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COSTA BLANCA NORTE / VALENCIA FREE Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.theolivepress.es
Fast lane HUNDREDS of readers have been joined by expat councillors to support the Olive Press U-turn campaign helping British residents swap their licences for Spanish ones. Meanwhile various Facebook groups and even a leading fintech guru have backed our campaign, which is gathering speed. It comes tragically however, after one female expat allegedly committed suicide when she found herself isolated in a rural part of Andalucia. The woman, who had recently lost her husband, told friends her life was no longer worth living. Among suggestions to put pressure on both the Spanish and British governments, one reader, Andrew Clark suggested a road protest. “Why don't we all protest by driving slowly around Malaga and other Spanish towns? It seemed to work well for the lorry drivers!” The UK ambassador meanwhile continued to insist ‘an agreement is close’.
U -T
expat
voice in Spain June 16th - June 29th 2022
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STOP THIS NOW! PICTURE SHOCKER: ‘Hero’ grandfather kidnapped by family after nine weeks of ‘captivity, neglect and starvation’ at hospital
U RN
N O W!
Making in-roads, page 6/7
Your
EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
A BELEAGUERED hospital has come under the spotlight yet again after a family had to ‘literally kidnap’ their own relative when he received ‘appalling treatment’ for nine weeks. Staff at Torrevieja hospital have been slammed after they allowed Swedish expat Bo-Eskil Svensson to suffer horrific pain ‘from neglect’. The 80-year-old, who has since died, suffered appalling bed sores from infections, due to a lack of care, claim his family. “This hospital killed my dad”, Mia Mooseberg told the Olive Press this week. “They starved him in a Covid ward, confined him to bed and held him
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captive for nine weeks,” she added. S h e claimed the form e r fireman had developed horrific bedsores because he hadn’t b e e n turned over. They had grown so deep they became infected.
HORRIFIC: Bo was left frail, emaciated and suffering from infected bedsores Despite ordering a private ambulance treatment wasn’t covered by his insur- they were so alarmed they took a series of horrific pictures, showing the shockto transport him home to his native ance. Sweden, they were unable to get him When he was transferred to the nearby ing level of malnutrition and neglect. University Hospital on December 21, After his wife, 79, sat with him for four discharged. “So we decided to kidnap him and his nightmare began, insisted his lov- further days without a bed for herself, daughter Mia insisted they ‘decided to drive him 3,000kms back to a hospital ing wife Barbro. Seeing that her husband of 60 years kidnap him’. that would care for him properly.” She continued: “Doctors back home was receiving such poor care, she paid They hatched a plan for two other were completely speechless about how for a private ambulance to take him grandchildren to fly to Spain and met up with Barbro’s friend to rescue him. an EU hospital neglected a person in back to Sweden. However, when collection was ar- In a slick operation, the group ‘borthis way. ranged, staff prevented the move, rowed’ a hospital wheelchair and careclaiming he had Covid-19. fully got him out of bed, out of the ward Neglect It led to the grandfather, who had and into the family’s campervan. “Days later at home, he died because of served as a UN peacekeeper in Leba- They then drove the 3,000 km journey non, being left in complete isolation that neglect.” Continues on Page 5 Bo had been admitted to a private hos- for EIGHT days without food or fluids, pital with a urinary tract infection on insisted his family. December 6, last year, but subsequent When they came to see him in January Opinion Page 6
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Wrong call A MAN in his 50s suffered head injuries after diving into a rocky section of Javea’s Cala Blanca. The diver was taken to hospital after on-site treatment from paramedics.
Shark alert SWIMMERS were cleared out of the sea at Valencia’s Perollonet beach after a blue shark sighting. The species make regular summer appearances in local waters.
Child shock A YOUNG child fell through a window at an Ontinyent flat on Monday and suffered multiple injuries. The 22-month-old toddler was taken to Xativa’s Luis Alcanyis Hospital.
River body FIREFIGHTERS recovered a man’s body floating in the Jucar river at Cullera on Sunday. The Guardia Civil are investigating the circumstances behind the death.
POLICE have arrested 14 people for posing as Ukrainians using fake documents in order to stay in Spain illegally. Officers said the detained people are aged between 18 and 34 and are from from Morocco, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. They used the documents to
Ukraine scam
apply for temporary protection in Spain as refugees at a special office set up in Alicante in response to the war in Ukraine. EU rules state that third country nationals who can prove
June 16th - June 29th 2022 they lived in Ukraine before the Russian invasion on February 24, will be offered the same refugee status and help offered to Ukrainian nationals fleeing the country. Suspicions were raised when it became clear that the 14 applicants couldn’t speak a word of Ukrainian.
U-TURN ROGUE
Brit arrested after ‘hundreds’ of expats handed over cash for bogus driving licence swaps and residency applications A BRITISH expat has been arrested for defrauding dozens of fellow nationals over driving licence exchanges and TIE residence applications. So far police have confirmed 25 victims and are probing a further 493 cases. Many of the victims are believed to now be unable to drive legally in the country, after rule changes on swap-
By Alex Trelinski
ping licences. The ‘consultant’, who lives in Fortuna, arranged residency cards and other services, including private medical insurance applications. The unnamed Brit was detained in Molina de Segura after pocketing at least
EIGHT police patrols rushed to a Gandia restaurant after a mass fight broke out over the music being too loud at a Holy Communion. A child was left with a bloody nose, a pregnant woman was pushed to the ground and a man needed stitches after being glassed after the fracas at the San Marcos banqueting hall. Fuelled by alcohol, an argument over
€7,859 for work he didn’t do. He also faces charges for falsifying documents for clients he mostly reeled in around Alicante and Murcia. Most clients paid money for items they never received. He advertised his services via a consultancy in Pinoso and had his own office in Molina. In most cases, he was aided by a fellow Brit who had lived
Unholy row
music volume levels escalated into allout violence. Other attendees watched in shock as the traditional banquet celebration turned into a brawl between the two families. Six people were injured in the fracas with one man being arrested.
in the area ‘for many years’ and helped the man gain the trust of potential victims. The Policia Nacional became aware of a widespread fraud after a British couple went to the Foreigners Office in Murcia to pick up their TIE cards. The Brits said they paid him to organise the cards and were told to go to Murcia to collect them. The office confirmed no application had been sent in despite the couple’s insistence.
Sex pests TWO men have been arrested for sexually assaulting eight women and girls during Elda’s Moors and Christian festival celebrations. The spree of abuse started on June 5 after a woman reported that she had been inappropriately touched by the men, aged 21 and 31. As police tried to find out more, several patrols were called the following morning after being told about illegal behaviour involving the men. Several women told officers that they were approached around 3.30am when they were out partying. The men hugged them without their consent before trying to kiss them and touch parts of their body. The men are Moroccan nationals living illegally in Spain and an Elda judge ordered them to be detained at the Valencia Foreigners Internment Centre.
Fugitive found A 25-year-old British man on the run since 2020 has been arrested in Murcia where he awaits extradition. The unnamed fugitive is accused of fraud and of laundering £30 million for gangs in the UK. His parents were arrested two years ago on similar charges but their son disappeared, becoming one of Britain’s most wanted criminals.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es CRICKET has been added to the sporting itinerary of Madrid in celebration of it being named as the World Capital of Sport. The Madrid Cricket League will be played in T20 format at La
Father of slain hero who fought London Bridge terrorists with a skateboard opens his heart to the Olive Press
On the ball
Elipa in October to raise money for Ukrainian children in addition to a 40th anniversary match planned against Barcelona in September. Cricket in Spain has been growing in the last decade with at
June 16th - June 29th 2022
3
least 100 teams now playing. Earlier this year, Malaga hosted the European Cricket League, dubbed the champions league of cricket. The La Elipa ground, formerly a baseball-only facility, has undergone a €3 million renovation, making it the new home of Madrid Cricket Club.
COLOSSAL SAINT
THE proud father of a Spanish terrorist victim in London has told how the bravery of his son deserves sainthood. INTERVIEW Describing him as ‘a Colossus, By Jorge Hinojosa a really strong man’, he said his son Ignacio had grown up as a thoughtful and caring man with person, so I think if he gets cana ‘heart of gold’. onised it will be really amazing In a moving interview from his for us and he will become a rehome in Madrid, former engi- ally good natural role model for neer Joaquin Echevarria Alon- society. so, 73, confirmed how the fam- “He will make the perfect saint ily have officially because he died presented an saving the lives application for Despite a number of others and his sainthood to put his life in of the police the Archbishop danger to help of Madrid. a policeman to running away “We are just fight against a starting the pro- from the fight, he few terrorists cess now, but we with explosives. decided to act are really hope“Despite seeing ful as to become a number of the a saint you need police actually to be well known and Ignacio is run away from the fight, he decertainly that, which is a good cided to take part in it and put head start.” his life at risk.” “It can also happen that the The 39-year-old banker was devil’s lawyer decides not to one of eight people killed in the grant the canonisation to him, attack that took place on Lonbut we really hope not,” said don Bridge on June 3, 2017. He Echevarria. was stabbed in the back when “He was a really down-to-earth he swung his skateboard at the terrorists and was pronounced dead at the scene. “Ignacio would never have imagined he’d be canonised… and I’m sure he would be far happier alive.” He continued: “I am pursuing his canonisation because I want real role models for society not just sports people. “We cannot resurrect him so we want to at least make his death useful. “Ignacio was a person who always took care FAMILY: Ignacio in red shirt with his mum, dad and siblings of people and when he
Broken couple
SKATEBOARD HERO: Ignacio fought terrorists saw someone abusing someone else, he would always defend the victim, said Echevarria. “In fact he told us just a few days before his death that had he been skateboarding on the day a policeman died near Westminster a few weeks before, he would have stepped in and saved him. “He said that he often skateboarded near there and that policeman would have been alive.” Much of his humility came from his upbringing going to local comprehensive schools around Galicia. He had gone to live in London to work at HSBC bank having lost a banking job in Madrid. It was a good job looking into money laundering and he loved his life in the city. “He was having the best year of his life. He loved it,” said his father. “He moved there in part for the language and also because his sister, Isabel, lived there for many years and had children
there.” He continued: “In fact we were due for a big family reunion with him and his sister and my nephews and nieces four days after his death.” On the shock of his death, he said it had been an agonising wait. “When Ignacio died, it took the British police more than three days to find out who he was. “The Spanish ambassador in London initially told me my son was killed by the police, but I told him I was convinced that they did not kill him.”
Support
“If my son was killed by the police I would have supported the police as we need to support the west against terrorism. “If anyone is to blame it is the terrorists, not the British people or the police.” He added: “I didn’t want to attend the court cases as I have faith in the British system and British justice.”
ONE of Spain’s most glamorous celebrity couples has announced they are breaking up. Colombian singer Shakira and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique confirmed their split in a public statement. “We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the wellbeing of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy,” they asked. Shakira, 45, and Pique, 35, have been together since 2011 and have two sons, Milan and Sasha aged 9 and 7 and made their home in Barcelona. News of the split came just days after Shakira lost an appeal to dismiss charges over alleged tax fraud. Prosecutors claim she failed to pay up to €14.5 million in tax on income earned between 2012 and 2014 when she was already living in Spain but filed her taxes elsewhere.
On his way
GARETH Bale’s nine year stint in Spain has come to an end. The Welshman bid farewell to Real Madrid after notching up 258 appearances in almost a decade, saying: “To be a part of this club’s history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Madrid player has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget.” Bale became the first player in British history to win five Champions League titles when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final at the Stade de France.
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4 www.theolivepress.es Franco outrage AN army captain has been suspended after he ordered his soldiers to kneel at the former burial site of dictator General Francisco Franco. Around 30 troops from the 31st Asturias Infantry were seen in a video being blessed by a priest as they paid homage at the Valley of the Fallen, near Madrid. The mausoleum is a ‘de facto’ pilgrimage for Franco admirers with the structure built after the Spanish Civil War by thousands of political prisoners. The dictator’s remains were exhumed from the controversial site in 2019 and reburied. A law passed 15 years ago prohibits gatherings outside the mausoleum.
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More medics DOCTORS from Alicante Province hospitals will be drafted in to boost staffing at Torrevieja Hospital during the summer season. Valencia’s new Health Minister, Miguel Minquez, made the promise at a meeting with Torrevieja mayor, Eduardo Dolon. The Torrevieja area normally sees a threefold rise in the population over the summer
June 16th - June 29th 2022 with a big influx of tourists. Dolon said: “We are not at all clear how they are going to do this and what incentive there will be for doctors to travel to Torrevieja.” Complaints over Torrevieja Hospital have flooded in since it and its associated health department were taken into public management last October. It has among the worst ratings in Spain and the Olive Press has coninually reported on its expat victims.
DIRTY COPS!
AN alarming seven law enforcement officers have been snared in a long investigation into drug trafficking. They were among 60 arrests in what has been described as one of the biggest clampdowns on smuggling in Spanish history. Some five officers from the Guardia Civil, one Policia Na-
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Seven corrupt police among 60 arrested in operation to dismantle logistics smuggling gang cional and a customs officer were among those arrested in a bust that has so far seen the seizure of €500 million of drugs. The arrests came following an 18-month probe into two criminal gangs dubbed the Clan de Tánger and Clan del Sur.
The two groups are thought to be responsible for bringing in vast quantities of cocaine and hashish from Morocco into Algeciras. A National Police source told the Olive Press that each of the bent cops would have made between €30,000 to €50,000 per
Unchristian robbers
A GANG of young thieves plundered churches across Murcia and Alicante provinces in a massive robbery wave. Now nine people have been arrested and charged with over 20 burglaries. The gang may be responsible for as many as 70 crimes across Spain. One of the criminals used the proceeds to treat his girlfriend to a €10,000 week-long stay in a five-star Murcia City hotel.
consignment delivered. “Just to turn a blind eye for half an hour on a watch could be double their year’s salary,” revealed the undercover UDYCO source. The corrupt officers were a key part of the operation, which relied on impeccable logistics and the bribing of many other officials. The Corsini-Imperium probe saw more than 30 properties raided in Malaga, Granada, Mallorca, Barcelona and Ceuta. The raids netted some 80,000 kilos of hash and 10 tonnes of cocaine with a combined street value estimated at over half a billion euros. As well as drugs, police found thousands of pounds worth of jewelry and weapons including a diamond encrusted AK47 made of gold.
Live long and prosper THE number of people aged 100 years and over has tripled in two decades in Alicante Province. And figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show there are three times as many women compared to men who have reached the century mark. As of July 2021, out of a population of nearly 1.9 million people, there were 286 female centenarians and 95 males. In 2001, there were just 141 centenarians with that number rising to 275 10 years later. The INE report says that 20% of the Alicante Province population is aged 65.
Criminal numbers ONLINE scams, thefts, and violent assaults have risen sharply in the first three months of the year. Interior Ministry figures say crime was up by nearly 28% compared to the same period last year. Crime levels fell during the Covid-19 pandemic with restrictions and curfews keeping criminals indoors as police patrols were ramped up to make sure rules were followed.
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Skull riddle PART of a human skull was discovered by workers cleaning the banks of an irrigation ditch in Valencia City. The skull, minus its jaw, was spotted in the La Torre district, close to La Fe Hospital. Forensic experts will try to obtain a genetic profile to see if there is a DNA match in the missing persons database. Canal locks were closed to stop more water from entering the area ahead of a Guardia search to see if other parts of the body can be found.
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UST half an hour from up Benidorm, builtof the most you’ll find one relaxed seaside By Kimberley towns Mannion Oozing within Spain. of the Costacharm, Moraira fishing villages, is one Blanca’s and it remains classic old of history and tradition, full unspoiled and largely today.
the Spanish
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You won’t breakfasts find signs for English pint here, or lager at one euro This is a vered not to say Moraira as popularthis is an upmarket resort The by holidaymakers is undiscoas it is with with refined Spaniards – far from demographics upmarket it. rists-in-the-know. foreign tou- a popular tourist confirm its status as destination. Continues
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voice in Spain
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Expats’ €14,000 medical bill because insurance company phone’ after accident‘wouldn’t answer
June 16th - June 29th 2022
J
y
o
rk
Sickening
A BRITISH couple have a huge medical bill for been handed hospital care, By Simon Wade despite being fully covered by their private health insurance the bill which The expats have been company. slapped with a pany REFUSEDtheir insurance comdebt of €14,000 because to pay. This despite pany’s negligence - they of the com- them paying €1,300 a year. claim. The main reason given; Dawn Bridge, a 50-year-old because er, originally from Cheshire, writ- Dawn was treated in ‘the wrong hossuf- pital’. fered a bad fall in her hometown “Yet during that week, of Mazarron, Murcia, I received no in December advice on transferring 2021. her to a hospital recognised by our insurance Husband Adrian, an comacademic, pany,” imslammed mediately went to call Adrian, a former his nsurance medical the number on history lecturer at York University. emergency staff wouldcard, believing “We had no help in providing addibe on call to tional care, no communication deal with it. and no explanation why our However, after a whole emergency UTES of waiting - NINE MIN- call wasn’t answered.” screamed in agony - thewhile Dawn And over the last half year, he claims 59-year-old they have received still had no answer. ‘not an ounce’ of concern or compassion Eventually he was persuaded regarding an ambulance by a concerned to call their plight. bour and a local emergency neigh- This despite Dawn still being heavily dependent service on a wheelchair turned up ‘within minutes’. bility and having to endure for mo- BETTER DAYS: The Bridges She was soon receiving intensive and (right) on Dawn after accidentholiday treatment for two bad emergency physiotherapy sessions. fractures at A remarkable email Cartagena’s public hospital stream, would have been treated the OlDawn to ive Press has seen, demanded in St Lucia. if the manner AND without costs.”a timely s e r v i c e s couple could ‘prove the She also had to have a provided [emergency] Thankfully, the Cartagena Hospital or the pakle put back into place.dislocated an- call’, and also questioned if they had has been gracious even rung the right number. enough to offer the tient But, in reality, her problems Bridges a staged payment is not had only “We both feel totally abandoned, scheme registered just begun, as despite and which eases the financial burden. premiums for a policy paying two lost within a spiral of confusion, bu- In the meantime, with Seguridad Social, that promised reaucracy and data ‘immediate access to care’ protection,” con- perience might they hope their ex- quire them to pay the we resave others bill.” payments’ the opposite and ‘no co- tinued Adrian. same pain, cost and anxiety.from the The couple paid €1,300-€1,400 occurred. “If only they’d answered a Indeed, on leaving St Lucia year for their their own “It’s the principle,” insisted Hospital, emergency number Adrian, On deadline insurance health bill. some days later, they the Olive Press received were handed to an appropriate (and we’d gone “they’ve just washed their hands of a letter from the hospital), my wife us, all down to insurance compatheir own terrible serny's lawyer saying that vice when we needed them the company most.” A spokesperson from St had acted ‘in strict and rigorous comLucia de Cartagena told pliance with the terms of the policy’. the Olive Press “When PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING the insurance compaSPECIALISTS ny does not cover the Opinion Page 6 Giastu Aroma 2 2,5 kw R32 gas refrigerate A+++20db 3 years warranty SPECIAL
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FLASHBACK: Our May 19 issue
Insurance company refused to pay expats’ massive health bill because they did not speak Spanish A BRITISH couple slapped with a €14,000 bill for healthcare were not taken to the right hospital because their private insurance hotline staff didn’t speak English. As the Olive Press reported last month, Dawn Bridge, 50, was hit with the huge demand after undertaking a serious operation on her leg which was broken and dislocated in a horror accident. Yet when her husband Adri-
By Jorge Hinojosa
an, 59, an academic, phoned a dedicated insurance emergency number, the switchboard didn’t understand his Spanish and couldn’t speak English. After nine minutes of trying to get a private ambulance, the university professor was forced to dial 112 in desperation and they were taken by a normal one to Cartagena
Extra border guards but chaos still expected SPAIN is hiring an extra 500 border officers to control its busiest airports ahead of the summer season. It comes as the country expects huge numbers of British holidaymakers this summer, none of whom can currently use the fast-track EU passport channel. They are currently being treated as third-party nationals with the need to have their passports stamped with entry and exit dates.
While the government announced they will be able to use the faster eGates travellers will still need their passports stamped in person. Spain’s flagship airline Iberia complained that dozens of flights had to be cancelled at Easter because of delays through passport control. It highlighted continual chaos at Madrid airport since then and said around 15,000 passengers had missed their flight since March 1.
hospital. Now the company has admitted its failings and offered Dawn, a writer, from Cheshire, a basic settlement, which they say is ‘derisory’. It comes after lawyers for the company had, at first, demanded the expat couple, based in Mazarron, prove they had actually tried to call the hotline. After they were able to provide proof, the company, we are not naming for legal reasons, then bought for time, continually ignoring their requests for answers. The English agent who had sold them the €1,300-a-year policy two years earlier vanished on long term sick leave. The couple told the Olive Press she was ‘fully aware’ that they did not speak good Spanish, nor did most of the other British clients she sold the policy to.
5
C e o t m in e s a p n ir á e v s e h ir a e li n · e n A c o s lt ta
g
Your
FREE
DISGRACE: Dawn was left with a huge bill However, while the company this week finally made an offer of €4,452.96, it refused a full refund, insisting the policy did not ‘specify that attention could be provided in different languages’.
Threatened
It added there was a second private ambulance service in Murcia they could have used. The insurance company has so far failed to comment on the case, merely threatening the Olive Press with legal action if we published the story. The couple have now contracted a lawyer to pursue the case further.
home and into the care of the emergency room at Karlskrona hospital, near the family home in Karlshamn. But sadly, her dad did not survive and died on April 17 of the infections. After multiple attempts at trying to get her complaints heard at Torrevieja Hospital, Mia has now shared her experience on social media. “It is appalling what they did to this lovely man, who was a hero - a fireman who saved many people,” Mia explained this week. “I hope our tragic story can save someone else.” One of the Facebook sites she turned to was set up by British expat George Marshall, whose mum had also been ‘handcuffed and abused’ in the same hospital in her final days, as reported in the Olive Press. “This is exactly why I created this group,” Marshall told the Olive Press this week. “I thought what they did to my mother last year was a one-off, but no. “It’s so difficult to raise issues as the doctors fail to mention bedsores or the resulting septicaemia on the death certificates.” He added: “It’s one cover up after another, innocent people being subjected to gross malpractice. ” So far, the hospital has refused to comment. Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you have suffered similar problems
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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION A dereliction of duty TOO many horror stories, too much anguish, too many tears… It's time to demand action over Torrevieja hospital. As the Olive Press reveals today an octogenarian hero, Bo Svensson, was treated worse than a rabid dog, when he came in for a routine operation for a urinary tract infection. So appalling was his treatment, his Swedish family were forced to kidnap him from his hospital bed to take him somewhere worthy to see out his dying days. In the words of his daughter, a doctor who saw his bed sores back home was rendered completely speechless. They were adamant he died ‘of neglect’. And this is anything but the first time we have had to identify the failings in the basic standards of care at this shameless hospital. In September last year, we revealed how a British pensioner was literally handcuffed to her bed in her final woeful days. The woman’s son George was so distraught at her care and the way the pen pushers passed the buck he set up a Facebook group to warn people about it. He is entirely convinced it was malpractice and hundreds more are in agreement. The name of the group alone sums it up succinctly: ‘Untold stories & bad experiences of Torrevieja Hospital’. There are hundreds of posts. The Valencian government has hard questions to answer. Ducking our questions, insisting its press officer is away on ‘long term leave’ and the director is not available, is only delaying the inevitable. We vow to continue searching for answers over the hospital which has become a political hot potato over recent years as it flip-flopped from private to public management. Spain still has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but the harrowing pictures of Mr Svensson this week must lead to an inquest on how Torreviaja’s duty of care has become so horrifically out of step with the rest of the country.
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Making inroads
A
N Olive Press campaign to allow Brits without a Spanish licence back on the road is gathering speed. A pair of expat councillors have joined hundreds of supporters of our U-Turn campaign, we launched last issue. We have been overwhelmed by the support for our campaign from all walks of life, no pun intended. And despite the British Embassy insisting that an agreement is inching closer, we are not taking our feet off the pedal. Indeed, we intend to keep flooring it until a deal has been signed between the UK and Spanish government. Big wig backing
A PAIR of popular expat councillors on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca
OLIVE PRESS U-TURN CAMPAIGN: Not taking the foot of the pedal, despite claims from embassy that a deal is approaching, writes George Mathias have jumped to support our campaign. Darren Parmenter, the councillor for Tourism and International Relations in San Fulgencio, in Alicante, praised us for our stance and insisted we needed to keep the pressure on. Parmenter, 61, from London, (left) said: “It’s great that someone is sticking up for Brits. And he added: “I am hopeful there will be an agreement soon, there has to be otherwise Spain will be left out in the cold on its own.” He even insisted on bringing up the matter with the ambassador Hugh Elliot as part of the recent Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. Meanwhile the Councillor of Tourism, in Benahavis, Scott Marshall got behind the cause. “I am amazed there are agreements with almost all other EU countries but not
Spain. “How can the Spanish government make driving in Spain easier if you are a British tourist than a resident?” added the British politician, who has worked at the town hall for three years. “The rules have not been clear from the start and there has not been enough information provided to people. Well done for helping them out.” The 47-year-old, who was born in Spain to British parents, added: “This needs to be sorted out now, Brits are being punished for no reason whatsoever. I am fully backing the Olive Press on this.” Official line While nothing has yet been signed, British ambassador Hugh Elliott insisted negotiations ‘continue to prog-
ress well’ on an agreement. He added he was ‘confident we are nearly there’, but was once again scant on details. While on June 2 he announced Brits would be given a six-month leeway period to swap their licence once a deal had been struck, he couldn’t say when this would be. Critics also insisted six months would not be long enough. “It should be more than a six month time period,” councillor Parmenter insisted. “At the very least, it should be six months to allow Brits to declare their interest alone, given how
Following the old drovers way Ancient shepherd trails in Spain: ideal for walking, cycling ...and sheep
MEET Valentin, his dog Hooky, and his friend, Alberto. We occasionally see each other on my walks near Requena, a rural area in Valencia province. There is a language barrier but we do ‘communicate’ on some level, and here is what I’ve gleaned: Valentine is 83 years old, and claims to be the oldest pastor (shepherd) in the area. He has been herding sheep and goats for two decades since retiring from a factory. He loves his work because he can be with his beloved dog and smoke Cuban cigars all day long. Alberto lost his job as a heavy equipment operator 10 years ago during la crisis, and is thankful for his work with sheep because it makes him feel connected to nature. He grazes his flock of 500 along the trails between Requena and Utiel. Valentine and Alberto claim to be among los ultimos pastores (the last shepherds). Their personal stories, albeit humble, are part of an important tradition. The trails that Valentin and Alberto follow belong to a network
of livestock routes called cañadas. There are over 130,000 kilometres of cañadas criss-crossing the Iberian Peninsula – more, in total, than the combined length of Spanish railway OLD PALS: lines! The trails facilitate Valentine, a process called transhuHooky and mance, or seasonal drovAlberto ing, in which livestock is moved from lower winter pastures to higher summer pastures. Transhumance has been practised in Spain for centuries. Shepherds still have right of way on the cañadas, a privilege they have held for 500 years. The system has many environmental positives. Farmers can move their flocks and herds to wherever there is the best grazing, which is more efficient and sustainable than bringing the food to the animals. Rather than being confined, animals are fitter and healthier. They don’t overgraze one spot but range across vast areas, helping keep grasslands under control and reducing the risk of wildfires. Take the Cañada Real Cuenca, which stretches 532 km from Teruel in Aragon, through Castilla-La Mancha, to Jaen in Andalucia: It encompasses a variety of landscapes, ecosystems and rich biodiversity, allowing drovers to move up and down its length seeking out the best pastures and sources of water for each season. The cultural aspect is also important. In 2016, transhumance was declared an ‘honored example of immaterial culture’ by
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June 16th - June 29th 2022
7
N NOW
OOPS, WE DID IT AGAIN!
!
G many examples there are of people getting stuck in bureaucracy.” A wheel for a wheel? British fintech entrepreneur Paul Roberts told the Olive Press it is time to play hardball in negotiations. “It is time for tough measures. All Spaniards driving in the UK should have their licence suspended until we have a resolution to this disgraceful situation,” the 54-year-old insisted. The tech maestro, who runs a startup from his home on the Costa del Sol, had been
considering moving his entire team over from Wales to Malaga city, which is styling itself as Spain’s answer to Silicon Valley. “I have now beached these plans. Not only is it extremely inconvenient for us Brits, it also makes us all feel extremely unwelcome,” he said. “They all need their heads banging together and take more decisive action if the Spanish carry on their intransigence.” He said the UK government should give’ a week’s deadline’ to agree the deal and then stop all Spanish driv-
ers in the UK. He is furious as despite trying on many occasions to swap his licence, calls to Spain driving body, the DGT, were left unanswered. The father-of-three now has to rely on taxis to get his kids to school. He also took aim at the UK ambassador. “The British government and Hugh Elliott have been far too lax on this. The time has come to take a firm line or this is going to go on forever. An eye for an eye… a car for a car. “Well done to the team at the Olive Press for putting the pressure on!” continued the Welshman.
In a truly shocking state of affairs, she revealed that one of her members - an elderly woman who lived in a rural area with no public transport - recently committed suicide following her husband’s death. After the woman - who she didn’t want to name - became stranded at home because of the licence debacle, she felt life was no longer worth living. “Thank you for sticking up for us, we are fully behind the Olive Press”, Vickers said. Unhappy camper
Girl Power pressure
the Spanish government. Streets are frequently closed in pueblos as sheep and goats pass through, and many communities up and down the country throw special annual events to celebrate the pastoral tradition. The Transhumance Festival, which takes place every October in Madrid, is the most famous. More than 2,000 sheep and goats are herded along to Plaza Cibeles where they assemble in front of the City Hall.
Modernisation
There, watched by thousands of onlookers, they are ceremoniously greeted by the mayor. The shepherds then make a symbolic payment of 50 coins per thousand animals for the right to cross the city. It is a ceremony and payment which June 16th - June 29th 2022s back to 1418. Shepherding may be a profession that’s in decline in this day of modernisation, but it is not a forgotten one. I’ll remind Valentine and Alberto of this fact the next time we meet – in my best Spanish of course!
Social media group, Ladies Driving in Spain, has also joined the campaign. The advice page has provided a litany of testimonies from its 700-strong membership. They revealed they had heard ‘countless horror stories’ in particular lawyers telling members they couldn’t exchange their licences until they received their residencias. “All of them applied before the deadline but by the time they received recidencía it was too late to register intent,” said founder Trinny Vickers. The mother-of-two, 34, was told by the DGT not to worry, as she is Irish but holds a UK licence. However, she has since discovered the law applies to all UK licence holders, irrespective of their nationality. Consequently she is now stuck in Albox, Almeria in a deeply rural area with no public transport. “Thousands have done the medicals which should have allowed them to exchange before the deadline but this is apparently not registering intent, which many people thought it was.”
Another victim, Deb Lee, 63, told the Olive Press: “Thank you so much for taking up this fight.” Lee has had a nightmare since she retired to Spain in September 2020 and immediately tried to get her residency and licence sorted via a local British expat, who styled herself as an ‘independent advisor’. However she turned out to be ‘a charlatan’ and had no idea of the rules in place. Astonishingly, Deb was told that the deadline had passed, when in fact the DGT allowed Brits to register their intention to exchange their licence before December 30, 2020. This left her stranded in the small inland town of Crevillente on the Costa Blanca. “I was so isolated. I had no one to help me and the shops were too far away,” she explained. So bad was her situation, with her husband working full time in England as a lorry driver, she recently had to move to a campsite in Catral just so she has a food supply nearby. “If it hadn’t been for the support I have got from the Ladies Driving in Spain facebook group, I honestly think I would have done myself in,” she added. “We are simply pawns in a political game. They keep saying it’s a matter of weeks, but they have been saying that for months now.”
ETTING close to the flames and talking to victims and firefighters. While other expat newspapers watched it from afar, translating stories from Spanish websites, the Olive Press was in the thick of it. Yet again, we were on the ground reporting on the horrendous fire that left 3,000 people evacuated from their homes last week. Our team of George Matthias, Jorge Hinojosa (pictured below) and Kimberley Mannion tracked down the best human interest stories over three days. Setting up a base in Benahavis, it is exactly the sort of good old-fashioned gumshoe journalism that the Olive Press is proud of. And not only do our website subscribers appreciate it, with a dozen stories in total, so do the UK nationals, who used our words and pictures. They included, as normal, the Daily Mail as well as the Mirror this time. And our job didn’t just end when the fire got under control. Right up until late last night we were checking and updating our front page to ensure we had the latest news on the suspicious fire. It was the same with the huge Fifth Generation fire in the nearby Sierra Bermeja last year. We had feet on the ground within hours and followed it through for almost two weeks. As well as getting right up into the hills, we were the first media group to report that it was started by a balding man at two sides of the peak around 9.30pm at night. That’s why WE pay journalists and why YOU pay to subscribe for what we do. At just ONE EURO for an initial month’s trial, what are you waiting for?
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GREEN
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June 16th - June 29th 2022
ACTION DEMAND
A NEW campaign has been launched by WWF-Adena to pressure the local government water board to protect the Mar Menor. According to a recent study, every second 650 litres of water contaminated with fertiliser enters the lagoon. As a result of the pollution caused, WWF-Adena have compared the water of the Mar Menor to a ‘green soup’ as algae thrives. The campaign No mas veneno al Mar Menor (No more Poison in the Mar Menor) aims to promote sustainable agricultural strategies in Cartagena, including further inspections of machinery, and sanctions for environmental degradation. Currently, the campaign has over 6,350 signatures but intends to reach 50,000.
Shark attack A five-metre high rubber shark has been hung by Greenpeace protestors outside a ministry in Madrid to coincide with UN World Oceans Day. Activists scaled the gates to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and erected the shark in front of the entrance. They also hung reused fishing nets to represent the 100 million specimens that die each year and the ‘hundreds of thousands that Spain catch in international waters’. The UN begins talks on trying to negotiate a treaty on banning shark fishing in August.
Campaign launched to clean up the Mar Menor By Livia Cockerell
The Mar Menor has suffered a series of mass death events with tonnes of fish and other sea creatures washed ashore.
Scientists believe that a lack of oxygen has been the probable cause. This problem has been blamed on high levels of fertiliser and pig slurry seeping into the water from the Campo de Cartagena.
I
DON’T think I’m alone in thinking the world has gone mad. Certainly not when you consider the climate and the unbelievable things going on. We live in a world that exhibits inexplicable and contradictory aspects.
AIRPLANES BACK IN THE SKY…….GOOD THING OR BAD ? This highlights the quandary we face. On one hand, economies suffer and tourism is decimated when air travel is restricted. Those of us that live on the Spanish Costas can easily testify to that. On the other hand the atmospheric pollution caused by planes is harmful to our health and other living beings as it mutilates our climate. It is a major cause of diseases like cancer, respiratory disorders and all too often leads to death. It is a difficult conundrum. Most of us like to travel, but at what cost? Governments are developing relatively fast and dense rail networks. Over one third of the busiest short-haul flights in Europe have viable train options as alternatives to flying. Serious investment is required to reduce the emissions from aviation fuels and it is time to step up renewable options. Other industries have been forced to take steps to contain pollution but the aviation industry has not. Airplanes run on kerosene, which when burnt emits carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases into the atmosphere, taking a huge toll on the climate system. It is predicted that by 2050, the aviation industry will produce 25% of all emissions. Part of the problem is that fossil fuels provide better efficiency when compared to sustainable aviation fuels
It has become a big issue, with thousands of demonstrators demanding action at a series of marches over the past few years. European Parliament MPs are compiling a report after they visited earlier this year that aims to get an all-party consensus to approve a package of financial help to clean up the Mar Menor.
Going green FOLLOWING a €39 million investment to stores in the Region of Murcia, Mercadona has reduced its carbon footprint. In 2021, the company managed to reduce its carbon emissions by 2,432 tons in Murcia compared to 2020. To improve efficiency, new stores included measures such as LED lighting, improvements to insulation and intelligent energy management that can save up to 40% of energy compared to that of an ordinary store. Its latest store in Mula (Murcia) includes an innovative refrigeration system to reduce greenhouse gases, four parking spaces for electric cars and is the first Mercadona in Murcia to have solar panels.
Should you staycation this year, asks Martin Tye
WORLD DILEMMA (renewable energy). Can we, or should we go along with this? The concept of ‘staycation’ re-emerged in Covid times. Do we always need to fly to far flung destinations, when beauty abounds on our doorstep ?
Green
Matters
By Martin Tye
“THE WORLD IS COOKED” So says John Kerry, the US Envoy on climate change. Prolonged use and reliance on coal is fuelling climate change. This month climate experts meet in Bonn amid new energy security worries. (I’ll cover the Ukraine war later.) Kerry stated ‘wholesale elevation of effort by countries all around the world is needed’. We all know that. Yet still we choose inaction. It’s a mad, mad, world when we know something is fundamentally wrong and we still concoct reasons to excuse inadequate action. The Bonn conference is the midpoint gathering between last year’s COP-26 in Glasgow and COP-27 to be held in Egypt. It is analysing the progress made since COP26. PUT BLUNTLY - NOT A LOT.
irony is that with prices of fossil fuels soaring, Russian energy profits are increasing meaning more funding is available to finance his war machine. The EU currently imports around 40% of its gas from Russia. THIS HAS TO STOP. No pain, no gain. Richer nations are still not focusing fully on alternative options. Why? Because the controlling politicians are fearful of losing power. I’ll say it again - no pain, no gain. The Ukraine war has prompted a fossil fuel ‘gold rush’. Two weeks ago, for example, the UK government approved the development of a gas field in the North Sea, east of Aberdeen, capable of producing 6.5% of Britain’s gas output. The site, licensed to Shell, was originally rejected on environmental grounds last year. The UK Business Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, said that Britain is turbocharging renewables and nuclear. Is there a ‘snail version’ of a turbocharger? All European governments seem to have opted for this model.
UKRAINE WAR IMPACT “But the thought of being a lunatic did not greatly trouble him…” George Orwell’s 1984. Now let’s consider the actions of the arrogant lunatic Putin. With Peter the Landgrabbing Great as his role model, it is little wonder the economies of the world are suffering and the world’s climate ambitions lie in tatters. (Three centuries ago the Russian Tsar waged never ending expansionist wars.) Putin believes the West is unlikely to reject Russian energy for years. So far he’s proving to be right. The sad
ON A LIGHTER NOTE - THE SUPERWORM I never thought I would read about this in last week’s news. The world’s addiction to plastic is well documented. The enormous pollution caused as a direct result makes even bigger headlines. But guess what? Scientists have created a SUPERWORM. It can live off, and gain weight, from an exclusive diet of polystyrene. I know - you’ve heard it all now. Wouldn’t it be better to tackle the root cause of the plastic pollution problem? Why not just ban polystyrene? It’s a horrible plastic anyway.
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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LA CULTURA Il Divo’s return
WORLD famous classical crossover group Il Divo have announced they will continue the Spanish leg of their tour after putting it on hold due to the death of bandmate Carlo Marin. The group announced they would be dedicating the tour to the memory of Marin, who died of Covid in December 2021 aged 53.
Special guest
The tour, formerly named the ‘For Once in My Life Tour’, will continue as ‘The Greatest Hits Tour’, and will include special guest Steven LaBrie, considered one of the five best baritones in the world. Il Divo, now comprising three members David Miller, Sebastien Izambard and Urs Buhler, head to Valencia on Sat June 25 to play at the Plaza de Toros in the first of 11 gigs in Spain. On July 29 they are performing in Murcia at the Los Alcazares Municipal Pavilion.
June 16th - June 29th 2022
SECRET CODEX
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Priceless manuscript reappears after 84 years
A RARE codex dating back to the 13th century has been recovered 84 years after it disappeared. The last time it had been sighted was in 1938 when a soldier stopped the priceless Fuero de Brihuega from being burned when his military unit took over Brihuega in Guadalajara during the Civil War. Now the Guardia Civil has revealed that a father and son have found the ancient codex and had its authenticity confirmed by a Barcelona auction house. How and where the document was discovered has
Gong ho!
By Alex Trelinski
not been disclosed. It was officially returned to Brihuega mayor, Luis Viejo
FILMING of the Amazon series Citadel brought €14 million to the region, according to the Valencia Film Office. It was shot in Valencia city, Villahermosa del Rio and in the Pantano de Tous during October. Not only did the series feature the city settings but also the culture, with a falla effigy being burned in reference to the traditional festivals of the region. According to the office, the filming of TV shows and movies has increased 13% in comparison with last year, with 104 shoots in the region between January and June.
Esteban, in a ceremony at Piedra Bermeja castle. Experts described the codex as being of ‘incalculable value’ and said it had been well preserved. The
Fuero de Brihuega catalogues the laws of 1242 and the penalties for breaking them. It is over 70 pages long and is written on parchment with its pages sandwiched between two thick walnut panels that are bound by four strips of leather.
Medieval
Cash action
The manuscript is signed by the archbishop and other clerical officers. The medieval handwriting is in what is described as ‘French’ typeface and in various colours.
ACTRESS Penelope Cruz has won the 2022 National Film Award. The prestigious honour is awarded each year for the ‘most outstanding contribution to Spanish cinema’ by the Institute for Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts, which is part of the Monostry of Culture, with a prize of €30,000.
Success
Cruz (pictured) is amongst the Spanish actors and actresses to have reached the greatest international success, this year achieving her fourth Oscar nomination for the film Parallel Mothers and having won one Academy Award in 2009 for Best Supporting Actress in Volver. She is the only Spanish actress to have won an Oscar as well as to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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LA CULTURA
June 16th - June 29th 2022
SWEET FACED KILLER T Meet the 20-yearold female matador - and student vet forging her way in a macho world as Spain turns it back on bullfighting, Fiona Govan reports
HERE are few spheres left in the modern world that remain predominantly the realm of men, but one of the last vestiges of machismo must surely be the bullfighting ring. This does little to deter Miriam Cabas, a sweet-faced 20-yearold from the small town of Los Barrios across the bay from Gibraltar. Miriam, who describes herself as an animal lover, is in her first year at university studying to be a vet but in her spare time she is pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a bullfighter. “I have always known exactly what I wanted to do in life – to study veterinary medicine and train to be a bullfighter,” she told the Olive Press. “I love animals and I love the toro bravo fighting bull - above all!” It was her grandfather who
first piqued her interest in But she admitted that as the bulls and enrolled her in a woman she feels extra a bullfighting school in Algeci- scrutiny. “In terms of the ras at the tender age of five. spectators I feel that I am “My grandfather Gregorio being looked at under a wanted to be a bullfighter magnifying glass and a lot when he was young, he was is expected of me.” one of the old maletillas But she refuses to clasand I inherited his dream, sify herself as a feminist, which is now mine,” she ex- believing such labels are plained. pointless. There’s no doubt her grand- “No, I am neither feminisfather would be proud. ta nor machista. I believe Last summer and fight for she debuted equality. We in the ring in have to get Bullfighting is Aracena where up each day she performed booming again and fight for so well she our dream, no with many was awarded matter what. two ears and Gender is not young people was carried out a problem or a attending of the arena on difference.” the shoulders Perhaps a bigof her male ger challenge colleagues. is that Miriam is attempt“It was one of the most ing to forge a career at a amazing days of my life,” time when the tide of opinshe recalls. ion is well and truly turning Asked if it was harder for a against the most traditional female bullfighter to suc- of Spain’s cultural traditions. ceed, she said: “It doesn’t Polls reveal that public opinmatter to the bull if you are ion is increasingly against a man or a woman, so the bullfighting as Spain’s anichallenges in the ring are mal rights lobby has grown the same.” in strength and found po-
FIGHT: Miriam takes on bulls while studying to be a vet
litical allies in the left-wing coalition government. But Miriam doesn’t agree that bullfighting is on the way out.
“Bullfighting is booming again and it shows in the number of people, and young people, who come
A
ll about The
Alpujarra
of Granada
www.theolivepress.es
June 2022
IDYLLIC: Vista over Cañar, while (below) Garcia Lorca and Jo Chipchase
Nowhere to Lorca, everything to me F
EDERICO Garcia Lorca once described La Alpujarra as ‘the land of nowhere’, and this remained true when I first visited in the early 2000s. It was as if time stood still in the charming, white villages and the vast, open spaces with the background hum of crickets. Our trip was to see friends who had bought land near the village of Lobras, a 45-minute drive from the spiritual, central hub of Orgiva, where they could enjoy a slower pace of life, restore a ruin, and keep animals. Fresh off the plane from Malaga Airport, I was immediately impressed by the Alpujarran landscape with its imposing mountains that dropped down to leafy terraces laden with olive groves, and just about any fruit tree you could name.
After a series of holidays in the Alpujarra, journalist Jo Chipchase upped sticks and moved her family to the region over a decade ago While the winding roads seemed to go on forever, the views and closeness to nature more than compensated for the distance. The endless sunshine and – of course - the local vino and tapas was a great bonus. On a later visit to the village of Almegijar, my friends and I lost the booking itinerary and our sense of direction. Hopelessly wandering the Sierra de Contraviesa, miles off-route, we passed through a small village where people were laying down what looked like twigs in the road (years later, I discovered this was esparto grass, used for weaving the likes of baskets, lampshades and amusing donkey’s heads, see next page).
Lemon As the designated driver, I couldn’t decide what to do – continue over the unknown material or stop and wait for guidance. The famous book on the region, Driving Over Lemons, by Chris Stewart had taken over a new meaning: Were we driving over someone’s livelihood? On that occasion, we waited, I am pleased to report.
We eventually found Almegijar, and discovered that our accommodation was a rustic farmhouse, shared with several generations of the host family. The traditional Spaniards looked bemused as we downed a five-litre bottle of grandpa’s ‘costavin’, before passing out on the lawn, in the true style of mad dogs and Englishmen in the midday sun. Back in those days, I was a ‘townie’ and had few skills that could apply to rural settings. Changing bottles of butane gas to shower and cook can be difficult if you’re used to England’s piped supply. Going out in the mountains with friends, it took me a while to realise that a hot day didn’t automatically equate to a warm night. I remember trying to borrow someone’s yoga mat as a cover, because I was shivering, and was curtly told to give it back. At that time, the Alpujarra was markedly different to the more Continues on next page
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June 2022 From front
DREAM HOME modern, tourist savvy destinations of today. The villages had few amenities and some clearly hadn’t seen many extranjeros (foreigners). Outside the main towns of Orgiva and Lanjaron, shopping was very limited and there were no fancy goods. Most shops stocked largely local produce, which was great if you were a massive carnivore. In the mid-2000s, Orgiva reminded me of a frontier town, where locals rode around in dodgy old Land Rovers and attended all-night parties in the nearby settlements of Cigarrones or El Morreon. There were dozens of New Age types around every corner and I was reminded of Glastonbury festival, but in the hot sun. I’ll never forget the legendary Dragon Festival in Cigarrones - a week-long bash that almost never stopped. Unfortunately, a visiting friend from Brighton didn’t share my enthusiasm, pronouncing it ‘like a dusty Mad Max’ and dragging me away, crestfallen, to a quiet bar. I eventually relocated with my young sons to the spa town of Lanjaron, which is best known for its spring wa-
The
Alpujarra
MY SECRET ALPUJARRA Jo Chipchase’s insider guide on what to do in the region
T
WO of my favourite remote spots are the Puente Palo recreation area above Canar – a shaded spot in the pine forest - and the Dique 24 dam of the Rio Chico between Canar and Soportujar, which has a 30-metre waterfall. Watch out if you suffer from vertigo! The Dique 24 is on the ancient GR7 footpath that runs through Spain to France. I also love the GR 240 ‘Sendero Sulayr’ trail that runs from Puente Palo to Capileira and gives impressive views over the Poqueira Valley and the white villages. I’ve ridden there a few times, but the trail is currently in bad condition for hooved animals. Not far from this trail, you can navigate to the Buddhist retreat centre of O Sel Ling and view the statue of Tara. You could also head down to Soportujar: a busy town with a witchy theme park vibe.
RURAL: Goats pass beside a bridge near Orgiva, while (below) high mountain views, and Lanjaron and Arabic water course
ter and annual festival of water and ham that coincides with the saint’s day of San Juan. Although I’ve enjoyed the mass San Juan water fight on June 24 - when thousands of revellers run around, throwing water at each other while shouting, ‘oi oi, mucho agua, mucho agua’ - I’m getting too old for such shenanigans. A night-time soaking, even in summer, is bracingly cold. These days, I prefer photographing the colourful event from a vantage point, away from the powerful municipal water hoses. Over the years, we saw Lanjaron become increasingly busy, with the introduction of mountain bike events, car rallies, and growth in the tourism sector. Although I still love the town, it was time to move onwards… and upwards. Seeking a more tranquil setting, we relocated to a mountain idyll at 1,700m, among the pine, oak, and roble trees, and with ample room for dogs and horses. I love the high sierra, where you can drive through a shady pine forest, head up a steep mountain track, go over the ridge, and look down on the villages of Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira nestled below. This is a beautiful sight in winter, when snow has fallen, and the white peaks form an impressive backdrop behind Capileira. Fresh air, mountain
A trip along the A-4132
If you don’t enjoy Shank’s Pony, La Alpujarra is great for car trips. Driving towards Trevelez, on the A-4132 from Orgiva, you’re within 35 mins of Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira, and La Taha of Pitres. Near Pitres, the unspoilt village of Atalbeitar is attractive for photos and affords peace and quiet. From there, a narrow and steep road leads down to Ferreirola, and then to Mecina Fondales, which has several bars and restaurants – including a vegetarian option - as well as the Fondales hotel. Leaving Pitres and heading along the A-4132 for another 14km, you come to Trevelez, which is best known for its cured ham – ‘jamon serrano’ – which hangs from the ceiling of bars. Although an overdose of ham isn’t really my thing, I’ve been there in winter when a heavy snowfall occurred. It was picture postcard pretty, and I still use the photos for Christmas cards. Take the A-4130 out of Trevelez and, in 19km, you come to the town of Berchules. This town holds an unusual, annual fiesta known as “New Year in August” – a custom which started in 1994, after an electricity outage kyboshed the normal celebration on 31 December. I’ve attended this crazy event: it’s odd to experience Christmas traditions in the heat of summer.
The gems of Nevada
Past Mairena it is worth stopping at Laroles
trails and proximity to some of my favourite places, including the Poqueira Valley, Soportujar, and La Taha, is more than enough to convince me La Alpujarra is my home.
If you take the high road from Berchules, rather than passing through the lower towns of Ugijar and Cherin, you reach Nevada – a charming municipality combining Laroles, Júbar, Mairena and Picena. On route, you drive through Yegen, where celebrated expat writer Gerald Brennan lived from 1919 to 1936. Some of his accounts of village life ring true to this day, and his famous book, South from Granada, is well worth reading if you’re interested in rural Spain and its history.
My family has enjoyed many happy visits to this town. Laroles has a cultural week called ‘Me Vuelves Lorca’, geared around the famous playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, in the first week of August. It’s also an ideal base for outdoor pursuits. One of our favourite spots is Puerta de Ragua, a 20min drive up the A-337. Located at 2,000m, it affords panoramic views to the east if you walk up the slope behind the main car park. This is a site for winter sports, such as skiing or sledging. If you continue over the hairpin mountain pass, you can see the ancient castle of La Calahorra and emerge at Guadix. Also located near Laroles is the charming town of Bayarcal, which has a new adventure sports centre and restaurant, called La Talama. The zip line looks exciting - but maybe I’ll just watch the teens.
And towards Almeria… Heading past Bayarcal towards Laujar de Andarax, you enter the Almerian Alpujarra. Comprising 22 towns, this area is easily accessible via the fast A-348 primary road connecting Lanjaron and Almeria. I recommend the A-348 to anyone wanting a day trip through the Granada and Almeria Alpujarra, without too many twists and turns.
3 June 2022
CHOPPING THEM OUT: Chris prepairing our lunch
Most expats are familiar with Chris Stewart’s idyllic Alpujarran adventures. So when the author invited The Olive Press to his stunning farm to sample his hospitality, we couldn’t wait to dust off our hiking boots
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T’S the oddest sensation arriving at a place in real life that your imagination has already painted for you, from the words in a book. El Valero, the home of best-selling author Chris Stewart, is intimately familiar to his millions of readers, myself included, and the reality doesn’t disappoint. The setting for each of his four books, which started with Driving Over Lemons and most recently continued with The Last Days of the Bus Club, we first spotted the rural idyll far down below from an escarpment in the heart of the mountainous Alpujarras region of Granada. We had been walking for three hours from the sleepy village of Ferreirola, where we were being garrotted for the nights, when an excited Canadian in our group spotted the famous farmhouse below. The valley opened wider with every precipitous step down to the tree-covered retreat, where the original drummer from rock band Genesis was waiting for us with a jug of home-made pomegranate juice and freshly-baked focaccia. It is rare indeed for a bestselling author to throw his home open to fans; to invite them to walk, talk and laugh with him and sample his home-grown pomegranates - and luckily also plenty of beer and wine! But Chris is like few other famous novelists; incredibly open and warm and - thanks to his love of the nearby mountains and walking - had teamed up with a British hotel owner, Anne Hunt, to organise some walking tours. We joined the first one for the ride, well, to be exact, walk, meeting the group in Ferreirola, just as the hazy dawn was beginning to flesh out the dramatic silhouettes of the sierras ahead. As the rising sun lit up the road, the mountain peaks and the glistening reservoirs, I sensed that this day would be special. The tiny village takes ‘tranquilo’ to a whole new level and you could hear a pin drop as I roamed the steep cobbled streets. Only 18 people live permanently in what is quite possibly the most beautiful village in the Alpujarras, including a famous guitar maker and even a handful of expats. Our walking group of 14 people almost doubled their number! We were a disparate group d r a w n
SADDLE UP: Horse riding in the Poqueira valley
CHEZ CHRIS from all ‘walks of life’, united by a love of the as he and his wife Anna felt when they first set great outdoors, great conversation and the eyes upon this valley and decided to make it their greatest food and wine! home. From the Geordie medical worker who had Where it was once sparse and arid, they have spent the last 30 years in Australia, to the lawyer created a micro-climate, complete with a charand pub-owning couple from Devon, to the Sco- ming old green-roofed farmhouse and an exttish park ranger and his wife, a teacher of au- traordinary pool. There are acres of orchards, tistic children, like the Canterbury a kitchen garden where the family grow their vegetables and Pilgrims there was never a shortage of fascinating stories waiting to free-range chickens keep them suOnly 18 pplied with fresh eggs and meat. be told. A Canadian couple had It is a little gem of a world full of planned an entire trip around the people live adventure and legend ... walking holiday. permanently in vitality, the kind of place you could write Thus, with the sunshine beginning a book about! to warm up the streets, we set off the beautiful Assisted by their daughter Chloe, towards El Valero, the self-suffivillage cient farmhouse which first blossoChris and Anna laid out a delimed into our lives when Chris’ first cious spread for us on their shady bestseller hit the shelves in 1999: terrace. We tucked into quiches, Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia. hummus and fresh herby salad, while swapping Our journey took us down the mountainside stories of Andalucia with our hosts. The wine and across a charming, crumbly Roman bridge flowed, loosening tongues, and talk of the Alspanning the Trevelez river below, the ideal spot pujarras turned into a lively debate on Spanish politics. to begin snapping photos. We built up speed as we traversed the Corona Slipping away for a moment, I wanted to take a mountain by way of an old Moorish mule path, closer look at the fascinating pool which features and the noise of our chatter also went up a so heavily in Chris’ writing. The waterwheel was the brain-child of an oddball inventor who connotch. “People loved the pilot holiday so much that vinced the family it would purify water naturally we had to do it again,” explained Anne, whose and keep the pool fresh and natural. Encrusted pre-Alpujarran life saw her organising festivals, with a thick carpet of leaves and tinged green, it looked a little too ‘natural’ and I resisted the concerts and events in London. “The area is just fantastic but what makes it spe- urge to dive in. cial is the mix of people and Chris’ enthusiasm Back on the terrace, Chris and Anne had ditched and knowledge.” After just a few hours, the mellow descent through pine trees led us to a wondrous gorge and, in its depths, our lunch destination loomed into view. Our sense of awe was as profound, Chris assured me,
the diplomatic approach and openly admitted that our group was exceptional. “You’re the booziest, funniest and most enjoyable group yet… cheers!” exclaimed the jovial Chris, raising his glass in a toast. And after welcoming us into his home and feeding us, Chris seized the opportunity to take full advantage of the merry walkers. We were soon all buying signed copies from his backlog of unsold books, helping him to clear out the store room! Refuelled with spiced peaches and more wine for the daunting post-lunch walk, it turned out to be a pleasant stroll back along the river, across his famous rustic bridge and straight onto our waiting minibus. That night, while dining back at the wonderful B&B Casa Ana, we were treated to the mesmerising songs of a Moldovan folk singer, who just happened to be volunteering there through a ‘work-away’ scheme. It was our lucky day in more ways than one. As her sweet voice carried tales of love and pain around the room, it seemed to echo the ancient beauty of the stunning Alpujarras. In that moment, I think we all fell a little in love with the girl from Moldova. Or was that just me? For more information visit www.casa-ana. com or email info@casa-ana.com
TOUR GUIDE: Chris explains a high moutain acequia
4 June 2022
A
ll about The
Alpujarra
GET OUT THERE! SOUTH of Granada, a whole world of adventure awaits you in the mountains. From 400m to 3,479m - this being the top of Spain’s highest peak Mulhacén - the active among us are spoiled for choice. La Alpujarra has an extensive network of routes for hiking, mountain biking and electric bicycles, ideal for traversing beautiful pine forests, oak, and chestnut groves – some at an altitude of 1,500 metres. Cycling on the trails above the high villages of Capileira and Trevélez, the highest in the region, is breathtaking.
There are also companies that specialise in horse routes high on the mountainside, including Caballo Blanco in Lanjaron and Dallas Love’s Sierra Trails in Capileira. Various companies have set up to offer a range of adventures around the region. One of the best, Adventure Alpujarra, organises everything from gentle morning hikes to mountaineering with crampons and ice axes in the winter months. “We offer mountain skiing, canyoning, rappelling, rock climbing,
DARING: Mountain biking and Zip wire at La Talama (right)
Whatever your bag, there is so much outdoor activity around La Alpujarra and nearby Lecrin Valley
snowshoeing and ascents of Mulhacen and Veleta too,” explains technical director Jose Antonio Barea Gonzalez. “We can take you to remote paths, hidden rivers and find you natural pools for swimming. “You can explore the architecture, gastronomy, and customs while hiking through the terrain,” he adds. “There’s also horseback riding along footpaths that nestle on the mountain slopes. Or explore in a 4x4 off-road vehicle, or a quad, to reach remote places where others rarely go? “Our experienced guides can cater for everyone from complete novices to seasoned mountaineers.” Other activities organised by Adventure Alpujarra include paintball, archery, rifle shooting and orienteering. For those who like the water, why not visit the group’s nautical centre at the beautiful Beznar reservoir (see above). During summer, you can sail optimists or catamarans, as well as windsurf or go paddle surfing, kayaking or just pootle about on pedal boats to explore the reservoir. You can book a ‘nautical day’ for families or groups of friends. The centre also hosts nautical camps for all ages. “It’s important to remember that we’re
in a protected natural area and these activities must be done with companies registered by the Junta,” adds Jose Antonio. “Our company guarantees the right permits and security measures.”
Zipping the Wire Fantastic: For something really exciting, head down to the La Talama outdoors centre at Bayarcal, at the Eastern end of the Alpujarra.
L o cated near the stunning Puerta de Ragua, this is a magical place for an active day out, and guests are welcomed for longer stays. The centre combines the local gastronomy at Restaurant Talama with the adventure and ecotourism activities of B Natural Sport. BNatural’s English-speaking staff will help you enjoy Great Zipline of Andalucia (620m of adrenaline), flying over the Sierra Nevada!
Cuisine of La Alpujarra
T
HE Alpujarra region has various signature dishes served to visitors in the area’s countless bars and restaurants. Best of all, during certain hours of the day, you almost always receive a tapa if you buy a drink. Alternatives exist to the traditional cuisine - which some people adore, while others feel is ‘too hammy’, or lacking in vegetarian options. One place that prepares a popular selection of modern food is Pizza & Love, in Orgiva. This is the place to enjoy an artisan pizza cooked in a wood oven, with slow fermentation in a Neapolitan style, and with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. The restaurant has recently introduced a special range of burgers, as well as a main menu catering for omnivores and vegetarians/ve gans alike. For the summer season, Pizza & Love is introducing discounts and special
Poor man’s potatoes and young goat is on the menu deals on Wednesdays, Sundays, and Fridays. Cocktails are also planned, which can be enjoyed in chilled-out surroundings – with love. Watch out for these favourites of the region: Migas - Breadcrumbs fried and frequently served with green pepper. Orgiva has a migas-cooking contest during its annual fiesta. Choto – Kid or young goat. This dish is frequently served when people gather in groups, particularly at countryside retreats.
best when it’s freshly cooked. Cazuela – taking its name from the term ‘cooking pot’, this is any type of stew containing potatoes, vegetables and meat. Papas a lo pobre – despite the unappealing name, the ‘poor man’s potatoes’ are – in fact - delicious, comprising thinly-sliced potatoes fried in olive oil, with onion.
Puchero de Hinojos – a seasonal delight, an extremely tasty stew made with fennel and chickpeas.
Plato Alpujarreño – a dish featuring ‘papas lo del pobre’ as well as ham, morcilla, ‘longaniza’, pork, serrano ham and fried egg. You’ll be feeling stuffed after this one!
Tortilla – omelette featuring potato and egg. This is
Cod (bacalao) – sometimes salted, sometimes prepared with garlic and tomato sauce.
If the zip line doesn’t take your fancy, there are plenty of other activities, including canyoning, climbing, electric bike routes, hiking, bird watching, star watching, yoga, spiritual retreats, forest baths, mindfulness, slackline, archery – as well celebrating special events, such as birthdays. Children have their own activities - including a junior zip line, climbing and archery and a great summer camp. Described as ‘personalised’ tourism, where you
design your adventure, it combines sports, health, nature, and education. There are also language immersion and language swap courses on offer. The icing on the cake is the Talama Restaurant, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner, serving homemade dishes based on organic fruit and vegetables, picked from the garden. The menu includes vegan and vegetarian options, local wines, and an assortment of Alpujarra sausages and special desserts.
LA CULTURA
June 16th - June 29th 2022
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Beauties and the beasts Miriam Cabas is not the first woman to infiltrate the macho world of bullfights - Livia Cockerell takes a look at some of Miriam’s predecessors
L
EA VICENS was 20 years old when she watched her first bullfight in Plaza de Nimesin France, a fight which ignited a passion that completely changed the course of her life. At the time, she was studying biology in France at the Universidad de Montpellier. However, just two days after receiving her diploma, she moved to Spain and was set to become one of the most successful rejoneadoras of the modern day. Unlike traditional matadoras, rejoneadoras are mounted on horseback. Vicens claims to have always felt a connection with horses, having ridden since the age of four. However, a career as a rejoneadora was never something that had been on the cards. “When I was young, I did not like bulls. But when I grew up I saw it as cultural and historical. I was excited by it. I fell in love with it.”
to the bullfights again and again,” she said. “We have gone through a few years where people were inhibited, and admitting that you were a fan of bullfighting was almost a crime. But everything is changing and
people have realised that you have to have the freedom to decide for yourself.” “As long as there are aficionados who love bullfighting, it will continue,” she insisted. “And there are many of us who are madly, madly, in love with it.”
Lea Vicens
Cristina Sanchez de Pablos
Conchi Rios
RIOS is most renowned for being the first ever woman to take both ears of a bull during a fight. Since her debut in 2007, Rios’ career has flourished and in 2016, she was chosen as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of the year.
Vicens worked her way up from the bottom. She began working as a horse tamer for rejoneador Angel Peralta who advised her that within the world of tauromaquia, if you are not born into money, you must be prepared to start from scratch. In 2008, she had saved enough to buy a €6,000 colt named Gacela. After much hard graft and training, she made her 2010 debut in Plaza de Olmedo in Valladolid. Her success ever since is irrefutable. In spite of this, she continues to train for 10 hours a day in her ranch in Sevilla, a sight that has become a tourist attraction for tauromaquia fanatics.
Mari Paz Vega
MADRID-BORN Cristina Sanchez is considered a feminist icon within the world of tauromaquia. As the first woman in Europe to complete her alternativa (the official graduation of a bullfighter), her career boomed throughout the nineties until she retired in 1999.
AWARD-WINNING Mari Paz Vega has had an extensive career as a Spanish torera spanning over 20 years. During this time, she has been recognised with many victories and honours, including the Trofeo al Mejor Toreo in Malaga, 2005.
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LETTERS
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June 16th - June 29th 2022
MEDDLING IN AFFAIRS Family comes first Dear Olive Press,
As our campaign gathers momentum, readers get in touch with rather different perspectives on our driving campaign and a reader wants to locate the owner of some long lost medals…
Cheeky blinders I LIVE in Birmingham, England and I would like your newspaper to buy Birmingham City Football Club, home of the Peaky Blinders, or, alternatively, I would like your newspaper to advise a billionaire to buy said club. I would appreciate your response.
Empire strikes back
I AM so pleased that you have decided to take up the cudgels over the new rules stopping thousands of British expats from driving in Spain. For various reasons, my wife is semi invalid and I was diagnosed with bladder cancer a few years ago. Since then I have undergone various hospital treatments, chemotherapy and operations for taking tissue samples for biopsies, so my mind wasn't really concentrating on other things. As a consequence I missed the boat, and there seems to be no way back. So, a lot of us need an extension of time in which to give formal notice of our intention to exchange our UK licences. I wish you every success with your campaign.
IF someone lives in Spain for years they should be aware of the laws that apply in Spain - or indeed any other country that person has chosen to live in. The Brexit vote was 2016, and once the famous letter had been sent by Mrs May people knew they had up to a year transition. There is no reason to complain now, they had ample time to change their driving licences but in typical English exceptionalist fashion they thought they would get away with it. In all larger towns up and down the coast are agencies and medical centres, where people can take the relevant test needed. Most people did not want to do it because they don’t like the idea that at a certain age the licence will have to be renewed at intervals and because they did not want to be found out having lived here for ages without registration, usually to avoid paying income tax in Spain. Stop whinging and whining, get used to the fact that the UK voted for Brexit and adjust to the fact that the UK is a third country. Edith Schwarz, Denia
Ken Cook, name and address supplied
Editor's note: It is always important to have a healthy debate concerning such an important issue. Even with ‘ample’ time it was not always possible for people to jump through all the legal hoops, especially for those facing challenging personal circumstances. It is these people who we have sought to stick up for from the beginning of our campaign.
John Beard, name and address supplied
Editor’s note: Thanks for getting in touch John, we would certainly be interested if someone bought us first … Can you lend us a few billion?
Here to help I hope you can help me in trying to locate a person who may have lost some priceless medals. Five of them were found in a ditch beside the Cartama to Coin road (Malaga). The medals seem to be for an annual road race I believe takes place in Holland. They are likely of no particular value, except to the person who has lost them and have the letters B L O K N engraved on each of them. Roger Winyard, name and address supplied
Speaking frankly I HAVE lived in Spain for 30 years and changed my English licence for a Spanish one during the first six months of living here. That was the rule then and has been for as long as I can remember. So how can people who have lived here for many years, and failed to comply with the rules, now be up in arms that they are having an impossible task in changing their licences? The Spanish authorities have every right to come down hard on foreigners who do not comply with the regulations. Time to get all the old illegal British cars off the road too. If you don’t want to comply, go back home. Tony Wiggins, name and address supplied
Editor’s note: Thank you for getting in touch and we ask anyone who knows anything about them to contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
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5 Finnish capital (8) 7 Tibetan holy man (4) 9 Precipitous (5) 10 Talk too much (6) 12 Alumnus, for short (4) 13 Kind of reaction (8) 15 Discovers (5,3) 16 Combustible matter providing useful energy (4) 17 Roman emperor (6) 19 Muse darkly (5) 21 Financial burden (4) 22 Donkey Kong creator (8) Down 1 When necessary (2,6) 2 South African party (1,1,1) 3 Negative asset (9) 4 What you fight when on a diet (4) 6 Wipe out (11) 8 Very short time (11) 11 Leaning toward (9) 14 Directed to another doctor (8) 18 Represents a constituency (4) 20 Yardstick for explosive power (3)
All solutions are on page 15
k
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Delayed NEWS
payout
A MALLORCA court has awarded six Ryanair passengers €1,533 in compensation after their flights were delayed in the summer of 2018. The Irish budget airline refused to cough up payments after a five-hour delay on a flight from Sevilla to Palma. Damages claimed by the passengers included additional costs for hiring a car. The Palma Commercial Court condemned Ryanair for ‘recklessness’ in dragging its heels over compensation, which it said should have been paid automatically. Rules state that compensation of between €250 and €600 is payable if a flight is delayed by more than three hours. The payment also depends on the length of the flight. Since it was below 1,500 kilometres, each passenger on the Sevilla service was entitled to €250.
June 3rd - June 16th 2021
HAM slicers have a prominent role in Spanish bars and restaurants - and now they can have the certificate to prove their skills. The Academia Española de Jamon (Asejam) is striving to create a qualification for professional ham cutters. This is following an announcement from the Ministry of Education anticipating that by 2025, over 49% of jobs will require qualified professionals.
Fines of up to €1 million threatened for ‘wasting food’ SUPERMARKETS will soon have to sell cut-price ‘out-ofshape’ fruit and vegetables as part of new government rules to reduce food waste. The move is part of a new food waste bill approved by the Council of Ministers which now goes forward for approval to Congress. Around 1.3 million tons of food is thrown away every year in Spain, dominated by fresh produce. Food stores will
LOCAL beaches have been given Black Flags for 2022 from Ecologists in Action over environmental concerns. Two of the uncoveted awards have gone to each of the Valencia region’s three provinces. In Alicante, the flags were awarded to Cala Lanuza and Cala Baeza between El Campello and Villajoyosa. Ecologists in Action say the beach waters are suffering due to the discharge of sewage from apartments with untreated water dumped into the sea due to overflows at a small tempo-
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June 16th - June 29th 2022
Don’t take the biscuit!
A cut above “We have always been hindered by not having any academic certificate that recognises our profession,” said Sergio Bellido, Asejam president. Earlier this year Robert De Niro showed off his ham carving skills in preparation for Madrid Fusion.
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT By Alex Trelinski
be obliged to dedicate part of their shelf displays to selling cut-price fruit and vegetables that have an imperfect or unattractive shape. Retailers will also have to offer reductions on products that are
Black flagged
rary water treatment plant. Away from beaches, a Black Flag also goes to the illegal restaurant on Benidorm Island which is part of the Serra Gelada National Park. Calpe also gets a Black Flag for its ‘Colossus’ hotel project which will see the 606-room twin-towered building constructed next to the Las Salinas protected natural area.
close to reaching sell-by dates, with price cuts of at least 50% to ensure shelves are cleared. Non-compliance with the food waste law will see fines of between €6,000 and €150,000, rising up to €1 million in cases of repeated serious infractions. The food waste bill aims to deal with the whole chain from farmers through to consumers with the aim of stopping all food dumping at landfill sites. F o o d storage, transportation and conservation facilities will have to be optimised
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with the end of practices that cause food to be thrown away. Supermarkets, as well as restaurants and industrial caterers, will be ordered not to throw away food that has passed expiry dates. Instead they will have to sign agreements with food banks and charities to get the surpluses. Food that is not suitable for human consumption is expected to be used to feed livestock and to make fodder. Alternatively, food will be converted into fertilisers and biogas.
A SHORTAGE of wheat is driving up the price of bread and biscuits in Spain. Estimates from ASAJA show that, on average, Spain requires approximately 36 million tonnes of grain each year to meet the demands of animal and human consumption. This year, the country will be fortunate to produce 15.4 million tonnes. Exceptionally high May temperatures, in addition to damage caused by pests, has left farmers in Spain concerned about potentially low harvests this winter.
Ukraine
Spain normally imports much of its wheat and grain from Ukraine. However, shipments have been impeded due to the war with Russia. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that around 20 million tonnes of grain is currently unable to be exported from Ukraine. This is following the blockages of ports preventing exports, as well as the bombings of several grain warehouses.
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BUSINESS
Visa move
MINISTER of Social Security and Migration Jose Luis Escriva has announced plans to relax work permit rules for foreigners amid labour shortages in industries like tourism and construction. This is despite there still being 2.9 million unemployed in the country. The government’s plan is to grant more temporary visas for sectors that are in need of workers. “We are evaluating different aspects of the migration law and seeing where there is room for improvement in order to reduce the shortage of workers,” said Escriva. The tourism, construction and technology sectors have been particularly badly hit by a lack of workers. The Spanish government plans to allow around 50,000 non-EU students to combine work with studying. It will also be easier to access work permits for people who have family connections in Spain. The country has temporary migration agreements with Morocco, Ecuador and Colombia and there are plans to extend temporary work visas to other Central American Countries.
THE Spanish parliament has voted to draw up wide reaching legislation in a bid to crackdown on prostituion. The controversial move is targeted at those who benefit financially from the exploitation of prostitutes, through pimping and human trafficking, and moves towards treating prostitutes as victims rather than criminals. The bill would not make prostitution itself illegal but proposes prison terms of between three and six years, as well as fines, for both pimps and those who pay for prostitutes in the street. It also proposes penalties for those who profit from knowingly providing illegal premises where prostitution is carried out. With the bill, the government wants to introduce longer jail sentences for pimping and to remove the present requirement for police to demonstrate an exploitative relationship exists with the sex worker in order to prosecute. “People who turn to women
June 16th - June 29th 2022
COUNTING THE COST
Spain makes controversial step towards costly ban on prostitution By George Mathias
in a situation of prostitution participate directly in the network that shores up this serious violation of human rights,” the Socialist party said on its Twitter account. But the proposed law has divided opinion within the women’s rights movement.
TELEFONICA is the first Spanish company to implement a four-day working week for staff who want it, but workers will have to take a drop in salary in exchange. The company started trialling the system last year with 150 employees volunteering. Telefonica employees who take advantage of the Flexible Working Hours project will see their working hours reduced by 5.5, but will see a reduction in pay equivalent to
Medicos del Mundo, which estimates that 80% of the 350,000 women working as prostitutes in Spain are foreigners without legal papers, insists such a law is required
Four day week just 4.5 hours. Now, the company has reached an agreement with trade unions to offer the entire workforce the socalled Bonus Flexible Weekly Workday. UGT, which is the biggest trade union at the company, said that the Flexible Bonus Day is positive for worker’s rights.
ZIGZAGGING RATES V
No confidence means Pound slips lower against Euro, writes Peter Loveday
OLATILITY in the pound euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate continued in late May and early June as UK politics and European Central Bank (ECB) policy caused sharp movements. Over the last two weeks, GBP/EUR declined steadily before zigzagging in early June. The pair fluctuated between €1.165 and €1.177, settling around €1.166 after the ECB decision.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?
As May shifted into June, the pound slipped lower against the euro, despite some headwinds for EUR. Economic sentiment in the eurozone remained low while the bloc’s retail sales unexpectedly contracted. Still, following the ECB’s hawkish shift the previous week and surging eurozone inflation, rate rise bets helped the single currency climb. Meanwhile, Sterling fell amid UK economic concerns. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warned that half a million British firms could go bust in a matter of weeks and urged the government to deliver more support. In addition, new lending data indicated that Britons were taking on more debt in order to cope with the increased cost of living, and UK business confidence slumped. Following the bank holiday weekend, GBP/EUR managed to recover. News that Boris Johnson would face a no confidence vote boosted the pound. Investors expected Johnson to win, and he did, effectively securing his position as PM for the next year and thereby creating political stability. However, the eurozone’s GDP growth rate for the first quarter of this year was revised significantly higher, from 0.3% to 0.6%. This sent EUR soaring. Then came the ECB decision. The bank signalled that rate rises were coming in July and September, as expected. However, the ECB also suggested that a 50-bps hike could be on the way. This surprised markets, and EUR surged to a near one-month high against GBP, before trimming its gains somewhat.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?
As for the euro, the ZEW economic sentiment index could cause some movement. Low morale may weigh on EUR. The Russia-Ukraine crisis might also impact the singThe next two weeks could be particularly eventful for GBP. We kick off with UK GDP for April, followed by latest unemployment figures, the Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decision and May’s retail sales. GBP investors will be scrutinising the data to gauge how much trouble the UK economy is in. If the results indicate the country is heading for a recession, then Sterling could stumble. The economic data could also impact how markets respond to the BoE decision. If policymakers vote to raise rates but the economic data is poor, economists may grow even more worried about the future of the UK economy. The UK inflation rate is also a key focus. Will price pressures continue to surge higher? le currency. If tensions continue to escalate, EUR could come under pressure. PROTECTING AGAINST VOLATILITY
This kind of volatility can cause some nasty surprises if you need to transfer money overseas. On a £200,000 transfer, that onecent gap between €1.17 and €1.16 translates to a €2,000 difference. And the larger the sum, the higher the discrepancy. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against volatility. Specialist currency brokers, such as Currencies Direct, offer different tools to help you navigate the ups and downs of the market. For instance, you can use a forward contract to secure an exchange rate for up to a year. This way, you won’t lose out if the market moves against you. Services like rate alerts and daily updates make it easy to keep track of what’s going on in the forex world so that you can make informed decisions. And with Currencies Direct you’ll have a dedicated account manager there to provide guidance and support whenever you need them. At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers. Since 1996 we’ve helped more than 325,000 customers with their currency transfers, just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more.
and will make women safer. Antigona however, a group of academics in favour of legalising prostitution, argue that it would force undocumented migrants underground and make them even more vulnerable.
Backing
The bill has won backing from the conservative Popular Party and sailed through parliament with 232 lawmakers voting for it and only 38 against. It will likely go through a raft of amendments before it will be finally approved by parliament, a process that could take many months.
No case to answer THE National Court has scrapped investigations into president of Repsol Antonio Brufau over industrial spying going back a decade. Investigating judge Manuel Garcia-Castellon also threw out probes against ex-Caixabank president Isidro Faine and both entities Caixabank and Repsol. Garcia-Castellon investigated whether Repsol and Caixabank hired Grupo Cenyt, a security firm belonging to ex-police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo, to spy on the president of construction company Sacyr, Luis del Rivero, in 2011 and 2012.
Espionage
Villarejo is at the centre of what has been called ‘Operation Tandem’. He’s been accused of illegally gathering sensitive information about businesses for industrial espionage via phone taps and unauthorised recordings. In regard to spying on Sacyr, the judge said that his investigation ‘showed without doubt’ that Caixabank and Repsol as ‘a whole’ did not break any laws in their dealings with Grupo Cenyt. He added that neither Brufau or Faine had any knowledge about commissioning Grupo Cenyt or Manuel Villarejo.
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PROPERTY
June 16th June 29th 2022
15
House sale boom leads to shortage HOUSE sales in Alicante have reached their highest figures in 14 years. April saw the most houses sold in the city in a month since 2008. Some 3,098 properties were sold, which is a 26% increase on the same month in 2021. The boom is starting to slow down as the after effects of the pandemic wear off and inflation and economic uncertainty calms down growth, though it still remains much higher and healthier than last year at the height of the pandemic. Sales to foreigners are particularly prominent. Real estate experts also warn of a property shortage as the stock of homes on the market dwindles. President of the Association of Real Estate Agents of Alicante (API) Marife Esteso added that there is also high demand for rentals in the city: “In Alicante, the demand for flats is still higher than supply.’
URBAN SCRAWL LOCAL architects have supplied five proposals for the redevelopment of Valencia City Hall Square. Some 26 teams submitted their proposals, five of which have now been shortlisted by Deputy Mayor Sandra Gomez. All of the plans rule out the total pedestrianisation of the area, opting instead to maintain the current public transport integration. Three of the initiatives propose to leave the iconic fountain where it is, while only one suggested keeping the statue dedicated to Vinatea.
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The €17million hideaway of blacklisted Russian oligarch and friend of Putin A RUSSIAN oligarch and his artist wife with ties to Putin own an idyllic villa close to Pollença on Mallorca that has not yet been seized by Spain despite its owner being named on a blacklist. Andrey Igorevich Akimov, president of Gazprombank,
No room! BUILDERS are warning that Valencia will not have enough land to build on within two or three years. According to the president of the Association of Builders Developers of Spain, Juan Antonio Gomez Pintado, the land available to build on is only enough to cover the demand for two or three years. This, he claims, is pushing up house prices and putting home ownership out of the reach of young people. According to a report from Politecnica University of Valencia, there is only room for 7,0009,000 new houses in Valencia, with 3,000 built each year.
By Kimberley Mannion
Hello2SpainSL
the third largest bank in Russia owns a haven in Mallorca. Blacklisted from the UK and US, the oligarch is believed to have been a member of the KGB, the committee for state security under the former Soviet Union, and was born in Saint Petersburg, the same city as Putin. Putin awarded the banker the Order of Merit for the Fatherland medal for his contribution to the development of Russia in 2021. Named Can Guillot, the Pollença estate encompasses 800,000 square metres of land valued at approximately €17 million. The land has a spa, artificial lakes, beautiful gardens and fountains, and would also have had a 10-hole golf course
GRAND: Can Guillot was set for a golf course
had plans not been abandoned due to environmental pressure. Akimov’s wife, the artist Marianna Chaykina has depicted Mallorca and the land the couple own on the island in her paintings. The oligarch is said to have owned the Mallorca estate for at least five years, through a group of intermediary companies in Cyprus. In the town of Pollença rumour has it that Putin himself has been a guest at the residence, but there is no official proof of this.
Funded project A SPANISH housing development will go ahead thanks to €4.6 million raised from over a thousand commercial investors via the Urbanitae crowdfunding platform. Some 63 apartments will be constructed five minutes walk from Les Rotes beach in Denia on the Costa Blanca. The development will include a garage, storage rooms, a garden, swimming pool and social club. The 1,072 investors backed the project from Inmobiliaria Espacio with a starting price of just €500. They each become a partner of the promoter, which allows them to get rent or even a lump sum when the homes are sold. The capital will be used to pay the start-up costs of the project named as l'Alqueria, until Inmobiliaria Espacio obtains a bank loan to finish things off. The urbanisation will have ‘all the necessary services for day to day’¡ according to the promoter with 'affordable prices and common areas'.
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Legal Eagle
With Victoria Wright
BUILDING WOES
IF IT’S NOT LEGAL THEN SURELY IT MUST BE ILLEGAL?
M
ANY Brits find it daunting moving to Spain. It’s not just the language barrier - often we assume that laws will be similar to our home country when it is simply not the case. Many disputes arise between neighbours due to land boundaries and the ‘legality’ of some constructions. Spain’s history and traditions play a large role in the passing of legislation. The nation did not have a democratic government until the early 1980s, so when implementing new legislation, law-makers have to factor in how to deal with houses which were built before this coalition was formed. This has caused Spain to have three types of construction under Spanish law: ‘Legal, Illegal and a-legal’. Here are some examples to help you understand the differences. A construction is legal when it has been built to modern legal standards with plans and projects supplied by the corresponding architects, structural engineers, or topographers, and with all the required permits from corresponding Town Halls, District Councils and public works offices. These may include permits from forestry and environmental departments in some cases.
A construction is illegal when it has been built within the past 40 years without the above permissions and permits or without complying with minimum building regulations. A construction can be classed as ‘a-legal’ if it was built before 1983, even if it did not have planning permission or permits. This is as long as it was not built on protected land, a dry riverbed, or poses a health and safety risk to the neighbours. The latter could include an open cesspit or the fact the building is structurally unsound and could potentially fall onto a neighbouring property.
Alterations
There are some constructions and alterations, which, even though built without architect plans and Town Hall permits, can be ‘legalised’ and turned from Illegal builds to a-legal, through a reasonably simple process. This often depends on the age of the works carried out. Properties which are a-legal can often still be a good purchase on the understanding that you have seen independent advisors to do adequate searches both on the property and the area.
FOR ANY HELP AND ADVICE ON LEGAL ISSUES, YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT: ALBA CONSULTAS - LEGAL ADVISERS (+34) 96 561 5061 / +34 692 386 293 C.C. EUROPEO, LOCAL 168, CTRA TEULADA - MORAIRA. 03724 INFO@ALBACONSULTAS.COM WWW.ALBACONSULTAS.COM
16
PROPERTY
June 16th - June 29th 2022
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Surely one of the best examples of contemporary architecture in the world, the Frank Geary designed museum put Bilbao on the world travel map. Notable for its use of fragmented, corrugated metals, it has been described as a ‘signal moment in the architectural culture of Spain’.
CaixaForum, Madrid THE eye-catching vertical-garden facade in the heart of the capital is hugely popular, for its bulk and op-
tical illusions. The building housed the Mediodía Electric Company before being converted into a cultural space.
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La Muralla Roja, Calpe A GEOMETRIC wonder, La Muralla Roja was designed by legendary architect Ricardo Bofill in 1968, featuring interconnected communal plazas and bridges. Bofill’s legacy was wide reaching, with global TV hit Squid Game featuring architecture that doffed its hat to the Spaniard, who died this year.
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PAIN has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than almost any other country in the world. From its white villages to grand cities, its interesting varied architecture is part of the attraction for millions of tourists who visit every year. But for Andres Rubio, the country has gone through a ‘cultural catastrophe’ when it comes to construction. So bad has it been, the former editor of El Pais’s respected El Viajero travel section claims politicians have given little thought on how to grow cities and villages in a way that protects cultural heritage. In his new book, España Fea (Spain is Ugly), he charts why it happened. “Spain is ugly. It is very hard to say, but that’s how it is,” he explains. He is most critical of the once charming fishing villages on the Costa
del Sol, which he says have been ‘chronically overdeveloped’, and describes Benidorm’s newly built Intempo skyscraper, the tallest residential building in Europe, as ‘hideous’. However, Rubio also cites some model examples, such as Galician masterpiece Santiago de Compostela, which has a reputation for rejecting new build projects that do not align with its rustic aesthetic. It is easy to spot places that both support and contradict his controversial point of view. Sometimes one building can do both. Here, the Olive Press picks out a dozen most eye-catching examples of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly around Spain. What’s your view? Let us know and send us your own lists to newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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PROPERTY
June 16th - June 29th 2022
THE
...BAD
17
Intempo building, Benidorm
Donald Gray buildings, Marbella
ON the receiving end of a fair amount of vitriol from Rubio, the building is seen by some as a symbol of poor planning and bureaucracy, with both a r c h i te c t s responsible for the project resigning in 2012, before it was finished.
THESE are enviable streets to live in. The leafy Marbella suburbs designed by British architect Donald Gray have won many awards. His lily-white houses are a modern pastiche of Moorish architecture - Islamic architecture which developed in the western world, with each house along a completely different build that still retains a uniform aesthetic. And they fit in.
Metropol Parasol, Sevilla
Known as ‘Las Setas’, the world’s largest wooden structure was designed by Jürgen Mayer in 2011. A vast swirl of wooden lattice work, it rises to heights of 26 metres over Roman remains in a historic plaza. Its main purpose is to provide shade as well as views over Sevilla’s old town.
Parroquia de Santa Monica, Zaragoza Architect Agustinos Recoletos created this church with a space age quality that is, arguably, out of place in its surroundings as much now as
when it was built in 1973. The futuristic design was chosen in an attempt to expand the reach of the church and to attract more young people.
The Botin Centre, Santander
Named after the late CEO of Santander bank, it is described as ‘phallic-looking’ and as if it is ‘emerging from the sea and thrusting itself into the city’. Costing a hefty €80 million so far, it is yet to be completed despite the fact construction began over a decade ago.
AND THE
...UGLY! The Mirador Building, Madrid
A LEGO encrusted eyesore or a groundbreaking feat of postmodernism? The Mirador Building was developed by Dutch architectural studio MVRDV in collaboration with Madrid architect Blanca Lleo. The apartment block looks on to fantastic panoramic views of the Sierra de Guadarrama but many locals not living inside wish such views were rather less obstructed.
Edificio Montreal, Alicante
Infamous in Alicante, this 1980s building just outside the city centre was designed by local architect Alfonso Navarro. It is known universally among residents as La Piramide.
Algarrobico Hotel, Almeria
Ronda Parador, Ronda A TRUE example of money talking, Ronda’s Parador hotel may seem innocuous to the untrained eye, but a close inspection reveals a hideous new build parallel loft-conversion jutting out of the original 16th century structure that is unworthy of the city’s Roman and Moorish heritage. Sitting in pole position by the town’s famous bridge, while the views from the new rooms may be enhanced, from the outside the semi-circular balconies are a disgrace… and not even balanced.
THIS is, without a doubt, the most disgraceful building ever constructed on Spain’s coastline. This 411-room carbuncle, near Vera, in Almeria, has fortunately still not opened, but it has already completely scarred what was once a virgin beach. Erected without the correct planning permission - nor stopped despite protests from Greenpeace and Ecologists in Action - it dwarfs its surroundings and highlights, more than anything else, how corruption helped to destroy Spain’s last remaining coastlines. Will it ever be demolished as planned? That’s the million dollar question.
18
HEALTH
TUBBY KIDS
PM Pedro Sanchez has announced an eight year plan to reduce childhood obesity after studies show that 40% of children in Spain are overweight. According to the Prime Minister, levels of infant obesity in Spain have doubled in the past 20 years. Worsening levels of social inequality as a result of the financial crisis, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine are believed to be partly responsible. A recent ALADINO study showed that 47.3% of those on a salary of less than €18,000 are overweight, whereas the corresponding statistic for those earning more than €30,000 is 33.7%. Accordingly, the government’s strategy not only plans to reduce levels of infant excess weight by 25%, but also to reduce the social inequality gap associated with this by 40%.
June 16th - June 29th 2022
A NEW national suicide prevention hotline took almost 15,000 calls in its first month and has been credited weith saving hundreds of lives. The government said the ‘024’ hotline attracted an average of 400 calls a day since launching on May 10. Some 650 callers were redirected
Real lifeline
to emergency services who identified 290 cases of people they saved from taking their life. Associations, groups, and political parties called for the creation of the service, prompted by increasing mental health concerns during
Monkeypox jabs
the Covid pandemic lockdowns. Figures showed that attempted suicides grew by 30% during the pandemic. The new hotline service is free and totally confidential. The average duration of the calls is between 14 and 20 minutes - but as much time as is needed is taken with callers who are at imminent risk of taking their life.
Fags ban call Spaniards in favour of stricter smoking bans THE majority of Spaniards want to see stricter laws on smoking in public places. Some 85% want to see smoking bans extended, with 72% saying smoking should be prohibited on bar and restaurant terraces.
A SPANISH influencer was so outraged over her treatment by staff at a hotel in Paris that she took to her social media channel to complain to her 350,000 plus followers. Laura Ponts was furious that she was fined €100 after she was caught lighting a cigarette in a no smoking room. “€100 for smoking a cigarette in the room with the window open! Merci Hotel Ballu, I’m not coming back!” read the post by Lopez along with a picture of the fine on her
By Kimberly Mannion
According to a survey by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), 56.8% would restrict smoking in all open
Smoked out
Instagram stories. But she didn’t get quite the reaction she was hoping for, with many of her followers taking the side of the hotel staff. “Believe me, the hotel doesn’t want you to come back either” and “Good for the Ballu Hotel for not letting itself be blackmailed by Laura Ponts” were just two of the replies.
public spaces, 54% on beaches, 43.6% in private cars, and 24.2% in the street. The findings were presented during No Smoke week, which raised awareness of the dangers of smoking, a habit which causes the death of 52,000 people in Spain per year.
Booster
Vaping
Coordinator of No Smoke week, Susana Morena, is also in favour of extending these rules to new smoking alternatives like vaping, on which she comments that young people have the ‘false perception that they are not as bad’. Maria Fernandez, President of semFYC, said: “If Covid is to continue being a public health problem, the number
VACCINES against monkeypox will be used in a tiny number of cases where people have had close contact with sufferers. Spain and the UK have the largest number of monkeypox outbreaks out of over 1,000 cases recorded internationally. The Ministry of Health has received 200 vaccine shots which will be offered to people who may have been exposed to monkeypox and may suffer an adverse reaction.
one enemy, meaning tobacco, cannot be left to the side.” The question of smoking on terraces in Spain has been debated for some time, and some local and regional governments have taken steps to limit smoking in public places, with lighting up on the beach in Barcelona banned from July.
Health experts have been keen to point out that monkeypox is not a public health emergency akin to the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry also announced a second Covid-19 booster injection for people aged 80 and over; people in residential homes; and other vulnerable groups. The overwhelming majority of Covid deaths in Spain are now among elderly members of the population. Assessments will be made of latest infection rates before deciding on the most appropriate time to administer the booster dose.
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FINAL WORDS
A BRITISH man had a wedding night to forget in Mallorca after hitting his bride and being carted off to jail from a property in the Calvia municipality, though his new wife refused to press charges.
Chipper chimp A CIRCUS monkey dumped in a Ukraine dog shelter after his owner was killed in the war has a new home 1,000 kilometres away in Villena, Alicante.
Feeling blue PUERTO BANUS has been awarded its first blue flag in two decades after The Jose Banus Marina scooped up the prize to make Marbella the leading municipality for the coveted award.
COSTA BLANCA NORTE / VALENCIA FREE Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.theolivepress.es
Your
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voice in Spain June 16th - June 29th 2022
Rock n Roll Pres Barack Obama heads for hotel where Guns N’Roses stayed HE is easily the hippest of ex-presidents, so it’s no surprise to learn he’s staying at a hotel normally frequented by rock and football stars. US legend Barack Obama has checked in at five-star Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, this week. The Casares hotel, near Estepona, is celebrated for being the chill out spot, post tour, of fellow American rock legends Guns N’Roses.
By Kimberley Mannion
As the Olive Press revealed in 2014, both singer and guitarist Slash (pitured with Obama) and Axl Rose have taken €1,000-a-night suites for a week at the end of their European tours. Also a highly-rated golf course, it is no surprise that footballers including Gareth Bale, James Milner and Jamie Carragher
Lazy postie A BUILDER doing renovation work on a Biar house that used to belong to an Alicante postman, discovered over 20,000 undelivered letters dating back to 2012. The previous homeowner worked for Correos in 2012 and 2013 on a temporary contract.
have stayed over recent years. And we can reveal that Obama himself is taking full advantage of the testing 18hole course, as well as the
even more famous Real Club Valderrama, just up the road, where a round of golf costs around €400. The president is following in the footsteps of his wife, Michelle, who came to Andalucia in 2010, with their daughters, staying nearby in Hotel Villa Padierna. Barack is this week set to be the keynote speaker at an international forum on innovation and digital transformation in Malaga. The Digital Enterprise Show 2022 (DES) costs around €1990 to attend.
A WILD boar caused chaos when it emerged from the sea after a cooling dip and BIT an elderly woman. Lifeguards spotted the animal swimming off Albir beach on the Costa Blanca and blew warning whistles to get bathers out of the water. But as they set foot on dry land, so did the boar. It charged down the beach and bit a 67-year-old woman in the leg. She was taken to a health centre for treatment and the boar continued on its merry way and disappeared inland.
Tick tock gone A tourist had a Barcelona trip to forget after thieves tore off his €800,000 wrist watch in the street. The theft happened in the C i u t a t Vella area of the Catalan capital.