Olive Press Costa Blanca North- Issue 60 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Jávea · yorkshirelinencostablanca.com · Altea

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Vaccine fury OVER 40,000 people have signed a petition to allow vaccinated British Expats to visit the UK without quarantining. It comes after dozens of expats expressed outrage at a rule that made them exempt and needing to quarantine on their return to see family or friends back home. The digital petition, which claimed the rule prejudiced up to six million Britons living abroad, caused a rapid response from the UK government, defending its ‘pragmatic approach’.

Priority

A spokesman said: “Public health has always been our number one priority and we will not risk throwing away our hard-won achievements.” For the petition to be considered in Parliament it needs to reach 100,000 signatures. Letters special on page 10

Rollercoaster ride for our man getting married on the Rock during Euro final

Find out how it went on page 6

Doomed to close

Costa Blanca hotels are left praying for the return of UK tourists - with Germans and French staying home

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RECENTLY-reopened Costa Blanca hotels will have to close again if UK bookings do not pick up next month. The regional hoteliers association, Hosbec insists that it is very difficult to stay profitable without the normal masses of British tourists. The British government’s confusing and frequently-changing messages have

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already put many families off making a plunge for their summer holidays in Spain this year. But there are tens of thousands who are still planning to travel for their annual break in the sun. “If British tourists do not arrive in August, hotels are doomed to closure,” insisted Hosbec president, Toni

By Alex Trelinski

Mayor. Mayor regards the UK as almost the last hope in saving the summer season with an already gloomy outlook over visitors from France and Germany. “Rising COVID cases have reduced the hope that the

EU COVID certificate would bring in EU tourists as France and Germany are not recommending Spanish travel, which just leaves us with the British market,” said Mayor. Many hotels only reopened in late June or early this month in anticipation of relaxed UK travel rules as they are heavily dependent on the

Pollution probe

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A GOLF course is among a blacklist of polluters given to a judge investigating the dumping of improperly-treated water into the Mar Menor. Judge Angel Garrote has ordered 42 agriculture-based businesses to testify, as well as the bosses Continues on Page 4

British market. From July 19, ‘fully-vaccinated’ tourists from England going to an amber-listed country like Spain will no longer have to go into self-quarantine on their return. However all British tourists, minus children under the age of four, will still need two negative COVID tests. They have to be booked before you get on your flight and can cost up to £100 pounds (€117) each. Holidaymakers will also have to get a negative antigen test prior to flying home.

Risk

Germany last week classified the whole of Spain as ‘high risk’ for COVID-19, but there is currently no outright bar on German visitors coming to Spain if they have an EU COVID certificate. The same applies to French tourists, who are the second-highest number of foreign visitors traditionally after the UK. However a French Junior Minister suggested that both Spain and Portugal were not ‘safe destinations’, a suggestion denied by Spain’s Tourism Minister, Reyes Maroto.

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Visual aids SCREENS offering real-time information on Benidorm car parking spaces and local events have been erected on main roads entering the city..

Top marks ALICANTE-Elche airport is one of six Spanish airports to get a maximum COVID safety score by the internationally-respected Skytrax consultancy.

Big blaze PLUMES of black smoke caused by a fire at a San Vicente del Raspeig rubber company were seen ten kilometres away on Sunday. Over 30 firefighters extinguished the blaze which spread to a gymnasium flooring firm on an industrial estate.

Less tolerance EMERGENCY calls over homophobic and transphobic incidents have risen by 38% over the last two years in the Valencian Community.

Smoked out A BRITISH president of a Denia-based cannabis club has been arrested for drug trafficking. The unnamed 35-year-old female British president was stopped in a routine police check. Officers got suspicious after spotting over €8,000 in notes stuffed in a plastic bag. They launched an operation to find out what was going on at her club and whether she was running a clandestine business.

Club

Plain-clothed and uniformed officers monitored the address and spotted club members or customers entering and exiting the building within seconds. The clients were intercepted and various amounts of drugs, mainly marihuana, were seized from them.

A BRITISH man has been jailed for five years after repeatedly stabbing a fellow Brit in a Benidorm bar. He pled guilty to attempted homicide at his trial and will be deported once he has served twothirds of his sentence.

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Sextorting Brit Paedophile arrested as child sex abuse soars due to the Covid crisis

A BRITISH man has been arrested for sexually abusing and extorting a child in the Alicante area. Police say that the 67-yearold plied the British girl, aged under 15, with alcohol and drugs before assaulting her. The man recorded explicit videos and threatened to ‘release them’ to her family and friends if he could not have sex with her again. The youngster refused his demands and reported him to the Policia Nacional. According to police the girl did cleaning work at a property the man owned and he built up a bond with her by giving her alcohol and drugs.

Brit stabber jailed The Alicante Provincial Court also ordered him to pay nearly €38,000 in compensation to the victim. The convicted Brit produced a knife

By Alex Trelinski

Police seized computers and mobile phones containing child pornography from the man’s home. He has been charged with sexual abuse, extortion, the corruption of a minor, and

from his backpack and stabbed the ‘peace-maker’ several times in his arms, chest and head before running away. The victim needed emergency surgery and suffered permanent restricted mobility to one of his hands.

crimes against public health. The arrest came as Spain’s top cybercrime cop has blamed COVID-19 for a rise in child pornography cases. National Police cyber boss Agapito Hermes de Dios, told a Madrid conference that the criminal use of the internet has ‘multiplied exponentially in recent years’.

Fake

“The sexual harassment of minors by adults who use fake profiles to obtain pornographic material after gaining their trust, has grown enormously,” he observed. The chief commissioner said that all forms of cybercrime were growing at an annual rate of up to 35%.“Cybercrime generates more income than drug and people trafficking,” he said.

Tried to kill A BRITISH man has been jailed for 15 years for attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend at her holiday apartment. William McDonald, 61 stabbed Mhairi Campbell, 60, and left her lying in a pool of blood at her Quesada home in July 2017. The attack came two weeks after she ended their five-year relationship when the Glasgwegian turned up to collect some money and to request that she lie on his behalf over a legal matter.

Order

Alicante Provincial Court found him guilty of attempted murder and handed down a sentence nearly double that requested by prosecutors. They also awarded Campbell €25,000 in compensation and granted her a 24-year restraining order against McDonald. The court heard about his desire to ‘kill the victim and not just injure her’. He fled Spain and was extradited from the UK. The victim’s injuries were so severe that she was put into an induced coma on her way to Torrevieja Hospital.

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July 15th

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es HE’S got every right to lie back and take it easy. Having won the Golden Boot at the Euro 2020s championships, Cristiano Ronaldo deserved a long and luxurious break. And the Portuguese star cer-

Riding in IT’S enough to give Jilly Cooper palpitations. Argentine hunk and top ranked polo player in the world, Adolfo Cambiaso, is squeezing into his jodhpurs and heading for Spain this summer. He will be the star attraction as Sotogrande hosts the 50th edition of its International Polo Tournament from July 26 to August 28. Bringing the star back to the fields of the wealthy enclave for the first time in five years has seen the restoration of the tournament to the very highest tier of the polo world – the High Handicap category. The three most prestigious clubs in Sotogrande - Ayala, Dos Lunas and Santa Maria – are co-hosting the event and there will be a series of activities to entertain between chukkas. It is one of the traditional places to see and be seen during Spain’s summer social calendar – and everyone can join in. So, if you happen to be in the area, pop along – admission is free. Jilly Cooper - the Mistress of the Bonkbuster novel who regularly sets her books in the polo world - once said: “Anyone looks good in jodhpurs,” but she might have added about Adolfo “but some look better than others!”

June 3rd - June 16th 2021

tainly looks to be having it swanning around on boats in the north eastern corner of Mallorca. He and girlfriend Georgina Rodriquez, from Murcia, have been renting the magnificent Castell de Manresa estate, near Pollensa. The pair were seen out and about with their four children, while the Juventus star also posted images of his holiday on Instagram. The Castell de Manresa was a citadel built in 1715, which has now been

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Kicking back converted into a luxury holiday home where prices start at €50,000 a week. It comes with a fully staffed kitchen and personal spa. It also has its own helipad, tennis court and, of course, private beach. Conveniently he also has his €6m yacht the Azimut Grande 27 on hand nearby. He bought the 27-metre yacht last year as a celebration after Juventus took home their ninth Serie A title in a row.

Taxing time Pop star Shakira could face trial over tax ‘fraud’

COLOMBIAN superstar Shakira could yet face trial over an alleged €14.5 million tax fraud, despite having paid up the full amount two years ago. The Hips don’t Lie singer had hoped to avoid needing to testify in court – but now pre-trial depositions have been made by the prosecutor and defence. A judge will decide if the case should go to court. If it does, Shakira, real name Isabel Mebarak, could face a hefty fine, or even jail as well as being forced to publicly testify. A Shakira spokesman said:

REVEALED: Shakira could face a fine or jail By Dilip Kuner

“As soon as she learned how much she owed the Spanish tax authorities – and before a complaint was filed – Shakira paid the full amount, as well

Tennis comes home IT might not have come home for the English football players this weekend. But the Wimbledon title made its way back to Andalucia thanks to the Costa del Sol’s most famous expat Novak Djokovic. The Marbella local won his 20th Grand Slam on Sunday after claiming his sixth Wimbledon title. The Serbian star owns a stunning Morrocan style mansion in the Sierra Blanca hills, where he has lived for much of the last year. He spent most of the lockdown at the villa, which naturally has a court, training hard for this year’s tournaments. The training clearly paid off, as the three time Wimbledon consecutive winner is now only the second man in history to win the first three major tournaments of a season. This feat was also achieved by Rod Laver in 1969. The Serb has also now drawn level with the record for most ever major tournament wins, alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He has won two French Open titles, three US Open titles and nine Australian Open titles. So the people of Marbella can celebrate this momentous victory for their adopted son.

as providing the tax office with exhaustive information. For this reason, there is currently no debt whatsoever.” However, this is not enough to stop the case from going to trial, according to prosecutors. They maintain that the singer – who has two sons with Barcelona footballing legend Gerard Piquet – should have submitted tax returns in Spain from 2012 to 2014. At that time she had entered into a relationship with Pique and, prosecutors maintain, she lived in Barcelona and therefore had to pay tax in Spain. Her defence insists she was resident in the Bahamas at the time. While prosecutors admit she did not spend the six months and a day per year in Spain that would make her automatically tax resident, they claim that she was effectively living in the country as she always returned to Barcelona after business trips.

Frying high HE is a lot more than just a whiz in the kitchen. Jose Andres may well be one of America’s most famous chefs with a string of Michelin-starred restaurants and credited with bringing tapas to the states. But he is also a famous charity worker, who has helped millions of people suffering from poverty and hunger. Now he has scooped Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for his humanitarian work in feeding those in the midst of crisis and natural disasters. The 51-year-old chef and his NGO, World Central Kitchen has won the Concord Award for ‘offering extraordinarily fast and efficient on-theground response to social and nutritional emergencies’. Born in Asturias, he trained in Barcelona before moving to the US in 1991 where he rose to fame popularising tapas and opening a number of restaurants, two of which earned two Michelin stars. In 2010, Andres formed the World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organisation with a remit ‘to end hunger and poverty’ by using the power of food to empower communities’. The charity rushes to the aid of those suffering natural disasters ELCHE’S Footwear such as Hurricane Maria, when the Museum is displaying a team supplied 3.6 million meals to pair of boots belonging the people of Puerto Rico. to one of Spain’s greatLast year it dedicated restaurants est-ever footballers. to feeding those struggling in the Former Barcelona star, coronavirus crisis. Andres Iniesta, has Andres is a friend of former presiloaned the boots in dent Barack Obama, who awarded which he scored Spain’s the chef a National Humanities extra-time winning goal Medal in 2015. He is a fierce oppoin the 2010 World Cup nent of Donald Trump who sued final against Holland. him and lost after Andres pulled The museum has got a out of a restaurant deal over the local manufacturer to ex-president’s disparaging comdonate a pair of shoes to ments about Mexicans. Iniesta’s wife, Anna, as a The Princess of Asturias Awards ‘thank you’. comes with prize money of €50,000.

Boots are made for watching

POLLY’S International Bookshop

Quality Used Books since 1985 Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old. “Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.” Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it. We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.

Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439

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Here come the girls! THE majority of new ministers brought into the government in a key cabinet reshuffle are women. It means that Spain’s cabinet is now considerably more feminine than male, with women holding 14 of 23 key positions. The average age of the new team is 50-years-old down from 55, and the proportion of women increased to 63%. “This will make our country once again the reference for women-men equality,” Sanchez said. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a new deputy prime minister, foreign minister and justice minister, among seven new appointments. Nadia Calvino will retain her portfolio as Economy Minister but gains a promotion to First Deputy Prime Minister; Isabel Rodeiquez will be the new government spokesperson and Jose Manuel Albares will take on the role of Foreign Minister. Equality Minister Irene Montero will stay in place.

Mar Menor under par From front page

of a golf course, who have not yet been named. The Murcia-based judge is probing the companies’ use of illegally-used desalination plants in the Campo de Cartagena area. They created extremely poor water quality and a spread of algae which led to the death of thousands of fish. One of Garrote's aims is to determine who is criminally responsible for the pollution. The Guardia Civil compiled a new 43-strong list obtained in their inquiries concerning Hidrotec which allegedly sold and installed illegal water treatment units. The proceedings were started in 2017 with dozens of businesses implicated.

NEWS SAN Vicente del Raspeig saw a return to curfew hours this week. It's one of 32 Valencia region municipalities to have a 1am to 6am restriction imposed from Tuesday. The measure will run for a fortnight with the areas classified as having 'serious' COVID-19 infection

A two kilometre stretch of the upmarket resort is awash with coastal pollution, claims green group THE Costa Blanca’s most upmarket resort has been awarded a black mark for serious coastal pollution. Javea has been awarded a black flag by environmental pressure group, Ecologists in Action, for failing to tackle an ‘alarming spread’ of urban waste between the port and Arenal beach. The green group said the two kilometres of coastline is awash with wet wipes from sewage outflow, as well as cracked pipes in times of heavy rain. The town was also singled out for failing to tackle protection of underwater Poseidon grass, as well as allowing overdevelopment in certain stretches. The charity, in particular, singled out the closure of public access to Cala del Frances. It is critical of no official action being taken since problems involving the EDAR local water treatment plant became apparHOSPITALITY association, Apeha, has branded the 12.30am closure of bars and restaurants as ‘nonsense’. It claims the move forces young customers to have illegal drinks parties.The Valencian government brought in new hospitality and nightlife rules last weekend, as

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Lockdown returns rates. Across the whole region, private and family gatherings are now limited to no more than 10 people. All hospitality businesses, including nightlife, have to stop service at midnight and close their doors at 12.30

am. Alcohol can no longer be sold in shops after 8pm. Valencian Health Minister Ana Barcelo (pictured) said: “These measures are aimed at helping the health of our citizens and we have acted decisively to stop the chain of infections.”

Black mark for Javea

ent in 2016. Ecologists insist that ‘urgent measures should be taken to stop the serious impact on the coastal ecosystems of Javea’. The group has also handed out an award to Orihuela Costa during its annual 2020 Bandas Negras awards, which are

Nonsense move

COVID-19 cases rose, especially among younger residents. Apeha president, Emi Ortiz, said: “It’s nonsense. When we close at 12.30, then the young

By Alex Trelinski

timed to come a month after the EU’s official blue flags are awarded. There are serious concerns about plans to build 1,500 properties at Cala Mosca, people gather for botellons or private parties. Nobody goes home. “It is a proven fact that the hospitality sector is safe and controlled,” she added. Ortiz said that with 50% indoor capacity restrictions in place since spring, many small bars have not reopened this year.

The UK’s Leading Online School interhigh.co.uk The Olive Press -16, 17 and 18 Jun --- 1/3 Page - 256 mm w x 105 mm h --- (all editions except Gib)

south of Torrevieja on the Orihuela Costa. Ecologists in Action say that Cala Mosca is the only coastal stretch of the Orihuela municipality that has not been urbanised. Discoveries of rare flora and fauna over the years in the area have boosted the case against development, according to the group. Of the 48 black flags awarded in Spain, the Valencian region has a total of six and Andalucia has ten. “We have only selected the very worst abuses and there should be a lot more,” said spokesman Clara Mejias, pointing out that the group only picked two new ones per province each year.

Adios to financial legend chief ONE of the best known expat financial figures has Eightpassed away in his sevenies. Bill Blevins, the joint ties Bill Blevins, joint founder of expatthe financial founder of expat financial services company Blevin services died company Franks, after aBlevin long Franks, died after a long illness. illness. worked closeBlevins Blevins worked closely with David Franks to ly with DavidFranks Franksinto to build Blevins build Blevins Franks into a major international tax a major international tax and wealth management and wealth advisory firm.management advisory firm. personality, “His lively “His lively insight and personality, generosity insighta big and generosity made impact on staff madeclients a big impact staff and alike,”on said a and clients alike,” a spokesman for thesaid firm. spokesman themissed firm. “He will be for sadly “Heall willat be sadly missed by Blevins Franks by allmany at Blevins and clientsFranks and and manypartners clients who and business business partners who met him over the years.” met him over the years.”

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Blevins Franks was origiBlevins nally founded Franksinwas the UK origiin nally before 1975 founded they in the set UK up in 1975 before Spain when athey client setmoved up in Spain to the when country. a client They moved then to the country. expanded, setting They up officthen expanded, es across Europe. setting up offices acrossand Blevins Europe. Franks sold Blevins the company and Franks in 2012sold as the company they went into in 2012 retireas they went ment. Blevins intolived retirefor ment. years many Blevins in thelived Southfor of many years France where in the he featured South of France on radiowhere showsheand featured in the on radio local English showspress and in offerthe localadvice ing English on finance. press offering advice on finance.

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Stitch up A BRITISH pensioner has lost her dream home in the sun over a decade-long legal dispute over a boundary wall. Margaret Townley, 75, claims she has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice after being forced to walk away from the house on which she has spent more than €300,000. The former social worker, from Bath, has handed the keys to her neighbour after a vicious 13-year legal battle. She told the Olive Press she believes corruption and fraud has caused the loss of her retirement home in Salobrena, Granada. Her nightmare began after she got into a legal battle with her builder neighbour over a dodgy collapsed boundary wall, which led to a judge ordering the house to be sold at a closed auction. To add insult to injury it was bought ‘under value’ by the family of the very builder responsible for the collapsed wall. Townley and her Chilean husband Roberto had first purchased their plot above Salobrena on the Costa Tropical in Granada in 2002. Conveniently they hired a local builder, who lived next door, to build the house and a boundary wall at a cost of €18,500 All went well until in 2008 a

SCORCHIO

DISGRACE: Collapsed wall led to loss of Townley’s house

We are trying to contact Wendy Irena Ann Batt, nee Lavender, last known to be living in Alicante. Please would you urgently contact our offices on

EXCLUSIVE By Fiona Govan

that it had no jurisdiction as it was not a criminal case but acknowledged that she had suffered ‘a gross injustice’. But it was ordered to return to the judge at Motril Court 2 for yet another technical report for the Town Hall. However, despite evidence put to the court by technical architects that the fixed wall

BOILING westerly winds brought the hottest temperatures to the Costa Blanca for 12 years. Orihuela City recorded 43.1 degrees on Monday afternoon, according to meteorology agency Aemet. It's the highest temperature in Orihuela since 2009 when 44.2 degrees was logged. Although temperatures on the coast were cooler, the difference was only marginal.

Pensioner ‘left with nothing’ after losing home in long legal dispute with builder section of the wall collapsed after a winter of heavy rains and it emerged it had been built without proper foundations and drainage. “We carried out technical surveys which determined that the wall had not been built to the specifications agreed and attempted to seek legal redress for him to replace it or pay compensation,” said Townley. But the builder died, and his wife then sued Townley for the damage caused to her fruit trees when the wall collapsed. Incredibly, she was successful when Motril court ruled that she was responsible for repairing the wall to avoid further collapses and appointed a technical architect whose report quoted a rebuild cost of €117,000. “It was an absurd amount and as the ruling didn’t say we had to actually follow that plan we instead forked out €30,000 on a new wall that was given approval by Salobrena town hall,” said Townley. The case was referred up to the Provincial Court in Granada where a judge ruled

July 15th - July 28th 2021

was adequate, the judge ruled that the debt was outstanding. He ordered the house be sold at auction and the proceeds used to build the new wall. “It went under the hammer in a sale that took place when travel restrictions meant I couldn’t even fly into attend,” said Townley. “It was sold to a company owned by the son of the builder and bought for the hugely under-the-market value price of €65,000,” she said.

+44 1942 826500 or email zoe@ estateresearch.co.uk

NEWS FEATURE

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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.

Jon Clarke on the rollercoaster ride of supporting England, including tickets in Rome in the quarters, then at home for the Euro final

OPINION Coming together THE English nation has been deeply divided over Brexit. Social media has been the battleground for Leavers and Brexiters for years now. These same divisions have been found in expat communities in Spain and further afield. But in recent weeks there has been something that has pulled the English together - and that is its football team. Millions of English fans in Spain, Gibraltar, around the world and of course in England itself have largely backed the team. Yes, there have been the usual grumbles about selection, tactics and the strengths and weaknesses of individual players. But when it came down to the matches themselves, people came together to support the team. By reaching its first major final since 1966, the team helped put a smile on the faces of the English nation and its diaspora after the miseries of pandemic lockdown. And divisions over such matters as Brexit were forgotten – or at least put aside – as the England team, at last, gave people something they could agree about. Denmark, Italy, Wales and Scotland too can look back with pride as their teams did their nations proud. The exploits of all four teams showed the power of football in a positive way. Few other things in life can draw people together.

Take the knee Unfortunately, a small minority took delight in opening the festering wounds caused by racism. From booing the taking of the knee in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM) to the racist abuse heaped on four fine young men, which ironically showed exactly why they were taking the knee in the first place. But the outraged reaction from the majority to the abuse suffered by those black players is heartening to see. Hopefully this new-found togetherness is something we can all carry on into the coming years.

Andrew Attrill 64, Retired, Isle of Wight Andrew made a last minute decision to travel to Ibiza with his son Jack and their friends after finding a cheap flight to the White Isle on the weekend. Watching the big game at Flahertys pub in San Antonio, the retired father of three said that he couldn’t be more proud to be supporting England in the final. “I will always remember this day and even more so to share it with my boy in Ibiza,” said Andrew.

Terry Parker Oliva, Valencia “Going into the game, I thought we had a great chance of winning as this was the best England squad we’d had for a while. Then when we scored in the second minute I thought that was it, and everyone in the pub around me started celebrating. The equaliser really killed the mood, and I could hardly watch the penalties… everyone left less than five minutes after the end, without hanging around for a drink or anything. Very disappointing. Still, they did us proud.”

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OMETHING old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. That just about sums up our weekend in Gibraltar. Two very important events occurred almost simultaneously - England played Italy in the final of the Euros, and we also tied the knot on The Rock. The decision to book a Gibraltar wedding was made in part because of Brexit, after our local ayuntamiento in Alicante admitted that there could be ‘unknown delays’ and added bureaucracy due to the UK leaving the EU. Despite both fiance, Nicola, and I having Spanish residency, it was decided not to risk it, and Gibraltar register office was only too happy to oblige without fuss. That it coincided with the championship’s climax, only started to matter after England thumped Ukraine 4-0. The prospect of a potential place in the final alone was mouthwatering, but what if we could go on and win? It would certainly make for unique dinner party conversations in the future when

iving up in the very Spanish mountain town of Ronda means there are no English bars… and every football-loving expat we know had, predictably, gone down to the coast. Including our teenage daughter! So having firstly toyed with the idea of watching the Euro 2020 final at a friendly Italian pizzeria and then booked the terrace of a local restaurant, we decided we would be far happier at home with Auntie Beeb and good old Gary Lineker. For starters we could scream (and then cry) without any Italians or Spanish around to laugh and, secondly, to watch the build-up in English. Oh, and the Wimbledon final before it. It turned out to be a great evening, despite my father-in-law randomly deciding to support Italy 15 minutes before the game, despite being a dyed in the wool monarchist and playing cricket for the British army and Surrey. He did live in Italy for two decades, I suppose, and he could see it coming. And he was right. But what a month - and tournament - it’s been. Having watched the largely unmemorable group stages on the Costa del Sol, where we live in the week, we headed off on holiday to Italy with no idea that there was a chance England would play a game there. It was only as we prepared to watch Italy versus Austria in the charming main square of Ceglie, in Puglia, that we saw the permutations that could take us to Rome. We worked out that if we beat Germany a few days later (a big if, mind) England would be heading to the quarter finals in Italy’s amazing capital city. With both kids gagging for a trip to the Eternal city and the wife shrugging her shoulders, I booked a great-value apartment for two nights.

EXPAT ARMY: Jon with Charlie (right) I had no idea if we would get tickets for the game, but given no English supporters could travel to Italy and it is not swamped with expats like Spain, I figured we would have a chance. I got on every fan group and Facebook page and eventually located three tickets for 200 euros each. A lot, but not extortionate. But just before buying them I got a superb bit of advice from the Olive Press’ salesman extraordinaire Charlie Bamber, a keen travelling England fan, who told me that UEFA would be releasing some more tickets the following day. He told me I had to register with the official website, putting in my passport details and where I lived (if you had an English address you were automatically stopped from buying) and he would tip me off at the right time. And so it came to pass, I got the phone call by the pool at 4pm the next day when 1,800 tickets went out on general sale at cost price. Amazingly I was able to secure four tickets for just 75 euros each. Even the missus, who had only seen one other live game in her life before (a wet and windy draw between Tottenham and Bolton 25 years ago) would be coming.

Rocking the final By Simon Wade in Gibraltar

the ubiquitous ‘where were you when...?’ question crops up. ‘Something old’ was how I felt after driving the 600 km from home in Alicante province. A new car can make you FEEL younger, but it only hides the reality of middle age with a (passion red metallic) veneer ‘Something new’ was the fact that the England men’s football team did reach a major final for the first time in recent history. A night spent in Casemates Square saw thousands of supporters cheering on the England team with fervour, humour and passion. ‘Something blue’ wasn’t the despondency or inevitability of the penalty shootout result, but the disgusting treatment of our own players by so-called fans afterwards. Those that abused black players online should be traced and dealt with accordingly.

And the grown men that punched and kicked young Italy fans in Wembley stadium should be named, shamed and jailed. There is no place and no reason for such shameful behaviour in today’s society none whatsoever. Still, the wedding went without any drama, and everything went to plan (see pic front page). As for ‘something borrowed’? After Sunday, let’s hope it’s racism … living on borrowed time.

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July 15th - July 28th 2021

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Forever England By Fiona Govan in Madrid

HE backroom of a bar in Madrid’s Malasana will be forever England, or so it would’ve been had the night turned out differently. A few dozen Brits resident in the capital had gathered there for what they hoped would be the evening they had been waiting for all their lives. “I’m pretty anxious to be honest,” said Tom Graham, a signwriter in the district, at the start of the match in La Taperia. “But I feel it really is our time.” He was wrong. And just a few hours later, disappointment was writ large on his face. “I’m not going to cry,” he said as his face crinkled and we heard the jubilant cheers from Italians in a neighbouring bar. “I’m probably the only one in this bar who actually remembers 1966,” admitted Celia Clayden who was a teenager in London when England last won a championship. “It’s a real shame this lot won’t know how that feels.”

So there we were, in Rome, having taken antigen tests and passing through seven, yes seven, security checks to watch England v Ukraine in the quarter finals. What a game, what an experience. We blew them away and guess who was sitting in the row in front? Yes, Charlie Bamber. He gets about (see pic left). But what was incredible was the amount of expat Brits who had travelled from all over Spain to the game. The flights to Rome, to Milan, to Naples, etc, etc, were full of England fans, who could legally watch their team in a massive game. We did the team proud, making an incredible racket… and who was interviewed live on Sky News by the Trevi Fountain? Mr Bamber, of course. Having sung for Spain in the heart of Positano against Italy in the semis (what an injustice), we came back and watched England in

Puerto Banus against Denmark. The best England performance for years, we had made a final for the first time in 55 years! What a game, but now we had to meet the tactical masters of the game. The trickiest, most slippery bunch of streetwise footballers there are. Italy were played off the park by Spain (but won on penalties), only just overcame Austria in extra time, and squeezed past Wales… but they always seem to win. A bit like Germany used to. My father-in-law had predicted a 2-1 win. I knew we would lose if it got to penalties. We almost always do. Local friends Lisa and Andy, not huge football fans but up for it nonetheless, watched the agony and ecstasy of supporting England this Sunday. The term; that Monday morning feeling, was never more apt.

Thirsty for glory

HE ecstasy and the agony were lived in equal measure at the Thirsty Monk pub in Castelldefels, near Barcelona.“It was a rollercoaster of emotions. The atmosphere after the first goal was electric,” said expat Liam Hill, who has lived in Spain for four years. He showed the Olive Press a photo of how

By Graham Keeley in Barcelona

an Italian player fouled Bukayo Saka. “This is a good photo of how Italy played. “Twice they should have had a red,” he added. “That said, we hace had a good run in the Euros. It was a good night with good people.”

Time to travel 32

The place was buzzing By Katherine Brook in Estepona

PAIN is not short of beautiful cities oozing history from between the cracks of their ancient iconic buildings, such as Granada’s Alhambra and Sevilla’s Alcazar. But one comes above the rest, according to a poll published by global travel bible Lonely Planet this year: that of Cordoba, a true melting pot of ancient, modern and everything in between. The birthplace of renowned Roman playwright Seneca and Jewish philosopher Maimonides, to name two great thinkers, the place is a veritable warren of historic sites. Now is the perfect time to visit Cordoba’s numerous attractions without the crowds and clamour, drifting through the town at your

May 19th - June 1st 2021

WALK THIS WAY

own pace. I wanted to explore the city without going to ‘the big three’ - the Mezquita, the alcazar and the medina - as I have a pretentious passion for taking the path less trodden. Just follow your nose and take an aimless amble

around. You won’t be disappointed. Cordoba entertained right from the get-go as I stumbled across the Church of San Francisco, built by Fernando III in the 13th century with its adjacent square with red and white porticoes. Heading west, I wound

my way through sinuous stone streets and chanced upon the Calleja de los Flores, a quaint alleyway lined with flower pots. From here it is just a gentle stroll to Casa Arabe, also known as Casa Mudejar, an arts and culture centre that hosts qual-

diced egg), I meandered along the riverfront and over the marvellous Puente Romano, a 250m stone bridge that dates back to at least the second century AD. Founded around 152BC by the Romans, Corduba, as it was called then, was the capital of

Hispania Ulterior and flourished economically by virtue of its prized olive oil. It became a Roman colonia between 46 and 45BC, but after the city put its money and troops on the wrong horse in the civil war between Pompey and Caesar,

the latter sacked it and slaughtered some 30,000 people. These seismic events would inspire Lucan, born in Cordoba just six years earlier, to compose one of the most extraordinary poems in the Latin language - the Pharsalia, a subversive, gory epic

100 years of flower power

T’S a botanical binge to inspire the most relucFrom as far as back as the Roman occupation tant gardners. of Cordoba, houses have been built around inner For a fortnight in May, all Cordoba opens its gardens enclosed within thick walls to provide a private courtyards to the hoi polloi who traipse haven of shade during the summer months when through the cobbled alleys and duck through the mercury often tops 40ºC. doorways to be amazed by the green-fingered These internal spaces were refined to include skills of those who live here. As the child of flofountains and water features under Moorish rule, ra-obsessed parents I recall many trips around when the Umayyad caliphate built the mosque – the formal gardens of National Trust properties since converted into a cathedral - that remains a - most often in the rain and endured only for the highlight of every city tour. promise of ice-cream or a cream tea in a chintzNowadays these spaces have been elevated to filled café. works of art, where each wall in every garden has Now with a patio of my own in Madrid sprouting been designed with the festival in mind, each pot several sad yuccas, a few hardy spider plants and of geraniums carefully placed to maximise conone pitiful geranium, it was time to seek inspiratrasts and provide sensational bursts of colour. tion from a city that packs more So good are they that the patios flower power than San Francisco have been afforded UNESCO-produring the merry month of May. tected status. A perfumed This year marks the 100th anniSome gardens belong to single versary of the Feria de los Patios, properties and others are collecpromenade when residents open their floral tions of courtyards with different inner sanctums to the public and through private dwellings looking out on them. compete for the prize of prettiest One of my favourites was No. patios in the walled garden space. 6, Calle Marroquíes where low old quarter Usually mobbed, but with COVID-19 bungalows are home to artisan keeping tourists away, it was easy workshops within a labyrinth of to find an affordable, last-minute interlocking corridors and patios Airbnb. Mine was ensconced in a quaint alley a bedecked with tumbling greenery and blooms. cobblestone’s throw from Plaza de la CorredeIt’s easy to tell the serious gardeners (the ones ra, a colonnaded square filled with terrazas fresnapping close-ups of leaves to identify plants quented by Cordoba’s student population. that might thrive on their own windowsills) from The route map provided on the website takes the nosey parkers (me). I had more fun peeking visitors on a perfumed promenade to dozens of through doors and windows, enjoying the access private patios throughout the old quarter and it’s to private spaces sealed off behind closed doors an olfactory overload even if you only visit half of for all but this fortnight in May. them. My guide was Cordoba local Chapi Pineda, a I interspersed courtyard visits with stops at tapas celebrated flamenco guitarist with a deep love bars and bodegas and sightseeing around the of his home city and an insider knowledge that Mezquita and Juderia - a joy to do in this beautihe is proud to share: including where to taste fully compact walking city. the best tortilla in town (Bar Santos) and how to Thankfully the queues for patios were shorter find a table with unrivalled views of the cathedral and faster this year, despite social distancing (upstairs on the terrace of the Pairi Daeza restaumeasures which, fortuitously, gave everyone a rant). few brief moments alone to enjoy the space withSomewhere in the maze of narrow white-washed out crowds of selfie-takers and couples romantilanes between the synagogue and the Mezquita cally posing beneath bougainvillea. he also revealed a real local treasure: Bodega

SO SPECIAL: The Roman bridge (left), the Alcazar (above), Roman pillars (below) and a work by Julio Romero de Torres

ity photography exhibitions on niche topics, including Morocco’s breathtaking blue-washed town, Chefchaouen. After a delicious lunch of tortilla and salmorejo, Cordoba’s celebrated tomato purée topped with serrano jam (or in a vegetarian’s case,

As Cordoba’s famous patio festival marks its centennial, Fiona Govan visits the city that goes potty for plants in May

SIMPLY STUNNING

about the aforementioned civil war whose quality scholars still debate fiercely today. Next up was the Museo Julio Romero de Torres, where I was the only visitor. Tucked away on the Plaza del Potro, this cosy, elegant museum dedicated to the eponymous local painter was the unexpected gem of my trip. Romero, born 1874, was possessed with the fervour of Flamenco, which he often personified as a naked or scantily clad lady, such as in La musa gitana (‘The Gypsy Muse’). As is the case in so much art produced by men, many of Romero’s busty women were conveniently spilling out of their garments in one place or another, leading feminists to vilify him; nonetheless, his striking style that fused a gamut of motifs - classical, mannerist, Christian, Andalucian - made a stronger impression on me than the artwork in the Bellas Artes museum opposite and lingered with me long after I left.

Unmissable monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984

HE iconic symbol of Cordoba is the stunning Mosque-Cathedral, which is an extraordinary example of the blending of Muslim and Christian cultures. Built in the 8th Century under the rule of Amir Abd ar-Rahman I, the mosque became a Christian church when Cordoba was conquered by Fernando III of Castilla in 1236. Such was its stunning beauty, the christians decided to preserve the mosque rather than destroy it, enhancing its beauty by adding new spaces and monuments. The central focus of the edifice is a shellshaped prayer niche built in the 10th century. The mihrab traditionally faces Mecca. However, the one in the mosque of Cordoba faces south. The striped brick and stone arches are supported by 856 granite and marble pillars from the Roman and Visigothic ruins. The sun’s rays create an impressive play of light between the pillars and the arches. Also, like many cathedrals in southern Spain, the Mosque of Cordoba has an orange tree courtyard. You can enter the Patio de los Naranjos free of charge, and this is where you will find the kiosk to buy your ticket for the oficial tour. Entrance to the Mosque costs €11 per person. Children between 10 and 14 years old will pay €6, and children under 10 are free. Early risers can visit the mosque for free from Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 9:30am.

We are open – See you soon!

The Costa de la Luz’s most emblematic restaurant and hotel. In the stunning white town of Vejer de la Frontera.

Lavish

BEAUTY: The patios are a colourful treat Guzman, its dark tiled interior exuding the musty aroma of fermenting wine, where a glass of local fino can be enjoyed for a staggeringly good value €1.10. In the evening we dined at Taberna San Miguel Casa el Pisto, a typical Andalus restaurant where we sat in a tiled courtyard covered in feria memorabilia. Beneath a portrait of the greatest matador of all time, Cordoba-born Manolete - painted by Chapi’s own father, the artist Rafael Pineda - we devoured local delicacies including the simple but divine cogollos al ajillo - who knew lettuce could taste this good? Cordoba in May is exquisite, even for those who don’t think flowers are that interesting. In fact, I dare you to visit and not come away with a few souvenir pots and a head full of ideas for improving your own urban garden. I certainly did.

My last stop of the day was the Viana Palace. Dating back to 1492, this lavish manor exhibits an unusual intertwining of Roman and Arabic architectural styles and boasts 12 beautiful patios à la the Cordoban custom, not to mention sumptuous salons that evoke the lifestyles of the various nobles who were lucky enough to call this place home. Flowers and fruits fragrance the air and nearly every courtyard is bursting with colour. My favourites were the reception patio, with its porticoed galleries supported by stately Tuscan columns, and the serene Patio de los naranjas whose trickling fountain and spectacular purple wisteria lend it a soothing, serene atmosphere. It made for a superb end to an excellent day round Cordoba which reaffirmed an age-old truth of travel: even if a city is best known for one building alone, scratch below the surface and you’re sure to find that the place has a whole lot more to offer as well.

CalifaVejer.com tel: +34 956 44 77 30 Plaza de España, Vejer de la Frontera,Costa de la Luz, Cádiz

M I

T may not sound like an obvious choice to watch England in the Euro2020 final, but Irish pub Healy Mac’s in Estepona port was rammed with patriotic expats and tourists. One group in particular led the crowd, keeping up the energy with chants from their prime spot in the centre of the bar. Chris Legg, (pictured above right) a 41-year-old builder from Watford, said the group had been out to watch every game together and was ever optimistic that England were going to win. “This is our year. It’s got to come home now,” he insisted with a vodka Redbull in hand. “We’re going to the feria after, win or lose - we’ll either be celebrating or drowning our sorrows.” When the first goal was scored everyone went wild with bottles and drinks flying around, but it was all in good spirits. Most of the friends had been there since lunchtime, with Jason Naylor (pictured above left), 35, from Wolverhampton, explaining that the group went ‘this hard’ for every single game. “It’s not every day we make it to a Euro final!” he explained. New recruit to the group, Ollie Buckingham, 29, from London said the atmosphere was ‘amazing’. “What a place to watch the game,” he insisted. “This place is buzzing, it’s brilliant. The only way to watch a game like this.”

The Spanish connection

CHART TOPPERS: from left, Hamilton, McClarnon and Frost

For most tourists Cordoba is all about the Mesquita, the Alcazar and the Roman bridge. Laurence Crumbie took the road less travelled and found a city chock full of treasures lesser known

CORDOBA SPECIAL

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

IT became a football anthem sweeping the terraces in the FIFA World Cup 2018. And it has continued throughout this tournament. It started when English fans spontaneously altered the lyrics of Atomic Kitten’s number one hit Whole Again to Southgate you’re the one, football’s coming home again. It was so popular the band reunited to re-record it for Euro 2020 with no less than two Spanish connections. The new vocals and lyrics were recorded in Ibiza, when Jenny Frost joined up with Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon for the first time in 13 years. Meanwhile the song’s original writer and producer is Costa del Sol expat Bill Padley. Ironically, the Novello award-winning writer, who is a DJ at Talk Radio Europe, isn’t even English – he is a proud Scot.

ANY people know Spain only for its key cities and beaches. While these are justly famous, there is a lot more to the country than that. Now travel restrictions are largely behind us (at least within Spain) the nation is once more open to travel. But where to go? Well, we have the answer. The Olive Press has for years thrown a spotlight on hundreds of the hidden and not so hidden corners of Spain. While often visiting the emblematic cities of Sevilla, Madrid and Valencia and the fantastic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, we’ve frequently been off the beaten track. For 15 years our writers have been highlighting the often overlooked beauty spots in places like Galicia and Extremadura. Take a look at our spotlight on Santiago de Compostela, or the delights of the Sierra de Gata or the secrets of the abandoned arabic city of Madinet, near Cordoba. These are just three of hundreds of articles in the travel section of our website, including dozens of restaurant and hotel reviews and plenty of tips of what to do. And all this is at the tips of your fingers. Just go to theolivepress.es and click on the Travel tab – and Spain is your oyster!

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: paid to Samuel Luiz Muniz, 24, beaten 1- Tributes to death in Spain over his sexuality New restrictions enforced in Spain’s Ibiza and 2- Mallorca as Balearic Islands welcome floor of British Tourists of Spain’s Malaga moved back to more 3- Half restrictive level 2 health alert due to spike in positive Covid-19 cases Brits living in Spain furious that new quaran4-tine exemption doesn’t apply to those vaccinated outside UK Curfews returning to high infection towns and 5-cities in new anti-covid measures for the Costa Blanca and Valencia areas of Spain

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Pest control

A TEAM of Spanish scientists has developed a new system to diagnose crop diseases that can greatly reduce the use of pesticides. The technology created by Ainia relies on artificial intelligence and can be mounted on drones and terrestrial vehicles, such as tractors, to take 3D shots in real time of fruit trees and other crop plantations. With the information obtained, farmers can check for any infections or pests, and accurately calculate the type and minimum amount of chemical pesticides needed to treat them. It will also enable landown-

Artificial Intelligence technology can reduce use of harmful pesticides By Glenn Wickman

ers to check water requirements and drought conditions, leading to a more precise allocation of resources. Valencia-based Ainia believes that the system will help reduce pesticide use by 10% to 60% depending on the type of crop, as well as cutting working hours and the amount of fuel used by agricultural machinery. The project is part of Ainia’s contributions towards the

so-called ‘agriculture 4.0’ - a drive to update and transform farming using modern technology - with the aim of complying with the United Nations’ (UN) Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals by making a better use of resources, saving energy and fuel, and reducing environmental impact. According to the UN, demand for food will increase by 70% over the next 30 years, with climate change and pollution resulting in a drop in crop production of between 10% and 50%.

Emissions down CARBON emissions in Spain fell 13.7% last year to their lowest level in 31 years. A surge in renewable energy coupled with a decline in industrial and road activity due to the pandemic meant the country’s emissions fell to 272 million tonnes, 6.4% below the 1990 level, according to the Environment Ministry. In terms of electricity generation, 35% less carbon was emitted as coal fired power stations were phased out and renewables such as wind and solar grew 13%. In total, 3.6% less electricity was generated than in 2019 as business demand declined during the lockdown. Spain aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, with its climate plan foreseeing coal capacity to be zero by 2030.

SOLAR PV PANELS

PEOPLE in Spain are amongst the most optimistic when it comes to the battle against climate change. A survey conducted in 16 countries found that people aged 55 and over believe most strongly that their behaviour can make a positive difference. The majority of people questioned in Spain, Canada, Brazil, Italy, China and Thai-

Still time

land felt that if we act now there is still time to save the planet, the survey by Mintel found. Overall, 54% were optimistic there is enough time to combat global heating, with 51% saying changing their own behaviour could make the crucial difference.

Martin Tye explains how the construction trade should help fight climate change

Green Matters

Costa del Building Site

By Martin Tye

I DRONE: Latest technology helping farmers

July 15th - July 28th 2021

REMEMBER my father saying to me on my first visit to Spain, many years ago “The Spanish would build on a roundabout if they could!” Funny how you remember certain things from way back. By lunchtime I can’t remember what I had for breakfast! Yet I remember that. Probably because the landscape in Spain doesn’t allow you to forget. Cranes, building sites,heavy construction traffic and the endless stream of white man vans serve as a constant reminder. In 1987, alternative rock band The House Martins released an album titled The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death

NOT GRINNING NOW: The Housemartins

Could this apply to the raft of avaricious developers building more and more close to you? So relevant to today’s theme are lyrics from a hit song of theirs Build. “Slow, slow and quick, quick quick. It’s wall to wall and brick to brick. They work so fast it makes you sick. Let’s build” I’m not against sensible development but I am against: High density development Let me start with high density development. This leads to areas being ruined and creates future infrastructure issues. Spanish planning officers all need a trip to Specsavers. Method of Construction Let’s learn from others. Worldwide, the construction sector alone is responsible for more than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of construction is even more evident when looking at CO2 emissions from energy use – with the sector contributing 38% of the world’s emissions. At a time when car manufacturers rev up their zero – emission vehicle ambitions, what is happening in the

construction sector? Nothing that I have witnessed. Car makers are striving to produce low emission vehicles and to be fully electric by 2030. The same impetus should be applied to the construction sector. Case in point – Scandinavia Cities like Oslo, Helsinki and Copenhagen are working to clean up this high emission industry. At a site at Olav Vs gate, one of the busiest streets in the heart of Norway’s capital city Oslo, things are very different. Work started in 2019 as a pilot project for the first zero emission urban construction site in the world. All the machines used on site - excavators, diggers, loaders - were electric. Using electric equipment in place of traditional diesel engines meant that everyone in the vicinity noticed a significant reduction in ambient noise and pollution. Even the builders shouted less. (Hard to imagine that here in Spain!). So it can be done. Oslo now wants all Municipal construction sites to be zero emission by 2025. And all construction work, public or private, to be zero emission by 2030. To ensure this happens all public tenders for construction work are only awarded to contractors who use zero–emission machinery and trucks. Wake up Spain - there is no need to be left behind!

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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LETTERS

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Furious reaction Amber list ‘discrimination’ on visiting the UK has been roundly condemned by our readers

Appalling news Dear Olive Press,

Appalling news

in Spain for I’M a British citizen and have lived appalled at I’m say to have just I over 30 years. in still can’t the news that Brits living here in Spa rantine, even visit the UK without having to qua ID jabs here though we’ve completed our COV in Spain. is in a care My mum’s 92, has dementia and since Januhome in Devon. I haven’t seen herher regularly ary 2020 but keep in touch with. I used to be through twice weekly video calls months but able to go over and see her every few I just can’t as a 68 year old pensioner myself, in a quarstay to 00 £10 over out fork to afford ay, as I’ve anyw s ulou ridic it’s And antine hotel. ID passCOV my have and had both COVID jabs UK. port, but of course its not valid forthis sad situaI’m sure I’m not the only one in and I don’t tion. Time’s running out for mumover and see go to able be know if or when I’ll ly hoping that her in the near future. I was real to visit family wed allo be ld wou s Brit ed vaccinat looking forin the UK as from July 19 and was . soon ward to seeing mum need to make I really think that somehow we like myself, that sure I’m as d hear es our voic ble to get to many other British expats are unas. tive rela or nts see their elderly pare

Christine Martin (Girona)

EU hatred WHAT world are UK politicians living in? Do they not understand that many British citizens live in Spain and want to visit family they have not had the chance to see for up to two years? How can the UK government possibly justify allowing UK residents to go to amber listed countries on holiday without having to quarantine if vaccinated, but not allow us double vaccinated people in Spain the same rights? The excuse seems to be that the UK can not have the technology to read the EU digital certificates. What a load of baloney! The fact the EU has been working on this has been common knowledge for months. An organised government would have thought ahead and worked with the EU so that this scenario would not arise. Or is the UK government so filled with hatred of the EU it can’t bring itself to even communicate with it for the good of its own citizens? Dave Collins (via website)

Pure discrimination I AM furious and upset! We have waited 18 months to be able to visit our families, some of whom we haven’t even met as they have been born during that time or are very old as is my mother who is 93. How can a holiday be more important than reuniting with loved ones after so long? In Spain we have our own digital app to prove vaccination with an approved vaccine. Why is this not valid if we live outside the UK? It is pure discrimination!

Answers needed THIS situation with non recognition of expats vaccines, in our case Astra Zeneca - a UK developed vaccine - should now be challenged in the courts. The British government should be held to account on the grounds of discrimination and misselling vaccines into the EU states. This raises a number of points and questions. Firstly, UK citizens abroad are being ignored by their own government Does this mean that the British government is saying that vaccines developed in the UK and sold to EU states are less potent because they are NOT administered by the UK NHS, but rather the EU states? Is there some information the British government is withholding about the Astra Zeneca vaccine, especially as the US is refusing to use it? Or is this a means of the UK government making money out of expats through test charges and quarantines/hotel expenses? The term ‘cash cow’ comes to mind. These questions should be put to Grant Schapps - and answers should be given ASAP! Karl Bickerton (by email)

Just despicable IT is quite despicable that the UK will not accept vaccination proof from Spain. There must be hundreds of us who are desperate to see our families. Totally unacceptable!

Kath Wood (by email)

Mike Eccleshall (by email)

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1 Superficial (4-4) 2 Shake up roughest men to find first languages (6,7) 3 Long, thin and angular (7) 4 Donations (13) 5 Sailing boat headbanger? (4) 7 Carefree outing (4) 13 3-D image (8) 14 Penitent's emotion (7) 17 Type of knot (4) 19 Deficiency (4)

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LA CULTURA

Changing sides

SPAIN has approved a draft bill on LGBTI rights that will allow transgender people over 14 to change their legal gender without medical diagnosis or hormone therapy. The cabinet of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez approved the controversial draft bill a day after World Pride Day. The draft bill will now go to a public hearing before another reading in the cabinet before being put to the vote in Spain’s Congress. “This is an historic day after more than 15 years without any legislative progress,” Equality Minister Irene Montero said in a news conference.

Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es

Jurassic Park New species of dinosaur discovered in Spain

NEW BEAST: never discovered before

By Glenn Wickman

A NEW species of dinosaur has been discovered in Spain. Investigators working at the Portell de Morella (Els Ports) archaeological dig in Castellon have unearthed fossilised remains of the previously unknown species, which they have named Portellsaurus sosbaynati. Similar to an iguanodon or large iguana, the crea-

AN investigation is ongoing to see if a skeleton found in the Real Alcazar of Sevilla could be those of a noble child. The remains of the four-year-old girl were found under the main altar, suggesting that she was the daughter of a very prominent family dating back to the 15th century.

Discovery

The discovery was made in April during work being carried out in the chapel of the Gothic Palace, in view of the restoration project of its ceramic tiles. A preliminary survey to study the possibility of installing an airing chamber to guarantee

ture measured eight metres long, weighed one tonne and lived in the area 130 million years ago. The large herbivore is said to be related to similar species that inhabited what is now China and Nigeria just

Noble find

the chapel’s preservation had revealed the funerary remains. The girl’s lead coffin contained the remains of the child, said to be in a relatively good state of preservation and dressed with fabrics, shoes, leather and mother-of-pearl buttons. Even parts of the girl’s hair remain. The quality of her clothing points to her being a member of a wealthy and possibly noble family. By the position of the bones when unearthed, her hands would have been folded across her chest when she was buried.

after the Jurassic period. Investigators reached their conclusions after uncovering a full jawbone in what has become one of the top spots in Spain for dinosaur discoveries, with up to 250 other items currently being tested at the lab. Spokespeople for the team explain that the jawbone has a set of characteristics that make the creature unique throughout the world. It is also the oldest species of dinosaur discovered so far in Castellon Province. The name Portellsaurus sosbaynati combines the site where the remains were found, Portell, with the Greek term sauros – ‘lizard’ – plus the surnames of Vicente Sos Banyat, the first scientist to receive an honorary doctorate by the UJI.

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Hare Launches Crabbe – Finally! IT’S taken decades but finally Chis Hare, retired photographer, is launching his elegantly witty, tongue-firmly-incheek satire, Crabbe in All Innocence and everyone is invited. Set in those halcyon post war years where everyone was out to get on, Hare delivers Lancelot Crabbe, a bespectacled public-school innocent whose pathway through life was set even before he had the misfortune to be born extra tall. Think good clean British humour without the horizontal jogging and turn a blind eye to the unholy corruption, the accidental manhandling of queenly buttocks and Macbeth as it should be written. Hare’s heady kaleidoscope of characters include nuns with bad habits and questionable underwear, hungover masters insisting on silent recitals and ladies in short skirts and stocking tops in inappropriate places. Crabb meanwhile, is driven inexplicably onwards and upwards in search of the perfect photograph. Chris is launching his epic from Polly’s Bookshop, Moraira a Calpe Rd Teulada-Moraira on Saturday July 24 and signing more copies at Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port on Saturday July 31. Both dates are from 11am onwards. Copies of Crabbe in All Innocence can be reserved by calling Polly’s on 711 101 439 and are also available in soft cover and ebook formats at very reasonable prices on Amazon.

POLLY’S International Bookshop

Quality Used Books since 1985

Festive return

Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old. “Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.”

Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it. We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.

Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439

Extensive Traditional Fish and Chips menu including Salads and Jacket Potatoes

Specials Meal of the Day Cod or Haddock, Chips, Mushy Peas and Bread and Butter 8.00€ served until 5pm

Pie Special

Pie and Chips with either Gravy, Mushy Peas or Curry Sauce 7.50€ from 12pm until 5pm

For online booking visit www.ourplaice.es or follow us on Facebook

Reservations or Takeaways

tel: 966 79 54 18

OPEN 6 days a week 12pm til 9pm – Closed Sunday Pedro Maria Unanue 21, La Marina, Valenciana, Spain (the street opposite tourist info office & behind Supervalu Dialprix)

FESTIVALS have returned to the Vega Baja

with Orihuela’s popular ‘Moors & Christians’

Here come the girls! A NEW series recognising talented local women has been launched by the Alicante Institute of Cultura Jaun Gil-Albert. Called Alicante en femenino the series of lectures will feature outstanding women in the worlds of art, literature, science, sports, politics and gastronomy. Alicante writer, Jose Luis Ferris, opened the series with a session dedicated to poet Francisca Aguirre (Paca Aguirre), who passed away two years ago. Aguirre’s work has received many awards including Favourite Daughter of the City in 2012, the National Poetry Prize in 2011, and the National Prize for Letters in 2018. The events serve as a warm-up to the launch of the Son ellas concerts, in August, where talents including Sole Gimenez, Sara Baras and Leire Martínez will perform live.

week in full swing. Lasting until Sundays, activities have been slightly adapted to cope with pandemic restrictions. The activities started last Saturday and continue today (Thursday) at 9pm with the Festive Music Concert at the Circo Theater - the Festive Music Concert,with the Orcelitana Lyrical Union Tomorrow there will be another concert at 9.30pm in El Palmeral by the Oriol and the Ideales music groups. The festivities will end on Sunday at 12.15am with a fireworks display at the Seminary of San Miguel.

LA CULTURA

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Hemingway, my dad and the bulls

In a moving tribute to her legendary father, American Deirdre Carney explains why she sorely misses running the bulls at July’s postponed San Fermin festival

T’S oddly invigorating to A fair few will be reading the wake up at seven in the morning paper where that day’s bulls are presented, morning with a analysing their hangover and attributes, insleep deprivation, and then cluding horn put yourself in slopes and fur the way of terror colour while siWe are just for the fun pping coffee. I ritualistic of it. pretend to note beings and the That’s what the details trying communion happens when to look far more of being there you go running relaxed than I with six half-ton feel. in this electric fighting bulls The agony of atmosphere at Pamplona’s the last 30 miwhere fear famed San Fernutes before the and adrenaline rockets blast at min festival. 8am, (when the It will be around and joy are bulls are relea7.15am when I all mixed into stroll up to the sed) and your one is barriers by the life is quite posincredible old Hostal Marsibly on the line, is nearly unbeaceliano, now a civic building, rable. and greet my But for me, thefriends who will also be run- re is (usually) no turning back. It just so happens my father, ning the bulls that morning.

“

Matt Carney, was the first foreigner famed for his bull running skills. An Irish-American WW2 Mari-

ne Officer who was shot and wounded on Iwo Jima, he started his career at San Fermin by meeting and getting in

a fist fight with legen- d a r y writer Ernest Hemingway. That’s a longer story, but let’s just say, they both deserved it.

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He ran as well as the Navarrans, the locals used to say and he did it for 30 years from the 1950s to the 1980s.

s r r nd ou pe sa in pa ou s s Th view new l of ita g di

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When you take out an advertising campaign with the Olive Press, you get a lot more than just the printed newspaper

THRILL: Deirdre and dad Matt run with the bull

We promote you on our hugely popu 29,000 likes and as many followers lar Facebook page with

We give you more!

LA CULTURA

Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es

July 15th - July 28th 2021

ls while (right) the photo of Matt impaled that was on the living room wall

I have seen photos and videos feeling like it. I was hooked. and it is true. He was graceful, That was in 2010 and after he seemed fearless, he smiled that I moved to Spain and transcendently, and he had ti- started going to smaller fesming. He was never running tivals around Navarra and away from, but actually run- running in places like Tafalla, ning with the bulls, which is Larraga and Estella, trying to learn more. exactly the point. The way he described it, it was I had days when I was braver an act of spiritual convergen- than others. I had runs where ce with the herd, of being ac- I slunk out just after the rocket, cepted by them. You are not not feeling it, and somewhere the antagonist, but a brother. along the line I managed to You may run side by side, or get accepted into this colourful ‘on the horns’ meaning right group of bulls and men. in front of the bull, in perfect This endeavour seems to atrhythm. It’s spectacular athle- tract mostly men. The best ticism mixed with mental acui- answer I get to why women ty and bravery. It is pure joy, don’t run the bulls is simply better translated in Spanish as that they are not that stupid. It is rather pointless in a conalegria. When I was a child I asked my crete way, though perhaps dad if he would teach me how not in a traditional-ritual conto run and he said: “Why sure text. Male chauvinists claim - when you’re old enough. us women are not physically Just, uh… just don’t tell your or mentally equipped to run mother.” I will never know if with the bulls. However, on he meant it as he any given mordied shortly after ning, neither Male when I was still are many of the little. male particichauvinists In my late teens pants. and early twenAnd then there claim women are the young ties I attended are not up to male foreigners San Fermin but who are often I just wanted to bull running full of bravado party. I finally but completely went to learn clueless as to about the bulls with my dad’s old friend, Bom- what it all entails. ber (“Don’t yell my name in an The most clear danger I was ever in was in 2014 when an airport”, he used to say). He had long white hair and infamous Miura, among the sunglasses he never took off. fiercest breeds of bull, slipped He was the first person to and fell at the back of the agree to show me the way of herd. the bull run, or encierro, as it’s A bull on its own will become known in Spanish. “Because relentlessly aggressive. This that’s what your dad did for one was no exception and I had also tripped and fallen me and others,” he told me. He plonked me in a corner of just ahead of him. The bull, the encierro (the streets barri- named Olivete, looked at me caded for the run), and then and then gored an Australian the rockets blew, the crowd and two or three more guys surged and the bulls literally right in front of me. flew by clopping on the cob- Somehow I survived by stanblestones. ding stock still like a statue When they were gone and I plastered against the wall. The was left standing there, appa- game is Don’t Move a Hair. rently still alive, there was no I was wearing a ridiculous li-

nen jacket and had make-up on, because my father had apparently worn a suit out of respect for the Miuras. I felt absurdly overdressed but thought grimly, if you get gored by a bull, you might as well look your best. The street had cleared considerably and only the most experienced runners were left trying to entice the bull away from those of us stuck along the walls. People on the balconies screamed above us in unison each time the bull charged someone. Reality shifted to a dreamlike quality. After a surreal amount of time, I managed to sprint up the street in bursts when the bull was not looking my way, finally sliding through sawdust and grime under a barrier to safety. The adrenaline rush from that left me shaking on and off for hours, even after a couple of glasses of brandy. My father was gored in 1977, incidentally by a Miura, not long before I was born. I watched a video of him speaking about it from the hospital, possibly on some very good drugs. There was no pain, he said, just that feeling of blood flowing out of his leg, of life flowing. It reminded him of being wounded on Iwo Jima. He told the interviewer that he simply went deep into himself and remained calm - it was unfolding as it should unfold.

I grew up with a graphic photo of the goring on my living room wall, my dad swinging by his leg on the bull horn, which gives a kid some life perspectives I guess. He loved that photo. In a world so driven by the fear of death and an obsession with safety, some people still seek the feeling of confronting it. It’s a ritual played out in many different ways across human cultures. This ritual happens to be one of the most exciting and dangerous still left on the planet. A lot of the foreigners are vete-

rans who have seen battle and many say the bull run is therapeutic for them. “I can finally feel something again,” one told me having seen unspeakable things as a medic in Afghanistan. As the clock nears 8am, we move somewhere to sing our prayers to the saint San Fermin. I can usually barely stand. I am so nervous - no matter how many times – and we sing: A San Fermin pedimos… We sing once in Spanish, then in Basque three times over, asking that San Fermin protects us in the bull run.

INTENSITY: Bulls leap over men at the entrance to the ring

We are ritualistic beings and the communion of being there in this electric atmosphere where fear and adrenaline and joy are all mixed into one overwhelming yet strangely beautiful emotion, is a rare experience and one I will always love. The final song is sung one minute before the rocket goes. We yell VIVA! GORA! and move to our spots. My hair is usually standing on end. BAM, BAM the rockets go, the pen is opened, and your destiny barrels down on you.

BUSINESS

SPAIN now has 1,147,000 millionaires according to Credit Suisse. Following current trends, this number will rise up to between 1,800,000 and 2,000,000 by 2025; this is a massive increase of 57%. Yet compared to other western European countries, Spain is lagging behind slightly in its number of the very wealthy. France and the UK both have more than 2,460,000 millionaires each, despite having populations of only a little over a third more than Spain.

Quids in By Alex Oscar

Indeed, the number of French and British millionaires each make up 4% of their country’s population and 5% of the world’s millionaires. Whereas, Spanish millionaires make up 2% of the country’s population and 2% of the global number of millionaires. Some 8.8% of the United State’s population are million-

OP Puzzle solutions Across: 6 Knoll, 8 Photos, 9 Anchored, 10 Time!, 11 Gears, 12 Freight, 15 Spooner, 16 Gully, 18 Flag, 20 Openings, 21 Screes, 22 Donna. Down: 1 Skin-deep, 2 Mother tongues, 3 Spidery, 4 Contributions, 5 Boom, 7 Lark, 13 Hologram, 14 Remorse, 17 Bend, 19 Lack.

SUDOKU

Quick Crossword

July 15th - July 28th 2021 aires. However, they make up 39% of all millionaires globally. This enormous ratio difference indicates a high concentration of wealth within a small group of people. This concentration of wealth can also be seen in small nations.. Singapore has 4.4 billionaires per million people, whereas the UK, France and Spain have between 0.5 and 0.67. Andorra is 32nd in the world for GDP per capita (according to the UN), while Spain is down at 43rd. Yet, it is Gibraltar’s wealth which is the most striking, in terms of GDP per capita. In 2016, according to the local government, the GDP per capita of Gibraltar was $92,843 (USD). Without even factoring in inflation, this would place the Rock in the top 10 countries in the world for GDP per capita.

AMAZON and Apple are being investigated over possible restrictive sales practices in Spain. The country's competition regulator, the CNMC, is looking into whether on-line retailer Amazon struck a deal to place restrictions on the sale of Apple products by third parties. It’s the second probe launched by the CNMC in a year into arrangements involving the two companies. In a statement, the CNMC said that

Collusion probe

it received information ‘from which it can rationally deduce that Amazon and Apple’ infringed Spanish and EU competition laws by ‘striking an agreement’. The CNMC inquiries could take up to 18 months. They believe that the deal between the firms may have included possible restrictions on the Amazon website on the retailing of Apple products by third parties. Another alleged transgression concerns the advertising of Apple’s competitors and ad campaigns targeting Apple customers, as well as other trade restrictions.

Scam alert BIZUM fraud is on the rise due to the increased use of phone payments instead of cash. One of the main scams is to make an offer to buy an item using the payment network, but instead of sending the money they request a payment. The victim then receives a notification with the agreed amount and, through inattention, approves the payment thinking they were actually receiving it. The money is instantly paid into the scammer’s

Fraudsters target telephone payments system By Elena Goçmen Rueda

account, who then ignores messages from the victim. Fraudulent calls from so-called telephone companies have also been reported. They contact customers promising a discount which they associate with Bizum. They are led to believe that they will receive a PIN to confirm the offer but it is

Never standing still

APARI 2.0 launched to help you with HMRC tax declarations by Emilia Carvell

S Olive Press readers we know that you have become familiar with APARI and our mission to educate all taxpayers about Making Tax Digital, and making the transition to this new tax system, as seamless as possible. Which is why we are happy to announce that APARI 2.0 is now live! APARI has been a labour of love for our founders Sudesh & Anita Sud, and the whole team is really proud of what’s been achieved by the original APARI Product but staying ahead of an emerging market means we have to adapt and adjust with our users and their tax requirements. That is why we have taken our extensive

in fact an attempt to get your account details.

Complaint

Victims of such scams should contact their bank immediately. Subsequently, a complaint has to be filed with the nearest national police headquarters. Since June 15 the maximum number of monthly transfers that can be received by an individual user has been reduced from 150 to 60 in an effort to reduce the scope of such fraud. Business users still have access to unlimited transactions.

Delivering the goods

MTD expertise and knowledge alongside feedback from existing users, and developed a software that will not only help navigate the new taxation rules, but will also help users keep a track of all of their business income and expenditure. As showcased during our March Webinar, the upcoming upgrade of the software includes enhanced features designed to make your transition to Making Tax Digital (MTD) as smooth as possible. APARI has been created with you in mind it is not only a tool to calculate and submit tax, but also to manage your property and business portfolio. Our brand new mobile application will enable you to keep up to date on the go, and amazing features such as snap and save receipts along with bank feed connection, will make digital record-keeping near effortless. Some things will stay the same - APARI is

still HMRC recognised and will continue to educate our users about all things tax. For more information on MTD, visit the HMRC website. So, how do you know that APARI is the right product for you? Well, to be honest, that's something only you can decide but the joy of APARI is that you can sign up and start your journey for free! And, even if you’re still unsure, it really is the best time to prepare and start digital record-keeping, ready for the official switch to MTD in 2023. For all the latest information and advice visit www.apari-digital.com

THE Alcampo supermarket chain has linked up with the British company Ocado to develop its online business. Alcampo has 310 stores in Spain as part of the French-owned Auchan Retail group that has outlets in 13 countries. With online shopping boosted due to the pandemic, Alcampo has now struck a deal with Ocado to get a share of the lucrative home-order market.

Demand

The two companies will initially build a customer centre for the Madrid region that will open in 2024. It will be the first of a series of automated warehouses in Spain, with further locations yet to be announced. An Ocado spokesman said that the partnership will ‘allow Alcampo to meet growing demand for competitively priced, high quality grocery e-commerce’.

Bank interest letting you down? Your investment choices, including how much of your savings you leave in cash and how much you invest, should be carefully designed around your circumstances, aims and risk profile.

Talk to the people who know 965 793 561 javea@blevinsfranks.com

At Blevins Franks we take the time to get to know you, and objectively assess your attitude to risk, before designing a tax-efficient portfolio specifically for you. Importantly, we provide an ongoing service to regularly review your investments and provide peace of mind.

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www.blevinsfranks.com

PROPERTY

July 15th - July 28th 2021

Photos courtesy of : The Singular Space, Extraordinary Properties, Ana Vela & Ramón Amat Co-Founders www.thesingular.space

My home is my church

WHEN designer Tas Careaga found his ‘dream home’ he certainly had more vision than most. Many people would have seen the crumbling walls and collapsed roof of the 16th century church as little more than rustic ruins in the heart of the Basque country. While the magnificent location in the wooded valleys of the mountainous region is an obvious attraction, the cost and effort of somehow restoring the tumbledown building into a comfortable home would have put most people off.

But the Venezuelan creative director, graphic designer, computer engineer, photographer, painter, interior designer and skateboarder clearly saw the potential and was not put off by the difficulties of the project. He teamed up with architect Carlos Garmendia to transform the church – which dates back to 1530 – and three years later it is mission accomplished. The result is certainly unusual – and definitely unique. It is in the neighbourhood of Las Barrietas in Sopuerta, a town 30 minutes from Bilbao.

Careaga said in an interview with The Singular Space: “For me, what makes it unique is knowing that the walls around you have been standing for 500 years, and the fact that I’ve made the interior very much my own. I regard it almost like a work of art. Now the project is complete, Careaga has put the three bedroom house up for sale. According to the listing with The Singular Space, the church is set on a 900 m2 plot and has a total built area of 250 m2. The home is being sold for €1,600,000.

Sales down

FOREIGNERS buying homes in Spain in 2020 fell by 26.3% according to the International Real Estate Federation(FIABCI) and the country’s biggest real estate federation, API. The pandemic saw non-Spanish trades drop to 46,303 last year due to the pandemic, Despite the news, the two groups say that there is plenty of cause for optimism. Although transactions were hit by the pandemic, foreign sales figures were similar to those in 2014 and higher than those seen after the property bubble burst in 2008.

But figures show optimism for foreign buyers Foreign buyers accounted for 11.32% of all house purchases, which was not greatly down on a peak percentage of 13.25% seen in 2016.

Pandemic

The FIABCI and API report says: “Despite the decline in 2020, taking into account the special circumstances of the pandemic, the statistics represent very significant figures for foreign demand.” Out of last year's total of 46,303 sales, well over 25%

THE municipalities of Alboraya and Carcaixent are the most expensive and the cheapest areas respectively to buy a property on the coast of Valencia. The average price of properties in the region during April was €1,272 per square metre, 2.08% more than the same month last year. But it is still far less than the average price of property in Spain, which stands at €1,719 per square metre. The municipality of Alboraya is the most exclusive on the Valencian coast. Real estate costs double the provincial average, with prices for the municipality standing at €2,449 per square metre on average. It is the only Valencian locality that surpasses the city of Valencia itself, where property

of them came in the Valencian Community(13,493), followed by Andalucia on 9,443. Despite the pandemic and Brexit, British buyers led the list of foreign purchasers accounting for 13.05% of non-domestic home deals. French nationals were second on 8.16% and Germans not far behind on 7.75%. Foreign mortgage holders fell by 17.8% last year with German nationals having the highest average at €245,775 compared to the British on €190,644.

Luxury and bargains costs €1,970 per square metre. Another municipality, Rocafort, is emerging as the third most expensive on the Valencian coast, with an average price of €1,748 per square metre. In contrast to the exclusivity of Alboraya, Valencia or Rocafort, other localities such as Carcaixent are far more affordable. Here real estate is just €565 per square metre. Other budget locations are Algemesi at €608 per square metre and Alzira, where property costs €717 per square metre.

Green development A HUGE plot of unused land in the heart of Benidorm is set to be transformed, 30 years after being earmarked for development. An updated version of the Partial Plan ‘Ensanche Levante’ (Levante Expansion) reinforces the need for affordable social housing, as well as commercial premises. The 575,000 square metre plot of land has been set aside since 1990, and has long been part of Benidorm’s expansion plans for the next two decades. The current owners have presented a new plan that increases the number of social dwellings from 240 to 600. In Spain, social housing is characterised by ceilings on price, and an obligation to take into account the income of buyers and tenants in adjudication. Additionally, the revised layout com-

prises of almost 90% green space Any high-rise buildings such as new hotels will be similar in design to the long-popular trend in Levante Benidorm for tall slender shapes, now an international benchmark for ecological architecture in modern cities. In all, 65% of the land will be be allocated for public use, with parks and leisure spaces. The remaining 35% will be for business, residential and tourist use. Of that 35%, no more than 60,000 square metres (little more than 10%) of the land area will be built on, further limiting environmental impact. The plan conforms to a general rule of 20-storey maximum for hotels, and 2-storey for housing and commercial premises. The area is just to the south Avenida de la Comunidad Valenciana, and north of Benidorm Outdoor Market.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Sandy heaven

SPAIN has many spectacular beaches to choose from, but now one has been selected as the country’s best. According to the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice, the best beach in Spain 2021 is Valdevaqueros (Cadiz). It is one of the last unspoiled spots on the Cadiz coast, with river valleys that still flow into the beach and the spectacular coastal mountain range providing a spectacular backdrop.

‘Best beach is Spain’ is threatened by developers The four km of fine sand dunes are set in the most striking landscape and are a Mecca for surf, windsurf and kitesurf lovers. The heavily protected beach has a high ecological value and is home to endangered horseshoe bats and lesser mouse-eared bats, amongst other wildlife. Listed by UNESCO as a Bio-

Super Chupa THE five most popular tapas in Alicante have been decided by people power, with the favourite a lobster delight from the GastroBar Restaurante Jorge. The tapa extraordinaire Chupa Chups de bogavante, was chosen by over 1,000 local gourmets who voted on their favourite dishes. The Tapas por Alicante competition was entered by 30 local restaurants with the vegan dish Apionabo y aguacate asado from restaurant El Mincho coming second.

sphere Reserve, the land joins together two natural parks: El Estrecho and Los Alcornocales. But there are worries that this slice of heaven could be endangered by planning proposals. The Olive Press has previously reported that the wildlife haven is under threat from property developers plotting to build 60 houses and a 240-room hotel along its pristine shore. Due to be finished in Spring 2025, the project has sparked outrage. Demonstrations attended by 20,000 protestors prompted legislative change that completely forbade the building of ‘homes or any other type of constructions, buildings or facilities,’ apart from those relating to conservation or education. Despite this, the developers re-submitted their proposal, scaled down from the original plans for a 1,400-room hotel and 350 homes.

July 15th - July 28th 2021

TWO Valencian coastal towns are among the eight prettiest fishing villages in Spain. Peñiscola in Castellon and the island of Tabarca off the coast of Alicante are high up on the newspaper Levante’s national ranking based on criteria including beaches, nature, food and culture. The former is most famous for its castle and beaches, combining history and tradition with modernity and offering several seafront resorts that make it an ideal holiday destination this summer. Peñiscola is also well known

Sigh of relief

BRITS wanting to travel to Spain can breathe a sigh of relief as the Spanish Government has authorised the Indian made AstraZeneca vaccine called Covishield for travel It is currently not accepted by the EU, however the Spanish Government has decided to follow WHO guidelines This is good news for the estimated 5 million Brits who have been given Covishield. Fifteen european countries, including Spain, have independently authorised the use of the vaccine for travel, following WHO guidelines.

Pretty as a picture among fans of cinema and series, as it has hosted filming for blockbusters including Game of thrones and Charlton Heston’s El Cid. Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the Valencia region, measuring 1,800 metres long and just 400 metres wide. It was originally used as a shelter by pirates and is best reached by boat.

BEAUTY: Tabarca

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Best f t forward

countr y PAIN is a landed of vari ch culri , es ap sc fascinating ture, and l of which al history, make for combine toing places, some thrill better way and what ing them on than explor o feet. your own tw

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July 15th - July 28th 2021

Looking for an adventure? Here are the 12 most epic walks to take in Spain, writes Shannon Chaffers

Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is probably the most famous trail in Spain, and its history is a significant reason why. For thousands of years, Christian pilgrims followed the trails on their journeys through Spain. Wherever you are in the country, you’ll likely find yourself on one of the well-trodden routes that lead to Santiago but the most popular route begins at the French border and crosses the breadth of northern Spain. It begins in the Pyrenean town of St Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and ends at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela some 500 miles away in the northwestern region of Galicia. The trails are well-marked and make for a relatively straightforward hike. Given its popularity, you’re also likely to run into other travelers, making it a fun

La Ruta de las Caras

Picos de 3 Europa

social activity. If you’re looking to avoid the most crowded season while still enjoying good weather, April, May, June, and September are the months to go.

or a cultural experience with less of the fanfare that comes with the Camino de Santiago, Montserrat offers another pilgrimage walk steeped in religious history. Located near Barcelona, the site is home to a monastery, a Black Madonna statue, and a place where the Virgin Mary is

For those hoping for a more nature-filled hike, the Picos de Europa trail might be for you. Located in Spain’s oldest national park about 2.5 hours west of Bilbao in northern Spain, the routes (which range in difficulty said to have been sighted. One trail allows you to walk from the base of the mountain to the monastery. Another option is to get a head start with cable cars, which bring you up to routes that lead to the summit. Still other trails will afford you views of the Pyrenees mountains and the Llobregat valley.

level) are home to varied wildlife and beautiful views. The most popular of these is the Ruta del Cares, which totals 12 km in length. Carved into the side of the surrounding landscape as it cuts through streams and rocks alike, the trail offers a thrilling journey from Asturias to Leon as the Cares River rushes below.

2 Montserrat

El Cañon de 5 Rio Lobos

ios Lobos Canyon National Park, located in the province of Soria in central Spain, is another amazing spot for nature-lovers. The park is home to a lot of wildlife, including butterflies, falcons, vultures, and otters. In addition, the site also has amazing geographical features, including caves, ponds, and valleys. Once home to cavemen in prehistoric times, you can now hike along the 25 km route with little difficulty. Other features include the Hermitage of San Bartolome and the Castle of Ucero, both built in the 12th century.

6 Merida

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7 Caminito del Rey

La Ruta de las Caras in Buendía in the Cuenca province of Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain also offers an opportunity for swimming. But as the name suggests, the route is most intriguing because it has 18 faces carved

into boulders along the way. Forming a sort of natural museum, the sculptures were created by various artists, starting in 1992.. It certainly offers a unique experience for hikers with an interest in art.

he King’s Path might in recent times more accurately have been called ‘the daredevil’s path’, as its worn down nature made it notoriously hazardous to hike, ranking among the most dangerous in the world. But after recently undergoing renovations, the trail, located outside of Malaga in southern Spain, is now a go-to spot for hikers of any level. You will experience views to treasure, as the route takes you through its varied landscapes. It is also fairly quick: seven miles from Ardales to Alora, it takes about four hours to complete.

alking around Merida, the capital of Extremadura in the southwest of Spain, will not be a typical uninterrupted hike along a designated path, but that makes it no less epic. That is because the town was once called Emerita Augusta, an important city in ancient Rome, and is home to the most impressive ancient Roman ruins in Spain. Many of the ruins are within walking distance of each other, so you can see the remains of aqueducts (with 27m high arches), an amphitheatre, and the Roman circus where chariot races and even gladiator fights were held, among other cool buildings and structures. You can even contextualize the experience with a visit to the National Museum of Roman Art. It usually takes about two days to see all the sights.

8 Cami del Bons Homes

The Pico Sobarcal Trail in northeastern Spain will be most attractive to experienced hikers looking for a challenge. Located in the Pyrenees mountains, which make up the border between France and Spain, the most advanced hikers can reach

the summit of Pico Sobarcal in seven hours. For those less advanced, hiking partway up the trail will still afford you great views of the surrounding mountains and the vistas below. You might even come across a few breathtaking waterfalls on your way.

ore history abounds along the “Path of the Good Men.” This route is the same one taken by the Cathars who fled during the Spanish Inquisition during the 13th century. The trail extends from southern France through Catalunya in northeastern Spain, and takes five days to hike. For a more low-key experience, day treks are also possible. A trek from Gosol to Baga offers a good range of experiences as you’ll travel through forests, meadows, and small towns. You might even encounter some ancient ruins along the way!

Pico Sobarcal 1 0

9 Cumbre Vieja

eparting mainland Spain, we head for the Cumbre Vieja trail, on the Canary Island of La Palma. Located on the ridge of a dormant volcano, which forms most of the island, its volcanic landscapes

I are out of this world. The whole trail will take eight days to walk, but there are multiple shorter routes as well, such as the Ruta de los Volcanes, which is a hike around the rim of the crater.

Some have likened the scenery to something you might find on Mars. So if you want an out of this world experience without having to leave earth, this might be the hike for you!

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

1 1 The Mulhacen

f you have a little less experience hiking but are still hoping to reach the summit of a mountain, the Mulhalcen in Sierra Nevada National Park offers that opportunity. Located in southern Spain near Granada, it is the highest mountain in mainland Spain, standing at 3,500 metres. There are multiple trails to reach the top, with the easiest and most popular being the Mirador de Trevelez, which goes up the southern side of the mountain with the help of a bus (although it only operates in summer). Still, if you are looking for a challenge, scaling the northern side of the mountain offers just that.

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or those looking to add a bit of beach fun to their hiking experience, Camino de Ronda in northeastern Spain is the route for you. It runs from Portbout to Ulldecona on the Costa Brava, with the Mediterranean Sea on one side of you and lush forest on the other. The entire trail will take 10 days to complete,

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de 1 2 Camino Ronda but it can also be done in shorter stages. In addition to having many beaches you can relax at, there are also fishing villages and hidden coves to explore along the way.

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Pigments of the imagination

Looking for somewhere to cool off this summer? Visiting southern Spain’s amazing caves tell the story of early human culture, with Shannon Chaffers

HE first human inhabitants of Spain were hunter gatherers who lived in the mouths of caves scattered around the country. One remnant of the era, which has led to some of the most significant discoveries about early human life, is cave art. Forget the stalagmites, stalactites and underground lakes, in caves around Spain, pot holers, explorers and residents alike have discovered paintings of animals, ships, and more abstract figures dating back to the Neolithic and, in some cases, the Paleolithic time periods. While

WORLD: of stalactites is a stunning setting for the art of our ancestors

some of the most famous examples, like those in the Cave of Altamira,

are closed to the public, southern Spain is home to its fair share of cave

HORSES: See more than 100 paintings in the stunning Altamira cave

LEARN: Remains and art have led to significant findings about early man

art available to the public. Many have been designated UNESCO heritage sites. Starting in the southeast corner of the country between Almeria and Murcia, look out for Cueva del Gabar and Cueva SPOTTED: Cave art dating back to the Neolithic era is a wonder de los Letreros, both of to behold and gives an insight into early man which are located near tening underworld of sta- the cave have led to sigVelez Blanco. For those looking for an lactites and stalagmites, nificant findings about adventure, viewing the sprouting and dripping these settlers. And, as paintings in Cueva del into weird and wonder- the name suggests, the Gabar requires a rope and ful formations, with each cave hosts one of the ladder to scale a sheer flight of stone steps the most important bat colorock face with the help eerie caverns get more nies in Spain. You can visit via a guided tour. of a guide. For a more low impressive. key experience, you can Heading inland to Ardales Cadiz province is also reach Cueva de los Letre- is the Cueva de Doña home to considerable ros via a kilometre walk Trinidad, which is a kilo- cave art. For example, metre and a Cueva del Bacinete, in from your car, half in length, the Alcornocales Natuwhere you’ll c o m p l e t e ral Park, near Los Barrifind renderIt is a with tunnels os, has cave paintings ings of huand lakes. A that range from 3,000 to mans, birds, marvellous guided tour 6,000 years old. animals that glistening will take you Next, Cueva del Muro, date back to paintings located in the Estrecho around 4000 underworld of to from about Natural Park, near GibralBC. stalactites 20,000 years tar, includes cave paintShifting westago, includ- ings of horses that are ward to Rining those of more than 20,000 years con de la Vicold. deer, goats, and fish. toria is Cueva del Tesoro. Earning its name from a Near Ronda, the Cueva legend that it contains de la Pileta, in Benaojan Centuries hidden treasure, the cave is a popular spot. A guidhas been the site of a ed tour through the cave centuries-long, as yet will allow you to observe Finally, Cueva de Laja unsuccessful treasure over 100 paintings from Alta in Jimena de la hunt. You can also visit a the Neolithic time period. Frontera, boasts unique room where Roman aris- While there, you can also cave paintings, includtocrat Marcus Cerassus spend time in the cave’s ing those of ships that allegedly hid for eight vast chambers which passed through the area months after fleeing boast fascinating rock during the first centuries formations. of the first millennium from Rome. Nearby is one of Spain’s In Zuheros, near Cordo- BC. You can also catch most famous, la Cueva ba, the Cueva de los Mur- a view of the Rock of Gide Nerja, which boasts cielagos (bats) is a cave braltar from the cave. the world’s largest sta- system known for its dis- Visiting any one of these lagmite; a 32 metre high tinctive cave paintings, caves will afford you a column verified by the as well as its archaeolog- new perspective not just Guinness book of world ical record of human set- on the wonder of nature, tlement in the Neolithic but also that of human records. It is a marvellous glis- period. The remains in history.

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HEALTH Delta hell THE Delta coronavirus variant that swept the UK has become dominant in Spain and could be attributed to the country’s recent spike in COVID cases. Health officials have warned that further action is needed to slow its spread after it was confirmed the number of cases had soared by 15% over the last week. The new strain, which first emerged in India, now accounts for the vast majority of the total coronavirus cases in Spain and is continuing to gain ground across the county.

Vaccinated

Delta accounts for 71% sequenced cases in Spain this week, up from around 55% last week, according to the health ministry. Around 45.9% of Spain’s 38million adults are fully vaccinated and 59% have received at least one dose. These levels aren’t high enough to defeat the more contagious Delta variant as herd immunity would only be achieved with around 85% of the population vaccinated.

Exoskeletons being trialed in Gibraltar by Spanish Robotics company help kids with muscular diseases walk

July 15th - July 28th 2021

THE reporting rate of side effects from COVID vaccines in the Valencian Community stands at 0.25%, 32% lower than in April. Safest jab was the Janssen vaccine, where just 0.05% of recipients reported a bad

Low side effects reaction. Next was the Pfizer jab, which had a side effect rate of 0.2%. The UK serum Vaxzevria AstraZeneca - had a report-

ing rate of 0.38%, while the Moderna vaccine had a rate of 0.47%. The main side effects reported were pain at the injection site,

fever, dizziness, nausea, tiredness and diarrhea. Of the 3.4 million doses offered in the Valencian Community, 42,776 refused the jab, 1.25% of the total. Of these, more than 1,200 did so for medical reasons, having

an allergy to some component, and more than 39,000 refused for no medical reason. The remaining 2,000 had already had COVID and inoculation was not recommended at that time.

Warning signs AT LAST: Carolina Darias reveals plans for self testing

COVID-19 self-diagnosis tests will be made available in pharmacies, without a prescription. Minister of Health, Carolina Darias stressed that having the tests available will help to ‘improve early detection of suspected positive cases’, especially in those who are ‘asymptomatic’, as many recent cases in 12 to 29 year-olds have been. A draft decree by the Ministry of Health said that the introduction of self-diagnosis tests will ‘help effectively control the spread of the virus and therefore reduce mobility restrictions

DIY tests

and allow the resumption of normal activities.’ The decree will be taken to the Council of Ministers on July 20, where the official plan will be confirmed for the distribution of the self-diagnosis tests, as well as how they will be advertised across the country. The news comes as a surprise to many, as until now, the Ministry of Health had refused to distribute self-testing kits, despite pressure from both the pharmaceutical sector and communities.

SPAIN is in the grip of a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections that have placed it among the top three danger zones in Europe. A map of Europe shows Spain and its neighbour Portugal tinted dark red based on the number of new infections while most of the rest of the continent is yellow or pale orange.

Fifth wave puts Spain back among top COVID-19 infection zones in Europe

Infection

Only Cyprus currently has a higher infection rate than the Iberian peninsula. The latest data from Spain’s health ministry shows that the country has a cumulative infection rate over 14 days of 368 cases per 10,000 people. Infection rates are rising across the nation but have spiked in Catalunya where it has reached 725.59 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Castilla y Leon with 660,73 cases per 100,000, Navarra with 548,10 cases per 100,000.

By Fiona Govan

By comparison the UK has a current rate of 583.4 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days, while France has 63.6 and Germany a mere 11.5 cases per 100,000 people. The huge rise in infections across Spain has caused some

LIFE CHANGING: Are robotics the future?

MAKING a cup of tea, brushBy Katherine Brook & ing teeth, going for a walk Alex Oscar with a friend are everyday activities that we often take for There are currently two prodgranted. ucts available: the ExoskeleBut not everyone is so fortu- ton (used by Daniela), which nate. Some people like Dan- is a portable worn device iela, a seven-year-old girl left that supports the wearer, tetraplegic after a car acci- letting them stand and walk; dent, lives her life in a wheel- and the Active Knee Brace, chair, entirely dependent a robotic orthosis to help upon her carers. the wearer with knee flexThat was, until Marsi Bionics ion. came along. This is generally targeted In fact, it was Daniela’s con- at adults who have had a dition that inspired this Ma- stroke, scoliosis, or mobilidrid-based company to move ty problems caused by age. into the health sector. The Not only do these products company initially have incredible worked in indusphysical benetrial robotics but fits, they also Slowly, with when they saw have a huge efthe difference fect on mental our help, they their products health. are once again “These children made to Daniela and her family’s live in their walking and lives, they took wheelchairs, so the decision in being able to playing 2013 to permastand up and nently move into see the world clinical robotics. as we see it is a The innovative company uses marvelous experience,” said robotics to give children with Ignacio Barraque, co-founder neurological diseases such of Marsi Bionics. as cerebral palsy, muscular “Slowly, with our help, they atrophy/dystrophy, and spinal can start to regain some aucord injuries the opportunity tonomy, once again walking, to get back a little of their in- playing and doing little things dependence, to walk and play for themselves.” with their family and to take Of course, these groundpart in sports. breaking pieces of kit do

come with a price tag. An Exoskeleton costs €130,000 and the Active knee, €20,000, although Barraque insists these are just a third of the price of other brands on the market. Not to mention the fact that the average cost of health care for a child with a severe neurological disease could be close to €25,000 a year. But what makes these products truly worthwhile is the opportunity they give to children to live a new life. Barraque recounted that the feeling of seeing a child walk and ‘gain access to a whole new world’ is an ‘experience beyond words’; he believes that there is no greater feeling. Making all of this possible

regional authorities to re-introduce measures including curfews and curbs on nightlife. The rise in infections have led some countries to tighten restrictions on travellers returning from Spain. Germany categorised Spain as a simple risk area on July 11 and France has advised its citizens not to travel there.

CEO: Dr Elena Garcia

is the dedicated team behind Marsi Bionics, of which Dr Elena Garcia Armada, the CEO and co-founder of Marsi Bionics, INCREDIBLE: New technology that gives children mobility plays an essential role. She is one of the 10 most rec- products for use at home the English speaking commuognised and decorated scien- (they are currently only avail- nity’. tists in Spain today and has able in hospitals) and distrib- Exoskeletons, such as these, uting them all over the world. could be the future for treatseven patents in her name. Armada and the rest of the Marsi Bionics is looking to en- ing many neurological and team are working with hos- ter the UK market in the near age related diseases. pitals all over Spain to make future and recently took its We may be at the turning their products more readily state- of-the-art Exoskeleton point for bionic technology, to Gibraltar, giving disabled which is an awe-inspiring available. They have just opened their people the chance to try the thought. But for Barraque, just seeing ‘two sisters go for second round of crowdfund- technology for themselves. ing, which they hope will allow Barraque said that the re- a stroll, hand in hand, for the them to take their company search these studies provide first time’ is what makes it all one step further, creating offer ‘valuable feedback from worthwhile.

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FINAL WORDS

EL Gordo Christmas lottery tickets are now on sale throughout Spain, with a whopping €2.4 billion up for grabs in the draw on December 22.

High steaks HEALTH minister Alberto Garzon receives a mixed response after launching a campaign to encourage Spaniards to eat less meat, following research that Spain consumes more than any other EU country.

Oh, pants! ALMORADI City Council has put out a warning to residents that having visible washing lines or satellite dishes on terraces and balconies may incur fines.

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NOMOPHOBIA A SPANISH study has discovered that a large proportion of young people experience moderate levels of nomophobia: the fear/anxiety of not having access to a mobile phone. The University of Granada study showed that nomophobia comes from a fear of not being able to reply to messages, a lack of phone or data coverage and an inability to interact with social media.

Deduced

The investigators deduced that nomophobia is related to ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out) and to dependence on mobile phones for carrying out everyday activities. They also found out that, through the study of the 880 nursing students, experiencing nomophobia can lead to problems in peoples’ daily lives. For instance, the anxiety it causes can cause issues in work/study productivity and quality of life (in terms of rest, social relations and eating habits).

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Battle for the statue

A COURT has delayed the removal of a monument celebrating a fascist victory during the Spanish Civil War. The Monument to the Battle of Ebro celebrates a decisive defeat of the Republican army in 1938 by Nationalist forces led by Franco. The 45-metre high memorial, which was inaugurated by dictator Franco in 1966, is the latest symbol in an ongoing battle between Spain’s left-wing government which seeks to remove all remnants of the late dictator and those who oppose it. Campaigners in Tortosa, a town of 33,000 inhabitants, launched a legal battle to oppose attempts by the pro-independence Catalan regional authorities to remove the statue. The Friends of the Monument in Tortosa argue that author-

Court halts efforts to remove Franco monument after campaign by locals By Graham Keeley

ities should respect the result of a 2016 referendum in which 68% of local people voted to save the statue. “They are overriding the interests of local people to suit the political interests of Barcelona. We are not in favour of Franco or against,” lawyer Alejandro Hernandez told Olive Press. Hernandez said the monument bears no trace of the Franco regime. Lourdes Ciuro, the Catalan justice minister, said she was confident the memorial would be removed later this month. “It is a fascist monument which honours one side who won the

war,” she added. Spain’s left-wing government ordered Franco’s remains to be removed from the Valley of the Fallen, a huge mausoleum outside Madrid, in 2019.

ANIMALS at a Spanish nature park have been keeping cool in the recent hot weather thanks to some specially-made ice lollies. Mundomar staff came up with a lolly range to cater for the different diets needed at the Benidorm park. For example, the lemurs got an ice and vegetable mixture while it was a fish-themed lolly for the otters and meat combined with ice for the meerkats. Staff and visitors were able to enjoy watching the animals using different techniques to eat the lollies. These ranged from biting them and throwing them on the ground through to old-fashioned licking! Experts said that one bonus was that they had their senses invigorated by the icy treats because they were something that the animals were not used to.