OLIVE PRESS
The
ANDALUCÍA
FREE
FIRE: devastated the Sierra
Protect it! HUNDREDS of protesters have demanded urgent protection for one of southern Spain’s most endangered areas. They were backed by nearly 50 protest groups and charities to insist the Sierra Bermeja mountain range is given ‘national park’ status, following a horrific fire this summer. The six-day blaze, which was started deliberately on September 8, claimed the life of a firefighter and ravaged close to 10,000 hectares of forest. The worst ecological damage saw the razing of over 3,000 rare Pinsapo pine trees which grow in only three areas of Spain and one in Morocco.
Protection
Campaigners want the area to be given the maximum environmental protection and resources for forest management, in the hope that this would reduce the risk of wildfires. Joaquin Araujo of Ecologistas en Accion explained that the mountains and nearby Genal Valley had been exploited for their water for decades. “They have been drained to supply insatiable golf courses which are entirely unsuitable in our climate, for swimming pools and lush private gardens in super luxury estates designed for the enjoyment of billionaires,” he said. He added it was time to recognise the unique character of the range which is home to 37 species endemic to the area. A petition to demand action has got more than 75,000 signatures. The nearby Sierra de las Nieves was awarded National Park status earlier this year. Opinion Page 6
2 147 834
expat
voice in Spain
Vol. 15 Issue 383 www.theolivepress.es December 1st - December 14th 2021
Why is the Spanish church ignoring child abuse victims? See page 6
GRUESOME DISCOVERY
Skull found at alternative community near Granada is ‘not’ missing Dutch expat, but man in his 40s
EXCLUSIVE By Elena Goçmen Rueda in Orgiva
IT was during a short walk with her dog before taking the kids to school that an expat got the most incredible shock of her life. Wrapped up warmly against the winter morning in the Alpujarras, near Granada, she had no idea why Dragon started scratching madly at the earth.
Horrified
Walking over she was horrified to discover that the German Shepherd cross had dug up a skull that she immediately knew was human. Initially thinking it was a victim of the Spanish Civil War, she later realised on returning to retrieve it that it was much more recently deceased. “It was definitely fresher and smelled quite a lot,” the Romanian expat, who asked not to be named, told the Olive Press. “My initial thoughts were that
MYSTERY: Dragon the dog dug up the skull above the house, next to this tree (below)
it probably belonged to a victim from the Civil War, as there were many people executed in this region and buried in unmarked graves. “But when I picked it up later and put THE SKY it into a plastic bag to stop DOCTOR Dragon from ALL AREAS COVERED chewing it, I knew it was 4G UNLIMITED much more reINTERNET cent.” IDEAL FOR The mother-ofSTREAMING TV two, who has lived in Spain ALSO IPTV, for 11 years, SATELLITE TV had soon got the father of tel: (0034) 952 763 840 her children info@theskydoctor.com to contact the www.theskydoctor.com Guardia Civil,
in nearby Orgiva. A patrol car was quickly on the scene, by the new age settlement of Beneficio, near Canar, where the expats live. After taking the bag for safe storage, they went with her to visit the macabre site, which sits just below the main car park of the alternative community. They looked around and, oddly, found no further bones or remains. There was no sign of clothes or any other personal items, nor any signs of a struggle. Expats told the Olive Press they had initially believed the head was that of a Dutch woman named Linda, who had an abusive partner and a teenage son. “She had very distinctive teeth and we immediately suspected it was Linda,” said one. “She left in strange circumstances and we were worried about her.” A spokesman for the Guardia Civil confirmed the discovery to the Olive Press and anSee page 32 nounced an investigation had been launched. However, he denied that it belonged to the ‘miss-
X
Mijas Costa
Your
+
+
Tel: 952 147 834 TM
ing’ Dutch woman and was ‘most likely’ a man in his 40s. “The Judicial Police have taken over the investigation and it has now been taken to a laboratory in Sevilla for its study,” he said.
Missing
“DNA will be extracted and released to the Missing Persons database within the next two months.” He added: “We can assure you that it is not Linda, who is safe and sound and living in a commune elsewhere in Europe.”
2
CRIME
www.theolivepress.es
NEWS IN BRIEF Homeless death POLICE are investigating the death of a homeless man who was found in a critical condition after being assaulted in the Jardines de Picasso in Malaga.
Classic result ELEVEN classic cars stolen in France have been intercepted at Algeciras port as they were about to be shipped to Morocco.
Sad find THE body of a 41-yearold man has been found in the Gossan reservoir in Nerva (Huelva). The family had reported his disappearance the same morning. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Squat refuge THREE brothers have been found ‘safe and sound’ in a squat in Madrid where their mother was hiding them after she failed to return them to a children’s home after a visit 10days earlier.
SEVENTEEN British and Polish members of a gang that specialised in exporting drugs and guns to the UK have been arrested. The operation started in April 2020 with the arrest of a British van driver in Estepona, who had £200,000 in cash seized. Later that year another Brit was arrested in the same town for illegal
Guns and drugs possession of firearms. Having linked the two men to a criminal organisation, police set up surveillance and this year arrested a Polish van driver who was ‘delivering’ 29kg of hashish in Marbella.
December 1st - December 14th 2021 Working with the UK’s National Crime Agency, Spanish police then traced the hub of the organisation to la Cala de Mijas, where they made the arrests. As part of the same operation they also found a marijuana plantation in the basement of an building in Manilva. Cocaine, marihuana and a pistol were seized, with nearly €65,000 in cash.
Killed after sex 20 years jail for expat murderer A BRITISH expat has been caged for 20 years after being convicted of having sex with his wife before killing her in a frenzied knife attack at their €450,000 mansion. Wealthy businessman Geoffrey Elton, 57, claimed he suffered a mental disorder when he attempted to smother Gloria Tornay and then tried to strangle her before she broke free after the bedroom romp. But a Spanish jury ruled Elton was sane when he chased Gloria, 58, through their Estepona
villa with a 5.7 inch long kitchen knife, stabbing her 11 times. Father-of-two Elton then shut off the power and told his 15-year-old son to leave and threw away mobile phones to slow the emergency response. Elton was found drenched in blood beside his wife of 30 years after trying to take his own life but was saved by medics and later charged with murder. But the computer programmer claimed he had no recollection of the attack. On his 58-yearold Spanish-born wife.
SEX assaults in Malaga province have soared by a quarter to one case a day. Latest figures show that from January to September, there have been a total of 433 sexual assaults registered in the province. This represents an increase of 25.1% compared to the same period last year when there were 346 cases. However, the report does show a decrease of 17.4% in rape - 38 in the first none months cao-
High-life fraudster A SCAMMER, who lived a life of luxury on the Costa del Sol while allegedly fleecing his victims of at least €500,000, has been arrested in Latvia. He and his cronies rented villas at €1,000 a night, wore designer clothing, drove high-end cars and dined in some of Marbella’s most exclusive restaurants, all the time using money that wasn’t theirs. They found their targets via aggressive social media campaigns, going to the length of hiring an actor to shoot promotional videos purporting him to be the ‘inventor’ of a new cryptocurrency to rival Bitcoin.
Crypto-fraud
HAPPIER TIMES: Elton with wife Gloria The judge has now jailed the expat from Nottingham, for 20 years and one day for murder. He was also ordered to pay a to-
ABUSE UP
mpared to 46 in the same period of 2020. Some of the investigations carried out by the police that resulted in an arrest were, for example, in July 2021, where the police arrested a 31 year old Dominican man in Estepona. He sexually abused a 16 year old girl after slipping MDMA into her drink at a party.
tal of €276,000 compensation - €84,000 to each of his two sons and the rest to Gloria’s five siblings. The 57-year-old told a court in Malaga he lashed out after being humiliated in front of neighbours by his headteacher wife of 33 years. The episode took place following a 'mutual' decision to divorce and a day of packing cases, the court heard. Elton moved to Estepona seven years ago after retiring from his successful satellite dish installation company.
The real ‘inventor’ of the ‘Hodlife’ token was in fact, according to police, simply setting investors up for a fall. His targets were persuaded to send cryptocurrencies to a digital wallet for ‘investment’ in the new token. But once enough online currency was collected, it was transferred to other digital wallets and disappeared from the accounts of the victims. They believe he may be involved in a series of online scams in Spain that have netted another €600,000, with investigations continuing.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
PUSH THE BOAT OUT
SPAIN’S richest man Amancio Ortega is selling his biggest yacht for a cool €76million. The Spanish fashion mogul, 85 purchased the 67 metre superyacht, Drizzle, in 2012 for €95million but now wants to upgrade his fleet and purchase a new boat worth a whopping €172million. The Inditex found-
Right royal mess A RAPPER who fled Spain in 2018 after insulting the monarchy has another extradition hearing to fight off. In May 2018, performer Valtonyc, real name Josep Miquel Arenas, fled to Belgium after being given three-and-a-half years in jail. The Supreme Court upheld the 2017 verdict and sentence over a year later, prompting Valtonyc to flee Spain. Mallorca police set up a surveillance team to ensure he did not leave the island, yet he still managed to escape. Belgian courts have rejected previous extradition requests but a new hearing has now been set for December 28 in the Ghent Court of Appeal. The Sa Pobla artist was convicted of glorifying terrorism, threatening rightwing politician Jorge Campos and making defamatory comments against the Spanish royal family.
er, who has a net worth of €70 billion, wants to upsize his boat to make his Mediterranean coastline cruises even more luxurious. Lavish yacht Drizzle is now for sale on the website of the Mallor-
can company, Hamilton Marine in Puigpunyent, which specialises in luxury yachts. The interior of the boat offers accommodation for up to 12 people, boasting seven double cabins for its occupants to sleep in.
SEX PEST GRANNY
A BESOTTED 72-year-old woman has been fined a mere €60 for sending sexually explicit and threatening letters to hunky Il Divo singer Carlos Marin. Besides the small fine, a Madrid judge gave the Barcelona woman, named as Rosa, a sixmonth 500 metre distancing order barring her from approaching Marin and banned her from getting in touch with him.
Obscene
The problems started in February when Rosa started phoning Il Divo’s producer, telling him that she had developed ‘a platonic love’ for Madrid-based Marin. The judge said the calls became ‘annoying, obscene and offensive’. She then started sending obscene letters directly to 53-year-old Marin, which generated a ‘certain un-
THEY are one of the most influential bands in the electronic music genre, and now Spanish fans will be able to see Kraftwerk life. The German group has been around for decades, although it now has a much changed lineup, although the band is as innovative as ever. Formed in Dusseldorf in 1969 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, they have influenced a diverse range of artists and many genres of modern music, including synth-pop, hip hop, postpunk, techno, ambient and club music. Now they are one of the main acts
Il Divo singer subjected to campaign of sexually explicit letters By Alex Trelinski
easiness and fear’ in him. The letters initially made explicit sexual offers and how she would ‘satisfy’ him. The lack of a reply saw the tone of the messages abruptly change as Rosa’s written advances came to nothing. Further dispatches referred to Marin as an ‘imbecile, fool, idiot, and a child prodigy’. The messages were also sent to his family and his Il Divo colleagues, as the language ramped up further to accuse the singer of being a ‘liar’ and being ‘married to
a prostitute’. The last straw was Rosa resorting to sending death threats. Marin’s lawyer, Alberto Martin, said the singer had to stop meeting fans after concerts as he feared the woman might appear and attack him. Announcing an at the new International Festival La Cala de Mijas, appeal against near Malaga. the sentence and Headliners are British group the the €60 fine, Arctic Monkeys who will be playMartin commenting their first Spanish date for ed that the judge four years at the event, which will ‘felt more sorry run from September 1 to 3, 2022. for the aggressor Also playing will be Australian than for the vicChet Faker, British bands Blostim’. soms and Hot Chip plus a lineup Il Divo is an interof Spanish artists. national hit clasTickets are on sale at calamijas. sical crossover com. singing group created in 2003.
Good Werkers
ESTUCO INTERIORS
Benefits Consultancy If you suffer from... • Mobility problems • Pain / Breathlessness • Falls / Stumbles
BARCELONA captain Alexia Putellas has become the first Spain international to win the Ballon d'Or since 1960 . She was crowned the best female footballer in the world as she received the Ballon d'Or Feminin. Putellas, who was born in Mollet del Valles, is the first Spanish winner since Luis Suarez in 1960. The 27-year-old was also named Uefa's Women's Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year and ended the 2020-21 season as the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe with 26 goals to her name. Paris San Germain superstar Lionel Messi picked up a record seventh Ballon d’Or award at the event. Putellas was one of five Barca players nominated for the award, with team-mate Jennifer Hermoso coming in second. "Honestly, it is a bit emotional. Very special. It is great to be here with all my teammates. We've lived and experienced so much together, especially last season," she said. !I would like to thank all my teammates, all my teammates throughout my career and the ones I have right now. This is an individual prize but football is a team sport.”
The eagles have landed NINE White-tailed Eagles have been donated by Norway in an effort to re-introduce the species to Spain. They are being kept in a special enclosure in Asturias as they acclimatize to their new home. As one of eight bird species on the official List of Extinct Species, they qualify for the reintroduction project, which is being managed by conservation group GREFA. Young wild birds were taken from their nests in Norway earlier this year and sent to Spain. They have been fitted with GPS trackers to monitor their movements once they are finally set free. This first phase of the scheme is set to last two years, with it being used as a test to try different reintroduction techniques. If this test phase is successful, it is planned to release 20 eagles a year for five years in a bid to build a breeding population. Norway has previously provided birds for reintroduction schemes in Scotland, as well as current projects in Ireland and the Isle of Wight.
C OL E M A N REMOVALS
Domestic, National and International Removal & Storage Service
Or you need... • Help with washing /dressing • Supervision
Tel/Fax: TAUNTON +44 (0)1823 662 441
You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATION call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com
Top score
LT D
KIM CLARK
3
September 8th - September 21st 2021
Centro Plaza 56-57, Avda. Manolete s/n, 29660 Nueva Andalucia info@estucointeriors.com, www.estucointeriors.com, +34 952 810 633
Estimator: Sean Coleman email: seancoleman@aol.com MOBILE: +44 (0)7831 833 985
NEWS
4 THE wintry slopes of the Sierra Nevada are finally open again. It comes after a healthy amount of snowfall over the last few weeks with most pistes skiable. A total of 77 new snow cannons have been installed bringing the total number across the resort to 210 and guaranteeing decent snow until April. The resort boasts the most southerly skiing in Europe occupying the northern slopes of Veleta, the third highest peak in Spain.
December 1st December 14th 2021
Snow business
Valley victory
PROTECTION: The Darro Valley faced a motorway and housing development A DRAMATIC last-minute intervention by activists and the media has helped reverse a bureaucratic error that stripped a key green area of its vital protection status. Locals have thanked the Olive Press for highlighting the plight of the Darro Valley, near Granada’s Alhambra Palace, which was at risk of a new motorway and housing projects.
By Kirsty McKenzie
In our last issue we revealed how a Junta clerical error had led to the valley being delisted from its BIC cultural protection status last year. We reported how residents sprung into action to save the valley - home to the Jesus del Valle monastery - as developers
Getting legality at last EXPAT campaigners have claimed a ‘small victory’ as Andalucia finally approved its new planning laws Most foreign owners in possession of an ‘illegal’ home can now have it legalised through what is known as an ‘AFO’ assuming various conditions are met. The new LISTA law gives legal status to houses that were built without the correct planning permission enabling them to be registered and get services, as well as be legally bought and sold. The new law also allows renovation work, barring actual extensions to the property. “It’s a small point, but a victory nonetheless for those that live in a property with an AFO,” explained Maura Hillen, a resident of Albox who has campaigned for the rights of those who found themselves with ‘irregular’ properties. “The restrictions on what can be done have also been loosened so that is a positive step,” she added. Some three in every five municipalities in Andalucia currently lack a town plan and many have been trying to get their plans approved for more than 10 years. But the new LISTA law will also reduce this timeframe to two years and triple the number of plans in progress. It also simplifies land classifications into just two types, urban (urbano), or not urban (rustico), eliminating the classification of land as urbanizable (suelo urbanizable).
PROTESTERS joined business leaders to demand action on beach erosion in Marbella. Associations representing hotels and restaurants led demands to regenerate the town’s beaches, badly damaged in storms earlier this month. They want the creation of breakwaters to prevent erosion caused by powerful waves during the Levante winds each year. Similar projects have been undertaken in El Palo, in Malaga and Po-
circled the sacred area. Without its BIC protection, locals claimed the PP was set to push for a long-term promise of extending the G30 ring road through the valley and allowing a new hotel and houses. But now, thanks to pressure applied by campaigners and the media, the Junta’s Culture Department has taken the decision to restart the process of protecting the valley. The move came just one week after the University of Granada united with the Academy of Fine Arts and the Centre for Scientific Research to highlight the situation.
Happy
British expat Jane Brooke, who has lived in Spain for 14 years, acknowledged that the combined pressure played a significant role in reversing the catastrophic error. “We are all very, very happy,” she told the Olive Press. “Everything came together well and having your press coverage really helped.” Irish expat Emily O’Neill, who has lived in Granada for two years, added that reversing the BIC snub was ‘brilliant news'. The yoga teacher, whose classes overlook the valley, described the delisting as 'absurd' and added that the protection ‘was what it deserved’. “The Darro Valley is incredibly beautiful and should remain a protected heritage site. I am glad we are taking steps to preserve the city, not penalising it,” she said.
Fight them on the Earth beaches! moved? blenou, in Barcelona. "Foreign tour operators repeatedly complain that Marbella does not have good beaches,” explained Sergio Garcia, the president of the Andalusian Association of Travel Agencies.
AN earthquake rumbled through the Costa del Sol at the weekend. The 4.1 magnitude quake had its epicentre in Benalmadena, but was also felt in Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Malaga and Mijas. It took place at 8:47pm and was 60km deep.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
ONE WAY BACK
Expat pensioner forced to ‘sofa-surf’ in the UK after falling victim to alleged fake padron scam LILY Higgins had bought her dream home in southern Spain and applied for the necessary TIE card to allow her to retire here. The 72-year-old former hospital administrator had sold her home in London and started a new life on Orihuela Costa, setting up a new home and network of trusted friends. That was until she unwittingly found herself dragged into a fake padron scandal that ended in her arrest, with a criminal record now looming over her head. Worse than that, with her TIE card not arriving in time, she has been forced to go back to the UK to live on a friend’s sofa. She flew back last week after be-
Holocaust anger ANTI-racist campaigners have condemned vandalism at a Holocaust memorial in northern Spain. The monolith to the victims in Oviedo was defaced using a sharp object to scratch out writing on the plaque as well as a star of David. The monument was erected by the Jewish community of Asturias in 2016. A previous memorial had also been the target of vandalism by far-right groups.
EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
OLIVE PRESS
The
A FLOCK of more than 200 dead starlings fell like rain on pedestrians and cars in Ferrol (A Coruña), with investigators left clueless as to why the birds died. The matter has been handed over to the environmental department, who collected two dead birds for analysis and autopsies to determine the causes of the mass death. The starlings were also scattered across the flowerbeds at the back of a nearby hospital The president of the local residents’ association, Mapi Rodiguez, said she cannot explain what could have happened. “They came out of the trees in the emergency area of the hospital, flew a few metres and fell plummeting to the pavement,” she said.
5
Mijas SAN JAVIER Costa FREE
COSTA BLANCA SUR Vol. 2 Issue 41
Your expat
voice in Spain
/ MURCIA
Find out about Spain’s 10 capital cities
ONE WAY OUT
ing told she had ‘outstayed her welcome’ by the British Consulate’s Immigration Department. “I was simply too terrified to stay and face a knock at the door one night to get hauled off to the cells again,” the grandmother-of-six told the Olive Press this week.
www.theolivepress.es
June 3rd - June 16th
2021
See page 12
Expats must stay in for two years while Spain in limbo alleged residency scam is probed by police EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
How one organised community of expats is putting El Raso on the map
See page 12
EXPATS caught up OLIVE ulent residency scamin a fraudPRESS run by a gestor on the Costa Blanca have been told by police can’t leave the country that they case is investigated. while the Dozens of people are life in legal limbo for facing a years while police up to two investigate the alleged fraud before it is decided if they face deportation or can legally stay. It comes after the Olive Press reported on a group of expats who had been detained Tel: 952 147 834 952 147 834 by police over padron that appear to have certificates SCOOP: How the Olive Press been doc- broke the story last tored by one particular edition gestor they hired to process their TIE One Way Services, about applications. why a doctored certificate had been submitted on their behalf. “Smith said he was Grilled to help people,” she only trying They included 71-year-old told the Olwid- ive Press. ow Lily Higgins and STUCK: Jane Long friend (above) has been told Elliott, who were grilled Jay “He said he’d already admitted Elliott were by police that ‘treated like criminals’ over his guilt to their town hall registration the police, before after using One Wayshe can’t travel while Lily Higgins and Williams, 63, told us Services Jay shredding my fake forms, which were he also had padron handled in to give a statement by front of my eyes” she One Way Services. at Alicante police station last week. He added that she added. Several more have should forward to complainsince come pect a phone call from the ‘ex- It involved the property owner, police who has lived about the merely British gestor, in Ciudad to answer a few quesin Spain for seven years, having his fingerprints da, which is at the centreQuesa- tions’. of the However, investigation. after being taken taken, as well as getting photographed. away in a police car, These include Jane Long held for “It was astonishing,” of Tor- two hours, revieja who was taken fingerprinted he told the te Police Station and to Alican- photographed, she was toldand Olive Press. “I’m now told the questioned detectives by court case could over her part in ‘an at take the 18 Policia months Nacio- to two years, alleged nal that she fraud’. possibly more.” will be ‘guilty, until proven considered He continued: “I started The 53-year-old said innocent’. all this on September 1, but her husband Nigel she and Mrs Long despaired: “I was it became fronted Matt Smith, had con- I couldn’t even travel back told apparent as time went on there to the was something owner of UK because amiss. I’m a criminal!” “I feel this T h e found guiltycan go two ways: I'm K e n t ter possibly and deported or aftwo years I'm grantw o m a n ed residencia. revealed “I put all that the Services my faith into One Way p o l i c e down, a and have been so let had in- me and very stressful time for working alongside countless the Guardia ents others,” f o r m e d added. he Civil to now investigate that all res- criminallythey would not be held her, ‘anidencia applications responsible. in Alicante “So it o t h e r made in 2021. is totally clear now that Cleared 40-plus the criminal investigation The lawyer later confirmed is bep e o p l e When the Olive Press called to the Olive Press that Smith ing focused only against my cliwill also Matt Smith for an explanation ent so for sure the fiscal had made a statement will not 35 years experience • Interior be ar- he refused to answer questions. lice clearing his clients to po- start criminal actions and exterior against of any “Speak to my lawyer,” rested.’ he said knowledge of the alleged fraud. his clients sadly affected,” he Best quality products used F e l l o w before hanging up. said. “My client explained [to the If it emerges B r i t , National Police confirmed Special effects, stencilling police] that that any other of none to the of the clients One & feature walls etc B r i a n Olive Press that detectives Way clients were to are had produced the applications tained be Fully legal/registered • Full themselves [but] only over the matter, the deliability insurance lawpaid my yer said: “Mr Smith client will proceed to apply for All works guaranteed the TIE on their immediately to clarify in front behalf,” David Gui- of police or/and the court that Contact Michael for a FREE jarro Mayor from these clients have no relation at quote michaelwillis5@sky.com ABC solicitors told all with any criminal activity.” See page 23 the Olive Press in response to written Have you been affected? Please contact us questions. on newsHe sought to reas- desk@theolivepress.es sure One Way cliOpinion Page The
Flocking heck!
September 8th - September 21st 2021
Your
SAN JAVIER Mijas Costa
expat
FREE
COSTA BLANCA
SUR / MURCIA
Vol. 2 Issue 40 www.theolivepress.es
voice in Spain
May 20th - June
2nd 2021
Prime suspect
Bear in the frame for series of grizzly livestock killings in the Pyrenees
Tragic mystery
The Olive Press TV investigation helps into the death of Kirsty Maxwell
See page 3
Girl power
The female warriors who took on Drake’s army - and won!
See page 6
I BEG YOU PADRON R See page 10
Award Winning Rehabilitation
Clinic
Are you feeling depressed? Addiction problems? www.villaparadisospain.com
See page 11
TM
* O f f e r
v a l i d
TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd
f o r
n e w
c u s t o m e r s
o n l y .
S u b j e c t
t o
1
c o n d i t i o n s .
E n d s
3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .
‘Hellish and humiliating’ as British expats over ‘fraudulent’ arrested residency applications
A GROUP of HUMILIATED: British expats have been detained Lily and Jay were questioned EXCLUSIVE after their padron by police even deportation. certificates By Simon Wade proving they “I’ve never been lived in Spain appear to have in trouble before but been doc- derly expats described tored. situation as ‘humiliating’ the treated like here I am, being At least eight a common crimpeople have ‘hellish’, after they were and inal,” said Higgins. been grilled held miliating.” “It’s huover the town for questioning under hall registration cau- They added tion. were all handledforms, which They that the same gestor is being gestor company by the same they told the Olive Press how investigated for changing were carted on the Costa Blanca. the date te police station to Alican- least 22 more British on at National Police about falsifying and grilled cants. applithe Olive Pressconfirmed to submitted documents Another with couple, tives are workingthat detec- card applications. their TIE not to be named, who asked alongside the Guardia told the Ol“We were wrongly Civil to now ive Press how vestigate all residencia in- for submitting they had arrested applifake padrons, questioned when they been cations in Alicante went to collect that his is anything made in even though we put the 2021. cor- “We weretheir TIE cards. rect ones in but the only gestor with our papertaken work for residencia,” read our rights into a room, dragged into business to be the investigasaid Jay explain and Elliott, 66, of tion Fraud why our 2021 told to who has livedOrihuela Costa, had been padron “Nobody has It comes after been arrested, ‘widespread over five years. in Spain for 2020 datedoctored to show a that is a fact,” fraud’ was allegedly - it was hell.” All those detained adding: “Other he insisted, in over 22 Britons detected She and her friend Lily gestors are also being brought to become residentattempting gins, 71, had planned Hig- One Way Services, had used in as part for a based a gestor peaceful retirement here. of an ongoing This week a investigation in the revieja,in Quesada, near Tornumber of el- sun but are into TIE applications.” to process their the threat of now living with plications A police spokesman a court case - including aptold the or padron. Olive Press: the “All residencia Owner Matt Smith insisted Continues on Page 5
21/6/19 13:30
Limbo
Tel: 952 147 834
Higgins, who had lived in Ori-952 147 834 juela for nearly four years, is one of up to 40 other British victims caught up in the same ing’ he described us as a ‘costa situation, the Olive Press un- tabloid’ and threatened that we derstands. would be folding soon. The group have been forced His social media attack has into a legal limbo until the backfired badly, though, leavpending court case takes place ing the victims furious about in Torrevieja. his claims and demanding he Since the alleged scam was first lose his new position. exposed by this paper in May, “It’s incredible,” said Higgins. the admin company involved, “How dare he attack you after One Way Services, of Quesada, ruining my life? has continually denied the sit- “I’m worried sick about future uation. travel and my legal status since Now, incredibly, its owner Matt he altered our padron certifiSmith has been made a mayor cates. They were not his to alof a local village and come out ter!” fighting, claiming the Olive Her friend Jay Elliott, 66, who Press has a vendetta against is in a similar situation, is also him. angry that Smith sent a sinister Accusing us of ‘scaremonger- message to a friend saying ‘tell 965 078 812 / 698 423 848
* O f f e r
TM
6
v a l i d
TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME0
f o r
n e w
c u s t o m e r s
o n l y .
S u b j e c t
t o
c o n d i t i o n s .
E n d s
3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .
2.indd 1
21/6/19 13:30
FURIOUS: Lily and pal Jay were both arrested Jay and Lily thanks very much for speaking to the press’. Mother-of-three Elliot, who is attempting to stay in Spain until the court case, has not been able to reapply for her TIE card via other gestors because of her possible criminal record. Both Lily and Jay had been arrested and detained at Alicante Police Station, for their perceived part in the alleged fraud. Now the pair are planning to join up with dozens of others to plan a joint legal action against Smith and One Way Services. Smith, who was made the ‘Pedania mayor’ of Entre Naranjos last month - an appointment by Orihuela Town Hall that
requires no election - told the Olive Press that there was no planned court case against him. He insisted his clients had been dealt with ‘in a satisfactory way’ and continued: “The police did not bring charges against them, nor do they have a criminal record relating to your allegations. “If you are aware of anyone else that is having problems obtaining their residencia please ask them to get in touch with us, and we will happily help them.” If you have also been affected, please contact us via newsdesk@theolivepress.es
6
NEWS FEATURE
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 PROTEST POWER IT’S very likely that wherever you are in Spain, you recently came across a protest. Whether it’s one that makes national headlines like the striking metalworkers in Cadiz which provoked angry clashes with police, or the streets turning purple to call for an end to domestic violence. Whatever your feelings are towards each particular demonstration, they form an essential part of any healthy democracy, drawing attention to issues important to our communities. And often they bring about immediate change. This issue we report on the success of activists outside Granada whose action helped reverse a bureaucratic error that stripped a green area of its vital protection status. Meanwhile in Marbella, we report on a protest to better protect the town’s vanishing beaches, while up the coast in Estepona, campaigners took to the streets demanding national park status for the Sierra Bermeja in the wake of this summer’s devastating fire. Such actions may not always bring about immediate change, but they send an important signal to the powers that be, that change is needed. A group of expat residents were celebrating victory this week after Andalucia’s parliament ratified a new planning law that came about following a decade of campaigning and countless demonstrations in front of town halls across the region. It’s easy to sign an online petition from the comfort of an armchair and support a cause you believe in, but it’s far more satisfying and powerful to get yourself out there, pick up a banner and shout yourself hoarse. Join the crowd and make yourself heard! The Olive Press salutes you. PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es
Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es
Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es
Simon Wade simon@theolivepress.es
Cristina Hodgson cristina@theolivepress.es
Elena Goçmen Rueda elena@theolivepress.es
Rob Kiteley rob@theolivepress.es
OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es
ADMIN Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es
DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es
NEWSDESK: 0034 951 273 575 For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75
Cross to bear
S
PAIN’S Catholic Church has refused to launch an independent inquiry into the shocking sexual abuse carried out within its ranks over the past 70 years. Unbelievably it maintains ‘there’s only a few cases,’ amounting to ‘0.8%’ of the priesthood. At the end of a week-long gathering of bishops in Madrid, it stated: “We are not prepared to undertake sociological or statistical investigations. Why is all the focus on the Catholic Church? There are cases in sports federations. Has FIFA or the Spanish Olympic Committee been asked for a general investigation?”
Claim
The Church also made the surprising claim that it was frontrunners on tackling the issue. “We are the first Episcopal Conference in the world to approve a collection of norms with which to deal with cases of sexual abuse against minors,” Church spokesman, Luis Argüello, declared after the convention, although he admitted that none of the victims had been given the space to air their grievances during the gathering. Spain is the only country in Europe, apart from Italy, to be downplaying the abuse. Portugal has just given the green light for a national investigative commission, and France
ing place in its inner sanctum, citing at least 216,000 victims of between 2,900 and 3,200 paedophile priests since 1950.
Other countries to have taken the plunge include Belgium, Ireland and Germany, with the US blazing the trail in 2002.
Spain’s once-leading Author Carlos Ruiz Zafon, who died last year, refused to have his books turned into films, Jack Gaioni explains why
C
ARLOS Ruiz Zafon needs no introduction. Arguably the most recognised contemporary writer in Spain, he has an equally successful international reputation. Translated into over 50 languages, literary critics have often compared Zafon to none other than Miguel de Cervantes in style, popularity and literary impact. Carlos’s trilogy The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, combined with his most recent book The Labyrinth of the Spirits (El Laberinte de los Esperitos), are perennial best-sellers around the world. Zafon’s series arrived on the publishing scene with contemporaries Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling. Their popular genre shared countless tomes: tormented characters, often seeking knowledge centered around secrets to be found in books and archives. ‘Tales within tales’, giving way to ‘books within books’, with multiple subplots became a flourishing subgenre with the reading public. Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Rowling’s Harry Potter would go on to become re-
HEAD OFFICE
Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017
2016 - 2020 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.
2012 - 2021
Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.
recently presented the 2,500page Suavé report, carried out externally but funded by the Church, on murky practises tak-
The pen is mightier than the camera...
Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva
AWARDS
While the Catholic Church in France and Spain seek to investigate wrongdoings, Spain’s clergy hides and wriggles over child sex abuse claims, writes Heather Galloway
REFUSED: Carlos Zafon
cord-breaking hits at the cinema box-office. Curiously, Zafon rejected the many lucrative offers to turn his books into movies and he had some very strong opinions as to why. Carlos had been consistent with his personal mission to encourage people to recover the pleasure of reading. In our flashy, crazed world of the internet, smart phones, video games and digital streaming, Zafon believed the joy of reading was being forgotten. “Reading”, said Zafon, “is a primal force in which we, the readers, collaborate with the authors to create adventures, empathy and memories not unlike those of our real lives.” He believed ‘books are mirrors to the soul’ and by reading we develop stronger analytical skills by taking note of detail.
Pondered It is perhaps ironic that before Carlos Ruiz Zafon became an international best seller, he began his career as a screenplay writer in the movie capital of the world - Los Angeles, California. He was an avid fan of the film noir genre and had notable success as a Hollywood screenwriter. He would be the first to admit this genre, marked by moods of pessimism, fatalism and menace was a major influence on his later written work. But Carlos saw a disconnect between storytelling as novel verses adapting that same story to a movie. Movies, he believed, are experienced by the audience in one 90 to 120 minute block of time but books may be picked up and put down, pondered and digested, multiple times before completion. Carlos believed that, by reading, content could be taken in at intervals dictated by the reader’s ‘rhythm of consumption’. He once famously said that unlike movies,
‘books have no beginnings or endings - only points of entry’. Since something is lost from the transition from books to movies, Carlos was emphatic in not wanting to spend the time remaking his stories into another media. He claimed that developing characters and interlocking plots so precariously, he feared his stories would ‘explode’ if he tinkered with them by adapting them to the big screen. Zsofon believed that by reading, one can better picture his books ‘shot by shot’, the way he designed them because that is central to the reading experience. Tragically, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, that prolific Spanish novelist who has been compared to Cervantes, succumbed to cancer last year and died in his prime at age 55. He will forever be remembered as an outlier in the world of storytelling. It is rumored that Zafon took the time to declare in his last will and testament that his books ‘never, never, never’ (his words) be made into movies. Rest in Peace Carlos….
December 1st - December 14th 2021
7
QUALITY COSTS (BUT NOT THAT MUCH) MUCH)
OLIVE PRESS WEB: FULL ACCESS: ● Per month - €5.99 ● Per week - €1.50 ● Per day - €0.14 ● Per story - €0.007
Yes, less than ONE cent per article!!
P
FIGHT: Juan Cautrecosas (right) has been battling church abuse for years But after the Episcopal Conference’s jamboree, hopes were dashed for more transparency from Spain’s clergy, which hitched its wagon to the dictatorship during the Franco years and appears to still be clinging to a sense of impunity. “The ecclesiastical hierarchy of Spain should stop committing the sin of arrogance and assume the institution’s responsibilities. “It should treat the victims and survivors of paedophilia with respect and empathy, providing compensation and reparation for the sake of truth and justice. “These are values that they intend to continue to shun,” the director of the Foundation of Stolen Childhood (ANIR) Juan Cautrecosas told the Olive Press shortly after Argüello delivered the verdict.
NO PROBLEM: claims Luis Argüello
The facts and figures within Church inSpain remain conveniently sisting that vague, though Cautrecosas is victims convinced that in reality they should apmirror those of France. “They are proach its the same if not higher,” he says. own Offic“The figure of 0.8% is absolutely es for the false.” Protection So far, the Church in Spain has of Minors revealed that 220 cases have that were set up in March come under internal investiga2020 on the orders of Pope Frantion between 2001 and April cis. 2021 while the Jesuit Order has According to Argüello, the Church gone one step further, producing will attend to anyone who comes a report admitting to the abuse to these offices, which can be of 81 minors by 65 Jesuit priests found in each of Spain’s 70 diobetween 1927 and 2020. ceses. But the Spanish But, as ANIR’s Church’s admisCautrecosas has sions have only been quick to The church served to infuriate point out: “It is should stop the victims and vital to look for the associations neutral organisacommitting representing tions to investithem. gate rather than the sin of “It is shameful those in which arrogance and intolerable the damage was that they continue done,” adding to deny the truth,” that, to date, the says Cautrecosas, whose own Church’s Offices for the Protecson suffered sexual abuse in tion of Minors have ‘had very little an Opus Dei school in Bilbao effect and lack rigour.’ in 2010 at the age of 12. Tellingly, Argüello insists that the The priest finally got senoffices have received few comtenced to 11 years in 2018, plaints since they opened a year which was incredibly reand a half ago. duced to two years by the In fact, according to the ANIR Supreme Court, while the president, victims have found family paid dearly for seeking the press to be a more effective justice, with threats that drove vehicle for getting their stories them out of their home. heard, with El País compiling But calls for more accountability a database of 945 victims and have fallen on deaf ears, with the 363 cases to date.
“Without the media, many victims wouldn’t have been able to come forward,” says Cautrecosas. “My son was 12 when he was abused. He still suffers from the after-effects of the abuse. It’s not like flu that you can take a paracetamol for. “When we spoke out, our lives were made impossible, as has been the case for many of the victims in our association.” Perhaps it’s not surprising the Spanish Church is dragging its feet on an independent investigation, given the damning indictment delivered to representatives of France’s Catholic hierarchy in Lourdes during the presentation of the Suavé report at the start of October. “You are an embarrassment to our humanity,” François Devaux, director of the victim’s association La Parol Libérée told them. What is clear is that the Spanish Church’s victims feel abused, first physically by a member of the priesthood, then emotionally by the apparent indifference of an institution that looks loathed to come out from behind its veil of silence.
UBLISHERS the world over, from the New York Times, to The Telegraph decided the way forward was to charge for their content a few years back. Here in Spain it is also seen as the way forward, with all the big media groups adopting paywalls, from giants like El Mundo and El Pais to local publications such as Diario Sur and Ideal. The Olive Press joined them a year ago. And now with more than 30,000 subscribers we are definitely on the right track. With hundreds more signing up each month, it is gratifying to know that readers share our obsession with quality. After all, for less than 14 cents a day - or €1.50 a week - readers can join our online revolution. And with our current HALF PRICE SPECIAL OFFER UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR readers can help us keep real journalism alive and flourishing in a world of fake news.
● Per month - €2.99 ● Per week - €0.75 ● Per day - €0.10 ● Per story - €0.005
Yes, quite a lot less than ONE cent per article!! Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for more info
8
GREEN
www.theolivepress.es
Water solution
New technique tested to replenish underground water supplies A NEW method of replenishing underground water supplies is to be trialed in Spain. Researchers hope that the plan will increase underground reserves by 15% with a 99% saving in power needed and carbon emissions. The Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) system will use recycled water from Marbella’s La Vibora sewage works. Some 50,000 cubic metres of the cleaned water will be added to the underground supplies using ‘surface infiltration’ rather than existing pumping technologies. The pilot project is being run by the EU funded Life Matrix environmental organisation alongside the Acosol water company. If successful it could be rolled out to other parts of Spain such as Valencia, Alicante and Almeria, which suffer from drought and water shortages. Marbella was chosen for the pilot as it is in an area that suffers from high ‘water stress’, especially with the influx of summer tourists. Researchers see it as an area which needs better management of its water
Exceptional drought THE water resources of the Axarquia region are slowing to a trickle with La Viñuela reservoir, the biggest in Malaga province, at just 18.79% of its capacity - its lowest since 2008. The decrease in water levels in the last year has led the Junta to decree the reservoir in a state of ‘exceptional drought.’ The concern about the state of La Viñuela reservoir is shared by farmers in La Axarquia, who fear there will not be enough water to irrigate their products. Not only is the shortage jeopardising crop irrigation but the water could become unfit for human consumption due to a concentration of heavy metals.
resources and the perfect test bed for ‘non-conventional’ techniques and technologies. The managed aquifer recharge system proposed by Life Matrix will bring together different solutions to make sure the quality of the MARBELLA: Site of the pilot project water is high and soil structure is not destroyed. search Centre Foundation, with the Life Matrix, co-financed by the Eu- participation of Cetaqua Barcelona, ropean Commission’s LIFE pro- Water Technology Centre; the Hygramme, coordinated by Cetaqua drogeology Centre of the University Andalucia, Andalucian Water Re- of Malaga (Cehiuma) and Acosol.
December 1st - December 14th 2021
Grim and dry future SOUTH-EAST Spain faces a 40% fall in water resources by 2050 if remedial action is not taken, according to Ecological Transition Minister, Teresa Ribera. Speaking at an Alicante water conference, the Minister said that areas like Alicante Province, Murcia, and Malaga Province would suffer more than an average water loss of 24% for the rest of Spain. Teresa Ribera said: “There has been a review of all of our infrastructure to produce the right response to what lies ahead. “If no measures are taken, droughts will
affect 70% of Spain in 30 years time,” she added. Ribera’s grim scenario also suggested up to 75% of the Iberian Peninsula could be at risk of desertification if nothing was done. She called for better connectivity between water confederation companies in the south-east as well as increasing desalination capacity and upping recycling rates. “Intelligent management is needed, together with digitalisation; adaptive crops; flood prevention and improved efficiency,” said Ribera.
Martin Tye explains why not enough being done to save us from climate change
TWISTED LOGIC
Green Matters
By Martin Tye
A
S the dust settles after the COP26 conference held recently in Glasgow, what outcome can we expect ? Some strong commitments were made. Are they sufficient to save our planet ? I think not. India highlighted the main reason we will fail – GREED. Just as COP26 closed, authorities in the Indian capital, Delhi, shut all schools and colleges indefinitely because of the level of air pollution. India and China insisted on modifying the final agreement on fossil fuels. Instead of ‘phasing out’ the use of coal, they jointly insisted on the words ‘phasing down’ being used.
How mad is this?!?
Delhi is submerged in a pungent toxic haze. Citizens are subjected to levels of PM2 far higher than the World Health Organisation’s safety guidelines. A figure below 50 is acceptable. Delhi recorded a level of more than 400, causing long term damage to people’s health. As hospitals start to fill up with patients complaining of wheezing and breathing difficulties, the Indian government continues to
SMOG: Lethal haze is covering Delhi
push on with its use of coal. This form of twisted logic will be the reason the world will fail with its mission to control climate change. Powerful nations will continue to put financial and economic gain above the planet’s needs. Bad air kills more than one million people in India. SO WHAT WAS AGREED IN GLASGOW ?
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. Call +34 638145664 or Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
Solar PV Panels Harness the power of the sun Discover just how easy it is to install & use solar panels with Mariposa Energía
100% Certified Green Energy
20-year guarantee Full maintenance Low cost finance
+34 951 120 830 | gogreen@mariposaenergia.es | www.mariposaenergia.es
LETTERS
10
December 1st - December 14th 2021
MISSING LETTERS
es – in fact Editor’s note: Many apologi wrong grid. we inadvertently printed the take for 382 Good to hear it’s our first mis spotted at issues... well the only one you this issue! least! We’ve double checked
On the make
WITH reference to your article On the Make asking whether town halls are deliberately not sending legal notices to citizens. We purchased an apartment in Casares in 2011. By using a local lawyer we assumed all that we needed to do was done. It came rather as a shock that in September of this year we had an embargo on our Spanish bank accounts and didn’t know why. After investigating with the bank and speaking with our lawyer it became apparent that it was for purchase tax on the apartment that we were totally unaware of. This seemed incredible such a bill could be chased some 10 years later, with no warning. The town hall claimed that they had sent two letters to us in 2012, both of which we did not receive. In order to release the embargo we were forced to pay them over €7000 - including 10 years interest. We have never owed money to anyone before, and had we received the original letter that they claim they sent we would of course paid it straight away. We feel that in some way we have been rather harshly dealt with by Casares Town Hall, and even let down.
ANDALUCÍA
Mijas Costa
FREE
www.theolivepress.es
OLIVE PRESS
The
LIVE RESS
Vol. 15 Issue 379
Your expat
voice in Spain
Mijas Costa
October 6th - October 19th 2021
FREE
ANDALUC
Vol. 15 Issue
ÍA
370 www.theolivepress.es
Your
expat
voice in Spain
June 2nd - June
15th 2021
Find out about 10 capital citiesSpain’s
See page 14
EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner
The box is open
AN expat is facing prison for failing to demolish fell foul of a his home after he faire’ planningtown hall’s ‘laissez Gurney Davey,rules. found out about aged 67, only the six-month sentence when was delivered a court document to a neighbour’s house. “I went straight with it. They to Tolox town hall have received told me I shouldn’t Olive Press. it yet,” he told the “They said they were going to sending the be once they had notification to me The news camestamped it.” from the blue as a massive bolt wife has just for Davey, whose which he believesdied of cancer, the stress of the worsened from He had never case. court case thatbeen told about the a Guardia Civil followed on from denuncia for ‘illegal build’. an Davey’s two-bed 2004 - should home - built in built according never have been to the Malaga court.
We give you MMMore... ...Marvellous Monuments, Maharajas and Monasteries Moving Moguls
British expat faces demolition year home and a spell in of his 17 repeat of controversial prison - in Priors case
AN Olive Press reader has claimed that foreigners ing targeted by Spanishare behalls wanting to pocket town extra cash. The expat, based in FLASHBACK: believes that a penalty Madrid, + Two recent + fine wrong address victims non-payment of ground for 952 147 834 made our front page (IBI) on a property was rent ‘a set up’. It comes after the Olive + + recently reported on two Press in Andalucia, where expatscases Tel: 952 147 834 147 834 their homes due to the 952lost incorrect mailing of legal demands . In one case, Gurney Davey was forced to knock down home after his house was his time I found out it was too was told ‘these things to have been built illegallyruled late.” happen court case that he knew in a Meanwhile a hotelier in Ronda sometimes’ but I still had to noth- was left furious ing about. after having to pay the penalty for late paypay a €900 fine ment. The Guadalhorce resident only ter was inexplicawhen a IBI letfound out about the bly sent to her ment when a neighboujudge- ex-partner’s office in Marbella him about a demolitio r told - despite all her documentation n notice being registere “It stinks of a racket to which had been wrongly deliberd at the Ronda ately ad- address. make money and I have dressed to them instead to wonder whether they The British resident And last issue we reported are in Ma- targeting those how drid meanwh with Victoria Jenkins and her son Press how ile told the Olive names around Spain as foreign were thrown out of their letters demanding less we are capable of fighting back?” that had been ‘secretly’home the annual IBI on her property sold were sent to totally the wrong from under them at Have you been delibera over a paltry €4,000 auction building. tely debt to “Meanwhile the local council. I kept asking for a targeted? Do you have story about legal the bills, and was “For months and months and all drid town hall thattold by Ma- official notices going the legal notices were to they would an address that didn’t sent to come in the post. Eventually the wrong address? How explained Jenkins. “Byexist,” when I found out what had has it affected you? Get in touch at newsdesk@the the happened and complained, I livepres os.es. NAMED: Schiffer, Guardiola, Blair and Iglesias
A HOST of Costa gangsters, oligarchs and celebrities have been Expat mum and teenage son lose home caught up in a giant offshore tax after courts send legal notices to wrong scandal. Former king Juan Carlos, football address despite earlier family court ruling manager Pep Guardiola and singer Miguel Bose, are among the biggest Spanish names stung in the WHEN Victoria Jenkins’ partner Lee EXCLUSIVE so-called Pandora Papers. did a runner leaving her and their By Fiona Govan But it is the Italian gangster Raf- son on the Costa del Sol, she faele Amato, who was arrested in think life could get any worse. didn’t to bring up my son as best I could,” Malaga, model Claudia Schiffer, But the expat family have been who has a home in Mallorca, and ed after their €320,000 homeevict- she said. was Then in November 2020, there Julio Iglesias, who lives in Mar- sold at auction without their was a bella, that will be of most interest edge over an unpaid property knowl- knock at the door and she was given tax. locally. The Essex mum from Chelmsford an eviction notice. “It turns out that my ex had All of them have been exposed as had moved to Mijas with her partner debt of unpaid ground tax a €4,000 having offshore accounts alongside when their child Samuel was with the four- town hall so they put a forced at least five Spanish politicians in years-old. sale on it and someone bought it at auction the giant trove of documents re- But when he left to go on a business for €25,000.” leased this week. HOMELESS: Victoria and trip to Indonesia some years In total, around 600 Spaniards she never heard from him again.back, Samuel and (above) the are now under scrutiny after being Her nightmare got worse urbanisation they lived on Sold named in the Pandora Papers leak, took an incredible three when it years of Amazed that the house her husband I be too late when which was compiled by over a doz- court appearances to win full I was never inen media groups around the globe. dy of Samuel, now 14, with custo- paid €320,000 was sold off for so formed in the first place?” The papers also put the spotlight finally ruling she could staya judge little, she immediately went to the She was told that she must vacate the in the court to find out how it happened property by October 5 on Russian oligarchs and godfa- family home until her son this week, but turned 18 without her knowledge. can launch an appeal in Madrid. ther Amato, who used offshore in 2026. “I was told it was a done deal and that That however will take many companies to amass wealth and “I gave up any hope of child months support this final eviction notice was defini- and up to 14 weeks alone assets around Malaga. just to get a because Lee simply vanished A series of well-known expats, such thin air, but although our home into tive and that my time to defend it had legal aid lawyer assigned to her case. was passed because I had ignored all the “The judge said I was out as pop star Shakira and Nobel-Prize in his name, it was paid off of time and and I was previous legal notices. that the eviction must go ahead,” she assured we could stay in it until my “I took a private lawyer with me Continues on Page 2 son reached his 18th birthday,” she the court to demand my case file to said, sobbing. “I’m packing up our and stuff and have told The discovered that all the previous legal go and stay on no choice but for us to O l i v e notices had been sent to the wrong And so it camea friend’s sofa.” to pass when yesterPress. address. day the previous “I just got “My lawyer said I could appeal be- her to stay in court order allowing on with cause of this but a year later and still pletely ignored the home was comwith the duo being t h i n g s no one will listen to me. I keep being evicted. and tried told that I am too late. But how can “Two court officials, two police officers, the two new owners, a locksmith and some other guy showed
v a l i d
f o r
n e w
c u s t o m e r s
o n l y .
S u b j e c t
t o
c o n d i t i o n s .
E n d s
TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd 1
THE SKY DOCTOR
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 “I had* my stuff vpacked fup o r and n e met them at the gate and was told to gow to c court TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd tomorrow to get the paperwork 1 if I want to launch an appeal. It was horrible,” she added. She continued: “It’s a total scandal that our home worth €320,000 can be sold off for just €25,000 for the 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 4G UNLIMITED that has been taken despite a INTERNET court order promising us anIDEAL FOR other five years. “I was never even given the STREAMING TV chance to stand before a judge ALSO IPTV, and argue my case. This is not SATELLITE TV justice.” The Olive Press was hoping to tel: (0034) 952 763 840 get some answers on the case before we went to press. info@theskydoctor.com
Tel: 952 147 834 TM
u s t o m e r s
o n l y .
S u b j e c t
t
n d s
Opinion Page
3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .
6
21/6/19 13:30
THE SKY DOCTOR
See page 11 & 18
TM
* O f f e r
Legalise
In 2016, and Davey was then again in 2017, ordered to down his house, knock with a neighbour,but, in common he waited for more details. While his Irene Millan,Spanish neighbour, hear from the29, did eventually was given six court again, she her property months to ‘legalise’ - an option was never given. Davey However, his ent good luck neighbour’s apparsoned chalice. turned into a poiHaving spent €20,000 with DEMOLITION: town hall to legalise the Expat Gurney the dwelling, Davey is being the court finally forced to knock refused to accept lan, whose name the new paperwork was down his own provided by deeds, was also sentencedon the cancer, at the house and faces the council. age of months jail and to six months Instead, demolition handed a fine six “We thought we had71, in April. jail from legal firm €6 of thing right done Manzanares, which went ahead was ordered - Nowa day for a year. at the time. every- them that planning told the smart Davey is terrified last week. legal advice We got would To add insult thing to do. and went be applied for permission “Why would to injury Irene’s lose his home at any he is set to lawyer 54-year-old father, in order to get through a cen - or ‘warehouse’. as an almawe moment. build illegally? deliberately try to permission Manuel Mil- It comes just two months to build the home. This way it would It makes no sense his wife Diana since that died from bowel “Diana fought breast remit of Tolox come under the in we would sell up everything cancer the UK and risk six years before town it all.” bowel cancer for would give permissionhall, which Now Davey’s - I they could and later avoid first thoughts am sure the ‘legalise’ are to serving the jail stress brought The language of onethe property. legal letter, He said: “My lawyer is sentence. seen by the Olive it on.” trying to Press, suggests get the sentence suspended.” this would be The a mere formality. couple, originally from But the property never ALL AREAS COVERED got legalFlatten Suffolk in the ised. In fact, the In the meantime UK, Tolox mayor spent time, he has of the forced to ask €150,00 Juan 4G UNLIMITED the town hallbeen 0 jailed and Vera, has since been permission for building their fined to knock his INTERNET scheme to allow for his part in a property down. own property. IDEAL FOR erties to be built up to 350 prop- “I will do it “It came as myself. on land classified a JCB STREAMING TV package - a as ‘rural’. from someoneI will borrow and flatten my home of plot with a newa In most cases he ALSO IPTV, had used very same ‘lax’ will not let thethe past 17 years. I home on it.” town hall do procedure of the charge SATELLITE TV it and apDavey admits plying to build an me more money.” See page 5 & 15 he and his wife try to keep the prying‘almacen’ to He added: “I’ve no tel: (0034) 952 were perhaps Junta authorities away.eyes of the live afterwards. Butidea where to 763 840 the land is still mine - maybe naive to follow “We thought that info@theskydoctor.com was the way tent.” I can live in things worked the advice a in Spain,” said www.theskydoctor.com Tolox Ayuntamiento their lawyer. of Davey, a retired builder. refused to “We went to comment, citing The see a lawyer lawyer, advice. data protection and got laws. It turns out o that was not c o n d i t i o n s . E
X
Yet another case
X
g to do the OP I’VE just had a bit of a laugh tryine of your very issu last the in rd swo Cros k Quic good paper. clues have been Unfortunately, the wrong down s! clue ss acro e’s issu used with this usion until I It initially caused quite some conf s offered just clue t join the eventually realised that would not work together! as it has caused Anyway, don’t worry too much laugh once good ty pret a have to I and wife my have ever we one first the r erro the sed we’d reali OP. the spotted in r virtually since We have been getting your pape publication your y enjo ys alwa you started and and sudoku and always enjoy your crossword riment!! but this time it caused us much mer will happen so We understand that mistakes ght that we’d thou just we lem prob no e’s ther other of your y man sure e we’r as know let you know that you let to and do also readers will ed us and caus it ent sem amu the we’ve enjoyed paper in your ying enjo inue that we hope to cont t clues for the the future - hopefully with the righ crosswords! J & S FJ. Mijas (Malaga)
Are town halls On the Make in an effort to earn cash?
The
Dear Olive Press,
I AM sure the people of Rojales will remember the Gota Fria when the Segura River rose above the arches. It was carrying so much rubbish that two machines were placed on October 20th NEWS November 2nd 2021 5 top of the stone bridge to scoop the junk out into lorries in an attempt to save the river from overAre town halls flowing. O deliberately P targeting expats A year later Rojales council was fined €5,000 for NOT AGAIN for cash? not cleaning up the rubbish and allowing it to HEARTLESS build up again. Now there is a massive build-up of reeds in the Cowhich vers thecould again block the chanRiver Segura, whole of Spain nel and to once more lead to flooding in the Vega Baja. With the current deplorable state of the river, now it is time the Confederacion Hidrografica Racket Offer a numb deler Segura paid a visit to the PSOE council of different plans(CHS) to suit all budg ets Most competitive Natio nal funer al planmake in Rojales and them take action in clearing provider in the whole of Spain All funds the river. just need to leave enough vegetaare prote cted by anThey independent trust OFFICE HOUR tion forS:the wildlife. 10.00am-18.00p m europl www.theskydoctor.com
Opinion Page 6
3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .
21/6/19 13:30
ans@comparefuneral.org tel: +34 911 436 813 www.comparefuneral.org
JB, Quesada
What for? YOU ask if town halls are deliberately not sending letters so they can earn some extra cash through fines. I have no idea - but I did get a letter threatening me with an embargo if I did not immediately pay €120 to Fuengirola council. It, of course, did not tell me what this demand was for. As I had to go into the office to pay anyway I decided to ask what it was for. Big mistake! I was sent to three different queues in my quest to find the reason, and all I got was a shrug of the shoulders. Some two hoyrs of queing later I was finally worn down and just joined the last queue - to pay up. I am now €120 poorer, and still have no idea why!
John Iillis, Casares
David Anderson, Fuengirola
OP QUICK CROSSWORD 1 7
2
3
4
5
10
11
12
13
14 15
16 17
18
21
6
8
9
19
20
22
Across 7 Be overcomplimentary (4) 8 Scion (8) 9 Like suits and boots (8) 10 Transmit (4) 11 On a lower storey (5) 12 The Stanley ---, an unusual very early car (7) 15 Straddling (7) 16 Military training centres (5) 18 Party enforcer (4) 20 Court statement (8) 21 Least dry (8) 22 Cole Porter's "Anything ---" (4)
Down
OP SUDOKU
Sorry!
Action needed
1 Incivility (8) 2 Dance director (13) 3 Dunce (5) 4 Puts on (7) 5 Nowadays (4,3,3,3) 6 Showing signs of use (4) 13 Business deductions (8) 14 Taken for one's own (7) 17 Most isolated city in the world? (5) 19 Political hardliner (4)
All solutions are on page 30
The Marks Brothers Experts and Specialised in Dental Implants Mark Dental Clinic, a highly recommended Dental Clinic on the coast Our success is
Trusted by over 10´000 patients
due to the confidence given
Modern facilities, quality materials and attention to details
FUENGIROLA 952 917 164
ESTEPONA 951 272 267
by our patients.
info@markdentalclinic.com www.markdentalclinic.com
12
LA CULTURA
Potters find
A STORM that hit the coast of Malaga has uncovered two ovens dating from the Roman era on the beach of San Pedro in Marbella—a mere five metres from the shore. The archaeological remains are believed to be part of a big Roman industrial zone that once produced a fish paste called garum and even bricks for export around the Med. It is all connected to another settlement of Cilniania, of which a number of remains are currently protected and open to the public. The remains are currently fenced off and being monitored around the clock to prevent looting. Thieves in the past stole a valuable Roman mosaic from a villa at nearby Puerto Banus. The image of Medusa is believed to have been stolen to order and has been replaced by a replica.
OVENS: similar to this
LA CULTURA Loot
December 1st December 14th 2021
MALAGA TO SPARKLE MORE than 500 streets in Malaga have been decorated with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations transforming the city. The city has been flooded with light this 2021 festive season, with more than half a million LED light points set up, with a power of 137.5 kilowatts. Around 80 of these streets and roundabouts correspond to the emblematic areas of Malaga and include lighting in 85 natural trees,
37 ground figures, one garland area, 30 grouped motifs, 85 streetlight motifs, 3 pines with three-dimensional structures, 22 porticos, 218 arches and six signs. Despite the increase in illumination, the actual cost of the Christmas lighting has been reduced considerably in the last decade. This year’s festive sparkle is expected to cost €11,500, compared to the €53,760 spent in 2009, according to the city council.
POISON ART
Ancient people found to have high levels of mercury THEY may be stunning examples of art from our ancestors, but Spain’s famous cave paintings could have poisoned early artists. Analysis of 5,000 yearold bones found in 23 sites across Spain and Portugal has found evidence of mercury poisoning. Scientists from the University of North Carolina Wilm-
ington analysed the remains of 370 people who lived during the Late Neolithic and Copper Age. It was found that the highest levels of mercury were found among those living at the beginning of the Copper Age – between 2900 and 2600 BC.
Toxic
Researchers said the unusually excessive amount of mercury is attributable to cinnabar, a toxic mercury sulfide mineral with a shiny purple colour. It was traditionally used as a paint pigment, with ancient tombs in Andalucia found covered in cinnabar powder. Ancient people used it to paint chambers, decorate
ART: But it could have been deadly to our ancestors
figurines and even daub on the dead. Since the end of the Copper Age and early Bronze Age, the use of cinnabar has gradually declined.
ANCIENT: Spain is filled with prehistoric artifacts
CHASING TIME
Researchers hypothesise that people from Portugal and Andalucia could have accidentally inhaled or consumed large amounts of mercury from cinnabar during various rituals and painting sessions. Levels of up to 400 parts per million (ppm) were recorded in the bones of some of these individuals. “Taking into account that the WHO currently considers that the normal level of mercury in hair should not be higher than 1 or 2 ppm, the data obtained reveal a high level of intoxication that must have severely affected the health of many of those people,” researchers said.
by Thomas Reilly
An emotional mixture of contemporary fiction and fantasy, CHASING TIME, by Thomas Reilly, is a gripping suspense novel of cinematic scope. Could Spanish olive oil provide the key to unlock the cure for a deadly disease? Follow historian Tony Lucas as he travels from America to the lush olive groves of Andalucía on a chase that spans time to save his stricken wife. www.amazon.com/Chasing-Time-Thomas-Reilly/dp/195508680X/ref=sr_1_1 www.thomasreillyauthor.com
for sale
AN Iberian sword considered to be of great historical value was discovered among looted archaeological treasures offered for sale online. The sword, which has a bird’s head hilt, is thought to date from between the third and second century BC and was likely plundered from an ancient grave where it was buried with the warrior who owned it more than two thousand years ago.
Tracked
Spain’s Policia Nacional tracked down the seller who had a stash of more than 200 artifacts pilfered from archaeological sites in Spain. They arrested the seller, a man from a town in Jaen, who is now facing charges for theft and offences against national heritage. Described as an ‘Iberian falcata’, police said it had ‘possible remains of silver on the blade, and is in a very good state of preservation’ “The fact that the piece has not been used since the owner’s death - the weapon is buried with the warrior when he dies so that no one can use it - increases its value due to the rarity of finding pieces in this state,” police said in a statement.
GOYAS GALORE A FILM starring Javier Bardem has broken a Goya record by getting 20 nominations for the prestigious Spanish Film Academy awards. The Good Boss (El Buen Patron) is a comedy-drama directed by Fernando Leon de Aranoa. It tells the story of a boss who runs an industrial mechanical scales business who tries to bend over backwards to help his workforce when he hears that his company could win a top honour for excellence.
A
ll about
G
The
uadalhorce
Vol. 15 Issue 383
www.theolivepress.es
V
alley
December 2021
TAKING YOUR BREATH AWAY There’s a secret world of lakes, white villages and rocky mountain highs in the Guadalhorce hills behind the Costa del Sol, writes Jon Clarke
STUNNING: Fantastic scenery is an added extra of the Caminito del Rey, while (left) nearby Bobastro and (top) a typical Coin street
K
NEES knocking and nerves jangling many a thrillseeker has navigated their way along the death-defying Caminito del Rey, before taking a dip (or jump) into one of the trio of stunning turquoise lakes nearby. It had long been dubbed the ‘world's deadliest walkway’ (understandably with no handrail and big sections missing) until the Caminito reopened seven years ago following a €3 million upgrade. But you’ll still need a head for heights taking this high-adrenalin hike that runs through
Papeleria Cristina Xmas Cards Newspapers Party Supplies Helium Balloons Offex Post Stationery Chocolates & Sweets
tel: 952 594 108
email: papcristina@hotmail.com Ctra Cartama L1, Alhaurin El Grande
the El Chorro gorge, an immense fissure five kilometres long and 300 metres deep as it slices through towering limestone cliffs. Set between the two postage stamp-sized villages of Ardales and El Chorro, it is no wonder this area has garnered the nickname ‘the Andalucian Lake District’, in part thanks to a series of Olive Press travel articles over a decade ago. The scenery is more akin to the countryside of Cumbria or the cantons of Switzerland than the average scenery on the Costa del Sol with the two villages linked by hairpin
SOUTHERN SPAIN DAMP PROOFING
bend roads past the shimmering reservoirs bordered by sandy beaches and shaded by feathery conifers. With lakeside campsites, it’s the quintessential active weekend break for outdoor sports types, offering rock climbing, watersports, pedalos and dining under the stars at charming pine-shaded ventas. There is a lot to explore, with one incredibly interesting side trip up to the ancient ruined city of Bobastro, found by taking a side road Continues overleaf
Auto Repairs KWIK SERVICE automotive workshop
678 27 68 09
Oil & Filter changes Full Service • Brakes & Transmissions • Tyres & Puncture Repair • Diagnostic Wheel Alignment • •
GUARANTEED SOLUTIONS Please call or email for any further enquiries: Tel: +34 652 358 672/625 702 772 Email: ssdamp@gmail.com www.southernspaindampproofingco.com
•
Pre ITV Checks Pick up and drop off service
Specialists in restoration & custom builds
tel: 678 27 68 09
Fast, Reliable, Affordable
email: kwik4service@gmail.com
Calle Ferrocarril 11, Coin, Malaga 29100
For updates, news and special offers
2
December 2021
A
ll about
G INTO THE VALLEY
VISTAS: Views across Tolox, while (left) church tower in Alora and (right) the lakes near Ardales and the caminito
uadalhorce
merely the icing on the cake of a region that has been an expat favourite to settle for decades. uphill just a few clicks outside El Chorro. Reached via Malaga inland towards Alhaurin or A fascinating place, it was here in the from Fuengirola going basically uphill, the best way ninth century that rebel Muslim leader to arrive is from Marbella on the Coin road, via the Omar Ibn Hafsun, declared indepen- white-washed pueblos of Ojen, Guaro and Monda dence from the Moorish kingdom of Cor- with its impressive hilltop castle and stunning neardoba, leading to decades of conflict and by gorge. the setting up of an impregnable moun- Once a best-kept secret, thousands of new visitors tain redoubt that was hard to are discovering this lesser-known valley thanks to capture and even harder the El Chorro Challenge. to find. The polar opposite to the glitz and glamour of the Today, you nearby coast, which is just 20 can explore to 30 minutes away, the valley the site, with offers a more peaceful, relaxed It is the polar its various way of life. buildings and Largely rural, the lifestyle here opposite to ruins that sudis much more typically Spanish the glitz and denly emerge than the nearby resorts. in clearings Coin, the region’s ‘capital’ and glamour of the amid deep largest town, is merely an upcoast woodland. scale version of its smaller Most fascinatneighbours (Tolox, Yunquera ing of all is an and Alozaina) with two main ancient church that was squares, an emblematic church at its centre and literally hewn out of rock, a multitude of winding cobbled streets full of whitewith circular shapes as washed houses. windows, one presumes. Set up by the Romans, who made it into a market This is all part of the up- town before largely abandoning it for almost 500 per reaches of the Gua- years, it was then brought back to life by the Moors, dalhorce Valley, but is who rebuilt it in 950 AD. Continues from page 13
Much of this later success came from the quarries of marble and iron ore which were used in the construction of Sevilla’s famous settlement of Italica, the birthplace of the future Emperor, Hadrian. Reconquered by the Christians during a long siege in which Christopher Columbus allegedly took part,
3
December 2021
R E S TA U R A N T E
TFNO 952491094
La Higuera presents Traditional International Gastronomy MEDITERRANEAN • EUROPEAN • SPANISH
it was also popular with another great explorer Captain Cook, who visited in 1829. After a visit to Cartama, Alhaurin and Coin, he wrote, ‘These villages are on rising ground above the river and in beauty of situation and cultivation cannot be excelled. This stunning place packed with Moroccan and Ro“They afford a specimen of the whole country man influences is topped by a castle, which sits on when possessed by the Moors, being surrounded a lofty pinnacle looking down on this quaint pueblo. by gardens with orange, lemon and palm trees and A stop at the 17th century La Encarnacion church abounding in all the fine as well as the more com- en route is the perfect prelude to the main event mon fruits.” atop Cerro de las Torres hill. Even today, the Guadalhorce Valley is considered to The castle has had a long and chequered history. be among the most fertile in all Spain. Originally built by Phoenicians, before being exCrisscrossed with streams, as well as modern and panded under Roman rule, it was destroyed by the ancient acequias (man-made water Visigoths and rebuilt by the Moors. channels), it has as much modern Last, but not least, as you head cultivation as it has wildlife, while back down to the coast it is likely The small signs of its fecundity are found in the you will head close to Cartama, with town will host a castle of its own looking down villages where you can pick oranges and lemons that line the streets. from high above. the European To the west of the valley, the soaring But Cartama, while an attractive Sierra de las Nieves has seen even place to while away a morning, is cricket finals less human interference, leading now becoming known for something next year to it being recently declared a Nafar more international: its famous tional Park, Andalucia’s third, after annual cricket tournament. Donana and the Sierra Nevada. This small white town is now home Apart from the few towns and villages on its out- to the Cartama Oval and the recently inaugurated skirts, the park is largely uninhabited, with a rich European Cricket Championships, which kicks off variety of pine, fir, ash, chestnut and oak trees, and again in February. countless streams and waterfalls. The 2022 Bet2Ball European Cricket League Rambling and horse riding are all great ways to ex- (ECL22) finals will take place over six weeks from plore its undiscovered beauty. February. The park is easily accessible from the picturesque Dubbed as ‘the Champions League of European villages of Tolox, El Burgo and Yunquera, which pos- cricket’, ECL22 is a 30-team tournament including sess a charm all of their own. the champions of England, Ireland and Scotland, Tolox is a tumble of white-washed houses where the as well as teams from the likes of Jersey, Austria, villagers have even gone so far as painting the tree Hungary and Switzerland. trunks white, to reinforce the pueblo blanco look. MAP: Of the Yunquera is slightly bigger, with one of the Guadalhorce district most picturesque church spires in the Guadalhorce Valley although its emblem is the ancient castle towering 500 metres above the village. One of the highest points in Malaga province, El Castillo is believed to have been built by the Arabs and used as a watchtower during wars. Today this important heritage site has been refurbished to function as an information centre for the Sierra de las Nieves. Just 15 minutes from Yunquera, Alozaina is embedded like a jewel in a setting of olive groves. The entrance to the village’s charming centre is marked by stone arches while the church – the crowning glory in most of these pueblos - can be seen against the skyline from the narrow streets below. From the striking Santa Ana church itself, there are spectacular views towards the Sierra Prieta. A half an hour north east you cannot miss Alora, which can be seen from miles around.
tel: +34 952 491 094 restlahiguera@hotmail.com Camino de Coín 27, 29120 Alhaurín el Grande, Malaga
n o l l i t s o P l e a d n Fo Restaurant
Classic French Cuisine
tel: +34 951 254 520 A-387 29120 Alhaurín el Grande, Spain www.elpostillon.es
4
December 2021
A
ll about
Travel back in time in a classic whitewashed pueblo
G
uadalhorce
A
WAY from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Coin and Alhaurin, a sleepy, white-washed Andalucian pueblo sits waiting to be explored. Despite keeping its fascinating history to itself with unwarranted modesty, Alora has blossomed
into a hive of cultural activity. Marked out by its stunning Arabic castle atop Cerro de las To-
ALLURING ALORA
rres hill, the sprawling streets are brought to life through Moroccan and Roman influences
before them. However, the castle is even older and was originally built by Phoenicians, before being expanded under Roman rule. And later destroyed by Visigoths in the fifth century before the Moors finally came and rebuilt it. The Muslim minaret is still clearly visible today, protruding defiantly from the elegant and immaculately preserved castle. Built in 1462, from local history expert and museum worker, Maria Jose says. “You can see evidence of all the different ages of the castle, it is so interesting and such a shame that so few people come and see it.” It is a wonderful place to visit, but unfortunately the castle is not often open to the public. A short walk down narrow traditional streets leads to the town’s lowest-lying square. Here stands the impressive 17th century Catholic church of La Encarnacion, which somehow appears to be even larger on the inside. Adjoining the church is the municipal museum, complete with ancient pottery, historical displays and intense mustiness. It is a Mudejar construction dating from the 16th century and supported by stone pillars and
HILLTOP: Imposing fortress
columns. “Alora is such a wonderful town, there is so much culture to see in the artists, history and of course, the best food in the region is here,” explains local tour operator Kora Buggel. Hidden right in the heart of the town is an old molino, where olive oil was traditionally produced but it is now used for the occasional concert. Various small museums and bars have sprung up in the centre since the turn of the century, as this town continues its legacy as one of the most important settlements in the Guadalhorce Valley. It is certainly a fairly bustling
place, much busier than most of the valley’s pueblos. One of the highlights is the small bodega belonging to José Miguel Pérez Hidalgo, which produces a range of wines from the Guadalhorce Valley’s vineyards, and offers tasting sessions to organised groups. At the foot of the hill on which Alora rests is a railway station, and it was here, just five years ago, where the houses were struck by a terrible flood, killing livestock and destroying homes. From the castle it is easy to see where the river ripped apart a bridge, separating Barriada Estacion from neighbouring Barriada del Puente.
Established in Álora since 1998 – We pride ourselves in providing a friendly but professional service Offering a diverse range of properties – Fincas, townhouses, cortijos, villas and country houses
Álora – APA375
Álora – APA378
Álora Pueblo – APA387
Newly released exclusive development of 10 lovely, bright 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments located in a residential street of Álora Pueblo. Prices start from 63.000€ including fitted kitchen, allocated private parking space, store room and notary fees. Quality finish including marble flooring. Ideal for permanent living or fabulous “buy to let” opportunity. High demand for holiday lets in the area generated by visitors to the famous “Caminito del Rey”. 100% mortgages available subject to status.
Location! Location! Location! 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, country villa with separate guest studio located within 32,000m2 of olive & almond grove, less than 10 minutes drive from Álora and enjoying what can only be described as “stunning views”. Architect designed and built in 2003, holding 1st occupation license and finished in a very pleasing fusion of traditional Spanish and contemporary styles. Main house extends to 150m2 plus 25m2 studio. Lots of lovely outside entertaining areas including a 8mx4m swimming pool and sunbathing terrace and various patios ideal for “al fresco” dining. Mains electricity, high speed internet and private water supply.
Professionally refurbished, immaculately presented, 2 bedroom town house located on the edge of Álora Pueblo enjoying excellent transport links to Málaga city and International airport and the resorts of the Costa del Sol. Accommodation distributed over two main floors extends to 114m2.Generous private outdoor space including spacious patios to front and rear. Quality finishes throughout including some bespoke carpentry and energy efficient aircon heating/cooling units in all main rooms. “Walk in” condition with all furniture and fittings included in sale. Viewing strictly by appointment.
Price: 63,000€ to 135,000€
Price: 450,000€
Price: 125,000€
Margaret Mitchell Alora Properties S.L. | Plaza Fuente Arriba, Alora (Malaga) +34 952 49 84 54 / +34 609 45 44 09 | info@alora.properties
5
December 2021
I
T was in Phoenician times that Alhaurin el Grande first developed its role as an important market town, as the already established Iberian tribes bartered their goods with new arrivals from Lebanon. Later the town thrived under Roman occupation when a number of wealthy merchants from nearby Malaga made money from the rich mineral deposits in the nearby hills. They built sizeable villas, such as Villa de la Mata, and labelled the town Lauro Nova. Evidence has been found in the numbers of coins, statues and pillars, a trio of which stand pride of place opposite the town hall today. But it wasn’t until Moorish rule that the town really blossomed, as the Arabs planted new crops in the wide fertile valley that is crossed by two rivers, the Fahala and Blas Gonzales. They introduced acequias (or water courses) to irrigate the entire valley and built a number of important mills, such as the Molino
WALK: Country walk near the water tower above Alhaurin
The Garden of Allah Alhaurin blossomed under Moorish rule and has since been a key market town
STRIKING: ‘God’s Garden’ dates back to Phoenician times
Great selection of Georgian, Victorian and early 20th Century furniture, paintings, ceramics and collectables Morisco de los Corchos. An area of particular beauty – not to mention an extremely
clement climate – it had soon taken on an appropriate new name, that of ‘Garden of Allah’, or Alhaurin. Remnants of the eight centuries of Arabic rule can still be found, particularly at the Arco del Cobertizo, which was a gateway to the medina, that had a souk specialising in silk. One of the last towns to be conquered by the Catholic kings in 1485, it was eventually merged with Alora, Cartama and Coin in 1666 to form a single entity known as the Four Towns. Though it was anything but plain sailing for the united municipality and there were epidemics of plague and even an earthquake in 1680. Later, Alhaurin was occupied for
four years by the French during the Peninsular War in the early 19th century, which led to the inevitable destruction and upheaval. Since then, apart from the turbulent period during the civil war, the biggest threat to civil peace was an influx of English hooligans in the 2000s, who thankfully have now gone. There is no doubt that Alhaurin el Grande has been through a dramatic transformation over recent years but there is a now a real swagger about the place. Businesses are opening and the type of expat now coming to live here is more interested in integration, learning the language and enjoying the town’s varied culture.
SPECIAL TRADE PRICES Open Monday to Friday 10.00 until 14.00 Saturday 10.00 until 13.00 and outside those hours by prior appointment Tel: Margaret Mitchell 609 454 409 Plaza Fuente Arriba 7, 29500 Álora, Málaga
www.aloraantiques.com
You deserve a stress free sale The property specialist for Inland Málaga
Contact Grapevine Properties to find out how we use our 15 years of experience to help you efficiently market your property and hold your hand every step of the way
We sold the above two properties with 5 weeks of them coming on the market using what we call ‘The Grapevine Treatment’. This includes professional photography, aerial imagery, virtual tour, video and paid for advertising on social media. We do our very best to show off your property on every corner of the internet.
tel: (+34) 952 457 761 enquiries@grapevine-properties.com www.grapevine-properties.com Calle El Burgo No5, Guaro, 29108 Malaga
6
December 2021
A
ll about
G
uadalhorce
WHERE TO EAT
VALLEY TUCKER
S TALENT: Santi is an exciting addition at Tottam
INCE the days of Al Andalus the Guadalhorce Valley has been known for its amazing local produce. Awash with vegetable gardens, orchards and crops, any budding chef doesn’t have to go far to find decent ingredients. And Santi Camba, 38, at Tottam restaurant, in Alhaurin el Grande, is no exception. Since arriving in the valley from Madrid’s famous la Tasquita de Enfrente a few months ago the chef has been highly impressed with the level of produce here. Santi has got cooking in his veins, with both a father and uncle running restaurants in Madrid and Bilbao, and he needed to have it to do justice for such a wonderful new restaurant like Tottam (https://tottam-el-jardin-interior.eatbu.com) There are simply not enough places like this in Andalucia. Homespun, earthy and original, you feel like you could be in a backwater of Tennessee arriving at this wonderfully rural spot on a back road between Alhaurin and Coin. Everything from the decor to tablecloths is authentic and cleverly thought out, such as the old gramophone and the coffee sacks from as far and wide as Nicaragua and Cuba that line the bar. The music is also excellent and expect R&B and soul and particularly jazz, which is also frequently live at weekends, when the place is mostly open. But it is Santi’s food which is the true
A longtime agricultural hub, it is no surprise you can eat well in the Guadalhorce Valley, writes Jon Clarke
highlight here. Mixing northern Spanish dishes, with local Andalucian and all with an Asiatic fusion, he is doing something highly original. His Thai-style langoustines come on a bamboo leaf and have a superb tang, while his salmon flower with citric mayonnaise, passion fruit and wakama algas not only looks stunning but is delicious. The highlight was easily his slowcooked pork belly with a mussel wrapped in a lettuce leaf, with ‘a green mustard mayonnaise’. Surf and turf at its very best. Nearby and well known for its food for well over a decade is El Postillon (https://fondaelpostillon.wixsite.com/ home). Here you eat inside a charming candle-lit dining room, on a fantastic terrace overlooking a leafy garden and with views into the nearby Sierra de Mijas. You will be spoiled by the cooking from Xavier Sierra, who after working in his parents’ restaurant in France and studying at the best cooking school in Bordeaux, Ecole Hoteliere de Talence, packed up his kitchen utensils and opened in Spain nearly 30 years ago. the classics are on offer including onion soup, confit of duck and tarte tatin. In the heart of Alhaurin el Grande itself you must look out for La Higuera (https://restaurantelahiguera.makro. rest), a well established spot that has
an excellent good value menu del dia, with a great range of dishes. Very popular with expats from around the valley, the wine list is also good, while I ate some of the freshest fish of the year and an amazing homemade fig pudding. Another great dining spot is Finca La Mota (www.fincalamota.com), which sits in its own secret valley near Alhaurin. You dine on a candle-lit terrace at night surrounded by mature pine, orange and avocado trees. A classic rural idyll, the diners are spoiled with a great mix of international dishes, with a slant on the oriental, Moroccan and Thai. Meanwhile you must try herring on brown bread, the chicken satay and a splendid ‘zarzuela’, which has a top mix of shellfish, rosada and langoustines. The Thai prawn and chicken curry came in red, green or yellow depending on your preference for spice and was delicious. The apple strudel was a sure fire winner to end the meal. In Coin, look out for charming Bohemia restaurant, which is full of antique furniture and Pedro’s amazing knitted tapestries on the wall, while it is known for its classic soul food with a heavy emphasis on vegetables. Also in Coin check out Casa Paco which has an amazing range of fresh fish and seafood and has been run-
CHARMING: El Postillon (right) and La Higuera in Alhaurin (above) ning since 1985. Finally, another true star of the valley is Jaap Schaafsma at Castillo de Monda, who I first singled out over a decade ago, for my book Dining Secrets of Andalucia, while working at the then-amazing Santa Fe restaurant in Coin.
WHERE TO STAY
Sweet dreams ATMOSPHERIC: One of the rooms at Finca la Mota
Finca la Mota was originally a farmhouse built over 350 years ago. It is now a rustic Andalusian Inn full of charm and character both of which have been carefully maintained during it’s recent renovation. We are open for lunch, dinner or to stay in one of our 12 comfortable rooms. The restaurant and bar are situated in the beautiful and picturesque garden by the private swimming pool offering a place to relax and dine in the Andalusian countryside. We also have an inside bar and restaurant. The restaurant serves International cuisine using flavours from around the world. Kitchen open from 12 till 22 hours, 7 days a week.
OWNERS LOOKING FOR NEW OPERATORS – PLEASE CONTACT FOR INFORMATION
7
December 2021
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
T
Guadalhorce valley has some great rural retreats, writes Jon Clarke
T
HERE are some amazing places to stay in the Guadalhorce Valley, where peace and mountain landscapes merge. One of the most reliable is Finca la Mota (www.fincalamota.com), in Alhaurin el Grande, that was once one of the biggest estates in the entire valley. The 350-year-old farmhouse sits in its own secret valley, surrounded by stunning countryside and with views to match. Run by a Dutch family, who have lived here fore decades, you enter into a classic patio Andaluz with a huge pool and its own terrace restaurant. Inside it is charming with comfortable rooms and various dining areas, one with two roaring fireplaces. A lovely shady pool and views to match make up the scene. The rooms are all different and most have a nice atmosphere with good views. You might also want to consider Tottam Expe-
rience, which has recently opened in the hills around Alhaurin, and links to the amazing Tottam restaurant and jazz bar nearby. Set up out of the old Postillon hotel, this is the brainchild of an Asturian and Sevillan couple, who have run hotels and restaurants near Gijon, in Asturias, for years. Both keen world travellers, they are creating a wonderful space to relax and enjoy the Guadalhorce hills, including a spa, artistic work space and even a vegetable garden. A series of generously-appointed casitas spread around sizable grounds, best of all you have the excellent French restaurant Postillon literally right next door. Finally, don’t forget Castillo de Monda, which lords over the Guadalhorce valley with mountain views in all directions. Run by a trio of talented Dutchmen, the place has spacious bedrooms, replete with four poster beds, jacuzzi baths and private terraces.
HE number of strokes has risen sharply in the last decade yet, the number of trained occupational therapists along the Coast able to deal with rehabilitation are very few. With waiting lists soaring, many expats are being forced to go back to their home countries to get the right therapy, which often takes between six and 12 months and that is where Marcos Penfold, 27, has found his niche. Fully trained as an occupational therapist in Spain, the expat, from Malaga has just set up his own Occupational therapy company called Rehab OT (www.rehabot.es), to work with foreigners all along the Costa del Sol and inland Malaga. “So many English, Dutch and Scandinavians are having to return to their country of origin for treatment after having had a stroke and this is when I saw an opportunity and the necessity for a therapist on the Costa del Sol ,” he explains. “There is almost no-one offering their services here yet and given the choice, most expats would rather be treated here in Spain and not have to return home.”
Lourdes
And he is certainly in an excellent position to step in as a fully qualified therapist, having studied and trained at Malaga University to get his qualifications and certificates which are recognised internationally. Also trained in sports science and osteopathy, he specialises in the BOBATH concept, which has global recognition for its positive, multidisciplinary approach to recovery. “I’ve also got experience of dealing with Parkinsons and Multiple Sclerosis patients, as well as acquired brain injury,” he explains. But the main area of growth has been the number of people who have suffered from strokes “Stroke incidence has increased generally due to high blood pressure, diets and stress, and my role
AN expat born and bred in Guadalhorce is now finding a niche as one of the best occupational therapists around Southern Spain
is to facilitate and enable an individual patient to achieve maximum functional performance both physically and psychologically in everyday living. I have also recently been treating people who have spent large periods of time in hospital due to the COVID he continues. “While in hospital most COVID-19 patients lose over 25% of body muscle, meaning intensive rehabilitation is vital on discharge. “We can’t work miracles but we can definitely make a huge difference, usually after three to six months,” he explains. Born in Marbella’s Costa del Sol Hospital, Marcos grew up in Malaga, attending the highly-respected Lourdes school in Coin and after graduating he continued his studies at Malaga University. “I am totally bilingual and this is a great advantage as there are so many expatriates needing therapy and the language can be a big barrier for them,” he added. He also has experience of working at well known centres along the Costa del Sol, including AFA in Marbella, Home rehabilitation unit in Malaga and APRONA in Estepona. “I’ve worked with Down Syndrome people and autistic children, as well as serious car accident victims,” he continues. “But what I want to do most is work with adults with strokes, Parkinsons and MS,” he concludes.
Contact Marcos Penfold at Rehab Occupational Therapy on Tlf : (+34) 697600912 or info@rehabot.es
Alhaurín el Grande
Restaurant & Jazz Real Food - Nature Live Music
Art & Healthy Garden Rural Hotel - Creation Space Natural Treatments
www.tottamexperience.com
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR VISA APPLICATIONS
For a large number of expatriates living in Spain private health insurance is a necessity as many are either not entitled to the public health care provision or become frustrated with the lengthy waiting times for certain health care provisions. Many areas in Spain require you hold a Comprehensive Health Insurance Policy before applying for residencia.
FUNERAL INSURANCE INCLUDING A FREE SPANISH WILL
Have in place a policy to cover all the expenses of a funeral and which also takes care of all the paperwork involved. Repatriation can be included or you can have a policy which only covers repatriation as long as you are under 70 years of age for as little as 25€.
SPEEDING FINES
Put a policy in place that will advise you if you get a speeding fine. Cheaper than paying the fines!
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Over 15,000 professionals and 350 centres at your disposal. All types of specialists available. No contributory payments. Multi person discounts. Health club discounts.
LIFE INSURANCE
One of the few providers offering cover to 80 years of age. Policy available to cover inheritance tax expenses. Medical check-ups not required. Offering some of the most competitive rates on the market.
HOME INSURANCE
Fully comprehensive buildings and contents cover available. Goods insured on a new for old basis. Additional covers now included – more comprehensive than ever before. Options of paying by instalements. Home assistance 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
CONTACT US tel: +34 952 451 024 / +34 952 451 033 WhatsApp: +34 619 000 712 info@theinsurancecentre.net WWW.THEINSURANCECENTRE.NET
BUSINESS
Hourly rate
THE Spanish government has raked in more than €1.5 billion in fines on companies who failed to properly record their employees’ working hours. Since a new law was enacted in 2019, employment inspectors have detected 1,274 infringements. This means each guilty company has been fined an average €1.2 million. So far this year, 401 businesses have been penalised for not noting the correct hours their employees work. The Labour Inspectorate has also ordered 300,000 temporary contracts to be made permanent this year. The government is warning businesses to get their houses in order, saying inspections have increased by 355% over the past two years in a crackdown for employees’ rights. And companies that abused the pandemic ERTE scheme have also been targeted. Some 44,393 cases have been initiated, with 35,190 finalised, resulting in 5,832 penalties.
December 1st December 14th 2021
21
Peace deal
Metalworkers call off strike in Cadiz after union reaches pay deal with bosses
METALWORKERS unions have called off a strike that had led to angry protests and violent clashes with police in Cadiz after reaching a pay deal with company bosses. The strike involving some 20,000 workers lasted nine days before a preliminary deal was struck.
Pleased
“I am pleased that companies and metalworkers have reached an agreement,” confirmed Andalucia’s regional leader Juanma Moreno.
Strikers had cut off access to industrial zones during nine days of largely peaceful protests which occasionally flared up into violent clashes. At one stage riot police dispersed picket lines formed by burning containers using tear gas and rubber bullets.
Telefonica windfall
SPANISH telecoms giant Telefonica could be in line for a €1 billion tax refund thanks to a National Court ruling. Judges have ordered the Ministry of Finance to pay back the sum due to overcharging over a decade ago. The period covers 2009 and 2010 with the court stating that Telefonica paid too much Corporation Tax. The money would be returned in the form
of tax credits for the telecoms company. The Ministry of Finance is studying the National Court verdict before deciding whether it should appeal to the Supreme Court. Though having its roots in Spain, Telefonica is present in 11 other countries including the UK where it operates the O2 brand and provides services to other mobile operators. The company reported a record global profit of €9.3 billion in the first nine months of 2021.
Unions called the strike amid demands for wage increases to be linked to the consumer-price index as inflation soars with rising power costs. They want rising inflation, recorded at 5% in October, to be reflected in their salaries, while industry leaders were instead offering 2% salary hikes over the next three years. Both sides accused the other of inflexibility during five rounds of abortive talks before finally striking a deal in Sevilla. However, the terms of the deal have not yet been made public. Cadiz, with a population of 116,000, is one of Spain’s poorest cities, where the main industry is shipbuilding and unemployment is over 23% far above the national average of 15%.
A BIG THANKS!
C
What we have learned from the year just passed
AN you believe that we are nearly at the end of 2021?! Whether it’s been a good, or not so good year for you, there’s no denying that it has absolutely flown by! So we thought that we would take the time to look back on the last year, and the changes that came along with penalties for late filing of tax, in line with the new Mait! king Tax Digital for Income Tax system - with the aim The beginning of the year was very much still oversha- to be more supportive of those with genuine reasons dowed by the COVID-19 pandemic - whebehind mistakes or late filing, whilst still ther you were in the UK or sunny Spain, penalising those who are consistently late. unfortunately there was no escaping the But it wasn't just the treasury changing The much disruption and sadness brought on by cothings in the first half of the year! The beanticipated ronavirus, and the impact that it had on ginning of June saw the much anticipated the world’s economy. release of the brand new and improved release of And in line with the changes brought to the 2.0! APARI 2.0 has been built by APARI 2.0 was APARI economy, the March Budget was announlandlords & self-employed taxpayers, with in June ced, offering support packages for those the aim to simplify tax and empower its affected. Furlough and the Self Employed users with their own tax data - we, pretty Income Support Scheme were extensimply, want to Make Tax Doable for YOU! ded, offering financial support to those in By allowing users to seamlessly upload and allocate need. The Stamp Duty holiday their banking transactions, and choose their submiswas extended, offering sion route of either SA100 or MTD, we are giving UK a welcome reduc- taxpayers the ability to be in control of their own tax t i o n journey! t o And that’s not the end of the APARI story - we have also t h o s e released two other brand new products - so keep your t r y i n g eyes peeled for our Ten Minute Tax, and Simplified Tax to get products! Both offer quick, easy, and reasonably prionto the ced options for taxpayers with different tax needs, a UK proper- jargon-free way to submit their tax return directly to ty ladder, or HMRC! p u r c h a s i n g Unfortunately the latter part of the year brought some another buy- slightly disappointing news - that Making Tax Digital to-let property, for Income Tax would be pushed back for a year, from and the personal 2023, to 2024. APARI, as the frontrunner for MTD for allowance was in- income tax, has been raring to go for quite some time, creased to £12,570 but HMRC (with some pressure from various external (but fixed until 2026). stakeholders) felt that more time was needed to bring HMRC also used this such a big change into play. The good thing is that the time to announce new pilot scheme will be extended, giving taxpayers more
of an opportunity to get to grips with MTD before it becomes a legal requirement! Looking back on the year, the APARI team would like to thank Olive Press readers for their support and interaction with APARI over the last year! We hope you’ve learned lots about tax, and that it has been of some benefit to you! Have a happy and healthy festive season, and here's to a great 2022!
For all the latest information and advise, visit www.apari-digital.com
22
BUSINESS
SPAIN will continue to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix race until at least 2026 following a contract renewal with the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. A condition of the extension is that the picturesque circuit at Montmelo makes
VIEW: F1 overlooked by mountains
December 1st - December 14th 2021
Vroom with a view improvements to its track and facilities ahead of next year's race on May 22. Barcelona circuit president, Roger Torrent, said: “The renewal will make the circuit a world benchmark for sustainability in a green transformation that meets the demands of the climate emergency.” MotoGP has also renewed its agreement with the circuit until 2026. The sport’s governing body said that a new contract guarantees the Catalan GP race a place on the 2022 calendar and ‘confirms a minimum of two more events to be held between 2023 and 2026’.
SET APART
Car factory insists its unvaccinated workers eat separately in staff canteen SPANISH car manufacturer SEAT has asked workers at its factory outside Barcelona to sit in a separate section if they have not been vaccinated, in the first move of its kind within Spain, The company, which is a sub-
SAY NO TO TAX!
Spain still needs British tourism to continue growing
I
T was recently announced that the Valencia region has begun talks which may lead to the introduction of a new tourist tax, generating significant controversy. Many consider this to be a rather inappropriate moment to bring in new costs to a sector which needs to recover to pre-pandemic levels to boost the economy. In stark contrast, in a move to attract tourism to the isles of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera and Cabrera, the regional government of the Balearic Islands reduced the tourist taxes in April 2021 to the establishments, i.e. tourist accommodation such as hotels, aparthotels and campsites, which experienced a fall in 2020 of 18.5%. This means the Balearics were the most visited destinations in Spain with around 3.3 million tourists. Some 11.8 million people visited Spain last summer, of which only 1.5 million were British. This was primarily due to COVID restrictions in the first two quarters of 2021. The Spanish economy is distinctly dependent on international tourism, specifically on British tourists and investment. The concept of the tourist tax is certainly not new as many other European countries, Italy, for example, require a contribution from tourists staying in various types of accommodation that are paid directly in the tourist establishment. In the Balearic Islands, the regional government introduced measures to bring a ‘sustainable tourism’ at a time when the level of tourism in the Balearics was overwhelming. The so-called ECOTASA is a tax imposed on
Julio Prieto is a Barrister and Abogado at Del Canto Chambers. tourists who stay in the Balearic Islands, introduced in the Law 2/2016 of 30 March, varying from €1 to €4 in an attempt to promote sustainable tourism. Currently, Brits have seen how Brexit limits stays to 90 days out of 180 days spent in the EU Schengen area. This rule even applies to those who own property in Spain but do not have Spanish residency. Spain’s economy relies heavily on British tourism – it is not in the country’s interest to put up roadblocks for Brits wanting to enjoy their second homes in Spain.
Visa
British people are making a stand, asking for the EU’s reciprocity with the UK to allow their citizens to spend six months in Spain for touristic reasons, the same that the UK allows EU visitors. Those who wish to spend half of their time between the two countries should not be penalised and nobody should be deprived of the ‘peaceful enjoyment’ of their home in accordance with the European Human Rights Convention (EHRC). While some British citizens are considering
legal action to tackle the restrictions newly imposed on them, others are choosing to re-assess where they call a second home and are obliged to look for other residency options such as the Golden Visa or the Non-Lucrative Visa that may create further tax obligations depending on the number of days staying in Spain. Gaining residency in Spain needs to align with your reasons for spending time there so that the right visa is obtained. For example, those looking to conduct business operations from Spain might want to consider the Entrepreneur Visa, while those looking to make investments in the area (e.g., via property or other large assets such as boats) might find the Golden Visa best suited to their needs. The third option is the Non-Lucrative visa, which applies to those wanting to live in Spain and have the financial means of being self-sufficient. Tourist taxes are just one in a number of tax liabilities that apply to Spain. Thus, it is worthwhile seeking the right legal and tax advice for your residency options in Spain, which will allow you to remain in Spain for a longer period than is permitted under the Schengen rules, whether you own a property in Spain, conduct business out of the country or you simply want to retire to a sunnier climate. As the authorities begin clamping down on those who are considered to be overstaying their welcome in Spain, we at Del Canto Chambers are advising an increasing number of clients wanting to apply for Spanish residency.
sidiary of Volkswagen, said the canteen was divided into sections for the vaccinated and unvaccinated in a bid to protect workers and avoid outbreaks at the car plant. “A few weeks ago, it was decided with the agreement of union representatives, to set up areas within the company canteens to protect unvaccinated workers,” said a SEAT spokesman. “The areas for those who are unvaccinated have the strictest COVID measures to protect their health.”
Masks
The canteen area is the only place within the factory where masks do not have to be worn, according to company guidelines. The initiative emerged as authorities across Spain weigh up whether to introduce COVID passports for access to certain areas such as hospitals, restau-
To make a no-obligation enquiry, please either call Del Canto Chambers now on: +44 2070 430648 or complete our online form on www.delcantochambers.com contact page, which after receipt we will come back to you within 24 hours. Our office in Ibiza is located on: Calle Illa Plana 7, 07800 Ibiza, Islas Baleares. Contact us directly on 971 761 171
rants, bars and sporting events. Since early October, the region of Catalunya has insisted that the European COVID pass be required to access large scale musical events and nightclubs and extended its use for celebrations such as weddings at hotels and restaurants so that dancing would be allowed. Vaccination is not compulsory in Spain but the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe with 89.1% of the population aged 12 and above now fully vaxxed. Spain is now offering booster jabs to those aged over 60 and over.
Poo power BOSSES of Barcelona’s transport system are looking at ways of running the city’s buses on sewage. They want to turn sewage sludge left over from waste water treatment into biomethane in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EU funding through the Nimbus Project is being used to try and create greener public transport. According to TMB public transport operator, 70% of its fleet ran on diesel fuel in 2010. By 2020 75% of its buses were hybrid or running on less polluting energy. But the 1,100 strong fleet is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels with their associated CO2 emissions, and air pollution problems. The process will work by gathering sewage sludge at water treatment plants and tunning it into fuel. The biogas created is made up of methane and CO2 which is at present stored in large silos to be burned to power the plant. Instead, from March the CO2 will be removed leaving biomethane which can be stored under high pressure to be used as fuel for buses. At the moment just one bus is being tested, but the plan is to have 46 of the methane-fuelled buses in the fleet by 2024.
Does your property lack First Occupation License/Licence of First Occupancy? Did you know architects can now issue these licences? Having a First Occupation Licence/Licence of First Occupancy Will enable you to comply with current laws if you wish to rent your property short-term OR will improve your chances to close a sale if you wish to sell your property.
Lawbird is a firm of English speaking lawyers who specialise in property law, corporate law, litigation and immigration law. Whether you plan to buy a house, start a company or relocate to Spain, we offer a no-nonsense service to assist you.
LPO Architects, in collaboration with Lawbird Legal Services S.L.P., can help you get this licence in record time.
Lawbird Legal Services Slp
CALL OR WRITE TO US TODAY AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN HOURS!
C.Ricardo Soriano, 19 29601 Marbella (Spain) TEL: +34 952 861 890 FAX: +34 952 861 695 gary.newsham@lawbird.com
Avenida Ricardo Soriano 19, Marbella 29601 info@lpoarchitects.com TEL: +34 952 86 1890 www.lpoarchitects.com
www.lawbird.com
FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL INCREASED numbers of police officers will be patrolling shopping areas across Spain in the run up to Christmas. The Policia Nacional have ramped up their presence in places that attract a large number of people. Besides commercial and leisure areas, officers will be at seasonal markets as well
Bounced out LOW cost carriers Ryanair, Vueling and EasyJet are among the world’s lowest-rated airlines according to figures compiled by luggage storage firm, Bounce. The study however makes no reference to fare prices or what the priorities are for passengers. The Bounce 2021 Airline Index survey combines passenger experience reports for the first six months of this year along with punctuality assessments and luggage allowance limits to produce the rating. Bounce also used reviews for services like in-flight entertainment, seat comfort and meal quality to produce its index with a top score of 10. Ryanair is the fourth-worst, with Spanish carrier Vueling sixth, and EasyJet seventh. VivaAir Columbia was rated the world’s worst.
Santa patrol
as pounding the beat on busy streets in towns and cities. The aim is to cut crime in shops as well as thefts from people doing their shopping. Under the auspices of the ‘Safe Commerce
BRITS visiting Spain now have to be fully vaccinated before they are let in. Spain has changed its entry requirements for UK citizens due to a surge in COVID cases. Up until this week, people with a negative test or who could prove they had already had COVID could also enter.
Border
But this is no longer acceptable, and from now British citizens will have to show their certificate of vaccination. The new regulations were issued in the Official State Gazette (BOE) under measures taken on travellers from non EU and associated Schengen countries. These regulations will remain
December 1st December 14th 2021
23
Plan’ created in 2013, each province will have a dedicated strategy to cutting crime at a busy time of the year. The boosted visible police presence is once again expected to act as a deterrent for potential offenders. Leaflets will be distributed to traders warning them about some of the tricks .
OVER 250,000 PROPERTIES FROM 2,000+ AGENTS
No vac no entry Brits entering Spain must have vaccination certificate
in force until Midnight on New Year’s Eve. The news comes after Portugal decided to set up mobile random COVID patrols on its border with Spain. The controls will make sure
Winter wonderland TORREMOLINOS will be getting in the Yuletide spirit with the construction of a Christmas Park, especially for children, in el parque de La Batería. The park will include an ecological ice skating rink, bouncy castles, children’s workshops, theatre plays and a hospitality area. It is expected that the large Christmas Park, with all kinds of children’s attractions, will be installed and functioning as of December 17. Additionally, the Torremolinos Christmas lights will be switched on in the town centre at 8pm on Friday.
people crossing the land border are either vaccinated or have a negative COVID test, with the aim of bringing land crossings into line with airports and ports. But they stop short of full border checks, relying on traffic police and border agencies to ensure regulations are met. Meanwhile, Spain has said it will introduce restrictions on flights from South Africa and Botswana in the wake of a new COVID strain discovered in those countries. The announcement came shortly after the European Commision recommended an EU-wide travel ban to and from southern Africa due to the rapid rise of the B.1.1.529 variant.
www.thinkSPAIN.com
24
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Palaces of luxury
December 1st - December 14th 2021
AS TRAVEL reawakens in the post-lockdown world, Spain’s capital has repositioned itself to attract the big spenders
I
t doesn’t get more luxurious than this. A deep-filled jacuzzi in a marble-clad salon set beneath a golden dome with a sparkling chandelier that wouldn’t look out of place
By Fiona Govan
in a ballroom in the Palacio Real. This is the bathroom in the
CHIC: Breathtaking beauty of the new Ritz bar
Royal Suite of Spain’s most upmarket hotel, The Four Seasons Madrid, a 400 square-metre apartment which encompasses the former office of the notorious banking crook Mario Conde, former chairman of Banesto before he was jailed for embezzling €13 million “If only the walls could talk,” laughs hotel PR manager Marta Centeno Sampere, as she gives the Olive Press a tour around the most expensive suite in all of Spain. Only those with the very deepest pockets, like Conde himself once had with his money-laundered millions, could afford the €20,000 a night for a suite equipped with a private gym, quarters for security staff and an exclusive lift straight to the car park to ensure
Explore
VEJER
Check special offers on Califa Vejer hotels IF YOU BOOK WITH US SUNDAY-THURSDAY
OUR DEALS STARTS AT
70€
More information, visit us at: califavejer.com
Book Now by calling +34 956 447 730
guests the utmost privacy. The hotel opened in September 2020 after a spectacular €600m redesign and almost a decade of building work to in- GRAND: Facade of the brand new Four Season, Las Brasas restaurant at the Villa Magn corporate seven buildings between Puerta del cruiser, and take a short stroll Sol and Sevilla known as the past Spain’s parliament and Centro Canalejas regenera- along the Paseo del Prado to tion project that also includes the newly unveiled Mandarin 22 private apartments and a Oriental Ritz (also with an shopping arcade of top brand average nightly room rate of stores. about €900). Within the hotel, wide corridors The Belle-Epoque palace was stretch like galleries showcas- one of Cesar Ritz’s three origing some of the inal properties 1,500 artworks (alongside Parcommissioned is and London) Well-heeled specifically for when it opened the hotel by locals sipping to great fanfare emerging Spanin 1910. But by negronis or ish artists. the turn of this Rooms cost from century Masmoking cigars €900-a-night drid’s Ritz had on the terraza lost its gilt and but the foyer, a grand space with its faded glory sweeping stairwas a draw only cases that once housed the for those hankering for the banking floor and now uses past. teller tables as a reception But after undergoing a much desk, is open to the public, the needed renovation it is yet perfect spot for a coffee meet- again one of the most opulent ing, afternoon tea or pre-din- destinations in the capital. money to burn. ner cocktail. Here well-heeled Latin AmerThe big draw is Quique The highlight is the rooftop icans take afternoon tea or Daaosta’s Deessa restaurestaurant by celebrity Marbel- enjoy the classic menu at low rant where a tasting menu, la chef Dani Garcia who has tables beneath the glass canserved with a course endesigned a brasserie menu opy in the Palm Court while tirely dedicated to caviar, showcasing dishes from his a pianist tinkles out Frank comes with an eye-watering former three-Michelin starred Sinatra tunes on the keys of a starting price of €180. restaurant in Marbella along grand piano. While the Ritz is convenientwith crowd pleasers such as The Mayor of Madrid, the PP’s ly located for art lovers just his burger with foie-gras. Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida steps away from the Prado, Step outside the Four Sea- strides through with his enThyssen and Reina Sofia, sons, its cornered façade ris- tourage en route to a private the newest of Madrid’s deing like a prow of ocean-going dining room. luxe offerings is closer to In the stylish cocktail lounge, Spain’s upmarket shopping Pictura, a saxophonist plays district in Salamanca. gentle jazz, while a group of The overhauled 1970s American businessmen beast, the Villa Magna hodiscuss foreign martel, reopened in October as kets and a young coua Rosewood, where an overple sip the house night stay starts at €600. champagne RuinHere, rooms look out over the treeart. lined Paseo de Castellana while the Outside, the Ritz ground floor is divided into dining Garden offers spaces which include the brasserie al-fresco dining style Las Brasas, an elegantly casual with an amuse café offering exquisite patisserie and bouche tapas the late night Tarde O, where you’ll menu, and designfind a mix of visitors and well-heeled er cocktails attract locals, sipping negronis or smoking a younger crowd with cigars in the central terraza. Friends navigate between tables with large shopping bags from boutiques on nearby Calle Serrano hinting at expensive purchases within. While the Four Seasons has Dani Garcia, and the Ritz has Quique Dacosta, the Rosewood has its own star chef with Jesus Sanchez, whose restaurant Cenador de Amos in the hills outside Santander boasts three Michelin stars. His Madrid offering, simply dubbed Amos, brings the best of his Cantabrian cuisine to the capital. ROYAL: €20,000 a night Four Seasons Royal Suite These three new openings
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
December 1st - December 14th 2021
25
PUTTING ON THE RITZ Meet the Michelin starred chef who is bringing his exquisite dishes to Madrid from Valencia, writes Fiona Govan
na and its wine cellar
‘
THE first thing I’ll do if I meet ted out as a pot wasJamie Oliver is to give him a her in a trattoria at big hug for what he has done the age of 14 and is to paella.’ entirely self-taught. This is the surprising confession “I trained myself spoken by three Michelin-starred from classic French THE RITZ: has reopened with Valencia’s Quique Dacosta at the helm. Our Fiona grilled him. chef Quique Dacosta as we sit at recipe books and the top table in Deessa, his newly then combined those techniques with Paris Ritz kitchens into standards for dedicated to what Quique describes excellence, Quique is set to do the as ‘liquid cuisine’ while the Jardin opened fine dining restaurant in the simplicity of Spanish dishes. the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Ma- “I cooked instead with local produce, same at the Madrid Ritz where he is restaurant offers more casual al fresdrid, where I have just enjoyed one substituting the expensive ingredients gastronomic director across all the co dining with a menu that includes of the most memorable meals of required for French haute-cuisine with dining ‘universes’ as he calls the di- amuse bouche tapas and paella. what was available.” fferent restaurants. “I was given complete freedom to my life. create what I wanted here in MaThere is no paella on the menu He showcases simple flavours such as drid. It was an incredible opporhere, but Quique is referring to Denia’s famous red prawn – paired tunity to bring the same ambianan incident that threatened An- with a saki rice wine in an inspired glo-Spanish relations almost as stroke of genius - in the dishes inclu- In the Palm Court, Quique has de- ce and dining experience of the much as the issue of sovereignty ded in a tasting menu at Deessa that signed a classic menu including Denia restaurant but place it in a over Gibraltar after the British chef includes an entire course dedicated to traditional favourites such as sirloin hotel environment and with the beef wellington while a champagne vibe offered by the capital city,” posted a recipe for paella that in- caviar and fish roe. His alchemy is epitomised in a dish na- bar offers bite size tapas of oysters he said. cluded chorizo. “It is something entirely different, but The inclusion of the Spanish sau- med simply ‘hard boil egg’. The outer and elvers. sage in the traditional rice dish white shell made from a delicate skin The luxurious cocktail bar, Pintura, is I hope with the same soul”. deeply wounded Spaniards and of white aspaled to an almighty spat with one ragus bursts at commentator declaring that ‘wars the press of a had been declared for less’. fork to reveal “My point is that Jamie has had an oozing rich such a huge influence on promo- interior of yolk ting world cuisine, even if he made enriched with a big mistake w i t h the flavour of a that recipe,” exp l a i n s caldo. Quique with a Oysters wink. are ser“The paella ved on a incident was verdant Not bad for an opportunity green gel for us to really of celery someone talk about one towho started aspic of our emblepped with matic dishes, a delicate as a pot and that can foam and washer in only be a good exquisia trattoria thing.” te frozen The stylishly spheres at the age bespectacled zinging of 14 and is with the chef has since opened our entirely self fofl a v fresh an arroceria taught restaurant in apple and London’s Fitseaweed. zrovia where While his he serves 10 different paella diMelba shes – none of them with chorizo peach and but all made using 48-hour stock gold leaf desand premium-grade bomba rice, sert has been cooked over vines and citrus-in- created espefused orange tree wood for that cially for the signature Valencia flavour. restaurant at The 49-year-old is the culinary ge- the Ritz in honius behind the Valencian region’s mage to its leonly three Michelin starred restau- gendary chef, rant, his eponymous Quique Da- Auguste Escocosta in Denia as well as El Poblet ffier. in Valencia’s old town which has And like Eswon two Michelin stars. coffier himself Not bad from someone who star- who turned the
Soul
of high-end hotels within the last year have already created a buzz that promises to continue into 2022 with a new Marriott, a Hard Rock Hotel and an Evok. It’s all part of a concerted plan to position Madrid as one of the premier luxury destinations in Europe to compete with London and Paris. “Madrid has everything that lends itself to a luxury destination,” believes Fabian Gonzales, CEO of newly created think-tank Forward_MAD which has been created to drive the capital’s new tourism plan to attract the type of traveller who spends an average of between €20,000 and €30,000 on each trip. “It has a privileged location, great air and land connections, and a reasonably good climate. From the tourist point of view, it boasts a historical and cultural heritage that is recognised throughout the world: museums, entertainment, gastronomy, shopping etc but what was needed was a rebrand,” he said. “The perception of the city is already changing.” Marta Centeno Sampere at the Four Seasons agrees. “As a native of Catalunya it pains me to say this but Madrid is most definitely the rising star while Barcelona has gone off the boil,” she said.
“
“
H O T E L & R E S TA U R A N T
“Enjoy the finest cuisine of the Serrania and the best views in Europe at La Fructuosa, in the pueblo blanco of Gaucin”.
Calle Luis De Arminan 67, 29480, Gaucín, Andalucia, Spain tel: +34 617 692 784 www.lafructuosa.com
26
AFFORDABLE BUSINESS December 1st December 14th 2021 CONTACTS
KENNELS & CATTERY
Eurodog Boarding Kennels & Cattery
CLASSIFIEDS WORK WITH US
LEISURE
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
THE OLIVE PRESS - SALESPERSON REQUIRED
We offer stiff competition on all enhancers for both gents and ladies
Fully Licensed Sanitary Approved Large Secure Runs Purpose Built Secure Play Area Established For Over 20 Years 5 Minutes From Fuengirola
We DO NOT accept sex adverts!
The ideal candidate will be Spanish speaking, have a proven track record in sales and be interested in working in the fast paced commercial side of Spain's leading expat newspaper.
Weekenders • Jellies Blue & Green
FREE DELIVERY
& Discounts on Large Orders
679 786 669 - Alan - 952 464 947 www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es
If interested please email your CV to jon@theolivepress.es
CALL: 604 385 476 costadelgolfshow@gmail.com
AIR CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS AND NEW INSTALLATIONS
TRANSLATIONS We specialize in Air-Conditioning and heating systems with thousands of satisfied customers. We also service and repair any make and model of Air-Conditioning. Maintenance contracts available from only 5.80€ per month. Ecosense movement sensors fitted from 100€
OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS.
Helping Hands
ALL LANGUAGES. SENT BY COURIER.
Earn up to £675 per week as a live-in carer in the UK!
We are authorized installers by the Junta de Andalucía as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017)
coolandcosy@hotmail.com www.coolandcosy.es
TV REPAIR
SOLICITOR
PLUMBING
EXPERIENCED BRITISH SOLICITOR
Leak Finder
yea
PLASMA, LCD, LED TV’s Same day FREE estimates
IPTV & Sky boxes, Hi-Fi & Microwaves Call John: 952 491 723 Mob: 600 706 201
av_services@hotmail.co.uk Can collect
Apply today and join our free assessment week in Malaga on a number of dates throughout November and December 2021.
sanpedrotranslations@ gmail.com
AIRFLOW AIR CONDITIONING SL
experiers nce
Caring since 1989
654613094
tel: (+34) 952 443 222 airflowspain@live.com
TELEVISION REPAIRS 35
CARER RECRUITMENT
Spanish speaking providing legal advice: conveyancing, residency, wills and inheritance. Contact Victoria at: www.britishlawyerspain.com or + 34 678 826 771
STORAGE
Plumbing Service
Working on the coast since 2000 Quality Assured
tel: 625 70 27 72
email: sburnay@yahoo.com
CONSTRUCTION
To find out more, please email spanishrecruitment@helpinghands.co.uk
Motorhomes - Caravans Boats - Cars & Vans Delivery & Collection available Short Term - Long Term Established 15 years Safe & Secure - 24hr CCTV
679 786 669 - Alan - 606 101 807
www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es
HOME REHABILITION SERVICES
HOME REHABILITATION SERVICES STROKE • MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY • SPINAL INJURY PARKINSONS • NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION CONTACT REHAB OT email: info@rehabot.es tel: +34 697 600 912 www.rehabot.es
ADVERTISING
For classified advertising needs, please contact Tina on 647 078 775
HEALTHCARE RECRUITMENT
Pictures by: Javier Anet
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
December 1st - December 14th 2021
27
VERDANT: The Arroyo de la Ventilla valley is a wonderful escape
LAND THAT TIME FORGOT I
A winter’s trip to Arriate guarantees great walks, landscapes and food, writes Jon Clarke
T feels like the Land that Time Forgot as you drop deeper and deeper into the hidden gorge above the village of Arriate. Among a rich and diverse canopy of trees and undergrowth lies a secret world of ruined olive mills, cave houses and ancient burial sites. Easily one of Andalucia’s most interesting walks, Arroyo de la Ventilla is reasonably well signposted with plenty of information panels pointing out the rich flora and fauna, as well as the dozens of rare birds that inhabit its wild expanses. Best of all though, unlike its nearby neighbour, the famous Tajo gorge of Ronda, you are unlikely to meet anyone circumnavigating its leafy circular path. Few people know of the Arriate cousin that may be narrower, but more than makes up for in foliage. Starting at the village cemetery, you have a choice of walking the path either clockwise or anti-clockwise and the entire route takes little more than an hour. This gives you plenty of time to explore the typical white village below, that is the very definition of the Andalucian vernacular, formed at the confluence of two rivers in a wide open plain. Dubbed some years back as the ‘People’s Republic of Arriate’ for Continues on Page 28
CASA MAIA Wonderful country escape in the Ronda valley. Roaring fire, American pool table and acres of private gardens.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
28
INLAND DREAMS From Page 27
its left-wing political leanings, which has seen the IU communist party or PSOE socialists in power since Franco’s death in 1975, it is without a doubt one of the friendliest villages in Andalucia. It is no surprise to learn then, that in the run up to the civil war in 1936, the town’s defence committee was run by anarchists, who with the CNT had the strongest trade union in the area. Arriate is also something of an island being entirely surrounded by the district of Ronda, despite being independent for nearly four centuries. Just eight-and-a-half square kilometers in size, it declared its independence in 1630 when the locals stumped up a sizable 352,739 Maravedies to differentiate themselves from Ronda.
Roman
C O N TA C T laalcantarillaronda@gmail.com Minimum 2 nights stay
www.casamaia.co.uk
Its name came from the Arabic term Arriadh, which means ‘the gardens’... and from where the former Moorish rulers of Ronda had mostly got their fruit and vegetables. This is easy to understand if you follow the Arroyo de la Ventilla river down below the village into the socalled ‘huerta de abajo’ (lower allotments), where it merges with the Guadalcobacin River. Here were once dozens of Roman villas and an area of irrigated farms and fincas, many that still function to this day. This is part of the GR 249.5 footpath
HISTORIC: The charming older part of Arrate
- also known as the Gran Senda de Malaga - which takes hikers on a wonderful two hour walk up to Ronda, off the beaten track. Some 9kms in length, it winds through the Arriate valley before criss-crossing
Fusion Cuisine Restaurant, situated in a 1940s cinema
Open Thursday to Sunday 13.00-00.00 restaurantecaireles@gmail.com tel: 613 00 99 22 Calle Ronda nº 10, 29350 Arriate, Spain
the wonderful wide-open Llano de la Cruz valley below Ronda. But before heading off make sure
December 1st - December 14th 2021
29
ON TWO WHEELS
Picture by: Javier Anet
Discovering Arriate and the Serrania de Ronda by bike has never been easier
to stop and visit the local church and, in particular, one of the various ham factories that are in some cases centuries old. One of these in the charm-
ing pedestrianised Calle Callejuela has been open as a shop since 1900, a fact proven by the number carved into its pretty wrought iron doorway. Another must visit is the ancient Ideal Cinema that has been converted into one of the hippest restaurants to open this year. The brainchild of brothers Roberto and Monolo Rivera, they
GOURMET TOUR: Enjoying Michelin-quality cuisine at Caireles
have undertaken a wonderful conversion of the 1940s film house. The colourful open-plan restaurant is a real gem with all its cine memorabilia scattered around the place and on the walls.
Detail
The restaurant is still in its fledgling stages with chef Ivan Tirado, who trained at nearby two Michelin-star restaurant Bardal, in Ronda. And there are more good places to eat in Arriate, including the new Malacana, which sits just below the church. This is an old converted storeroom and has a heavy focus on tapas. Just on the outside of the village look out for the well established El Muelle, run by Dutchman Frank, who has a great eye for detail and changes his menu regularly. A great place to stay is the wonderful farm Casa Maia, just outside the village. Alternatively, stay at the wonderful Hotel Arriadh, which has some of the best views in Christendom. It’s Dutch owners, Wilbert and John have a great idea for detail and know the valley and village inside out.
ROLLING: The hills around Ronda make for perfect cycling terrain
O
UR free time has become even We will help you discover the hidden gems more precious as we seek to take of this inland region that are so frequently time out, escape the crowds, soak overlooked. up the sun and see the sights. Many of our clients ask us ‘How can a cyBut the highlight for many is getting off the cling destination that we have never heard of be so good?’ beaten track and getting to know the locals. The best way to discover Ronda and the su- Well, it really is and that is thanks to the unirrounding Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), que landscapes, great food and wines, cullike Arriate and Zahara de la Sierra, is by ture, history, and flamenco. bike, going slowly, enjoying the landscape There is so much on offer around Ronda, unfold and stopping frequently to take meals which has an all year-round warm climate perfect for cycling, some of and liquids onboard. Europe’s very best surfaced Andalucia has a reputation for roads, which are also almost having more than 300 days of A Spain largely traffic free, plus a variety of sunshine per year and is a popular holiday destination with unchanged and cycling options for all abilities. thousands upon thousands of In addition, there are good unscarred from airport links and, of course, tourists flocking to the Spanish Costas for their annual holiday excellent local wines and tathe coastal pas. So, if you are fed up of or indeed as a place to live, mass tourism riding in heavy traffic, tired of work or retire. riding on busy overcrowded But if you travel just a few kilometres inland, you go metaroads, then the Serrania de phorically a million miles from the crowded Ronda may well be your answer. Spanish Costas and discover a Spain largely Whether you are already here as an expat, unchanged and unscarred from the mass are on holiday and want to join one of our tourism you find along the coast. guided rides, or just want to hire a bike get Exploring and experiencing traditional in touch. Spain need not be difficult with our exten- We can offer a full holiday package inclusive knowledge of the Serrania de Ronda, ding accommodation, bike hire and guided Grazalema Natural Park and Sierra de la rides that we believe offer the most memorable cycling experiences the region has to Nieves. offer. No matter what level of cyclist you are, we will tailor your cycling to your requirements. Silky smooth, quiet, asphalt roads, along with stunning scenery, friendly guides, great bikes, well planned routes, white villages and year-round sunshine… This is the perfect recipe for a truly unforgettable cycling experience. Ronda is also our home, our love, our passion. Let us show you why.
Visit www.andaluciancyclingexperience.com Telephone 0034 677 028 469 Email ashley@andaluciancyclingexperience.com
30
C EX
L
I US
VE
CH320
136.000€
Moron de la Frontera, Seville 2 bed, 2 bath Build: 213m2
This beautifully furnished, detached chalet is more than suitable for a family that enjoys entertaining. It has easy access to all amenities and only a 2 minute walk from the nearest local countryside pub. It has a gated entrance and large covered and open parking spaces.
Mollina Office +34 952 741 525 info@inlandandalucia.com
Calle de la Villa 14, 29532 Molina, Malaga
www.inlandandalucia.com
BUYING a home will become easier for British purchasers in parts of Spain after the scrapping of an old Francoist law. Non-EU home buyers in areas like the Costa Blanca and Murcia as well as some parts of Andalucia and Mallorca have been frustrated with delays over the need to get ‘military authorisation’ before they could complete their purchases. News of the change was sent in a notification from the Defence Ministry to the General Council
Permission to buy, sir! of Notaries. It said that it ‘did not want to hinder the revitalisation of the economy after the pandemic’. The law goes back to the 1970’s and required official permission to buy property in areas deemed as being of ‘strategic interest’ for the defence of Spain. The obligation to get clearance was tagged onto the new Spanish
Constitution created after the death of dictator General Franco’s death in 1975. On the Costa Blanca alone, around 800 sales annually involving British buyers faced delays of up to eight months. The log-jam involved obtaining original documents that should have been filled in up to 40 years ago.
MOVE OVER BRITS
Germans buying more property than UK citizens for the first time GERMANS are now buying more properties in Spain than Brits for the first time since the College of Registrars started compiling the statistics. It seems like Brexit has had yet another negative effect on the number of Brits heading for a new life in Spain.
MORTGAGE THINK TANK by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola
A safe haven As inflation rises and interest rates stay low, investors turning to new builds
H
IGH inflation and low interest rates are pushing investors towards the real estate sector, which is once again becoming a safe haven asset. (2020 Q3) and 8.2% (2020 Q4) compared to This is the main conclusion of a new study used housing, which showed increases of just carried out by EAE Business School, which 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively. shows that the real estate sector is recover- "This data shows that the price of new housing rapidly and has already reached pre-pan- ing has recovered and exceeded historical demic levels. levels," Higueras said. This news was confirmed by the fact that the New home sales have increased at a faster granting of mortgage loans continued to in- rate than used homes, rising by more than crease during the first half of 2021, with an 40% in the first quarter of 2021 in year-onincrease in operations of more than 13% year terms. "This situation shows that the compared to the same period of pre-pandem- housing market is growing solidly despite the ic 2019, although the average pandemic and the sharp downamount loaned on each mortturn in the Spanish economy, gage fell. possibly due to improved conThis situation The Finance Bureau has cerfidence and expectations in the tainly noticed this effect, with explained Higueras. shows that the economy," us experiencing an increased Home sales and purchases level of interest in property housing market have been growing at a good loans from both investors and pace, reaching pre-pandemic is growing private individuals throughout levels in March 2021. the year. With data from June 2021, solidly The report, prepared by EAE the study concludes that the Business School professor number of property sales and Juan Carlos Higueras, shows purchases has increased by that the new house market has benefited the 82.5% compared to the same month in 2020. most from the surge in sales post-pandem- Four regions accounted for 64.3% of the total ic, with the price gap between new and sec- number of sales between January and July ond-hand properties widening. 2021. Andalucia was first with 76,422 homes During the third and fourth quarters of 2020, sold (20%), followed by Catalonia with 60,807 after the end of the state of alarm, ‘a sig- homes (15.9%), Valencia with 55,488 units nificant gap’ arose between new and sec- (14.5%) and Madrid with 53,480 transacond-hand housing, with growth levels of 7.5% tions (14.0%). To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670
A trend that started in the third quarter of this year saw Germans outnumbering citizens from the United Kingdom for the first time when it came to purchasing a home in Spain- and it looks likely to continue.
Brits
German buyers represented 10.4% of the real estate market between June and September 2021, compared to 9.9% of Brits. “It has been noticed that as a result of Brexit, the British are not buying as much. Before they spent longer periods in Spain and that boosted demand, but now their stays are
limited to a month at most and it shows in the market”, explained José Costa, spokesperson for the National Federation of Real Estate Associations (FAI) in the Valencian Community. The number of Germans and Dutch buying property in Spain has risen. “Especially after the confinements”, added José Costa, “since they come looking for the climate and more spacious and sunny places
to live for long periods”.
Preferred
The Valencian coast remains one of the preferred destinations for the British to buy a house in Spain, together with the Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands. However, real estate offices in those areas have noticed a drop in demand from UK buyers over the past year-and-a-half.
Desirable destinations DUBIOUS research has revealed the Top 25 coastal destinations in the world for permanent relocation - with only two in Spain. Surprisingly the top five are all located in the Middle East, but Valencia and Barcelona still managed healthy places in the league table. A number of key factors were taken into consideration, when money.co.uk commissioned the research.
Life
The important aspects of life in a particular destination were average air and sea temperatures, annual rainfall, property prices, annual salaries, cost of living, number of restaurants and life expectancy. Doha in Qatar is highest with a Coastal Relocation score of 7.53/10 With average sea temperatures of almost 25°C, only 62mm of rainfall every year and
a decent average salary of €37,765, the 2022 World Cup venue city leads the way. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, both in the United Arab Emirates, are in second and third. Fourth and fifth places belong to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Manama (Bahrain). Valencia comes a respectable 10th in the listing with Barcelona 24th, ahead of Australia’s Melbourne, France’s Marseilles and Italy’s Naples.
OP Puzzle solutions
Quick Crossword
Across: 7 Gush, 8 Offshoot, 9 Wearable, 10 Send, 11 Below, 12 Steamer, 15 Astride, 16 Camps, 18 Whip, 20 Pleading, 21 Sweetest, 22 Goes. Down: 1 Rudeness, 2 Choreographer, 3 Booby, 4 Affects, 5 This day and age, 6 Worn, 13 Expenses, 14 Adopted, 17 Perth, 19 Hawk.
SUDOKU
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
PROPERTY
December 1st December 14th 2021
HEALTH
Jabs rejected
SPAIN has one of the highest vaccination rates for over 12s in Europe at close to 90% but most of the rest have no intention of getting the jab. According to the latest study by Spain’s CIS, the profile of the unvaccinated in Spain is male, aged between 25 and 44 years-old, who are in the low income bracket and are likely to vote for Vox.
Trust
The figures reveal that almost four million people have yet to receive a jab against the coronavirus and 57.8% of them have no intention of doing so. Some 28.3% revealed that they did not trust the current vaccines. A further 17.1% admitted that they were scared of the side-effects while just 1.9% said they would wait until the longer term effects of the vaccines could be studied. The age group that is least likely to turn down a vaccine is those aged over 65 while those who are most convinced of its benefits are those aged between 18 and 24.
December 1st - December 14th 2021
MOVING GOALPOSTS
SPAIN has decided to raise the thresholds to determine low, medium and high risk infection rates in an overhaul of the nation’s COVID traffic light system. Health Minister Carolina Darias announced that a new scale had been agreed to reflect the fact that close to 90% of Spain’s adult population is now fully vaccinated.
High risk threshold doubled for COVID restrictions RAISED: Darias announced the change
31
Miracle worker A DOCTOR suffering from a terminal disease has opened a free cancer centre in just three months after attracting more than 5,000 donations. Jesus Candel was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year and is about to undergo another round of chemotherapy, but despite his illness he is determined to live a healthy life to the fullest - and wants to help others do the same. Most of the equipment inside the Granada centre, such as exercise machines, were donated by kind do-gooders and the spot even runs on solar energy panels that were gifted to them by a solar energy company.
Reduced
She said the current scale – which is used to determine the risk of an area based on infection rates so that restrictions could be imposed - was drawn up before Spain launched its vaccination programme and should now reflect the fact that ‘COVID hospitaliations, ICU admissions and deaths have been drastically reduced’. The measure has been intro-
ALL youngsters aged five to 11 could soon be vaccinated against COVID. Following approval by the European Medicines Agency, it is expected that the green light will be given in Spain to jab the age group. It is now estimated that the vaccine could be rolled out to youngsters by the end of the year, although February is thought to be a more realistic target. This follows the news that the US
By Fiona Govan
duced amid debate over the reintroduction of restrictions as infection rates rise in the run up to Christmas. The new traffic light system will raise the bar on the low risk category from a cumulative
Kids’ jab
has been vaccinating the age group for over a month, with no significant side effects noted. At present, since inoculation is only authorised from the age of 12, children under this age are not immunised and can therefore become infected and spread the disease.
incidence rate of 50 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days up to 100 cases. This means any zone under 100 cases per 100,000 will be categorised as ‘under control’. When the infection rate is registered between 100 to 300 cases per 100,000 population it will be considered in the category of ‘medium risk’. The ‘high risk’ category is declared when infection rates reach between 300 and 500 cases per 100,000 people and anything over 500 will now be classified as ‘extreme risk’. The traffic light system to determine risk zones is in place to justify the need to impose restrictions such as licensing hours and curfews.
AWARD WINNING VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS & CBD
tel: 609 801 594 info@iberoptima.com www.iberoptima.com
OLIVE PRESS
The REuse REduce REcycle
FREE
We use recycled paper
Wrong man
FINAL WORDS
KFC has taken the internet by storm after casting Messi double Brazilian Alexandro Pereira to be the face of a campaign for new product ‘La Chingona’, with many believing it is the real Barcelona star.
New leaf REFORMED Spanish thieves have used the Reddit social media platform to give tips on how not to get robbed this Christmas: number one being keeping the spare house keys near the front door.
Waffly naughty nativity
ANDALUCÍA
Your expat
voice in Spain
Vol. 15 Issue 383 www.theolivepress.es December 1st - December 14th 2021
DOG’S BEST FRIEND
Local hero catches dog that fell from fourth floor balcony A DOG that plunged from a fourth-floor balcony was saved by a passerby who caught the terrified pooch. Now the 26-year-old Alicante man has been branded a hero and promised a gong by the city council. The drama unfolded when police were called after hearing a dog was precariously perched on a balcony. The animal had half of its body
Pricy cafe JOURNALIST Paz Alvarez shared on Twitter her bill for a coffee, a pincho de tortilla and a caña for €14.10 at Madrid bar La Primera. Despite not asking for bread, they charged her on the grounds that ‘bread is compulsory’.
By Alex Trelinski
under the terrace railing and was in serious danger of falling to the ground. As police rushed to the scene, the dog fell into the street, but straight into the arms of the passerby. Onlookers burst into a spontaneous round of applause and congratulated the hero.
SPAIN’S Black Rat population is booming - and the coronavirus lockdown is being blamed. So far this year in Madrid alone 35 outbreaks have been dealt with, almost three times the number that were recorded in 2019. Serious outbreaks have also been detected in Valladolid, Valencia and Barcelona. The lockdown is seen as a likely explanation of the relatively shy rat - which can harbour disease - moving further into urban centres seeking out food while the streets emptied
AN erotic waffle store in Sevilla called ‘La Vergeria’ has been denounced after setting up a nativity scene with male and female reproductive organs as characters. This innovative christmas crib uses waffles in the shape of male sexual organs to represent Joseph and Jesus, and a waffle in the shape of a female sexual organ to represent Mary. The far-right Vox party, the complainant, says that ‘not everything goes in the field of advertising and marketing’.
Complaint
The Dalmatian-Staffordshire Terrier mix suffered just a small scratch on one leg and
OH RATS!
during the early weeks of the pandemic. Unlike the Brown Rat, which moves across the city through the sewer system, black rats move overground and tend to live in parks or abandoned plots. The rodents often live in trees in nests like birds.
was taken into care by the fire department’s canine unit. The unnamed rescuer was less fortunate and was taken to hospital with a fractured wrist and two broken fingers. Alicante’s Security Councillor, Jose Ramon Gonzalez, said: “We plan to recognise the rescuer who proved to be a great citizen not by just rescuing the dog, but doing something that put his life at risk resulting in injuries.”
Its spokesperson in Sevilla, Cristina Pelaez, filed the complaint as a crime against religious feelings. “We have reached a point where many entrepreneurs with less scruples than imagination seek notoriety for their products, by offending, the Catholic religion. “We are facing a turn of the screw against Catholicism that we are not prepared to tolerate. “We are not going to allow a company to offend the majority of Sevilla’s citizens by displaying in its shop windows an obscene montage of the birth of the Son of God”, she said. See Cross to bear, P6
952 147 834 * O f f e r
v a l i d
TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR1021.indd 1
f o r
n e w
c u s t o m e r s
o n l y .
S u b j e c t
t o
c o n d i t i o n s .
E n d s
3 1 / 1 2 / 2 1 .
27/10/21 18:51