The
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GIBRALTAR
Vol. 5 Issue 150
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The Rock’s only free local paper
One man’s ‘bonkers’ adventure ends on the Rock See page 14
June 16th- June 29th 2021
ALARM: over 53 mega parks
SOS Save our Sol By Fiona Govan
RESIDENTS are mounting a battle over plans for a series of massive solar farms that threaten the environment, rural tourism and some of the ‘best views in southern Spain’. Dozens of expats have joined locals to oppose the large-scale projects which have been slammed as ‘a speculation frenzy’ threatening to carve up some of Spain’s beauty spots without proper environmental impact studies. In recent weeks protests have taken place around Malaga and Cadiz where plans for a staggering 53 photovoltaic plants have been unveiled. The mayors of Gaucin, Casares and Jimena de la Frontera have expressed concern about at least four ‘massive’ mega-projects in the pipeline.
Protest
Vote of their lives With just over one week to go until the Rock goes to the polls to vote on whether or not to update abortion laws, the Olive Press takes a look at a vote that has been a long time in the making
RESIDENTS on the Rock will finally go to the polls on Thursday June 24, more than a year after the vote on abortion was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, June 15 the ‘No’ campaign made a lastditch attempt to persuade voters to ‘protect the unborn child’ with a march that began in Irish Town and ended in John Mackintosh Square. Speaking ahead of the event, Save Babies Vote NO spokesperson, Karenza Morillo said: “We are really excited and energised about this event which we believe will build on the momentum that is already there among the people of Gibraltar THE SKY to protect mothers and babies here.” DOCTOR Organisers were ALL AREAS COVERED hoping to sway those who are still undecided which 4G UNLIMITED way to vote next INTERNET Thursday. IDEAL FOR But polls suggest STREAMING TV an overwhelming majority will ALSO IPTV, vote in favour of SATELLITE TV bringing Gibraltar in line with the tel: (0034) 952 763 840 rest of Europe on info@theskydoctor.com abortion laws. www.theskydoctor.com A poll conducted
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While in Coin last week, a protest, backed by the town hall, was held against proposed solar farms in the beautiful Rio Grande area of the Guadalhorce valley. In Jimena alone, an area of over 2,200 hectares – the equivalent of 3,500 football fields is destined for panels. Protesters claim that energy companies are deliberately dividing applications into smaller projects to bypass environmental regulations. The vast solar parks threaten to carpet an area rich in flora and fauna and destroying archaeological sites and ancient pastures. They allegedly also drain already scarce water supplies. Others fear a plummet in house prices and rural tourism, which is so essential to the economy of the region. Affected residents are being urged to contact their town halls and lodge complaints.
DECISON TIME: Both sides of the debate are making their voices heard in the run-up to the referendum
See Sunny valley, solar eclipse on pages 6&7
AT RISK: Stunning countryside
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By Fiona Govan
by GBC ahead of the suspended vote in March 2020, suggested that over 70% will vote ‘yes’ to reforming what is one of the most antiquated abortion laws on the continent. Under current rules, which are not implemented, a woman can be thrown into jail for life for having the procedure. Instead, any Gibraltarian woman seeking an abortion travels across the border where the procedure is carried out in a Spanish clinic. The vote on June 24 is the culmination of a campaign started in 2018 led by the Gibraltar’s Women’s Association. The GSLP/Liberal government under Chief Minister Fabian Picardo studied the proposal for some time before coming to the conclusion it would hold a referendum set initially for March last year. Registered voters in Gibraltar will vote on whether to enact legislation amending the Crimes Act to allow abortion under defined circumstances that relate to injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman, or where there is substantial risk of fatal foetal abnormality. If the ‘yes’ vote wins, the amendment to the legislation will come into effect. But if more people vote ‘no’, the law would stay the same. Gibraltar’s strong Catholic roots have historically
swayed the population to take an anti-abortion perspective. Although the pro-life group claims to be non-religious a number of religious figures feature in its ranks. This situation came to a head when male religious leaders posed over the Holocaust memorial in Commonwealth Park in a campaign event widely condemned across the Rock. Speaking in a live televised debate last week, Selena Victory from the Gibraltar for Yes campaign said: “Every single international human rights and public health body supports access to safe and legal abortion services. “It is a fundamental healthcare right. “Abortion is one of the oldest medical procedures and will continue to happen whether we legalise it or not. “The evidence is clear – in order to reduce abortion rates we need to legalise and regulate abortion.” In a panel discussion earlier this month, Marlene Hassan Nahon, leader of the Together Gibraltar Party criticised Gibraltar’s male-dominated political and religious hierarchy for their contributions to the local debate. “It’s up to women to fight for this right and force the issue forward,” she said. She underscored the importance of people turning up to vote on the day of the referendum, and was concerned that ‘COVID fatigue’ which had set in over the past year would discourage people from voting. Opinion Page 6
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF History made A SCHOOL in Gibraltar has seen a welcome return to normality as it invited students to dress up and celebrate World History Day. Bishop Fitzgerald school closed the year with some exciting performances from children dressed as historical characters and themed activities.
True heroes THREE Gibraltar residents have raised an impressive £41,777 towards the Cancer Relief Gibraltar and the Cardiac Rehab Centre on the Rock. Charles Harrison, Adrian Lopez and Keiron Alvarez completed a half ironman challenge involving a 100km run, 450km cycle and 10km swim.
Fuel the fire
A MAMMOTH haul of fuel has been seized in a public car park after a tip off from the public to what is described as ‘a bomb waiting to go off’. Over 1,000 litres of fuel, similar to the type used in drug smuggling vessels, was found inside a Mercedes car parked at the Arengo’s Palace housing development. A member of the public alerted the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) who quickly arrived on the scene and gained entry to the vehicle to remove the highly flammable liquid.
Navy visitor FOLLOWING on from the Royal Navy’s Astute class submarine visit, the Navy’s fifth largest vessel, the HMS Scott, docked on The Rock this week for a scheduled logistical visit. The 131m long ocean survey craft joined the RFA Cardigan Bay landing ship in a busy week for the Gibraltar dockland.
Blow
In total 50 containers were removed from the car in what police are calling a major blow to organised crime in the area. The RGP also commented how the very serious risk of a fire and explosion was averted thanks to the quick actions of the member of the public. Large quantities of this type of fuel are often stored on highspeed boats used for the smuggling of drugs to various parts of Spain and Africa in order to avoid docking to refuel.
Snow joke
Criminal kingpin
tion Post, four from Auxiliary Maritime Services (SAM), and several freight forwarders, consignees and carriers.
A DUTCH crime boss who Spanish police say fumbled an assassination attempt against a member of the infamous Irish Kinahan cartel has been arrested. The 40-year-old fugitive, identified only as Noureddine H, was held in San Pedro de Alcantara near Marbella. Police had been searching for the gunman since 2016 when DJ Djordy Latumahina was accidentally shot dead in an murder bid against Naoufal Fassih.
AN ORGANISED Crime Gang has had €16.5 million in cash seized as Spain’s Guardia Civil delivered Operation Jumita. The largest cash seizure in Spain’s history also saw 1.6 tonnes of cocaine taken out of distribution. With the support of Europol and its European Economic and Financial Crime Centre (EFECC), the Guardia Civil dismantled the trafficking network that brought Class A drugs from South America to the Port of Algeciras. The criminal gang consisted of employees who worked in various port departments, just to the west of Gibraltar. Their men on the inside included two from the Border Inspec-
€16.5m cash and 1.6 tonnes of cocaine seized
Sinking feeling THREE Moroccans have been arrested for immigration offences after entering Gibraltar Territorial Waters in a kayak. The men aged 23, 29 and 39 were spotted in an inflatable attempting to cross over to Gibraltar. The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) intercepted the men 2.5 nautical miles from Europa Point. None of them had valid travel documentation. Gibraltar is familiar with the arrival of migrants by water. Over the last few months, several immigrants have been spotted in waters near the Rock. Two men of Maghrebi origin were recently rescued on board a kayak, and a dinghy of five men was picked up by members of the RGP. The dinghy was said to have been in danger of sinking. In summer, with the arrival of good weather, the flow of small boats in the Strait of Gibraltar increases notably, and the RGP are remaining vigilant.
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After investigations started in August 2020, some 29 people were arrested on April 29. Sources say one large consignment of cocaine was hidden among frozen mackerel as it entered the Port of Algeciras. One of the gang, already on the run from Spanish justice, was tracked down and arrested in Amsterdam with the support of Dutch police officers.
Gang
He had been on the run since 2017 due to his involvement in another drug-smuggling operation. Due to the gang’s far-reaching international connections, the case was supported by the EFECC at Europol with two analysts seconded to Spain to carry out real-time cross-checking of data during the day of action.
Critical
DJ Djord and his girlfriend, who was critically injured, were sitting in their Mini Cooper with their twoyear-old daughter when they were targeted on October 8, 2016. A bullet fired by the gunmen just missed the youngster but DJ Djord was killed instead of real target Fassih, aged 40. The gunman suspected of organising the Fassish murder plot had been on the run for 10 years.
The Media Group on the move! Gibraltar journalist ? We are seeking a DO you have what it takes a story in Gibraltar. for newshound with an eye providing the best FREE to t en itm mm co r in a As part of ou we are looking to invest newspaper on the Rock reporter. local the a story and your nose to ey You must have an e for und. gro nt itted to REAL news we wa mm co d an , art sm If you are to hear from you. on d/or turn up on a doorstep ras Can you turn a ph e antime? depth working writer with an inWe are looking for a hard-ir local patch - Gibraltar. knowledge of the
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NEWS
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SCORE! PEDRO Sanchez has endorsed a bid for the World Cup to be hosted in Spain and Portugal in 2030. The Spanish prime minister said that his government wished ‘to express its desire and commitment to host the 2030 World Cup’ alongside Portugal. He made the announcement at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa attended the event and the two leaders signed their accord in the presence of Spain's King Felipe VI and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. “Today we sign the commitment of both federations to work together for a World Cup,” said the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes. Spain hosted the World Cup in 1982 at Camp Nou in Barcelona but a victorious bid would mark the first time hosting for Portugal. A Spanish/Portugese bid would face opposition from the joint bid from Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which would be buoyed as 2030 marks the centenary of the first World Cup, in Uruguay.
Dark knight rises... in Benidorm BATMAN has been soaring from the rooftops for 82 years, rescuing fair ladies, outsmarting villains and generally saving the world from destruction. It’s a tough and lonely life, so who can blame him for wanting to swap skyscrapers for sandy beaches, a nice paella, and maybe even a cheeky mid-morning pint. Benidorm, fortunately, is only too happy to oblige. The popular Spanish resort is just one of 14 locations that feature in Batman: The World, a new global 184-page anthology, to be published by DC Comics, on September 14 - true Batman fans will know this is just four days before World Batman Day. The award-winning Spanish graphic artist, Paco
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK E
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Expat-on-the-back for campaigners who provide vital support to Brits in Spain
RECOGNISED: (from left) Harris, Williams, Wilson, Hernandez were honoured
in 2016. Based in Madrid, Michael Harris is the Vice President of EuroCitizens and a British in Europe committee member. A former teacher and writer of English-language textbooks, Michael founded the grassroots organisation EuroCitizens in September 2016. Anne Hernandez, a retired university lecturer, moved to Spain over 30 years ago.
Rights
Based in Andalucia, Anne spearheaded the formation of Brexpats in Spain, which has worked tirelessly to inform UK nationals of their EU exit rights. A former member of the armed forces, Debbie Williams, based in the Valencia region, set up the
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Roca, admits it took him a while to come around to the idea of taking Batman to Benidorm, but eventually it made sense. “Short stories are always tough – this one is only 11 pages – so you run the risk of trying to fit too much in,” he said. “And these kinds of stories are crammed with action-packed, fist fight-heavy tales because that’s what the public expects. So I thought it would be quite fun to focus on relaxation.” While the Caped Crusader won’t be going full Benidorm, roasting on the beach 12 hours a day (DC Comics said his top had to remain on), he will do his best to engage in typical tourist behaviour. Oh, and he’ll be bringing his cape with him, because you never know when trouble is lurking around the corner… especially in Benidorm.
GONG-HO! FOUR Britons behind leading citizens’ rights campaigns in Spain have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The British Embassy in Madrid, released the names of the four Brits honoured for their ceaseless efforts to campaign for expats rights in the run up to the UK leaving Europe. The four associations continue to provide invaluable help and information to the British community as it navigates its way through life since the referendum
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grass roots organisation Brexpats - Hear Our Voice as a pan-European group a few days after the EU Referendum in June 2016. Moving from Belgium to Spain shortly afterwards, she continued her lobbying, engagement and awareness-raising efforts, con-
LEGENDARY British plumber Charlie Mullins more than turned on the tap when he donated thousands for a charity appeal. The on-off Costa del Sol expat, who owns London’s Pimlico Plumbers, handed €2,500 at the end of a fun evening at Legends bar, in La Cala de Mijas. The venue, reopening for the first time in 15 months, sold out three times over as guests took a trip back to the 60s with performances from Tom Jones and Lionel Richie tribute acts. The night raised a whopping £2,500 to help pay for 10-yearold Chloe Balloqui’s specialised cancer treatment, with Mullins, who has a home nearby, matching the door money.
KIM CLARK
CATHERINE Zeta-Jones has given fans a glimpse of her fabulous Mallorca holiday home through a video posted on Instagram. The Zorro actress has spent the last few weeks enjoying her 10-bedroom mansion, with husband, Michael Douglas, and their two children, Dylan and Carys. The villa, near Valldemossa, boasts a cinema, gym, and even a vineyard. There’s also a large walk-in wardrobe, which doubles as the Chicago star’s catwalk, as shown in the video. Douglas came close to selling the sprawling 250 acres cliffside estate in 2018, but eventually had a change of heart and pulled the plug on the sale. Catherine and Michael have been coming to the island for more than 30 years – with the loved up couple previously revealing that they fell in love there. “We have spent many, many hours here and it’s where I fell in love with Catherine, so for that reason the island means a lot to me and I am already part of its history,” cooed Douglas.
New challenge THE Love Island bosses have been approaching influencers with disabilities in a bid to be more inclusive in the next series. While the final line-up hasn’t been confirmed it would be ‘ideal if they had at least one disabled islander’ revealed a source. One name being thrown into the mix is influencer and para-athlete, Milly Pickles, 26, who had her leg amputated after she was electrocuted. This comes after the Love Island team vowed to make 2021's line-up ‘diverse and inclusive’.
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sidering the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU. As Chair of Bremain in Spain, Sue Wilson is one of the most visible campaigners for the rights of UK nationals in the EU. When moving to Spain to retire over 10 years ago, she had no experience of advocacy, campaigning work or speaking in public.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Gee Wizz
Prince Q&A
Recognition
WIZZ Air UK will be increasing its service from London Luton to Gibraltar, for July, adding an additional flight on Wednesdays. The airline already flies twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, but due to recent demand it will be adding an extra midweek flight. Vijay Daryanani, Gibraltar’s Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port, said: “The addition of extra services by Wizz Air UK is great news, especially so soon after they resumed flying to Gibraltar from London Luton.
A HANDFUL of Gibraltar’s finest have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Chief Minister Joseph Garcia has been awarded a CMG with other recipients including Gerald Charles Fortuna and Sandra Jane Gracia, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Ivor Stanley Lopez, Alfred Frances Rovegno, Sharon Margaret Ratcliffe and Valerie Wendy Makey.
PASSENGERS from the Scottish capital touched down on the tarmac to a traditional welcome as EasyJet launched its landmark Scotland Gibraltar link. The new twice-weekly service will form the British budget carrier’s first link between Edinburgh and the Rock and further increase Gibraltar’s air links to the UK as it aims to rebuild its summer season. It also represents a milestone for the Rock as it forms its first links to Scotland, a link that has
PRINCE Edward, the Earl of Wessex, took questions from aspiring DofE students in the first online virtual conference held last week. Hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, he fielded questions from 10 students during the Q&A including Gibraltarian Award Leader Gabriella Grech.
NEWS
Wheely good news THE UK government has issued an update on the use of Gibraltar driving licences in the wake of the December 30 Brexit transition period. Prior to December 30, Gibraltar citizens enjoyed the right to drive in Spain using their Gibraltar registered driving licences thanks to EU agreements. However since the UK’s exit
Scotch welcome been promised since 2019. The Minister for Tourism, The Hon Vijay Daryanani MP stood on the tarmac and welcomed the 150 travellers to Gibraltar, and was accompanied by traditional Scottish drummers donned in kilts. The tourists were also greeted with Gibraltar branded gifts as they made their way to the terminal.
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No need for International Driving Permit to drive in Spain from the Union, talks have been underway to negotiate various issues, legal driving whilst in Spain being one. The UK government has now said that an agreement has been reached to allow those resident in Gibraltar “I’m very pleased to finally see this service start. This was the first route that I secured to Gibraltar in December 2019,” said Daryanani. “It was due to operate last year but the pandemic delayed this. When the route was originally on sale it showed excellent forward demand and I have no doubt that it will be a great success.” The service plans to carry over 27,000 passengers until October 5 on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft with flights now available from £18.99.
and holding a driving licence to drive in Spain without the need of an International Driving Permit (IDP). Currently, the only countries where an IDP is required are Croatia, Cyprus, France and Italy, however negotiations are underway with the relevant institutions. If you are legally resident in Spain and you hold a Gibraltar driving licence you should take steps to exchange your driving license for a Spanish one prior to July 1 2021.
Caution
Those who own an EU labelled number plate in Gibraltar are not required to swap it for a GBZ registered plate. However the Government advises the public to err on the side of caution and display GBZ stickers on the back of their vehicles when driving in Spain.
Sub service THE Royal Naval Base in Gibraltar welcomed the Astute class nuclear submarine HMS Artful on a visit. The 100 metre long monster docked at the Gibraltar Naval Squadron base on a routine visit where onlookers got a glimpse of the Royal Navy’s most formidable submarine. Weighing in at 7,5000 tonnes and housing a crew of up to 98 personnel, the Astute-class submarine is one of the Royal Navy’s most powerful attack submarines.
Attack
Launched in 2007 from BAE Systems Submarine Solutions in the Cumbrian city of Barrow-in-Furness, it was inaugurated by the Duchess of Cornwall who described her as the ‘the largest and most able attack submarine that the Royal Navy has operated, with a performance to rival any in the world’. HMS Artful has the capability to house up to 38 weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish and Tigerfish anti-ship missiles.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke in Braunschweig
THE prosecutor leading the investigation into Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner said the case ‘could be solved’ this year. “We hope to solve the Maddie case, but it will take months,” said Hans-Christian Wolters. “Perhaps we will be able to say something by the end of the year.” But while the German prosecutor is ‘satisfied’ with the way the probe is going - and has more people working on it ‘than ever before’ - he is more likely to charge Brueckner sooner over two other crimes. In an exclusive interview to mark a year’s anniversary of an appeal for witnesses, he told the Olive Press that the German rapist, who spent a lot of time in Spain and Portugal, was being probed over at least five separate cases. These include the rape of Irish girl Hazel Behan, then 20, and the abuse of children in a play-
End in sight Over 1,000 tips on Maddie case which could be solved ‘by end of the year’ park on the Algarve in 2017. He told the Olive Press in Braunschweig that the probe into the Behan case was likely to take ‘a few months more’, while the case of Maddie and two other child abuse cases in Portugal might take a little longer. “The investigation (into Behan) will take a few months more and will probably not be as long as the Maddie case,” he insisted. “We only have Christian B as the suspect. However some in-
CHILLING: Brueckner and Maddie McCann
formation is missing, which we are in the process of pulling it together. “We are working with the Irish and Portuguese authorities and it takes a bit of time to get all the information we need. Once we have it all we will close the case. It will continue for a few more months, but not three months as it was recently reported.” Regarding the two child abuse cases in Portugal, he said they continued to investigate, albeit slowly. In particular, the case in Messines, where Brueckner exposed himself to four or five children late at night in a park during a town fiesta in 2017. “I think that case was a little bit forgotten because he was extradited back to Germany,” explained Wolters, who works closely with the crack BKA police unit. “We have now picked up the investigation and he is facing several years in prison. I cannot say exactly, but it will be two, four or six years.” A second child abuse case
GRILLING: Clarke with Wolters against a young German girl, 10, that took place near Praia da Luz in April 2007, a month before Maddie went missing, is also progressing. The girl was grabbed by a naked man, as she played in rock pools, near Salema beach. “We are investigating Christian B’s possible involvement in this but I can’t say how good the evidence is at this stage,” he added. He also confirmed that the Belgian authorities had been in touch and continued to probe Bruckner’s links in the case of Carola Titze, who was killed in July 1996. In terms of the investigation of Madeleine McCann, who vanished from her bed while on holiday in Praia da Luz, in May 2007, he is more cautious. He confirmed that his prosecutors department had been working on the case since the summer of 2018, but that German police had launched an investigation a year earlier in 2017. He said they had received other key information in the Maddie investigation, ‘maybe video, maybe phone’, but it was not the time to confirm exactly what. In
June 16th- June 29th 2021 total, they had received ‘more than 1000 tips’ from the public since the appeal last June. “The majority are from Germany and the UK... and we have been getting at least one tip a day, of varied quality,” he insisted. While he confirmed that they knew that Brueckner had lived in Spain for many months at various times, he didn’t wish to comment on two Russian brothers, based in Andalucia, who might have been linked to the case. “We have appealed for any information to these Russians, but I can’t tell you any more than that,” he said. The Olive Press revealed last year that Brueckner had three times visited the Dragon Festival, in Orgiva, near Granada, and spent many months living in the area. He criss-crossed Spain in his various vehicles, including his VW camper van and a Tiffin Allegro winnebago, on many occasions. It is known that Brueckner was in the vicinity of the Ocean Club on the night Maddie went missing as he had a long phone call with an unknown person nearby.
Abuse
The German, who has a long crime record including three convictions for child pornography and sex abuse, lived for seven years just outside Praia da Luz. His best friend Michael ‘Micha’ Tatschl told the Olive Press last year that he is ‘certain’ that he snatched Maddie and was always on the darknet.
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On show THE Minister of Culture, John Cortes, opened part two of the Easterly Winds exhibition at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery, on Tuesday. Led and curated by Magda Belli, Easterly Winds is the second in a two part project, featuring a selection of pieces from the Contemporary Art Collection of the Provincial Council of Cádiz - part one launched in 2019.
Cultural
Running until July 24, the exhibition is a cultural art exchange between the Government of Gibraltar and the Provincial Council of Cadiz. Dr John Cortes MP, said: “Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is delighted to support the second part of the Easterly Winds as a cultural exchange between Gibraltar and Cadiz. Gibraltar, despite Covid and despite Brexit, will continue to have its doors open to the rest of the World, for any cultural exchange or residency.” The exhibition is open from 10.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays and 10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.
NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
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OPINION Time to change IT’S about time Gibraltar came into the 21st century. Sometimes, dare we say it, ‘accidents can happen’, and bringing a life into a world that isn’t prepared is unfair - on both them and the parents. Abortion is a controversial subject. Of course, one person’s situation is never the same as another. But shouldn’t a woman have the right to do what she wants to her body? And in many cases abortion is also about the wellbeing of the woman. Religious, ethical and political factors aside, this is a woman’s body. Surely her life is just as important? Of the 195 countries in the world, abortion is illegal in 26, no matter what the circumstances. And in a further 37, abortion is only legal if it will save the mother’s life. In Gibraltar, women technically face life imprisonment if they have an abortion. Yet in neighbouring Spain, it’s legal within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and in the UK, within 24 weeks. For a country that still deems itself part of the EU, their governments couldn't be further apart. Although no woman has ever been sentenced to life for an abortion, the threat weighs heavily on residents and many go to Spain and the UK to have quick, clandestine procedures. The problem is they may not receive adequate before or after care as they hastily ‘make arrangements’. Come on, everyone, it’s time for change.
Renewable yes, but not like this WE all support clean energy, don’t we? As a nation with so much abundant sunshine, Spain should be doing its utmost to encourage citizens and town halls to generate their own solar power and strive for energy self-sufficiency. That may mean unsightly panels erected on roof tops but who cares if we carpet over industrial estates or mega malls such as Ikea? But there is a danger now of some of the most beautiful and environmentally important corners of Spain being carved up by energy companies and panelled over without due care and attention. Much of Spain’s coastline was ruined in a building frenzy during a construction boom that went unchecked, let’s not allow the same to happen to Spain’s unspoilt interior with the new cash cow that is renewables.
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Sunny valleys’ solar eclipse
Fight the power!
The celebrated green valleys and whitewashed village route around Andalucia are being lined up for a giant industrial makeover By Fiona Govan in Gaucin
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ESS than an hour’s drive from the built up concrete strip of the Costa del Sol, the picture postcard whitewashed village of Gaucin tumbles down a cleft of the celebrated Serrania de Ronda, topped by a Moorish castle and DEMONSTRATIONS: residents are staging protests against solar panels with unrivalled views across rolling hills to the Rock of Gibraltar and on most days, - an area long-gushed about by travel who has lived in Gaucin since childhood, Africa beyond. writers, including Washington Irving and whose two young girls are at the local Vultures soar overhead while the wooded Laurie Lee - is about to be sacrificed for school and who runs holidays with his hills and countryside bethe barons and bureaucrats of northern wife Clare offering hiking, birding and low is a haven for wildlife. Europe. horse-riding through the local hills. The area has long been a While 19th century Roman- “We just want to make sure that any projfavourite with discerning tic writer Richard Ford wrote ect is properly thought out, that the enviforeigners, including Lord that Gaucin was one of ‘the ronmental impact is properly considered. Our Sainsbury, DJ Fatboy Slim most romantically situated’ Because there is only one chance to do and polo star Jack Kidd, places he had visited, an Ol- this, and we need to do it right.” position who have bought up and ive Press source told us this He is just one among dozens of foreign is very simple: converted old farmhouses week that Spain was being residents who are waking up to plans that we are in and fincas into some of the targeted to ‘energize north- have the potential to ruin this unspoilt cormost desirable property Anern Europe’ whatever the ner of Spain. favour of dalucia has to offer. cost. Caroline Guillick, 58, is a keen birder and renewable But there is trouble in paraNow residents, including horsewoman who lives in nearby village, energy, but dise because the abundance hundreds of expats, are San Pablo de Buceite, and regularly rides of sunshine and unspoilt launching a furious defence backwater trials through the Guadiaro we are totally landscape also makes it atof their tranquil surround- valley which will be wiped out under the against the tractive for an entirely differings in a bid to stop the proposed plans. fact that ent type of investment. project, which they fear will “This is an area rich in biodiversity, with Plans have been unveiled for ruin the delicate biodiversity wild flowers that provide essential habitat there is no a series of mega photovoltaic and put an end to the sus- on the route of migratory birds like Egyplegislative plants that will carpet 2, 200 tainable tourism that has tian vultures, swallows, and eagles,” she framework to hectares – the equivalent of become a lifeblood for the says, stopping to point out a Black Shoulregulate 3,500 football fields - with region. dered Kite soaring above the butterflies in solar panels up to 20 feet tall Their objections range a pasture filled with wildflowers. this in this stunning, evocative from a desire to preserve “There are no proper studies being done macrovalley alone. an ecological system that to discover the impact a massive solar project Similar mega parks are prois home to endangered project will have, and that is what we are posed for neighbouring valspecies and serves as an fighting for,” explains the Brit who has Alberto Saro, leys (around half a dozen) as important corridor for mi- joined SOS Campiña Jimena to rally local president of SOS Spain attempts to meet its grating birds, to protecting residents across the affected villages. commitment to provide 39 rural tourism that relies on The group, of mostly Spaniards, claims Campina Jimena GW of photovoltaic energy by unspoilt countryside and the the projects threaten dozens of archae2030 up from the 9 GW it almost beautiful views Spain ological ruins scattered across the valley ready has installed. has to offer. from ancient, unexcavated Roman villas It seems that one of Spain’s most pictur- “We absolutely aren’t against green en- to priceless paleolithic sites. esque and celebrated mountain regions ergy,” insists Hughie Arbuthnott, a Brit Jean Brown Sassoon, a British resident of Jimena for over 40 years has spent countless days roaming this landscape seeking out archaeological treasures. “There is just so much here that hasn’t been charted,” says the spritely 94-yearold who as a young woman was the first
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HE Olive Press is the only English language newspaper in Spain that invests in and values good journalism so that we can campaign for the issues that are important to our readers. Our team of trained journalists across Spain strive to dig out the local stories to expose corrupOLIVE tion, unveil scandals and PRESS shed light on topics that really affect our readers. In this edition alone you will find the exclusive story of the plight of a British man who has had to demolish the home he has lived in for 17 years after he fell foul of a town hall’s + + ‘laissez faire’ planning 952 147 834 rules. You will also find out the latest in an ongoing scandal uncovered by the Olive Press that affects dozens of Brits trying to get residency on OLIVE the Costa Blanca. PRESS Plus we spent some time in an unspoilt corner of Andalucia finding out why residents are so opposed to solar farms. And it's not just because their views will be ruined. We at the Olive Press believe that this sort of investigative and campaigning journalism is 834 147 952 more needed than ever as we navigate through difficult times complicated by an economic downturn, a global pandemic and an issue that continues to complicate OLIVE life for many of our readPRESS ANON ers: Brexit. Streets of fire That is why, now more than ever we thank those of you who subscribe to our website, DONE DEAL? and follow our news updates daily, because without your contribution it wouldn’t be possible. Plus all those who get 952 147 834 in touch with stories to share and tips to follow. It’s thanks to you that we can continue to do what we do. ANDALUCÍA
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Vol. 15 Issue 370 www.theolivep ress.es
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EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner
AN expat is facing prison ing to demolish his home for failfell foul of a town hall’s after he ‘laissez faire’ planning rules. Gurney Davey, aged found out about the 67, only sentence when a court six-month was delivered to a document neighbour’s house. “I went straight to Tolox with it. They told me town hall have received it yet,” I shouldn’t he told the Olive Press. “They said they were going to be sending the notification to me once they had stamped it.” The news came as a massive bolt from the blue for Davey, whose wife has just died of cancer, which he believes worsened from the stress of the case. He had never been told court case that followedabout the a Guardia Civil denunciaon from for an ‘illegal build’. Davey’s two-bed home 2004 - should never - built in built according to have been the Malaga court.
British expat faces demolitio n of his 17 year home - and a spell repeat of controver in prison - in sial Priors case
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In 2016, and then again in 2017, Davey was ordered down his house, but, to knock with a neighbour, he in common waited for more details. While his Spanish Irene Millan, 29, did neighbour, hear from the court eventually was given six months again, she to ‘legalise’ her property - an option Davey was never given. However, his neighbour’s apparent good luck turned into a poisoned chalice. Having spent €20,000 DEMOLITION: Expat Gurney Davey is being town hall to legalise the with the forced to knock down his own house and the court finally refused dwelling, lan, whose name was on faces six months jail the cancer, at the age to accept deeds, was the new paperwork provided also of 71, in April. from legal firm Manzanares, by months jail and sentenced to six “We thought we had done the council. handed a fine of thing told the smart thing every- them that planning to do. €6 a day for a year. right at the time. We Instead, demolition was permission “Why got would be applied ordered legal advice and went - Now Davey is terrified which went ahead last for as an alma- build would we deliberately try to through he is set to lawyer in week. illegally? It makes lose his home order to get permissiona cen - or ‘warehouse’. To add insult to injury that we would sell up no sense This way it would come Irene’s It comes just at any moment. to build the home. everything 54-year-old father, Manuel remit of Tolox town under the in the UK and risk it all.” Mil- his wife Dianatwo months since “Diana fought breast hall, which died from bowel six cancer years before bowel cancer for would give permission and later Now Davey’s first thoughts are to avoid serving the jail - I they sentence. am sure the The could ‘legalise’ the property. He said: stress brought seen language of one legal letter, get the “My lawyer is trying to sentence suspended.” by the Olive Press, suggests it on.” this would be a mere formality. The couple, But Flatten originally from ised.the property never got legalALL AREAS COVERED In the meantime he Suffolk in the In has been fact, the Tolox mayor UK, of the forced to ask the town spent time, € 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 jailed Juan Vera, has since been permission to knock hall for his own 4G UNLIMITED building their schemeand fined for his part in a property down. to allow up to INTERNET “I will do it myself. I property. will borrow erties to be built on land350 prop- a JCB “It came as a as IDEAL FOR classified from someone and flatten my home of the past package - a In ‘rural’. STREAMING TV 17 plot with a new verymost cases he had used the will not let the town hall years. I do it and same ‘lax’ procedure ALSO IPTV, home on it.” of ap- charge me more money.” plying to build an ‘almacen’ Davey admits try SATELLITE TV to He added: “I’ve no idea where to keep the prying eyes he and his wife Junta See page 5 & 15 of the live afterwards. But the land to is still mine - maybe I can were perhaps “We authorities away. tel: (0034) 952 763 840 live in a naive to follow thingsthought that was the way tent.” info@theskydoctor.com the advice of Davey, worked in Spain,” said Tolox Ayuntamiento refused a retired builder. to www.theskydoctor.com comment, citing data their lawyer. protection “We went The lawyer, advice. It to see a lawyer and got laws. turns out that was not Opinion
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• Destruction of landscape: An area valued for its views and unspoilt countryside serves as a tourist attraction and makes property desirable. A recent study by the University of Granada suggests large energy infrastructures would decrease the value of homes by 34.7% and would have a very negative impact on rural tourism. • Loss of jobs: Traditional farming of the region such as grazing livestock, beekeeping, hunting, rural and residential tourism, catering and accommodation, all of which rely on the current landscape to provide employment. • Loss of habitat: The area is an essential stop of point for migratory birds that rest and feed there after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, recovering strength and energy to continue their journey. • Water: To keep the panels clean and dust free they must be cleaned at least three times a year, with a litre required for every square meter of photovoltaic surface each time. For example 2,700 hectares would require 80 million litres of water a year. If Spain meets its solar power targets by 2030, this means about 2 billion litres of water per year in all of Spain. • Archaeology: Dozens of unexcavated sites still remain scattered across the hills and valleys in the zone and could be concreted over to build the megaparks.
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The female warriors who took on Drake’s army and won!
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I BEG YOUR PADRON See page 6
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n Clinic Award Winning Rehabilitatio
ing’ as British ‘Hellish and humiliat‘fraudulent’ expats arrested over ons residency applicati EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
Jay work for residencia,” said Costa, Elliott, 66, of Orihuela has lived in Spain for
who over five years. expats HigA GROUP of British police She and her friend Lily for a have been detained by gins, 71, had plannedin the after their padron certificates peaceful retirement Spain with proving they lived in docsun but are now living case or appear to have been the threat of a court tored. even deportation. have trouble At least eight people town “I’ve never been in being been grilled over the which before but here I am, crimhall registration forms, same treated like a common huwere all handled by the Costa inal,” said Higgins. “It’s gestor company on the miliating.” same Blanca. They added that the to National Police confirmed gestor is being investigated detecthe date on at the Olive Press that changing for applitives are working alongside least 22 more British inLily and Jay the Guardia Civil to now cants. appliasked HUMILIATED: rules can differ from vestigate all residencia Another couple, who the Olin “Other gestors are means to region. cations in Alicante made not to be named, told been adding: as part region complialso being brought in 2021. She added that the ive Press how they had went to of an ongoing investigation cated application process is It comes after ‘widespread questioned when they TIE applications.” expats vulnerable to fraud’ was allegedly detected collect their TIE cards.a room, into spokesman told the leaving in over 22 Britons attempting “We were taken into told to A policePress: “All residen- unscrupulous gestors. when to become resident here. read our rights and padron Oliveapplications from every “One would expect that for elderly cia why our 2021 This week a number of be you turn to a professionaland explain show a gestor in the province will pay the money expats described the situation had been doctored to in case of possi- help, you but as ‘humiliating’ and ‘hellish’, get professional adviceabout 2020 date - it was hell.” used investigated quesconnections.” after they were held for we hear lots of stories wrong All those detained hadgestor ble caution. a tioning under people being given the being One Way Services, process how Money They told the Olive Press Islands and Natural Cosmetics information or even into based in Quesada to AlicanAloe from the Canary they were carted to grilled their applications - including All fraudulent submissions exploited and landing qualified so-called appliby te police station and with padron. trouble the insisted will be cancelled about falsifying documents Owner Matt Smith but the cants given the right to ap- gestors,” she warned. card pasubmitted with their TIE “This case of fraudulent that his is anything to be peal. appeal drons being submitted is applications. only gestor business “The outcome of the no means “We were wrongly arrested dragged into the investigation will be either ‘you now have shocking but it’s by for submitting fake padrons, “Nobody has been arrested, residencia’ or ‘you have 15 isolated.” cor(until 30 June) even though we put the that is a fact,” he insisted, days to leave Spain’, they paperour affectwith in been rect ones If you have said. Press ed in a similar way by A source told the Olive Calle Perez Pujol 3, this, or any other gestor, that a court date in Torrevieja as ev- please get in touch with Valencia center has yet to be confirmed, us on newsdesk@theo See page 15 idence is still being gathered. Monday - Saturday livepress.es Anne Hernandez of Brexpats a lack 10.00-20.00 Opinion Page 6 in Spain warned that of clear national guidelines
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POLICE launched an emergency protocol - early hours dubbed ‘Operation Hell’ - after over a dozen cars were set ablaze late on Saturday night. Residents woke up in fear as flames lit up the streets girola when a man set of Fuenfire to 15 cars in his wanton orgy of destruction. The Spaniard, 38, was arrested after targeting vehicles, while also breaking the COVID curfew. Security cameras identified him after following him driving around leaving the blazing wreckage. One block of apartments in Avenida Miramar was scorched by a line of eight burning vehicles. Firefighters were called cident at 3.20am and to the inwere able to stop the flames spreading to the building. On arriving at the scene, police received four more fires nearby, includingreports of in one street and a car four cars ramar shopping centre. at the Mi-
HOME by 10pm and restaurants and bars closed by 6pm. These are just some of the tougher coronavirus restrictions which came into force for most of Andalucia last night. Expats however, were left at where exactly they wereconfused to travel and what they allowed could do during the two week lockdown. In Fuengirola, for example, Press readers questioned Olive were able to go to Iceland if they the N-340, as it sits inside alongside Meanwhile, in Casares Mijas. where there are no shops costa wondered if they could - expats go to the supermarkets in neighbouring Estepona and Manilva.
Tennis
In Granada, a total closure of non-essential businesses, including the hospitality industry, was ordered by the Junta due worse’ coronavirus figures.to ‘much President Juanma Moreno announced the new rules at a press conference on Sunday evening. They will be in force until at least November 23, when a review is BORIS Johnson has assured scheduled. his cabinet that a Brexit withdrawal UK Prime Minister The night time curfew deal optimistic trade 10pm to 7am and everyis now from The is ‘there to be done’. agreement can be reached municipalproposed agreement ity has closed its borders, comes before this amid residents can only leave meaning US signs Joe Biden’s stunning week’s looming deadline election win has or enter if they have a justifiable reason. desire to double down sparked a on negoti- great enthusiast The exceptions include travelling for a trade deal week. for ation with the EU. work, medical or legal with our European friends,” reasons or if The Prime Minister is hoping you are caring for a dependant. said She added: “I to Johnson strike think Boris has supermarkets and hairdressersVets, the a trade deal this week before “I think at the weekend. another uphill struggle it’s there to be done, European are Union’s in beallowed to stay open after reach an agreement ondeadline to broad outlines are pretty clear.”the friending Biden who is vocally anNovember His remarks Outdoor tennis and padel6pm. ti-Brexit but he has to clubs are 16. come as get him on allowed to stay open. it negotiator Michel EU Brex- his side since his partner-in-crime While Olive Press sources Barnier re- is going insist See Olive Press online Biden’s win has injected renewed turned to London on Monday of- House to be leaving the White fering ‘three keys to unlock in January. impetus into the talks, for full list of rules a deal’. “There will be claimed this has always Johnson He is here for a week of ‘intensive’ a deal and Boris will been the talks with his British counter- say they have ‘managed’ to agree it case. with the EU and he will part David forget to “I’ve al- and fishing Frost, with fair trade add the reason being w a y s points up agreements the main led and did another that he buckfor discussion. u-turn.” been a Anne Hernandez But of lobby group by her optimism was tempered a downbeat assessment Brexpats from in Downing Street, with No 10 Spain told the claiming ‘significant differences Olive Press remain’ a deal would Monday.between the two sides on be struck this A spokeswoman added: “ T h e prime
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minister set out that, while some progress had been made discussions, significant in recent es remain in a number differencincluding the so-called of areas, level playing field, and fish.” She said they had agreed negotiating teams wouldthat their ue talks in London this contin‘redouble efforts to reach week to a deal’, adding that they would personal contact about remain ‘in the negotiations.’ Nigel Farage this week blasted the prime minister for failing to secure a withdrawal agreement ahead of the US election results, claiming that Joe Biden ‘hates the UK’.
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In the first official interview on the project, Pedro Godino Martin, who has been the Popular Party mayor in Gaucin since 2011, admitted: “The first thought is, oh yes this could be an interesting project, you think it’s clean energy, alternative, green…” Speaking in his town hall office, he added: “And I’m not against photovoltaics at all, in fact last year we installed panels on the roof save the situation, and that is what we are of the school, atop the medical centre and working on.” on the water plant. The idea of generatSome residents fear that the project hering your own electricity is a good one. We alds the start of a scheme that will see want to encourage sustainability. much of Spain’s brownfield sites - which “But this crazy idea of a macro project, a includes these sort of ancient pastures mega park that covers the countryside in paved over in solar farms as energy companels, which is going to have an impact panies clamour to buy up the best sites. on the whole area. Absolutely not!” “It’s happening by stealth, with a small He is also the first to admit that the town is project here and another in the next heavily reliant on tourism (a key driver for town but before you know it they will all the local economy) and the views it offers be linked up together with power lines are one of its great selling points. Labeled criss-crossing southern Spain,” said one as ‘the Balcony of the Serrania de Ronda’ British resident in Gaucin. the town attracts big-spending tourists. “There is a very real fear “The entire industry is based that Spain is being carved on tourism, the holiday rentup by energy companies als and the visitors of course As many as 53 in a speculation frenzy. It’s but also the residential toursolar projects colonization of the sunny ism that comes with high pursouth to fuel northern Euchasing power. It fuels conare currently rope.” struction, the service industry in the town. It’s all wrapped in the planning In fact four projects are currently planned within the up in the unspoilt location.” pipeline neighbouring municipali“People buy property here, ties of Gaucin, Jimena de they build or refurbish housla Frontera, San Martín del es. But if this sort of project Tesorillo and Casares, which totals over is installed, these people will leave and 2,200 hectares. others will come, take one look and not The Silvema Ecologistas en Acción ascome back.” sociation says it is aware that there are “They are selling us the idea that this type currently 53 projects of this type on the of project provides employment, but it table in the region including Cañete La doesn’t. They’ll use people they need to Real, Almargen, Teba and Cuevas del set it up but when it’s up and running it Becerro, and mega parks planned in the just requires two or three to keep it going Guadalhorce valley affecting Coin as well and that’s it.” as Antequera. The mayor admits though that it is not an "There is no regulation and no restriction easy fight: “We can’t just say no for the from the Junta de Andalucía or the govsake of not wanting it. Under the current ernment in Madrid," the group warns. regulations the land they have earmarked for the project is compatible from an urAdditional reporting by Elena Gocmen ban planning point of view. We have to Rueda. study the environmental impact to try and
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female archaeologist on staff at the British Museum in London. “To think that all this will be carpeted over in solar panels,” she gestures with a sweeping arm across a landscape where the ancient stones of a Roman road are still visible. While some farmers have already said they are happy to lease their land for the project, others are dead against it. Take Cristobal, as an example. His family has grazed cattle on the pastures around Jimena for centuries. He insists it is a false economy. “They promise big bucks and people will take it, but then what will they have? Our livelihood will be ruined and in 20 years when the lease expires, there will be nothing but desert left. What will we leave for future generations?” The mayor of Gaucin told the Olive Press he is preparing to fight the project.
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FIGHTERS: Jean Brown Sassoon (above) and Caroline Guillick (bottom right) have joined the battle to save the stunning countryside
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MORE than 500,000 people in Andalucia are self employed - the highest level in the country. Andalucia has now overtaken Catalunya as the region with the most self-employed people in Spain after it saw a 0.63% rise in the number of people registering as autonomo last month. In May 3,514 people in Andalucia registered their intent to work for themselves. Data from the Social Security system for self-employed workers (RETA), revealed that the region has seen an increase of 24,439 self employed people since May last year.
Pirate jailed
June 2nd - June 15th 2021 REGIONS in Spain have been given the freedom to decide their own coronavirus control measures for bars, restaurants and clubs. Since Saturday the hospitality sector will no longer have to answer to Madrid but will instead follow plans decided by their regional government. The Ministry of Health and Spain’s regions unanimously agreed a proposal for devolved power on Wednesday, June 9. At the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) the Ministry of
Health brandished the ‘white flag’ and said that any national limitations on the sectors. The last-minute U-turn by Carolina Darias’ department came as a surprise to many after the Ministry previously slammed the hospitality restrictions as ‘non-negotiable’. In the original draft proposal, published on Monday, the Ministry had already removed controversial national restrictions on bars and restaurants after the ‘rebellion’ of several territories including Madrid, the Basque Country, Castilla y León, Galicia, Murcia,
Catalunya, La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucía and Melilla. However, the department continued to insist that nightclubs had to close at 2am and, only in exceptional circumstances, 3am. But that text has also been removed and as of tomorrow no national measures will be imposed on the hospitality sector by the Ministry of Health. COVID restrictions including opening hours, capacity limits and social distancing will now be in the hands of the individual regions.
Looking up SPAIN has just experienced its best May in terms of employment for three years. With 19.26 million people in work, it has returned to the level of activity observed before the pandemic. The recovery should accelerate with the arrival of summer, the return of tourism and the
Spain’s economic comeback gathers pace By Nickacia Forrester
progress of vaccination, according to Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez. He said: “Vaccination
A WOMAN has been jailed for six months for using pirated versions of Windows and Microsoft Office on two of her cybercafe computers. The woman, who owns a computer access centre in Madrid, was caught in November 2017. The police had discovered that two of the eight computers available in the cybercafé held a pirated version of the software. In addition to jail and a fine, the woman will also have to pay Microsoft for the cost of two licences.
is the best economic policy, and we are verifying it.” The hotel industry, which is starting its tourist season, and agriculture, which is beginning its fruit harvest, are the two sectors that are currently recruiting the most. Unemployment is down this month with 3.78 million Spaniards looking for work. According to the Spanish Social Security, 542,142 people are still on short-time working, waiting to return to their jobs. There were more than 600,000 at the beginning of May and almost a million at the height of the health crisis. Experts estimate that this figure will continue to fall gradually.
A SMALL Spanish hotel operator founded in 2019 has linked up with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to develop 20 hotels across key holiday destinations. Mallorca-based Smy Hotels has two hotels in Spain out of its 10-strong portfolio , which also takes in Italy, Greece, and Tunisia. The Wyndham agreement means that 20 hotels will be branded under the company name but be run by Smy in Spain, Portugal and Italy over the next decade. The global company will support Smy Hotels’ aim to attract more small hotel owners in urban and coastal destinations to sign up to the new group.
Hotel expansion Ovidio Andres, founder of Smy Hotels, said: “ In a region with a plethora of small owners and brands, Smy Hotels serves as an alternative for those who want to entrust the management of their properties to a company with a strong digital DNA and expertise in improving the profitability of hotel establishments. “Working with Wyndham will help position Smy Hotels for independent hotel owners who want to be affiliated with a globally-recognised brand.”
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1 Shirley’s good ship (8) 2 You won’t like comics if you don’t have one (5,2,6) 3 Bag carrier, of course (5) 4 Unquestionable truth (6) 5 English china (13) 6 Leg ends? (4) 12 Nourished (3) 13 Wielding (8) 15 Financial backers (6) 17 Scapegoat (5) 19 Holds up (4)
All solutions are on page 13
LA CULTURA
Strings to her bow
MARIA Dueñas has just won first prize in the prestigious Menuhin Competition. The 18-year-old violinist from Granada played three pieces by Witold Lutoslawski, Mozart, and Edouard Lalo) to take top spot at the contest in Richmond, Virginia (USA). The international competition named after the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin aims to reward young talent. Dueñas has already performed in major European venues, alongside groups such as the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Luxembourg Philharmonic. The Spanish musician will receive $20,000 (€16,400) and the loan of a Stradivarius for two years.
June 16th- June 29th 2021
Domingo’s return Disgraced opera singer gets a mixed reaction to Madrid concert
TENOR Placido Domingo received a standing ovation at the end of his first concert in his native Spain for 18 months. The singing star's career stuttered to a halt in 2019 in the wake of allegations over sexual misbehaviour towards women. Domingo, aged 80, performed at a charity event in aid of the Cruz Roja at Madrid’s National Auditorium. His previous Spanish appearance was at Valencia's Palau de Les Arts in December 2019 as a cast member in the opera, Nabucco. President of the Community
Grave occasion
of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said: “It is a source of pride that Placido Domingo has returned home and pride that he is amongst us.” But Spain’s Equality Minister, Irene Montero, attacked the audience who applauded Domingo. In a social media posting Montero said: “I would like them to ask themselves what kind of a message are they sending to those women (who accused Domingo) and to those who are sexually assaulted every day in our country.” The opera singer was accused
OPERA lovers can enjoy a night of music at the historic English Cemetery in Malaga. Arias from the opera L'Elisir d'Amore by Donizetti will be performed by local group El Ultimo Trovador on June 26 at 9pm, Tickets are available from the Eventbrite website at https://bit. ly/34V9MLA and cost €13.54. All the activities in the English Cemetery have been made COVID-19 safe through measures such as the obligatory use of masks, social distancing - and a limit on the numbers at each event.
I’M BACK: Scandal hit Domingo of sexual misconduct by eight women nearly two years ago. That grew to over three dozen female performers and backstage staff who were mentioned in a report published by the American Guild of Music artists. Most of the victims preferred to stay anonymous but accused Domingo of ‘unwanted touching’ and attempts to kiss them on the lips. Soprano, Angela Turner Wilson, said that Domingo entered her dressing room before a performance and touched her breasts leaving her ‘stunned and humiliated’. No charges have ever been brought against the singer but he apologised for making his female colleagues ‘uncomfortable’ and he denied any ‘aggressive’ behaviour.
A PRICELESS set of tapestries by famed Renaissance artist Raphael are in danger of being seriously damaged by pigeons. Madrid’s Royal Palace has nine of the works on show. They may have lasted half a millennium unscathed, but now feathered pests who have taken up residence in the gallery are putting them in peril by potentially bombarding the woven art pieces with droppings. The Acts of the Apostles were created for Pope Leo X in 1515 to grace the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. The originals, which show scenes from the lives of St Peter and Paul, were created in a Brussels workshop using Raphael’s sketches and featuring gold and silver silk and wool yarns. They are the artist’s only known tapestry designs and the last major project he completed before his death in 1520. The pigeon-afflicted tapestries on display at the Roy-
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Catch that pigeon al Palace are not the originals, but replicas using Raphael’s original designs. European monarchs were so impressed with the pieces that several ordered copies that were made using the same sketches – including Phillip II of Spain. These are the ones that have been on show since November to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death. It is only in recent weeks that pigeons have become a problem. Staff have opened windows to let air in – and with the breeze have come the birds. Two ultrasonic devices have been installed to try and stop the pigeons from entering the spaces where the tapestries are hung. And staff are keeping a hawks eye open to make sure none of the avian visitors settle down to nest.
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LA CULTURA Hidden beauties
PAIN counts amongst its architectural gems some of the most beautiful villages in Europe - if not the world. There are so many memorable hamlets and quaint villages in the country that it is almost impossible to rank them. But one organisation has at least recognised them and added 10 more to its list of
June 16th- June 29th 2021
‘must see’ pueblos. The Association Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España (The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain) announced the names of these charming and offthe-beaten-track Spanish villages that are perfect places to visit in 2021. Since 2011 the list has grown to include over 100 of the country’s most picture-perfect villages and in less than a decade has be-
come a reference point of distinction and quality both nationally and internationally. To make the cut, towns must have a population of under 15,000 with notable architectural or cultural
heritage, programmed cultural activities, attention to traditions and green areas, among other criteria. From white-washed hilltop villages in Andalucia to medieval walled towns where
10 of the dreamiest villages in Spain to visit in 2021 the streets are lined with millions of mosaic tiles, the Olive Press takes a look
at the pretty pueblos that have been added to the list this year.
Agulo (La Gomera) Agulo is one of the smallest and oldest towns of La Gomera, nestled in a natural depression, the old village is one of the best preserved and most beautiful of the Canary Islands. Historically, it was one of the most prosperous municipalities of the island, being the first to have drinking water and electricity. The picturesque town faces the ocean, lined with beautiful streets and surrounded by charming trails, it also boasts stunning views to the neighbouring island of Tenerife.
Cudillero (Asturias)
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n enchanting fishing village on the coast of Asturias, Spain. The entire village is cosily nestled within a small bay. Its picturesque and colourful houses make it one of the most famous, admired and photographed fishing towns in northern Spain, Spread out along the coast are sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, this picture-perfect fishing village also boasts some of the best Asturian seafood.
Baños de la Encina (Jaen)
Located at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains, the town’s main monument is the Caliphate Fortress, built in 968, which witnessed the battles between
Muslims and Christians. The village centre was declared a Historic Artistic Site in 1969 and the area, surrounded by Holm Oak trees, umbrella pines
and bushes together with a number of species of wild animals which inhabit the area, has earned Baños de la Encina popularity with nature lovers.
LA CULTURA
June 16th- June 29th 2021
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Nuevo Baztan (Madrid)
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his interesting town, 50 kilometers from Madrid, was founded in the beginning of the 18th century by Juan of Goyeneche as a dwelling for the workers of a glass factory. It consists of a small historic centre and modern housing estates. The city was declared a Historic and Artistic Monument in 1941 and in 2000, it was declared a Cultural Heritage Monument.
Genalguacil (Malaga) Genalguacil is located in the Genal Valley, in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda, hidden a few kilometers from the Costa del Sol. With little more than 500 inhabitants, its Arab heritage, intermingled with the predominant white of the houses in the village, together with the green of holm oaks and cork oaks, makes this small paradise one of the most beautiful and unique towns of Andalucia.
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his picture-postcard village is located at the beginning of the river Llierca. A village with no more than 20 inhabitants, the medieval stone buildings remain frozen in time and the ex-
Beget (Girona) treme care of its buildings and surroundings has allowed its heritage to survive over the centuries, becoming the most beautiful village in Spain.
Roncal (Navarra)
Bulnes (Asturias)
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he lovely, remote village of Bulnes in Spain’s green Asturias, is not only one of the smallest villages in Spain, but it is also one of the most beautiful. With just under 30 inhabitants, this remote village is unusually challenging to get to, at 650 metres (2,133 feet) up in the rugged Picos de Europa mountains, it is only accessible via a tramway that was tunnelled in from the nearby village of Poncebos, footpaths and donkey trails.
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urrounded by rounded mountain ranges, the town is best known for being part of the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James). Located below Monte Irago, this town, declared an Artistic and Historic Site in 1975,
Molinaseca (Leon) boasts a rich, medieval past. One of its main attractions is the Roman Bridge, also known as the Pilgrims’ Bridge, which reaches the Santo Cristo Cross.
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avarra’s most spectacular mountain area is around Roncal, a town located in the middle of the Navarrese Pyrenees. It is completely paved and has several beautiful points, such as the church of San Esteban or the mausoleum to the tenor Julián Gayarre, made by the sculptor Benlliure.
Valverde de la Vera (Caceres) A beautiful place to enjoy and relax surrounded by nature, with water being the main element. In fact, watering holes and small channels still flow to the doors of the houses and are used for irrigation and even for cleaning. Crystal-clear natural swimming pools formed from water falls from the Tormantos and Gredos mountain ranges abound in the area, as do nature trails making it a hikers paradise.
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PROPERTY Bouncing back
SPANISH house sales in April were higher than in the same month in 2019, according to figures from Spain’s College of Registrars. A separate survey shows that May’s prices rose by 1.3% over 12 months. It’s significant news that the property market appears to be recovering after last year’s pandemic problems, with some extra pent-up demand as a bonus. The Registrar figures, which reflect real estate transactions, show April’s property sales as being unsurprisingly 91% higher than a year earlier, when the State of Alarm lockdown largely put paid to
A THIEF claimed a €125,000 lottery prize from a ticket in a stolen handbag and bought a house with his surprise windfall. The 52-year-old man went into a restaurant in the Alicante Province town of Novelda on December 19. He pinched a female customer’s handbag that was
Property sales higher than pre-pandemic leval
By Alex Trelinski
any business. The surprise though was that April sales clocked in 3.1% higher than two years earli-
House win hanging over her chair The contents included €950 in cash but also a ticket for the annual El Gordo lottery. Much to the thief’s joy, it proved to be a winner in the annual draw three days later. The prize was €125,000 and
er, and new home mortgages were up by 8.8% over the same two year period. Overall real estate transactions, including commercial premises, grew by 9.3% compared to April 2019. he fraudulently claimed it for himself. He then used the proceeds to buy a house in Alzira. Painstaking work by the Guardia Civil to identify the culprit took over five months, but he was arrested at his new property on May 31. Despite having a criminal record for theft, a court granted him bail.
As for prices, the latest Tinsa survey showed that May’s average property price rose by 1.3% compared to a year earlier. The increase from between April and May was 0.5%. The biggest annual rises were on the Balearic and Canary Islands at 4.6%, followed by the Mediterranean coast with 3.2%.
Hike
The pandemic effects of people wanting to look away from large cities appears to be continuing. The Tinsa report says that the annual price hike for major urban centres was just 0.4%.
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June 16th- June 29th 2021 MALAGA, Valencia and Alicante beat Madrid and Barcelona for the best quality of life, when it comes to the best cities to live in Spain. In a recent survey by the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), 15 of Spain’s largest cities were compared, including everything from cost of living to education and health services, leisure, culture, employment and
The high life
more. Coming out on top was the Galician city of Vigo, with 70%, scoring highly in safety, cleanliness, education, environment and pollution - an all round favourite place to live. Just behind Vigo is Zaragoza and Bilbao at 69%. Sitting in the middle is Malaga, with 66%, followed by Valencia (65%) and Alicante (64%), with an average score across the board. Slipping into the 50’s is Murcia, Palma and Barcelona, with Madrid sitting in last place. Palma, specifically, was called out for its low education offer, while Barcelona and Madrid were seen as the worst cities for pollution, as well as their lack of culture, sports and leisure offerings.
Kick off! CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s luxury brand CR7 has opened its brand new flagship hotel on Madrid’s Gran Via. Boasting 168 rooms, a terrace bar, swimming pool and solarium, the hotel is run via the established hotel chain Pestana, which currently has two other sites in Spain’s capital, Pestana Plaza Mayor and Pestana Collection. The hotel will be split over 10 floors, and be home to a fully loaded sports bar, complete with table football and large TV screens, and also a pizzeria run by renowned chef Mauro Soggiu. The roof of the building will also boast 360 degree views of the city, whilst holiday makers will be able to enjoy the rooftop pool and cocktail bar. Ronaldo also emphasised the sporting nature of his hotel, explaining that it will house a fully equipped gymnasium and offer a full package of sporting activities. To give it its full title, the Pestana CR7 Gran Vla Madrid is the result of a €13 million investment to renovate the iconic number 29 Gran Via, which formerly held the Casa del Libro book store on its ground floor. The CR7 brand previously had just two hotels, both in Portugal (Lisbon and Funchal) but the Pestana Group, Portugal’s largest hotel chain, plans to expand its extensive portfolio to New York and Marrakech later on in the year, along with one in Manchester and Paris in the next two years.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
June 16th- June 29th 2021
Lovely bubbly A NEW set of regulations is set to help a Spanish region corner the market in ecological cava. The Utiel-Requena inland area of Valencia has long been a world-class denomination for wines rivalling even La Rioja – and for the area cava is the name of the game. Requena is said to be the heart of Valencian cava and the leading producer in Spain of ecological varieties of the famous fizzy wines. There are currently 4,000 hectares of vineyards in the area dedicated to produc-
AT 6am on Tuesday morning, the world’s tallest ship, Golden Horizon, made a short stop in Malaga Port, en route from the shipyard in Croatia. Operated by Tradewind Voyages, the ship is due to set
Requena set to become a prime producer of the highest category of sparkling wines in the country By Glenn Wickman
ing the white grapes for cava – 10% of the total surface in Spain. One third of all bottles of DO Cava produced in the Valencian town boast the Eco label, and over 20% of Spain’s total ecological cava production comes from there.
ONE in five people and a third of 18 to 24s in the UK are considering a holiday to amber list countries including Spain. This is despite strict quarantine and testing rules for their return home, according to a report by Survation. PCR tests can cost up to £120 (€149) a person but it seems many people feel it is a price worth paying, although the 10-day quarantine requirement remains a bigger hurdle for some. Travel agents are calling for ministers to allow people who have had both doses of vaccine to travel to amber
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Amber for go countries without testing or quarantine, although the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock remains against the stance. He told MPs: “Restoring international travel in the medium term is an incredibly important goal. “It is going to be challenging and hard because of the risk of new variants.” The next reassessment of the traffic light categories is due on June 24.
+34 951 566 192 Duquesa Port, Manilva
Fizzy
Only grapes grown within the town’s limits can be used to create the DO Cava fizzy wines, and a new series of criteria set to be introduced by the Spanish regulating authorities are expected to further boost the reputation and sales of the Valencian variety. Once approved, champagne-style fizzy wine will be classified into four dif-
QUALITY: Region’s grapes have a great reputation
ferent categories depending on the aging period – namely guarda and three types of guarda superior. In order to qualify for guarda superior, the product must be made with ecological grapes,
Raising the mast sail from Harwich, England, on July 1, marking the first of many voyage adventures. but on its way there, it sailed
Paella heritage PAELLA could become a UNESCO heritage asset if the Valencian government gets its way. An official application process has begun via a declaration in the region’s State Bulletin to apply for Valencian paella to be classified as a ‘World Intangible Heritage Asset’. The proclamation states: “Paella is the epicentre of the Valencian culinary tradition and the backbone of it; this, together with its preparation process and its cultural relevance in Spain, has turned it into one of the most prestigious global brands.” Valencian paella has its own ingredients and characteristics compared to other versions in Spain or further afield. It is normally cooked with seafood (prawns and mussels) or meat (chicken, rabbit, pork ribs, snails). The supporting ingredients, besides the rice, are tomatoes (peeled and grated), paprika, rosemary, saffron, garlic and various types of bean or sometimes artichoke. It became popular in the region when rice was a staple dish of many poor people and all kinds of ingredients were lumped into a pot to produce a hearty meal.
past Malaga and Gibraltar. From Harwich, the ship will make its way to Yorkshire, followed by Newcastle, completing its trip in Edinburgh. Golden Horizon is a near replica of the 1913-built ocean vessel France II. It has 140 ocean-facing cabins, multiple restaurants, spa facilities and boutique shops. The tall ship relies heavily on the wind for power, using ‘Mother Nature as its compass’. Before setting off, the crew reviews the prevailing winds, currents and weather conditions in whichever region of the world the ship is located. This determines the general direction of travel, so that the boat can capitalise on the ship’s sailing credentials.
which has been the focus of Requena’s cava production over recent years. The area’s low humidity, good altitude and temperature differences between day and night – which prevent the spread of most pests and infections – will make it very easy for Requena to adapt to the new regulations when they come into force by 2025.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
June 16th- June 29th 2021
The ‘wheel’ Spain
dmittedly, aspiring to cycle over the Sierra Nevada on a bike with heavy pannier bags and only seven gears had seemed ambitious from the outset. But my book, (Just As Well) It’s Not About The Bike, is as much about Spain’s history and cul- Sierra Nevada. ture as it is the 1,300km route The only sounds came from the from Valencia to Gibraltar. crickets in the bushes and the Several readers have comment- gentle trickle of the water founed that I must be ‘bonkers’ to tain in the square. have embarked on the journey. The few residents I saw were by However, it was the best thing I the village’s solitary restaurant, have ever done. The bike, which seated in the shade in contentI bought for less than €200 at ed silence. the start of the trip, enabled me Away from the beach bars, to travel to parts of Spain the sound systems and T-shirt sellvast majority of tourists have ers on the coast, the pace of life never even heard of. here was palpably different. I hugged the I stayed the night coast for much nearby and ate of the adventure, breakfast in Things didn’t but I was unable Ohanes, where to resist the lure always go the village’s atof the Alhambra tractive white to plan, and took a detour buildings and inland to visit the historic stone sometimes tourist Mecca of church cling to disastrously Granada. While the mountainthe city is undeniside. ably impressive, it As I approached was the ride to get there that will the summit, I looked back tolinger longest in the memory. wards Almeria. Turning my back on the Medi- The Sierra Nevada is one of the terranean Sea, I ascended away few places in Europe where you from the holiday makers settling can ski in sight of the sea, which in for a day at the beach. I’d shimmered tantalisingly in the spent the previous day along- early morning sun. side them and I felt a pang of From the peak, the 400m dejealousy as I strained every sin- scent towards Abla was worthy ew climbing to nearly 1km in of a car advert and should be altitude. I stopped for lunch at on the wishlist of all adrenaline Almócita, a beautiful, unassum- junkie cyclists. ing village in the foothills of the Upon reaching the valley floor, I
headed north-east towards Guadix. If the grind of the hard yards ever began to wear me down, I reminded myself that there always seemed to be something unusual just around the corner. For example, shortly after departing Cartagena, I stumbled upon the Enchanted City of Bolnuevo. My willpower to resist stopping for a break at one of the pristine empty beaches next to the road had been diminishing with each passing kilometre. And it disappeared entirely when I saw the collection of 30-metre high giant fungi-like shapes of sandstone rock. Their bizarre appearance is the consequence of thousands of years of wind and water erosion and I had the landmark all to myself. On another occasion, I was rewarded with an unexpected view of the village of Benaoján. I had been lamenting the need to depart Ronda when I began a gruelling - and frankly unwelcome - ascent. At the top of the hill I glanced over my shoulder to see that the towering, jagged peaks surrounding the village’s Andalucian buildings gave it the appearance of a modern-day
We are open – See you soon!
The Costa de la Luz’s most emblematic restaurant and hotel. In the stunning white town of Vejer de la Frontera.
American author Chris Atkins shares highlights from his ‘bonkers’ 1,300km cycle trip across southern Spain
BLEAK: The desert of Almeria but the Alhambra was alluring
Machu Picchu. While travelling from Abla to Granada my surprise was a sighting of Calahorra Castle. It looked incongruous, like something from the dunes of Tatooine in Star Wars. Although it is now rarely visited, the early 16th century fort was one of the first Italian Renaissance castles to be built outside of Italy. Before I planned my trip, I’d never heard of Guadix and I regarded the city as merely a convenient pit-stop. But a visit to its two most famous landmarks
quickly highlighted the fallacy of Nonetheless, this is no quaint this perception. regional quirk and consists of The city’s bathe largest numroque cathedral ber of cave dwelldominates the ings in Europe. I had walked skyline, yet it’s In total, 6,000 the underground 21st century trogonto an cave dwellings lodytes live here abandoned that are its calling in cave homes card. fitted with all mod Hollywood film Visiting the locons. Some even set have swimming cation early in pools. I always the morning, it attempted to seemed I had walked onto a Hollywood film start cycling early in the mornset that had been abandoned ing to avoid the heat of the day. before it could be dismantled. In spite of my good intentions, I rarely made it very far as I invariably became distracted by my surroundings. This was the case on my journey from Guadix to Granada. I blame the friendly manager of the cave museum in nearby Purullena. Entering the cave revealed how deceptive appearances can be. Inside, it was enormous and I quickly lost my bearings as to where I was, relative to the outside world. This trip had been years in the planning and I’d long been excited by the opportunity to cycle along one of the world’s most famous coastlines. The beaches certainly didn’t disappoint. But there were also many aspects that were completely unexpected. I knew nothing about Altea for example, which I now consider to be the most beautiful old town in Spain.
Nirvana
CalifaVejer.com tel: +34 956 44 77 30 Plaza de España, Vejer de la Frontera,Costa de la Luz, Cádiz
FINISH LINE: The Rock was the end of a 1,300 km journey
Equally, I didn’t expect to find my cycling nirvana in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Things didn’t always go to plan (sometimes disastrously so) while I was in Spain, yet I relished learning about the country. For instance, I was astonished to discover that four hydrogen bombs fell over Spain in 1966. Travel restrictions will hopefully be lifted soon. For those lucky enough to live in Spain, though, my book will hopefully encourage them to visit some of the incredible places on their doorstep.
HEALTH SPAIN has drawn up plans to vaccinate secondary school children against COVID-19 before the end of summer. The country’s health minister revealed that pupils between 12 and 17 years old will receive the
No go RESIDENTS of the Hillside Care Home have seen personal visits stopped after a staff member contracted COVID-19. The news was confirmed by the Government of Gibraltar that one of the nursing staff tested positive for the virus and was closing the home to external visits with immediate effect. “It is with a very heavy heart that we have had to take the decision to stop all visits to Hillsides immediately, for the protection of the residents in our care,” said a government spokesman.
Decision
“This difficult decision has been carefully considered by the clinical professionals, following Public Health advice that the measure is appropriate and proportionate.“ The home, which is home to sufferers of dementia, hopes to open at the earliest possible date. “We would like to take this opportunity to reassure residents, their families and friends that this is a temporary precautionary measure and visits to Hillsides will resume as soon as it is safe.” The case will be added to Gibraltar’s COVID-19 figures which currently stands at 13 active cases.
June 16th- June 29th 2021
Honey I vaxxed the kids!
jab ahead of starting the new school year in September, in a move that could help prevent school closures if infections
rise. Minister Carolina Darias: “The idea we have is that before the start of the school year, approximately two weeks before,
to be able to start this inoculation of our adolescent boys and girls.”Any decision to roll out the vaccine to children in that age group must be ratified by her ministry’s public health commission.
ENTRY RULES THE HM Government of Gibraltar has updated its COVID-19 entry requirements for any travellers entering the country due to increasing cases in the UK. The new rules came into play on Sunday and have been implemented due to increasing concern over the Delta variant in the UK. The main change in the updated rulebook is that all unvaccinated travellers must complete a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure to Gibraltar, regardless of which country they are arriving from. Proof of a negative result from the PCR test will need to be uploaded to the government online health portal before permission to enter is granted.
New regulations to keep COVID at bay
CHECKS: PCR tests are now needed to gain entry Fully vaccinated passengers will also need to provide a valid vaccination certificate before entry, again, regardless of
country of departure. You can find a full breakdown of the current regulations on the GIB government website.
Cases
Get certified
ANDALUCIA residents can now download the new EU Digital COVID certificate. The document has been approved between all 27 European Union countries to allow the free movement of people across all member nations. All EU states can issue the certificate which will be fully operational from July 1. The certificate is seen as crucial in restoring normal travel, including tourism, between the EU member states.
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
The pre-flight COVID-19 testing rules are put in place to better control and monitor the spread of what is known as the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. This variant currently accounts for almost 91% of all cases in the UK, with the country recording over 7,000 new cases in just two days.
Jabbing away
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Lisa Burgess
Vaccine opens the doors to travel once again
I
RECENTLY completed my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The very last place I wanted to be was in a hospital, so when the nurse said you must stay here for 15 minutes I skedaddled. I have had a tour of Andalucia’s hospitals in the past few years and certainly don’t need anymore. I did not have any side effects - just a sore arm but having been through chemotherapy this was a walk in the park. I have talked to friends here and in the UK. I have had varying reports on their reactions and they have had different vaccines. Most of my friends who took the Astra Zeneca vaccine were not too happy when there were some problems reported in the press. A big fear of blood clotting ensued but they were all fine and apparently red wine counteracts that, but I am not a medical specialist. My friends here in Spain have all been alright. Most complain of a sore arm or extreme fatigue. One friend has had terrible headaches and high blood pressure but this could be unrelated to the vaccine. Another acquaintance has refused the vaccine entirely. Well, they won’t be able to travel in the near future and they have lost their slot in the Spanish system. One thing I have learned about the Spanish medical system is you better show up or you will be waiting forever to get another appointment. They are like gold dust. I wanted both my vaccines so I can travel soon. Oh just to hear those precious words ‘this is your captain speaking’. Yet that will not be too soon either as I have to wait for my certificate. I have tried getting it online without success but according to the Junta de Andalusia you can pick it up from your doctor. Let’s see how I get on with that. I am happy to have received my vaccines and grateful too. Though Spain seems to be well behind the UK and other countries, it is getting there, so one day we will all be able to travel. I look forward to standing in endless queues before security just for a change.
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TWO speed cameras on the A-7 in Malaga have been named as the ‘best’ in Spain after they caught a combined 83,098 motorists in just one year raking in fines of around €5 million.
Hard lesson A GIRL who wanted a good excuse for missing an exam is in trouble after she falsely told police that two men had tried to kidnap her in Fuente de Alamos (Murcia).
Vol. 5 Issue 150
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The Rock’s only free local paper June 16th- June 29th 2021
There’s wally!
Walrus spotted in Spain, 2,000 miles from his Arctic homeland A WALRUS called Wally has been spotted swimming off the Spanish shore 2,000 miles from his home in the chillier climes of Greenland. He is touring Europe after first being spotted in County Derry, Ireland in March, with experts believing he may have been stranded on a mini iceberg that floated south from his Arctic
Hound found A MIRACLE dog has been rescued alive by firefighters after being run over and becoming trapped in a car bumper in Fuengirola for two days before its howls finally alerted the car owner to its plight.
By Dilip Kuner
homeland. Six days after first being seen he resurfaced in Wales where RSPCA officers were called out to check on him. He was laying at the bottom of a cliff in Pembrokeshire (Wales) then took up residence on an
POLICE have issued dozens of fines to a group of naked hippies who had gathered from across Europe to set up camp in northern Spain. The group came together for a Rainbow Gathering, an annual festival where people shed their clothes, show each other unconditional love and promote a life free of consumerism. This year the community chose a remote corner of the Portilla valley in the Sierra de la Demanda, La Rioja, - but not remote enough for police, it would seem.
SPOTTED: Wally popped up in the river Nervion RNLI lifeboat slipway in Tenby. After being disturbed by sightseers on jet skis and in kayaks – and being shooed off the slipway by RNLI volunteers
Bummer!
with airhorns and brooms – he moved on to Cornwall for a few days. Since then, Wally has steadily moved south and was spotted in Les Sables d'Olonne in western France. And now he has made himself through the Bay of Biscay and emerged in the mouth of the River Nervion in Bilbao. Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme in March, RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West described Wally's case as 'sad'. She said: “It is a very unusual sight. It is quite a sad occurrence because we have to remember that this walrus is a very, very long way from where he should be.
Skirting around the issue MALE teachers in Spain have taken a stand against bullies by wearing skirts to class. Manuel Ortega, 37, and Borja Velaquez, 36, who teach at Virgen de Sacedon school, in Valladolid, swapped their suits for skirts. They took action after after overhearing homophobic slurs directed at a pupil who was wearing a t-shirt featuring an anime character. The pair joined The Clothes Have No Gender (#LaRopaNoTieneGenero) movement and to prove to the students that clothes don’t dictate how they should be treated. The campaign began late last year when Maths teacher Jose Piñas took a stand against the treatment of one of his pupils, who was expelled by his school in Bilbao, and forced to visit a psychologist after wearing a skirt to school.
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