MASTER MANSIONS
We explore Spain’s best house museums
See page 9
Golden generation
We uncover the expat roots of Spain’s Olympic hopefuls
See page 12
TENSIONS BOIL
AN anti-tourism demonstration in Palma de Mallorca last weekend attracted more than double the numbers of protestors since the previous one in May.
More than 20,000 people marched through the city against the mass tourism model that they claim is strangling the island.
Jeering
The march, which demanded ‘a change to the current tourism model’, went from the Plaza de España to the Plaza de la Reina.
Once again it was organised by the platforms Menys Turisme, Mes Vida (Less tourism, More life). At least 111 separate organisations took part and even a few politicians put in an appearance.
The Balearic government praised the organisers for ensuring the protest passed ‘without incident’.
But UK media claimed the protest specifically targeted British tourists, with many mallorquinos jeering England’s recent loss in the Euros.
One placard even read: “The only thing coming home is you.”
HE may have a €50 million es tate in the hills of Mallorca – the place he loves ‘most in the world’ – but that doesn’t stop Michael Douglas from getting down with the locals. In fact the Hollywood leg end, 79, has been branded an unofficial ambassador for the island thanks to a series of recent vid eos showing him soaking up the local culture. The Basic
‘WE LOVE YOU!’
Locals battle anti-tourism movement by handing out heart-warming notes to holidaymakers
A GROUP of Palma residents have decided to fight back against the tidal wave of anti-tourism sentiment that has washed over the island. Known as ‘We Love Tourism Mallorca’, the platform has been giving out cards to visitors and covering over anti-tourism posters with stickers reading ‘we love you’.
Their website, welovetourismmallorca.com, reads: “We understand that there is a problem with oversat-
uration in Mallorca, but we firmly believe it is not only the respon -
By Yzabelle Bostyn
sibility of tourists, nor is closing off the island the solution.
“We shouldn’t demonise tourism, it is the biggest economic driver on the islands.”
The group added: “We want to send out a message of love and support to our visitors before the impending protests.”
The non-profit group also states that ‘Mallorcans have relied on tourism for a long time’ and have called for ‘common sense’.
“There is no point biting the hand that feeds us,” the anonymous members said.
PROTESTS: Over 20,000 people marched against mass tourism last week
The apolitical platform proposes using ‘community input’ to solve the issue.
“We want to find solutions and invite suggestions from the public. Together we can carve out a better future for us all,” they said. Their website includes a suggestion box, where anyone can submit their
ideas after which they will be presented in a meeting with the Balearic Government.
One proposed idea has been to bring in a minimum time people must reside in Mallorca before they are allowed to buy and sell property. They also call for a moratorium on new infrastructure dedicated solely to tourism, such as airports and harbours.
Reduce
Private jets should be banned and cruise ships docking at the islands reduced.
Another idea is to reduce the number of hammocks and beach umbrellas available on the beach, believing this may discourage tourists from coming.
But their abiding message is to drop the anger and the resentment towards the individual tourists who set foot on the island simply in search of a pleasant break from their normal lives.
Smart sands
TOWN halls across Spain, including Mallorca and Gran Canaria, have introduced ‘smart beaches’ including sunbed rental apps and rescue drones.
Take your pic
A NEW weightloss drug marketed as an alternative to Ozempic is now on the Spanish market. It is sold under the brand name Tirzepatida.
Sundown
THE number of sunloungers has been reduced by 50% on some Manacor beaches in an effort to reduce overcrowding. It comes three years after the council took over beach management.
No impact
AIRLINE giant Easyjet has said they have not seen ‘any impact’ from anti-tourism protests, claiming ‘it’s not a new issue’.
A WARNING has been issued after Portuguese man o’war jellyfish were spotted floating off an Ibiza beach.
Eagle-eyed beach goers spotted the deadly creatures off the coast of Sant Antoni, Ibiza, near the Cala Gracio on Wednesday.
Experts have been alarmed as they
Deadly visitor
Since then, there have been sporadic sightings throughout the island and in Formentera.
There were no reports of injuries despite children taking part in water sports in the area.
are an Atlantic species uncommon to Balearic waters. It has been speculated that strong currents originating in the Gibraltar Strait have pushed them there. A warning was first issued by the Balearic government three years ago when they were spotted near the Bol Nou beach in Sant Josep.
Beach threat
Mallorca’s
By Yzabelle Bostyn
CLOSE CALL
beaches are under threat, and the remaining 685 will also be reduced, according to the Balearic Oceanographic Centre who authored the study. Among them are the infamous Calo des Moro, where a protest are needed at a global level to stop pollution, reduce climate change and save the beaches. According to him, current measures are not reducing emissions quickly enough.
A 15-year-old Swedish boy narrowly dodged death at a communal pool in Puerto Andratx. Alarmed residents noticed him under the water and went to his rescue. They fished him out and started resuscitation efforts in an effort to revive him before the local police and medics arrived to take over. He was admitted to Son Espases Hospital in a critical condition, though he was able to breathe on his own.
was recently held against beach overcrowding. Formentor beach, the site of a new Four Seasons hotel, will also be washed away. Researcher Biel Jorda warned that ‘very strong’ measures
"This will have a very big impact on the Balearic Islands,” he said.
“We are used to only very small variations in the tides, so the beaches suffer insignificant changes."
Sea levels have risen 10cm in the last 30 years and are rising at an increasingly rapid rate.
Likewise, the effects of climate change are already being felt, but Jorda states these will become increasingly evident.
Unlike other studies, the research takes into account the specific characteristics of each beach to determine their outcomes.
"This is something that has never been done before," Jorda said.
He claims other worldwide studies use ‘generic’ and ‘low-resolution’ information, leading to misleading results.
RESTAURANTS that offer menus in English have been targeted by anti-tourism protestors.
In a bizarre new TikTok trend, youngsters film themselves buying food from local shops and then eat it next to the ‘English-speaking’ establishments. The text reads: “Having lunch eating a sandwich from a local bakery because we’re not going to eat somewhere with an English menu.”
The video, posted on TikTok, is captioned: “F*** guiris”. The movement is based in Soller and has received much support online, with one of their videos so far garnering 1,400 likes and over a 100 comments.
EATING ENGLISH Cruise ships targeted
EXTINCTION Rebellion held a protest in an Ibiza port in line with the arrival of three cruise ships carrying a total of 10,400 tourists to the island, many of them British. Some 12 activists showed up at Botafoc Port on Wednesday holding posters reading: ‘Your luxury, our climate crisis’ and ‘Stop cruises’. They asked at the visitors whether they knew ‘how much contamination’ their trip causes or ‘how many visitors the small island of Ibiza receives each year.’
McGregor madness
CONOR McGregor tore up Marbella and ruffled feathers in his usual style.
Fresh from sailing in from Mallorca on his yacht, his strolls around town caused excited crowds to gather outside the Hard Rock Hotel where he was staying.
He then kept fans waiting for three hours at his VIP evening at the swanky Clubhouse bar.
But when he did finally show up, it was blockbuster. He swirled through the venue and schmoozed with the fans – before promptly vanishing into the VIP lounge.
The UFC legend is in the Costa del Sol to promote his newest venture – bringing bare-knuckle boxing to Spain.
Diva 1
GOOD SPORTS
Boy band congratulate Spain on Euros win during Marbella concert, wearing Spanish flags and sipping sangria
BRITISH boy band Take That sparked controversy after they donned Spanish flags during their Marbella concert to congratulate Spain for their Euros win.
Take That performed at Marbella’s Starlite Festival in the aftermath of England’s Euros defeat on Monday, July 15.
After taking to the stage during Sunday’s match, they raised eyebrows in their post-Euros concert by donning Spanish flags and congratulating Luis de la Fuente’s side.
“We had to play a show during the game last night to a mix
of Spanish and English,” said frontman Gary Barlow.
“That was tough.”
The band then brought out a picnic basket containing flags, scarves, sunglasses and hats emblazoned with the Spanish flag.
Barlow congratulated La Roja, saying: “It’s only a game of football, well done Spain.”
Mark Owen even draped himself in an Andalucian flag, sipping fresh sangria under a parasol.
Refreshed, the band sang This Life, the title track of their new album.
In the face of England’s loss
the song aptly encouraged fans to move on, saying: “This life ain’t no bed of roses. This life will take everything that you’ve got.
“In this life, there’s no second chances. Make this life
REVIEW: Take That ‘shine’ on their Spanish tour by Yzabelle Bostyn
ALTHOUGH known as the archetypal 90s boy band, Take That proved they are still going strong, albeit with a hefty sprinkle of dad dancing and panto-esque narration. Some 34 years after they first got together, just three of the original five members remain: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
They performed two sold out shows at Starlite Festival in Marbella on July 14 and 15. It is part of their European tour promoting their new album, This Life, with seven shows in Spain.
Almost four decades into their career, they delivered a unique and privileged experience, showcasing their dozens of hits to a captivated audience.
As they traversed their musical career, the
band gave a cheesy, musical-esque narration, taking the audience on a journey through their discography.
Barlow’s voice is as strong as ever and the group's stage presence cannot be doubted.
Despite various videos poking fun at their choreography online, it is clear to see that fans enjoy the dad-style dancing. The show also had multiple outfit changes, each more glittery than the last.
All the band members got their time in the limelight, performing at least one solo song each.
My favorite was definitely, Pray, with the fun dance routine giving it that touch more pazzazz. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed the speculator.
yours.”
As for the searing balmy evening with temperatures hardly dropping below 30C, the trio fought through sweat to serenade the sell out crowd.
“It’s going to get even worse: we’re playing in Sevilla tomorrow (Tuesday, July 16). That’s even hotter,” Barlow told the 1,500 fans.
The band played a 90 minute show full of hits from their 34 year career.
Cheeky
As they left the stage, Owen whipped out a water gun, squirting at the crowd.
Was he helping fans combat the heat? Or was it a cheeky reference to Barcelona anti-tourism protestors drenching visitors?
Although missing two former members, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, they delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance.
The crowd was a mix of English, Spanish and Northern Europeans of all ages, singing along and enjoying the show.
Bump and grind
Diva 2
IT was the return of a true disco legend.
Like a classic diva, 76-year-old Grace Jones rightfully turned up on stage half an hour late and then gyrated like a teenager in a sexy outfit at the BBK festival in Bilbao. Headlining at nearly midnight, she danced and grooved through a fabulous two-hour set including classics I’ve Seen that Face Before and Pull Up to My Bumper Wearing thigh-length boots and at least half a dozen outfits she wowed the crowd in her first headline show here for a decade.
When complimented on the show and asked by the Olive Press later backstage how she had so much energy at her age, she flashed a wicked grin and said: ‘You’re so cute, I love that. Thanks.’
See Tears at Midnight, page 36
LICENCE TO SHOCK
DANIEL Craig literally let his hair down this week with a surprising new look in an autumn-winter campaign for the Spanish luxury fashion house, Loewe. The Brit actor, 56, looked a longway off from his roles as James Bond and an American detective in the Knives Out movies.
Photos show him looking like a hipster, with longer hair, and some quirky clothing choices. He modelled a range of colourful knitwear including a forest green and caramel polo top and a modern fair isle jumper splashed with hot pink, orange, lemon-yellow and olive-green.
Social media comments included ‘from Bond to cool uncle’ and over his longer hair – ‘Javier Bardem is that you?’
THREE Italian mafia Rolex thieves have been arrested in the Balearic Islands –two in Ibiza and another in Mallorca.
The swoop was part of a nationwide police operation that smashed a crime network from Naples – with a little help from the Italian police.
As many as nine separate gangs, all linked to Italy’s notorious Camorra
Camorra’ here!
mafia, have been dismantled and 15 arrested.
During the operation police managed to solve 29 separate robberies across Spain over the space of two years and even managed to recover eight of the
precious wrist pieces. Five of other thieves were arrested in Marbella and a further five in Barcelona. Two more were nabbed in Valencia and Madrid.
The thieves would push car wing mirrors in – when the victim reached out to straighten them, an accomplice swooped in to snatch the watch.
Nolotil tragedy
THE devastated family of a British tourist who died within hours of being prescribed a ‘lethal’ painkiller in Spain are demanding answers.
Roy St Pierre, 77, was cycling from Portugal to England when a hospital on the Costa Blanca prescribed him the drug Nolotil.
The grandfather-of-six was given it against warnings from the Spanish health authorities not to prescribe the medicine to tourists.
Deadly infections
Nolotil is being investigated in both Spain and Brussels after being linked to dozens of north ern European deaths - who are believed to be genetically more at risk.
Multiple patients have seen their white blood cells plummet after taking the drug, leading to deadly infections, most notably sepsis.
It is this infection that officially killed Londoner Roy within just hours of being prescribed Nolotil at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, in Alicante.
Roy had moved to Portugal in 2020 and lived with his daughter Amelia St Pierre in Silves, on the Algarve.
However, the ‘lynchpin’ of the family still had six children back in the UK and decided to travel back
British expat grandfather-of-six died after taking infamous painkiller while cycling through Spain
to see them by bike.
“He was very moral and eco-conscious, so he decided to cycle across the continent,” said his daughter, Eve.
On March 2, 2023, he set off to see her in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, keeping in touch via daily Facebook updates.
The retired youth worker was soon crossing Spain, where he decided to visit some friends in Alicante.
However, on March 25, he began to experience ‘agonising’ back pain, which persisted over a week later, leading him to seek help on April 3.
After visit-
EXCLUSIVE
By Yzabelle Bostyn
ing a local health centre complaining of stomach pain and vomiting, he was referred to the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan d’Alacant. He was there diagnosed with ‘nonspecific abdominal pain’ and told to return if it continued.
A SAUDI princess only avoided being arrested at Palma airport thanks to her diplomatic immunity.
Princess AlJoharah Talal Alsaud, the granddaughter of Saudi Arabia’s founder, was stopped on Monday and ordered to show up in court on criminal charges. She stands accused of ‘criminal conversion’ – or not returning property belong-
The next morning he came back and after an evaluation, was diagnosed with a perforated bowel and for which he needed surgery. By 12 noon he was administered metamizole, the active ingredient in Nolotil, believed to deplete many northern Europeans white blood cells and leave their immunity exposed.
In spite of this, he was still taken into surgery and while the operation was successful, Roy passed away
ROYAL DRAMA
ing to a former employee she had fired in 2022. The worker claims that he has been unable to retrieve his personal items from the princess’ Calle Llucamet mansion since he was unceremoni -
from sepsis, a widely reported side effect of metamizole, on April 5.
“We were all reeling with shock,” Eve told the Olive Press. “We can’t prove Nolotil killed him, but it didn’t help his odds,” she added.
According to a 2018 informative note issued by the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPs), the drug should not be given to people that cannot be monitored or without a background check, due to the risks for northern Europeans.
Pain
Although banned in over 40 countries, the medication is popular in Spain, as it is stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol.
German pharmaceutical giant, Boehringer Ingelheim, which makes Nolotil, told the Olive Press it has a ‘well-established safety profile’.
“I would really love to meet a spokesperson at Boehringer, who must know there’s a problem with agranulocytosis,” said Eve, a community worker. “I want them to look me in the eye and say that prescribing that for somebody’s medium level pain, is worth my dad’s death.”
Over a year after his passing, the family still feel like they are ‘free falling’, says Eve. “He was the ground beneath everybody. There’s no home anymore,” she said.
ously booted out. Palma magistrate’s court then investigated the claim but were unable to locate the princess, leading to a warrant being issued against a member of one of the world’s richest royal dynasties. Alsaud showed up in court but exercised her right not to testify. No injunctions were placed against her.
A
Voted top expat paper
in Spain
OPINION
Time for action
THIS week, we published yet another tragic Nolotil story.
Since we began our campaign against the drug in 2017, we have written dozens of articles detailing the horrific pain and suffering caused by the painkiller.
And finally, the European Medicines Agency is taking a hard look at the evidence against this dangerous drug.
But for many heartbroken families, it is too little, too late.
Take Roy St Pierre, a man who cared so much about the planet he would leave behind his ten grandchildren and opt to cycle across Europe instead of catching a cheap Ryanair flight.
The evidence suggests he was struck down by Nolotil whilst trying to do the right thing for the world he loved so much.
Who can forget Yvonne Flowers? The vibrant expat whose family had to fight tooth and nail to get compensation for the loss of their beloved mother to the drug.
These are just two of an estimated 45 deaths and hundreds of Nolotil related cases.
Not every victim has died as a result of the drug. Many have been left with life-altering injuries including amputations and other complications.
For example, Brit Stephen Burke, 65, had to relearn how to walk after his encounter with Nolotil.
The drug is one of the most popular on the market in Spain as it is not an opioid but stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol, making it ‘perfect’ for mid-level pain.
KILL THE DRUG
Spanish health authorities have recognised the dangers but state the benefit outweighs the risk.
How can that be true when Nolotil has so often led to sepsis, organ failure and even death for the thousands of northern European expats and tourists in Spain? Let’s hope that the EU will finally make the Spanish health authorities take notice.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es
Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es
Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es
Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es
Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es
FRAGMENTATION
Is Spain about to undergo an internal fracturing?
Inside the movement that wants to make Leon the country’s 18th autonomous community – letting the independence genie out of the bottle in the process
ALITTLE-KNOWN independence movement is trying to take root in Granada. A rabble of rambunctious rebels are seeking to cleave the province from the autonomous community of Andalucia, and escape the so-called yoke of its regional capital, Sevilla.
Leading the charge is author and activist Cesar Giron, who believes Granada could thrive as its own autonomous region.
He points to neighbouring regions to support his argument.
"How is Murcia, which is smaller than Granada, doing? And Logroño, Asturias or Cantabria?”
The region’s history as the former Kingdom of Granada gives the independence movement a historical mandate, he believes.
“It is clear that things have gone badly for us in Andalucia,” Giron adds. “Sevilla has taken everything and left nothing for us.”
While the movement currently appears to have remarkably little public support, it can take heart and inspiration from events fur-
EXCLUSIVE
By Cole Sinanian
ther north.
A recent vote in the province of Leon favouring autonomy from Castilla y Leon has brought to the spotlight its own far more evolved independence movement.
One that’s haunted the region since the transition to democracy.
While it remains to be seen whether the Castilla y Leon government will heed the Leonese call for autonomy, activists in the Leonese region — which includes the modern day provinces of Leon, Zamora, and Salamanca — deem it necessary to confront the related issues of economic decay, depopulation, and what they describe as a deliberate effort to erase Leonese identity.
The historical region of Leon is defined as such through a shared history distinct from that of Old Castille — which includes today’s
THE death of Queen Elizabeth II, Liz Truss’s disastrous stint as prime minister, chorizo-paella croquette and lately the Spain-England Euro 2024 final. What do all of these things all have in common? Well, fortunately for me, they’ve been excuses over the last two years to get my mug back on the Spanish telly to explain to viewers just what the hell is going on with the UK.
Those watching Spanish television most recently may have spotted me giving an English perspective on the Euro 2024 tussle between England and Spain – which turned out to be a painful but unsurprising victory for the boys in red.
My side-gig as the go-to-guiri for Spanish tele-
provinces of Burgos, Soria, Segovia, Avila, Valladolid, and Palencia — as well as through a cultural lineage stretching back to prehistory.
The region also has its own language, Asturleones, which forms a dialect continuum of mutually intelligible varieties spoken across the north of Spain and Portugal. Its identity was solidified with the rise of the Medieval Kingdom of Leon, which, at its peak in the High Middle Ages, was among the Iberian peninsula’s most powerful — and perhaps most democratic.
HISTORICAL: Up to 90,000 protestors marched for Leonese independence in 1984
and landowners began to form in Leon in the 7th century, through which small towns maintained a degree of economic independence from the feudal lords, with peasants making collective decisions and settling feuds communally.
The direct democracy of the Consejos, as they were known, was seldom seen in Medieval Europe, and played a key role in the kingdom’s prosperity.
A 2020 survey suggested 81% of residents of the Leon province supported ditching Castilla
An elaborate rural network of alliances between peasants
According to Alberto Zamorano, president of the Citizens Collective of the Leonese Region (CCRL) — a group fighting against the ‘cultural erasure and economic and demographic decline’ in historic Leon — an autonomous Leon could help codify the role of direct democracy in Leonese politics.
“Leones autonomy would reinforce this role,” he told the Olive Press, “with specific legislation that would grant them the duties that correspond to them at the legal level.”
POLITICS, DEPOPULATION, AND THE RISE OF LEONESISMO
Despite Leon’s inclusion in the 1833 division of Spanish territories, a series of last-minute political decisions urged by the soon-to-be
The Olive Press’ go-to-guiri Simon Hunter has been on Spanish telly offering an English perspective on the Euro 2024 final – but it’s just the latest in a string of television appearances
By Simon Hunter
vision channels really got going back in 2022, first with the Platinum Jubilee, then with the passing of the queen and later with the ensuing political turmoil. But nothing could have prepared me for the media frenzy in Spain that arrived after Kate Middleton released a badly photoshopped picture of her and her children in March. Rumours were already swirling that all was not as it seemed with regard to her health problems, and the Spanish needed a wisened Englishman to counsel them on the matter. For three weeks, I liter-
ally dedicated myself full time to Spanish television.
I racked up 15 trips to the television studio in nearly 30 appearances on television and radio – on La 1, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco and La Sexta, among others – to discuss the crisis in the British Royal Family.
Despite the serious situation, with both the Princess of Wales and King Charles being treated for cancer, the run of appearances had its lighter moments.
In the midst of the madness, I drove up to see my wife and her family who were spending Easter in their village in Leon.
When I stopped to get petrol, a customer at the counter looked at me and said: “You look very familiar!”
I sheepishly suggested she may have seen me on the television in recent days, to which she replied, pointing her finger at me: “Ingles!”
Once in the village, I also got recognised while we were in the local bar, much to the amusement of my family.
I should, however, point out that everyone who has recognised me so far has been an older Spanish lady – no young people at all – which may tell you something about the profile of the terrestrial TV watcher in Spain these days… Practically every appearance I have done over the last two years has been live, which can be somewhat nerve wracking, particularly as I am
LEON CATHEDRAL: The city and province has been seeking independence for decades
THE MUSEUM HOMES OF SPAIN
Delve inside to see the abodes of Spain’s greatest artists
See page 9
Beating the high press
A SPANISH football team has come to the rescue of a grandmother who was facing being booted from her home of six decades to make way for a tourist apartment.
The plan to evict Maria Muñoz, 88, from her Cadiz house sparked outrage, with the pensioner given a cruel ultimatum: she could either leave or buy it for €147,000, which she simply
Grandmotherfacingevictiontomakewayfortourist flatsissavedbylocalCadizfootballteam
By Simon Hunter
couldn’t afford.
Fortunately, residents’ platforms came to her aid and when the city’s Cadiz CF football team heard about her plight they jumped in to help.
The team’s foundation has now bought the property and drawn up an indefinite rental agreement so that she can stay as long as she likes.
The Fundacion de Cadiz will charge Muñoz her previous rent
of just €92 a month.
The octogenarian has occupied the apartment since 1967, back when it was rented out by rooms.
She lived there with her husband Antonio, and had her three children there.
In the 1990s, the property was refurbished, but she and her husband continued to pay what is known in Spain as renta antigua, or ‘old rent’, a small peppercorn sum not updated in line with inflation.
It was when her husband died in 2016 that her problems began. Legally, she was required to transfer the contract over to her name, which she failed to
do, unaware of the rule. A new contract was then signed, with the €97 monthly rent. But there was a time limit to the contract, and in recent years the owners began to sell the other apartments.
Meanwhile, most of the neighbouring apartments were turned into tourist rentals, with Maria’s landlords planning to do the same.
PLATFORM: Housing minister Isabel Rodriguez
CRACKDOWN LOOMS
THE government is set to introduce two new rules to crack down on short term property rentals.
The first will see landlords having to justify why they are only offering short contracts.
According to the Minister for Housing, Isabel Rodriguez, this ‘justification’ is necessary to avoid fraud and help seasonal workers and students.
A new state platform is also being considered to advertise short term rentals.
Each will be given a unique code in order to track and control rentals.
The measures were presented by Rodriguez following a meeting with Spain’s working group on short term rentals.
The group, made up of estate agents and unions, was established to find a solution to landlords who abuse short term contracts, as well as the issue of tourist lets.
Rodriguez is hoping to modify the ‘Horizontal Property law’ so that neighbours have to give the green light before tourist lets can be set up.
“We simply can’t look the other way,” she said.
Not fit for yankees
AN American magazine has warned its citizens to avoid the Campo de Gibraltar and the Mar Menor area of Murcia (right) if moving to Spain.
International Living, which promotes the idea of living abroad, warns that Gibraltar has too much focus on banking and gambling.
It claims the ‘border towns’ of the Rock, such as Algeciras and La Linea, should also be avoided.
“Gibraltar's focus on online gambling and banking that offers international tax shelters adds to a somewhat unsavoury atmosphere,” it ruled.
“As a tourist destination, these elements do not pose a problem, but maybe you wouldn’t want to live there,” the article continues.
It was also extremely damning about
By Simon Hunter
Americanmagazinesinglesout Gibraltar area and Murcia as not beingsuitableforUSretirees. ButMijas,Benalmadenaand Sitgesarefine
Growing confidence
the Mar Menor area due to its environmental problems.
It ruled that the saltwater lagoon area has suffered from the ‘ecological collapse of marine life’ caused by pollution from farming and hotels. Instead, the controversial feature on moving to Spain, picked out five places it recommended to its readers, four on the coast and one, Miraflores de la Sierra, close to Madrid.
In Andalucia it particularly recommended Benalmadena (far left), which comes top of its list.
It raved about the ‘quiet, family-friendly beach resort’ with its attractions including a butterfly park, a Buddist stupa,
two aquariums and a cable car.
It also recommended its casino, despite its criticism of gambling in Gibraltar, and Tivoli World amusement park, despite the fact it has been shut for years.
And it raved about its nudist beach, Benalnatura, which ‘has its own café and bar’.
Second on the list is Mijas (left), described as attracting expats from all over the world because it serves as the gateway to Costa del Sol’s ‘golf valley’.
“With beautiful weather all year and reasonable greens fees, this location is a golfer’s paradise,” the article reads.
Finally it singles out Almuñecar, in Granada, and Sitges in Barcelona province.
HOME property purchases in Spain went up by 3% in May compared to a year earlier with prices rising by 1.3%.
Despite high interest rates, the country’s notaries said there was an increase of almost 10% in the number of new mortgages granted.
The figures show the continuance of the upturn recorded in April which was a busy month due to the Easter holiday period. The number of mortgages granted in May grew by 9.8% yearon-year, to 28,909 loans with the average loan rising by 1.8% yearon-year, hitting €150,219.
Financed
The percentage of home purchases financed by a mortgage stood at 46.3% and the size of the loan accounted for an average 71.9% of the price.
The average price per square metre stood at €1,681/m² in May, which is 1.3% more than the same time last year.
Apartments rose by 3.4%, to 1,890 euros/m²; while those of family homes stood at 1,300 euros/m²3.3% less.
The biggest price rises were in Galicia (21.3%), Cantabria (11%) and the Valencian Community (10.1%).
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
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CREATIVE
INSIGHT
Take a journey through half a dozen of Spain's house museums with Dilip Kuner
AS the summer heat arrives, the crowds head to the beaches. But as thermometers hit the sizzling 40s those-in-the-know are usually to be found hunting cooler alternatives.
Fortunately Spain boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, and its ‘house museums’ offer a unique opportunity to step into the lives and spaces of creative giants - and get out of the sun. From the whimsical visions of Gaudi, the mindfulness of Cervantes or to the eccentric world of Dali, these homes-turned-museums provide a window into the minds that shaped artistic movements
CASA NATAL DE PICASSO
Art enthusiasts can really delve into the world of Pablo at the Casa Natal de Picasso in Malaga, the birthplace of the iconic artist. This house museum offers a fascinating starting point to understand Picasso's formative years, before strolling round the corner to view his more serious works at the Picasso Museum. In particular, you will discover why he loved painting doves and started as a small child, with the birds frequently perching on his bedroom windowsill.
July 26th - August 8th 2024
Journey to Portlligat, a small town near Cadaques, in
to explore the eccentric world of Salvador
His former home is a living testament to his surrealist vision.
Explore the unconventional spaces where the zany artist worked, and gain a deeper understanding of the artistic genius behind melting watches and dreamlike landscapes.
Catalunya,
Dali.
SURREALIST: Dali’s house is located in Portlligat, Catalunya
PABLO: The birth house of the Spanish great can be visited in Malaga
For those drawn to the beautiful works of Joaquín Sorolla, a visit to the Sorolla Museum in Madrid is a must.
Housed in his wonderful family home, the museum displays not only the artist’s vibrant paintings but also personal objects that illuminate his life and artistic process.
SOROLLA MUSEUM
The Valencia artist did well during his lifetime, unlike many artists, and the size and grandeur of the home and its lovely garden demonstrate this well. In particular, you’ll see photos of him painting there, alongside his children, while some of his best paintings are always on show.
GÜELL: Gaudi’s home is inside the famous park he designed
GAUDI HOUSE MUSEUM
CASA DE CERVANTES
If you are more into words than paintings, then pay homage to Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Spain’s most famous book Don Quixote
The former home of the iconic writer (formerly a tax collector) can still be visited at his birthplace in Alcala de Henares, near Madrid.
The Casa de Cervantes museum allows vis itors to explore roundings that father of Span
Immerse yourself in the intimate world of architectural genius Antoni Gaudi at his former residence within Park Güell in Barcelona. This house-museum, where he lived from 1906 to 1925, showcases not only the architect's design genius, with furniture and objects crafted by his hand, but also offers a glimpse into his personal life. Imagine him surrounded by these very furnishings, fueling the inspiration that produced Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, including the Sagrada Familia cathedral.
HUMBLE: Goya’s old home retains its old charms
LITERATE: The Cervantes house dates back to the 16th century
Art lovers can pay homage to Francisco Goya by visiting his birthplace in Fuendetodos, near Zaragoza, in Aragon. The Goya House Museum allows visitors to explore the humble beginnings of the artist who would come to revolutionize the Spanish art scene.
The simple home has many of its original features and sits in a charming old village, with many fascinating places to visit nearby.
first Dep uty Prime Minister Rodolfo Martin Villa during transition to democracy in the late 1970s led to the merging of Leon and Old Castille into a single autonomous community, largely to the opposition of Leonese.
Polling since has shown high support for Leonese autonomy, with a 2020 survey suggesting 81% of residents of the Leon province supported it.
In 1984, not long after the approval of Castilla y Leon’s statute of autonomy, somewhere between 35,000 and 90,000 protesters took to the streets of Leon under the slogan Leon sin Castilla es una Maravilla (Leon without Castilla is beautiful).
Despite the numbers, the protests failed to enshrine Leonese autonomy, though the sentiment behind them never wore off.
In 2024, the lack of economic opportunities in Leon and the corresponding depopulation of rural Spain — which has had a particularly drastic effect on the Leonese region — has influenced the most recent push for autonomy, says CCRL member Hector Alvarez.
As younger generations head to major cities in search of work, the three Leonese provinces have suffered drastic population losses in the past 10 years.
Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) shows that the population of the Leon
speaking in my second language. As soon as the camera comes on, you are aware that any slip-up could immediately become a meme, and thanks to the internet, will literally live forever. While I don’t generally get nervous, I do curse myself when a grammatical slip comes out of my mouth, or when I lose my train of thought.
And I always spend a huge amount of time preparing for each appearance, having been caught out very early on in my career for not doing my homework
Guiri TV
AVOID THE FOMO!
“We can make our get, but we don’t have the option to choose a al strategy,” Alvarez
ous public ‘foundations’ put together by the Castilla y Leon government, whose purposes are often murky and, despite being funded in part by taxpayer money in Leon, have little to do with Leonese society
In some cases, these organisations have political motives, and at times appear to have actively worked to diminish Leonese
“There is a part of the expenditure that’s spent in a very opaque way and is certainly
One example is the notorious Fundacion Villalar, founded in 2003, whose stated objective is to
ress in Castilla y Leon through the promotion,
the provinces of Leon,
province fell by more than 8% between 2012 and 2021, while Zamora’s population fell by nearly 12% in the same period, and Salamanca’s fell by more than 6%.
The region’s ties to Castilla have prevented it from developing an economy sustainable enough to keep its population balance stable, Alvarez says, as only a small portion of the autonomous community’s budget is dedicated to the sparsely populated Leonese provinces.
“We are forgotten,” he says. “We don’t have the capacity to define our own economic policy and we depend on what Valladolid tells us.”
This lack of autonomy has prevented the Leonese provinces from forging their own economic policy specific to their needs.
Tourism in Castilla y Leon, for example, has historically been concentrated in Castilla, mainly in Valladolid, so the autonomous government lacks motivation to develop a largescale tourism campaign in historic Leon, which could provide jobs and much-needed economic stimulus.
when doing a radio interview. Fortunately, with very few exceptions, everyone I have dealt with so far – both on camera and behind the scenes – has been incredibly kind, generous and encouraging.
My experiences tell me that Spaniards are fascinated by our Royal Family, and they have also been observing the political chaos post-Brexit with something approaching schadenfreude, but never losing that deep affection for the UK
that so many Spaniards harbour. As the fame and popularity of the now-deceased English former footballer-turned-presenter Michael Robinson showed, Spaniards also have a soft spot for a Brit who can speak their language. Luckily for me, I currently have the honour of fitting that bill, and being their go-to-guiri whenever anything nuts is happening in the UK. I’ve not been short of work…
tury battle in the Valladolid town of Villalar de los Comuneros, during which a group of bourgeoisie rebels staged an uprising against the rule of Carlos I.
The insurrectionists were crushed, and the battle resulted in the decapitation of the rebel leaders.
The Fundacion Villalar, funded by the Castilla y Leon parliament, uses much of its €750,000 a year to pay for ‘Castilla y Leon Day’ celebrations, a holiday that takes place on April 23 — the date of the battle.
Erasure
However, the CCRL as well as the Leonese People’s Union — the primary Leonese regionalist political party — have accused the organisation of a campaign to erase Leonese identity.
A series of children’s comics released in 2011 by the Fundacion Villalar and distributed to public school libraries called ‘History of Castilla y Leon in Comics,’ has been criticised for its historical inaccuracy and apparent ignorance of a Leonese history distinct from that of Castilla.
The comics avoid mentions of a Leonese language and imply that a unified Castilla y Leon has existed since prehistoric times.
“They have persecuted any trace of the Leonese past that united the provinces of Leon, Zamora and Salamanca,” Zamorano says.
“This cannot continue like this, and with the autonomous community we would recover the identity and traditions that have been stolen from us.”
The success of the independence movement is still up in the air. The ball is in the court of the junta of Castilla y Leon, who have historically brushed leonesismo aside.
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Zamora, and Salamanca
REVOLT: Leonese rebels rose up against Carlos I
LA CULTURA
‘SPANISH AT HEART’
AFTER conquering first Wimbledon then Europe, Spain has now set its sights on a global sporting prize: this year’s Olympic games.
Their star studded roster includes athletes that have gone on to become household names, such as World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso and tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
Among the 382 athletes Spain will send to Paris this summer will be a ‘lesser known’ cohort of Spanish athletes, canoeists, swimmers and more whose roots extend beyond Iberia.
One will even carry the Spanish flag during the opening ceremony.
Marcus Cooper Walz, a sprint canoeist born in Oxford, UK, will represent Spain alongside Galician sailor, Tamara Echegoyen.
Although Walz grew up in Mallorca, he was born to a German-British mother and American father. While speaking about the flag ceremony, he said: “I
By Yzabelle Bostyn
have English blood and a Spanish heart, all my successes have been for Spain.
“It’s the best flag of the best country in the world.”
He has competed for Spain since the early 2010s, and is one more the country’s most successful athletes, earning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and a silver medal in 2020 Olympics. This year, he will
With Spanish sporting supremacy underpinned by expat-born stars, which immigrant athletes might follow in their footsteps at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris?
take part in the K4-500 race and the K2-500 race on the River Seine.
Another expat-born athlete hoping to triumph – but this time in the water not on it – will be as swimmer Carmen Weiler. Weiler was born and raised in Singapore to a German father and Valencian mother.
Record
At just 19-years-old, she has never taken part in the Olympics before but in June, she set a new Spanish record in the sport, securing her a spot on the squad. She trains under Spain’s Olympic bronze medallist, Sergio Lopez, at Virginia Tech University (United States). She will compete in the women’s 100m backstroke category.
‘I have English blood, but a Spanish heart’
“When I touched the wall, I didn’t even know it was a record,” she said. Spain’s expat population will also be represented in the dressage com -
petition by Jose Dan iel Martin Dockx.
The 50-year-old was born in Malaga to a Belgian mother.
Despite his heritage, he is clearly proud of his Spanish upbringing. When he competed at the World Dressage Cup in 2023, he brought the only purebred Spanish horse, saying: “It’s our breed and as you can see, it’s got a lot of heart, is obedient and can compete…They are beautiful animals.”
He has previously competed at two Summer Olympics (2012, 2016) securing records of 7th place in team events and 29th place individually. Finally, Florian Johannes Trittel Paul will represent Spain in the 49er sailing category. Born in Switzerland, the 30-year-old has previously competed in the Nacra 17 event at the
Summer Olympics, where his team placed 7th. He was inspired to sail by his dad and grandfather, both keen on the water and began his sailing career in Spain.
PROUD: Dockx uses Spanish breeds when he competes
PAUL POWER: Florian Johannes Trittel Paul will represent Spain in sailing
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Busy June
OVERNIGHT hotel stays in the Valencian Community rose by 5.9% in June compared to the same month last year, totalling to 3.1 million stays.
The split between domestic travellers and foreign tourists was fairly even, with 1.55 million and 1.51 million respectively.
The average daily rate per room stood at €111.84 – up 10.4% year-on-year, while charges rose by 10.53% over 12 months.
The region’s hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 67.05% in June, the highest in mainland Spain, only surpassed by the Balearic and Canary Islands.
The sector also saw a rise in employment, up 2.9% to 20,267 workers in the economy.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
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Top of the parks
Spanish water park voted the best in the world – ten years in a row
A SPANISH water park has been voted the world's best for 10 successive years.
The accolade, courtesy of the 2024 Traveller's Choice Awards from TripAdvisor, goes to the Siam Park on the Costa Adeje – located in the south of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Among the reasons given for travellers choosing Siam Park is its recreation of the ancient Thai kingdom from which it takes its name, along with the varying water park experiences covering over 85,000 m2. There is plenty on offer from dizzying slides, pools of all shapes and sizes (including
AN air hostess has gone viral after entertaining passengers with an improvised concert on a delayed flight from Ibiza to Madrid.
Seeing many passengers’ frustration, Andi and her colleague used the plane’s telephone to give an impromptu performance of Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles.
By chance, a band called Mayumana was also on board, who joined in with the fiesta.
Videos of the celebration soon went viral on TikTok and Instagram.
One commenter praised the worker’s ‘beautiful voice’, while others said: ‘Ole, this flight attendant really knows how to keep people calm’ and ‘if someone says which airline it was, I’ll always fly with them.’ The video now has over three million views.
big artificial waves), huge areas to slide through, exotic forests, and zig-zagging rivers. It is divided into three sections: Relax, Family, and Adrenaline.
There'a a kilometre-long tropical river known as the Mai Thai River along with various beaches and a sea-lion pool plus the Floating Market shaped like a typical Thai village.
The Tenerife complex has welcomed 14 million visitors since opening in 2008, and the TripAdvisor award consolidates its position as the 'most awarded' water park on the planet.
It has also come top in competitions such as the Euro-
Relaxes (4,4) 8 Big shot in the office (4) 9 Epistle writer (2,4)
10 The Giant's Causeway is made of it (6) 11 Diverse enterprise (12) 14 Unexpectedly (3,2,3,4)
17 A man, a plan, a canal, ---! (6)
20 Untidy arrangement for natural state (6)
21 Concerning (2,2)
22 Scouring powder (8) Down
1 Highly skilled musician (8)
2 Declines (5,3)
3 Woman with many fans? (6)
4 Crossbow expert (4)
6 Not the Queen's English (5)
7 Soviet state security police (1,1,1)
12 Magnifies (8)
13 Shares (8)
15 Out-stared subjects of apprenticeships (6)
16 Get settled (3,2)
18 First-class (1-3)
19 Letters denoting simplicity (1,1,1)
pean Star Award or the Park World Excellence Award.
Many of its individual attractions such as Singha, Kinnaree or The Dragon have also been award winners.
Spectacular
TripAdvisor takes into account the absence of security issues, proper management of the facilities, the treatment given to visitors, and the transparency in comments published on their site, which means that contenders that want to apply for an award cannot manipulate the process. The spectacular nature of the attractions, care of the park and the vegetation it boasts are also analysed.
Pricey penthouse
A LUXURY Barcelona penthouse suite will start taking its first guests in September for an eye-watering €6,000 per night.
The top range accommodation, branded as 'the best room in Barcelona', will be offered by Melia Hotels International, at their new Torre Melina hotel. The hotel claims the suite is something that has 'never been seen before' in the Catalan capital. It will have three levels covering 300 m2 with bathrooms and bedrooms plus a centrepiece dining room stretching for 100m2. The terrace will become the largest hotel terrace in the city at 100m2. The finishing touches to the penthouse are still being put together and will attract highend guests.
MAI THAI: Siam park is inspired by Thai kingdoms
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Must-visit: This littleknown city an hour from Madrid makes the perfect day trip for history buffs and literature lovers, writes Yzabelle Bostyn
SUPRISING: The university is full of curiosities
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JUST an hour from Madrid, this city makes the perfect day trip for both history buffs and literature lovers.
While the oldest universities in the world are spread amongst Bologna, Oxford and Salamanca, few people know that just outside Madrid lies the world’s first university city.
Established in 1499, Alcala de Henares quickly became a beacon of knowledge and learning, so it’s no surprise that it is also the birthplace of ‘Spanish Shakespeare’ Miguel de Cervantes.
At just 30km from Madrid, this small city is easily accessible by train or bus, both taking just over an hour.
Stepping off the train in the modern area of the city, we recommend you start at Alcala’s main attraction, the university.
The University of Alcala de Henares
Just a twenty minute walk away, you will soon find yourself faced with the institution’s intricate facade and bustling roses in the Plaza de San Diego. Although you can have a look around for free, the university also offers guided tours for a purse-friendly €6.
We took a Spanish guided tour and I hastily translated everything for my mum and brother, making sure they missed none of the surprising, amusing and intriguing history of the university.
There are also tours in English, but they only run once a week (Saturdays at 2.00pm), so an audio guide might be your best bet. Built as the ‘model’ Spanish city by Cardinal Cisneros, the university represents the start of the Spanish golden age after their reconquest of Moorish territories.
Unfortunately, only the assembly hall remains of the original building, with fascinating mudejar features and Cisneros’ mausoleum.
This is in part due to the decline of the university in the 19th cen-
From the pages
tury, leading to the hall’s use as a stable until the people of Alcala took back ownership.
The main plaza echoes Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, while the second plaza was once home to the dormitories and a jail. Literary devotees will love the auditorium, where Spain’s answer to the Nobel prize for literature is awarded by the king.
As you leave, make sure to admire the facade, designed by famed Spanish arquitecht Rodrigo Gil de Hontañon.
After the university, make your way to the nearby tourist information centre in the Plaza de Cervantes.
The Plaza de Cervantes
On your way, make sure to admire the towering statue of Cervantes’ legendary work, Don Quixote and the surrounding rose bushes.
There, the helpful guides will give you a map of Alcala’s main sights, starting in that very building.
The tourism office is found in the Capilla del Oidor, an ancient church which houses a brief but interesting exhibition about Cervantes.
You may have noticed a number of white storks flying overhead as you wandered around Alcala and from the viewpoint, you can spot dozens of nests on church towers, trees and ramshackle roofs.
Known as the city of storks, Alcala has over 90 breeding pairs and thanks to their conservation work it now has the largest population of the birds anywhere in Spain.
Once you have admired the views, make your way down the steps and head towards the Cathedral Magistral de los Santos Justo.
The Cathedral de los Santos Justo
Echoes of fairytales and fantasy rang from the Tudoresque buildings
Then, cross the plaza to the Santa Maria tower, where you will get privileged views over the city.
Along the way, admire the unique architecture of the city, with orange brick buildings and cobbled streets. You can enter the cathedral for free and although it’s certainly worth a look, it pales in comparison to the majesty of other Spanish cathedrals like Sevilla or Granada.
Calle
Mayor
From there, enjoy a drink in the square or begin to make your way down Calle Mayor, the longest porticoed street in Europe. Echoing fairytales and fantasy,
the tudor-esque buildings were delightfully different to what I normally see in Andalucia and I loved dipping in and out of the porticoes to discover gift shops, cafes and hidden alleyways. We stopped along the way at Empanadas Lulu, a family business serving a variety of pastries, complete with veggie and vegan options.
After following a sign for the old synagogue, we also found a quiet square and enjoyed a moment of calm in this tucked away bar.
The Cervantes Birthplace Museum
After enjoying our snack, we continued to the Cervantes Birthplace Museum. Don’t forget to get your snap with the bronze figure of Don Quixote outside the museum, which is free to enter.
A window into what life was like in Spain in the 1500s, it focused not just on the writer himself but gave context to the world in which he grew up and penned his literary legacy.
I particularly enjoyed the room dedicated to his father’s medical practice, though just looking at the sharp tools and spikes made me glad to be born in the 21st century.
Museo Hospital de Antezana
Before you leave, check out the Museo Hospital de Antezana,
a
WALKING TOUR:
Take
while to wander Alcala’s enchanting streets
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
July 26th - August 8th 2024
of history
believed to be the first modern hospital in Spain.
Although unfortunately it wasn’t open when we arrived, you can visit on Saturdays and Sundays for €6 or book a guided tour to visit during the week.
Once finished, make your way down the street to admire the Plaza de Cervantes one last time, before heading back to the train station.
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The Online School Helping Students in Spain aim for Global Success
THE CGA EXPERIENCE
At CGA our teachers have an average of over 20 years experience
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In the past year alone, our students were accepted into 61 of the best universities worldwide, including Ivy League schools like Princeton, Columbia and Cornell. They also received five offers from Oxbridge and 21 offers to the world’s top 20 universities.
At CGA students can expect everything they would find in a traditional school, and more. From exams, assemblies, to school houses and a dedicated principal, students can ensure they receive a holistic school experience. Students at CGA have the opportunity to study at a pace that’s as unique as they are. Either through one-on-one learning, live group classes or asynchronous learning, our students have the flexibility to tailor their education to their needs and goals.
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Plaza de Cervantes
Cheesy bites
A STUDY has shown carboxylic acids, commonly found in aged cheeses and human sweat, are irresistible to mosquitoes.
High notes
AN air hostess has gone viral after entertaining passengers with an improvised concert on a delayed flight from Ibiza to Madrid, she sang Hit the Road Jack, by Ray Charles.
Going native
HOLLYWOOD legend Michael Douglas celebrated turning 80 during a local celebration in Valldemossa, Mallorca, where he has a home.
Double trouble
Olympic Village goes wild as Alcaraz and Nadal arrive ahead of their ‘dream team’ doubles debut
THE Olympic Village is buzzing in Paris ahead of one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events in history.
Two of Spain’s greatest ever tennis players will be joining forces in a bid to take home doubles gold medal.
Carlos Alcaraz, 21, and Rafael Nafal, 38, sent fans into a frenzy this week as they posed for a cheeky selfie after landing in the French capital.
By Alex Trelinski
The Grand Slam champions will be waving the flag for Spain at the opening ceremony and have already attracted a lot of attention in the village. Their arrival sparked quite the commotion in the dining hall with non-stop requests from participants, volunteers, and organisers for selfies - be it to-
Beach day cut short
A HUGE swordfish measuring some two metres in length has forced the closure of a beach in Spain.
Sunbathers in Tarragona raised the alarm with the authorities at about 1pm last Thursday, prompting police to attend the scene at the l’Ardiaca beach in Cambrils and close it
gether or individually.
For Mallorca’s Nadal, it will be his fourth Olympics as he tries to win his third gold medal, while Alcaraz, who hails from
off to swimmers.
The fish sadly thrashed around on the coast in a disoriented state, before getting trapped on the shore and dying. Once the danger to the bathers had passed, the beach reopened and activity resumed.
The fish’s corpse was taken to the Centre for the Recovery of Marine Animals under orders from the police and City Hall, so that an autopsy could be carried out before it was incinerated.
Murcia, will be enjoying the world’s greatest sporting event for the very first time.
It follows his second Wimbledon title in a row after his thumping straight-sets victory against Serbian Novak Djokovic earlier this month.
The Roland Garros clay courts will be familiar to 14-time French Open winner Nadal and his young successor, Alcaraz, who won the tournament for the first time in May.
Certainly if all the photos are anything to go by, both men are enjoying their Olympic experience so far.
A BURGLARY spree on the Costa del Sol has turned out to have curious culprits: three mischievous housecats. Daisy, Dora and Manchita have been prowling the small town of Frigiliana looking for open windows. After darting in, they would leave with their ill-gotten gains, including socks, underpants, baby clothes and gloves.
100 items
The actions of the felines have strained neighbourly relations between owner Rachel Womack and her cats’ victims.
The trio can bring home more than 100 items a month – most recently a stuffed bear and a baby’s shoe – and Womack has no idea who they belong to. The behaviour has baffled the experts.
“All around the world there are cats doing this, yet it has never been studied,” says Dutch biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra.
