GET ROBYN HOME FOR XMAS! APPEAL
A BRITISH expat couple has launched a desperate €15,000 appeal to get their daughter back to the UK after she suffered a life-changing stroke.
Robyn, 34, was visiting her parents Anthony and Karen Sumnar in Murcia on September 4 when tragedy struck.
She suffered a stroke the day before she was due to fly back to Britain, followed by two brain haemorrhages, one of which has left her with permanent brain damage. After spending two weeks in a coma, Robyn urgently needs to return to the UK by ambulance to receive life-changing neuro-rehabilitation - care that she is not covered for under her GHIC card in Spain – and which also does not cover repatriation costs.
SCAN QR CODE TO MAKE A DONATION
A Just Giving page has been set up to raise enough funds to get her home via a road ambulance.
EXCLUSIVE
By Laurence Dollimore
British daughter tragically paralysed by a stroke urgently needs your festive help
(stroke scale) and immediately transferred her to Arrixaca hospital in Murcia city that has the specialist neurosurgery facility.
Robyn’s father Anthony, who has lived with his wife in Roldan for 15 years, told the Olive Press: “The day before Robyn was due to travel back to the UK on the 11th, was when the tragedy happened, we went into her bedroom to wake her and found her on the floor not responding, we called the ambulance who took her to Los Arcos Hospital in San Javier.
“It was there they confirmed after a scan that she had suffered a severe stroke measuring 21 on the INHSS
“Within six hours Robyn then suffered a brain haemorrhage and was operated on, four hours later she suffered another one that was deeper into her brain than the first and we had to sign a consent form before they would operate as this one was touch and go if she would survive it. Thankfully, she did, however we were informed it would result in permanent brain damage due to the location of the bleed (basal ganglia).”
Anthony explained: “Three weeks later she was moved onto a neurosurgical high dependency ward
awaiting the replacement of a part of her skull that was removed during the second operation, to allow her brain to swell outside from the inflammation.
“The operation was a success and on November 20 she was transferred back to Los Arcos where she is currently.
“She desperately needs rehabilitation that she is not covered for on her GHIC card hence the fundraiser.”
thistles at Christmas and which eats snails and Alan are sprinkling on southern Spain next month
Popular number
SALES outlets for this Sunday’s El Gordo Xmas Lottery have reported a big rise in people buying tickets including the number 29- the date of October’s Valencia floods.
Dirty cleaners
THREE employees of a Valencia company that cleaned homes of elderly people have been arrested after stealing items including a limited edition €274,000 Swiss watch.
No change
ALICANTE council will meet on December 30 to approve its ZBE low emission zone for motorists, which make no change to current rules in the Old Town.
Blackmail con
TWO Valencia men have been arrested for extorting €1,300 out of a victim by lying about debts he incurred for backing out of bookings made with female escorts.
Poodle scammers
THREE people pocketed €200,000 in just a year by illegally importing toy poodles from China and forging pedigree certificates.
The Policia Nacional arrested the trio who operated the scam from their Sagunto home.
Authorities acted on a complaint from the Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) which reported numerous fake pedigree certificates were circulating in the country for toy poodles.
The police located 20 buyers who had been hood-winked and identified that 50 animals had been sold with a price tag of around €4,000 each.
Punched out
A BENIDORM bouncer has been arrested after a one punch attack on a British tourist who had to travel back to the UK in a special ambulance.
The employee assaulted the holidaymaker, Andrew Frazer, on November 14 at a bar in the city's English Zone. Frazer, 42, who works at Liverpool John Lennon airport, needed emergency brain surgery at Alicante General Hospital.
Brit put into induced coma after Benidorm bouncer attack
By Alex Trelinski
He was then placed in an induced coma for eight days before awakening.
The Policia Nacional said that a 43-year-old Romanian man had been detained over the attack but has denied throwing a
BENT COPPER
THE former head of the Guardia Civil's surveillance unit at the port of Valencia has been arrested after allegedly taking bungs to ignore drug shipments.
Jesus Fernandez Bolaño was jailed with six others after a joint investigation by Internal Affairs officers from the Guardia Civil and the Policia Nacional.
He's been accused of helping a Kosovar Albanian drug network that sent supplies via Valencia.
A search of his villa at Cullera turned up nearly €90,000 in cash stashed away in various parts of the property.
Mini bulldozers and sniffer dogs trained in smell-
punch.
He has been bailed after a court appearance. Andrew Frazer, 42, went on a last-minute trip to Benidorm to celebrate his brother's birthday without any travel insurance. His family raised over £32,000 to get him home and he is now
ing banknotes were deployed.
COMA: Andrew before and after the attack
receiving specialist treatment at The Walton Centre in Aintree. Andrew is paralysed on his right side and unable to speak, with
Despite his relatively modest income, he also owned a flat in Valencia which was searched along with his work locker.
The investigation produced a breakthrough when Internal Affairs officers set up a trap with a ton of cocaine shipped in amidst a fruit consignment.
The cache was taken from the port to a local warehouse with police then swooping in to make their arrests.
Besides drug trafficking, Fernandez Bolaño faces charges of bribery, disclosing secret information and not performing his duties in prosecuting crimes.
He had stood down from his position in May, awaiting a new job within the force but Internal Affairs had other plans for him..
three paramedics having driven from Merseyside to bring him back to the UK, accompanied by his girlfriend Carrie. His brother reported the incident to the Policia Nacional and said events had spun out of control when they were drinking inside a bar. He says that one of them accidentally collided with a waiter and then several employees threw them out. He added that the bouncer then punched Andrew in the head and he fell to the ground.
Contract killer chickened out
A VALENCIA woman paid €700 to a friend to kill her ex-partner after she could not afford to hire a professional hitman.
The Policia Nacional say the 44-year-old bought some poison online which her pal was going to give to her ex before fatally stabbing him.
But the female co-conspirator chickened out after spending three hours with her target at his workplace. Her friend said that 'he seemed like a good person' and 'did not deserve it'.
Both women - with criminal records - have been charged with attempted murder.
A DUTCH fugitive accused of shipping four tons of cocaine with a street value of €228 million has been arrested in Moraira.
The 43-year-old man was detained by the Policia Nacional on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Dutch authorities. The suspect allegedly used multiple front companies to facilitate the drug smuggling operation dating back to 2020. High-purity cocaine was transported through 'sophisticated methods' of concealment and the shell companies then assigned shipments and receipt of the narcotics.
The Dutch national faces six years in prison if convicted.
A Moss-t have
Zara describes the line as a ‘disco meets rock'n'roll’ fusion, with heavy doses of 70s glamour – think Charlotte Rampling, Lauren Hutton, Studio 54 and Led Zeppelin vibes.
THIS is the exclusive Madrid neighbourhood where Amber Heard has sought to rebuild her life following her ‘career-ending’ courtroom defeat to ex-husband Johnny Depp.
The 38-year-old actress has become ‘well and truly integrated’ into the capital’s elite after snapping up a €1.5m home in El Viso, in trendy Chamartin.
The five-bed property counts millionaires, footballers and politicians as neighbourswho all enjoy being just a 15-minute drive from the city
ICONIC British supermodel Kate Moss has teamed up with Spanish fashion giant Zara for a bold new ‘capsule collection’. And judging by the first campaign images for the ‘ Kate Moss x Zara’ collection ’, it’s going to be a musthave for party season.
Shot by photographers
The collection, which Moss has designed herself alongside stylist Katy England, promises to bring a touch of the supermodel’s signature style to the high street.
Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Moss stars in the striking campaign images that show she has lost none of her supermodel cool.
HARDLY SEEN OR HEARD
Ex-wife of Johnny Depp ‘fully
EXCLUSIVE
By Laurence Dollimore in Madrid
centre.
The home was first built in the 1960s but underwent renovations shortly before being sold.
Heard’s move to Spain came after she settled a €50m defamation lawsuit with Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp, 61, in 2022.
The Texas native, who is expecting her second child, has not worked as an actress
integrates’ into upmarket Madrid ‘barrio’
ROYAL VISIT
after Hollywood
as she keeps low profile
since, with some Hollywood insiders claiming she was ‘blacklisted’ following the trial.
In the immediate fallout, Heard sought refuge in a tiny village in Mallorca,
tographer girlfriend Bianca Butti, 43. But last year the pair moved to Madrid.
A neighbour in El Viso told the Olive Press this week: “I often see her walking her daughter to school in the
PINT-SIZED Queen of Pop Kylie Minogue will be bringing her larger than life personality to Spain next summer.
The Australian singer and actress has been confirmed in the lineup for the Bilbao BBK Live 2025 festival, where she will perform along with Pulp, Michael Kiwanuka, Bad Gyal, Nathy Peluso, and Raye.
where she initially moved with her daughter Oonagh Paige, now three, and her pho-
“She wears a cap and sunglasses and normal clothes and keeps a low profile.
“This is a neighbourhood filled with famous people,
including footballers, and no one bothers each other, I think that’s why she likes it - she has completely integrated into the community.” Heard’s daughter Oonagh attends a private primary catholic school that teaches in both English and Spanish. A local newspaper report from 2017 said the fees were around €600 per month, or €7,200 per year, although they are likely to have increased since then.
The 18th edition of the festival will again transform the city’s Kobetamendi hill into the epicentre of music, offering an unmissable experience blending the natural beauty of the Basque Country with an electrifying line-up spanning genres and generations. Kylie will bring music from her Tension II album to the stage, as well as promising chart-topping hits like Padam Padam and a selection of fan favourites from her legendary career.
HOLLYWOOD legend Richard Gere and his wife, Alejandra Silva, have traded the hustle of New York City for a more tranquil life in Spain.
Just a few weeks after making the move, Alejandra has posted on Instagram a picture of their new less hectic life - with their children getting ready for Christmas. The 74-year-old actor, best known for Pretty Woman, and his 41-year-old activist wife have settled into their new home in Madrid.
As the holiday season kicks in, the couple have been spotted
Shifting down a Gere
decorating their new home, and it’s clear they’re getting into the festive spirit.
“As Jamie says, ‘Mom, mom, today is the first day of Christmas’!” she wrote in Spanish alongside the candid photo.
“How I like their energy, their innocence. This year finally, Christmas in Spain!” The image itself shows Jamie, 4, hanging an ornament on their tree, while his older brother Alexander, 5, searches through boxes of decorations.
LEAFY: Amber’s home in the trendy Chamartin district of Madrid, which she shares with her daughter Oonagh
SUPERCOOL: Moss in the Zara campaign
Boars day out
TWO wild boars have been snapped taking a gentle seaside stroll.
La Concha Beach in Oropesa del Mar had the unusual sight of the two animals sauntering by the beach, surprising human passers-by. The boars calmly walked between the bench-
es and litter bins with no apparent incidents. Oropesa del Mar's proximity to wooded and mountainous areas means the boars are increasingly entering built-up areas. Measures taken by the council include work with firms specialising in wildlife control and improving public area cleaning to get rid of food remains that are attractive to the animals.
KNEE STORM PRIDE OF SPAIN
A TIKTOK clip has sparked a fiery debate after two women were turned away from Sevilla’s iconic cathedral because their skirts were ‘too short’! The drama unfolded when @ arantxgomezb, a TikTokker, claimed she and her friend were refused entry to the famed religious site for flashing a hint of knee. “It’s 2024,” she fumed in the video.
“They’re telling me I can’t go in because you can see a tiny bit of skin? It’s disrespectful to us!”
Desperate to gain entry, the+ pair tugged their skirts down and tied jackets around their
lion cubs have
Comments exploded online, with most siding with the church. “Show some respect!” one user snapped. Others backed the women, saying churches should provide coverings.
They travelled 20 hours from western France where they were cruelly used as part of a
The group includes the nine cubs between three and five months, and an 18-year-old male, plus two females aged 10 and 12. AAP Primadomus in Villena specialises in the rehabilitation of big cats and primates, and will help the lions rest and recover before finding a forever
Our gift for Andalucia
Nine adorable lion cubs find a home on the Costa Blanca after being rescued from a French circus
By Yzabelle Bostyn home.
It is thought the cubs were born this summer at the circus, despite it being illegal to breed, own or sell wild animals as part of a circus under French law. Circus acts using animals are still allowed
ALAN Carr and Amanda Holden have been spotted by eagle eyed Olive Press readers filming for an upcoming television series around Andalucia.
As well as filming the Christmas lights in Malaga, the British TV presenters have also been spotted filming in various Granada watering holes and on the famous Sierra Nevada slopes.
Our exclusive photos show them having fun during a visit to the Hannigan and Sons Irish pub in Granada city (right). They were in town on various occasions this year revealed barman Paddy, who served their drinks while filming for their new show
in the country until 2028 but the owners had stopped using the lions in acts, leading to a lack of care. It is also feared they were going to be sold to cover the maintenance costs of the circus.
Berta Alzaga, Head of Communications at AAP Primadomus, said: “The lions ended up here because there are no such shelters in France, and we are a European organisa-
Alan & Amanda’s Spanish Job.
“They were great fun when they came in for the England Spain Euros final in the summer,” he told the Olive Press. “Alan is a born joker and she is simply lovely.”
Another trip saw them heading up to the Sierra Nevada ski resort in late Spring, organised by Olive Press clients the British Ski Centre.
“We sorted everything out for them and they were really grateful,” explained boss Giles Birch.
“They actually sent us a lovely thank-you video for our kids (see top left).”
The most recent trip saw them wrap up the show with a big party at a secret inland location, while
tion committed to offering a better future for the animals.”
When the lions arrived in Villena, they were covered in filth and had likely ‘been kept in trailers at the circus for at least the past month,’ as they could not be let out.
The animals were initially very nervous, particularly the cubs, but they ‘calmed down’ once they were reunited with their mothers, according to Pablo Delgado, Director of
they were also seen jumping up and down and dancing while enjoying the iconic Christmas lights show on Calle Larios, in Malaga. Comedian Carr, 48, and Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda, 53, won over viewers earlier this year with their hit show Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job.
It was so successful the BBC recommissioned a new season of the show in Spain.
The concept of the show, out in January, sees them buying a cheap but charming wreck of a home in inland Andalucia and then spending the year doing it up before finally selling it giving the proceeds to childrens’ charities.
AAP Primadomus Spain and Head of Big Cats.
The priority now is to allow the lions to rest, recover, and undergo medical assessments. Delgado notes that the cubs ‘appear quite thin and have not received veterinary care at the circus.’
Calpe Town Hall will be celebrating the festive season every weekend
CALPE’S Christmas Fair /Fira de Nadal/, now in its 10th edition, will feature an exciting new format this year.
For the first time, it will be held every weekend in December, and in a new location: Plaza Mayor, instead of the Old Town.
The main aim of the X Fira de Nadal 2024 is to promote Calpe’s local businesses and associations, while offering an extra attraction for tourists visiting the town. It also seeks to encourage active participation from Calpe residents in
supporting and consolidating local enterprises and organizations.
This year’s changes are designed to give a larger number of businesses and associations the chance to participate, while also expanding the range of activities organised by the City Council to promote local commerce during the Christmas season.
Visitors can look forward to a wide variety of offerings, including crafts, gastronomy, Christmas items, traditional sweets, local products, as well as entertainment for children, musical performances, exhi-
bitions, and visits from Santa Claus and the Royal Page.
The fair provides a chance to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit and support many associations dedicated to charitable and festive causes.
In the first two weekends of the fair (December 6-8 and December 13-15), the focus will be on trade, service businesses, and non-profit organisations.
In the second half of December (December 20-22 and December 27-29), the fair will predominantly feature companies from the hospitality sector.
KING Felipe and Queen Letizia joined hundreds of mourners last week for a memorial service for the victims of the flood disaster that killed at least 223 people in Valencia province. The mass was conducted at Valencia Cathedral and the congregation included 400 relatives of some of those who died in the tragedy. Also in attendance were national government ministers, mayors of towns that were hit, and Valencia president Carlos Mazon, who has been strongly criticised for his handling of the disaster.
THREE missing people have still to be found following the Valencia flood disaster which has claimed 233 lives
Some 8,500 military personnel are still deployed in the area and many of them are focused on the search for the missing trio. Besides their families having to grieve, there is a harsh financial reality to deal with, as they cannot apply for aid or pensions for three months if the bodies of their loved ones are not found.
Collapsed
Jose Javier Vicent Fas, 56, disappeared after his home collapsed in Sot de Chera and his four-year-old son died instantly.
Mother-of-two Elizabeth Gil, 38, a resident of Cheste was driving to work with her sister when they got caught up in a flood tide. Her sister's body was recovered but not Elizabeth's. Finally, Francisco Ruiz Martinez, 64, was swept away by the water in a supermarket car park on the Monserrat industrial estate. He disappeared after managing to get his grandchildren to safety.
NINE
found a new home on the Costa Blanca after being rescued from a circus in France
*Subject
Voted
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.
Eye opener
THE tragic story of Robyn, a 34-year-old Brit, should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone traveling to Spain with only a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for coverage.
While Robyn could never have anticipated suffering a stroke during her trip to Murcia, she now finds herself trapped in a Spanish hospital, unable to return home due to the limitations of the GHIC card.
This card, which replaced the old EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) after the UK left the EU, offers basic health coverage for necessary medical treatment while abroad.
However, there’s a critical flaw in its coverage: it does not include repatriation costs, which are the expenses involved in being flown home for urgent or specialist treatment.
Robyn’s situation highlights a grim reality for many Brits traveling abroad - without proper travel insurance, they may be forced to bear significant costs for repatriation. In Robyn’s case, the hope is that her family will be able to raise enough funds to arrange for her transportation home via a road ambulance. However, this is far from an ideal or inexpensive solution. Since the UK’s departure from the EU, the importance of comprehensive health insurance while traveling has grown significantly. It is no longer enough to rely solely on the GHIC card, especially if you suffer from pre-existing conditions or fall into vulnerable categories.
While purchasing travel insurance may feel like an unnecessary expense, it is essential for ensuring peace of mind in case of medical emergencies.
The cost of proper coverage is a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and emotional toll of an unexpected medical crisis abroad. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health and well-being.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es
Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es
Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es
Humenyuk
Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL SNAILS AND THISTLES
Join the Olive Press on a Christmas culinary tour of Spain
CHRISTMAS would not look a lot like Christmas without traditional dishes and desserts. In countries like the United Kingdom, Christmas without roast potatoes and gravy would be utter madness with 71% of the nation choosing a roast dinner of turkey, chicken or beef as the star attraction. Spain, on the other hand, a country of strong regional pride, has no one national Christmas meal.
Coastal regions tend to eat fish, central regions eat pork or lamb, but often the most typical dish can be a soup, snails or even thistles cooked in bechamel.
Each autonomous community will also have a number of typical Christmas foods, making it hard to define a region by what’s on its plates.
Until you get an invite to a real Spanish Christmas celebration here’s a look at the most iconic dish in 12 regions across the country.
ANDALUCIA
An Andalucian Christmas is typically a lengthy affair with a series of starters before the main course – if there is indeed a main course.
One of the most typical Andalucian starters is the caldo de Jerez named after Jerez de la Frontera in the province of Cadiz. Also called consome de Jerez, the dish is a clear soup made by boiling down beef bones with sherry, chicken, jamon, vegetables and seasonings to whet the appetite.
Other typically southern starters include cured Spanish ham – jamon – from the nationally famous town of Jabugo in Huelva, as well as marinated olives and cream of seafood soup in coastal regions.
ASTURIAS
Fabada Asturiana is the most famous dish from Asturias. This hearty bean stew is typically made with chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage).
BASQUE COUNTRY
Given its
Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es
Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es
Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es
Cole Sinanian cole@theolivepress.es
Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es
proximity to the Bay of Biscay, the region is known for its seafood at Christmas.
galets.
(+34) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es
While fabada is a popular Christmas choice, tortos de maiz (corn cakes) are also a festive favourite. These fried corn cakes are often served with picadillo de chorizo, a mixture of minced pork, garlic, and smoked paprika.
BALEARIC ISLANDS
Just as in the UK, stuffed turkey is common for Christmas in Mallorca, but the tradition dates back far earlier to the 16th century, when the Spanish first encountered turkeys in the Americas. The stuffing in the Balearics is unique, with raisins, plums, apricots, sweet chestnuts, and pine nuts, often soaked in wine the night before to enhance the flavours.
Cardo (thistle) is a traditional Christmas vegetable in the heart of wine country. Often cooked in bechamel sauce with almonds, this unique dish is also sometimes enhanced with black truffles.
Cardo is a quintessential regional ingredient that plays an important role in holiday meals.
Besugo (blackspot sea bream) is a traditional holiday dish, often roasted in the oven and stuffed with lemon slices.
The fish is usually served on a bed of potatoes, drenched in a rich fish stock made with wine and garlic.
CASTILLA LA MANCHA
Famous for its roasted cochinillo al horno (suckling pig), Castilla La Mancha celebrates Christmas with this rich and decadent dish.
Typically served after a warming garlic soup, the roasted suckling pig is cooked until golden and crispy, making it the star of many Christmas feasts.
CASTILLA Y LEÓN
This soup is made with large pasta tubes (galets), often filled with mincemeat, and served in a rich broth. The dish is a staple of Christmas celebrations in the region.
Here, lechazo (young lamb) takes centre stage at Christmas. The lamb, no older than 35 days, is roasted whole, often in a wood-fired oven. The dish is a regional delicacy, particularly in the city of Valladolid, where cordero lechal is a highly prized festive dish.
CATALUNYA
Christmas meals often consist of multiple courses, with the highlight being sopa de
COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA
Pilotes de Navidad (Christmas meatballs) are a Christmas favourite for Valencianos. These large meatballs, made from minced pork, pine nuts, and breadcrumbs, are served in a rich broth called puchero
The soup is a labour of love, simmering for hours with beef bones, pork ribs, and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and chickpeas.
MADRID
The capital of Spain draws inspiration from all the regional cuisines of the country.
Roast meats, such as lamb or suckling pig, are common on Christmas tables. Asado castellano (Castilian roast) is a typical dish, with the meat often roasted in wood-fired ovens and flavored with garlic, parsley, and thyme. Many families in Madrid also dine out during the holidays, as numerous asadores (roast houses) offer festive Christmas menus.
The tapas dish zarangollo is available in many bars year-round but is also a popular choice for Christmas. This dish, made from scrambled eggs, courgette and onions, often includes potatoes. It is typically served as an appetizer and pairs well with wine or other side dishes.
CANTABRIA
Fancy a tipple to go with your Christmas food? See page 34 for a selection of great festive wines
Caracoles a la montañesa (snails in mountain style) is a beloved Christmas dish in this northern region. Snails are cooked in their shells with sofrito, a base of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil, creating a rich and flavorful soup served with bread for dipping.
MURCIA
LA RIOJA
The Sierra Nevada is the icing on the cake for those fortunate to
IT is hard to believe that just below me are the glistening white beaches of the Costa Tropical and its nearby sister, the Costa del Sol. Way over to my east are Tunis, Sicily and Athens, while to the west are Sevilla and the Algarve.
Yet somehow, just somehow, I am wrapped up in a parka with a warm hat and gloves and completely surrounded by fluffy white snow as far as the eye can see.
Yes, this is the Sierra Nevada, Europe’s most southerly skiing resort and mainland Spain’s highest mountain.
The geography of the area is simply staggering given its proximity to the beach and getting so much snow here is all to do with its altitude, which goes up to a staggering 3,482 metres (11,423 feet) above sea level. Its highest peak, Mul
WHITE OUT
Tel:625 25 65 15
C/DE SAN BERNARDO SIERRA NEVADA 18196 MONACHIL (GRANADA)
Continues overleaf SKIS THE LIMIT: Sierra Nevada highpoint with views across the Med
Photo by Jon Clarke
The Sierra Nevada’s stunning slopes offer snowboarding thrills and spills
WITH snow like fine powder, the Sierra Nevada is a Mecca for thrill-seeking snowboarders.
For beginners and experts alike, Spain’s highest resort is a glorious setting and gets more and more popular by the year.
Stunning scenery is matched by the top-class facilities, which saw the resort host the Snowboard World Championships in 2017. Novices should head to the central station Borreguiles, where lifts deposit snowboarders on a smooth and groomed area where they can hone their skills.
Once ready, or for those of a higher standard, they then need to head up to the SuperPark Sulayr, Europe’s largest freestyle snowboard park.
Now relocated to an altitude of 2,700 metres on Borreguiles, Spain’s most famous snowboarding park also houses the country’s biggest half-pipe.
Measuring an astonishing 165 metres in length with a height of six metres, the special design flattens the snow on the side of the halfpipe so boarders can jump on both sides.
For the best deals in snowboarding equipment and rentals visit South Star, which has three shops in the resort. All
Ci Vediamo
The Sierra Nevada’s most elegant restaurant
hacen, is named after Moorish king Muley Hacen (Abdul Hassan Ali), who is said to have been buried at the top.
The views from the top of the highest ski lift, at 3,300 metres, are among the best in Europe, with the views across the Mediterranean to the Rif mountains of Morocco making it look like a small pond.
From here, I have frequently skied into the Laguna de las Yeguas valley, including its celebrated Olympic run, with almost nobody around, assuming you are up here midweek.
Discovery
It was two decades ago that I first spotted the faraway snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada from the terrace of a roof-top restaurant in Torremolinos some 150 kilometres away.
It was intriguing, like a giant white magnet, and I was soon racing up there to be seduced by the thrills of winter sports, right here on our doorstep.
None of the hassle of flying to Lyon or Turin and schlepping it up on a long coach trip into the Alps, as most of us on the costas can get there in a couple of hours.
While it’s a fabulous day trip from the Costa del Sol, you are missing half the fun if you don’t stay at least one night.
Not only has the main resort of Pradollano got some of the best places to eat in Granada province but there is some excellent apres-ski entertainment on offer.
It has become a rite of passage to hit the slopes for at least a few days since a school trip to the French Alps as a teenager.
I can’t wait to strap on skis as Christmas nears and the first snows of the year finally arrive. From front page
Michelin trained chef Esteban Silva produces classic Italian style dishes with a modern twist
Open 7 days a week
Monday to Sunday 12.00-16.00 & 20.00-24.00
Plaza Andalucía, Edf. Salvia s/n, Pradollano tel: 958 480 856 civediamosn@gmail.com
FInd us on Google Maps with 360° degree view
Annoyingly the season seems to start later and later these days in the Sierra Nevada. While the Pyrenees already has a ton of snow, we often have to wait until just before Xmas to get the white stuff.
The beauty of skiing in the Sierra Nevada is that the slopes are usually warm during the day and you will see many regulars actually skiing in t-shirts. It’s a total contrast to the skiers who will be shivering in the Alps at this time or year though, where the price of a beer or a coffee will certainly be double.
“While I love heading up to Val d’Isere or somewhere nearby in winter, nothing beats a couple of days in the Sierra Nevada,” says hotelier James Stuart, from Vejer de la Frontera.
“It’s a charming place and it’s so very convenient for all of us in southern Spain.”
Local ski school owner Simone of Las Gondolas agrees: “This is the nicest place in the world to ski. We offer the best weather and the prices have hardly gone up in years,” says the veteran, who has been working here for nearly four decades.
And if you plan the trip properly you could combine it with a night in the emblematic city of Granada, which is just 40 minutes down the hill. The Alhambra and its amazing Generalife gardens are open every day of the
year and a walk around the Arabic parts of the city, in particular, the Albayzin or Realejo, are wonderful with the snowy backdrop above.
You might also add in a night or two in the fascinating nearby region of the Alpujarras, or the Lecrin valley, just on the other side of the mountain.
Whatever your plans, one of the true joys of a weekend in the Sierra Nevada, is seeing the snowy peaks appear on the skyline from an hour away and then the wonderful windy drive on the final leg.
This is one of Spain’s most amazing drives, with scenery to die for, as the snowy mountains loom ever closer. Indeed, at least half of those who drive up don’t even ski, but come to enjoy the views and exhilarating road with its sharp curves and very steep drops.
The resort is run by Cetursa, an offshoot of the Junta, and has got incredibly organised and digitalised over recent years. The buying of ski passes (forfeits) is easier than ever and most do it in advance online, or using an easy-to-use app.
It’s easy to park right under the two main ski-lifts to the top and it costs around 20 euros a day.
Most places to rent skis and boots, or snowboards, can be found within 200m of the car park.
While this year the snow has arrived late, some 40,000 skiers often land on the bank holiday puente weekend at the beginning of December.
Now the temperatures have finally dropped there will be plenty of snow machines pumping throughout the day and night and at its peak there will be 110 kms of pistes open.
A fun fact, it was in the Laguna valley, designed for expert skiers, that Netflix made its amazing series Society of the Snow about the infamous 1972 plane crash in the Andes.
This is one of Spain’s most amazing drives, with scenery to die for
For snowboarders or jump-lovers make your way to Superpark Sulayr, in the Loma de Dilar area, Europe’s largest freestyle park, with its giant 165 metre ‘half pipe’.
And then there is the famous ‘Rio’ run that leads right down to the resort of Pradollano, which sits at 2,100 metres.
It definitely pays to pick your days with Easter and Christmas frequently saturated with queues for the lifts, although Christmas Day can often be relatively quiet, while on the day of
the Reyes (January 6), almost all of the Spanish will be at home opening presents.
Don’t forget to try and avoid Semana Blanca (literally ‘white week’) – or half term at the end of February – when school children learn to ski, and, of course, bank holidays can also be very busy. The main tip is to go up early at 8am to 9am before the Spanish get going or waiting till midday.
While a modern resort, the main base at Pradollano is a nice spot to take in the air or a spot of lunch, and there
are things for the kids to do, with entertainers and Disney figures wandering around, particularly around Christmas.
The Sierra Nevada has also got a reputation as being a resort for fun, with the apres ski being some of the best in Europe, once you know where to find it (tip: it’s mostly uphill).
The skiing resort started to develop rapidly from 1995 when the World Skiing Championship was scheduled to be held there (due to poor snow it actually took place the following year).
“Since then the infrastructure changes
were huge and it is now a big resort,” explains resort marketing boss Santiago Sevilla, who has worked there for nearly two decades.
The ticket office in Plaza Andalucia is fully digital and now has dozens of machines installed for credit cars and phone payments so you shouldn’t have to queue for long.
A day’s skiing costs €37 to €63 at peak time, but normally about €45, while those in their 70s get free passes.
HIGH LIFE: Jon relaxing on the terrace at El Lodge
December 19th - January 15th
Meet the expat-run charities spreading Christmas cheer in Spain
WHILE most expats move to Spain’s sunny climes for a relaxing retirement in the sun, some barely take a siesta.
That’s certainly the case for those who set up charities to help their local community.
The festive period is especially tough for these expat elves, who strive to provide the same aid despite donations being diverted to gifts, decorations and the all important Christmas dinner.
That’s why we wanted to highlight three charities who deserve a generous donation this Christmas for their work supporting the less fortunate.
DOING HIS BIT FOR UKRAINE
BRITISH expat Kitt Hogg has ‘rediscovered his life’s purpose’ by aiding Ukraine’s fight against Russia from his costa home.
He has driven two vehicles to the war-town country as part of the ‘Car4Ukraine’, a charity which refurbishes vehicles for the front line.
In November, the 70-year-old drove a Ford Ranger that had been parked up forgotten in fellow expat Sue Adam’s garage in Orihuela. After getting her permission, he set off on the long drive through the aftermath of extreme flooding to reach Lviv, a city not far from Ukraine’s Polish border.
“It was a difficult journey,” he said.
“I am appalled and outraged by the dangerous lack of response to this conflict from the West so I wanted to help.”
This trip followed the expat’s first journey from Wales to Ukraine in September 2023.
He raised over £5,000 in donations to purchase an old Mitsubishi L 200 and take on a two week road trip to Lviv.
“There’s a spirit of resilience there. I don’t want them to think we’ve forgotten about them because it’s only getting
worse. That’s why I knew I had to come back,” he said.
The charity has now received over 500 4x4s, which have a ‘huge impact’ after being converted into medical, transport or weapons vehicles.
Adintre provides breakfast, lunch and dinner for over 80 homeless and needy people everyday on the Costa del Sol.
It was founded by Ghanian expat Joyce Gyimah Amponsah, who moved to Madrid in 1994 to escape a forced marriage.
Amponsah had a ‘very difficult’ childhood selling scraps to bring money home for her mother and siblings, so in 2001 she decided to help those in need by taking homeless people out for dinner.
She did this every Sunday until she moved to Fuengirola in 2007, where she started a successful real estate business.
Amponsah continued giving food to the homeless on the Costa del Sol when a well-dressed man in a suit and tie asked for some supplies.
“At first I was confused but then I realised it wasn’t just the homeless who needed help,” she told the Olive Press.
She expanded her reach, eventually growing so much that Fuengirola town hall sent the needy directly to her.
FEEDING 80 NEEDY PEOPLE A DAY
“People come from all the coast, including Malaga, Torremolinos, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona.”
In 2012, Adintre was officially established as a charity and Amponsah dedicated herself fully to the project.
Now, she has sold 44 of the 47 properties she used to own as part of her business to fund the charity.
Adintre not only supplies food but accommodation and support to help get people out of difficult situations.
Amponsah says this often includes Brits who lose their documents or get stuck in Spain, ending up on the streets.
LAUNCH PAD
Ex Olive Press reporter secures front page in yet another success story for former staff
FORMER Olive Press reporter Anatoly Kurmanaev celebrated a milestone this month after securing a front page story in the New York Times. His intriguing report shed a light on the rising tensions among Russia’s elite as the Ukraine war begins to severely impact the country’s economy.
It is just another example of Olive Press staff going on to do great things in the world of journalism.
We train our journalists to leave no stone unturned and teach them how to write stories to the standard of national newspapers back home.
“If you have a suitable vehicle and you believe in the cause of a people upholding their right to self-determination in the face of a ruthless aggressor, you could make a difference,” he urged.
“The average salary is low here so there’s many families who can’t even afford a cup of milk or a piece of bread for their children,” she said.
“For me, the most important thing is seeing a person I’ve helped later on and knowing that they’re off the streets. That is my joy,” she said.
She has now been honoured with a MBE by the British Royal Family.
“I never expected thanks because I don’t do it for appreciation,” she admitted.
DEDICATED TO CHILDREN IN NEED
CHILDREN in need are the focus of 82-year-old expat Ronald Mark Hawes who founded the JoyRon Foundation with his wife Josephine in 2015.
Inspired by his own unhappy childhood, Hawes has always done charity work and knew that as soon as he retired he would dedicate himself to helping those less fortunate.
joy, comfort and support to children in the Balearics.”
“But I feel really honoured. I believe that we are all the same and we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so if you see somebody in need, you should help if you can.”
“The man I thought was my father never treated me like a son. My mum tried the best she could but I never felt that kind of warmth from my parents,” he told the Olive Press.
The charity’s first project was an aquatics centre for children with cerebral palsy at Aspace Mallorca. Since then, the team of five officers and 18 volunteers has financed and built a cinema at Son Espases Hospital as well as a psychomotricity room at a first response centre for victims of abuse.
she never
“It was a rough life, I had no friends or family life, so now I want to bring
They also get to work for them directly, as papers like the Mail on Sunday MailOnline, the Sun and the Telegraph, regularly contact us to cover stories for them in Spain.
Last year, Madrileño Jorge Hinojosa landed a job with the UK’s top-selling newspaper, the Sun
The UK-trained hack scooped the plum role after a sixmonth stint with the Olive Press in Malaga.
Forced to go back to London or lose his working visa due to Brexit, he joined the online news desk as a general reporter.
“Thanks for everything. It was all due to my experience at the Olive Press,” he later wrote.
He follows in the footsteps of Joe Duggan, who himself became a Sun reporter after a three-year traineeship at the Olive Press in 2018. He now works at the i.
Our current digital editor Laurence Dollimore became a senior reporter at MailOnline when he briefly returned to the UK post-Covid.
Meanwhile, former news editor Charlie Smith moved to the Express and now works as a BBC local democracy reporter. Elsewhere, former reporter Amie Keeley became a senior reporter at the Financial Times, Imogen Calderwood the Managing Editor at Global Citizen, and Annabel Grossman the Associate Editor at the Independent.
Meanwhile, our latest potential star is reporter Yzabelle Bostyn whose hard hitting reports have earned her a place on the shortlist for the prestigious NCTJ Awards for Excellence. She is one of just three shortlisted as trainee of the year in the news category.
Finally two former female stars, Iona Napier and Elisa Menendez, are both cutting the mustard with ITN News in London, while Laura Balfour makes documentaries for National Geograph- ic and Netflix among others.
BEST OF LUCK YZABELLE!
“The more I looked the more I found children in need,” he said.
“We identify the need, finance it, build it and donate it.”
The foundation also has a ‘Grant a Wish’ programme designed to fulfil the dreams of sick children.
In 2016, JoyRon sent Carlos Franco, a little boy with a brain tumour to Disneyland Paris and later, they treated a partially blind and deaf boy, Andre, to
a summer camp in Barcelona. Every year, the charity gives Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children and this year, they are giving away 450 pairs of headphones. Though they are mainly based in Mallorca, the team is hoping to expand to Menorca and Ibiza, as well as looking for reps in Alcudia, Pollenca and Santanyi.
Take advantage of our special Christmas deal on our annual subscription package.
For a one-off payment of €30 (instead of €49.99), you can enjoy 12 months of advert-free scrolling, plus full access to all of our articles. Subscribers are also sent weekly newsletters on travel, health and property, as well as a personal message from our digital editor each Saturday.
To take advantage of our Christmas deal, scan the QR code here to be taken to the checkout page with the discount already applied. Subscriptions will automatically renew in a year’s time at full price.
CHARITY
PRICY XMAS
THE festive season in Spain is set to be the most expensive on record, with prices soaring by 10% this year.
Alfonso Rodríguez said: “It’s clear this year will cost us more.
“People are getting into more debt just to make ends meet.”
Just the job!
The president of the consumer association Consubal,
OP QUICK CROSSWORD
In fact consumer debt has surged by 25%, according to the Bank of Spain.
Food delivery app Glovo abandons its ‘selfemployment’ model for drivers
By Walter Finch
1 Examines the books (6)
4 Listened (5) 8 Health science (7) 9 Kisses (5) 10 Inward feeling (5) 11 Faulty US drone measures depth (7) 12 Remarkable (13) 15 Reagan or Kennedy (7) 17 Drop by (5) 20 Rook, for example (5) 21 Batch of letters (7)
22 2 Down alternative (3,2) 23 Cruise quarters (6) Down
1 Flu symptoms (5)
2 Words after grace, perhaps (3,2)
3 Holy Roman Empress Maria --- (7)
4 Like most Indians (5)
5 Rural paradise (7)
6 Annihilate (7) 7 Workaholics don’t have much (7,4)
12 Instance (7)
13 More TNT goes offmisery! (7) 14 Shipment enclosure (7) 16 Marginally ahead (3,2) 18 Loose dress (5)
Roman wraparounds (5)
GLOVO has been forced to abandon its ‘false self-employment’ model and will hand its drivers legal employment contracts.
The company will transition away from its old way, which claimed that its drivers were ‘entrepreneurs’, following years of intense legal pressure
from Spanish authorities. Around 60,000 delivery workers who have worked for Glovo since 2021 will now become regularly employed with all the benefits it brings, according to
THUMBS UP!
SPANISH business continues to bet big on the British economy.
The latest ‘business climate barometer’ from the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom paints a picture of optimism among industry chiefs from Spain.
Nearly half of the Spanish companies surveyed reported that they are banking on increasing investments, employment, and revenue in the UK in the coming year.
Since records began in 1993, Spain has directed nearly €170 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) towards the UK, accounting for 18% of its total global FDI.
Xmas cracker
IT looks like Christmas is going to be a cracker for Spain’s retailers, with a staggering three-quarters of consumers planning to either maintain or increase their festive spending this year.
Despite the ongoing costof-living pressures, a recent survey by AECOC Shopperview reveals that
more than 75% of Spaniards will be opening their wallets wide for Christmas, with many planning to spend even more than last year.
Research also shows that 87% of Spanish retailers and 72% of consumer goods manufacturers expect to close the year with an increase in sales.
The move follows repeated warnings and substantial fines from labour inspectors, who have long argued that Glovo was systematically exploiting workers by classifying them as independent contractors instead of employees.
The ‘false self-employment’ model allowed Glovo to get away with not paying €267 million in Social Security contributions, a burden that instead fell on its own drivers.
Lawsuit
Competitor Just Eat has already filed a lawsuit against Glovo, claiming the company gained an unfair competitive advantage by avoiding proper employment costs - estimated at over €645 million in savings.
Local riders’ rights group Riders X Derechos has responded with caution, highlighting Glovo’s ‘history of lawbreaking’ and calling for transparency in their employment practices.
The Spanish government has already modified the Penal Code to enforce stricter penalties on companies misclassifying workers, with potential prison sentences of six months to six years.
By P OO LVILLAS
20-25 WEEKS RENTED IS NOT A DREAM, WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE Online booking • Websites in 8 languages
More than 100 million visitors per month • Maintenance and quality control Professional photos • Well-maintained accomodations 24/7 customer service for your guests
Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz.
LA CULTURA
December 19thJanuary 15th 2025
13
Come to light
Sorolla masterpiece Paris Boulevard dazzles art lovers after being
‘rediscovered’
A LONG-LOST painting by Spain’s ‘master of light’ Joaquin Sorolla has gone on public display for the first time since the 19th century.
Paris Boulevard, painted between 1889 and 1890 during a visit to the French capital, has been hidden from public view after it was sold to a private collector.
tional heritage institution.
21 & 22 DECEMBER
10:00 to 18:00
Plaza Constitución & Avenida Santa Caterina de Teulada
Christmas Market
Local communities, businesses, artisans and merchants offer you a great commercial offer
FREE ACTIVITIES
Concerts
Workshops
By Walter Finch
It captures the lively atmosphere of a Parisian boulevard cafe at dusk in the belle epoque period, and even includes Sorolla himself in the scene, seated with a soldier and smoking a cigar. Unlike the sunlit Mediterranean beach scenes that define much of his oeuvre, this urban composition showcases a different dimension of Sorolla’s talent.
It is now part of a landmark exhibition at Madrid’s Royal Collections gallery.
Included in the exhibition Sorolla, One Hundred Years of Modernity, the painting showcases the artist's early technical brilliance.
The artwork was believed to have been lost until ‘a feat of investigation’ tracked it down to the original buyer’s descendents, according to Ana de la Cueva, who is president of Patrimonio Nacional, Spain's na-
I am a cider drinker…
CIDER may not be to everyone’s taste - but UNESCO has taken a shine to the apple-based tipple.
After nearly a decade of effort, the ‘culture of Asturian cider’ has officially been recognised as part of its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Adrian Barbon, President of the Principality of Asturias, expressed his pride and joy, calling the recognition ‘a justice to our memory and a boost to our self-esteem’.
Blanca Pons-Sorolla, the artist's great-granddaughter and exhibition curator, notes the work's ‘photographic’ composition and ‘virtuosic’ detail, highlighting how it prefigures Sorolla's later innovative styles.
First presented at the 1890 National Exhibition, the painting immediately distinguished itself from contemporary Spanish art.
Its panoramic view, with figures casually cut off at the edges, demonstrates a radical departure from traditional artistic conventions of the period.
The exhibition features 77 artworks by the master until February 25.
Children’s area
Santa’s visit
Puppets
Christmas Characters
MiSolar – Solar Specialists
Avenida de la Fontana, 18, Local 1, Jávea +34 611 212 289 – info@misolar.website www.misolar.website
MiSolar offers a complete service – everything is included in your budget
✓ Installation
✓ LEGAL – Registration in the Town Hall and boletin “certificate of legislation”
✓ Management of aid from the Town Hall and where applicable, Government grants
✓ Management of the sale of surpluses with the electricity company
MiAgua offers: Hourly updates of your water usage, customisable warnings and alerts via the phone app.
Our smart water monitoring system detects unusual water usage and prevents a large bill!
Professional installation, by our engineers
Real-time alerts, so you don’t lose money
✓ Access to the miagua app
✓ Hourly water usage updates to the app
✓ Configurable warnings
✓ Multiple alert contacts, in case you’re not at home
MiAgua – Early Water Loss Detection
Avenida de la Fontana, 18, Local 1, Jávea +34 611 212 289 – info@miagua.es www.miagua.es
Christmas donations to buy toys for children
SPECSAVERS Opticians is backing the Cruz Roja campaign in Javea to ensure all children get a Christmas present this year.
Their store on Avenida Del Pla is receiving donations to buy gift cards, which will be given to families in need via the Cruz Roja.
The cards will allow parents to buy the toys that their children want from Father Christmas and the Three Kings.
Javea Specsavers manager, Cecillia Navarro Tudela, said: “As a mum of two, I know that Christmas is a magical time of year for children, and believe that everyone should have the joy of opening a gift, no matter what the family’s financial situation.”
Maica Aranda from the Cruz Roja in Javea explained that gift cards are very good options for families because it allows them to decide on the presents to give their children.
“Above anything else, it gives them that extra thrill of going to the shop to see the toys and decide what to take home for their youngsters.”
PHONE BAN CALL
SPANISH government ex-
perts have called for an almost total ban on digital devices for young children - with no screens at all for under-threes and extremely limited use until age six.
The 250-page study also advises parents to stick to nonsmart phones for children aged 12 to 16, and demands mandatory health warning labels on all digital devices sold in Spain.
Parental
Parents are urged to prioritise physical activities for children aged six to 12 and implement parental controls on any smart devices.
The report warns of serious risks, including impacts on sleep, concentration, and mental health.
Schools are also under scrutiny, with recommendations to overhaul educational apps and reduce digital tools in early education.
HAIR DRUG WARNING
Spanish health chiefs warn hairloss drug could trigger ‘werewolf syndrome’
in babies
hair-loss drug is linked to a shocking condition known as ‘werewolf syndrome’ in babies, Spanish health officials have warned.
The bizarre side effect has left infants covered in ex-
cessive body hair after being exposed to the overthe-counter scalp treatment, minoxidil
Commonly sold under the brand name Regaine, it is widely used by adults to treat hair thinning, but
DIRTY SHOWER GEL
A POPULAR shower gel has been removed from shelves after a ‘dangerous bacteria’ was identified in it.
now it’s feared that babies could be suffering from hypertrichosis – an abnormal growth of fine, dark hair on their faces, limbs, and backs.
The Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS) has ordered that ‘ Cosmia-Gel de ducha exfoliante hueso de albaricoque ’ stop production, be removed from shelves and all existing bottles collected.
It is believed the apricot show-
er gel contains an infectious bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can provoke dangerous infections for older people and those who have a compromised immune system. It was sold in Alcampo and supplied by the French business, SAS OIA.
If you have the shower gel, you can return it to any Alcampo store and get your money back.
Across: 1 Audits, 4 Heard, 8 Hygiene, 9 Necks, 10 Sense, 11 Sounder, 12 Extraordinary, 15 Airport, 17 Visit, 20 Piece, 21 Mailing, 22 Eat up, 23 Berths.
Down: 1 Aches, 2 Dig in, 3 Theresa, 4 Hindu, 5 Arcadia, 6 Destroy, 7 Leisure time, 12 Example, 13 Torment, 14 Invoice, 16 One up, 18 Shift, 19 Togas.
The troubling issue came to light after Spanish authorities reported a case where a baby boy developed a thick patch of hair on his back and legs after his father, who had been using minoxidil to treat his own hair loss, cared for him at home.
Skin
Health experts believe the drug may have transferred from the father to the baby through skin contact or accidental ingestion.
Spanish officials have since confirmed that at least 10 cases of this rare condition have been reported across Europe, with all symptoms fading once parents stopped using the drug.
Experts warn that young infants exposed to the drug could also face serious risks to their heart and kidneys.
The warning comes after a scandal in Spain in 2019, where 17 children, including babies, developed similar symptoms after unknowingly consuming minoxidil, which had been mislabeled as reflux medication.
By Dilip Kuner
Watching you
SPANISH travel agents have threatened to stop taking bookings after a new law obliges them to collect up to 31 pieces of guest data.
Dubbed the ‘Big Brother Law’, the legislation forces hotels, AirBnB owners, travel agents, car hire companies and more to gather personal information including their identity document number, place of residence, mobile phone number and email. This will then be sent to the government.
The law has been widely criticised and many have suggested it violates the European Data Protection regulations.
Now, the president of the Balearic Association of Travel Agents, has claimed agents will be forced to stop offering package holidays for pensioners.
Medieval town named as the ultimate place to visit this festive season
Xmas magic
IT’S been named as the ultimate Christmas destination in Spain – a medieval wonderland that most foreigners have never heard of.
Pedraza in Segovia is being hailed as the ultimate festive escape - a town where ‘time stands still’, according to travel magazine National Geographic.
Expensive tastes
TV icon Oprah Winfrey has revealed she loves Spanish crisps and olive oil in her annual favourites list.
The American talk show host selected Bonilla a la Vista crisps, made in A Coruña, Galicia. She described them as ‘worth the splurge’. They cost around €15 a 275g tin in Spain, but around $50 in the US.
In 2019, the family businesses’ sales shot up 150% after their crisps appeared in Oscar winning film, Parasite Winfrey also selected Flor de La Jara, an extra virgin olive oil made in Castilla-La Mancha.
By Yzabelle Bostyn
The charming village is crowned by an imposing castle and is only accessible through a 16th-century gate, which once stood guard against intruders.
Visitors will feel like they've stepped back in time as they
stroll past grand homes, the old textile market, and the haunting remnants of a medieval jail.
Journalnummer: 2405005982
OSLO CONCILIATION BOARD
Extract from complaint currently being dealt with by Oslo Conciliation Board – Dept. 1. Case No. F2024-010246
Klager: Eika Kredittbank As, Postboks 2349 Solli, 0201 Oslo, Org.Nr. 00989997254
Klagemotpart: Sigurd Olav Helland. Last known address: Avenida Del Albir 171, Bl.II, 2m, 03581 Alfaz Del Pi, Alicante, Spain.
The Complainant has filed a complaint against the Defendant with Oslo Conciliation Board with a demand for payment of NOK 28482,02 with the addition of interest at the legal rate and legal costs.
The Defendant is ordered to reply to the Conciliation Board in writing by 29.01.2025 stating whether or not the Defendant acknowledges and accepts the Complainant’s claim. If a reply has not been delivered prior to the expiry of the stated time limit, judgment by default can be pronounced on the basis of the Complainant’s representation of the facts of the case.
The premium oil - which sells for €34 for a half litre in the US - uses picual olives from the Montes de Toledo and according to Winfrey ‘tastes like Spain.’ Winfrey’s list is elaborated over a year-long selection process during which the host personally tests each item.
And history buffs will love the 17th-century Iglesia de Santo Domingo, built on the site of the town’s Jewish quarter, while those seeking a more unusual sight can marvel at the Plaza Mayor, which was once a bull ring for the town's elite. Pedraza’s wild beauty, which goes back to Roman times, continues outside town, where the Parque Natural de las Hoces del Rio Duraton boasts dramatic cliffs and soaring griffon vultures. Crowning the crags are the ruins of the convent of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, founded in the 13th century, and the hermitage of San Frutos, a long time home to Benedictine monks.
At the end of some 25km of gorges, the river arrives at the Burgomillodo reservoir, where you can swim or kayak between the canyons.
As the Defendant has no known address, service will be executed with authority in the Courts Act Section 181. The complaint and order to reply will be deemed to have been legally served when it has been posted at the legal venue for four weeks.
The documents pertaining to the case can be collected from the Conciliation Board’s offices at Pilestredet 19, 0033 Oslo, Norway. The documents can be sent to a new address supplied by the Defendant if the Defendant so requests.
FORLIKSRÅDET I OSLO - AVD. 1
Besøk: Pilestredet 19, 0164 Oslo Post: Postboks 2104 Vika, 0125 Oslo Tlf: 21014700 Faks: E-post: oslo.namsfogd@politiet.no
Bankgiro: 76940518136
B.nr. 3020512
You’re knick(er)d
A ROBBER who used his underpants as a mask and socks as gloves at 19 restaurants in Madrid has been arrested when he was caught wearing his disguise in the early hours of the morning.
Q outrage
ACTIVISTS in Spain are outraged after the governing socialist party announced plans to drop Q from the LGBTQ+ acronym and ban trans women from female sports competitions.
Second life
A 92-year-old woman who had been declared dead at Bunyola’s Joan March Hospital and transferred to the Son Valenti funeral home in Palma was sent straight back to hospital when she started moving.
A NEW Zealander has won the World Spanish Scrabble Championship despite not speaking the language.
Nigel Richards achieved the feat thanks to his impressive memory and strategy skills. And he has form for similar feats - in 2015, he clinched the world title for French scrabble, which he also doesn’t speak. He repeated the feat in 2018.
The 57-year-old is widely considered the best player in the
Bey nd ords
How a Kiwi who only speaks English won the World Spanish Scrabble Championship
By Yzabelle Bostyn
world after starting to compete in New Zealand at age 28. He took to the world stage in 1999 at the Melbourne World Championships. Since then he has won the
English world championship five times.
In preparation, he had memorised the whole of the English dictionary, a challenge he overcame in just five sittings. He repeated the feat with first the French and then Spanish Scrabble dictionaries.
SAYS IT ON THE TIN
A SPANISH man was left shocked after receiving a tin of cat food instead of the €659 Google Pixel 8 Pro phone he ordered during Black Friday. Alvaro, from Valencia, thought it was a prank when he opened the package to find the wrong item. Despite contacting customer
SPAIN’S top road boss is blaming Peppa Pig for the fact that just 11% of road construction workers are women.
Marta Serrano, head of Land Transport, says cartoons like Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol send a ‘stereotypical’ message that roadwork is a man’s job.
“These cartoons show all the workers as giant, muscle-bound dudes,” Serrano quipped at a conference about the role of women within road building before adding, “It’s a cultural challenge!”
service immediately, he’s still waiting for a resolution, with the company promising to process the return in 14 days. Over two weeks later, Alvaro has made dozens of calls with no success. His story, which went viral on X, has led to reports of similar mix-ups.
It is said he has a photographic memory and sees words as a ‘chains of letters’, each with its own mathematical possibilities.
He is known as a calm, emotionless and gentlemanly player within the Scrabble community.
With fewer women working in haulage, Serrano insists the gender gap in the sector is causing problems – and not just on the pavement. “We’re lagging behind,” she said, pointing out that even within her own ministry, only 40% of staff are women.
Talking of his latest title he said: “It's more of a challenge here, which is really what I’m looking for. I just enjoy trying to develop the possibilities and see what I can do, see what I can present. I can enjoy it if I win. I can enjoy it if I lose... I'm just here for a bit of fun.”
Wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas and New Year. We will be back on 16 January 2025
BRYAN ADAMS PABELLÓN FUENTE DE SAN LUIS VALENCIA
