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Take a drive on the wild side with our Motoring special inside
otoring
ELECTRIC OPTIONS
February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla
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Cash incentives for electric cars are introduced in Spain as we take a look at popular options
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PAIN has pledged to make the entire country carbon them into the reach of By Dilip Kuner neutral by 2050, and for many more people’s wallets. to happen cars are goingthis One of the most unusual to the country. have to get greener. Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed will be the Volkswagen Group’s SEAT It’s automotive plan focuses squarely at from subsidon the iary plans to Volvo’s environmentally-friendl team up with power the US market where ‘trucks’ are a new electric company Iberdrola huge segment, this retro-futuristic perforand hybrid car industryy to build Spain’s and aims to first battery mance arm make the technology cheaper, factory for Electric Vehi- ‘space machine’ is sure to make it (the other, the and cles (EVs). to Spain at some point. easier to use and access 1, is a hybrid across the Volkswagen country. has previously an- Clad in dent-proof stainless steel petrol-electric), it looks like something nounced its intention to Special incentives have out of Mad build alternaout over the coming been rolled battery plants across Europe,six EV Max, and according to Tesla boss and with tive models years to encourage the three earmarked for Elon Musk it will be a ‘really tough, and specs are ownership of green the Spain/Portugal/ not fake-tough’ truck. planned Mind you, he ended for vehicles, both private The government southern France up with egg this year. area. on his face at the vehicle’s launch and commercial. In total, the governApart from its when he tried to prove is granting The Spanish government its durability green is granting motor, ment has approved an €3.75 billion towards through a series of ‘torture tests’. Volvo €3.75bn to €800 million fund up making electric and All was going well until Musk hurled i n t has also r o d a u steel c make e d ball at the vehicle and shatuntil the end of 2023, electric hybrid cars cheaper frameless mirrors and which is available now. than petrol and diesel tered its ‘armoured’ glass. a light- The interior cars cheaper er-than-leather vegan interior is While Tesla has been Private buyers can to buy by 2027. fabric low, flat floor andminimalist, with a the leader designed a vibe that Nissan claim up to €7,000, But there is no need in EVs (particularly in the publicity a wetsuit. to mimic the durability of calls ‘lounge-like’. with companies buying to wait that long if you stakes) it will have more competi- A pair claimed range of aroundIt has a fleets to use wish to of electric motors work tion than ever this year, 300 miles as taxis eligible for more. help with with main- 27-module Vans can manufacturerssave the planet. Car stream manufacturers lithium ion battery packa and pricing is from around €40,000. attract subsidies of up have been developThis performance and to €9,000. ready to unveil a slew of not only to deliver an impressive 402 horseing electric vehicles for These incentives follow years wrapped in a package luxury will be nology models, but alsolatest-tech- power, and a range of up to with a range ment pledge to promote a govern- While still more expensive thannow. 275 of 200 miles. It ahead of miles. But all battery pro- traditional their costs from around this comes duction in Spain and push contemporaries, subsi- the game. at a price with the luxFor build quality €75,000. ufacture of electric vehiclesthe man- dies and scrappage schemes are neering Volvo and top-class engi- ury car costing from in Meanwhile bringing Their Polestaris worth a close look. €59,900. The Audi e-tron swagen’s ID.4 VolkThe compaEXPENSIVE: 2 five-seater SUV Volvo polish and Swedish brings ny aims to sell 65,000 is aimed squarely The Audi style to units this year. GT is a sleek at taking on Tescompete with Tesla’s e-tron GT Model 3. It When it comes is the second vehicle electric sedan la. Starting prices to mainto come stream manufacturers, are from around with loads of Nissan was one of the €46,000 in Spain first to enter the marand it has a range of power ket. Its LeafEV now has 250 miles. sales of nearly half a Staying with the Germillion. man marques, the Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, The car giant is aiming electric sebuild on this success to dan with loads of power and polish. hav- Behind the streamlined ing recently launched bodywork the Ariiya, a more stylish take is some architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan EV. on emission-free t r a n s - With 590 horsepower, portation. the two-moThe five-passenger SUV tor GT should accelerate from zero features a surprisingly to 60 miles per hour in an impresaggressive look, with some sive three seconds, and will be able to gain an 80% charge swoopy, concave in just and wheels pushed to thesurfacing minutes. The car is top-of-the 20 rancorners. geo expect to pay €100,000 plus.
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Property
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25/1/22 16:49
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OLIVE PRESS
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February 2022
COSTA BLANCA
Vol. 3 Issue 75 www.theolivepress.es
A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money?
Find out Bye bye Bofill what top real estate experts KEE P THE GOOD predict TIMES ROLLING for the year ahead in our Property magazine www.theolivepress.es
See page VIII
The Olive Press Spanish genius, pays tribute to a tenticles spread whose architectural widely, and were even said to have hit tv series the inspired last years Squid Game
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voice in Spain
February 24th - March 9th 2022
SPANISH architectural legend has died. Ricardo Bofill died aged 82 last month, Calpe made 2023 a year before the ‘Bofill Year’ to celebrate his remarkable creations and he was set to get a Spanish national stamp. The Catalan was one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century and a pioneer of the style that came to be known as postmodernism. Like Richard Rogers ter his influence has or Norman Fosbeen vast. When Netflix released Squid Game, which would become the series in its history, most watched noticed an uncanny many viewers tween the striking resemblance bestaircases patrolled by masked guards and one of Bofill’s most famous works (The Red Wall) on La Muralla Roja the Costa Blanca.
HOME sales in December were the second-highest And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended… on record in Spain. up! going up and up and Andalucia, Valencia and fore,” explained Scott each seeing spectacular Murcia are leading the charge on the mainland, enquiries are coming Marshall, from PropertieSpain in Benahavis. While Andalucia saw growth by over a quarter against last Christmas. in thick and fast.” “And Meanwhile, Ben Bateman “Sales were up Murcia posted figures 29% more sales than last December, Valencia from Sotogrande’s Holmes of 26% and 25% respectively. could be a record year and ered the ground26% on 2019, showing the market has more agency added: The Balearics experienced if we it lost to the pandemic. than a 41% uplift, while the The Spanish housing recov- “Last year was the best yearcan get the right number of new listings.“It rise in December’s year Canaries saw a 44% undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.” market is 2022.” since 2008 and we remain on year figures. In total, 72,023 property “Home sales in December confident for sales were completed to official figures. in December, according Adam Neale, at Terra Meridiana, in buoyant Spain’s housing set almost a record high, illustrating quite Estepona, market is despite the how According to last year, with nearly the pandemic,” said property ongoing 100 million of properties also recorded record sales a trio “It was a very busy year analyst Mark Stucklin. repercussions of also begun well, of leading estate agents in Andalucia, sold in 2021. despite concerns over and it didn’t the year has ing, particularly supply. “We sold three properties now people can travelstop last month, it just keeps comin January, which is three again.” more than ever be- The highest December property figures 80,000 properties were were in 2010 when sold around Spain. nearly
After almost record December sales, January is also performin g strongly
LIFE IS SWEET
Come and get inspired!
Jávea · Altea yorkshirelinencostablanca.com
VALENCIA is the world’s healthiest city, according to a new report. It ranked top out of 96 cities for factors including life expectancy, pollution, mental health and also substance abuse. Valencia also boasts glorious weather, low pollution and very good healthcare, according to the report.
Balance
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“The musical and cultural heritage of the city is rich, and residents there put a strong emphasis on social connection, leading to a very healthy work-life balance,” claimed James Andrews from money. co.uk. Valencia’s top spot was closely followed by Madrid, Canberra and Lisbon, while Barcelona was also in the top 20. Researchers looked at 21 metrics to determine a city’s health ranking – 700 initial cities were whittled down to 96 as not all provided relevant data for each metric.
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READY TO IGNITE: Thousands to descend on Valencia for the Fallas for the first time in two years
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
A GROUP of expat pensioners are struggling without water and electricity after Iberdrola cut off their supply.
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
The furious residents, some of them over 80-years-old, have been surviving with generators after the electricity giant deemed their supply in the Jalon Valley ‘unsafe’. One woman in her 60s is being forced to ‘strip wash’, using water saved in her bathtub, while another 82-year-old has no water despite having just got out of hospital after a hip replacement. Most lost food from their fridges and freezers while also being forced to travel into town to ask friends to help with their laundry. Currently, 20 homes in the Solana urbanisation have no water and 13 have neither water or electricity. “It should be a warning for anyone buying in Spain how quickly things can deteriorate,”
Costa Blanca pensioners living without water and electricity after being cut off by Iberdrola
said one resident Chris Parsons, 68. “Whether Iberdrola is right or wrong about the safety, the fact their technicians just came in and turned it off is really third world,” he added. “Imagine if someone up here was on oxygen or dialysis?” He continued that the group had been paying their council tax of between €300 to €400 annually, so ‘at the very least’ the authorities should be helping. But the town hall has ‘refused to pay’ and they are still waiting for a ‘proper explanation’ from Iberdrola as to why their
urbanisation was cut off in mid-January. The cluster of houses have had their water piped from an electric-operated borehole for the last three decades. The electricity supply was initially installed by a developer over 30 years ago, but the company went bust and the banks bought up the surrounding land. The residents insist they cannot afford to pay for any new infrastructure, with a bill of ‘at least’ €15,000 being suggested for solar panels, plus installation on top. He said initial meetings with the town hall had been fruitless, but new meetings were planned for this week. This week their new lawyer told them that ‘unless residents agree to pay for new infrastructure the urbanisation will be ‘deleted from the Iberdrola supply list and power will be terminated permanently’.
2
CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Party crasher A Novelda man, 30, escaped with a broken leg after falling 15 metres (49 feet) through a corrugated roof as he tried to gatecrash a private party.
Pirate cab A VAN driver who charged seven people €25 each to take them from Orihuela to Alicante airport has been fined €4,000 for using his vehicle as an unlicenced taxi.
Cat abuse KICKING a cat that was under his car could cost a 29-year-old Alicante man up to 18 months in jail for animal abuse. The animal is recovering well after several vet visits.
Bar stabbing A MAN has been arrested after stabbing a woman who was sitting with her boyfriend in a Calpe bar. She was taken to Denia Hospital with a perforated lung.
SKELETONS MYSTERY THE skeletal remains of a man and woman discovered in a ravine outside Elche could belong to a couple reported missing in 2019. Police are investigating whether the couple - who were bound at the wrists with tape over their mouths - could be that of a couple from nearby Aspe. Elisabeth Ramos Alonso, 31, disappeared alongside her partner Kamal Mohammad, 40, a convicted drug dealer.
Cleaned out A CLEANING lady has been arrested in Mutxamel after raiding her employer’s safe to steal €30,000 of jewellery and cash. She worked for a jeweller who stored some goods at home in Alicante city.
February 24th - March 9th 2022
WIFI KILLER A TEENAGER shot his parents and 10-year-old brother dead before dumping their bodies in a shed outside their home in Elche after a row over wifi. The 15-year-old, named Santiago, then spent three days behaving as if nothing had happened before con-
Boy shot dead mum, dad and 10-yearold brother over internet row By Alex Trelinski
fessing to an aunt. The shootings are said to have been prompted after
CRIME ON THE UP VALENCIA city registered the fastest crime rate rise around Spain last year. The number of crimes reported was a 36.3% rise on 2020. A total of 53,358 crimes amounts to an average of 146 a day. The most alarming rise was in sexual abuse, which rose by a shocking 67% on 2020 (244 to 408)
Councillor cleared
BENIDORM councillor Lorenzo Martinez Sola has been cleared of any illegal involvement with a Russian solicitor accused of running a mafia gang. Some 23 people, including politicians and police officers, were arrested in December 2020. Police described it as the ‘biggest East European mafia’ probe in Spain for a decade. The gang is accused of trying to ‘infiltrate’ Spanish institutions through bribery to control sectors of the economy.
Rape rose by 49%, with 61 cases reported, while thefts grew by 62% to 19,863 crimes and cybercrime rose by 18%. Burglaries rose by 51%, robbery by 41% and murder by 40%. The PP opposition party described the rise as ‘extremely worrying’ and pointed out that around the whole Valencia region it had only risen by 16%. Councillor for Citizen Security, Aaron Cano, insisted however that Valencia was still a 'safe city'. He added that drug trafficking and car thefts were at their lowest levels for five years, while violent robberies fell 16.4%. Spain's government delegate in the Valencian Community, Gloria Calero, added the region still had the second-lowest criminality in all of Spain: 44.5 crimes per 1,000 people.
his parents restricted his internet access and took away his phone after his school grades worsened. Police say he blasted his mum with a shotgun then turned the weapon on his younger brother when he tried to escape. He then waited four hours for his father to come home from work and then shot him three times. Santiago dragged all the bodies 30 metres to a shed. He cleared up the blood, had a shower, and made himself dinner before playing video games.
Deception
Then followed three days of deception as Santiago made excuses for the absence of his father from work and his brother from school, while he impersonated his mother by using her WhatsApp account. When his aunt, who had not heard from her sister, dropped by Santiago told her that the whole family was asleep but then broke down and confessed to killing them. He also showed her photos he had taken of their bodies.
Killer appeal MANCHESTER Police have made a new appeal for information to find the killer of a British tourist who was brutally assaulted outside a Benidorm bar. Mike Rydings, 47, was attacked outside the Hippodrome bar in the early hours of June 23, 2018, while on holiday. The man suspected of assaulting Rydings is described as white, aged in his 20s or 30s, with an above average build. It is thought he may have been a Brit, but this is uncertain.
Injuries
Rydings from Wythenshawe died from his injuries 18 months later. Detective Inspector Nicola McCulloch said: “While the murder investigation in Spain hasn’t been successful, we continue to be determined to do whatever possible to get the answers.”
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February 24th
NEWS
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TOP DOG
SPANISH golfer Jon Rahm has been named as the European Tour’s player of the year. It is the second time in three seasons that he has received the honour. He took the 2021 award after a year in which he became the first Spaniard to win the US Open. He also spent 27 weeks world number one - the only other Spanish golfer to reach the position was Seve Ballesteros. Rahm also took three-and-a-half points in five
SCOTTISH DJ Calvin Harris - AKA Love Regenerator - has put his Los Angeles home up for sale for $25million (€22 million) as he makes a move to Ibiza permanent. The 38-year-old, real name Adam Wiles, has left the glitz and glamour of LA behind for a ‘simpler life’ on Terra Masia, a farm in Santa Eularia des Riu. The 56 hectare finca boasts of being ‘the biggest organic farm on Ibiza’. A sustainable life it may be, but it is also important to the local economy.
matches at the Ryder Cup, making him Europe’s leading points scorer. Not only did he win the US Open, but he showed remarkable consistency by finishing in the top eight in the other three majors. The 27-year-old from Barrika near Bilbao had previously won the accolade in 2019. He was marked out for stardom at a young age, leading the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 60 weeks.
L ving Ibiza
From decks to donkeys; superstar DJ settles into expat life in Spain
Eggs
He employs a legion of farmers and chefs, and produces eggs, wine, vegetables and free range meat. Harris will also host ‘events’ on the premises and is said to get his hands dirty mucking in around the farm. Although the Dumfries-born star - who famously worked in a fish processing factory while he scraped together enough money to buy DJ gear - has put his LA home
LIFE CHANGE: Harris in his DJ pomp but is now more down to earth up for sale, it is unlikely he needs the cash to pay for his new Ibizan adventure.
His hits including Feel So Close and Summer, plus One Kiss with Dua Lippa, which
Twice as good SPANISH actors Javier Bardem and wife Penelope Cruz (pictured) have become just the sixth husband and wife to be nominated for an actors’ Oscar in the same year. Bardem, 52, is hoping to scoop the Best Actor award for his role as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his role as psychopathic assassin Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers’ modern western drama film No Country for Old Men Cruz, 47, won Best Supporting Actress in Woody Allen’s Vicki Cristina Barcelona in 2009. She is nominated for Best Actress in Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers. Previous married couples to be nominated are: Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra, Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton, Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
won a Brit award, and Rihanna’s We Found Love, and many more, earned around €212 million between 2013 and 2016. He is estimated to be worth €265 million. He topped Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid DJs for six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018. Harris is no stranger to Ibiza in his DJ persona, having regularly been the lead star at a string of the party island’s biggest events.
February 24th - March 9th 2022
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Deepika in love BOLLYWOOD and Hollywood crossover star Deepika Padukone is expected to arrive in Spain for filming next month after initial plans were derailed by a drugs scandal. T h e 36-yearold Copenhagen-born Indian actress had been due to visit Mallorca and Cadiz last October to film a romantic song sequence for latest Bollywood blockbuster Pathan opposite super-star Shah Rukh Khan. But when 56-yearold SRK’s (as he is known) son Aryan Khan was arrested in a drugs case the plans were scuppered. Khan junior spent 26 days in custody before he was bailed and SRK felt able to resume work. Padukone will also star in an upcoming cross-cultural romantic comedy in her second Hollywood movie. Her first was opposite Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
VISIT: Padukone will be in Mallorca and Cadiz
TIKTOK TRANS TRANS activist and popular TikToker Daniela Requena has been appointed to a key socialist leadership role in Valencia. The 30-year-old journalist will be the secretary of LGTBI and Diversity within the new executive of the PSPV. Under the name Daniela Sirena she has accumulated more than 825,000 followers on TikTok where she has posted videos explaining her sexual reassignment surgery.
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NEWS
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Tough measures BEGGARS ‘bothering’ vulnerable people could be hit with fines double those handed out to prostitutes plying their trade on Alicante streets under a new law. Prostitutes carrying out ‘sexual practices’ or directly or indirectly offering and negotiating sex will be fined between €750 and €1,500. But beggars harassing children or disabled people face a potential fine of up to €3,000. The measure was pushed through by the ruling Partido Popular-Ciudadanos coalition with the help of votes from the far-right Vox party. Vox in turn has agreed to support the next municipal budget with significant cuts to social aid.
SHOCKING A MAN who paid a prostitute €30 ended up with a big €800 fine after complaining about her to Albal’s Policia Local. The disgruntled customer was unaware of new street prostitution laws when he walked into the police station claiming the woman had not fully fulfilled her end of the bargain. He ended up being the first person prosecuted under the strict new law that bans any procurement of ‘sexual services on public roads’. The new laws against prostitution were brought in after 19-year-old sex worker, Florina Gogos, was murdered in the town last year.
COPS are investigating the alleged theft of two priceless Edgar Degas paintings from a private villa in Galicia. The two works of art, which are part of a private collection in Pontevedra, went missing from the villa while the wealthy owner was out of town. The French impressionist, whose works sell for millions, is famous for his oil and pastel paintings. It is not yet known which paintings have
BODY DISCOVERY
THE body of an elderly British expat from Javea who had been reported missing for a week has been discovered inside his car 70 kilometres from his home. Christopher Webb, 87, was last seen on February 13. His Mazda station wagon was also missing from his Javea home A local search including the use of a police helicopter came to nothing. Webb’s vehicle was spotted on Sunday by the Bellus reservoir, in Beniganim. No more information has been provided.
February 24th - March 9th 2022
DIRTY WAY TO DIE
Priceless theft been stolen. A recent Degas sold at auction for €22 million. The ‘father of French impressionism’ is famous for his pastel sketches of ballerinas. The ballerina series (see right) is highly sought after by the most prestigious auction houses internationally.
Water crisis A NATIONAL ‘drought committee’ will be set up within days. The body will take an urgent look at water levels around the country’s heavily depleted reservoirs. A severe lack of winter rainfall has seen Spain experience one of its worst droughts of the last century, according to climate scientists. The decision comes after a meeting with EU agricultur-
al ministers and numerous pleas from local hoteliers and other tourist bodies. The reservoir levels sit at around half of their usual levels for this time of year. “The drought committee will discuss with the autonomous communities, to see what measures we can propose,” explained Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas. Water bills are set to soar as drought combined with high
Wild and exotic A WILD cat native to Africa has a new home at a wildlife sanctuary after being spotted on a Polop farm. The farmer called the Guardia Civil as he was concerned about the safety of his animals. How the African serval - native to the sub-saharan part of the continent - got to Polop is a mystery. The serval is classified as an exotic species in Spain and owning one is illegal, unless a special licence is granted.
electricity costs combine in a perfect storm. The lowest levels of rainfall in over five years have meant some reservoirs are a little over a quarter full, with none in Alicante province reaching 50% capacity.
Costs
Recent increases in energy prices have also increased desalination costs. Jaime Berenguer of the Marina Baixa Water Consortium said: “Given that the price of energy has doubled or tripled, water could increase by around 25%.” Guadalest reservoir in the valley above Benidorm, is at only 41% capacity, while La Pedrera reservoir is only 26% full and the Crevillent reservoir is at 23%. Murcia reservoirs are worse still, with average levels at 22% capacity. See Dryng up & Opinion Page 6
A MAN has allegedly died in hospital of chronic diarrhoea after being poisoned by laxative pills given to him by his girlfriend. Police have arrested the Valencia woman, 56, after the man’s children discovered his bank account had been cleared out to the tune of €92,000. Doctors could not work out what caused the 70-year-old’s chronic condition when he was admitted to hospital in 2020. But they eventually realised his health improved when he did not get any visitors and worsened after his girlfriend visited him.
Uncovered
Her plot was uncovered after his death in April 2021 when his children spotted one of his bank accounts had a negative balance. They then discovered numerous receipts from pharmacies for laxative pills while their father was in hospital. The sheer volume of pills given to him eventually led to heart disease, which killed him. A police investigation confirmed the woman withdrew €62,000 from different ATMs and made store purchases totalling €30,000. Her officially-documented monthly income was just €400.
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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION LET IT RAIN IT’S been a marvelous winter in Spain, as far as most expats are concerned. But there is an alarming downside to the endless clear skies and unseasonably warm weather interrupted only rarely with the odd blustery day. The frightening truth is that after one of the driest winters on record, Spain is headed for an extreme drought… one of the worst. If we don’t see seriously heavy rainfall in March and April to fill the reservoirs we’re in for a summer of water restrictions. And that doesn’t just mean a hose pipe ban. It has dire consequences not just for our gardens and golf courses, but for Spain’s entire agriculture industry. Years of water mismanagement and the draining of Spain’s valuable aquifers to irrigate illegal fruit farms only compound the problem threatening delicate nature reserves from Doñana to Las Tablas de Daimiel. The reservoirs are down at 30% for most of the costas and rain-fed crops including cereals, olives, nuts and vineyards face losing 60 to 80% of their production. The drought will also threaten Spain’s already vulnerable forested hillsides creating a tinder box ripe for wildfires. Let’s not forget Europe’s first ‘fifth generation fire’ in Andalucia’s Sierra Bermeja last summer. It could be much worse. Though nobody likes to see the famous Easter processions dampened by wet weather, especially this year when they will resume for the first time since the pandemic hit, we should all be praying for rain. PUBLISHER / EDITOR
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NEWS FEATURE
February 24th - March 9th 2022
DRYING UP
HE crumbling walls of a once-submerged village rising from the cracked mud of a dried up reservoir have become a powerful symbol of the water emergency facing Spain. And this isn’t dry, southern Water disputes Spain. Water levels have fallen so low springing up as major in verdant and normally rainy drought stares Spain Galicia, that the village of Aceredo, flooded in 1992 to create in the face a reservoir, is no longer resting beneath a picturesque lake. A crisis is brewing - one that has already seen fruit growers in conflict with expat neighbours over ‘water theft’ in some of the country’s normally most tranquil corners. Olive Press readers have also reported how wildlife is suffering as lakes and reservoirs dry up and rivers recede. The reason is simple. Rain isn’t RUNNING DRY: Reservoirs are emptying to the extent that the village of Aceredo (below) has falling ‘mainly on the plain’ – it’s remerged to become a tourist attraction barely falling at all. With historical first quarter lows been depopulated over time, “Our neighbours tapped into for precipitation, Spain’s reserBy Jo Chipchase leading to ‘acequias’ not being our supply, using the municipal voirs have drained to worrying water as agricultural water. They well-maintained. levels. Other areas have become more installed a hidden tap on their Unless a deluge occurs in the coming weeks, a dire situation 85% and 96% capacity in their densely populated, increasing property, before their own meter is facing agriculture and con- reservoirs, the Ebro 66% and localised water usage. Hydro but on our supply, rendering our electricity plants have also con- supply useless. sumers, who are likely to face Leon 64%. “It got worse when he decided So, what is making Spain so arid tributed to the problem. water restrictions soon. The situation is bad through- this year? According to experts, Rafael Seiz, head of the water to plant avocados and pulled out Spain, with some of the it’s not just the lack of rainfall programme at World Wildlife up his olive trees. This meant worst affected areas being in causing the sorry situation – it’s Fund (WWF), recently said: our house didn’t have any wa“Here, agriculture plays a fun- ter during the summer. I had Andalucia - as well as Murcia, too much demand. Extremadura and Castilla la Among European countries, damental role… they have al- to get a tanker and it was no Spain is one of the heaviest ways told us that, since it rains good for my horses. The town Mancha. According to the Junta’s Minis- water users. Some areas were little in Spain, there is little hall did nothing, despite knowtry of Agriculture, the volume of on drought alert back in sum- water, but what about when it ing there was a problem for precipitation from September mer 2021, despite the last hy- rains? Well, we don’t have wa- three years.” Another local expat, in Orgiva, 2021 to February 5 is hovering drological year (October 2020 ter either.” to September With water reserves already di- who doesn’t want to be identiaround 60% be2021) having minished, Spain has three more fied, said she has been threatlow normal. of crop irrigation to go. ened by the local ‘regantes’, above average The Olive Press Agriculture is a rainfall – unlike months Even if crops are OK this year, who have diverted river warecently reported using large pipes that run key culprit with this hydrological the problem will be kicked down ter that across Spain the line, damaging fruit – and 24/7 to irrigate their own avoyear so far. reservoirs are almost 4mn cado crops. Agriculture is a livelihoods - next year. standing at just key culprit, with Spain’s fruit farms – particularly She is now taking legal action 44% of capacity. hectares of Spain boasting avocados – are receiving a lot of as the local river is running dry. Malaga, meanWith water scarcity and irrigairrigated land almost four mil- criticism. while, has only lion hectares of The Olive Press has received tion already causing disputes, received 14.5% irrigated land, several reports of water theft this problem is likely to worsen of its usual raincompared to by olive farmers and ‘regantes’ with a continuing drought and a fall for this hydrological year so far and reservoirs, such as La 2.5m in Italy, 1.2m in Greece (water commissioners), which potentially hot summer causing leaves residents with pipes run- tempers to fray. and 1.4m in France. Vinuela sit at 15% capacity. Jose-Miguel Viñas of Meteored “At El Chorro, Ardales, water Almeria alone has 31,614 hect- ning dry. has gone from half the area. ares of ‘sea of plastic’ green- “Avocados are too thirsty for weather centre recently sugForget the caravans and fishing, houses that dominate the land- Spain,” insists Helen King, gested that consumers could now it’s dry and the freshwater scape of Adra, Nijar, El Ejido and of Villalonga, in Valencia. see water restrictions in their “The farmers are ripping out homes, as well as agriculture mussels are dead,” reveals Ol- Vícar. ive Press reader Claire Yvonne These are heavy consumers, citrus trees and planting avo- being affected. with 80% of their water com- cado trees, which make more Without any rain over the next Newman. Reservoir levels in Granada are ing from underground aquifers, money but which need more fortnight we will be weeks away from rationing. at the lowest in a decade, fall- leading to over-exploitation, and water. “Twice, our part of the village Jetwash ing to a third of capacity, while 20% from desalination plants. in the Guadalquivir basin levels There’s also a recent trend for has fought to keep water flow- Tentudia in Badajoz was one of avocados and mangos to be ing as the avocado growers are the first municipalities to introsit at 29%. The worst affected region is, planted in Spain, with these trying to force us to build a new duce water restrictions recentperhaps unsurprisingly, Almeria subtropical fruits taking the irrigation canal to their fields ly. These could soon apply to pools, parks, gardens, and golf place of less water-intensive or- and make us pay. at just 7%. “The avocado farmers are richer courses across Spain. In Valencia, the situation is ange crops. slightly better, but Murcia is Illegal strawberry fields - some and pressurise the authorities. However, whether your swimat 21% and at Orihuela, in Ali- with wells tapping underground Town halls should be able to is- ming pool will be empty this cante, reader Anne Nelson ex- aquifers - have also been ac- sue a planting permit because summer could depend on your plains: “I live near the Pedrera cused of draining water from not all trees are suitable every- forward-planning and your location. reservoir and it’s worrying for the Doñana wetlands, which where.” the wildlife it supports. I’ve seen are a vital home to tens of thou- It is a similar story in the Alpujar- One thing’s for sure: even if you try to limit your Jacuzzis and jet so many dead fish and even sands of migrating birds on ras area of Granada. their route between Africa and Water theft is such a prob- washing, demand is constantly some turtle shells.” lem there that Claire Marshall outstripping supply. In comparison, the Basque Europe. Country and Cantabria have On top of that, some areas have moved from Las Barreras, near “Ask for water first, before plantOrgiva, to the Grana- ing”, moots Iñaki Hormaza of da/Almeria border the Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture. to escape it.
Future alarm
The problem of drought is not tions forecasts that freshwa going away. The United Nater supplies will decrease 40% by 2030. The EUCP Project - European suggests that the level of war Climate Prediction system, basin will outstrip the rest of ming in the Mediterranean the world, with the south becoming more arid and Andaluc more than 20 days above 40C ia potentially experiencing This will mean increasingly prolevery summer. onged drought cycles. If nothing is done, we could Andalucia becoming like thesee more areas of our beloved which has Wild Western film Tabernas desert in Almeria, sets among its arid landscape.
Property
Sp a p in m rop ’s b ag e e az rty st in e
www.theolivepress.es
February 2022
A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money? See page VIII
Bye bye Bofill
The Olive Press pays tribute to a Spanish genius, whose architectural tenticles spread widely, and were even said to have inspired last years hit tv series the Squid Game
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SPANISH architectural legend has died. Ricardo Bofill died aged 82 last month, a year before Calpe made 2023 the ‘Bofill Year’ to celebrate his remarkable creations and he was set to get a Spanish national stamp. The Catalan was one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century and a pioneer of the style that came to be known as postmodernism. Like Richard Rogers or Norman Foster his influence has been vast. When Netflix released Squid Game, which would become the most watched series in its history, many viewers noticed an uncanny resemblance between the striking staircases patrolled by masked guards and one of Bofill’s most famous works La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall) on the Costa Blanca.
KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING HOME sales in December were the second-highest on record in Spain. And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended… going up and up and up! Andalucia, Valencia and Murcia are leading the charge on the mainland, each seeing spectacular growth by over a quarter against last Christmas. While Andalucia saw 29% more sales than last December, Valencia and Murcia posted figures of 26% and 25% respectively. The Balearics experienced a 41% uplift, while the Canaries saw a 44% rise in December’s year on year figures. “Home sales in December set almost a record high, illustrating quite how buoyant Spain’s housing market is despite the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic,” said property analyst Mark Stucklin.
After almost record December sales, January is also performing strongly
“Sales were up 26% on 2019, showing the market has more than recovered the ground it lost to the pandemic. The Spanish housing market is undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.” In total, 72,023 property sales were completed in December, according to official figures. According to a trio of leading estate agents in Andalucia, the year has also begun well, despite concerns over supply. “We sold three properties in January, which is three more than ever be-
fore,” explained Scott Marshall, from PropertieSpain in Benahavis. “And enquiries are coming in thick and fast.” Meanwhile, Ben Bateman from Sotogrande’s Holmes agency added: “It could be a record year if we can get the right number of new listings. “Last year was the best year since 2008 and we remain confident for 2022.” Adam Neale, at Terra Meridiana, in Estepona, also recorded record sales last year, with nearly 100 million of properties sold in 2021. “It was a very busy year and it didn’t stop last month, it just keeps coming, particularly now people can travel again.” The highest December property figures were in 2010 when nearly 80,000 properties were sold around Spain.
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February 2022
PROPERTY
READING THE RUNES
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HE Spanish property market staged a remarkable recovery in 2021 with the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, but the market still faces headwinds that were dragging the market down before the virus came to town. Anyone who predicted the pandemic would lead to a boom in the housing market is a better reader of the runes than I am. Rather like the majority of respondents in a survey I ran back in March 2020, I expected Covid-19 to put the market on a ventilator for at least a year, rather than recover in the second half of 2020, and roar upwards in 2021, which is what happened.
ANALYSIS: Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight looks at the reasons behind the property boom The latest figures from the Spanish notaries’ association show that home sales increased an annualised 38% nationwide last year, and by almost 20% compared to 2019. High growth compared to 2020 was hardly surprising in the light of lockdown, but the growth compared to 2019 has been phenomenal. Sales in 2020 were the highest they have been since 2008, when the market was just coming off the boil after a runaway housing boom.
The figures reveal that the most growth came from the sale of single family homes, up 34% compared to 2019, whereas flats were up a modest 10% in comparison. That confirms a change in demand driven by the virus: People want bigger homes with more space in the suburbs or on the coast near cities and good transport links. Flats in the city centre are out of fashion, for now. House prices have also performed better than expected (in my survey 57% expected them to “fall a lot”.) In reality they fell just 0.4% in 2020 (recovering in the second half from a slump at the start of the pandemic), and then increased 5.3% in 2021 nationwide. Of course, the national average disguises significant differences between regions and segments, but the overall direction was positive. Looking at the regions of most interest to foreign investors, the growth in sales last year was most dramatic in the islands, led by the Balearics up 51% to 17,664 sales - followed by the Canaries up 44% to 24,749 sales. Sales were also above 40% up in Andalucia and the Valencian region, and just below 40% in Catalonia and Murcia.
Compared to 2019, the biggest in the market, and where is it heaincrease in sales was in Andalucia, ding? Low interest rates (Euribor up 23%, and Murcia, up 21%. The -0.502% in December 2021) couBalearics were up 11% compared pled with high inflation (6.5% in to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, December) are possibly encourawhilst the Canaries were the only ging investors to take advantage region to shrink in comparison to of the differential, and get inflation to help pay their the market pre-covid. So most of the mortgages. A housepopular regions have Prices have not hold savings surplus from lockdown mimore than recovered fallen in any ght also be helping, the ground lost to the pandemic. region favoured coupled with a general reset in people’s Price-wise, the Baleaby foreign rics led the way, with priorities. But the house prices up 14% headwinds that were buyers compared to last year, dragging down the and 22% compared to housing market bethe year before that. Andalucia saw fore the pandemic, including high the second biggest price increase, transaction-costs, high taxes, and up 8% compared to last year, and political hostility to private proper7.5% compared to 2019. House ty rights are still with us. The Spaprices have not fallen in any region nish economy isn’t in great shape favoured by foreign buyers over the either. Housing market expansions usually last five years or more, course of the pandemic. What factors are driving this boom maybe not this one.
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Inflation, Inflation, Inflation KIRSTIIE Allsopp faced a backlash last week after claiming young people should simply give up luxuries like Netflix and Starbucks in order to buy a house. The Location, Location, Location star said: “When I bought, the lifestyle of easyJet flights, coffee, gym memberships and Netflix didn’t exist. I was earning £11,500 a year.” Allsopp, the daughter of the 6th Baron of Hindlip, neglected to mention that she bought her first property aged 21 with help from her parents. Even by generous estimates, if young people were to cut out the ‘luxuries’ she suggests, they would be saving around £2,000 per year. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average deposit for a house is £24,000 for first time buyers. Therefore, a young person would have go on no flights, drink no coffee, have no gym membership, watch no Netflix and spend money only on eating and rent for 12 years just GIVE UP NETFLIX: Says to save up enough money for a deposit. Kirstie Allsopp
Cash on the attic
MOST Spanish homes get over 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, making them a prime candidate for solar power generation. Now an online portal can calculate how solar panels can slash your electricity bills. After typing in your address, and highlighting your available roof space, the website calculates how different solar installations will cut your monthly bills. The collaboration between Fotocasa and Portuguese energy company EDP also works out what subsidies are available in your region.
Savings For a villa in Javea, for example, a one-time payment of €3,709 (inc. €1,000 subsidy) would see savings of €592 annually in electricity bills with just four solar panels. Fotocasa claims that most homes will find a 50% reduction in electricity bills following installation. “Spanish people are increasingly aware of the importance of an energy transition to fight climate change, as well as how you can reduce utility bills thanks to renewable energy,” said Maria Matos, at Fotocasa. The company promises a complete service, including advice throughout the whole process as well as studying and applying for bonuses and subsidies. It also claims to manage technical and legal matters. If 85% of Spanish homes installed solar panels there would be a reduction of 57 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to planting 4.3 billion trees. Up to 40% of the cost of installation can come from subsidies, while this can increase to 65% if the project includes a battery for power storage. According to EDP, Andalucia is the community with the greatest potential for solar power generation, followed by Valencia, Catalunya, Madrid and Castilla y Leon. So far, 630 municipalities in Spain offer discounts in property taxes (IBI) for installing solar panels.
NEW WALLS PLEASE! Novak Djokovic’s touchy-feely makeover at Marbella mansion By Kirsty McKenzie
FOR a superstar athlete Novak Djokvic has some ‘unconventional’ beliefs when it comes to diet and health. Now he is transferring some of those beliefs to his Marbella mansion, which he is ripping apart and rebuilding as a ‘feng shui’ paradise. The tennis world number one has been busy since his deportation from Down Under over his ‘anti-vaxx’ status renovating his sprawling €6.4 million home. The star, 34, has grand plans to extend his estate which he bought two years ago. It came complete with a mix of Mediterranean and Moroccan furnish-
Oh yes we can!
A FARMHOUSE in the heart of Barcelona is to be saved for future generations. Can Garcini, bought by the city council for €7 million in 2021, is surrounded by blocks of flats and urban sprawl. One of the last remaining examples of the area’s rural past, it is to be converted into a centre for the elderly. The building, also known as the Torre de la Concepcion, has three floors and a gabled roof. Inside, the attic has been fitted out as a dwelling and the main floor distributes the rooms around a large hall. It was set to be knocked down and rebuilt into three distinct units but has now been saved.
MANSION: Djokovic’s Sierra Blanca home is being refurbished ings, which would seem not to be in his or wife Jelena’s taste. The Serb, who is well known for his vegetarian diet and ‘anti-science’
BAD TASTE?: Old interiors did not meet the Djokovics’ approval
stance to alternative medicines, has a firmly spiritualist attitude to life. It seems he wants that reflected in his home. To many, the Sierra Blanca property, with its nine bedrooms, sauna, Turkish bath, gym, plus grass tennis court, of course, was already a dream home. But Djokovic and Jelena have different dreams it would seem. Workmen have moved in and ripped out the inside of the villa and are set to replace the existing bathrooms, kitchens and Jacuzzis as well as demolish walls to fit floor to ceiling patio doors. The tennis player wants to build the home based around feng shui concepts like the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, according to press reports.
Freehold with a free house IT gives new meaning to the term ‘freehouse’ to describe an independent pub in the UK. A tiny village in Cuenca is offering a free house to anyone who can save their only pub. In a desperate battle against depopulation, Villalgordo del Marquesado town hall is giving away the bar and some of its contents free of charge. It comes after the bar closed in December, leaving the remaining 76 locals with nowhere to go for a caña. "We are offering the bar, its heating, a fridge and also a house to anyone who can take over," said mayor Natalio Valencia. "The bar is the place where everyone in the village gets together, including those who come on the
weekend. "If we lose the bar, where will we see one another?" She added that the new landlord would only need to pay the social security contributions and the electricity bill. The free property is situated right next door. Villalgordo, which sits in rolling countryside just under two hours from Madrid, has seen its population half in 30 years. So far four applications have been received from as far as Barcelona and Alicante.
Anyone interested in the offer call the town hall on 969290201 or send an email to villalgordo-marquesado@local.jccm.es
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February 2022
PROPERTY
After 18-months of the pandemic, hundreds of new hotels are opening (or reopening) around the Iberian Peninsula. George Mathias picks his favourite half dozen
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T’S been a busy time for the opening of hip new hotels around Spain and Portugal. And it’s going to get a whole lot busier over the course of 2022. Some €2.85 billion is set to be invested into hotels around Spain this year, according to Colliers, a global investment portal. Hundreds of new hotels are set to open around Andalucia, Valencia and Mallorca over the next few months. On the Costa del Sol alone, some 29 hotels are to be completed this year. This will add over 3,300 rooms to the local tourism industry. Madrid has seen the opening of a trio of leading hotels over the last 12 months, including the Villa Magna, the Four Seasons and the Ritz, which just had a major three-year refurbishment. The capital is also set to see The Madrid Edition open its doors later this year. The luxury hotel will be within walking distance to The Golden Triangle of Art near Puerta de Sol in the heart of the Spanish capital. Meanwhile, London-based Hoxton Hotels is bringing it’s hipster-chic brand to Barcelona later in the year. And across Spain there are a host of new openings, such as La Zambra in Mijas which reopens in June after a 12 year hiatus. Formerly Hotel Byblos, it was visited by Princess Diana in 1995. Elsewhere, the Six Senses in Ibiza is welcoming guests to its slick 70s inspired property for ‘deep spiritual experiences rooted in the local culture, celebrating music, art, sustainable fashion, wellness and spirituality’. For now, here are six recent openings that will certainly blow you away, while Jon Clarke also runs a rule over Madrid’s stylish Villa Magna (see overleaf).
HIP HOTELS
THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE FOR ALL THINGS GLASS iq windows and glass curtains
Ikos Andalucia, Estepona Sandwiched between the cosmopolitan glamour of Marbella and Estepona, the Ikos offers miles of sand, bathed by cooling waters, and a beachfront setting on the tranquil shores of Playa de Guadalmansa. An exclusive enclave, it offers more than 21 acres of landscaped gardens and leisure facilities, plus luxurious rooms and suites.
Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel Open from November 2021, this Lisbon hotel lies just 600 metres from Jeronimos Monastery and boasts five stars. It is kitted out with a restaurant, private parking, fitness centre, bar, and sauna as well as a car rental service. Wine & Books Lisboa also offers a terrace with stunning views of the city.
GLASS CURTAINS WINDOWS AND GLASS CURTAINS
Covering the whole of the Costa Blanca
GLASS CURTAINS • PVC WINDOWS GLASS FENCING • ALUMINIUM
tel: 965 973 307 tel: 603 874 006 enquiries@iqglasscurtains.com www.iqglasscurtains.com
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ELECTRIC OPTIONS
February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla
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Cash incentives for electric cars are introduced in Spain as we take a look at popular options
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PAIN has pledged to make By Dilip Kuner the entire country carbon neutral by 2050, and for this to happen cars are going to the country. Volkswagen Group’s SEAT subsidhave to get greener. It’s automotive plan focuses on the iary plans to team up with power environmentally-friendly electric company Iberdrola to build Spain’s and hybrid car industry and aims to first battery factory for Electric Vehimake the technology cheaper, and cles (EVs). easier to use and access across the Volkswagen has previously announced its intention to build six EV country. Special incentives have been rolled battery plants across Europe, with three earmarked for out over the coming the Spain/Portugal/ years to encourage the southern France area. ownership of green vehicles, both private The government In total, the government is granting and commercial. is granting €3.75 billion towards The Spanish govern€3.75bn to making electric and ment has approved an €800 million fund up make electric hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel until the end of 2023, cars cheaper to buy by 2027. which is available now. But there is no need Private buyers can to wait that long if you claim up to €7,000, with companies buying fleets to use wish to help save the planet. Car as taxis eligible for more. Vans can manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. attract subsidies of up to €9,000. These incentives follow a govern- While still more expensive than their ment pledge to promote battery pro- traditional contemporaries, subsiduction in Spain and push the man- dies and scrappage schemes are bringing ufacture of electric vehicles in
EXPENSIVE: The Audi e-tron GT
them into the reach of many more people’s wallets. One of the most unusual will be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed squarely at the US market where ‘trucks’ are a huge segment, this retro-futuristic ‘space machine’ is sure to make it to Spain at some point. Clad in dent-proof stainless steel it looks like something out of Mad Max, and according to Tesla boss Elon Musk it will be a ‘really tough, not fake-tough’ truck. Mind you, he ended up with egg on his face at the vehicle’s launch when he tried to prove its durability through a series of ‘torture tests’. All was going well until Musk hurled a steel ball at the vehicle and shattered its ‘armoured’ glass. While Tesla has been the leader in EVs (particularly in the publicity stakes) it will have more competition than ever this year, with mainstream manufacturers not only ready to unveil a slew of latest-technology models, but also ahead of the game. For build quality and top-class engineering Volvo is worth a close look. Their Polestar 2 five-seater brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come
from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative models and specs are planned for this year. Apart from its green motor, Volvo has also introduced frameless mirrors and a light- The interior is minimalist, with a er-than-leather vegan interior fabric low, flat floor and a vibe that Nissan designed to mimic the durability of calls ‘lounge-like’. It has a a wetsuit. claimed range of around 300 miles A pair of electric motors work with a and pricing is from around €40,000. 27-module lithium ion battery pack This performance and luxury will be to deliver an impressive 402 horse- wrapped in a package with a range power, and a range of up to 275 of 200 miles. It costs from around miles. But all this comes €75,000. at a price with the luxMeanwhile Volkury car costing from swagen’s ID.4 SUV The Audi e-tron €59,900. The compais aimed squarely ny aims to sell 65,000 at taking on TesGT is a sleek units this year. la. Starting prices electric sedan are from around When it comes to mainstream manufacturers, €46,000 in Spain with loads of Nissan was one of the and it has a range of power first to enter the mar250 miles. ket. Its LeafEV now has Staying with the Gersales of nearly half a man marques, the million. Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, electric seThe car giant is aiming to dan with loads of power and polish. build on this success hav- Behind the streamlined bodywork ing recently launched the is some architecture shared with Ariiya, a more stylish take the Porsche Taycan EV. on emission-free t r a n s - With 590 horsepower, the two-moportation. tor GT should accelerate from zero The five-passenger SUV to 60 miles per hour in an impresfeatures a surprisingly sive three seconds, and will be able aggressive look, with some to gain an 80% charge in just 20 swoopy, concave surfacing minutes. The car is top-of-the ranand wheels pushed to the corners. geo expect to pay €100,000 plus.
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MOORS LAST SIGH, COMARES
A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE
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HEN the Moors finally handed over the keys to the Alhambra and Granada in 1492 they didn’t immediately head back to north Africa. Understandably, they figured they could cling on in relative secrecy in the mountainous region of the Axarquia and the nearby Alpujarras. One of the key locations was Comares, where in the claustrophobic Calle del Pardon, 30
families of Moors were later spared their lives after publicly converting to Catholicism. Indisputably the spiritual heart of the Axarquia, Comares straddles a hilly outcrop and has heart-stopping views. The magical white-washed village is a maze of windy alleys full of Arabic touches and has set itself up well for tourists offering a clever guided tour by footsteps etched into the ground.
DOWN IN THE DIPS, RIOGORDO
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ake the MA-3107 from Comares and, stuck in a dip in one of the region’s many folds, you will find Riogordo, a gritty town, full of run-down houses and troll-like men in caps. You can really suck in the atmosphere of real Spain and, in particular, enjoy its excellent museum of antiquities, which gives a charming trip back in time to the days of sustainability.
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ROMANTIC VIEWS, ROMANES
ing a section of Scotland’s Western Highlands, make sure to stop for coffee or lunch at 400-yearold Venta Galway – which takes its name from an Irishman, who moved there when the British market couldn’t get enough of the area’s sweet muscatel wines. From here you get the perfect lookout over the Axarquia, a hamshaped wedge that cuts inland from the beach resorts of Torre Del Mar and Nerja and has much to offer in geography and culture, as well as increasingly in food and wine. Here, the Olive Press offers the perfect weekend escape into the Axarquia, dipping into a mix of restaurants, walks and sightseeing.
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FTER a leisurely lunch it is time to head for the coast. Retrace your steps down the way you came until you turn left onto the A-356. This will lead you to the picturesque village of Los Romanes, which has a couple of local spots to eat if you missed out on lunch at Alfarnate. It overlooks the stunning Lake Viñuela and is the perfect spot to just lounge and relax.
GEM OF A PLACE, VELEZ MALAGA
BANDITS ALL AROUND, ALFARNATE
HE Axarquia was famously the region most difficult for dictator Franco to pacify after he won the Spanish Civil War. Dissected by deep ravines and criss-crossed with streams, it is easy to see how the rebels, known as the Maquis, were able to take advantage of its confusing pattern of rutted hills to hide out and escape from army patrols. The region had previously been a haunt for bandoleros, or bandits, who preyed on traders carrying goods to Granada and for smugglers bringing contraband into Spain from Africa. Such was its volatile nature (the
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OMEHOW I hadn’t spotted the double loop on the Michelin map of Andalucia I’d bought at Foyles on the Charing Cross Road, a month before moving to Spain in 2002. But this topographical quirk - half way up the A-7000 out of Malaga city - was to add at least 20 minutes onto what looked like a simple 30-kilometre drive to my first rental home in Comares. It was up this road that I had headed when I first settled in Spain and it is easily one of the nicest ways to arrive in the Axarquia (pronounced Ass-Ikea), with your ears literally popping as it ascends into the Montes de Malaga national park. The equivalent of circumnavigat-
Take a road trip through Andalucia’s evocative Axarquia with Jon Clarke
C coast was regularly attacked by Barbary pirates) that the area’s inhabitants built fortified villages, with watchtowers in the hills inland. One of the best ways to appreciate its violent age is to take a trip up to the high plains around Alfarnate. From Riogordo you can take the rugged A-7204 which links up to the MA-4102 and on to the Antigua Venta de Alfarnate - at 400 years old one of the oldest in Spain. It was here where bandit El Tempranillo was finally captured after decades of terrorising the country and you can still find the cell they kept him in temporarily.
ONTINUE down the A-356 and arrive at Velez Malaga. It is one of the most underrated and little-visited places in Malaga province. But like its big sister of Malaga it has a Moorish fortress rising above it with battlements, but unlike Malaga it also has a fascinating old medina, crammed full of interesting nooks to explore. Its old town has recently been given a special protection status and no less than 47 historic buildings have been specifically listed.
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Photo by absoluteaxarquia.com
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MISSING SOCKS AND INSURANCE Línea Directa gets you the best possible price for the right kind of insurance
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CLIMATE CONTROL, NERJA
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HE Axarquia is said to have one of the best climates in Europe, in particular in its coastal towns of Torrox and Nerja. Its fabulous microclimate – unlike anywhere else
FABULOUS FRIG FRIGILIANA
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in Europe – offers the opportunity to grow mangoes, avocados and even bananas. You can take the modern A-7 to reach these towns, or the old coastal N-340.
6
Once at Nerja well worth a visit in its own right with its famous coves and Balcon de Europa viewpoint - head back inland on the MA-5105 to reach Frigiliana. A stroll around the wonderful back streets of this mountain village with a distinctive Moorish feel is a must for anyone visiting the Axarquia. Having rightfully won the prettiest village in Andalucia title on a number of occasions, it is a magical place to visit. Surrounded by wonderful countryside, it has a nice mix of shops and restaurants, with several selling the sweet local wines. Then it’s time to climb in your car and head back home after a weekend of sight-seeing in the beautiful Axarquia.
AVE you ever wondered where all those missing socks end up? Are they inside the washing machine drum, or did they somehow fall off the washing line into some black hole for odd socks? Nobody knows the answer. It’s just one of those mysteries from everyday life. Because everyday things just happen sud- will sort it out. And should you require Home denly and without explanation. Assistance to set up your new Wi-Fi connecHaving insurance for your car, motorbike or tion, then our English speaking technical home means you can be more prepared for staff will set up a visit. *Fully comp rehen sive offer any sudden unexpected events. Whilst insurvalid for new custo mers only. Guara ntee subje c appro ved garag e, and cour t to cover , repai r at tesy vehic le availa bilit y. ance won’t protect you from things happenEXPAT2EXPAT Subje c t to cond itions . O ffer ends 30/11 /18. ing, it will make life easier after they do. Also, did you know that Línea Directa has it’s SO WHY CHOOSE LÍNEA DIRECTA? own Expat2Expat programme? Whenever an existing customer recommends a friend, then2/8/18 Línea Directa has been providing comprehen- we reward the policy holder and the friend sive car, motorbike and home insurance to with €30 in cash. You can recommend up to British expatriates and residents in Spain for 10 people and earn up to €300 in cash per over 25 years. With over 3 million customers year. Simply ask your friend to call 917 002 nationwide, Línea Directa has the capacity to 006 and quote your full name. ensure you get both the best possible price Then once their application for car, bike or for the right kind of insurance you really need. home insurance has been approved, Línea Directa will pay the reward straight into the BEST PRICE AND BEST SERVICE bank account following payment of the next or first premium. See terms and conditions at Everything is in English. Our Roadside Assis- lineadirecta.com tance team speaks English and will quickly help you onward journey. If you urgently need Call their English-speaking customer sera duplicate set of keys for your motorcycle, vice staff on 917 002 006 or get a competthen our English-speaking customer service itive quote now at lineadirecta.com TM
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he Olive Press has always invested heavily in ensuring that our copies are readily available for our growing legion of readers. We work hard to achieve our target of zero returns, ensuring we do not waste money or paper, which is an ever important factor for our environmentally-conscious readers. Since 2019 we have employed the services of Self Select Media, the UK market leader in charge of distributing hundreds of free papers and magazines, including the Evening Standard, Metro and Time Out! OWNER: The team that now has a company in southern Spain has analStewart Leece ysed the region and strategically placed our stands within the main supermarkets and major expat hangouts around the costas. This highly targeted process ensures that you can conveniently pick up your favourite read easily every two weeks. To keep in line with our green philosophy it also allows us to closely monitor our distribution and how it ebbs and flows depending on tourism and trends. We receive detailed photo reports of each of the drops, timed as they happen, and the number of copies left over. As Steward Leece, the boss of Self Select explains: “We have 125 years of publishing and distribution experience and know Spain well having had a home here for three decades. “It is a pleasure to work with the Olive Press, one of the market leaders in Spain, to ensure that the company maintains and expands its reach around the country.” He continues: “The basis of our service is that Every copy is taken by personal choice. We offer publishers and advertisers a controlled fully quantifiable media distribution route to market. Via a network of displays placed within high footfall retail outlets, and targeted miscellaneous distribution points across the North and South Costa Blanca region, and now Valencia.”
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From Page IV
PROPERTY
V February 2022
Habitat Cigueña Negra, Cáceres
Hoteles Desconecta 2 - Monesterio, Badajoz
Looking for a great countryside retreat? This beautiful hotel sits on a farm next to the Erjas river, in the wilds of Extremadura. Set in the Sierra de Gata the 12-room hotel was designed by Ana Martin and Lara Muñoz of the Emmme Studio and has its own restaurant and wonderful outdoor swimming pool. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire estate during the day and the clear starry sky at night.
This luxury hotel opened its doors in October 2021. Each room at the 5-star hotel has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a shared lounge and to a terrace. All rooms at Hoteles Desconecta2 have a flatscreen TV and air conditioning.
Hotel Pez Espada, Torremolinos This famous grande dame has just had a total revamp. But thankfully kept its coolest, hippest original features. The lobby in particular is a joy, with its wonderful puddle marble floors and giant chandeliers. Built in 1959, it has been frequented by a whole host of stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, and Raquel Welch. Frank Sinatra also visited the hotel countless times, culminating in the building of The Sinatra bar.
El Vicenç de la Mar - Cala de Sant Vicent, Mallorca Opened in December 2021, this Mallorcan hotel with distinctive architecture features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar.
All guests have a coffee machine, minibar, flatscreen TV and an iPad. There is also a spa and wellness centre, and a host of great nearby hiking and cycling trails.
VI
February 2022
PROPERTY
BLOWN OUT THE WATER Demolition order for controversial golf megaproject for wealthy VIPs in inland Spain IT took 14 years to come, but a controversial inland megaproject - dubbed ‘the Marbella of Extremadura’ - has finally got the chop. The regional High Court has slapped a demolition order on the Valdecanas resort, which includes a golf course, hotel and 185 chalets. The regional authorities will now have to fund the demolition of the giant scheme that also includes 76 boat berths on an inland reservoir, as well as a further 385 chalets under construc-
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tion. The cousin of King Felipe and the son of former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar are among the investors, said to have paid up to half a million euros each. Green group Ecologistas en Accion brought the case on the develthe Red Natura 2000 network of EU protected areas. The luxury resort was being built on an island of 135 hectares surrounded by the Valdecañas reservoir. The demolition bill is estimated to cost around €145 million, including €34 million to restore the land to its original state, and €111 million paid to those losing their homes. Valdecañas shot to fame as a luxury holiday resort particularly for residents in Madrid, as it boasted the nearest sandy beach to the capital. While Ecologistas celebrated the result as a ‘positive outcome’, they are not '100%' happy as homeowners could stand to lose money. Each buyer is believed to have signed a purchase form that exonerated the promoter in case of a demolition order.
Bargain basement
A NEW report has revealed the 16 cheapest cities to buy a home in Spain. The majority are in the south, with Huelva, Alicante and Almeria among the cheapest. The most affordable is the barrio of El Carmen, in Huelva, where property values come in at just €566 per square metre. Second comes La Chanca, in Almeria, which will set you back just €620 per square metre, while La Virgen de los Remedios in Alicante is just €677. The report, by Idealista, lists a dozen more suburbs around Spain where prices come in for less than €850 per square metre, including parts of Avila, (above) Caceres and Granada. Under €800 per square metre there are four districts: Torreblanca in Sevilla, Esperanza in Almeria, Magraners in Lleida and La Magdalena in Jaen. This compared to some parts of Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian where you can spend over €5,000 per square metre for property. The average price of property for sale in Spain has registered a decrease of 0.3% over the last month and stands at €1,824 per square metre.
Five tips to sell your Costa Blanca home easily | VillaMia Spain You want to sell your property on the Costa Blanca but panic is setting in. Maybe you don’t know the legal process of selling in Spain. Or you haven’t a clue where to find potential buyers. You’ve seen sold signs on so many properties – except your own! Don’t waste your time and money stressing about selling your property. The team at VillaMia estate agent says property sales in Jávea are better than ever and they’ve put together these five top tips to help you sell your home on the Costa Blanca. Make sure the price is right Before putting your property on the market, check what other similar properties in the area have sold for. Over-pricing could mean your property is on the market for longer. Many estate agents offer a no-obligation valuation service to tell you what your property is worth. Get paperwork ready before you sell Estate agents can help with any legal requirements such as getting an energy certificate (EPC). Also, if you find out there are any infractions or embargos, it is always better to sort this out at the start. Create a good first impression Make your property looks appealing with: • • • •
JAVEA PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Property sales as it should be
fresh paintwork clean walls, tiles, floors and windows a tidy garden no rubbish or clutter, so potential buyers can picture themselves living there.
Promoting your property A sales board outside can help attract buyers and passing trade. Professional photography should also be arranged and is free for owners listing properties at VillaMia and a 3-d matterport video where possible. Make sure your home is accessible Make it as easy as possible for estate agents to make appointments with house-hunters by keeping your schedule as open as possible. Remember that if your home isn’t shown, it will be harder to sell and the agent will have alternative properties to show potential buyers. If the agent can have a key, this will help. If you have a property to rent or sell, or are looking for one, contact VillaMia, part of Mia Costa Blanca SL, on sales@villamia.net, pop into the office on the Arenal in Jávea or call 96 579 4139.
Mía Costa Blanca SL CIF: B42636027 Avenida Libertad 9H (Arenal) Jávea 03730
Tel: 965 794 139 info@viiamia.net www.villamia.net
SELL YOUR PROPERTY
PROPERTY
VII
February 2022
STRONG DEMAND But there is a shortage of supply in all regions, writes surveyor Campbell Ferguson in his 29th market report on Spain
I
T should be a good year for Spanish property. There was already strong demand when the COVID travel restrictions started to ease over the last few months. This will only get stronger with demand coming from all Northern European countries, with America, the Middle East and even the Far East providing buyers. Much of this is to do with the ‘Golden Visa’ scheme, which is becoming increasingly popular and creating more demand for the higher end of the market.
INTS THE KEY PO to be a major intravel restrictions have continued
● COVID and been relaxations followed by fluence on the market. There have has added to the general that s, basi ular irreg tightening on an rs and sellers. However, buye of ion caut uncertainty and resultant in the principal marand n Spai in with vaccination levels high both this year, we should and ism ket sources, there is returning optim as we do with seasonal flu it’, with live ‘just we re reach a stage whe taken up much of the surplus of ● The strengthening of demand has s. While a concern, construcyear new properties built over recent be to get more resale properties tion is still strong, and the key will increasing reports of shortage been have e Ther out on the market. s price up push to of supply, which is likely ing material costs will lead to hibuild in ase incre ble idera cons The ● and conversions, and therefore gher prices of new build properties to the price sensitive buyer ctive attra e mor s ertie make resale prop
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The Spanish have also become strong buyers on the costas over the last year. The main issue ahead is going to be a shortage of supply of all property types and in all price ranges in most areas. It has meant seeing prices start to creep up already and this will accelerate if the supply shortage continues. One good thing is the continuing growth in new build properties, which are getting higher than average prices. That said, discounts are still possible and it is always worth asking, although there are far fewer distressed properties now than there were two years ago.
OTHER KEY THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
● Official Property Descriptions: A law that came into force in 2015 requiring all property titles to be identical to the Catastral and Nota simple. This law effectively requires a topographical survey of all properties for which there is a difference between the Catastral and Nota Simple. It is an obligation that the seller should have to comply with, and we are informed that more notaries are requesting it before agreeing sales. As organising the change can take many months, owners are advised to have the process carried out well before starting to market a property ● Possible new Rental Law on the horizon: In November 2021, a more restrictive law on renting and of greater benefit to occupiers was proposed. This means that regional governments can increase taxes; impose rent controls on prices and increase the difficulty of repossession due to non-payment or squatters. There are a number of flaws and complaints that means it will need much more work before going to vote. In Andalucia, the Junta has stated it will not bring in the law, meaning more foreign investment is likely, spurring job creation and wealth, but perhaps endangering the environment and climate change targets.
AVERAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASKING PRICE AND ACTUAL SELLING PRICE LAST TWO QUARTERS OF 2020 July to December 8.94% - Ranging from -1.87% for an apartment in Casares, to -18.92% for a flooded finca that had been empty for a year. FIRST 2 QUARTERS OF 2021 January to June 10.80% - Ranging from -3.35% for a S/D Villa in Tarragona, to -26.72% for a remodelled villa with problems in Marbella. 2ND 2 QUARTERS OF 2021 July to December 10.44% - The smallest was two of 0.00%. Both were in the last quarter, paying the asking price for two very different properties. A villa in Marbella priced at nearly €9 million and the other at less than €200,000 for a townhouse in a small pueblo in Granada. The largest difference was -18.6% for a country villa in Marbella, with problems obtaining an amendment to an existing AFO.
REPORT CONCLUSION As with the last report, it’s further evidence of increased demand, which will see prices rising unless supply increases. CONTACT SURVEY SPAIN AT WWW.SURVEYSPAIN.COM OR ON 952923520
PropPertroyperty
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February 2022
Issue 28
Bye bye Bofill
A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money?
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Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm Saturday by prior appointment only www.harrisfurnishings.com sales@harrisfurnishings.com Calle de la Marroquineria No.1, Pedreguer, 03750 (Sunday Market)
From all of us at the Olive Press, we hope you enjoyed reading our new Property magazine, which will come out on a bimonthly basis all year, and keep an eye out over the coming months for the next edition. If you would like to collaborate, then please contact us to discuss our tailored marketing strategies by phone on 951 27 35 75 or email accounts@theolivepress.es or charles@theolivepress.es
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See page XIV
April 2019
PLASTIC FANTAST IC: How this architectural remarkable prize, See centre could page IV win
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The Olive Press pays tribute to a Spanish genius, whose architectural tenticles spread widely, and were even said to have inspired last hit tv series the Squid Game years
See page VI
WOAH: Emerging from the rock, this stunning home in Valencia is trademark Fran Silves a Spanish tre, architect who is continuing to make his mark in the architectura l world. See Fran-tastic page XVI
KEEP OD ROTH CKE GO TIN EAGDY TIME T S ROS LL HE average two consecutiproperty price in Spain has The national ve years for the first time grown for 3.9% to 8.4%, average house price rose in a decade. from between according Along the Mediterr anean coasts to various sources. foreigners buy, and on the the
Prices rise for while mortg two consecutive years, age values
However, he
continue to grow Spanish added ‘at the very to Tinsa, Spain’s average price hike has islands, where most HOME sales in December were the second-highest least, the property been 4.06%, according Balearic Islands. leading on record in Spain. property appraisal But the figures And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended… Mortgage lendingcontinued to grow last data suggests that the “Prices have have company. going up year.’ andmostly to home buyers up fore,” explained Scott Marshall, during the been rising most January up! from long six year andnot yet made up for the toPropertieSpain meanwhi but nothing like 19,390 new loans, in Benahavis. years since “And recession, with enquiries big are coming in thick Spanish Andalucia, Valencia and Murcia are leading the recovery according to le was up 6.1% in and fast.” Notaries. the exception drops enough to claw they did in the boom years, the charge on the mainland, the Associati Meanwhile, of the spected back the ground Benbegan, each seeing spectacular growth by over a quarter Bateman The and nowhere on of fromaverage Sotogrande’s new loan Holmes near an lost in the added: “It analyst against last Christmas. “Sales were up 26% madeagency could be aexplained in January bust,” increase record year While Andalucia saw 29% more sales than Stucklin, of Spanish if we can on 2019, showing the marketMark get theofright had a value of 0.9%number of new has more last December, Valencia and ered the ground listings. in a year. than recov- “Last residentia €135,616, Property year was As long Murcia posted figures of 26% and 25% respectively. the rebest year it lost to the pandemic. The since l acquisitio Insight. as mortgage and we remain confident ns continues for the last few2008 lending undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.” Spanish housing market is 2022.” to increase, The Balearics experienced a 41% uplift, while years, the Spanish as it has done for the Canaries saw a property 44% Adam Neale, at In total, 72,023 property sales were completed for rise in December’s year on year figures. in December, according last year, with Terra Meridiana, in Estepona, also recorded recordmarket sales is set to grow. to official figures. nearly 100 million of properties sold in 2021. “Home sales in December set almost a record “It was a very busy year and it didn’t stop buoyant Spain’s housing market is despite high, illustrating quite how According to a trio of leading estate agents in Andalucia, last month, it just the keeps comthe year has ing, particularly now people the pandemic,” said property analyst Mark ongoing repercussions of also begun well, despite concerns over supply. can travel again.” Stucklin. The highest December property figures “We sold three properties in January, which were in 2010 when nearly is three more than ever be- 80,000 properties were sold around Spain.
After almost record December sales, January is also performing strongly
t
VIII
February 2022
PROPERTY
LIVE LIKE A MARTIAN! Zero carbon sustainable pod is set up for life on other planets
T
HE smart, portable and sustainable house ‘of the future’ has been launched in Madrid. But the idea behind the Cyberhut is it will one day be located on Mars. For now, the ‘intelligent house’ manufactured by the Astroland Space Centre, in Cantabria, is in Ciudad Lineal. Built with all the latest technological advances it will one day be part of ‘the first human colony on Mars’. Astroland researchers claim it is able to generate its own energy allowing it to survive in environments as extreme as that of the red planet. But its high tech installations can also improve the lives of people on this planet. Non-polluting, reusable, recyclable and repairable construction materials have been used in its construction. It can be up to 200-square-metre in size, depending on the client, but all tenants are welcomed by a pink-haired virtual assistant called Cybi.
NEW SPRING COLLECTION OF BEDDING AND MORE!
“Cybi is going to see what food you have stored and is going to design a diet based on your state of health, your tastes, your routine and lifestyle,” said David Ceballos, CEO of Astroland. It has over 600 sensors and over two kilometres of cable set around its walls. The hut, that can sleep up to six, costs from €150,000 for the basic 50-square-metre model.
JÁVEA · ALTEA COME AND GET INSPIRED! yorkshirelinencostablanca.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
FUTURE NOW: Space pod is set up in Madrid (below) and gives an idea of what living on Mars might be like
LA CULTURA Back on ALICANTE'S Semana Santa celebrations have been recognised as a festival of National Tourist Interest as they return after the pandemic shutdown. A total of 28 processions are usually held between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday with spectacular displays on the city's streets. The commemorations have taken place for 420 years with extra events added in recent times. Alicante mayor, Luis Barcala, said: “It is a recognition of the work of thousands of people
GOOD START ONE of Alicante’s biggest tourist attractions, Santa Barbara castle, has made a good start in a new bid to double visitor numbers. New free guided tours, half of them in English, were introduced in January, with nearly 6,000 people visiting in two weeks. The ninth century fortress offers spectacular views as it looks down on the city from Mount Benacantil. In a normal year, it welcomes around 400,000 visitors, but Ali c a n t e council wants to double that figure in 2022.
February 24th March 9th 2022
19 10% OFF
and many generations, who have made our Semana Santa a great religious, tourist and cultural event.” Some 150,000 people normally watch the Alicante processions which were cancelled for the last two years due to the pandemic, but they will return this April. Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdes, said: “Semana Santa in Alicante deeply moves both the people of Alicante and the tourists who come to see it.”
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Risking death for the environment
A PHOTO exhibition showcasing the lives of 40 people in Central America facing death to protect the environment - and their human rights - has launched in Valencia. Gervasio Sanchez’ show at the Sala de la Mu-
ralla, at the University of Valencia tells the story of activists in Guatemala and Honduras. According to Sanchez, the subjects ‘face death at any moment’ defending their land against companies exploiting their resources.
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Distressed Spain
Country ranks high in European stress stakes
SPAIN and the UK are officially two of the most stressed countries in Europe. But they’re not as bad as Serbia, which topped a survey with a ‘Stress Score’ of 77.83. Close behind were Latvia, Portugal and Greece - with Spain coming in fifth, scoring 74. Three categories were studied, examining stress relating to finance, work and personal life.
Rent
Serbia topped the list after scoring badly for money-related stress – based on factors such as poverty rate, average rent of a small city-centre apartment and transportation costs. Additionally, unemployment rates, average salaries, annual leave, and commute times all scored
OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 6 One of several discards after making an omelette (8) 8 Hunt using a bright light (4) 9 Nail-biting pop singer that goes to pot (5-8) 10 File markers (4) 11 There may be a gap between them (7) 14 The top-left clue in this puzzle (3,4) 16 Getting close (4) 19 Place for notices and such (8,5) 21 Carbonated quaff (4) 22 Hasten (8)
By Simon Wade
poorly. Although not considered as stressful a country to live in as Spain, the UK came in 10th - just behind Albania - due to high rents and transportation costs, claimed Eachnight.com. In contrast, Iceland ranks as the least stressed country in Europe with a score of 47.41. It has the shortest average commute time in Europe at just 15 minutes, along with the lowest poverty rate of just 9%.
Germany features as the second-least stressed country, performing well when it comes to low levels of work-related stress factors.
Salaries
The study revealed that German citizens have one of the highest monthly salaries in Europe with an average of €3,031 a month, in addition to the fourth highest employment rate, with 75.6% of the population employed, giving Germany a total Stress Score of 49.54.
POLLY’S International Bookshop
Quality Used Books since 1985 Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old. “Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.” Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it. We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.
OP SUDOKU
Down 1 Credited (8) 2 Born in Cardiff (5) 3 Completely (3,4) 4 Precursor to a duel (4) 5 Key of Beethoven’s “Für Elise” (1,5) 7 Like Alexander and Catherine (5) 12 Ice (8) 13 Sound from a tree (7) 15 Impulse transmitter (6) 17 Deserve (5) 18 Breaks sharply (5) 20 It’s out of petrol now (4)
All solutions are on page 23
Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439
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Mask decision time CHILDREN aged between six and seven may soon not need to wear masks at schools or in communal spaces. The Public Health Commission is making a decision on the wearing of facemasks next week. The Spanish Association of Paediatrics has proposed a gradual withdrawal of facemask rules starting at the end of the month in primary schools and then in secondary schools. Quique Bassat, epidemiologist and member of the Paediatric Association, said that as well as helping to bring school activity back to normal, the measure would be a good way of testing the removal of facemasks indoors. “Children are a group that is not very vulnerable to COVID, and if stopping the use of masks would lead to an increase in infections, this would not translate into an increase in serious cases,” he said.
Healthy contract WORK on a massive expansion of Villajoyosa’s Marina Baixa Hospital could start in April after a €47 million contract was awarded to constructors FCC Construccion and Grupo Bertolin. The hospital will double its size from 33,000 to 66,000 square metres. It opened in 1986 but the residential boom and increase in tourism means the current facility is too small. The registered population of the Marina Baixa area has gone up from 95,000 in 1986 to the current total of 190,000.
Cure from the air! VALENCIA is to launch an ingenious drone capable of detecting COVID infections by body heat. The device, costing €6,000, will pick up people with high fevers. A number of foreign police will be in the city when testing takes place in May, with an eye to roll out the scheme around Europe if successful. The project, funded by the EU, aims to better equip national pandemic crisis management.
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Lagoon online A GOVERNMENT website has launched a section dedicated to Murcia’s Mar Menor lagoon. Ecological Transition Minister, Teresa Ribera, visited Murcia to announce an extra €102 million to revitalise the lagoon. Last September she allocated €382 million of expenditure through to 2026. Ribera’s department is now hosting the Mar Menor portal via the ministry’s website and aims to publicise all of the government’s measures to protect the lagoon. The site(www.miteco.gob.es) features the latest details on the lagoon’s condition.
February 24th March 9th 2022
BOAR WAR WAR has been declared on Murcia’s wild boars. The regional government has declared a ‘temporary hunting emergency’ that will allow the animals to be hunted down with ‘non-authorised means’, including the use of night vision goggles. They will also be allowed to be killed on land not normally designated for hunting, with the owner’s permission, and food bait will be permitted. The government claims that boar numbers are out of control, that they are damaging crops, causing traffic accidents and harbour swine fever and TB.
Martin Tye asks if the environment will be allowed to trump economics
Green Matters
CAN WE TRUST CHINA?
By Martin Tye
The jury’s out - read on, then you decide...
CHINA’S climate policy matters to us all. Why? Because China’s carbon emissions are huge. And they are growing, dwarfing those of other countries. China has a real conundrum. To drive its economy to ever increasing heights it needs more energy. The problem for the world is that much of this is coming from coal. Can China keep its promises to cut emissions? At the moment, 43 new coal powered power plants are planned, and 18 new blast furnaces. All this adds to its current annual emissions. It all points to China prioritising economic growth over emissions reductions. Government officials have already hinted that it will rethink the timetable agreed to
cut emissions at COP-26. In the run up to COP-26, which was held in Glasgow last November, China did publish plans to be carbon neutral by 2060, with emissions peaking by 2030. Analysts say this would involve shutting 600 coal-fired power plants. I struggle to imagine that happening. The International Energy Agency has stated that much greater action is required globally if the world is to reach net zero by 2050. It says ‘RAPID REDUC- CHINA SUMMED UP: New Olympic ramp with TION’ in the amount of coal massive cooling towers as a backdrop. burned to provide electricity is the greenest games ever. required. China has in planning and development Last week China’s central government six times Germany’s entire coal-fired ca- pledged to run all coal power plants at full capacity to meet energy demands. Chipacity. It is betting on big technology solutions nese officials threatened coal producers coming - carbon capture and storage to ensure a steady supply of coal - or ‘face technology, further expansion of renew- further investigation and accountability ables, hydropower, hydrogen fuel cells measures’. Not very subtle. Widespread use of artiand a greater push to nuclear power. ficial snow is not green. Olympic events This is a big gamble. require 49 million gallons of water to be mixed with chemicals. Where does that lot end up? GREEN OLYMPICS IN All this in a city that has a water shortage. BEIJING? Do you really expect China to suppress growing its economy to help save the I think not! The Beijing Olympics organ- planet? isers have repeatedly promised to host I, for one, do not.
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. Contact him on +34 638 145 664 or email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL
WINE SALUTE
SPAIN’S wine industry has applauded a U-turn from European politicians who ditched proposals to slap ‘cancer warning’ labels on wine bottles. The European Parliament(EP) rolled back plans to mirror warnings used on tobacco products after lobbying led by Spanish MEPs. Such a move would not have initially forced changes which would have to be agreed by the leaders of all 27 EU nations. Nevertheless a pro-cancer warning vote would have had the potential to be incorporated as a proposal ‘up the chain’ by the European Commission. Parliamentarians have now called for messages to be used on labels for people to enjoy wine moderately and responsibly.
February 24th March 9th 2022
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Cities of love
Spain takes top two places in the list of world’s best places for a frugal first foray into love IF you’re looking for romance, head to Spain. Madrid and Barcelona have been named the two ‘best places in the world’ in which to find love. Research took into account the choice of places available for a romantic date, and also the cost. The company found there are hundreds of reasons for singles to be mad for Madrid, with 733 romantic restaurants and 714 nightlife options across the capital. Additionally, the city is home to 23 adult shops and 45 ‘hour hotels’, meaning Madrid is truly the best for a ‘quick(ie) visit’. Spain’s second city, Barcelona, also came second in the
PHALLIC: Romantic cities Madrid (left) and Barcelona By Simon Wade
research. The price of a date was considered good value, with the average price of two cinema tickets costing €18 and aver-
OP Puzzle solutions Across: 6 Eggshell, 8 Lamp, 9 Heart-stopping, 10 Tabs, 11 Genders, 14 One Down, 16 Warm, 19 Bulletin board, 21 Cola, 22 Expedite. Down: 1 Ascribed, 2 Welsh, 3 All over, 4 Slap, 5 A Minor, 7 Great, 12 Diamonds, 13 Twitter, 15 Neuron, 17 Merit, 18 Snaps, 20 Lead.
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age date night meals valued at €50. Additionally, there are a total of 785 romantic restaurants where couples can sample the gastronomic delights of Catalunya, as well as each other. Interestingly, the data shows that the top eight cities in the world for singles to find love are all in Europe. Third place is taken by Berlin, fourth by Rome, while London and Paris tie for fifth place, with London offering more speed dating opportunities than any other European city. Outside Europe, Singapore is officially the top city in the world to find love, ranking at ninth place overall.
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FINAL WORDS
A GROUP of 30 young people ran from a Barcelona restaurant to avoid a €1,000 bill, leaving six friends who had gone to the loo to pick up the bill.
Brain picking SPANISH comedian Carlos Latre’s brain is being scanned by Malaga University to find out why he is able to impersonate 600 people, with 25 ‘normal people’ also being analysed as a comparison.
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February 24th - March 9th 2022
Fur-good factor
Gobsmacked Brit left grinning with delight after being reunited with teeth lost on boys’ night out in 2011
A BRIT was left gobsmacked after being reunited with the false teeth he lost on boozy night out in Benidorm - 11 years later. Paul Bishop received a package from Spain in the post containing the dentures, which had been vomited into a bin outside a pub in 2011. The 63-year-old said he was ‘absolutely stunned’ to get his false gnashers back after more
By Kirsty McKenzie
than a decade. Bishop, from Greater Manchester said he ‘fell ill’ after drinking cider during a night out in the Spanish party resort. “It was a drunken day out with the lads,” he said. “I’d had enough lager so I got a pint of cider, but then the oth-
er lads were ready to go so I downed the last of my pint and thought ‘oh no, it’s coming back up’.” He didn’t let the incident
In the soup
Fast women (on the right track)
US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor has been ridiculed for saying Democrat Nancy Pelosi has a ‘gazpacho police’ instead of Gestapo, with Spanish chef Jose Andres joking it was his creation.
SPANISH rail firm Renfe has been inundated with applicants for 30 bullet train driver jobs exclusively for women. Over 28,000 women applied for the role driving trains between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. It is the first time women have been permitted to apply for such roles in Saudi Arabia
and follows a drive in the kingdom to liberalise labour laws. The jobs are part of the Haramain Project, which will see the applicants get a year’s training. Renfe will be running 20 trains a day on the 450km track between the two cities. Only 4% of train drivers in Spain are women.
spoil his holiday. He carried on singing Elvis karaoke and eating, and drinking without any teeth for his final few days in the sun. He was reunited with his teeth when they were found in landfill and Spanish authorities used DNA records to track him to his Stalybridge home. He said he was ‘gobsmacked and intends to put them on display in the Ridge Hill Lane Working Men’s Club where he is general manager. He said: “Someone’s definitely cleaned them up, they’re in perfect condition.
A STARVING stray dog has been reunited with his family seven years after he went missing. A skeletal ‘looking Dico was found scavenging along a stretch of road between the towns of Deifontes and Iznalloz, in Granada. He had the good fortune to be spotted by Pepa Tenorio, a 40-year-old animal lover who always stops for strays and carries a microchip reader in her car. She scooped up the German Shepherd and put him on the back seat of her Renault Clio which is decorated in animal motifs and contains a veritable pet shop of animal treats - before checking to see if he was chipped. She then discovered that he had been registered to an owner for seven years and tracked him down to return the pet. Although the original owner has since died, his son was very happy to take in his father’s beloved pet and the pair were reunited in an emotional scene. The reunion was posted on Pepa’s Instagram and has already attracted 14,000 followers.