Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 58 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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SEARING: Mallorca hits 40ºC

MALLORCA is to bake again this weekend after the European wide heat waves saw the hottest June on record with temperatures hitting 40ºC Medical teams on the island are preparing themselves to treat sunstroke victims after three people died across Spain in the last ten days. The soaring temperatures have been driven by hot air from Africa which reached Mallorca first before spreading to the rest of the country. Tragically a 36-year-old British woman on the Costa Blanca is among three people believed to have died from heat-related causes during the onslaught. The woman, who was not named, tragically died after getting into a pool in Orihuela and suffering convulsions. Authorities are suspecting heatstroke as the possible cause of death. Meanwhile a 93-year-old Spanish man fatally collapsed during the heat in Valladolid, and a 17-year-old boy died after jumping into a swimming pool in Cordoba. Highest-ever temperatures were recorded in seven monitoring stations around Spain, while 26 saw their hottest June days in history.

BURNT

The Catalan city of Lleida, for instance, saw its previous monthly record of 40.6ºC smashed by a 43.4ºC spike than began on June 24 last week. Spain’s highest temperature, a seething 44.4 °C in Badajoz on June 29, was still shy of the country’s alltime record of 46.9ºC from Cordoba in 2017. The searing temperatures, caused by high pressure and winds from the Sahara, have also sparked wildfires all over Spain. Firefighters battled blazes not seen for 20 years as 500 operatives controlled a 6,000-hectare conflagration near Tarragona, in Catalonia. Meanwhile on the Costa Blanca, thousands of Washingtonia and date palms burnt in the UNESCO World Heritage orchards of Elche. Trees were scorched in four separate orchards during the early hours of Saturday morning, before 31 firefighters put out the reportedly ‘intentionally started’ blaze. The hot weather turned into tempests in the northern region of Spain on Wednesday, while temperatures have platead nationwide just above the 30°C mark.

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Vol. 3 Issue 58 www.theolivepress.es July 5th - July 18th 2019

Why aye read the Olive Press when I come to Toon

What happened when Letizia met Loach?

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cal pillars (Gibraltar andtwo mythologiMusa in Morocco) have Mount Jebel lieved him of that burden.long since reShaded by pine forest, cushioned by soft dunes, and 14 kilometres from Africa, this Costa de la rribean-copy beaches Luz gem’s Caand laid-back vibe set it apart from the tured resorts along the more strucMalaga coast to the east. And that’s unlikely to change thanks to Tarifa’s protected location in El Estrecho Natural Park. The coastal town in Cadiz an endearing mix of beach province is bum bohemianism and boutique added attraction of greatchic, with the restorative Atlantic winds.seafood and It makes it the perfect escape (along Continues overleaf

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A SECURITY guard who witnessed a horrific ‘balconing’ death has slammed a Facebook ‘league table’ mocking deaths from balcony falls. Diego Quintes has labelled the ‘Balconing Mallorca’ page as ‘disgusting,’ recalling the horrific incidents he witnessed working in hotels in the 1990s.

In the sickening ‘league table’ of injuries and fatalities, the UK comes top with six ‘points’ allocated for three injuries and one death. “I found the website disgusting and insist it must be banned and those who run it jailed. “I still have nightmares about the things I’ve seen, just imagine somebody that’s falling from 13 stories high and knowing they are going to die,” Quintes told the Olive Press this week. “Often you find them still alive, trying to move and talk to you, asking you to please help them. “And what makes matters worse are the actions of other holidaymakers, taking videos and pictures from their balconies,” he added. ‘Balconing’ sees holiday makers attempt to climb onto balconies and either jump from room to room, or into a nearby pool. Some sick memUntitled-1.pdf 1 bers 16/06/2017 15:36 of the balconing Facebook group have TOUGH TALK: Diego Quintes blasts trolls posted messages en-

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DISGUSTING: Balconing Mallorca Facebook ranks fatal falls couraging more ‘stupid’ and ‘drunken’ tourists to attempt these life-threatening stunts. They even have a petition on Change. org as part of a provocative campaign to have balconing made an Olympic sport. “The ‘balconing’ has not only put Magaluf on the world map of risk sports but is also an effective catalyst of natural selection. “Each year, a handful of drunken tourists choose to eliminate their genes from the evolutionary race, thus allowing the fittest – the least stupid, in this case – to occupy their biological niche. “The solution to ‘balconing’ is more ‘balconing,” reads the caption accompanying the petition.

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Former security guard slams Facebook page mocking British holidaymakers killed in Mallorca balcony falls

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This distasteful move comes just weeks after a 20-year-old British man, named as Freddie Pring, died on June 7 after falling from a hotel in Magaluf. Quintes, who moved to the UK in 2002 after falling in love with a Brit, wants to see firm action taken against these balconing ‘trolls’. “These people should be forced to see the aftermath of these horrific accidents so they can see with their own eyes the devastating consequences of what balconing has caused not only to the families and friends of the deceased but also to the first responders to the incident, “I don’t know how they make fun out of this. They should be prosecuted.” Opinion Page 6

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF More money THE mayor of Pollensa has approved a raise in his own salary by 40%, soon earning more than €52,000 a year – the town councillors will get a 33% raise with the new measure.

Big deal THE case against the judge and prosecutor in the massive 'Night King' Tolo Cursach corruption case will go to the Supreme Court to decide if they are guilty of disclosing secrets and obstructing justice by talking to the press.

Toddler tragedy A CHILD has died in Palma after eating ice cream that she was allergic to – two staff members at her school may face reckless homicide charges as they knew of the 4-yearold's allergy yet gave her the dessert.

July 5th - July 18th 2019

COME back

Mystery masturbator is back as sicko breaks into vehicles and leaves semen all over the seat A TWISTED carjacker has once again begun covering the insides of people’s cars with his semen after almost being caught last year. The break-ins, which first began last December but stopped around April, begun again this week as three women found sperm stains in their vehicles. Some of the victims have been hit more than once, with

one victim getting visited by the man five times so far. The unnamed woman, who has grown increasingly worried about the situation, said: "This is the fifth time this has happened to me, and it is very worrying that in this century we have no security and we are helpless, this is a sexual depravity and nothing is being done." In sinister message left in one

Crack-housedown TWO men and two women have been arrested following a raid on a drug safe house in Palmanova. Police searched the apartment after numerous neighbours reported large numbers of people coming and going at all hours. The search uncovered a large amount of hashish and marijuana along with a pile of stolen laptops and cell phones, many of which were brand new. Many of the goods have been traced back to items stolen in Magaluf.

SINISTER: Note left in car by sex pest

of the cars, parked on Calle Manyolas, the carjacker had scrawled ‘I have had a w**k,

Below the bar A SPANISH waiter has been arrested for stealing €150,000 from his former employer. The investigation began after the owner of the local bar in Coll d’en Rabassa found his stash of cash savings was missing. After interviewing employees, police were able to pin the theft on a 31-yearold local man. He was finally found in a luxury villa that he had just rented in Petra, with €28,000 in cash found inside. Police also found a brand new car which had been purchased just days before the arrest. Officers are still investigating and tracking the rest of the stolen money.

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guess where beautiful.’ It all began last December in Alaro, when numerous locals found their cars had been broken into, but nothing was stolen. However they soon discovered a white sticky substance had been left in various different locations within the vehicle, including on photos. Eventually the pattern became clear and the police began looking for the sexual deviant. Police have been intensely looking for the culprit, while the town hall and the mayor has warned residents of the threat and urged police to find him quickly. Mayor Llorenç Perelló said: "I will have a meeting with the chief colonel of the Guardia Civil to see that this case is dealt with as soon as possible."

Vice clamp down NEARLY two dozen people have been arrested after police broke up a trafficking ring in Palma and freed ten sex slaves. The operation, codenamed 'Sileño,' has seen 22 people arrested for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to running brothels – where men and women were held against their will and forced into sex work. The gang’s victims had been recruited from South America with the promise of a better life in Spain.

Exploited

However on arrival in Mallorca the migrants were forced into sexual slavery in order to work off 'debts' of up to €14,000 by their traffickers. The exploited migrants had been locked into rooms fitted with only bunk beds and couches where they were made available to 'clients' 20 hours a day. As is common with people trafficked from South America, the victims were too frightened to get help after their captors performed ‘witchcraft’ and black magic to scare them into compliance.

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LOACH: With Letizia

Second rounds ANTI-ROYALIST British filmmaker Ken Loach has put politics aside to meet with Queen Letizia of Spain. The famous lefty director, 83, took the hand of the stunning 46-year-old monarch as he received a lifetime achievement award in Mallorca. The Kes director dressed down, with no tie - like his pal, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - as he took Letizia’s hand at the Atlantida Film Fest. Meanwhile Spain’s glamourous royal stepped out in a sleeveless black blouse, which she paired with fitted white trousers and stilettos. “I am a Republican, the monarchy is the apex of the class system, but I am an educated person,” Loach said after bagging his prize at Bellver Castle. “But do not be mistaken, this is not collaborationism,” he added. Spanish director Fernando Leon de Aranoa presented Loach with his ‘Masters of Cinema’ Award. But with Letizia in the front row of the audience, Loach couldn’t help himself, raising his fist in a typically Socialist salute during his acceptance speech.

Sucker punch A FORMER boxing champion has been rescued off Spain after a fire broke out on a luxury yacht he was renting. Ex world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitshko, who retired from boxing in 2017, was on a boat trip off Mallorca with family and friends when a fire started onboard. The yacht was reported to have been adrift 10 miles southwest of Port Adriano with nine people on board. “No worries: we are all fine!,” he reported the next day.

Second rounds

England ace Gazza tells Olive Press he has stayed off the booze despite breaking his thumb on a quad bike during Spanish hols EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt in Benidorm

BRINGING one of the UK’s most legendary boozers to Benidorm was always going to be risky. But former England star Paul ‘Gazza’ Gasgoigne told the Olive Press he had ‘no intention’ of taking a drink while enjoying a two-week break in Spain. “I haven’t come here to drink,” he revealed to the paper before a speaking event in the Costa Blanca resort. “I can drink in my own house if I want to, I don’t have to come to Benidorm to do that.” The ex-Tottenham legend who has notoriously been in and out of rehab for years revealed that he had instead been horse riding and jet skiing. The 52-year-old, who also played for Lazio and Rangers, said he was ‘feeling great’ af-

ANTICS: Fishing in costa pool and (left) on jet ski ter his first proper holiday for years. “I hadn’t been on holiday in a while and I came here to enjoy myself without booze. “I’ve been working out every day for the past six weeks, keeping busy and enjoying life,” he added. The former England ace who famously cried after England failed to reach the 1990 World Cup Final - has had trouble with drugs and alcohol since his retirement in 2005. Despite being widely recognised as the most naturally talented player of his generation, he has been addicted to everything from cocaine to Calpol. He admitted he was a ‘connoisseur of rehab’ and also

Read it, it’s the truth!

As accolades go they don’t get much better. Expats along the costas have been given an order: Read the Olive Press, by Paul Gascoigne. Holding up the paper, he insisted: “Read it, it’s the truth!”

suffers from being OCD and bipolar. He revealed that his public speaking gigs, which saw him in Orihuela and Benidorm last month, have given him his ‘football buzz’ back. This was despite being accused of singing a ‘foul mouthed’ anti-catholic chant in a Benidorm pub, the night before. However, he laughed this off as a joke (“I wear a cross around my neck, I’m not anti the Pope”) and insisted the only scrape he had was when he crashed a quad bike in the nearby hills. “I went a bit crazy going through some trees, hit a boulder and backflipped over the quad. “I was cut to bits and broke my thumb - it’s well out. He later told the audience at La Marina hotel, in Benidorm, that he was back to ‘feeling great’. Gascoigne’s manager Shane Whitfield told the Olive Press that Gascoigne does ‘50 events’ a year now for his company Kong Events. Whitfield explained three years ago when he relapsed in a hotel room before a gig in the UK. “Because of who he was, the people close to him have broken his trust,” Whitfield said. “I’ve given him back the basic things in life he never had: just calling him up for a coffee, or taking him jet skiing.”

July 5th - July 18th 2019

Trans posed A MISS W o r l d battle is set to erupt in Spain after a 26-year-old from Murcia has been named as a candidate. Sandra Grohs, a primary care worker, and former model, is expected to take on the current Miss Spain Angela Ponce, 28, from Sevilla. Describing herself as ‘enthusiastic’, Grohs will travel to Melilla on August 18, for the competition to represent Spain at the 69th Miss World in London on December 14. But she faces a tough task, as fellow candidate Ponce is famous and well-loved after becoming the first ever transgender winner of Miss Spain last year.

Perfect sands A SPANISH beach has made the world’s top 10. La Concha Beach in San Sebastian was ranked as the fourth best globally, by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2019. The Basque beach was rated an average of 4.5/5 by 8,736 Tripadvisor users. The number one spot went to Baia do Sancho, in Brazil’s archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. Cuba’s Varadero Beach was ranked second best in the world, while Eagle Beach in Aruba, came third.

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Smoked out

HUNDREDS of people have been evacuated from the Whala Beach hotel in Playa de Palma's Arenal after a fire broke out. A blaze started in a hotel room in the beach village early in the morning, leading to the evacuation of 600 people. Some 19 people were taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation with another 70 attended to on site. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and guests were able to return within a couple hours.

July 5th - July 18th 2019

Taxi rapist’s costa plans ONE of the UK’s most dangerous men has been learning Spanish as part of his plan to relocate to Spain on his release. Infamous 62-year-old taxi rapist John Worboys - who now goes by the name John Derek Radford - is hoping to start a new life here, when

Black flags BOTH Santa Margalida and Andratx have received 'black flags' for the pollution of their beaches. Green group Ecologists in Action has given the two municipalities the black flag for the mismanagement and pollution problems of the beaches. Santa Margalida's beaches and sea are often polluted by the water and sewer treatment plant that is in urgent need of updating as it leaks. Andratx has received the black flag for the construction of the new mega hotel complex in Camp de Mar, with 'poor environmental management of the coastal area'. The site being built is a massive construction project, with a hotel that will accommodate 600 guests, with 13 pools and five restaurants right on the sea.

Selfie death

Black cab sex offender Worboys plots new life in Spain from prison cell released. But the sex offender, who was set to be released this year, may spend a lot more time behind bars at Wake-

Illegal overflow

AN environmental group has denounced the company controlling the parking of Formentor and the lighthouse for illegally using protected lands. The GOB filed the complaint after the car park company posted signs in the nearby forest to allow overflow parking from the paid car park. The company has no rights to the protected lands, and no right to allow cars to park there, according to the green group.

field prison after a massive public uproar. “He had all the books and DVDs and was becoming pretty fluent,” a source at the

Clean it up! COMPLAINTS have been rolling in after tourists flocking to the popular beach of s'Illot have been cut by debris still polluting the area from the deadly floods last October. Many hotels in the area have reported tourists receiving bad cuts from large sharp rocks that were washed down the streams. In the days after the floods, vehicles and larger debris were removed. Since then volunteers and a few divers have cleaned up more of the mess, but a dangerous amount still remains. Sharp plastics, metals and tiles are all still scattered around.

MONSTER: John Worboys

prison a UK newspaper. “He wanted to eventually live in Spain where, worryingly, he’d be totally anonymous and God only knows what he’d get up to out there mixing with tourists.

Attacks

“He had also changed his name so he could slip under the radar.” Worboys was jailed in 2009 for a spate of sex assaults on 12 women in London. He could have obtained permission to travel abroad from probation officers after a Parole Board deemed him to be no longer a danger. But the decision is expected to be reversed when he goes in front of a judge to be sentenced in September after he admitted attacks on four more women. Opinion Page 6

TWO British men have died after plunging 30ft while trying to take a selfie. Daniel Vivian Mee, 25, and Jayden Dolman, 20, fell to their deaths in Punta Prima de Orihuela in Alicante. Daniel was killed instantly after hitting a beach hut, while Jayden died from serious injuries after a helicopter took him to Alicante Hospital. The fall happened at 7:30pm on Wednesday. A third British man, 20, was also present and was treated for shock at the Hospital of Torrevieja. A Guardia Civil source told the Sun: “The local British consulate has been informed. “It appears the men were taking a photo. “The initial reports were that they had fallen from a height of around 40 feet. “It is too early at this stage to speculate on exactly what happened and the police investigation into the cause is still in its infancy.”

RIP: Dolman (left) and Mee (right)

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July 5th - July 18th 2019 ADVERTISEMENT

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Tally trolls THE sickos making a mockery of the Brits who have died from ‘balconing’ on Facebook need to be made to understand the suffering at the heart of these tragedies. The Mallorca balconing page needs to be shut down, removed and the trolls silenced for good. Diego Quintes should be commended for having the courage to speak out and highlight the problem. Though speaking out will have no doubt raised painful memories, shaming these trolls will no doubt be worth it. Diego also importantly highlights that alongside those left behind - family and friends of those killed - those who witness the falls are also left with trauma. Overlooked are the hotel workers, security guards like Diego and ordinary people who are forced to live with what they have seen through no fault of their own. Facebook must act on this, remove the group and shut down their pathetic and sickening ‘league table’ for good.

Future expat danger A CRIMINAL starting a new life in Spain. It all sounds very familiar (The Dirty Dozen, Issue 220, pg 6-7). That is until you realise that said crook is serialis rapist John Worboys, who - it has emerged - is learning Spanish from behind bars. In a bid to follow numerous British convicts to Spain, the black cab sex offender has apparently been practicing the language with ‘books and DVDs’ in prison. The monster, from London, was jailed for the sexual assaults of 12 women, and has even now changed his name to John Derek Radford. The British and Spanish authorities cannot allow his move to Spain. Worboys would be among the sickest and most dangerous expat criminals to have ever inhabited this country. We are used to conmen, drug dealers and even killers in these parts. However, if Worboys does settle here upon his release, it would mark a whole new league of depravity. John Worboys must be blocked from entering Spain.

FEATURE

Remembering the Roses As it emerges Spain is second only to Cambodia for missing persons, a mass women’s grave is set to be opened in Andalucia, despite Franco still staying put in his Madrid burial place, writes Heather Galloway

HUSH descended on the tiny village of Zufre as the names were slowly read out. It was November 4, 1937 and approaching dusk in the mountain settlement that sits inside the stunning Aracena Natural Park, in Huelva. Most of the local villagers had just made their way back into the village from the nearby fields. A total of 16 women were called out and each was asked to jump aboard a truck that was supposed to be en route to the nearby market town of Aracena. Ostensibly they were to make statements about the Civil War before the Nationalist authorities, who had secured the region for dictator Franco some months earlier. However, nobody locally believed it and, according to witnesses, there was an eerie understanding that the fascist soldiers on the truck had other plans for their captives. Zufre, after all, had been a staunchly leftleaning Republican town on the outbreak of the war in

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July 5th - July 18th 2019

LOCATION: Zufre in Huelva

RESTING PLACE: Higuera de la Sierra

1936 and the local militiamen quickly captured 60 Nationalists soldiers as prisoners. Franco had been furious and ordered an aerial bombing of the town, which quickly liberated his soldiers, with most of the locals fleeing into the nearby hills or ‘relocated’ to Badajoz. The 16 mothers, daughters and grandmothers rounded up that day were never seen again. That is until this month, when a mass grave is expected to be opened in the nearby village of Higuera de la Sierra. It is the fifth unmarked mass burial site to be opened in Andalucia over the last few years and archaeologists are expecting to find the bodies of women, who were most likely tortured and raped before being killed. “They were rounded up in 1937, when Franco’s forces made a concerted effort to find the locals who had deserted villages across Andalucia,” explains Cecilio Gordillo, the driving force behind the organisation Todos los Nombres. For the last 13 years he has been investigating the fate of the ‘disappeared’ victims of the Civil War, a third of whom were buried in Andalucia. “There was a wave of repression against the women who lived in Andalucia,” the former bus driver told the Olive Press. “Western Andalucia is the only place in Spain where they have found graves filled

The 16 Roses of Zufre 1. Teodora Garzón Núñez, 46, married. 2. Remedios Gil Cortés, 58. 3. Modesta Huerta Santos, 30, widow and UGT socialist labour union activist. 4. Josefa Labrador Arroyo, 40, married. 5. Elena Ramos Navarro, 55, UGT socialist labour union activist. 6. Bernabela Rodríguez Ruiz, 39, married. 7. Dominica Rodríguez Ruiz, 39, widow. 8. Felipa Rufo Alcaide, 40, married. 9. Amadora Sánchez González, 53, married. 10. Mariana Sánchez Vázquez, 51, UGT socialist labour union activist and avid reader, married. 11. Antonia Padilla Blanco, 51. 12. Encarnación Méndez Díaz, 56, member of the UGT socialist labour union. 13. Faustina Ventura Sánchez, 62. 14. Amadora Domínguez Labrador, UGT socialist labour union activist. 15. Carlota Garzón Núñez, 47. 16. Alejandra Garzón Acemel, 62, aka la Pistola.

exclusively with women and Zufre will be the fifth such grave, though it is suspected there may be a few men in there too.” However, he warned: “At least two graves believed to have contained the remains of executed women were empty so you never know what you will find until they are opened.” He, along with the CGT-A Andalucia Working Group for the Recovery of Social Historical Memory were given the go-ahead last year and it is still expected to go ahead from July 15, despite the new right-wing PP-Ciudadanos-Vox coalition proposing to cut the historical memory budget. However the dig will be highly controversial and emotive, as they usually are. “We are having a meeting this Thursday to discuss the exact timescale,” confirmed local Higuera archaeologist Jesus Roman, who is involved in the dig. The move comes just weeks after the five judges in Madrid postponed moving the body of General Franco from Spain’s huge Valle de los Caidos memorial, which is meant to be for victims of both sides of the war. It would be something of a disaster to not afford these women a decent proper burial, believes Gordillo. He explained that most of the 16 women knew this was to be a one-way ticket, despite their innocence. One of them, 62-year-old Alejandra Garzón Acemel, aka La Pistola, turned to embrace a friend, whose name was omitted, crying: “Carmen, my dear, we are not going to see

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UNCOVERED: Victims of firing squad exhumed from mass grave, while (below) memorial to women killed under Franco regime

‘KILLERS’: Franco’s suspected firing squad

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REMEMBERED: Memorial to Franco’s victims

Guards who lost their lives in the attack on that ensued more than 80 years ago. However, Rosario, one living witness, did re- their barracks by the militias in 1936. Of the poor women who died, call the macabre scene. there is precisely nothing to “A truck stopped loaded with remember them by. women in front of the bar at 7pm,” she explained in her The cries of those The youngest of the women testimony to the associawretched souls was 30, the oldest 62. Only seven of the 16 gunned tion. “Their cries were chillcould be heard down by the firing squad were ing. They were told to get down and they filed along across the whole officially recorded as dead. It would be another 42 years the street that leads to the town before the fate of the others graveyard. “It’s a short was even registered. stretch; maybe some of “My father was just seven them didn’t know where the street would take them, but others would when they took his mother,” explains Josehave known. ‘In line, that way!’ their execu- fa Salguero, the granddaughter of Carlota Garzón Núñez, who was just 47 at the time tioners shouted. “The cries of those of her death. wretched souls could be “I live in America and hope I will soon be able heard across the whole to visit the grave where my grandmother is.” town. It gave you goose- Higuera de la Sierra’s Culture Councillor, bumps. The people of Maria del Prado confirmed the town hall had conceded permission to look for the Higuera were terrified. “The women who re- grave. fused to climb down from “We are not otherwise involved. But it is the truck where dragged hoped that if the grave is found it will bring off it, with kicks and a peace to the families,” she said. bayonet. Some may have Certainly, it will address a painful chapter in the history of both Higuera and Zufre, arrived almost dead. “The offloading took closing this historic chapter in the history place quickly and they of the area. shot them at the gate to “People have been saying when we open the first mass grave, you’re going to start the cemetery. “The old iron gate, which another Civil War,” says Gordillo. has been painted hun- “Well, a lot of these graves have already dreds of times since, is been opened and absolutely nothing has still marked by the im- happened.” He continues: “We have a Christian culture pact of the bullets. “They buried them in a and burying bodies is a Christian ceremony very deep grave that was is the right thing to do.” already open, where they Spain is said to be second only to Cambohad already thrown bod- dia when it comes to ‘missing’ persons. ies of others they had By July, Todos los Nombres will have executed. They buried 100,000 names of the estimated 114,000 on its website. them in layers. “They scattered soil on As Gordilla points out: “We send a special the last bodies in, then division of the Guardia Civil to search for bodies in Yugoslavia and Guatemala. added more bodies.” Ironically today at the en- “We have budgets for archaeologists seektrance to the cemetery ing Pharaohs in Egypt, but what about our there is a headstone in own grandfathers? It is time to deal with memory of Franco’s Civil this once and for all.”

‘

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each other again.” Few of them were guilty of anything more than being members of the UGT socialist trade union with some of them having family members already jailed for being linked to it. The wave of terror launched on the women of Andalucia however, was a strategy for hunting down their menfolk. “They were trying to make them reveal the whereabouts of a brother or a husband,” adds Gordillo. “Or they believed that by torturing and executing the women, the men would emerge from their hiding places in the sierra.” As they trudged up the hill to Don Angel’s medical clinic, where the truck waited, some passed their husbands, while others gazed longingly at their children who had gathered as usual around the local fountain to play. Apparently, on seeing their mothers’ hands tied and their faces streaked with tears, the children turned their heads away. Though the truck set off in the direction of Aracena, it apparently drove only as far as Higuera de la Sierra, just 12 km down the road. The centre of the town, which like Zufre had around 1,000 inhabitants, was generally lively in the evenings with children playing in the square and elderly men slamming down dominoes and cards. But by 7pm when the truck drove in, the light was fading fast and many had already gone indoors, leaving few witnesses to the atrocity

THE Olive Press website is not only leading the way in terms of visitor numbers... but also in terms of QUALITY visitors. Of the average 25,000 unique visitors per day, a large percentage are high net worth individuals who like to spend money. Whether this is on an expensive new car, a splurge at a restaurant or a luxury weekend escape, they are not scared to splash the cash. Is this any wonder with a large percentage coming from Gibraltar, as well as a sizeable chunk from the US and many from the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia? Just take a look at the comments from the manager of an exclusive €365-euros-a night retreat near Marbella this week:

Daria Doubinina, DDG Retreat hotel, Casares

To share in the Olive Press’ online success contact sales@theolivepress.es or call 0034 951273575 The top three most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

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Do you have a what’s on?

LA CULTURA Canyon concert

8 www.theolivepress.es July 5th - July 18th 2019 what’s on

easide fun SUMMER festivals are beginning around the island, and Colonia de Sant Pere has a big party, with live music and a special market through July 7.

each festival ARENAL in Playa de Palma honour Saint Christopher with a ten-day party filled with music, games, entertainment and shopping through July 15.

its a la Fresca EVENING concerts fill the night air in Andratx with outdoor concerts of all genres most Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August.

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Stage set as 70 musicians prepare to perform at the annual Torrent de Pareis concert AROUND 70 musicians will perform at the 56th annual concert in the Torrents de Pareis, it has been announced. This Sunday, when the sea levels are just right, the free concert will again be thrown in the deep canyon found near Sa Calobra.

walls. "The 56th edition concert will be marked by festive and celebratory music, and will also reserve some more reflective and intimate moments," said the director of Capella Mallorquina, Jose Maria Moreno. Visitors in Palma can take the train to Soller, then hop on a boat from the Port de Soller to Sa Calobra, with departure times scheduled specifically for the concert. PARTY: Exciting gig returns in intimate sea setting

Two groups will be performing this year, the Capella Mallorquina and the

Johannes Palaschko Quintet, with an hour of music bouncing off the canyon

Know your H2O A LOCAL artist has launched an exhibition to force people to think about the world’s most important resource. Joan Costas, born in Palma and working out of his studio in Esporles, brings the shapes and forms of water to life in About Water with photography, painting, and his much-loved sculptures. The 'simple and elegant' exhibit is being held at Palma’s Rialto Living home store. With the Mediterranean as inspiration, Costas delivers clean and thought-provoking pieces influenced by nature and how people treat it. About Water aims to provoke people to think about how they protect and care for the resource. The exhibit is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8:30pm until August 6.

THINK: Interesting piece

Revellers

The ferry that connects Port de Sóller with Sa Calobra will leave at 10.00 am, 11.15 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm, and will return 20 minutes after the end of the concert. Among the classics to be enjoyed is the well-known 'Va pensiero', of the opera Nabucco by Verdi; 'Ave Maria' by Schubert and 'Ode to Joy,' by Beethoven. Revellers can bring their own food and drink. The first open-air concert in the Torrent de Pareis was organised in June 1963 by the Catalan painter Coll Bardolet, who lived in Mallorca from the 1940s until his death in 2007.

By George! A 16TH CENTURY sculpture of Saint George has been restored to its - mostly - original state after receiving an infamously botched makeover. The wooden statue of St George astride a horse in San Miguel church in Estella, Navarra, had turned dark brown with age. But its restoration by a local crafts business left the soldier with a pink face and a look which social media users mercilessly compared to Tintin or Woody from Toy Story. Authorities fined the church and the crafts business €6,010 each. Now, after three months of work in an official laboratory in the nearby city of Pamplona for a cost of €30,000paid by the parish, St George is back to normal.

NEW: St George fixed

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Southern comforts

Tarifa

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July 2019

It’s not just the infamous Atlantic wind that keeps the Costa de la Luz so spiritually chilled, discovers Tim McNulty

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UROPE’S most southerly town looks out across the Strait of Gibraltar where two mighty continents collide. But the clash of cultures is entirely geographic. Indeed, Tarifa radiates such a calming vibe it would threaten to relax the mighty shoulders of the titan Atlas himself but there’s no danger of the sky falling down...Hercules’ two mythological pillars (Gibraltar and Mount Jebel Musa in Morocco) have long since relieved him of that burden. Shaded by pine forest, cushioned by soft dunes, and 14 kilometres from Africa, this Costa de la Luz gem’s Carribean-copy beaches and laid-back vibe set it apart from the more structured resorts along the Malaga coast to the east. And that’s unlikely to change thanks to Tarifa’s protected location in El Estrecho Natural Park. The coastal town in Cadiz province is an endearing mix of beach bum bohemianism and boutique chic, with the added attraction of great seafood and restorative Atlantic winds. It makes it the perfect escape (along Continues overleaf

SERENE: An inlet near Barbate, horse riding in El Palmar and arch in Tarifa PERFECT PLAZA: In Vejer

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Let in the light From Page 9

with its near neighbours, including Vejer, Zahara and Canos de Meca) from the high season heat and bustle of the nearby Costa del Sol. The brisk breezes, in particular, make this remote corner of Andalucia a Mecca for wind and kite surfers, a community of barefoot adventurers who came and never left. But it is not just the wind that drives tourists to Tarifa, which harbours more than a thousand years of history within its atmospheric old medina. Pass through the famous Puerta de Jerez archway and drift effortlessly into a maze of whitewashed streets, past a mosaic of hip boutiques, tasty

STREET SCENE: Tarifa architecture and partying (right)

tapas bars and evocative secret plazas. “I only came out here as a favour for a friend, with no real plans to stay yet here I am 15 years on. But that’s Tarifa,” cafe owner Adele told me with more than a little pride. Adele’s cosy ‘cafe in the arch,’ as it is known about town, is a popular pit-stop for newcomers, who mingle effortlessly with the affable Tarifidians and digital nomads who seem to have taken up semi-permanent residence inside. From here your feet naturally gravitate downhill to the ocean, along meandering cobbles and through arabesque squares perfumed by orange trees and shaded by palms. The journey ends at Tarifa' s bustling port where old salts still embark to fish the tuna-rich waters with almadraba trap nets, the ancient Phoenecian way. Various local companies navigate the waters of the Strait, offering close encounters with the dolphins and whales that swim this salty corridor running between Spain and north Africa. Cross it you probably will if you’re

staying here for any length of time... dating from 996, but the citadel walls You can resist the beguiling views of protectively encircling the old town the hazy purple Riff mountains for have been scrubbed clean and reonly so long before curiosity wins out pointed and look like they were built and you find yourself yesterday. Tangier-bound on one In fact Tarifa was key of the frequent daily to the entire Moorish Tarifa was key ferries. invasion, captured to the Moorish and given its name in But you can get some of that exotic north Af711 by Berber military invasion and rican vibe in Tarifa. commander Tarif ibn Former leader Guzman given its name in Malik. el Bueno, the chap enIt became the base 711 by Berber joying the best views from which Arab atop a pillar outside armies from the the port, was MorocMaghreb set out to can himself although he later worked conquer Cordoba, Granada and Sevilfor the other side, defending Tarifa la, beginning the centuries of Muslim from attack by his countrymen for the rule that shaped this funky seaside king of Spain. town. The castle he defended is Moorish, But the area goes back before that,

July 2019

SNAPSHOTS: Of Tarifa streets, patios and ‘Los Lances’ beach (left) dating from 1A.D when the Romans were coining it in with their fishsalting business and built a sizeable town right on the coast at nearby Bolonia. The visitors centre of Baolo Claudia, where you can walk along ancient Roman roads and take a seat in the amphitheatre is an extra reason to take a side trip to this glorious beach with its 30-metre tall UNESCO-listed dune (the biggest in Europe). Flop down at one of the wooden chiringuitos scattered along the sands and order up a feast of fresh fish, crisp calamares, pimientos de padron and an ice bucket of wine. Moors, Cathaginians, Romans, they all recognised the Costa de la Luz as an exceptional place to live, and it’s this patchwork of cultural influences that makes Tarifa so wonderfully atmospheric and open minded. These days it’s more famously Europe’s kitesurf capital and the only conquerors storming the city are those looking to stake a claim on the white sands of Playa Chica or Los Lances. Day after day, depending on which way the fickle Atlantic wind blows, kites in luminous colours and patterns are hoist from the sand where they bob above the waves like little half moons (or ‘painted toenail clippings’, as someone said) against a blue screen sky. No matter how you spend the day in Tarifa, you should stick around for its legendary nocturnal life. The surf set has attracted some of the coolest night spots on Spain’s southern coast or even, dare we say it, on the party island of Ibiza. Come sundown, the narrow alleyways around Calle Cervantes are crowded with drinkers easing their way in and out of the numerous cocktail bars and surfer haunts. Perched in one such surfer bar I was immediately immersed in conversations that confirmed the cosmopoli-

FUN FACT

Tarifa is sometimes credited with being the origin of the word ‘tariff’, since it was the first port in history to charge merchants for the use of its docks.

tan nature of this unique community. Jovial chatter filled the room in accents that ranged well beyond the extent of Spain’s borders … Dutch and English, French and Portuguese, Argentinian Spanish as well as Andaluz. “Tarifa is melting pot, always has been, that is the source of its appeal,” kitesurfing instructor turned Tomatito bar owner Dom tells me, in between calling out ‘holas’ and ‘qué pasa hombres’ to arriving customers. Eager to extol the virtues of Tarifa and share the treasures of the place he traded for Norwich many summer moons ago, he continues: “Everyone

is friendly here and will look out for you. “If someone comes in on their own they won't be wanting for company for long if they want it. It’s that kind of openness that I value about this place.” Indeed it is not hard to see why so many people intending to pass through on their way to somewhere else tend to stop here and settle. It is much more than a simple case of travellers reaching the edge of Spain, stopping and saying this ‘will do.’ There is a magnetic charm to Tarifa that is reflected in the warmth of the people you meet, unrattled by even the most stubborn Atlantic wind. Perhaps it’s those same welcome summer breezes that also keep the folk in Tarifa so spiritually cool in this fascinating melting pot that simmers all summer with good vibrations but never boils over.

WHITEWASHED: Typical Tarifa corner

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THE Costa de la Luz officially stre from Tarifa all the way up to Hue tches for over 200km tugal. Split into two parts by stunlva’s border with Porning Donana National Park, the most well known section Cadiz and includes a string of whit goes from Tarifa to Vejer de la Frontera, Zahara de lose pueblos, including Palmar, Canos de Meca, Conil and Atunes, Barbate, El Chiclana.

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Frontier of food

Combining sea and sierra, Vejer de la Frontera counts on wonderful scenery, history and restaurants in equal measures, writes Jon Clarke “IT’S classic Mediterranean fare mixed with the Atlantic, with a pinch of Korean and a dash of Japanese.” This was how a waiter explained the enticing menu of a new restaurant 4 Estaciones in the heart of Vejer de la Frontera. In Spanish, of course. A true frontier of food, what makes this charming white-walled town so special is it’s sheer variety of quality ingredients, mixed together with a high level of expertise. Indeed, to open a restaurant here you will not only need a great chef, deep pockets and a sharp business acumen, but you will also need a keen eye for style… and also some luck. For Vejer is the definitive food capital of Cadiz province, a place literally creaking with excellent places to eat. All competi-

MELTINGPOT: Boss Nono at Venta el Toro, fishes drying and (right) a table at 4 Estaciones tive in the extreme. Foodies, like me, travel from miles around (and from abroad) to spend a few days sampling its heady mix of eateries, that spread around the heart of town and into a series of small hamlets nearby. I first found my culinary Nirvana (well, my second after San Sebastian) in a sleepy hamlet called Santa Maria, up a dead end road near the town. Tricky to find and easy to miss even when right outside, there are few places left in the region that are quite so unpretentious. Authentic in the extreme and little changed for decades, Venta el Toro is

where those locals in the know go for a sniff out the joys of Patria, where Dandose of nostalgia and a darn good tapas ish expats Ase and Thomas Donso have lunch. been ploughing their cuIt is here that you will find linary furrow for over a local hoteliers escaping decade. Like heading their clients and lovers Like heading back in back in time, heading for a secret rentime, their eatery in La dezvous. Muela, is romantic and La Muela, is One of the last redoubts groundbreaking in equal of quintessential Andameasures. romantic and lucia, the hamlet counts You sit on an ancient cobauthentic on another amazing resbled terrace with views taurant, Castilleria, which as far as Cadiz, watching has been constantly the sun-set with dishes as evolving for 25 years. good as you might find in Copenhagen’s Up a parallel hill, serious foodies will also Noma. Life gets no better.

In the heart of historic Vejer

All part of the food capital of greater Vejer, within 15 minutes of here you can easily find a dozen good places to eat. It has been a remarkable turnaround for a place that two decades ago you would probably only stop for a coffee or maybe a venta lunch if you couldn’t make it to Tarifa or nearby Conil in time. Like a slow-cooked pork belly, the town has gently fused its ingredients to become a culinary hive only rivalled by Marbella, Sevilla and Malaga in Andalucia. “We set the bar high,” explains local restaurateur James Stuart, who owns a string of restaurants in the town, including award-winning El Jardín del Califa,

Free bottle of wine per table with this advert

July 2019

Open every day from 11 to 11 Corredera 33, Vejer de la Frontera tel: 637 423 506 www.CalifaVejer.com CHANGING LIGHT: Sunset approaches in centre of the town

DINING CENTRAL: Garimba, Trafalgar and Califa all sit around Plaza de los Pescaitos as well as Califa Tapas and stunning Corredera 55, with his new wife Ellie Cormié, who previously ran a Michelin-starred restaurant in Scotland. “There is plenty of competition between restaurants and all of us keep taking the level higher in order to get ahead,” he adds. “If you’re new on the block and not good enough your restaurant won’t last long. The Vejeriegos themselves have become foodies, a whole new generation is learning that quality and imagination are a winning formula”. The Scotsman was one of the first expat businessmen to open a hotel in the area, La Casa del Califa, and at the time there was almost nowhere good to eat. That was until a new restaurant the

DETAIL: At Califa Hotel

Trafalgar opened on the square together that’s different”. opposite his hotel and he had Much of Vejer’s success is down somewhere to send his guests. “It to the local surroundings, which was definitely the produce some of start of the culithe best quality nary revolution,” Vejer’s success ingredients in the he explains. “The world. is down to the food was so fresh The obvious and so creative, examples are surroundings and it caused a real sherry, fish and buzz. And things the quality of its the wonderful sort of went from pork and beef produce there. When from the classic we opened the brown ‘retinto’ Jardín in 2002 cows, which you the whole idea of a Moroccan often see wandering around the restaurant seemed madness nearby hills. to most people but as I pointed Of course the amazing ‘almadraout the ingredients are the same ba’ bluefin tuna, caught nearby, both sides of the Strait of Gibral- is spectacularly good and the tar, it’s just the way they’re put vegetables available are also of a high quality, particularly from Conil, just down the road. Another reason is the type of tourists who visit the town, which has seen a distinctly better heeled crowd than its nearby rivals on the Costa del Sol. “We don’t just rely on beaches,” explains restaurateur Ramon at Vina y Mar, which has its own wine shop with over 200 references. “And many of the people who visit are keen food lovers, who come here specifically to eat.” This is certainly the case and the huge mix of restaurateurs, who herald from France, Denmark, Britain and the north of Spain have helped to put together a rich and varied offering for them. Madrileno Javier Duenas at Garimba in the main square has done extremely well constantly expanding and improving his restaurant. “We pride ourselves on working incredibly hard, never standing still and keeping the prices down,” he says.

Taperia Sumia

“My best recipe is my passion” The perfect place for tapas and drinks with Vejer’s best view tel: 621 00 89 47

Calle de la Corredera, 49A, 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz

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Picture credit: David Cussen

Dance to a Different Tuna Gin Tunics, tuna lollipops and tuna yachts... despite Belinda Beckett not eating fish, Zahara’s legendary Ruta de Atún festival had her hooked!

“

JUST try it,” said Dave. “It doesn’t taste that fishy.” The last person to try that was my mother, when as a babe in a high chair I refused to eat my fish fingers, dashing each spoonful to the floor. To my dysfunctional palate, all fish smells of ammonia and tastes worse. But, despite being a pescaphobe I found myself at the annual Tuna Festival in Zahara de los Atunes and agreed to try some, all in the line of duty, of course. The dish set before me didn’t look like fish: orange and round with a tiny leaf, it could have fallen from a neighbouring tree. That was the whole idea! Paripé de Mandarina (Mandarin De-

ception), was created for this ioned into miniature pizzas year’s tapas competition – one with their own printed boxes. of 36 imaginatively-prepared There was even liquid tuna, witdishes, each representing the tily named ‘Gin Tunic’. chef of a differEvery tapa ent restaurant. came with a Huge thought During festival glass of chilled goes into the manzanilla week there are and, at €3.50 presentation to give a humorous a throw, it was as many fish twist, or to pera no-brainer for haps outwit my fanciers on land fish aficionados. own picky taste “All the same buds. I was de- as there are tuna Dave, I think I’ll termined to find wait to try the out… tuna toffees,” I There was so much choice! reasoned, discovering that the Tuna burgers, tuna lollipops, Mandarin Deception contained bars of tuna wrapped in gold raw tuna tartare! Which was a leaf, tuna with ice cream, tuna bit of a nuisance for Dave as shaped like yachts... even fash- the tuna toffees were being

served down the road in Atlanterra (Zahara’s posh sister resort) and we’d been lucky to find a parking spot in town. Fish lovers travel from far and wide to the Costa de la Luz in Springtime to taste the first succulent almadraba tuna caught by an ancient method dating back to Phoenecian times, just as these Leviathans leave the cold Atlantic for their warmer Mediterranean spawning grounds. During festival week there are as many fish fanciers on land as there are tuna in the sea, when the population of this pretty maritime pueblo of 1,300 residents fills up with another 15,000 hungry souls. In total, they munched their way through 65,000 tapas made from 200 tuna weighing some 200 kilos apiece, netting

restaurateurs an impressive €400,000 over one weekend– not bad in an economic crisis! And tuna isn’t the only temptation. There are some enticing prizes for eating it too, which only steeled my resolve. Eat 12 tapas for the chance to win a smart LGD TV, a Samsung tablet or a Nintendo Wii. Eat all 36 and a weekend for two at the posh Hotel Atlanterra could be yours. It was all so well organised (something of a surprise, in Spain). Everyone gets a menu map detailing the location of each restaurant and its speciality tapa, divided into six colourcoded zones, plus a sheet of paper drawn up with boxes that you have to get stamped as you eat. The man responsible for this shining example of entrepre-

HOOKED: Locals enjoy the parade

PESCAPHOBE: Belinda gets a stamp neurialism is local restaurateur Gaspar Castro, President of local traders association ACOZA. “For most towns May is the month for communions and weddings but we don’t cater for those events in a big way as we’re only a small fishing village,” he says. “At the same time, it’s one of the best months to eat fresh red tuna, caught in our unique way. We’ve been making a party of it since 2009 and it’s really paying off.” If high drama is you’re bag, there’s plenty of it with music, dancing, street parades and a demonstration of tuna filleting that’s pure theatre, complete with buckets of blood! It’s called a ‘ronqueo’ after the ‘grunting’ noise the knife makes when separating flesh from bone. It takes experts with cleavers and sharp knives under tenminutes to reduce one silvery

ANCIENT METHOD: But the Almadraba system of nets has been effective since Phoenician times

July 2019

ANCIENT: Technique from the Phoenicians traps tuna in the Almadrabas 200-kilo tuna to 17 choice cuts ifa, Conil and Barthe colour and texture of prime bate which also beef (which is why bluefin tuna hold their own is confusingly called atún rojo rutas de atún durin Spain) “Hardly any goes to ing May and June. waste which is why we call the In 2010, Barbate tuna ‘el cerdo del mar’,” Gas- welcomed 50 cepar told me. lebrity chefs to its book a boat trip to see (That explains the float I saw go festival including Ferrán Adriá, the levantá from a distance by, bearing a bunch of cheer- Juan María Arzak and Dani but there’s little chance of ing children dressed as Peppa García. taking part, unless you’re wellPigs.) Quotas are strictly controlled connected or prepared to bribe A 200-kilo almadraba tuna will to preserve declining stocks of your way onto a boat (a figure fetch €3,800 on the open mar- this endangered fish and today, of €200 a head has been menket in Spain and Japanese ships tioned). Gaspar is disapproving the ventresca queue up in the “It’s illegal and dangerous – (stomach, best The record for a bay to buy tuna .one tourist lost three fingers.” for tuna steaks) directly from the bluefin sold at I was content to enjoy the fessells for €40 per almadrabas. tival atmosphere and coo over kilo but some rojo is a auction in Tokyo Atún the cutest foals on the short cuts are particuhighly prized coastal drive to Atlanterra lar delicacies: ingredient of suis 2.7 million where I finally got to try the the morillo (a shi and sashimi euros tuna toffees! kind of muscle and sells in JaThey looked the part and Dave in the head) pan for four or enjoyed them - two little sweetcosts circa €55 five times its shaped cubes wrapped in shiny per kilo and the female eggs, price in Spain. The current repaper, presented in a pretty tin. €80 per kilo. cord for a 278 kilo bluefin sold But I was caught out by yet anHuevos de leche are also rel- at auction in Tokyo is a cool other deception. It was all just ished, though aren’t for the €2.7 million! window dressing containing no faint-hearted (being tuna If you can time it right, you can toffee at all – only fish! sperm) but Gaspar swears they’re ‘very tasty’. Although, as his restaurant was responsible for the Mandarin Deception, I’m not so sure I believe him! The most fascinating aspect of the local tuna industry is the al1. The Almadraba method is one madraba – the large structure of the oldest ever recorded and takes advantage of you can glimpse one kilometre the migration of Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna between the Med out to sea. It’s a complex labyiterranean and the Atlantic. rinth of nets several kilometres 2.Th e size and long and more than 30 meflexibility of the nets, or almadra bas, means there is no damage to ters deep, designed to guide ceta dolphins that populate the straits. ceans or the many the tuna into a central trap (el 3.A high percentage of the caug copo) from which there’s no ht mens that have already spawned tuna are adult speciescape. on several occasions. Ecologically sound, immature 4. The almadrabas are only insta lled seasonally, meantuna can wriggle out through ing the system does not alter the tunas’ natural routes the mesh and live to spawn or their life cycle. another day. The thrilling part 5. With the almadrabas installed clos is the Levantá. Several will be always in the same place, it is easy e to the shore and held between April and June, sure compliance with environmentafor authorities to enl protections. dependent on wind, tides and 6. The fish are loaded onto boats usin sea conditions and decided instead of hooks, avoiding unneces g ropes and cranes, by the almadraba’s ‘captain’. sary suffering. 7. Almadraba is not a ‘mass prod Then, the fishermen encircle uction’ system, being less than 2% of world production this seething cauldron of cap8. The system consumes little ene tive tuna in their boats and rgy as the fisherman rely on the weather, skilled han hoist the nets out of the water. ds and good luck 9. The tuna remain in the structure of the alm They will have no more than six adraba for a limited time to protect against hours to raise thousands of kiover exploitation which has endangered the survival of los of frenzied fish. ‘Almadraba’ tuna 10. Only the best specimens are stocks. is Arabic for ‘place of fighting’ caught while the rest are releasedhand selected to be and the name’s well-justified. Zahara boasts one of the ‘big that the tuna shoals can regenera back to the sea so te. four’ Atlantic almadrabas in Spain, along with those of Tar-

10 facts that make ‘almadraba’ the most sustainable fishing method in the world

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CENTER CENTER

MATERNAL: Dolphin with mother

It’s an almost religious experience for the boat-load of tourists, as the stunning mammals clearly swim over to take a closer look at us. “These two are particularly inquisitive,” pipes up a voice from the cockpit above, as one particular pair come sniffing up to the boat, then swim underneath at an amazing speed. The words come from Dr Katharina Heyer, a remarkable woman of 75 years of age, who has become, without a doubt, one of the world’s authorities on sea life off the tip of southern Spain. It’s her 20th year working with her foundation Firmm, which was set up after she was guided to Tarifa to see whales and dolphins by a ‘spiritual man’ in 1998. Then running her own fashion company in Switzerland, she visited the area to find nobody organising trips to see the mammals and almost no research on them. “I arrived on a really rainy,

awful day to find no whale boats, just fishermen, and had to rent a diving boat to take me out,” she explains. It may not have been perfect weather conditions, but what she saw completely changed her for good. While she had long enjoyed diving holidays with her teenage sons in the Caribbean and the Maldives, seeing a group of Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins had a strong and immediate impact on her. So moved was she by these large and graceful mammals that she quickly moved out to set up her ‘respectful whale watching’ foundation in Tarifa and has never looked back. Indeed, so respected has been her research into the mammals over the last two decades - in particular her sensitization work for them - that last year she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel.

GIANTS: Ships share the straits with whales

There are now a handful of companies taking visitors out to see the mammals from Tarifa, and on most days they can expect to see Sperm whales, Pilot whales and even Orcas, not to mention various types of dolphins and many other fish. It is one of the best places in the world to see them, with the currents bringing a lot of food from both directions, explains Katharina. However, this brings in itself severe risks, as they are entering one of the busiest waterways in the world with more than 300 freighters and other sea traffic passing every day. Indeed, as you look out into the Straits you are witnessing a battle for survival. “The lives of dolphins and whales are at risk from ferries getting faster and faster, the noise from shipping traffic and more,” she explains. “We are trying our best to monitor their numbers and do our best to minimise the issues they face.”

BUSINESS

Property ladder woes

A RESIDENT in the Balearics needs to work nearly 16 years on a full salary to save enough to buy a home – more than double the national average. New figures have revealed that those living on the islands have the least purchasing power in all of Spain, needing 15.8 years before buying a home on average. The national average is 7.3 years. The other end of Spain is La Rioja, where a resident needs an average of only 4.8 working years before buying a home.

TOUGH: Life in Balearics

IMMIGRANTS attracted by Spain’s strong economy have helped take its population to record levels. An extra 276,000 people took the total number of inhabitants in the country to 46,934,623, the largest ever. Spain has the eurozone’s fastest growing economy, after its recovery from the Financial Crash began in 2013. Moroccans and Venezuelans make up a large proportion

IOU big time

Blacklist reveals jailed IMF chief, Hollywood actress and sports star among Spain’s biggest debtors

SPAIN has published a list of tax dodgers who each still owe over €1 million, despite being warned. A total of 4,028 individuals and companies collectively owe the Tax Agency an eyewatering €14.1 billion - although it’s 7.8% less than in 2018. Rodrigo Rato, the imprisoned former International Monetary Fund boss, is the most infamous of these slippery characters. The former Bankia president and Spanish Economy Minister from Madrid owes the public coffers €1,019,740.

Record numbers

of Spain’s 4.84 million immigrant population - the largest number since 2013. The Spanish economy’s expansion has outpaced the eurozone average since 2015, and this year its output is again forecast to rise by 2.3%

TAX DODGERS: (Left to right) actor Conde, ex-IMF chief Rota and moto-cyclist Pons

Joining him is Despicable Me 2 star and TV presenter Patricia Conde from Valladolid, who owes €1.82 million and is clearly living up to the movie’s name. Two-times 250cc motorcycling world champion Alfonso ‘Sito’ Pons still owes €1.95 million after a fraud probe alleged he falsely claimed to be living in Monaco. Meanwhile the top offender is Isolux Corsan, an international construction firm, which owes Spain €315.9 million in unpaid taxes. Andalucian multinational energy firm, Abengoa, owes a total of €3.14 million through its subsidiaries, following financial difficulties. But despite the huge debts still owed to the Government, some 2,000 taxpayers highlighted in the list’s inception in 2015, are not included in this edition. However, the list could be expanded in the future, as acting Finance Minister, Maria Jesus Montero, hinted that she wished to lower the threshold to name and shame those owing the Treasury €600,000 or more.

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Jason 679 216 527 www.mallorcaexpress.com Based in Palma

July 5th - July 18th 2019

Taking the Huawei HUAWEI has announced ‘significant growth’ in sales in Spain despite the ongoing spyware scandal surrounding the Chinese tech giant. The director of the consumer business unit of Huawei Spain, Pablo Wang has declared sales in the country are ‘rather better’ after a decline in global sales. It comes as Madrid was chosen as the location for the Chinese firm’s largest store in the world.

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Real estate of affairs Chaos ensues with new laws on Spanish mortgage loans, writes Lawbird’s Antonio Flores

HE recently enacted Real Estate Credit Act 5/2019 has not left anyone indifferent; from those who applaud a reinforced protection for consumers traditionally seen as the losers in the lenderborrower equation - to the more selfish who predict a sharp decline in real estate transactions due to the obvious hassle of formalizing an even more complex procedure. A quick glance to the last few days’ national news headlines show little sympathy for a law seemingly written up to prevent bank abuses in the last boom-crisis cycle. El Mundo said: “New Mortgage Law: Notaries on the purchase sale to undergo a test; in it, in a mess, tougher lending criteria and…prop- the Notary public will have to evaluate the borerty sales dropping?” rower and his understanding of the document El Economista: “The New Mortgage Law will he/she will be signing in 10 days’ time. make it more difficult for More so, the Notary is to provide younger borrowers.” the borrower with two key docuIdealista: “Mortgage law madments forwarded by the bank: Not easy? ness: last-minute rush of the ‘FEIN’, which is the European Now think of a banks and notaries to avoid a Standardized Information Card slowdown in sales.” and the ‘FIAE’, a standardized foreign buyer El Español: “First cock up with Warnings Card that includes the new Mortgage Law: banks that speaks no mortgage parameters (opening and notaries fail to synchrocommission, early maturity due Spanish nize their electronic register.” to non-payment and what exBut what’s the deal with this penses are applied in this case) law and why are so many reand a few other fairly elaborate porters up in arms? items and mathematical formulas. The answer is not straightforward: whilst most Not easy? Now think of a foreign buyer that recognize the underlying bona fide mission speaks no Spanish, with a notary that equally of protecting consumers, intensified credit does not understand foreign languages, and checks on borrowers and the intricate pre- you have a deal-breaker. contractual stage of new loan agreements can Not to mention the unassumable 10-day perionly be deterrents for new business. od for busy investors and the yet-to-be defined To qualify for a loan, any borrower will have to role of lawyers here: advisers or just translavisit a Notary office 10 days prior to closing tors? Time will tell.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

July 5th - July 18th 2019

PROPERTY

Straight into the Banca

GERMAN real estate company Metro has offloaded a chunk of its commercial property portfolio in Spain in a show of confidence in the Mallorca market. The six Makro wholesale outlets, including one in Palma, have been sold to the LaSalle Investment Management group for €73 million. The decision to offload the Makro Spain properties was part of a sale-and-lease back transaction, which will allow the retailers to remain as the sole tenants. Makro Spain CEO Peter Gries said: "The transaction shows the commitment of our company to the Spanish market where sectors such as tourism and hospitality have been performing well and offering clear growth potential for our company."

Keys Isl nd to the

Mate’s rates Former Olympian Kike Sarasola set to open first Magaluf hotel after wooing American investors

By Amanda Butler

It’s hotting up!

Amanda Butler has a certain property ‘fantasma’ set to arrive and she’s rather excited

ITH the first of the summer heatwaves hitting us in the last week of June, through to the first week of July and temperatures reaching up to 39°C in Mallorca, we will all be wiping away a glistening brow over the next few weeks it seems. Equally the Spanish, and particularly the Balearic Government have been getting rather ‘hot under the collar’ over what they claim is ‘fake news’ in the UK press about the increased terror threat, ‘particularly in the Balearics’, requiring a ‘deployment of 40,000 extra police’. Both the Balearics and the Spanish Foreign Office state that the UK media has misinterpreted reports about the launch of the annual summer operation. They maintain that additional teams of Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil forces are deployed each year, purely in order to cope with the influx of millions of holiday makers in the peak summer months. So we can all heave a big sigh of relief.

Property Market update The peak summer months of June and July are well known for not being particularly busy with serious property buyers, with some exceptions of course. They are often replaced with the odd ‘property tourist’ or two, who have decided to include high end property viewings in their holiday itinerary. Fortunately I don’t personally get bothered by these in general, since I don’t have a shop front office, but I have had in my time what I call the odd ‘fantasma’ or two. These are clients who provide some interesting story with very ‘substantial budgets’, but low and behold, no Google search information! Zip! So why am I mentioning this? Well one of my ‘fantasmas’ is indicating he will finally be arriving in Mallorca sometime this month, after numerous years of discussions, ill health, business negotiations, and more! But this time he is looking more and more like he is actually real, having finally provided the

AMERICAN investors have agreed a deal with Spain’s Room Mate hotel chain for ownership of the new ‘Pax Barracuda’ in Magaluf. Hotel Investment Partners, the hotel arm of the Blackstone fund, plan to invest 23 million to complete the project which will be Room Mate’s first hotel at the resort. Construction of the four-star hotel has already begun with a total of 391 rooms expected to open in April 2020. "Entering the holiday sector in a destination like Mallorca and with the help of HIP assures us that our first beach hotel will be a success. "It is a challenge that I love because I believe in the future

of Magaluf as a tourist destination, in that sense the location of our new hotel could not be any better," said Room Mate Group president Kike Sarasola. Former Olympic equestrian Sarasola has not ruled out expanding the chain to other popular holiday resorts in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. He said: "The world is our chessboard and we are in full expansion phase, so we are open to other similar projects." The 55-year-old has also taken the opportunity to call on Spain’s Government to do more to support the tourism industry. He said: "There has to be a clear state policy on tourism, since it is the most prominent industry in the country and we have to take care of it. That is why, we must have a Ministry of Tourism to better defend the interests of this hugely strategic sector for the Spanish BUSINESS AND PLEASURE: Sarasola economy."

ROOM: Sales for Amanda

name of his lawyer, when asked for ‘proof of funds’ documentation prior to arrival. POF’s is of course required over a certain level if there is no internet back ground. I am now informed I will receive it before they arrive. Potentially very exciting, and will require a tour of some of the most spectacular properties on the island. This of course remains to be seen, and I am not holding my breath, but then again… Read my next article in the next addition to find out more...and keep your fingers crossed!

For any questions or if you require assistance with selling or buying a property you can contact Amanda on ajb@mjcassociates.net

ICON: Sagrada Familia

For Christ’s sake A RESIDENT’S association has begun legal action to stop the completion of Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia. Construction of the emblematic cathedral stalled after architect Antoni Gaudi’s drawings were destroyed in a 1930s fire. Officials then could not find any record of planning permission being granted when Gaudi took over construction in 1885. But after permission was finally granted by mayor Ada Colau last month, plans may be scuppered again by 3,000 people who fear for the fate of their apartments. Residents particularly on Carrer de Mallorca, which runs along the east side of the cathedral, worry they will have to vacate their homes as the area becomes a building site. A spokesman for affected residents, Salvador Barross said: "We are directly affected and that is why we want to take the necessary legal actions."

Not cool! THE Spanish property market is experiencing a cool down. That’s the verdict of BBVA Research - part of the BBVA banking group and one of the biggest in Spain - in its latest report. It points to how property purchases grew just 1% year-onyear in April. “Home sales are showing a certain sluggishness, despite the fact that conditions remain favourable,” it said. “The variables related to construction activity do not point towards any big gains in the next few months either.” New mortgage lending is also slowing down, with BBVA describing it as ‘practically stagnant, despite the fact that we are in a financial context that is still promising for the sector, given the low interest rates.’ Other cited factors include a fall in the number of land deals closed in April, and the first fall in construction jobs in 39 months.

MD let us guide you home

Buying or Selling a property come to visit us in our brand new office, Plaza Portals nous. 3. or visit www.themallorcadeal.com

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Let them eat Health boost A SPAIN-based healthy food business behind the Rebel Kitchen brand has set up a plant in England. Murcia-headquartered AMC group has announced the new 55,000 sq ft site in Skelmersdale will produce dairy-free and allergen-free yogurt for London-based healthy food firms. Mike Bullock, fresh foods director at AMC Group, said: “There’s an exciting future in store for the site. “Plant-based products are in huge demand and there is a gap in the market for a dairy-free factory producing fresh, quality products at scale. “Our expertise in citrus, grapes, flowers, juice, ice cream, dairy-free and soups puts us at the forefront of the food industry to help consumers make those healthy choices.”

July 5th - July 18th 2019

What’s on for foodies!

One of Palma’s trendiest squares is being forced to close terraces too early despite being privately owned RESTAURANTS on Palma’s s’Escorxador square have blasted the enforcement of strict new terrace closing times. It comes after police have been arriving at midnight to ensure the bars and restaurants have their terraces cleared. The square is home to the popular San Juan food market, full of food stalls and almost exclusively outdoor seating. CineCiutat is also found in the square – a cinema that commonly finishes the last showing at around midnight. During summer, many estab-

THE second edition of Mallorca Gin Festival takes place on July 28 at Hotel Son Caliu Spa Oasis, featuring 18 premium gins, 'food trucks' and live demonstrations.

lishments are busy after 9pm when the sun is down and the temperature drops. Business owners say the earlier closing of terraces is hurting all the late night business in s’Escorxador. CLAMPDOWN: Early bedtime for popular square

Regulations

“This year I have two fewer staff members as we now have to close two hours earlier,” said owner of Tres Bandas cafe Victor Muñoz. “We do not have a terrace, but there are many who come to the movies, and then go for

dinner or a drink outside just after,” said Miguel Rigo, representative and programmer of CineCiutat. “Now they are finding everything closed when the leave here.” The three main restaurants in the square have noticed a drop in customers, and assume they

Ginspirational! A FAMOUS old Cadiz gin favoured by royalty two centuries ago is making a comeback with a new look and taste. Spanish-British Burdon gin disappeared in the 1970s but will now be gracing shelves once more in three distinct flavours. Distilled in El Puerto de Santa Maria, the trio of ‘high quality’ tipples feature the Original Dry Gin Burdon (dry and citrus) and two newcomers - Cerezas (cherry sweet and fruity, €12.75) and Hierbabuena (a refreshing hint of mint,

€13.99). Burdon was founded in 1821 by British expat John WIlliam Burdon, who had settled in Cadiz. By 1854 it was famous around the world and King Alfonso XIII himself granted Burdon the rank of Supplier of the Royal Household. It continued to enjoy success up until the 1970s when demand trickled, but it is now back once again, almost 200 years after it was founded.

are going to similar areas that are open later such as Portopi, Fan and Passeig Maritim. “S’Escorxador is the last terrace in Palma without cars driving through – where parents can rest easy with babies in strollers or children playing,” said Muñoz. “Last year we closed at half past one, and we see it as a reasonable hour,” he continued. While Palma’s new regulations are being enforced by police here, they technically only should apply to public squares, and s’Escorxdor is managed by a private company. The businesses inside know they have the right to keep their terraces open until 1:30am, as their licenses allow, but cannot argue with the police force that come every night. They have asked for clarification and cooperation from the city to ensure a fair and legal ruling.

arketing

C O C K TAILS and street food are the order of the day at the Puerto Portals Sunset Market on July 17, with 20 different stalls and families welcome.

Reset.

Music.

Horizon.

Sunset.

ook up

VALLDEMOSSA’S restaurants, bakeries and food shops will take part in the Artdemossa Fair on July 20, with cooking displays and artisan produce for sale.

Friends.

At OD Port Portals we have our own star rating. In fact, we have all the stars of the Mallorca sky and we will enjoy them all together every summer night at OD Sky Bar, on our spacious terrace and at our restaurant On Top. A hotel full of local experiences, music, art, gastronomy, yoga, pre-parties, flea markets, brunches, concerts, Pilates, tardeo, sea, sun and all the stars. A hotel full of life.

or the gin

Memories.

July 5th - July 18th 2019

The Med Diet is great for humans but is it healthy for the planet? Claire Leibovitch chews over the challenges of eating ecologically

FOOD,DRINK

The Green Diet

N this era of climate change depression. It is also one of the and population growth, we are most environmentally-friendly diincreasingly aware of the envi- ets out there - recommended by ronmental impact of our con- the FAO (United Nations’ Food sumer choices. and Agriculture Organization) as a There are many eco-conscious role model for sustainable eating. habits we can adopt to affirm A 2018 study by Public Health our individual responsibility and Nutrition on its eco benefits reour power as citizens to push vealed impressive numbers: food for broader reforms. Being picky production requires 60% less about what we put on our plates water, 70% less land, 90% less is one. energy and generates 70% less We can make a big difference with greenhouse gasses. what we choose to This is largely beeat and yet despite cause the Med diet our best intentions, is based on plantThe getting it right can based foods such as be the road to one Mediterranean vegetables and fruit, hell of a confusing fewer animal diet is celebrated and shopping trip. products. Which ‘eco prod- principally for its The negative effects ucts’ are for real and of meat production health benefits on the environment which a sham? Can we even afford to have been well-catbuy them? There is a alogued in reports huge lack of education and a lot and documentaries such as The of misinformation. Many factors End of Meat and the controversial contribute to a product’s overall Cowspiracy. A recent Oxford Unicarbon footprint ‘score’ which can versity study claimed that meat mean a plate of lamb chops works and dairy are responsible for out healthier for the planet than more than half of all food-related a salad! greenhouse gas emissions, deThe Mediterranean diet has been spite providing only a fifth of the celebrated principally for its hu- calories we eat and drink. man health benefits, which in- Negative effects cited include clude preventing heart diseases, massive water and food consumpdiabetes and cancer, obesity and tion, water pollution, deforesta-

ECO FRIENDLY: Mediterranean diet is based on vegetables and fruit which avoids the negatives of meat production

tion and soil erosion. According to Climate Nexus, livestock consumes around a third of global grain production and almost 16% of the planet’s fresh water. Of all the products analysed in the study, lamb and beef came out as the environment’s worst enemies, followed by pork. Farmed fish, especially salmon, also ranks high on the chopping block. Farm waste, antibiotic-laced feed, chemicals and any diseases that the fish may be carrying are released into the surrounding waters where they do considerable harm to the local aquatic life. Farmers also often use wild fish to nourish livestock. But for every 10 pounds of farmed salmon, more than 15 pounds of wild forage fish is needed, which can result in a net loss of wild fish. But if you can’t hack life without jamon don’t panic. Limiting your meat consumption and choosing local, grass-fed and free-range op-

tions is already positive. You can also replace ham with chicken, a more eco-friendly meat that’s also healthier for you and your wallet. And if you are seriously in need of salmon, choose wild Alaskan or opt for other seafood such as Atlantic cod, hake, monkfish, smaller fish like sardines, or mussels. But there’s a hidden catch to all this. Eating more plant-based foods and less animal products is not always environmentally friendly, nor can it be described as a Mediterranean diet whose real meaning is often misconstrued. Eating a Greek salad in the middle of the winter in London might seem healthier than eating lamb chops from a farm a few miles down the road, but it has travelled long distances and therefore will have an equivalent, it not higher, carbon footprint. Most foods eaten as part of the Mediterranean diet are grown locally, thus reducing the environmental burden of long-distance food miles (measured from place of production to point of sale). Moreover, local foods are adapted to the climatic and geographical

conditions of their native region, reducing the need for extensive watering, fertilising and pesticide use. For example, olive trees grow best in hot sun and dry soils, conditions that prevail in many areas around the Mediterranean. There is no ‘one’ Mediterranean diet fits all it varies in every region, but also in every season. Local and seasonal products will always taste better than foods that have travelled long distances, as well as being healthier, supportive of local economies and better for the environment. Finally, most Mediterraneandiet meals are minimally processed and prepared from scratch by home cooks, cutting down on elaborate processing methods, hard-torecycle packaging and costly commercial distribution. Environmentalists have long warned against products such as palm oil, corn syrup and sugarcane that result in rapid deforestation in some of the world’s most diverse and threatened ecosystems. So Mediterranean diet, yes, but if you want to be a true eco warrior, make sure it’s local and in season when you buy it.

PYRAMID: Of foods and the impact growing them has on the environmental

& TRAVEL

July 5th - July 18th 2019

Hamming it up Jamón Ibérico is an intrinsic part of Spanish culture.. But is it good for us?

pain has been named healthiest country in the world in 2019 by the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index. A 2018 study also revealed that Spaniards are predicted to have the world's longest life expectancy by 2040, scoring an average of 85,8 years. The country's famous mediterranean diet is cited amongst other factors contributing to this outstanding performance. Mediterranean diet is based on plant-based foods, fish, olive oil and a limited amount of meat. Yet Spaniards are known to love meat, and especially pork: they gobble an average of 21 kg of pork each year. Although meat is a valuable source of nutrients such as protein and iron, research has found that an excessive consumption of red and processed meat increases the risk of getting heart disease, strokes and certain types of cancer such as bowel, stomach and colorectal cancer. Processed meat is notably unhealthy, and it is recommended to eat as little as possible or cut it out completely. ¨Jamón ibérico¨ is one of the best options out there if you are looking to reduce your processed meat intake. Not only is it tasty as hell and will satisfy your meat cravings, it is also one of the healthiest types of ham. Jamón ibérico comes from the black Iberian pig, a domestic breed present in central and southern parts of Spain and Portugal. Bigger and fatter than the white pig, it has little hair and distinctive black hoofs (which is why its highest quality products are known as ¨pata negra¨). In Spain, the Iberian pig is typically found in the regions of Salamanca, Ciudad Real, Cáce-

res, Badajoz, Huelva, Córdoba and Seville. To earn the Spanish denominación de origen, the jamón ibérico must come from a pig who is at least 50% ibérico. The cerdo ibérico can eat a lot, sometimes gaining as much as two pounds per day. Its capacity to accumulate fat produces the ham´s recognisable marbling. The ham is also cured for over 20 months, as compared to 7 to 14 months for the jamón IBERIAN: Jamon is a luxury meat central to Spain’s culture serrano. Both the marbling and ripening period contribute to the which makes for an even better taste. If taken in moderation it ham´s celebrated taste. The color-based labeling system also has numerous health benintroduced in 2014 distinguish- efits. It contains fewer calories es the swine´s diet and its per- and less sodium than other centage of Iberian ancestry. In- types of ham and processed deed, while ham from pure-bred meat (about 150 calories for 50 Iberian pig is considered better grams), and is rich in vitamin E, than ham from white pig (jamón B1, B2. It is also high in calcium, serrano) or cross-bred pig, diet iron, zinc, magnesium and espeis another primordial quality fac- cially phosphorus - 30 percent of tor. There are different types of the recommended daily intake. jamón ibérico based on the pig's Additionally, the fat of acornfed ibérico pigs diet, the best becontains over ing the jamón 55% oleic acid ibérico de BelJamon is a (an unsaturated lota. luxury: its price fat), making it The notorious the healthiest of Bellota ham is can go up to all animal fats. made of pigs Only olive oil has fattened on hundreds of more oleic acid. acorns (¨beleuros a kilo Research has lota¨ is Spanish shown that these for acorn) from fats increase the the holm oaks and cork trees of the ¨dehesa¨. amount of ¨good¨ (HDL) cholesThe ¨dehesa¨ (¨montado¨ in terol and reducing ¨bad¨ (LDL) Portugal) is a unique ecosystem cholesterol. of almost 20, 000 kilometres This jamón ibérico de Bellota is square that lies across central a luxury: its price can go up to and southern Spain and Portu- hundreds of euros a kilo. But be gal. It consists principally of dif- on the lookout for fraudulent deferent types of oak trees and is nominations, as these are prevaused mainly to raise cattle such lent in the industry. as sheep, goat… and the Iberian Cost and health are not the only reasons you should moderate pig. The Ibérico Bellota ham is typi- your consumption of this golden cally cured for about four years, ham. Environmentalists have voiced their concerns over the negative impact of pig livestock in Spain. Pigs outnumbered humans for the first time in Spain in 2018, according to figures from the Spanish environment ministry (50 million pigs for 46,5 million humans). Livestock is the fourth biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, behind transport, electricity generation and industry. The pork industry also consumes enormous amounts of water (15 litres a day per pig) and rejects nitrites into the ground with the pigs´waste. Jamón ibérico tastes heavenly, sure, and you don't have to give For bookings and more info visit www.alcantarilla.co.uk or call 654 152 122 PORKIES: Fattened up with acorns it up. But less is best.

Want an escape from the busy costas? A weekend in romantic Ronda will revive your senses. Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer

Taste the history

July 5th - July 18th 2019

COLUMNISTS

Mallorca diaries

Drifting away

’M having one of those weeks where life seems to conspire against me. The incredibly stressful ongoing saga of my Spanish driving license continues. Now Trafico say they sent it weeks ago but as I wasn’t there to collect it, it was returned. No card has been left in my mail box, no confirmation of postage or follow up to my email address, nothing. They don’t take phone calls or walk-in appointments and the provisional license I had from my gestoria is about to expire. I managed to get a new provisional one which means I can at least apply for an appointment with them and pick it up personally. One of the worst things about this is feeling you have no control or ability to get things working. The thought of going to yet another large uncaring government office doesn’t exactly fill me with glee but hopefully, once in front of a real person I’ll actually be able to get the illusive license. It makes Swansea DVLA seem positively approachable and caring doesn’t it.

By Lesley Keith

That perfect Spanish afternoon can prove more elusive than first thought, writes Lesley Keith

The second worst thing is terrace with a book, havthat everyone else that’s ing a nap with the sound doing this seems to have re- of a gentle breeze rustling ceived theirs without prob- through the trees. lem, and don’t mind point- To realise this dream of ing this out to me with that course you first need a smug bemused grin people comfortable chair that supin this situation can’t seem ports your head which my to help but use. flat most definitely does not The poor English chap at have. the gestoria who jumped in So following a recent trip to to ‘help’ and started telling a DIY warehouse that was me it was rehaving a sale I ally very easy now have that and he’d done very chair on Sitting on a it all last week my terrace. without probI tend to use a shady terrace lem really saw Kindle to read a side of me with a book, with books, it’s so that doesn’t much more the sound of a come out very practical when gentle breeze often. travelling and I did apologise you read as immediately much as I do but too late, the damage but I’ve found that outside it was done. doesn’t really work very well Sorry Sunshine, sometimes so I’ve been buying good old it’s best to keep it buttoned. paperbacks again. When I first moved here I had There’s always a great an impression in my mind of choice at the charity shops how it was going to be. and I do swaps with friends One predominant image so there’s always an ongowas me, sitting on a shady ing supply.

PERFECT: Spanish afternoons are best spent with a book in hand

The next problem was finding a quiet time to sit on it, not easy when there’s an ongoing building site opposite, lots of excitable dogs nearby, gregarious and vivacious Spanish neighbours and a partner who can’t entertain himself. He’ll sit down with a cuppa and his ipad to watch fat blokes falling over on YouTube, (other sites are available), which under normal circumstances he’ll do for hours on end, but once I get in that chair it takes about 90 seconds before he’s suggesting either going somewhere or doing something.

It’s the same when there’s something I really want to watch on TV. I always check that he’s ok with my viewing choice as he has been known to continually criticise whatever it is as he just doesn’t relate to period dramas or US cop shows, which does rather have a detrimental effect on my enjoyment. Failing that he’ll pick that time to discuss future life choices or tell me all about his day, week, life etc. As a man of few words I’m normally lucky to get half a sentence an hour out of him so I feel I must join in with

this unexpected and welcomed communication. Thank the Lord for catch up TV. Anyway, what I’m getting at here is that as of yet I have not realised my dream of the shady snooze. I thought I’d cracked it last week as it was a holiday and there was no building work plus my partner was playing golf. That was the moment one neighbour decided to trim his twenty foot high hedges and the other one mow his large lawn with a strimmer. Maybe some things just aren’t meant to be.

THE paper not to miss on Mallorca island THE Olive Press is now distributing all over the island in an incredible 500-plus locations. Found at golf courses, tourist offices, museums and petrol stations, it has become the most sought-after English newspaper in MalAlaro Alcanada Alcanada Alcudia ALGAIDA Andratx Andratx BENDINAT BENDINAT BENDINAT Binissalem Cala Estancia

lorca every fortnight. Look out for one of our many stands, as seen here at Santa Catalina market, in Palma, and in Andratx town centre. We print between 7,000 to 8,000 copies every issue and take our distribution very seriously,

Acros Bar Alcanada Golf Spar Tourist Information EROSKI Tourist Information CCA Andratx CAN NATURA Lindew Hotel Real Golf at Bendinant Eroski Aqua Restaurant

EASY TO FIND: Fara Homes in Andratx

Cala D’or Cala D’or CALVIA CALVIA Cala Llamp CAMP DE MAR CAMPOS CAN PASTILLA CAN PASTILLA CAN PASTILLA Can Picafort COSTA DE LA CALMA Costa den Blanes Costa den Blanes Deia Deía EL TORO ES CAPDELLA Esporle Festival Park Inca Inca Llucmajor MAGALLUF Maioris Manacor Manacor PAGUERA PAGUERA PALMA

and need you, the readers to keep us informed of numbers... and more importantly if each location needs more or less papers. We also want to know where you would like to see it and where you don't think we should

Yacht Club Eroski ROSITA RESTAURANT TOWN HALL Gran Folies Golf De Andratx HIPER CENTRO SPAR EROSKI AQUARIUM Ponderosa Beach Bar THE GLASGOW SUNDOWNERS MOODS Robert Graves Museum Forn Deía SPAR BAR NOU Spar Tourist Info Office Barretts Hipercentro EROSKI Golf Club Pontiene Maioris Gof Club Lidl Bar Mingos VILAMIL HOTEL TOURIST INFORMATION BOATHOUSE

bother. Here are a select group of a few dozen key drops. Please get in touch at Newsdesk@theolivepress.es to find your nearest drop or suggest another.

WELL STOCKED: Stands are always regularly stocked such as Santa Catalina market PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA NOVA PALMA NOVA PALMA NOVA PALMA NOVA PALMANOVA PALMANOVA Palmanyola Pollensa

Santa Catalina market Palma University Real Club Nautico First Mallorca Eroski Tourist Office GOLF FANTASIA EROSKI Palmanova Gardens Mari Cunningham Son Termens Golf Pollensa Golf

Pollensa PORT ADRIANO Port Alcudia Port Andratx Port Andratx Port Alcudia Port Pollensa Port Pollensa Port Soller PORTALS NOUS Portixol PUERTOPORTALS

Eroski Sansibar Lidl Cepsa Garage Tourist Office Eroski Real Club Nautico The Stay Hotel Jumeirah NICE PRICE Portixol Hotel Reeves

Advertise with The Olive Press TEL: (+34) 951 273 575 EMAIL: sales@theolivepress.es

SPORT

Stars and gripes

SPAIN and England’s Women's World Cup dreams have ended as the USA knocked them both out 2-1. Steph Houghton had the chance to equalise for the Lionesses, but her weak 84th-minute penalty was stopped by USA keeper Alyssa Naeher. Minutes later Phil Neville’s side’s hopes were fully smashed when captain Houghton’s defensive partner Millie Bright was given her marching orders after a second yellow card. A Christen Press header gave tournament favourites USA the lead inside 10 minutes, before England hit back through a reflex Ellen White strike.

Superb

But a pacey first half saw England go behind again after striker Alex Morgan’s headed effort beat reserve goalie Carly Telford before halftime. VAR played a huge part in the clash, as England midfielder Jill Scott’s superb goal was disallowed, before the technology later resulted in Bright’s dismissal for her second bookable offence. The semi final tie at Stade de Lyon, France - watched by an impressive crowd of 53,512 came after Spain were knocked out at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims. Two spot kicks in that game helped the USA set up a dream tie against hosts France in the quarterfinals, before the England match. The Americans will face either the Netherlands or Sweden in the final on Sunday July 7.

Super Chris

CHRISTIAAN Bezuidenhout has won the Andalucia Masters, as Sergio Garcia failed to bag a consecutive triple. The South African, 25, cruised to a six-shot victory in the tournament at Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande to claim the €3 million prize. He took a five-shot lead moving into the final round, before a couple of birdies saw his gap at the top extended to seven. Spaniard Jon Rahm, 24, who was Bezuidenhout’s playing partner, cut the champion’s lead to just three, after he registered four bogeys. However three birdies then put Bezuidenhout back in a strong position, and saw him over the line for his first European Tour title.

Pad diet

PADEL tennis is still increasing in popularity in Spain, it has emerged. A total of 2.5 million players take part in the sport each year, making it even more widespread than tennis in the country. This is according to a report from Padel Spain, which said that manufacturer Head saw a 9% surge in sales of its padel equipment last year. Although many consider Argentina the sport’s home, there are 11,500 courts in Spain, 3,000 more than in the south American country.

July 5th - July 18th 2019

Balearic brilliance REAL Mallorca have returned to La Liga after a six-year absence following a dramatic late comeback. A 3-2 win over Deportivo in the Segunda Division playoff final at Palma’s Iberostar Stadium secured their promotion. Ante Budimir gave the hosts hope with his weav-

ing run and smart finish from the edge of the box, before a stunning Salva Sevilla free kick drew Mallorca level after halftime. Abdon Prats’ late strike completed his side’s turnaround after they had gone 2-0 down against the Galician side in the first leg.

Book your international ticket to drive with an insurance Green Card, Linea Directa sets out how to get yourself robust vehicle cover across 48 countries.

STRIKE: Abdon Prats

Ta ra Torres

Premier League golden boy retires with match against Spanish teammates in Japanese island FORMER Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has called time on a glittering career of competitive football. The 35-year-old Premier League golden boy from Madrid said the ‘time has come’ for him to hang up his boots. Spain’s third-highest goalscorer of all time has for the last year been at Japanese J1League club Sagan Tosu. At a press conference in Tokyo,

he said: “I have something very important to announce. “After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career.” He will now see out his career in a Sagan Tosu home fixture against the team of his countrymen David Villa and Andres Iniesta. Torres’ fellow world cup-winners both play for Vissel Kobe, and will travel to the island of Kyushu for the match on August 23. The forward has not revealed what is next for RAFAEL Benitez has left his role as Newcastle him, but appeared United manager after his contract expired, but to suggest to Daily will now be paid €13.4 million a year. AS, that a ‘return’ The Spaniard, 59, secured Premier League to Atletico Madrid safety for the Magpies last season after they in a coaching role finished 13th and will now manage Chinese may be on the Super League club Dalian Yifang. cards. The striker The former Liverpool boss, who arrived at St scored 82 goals James’ Park in 2016, leaves after no improve- for the club in 214, ment was made to his €6.7 million-a- before breaking year salary. Originally from Madrid, Liverpool’s transBenitez was the last manager to fer record at the win the Champions League for time, with a €22.6 Liverpool, before Jurgen Klopp this million move to season.Weeks after his 2007 Merseyside in victory, he endeared him- 2007. He went self further to Reds fans on to be the fastby securing his compa- est player in the triot, a young Fernando club’s history to Torres in a pre-season score 50 goals, betransfer.

One for sorrow

RAFAEL Nadal has complained about being seeded below rival Roger Federer at this year’s Wimbledon. The Spaniard argued that the seeding system based on official world rankings meant ‘more complicated draws’ for players than they deserve. Being seeded third rather than second means he could now face Wimbledon defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi finals. Wimbledon 2019 kicks off on July 1, with Nadal seeded third, Federer second

Raf justice

and Novak Djokovic first, the players holding 18, 20 and 15 Grand Slam titles respectively.

Green for go

What is the car insurance Green Card? The Green Card or International Insurance Card is an international certificate of insurance accepted by the authorities of all 48 countries for which the Green Card is valid. It certifies that visiting motorists have the minimum compulsory third party liability insurance cover required by law. The Green Card System Each year over 400,000 road traffic accidents occur in member countries of the Green Card system. The system was founded in 1949 to provide a series of guarantees compensation for victims of cross-border road traffic accidents and its handling bureau ensure legitimate claims can be settled in accordance with national legal provisions. It also facilitates the flow of cross-border traffic by avoiding the need to obtain insurance cover at each of the 48 member countries. Member countries Austria, Albania, Andorra,

fore his €55.9 million switch to Chelsea in 2011, which broke the Premier League transfer record.

Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belarus, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, France, Finland, Liechtenstein, UK, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Israel, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. (Source: The Council of Bureaux). The following countries are eligible for future membership: Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya and Syria. How do I get it? Motorists can obtain a Green Card from the provider of their motor insurance policy. Currently the UK and Spain belong to the European Economic Area, which means that the cost for the Green Card is included in the price of the insurance policy.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 952 14 78 34. More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

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RIGHT-WING party Vox in Calvia has complained tha a zebra crossing painted with the gay pride flag colours for pride week, is confusing and dangerous.

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Vol. 3 Issue 58 www.theolivepress.es July 5th - July 18th 2019

Russia with love

Hot birds SWIFTS are being cared for by the hundreds at the wildlife recovery centre in Mallorca as the heat rises and the birds become ill.

A BRITISH schoolgirl’s message in a bottle has travelled more than 2,000 miles from the coast of Spain to a river in Russia. Four-year-old Taylor Powell had thrown the bottle into the sea off Barcelona while on a family holiday. The note, which contained a picture of her, ,invited whoever

Sunny shot A WOMAN has been shot in the arm by a shotgun while sunbathing in Montuiri – she claims it was an accident but police are being diligent and questioning her ex to confirm it was not domestic abuse.

A British schoolgirl’s handwritten greeting has made it all the way from the coast of Spain to Moscow found the bottle to respond with the name of their country and a picture. Incredibly, a Moscovite couple, named Sasha and Alex, found the message and replied to Tay-

Double trouble

TWO babies have been born this week in Mallorca, with no time for hospitals, so police have had to deliver them. A baby has been born on the streets of Palma with the help of local police as a woman suddenly went into labour with no time to get to a hospital. ‘The delivery was very

fast,’ said officers. Days later another woman found she had no time for hospitals once labour started in her home in Cala D’or. A doctor, nurse and police officers quickly arrived to help the woman safely deliver her baby.“Everything has been very fast, and both the baby and the mother are well and

lor’s father Richie, 31. Powell, from Somerset, told SWNS news agency: “When I told Taylor someone had replied to the message, her face lit up. She was so happy. “I asked them to send proof and received a pin of their location to my phone. We were absolutely ecstatic. “We told Taylor her the bottle will pass by mermaids and sharks - for it to turn up in Moscow is magical for her. She’s so excited.” The bottle may have travelled have been transferred around the Bay of to the hospital,” said Biscay and west the Santanyi Town of Ireland, before Hall. going across the

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A GROUP of elderly Spanish women have smashed gender roles by recreating historical images featuring men. Ana Amado’s playful exhibition sees the ladies of Lideresas of Villaverde, who are all over 65, pose in several shots. Images included are Hugh Hefner posing with his Playboy playmates, Steve Jobs unveiling the first Iphone, and the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover.

Sexier than you JOY: Taylor got a reply North Sea, according to an expert at the National Oceanography Centre. “From Spain there is a generally northwards current which could take the bottle northwards along Portugal, around the shelf break in the Bay of Biscay, then up through the Rockall Trough west of Ireland, then up to the north of Scotland and Shetland,” said Dr Adrian New.

BRITS are better looking than the Spanish, according to a new poll. The survey of the top 50 bestlooking nationalities ruled that Ukranians are the world’s most beautiful people. Brazilians, Australians and the English all made it into the top 10. The Spanish came in 16th. At the other end of the table came the Irish, who came in last place, while Americans ranked at a paltry 45th.

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