Olive Press Spain - Issue 390 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 15 Issue 390

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Once best known itself as one of the for its sweet wine, today Manilva fastest growing tourist is establishing towns on the Costa del Sol

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www.theolivepress.es March 23rd - April 5th 2022

UNLIKE any other del Sol, Puerto de port on the Costa with life. out to sea. From la Duquesa faces For most of its history Manilva edges you can each of the three been dependent has gaze out into the Mediterranean. culture, especiallyon fishing and agriits vineyards and Duquesa is, without a doubt, the thriv- celebrated sweet wines. ing coastal jewel But over the last couple of decades benefiting from in the Manilva crown, little township tourism and buzzing has welcomed an this of tourists and development, influx while still

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maintaining a peaceful air. Manilva officially percentage of Brits has the highest Spain and just as on the padron in 4,000 of them in well, as there are the 12,000-strong municipality.

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Chateau Putin EXCLUSIVE: Despite Spain declaring there are no oligarchs owning here - the Olive Press can reveal at least one - ‘a genuine fortress with at least 10 security guards’ with intriguingly close links to the Russian dictator By Jon Clarke & Jorge Hinojosa

PICTURE BY: Olive Press Spain

ious Olive Press sources say they are certain that Putin is the main investor. “He has definitely visited a number of times, when security is incredibly high,” revealed one. “Zagaleta already has among the best security in Europe, but when Putin is visiting, there is a whole extra level and you can’t get near the house.” More alarmingly, a high-ranking Ukranian resident in Spain, knows a number of people currently working in the property and claims it has armed guards.

Guns

“They carry guns and I also know that a number of drones have been shot down from the sky by them,” she explained. She continued: “When you arrive it is like an airport. You are carefully searched and you have a sticker put on your phone so you can’t take pictures. The guards will also know if it has been removed or altered in any way. Everybody is watched all the time. “There is a room somewhere in the basement with loads of screens being watched 24 hours a day.” Insisting she must remain anonymous for fear of attack by the

PALATIAL: And facing Gibraltar with armed guards and underground bunkers, and panic room Russian secret service, she added: “It’s definitely Putin’s house and I know all about its size and luxuries, the place is literally dripping with gold. “I know many people who work or have worked there from different nationalities and they are all far too scared to talk because of the Russian intelligence connections there. “Even if they spoke to you the media cannot give them protection and they are really worried for their safety.” She added that their salaries are ‘around 5,000 to 6,000 euros a month’ but are also worried about their jobs at present, because ‘some haven’t been paid for a month’. And she added: “It is certainly not the only house that Putin has in Spain and

he owns others with partners, with at least one in the Alicante province.” The Ukranian woman, who is now in close touch with the Spanish authorities, added the government should be investigating this and ‘it should be sanctioned at a European level as soon as possible’. The Olive Press has been reporting on the property in question since 2012, when we revealed exclusively that Putin was part of a six-man Russian consortium behind the mansion. The very epitome of extravagance, the

villa cost €19 million and sits on an 18,000 m2 plot, with two swimming pools, a cinema and a gym, as well as a 22-car garage. We were told by one of the constructors and a worker at the estate in 2015 that Putin had twice been to oversee the project and that he was installing much of his own wine collection in a Continues on Page 2

IT is known as the Rock of the King (or Roca del Rey), a giant 2000m square palace with a private vineyard, helicopter pad and a dozen bedrooms in the hills above Marbella. One of southern Spain’s most expensive mansions, it also boasts a vineyard, bowling alley, mini golf course and, perhaps predictably, a ‘shooting range’. But it is what is under the ground that should be of considerably more concern to the authorities. The Olive Press can reveal that the Russian-owned mega-mansion near Marbella has no less than three basements and numerous tunnels dug into the hills overlooking the strategic Straits of Gibraltar. As well as a giant wine cellar with its own separate champagne room filled with vintage bottles - a classic hallmark of President Putin - it also counts a ‘high-tech panic room’ and a ‘control room, full of screens and buttons’. There are two guard stations ‘with at least 10 guards’, a satellite facility and ‘an underground monitoring device pointing towards the straits’, one source told the Olive Press. While officially it is impossible to know who really owns the property in Spain’s most expensive private enclave, La Zagaleta, in Benahavis, var-

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Armed guards at hilltop fortress cellar. Even more incredibly he was planting a vineyard, comprising 25 plants from Spain’s top bodega Pingus. A known Hispanophile, Putin regularly visited Spain 37 times in the 1990s alone, according to a book, using false documents. In another 2014 book, called Putin’s Kleptocracy, by Karen Dawisha, revealed the dictator visited Spain ‘on forged documents during the period 1996-2000 in connection with business meetings between himself, Boris Berezovsky, and Russian crime figures.’ "These kinds of reports led Spanish police to become suspicious of Russian activity in Spain, and in the 1990s they began monitoring the Russian oligarch Berezovsky, as well

as several well-known leaders of Russian organized crime, all of whom had houses on the southern coast of Spain. “In 1999, to their immense surprise, their recorders picked up an unexpected visitor: Putin. He had arrived in Spain illegally, by boat from Gibraltar, having eluded Spanish passport control."

Crime

And he clearly had more interest in Spain than just sunbathing. According to the Times, in 2015, he had been looking to buy property here since 2000. The newspaper revealed that the head of one of Russia’s biggest crime gangs, Gennady Petrov, had handwritten notes that indicated that he was in-

AERIAL VIEW: Claims online of security and guard details

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MISSING: Amy and Agnese MISSING Amy Fitzpatrick’s family have joined the paign to find a second cammissing Costa girl, Agnese Klavina. Amy’s aunt Christine ny offered her supportKento Agnese’s family to Amy’s disappearance mark on New Year’s Day 2007. Meanwhile Agnese, 30, has not been seen since leaving a Marbella nightclub last September.Kenny said: “Agnese went missing not too far EXCLUSIVE from where Amy did. By Tom Powell “We are trying to help each GRAPE ESCAPE: Putin HE is one of the richest, other. is to most controversial men grow his own wine “There are said to be in the in this other women who have eight world and – it seems – someincredible Benahavis mansion missing on the Costa gone what the wine buff. del Sol Russian president since 2005 and too little Vladimir is be- Putin is planting ing done to help find them.” his very own vineyard at the multimillion More than 80 expats, ing Amy’s mother includ- euro home he is developing Audrey in the hills above Fitzpatrick and partner Dave can be revealed. Marbella, it Mahon - who is currently on Olive Press sources insist bail for murdering that Amy’s the Russian gourmet, brother Dean - also attended dug 25 plants from 62, has a service in Fuengirola. Spain’s top bodega On Monday, the body Pingus into a seof a ries of terraces young woman was rumoured around mansion, in Benahavis. the to have been found by police In a huge mega-deal in Istan lake. he has also contracted the vineyard’s However, Guardia Civil the Olive Press yesterday told owner Danish oenologist Pethat ter Sisseck to oversee no such find has been producmade. tion of the wine. lars at the 10-bedroom The wine will be produced Turn to Page 2 palace no expense is being spared,” In October two huge underground in in the exclusive enclave of Za- said the 2012, the Olive Spain source. cel- galeta - complete with on many occasions, Press private A spokesman helipad and 22-car garage. for the small KGB was able to link the Ex- with a recent book claiming boss Putin to a consorfive hectare Pingus A series of French oak he came in ‘illegally’ 37 barrels in Burgos - whose holding tium of six wealthy businesstimes will store the wine. wines Spain’s most expensive are men behind the €19 million on false documents in the The climatised cellars 1990s alone. at Zagaleta project. estimated €1 million tocost an €1,000 a bottle - was unable The epitome of extravagance, He has also been linked to a install to confirm the purchase. and also include a separate Spanish construction his 18,000m² plot boasts “I am not able to give comchampagne room with its pany. out any own spa and gym, a cinema, It very own fingerprint code its information about grapevines is also clear that piano en- being sold, only try system. about the pools. bar, and two swimming preciates his wine,Putin apbottles as his we sell and distrib“It is an amazing project South of France mansion Putin has long been and ute,” she said. was Hispanophile having a big revealed to have expansive visited wine cellars too, back in 2001.

Chateau Putin Three wine cellars and Spain’s most-exclusive a crop of Pingus vines for Russian president luxury Marbella hideaway ’s

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volved in the purchase of property in Malaga on behalf of Mr Putin in 2001. The current mansion in question - one of the most expensive on the market at the time - occupies one of the most secure hilltops on the Costa del Sol. One of the architects who designed Roca del Rey, Juan Carlos Oubina, at Celtic Sun studio, told the Olive Press this week that it was first designed in 2009. “I was initially in charge of the design, which was then taken over by Tobal Architectos,” the Marbella-based architect told the Olive Press. “It was a real surprise when the investment group that was in charge of the house went on to sell it to the Russians,” he added. We can reveal that it had first been the home of British computer mogul Alan Sharam, who sold it to the Bolt Investment Group, owned by British developer Hadleigh Bolt. This Marbella-based developer

FLASHBACK: To our 2012 and 2015 reports is said to have had close links to the former mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, who died three years ago, owning, according to sources, at least one other house in Zagaleta. It is believed that Yuri first showed Putin around the villa, before it was sold by a consortium of buyers for a reported €40 million. In the official Spanish property register, the person who owns the house has the initials ‘V. P’ which coincides with Vladimir Putin's initials. That could also, of course, be Vladamir Potanin, another extremely wealthy oligarch, who is extremely close to Putin and, indeed, plays ice hockey with him. But sources close to the home insist it is the house of the Russian dictator. “It is definitely his home,” a friend of one of the staff told the Olive Press this week. “He has been there at least two times recently and his ex-wife and daughters used to live there when the weather was

bad in Russia,” he said. “His mistress, Alina Kabaeva, a gymnast, was also living there for quite a long time.” “He doesn’t arrive at Malaga airport, he travels to Alicante in a private plane and then he comes to Zagaleta by helicopter. He continued: “Putin used to hire nannies from an external company when kids came to the house. They were forced to sign a confidential agreement, but the tips of around 5001000 euros more than made up for it.

Nannies

“They always wanted nannies with a degree and women older than 45 years old to avoid any of the male guests or staff being sexually attracted to them.” Officially Spain says there are 895 Russian oligarchs on an EU list of those needed to be sanctioned. But they claim none of them are based in Spain. This week, Zagaleta’s director

PALS: Putin and Potanin, and giant mansion of communications, Sergio Azcona confirmed to the Olive Press that 13% of the owners of Zagaleta are Russian but he refused to give any specific information. Meanwhile, Benahavis town hall, also refused to give out any further information citing ‘data protection’ issues. However, one local policeman from Benahavis, did tell the Olive Press: “We suspect that at least one Russian oligarch is living there.” Spain’s government refused to comment but cryptically told the Olive Press last night: “We do not give any information on our specific investigations.” See Ukraine special, pages 4 & 5 Opinion Page 6

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March 23rd - April 5th 2022

QUADRUPLE JOY IT was a big day for the rarest wildcat in the world. No less than four Iberian lynx cubs were born in Doñana National Park on the same day. Juromenha gave birth to two kittens, while Madrona popped out two more just a few hours later. The species was once on the verge of extinction with just 94 of them living in two isolated pockets of Andalucia in 2002. This figure is now up to more than 1,100 following an ongoing captive breeding programme.

Las Palmas love in

Costa lifeline BRITISH pop star Tom Parker has sought out ‘revolutionary treatment’ in Spain as he continues to battle an incurable brain tumour. The Wanted singer, 33, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, spent three weeks at a private hospital on the Costa del Sol. The married dad-of-two flew to Spain after slamming the UK for the lack of treatment

UK star zooms into Spain to fight ‘incurable’ tumour battle By Dilip Kuner

and funding for cancer patients. Therapies he’s getting in Malaga include an oxygen machine, massages and a special diet. Costing €9,000 for two

weeks, his wife Kelsey has been giving regular updates on Instagram. The star had first revealed his inoperable brain tumour in October 2020 when he was told he only had 12 to 18 months to live. However after six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radio-

Virus appeal Gathering moss THE Rolling Stones have confirmed their first stop on their upcoming European tour will be Madrid. The rock legends will play the June 1 concert in Spain’s capital to kick off their summer tour of 14 gigs across 10 countries.

Sixty

The announcement of the ‘Sixty’ tour to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Rolling Stones was made with a post on the band’s official twitter account. The Rolling Stones last played in Madrid in 2014.

THE family of John McAfee have cast doubt on his official cause of death. The body of the disgraced anti-computer virus developer remains in a morgue in Barcelona, seven months after he was found dead in a prison cell. An investigation by Barcelona court confirmed the 75-year-old playboy mogul (above) - who was renowned for his hedonistic lifestyle - killed himself in the city while awaiting extradition to the US on charges of tax fraud. However, he was mired by allegations of criminality, not least regarding speculation he was involved in the murder of his neighbour while living in Belize. McAfee fled the country, moving to Spain and spent most of the lockdown in Catalunya, until the US government asked to arrest him on tax charges. Family lawyers have now appealed a Spanish judge’s decision to close the investigation into his death. McAfee alleged he was being pursued by the US government for exposing corruption.

BATTLE: Tom and Kelsey therapy sessions, coupled with the treatment in Spain, his outlook is looking considerably more positive. It comes after the pop star surprised fans when he returned to the stage to join his band mates on tour this month.

Throne

After missing shows in Glasgow and Newcastle, fans were delighted to see Tom return from Spain and take to the stage, singing while sitting on a gold throne at a Bournemouth show. Tom also joined the band on the Cardiff leg of the tour and shared a series of snaps on Instagram of him embracing bandmate Max George.

IT is the great comeback relationship. Now Jenifer Lopez has been caught canoodling with her former lover Ben Affleck in Las Palmas. The A-List superstars first dated 20 years ago before going their separate ways and then reuniting last year. Things seem to be going well as they put on an affectionate display in Gran Canaria.

They have been in Spain as Jenifer stars in the Niki Caro directed flick The Mother. This comes just days after JLo released a new music video for the ballad version of her track Marry Me with Maluma, featuring an unexpected cameo from Ben.

PRIME Minister Pedro Sanchez will feature in a documentary series looking at the day-to-day runnings of his office. Titled La Moncloa, creators insist the documentary will show two facets, ‘the institutional side and the human side’. Shooting for the fly-on-the-wall show is currently ongoing with the final cut expected to be made into a fourpart series later this year It will focus on the personal and everyday aspects of those working in government, rather than policy making or political ideology.

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NEWS IN BRIEF New beginnings Marilo Carrillo, a Spanish teacher with 40 years of experience from Estepona is offering free lessons to new arrivals from Ukraine at her language academy on the Costa de Sol, with classes of up to 15 people at a time.

Big Roubles RUSSIAN buyers bought around 1,280 properties in Spain last year, according to the College of Registrars. Their purchases accounted for around 2% of the total foreign investment in Spain in 2021.

Fisherman’s friend FISHERMEN who netted a 12,000 yearold woolly mammoth tooth from the ocean floor as they dredged for crustaceans are to auction it and donate the proceeds to the humanitarian effort in Ukraine.

UKRAINE CRISIS

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

SLIDING IN

Mercy for children

THEY must be among the luckiest refugees in Europe. Some 45 Ukrainian children have been given temporary homes in the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The kids, plus seven coaches from the Ukrainian Winter Sports Federation, arrived after a long four-day journey, via Hungary. The two buses that brought them were financed by the parents of various local skiing clubs. Among the athletes, aged between 12 and 16, was a group of gifted young footballers who are being looked after by Huesca, Valencia and Levante football clubs.

OVER 30 Ukrainian children with cancer are coming to Spain to continue treatment following shelling of hospitals by invading Russian forces. The children have been arriving with their families at Torrejon air base in Madrid. Exact details of the children and where they are going is being kept secret to protect their safety and privacy. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described Russia’s targeting of hospitals in Ukraine as a ‘clear violation of human rights’.

Hair-raising for Hellraizer A GROUP of expats who drove from Benidorm to Romania to deliver aid ended up in Ukraine with an armed escort as air raid sirens went off. The 15-strong band from Projects 4 All had loaded up three vans with desperately needed food which they planned to hand over at the Ukraine border. But they found themselves unexpectedly whisked in a high-speed convoy across the border and into the wartorn country.

The Expat rock band crossed the Ukraine border with armed escort EXCLUSIVE By Jorge Hinojosa

Spokesman Johnny Hellraizer - a well known British rock musician on the Costa Blanca - explained how he and his pals found themselves in a warzone. “We had arranged to meet up with a local contact at one of the crossings into Ukraine to hand over the goods,” the former trade union boss told the Olive Press. “Unfortunately he had gone to a different checkpoint and we were left standing around with three vans of food and without a clue what to do.” The musician, from London, added: “So we spoke to a

Ukrainian soldier who asked if we were prepared to go into Ukraine if we were given an armed escort. “What do you do? We had driven 3,500 kilometres and weren’t about to turn back!” So the volunteers jumped in their vans and drove at high speed and under armed escort 200km inside Ukraine.

Air raid

The father-of-four, who has lived on the Costa Blanca for 15 years, added: “It was nerve racking. The convoy seemed to go at about 200kph. “We did not hear any bombs, but we heard an air raid close to us, so we were taken somewhere safe. “We spent three hours inside a shelter with Ukrainian soldiers” When the air raid was over they handed over all the aid before making the long trip ROCKING: But on serious business home.

AN EYE FOR KYIV A BRITISH expat has come up with a series of prints to support Ukraine. Annie Rose, based in Marbella, came up with the colourful collection to raise money and awareness for the cause. The 21-year-old, who has lived in Spain for over a decade, is offering the prints for as little as €3. They range from the powerful message ‘No More War’ to the classic blue-yellow heart which is the most popular one so far. “Prints for Ukraine is a way to show people that no matter how small your donation is, you can make a positive impact.” the artist told the Olive Press. Visit Instagram @printsforukraine, or via Etsy, Support Ukraine Shop.

Help for refugees

SPAIN is set to host at least 21,000 Ukrainian refugees. And this number is set to more than double as thousands of Spanish families are offering to host Ukrainians. So far, two official reception centers are based in Madrid and Alicante with two more set to open in Malaga and Barcelona. At least 250 are expected to arrive in Malaga over the next few weeks, while 99 kids are already here and enrolled at local schools. Of the nearly 1,000 who had arrived in Madrid by last week, some 55% were minors.

Support

On arrival the refugees are given food and mental health support, and then helped with their documentation and places to stay. If you want to host a refugee, you need to contact your council or local charities. The Spanish government is working to create a national system where families can enter their details. Elsewhere, a new Airbnb-style website called Ukraine Take Shelter was set up last week and can be used to list accommodation available for refugees worldwide. The address is UkraineTakeShelter.com. So far in Spain, listings have been advertised in Murcia, Molina and Cartagena. One user in Murcia has offered a residence to house 120 people in 23 rooms so that ‘groups who want to stay together in Spain can do so.’

Animal magic A MENAGERIE of animals including lions and tigers have arrived at a rescue centre in Spain after a nine-day odyssey from wartorn Kyiv. They were moved as it was feared they would be killed by bombs as Russian forces approached the city. They are now at AAP Primadomus, a specialised rescue centre for big cats in Vellena, in Alicante. Volunteers at the centre offered to drive over and collect as many animals as they could transport in their truck. It turned out to be six young lions, several tigers, two caracals and a wild dog.

Gun point

A blockade by Russian tanks initially forced the truck to turn around and give up the animals. Astonishingly, the driver who was held at gunpoint, refused to hand them over and continued on the journey. After two days of travel through Ukraine, they were finally able to reach the Polish border, making the crossing on Thursday morning, March 3. Once in Poland, the animals received a veterinary checkup at Poznan Zoo. After a five day layover, they headed for Spain where they are now said to be settling into their new home.

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NEWS

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Send more weapons

THE Spanish want more weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Well over half of the population support more arms being provided for the defending force. Some 64% want to send more arms, while 21% disagree. They also want to see more troops sent to bordering NATO countries. In the poll for El Mundo newspaper Spaniards think the EU is not doing enough to support Ukraine. The government has continued to send planes full of ammunition and rocket launchers to be used on the ground, despite opposition from its coalition partner Podemos. Various A400M military planes have flown from Moron de la Frontera (Sevilla) to the Polish airfield in Rzeszow. Spain also chartered a number of other planes to double the weapons sent, according to military sources.

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

FLEECED!

Disgrace as Spanish border police stop refugee shipment of 1,500 fleeces and demand 25% tax A GROUP of big-hearted Brits were left stunned when Spanish customs refused to let a van packed with aid for Ukraine cross from Gibraltar into Spain. Kirsty and Damian Platt, owners of Heaven Bar in nearby Duquesa, jumped into action as soon as they saw the horrific scenes of the Russian shelling of Ukraine. After organising two vans to travel from the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar to take supplies to refugees they went about picking up dozens of donations. However when the Leeds couple went to pick up 1,500 fleeces from inside the Rock, they were stopped by customs on the way back into Spain.

IT has been a staple on menus across Spain and often appears as a free tapas alongside a caña… so what has happened to the ‘Ensaladilla Rusa’? Since the invasion of the Ukraine, the typical potato salad, a mix of vegetables and chunks of tuna and mayonnaise, has been notably absent from bar tops from Madrid to Malaga. Instead many establishments have renamed it in solidarity with Ukrainians,

Royal support

EXCLUSIVE by Jorge Hinojosa & George Mathias

The generously-donated hoard had been offered by a big Gib construction business, Interserve, that no longer needed them. Despite pleading with Spanish customs, they were told they could only do so if they unpacked each individual one, gave it a price, and paid 25% tax on it. After hours of trying to get permission, they even got the Gibraltar border force to try and convince their Spanish counterparts. “But they would simply not budge,” Damian told the

Olive Press. “We told the guards we hoped they would never find themselves in a war-torn country in need of supplies, but they didn’t care. “We ended up having to take the fleeces back.” Despite the setback, the

Hola ensalada Olivier!

dropping the ‘Russian’ from the title or calling it ‘ensaladilla de Kyiv’. A number are also calling it ‘Salad Olivier’, in honour of the legendary chef Lucien Olivier who is credited with its invention.

couple redoubled their efforts within Spain and ended up taking two totally full vans to the Poland/Ukraine border. Former soldier Damian says the scenes they saw were harrowing, however one image sticks with him. “A group of English lads drove a single decker bus all the way from England with medical supplies,” he said. It took them three days from England with a top speed of 50mph. The couple remain livid over the actions of the Spanish border force, but insist their trip to Ukraine has given them perspective. “We were angry about not being able to transport goods, but Ukranians are angry about their loved ones being killed. That’s a bit more serious.”

ROYAL watchers were delighted to see Spain’s Queen Letizia show her support for Ukraine in a white linen blouse with embroidery on the chest and sleeves. She wore the traditional outfit called a Vyshyvanka, at an official event in Madrid.

OFFICIAL SOURCES SPAIN’S national news agency EFE has reopened its office in Moscow despite Putins’ government-imposed rules against journalists. It comes after the office shut for nearly two weeks after the Russian government said that the journalists based in Russia who publish ‘fake news’ would face up to 15 years in prison. The EFE office has been based in Moscow since 1970.

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NEWS FEATURE

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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 DO YOUR HOMEWORK SPAIN has insisted it will embargo on real estate and other assets belonging to a blacklist of 893 Russian oligarchs with links to the Putin regime. But so far only three superyachts have been impounded, and the government insists no homes are owned by the giant group of crooked businessmen. Odd then, that we today publish more details of a palace closely linked to Putin or, at the very least, one owned by one of his close cronies. Described as a fortress with armed guards, we’ve been informing the world about the bloated extravagance of the Russian dictator and his shady development in Zagaleta since 2012. It’s nearly impossible to prove who really owns it, given the web of shell companies and legal tricks the Russian oligarchs use to hide their wealth. But it has all the hallmarks, right down to its name, the Rock of the King. Dripping in as much gold as the besieged city of Mariupol is dripping in blood, this gross symbol of Russia’s ruling elite needs to be tackled urgently by the powers that be. And let’s not forget Sergey Chemezov, a colleague of Putin’s in the KGB and owner of Russia’s largest state-owned defence group. He has at least two properties in Spain, according to El Pais. One is a mansion in Catalunya, while the other is a large rural property in Estepona, the resort, where the town hall fails to comment on anything. The rapidly-growing enclave, which has hundreds, perhaps thousands of wealthy Russians living there, recently-built a gold-plated Russian orthodox church. It’s also the seaside idyll, where the corrupt former head of Spain’s National Police, Jose Manual Villarejo, managed to acquire a suspiciously large number of properties. All in all, it’s time to shine a torch on the shady dealings behind the gates of the upmarket estates in Estepona, Marbella and in Alicante’s Altea Hills, also famous for its super-rich Russians. Chances are, Spain will find many other dictators and tyrants hiding their money here.

GOING POSTAL Jo Chipchase on the quixotic experience of UK to Spain deliveries post-Brexit Before Brexit, parcels used to flow seamlessly between the UK and Spain. However, now that the UK is a ‘third country’, outside the single EU market, our post can be intercepted by Spanish customs to check for re-

WHAT IS S? ADTPOSTALE

A DTPostales, acting for the Spanish Correos, has a dire reputation. The company has a one-star rating on Trustpilot, with 99% of users ranking it as ‘bad’. Says one Trustpilot user: “I would give zero if possible.” There are some reports of shipments being returned even after import duties have been paid. Cath Wall was so disgusted that she booked a flight to collect her goods instead. “My husband ordered

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IBWE TRY TO ‘L RPA A E’ AT ER BY CEL HELD CUSTOMS

So, is it really that difficult to deal with ADT? On February 4, the author had an old inkjet printer, packed inside a suitcase, sent from the UK. By February 6, it was reported as ‘held by customs’. The author set up an online account at www.adtpostales.com . She selected ‘transmit your customs procedure with Correos’, rather than the other option of ‘transmit with AEAT’ the Spanish tax office) - and completed the required doc-

Spanish as she is spoke E

VERY language has its own particular sayings and proverbs that are passed down generation to generation and whose origins are often lost in the annals of time. Many common Spanish phrases are completely baffling to an English speaker when translated

AL QUE MADRUGA, DIOS LE AYUDA

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es

some spares for his medical equipment that aren’t available in Spain,” she explained. “ADT wanted nearly as much to release them as they cost, so we refused to pay, and the package was returned to sender. I flew to the UK to collect the parcel myself, and the return flight cost just €15 more than ADT’s fee.” Another reader was stuck awaiting mental health drugs that were sent for pharmaceutical testing. Meanwhile, he had nothing for his symptoms. Andy Linton complains: “ADT Postales can be very sticky about the paperwork and seem to review what you’ve submitted only once a day, so it can take a week to get cleared.”

toms’, it can be difficult to liberate. According to readers, this process can drag on for weeks, with a high failure rate. In some cases, parcels are returned to the UK without warning.

hile literally translated, this common Spanish saying means ‘God help those who wake up early’ the equivalent phrase in English would be ‘the early bird catches the worm’.

A la tercera va la vencida While it translates as ‘the third time’s a charm’, here’s a phrase you use when you want to say ‘third time lucky’ in Spanish.

NO HAY MAL QUE POR BIEN NO VENGA This is the phrase to use when you are looking on the bright side. Translated as ‘All bad things bring good ones’ it can be used in place of ‘every cloud has a silver lining’.

literally – especially when it comes to swear words and insults. So considering the difference in culture and history it’s surprising how often Spanish sayings have an almost exact equivalent in English. Here are 14 proverbs in Spanish that can replace common sayings in English.

DEL DICHO AL HECHO HAY UN TRECHO While the literal translation of this phrase is ‘it’s a stretch from said to done’, in English the phrase is ‘easier said than done’.

Mas vale prevenir que curar

A BUEN ENTENDEDOR, POCAS PALABRAS BASTAN

2020 Google News Initiative gives the Olive Press a substantial grant.

2012 - 2022 Best English language publication in Andalucia

uments. This process requires printing, scanning, uploading JPEG or PDFs, and your NIE. Sure enough, the process went wrong, largely caused by specifying on a vital form that the printer was ‘mudanza de trabajo’. Apparently, this means ‘moving for work’ and not ‘piece of office equipment’. The correct tick box was ‘regalo’ (gift). Unknown to the author, the ‘mudanza de trabajo’ category requires proof of your new Spanish work contract! Equally, selecting ‘luggage’ means uploading your airline ticket, while ‘student goods’ requires proof of your higher education course. This was, apparently, in the small print… somewhere.

A baker’s dozen of common Spanish sayings that have a very similar equivalent in English (and you can use everyday without offending anyone), writes Elena Goçmen Rueda

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

stricted items, or to see if taxes are due. Anything sent via Royal Mail (including Parcelforce) goes into ADTPostales at Madrid’s Barajas Airport. If your shipment is marked ‘held by cus-

his phraT se is the Spanish equivalent of ‘a word to the wise is enough’

his common saying T is easily translated as ‘better safe than sorry’.

EN CASA DEL HERRERO, CUCHARA DE PALO

he Spanish phrase literally translates as ‘In the house of the blacksmith there’s only wooden spoons’ which is used in exactly the same way as the old English saying ‘the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot’.

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

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MEET THE OP TEAM

FRUSTRATION: Both postal services are in denial, while (right) Jo with her printer at last In the end, our parcel finally left Madrid Barajas Airport on February 25, and arrived at its destination soon after.

UR TRANSMIT YOTHE H IT W ITEM SPANISH TAX OFFICE? The Olive Press spoke to the Oficina de Consumidores (consumer office), whose representative said to choose ‘transmit your customs with AEAT’ instead of Correos. He advised unhappy consumers to denounce ADTPostales via the Guardia

Civil if they pay import duty, or their parcel is returned to sender or lost. We tried to transmit our stuck parcel with AEAT. However, this proved impossible because a vital confirmation email repeatedly failed to arrive. Making matters worse, Hacienda has redesigned its website and we kept getting dead links cheerily saying ‘error – we have a new website!’. Lucy Hayes Logan, an adviser at the Tus Alpujarras agency in Lanjaron, was unimpressed. “Can ADT not create a PDF telling British people how to use the system?” she said. “Customs processes should be carried out by a customs agent, not members of the public.” She added:: “As a lot of

DIOS LOS CRIA Y ELLOS SE JUNTAN

hile in the traditionally Catholic country of Spain, the phrase has more religious connotations in English we would just say: ‘birds of a feather flock together ’.

new customs regulations came into force on July 1, all merchandise destined for Spain from third countries must be declared to pay VAT. “This declaration is made automatically if the operator of origin sends the correct information in the ITMATT message – an electronic message with customs processing data. If the information isn’t received correctly, it goes through R- a manual process at the VE L AI M ROYAL S – destination exchange ofSUS CORREO ME? fice.” LA B WHO IS TO He adds: “Royal Mail is the UK operator with the worst quality of electronic advance data, which The Olive Press causes delays and genercontacted ates costs for the onward Correos, whose shipment operators. The spokes- p e r s o n reason for the delays isn’t said: “Since t h e because of Correos España – it’s the responsibility of the Royal Mail.” We spoke to the Royal Mail.

the process is fully digital, people suffering from the ‘digital divide’ get left out. Correos can’t help, as it’s usually out of their hands, and the AEAT has ‘help guides’ that currently advertise their website over providing actual information. It leaves people feeling hopeless.

Culo veo, culo quiero

his Spanish phrase translates as the rather crude ‘bottom I see, bottom I want’ and is best replaced with ‘monkey see, monkey do’ to describe a situation when one blindly acts without care of what comes next.

CRIA CUERVOS Y TE SACARAN LOS OJOS

n Spain if you ‘raise crows, they will gouge out your eyes’ but in English the phrase best explaining the treacherous nature or ingratitude of someone we trust or care for is best explained with the phrase ‘nourish a viper in one’s bosom’.

Cuando el rio suena, agua lleva

EL MUNDO ES UN PAÑUELO

f you translated this literally into English it does sound a bit odd. But instead of ‘the world is a handkerchief’, English speakers would say ‘it’s a small world’.

he Spanish equivalent of the oft-used English phrase ‘ where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ makes use of an entirely different element to make its point: ‘When a river sounds, it’s carrying water’.

Mas vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer

asily translated as ‘better the devil you know than the good you don’t know’ in English this is usually shortened to just ‘better the devil you know’.

Gift

A spokesperson said: “When sending gifts abroad, customers need to complete and attach a customs declaration - CN22 or CN23. Items sent without a customs declaration, or an incorrectly or partially completed declaration, may be delayed or returned to sender.” “The recipient may then have to pay customs or VAT charges and a handling fee before they can claim the parcel. There’s a threshold before gifts become liable for VAT or duties (€150) – it’s important that customers tick the ‘gift’ box on the customs declaration when sending parcels to their friends and relatives.”

Just be positive A focus on Olive Press web wizard Kate Langshaw

LIVE PRESS webmaster Kate Langshaw is thankfully used to the late nights of the media from her poker tournament days in Las Vegas. Most of you readers won’t know her but she has worked at the Olive Press for seven years skulking under the bonnet. She is the one that keeps the website ticking along, delivering the news to your social accounts and email inboxes on 365 days a year. Grinding the nuts and bolts making sure everything online is running smoothly. Yes, it’s her fault for those lovely adverts you all love to click through so much! (AND can avoid if you join our paywall). Kate has lived in Javea, on the Costa Blanca for 10 years and she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Well, how did she get here? It’s certainly been quite a journey and a challenging one. She attended university in England a few years later than everyone else after a monotonous job kicked her into action wanting to do more with her life. A computer software engineering course was definitely a challenge and there weren’t many women alongside her. Despite working three part time jobs on the side to pay for her course she managed to graduate and then set up her own website design company, working from home. Meanwhile her weekend hobby led to 15 years of playing semi-professional poker alongside her fast-growing web business. She got a sponsor and played in tournaments around the world, from Budapest to Las Vegas and even on Caribbean cruises. But eventually she decided to settle down and moved to Spain, for no other reason than ‘why not?’. She has continued to develop her web business and built a great new client base, as well as having a son, Lucas, who was born here. As a single mother it has certainly been quite a challenge juggling work and raising him. “It certainly changes your priorities and now my only focus is that I hope I am a positive role model and an inspiration to him.”

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Celia scoops up Saharan dust tur1- Storm ning skies yellow in Spain’s Costa Blanca clocks go forward in Spain as 2- When dospring 2022 edges closer Spain’s truck drivers begin nationwide 3- strike over working conditions and rising fuel prices warnings issued 4- Storm Celia weather across Spain Red weather alert for Spain’s Malaga and 5-Costa del Sol as Storm Celia lashes through the province

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GREEN

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Green reaper AUTHORITIES in San Gabriel, Malaga have come up with an inventive way to reduce energy bills by utilising space at the cemetery. The council has given the green light to install solar panels on the premises, in an energy project that is expected to reduce bills by half.

Paid

The installation comes with a price tag of nearly a million euros (€947,000), and will be largely paid for by EU funding. It is expected to save the council almost €100,000 per year. The council is considering other sites for solar panel installations, including Martina Carpena car park and the old Los Asperones rubbish tip.

TWO of Spain’s best-known and biggest companies are to set up a solar panel venture for homes and businesses. Oil giant Repsol and telecoms provider Telefonica have agreed to create a 50-50 joint company. The project will become a reality in a few months once regulatory approval has been granted. No pricing structure has been announced. The firms boast that they bring different skills to the table in the joint venture. Telefonica through its Movistar brand name, has over 1,000 shops and a customer base of more than 20 million people, while Repsol has its long-standing energy background.

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

OIL TO SOL By Alex Trelinski

Potential customers will not have to be Movistar subscribers to take advantage of the new supplier. The company will have its own management team, and will have specialists covering all customer needs. That includes pointing out the advantages of solar power and coming up with the best

Repsol and Telefonica join forces for solar power

designs and the most suitable installations for each location to ‘maximise savings’ on electricity bills. A mobile app will be used to control installations to optimise energy expenditure and any other service linked to the solar installation. Telefonica Spain president,

Emilio Gayo, said: “This is a strategic agreement between two leading companies that are pooling their knowledge to build a solid and innovative value proposition, both for individuals and companies. We are looking at connectivity on one hand and, on the other, the

installation and management of photovoltaic panels to take advantage of solar energy.”

As energy prices soar, this is what can be done

ARE YOU BURNING MONEY?

HIS is a simple question, answered easily. YES you are. The human race is not stupid, yet it continues to do things that we know are not right.

Why? When you’re in a restaurant and the waiter tells you not to touch the plate because it’s hot, why do you feel compelled to touch it? With regards to the environment and climate, why do we ignore doing the things we know we should do?

Green

• Nuclear power is on many European countries radars….even Germany which planned to be nuclear free • Countries are crawling back to negotiate alternative supply options with Saudi Arabia (a country that executed 81 people in a single day last week) WHAT CAN WE DO? I’m with the former Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo.

RIGHT: Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo

CUT OFF RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS

years.

Although Spain takes just 9% of its gas imports from Russia we still feel the pain. Our costs are increasing rapidly. As the global market spikes, so do our bills. Not just here, but throughout Europe. All countries are looking at the ‘security of supply’ problems we all face. As the western world reels in the face of Russian aggression we are having to react. Sadly the reactions jeopardise the commitments made to reduce the impact of climate change. In capital cities across Europe officials are now staring at their climate change rule book, once a defining part of their legacy planning, wondering if it can be torn up. ‘Energy supply strategies’ have changed enormously since February 24. It is not that long ago, but it was a devastating date for mankind.

No new gas supply contacts with Russia. Forget the political pressure. From the environmental view point, the pain caused will lead to green gain. Governments will have to accelerate plans to increase the renewable mix in energy generation and storage. Let’s focus on European supply and at the same time have a concerted effort to tackle methane gas leaks. EU member states need to look collectively at gas storage levels and cooperate.

INCREASE TAX RATES ON ELECTRICITY COMPANIES WINDFALL PROFITS

• In the UK Boris Johnson is looking at bigger exploitation of gas and oil deposits in the North Sea. • Fracking is back on the agenda. A court order compelling Cuadrilla to destruct two fracking mines in Lancashire has been put under review

Faster deployment of rooftop solar PV systems reduces consumer bills and the demand on the national grid. Even if your commitment to the environmental cause is not strong, it is an incredible return on investment, with a payback period typically less than three

WE HAVE TO REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIAN ENERGY

DEAD GOOD: Solar

ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF NEW WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS Fast track these projects and tackle the delays caused by permitting. Streamline the administrative process and digitalise applications. IF YOU HAVE A ROOF - USE IT!

The current wholesale market prices create additional profits for many electricity generators. It has been estimated that excess profits of UP TO €200 BILLION will be made in Europe in 2022 from energy produced using gas, coal, nuclear, hydropower and renewables. TAX IT and support those struggling to pay for a basic necessity. FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT HOME AND IN THE WORKPLACE • Switch appliances off • Change to LED lighting • Improve insulation • Turn your thermostat down • Check to see what temperature your hot water is stored at. It doesn’t need to be any more than 55*C Government needs to support small businesses to become more efficient. We need to all do our bit. AND DO IT NOW.

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

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LA CULTURA

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

CHILD’S PLAY The art of war

AN exhibition detailing the history of duelling at staterun museums in Moscow has been cancelled after a host of European countries withdrew loaned artworks in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The exhibition, titled: The Duel: From Trial by Combat to Noble Crime was to show loans from 10 European museums but each one has cancelled. The artworks were due to be showcased this month, but institutions from Madrid, Paris, Leeds, Vienna and London have since cancelled their loans with immediate effect. The original exhibition listing announced that artefacts from the Prado Museum and Royal Armoury museum were due be made available for public viewing, however these have also been withdrawn. Art has become the latest flashpoint for sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this month the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg recalled the loan of Raphael’s The Holy Family from the Renaissance art exhibition at London’s National Gallery.

Saura-ing to new heights

New research credits children for prehistoric art MUCH modern art may look a little sketchy to the untrained eye. But new research has found that some of the world’s earliest known art may also be child’s play. Experts from Cambridge University and Spain’s University of Cantabria found that children, possibly even toddlers may have been behind up to a quarter of prehistoric rock art. Researchers analysed hand stencils painted in Spanish caves some 20,000 years ago.

By Katharina Beiersdoerfer

After studying 180 examples of art made by blowing pigment through a hollow reed or bone, scientists believe that ancient rock painting was actually a family-oriented group activity, not a solitary male pursuit. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, revealed that between 20% and 25% of the hand painting were made by chil-

A NEW exhibition exploring the relationship between art and automobiles will open at the Bilbao Guggenheim. The exhibition, titled: ‘Motion, Autos, Art, Architecture’ will run from April 8 to September 18. A gallery spokesman said: “The exhibition celebrates the artistic dimension of the automobile and links it to the parallel worlds of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and film.” The premise of the exhibition looks at the age-old question: Does

TOUCHING THE PAST: Prehistoric hand paintings dren aged between 2 and 12 years old. Researchers studied art in five caves across Spain - El Castillo, Maltravieso, Fuente de Salin, Fuente del Trucho, and La Gama.

OIL -PAINTING art imitate life? The exhibit is split into seven separate galleries: Beginnings, Sculptures, Popularizing, Sporting, Visionaries, Americana, and Future. Each gallery will showcase cars alongside the objects that influenced their design. The cars on show include a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, a Pegaso Z-102 Cupula, and the Bentley R1Type.

Lead author of the study, Veronica Fernndez-Navarro said because the prehistoric images were made by blowing pigments onto hands placed against the cave wall, the process that would have made the outlines slightly larger than the hands themselves.

Survival

She said: “From the real hand to the one on the wall there are always a few centimetres of error, because the silhouette comes out larger. “We calculated that error and many more children’s hands came out than we expected.” She added: “It would appear that artistic activity was not an activity exclusively for male individuals and the survival of the group, as had previously been thought.”

FOR three-times Oscar nominee Carlos Saura, it was a busy but rewarding weekend. The 90-year-old opened his photographic exhibition in Torremolinos’ Pablo Picasso Cultural Centre before being the special guest at the 25th Malaga Film Festival where he was presented with the ‘Biznaga de Honor’ award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Spanish cinema.

Glittering

The Spanish film director, photographer and writer, travelled to the Costa del Sol to inaugurate the exhibition. It shows 60 photographs, taken during rehearsals and shooting of his films and theatre plays, including Bodas de Sangre (1981), Carmen (1983) and Flamenco (1995). Saura has received countless awards for his work after decades in the industry. In 1981 he received the Golden Bear in Berlin and a BAFTA for Best Non-English Language Film in 1985. He also has a Goya for Best Director in 1991 and a 2004 European Film Award for Lifetime Achievement among his collection.

LA CULTURA

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

Shameful past

IMPORTS: A village of native Filipinos were imported to live in Spain’s most famous park with some dyimg of mistreatment

NESCO’s newest World HerBy Fiona Govan itage Site in Madrid hides a deplorable secret recognition of a shameful period in tropical plants (see above) was a the history of Madrid’s Retiro park replica village, a model of the sort when people would come to stare of settlement found on the Filipino wide-eyed at live exhibits in a ‘hu- island of Luzon. Housed within it as the centrepiece man zoo’. When news came through last year of the exhibit were 43 Igorot men that Madrid’s Retiro Park had been and women brought from the other awarded with the coveted World side of the world to play out their Heritage Site status, it was greeted lives in front of curious onlookers. In April 1887, the Exhibition of the with celebration across Spain. Philippines, then a At last Madrid’s leafy part of the Spanish oasis in the centre empire, was inauguof the capital with its At least four rated by Queen Maria rose garden, boating Cristina. lake and lofty glass exof the Igorot During the next six hibition hall had been people died months tens of thougiven the recognition it deserved. from poor living sands from across Spain came to gaze But, for some the conditions at the prize exhibits in news came as an optheir folk costumes as portunity to explore they carried out their the history of the park, and with it calls to make amends for ‘typical’ daily activities of hunting a shameful episode that blights the with spears, fishing from wooden dugout canoes or ploughing the Retiro’s past. Towards the end of the 19th Centu- land with oxen. ry, Madrileños flocked to the Retiro Records show that at least four of the Park not just to enjoy a stroll be- Igorot people brought over died as a neath the shady boughs of its many result of poor living conditions during trees but also to gawp at a rare ex- the exhibition, but apart from a few hibit that had been shipped in from photos hidden within city archives, a far-flung corner of the Spanish there is no public acknowledgement of their plight on public display. empire. Alongside the Palacio de Cristal, a All that remains to inform curious colossal greenhouse built to contain visitors today is a small weath-

Human zoo secret of Madrid’s new World Heritage site has been carefully airbrushed from history

er-beaten plaque outside the palace that names the architect and the dimensions of the structure and what plants were originally contained within it. No mention is made of the human exhibits. Leah Pattem, an amateur historian wrote about the shameful secret history of the Retiro human zoos in her blog Madrid No Frills that has been shared by thousands. “It took me three visits to the National Museum of Anthropology to find any acknowledgment of the people involved in the 1887 exhibition. On a small display card beneath the

boats, a sentence reads “...city residents could ride in them with the aid of the Filipino crews”. Other than this, you have to dig deep into the museum’s archives which are not accessible to the public,” she told the Olive Press. Campaigners now want the true history to be told as a way of putting the racist world view of the past into context for modern times. “The point of UNESCO is to preserve and protect, through education and culture, a universal respect for human rights,” explained Alexis Lahorra, a Madrid-based Filipino Canadian

activist, who has taken up the cause. “Why is it that we’re not protecting the people who were in the exhibition? Their dignity was taken away. By remembering them, we can at least try to recover some of that.” Fellow activist Angelica Pfleider, also from the Philippines, insists that historical wrongs shouldn’t be buried. “Acknowledging the human zoos in Madrid will show other racially marginalised groups, such as Roma people and indigenous Latin Americans in Spain that it’s also possible to acknowledge what was done to them in the past,” insisted fellow Filipino activist Angelica Pfleider.

Courage

“If we’re successful, it could give others the courage and inspiration they need to seek the truth about their own history too,” she said. Pattern adds: “It seems clear to me that the inclusion of 43 Igorot people has been deliberately omitted because historians are aware that this is a shameful episode in Spanish history. However, we must confront and acknowledge Madrid’s human zoo because, if we don’t, it’s as good as saying what happened was ok – a passive action which has a direct consequence on racist attitudes and behaviours today, in Spain and beyond. “There are many more monuments in Madrid with hidden racist histories and we hope that updating the plaque outside the Palacio de Cristal will pave the way for further changes to be made around the city.”

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LETTERS WARRING FACTIONS

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

Dear Olive Press, living in I’m a British expat who’s been to conted wan just I s. year four for in Spa e in the gratulate you on your opinion piec I read s. Pres e Oliv the latest edition of the Lanit over a beer and sandwich in k and it cashire Bruja Pub, Javea last wee to ask fully lifted my spirits. I also wanted the space you if you had any opinion on to ‘Leapy Euro Weekly continues to give the latest Lee’ to spout his racist drivel. In supposed edition, he is ranting about the refugees thousands of Syrian and other em, and abusing the British asylum syst s more how Putin is recruiting thousand ries in of them in Syria to act as mercena and that Ukraine. I always say his column fire at paper are great – for lighting my and long home. Keep up the good work per. pros may you Mike Thomas, Javea your Editor’s note: Thank you for ss’ Pre e Oliv the not is It e. letter Mik on s per spa new l riva place to advise we can their editorial judgment, all provide say is we will continue to to-date our readers with the most up- gees news on how they can help refunion. whilst avoiding reactionary opi

Wars old and new spark impassioned responses from Olive Press readers APPLES AND ORANGES?

I read your piece Why Ukraine’s foreign fighters have little in common with those who signed up to fight in the Spanish civil war. The article describes the reality during the Spanish War but does not say what is different today. In both wars there were volunteers who were excited by an adventure and manipulated to fight in proxy wars. In both wars the legal government was handicapped by a ban of heavy weapons by the international community, while the occupants had them all. I think the comparison is more apt than you are letting on. Wolfgang Zoellner, Alicante

BLOODY LEGACY

MORAL STANDARDS

While I am thankful Spain has finally changed its 42-year-old policy on Algeria, why on earth has it taken this long? Why did the Spanish government help a terrorist regime that starved, imprisoned and killed innocent Algerians? And what are they going to do about the Algerians ex-Army Generals, who are laundering Algerians money in South and East coasts of Spain, like Major-General Khaled.

Regarding the Olive Press’ excellent reporting on the many artistic and cultural boycotts of Russian museums, I must say that I profoundly disagree with art entering into the sphere of war. Visitors and employees of Russian museums have about as much responsibility for Putin’s aggression as the good people of Andalucia. The public viewing of art should not be restricted for any cause, let alone the cause of a five-foot-five maniacal despot.

The Olive Press is rightly reporting a lot on the war in Ukraine, but should it not have also reported more on the atrocious war in Yemen where the heinous crime committed by the Saudi regime dwarf what Putin has done. Amnesty International has detailed evidence of the widespread killing of civilians, recruitment of child soldiers and the use of torture however this does nothing to call into question the extremely close relationship Saudi Arabia has with both the UK and Spain. In fact, now that Russia is being sanctioned, the British Prime Minister only this week was courting Saudi leaders in a bid to ensure the continued supply of oil. Wasn’t this the same regime which hacked to death a Saudi journalist in the Turkish embassy with a band saw only a couple of years ago? In a just world, both Putin and Mohammed bin Salman would be sharing a cell in the Hague.

Jacob Wallace, Sabanillas

Daniel Kerr, Estepona

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Manilva, Sabinillas and Duquesa

Vol. 15 Issue 390

www.theolivepress.es

March 2022

JUST BUZZING Once best known for its sweet wine, today Manilva is establishing itself as one of the fastest growing tourist towns on the Costa del Sol

LOW RISE: The light and colours of Manilva costa are justly famous

NLIKE any other port on the Costa del Sol, Puerto de la Duquesa faces out to sea. From each of the three edges you can gaze out into the Mediterranean. Duquesa is, without a doubt, the thriving coastal jewel in the Manilva crown, benefiting from tourism and buzzing

with life. For most of its history Manilva has been dependent on fishing and agriculture, especially its vineyards and celebrated sweet wines. But over the last couple of decades this little township has welcomed an influx of tourists and development, while still

maintaining a peaceful air. Manilva officially has the highest percentage of Brits on the padron in Spain and just as well, as there are 4,000 of them in the 12,000-strong municipality. Continues on Page 2

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March 2022

Manilva, S Puerto de l

From front page

Melting pot Manilva And isn’t just those from Blighty. Foreign, settled residents make up around 50% of Manilva’s population. Most in these parts inhabit either the coral-white marina of ‘La Duquesa’, which sits on the mile-long beachfront of San Luis de Sabinillas or up on the hilltop lookout of Manilva itself. Though the Brits and the 180-odd other nationalities come from all walks of life and occupations (some have even set up a newspaper here) they all have something in common. Like Manilva’s first health tourist, Julius Caesar, who visited the Roman baths around 60BC, it seems that people come here for a temperate life beneath the jaw-drop-

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ping mountains, fed by the fruits of the sea. Manilva is home to a typical white village, clinging to a hilltop, as well as two other key areas, the emergent Puerto Duquesa and the popular, down-to-earth seaside town of Sabinillas. The unpretentious Puerto Duquesa has undergone a growth spurt in the last decade and the expansion doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. New cafes, bars and restaurants are springing up as a result of its growing tourism. Aside from the fantastic prices of homes in the area, the environment is distinctly low rise, largely green and everything is close to the sea. Set back from the port, high up on a mountain surrounded by vineyards is the village of Manilva. This community is not on most tourists’ radar and thus there is a refreshing absence of skyscraper construction. Those that do veer off the main road up towards Manilva may well struggle to get out of the centre’s mazy narrow one-way streets once lost in them. Buried in Manilva’s historical heart is St Anne’s church and the adjoining cemetery, dating from around 1776. Turn a corner and there it is, striking yet simplistic, bold yet unas-

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Sabinillas and la Duquesa

3 March 2022 VARIETY: From the ancient fortress outside Duquesa to the undeveloped local coastline

suming. Sauntering through the maze of white houses with their terracotta roofs, every ‘hola’ from passers-by strengthens the feeling that Manilva is very much Spanish still. Up on the mountain it is removed from the wave of tourism lapping at the coast. And then there are the postcard views from every direction, white houses spill down into vast vineyards with mountains out behind and the Costa del Sol to the front. The Pedreta viewpoint delivers a view stretching from the white cluster that is the mountain-clinging Casares village to the coastal hubs of Estepona and Marbella below. A rich network of tracks is visible in between, inviting you out to hike, cycle or horse-ride. It is also quickly clear how important grapes and wine are to Manilva, the central Plaza de la Vendimia (Wine harvest square) is adorned with a spectacular mural depicting work-

ers in vineyards. Americans. The nearby interpretation centre, opened in 2010, both It is also a veritable hive of commerce. While it wins no highlights and strengthens the village’s long wine-making beauty prizes, there is a great range of supermarkets and tradition. shops in Sabinillas. It offers vocational courses in wine-making, Wall Street is where traditionally all the banks aimed at inspiring the younger generations and insurance companies centred and down Fishermen still on the beach there is a great range of bars and and training future professionals. Sabinillas, like everywhere else on the coast, restaurants. launch their has flourished under tourism in the last deBack on the blue flag beach, that stretches all boats from cade. the way from Rio Manilva to Puerto Duquesa, But there remains a tangible working atmofishermen still launch their boats and are often the stunning sphere (it still has a small fishing fleet) and this met by waiting restaurateurs upon their return, beaches is still a town where Spanish people enjoy their eagerly awaiting the days catch. Spanish lives. Sabinillas effectively bridges the gap between A short coastal walk from the charming Puerto the multi-cultural, tourism-driven hub of Puerto Duquesa, Sabinillas has also become a popular destination Duquesa and the withdrawn, tranquil, traditional village of for expats. It is certainly a distinct community with a healthy Manilva. mix of Spanish, expat En- With the right blend of coastal expansion and Spanish traglish and Germans, as well dition, it is easy to see why Manilva is making a name for as Moroccans and south more than just its wine.

LOW RISE: The light and colours of Manilva costa are among the best on the Costa del Sol

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March 2022

Manilva, Sabinillas and Puerto de la Duquesa

Open and ecologically diverse The Olive Press talks to Manilva mayor Mario Jimenez Rodriguez about Manilva’s highlights Why did you run for mayor? I always wanted to come back and help my town, where I originally ran a plumbing shop. I always felt it was important for me to give something back and help modernise the town. I am here as mayor since 2016 because I believe my knowledge of Manilva can help the town thrive. What are the achievements you are most proud of? In terms of education, we increased the budget of the Pablo Picasso school and talks with the education department have led to the construction of a new Secondary School while we have also set up a new recycling centre to help the environment. I am also proud to say we are the municipality with the lowest unemployment rate in Malaga. And during the pandemic we provided €200,000 to struggling businesses, and another €200,000 to startups, helping 41 new businesses get up and running. I have also committed to reducing rates and we have

frozen taxes for the catering industry for three years and reduced the tax on urban and rustic real estate by 3%. Finally we are doing things with the debt, which has fallen to €17 million, being previously at €53 million. What steps are you taking to achieve the kind of town you want? The main objective is to create a better union between Manilva and Sabinillas which is why I am so passionate about the building of the pedestrian walkway. We are also focussing on ways we can boost cultural and ecological tourism for the area that is sustainable while retaining our rural identity, and continuing to be a must-visit area on the Costa del Sol. What attracts you most to the municipality?

The diversity. Manilva is a very supportive and welcoming town. We are home to 94 different nationalities and recently welcomed eight Ukrainian families. For me, this is the perfect illustration of what Manilva is about. We have a team of people to help them get settled, introducing a new course to help them learn Spanish. The ecology and environment is what distinguishes us on the Costa del Sol. We must conserve and promote this landscape. How would you define yourself politically? I consider myself a moderate and an open and conciliatory person. I place a lot of importance on consensus building and dialogue and consider it fundamental to achieve our objectives. I

have no problem getting along with any political party as evidenced by Manilva being made up of a productive coalition. I have excellent communication with the central government as well as the Junta. Any future projects you would like to highlight? There are many, but the ones I would like to mention are the complete renovation of the Sabinillas promenade and the pedestrian connection between Manilva and Sabinillas along the old road, the entrance to the industrial estate and the restoration of Castillo beach. We will also be the first municipality on the coast to implement rubbish bins specifically for organic waste, another important step in our environmental agenda.

Dra. Leticia Macías Rodríguez

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5 March 2022

PEARL OF MANILVA

Tee for two THOSE fortunate enough to live in or who are visiting the Manilva area are surrounded by the very best golf courses to be found on the Costa del Sol and by extension Spain. There are fantastic courses nearby that cater for all budgets and abilities. You better choose carefully though, as some of the local championship courses are a real test for even the lowest handicapped players. Although it might appear glamorous to talk about the toughest challenges in the post-match bar, the higher handicap players would certainly struggle, and be much happier, with a ‘friendlier’ course of which there are many in the immediate area. Duquesa golf and Doña Julia are the two nearest and offer a fair challenge, while more intimidating courses like Casares Golf and Finca Cortesin (venue for the 2023 Solheim Cup), as well as La Reserva, Valderrama and others in Sotogrande, are literally next door. The recent heavy rain has tested the abilities of most courses maintenance staff, but the majority of courses are in tip top condition and ready for the busy Spring golfing season.

appearance; they are the back-bone of this multi-cultural hub. A walk around the port, which scarcely takes longer than five minutes, reveals cuisine from all over the world. As well as restaurants serving cuisine from across Asia-China, India, Japan and

Singapore, there is a plethora of European options. It could be argued that Duquesa lacks Spanish identity as there are more English voices than yachts and more burgers than tapas. But by taking a step out either side of the port, the expansive soft sand beaches

UQUESA dental clinic is a new and contemporary-style clinic offering clients the best and most up-to-date treatments in modern dental healthcare. Established in 2019 by Dr Leticia Macias Rodriguez in the picturesque seaside town of San Luis de Sabanillas, this small, intimate clinic offers innovative treatments and cutting-edge technology in a friendly and relaxing environment that will put even the most nervous patients at ease. As the team in Duquesa Dental clinic like to say: “We create the best smiles!” Dr. Leticia and her team aims not just to cover the complete dental needs of her patients, but also focuses on their overall wellbeing and health. She will only perform a treatment after thorough examination and assessment. If you have ever dreamed of having that perfect, bright, and radiant smile, Duquesa Dental can help you to achieve it, and naturally boost your confidence and self-esteem in the process. The clinic offers professional teeth-whitening, discreet, non-invasive, Invisalign orthodontic treatment, traditional metal-bracket braces and porcelain braces, as well as stunning porcelain and composite veneers, which are quite literally like a ‘magicwand’ in creating that beautiful, yet natural Hollywood smile. Duquesa Dental also offers periodontal treatments for gum-disease and other oral health concerns, fixed and removable prosthesis (dentures), a specialised implantology service, as well as an excellent general dentistry practice. The clinic prides itself on dealing with children using specially adapted equipment and techniques to ensure a more relaxed and fun, and less scary experience, for children and parents alike. They offer a complete range of dental treatments at affordable prices. Book a FREE dental check-up and X-ray, available to all new patients. The clinic currently has special offers so for more information, go to Duquesa Dental clinic’s website on: www.duquesadentalclinic.com

For appointments and enquiries, call Dr. Leticia and her team on: 952 08 41 45 or 603 48 48 02 or email: info@duquesadentalclinic.com

CHARMING: Boats bobbing at their moorings in the marina, which hosts many restaurants and shops

USTLING Duquesa marina is cut off from the mainland by a white-washed shell of intricate buildings, balconies, plazas and steps, like an oyster enclosing its pearl. The back end of the port is lined with imposing Chinese restaurants, immaculate in

GIVING YOU A REASON TO SMILE MORE!

will firmly remind you where you are. This meeting point of friends and cultures sings through its restaurants, cafes, bars, the people who work in them and the people who sit in the sun and enjoy them. And Duquesa is, more than anything, likeable, as if it were Puerto Banus’ younger, more relatable and friendly sibling. This sociable spirit emanates not only from tourists and expats but the staff, who hail from all over the world including Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia.

Affordable

Puerto Banus may win in terms of glamour but Duquesa is more affable and, importantly, much more affordable. It is still very much a 21st century place too, with wifi freely available in all the cafes and every possible amenity a short distance away. But Duquesa doesn’t feel like it has been ruined by tourism or de-Spained by its growth. The wonderful variety on offer in such a small enclosed place shows this port is precisely designed to be quirky, eclectic and affordable.

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March 2022

Manilva, Sabinillas and Puerto de la Duquesa

Days of empire Once upon a time Manilva was among the richest and best-connected places in the world

HE legacy of the Roman Empire permeates throughout the Iberian Peninsula, not least on the Costa de Sol which acted as the gateway to the Mediterranean. The Romans’ love affair with the

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Costa del Sol was not hard to understand. Apart from the climate, bountiful fishing and rich pastureland, the area was a vital corridor to the Empire’s first line of defence. Manilva and Sabanillas thrived as Roman towns, evidenced by the many ruins that you can still see here today, such as the Roman baths, believed to have been frequented by Julius Caesar's army and the Ciudad Romana de Lacipo, an ancient Roman outpost just north of Manilva. First, a little history …

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Baetica, the Roman name for Andalucia, became one of the most dynamic and economically developed regions in the farflung Roman Empire, rich in resources and modern in outlook, even welcoming liberated slaves. Before the legions arrived in the second century AD life was hard and simple, the land dotted with small and isolated agricultural settlements. However the development of a fish salting industry fuelled by increasing Roman presence on the Iberian Peninsula saw most of these segmented populations moving to the coast, settling in the town we

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now call San Luis de Sabinillas. At that time, salt curing was the best method for preserving fish for export by sea to Rome and other parts of the Empire. Manilva became known as Saltum and came under the administration of Conventus Gaditanus - a vast region stretching from modern-day Cadiz province and along the the entire Costa del Sol to Almeria. Casares, under the town, curing factory Roman name of Lacipo, was a and even a necropolis. strategic gateway from the valProtected as an Asset of Cultural ley to the mountains of Cadiz Interest, the ruins can be visited and Malaga. today and undoubtedly the most Manilva and Casares boasted popular ‘asset’ is La Hedionda, road links as good as EU fundthe Roman baths built around ing has provided a natural mineral today. They were spring where Julius connected by one Caesar himself is Julius Caesar of Baetica’s main said to have cured a himself is said thoroughfares to skin complaint. Still Carteia (currently in working order to have cured a San Roque where today, the name the Roman ruins Stinky skin complaint means of Carteia still in Spanish and in the spring partially survive), comes from the Corduva (now sulphurous waters Cordoba) and the which smell like city of Baetica, together with rotten eggs. Italica and Hispalis, both in the The good times ended when BaetSevilla region. ica was invaded by Visigoths and Some of that amazing infrathe Roman’s Iberian empire fell structure still survives. Roman around 5AD. People started to remains can be found in Sabinilabandon the coastal settlements, las, Haza del Casareño, Lagunreturning inland in search of othetas, Manilva and Castillo de la er ways to survive, perchance to Duquesa which showcases the dream of the glory that was once remnants of a Roman Baths, Rome.

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LA MAR DE VINOS

OVER 100 people helped celebrate the launch of the fourth book of Manilva author Paco Gil Mora. "I am extremely grateful for the launch of my fourth work and the amount of local support," said the author, who also works at the town hall. Angeles Caidos was written during the pandemic and is 24 separate stories, written by chance, due to the exceptional circumstances.

TIMELINE OF MANILVA 6,000 BC - Neolithic farmers arrived in Manilva, leaving stone tools and pots in places like the Sierra de la Utrera caves, just north of Sabinillas. 1,500 BC - The Phoenician civilisation spread across the Mediterranean, leading to settlements in Cadiz (meaning ‘fort’ in Phoenician) and the Castillejos de Alcorrín settlement in Manilva. 200 BC - The Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula in 206 BC, establishing a fishing village in Manilva. Julius Caesar became governor of Southern Spain in 61 BC and is believed to have cured a skin disease in the Roman baths at Hedionda. 711 AD - The Moors invaded the Iberian peninsula and established the settlement of Martagina just south of La Chullera. 1400-1500 AD - Barbary pirate raids forced most of the population to flee into the hills for security. However, many still returned daily to fish. 1515-20 - Following the Reconquista, the Duke of Arcos conceded land in present-day Manilva to the fortified town of Casares for growing grapevines. 1530 - The hilltop village of Manilva proper began to take shape thanks to its Duke, who parcelled off pieces of land to encourage people to settle there. 1722 - The Church of Santa Ana in Manilva village was destroyed by an earthquake. 1796 - Manilva gained independence from Casares, when it was given a ‘royal privilege of the town’.

las

F you are lucky enough to dine at the swish Basque Restaurante Martin Berasategui – the world’s seventh best restaurant according to TripAdvisor – order a bottle of Nilva from Manilva. Produced from moscatel grapes grown on a tiny vineyard overlooking the sea, the dry fruity white made a big impression on the 12-Michelin-starred chef, Berasategui, who personally selected it for his wine list. Also, since last year, the classic wine Nilva is officially 'the best white wine' of the province, thanks to having won the annual Sabor a Malaga competition. This success would be remarkable by any standards but the fact that Nilva is the realisation of one Albacete man’s dream makes it all the more astonishing. When I ask Argimiro Martinez Moreno how many people he employs to make the wine, his answer is simple: “One, including himself!” Not long ago the local wine came in a plastic bottle with no label. Now Argimiro is leading a battle to revive and promote local winemaking which, after all, has been going on since Roman times. Several restaurants and bars along the coast have stocked the delicious wine, but there should be far more. “And it’s important that local establishments serve up local produce, especially since Brits and Scandinavians love

il Sabin

March 2022

Humble origins

CAFÉ Churros BAR Tapas

Wine from Manilva vineyard makes it onto the wine list of one of the world’s best restaurants, writes Elena Goçmen Rueda

dry, fruity wine and have given great feedback.” The Manilva vineyards are, officially, at the heart of a massive project to boost local tourism. Argimiro also runs the wine museum and ‘wine interpretation centre’ at the entrance to Manilva, a treasure trove of exhibits, with audiovisual rooms showing educational films, a chance to see wine being made, and local art exhibitions which change monthly. Guided tours of some two hours must always be booked in advance and cost around €25 per person. The visit begins by reviewing the wine history of Manilva, viewing a video and touring the three different rooms: Viticulture, local winemaking and Vendimia (grape harvest and festivities) Tours take place in Spanish, English or French, but Argimiro says he happily caters for groups of other nationalities. The impressive museum building, which

WINE MAN: Argimiro is a one man show

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boasts an underground bodega and lab, huge auditorium, bar and terrace, was built by the town hall in 2008 and used for two years as a wine school (Argimiro was originally a teacher) for 24 lucky students until the Junta ran out of funds. Now he is convinced that the town can cash in on the estimated six million people coming to Spain for wine tourism each year. “I believe we can attract a new cultured crowd to Manilva, aside from the traditional beach tourism,” he says. More than just a tourist attraction, the museum’s purpose is to inform locals as well as visitors

about the area’s long-standing winemaking tradition. And also the need to protect it. Maps and guides prove that some 500 years ago Manilva was covered in vines, but since then nearly three quarters have vanished, most of them in the last two decades due to development. “Ultimately owners made a lot more money selling their land to developers than from making wine,” he explains. “Perhaps 30 to 40 times that amount.” Some of the most productive vineyards, such as around Dona

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March 2022 From page 7

PASSIONATE ABOUT WINE Julia golf course in Casares, have long gone due to the construction boom. One of Spain’s most infamous developers Rafael Gomez Sanchez, aka Sandokan, allegedly bought up around half of the land surrounding Manilva village and it was only the property crash that stopped him digging up the lot. “I am passionate about protecting the vines,” says Argimiro, who is now lobbying the authorities to protect the vineyards and help give them new life. An agricultural engineer by trade, he moved his family to Estepona in 2009 and rented the vineyard ‘del Penoncillo’ from the town hall for €15,000 a year, including the use of the bodega and museum. “It certainly hasn’t been easy,” admits Argimiro, who currently bottles between 2,500 and 5,000 bottles a year depending on the harvest.

It’s hard not to admire this man for uprooting his life in Albacete to bring his wife, Inma, and kids Argimiro and Carlos with him on his wine crusade. He was raised by a father who made wine as a hobby, so the passion for winemaking is almost genetic. And his agricultural engineering degree, which he got in Cordoba, led to designing vineyards and other projects. Now his key goal is to get more international chefs, like Martin Berasategui, to visit the winery and stock his wines. He had first met Berasategui in San Sebastian in 2015 after sending him some samples to try. “He has since completely backed our vision, sponsored some vines and is planning to visit in the future to continue supporting our vision.” If you don’t have the budget to sample Nilva along with a threecourse dinner at Restaurante Martin Berasategui, you can buy a bottle from the museum in Manilva where it sells from €12.50. An organic variety of the wine is also sold in the shop, which sells for €15. If you prefer to buy it online, the Nilva Eco sells for €16.50, leaving the classic Nilva at €15. You never know, the local restaurants nearby HONOURED: Martin Berasategui has might let you open it approved Argimiro’s wine with lunch.

Manilva, Sabinillas and Puerto de la Duquesa

Sweet taste of success

VERY September Manilva celebrates its winemaking tradition in a three day harvest festival, with flamenco dancers, brass bands, music and dancing into the early hours in the Plaza de la Vendimia. The sweet moscatel grapes have been grown in the vast vineyards that surround Manilva since the 16th century and are used to make the aptly named Manilva wine, famous throughout Spain. Although vines have been grown on the sunny slopes of the town

The traditional festival that heralds the first wine of the season for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, it is fairly recently that wine became one of the area’s main products. Winemaking became the town’s main economic activity after the Spanish Civil War because of its ideally suited climate and soil. The festival was founded in the early 1960s and has become an important part of the local calendar, drawing visitors from across the region to see the winemaking process.

As well as making the sweet dessert wine, the moscatel grapes are also dried on the hillsides to make the famous ‘Malaga raisins’. The festival has even been declared of Tourist Interest by the Provincial Council of Malaga. During the celebration of the end of the grape harvest, the very first wines produced are presented with tastings handed out of the sweet wine. In the early hours of the morning, a Rocio Mass is celebrated, giving way to the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows through the

village streets. This procession is accompanied by local young women dressed as traditional villagers, who pray for the fields of Manilva to be protected. In Manilva, it is still customary to step on the grapes for hours on a square surface with a protruding edge and a slight tilt towards the centre of either side. It is through this point that the juice, or must, flows into a well-shaped tank on a lower level. Every year, a resident is honoured to be in charge of treading this fruit. The crowds gather on Calle Mar to witness the grape treading and taste the first wine of the season.

GESTORIA

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PROPERTY

March 23rd April 5th 2022

UNDER THE HAMMER

A 15th century castle that once hosted Queen Isabel of Spain is to be auctioned off with a ‘bargain’ reserve price of €2.76 million. The Ministry of the Interior has put the Castillo de Castle of Maqueda in Toledo up for sale with a massive 71% discount on the minimum bid. In 2014, they had tried to sell it for €9.4 million but could find no takers for the historic building that was used as a Guar-

Bucking the trend PROPERTY valuer Euroval says that house prices in Spain are rising - but slowly. So far this year general housing prices have risen by a modest 0.9% and the price per square metre for residential property is expected to have risen by a total of just 1.7% by 2024. But popular exat hotspots are set to see much higher price rises. Valencia is expected to see a 3.0% rise, Murcia 4.4% and the Balears 4.8%. And the Costa del Sol is expected to see the biggest increase with a forecast rise of 7.5%.

dia Civil barracks from 1953 to 1998. At first the ministry planned to turn the 3,532 square metre property into a museum. Architect Leticia Gañan started designing in 2008, but the project never got off the groumd. The castle was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 during the presidency of Niceto-Alcala Zamora. Its main gate features the heraldic coat of arms of the Cardenas-Enriquez fami-

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK ly who in the 15th century reconstructed the fortress on the same site as one of Muslim origin.

NOT SO GOLDEN

RUSSIAN nationals have been barred from getting Spanish residency permits under the Golden Visa scheme. Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, ordered the suspension of the programme for Russians following the invasion of Ukraine.

Russians banned from visa scheme

Countries like Malta, Portugal, and the United Kingdom have already suspended similar schemes that offer residency in exchange for making investments or buying an ex-

TAXING POSITION

PROPERTY owners in Spain face some of the highest tax rates in the EU when it comes to electricity bills. According to Eurostat, Denmark had the highest, followed by Germany, Portugal and then Spain. On top of an electricity pro-

duction tax there are extra tolls and IVA. Currently, the latter is temporarily reduced to 10% from the usual 21%. The government has extended until June 30 the current tax reductions on electricity.

pensive property. The Golden Visa in Spain offers the holder and their family members residency as well as free access to the EU's Schengen Zone. Golden Visas are issued to someone who purchases real estate at a minimum value of €500,000 along with business people who invest in Spain. The investment could be at least €2 million in the Spanish public debt; share purchases or a Spanish bank deposit of at least €1 million; or investment in a new business. Between the start of 2020 and the end of last January, Spain granted 492 Golden Visas to Russian citizens.

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Doing it the Right way How much does it cost to maintain a property in Spain?

F you’re thinking of investing in a property in Spain, and wondering whether it is the right financial decision for you then you might ask the question ‘how much does it cost to maintain a property in Spain?’ There is no exact answer or precise figure to give for this question, but by having an idea of ongoing costs and what to expect, you’ll be better placed to plan for your Spanish property purchase. The real costs of maintaining a property in Spain will vary on a few things. These include the size of the property, whether you are living in your Spanish home or hiring a property maintenance company to take care of the maintenance of your new home for you. Here is a breakdown of the charges and fees that you can expect to pay: IBI Tax The first ongoing cost will be IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) which is a tax that you pay to your local Town Hall, it roughly translates as ‘Council Tax’ for those in the UK. It varies from town to town, but as a guide can be between €400 per year for a two-bedroom apart-

ment on the Costa Del Sol, going up to €1500 - €2000 per year for a luxury villa. State Tax If you are a non-resident and renting your property out then you must file and pay tax on the rental value of your property in quarterly periods: the state tax for a rented property in Spain is set at 19% of its rental value. Insurance You can expect to pay around 0.05% of the purchase price of your property for your annual insurance, typical prices hover between €250-350 per year for the Costa Del Sol. Community Charges If the property you have purchased is in a community then you will be liable for charges in order to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of your community. For an average Spanish apartment, you can expect your community charges to be between €50 and €100 per month: for a larger property, or one with extensive community perks and benefits, this rate could be much higher.

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To sum up, you can expect to pay the following charges in order to maintain a property in Spain, although you should be aware that these figures are approximate 0.15% Local tax, 0.05% National tax 0.05% Insurance 0.1% Utilities (for an empty property) 0.3% Community charges 0.1% Property charges If you’re looking for estate agents on the Costa Del Sol then why not get in touch with Right Casa? Our locally based property experts are a font of local knowledge, and are perfectly placed to help you find the home of your dreams.

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BUSINESS

MALAGA school Laude San Pedro International College has been ranked number two in the whole of Spain by Forbes Magazine. It also made it in the top 100 on the distinguished El Mundo list. The school is an international institution for students from three to 18 years old in Marbella and follows the British national curriculum for both primary and secondary school children. It is the only school in Marbella that offers the students the chance to take ESO and the Spanish baccalaureate. Priding itself on teaching excellence in multiple languages, around 65% of lessons are taught in English.

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

Top of the class Spokesman Louis Lopez told the Olive Press: “At Laude San Pedro International College, we have always said that we will maintain our focus on getting better over time and I believe that the whole school community has embraced this mission. I am so happy for every member of our community that all of our combined efforts are beginning to be recognised.” A number of other Andalucian schools were also recognised by Forbes, including Aloha College, British School Malaga, Novaschool Sunland, and San Francisco de Paula.

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Will Russian investors disappear altogether? Strong lessons should be learnt from Iran’s exclusion from the international community

ar is a horrible thing, more so when it is no longer in faraway distant locations with little or no impact in our daily lives. The Russian military aggression to Ukraine that commenced almost three weeks ago (seems more like three months), and the ensuing unprecedented economic and financial strangulation against the aggressor is likely to somehow affect Spanish most coveted “natural resource”, tourism.

Disconnected

2021 saw Spain grant around 1,000 Golden Visas to Russian investors and their families (minimum investment 500k Euros), out of a total of around 8,000 on average each year. Now, things are different: Russian banks have been disconnected from the SWIFT system, individuals connected to the Government will be banned from travelling and residency permits will not be granted to applicants in this list. So, while ordinary Russian investors will still be allowed to come to Spain the limitations for this are obvious: devaluation of the ruble,

capital controls within Russia, the inability to transfer funds due to sanctions on banks through the regular channels, restrictions to carriers flying to Russia and reluctance of Spanish banks to open accounts to ordinary Russians due to PR concerns. It is not first time this has happened: Iran was sanctioned by the EU initially (2012-2016), and further by Trump’s administration (2018). SWIFT was and has been disconnected ever since. As with Russia, interest rates have reached double digits (25%) and as for the currency, it lost around 5 times its value. As of January 2022, the Iranian rial is the currently the second weakest circulating currency in the world after the Venezuelan bolivar.

Don’t panic! ‘More than enough stock’ says Mercadona boss in face of hoarders SUPERMARKET chain Mercadona has appealed to customers to stop panic-buying and hoarding. Reporting a €47 million fall in profits last year, Merca-

By Alex Trelinski

dona president, Juan Roig, sought to calm down consumer fears. Buyers have been raiding shelves recently to scoop up sunflower oil, forcing retailers like Mercadona to introduce rationing. The surge in demand was prompted by the war in Ukraine, which is a major pro-

ducer of the oil. Juan Roig said: “There are no shortage problems. We saw toilet paper sales double in the first month of the pandemic but then return to normal. Now it happens with certain products, such as sunflower oil or flour. “It is hoarding and nothing else. We have more than enough stocks,” he added. “People get nervous because they see an empty shelf, but they don’t have to stock up,” as Roig rounded on ‘hoarders’ and ‘speculators’. He described the Spanish agri-food chain as ‘strong’ THE Ascari race track near Ronda in Andalucia has new ownand predicted ‘no ers, CEO Jesus Gijon has revealed. product problems’.

In the driving seat Two so far unnamed companies from Argentina and Switzerland bought the circuit from the previous owner, Dutchman Klaas Zwart, who designed then opened the track in 2002. The new owners said the beauty of Ronda and the big marketing potential of the circuit were key to their decision to buy it. However, they voiced concerns over government plans to build a solar farm in the area which they say will impact the scenery that surrounds the circuit.

Residency

Still, Iranian investors have managed to buy Spanish property, and obtain residency statuses, albeit with significant hardship. It is unlikely though that Russian investors will be able replicate the Iranian experience, such is the scale of the international condemnation.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

Pledge

Roig also pledged not to put up prices for the sake of it, despite energy costs sky-rocketing. He said the firm absorbed many rises last year and only increased prices by 2%, with the company’s profit margin lowered by €100 million. Mercadona declared a profit of €680 million for 2021 compared to €727 in 2020 which saw the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Turnover in 2021 was up by 3.3% to €27.8 billion, with 1,000 new jobs created.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

PAELLA FOR PEACE Sweet Malaga

Cooking up a treat SOME of the biggest names in the world of gastronomy will be taking part in Madrid Fusion later this month in the 20th anniversary of the festival. The event will take place in Madrid’s Ifema conference centre from March 28 to March 30 after a two-year break thanks to the pandemic. This year’s event will see kitchen superstars from across the globe gather to showcase their cuisine including the chefs behind some of the world’s best restaurants. Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio (Astrid&Gaston, Lima), Nordic chef Rene Redzepi (Noma 2.0, Copenhagen) Brazilian chef Alex Atala (D.O.M., Sao Paulo) have all confirmed their attendance. Also there will be Spanish chefs Dabiz Muñoz of DiverXo fame and Quique Dacosta who just won a Michelin star for his newly opened Deesa restaurant.

TWO Spanish cities have made the top-10 list for holiday destinations in continental Europe, with Malaga making a surprise appearance on the list. Travel company Holidu published the 10 most searched destinations on its platform, with Barcelona the second-most searched city in Europe, with some 44,000 searches. It was surpassed only by Amsterdam which notched up a whopping 126,000 searches.

Five Spaniards drive from Spain to Poland to cook paella for refugees fleeing Ukraine FIVE friends from Spain were so moved by those fleeing Ukraine that they decided to do what they do best: make a paella. The group set off from Alicante with three vans full of ingredients to make the famous Valenciano dish; rice, chicken and vegetables as well as the giant pans to cook them in and headed for Poland. After a 5,000km drive, they arrived in Przemysl, a city near the border with Ukraine that has been flooded with refugees fleeing Russian forces. Since then they have been cooking up a storm and

By Jorge Hinojosa

serving plates of the dish to new arrivals. David Juan Diaz, one of the organisers of ‘Paella por la paz’, said: “What is happening on the border is devastating.”

Tiring

In a post on Instagram the group said: “Our long and tiring journey has brought us from Alicante to Przemysl, the main city closest to Medyka, on the border with Ukraine. “Hundreds of people fleeing

TWO of the world's tourism giants, the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair and MSC Cruises, the fourth-largest cruise company in the world, have intensified their commitment to Malaga for this summer season. The ongoing pledge from both companies will see a significant increase in air routes and more stopovers from the Costa del Sol, confirming the upward trend that both companies expect in

Picasso

HOT MEALS: Volunteers help, Spanish style

the war arrive here daily. “For now we have established our base camp here,

Tourist giants 2022 despite the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine Between March 2022 and March 2023 Ryanair expects to exceed five million passengers on its Costa del Sol routes. Meanwhile, MSC plans to make 29 stopovers in Malaga this year, up from 19 in 2019.

and once we finish setting up our tents and kitchens, we will start the paellas. “From what we are finding out, perhaps in the next few days we will have to move to another area of the border, the situation and the flow of people change by the hour. “We will go where we are most useful.” The group which translates as ‘Paella for peace’ aims to cook 12,000 servings before driving back to Spain and bringing refugees who want to return with them.

The eighth most searched city was Malaga, birthplace of Picasso,. Famed for its sunny weather and cultural exhibits, the city is likely to see a boom in summer and is the ideal place to experience authentic Spanish culture. The city beat a host of world-renowned capitals, including Madrid, to cement its place in the imagination of holiday-goers. Dublin was the third most searched destination and for good reason. Whether you are seeking to delve into the city's rich Irish heritage or simply craving a crisp pint of Guinness, the city has it all.

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25/1/22 16:49

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL RANKED: TOP FIVE SKI RESORTS IN SPAIN

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

We love Spain for its sun and sand but after all the current rain its many ski resorts will be rocking

BAQUEIRA BERET

WHAT IS BAQUEIRA BERET SKI RESORT FAMOUS FOR?

Mountain-range: Pyrenees Spanish province: Lleida, Catalunya Total piste length: 160km Ski trail difficulty: Green to double-black diamond Annual foreign skier numbers: 158,000

Baqueira Beret is not well-known internationally, but is famous in Spain as the royal family’s ski resort of choice. Former king Juan Carlos I and his wife Sofía were among the first to fall in love with Baquiera after it opened in the 1960s. They own a luxury house in which they traditionally celebrated New Year’s Eve with their children, including current King Felipe VI. The ski area is between 1,500m to 2,610m elevation and boasts 160km of ski pistes. Ski routes from green to double-black diamond are spread across the three valleys of Beret, Baquiera and Bonaigua. The resort has 35 ski lifts, including a gondola, 20 chair lifts, 7 conveyor belts and 7 ski lifts. Due to its elevation and favourable position on the northern side of the Spanish Pyrenees, Baquiera Beret enjoys some of the best snow cover among European ski resorts and a season lasting November to April.

WHERE TO STAY

My advice is to stay in the charming nearby town of Vielha (left) which is just 10 minutes to the resort and has lots of shops and excellent restaurants. A superb good value hotel is the Aparthotel La Vall Blanca (www.lavallblancavielha.com), which has well appointed suites, most perfect for families. On the right side of town to make an easy exit towards the slopes in the morning, it serves a decent breakfast on demand and is close to the heart of town. For classic village charm stay in Hotel Seixes in Bagergue, the highest village in the Val d’Aran. www.hotelseixes.com WHERE TO EAT Val d’Aran has a great mix of nice restaurants. Every village and particularly the main town of Vielha, has a good choice. There are some excellent wine bars, but few better than De Vins, in the heart of the old town, where wines by the glass are matched by local dishes. Another wine bar is Donde Rafa, which specialises in good local pro-

duce, with its asparagus and onion soup highly recommended. Another great choice particularly for families is Nosati restaurant, where everything is cooked on huge grills. A hip new place to try is Lits (left), in Arties, which is the most creative food in the valley, decent value and with friendly service. Definitely try the amazing chicken canelon and the Tagliatelle with ossobuco ragu. In Bagergue Casa Rosa is

charm personified while Jardi dels Pomers has a great garden for spring and summer, while in winter a big log-burner to aid the ambience. On the slopes itself you definitely have to try the legendary Moet Winter Lounge (right) champagne bar, where all the movers and shakers and celebrities come and dine during the day or apres ski. This is THE place to be seen if you like posing.

Spain is Europe’s second-most mountainous country, with its southernmost ski resort, and one of few places you can ski in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. Not only can you go skiing all around Spain, but its premier ski resort Baquiera Beret is popular among Spain’s royal family and often enjoys the best snow cover in Europe. During the 2019-20 season ski resorts in Spain received 4.7 million people, with 3.4 million going to the Pyrenees mountain

HOW DO I GET TO BAQUIERA? Baquiera is in the province of Lleida and a 2 hr 15 min drive from Lleida city. One of the best ways to get to Baquiera and the Val d’Aran is on the train. The AVE fast train takes just over four hours to get from Malaga to Lleida and a similar amount of time from Valencia. You get off in Lleida, where you can hire a car for the two-hour drive up to the slopes, made an hour quicker since the long Vielha tunnel was finished in 2007. A good stop half way for lunch is in Benabarre and its Hotel Mars, where the king of Spain has eaten on occasion. On your return perhaps stay a night in Balaguer outside Lleida where you can eat at the excellent Cal Xirriclo.

FOOD & DRINK

March 23rd April 5th 2022

range in the northeast border region with France. The Sierra Nevada mountain-range in the south is home to Spain’s second most popular ski resort, though you can have a day-out skiing at Navacerrada when staying in Madrid or visit La Molina if you’re staying in Barcelona over winter. Below are the top 5 ski resorts in Spain ranked according to popularity with international skiers.

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SIERRA NEVADA Mountain-range: Sierra Nevada Spanish province: Granada, Andalucia Total piste length: 105km Ski trail difficulty: Green to black diamond Annual foreign skier numbers: 91,000

WHAT IS SIERRA NEVADA SKI RESORT FAMOUS FOR?

The Sierra Nevada is home to continental Spain’s tallest peak, Mulhácen (3,479). Sierra Nevada means ‘mountains covered in snow’ in Spanish and Mulhácen typically stays white from October-June despite being on the sunny Costa Tropical. The ski resort is just a 1hr 30min drive from Spain’s southern Mediterranean coastline and is Europe’s southernmost ski resort and the highest in Spain, with a base elevation of 2,100m rising to a max elevation of 3,300m. The high altitude allows for a ski season from November to May, which can make for sunny ski days towards to the end of the snow. When snow is abundant, you can ski almost anywhere across the ski resort as it’s above the tree line. The Sierra Nevada is how to 110km of ski runs, from green to single-black diamond. The lift system features 2 cable cars, 17 chairlifts, 2 T-bar lifts, 2 magic carpets and 1 ski tow. HOW DO I GET TO THE SIERRA NEVADA SKI RESORT? The resort is just 42km and half an hour from Granada The nearest airport is Granada, but Malaga is only two hours away. Direct buses are available that take just 45 minutes to reach the ski resort, allowing for day-trips from Granada.

BOI TAÜLL

Mountain-range: Pyrenees Spanish province: Lleida (Lerida), Catalunya Total piste length: 45km Ski trail difficulty: Green to black Annual foreign skier numbers: 52,000

KNOWING THEIR BUSINESS

WHAT IS BOI TAULL SKI RESORT FAMOUS FOR? Boi Taull is located further south than Baquiera Beret in the Spanish Pyrenees, but is home to the highest ski pistes in the entire Pyrenees. Base elevation starts at 2000m to a maximum of 2750m. The high altitude allows for higher-quality snow is one of the reasons Boi Taull was ranked as the no. 1 ski resort in Spain during the last three World Ski Awards. Boi Taull has 45km

of ski pistes, with 10 green runs, 7 blue runs, 26 red runs and 9 black runs with 16 ski lifts allowing access around the ski resort. HOW DO I GET TO THE BOI TAULL SKI RESORT? Boi Taull is a 1hr 50min drive from the nearest international airport, Lleida–Alguaire Airport in the city of Lleide (Lerida) in Catalunya. Boi Taull is a four-hour drive from Barcelona, and a 3 hour drive from Zaragoza.

Continues on Page 26

STABLISHED in 2009 by Dr. Eduard Schellhammer the renowned Swiss psychologist, educationalist and bestselling author, Schellhammer Business School is set in the gated estate of Valle Romano surrounded by nature, mountain views, and within easy reach of the lively towns of Estepona, Puerto Banus and Marbella. This unique business school is the first in southern Spain to offer a unique program of Swiss quality undergraduate and postgraduate - Foundation, Bachelor and Master of Arts degree level education in Business, Marketing, Hospitality as well as Psychology, Humanities and International Relations all exclusively taught in English.

Certified Accredited by the UK based agency ASIC all programs are delivered either through blended hybrid learning – face-to-face on campus or virtually - as well as through the ATHE certified online platform. The business school ethos of diversity, strong focus on personal as well as academic development and emphasis on human values has attracted students from all 5

continents and over 120 countries making it a truly global endeavor. This educational package includes the option to live on campus in high quality four-star accommodation - two bedroom, two bath apartments, which can be shared exclusively with other students at very competitive prices. “We offer a holistic approach to education by providing students with all the personal and commercial tools, knowledge, skills and insight to realize their potential and go forth to create enterprises that positively contribute to their respective societies” stated the Dean, Evangelos Zographos. The hundreds of graduates so far from Schellhammer Business School have gone on to work for corporations, pursue their own entrepreneurial businesses, while others have joined the family business and continue the legacy of businesses started by their parents or even grandparents. Whilst others have chosen to continue their education by enrolling in European (London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and Sweden to date) or USA (New York, California, Florida and South Carolina to date) based institutions. If you are searching for a higher education institution with focus and commitment to delivering quality education look no further than Schellhammer Business School.

Schellhammer Business School Calle Flaminio 2 Urbanizacion Valle Romano 29680 Estepona Contact us via Telephone: 952 907 892 Contact us via WhatsApp: 659 314 958

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

MASELLA

FORMIGAL

WHAT IS FORMIGAL SKI RESORT FAMOUS FOR? Formigal (also known as Formigal-Panticosa) is based in the Tena Valley and the only ski resort in the region of Aragon in this top 5 list. Formigal-Panticosa is one of few ski resorts in Spain with an elevation difference over 1000m. The region of Panticosa in particular is known as one of the best places to freeride in Spain, with 1075m of elevation difference to enjoy. Skiing starts at the bottom of the Tena Valley at 1145m and rises to 2265 at its highest point. The 182km of ski runs are accessed by a network of 37 ski lifts. Formigal is known as one of the most modern ski resorts in Spain and features a purpose-built town at its base.

March 23rd - April 5th 2022

Mountain-range: Pyrenees Spanish province: Huesca, Aragon Total piste length: 182km Ski trail difficulty: Green to black Annual foreign skier numbers: 44,000

Mountain-range: Pyrenees Spanish province: Girona, Catalunya Total piste length: 74km Ski trail difficulty: Green to black Annual foreign skier numbers: 40,000

HOW DO I GET TO FORMIGAL SKI RESORT? Formigal is located right on the Spanish-French border, and is a 1hr 30min drive from the city of Huesca. The Huesca-Pirineos airport is 100km from ski resorts but is the best way to access Formigal-Panticosa.

WHAT IS MASELLA SKI RESORT FAMOUS FOR? Known by itself, Masella is actually part of a wider ski resort known as Alp 2500 and which includes the towns of Masella and La Molina. The Alp 2500 area covers 135km of ski runs, with a base elevation of 1600m rising to 2535m. Masella itself enjoys a vertical elevation of 935m. Masella is based on the side of the Tosa d-Alp mountain in the province of Girona, in Catalunya, and its 65 ski runs are serviced by 17 ski lifts. Masella also has 10km of illuminated ski slopes to allow for night skiing. HOW DO I GET TO MASELLA SKI RESORT? Masella is located on the Spanish-French border very close to Andorra. It is a 2hr drive from Girona city and the closest airport is Girona-Costa Brava airport.

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March 23rd - April 5th 2022

Former war reporter-turned sommelier takes Jon Clarke on an adventure through the Costa Blanca’s best seafood at BonAmb

HEIR ladders were carefully pinned to the vertical cliff walls of the Marina Alta area or hung down using ropes. An ancient, thousand-year-old fishing method, the locals clambered down risking their lives particularly on days when it was too rough to go out on boats. Then when close to the water they shone an acetylene gas lamp towards the sea, bringing fish up to the surface and easy to catch. Called the ‘encesa’ method, this is the inspiration for this years new menu at

WELCOME: From chef Alberto

Javea’s most famous restaurant, BonAmb. Created by Alberto Ferruz with his sommelier and Maitre Pablo Catala, it proves beyond doubt that the very best fine dining is as much about theatre, concepts CREATIONS: Dozens of exciting dishes with black and textures as it is the truffle being Charlie’s favourite food. Aside from the stunning location, archi“We wanted to pay tribute to the brave tecture and grounds, the kitchen guarmen who caught the fish in this way and antees a journey through the senses, the menu is today 90% local fish and like nothing else on the Costa Blanca. vegetables from the nearby huertas,” This was my third visit, the second with explains 37-year-old Alberto my commercial manager Charles Bamfrom Zaragoza. ber, to celebrate our three-year “We try to be as seasonal anniversary since launching as possible and use mostly an Olive Press edition local ingredients, but above here. all it is about the intensity of We had last dined flavours,” adds the chef, who here on our launch started working at the age in 2019 and on of 16 and picked up lots of this showing it experience in Paris and San keeps getting betSebastian, as well as nearby ter. Denia, with Quique Dacosta. Our guide for the Hot on the heels of his men- night was co-owner tor Dacosta (who is a close Pablo, who once worked friend), Alberto is very much as an army press officer and deserving of his two Michelin cameraman in war zones, including stars and definitely heading Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. towards three. And this tour of duty - the amazing BonAmb is an experience ‘Canyis’ set menu of around 18 courses that any true gourmet will by my count - was not far off being as need to try out. complicated.

Take the gazpachuelo soup, with sea bacon, cured monkfish liver and Mediterranean curry, this was not your average seafood fare. Nor was foie in ‘duke’s gunpowder’, a Mediaeval sauce, or eel juice and pickled mushrooms or ‘flickering custard’, with dill and salt. He had his work cut out just explaining the dishes (and quite frankly none of his team were able to do it properly in English) and how best to enjoy them. Matching up the menu with wines was a battle in itself, the countless fish flavours wreaking havoc with most wines. His suggestion of a Godello called 12 Casas was a masterstroke. There were certainly plenty of highlights, in particular the starter of celeriac crepe, with red mullet sauce and salted Chantilly cream. Its rich aftertaste still

lingering now. The cauliflower roasted in a Roman-style with black truffle on top was delightful as was the marine tartlet, with delicate flowers on top. A real feast, out came white prawns from Santa Pola, an oyster in a rich creamy sauce, a sausage made out of tuna, a sea urchin and a smoked clam with caviar. So much was eaten with the hands and everything was part of the overall ‘encesa’ story. By the time we had finished up some three-and-a-half hours later, it felt like a night out at the opera or a front row seat at Hamilton. Entertaining in the extreme. Forget the price of 135 euros a head, it would cost you that in the stalls at Covent Garden and you’d be paying a lot more for a glass of bubbly and a snack at the interval. Oh and there is a 95 euro menu if you’re on a budget. Visit www.bonamb.com

Mr. James Allan FRCS

opefully the tide is turning and we are beginning to see the back of COVID. But while the earthquake may be in our rear mirror, the tsunami of growing disease generated by 18 months of healthcare neglect is fast approaching. Combine this with the anxiety of finding good quality healthcare post Brexit and a big challenge looms. However, it’s not all gloom and despair, two doctors have decamped from London to revolutionise urological care on the Costa del Sol. After setting up a unit in Gibraltar, British urologists Paul Hughes and James Allan are taking their skills into Marbella. So what are the red flags on your urological beach? Well first of all most problems are manageable if they are picked up early enough, don’t bury your head in the sand! Men are notoriously bad at engaging with healthcare and the idea of discussing what happens in the lavatory, bedroom or indeed your boxers isn’t a great vote winner for the average bloke. Let's start with your prostate! If you are getting up at night, always in the loo, your fuse is getting shorter and certainly, you can't put out a fire, then it is time to get help.

Worried about the big C? The vast majority of problems are so much better when addressed and shared. If you have any sign of passing pink or red urine then it’s not fine wine but a big red flag. If your urinary habit has changed and you have to memorise all the local public loos then it is time for a chat with your favourite plumber! This is especially true for those of you who enjoy or used to enjoy a cigarette. Just because you are over 21 does not mean you cannot enjoy a high quality of life. The male menopause, testosterone, sexual performance and erectile dysfunction are all problems that have solutions. Ladies should not be plagued by urinary tract infections. And incontinence is a terrible curse, don’t tolerate it! Put the last two years behind you and mend the roof before it rains!

You can now meet Mr Hughes or Mr Allan at HC Marbella hospital or in Gibraltar or simply check out www.theurologyclinic.gi

Work for us!

As the Olive Press expands, we are looking to recruit new staff to join our team. We have two positions available:

DISTRIBUTION OPERATIVE The Olive Press is looking for someone to distribute our newspapers between Cabopino and Fuengirola. You’ll be an energetic, resourceful individual, with a sound knowledge of how to get around the Costa del Sol or at least a smart phone and some physical strength. If you think you have what it takes to help the Olive Press expand to the next level please get in touch with accounts@theolivepress.es, sending your CV and a covering letter. This job would be a part time job working every other Wednesday and will suit either man or woman of any age or colour or background.

SALES TEAM MEMBER The Olive Press is looking for an enthusiastic sales person to join our team based in Sabinillas. Must be fluent is English and Spanish. Sales experience is a bonus, but full training will be provided, full contract from day one. Driving license is essential please email your CV to accounts@ theolivepress.es

HEALTH

THE president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has announced a cash injection of €347 million for the health service. The funds will come directly from the junta and come after concerns that key workers on short term contracts were at risk of being laid off. Moreno said: “We have asked the government to give us extra money but there is none available. Therefore, we are are funding this through our own funds.” At the end of last October, the Andalucian health service did not renew 8,000 staff on short term contracts.

March 23rd April 5th 2022

Cash boost Some 12,000 remaining staff on short term contracts were due to be let go on April 30, but this new funding means they will now be kept on. During a visit to the new facilities of the Regional Hospital of Malaga, Moreno lamented that the rejection of the 2022 budget had meant the Junta would have a reduced health budget of some €1.3 billion. “We cannot increase any health budgets by even one cent over the 2021 figure,” Moreno said.

Look on the bright side New study reveals moving to Spain could be good for your mental health

A NEW report has given surprising insight into the countries whose populations have the best mental health. The contrast between the UK and Spain could hardly have been more different in the study published by research organization Sapiens Lab. Of all the 34 countries surveyed, Spain was second, surpassed only by Venezuela. The UK meanwhile had the joint lowest mental health score, alongside South Africa. Of the top 10 countries, six were Spanish speaking. The survey looked at a variety of factors in determining its rankings, including mood and outlook, how we relate

to ourselves and others, and drive and motivation, quizzing a total of 223,000 people.

FEELING DOWN SPAIN has experienced the largest drop in happiness in Europe, a new study has revealed. Research published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, used ‘sentiment analysis’ automatically to scan the contents of 600 million social media posts from 10.5 million people, and assess the emotional content. Analysing the language used, in correlation with the locations tagged, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that Spain experienced one of the largest drops in happiness in Europe, closely followed by the UK. Using data from across 100 countries, the study determined that countries with a higher death toll and inefficient governments had the most unhappy residents. Scientists also analysed the effects of lockdown by comparing similar countries that did and did not impose restrictions. Surprisingly, they found that in the short term there was tentative evidence that going into lockdown led to a small net increase in happiness. Professor Siqi Zheng said: “On the one hand, lockdown policies might make people feel secure, and not as scared. On the other hand, in a lockdown when you cannot have social activities, it’s another emotional stress. The impact of lockdown policies perhaps runs in two directions.”

Decline

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Worm, 8 Hercules, 9 Pleasant, 10 Song, 11 Secret police, 14 Laser printer, 17 Dram, 19 Slovakia, 20 Coincide, 21 Kegs. Down: 1 Embarrassment, 2 Thwart, 3 Grotto, 4 Question marks, 5 Vein, 7 Oil well, 12 Pap, 13 Evening, 15 Ruskin, 16 Reopen, 18 Root.

In addition, the survey found a correlation between living in an English-speaking country and poor mental health. The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland all ranked in the bottom 10. The survey found no link between a country's wealth and the happiness of its citizens but there did appear to be a trend between inequality, which has increased in many western countries over the past decade, and negative mental health. This is perhaps most clearly exemplified by Venezuela which was top despite being the most poverty-stricken nation in Latin America. One of the things all nations appeared to have in common was the decline in mental health of young people, with every single country surveyed showing a decline in the mental well being of 1824 year-olds.

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March 23rd April 5th 2022

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Influencers to be barred from plugging junk food

THE Spanish government has announced plans to ban influencers from advertising junk food to children. The plans outlined would see anyone in a position of influence barred from marketing food and drink high in sugar, salt or fat. The draft legislation states: “The ban would prohibit

TikTok twits SOCIAL media users taking part in viral TikTok challenges are putting themselves at risk of blindness, an expert has warned. Dr Nigel Best is urging people not to take part in dares which sees them exposing their eyes to bright lights and toxic substances. He said: ‘These challenges can be extremely dangerous and can put your eye health at risk. One of the challenges going viral sees people mixing bleach, hand sanitiser, jelly and shaving cream in a bag and holding it up to their eyes. It is thought this will make their eyes appear brighter. Dr Best, from Specsavers, said: “Apart from the fact that it won’t make your eyes any brighter, if the bag splits and the contents leak out it could cause corneal scarring, extreme pain and blindness.”Another video doing the rounds sees users trying to change their eye colour from brown to blue by exposing the eye to bright light while using the S5 filter on their phones. Dr Best said: “By intentionally exposing your retinas to bright lights, you risk permanently damaging the light sensitive cells on your retina and causing blind spots.”

appearances in commercial communications by parents, educators, teachers, children’s TV professionals, sportspeople, artists, influencers, and people or characters – be they real or fictional – who may, by dint of their careers, be likely to represent a model or example for these minors.” A 2019 study found over 40% of Spanish children aged six to nine were over their recommended weight.

Obesity

Alberto Garzon, the coordinator for the United Left alliance in the coalition government, said the measures were necessary in order to tackle ‘the serious public health problem of childhood obesity’. In addition, high-profile figures popular among children, such as Youtubers, will also be asked to participate in public health campaigns to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

XYGENSPA is a revolutionary new way to help you feel healthy, rejuvenated, and revitalised. Regular use of OxygenSpa has a host of scientifically proven effects, including: improving your physical and intellectual performance, speeding up the recovery process after an illness, increasing cell regeneration, combating fatigue, and improving concentration. But don’t just take our word for it, see what our customers have to say: "I visited OxygenSpa in February after a problem with scarring which was being treated by painful laser therapy as well as bad stomach problems after a hernia surgery and hip problems. After only 6 sessions in OxygenSpa in San Pedro, I noticed my skin healing more quickly, and the stomach pain I had completely disappeared.” Natalia, San Pedro “Do not hesitate to try this. After my first session, my bronchial issues and difficulty breathing and sleeping at night disappeared. Now I go to the OxygenSpa sessions a couple of times a week, and I continue to feel better. I have been recommending this to all my colleagues, relatives, and friends. All I can say is… do not hesitate to give it a try.” Lorenzo Vega, San Pedro de Alcantara

A session in the increased atmospheric pressure of the OxygenSpa allows your body to absorb a lot more oxygen as well as hydrogen, which acts as a strong antioxidant and boosts the body’s repair and regeneration abilities The therapy takes place in a relaxing environment, complete with reclining chairs, air purifiers, ambient music, and complimentary herbal teas and coffee, as well as ‘Redox’ or hydrogenated water to assist your body’s recovery. OxygenSpa is currently offering a special offer, exclusive to Olive Press readers. Bring this newspaper to the OxygenSpa to receive a 50% discount on your first session.

Contact the OxygenSpa team for more information info@oxygenspa.es or www.oxygenspa.es

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Must be fluent is E experience is a bonnglish and Spanish. Sales us, provided, full contrbut full training will be act from day one. Driving license is essential ple accounts@theoliv ase email your CV to epress.es

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COLUMNISTS The Madness of War March 23rd April 5th 2022

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Double tragedy drives home the insanity of conflict

N my previous column, I wrote about the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Last week, the war became a much more personal thing for me. Mainly because of the incredible bravery of the Ukrainians. Each week since the beginning of the invasion, I have been able to go live on my radio show to former Panorama journalist John Sweeney. Based in Kiev, John has been able to provide my listeners with a harrowing account of what life is like in Ukraine’s besieged capital. Because we conduct the interview by Zoom, he was able to bring in Evgeni, his translator and Ivan, his driver. Both in their early 20s, they pleaded for the West to impose a no fly zone over their country, to stop TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.i ndd the Russian bombing. Last week Natasha, a journalist who had managed to escape the devasta- FRIENDS: Michelle, Pierre and Giles tion unleashed on Mariupol, joined them. They bushy moustache, Pierre is a well-respected also mentioned that they were thankful for the and much loved cameraman who has covered humanitarian aid that they were getting from or- practically every major conflict in the past two dinary people throughout Europe. (If you want to decades, including Iraq and Afganistan, where donate to John, go to @johnsweeneyroar on Twit- he was responsible for helping get Afghans out as Kabul fell. He is married to one ter. The latest donations enabled of my oldest friends, Michelle. The Vlad to buy ball bearings for his last time I saw them both was at aging Skoda). Well loved my Goddaughter’s wedding in LonI also interviewed London based cameraman don in 2019. Ukrainian journalist Anastasiya, Last Monday Pierre was heading who had just returned from helpwho covered to the front line with his 24-yearing friends cross into Poland. She old Ukrainian producer Oleksanspoke about the 24 people sleepevery recent dra Kuvshynova when they came ing in her parents’ apartment in conflict under fire from Russian artillery. Lviv, and of seeing others sleepBoth were killed instantly, victims ing in supermarkets and schools. of an insane invasion inflicted on Anastasiya started crying at the end of the interview, angry and bewildered about an innocent European nation. how an unspeakable horror had been unleashed My heart breaks for Michelle. Pierre and Oleksandra’s deaths are to be investigated as a war crime. on her country. My most personal connection is with Pierre F**K Putin. Zakrzewski. Instantly recognisable with his Slava Ukrani.

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FINAL WORDS

A MAN in Gipuzkoa has been jailed for 15 months and fined €275 after calling on Spanish politicians to suffer ‘a slow death’, and for them to be ‘dissolved in sulphuric acid’ via Facebook.

Paper Picasso A MYSTERY origami artist at Granada’s San Cecilio hospital has been revealed to be an 81-year-old cancer patient who has been making jaw-dropping paper figurines to calm his nerves before chemotherapy.

Guardian angel WORKERS at a Sevilla supermarket have described a local shopper as an ‘angel’ for doing a €261.21 food shop at their store before giving it all to a homeless woman.

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www.theolivepress.es March 23rd - April 5th 2022

DISGRUNTLED! Tunbridge Wells given good reason to be out of sorts after cricket masterclass from Spain RESIDENTS of the UK’s Royal Tunbridge Wells are infamous for being disgruntled on many things in life. Long fabled for writing angry letters to newspapers, now the Victor Meldews of the Home Counties have a good reason to whine. In a remarkable European cricket final, Tunbridge were humbled in a seven wicket drubbing by Spain’s Pak I Care

By George Mathias

Badalona. Now crowned the European champions the Catalan club won the European Cricket League finals in a remarkable final day. It came after they topped their group before beating an Irish team, a Swedish team and an Italian team to reach the finals.

The six week tournament witnessed over 25,000 runs and 1,450 wickets during the course of the competition at the Cartama Oval, Malaga. Muhammad Babar leased the ‘Monday shopfrom Pak I Care was per bag’, made of white named player of the calfskin. tournament, scoring It is adorned with vertical an unrivalled 433 blue stripes and a red logo, runs, including 53 with eagle-eyed Brits quick sixes and 17 fours. to point out a resemblance He also took 23 between the new release wickets. and Tesco’s old design. The tournament, Europe’s biggest-ev-

Every little helps THEY were once handed out free at the tills, but now a designer label shopping bag reminiscent of the plastic Tesco version has been put up for sale at a whopping €1,200. High end Spanish fashion brand Balenciaga has re-

er tournament, has truly put cricket on the European map after drawing in millions of viewers worldwide every week. “It’s great to see a Spanish club taking the crown in Europe. It is well deserved for the club, Spain and the development of European Cricket,” ECL boss Roger Feiner told the Olive Press. “At first glance, the victory of Pak I Care came as a surprise. But when you see the quality of individual players, you can understand why the sport continues to evolve.”

SPAIN will take its place on Rugby Union’s biggest stage after qualifying for next year’s World Cup. Los Leones completed a remarkable turnaround when they defeated Portugal in Madrid, having lost their first three qualifying matches before embarking on a six-game winning run. The 33-28 victory meant that Spain were guaranteed at least second place in the Rugby Europe Championship ahead of their last day clash with Georgia. It was just as well as they were then crushed 49-15 in Tbilisi.

Water result BARCELONA has more cannabis residue in its waste water than Amsterdam. A study of the sewage from 75 cities by the European Agency for Drugs and Drug Addiction, revealed that the Catalan city showed three times more traces of the narcotic than the Dutch capital. The report placed Barcelona and Amsterdam at one and two on the list.