Olive Press Costa Blanca South - Issue 45

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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA Vol. 2 Issue 45

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July 29th - August 11th 2021

NO SERIAL KILLER

Police say no link between death of expat prostitute and 3 other murders, after arresting local businessman, 60

LED AWAY: Jose VR was arrested

POLICE have ruled out that a serial killer is behind a spate of four recent murders of women in the Valencia region.

It comes after the Guardia Civil arrested a well known wealthy businessman on suspicion of murdering a 19-year-old prostitute Florina Gogos (pictured right).

Her body was found strangled and dumped in a ditch in Albufera natural park on January 30.

By Elena Goçmen Rueda

Police confirmed they have arrested 60-yearold Jose VR at his home in Carcaixent after being traced through CCTV footage.

The footage showed him picking up the Romanian sex worker in his car at 5.30pm on the day she went missing.

The car was later seen driving off from the same area, near Silla, at top speed about 20 minutes later.

Police were unable to pick up the driving liContinues on Page 4

Global warming and huge increase in temperature is putting 75% of Spain at risk of desertification and the loss of dozens of beaches

Green Specia

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Heatwave hell ● Sea rises of up to 8mm leaves Valencia, Cadiz and Huelva in danger ● Six annual heatwaves a year now just two in 1970s ● Maximum temperature readings 3C higher than 60 years ago

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By Alex Oscar, Cristina Hodgson and Elena Goçmen Rueda

DOZENS of Spain’s most beautiful beaches could vanish due to rising sea levels.

SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea

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Hundreds of thousands of coastal homes could also be in danger within decades, as a result of climate change.

Key cities such as Valencia, Cadiz and Huelva could lose large areas to rising seas, according to the prediction by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Some parts of the coast could see predicted rises as high as 8mm a year.

It comes as it emerged that 19 of the hottest years on record have been this century, claimed the US space agency NASA. The rapid rise of climate change is putting an alarming 75% of the country at the threat of extreme desertification, according to studies.

“Spain is high-risk for climate change impacts,” scientist Francisco Blanco Velazquez told the Olive Press this week.

“The frequency of heat waves has increased significantly

over the last ten years and we need to adapt to this threat because it is a risk for human health,” added the climatologist.

Maximum temperature readings in Malaga are on average 3C higher than they were 60 years ago.

According to meteorologists at the University of Malaga, the maximum heat reached on the hottest days in the 1960s was 42.8C, while last year it was 46C.

Swamped The ongoing study found an average 1.93 heat waves per year in the 1960s and 1970s, while today there is an average of six heatwaves a year.

The rise in heat, which causes an increase in ice melting near the poles, is in turn putting the precious coastlines of Spain at risk.

Since 1900, global sea levels

have risen between 13cm and 20cm; while throughout the previous 2,000 years, sea levels essentially didn’t change.

The rate of the rise is also increasing: between 1900 and 1990 levels rose by around 1.3mm a year. But since 2000, according to the IPCC, the rate has been 3.6mm a year.

By the end of the century some estimates suggest a rise of between 29-59cm.

To see how the rise could affect where you live or own property, website Climatecentral.org has constructed a map detailing which parts of the world could be below sea level over the next few decades.

It indicates that much of the Spanish coastline and especially its bay towns could be devastated by 2100.

However, by 2050 large areas of Cadiz, Huelva and parts of Valencia, which are already struggling with rising sea levels, could be swamped.

2

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Double trouble A Torrevieja thief has been arrested twice in a week after robbing 10 shops and hospitality premises in the city. Five offences were committed in one night and the man, 48, was jailed after a court appearance.

Quick grab FIVE people have been arrested for stealing an Italian tourist’s backpack at Alicante railway station. A group member talked to their victim while a colleague snatched the bag, without him realising at first what had happened.

THE son of a British tycoon who killed a woman in a drink drive incident and stood trial accused of kidnapping a model in Marbella has died.

Westley Capper, who was facing prison over the disappearance of Latvian Agnese Klavina, 30, had a stroke, reportedly brought on by COVID-19.

He died in the early hours of Monday in hospital after being admitted several days earlier, the Olive Press has learnt.

Died A business acquaintance close to the family confirmed he had died after spending ‘a few days at least’ at a hospital understood to be the Quiron in Marbella.

“He had definitely been in hospital for a few days seriously ill having caught COVID,” the businessman, who is close to the Capper family, told the Olive Press.

“We are waiting to see what plans his father and the family

SECRETS TO THE GRAVE! are going to make in terms of a possible wake and funeral but we are not bothering his father now,” said the estate agent, who asked not to be named.

The 44-year-old - who killed a Bolivian mother-of-four while over the limit on drink and drugs - caught the virus near his home in Benahavis, on the Costa del Sol. Capper had been spared jail at trial in 2020 after admitting to the manslaughter of Fatima Dorado in San Pedro, in 2016.

But in an earlier case Capper and his friend Craig Porter, 38, were handed suspended

Angry Croat A Croatian man wanted for smashing in a motorist’s face with a baseball bat during a Zagreb road-rage attack in 2017, has been arrested in an Alicante hotel.

Get claiming GUARDAMAR council is offering grants to small businesses hit by the pandemic, with just over €92,000 ready to be claimed by August 10.

July 29th - August 11th 2021

NIGHT OUT: Capper, left, with Craig Porter

Expat playboy linked to case of missing model Agnese Klavina dies of COVID

By Dilip Kuner

sentences of two years and six months respectively on charges of coercion after being cleared of the kidnapping of Klavina.

The friends were also ordered to pay €10,000 to her family and one third of their legal costs. The charge of kidnapping – for which the British pair faced 12 years in prison – could not be proved, leaving Klavina’s family ‘stunned’.

While the judge agreed that they had conspired to force her into their car following a late night at a Marbella nightclub, the prosecution was unable to prove why she has not been seen since.

This was despite a large, heavy bag being seen taken onto Capper’s father’s boat four days later in Duquesa port, according to statements produced during the trial.

“The family are very disappointed,” Fernando Scornik

VICTIM: Dorado (left) and missing Agnese Gerstein, representing the Klavinas, told the Olive Press at the time.

“They are heartbroken at losing a daughter, sister, and the two people they believe are responsible have got such light sentences.

“Meanwhile the bouncer who clearly helped force Agnese into their car got nothing.”

The Madrid-based lawyer said he strongly disagreed with the judge’s interpretation of the law.

“We will be appealing this verdict to the Supreme Court,” he added.

The case has still not been resolved.

The family lawyer had asked the court for long sentences

and €85,000 in compensation for the pair’s alleged role in the disappearance from Aqwa Mist nightclub in Puerto Banus, in 2014.

Appeal Capper was also set to appeal the coercion conviction, and had been told to lie low at his multi-million euro home in the upmarket Madronal development.

Robert Taylor, the lawyer of privately-educated Capper, who attended private Aloha College in Marbella, told the Olive Press: “He had no intention to take Agnese Klavina against her will and she entered my client’s car of her own volition.”

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

July 29th - August 11th 2021

VIVA LA VIDA!

KICKING BACK HE’S got every right to lie back and take it easy.

Having won the Golden Boot at the Euro 2020s championships, Cristiano Ronaldo deserved a long and luxurious break.

And the Portuguese star certainly looks to be having it swanning around on boats in the north eastern corner of Mallorca.

He and girlfriend Georgina Rodriquez, from Murcia, have been renting the magnificent Castell de Manresa estate, near Pollensa.

The pair were seen out and about with their four children, while the Juventus star also posted images of his holiday on Instagram.

The Castell de Manresa was a citadel built in 1715, which has now been converted into a luxury holiday home where prices start at €50,000 a week.

It comes with a fully staffed kitchen and personal spa. It also has its own helipad, tennis court and, of course, private beach. Conveniently he also has his €6m yacht the Azimut Grande 27 on hand nearby.

Piano man zooms in

H

E has supported a host of famous acts, including George Benson, Simply Red and Michael Bolton.

But now Paul Maxwel has an amazing show of his own to demonstrate why he has the nickname ‘The Piano Man’.

Tinkling the ivory since he was nine years old, the Marbella-based expat has a huge, fitting concert at the recently-opened Marbella Arena next month.

Showcasing his exciting new project The Elton John Experience, he will be playing alongside the Malaga Symphony Orchestra.

Belting out the famous hits of Elton and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, it is expected to be a sellout show, which he then takes on a world tour.

Born in England, Paul moved to the Costa del Sol with his showbusiness parents at an early age and began playing the piano at nine years old.

Music is his life and he has had many successes including his song I’m So High, becoming the official composition of the 2008 European Championships, which Spain won.

COLDPLAY frontman Chris Martin, 44, and his 31-yearold actress girlfriend Dakota Johnson have been living la vida in Mallorca.

The long-time couple have been spotted enjoying themselves on a romantic break in Palma, as the Balearics welcome back more than their fair share of A-list stars this summer.

Paradise gained

A PAIR of British brothers who have made fortunes investing in property and aluminium have turned their sights on Spain.

But this time, David and Simon Reuben claim to be sinking their cash into protecting the environment rather than turn-

ing a fast buck.

The brothers, 82 and 79, who have an estimated wealth of €25.1bn, now own 1,360 hectares in Mallorca, including a staggering 18km of virgin coastline.

Their spending spree has been quietly taking place over the

Billionaire brothers buy swathes of Mallorca to protect coastal paradise past 18 months with the purchase of six separate properties in the north, east and west of the island.

Green Specia

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The show takes place at the Marbella Arena on August 21. For more information visit www.corteingles.es or 0034 633647260

WIN, WIN, WIN

In vogue

Email your answer to newsdesk@theolivepress.es with the subject catchline ‘Piano man competition’.

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Although the Balearic property portfolio includes several villas, a restaurant and a yacht club, the vast majority of land cannot be built on.

Comprising sandy beaches, rocky coves and even an inland lake as well as virgin forests, almost all is classified as rural and non-developable.

The brothers meanwhile, have also bought 180 hectares of land including 7.3km of coastline in Ibiza, just south of the famous party resort of San Antonio.

According to a Mallorca architect, who knows the brothers, none of it is intended to be transformed into lucrative tourist developments.

Wary

SAVED?: Mesquida headland and (inset) the Reuben brothers

of tickets offering two pairs The Olive Press is g show, plus a backstage to this breathtakinand the band. meeting with Paulswer the following question: To win, please an Elton John Top 40 hits has How many UK had?

3

SHE’S the world’s highest paid model. And Kendall Jenner looked fittingly sensational as she revealed the cover of her latest shoot with Vogue Spain. The brunette beauty, 25, who is being lauded for her campaigning for mental health, showcased her long limbs in a gorgeous sheer floral dress, paired with high-waisted trousers.

AN influencer has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a guest at the five-star hotel in Huelva for the whole summer.

Lorena Garam, who has 41,700 followers on social media, is to be paid €2,000 a month to share the highlights of her stay.

The hotel attracted more than 500 applicants, in a competition to find an influencer for the job.

EASY MONEY

“At first I thought they were strategic investments to make land swap deals with town halls interested in preserving natural spaces but I have been changing my mind,” he told El Mundo.

“Instead they are aware that space will increasingly be a greater luxury, and ultimately they are buying luxury in a paradise,” he said.

The duo own more than 100 properties across London and the UK and recently acquired Manhattan’s 189-room hotel The Surrey for a reported $151 million.

The brothers are descended from Iraqi Jews and were born in Mumbai before moving to London and making their fortunes in scrap metal, later dominating the aluminium trade in Russia.

4 www.theolivepress.es NEWS Killer NO NOOKIE THIS WEEKEND From front page

cence of the car as it was raining so heavily on the day.

The businessman, who was taken to the police station wearing shorts and a yellow polo shirt, is the owner of a chemical company in Carcaixent, who owns at least two homes in the region.

He had no criminal record, although he had been a frequent client of Gogos and other prostitutes in the Albal area for some time.

Police insist he is not being investigated in connection with any of the other three recent murders.

Dumped

In each case, the women were also found strangled and dumped on wasteland, fueling fears that a serial killer was on the loose.

The body of 43-year-old Olga Pardo was discovered on April 6 in a canal outside Massarrojos, while Johana Andrea A.G was discovered dumped near a countryside path outside Burriana on April 22.

Meanwhile, Alicia Valera, a 45-year-old civil servant, was found dead in a shallow water channel 200 metres from her home in La Hoya, in November.

“We have ruled out the possibility that a serial killer is operating in the Valencian Community,” a police statement said.

“We have confirmed that there is no relationship between the cases,” it continued.

COUPLES who don’t live together better get planning as one of them must be on the road before 2am from this weekend.

A new rule has come in to ban people from ‘hooking up’ overnight in a new ‘soft’ COVID-19 curfew in the Murcia region.

The measures are aimed at stopping illegal parties and social gatherings at ‘untimely’ hours. Any form of meeting involving non-cohabiting people will be prohibited between 2am and 6am.

Night together That means spending a night together between people not living under the same roof will be prohibited.

“These untimely hours are the main source of COVID infection among young people,” said a spokesman.

Despite no statistical evidence to back it up, he said there had been a ‘worrying’ 30% rise in COVID-19 cases in a seven-day period.

The figure was dominated by unvaccinated residents in the 15 to 29 age group, who accounted for 51% of new infections.

SOME €30 million will be spent on major changes to the CV-95 between Orihuela City and San Miguel de Salinas.

It’s a key route used by residents and tourists travelling between the

July 29th - August 11th 2021

BENIDORM is to host a brand-new festival to pick Spain’s entry for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Spain’s national TV network, RTVE, signed an agreement for the ‘annual meeting point for the promotion of Spanish music’.

It is hoped the 2022 event will become the start of a long Eurovision association with the city.

Criticised

The agreement signed with Valencian president, Ximo Puig, and Benidorm mayor, Toni Perez, comes after RTVE was strongly criticised for not treating Eurovision seriously.

“Benidorm is the best place to launch voices, songs and music,” said Perez yesterday.

Spain has had a poor recent record in the Eurovision Song Contest, only surpassed by hapless entries from the UK. The country has finished in the bottom six in the last six years and got no public votes for this year’s song performed by Blas Canto.

It last won the competition as part of a four-way tie in Madrid back in 1969.

The competition will be similar to that of Italy’s San Remo fes-

Better late than never coast and inland Vega Baja. The Valencian government abandoned improvement plans in 2007 due to the recession and an absence of environ-

mental impact reports.

The project has now finally reappeared after a feasibility study was carried out. A stretch of 14 kilometres between Bigastro

Singing for Spain Benidorm to host new festival to pick next year’s Eurovision entry

By Alex Trelinski

tival that produced this year’s rock band winners, Maneskin.

The Benidorm event will con-

and San Miguel will now become a dual carriageway.

New safe overtaking zones, a cycle-pedestrian lane, and more roundabouts will also appear.

sist of two semi-finals and a grand final held on successive days, with the winner attending the final in Italy.

The shows will ‘probably’ take place in January which has been the traditional month that Spain chooses its entry.

No details have been given about a possible venue.

“Eurovision is one of the most important events in the European Union and we get the biggest audience of the year that connects with young people,” said Martinez de Blasco, of RTVE.

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GREEN LIGHT FULLY-VACCINATED travellers from the EU will be able to avoid quarantining when they arrive in England, the UK government has announced.

EU citizens will need to show the COVID-19 Digital certificate proving their vaccination status to be exempt from isolation upon their arrival.

The announcement came after a COVID Operations meeting, attended by senior government ministers.

Welcomed

Grant Shapps announced the news which will be welcomed by those in Spain who are longing to be reunited with friends and family.

Travellers to the UK will still need a negative PCR test before they fly and another the day after their arrival.

US citizens with a vaccine card proving their full vaccination will also be exempt.

The quarantine exemption only applies to those returning from amber list countries, of which Spain is one, and puts those who have had approved vaccines abroad in the same category as those vaccinated on the NHS.

NEWS

Port revamp moved forward PLANS to build a giant €30 million leisure area in Torrevieja’s port have been submitted to the Valencian Government.

The proposal is now open to public scrutiny and comments until late August.

The project involves an 80,000 square metre area which will be built around fishing boats and maintain the popular funfair.

Bars, cafes, and restaurants are proposed for the site, in addition to a cinema and

bowling alley, plus an underground car park.

The developer has to get a building concession from Valencian authorities as Torrevieja’s port is classified as a ‘public domain’ area.

Licence to ill A BRITISH expat has been told he has to retake his driving test in Spain after the authorities claimed he never registered in the system prior to the cut-off date.

This is despite Jeff Lewis insisting he called the special number 060 and registered his intent to change his licence on December 11.

But after hearing nothing from the Trafico department the Londoner sought advice from his Gestoria, which said it was ‘unable to help people’ change their licences after December 18.

He has since been to his local DGT (Department General de Trafico) office multiple times to try and prove he did indeed register, only to be told he ‘isn’t on the system’.

“I drive a 2L motorbike so it’s not a simple exchange for me,” Lewis told the Olive Press.

“To gain a licence for my motorbike I have to do both a car driving test and a motorbike test.

Brit must take driving test to get a licence despite registering before Brexit.. And he’s not alone EXCLUSIVE

By Katherine Brook

“And even then I still won’t be able to use it as the licence only allows you to drive a scooter. I would have to wait another two years before I could take a third test just to be able to drive as I have been in Spain for the last 20 years.”

The 50-year-old believes he is one of ‘thousands’ of expats struggling to obtain Spanish driving licences due to ‘faults in the system’.

British residents actually had until December 30 to register in order to carry out the simple driving licence exchange before the Brexit deadline.

For those who had registered before this date and are still awaiting their appointment, they now have until October 31

GUTTED: Jeff Lewis to exchange their British licence for a Spanish one.

Lewis isn’t the only one who’s had difficulties proving he registered on the system.

Chrissy Sims insisted her husband registered his driving licence in November and still has the call log - 24 minutes.

Similarly, Ben Alford was also told there was ‘no record’ of him, even though he had a printed confirmation PDF. Have you had similar issues? Contact newsdesk@ theolivepress.es

July 29th - August 11th 2021 THE problem of toxic wastewater being flushed into a river in a popular expat area during heavy rain is to be tackled.

Villamartin is to get a new rain collector as part of a €681,000 sewage renovation scheme. Problems with the current collector that

5

TOXIC SOLUTION

runs along Cañada de las Estacas ravine were revealed during the DANA storms in 2019 with flood water discharging into the river.

We are trying to contact Wendy Irena Ann Batt, nee Lavender, last known to be living in Alicante.

Please would you urgently contact our offices on

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

GREEN SPECIAL

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERING IT seems like every day there is a new headline reminding us of the very real effect of climate change on our environment.

Just this week we have seen record temperatures in Aragon, fires raging in Catalunya and drought warnings in Andalucia.

Another week and there might be flash floods, coastal erosion, warnings of overfishing. We are very aware that Spain is particularly vulnerable to the dangers of climate change but are we really doing enough to tackle it?

Volunteers may give up a day here and there to pick up litter on a local beach or wildlife spot.

And we all do the best we can to recycle don’t we?

COVID may have curtailed our air travel and therefore reduced our carbon footprints over the last year, but let’s face it, we still rely too much on gas-guzzling cars, on air conditioning in summer and central heating in winter.

We still want our favourite vegetables available on supermarket shelves even when they are not in season.

We still eat too much meat.

Even environmentalists aren’t united on the way forward as our recent reports on the protests against mass solar parks illustrate.

But it’s time we woke up to the disaster ahead and pushed our governments to take it more seriously. Why has no-one been held accountable for an ecological disaster as huge as the one we have witnessed in the Mar Menor (see right)?

Are the energy companies going to be allowed to continue to make big profits, and big polluters to get off scot free while the rest of us sort through our plastics and carry home our shopping in hemp bags in the belief that we are doing our bit?

Heatwaves, droughts As desertification threatens 75% of Spain and sea level rises spell doom for tourism, Shannon Chaffers takes a look at how the country is handling climate change

A

RECENT heatwave that swept across Canada and the United States set record temperatures, while flooding in central Europe claimed at least 100 lives. Both due to global warming.

And while Spain swelters in yet another scorching hot July, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable as global temperatures rise.

A 2018 report identified that 75% of Spain’s land mass is now at risk of desertification, making it one of the most atrisk nations in the world.

Desertification means more than just the expansion of deserts, although that is one very real result, particularly if temperatures rise to more than 2ºC

above pre-industrial levels… climate scientist Francisco Blanand the Mediterranean has al- co Velazquez. ready seen an average rise of He told the Olive Press that pro1.5ºC since the end of the 19th longed periods of extreme heat Century. officially described as heatwaves Extreme heat - will only become leads to the demore frequent as terioration of soil the region warms.

For every to the extent that “The frequency of it can no longer heat waves has degree of sustain former increased signifiwarming there cantly over the plant life. It becomes less and last ten years and will be a 4% less productive. it will not change.

The problem is drop in rainfall Spain knows that often worsened we need to adapt by over-cultivato this threat betion, deforestacause it is a risk for tion, and urbanization, all con- human health,” added Velazquez tributing factors placing Spain who works at Evenor-Tech, a even more in the danger zone. company that researches the im“Spain is one of the countries pact climate change has on soil. classified as high-risk for cli- Unfortunately, adverse impacts mate change impacts,” insists don’t stop there. With rising tem-

Small sea, GIANT PROBLEM

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Vaccine fury

it went on page

ress.es

July 15th - July

Female expat makes moving tribute to her famous bullrunning dad

28th 2021

DISASTER: Tens of thousands of dead fish, our report last issue (above) Jo Scott

6

DOOMED T O CLOSE

OVER 40,000 signed a petition people have cinated British to allow vacthe UK without Expats to visit It comes after quarantining. pats expresse dozens of exrule that maded outrage at a them exempt and needing their return to quarantine on to see family friends back home. or The digital claimed the petition, which rule prejudic up to six million ed Britons living abroad, caused a rapid response from the ernment, defendin UK govg its ‘pragmatic approach RECENT A spokesman ’. said: “Public Blanca LY-reopened Costa already health has always hotels will have put been our close again to off making many families number one if UK a plunge for their will not risk priority and we do not pick up next bookings summer holidays month. in Spain our hard-won throwing away The regional hoteliers this year. achievements.” asso- But there ciation, Hosbec For the petition are insists that it ered in Parliame to be consid- is very difficult sands who are tens of thoureach 100,000 nt it needs to itable without to stay prof- to travel for still planning signatures. their annual masses of Britishthe normal break in the sun. tourists.

The British “If British tourists Letters special government’s do not confusing arrive in August, on page 10 and frequent hotels are ly-changing messages have- doomed to closure,” ed Hosbec presiden insistt, Toni bike rentAL • e-scoo

Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es

OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

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I’m running things now

Your

expat

voice in Spain

VALE NCIA / COST A AZAH FREE Vol. 1 Issue AR

Rollercoaster ride getting married onfor our man Euro final Find the Rock during out how

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

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OLIVE PRESS

peratures come reduced rainfall and drought.

The MedECC group (Mediterrranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change) estimates that with each degree of warming there will be a 4% decrease in rainfall. And this will bring an increasingly arid climate with more droughts and fires, phenomena that Spain is already seeing.

There is also the threat of rising sea levels, as increasing temperatures have caused faster melting of glaciers and ice caps, resulting in the sea level rising globally at a rate of about 3mm per year over the last two decades.

While it is uncertain exactly how much the Med will be affected, experts have made clear that Spain’s coastal regions are par-

See page 14

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

l

The

6

Green Specia

ters BIKE TOURS • repair S

By Alex Trelinsk

Costa Blanca for the retur hotels are left praying n of UK touri Germans and sts French stayi - with ng home

EU COVID certifica te would bring in EU Mayor. tourists as France and Mayor regards Germany are most the last the UK as al- not recommending Spanthe summer hope in saving ish travel, which just leaves season with already gloomy an us with the British market,” visitors from outlook over said Mayor.

France and Many hotels only Germany. reopened in late June “Rising COVID or early this month cases in have anticipa reduced the hope that the laxed UK travel tion of rerules as they are heavily depende nt on the i

British market.

From July 19, ‘fully-va cinated’ ctourists from England going ber-listed countryto an amlike Spain will no longer have to go into self-quarantine on their return.

However all British tourists, minus children under the age of four, will still need two negative They have to COVID tests. fore you get be booked beand can coston your flight up to £100 (€117) each.

Holidaymakers will also have to get a gen test prior negative antito flying home.

Pollution probe

No bar

CALLE ABASTOS 5 46011 VALENCIA

I

T’S an area that was long known for its beauty with its breathtaking geography and varied flora and fauna.

But today the Mar Menor, in Murcia, makes headlines for the horrific pollution that has ravaged the lagoon killing tens of thousands of fish as people in power stood by and appeared to do little or nothing about it.

Take a trip to the southern shore, an area once teeming with tourists drawn to the golden sands and clear blue water of Punta Brava beach, in Los Urrutias.

Today the coastal stretch is awash with dirty mush, covered in algae and emitting a putrid ‘rotten-egg’ stench. The water is distinctly murky and, not surprisingly, there’s barely a bather in sight.

Cleaning teams from Cartagena City Council come and go, but are faced with a thankless task as any work is quickly undone with a fresh wave of algae sweeping in. Los Urrutias is one of the worst pollution blackspots because of its close proximity to a creek dumping gallons of nitrate-laden irrigation water into the lagoon.

So bad was the situation that in 2016 phytoplankton, also known as microalgae, came under attack, due to the high levels of nitrate in the water.

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A GOLF course judge investiga is among a blacklist of polluters given into the Mar ting the dumping of imprope to a rly-treated water Judge Angel Menor.

Garrote has ordered nesses to testify, 42 agriculture-based as well as the busibosses

The surface ended up turning dark green stopping sunlight reaching lagoon vegetation and leading to the loss of 80% of its seagrass, according to the Institute of Oceanography.

Within a year, all of the Mar Menor’s beaches were stripped of their ‘Blue Flag’ status.

Just when it didn’t seem things could get worse, in September 2019, exceptional flooding saw excess water pumped in the lagoon, which in turn led to tens of thousands of oxygen-starved fish washing up dead onto beaches such as Villanantitos at San Pedro del Pinatar.

The images flashed around the world as over three tons of fish and crustaceans were collected from the beaches. Tests confirmed they had died of anoxia (lack of oxygen) and, worse, there were countless thousands more dead on the bottom of the lagoon.

It caused a national outrage and, as covered in the Olive Press, some 55,000 people marched on the regional parliament (see right) in Cartagena to call for urgent action.

“The floods were the last straw,” recalls La Manga resident, Graham Bradley. “There was anger that nothing had been done for years about preserving such a beautiful area. It is incomprehensible how this has been allowed to happen,” he added.

Continues on

Page 4

Germany last fied the whole week classiof Spain as ‘high risk’ for COVID-19, but there is currentl y no outright bar on German visitors coming to Spain an EU COVID if they have certificate.

The same applies to French tourists, who are the second-highest eign visitorsnumber of forafter the UK. traditionally However a French Junior Minister suggeste d that both Spain and Portugal were not ‘safe destinat tion denied byions’, a suggesism Minister Spain’s Tour, Reyes Maroto.

And it certainly is not a recent problem. Environmental campaigners have spent the last four decades slamming the huge number of farms in the area that allowed their wastewater to enter the inland lagoon.

Warnings were first sounded when the dangers of intensive farming, urban development and mining were seen to pose a serious threat to the area’s ecosystem.

“I remember a scientist saying in 1980 that if farming developed close to the lagoon, then remnants of fertilisers and other nutrients

July 29th - August 11th 2021

www.theolivepress.es

and floods

7

Live on

ticularly at risk for erosion and flooding.

This poses not just a threat to those who live in coastal and floodplain areas but will have a massive impact on Spain’s

tourism industry, which currently drives 12 to 15% of Spain’s economy and much more in key regions like the Balearics, Valencia and Andalucia.

Flood risk is also predicted to increase throughout

the country, as extreme rainfall events become more common in a warmer world.

But increased rainfall doesn’t mean an end to water shortages, quite the opposite: Torrential rain and subsequent flooding threatens water stores, destroys drainage and water supply systems and compounds the risk of drought.

These same factors also threaten Spain’s food supply. Heat waves, droughts, and heavy rainfall all have a detrimental effect on crops, while the ex-

pected rise of invasive species also poses a threat.

This food scarcity issue could be compounded by the effects of rising temperatures on Spain’s marine ecosystem.

Already, overfishing is a major problem in Spain. With warmer ocean and freshwater temperatures, combined with ocean acidification due to higher levels of CO2, once abundant species of fish will become more scarce.

But amid this doom and gloom, Velazquez believes Spain has the right tools to adapt to climate change.

“I think that the strategy to adapt to climate change is [on the right path]. Several initiatives are on the table and they will be adapted if it is required,” he explains.

Indeed, Spain recently passed its first law aimed at combating climate change, putting the country on track to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with EU goals.

Velazquez believes this plan sets Spain on the right track.

“The current carbon neutral plan is ambitious but if it is correctly implemented, and other countries do it too, the final results will set us on the right path,” he said.

But for some Spanish environmental activists, the plan falls far short of what is needed.

The Spanish government was recently hit with a Supreme Court petition by activists insisting it lacked ambition and had no chance of preventing global temperatures from rising 1.5ºC by 2030.

T

HE Olive Press has been batting for Spain live on Sky twice over the last week.

Editor Jon Clarke pleaded with the UK government not to put the country on the amber-plus list despite rising COVID-19 figures.

He told Sky News breakfast show that, despite a sharp rise in infections, the key statistic was far lower hospital numbers.

Alongside the Greek Tourist Minister, he also pointed out how well Spain had done to get 55% of the country vaccinated - overtaking France and even the UK. It means that it is largely youngsters catching COVID in Spain now and they mostly ‘swat it away easily’.

The Olive Press team are regularly appearing on UK news channels, also including the BBC and ITV, giving their detailed local analysis on key issues around Spain.

We have also helped on a trio of investigative documentaries, including one for Swedish national TV and another for Australia’s CBS, over the last month.

We are the most trusted English media outlet in Spain, which is reflected in rising online numbers of well over 20,000 visitors a day.

Thousands of regulars have now signed up to our paywall, which provides over 20 stories a day about the country.

Bison

Spain’s Mar Menor is Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, and now the site of one of the continent’s greatest ecological disasters, writes Alex Trelinski would end up in the water and would annihilate the flora and fauna,” recalls one campaigner Isabel Rubio.

There were other issues too. Like much of coastal Spain, the 1970s saw tourists flood in from abroad leading to a construction boom with buildings constructed all along the shore, particularly in the mid-1980s.

Then followed dredging work to allow access for bigger boats that further damaged the delicate ecosystem.

But the biggest environmental threat came from the large number of unlicensed desalination plants that were introduced by farmers for irrigation around the

Campo de Cartagena.

A law change in 1979 meant irrigated zones increased by over ten times, while an alarming quarter of the region became ‘watered’ illegally without licences.

It was good news, of course, for northern Europe, as internationally-exported crops saw their reliance on rain reduced.

Fruit and vegetables ended up on UK supermarket shelves with customers oblivious to the environmental price paid to get them there.

It was a similar situation in the Campo de Dalias in Almeria, where the aquifers were drained so fast by intensive agriculture, mostly under plastic, that the spread of desertification rapidly sped up.

However, while these green gold crops brought a Continues on page 8

The fight against climate change extends beyond action at a national level, however, and Spaniards are walking up to the need to become more environmentally friendly at home.

Aside from recycling far more, in Andalucia, farmers are being handed subsidies to switch to more sustainable methods of farming in a bid to fend off desertification.

Elsewhere, both Malaga and Madrid have released plans to create a green belt around their cities (see green page 9), while other initiatives include the reintroduction of bison, long extinct within Spain, for the effective way they graze on undergrowth and help to prevent forest fires.

The jury is still out whether these efforts will be enough to mitigate the impending consequences of climate change, but Velazquez believes that with continued action on the issue, we have a chance.

“Climate change impacts are inevitable,” he concludes. “The increase of droughts, heat waves, and wildfires will affect us, but we can reduce their impacts if we work on it now. If we delay any longer, maybe it will be too late.”

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: luggage rules over flight switches are 1- Ryanair ruled unfair by the Supreme Court in Spain knitters create beautiful crochet screen 2- Local to keep sun off the streets in town inland from Spain’s Costa del Sol known towns worth a visit on 3- Five lesser Spain’s Costa del Sol this summer expat returns to Spain to find squatter 4- Irish living in her home and demanding money to move out Spain’s Balearic Islands will cover cost to repa5are-triate Covid-19 positive tourists whose holidays prolonged with mandatory 10-day quarantine

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GREEN

www.theolivepress.es

MADRID has unveiled plans to create a ‘green belt’ of forest around Spain’s capital in a bid to combat climate change and reduce pollution.

The project involves trans-

Madrid plans ‘urban forest’ to reduce pollution and combat climate change forming disused areas between roads and buildings by planting more than half

GreenMatters

By Martin Tye

T

HE song Too Much, Too Little, Too Late by Johnny Mathis was a massive hit back in 1978, but the words could be seen as prophetic when put into a modern contect.

Try applying those words to our environment which is clearly under attack.

Earlier this month the European Union announced many climate change proposals , with the target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

That is 31 years away!

Right now we are witnessing events all around the world that more than prove the time for action is now: • Hailstones the size of golf balls in the UK in July • Flash floods across the world • Widespread forest fires • Temperatures rising • Sea levels rising How can this be kicked down the road by the politicians who talk the talk but never walk the walk?

The EU’s draft proposals have to be ratified by the bloc’s

July 29th - August 11th 2021

GREEN BELT ELT

TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE!

Too much – climate change and pollution Too little – action Too late – is it?

Green Specia

a million trees to create a 75km long urban forest.

The trees will be chosen from varieties indigenous to Spain that require very little watering and can withstand heat.

Once developed the Bosque Metropolitano, as it’s being termed, will help improve city air by absorbing 175,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

“We want to improve the air quality in the whole city,” said Environment

By Fiona Govan

Councillor Mariano Fuentes. “To fight the 'heat island' effect inside the city, to absorb greenhouse emissions and to connect all the existing forest areas around the city.”

The urban forest is just one phase in a city-wide plan to fight climate change that includes more pedestrian zones, bicycle lanes and restrict-

From Page 7

27 member states and the EU parliament (herding cats comes to mind).

Plans include taxing jet fuel and effectively banning the sale of petrol and diesel engines within 20 years. The measures will increase household utility bills and increase the cost of flying within the EU. Surprise surprise – the plans triggered serious infighting at the European Commission.

EC President Ursula von der Leyen said: “By acting now we can do things another way, and choose a better, healthier and more prosperous way for the future.”

Yada yada yada or in Spanish ‘bla bla bla’ Greepeace European boss Jorgo Riss, who said: “Celebrating these policies is like a high jumper claiming a medal for running under the bar.”

I agree…………DO YOU?

Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es

SOLAR PV PANELS

big influx of cash to local landowners, they spelled further bad news for the Mar Menor - or Small Sea - lagoon.

Once wells and rainwater supplies dried out, the farmers began to use desalinated water which ended up mixing with fertilisers as well as residues from old opencast mines.

It was a chemical time bomb, which the politicians and water authorities appeared to be largely unconcerned about because farmers were in the money.

It has since emerged that huge numbers of these desalination plants were illegal and they were quite simply not properly monitored.

Unfortunately, the economic consequences stretch far beyond agriculture in a region where tourism now plays a vital role in the economy.

Tourist disaster

“It’s simple. This region depends on tourism and tourism depends on the lagoon, “ local expat Jo Scott told the Olive Press.

The councillor, who represents the PSOE party at Los Alcazares council, continued: “We are working on new ways to remove silt residues from our beaches because once you go into the water for a swim, it is crystal clear.”

Scott, who has lived in the area for 16 years, blames the regional Murcia government run by the Partido Popular since 1995. “The government has paid little attention to the Mar Menor for decades,” she declared.

Her town hall is now fighting to get a unique legal status for the area, giving it extra protection.

ing private car use.

Deputy mayor Begoña Villacis described it as ‘the largest green infrastructure to be created in Europe in the next decade’.

The cost of planting the estimated 600 hectares is expected to reach €75 million and take ten years.

Madrid already boasts more trees per capita than any other European city and has great stretches of woodland on its outskirts with El Pardo and the Casa de Campo as well as the Retiro park at its centre.

Snout to laugh about THE climate impact of wild boars is nothing to snort about.

The mischievous animals are to blame for 4.8 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide every year - equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 1.1 million cars, a new report from Australia has discovered.

In their never ending search for food, the wild boars dig endlessly, exposing microbes in the soil to oxygen, which reproduce at a rapid rate, producing carbon emissions in the form of CO2. Scientists have always known the boars were a problem but only recently have they realised the extent of it.

No menor scandal

SCANDAL: Mar Menor fish lie dead in their thousands Four months ago, the Ministry for Ecological Transition in Madrid finally produced an ‘action plan’ aimed at improving the state of the lagoon.

Measures include a clamp down on any illegal behaviour that causes pollution to the area with the promise of ‘severe’ penalties.

As for bringing the polluters to justice, it is a long-haul job. While a fortnight ago the Olive Press reported on our cover that 42 farmers and a golf course have been ordered to testify in a court hearing in Murcia, it is not expected to see any conviction this year.

Furthermore, many abusers are likely to escape justice with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) claiming that ‘over 1,000 desalination plants were putting poisonous nitrates into the Mar Menor’.

Worse, the WWF report, alongside local group ANSE, claimed that politicians ‘ac-

tively permitted desalination’ in protected areas.

Prosecutors have now also threatened legal action against Murcia’s Environment Ministry if it fails to investigate a further ten companies accused of polluting the lagoon.

The European Parliament also launched a probe last year into what four Murcia presidents, all from the Partido Popular, did to prevent pollution.

Meanwhile the United Nations this year began hearing complaints from environmental groups that Spain had breached international rules over the lagoon.

So far, not one single politician or administrator has been brought to account for the disgraceful situation.

But what is certain is that the whole sad tale is even murkier than the colour of the waters at Los Urrutias beach.

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23/7/21 11:59

LETTERS

10

My 90 day woes Dear Olive Press, 17 As a homeowner in Spain for it years and recently retired I findday all very confusing around the 90resistay rule and registration as a go as dent, wishing to just come and mess planned before Brexit. What a plans that has caused and makes my will much harder. Do you think theynear sort out an easy solution in the t the future or is becoming a residen only solution?

Keith Day, UK plicatED: Hi Keith, Yes it’s com ation situ xit Bre the il unt and ed er, settles down and we get a calmeen betw ship tion rela xed more rela lly you Spain and the UK technica dency are going to have to get resi or abide by the 90 day rule…

BOTELLON VANDALS Vandals and litter turning paradise into a dump, with residents having to pay

FOR the last couple of weeks, gangs of youths have been roaming the streets around the La Fossa Beach area of Calpe, throughout the night.

Each morning, the footpath from the harbour is littered with bottles and rubbish from their activities in the night. This morning however, the path was covered with broken glass. Vandals had smashed a large number of the street lights that lit the path.

I felt that this is something that should be reported and questions should be asked as to why the Local Police are seemingly not interested in stopping their activities.

Ultimately it is us residents who will have to pick up the bill which is unforgivable.

Y

T I C I A PA R

AUGUST HOROSCOPES by Leticia Parmer

M

A cluster of outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn Neptune and Pluto – are already retrograde and now the other outer planet Uranus also turns retrograde, easing recent contradictions between tradition and innovation. Thus, for the month of August, life should run more smoothly with fewer strugglesr surprises.

ER ARIES

Patience is a virtue but not normally one of your strong points. However, this August you would do well to slow down and pay more attention to detail and focus on precision. So change your mantra from ‘got it done’ to ‘getting it right’.

TAURUS

At times you can be quietly dignified and reserved but this August you will be far from shy, in fact you might elbow your way right onto centre stage. So it is the spotlight for you, whether as a performer or merely as the kids’ cheerleader.

LEO Money is hot in your hands this August, it may pour in fast but can pour out just as quickly.

Like a river, money flows through you and on, to the next deserving soul but do resist the urge to be overly extravagant this month.

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

CANCER

CAPRICORN

LIBRA

AQUARIUS

You can be a bit of a wil-o-the-wisp, as you weave and dodge through life, always fun yet wriggling to obtain freedom. But this August you are more settled, quite homely in fact. Why not re-design your nest or perfect that new recipe.

Buzzing with ideas this August, you cannot wait to share them. You will be talkative and very visible on social media. Communications are key for you now. You are so quick witted and persuasive you could sell ice to the eskimos!

Dreams may be more vivid than usual. This is because Mars is firing up your imagination this month. Just what you need to provoke you into getting on with that writing or art project you have been procrastinating about.

SCORPIO

The whole social scene will stimulate and energise you this August. You may surprise yourself as you cast aside your usual reticence. Now you don’t need to stay protective, private or hidden, you want to reach out and share.

AN airline has called on the UK Government to bring an end to unnecessary and expensive testing for flying abroad, in line with much of Europe.

Two-thirds of British adults are now fully vaccinated, but still face prohibitive PCR test costs in order to travel with a family of four paying up to £400 for COVID tests – even to Green list countries.

Being able to travel was a key driver (47%) for many to get the vaccine.

Nearly nine-in-10 (88%) Brits believes the UK Government travel policy advice over the past 18 months has been confusing according to new research.

It is a disgrace and no surprise that easyJet insisted that UK holidaymakers could be priced out of their first holiday abroad for the first time in two years if test costs and rules remain.

David Anderson, Newcastle

Jim Gracey, Belfast

ED: Hi Jim, I don’t think it is a problem.

You might need a PCR test. A Scottish journalist we know came in via Dublin, no problem. He might have just been lucky... but as far as I know, there is no bar to entering Spain from the UK anyway.

Please check first though about the test.

7 Laconic (8) 8 Garnish (4) 9 Finish it once and for all (3,2,4,4) 10 "Deep ---" (1998 Morgan Freeman film) (6) 12 More secure (5) 14 Humble dwelling (3) 15 Big name in harvesters (5) 16 Be that as it may ...

(6) 17 Bedfordshire/Essex neighbour (13) 20 Principal (4) 21 Nude song about old lockups (8)

Curiosity and maybe a little suspicion, push you to investigate. Whatever you focus on it will be with intensity and depth, stimulated to dig down beneath the first answer. Whatever you discover, resist the temptation to cut and run.

Down

PISCES

Partnership stimulates you now. You would rather be in a two-some than flying solo because teamwork feels energising and inspiring. You are diplomatic, charming and peaceful, but will react fiercely to a perceived injustice.

For a private appointment with Leticia for an in depth reading of your own Astrological Chart email: leticiaparmer@yahoo.com. Also check out Leticia's insightful book WHY ON EARTH which is available from Amazon

AS a regular reader (now online), can you help me answer a question I’ve been asking without a definitive reply, including from the consuls in Dublin and Edinburgh.

As a UK passport holder, resident in Northern Ireland, am I permitted to enter Spain via Dublin?

Northern Ireland has a peculiar status under Brexit, still being subject to some EU laws, in particular exports, imports and travel.

I am a property owner in Torreblanca (and Sports Editor of the Belfast Telegraph, for my sins).

Across

Travel beckons and you feel fired up by thoughts of adventures away from home turf. You’ll enjoy learning from other cultures and traditions and may be inspired to share your own expertise by teaching or coaching others.

With Mars, the planet of energy and vitality, in your own sign for the whole of August you will be a force to reckon with.

Others would be wise to take a back seat and let you shine in the helpful role of organiser and planner.

Help the Irish

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

It is time to start taking stronger career steps and putting energy into establishing yourself so others will take you more seriously.

A father figure or wise male elder will have a strong and positive, mentoring influence on you now.

VIRGO

DISRACE: Litter bugs

Airline plea to UK

OP SUDOKU

E S TA R S B

LE

IN

Stuart Eynstone-Hinkins, Calpe

TH

July 29th - August 11th 2021

1 One of Eve's three (4) 2 Contest at the bar? (8) 3 Safe (3,2,3,5) 4 Seeing daunting nerds in error (13) 5 Defect (4) 6 South Africa's administrative capital (8) 11 Of the Middle Ages (8) 13 Steam or internal combustion engine component (8) 18 Look after (4) 19 Offensively malodorous (4)

All solutions are on page 22

LA CULTURA HOLY MOLY

I

T is Spain’s east coast conurbation. The country’s third biggest city with an important port, occasional grand prix and half decent football team. But for decades, Valencia has been too often overlooked by tourists, who flock to the famous cities of Madrid and Barcelona, or the historic gems further south, like Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla.

Today however, Valencia has truly come into its own. It is now one of the country’s fastest-growing cities… and for all the right reasons.

Aside from its stunning City of Arts and Sciences that has truly put Valencia on the global architectural map, it has worked

July 29th - August 11th 2021 Architectural masterpieces, history aplenty and even the Holy Grail. Jon Clarke and Shannon Chaffers take a poke around Valencia

hard to make its gem of a city centre pedestrian-friendly and scooped some key environmental awards along the way.

It is not for nothing that thousands of new expats have been relocating from other parts of Spain to make the city their home over the last few years, with Ruzafa, Cabanyal and Patacona some of the favourites.

They appreciate the quality of life of Valencia, which is far better value than its bigger neighbours, but has an equally good climate and friendlier locals.

So what is there to do in this wonderful Meditteranean city?

CONTRASTS: The modern City of Arts and (below) Palace of Dos Aguas and (left) the Holy Grail

History tour

F

or history lovers, there is much to explore. Occupied by the Romans, and later the Moors, Valencia has a unique blend of architecture. First up is the famous Cathedral (right), built in 1262 on the site of a former mosque. Intricate with Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles, it is most famous for the cup Jesus is said to have drunk from during the Last Supper, known as the Holy Grail, and with its own room, understandably.

While 200 sites in Europe lay claim to the relic, Valencia’s is one of the strongest, given its cup has been confirmed to be Middle Eastern in origin and forged between 2BC and 1AD. The cathedral’s charms don’t stop there and we strongly recommend

11

climbing the 207 steps of the El Migulete bell tower for stunning panoramic views.

Nearby you’ll find the Church of San Nicholas, celebrated for its magnificent interior, which has

been likened to that of the Sistine Chapel.

Make sure you don’t miss the Palace of Marques de Dos Aguas, which is regarded as one of the best examples of Baroque ar-

chitecture in Spain and a true joy. Inside you’ll find a ceramics museum with prehistoric, Greek, Roman, and Arab works.

Also in the centre are the Torres de Senarros towers, built in the Continues on next page

12

LA CULTURA

From previous page

14th century and once serving as the main entrance to the city.

Another gothic gem is the Silk Exchange, a UNESCO site and hallmark of Valencia’s once thriving silk trade. The industry is well explained inside, as well as at the Silk Museum, which you will find in the Velluters barrio. Other museums are the Institut Valencia d’art Modern or Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia for a great sampling of medieval and contemporary Spanish works.

July 29th - August 11th 2021

On safari One of Spain’s most respected zoos is the Bioparc Valencia, a fully immersive zoo that allows you to experience African wildlife including lemurs, elephants, zebras, and giraffes up close.

More wildlife abounds at the Albufera Natural Park, a large freshwater lagoon with over 250 bird species, including flamingos.

Market life

STRATOSPHERIC

I

T was one event not to be missed. The Cure playing a free concert at the not-long finished City of Arts and Sciences. It was March, 2008, and well worth the drive up from Malaga to see one of my favourite British bands fill up a section of one of Europe’s most expensive architectural masterpieces.

The final sections (mostly the bridges) of Valencia’s mega-site had just been finished and the controversial project was said to have been four times over budget and costing €1.2 billion, or about ten times the price of Bilbao’s amazing Guggenheim museum.

Justify

I had seen photos but I wanted to see with my own eyes how Spain’s architect Santiago Calatrava - coincidentally best known for his bridges - had converted the banks of the old Turia river that once skirted Valencia’s centre. Could the city really justify that huge cost?

Having seen it then and returned again recently, I would give it a resounding ‘yes’.

The giant collection of surreal buildings that give a space-

T

o get a flavour of local life and culture make sure to visit Valencia's Mercado Central, one of the oldest food markets in Europe. Described as a ‘foodie

SPACE AGE: The City of Arts and Sciences is a creative gem genheim effect revolutionised the run-down northern Basque city of Bilbao, Calatrava’s swooping lines of white concrete and glass have

age look to one edge of the city have put Valencia very much on the map.

Just like the celebrated Gug-

paradise’, here you’ll find a full range of Valencian produce located in a beautiful building with domed ceilings adorned with mosaics and stained glass.

Language learning made simple

A beacon for ‘smart and sustainable’ living COSTA de Valencia language school is offering classes, days out and accommodation during the summer season while complying with all anti-COVID requirements.

Specific courses are available to prepare students to access Spanish schools and universities in September, with a wide range of intensive programmes scheduled throughout the year.

Costa de Valencia offers everything from grammar and conversation to business and even Spanish football for all levels from elementary to proficiency, while those who need an official qualification can sit the DELE or SIELE exams.

It also provides courses to obtain Spanish

nationality, extensive long-term courses for expats and au pairs, and fun days out to explore local culture and traditions.

Students can spend anything from one week to a year at the centre and there are several accommodation options, including flats owned by the school as well as staying with local families and university halls of residence.

It boasts certifications guaranteeing COVID safety (Escuela ELE Safe School Certificate) and the SICTED Advanced Good Practices stamp, with full contingency plans in place. For further information and to sign up, visit: Website: www.costadevalencia.com

Valencia is the first city in Europe to obtain double UN certification as it aims to become greenest and most sustainable city in the world, writes Glenn Wickman VALENCIA is on the way to claiming the title of greenest and most sustainable city in the world.

The groundwork was laid many years ago by projects such as the Turia gardens – a green belt that snakes through the city’s old riverbed, and a major hotspot for walkers, joggers and cyclists, as well as families enjoying a day out.

Meanwhile, the Albufera lake, considered the city’s ‘green

lung’, withstood decades of pressure as the city grew around it and remains a beacon of flora and fauna, and the source of livelihood for countless generations of rice farmers and fishermen.

However, things have been stepped up several notches lately.

Valencia has become the first city to measure its own tourism carbon footprint, i.e. the environmental effect of welcoming millions of visitors every year, in order to find ways to lessen

IC

LA CULTURA

July 29th August 11th 2021

13

Despite costing €1.2 billion, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is a world wonder, believes Jon Clarke

Mediterranean Cuisine

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created an addictive unworldly creation that is definitely the city’s unique selling point today.

It has changed the city’s skyline and

created a wonderful counterpoint to the surprisingly impressive historic centre, which itself is also full of medieval gems.

Yes, there is still some work to do in uniting the two cities, as local expat architect Kevin Cash wrote in the Olive Press last year, but I believe the prize is there for the taking.

Tourists who brought in €314 million for the city in 2018 are set to start flying in again in their droves… and Valencia has in that one complex, a feature that can’t compete with anything else in Spain, except maybe Bilbao.

Yes, Aviles, in Asturias, has its Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Centre and yes, Sevilla has its Setas (also controversial), but nothing comes near to the sheer impact and scale of the City of Arts.

I particularly like the use of water, which reflects the otherworldly creations and the way the former riverbed area is incorporated into the overall design. It is easy to spend an hour sitting and marvelling at the curving lines interjected by arches and cross beams, and at its scale as cyclists zip by or

a lorry unloads its wares.

Each of the half dozen buildings have their own flavour.

The Palau de les Arts d ​ominates the skyline with its jutting silhouette, while the​ L'Hemisfèric is like a reptile's eye, lurking half underwater.

The Oceanographic aquarium has a life of its very own, while the mussel-shaped Agora is finally entering the fray.

I also like the way you can meander up the shady riverbed from this magical collection of buildings towards the Ciutat Vella, which is crammed full of charming squares and equally alluring buildings with most of the streets traffic-free.

reservas@palaciodelabellota.com www.palaciodelabellota.com C/Mosent Femades, 7 CP. 46002 VALENCIA

Medieval

Indeed, for the City of Arts to be a true success the vast bulk of tourists need to be pulled into the casco historico to understand how cleverly designed the original medieval footprint of Valencia was and how well it has aged today.

Like chalk and cheese, it is the contrast between the old and new that helps to make Valencia one of Spain’s most exciting places to visit this year.

the impact and guarantee sustainability. opment Goals (SDGs).

The pioneering study focuses on several key areas Valencia City Hall has set up a specific departincluding water use, refuse collection and transport, ment and website outlining the objectives and with the aim of becoming the first global tourist desdetails of the Smart City project, which can be tination to achieve zero environmental impact by the visited here in English: year 2025. http://smartcity.valencia.es/en/ It is expected to be done by boosting renewable energy sources, making public transport totally electric, and a number of other ways to absorb carbon dioxide.

It is now recognised by the United Nations (UN) as a ‘Smart City’, becoming the first in Europe and only the third in the world - after Dubai and Singapore - to obtain both the official ISO and ITU certificates confirming the use of technology to guarantee the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable DevelREROUTED: The Turia riverbed is now an effective green lung of the city

Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful environment

Paseo Maritimo de la Patacona n 14, 46120, Alboraya, Valencia I T. 96 372 40 95 I 618 356 043 I info@casapatacona.com

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BUSINESS

NOT COOL

Green Special

SOME 22 Spanish companies are under investigation for smashing open electrical compressors to ‘recycle’ while releasing the equivalent of 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Environmentally hazardous refrigerant gases from old fridges and air conditioning units were released into the atmosphere as the firms stripped out valuable metals without following strict environmental protocols.

The firms are based in the provinces of Alicante (six), Valencia (four), Murcia (six), Almeria (two), and one each in Malaga, Albacete, Ciudad Real and Mallorca.

Police discovered that the companies were not officially authorised to handle electrical or electronic device refuse.

The method most commonly used was to smash open the devices to extract copper and other valuable pieces from inside.

The unwanted remains were then shipped out to a processing plant in Pakistan without the correct paperwork.

Dear Jennifer: Can you recommend a good travel insurance provider for British expats in Spain?

UNFORTUNATELY due to Brexit, the travel insurance company that we worked extremely well with for over 20 years is no longer able to offer cover to British expats in Spain.

At first, this did not worry me as there was no travel allowed.

However, it seems as though this is changing and people are hoping to be able to have holidays and visit loved ones this summer.

It was therefore necessary to me to discover if there was a company which offered similar cover at reasonable realistic prices.

Fortunately I discovered one of my members of staff had experience with an alternative travel insurance provider, which provides the policies and covers that expats are used to.

Quotes

That means I'm pleased to be able to offer this service to my clients again.

We are in the process of contacting all our travel insurance clients, by email and a follow up call to explain the new policies and to issue quotes.

We can now provide travel insurance for both annual and short trip policies with a choice of three levels of cover and there is an additional option for COVID-19 protection.

The policies are underwritten by Lloyds of Belgium, so of course, the company is fully authorised and regulated within the EU. After such a long time of not being able to offer travel insurance because there was no need for it due to the restrictions, I am now full of hope that our long wait is drawing to a close, although I am still feeling apprehensive.

To be able to hug a loved one after such a long time will be such joy- a word that is rather under-used at the moment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A QUOTATION, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF MY OFFICES, VISIT THE WEBSITE WWW.JENNIFERCUNNINGHAM.NET OR EMAIL INFO@ JENNIFERCUNNINGHAM.NET

July 29th - August 11th 2021 SPAIN’ leading supermarket has been fined €2.5 million over facial recognition cameras which detected customers who had restraining orders for attacking staff.

The pilot scheme operated in 48 Mercadona stores in the Valencian Community, Mallorca, and Zaragoza.

The company last year said that ‘all data protection laws would be strictly observed’, which was not the view of the Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD).

Cameras produced an instant identification of people who had received

Merca-slap for Big Brother antics a restraining order after assaulting Mercadona staff or had been convicted for a store-based incident.

The police would then be contacted if a transgressor appeared in a store.

It emerged earlier this month that the AEPD had been probing the legality of the recognition system with concerns over storing images of non-criminals.

The news took Mercadona by surprise which ended the tests in May

and removed the cameras.

“We worked from the start with all of the appropriate judicial authorities in store areas and we began the pilot scheme after presenting full details to the AEPD with strict adherence to transparency,” claimed a Mercadona spokesman.

He insisted that no images were kept of non-offending customers and that warning signs about the scheme were placed in store entrances.

SLEEP EASY

Siesta time ban on mobile phone cold callers SPAIN'S top phone companies have promised to cut unsolicited calls pestering people to sign up to their services.

The traditional siesta period between 3pm and 4pm will be kept clear of sales pitches after a deal struck between Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and MasMovil.

The companies have also agreed to start calls an hour later at 10am on a weekday.

The firms have been widely criticised for persistent hawking calls offering new services to poach customers

By Alex Trelinski

from their rivals.

They've also been severely fined and rebuked by Spain’s Data Protection body.

The new code of conduct will start in January 2022 and replaces a previous agreement that kicked in 11 years ago, but was largely ignored.

The agreement also states that there can be no calls after 9pm on a weekday, and none at all at the weekend

ELECTRICITY prices have jumped to their highest level in nearly two decades, with average megawatt hour costing over €100 today.

It means today’s cost of using electricity in Spain is now the second most expensive daily average price in the country’s history.

The most expensive day in history for electricity in Spain was in January 2002 when a megawatt cost €103.76 per hour.

A megawatt hour is currently averaging €101 — its highest rate since July 2 when it stood at €99.8 an hour.

Reasons for the soaring prices include an increase in demand - this time last year Spain was in lockdown with many businesses closed - escalating gas prices and an increase in penalties for CO2 emissions.

In addition, experts have highlighted a series of problems with the French nuclear power system, which has led to a surge in

and on bank holidays.

The firms have also promised to wait three months

Sparking anger activity and impacted the global European market.

Daily market prices have skyrocketed from €17.65 per megawatt hour in 2020 to €101 today.

As reported previously by the Olive Press, electricity is now much more expensive from 10am to 2pm, and then again from 6pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday.

Average rates are now applied from 8am to 10am, 2pm to 6pm, and 10pm to midnight, Monday to Friday.

Low times, i.e. the cheapest, are from midnight to 8am Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

before calling again if a customer rejects an offer.

Orange's Spanish head, Jean-Francois Fallacher, said: “We telecommunication operators all through the years have adapted our actions to consumers’ habits.”

Infractions

The Spanish Agency for Data Protection(AEPD) has handed out 78 sanctions in recent years to the companies, with 46 transgressions committed by Vodafone over ‘marketing infractions’. In February, the AEPD hit Vodafone with a record €8.2 million fine after siding with complaints about excessive nuisance calls. Vodafone has appealed the verdict and fine to the National Court.

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MONEY MATTERS

with Tracy Storer, Senior Partner, Chorus Financial.

PROPERTY

July 29th August 11th 2021

SELLING UP The masked avenger returns for good having put UK property on the market for €3.4 million

By Katherine Brook

HE may have been mooching around Malaga for a couple of years now, but now Antonio Banderas is making the move apparently permanent.

The Hollywood heartthrob

STYLISH: Banderas’ super-green Surrey home has put his stunning British any time soon. mansion on the market and The Zorro star is hoping to doesn’t look to be returning get £2.95 million (€3.4m) for

Yanked out the water!

A TV producer is looking for ‘fish out of water’ Americans who have recently relocated to Spain and are renovating properties.

Casting director Jesse Rosales expects to find quite a few Americans in Spain, as well as in Italy and France.

As he explained: “Whether you are leaving everything behind and buying a $1 villa in Italy, a vineyard in France or some other overseas destination we want to document your journey for a fun series.”

He added that the show is going on a premium streaming platform and is open to those who are considering moving, as well as those who have already relocated.

While the show will mostly revolve around the participants’ properties, it will also focus on their adaptation to the culture of The drama of the show will come from

WHAT ABOUT MY UK SAVINGS?

Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more here in Spain. This week we received the following question from Mrs Sandra W. from Altea.

Dear Tracy, I am in the process of becoming a Spanish resident and have a question about my savings and investments. I have several ISA’s, premium bonds and fixed rate bonds in the UK and wondered whether I will still be allowed to keep these when I become a Spanish resident. They are all with NS&I. Hi Sandra, Great question and one that I get asked a lot!

The short answer to this is that yes, you can keep these products open, however typically you cannot add to them and in most cases make any changes to them.

Another question is, should you keep them…

ISA’s and Premium bonds are tax free products in the UK so the growth you make on your ISA or the coupons you win from your premium bonds are tax free, however the minute you become a Spanish tax resident, all gains or wins become taxable. If your returns are modest then this might not appear to be too problematic, you’d add it to your tax return and complete a Modelo 720 (if the value is above €50k). The bigger the investment the larger the potential returns, so paying tax on the gains could mean that an ISA is no longer the best tax solution for your investments.

The other consideration is that if you are unable to make changes to the investments within your ISA, then essentially you are stuck with the investments you have on the day you become a Spanish resident.

This might not be a massive problem right now, but we live in a world where change is happening every day and the investments you hold need to reflect this.

The classic example is if you looked at a portfolio from five years ago, it would probably have large exposure to some of the big oil companies and high street chains, if no changes had been made to that portfolio, then I would be concerned about the opportunity for growth.

It’s one thing being invested, it’s another making sure that those investments are making the most of current opportunities, so not being able to make changes to your investment could be very detrimental.

Thankfully, there are solutions here in Spain where you can invest in a tax efficient manner, which allow you, working with your adviser, to make appropriate changes as and when necessary.

the ‘fish out of water’ experience, so subjects don’t necessarily need to know the language or culture of the country they’re moving to.

For more information email Jesse at buyingabroadcasting@gmail.com

THE Costa Blanca-based, TM Real Estate group, says this year’s property sales are going better than expected in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

TM CEO, Pablo Serna, said: “First quarter sales for 2021 have maintained a stable positive trend, and then between April and June, we sold more than we predicted, accounting for 65% of our target for the whole year.”

The firm, with headquarters in Torrevieja, says it plans to build over 3,000 properties in tourist areas of Spain over the next two years.

Turnover fell by 8% last year to €161 million due to the pandemic, but TM

BUOYANT SALES

still made a €24 million profit, an 11% drop on the 2019 total.

Ciudad Quesada €169,000 2 bed,1 bath detached villa Private pool Beautifully furnished Converted turret Air conditioning ref: 4819Q

If you have any questions about finance, tax or money matters here in Spain, call +34 965 641 163 or please email them to me on t.storer@chorusfinancial.es with subject ‘Money Matters’.

All emails will get a response, and some may even appear in our column!

Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more here in Spain.

the Surrey home where he lived officially from 2015.

The leafy property in the celebrity hotspot of Cobham counts on five bedrooms, a private cinema and neighbours including Andy Murray and John Terry.

He moved out of the leafy home he shared with Nicole Kimpel just before the Covid lockdown and has recently confirmed he’ll be moving back to Malaga, where he lived until he was 18.

Banderas has become more committed to Spain since he opened the Teatro de Soho CaixaBank, in Malaga, in 2019.

He lived in Los Angeles with his ex-wife, actress Melanie Griffiths, with whom he has a daughter, Stella, 24.

The Oscar-nominated actor has just announced he’ll be appearing in the 5th Indiana Jones film, premiering this week.

We are a small but very experienced family owned and operated real estate business Comercial Euroterra, Plaza de la Figuera No, 1, Local 27 Urb. El Raso, Guardamar del Segura, 03140, Alicante

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The constructor said that 1,138 homes were built last year, with the Costa Blanca region accounting for 68% of them.

Projects like Flamenca Village on the Orihuela Costa and Sunset Hills in Benidorm were started in 2020. The company predicts a turnover of over €200 million this year, as property sales recover fuelled by foreign buyers.

Optimism

Serna commented: “We view 2021 with a lot of optimism, but also as a year of transition. Besides getting figures back to pre-crisis levels, we will be improving customer service by opening offices in key European markets.” The planned offices will be in Belgium, Germany, Poland, and Sweden.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

July 29th - August 11th 2021

RENTAL REBOUND A SPANISH holiday rental website says that August accommodation bookings are higher than two years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rentalia put that down to rising domestic bookings compensating for lower foreign reservations. The online portal is predicting next month’s numbers to reach 89.2% occupancy compared to 88.5% two years ago.

Last year’s August occupancy figure was just 77%. The firm is projecting even higher rates of above 94% for the Costa Blanca and the Balearic Islands.

Rentalia’s director, Almudena Ucha, said: “The holiday rental sector, after a very complicated year, has managed to get back on track, even surpassing the occupancy levels of the summer before the health crisis.”

She added that ‘many coastal destinations’ are compensating for the lack of foreign tourists by getting domestic customers instead.

“Given the curbs on leisure activities in some regions, many families or groups are looking for accommodation without having those restrictive concerns”, Ucha observed.

The most important feature for many clients is having an on-site swimming pool.

Grapes of wrath A BIG storm has once again damaged the grape harvest for the Valencia region.

The heavy rainfall, coupled with hail, has affected the Medio Vinalopo region and its grapes.

The hail, which mainly affected the areas of Aspe and La Romana, harmed the livelihoods of eating grape farmers.

This is the third hail-storm suffered by farmers of the area leading to appeals for financial aid.

Alberto Trave, of the Alicante junta, explained that bagged table grapes are a ‘traditional and artisanal’ product, which requires a lot of labour.

THE best fine-dining restaurants in the world have been named by Tripadvisor, with two restaurants in Spain making the top 10.

Beating the likes of Quintessenza and Ristorante Villa Crespi, El Xato in La Nucia (Alicante) and Martin Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria (Gipuzkoa) were given a shout out on the highly influential foodie list.

Ice cream alert

NESTLE has ordered the urgent removal from shops throughout Spain of 46 types of ice cream found to be contaminated with a substance known as ethylene oxide (ETO).

It is an inflammable gas that is sometimes used for sterilisation purposes at low doses and is known to cause cancer. ETO has been detected in products by leading brands such as Nestle, Milka, Toblerone, Mars, Smarties, Oreo, La Lechera, Princesa and Nuii – all manufactured by a firm named Froneri.

The manufacturer published an immediate notice on its website, informing consumers about the accidental contamination and the urgent removal of all affected items from shops.

Froneri added that the problem only involves ‘very specific batches of certain products’, not entire brands or types of ice cream, and that the problem stems from an

Tuck in

Spain has two of best fine dining restaurants in the world

Exquisite

El Xato and Martin Berasategui came in sixth and seventh on the Tripadvisor’s 2021 Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ Restaurants Awards, which are decided by an algorithm that analyses the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from travellers around the world.

Top of the global ranking is The Old Stamp House Restaurant in the UK, followed by Restaurant La Mai-

A VALENCIA region hotel association says there has been no UK bookings surge despite Spain going on to the amber travel list.

Hosbec general-secretary, Nuria Montes, said: “There has been no explosion of reservations and in many cases, the first beneficiaries of the rule change will be people who already have properties over here.

“We have had some more bookings but we have to say that levels have been insignificant,” she added. Montes also expressed concern that the fast rise in regional COVID

son d’ a Cote in quaint Montlivault, central France, then

by Ise Sueyoshi in Tokyo.

Damp squib cases could derail any hotel trading recovery.

“It will be key to see how contagions evolve in Spain over the next two weeks to see if there are any new measures,” she commented.

Earlier this month, Hosbec president, Toni Mayor, warned that if UK bookings didn’t improve, recently reopened hotels catering for the British market would ‘soon close their doors again’

patagoniasteakhouse costablanca

Patagonia

Spain’s top-rated spot, El Xato, has a 100-year-old history and a highly prized Michelin star. In its iconic bodega-turned-restaurant beside the local church, head chef Cristina Figueira serves up mouthwatering traditional, rice-based dishes.

Glowing

One glowing review said: “A great experience. The ambiance is very welcoming and charming. Amazing wines, and service. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The food was exquisite. One of the best experiences I have ever had in a restaurant. I would highly recommend ‘El Xato’.”

17

ingredient supplied by an overseas source.

Consumers are advised to check whether an ice cream they have just bought is safe by visiting https://helados.nestle.es/comprueba-tu-helado and entering the first six digits of the batch number.

In any case, Froneri claims that the amount of ETO found in the finished products is so small that even if an affected product is eaten, ‘it is highly improbable that it will pose a threat to consumers’ health’.

According to the company, health risks derived from ETO are caused mainly by direct contact with the substance or through ‘a hypothetical continued consumption of high doses’.

Consumers’ union Facua advises people who may have affected products at home to refrain from eating them and instead return them to the shop where they were bought.

READER EXCLUSIVE

A

uthor Sabina Ostrowska moved to Spain seven years ago. Enchanted by the beauty of the Andalucian countryside and excited by the prospect of owning a large piece of rural land complete with olive groves, she and her husband spent all of their savings on their dream home and new adventure.

However, it wasn’t the smooth encounter they had anticipated. Misleading estate agents, dodgy builders, financial struggles, not to mention their limited Spanish vocabulary - sound familiar?

In her book, The Crinkle Crankle Wall: Our First Year in Andalusia, Sabina openly shares the story

The Crinkle Crankle Wall: Our First Year in Andalusia of her move from the glamorous UAE to the Costa del Sol. It’s witty, humorous and nail bitingly frustrating at times as she shares mistakes relatable to so many who have moved countries in search of a more ‘relaxed’ life in Spain.

Sabina is originally from Poland and is a non-fictional text book writer.

Her book is available on Amazon in both paperback and digital editions.

Exclusively for Olive Press readers, Sabrina’s book is available to download for FREE online at amazon.com between July 29 and August 1.

Sabina is currently writing her next book in the series.

Follow her on Facebook for more updates @sabinawriter.

A Pizarro of the action ACCLAIMED Spanish chef Jose Pizarro will open not one but two new restaurants in the hallowed grounds within London’s Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly.

The Extremadura-born chef who has been dubbed ‘the Godfather of Spanish cooking’ in the UK will open a tapas bar offering simple fare such as tortilla de patatas, pan con tomate and empanadas on the ground floor and a more upmarket restaurant in the Dorfman Senate Room upstairs.

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Spanish staycation

T

18

A hidden gem that will make you feel at home in the lap of luxury, writes Katherine Brook

RAVELLING to other countries (restriction free) still feels pretty ambitious which means most of us will probably spend our holidays in Spain this year.

But with so much beauty around every corner is it really such a bad thing?

If your travels take you to Manilva I highly recommend you check out Three Palms Boutique B&B, and if you live there the same POOLSIDE DRINKS: At the honesty bar applies. Why not treat yourself to a long weekend leave - but you might just be break where you can relax tempted to for breakfast on and recharge in fabulous the sun-drenched terrace overlooking the gardens and surroundings.

Situated just up from Sabi- views beyond. nillas town in La Duquesa, Spend your days relaxing located midway between by the pool, check out the Gibraltar and Marbella, this infrared sauna, or book in beautiful Boutique B&B is a for a treatment: manicure, real hidden gem with strik- pedicure, massage. Feeling ing views across the sea to thirsty? Help yourself to a the mountains, it provides a drink from the honesty bar great base for exploring this and make yourself at home. beautiful area.

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FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

July 29th August 11th 2021

ROOTED IN HIS ORY

T

HEY have been standing for the best part of 1,000 years, wooden-hearted witnesses to war, flood, fire and famine rooted in the bloody soil where Moors fought Christians and Nationalists

Discover 10 trees that witnessed 1,000 years, with Fiona Govan battled Republicans.

Some have become sacred places of pilgrimage, others have been decla-

The Sacred Chestnut of Istan, Malaga

The Grandfather Oak, Castilla y Leon

l Castaño Sagrado is the oldest tree in Andalucia’s newest National Park, that of the Sierra de los Nieves and a favourite spot with locals for scattering the ashes of loved ones.

A mere sapling when the Moors ruled Spain, it has grown to an immense size with a trunk spanning over 21 metres in girth.

Sadly it is not in good shape, having come under siege from the dreaded

HIS legendary old man of the forest nicknamed ‘El Abuelo’ has led a long and charmed life, surviving lightning strikes, loggers’ axes and the mischief of arsonists.

While its siblings from Palencia’s Parque Natural de Fuentes Carrionas have been felled to supply railway sleepers, prop up mines and feed bakers’ ovens, this ancient oak still stands tall, providing shade for weary pilgrims straying from the nearby Camino de Santiago trail.

At between 500 and 800 years old, it’s not the oldest tree in the Spanish woods but it’s noble bearing and mighty 9.8-metre circumference command respect.

E

THE ANCIENT JUNIPER OF ALMERIA

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STAND BY ME!

red Natural Monuments, all are awesome in their own arboreal way. Although sadly for tree huggers,

their trunks are way too wide to get your arms around!

The Olive Press checks out 10 famous Spanish trees that bear evergreen testament to centuries of history.

T

chestnut gall wasp and despite a campaign by locals to grant it Natural Monument status, it remains unprotected.

C

ROWNING a wind-blasted plateau 1,600 metres above sea level, this geriatric juniper has withstood the elements for circa 1,000 years.

Of a variety that dates from the dense steppe forests of the Tertiary period up to 65 million years ago, this living relic growing in the Parque Natural Sierra Maria-Los Velez is so special it has been awarded ‘natural monument’ status.

The species was highly prized by cabinet makers in times past, leading to industrial-scale felling. But as its gnarled trunk and thick green canopy testify, this juniper is the tree that got away.

THE MOST PROFESSIONAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ON THE COSTAS ENSURES AN EFFICIENT AND GREEN SERVICE FOR THE OLIVE PRESS

T

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! The team that now has a company in southern Spain has analysed 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.

Experience

We receive detailed photo reports of each of the drops, timed as they happen, and the number of copies left over.

As Stewart 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.”

OWNER: Stewart Leece

If you would like to see your nearest distribution point, then please visit our market leading website www.theolivepress.es or read our digital version online.

For more information on our fantastic ditribution partner, please visit www.selfselectmedia.es

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Green Specia

T

HIS famous tree has been a symbol of Tenerife since it was declared a national monument way back in 1917.

Lording it over all others in the Parque del Drago, El Drago Milenario stands over 20 metres tall and is the world’s oldest and largest living specimen of dragon tree.

The only tree species in the world with red sap - the colour of dragon’s blood Tenerife’s ancient landmark has other claims to fame.

Its image once graced the

19

SEGOVIA’S GIANT SEQUOIA QUEEN

K The Millennium Dragon Tree, Tenerife 1,000 peseta note and it has a door in its trunk. This gives access to a 6-me-

J

UDGING from the blank page, Wikipedia can think of no good reason to visit the small town of Olmeda de las Fuentes an hour’s drive from the capital. But we at the Olive Press can.

For it is here that

CASTELLON is generally regarded as the hidden jewel in the Valencia region.

While Alicante and Valencia are widely hailed as top tourist destination, the northernmost province rarely gets a mention in international travel articles.

However, for residents and visitors from other parts of Spain, the story is very different – which is probably a major factor behind its charm, as the area remains relatively unspoilt by mass tourism.

Castellon is sandwiched between the provinces of Valencia and Tarragona (Catalunya) along the coast, and Teruel (Aragon) inland. It is split into 135 towns divided into eight districts.

Just like its Valencian and Catalan neighbours, Castellon offers the unrivalled attraction of having both sea and mountains.

The Maestrat, Serra d’Espada, Serra d’Irta and the Penyagolosa (in their original Valenciano names) are the mountain ranges that offer spectacular views as well as a full programme of leisure and adventure activities.

Forests, caves, rivers, walking routes, castles, campsites,

July 29th - August 11th 2021

l

tre-high cavity which has a fan installed to help with ventilation.

Madrid’s humongous holm oak you can find one of the most notable trees in the Community of Madrid: the Encina de la Pica, a holm oak that stands over 18 metres tall and has been around for at least 900 years.

It may not be top of your bucket list on a trip to the city but maybe it’s time you branched out!

NOWN as La Reina, this giant sequoia queens it over all other trees in the gardens of the royal palace at La Granja de San Ildefonso, in Segovia province.

Standing sentinel at the gates alongside her partner, El Rey, since at least 1867, ‘she’ is thought to be one of the oldest examples of the trees imported from America into Europe.

But at 40 metres tall she is still a baby. Giant sequoias are among the tallest trees in the world, growing to over 1,000 metres during their staggering l i fe s p a n of up to 4,000 years, making them the world’s oldest species of tree.

Welcome to Castellon climbing, fishing and much more await intrepid travellers in areas such as Morella, Tinenca de Benifassa, Navajas and others.

But the coast is where Castellon really shines. The area is home to two unique geographical formations, namely the Illes Columbretes and Peñiscola.

The Columbretes are a set of small islands grouped together into a protected nature park.

Said by divers to be one of the best-preserved Mediterranean seabeds, and home to countless species of nesting birds – some unique to the islands – the Columbretes are a nature lover’s paradise.

Meanwhile, Peñiscola is a hotspot for beach and history lovers, with its spectacular castle once occupied by Pope Benedict 13th looming over the coast and featuring on the official ‘Nicest towns in Spain’ list.

Benicassim is famous for its summer music festivals includ-

ing the Festival International de Benicassim (FIB), hugely popular with British indie and alternative music fans.

Last year and again this summer, COVID put paid to the FIB as well as its reggae counterpart Rototom Sunsplash and the Arenal Sound electronic

T

THE OUTSIZED OLIVE TREE OF JAEN

HE town of Arroyo del Ojanco is notable for little else but this most impressive specimen. Olive trees are usually diminutive but such is its size, it’s listed in the Guin-

ness Book of Records as the largest in the world.

Standing at 10 metres tall with a canopy that casts a shadow of 116m2, it certainly measures up to its Natural Monument status.

From mountains to the sea and historic cities to holiday resorts, there is something for everyone in Castellon, writes Glenn Wickman

music festival in nearby Burriana, but a series of smaller shows are scheduled this summer.

Oropesa del Mar is most famous for the Marina d’Or holiday resort. Bang on the beach and featuring pools, spas, eight leisure parks, hotels of five, four

and three stars, apartments, restaurants, shows and events for all the family.

Other coastal towns such as Alcossebre, Vinaros and Moncofa offer the cheapest holiday apartment lets in the province right on the beach.

The cities themselves are not

to be missed either, with countless monuments, museums, exhibitions and items of great historic interest, led by the provincial capital Castellon de la Plana, where an intensive programme of summer events, many free of charge, has been announced.

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HEALTH Vaxxed out

SPAIN has stopped distributing AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines as it has enough to give second injections to 1.2 million people.

The Ministry of Health said that all 17 regions of the country had supplies to finish off fully-immunising the 60 to 69 age group and essential workers with the Oxford-created vaccine.

Formula

Once that has been done, just over 5 million people in Spain will have been inoculated with the AstraZeneca formula.

Spain was meant to take delivery of 31 million AstraZeneca doses as part of the company’s deal with the European Union.

Only 10 million have been received, with the EU accusing AstraZeneca of breaching supply agreements and threatening legal action.

The EU is switching orders to Pfizer and Moderna.

July 29th - August 11th 2021 MORE than 2,300 children in Spain lost a parent during the first 14 months of the coronavirus pandemic, a new study has revealed.

The figures from Spain were included in a global study on orphanhood

LEFT ORPHANS published in The Lancet that calculated that more than a million children around the world have lost either their mother or father

to COVID-19.

And if you include those who have lost someone in their circle who regularly cares for them,, either a

Ramping up SPAIN has overtaken the UK and US Spain when it comes to COVID vaccinations.

After a slow start, the country has now fully vaccinated a higher percentage of its population than both nations.

Some 54.3% of Spain’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, overtaking the UK which has 54.1% and well ahead of the USA where 48.6% of the population are fully inoculated.

Spain’s vaccination programmes is leading the way

Celebrate

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez celebrated the news on Saturday sharing rankings revealed by Our World in Data with a post on Twitter.

“Our World in Data once again reflects the impressive rate of vaccination at which our country is advancing,” Sanchez wrote. “Thanks to

LEAGUE TABLE: Spain near the top all the people who make this great success possible on a daily basis. We continue!”

Spain is ahead of many other EU countries in terms of percentage of the population

fully vaccinated, including Germany, France and Italy, and is above the EU average.

But it trails behind Malta (82.6%) Iceland (74.3%) and Israel (61%).

parent, a grandparent who helped care for them or another relative responsible for their care, then the figure shoots up to over 1.5 million children.

“1,562,000 children experienced the death of at least one primary or sec-

21

ondary caregiver,” the report stated. Researchers warned that children who lose a parent or caregiver are not only immediately stressed; they are also more likely to suffer diseases themselves or to be abused.

VACCINE RELIEF HEALTH Minister, Carolina Darias, says the rate of new COVID-19 cases is slowing down thanks to the country’s vaccination programme.

Darias said: “Latest national contagion figures show new infections are decreasing and many communities are beginning to flatten the curve.”

She added: “The vaccination figures are a source of pride for the country and are down to a collective success including a well-informed public.

She repeated the aim to have 70% of the population fully-vaccinated by the end of August.

Spain has signed a €1.8 billion contract with Pfizer and a €480 million deal with Moderna to get booster shots in 2022 and 2023.

22

COLUMNISTS

Blame the babylonians

A

FTER my column, ‘Spurious Seers’, was published last month, several readers jokingly suggested I get in line to become the next horoscope seer.

Of course, no one could replace the fascinating predictions of our very own Leticia Palmer.

But their comments did twerk a question always lurking at the back of my mind as to how these things work? Unlike astronomy, astrology is not a science.

To make a point, the world of ‘horoscopical predictors’, was recently thrown into array when NASA declared there are 13 Zodiac signs, not 12, putting the entire astrological chart out of whack.

The 13th Zodiac sign is called ‘Ophiuchus’, and it’s

the star sign for people born between November 29 and December 17.

However, in a subsequent statement, NASA said they had not changed any zodiac signs. They simply published their astrological findings stating that over 3,000 years ago, the Babylonians in setting the current formula, ignored the fact that the sun actually moves through 13 constellations, not 12.

Purely a mathematical conclusion. This latest news immediately put my weirdo mind into gear. At the last count, 7.9 billion inhabitants were registered on our planet Earth.

OK, OK! I know one reader recently became a grandparent, so let’s settle for 7.9 billion and one.

The point is that no matter

July 29th - August 11th 2021 OL D HA CK IN TH E SU N Benny Davis

at 80-something exp Ramblings of an

what is predicted in any horoscope, the law of averages says monthly predictions will become true for many people.

For instance, Doris Cuttle was advised to ‘avoid red and black’ during May. She dressed in white but was dramatically savaged by a rogue ladybird.

Fred Wrangler read October was a good month to take a ‘financial risk’ and get some ‘sea air’. He was caught robbing a bank and sent to prison on the Isle of Wight. I know Leticia Palmer has her dedicated readers, and quite rightly so, but if I were a believer, I would get a private reading from this professional galaxy analyst. Would hate to share my ‘Euromillions’ jackpot win with the rest of the herd community.

FAMILY BLISS SO my son arrived and is now staying until September. We miss our kids when we’re not with them, but it doesn’t take long for us all to slip back into our old ways.

This means me generally in the kitchen constantly cooking and clearing-up, with him in his room after already becoming bored of hanging out with us.

He decided to stay in Mallorca because he doesn’t start back at Uni until late September and was planning on leaving his part-time job at Screwfix in Harrogate and I suggested, ‘why not stay here for the summer’?

Sorry

OP Puzzle solutions Across: 6 Knoll, 8 Photos, 9 Anchored, 10 Time!, 11 Gears, 12 Freight, 15 Spooner, 16 Gully, 18 Flag, 20 Openings, 21 Screes, 22 Donna.

Down: 1 Skin-deep, 2 Mother tongues, 3 Spidery, 4 Contributions, 5 Boom, 7 Lark, 13 Hologram, 14 Remorse, 17 Bend, 19 Lack.

SUDOKU

Quick Crossword

I have felt quite sorry for him in the UK and drank a cup of guilt every morning as a mum (because that’s what us mums do) as he lives on his own in Harrogate.

He’s just finished his first year of a business degree and whilst I’m glad he committed to something, I was sad he didn’t move to Mallorca with us.

I’ve been really proud of him throughout the pandemic because before my son used to have all kinds of health anxieties. When Ebola came on the scene he was convinced he’d got it. If he had a headache he’d truly believe it was a

Terenia Taras

Telling it like it is

Terenia’s son has helped her discover more of Mallorca brain tumour and he’s the only person I know who got COVID toe!

When the news was gearing up about COVID in the UK, my main concern was how Anton would deal with it. I have to admit we did get on a plane just before the UK went into lockdown because, one, I didn’t want him to be on his own and, two, was worried how he’d cope with the on-coming crisis.

But he surprised me in the sense that when there was an actual real threat he just got on with things. He carried on doing his job and uni work online and, despite not being able to see his friends, family or go out much, he demonstrated stoicism quite unusual for someone so young.

So when he arrived I really wanted to make sure he had a great time. In the first 10 days Anton was here I have spent a small fortune eating out, have put on about a kilo and done the rounds of three supermarkets in one day!

But it’s been fun for us too, because instead of our usual routine, which consists of being busy all week, just don’t ask what we have been doing!

We have done new stuff, like going to Ibiza on a boat, actually taking a proper look around the cathedral and I

even discovered that Mallorca has an English book shop after I went for a mooch around Palma.

Anton has been our only visitor to Mallorca so far because of all the restrictions and it was interesting listening to old-timers here who warn you of their own experiences of house guests previously descending on them.

Overstaying their welcome by expecting to be waited on, the constant late-night drinking sessions despite you having to work the next morning, whilst they obliviously enjoy their free holipops (holiday).

We’re also expecting Paul’s (my partner’s) two boys in August and my parents in September. But since Mallorca went back on the Amber list at the time of writing this, which may well change by the time it’s actually published, I hope they can all still get out here.

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FINAL WORDS

A CAMPAIGN has been launched offering young families a free house and job in Spain to those willing to relocate to Griegos, Teruel.

Red hot A NEW wildfire app has helped to raise the awareness of 84 fires in Andalucia since it launched in June, sending information to local users to warn them of the blazes.

A legacy MALAGA regional boss Elias Bendodo has commissioned an oil painting of himself for €26,000. The portrait will be done by Malaga artist Revello de Toro.

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New Airbnb-style app allows you to rent a swimming pool from €12 per person THINGS could go a bit more swimmingly for cashstrapped Spanish property owners this summer.

A brand new website is allowing punters to rent private swimming pools by the hour or day.

By Katherine Brook

Swimmy could earn owners over €1,000 a month by renting their pool for those who aren’t lucky enough to have one.

Still got it BUDDY, a retired Gibraltar police dog, has still got a nose for it, after he found a stash of cannabis in a stationary vehicle.

The 12-year-old Golden Labrador was out for an evening walk when he detected the drugs and alerted his master - an off-duty police officer.

Police later found 64 grams of cannabis, worth roughly £300, and arrested the owner.

The app has seen the number of users soar during the pandemic, as the tightening of restrictions saw the closure of all public pools.

And even when municipal pools did open again, many people opted for the more secluded option, many for health reasons.

Profit

Described as ‘the Airbnb of swimming pools’; owners register their pool and then rent it to guests for hours, days or even events.

The app has over 150,000

users across Spain and France, who can take their pick between over 3,500 pools.

In Madrid, prices tend to range from €12 to €30 per person, for half a day.

Meanwhile, in Marbella, the average price for a pool for a half day was around €14.

In Sevilla, one pool in the centre costs €120 per person to rent.

The pandemic has been favourable on pool manufacturers. Fluridra, the world’s largest pool equipment maker, posted a 40-fold jump in profits in May.

A FIRE crew and local police have been scrambled to rescue… a parrot caught on a balcony.

Even the bird’s owner had to go up the ladder to keep him happy during an Alicante rescue this week.

The Macaw had escaped from its home and found a precarious roof perch on the edge of a building on Calle Bilbao.

The rescue team was assembled after the owner called the local police, who in turn brought in a fire crew because the roof was hard to access.

Rescue

Dozens of locals and tourists watched as an extendable ladder was quickly hoisted up from a fire truck amid fears that the bird could fly off at any time.

The retrieval all went to plan with a happy ending in an operation that was certainly different from rescuing a cat stuck in a tree.

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