Olive Press Gibraltar - Issue 160 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

OLIVE PRESS

The FREE

Five arrested in Gibraltar over child porn images POLICE in Gibraltar have arrested five people on suspicion of offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. Detectives from the Royal Gibraltar Police arrested three Gibraltarian men aged 38, 24 and 19, a Gibraltarian woman aged 36 and a Spanish woman aged 30. They also carried out searches of two properties in Gibraltar in an operation that followed information passed on from international law-enforcement partners including Interpol and Spain’s Policia Nacional.

The princess, the villa and the tea cups... See page 3

GIBRALTAR

Vol. 6 Issue 160

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The Rock’s ONLY free local paper

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

Heroine

Suspects

An RGP spokesman said: “All suspects remain at New Mole House Police Station whilst the investigation continues and further arrests have not been ruled out.” They also confirmed that the children that appeared in the images were not from Gibraltar.

COVID RISING GIBRALTAR has reported 28 new coronavirus cases, bringing the number of active infections to 181, health authorities said on Tuesday. Nineteen of those people who tested positive had been fully vaccinated, while nine of them have not been vaccinated. There have been no new deaths or ICU admissions, but one more person has been admitted to the hospital ward, bringing the total number of people currently being treated in hospital for COVID to four.

OLIVE PRESS - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

A GIBRALTARIAN breast cancer survivor has raised more than £10,000 after bravely baring her chest and revealing her scars for a photograph to boost awareness of the disease and the need for women to undergo regular Recovered check-ups. The number of people in self-iso- Wendy Joan Garro posed for the lation on the Rock now stands at topless photograph which was 217 while 17 people have recov- shared by the Mayor of Gibralered within the last day. tar, Christian Santos on his FaceOf the total number of cases, 75 book page as part of the We Are are confirmed to be the Delta One Campaign during Breast variant while 105 cases have yet Cancer awareness month. to be determined and are await- The image was published alonging further analysis. side Garro’s words: “I am proud of my scar, it means I am stronger than what tried to hurt me. Be comfortable See page 16 in your own skin and love your body, scars and all”.

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

Meet the brave Gibraltar breast cancer survivor raising money on The Rock By Amber Edirisinghe

Garro said she was ‘completely overwhelmed and speechless’ after raising £10,234.18 for Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar thanks to the image. She told the Olive Press: “I’m very proud of how much awareness has been raised with just one photo!

Sexy

“I want to show women that choosing to live without reconstruction is also a valid choice, we are still sexy and beautiful and our breasts do not define how sexy we are, but instead being comfortable in your own skin, and loving your body scars

and all.” Garro was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 20, 2017, when she was 49-years-old. She was told she had grade 3 ductal invasive carcinoma with four tumours. However, it took a very long eight months from the first self-detection to her official diagnosis and the start of treatment. Garro describes how she had to fight to be taken seriously after finding a lump in her breast and being fobbed off by vari- CONGRATS: Mayor Santos with Wendy ous health professionals. “I am sharing my story not to yourself and that you are your find fault in others, but to make best friend and advocate” she women understand that no one said. “Listen to your body and knows your body better than listen to yourself.”

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NEWS IN BRIEF Royal anniversary THE Royal Marines have celebrated their 357th anniversary on October 26 - the same day they celebrated 25 years since being given the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar.

Silly burger! KAYDAN Peacock, aged 23, has been fined £500 for ignoring a traffic sign while leaving McDonalds then fleeing police along Europort Road to Laguna Estate while driving without a licence.

Dogged search A 44-year-old Gibraltarian has been arrested after RGP officers, using a drug-sniffer dog, searched his Mid Harbour Estate home and found more than 45 grams of cocaine and £10,000 in cash.

Back home THE Montagu Sea-bathing pavilion plaque, missing since 1988, has been restored and put back in place after it was found in a warehouse.

A MAN has been jailed after hitting his partner over the head with a bottle and subjecting her to a series of vicious assaults. Michael Menez, 25, of Naval Hospital Hill, was given three years by the Supreme

CRIME VICIOUS ABUSE

Court after pleading guilty to four counts of Common Assault and one count of False Imprisonment. The court heard that on the

evening of Friday May 7, the couple had been travelling on a bus, when Menez hit the victim hard on her right ear with a bottle.

LEADER OF THE PACK

THE Belgian leader of notorious biker gang Los Bandidos-Spain has been arrested in Marbella after an 11 ton cocaine haul. He has been charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and membership of a criminal organisation. Spanish and Belgian police joined forces to investigate the gang and discovered they planned a massive cocaine shipment from South America. More than 11 tonnes of the drug was sent to Antwerp hidden in a consignment of scrap metal. The cocaine was seized on arrival. Police identified the leader of Los Banditos-Spain - which rivals the Hells Angels in the murky and violent world of drugs dealing - as the organiser of the

Criminal biker gang with tentacles that stretched across Europe nabbed By Elena Goçmen Rueda

shipment. A total of 26 searches were carried out in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain with high-end vehicles valued at more than €700,000 and jewellery worth €300,000 seized. Thirteen other people were arrested in Belgium. The leader of Los Bandidos-Germany, who lived on the same luxury urbanisation as his Belgian counterpart, was also arrested, as he had a warrant for his arrest and detention for extradition to Germany.

November 3rd - November 16th 2021 Later that evening, Menez subjected the victim to a prolonged series of assaults, during which he punched her, tried to bend her front teeth inwards and then choked her for several minutes – with the victim stating that she

thought she was going to die. As a result, the victim’s neck and body were badly bruised. Following a call to the police Control Room from a neighbour, officers arrived at the scene and arrested Menez.

A 23-year-old British man who was already banned for drink-driving has had his driving licence revoked for 18 months for doing it again. William Dodd has been given a 16-week prison

Double trouble

Red-handed A MAN has been jailed after he was caught on camera robbing a restaurant in Gibraltar’s Queensway Quay Marina. Spaniard Frederick Peire was easily identified as the thief from CCTV footage recorded at The Lounge restaurant. The 44-year-old was caught stealing three iPads, an iPad stand, a printer and a bottle of liquor - a haul valued at £1,257. He was also responsible for breaking several glasses. Officers from Royal Gibraltar Police identified Peire from the security camera footage and arrested him at around 4.15pm on October 31. They also recovered the stolen property.

sentence suspended for 12 months. He was convicted by the Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to driving without a licence and over the limit and having no insurance. His latest sentence relates to his arrest just after 4.30am on September 4. Slurring When officers stopped the man in the Landport Ditch car park, on speaking to him, officers noticed that he was slurring his speech and that there was a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and he failed a breath test. A background check revealed that Dodd had already been disqualified from driving for 12 months for the same offence in February.

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es FRENCH footballer Lucas Hernandez has escaped a jail sentence after he broke a restraining order to marry his girlfriend. The case dates back to February 2017 when he and his girlfriend Amelia Lorente, were both convicted of domestic violence after fighting each other in Madrid. Neither made a complaint, but the public prosecutor brought a case against them both. A restraining order was placed on each, banning them from seeing each other for six months.

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

What a result!

But just four months later Hernandez was arrested at Madrid airport when he and Lorente arrived back from their US honeymoon after getting married. The Bayern Munich defender – who became the Bundesliga’s most expensive player when he was sold by Atletico Madrid for €80 million in 2019 – was jailed for six months. On appeal, the sentence has been suspended for four years and a fine of €96,000 imposed.

Storm over teacup EXCLUSIVE: Helicopter sent off to locate the right porcelain set for Lady Diana’s Spanish tea time in The Crown THEY might have had the perfect hillside mansion to portray the legendary secret escapes of Lady Di to the Costa del Sol in the 1990s. But producers of the hit drama The Crown were left choking on their Darjeeling when they spotted the wrong set of porcelain during filming of the fifth

PLUSH: Interior for tea

series. So lousy were the tea cups a helicopter had to be dispatched to pick up a new set in Cordoba some 200kms away, the Olive Press can reveal. “It was deemed the quickest way to get the filming back on schedule,” revealed a source from the production, which has been shooting in Spain. The scene involved Diana taking tea with a close friend at the villa, which was rented in La Zagaleta, near Marbella, and based on the actual estate of Torre de Tramores, in nearby Benahavis. While the actors, in-

Clocking in!

BRITISH actor Malcolm McDowell, who famously played Alex in the controversial ultra-violent film A Clockwork Orange, was the star attraction at the premiere of a new documentary in Spain. Director Pedro Gonzalez decided to mark the 50th anniversary of the infamous Kubrick film from an unusual angle - the events around its first screening in Spain. In something of a coup he managed to persuade McDowell to narrate the documentary. The film was banned under the Franco regime, but just seven days after the dictator’s death it got its first airing at the Valladolid International Film Week. In La Naranja Prohibida (The Forbidden Orange) Gonzalez has tracked down many peo-

STUNNING: The Zagaleta villa featured cluding Elizabeth Debicki, 31, tea set. who has replaced Emma Corrin “Amazingly this as Diana in the fifth series, were meant going somedressed perfectly, the tea set where in Cordoba and was out of place. only took an hour or so. “The director shouted cut as ap- “He turned up with two parently there was no way that light blue cups with matching such an esteemed estate would saucers. Job done, filming rebe serving tea out of such low sumed, having lost less than rent porcelain,” continued the two hours.” source. Despite spending thousands A high-level meeting was con- changing the furniture of the vened and a flunkey was duly rented villa - and bringing in rushed off to take the produc- vintage cars such as a Rolls tion helicopter to get the right Royce Corniche cabriolet there were other things out of place. In another scene filming had to be stopped because a mirror Diana was making up in had a black frame.

Gold

EVIL: McDowell as Alex ple who were involved in the screening. Presenting the documentary at this year’s 66th International Film Week in Valladolid, McDowell recounted anecdotes from the making of the movie and his unforgettable experience working with the late director Stanley Kubrick.

“The director was insistent it had to be gold and cut the scene sending it off for some gold paint,” continued the source. “It was nearly an hour wait while it had to be carefully painted with some gold lame.” Debicki has been joined by Dominic West playing Prince Charles in the new series, which airs next year, while the Queen is being played by Imelda Staunton and Prince Philip by Jonathan Pryce.

QUEENS OF BLING WHEN it comes to bling, rapper Kanye West might feel a bit deflated when he realises that European royalty put him in the shade. While famous for his purchases of expensive jewellery he simply can’t compete with ‘old money’. A report has revealed that three pieces of Spain’s royal collection are among the most valuable jewellery in the world. The Marichalar Meander Tiara, recently worn by princess Elena, is valued at a cool €3.5m, with the Fleur de Lys Tiara of Queen Letizia (above) coming in at €2.9m and The Prussian Diamond Tiara of Queen Sofia worth €2.3m. Now, West is a wealthy man and could conceivably afford similar items, but one royal collection blows him out of the water. It emerges that the world’s four most expensive pieces of royal jewellery, worth a combined €179.3m, are all owned by the British royal family. Top of the list is the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace, last worn by the Duchess of Cambridge (left) and worth a staggering €78.6m, reported website jewellerybox.

Precious Stone SHARON Stone brought some Hollywood glamour to Sevilla at the Elle Awards. The 63-year-old actor famous for roles that include Basic Instinct and Casino has taken her social media followers on a tour of the Andalucian capital. “Look how gorgeous this is,” she said in a Twitter video filmed in Plaza Espana, which has clocked up more than 270,000 views. “I’m at the Elle Awards but with COVID I don’t like to go to after parties where people can get in my face so I like to walk around and see where we are,” she continued. “Isn’t it gorgeous?” She ends her dispatch with: “Sharon Stone, reporting from Seville. Good Night.” She also posted a video of the Giralda Tower at sunset, its bells ringing out across the city.

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KEY CEREMONY

NEWS

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

Demanding times

Picardo faces demonstrators to hear their case

THE traditional Ceremony of the Keys was held on October 28, an event attended by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the British Forces in Gibraltar. This ceremony is a re-enactment of the closing of the gates of the old city at sunset and dates back to the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1779. The keys were guarded by the Governor, who handed them to the Port Sergeant every evening at dusk, so that the four land entrances could be locked. The Port Sergeant, escorted by several armed soldiers, fifes and drums, would start the march to each of the four gates. Once all the gates were closed, the keys were returned to the Governor at the Convent. In the morning, the Sergeant of the Port returned to collect the Keys to open the city. The ceremony has been re-enacted once a year since 1933. The modern version includes cannon fire at sunset.

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UNDAUNTED by up to 300 people calling for change, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo himself spoke to demonstrators to hear their case. The protestors had gathered in Casemates before marching to 6 Convent Place to make their demands. They called on him to ‘put the needs of the people of Gibraltar first’ and demanded a change in what they consider to be an ‘arrogant’ way of governing. Protestors said that they wanted action on an ‘endless list’ of

By Elena Goçmen Rueda

issues ranging from the state of the roads and the health system to the ‘privatisation of roads

Rocking literature GIB is celebrating local authors during Literature Week which runs November 8 to 12 with a series of events held in the Charles Hunt Room of the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Each day at 11am and 7pm will see an ‘audience with...’ events when local authors will be interviewed live on stage. A limited number of tickets are available to the public and the programme will be streamed live on the Gibraltar Cultural Service's social media channels. Those authors participating include former politician Clive Betran, prolific author Sam Benady, food writer Rosanna Morales, artist Karl Ullger and the writer, poet and musician Gabriel Moreno.

and plots of land.’ Other issues they complained about were the use of public funds for private projects, the lack of social housing, the ‘blatant abuse of the government in housing waiting lists’ and what they called the ‘lack of transparency of government-controlled agencies’. And they demanded that the government and its departments ‘be held accountable for their failures and non-fulfilment of their responsibilities’. Picardo later went on GBC News to discuss the demo and tweeted: “The right to demonstrate is a sacred right. Now is a time for unity.” In June last year there was a similar demonstration in which one of the main demands was to remind the Gibraltarian government that it must ‘govern for the people’.

Movember CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has lent his support to ‘Movember on the Rock’ but said he won’t be growing facial hair for the cause. Movember is a worldwide movement that sees men grow moustaches during November as a way to raise awareness about men's health and prostate cancer in particular. Gibraltar’s mayor, Chrisian Santos, launched this year’s campaign with a speech in which he encouraged all men to undergo proactive PSA screening, as early detection of prostate cancer can literally save lives.

Support The event was attended by Picardo who later posted a message of support on Twitter. “Although I'm avoiding facial hair these months, they enjoy my full support and my sincere thanks for their brilliant charitable efforts with Kusuma Gibraltar,” he said.

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NEWS

November 3rd November 16th 2021

SPEAK THE LINGO

SPAIN’S Cervantes Institute is considering plans to reopen a branch on the Rock amid concerns that the number of people who speak Castellano well is declining on the tiny British territory. Luis Garcia Montero, director of the institute told the Foreign Affairs Committee of Spain’s Congress of Deputies that €340,000 had been earmarked for the recreation of a centre on the Rock. “It would be a very good move

Spain considering plans to reopen Cervantes Institute on the Rock By Elena Goçmen Rueda

for Spain to seriously consider the presence of a centre on the Rock as soon as possible,” said Garcia Montero. “It’s been many years now without a Cervantes centre

Solemn remembrance ARMISTICE DAY commemorations will be held in Gibraltar on November 11 but with COVID-19 restrictions in place. This year, for the 113th Armistice Day, there will be no parade and the authorities will lay their red wreaths in an event in keeping with the ‘new normality’. As in previous celebrations, a short ceremony will be held at the lobby of Parliament House. The two-minute silence will be marked by the firing of a cannon by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment at 11am, followed by the sounding of the Last Post by a bugler and the laying of wreaths. Mayor Christian Santos will conduct the ceremony and the Guard of Honour will be provided by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Gibraltar British Legion. All attendees will be required to present a vaccination card or a negative test taken within 24 hours prior to the Ceremony.

(on the Rock) and talking about this is a huge boost to the country's culture,” he added. The Cervantes Institute opened its first centre in Gibraltar in 2011 as part of the trilateral Cordoba Agreement but in 2015 it was closed by the PP government’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo when relations over the Rock worsened.

Talks

That a centre could be re-established depends on the outcome of negotiations over Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status, with talks due to start this month. The proposal has cross party support in Spain’s parliament and the Gibraltar government has said in the past that it would welcome such a move. According to a recent report cited by Garcia Montero, the standard of Spanish has significantly deteriorated among Gibraltar’s schoolchildren.

Climate watchdog GIBRALTAR will be represented at the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow. Minister for Environment John Cortes will be part of the UK Delegation. As well as representing Gibraltar, Cortes will be the voice of the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) at the conference.

Session

While in Glasgow the minister will take part in a session on Environment in Education and will be talking at an event on Saturday, which has been designated ‘Nature Day’. Also on Saturday the Overseas Territories will be publishing a joint statement on the Environment, while Gibraltar’s own Climate Change Strategy will be published during the course of COP26. Cortes said: “Being surrounded by sea, and many being in tropical areas and subject to severe weather events, the OTs, like other island states, are directly threatened by Climate Change, much more so than mainland UK.”

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O LIVE P RESS

Voted top expat paper in Spain

GIBRALTAR

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

OPINION SEARCH FOR THE HERO... HEROES and heroines come in all forms. Some emerge on the battlefield as in the days of ancient Greek mythology. But others are far more modern. They may not inspire by their daring deeds in war, but they share one thing in common with the likes of Jason, Achilles and Hercules - bravery. Wendy Joan Garro (see front page) fits firmly into that category. Better still, her positive attitude to dealing with the psychological aftermath of surgery to deal with her breast cancer is truly inspiring. While the cash she has raised for Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar is certainly welcome, the example of resilience she has shown to others suffering from cruel diseases is even more important. Her message - ‘listen to your body and listen to yourself’ will help many people through the dark days and into the light.

NEWS FEATURE

Adventures in

S an admin-phobe, my main beef with Brexit was the paperwork that would ensue; I had an inkling it would be a ball-

buster. For three years at least, I prayed the whole nightmare would go away. The referendum vote would be overturned or Brexit would exist in name only. When I finally pulled my head out of

A bid for Spanish nationality leads to a Kafkaesque scenario involving inaccessible authorities and missing documents, writes Heather Galloway

the sand, it was to confront the worst deal short of no deal. I changed my UK driving license and Spanish residence permit relatively

HARD WORK: Janie leaves the register office empty handed and with her mum, heather

WARMING UP THE news that Spain is considering plans to reopen the Cervantes Institute on the Rock is welcome. It had only been open four years when it was summarily shut down by the then right wing Spanish government in 2015. ‘Nationalists’ had taken over the reins and were using Gibraltar as a political football - and the Cervantes Institute was a casualty. This was somewhat ironic as its very purpose is to keep Castellano alive and promote Spanish ideas. It was in fact a massive own goal by the Spanish politicians. Maybe the plan to reopen the institute on Gibraltar is a sign that relations between Spain and the Rock are continuing to warm. We certainly hope so.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

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painlessly towards the end of 2020 in the thick of COVID. Then came the hardest nut to crack: acquiring Spanish nationality for my oldest daughter, Janie, to allow her access to an EU university outside of Spain on manageable fees. Though born and brought up in Madrid, Janie is a UK citizen and was awarded a student loan for a threeyear ballet course in London. Unfortunately, injuries to her feet and a dislocated knee prevent her pursuing a career in dance, but she is not entitled to a further loan in the UK. We hold our breath and take the plunge. Spanish nationality has to be obtained. How hard can it be? Having triumphed with the other paperwork, I am tentatively optimistic. But that is only because I have yet to become acquainted with the disaster that is the Ministry of Justice. I hand the necessary documents over to my nearest civil registry which happens to be the local town hall. Time is of the essence but

Purr...pers please Here’s what you need to know about Spain’s plan to introduce ID for pets

HE government has unveiled plans for a national ID scheme for domestic animals as part of a far-reaching animal welfare reform bill. The new legislation will act as a sort of bill of rights for animals giving them an elevated status of a ‘sentient being’ above that of a possession, which is the current legal status. a pet passport. The Olive Press understands that the new ID system will allow for a record to be kept of any mistreatment suffered by the animal and to make it easier to locate the owner in cases of abandonment. It may also include a photo of the animal in the same way that Spain’s National Identity Card has for humans. As well as stricter punishments for those guilty of animal abuse there are tougher guidelines on the care of domestic pets, from how many you can keep to how long they can be left alone. Part of the legislation currently being reviewed, is the need for animals to have a unique ID to be included on a national database that will make it easier to register and identify the animal’s owner. According to Ione Belarra, the Minister of Social Rights, the identification of domestic animals will serve ‘to guarantee that we are on the right path and have a model where no ani-

mal is left helpless in Spain’. The pet ID will work in conjunction with a microchip that is already compulsory for owners of dogs and cats and will include essential information such as breed, date of birth and details of owner. But it is, as yet, unclear how the new ID document will differ from the health certificate booklet already issued by vets to responsible owners in Spain. This already shows the microchip number plus vaccination records of the animal. For those who take their pets across borders with the EU, it can already be issued in the form of The draft bill is set to be discussed by the cabinet this month before being presented for parliamentary debate.

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November 3rd - November 16th 2021

Hunter of Monsters

O NOT ALL MISERY: Heather and Janie fret over the laptop but still have time to enjoy Spain

the first appointment is November 11, 2020. I say I am worried that Janie’s UK passport will be close to its expiry date by then, but am told it will be no problem as long as it is valid when submitted. I go home with the receipt and the sense of a job well done. The months pass and no word. In May, 2021, I decide to investigate online and am asked for a number I don’t have. An R number. I scour the receipt then I phone the Ministry of Justice. Finally I get through to a woman whose customer service skills were acquired in the Franco era. “You can’t know the status of your application without the R number,” she barks. I say I don’t have one. “Well, I can’t do anything without it.” I go back to the receipt and search again to no avail. I call the ministry again. “How do I get the R number?” I ask the woman on the other end of the line when I finally get through. To my surprise, she reels it off. Aha, I say, feeling as though I have been thrown a bone. I enter the R number online and Janie’s file comes up. Missing a paper, it says, with no further clues. I get back on the phone and provide the R number and Janie’s details to the gentleman on the other end. “You’re missing a paper,” he tells me. “I know. Which one?” “I can’t say.” “Why not?” “Look Mrs, it says a paper is missing. That’s all.” “So, how do I find out?” “Listen! Listen to me! You have to go to your daughter’s citizen’s file.” I call off. My head is about to explode. Vital weeks are passing. Every phone call is a morning’s work. We go through the laborious process of getting Janie a Clave Pin and finally get into her citizen’s file. The missing paper is the passport, but it is now too late to submit it as we have missed the three-month window. This, it

says, will result in the application being annulled. Okay, I think. Calm down. Never mind. We will start afresh. I get the papers together again and hand them over to the local registry with copies of a passport with 10 years on it. I get my receipt and go home. In September, almost a year after the first application, I phone the Ministry to get the R number for the ber I can ring?” new application. A woman answers. “No,” says the woman, categorically She says no application for 2021 has not. Nor can the woman be expected been registered but the first applica- to get in touch with the Department tion is still active and missing a paper. of Nationality, which is buried some“But it said that application would where in the same building. be annulled if I didn’t provide “Doesn’t the department have a the missing paper in time, which phone?” Janie cries. I didn’t,” I say through gritted teeth. “Write them a letter,” she says. “If you don’t annul the first appli- She gives Janie two sheets of paper cation,” she shoots back, “both so she can make two handwritten applications will be annulled.” copies, as though the photocopier or “How do I do that?” scanner were too futuristic to be at “Write a letter.” home in this environment. “To who?” Fighting an urge to sob, “The Department of writes two identical The world is no Janie Nationality.” letters, hands over one I write a letter. Dear longer anyone’s and leaves. Madam/ Sir. To whom it A month later, no news. oyster, except Janie’s future is uncermay concern. And send it by registered post. I for the likes of tain. The adventure has might as well have writbeen so ludicrous as to Boris Johnson verge on exhilarating. We ten to Santa Claus. A few weeks pass. hate the Ministry of JusJanie’s citizen’s file tice but most of all we is now empty. There is no word of a hate Brexit for forcing us to deal with missing paper anymore. it. We hear that Brexit might also be No word of anything. But responsible for the empty shelves in the ministry still says the UK, for the lack of lorry drivers she’s missing a paper. I and queues at petrol pumps. To cap decide to send a copy it all, there is a suggestion from Brexit of her passport on the mastermind Dominic Cummings that off chance, linked to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson nevthe ghost application. er entirely grasped the implications Now the submission of the withdrawal agreement that he of the passport reg- hammered out. isters in the citizen’s I think of my daughter, who at 21, canfile but the applica- not now study or work in another EU tion continues to country aside from Spain. I think of say it is missing a all the youngsters Janie’s age whose paper. horizons have shrunk. It strikes me My daughter goes that the pro-Brexit contingent were down in person to perhaps too arrogant to consider plead and beg for an- that by restricting the movement of swers. people coming into the UK they were “What do you ex- also curbing their children and grandpect me to do?” children’s opportunities. The world is the woman dead- no longer anyone’s oyster except, of pans from the other course, for the likes of Boris Johnson side of the desk. – ‘the trolley’ as Cummings calls him, Janie doesn’t know. who has pockets deep enough to side“Isn’t there a num- step all the red tape.

LIVE Press editor Jon Clarke has had dozens of exclusive stories and investigations published in the international press over the last few decades. Now he is making headlines himself. In a terrific accolade, Spain’s national newspaper ABC has run a three-page profile on him following the publication of his book My Search for Madeleine. Dubbing him Un Cazador de Monstruos, or A Hunter of Monsters, it charts his dogged reporting on the missing Madeleine McCann case - and its current prime suspect Christian Brueckner over the last 14 years. But, as ABC points out, this is not the only high profile criminal case that he has reported on – and gone into far deeper than most. His first big hits in Spain came during the 2003 investigation of the so-called Costa Killer over the murder of teenagers Rocio Wanninkhof and Sonia Carabantes. He wrote a book on the case, securing the only exclusive interviews with the wife and mother of British killer Tony King, also known as the Holloway Strangler. He had earlier probed and exposed Prince Andrew’s controversial links to global paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in a string of exclusives for the Mail on Sunday. And most recently he revealed how another arguable monster Boris Johnson was having a holiday here. And the list of exclusives goes on. It is no wonder the Olive Press has maintained its standards and remains the best English language newspaper and website in Spain While some media groups are headed by number crunchers and sales people whose eye is only on the bottom line, the Olive Press places journalism at the very heart of its operation. It is probably why hundreds of you are signing up to our website every month.

NATIONAL NEWS: Jon’s Maddie stories in The Sun and (above) the Times

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: - EXCLUSIVE: German and Portuguese cops 1wanted meet to swap evidence on prime suspect who to catch something small in Madeleine McCan case

go back in 2021 and 2- Whenwhydodotheweclocks change the time in Spain Halls across spain deliberately 3- Are Towntargeting expats for cash the Benahavis villa that serves as 4- This issecret hideout for princess diana Are brits really leaving Spain 5- ANALYSIS: in droves. Where’s the evidence?

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Rafa Nadal making the switch to EVs By Dilip Kuner

TENNIS legend Rafa Nadal has thrown his weight behind a move to eco-friendly motoring by pledging to use electric cars. He took delivery of a Kia EV6 crossover at his academy in Manacor, Mallorca as part of a sponsorship deal with the Korean multinational. Nadal will use the car whenever he is in Mallorca as well as at major tennis tournaments such as the 2022 Australian Open. He is also looking at switching all vehicles used

Electric dreams

at the Rafa Nadal Foundation to electric vehicles by 2022. Accepting that his lifestyle of jetting around the world is not eco-friendly, he said: “My job naturally requires a lot of travel, and my lifestyle is not fully sustainable. But I’m determined to make the necessary changes where I can, starting with my personal use of the EV6 crossover in Mallorca and beyond.

GOING GREEN: Rafa Nadal

Wind giants A NEW floating windfarm with the capacity to generate 28% of Almeria electricity could be built off the coast of Nijar and Carboneras (Andalucia). The 300 MW Mar de Agata Offshore Wind Farm will be developed by BlueFloat Energy and SENER. It will create 7,500 jobs during the construction and decommissioning phases, 50% of them direct, with an estimated contribution to GDP of €630 million. There will be 12m tonnes of CO2 saved during the life of the wind farm, estimated at 30 years. The wind farm will be equipped with 20 turbines, each up to 261 metres above sea level, and will be 15km from the Cabo de Cata viewpoints.

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

REPSOL plans to invest €2.55 billion in projects to produce clean hydrogen. It will develop capacity by using different technologies including electrolysis and biogas to build 1.9GW of capacity by 2030. At the moment, most hydrogen is made

“I would like to encourage others to join me in driving these kinds of vehicles wherever possible.”

Cunning plan from natural gas, which negates hydrogen’s green credentials. Hydrogen can be used to power EVs using fuel cell technology giving greater range then conventional electric vehicles. While the figures sound impressive, it is a downgrade from original plans, which would have seen up to €2.9 billion spent by 2026. The plan, if fulfilled, will still make it the market leader in hydrogen for Spain and Portugal.

Martin Tye explains why solar power is back from the dead in Spain

Sunshine resurrection

Green Matters

By Martin Tye

PTIMISM has returned to the Spanish solar market after a decade of sluggish growth. It’s hard to believe that Spain was once a leader in the European solar energy market. It started well until the government killed it, effectively putting the solar industry into a coma for 10 years. In 2008, a massive 2,718 MW of new solar capacity was installed. In 2009 it decreased to a measly 44MW. This happened because of two key reasons: ● The financial crisis ● The appalling handling of the crisis by the Spanish government Spain should be leading the way with solar energy production. With solar irradiance in excess of 6 Kwh per square metre, as the climatic conditions are perfect.

SOLAR: Comeback

After all, one of the reasons most of us chose to live here is the sun. At the beginning of the new millennium the Spanish government had successfully stimulated the solar energy market with attractive remuneration schemes for developers and investors. When the crisis hit, unlike elsewhere in Europe, the government retroactively cut and killed subsidies. Investors fled the country. Lawsuits are still pending. Spain went backwards. In 2019 there were fewer than 1,000 houses in Spain with solar panels installed. Compare that to Germany with more than 1,000,000 homes generating electricity. Compare the climates – it just doesn’t make sense! Things started to change with the Paris agreement on climate change and its common EU commitment to reduce carbon emissions significantly before 2030. The Paris agreement was in 2015. It still took Spain until October 2018 to abolish the infamous sun tax, introduced by the former Mariano Rajoy government, under the influence of the former state monopolies Endesa and Iberdrola. I still find the concept of being taxed for producing renewable energy for self consumption beyond bonkers. “The country is finally freeing itself of the great absurdity, scorned by international observers, that is the sun tax,” said Teresa Ribera, the Minister for Ecological Transition. The solar market no longer requires subsidy to stimulate investment.

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Electricity prices have soared, solar panel costs have decreased in the past 10 years and their efficiency has increased. Return on investment used to be 15 years. It’s now less than five years. At last there is no more punishment, just encouragement.

Thought of the week If Spain had carried on installing solar panels as it should have, we would not be suffering as much from the horrific electricity prices we are now all subjected to. We actively support Debra España, the charity that helps Butterfly Children. A donation of €1 will be made for every contract we organise.

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

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LA CULTURA

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

ETERNALLY FAMOUS

True beauty of Canary Islands revealed with Marvel latest blockbuster THE rugged coastlines and dramatic landscapes of the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are about to make it big on the silver screen. These Canary Islands were chosen as the location for filming on Marvel’s latest blockbuster Eternals, which premieres in cinemas on November 5.

Musical help pona’s Centro Cultural Padre Manuel. Visitors will pay €15 on the door to listen to performers including Williams herself, baritone David Geary and many more who are performing for free.

In the money!

Stars Featuring Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie (pictured inset), Richard Madden and Salma Hayek, the $200 million movie directed by double Oscar winner Chloé Zhao showcases the true beauty of the Spanish islands. The film was shot on location in 2019 across the island of Fuerteventura, from La Solapa beach to Las Peñitas Dam, and Lanzarote where the volcano of El Cuervo serves as the backdrop for a dramatic finale.

A NIGHT of classical music and opera has been lined up to raise money to help regenerate the Sierra Bermeja, which was recently devastated by fire. The event, which has been organised by local resident, singing tutor and performer, Clarice Williams, will take place on November 12 from 8pm at Este-

By Amber Edirisinghe

Tourism chiefs expect the movie to boost the number of visitors to the islands as the destination is introduced to new audiences.

Popular A trailer for the film could easily be used as an advertising campaign for island

tourism. Spain has long been popular as a film location destination. Game of Thrones chose destinations across Spain, from the craggy cliffs of the Basque Country to the Arab palaces of Andalucia, as the backdrop to scenes. While the popular Netflix series The Crown has recently been filming on the Costa del Sol and Mallorca.

History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.

ELEVEN artworks by Malaga-born Pablo Picasso have been sold for over €93.6 million at an auction held in Las Vegas. The works had been displayed in the Picasso Restaurant at the Bellagio Hotel before being put up for sale. The most expensive piece was ‘Femme au beret rouge-orange’ (1938), which went under the hammer for €34.3 million at the auction held by Sotheby’s. This is one of the last portraits Picasso painted of his muse Marie-Therese Walter. Its estimate had been between €17m and €25m.

CIRQUE DU SOL THE spectacular Cirque du Soleil is returning to Spain in 2022 after a COVID-enforced break of a year-and-a-half. It’s new show called Luzia can be enjoyed in Barcelona (Districte Cultural de L'Hospitalet) from March 17, Alicante from July 14 and Madrid (Escenario Puerta del Angel) from November 5. The last day the famous circus was in Spain was on March 8, 2020 when it put on a show in Sevilla. “It has been nearly two years since then, a long time in which all the artists and workers who are part of Cirque du Soleil have been waiting impatiently to be able to meet the public again,” a spokesman said.

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BUSINESS

SOUTHERN Spain is the cheapest part of the country to die in, according to the OCU consumer association. The highest prices for funerals and cremations were reported in Vigo in the northwest, averaging out at €6,115. Cadiz in the south averaged a far more modest €2,551. The OCU survey contacted 113 funeral homes in 29 cities. It said a third of those spoken to showed a ‘lack of transparency’ in providing proper estimates for their services.The consumer group recommends ‘shopping around’ to get a range of prices as it discovered significant variations even within a local area. For example it got quotes of between €4,886 and €6,164 for an Alicante funeral. The tariffs are far lower in Valencia, ranging between €2,542 and €4,434. The most cost-effective area to die appears to be

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

Price of death southern Spain. Cadiz has the lowest average rates(€2,551) among the OCU surveyed cities, but Malaga also has a low average funeral cost of €2,966. Further north, Murcia comes in at €3,051, while Palma de Mallorca charges €3,636.

Funeral The OCU says an average Spanish funeral costs €3,739. A cremation service package would come in marginally lower at €3,617. The price of a coffin is the costliest element, coming in a range between €600 and €1,300 for a ‘no frills’ casket. The OCU survey reports that most people pay around €1,200.

GET READY! Preparing to submit your Self Assessment tax return (SA100) by Emilia Carvell

T’S that time of the year again! The 31st of January is fast approaching which means it’s time to submit your 20-21 tax return! Now we know that this isn't exactly seen as a fun task - in fact it’s probably always on the bottom of your to do list! But there are some simple steps you can take to prepare for submitting your Self Assessment Tax Return (SA100).

STEP ONE - Dig out your government gateway ID & Password Now, bear with us here - we know that this may seem super obvious, but not having access to your government gateway ID & Password, could cause you to have a late filing penalty! If you aren't planning on submitting your tax return until the deadline of the 31st of January, and you can’t find your government gateway credentials, then you won't be able to submit & file with HMRC (or software like APARI). Somehow, I don't think “I've lost my password” is a valid excuse for late submission, and even worse, could result in a £100 fine. So dig out that ID & password, and keep it somewhere safe (and possibly save yourself £100).

STEP TWO - Get your tax records up to date! If you’ve read our articles before, you’ll know that this is something we talk about - a lot! The biggest part to being tax savvy, for any type of tax, is good record keeping. Whilst we would always recommend doing this throughout the year, there is still time to get up to date before the submission deadline. If you’re not sure where to start, your business, or property bank statements are always a great place to get stuck in. You can even use a record keeping tax software like APARI and automate some of this process - but if software isn’t quite your thing (yet), then a good excel spreadsheet will work too! Remember to check and receipts, for business related payments and receipts that you may have paid in cash. Getting on top of your tax records won’t only save you time when it comes to submission - it could also save you money! By

SOBERING ISSUES

Spirits sink as transport shortages hit supplies of whisky THIS Christmas you may have to stick to the beer and wine. International transportation ‘issues’ could lead to a shortage of whisky, gin, vodka and rum on the Spanish costas, industry bosses have warned. Already many bars, restaurants and nightclubs in some parts of Spain have had difficulties getting their usual supplies. And Spanish distillers are facing the

same problem in reverse. They export 40% of their production and are finding it difficult to deliver their stock abroad, despite being willing to pay higher transport costs. Bosco Torremocha, the executive director of the Spanish Spirits Association, (FEBE) said: “We do not expect to recover the sales levels of 2019 until the end of next year or be-

Inflation setback

ginning of 2023.” He cited a rise in maritime freight costs, logjams at customs – partly due to Brexit – and higher costs for glass, cardboard and energy as factors that could badly affect Spain’s 3,800 distillers.

SPAIN'S inflation rate has soared to 5.5% due to steep energy price rises. Figures from the National Statistics Institute(INE) for October were 1.1% higher than September. It’s the biggest inflation hike since September 1992 when Spain's old currency of the peseta came under pressure from Germany's deutschmark. The rise is around 1% higher than analysts had predicted. The INE says the surge in power costs are the main cause of the rise, along with petrol price increases. The inflation rate would have been much higher had it not been for the government reducing tax on domestic power bills.

Torremocha added: “The issue is not only an increase in costs, but also the fact that even if you pay, you are not sure when you are going to have stock delivered.” Fortunately for beer and wine drinkers, the same issues do not seem to be affecting that sector as much, with many breweries running their own transportation systems within Spain.

Costs

OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across

keeping track of everything spent for your landlord business, you may even unearth some additional tax-deductible expenses - every deduction helps, and if you were ever to be subjected to some sort of review form HMRC, then having good proof of your business income and expenditure will always help. Sign up to the APARI community to keep up to date on what you can claim.

8 Where to scrub Skodas or mop Mazdas (3,4) 9 Runs moderately fast (5) 10 Tiny particles (5) 11 Defiant remark (2,5) 12 Disgrace (5) 14 Tire out (7) 16 Willingly obedient (7) 18 Lebanese city and ancient Phoenician port (5) 20 Tympanic membrane (7) 22 Thick sweet liquid (5) 23 Sudden forward thrust (5) 24 Of little consequence (7)

STEP THREE - Check your calculation & submit! Don’t worry we don't expect you to start doing mental arithmetic or long division! But there are a couple of ways that you can check your tax liability before submitting to HMRC. As a landlord, it is likely that your income and expenditure is pretty similar year on year - that means that last years tax return is usually a good guide as to what this year's tax calculation should look like (unless of course there have been any major changes). You can also use a software, like APARI we can calculate your tax liability for the year, AND submit directly to HMRC - meaning the only thing left for you to do is pay your tax liability! Regardless of how you do your tax return, the most important thing is to remember that the deadline is looming! So, get started today and remember to submit before the 31st of January!

For all the latest information and advise, visit www.apari-digital.com

Down

OP SUDOKU

1 Orts (6) 2 Disdainful (8) 3 It’s said on Sunday (4) 4 Virginal (6) 5 Sudden side pains (8) 6 Completed (4) 7 Give the green light (6) 13 Carried out badly fed crone (8) 15 Be beneath (8) 16 Makes a home (6) 17 Bounds (6) 19 Incendiary gel (6) 21 South African money (4) 22 Dirty (4)

All solutions are on page 14

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Cheaper tests NEW rules allowing fully-vaxxed travellers flying into England to take lateral flow tests instead of PCR tests have come into force. The lateral flow tests for returning travellers must be bought from private providers and the government website has published a list of approved companies where prices start at £19.

Book

The rules still state that passengers must book tests before travelling to the UK and include the code on the Health Locator Form that must be filled out within 48 hours prior to departure. But travellers are now required to send a picture of their lateral flow test to verify the result, and failure to do so could result in a fine of £1,000. The change also applies to those under the age of 18 whether or not they are vaccinated. Only children aged four and under do not need to take the test.

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

RESTRICTED VIEWING

SPAIN is banning adverts for high-sugar content foods that target children, as cases of overweight youngsters continue to climb. Consumer Affairs minister, Alberto Garzon, said the move will affect all forms of broadcasting, cinemas, social networks and online/mobile app outlets that are aimed at

Adverts for sugary treats will be banned from next year By Alex Trelinski

children aged under 16. The ban will begin in 2022 with a third of Spanish youngsters having some kind of

weight issue, compared to just 3% in 1984. Alberto Gazon said: “Over 40% of children aged between six and nine years are overweight, and advertising is one of the causes.

Sunborn honours SUNBORN London has won the prestigious title of Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the 2021 World Travel Awards, celebrated on the 22nd of October 2021. In addition, the sister yacht hotel Sunborn Gibraltar won the title of Gibraltar’s Leading Hotel 2021. The winners of the international World Travel Awards were revealed at the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry, the 28th World Travel Awards.

“The figures show cases of obesity and being overweight are doubled in poorer families compared to wealthier households,” the minister added. "Advertising is one of the causes of this figure.”

Guidelines

Spain’s move is based on World Health Organisation(WHO) guidelines over foodstuffs that it classifies as ‘harmful’ for children. The ban will include adverts for ice cream, soft drinks, sweets, and pastries that have added sugars. Foods that have a content of 225 or more kilo-calories per 100 grams will also have an advertising ban slapped on them.

Rising to the top A PANADERO from the Sevillian town of Lebrija has scooped the top prize in World Baker Awards 2021. Domi Velez won the best baker crown in an event organised by the International Bakery and Confectionery Union and held in the German city of Munich. The 43-year-old baker beat three other finalists Peng Fudon (China), Sigurdur Mar Gudjosson (Iceland) and Han Chih Lu (Taiwan) to win the top award becoming the second Spaniard ever to do so. Catalan baker Jordi Morera walked away with the prize in 2017. Velez creates his artisan loaves at El Horno de Velez which opens at 5.30am each morning. Velez, whose family has been baking bread for five generations, develops his recipes using family traditions teamed up with modern food science.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

The castle tour

Pictures by: Jon Clarke

Battle stations

H O T E L & R E S TA U R A N T

“Enjoy the finest cuisine of the Serrania and the best views in Europe at La Fructuosa, in the pueblo blanco of Gaucin”. Calle Luis De Arminan 67, 29480, Gaucín, Andalucia, Spain tel: +34 617 692 784 www.lafructuosa.com

It’s the moment Napoleon’s unpopular army is finally sent into retreat by a legion of local townsfolk. Pitchforks, muskets and all... And Ronda Romantica, when the whole town dresses up in 19th century garb, in spring is a must-visit event

Take the back route into the Serrania de Ronda and visit the many castles of its western edge

GORGEOUS vista unfolded as we drove past Casares and looped around the valley towards Gaucin, known as the ‘balcony of the Serrania de Ronda’ because of its wonderful views, writes Jon Clarke. This is the back way into the Serrania and one of Europe’s loveliest drives, particularly now they have finished the A-377 inland. This is the perfect alternative route to Ronda, taking in the celebrated town of Gaucin, the stunning Genal Valley and the charming market town of Jimena de la Frontera, which sits at the extreme western edge of the Serrania alongside the amazing Alcornocales

S FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL S

pecial

errania de Ronda

Pictures by Jon Clarke

November 3rd - November 16th 2021

FORTIFICATIONS: The west end of the Serrania includes Jimena (above) and Gaucin (far left), while a mother at a fountain in Gaucin and a local (right)

natural park. Gaucin can be seen for miles around, like a white ribbon on the peak of a hill. It’s a charming spot, popular with upmarket tourists and walkers and has a fabulous castle, the Castillo del Aguila, which sits at 688 metres above sea level and offers a classic eagle’s perch of the surrounding area. Another half an hour on and you come to Jimena de la Frontera, a whitewashed town officially declared of Historical and Artistic Importance in 1983. A wonderful weekend getaway, it has been inhabited by Iberians and Phoenicians, as well as the Romans, while its 13th century Moorish castle has looked out over many a bloody battle. Today things are rather more tran-

Pictures by Jon Clarke

Vol. 15

ll about

Issue 381

quil and you will see plenty of chil- has recently been renovated, but dren running around, as well as it was once part of a Moorish demen on horseback and remarka- fence system that stretched from bly few tourists. Olvera to Tarifa and protected the It may be a mostly quiet town but western edge of the Kingdom of that doesn’t mean that the locals Granada. don’t know how to It remains as a consparty and on many tant reminder of JiSaturday nights it comena’s intriguing It remains as mes alive. past as a ‘frontera’ a reminder of Try the historic Hostal - or frontier - when it Anon, which has live Jimena’s past guarded the western music and a decent flanks of the Arabic as a frontier young crowd. Al Andalus with ChrisIn the daytime, thoutian Spain. town gh, it’s all about puThe castle witnestting your walking sed many battles as shoes on and heading around the Christian armies laid frequent siesteep cobbled streets… and, in ge to the fortifications protecting particular to the castle that rises the important Moorish stronghold above it. of Algeciras. The eighth century castle became The view of the surrounding couna National Monument in 1931 and tryside below is amazing, in parti-

errania de Ronda

Don't miss our 20page Ronda supplement, online

FUNDADA EN 2017

November 2021

www.theolivepress.es

MOORISH Ronda, about his hometown of JON CLARKE waxes lyricaly is only matched by its soaring where the sense of histor t) its food mountain scenery and (almos

and 300 slippery spiT’S one hundred metres, bottom of the siege ralling steps, to reach the Moro. tunnel of the Casa del Rey during times of One of various escape routes reminder of Ronda’s siege, there is no better past. fascinating historical nearby Arabic baths, A must-visit, alongside the of the Moorish King was the 13th century House visit to AndaluObama’s Michelle of highlight a cia a decade ago. lady had insisted that America’s former first first-hand how the Arashe wanted to witness received messages and bic defenders took and

regular sieges in the collected water during the Kingdom of Granada dark days of the end of the just over 500 years ago. the days of Al-AnOn a cultural holiday to explore spent a day wandaluz, she and her daughters of a town that sits less dering around the gem the Costa del Sol. than an hour inland from Arabic gardens of Having visited the charming and the town’s iconic the Palacio Mondragon - she decided to underbullring - Spain’s oldest take some exercise. Continues on Page 2

DINE IN

•

INTACT: The 13th century

TA K E A W AY

•

Arabic baths and (left)

gargoyles being hung on

a street chapel pillar

DELIVERY

November 2021 WHERE TO EAT

ll about

DINING HIGHLIGH From Page 9

ll about

ber 2021

952 87 89 85 tel: Novem

951 15 18 17

11 Calle Virgen de los Dolores España 29400 Ronda, Málaga, m Tropicanaronda@gmail.co

ons – Take Away – Delivery: daReservati to 16:00 & 19:30 to 23:30 Thur to Monday: 12:30 errania de Ron y: 19:30 to 23:30 Tuesday: Closed Wednesda Ronda

PEAK DINING WHERE TO EAT

Calle Santa Cecilia 3, m www.pizzeriadavincironda.co

A pair of Michelin top stars, Trip Advisor’s and Spanish restaurant an international line: Is up of talented chefs ucia’s Ronda now Andal top foodie escape, asks Jon Clarke

STAR: Benito Gomez with Jon and some ago that Ronof Bardal’s than justifies it. T was two decades for its Michea recent visit more inventions (me included) I particularly love his passion for Ronda became famousnt Tragabuches, with many critics that are out of the year actually soon pull da’s finest local ingredients - and his lin-starred restaura banlocal believing he could have begun to thrive infamous able and win three many, due to its geographyof Andaluthe igno- who of Tragabuches. named after its off the unspeak gement leading to support dit. of this is Benito Go- stars for his amazing joint. of An- mismanaloss of its star and the buzz ashes rly total unswerving help the with The best example character, a real cian cuisine in general, particula starred Barwith it. Guided to the top culinary superstar minious Gomez is a genuine food scene fizzling out a culi- mez, whose two Michelin up and up since livewire, totally passionate aboutmenu, given he is a Catalan. of the of the local dalucia’s current g the of on one somethin been 951 48 his 98 18 dal has tally Ronda became Dani Garcia, it became hola@tabernael on Page 10 for foodies the nary desert once again and you (most- opening five years ago, coincidenhes. and constantly changingin price since Continues almacen villagdoubled .com of Tragabuc www.tab hip, must-visit eateries have nearby bustling the may kitchen a ernaela to on out which former spawned lmacen.com in the to the in 2019, but ly) had to head world over… and for over a year due got his second star that was as au- es to eat well. Cl Los Remedi … in While shut it reopened earlier this he food scene in Ronda changed os, has c, that 7. 29400 Ronda, Now however, staff, pandemi thentic as it was exciting. Málaga to various former it made it, TragabuBut, as quickly as poor promotion and part, thanks ches sank due to

ZON BY MAR TIN ABRAM

pecial

cular the sprawling forests and undulating hills of Los Alcornocales natural park behind. One of Europe’s largest protected spaces, it is the ideal spot for putting on your walking boots and exploring. When the Hozgarganta River swells there are dreamy waterfalls and pools to be found but, as ever, ask the locals to point you to the best spots. The park is also home to the prehistoric paintings at Laja Alta which incredibly date back as far as the Bronze Age. After a day spent exploring the wild and stunning terrain, Jimena offers a range of enticing dining options with a mix of Spanish and Moorish cuisine. The area is known for mushroom picking and game hunting, but the

CASA MAIA Wonderful country escape in the Ronda valley. Roaring fire, American pool table and acres of private gardens.

errania de Ron da

He has been here though for well over decades, having first two Another endary El Bulli geniuscut his teeth with leg- rasateguithree-star Betrainee is he opened at HaciendaFerran Adria, when Jose Antonio junior at lucar la Mayor, near Benazuza, in San- Tropicana Sevilla, gaining two , which was stars in almost as recently voted Spain’s I first met Benito many years. top restaurant by Trip former three-Michthere, standing in for the Advisor. pretty much the elin maestro, where I ate One for Yes, ‘Number best meal of my 25-course four-hour life - a Dining Best Everyday in mastercla Spain’ and ss, for just tops €99 - that literally for all round good blew my mind. From there he moved quality, have lived since 2003, to Ronda, where I restaurantgreat local s. first working under Dani Garcia at Tragabuch es before leaving It is an amazing accoto open his own lade rant Tragatapas aless formal tapas restau- father,and he and his Jose Antonio It coincidentally decade ago. senior, better and wherekeeps getting better and amazinghave done an nan, runs the showhis wife, a local Ronde- this place job turning with military precision. into yet Another former other ‘must visit’ anjoint keeps improving, Tragabuches hand, who in Spain’s most evocaArgentine, who is is Martin Abramzon, an tive mountain also now a genuine town. denan local. Ron- While not an enormous His hip joint Kutral fan of al estate and is stylesits in Ronda’s industri- website,the global food personified. there is no Focusing on the doubt best they cuts are getting of meat able cooked on a parilla-style BBQ, avail- it right with Tropicana, quickly made a name he has which really for himself. is magical. But there is a lot The picks including a more besides, with top team father and son deliver a great burrata salad with UP AND UP: Martin dried tomatoes, amazing sun at Kutral, while (right) Argentinian em- range of carefully considered dishes Pedro Romero panadas and a mean focus- looking lemon curd pudding. ing very much on local ingredient out over the ancient It is no surprise s with lots of small Spanish legend to learn he trained with about twists. It is hard to fault anything da, with a mountain backdroppart of RonMartin Berasateg the has cooked for Gareth ui and location place, in particular its decor and an almost Biblical landscape behind and folding out in but if there is one front of you. Ronaldo among others. Bale and Cristiano it is Junior’s major amazing service stand out, The hard-working owners and advice girlfriend in English on the Jose Manuel and food and wine. Test him. and busy Rocio have created a charming He’s the best. eatery in possibly the hardest time in history. Another great new joint Jose really knows is Escudero, which his a definite must-visit is worked in the restaurant onions having trade on for nearly 20 years, the outskirts of town. firstly with buches, then later Dani Garcia at TragaThe views are among at his family restaurant where he personally the best in Spain, waited on the likes , Michelle Obama. of Yet another well-traine d chef is Javier Pimentel of hip El Almacen, who travelled the world working in Ireland, don and San Sebastian Lon, before opening his restaurant It’s a stylish spot, three years ago. with a great selection of music, including a huge pile of re-

one thing you can’t leave without trying is the sweet ‘piñonate’ cake. For history lovers another great castle worth visiting is at nearby Castellar de la Frontera. The drive up to the village passes through forests of cork trees and past the beautiful turquoise reservoir formed by the Guadarranque River. When you get there, the small village within the old castle walls has a traditional Hispanic feel but is sprinkled with quirky shops selling a mix of Moroccan jewellery and trinkets. When you finally head home after a weekend of castle-hopping, rejoice in the knowledge that hidden just behind the Costa del Sol’s shining bright lights lie some of Spain’s most precious mountain gems.

NUMBER ONE: Dad and son at Tropicana and views at Escudero and (above) a

dish

Come and try amazing wines Ronda’s with a tapa TEL: 672 284 146

Closed Sunday and Monday

Calle Pozo 2, 29400 Ronda https://qrco.de/bb WFvy

November 2021

RONDA ALL STARS:

Javier at Porton,

Javier at El Almacen,

and Tomas and Carlos

at Pedro Romero

Traditional dishes

of Ronda

tel: 952 87 11 10 FRIENDLY: At Cerveceri a Bandolero in Plaza cisco and (below) San FranMonolo at cords, thanks to his Almocobar But you are here girlfriend, who is the Maitre. disappoint, after for the food and Javier doesn’t training at San three-Michelin cathedral Sebastian’s The dishes are amazing, of cuisine Akelarre. but they are tasty have some excellent and twists. No wonder denans love it so the RonFor history lovers much. take a ride to the est restaurant Pedro town’s grandRomero sitting opposite the bullring, with and posters, as youwonderful bullfighting photos It is a classic family might expect. and in the hands restaurant, now 40 years old, whose children areof brothers Carlos and Tomas, and their 86-year-oldstarting to come into the fold This is the place for father still regularly pops in. de toro, which is the classic dishes, such as rabo leading sommelie best in town, while Tomas, a Soulful Almocabar, is well up on wines. sistently one of the r meanwhile, has been conwell over a decade,town’s finest places to eat for with a superb wine atmosphere personifie list and the square outdoors d, particularly if eating in It has long been one at summer time. local places to dine of the town’s most reliable slow of the hat to local and there is a major doffing In food. His wine list is also second ingredients and the the same square to none. concept of Cervecer in Barrio San Francisco ia Bandoler is, the friendliest place o, which really could be to eat in Andalucia It’s very much service . with a smile from two cousins, who these charming guests run backwards and forwards and plying you lent simple and local with fare, with a bent excelCarnes a la Brasa. towards For wine lovers you mustn’t miss Entre which has over Vinos, 100 wines from Ronda, with more than a dozen wines available by There are some excellent the glass. tapas and it’s a charming place to while Just up the hill is away a few hours. ly that ‘Always theSiempre Igual, which is exactsame’, it’s a bloody place to enjoy tapas excellent and some excellent with friends. Run wine by a friendly family always have some team, they worth a try and in experimental new dishes, a great location, the bullring. just up from For those up in the heart of Ronda, AUTHENTICITY: Siempre Porton – an institution authentic Igual 40 years - has wonderfulrun by Javier for the last old photos on the wall and a guarantee d feel good factor. Here, you will find ite Ronda tapa, the my favourquails egg with ham wonderful on toast. Venturing out of Ronda there are so many amazing country escapes for lunch Also in the centre or supper. ly-rated Da Vinci is the highActually giving restaurant. run for its moneyTropicana a visor, this Pizzeria on Trip Adis normally packedrestaurant a week and serves five days famously SELECTION: One of the best wine lists is at Entre Vinos Continues on Page

info@rpedroromero.com www.rpedroromero.com Virgen de la Paz 18, 29400 Ronda, Málaga

TAPAS BAR

LOCAL WINE

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Tel: 952 87 15 73 C/ San Francisco de Asís N°140, Ronda

Traditional & Med iterranian food We specialise in Anda lusian Wines

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C/ San José n° 2 Esquin

errania de Ronda

/ 609 925 554

a Calle Jerez. Ronda

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C O N TA C T laalcantarillaronda@gmail.com Minimum 2 nights stay

www.casamaia.co.uk

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RAISE A GLASS ONE of Spain's most famous sherry and wine producers has been voted ‘Best Spanish Winery of the Decade’. The AEPEV association of wine journalists gave the accolade to Jerez-based Gonzalez Byass, which is behind the internationally-renowned Tio Pepe brand. The business was founded in 1835 by Manuel Maria Gonzalez and British importer Robert Byass. Gustav Eiffel, who designed the famous tower in Paris, built a large bodega for the firm, called La Concha in 1862.

Sherry

www.thinkSPAIN.com

Over a century later, the family company constructed their giant three-storey Tio Pepe bodega at Jerez in 1963. Relatives of Robert Byass ended their interest in the producer in 1998, leaving it solely in the hands of fourth and fifth generation members of the Gonzalez family. The firm expanded 13 years ago to takeover the Viñas de Vero wineries in Aragon.

November 3rd November 16th 2021

On the fast track Renfe set to challenge struggling Eurostar for tunnel route, potentially linking the costas with London in 24 hours

RENFE, Spain’s stateowned rail operator, is in talks to take on Eurostar. It plans to operate a highspeed passenger service between London and Paris. Since its high-profile launch in 1994, the channel tunnel service has been provided by just one operator, completely unchallenged. Renfe wants to run its own two-hour service between the two capitals, utilising time slots still available through the tunnel. HS1, which manages the tracks between London

By Simon Wade

St Pancras and the south coast, is reported to be ‘very

School is changing, find out how THE COVID-19 pandemic changed the idea of education dramatically

t introduced many of us to the power of online learning and the opportunities it brings forth. Some schools have not only embraced this change but are passionately working towards elevating the perceptions around online learning, demystifying ‘remote’ or ‘distance’ learning and continuously increasing the quality of the outcomes delivered online. There is a similar conversation also taking place in the world of work with companies implementing ‘work from home’ policies and hybrid working environments. This November, the UK’s leading online school InterHigh becomes King’s InterHigh. While it may seem like a small change in name, it moves the conversation around education to a new level. It represents a rich addition of the King’s group of schools and their 50 years’ experience in delivering educational excellence and a connection to the global Inspired group of 70-plus schools spread across 5 continents to the original online school, InterHigh. Pioneers in online learning, InterHigh was the world’s first fully online school to offer a high-qual-

The online British education that revolves around you

Restrictions

Vurger King

ity UK curriculum in real-time classrooms. InterHigh’s 15-plus years’ experience of delivering unparalleled virtual education has fostered a thriving community of 10,000-plus successful alumni. Innovative online learning means different things ONE Burger King in Spain is going entirely meat free for to different people. Some recent pilots and work a month. at King’s InterHigh include virtual science simulaThe branch on Madrid’s famous Paseo del Prado has tions for exam years (think science experiments teamed up with The Vegetarian Butcher to offer plantlike a Playstation game!), additional gamified and At King’s InterHigh, your child can learn and shine as food only. based AI-driven learning in foreign languages as well as part of a diverse and welcoming school community There will be a plant-based Whopper and vegan ‘chicken’ richer, more varied online learning in the Primary that’s built around theirbringing needs and With nuggets as well as a Long Vegetal – a vegetarian take on years. Online learning means new interests. conthe Long Chicken in the restaurant dubbed ‘Vurger King’. cepts to life in a virtual and connected small classes, interactive lessons environand lots happening ment. But vegans beware – the mayonnaise in the sandwiches outside the classroom, they can benefit from a highDue to their very nature of being online, schools contains eggs, so you will have to ask for no mayonnaise if British education fromboth anywhere. like quality King’s InterHigh cater to families inside All withyou want a fully vegan option. the backing of Inspired, one of the world’s leading and outside the UK. With students joining from “We want to reach both people who base their diet on vegeducation countries acrossgroups. Europe and many internationetable products and those who do eat meat but want to al destinations, the global community of online reduce their consumption,” Borja Hernández de Alba, the learners continues to grow and thrive. Students, general director of Burger King parent company RestauWithteachers over 16 years of experience, we are and families share a high re- the rant Brands in Spain and Portugal, told 20 Minutos. original gardonline for theschool. British curriculum and the The Vegetarian Butcher – a Dutch company owned by many opportunities it brings for both Unilever - and Burger King are working to get plant-based fulfilling careers and pathways to univerburgers on the menu in 25 countries. kingsinterhigh.co.uk sities and future studies. So how is school changing? King’s InterHigh is one example of a school without walls where students are not constrained to one location and where opportunities for learning are available on line and in person. While education Quick Crossword should be student centered and focused on learning, schools that bring learning Across: 8 Car wash, 9 Trots, 10 Atoms, 11 So there, 12 online in an engaging and effective way, Shame, 14 Exhaust, 16 Dutiful, 18 Sidon, 20 Eardrum, represent a viable alternative for many 22 Syrup, 23 Lunge, 24 Trivial. families now and into the future. Down: 1 Scraps, 2 Arrogant, 3 Mass, 4 Chaste, 5 Stitches, 6 Done, 7 Assent, 13 Enforced, 15 Underlie, 16 Dwells, 17 Limits, 19 Napalm, 21 Rand, 22 Soil. www.kingsinterhigh.co.uk

However, travel restrictions during various Covid lockdowns reduced services to as few as one a day. They were bailed out with a £250m loan in a refinancing deal with shareholders and banks in May, 2021. With high-speed RENFE services now reaching the south coast of Spain, when will we see a rail connection from the costas all the way to London without having to change? Currently, Orihuela to Madrid takes 2h 30m via Alicante. From Malaga it is 2h 40m. Madrid to Paris averages 19 hours, and Paris to London is a swift 2h 20m. In theory, and with timely connections, the trip could be made within 24 hours on one ticket, with one service provider.

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interested’ in the development of the project. Eurostar’s majority-owner, SNCF, launched heavily-discounted services from France into Spain only this year. Trips from Paris to Barcelona cost €39, and Marseille to Madrid is still only €59. Renfe looks to have countered the bold move by claiming: ‘According to the demand analysis carried out, it would be viable and profitable for [us] to compete with Eurostar’. Pre-pandemic, Eurostar carried more than 11 million passengers and provided more than 80% of journeys between London, Paris and Brussels.

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The Olive Press all editions - FP_342x256 - PROMO - November 3/4/5

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AN IBERIA Airbus landed at Barajas airport with a dead black vulture embedded in its nose after a bird strike.

Salty scoop ICE CREAM maker Massimo Pozzi has invented an ice cream with payoyo cheese and marine plankton, to be released on November 6 in Da Massimo ice cream parlour in Cadiz.

Vol. 6 Issue 160

www.theolivepress.es

THE former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, must be flushed with embarrassment after it was revealed he was injected with female hormones to control his rampant sex drive. This is the sensational claim made by an ex-police chief during a court hearing in Madrid.

AN 89-year-old Spaniard has gone viral on twitter after her grandson posted that, every time she Google searches something she types por favor at the end.

Jose Manuel Villarejo, a former police commissioner at the centre of the far reaching Casa Kitchen case told the court that secret agents ‘injected female hormones and testosterone blockers to control the monarch’s sex drive after it was categorised as a problem of state’. Juan Carlos, who abdicated in

A CAT that had succumbed to choking volcanic ash was brought back from the dead when a soldier performed ‘mouth to moggy’ resuscitation. The lucky feline on the island of La Palma, where there has been an ongoing eruption for weeks, had been engulfed by ash. But, using up one of its nine lives, the cat was pulled from

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Old ways

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GIBRALTAR

Randy royal ‘injected with hormones to quell libido’ June 2014 after a series of scandals, was a notorious womanizer. One recent book entitled Juan Carlos: The King of 5,000 lovers by Amadeo Martinez Ingles claimed the king, now 83, was a sex addict who had slept with more than 2,000 women between 1976 and 1994. One of his last affairs came

Kissing pussy a mound of cinders and brought back from the brink of death after a soldier with an emergency rescue unit used a tiny plastic filter to give it the kiss of life. The cat survived and was pictured recovering in a cage after the ordeal.

RED FACED: Sex mad king

to public attention when it emerged that the King had broken his hip while on an elephant hunting trip with a companion identified as Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (also known as Corinna Larsen). She has since spoken out about the affair and is attempting to sue the Royal and Spain’s secret service for harassment. The disgraced former monarch has been living in exile in Abu Dhabi since last year when an investigation was launched into his financial affairs amid allegations of money laundering and backhanders. Adultery in the Gulf state is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in jail and deportation.

A GIGANTIC sunfish has been caught up in tuna fishing nets off the coast of Ceuta, one of Spain’s enclaves in north Africa. The fish, known as a pez luna in Spanish, measured 3.2 metres long and 2.9 metres wide and weighed in at a whopping two tonnes. Enrique Ostale, a marine biologist at the University of Sevilla was there to study the creature. He said he had only ever heard of sunfish this size from books but never thought he would see one so big. After being weighed and measured, the creature was released safely back into the wild.

Dog’s life IN a Spanish first a judge has awarded a couple joint custody of their dog. The Madrid court decreed that the estranged duo would care for their pooch called Panda on alternate months. The ruling recognised an equal bond between the dog and the two caregivers and said proof of ownership of the dog by one person over another wasn’t enough to override a bond between the dog and the other person in the couple.

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