Olive Press Spain - Issue 380

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Vol. 15 Issue 380

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October 20th - November 2nd 2021

EXCLUSIVE: The stunning Costa home where The Crown is setting Lady Diana during her 1990s escapes from her divorce back home...

LEECHES!

Illegal water extraction is threatening to drain Spain’s wetland reserves and cause irreversible ecological damage

2 147 834

By Fiona Govan and Amber Edirisinghe

The Doñana area - home to 2,000 species of wildlife, including the Iberian lynx - already has the highest protection status and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Yet 80% of its natural water supplies have already been drained to irrigate the rice paddies and strawberry fields that surround the park, which sits between Cadiz, Sevilla and Huelva.

ALARMING: Dead fish by Iznajar reservoir around Donana.

Meanwhile the Mar Menor is being slowly poisoned as illegal niExcessive trogen-based discharges are causThe EU’s Court of Justice ruled in ing a build-up of algae that has cut June that Spain had broken EU oxygen levels in the lagoon, leavlaw by allowing the excessive ex- ing marine life to suffocate. tractions of groundwater there.

“If this is happening in places like Its underground aquifers are in Doñana, or the Mar Menor, what serious danger after 1,000 illic- is going on in those areas which it boreholes and 3,000 hectares aren’t under scrutiny?” asked Raof illegal crops were discovered fael Seiz, a scientist at the WWF. One of these could be at the Iznajar reservoir, in Cordoba, after an Olive Press ALL AREAS COVERED reader revealed that hun4G UNLIMITED dreds of fish, at least, have INTERNET been washing IDEAL FOR up dead this STREAMING TV month.

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A NEW report has revealed the shocking extent of water theft from some of Spain’s most fragile wetlands.

The WWF study insists the key endangered habitats include the Doñana National Park, in Andalucia, Las Tablas de Daimiel wetlands, in Castilla La Mancha, and the Mar Menor, in Murcia.

The report claims groundwater from aquifers is being looted to irrigate vast vegetable and fruit growing zones at an ‘alarming rate’ without proper control by the authorities.

The stolen water is enough to fill 65,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year, or the equivalent of half the annual water supply to the city of Madrid.

A year-long investigation highlights the extraction in four key areas, which the WWF insists are not isolated cases but are the worst examples of nationwide negligence.

...WHILE,, also inside, ...WHILE the REAL home that the princess stayed at, which last week was the holiday escape of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his paintbrushes

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NEWS IN BRIEF Tough justice A MAN aged 31 who, in front of his own wife and son, shot another driver for bad parking in Pinos Puente (Granada) told police he had done so because it was ‘the way guys sort out arguments’.

Slit wrist

Boozed up A 31-year-old man was arrested in Casabermeja after he ran away from a police checkpoint that had revealed him to be seven times the legal drink drive limit.

Brothel bust POLICE released 14 victims who were being forced to work as prostitutes at a Malaga brothel, with 27 arrests being made and cocaine, a machete, fake gun and taser being seized.

A PAIR of Dutchmen and a Swede have been arrested over a giant €250 million cocaine bust.

The trio were all picked up in Mijas after the drugs were found on a yacht in the Atlantic.

In an operation described as ‘highly dangerous’ due to the stormy seas, police boarded the boat, Goldwasser, off the Azores.

They arrested the two-man crew of the German-flagged boat – one American and one South American.

An investigation launched at the end of 2019 found that a gang with links to the Costa del

Sol and La Linea had been commissioned by a Galician crime syndicate to smuggle the drugs.

Police surveillance found gang members had bought the Goldwasser in the Canary Islands and it was then sent to South America to pick up its consignment of drugs.

Customs and police tracked the ship, and decided to board her before the drugs could be transferred to another boat.

Raids in Mijas saw the seizure of €34,600 in cash, a pistol, motorcycle and three luxury cars.

IN THE CLEAR Holiday resort will not face criminal charges over triple drowning of British tourists A CRIMINAL investigation into the horrific drowning of a British father and his children at a Costa del Sol resort has been shelved.

A court has ruled there was no foul play in the deaths of Gabriel Diya, 52 and his daughter Comfort, 9, and Praise-Emmanuel, 16, in Mijas, two years ago.

A Fuengirola court has shelved the tragic triple-drowning at the Club la Costa World (CLC) resort, ruling it was an accident.

Police had launched an investigation after the Christmas Eve, 2019, incident in which the tourists from London drowned.

It was on the first day of

a mini-break when nineyear-old Comfort got into difficulties in the pool.

And when her father and brother jumped in to rescue her, they had allegedly been sucked down to the bottom of the pool, as well.

Distraught

Her distraught mother Olubunmi Diya, and another sister, Favour, 14, could only watch the triple-tragedy unfold.

A court report shows that the three drowned ‘probably due to their lack of swimming skills combined with the stress, nerves and panic they suffered in an at-

tempt to save their lives and that of their relative’.

The court order agreed to close the proceedings with the approval of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

It was based largely on two reports from the Guardia Civil.

Both reports - one by the Guardia Civil’s specialised divers unit - could find no fault with the pumps and filtration system, and nothing in the water that was dangerous.

The pool was properly licenced and complied with the regulations.

Although the case has been closed, the court has left the door open to a civil case from the family or to proceedings by local authorities.

The decision to shelve the case can also be taken to the Court of Appeal in Malaga.

Brit gun runner caught A BRITISH man wanted by UK police on firearms charges has been arrested in Madrid.

Clinton Blakey, 36, was located after he failed to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court.

He was due to face charges over possession of two guns and 200 rounds of ammunitions.

He had been accused of being involved in the takedown of the encrypted communications platform EncroChat.

“Our team worked closely with our international liaison officer network and Spanish police to track Blakey down,” said a spokesman for the UK’s National Crime Agency.

Parents face fines for street-drink children PARENTS could face steep penalties if their children are caught drinking in the street.

Under new rules being planned in Madrid to curb mass drinking parties, also known as ‘botellones’, parents could face fines of hundreds of euros.

In the worst case scenario parents could even lose guardianship of their children, who could be taken into care.

Sex clampdown THE government is planning to rid Spain of its image of Europe’s sleaziest country.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to criminalise prostitution insisting the time has come to put an end to a practice that ‘enslaves’ women.

OLIV He told his PSOE party’s annual conferPRESSE ence at the weekend that he would ‘abolish prostition, that enslaves women.’ He ROUND IN didn’t however say how.

CIRCLES The country has been dubbed ‘the brothel of Europe; after a 2011 study revealed it as the third biggest centre for prostitution in the world behind Thailand and Puerto Rico.

A 2009 survey by Spain’s Social Investigations Centre (CIS) found that one + + in three Spanish men had paid for sex, 952 147 834 while another report later reported the figure as 39%.

An estimated 300,000 women work as prostitutes in Spain, and in 2016 the UN estimated the country's sex industry was worth €3.7bn.

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THE REAL COMMUN ITY NEWSPAPER

ALARM: over

53 mega parks

SOS Save our Sol

Locals demand action after council ‘fails for five years’ to tackle prostitution at busy roundabouts

voice in Spain

press.es June 16th - June

Why Marbella is still an A-list destination

29th 2021

TACKLING THE LOCAL

See supplement inside

ISSUES THAT MATTER

TO YOU

By Fiona Govan

RESIDENTS are mounting a battle over plans for a series farms that threaten of massive solar rural tourism and the environment, views in southern some of the ‘best Dozens of expats Spain’. have joined locals oppose the large-scale to have been slammed projects which frenzy’ threatening as ‘a speculation of Spain’s beauty to carve up some er environmental spots without propIn recent weeks impact studies. protests have taken place around Malaga plans for a staggeringand Cadiz where 53 photovoltaic plants have been unveiled.

The mayors of Gaucin, Jimena de la Frontera Casares and have expressed concern about at mega-projects in least four ‘massive’ the While in Coin last pipeline. backed by the townweek, a protest, hall, was held against proposed solar farms in the beautiful Rio Grande area of the Guadalhorce valley.

In Jimena alone, an area of over 2,200 hectares – the equivalent of 3,500 football fields is destined for panels.

Protesters claim that energy companies are deliberately tions into smaller dividing applicaprojects to bypass environmental regulations.

The vast solar parks threaten to carpet an area rich in flora and fauna and destroying archaeological sites and ancient pastures.

They allegedly also drain already scarce water supplies.

Others fear a plummet es and rural tourism, in house pricsential to the economywhich is so esof the region.

Affected residents to contact their townare being urged halls and lodge complaints.

LOCALS are demanding a series of prostitutes action over

By Kirsty McKenzie trade near a children’sthat ply their an mother and her & playground Elena Gocmen on the Costa del daughters,” she told the Olive Rueda Sol. Despite complaining they bring other Press. “Sometimes for years, resi- named girls and I question dents say nothing ‘Pippa’ whether tackle a group of has been done to of the trail of by residents because “There they are even 18. clients in broad women who solicit leaves behind sunflower seeds she a few is definitely a pimp because weeks ago we heard taking them intodaylight, frequently “It depicts a each day. that the men were complete lack of the nearby countryside. spect for people re- “It is a firing shots at each other. living in this area,” shame because They are continuing expat otherwise, to work from Press. Susan Davies told the Olive this is such a lovely town. the Abbeygate roundabout But I believe the town on the A7 in Estepona, tised spending the hall has priorinearby junctions,as well as two other money to make Estepona look an Olive Unhygienic Press gorgeous with vestigation has discovered. inits plants and not all “It’s unhygienic When not working, enough funding because for the residents com- not wear plain about a deluge masks, leave their they do aside. police. Safety has been put of litter, in- on the road rubbish cluding plastic and used condoms “The bottles, numbers and used the park for children by of condoms dumped creased over the officers have deto tread on.

“They are taking years here and For the last five nearby. the piss because would hate to imagine I vealed that at leastyears, locals re- nobody is doing anything same way as La Linea us going the See Sunny valley, one woman can Recent about it.”

DISGRACE: Rubbish be spotted daily on the busy N-340 60, who retiree Bridget Michaels, are not enough police because there including motorway eclipse on pages solar condoms dumped to 6&7 also lives in the between Estepona area, be- safety of the residents.” ensure the one girl plies her while (top) and lieves the women may Casares Costa. trade be getting Spaniard Ben Luoma, forced to work by Residents believe a teacher pimps. from Estepona, at least three The grandmother, added: originally from inherent risks associated“There are women are of- Romford, with enfering sex for that some said she was concerned gaging in this work at the side of the sex workers sale, with one even be may such a busy road and I would of underage. to see the police like being nick- “I believe it’s an and town hall do Eastern Europe- more.

ALL AREAS COVERED “My main concern is that some the women, some of of whom are very young, 4G UNLIMITED have been forced into INTERNET prostitution rather IDEAL FOR than choosing to STREAMING TV gage in sex work.” enEstepona lawyer CrisALSO IPTV, tina Molina López confirmed locals SATELLITE TV been demanding had See page 11 tion for years and actel: (0034) 952 763 the problem has that 840 been info@theskydoctor.com raised at countless www.theskydoctor.com See page Continues

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The day that shamed Spain

E SIV CLU EX

PROSECUTORS are demanding 14 years jail for attempted murder after a woman from Rincon de la Victoria slashed the wrist of her sleeping husband, who nearly died.

Double Dutch (and a Swede) snared

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

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CRIME

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The

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Pimping

There are an estimated 1,500 puticlubs - as brothels are known – in Spain and prostitution was ‘decriminalised’ in 1995.

This effectively removed punishment for the offering of sexual services as long as it is not done in public places, although it remains unregulated.

Pimping for sex is illegal however, under the country’s criminal code and so is forcing people to have sex with others for money.

Local governments differ in their approaches to prostitution, usually in response to community pressure groups, and based on ‘public safety’.

As the Olive Press revealed earlier this year (see above), teenage prostitutes are being pimped on a number of roundabouts in Estepona, with no attempt to crack down from the local town hall.

A spokesman for the Committee to Support Sex Workers, CATS, believes banning prostitution will harm the very people it is designed to help.

“This will not eradicate prostitution,” said a spokesman. “It will help the mafias in the same way as happened in the US when alcohol was prohibited. I think it will be catastrophic.”

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Opinion Page 6

NEWS FEATURE

The Benahavis villa that served as the secret hideout for Lady Diana’s 1990s trips to the Costa del Sol

September 8th - September 21st 2021

PERFECT FOR A PRINCESS

3

PHOTOS BY: Private Property

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PALATIAL: Stunning eight-bedroom Villa Mozart in Zagaleta

that is playing its role as Lady Diana’s secret Costa del Sol hideout in the fifth series of hit TV drama The Crown.

Doubling as the estate where the princess escaped the world’s media following her divorce from Prince Charles, it is far closer to the true location than anyone could possibly imagine.

Indeed, ‘Villa Mozart’, as it has been named for the series, sits just over a kilometre from the real escape, Torre de Tramores, where coincidentally British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stayed last week.

It was in 600-hectare Tramores, owned by UK government minister Zac Goldsmith, that Diana is understood to have hid out on

LUXURY: The Titania yacht rented for €600,000 per week

KIM CLARK

Press

EXCLUSIVE

By Jon Clarke

ROYAL LIFE: Dodi and Diana in the 1990s, while (right) actress Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West on set this month. two occasions in the mid 1990s.

Visiting with her close friend Jemima Goldsmith (then Jemina Khan, married to Pakistan president Imran Khan), she was able to try and get her life back on track away from the prying lenses of the paparazzi.

With the British prime minister renting the actual estate, and the Goldsmith family understood to have turned down filming, producers went for the next best thing.

And Villa Mozart was perfect for a number of scenes, including ones featuring the princess, played by actress Elizabeth Debicki, 31, and her close friend, Jemima.

Olive Press sources revealed that producers hired the villa for a week and used it as a base for the team, when filming nearby in Puerto Banus, San Pedro and in the village of Benahavis itself.

“At least three scenes were set in Villa Mozart, while they filmed in a couple of locations nearby in Benahavis,” revealed the source.

Now relocated to Mallorca, the production filmed at Los Amigos restaurant and the Hotel Amanhavis, in the village, as well as on the stunning Titania yacht, which they rented for a reported €600,000 a week.

“It has been great for Benahavis,” said expat councillor Scott Marshall. “Having Boris Johnson staying was also a real bonus.”

It was also good for Marbella, with the Netflix crew filming a number of times around Puerto Banus.

Relationship

Director Philip Martin was spotted calling the shots with Australian star Debicki, who has replaced British star Emma Corrin as Diana in the fifth series. Other actors spotted around the Spanish resort were Dominic West who plays Prince Charles and Imelda Staunton, who plays the Queen.

The fifth series of The Crown will focus very heavily on the collapse of Diana’s relation-

ship with Prince Charles.

It will recall her various trips to Spain during the mid-1990s, including her ill-fated trip to stay at Mijas’ Hotel Byblos in 1994 when she was photographed topless.

Her trips to Tramores, which dates back to Moorish times, were far more successful although she came close to getting rumbled when she had her sons, princes William and Harry in tow.

“While they had the entire estate to themselves and had plenty of opportunities to ride and swim, the princes had been, perhaps inevitably, looking for more exciting modern-day pursuits,” said the source.

“It was agreed they would go and try out the exciting new inland water-skiing lake in nearby San Pedro, where users got towed around, not by boat, but by a cable-ski.”

A novel idea, but it proved to be

foolhardy as, within minutes of arriving, they were recognised by fellow visitors, one of whom contacted a local Spanish photographer, who zoomed up with a friend and started to take photos.

“By incredible fortune the princes covered themselves in blankets in time and their minders were able to get them away, driving, not as the paparazzi were expecting towards Marbella, but inland to Benahavis,” revealed the source.

The trail went cold and, despite rumours that they were staying in Benahavis, they were never spotted again that holiday.

“It was a stroke of luck and Diana was able to get her life back on track and discuss her next moves after her divorce with one of her best friends,” added the source.

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NEWS

4 www.theolivepress.es Dead fish From front page

John Pearce reported that it came after the water level was the lowest he had seen in 20 years.

“Then last week dead fish started washing up,” he revealed. “I counted around 200 fish in just one 20 metre stretch of shore.”

He added locals believe water is being drained off to fill rice fields in nearby Antequera, while a Coca Cola factory may also have been using ‘too much’ water, but the town hall has provided no answers.

The WWF blames local authorities for failing to clampdown on illegal farming and the central government for failing to provide the funds and means required to monitor water theft.

Magnitude

“There is neither a specific assessment of the water abstractions with a permit from the water authorities, nor a formal estimate of the impact and magnitude of the illegal use of groundwater,” explained a WWF spokesman.

The WWF wants the authorities to ‘act urgently and effectively’ to tackle this situation.

“Illegal water use is a crime against biodiversity but also against those water users that fully comply with the law and use water responsibly,” added the spokesman.

A GERMAN expat has won a major kitesurf competition in Tarifa.

Keanu Matt Merten, 16, landed the junior world championship and Spanish cup, alongside fellow Estepona kiter Rafa Montero, 14.

Merten, who began competing at

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

Mystery death of naked man

Flying high 12, has become the junior world champion in the Strapless section.

Montero specialises in the Freestyle mode, where riders often perform difficult tricks and high powered jumps.

UP AND AWAY: Keanu

PETS HAVE FEELINGS TOO!

SPAIN has unveiled radical plans to change an animal’s status from a ‘thing’ to a ‘living being with feelings’.

Under a new draft animal welfare bill, pets will now be granted rights, while dog owners, at least, will be asked to undertake a training

Spain unveils new animal welfare bill with far-reaching changes course.

In addition pet shops will be outlawed while it will be illegal to leave a dog at home alone for more than 24 hours.

A ROW has broken out after a €400 ‘state gift voucher’ for 18-year-olds to spend on ‘cultural’ activities will not allow spending on bullfights.

Around half a million teens will be handed the one-off gift next year, which is designed to give theatres, cinemas and concert venues a much needed post-COVID boost.

Book shops and other struggling cultural businesses, such as museums, are eligible.

But bullfights have not been included in the €190 million scheme, despite Spain being able to trace their roots back 2,000 years.

It is also despite bullfighting being listed

A pet offender list will ban anyone who has been convicted of abusing animals in the past.

Owners will also be banned

Bulls off the menu

as part of the country’s cultural heritage under Spanish law.

Just 8% of the population are said to attend fights, most just occasionally, and there are moves to ban under-16s from attending the spectacles.

Bullfighting has also been banned in over 100 towns, including Barcelona and Palma, while a regional ban by Catalunya in 2010 was later ruled unconstitutional by Spain's Supreme Court.

The Canary Islands have so far been able to outlaw the passtime.

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from keeping over five pets unless they apply for a special permit.

The draft bill also includes a ban on wild animals being used in circuses and outlines specific new conditions for keeping animals in captivity such as zoos and safari parks.

Local authorities will also have to draw up plans to evacuate animals from emergency zones, such as wildfires.

However, it falls short of addressing Spain’s controversial bullfighting tradition.

A spokesman for Spain’s green Equo party welcomed the bill as an ‘exciting’ moment in Spain’s history.

The conservative PP party and the far-right Vox party opposed the bill but it was still passed by the lower house and is likely to be approved by the Senate.

ARE YOU COVERED?

POLICE have launched an inquiry after a naked man was found dead on a motorway after a bizarre road accident.

The young Scandinavian - believed to be around 20 years old - was killed after being struck while walking on the A7 motorway near Puerto Banus.

He was hit by a vehicle driven by a 38-year-old Spaniard near an overpass for pedestrians.

Police revealed that man was naked when he died at 5am... and because he had no documentation they are struggling to identify him.

They believe he was visiting the Marbella area from Norway.

Gruesome discovery A POST Mortem on the body of a headless corpse found floating in an Andalucian river has concluded that the 60-year-old man killed himself.

The Cordoba native had been found in the Guadalquivir river last month.

A pathologist said the man had hung himself, then several days later his head came away.

It was found several days after the body, hidden among reeds.

TIE CARD UPDATE

Why is it likely to change

TAX & INVESTMENTS Residents Requirements

EXPAT ADVICE

From our team of experts

LIVING IN SPAIN AFTER BREXIT - WHAT HAS CHANGED? Your Questions Answered l Legal l Currency l Health & Wealth l Expat Advice Have you become a resident? Have you been affected by change?

NEWS

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Are town halls deliberately targeting expats for cash?

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Your expat

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NOT AGAIN FREE

October 6th - October 19th 2021

Vol. 15 Issue 370 www.theolivepress.es June 2nd - June 15th 2021

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EXCLUSIVE

By Dilip Kuner

HEARTLESS

AN Olive Press reader has claimed that foreigners are being targeted by Spanish town halls wanting to pocket extra cash.

The expat, based in Madrid, believes that a penalty fine for 952 147 834 non-payment of ground rent (IBI) on a property was ‘a set up’. + + It comes after the Olive Press recently reported on two cases Tel: 952 147 834 in Andalucia, where expats lost 147 834 952 their homes due to the incorrect mailing of legal demands.

In one case, Gurney Davey was forced to knock down his time I found out it was too home after his house was ruled late.” to have been built illegally in a Meanwhile a hotelier in Ronda court case that he knew noth- was left furious after having to ing about. pay a €900 fine when a IBI letThe Guadalhorce resident only ter was inexplicably sent to her found out about the judge- ex-partner’s office in Marbella ment when a neighbour told - despite all her documentation him about a demolition notice being registered at the Ronda which had been wrongly ad- address. dressed to them instead The British resident in MaAnd last issue we reported how drid meanwhile told the Olive Victoria Jenkins and her son Press how letters demanding were thrown out of their home the annual IBI on her property that had been ‘secretly’ sold were sent to totally the wrong from under them at auction building. over a paltry €4,000 debt to “Meanwhile I kept asking for the local council. the bills, and was told by Ma“For months and months all drid town hall that they would the legal notices were sent to come in the post. Eventually an address that didn’t exist,” when I found out what had explained Jenkins. “By the happened and complained, I scandal.

Former king Juan Carlos, football manager Pep Guardiola and singer Miguel Bose, are among the bigthe gest Spanish names stung in so-called Pandora Papers.

But it is the Italian gangster Rafin faele Amato, who was arrested Malaga, model Claudia Schiffer, who has a home in Mallorca, and Julio Iglesias, who lives in Marbella, that will be of most interest locally. as exposed All of them have been having offshore accounts alongside in at least five Spanish politiciansrethe giant trove of documents leased this week.

In total, around 600 Spaniards are now under scrutiny after being named in the Pandora Papers leak, doza over by which was compiled en media groups around the globe.

The papers also put the spotlight on Russian oligarchs and godfather Amato, who used offshore companies to amass wealth and assets around Malaga.

A series of well-known expats, such as pop star Shakira and Nobel-Prize Continues on Page 2

once they had stamped it.”

The news came as a massive bolt from the blue for Davey, whose wife has just died of cancer, which he believes worsened from the stress of the case.

He had never been told about the court case that followed on from a Guardia Civil denuncia for an ‘illegal build’.

Davey’s two-bed home - built in 2004 - should never have been built according to the Malaga court.

Legalise

home Expat mum and teenage son lose to wrong after courts send legal notices court ruling address despite earlier family Lee WHEN Victoria Jenkins’ partner did a runner leaving her and their son on the Costa del Sol, she didn’t think life could get any worse.

But the expat family have been evicted after their €320,000 home was sold at auction without their knowledge over an unpaid property tax.

The Essex mum from Chelmsford had moved to Mijas with her partner when their child Samuel was fouryears-old.

But when he left to go on a business trip to Indonesia some years back, she never heard from him again. it Her nightmare got worse when of took an incredible three years court appearances to win full custody of Samuel, now 14, with a judge the finally ruling she could stay in 18 family home until her son turned in 2026.

“I gave up any hope of child support because Lee simply vanished into thin air, but although our home was in his name, it was paid off and I was my assured we could stay in it until she son reached his 18th birthday,” The told O l i v e Press.

“I just got on with things and tried

In 2016, and then again in 2017, Davey was ordered to knock down his house, but, in common with a neighbour, he waited for more details.

While his Spanish neighbour, Irene Millan, 29, did eventually hear from the court again, she was given six months to ‘legalise’ her property - an option Davey was never given.

However, his neighbour’s apparent good luck turned into a poisoned chalice.

Having spent €20,000 with the DEMOLITION: Expat Gurney Davey is being forced to knock down his own town hall to legalise the dwelling, house and faces six months jail the court finally refused to accept lan, whose name was on the cancer, at the age of 71, in April. from legal firm Manzanares, told the new paperwork provided by deeds, was also sentenced to six “We thought we had done the smart thing to do. months jail and handed a fine of everythe council. thing right at the time. We got them that planning permission “Why would we deliberately €6 a day for a year. would be applied for as an almatry to Instead, demolition was ordered legal advice and went through build illegally? It makes no sense - Now Davey is terrified he is a cen - or ‘warehouse’. which went ahead last week. set to lawyer in order to get permission This way it would come under the that we would sell up everything To add insult to injury Irene’s lose his home at any moment. to build the home. in the UK and risk it all.” remit of Tolox town 54-year-old father, Manuel Mil- It comes just two months since “Diana fought breast cancer for would give permissionhall, which Now Davey’s first thoughts are to his wife Diana died from bowel and later avoid serving the six years before bowel cancer jail sentence.

I they could ‘legalise’ the property.

He said: “My lawyer is trying to am sure the The language stress brought seen by the of one legal letter, get the sentence suspended.”

Olive Press, suggests it on.” this would be a mere formality.

The couple, But the property never Flatten got legaloriginally from ised.

In the meantime he has been Suffolk in the In fact, the ALL AREAS COVERED Tolox mayor of the forced to ask the town hall for UK, spent time, Juan Vera, has since been permission to knock his own € 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 jailed and fined property down.

4G UNLIMITED building their scheme to allow for his part in a “I will do it myself. I will borrow up to 350 propproperty.

INTERNET erties to be a “It came as a as ‘rural’. built on land classified myJCB from someone and flatten IDEAL FOR home of the past 17 years. I package - a In most cases STREAMING TV he had used the will not let the town hall do it and plot with a new very same ‘lax’ procedure of ap- charge me more money.” home on it.”

ALSO IPTV, plying to build an ‘almacen’ to He added: “I’ve no idea where to Davey admits try to keep SATELLITE TV the prying eyes of the live afterwards. But the land is he and his wife Junta authorities still mine - maybe I can live in See page 5 & 15 away. a were perhaps “We thought tent.” tel: (0034) 952 763 840 naive to follow things workedthat was the way Tolox Ayuntamiento refused to info@theskydoctor.com the advice of Davey, a retired in Spain,” said comment, builder. citing data protection their lawyer. www.theskydoctor.com “We went to see a lawyer and got laws.

The lawyer, advice. It turns out that was not Opinion Page 6

EXCLUSIVE

By Fiona Govan

to bring up my son as best I could,” she said. a Then in November 2020, there was knock at the door and she was given an eviction notice.

“It turns out that my ex had a €4,000 the debt of unpaid ground tax with on town hall so they put a forced sale it and someone bought it at auction for €25,000.”

HOMELESS: Victoria and Samuel and (above) the urbanisation they lived on Sold inI be too late when I was never Amazed that the house her husband so formed in the first place?” paid €320,000 was sold off for the She was told that she must vacate the but little, she immediately went to property by October 5 this week, court to find out how it happened can launch an appeal in Madrid. without her knowledge.

That however will take many monthsa that and deal done a “I was told it was and up to 14 weeks alone just to get this final eviction notice was defini- legal aid lawyer assigned to her case. time and tive and that my time to defend it had of out was I said judge “The the she passed because I had ignored all that the eviction must go ahead,” our up previous legal notices. to said, sobbing. “I’m packingfor us to “I took a private lawyer with me stuff and have no choice but the court to demand my case file and go and stay on a friend’s sofa.” discovered that all the previous legal And so it came to pass when yesternotices had been sent to the wrong day the previous court order allowing was comaddress. be- her to stay in the home “My lawyer said I could appeal still pletely ignored with the duo being cause of this but a year later and evicted. offino one will listen to me. I keep being can “Two court officials, two police told that I am too late. But how cers, the two new owners, a locksmith and some other guy showed

up, eight in total, all to make sure that we left the premises,” she added, clearly* heartbroken.

O f f e r a l i d fup o r and n e met w c u “I had my stuff v packed to them at the gate and was told to go the paperwork tomorrow to get TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd court 1 if I want to launch an appeal. It was horrible,” she added.

She continued: “It’s a total scandal can that our home worth €320,000 the be sold off for just €25,000 for sake of a €4,000 debt without our even being informed.

“But it’s actually inhumane that they are going to make my son homeless.

“His father abandoned us but ALL AREAS COVERED I thought that at least we have a roof over our heads but now that has been taken despite a 4G UNLIMITED court order promising us anINTERNET other five years.

IDEAL FOR “I was never even given the STREAMING TV chance to stand before a judge and argue my case. This is not ALSO IPTV, justice.”

SATELLITE TV The Olive Press was hoping to get some answers on the case 840 763 tel: (0034) 952 before we went to press.

X

NAMED: Schiffer, Guardiola, Blair and Iglesias oliA HOST of Costa gangsters, garchs and celebrities have been tax caught up in a giant offshore

British expat faces demolition of his 17 year home - and a spell in prison repeat of controversial Priors - in case

AN expat is facing prison for failing to demolish his home after he fell foul of a town hall’s ‘laissez faire’ planning rules.

Gurney Davey, aged 67, only found out about the six-month sentence when a court document was delivered to a neighbour’s house.

“I went straight to Tolox town hall with it. They told me I shouldn’t have received it yet,” he told the Olive Press.

“They said they were going to be sending the notification to me

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FLASHBACK: Two recent + + wrong address victims made our front page

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E n d s

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21/6/19 13:30

Covers the whole of Spain

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* O f f e r

v a l i d

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1

was told ‘these things happen sometimes’ but I still had to pay the penalty for late payment.

Racket

“It stinks of a racket to deliberately make money and I have to wonder whether they are targeting those with foreign names around Spain as we are less capable of fighting back?”

Have you been deliberately targeted? Do you have a story about legal and official notices going to the wrong address? How has it affected you? Get in touch at newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

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6

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION NO DRY SUBJECT! AS if Spain didn’t already have a problem with its waterworks.

A hard-hitting WWF report has slammed the country for not protecting its key, precious wetlands.

Their illegal draining to irrigate unlicensed farmland is a travesty that the Spanish government is well equipped to deal with, if only it had the political will to do so.

That the investigation has been left to a charity is a veritable scandal in itself.

Sure, lip service has been paid to the serious issue of the Mar Menor, but mostly it has been blame and counter-blame from politicians on both sides.

Meanwhile, Spain was firmly reprimanded by the EU for failing to act against illegal farming practices in Doñana some years back… yet not enough has been done to curb it.

How many other environmental travesties are being carried out right under the nose of local Spanish authorities?

In this issue we highlight one alarming case that appears to be brewing at the Iznajar reservoir, in rural Cordoba.

With what appears to be thousands of dead fish floating into the shore over recent weeks, we hope urgent action is being taken to investigate it. We doubt it, however.

What we need to do is vote with our feet and take our own action.

If we want to eat strawberries and salad leaves all year round, we can expect to see an even larger proliferation of greenhouses across more swathes of the Spanish countryside.

The cost however, will be huge.

It’s certainly time the authorities did their own bit before it’s too late.

A

FEATURE

CROWN AND COUNTRY

ROW of photographers lined the track outside the leafy Torre de Tramores estate in the foothills of Spain’s newest national park the Sierra de las Nieves.

Kitted out in khaki shorts and t-shirts, the appropriate attire for an Indian summer on the Costa del Sol, they scoured the horizon and waited patiently for their subject: the UK’s beleaguered prime minister Boris Johnson, who had fled abroad, trying (but failing) to escape a growing gas and produce crisis festering back home.

All set for a jolly week of peace hidden away in a secret valley ten miles inland from the coast, near Benahavis, the Old Etonian must have been spitting in his cornflakes when he woke up to find his those times when the preshols gracing the front pages … sure of leading the country the best in the Sunday Mirror: got too much for him. Just about the only picture of the ‘What Costa Living Crisis?’

Drat and blast! Just the sec- holiday showed the mop top ond day of his break, follow- leader standing squinting into ing a rousing Conservative the evening sun in a pink work party conference speech (typ- shirt painting a sunset over, eh, Sotogrande! ically short on Well that direcfacts, large on tion at least. banter, a la BoIt looked A fortnight earris) his plans to lier he’d have go hiking, a day staged to caught the on the beach perhaps mountain horiand carousing zon in flames, the boutiques invoke some from the Sierra of Marbella sympathy Bermeja fire. old town came It looked staged crashing around to perhaps inhis ears.

He would just have to make voke some sympathy from do with the 600-plus hectares his long-suffering subjects of woodlands, with semi-trop- back home, now feeling the ical gardens, a duo of swim- catastrophe of Brexit coming ming pools, tennis court and, home to roost. one would expect, a croquet But, above all, how tragic that he should be foiled in pitch or two.

Oh, and dabbling with his his cheeky getaway, while the paint brushes in the after- rest of the UK had been more noon sun, as his hero Winston or less ordered to Staycation!

Churchill had once done all How ironic as well that this

How the Olive Press played its part in Boris Johnson’s painting break on the Costa del Sol that didn’t play well to the crisis-torn subjects back in the UK, explains Jon Clarke

SUMPTUOUS: The stunning retreat of Torre de Tramores counts on two pools and 600 hectares

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classic slice of Andalucian paradise, had once allegedly become the redoubt of the world’s most pursued princess, Lady Diana, back in the 1990s.

Yes, indeed, the leafy acres of

The Torre de Tramores estate in Benahavis takes its name from an ancient 10th century tower built in the times of the Moorish occupation.

The gardens still have their original streams and irrigation channels planned by the former Muslim owners, from the days of Al-Andaluz.

The property was bought by

Al Andaluz paradise

multimillionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, who decided that this would be the place where he would spend the last days of his life. He died of cancer there in 1997.

the Torre de Tramores estate had somehow successfully shielded her from the world’s press who were circling as she hid out with her friend Jemima Khan to escape the scandal of her divorce from Prince Charles and the end of her relationship with surgeon Hasnat Khan.

It had been a masterstroke to descend to Benahavis and the estate owned by Jemima’s dad Sir James Goldsmith, who latterly passed it on to her brother Zac Goldsmith, a Tory politician and pal of Johnson’s, on his death.

At the time, the world had been wondering where Diana had disappeared to, when suddenly the lenses picked up her sons, Willam and Harry, water skiing nearby in San Pedro and the hunt intensified.

But while the princes were pictured at the nearby inland lake, somehow they were never traced to Tramores, a short five minute drive inland from the picturesque village of Benahavis.

A few weeks later she would famously be on the yacht of Dodi Fayed off St. Tropez and all set to get married to, shock horror, a Muslim.

The Tramores estate is still a marvellous escape today, easily reached by helicopter with its own helipad, and with

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

7

Those in the know

W

HEN British Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew into Spain to take a break from the challenges of dealing with a fuel crisis and the prospect of empty shelves by Christmas, it was Olive Press editor Jon Clarke who stood up the story with Spanish police.

It made the front page of the Sunday Mirror and Mail on Sunday and sparked a wave of criticism back home as a squadron of Fleet Street hacks decamped to the Costa del Sol to pick up the story.

We guided them to the amazing Benahavis estate where Boris and his wife Carrie, and toddler son Wilf were staying and gave them the full rundown and background.

And we, of course, kept all our online readers in the loop every step of the way.

A week earlier an Olive Press story about The Crown filming in Malaga was gracing the UK press, while over the last few months over a dozen stories have seen their way into the international media.

Autumn discount

But you don’t need to wait for the foreign press to follow up on our stories.

At the Olive Press online you’ll find exclusive after exclusive story, as well as hundreds of travel articles, dozens of interviews and scores of important ‘explainers’ vital for an easy, painless, life in Spain.

Oh and all the latest up-to-date news and information - be it volcanoes, floods or strikes - that is important to those living or travelling in Spain.

Join us at www.theolivepress.es today and sign up as a subscriber with a special Autumn offer that gives you full access to all our content for just €3.49 a month.

TOULOUSE LE PLOT: Boris has been painting inside the estate and how his painting was imagined a number of properties sleep- Most intriguing, the Olive ing up to 29 VIP guests.

Press can reveal, is a visit by Costing €30,000 a week, it Boris’ father Stanley in the divides between the main Spring, when a source bumped house, set over three levels, into him while hiking in the and a two-bedroom apartment nearby hills. He had been with private access. Another clearly sizing up the place for smaller villa sleeps 10 with a post lockdown break for his five en-suite bedson. rooms.

It was on the Occasionally vissecond day of Olive Press ited by Zac and his holiday, on discovered the the Friday, that his brother Nathanial, its most Olive Press Prime Minister the common family discovered visitor is younghad become a that the British est brother Ben, Prime Minister famous guest had become the who oversees the running of most famous the estate. guest for some It has seen many famous time, at least. guests, including Pakistani Through sources in MarbelPrime Minister Imran Khan la, the paper was able to eswho was photographed there tablish that he had arrived on his 1995 honeymoon with straight after the Conservahis now ex-wife Jemima Gold- tive party conference with smith. Hugh Grant has also his new wife Carrie and son allegedly stayed.

Wilfred, 18 months. Carrie is

pregnant with their second child.

Told he would be spending ‘up to 10 days’ at the estate, we quietly passed the story on to the UK press over the weekend, having just gone to print with our fortnightly edition a few days before.

While the government did its best to try and paint a positive slant, it was impossible to stem the criticism of a leader taking an exclusive break, while most people struggled back home.

His first foreign break since before the pandemic critics slammed him for leaving the country in the middle of a fuel crisis and with a predicted winter of discontent, with surging energy prices and stock shortages, brewing.

The boss of the GMB trade union Gary Smith accused Boris of having ‘swanned off on his jollies while the country

is in the grip of a crisis’.

“While working people worry about how they are going to pay the bills, the Prime Minister is relaxing in a luxury villa - missing in action once more.”

UK Steel boss Gareth Stace also questioned the timing of the holiday when key industries in Britain were sending out warning signals.

Steel producers, as well as manufacturers of paper, glass and ceramics claim they may be forced to halt production unless the government does something about energy prices, which have zoomed up due to the price of natural gas.

Stace told LBC radio: “I'm sure he can get on the phone and get talking to them but to my mind, now is not the time for a prime minister to be on holiday, from the steel sector point of view.”

Email us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es and we’ll send you a special discount code.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Benidorm and Costa Blanca hotels don’t 1- Why want to rely on UK tourists coming to Spain has it all - the ultimate guide to 2- Benahavis the hidden gem of Spain’s Costa del Sol luck this time Boris Johnson hoping 3- Better holiday in Spain’s Marbella isn’t as disastrous as previous vacations leaving Spain in drovers 4- Are Brits really where’s the evidence are the new rules for travel between the UK 5- What and Spain now Amber List has been scrapped.

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8

GREEN

www.theolivepress.es

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

WITH THE RUN UP TO COP 26, SPACE TOURISM SHOULD BE OUTLAWED

I

AM not the most fervent fan of the British Royal Family.

Her Majesty the Queen is an exception.

She is rightly the envy of most nations.

Prince Charles shot himself in both feet with the whole Diana/Camilla affair. The less said about ‘Randy Andy’ the better.

Prince William, on the other hand, is becoming a true ally of the movement to help save planet Earth from the vicious and damaging effects of climate change.

In an interview on the BBC he said that the world’s greatest minds should be focused on trying to save this planet.

He said: “It really is crucial that we focus on this planet rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future.”

I agree.

The human race is seldom logical.

In July 1969 America put a man on the moon. This cost over $25 billion then.

Yet lower income Americans then and now cannot afford proper healthcare.

Countless billions have been invested in space tourism, yet we still can’t cure cancer.

It all comes down to priorities.

Is the exponential investment in putting the extremely rich into space (with a huge carbon cost) worth it ?

Prince William’s father Charles was actually ahead of the curve in talking about environmental changes. William, his son, is a more credible voice that people will listen to.

Don’t COP out…

The COP 26 conference is due to start in Glasgow on October 31.

Early November will see more hot air come out of Scotland than the Sahara desert. I feel I could write the headlines now that will come from this critically important meeting of the world’s leaders.

But are they truly committed? I think not.

China’s Premier Xi Jinping will not be in

Green

Matters

FINAL FRONTIER?

By Martin Tye

Repair this planet - don’t try to find the next place to live attendance. The Chinese are the world’s largest polluters. The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will now attend but only following huge political pressure on him to do so.

Russia, India. China, Saudi Arabia and Brazil have still not come forward with fresh commitments to make COP 26 a success.

Climate issues are all over the media.

Electricity costs have soared to unimaginable heights.

Gas prices are through the roof.

Let’s hope that concrete, tangible, measurable commitments come from this conference.

The clock is ticking - the world is suffering.

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A SPANISH town is becoming a model for how to run a municipality on a sound ecological basis.

Just a few kilometres from the brash tourist trap of Benidorm, La Nucia is committed to going green.

The town hall has put in charging points for electric cars that are free to all, and has come up with a novel way to discourage the throw-away culture.

Mayor Bernabe Cano oversaw a move that meant the more residents recycle, the less local tax they pay, which has been deemed a huge success.

The road to a sustainable future has been a long one, with the municipality starting on the journey 20 years ago.

Since then it has won three Architizer awards for its ecological architecture.

The first step to sustainability was to ban cars from the old town centre and create green areas planted with native pines to improve air quality.

Architecturally the town has embraced a ‘quality of life’ philosophy with an emphasis on single family homes rather than the massive tower blocks seen in Benidorm.

Long run

And the council has chosen architecture that is environmentally friendly. Harking back to the old pre-airconditioning days, walls on the municipal buildings are built to be thick, thus providing a heat sink and reducing cooling and heating costs in the long run.

The town hall’s approach has proven to be extremely popular with foreigners, who have flocked to the area. Expats from more than 100 countries make up more than half the population.

The mayor hopes that his town can point other Spanish municipalities in the right direction by continuing to set a good green example.

Pest Problem ESTEPONA Town Hall has launched a programme of protection against the perennial problem of processionary caterpillars.

Each year the thaumetopoea processionea presents a serious hazard to pets and people.

The fine hairs of the processionary caterpillar contain a poison that can trigger hives or allergic reactions in children and adults and can prove fatal to dogs if swallowed. The caterpillars also weaken the pines.

To combat this threat, municipal workers will be injecting a preventative treatment, which does not damage the trees or emit chemicals. The 2,500 doses, three for each tree, are concentrated on public parks, in large areas of pine forests, and close to schools and in green areas.

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LETTERS

Think before you judge Dear Olive Press,

España is a SPAIN’S Fiesta Nacional de ts are not trueven The n. eno nom phe strange rance of the ly celebrations, more a rememb ? they are Or ies. glor country’s past al military With the King viewing the tradition think in terms parades, the temptation is to k’ they hang of Spain’s colonial past. The ‘hoo memorates them on is that the day in fact comthat discovChristopher Columbus’s voyage ered the Americas. notion.

This does nothing to dispel the e are every Indeed, there have been (as ther American th Sou ral seve in year) protests this country countries – and even within t is too much saying that the focus of the even on Spain. commemorate It is the day the Spanish people gnising what reco try, coun the of ory the hist to reconfirm has been achieved together andas a nation. re futu the for ent the commitm rnative name But it is more than that. Its alte aim is to inis the Dia de Hispanidad. The ld in the celeclude the Spanish-speaking worand encourage brations to foster stronger ties a sense of unity. cted by the In some ways it is an idea refle lth. wea mon British Com le should Before making judgement, peop the day is t wha y trul is l idea consider if this er. about. If it is – so much the bett

Jennifer Morales, Granada

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

National disgrace?

Spain’s National Day holiday was viewed in rather different ways by Olive Press readers…

Be open minded

Time to move on

I NOTICED on social media there has been quite the debate about the Dia de Hispanidad celebrations.

As a Brit I am used to pomp and circumstance, but the sort of military parades seen in Spain seem a little odd to my eyes. They are reminiscent of triumphalist flexing of muscles seen in dictatorships around the world.

But then again, the Spanish don’t tell us Brits how to commemorate our history – and maybe we shouldn’t rush to tell them how to remember theirs!

To my mind we should try to be a little bit more open minded about the culture and history of the country we live in.

I ENJOYED the story Hispanic Day gets underway (OP online). In fact I shared it to Facebook as I thought it so good. However, I’m down with the sentiment that it’s time to stop celebrating the ‘colonisation’ (enslavement) of foreign lands - and the homage to nationalism with military parades.

In my view this is exactly what the Dia de Hispanidad holiday and celebrations does.

James Lawrence, Orihuela Costa

Susan Burke March, Valencia

Just appalling I WAS appalled to read about poor Victoria Jenkins and her son (Heartless, all editions) who were evicted after their home was sold at auction.

To first of all not notify her about the proceedings, and then for the council to auction her home for €25,000 over a €4,000 debt is mind boggling. How on earth can this happen? I always thought papers for such an auction had to be served personally. In fact, is that not one of the jobs of the Local Police?

Surely a notification should have to be signed for to have any legal standing.

Questions need to be asked and answers given.

Janet McCloud, Estepona

Pets solution THANK you for the article on animal welfare (OP online). I suggest that there should be a compulsory time period in which an owner of a new animal should have it spayed or neutered.

This way it will certainly limit the amount of unwanted pets.

Brenda (Full name and address supplied)

OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 1 Headquartered (5) 4 Where trapeze artists connect (3-3) 9 Tidy CIA mall to find a Duchess (7) 10 Examine the books (5) 11 Soft (5) 12 Cool (6) 14 Accretions (13) 17 It would have been 105 pence (6) 18 Landing site (5) 21 Fright (5) 22 Look over (7) 23 Hands down (6) 24 With regret (5)

Down

OP SUDOKU

10

1 Insolent rejoinder (8) 2 Large Japanese wrestlers (5) 3 Diver Tom --- (5) 5 Puzzle solver’s exclamation (1,4,2) 6 Supplemented (5,2) 7 Grasses (4) 8 Political crown of thorns wearer (5,6) 13 In an advantageous way (8) 15 Mountain lions (7) 16 Barely adequate (7) 18 Hebdomads (5) 19 Give on merit (5) 20 Disconcert (4)

All solutions are on page 22

F

S

ocus on

Vol. 15 Issue 380

an Pedro de Alcantara

www.theolivepress.com

October 2021

San Pedro has become the more refined, less bling part of Marbella with wilder beaches and just as much allure

PICTURES BY: JON CLARKE

WEST END VARIETY: Views down San Pedro beach towards Gibraltar and Africa, while (top) its multimillion town centre modernity

F

Pantone 118c

ORGET the hustle and bustle of Banus, the snobbishness of the Golden Mile and the hordes of tourists in Marbella centre… Head west instead to San Pedro de Alcantara.

Less showy, more refined, but equally well appointed, the West End of Marbella is the place for those in the know.

With a diverse food scene, wilder beaches and an old town oozing traditional Spanish charm, it’s the holy trinity that any visitor - or prospective buyer - would want from a Costa del Sol resort.

No longer the scruffy backwater of its sibling Marbella, San Pedro is nowadays developing into one of THE most exclusive places to buy on the coast and the price to match.

Since the long motorway tunnel underneath it was opened some years back it has developed leaps and bounds, counting on clever town planning, eye-catching architecture and a new found confidence only matched by the obvious affluence of its foreign locals.

It is perhaps hardly surprising given its location halfway between Marbella and Estepona and at the foot of the famous windy mountain road that takes tourists up to Ronda, with the exclusive enclaves of Madronal, Monte Halcones and La Zagaleta en route.

Right next door is the suburb of Guadalmina, where former SpanPantone 118c Pantone 118c Pantone 118c Pantone 118c Continues overleaf

BODY N SOUL

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Hidden treasures

REMARKABLE: The still standing Roman baths at Cilniana

H

IDDEN away in full sight is one of the lesser known gems of San Pedro - the Visigothic church known as La Basilica de Vega del Mar. The remains of one of the oldest churches in Andalucia are within a stone’s throw of the sandy beach that borders the Linda Vista urbanisation.

At first sight this pleasant housing estate doesn’t offer much to lovers of ancient history, but for those willing to take a closer look, the evidence of pre-Islamic Spain is there to see.

These remains can be found on Calle los Eucalyptus, and together with the nearby Roman baths, they formed part of the Roman settlement of Cilniana, though the exact location

of this town has been lost in the mists of time.

The basilica was discovered in 1915, but extensive excavations only began in 1929.

Excavations have so far found a total of over 200 tombs. The most significant of these is the ‘Constantine Crimson’, named after the Holy Roman Emperor Constantine, which may be the oldest Christian tombstone found in Spain.

The basilica exhibits several significant architectural features. Unlike most churches from this epoch, the Basilica de Vega del Mar has two apses, which are the semicircular terminations or recesses of an ecclesiastical building. Unusually, the western apse is its principle one.

From Page 1

ish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar has a holiday home and where numerous footballers also hideout in summer.

And just a blink of an eye away is Puerto Banus with its Corte Ingles, English cinema and all the nightlife famous around the world.

But you certainly don’t need to venture that far if you are looking for something good to eat.

This former fishing village has become a reference point for some of the best food on the coast as businesses and northern Europeans continue to flock here.

The eateries, including Albert and Simon, Savor and Macaao are among the best on the coast and a new restaurant

Super San Pedro opens by the week, it seems.

The noodles from the Japanese joint Inch are the lat-

DISCOVERED: Visigothic ruins of Cilniana

est to rave about.

Founded in 1860 by army general Don Marquez Manuel Gutierrez de la Concha, residents of the surrounding towns and villages first flocked here for agricultural work.

The Civil War slowed production but soon w o r k began again and San Pedro started to take shape as a bustling m u n i c i p a l i t y, with the 40s and 50s seeing steady growth.

Ever yday is another heyday for

San Pedro as businesses continue to open and renovations get approved.

The Casco Antiguo yields a great lineup of cafes and bars and there are plenty of independent shops selling high quality fashions and shoes.

3

October 2021 EXCITEMENT: From waterskiing, modern architecture and the perfect paseo

As a nerve centre for the Marbella area it also takes some beating with its own turn off on the toll motorway, a bustling industrial estate and a number of great independent schools, with Laude and Calpe being the top picks.

The town started its renaissance WILDER: West end of San Pedro beach

after some €100 million was tures a great selection of chiinvested on the now iconic ringuitos, and there are also snaking pedestrian walkway market stalls set up every which winds over the main weekend. road.

Take a long walk to the west A new skate park and ice rink and you will reach the charmwere welcome additions to ing area of Lindavista, before what has become a modern hitting Guadalmina, which has town with a traditional feel. one of the most exclusive golf The best time courses in Spain to visit San Peand a lovely dro is during its stretch of wild, Modern town feria in October, rugged beach to which has the last to hapwander down. pen in Andalu- firmly held onto In many recia for the year spects, San Pe(but I guess you dro really is the its Spanish will have to wait perfect destinaidentity until 2022 now, tion, a modern as it has just fintown which has ished). firmly held onto And don’t think there is noth- its Spanish identity while not ing cultural to visit...History becoming too overdeveloped. can be found here, too.

If anyone has any doubts that The Roman baths, watchtower this town can rival its closer and the intriguing Paleo-Chris- and glitzier neighbours, tell tian burial site, Vega de Mar, them it’s too late, it has alare a must for history buffs. ready out-charmed the lot of The beach promenade fea- them.

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Tel: 951 53 17 77 C/ Andalucía 6, local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara, Málaga W W W. R E S TA U R A N T E S AV O R . C O M

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is without doubt one of San Pedro’s true ch with Tgrowth Mariposa companies. Energía

Since opening in 2019, Mariposa Energia has gone from strength to strength, adding eaper tariffs new staff as well as solar installations to its existing green energy tariff offering. fleet of branded vehicles can be seen out 0% green Its energy and about in the local streets and its list of clients is growing rapidly, not just on the coast but ellent customer across Spain.service The idea came about as a result of CEO Martin Tye’s own experiences with electricity compay-to-understand nies in Spain. bills “I’d had enough of the service I was receiving from my provider,” said the British businessman, who moved to Spain a decade ago.

“The price was astronomical and the customer service was non-existent. That’s when I decided to start Mariposa.”

Friendly

The green energy company prides itself on providing first class customer service. There are no faceless call centres, no being kept on hold on the telephone, just a friendly team who answer the phone, who are multilingual and who care about their customers.

What’s more, all the electricity it provides is 100% green energy, something that was important to Tye when setting up the company.

“Climate change is a very real and significant problem. Our planet’s temperature is rising at an alarming rate. Already we are seeing the effects of global warming with the increase in climate-related disasters and that is only set to continue if we don’t take action.

“By focusing solely on green energy it means that we can make a real difference to the environment and help to save the future of the planet while also providing consumers with the best customer service and saving them20-year money.”

This mix has proved to be the winning formula

for Mariposa, a company that has been able to ride the many waves of Covid-19 and continue to thrive.

“Particularly during the lockdown we found that many businesses and householders were looking for ways to save money and to lower their fixed costs. And that’s where we came in. Since our launch, we’ve been able to help thousands of people reduce their outgoings and the interest in our energy products only continues to rise.”

This year’s soaring wholesale electricity prices led to the GUARANTEED company being inundated with requests for a quote and prompted even more to SAVINGS consider the option of solar power.

“We’re finding a lot more people are choosing solar panels as a means to generate their own electricity and to be free from the fluctuating wholesale energy prices.

“The process of installing and using solar panels is actually a lot easier than people think. At Mariposa we take care of the whole process. We also provide maintenance and a 20-year guarantee, giving people peace of mind that their investment will stand the test of time.”

To find out more about switching to Mariposa Energía’s cheaper, greener electricity tariffs or their solar panel installations, call the friendly San Pedro team today on 951 120 830, email gogreen@ mariposaenergia.es orguarantee visit the website: comprehensive www.mariposaenergia.es

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The San Pedro beach club open most of the year.

Tel: 952 113 618 www.macaaobeach.com Calle José Echegaray, S/N 29670 Marbella, Spain

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WHERE TO EAT

SUPER SAN

I

T should be known as Restaurant Row for the half dozen great places to eat on Calle Andalucia in the heart of San Pedro de Alcantara.

And there is something for everyone, from the long-established traditional grande dame Restaurant Alfredo to the super-hip Hustle N Flow.

But the current plaudits must certainly go to Savor, finally getting noticed for its excellent mix of creative and colourful cuisine.

The brainchild of Pablo Castillo, it was recently recommended in the Repsol

TALENT: Pablo at Savor

guide and it won’t be long before Michelin comes knocking.

It keeps getting better and better and has an attitude that would knock the lids off most of the competition in nearby Marbella.

Pablo, 45, is a real livewire and it’s no surprise that he is a frequent winner of Marbella’s Best Tapas competition.

His amazing Niguiri croquettes with wasabi and kimchi guacamole sauce are legendary, while his delicious langoustines in orange juice, basil and yuzu sauce are well worthy of note.

“The pandemic has been tough but we have continued to soldier away,” explains Pablo, who trained under two-Michelin starred Ramon Freixa, before travelling the world with the Melia hotel group.

“It was great to get recognized in the Repsol guide and San Pedro is developing quite a competitive dining scene.”

You can certainly eat remarkably well at his near neighbour La Bodega del Cantinero , where Alberto has been marrying up the world’s best sherries (and other wines) with excellent cuisine for nearly two decades.

He is a genuine superhost and rightly garners plenty of awards, particularly for his knowledge of sherry, not just from Jerez, but from lesser known Montilla Moriles in Cordoba.

There are hundreds of them in stock and some go back almost a century, while others cost hundreds of euros.

I have always been a big fan of his ajo

San Pedro de Alcantara is finally mixing it up on the culinary front, writes Jon Clarke blancos and his tartaki of bluefin tuna, with a wakame salad, egg roe ‘tobiko’ and mayonnaise wasabi is stunning.

I’m also a fan of the fact that Alberto’s mum is often in the kitchen cooking up a storm with whatever she has bought that morning. I had a wonderful tuna steak with fresh tomatoes a couple of years ago for example.

Next door, you must pay a visit to Restaurante Alfredo which is one of the most remarkable places on the coast and not just for its excellent, traditional fare.

It is almost always busy and, wait for it, it only closes on ONE day of the year: New Year’s Day. Heading down towards the beach you will be spoilt for choice, but there is only one genuinely amazing place to eat… that of Macaao.

While its neighbour El Ancla dominates the western end of the beach, Belgian-run Macaao is a surefire winner for comfort and quality.

It is owned by Michael Dhondt, who trained under French legend Alain Ducasse on the Cote d’Azur. And this shows.

Having run two restaurants in Belgium he and his wife moved to Spain where over the last two decades they have put their joint on the map as one of the best beach restaurants in Marbella.

Concentrating on fresh, seasonal produce, the restaurant - which is open all year - has a decent menu with plenty of meat and fish dishes and many

VARIETY: From Alberto’s sherry pairings to Macaao’s beach style and quality specials of the day.

The Vietnamese ‘nems’ starter is stunning, rolled up in lettuce and with mint, while the main course of black cod was as good as it gets. A raspberry creme brulee pudding is as fresh and light as could be.

Looking for a superb healthy luncheon spot in the heart of modern San Pedro visit Gym Junkie Cafe.

For five years the team has been serving up delicious no carb low salt meals without sacrificing flavour.

They use organic ingredients and offer vegan alternatives as much as they can.

There is a new revamped menu with an emphasis on homebaking and comforting flavours and you should definitely try their blueberry and banana bread as well as their protein bars.

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LA CULTURA

Legacy of Spain’s ‘Schindler’

SPAIN is trying to find the relatives of thousands of Hungarian Jews that were saved from the Nazis by a diplomat branded as the ‘Spanish Schindler’.

German industrialist Oskar Schindler famously saved 1,200 Jews during World War Two, with his story being turned into the 1993 film Schindler’s List.

Spanish diplomat, Angel Sanz Briz, used a legal device to prevent over 5,200 Hungarians being deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944.

Bogus

Sanz Briz created bogus Spanish passports for thousands of Jews. He used an out-of-date 1924 Spanish law that granted citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews who were thrown out of Spain in 1492.

Spain’s Foreign Ministry is now working with Centro Sefarad-Israel to see if they can track down the relatives of those people saved by the brave diplomat.

Centro Sefarad-Israel director, Miguel de Lucas, said: “For him the principle of humanity, prevailed over the principle of legality.”

October 20th November 2nd 2021

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THEYDUNNIT! Giant €1 million prize solves literary mystery

A €1 million cash prize has helped solve the mystery of just who a popular ‘woman’ author is - and it turns out to be three middle aged men.

For years the identity of Carmen Mola had been kept a closely guarded secret. The

By Kirsty McKenzie

story put out was that she was a university professor working under a pen name to maintain ‘professional integrity’.

And so everyone believed - un-

ART CAPITAL MALAGA could soon have a prestigious new museum that may see it take on Madrid as the Spanish capital of art. Picasso’s birth city has welcomed the idea of Russia’s Hermitage Museum (above) opening a gallery in the port. With 3 million pieces in its collection, it would have no problem fully stocking the gallery.

There it would join the world famous Pompidou centre offshoot as well as adding to Malaga’s other major artistic draws like the Picasso museum and Carmen-Thyssen gallery.

Representatives of the Saint Petersburg museum have been in touch with city mayor Francisco de la Torre to disTHE GAME DEALER: cuss the idea after Barcelona City Council turned it down.

By Pieter Aertsen

til her latest work La Bestia (The Beast) won the €1m Planeta award — the world’s highest paying literary trophy.

In a plot twist worthy of an award-winning novel, it was revealed that three Spanish men had in fact penned the prize-winning book, when they were flushed out in order to claim the money.

Jorge Diaz, Agustin Martinez and Antonio Mercero from Madrid and Mercia wrote The Beast together under the female pseudonym.

The grand reveal has come as a huge surprise to literature fans around the world, who believed that Carmen Mola was the ‘Spanish Elena Ferrante’ — a reference to the reclusive, and also pseudonymous, Italian literary novelist.

The first book, published anonymously in 2018, named The Gypsy Bride was a story that attracted international acclaim.

The debut was followed by The Purple Network and La Nena, with the series focused on Elena Blanco , a police inspector who has to face the toughest and most gruelling cases in Spain.

“Carmen Mola is not, like all the lies we’ve been telling, a university professor,” said Diaz on winning the prize. “We are three friends who one day four years ago decided to combine our talent to tell a story.”

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PROPERTY

October 20th November 2nd 2021

GOOD TIMES

SPAIN’s property market is booming and in contradiction to tabloid reports that Brits are leaving in droves, British buyers are in fact back in full force.

Sean Woolley from Cloud Nine Spain reports that although it was a slow start to the year, with COVID-19 rules making it impossible for Brits

Estate agent predicts ‘record year’ for Brits buying property on Spain’s Costa del Sol to come over to look for properties, that changed once border restrictions were lifted.

Woolley, whose estate agency has for 20 years focused on selling properties to British

clients, said the first half of the year saw a massive shift in clientele.

“From January to May, we had no UK buyers at all in the market and a massive variety

Squids in?

IT is the Korean TV series that has proved a massive worldwide hit.

Squid Game is the dystopian tale where contestants play children's games with the penalty for losing being death is noted for its set design.

Its sharp geometric shapes and vibrant colours stand out - but are eerily familiar to residents of a famous housing estate in Calpe Alicante.

La Muralla Roja is famous as an example of post-modern architecture.

Stunning

Designed by architect Ricardo Bofill in 1968 and finished in 1973, it features interconnected communal plazas and bridges. It's painted red on the outside but has internal sections painted blue and violet, and would seem to have been a stunning influence on Squid Game designers.

They, however, have remained tightlipped and not commented on the similarities.

SET: Squid Game (above) resembles La Muralla Roja

in where our buyers have been coming from. In the first quarter, 22 sales transactions were attributed to buyers from 18 different countries – mainly northern Europe, except no Brits.”

But since restrictions were lifted and quarantine no longer necessary for the fully vaccinated on their return home, British buyers have been flocking to the Costa del Sol to look at houses.

“As soon as they could travel without too many restrictions, the UK buyers have blown us away and the pent-up demand has been reflected in high sales and very serious buyers,” explained Woolley.

“This August, 59% of our buyers were British, and all of the buyers in September came from the UK.” He said: “We’re going to have a record year, without a shadow of a doubt, with July being the busiest month in 20 years in terms of sales values, and selling more in terms of transactional value in July and August, than we did in the whole of last year.

Signs are good for the rest of the year, with average sales values in September being double what it was in August, at €1.4 million.”

But rather than people looking for property to move to permanently, the vast majority of British buyers are those looking for a holiday home.

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

No room at the inn

COSTA DEL SOL hotels had a bumper holiday weekend, with bosses reporting occupancy rates of up to 95%.

The ‘puente’ long weekend combined with unseasonably warm temperatures saw visitors flock to the beaches last week, helping to keep the tills ringing for the hard-pressed hospitality sector.

The encouraging figures were announced by the vice-president of the Junta, Juan Marín, who described the data as ‘magnificent’.

He said: “They have exceeded the forecasts we had and follow the positive trends set in the summer, confirming a recovery in tourism.”

High cost HOTELIERS across the world have praised Barcelona for its tough stance against ‘unregulated’ holiday lettings by online firms such as AirBnB. A virtual meeting between representatives of hoteliers’ associations from 36 countries demanded more regulation of tourist flats in holiday hotspots - with them saying Barcelona’s model was a step in the right direction.

Didac García,of the Barcelona Hotel Association, said that during the meeting hoteliers had criticised the exponential growth of the ‘poorly regulated’ short term lettings market.

October 20th November 2nd 2021

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Travel boost England introduces cheaper COVID testing for fully-vaxxed travellers

FULLY vaccinated passengers and children arriving in England from non-red list countries such as Spain will be able to take a cheaper lateral flow test instead of a PCR test from October 24.

The British government had said it would introduce the changes but only recently confirmed the date, meaning the new rules will kick in time for half-term holidays.

The new rules mean it will be considerably cheaper to perform the compulsory Day 2 test on arrival to England from non-red list countries.

Although the rules only apply

to England and not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland they may well be rolled out there in the coming weeks.

Passengers will still have to book the tests ahead of their flight and include the booking code in the Passenger Locator Form.

AIRPORT FREEDOM

FAMILIES and friends can now wave farewell or welcome arrivals from inside Spain's airport terminals.

For the past 17 months, terminal access had been restricted to passengers with a boarding pass unless a special exemption had been granted.

The restriction ended last Friday, subject to general health safety rules like mask wearing.

Airport bosses reserve the right to restrict entry at busy times to avoid the risk of overcrowding.

Lateral flow tests will still have to be bought privately and list of approved private providers will be posted on gov.uk on October 22.

However, travellers who are not fully vaccinated will still need to take a PCR test on day two after arriving and must quarantine for 10 days at home.

Simpler

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it would make travel easier and simpler.

Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalising international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence."

Celebrate in style New Year’s celebrations at 5 star Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Gibraltar!

B

EFORE you know it, 2022 will be ushered in.

And if you want to make it a memorable occasion it is best to book the perfect venue ealy - and Sunborn Gibraltar has three fantastic options to celebrate in style.

At the glamourous Aurora Ballroom you can swing away to the likes of Andy King and Dave Lee and enjoy an extravaganza Buffet.

If you prefer a party night out with friends, La Sala is the perfect option with Live music by ‘All Pop’ followed by a DJ. For dancing queens and party animals doors are open until 4 am! To keep your energy going, a late night snack after a lovely three course meal is part of your package.

Take your family to a night of magic in BARBARY Restaurant and listen to live piano music by Jens Nordbjerg.

Sunborn Gibraltar offers a variety of entertainment packages to suit all different tastes this year.

Don’t worry about having to drive home and stay at a special New Year’s Eve rate of £150 per room/night including breakfast for 2!

The Sunborn Team is looking forward to celebrating with you soon onboard!

See advert below for booking details

FOOD,DRINK OFF THE BEATEN TRACK 18

O

Cardona, Catalunya

nly an hour and a half drive from Barcelona, this charming medieval village in Catalunya is worth visiting. A castle on a hill overlooks the charming walled city. Visitors can also enjoy the unique experience of sleeping in a castle which has now become part of the Paradores hotel chain.

However there are also daily guided tours if you don’t have time or the budget for an overnight stay.

This village is not only famous for its rich history but also for its salt mountain.

The mountain was created thousands of years ago when this area of Catalunya was covered in seawater.

When the tectonic plates moved to create the Pyrenees mountains, the dried salt was pushed up to create something truly spectacular. Measuring 86m, the mountain’s height is constantly changing due to rain and erosion.

Salt deposits go as far down as 2km below the ground and have been mined since the 10th century.

El Burgo de Osma, Castilla y Leon

S

andwiched between Zaragoza and Valladolid in the province of Soria is the town of El Burgo de Osma.

This historical treasure trove is ideal for history buffs or those who only want to be surrounded by locals.

This municipality is home to

Roman ruins, a medieval fortress, excellently preserved city walls and a stunning cathedral.

What makes it even better is its pedestrianised historical centre meaning visitors can stroll the streets and grab a bite to eat without the noise and bustle of cars.

October 20th November 2nd 2021

Looking for a destination that is picturesque but also tourist-free, well look no further, here is a list of the top five hidden destinations to visit on your next holiday

Setenil de las Bodegas, Andalucia

Setenil de las Bodegas is a white village in Andalucia that has been sculpted into the rocks, in the narrow canyon carved by the river Trejo.

This settlement is particularly unique as it was crafted from the inside of a cave network unlike the others built by the Moors which sit atop hills. Visitors can spend the night in one of the caves and visit the cave restaurants that are among some of the best in the region.

For meat eaters this town is well known for its chorizo and cured meats, it also produces delicious pastries for those with a sweet tooth.

Some of the other attractions are the Nazari Castle, which watches over the village. Built in the 12th century the castle used to have forty towers but now only one remains.

I

n spitting distance of Seville lies Italica. This Italic settlement was the birthplace of three Roman emperors – Trajan, Hadrian, and possibly Theodosius.

As the first Roman settlement in Spain this stunning location offers many historical delights. Explorers can marvel at the 25,000-seater amphitheatre, which was one of the largest in the Roman Empire.

There is also the temple of Emperor

We are open – See you soon!

The Costa de la Luz’s most emblematic restaurant and hotel. In the stunning white town of Vejer de la Frontera.

CalifaVejer.com tel: +34 956 44 77 30 Plaza de España, Vejer de la Frontera,Costa de la Luz, Cádiz

Italica, Andalucia Trajan,the Traianeum, the Roman baths and the sophisticated aqueduct. As there has been no modern city covering Italica there are still many well preserved houses, five of which belonging to rich families that have beautiful colourful mosaics. Italica’s allure was also recognised by Game of Thrones as it was the film set for the seventh season in 2016.

FOOD & DRINK & TRAVEL

October 20th November 2nd 2021

19

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DON’T PANIC,

DON’T PANIC!!!! vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

The most popular inland hotel is STILL open - but not for very much longer.

If you are looking for a great experience at a relaxing venue near Ronda, Molino del Santo is open until the 28th November 2021

Come...

3 to walk amazing tracks 3 to eat delicious imaginative food 3 to chill with a book 3 to explore time-forgotten villages 3 to shop in Ronda 3 to try local wines 3 to enjoy the colours of autumn

or just to be

This small town feels very apart from the outside world and is only half an hour away from the Andalucian capital, Sevilla. As your feet touch the sand-covered streets you are immediately transported back in time, carts are more commonplace than cars and horses are seen tied to wooden posts outside stone houses.

El Rocio, Andalucia The focal point of the town is its enormous church,Nuestra Señora del Rocío, its interior is adorned with gold decorations contrasting with it’s bright white walls.

El Rocío can also be described as one of the ‘gateway towns’ to Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which offers a variety of ecosystems from beaches, to pine groves and cliffs.

This is also an amazing place for bird watching as it is also one of Europe’s most treasured wetlands.

BARGAIN LOw SEASON ROOM RATES IN NOvEMBER From 99€ a night with breakfast included (for some dates) Contact us now to plan your visit - either to the restaurant or to the hotel.

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MOLINO DEL SANTO

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BUSINESS

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

Self-employed fury as they face new hike to make them the highest paying in EU

GO AHEAD: Ione Belarra

Hand out

THE Spanish Government has given the green light to additional funding that the Minister of Social Rights hopes will help tackle child poverty in Spain.

The support package includes a direct payment to all families with children who are scraping by on the Minimum Living Wage (IMV).

Ione Belarra, leader of junior coalition party Unidas Podemos and minister of Social Rights, said the new cash boost will offer payment for each child in families with low incomes. The maximum amount of €100 will be given to families who have a child under three years of age and €70 if the child is between three and six years old. €50 will be offered for every child in a low-income family between the ages of six to 18.

A TOP Spanish steelmaker has slashed production at one of its factories due to the big hike in electricity prices It says that power costs have risen by 400% in a year, which it described as ‘exorbitant’. Sidenor has cut back ‘special steel’ manu-

CASH COWS

SPAIN’S hard-hit self-employed (autonomos) face an €8 a month hike in their social security contributions.

The draft General State Budgets for 2022 has outlined a plan to increase both the monthly quotas and the contribution base for self-employed workers starting next year.

Currently, most freelance workers in Spain pay around €283 a month in social security fees regardless of how much they earn.

That means those that are self employed are still charged even if they don’t take a pen-

ELECTRIC SHOCKER

facture at its Bilbao base for at least 20 days until December 31. The overall effect will be to reduce production by 30% for the rest of 2021.

21

Prices rise

DEMO: Autonomos in Madrid

By Kirsty McKenzie

ny home that month.

The fee, which is paid on top of other taxes, gives access to Spain’s public health system among other welfare benefits including contributions towards a state pension.

Critics of the autonomo system have long demanded an overhaul - with self-employed workers in Spain currently paying the highest monthly social security fees in the EU which are far higher than the UK’s €14/ The company says it has yet to make a decision over its 1,500-strong Bilbao workforce but warned that ‘other measures’ might be necessary if price trends continue. Sidenor says it has also has plans to reduce steel production at its other plants in Cantabria and Catalunya.

month (minimum fee), the Netherland’s €50 a year and Germany’s €140 for those earning more than €1,700 a month.

However, the new proposal could see some freelancers paying a minimum or €294 per month, up €8 from the current €286.15.

Self-employment unions in Spain have already decreed the new payment proposals to be ‘inconceivable’.

Demos

Association of Autonomous Workers (ATA ) Lorenzo Amor said this was ‘not the best time to implement a measure of this nature’.

“Many self-employed workers are still on the edge and we have been enduring a ‘complicated’ situation for the last year,” he said. Earlier this year autonomous in the hospitality industry staged a demo in Madrid demanding action to help them after incomes plunged 20%.

SPAIN’S inflation rate has hit its highest mark since September 2008 due mainly to rising power prices. The National Statistics Institute(INE) said last month’s figure stood at 4%, a rise of 0.7% on August’s figure.

The INE said electricity bills went up by nearly 11% in September and have risen by 44% over 12 months. But for the government intervening to slash taxes on domestic power bills, power prices would have risen by 61% resulting in an inflation rate of 4.5%. There is no immediate prospect of an inflation slowdown as wholesale electricity prices continue to rise and business users will almost certainly pass on some of their increased costs to consumers.

Spain has taken more radical action than its European Union counterparts to buffer consumers against bill hikes. It’s tried to persuade the EU to take regional action but it has not been satisfied with the response so far. The EU set out proposals last week to help the most vulnerable citizens and companies from the unprecedented surge in prices.

TOP CHOICES FASHION chain Zara is the only Spanish brand to appear on Kantar BrandZ annual list of the 100 most valuable labels worldwide.

The list combines financial outcomes with consumer surveys of quality and reputation, as well as the brand’s value or potential to generate value for a company.

Zara in position 83 is valued at more than $21.3 billion, maintaining the same level as last year.

Amancio

Ortega founder of Inditex, the group that owns Zara has a current net worth of $78.9 billion making him the third wealthiest in Europe and the thirteenth wealthiest in the world.

This past year has seen particular change in the list due to different consumer priorities during the pandemic. Amazon valued at $683 billion tops the ranking for the third consecutive year, ahead of other tech-giants like Apple valued at $612 billion.

INFORM YOURSELVES! Don’t miss a pair of informative - and free - expat seminars taking place on the Costa del Sol on October 25

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RITISH expats, residents, and non-residents may be sick of hearing the word ‘BREXIT’ but most still need to consider its implications linked to living outside the UK since January 1.

Expatinfo.es has gathered together another group of experts to give incisive, up to the minute advice on all the latest issues and updates for Brits abroad.

On Monday October 25 two seminars will take place at Hotel Ilunion in Fuengirola at 11 am and 6.30 pm.

The events are free and will last for around 90 minutes.

Overshadowed by the COVID pandemic, Brexit eventually passed and most of us have already taken certain steps to adapt to the changes brought about.

But events have now taken a new dimension, and the specialists will explain how things have changed for foreigners in a variety of different ways and what the effects of leaving the EU have had upon us.

The seminars will provide useful advice about living in Spain from 2021 along with the services provided that may help!

The information offered is up-to-date, and the advice is based upon the current rules and facts available now…remember things do change, and is it extremely likely that certain issues faced by expats will change over time.

You are invited to join the panel of experts and to ask your questions.

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To attend the free live seminars please contact us by phone +34 602296180 or info@expatinfo.es via the web to reserve your seat at www. expatinfo.es TOPICS FOR THE SEMINARS INCLUDE: • Spanish Residency - Your rights, health care, TIE card, and the green residency card, non-residents/second homeowners restrictions, obtaining visas both the non-lucrative and the Spanish Golden visa.

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22

COLUMNISTS

October 20th November 2nd 2021

Never Mind the Boris

Dear Jennifer: Don’t hang about police are watching

W

E are all still experiencing changes as a result of BREXIT and here is a little bit more useful information regarding the changes that are occurring all the time and this is regarding GB stickers for your

Making the headlines and splitting the press

B

RITISH Prime Minister Bo- (an image that will stay with me ris Johnson’s recent break for a long time) as well as enjoyto Marbella - or more accu- ing a spot of painting in the open rately Benahavis - seems air. Which particular painting by to have divided the Press and numbers kit it was, I’m afraid, public back in the UK. was not disclosed.

His supporters said that he de- In the meantime, comments on served a break after a difficult 18 social media have ranged from months both pub‘That’s a long way licly and privately, to go for petrol’, to while his critics ‘look where the The particular claimed that he snivelling little was abandoning whelk is staying paint by the country in the - right by us. Hypnumbers middle of a fuel ocritical piece of crisis. dirt’. kit, was not Boris isn’t the first Others might British Prime Minargue that with disclosed ister to choose gangsters, oliThe after sales that you will receive will be practically non-exMarbella, with garchs, tax exiles istent and you will be on your own regarding a claim and also, both David Cameron and Tony and other assorted ne’er do wells do you really know what cover you have and are your docuBlair visiting in the past (at differ- seeming to pop up whenever ments in English. Then of course, there is the situation which ent times, obviously) Marbella makes the news, the I do not like at all – automatic renewal.

The fact that he was staying at beleaguered Boris was bound to Therefore please find the time to check your documents and Zac (now Lord) Goldsmith's pa- choose ‘Marbs’ for his hols! the renewal date, taking into account that you have to give latial estate in the hills above a month’s notice, and come and talk to one of the ladies, or Marbella also upset many, but give us a call and we will explain the difference between our to be honest the property has policies and the banks and assure you of the excellent after been in the Goldsmith family for OL D HA CK IN sales procedures. decades, since the late Sir James TH E SU N There is nothing more frustrating in having a query which you purchased it in the mid-80s. And can´t get answered and this of course, is unacceptable and Benny Davis you could hardly imagine Bozo will never happen in my company.

Ramblings of an 80-som looking for a bolthole on Airbnb. ething expat Alas, it seems that the PM resisted the chance to let his (unrufIF YOU NEED ANY HELP, JUST CALL US ON 966 461 690, fled) hair down and go loose in EMAIL INFO@JENNIFERCUNNINGHAM.NET OR VISIT THE Banus. Photos from a well placed WEBSITE WWW.JENNIFERCUNNINGHAM.NET paparazzi show Johnson shirtless OME readers may have read my `re- Lying flat under a tirement´ announcement in a previous huge robot maOlive Press issue. Nearly 90 now and chine that has parts suffering from cancer, it seemed the sen- two sible thing to do, but after receiving an appeal playing hide from the newspaper, to carry on as long as and seek possible, I called for a family conference. The over my verdict – stay strong, go with the flow. So, I’m body. Clicback, but before I get going again with my king, whizany mumblings, I have to mention my ad- rring, and miration for fellow sufferers I meet every day m a k i n g in the cancer treatment clinic. Mostly, ladies other stranwearing head scarves, wigs, and hats to hide ge noises, it sothe loss of their crowning glory. All greet me metimes hovers with smiles, waves, as if attending a friendly above, then takes a tea party, not a sad face between these lovely deep dive to the right people who have retained their personalities whilst a second dramatiS we continue to adjust to the new normal and dignities. This is another reason I am not cally appears from the left, and the challenges that the new world giving up. If they can do it, as the new boy on as if acting out a strange ritual tribal brings, making savings where possible dance. I always expect to see a line of miniatuthe block, so can I. continues to be a priority for many famiMy treatment is solely Radiology at present. re Benny´s marching out of the monsters base lies. It’s for this reason that LIBERTY SEGUROS them to get back on track as we all transition out at the end of each session, looking has brought back its €60 cashback offer. of the pandemic. a bit like ´Minions.´ Once again – but for a limited time only – cus- With exceptional insurance products that offer Should a patient be cleared of tomers that take out new home, car or life insur- great savings without compromising on quality, cancer, a hanging bell in the waiance coverage with LIBERTY SEGUROS will be an extensive network of more than 300 expating area is clanged like hell by rewarded with cashback to help them make sav- triate brokers and agents who are on-hand with the winner. I recently witnessed ings whilst they continue to adjust to the times friendly, expert advice that’s tailored to each cusahead. tomer – and who speak their language – LIBERthis miraculous result when feFrom now up until November 25, existing cus- TY SEGUROS has become in the preferred expat llow patients and relatives heaped tomers who take out a new home, car or life insurer with over 175,000 expat customers in flowers, greetings cards, applauinsurance policy will enjoy €60 cashback with ev- Spain alone. se, and cheers on the recipient ery new policy. New customers will benefit from together with lots of selfies. One €30 cashback on their first policy and then €60 of the most genuine and happy cashback on subsequent new policies thereafoccasions I have ever been priviWithout a doubt, the advantages of placing your ter. leged to attend.

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Across: 1 Based, 4 Mid-air, 9 Camilla, 10 Audit, 11 Cushy, 12 Trendy, 14 Accumulations, 17 Guinea, 18 Wharf, 21 Alarm, 22 Eyeball, 23 Easily, 24 Sadly. car.

All UK registered vehicles must now have a UK sticker to replace the GB sticker. If you have GB on the number plate, you will still need a UK sticker on the vehicle and this must be placed on the rear of the vehicle.

Can I suggest that if you have not yet done this, do it immediately as it will save you a lot of bother, as I understand that the police are regularly pulling over UK plated vehicles.

I along with many, and feeling frustrated at the way Spanish banks are behaving. Some are on strike, which is totally unbelievable, whilst many are offering very restricted service due to lack of staff and there is the continuing process of closing of branches. I fully appreciate that we need banks for all financial transactions, however you do not need to go to them for house, car or life insurance.

BORIS

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The Olive Press all editions - FP_342x256 - PROMO - October 20th

The

OLIVE PRESS

Mercy missions

FINAL WORDS

DRONES are being used to feed and water dogs stranded by lava during the volcanic eruption on La Palma, with two companies vowing to continue the mercy missions ‘while it is safe to do so’.

Naked truth SCIENTISTS at University College London using artificial intelligence and 3D printing have managed to reveal a hidden nude portrait painted by Picasso underneath his work ‘The Blind Man’s Meal’.

Stubbed out A MAN 27, threatened to attack an Alicante bar manager with a screwdriver after illegally lighting up a cigarette on the premises.

The customer’s threats led to the police being called in and his subsequent arrest.

FREE

Vol. 15 Issue 380

www.theolivepress.es

Your expat

voice in Spain

October 20th - November 2nd 2021

Ungodly row REuse REduce REcycle

We use recycled paper

This is not a Drill

Valencia’s Bioparc celebrated the birth of a new member of its Drill family, a highly endangered species of primate which number less than 4,000 in the wild.

Raunchy video on atheism leads to dean’s resignation A COUPLE grinding suggestively against each other in the hallowed environs of Toledo cathedral for a music video has led to the resignation of the dean.

Spanish rapper C Tangana and Argentinian singer Nathy Peluso staged their romp for new release Ateo.

Church authorities have launched an investigation into

Bite size?

A 35 metre-long nougat turron - a Spanish speciality for the sweettoothed especially at Christmas - is set to be the largest ever made in Jijona when it takes pride of place at this month’s Alicante Gastronomica fair.

how permission was given for the filming of Ateo – a song meaning Atheist – a collaboration that is full of religious imagery.

It appears permission to film was granted by the dean of the cathedral who expressed support for the project arguing that the song and its video ‘presents the story of a religious conversion through love’.

Boogie nights

REVELLERS in Andalucia have been given an extra hour of fun.

Late-night opening hours for restaurants and bars have been extended to 2am, while nightclubs can stay open until 3.30am.

OLIVE PRESS

The

We use recycled paper

FINAL WORDS

REuse REduce REcycle

Coming last

ANDALUCÍA

FREE

Vol. 15 Issue 377

ANDALUCÍA

www.theolivepress.es

expat

voice in Spain

September 8th - September 21st 2021

ORIGINAL SIN

Bishop chucks in his cassock to marry erotic writer

A SPANISH bishop has resigned so he can marry an

By Kirsty McKenzie erotic novelist.

Xavier Novell announced It his decision to leave the thathas now been revealed he took the personal church just 11 years after he decision due to his relationbecame the youngest bishop ship with erotic writer Silvia in Spain at the age of 41.

Caballol.

The 52-year-old sent shock- “I waves through the commu- a have fallen in love with woman and I want to do nity when he suddenly re- things signed as the diocese of Sol- vealed. properly," Novell resona for ‘personal reasons’.

“It is a magnificent vocation

Short fuse

A MAN attacked an electricity office in Galicia after receiving a high bill.

The irate 54-year-old smashed windows at the Naturgy office in Vigo over a huge rise in his normal bill.

He told the police that his anger had up for a day and he could 'no longer been building contain himself'.

The government has introduced temporary reductions on IVA to reduce the impact of hikes.

THEY normally take years to produce just one baby.

Now a remarkable panda mother has given birth to twins in Madrid.

In the first panda births in Madrid Zoo for five years, Huz Zui Ba had her fifth and sixth babies.

As soon as she gave birth to her first cub, she put it on her lap and started to give it a good lick.

The father is Bing Zing, who last year topped the charts in the ‘Giant Panda Global Awards’ for being the ‘most favourite panda’.

The health of the cubs, born with pink skin, is being monitored by vets, joined by two experts from China’s Chengdu Panda Breeding Base.

The international captive breeding programme has seen it now declassified from an endangered species to the ‘vulnerable’ category.

SEEN THE LIGHT: Bishop and his lover Silvia but I see that the Lord has wanted me to renounce that ger family." beautiful thing to have a big- Novell will now also ask for the Pope's permission for a dispensation from the vow of celibacy and obedience that all Catholic bishops take when they enter the MARBELLA firefighters priesthood. have rescued an Eurasian If the Pope gives Novell his eagle-owl after one of its talblessing, he is set to marry ons got tangled in netting at the 38-year-old writer from a local golf course.

Barcelona.

Firefighters used a specialShe has penned at least two ised vehicle to get close to novels, Amnesia Trilogy and the owl, which got trapped at The Hell of Gabriel's Lust, San Pedro Alcantara. which is described as ‘an erotic novel with Satanic overtones’.

RARE: Pinkies

Terwit woo hoo!

AMUSED?: Naughty Bishop Novell (above) would have approved

He quoted lyrics from the song including; “I was an atheist but now I believe, because a miracle like you has to have come down from heaven”, as an example.

Big omelette DIGGERS have uncovered a dinosaur’s nest that contains a dozen eggs.

The 60 million-year-old discovery was hidden away in a massive two-ton rock in Loarre in north east Spain.

Each egg is 15 centimetres in diameter- nearly four times bigger

Seeing double

Your

than a chicken egg.

Early analysis suggests that they were laid by Sauropod titanosaurs, which were herbivores with long tails and necks and could reach a massive 20 metres in length.

He insisted that although the video used ‘provocative visuals’ it was not insulting to the faith. “The aim was only ever to support a dialogue with contemporary culture while always respecting the faith of the church.”

However, the archdiocese of Toledo released a statement within hours of the video being released expressing ‘deep regret at what had happened’ and implied the archbishop had known nothing about the project.

Subsequently the dean, Juan Miguel Ferrer, resigned from his position.

MOST Spanish men lose their virginity at 19 according to a study which has pinpointed the average age for first time sex in 35 countries.

Icelandic teens are apparently the first to slip between the sheets with the average boy losing his virginity at 15.3 in the famously liberal country.

According to the report by Manual, Spain comes last - almost - as the country of Latin lovers was ranked only above Japan, where men also lose their virginity at 19, and China, India and Malaysia where men wait until their early 20s to pop their cherry.

Virginity

In comparison, the average age a British man loses his virginity is 18 years and 4 months old.

Men in the United States, Greece, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, South Africa, Russia and Mexico, on average, all wait until their 18th birthday before doing the deed.

After Iceland, Denmark ranked second youngest with an average of 16.1 while Sweden came next with an average of 16.2.

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Olive Press Costa del Sol – 170mm x 256mm – Colour

-

September 22nd October 21st.

October 20th