Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 134 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 5 Issue 134 www.theolivepress.es October 28th - November 10th 2020

SWITCH: Chris Stewart

Squeezed out by Brexit EXCLUSIVE By Lydia Spencer-Elliott

FAMOUS expat author Chris Stewart is becoming Spanish. The Driving Over Lemons writer has revealed to the Olive Press he is giving up his British passport because of Brexit. “I’m becoming Spanish because I’m so incensed by the absurd nonsense of Brexit,” said the million-selling author, who lives near Granada. “I love England because I was born there, I think of the green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” added the former Genesis drummer. “I shall be like that forever, but above all I want to be European.” Brit Stewart gained a huge following with his first book that charted his life as a ‘self sufficient’ sheep farmer in a remote part of the Alpujarras region. He has published three further books on his nearly three decade integration into Spain. Since 2016, more than 350,000 Britons have applied for non-UK passports. In Spain, dual nationality is not possible. So, residents must make the difficult choice of whether they w i s h to be cons i d e r e d Spanish or British post-Brexit.

SAFETY FIRST: Series of stricter controls have been announced

Action stations

Keeping the guard up against coronavirus as masking up becomes law in town centre MASK-wearing in the town centre will become the law under the latest restrictions enforced by the Gibraltar Government. The move comes after the RGP reported that just over ten percent of the population were using masks voluntarily on October 26. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the people how these seri-

ous measures were needed to prevent another lockdown. It will only be an offence not to wear a mask on Main Street, Irish Town, Town Range, Engineer’s Lane, Governor’s Street and all connecting lanes. “I genuinely wished to avoid this but the advice we have is that these are the areas people can accumulate,” said Picardo. It will now also be an offence

Frontier impasse

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By John Culatto

to be in the area of Chatham Counterguard between 11pm and 1am on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Cross-frontier workers will now also be tested randomly as they come through the land border. Passengers flying to the UK will now need to be tested before CROSS-frontier workers in Gibraltar could be hardest hit by a no deal between the UK and the EU. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK ‘time is running very short’ to secure a deal. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has, however, kept up hope of a deal being secured with Spain. He tweeted on October 27: “We are ready to do a deal so long as it is secure, sovereignty neutral and positive for all sides.” A no deal would make Gibraltar more of an island than it has been since the frontier reopened in 1982. As one of the EU’s southern frontiers wet stamping could be necessary, which would inevitably lead to much longer queues at the land border. Until now EU recognised ID cards have only needed to be flashed at frontier check-

they leave the Rock. Those arriving from the UK will need to pay a small fee for a test or go into quarantine for a short time. Over 1,000 tests are now being carried out daily, more than five times that of Spain per 100,000 people. The Nightingale Facility is now on standby to be back in operation within 24 hours as there are only eight ICU beds available with one being occupied but stable. “The virus is now, once again, points. The Government cabinet has been meeting intensively to discuss the options available. Around 15,000 people crossed the frontier everyday before the pandemic, including top gaming executives and Spanish hospitality workers. In a technical notice published recently, the Government revealed local drivers would need an international driving permit (IDP) in Spain. If people are driving to Spain they would need a 1949 IDP and if they want to go to Portugal they could also require a 1968 IDP. All cars would have to be decked with a GBZ sticker too, apart from the ones on the numberplates. These two will soon be available from the Gibraltar MOT centre at Eastern Beach.

all around us,” said Picardo. “The GHA is presently able to deal with the surge we are experiencing. “But these numbers can very quickly grow exponentially if the virus remains unchecked.” The first measure announced was the closure of the elderly homes to visitors with the buildings on lockdown from today. A Major Incident could now be declared within 24 hours and health services are alert to the possibility. “From now on, do not kiss, hug or shake hands with persons outside of your home family unit,” said Picardo. “I know we consider it natural to act in that way, but let us understand that we must change our social behaviour, for now at least. “And do not let your guard down when you are at work. “That is where the spread is occurring.” As a result, the private and public sector is now being urged to return to remote working where possible. Masks are now advised to be worn in all places outside the home, although it will not be legally necessary. The elderly are now being asked not to go out except for the essentials and exercise. Religious meetings could be scaled down, with funerals expected to take place with only the first degree of family present, all wearing masks. “Further measures, short of a lockdown, may be required if the numbers of infections are not substantially reduced in coming weeks,” warned Picardo. “I ask you again for your help to tame this new wave “But, let me assure you of one thing – we will get through this. “We will smile again.”

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Justice for all MINISTER for Equality Samantha Sacramento has attended a three day online conference held by the Academy of European Law on the rights to justice for people with disabilities.

Barby trash CCTV footage of Mid-harbours residents vandalising their estate has been passed on to the RGP for action after a disposable BBQ thrown down a rubbish chute caused a fire.

Virtual leaders THE Gibraltar government cabinet has started to meet online as opposed to in person as COVID-19 continues to spread around the Rock.

Lining up LINE Wall Road was opened up to all traffic while repairs were made on a burst pipe at the junction of Queensway with Reclamation Road.

Party animals

TWO arrests have been made after an angry crowd refused to stop partying in Chatham Counterguard. Tempers flared over being filmed by a TV crew making a UK documentary called ‘Cops on the Rock’. “Our job has been made more difficult because of the additional legal regulations brought about by the pandemic,” said Commissioner Richard Ullger. “We are finding that, no matter how much we try and engage with people, many of them are not willing to listen especially when fuelled by alcohol.” Videos circulated on social media showed how members of the public confronted the RGP as officers told people to ‘go home’. There were scuffles with the crowd as the police tried to control the assembled revellers at the popular partying area. Under current public health rules drinking alcohol in a public place after 11pm is illegal. According to reports, people pre-bought drinks before closing time at 12.30am and went outside to drink them.

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Killed after sex

Sex offender jailed

British man launched frenzied attack on his wife

By Kirsty McKenzie

A BRITISH expat had sex with his wife before killing her in a frenzied knife attack at their £450,000 Costa del Sol mansion, Spanish prosecutors say. Wealthy businessman Geoffrey Elton, 56, attempted to smother Gloria Tornay and then tried to strangle her before she broke free after the bedroom romp, it is alleged. Court papers claim he then chased Gloria, 58, through their Estepona villa with a 5.7 inch long kitchen knife, stabbing her 11 times on March 9 last year. Spanish-born Gloria was knifed in the back as she tried to flee

VICTIM: Gloria with Geoffrey Elton who allegedly killed her when she decided to leave him her husband, prosecutors allege, and she died from massive blood loss. He then allegedly shut off the

Smoked out SIX Spanish members of a suspected tobacco smuggling ring based in San Roque will now face trial after being caught red-handed by the Guardia Civil. A car, a quad, four boats, two kilos of weed and 33,000 cartons of tobacco were seized in the raid. The cigarettes were smuggled out of Gibraltar before being distributed around Andalucia. The investigation was started after the ‘powerful’ criminal organisation was spotted smuggling tobacco. Agents tracked the movements of the gang and it led them to the warehouses where the cigarettes were stored. A number of policing units based in Algeciras were involved.

History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.

power and told 15-year-old son to leave and threw away mobile phones to slow the emergency response, it is alleged. Elton was found drenched in blood beside his wife of 30 years after trying to take his own life but was saved by medics and later charged with murder. Spanish prosecutors want Elton locked up for 14 years and forced to pay €200,000 in compensation for her children if he is found guilty. Expat Elton moved to Estepona six years ago after retiring from his successful satellite dish installation company. Pals alleged Elton was ‘increasingly paranoid’ and reclusive.

A GIBRALTAR man has been sentenced to spend three years in prison for paedophilia by a Supreme Court judge. Dylan Trinidad, 24, was charged with having sex with a child under 16-years-old and having hundreds of indecent images of them. The now convicted paedophile was only sentenced for the sexual act and not for the images, which was seen as an ‘aggravating factor’. Trinidad was first arrested in December 2018 by the detectives from the RGP Safeguarding Team. It was at this point that he was charged with having sex with a child and four charges for the indecent images he had stored. “The sentence imposed today will run following completion of time he is serving in custody at HM Prison Windmill Hill for other offences unrelated to this investigation,” said the RGP. “The indecent images relate solely to the victim in this case and not to any other children in the community.”

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Queen Joan ICONIC Dynasty actress Joan Collins, 87, has been spotted in Madrid filming the new medieval series Glow and Darkness. Alongside Denise Richards, the Dame will star as Adelaide of Maurienne, a 12th century Queen of France and the second wife of King Louis VI. Her and husband Percy Gibson, 55, were stopped by fans outside their Madrid hotel, despite Collins being barely recognisable beneath a face mask, hat and sunglasses. Glow and Darkness will detail the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and feature other recognisable characters including Eleanor of Aquitaine, played by Jane Seymour.

Royal fashion ALL eyes were on Queen Letizia as she attended the National Fashion Industry Awards in Madrid. And the royal returned to one of her favourite high street Spanish designers for the occasion: Massimo Dutti. Paired with a black shirt and coat, Queen Letizia opted for an affordable pleated skirt from the brand.

Spotted

A royal favourite, Kate Middleton has also been spotted in Massimo Dutti this month. During a visit to the University of Derby, the Duchess of Cambridge paired knitwear and a check-print coat from the brand with black trousers and heels.

Bank in Malaga. Banderas intends to transform the theatre ‘completely’ by introducing a circular stage, which the audience sits completely around - ‘a daring and complicated proposal that we’re going to deliver’, he promised.

Princess Diaries

Heir to throne Leonor and sister Sofia were on hand to congratulate the prize winners

PRINCESSES Leonor and Sofia joined their parents on royal duty to meet and congratulate winners of the 2020 Princess of Asturias Awards. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s daughters met with the victors in Oviedo, in the Principality of Asturias in the north of the country. The sisters, aged 14 and 13, were every inch the perfect princesses on the day – wearing modest but stylish shirt dresses and face masks for the event.

Elegant

FAVOURITE: Kate

Aiming high

In great company HOLLYWOOD heartthrob Antonio Banderas (pictured) will return to his hometown of Malaga next year to direct and star in what will be the longest-running theatre show ever in any single Spanish city. The man behind The Mask of Zorro made this announcement in style, when his cast performed a song from the upcoming musical Company at the Teatro del Soho Caixa

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Meanwhile their mum Letizia, 48, looked elegant as ever donning a recycled green and blue floral dress and forest green high heels.

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SISTERS: Leonor (left) and Sofia were in Oviedo

The annual awards are presented to individuals or organisations who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs. The award ceremony shares its name with heir to the throne Leonor who holds the title of Princess of Asturias. Each recipient present at the ceremony received a diploma, a sculpture expressly created for the awards by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro, and a pin with the emblem of

the Foundation. There is also a cash prize of €50,000 for each category, this amount is shared if the category has more that one recipient. The decision to go ahead with the awards amid the coronavirus pandemic with protective measures in place – one of which involved moving it from its usual venue, the Campoamor Theatre, which has capacity for 1,400 guests – to the smaller location, and limiting audience numbers.

FORMER Murcia basketball star Ovie Soko has penned his very own book one year after finding fame on Love Island. The 29-year-old’s self-help book will detail his life before the show and offer guidance, advice, and inspiration on how to become the ‘dopest’ person you can be. Announcing his happy news on social media, Ovie shared a snap of his debut book You Are Dope (subtitled Let the power of positive energy into your life). He enthused: “This book was one of the most exciting projects I’ve had the chance to work on over the last year, it was such a great experience making something of substance to GIVE BACK. “I think there is something that everyone can take away from the read to help them on their life journey. “Have a dope day people.” “Dopeness is innate, and it’s in everyone,” it reads. “You’ve probably been dope for a lot of your life and didn’t even realise it. Remember the time you did the washing-up for your mum and dad without them even asking? Dope.” During his time on Love Island, Ovie was praised for his level-headed attitude and was often the go-to guy when the other Islanders were having relationship woes.

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Halloween horror CHILDREN trick or treating during Halloween could be ‘a recipe for disaster’ according to the authorities. The Gibraltar Government fears that children going from house to house asking for sweets could help spread COVID-19 to the elderly. To deter the practice of trick or treating on and around October 31, the authorities have made an appeal to parents. “This has become an established practice in Gibraltar over the years, particularly for children and young people,” said the government. “It is obvious that having youngsters going door to door and coming into contact with elderly or vulnerable members of the community could be a recipe for disaster. “Parents are urged to ensure that their children observe the advice on this issue and avoid placing weaker members of our community at risk.”

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Cross border alarm

Border closures and curfew for Andalucia following declaration of second state of alarm

ANDALUCIA is expected to close its borders this weekend. In a sharp U-turn, regional president Juanma Moreno revealed the measure in an interview on Cope radio on Tuesday. It comes after vice president Juan Marin said there were no plans to close the region following the declaration of the nationwide state of alarm on Sunday. It is unclear how these measures will affect Gibraltar. “Honestly, with the data on hospitalisations and ICUs this morning, I do not think it is a good time for there to be a flow of people visiting the region,” president Moreno said. “I am pessimistic about keeping the autonomous community open this weekend.” This weekend is the All Saints bank holiday ‘puente’ weekend, making movement of people more likely. Moreno said the final decision will be made after listening to the committee of experts at a meeting today (Wednesday). The southernmost region will join five others in decreeing the closure of its borders following the declaration of a second nationwide state of

BORDER The crossing from Gibraltar is a vital economic lifeline alarm on Sunday. The move by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez gave autonomous communities legal cover to implement stronger

By Laurence Dollimore

restrictions on mobility due to a surge in coronavirus cases. In Andalucia, Moreno said he is concerned as hospitalisations are already similar to those in April ‘and the cold has not arrived yet’, nor the typical flu of autumn and winter. Andalucia has more than 2,000 COVID-19 patients in hospital, not far from the 2,800 seen at the peak of the

first wave on March 30. On the 11pm to 6am curfew installed by the national government, Moreno said he would extend the starting time to midnight as requested by hoteliers ‘in various provinces.’ The president did not say which provinces would see their starting time delayed by an hour, but it is more likely to be those with a lower incidence of the virus and with a heavy tourism trade, such as Malaga.

Planet heroes

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THE community must learn to help the planet in everything we do, said top sustainability experts at a ‘green’ awards ceremony. Action for Housing scooped the community prize at the Gibraltar Sustainability Awards. It highlighted the poor quality of housing in the upper town. Other notable winners included Girls in Tech for sustainable technology, Calentita Festival and the Gibraltar School Strike for Climate Professor Daniella Tilbury, Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Future Generations said: “There is an urgency which requires us all to get involved as well as to rethink our engagement with people on the planet. “We must encourage a move away from single actions to embracing more sustainable lifestyles and professional responsibilities.” Minister John Cortes added: “The awards drew attention to the diversity of initiatives across our community that are seeking to build a better future. “We hope that by recognising and sharing this best practice we can inspire others to take on practical and relevant steps in support of sustainability”.

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URGENT: Professor Tilbury demands action

Bricking it THE COVID-19 lockdown has inspired an exhibition of creations with building blocks game Lego. With not much else to do during the three month period from March to June, young and old set themselves to building Lego creations. Back then, a challenge was set by the Ministry of Culture to get individuals and organisations to see what they could come up with. These will now be brought together in an exhibition at the John Mackintosh Hall from November 16 to December 4. “Lockdown was a difficult time for many and many were particularly creative during that time,” said Minister for Culture John Cortes. “One of the ways that young and old alike passed time and expressed themselves was by the use of LEGO bricks. “As a keen fan myself, ever since I was a child, I am particularly pleased that we are staging what I know will be a fascinating exhibition”. The event will be open between 9am and 7pm at the popular event space on Main Street which features a Gibraltar flag in Lego at its entrance.

COVID: Lego creations

Elderly outbreak THE amount of elderly people infected with COVID-19 has risen to 13 at the John Mackintosh Home. The situation has led to all of them being confined to the third floor of the residence. Health authorities have still not discovered the cause of the spread, which has also led to 11 of its nurses testing positive to the virus. Elderly persons who tested negative at John Mackintosh Home were moved to the third floor of the Bella Vista Home. The Bella Vista Day Centre has now also closed down to prevent an increase in the outbreak. Authorities believe it would be hard to maintain social distancing with all the different family bubbles. Two other members of staff from Bella Vista, Hillsides and John Cochrane ward have also tested positive for COVID-19. It brings the total number of staff in self-isolation to 14 across all Elderly Residential Services sites. All family members have been kept in the loop about their elderly relatives who have tested positive and negative in the homes.

NEWS FEATURE

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OPINION

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As best-selling author Chris Stewart takes Spanish nationality, sealing a 30-year love affair with his adopted homeland, Lydia Spencer-Elliott talks to the famous expat about pandemics, politics and surrendering his British passport

About time!

Illegal Algarrobico Hotel faces demolition after 16 years

HE notorious Algarrobico Hotel in Almeria may finally be demolished 14 years after construction was halted. Money has been set aside in the preliminary 2021 budget of the Andalucian regional government (Junta) to send the bulldozers in and flatten the massive 411 room, 21 floor illegal building. It was partly built on protected land in the Cabo de Gata national park, leading to howls of protest from environmental groups desperate to keep the virgin beach unspoilt for future

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AWARDS

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2012 - 2020

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

ILLEGAL: Monstrous construction

“People come here and say, ‘blimey, it looks like Afghanistan’,” jokes Chris. “All we can

NDS O

from civilisation to his isolated farmhouse in Granada’s Alpujarras.

IKE Peter Mayle and Carol Drinkwater, his books have inspired a mass exodus of Brits hankering for the good life abroad. But unlike A Year in Provence which brought the world and his wife to Mayle’s door demanding pastis and autographed copies, unsolicited visitors will never bother Chris Stewart unless their name is Indiana Jones. El Valero, his finca wedged between the Sierra Nevada slopes and the Costa Tropical, is way too inaccessible. Indeed, Driving Over Lemons, the title of his first international best-seller, is only one of the hazards to negotiate along the white-knuckle mountain route

Publisher / Editor

EL CHEF: Cooking at home

THE COVID-19 pandemic could take a heavy toll on the frontier with Gibraltar even before the end of the transition period. With moves being made to stop entry into Andalusia by its right-wing regional government, the land border could be closed any moment. This was confirmed by the Chief Minister at his latest press conference although he was not sure if this would apply to Gibraltar. Even if this does not happen, the possibility of wet stamping at the frontier in the new year is now more and more possible. However ridiculous it seems that we would have to return to this traditional system of passport control, this could become the norm until 2022. On this date the passporting system becomes electronic but travellers will also need to apply in advance for EU entry. This seems like an unrealistic process for the Rock’s 32,000-strong population to overcome. A no deal would in this sense be disastrous not just for Gibraltar but for the whole Campo region, that now, more than ever, relies on its cash flow from the Rock. There is still hope that a deal could materialise. Some UK papers have suggested that a last-ditch deal could be worked out by the UK. The problem is it would have to surrender fishing areas for the EU, a big concession that would anger the right-wing press. The other option, a separate deal for the Rock, seems impossible, especially as under the 2006 Constitution, Gibraltar has no control over its foreign affairs. With the La Linea border becoming an EU border it would not be possible for Spain to decide its future. Most of Gibraltar will now be hoping that a deal can be struck in the following two months, but the hardened population is also bracing for the worst. What is clear is that this situation, not of our making, will only get worse and the future does not look as bright as it may have been.

C O ST

generations. The Olive Press has long campaigned for the hotel to be demolished – indeed the story featured in the first ever edition of the Olive Press in 2006. Now it looks like the authorities have finally decided to take the plunge and level the site – as they were ordered to do in 2016 by Spain’s Supreme Court. It overturned a 2014 decision by Andalucia’s TSJA court which ruled in favour of developers Azata Del Sol. The Supreme Court also decreed that the land belongs to the Junta. The ruling accepted arguments by Greenpeace and the regional government that the land should be protected. The property on Cabo de Gata beach had at the time been the focus of a decade-long legal battle. A building licence was granted for the project in 2003 with Greenpeace directors dubbing it ‘Hotel Illegal’ in 2006. The president of the Junta, Juama Moreno, has now promised to demolish the Algarrobico as part of a ‘green’ programme outlined by the regional government. It is not yet certain that the hotel will be demolished as the budget for 2021 has yet to be finalised.

see are rivers and mountains, there are no other houses. It’s the perfect place for a lockdown. “Things were closing down even when I was young and travelling and I never got to Afghanistan, which is one of my few regrets,” he continues on a more sombre note. “Now it’s very difficult to travel anywhere in the world. My daughter has lived in China for the past six years and we visit her every year … but not this year.” One move this born-again campo dweller will never regret is upping drumsticks and the chance of fame in a British rock band to farm sheep in the wilds of the Spanish countryside over three decades ago. Alongside classmates Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips, Stewart spent much of his youth playing in a school band that would later become Genesis. He never got to tour the world playing The Silent Sun. Instead, when he was bumped from the band in 1968 to make room for John Silver, he hit the road to travel and work in Europe. “It was destiny that drove me to Spain” he says. “When I was 20 years old I came to the country to learn guitar. There is not a single day I regret

IDYLL: Stewart spends his days rearing

October 28th - November 10th 2020

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Don’t stop the press

T’S fair to say that right now we all have a huge weight on our shoulders - and some days it’s difficult to understand how the world keeps turning. Between a global pandemic and the looming challenges of Brexit to the USA election and the senseless brutality taking place OLIVE in Nigeria, keeping up to date with PRESS local news can often feel daunting or even pointless in comparison. Clicking through social media or Google, everyone is keeping their OUR SQUATTER eye on the bigger picture. And HELL while that’s no bad thing, it’s also so important to keep track of what is happening close to home. That’s where the Olive Press comes in. Local reporting campaigning has always been in this paper’s DNA for 14 years. Since 2006, we’ve taken pride in making sure institutions are held to account - so that nothing ever slips through the net. We work to a very high standard, never afraid to take on difficult stories and we won't let anything stop us getting to the truth of the issues that are important to our readers. Local journalism is vital to connect and inform people about the community they live in, helping the co-ordinate campaign groups or identify where neighbourhood efforts are most needed to look after the vulnerable in the area. In recent issues, we’ve spoken to the neighbourhood watch groups who are trying to keep their homes safe from squatters. We talked to expats fearful that their bank accounts would be shut by the end of the year and residents who have rallied together to retrieve packages from their hapless local post office. Our stories prove that news is about the everyman - not just people in positions of power. All those years ago we promised to create a newspaper that sets the agenda. One with clout, substance and authority. A title that gives a voice to everyone in Spain and brings political issues from local regions, not just Madrid. One that challenges the global-centric nature of today’s journalism. Objective achieved - and we’re not for stopping. The

HAPPY: Chris at home in the hills (above), with wife Ana and their much-loved dogs (left), and the renovation of their fashionable finca ‘El Valero’ in the Alpujarras over the years (below)

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Royal sweep

QUEEN Doña Sofia has caused a stir in the Axarquian town of Rincon de la Victoria. fishing The 81-year-old monarch pate in International Beacharrived at the coastal town to particithe world's beaches after Cleaning Day, an incentive to tidy up During her 30-minute a summer of use. visit, Queen Doña Sofia mask and refuse bags and donned gloves, a joined the volunteers in from the Virgen del Carmen collecting trash beach. In an effort to keep the crowds to a minimum media was kept in the during her visit, spite this, almost 700 dark until the very last minute, however deDuring her 30 minuteonlookers gathered to show their support. stay the support from overwhelming, with shouts the audience was of 'Long live the Queen!', and 'Long live Spain!'. 'Beautiful!' The love for the former versy surrounding her monarch is far removed from the controtion into his corruptionhusband Juan Carlos I and the investigathroughout his reign.

Maddie

Chief suspect ‘confessed’ to kidnap at Granada festival...

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LITTER QUEEN: Doña

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All you need to know about San Pedro de Alcantara...

Sofia helped in costa

clean-up

Squatters take over British expat’s property meant for while threatening toher sick daughter kill entire family

A BRITISH expat has become scared to leave her own EXCLUSIVE “When they finalter being terrorised by house afBy Laurence Dollimore a family of ly had a lawyer, squatters for the past two years. he managed to Tina Cackett, 64, claims find a misprint been verbally assaulted she has ble began when Tina bought and re- house, which the in the escritura ceived several death sits just across the family since they threats from out riverbed from her own a dried which he claimed illegally took in Competa, home, over the property next Malaga, at the end of suggested the into hers, 2018. heritors which she also owns, might in December The previous not have had the 2018. owners, very close to, had died,who she was right to sell the On one occasion, Tina, and the in- property, carer, had to barricade a live-in heritors of the property decided but to was just a typo.” it side her home while herself in- sell it to Tina. To make of the squatter family the father “I wanted a home for my daughter ters worse, matrepeatedly Kristine, screamed at her in she is often ill and needs had to find Tina her driveway hospital that he was going to kill a new treatment or looking after, solicitor so the setup was ideal,” “It was terrifying,” Tina,her. Tina ex- discovering after SCARED: Tina chester, told the Olive from Col- plained. Cackett and daughter her Kristine (left) previous one was charging looked deranged, like Press. “He But while waiting for the deeds her for started throwing to be hours not worked. something, and just kepthe was on put into her name, which rocks A tour of Spain’s most iconic Tina claimed, “even their at him,” that he was going to kill screaming eral weeks, the squatters took sev- She now has the documents child was in ormoved in der to prove me and that and changed castillos... he had friends who would she bought the home shouting death threats, it’s just horcome and Since then the locks. kill me. a legal battle has ensued, legally and is hoping for a resolution rible, and the mother is supposed to be a care worker! Even this year, but everything which has been delayed “His wife was holding Page 20 my daughter has been has received and extend- slowed down due to the COVID-19 begging him to leave him back and ed on technicalities. threatening my driveway “The messages, which we haveWhatsApp pandemic. first couple of times saved for while they Meanwhile police. I turned p h o n e d means up without a lawyer, which continues to the squatter family “I’m scared to the case gets adjourned,” leave threaten Tina and her p o l i c e . ” added Tina. take my dogs for a walkmy house to loved ones. “I’ve been told it’s in case they The trou- tic they use a lot to buy time. a tac- Just three weeks ago Tina’s partner do something to me. “This was also threatened by the father, and family has ruined our lives it’s just not fair, while mother and son, who I paid all is only around 12 years their bills they’re living rent free in my property and driving old. around in “They told him to ‘go a new car.” back to England you Tina has contacted two privateEnglish madman’ and ly-run squatter removal companies but they said as there is a court case ongoing they cannot take on her case. THE SKY AUTHORISED It comes as Spain’s right DISTRIBUTOR wing parties are hoping DOCTOR Take control of your to clampdown on squatting, future and ALL AREAS COVERED make your own financial which has soared during KEEP SQUATTERS OUT! choices! coronavirus pandemic. the 4G UNLIMITED The Partido Popular and BinckBank.com/horizon Special Anti “Okupas” INTERNET want to see stricter Vox meaIDEAL FOR sures, including thousands alarm offer STREAMING TV of euros in fines and three years in prison. up to Immediate Police ALSO IPTV, However left-leaning SATELLITE TV parties response fear it may criminalise gling families who havestrugCall: +34 611 475 892 tel: (0034) 952 763 840 unable to pay rent duringbeen colin.securitasdirect@gma the info@theskydoctor.com il.com COVID-19 crisis. www.theskydoctor.com

Page 9

TRADING BEYOND THE HORIZON WITH BINCK

moving. I’ve been here for three and Johnson and all those other decades and I love the country fools have dealt with it.” with a passion. We’re the rich- His enthusiasm for Spain radiest people in the world because ates from the pages of his quarwe have beautiful countryside tet of autobiographical books and this wild mountainous land- chronicling his misadventures scape around us.” in the Granada countryside. Today he and his wife Ana spend More than two decades since their days shearing sheep and the first was published, they still planting olive trees with a par- resonate with expats, travellers rot, two horses and homebodies and sundry dogs alike. and cats for com“I think I just Spend their pany. Chris feels talked about unidays shearing versal issues and safer and happier in Spain than in experiences,” sheep and the UK - and so reflects Stewart. attached is he to planting olive “I tapped into a his adopted homeuniversal vein. trees land he is set to Everyone you prove it by taking talk to says ‘oh Spanish nationalwow I’d love ity. to move to a different coun“I’m about to become Spanish try, get out of the rat race because I’m so incensed by the and get into the countryabsurd nonsense of Brexit,” he side’ but barely anyone fumes. actually does. “And If I could personally thank “Our lives are so saddled (Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez by the desire for comfort, for how he’s handled this aw- security and convenience. ful pandemic then I would,” he Those are three words that adds. “Just look at how Trump I hate. People shop on Am-

g sheep

azon because it’s convenient even though the people working there have a crap time on zero hour contracts. “It makes me realise how lucky I am, even during a pandemic. There is a monstrosity present in so many forms of work, corporations who don’t give a stuff about their employees. That’s capitalism for you … it’s given me a great run but I detest it.” Driving Over Lemons has sold over 1.5 million copies to date but the

state of the world has shifted considerably since it was published 21 years ago: “Of course, inevitably, the world has changed,” says Stewart. “But the way it’s changing at the moment is so sudden and so profound.” However, the 69-year-old author is keen to look towards life beyond COVID-19: “Coronavirus is a global issue but it hasn’t made all the other problems go to sleep,” he says. “I feel sort of guilty that the world my generation has handed to the next is pretty tainted, in particular with regard to climate change. And politics is moving towards a totalitarian right-wing way of doing things. It’s really unpleasant. “One of the fundamental changes in Spain of late is the arrival of the wretched VOX Party,” he mourns. “I see them as a grim future and something we should all be afraid of. This country suffered 40 years of vicious dictatorship and you can still see the dregs of it in some elements of Spanish society today. “We must fight tooth and nail against the ignorance and hatred espoused by these people it’s simply not the Spanish way.” For Chris, now a best-selling Spanish author thanks to his new national identity, it will be the Spanish way forever. “I love England because I was born there, I think of the cosy little green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” he says. “I shall be like that forever, but I want to be European.”

Castle heaven

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Squatters run riot on Costa del Sol as orga1-nised gangs hand over keys to top properties (59, 195) property price falls predicted for 2-theMajor Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in Spain (53,574) - Spain’s Costa Blanca wakes up this 3invisible morning to new 50% capacity rules as ‘the enemy’ sweeps through the region

(50,817)

to declare state of alarm 4- Breaking: Spain tomorrow (26,284) Spain’s Costa Blanca to get 5- Breaking: night-time curfew ‘as soon as possible’ (21,317)

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Opinion Page 6

LA CULTURA Flying high

PRIZE: Trophy on offer

Very cultured THIS year’s cultural awards will be streamed by the Ministry of Culture on its social media channels. According to the government, they ‘recognise cultural potential, ability, talent and achievement, supporting the community’s cultural development’. “The Cultural Awards are a celebration of our rich and varied Culture,” said Cortes. “They recognise the importance of Culture in our community, and the contribution by so many – some during a whole lifetime.” Pre-recorded at the Sunborn Hotel, the event will be shown on November 3 at 7.05pm.

AFTER writing her debut novel simply to ‘spice up’ early retirement, expat Jacqueline Carpenter, has gone on to enjoy worldwide acclaim with her sequel, too. The Olive Press first interviewed the ex-City broker last year when her debut novel Louisa was published. The historical tale of family life in war-torn Kent had sold really well and is still continuing to receive positive reviews. With such success, Carpenter decided to continue writing and the sequel to Louisa has just been published. And Joan is already receiving great reviews, with Sheila Thompson from USA saying: “Enjoyed Louisa, and this follow up wasn’t a disappointment. Felt you lived there life of ups and downs with the characters. Can’t wait for the next one” One picture sent to her showed a Virgin Airlines pilot in his cockpit reading Louisa, taken by Michelle Smith after Jacqueline held a photographic competition for her readers. Jacqueline is currently writing the third, as yet untitled, novel of her trilogy. Both Louisa and Joan are available on Amazon and Kindle.

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Talking trivia If you’re struggling to learn Spanish, take a break - the history of the world’s second mostspoken native language is a lot more fun, writes Cristina Hodgson

INGUAPHILIA. That’s not a sexual practice, it’s the love of language and Spanish is full of tantalising trivia. But that’s only to be expected considering Spanish grammar has been officially around since 1492, first published in a book by Antonio de Nebrija the same year Columbus discovered America. As the official language of 20 other countries it is the second most spoken lingo in the world, natively, after Chinese (Mandarin) and before English. It is additionally the third most used language on the Internet, after English and Chinese. It’s also an old language, basically a dialect of Latin, and it appears in texts that were written over 1,000 years ago. Las Glosas Emilianenses are among the earliest forms of written Spanish, believed to have been penned in 964 by an unknown monk at the Suso monastery in La Rioja. The texts comprise Spanish and Basque notes made in the margins of a religious Latin manuscript. As well as its 17 tricky tenses, gender-bending nouns and nasty irreg-

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ular verbs, you may have discovered that the Spanish language also has some wacky onomatopoeias, especially when it comes to the animal kingdom. Apparently pooches yap ‘wow-wow,’ feathered friends tweet ‘pio-pio’, ‘iii-aah’ is the heehaw of a donkey and cockerels crows ‘ki-kiri-ki’ Meanwhile, a sneeze is ‘achí’, ‘chof’ a splash and ‘toc toc’ a knock on the door. Not quite essential to survival in Spain - no doubt a residency card would come in much more handy at least you can impress your new Spanish friends. On the plus side, Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn for native English speakers. Really! According to the experts, it takes around 22-24 weeks to achieve what they call ‘general professional proficiency’ in reading and speaking. However, you really know you’re picking up on the local Spanish lingo when you try to sit through an English documentary which has been dubbed into Spanish but you ironically don’t understand a word that’s being said. Curiously, your brain will instinctively try to pick out your mother tongue, which has been semi-silenced under the Spanish translation, and goes into overdrive filtering the two languages at once. Congratulations, you’re on your way to bilingualism, and you’ll never be

able to watch a dubbed documentary ever again… And the fun doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve gained speaking and reading proficiency, you still have to master the art of gesticulation. Discourse in Spain is accompanied by body language that can’t be ignored. You’ll find a lot of frantic hand movements going on (and often arms too), emphasising words, and the full gamut of facial expressions.

Flapping They may intimidate at first, these flapping arms, clicking fingers and peculiar gestures that seem to be an intrusion into your personal space, but don’t be offended. The gesticulations are part of the culture. You’re not being told off and it’s not a sign of disrespect. Remember, you’re only truly bilingual when you include your shoulders, arms, hands, eyes and even mouths in the conversation... And once you can do it without feeling like a total plonker, you’ll be a credible candidate for that residency card - or, at least, you’ll look the part. You might also appreciate that the correct pronunciation to ñ is roughly like an English ‘ny’ and you definitely don’t want to confuse año (year) with ano (anus). You’re welcome!

Lengua loca · 8 more fun facts: 2

As well as being rooted in Latin, Span fluenced by nine centuries of Moorishish has been significantly inwords in its vocabulary have Arabic occupation, and over 8,000 na (olive), arroz (rice) and almohada roots - azúcar (sugar), aceitu(pillow), to name but a few. Spanish is the official language in 20 sovereign states and one dependent territory.

The first steps toward standardisati Spanish language as a whole) were on of written Castilian (the taken in the 13th century by King Alfonso X of Castile.

Unlike other languages, the resembla and the modern written language is nce between Old Spanish so similar it makes medieval documents easy to read.

E is the most frequently used letter pearance on average in the writtenin Spanish with 13,68% aplanguage, while W is the least used, with only 0.01%.

The most used word in Spanish is the

According to the Spanish Royal Acad emy (RAE), the longest word in the Spanish language, with 23 lette rs, is ‘electroencephalographico’ (a monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain).

Spanish is a phonetic language, whic h means that words are written as they are pronounced.

preposition ‘de’

ll about

Issue 134

www.theolivepress.es

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Absolutely Marbellous Marbella is the gem of the Costa del Sol and will come back shinier than ever

OR too long Marbella has been associated with the likes of cheap, downmarket reality TV shows like TOWIE and Made in Chelsea, as well as stag weekends and footballers. What many people forget is that it is actually a Spanish resort at heart, bustling with culture, gastronomic excellence and beautiful beaches. Oh and there’s the perfect climate, upscale boutiques, as well as a historic old town based around Orange Square, which oozes charm and is surrounded by quirky boutiques and museums.

By Laurence Dollimore

Whether you are thirsting for history or only a drink, Plaza de los Naranjos, named for its abundance of orange trees, will oblige in either case. Enclosed by an 11th century Arab wall, the showpiece of the square is the 16th century Old Governor's House. A tourist hotspot, the square’s bars and restaurants charge a little more but it’s worth it for the ambience. When the heat gets too much, respite can

be found within the cool stone walls of Our Lady of the Incarnation church, a 17th century former mosque that was taken over by the Christians during the Reconquest. Inside, along with beautiful paintings and locals praying, you’ll enjoy the highly-efficient air conditioning! Tributes paid, you can find Marbella monuments even older than this, dating from 1AD. The first Roman bridge beside the Puente Romano hotel remains a rite of passage and the baths still stand in Guadalmina.

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CASA DE LAS FLORES

When you tire of burning shoe leather, bag a park bench in the green shade of one of the exquisite public gardens. La Constitucion park and the Alameda gardens are particularly lovely, the latter always brimming with locals and surrounded by great cafes and bars. Or if you’re looking to strictly chill, there’s a whole lot of beach waiting for you. Boasting 27 kilometres of coastline, San Pedro and Puerto Banus both proudly fly the prestigious Blue Flag, an award given Continues on Page 2

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Always fabulous From Front Page

to the best beaches by the Foundation for Environmental Education. If you stroll into the flashy pleasure port of Puerto Banus, just to the west of Marbella, you’ll witness a scene like no other, depending on the hour. This could include hen-doers trying their best to pull off ill-fitting fancy dress costumes after celebrating their last night of freedom, or members of the ‘1% club’ disembarking from mega-yachts or Ferraris to shop ‘till they drop’ at the likes of Gucci and Prada. Banus has become an unashamed melting pot for the rich, famous and wannabe glamourpusses. The glitz and glamour flows in a thick slick out of the port and along Marbella’s Golden Mile, home to exclusive nightclubs Le Suite and the extravagant Roberto Cavalli where a round of drinks could probably blow your weekly budget if you haven’t already splurged it on a swanky designer outfit – an essential if you want to mingle with the Who’s Who of Marbs. Along this same elitist strip the likes of Lord Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Sean Connery and the Saudi Arabian royal family have in-

OLD TOWN: Marbella’s 16th century Orange Square is a must-see for every visitor to the Costa del Sol with its white washed walls and colourful flowers

vested in their own villas. World leaders too, are magnetically attracted to Marbs. German prince Maximilian de Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his son Alfonso first ‘discovered’ Marbella when they had to stop while having trouble with their Rolls Royce in 1946. Alfonso liked the area so much

he decided to buy some land and build himself a house, before selling plots to his Rothschild and Thyssen friends. He soon turned his home into the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel in 1954 – The Marbella Club – which to this day remains a mainstay on the Golden Mile, welcoming guests like Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz.

Before long, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Laurence Olivier were all hanging out there, raising the Costa del Sol’s international profile and attracting a wave of jetsetters and investment. From a pure accident of fate the resort has gone from strength to strength, despite the economic

and political woes that plagued Spain since the financial crash of 2008. While it has no doubt suffered huge losses due to the coronavirus crisis, tourists will no doubt return in their droves once life returns to a ‘new normal’. And its culinary scene will be one of

A resort with more The Olive Press picks out the 10 reasons to love Marbella A Renaissance square

All along the watchtower

The Plaza de los Naranjos lies at the heart of Marbella´s old town. Built after the Christian Reconquest, it is an outstanding example of Castilian Renaissance architecture. From one of the many sun-soaked terraces, you can admire the Renaissance-style town hall, the Mayor’s house combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar design and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city.

Declared of Cultural Interest in 1985, the 15-metre Torre Ladrones (Thieves Tower) is the highest watchtower on the Malaga coast. The defensive structure dates from the Muslim period but some speculate the Romans first built it. You can find it close by the Artola dunes nature reserve and Cabopino port.

Arabian delights Visigoth vestiges The Basílica de Vega del Mar was excavated in the 20th century on a former Roman road running from Cádiz to Cartagena. It is one of the few remaining examples of north African Visigothic churches built in Andalucia during the sixth century although all that remains today are its awesome one-metre walls.

Also in the historical centre is the Alcazaba fortress, the most important vestige of Muslim civilisation in Marbella. The Castillo was built in the 10th century during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, Caliph of Córdoba.

Dunk by Dumbo The elephant sculptures that spray water from their trunks on many of Marbella’s best beaches are an Instagram favourite with tourists.

Surrealist sculptures Marbella is home to 11 sculptures by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Ten grace Avenida del Mar, along with pieces by other artists such as Eduardo Soriano. And you can’t miss his massive three-ton rhino at the entrance to Puerto Banús.

Celebrity hive Puerto Banus has become the most visited celebrity hive on the Costa del Sol. The rich and famous come from all over the world to shop, eat, drink and party in the iconic port where extravagant sports cars and massive yachts can be sighted year round. It was built in 1970 by José Banús, a Spanish property developer… and a close relation of Franco.

A salty start In Roman times, the city was called Salduba (Salt City) after the local fish salting industry. The Arabs changed it to Marbil-la, the origin of its current name and it’s spot-on. In Spanish, Marbella means beautiful sea.

Fairway to heaven The Costa del Sol is also known as Costa del Golf, and Marbella’s fairways are key contributors. The Andalucian town boasts the biggest concentration of golf courses in Spain, some voted among the best in the world.

October 28th - November 10th 2020

HISTORY: Marbella’s religious past is at the heart of the town

the main attractions. Marbella now has the most Michelin stars per capita in the COUNTRY and positively glitters with the highest concentration of Michelin Star restaurants in Andalucia, making it the undisputed gastronomy capital of the Costa del Sol. Its exciting food scene constantly offers new restaurants and eateries - think Savor in San Pedro or Nobu on the Golden Mile. The cultural scene is also thriving, with the

Marbella International Arts Festival now a regular fixture and, of course, the annual Starlite Festival which brings some of the biggest global stars to a quirky quarry on the edge of town, along with hundreds of jobs and thousands of tourists. Add the annual feria in June and this Marbellous city is never boring. With incredible nightlife, a blossoming arts scene and the best food in the region, Marbella will return to glory.

Built by Romans

ARBELLA began its life as a town in the seventh century BC, when it was a Roman settlement called ‘Salduba’. This is also the name of a well known bar at the entrance to Puerto Banus that has been there for centuries too. Mea nwh ile an original Roman bridge still stands su-

SPECTACULAR: Mosaic at Rio Verd

rreally in the middle of the Pue Romano Hotel and a few kilo nte metres away is the restored Rom an villa at Rio Verde with its beautiful mosaics. A sleepy town during the period of Al-Andalus, Mar bella was retaken by Christians in 1485. The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) has been the focal point of the town since then and the town hall is still located CAPTIVATING: The Puente Romano Hotel’s ancient ruins there today.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Take Suspend Belief care

THE authorities have warned people to make sure they know the rules and restrictions for every place they are travelling to. It follows the news that students returning from UK universities will now all need to be tested on arrival on the Rock and be quarantined for five days. “In the United Kingdom, there are now local lockdowns in different parts of the country,” said the government. If the public do travel, they are urged to get screened for COVID-19 on their return by calling 200 41818.

CARE: Testing times

October 28th - November 10th 2020

OOPS: Shuttle crashed

Shuttle Shakes

Self-driving shuttle bus in Spain’s Madrid caused a crash on its first day The vehicle was travelling at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour through the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid when it provoked the accident. The driverless bus – carrying several passengers – stopped abruptly giving no time of reaction to the auxiliary car that was directly behind it leading to a collision between the two vehicles. The incident resulted in some slight scratches on the rear bumper of the electric car to the disbelief of the relevant authorities and the university students passing through the area. The shuttle is the first of its kind to be used on public roads in Spain. BOSSES of airline company IAG have announced that 70% of Vueling, Iberia and British Airways flights will be cancelled. Meanwhile, rivals Easyjet and Ryanair will fly at 25% and 40% respectively indicating a bleak outlook for all major airlines. It comes after the IAG travel giant reported a

Malaga’s Gran Senda welcomes spectacular new addition to Spain’s popular hiking route MALAGA’S Caminito del Rey will welcome a new addition in the form of a 54-metre suspension bridge on a section of the popular Gran Senda de Malaga hiking trail. The 70-metre high structure has been years in the making, and will finally be opened to the public this Sunday. The bridge will join Canillas de Aceitunas to its neighbouring Sedella across the Almachares riverbed, and will form part of

STUNNING: Walk is hoped to attract tourism revenue stage seven of the popular route. Large areas of the 650 kiloperts had predicted. Due to coronavirus, passenger numbers were down by 78% with operational flights only half full. Then IAG fired Spanish British Airways CEO, Alex Cruz, last week after four chaotic years at the head of the company that saw IT meltdowns and staff strikes.

Air cuts €1.3bn loss in their third quarter, which was even worse than financial ex-

Across 7 Angolan capital (6) 8 Hibernian (5) 9 Thin layer (4) 10 Try to make someone believe they are going mad (8) 11 Thugs (5) 12 Propose (7) 15 Source of teenage angst (7) 17 Seventh sign of the zodiac (5) 20 Not non grata (8) 22 Move along in a stream (4) 23 Literary genre (3-2) 24 Mourn (6)

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metre trail have seen many improvements in recent years, with many parts of the Axarquia portion of the route receiving brand new metal walkways, allowing walkers to traverse the steep rocky cliff faces. The bridge cost €600,000, and it is hoped that the tourist attraction will bring much needed revenue to the area. President of the Malaga Pro-

vincial Council, Francisco Salado, praised Canillas de Aceitunas, council and town mayor Vicente Campos, who was instrumental in the creation of the project. Salado also detailed the unique challenges that the construction team faced in completing the mammoth structure. Modern transport solutions such as helicopters and zip lines were used alongside some more traditional methods such as pack mules for carrying smaller loads.

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1 Erstwhile Peruvian President (8) 2 Kind of band (3-3) 3 Squads (5) 4 Topping the agenda (5,2) 5 Upholstery trim (6) 6 "Be quiet!" (4) 13 Overcome (8) 14 Stet (5,2) 16 Allow (6) 18 "A date which will live in ---" (6) 19 "Someone Like You" singer (5) 21 Mountain path (4)

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The Olive Press all editions FP (342mmx256mm) October 28

COLUMNISTS

WAS looking forward to switching off from Covid coverage this month and over to Netflix for a dose of Sir David Attenborough’s soothing voice and infectious enthusiasm for everything that slithers, crawls or photosynthesises on Earth. But A Life on Our Planet, his 80 minute ‘witness statement and vision of the future’ dealing with other scary C-Words – Climate Change Crisis – made depressing viewing. Stark footage of a lone orangutan clinging to a solitary tree in a devastated rainforest said it all. And how terrible that

70% of birds on the planet are battery chickens. Wild animal populations have more than halved in the 66 years since the 94-year-old naturalist began his career at the fledgling BBC, making him as old as the TV channel itself. My hero since black and white Zoo Quest days (1954-63), I watched this monochrome Adonis hacking through jungles in a safari suit collecting rare species for London Zoo, all very un-pc now of course. These exotic creatures would then be presented, live and unscripted, in the studio – always good for a giggle. Each trip in two-engined Dakota DC3s took three months to film, the budget for the crew of six was £1,000 and their clockwork film camera had to be rewound every 40 seconds. ‘But the main problem was smuggling all these animals into our hotel rooms,” Attenborough writes in his entertaining autobiography, A Life on Air. ‘We put pythons and anacondas in sacks under our beds, armadillos in the bath and had bats hanging

HAVE two favourite months in Spain. May marks the beginning of the summer season: the temperatures rise, the countryside is magnificent in its full bloom and the first events of the social scene take place. There is always a feeling of optimism – that businesses will enjoy a record year, that old friends will come and visit and that new friendships in Marbella’s cosmopolitan mix will be made. September on the other hand, is the gentle unwinding of the summer season as the madding and maddening crowds dissipate, the sun loses some of its fierceness and a chilled out vibe returns. I may be stating the bleeding obvious, but 2020 has been a little different. The lockdown was harsh enough, but the ‘new normal’ made operating a business a real struggle, especially when quarantine restrictions meant

October 28th November 10th 2020

Knight in a Safari Suit

He’s too modest for shining armour but Sir David Attenborough is a true hero of our times writes Belinda Beckett up on the curtains,’ he relates. ‘In Madagascar I found some marvellous things called pill millipedes, about the size of a golf ball. They escaped overnight and there were pill millipedes everywhere. I got into a lot of trouble for that!’ Returning from a trip in Paraguay, unusually on a First Class-only plane (he always flies economy unless his crew can be upgraded), the journey took longer than expected and the armadillo food ran out. “The hostess said, ‘Oh, how awful! But we’ve only got caviar and Californian peaches’,” writes Attenborough. “I replied, ‘That’s funny, that’s exactly what armadillos like!’ So that’s what they ate, all the way to New York!’ People often forget that Sir David (who writes his own scripts and the companion books to every series) was also a ‘suit’ at the BBC. As Director of Programmes and Controller of BBC Two he gave us Match of

the Day, Whicker’s World, Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Pot Black. He’s also the most widely-travelled human in history, clocking up mileage equivalent to 10 global circumnavigations for his epic Life series of nine programmes and 79 episodes, aired over four decades. He has two knighthoods, 32 honorary degrees, 11 sets of letters after his name, and over 20 species christened after him will remind us who he was after he’s gone. He also knows a thing or two about science but will we listen to it? Going by our track record with coronavirus, probably not. But perhaps later, when southern Spain has turned to desert and the Arctic has melted, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will chance upon archive footage of his Messianic documentary and realise that here was a man who knew what he was talking about.

Mama, we’re all crazy now that the normal flow of tourists, including the wedding parties, off season visits by relatives and sun starved golfers, was reduced to a sparse trickle. Maybe the lockdown caused a short circuit in the minds of the less desirable members of Marbella society but, along with the graphs showing the rise of cases as the second wave of coronavirus crashed around Spain, the only other uptick seemed to be in the number of high profile criminal incidents that made the national and international press. The majority of these – including the high profile kidnapping at gunpoint of the second-in-command of a Dutch drug baron and the recent shooting of a Brit on a Saturday night – took place on the stretch of road known as the Aloha Strip – with its bars, lounges and restaurants. Previously this area of ‘Golf Valley’ was best known as the place to spot nothing more menacing than Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett, Jimmy Tarbuck and other household names from the world of light entertainment. They were normally heading out to play on

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Luanda, 8 Irish, 9 Film, 10 Gaslight, 11 Goons, 12 Suggest, 15 Pimples, 17 Libra, 20 Approved, 22 Flow, 23 Sci-fi, 24 Lament. Down: 1 Fujimori, 2 One-man, 3 Gangs, 4 First up, 5 Piping, 6 Shhh, 13 Surmount, 14 Leave in, 16 Permit, 18 Infamy, 19 Adele, 21 Pass.

SUDOKU

one of the three golf courses in Nueva Andalucía, although Sean Connery was best approached with caution, especially if he had been hacking around the Los Naranjos course. In the past decade, this sleepy spot has transformed and it’s not uncommon to spot Premiership footballers, world champion boxers and the obligatory reality TV stars. It has also become brasher, with supercars roaring up and down the strip. Perhaps it is that brashness that has encouraged an ‘anything goes’ mentality. Over the past couple of weekends my social media feeds invariably carry the question ‘Anyone else hear gunshots in Aloha’ as the police cordon off the area once again?’ As the wannabie and real gangsters continue to regard it as something of a free fire zone, it’s safe to say that the title of ‘most dangerous road in Spain’, that used to be applied to the frankly terrifying N-340 coast road in the 70s and 80s, has now been taken by the Aloha Strip. In the immortal words of Noddy Holder, Mama, we’re all crazy now.

HEALTH Vaccine hopes soar

A SPANISH company is preparing to produce a coronavirus vaccine candidate in the new year. Pharmaceutical firm Rovi, based in Madrid, is in charge of the ‘fill and finish’ final stage of manufacturing for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate outside the United States. There is no approved COVID-19 vaccine yet, but advanced trials of a vaccine from Modern, the American biotechnology company, showed that it was safe and provoked an immune response. The Moderna vaccine works by injecting a piece of genetic material, known as RNA, into a person. This provides instructions for the person’s cells to create a protein found on the virus. It is hoped that this will train the body to recognise and fend off the real pathogen if it later becomes infected. Rovi’s Vice-President, Javier Lopez-Belmonte said: “I don’t know if there will be ingredients in December or January, but (we will start manufacturing) very soon.”

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Freeze, suckers! THE incoming cold drop will stop the West Nile virus outbreak in its tracks, experts have said. According to the Doñana Biological Station, once temperatures stop exceeding 20C, the mosquitoes which spread the disease will stop reproducing. It comes after the virus has infected dozens of people and claimed the lives of seven this year after first being detected in Sevilla. Mosquito populations boomed by more than 30% this year thanks to a wetter-than-average May and the coronavirus lockdown which saw people confined to their homes for weeks on end. The virus was first detected in humans in Sevilla towns close to marshlands along the Guadalquivir river, before also being found in Cadiz. While many areas have been fumigated, many large rice paddies, where the blood suckers are known to breed, cannot receive the same treatment until they are harvested (usually in October). Residents have naturally been warned to steer clear of rice crops and all marshland areas. Additionally, as long as temperatures remain close to 30C, as they have done in Sevilla this week, there will continue to be mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile virus spreading.

Weird science

Mosquito-borne West Nile outbreak will be brought to a halt by cold winter weather

RARE: prenatal infection

Corona baby

DROPPING DEAD: West Nile mosquitos cannot breed in the cold Therefore people are advised to use repellents and nets in their homes where possible. There are currently 36 people still infected with the West Nile virus in what is the largest mosquito-borne outbreak in the country since Malaria in the

Lisa Burgess

1960s. The West Nile virus is a disease transmitted to people by mosquitoes, which have been infected usually by birds. Birds are considered a reservoir of the disease and normally act as healthy carriers, although they play a very important role in the spread of

the virus. Around 80% of infected people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), do not experience symptoms. Of the 20% of carriers who do show symptoms, the most serious cases can lead to meningitis, which can lead to brain damage and death.

A BABY born in Spain is thought to be one of the first cases of a child catching the virus while still in the mother’s womb. The newborn has been put under observation but is said to be in good health. The mother tested positive for the virus when she arrived at the San Jorge University Hospital in Huesca to give birth. Her baby was then tested when born, and was also positive. If this case is confirmed, it would be one of the first cases of transmission of the virus during pregnancy worldwide. According to local newspaper El Heraldo, doctors are analysing the case to see if the baby really was infected before birth rather than soon after. But all coronavirus protocols had been followed and the child was tested immediately, pointing to it being a case of prenatal infection. This would be extremely unusual, say experts from the Spanish Society of Neonatology (SENEO).

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We mustn’t stop believing in the power of scientists “VACCINES are the tugboats of preventive health” according to Dr William Foege, the American epidemiologist credited with playing a large role in eradicating smallpox. A vaccine could stimulate the immune system to produce effective antibodies against coronavirus and we desperately need one. From Spain to New Zealand, Brazil to Japan and Uruguay to South Korea scientists worldwide are in a race to find that elusive vaccine. Currently, there are 46 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, 91 preclinical vaccines are under active investigation in animals and 11 vaccines have reached the final stage of testing according to the New York Times. Three main contenders currently stand out. First up is

a joint effort by BioNTech (German), Pfizer (American) and Fosun Pharma (a Chinese drug maker). Dr Bourla, Chief Executive of Pfizer recently said that they would apply for emergency use of their vaccine in late November. The FDA would need several weeks to consider that application which if passed would make the vaccine available in early 2021. Johnson & Johnson, an American multinational received 456 million dollars from the US government for research. Unlike other vaccines, this one requires one dose instead of two and they aim for the production of 1 billion doses in 2021. On October 12, 2020 the company announced their trial had been paused due to an adverse reaction by a volunteer, this is not unusu-

DEDICATED: Professor Sarah Gilbert of the Jenner Institute

al in clinical trials and they are expected to resume shortly. British Swedish company Astra Zeneca is collaborating with the Oxford University on a vaccine. The European Union has already agreed to purchase 400 million doses and the USA agreed 300 million. Their trial was paused before Johnson & Johnson on September 6 for the same reason. Trials resumed worldwide a week later with the exception of trials in the USA. There are those who say we must learn to live with COVID-19, that there will be no cure or vaccine found. I believe that somewhere out there in our universe there is a scientist brilliant enough to save us. Think of Sir Alexander Fleming (penicillin), Marie Curie (theory of radioactivity), Edward Jenner (smallpox), Sir Ronald Ross (malaria), Jonas Salk (polio) and the unforgettable Alan Turing, who with his Polish colleagues broke the Enigma Code. These exceptional human beings achieved the impossible and so I say with a heart full of hope that surely anything is possible.

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Family feuds AN 85-year-old lady had to call the police after her grandson claimed she was making life ‘impossible’ and threatened her with a razor.

FINAL WORDS

Long tail A YORKSHIRE terrier named Kike has found its way back to its loving family in Malaga after disappearing two years ago.

Trolley dash A PADDED shopping trolley by Zara that sold out in 24 hours in Spain and is due for the UK market has been dubbed ‘perfect for stockpiling’ by Tweeters.

OLIVE PRESS

The Rock’s only free local paper

Vol. 5 Issue 134 www.theolivepress.es October 28th - November 10th 2020

Plane crazy

A WOMAN who booked a flight from Stansted to Valencia ended up in Kiev when she boarded the wrong plane. Inka Fileva, 30, was looking forward to a romantic break visiting her boyfriend in the Spanish city. But when she got off her Ryan Air flight cold water was poured on her dreams as she realised she was not in the sunny Costa Blanca capital but in the chillier clime of Ukraine. Bar worker Fileva, who is

Wrong gate mix-up means passenger ends up in Kiev not Valencia

SCOTLAND is looking to Andalucia in its fight to save its wildcat from extinction. The Scottish wildcat is Britain’s last native cat species and with fewer than 100 believed to exist in the wild, the feline is on the brink of extinction. Habitat loss and cross-breeding with domestic cats are the main reasons

The right cat-itude

Melting away ICE cream sales for consumer goods giant Unilever have plummeted across Spain while sales of hand sanitisers and soap have surged.

Nose for it

GIBRALTAR

originally from Bulgaria but now lives in London, had slept through the whole journey. The first idea she had that she was not where she should be was when she disembarked. It was when she spotted that none of the signs were in Spanish and the police looked ‘different’ that it dawned on her that she was 3,000 kilometres away in the wrong country.

why it is on the verge of extinction, despite the fact that it has been protected under UK law since 1988. Andalucia, which has proven itself as the number one refuge for the Iberian Lynx with 57% of the animal’s popula-

By Dilip Kuner

She posted her story on Facebook, saying: “I’m in Kiev at the moment! Waiting at the airport and the worse part is there is no Ryanair office here so everything is taking ages to sort out! “I don’t understand how my ticket got scanned and

tion, is collaborating in the international partnership Saving Wildcats. It is now offering expert advice on the development of a captive breeding programme for the Lynx’s Scottish ‘cousin’.

WRONG GATE: Inka passed and how I came here without a visa.” She explained that she had gone to gate 54 instead of 44 by mistake. But with staff scanning her ticket she had no reason to suspect she could end up on the wrong flight. Eventually, the situation was sorted out and Fileva finally arrived to the welcoming arms of her boyfriend in Valencia. But in a final twist her luggage didn’t make it - instead it was flown to Manchester.

BARCELONA’S Mossos d’Esquadra police force is training 400 rescue dogs to detect COVID-19 in humans. Dogs are already working at Finland’s airports to detect the presence of the virus and have been recently incorporated into airport checks in Dubai, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. According to researchers running Helsinki’s pilot scheme, a dog is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus within 10 seconds and the entire process takes less than a minute to complete. The scheme has now reached Barcelona, where the pooches are being trained to detect COVID-19 in human beings. Josep Peris, former head of the Mossos d’Esquadra, has launched this project under the name ‘K-anary’. All the canines that form part of the team have been found in dog shelters where they were abandoned. Training takes approximately one month, after which the canines are able to detect the virus in about 200 people an hour.

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