OLIVE PRESS
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Vol. 15 Issue 373
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Your expat
voice in Spain July 14th - July 27th 2021
I’m running things now
Female expat makes moving tribute to her famous bullrunning dad See page 12
Rollercoaster ride for our man getting married on the Rock during Euro final Find out how it went on page 6 By Katherine Brook
NEARLY 40,000 people have signed a petition to allow vaccinated British Expats to visit the UK without quarantining. It comes after dozens of expats expressed outrage at a rule that made them exempt and needing to quarantine on their return to see family or friends back home.
Pragmatic
The digital petition, which claimed the rule prejudiced up to six million Britons living abroad, caused a rapid response from the UK government, defending its ‘pragmatic approach’. A spokesman said: “Public health has always been our number one priority and we will not risk throwing away our hard-won achievements. “We have set out a pragmatic approach, protecting public health while also enabling international travel to restart again.” For the petition to be considered in Parliament it needs to reach 100,000 signatures. See letters special on page 10
Stitch up
Pensioner ‘left with nothing’ after losing home in long legal dispute with builder A BRITISH pensioner has lost her dream home in the sun over a decades-long legal dispute over a boundary wall. Margaret Townley, 75, claims she has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice after being forced to walk away from the house on which she has spent more than €300,000. The former social worker, from Bath, has handed the keys to her neighbour after a vicious 13-year legal battle. She told the Olive Press she believes corruption and fraud has caused the loss of her retirement home in Salobrena, Granada. “I never believed it could reach the point where I have had to empty my house and walk away with nothing, but this is what has happened,” she said. Her nightmare began after she got into a legal battle with her builder neighbour over a dodgy collapsed boundary wall, w h i c h led to a
EXCLUSIVE By Fiona Govan
judge ordering the house to be sold at a closed auction. To add insult to injury it was bought ‘under value’ by the family of the very builder responsible for the collapsed wall. The sorry saga will send shockwaves through the expat community and serve as a warning of the corruption that still exists in Spain.
Foundations
Worse, it points a finger at the judicial system that failed to protect innocent individuals against it. Townley and her Chilean husband Roberto had first purchased their plot above Salobrena on the Costa Tropical in Granada in 2002. Conveniently they hired a local builder, who lived next door, to build the house and a boundary wall at a cost of €18,500 All went well until in 2008 a section of the wall collapsed after a winter ALL AREAS COVERED of heavy rains and it emerged 4G UNLIMITED it had been built without proper INTERNET foundations and IDEAL FOR drainage. STREAMING TV She did what ALSO IPTV, any property owner would do SATELLITE TV and attempted to sue the buildtel: (0034) 952 763 840 er for his shoddy info@theskydoctor.com work. www.theskydoctor.com “We carried out
X
Vaccine fury
SKY + THE DOCTOR +
Tel: 952 147 834
See page 11
TM
DISGRACE: Collapsed wall led to loss of Townley’s house technical surveys which determined that the wall had not been built to the specifications agreed and attempted to seek legal redress for him to replace it or pay compensation,” said Townley. “But we gave up seeing any compensation and when he later died we were told his wife had refused his inheritance as it was only debts that he left her,” she continued. But this didn’t stop the wife from taking out a case against Townley attempting to sue HER for the damage caused to her fruit trees when the wall collapsed. Incredibly, she was successful when Motril court ruled that she was responsible for repairing the wall to avoid further collapses and appointed a technical architect whose report quoted a rebuild cost of €117,000. “It was an absurd and excessive amount and as the ruling didn’t say we had to actually follow that plan we
instead forked out €30,000 on a new wall that was given approval by Salobrena town hall,” said Townley, who believed that was the end of the matter. The case was referred up to the Provincial Court in Granada where a judge ruled that it had no jurisdiction as it was not a criminal case but acknowledged that she had suffered ‘a gross injustice’. But it was ordered to return to the judge at Motril Court 2 for yet another technical report for the Town Hall. However, despite evidence put to the court by technical architects that the fixed wall was adequate, the judge ruled that the debt was outstanding. He further ordered the house be sold at auction and the proceeds used to build the new wall. “It went under the hammer in a sale that took place when travel restrictions Continues on Page 5
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Some justice for Sam POLICE in Galicia have detained six people, including a woman and two teenagers, over the murder of Samuel Luiz Muniz, a gay 24-year-old man attacked outside a nightclub in A Coruna, on July 3.
O A P-imps AN elderly Spanish couple have been arrested for dealing large quantities of drugs in Malaga, including a kilo of marihuana, two bags of cocaine, a brick of hashish, 35 methadone pills and a 10 inch machete.
Cop killed A pilot in Gibraltar has died after a helicopter crashed during an air-sea chase, near Sotogrande. Two other people were also injured in the attempt to catch the criminals, who were part of a major drug crime.
At last SPAIN is set to authorise the sale of COVID-19 self-diagnosis tests in phartinuing. macies next week, without “The key the need for a prescription. is that our young people have a choice, and for that we need a social plan," he said.
IMPRESSIVE: The drugs drone
POLICE have broken up a gang that planned to fly drugs from Morocco to Spain by drone. Spanish and French officers launched a probe after they were tipped off about the smugglers. Police raided a property in Almachar (Axarquia) and found the adapted unmanned aircraft , which has a wingspan of 4.35 metres. It is capable of 170kph can carry
July 14th - July 27th 2021
Drugs drone Doing a 25 kilos and a flight range of seven hours. It has four electric motors as well as a petrol engine. Police made four arrests - three in France and one in Malaga. Officers say the group planned to make multiple crossings across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Pint sized hitman Reward offered for information leading to capture of UK fugitive
A CASH reward has been offered for information about a pint-sized hitman who has been on the run since 2007. Derek Ferguson, 58, is wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron, 48, who
was shot dead near Glasgow in June 2007. Crimestoppers has offered a £5,000 (€5,850) reward for information leading to the arrest of the diminutive Scotsman who is 5 foot 2 inches tall.
A HUGE rise in police operations and arrests has not stopped the drugs problem in the Campo de Gibraltar area. Police and charities are highly critical of a lack of planning and focus on how to stop the flow of drugs into the area from across the Straits. It comes as Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and the Minister of Justice, Juan Carlos Campo, spoke in Algeciras about a 51% rise in police operations over the last year. They revealed that between July 2020 and
double
TWO British fugitives have been arrested in separate operations on the Costa del Sol. The first, a 39 year-old British man who had been on the run since 2017, was detained in Fuengirola. He had been living under an assumed name linked to an organisation involved in trafficking explosives and weapons. His arrest was a result of collaboration between British police, Spanish police and Interpol.
Ammunition
E-FIT: Ferguson in 2007 and how he might look now On the Most Wanted list for years, the reward is being offered in the hope that he will finally be traced. It is believed that he has been hiding out on the Costa del Sol protected by criminal associ-
Bitter pill
May 2021 some 4,745 police operations took place in Cadiz, Huelva and Malaga. It led to the seizure of 457.9 tonnes of drugs and the arrest of 3,769 people. However, spokesman for anti-drugs association Nexos, Francisco Mena, claims that there has not been enough investment and planning in youth to prevent the problems from con-
ates. In 2015 the Olive Press reported that he was in the Marbella/ Calahonda area, but since then there have been no sightings. As well as the reward for information, Police have ssued e-fits to show what Ferguson may look like now. A National Crime Agency spokesman said that he is probably no longer known by his original name, may not be speaking with a Scottish accent and is thought to have had plastic surgery. Detective Superintendent John Wyllie, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are releasing updated images of what Ferguson may look like today.”
The fugitive, who had an international warrant issued for his arrest, is alleged to be a member of a criminal organisation dedicated to trafficking prohibited weapons, explosives and ammunition, the police said in a statement. West Midlands Police linked him to four other people in the same gang after stopping a vehicle in Birmingham in August 2017 and finding weapons and ammunition inside the car. In the second incident, a man wanted by UK police for drug trafficking was arrested in Estepona. The 45-year-old from Middlesbrough, is alleged to have used a transport company to ship 23 boxes, with drugs hidden inside from the Netherlands to the UK.
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Riding in IT’S enough to give Jilly Cooper palpitations. Argentine hunk and top ranked polo player in the world, Adolfo Cambiaso, is squeezing into his jodhpurs and heading for Spain this summer. He will be the star attraction as Sotogrande hosts the 50th edition of its International Polo Tournament from July 26 to August 28. Bringing the star back to the fields of the wealthy enclave for the first time in five years has seen the restoration of the tournament to the very highest tier of the polo world – the High Handicap category. The three most prestigious clubs in Sotogrande - Ayala, Dos Lunas and Santa Maria – are co-hosting the event and there will be a series of activities to entertain between chukkas. It is one of the traditional places to see and be seen during Spain’s summer social calendar – and everyone can join in. So, if you happen to be in the area, pop along – admission is free. Jilly Cooper - the Mistress of the Bonkbuster novel who regularly sets her books in the polo world - once said: “Anyone looks good in jodhpurs,” but she might have added about Adolfo “but some look better than others!”
HE is a lot more than just a whiz in the kitchen. Jose Andres may well be one of America’s most famous chefs with a string of Michelin-starred restaurants and credited with bringing tapas to the states. But he is also a famous charity worker, who has helped millions of people suffering from poverty and hunger. Now he has scooped Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for his humanitarian work in feeding those in the midst of crisis and natural disasters. The 51-year-old chef and his NGO, World Central Kitchen has won the Concord Award for ‘offering extraordinarily fast and efficient on-the-ground response to social and nutritional emergencies’.
Frying high Born in Asturias, he trained in Barcelona before moving to the US in 1991 where he rose to fame popularising tapas and opening a number of restaurants, two of which earned two Michelin stars. In 2010, Andres formed the World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organisation with a remit ‘to end hunger and poverty’ by using the power of food to empower communities’. The charity rushes to the aid of those suffering natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria, when the team supplied 3.6 million meals to the people of Puerto Rico.
July 14th - July 27th 2021 Last year it dedicated restaurants to feeding those struggling in the coronavirus crisis. Andres is a friend of former president Barack Obama, who awarded the chef a National Humanities Medal in 2015. He is a fierce opponent of Donald Trump who sued him and lost after Andres pulled out of a restaurant deal over the ex-president’s disparaging comments about Mexicans. The Princess of Asturias Awards are the most prestigious in Spain and the Concord Award comes with prize money of €50,000. The award ceremony is usually held in Oviedo in October when Crown Princess Leonor presents the prizes.
Taxing time Pop star Shakira could face trial over tax ‘fraud’
COLOMBIAN superstar Shakira could yet face trial over an alleged €14.5 million tax fraud, despite having paid up the full amount two years ago. The Hips don’t Lie singer had hoped to avoid needing to testify in court – but now pre-trial depositions have been made by the prosecutor and defence. A judge will decide if the case should go to court. If it does, Shakira, real name Isabel Mebarak, could face a hefty fine, or even jail as well as being forced to publicly testify. A Shakira spokesman said:
REVEALED: Shakira could face a fine or jail By Dilip Kuner
“As soon as she learned how much she owed the Spanish tax authorities – and before a complaint was filed – Shakira paid the full amount, as well
Tennis comes home IT might not have come home for the English football players this weekend. But the Wimbledon title made its way back to Andalucia thanks to the Costa del Sol’s most famous expat Novak Djokovic. The Marbella local won his 20th Grand Slam on Sunday after claiming his sixth Wimbledon title. The Serbian star owns a stunning Morrocan style mansion in the Sierra Blanca hills, where he has lived for much of the last year. He spent most of the lockdown at the villa, which naturally has a court, training hard for this year’s tournaments. The training clearly paid off, as the three time Wimbledon consecutive winner is now only the second man in history to win the first three major tournaments of a season. This feat was also achieved by Rod Laver in 1969. The Serb has also now drawn level with the record for most ever major tournament wins, alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He has won two French Open titles, three US Open titles and nine Australian Open titles. So the people of Marbella can celebrate this momentous victory for their adopted son.
KIM CLARK
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as providing the tax office with exhaustive information. For this reason, there is currently no debt whatsoever.” However, this is not enough to stop the case from going to trial, according to prosecutors. They maintain that the singer – who has two sons with Barcelona footballing legend Gerard Piquet – should have submitted tax returns in Spain from 2012 to 2014. At that time she had entered into a relationship with Pique and, prosecutors maintain, she lived in Barcelona and therefore had to pay tax in Spain. Her defence insists she was resident in the Bahamas at the time. While prosecutors admit she did not spend the six months and a day per year in Spain that would make her automatically tax resident, they claim that she was effectively living in the country as she always returned to Barcelona after business trips.
+34 951 566 192 Duquesa Port, Manilva
Jive talking
A new expressive style of dance is gracing the Costa del Sol, as new group Esperanto Ballet bring their spellbinding performances to Spain with a debut performance in Estepona, on Friday 16. Led by the brilliant Archil Kusikashvili, Esperanto Ballet fuses a variety of dance styles including Georgian, Russian, ballet, flamenco and gymnastics, creating their own ‘language’ of dance. Originally from Georgia, Kusikashvili has been dancing since he was four years old and a few years ago decided to bring his unique style to Spain, a place where he says ‘dance is an essential part of culture and is respected’. He regularly performs on a small stage at the Tbilisimo restaurant in Marbella, on Saturdays but recently formed Esperanto Ballet, a group of experienced dancers from a range of backgrounds. The group is named after the language, Esperanto, created by combining several European languages together. ‘Dance is a language in itself. The language of the soul and emotions,” said Kusikashvili. “This exhibition [on Friday] is proof that it doesn’t matter where you come from and what language you speak. Respect and love are the most important things in human relationships.” The performance will be taking place on July 16, at 7pm, at TAF Estepona and is a family-friendly event. Tickets are €10 and can be purchased online. More information can be found on the group’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/esperantoballet. DANCE TALKS: Esperanto in action
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NEWS
July 14th July 27th 2021
300 evacuated as fire season takes hold OVER 300 people were evicted after a major fire broke out in Manilva on Monday. The blaze in the El Gotelo area has left at least two homes unliveable. The majority of those evacuated came from the Manilva Sun apartment hotel, while 30 people were taken from 15 homes. Dozens of firefighters, civil guards and police were immediately deployed to the area to fight the fire, which was being fanned by heavy winds. It took three hours to put out and by 9:30pm most hotel guests and local residents were able to return to their homes. Meanwhile 13 families were evacuated around Jubrique in the Genal Valley between Estepona and Ronda when a forest
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fire raised 350 hectares of pines. The El Estercal and La Monarda areas were the worst affected in the blaze that began on Friday and took two days to extinguish. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze as well as ‘a large contingent’ of planes and helicopters.
University challenged
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SPAIN has no universities ranking in the world’s top 100, while only one scrapes into the best 200, according to a new study. The University of Barcelona is the highest ranked coming in at 168, according to the study by Quacquerelli Symonds, a UK company specializing in education. Only 29 Spanish universities made the list of 1,300 ranked around the world, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) coming first for the tenth year in a row. The University of Oxford and University of Cambridge took places two and three. The rankings studied universities across six criteria: academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/
Spain lacks funding as only one university makes global top 200 By Shannon Chaffers
student ratio, citations per faculty, proportion of international faculty, and proportion of international students. The Universidad Autonoma de Madrid came in at 207, the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona at 209 and Complutense in Madrid scraped in at 223. Although Spanish universities did fairly poorly in the overall rankings, some did well in certain subject areas. The University of Barcelona had three subjects in the top 50, while Complutense ranked 18th in dentistry.
Here come the girls!
Elsewhere, Universitat Ramon Llul and University of Navarra were ranked 21st and 25th in business management. For architecture, Catalonia was ranked 20th, and Madrid came 37th. For civil engineering, Catolonia was 29th, while Madrid was 35th.
Funding
Guillermo Cisneros of the Polytechnic University of Madrid explained that a lack of funding for universities had contributed to these results. “When you see so many universities behind us, even though they have a bigger budget, you realize that everything in Spain is sustained with a lot less,” he said. “The students, teachers and administrative staff are putting in a great effort, but an economic boost is needed.”
Drawing a line RESHUFFLE: Cabinet now 65% women THE majority of new ministers brought into the government in a key cabinet reshuffle are women. It means that Spain’s cabinet is now considerably more feminine than male, with women holding 14 of 23 key positions. The average age of the new team is 50-years-old down from 55, and the proportion of women increased to 63%. “This will make our country once again the reference for women-men equality,” Sanchez said. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a new deputy prime minister, foreign minister and justice minister, among seven new appointments. Nadia Calvino will retain her portfolio as Economy Minister but gains a promotion to First Deputy Prime Minister; Isabel Rodeiquez will be the new government spokesperson and Jose Manuel Albares will take on the role of Foreign Minister. Equality Minister Irene Montero will stay in her current position; Yolanda Diaz as Labor Minister and Teresa Ribera as the Ecological Transition Minister. Sanchez said the reorganisation would focus on Spain’s economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “As we put the pandemic behind us, the new government will focus on the economic recovery of the country and the creation of jobs, and taking full advantage of the enormous opportunity the European Union recover funds represent,” Sanchez said.
LA Linea town hall has voted to hold a referendum on breaking away from Andalucia. The historic move could see the town becoming free and autonomous, even of Cadiz. Every single member of the town’s council voted for the move at the July 8 hearing. The procedure towards setting up a referendum can be initiated, although it will have to be approved by Spain’s central government. The process would see La Linea having a similar legal situation to Ceuta and Melilla. If, as expected, Madrid turns down the request, the council has vowed to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. The move has parallels with the Catalan situation, although mayor Jose Franco denies this insisting it is ‘vital due to the serious problems the city faces from its location near Africa and Gibraltar’.
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Facing lockdown ANDALUCIA’S top resort is facing going back into lockdown as it approaches a critical 1,000 case COVID limit. Marbella currently has an infection rate of well over 900 cases per one 100,000 people, which could lead to having its perimeter closed. It could mean no one could enter or leave the town except for strictly justified reasons. However, before closing the borders the Junta will first evaluate other factors such as healthcare pressure on intensive care beds. The move would be devastating for Marbella, which - like many other local resorts - has just begun to regain some normality. Two other towns in Malaga are already exceeding the limit with Istan at 2,008 cases and Carratraca at 1,216 cases.
Testing time NIGHTCLUBS should test all their customers for COVID at their own cost if they want to stay open late, insists the mayor of Malaga. Francisco de la Torre proposed that nightlife venues should use antigens tests as they will ‘get longer opening hours in exchange’. It comes after the city reported 22 venues were facing fines for over-occupancy or for not respecting opening hours at the weekend.
SPAIN'S government is to spend €4.3 billion in a massive revamp of its car production industry in a switch to making electric vehicles. Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that most of the cash will come from EU pandemic recovery fund money and government investment was 'essential' to get things going. Sanchez branded the announcement
July 14th - July 27th 2021 From Front
Electric revolution Bidder
as a 'real revolution' for the economy and that private investors would pump in €19 billion over the next two years. The government plan would take in all aspects of the production chain. They would give grants to companies with the aim of building Spain’s first
electric vehicle battery plant and increasing the production of electric cars. An initial target is to have 250,000 electric cars on Spanish roads by 2023, as opposed to 18,000 last year. The government estimates that up to 140,000 jobs could be created.
Squatted out AN Irish expat has been forced to live in a hotel after a squatter moved into her home and refused to leave. Jane O’Donoghue, who has lived in Spain for 17 years, recently returned to Ireland for a couple of months to be with family, following the passing of her husband. While there, the widower received a ‘shocking’ call from a neighbour informing her that a local man had moved into her home in Arcos de la Frontera. He had also removed her belongings and changed the locks. On her return, the squatter said he’d been told by her husband to ‘be on guard’ and that he’d only leave if she paid him €3,000. With Spanish law stating that anyone who moves
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Irish expat returns to find Spaniard living in her home and demanding money to move out
into a vacant property and stays for 48 hours can claim possession, even if the owner is only away for a short time, O’Donoghue was forced to move into a hotel. Local police were unable to offer much help, so she made a civil complaint before the local court as she racked up a huge hotel bill paying €100 a night.
Help
A month later, after multiple pleas for help and stories in the national media, it’s understood the squatter has now left. There is still speculation
around whether O’Donoghue can take her case further but ‘burglary’ and ‘damage to property’ are all
chargeable crimes, which are currently being reviewed. When the Olive Press managed to get hold of O’Donoghue she confirmed the horror story and said, “I have nothing more to add. It’s been awful.”
meant I couldn’t even fly in to attend,” she said. She has since discovered there was only one bidder, who created a new company to buy it. “It was sold to a company owned by the son of the builder and bought for the hugely under-the-market value price of €65,000,” she said. Last week, Townley packed up her belongings, gave away furniture and walked away from the house on which she has spent ‘more than €300,000’. The neighbouring family who now own it will most likely not rebuild the wall but enjoy the fruits of their ‘swindle and fraud’ to use her lawyer’s words. “The only conclusion I can come to is that either the judge simply hasn’t done her job properly and read the notes or she is corrupt and in collusion with the family next door,” said Townley.
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NEWS FEATURE
No place
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Coming together THE English nation has been deeply divided over Brexit. Social media has been the battleground for Leavers and Brexiters for years now. These same divisions have been found in expat communities in Spain and further afield. But in recent weeks there has been something that has pulled the English together - and that is its football team. Millions of English fans in Spain, Gibraltar, around the world and of course in England itself have largely backed the team. Yes, there have been the usual grumbles about selection, tactics and the strengths and weaknesses of individual players. But when it came down to the matches themselves, people came together to support the team. By reaching its first major final since 1966, the team helped put a smile on the faces of the English nation and its diaspora after the miseries of pandemic lockdown. And divisions over such matters as Brexit were forgotten – or at least put aside – as the England team, at last, gave people something they could agree about. Denmark, Italy, Wales and Scotland too can look back with pride as their teams did their nations proud. The exploits of all four teams showed the power of football in a positive way. Few other things in life can draw people together.
Take the knee Unfortunately, a small minority took delight in opening the festering wounds caused by racism. From booing the taking of the knee in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM) to the racist abuse heaped on four fine young men, which ironically showed exactly why they were taking the knee in the first place. But the outraged reaction from the majority to the abuse suffered by those black players is heartening to see. Hopefully this new-found togetherness is something we can all carry on into the coming years.
Andrew Attrill 64, Retired, Isle of Wight Andrew made a last minute decision to travel to Ibiza with his son Jack and their friends after finding a cheap flight to the White Isle on the weekend. Watching the big game at Flahertys pub in San Antonio, the retired father of three said that he couldn’t be more proud to be supporting England in the final. “I will always remember this day and even more so to share it with my boy in Ibiza,” said Andrew.
Simon Turner 48, Electrician, Surrey Simon has been coming to Ibiza for the last 16 years and after missing out last summer due to the COVID-19 crisis, he didn’t hesitate to book his ticket after the UK gave the Balearics a green light for travel. “I am not a huge football fan but I have never been so excited for a tournament. The atmosphere is electric here and despite losing, we did a smashing job,” said Simon.
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HE ecstasy and the agony were lived in equal measure at the Thirsty Monk pub in Castelldefels, near Barcelona.“It was a rollercoaster of emotions. The atmosphere after the first goal was electric,” said expat Liam Hill, who has lived in Spain for four years. He showed the Olive Press a photo of how
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iving up in the very Spanish mountain town of Ronda means there are no English bars… and every football-loving expat we know had, predictably, gone down to the coast. Including our teenage daughter! So having firstly toyed with the idea of watching the Euro 2020 final at a friendly Italian pizzeria and then booked the terrace of a local restaurant, we decided we would be far happier at home with Auntie Beeb and good old Gary Lineker. For starters we could scream (and then cry) without any Italians or Spanish around to laugh and, secondly, to watch the build-up in English. Oh, and the Wimbledon final before it. It turned out to be a great evening, despite my father-in-law randomly deciding to support Italy 15 minutes before the game, despite being a dyed in the wool monarchist and playing cricket for the British army and Surrey. He did live in Italy for two decades, I suppose, and he could see it coming. And he was right. But what a month - and tournament - it’s been. Having watched the largely unmemorable group stages on the Costa del Sol, where we live in the week, we headed off on holiday to Italy with no idea that there was a chance England would play a game there.
Thirsty for glory
Publisher / Editor
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Jon Clarke on the rollercoaster ride of supporting England, including tickets in Rome in the quarters, then at home for the Euro final
By Graham Keeley in Barcelona
an Italian player fouled Bukayo Saka. “This is a good photo of how Italy played. “Twice they should have had a red,” he added. “That said, we hace had a good run in the Euros. It was a good night with good people.”
EXPAT ARMY: Jon with Charlie (right) It was only as we prepared to watch Italy versus Austria in the charming main square of Ceglie, in Puglia, that we saw the permutations that could take us to Rome. We worked out that if we beat Germany a few days later (a big if, mind) England would be heading to the quarter finals in Italy’s amazing capital city. With both kids gagging for a trip to the Eternal city and the wife shrugging her shoulders, I booked a great-value apartment for two nights. I had no idea if we would get tickets for the game, but given no English supporters could travel to Italy and it is not swamped with expats like Spain, I figured we would have a chance. I got on every fan group and Facebook page and eventually located three tickets for 200 euros each. A lot, but not extortionate. But just before buying them I got a superb bit of advice from the Olive Press’ salesman extraordinaire Charlie Bamber, a keen travelling England fan, who told me that UEFA would be releasing some more tickets the following day. He told me I had to register with the official website, putting in my passport details and where I lived (if you had an English address you were automatically stopped from buying) and he would tip me off at the right time. And so it came to pass, I got the phone call by the pool at 4pm the next day when 1,800 tickets went out on general sale at cost price. Amazingly I was able to secure four tickets for just 75 euros each. Even the missus, who had only seen one other live game in her life before (a wet and windy draw between Tottenham and Bolton 25 years ago) would be coming. So there we were, in Rome, having taken an-
Rocking the final
S
OMETHING old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. That just about sums up our weekend in Gibraltar. Two very important events occurred almost simultaneously - England played Italy in the final of the Euros, and we also tied the knot on The Rock. The decision to book a Gibraltar wedding was made in part because of Brexit, after our local ayuntamiento in Alicante admitted that there could be ‘unknown delays’ and added bureaucracy due to the UK leaving the EU. Despite both fiance, Nicola, and I having Spanish residency, it was decided not to risk it, and Gibraltar register office was only too happy to oblige without fuss. That it coincided with the championship’s climax, only started to matter after England thumped Ukraine 4-0. The prospect of a potential place in the final alone was mouthwatering, but what if
By Simon Wade in Gibraltar
we could go on and win? It would certainly make for unique dinner party conversations in the future when the ubiquitous ‘where were you when...?’ question crops up. ‘Something old’ was how I felt after driving the 600 km from home in Alicante province. A new car can make you FEEL younger, but it only hides the reality of middle age with a (passion red metallic) veneer ‘Something new’ was the fact that the England men’s football team did reach a major final for the first time in recent history. A night spent in Casemates Square saw thousands of supporters cheering on the England team with fervour, humour and passion. ‘Something blue’ wasn’t the despondency or inevitability of the penalty shootout
result, but the disgusting treatment of our own players by so-called fans afterwards. Those that abused black players online should be traced and dealt with accordingly. And the grown men that punched and kicked young Italy fans in Wembley stadium should be named, shamed and jailed. There is no place and no reason for such shameful behaviour in today’s society none whatsoever. Still, the wedding went without any drama, and everything went to plan (see pic front page). As for ‘something borrowed’? After Sunday, let’s hope it’s racism … living on borrowed time.
like home
July 14th - July 27th 2021
www.theolivepress.es
7
Time to travel
Only Ourselves to blame
F
OLLOWING the heart wrenching ‘disappointment’ that was the penalty shootout, expats in Duquesa port, drowned their sorrows while analysing the game. “England only had themselves to blame for not winning in 120 minutes,”
tigen tests and passing through seven, yes seven, security checks to watch England v Ukraine in the quarter finals. What a game, what an experience. We blew them away and guess who was sitting in the row in front? Yes, Charlie Bamber. He gets about (see pic left). But what was incredible was the amount of expat Brits who had travelled from all over Spain to the game. The flights to Rome, to Milan, to Naples, etc, etc, were full of England fans, who could legally watch their team in a massive game. We did the team proud, making an incredible racket… and who was interviewed live on Sky News by the Trevi Fountain? Mr Bamber, of course. Having sung for Spain in the heart of Positano against Italy in the semis (what an injustice), we came back and watched England in
By Alex Oscar in Manilva
explained Liam. “But I’m proud of our manager and I’m proud of our players,” he added. Given that penalties are England’s kryptonite, expecting youngsters like Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, to take them was seen as very unfair, reckoned Gregg. “Even though the players are professionals, to expect them to come on and contribute in the penalties is a lot of pressure”. Will believed England will ‘never have a better chance than this’, whereas the more optimistic fans are putting their hopes on the 2022 World Cup. Puerto Banus against Denmark. The best England performance for years, we had made a final for the first time in 55 years! What a game, but now we had to meet the tactical masters of the game. The trickiest, most slippery bunch of streetwise footballers there are. Italy were played off the park by Spain (but won on penalties), only just overcame Austria in extra time, and squeezed past Wales… but they always seem to win. A bit like Germany used to. My father-in-law had predicted a 2-1 win. I knew we would lose if it got to penalties. We almost always do. Local friends Lisa and Andy, not huge football fans but up for it nonetheless, watched the agony and ecstasy of supporting England this Sunday. The term; that Monday morning feeling, was never more apt.
Forever England By Fiona Govan in Madrid
T
HE backroom of a bar in Madrid’s Malasana will be forever England, or so it would’ve been had the night turned out differently. A few dozen Brits resident in the capital had gathered there for what they hoped would be the evening they had been waiting for all their lives. “I’m pretty anxious to be honest,” said Tom Graham, a signwriter in the district, at the start of the match in La Taperia. “But I feel it really is our time.” He was wrong. And just a few hours later, disappointment was writ large on his face. “I’m not going to cry,” he said as his face crinkled and we heard the jubilant cheers from Italians in a neighbouring bar. “I’m probably the only one in this bar who actually remembers 1966,” admitted Celia Clayden who was a teenager in London when England last won a championship. “It’s a real shame this lot won’t know how that feels.”
32
The place was buzzing By Katherine Brook in Estepona
PAIN is not short of beautiful cities oozing history from between the cracks of their ancient iconic buildings, such as Granada’s Alhambra and Sevilla’s Alcazar. But one comes above the rest, according to a poll published by global travel bible Lonely Planet this year: that of Cordoba, a true melting pot of ancient, modern and everything in between. The birthplace of renowned Roman playwright Seneca and Jewish philosopher Maimonides, to name two great thinkers, the place is a veritable warren of historic sites. Now is the perfect time to visit Cordoba’s numerous attractions without the crowds and clamour, drifting through the town at your
May 19th - June 1st 2021
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WALK THIS WAY
own pace. I wanted to explore the city without going to ‘the big three’ - the Mezquita, the alcazar and the medina - as I have a pretentious passion for taking the path less trodden. Just follow your nose and take an aimless amble
around. You won’t be disappointed. Cordoba entertained right from the get-go as I stumbled across the Church of San Francisco, built by Fernando III in the 13th century with its adjacent square with red and white porticoes. Heading west, I wound
my way through sinuous stone streets and chanced upon the Calleja de los Flores, a quaint alleyway lined with flower pots. From here it is just a gentle stroll to Casa Arabe, also known as Casa Mudejar, an arts and culture centre that hosts qual-
diced egg), I meandered along the riverfront and over the marvellous Puente Romano, a 250m stone bridge that dates back to at least the second century AD. Founded around 152BC by the Romans, Corduba, as it was called then, was the capital of
Hispania Ulterior and flourished economically by virtue of its prized olive oil. It became a Roman colonia between 46 and 45BC, but after the city put its money and troops on the wrong horse in the civil war between Pompey and Caesar,
the latter sacked it and slaughtered some 30,000 people. These seismic events would inspire Lucan, born in Cordoba just six years earlier, to compose one of the most extraordinary poems in the Latin language - the Pharsalia, a subversive, gory epic
100 years of flower power
I
T’S a botanical binge to inspire the most relucFrom as far as back as the Roman occupation tant gardners. of Cordoba, houses have been built around inner For a fortnight in May, all Cordoba opens its gardens enclosed within thick walls to provide a private courtyards to the hoi polloi who traipse haven of shade during the summer months when through the cobbled alleys and duck through the mercury often tops 40ºC. doorways to be amazed by the green-fingered These internal spaces were refined to include skills of those who live here. As the child of flofountains and water features under Moorish rule, ra-obsessed parents I recall many trips around when the Umayyad caliphate built the mosque – the formal gardens of National Trust properties since converted into a cathedral - that remains a - most often in the rain and endured only for the highlight of every city tour. promise of ice-cream or a cream tea in a chintzNowadays these spaces have been elevated to filled café. works of art, where each wall in every garden has Now with a patio of my own in Madrid sprouting been designed with the festival in mind, each pot several sad yuccas, a few hardy spider plants and of geraniums carefully placed to maximise conone pitiful geranium, it was time to seek inspiratrasts and provide sensational bursts of colour. tion from a city that packs more So good are they that the patios flower power than San Francisco have been afforded UNESCO-produring the merry month of May. tected status. A perfumed This year marks the 100th anniSome gardens belong to single versary of the Feria de los Patios, properties and others are collecpromenade when residents open their floral tions of courtyards with different inner sanctums to the public and through private dwellings looking out on them. compete for the prize of prettiest One of my favourites was No. patios in the walled garden space. 6, Calle Marroquíes where low old quarter Usually mobbed, but with COVID-19 bungalows are home to artisan keeping tourists away, it was easy workshops within a labyrinth of to find an affordable, last-minute interlocking corridors and patios Airbnb. Mine was ensconced in a quaint alley a bedecked with tumbling greenery and blooms. cobblestone’s throw from Plaza de la CorredeIt’s easy to tell the serious gardeners (the ones ra, a colonnaded square filled with terrazas fresnapping close-ups of leaves to identify plants quented by Cordoba’s student population. that might thrive on their own windowsills) from The route map provided on the website takes the nosey parkers (me). I had more fun peeking visitors on a perfumed promenade to dozens of through doors and windows, enjoying the access private patios throughout the old quarter and it’s to private spaces sealed off behind closed doors an olfactory overload even if you only visit half of for all but this fortnight in May. them. My guide was Cordoba local Chapi Pineda, a I interspersed courtyard visits with stops at tapas celebrated flamenco guitarist with a deep love bars and bodegas and sightseeing around the of his home city and an insider knowledge that Mezquita and Juderia - a joy to do in this beautihe is proud to share: including where to taste fully compact walking city. the best tortilla in town (Bar Santos) and how to Thankfully the queues for patios were shorter find a table with unrivalled views of the cathedral and faster this year, despite social distancing (upstairs on the terrace of the Pairi Daeza restaumeasures which, fortuitously, gave everyone a rant). few brief moments alone to enjoy the space withSomewhere in the maze of narrow white-washed out crowds of selfie-takers and couples romantilanes between the synagogue and the Mezquita cally posing beneath bougainvillea. he also revealed a real local treasure: Bodega
SO SPECIAL: The Roman bridge (left), the Alcazar (above), Roman pillars (below) and a work by Julio Romero de Torres
ity photography exhibitions on niche topics, including Morocco’s breathtaking blue-washed town, Chefchaouen. After a delicious lunch of tortilla and salmorejo, Cordoba’s celebrated tomato purée topped with serrano jam (or in a vegetarian’s case,
As Cordoba’s famous patio festival marks its centennial, Fiona Govan visits the city that goes potty for plants in May
33
SIMPLY STUNNING
about the aforementioned civil war whose quality scholars still debate fiercely today. Next up was the Museo Julio Romero de Torres, where I was the only visitor. Tucked away on the Plaza del Potro, this cosy, elegant museum dedicated to the eponymous local painter was the unexpected gem of my trip. Romero, born 1874, was possessed with the fervour of Flamenco, which he often personified as a naked or scantily clad lady, such as in La musa gitana (‘The Gypsy Muse’). As is the case in so much art produced by men, many of Romero’s busty women were conveniently spilling out of their garments in one place or another, leading feminists to vilify him; nonetheless, his striking style that fused a gamut of motifs - classical, mannerist, Christian, Andalucian - made a stronger impression on me than the artwork in the Bellas Artes museum opposite and lingered with me long after I left.
Unmissable monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984
HE iconic symbol of Cordoba is the stunning Mosque-Cathedral, which is an extraordinary example of the blending of Muslim and Christian cultures. Built in the 8th Century under the rule of Amir Abd ar-Rahman I, the mosque became a Christian church when Cordoba was conquered by Fernando III of Castilla in 1236. Such was its stunning beauty, the christians decided to preserve the mosque rather than destroy it, enhancing its beauty by adding new spaces and monuments. The central focus of the edifice is a shellshaped prayer niche built in the 10th century. The mihrab traditionally faces Mecca. However, the one in the mosque of Cordoba faces south. The striped brick and stone arches are supported by 856 granite and marble pillars from the Roman and Visigothic ruins. The sun’s rays create an impressive play of light between the pillars and the arches. Also, like many cathedrals in southern Spain, the Mosque of Cordoba has an orange tree courtyard. You can enter the Patio de los Naranjos free of charge, and this is where you will find the kiosk to buy your ticket for the oficial tour. Entrance to the Mosque costs €11 per person. Children between 10 and 14 years old will pay €6, and children under 10 are free. Early risers can visit the mosque for free from Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 9:30am.
We are open – See you soon!
The Costa de la Luz’s most emblematic restaurant and hotel. In the stunning white town of Vejer de la Frontera.
Lavish
BEAUTY: The patios are a colourful treat Guzman, its dark tiled interior exuding the musty aroma of fermenting wine, where a glass of local fino can be enjoyed for a staggeringly good value €1.10. In the evening we dined at Taberna San Miguel Casa el Pisto, a typical Andalus restaurant where we sat in a tiled courtyard covered in feria memorabilia. Beneath a portrait of the greatest matador of all time, Cordoba-born Manolete - painted by Chapi’s own father, the artist Rafael Pineda - we devoured local delicacies including the simple but divine cogollos al ajillo - who knew lettuce could taste this good? Cordoba in May is exquisite, even for those who don’t think flowers are that interesting. In fact, I dare you to visit and not come away with a few souvenir pots and a head full of ideas for improving your own urban garden. I certainly did.
My last stop of the day was the Viana Palace. Dating back to 1492, this lavish manor exhibits an unusual intertwining of Roman and Arabic architectural styles and boasts 12 beautiful patios à la the Cordoban custom, not to mention sumptuous salons that evoke the lifestyles of the various nobles who were lucky enough to call this place home. Flowers and fruits fragrance the air and nearly every courtyard is bursting with colour. My favourites were the reception patio, with its porticoed galleries supported by stately Tuscan columns, and the serene Patio de los naranjas whose trickling fountain and spectacular purple wisteria lend it a soothing, serene atmosphere. It made for a superb end to an excellent day round Cordoba which reaffirmed an age-old truth of travel: even if a city is best known for one building alone, scratch below the surface and you’re sure to find that the place has a whole lot more to offer as well.
CalifaVejer.com tel: +34 956 44 77 30 Plaza de España, Vejer de la Frontera,Costa de la Luz, Cádiz
M I
T may not sound like an obvious choice to watch England in the Euro2020 final, but Irish pub Healy Mac’s in Estepona port was rammed with patriotic expats and tourists. One group in particular led the crowd, keeping up the energy with chants from their prime spot in the centre of the bar. Chris Legg, (pictured above right) a 41-year-old builder from Watford, said the group had been out to watch every game together and was ever optimistic that England were going to win. “This is our year. It’s got to come home now,” he insisted with a vodka Redbull in hand. “We’re going to the feria after, win or lose - we’ll either be celebrating or drowning our sorrows.” When the first goal was scored everyone went wild with bottles and drinks flying around, but it was all in good spirits. Most of the friends had been there since lunchtime, with Jason Naylor (pictured above left), 35, from Wolverhampton, explaining that the group went ‘this hard’ for every single game. “It’s not every day we make it to a Euro final!” he explained. New recruit to the group, Ollie Buckingham, 29, from London said the atmosphere was ‘amazing’. “What a place to watch the game,” he insisted. “This place is buzzing, it’s brilliant. The only way to watch a game like this.”
The Spanish connection
CHART TOPPERS: from left, Hamilton, McClarnon and Frost
For most tourists Cordoba is all about the Mesquita, the Alcazar and the Roman bridge. Laurence Crumbie took the road less travelled and found a city chock full of treasures lesser known
S
CORDOBA SPECIAL
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
IT became a football anthem sweeping the terraces in the FIFA World Cup 2018. And it has continued throughout this tournament. It started when English fans spontaneously altered the lyrics of Atomic Kitten’s number one hit Whole Again to Southgate you’re the one, football’s coming home again. It was so popular the band reunited to re-record it for Euro 2020 with no less than two Spanish connections. The new vocals and lyrics were recorded in Ibiza, when Jenny Frost joined up with Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon for the first time in 13 years. Meanwhile the song’s original writer and producer is Costa del Sol expat Bill Padley. Ironically, the Novello award-winning writer, who is a DJ at Talk Radio Europe, isn’t even English – he is a proud Scot.
ANY people know Spain only for its key cities and beaches. While these are justly famous, there is a lot more to the country than that. Now travel restrictions are largely behind us (at least within Spain) the nation is once more open to travel. But where to go? Well, we have the answer. The Olive Press has for years thrown a spotlight on hundreds of the hidden and not so hidden corners of Spain. While often visiting the emblematic cities of Sevilla, Madrid and Valencia and the fantastic islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, we’ve frequently been off the beaten track. For 15 years our writers have been highlighting the often overlooked beauty spots in places like Galicia and Extremadura. Take a look at our spotlight on Santiago de Compostela, or the delights of the Sierra de Gata or the secrets of the abandoned arabic city of Madinet, near Cordoba. These are just three of hundreds of articles in the travel section of our website, including dozens of restaurant and hotel reviews and plenty of tips of what to do. And all this is at the tips of your fingers. Just go to theolivepress.es and click on the Travel tab – and Spain is your oyster!
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: paid to Samuel Luiz Muniz, 24, beaten 1- Tributes to death in Spain over his sexuality New restrictions enforced in Spain’s Ibiza and 2- Mallorca as Balearic Islands welcome floor of British Tourists of Spain’s Malaga moved back to more 3- Half restrictive level 2 health alert due to spike in positive Covid-19 cases Brits living in Spain furious that new quaran4-tine exemption doesn’t apply to those vaccinated outside UK Curfews returning to high infection towns and 5-cities in new anti-covid measures for the Costa Blanca and Valencia areas of Spain
Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote
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GREEN
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Pest control
A TEAM of Spanish scientists has developed a new system to diagnose crop diseases that can greatly reduce the use of pesticides. The technology created by Ainia relies on artificial intelligence and can be mounted on drones and terrestrial vehicles, such as tractors, to take 3D shots in real time of fruit trees and other crop plantations. With the information obtained, farmers can check for any infections or pests, and accurately calculate the type and minimum amount of chemical pesticides needed to treat them. It will also enable landown-
Artificial Intelligence technology can reduce use of harmful pesticides By Glenn Wickman
ers to check water requirements and drought conditions, leading to a more precise allocation of resources. Valencia-based Ainia believes that the system will help reduce pesticide use by 10% to 60% depending on the type of crop, as well as cutting working hours and the amount of fuel used by agricultural machinery. The project is part of Ainia’s contributions towards the
so-called ‘agriculture 4.0’ - a drive to update and transform farming using modern technology - with the aim of complying with the United Nations’ (UN) Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Develop-
ment Goals by making a better use of resources, saving energy and fuel, and reducing environmental impact. According to the UN, demand for food will increase by 70% over the next 30 years, with climate change and pollution resulting in a drop in crop production of between 10% and 50%.
Emissions down CARBON emissions in Spain fell 13.7% last year to their lowest level in 31 years. A surge in renewable energy coupled with a decline in industrial and road activity due to the pandemic meant the country’s emissions fell to 272 million tonnes, 6.4% below the 1990 level, according to the Environment Ministry. In terms of electricity generation, 35% less carbon was emitted as coal fired power stations were phased out and renewables such as wind and solar grew 13%. In total, 3.6% less electricity was generated than in 2019 as business demand declined during the lockdown. Spain aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, with its climate plan foreseeing coal capacity to be zero by 2030.
SOLAR PV PANELS
PEOPLE in Spain are amongst the most optimistic when it comes to the battle against climate change. A survey conducted in 16 countries found that people aged 55 and over believe most strongly that their behaviour can make a positive difference. The majority of people questioned in Spain, Canada, Brazil, Italy, China and Thai-
Still time
land felt that if we act now there is still time to save the planet, the survey by Mintel found. Overall, 54% were optimistic there is enough time to combat global heating, with 51% saying changing their own behaviour could make the crucial difference.
Martin Tye explains how the construction trade should help fight climate change
Green Matters
Costa del Building Site
By Martin Tye
I DRONE: Latest technology helping farmers
July 14th - July 27th 2021
REMEMBER my father saying to me on my first visit to Spain, many years ago “The Spanish would build on a roundabout if they could!” Funny how you remember certain things from way back. By lunchtime I can’t remember what I had for breakfast! Yet I remember that. Probably because the landscape in Spain doesn’t allow you to forget. Cranes, building sites,heavy construction traffic and the endless stream of white man vans serve as a constant reminder. In 1987, alternative rock band The House Martins released an album titled The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
NOT GRINNING NOW: The Housemartins
Could this apply to the raft of avaricious developers building more and more close to you? So relevant to today’s theme are lyrics from a hit song of theirs Build. “Slow, slow and quick, quick quick. It’s wall to wall and brick to brick. They work so fast it makes you sick. Let’s build” I’m not against sensible development but I am against: High density development Let me start with high density development. This leads to areas being ruined and creates future infrastructure issues. Spanish planning officers all need a trip to Specsavers. Method of Construction Let’s learn from others. Worldwide, the construction sector alone is responsible for more than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The impact of construction is even more evident when looking at CO2 emissions from energy use – with the sector contributing 38% of the world’s emissions. At a time when car manufacturers rev up their zero – emission vehicle ambitions, what is happening in the
construction sector? Nothing that I have witnessed. Car makers are striving to produce low emission vehicles and to be fully electric by 2030. The same impetus should be applied to the construction sector. Case in point – Scandinavia Cities like Oslo, Helsinki and Copenhagen are working to clean up this high emission industry. At a site at Olav Vs gate, one of the busiest streets in the heart of Norway’s capital city Oslo, things are very different. Work started in 2019 as a pilot project for the first zero emission urban construction site in the world. All the machines used on site - excavators, diggers, loaders - were electric. Using electric equipment in place of traditional diesel engines meant that everyone in the vicinity noticed a significant reduction in ambient noise and pollution. Even the builders shouted less. (Hard to imagine that here in Spain!). So it can be done. Oslo now wants all Municipal construction sites to be zero emission by 2025. And all construction work, public or private, to be zero emission by 2030. To ensure this happens all public tenders for construction work are only awarded to contractors who use zero–emission machinery and trucks. Wake up Spain - there is no need to be left behind!
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LETTERS SPECIAL
10
July 14th - July 27th 2021
Furious reaction Amber list ‘discrimination’ on visiting the UK has been roundly condemned by our readers
Appalling news Dear Olive Press,
Appalling news
in Spain for I’M a British citizen and have lived appalled at I’m say to have just I over 30 years. in still can’t the news that Brits living here in Spa rantine, even visit the UK without having to qua ID jabs here though we’ve completed our COV in Spain. is in a care My mum’s 92, has dementia and since Januhome in Devon. I haven’t seen herher regularly ary 2020 but keep in touch with. I used to be through twice weekly video calls months but able to go over and see her every few I just can’t as a 68 year old pensioner myself, in a quarstay to 00 £10 over out fork to afford ay, as I’ve anyw s ulou ridic it’s And antine hotel. ID passCOV my have and had both COVID jabs UK. port, but of course its not valid forthis sad situaI’m sure I’m not the only one in and I don’t tion. Time’s running out for mumover and see go to able be know if or when I’ll ly hoping that her in the near future. I was real to visit family wed allo be ld wou s Brit ed vaccinat looking forin the UK as from July 19 and was . soon ward to seeing mum need to make I really think that somehow we like myself, that sure I’m as d hear es our voic ble to get to many other British expats are unas. tive rela or nts see their elderly pare
Christine Martin (Girona)
EU hatred WHAT world are UK politicians living in? Do they not understand that many British citizens live in Spain and want to visit family they have not had the chance to see for up to two years? How can the UK government possibly justify allowing UK residents to go to amber listed countries on holiday without having to quarantine if vaccinated, but not allow us double vaccinated people in Spain the same rights? The excuse seems to be that the UK can not have the technology to read the EU digital certificates. What a load of baloney! The fact the EU has been working on this has been common knowledge for months. An organised government would have thought ahead and worked with the EU so that this scenario would not arise. Or is the UK government so filled with hatred of the EU it can’t bring itself to even communicate with it for the good of its own citizens? Dave Collins (via website)
Pure discrimination I AM furious and upset! We have waited 18 months to be able to visit our families, some of whom we haven’t even met as they have been born during that time or are very old as is my mother who is 93. How can a holiday be more important than reuniting with loved ones after so long? In Spain we have our own digital app to prove vaccination with an approved vaccine. Why is this not valid if we live outside the UK? It is pure discrimination!
Answers needed THIS situation with non recognition of expats vaccines, in our case Astra Zeneca - a UK developed vaccine - should now be challenged in the courts. The British government should be held to account on the grounds of discrimination and misselling vaccines into the EU states. This raises a number of points and questions. Firstly, UK citizens abroad are being ignored by their own government Does this mean that the British government is saying that vaccines developed in the UK and sold to EU states are less potent because they are NOT administered by the UK NHS, but rather the EU states? Is there some information the British government is withholding about the Astra Zeneca vaccine, especially as the US is refusing to use it? Or is this a means of the UK government making money out of expats through test charges and quarantines/hotel expenses? The term ‘cash cow’ comes to mind. These questions should be put to Grant Schapps - and answers should be given ASAP! Karl Bickerton (by email)
Just despicable IT is quite despicable that the UK will not accept vaccination proof from Spain. There must be hundreds of us who are desperate to see our families. Totally unacceptable!
Kath Wood (by email)
Mike Eccleshall (by email)
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OP Sudoku
Waterski
1 Superficial (4-4) 2 Shake up roughest men to find first languages (6,7) 3 Long, thin and angular (7) 4 Donations (13) 5 Sailing boat headbanger? (4) 7 Carefree outing (4) 13 3-D image (8) 14 Penitent's emotion (7) 17 Type of knot (4) 19 Deficiency (4)
All solutions are on page 21
LA CULTURA
Changing sides
SPAIN has approved a draft bill on LGBTI rights that will allow transgender people over 14 to change their legal gender without medical diagnosis or hormone therapy. The cabinet of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez approved the controversial draft bill a day after World Pride Day. The draft bill will now go to a public hearing before another reading in the cabinet before being put to the vote in Spain’s Congress. “This is an historic day after more than 15 years without any legislative progress,” Equality Minister Irene Montero said in a news conference.
June 30th July 13th 2021
11
Jurassic Park New species of dinosaur discovered in Spain
Discovery
TM
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A NEW species of dinosaur has been discovered in Spain. Investigators working at the Portell de Morella (Els Ports) archaeological dig in Castellon have unearthed fossilised remains of the previously unknown species, which they have named Portellsaurus sosbaynati. Similar to an iguanodon or large iguana, the crea-
The discovery was made in April during work being carried out in the chapel of the Gothic Palace, in view of the restoration project of its ceramic tiles. A preliminary survey to study the possibility of installing an airing chamber to guarantee
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NEW BEAST: never discovered before
By Glenn Wickman
AN investigation is ongoing to see if a skeleton found in the Real Alcazar of Sevilla could be those of a noble child. The remains of the four-year-old girl were found under the main altar, suggesting that she was the daughter of a very prominent family dating back to the 15th century.
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2/8/18 17:01
Línea Directa’s team of English-speaking customer service experts can guide you through all your queries and provide clear answers. And if you take out a new car insurance policy before 31 December 2021, Línea Directa will give you 2 months free car insurance. Terms and conditions apply. ture measured eight metres long, weighed one tonne and lived in the area 130 million years ago. The large herbivore is said to be related to similar species that inhabited what is now China and Nigeria just
Noble find
the chapel’s preservation had revealed the funerary remains. The girl’s lead coffin contained the remains of the child, said to be in a relatively good state of preservation and dressed with fabrics, shoes, leather and mother-of-pearl buttons. Even parts of the girl’s hair remain. The quality of her clothing points to her being a member of a wealthy and possibly noble family. By the position of the bones when unearthed, her hands would have been folded across her chest when she was buried.
after the Jurassic period. Investigators reached their conclusions after uncovering a full jawbone in what has become one of the top spots in Spain for dinosaur discoveries, with up to 250 other items currently being tested at the lab. Spokespeople for the team explain that the jawbone has a set of characteristics that make the creature unique throughout the world. It is also the oldest species of dinosaur discovered so far in Castellon Province. The name Portellsaurus sosbaynati combines the site where the remains were found, Portell, with the Greek term sauros – ‘lizard’ – plus the surnames of Vicente Sos Banyat, the first scientist to receive an honorary doctorate by the UJI.
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LA CULTURA
July 14th - July 27th 2021
Hemingway, my dad and the bulls
In a moving tribute to her legendary father, American Deirdre Carney explains why she sorely misses running the bulls at July’s postponed San Fermin festival
I
T’S oddly invigorating to A fair few will be reading the wake up at seven in the morning paper where that day’s bulls are presented, morning with a analysing their hangover and attributes, insleep deprivation, and then cluding horn put yourself in slopes and fur the way of terror colour while siWe are just for the fun pping coffee. I ritualistic of it. pretend to note beings and the That’s what the details trying communion happens when to look far more of being there you go running relaxed than I with six half-ton feel. in this electric fighting bulls The agony of atmosphere at Pamplona’s the last 30 miwhere fear famed San Fernutes before the and adrenaline rockets blast at min festival. 8am, (when the It will be around and joy are bulls are relea7.15am when I all mixed into stroll up to the sed) and your one is barriers by the life is quite posincredible old Hostal Marsibly on the line, is nearly unbeaceliano, now a civic building, rable. and greet my But for me, thefriends who will also be run- re is (usually) no turning back. It just so happens my father, ning the bulls that morning.
“
“
THRILL: Deirdre and dad Matt run with the bull
Matt Carney, was the first foreigner famed for his bull running skills. An Irish-American WW2 Mari-
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
ne Officer who was shot and wounded on Iwo Jima, he started his career at San Fermin by meeting and getting in
a fist fight with legen- d a r y writer Ernest Hemingway. That’s a longer story, but let’s just say, they both deserved it.
He ran as well as the Navarrans, the locals used to say and he did it for 30 years from the 1950s to the 1980s.
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July 14th - July 27th 2021
13
ls while (right) the photo of Matt impaled that was on the living room wall
I have seen photos and videos feeling like it. I was hooked. and it is true. He was graceful, That was in 2010 and after he seemed fearless, he smiled that I moved to Spain and transcendently, and he had ti- started going to smaller fesming. He was never running tivals around Navarra and away from, but actually run- running in places like Tafalla, ning with the bulls, which is Larraga and Estella, trying to learn more. exactly the point. The way he described it, it was I had days when I was braver an act of spiritual convergen- than others. I had runs where ce with the herd, of being ac- I slunk out just after the rocket, cepted by them. You are not not feeling it, and somewhere the antagonist, but a brother. along the line I managed to You may run side by side, or get accepted into this colourful ‘on the horns’ meaning right group of bulls and men. in front of the bull, in perfect This endeavour seems to atrhythm. It’s spectacular athle- tract mostly men. The best ticism mixed with mental acui- answer I get to why women ty and bravery. It is pure joy, don’t run the bulls is simply better translated in Spanish as that they are not that stupid. It is rather pointless in a conalegria. When I was a child I asked my crete way, though perhaps dad if he would teach me how not in a traditional-ritual conto run and he said: “Why sure text. Male chauvinists claim - when you’re old enough. us women are not physically Just, uh… just don’t tell your or mentally equipped to run mother.” I will never know if with the bulls. However, on he meant it as he any given mordied shortly after ning, neither Male when I was still are many of the little. male particichauvinists In my late teens pants. and early twenAnd then there claim women are the young ties I attended are not up to male foreigners San Fermin but who are often I just wanted to bull running full of bravado party. I finally but completely went to learn clueless as to about the bulls with my dad’s old friend, Bom- what it all entails. ber (“Don’t yell my name in an The most clear danger I was ever in was in 2014 when an airport”, he used to say). He had long white hair and infamous Miura, among the sunglasses he never took off. fiercest breeds of bull, slipped He was the first person to and fell at the back of the agree to show me the way of herd. the bull run, or encierro, as it’s A bull on its own will become known in Spanish. “Because relentlessly aggressive. This that’s what your dad did for one was no exception and I had also tripped and fallen me and others,” he told me. He plonked me in a corner of just ahead of him. The bull, the encierro (the streets barri- named Olivete, looked at me caded for the run), and then and then gored an Australian the rockets blew, the crowd and two or three more guys surged and the bulls literally right in front of me. flew by clopping on the cob- Somehow I survived by stanblestones. ding stock still like a statue When they were gone and I plastered against the wall. The was left standing there, appa- game is Don’t Move a Hair. rently still alive, there was no I was wearing a ridiculous li-
nen jacket and had make-up on, because my father had apparently worn a suit out of respect for the Miuras. I felt absurdly overdressed but thought grimly, if you get gored by a bull, you might as well look your best. The street had cleared considerably and only the most experienced runners were left trying to entice the bull away from those of us stuck along the walls. People on the balconies screamed above us in unison each time the bull charged someone. Reality shifted to a dreamlike quality. After a surreal amount of time, I managed to sprint up the street in bursts when the bull was not looking my way, finally sliding through sawdust and grime under a barrier to safety. The adrenaline rush from that left me shaking on and off for hours, even after a couple of glasses of brandy. My father was gored in 1977, incidentally by a Miura, not long before I was born. I watched a video of him speaking about it from the hospital, possibly on some very good drugs. There was no pain, he said, just that feeling of blood flowing out of his leg, of life flowing. It reminded him of being wounded on Iwo Jima. He told the interviewer that he simply went deep into himself and remained calm - it was unfolding as it should unfold.
I grew up with a graphic photo of the goring on my living room wall, my dad swinging by his leg on the bull horn, which gives a kid some life perspectives I guess. He loved that photo. In a world so driven by the fear of death and an obsession with safety, some people still seek the feeling of confronting it. It’s a ritual played out in many different ways across human cultures. This ritual happens to be one of the most exciting and dangerous still left on the planet. A lot of the foreigners are vete-
rans who have seen battle and many say the bull run is therapeutic for them. “I can finally feel something again,” one told me having seen unspeakable things as a medic in Afghanistan. As the clock nears 8am, we move somewhere to sing our prayers to the saint San Fermin. I can usually barely stand. I am so nervous - no matter how many times – and we sing: A San Fermin pedimos… We sing once in Spanish, then in Basque three times over, asking that San Fermin protects us in the bull run.
INTENSITY: Bulls leap over men at the entrance to the ring
We are ritualistic beings and the communion of being there in this electric atmosphere where fear and adrenaline and joy are all mixed into one overwhelming yet strangely beautiful emotion, is a rare experience and one I will always love. The final song is sung one minute before the rocket goes. We yell VIVA! GORA! and move to our spots. My hair is usually standing on end. BAM, BAM the rockets go, the pen is opened, and your destiny barrels down on you.
Simply the best
14
PROTEC GROUP: 25 years of the best service means a reputation second to none
P
ROTEC GROUP is celebrating its 25th anniversary and so has vast experience in ensuring customers get complete satisfaction in their building projects. Founded on July 1, 1996, the company excels in all aspects of property, from design and reformations, new constructions, the manufacture and installation of high-quality windows and doors and even property sales and maintenance. In fact, the group is a family of four divisions, each specialising in independent areas but with the common goal of providing a fantastic quality of life for its clients. They can speak to you in Spanish, English, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Arabic and Russian, so you can rest assured their professional staff will understand your exact requirements and liaise with the different divisions to ensure you get exactly what you require. Thanks to the complete solution Protec offers you, they will save you time and money. They cover all of the Malaga province coast, and inland too from Coin to Malaga, Torremolinos, Marbella - indeed as far along as Sotogrande. To give you an understanding of what we can achieve here is a run down of our four divisions:
ced team for assembly and maintenance. They are partner and official manufacturer of Kömmerling and Schüco. - both companies are renowned for their stylish and robust products - and being German the quality is guaranteed to be the very best. Protec Construcciones are specialists in new construction, integral refurbishment, extensions and home maintenance. Always offering its clients an excellent advisory service for each stage of the project. They are able to take full charge of all project management on the Costa del Sol. Velisa Negocios is its own real estate agency. It buys and sell properties and homes with a focus on quality at a fair price. This division also takes care of the maintenance of second homes – a very valued service for people unable to visit as often as they would like.
BUSINESS
AMAZON and Apple are being investigated over possible restrictive sales practices in Spain. The country's competition regulator, the CNMC, is looking into whether on-line retailer Amazon struck a deal to place restrictions on the sale of Apple products by third parties. It’s the second probe launched by the CNMC in a year into arrangements involving the two companies. In a statement, the CNMC said that
Collusion probe
it received information ‘from which it can rationally deduce that Amazon and Apple’ infringed Spanish and EU competition laws by ‘striking an agreement’. The CNMC inquiries could take up to 18 months. They believe that the deal between the firms may have included possible restrictions on the Amazon website on the retailing of Apple products by third parties. Another alleged transgression concerns the advertising of Apple’s competitors and ad campaigns targeting Apple customers, as well as other trade restrictions.
Scam alert
BIZUM fraud is on the rise due to the increased use of phone payments instead of cash. One of the main scams is to make an offer to buy an Protec Distribuciones sources and supplies item using the payment Protec Ventanas manufactures PVC and to the trade – and individuals - construction network, but instead of aluminum windows and doors as well as products of the highest quality. These come sending the money they With Protec Group yourequest are ina good hands special glass products such as glass curtains from Spain, Holland, Norway and internapayment. tionally meaning hard-to-find materials are and railings. The victim then receives network, in which Only the best materials are used for its pro- available through its salesExperts a Villas notification the building on thewith Costa duction and assembly, and the workshop is is made up of more than 850 specialised and, del Sol with 25agreed years ofamount experience supported by a highly skilled and experien- stores. through inattention, apExcellence guaranteed proves the payment thinkFor more information, please visit Grupo-protec.com, w w wemail . p r oon t e c g r o u p s p aing i n .they c o mwere actually receiving it. info@grupo-protec.com or telephone +34 952587573 and are located at The money is instantly Camino Pera de Agua, 81-104, Polígono Industrial Los Perales, Mijas paid into the scammer’s
We l co m e b a c k to th e Costa d e l S o l
Fraudsters target telephone payments system By Elena Gocmen Rueda
account, who then ignores messages from the victim. Fraudulent calls from so-called telephone companies have also been reported. They contact customers promising a discount which they associate with Bizum. They are led to believe that they will receive a PIN to confirm the offer but it is
Never standing still CONSTRUCTION
WINDOWS & DOORS
PRODUCT-DISTRIBUTION
APARI 2.0 launched to help you with HMRC tax declarations by Emilia Carvell
A
S Olive Press readers we know that you have become familiar with APARI and our mission to educate all taxpayers about Making Tax Digital, and making the transition to this new tax system, as seamless as possible. Which is why we are happy to announce that APARI 2.0 is now live! APARI has been a labour of love for our founders Sudesh & Anita Sud, and the whole team is really proud of what’s been achieved by the original APARI Product but staying ahead of an emerging market means we have to adapt and adjust with our users and their tax requirements. That is why we have taken our extensive
July 14th July 27th 2021
in fact an attempt to get your account details.
Complaint
Victims of such scams should contact their bank immediately. Subsequently, a complaint has to be filed with the nearest national police headquarters. Since June 15 the maximum number of monthly transfers that can be received by an individual user has been reduced from 150 to 60 in an effort to reduce the scope of such fraud. Business users still have access to unlimited transactions.
Delivering the goods
MTD expertise and knowledge alongside feedback from existing users, and developed a software that will not only help navigate the new taxation rules, but will also help users keep a track of all of their business income and expenditure. As showcased during our March Webinar, the upcoming upgrade of the software includes enhanced features designed to make your transition to Making Tax Digital (MTD) as smooth as possible. APARI has been created with you in mind it is not only a tool to calculate and submit tax, but also to manage your property and business portfolio. Our brand new mobile application will enable you to keep up to date on the go, and amazing features such as snap and save receipts along with bank feed connection, will make digital record-keeping near effortless. Some things will stay the same - APARI is
still HMRC recognised and will continue to educate our users about all things tax. For more information on MTD, visit the HMRC website. So, how do you know that APARI is the right product for you? Well, to be honest, that's something only you can decide but the joy of APARI is that you can sign up and start your journey for free! And, even if you’re still unsure, it really is the best time to prepare and start digital record-keeping, ready for the official switch to MTD in 2023. For all the latest information and advice visit www.apari-digital.com
THE Alcampo supermarket chain has linked up with the British company Ocado to develop its online business. Alcampo has 310 stores in Spain as part of the French-owned Auchan Retail group that has outlets in 13 countries. With online shopping boosted due to the pandemic, Alcampo has now struck a deal with Ocado to get a share of the lucrative home-order market.
Locations
The two companies will initially build a customer centre for the Madrid region that will open in 2024. It will be the first of a series of automated warehouses in Spain, with further locations yet to be announced. An Ocado spokesman said that the partnership will ‘allow Alcampo to meet growing demand for competitively priced, high quality grocery e-commerce’.
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As seen on
16
PROPERTY
Lighting up Sevilla
AN old tobacco factory in Los Remedios (Sevilla) is to be converted into a large tourist complex surrounded by four hectares of green areas and public facilities. KKH Property Investors will spend €200 million on the scheme, which will generate 500 direct jobs. “Our intention is that a large part of the complex will be finished by 2024: in the first year the administrative procedures will be carried out and then the works will take two and a half to three years,” said the president of the company Josep Maria Farre. For the mayor of Sevilla, Juan Espadas, this operation has been closed after a ‘long negotiation’ that has finally found ‘a balance between the interests of the property, the investors and the city’.
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK €
D 0 CE ,00 U D 75 RE 3 M RO
Sales down FOREIGNERS buying homes in Spain in 2020 fell by 26.3% according to the International Real Estate Federation(FIABCI) and the country’s biggest real estate federation, API. The pandemic saw non-Spanish trades drop to 46,303 last year due to the pandemic, Despite the news, the two groups say that there is plenty of cause for optimism. Although transactions were hit by the pandemic, foreign sales figures were similar to those in 2014 and higher than those seen after the property bubble burst in 2008.
But figures show optimism for foreign buyers
Foreign buyers accounted for 11.32% of all house purchases, which was not greatly down on a peak percentage of 13.25% seen in 2016.
Pandemic
The FIABCI and API report says: “Despite the decline in 2020, taking into account the special circumstances of the pandemic, the statistics represent very significant figures for foreign demand.” Out of last year's total of 46,303 sales, well over 25%
of them came in the Valencian Community(13,493), followed by Andalucia on 9,443. Despite the pandemic and Brexit, British buyers led the list of foreign purchasers accounting for 13.05% of non-domestic home deals. French nationals were second on 8.16% and Germans not far behind on 7.75%. Foreign mortgage holders fell by 17.8% last year with German nationals having the highest average at €245,775 compared to the British on €190,644.
Looking ahead
The Property Insider
Stairway to heaven A TINY apartment in Madrid with a staircase on top of the kitchen countertop is being advertised for an eye-watering €750 a month. The flat in question is located in Madrid’s upmarket Salamanca district on Calle Ayala near Goya and has the stairs to the mezzanine sleeping quarters of this ‘cute’ (coqueto) apartment located directly on the sink countertop. One twitter user commented that they initially thought the ridiculous stairs were for cat use only. While another commented that, on the bright side, you would never go to your room with dirty feet, as you can simply give them a dip in the sink before proceeding upstairs. The apartment boasts what it calls an ‘adjoining patio’ although dingy damp corner might be a more apt description.
by Adam Neale
House prices increased nearly everywhere - except Spain
F
VL1083
July 14th - July 27th 2021
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Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga 3 bed, 1 bath Build: 206m2
Beautiful semi-detached villa sits in a quiet urbanisation offering the most amazing views of the countryside and surrounding mountains yet close to all amenities. The living area is on a higher level than the access street, offering a beautiful entrance and front patio.
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SPAIN was the only property market worldwide where housing prices contracted over the last 12 months, according to a comparative survey of 22 countries reported in the Financial Times. It compared year-on-year changes in residential real-estate prices around the world. The report, based on data from Oxford Economics and Haver Analytics, found that house prices are increasing almost everywhere, with one notable exception: Spain. Scandinavian markets, like Sweden and Denmark, recorded year-on-year growth of more than 15%, while Germany posted a price hike of 13% in the 12 months to May. The Netherlands, meanwhile, saw housing prices rise by 12.9% over the 12-month, the highest jump the country has seen since 2001. However, the total number of sales was lower in the last year than over the previous 12 months, pointing to a squeeze on supply as demand continues to grow. According to the European Central Bank (ECB), Germany, the Netherlands and France – where prices also rose by more than 5% for the year – together account for close to 75% of the eurozone’s total increase in housing prices over the last 12 months. In the last
quarter of 2020, the ECB reported a 5.8% jump compared to the same period in 2019, marking the fastest rate of growth since 2007, before the global financial crisis. While Spain as a whole has not seen such rises, greater demand on the coasts has seen prices rise during the past 12 months, according to a new study by Idealista. While coastal regions saw sale prices for residential property increase by just 0.5% overall, those areas most sought-after by foreign clients have seen bigger jumps. The Balearic Islands posted an annual increase of 4.4% year-on-year to April, while the Costa del Sol saw prices increase by 3.1% in the same period. The last 12 months have been, let’s say, interesting times for the Spanish real-estate market. In the middle of March 2020, business ground to a halt along with everything else in Spain when the government imposed the first series of restrictions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. By the summer, with international travel We welcomed more buyers from Sweden and Northern Europe than in previous years. We believe that limited supply is likely to push prices up in the rest of the year.
Terra Meridiana S.L. 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona (Málaga), Spain Tel: +34 951 318480 | Office Mob: +34 678 452109 adam@terrameridiana.com | www.terrameridiana.com Facebook | Twitter
STEPS: Strange lay-out
Thinking big IN a bid to take on big time developers, nine people have pooled their land to come up with a 96,520 m2 plot, which they have put on sale for almost €8 million. The area, called Los Berrocales, is located in the southeast of Madrid and is part of what has been dubbed the capital's largest pocket of land available to build affordable housing. The aim is to sell all the land in a single transaction, saving expense and hopefully fetching a higher price.
Does your property lack First Occupation License/Licence of First Occupancy? Did you know architects can now issue these licences? Having a First Occupation Licence/Licence of First Occupancy Will enable you to comply with current laws if you wish to rent your property short-term OR will improve your chances to close a sale if you wish to sell your property.
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17
Spoilt for choice
60 gins and something for everyone on the menu at El Muro, writes Dilip Kuner
Sandy heaven T SPAIN has many spectacular beaches to choose from, but now one has been selected as the country’s best. According to the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice, the best beach in Spain 2021 is Valdevaqueros (Cadiz). It is one of the last unspoiled spots on the Cadiz coast, with river valleys that still flow into the beach and the spectacular coastal mountain range providing a spectacular backdrop.
‘Best beach is Spain’ is threatened by developers The four km of fine sand dunes are set in the most striking landscape and are a Mecca for surf, windsurf and kitesurf lovers. The heavily protected beach has a high ecological value and is home to endangered horseshoe bats and lesser mouse-eared bats, amongst other wildlife. Listed by UNESCO as a Bio-
Sigh of relief BRITS wanting to travel to Spain can breathe a sigh of relief as the Spanish Government has authorised the Indian made AstraZeneca vaccine called Covishield for travel It is currently not accepted by the EU, however the Spanish Government has decided to follow WHO guidelines This is good news for the estimated 5 million Brits who have been given Covishield. Fifteen european countries, including Spain, have independently authorised the use of the vaccine for travel, following WHO guidelines. The others are Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
sphere Reserve, the land joins together two natural parks: El Estrecho and Los Alcornocales. But there are worries that this slice of heaven could be endangered by planning proposals. The Olive Press has previously reported that the wildlife haven is under threat from property developers plotting to build 60 houses and a 240-room hotel along its pristine shore. Due to be finished in Spring 2025, the project has sparked outrage. Demonstrations attended by 20,000 protestors prompted legislative change that completely forbade the building of ‘homes or any other type of constructions, buildings or facilities,’ apart from those relating to conservation or education. Despite this, the developers re-submitted their proposal, scaled down from the original plans for a 1,400-room hotel and 350 homes.
AKE a stroll through the pretty heart of old Benalmadena Pueblo and right next to the church you will find El Muro restaurant. While it may look like a modest venue from the street – with some lovely tables in front where you can soak up the ‘olde world’ atmosphere of the pueblo – it opens up into a beautiful, spacious, wooden paneled bar area. Here a display of no less than 60 gins takes pride of place. And if your preference runs to beer, there is a vast selection including some from a local craft brewery, as well as a connoisseur’s collection of wines. Owners Bob and Linda, who took over the former Flamenco show bar in 2013, certainly like to give their customers plenty to choose from! But tempting as it was to sample the alcoholic delights – I was here for the food. So we headed through the large dining room to the expansive rear terrace, which boasts unbeatable views down to the coast, and on a clear day all the way to the Sierra Nevada. And on the menu there is something for everyone, in-
cluding a good selection of dishes for vegetarians. The menu is heavy on Spanish dishes with an international twist – including a small menu of pasta and a selection of curries and Thai specialities. I decided to sample the confit of duck and foie gras. It was beautifully presented, with the duck formed into ‘rillettes’ around a core of foie gras. It tasted as good as it looked. My wife Sandras’s caramelised onion and goats cheese tart more than met with her approval, with the sweetness of the onions complementing the more pungent cheese. The belly of pork main was slowcooked to perfection with crispy crackling, while Sandra’s seafood cazuela had chunky fish,
prawns, squid and mussels – easy to overcook but here perfection to a tee. The portions were substantial (to say the least!) but we found enough room to share a tiramisu – the perfect way to round off a highly enjoyable meal.
On the palAte - Restaurant review
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Best f t forward July 14th - July 27th 2021
countr y PAIN is a landed of vari ch culri , es ap sc fascinating ture, and l of which al history, make for combine toing places, some thrill better way and what ing them on than explor o feet. your own tw
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Looking for an adventure? Here are the 8 most epic walks to take in Spain, writes Shannon Chaffers
Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is probably the most famous trail in Spain, and its history is a significant reason why. For thousands of years, Christian pilgrims followed the trails on their journeys through Spain. Wherever you are in the country, you’ll likely find yourself on one of the well-trodden routes that lead to Santiago but the most popular route begins at the French border and crosses the breadth of northern Spain. It begins in the Pyrenean town of St Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and ends at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela some 500 miles away in the northwestern region of Galicia. The trails are well-marked and make for a relatively straightforward hike. Given its popularity, you’re also likely to run into other travelers, making it a fun
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La Ruta de las Caras
Picos de 3 Europa
social activity. If you’re looking to avoid the most crowded season while still enjoying good weather, April, May, June, and September are the months to go.
F
or a cultural experience with less of the fanfare that comes with the Camino de Santiago, Montserrat offers another pilgrimage walk steeped in religious history. Located near Barcelona, the site is home to a monastery, a Black Madonna statue, and a place where the Virgin Mary is
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For those hoping for a more nature-filled hike, the Picos de Europa trail might be for you. Located in Spain’s oldest national park about 2.5 hours west of Bilbao in northern Spain, the routes (which range in difficulty said to have been sighted. One trail allows you to walk from the base of the mountain to the monastery. Another option is to get a head start with cable cars, which bring you up to routes that lead to the summit. Still other trails will afford you views of the Pyrenees mountains and the Llobregat valley.
level) are home to varied wildlife and beautiful views. The most popular of these is the Ruta del Cares, which totals 12 km in length. Carved into the side of the surrounding landscape as it cuts through streams and rocks alike, the trail offers a thrilling journey from Asturias to Leon as the Cares River rushes below.
2 Montserrat
El Cañon de 5 Rio Lobos Rios Lobos Canyon National Park, located in the province of Soria in central Spain, is another amazing spot for nature-lovers. The park is home to a lot of wildlife, including butterflies, falcons, vultures, and otters. In addition, the site also has amazing geographical features, including caves, ponds, and valleys. Once home to cavemen in prehistoric times, you can now hike along the 25 km route with little difficulty. Other features include the Hermitage of San Bartolome and the Castle of Ucero, both built in the 12th century.
6 Merida
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7 Pico Sobarcal
T La Ruta de las Caras in Buendia in the Cuenca province also offers an opportunity for swimming. But as the name suggests, the route is most intriguing because it has 18 faces carved into rocks along
the way. Forming a sort of natural museum, the sculptures were created by various artists, starting in 1992.. It certainly offers a unique experience for hikers with an interest in art.
he Pico Sobarcal Trail in northeastern Spain will be most attractive to experienced hikers looking for a challenge. Located in the Pyrenees mountains, which make up the border between France and Spain, the most advanced hikers can reach the summit of Pico Sobarcal in seven hours. For those less advanced, hiking partway up the trail will still afford you great views of the surrounding mountains and the vistas below. You might even come across a few breathtaking waterfalls on your way.
W
alking around Merida, the capital of Extremadura in the southwest of Spain, will not be a typical uninterrupted hike along a designated path, but that makes it no less epic. That is because the town was once called Emerita Augusta, an important city in ancient Rome, and is home to the most impressive ancient Roman ruins in Spain. Many of the ruins are within walking distance of each other, so you can see the remains of aqueducts (with 27m high arches), an amphitheatre, and the Roman circus where chariot races and even gladiator fights were held, among other cool buildings and structures. You can even contextualize the experience with a visit to the National Museum of Roman Art. It usually takes about two days to see all the sights.
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M
ore history abounds along the “Path of the Good Men.” This route is the same one taken by the Cathars who fled during the Spanish Inquisition during the 13th century. The trail extends from southern France through Catalunya in northeastern Spain, and takes five days to hike. For a more low-key experience, day treks are also possible. A trek from Gosol to Baga offers a good range of experiences as you’ll travel through forests, meadows, and small towns. You might even encounter some ancient ruins along the way!
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Pigments of the
T
HE first human inhabitants of Spain were hunter gatherers who lived in the mouths of caves scattered around the country. One remnant of the era, which has led to some of the most significant discoveries about early human life, is cave art. Forget the stalagmites, stalactites and underground lakes, in caves around Spain, pot holers, explorers and residents alike have discovered paintings of animals, ships, and more abstract figures dating back to the Neolithic and, in some cases, the Paleolithic time periods. While some of the most famous examples, like those in the Cave of Altamira, are closed to the public, southern Spain is home to its fair share of cave art available to the public. Many have been designated UNESCO heritage sites. Starting in the southeast corner of the country between Almeria and Murcia, look out for Cueva del Gabar and Cueva de los Letreros, both of which are located near Velez Blanco. For those looking for an adventure, viewing the paintings in Cueva del Gabar requires a rope and ladder to scale a sheer rock face with the help of a guide. For a more low key
Looking for somewhere to cool off this summer? Visiting southern Spain’s amazing caves tell the story of early human culture, with Shannon Chaffers
SPOTTED: Cave art dating back to the Neolithic era and right the Altamira cave experience, you can reach Cueva de los Letreros via a kilometre walk from your car, where you’ll find renderings of humans, birds, animals that date back to around 4000 BC. Shifting westward to Rincon
de la Victoria is Cueva del Tesoro. Earning its name from a legend that it contains hidden treasure, the cave has been the site of a centuries-long, as yet unsuccessful treasure hunt. You can also visit a
room where Roman aristocrat Marcus Cerassus allegedly hid for eight months after fleeing from Rome. Nearby is one of Spain’s most famous, la Cueva de Nerja, which boasts the world’s larg-
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
July 14th - July 27th 2021
imagination
HORSES: See more than 100 paintings in the stunning Altamira cave
guided tour. Cadiz province is also home to considerable cave art. For example, Cueva del Bacinete, in the Alcornocales Natural Park, near Los Barrios, has cave paintings that range from 3,000 to 6,000 years old. Next, Cueva del Muro, located in the Estrecho Natural Park, near Gibraltar, includes cave paintings of horses that are more than 20,000 years old. Finally, Cueva de Laja Alta in Jimena de la Frontera, boasts unique cave paintings, including those of ships that passed through the area during the first centuries of the first millennium BC. You can also catch a view of the Rock of Gibraltar from the cave. Visiting any one of these caves will afford you a new perspective not just on the wonder of nature, but also that of human history.
LEARN: Remains and art have led to significant findings about early man
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Knoll, 8 Photos, 9 Anchored, 10 Time!, 11 Gears, 12 Freight, 15 Spooner, 16 Gully, 18 Flag, 20 Openings, 21 Screes, 22 Donna. Down: 1 Skin-deep, 2 Mother tongues, 3 Spidery, 4 Contributions, 5 Boom, 7 Lark, 13 Hologram, 14 Remorse, 17 Bend, 19 Lack.
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est stalagmite; a 32 metre lar spot. A guided tour through high column verified by the the cave will allow you to Guinness book of world re- observe over 100 paintings cords. from the Neolithic time periIt is a marvellous glistening od. While there, you can also underworld of stalactites and spend time in the cave’s vast stalagmites, sprouting and chambers which boast fascidripping into weird and won- nating rock formations. derful formations, with each In Zuheros, near Cordoba, flight of stone steps the ee- the Cueva de los Murcielagos rie caverns get (bats) is a cave more impressystem known sive. for its distincIt is a Heading inland tive cave paintto Ardales is the ings, as well as marvellous Cueva de Doña its archaeologiTrinidad, which cal record of huglistening is a kilometre man settlement underworld of in the Neolithic and a half in length, complete period. The restalactites with tunnels and mains in the lakes. A guided cave have led tour will take to significant you to paintings from about findings about these settlers. 20,000 years ago, including And, as the name suggests, those of deer, goats, and fish. the cave hosts one of the Near Ronda, the Cueva de la most important bat colonies Pileta, in Benaojan is a popu- in Spain. You can visit via a
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EL Gordo Christmas lottery tickets are now on sale throughout Spain, with a whopping €2.4 billion up for grabs in the draw on December 22.
High steaks HEALTH minister Alberto Garzon receives a mixed response after launching a campaign to encourage Spaniards to eat less meat, following research that Spain consumes more than any other EU country.
Oh, pants! ALMORADI City Council has put out a warning to residents that having visible washing lines or satellite dishes on terraces and balconies may incur fines.
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NOMOPHOBIA A SPANISH study has discovered that a large proportion of young people experience moderate levels of nomophobia: the fear/anxiety of not having access to a mobile phone. The University of Granada study showed that nomophobia comes from a fear of not being able to reply to messages, a lack of phone or data coverage and an inability to interact with social media.
Deduced
The investigators deduced that nomophobia is related to ‘fomo’ (fear of missing out) and to dependence on mobile phones for carrying out everyday activities. They also found out that, through the study of the 880 nursing students, experiencing nomophobia can lead to problems in peoples’ daily lives. For instance, the anxiety it causes can cause issues in work/study productivity and quality of life (in terms of rest, social relations and eating habits).
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Your expat
voice in Spain July 14th - July 27th 2021
Got it licked
Battle for the statue
A COURT has delayed the removal of a monument celebrating a fascist victory during the Spanish Civil War. The Monument to the Battle of Ebro celebrates a decisive defeat of the Republican army in 1938 by Nationalist forces led by Franco. The 45-metre high memorial, which was inaugurated by dictator Franco in 1966, is the latest symbol in an ongoing battle between Spain’s left-wing government which seeks to remove all remnants of the late dictator and those who oppose it. Campaigners in Tortosa, a town of 33,000 inhabitants, launched a legal battle to oppose attempts by the pro-independence Catalan regional authorities to remove the statue. The Friends of the Monument in Tortosa argue that author-
Court halts efforts to remove Franco monument after campaign by locals By Graham Keeley
ities should respect the result of a 2016 referendum in which 68% of local people voted to save the statue. “They are overriding the interests of local people to suit the political interests of Barcelona. We are not in favour of Franco or against,” lawyer Alejandro Hernandez told Olive Press. Hernandez said the monument bears no trace of the Franco regime. Lourdes Ciuro, the Catalan justice minister, said she was confident the memorial would be removed later this month. “It is a fascist monument which honours one side who won the
war,” she added. Spain’s left-wing government ordered Franco’s remains to be removed from the Valley of the Fallen, a huge mausoleum outside Madrid, in 2019.
ANIMALS at a Spanish nature park have been keeping cool in the recent hot weather thanks to some specially-made ice lollies. Mundomar staff came up with a lolly range to cater for the different diets needed at the Benidorm park. For example, the lemurs got an ice and vegetable mixture while it was a fish-themed lolly for the otters and meat combined with ice for the meerkats. Staff and visitors were able to enjoy watching the animals using different techniques to eat the lollies. These ranged from biting them and throwing them on the ground through to old-fashioned licking! Experts said that one bonus was that they had their senses invigorated by the icy treats because they were something that the animals were not used to.