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Vol. 6 Issue 165
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January 26th - February 8th 2022
SPOTLIGHT ON GIBRALTAR PROPERTY
Read our special supplement on pages 11 to 16...
A dozen dream escapes for 2022. See our Spanish travel special inside
Property The
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be The st Ro m pr ck ag op 's az er in ty e
January 2022
A ROOM WITH A VIEW See what you get from The Rock's most expensive pad inside
The plots thicken…
projects is The aim of the various critical help rectify the territory’s land while Gib remains defiant toshortage of housing. opposition to reclaiming this ensure that new ITH land at a pre- Spain reiterates rock be- “Projects like to Gibralthe waters surrounding the mium, the Gibraltar companies wishing to move for themwith its €300 million Vic- long to them. accommodation government has been will include 100 homes, 400 moorings pushed on development. Treaty of tar can get their workers,” said Chief As part of the Utrecht pinning its hopes on for small boats and a car park. The toria Keys Keys development is 1713, Spain claims that it only applied selves andFabian Picardo at the time. desmarina with The Victoria to reclaim re- Minister reclamation schemes to provide project will also include a also offers centered around a plan the land, and that the waters “And most importantly, it perately needed building plots. across space for mega-yachts and a high-end 130,000 square metres of land using to property, with Spain’s more houses to local residents, a deon the main Spanish GonThis has not gone unnoticedgovern- property development. and construction waste proven to be insatiable then Foreign Minister Arancha raised in the Spanish soil side of the territory. the border, with the Spanish to say that mand that has reof a string Questions were zalez Laya going as far as of For- east the popularity of the most ment consistently critical parliament, with the Ministryand Coop- The new plot will house more than the treaty only applied to certain ar- givenprivate developments.” cent plus nuEuropean Union of building projects. howev1,500 apartments and homes issue once eign Affairs, of Gibraltar. and Pedro Sanchez’s government Earlier this month the time over eration reiterating its ‘opposition to any merous commercial units and poten- eas and has However, Gibraltar disagrees, er has condemned the plans, again came to the fore, this This will landfill, construction or any other type tially a hotel. government, necBritish means the legal with vowed to use ‘any the Cape Vantage project. and dates of operation on areas not ceded by Arti- Gibraltar’s decision to restart the along the development that it owns both the land of 1713’. halted by the it claimssurrounding waters, leaving essary’ to prevent see a ‘tourist development’ cle X of the Treaty of Utrecht re- project, previously the and the going ahead. all the way back to 2012. will manage But the Gibraltar government has COVID-19 pandemic, angered to develop at will. TNT Global Foundation reclaimed mained defiant. Last year it dismissed Spanish government as they believe it free the scheme on land that was ago and Spanish government concerns and from the sea several years
W
COLLARED
Police snare one of Britain’s most wanted fugitives walking the dog IT seemed like the most innocuous stroll with his dog. But Josh Hendry’s evening constitutional turned into one of the most exciting police arrests in recent Costa history. For most likely unbeknown to him, the 30-year-old Marbella resident had only just been named as one of Britain’s Most Wanted fugitives. In one of the fastest Crimestoppers foreign arrests in history, drug smuggler Hendry was picked up in San Pedro de Alcantara strolling with his dog. Wearing an olive green tracksuit, he was recognised by an eagle-eyed off-duty policeman, who had watched the nationwide appeal for 12 wanted British felons just the day before. Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30, had been on the run for three years, after being convicted of trafficking drugs including heroin and cocaine. Hendry, from Liverpool, had gone on the run just days before his trial at Grimsby Crown Court in March 2019. The court heard how ‘the Big Guy’,
as he was known, had taken a flight to Barcelona before he could face the music. He was one of the scheming masterminds behind a big drugs conspiracy to send €1.5 million of drugs to Grimsby. Alongside his mother and a brother they had been the criminal family who targeted the seaside town for rich pickings. On his departure, an international arrest warrant went out for his capure, with police knowing he was most likely living in the Estepona area where he had friends. Last week his face was plastered over the national news networks alongside Britain’s other Most Wanted, as sought by the National Crime Agency. Of the 11 felons left, four of them are believed to be living in the Costa del Sol, with the trio of Calum Allan, Jack Mayle and Nana Oppong linked to Marbella and Asim Naveed believed to be in Malaga. Tom Dowdall, NCA Deputy Director of International, said: “This is a rapid result and it’s testimony to the power these appeals can have.
Tel: 952 147 834
See page 10 & 17
TM
Mark-up row THE Gibraltar government was pushed to reveal details of the Rock’s procurement of Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) after rumours circulated that it was profiting from a mark up. Unlike in many countries, including the UK and Spain, LFTs are not sold over the counter for use at home but are offered under supervision by pharmacies on the Rock, with some putting on a price tag as high as £30. Opposition party Together Gibraltar suggested the Gibraltar Health Authority ‘could well be making profits in the region of a 100% mark up.” Chief Minister Fabian Picardo responded to the slurs branding them a ‘completely untrue allegation’ and ‘completely false nonsense’.
Free
LED AWAY: Hendry arrested, while (inset) 12 felons in the appeal “Whether it’s using tip-offs from the Only 10 of those on the list still public, sharing intelligence or de- evade justice. A further 11 will now ploying specialist capabilities, UK be keeping a slightly lower profile. law enforcement and our Spanish partners are working as one to trace If you know any of these men and arrest the other 11 fugitives. email newsdesk@theolive“Those men will know now that press.es or call 951 273 575 we’re after them. They can live their lives anxiously looking over their shoulders and wondering Hendry is not the quickest arrest in Crimestoppers if today’s the day Most Wanted history. they get caught or The Olive Press helped snare wan ted paedophile do the right thing Dominic Powell in Fuengirola in just and hand themOctober 2011 after we received a five hours in tip off from a selves in.” reader. A total of 86 BritEarlier, in December 2008, we track ish fugitives have other of Britain’s Most Wanted Dan ed down anbeen snared under his lair in the inland village of Prun iel Johnston to the UK’s Operation We sent photos of the bank robber a. Captura initiative in an England shirt to Scotland Yardwalking around . launched in 2006.
Not the fastest
“This lie is designed to make people lose confidence. We continue to provide thousands of free tests.” But Together Gibraltar called for transparency and questioned why pharmacies can only buy LFTs from the GHA (Gibraltar health authority) at a cost of £5.40 almost double the €2.94 price cap over the border in Spain. Marlene Hassan Nahon, the leader of TG insisted: “The public deserves full transparency on the mystery of this great mark up on lateral flow tests and why they are not subjected to the same anti-profiteering rules as other COVID-related items.” On Monday No.6 Convent Place issued a statement dismissing claims of profiteering with the reminder that tests are provided free of charge at the Midtown drive-through. It also revealed the procurement process explaining that ‘the GHA purchased the majority of LFTs at a cost of £5.40 per test from a commercial pharmacist in La Linea and sells them to permit-holding pharmacies and clinics at cost price.’
2
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NEWS IN BRIEF Cannabis jail LOCAL man Jamie FA, 23, of Mons Calpe, has been jailed for 12 months by the Supreme Court after pleading guilty to importing cannabis with a street value of £24,400 into Gibraltar.
Never too late A MAN aged 31 has been jailed for six months for engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. At the time the man, who can not be named for legal reasons, was 17 and the child was fouryears-old.
Very dangerous The RGP seized 25 jerrycans holding 600 litres of fuel from a meter room in Mid Harbour Estate, with officers highlighting the danger of storing highly inflammable liquids in residential areas.
Drama festival The date of the Gibraltar Drama Festival of 2022 has been revealed. The event will be held from March 21 to 26, with Gibraltar Culture Services promising to publish more details soon.
CRIME
January 26th - February 8th 2022
Multi-million haul By Dilip Kuner
RGP deals blow to drugs smugglers in busy 2021
AN amazing £22 million worth of drugs were seized by the RGP last year. The drugs squad also confiscated 4,000 litres of fuel intended to power smugglers’ high powered boats, often used in the crossing from Morocco. The RGP has now thanked Spanish authorities for their help in catching criminals.
Purse snatcher
Support
Sgt Gerry Martinez of the RGP Drug Squad said: “As with most years, we were grateful for the support of the Spanish authorities in much of our work and, of course, we operated closely with HM Customs
and the GDP. “We now also work closely with our Economic Crime Unit – we have be able to seize high POLICE on the Rock are appealing for anyone who witnessed a blaze that damaged cars parked on Witham’s Road to come forward. One car was completely torched and two others badly damaged in the fire around 10.30pm on Wednesday January, 19. “Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or
value assets such as cars and jewellery from convicted drug smugglers and money launderers.
EYES PEELED heard anything around this time,” said a statement from Royal Gibraltar Police, which has launched a public appeal on social media. The force is also interested in seeing any images of footage bystanders may have taken of the area around this time.
“During the year, we carried out over 20 successful operations against these criminals who bring such significant harm to our community.” He added: “The RGP will continue to challenge drugs trafficking activity and all its associated criminality.” Commission of Police, Richard Ullger, said: “Much of this success came as a result of the excellent cooperation we received from our partner law enforcement agencies – both within Gibraltar and across the border.” The biggest drugs haul was when RGP and Customs vessel HMC Searcher arrested four people and seized 2.6 tonnes of cannabis with a street value of around £13 million.
POLICE have released a CCTV image of a man wanted over the theft of a purse from a woman as she loaded her shopping into a car outside Morrisons. The appeal shows a grainy image of a middle aged man wearing a baseball cap while he strolls through the supermarket and asks: 'Do you recognise this man?'
Boot
The theft took place on Thursday, December 9, at around 11.30am when the woman placed her handbag on the passenger seat and left the door open, while she put her shopping in the boot. Her bank confirmed that a transaction had been made at Morrisons shortly afterwards, and that two cash withdrawal attempts had been denied at ATMs prior to this.
NEWS
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Flaming tradition
Final whistle REAL Madrid and Spanish footballing great, Paco Gento, has died at the age of 88. The winger was part of the record-breaking Madrid side of the mid-fifties that won the European Cup five consecutive times. His colleagues in that side included the likes of Puskas and Di Stefano. Gento was the only Real Madrid player to have won Europe’s top club competition six times - the last time being in 1966. In his 16-year-career with Real, he played 600 games and scored 182 goals. He also received 43 Spanish international caps between 1959 and 1969.
A TRADITION where horses are spurred to leap through 20 flaming bonfires has been revived after a COVID break. Las Luminarias, which celebrates Spain’s patron saint of animals, San Anton, returned after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the 200-year-old event saw 120 horses going through the cobbled village streets of San Bartolome de Pinares, near Avila. The strange ritual is in memory of a devastating epidemic that wiped out a large part of the area’s cattle and horses. The bonfire smoke from bonfires is meant to drive away evil spirits.
SIMPLY DAVINA
TV heartthrob Ricky Merino has told the Olive Press how he fell in love with British presenter Davina McCall the minute he set eyes on her. The actor, who has been presenting the dating show The Language of Love, revealed how they hit it off immediately. “It was love at first sight and we really connected from the beginning,” he admitted.
Passion
He added working with McCall on the Channel4 programme filmed on the Costa del Sol was a ‘dream come true’. “She was very funny and I really love her,” he continued about his time working on the reality game show, set near the white village of Casares. “She made things very easy for me. I met her online one month before we started
By Tallulah Taylor
filming and then I met her in Malaga two days before we began.” Getting a unique understanding of how foreign nationalities bond, the Spanish X Factor winner particularly stressed the importance of music. “One of the universal languages that really helps with love is music,” he explained. “You don't need to speak the same language to fall in love. You don't need to understand every single word to feel the connection, music is universal.” The show sees a dozen British and Spanish youngsters thrown together in a beautiful farmhouse, where they hope to find love without speaking the same language. But Ricky explained that the
ROYAL SPLIT KING Felipe’s sister, Cristina, has split from her disgraced husband Iñaki Urdangarin by ‘mutual agreement’. It came just days after photos were published of him with another woman. Infanta Cristina and Urdangarin have been married since 1997. A magazine published pics of Urdangarin with a female co-worker during a stroll in the south of France, close to where he and his wife have a holiday home. Urdangarin later admitted that ‘these things happen’. The former Duke of Palma, was jailed for five years and 10 months for corruption in 2018. However, in June 2020, he was allowed out
HAPPIER TIMES: Wedding day due to good behaviour and converted his sentence to community work. The former Olympic handball player used his royal connections to win public contracts related to sports.
ESTUCO INTERIORS
Spanish star tells the Olive Press it was ‘love at first sight’ on meeting Davina McCall
SPACE INVADER: Ricky with Davina Spanish men were a bit much for the British girls. “They don't care if they are going to be rejected,” he said. “Brits are more polite and respect space, while in Spain it's like an invasion. We want your space.” He added: “The British girls were really a bit overwhelmed.” He continued: “Spanish people are very close, very passionate. We love touching each other. We speak very loudly and we are too much”. Coming from Mallorca, Merino started learning English from a young age. “I met a lot of English people there so I’ve personally never felt the language barrier,” added the star, who is currently starring in a musical version of Ghost, in Madrid.
January 26th - February 8th 2022
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Home from home AN outbreak of COVID on the set of new movie The Mother, filming in Gran Canaria, allowed star Joseph Fiennes to fly back to spend time with his wife in Mallorca. The Shakespeare in Love actor, 51, is currently renovating a country home with his Spanish wife Maria Dolores Dieguez on the island. The pair have lived on and off Mallorca for nearly a decade and have two daughters together, with one born on the island. Dieguez is a photographer and has a studio in Palma.
Golden girls MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE actor Hayley Atwell, 39, has been taking it easy on holiday in Ibiza. She was mostly looking after her friend Lily Cole, 34, who arrived feeling unwell. The Cambridge graduate revealed she had got some ‘TLC’ from her friend and ‘good sleep’. The pals, who grew up in London, were staying at the new Six Senses hotel. Under a photo of the two lounging in their suite, Atwell wrote: “The golden light of female friendship. As within, so without.”
The Language of Love airs on Tuesdays at 10pm on Channel 4
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4 www.theolivepress.es Holocaust vigil RESIDENTS in Gibraltar are being encouraged to place a lighted candle in the window or on their doorstep at 9pm on Thursday for one hour in memory of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Honour
The Gibraltar charity, Learning from Auschwitz is behind the event designed to honour the memory of all those murdered by the Nazis and in a stand against prejudice and hatred. January 27 is Holocaust Memorial day, and marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp. THE Royal Gibraltar Police have launched a campaign to deal with the annoyingly high number of abandoned cars cluttering up streets on the Rock. Last week they removed 50 vehicles from
NEWS
GIBRALTAR’S former medical director has been cleared of bullying as an Appeal Court judge urged a rethink of a ‘puzzling’ law. Gibraltar’s Court of Appeal has upheld an earlier ruling that ‘one off’ behaviour by GHA’s former Medical Director Dr Daniel Cassaglia towards an employee Lawrence Stagnetto did not amount to bullying.
January 26th - February 8th 2022
NO BULLY “It would be highly undesirable if every overreaction in the course of daily work relations could be subject to review by the courts under the auspices of the bullying legislation,” said the ruling.
Snookered! SNOOKER’S top stars will compete in the BetVictor Gibraltar Open in March, organisers announced this week. The tournament will take place between March 24-26 at the Europa Sports Complex, where spectator tickets will cost £20. The Gibraltar tournament will be the eighth and final event of the BetVictor Snooker Series, which has been running throughout the 2021/22 season and has a top prize of £150,000. Currently, John Higgins leads the standings with a slight advantage over Luca Brecel, Neil
Car dump car parks at Catalan Bay, Land Port Ditch, Camp Bay and Western Beach in a bid to free up public parking spaces.
It's official: Snooker tournament will return to the Rock in March By Elena Goçmen Rueda
Robertson and Mark Allen. So the series looks set to reach a dramatic climax in Gibraltar. "After missing the trip last year, it will be exciting to return, especially for the players, who love the atmosphere and beaches of Gibraltar, as well as the magnificent snooker venue”, said a spokesman from the World Snooker Tour (WST).
Those vehicles with expired MOTs, dangerous damage that could injure the public and those in dire state of repair were removed first including one car that had an expired MOT dating from 2004.
“For the fans it's an incredible opportunity to see a wide range of the best cue kings on the planet. The full line-up of players will be announced in due course.” The event has been held since 2015, when it was won by Hong Kong's Marco Fu.
Trophy
Shaun Murphy, Ryan Day and Stuart Bingham lifted the trophy in the following three years, and then in 2020 and 2021 the event was dominated by British player Judd Trump. With 14 consecutive wins, Trump is unbeaten in the event over the past two seasons. He scooped the title in Gibraltar in 2020, beating Kyren Wilson 4-3 in the final, and then retained the crown in Milton Keynes by beating Jack Lisowski 4-0.
“It will be obvious from this judgement that I have not found this Act easy to interpret or apply,” wrote Sir Patrick Elias in the judgement. “There is a lack of clarity about fundamental questions such as precisely what amounts to unlawful bullying, and when the employer will be personally liable for the acts of bullying by his employees.”
Help at last Gibraltar will open its first independent Special Education Needs (SEN) school later this year at the old St Martin’s School building. It is set to open as early as this summer, and will employ seven members of staff, according to the new charity ‘PossAbilities’. The school will be open for seven days a week all year, with a 24/7 crisis hotline. Facilities will be open to everyone with a SEN diagnosis. It will also provide early intervention support, pre and post diagnostic support for families, as well as support groups, workshops, employment training and educational classes. The Governor of Gibraltar, Sir David Steel, will become the charity’s Patron and the project has received support from CM Picardo.
THE Spanish town of La Linea will be the first in the whole of Andalucia to draw up a Municipal Plan Against Climate Change. The pioneering project, which will be drafted in March, will assess localised ways to limit negative environmental impact and promote green initiatives. There will then be an assessment period of four months after which it will be presented to the public
FIRST IN LINEA and then put forward for approval by the council. One of the initiatives to be included will be monitoring bird and marine life in the area as well as plans to improve Pricesa Sofia forest park and the Arroyo Negro nature reserve.
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O LIVE P RESS
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GIBRALTAR
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION EYES PEELED IT’S awful to think one might live next door or could be sitting on the next table enjoying a beer. But there is a very good reason why the authorities regularly team up to appeal for help to catch Britain’s Most Wanted fugitives. Sadly the majority of Brits who go on the run head for Spain, where it is easy to blend in without much effort among the large expat communities along the coast. We may have come a long way since the days where there was no extradition treaty between the UK and Spain and the sunny climes of the Costa del Crime became a haven for hardened criminals on the lam. But these days it is still possible to hide in plain sight, and police increasingly rely on tip offs from the general public to help nab a dangerous array of offenders. The latest mugshots include murderers, drug dealers and armed robbers. These are some of the most dangerous criminals, who often don’t think twice before resorting to violence. Gibraltar can play its part too. Fortunately we have a highly professional police force which puts a premium on training and has close links with not just the UK but also Spanish law enforcement too. We report on page 2 how the RGP has thanked Spain for its co-operation as it seized £22 million worth of drugs last year. This mutual aid should be extended to the most wanted fugitives too. Shared intelligence is vital in keeping criminals off the streets. And everyone can play their part. Thankfully one of the 12 was caught within hours of the most wanted list being published. He was just down the coast in San Pedro Alcantara. Keep your eyes peeled for the others.
T
NEWS FEATURE
HE Vox candidate for Castilla y Leon, Juan Garcia Gallardo stands mask-free on the podium in the regional capital’s Plaza de la Universidad. He is 30 years old and has been in the news for deleting tweets about qays in football and how women have the easy life, or words to that effect. Alongside him stands party leader Santiago Abascal, who’s here at the mid-January rally to kick off Vox’s regional election campaign. Abascal is on his usual sparkling form, bellowing out statements and generally rebel rousing. In particular, he insists the only time Covid was out of the headlines was when they were focussing on his candidate Garcia’s tweets.
PESADO
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Could an anti-abortion, anti-immigration party - and whose following is three quarters male - somehow get into power in Spain, asks Heather Galloway as regional elections loom
And he’s anything but done. He adds that the pandemic has been used, plain and simple, as a device to mask Spain’s real problems, which include immigration and the rights of young people over those from the LGBTQ lobby. And then there’s the soaring energy prices, the elitist sustainable development Agenda 30, driven, he says, by China, as well as, let’s not forget, the recent government attack on the livestock industry. There is a long list of beefs, not only with the PSOE government and its radical left wing partners, but also with the conservative PP party, who Abascal claims are
You Que?
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
YEAR OF
I
HIJO
o conclude the topic of family terms in Spanish, the word hijo meaning ‘son’ and hija meaning ‘daughter’ are real terms of familiarity in Spain. Generally used by older people referring to younger acquaintances, it’s a word similar to ‘love’ or ‘sweetheart’ in English but shows perhaps even more affection and concern. You can add on a possessive mío at the end to get really intimate. Example No, hijo mío, no he visto tus llaves por aquí. No, my son, I haven’t seen your keys around here.
f there’s any word that best encapsulates Spain’s love of family – and especially for one’s mother – it’s captured in the verb desmadrar. Literally it means to ‘de-mother’. It can describe separating a baby animal from its parent but more commonly means ‘to ruin’, ‘to mess up’ and even ‘to fall apart’. Cute, right?
they are now predicted to get as many as ten berths in parliament in elections next month. The mid-January polls put the party on an alarming 20.5%, up from 10.3% in the November 2019 general elections. If they do well in Castilla and, later
Nine genius Spanish words you just can’t translate into English, writes Josh Parfitt
L
EARNING a language is a lot like spraining an ankle: it’s painful and takes ages to get better. But every language learner will hit a tipping point when suddenly they jump and shout for joy. S o m e say it happens when you first dream in a foreign language.
T If you’ve ever tried to find the word for ‘annoying’ in Spanish you might have seen pesado. Literally, though, the word just means ‘heavy’. But this works in the word’s favour especially when someone’s energy is stifling a situation or just bringing everyone down. The best part is in feeling the weight just lift off your shoulders with this satisfying insult. Example Dame el mando ya, ¡pesado! Give me the remote now, annoying person!
‘socialists in disguise’. The crowd is stoked. There are around 1,000 people cheering and chanting (5,000, according to Vox) in this, Europe’s largest region and one of its least populated. Vox has gained ground in Castilla y Leon since 2019. From one seat,
Others say it’s the pride of correctly insulting someone. But more often than not it occurs as you spit out a word in your native tongue and get stuck. Not because your brain has had enough, but because there’s just no translation for the foreign word you’re trying to say. The word has a certain je ne sais quoi about it. (See what we did there?) Here are nine genius words in Spanish that just don’t mean the same thing in English.
The word to, ahem, use the bathroom has an incredibly rich range of uses without verging into swear word territory. A terrible situation can be a cagada or a ‘pooing’ for example, while a cagado is a fantastic way of referring to a terrified person. It captures the essence of when English people say they ‘wet themself’ with fear, but with a little more oomph. Example No ha mirado su cuenta bancaria aún, esta cagado de miedo. He can’t bring himself to check his bank account yet, he’s pooing with fear.
BOCACHANCLAS
B
ocachanclas is a fantastic word that literally means ‘flip-flop mouth’. It’s akin to the English ‘chatterbox’ except that the association with flipflops add in an extra air
CAGADO
Except that desmadre or ‘unmothering’ has since come to mean ‘rampage’ in Spanish and particularly when referring to an incredible night out. Example ¡Vaya desmadre que tuvimos anoche! Que dolor de cabeza. What a mental unmothering we had last night! I’ve a stinking headache.
COTILLA
DESMADRE
January 26th - February 8th 2022
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FORGING AHEAD
T
HE green shoots of recovery are starting to sprout after the pandemic. Those of us in the newspaper world are among the first to notice economic recovery. How’s that? Well, major advertisers come back on board as they seek to capitalise on the early signs of growth. In recent weeks we have welcomed significant campaigns from key clients such as McArthur Glen, the European Cricket Network and Mijas Town Council. A trio of big insurance companies, Liberty Seguros, Abbygate and Linea Directa have also just committed for the year ahead. Specsavers has done the same. These are major players and they take their advertising seriously. Above all, they expect bang for their buck and recognise that a solid media group like the Olive Press is an excellent place to spend their marketing budget.
Top of
HORDES: A rally of thousands in Valladolid, which comes as Vox is predicted to get 20% of the vote this year, in Andalucian elections, they will not only occupy key regional positions of power, but will also have a chance of entering government after the general elections next year. As a party - which counts 76% of its voters as men - it primarily wants
lower taxes, a pared down welfare state and donation-only funding for political parties. What do their voters think? The Olive Press spoke to a couple. The first, Alejandro, who prefers not to use his full name, is keen to see a change in the political system.
EMPANADO
E
mpanado is a word you’ll find on menus as it means ‘breaded’ (think schnitzel). Yet you wouldn’t want anyone calling you empanado in Spain. It’s usually hurled as an insult for anyone distracted, away with the fairies, momentarily blocked for ideas or just a confused soul. Once you know it, the visual imagery of a person’s head all breaded over is too delicious to forget. Example ¡Oye empanado, que te vas a chocar contra la pared! Hey stupid, you’re about to walk into the wall!
of cheapness and uncleanliness. An extremely satisfying insult that can also be shared among friends. Example ¡Cállate ya que estoy conduciendo, bocachanclas! Shut up while I’m driving, flip-flop mouth! If there’s one activity everyone’s grandma is up to in Spain it’s curtain-twitching. Spying on other people and gossiping about it after are so popular in Spain that both activities only need one verb: cotillear. The word you’d call a gossip or curtain-twitcher is cotilla. There’s even a popular gossip mag in Spain called Cotilleo or ‘gossip’ who’s byline unashamedly reads ‘we are gossips by hobby and by profession’. Example Para ya de espiar la nueva piscina de los vecinos, ¡que cotilla que eres! Stop spying on the neighbour’s new pool, you’re such a curtain-twitcher!
Y
CHUNGO
ou won’t get very far in Spain without knowing the word chungo. It’s one of many Roma words commonly used in Castilian Spanish, and literally means ‘disgusting’ or ‘repulsive’. However you’ll hear Spaniards turning to the word at the first
C
COCHINO
ochino is a word that in some Spanish-speaking countries means ‘pig’ but in Spain can be an affectionate way to call someone messy or unkempt. Okay, you can use it to call someone downright disgusting too, don’t worry. It’s a word you might often hear dog owners calling their pets in the sense of ‘mucky pup’ when they roll their muck all over your bed sheets. But it can also be used to describe a generally dirty establishment or to gossip about other people’s hygiene. Example ¿Has visto que cochinos tiene sus niños esa tía? Have you seen how dirty that woman’s children are?
sight of any troubling or tricky situation. Example ¿Que chungo las obras no? ¿En pleno verano encima? How terrible the roadworks no? And in the middle of summer?
“For starters, the politicians in ‘Spain is crap’ while Red Cross Vox all had jobs before getting volunteers danced around them. into politics, or assets or inheri“I saw it on the TV,” she insists. tances at least,” he says. “Not your TV. This isn’t shown on “They don’t need the money Spanish TV. We have to put up and want to eliminate the public with these kinds of things and funding of parties. We’re talking many people are fed up.” about millions in taxes.” When we drill it down she conHe is also a keen pro-lifer, like firms she watched it on EDATV, Vox, which believes that women an uncensored TV platform used have no rights over the life inside by Vox. them. This sort of propaganda and “It’s not about the woman’s a series of bulos or fake news body,” he continues. “The fetus stories (see example below) are doesn’t belong to them. It’s anonly further accentuating the other life and abortion is never truth and spreading lies. Despite okay.” this, Abascal is unrepentant and And even in rape cases he bein full denial at this month’s rally. lieves it is wrong. “When you talk “We are the party of truth and to women who have been raped dignity,” he cries at the Valladoand have the kid, they are usulid meeting. But where does the ally happy with that child. That truth lie? speaks to the The right accuse power of life,” he the left of ‘an insists. ideological dicThe fetus Sonia Organista tatorship’ and doesn’t belong of being fascists meanwhile, is one of the rare while the left acto them. female supportcuse the right of ers of the party, the exact same Abortion is having previously thing. never okay been a PP voter. It’s not the first The PP today is time Spain’s pol‘too soft’ for her itics have been and she supports Vox’ plans to this polarised, but it may be the abolish the gender violence laws. first time that the right is, ironiAbove all, she likes the party’s cally using the term ‘Nazi’ to vilify stance on illegal immigration, their political opponent. which is extremely strict and The worry is the divides are growsupports repatriation. ing and the far right is on the She believes Spain is facing march, and, let’s not forget that a Muslim cultural takeover. “I Trump made it into the White can’t say Happy Christmas anyHouse and Brexit happened more. I have to say Happy Holiamid all this migrant furore. days. But the Muslims can still So will Vox really have a shot at say hala-hala-hala,” she tells parliament? the Olive Press, referring to the As extreme right specialist and recent European Commission’s historian Xavier Casals told the internal guidelines for staff. Olive Press this week: “My only She claims she’s even seen forecast in politics is that you newly-arrived illegal immigrants can’t make a forecast.” with mobile phones costing €700, then refusing to eat the See online, 8 times fact macaroni they were offered checkers caught Vox lies in by rescue workers and singing 2021 Vox Vice-President Jorge Buxade recently reeled off a list of crimes allegedly committed by immigrants of a predominantly north African origin with no time frame and no mention, according to the National Institute of Statistics, that these would be a fraction of those committed by Spaniards. African immigrants, for example, were responsible for 8.9% of sexual assaults last year while Spaniards accounted for 73.4%. In the case of homicides, 6.6% were attributable to Africans and 75% to Spaniards.
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8
GREEN
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January 26th - February 8th 2022
THE SPANISH EXTINCTION
SPAIN is the European country with the most plants and animals at risk of extinction, according to a new analysis. Data from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species show a staggering one in seven species (14.51%) in Spain are categorised as being under threat of disappearing. Spain was trailed by Greece with 14.24% of species under threat of extinction, followed by Portugal with 11.64% and Italy with 11.35%. Though the report suggests half of Spain's threatened species are suffering from agriculture – and over a third from residential and commercial construction – Spain's top spot is not totally down to manmade factors. Spain was also the country with the largest number of species registered for the study (7,549) and with the most endemic species of any European nation (1,297 or 19.77%) According to Jose Luis Postigo, a researcher from the University of Malaga, the number of threatened species is directly related to the total number of species in a country. He said that as the Spanish mainland is on a peninsula,
Killer Plastic A GIANT fin whale found beached in Estepona probably died from ingesting plastic, it is believed. The 70 tonne mammal most likely ate too much plastic, believe experts from the Center for the Recovery of Marine Species in Malaga. The team are also probing the death of three dolphins in Malaga, as well as others in Torremolinos, Marbella and Nerja.
Duck quacks back SPAIN'S Marbled Duck population is bouncing back after serious concerns about its decline. Falling numbers in the 2010s led to the official declaration of the species as being of ‘critical conservation importance’ in 2018. In 2021, 105 females accompanied by 759 chicks were recorded during the breeding season, distributed mainly in Andalucia (50.4%) and Valencia (38.1%). The Balearic Islands and Castilla-La Mancha had nine and three breeding females respectively. The positive results are viewed as outstanding especially with the scarcity of water in Andalucia’s natural wetlands during 2021.
Wildlife in danger as plants and animals face dying out it’s more likely that species are specialised and hence under higher threat of extinction as they aren't found elsewhere.
The Iberian Lynx is faring much better going from 94 cats in 2002 to a healthy 900 today.
It is crystal clear we are not moving fast enough since since COP-26
Green
WHEN WILL THE PENNY FINALLY DROP? I T’S now over 2 months since the COP-26 conference concluded in Glasgow. Have the many declared and promised actions been implemented? The UN climate summit ended with calls on governments to return this year with tougher pledges to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Nations made new pledges on methane gas pollution, deforestation, coal financing, as well as long awaited rules on carbon trading and a notable US-China deal. When the curtain fell in Glasgow, climate scientists, legal experts and some politicians argued that the promised actions would only result in incremental progress and be inadequate in addressing the real severity of the climate crisis. As I have written before in this column, in my opinion nowhere near enough has been done. As Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute said: “While we are not on track, the progress made over the last year and at the COP-26 summit offer bright spots. The real test now is whether countries accelerate their efforts and turn commitments into action.” I couldn’t agree more. I hate to say ‘I told you so,’ but I told you so. COP-26 became a public relations exercise. I agree with what the International Executive Director of Greenpeace, Jennifer Morgan wrote. She said: “It’s meek, it’s weak and the 1.5C goal is only just alive.” Part of the feel good factor that came from COP-26 centered around the US President’s commitments with his Build Back Better Plan. He now faces legislative gridlock with his bill containing $2 trillion of spending on social and environmental initiatives. Biden can pursue his climate agenda without legislation through rules and regulations. BUT those can be undone by subsequent presidents, as demonstrated
by Biden reversing the Trump administration rules, that in turn rolled back protections put into place by Barack Obama. Even with the Build Back Better bill, engineers at Princeton University have stated that there is a ‘yawning gap’ between where US emissions are today and where they need to be to hit President Biden’s climate targets. The UK government recently admitted that its efforts to insulate the UK from climate change impacts have been inadequate. Ministers agree they’ll have to go much further and faster to curb the worst impacts. Tell us something we don’t know! Of course everyone agrees with this. But where is the action? Inadequate finance from the Treasury will result in failure. Not just in the UK but everywhere. In the last UK budget, the Chancellor did not mention climate change once. Green MP Caroline Lucas said: “It’s crystal clear that we are moving nothing like fast enough to net zero emissions and the longer we delay, the more it will cost. The government acknowledges the risks. We have yet to see the action plan that will deal with them.” It’s almost like a comedy scene from Yes Minister. The difference is; this isn’t funny. When will the penny finally drop? Look at just some of the compelling evidence that results from World leader’s inaction:
● The past 7 years are the hottest on record (EU satellite data). ● The amount of warming gases in our atmosphere continue to increase. ● Last summer was the warmest ever in Europe. ● In Sicily, 48.8C was reported, breaking Europe’s record for the highest temperature by 0.8C.
● Australian bushfires spread fast and wild. ● Green snow in Antarctica. Parts of Antarctica are turning green due to climate change and the bloom of snow algae. ● The hot temperature in the eastern and central Mediterranean was followed by intense wildfires in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Tunisia and Algeria. ● Huge floods devastated parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. ● Methane levels continued to rise in 2021 compared to 2020. (Methane is more potent than CO2). I could add many more to this list. It was bitterly disappointing that the COP-26 delegates left in their executive jets without setting up a fund to actually help people who suffer permanent loss from climate change. The aspirational rhetoric that came from COP-26 is exactly that. Scientists confirm that we are on track to see temperatures rise by more than 2.4C this century. I’ve said it before,and I’m sure I’ll have to say it again….. WAKE UP WORLD.
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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Matters
By Martin Tye
LETTERS
10
PULPO FICTION
Fair grilling?
uisition No one expects the Spanish Inq wrote he n whe fitt Par h Jos - least of all da ma que Tor tor uisi about Chief Inq
News of an octopus farm planned for the Canaries has brought a backlash
Dear Olive Press,
laugh or cry at ONE does not know whether to ish Inquisition Joshua Parfitt’s article on the Spans. in the last edition of the Olive Pres d cliche was left Suffice to say that no ill informe piece. Probably id turg tt’s Parfi Mr in rned untu was the historithe greatest expert on this subject en. Kam an Henry nish InquisiHis study on the subject, The Spa contrary to how s show , ision Rev tion: A Historic ish InquiSpan the , time its populist opinion, for rol of the Cathsition (at least that under the contnot excessive. olic Church) was reasonable and a much more The state/secular inquisition was on a par with capricious entity. But neither was ashed by the the tortures and depravities unle tion in England forces of the Protestant Reforma ’s torturer in beth Eliza en Que and elsewhere. prime mover in chief, Richard Topcliffe, being the this regard. read about the So, don’t believe everything you . false lly usua It’s n. isitio Inqu revieja Eric Conway, La Mata, Tor
’s secretary Editor’s note: Queen Isabellathat at least te wro gar Pul del do nan Her throughout 2,000 executions took place quemada Tor ch whi her reign, during was Chief Inquisitor. ReformaWhile no doubt the Protestant that alone feel not do we tal, tion was bru able’ or ‘not makes 2,000 deaths ‘reason excessive’. es turgid as In this regard, Mr Parfitt tak . ent a complim
Load of nonsense PESCANOVA’S plan for a €65 million octopus farm seems to be built on a fiction. The company says it will help save ‘wild’ octopuses from being caught to feed Spain and Japan’s seemingly insatiable appetite for the sea creature. This is nonsense. As usual it is all about money. These poor creatures will be crammed into cages and it will be an environmental disaster, sucking up fish from the region to feed them. In the meantime fishing for their wild cousins will carry on unabated. David McAndrew, Castellon
Gripping problem OCTOPUSES are recognised as the ‘Einsteins of the sea’ and are capable of complex thought processes. They can move through mazes, use tools and learn to do things like unscrew lids just by watching. They are masters of disguise, decorate their homes just as we do and have excellent memories. They are also extremely sensitive to pain. Cramming these intelligent cephalopods into tanks or netted ponds (Strong arming, the Olive Press last issue) where they would be denied everything that gives their lives meaning would be unacceptable, which is why scientists, conservationists and tens of thousands of PETA supporters are calling for the construction of an octopus farm on Gran Canaria to be ruled out. These fascinating and highly intelligent animals should be respected and allowed to live in their natural environments, not locked up and killed for covers. Mimi Bekhechi, Vice President of International Programmes, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) London
IN A PERFECT WORLD
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REAL TREAT THERE have recently been some super articles on Spanish culture, language and achievem ents including the latest Genius Spanish words you need to know (The Olive Press online). The author has a real flair with lang uage. Well done; keep them going. David Hamilton, St Andrew s Editor’s note: If you missed it six for more language trea online, turn to page ts! Better still, visit www.theolivepress.es for the full article.
Down
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Heather Simpson, Malaga
7 Disappear forever (6) 8 School divisions (6) 9 Kind of rock (4) 10 Centre of the English Riviera (7) 11 Pair of loose trousers upheld by a drawstring (6) 13 Residence (5) 15 Instagram shot (3) 17 Entangle (5) 18 Unfathomable (6) 20 Prepared to land a plane (7) 21 Tagged along (4) 22 Of the back (6) 23 “Honey, I --- the Kids” (1989 film) (6)
OP SUDOKU
A
I FIND it ironic that in the same edition that you report on the massive environmental problems caused by intensive pig farming in Spain (No Porkies, all editions), tucked away on the Green page I find an article on octopus farming. At first sight pigs and octopuses do not have much in common. But they are both intelligent species who deserve our respect and should be treated properly, regardless of your views on eating meat in general. Factory farms on land are bad enough, but we should not be exporting the problem into the sea as well!
Across
TM
customer service experts will guide t to cover, repair at Guaran tee subjec 18. you valid through allonly.your queries and profor new custom ers ons. O ffer ends 30/11/ *Fully compre hensiv e offer ilit y. Subjec t to conditi and cour tesy vehicle availab approv ed garage , vide clear answers. And if you take out a new car insurance policy before 31 2/8/18 17:01 December 2021, Línea Directa will give you 2 months free car insurance. Terms and conditions apply.
Respect needed
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2 3 2of 8 2 12team 90DEDICATED English-speaking
January 26th - February 8th 2022
1 Kind of chapel (8) 2 Unbudging (4) 3 London Marathon theme tune (3,4) 4 Graph (5) 5 Commuter country (8) 6 Kind of flare pistol (4) 12 Alter a magazine cover photo (8) 14 “Bulldog”, created by Sapper (8) 16 Most unfriendly (7) 19 Cunningly (5) 20 “Terrific!” (4) 21 “Dead ---” (Dick Francis novel) (4)
All solutions are on page 20
Property
be The st R se pro ock ct pe 's io rt n y
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A ROOM WITH A VIEW See what you get from The Rock's most expensive pad inside
January 2022
The plots thicken…
W
ITH land at a premium, the Gibraltar government has been pinning its hopes on reclamation schemes to provide desperately needed building plots. This has not gone unnoticed across the border, with the Spanish government consistently critical of a string of building projects. Earlier this month the issue once again came to the fore, this time over the Cape Vantage project. This will see a ‘tourist development’ and dates all the way back to 2012. TNT Global Foundation will manage the scheme on land that was reclaimed from the sea several years ago and
Spain reiterates opposition to reclaiming land while Gib remains defiant will include 100 homes, 400 moorings for small boats and a car park. The project will also include a marina with space for mega-yachts and a high-end property development. Questions were raised in the Spanish parliament, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation reiterating its ‘opposition to any landfill, construction or any other type of operation on areas not ceded by Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713’. But the Gibraltar government has remained defiant. Last year it dismissed Spanish government concerns and
pushed on with its €300 million Victoria Keys development. The Victoria Keys development is centered around a plan to reclaim 130,000 square metres of land using soil and construction waste on the east side of the territory. The new plot will house more than 1,500 apartments and homes plus numerous commercial units and potentially a hotel. Gibraltar’s decision to restart the project, previously halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, angered the Spanish government as they believe
the waters surrounding the rock belong to them. As part of the Utrecht Treaty of 1713, Spain claims that it only applied to the land, and that the waters remain Spanish property, with Spain’s then Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya going as far as to say that the treaty only applied to certain areas of Gibraltar. However, Gibraltar disagrees, and along with the British government, it claims that it owns both the land and the surrounding waters, leaving it free to develop at will.
The aim of the various projects is to help rectify the territory’s critical shortage of housing. “Projects like this ensure that new companies wishing to move to Gibraltar can get accommodation for themselves and their workers,” said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo at the time. “And most importantly, it also offers more houses to local residents, a demand that has proven to be insatiable given the popularity of the most recent private developments.” Pedro Sanchez’s government however has condemned the plans, and has vowed to use ‘any legal means necessary’ to prevent the development going ahead.
PROPERTY
II
THE NEW KIDS ON THE ROCK!
January 2022
A Unique Vision
Attias Blue Properties are rapidly gaining a first class reputation
S
INCE openings doors in the heart of Gibraltar town in June 2021, Attias Blue Properties have taken pride in the fact that their small, family-run business aims to provide a premium, personal, yet affordable service. This has been a big hit with clients interested in buying, selling or investing in property in Gibraltar and the surrounding area. Their proactive, professional team of estate agents, with over 40 years of combined industry experience, are focused on assisting you on your property journey in Gibraltar from the moment you step into their office. Managing director, Mark Douglas, along with property professionals, Sidney and Marina, are ready to help advise, and provide every service you may need if you are considering investing in, renting or selling a property on Gibraltar. The team can assist you with everything from recommending the best legal team to help in furnishing your new property. Their in-depth local knowledge of the Gibraltar property market, combined with a proactive and highly- effective marketing approach which utilises YouTube and social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, makes Attias Blue Properties, a professiontel: +350 200 66644 al and solid choice for all your property needs on 'The Rock'. Attias Blue Properties are driven in providing the very best in customer service to their clients, while remaining a competitive priced agent to choose. They are currently offering for a limited time only, a 1% commission rate on all properties. The typical rate charged by Gibraltar- based estate agents is 2%, so in choosing Mark and his team in Attias Blue Properties, you’ll not just have an excellent service with 24 / 7 customer careyou’ll also end up with more pounds in your pocket!
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CUMBERLAND STEPS – GIBRALTAR 5 BED TOWNHOUSE – £995,000 5 BED | 3.5 BATH | 251M²
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I
Suite 3, 6 Irish Place, GIB GX11 1AA T might be dubbed the mostwww.attiasblueproperties.com expensive home in Gibraltar, but you better hurry if you want to buy it - at £6,700,000 it is a bit attiasbluepropertiesgib Attias Blue Properties of a bargain! This if you compare it to the previous holder of the ‘most valuable’ title on the Rock - a villa in Buena Vista Park has recently been sold, marketed for an eye-watering £12,000,000. The picture property is in the South District and has plenty of room to enjoy. In fact its internal area measures 640m2 with another 440m2 of external areas and is on sale through real estate website Century 21. The luxury detached house is distributed over four floors located on Engineer Road and has four spacious bedrooms, including the master bedroom - which includes a mini gym and a mini lounge as well as acres of space for the bedroom furniture. It also boasts stunning views to Africa and over the Straits of Gibraltar'.
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CUMBERLAND STEPS – GIBRALTAR 5 BED TOWNHOUSE – £995,000 5 BED | 3.5 BATH | 251M²
HARBOUR VIEWS – GIBRALTAR 3 BED APARTMENT – £355,000 3 BED | 2 BATH | 82M²
LA LINEA – SPAIN 3 BED APARTMENT – 182,000€ 3 BED | 2 BATH | 150M²
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III
AFFORDABLE DELAYS
Series of new homes finally coming on stream
A CONSTANT refrain from the people of Gibraltar has been the call for more affordable housing. In order to try to meet the need, several projects have been set up to build hundreds of new flats at more realistic prices than those seen in some of the more up market developments. Unfortunately the COVID pandemic has delayed several of these, with new completion dates being recently announced by the government. The Minister for Housing, the Hon Steven Linares MP, said: ‘We are progressing as quickly as we can
on the building of these affordable homes. “We know how important they are. We do nonetheless have to accept the reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed us in a way that was completely unavoidable.” Hassan Centenary Terraces will deliver a total of 665 affordable homes in two phases. The three blocks being built as part of Phase One are expected to be completed by July 2023. Phase Two is expected to be completed within 20 to 24 months
Cross safeguarded THE government has pledged to safeguard the Cross of Sacrifice war memorial as it asks for developers to come up with plans for a plot next to the Devil’s Tower Road multi-story car park. It has given investors two options when they draw up proposals for the site. The first is to move the cross, the second to keep it but to reduce the amount of garden area within the site. Developers must give their proposals for both options. Any proposal must also incorporate the Gibraltar College of Further Education, which the suggests could be done by building extra floors on the car park. The government is asking for expressions of interest which include basic details and preliminary layout plans and sketches. Planning permission will need to be applied for at a later date.
after that. The Bob Peliza Mews development includes 399 homes, plus 83 flats for the elderly and will be built in two phases, the key aspect that has held progress back is the handover by the GEA of the Waterport Power Station, which has now happened. The works to completely demolish the old power station and clear the site is anticipated to take at least 10 months. Construction of Phase One is expected to start in October, taking approximately 24 months to complete. Phase Two is anticipated to be commenced immediately upon the completion of the relocation of the AquaGib facility and to take approximately 22 months to complete.
Realistic The 482 affordable homes and pensioner flats at Bob Peliza Mews are now realistically expected to start to be completed within, approximately, 32 to 40 months. At Chatham Views Estate a total of 184 affordable homes and an additional 44 flats for rental for the elderly, will be built. These are now expected to start to be completed within the next 32 to 48 months.
January 2022
International Standards - Local Expertise! From 1986 to the future... BFA's experience and knowledge from the past has helped them to meet the challenges of the present
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STABLISHED in 1986, BFA has developed along with Gibraltar over the past three decades. Gaining vast knowledge and expertise throughout all aspects of the property market, we are here to offer a range of services and advice in the sales and rental market for both residential and commercial property. It is said that valuation is not a precise science but an art.... likewise, property management is more about people than buildings.....and finding the best accommodation is all about your needs. During the course of our corporate lifetime, we have experienced vast changes in Gibraltar's political and socio-economic landscape, spanning from its early diversification from a dwindling defence-based economy to a dynamic and successful business model, based on financial services, tourism, retail trade and port related activities. To a large extent our preparedness for these changes have been aided by our longstanding membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a globally recognised property institution, setting very high standards of professional practice and governance since it was founded in 1792. Against this background, our firm has braced itself well to meet the two new
challenges facing the property profession both locally and worldwide, namely Brexit and Covid and whilst we had some four years to prepare for the former, the latter arrived with little warning impacting on the way we live and carry out business both locally and internationally. This erratic imbalance of supply and demand will tend to equalize and as the pendulum swings between the transition period (Brexit) and returning to normality after we control the pandemic, prices will have to readjust to cater for a new demand. An important factor to consider is the 'human' element behind every transaction in the property market. That is to say, the driving force and confidence in the market is key to ensure sustainable RAGGED STAFF andQUEENSWAY long-term success QUAY, for all stakeholders involved in property. £1,200,000 Whatever the outcome, what is clear is Gib: 2708 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bat that BFA will remain a steady player in Gibraltar's property market. Fantastic frontline marina apartment Spacious By Mark Francis MRICS -bedrooms Director and living/dining r overlooking Marina. Stones throw from Gibraltar’s bustlin For more information on how we can help, contact us now on Private Parking, Two communal swimming po +350 200 71131 or email info@bfagib.com gymnasium, jacuzzi and steam
PROPERTY DETAIL 17b The Balcony – Casemates & First Floor Hadfield House Library Street, Gibraltar Tel: 00(350) 200 71131 Email: info@bfagib.com www.bfagib.com
Wooden Floors, Balcon Interior size: 124m² Exterior size: 9m²
Can’t be missed! Call us tod
QUEENSWAY QUAY, RAGGED STAFF WHARF – GIBRALTAR £1,200,000
FILOMENA HOUSE – GIBRALTAR £725,000
Gib: 2708 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2
GIB: 33472 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2
Fantastic frontline marina apartment at Queensway. Spacious bedrooms and living/dining room with terrace overlooking Marina. Stones throw from Gibraltar’s bustling Main Street. Private Parking, Two communal swimming pools, terraced gardens, gymnasium, jacuzzi and steam room.
New to the market, wonderful penthouse apartment. 3 bedroom 2 bathrooms with South East and Westerly aspect. Views of the Mediterranean and Costa Del Sol. Suitable for a buy to let investor looking to build their investment portfolio. Proximity to land border and Gibraltar International airport. A five minute walk into the centre of town.
PROPERTY DETAILS
PROPERTY DETAILS
Wooden Floors, Balcony Interior size: 124m² Exterior size: 9m²
Allocated Parking Interior Size: 115 m² Exterior Size: 45 m²
Can’t be missed! Call us today to arrange your viewing tel: 200 71131 email: info@bfagib.com
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January 2022
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PROPERTY
THE MAGNIFICENT 7
HERE are seven districts in Gibraltar each quite different, and each with their own unique charms. South District - This is away from the Levante Cloud that forms over the Rock of Gibraltar when the easterly wind blows and which keeps much of the Town Centre area in the shade a good part of the year. The South District is This side of the rock witnesses the rising the sunniest part of Gibraltar, a short 1 sun and enjoys cooler evenings as the sun disappears behind km commute and considered the suburbs of the rock late afternoon. In future years It is also home to the Gibraltar reaching out towards Europa Point new soon to be complewe will see ted E1 and Forbes deveand the views over to Africa and the Straits of an entire new lopments and where the old Caleta Hotel is being Gibraltar. metropolis rebuilt to accommodaEastside District - Here you can find Gibraltar’s spring up here te a new Hilton hotel combined with luxury largest beaches as well residential apartments. as the beautiful Catalan bay with its multi-colored buildings Devils Tower Road is going through a nestled around a scenic sandy bay. complete regeneration and in future
Find out more about Gibraltar’s districts, with Century 21
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IBRALTAR based Seekers Property Solutions is a family-run business with more than 20 years of experience in real estate. Their deep, personal knowledge of the local Gibraltar market make them your ‘go to’ estate- agency in Gibraltar. Whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent a property on the Rock, Seekers Property Solutions offers unparalleled advice and a friendly, personalised service for clients. With expertise in residential, commercial and investment property, you will be in safe, highly experienced hands, with Maggie and her team. Cutting- edge 3D technology and the use of virtual tours in selling your home or buying or renting your dream property makes Seekers Property Solutions stand out from the crowd, being the very first Gibraltar estate agent to offer this service. The advantages to using virtual tours to sell your property, or, indeed, buy or rent your ideal home are unrivalled. Vir-
years we will see an entire new metropolis spring up here. Upper Town - This is an ideal location for the fitter people amongst us who don’t mind the uphill walk or using the outdoor escalator up to the castle area that towers above the town. Older, more heritage biased, these properties tend to have high ceilings, quirky balustrades and inner courtyards for shade and repose. Westside District - This is where you will find Gibraltar’s Senior School, Bayside Comprehensive School for boys and Westside Comprehensive School
Seek and you will find Seekers Property Solutions - the Gibraltar property experts
tual tours save both the buyer and seller, time and money; you can view the property at your convenience, and it is all-importantly in these times, COVID-friendly and safe. Seekers Property Solutions are currently offering a FREE Virtual Tour to all clients wishing to sell and showcase their home to its best. Take a look at their professional website at www.seekerspropertygibraltar.com to arrange a free valuation and a free virtual tour to leap miles ahead of the crowd in marketing your property to its best potential and securing the best price possible for your home.
You can meet Maggie and her team on Engineer Lane (just off of Main Street) to discuss your property requirements, or give them a call at +350 200 44955. Get the ball rolling in selling, buying or renting your home in Gibraltar with Seekers Property Solutions, the trusted, local property experts.
for girls both now rehoused into a brand-new complex for more than 1000 boys and girls. You will also find Morrison’s Supermarket to make you feel home from home, St. Bernard’s Hospital and the Europort Business centre. It is also the location of the new soon to be released completed luxury development of Eurocity – Carrara and Murano. Town Area - The real heart of Gibraltar, with its two cathedrals - Holy Trinity Church of England and St Mary the Crowned (Roman Catholic) - shops, bars and great access to everywhere. You won’t need a car here. Finally there are the two Marina Districts, Queensway and Ocean Village both with luxury apartments, bars and restaurants. The latter is vibrant and noisy attracting professional couples due to its proximity to Gibraltar’s World Trade Centre and the other more sedate and serene attracting the retired, wealthy yacht and marina lovers. There is in fact something for everyone here in Gibraltar.
EXCITING: New developments will offer top quality homes
If you would like to find out more information on property investments, sales and rentals in these areas, and off plan purchase opportunities don’t hesitate to contact Century 21 Gibraltar. Located in Ocean Village, we are here to help. Contact +350 200 51020 or email: info@century21gibraltar.com
Instruct us to sell Sell your home for the best price possible Arrange a Free Virtual Tour to Showcase your Property
TAKE A TOUR!
10 ENGINEER LANE, GIBRALTAR GX11 1AA | TEL: +350 200 44955 | MOBILE: +350 58530000 Email: enquiries@seekerspropertygibraltar.com | www.seekerspropertygibraltar.com
T: +350 200 51020 E: info@century21gibraltar.com Unit 3, Grand Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village, Gibraltar
www.century21gibraltar.com
Eastside - ref: 1157
SPECIAL OFFER 0.75% sales commission for a limited period only
Westside - ref: 1233
£229,900
£499,900
Studio bedroom 1 bath – FOR SALE Discounted Spa & Health Club New Development Fully Furnished
1 bed 1 bath – FOR SALE Eurocity, Carrara High Floor North Facing inc parking
Ocean Village - ref: 975
Upper Town - ref: 1067
2 bed 2 bath – FOR SALE Tradewinds Marina Facing 15sqm Terrace
2 bed 1 bath – FOR SALE Arengos Gardens Off Plan Development Communal pool, Gymnasium
£1,100,000
£527,250
South District - ref: 478
Town Area - ref: 1164
2 bed 2 bath – FOR SALE Gardeners View West Facing Decorated to a High Standard
3 bed 2 bath – FOR SALE Brand New Refurbished Building Uber-Modern Urban Living
£565,000
£610,000
Queensway Quay - ref: 1255 £3,200 pcm £738pw
Town Area - ref: 970
2 bed 2 bath – TO RENT Ragged Staff Wharf Spacious Apartment Communal Pool
Commercial – TO RENT Main Street, First Floor Lots of Natural Sunlight Shared Kitchenet & Toilets
£2,200 pcm
£554pw
LET US GUIDE YOU HOME Sales | Property Management Lettings | Commercial Luisandro Moreno
Managing Director
Suite 507, World Trade Center, Gibraltar. Office: +350 200 77000 Mobile: +350 544 8400 Email: info@phoenixgib.com www.phoenixgib.com
2022 seems like an Auspicious Year! By the end of last year Phoenix Real Estate’s expert hands managed to shed light on why they have earned their clients’ trust.
HARBOUR VIEWS
MIDTOWN
QUAY 31
MARINA CLUB
ANCHORAGE
EUROCITY
UPPERTOWN
E1
INSTRUCT PHOENIX TODAY AND GIVE US YOUR PROPERTY TO SELL. WE HAVE MANY CLIENTS WITH READILY AVAILABLE ‘CASH FUNDS’ FOR THE RIGHT PROPERTIES.
EUROCITY
CORMORANT WHARF
Ref: PXRS774
Ref: PXRS786
£699,000 | £9,019 per sqm
£1,300,000 | £8,025 per sqm
2 bed | 2 bath | interior 71sqm | exterior 13sqm
2 bed | 2 bath | interior 122sqm | exterior 80sqm
Eurocity comprises 3 slender towers with far reaching views. Set in a central location, with expertly landscaped gardens, decked terraces and pools, gym, shops, cafes and restaurants, secure car parking, bicycle racks and a concierge service. Every apartment is a luxurious style statement, complimented by quality craftsmanship in finishes, fixtures and fittings.
Phoenix Real Estate is pleased to present a stunning 2 bed apartment in the ever popular gated development of Cormorant Wharf. Residents can make use of the gym located on Queensway Quay, and of the newly renovated communal pool.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Bitter taste
ONE of Spain’s most iconic cafes, famed for inventing the terms for different strengths of coffee, has closed its doors. The Cafe Central in the heart of Malaga which was managed by the Prado family, was about to turn 102-years old. Back in the 1950s Jose Prado fed up with constantly tipping out coffee to add extra milk for customers - came up with nine terms now used all over the Costa del Sol when ordering a coffee. They are a Solo, Largo, Semi Largo, Solo Corto, Mitad, Entre Corto, Corto, Sombra and Nube.
Fun on hold TENERIFE and Cadiz have decided to postpone their famous carnivals until June. The festivities, previously scheduled for February, have had to be postponed due to an increase in the number of COVID infections on the island. Municipal sources suggest a possible date between June 4 and 26.
Two of Spain’s most famous carnivals postpone festivities
By Elena Goçmen Rueda
carnivals are the most famous in Spain and attract wall-to-wall television cov-
TRAVEL RULES NEW rules come into play from February 1 that mean vaccination certificates are only valid if you have received a jab against COVID within the last nine months (270 days). This means that all travellers who had their last dose more than 270 days ago, will need to have a booster shot to be permitted entry into Spain and that will need to appear on your COVID
pass. And if your last jab (before your booster) was administered more than 270 days before you require entry then make sure your booster was received at least 14 days before the date of travel. Those who received their boosters in Spain must make sure that this is reflected on their COVID certificate and this means downloading a newer version.
erage every year. The Cadiz carnival is said to have its origins in the 15th century when Genoese traders settled in the area. It is characterised by bands of musicians singing often satirical songs lampooning politicians and well known figures.
Rio
Extra dates for star hiking trail MALAGA’S star hiking trail, El Caminito del Rey, has announced it has put tickets on sale for travel agencies as well as for the general public until June 19. Tickets can be purchased on the official website at a price of €10 for general tickets or €18 with guided tours, with a minimum age of eight to go on the Caminito del Rey. In order to cover the increased demand for tickets, the operators of the world famous trail are preparing to open on three major holidays this year, specifically on February 28, April 11 and May 2.
Galas
They will have a format of contests and galas that will take place outdoors rather than indoors, but for now, parades and street parties are not being considered. The Tenerife and Cadiz
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January 26th - February 8th 2022
THOUSANDS of falsely-labelled Iberian hams have been seized in a probe over a €1 million food fraud. Seven meat firms are being investigated by the Guardia Civil in Badajoz, Madrid, Murcia, and Salamanca. Ten people have been interviewed, and one arrested, over the bogus labelling of premium meat products. Some 29,000 items have been impounded including
Internationally, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife festivities are second only to those held in Rio de Janeiro and attract thousands of tourists every year. It is most notable for its extravagant costumes, fireworks and dancing, and is also host to an ‘outrageous’ Drag Queen festival.
Fake ham probe 19,600 Iberian hams and ham shoulders, with a retail value of over €1 million. Inquiries into a mass fraud started after a food shop inspection in the Zafra area of Badajoz last year. Experts spotted deficiencies and anomalies in meat sold there, notably in Iberian ham products that were not what they claimed to be. Police uncovered a chain of seven meat firms who falsified documents and changed the classification of hams to the accredited Iberian standard.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
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January 26th - February 8th 2022
NEW PASTURES The Olive Press’s chief foodie Jon Clarke (bottom) offers up his wishlist of exciting places to graze around Spain this year now the pandemic is starting to ease
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THE DELIGHTFUL DOZEN!
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DEESSA - Madrid
We might as well start with Senor Dacosta, the genius of the East with a collection of Michelin stars to compete with the best. Having tried and failed to eat at his Denia nerve centre on three separate occasions, this year I’m planning the next best thing: his new restaurant Deessa, at the Ritz hotel, in Madrid. OK, it may not be the Real McCoy, but one of my all-time best meals in Spain was at the diffusion restaurant of El Bulli legend Ferran Adria, at Hotel Benazuza, near Sevilla, in 2009. A 25-course menu to celebrate his quarter century at El Bulli (then the world’s top restaurant for nearly a decade), he was on hand, alongside Ronda’s now celebrated Benito Gomez (of Bardal), to roll out a masterclass. I’m hoping for something similar at Deessa.
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BAGA - Jaen
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t was something of a surprise when the culinary desert of Jaen won a Michelin star a couple of years ago. But Baga gaining the plaudit says so much about the changes in Andalucia over the last decade: skillful chefs who trained abroad coming home to use the region’s great local ingredients. Jaen is, after all, the home of two of the country’s four best olive oil denominations. It is
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also not short of vegetables and great wild game, like partridge and venison. Head chef Pedro Sanchez Jaen even has the right name to weave magic in his hometown and his dishes, including beef tartare with smoked eels, sound wonderful. Small and little-known locally, let alone abroad, this is one joint I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into. www.bagagastronomico.com
ASADOR ETXEBARRI Axpe
its borders is something few would have thought possible in 2010. It’s the same with Madrid, which easily rivals San Sebastian and Barcelona, as Spain’s food capital nowadays and well worth a gourmet-tour in 2022, whatever the budget. And let’s not forget the east coast, which I have gotten to know well over the last few years, having launched a trio of newspapers there. Valencia is today one of the most exciting places to chow down, what with its phalanx of female chefs, such as Vicky Sevilla, in Sagunto, coming to the fore, not to mention Quique Dacosta, who is fast becoming the country’s top kitchen whiz. Now the pandemic is finally easing, I’ve sauteed a list of chestnuts - one a month - ready for the ultimate gourmet tour of Spain this year.
3 NOOR - Cordoba
RESERVE LIST: Casa Marcial
T’S been a dreadful two years for restaurants and anyone who relies on the sector for their livelihoods. The Olive Press - and me, specifically - has had a tough time surviving without the regular weekly trips snuffling out great new local eateries, not to mention the monthly escapes to winkle out the best dining secrets further afield around Spain. Well I’m out grazing again, acting like a bloodhound on the hunt to sniff out a morsel, whether that be close to home on the Costa del Sol, along the Costa Blanca or somewhere in the wilds of Teruel. Since writing a book, Dining Secrets of Andalucia, over a decade ago, I’ve had a keen weather eye on my local region, which has improved massively for foodies since then. That Andalucia now has a staggering 20-plus Michelin stars within
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If food tourism has become one of the biggest growth areas for the industry, it is places like this that have encouraged it. In a tiny village, next to the little known Urkiola natural park, some 30 kilometres inland from Bilbao is Asador Etxebarri. Google Maps sums it up perfectly as simply: ‘Rural retreat for refined Basque dishes’ Said to be the ultimate expression of simplicity, it is all about the ingredients and most of the dishes are cooked on an open grill. It’s long been on my bucket list. www.asadoretxebarri.com
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SOLLO - Fuengirola
A VISIT: Jon with Diego in 2017
revisit to try the food of the now-legendary King of Caviar, Diego Gallegos, on the Costa del Sol is already well overdue. While it’s near the Olive Press HQ, in Fuengirola, I last tasted Diego’s thoughtful food around four years ago. An erudite and intellectual chap, Sollo deservedly has one of the very few ‘green stars’ handed out by the Michelin guide for his ethics and drive for sustainability. I first tried Diego’s creative food at the obscure (but amazing) Casa Piolas in Algarinejo, in the wilds of rural Granada, 15 years ago. A trip I will never forget, these days he is known for his skills with the caviar that he brings in from Riofrio, also in Granada.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL 8
HOSPEDERIA EL BATAN - Teruel
APONIENTE Cadiz Staying with fish, one place I am certainly going to visit, money permitting, is the new location of celebrated restaurant Aponiente, in el Puerto de Santa Maria. Angel Leon is to Spain, what Heston Blumenthal is to the UK. A magician consistently foraging for new tricks - and always with an environmental edge. Chef of the Sea, as he is known in Spain, he was the pioneer to take cod and tuna off the menu in response to overfishing. A man who bought his own fishing boat and deliberately used rare fish that nobody had heard of, less, knew how to cook. Interviewed a few times in the early days for the Olive Press, today he is an international star, whose name is held up in Japan and America.
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7 BALUARTE - Soria
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his is the very definition of a gourmet tour, striking out to find this temple of cuisine in the sticks in Soria province. Billed as Castilla y León’s ‘best chef’ Oscar Garcia is all about ‘tierra’ and is a genuine hero to his homeland. Having set up in 2008 it has been a huge battle to get this far, and he has become much more than just a chef. Known for his ‘responsible gastronomy’ he has a local huerta (vegetable garden) where he employs only people with mental health issues. Expect to eat some of the local black truffles, wild mushrooms and some of the best butter in Spain. www.baluar te. info
January 26th - February 8th 2022 Looking for THE most wonderful rural escape ticking all the boxes? Well Hospederia el Batan has it all. This rural hotel in the wilds of Teruel province has great walks right from the door and nature literally banging on it. We stayed here last summer, nearly running over a stag as we arrived, then listened to the bark of foxes and other creatures through the night. It sits just 10 minutes from the gem of Albarracin (one of Spain’s most beautiful villages) and, best of all, is really a restaurant with rooms. It even has a Michelin star and given, sod’s law, it was closed due to COVID last year, I’m hell bent on a return this year to give it a proper test run! www.elbatan.es
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ELKANO - Getaria
t was on a trip to northern Spain a decade ago that I tried the best turbot of my life. In the small fishing village of Getaria, el Astillero, was simple, remarkable and sat right on the dock of the port. With the excellent Balenciaga museum, it should be noted, just up the road. After continually mentioning it to chefs and foodies around the country, the one thing that kept coming back was: ‘try it’s near neighbour Elkano, it’s even better’. Fingers crossed, this year I will.
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El MESON DE LA COSTA - Torrevieja On the other end of the spectrum to many of my choices, El Meson de la Costa is simply the very epitome of an excellent quality local. Right in the heart of touristy Torrevieja, it ticks so many boxes in so many ways and does it without fanfare.
In a resort where you really struggle to find decent tucker it is a real oasis, focusing on good solid ingredients and with a great wine list. Expect excellent seafood and the best steaks money can buy. www.elmesondelacosta.com
11BON AMB - Javea
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VORO Canyamel (Mallorca)
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ou might assume that having had a newspaper on the Balearic island for five years that we’d know all the great places to eat there. But things change so quickly in Mallorca - and so many places open and close - it is hard to keep tabs on what is good or not. One reliable place is that of Marc Fosh, the expat Brit, who has kept his Michelin star for eight years running now. But another, I really want to try is Voro, in a sleepy rural corner of the island, where you expect plenty of good hikes and beaches but not adventurous, creative cuisine. The difference though is the wunderkind Alvaro Salazar, from Jaen, who has made the Cap Vermell hotel not just a great place to unwind, but now to feast! Describing his food as ‘dishes with heart and soul’, you certainly get a good flavour by a visit to the website. Www.vororestaurant.com
It’s been nearly three years since we celebrated the launch of the Olive Press Costa Blanca north edition at Bon Amb. The world has been through a whirlwind since then, but here we are… planning a return to celebrate our birthday in March at this same wonderful restaurant. A taste of everything best about the region, Bon Amb perfectly combines style with comfort and luxury with authenticity. Thanks to its chef Albert Ferruz, who started cooking at 12 and did his time in Paris, and Pablo Catala, a globetrotting, award-winning sommelier, you are in the most reassuringly reliable hands. www.bonamb.com
TOP TEN RESERVES There are so many chefs and new ex excellent young choose around Spainciting places to more to get the appe . Here are a few tites whetted
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
January 26th - February 8th 2022
THE BIG SPLURGE la Donaira, El Gastor, Cadiz
A N DA L UC I A
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OOKING for somewhere out of this world for the perfect escape in Spain this year? Want a place to really luxuriate and properly treat a loved one? Already know
CA S T I L L A Y L E O N
I AN eco-retreat of only nine suites (and two yurts), La Donaira’s medicinal garden alone is home to around 200 varieties of herbs and flowers, many going into its homemade soaps and lotions, as well as dishes in its kitchens. Exclusive in the extreme, guests must leave their cars at a main gate and get brought up by 4x4s past its vineyards and olive groves. That is unless you heli-
This Andalucian institution was opened for the Sevilla Expo of 1928 and nothing much has changed, especially its unrelenting luxury. One of Spain’s grandest hotels, its corridors gleam with Moorish tiles and its lifts with gold trimming, while its grounds still hold a
copter in, as a few guests do. A restored cortijo with a glorious central space and an open plan kitchen, guests watch the chefs’ culinary magic using local ingredients, almost all of it sourced from the farm. Each suite is impeccably private with picture windows offering amazing vistas towards the Grazalema Natural Park. You hike from the door, with
The Alfonso XIII, sevilla strong allure. A perfect central location between the cathedral and Plaza Espana, its celebrated guests have included everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Rita Hayworth (whose father was from the city) and Jackie Kennedy
vultures and eagles soaring overhead, and for those who love horses, it has its very own studfarm with a 90-strong herd of Lusitanos and an Irish horse whisper Seamus to take you on a hack. Wine tasting sessions are offered by the resident sommelier, while you can relax in the sybaritic spa, complete with sauna and hammam. www.ladonaira.com
A delightful dozen exciting grand and aspirational places to luxuriate around Spain this year
f you are looking to combine a spot of wine tasting with a complete chill out, this stunning spa hotel in classic Ribera del Duero vineyard territory is the perfect option. The 900-year-old former abbey is one of the most luxurious hotels in Spain and is priced accordingly. Founded by monks in 1146, much of its original structure has been respected, although the former cells are anything but monastic and are now wonderfully smart rooms, while their former refectory is now the domain of celebrated chef Marc Se-
to Princess Diana. The 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here. Many of the rooms have balconies and private terraces and the swimming pool area is the perfect place to relax after a day’s sightseeing in Andalucia’s most evocative city. www.marriot.com
the Costas and the capital city? Well here is the Olive Press’ hand-picked guide to 12 tempting places to check out in 2022…an amazing mix of mountain escapes, city palaces and wine estates.
Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Sardon de Duero, Valladolid
garra Saune. Meanwhile its ‘spa sommelier’ appropriately offers guests a glass of wine before advising on suitable
Castilla Termal Valbuena
vinotherapy treatments, before running a wine bath, looking out on the nearby hills.
www.abadia-retuerta.com
Santa Maria de Valbuena is one of the best-preserved 12th century Cistercian monasteries in Europe. Now converted into a beautiful 79-room hotel, it stretches over 18,000 square metres, counting its own vineyards, a thermal spa built into the monastery’s arches as well as an outdoor pool. The Cistercian monks who occupied the monastery are the fathers of the Duero wines, which are still served alongside the hotel’s carefully selected a la carte menu. The gastronomy is based on traditional and modern dishes, made with high-quality products from the region. www.castillatermal.com
VA L E NC I A
OP Puzzle solutions
H o t e l Pa l ac i o Vallier, Valencia
Across: 7 Perish, 8 Houses, 9 Glam, 10 Torquay, 11 Pyjama, 13 Abode, 15 Pic, 17 Snare, 18 Opaque, 20 Circled, 21 Came, 22 Dorsal, 23 Shrunk. Down: 1 Wesleyan, 2 Firm, 3 The Trap, 4 Chart, 5 Suburbia, 6 Very, 12 Airbrush, 14 Drummond, 16 Coldest, 19 Slyly, 20 Cool!, 21 Cert.
SUDOKU
Quick Crossword
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his luxury five-star hotel in the centre of Valencia has been designed with a chic, elegant and minimalist theme. It has long been a favoured spot - going back to Roman times and later became a perfume factory dating back to the third
century. Marble walled bathrooms and a mirrored restaurant create an elegant atmosphere in which to luxuriate and live life to the full. www.hotelpalaciovallier.com
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL HAVE you ever wondered what it would be like to holiday like billionaire Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson? Now you can! The Virgin boss’s own private estate of Son Bunyola, in Mallorca has three luxurious historic buildings, each sleeping eight to 10 people and offering all the expected Branson benefits such as your personal Michelin star chef, private jet and crewed yacht. The cost of a week's rental runs into the tens of thousands but includes all drinks and meals tailored to the client’s requirements. After all, quality costs! www.virginlimitededition.com
Son Bunyola, Banyalbufar
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hy not explore Menorca this year, basing yourself in the traditional and rustic charm of this 21 room converted medieval mansion.The outdoor swimming pool is located within tranquil gardens. The nearby village of Alcaufar is an easy stroll and you can also hike along the woodland coastal trails, as well as having the option to swim at its nearby beach. For those who want to travel further afield, bike rental is available and you have the option of staff packing you a picnic to take with you.
January 26th - February 8th 2022
Balearics
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Six Senses Ibiza, Sant Joan de Labritja
Alcaufar Vell, Alcaufar
THIS was one of the most exciting openings in the Balearics of recent times. Finally launched last year, the hip Six Senses brand has chosen the perfect spot, near Cala Xarraca beach. Nestled into the amazing surroundings, this was once an olive estate with a 400-year-old mill. Most of the 100 suites have amazing sea views, while much of the restaurant’s food is grown on the estate. www.sixsenses.com
www.alcaufarvell.com
Marques de Riscal, Alava
CA T A L UN YA
PA I S VA S CO
Hostal Empuries, Costa Brava Set by the Roman ruins of Empuries, this idyllic hotel is an iconic space set near rolling hills by the coastline of Catalunya. First built in 1907 to house the archeologists digging at the nearby site, its location right next to the beach, couldn’t be better. Known for its sustainability it was the first hotel
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t is fast becoming one of Spain’s most emblematic buildings, thanks to the design by globally recognised architect Frank Gehry, the man behind Bilbao’s Guggenheim. Avant-garde, neoclassical style, this is a work of art, with tilted walls, zigzag win-
A R A GON
dows and high ceilings peppered throughout its 43 rooms and suites. Sitting in a famous vineyard that dates back to 1858 - the oldest in the region - it also counts a vinotherapy spa and fittingly a Michelin starred restaurant. www.marquesderiscal.com Torre del Visco, Teruel
THIS is easily one of the most remote hotels in Europe… and you can understand why if you make it this far. A stunning spot set in 220 acres, its nearest village is nearly 20 minutes away and the drive from the main gate takes five minutes alone. Run by British owners, who know Spain like the back of their hands, it counts on luxurious accommodation, amazing views and landscape. Set in the Mataranya hills, it is great for trekking, hiking and bird watching, while guests are spoilt with the most perfect swimming spot in an ice cool river that runs through the grounds. Food-wise the restaurant is a delight with most of its produce coming from the grounds or extremely near. www.torredelvisco.com
in Europe to win the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) award in 2010. Full of linens, wicker rocking chairs and Spanish pottery you can make yourself completely at home and enjoy a taste of rustic Spain, right by the sea.
www.hostalempuries.com
Terra Dominicata, Tarragona
This is Priorat territory. Spain’s biggest hitting red wine region, with its vinos reaching, famously, strengths of 16 degrees. Needing a breathtaking hotel to match, the 12th century Terra Dominicata doesn’t disappoint. As pretty as a picture, the Serra de Montsant mountains soar over the historic hostelry and its wide expanses of vines.
Cypress trees flank the terracotta coloured hotel, which was originally set up by Carthusian monks, who were known to enjoy a tipple and only wanted the finest - making sure they got it by developing their wine-making skills. You can, of course, explore the working vineyard, before sampling its wines at supper in the fine-dining restaurant. www.terradominicata.com
22
HEALTH
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ITH Spring just around the corner, it’s not long until beach season arrives. Although a bikini body is – in all fairness - any type of body in swimwear, it’s natural to want to trim up beforehand. Now is the ideal time to focus on your health and fitness. If you don’t fancy joining local exercise classes because of COVID you can do it online. The Olive Press has found fitness classes and apps to suit readers of all abilities, that can be done in the privacy of your home, or outdoors in our beautiful Spanish countryside.
Fitness The range of fitness training options on social networks and Google Play is limitless – catering for every device from TV to laptop and android phone to Apple watch. You’ll find everything from classes of Pilates to abdominal exercises and Zumba routines to HIIT (high intensity) training. A good starting point is the list of 50 fitness channels compiled by Insure4Sport. While a pair of good fitness YouTubers to check out are Fitness Marshall, who has adapted pop songs into cardio dance routines, and Lucy Wyndham-Read, an ex-army corporal who offers handy 10-minute HIIT classes for busy people. You can also follow fitness trainers on Facebook. A resource called Siéntete Joven (Feel Young) has an impressive 1,728,334 followers. It offers many forms of exercise and is popular with the 50-plussers. Other popular links to check out are Glo.com, Dailyburn.com and Gaia. com. Although online fitness classes are comprehensive, they’re not perfect for everyone. We tried a fitness app called ‘Lose Belly Fat’. Although the app was easy to follow, the daily routines became repetitive.
Spinning Spinning is one discipline that has sorted the motivation issue, by creating online
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January 26th - February 8th 2022
Get fit in your living room
Want to avoid COVID? There are so many online fitness options to help get your body in shape after the festive excesses, writes Jo Chipchase
communities featuring group rides and leaderboards. The Olive Press tried a Peloton bike and was impressed by the range of classes – it’s so addictive! However, Peleton isn’t yet marketed in Spain, where the main option is currently Volava bike. This exercise hobby isn’t cheap – the static bikes cost €1,195, or €549 for the lower model, and a year’s subscription costs €400. Zwift offers ‘200km of roads across five worlds’, and competitive online cycling challenges, for €14.99 per month. However, there’s a catch - you need to buy a special support to keep your normal bike stationary, or buy a static bike, and a smart device to run the program. It’s cheaper to buy a normal static bike and search for ‘free spinning class’ on YouTube. Most providers upload some free content, but you must buy membership to access the premium rides.
Outdoor trails Those who prefer to ride outside can download the ‘Strava’ GPS cycling and running app. You can track your routes, join challenges, share photos and follow friends, which helps with motivation. As with many apps, the premium features are unlocked by paying for membership. Strava could conceivably be adapted for horse rides.
Yoga Everyone and their pet dog seem to be into Yoga these
days. Literally! It’s a discipline that you can do at home or in an outdoor beauty spot. A popular YouTube channel is ‘Yoga with Adriene’ – accompanied by her cute dog. Adriene has recently uploaded a free 30-day class that is suitable for newcomers. For your smartphone, the ‘Down Dog’ app has an impressive 4.9 rating on Google Play. It features 60,000 different configurations to avoid repetitive workouts, is beginner-friendly, and membership costs around €10 per month. Also popular is ‘Asana Rebel’, which creates a daily plan based on your personal aims and includes nutrition, mindfulness, and sleep advice. It weighs in at around three euros per month. Novices might also like the free app, ‘Yoga for Beginners – Workouts for the mind and body’. With online yoga, it’s important to do the asanas (stretches) correctly to avoid hurting yourself. Says qualified yoga teacher trainer, Amy: “I don’t do online training. There’s just so much that can go wrong. I teach anatomy, so I am aware of potential issues.”
Diet If you’re on an exercise regime, controlling your diet is important. Remember: move more and eat less! The ‘My Fitness Pal’ app provides a database of 14 million foods and features a QR code scanner for food labels. The ‘Lose It!’ app is also popular. Or pay a visit to www. fooducate.com.
THE JOURNEY TO LONGER LIFE
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FTER nearly two years After the rich foods and heavy drinking of Christmas, it’s time of Covid and a month of festivities and excess, is for a full health exam - and maybe a new diet, writes Jon Clarke it any wonder that many of us are feeling a little under quencies to create detailed dangerous calcification of the images of all your internal body arteries that can lead to heart the weather? But now you’ve made it past the structures with the aid of a so- attacks and cardiac arrests. As some 40% of us are at risk most depressing day of the year phisticated computing system. in Spain - Jan 17, the first Mon- And this means checking all of cardiovascular disease this day after the Reyes - it’s time to your organs, bones and tissues, is important to know. with Henrik advising a five year He also claims that eatreally focus on your health. To grab the bull by the horns, check for the heart for anyone ing poultry increases why not take a full medical over 40, as well as an annual your risk of cancer (pancreatic cancer by 72%) and red check to see how you’ve weath- check for cancer. ered the pandemic and check It takes little more than an hour meat is even worse for your and many of the health, with pork slightly betthere is nothing results come ter than lamb and beef. A few glasses of wine untoward to worback almost im- The good news is that once Dry It takes little per night are fine, he exry about. mediately, with a January is over you can go back plains, so long as there are also Executive Health, more than an few the following to drinking a few glasses of a couple of days of abstinence in Marbella, ofa week. fers a full screen- hour with many week, including wine without losing sleep. the lab results of ing involving a results almost the blood, urine thorough MRI and stool tests. exam of the pelimmediate GREAT BIG NEW YEAR READER As well as lookvis, abdomen ing at any specifand thorax, as OFFER well as a clinical evaluation of ic issues Henrik, 46, is quick EXECUTIVE Health clinic, which the heart, balance and coordi- to offer improvements to your opened in Marbella in 2018, has invested well over €1m nation, not to mention a lung health, in particular with diet. illion on an MRI scanner and other high tech machines. function test and a full analysis The Danish scientist, who It’s full body check up costs €1,4 moved to Spain with his wife of your blood, urine and stools. 95, with a very special €500 discount for Olive Press read Overseen by heart specialist Rikke and children eight years ers, at just €995 for the next two months. Dr Henrik Reinhard, a knowl- ago, is well aware of the ben“Afte r all the COVID issues I am sure that edgeable Dane, he will be quick efits of a vegan, plant-based, many Olive Press readers have not been getting their to pick out any abnormalities, wholefood diet. normal health checks at the local hospital,” explains Dr including damaged tissues, in- Henrik believes that a largely Hen courage people not to ignore their rik. “We want to enflammation, infection and most non-meat diet is the best salve health and we can do the same and a lot, lot more in a far importantly any cancerous for many issues, particularly disafer environment.” Contact Executive Health at info@ gestive or stomach complaints. growths. executivehealth.es or visit www.executivehealth.es Magnetic Resonance Imaging He explains to the Olive Press The significant annual health (MRI) combines a powerful that it can ‘actually reverse’ the check needs to be booked in advance and depend magnetic field with radio fre- process of atherosclerosis, the s on availability.
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FINAL WORDS
FRENCH striker Anthony Martial, 26, has made a surprise move from Manchester United to Sevilla, with the Spanish club paying a €6 million loan fee to keep him until the end of the season.
Winter hope SPANISH eyes are set on snowboarder Queralt Castellet who will be competing in her fifth Winter Olympics in Beijing. The Sabadell native has just won bronze at the World Cup in Switzerland.
Top spot SPAIN produced the best football managers in the world over the past decade, with 10 European tournament wins, alongside eight league wins in foreign leagues, according to Sports Pub betting site.
The
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Vol. 6 Issue 165
CRICKET lovers in Spain don’t have long to wait to see some of the best club cricketers in Europe in action. Some 30 teams from across the continent and the UK are heading to the Cartama Oval in Malaga for the 2022 Bet2Ball European Cricket League finals. ECL22 will take place over six weeks starting on February 7 with Group A action including the English champions Tunbridge Wells. Hailed as ‘the Champions League of European cricket’, ECL22 is an expanded 30 team tournament including the champions of England, Ireland and Scotland. Originally set to be held at La SOME of the world’s best rugby players have been in Spain for the HSBC Sevens World Series. F o r the
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Digging deep
January 26th - February 8th 2022
Padding up By Dilip Kuner
Manga Club in Murcia, it was postponed due to pandemic travel restrictions. This year the Federations and Champion Clubs of Jersey,
Eyes on Spain as ‘Champions League of Cricket’ set for Malaga Guernsey, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Portugal, Bulgaria, Malta, Turkey, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Luxembourg
SEVENS HEAVEN
first time ever, the country is hosting the major competition, with men’s and women’s events held in Malaga last weekend and then Sevilla this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Andalucian cities are two of three new hosts, along with Toulouse in France, to tempo-
rarily replace traditional Series hosts Sydney and Hamilton. The inaugural Sevens provided a weekend to remember in Malaga as South Africa needed a late try to come out on top in an engrossing men’s final and USA women clinched their first Series title since 2019.
and Switzerland have been added to the expanded tournament. The European Cricket League is a fast-growing competition that attracts teams from countries not traditionally know for the sport. European Cricket Network (ECN) CEO Roger Feiner told the Olive Press: “People don’t realise it, but cricket is the fastest growing sport in Europe, and second fastest in the world. “In Germany there are now 350 clubs - there were only a handful a few years ago.” Matches are televised and streamed on YouTube and have attracted an incredible 130 million viewers.
HE had to dig deep, but Rafa Nadal is still on track for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title. The Mallorcan showed all the grit he is famous for to overcome Denis Shapovalov in the Australian Open quarter finals. He needed four hours and seven minutes to beat the Canadian in five sets with a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 win in his 14th Melbourne quarter final. “I was completely destroyed after that,” said Nadal. He will now take to the court again on Friday. “For me it’s amazing, honestly, to be in the semi-finals.” Now two wins away from a second Aussie Open men’s singles title (2009), Nadal survived an inspired comeback from the 14th seed and a troubled stomach to avoid an upset. One year after surrendering a two-set lead to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the same stage on Rod Laver Arena, Nadal was able to summon a late surge to avoid a sequel. With World Number one Novak Djokovic not at the tournament following his expulsion from Australia Nadal may not have a better opportunity to win another Slam.