApp messages backed his alibi that he was texting his girlfriend when the assault took place.

After an expert’s report confirmed they could not have been manipulated and also placing him at home, he was found not guilty.

Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

(Personal contacts on page 6)

FIREBUG IN TROUBLE

A PARTYGOER in Benidorm has been arrested after setting off a fire extinguisher in a karaoke bar.

The man, a Brit, yanked the extinguisher from the wall and covered the floor, tables, drinks and sandwiches in thick white dust.

Justice for rapist A BRITISH man who raped two teenage girls 40 years ago has been jailed following extradition from the Costa Blanca.

Jeffrey Waite, 66, carried out the attacks in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the UK. However, he managed to skip a court hearing in 2016 and fled to Torrevieja, before a European arrest warrant led to his capture in March last year.

Waite was found guilty of raping the teenagers, one of them underage, in Hartlepool.

They likened him to a ‘madman’ and an ‘animal’.

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and (inset) squatter WORRIED: Legal neighbours www.noneedtopaint.com steal from us, threaten us nant, was hospitalised due to and abuse us, and the law is stress-related complications. not on our side until one of “I wanted to raise my family us gets hurt,” Linda said. in this beautiful place, but I “But they won’t get us out, can’t risk my wife’s life,” he because the Brits never explained. give up. Not when we’ve The nightmare began five sunk every penny into our years ago when a 62-year- €270,000 apartment and old ‘gypsy’ patriarch broke have nowhere else to go.” in with his 11 children and A legal representative for grandchildren.

Jepsa, who maintain the urHis wider family have now banisation, told the Olive taken over 24 apartments Press: “The law forbids the which they sublet out to illegal squatting of proper‘drug addicts’. ties and use of water and The apartments are illegally electricity, but nothing is beconnected to water and elec- ing done. tricity, yet police have only “We have a beautiful counintervened on one occasion try, which is loved by people when a man threatened to around the world, but the kill Linda with a hammer in law does not function as it front of an officer last year. should.” can They “It’s horrendous.

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The function is available on both Android and iOS, but only Android users can report mobile speed cameras.

Dog’s life

PETS now outnumber children under 15 in Spain, with 13 million registered at the end of last year. Dogs make up 93% of all registered pets.

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Sculpture attack

A FOUNTAIN in Alicante’s most iconic square has been attacked by a man with a hammer.

The legs of the horses in the sculpture in Plaza de los Luceros were shattered by the 38-year-old assailant. An arm of an angel was also badly cracked in the attack.

The Spanish man has been arrested on a charge of crimes against cultural heritage.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Serious negligence JULEN Rosello’s parents have asked for three and a half years in prison for the owner of the land - Julen’s 1st cousin, once removed where their four-year-old son died down a well in January this year.

Daughternapper A DAD has been arrested in Spain for allegedly abducting his two year old daughter ‘by force’ from a British children’s home and attempting to take her home to Algeria.

August 15th - August 28th 2019

FIND HER! As prolific fraudster Mark Acklom is finally jailed police seek mysterious Spanish wife

POLICE want to speak to the Spanish wife of serial British fraudster Mark Acklom.

The conman has been jailed after pretending to be a wealthy banker and spy to swindle a single mother out of her life savings.

The 46-year-old was arrested at his lakeside Zurich mansion hideaway after more than two years on the run with his Spanish wife Maria Yolanda Ros Rodriguez.

It comes after Acklom conned

Own medicine A GUARDIA Civil agent has fined a uniformed Local Police officer for using his mobile phone while driving in Granada.

Abuse claims SPANISH opera legend Placido Domingo has denied sexually harassing fellow performers after at least four women came forward with abuse claims.

Escaping justice?

Carolyn Woods, 62, out of more than €320,000 after posing as an MI6 agent and promising to marry her.

The Olive Press previously tracked Acklom and Rodriguez down to Murcia, where they had set up a dodgy property company.

This paper also uncovered Rogriguez’s links to Cartagena, where she and her parents owned a home.

Now the retired detective inspector who brought Acklom to

HUNT: For Maria (right), wife of jailed Acklom (left) justice, has confirmed the wife “There is enough information of the UK’s former most wanted to speak to her,” Adam Bunting fraudster is still under investi- said. gation.

Rodriguez has been known to use the aliases Yoliando Ross, Maria Long and Mary Ross.

She is also a yoga enthusiast having reportedly taken regublood-sucking insect has lar €100-an-hour yoga sessions now spread to every coastal and always paid in cash. municipality in the ValenWhen asked where the money cian Community. came from, Rodriguez would The mosquito is of particureportedly say her husband was lar concern as a vector for ‘the right-hand man’ of tech bilviral diseases such as denlionaire Elon Musk. gue, zika and chikungunya.

Acklom left the UK in 2013 and Valencia’s Councillor for fled to Spain with his family Health Valencia, Emiliano where he lived under the name García, explained that the Marc Long. program is not ‘to sanction’ Rodriguez is understood to but to ‘warn and inform’. have returned to Spain with “It would be more appropriher children while her husband ate to issue advice, but we serves his sentence in the UK. are prepared to give fines is necessary,” he said.

Got a tip? Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Pricey puddles

A YOUNG man responsible for the first fatality involving an electric scooter in Spain is set to face a fine, not prison.

The 19-year-old,named only Alexi, killed 90-year-old Berta in the Catalan town of Esplugues de Llobregat while she was out with her walker in a pedestrianised area in August last year.

Berta was heading home after a morning stroll when hit from behind by an electric scooter carrying two people.

PUDDLES and standing water in containers will soon be subject to fines in Valencia as part of a raft of new measures to combat the tiger mosquito’s spread.

Amounts of anywhere between €25-€3,000 will be meted out to citizens neglecting the warnings.

The larvae of the tiger mosquito only needs a bit of water in which to reproduce, such as water in plant pots.

And thanks to increased transport and warming temperatures, the

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Blackout warning A STAG-DOER from Essex has described his ‘horror’ at being drugged and robbed of his credit card while celebrating his best mate’s bachelor party in Benidorm.

The 26-year-old, who is not being named for work-related reasons, said the group had the trip booked through a travel agency.

The tour included a visit to a strip club, where the man was separated from his friends and taken to a side room where he was plied with a mystery ‘shot’.

The rest of the night was a ‘blackout’.

“It sounds silly. I’ve not been to Benidorm before and it was supposed to be a laugh,” he told the Olive Press.

“But I felt really uncomfortable when I went in. My mates said I went completely missing for two to three hours.

“The next day was even worse though - I can’t even remember getting up and to the airport.”

What was supposed to be a memorable time away with his closest friends then turned into a ‘nightmare’ as the man’s bank informed him ₤5,000 had been maxed on the stolen card.

The bank is reportedly disputing attempts to reclaim the money as it was spent in a ‘legitimate establishment’.

Bank statements show bizarre transactions - of ₤838, ₤229 and ₤415, for example - paid to Cafe Aperitif. However, no bar exists in Benidorm under this name. Travel agency, Redseven Holidays, declined to comment.

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DO-GOODER: Gere meets migrants

Shining bright ANTONIO Banderas has hit the red carpet at the 2019 Starlight Gala in Madrid with girlfriend Nicole Kimpel.

The 56-year-old actor looked dapper in a black tux while his 39-year-old partner donned a sparkling, blush coloured ball gown.

The Malagueño co-hosted the charity event which helps raise money to improve the education, health and living conditions of low income families and children in Spain.

It comes after the couple stepped out for the premiere of Banderas’ new film Pain & Glory in London.

Top Gere

RICHARD Gere has highlighted the plight of migrants stranded in the Mediterranean after the Hollywood star boarded a Spanish rescue ship.

The actor met some of the 160 migrants trapped aboard the NGO boat, Proactiva Open Arms.

The vessel has been stuck for two weeks off the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The 69-year-old, who became a father with his Spanish wife earlier this year, appeared in a video message urging people to support the charity and the people onboard.

Gere said he spoke to almost everyone

on board, saying ‘there are 121 stories.’

“These are extraordinary people, they are so strong, they lived such horrors, they were living in hell… torture, rapes, imprisonment,” he said.

The Pretty Woman star said he did not care about politics and that the point was to help people in distress.

“I am coming from a place with a very bizarre political situation, with a president who is putting an enormous amount of energy into dehumanizing people.”

‘I’m not guilty’

Danny Tetley denies accusations of eliciting sexual images from minor X FACTOR star Danny Tetley has denied eliciting sexual images from a child.

It comes after the Olive Press revealed the singer, who has been performing in Benidorm for the summer, was forced to hand himself into West Yorkshire police back in May. The semi-finalist on last year’s series said he ‘collaborated with police’ throughout the ongoing investigation into whether he elicited sexual images from a minor.

“You can have sex at age 16, and you can die for your

All Wright on the night MICHELLE Keegan has shown her wild side in Spain on a rare date night with husband Mark Wright.

The 32-year-old actress, of Coronation Street fame, showed off her tan in a leopard print mini-dress while her partner and former TOWIE star played it safe in black jeans and a shirt.

The couple were at STK in Ibiza to spend some quality time together.

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country, but it turns out you can’t send sexual images unless someone is 18,” Tetley, 37, who is gay, told the Olive Press.

“I told police I thought the guy who was messaging me was 16, and that’s when they went ‘oh’.”

Tetley denied allegations he had asked for sexual images, and said police currently have his phone while he will be granted a six-months police bail.

“This is the maximum legal police bail, which means they have little on me,” Tetley said on the phone from Bradford, where he returned after the scandal

DANNY: On X Factor

SINGER Danny Tetley

broke.

He said it was wrong for UK papers to publish details of his arrest when he has yet to ‘be charged’ with anything.

“The papers are always trying to catch me out,” he said.

“First my ex-best mate sells a video of me doing coke in May, and now this.

“You have so few friends in fame because everyone’s out to sell your story.”

Danny said his career is ‘in ruins’ after he had ‘10 cancellations’ within a 24-hour period after hitting headlines.

He maintains he is ‘innocent’, saying: “I speak to hundreds of fans of mine through social media every day, I can’t control what they say.”

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Va va vroom

A BRITISH expat in Alicante has revealed how his UK-plated car ended up in a video shoot with a famous Spanish rap artist.

Dave McQueen’s black, twin-turbo Continental GT Bentley has the iconic number plate BE04ORM, mimicking the popular Costa Blanca beach destination.

In Spain, drivers are not allowed to customise their number plates - which could be the reason behind why McQueen’s car was chosen for the yet unreleased video.

“The artist put a shout out on Facebook asking for nice-looking cars in the area,” McQueen said.

“I was tagged about 50 times within five minutes, and soon had the company calling me and messaging for mine.”

McQueen told the Olive Press how his classy ride was then whisked away to a helipad in La Nucia for an exclusive shoot with Madrid-based rapper La Zowi.

Videos passed to the Olive Press show the 25-year-old beauty dancing around the door to McQueen’s Bentley.

The trap singer, who has roots in Marseille, then gets up close and personal with the bonnet of the car, which has a starting price exceeding €200,000.

McQueen said he had ‘no idea’ who the artist was, and was adamant ‘it was them taking pictures of me and my car, not the other way round’.

Under el Sea JAVIER Bardem (right) is in talks to play King Triton in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.

News of the Spanish actor’s involvement - famous for No Country For Old Men and Skyfall - comes as One Direction star Harry Styles has this week turned down an offer to play Prince Eric.

Halle Bailey, meanwhile, has been confirmed as Ariel.

The Little Mermaid will be directed by Chicago director Rob Marshall and written by Finding Neverland screenwriter David Magee.

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Brit left with €40 in her pocket after ‘conman’ landlord changed locks to her newly renovated bar

Barred

EXCLUSIVE

Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es (Personal contacts on page 6)

A BRITISH expat in Benidorm has been left with just ‘€40 euros to her name’ after an alleged conman changed the locks to her newly refurbished bar.

Karen Wadrop, 47, said it was her ‘dream’ to run a Benidorm boozer and found a landlord eager to rent an establishment to her in the Rincon de Loix area at the

August 15th - August 28th 2019

GUTTED: (Far left) Karen with bar staff beginning of June.

But after spending ‘every penny she owned’ on

Something in the water A SPANISH holidaymaker has suffered a partially-severed tendon in her leg after she was bitten by a mystery fish in Costa Blanca waters.

The attack happened last week on El Robello beach, near Alicante, before the woman was taken to Elche hospital by ambulance for OUCH: Mystery bite treatment.

The 40-year-old from Valladolid needed a plaster cast and reportedly spent the last day of her holiday on crutches.

The victim’s husband described how her screams 'scared us all' as their son, five, fled from the sea. Rescuers first thought the woman had stepped on sharp rocks - but surgeons confirmed the wound was compatible with a bite.

The father said: "The skin on her foot had been torn and she was bleeding heavily. She felt like she’d been trapped in a snare.”

re-decoration, new stock and workers’ wages, Karen was ‘shocked’ to find new locks on her doors last Monday, August 12.

Karen soon learned the landlord - named only as Ali for legal reasons - was himself a tenant in rent arrears of ‘over €45,000’.

“I paint on a smile and cross my fingers, but inside I'm worried sick,” Karen told the Olive Press.

“Two weeks ago Ali told me he thought I’d done an amazing job and was happy to sign over the bar to me.

“I was confused and sceptical - but it’s now clear he wanted to saddle me with his €45,000 debt.”

Ali’s ‘con’ tactics turned malicious after the real landlord, Moises, turned up demanding his money.

Karen tried to denounce the Ali to Guardia Civil but was

told that ‘without a rental contract’ she had no power to do so.

Moises told the Olive Press he also denounced Ali back in April, but police have given Ali until the end of September to pay his debt and vacate the premises.

Moises also said the establishment was licenced and insured as a ‘shop’ - not a bar.

“I have over €3000 of stock, including barrels, in there,” Karen, from Middlesborough said.

Popular

“That bar was popular from the offset and 80% of my trade was locals, which is hard to win over here.

“I loved it with every bone in my body. I knew it would be a success.

“What hurt more than anything as I walked away after I'd been locked out is that it’s my grandson’s name on that bar sign.

“I named the bar ‘Jake's Bar’ after my only grandson. He’s my pride and joy.

“He was buzzing when he found out and told everyone ‘I’ve got a bar in Benidorm’.

“I'm now down to about €40 in the whole world tell me, how am I supposed to explain this to him?”

Holiday hell From front

the Benissa-based company came round and only ‘laughed at the family’s misfortune’.

“I’m not a punchy person, but I could’ve whacked them one,” he said.

Wright said Alquileres Guzman have now withheld his €1,000 deposit while he has made a denuncia with Guardia Civil.

After threatening to leave negative reviews on TripAdvisor, Wright claimed the company has removed the property’s page and renamed it Villa Arc in a different part of Benissa.

He said he will continue to make ‘weekly negative reviews’ until his deposit is returned.

Alquileres Guzman declined to comment.

Drownings double DROWNING deaths have doubled in Spain withthree deaths a day in July.

Some 94 people drowned in the first month of summer – up from 60 in July last year – according to the Royal Spanish Federation of Lifeguards and Rescue (RFESS). The president of the Federation, Isabel Garcia Sanz, said ‘a variety of factors’ caused the increase.

“What’s important is that 70% of deaths occurred in areas where there were no lifeguards,” she said.

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Turtle tragedy A DEAD turtle has been found trapped inside a wooden pallet off the Costa Blanca.

The creature was discovered off the coast of Granadella beach, in Javea, by jetskiers last Friday morning.

The jetski group, led by a tour guide from MAREMOTOsports on Javea’s Arenal, reportedly dived into the sea to rip the pallet apart - but the turtle was already beyond rescue.

“The guide was crying as he tried to save the animal,” Oliver Bittner, who worked for 10 years at MAREMOTOsports, and shared pictures of the turtle on social media, told the Olive Press.

“I’ve been patrolling these seas year after year, but this summer the seas around Javea are in the worst state I’ve ever seen.”

Bittner, 29, believed the pallet came from a ‘fishing boat’, but he said rubbish in the Mediterranean was becoming an increasing problem.

The current owner of Aloha Beach Javea Rental Company said he’s seen ‘paint buckets’ and ‘boots’ out at sea, and last year collected 6,000 cigarette butts from the Arenal alone.

SHELL-SHOCK: Turtle

Barking disgrace

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Animal rights

Bulldog puppy POSTED 1,000km in the wrong direction before being discovered on Calpe roadside

REJECTED: Bulldog

A BRITISH bulldog puppy has been posted over 1,000km in the wrong direction after an irresponsible dog breeder confused her with a ‘golden retriever’.

The pup was spotted in a plastic cage on a roadside in Calpe ‘sitting in her own poo’ and without water on Tuesday afternoon.

A young British girl Xaidan, 10, saw the dog in the heat of the

Plastic free AN expat-run cafe on the Costa Blanca is believed to be the ‘first in Spain’ to solely use reusable containers for takeaway drinks.

Caffe Milano banned single-use coffee cups from its establishment in Javea last April.

But now the introduction of a reusable smoothie/frappe shake cup, with its own straw makes its takeaway drinks 100% zero waste.

The new cups cost €8, but buyers get their first drink free.

“Biodegradable and compostable cups are not good enough, as they can still take years to decompose,” British co-owner Matt Lewis, 38, told the Olive Press.

“Reusable is the only way to go, and we hope others will follow.”

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

day and asked mum Daniella if they could take it home.

“My daughter was crying and wouldn’t leave the dog on its own,” Daniella, from London, told the Olive Press.

“She looked a pedigree, and they are worth a lot of money.

“But the puppy was just there on the roadside for anyone to steal.”

Daniella said a Spanish speaking friend confronted the courier company, MRW, who recovered the dog and took it inside their Calpe shopfront to be fed and given water.

A spokesperson for the company revealed to the Olive Press the client in Calpe ‘ordered a golden retriever online’ and had turned its courier away without paying the €450 on delivery.

He said the rightful owner of the bulldog was in A Coruña on the complete other side of Spain.

“I’ve been working here for 12 years and a dog has never been

ABANDONED: Pup turned down like this before,” a spokesperson for MRW told the Olive Press.

“This really hurt me as I am a massive dog lover myself.

“But the owner just turned this puppy down like it was a box of shoes.”

Daniella asked the Olive Press to help adopt the homeless puppy, but it turned out the breeder had requested she be sent 1,000km to A Coruña over Tuesday night after already suffering a 500km journey to the Costa Blanca.

An Olive Press investigation revealed the dog was in fact picked up at 9.30am on Wednesday by owner Elena.

Speaking to this paper on the phone, Elena confirmed she had the puppy and was at the vets for a check up.

Opinion Page 6

ANIMAL abuse crimes have shot up 400% in the last decade in Spain, figures from the Guardia Civil’s environmental arm Seprona suggest.

The dramatic rise in environmental crimes in general - of which crimes against animals are a part - has also seen a massive increase since figures began to be recorded in the mid 2000s.

But while the figures are shocking, a leading environmental group has said the increase has much to do with the improved ‘effectiveness’ of Spain’s judicial system.

“The data may be reflecting the specialisation and better training of environmental agents, Seprona and environmental prosecutors, which is allowing police forces to gather greater knowledge of the crimes being committed and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said David de la Bodega, responsible for the SEO / BirdLife Legal Program in Spain.

Since 2008, investigations into animal abuse have increased eight-fold, from just 108 to 914 in 2017.

The number of prison sentences has also increased by 14 times in the same period, from just 11 to 163.

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Squatters NEWS that a violent group of squatters WILL be evicted from a Denia urbanisation is music to our eyes.

This paper visited Linda and Arnene back in June, and their story ended up in the UK nationals.

The physical violence and even death threats have been a horrific ordeal that not one - and especially not a police officer who’s given their best years to serving their country - should have to endure.

But this victory should’ve been celebrated years ago.

Spain has peculiar laws that grant squatters occupancy rights after 24 hours of breaking into a house.

If they change the locks, then anyone else is now breaking and entering.

Throughout this five-year-long saga, Linda has praised the police, but she’s been let down by promoters and the courts.

Lawmakers need to correct this so legitimate owners are not spending their life savings on a war zone.

But until then, please keep yourself as informed as you can about squatters and the legal ways to get them out.

WHO puts a dog in the post?

Readers may have wanted to post certain family members to save car journeys next to a chronic complainer.

But a dog in the post. Really?

Animals with the level of sensitivity and need for attention such as dogs should NOT be left to couriers used to handing out whatever Amazon accidentally slipped in your shopping cart.

If you’re willing to commit to a lifelong partnership with a dog, then a day’s journey visiting a proper breeder to collect one and bring it back personally is really nothing.

You can’t post a dog to the vets when it gets ill.

Don’t ever entertain such schemers, because if they’re dumb enough to post your product to the other side of Spain then God forbid we find out how their treat their stock.

Publisher / Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt joshua@theolivepress.es

Timothy McNulty tim@theolivepress.es

Distribution ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es

For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 Newsdesk Head office

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Hard cell?

As Spain’s first 5G network is unveiled, Charlie Smith taps into the controversial technology

What is it?

As the name suggests, 5G stands for ‘fifth generation’ (see pullout).

It is the most up-to-date form of mobile internet connectivity.

Unlike 4G, its predecessor, 5G networks use ‘super high-frequency radio airwaves’ transmitted via more localised means.

Small 5G transmitters are often located on lamposts, in public areas and closer to homes.

While 4G systems provide speeds of around 45Mbps (megabits per second), it is widely claimed that 5G could up that 20-fold.

Vodafone’s souped-up networks are located in 15 cities across the country, including Sevilla and Malaga (also Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Vitoria, San Sebastian, La RADIATION: From phones falls within non-ionizing range of electromagnetic spectrum Coruña, Vigo, Gijon, Pamplona, Logroño and Santander). nology, the World Health Organisation (WHO) This improved service is purely commercial, Should we be worried about our health? published a report in 2011, listing mobile with a basic €49.99 plan available, and an advanced €109.99 package for gamers and Not according to Professor Malcolm Sperrin, phone radiation as a ‘carcinogenic hazard’.

Director of the Department of Medical Physics However, radiation from any mobile phone - 5G more intensive users.

Huawei technology supports the new service, and Clinical Engineering at Oxford University or otherwise - is not within the ‘ionizing range’ of the electromagnetic spectrum. while its phones too, are set to join Vodafone’s Hospitals NHS Trust. current crop of authorised 5G handsets by LG, “There has been no evidence to suggest that In other words, 5G frequencies are nowhere electromagnetic waves from mobile phones near those of X-rays or other radioactive sources Xiaomi and Samsung.

Vodafone currently has Spain’s only 5G net- and networks are bad for your health,” he says. which can break down DNA and cause cancer.

But that hasn’t stopped the In fact, thousands of studies have found no link work, with its rivals Telefonica, proliferation of pseudoscien- between mobile phones and the development Orange and MasMovil not set tific Facebook communities of tumours, although more in-depth research to unveil theirs until 2021 or Gavin Williamson where worried users air their could clear up the picture a whole lot more.

2022. apocalyptic concerns.

If you are on the beach or by the pool with your South Korea launched the world’s first 5G network this was even sacked “The radiation from 5G is ille- 5G phone and are worried about cancer, bear year, followed by the USA, but

by Theresa May gal and is not insured against,” in mind that the sun’s UV rays pose a far greatthe founder of 17,000-strong er threat. only in Chicago and Minneapover a Huawei 5G group Stop 5G UK, Cathy ‘Getting sunburn just once every two years can olis.

Dowd, told the Olive Press. triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer’ says Ericsson then gave 54 cities in security leak But perhaps the most promi- Cancer Research UK. Switzerland 5G and the UK was nent activist is self-styled 5G Slap on the sun cream before you make that next, with EE launching new martyr Mark Steele - dubbed call. networks in London, Cardiff, Eda ‘Weapons Systems Head of Display Expert’ inburgh, Belfast, Birmingham and Manchester.

Huawei is behind much of the world’s new 5G - who is UK-based, but well-connected with capabilities and has been accused of aiding Spain. spying, due to its strong ties to the Chinese He was in a court battle with Gateshead Council after claiming its new ‘5G’ street lighting ‘miGovernment.

Australia, New Zealand and Japan have al- crowaved babies in their beds’, and was even 1G - The first generation of mobile ready rejected 5G from the firm, while US Pres- convicted of threatening two councillors. networks landed in Tokyo in 1979, Taking time out from his protests, he told the ident Donald Trump blacklisted Huawei. and used analogue signals.

Former UK Defence Secretary Gavin William- Olive Press: “It’s obvious 5G is a weapon sysson was even sacked by Theresa May over a tem as I have always stated.

2G - SMS - or texting - then becaHuawei 5G security leak to the Daily Telegraph. “We are seeing a mass awakening to the 5G However, there is little evidence to suggest spy- crime that is being deployed across the counme possible with ‘second gen’ motry.” ing took place. bile phones, with the launch of the Meanwhile, Russia, China, Japan, Brazil, South The Olive Press also spoke about the health Nokia 1011 in 1992 (below).

Africa, India and eastern Europe are still in the effects of 5G with building biologist Juan Antonio of Cemprotecta, a bioconstruction firm in trial and test phases of 5G. 3G - Around 2001, video caGirona. lling and higher data capaci“When you increase ties, were then the gripping the frequencies of new features of the third radio waves they can generation. react with human biology,” he said. “Higher frequencies allow 4G - The beginning of more data to be trans2010 then saw the first mitted.”

4G phones, which offered Meanwhile in 2017, HD data streaming for vi180 scientists from deos, gamers and more.

36 countries wrote to the EU warning of the 5G - Featuring never-be‘increased exposure’ to radiofrequency fore-seen ultra fast inelectromagnetic fields ternet speeds of up to (RF-EMF) from 5G. 10Gbps, 2019 is just seeAlthough the FCC in ing the beginning of 5G. America has given the ACTIVIST: Mark Steele has taken anti-5G struggle into court green light to the tech-

The evolution of 5G

Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

HAT connects Spain to cancer fears, Chinese spies and a Gateshead Council court case?

Answer - the rollout of 5G. You may have heard of this new cellular technology, and the lightning fast speeds it promises for our smartphones. Watching Love Island from the heart of the Campo also supposedly just got a whole lot easier.

However anti-5G activists may have scared you with their warnings of ‘5G genocide’ and tales of governments frying our brains with radiation, one anntenna at a time.

On top of that, Chinese tech giant Huawei has been accused of state-sponsored espionage, prompting international calls to reject its 5G technology (see Spy Phone, Issue 319, pg 45).

Here in Spain, Vodafone has made waves in this shadowy area of tech as it unveiled the country’s first 5G network, spanning 15 cities and supported by Huawei (see 5-G that’s fast!, Issue 320, pg 33).

But what actually is 5G? Where is it being used? And should we be worried about our health?

This Olive Press guide tells you all you need to know.

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Where is 5G?

Puppy post

Admin Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

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FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

FEATURE

A fruity story It could have been a lemon … but the Olive Press bore fruit of a different nature and now you can read the hilarious new book about how ‘Spain’s most popular expat newspaper’ first began

‘

GET us a copy of the Lemon Tree, love!’

Hmm…doesn’t quite have the same ring to it does it?

But that’s what the Olive Press would have been named were it not for a chatty Spanish olive farmer.

Jason Heppenstall, who originally founded the paper in the Granada village of Orgiva, reveals in his new book how the night before printing its first edition he was inspired to change the name.

“None of us were happy with it,” the 48-year-old, from Solihull, recalls today, “then the night before I was chatting to my olive farmer neighbour and he kept saying ‘olive press’ this and ‘olive press’ that and it just clicked.”

It’s just one of dozens of quirky, hilarious and somewhat unbelievable episodes behind the founding of ‘Spain’s now most popular expat newspaper’.

The Olive Press: News From the Land of Misfits – available to order on Amazon – chronicles the trials and tribulations of launching GOING STRONG: The first and latest issues and (below) the story of how it all started a newspaper in Spain and the funny mis- Chris Stewart walking along the street with haps – and characters – that pop up along a copy of it – except he was using it to hold the way. his greasy churros!”

“It’s hilarious in parts but also has a bit Who would have thought that almost 15 of an edge to it,” explains Jason, a former years later the paper would be working on energy trader, now based in Cornwall, who a campaign with Stewart in his hometown wrote the majority of it 10 of Orgiva in a bid to stop a years ago, two years after string of electrical pylons selling his majority share to from destroying the picturChris Stewart current owner Jon Clarke. esque region?

“It was all set to be published “I’m so proud of the paper but the publisher wanted to walking along the and what it has become,” cut out all the juicy bits so street with a copy added Jason. “We originally I said no, put it away in a launched it to give people drawer and only discovered it to hold his greasy and the expat community in again recently,” continues Jathe Alpujarras region a voice churros! son, who returned to the UK, and obviously it has grown a via Denmark, with his Danish lot since then. wife and two children.

“But it’s great how things And those juicy bits are? Well, you’ll have to seem to have come full circle at the same read the book to find out, but Jason teases: time as me publishing a book about it all.”

“After we printed our first edition, we saw The current owner Jon bought into the paper famous expat Driving Over Lemons author within its first few months alongside Jason and co-founder Mark, a Yorkshireman.

Clarke, who initially launched a West- son and Mark did – as I wouldn’t have been ern Andalucia edi- able to do it alone – and the foundations tion having worked they laid were invaluable, particularly the for 10 years in ethos of the Olive Press being environmenFleet Street, said: tal in slant and highly geared to highlighting “I have never had local corruption in what was, then, one of anything less than Europe’s most corrupt countries.” the ultimate re- Look out for a serialisation of the book in spect for what Ja- the Olive Press, coming soon!

August 15th - August 28th 2019

7

olive press online

that’s the

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

TOP DOGS THE Olive Press website has ascended into new heights this week as it entered the top 100,000 IN THE WORLD. It comes after months of repeatedly smashing our 1.5 million monthly hits record as readers from across Europe and the world continue to flock to the best English news site in Spain.

From alleged Finnish drug traffickers to in depth cultural features on the history of flamenco, only the Olive Press offers truly original and entertaining content.

And the figures show it, as we are now officially in the top 100,000 in the world, according to Alexa. com rankings.

This week it places our site above all of our rivals, including thelocal.es and thinkspain.com - the latter of which has been running for almost 20 years.

With an average 50,000 visitors a day from Spain, the UK, Gibraltar, Scandinavia, Germany and beyond, we can promise local businesses comprehensive exposure to tens of thousands of potential clients every week.

This is a healthy mix of local expats, as well as thousands of wealthy tourists every day.

Complemented by our 20,000 loyal Facebook followers and 7,000 Twitter fans, there are few people interested in Spain, who are not being reached.

Why is YOUR BUSINESS still spending far too much on Google adwords and other inferior websites, magazines and newspapers, when the Olive Press GUARANTEES results?

Send us an email today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 so we can find you a better, more effective way to market your business.

LEADING THE WAY: Latest Alexa rankings from the Olive Press (above) and Think Spain (below)

The top three most read stories on www. theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1

-‘Maniac’ ties hostage to balcony railing after ‘slitting his throat’ in front of horrified British expats and locals on Spain’s Costa del Sol (57,286)

Brexit will cost Spain tens 2- Noofdeal thousands of jobs, study warns (17,625)

3

- Marbella waiter so ‘disgusted’ by ‘slave-like’ treatment of workers on Spain’s Costa del Sol he moved to UK to be a lorry driver (13,827)

OLIVE PRESS FOUNDER: Heppenstall reveals his tell-all book

Visitors: 539,009

Page views: 610,885

LA CULTURA Trip down Abbey lane

8 8 www.theolivepress.es August 15th - August 28th 2019

NEWS

August 15th - August 28th 2019

British expat who played with Paul McCartney called up to play at world’s largest Beatles music festival in the US EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

DRUMMER: Expat Geoff Britton on his drum kit

IT’S not everyday you get a call to play at the world’s largest Beatles music festival.

But one Brit on the Costa Blanca has revealed his rock’n’roll past as a former drummer for Paul McCartney and Wings.

Geoff Britton, said the call came ‘out of the blue’ back in December last year, and ended with him playing both the Abbey Road on the

Flower power THE world’s largest ‘palm firework’ has been ignited once more in Elche.

More than 64,000 rockets were set off, exploding 3.5 tonnes of gunpowder in the annual Nit de l’Alba festival.

But the festival’s piece de resistance took place at midnight on Tuesday with the exploding of the ‘Palmera de la Virgen’ - the world’s largest of its kind.

This monumental shower of golden ribbons illuminates the night sky from a height of 250 metres and lasts for 25 seconds.

As the majestic pyrotechnics falls to the earth the form takes the shape of a white palm tree with sagging boughs.

The origin of the festival is in the medieval period when citizens of Elche set off fireworks for each one of their children in honour of the city’s patron saint - the Virgin Mary.

Lucky escape ROCK N’ ROLL: Britton (far left) with McCartney

River festival, in Indiana, and at the 45th Anniversary of Junior’s Farm in Nashville, Tennessee, in June.

“I was still recovering from serious surgery on my right arm and wasn’t sure I’d ever play the drums again,” Britton, who drummed for the Beatles’ bassist between 1974-75, told the Olive Press.

Hendrix

“But one thing led to another, and they ended up filming a documentary about me walking into the Nashville Musician’s Hall of Fame.

“I had no idea at the time but there are two pictures of me in there!”

Britton said he had spent six weeks at Junior’s Farm in 1974 recording the eponymous track that was a number-three hit single in the US. The southeast London-born musician - who has also played with rock’n’roll groups The Gun, East of Eden and Mannfred Man’s

Earth Band - also revealed how he out-competed Jimi Hendrix’s drummer Mitch Mitchell the same year to get the gig with ‘Macca’.

He said he attended an audition with ‘54 other drummers’ at the Albany, in London, before a surprise phonecall from McCartney himself told him he’d got the part.

“When you’re a London guy, first seen The Beatles back in ‘63, and then have Paul McCartney two foot in front of your drum kit, it’s a reality sandwich,” Britton said.

“I don’t like to boast, because I know the limits of my work, but I’d just like to think if you follow your dreams anyone can make it.”

Britton says he moved to Javea in 1989 because he could ‘ride his bike all year round’ in the agreeable climate.

He now plays with local group Diamond Jack, and his next gig is at Quovadis on Thursday, August 15.

Spanish among best drivers DESPITE their poor reputation, Spanish drivers are not the worst on the road.

That is according to the annual survey by the Spanish Royal Automobile Club (RACE).

The study of 15 EU countries focuses on driving under the influence and falling asleep at the wheel.

A total of 3,368 18 to 75-year-olds were quizzed from Spain, Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland, Portugal, France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the UK. Spain has dropped to eighth for fatalities and now has 39 deaths for every million people - the European average is 51.

After Sweden (25) the UK has the second lowest road death rate of 27 per million people, while the worst is Romania (99).

Once on the road, two hours and seven minutes is the average time it takes a Spanish driver to take a break.

That puts Spain fourth, while the Portuguese are the most frequent stoppers at just an hour and 45 minutes.

Shockingly, 5.2% of Europeans admit almost falling asleep on long journeys, while the figure for Spain is 2.3%.

A TOURIST is in hospital after being smashed into the air during a bull run in Calpe.

The Frenchman was standing to one side as revellers taunted the animal with a long stick from on top of a table.

The creature then suddenly tore off in another direction, charging the tourist and knocking him into the air.

The man landed on his back and then went to hospital despite not suffering any puncture wounds or broken bones.

The ‘bous al carrer’ or ‘bull-running’ festival season is in full swing, with Calpe’s celebrations running from August 7-12.

Dino-mite!

A HUGE ‘Jurassic’ theme park with zip wires and dinosaurs has been announced for the Andalucia.

The huge development, designed for families, features 19 lifesize dinos and a further 16 animatronic prehistoric beasts.

It will also have hiking trails, excavation zones, a children’s play area, a mini water park, restaurants and tapas kiosks.

Located in Rincon de la Victoria, the new site aims to be ‘the best known family park in the province of Malaga’.

On top of its many attractions, the theme park will also host seasonal events at Easter, Halbeen invested into the project

by Paalwin Park SL, which is planned for land in the Parque Victoria urbanization, north of the A-7 motorway.

A 25-year deal for the plot, signed yesterday, gives developers four months to put forward their plans. A first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2021 and a second by 2024.

Tickets will start at €17.50, with 20% off for people with disabilities, while under-threes go free.

NEWS

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August 15th - August 28th 2019

COME MEET US!

9

BinckBank Spain celebrates the launch of its new service for Englishspeaking investors

B

INCKBANK, one of Eu- support provided by the Binckrope’s largest banks for Bank team in Spain. investors with 12 years To mark the launch of this new experience in Spain, is service, BinckBank Spain will be launching a new service us- hosting a Launch Party at their ing Saxo Bank’s Investment Acadeaward-winning* my in Marbella on trading platforms. the September 12 Aimed at English Fusion of cultures 2019 at 19:00. speaking expatriThe evening will inthat reflects ates in Spain, the corporate a fusion new investor platBinckBank as a of cultures that reform and trader flects BinckBank Dutch Bank in platforms will proas a Dutch Bank vide an ideal soluin Spain with EuroSpain tion for both beginpean clients who ner investors and trade on stock exseasoned traders changes all over alike. the world!

Clients will receive the best of There will be gourmet food, both worlds: an online account cocktails, fantastic music and from Saxo Bank, under the su- other surprises. pervision of the Danish Nation- BinckBank’s Investment Acadeal Bank and Spanish National my in Marbella is where clients Bank, together with personal come to meet with an expert and -offer-300euros

receive ongoing personal assistance and support.

The BinckBank Investment Academy also holds a variety of seminars and events throughout the year.

The aim of these events is to educate Investors and inspire both beginner investors and experienced day-traders.

Kaspar Huijsman, Director of BinckBank Spain explains that ‘every investor needs help, whether they are new to investing or have years of experience.’

“At BinckBank, we offer our clients a free service where they can learn to understand their investments and develop a solid strategy,” he says.

English speaking customers will receive the same benefits as Dutch clients, including the flexibility to walk into the Investment Academy for a consultation at

any time, with or without an appointment.

The launch party will officially mark BinckBank’s expansion to cater for the international market in Spain and specifically for English speaking expatriates and partime residents.

Saxo Bank’s cutting edge multilingual trading platforms will be pivotal in offering the same level of excellent service that BinckBank is already renowned for.

The BinckBank Spain team consists of experts with extensive

About BinckBank BinckBank is one of the largest banks for investors in Europe. BinckBank offers services to retail investors and independent asset managers in terms of savings (Saving) Investing (Investing) and trading (Trading), via its European ICT-ba-

investment knowledge, ensuring customers receive efficient service and accurate information whenever they need, as often as they need. Even by Dutch standards, BinckBank is a truly modern bank offering excellent services!

To receive your personal invitation to the BinckBank Spain launch party on September 12 call (+34) 951 56 56 56 or email info@binckbank.com

sis platform. BinckBank is listed on Euronext Amsterdam as an independent online bank with offices in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. BinckBank was formed in 2000 and employs 642 FTEs.

For further information contact BinckBank Spain: Femke Utrecht, tel: +34 951 56 56 56 or email: Femke.Utrecht@binckbank.com

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10 10

www.theolivepress.es

August 15th - August14th 28th2019 2019 1st - August Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es Andalucia Issue 324 is now the number one English news

IT’S OFFICIAL:

The

OLIVE PRESS

Mijas Costa

DESPITE their poor reputation, on Spanish drivers are not the worst the road.

That is according to the annual survey by the Spanish Royal Automobile Club (RACE).

The study of 15 EU countries focuses on driving under the influence and falling asleep at the wheel.

A total of 3,368 18 to 75-year-olds were quizzed from Spain, Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland, Portugal, France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the UK. Spain has dropped to eighth for fatalities and now has 39 deaths for every million people - the European average is 51.

After Sweden (25) the UK has the secper ond lowest road death rate of 27 Romillion people, while the worst is mania (99).

Once on the road, two hours and sevena minutes is the average time it takes Spanish driver to take a break.

That puts Spain fourth, while the Portuguese are the most frequent stoppers at just an hour and 45 minutes.

Shockingly, 5.2% of Europeans admit almost falling asleep on long journeys, while the figure for Spain is 2.3%.

Meanwhile, 27% of those polled admitted they would not stop at all for journeys of four hours or less.

The study revealed that 43.5% of Europeans have driven after drinking, with so.

22% always or almost always doing Around 14.4% of Spaniards always or almost always drive after drinking, while it is 27.5% in the UK and 32.9% in France.

voice in Spain

EXCLUSIVE

No control

David in his hospital bed

jumps, been blown up twice and da that David was transferred to shot once. the Hospital Costa del Sol, where “I’ve had medical treatment in he remains to this day, some four several countries, but there’s only months later.

Afghanistan that are “I personally called Libya and here.”

061, introduced my- worse than repeated attempts, no self as a Councillor Despite the Casares or Manilva from the town hall of one from was available to comCasares, and request- town halls ed that they send an ment. between Manilva and ambulance with a ResidentsCosta have long commedical unit so that Casares plained of a lack of ambulances they could attend with emergencies, with David, who was in to deal vehicles often having very bad condition,” emergency to be borrowed from private comthe told the politician panies or neighbouring Estepona.

Olive Press.

David added: “I’ve Opinion Page 6 done 300 parachute

Gibraltar Issue 103

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It’s Andalucia vs Alicante...

Which area has the best grub on offer this summer?

CRUNCH TIME See page 20

He boasted of the ‘top quality’ fruit and vegetables which have gone up in standard since the closed frontier days of the 1970s.

“There are some products like saffron only found in Morocco which are wanted around the world,” he told the Olive Press.

While the main thrust of the new office is trade, tourist, cultural and educational links are also going to be strengthened.

“In Morocco there has been a tendency to teach English THE Gibraltar Government instead of French,” affirmed has said the public ‘should Reed. “So it could be of benefit inform themselves’ amid to them to learn English at our preparations for a no-deal university here.”

Brexit on October 31.

The association has existed for In a bid to allay the fears of a long time and the possibility Britain leaving the EU withof greater Moroccan involveout an agreement in just 78 ment has been touted in the days time it also pledged an past during periods of stress updated information camwith Spain. paign.

- IRELAND “This time it is different though SPAIN - UK Adverts are set to run across as we have now received Govthe Government’s social ITALY - PORTUGAL ernment support,” he added. “It FRANCE media in the run-up to the is a big step in the right direc‘do or die’ departure from tion. the EU being threatened by “The first step would be to dePrime Minister Boris Johnvelop transport links like ferries son. and airline connections to make A Government statement travel easier.” also read: “Gibraltar is not Deputy Chief Minister Joseph B-DAY: Halloween no-deal Brexit in the EU Customs Union.

Garcia said: “It is only logical threatened by Johnson (left) “We have no manufacturing sees Picardo (right) step up RTATION that we should also look topreparations TRANSPO than Meanwhile industry, no agriculture and terms we are better off ED businesses need spokesperson wards the South given our geothe United Kingdom in termsANIMAL said. rely no fishing industry. to check also been held, the GovernAUTHORIS you can that there are ‘no is- Crunch talks with graphical location.”

40 years, the magnitude over with food im- ment said. ofdelthe Sol forsues’ “This means that in general ofDEFRA carefully supply chains From Costa and porters and the Environchange thaton the move. of your Operating we can expect.” www.gibraltar.gov.gi, aspectvisit a mental Safety Group have Deputy Chief Minister Joyour pet, we care of every seph Garcia said there had on us to take to safely transporting service. belongings been ‘over 50 meetings’ with and friendly packing your professional companies and businesses. a personal, advice will give you He added: “We voted to reand some expert main in the European Union For an estimate ALL AREAS and this is still the preferred position of the Government.

COVERED UK BASED “However, we nonetheless Lettings | Sales 560 4G UNLIMITED need to prepare for our pos(+34) 902 109 ls.co.uk sible departure.”

Reliable private hire transfer Investments INTERNET jackremova It comes as UK shadow services for any occasion info@union IDEAL FOR STREAMING TV Relocations home secretary Diane Ab.co.uk • Luxury vehicles bott appeared to suggest ionjackremovals ALSO IPTV, Commercial • Door to door service for www.un Spanish that Labour was ready to taSATELLITE TV • Airport collections and Residential ble a no-confidence motion residents • Weddings transport in Johnson.

Tel: +350 200 44955 • Sightseeing day trips “We are talking to all of the www.globelink.co.uk enquiries@seekerspropertygibraltar.com • Restaurant shuttles other parties in parliament Find out more at: and if we move for a vote of tel: (0034) 952 763 840 www.simply-shuttles.com no confidence we want to do info@theskydoctor.com 96 626 5000 10 Engineer Lane, tel: 951 279 117 it with confidence that we www.theskydoctor.com info@simply-shuttles.com can win it,” she said.

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The NEW PM: Boris

Brexitgate HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits in living in Spain could sue the UK the event of a no-deal Brexit, a leading Conservative MP has claimed.

Costa, Alberto Tory MP for South Leicestershire, said the next prime minister faces ‘an enormous, unprecedented amount’ of legal action if the rights of EU not are citizens residing in Britain protected within legislation before October 31.

But Costa also warned that British be expats living in Europe could unfairly penalised if the next leader fails to secure their rights too. a Brits living abroad would have strong case to sue, Costa warned, to if they unfairly lose their rights pensions, healthcare and long-term residency.

In a missive to Britain’s next PM, sent before the deciding vote, Costa wrote: “No peacetime British government enhas ever abrogated the rights joyed by over a million of its own citizens overnight.

“As a former UK government lawyer I can reasonably foresee an enorof amount mous, unprecedented litigation raised by British citizens.”

Gibraltar seeks to calm residents as no-deal Brexit looms ever closer as it holds dozens of meetings with business leaders

Mallorca Issue 60

Opinion Page 6

MALLORCA

Your expat

voice in Spain

August 2nd -August 15th 2019

How an innocent British MoD worker was locked up for a YEAR FULL STORY P6 with killers...

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Vol. 3 Issue 60

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TARGETED: Lesley and Melanie

Expat couple behind muchloved bar branded ‘dirty lesbians’ in harassment campaign by ‘homophobic neighbours’

She’s heeere!

Oprah among haul of A-listers flocking to Mallorca for a Spanish getaway See page 3

Ped-woe

Readers react to news that Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has AGAIN been blasted for his lack of Spanish, this time by his ex-boss (online, July 30)

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

Taking a pound-ing

If you have formation stein, please Olive Press 951 273 575.

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

AN iconic British music venue in Malsixlorca is fighting for its life after a year battle with ‘homophobic’ neighbours.

The Lesbian couple who own Betty’s International Music Bar, in Cala Egos, fear their venue will be forced to close after the town hall warned them about the number of calls it has been receiving.

That is despie the venue being 100% legal and holding the correct licences put fingers up and and after having invested more than VILE: Neighbours €30,000 in sound-proofed ceilings, spat on terrace constant doors and windows. it’s neighbour’s harassment and stop our “Our neighbours just want us out, calls they do have the power to Lebeen a non-stop campaign of harass37, music, it’s unbelievable,” added ment,” co-owner Leanne Green, anne, who has had to go on anti-anxfrom near Leeds, told the Olive Press iety medication due to ongoing ordeal. last night.

“We are a very hard working and “The owner of the apartment upstairs successful English gay couple who told us he doesn’t want ‘dirty lesbians’ have built a wonderful trade for the around here and his kids who live there area, to lose Betty’s would lose hunD’or and have spat on our terraces and someour dreds of tourists in Cala times we see them just staring into us.” more importantly revenue would intimidate to trying CCTV cameras be affected for everyone - including taxis, restaurants, hotels, apartAction ments and other bars!” to Leanne and her partner Melanie Leanne reported the verbal abuse onpetition a launched Guardia Civil but a lack of evidence Bland have support for the venue line to show meant no action could be taken. already garnered 1,000 Images seen by the Olive Press show and have signatures. the neighbours spitting on the terrace the “Please sign to show your support and putting middle fingers up at to for us,” the pair added, “we need cameras. hall know how loved The venue has reportedly been there let the town our bar is.” since 1985 and all previous owners and important have played their music loudly withFacebook page to out soundproofing and without com- Visit their sign the petition.

15:36 plaints.

16/06/2017 1 Untitled-1.pdf this “We found out from the mayor the Opinion Page 6 week that unless we can stop

Harder than you think It is a difficult language to learn when you’re past retirement age. Especially if you’re from the south of England as the accent is softer and Spanish is a hard accent. Anyway, that's my view.

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A SPANISH restaurant has been ridiculed after a translation gaffe that saw traditional Iberian foods take a sinister turn in English.

Barcelona-native Naru spotted the restaurant’s menu mis-translating the popular tapa of ‘patatas bravas’ as ‘angry potato’.

Meanwhile ‘sangria’ was miscommunicated simply as ‘bleeding’.

Twitter commentators mocked the linguistic faux pas, with user Sahari pretending to order ‘angry potatoes with bleeding, please’.

Naru did not respond to a request for the name of the restaurant.

SOUP-ER Kudos to Joshua D! Parfitt FOO

Something for everyone at

HILL TOP GASTRO PUB CRIME

2

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NEWS IN BRIEF Held to account

SPAIN has been referred to the EU Court of Justice for imposing disproportionate fines on taxpayers who failed to report assets held in other EU countries.

Typical Spanish dish helps fight killer cancer cells, new study finds

July 4th - July 17th 2019

Crack hawk down

A SURVEILLANCE helicopter has caught a man travelling at 223 km/h on the AP-7 motorway on the Costa Blanca while ‘high on several drugs’. The Pegasus helicopter from Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) caught the driver at 13.42 in Gandia on Saturday, before notifying the Guardia Civil’s traffic unit.

The man was detained and tested positive to ‘various narcotics’.

INTEREST in Spanish holiday destinations has fallen this year in favour of other popular sites on the Med. The Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Ibiza and Menorca have seen fewer internet searches up to July this year, compared to the same period in 2018, according to TravelSupermarket.

The fall contrasts with a surge in popularity for destinations such as Turkey and Tunisia.

Resorts in the Antalya region of Turkey have jumped from 7th to 4th place on the list.

Meanwhile Tunisia has shot up to 23rd position, compared with 75th last year.

According to Thomas Cook, bookings are surging in these two destinations largely due to low costs – beers in Tunisia can cost as little as €1.

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GAZPACHO helps prevent cancer.

That’s the findings of a new Spanish study which found the typically Andalucian dish helps disrupt the growth of colon cancer cells.

Researchers in Almeria and Granada put the cold soup through an artificial digestive system before introducing the resulting substance to cultured tumours.

Researchers kept to the traditional recipe, made up of tomato (385 grams), cucumber (58 grams), pepper (3 grams), garlic (2 grams), extra virgin olive oil (3.3%, v / v), water ( 3.3%) and vinegar (0.16%).

All ingredients were fresh.

The results showed that gazpacho not only stopped cell growth, but that it could induce so-called programmed cell death.

“Upon contact with this type of food, a series of genes are activated that cause inhibition in development of tumours and

Boosted

It’s also boosted by the fact that the FCO have lifted travel bans against both countries after terror attacks – in Sousse for Tunisia and in Istanbul for Turkey.

Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator for TravelSupermarket, explained that Brits are predominantly looking for value this year.

One example is the Algarve in Portugal, which has moved up in rankings from 4th to 3rd this year.

Emma said: “It is not surprising to see more British interest in Portugal this year.

“Prices are, on the whole, slightly cheaper than in nearby Spain; a beer is likely to cost you £2.70 in Alicante but only around £1.60 in Faro, and a glass of wine around £2.”

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The Spanish government brought in surveillance helicopters to catch speeders back in 2007.

A total of eight now patrol the Spanish skies. The Pegasus choppers uses two cameras which monitor the speed of a car and record its number plate. The cameras can also determine if a driver is using a mobile phone or riding without a seatbelt.

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Unexpected baggage

A MILITARY official travelling with Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro was detained in Sevilla after 39kg of cocaine was found in his suitcase on the presidential plane.

43 66

ONE of the UK’s most dangerous men has been learning Spanish as part of his plan to relocate to Spain on his release.

Infamous 62-year-old

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

taxi Fernando Serrat, but nothing rapist John Worboys - who ever changes,” she explained. now goes by the name John Grace believes nothing has Derek Radford - is hoping been done is that Serrat’s to start a new life here, daughter is the director of the when released.

Auditori Teulada and ‘good But the sex offender, who friends’ with former health was set to be released this councillor Rosa Ana Caselles year, may spend a lot more and former mayor Carlos Litime behind bars at Wakenares. field prison after a massive A series of letters addressed to both politicians pleading public uproar. for ‘a solution’ have gone “He had all the books and unanswered.

DVDs and was becoming “We want to give these dogs pretty fluent,” a source at a life of liberty, without fleas, the prison told a UK newsworms, poor nutrition and MISTREATED: Dogs trapped in paper. abandoned house horrific conditions,” read one “He wanted to eventually letter to Linares. to ‘understand Spanish cultu- certainly not European beha- live in Spain where, worrShe was recently told by Se- re’. viour, or shouldn’t be,” added yingly, he’d be totally anonrrat’s daughter that she failed “But is this really culture? It’s Grace, who retired to Spain 15 ymous and God only knows years for health reasons. what he’d get up to out theShe believes that the keen re mixing with tourists. hunter Serrat, aged 77, is now “He had also changed his ‘incapable’ of caring for his name so he could slip under six dogs. the radar.”

However there is hope on Worboys was jailed in 2009 TWO men have been arrested in A WOMAN has been arrested after her the horizon with both LinaBarcelona after robbing 23 toures and Caselles no longer in for a spate of sex assaults on dog died from strangulation and heats12 women in London. rists by using the ‘spitting’ mepower after May’s elections. troke. thod.

She hopes new councillor for He could have obtained The 27-year-old is charged with animal permission to travel abroad The men were seen on CCTV spiAnimal Welfare Adrian Ruiz abuse after her ‘dying’ pet was spotted on tting on tourists, and while one will be more ‘animal friendly’. from probation officers afa balcony in Valladolid. offered to clean the victim’s jac“The maltreatment of ani- ter a Parole Board deemed After police officers saw the animal ‘panket the other made off with their mals really upsets me,” added him to be no longer a danting intensely’ and could not break in, suitcase.

Boas, who narrowly missed a ger. But the decision is exfiremen were called to rescue the animal.

The thieves, of Peruvian nationaseat on Teulada council with pected to be reversed when But the dog could not be saved, and it lity, reportedly made €73,000 in the PSOE in the recent elec- he goes in front of a judge to died of ‘suffocation due to strangulation’, the scam. tions. be sentenced in September according to a vet.

“I’m really praying something after he admitted attacks on can finally be done.” four more women.

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1 Brandy distilled from cherries (6) 5 Reveal unintentionally (6) 8 Large self-service store (11) 9 Like many Sherpas (8) 10 Pained expression (4) 11 On a lower storey (5) 13 Investigate closely (5) 17 Harvest (4) 19 Bed (8) 21 Audio system output device (11) 22 Concurs (6) 23 An unspecified person (6)

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Delay

PEDRO Sanchez has delayed a vote until July 23 in order to convince Pablo Iglesias’ Unidos Podemos to for a coalition with the socialist party.

PSOE won 123 seats during the April elections, but need 176 to become a majority in the Spanish congress.

A BRITISH expat who has fought for eight years to rescue dogs trapped in a ‘hellhole’ says town hall councillors do nothing due to their friendship with the owner.

Grace Boas, 63, said there are six podenco hunting dogs stuck in an abandoned house ‘without windows’ on Cami Sant Miquel, near Benimeit, in Teulada.

She said the dogs live surrounded by ‘excrement and worms’ and they ‘never leave’ the property.

“I walk my dogs there every day and they bark non-stop,” Grace, who is secretary of PLUTO Protectora Animales, told the Olive Press.

“Four denuncias, two instancias and a complaint to the EU Commission have been made against their owner,

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See Tapas treatments, page 26

Once a wolf

FIVE members of the ‘Wolf Pack’ gang have been found guilty of rape after the Supreme Court overturned a regional court’s lesser conviction of sexual assault. The five men will each be jailed for 15 years, instead of 9 years, for raping an 18-year-old and filming it in Pamplona.

British expat sayswww.hilltopgastropub.eu council are ‘ignoring’ attempts to rescue Móstoles, Moraira tel: 965 74 mistreated Calle dogs

Across

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cause them to actively ‘commit suicide’ - known as apoptosis,” explained lead researcher Pablo Campra, from the University of Almeria.

“Why and how they do it is something we are working on now.”

The data also showed that ingredients like garlic or olive oil have an antitumor effect on their own, although they would require very high doses to reach gazpacho’s cancer-busting levels. "We have seen how the union as a gazpacho enhances all these properties, making its consumption more effective at significantly lower amounts," concluded Campra.

The study was published by the Food Research International magazine.

Spanish ginspiration

TANQUERAY’S latest gin offers a taste of Spain.

Made with Seville oranges, Flor De Sevilla is the latest addition to the famous gin brand The use of Seville oranges goes back to the distillers’ roots when founder Charles Tanqueray used world-famous these fruits in his original 1830s recipe.

Innovation Project Refilwe Manager Moswane said, "The

OP QUICK Crossword 1

Little ears

A BOY aged 10 has rescued a 64-yearold Dutchman who fell into a fissure in the mountains of Picos de Europa, northern Spain. The boy split from his family to take photographs when he heard the injured man scream for help.

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Down 22

2 Point in question (5) 3 Highest singing voice in women (7) 4 Set (6) 5 Defeated (6) 6 Capital of Japan (5) 7 Indigestion remedy (7) 12 Stopper to keep out noise (7) 14 Jailer (7) 15 Entertains (6) 16 Greek goddess of wisdom (6) 18 Dried plum (5) 20 Seductively beautiful woman (5)

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Spanglish spuds

THE Valencian Community’s first-ever ‘coqueria’ has opened in Denia.

The coca, a traditional Valencian food akin to a small pizza, has had no outlet dedicated to its production - until now.

La Coqueria is run by chef Dora Perello who prepares the take-aways by hand from the shop on the avenida de Castelló.

According to Perello, who learned the recipes from her grandmother, her aim is to compete with the imported pizzerias of the Marina Alta.

“Our cocas evoke the past, and whoever tries them rediscovers flavours that have almost been forgotten,” Perello, 56, said.

The Coquería has already received a prestigious ‘A’ for artisanship from the Valencian Community.

In addition, Perello teaches workshops for children and adults to rediscover the origin of cocas, their flavours and their nutritional benefits.

2019 is about a range of new shades to enhance and create.

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It’s nice to see this artiBlack cab cle posted on Facebook Trapped in hell costa rapist’s Oh the irony plans (Trapped in hell, Issue del pg 2). I have since 8, Want an escape from the busy costas? A weekend So how can Brits complain when people don’t speak English?¿Costa in romantic Ronda will revive your senses. donde?

Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer My great nieces were told by a stranger on a bus to ‘talk En- shared the article on the Galgopod Facebook glish in England’ when practising their Italian with each other.

Page. Big kudos to you for spreading aware- Spit and run COLLARED Vincent Oram, Turre ness and helping to free these pods!

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DUMAS I was amused to see your article on translation gaffes that appear on restaurant menus (Spanglish spuds, Issue 10, pg 23). One that I once saw and will never forget was: ‘Rape a la romana’ (battered monkfish) which was translated as ‘Rape in the Roman style’!

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on her first foreign holiday - she’s an 85-year-old OAP who uses a mobility scooter and has come to Benidorm on a six-week bender.

The Liverpudlian widow spends her evenings riding a rodeo bull on the strip and downing shots with younger BAD GIRL: Grace in new show about Benidorm Brits men.

But Grace is Other characters on the show, Benidorm THE British pound has sunk well below €1 resident Gary, aka not alone. which aired on Channel 5 last ‘Johnny Bongo’, who’s hopat the UK’s biggest airports just as hordes of A new two- week, are Mr Benidorm who ing Brits are set to travel to Spain. part TV series, owns the Union Jack 2 bar mingto resurrect his drumAt the ICE desk at Heathrow airport last B e n i d o r m : and rides around dressed in the career and is taking to night, an Olive Press reader was quoted £117 stage for the first time in Brits on the a red suit emblazoned with almost for buying €100 – making each pound worth 17 years.

Pull, revealed hundreds of British flags. just 85 cents.

He said: “At the end of the Grace is just Tattooed According to reports, at Gatwick airport on granny rapper day, one of one of Jeanie B, 65, has also come to ter anything’s got to be betMonday night the rate was £1 = €0.90. than living in rainy Manmany pension- Benidorm from the UK to au- chester.

With commission added to a €100 transac“Sometimes the forers who live dition at a cabaret club. tion, the cost in sterling was £116. eign women here are better and holiday in She enjoys Benidorm because because The currency market has marked down sterthey don’t know what the infamous it’s the ‘party place of the uni- I’m ling as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit aptalking about. “If they’re holiday resort verse’ and she is the ‘greatest English, pears increasingly likely. they tend to find I - and who have party animal the world has can It means the exchange rate costs are at a twobe a little bit crude.” no intention ever seen’. year high.

Part two of the series is due to of growing old Similarly in love with the air on Thursday, August 1, at gracefully. limelight is 59-year-old 10.15 pm UK time.

MISSING: E since.

"Einstein ha the owner's years after owner fell ill not keep him Michael Ko ager of the told the Olive "He was an a vourite of Te tomers.

"He could and 'bye bye whistle, and tate dogs and "He rememb ple’s name heartbroken gone."

Kosok, 49, fro ny, said the p most likely s 'whim'.

He pleaded f and locals ali an eye out fo loved parrot.

"Without pap be really har him legally, added.

"If a parrot turns up at t of someone y please ask w got him from."

We saw this and didn’t know what to think (We’ve still got it,!!SIZZLING Issue SUMMER 10, pgDEALS 8). There are – SUBJECT TO AVAILABILIT Y !! mixed feelings, it is quiteSPECIAL embarrassing see SET PRICE to – €4.299,00 grown-up people acting like this. Have fun+ by + all means, but it’s a bit over the top.

No wonder us Brits have a bad name. +

Just f**king learn. It's not that hard. I know people that have lived here for 20-odd years and all they can say is ‘hola’ and ‘dos cervezas por favor’. It is f**king embarrassing as a British person. At least learn the basics. It's really not that difficult.

These are the same people that complain about ‘foreigners’ in the UK not speaking English. Seriously.

OP Sudoku

for Spanish residents www.globelink.co.uk

GRACE cackles loudly as she glugs a bucket of booze through a penis-shaped straw while wearing a red satin hat with ‘BAD GIRL’ emblazoned across the front.

But Grace isn’t a 25-year-old

Tarred with the same brush

M

UK BASED

New two-part series follows elderly Brits still bent on living the high life in Benidorm

SPAIN is on course for the fourth election in as many years after its parliament rejected Pedro Sanchez’s bid to become prime minister.

Known as the ‘comeback kid,’ the 47-year-old has so far only managed to secure the backing of his own 123 PSOE lawmakers.

“I want to be Spain’s prime minister, but not at any price,” said Sanchez “If in order to become prime minister I need to give up on my principles, if I need to form a government knowing it won’t be useful for the country, then it won’t be done now,” he continued.

Sanchez now has until mid-September to win the backing for his premiership to avoid fresh elections.

If this fails a new election will be held on November 10 2019.

However a repeat of the last round is ever likely, with a poll conducted this week showing PSOE would win just under 42% of the vote if an election was held tomorrow.

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WE’VE STILL GOT IT

UNDER FIRE: Sanchez

Zoe Valentine, La Linea

The Spanish Government has no say in whether our pensions are to be frozen at the current level, as they are in all other third countries (Brexitgate, Issue 10, pg 5).

That would be up to our own Government.

They also have no control over whether we would be landlocked, losing our freedom of movement as third country nationals, only being able to stay in another EU country for 90 days under the Schengen rules, because the UK is not part of Schengen.

They also have no say in whether the UK will choose to honour the current reciprocal agreement to pay for pensioners’ or disabled health care, again up to our own Government.

Those are the reasons we could sue if there is a no-deal Brexit and our current rights and benefits are taken away from us, by our own Government.

That is because I don’t for one minute think they care or will put those securities in place for us.

They are Tories, after all!

Lynda Prae, Alicante

3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .

GIBRALTAR

The

We ask the experts, see page 6

Going south

Possibility

o n l y .

1

Is 5G really killing us?

MOROCCAN food, spices and unique luxury products could soon be sold and distributed from Gibraltar.

It comes after a governmentbacked business association was formed in Tangier amid frontier fluidity concerns.

“There’s been a lot of movement recently because people are afraid of what may happen with Brexit,” Gibraltar Moroccan Business Association (GMBA) president Clive Reed revealed. “It is not likely that the border will be shut but we are just looking at making alternative arrangements if there are problems at the frontier.

“Even if there aren’t any problems Morocco is modernising very quickly and is a gateway to the whole of Africa, just 20 minutes from Gibraltar.”

See page 16 & 47

TM

c u s t o m e r s

n e w

August 1st - August 14th

Find him!

AN expat is pleading for help after a 60-year-old talking parrot was stolen from his restaurant on the Costa cameras and trashing the Blanca. interior.

Thieves broke into the Tene- The criminals also made off re restaurant in Denia last with the resident African week, destroying the ciga- grey parrot, called Einstein, rette machines, stealing the who has not been seen

August 15th - August 28th 2019

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commercial.

Workers are walking out over the increasingly recurring change in management.

Travelers affected can swap their ticket for another nearby departure date or time at no additional cost.

(colour of your choice)

after British expat war veteran shocked pleas for ambulance denied THREE times on Costa del Sol

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Off the rails

RENFE has announced it will cancel 1,152 trains across four days of strikes on July 31, August 14, 30 and September 1.

Some 707 of these will be passenger trains and 445

It’s the least you could do

BAIL FAIL: Athlete criticised

‘Left to die’ BEDRIDDEN: Expat war hero

NEWS

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We ask the experts, see page 6

See page 40

A BRITISH war veteran has

By Charlie Smith slammed Spanish paramedics after claiming he was forced to ‘keep Press, “I was taking deep breaths, himself alive’ for 23 hours after but my lung capacity was only they refused to take him to hospi- about 10%, it was just about staytal. ing alive.”

David Walter West, who served Once paramedics arrived, they with the SAS in Afghanistan, says refused to take David to hospital, he was forced to lie in his own filth despite him telling them, ‘I can’t after falling out of bed at his home breathe’. in Casares Costa.

Begging The former lieutenant colonel from Hull, 73, was recovering His health then rapidly deterioratfrom a knee operation and having ed in the following week and the when femur two pins put in his emergency services were called he smashed his head on the bed twice more. frame and passed out.

After the third time, his friend LuBut when he woke up 12 hours lat- isa began ‘begging’ officials at Saer firemen and police turned up, binillas Health Centre to take him while paramedics simply put the to hospital, but they still refused. father-of-one back to bed.

I It was only when Luisa approached “I was worried I would die and Casares Councillor Antonia Pinenearly did,” David told the Olive

8

Is 5G really killing us?

expat

It’s Andalucia vs Alicante...

Which area has the best grub on offer this summer?

Spanish among best drivers

Boyo boy

website in spain…. see page 7

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Issue 32

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JAW-DROPPING: Spanish firm wows judges in battle for award SEE PAGE 14

New fans Why this medieval town - among others - is being praised by Spain’s top architects, see page 16

Sheikh it up Man City owner snaps up €16 million mansion down the road from Julio Iglesias in Andalucia

LUCKY: Sheikh Mansour

MANCHESTER City FC owner Sheikh Mansour will soon be neighbours with Julio Iglesias, it has emerged.

The football mogul, 48, has splashed out on a stunning €16 million, 25-acre farm near Monda.

Set on the edge of the idyllic Sierra de las Nieves, Finca Moratan y Bornoque comes complete with four farmhouses, a 72-metre-square pool and a guest cottage.

The Emirati royal can even get his hands dirty with his new home’s walnut plantations, cork farm and cattle fields, which can generate over

€150,000 a year in extra income.

His new pad even sports a 60 x 12 metre private dam, used for irrigation, watering animals and fire prevention.

Mansour, who is deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, will also count embattled Spanish pop star Julio Iglesias among his neighbours.

The lothario singer, 75 - whose love child was recently proved to be 100% his son - owns the €145 million Las Cuatro Lunas in nearby Ojen.

Even the Sheikh cannot rival the musician’s mansion, which boasts four pools, a recording studio and a guest

SPRAWLING: Sheikh’s new estate in Andalucia

house across 450 acres.

The estate - which Iglesias put on sale last year - was also the site of the ar-

tist’s secret wedding to Miranda Rijnsburger in 2010, in front of just 15 guests.

12

August 2019

PROPERTY

Mark Stucklin

Choppy waters

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

I

SEE signs that the Spanish Taking out a mortgage is getting more mortgage market is heading complex, which is sure to turn off some for choppy waters as a result of Government interference, foreign buyers at a time when demand is and it’s not great news for the already going soft, writes Mark Stucklin housing market in general, and foreign buyers in particular.

The other day Banco Santan- gulations kicked in on the 17th I asked Kevin Monger, a founder announced their Q1 results June 2019. Overall foreign de- ding partner of Mortgage Diand tactfully pointed out that, mand declined in Q1for the first rect, a company specialising in thanks to new mortgage re- time in almost a decade, with sourcing mortgages for foreign gulations, it’s getting harder to pronounced falls amongst nor- borrowers, for his thoughts on sign a mortgage in Spain due thern European nationalities like the subject. to “longer and more complica- the British and Swedes, whom “We have not noticed any chanted processes” in the words of Spanish banks prefer to lend ge in foreign demand for SpaManaging Director to when it comes nish mortgages yet, but I feel José Luis Álvarez. to foreign clients, it’s too early to see any marked He was too diploas the paperwork change,” he told me.

Some potential and credit scoring “Banks are still getting to grips matic to criticise the Government in is easier. It’s not with the new laws, not least the foreign buyers Madrid for its new hard to imagine situation where clients are not could now mortgage law but that a percentage earning in Euros, as the general you don’t need a abandon the idea of potential foreign interpretation is that they can PhD to work out of buying in Spain buyers will now switch the mortgage currency what he was saabandon the idea to the currency of the earnings if ying. The new reof buying a home the exchange rate goes against gulations are going in Spain because them by a certain margin. This to make it harder and more ex- getting a mortgage is simply is a huge risk and we will popensive to take out a mortgage too much trouble. Maybe len- tentially see more conservative in Spain, especially if you are a ders were already adjusting to lending to those earning in GBP, the draft regulations in Q1, with USD, CHF, NOK, etc etc.” foreigner.

Foreign demand for property in might help explain the decline Even if reports from the coal Spain was already going soft in foreign demand that period. I face of the mortgage market are not yet bad, Kevin added, before the new mortgage re- don’t know.

“Things are changing by the day with banks formulating new policies – It promises to be an interesting time.”

Personally, I can’t see how forcing borrowers using mortgages to visit a notary ten days before completion will not have a significant negative impact on foreign demand.

Mortgage Stamp Duty Increases in Catalonia Meanwhile, in Catalonia, the Regional Government has announced plans to increase mortgage stamp duty from 1.5% to 2% on all mortgages taken out in the region. This will distort the Spanish mortgage market, with higher borrowing costs in Catalonia than anywhere else in Spain. The move will increase

setup costs by close to €800 on a typical loan of €125,000, calculate the CECA banking association. As most loans in Catalonia are €140,000 or more, the cost to borrowers will be even higher, as it all gets passed onto borrowers one way or another.

The rising cost and complexity of taking out a mortgage in Spain, especially in Catalonia, is likely to discourage a certain amount of foreign buyers at a time when foreign demand is already going soft. Bear in mind that foreign demand is key to to some market segments on the coast and islands, and in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Palma de Mallorca.

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

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Magnifique

Bargain in the sun A PLACE in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman was stunned when a couple on the show snapped up an ‘amazing’ property for just £48,000 (€52,000) in southern Spain. Tracey and Dean from Bristol were ‘amazed’ after their offer was accepted for the 2-bedroom penthouse next to the beach in Murcia’s Mar Menor.

Rocketing rents THE average cost of renting in Spain has shot up by 50% in just five years.

According to Idealista, the places worst-hit by the rent hike were Palma and Barcelona (more than 50%), followed by Malaga, Madrid, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Valencia (all around 45%).

The report found that rental charges have increased at a ‘significantly’ faster rate than housing costs.

It comes as anti-tourism groups have staged protests in hotspots like Palma, blaming holidaymakers for the spike in rents. Inland areas, meanwhile, saw the lowest bumps in rent.

BARGAIN: Home on hit property show

The home, which overlooks the coast, was on the market for £55,000 (€60,000) and the pair had a budget of £70,000 (€75,000).

“That’s some deal! Wow,” Harman exclaimed after sealing the deal on the phone, “I am really amazed.”

Winning number

ARCHITECTS behind a new luxury residential tower under construction in Barcelona have revealed the full design.

The project entitled ‘Antares’ has been led by French architect Odile Decq and will comprise of a 30 story tower with 89 flats offering sweeping views of the city.

Located on avinguda dia-

gonal, one of Barcelona’s broadest and most important avenues, the development will offer a selection of one to four bedroom apartments.

"Antares is my first residential development and its design speaks to the heart of my philosophy to bring originality and innovation to everything I do," explained Odile Decq.

COMING SOON: New tower

Office blocked

Valencia’s poshest pad revealed as Denia mansion complete with water slide THIS is the Valencian Community’s most expensive house on the market - and

Raising the roof

ALL CHANGE: For Bilbao museum

it’s in Denia.

For a €10 million price tag, the chalet on the CV-736 offers views over the Marineta Cassiana beach and Denia’s luxury port, according to Idealista.

Set in a 10,600 m sq plot studded with palm and pine

FOSTER + Partners has revealed plans to add this incredible overhanging rooftop extension to the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.

Created with local studio LMU Arkitektura, it was the winning bid in a competition that invited studios from around the world to ‘write a new chapter in the life of the institution’. The addition will contain a mix of gallery spaces and public viewing platforms. It will form part of a wider overhaul of the museum which will also see the restoration of several original elements.

Beauty "I hope antares sets a new standard for what a luxury building can be. from the building’s architecture, which embraces the beauty of the surrounding barcelona area, all the way to the finishes in the interiors, I have taken the utmost care and consideration into every aspect of its design."

HIGH LIFE: Luxury Costa Blanca chalet worth €10 million

trees, the property boasts a massive swimming pool with a slide feature next to an outdoor barbecue, kitchen and dining area. The house itself is 830 m sq and flaunts 10 bedrooms, three kitchens and two terraces across two floors of the Mediterranean mansion. In the floral garden are also situated outdoor showers right next to a secret exit door to Denia’s closest beach to the

town centre - Marinete Cassiana also boasts a blue flag.

Despite its price tag, however, the lush chalet does not find itself among the 10 priciest properties in Spain.

The most expensive house on the Spanish market is currently a €55 million pad in Marbella.The second-most is in Ibiza, for €40 million, followed by a €35 million palace of 7,000 m sq in Mijas, Malaga.

SPACIOUS: An open-plan interior makes for the perfect party house

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THE Mayor of Malaga has said he would like to see the city’s old landmark Post Office HQ be turned into offices.

It comes after some councillors suggested the the iconic but derelict block of 4,097 square meters, near Puente de Tetuan, be converted into a hotel or a halls of residence.

“While I have always said that Malaga needs hotels, I have also reiterated how much it needs office buildings for rent and warehouses for logistics,” said Mayor Francisco de la Torre.

Andalucia Minister of Finance, Juan Bravo, said there were ‘many companies’ interested in the site, but that the first priority would be to ‘clean the building’.

NEW FUTURE: Post office HQ

14

August 2019

PROPERTY

Out of the shadows Young Spanish firm up for ‘emerging architect’ of the year award

T

WOW: Frame House in Menorca, built for a private family, offers stunning views GORGEOUS: (Top right) Stone House in Menorca while (below and right) its chic interior and views to the sea

HE competition is heating up for this year’s Dezeen awards.

From thousands of architects and interior designers from around the world, the internationally renowned architecture publication will announce the winners on September 1.

Vying for the Emerging Architect of the Year is Barcelona-based studio Nomo.

The young firm has made an impression in the building biz with its whitewashed homes comprising unusual shapes.

Below we have rounded up its most memorable works.

EYE-CATCHING: Nomo’s latest project, Bridge House, comprises stacked pentagon pods in Menorca

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August 2019

PROPERTY

Not just a pretty face Architects think these are the most beautiful villages in Spain

W

E’VE all read about the purported beauty of Spain’s pueblos blancos.

Andalucia in particular is awash with these glistening, white villages, often extolled in publications like Tripadvisor and Lonely Planet.

Perched on top of hills and nestled in mountain valleys, they are one of the hallmarks of property and travel writing, along with Moorish ruins, winding cobbled streets and Game of Thrones castles.

But there is so much more to Spanish architecture than picture-post-

card villages.

From rooftop hieroglyphs to 500-year-old air conditioning, we round up Spain’s most beautiful villages, from the perspectives of top architects.

And yes, there is a whitewashed pueblo or two on the list...

Guadix, Granada The ‘cave houses’ of this town which number about 2,000 - are its most remarkable feature.

These underground living spaces have been chosen by Andalucians since the 15th century, although these days, many are fitted out with full kitchens and even WiFi. Architect Roberto Benito described them as: “A natural insulator that causes the temperature inside to range between 18ºC and 20ºC all year.

“The silence and tranquility on the insides, which are also whitewashed to replace the lack of natural light in the deepest rooms, mean these types of homes are still being built today.”

Albarracin, Teruel

Fornalutx, Mallorca This tiny village in the north of the Balearic island may have the most unusual roof tiles in Spain.

Set in the Serra de Tramuntana, stone-clad houses in winding streets are adorned with intricately crafted ceramic tiles, some of which date back to the 16th century.

Professor of Art History at Madrid’s UNED, Antonio Perla, said the the objects are ‘painted with scenes, images, symbols, prayers and dates’.

The mostly red tiles reflect the history of Fornalutx, including its loves, fears and even the weather.

T

here’s always that friend who sours the mood following the sale of your Costa Blanca property. The one who points out the unexpected taxes you could have avoided. Where selling your finca, moving out of the town centre of going back home to the family, there are hidden savings to be had. It’s always good practice to ask your assessor, based on your personal circumstances, but here’s our Coast and Country guide on what to look out for…

When you sell in Spain, there are two main property taxes: the plusvalia tax and capital gains tax. If you are 64 and a resident in Spain it may pay you to wait a year if you can. From the age of 65 it is possible to exempt yourself from Capital Gains tax on your main residence here.

If you are under 65, there

Often dubbed the ‘most beautiful village in Spain’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the red sandstone facades of Albarracin are purely aesthetic.

In fact, the stunning building material was sourced from nearby quarries for its waterproof and insulating qualities.

“The organic material also changes colour over time due to the impact of light,” according to Ignacio Vleming, author of urban architecture book, Fisura.

He also described the Medieval and Moorish icon as the ‘summary of much of the popular constructive forms of Spain’.

Alcantarilla, Murcia

Hidden savings

&

The need-to-know taxes you can avoid when making an informed property sale

SOLD!

are still exemptions that can apply. For instance, if you are a resident in Spain and are selling your main residence you’ve lived in permanently for at least three years, then capital gains tax will not apply providing you re-invest in property in Europe within a two-year period. Anything not When it comes to selling your re-invested will taxable. (As property, choose people who for what happens when re-incare. List your property with us... vesting in the UK post-Brexit, this still remains to be seen!)

If the+34 above does 965 270 636 not apply to you, you can still limit the info@coastandcountry.properties amount of capital gains tax property, the notary costs, ternal staircase, adding www.coastandcountry.properties you pay by making sure you the buying taxes and - im- a new kitchen, installing offset as many costs as you portantly - any main home air conditioning, and so can from the house sale. improvements and reform on - but you must have a This includes all the legal work you have done. These proper invoice with IVA for costs when you bought the can include putting in an in- all the work.

For help and advice, feel free to contact the team at Coast and Country.

Email: info@coastandcountry.properties Tel: 0034 693554967 Address: Avinguda de la Paz, 3, 03724 Moraira, Alacante

“These set of homes come complete with towers, ditch systems and water mills, and reflect a traditional lifestyle from the garden of Murcia,” Architect Sanchez Llorens recently said of Medieval town of Alcantarilla. Original Moorish settlers channeled the Segura River, using the

water for gardening and thus growing the mulberry in the 16th century so they were able to feed silkworms, adding Murcia to the silk road.

“That new source of wealth is reflected in its wooden structures,” added Sanchez Llorens, “which would have been expensive at the time.”

17

August 2019

Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz “Vejer is another white town where the mixture of lime, water and sand applied annually to the walls of its houses is a perfect measure against heat,” explained urban architect Almudena de Benito.

“The walls of this colour reflect solar radiation meaning lower thermal absorption and, consequently, cooler interiors.”

Bougainvillea bushes creeping up walls and around doorways also help fend off the searing temperatures to hit this walled hilltop village.

Outside the battlements sit swathes of orchards and orange groves, while inside, is a myriad of quaint cobbled streets, packed closely together.

Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz

What you may not know about this town is that its whitewashed houses are ‘organised around courtyards to regulate temperature’.

“It has a clear Arab influence but

at the same time is a reflection of the rich mixing of cultures that made us who we are,” said architect and teacher at Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, Mara Sanchez Llo-

rens.

She also claims that the organisation of gardens and buildings in Arcos de la Frontera even inspired Mexican architect Luis Barragan.

Campo de Criptana, Castilla-La Mancha It wouldn’t be travel writing without invoking a bit of Don Quixote.

The windmills of Campo de Criptana are those which allegedly inspired Miguel de Cervantes to pen his seminal work back in 1605.

Quixote famously loses his mind and fights the cereal mills, the 16th century architecture of which, is still preserved today.

“The route of the windmills can help us to visit landscapes in which, as in the desert, on the coast or other homogeneous environments, certain architectures allow us to have geolocation references and at the same time participate in a collective imagination,” said Sanchez Llorens.

Viniegra de Arriba, La Rioja

Streets don’t get more cobbled than these.

Architect Pena Ibanez said this minute village of just 50 people is among Spain’s most beautiful because of the ‘conservation and maintenance of its popular architecture’. “One of the most unique features is that its streets retain the old cobblestone. This urban event emanates from the whole town, which has stone houses from the 17th century.”

El Gasco, Extremadura The stonepile homes of Las Hurdes are almost the antithesis to the heat-stopping measures of Andalucia’s pueblos blancos.

These stacked slate structures are purpose-built to conserve heat, rather than reflect it, as in southern Spain.

For Sanchez Llorens, the village of El Gasgo, which was the site of a meteorite impact a million years ago, is the most emblematic of this cool architectural style.

“It is interesting to assess how these popular architectures also need a certain technique to be habitable,” she added.

18

August 2019

PROPERTY

Cool for the summer These Spanish homes know how to keep you cool in the hot season

B

€2 .5

m illi on

OY it’s hot out there.

Summer is in full swing and Europe is seeing record temperatures, and Spain is obviously no exception.

So when it comes to buying your dream property, it’s important to make sure it is adapted to summer climes, which are only set to become more extreme.

From infinity pools to white exteriors to open spaces and marble floors, there are dozens of ways properties can stave off the stifling heat.

Below we have rounded up some the hottest - and intrinsically cooler - luxury homes across Spain.

(All properties available on Sotheby’s International Realty).

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This traditional Sevillian house has an impressive windowed cylinder running through the centre of its top two floors.

It allows for natural ventilation across the three storeys - a must in one of the country’s hottest cities.

The ground floor features an apartment with a bathroom, office and garage.

The first floor offers a contemporary kitchen, a small dining room, a dining room open to the gallery and two living rooms.

On the second floor there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

On the third floor there is a separate apartment with a bedroom and a bathroom, as well as access to the impressive roof terrace with views of the city.

The two patios help give light and natural ventilation to the entire house.

€6 .8 5

m illi on

This oasis was designed

by Philippe Starck and saw the birth of some of the great British designer’s best work.

The home features a huge infinity pool running along the edge of the house and is sure to keep you cool in the summer months.

Its open spaces and minimalist layout makes the spaces breezy and a perfect spot to spend your August.

Large windows look out into the sea, the light and the beautiful landscape, all the while kept under a thatch-style roof.

Esporles, Mallorca This sweeping estate dates back to the 17th century and still preserves authentic elements alongside updated modern comforts.

It is located upon a huge plot in Esporles, with Mediterranean gardens for a cool shaded walk, featuring ponds and almond, orange and ancient olive trees.

There is also a huge swimming pool for a splash when the heat gets too intense.

The home includes 22 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, two offices, four living rooms, several dining rooms, three kitchens, play rooms, independent guest house and wine cellar.

19 August 2019

. .A O P.

Portinatx, Ibiza This unique property is composed of two houses on the fronline of Portinatx, San Juan, Ibiza.

The white exterior helps keep temperatures down while its residents will benefit from the sea breeze, given that it has direct access to the Mediterranean.

The main house also has a garage, two fisherman houses, six double bedrooms, two bathrooms, one with bathtub and one with shower.

In the garden a guest house offers you one bedroom with bathroom and a living room. The property has a tourist license.

5 .8 €2 on illi m

Road to glory Exclusive contracts will help you in the long run, but you need to be brave

W

hen you come to sell your house, serves. you’re always met with choices. With an exclusive contract, you become From estate agents to contracts, partners. The road to glory when selling a there are several ways to get your house is already long - but travelling with house to market. only one agency will ease up the entire proSurely, you will have heard about the ex- cess. It will be much more simple to take declusive contract, as many sellers and real cisions, draw conclusions, and - very imporestate agents like to wield it. As opposed tantly - you will only have one contract and to a shared contract, a private one exists much less paperwork. solely between you and the real estate In addition to this type of contract, there is agency. Most commonly, you authorise that another that has many good things to offer: - and only that - real estate agency to sell the exclusive shared contract. Surely you your house for a period of time, usually six are wondering, how it is possible that if the months or up to a year. In Spanish, we say sale is exclusive it can also be shared? it's like laying out all With this type of conTel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 the meat on the grill. tract, you submit the info@hispaniahomes.es At first glance, an exsale of your home to VENDORS www.hispaniahomes.co.uk clusive contract may a real estate comseem risky, but don’t pany, which in turn be discouraged. By HOW TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY Want to sell shares it with other QUICKER AND BETTER entrusting the excluyour property? associated real essivity of your home to tate agencies.

Ask here for our your agency, it means These agencies agree VENDORS GUIDE the company will rise to sell at the same and get the most success to put all their effort price, and share the in your task into selling it. When fees in case of sale. your home is spread In this way, you enacross many real es- Avda. Madrid, 24, 03724 Moraira - Alicante joy the advantages tate agencies, this of an exclusive condisempowers each one as, despite all their tract, but without closing the doors to other efforts, the prize may be claimed by another. agents. They will each have the same interIn many cases, agencies without exclusivity est in selling your home, but you can save hide certain characteristics of a house in even more time finding a buyer. It is clear marketing material so as not to give away here that unity is strength. clues to the competition. Buyers do not like Take the time your decide, and if in doubt, this. But if the real estate company has your talk to your real estate agency. At Hispanhome solely for them, they can advertise it ia Homes we are always here to help and supremely. They will use all their marketing advise you in the best possible course of tools, crystal-clear videos, and forefront po- action. sitioning so that your home looks as it de- Do not hesitate to contact us.

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San Juan beach, Alicante This four bed, four bathroom frontline home in San Juan, Alicante, offers spectacular panoramic views.

If you don’t fancy cooling off in the sea, the outdoor area features an infinity swimming pool.

Find us at Av. Madrid, 24, 03724 Moraira, Alicante.

Call us 9am - 7pm (Mon-Fri) on: +34 96 649 18 29 or +34 669 24 20 27 Contact us on: info@hispaniahomes.es

20 20

August 2019

PROPERTY

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August 15th - August 28th 2019

Superior Interiors A

QUIRKY: Zig-zag feature in bathroom by Zooco

SPANISH studio is battling to be crowned the Best Interior Designer of the Year at the upcoming Dezeen awards.

Madrid-based Zooco Estudio has made it onto the longlist of finalists from around the world thanks to its quirky and detailed projects.

Clients range from residents with city centre apartments to wine bodegas and start up offices.

Here we have rounded up some of the studio’s best works in Spain.

Service you deserve People you can trust

IMPRESSIVE: Wine cellar designed by Zooco has become an Instagram must in Valladolid, near Madrid

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August 15th - August 28th 2019

21 21

August 2019

Going round in circles

M

ARKETS are all about cycles and it seems that Expect property prices to plateau and the current growth cy- ‘sustainable’ to become the buzzword for cle, which started as a recovery from the financial crisis buyers, writes Adam Neale back in 2012-2013, is now reaching maturity. ply is beginning to catch up with Boom or bust for the Spanish Given this, what can we expect for demand.

Property Market? this year and the near future?

For the Spanish property market The property market in Spain recov- in general, this is the best year in If there is a market and price corered more quickly in foreign-market over a decade. But for areas like rection to come it is likely to be a locations such as the Costa del Sol, Marbella, which are further into moderate one, as the growth cycle Mallorca and Ibiza, but now seems the cycle, there is a sense that has not seen a ‘mad boom’ but a to be levelling off here. perhaps last year was the peak moderate up-cycle, with steady Problem factors are prices, which one. growth in sales and property values. are perhaps rising Nationally and lo- The initial explosion of demand for too swiftly, supply cally, construction is modern properties has been large– which has caught In general, this is once again a prime ly satisfied, and this will cause a up with and is bedriver in the econo- drop in the rapid increase in modginning to surpass the best year for my – growing 10% ern house prices and a relative demand – and a Spain’s property in relation to the shift of power back to existing repossible tapering previous year and sale properties. market in a off of demand which leading to almost The market’s appetite for sleek is not unusual and, 600,000 sales. white villas and apartments apdecade again, cyclical.

However experts pears to be slowly cooling but On the Costa del are warning that the homebuyers continue to look for Sol, enquiries bebest thing would be innovations in style, comfort, econgan to drop in the second half of a drop in new projects that would omy and, in particular, sustainabil2018 and generally speaking this bring supply and demand in line. ity. has continued in the first half of This would maintain sturdy price The latter will be one of the conthis year, confirming that 2019 is levels for now but it is expected struction buzzwords of the coming a year of consolidation in which that they too will begin to ease off years but for now everything points growth has levelled off and sup- before long. to more moderate levels of activity.

The Property Insider

by Adam Neale

According to figures compiled by one online portal, Spanish property prices grew by 7.8% last year in 2018, which beats even the 2006 level of 7.7%.

For this year, the increase is expected to be 4%-6%, and the total number of properties sold will also increase, by around 4%-5%.

The market for land remains a little overheated, especially in locations such as the Costa del Sol. But that should begin to alleviate a little as

investors and property developers react and reduce production, and with it a lower appetite for land.

On the whole, we can expect a levelling off of growth and an easing of some of the activity that has been driving house prices up quite steadily in the past few years.

It will be interesting to see if the market can maintain such moderated but still highly-acceptable levels of activity for the foreseeable future.

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BUSINESS Dealt a blow

23

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Pay on the go

CAIXABANK has reached one million mobile payment customers, an indication of the growing popularity of digital payments in Spain.

The number of Caixabank app users had grown by 87% over the last year and now stands at more than 1.4 million.

Customers are increasingly opting to use their phones to make payments, with mobile users making up 10.8% of all Caixabank card customers.

In total, during the last year, cards paired with Caixabank’s mobile app have carried out more than 49.2 million transactions.

Caixabank CEO Juan Antonio Alcaraz said: “2019 has been the year mobile payment took off throughout Spain, a trend accelerated by the growing importance of the user experience as a success factor in any digital product.”

Half a million jobs to go in the UK in the event of a no deal Brexit, newlyreleased study finds A NO-deal Brexit would cause the loss of 1.2 million jobs across Europe, including 70,410 in Spain, according to a newly-released study by Belgium’s Leuven University.

The impact study, commissioned by the Belgian government, showed that the UK leaving the EU without an agreement would cause major job losses in every country in Europe.

France would lose 141,320 jobs, while Germany would suffer a massive 291,930 redundancies, the study said.

Of course, the country expected to suffer the most is the UK, where more than 500,000 jobs would be lost.

LESS than one call a day is made on each of Spain’s 16,000 public payphones.

The upkeep of the service costs telecoms company Telefonica €4.52 million each year.

But a Spanish law is keeping them alive thanks to rules that the company must supply one payphone for every 3,000 people in each town of 1,000 or more residents.

The company estimates that of the 16,000 present, half are never used and 12,000 ceased to be profitable years ago.

The numbers of these payphones have

The study looked at both the total number and the percentage of jobs that would be lost in each country.

Ireland would be one of the worst-hit countries percentage wise, as it stands to lose 50,330 jobs. Belgium too would lose a higher percentage of jobs, with 42,390 redundancies expected there in a no-deal scenario.

Impact

The study also looked at the potential impact if the UK left with an agreement. In that case, the number of jobs lost across Europe would be smaller – but still significant.

Not hanging up also fallen dramatically from 65,000 in the 1990s, to just 16,000 today.

But despite statistics from the National Commission on Markets and Competency (CNMC) that 88% of Spaniards have never used a phone booth, a royal decree was enacted last December prolonging the law.

With this decree lasting for a year, CNMC has called on the government to drop the universal service obligation.

MAPPED: Expected job losses from no-deal Brexit Spain was one of the EU nations nario, researchers assumed least affected by Brexit, but it the UK would leave the single was still expected to face 15,840 market and fall back on the job losses if Britain leaves the rules of the World Trade OrEU with an agreement. ganisation.

The study took into account Meanwhile, a separate data how supply chains across the set published in the FinanEU and globally would be dis- cial Times this week showed rupted, as well as the coun- how personal finances would tries’ direct trade links with be hit across Europe under a the UK. no-deal scenario, with the UK To calculate the impact, re- again worst hit. searchers defined ‘leaving It showed that southern with an agreement’ as a situ- Spain is expected to escape ation where the UK leaves the the effects, but those in the EU but remains part of the north and centre of the couninternal market or the Euro- try can expect to be around pean Customs Union.

50 euros worse off annually For the projected no-deal sce- on average.

A to Zed STRUGGLING supermarket chain Dia has been hit with yet another crisis as its new owner faces an ant-corruption probe in Spain.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman’s owns 70% of the failing chain but now faces an investigation by Spain’s anti-corruption prosecutor.

The probe centres around Fridman’s involvement in the bankruptcy of Spanish tech company Zed Worldwide.

The prosecution believes as a shareholder and creditor of Zed, Fridman achieved the company’s ‘financial strangulation.’

Fridman later acquired Zed for €20 million, well below the company's market value.

Heat strike

UNIONS have denounced 75 construction companies for exposing their workers to soaring summer temperatures in Andalucia.

This year has seen the largest number of complaints submitted to the Labour Inspectorate.

Andalucia is the only one of Spain’s provinces to protect workers during the hot summer, with work limited to between 7.30 am and 2.30 pm.

It comes after a 57-year-old worker Domingo Ocana fell from scaffolding at a school near Jaen and died.

The construction sector in Andalucia represents 7% of its total economic output.

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Pay delay FREELANCERS in Andalucia have to wait more than 100 days on average to get paid, more than three times the legal limit.

Of the seven municipalities in Spain that have an average payment period of more than 100 days, six of them are in Andalucia.

Spectacular

The most spectacular case is that of Jaen, which has an average period of 532 days according to a report by the National Federation of Associations of Autonomous Workers.

In addition, other Andalucian towns such as Mijas, Huelva, Fuengirola, Cordoba Chiclana de la Frontera have also been found to exceed the maximum period of 30 days.

BRITISH design firm Victoria PLC has acquired the Spanish ceramic manufacturer Ibero.

Iberoalcorense, stylised as Ibero, was founded in 1958 and supplied specialised stores throughout Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The Valencia based company stopped trading in 2018 with a turnover of €30.9 million.

BUSINESS Role reversal

Number of British visitors to Spain drops amid pound drop and no deal brexit threat but European neighbours pick up the slack

GERMAN and French tourists are filling the void left by the drop in British tourists to Spain.

The latest numbers show its closest neighbours are visiting – and spending – more than their British counterparts.

According to the National Institute of Statistics, June saw a 5.3% drop in British tourists year-on-year, compared to a surge in German and French holidaymakers, of 8.4% and 8% respectively.

Other markets also saw a

notable boost, with visitors from Switzerland soaring 20.1%, Portugal by 17.9% and the United States 9.4%.

It comes as the ongoing Brexit saga has seen the British pound drop considerably against the euro amid increasing uncertainty and threats of a no-deal exit.

Overall, the number of international tourist arrivals in Spain rose 3.2% in June year-on-year, with a total of 8.8 million visitors.

Tourists spent €9.69 billion and continued elev-

Victorian “With a solid management team in Spain, we hope to develop the Iberian business as part of Victoria,” said Victoria group president Geoff Wilding.

“Ibera are very high quality manufacturer that fits in an excellent way,” he continued.

“According to our criteria, it

is an excellent investment , in terms of manufacturing facilities, and will generate benefits immediately.”

History, adventure and romance.

That’s just the setting.

en months of expenditure growth, thanks a lot to the French and Germans.

The British still spent the most in June, splashing out €1.945 billion, however this was a 4.3% drop on the year before.

The Germans, meanwhile, propped up the drop, spending €1.3 billion, a 7.5% increase while the French spent €664 million, an 8.8% increase.

From January to June, British tourists spent €7.747 billion, representing a 1% increase on the same period last year.

The Germans, meanwhile, spent €5.313 billion in the same period, a 2.1% yearon-year increase.

The French spent €2.962 billion, a 0.8% increase.

Spain is set to record another record year after welcoming 38.2 million international tourists in the first half of 2019, before the heights of July -September.

The first six months of this year show the UK still

brought in the highest number of tourists with 8.3 million, but it was a 1.4% decrease on last year.

While Germany sent 5.3 million holidaymakers, however, it was a 3.4% year-on-year increase.

In June, Catalunya reigned supreme among Spain’s holiday destinations.

Million

The home of Barcelona and Sitges welcomed 2.15 million tourists, enjoying a 2.2% year-on-year increase.

The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca) followed closely behind with 2.06 million international visitors, a 2.6% decrease.

Andalucia was third with 1.24 million visitors however it enjoyed a 6.4% increase on the year before.

Tourists spent the most in Catalunya, followed by the Canary Islands and Andalucia.

Water cycle A PAIR of entrepreneuring scientists in southern Spain have worked out a way to reuse waste water, solving a key issue in the circular economy.

Ricardo Martinez, 26 and his partner Cristina Varona, 25 have developed a new technology to transform industrial wastewater into drinkable water.

For every 100 litres of water used in the industrial salt-purification processes, 70 is filtered but the remaining 30 are thrown away, according to Martinez.

Through their company, Useful Wastes, the pair reuse this discarded ‘brine’ to produce clean water as well as bleach.

‘Water is an essential resource’ continued Martinez.

“Society is not conscious, because it misuses this resource, with disastrous environmental consequences.”

Martinez has predicted Spain will become ‘a pioneer’ in the sector and expand into possible markets such as the United States or Saudi Arabia.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Selling porkies

25

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Cottoning on

SUPERMARKET chain Carrefour has started offering reusable cotton bags as an alternative to plastic.

Customers can purchase the 100% cotton mesh bags from the greengrocer section in stores, the company has announced.

Carrefour has become the first supermarket chain in Spain to adopt this approach.

The retail giant has also removed plastic packaging from fruit and vegetables.

According to the chain, these measures have helped the outlet to reduce plastic by more than 80% and were a direct result of consultation with customers.

Fake jamon iberico on Spanish supermarket shelves is ‘Poles’ apart from the real thing CARREFOUR supplier and Spain’s biggest distributor of jamon iberico, Comapa, has been accused of labelling Polish pork as from ‘La Alpujarra’ in Granada.

The alarm was raised by the Association of Producers of Granada, who transferred its complaint to consumer rights organisation Facua, claiming the labelling was ‘misleading’.

The association has demanded the products – a third of the price of genuine

Alpujarras jamon iberico – be removed from the market.

Comapa admitted the pigs were Polish, but claimed the production of its jamon is carried out in Granada.

In 2016, the Association of Producers of Granada registered the ‘Jamones La Alpujarra’ guarantee mark with the Junta de Andalucia.

The rules state the jamon must be made in the region, must come from a female or a castrated male and must

Pan-tastic IT’S not often a recipe asks for three kilos of salt.

But the Costa Blanca city of Elche certainly needed it when it cooked the world’s largest arroz con costra - or ‘crusted rice’, a dish similar to paella, last week.

The humongous undertaking asked for over 1,000 eggs, 75 kilos of rabbit (about 50 animals), 45 kilos of chicken, 25 kilos of sausage, 25 kilos of tomatoes, 20 litres of olive oil, the three kilos of salt and spices, such as saffron.

The record-smashing concoction was stirred in an enormous pan over hot coals by seven cook and fed 5,500 attendants despite the 38C heat.

BIG PAN: For world record paella The event took place at Elche’s annual Crusted Rice Competition situated in the Paseo de la Estacion near the municipal gardens.

Wine not?

PIG’S EAR OF IT: Polish hams NOT from Granada not contain additives or pre- label, ‘Jamones Sierra Alpuservatives – only ham and jarra’, also in 2016. salt.

They maintain Poland ‘is The curing process must an EU country’ and so food take at least between 16 and standards are the same as in 20 months – whereas Coma- Spain. pa jamons are only cured for Francisco José Fernández is eight months. one of seven businesses in Sales prices in large super- the Association of Producmarkets such as Carrefour ers of Granada. He has been are around €25 per piece managing the family busifor a Comapa jamon – com- ness Jamones de Juviles, pared with an average of inherited from his grandfa€80 euros for the jamons ther, for 30 years. from companies registered “I feel helpless to see how under the Jamones La Alpu- my father and my grandfajarra label. ther have been fighting to “The hams they bring from make a name in the market Poland are of poor quality,” for hams in the region and Pilar Álvarez, representative now a company uses that of the Association of Pro- brand without producing in ducers of Granada, told El the area,” he said.

Pais.

“They denigrate the quality Comapa registered its own of the ham of La Alpujarra.”

MASTER ice cream maker Marco Miquel, from Denia, has invented a ‘red wine’ ice cream using a Costa Blanca vintage.

The innovative alcoholic dessert, made with wines from Bodegas Xalo, is designed to be paired with red meats.

The ice cream reportedly maintains the freshness and character of a red wine, while the coolness helps to cleanse the palette following rich foods.

The double act was thought up by El Karmelet de Xalo restaurateur Luis Bollan, in collaboration with Miquel and Daniel Fullana from Bodegas Xalo.

The trio have now created a second ice cream from sweet mistela wine, which accompanies a homemade cheesecake served with a walnut mousse.

Miquel said it had been an ‘exciting experience’ - especially as the foodies were experimenting with local produce rather than exotic fruits and flavours commonly seen in ice cream, such as vanilla.

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FOOD,DRINK Battle gastro

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August 15th - August 28th 2019

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Andalucia and Alicante are running neck and neck in the race to tempt travellers with stellar gastronomy.

Andalucia Aponiente

Messina

The Chef of the Sea, as this celebrity chef is known, is famous amongst other things for being the first to introduce plankton as an edible ingredient in dishes. He was also on the jury for the first edition of Top Chef in 2013. Hailing from Jerez, he studied in Sevilla and worked in France before starting his own restaurant. Aponiente quickly earned a reputation for its avant garde dishes featuring fish and seafood never previously seen in cuisine. With three Michelin stars and three Repsol Suns, in 2011 the Wall Street Journal named it one of the 10 best restaurants in Europe while the New York Times considered it one of the ‘10 restaurants in the world worth taking a plane for’. Set in an former windmill, it boasts a team of 70 professionals for just 30 diners.

The marine-themed tasting menus astonish with their elaborate presentation. Choose from the menu Mar en calma at €195 or the menu Mar de fondo, €225.

Mauricio Giovanni is another Argentinian from Cordoba who started his Spanish career making pasta ‘like many Argentinian cooks do’. In 2003 he opened Messina in Marbella, along with his wife Pia Ninci whose name is an homage to his grandparents who were natives of the eponymous Sicilian town. The restaurant has long been a favourite among Marbella’s dining cognoscenti although it didn’t earn its first Michelin star until 2016. Giovanni’s a la carte and tasting menus are based on local products, particularly fish and shellfish. He combines avant-garde culinary techniques with a simple and elegant presentation. Thanks to Pia’s sommelier skills, Messina also has an impressive cellar numbering some 200 top wines.

Francisco Cossi Ochoa, s/n. El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz Tel.: +34 956 851 870 - www.aponiente.com

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Noor Chef Paco Morales met his wife Mariana in her native Cordoba, Argentina, and in 2016 they realised their life project: opening Noor in Spanish Cordoba.

One year later they earned a Michelin star and a Repsol Sun. Noor’s interior is influenced

by Andalucia’s Moorish expanding their activheritage, while dishes ities with a part reccombine modern cuipe/part history linary techniques book entitled with flavours Noor Restauand aromas rant, coming out in from the past. They November. Also in are now working on the works is a Noor new menus for next restaurant in Dubai, season themed on due to open in 2021. Only the Spanish discovery of America. Three menus will mix & Only One Za’abeelen will keep Arab, Jewish and Christian gas- an Andalusian-based menu in a tronomy and will star the Iberian more informal setting with dishpig. The power partners are also es to share.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 8.Córdoba Tel.: +34 957 96 40 55 - www.noorrestaurante.es

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S

PAIN has once again beaten its own record with more than 82.6 million international visitors in 2018. But these days it’s Michelin stars, not beaches, that are pulling in the punters.

The last 20 years has seen a revolution in Spanish gastronomy with an emerging generation of chefs at the forefront of culinary innovation that goes way beyond patatas brava, tortilla and paella. Young chefs are jumping on the locally-sourced bandwagon, rediscovering forgotten recipes and voicing their modernity through

Calle Móstoles, Moraira tel: 965 74 43 66

LU, Cocina y Alma Juan Luis Fernandez, also known as Juan Lu, was once the right-hand of Angel Leon at Aponiente, but left to follow his dream and opened his own place in Jerez. Last year LU became the first in town to be awarded a Michelin star. The distinctive interior was created by famous interior designer Gaspar Sobrino. It is a modern interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, with a white and blue colour scheme, ladders coming out of everywhere and tables made of marble. A maximum of 30 diners sit around a theatrical open kitchen at the centre of the dining room, where they can admire the artistry. The restaurant´s main concept is a French and Andalusian fusion, where Fernández adapts French cuisine to local Andalucian products - such as replacing the butter in a French dish with typical Andalusian manteca colora (red lard coloured with paprika and other spices). The tasting menus change daily, depending on the chef’s inspiration, and the result is always unique and very modern. It may have been a risk to open such an experimental restaurant in this traditional town a distance from the costas but it has paid off. Earlier in May, Fernández opened a restaurant in Marbella, Maison Lú. It is a more informal version of the Jerez restaurant and will offer a la carte instead of tasting menus.

Zaragoza, 2. Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz Tel.: +34 695 408 481 www.lucocinayalma.es

& TRAVEL of the giants

27 27 August 15th - August 28th 2019

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August 15th - August 28th 2019

ALICANTE Quique Dacosta Dacosta is one of the most notable leaders of Spain’s culinary Nouvelle Vague. His Denia restaurant was awarded three stars in the 2012/13 Michelin guide and came fourth in the 100 best restaurants in Europe rankings by OAD (Opinionated About Dining). In his 2018 menu, entitled La evolución y el origen (Evolution and Origin), the 47 year-old chef explored the oldest techniques of conserving food in the Mediterranean, when salt was a fundamental ingredient: ¨It is a simple and universal product, but that does not make it any less relevant,” he said. “After all, humanity has survived thanks to salt.” For this year’s menu, Autorretratos (Self Portraits), Dacosta shows how imagination can help us overcome everyday monotony.

Claire Leibovich dishes up her A v A list of the best restaurants on both costas to help you pick a winner

theatrical reinterpretation. Tradition, culture and region are now celebrated in haute cuisine menus and although technique keeps improving, ingredients are the new protagonists.

In southern Spain, Andalucia and Alicante are the foodie hotspots at the heart of this culinary renaissance. Almeria, in eastern Andalucia, is 2019’s Spanish Capital of Gastronomy; Denia in Alicante was Unesco’s Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015. But it’s really no contest.

If fine dining is your thing, you can’t go wrong either way.

Carrer Rascassa, 1 Urb. El Poblet, 03700 Dénia, Alicante - Tel.: +34 965 784 179 www.quiquedacosta.es

BonAmb Born in 1984, Alberto Ferruz already holds an impressive record for such a young chef, and he shows much more promise. Originally from the Zaragoza region, Ferruz has trained and worked in France and Spain where he collaborated with Quique Dacosta. The BonAmb has been awarded two Michelin stars and three

Repsol Suns (only five other restaurants in Spain have that many). His style follows the up-and-coming trend of tradition, anthropology and innovation. “I am for an avant-garde cuisine that is 80% Mediterranean product, but I also recuperate old, forgotten recipes,” he said in a 2019 interview with Heraldo.

Carretera Benitaxell, 100. Jávea, Alicante Tel.: +34 965 084 440 www.bonamb.com

Beat Valencia-born Jose Manuel Miguel worked in the Ritz in Madrid and Le Bristol in Paris before returning to his native soil. He is now the chef of Beat, located in the Cook Book Hotel in Calpe, and was recently awarded one Michelin star. He also scooped the Sapiña Prize for Innovation in April. The 41-year old chef has developed a very personal style, adapting highly refined and technical French cuisine to fresh, local products. His favourite bywords?

“Tradition, technique, elegance and innovation.”

Welcome to Costablanca MagicMirror

Partida Marisol Park, 1. Calpe, Alicante Tel.: +34628277858 - www.thecookbookhotel.com

L´Escaleta

A family restaurant when it opened in 1980 in Cocentaina, it was called after the ladder you had to climb to get to it. Then it moved places and the second generation, chef Kiko Mayo and his cousin Alberto Redrado, took over. Since then, L’Escaleta has accumulated two Michelin stars

Manero Tapas Bar Delicatessen Sergio Serra and his business partner Carlos Bosch, already heading up Alicante’s El Portal restaurant, opened a tapas bar in the same city at the end of 2018. The place was decorated by fashionable interior designer Lazaro Rosa Violán with a Belle Epoque vibe. The bar offers a wide selection of seafood, ibérico hams, charcuterie, cheeses, vegetables, salads, classic and more innovative tapas and montadi-

tos. Sarra’s favourite ingredient is onion, which he loves using in different ways: ‘Raw, sauté, roasted, cooked at low heat...Onion is the starting point-basis of any cuisine.

Everything starts with onion.’They get a brownie point for the affordable prices: you can get a complete three-course meal for €20.

Médico Manero Mollá, 7., Alicante.

Tel.: +34 965 144 444 - www.barmanero.es

and three Repsol Suns. Mayo works with local products to produce tasting menus that change according to the season. He emphasises memory and a cuisine that goes back to forgotten recipes such as chicken crest.

When asked to define his cuisine in an interview with Información, Mayo answered: “It is as difficult as defining yourself. I aim to create a cuisine that is simple, honest and humble in every sense.” In another interview with alicanteplaza, the chef declares that ‘a dish has to tell a story’. If you want to learn more about Mayo’s very philosophical view of gastronomy, watch the featur-length documentary on L´Escaleta, presented at the Berlin Film Festival this year - Y en cada lenteja un dios.

Subida a la Estación del Norte, 205. Cocentaina, Alicante - Tel.: +34 965 592 100 www.lescaleta.com

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HEALTH

Let them roar!

Specsavers sponsors Costa Blanca Lions Summer Camp

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HE Costa Blanca Lions Summer Camp brings 22 young people from around the world to visit the Costa Blanca and enjoy a mix of cultural, sporting and charitable activities.

The Lions Clubs from around the Costa Blanca work together to put on a packed schedule of events for these youngsters and promote friendship, respect and solidarity among these international visitors.

Optical chain Specsavers Ópticas has sponsored the Costa Blanca Lions Summer Camp this year by providing t-shirts for the youngsters to wear.

Francisco Jurado, Store Director of Specsavers Ópticas in Torrevieja, Guardamar and La Zenia also visited the Melvin Jones glasses recycling centre with the group to see the important work they do and help to clean and sort the glasses before they are delivered to those in need around the world. They are proud to be able to support such a great initiative.

“We have been collecting glasses to donate to the Lions Clubs across all our stores for many years now and work closely with our local clubs, so we are very happy to sponsor

the uniform for the camp and help out in activities where we can,” commented Francisco Jurado.

“It was very valuable for me to visit the Melvin Jones Glasses Recycling Centre and see the excellent work they do for others and help out alongside the Costa Blanca Lions Club Summer Camp participants. From September we will look at other ways that we can help the centre and support the incredible work they do.”

“As an international optical brand with stores in 10 different countries and a multicultural, multilingual team here in Spain, we whole-heartedly support the key message of friendship, respect and solidarity between different nationalities. It is great to be able to welcome these youngsters to our area and help them have an amazing experience they will never forget. ”Specsavers Ópticas stores are located in Calpe, Javea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Guardamar and La Zenia on the Costa Blanca and offer high quality, affordable optical care and free, comprehensive eye tests including important health checks. Find your nearest store by visiting www.specsavers.es.

Find out more about the Costa Blanca Lions Summer Camp online at www.lionscostablancacamp.com

Hello world

British couple ‘stuck in Spain’ after miracle baby delivered three months early EXCLUSIVE

By Simon Wade

PERHAPS she couldn’t wait to see Javea, or perhaps she was desperate to become an expat as soon as possible.

Or perhaps little Scarlett-Rose simply couldn’t wait to meet mummy and daddy.

Whatever the reason, it came as quite a shock to Shannon Holbrook when her waters broke three months early while she was visiting Alicante.

The 25-year-old first time mum had arrived from Birmingham with hubby Matthew Beach, 27, just six days earlier when she dramatically went into labour.

First time daddy Matthew was shocked into fatherhood as he delivered the baby himself some 25 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

The 2lb baby was rushed to hos-

EARLY ARRIVAL: For little Scarlett-Rose with parents (inset) pital - where she has been on a ventilator ever since.

“The nurses are brilliant and we know Scarlett is in safe hands, but it’s been very difficult,” Matthew told the Olive Press.

He said Shannon and he have been ferried between six hotels and apartments since the baby appeared on July 16.

“The first hotel we found only had a room for two weeks. After that the insurance company took over and we’ve been shunted around from one place

Oiling the joints

THE power of olive oil to boost the performance of athletes has been revealed in a new study.

Written by a British sports nutritionist, the research has identified olive oil has one of the best sources of healthy fats and natural antioxidants.

Spanish tennis ace Rafal Nadal is known to favour a diet rich in olive oil, having in the past called it the ‘best ingredient in the world.’

"When athletes are choosing fats or foods that contain fats, it is very important to consider fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids as well as understand their effects on disease and inflammation, and olive oil is a very good choice," said study author Professor Asker Jeukendrup.

Spain is the largest olive oil producer and exporter, with 2.5 million hectares of olive groves containing more than 340 million olive trees.

to another,” Matthew added.

“Our current hotel is booked until August 23, but we’re travelling an hour each day to reach the hospital.”

He said the room has no ‘kitchen or cleaning facilities’.

The couple’s situation is further complicated as Scarlett is not allowed to fly home until October.

Shannon, a care coordinator, has been on maternity leave since Scarlett’ birth.

But Matthew, a self-employed carpenter, will be left ‘without any income’ while he stays by his daughter’s side.

Matthew nevertheless remained enthusiastic saying that ‘fortunately, Scarlett is a little fighter’.

“She’s still doing so well despite two blood transfusions, infections and breathing difficulties.”

Shannon’s twin-sister, Sherri-Leigh has set up a fundraiser to help Shannon and Matthew ‘while they’re stuck in Spain’.

She told the Olive Press the ordeal has been ‘a nightmare’ and ‘anything will help’.

If you would like to help Shannon and Matthew, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/helping-baby-scarlettrose

The wobbles You may think that loose teeth can only be solved by dentures, but Karan Sud Dental’s fibrebond technology can save you the time, effort, pain and cost

S

UFFERING with loose teeth?

You may have been told you will now need dentures or implants.

But this is not actually the case, especially with regards to the front teeth.

At Karan Sud Dental, in Calpe, we use fibrebond technology to splint loose teeth together and replace missing teeth.

This innovation uses a resin-based fibre, placed behind the affected teeth, that can strengthen them without having to pull them out.

This allows you to keep your teeth for much longer.

Dentures are bulky, and affect both taste and

function. They also can jeopardise the health of remaining teeth.

Dental implants in the anterior region - or front teeth - are also very complicated.

They involve surgery, and take a lot of time, effort and expense.

With fibrebond technology, however, you can save on all of these thing, as well as pain.

If you have mobile or missing teeth, please call us to see if you’re a suitable candidate for this innovative treatment.

Dr Karan Sud British dentist Calpe

“Very pleased with my new dental treatment from Karan and the team. My teeth were loose, but this treatment solved the problem completely. I am usually very nervous around the dentist, but the procedure was pain-free and the aftercare was easy and exceptional. Well done.”

Glenys Cook

For more information visit www.ksuddental.com Tel: (+34) 965 837 553 - 24h emergency: (+34) 602 612 688 Clinica Britannia, Avda Ejercitos Españoles 16, first floor, Calpe

30

Health & Beauty Putting babies on hold

www.weekender.news

29

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Look better in the buff: Get your sexy back without giving up everything you love

tistics Institute (INE).

Spanish youth are among the latest to leave home in the EU (average age is 29), while SPAIN has the highest Center at Barcelona’s Auton- the average age for first-time proportion of over-40 omous University, said there mothers is 31. first-time mothers in the are ‘economic reasons’ be- Figures also show an average EU as experts blame ‘job hind the statistics. of 1.25 children per woman in security’.

“We are among the countries 2018.

Based on 2017 data from where independence happens Diego Ramon, a demographthe EU’s statistics agency, later due to the lack of job ic expert at the Spanish Nawww.weekender.news Eurostat, 8.8% of women security, low salaries and dif- tional Research Council, said in the country were over ficulty finding placeor tobuilt live - that mature women are much but Looking sexy,asvelte additional treatments loving their truSculpt iD BPTat risk of having failed 40 when they gave birth to factors which mean that peo- by more in your clothing is one thing. may be required for optimal results. In a separate study their first child. ple cannot leave home when pregnancies. better of individuals who had the Spain also has the highest Looking they want to.”in the buff is a runners “More and thanyoga 20% enthusiasts of women sculpting results. the the list. 1970s will not ballgame.

“TruSculpt iD is a very procedure, 100 percent said proportion of first-time whole The other phenomenon in Clothing Spain has topping born in mothers in their 30s, at - even beenlow-cut buildingnecklines, over the past de- have According to said.board- exciting new development in they were satisfied, would get children,” he short60.2%. cade,orwith births from ”Weedhave plastic not yet caught up non-surgical body contouring. it done again and would refer surgeon shorts tight-fi tting teesmothers - can certifi Albert Esteve, director of hide aged 40fland over rising 63%, Walter with Japan - where theMD fig- The lower abdomen and love a friend for truSculpt iD. And L. Bernacki, your aws and accentuate BABY BOOM: In over 40s the Demographic Studies according to the National Sta- ure is almost 30% - but there Ohio bePlastic Surgery in handles can be treated in just a everyone felt better in - or out your assets, but when you are ofcould long-term conseOhio, “The newest single 15-minute comfortable of - their clothes. nude, there’s nowhere - or way Central quences. non-surgical bodywhen contouring “For example, people treatment session. Our patients - to hide anything.

So, if you’re thinking about get old, won’t have a have been very pleased with the looking into a new kind of is they Cutera’s truSculpt If you want to look better system to look after body sculpting results they can personalized body sculpting that network uses radiofrequency naked, you are not alone. Far iDfamily them and other care systems (RF) technology to and their it.

More and more people achieve with iD this innovative without resorting to drastic Looking sexy, svelte or built from but additional treatments loving truSculpt

by BPT will have to be put target in place.” in your clothing is one thing. are into healthy living and may permanently be required for optimalfat results. a separatesays studyDermatologist measures, find a truSculpt iD destroy in your Insystem,” runners fi and yogadays. enthusiasts Looking better in the buff is a getting sculpting results. individuals whoS. had the MD, FRCPC provider near you by searching trouble spots (think muffiofn tops t these The good Jeffrey Dover, topping the list. whole other ballgame. Clothing news “TruSculpt iD is a very procedure, 100 Skincare percent said and love handles) in just 15 is that there is fi nally of Physicians in https://trusculpt.com/find-aAccording to board- exciting new development in they were satisfied, would get - even low-cut necklines, shortcomfortable minutes with noagain you cansurgeon do about Chestnut Hill,refer MA. provider. certified plastic shorts or tight-fitting tees - can something non-surgical body contouring. it done and would downtime.

Weand have found that for truSculpt that doesn’t involveMD giving By andiD.large, Walter L. Bernacki, hide your flaws and accentuate it The lower abdomen love a friend And people are thecan treatment skin felt better in - or out of Ohio Surgery in carbsPlastic and sweets, doing your assets, but when you are up handles be treatedworks in just on a all everyone Central Ohio, “The newest nude, there’s nowhere - or way excessive singletypes, 15-minute of - their clothes. sizescomfortable and physiques, crunches or having non-surgical body contouring - to hide anything. session. Our patients So, including individuals whoif you’re thinking about invasive cosmetic surgery. treatment is Cutera’s truSculpt have been If you want to look better system very pleased with the looking into a new kind of were previously not considered Fully one-third of naked, you are not alone. Far iD that uses radiofrequency body sculpting results they can personalized body sculpting candidates body contouring Americans opttofor minimally (RF) technology target and achieve from it. More and more people with thisforinnovative without resorting to drastic Major impact of no deal brexit on acess to fat healthcare procedures.” reduction or body permanently destroy fat in your are into healthy living and invasive system,” says Dermatologist measures, find a truSculpt iD revealed with cost ofgetting insurance set tosculpting soar more, trouble spotstreatments (think muffin to topslook fit these days. The good Jeffrey S.What’s Dover, MD, FRCPCtruSculpt provider near you by searching and love just 15 of news is that there is finally better Physicians in https://trusculpt.com/find-aiD produces an average fat in handles) the buff-, in according to Skincare with something you can do about acomfortable Chestnut Hill, MA.of 24 percent, provider.

MILLIONS of families could will leave working families “likely tominutes change” if no Britain reduction and new survey of 500 men and downtime.

We EU havewithout found that it thatoff. doesn’t involve giving women and large, people are are seen see holiday bills skyrocket if worse He must urgently leavesfrom the a And deal.Byvisible improvements Cutera, treatment works on allInc. skin Britain leaves the EU with- rethink andand take no deal off theThe guidance urges people up carbs sweets, doing who exercise regularly types, sizes to andtravel physiques, out a deal due to the loss of theexcessive table.” crunches or having those planning on or after in 6 to 12 weeks following the +34 634345685 most individuals likely havetrava first treatment. Multiple areas European Health Insurance Research carried surgery. out by La- are October 31 2019 to to buy including who invasive cosmetic Jayne.nuttall-blake@thegoodcaregroup.com Cards (EHIC). bourFully suggestsone-third travel insurel insurance “as you would were previously not considered treatment, withif can be treated in one session, of body-sculpting It comes as holidaymakers ance for a couple their 70s candidates visitingfor a non-EU country.” body contouring Americans opt forinminimally are already seeing their holi- to invasive go to Spain would or cost an procedures.”

Spain has publicly commitfat reduction body day spending money shrink, extra £108.treatments to look ted to healthcare access for What’s more, truSculpt sculpting with the pound plunging NHS access UK naproduces and an visiting average fat betterguidance in the buff,says according to iDresident to record low value against to a healthcare themen EUandis reduction tionals.of 24 percent, and new survey ofin500 other currencies. women from Cutera, Inc. And visible improvements are seen More than 4.5 million unthose who exercise regularly in 6 to 12 weeks following the der-16s carry the cards, are most likely to have a first treatment. Multiple areas which give travellers the body-sculpting treatment, with can be treated in one session, right to access state-provided healthcare while travelling in Europe, either free or at a reduced charge.

But the cards would become redundant in a no-deal scenario, leaving families on the hook for their own health insurance as they go on holiday.

Labour’s Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson said: “The Brexit chaos caused by REVOLUTIONARY new depth of 40mm, the machine the Tory Party could mean ‘shockwave therapy’ is uses shockwaves designed to that millions of families face improving sex lives on ‘stimulate circulation’. extra charges to go on holithe Costa Blanca.

“Think of the penis like a tree day.

The pioneering method, in- with roots, and what we are “Over the school summer vented in Switzerland, treats doing here is stimulating those holidays, families across erectile dysfunction with ‘per- roots,” Dr mera explained. the country will have saved manent effects’.

“It’s almost like producing and planned for a holiday to The treatment is more com- muscle through exercise.” spend special, quality time monly used to crush kidney The machine is similar to abtogether, but this Prime stones, but has so far invigo- dominal muscle stimulators, Minister’s mishandling of rated the sex lives of over 20 though is in the shape of a Brexit could make holiday patients at Clinica Britannia ‘gun’ and applied to the penis prices rocket. without any side effects. and groin area in six sessions “Boris Johnson’s reckless, “It’s the first time this machine over a six-week period. senseless approach to Brexit has been used in Spain for Dr Mera, an expert in anerectile dysfunction,” Dr Vi- ti-aging, said he has treated cente Mera, owner of Clinica patients aged from 45 to Britannia, told the Olive Press.

80-years-old so far, though “The results have been excel- suitability depends on a numlent.” ber of factors, including habits Penetrating the penis to a such as smoking.

“The person suffering from erectile dysfunction is often the last to realise,” Dr Mera added, saying that sufferers do not, most likely, have a reference point.

“But we can now say ‘bye bye viagra, and hi hi shockwave therapy’.”

alth & Beauty

ok better in the buff: Get your sexy back without giving up everything you love

No deal damage Things looking up Bye bye Viagra as revolutionary new shockwave therapy radically improves sex lives

A

Come and visit us. We will inform you.

CLINICA BRITANNIA, 16 BIS (next to 16) FIRST (not Ground) Floor, Ejercitos Españoles Av Tel 965 837 553 - 24H 607 255 755

30

August 15th - August 28th 2019

COLUMNISTS

GetTING ConnectED

Pick your battles Arguing with social media idiots just isn’t worth your time, writes Loraine Gostling

knows zilch about what I do.

“Why?” I hear you say… well, actually, because I removed him from my Facebook group for constant spamming of his business on posts and comments, and his total disregard for the rules.

What amazes me is how removal from just one of thousands of

social media groups is so very important to this person, that it had to be announced in as many places as possible that I was some sort of ‘crook’.

(In fact, sometimes I wish I was a crook, as they seem to prosper far more than I do, but hey-ho, I can sleep at night!)

Anyhoo...this behaviour, in my humble opinion, is rather childish and there has been ‘stupid-a-plenty’ out on social media this week. Some of it, admittedly, probably fueled by this raging heat - but there is always ‘stupid’ peeping over the parapet every day regardless of the weather.

Having been in discussion with a few friends and co-workers about this topic, I set out to delve more into what makes some people intelligent, and others as thick as two short planks… sorry I mean a little less well-endowed with the old grey matter.

Why is it that some people will argue that black is white, despite the obvious proof being slapped right in front of them?

Why can some individuals never concede that they are wrong?

Why is it that some will make a huge point of trying to debunk what is clearly a tongue-in-cheek joke?

Why do some people just revel in the sound of their own voices, or even more so, the click of those keypads as they scroll and troll through social media?

Like Jeremy Clarkson used to say when buckling himself into a Class 4 Reliant Robin XLSR (I made that up by the way… no letters please), ‘I set off to find out’.

Why is it that some folk would rather take the word of that strange bloke who sits scratching his chin in their ‘local’ than listen to solid evidence?

People like those super Flat Earthers… despite shed-loads of proof of the sphericalness of our planet, there are still people out there spreading their very (un) stable theories that the earth is indeed flat.

One example is: “If we were living on a giant ball, an aeroplane would have to constantly dip its nose - if not then it would it would find itself at over 80,000 feet in just half an hour!”

Some also argue that the world is a donut but, if that were so, then I am pretty sure cops from the US would have sussed that one long ago!

But it would appear, from scientific studies (scientists being pretty damn brainy dudes) that people consistently rate themselves as being far more competent than

they actually are. ‘facts’ or just battering someone Most people overestimate their with words until they give in. talents, and this is because our Sir Brain is so geared to wantbrains work in mysterious ways. ing to be right that even if it has That squishy filing cabinet we car- to concede defeat in the light of ry under our skull does, it seems, overwhelming proof, he will still work along the lines of an ego- think that he has won. It is surcentric bias. vival of the fittest working at its In other words, the brain abso- best! Intellectual hunting in the lutely loves and adores itself and first degree. will do everything in its power to Real intelligent people, or ‘proper show off and strut about like a clever clogs’ as the lesser well-encranial peacock. It always has to dowed would say, are clever belook good and has cunning ways cause they keep questioning their to turn things to surroundings, its own advanand themselves, tage.

No inkling at all and are usually For example, I remore aware than that they have call, when having most that they to work alongside DON’T know evless intelligence solicitors in colerything. lecting debts, we Whereas stupid than a broad would receive the people rarely bean results of the casthink of themes in two ways: selves as stupid 1) SO pleased to because they inform you, blah blah blah… that feel they don’t have to question WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL in things. They glow with supreme our case against blah blah blah... confidence and have no inkling at and here is our big fat cheque as all that they have less intelligence proof of how great WE are and than a broad bean.And so, to end how lucky you are to be our client. my sermon this week, I will just 2) We are sorry to inform you that offer one piece of advice.

YOUR case against blah blah was Don’t even try to argue with idiots thrown out of court - not our fault because even if you win, so, it and you are still lucky we have not would appear, have they! doubled the costs. Get my drift?

It is futile and you could be doing I questioned them and their load- so much more with your time. ed wording after a time… and Or, if you really do have to win they had to concede and take me (and your egotistical brain will abfor a slap-up meal! (Clever move, solutely want you to) make sure eh?) of your facts, question yourself Then there is ‘OUR team played and your knowledge and, most brilliantly’ (win), / THEY played so importantly, ensure that it will all badly’ (losers). be worth it!

The driver who overtakes you is I leave you with a few famous a lunatic… the slower driver, well, quotes and hope that the week he is just an idiot! ahead is full of wisdom. wit and When you get wine! paid more “A fool doth think he is wise but than you de- the wise man knows himself to serve - WOW! be a fool” - Shakespeare.

When some- “Ignorance more frequently beone else gets confidence than does knowldoes… well edge” - Darwin. that’s just not “A wise man can learn more from right! a foolish question than a fool can So our brains learn from a wise answer” - Bruce must look Lee. dapper all “The best way to convince a fool the time. No that he is wrong is to let him have matter if that his own way” - Josh Billings. involves disre- “How did people ever get by garding facts, without kitchen roll?” - Loraine making up Gostling.

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 1 Kirsch, 5 Betray, 8 Supermarket, 9 Nepalese, 10 Ouch, 11 Below, 13 Study, 17 Crop, 19 Mattress, 21 Loudspeaker, 22 Agrees, 23 Anyone.

Down: 2 Issue, 3 Soprano, 4 Harden, 5 Beaten, 6

Tokyo, 7 Antacid, 12 Earplug, 14 Turnkey, 15 Amuses, 16 Athena, 18 Prune, 20 Siren.

SUDOKU

H

I again Costa Blancans, and welcome to yet another one of my meanders about what’s forefront of my mind when I sit to write my fortnightly 800 words of wisdom for the Olive Press.

(Well, maybe one day I will keep it to that).

Talking of wisdom, this week has been a challenging one for me as I have had to deal with crap being thrown at me from someone who

By Loraine Gostling

7 1 5 8 9 2 3 4 6

8 4 9 3 5 6 1 2 7

2 6 3 4 1 7 9 5 8

3 9 2 7 4 1 6 8 5

4 8 1 5 6 3 7 9 2

5 7 6 9 2 8 4 3 1

1 2 8 6 3 9 5 7 4

6 3 4 2 7 5 8 1 9

9 5 7 1 8 4 2 6 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

SPORT CRACK SHOT: Rogers

Bullseye BRITISH archery ace Thea Rogers has set her sights on Spanish gold at next week’s World Youth Championships in Madrid.

The 17-year-old from Cwmbran in Wales is part of the 24-strong British team travelling to Spain for the competition, which runs from August 19-25.

Looking ahead to Madrid, Rogers said: “Pretty much everyone in the world is going to be in Madrid.

“The Korean archers are very good, but if we do what we do then I think we’ll have a chance.

“When we came back from Romania we looked at what the weather was like in Madrid and it was around 38°C – and they haven’t reached the peak of their summer yet.

“But we’ve all been shooting well and things are good, so we’re going for gold this time!”

31

Bale in

Bale brought back into the fold as Zidane recalls Welsh wizard for preseason clash with Roma

GARETH BALE has impressed upon his return to the Real Madrid squad, having been frozen out during much of pre-season by boss Zinedine Zidane.

The Wales international came on as a substitute in the friendly against Roma, scoring in a penalty shoot-out which Madrid eventually lost 5-4.

Bale’s future at the Bernabeu had looked uncertain with the forward having been left out of

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

Food comes first!

TM

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* Fu l l y co m p re h e n s i ve o f fe r va l i d fo r n e w c u s to m e r s o n l y. G u a ra nte e s u b j e c t to cove r, re p a i r at a p p rove d g a ra g e, a n d co u r te s y ve h i c l e ava i l a b i l i t y. S u b j e c t to co n d i t i o n s. O f fe r e n d s 3 0 / 1 1 / 1 8 .

Home insurance with Linea Directa has you covered if your fridge or freezer breaks

M WELCOME HOME: Bale back into first-team squad the club’s pre-season friendly against German side RB Salzburg.

But speaking after the match in Rome, Zidane seem to have have made a u-turn on Bale along with fellow outcast, James Rodriguez.

“James and Bale are players in the squad.

“They are both registered, but anything can happen and

Pretty in pink SHINJI Okazaki has dazzled in pink as he sported the new Malaga CF kit for his first assist at his new club.

The Japanese forward ditched the blue of Leicester City to don the new completely fuchsia pink alternative kit made by Nike.

A quick turn of Pace

August 15th - August 28th 2019

from the striker saw him set up teammate Hicham Boussefiane to score the only goal of the game against Melilla.

The win is the first of the preseason for the Costa del Sol club, whose first home game is against Las Palmas on August 24.

I, as a coach of Real Madrid, must count on them,” said the Frenchman.

The 30-year-old had seemed set to leave the Spanish club this summer but a potential move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning fell through.

Zidane had previously said that Bale being sold would be ‘best for everyone’, sparking uproar from the player’s representative.

“It’s simple, Zidane doesn’t like Gareth.

“There’s no relationship between them. There never has been,” said Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett.

“Zidane is a disgrace - he shows no respect for a player who has done so much for Real Madrid,” Barnett fumed.

Bale, 30, signed from Tottenham in 2013 for the then world record fee of €92 million and still has three years remaining on his contract.

ANY insurance companies offer home insurance, but what about the contents of your fridge?

A big part of our monthly expenditure goes on shopping for food and a fridge packed full of food is a significant cost.

Imagine your fridge or freezer stops working in these hot summer months and all the food is quickly ruined.

Will it be covered as part of your contents insurance?

Fridge and freezer cover as standard Our home insurance policy covers the contents of your fridge and freezer up to a maximum of €300 per claim for food stored in a domestic refrigerator or freezer that has been spoiled due to the fridge or freezer unit breaking down or a power cut that lasts longer than six consecutive

hours.

Putting in a claim If you need to claim, simply provide a copy of the repair invoice for the fridge or freezer, and in the event of a power cut spoiling your food contents, then a justification from the electricity company confirming the power outage.

Tips for power cuts and surges Power cuts and surges are a nuisance and often occur during thunderstorms during the hotter summer months. And it’s not only the contents of your fridge or freezer that can be spoiled, expensive electronics, home alarm systems and other appliances may be affected. We recommend you install surge protectors and remember to unplug your most prized electronics during thunderstorms.

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 952 147 834 More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

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2/8/18 17:01

FOR A FREE QUOTE CALL: +44 1522 702 443

A BULL has sought revenge on its captors by charging into a butcher’s, trashing furnishings and attacking staff in the northern town of Estella.

FINAL WORDS

Nice try A TAXI driver has been arrested after allegedly falsely claiming he was kidnapped and forced at knife point to spend his earnings on drugs and prostitutes in Fuengirola. The driver was late for his shift the next day, and had to explain why his company’s money had gone missing at the club.

Go to jail TWO Irish 18-yearolds have been arrested and charged with fraud for trying to pay for drinks in a bar in Magaluf with Monopoly money.

Thigh in the sky COLOMBIAN police arrested a woman attempting to fly to Spain with a kilo of liquid cocaine implanted beneath the skin of her thighs.

OLIVE PRESS

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Vol. 1 Issue 11

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Your expat

voice in Spain

August 15th - August 28th 2019

Sand dollars EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

A BRITISH holidaymaker has claimed a rental company at Alicante Airport threatened withholding part of a €2,000 deposit if ‘sand’ was found in the car.

The saga began when a prebooked hire car insurance

British holidaymaker says he was threatened with losing car rental deposit over ‘sand’

was not recognised upon the holidayer’s arrival at Alicante Airport this month.

Paul Elston, 71, alleged staff at RecordGo asked him to either

Go for it, grandad!

PARTYGOERS have expressed their surprise at seeing a pensioner still ‘raving’ at 5am on the Costa Blanca.

Javea DJ and resident Jack Ward spotted the ‘legend’ at the Achill club in Javea.

The man, wearing a straw hat and with his short sleeve shirt tucked into his shorts, can be seen in a video receiving slaps on the back as he twists his legs and spins to the music.

&

cough up a €2,000 deposit he could lose to ‘sand’ - or he had to pay an extra €253 for 11 days insurance coverage.

Elston’s ‘gut-feeling’ was that the company was out to ‘make money’ but with five restless children behind him he handed over the €253.

It came after Elston had booked a seven-seater through DoYouSpain.com for a holiday from July 25 to August 5.

He added to the original booking a €65,45 Zurich platinum insurance deal offered through the leading car hire comparison site.

But this was ‘not accepted’ at the RecordGo desk on arrival.

“We’re not massively out of pocket, but it’s the principle of paying twice for insurance,”

Elston told the Olive Press.

“The employee had this ‘take it or leave it attitude’ despite the fact I’ve used RecordGo for the last eight years.”

Elston cautioned British holidaymakers that prior insurance taken out in the UK ‘may not be recognised’ in Spain.

A spokesperson for DoYouSpain.com said the company makes it ‘very clear’ prebooked insurance schemes will still require a deposit upon arrival in Spain.

“I can understand it seems disingenuous, though we do put this information across on the website.

“That said, charging for sand is something we’ve never heard of.”

RecordGo and Zurich declined to comment.

Tosser!

GUARDIA Civil have caught a man who videoed himself tossing a fridge off a cliff in Almeria while shouting ‘let’s recycle!’.

The man is caught laughing with a friend as the fridge hurtles down a steep valley side leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

The man was identified by the Guardia’s environmental arm, SEPRONA, and ordered to return to the scene to dispose of it properly.

A second video tweeted by the Unified Association of Civil Guards showed the man struggling to drag the fridge back up the deep ravine where he had thrown it.

He was also fined €45,000.

Top that!

INSTANT pizza machines that can dispatch a margherita in three minutes are soon to make inroads in Spain.

The Let’s Pizza machine allows customers to choose toppings of ham and cheese, peperoni, margherita or bacon and cheese for around €6.

The 27cm base pizzas are then cooked inside the giant red vending machine to be enjoyed wherever and whenever.

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