Olive Press Costa Blanca North and Valencia Issue 139

SPRUNG A LEAK

A NEW municipal pool is losing 500 litres of water a week, despite costing €6million to build. The pool in Javea took three years to build and cost €1 million over budget.

Fix

It will not open to the public until construction firm Contratas Vilor fixes it.

Javea mayor, Rosa Cardona, confirmed the work fortunately has a one year warranty from the builders.

Tragic bull collapses and dies at traditional Costa Blanca festival

A BULL died while taking part in a traditional bous a la mar in Javea.

The event saw a bull ring set up near the beach, from where the animal was forced to run towards the shore. Spectators lined up along the route, with many deciding to run alongside the bull and jump in the water alongside it.

On Saturday, the bull got into trouble after jumping into the water while trying to gore spectators.

Rescuers lifted the animal’s snout out of the water and managed to bring it back to dry land, but after a few steps it collapsed, witnesses said.

Its handler tried to revive him but the bull died on the beach.

Around 100 people protested on Sunday, carrying banners with the words, ‘Torture is not culture’.

FIGHTBACK BEGINS

IT’S been a hot potato rumbling on since the start of the summer with anti-tourist protests in Spain garnering headlines worldwide.

And now, as the visitor numbers finally start to drop, yet another Costa Blanca town has joined a trend in suspending new tourist licences.

L’Alfas del Pi has joined fellow Marina Baixa towns, Altea and Polop, in limiting new tourist accommodation.

The council agreed on a two-year ban at a heated plenary meeting, which will likely affect hundreds of expats and locals planning to rent to

tourists.

By Alex Trelinski

The key town hall session also agreed to bring in new measures to clamp down on unlicensed properties through a new local law.

“We will prosecute owners of undeclared properties or those who don’t follow the basic rules,” said council spokesperson Toni Such.

The problem has heightened as the number of tourist rentals has grown exponentially over the last few years. L’Alfas council received 61 requests

Radical move sees popular Costa Blanca resort ban new tourist licences and target illegal owners

for licences in 2021, rising to 145 the following year and 230 last year.

The first nine months of this year alone have so far had 237 applications.

“We took the decision for the suspension due to this proliferation of requests,” Such added.

There are already 1,764 tourist rentals in the municipality, which appear on the official Valencian government registry.

The council realised it had to act as increasing numbers of complaints came in about illegal homes and the ‘nuisance’ they caused for locals,

particularly in blocks of flats.

Villajoyosa and Denia are also studying similar measures due to concerns over tourist ‘oversaturation’.

All municipalities in the Valencian Community have extra powers to deal with illegal properties after a new regional law was passed earlier this summer.

with campaigners blaming AirBnb-style rentals for rent increases that drive locals out of the market. These came as reports showed the cost of housing has increased by 68% over the past 10 years, while wages haven’t increased.

Demos have been held in Malaga, Sevilla, Palma and the Canary Islands, over the past few months, each highlighting discontent at mass tourism.

In Barcelona, demonstrators barricaded hotels and restaurants along their route while others chanted ‘Tourists, go home’, while carrying placards with similar messages.

Barcelona announced the scrapping of all tourist flat licences by 2029, after Madrid suspended all new permits.

Spain’s Housing Minister, Isabel Rodriquez, has pledged to try to reduce the ‘uncontrolled proliferation’ of tourist flats, which are reducing the supply of long term rentals and, consequently, raising prices in large cities and tourist areas.

This came after the Supreme Court allowed several Community of Owners associations to ban tourist lets.

Nationally, there have been a series of protests against tourist flats, Opinion Page 6

Death threat

AN off-duty police officer arrested a man in Valencia’s Patraix district after he threatened to kill a man on a bar terrace, returning minutes later with a large kitchen knife and an air gun.

School plea

CALPE council has asked the Valencian government to choose the municipality to open a professional dance and music school which would be based at Casa Nova.

Direct action

DENIA firefighters used a ladder to get a resident out of his flat via the second-floor window, after he had suffered a stroke.

Bad breakup

AN Alfara del Patriaca councillor has been ordered to stay away from his ex-girlfriend after setting fire to her current partner’s car at a Sueca beach and scrawling obscenities on one of the doors.

AN online influencer could face jail after he dared his followers to fake drowning incidents on crowded Costa Blanca beaches.

Nil Ojeda’s viral YouTube video, which urged viewers to ‘find a lifeguard, get in front of him and start acting as if you’re drowning’ led to a series of ‘dangerous’ incidents at Alicante’s Postiguet and San Juan beaches.

The reckless challenge caused alarm

Bad influence

among beachgoers and lifeguards alike, as the numerous false alarms forced lifesavers to divert their attention from other possible emergencies. Other hoax incidents at a Guadamar beach led to two youngsters being fined by police. Alicante council has now launched a

legal battle against Ojeda, accusing him of violating public safety laws and organising illegal events. It could also be considered a violation of the national ‘influencer law,’ which prohibits the incitement of crimes through the internet.

If found guilty, Spaniard Ojeda could face prison and a significant fine. Alicante council is also seeking to have his YouTube and social media channels shut down.

British Spy claim

‘Undercover agent’ who worked with mafia gangs vows to expose Spanish negligence over London and Madrid terror attacks in extradition case

A BRITISH accountant claims the Spanish authorities are trying to jail him as part of a scheme to catch a Tenerife crime lord.

Paul Blanchard, 79, from York, is facing extradition on charges of money laundering when he worked as a ‘financial advisor’ for criminal gangs between 1999 and 2001.

But Blanchard says things were very different – that he was actually working as an ‘undercover agent’ for Spain’s CGI intelligence services at the time.

He told the Olive Press he was feeding them information on both mafia and terrorist gangs – including the IRA, Russian mobsters and Al Qaeda.

EXCLUSIVE

By Walter Finch

That is, until the CGI burned their star man – codename ‘Isabella’ – in 2004 and denied to British cops that he was their agent.

“They basically threw me under the bus and denied all knowledge of me, despite giving them all this evidence at their behest,” he explained.

Blanchard faces an extradition hearing in London next week, at which he claims he will embarrass the Spanish authorities for their negligence. In particular, he will ‘prove’ how they ignored his vital intelligence that ‘would have prevented the Madrid and the

London 7/7 bombings’.

Some 191 people died in the Madrid train bombings on March 11, 2004 and 52 in the London attacks on July 7, 2005.

Blanchard claimed he was originally recruited by Spanish spooks when he brought them evidence of criminal activity by alleged mob boss Mohamed Derbah in Tenerife. They used this evidence as a star witness to build a case against Derbah, who was reportedly the right-hand man of British mafia don John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer. But after their relationship broke down in 2004, the authorities realised they had lost Blanchard’s key evidence against Derbah. Court documents seen by the Olive Press, accuse a Spanish judge of unlawfully switch-

ing Blanchard’s status from ‘witness’ to ‘co-defendant’ in 2007 in order to use his evidence without his cooperation. Prior to that, Blanchard returned to the UK, where he was arrested in 2006 in relation to what he claims was undercover espionage while in Spain.

Slain in Denia

POLICE are investigating the shooting death of a man in Denia.

The 45-year-old man was shot in the chest at around 8pm on Tuesday. The Spanish victim was discovered in a garage in the city centre.

The killing was carried out by a man on a scooter, who surprised his target before fleeing the scene. He was dressed in black and wearing a crash helmet. Police believe it is likely a settling of scores, but the victim had no criminal record.. Police later found the scooter abandoned not far from the shooting.

BRIT IN GUNS BUST

A BRITISH fugitive wanted for drug trafficking has been arrested by cops in Torrent.

He was advised to plead guilty to passport fraud, laundering £375,000 and trying to steal £4.3m from a London bank and transferring it to Spain. He insisted he had no choice as his lawyers ‘mislaid’ secret recordings that would have exonerated him but have since been found.

Blanchard would later suffer a heart attack in the notorious Belmarsh prison before being released on licence in 2010.

The 50-year-old unnamed man lived under a false identity and illegally kept three guns. The Brit had a European Arrest Warrant issued against him and had changed his appearance and rarely left the property. Bogus Romanian ID cards, passports and driving license were removed during the raid plus €4,420 in cash.

FOOD FIGHT!

A WHOPPING 120,000 kilos of tomatoes have been thrown in the Valencian region’s famous tomatina food fight. A total of 20,000 people, each paying €15 for the privilege, got

splattered in the annual festival, in Buñol.

The overripe fruit came from the province of Castellon before turning the town red with pulp.

The event traces its origins to 1945 when an argument during a parade in the town square ended in a food fight.

JUICY: Tons of tomatoes make for a fun but soggy event

Culture vultures

A nationwide heritage night has been called for Spain’s leading 15 cultural hotspots

By Yzabelle Bostyn

FREE theatre, concerts and dance are on offer for a special nationwide ‘Heritage night’.

Some 15 Spanish towns - all with UNESCO protection status - will also be offering guided tours, gourmet markets and gastronomic workshops for one night only. The event on September 14 has been organised to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Cultural Heritage Cities Group (GCPHE).

heritage come to life’ the cities include Cordoba, Baeza and Ubeda in Andalucia, as well as Avila and Alcala de Henares, near Madrid. British choreographer Yinka Esi Graves will perform a flamenco-inspired piece,

Hiya from Hayek

MEXICAN film star Salma Hayek has been turning heads in Ibiza as she took a break before her 58th birthday this week. The Oscar-nominated actress, married to billionaire businessman François-Henri Pinault, 62, since 2009, was

Designed to

drawing on her experience in contemporary dance in ‘make Cordoba.

Other cities offering special events include Ibiza town, Cuenca and Salamanca.

Caceres, meanwhile, has the most monuments open to the public, with 24 museums and palaces opening their doors.

Sir Ben robbed

SURPRISE PARTY

PRINCESS Leonor may be used to all the trappings of Royal life, but she had a more down to earth break when she visited the Costa del Sol.

The heir to the Spanish throne dined with six friends at a humble chiringuito beach bar.

The bar owners say the reservation was made with no reference to the royals and were surprised when several bodyguards turned up alongside the young women.

According to manager Puri Molina, waiting staff at El Saladero beach bar soon recognised the princess. But any hopes of grabbing a memento were dashed - the Royal Household’s security detail made other guests delete any images they took, so no snapshots of the illustrious lunch have come to light.

Nearby Merida will have a special performance from Marcat Dance, alongside Colombian singer Manuel Turizo and other theatre performances.

Further north Santiago de Compostela has a big line up of events, while evocative Segovia will have a string of special ‘candlelight events’.

The famous Roman amphitheatre and circus will be open in Tarragona, while historic Toledo will be abuzz with events.

The GCPHE was created to protect cities declared world heritage sites by UNESCO.

See Time to get cultural on page 12

SIR Ben Ainslie, the most decorated sailor in Olympic history, has been robbed of his €20,000 Rolex at knifepoint by thieves in Barcelona.

The 47-year-old British yachtsman - who has four Olympic golds and one silver - is currently in the city for the 37th staging of the America’s Cup, sailing’s premier competition. He is CEO and skipper of the INEOS Britannia team, aiming to become the first British crew to claim victory in the competition’s 170-year history.

According to local police data, crime in the Catalan capital has increased by 8% over the past year, with almost half (48.1%) of the reported crimes being pickpocketing.

Many tourists are targeted in packed popular hotspots, including Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, and around La Sagrada Familia.

See Rough Seas page 6

By P OO LVILLAS

DÉNIA

spotted soaking up the sun aboard a luxurious yacht . The Frida star took to Instagram to share a stunning shot of herself in her twopiece, captioning it in both English and Spanish. “ Yellow bikini + White hair = perfect combination. ”

GRACEFUL: British flamenco dancer Yinka Esi Graves

Water warning

RESIDENTS in Callosa d’En Sarria have been told to take ‘extreme measures’ to conserve water or face drinking supplies being cut off.

Teulada and Benitatxell are supplying bottled water and tankers as tap water is undrinkable due to high salt levels caused by the drought. If the drought continues or worsens, tough action will need to be taken.

Meanwhile, residents in Parcent have also been warned that domestic supplies could be cut.

KIDS NOT WANTED

SPAIN'S birth rate has fallen by 25% over a decade with 156,202 births in the first half of this year - 52,000 down on the same period in 2014.

The figures show a slight increase compared to the first six months of 2023, with 440 more children born this year. The trend though remains downward and the number of births has fallen in all age groups, except for women aged over 40 - suggesting that motherhood is being delayed. The downturn is likely due to women dedicating more time to their careers as well as financial woes leading to a lower priority to start a family.

KILLED OVER ‘DOG WALK ROW’

Wife of Brit who died after neighbour attack makes cash appeal to help get justice

A BRITISH resident has launched an appeal for big-hearted expats to help get justice for her rugby fan husband who was killed while walking his dog.

Sarah Allwright, from Exeter, is raising funds to cover the costs of the legal claim for husband Martin, who was hit on the head with a garden hoe in Almeria.

The 59-year-old was attacked

By Walter Finch

by a neighbour in Zurgena on August 12, with the expat dying five days later.

The assailant allegedly objected to Martin walking his dog ‘too close to his home.’

He was arrested by the Guardia Civil on a charge of attempted homicide with the case now in the hands of an investigating

Rebuild begins

WORK has finally begun to repair the Valencia apartment block where 10 people died in a fatal fire in February. Fortunately, an expert report concluded no structural damage was caused during the fire in Campanar, which left 100 families homeless.

VICTIM: Martin

Allwright died after brutal assault

judge.

However, the costs of pursuing a separate legal claim of prosecuting the killer will cost Sarah €18,000 with a criminal

renovation has a budget of €1.5 million, paid for by the insurers and involves clearing out the remains of appliances, furniture and belongings.

lawyer demanding €9,000 up front.

“Martin was hit on the back of the head with a sharp garden implement,” Sarah wrote on her Gofundme page.

“He received brain surgery and was in hospital for a week, but sadly lost his life on August 19.

A MAYOR has been branded ‘far-right’ after hundreds of asylum seekers were scheduled to be sent to his town from the Canary Islands. Tossa de Mar leader Marti Pujals slammed the move as ‘excessive’ and being out of proportion for his town of 6,000 residents. He claims Tossa in Catalunya, should not have to accept more than 40 migrants given that Blanes, a nearby town with 40,000 residents, received just 200 last year.

Crime

“I am asking for help with this as this cost is huge to me. Any help would be so much appreciated.”

DEVASTATED: But the structure remains sound

The fourmonth fatal

Thousands of tonnes of metal carpentry, window and balcony glass, elevator cabins as well as what’s left of the facade will also be removed.

Meanwhile, a leading architecture firm, Arqueha, has been working on the full reconstruction project which will follow on.

She added that Martin had ‘a great many friends’ and described him as ‘always up for a laugh.’

His concerns echo Spain’s far right Vox party, which claims mass immigration is leading to higher crime figures. But his claims have been branded ‘far-right’ showing ‘structural and institutional racism’.

The company - which designed the Ikon tower in Valencia based on a blueprint by legend Ricardo Bofill - have been given a €1.1 million budget and seven months to produce a design.

The owners will run a tender process to decide which construction company will then carry out the rebuilding work, which will take another two to three years.

“His great passion was Exeter Chiefs rugby and it will be sad that he won't be watching the start of the new season with me,” she added.

Sarah has at the time of print raised €6,145 of the €9,000 target in just nine days, with dozens of people from the local community chipping in.

Tossa has had over 75,000 tourists this year, so 200 migrants should be easily absorbed, claim critics. They will spend a month in a hotel while their asylum paperwork is processed. Migrants are being redistributed across Spain as Canarian officials struggle to deal with ‘so far 22,000 arrivals’.

Low emission zone

BENIDORM will launch its Low Emission Zone (ZBE) in January following changes to its local mobility laws.

There will be a test phase running for up to six months to get people used to the system, after which fines are expected to be implemented - at around €200.

Vehicle owners who live in the ZBE will be unaffected, as will be access to car parks in the zone.

People going to work in the ZBE area can register via a phone app which will be specially enabled to grant permits.

RIP Stevie

Entertainer and fund-raising legend loses cancer battle

POPULAR Costa Blanca entertainer Stevie Spit, has died aged just 54. The prolific charity fundraiser lost his battle against cancer on Tuesday. Whether hosting shows in his famous drag persona at the Benidorm Palace or simply in his normal attire, he was always out to help others.

By Alex Trelinski

“After a very short illness, he slipped away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones,” revealed his best friend, Eileen Gleave.

“He has been a light in the community for so many years, but has left a hole that could never be filled.”

Expats - all on the run!

JIMMY Carr has claimed most British expats are ‘criminals’, ‘tax evading’ or ‘running away from something’.

“But most of you’ve been here so long I’m sure you can go home now without any problems,” the comic told a sold-out audience in Marbella. He then insisted Brexit wasn’t ‘so bad’. And the UK was ‘flirting again’ with Europe and it would be like ‘getting back with an ex’.

and heading to Mallorca the following day.

“I’m off to Canada on Wednesday and have been to places as far and wide as Australia and Japan, where incredibly people understand me,” he insisted.

She added: “But one thing was for sure….he left us knowing he was truly loved by all.”

Tributes quickly went out along the coast from numerous expats and groups.

One, Dreamgirls-Spain, paid tribute saying: “He raised literally thousands for children, animals and people in need. And he did it with such passion, humour and with his fantastic ability to perform to any audience, young and old.”

good causes over the years and many returned the favour in recent months, with events being staged to raise money for him.

MISSED: Beloved Costa Blanca fundraiser and drag artist

Stevie - real name Brian McLeod - helped many that whenever he organises one of his many impromptu fundraisers it is almost a guaranteed success, such is his support from the Costa Blanca community.”

Part of a 45-country global tour, he told the Olive Press backstage that he was ‘constantly on the move’, having arrived from a gig in Somerset the night before

A BRITISH expat died after his bicycle collided with a car in the Valencia area. The 66-year-old - named by a close friend as Martin Mander - was travelling on the Cami Vell d’Ontinyent on August 25.

Mr Mander was taken to hospital in Ontinyent with multiple injuries, before being transferred to Xativa Hospital where he passed away.

The Guardia Civil is investigating the accident with a source telling the Levante newspaper ‘that the cyclist lost control ahead of the incident’.

The motorist was said to be ‘driving correctly on the road’.

Mr Mander was an experienced cyclist and lived locally in Ontinyent.

ROAD DEATH RISE

After maligning Torremolinos, he said he had spent ‘two great weeks’ in Marbella this summer and even showed interest in buying a property in the resort.

Born in Scotland, his charity work saw him awarded the British Empire Medal (MBE) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

It came after an estate agent in the audience shouted out he could help him find a villa.

“I know estate agents are pushy twats but now they’re trying to sell me a home during a show,” he joked. “I might be interested though.”

The then UK ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, presented it to him and said at the time: “Stevie is a truly inspirational fundraiser.

The 90-minute gig at the Marbella Arena was part of Laughs Funny tour. his

“His enthusiasm is such

Stevie went to Buckingham Palace in June 2022 to pick up his honour, accompanied by pal Eileen. He talked to Prince William for 10 minutes and told him his job was selling raffle tickets and produced a strip of them for him to buy.

ROAD deaths in summer have doubled in the Valencian Community over the last two years.

There were 12 fatalities in July, and 18 last month, according to official statistics.

A high proportion of deaths were motorcyclists, accounting for nine fatal accidents in July alone. Last year, 19 people lost their lives on regional roads in the peak period, and there were 12 deaths in 2022.

The cumulative figure for road fatalities between January and August is 74, compared to 56 in 2023.

The Valencian Community has the second-worst road death numbers in the country, behind Andalucia.

Voted

top expat paper

in Spain

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

OPINION

Stevie Spit - full of community spirit

TRUST us when we say that social media is not a perfect tool for passing judgement on anything!

There might however be an exception over the entertainer and fund-raiser extraordinaire, Stevie Spit.

Ever since Stevie’s premature death on Tuesday, social media posts have poured in from across the Costa Blanca to say ‘thanks’ to a man whose name was known to virtually every British expat.

There seemed to be a time when most charity events south of Alicante had Stevie’s involvement and that brought him a highly-deserved British Empire Medal four years ago.

Just weeks ago, he found out that he had cancer but was determined to fight it.

Loads of people and charities that he’d championed, wanted to help him in a true embodiment of community spirit - something that Stevie Spit epitomised. He will not be forgotten.

The right balance

REDUCING tourist property rentals and fighting illegal lets has picked up after the Valencian government gave more muscle to town halls to deal with the issue as they see fit.

L’Alfas del Pi has joined other Costa Blanca towns and cities in introducing a moratorium on licenses for tourist accommodation which have shot up in the last two years.

A pause gives valuable time to sort things out and to get the right balance that’s good for tourists and locals, which is being promoted in a new Valencia region video. The sector is worth big bucks to many people and the politicians know it - but they’ve failed in regulating holiday lets for years and allowed them to swamp some districts.

Each place is different and cities like Benidorm and Torrevieja don’t appear to have big problems, which suggests they’ve done it right for a long time - something that others perhaps need to look at.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

(+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

Santaella (+34) 658

accounts@ theolivepress.es

theolivepress.es

FBy Ben Pawlowski in Barcelona

OLLOWING years of groundbreaking innovation and hundreds of millions of euros invested from super-rich backers, the 37th edition of the America’s Cup is finally underway.

Half a dozen teams have descended on Barcelona to stake their claim to sailing’s most prestigious trophy in a pulsating regatta which kicked off on August 22 and will conclude in October.

The Catalan port has been transformed into a glamorous sporting pantheon for the competition, often regarded as the oldest in modern sport as it now enters its 170th year.

However, the regatta has become the latest target for anti-tourist protesters who have blasted it as ‘elitist and opaque’, claiming the affluent clientele and fanfare ‘will bring every sort of misery to the city’.

The antagonism kicked off in May when violent clashes between protesters and police broke out after the official sponsor, luxury brand Louis Vuitton, held a fashion show in the city’s UNESCO-listed Parc Guell.

The parade - attended by celebrities including Emma Stone, Sophie Turner and Ana de Armas - sparked anger among residents who rallied against the disruption and the ‘privatisation of public space’.

Locals were particularly aggravated that a historic stone staircase in the culturally-important Gaudi designed park, was damaged during construction for the show.

Other protesters claim the competition is driving locals out of the city by pushing up rental prices, particularly in the coastal Barceloneta neighbourhood where the action is taking place. They point out that temporary lettings have skyrocketed to

ROUGH SEAS

While the globally popular America’s Cup has kicked off in Barcelona it has been anything but universally welcomed

€4,000-€5,000 a month.

Meanwhile, a number of streets at the recent Gracia Festival were dedicated entirely to protesting against the regatta.

The entrance to one installation read ‘Let’s sink the f***ing America’s Cup’, surrounded by phrases such as ‘Tourists and expats go home’ and ‘when posh people in boats kick you out of your house’.

Others are angry that the lucrative event is relying on 2,000 volunteers, rather than providing paid, short-term jobs to locals.

Despite the protests, five teams are competing for the right to become the Challengers of Record and face off against the reigning champions, Emirates New Zealand, in a series of races in October to decide who takes home the coveted trophy.

Sir Ben Ainslee, the four-time Olympic sailing champion, is once again the skipper and CEO of the Britannia team, backed by billionaire Manchester United owner and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ainslee’s crew have received technical

OPPOSITION: Protests against the cup began in May and still continue

assistance from mechanics from the Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team, who are also sponsored by Ratcliffe’s chemical conglomerate.

will advance to the Louis Vuitton Cup final, where the first team to win seven races will qualify for the America’s Cup final against holders New Zealand, who won in 2021. Each crew is racing an AC75 boat, the latest extraordinary feat of technological innovation and ingenuity.

The 75ft foiling craft has a carbon-fibre hull and sails that can be as large as 26.5m high. Their top speeds will be around 50 knots (93 kph).

It is a far cry from the wooden boats of the first America’s Cup, held around the Isle of Wight in 1851.

The competition was won by the New York Yacht Club which renamed the trophy, then known as the ‘100 Guineas Cup’, in honour of its homeland.

Barcelona is the second Spanish venue to host the cup after Valencia, which hosted two consecutive editions in 2007 and 2010.

The competition is driving locals out of the city by pushing up rental prices

Barcelona’s former left-wing mayor, Ada Colau, successfully fought off bids from Valencia and Malaga to host this year’s edition as part of a drive to bring ‘quality’ tourism to the Catalan coast. The former mayor and organisers have stifled complaints by pointing out the competition is bringing €1 billion, 19,000 jobs and an additional 2.5 million visitors to the city.

Britain has so far never won the America’s Cup - only the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland have claimed the trophy in the competition’s prestigious 170year history. Now the UK team must face off against NYYC American Magic, Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and France’s Orient Express Racing Team in the Challenger Selection Series which includes a round-robin stage, semi-finals and a final from October 12 to 17. The round-robin stage lasts until September 8, where each team races each other twice, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals. In the semi-final stage, the first team to win five races

Mateu Hernandez, the head of Barcelona Tourism, said: “The people who follow the America’s Cup are people who love the sea and have plenty of disposable income. “We are very interested in these types of tourists. Particularly as we need to improve the quality of those tourists who visit the city”.

However, many view this approach as prioritising wealthy visitors and pricing out locals, whilst others, including Marti Cuso, a spokesperson for the protest group Platform Against The Cup, have questioned where exactly the alleged €1bn boost will go. As the arguments continue, one thing is clear - it’s not just the sailors who are bound to experience choppy waters through the early Autumn.

CAPTAIN: Ben Ainslie defends the cup, which is bringing 19,000 jobs to the city

Something in the air?

JSPECIAL REPORT by Cole Sinanian

UST when you hoped the heat finally abating meant we were going back to normal, two new danger viruses reared their head.

In a risk assessment, the European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC), called the increase of imported Mpox cases from African countries ‘highly likely’, while a new disease called Sloth Fever has also emerged.

With victims coming forward across the country it has raised the alarm at the tail end of a busy tourism season that’s seen outbreaks of a number of deadly tropical diseases in Spain. Up until mid August there were 116 cases recorded in Madrid, 67 in Andalucia and a dozen in the Valencian Community as well as the Balearic Islands. Around Spain they totalled 260 victims.

Meanwhile an even nastier new strain of Mpox, known as ‘clade I’ has been wreaking havoc in the Congo.

So bad was the outbreak that the WHO and the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) recently declared a ‘public health emergency of continental security’.

And the new highly transmissible strain emerged as other rare infections like West Nile Virus (WNV), Sloth Fever, and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever have all claimed deaths this year.

With its warmer temperatures and proximity to Africa, Spain commonly sees outbreaks of tropical diseases, particularly during the summer months.

In 2022, for example, Mpox infected 7,521 in Spain, while the West Nile Virus — spread via the native Culex Pipiens mosquito — makes a regular appearance each summer, having so far caused around 20 cases and, at least, five deaths in Andalucia this year. All in Sevilla.

Experts say the increased movement of people between continents brought by globalisation has played a role in the global spread of tropical diseases.

Meanwhile higher temperatures caused by climate change may affect local transmissibility and the duration of the virus’ activity.

Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is spread through physical contact with infected animals or people, and can cause fever and a painful rash that usually lasts from two to four weeks.

Though most people recover, extreme cases of the disease can be fatal.

In 2024, 17,541 cases and 517 deaths have been reported as of August 13, according to the Africa CDC, 96% of which were recorded in the Congo, and most cases spread by sex workers.

PREVENTION: Dr Jacob Lorenzo says the most at-risk groups have been vaccinated

WEST NILE WORRIES

As for West Nile Virus, the mosquito-borne disease whose corresponding sickness — West Nile Fever — can cause headaches, nausea, rashes and death in extreme cases, has circulated locally throughout Europe this summer.

Mpox

There have so far been cases reported in Greece, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania in addition to Spain, totaling 69 cases by July 31, according to the ECDC. These numbers are normal and are no cause for alarm, the organisation wrote in its release. Another rare, locally transmitted disease that’s made an appearance in Spain this year is Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a deadly, tickborne illness with a 10 to 40% fatality rate.

The virus has already killed two elderly men, the first of whom died on May 1 and likely contracted the disease while hiking in the Arribes del Duero National Park in Salamanca.

West Nile Virus

Sloth Fever

The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (pictured below) described its rapid spread to several neighbouring countries as ‘very worrying’. But despite the hundreds of Mpox cases in Spain this year, the new variant has yet to be detected here, and public health experts assert there’s no reason to panic.

“The numbers are quite low compared to the 2022 outbreak,” Dr Jacob Lorenzo, director of the Institute for Tropical Diseases at the University of La Laguna, told the Olive Press.

The second case was contracted in the Toledo province, and health authorities were notified on July 21.

According to Muñoz, there may be a relationship between higher year-round temperatures brought by climate change and the emergence of these rare, insect-borne diseases.

“Higher temperatures, and above all milder winters, facilitate the survival of disease-transmitting vectors that in the climatic conditions of 40-50 years ago would not have survived the winter,” he said.

Additionally, other factors may play a role in their increased prevalence, he said, like the abandonment of agricultural land leading to more ticks.

SUPER SLOTH

A number of cases of the deadly Oropouche virus, or Sloth Fever in Europe this summer have also raised concerns. The virus, spread by biting midge flies and mosquitos, has been circulating in Cuba and Brazil, and was brought to Europe by travellers from those countries.

“Additionally, we have previous experience and the most at-risk groups in the country have been vaccinated or are in the process of receiving their second dose, so this year it is a totally different scenario,” he continued.

As cases of Mpox, West Nile virus and Sloth Fever rise in Spain – how worried should we be? The Olive Press asked the health experts for their verdict it the

Reach 50,000 members of YOUR target audience with an Olive Press campaign thanks

MAD NOT TO!

MORE than 5,000 people are creating an account on the Olive Press website each month, new figures show.

Incredibly, we now have 50,000 registered users taking advantage of joining the best English language newspaper in Spain.

Over the past 30 days, a record 5,770 people signed up at theolivepress.es.

So what’s the big deal?

Well, registered users are granted access to extra stories and are sent newsletters on the biggest articles of the day.

They also get separate travel, health and property mailouts.

Into the bargain, they receive a Saturday morning newsletter from Digital Editor Laurence Dollimore on the most important and interesting stories of the week.

It all means we have a huge, focused customer database that allows us to offer great deals and partnerships with brands in Spain.

Tens of thousands of our readers either live in Spain, have a home or travel here regularly.

That’s why we’ve been able to launch competitions on everything from mattresses and discounted meals out to concerts and music festivals.

So if you are running a busines+s in Spain - or related to Spain - and want to advertise, it simply doesn’t make sense to leave the Olive Press out of your budget.

We have 50,000 members of YOUR target audience at our fingertips.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1 - Swedish expat in Spain who once managed the tragic Mike Lynch superyacht gives her verdict on the incident - after 75m vessel sunk off coast of Italy

2- Date is confirmed for start of EU’s Entry/Exit System this autumn - but how will it work?

3- Bull collapses and dies on tourist beach after jumping into the sea during traditional festival on Spain’s Costa Blanca

4- Man in Spain loses his pension after working for 46 years because of this error

5- Tiny village in Spain’s Andalucia is rocked by video of a couple romping on the church altar

Meanwhile, University of Salamanca microbiology professor Juan Luis Muñoz added that most Mpox cases in Europe have resulted from sexual contact.

The ECDC reported 19 European cases in June and July, with 12 reported in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany. Symptoms can be easily confused with other tropical viruses like Dengue, and often include fevers, rashes, headaches, and muscle pains, though many carriers experience no symptoms. The virus is uncommon and largely unknown to researchers, and had previously been thought to be mostly non-lethal, until two healthy young women died from the virus in Brazil this year. There is a connection between globalisation and the spread of tropical diseases like Oropouche.

He also emphasised the most effective manner of prevention is immediately seeing a doctor if one finds any strange lesions, and to always engage in safe sex practices.

“There is not a specific number of cases indicating that the infection is getting out of control and we are still far from worrying figures,” Muñoz told the paper.

“In the case of vector-borne diseases, there’s an increase in travel and trade between continents, which allows invasive species to reach new territories,” added Lorenzo. Climate change also plays a role, as increasing temperatures worldwide have led to the expansion of tropical zones, and therefore the potential habitat of tropical viruses. However, he emphasises that the risk of transmission of Oropouche in Europe is low, as the species of flies that carry the virus do not exist here.

The most recent ECDC report assessed the risk level for European travellers to Latin American countries as moderate.

Less to pay

ANTICIPATED further interest cuts by the European Central Bank will contribute to significant falls in the Euribor - the main benchmark index for mortgages in Spain.

July’s Euribor rate was almost 1% down on a year ago, standing at 3.18% compared to 4.073%. It peaked last September with a monthly average of 4.149%.

Mortgage

The falling Euribor is good news for variable mortgage holders that have repayments reviewed either annually or bi-annually.

For example, a loan of €150,000 over 25 years would fall €40 per month to a new figure of €933.

Experts believe the downward trend in the Euribor rate will continue for the rest of the year as the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to make perhaps two interest rate cuts in the next four months, on the back of a 0.25% reduction in June.

PENSION LOST

Man’s mistake costs him state retirement benefits

A 69-YEAR-OLD Spaniard has lost his entitlement to a state pension despite working for 46 years. The man, named Zahid, has lost a lengthy legal battle after his appeal was rejected by the Madrid High Court. A reduced state pension can be paid out after a minimum contribution period of 15 years. But, crucially for Zahid, two continuous years of contributions must have been made in the 15 years prior to retirement. In his case not only was he not

By Alex Trelinski

paying contributions, but he was not registered for work with social security, so no contributions were assigned to him as unemployed.

He was refused the benefit and decided to sue the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) and the General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS).

Zahid lost the original case at a Madrid Labour Court in October 2023 on the

grounds that he did not meet the two year contribution requirement just prior to retirement as he was

Liquid gold price fight

AN olive oil price war has ignited in supermarkets with Mercadona lowering the cost of a litre of the socalled ‘liquid gold’ of its Suave and Intenso varieties. Both products are now priced at €6.95 - down 67 cents. Mercadona has also announced a €2.91 reduction on three-litre bottles of the same brands and claims to have slashed olive oil prices by 25% so far this year.

The price battle is fuelled by wholesale market prices falling with expectations of a better olive harvest. Distributors are changing their profit margins to announce price cuts for the food product that produced the biggest inflationary rise in the last two years. The escalation of olive oil prices during the last year led the government to extend the zero VAT charge until the end of September.

LIFE LEARNING

SINCE Shackleton International School (SIS) opened in 2021, it has rapidly become a leading institution for international education in Valencia.

With a strong commitment to innovation, diversity, and academic rigor, Shackleton continues to offer an enriching environment for its growing community of students and staff from over 50 nationalities.

SIS continues to grow and welcome more students for the 2024/2025 school year. The extension of their second building, linked to the main campus, ensures that students have access to top-notch resources and a comfortable learning environment.

This reflects the school’s dedication to providing modern and functional spaces, while preserving their core values and commitment to providing a personalised, high-quality experience.

A standout feature of SIS is its bright, spacious and full-of-light facilities, designed to create an

Empowering student success at Shackleton International School

inviting and inspiring environment. The classrooms are enclosed by transparent glass walls, allowing a clear view of the activities taking place inside.

The school is also equipped with versatile courts and a gym that allows the students to practice different sports, including basketball, football, skating, and rock climbing. Additionally, the extensive courtyards and playgrounds offer space for recreational activities, and well-rounded experiences for all students.

To foster a richer learning environment, the school holds a multipurpose classroom, a dynamic space designed for various activities, such as creative arts, interactive workshops, and cooking classes.

Shackleton has an on-site kitchen, where a diverse selection of meals is crafted daily. Parents can also have a firsthand experience of the canteen service, as they are welcome to have lunch with their children.

Moreover, the IT Department recently inaugurated an IT laboratory for Secondary students

not up to date with contributions from when he was self-employed.

The bench said Zahid worked a total of 16,945 days of which 2,566 days were as self-employed

His pension application was submitted in November 2020 and before that, the INSS told him to pay self-employment contributions totaling around €12,000 that were still outstanding.

Those dates were between May 2008 to September 2010 and from January 2011 to August 2012, which would have brought him back into the 15-year prior to pension qualification period. He failed to do so.

SPAIN'S annual inflation rate fell to 2.2% in Augustthe lowest figure since June 2023 when it stood at 1.9%. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) figures show that reduced fuel prices were behind the fall along with a drop in food and non-alcoholic drink costs. Inflation has now seen three consecutive months of decline, standing at 3.6% in May.

Finance Minister, Carlos Cuerpo, said it was good economic news as inflation falls towards the 2% target set by the European Central Bank.

Inflation drops TRAIN STRAIN

THE Spanish government has blocked a €600m bid from a Hungarian consortium for the train manufacturer Talgo, citing ‘risks to national security and public order’. Hungary’s Ganz-Mavag consortium, backed by the country’s populist leader Viktor Orban, has vowed to appeal before the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court and seek ‘compensation for all damages caused’ after the decision. Talgo’s shares plummeted 10% in the aftermath of the decision.

and fully equipped for computing, programming, and robotics.

Shackleton has introduced the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus and mock exams for Secondary students, emphasizing its commitment to building a strong academic foundation. Additionally, the school has been accepted as a candidate school for the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme*, further aligning with its philosophy of delivering high-quality, challenging international education and ensuring students access the best educational opportunities.

Above all, the school takes the greatest pride in its qualified and dedicated professionals whose priority is the holistic well-being of the students. Beyond academics, they equip students with essential life skills, including mindfulness, financial literacy, and emotional intelligence, ensuring they are prepared for success both in school and beyond.

*Shackleton International School is a Candidate School** for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy - a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education Shackleton International School believes is important for our students.

**Only schools authorised by the IB Organisation can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP) or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorisation will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org

COMPUTING LAB: Secondary students during a 3D modeling class

MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM: Students during a cooking class in the

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

Pay up!

BRITISH tourists travelling to Spain and other European Union countries will have to pay €7 to get a ‘visa waiver’ due to Brexit next summer.

It’s part of the EU’s updated travel rules which start in June 2025 known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - designed to boost security measures for nonEU travellers entering the Schengen Area.

ETIAS is an automated IT system aimed at identifying potential security or health risks posed by travellers be-

By Alex Trelinski

fore they enter the EU. Authorities say the automated system will simplify checks which took longer at traditional passport controls.

Once issued, the visa waiver will be valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

This new requirement applies to non-EU citizens from 60 countries who currently access visa-free travel within the EU.

WAIVER: Just a passport will no longer be enough as the ETIAS system comes online

British citizens will be eligible to use the visa waiver for stays of up to 90 days within

Big spenders

AMERICAN tourist numbers in Spain are rising and visitors are also spending big. Spain's Institute of Tourism - Turespaña - says spending by trans-Atlantic tourists is up by 35% on pre-pandemic levels. Turespaña noted a ‘robust’ increase in the US market last year with arrivals up by 15% and a 35% spike in spending compared to 2019. In raw figures, there were more than 3.8 million US visitors last year compared to 3.3 million in 2019. Money left in Spanish coffers rose from €5.8 billion to over €7.8 billion in 2023.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

7 Plum type (8)

8 Poisonous Javanese tree (4)

9 Trim the dry fly out in Wales (7,6)

10 “The Old Man and ---” (Hemingway) (3,3)

11 Craziness (6)

13 Diamonds (3)

14 Road-going type of family? (3-3)

16 Boat basin (6)

18 Chances (13)

21 She sang to Sidney Poitier

in “To Sir, with Love” (4)

22 Recommended (8) Down

1 Not the main event (8)

2 Place in the pecking order (6)

3 Sign of maturity (4,4)

4 Truth (4)

5 Abrupt (6)

6 Cab (4)

11 Drink for conjurer named Leo (8)

12 Brings together (8)

15 Come along (4,2)

17 Impede progress (6)

19 Twelve Popes have had this name (4)

20 Level (4)

a 180-day period.

However, upon entering the EU, they will also need to supply biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photograph.

The biometric data collection is part of the Entry/ Exit System (EES), which is planned to start in November 2025

The EES will work in parallel with ETIAS to keep tabs on potential security risks.

Upon arrival in Europe, all travellers will have to scan their passports at self-service kiosks.

But those not having an EU passport will also be required to provide biometric data, which will be stored and verified during future visits to the Schengen Area.

All solutions are on page 15

LEARN SPANISH IN DENIA

THE TLCDÉNIA SCHOOL IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SPANISH FAST

TLCdénia, located in the picturesque town of Denia, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. It is recognized as one of Spain’s top language schools, accredited by the ‘Instituto Cervantes’ and a member of FEDELE. It also serves as an examination center for DELE and SIELE, attracting thousands of students over the years. The school offers intensive courses designed for quick learning.

In just four weeks, students can complete the basic level (A1), and in 12 weeks, they can begin the intermediate level (B1). New courses start every Monday, providing flexibility for students to join anytime.

A typical day at TLCdénia begins at 9:15am with coffee and conversation among classmates. Classes run from

9:30am to 12:45pm, with breaks for relaxation. The school organizes cultural and gastronomic activities, allowing students to practice Spanish in a relaxed, real-world setting. TLCdénia also offers courses for children starting at age 5 and a special summer program for teenagers, making it a perfect destination for families. Their intensive courses are visaapproved, beneficial for students like those from the UK who require a visa.

HOW TO LEARN SPANISH WHILE YOU ARE IN SPAIN Engage with locals by speaking Spanish at restaurants or with neighbours. Immerse yourself in the culture by attending local events and exploring markets. Watching Spanish TV and listening to the radio will further enhance your skills. These practices help learners achieve fluency naturally.

For more information, contact TLCdénia directly. tel: +34 671 51 68 56 www.tlcdenia.com email: info@tlcdenia.es

Avenida de la Huerta 5 , Port Saplaya, Valencia

KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER

AS the sun finally sets on a beautiful Alentejo evening you start to understand the many references to native Indian tribes.

with one of the lowest population densities on the continent.

So the stunning new off-grid hideout Twin Springs, near Almodovar, in inland Portugal, is a welcome luxury escape to enjoy the incredible

fill its natural pools and provide its drinking water.

Set in a hidden valley beside a bubbling brook, the eco-friendly estate gets its name from two freshwater springs that

IN the dynamic world of junior athletics, balancing rigorous training schedules with academic responsibilities has long been a challenge for young athletes and their families.

However, the rise of online schooling is revolutionising the way these young sports enthusiasts manage their education, offering a flexible and effective solution that caters to their unique needs.

As online schooling has grown since the pandemic, Crimson Global Academy has seen a significant surge in popularity across Europe, particularly among junior athletes. This educational model provides a tailored approach that allows students to pursue their sporting dreams without compromising their academic growth. With the ability to access live classes from anywhere, young athletes can now seamlessly integrate their training and competition schedules with their studies.

Flexibility for training schedules

One of the primary advantages of online schooling for junior athletes is its unparalleled flexibility. Traditional schools often struggle to accommodate the demanding schedules of young sportspeople, leading to missed classes and academic stress.

Entirely surrounded by nature, with not another building in sight, the noises come care of the breezes, the birds (I saw bee-eaters, eagles and storks) and the braying of a distant donkey.

The Twin Springs glamping estate near Almodovar, just half an hour from the Algarve will help you find your inner native American, writes Jon Clarke

And then there is the local shepherd, who passes a few times a week, the sheep bells alerting his arrival, while the continual trickling of water and wind chimes adds to the overriding sense of peace.

Think Spaghetti Westerns, minus the shooting. This is the sort of place that might have inspired Sergio Leone and you expect Lee Van Cleef to saunter in, his spurs clicking and his

gun in the holster at any moment.

The entirely natural wooden reception area and open kitchen/dining area, named ‘Last Chance Saloon’, accentuates the mood, but an honesty bar is thankfully well stocked with cold drinks, including wine and beer, and there is complimentary tea and coffee for guests.

The giant four-metre bell tents (named Navajo and Apache appropriately) sleep two in complete comfort, while there are additional smaller tents for children to sleep in, or simply play.

GAME SET AND MATCH

A game-changing education for junior athletes

Crimson Global Academy, on the other hand, offers customisable timetables with group classes, 1:1 tuition and even asynchronous options that can be adjusted to fit around training sessions and competitions.

Crimson Global Academy also provides a personalised learning experience that can be particularly beneficial for opening up opportunities for junior athletes.

With smaller class sizes and individualised attention from teachers, students can receive the support they need to excel academically whilst not compromising on their sport.

This personalised approach helps tailor the school experience to match their individual goals, whether it be going pro or accessing scholarships for top universities.

Success Stories

Numerous success stories highlight the positive impact of online schooling on junior athletes in Europe. For instance, Timur, a 14-year-old tennis player who just won his category in the Tennis Europe U14 tournament, has been able to maintain his school attendance while training intensively and competing in tournaments. Previously, he had fallen behind due to the demands of international tournaments.

With CGA’s flexible scheduling and recorded sessions, now Timmy can study from anywhere and access any missed classes online.

Similarly, Caterina, a young equestrian from Italy, credits CGA for providing the flexibility needed to pursue her dream of gaining access to a top European university whilst

divided) as well as two smaller single beds for children, if needed. A third tent, Cherokee, fits a double bed. They are all full of rugs, throws and cushions keeping with the native Indian theme, while both swimming and bath towels are provided.

But the communal areas and, particularly, bathroom and toilet blocks are what turns this into a genuine ‘glamping’ resort and really makes this a must-stay for anyone looking to visit this largely unknown part of Portugal.

The brainchild of British expats Pauline and Sid Olivera, they starred in TV programme, A New Life in the Sun , this year, as they juggled lives between Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal, to prepare and launch the retreat.

Having run hairdressing businesses and

Best of all though was at night, as the sun set and the stars came out

Each of the big tents comfortably fits a double bed (which can be radio stations from London to Gibraltar the pair have creativity and talent coming out of their ears, not to mention drive. A former Olive Press staffer, Pauline - who lived for many years near Ronda - explains: “We fell in love with this place the minute we found it. We had been wanting to do an eco-retreat like this in the Serrania de Ronda for

maintaining a strict training schedule.

CGA’s 1:1 program marked a significant shift in Caterina’s academic experience. Caterina’s passion for horse training required a flexible schedule, something that CGA readily accommodated.

She managed her training sessions in the morning and attended her classes in the afternoon, taking advantage of CGA’s scheduling flexibility.

This unique setup allowed her to maintain her rigorous training schedule while not compromising her academic responsibilities.

Caterina explained: “At CGA, so many things are offered that are not in a normal school. And for athletes, it’s really amazing. It’s an amazing system. It really helps you achieve both your academics and your personal goals in whatever sport you’re doing, no matter the sport. I think it’s really a fundamental system for students that have other passions in their lives that they also want to focus on.”

The future of education for junior athletes

As the demand for flexible and adaptive education solutions continues to grow, online schooling is empowering young sportspeople to achieve excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

As more families and athletes embrace this innovative approach, the future looks bright for the next generation of sporting stars in Europe.

This really is the true Wild West of Europe, a frontier region, hardly developed peace and quiet of the region.

AUTHENTIC: The Last Chance Saloon has all mod cons despite looking like a shack from the historic Wild West

DREAMS: Caterina and (below) Timur have been able to pursue their sporting ambitions and keep up with their studies

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

years, but it never quite happened.

“This has long been our dream and, like us, our guests love being at one with nature and being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.”

There was certainly a definitive ‘wow factor’ as we weaved our way down the narrow track towards the retreat, some ten minutes from Almodovar and just five from the sleepy Portuguese villages of Gomes Aires and Santa Clara-a-Nova.

charming provincial city of Beja being just 45 minutes away and Evora a little bit further. The Vale do Guadiana national park is nearby, as is the Santa Clara lake district.

The sense of freedom and space was the main takeaway, while having a base to explore this interesting region of Portugal was invaluable… the

Even better are the legendary curries that Sid can knock up on request for guests, plus a range of other dishes, such as a Sunday roast. They can also arrange your shopping, laundry and nearby trips. Best of all though was at night, eating dinner as the sun set and then - with zero light pollution - seeing the amazing wide open sky full of stars come out. It was almost tempting to scrap the glamping tent altogether and sleep outdoors. But where then would be the glamour!

For September and October, Sid and Pauline are offering OP readers a special three nights for the price of two deal, plus an optional free curry. Visit www.twinspringsglamping.com or email pauline. olivera@yahoo.com

LA CULTURA

BRIDGE TO THE PAST

A SUBMERGED bridge built by ancient humans has been discovered in a Mallorca cave, which reveals that humans colonised the western Mediterranean much earlier than previously believed. Archaeologists discovered the structure at the flooded Cova d'en Basso on the eastern side of the island. Previous estimates using carbon dating suggested that humans arrived on Mallorca some 4,400 years ago.

Analysis of carbon deposits from the discovery put the construction to being 6,000 years old.

A 700-year-old Hebrew Bible from medieval Spain could fetch up to €7 million at a Sotheby's auction this month.

The Shem Tov Bible is a 768page illustrated text written on parchment in the early 14th century.

Sotheby's Sharon Liberman Mintz said: “It's such a wonderful masterpiece and it is rare to have illuminated bibles come to the market.”

The reference to 'illuminated' is about the Bible’s gold and silver leaf decorations, as well as its colourful pigments. The text was copied by Rabbi Shem Tov Ibn Gaon born in the late 13th century in Soria.

DIGGERS: Archaelogists at work at the Neolothic village

EARLY FARMERS

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have found a Neolithic village, offering new insights into the lives of some of the first farmers in the region.

The excavation at the Huerto Raso site in Huesca has unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts including tools, ceramics, animal remains and possible structures dating back to approximately 5,500 to 3,000 BC. Researchers believe that the village was a

seasonal gathering place for Neolithic communities, eventually evolving into a permanent settlement.

The discovery of animal bones, primarily from hunted species, suggests that hunting remained an important part of their subsistence, even as they transitioned to farming.

The excavation has also uncovered evidence of agricultural activities, including flint tools, milling stones, and potential storage areas.

Stone the crows!

How ancient man created the Dolmen of Menga including a 150-ton rock slab

NEW light has been shed on how the Dolmen of Menga - one of Europe’s most important megalithic structures - was built.

Archaeologists have puzzled over how Neolithic people, equipped with only rudimentary tools, could have moved and precisely placed such massive stones to create the structurethe largest such ancient monument in Spain.

By Dilip Kuner

Menga, which is sited in Antequera near Malaga, carefully selected and transported the stones from a nearby quarry, using a sophisticated system of sledges and levelled tracks to manoeuvre the massive slabs 850 metres to the construction

Dating back to around 3,600 BC, it is made from enormous slabs of stone, one weighing over 150 tons. Now, researchers have discovered that the builders of

IMPRESSIVE: The ancient technology used to make the Dolmen showed sophisticated design

WORTH THE TRIP

La Tomatina in Buñol once again brought in the crowds to watch tomatoes being thrown around in an event, first held in the 1940’s. Of the participants many come from thousands of kilometres away, including a young Indian man living who got intrigued after the tomato fight featured in a Bollywood movie.

He wanted to experience what he described as the ‘madness’ of it all.

Another visitor claimed La Tomatina was more famous abroad than at home.

“It Is super well known in Shanghai,” he stated.

A group of Valencian women taking part for the first time said that it is an ‘experience that you have to live once in your life’.

Inm total, 22,000 people of 28 different nationalities bought official tickets to take part in the world’s biggest food fight.

“The extraordinary dimensions of some of the structural pieces of the dolmen required sophisticated design and planning, a large mobilisation of labour, as well as perfectly executed

logistics,” said Jose Antonio Lozano Rodriguez, the lead author of a study published in Science Advances

The builders employed a system of inclined slopes and rollers to move the stones, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of mechanics. The use of corbelled arches

and the way the stones were fitted together with precision measured in millimetres suggest a level of architectural sophistication that was previously thought to have developed much later.

The dolmen of Menga was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

These 15 culture capitals of Spain will offer free events, food markets and more as part of the annual

‘Heritage Night’ this month

SEGOVIA

As if Segovia wasn’t already enchanting enough, Heritage Night will see it lit up with thousands of candles.

The Jewish quarter, Casa Museo Antonio Machado, Adarve de la Muralla, Puerta de San Andres and Calle Barrionuevo will take part in the candlelight events accompanied by live music.

There will also be a drone show and guided visits throughout the city.

Over a dozen landmarks will also be open to the public including the Alcazar, Cathedral, Palacio de Quintanar and the Torreon de Lozoya.

TIME TO GET CULTURAL S

By Yzabelle Bostyn

OME 15 cities across Spain will be transformed into hives of culture to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Spanish Cultural Heritage Cities Group (GCPHE).

On September 14, important historical sites will open their doors to the public with free dance, theatre and music performances, gastronomic events, workshops and guided tours. It is the seventh edition of the ‘Heri-

tage Night’, a unique event designed to ‘make heritage come to life’.

The GCPHE was created to protect cities declared world heritage sites by UNESCO.

But which cities are they and what events are they hosting to celebrate the anniversary?

CACERES

Walking through Caceres is like walking back in time through mansions, Renaissance palaces and churches.

Much like Alcala de Henares, it is known for its storks, which nestle on the many towers and churches throughout the city.

Described as ‘one of the prettiest old towns in Spain’, Caceres has many curious

cluding the home of the daughter of an Aztec emperor, Moctezuma.

On September 14, the city will be lit up in a theatrical spectacle featuring circus acts, acrobats and pyrotechnics. Caceres has the most monuments open to the public than any other city, with 24

landmarks, inopening their doors.

BAEZA

This city in the province of Jaen was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003 thanks to its ‘stunning’ 16th century architecture. Over the centuries, it has inspired the likes of Francisco Garcia Lorca with its romantic plazas, palaces and

churches.

To celebrate the 30th year of Spanish heritage cities, Baeza has some truly unique events including show cooking in the Patio de Empresas and a textile exhibit in the town hall.

Historic buildings will be opened to the public, including the Cerro del Alcazar, the Convento de la Encarnacion and the Capilla de los Benavides.

This Catalonian city is known for its historical reenactments bringing the Roman Empire back to life.

Essential sights like the Roman Circus and Amphitheatre will be open for visitors, with a range of guided visits.

History buffs will love the ‘Mapping Tarraco’ activity which allows you to discover the old Roman city.

A fusion of the old and new, Cuenca is a menagerie of cobbled streets and ancient buildings housing a thriving abstract art scene.

Set on a rock leaning over a gorge, it has gravity defying hanging houses, dramatic views and an iron footbridge only for the brave.

It was made a World Heritage Site in 1996 and will be celebrating this year with circus workshops, an open mic night and an escape room. The 12th century cathedral, hanging houses and various museums will also be open to the public.

LA CULTURA 13

SALAMANCA

This historic city has one of the oldest universities in Europe and still attracts many students to this day.

As a result, the centre has a lively, youthful feel which grows its ever evolving cultural programme.

This year’s heritage night will include a performance of Chicago: The Musical, an ‘Impossible’ Feria and theatre performances.

Attendees will also be able to enter the cathedral towers, Iglesia de Vera Cruz and the city walls for free.

September 4th - September 17th 2024

MERIDA

This Extremaduran city ‘brings the Roman Empire’ back to life with temples, baths, aqueducts and arches.

It is even home to a still operating Roman theatre, which hosts an International Classical Theatre Festival each year.

To celebrate its heritage, the city in Badajoz province will host a performance by dance duo Marcat Dance, expressing human connection through movement.

Colombian singer Manuel Turizo will also perform, alongside theatre performances. Monuments and museums such as the Palacio de los Corbos and Alcazaba Arabe will also be open to the public.

Known for having some of Europe’s best preserved medieval walls, Avila has winding cobbled streets, interesting religious landmarks and impressive miradors During the festival, you can enjoy a free visit around these with a guided tour, tuktuk ride or theatrical tour.

Many monuments will also be open with free entry including the walls, the Bovedas del Carmen archaeological museum and the emblematic Palacio de Polentinos.

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The ‘City of Flowers’, Cordoba is known for its floral patios and rich history. Tourists find themselves wonderfully lost in the labyrinthine old town while searching for the city’s prettiest square. While normally visitors enjoy the famous dancing horses or flamenco spectaculars, the Heritage Night promises a dance performance like no other. British choreographer, Yinka Esi Graves will perform a flamenco inspired piece, also drawing on her experience in contemporary dance.

CORDOBA IBIZA

TOLEDO

A ‘city of three cultures’, Toledo still has its original medieval layout, making it a fascinating day trip from the capital.

A journey around the winding streets is sure to guide you to interesting museums and buildings.

Historic buildings from Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions will be open to the public, including Antigua Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca and the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri.

Although many people know Ibiza as a party island, it is full of nature, culture and rural charm.

The archaeological site at Sa Caleta and necropolis at Puig des Molins show the historical importance of the island alongside the Alta Vila fortress.

Although little of Ibiza's programming for

Heritage Night has been released, it is set to take place between emblematic landmarks such as Ibiza Castle, the Can Marca cave and Dalt Vila walls. So far, a dance performance by Joaquin Collado has been announced, exploring male identities and relationships.

SANTIAGO

Each year, thousands of pilgrims flock to Santiago de Compostela in A Coruña province to complete the world famous Camino de Santiago.

The university city is a cradle of international culture and this September, it will host a range of activities to celebrate its centuries of heritage. Although the official line up has not been announced, it is thought events will take place around emblematic landmarks like the cathedral.

ALCALA DE HENARES

Almost 400 years after it was established, Alcala de Henares (Madrid) became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.

The birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, Alcala is full of history.

From one of Europe’s oldest hospitals to the Cervantes museum, there’s events throughout the whole city to celebrate heritage night.

Catch a live band parading through the streets, concerts at the Convento de San Juan de la Penitencia or watch films at the Archaeological Museum.

UBEDA

Famous for its world-class Renaissance architecture, this city is well trodden by tourists visiting Jaen in inland Andalucia. The churches, palaces and mansions are surrounded by a landscape of olive groves, making it a historic and peaceful getaway. In typical Andalucian style, the city is offering an olive oil tasting to celebrate Heritage Night.

It is also offering planetarium visits, immersive museum experiences, concerts and talks.

Many of the main landmarks will be open to the public, with the majority offering guided visits.

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA LAGUNA

The streets of San Cristobal de La Laguna (Tenerife) are always buzzing with street music, students and hundreds of bars.

Full of colourful houses and magnificent churches, there is plenty of history running through the cobbles.

Home to the first university in the canary islands, they are holding dance classes, drum making workshops and silbo gomero whistling classes to celebrate Heritage Night.

Iconic buildings like the Ermita de Santo Domingo, Casa Anchieta and Plaza del Adelantado will also be open to the public.

Beware the heat

THE increasingly high temperatures experienced in Spain could see a surge in thrombosis, doctors have warned.

According to Juan Carlos Reverter, the president of the Spanish Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (SETH), in extreme heat ‘the blood does not circulate well’.

The expert said there are two heat-related factors that cause people to be at a greater risk of thrombosis.

Thrombosis is when a person’s blood clots due to it becoming thicker or due to their veins becoming clogged, or a combination of the two.

“With heat, the risk of dehydration can be greater and this increases the viscosity (thickness) of the blood," said Reverter.

Fentanyl fears

US opiates pandemic reaches Spain

A SPANIARD has died from a suspected fentanyl overdose, after returning home from a trip to an undisclosed European country.

The man - in his mid-20’s - was at his parents’ house and began to feel ill and became agitated, and aggressive.

His family called for an ambulance which took him to Malaga’s Regional Hospital with the initial diagnosis being acute intoxication brought on by drug consumption.

The man went into a coma and died a few hours later.

A Malaga court is now in-

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Victoria, 8 Upas, 9 Merthyr Tydfil, 10 The Sea, 11 Lunacy, 13 Ice, 14 Two-car, 16 Marina, 18 Opportunities, 21 Lulu, 22 Endorsed.

Down: 1 Sideshow, 2 Status, 3 Grey hair, 4 Fact, 5 Sudden, 6 Taxi, 11 Lemonade, 12 Convenes, 15 Crop up, 17 Retard, 19 Pius, 20 Tier.

By Alex Trelinski

vestigating the cause of his death after tests showed he took a high amount of alcohol and narcotics. It’s believed he took cocaine and fentanyl - which is harder to detect than ‘traditional’ drugs.

Opiate

The US Drug Enforcement Agency has warned that the opiate is being used as a cutting substance for cocaine to make it more addictive and enhance its consumption.

Experts say that identifying fentanyl in certain circumstances is harder, especially if a deceased person has been in hospital and has received medicines which can camouflage the presence of the drug during post mortem tests.

The consumption of fen-

‘Lobster’ cockroach

A COCKROACH species new to Spain could be resistant to insecticides.

The University of Oviedo spent two years going through rubbish bins in the Asturias region to find the ‘lobster’ cockroach.

tanyl in Spain appears to be minimal and associated mainly with medical treatments.

In the United States, there’s a very different picture where it is estimated that fentanyl amongst drug users causes over 60,000 deaths each year.

Doctor Robotnik

VALENCIAN health authorities will start using Artificial Intelligence to ‘shorten diagnosis times and prioritise patients based on risk’.

The development will start in September and hopes to ‘improve hospital capacities’.

For example, AI will be used on breast cancer patients by entering details of the patient’s symptoms and prioritising treatment based on the calculated risk factor.

The programme also uses machine learning to scan mammograms and identify breast cancer.

The new breed had not been previously documented in Spain and now joins a list of invasive species.

Tolerance

Scientists discovered 149 specimens of the lobster cockroach but it is not known where it originated from.

Recent studies have shown that species such as the ‘blond’ cockroach, are developing a strong tolerance to pyrethroids - one of the most common insecticides available.

According to experts, these products could also be ineffective against ‘German’ cockroaches and possibly against the new lobster cockroach.

YOUNG supporters of UD Las Palmas gave their new star striker a surprising gift to celebrate his debut for the club - a bottle of aftersun.

Oli McBurnie, who represents Scotland at international level, reportedly turned down a salary three times greater than what he earns at the Gran Canarian club in order to make his ‘dream move’ from the Premier League earlier this summer.

GINGER

With ginger hair, pale skin and an ironic surname, many Las Palmas supporters were worried how their new forward would adapt to the Canary Island’s sunshine.

So after making his debut in a 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla, a group of young fans hatched a cunning plan - in exchange for McBurnie’s No.16 shirt, they would offer him a bottle of aftersun.

Following his move from Sheffield United, McBurnie had joked that he was preparing for life in Spain by ‘buying four bottles of aftersun’.

STRUGGLING swimmers on one Costa del Sol beach could find an unexpected saviour in the shape of eight highly-trained lifeguard dogs. Torre del Mar has introduced the pioneering canine rescue unit, part of the MasreQ Emergency Canine Unit (U.C.E), ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Consisting of three Newfoundlands capable of towing two tons and three labradors with exceptional search and rescue skills, the program is the first of its

Lifeguard pooches help save swimmers

WATER DOGS

Guiris move over

By Walter Finch

PAW PATROL: Newfoundlands take to the seas to help save lives

endurance, and keen senses, the canine lifeguards can perform tasks that would be difficult or dangerous for humans, be it rescuing swimmers caught in rip currents or searching for missing persons.

GALICIANS have a name for tourists who don’t respect their traditions –but it isn’t for Brits. They call hapless tourists from Madrid fodechinchos, which translates literally as ‘fish thieves’.

Hubby shock

rescue animals; they're part of our family," said Duran.

A WOMAN found her husband was having an affair with the priest who married them after she caught them ‘kissing passionately’. When confronted, they said ‘it is what it is’ and ‘started laughing.’

Tinder-dona

kind in Andalucia. The unit boasts two other dogs, including a mixed-breed named Pancho, who is known for his incredible ability in rescue work. Having already been proven successful in Valencia, these dogs have undergone rigorous training to become water rescue experts. "In just one year, we transform these pups into life-saving heroes," said Manuel Duran, the program manager. With their strength,

The safety of the dogs is paramount. Each one is equipped with specialised flotation devices, and their daily routines are carefully managed to ensure they stay healthy and hydrated. "These dogs are more than just

The success of the program has not gone unnoticed. With plans for expansion and public training sessions, Torre del Mar's canine lifeguards are set to become a model for other coastal communities.

As Duran puts it: "These dogs are not just saving lives; they're inspiring people and fostering a deeper connection between humans and animals."

THE new dating craze sweeping Spain is to turn up at Mercadona between 7 and 8pm with an upside down pineapple in your trolley to show you are single.