Olive Press Spain- Issue 411

O P LIVE RESS The ANDALUCÍA

AN expat animal lover is furious after a neighbour’s dog died a ‘needless’ and painful death, despite €400 of medical bills.

Adi Jain, from Monda, tried everything to save the microchipped pet, who had got trapped on a spike in the metal fence of a chicken run.

The Indian estate agent managed to free the Mastiff cross with friends, after hearing his desperate yelps for help.

The dog was ‘clearly starving’ having not been fed for ‘at least three days’ explained Adi.

“I don’t understand how anyone can leave a beautiful dog like this,” he told the Olive Press Having somehow managed to extricate him, he was taken to the veterinary hospital, in Alhaurin, where he survived overnight.

However, shockingly the Spanish owner of the dog who was traced via its microchip told the clinic he no longer wished to keep the dog and refused to pay any medical bills.

EXCLUSIVE

Needless death after pet rescue

“I was shocked - if you cannot afford an animal then you don’t have one,” continued Jain, who decided to stump up €400 himself for the emergency treatment.

Despite everything the dog died tragically a few days later.

“He deserved so much better and I want people to know they should stop treating pets like toys,” he continued.

“I want to be a voice for this poor dog and hope it doesn’t happen again.”

CRUEL END: Despite medical treatment the dog died

TIMETABLE TO CHANGE

COSTA del Sol residents are demanding action over the ‘shambolic’ state of public transport on the coast. They are demanding action with buses running roughly every two hours in the worst-served areas and rarely running to a timetable - even often leaving early.

Residents without a car are finding their quality of life impacted and basic necessities badly compromised. The damage to the environment is incalculable.

Timings, schedules and lack of buses a ‘disgrace’, claim expat residents

By Walter Finch

A

The number one complaint is that the buses, especially south-west of Marbella, are just not reliable.

But many criticise frequent timetable changes that are not updated and there’s no way to find out until it’s too late.

“For somebody that doesn’t have a car, living in this area is a true nightmare,” Louisa Nunn, 62, a Manilva-based ex-

pat, told the Olive Press “There are not enough buses. And because there’s no train service, there’s no alternative,” Louisa (below), from Brighton, continued.

“So if you want to get into Malaga or Marbella, or somewhere like La Cañada shopping centre, you have to get a taxi. And not everybody is wealthy enough to afford that.”

Another related issue is that the buses do not stick to the timetable and are known to often leave the terminal early and not wait at stops until their sched uled time.

“While the buses themselves are fine, you just

can’t rely on them and there are simply not enough of them,” said Keith Franks, who lives in Estepona.

Louisa added: “I was in Malaga on Tuesday, and I’m glad I got to the bus station early because the bus left five minutes before schedule,” added Louisa.

“It’s disgusting because had I been a bit delayed, I would have missed it and the next one to Manilva was an hour and a half later.”

Estepona-based retired nurse Michael Lendrum, 56, who doesn’t own a car, said he would sooner borrow a friend’s vehicle than rely on public transport.

“A bus can come 30 minutes either side of the scheduled time,” he observed. “And so bad are the buses that you can’t take a flight at Malaga airport before 11am as the first buses won’t get you there before 8.30am.

Continues on page 4

Opinion Page 6

Based on an our Olive Press poll, over half of respondents said that public transport is a problem for them on the Costa del Sol.

further 38% agreed that it is a problem, despite owning a car and not being directly affected by it.

Dirty Sunday

OPERA singer Placido Domingo is facing historical sexual harassment charges after an anonymous singer claimed he asked to touch her inappropriately at a theatre in Spain in the early 2000s.

Long shifts

A transport company boss in La Linea has been arrested for forcing his workers to drive more hours than the legal limit, with him accused of 200 crimes of falsifying documents.

Binned!

AN alleged serial arsonist responsible for lighting 11 fires in public bins during a series of early morning attacks in Fuengirola last summer, has been arrested.

Mum killer

POLICE have arrested a 39-year-old man in Malaga who is accused of killing his mother during a row.

THE family of a missing expat mother feared murdered in Spain have released balloons to remember her on her 40th birthday.

There are still no answers to what happened to Lisa Brown (inset), who went missing in November, 2015.

The prime suspect meanwhile, has escaped from jail and is still at large.

Dean Woods, aka Simon Corner, was on day release from Sudbury prison, when he absconded and did not return.

Birthday tears

The 40-year-old yacht dealer was just two years into a 12-year stretch for his involvement in an €9 million cocaine ring. Woods has long been suspected of being behind the disappearance of his ex-partner Lisa, who lived near Sotogrande. He was quizzed by cops after Lisa, from Scotland, failed to collect her eight-yearold son from school in Guadiaro.

“This isn’t the day we wanted for her,” her sister Helen told the Olive Press having released the balloons near Glasgow on Friday. “We will never be able to properly honour Lisa while the prime suspect remains on the run. Lisa isn't at peace - she’s dumped somewhere so how can she possibly be at peace.”

Mystery Michael

The murderer behind horrific Marbella killing revealed, but mystery surrounds driver pal

A MYSTERY Cuban called Michael has been arrested alongside a man who murdered and decapitated a Colombian expat and dumped her in the sea off Marbella.

The builder worked with Leonel Herrera, 45, who has admitted killing his ex-girlfriend Natalia Mosquera, 46, on January 8 before chopping off her head and hands.

The Olive Press can reveal that the pair worked together in hotel construction and maintenance in the Marbella area.

As well as working for an apartment group in Cabopino, they also undertook jobs at Costa Marbella Star Light.

A worker from the hotel said Michael had ‘not worked’ there since the start of the year.

“Michael did some construc-

By Anthony Piovesan &

Finch

tion work for us, but he hasn’t worked for a month or two,” she said.

An employee at Marbella Casco Antiguo Princesa hostel confirmed that he previously worked there as well. Another source, who knew the pair, said Michael had been arrested and was ‘still in police custody’.

She added that the Cuban had allegedly taken Leonel to ‘pick up Natalia’ and taken them to the beach where she had been killed. There is no suggestion he was involved.

The woman, who asked not to be named, told the Olive Press she believes Natalia’s stomach

was also cut open to remove a tattoo on her belly. She claimed Leonel, a fatherof-two, was trying to prevent her being identified, but forgot her sister lived nearby and had already reported her missing. When the body floated up by the Restaurante Club 200 at Marbesa beach, she immediately confirmed it was her sister from a WhatsApp video. Policia Nacional confirmed to

the Olive Press the friend, ‘of Cuban descent’, was arrested after admitting he had picked up Natalia in a van. “She was still alive inside the van so we believe he is the last person, other than Natalia’s ex-boyfriend, who saw her alive,” a spokesperson said. Natalia’s severed hands were found on the beach near Cabopino last Tuesday. Her head is still missing.

BANG TO WRITES

SIX letter bombs sent to targets in Spain late last year were posted by a Russian white supremacist militant group, according to US and European officials. Bombs were addressed to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as well as to the US and Ukraine embassies, and the Defence Ministry. They were also sent to Instalaza, a weapons maker in Zaragoza that manufactures grenade launchers that Spain is giving to Ukraine, and another went to the Torrejon de Ardoz air base in the Madrid region. One person at the Ukraine embassy was slightly hurt.

Stubbed out

THREE clandestine cigarette factories have been busted, with products with a retail value of €37.5 million seized. Some 27 people have been arrested including the ring-leaders who led a ‘luxurious’ lifestyle in the Marbella and Sevilla areas on the back of laundering the profits. The gang employed 10 Ukrainian refugees who lived in the factories. Police seized 10 tons of tobacco and 3.5 million packets of cigarettes from premises in Alfaro (La Rioja), Enquera (Valencia) and Los Corrales (Sevilla).

EXCLUSIVE

Walter

ARREST: Herrera, Natalia and mystery man

SHE has lived through two world wars, a bloody civil war, the Spanish Flu pandemic that killed millions and even pulled through unscathed when she caught Covid. Now Maria Branyas Morera has taken the title of the oldest living person at the ripe age of 115.

Maria, who lives in Catalunya, has inherited the accolade

Revenge is a dish best served hot for Shakira...but beware of your supercool ex

WHEN the Spanish tabloids’ golden couple Gerard Pique and Shakira split up, it seemed that everything was being settled amicably.

The Colombian songstress released a song, Monoto ny, whose lyrics and video conveyed heartbreak. But barely two months later, the dominant emotion in new track Session 53 is undiluted vengeance.

She takes aim at the ex Bar celona and Spain footballer and his new girlfriend Clara Chia and lets fly with both barrels.

The devastating lyrics include lines such as: ‘I was out of your league, that’s why you’re with someone just like you.’

And she follows up with ‘You left me with your mum as a neighbour, the press at my door and a debt with Hacienda’.

The latter is a reference to Shakira’s ongoing

THE GREAT SURVIVOR

following the death of French nun Lucile Randon, who was 118 when she recently died in her sleep in a nursing home in her native Toulon.

Maria was born on April 4, 1907 in San Francisco. She returned to Spain in 1914 with the rest of her Catalan family, and has been living in the Tura d’Olot senior home for several years.

In 2020, she contracted Covid-19 at the age of 113, but overcame the illness. The second oldest person in the world currently is Fusa Tatsumi from Japan, who is also 115.

Musical vengeance

SCORN: Shakira’s new song but Pique doesn’t seem to mind

By Simon Hunter

battles with the Spanish Tax Agency, which is taking her to court on allegations that she evaded €14.5 million in taxes by claiming she was not living in Spain.

But some of the most barbed lines of the song are reserved for Pique’s girlfriend, with

(Very) Material Girl

DUST down your wallets, Madonna is coming to Spain. The American superstar has announced she will make an appearance at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi on November 1 as part of her Celebrations world tour. But fans had better be prepared to pay for the privilege of seeing her perform - a VIP deal will cost €900 plus a €120 handling charge for The Immaculate Package, or €400 plus a €53 handling charge for the Gold Circle Early Entry Package.

Normal tickets cost an eye-watering €300 plus €40 handling charge for the best spots. The cheapest are a more manageable €40 plus €5.50 (binoculars not included).

Flamenco fashion

IF you are looking to update your flamenco look for this year’s ferias, head for Sevilla.

The 28th edition of International Flamenco Fashion Week (SIMOF) takes place in the Andalucian city from January 26 to 29, at the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES). More than 1,800 costumes from over 90 flamenco fashion design houses will be shown in 54 catwalk parades, with a total 50,000 spectators expected.

Shakira singing ‘You swapped a Ferrari for a Twingo, you swapped a Rolex for a Casio’.

Pique himself seems to have taken the attack in good heart - a few days after the song’s release he turned up at an event driving a Twingo and wearing a Casio watch.

End

The relationship between Shakira and Pique came to an end in June, and when the custody agreement over their two sons, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, was announced in November, that was the definitive end to their 12-year relationship. Shakira is due to move from Barcelona to Miami with her children, while Pique has been granted generous visitation rights.

YOUNG: Maria (left) with family

Map it

“And when my mother jumped in a taxi from the airport to Estepona it cost her €140.”

Another complaint is that bus routes and times cannot be reliably tracked on Google Maps, meaning no one knows when the next bus is coming or even where stops are located.

While money has been put aside for further studies in extending the train line from Fuengirola along the entire coast, it is unlikely to be considered properly. This is despite the coastal roads being among the heaviest used without a train line in Europe.

Send your comments to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

LIFT OFF

ANDALUCIA will launch its own nanosatellite in a bid to gather more data about sustainability and agriculture.

The Junta will launch the 10kg satellite later in the year as part of a European project called Smartfood.

The project will monitor the impact of global warming on agricultural and fisheries systems in terms of biodiversity and ecosystems.

It aims to create better food security and quality through sustainable agricultural production and maritime research.

A FORMER mayor and two councillors are facing over 30 years in prison for taking backhanders in return for permits to build.

The giant Astapa corruption case has seen them and 47 other defendants linked to Estepona town hall go on trial this month.

As well as a 10-year sentence for ex-mayor Antonio Barrientos, his deputies Jose Flores and Francisco Zamorano are facing 11 years each.

LOCALS and expats furious at dozens of illegally parked caravans appear to have been bamboozled by a confusing sign.

The sign, which was put up in November, was intended to warn ‘vanlifers’ as they are known that they were forbidden from parking by the riverbed. But many have rightly interpreted the sign to mean that caravans are permitted to park there, underlining the confusion sown.

Residents told the Olive Press that as of Tuesday January 24 there were as many as 88 mobile homes parked there. Residents complain that many of the vanlifers, mainly from Germany, have turned the riverbed and nearby bushes into a public toilet.

Sign of Confusion Web of corruption

Ex-mayor and councillors in Estepona facing 30 years prison and €28 million in fines

By Dilip Kuner

They are accused of running a town hall backhander system in which officials were handed gifts and kickbacks - mostly from developers - in return for awarding contracts to build. As well as payments to them or their families, they were also

LEGAL checks have now been completed on a deal to allow British expats whose licences have expired back on the road.

An embassy update confirmed that ‘checks have now been completed on both sides’.

It added the final step to sign the international treaty ‘are now underway’ and it will be ‘very soon’.

Once the deal has been published in Spain’s official bulletin (BOE), residents who hold UK licences will finally be able to get back on the roads.

gifted with plasma TVs, watches, holidays and even drinks at brothels.

Barrientos (below), who was arrested in 2008, is accused of bribery, influence peddling and money laundering.

While it has taken an incredible 16 years to come to trial, the ex-mayor and his employees are facing €28m in fines, or the equivalent to how much public money was squandered. An attempt to stop the trial last week was overruled by Malaga court judge Andres Rodero after the prosecutor insisted it was a ‘conspiracy theory’. Lawyers for the accused claimed they had been ‘set up’ by disgraced former National Police commis -

Levi ‘kidnapped by Brits’

FORMER X-Factor star Levi Davis was ‘kidnapped off the streets’ of Barcelona by a British gang, believes his family. His mother Julie claims a private investigator received an anonymous tip that her son (above) had got into a dispute with criminals two years ago while playing rugby for Ealing, in London, in 2020.

sioner Jose Manuel Villarejo. They say Villarejo had instigated the investigation in a bid to oust the PSOE from the town hall.

They claim the police chief wanted to bring in a new mayor to ‘safeguard’ his property empire in Estepona, which allegedly numbered 48 homes. Spain’s former top cop acquired 92 properties in Spain during his years in office and is now facing charges of bribery, money laundering and racketeering in other unrelated cases.

The long delay to the trial, which continues in March, has been put down to the complexity of the case, with 128 volumes of evidence containing 351,114 pages.

He was last seen outside the Old Irish Pub on October 29 - while a signal on his phone was last detected the next morning at Barcelona’s Sants Estacio train station.

“We desperately need to know more because this could change the whole nature of the investigation,” Julie told the Olive Press.

Cagey

She added the tipster was ‘very cagey’.

“I do know of some difficulties he had with some people who showed up to his flat in Ealing but don't know what the disagreement was about or how serious it was,” she added.

Police found his passport in Barcelona port in September - but no other clue has been uncovered since.

The Davis family is offering €11,500 to anyone who could find Levi.

Police said their investigation was still ‘open and ongoing’.

POSITION: HEAD OF FIG COMPLIANCE, GLOBAL (FULL-TIME / PERMANENT)

WHO WE ARE

Moneycorp is a thriving dynamic business with an excellent reputation helping Corporate and Private Clients with their FX and International Payments requirements for over 40 years. As a globally expanding business, our footprint covers UK & Ireland, Europe, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, UAE and Brazil! With our extremely rare single IBAN multi-currency account, we are able to assist with a variety of different payment needs, including business payment solutions, personal payments abroad (for example buying a property), travel money, as well as the ability to offer interest on deposits. Supplementing this, we also support the global supply chain of wholesale banknotes through our Financial Institutions Group (FIG) and partnership with the US Federal Reserve Bank, to build deeper payment relationships with international banking customers.

It is through obtaining our own banking and payment licenses, the acquisition of two banking platforms and access to 16+ liquidity providers that we are able to proposition a trailblazing FinTech payment infrastructure that simplifies our customer’s diverse business needs and reduce their costs. There is no doubt that we are a major player and differentiated ourselves in a continuously evolving and competitive industry.

With 500+ employees, Moneycorp prides itself in attracting some of the world’s top talent and the people who work at Moneycorp are truly behind its continued success. As Moneycorp continues to expand into new territories, there are considerable opportunities for growth for newcomers and the learning possibilities are endless. We welcome you to be part of a team which has a passion for the business, all within a collaborative and supportive working environment that has ultimately translated to a unique exciting business. To find out more about our journey click here.

WHO YOU ARE / YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE

In today’s market, there is a multitude of challenges that businesses face when looking to fulfil their banknote requirements, especially as major banks look to scale back on non-core products. At Moneycorp, banknote supply (Financial Institution Group) is one of our core solutions. Such access supports Moneycorp’s global ambitions in sup-

To ensure this level of service is continued we are searching for a highly collaborative and commercially astute Head of FIG Compliance, Global to join our vibrant Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Team at Moneycorp, based in our London office. Managing the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Compliance team and reporting to the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer - Bank, your primary responsibility will be to manage compliance on-boarding and on-going monitoring of FIG clients. This will include liaising with a range of key stakeholders including the US Federal Reserve Bank, Central and International Banks, regulators, auditors and key internal staff members across the Group.

There will also be an element of travel involved roughly 20% over the course of a year, as you will also manage and ensure physical client visits are completed locally and internationally across the team which consists of 5 people covering 80+ jurisdictions. This is to ensure audits are conducted to understand and see the client’s controls that are in place. You will also mentor and lead the team in making sure they understand the client’s country jurisdictions and support them with assessing a country’s risk framework, regulations, levels of corruptions, AML and various other financing which provides the opportunity for contin-

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Moneycorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Across our Group, Moneycorp maintains a philosophy that an inclusive company culture inspires creativity, fosters a sense of belonging, and is imperative to both personal and professional growth. With a makeup of 47 percent female employees, Moneycorp has a remarkably diverse workforce. Our commitment to inclusion and opportunity continues to evolve and improve as we listen and engage with our diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, colour, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, ge-

uous learning and development in this macro level role.

LOCATION: Gibraltar SALARY: Commensurate with experience (plus benefits and bonus) porting frictionless commerce through the development of a more competitive supply chain with the highest levels of compliance. We understand the importance of a service provider that has reliability and longevity, with a specialist, dedicated team at our customer’s disposal.

The role offers vast exposure and opportunity to work closely across a variety of business areas including FX Payments Dealers/Traders, Risk and Compliance, Finance, and Operations teams. As such we are looking for someone who has proven experience as a Head of Audit Compliance, or proven experience as a Senior Audit Compliance Executive with a huge appetite to step up and can demonstrate that they are a self-starter and can work in a fast-paced environment, has a methodical and organised approach to managing tasks, is able to communicate and collaborate confidently with a diverse range of stakeholders with vary needs and possess great attention to detail which complements their analytical mindset to help the business reach positive commercial decisions that make tangible impact.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR / SKILLS THAT WILL HELP YOU IN THE ROLE

● To excel in this role you would need significant experience in the Banking/Non - Bank Financial Institutions sector, in a senior compliance / audit compliance managerial capacity.

● Effective report writing at a level suitable for executive dissemination.

● Excellent knowledge of local AML rules.

● Able to demonstrate up to date knowledge of key legislation / regulatory frameworks for the markets Moneycorp operate in.

● A though leader on insights and context in rela-

netic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, political affiliation, status as an individual with a physical or mental disability status as an individual with a protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Moneycorp believes that diversity is critical to our success in helping Corporate and Private Clients with their FX and International Payments requirements across the world and is committed to creating an inclusive, mutually respectful environment which celebrates diversity. We hire on the basis of talent, merit, competence, performance, and business needs.

tion to risk and compliance and able to provide trusted advice on corporate governance / risk and compliance matters.

● Proven people management experience and lateral collaboration with other senior leaders in a firm.

● Proficient at establishing credibility quickly and building relationships at all levels, influencing a range of senior stakeholders and challenging decision making to help drive continuous improvements.

● Ability to communicate effectively (both oral and written), stay calm and work well under pressure to meet competing deadlines.

● Solution-focused approach and the ability to make objective/ evidence based decisions and influence recommendations and decisions using insights.

● Consultative style with the ability to breakdown complex information to suit target audience.

● Additional languages to a business standard is desired.

We are a small dynamic and cohesive team and therefore having a collaborative approach is very much at the forefront of what we do. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to take on a Senior Audit Compliance post within the team, for an established growing international organisation, and provides amazing scope for both strategic and operational self-development.

Please note: This is a full-time, permanent position. The role is expected to be office-based in Gibraltar as part of the Financial Institutions Group. However, we have an agile flexible working policy which enables you to work up to 2 days from home if desired.

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN:

This role offers a competitive salary (depending on experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package, discretionary performance related bonus, relocation package and more.

tax benefits of living in

 Wealth tax has been abolished for local taxpayers.

 The new countrywide solidarity tax only affects those with assets over €4m.

 Andalucía inheritance taxes have been cut and allowances increased.

 Your immediate family may escape Spanish inheritance tax as a result.

 Local income taxes have also been reduced. Andalucía is now a highly attractive place to live from a tax point of view. Contact us for more information on how much tax you could save and what steps you need to take.

Voted top expat paper in Spain OPINION

Too much of

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.

Don’t leave us waiting!

IT simply beggars belief the state of public transport along the Costa del Sol.

Buses that don’t run on time, drivers who don’t wait at stops if they arrive early, the lack of coordination between the various bus routes and the companies that run them.

Why have half a million-plus residents and millions of tourists tolerated this pathetic transport system for so many years?

It should be a basic no-brainer to run regular and reliable buses up and down the coast.

And it’s really not a huge logistical challenge.

Decent mobility for residents is a basic human right in any developed country - and surely the need for reducing carbon emissions should today be paramount.

It is simply not acceptable to force 80% of residents to take their cars out onto congested roads on almost every occasion.

It doesn’t even require a massive investment. Installing GPS devices on buses and connecting them up to Google Maps and other transport apps would mean that people might actually know when the next bus is coming.

It would also help tourists to know where the bus stops are and what routes are available.

There are actually dozens if you take into account all the local routes.

Electronic signs could also be installed at bus stops informing travellers when to expect the next bus to arrive.

What joy this would bring to the cleaners, nurses and babysitters that rely on public transport and who help to make our local economy function.

The Junta could even stick card machines on the buses so people don’t need to run to a cash machine before running some more to catch the one bus that comes every two hours.

A reliable late bus service would also be excellent to help ferry night staff home from work or to encourage drinkers to ditch the car to get home.

None of these are revolutionary steps.

In fact, it’s astonishing that a company like Avanza, responsible for providing much of the public transport along the coast, has not already implemented them as standard.

The Olive Press plans to raise the issue this year, with elections looming.

Come on mayors, councillors and the diputacion… it’s time to step in and help!

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Anthony Piovesan anthony@theolivepress.es

Jo Chipchase jo@theolivepress.es

John Culatto

ADMIN Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

ETIAS

TRAVEL TRIBULATION

Confusion reigns over new ETIAS visa requirements for Brits entering Spain

By Walter Finch

NEW travel requirements for entering Spain have sparked confusion over who it affects and when they actually start.

The introduction of the new ETIAS regime, as it is known, will complicate the visa-free entry to the EU Brits have enjoyed since freedom of movement ended in 2020.

Initially it was feared the system came in this month, prompting confusion among travellers about what they needed to comply with.

But last week, the EU confirmed that ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) would not come into effect until ‘later in the year’.

Initially insisting May, the European Commission’s Department for Migration and Home Affairs now states it will not start until November.

Permission

IT was described as ‘the first and only solar extracting and pumping station in Europe’ and, from the moment it was operational, it was a game-changer.

The village of Godelleta was rightfully proud when it was selected in 2016 as the trial site for an innovative sun-powered system to pump and distribute water for irrigation.

The local agricultural community witnessed some remarkable improvements and, with water being used more efficiently, the citrus, olive, and vine yields improved and job opportunities increased as a result. Thanks to batteries, the pump systems were able to operate at night and even on cloudy days, and, by reducing the village’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources, carbon emissions were reduced. It was a win-win scenario . . . until now.

The electricity powers a control panel and pump, sunk into a water source, which could be anything from a river to a well.

Water is then transported along a ditch or pipe, or, in Godelleta’s case, an ancient system of acequias (canals) first installed by the Moors.

The plan is to increase the number of solar panels to 91,000

The delivery is preset depending on irrigation requirements – it might be drip method, full flow or half flow, for example. A timer, and water pressure, level and volume, can also be preset. Godelleta is perched on the flat table of land above the citrus farms some 40km from the city of Valencia, and below the olive groves and vineyards on the higher land to the west towards Cuenca.

The dynamics of a solar pumping system are both pioneering and simple. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity.

The town’s farmers are able to produce the crops grown in both areas (oranges comprise 40% of the total, grapes another 40%, the rest dominated by olives and persimmon), and the solar extraction system has been able to handle the varying irrigation requirements. For the most part, the community has been happy with it, and proud to be a

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HEAD OFFICE

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

So for the time being, Brits are still allowed to enter any European Schengen area country with just their passport for up to three months within any six month period.

In November however, travellers will have to apply for special permission to enter the EU before boarding the plane or boat. For a fee of €7, travellers will undergo a form of security check that will monitor irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors to Schengen states.

The background check will be automated against EU information systems for borders and security and, it’s claimed, authorisation will be issued within minutes for most. As such, holidaymakers who forget to apply for an ETIAS - or aren’t even aware of it - will technically be able to apply while waiting to board the aeroplane.

However, if additional checks are required, this could take up to 96 hours, making it sensible to apply well in advance.

It’s important to stress that expat residents of Spain will not be required to hold an ETIAS, although it will be advisable to have residency documents to hand when boarding.

Once an ETIAS is acquired, it will be valid for three years, saving travellers the hassle of having to apply each and every time they travel.

A total of 60 countries will be subject to the new ETIAS regime, including the UK, USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Largest ever haul of baby eels, worth quarter of a million euros, puts fish smuggling under the microscope

By Dilip Kuner

THE recent arrest of two men trying to smuggle 190 kilos of baby eels (known as elvers or anguilla) through the port of Algeciras has once more thrown the spotlight of this unusual but highly lucrative illegal trade. Border agents were shocked to find coolboxes filled with the live baby glass eels - 192 kilos of them, worth an astounding €250,000 - in a car coming from Tangier.

It was the largest haul of the critically endangered species since their import was banned into the EU in 2010.

But their high value for the Asian market has encouraged a rise in criminal gangs flying them to the Far East. Many end up in China to be fattened and then sold on to other countries including Japan where they are a highly prized delicacy.

Spain - itself a major breeding ground for the glass eel - has become a hub for the illegal trade, with elvers ‘harvested’ from across Europe and Africa sent here for onward shipment to Asia.

The eels are carried by ‘mules’ on scheduled flights in specially adapted checked-in suitcases. It may sound like a crazy amateurish scheme, but the trade is worth millions.

The Olive Press has previ-

ously reported on the vast profits, with one man convicted of smuggling an estimated €62 million worth of baby eels from Spain to East Asia via the UK. Gilbert Khoo (pictured bragging about his wealth by showing two gold bars), 67, from Surrey, was found guilty of six offences relating to the illegal importation.

UK Border Force officers found the European glass eels, concealed under a load of chilled fish at Heathrow Airport.

The live consignment, weighing around 200 kilos, had been transported from Spain to the UK in 2017 en route to Hong Kong. The creatures have since been returned to the wild.

As the ‘industrialisation’ of solar power becomes ever more controversial, Jack Gaioni looks at how one small farming community was grateful for the installation that helped them pump water round the fields more efficiently – until the company announced plans to expand it tenfold

TAKING THE STRAIN

New train route will take 48,000 lorries off the road

SPAIN is to get a new rail ‘superhighway’ aimed at taking 48,000 lorries off the roads.

At the moment just 5% of goods are moved by train, compared to the European

From oil to biofuel

By Simon Hunter

average of 20%.

But that is set to change as a new rail service between Al-

geciras and Zaragoza is put into action.

The public-private project will see a 1,074-kilometre route operating between the city in Cadiz province, which is home to the country’s main port, and the capital of Aragon, which is set to become a national hub for logistics.

At the moment, the vast majority of goods arriving in Algeciras are hauled away by lorries. The new rail link will take 48,000 lorries off the roads annually on the routes north from the Andalucian port.

This is expected to dramatically decrease pollution: the forecast is a reduction of 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

TRADE: Algeciras is Spain’s main port

The plan is for three services to run daily in each direction. Each train will have capacity for 30 wagons, which will be loaded with shipping containers.

The Spanish Cabinet has authorised contracts worth €45.5 million to refurbish signage on two new routes

of the conventional rail network, to prepare them for this new train highway. The lines between Ariza and Calatayud, and Guadalajara and Ariza, will be the first to get a spruce up.

The total investment for the project is expected to run to €85 million.

AN old oil refinery in Huelva, which has been converted to produce biofuels, is capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 90%.

Cepsa says that the upgraded facility is now able to produce a sustainable diesel fuel, called hydrobiodiesel, from vegetable oil, vegetable waste and animal fats not intended for human consumption (sandach). The plant was originally made to remove sulphur from mineral oil.

Net Zero by 2050….at what cost?

THE question in the headline is easy to answer…. a lot! There is much talk in the media about ‘Net Zero’.

Simply put, this is that when CO2 emissions and CO2 removals are equally balanced, we reach the Utopian state of Net Zero.

It’s simple science. The world is warming to dangerous levels primarily because of CO2 emissions. Last year estimates from the United Nations indicated that emissions exceeded 35 billion tonnes. The amount being removed was less than 10% of this total.

Getting to Net Zero is a massive global challenge.

Currently nearly all the world’s CO2 removal occurs through natural processes. That’s primarily trees and plants taking the CO2 from the air and then soil absorbing it.

There are limits to how much mother nature can do.

Even with increasing the amount of

planting that has been promised (and when it comes to promises on environmental action they are consistently broken) it still only amounts to 4 billion tonnes of CO2 removal.

THE SOLUTION IS TECHNOLOGY

To reduce and restrict the rise in global temperatures enormous amounts of money have to be invested. Developing new technologies does not come cheaply. Many of these solutions are being developed:

● Carbon capture

● Incorporating CO2 capture into biomass based electricity generation

● Developing specially treated charcoal (Biochar) that locks in carbon

So, there are options. And there’s the rub. Developed nations continue to talk the talk, and not walk the walk.

My own view is that there is a danger here with the talk of expensive solutions. All this does is delay and defer the urgently needed action required to minimise the use of fossil fuels. To date, emissions from fossil fuels have yet to start a downward trend. The facts speak for themselves. When you look at the hard evidence, there can be only one conclusion…. we are failing to remove the threat for future generations.

Good health

WHILE most Spanish supermarket chains stock a range of vegetarian and vegan products, one of the world’s cruelest luxury foods is now turning into an ethical, imitation product for discerning shoppers.

This latest foodie invention is a vegan foie gras, called Fuah, and it’s literally flying off the shelves.

Real foie gras is made from duck or goose liver and is controversial because the birds are usually tube-fed more than they would usually eat, to fatten their liver before slaughter.

In the UK, King Charles is reportedly banning the cruel product from royal estates, while California and New York also want to ban it.

In these more socially aware times, it is simply not something to serve visitors or friends concerned about animal welfare.

The vegan version is made by a start-up company in Madrid called Hello Foods and uses coconut oil, beetroot extract and lentil flour to create its

The company worked on the recipe for more than a year, revising it an incredible 800 times, it claims.

Within 12 hours of launch last month, the first 5,000 units sold out across Spain. When 30,000 more were distributed, these were also snapped up.

FAUX GRAS!

The Olive Press gets a thumbs up for the latest ethical meat substitute to hit the market, writes Jo Chipchase

The product can be bought in specialist stores, online, and in Alcampo. The cost is €5.99 online and €8.99 in Alcampo.

In an Olive Press taste test at Bar Piki, in Canar, near Granada, over a dozen expats and Spanish gave it a thumbs up. Indeed, everyone who tried it liked it, and one young Spaniard was so enthusiastic he immediately bought some online.

“I really enjoyed the taste although I’ve never tried the real thing, it was super tasty and had a really nice creamy texture,” said fashion designer Freya Rogers, from Orgiva.

“From an animal abuse point of view, this provides a good, cruelty free option.”

Maria Jose Moreno, added: “It’s years since I had real foie gras, but I remember the flavour well – creamy and tasty and this is just as nice.”

Executive Health

Executive Essential Screening

Sorrell Badger, from Lanjaron, added: “I am pleasantly surprised. It is creamy and delicious and you get an attractive glass jar to keep when you’re finished.”

The only negative is it being unsuitable for people with nut or gluten allergies, so be sure to read the label first.

SLEEP TO DEFEAT OLD AGE

THE vast majority of people are not doing enough to ward off dementia in later life.

A feared consequence of ageing the number of people expected to suffer from dementia is only set to rise.

Already an estimated 55 million people suffer from it, with more than 60% living in low and middle income countries.

As the proportion of older people increases in nearly every country, this figure is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and then 139 million by 2050, according to the WHO.

To remedy the problem Alzheimer’s Research UK has composed a new 12-step checklist to help avoid getting the condition.

The number one factor on the checklist is to get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

This is the optimal amount of sleep for most adults, providing the most benefit for cognitive and mental health.

Step two is to regularly challenge the brain - this could in-

VITAL: A good seven hours solid sleep as a minimum

By Anthony Piovesan

volve anything from frequently doing puzzles, or playing crosswords to learning a new language.

Third is to stay socially active, while the fourth step is to maintain mental well-being.

The fifth and sixth steps recommend people look after their

SLUMBER ISSUES

A SURVEY called 'Sleep and Well-being' claims 54% of people in Spain have mood swings caused by a lack of sleep.

It found that 39% of the population endure either poor or very poor quality sleep on a daily basis.

The research was jointly carried out by the Monica Duart Sleep Foundation and Castellon's Jaume I University. Sleep problems are hitting the whole of the population, regardless of age, with 36% of those surveyed admitting to daytime drowsiness.

“These research results are further evidence of the importance of sleep,” said Monica Duart.

“The lack of rest affects all parts of our lives from mental health to work performance," she added. Collaboration between the Sleep Foundation and the university started last year. They are now both promoting rest and well-being, in addition to raising general awareness of sleeping problems.

Over the next year, further analysis will be made over sleep quality and its implications on health.

hearing and eat a balanced diet. Staying physically active comes next, while quitting smoking also helps.

The ninth step is drinking responsibly, while number 10 is keeping a healthy level of cholesterol.

To achieve this, eat oats, barley and other whole grains, as well as beans, eggplant and okra, nuts, vegetable oils, apples, grapes, strawberries and citrus fruits.

The final two steps are maintaining healthy blood pressure and managing diabetes. Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable consequence of biological ageing.

Trials

It also does not exclusively affect older people - young onset dementia occurs when symptoms develop before the age of 65 and accounts for 9% of cases worldwide.

There is currently no cure for dementia.

There are anti-dementia medicines and disease-modifying therapies, but they have limited efficacy and are primarily labelled for Alzherimer’s disease. There are, however, numerous new treatments in various stages of clinical trials.

Plus

ANDALUCIA Elixir of

Magnificent seven active ingredients of a southern Spanish lifestyle

TRADITIONALLY a time for detoxing and gruelling health regimens, those beginning the new year in Spain are luckier than most.

The Mediterranean diet is frequently lauded by health experts but there are many more natural remedies on our doorstep that come with the territory.

Check out these magnificent seven health benefits of an Andalucian lifestyle.

1. Food glorious food

2. Europe’s best healthcare

ANALYSIS by Bloomberg recently revealed that Spain’s public health service is the best in Europe and third best globally. Taking into account efficiency, as well as cost, the analysis put Spain way ahead of the UK, just behind Singapore and Hong Kong.

3. A sporting chance

EXERCISE can reduce your risk of major illnesses like cancer and heart disease by up to 50% and decrease the likelihood of an early death by 30%, according to the UK’s NHS. And in Andalucia, home of the outdoor lifestyle, you won’t need to go far for hiking, swimming, paddle tennis, football, golf and even horse riding.

4. 320 days of sunshine

OFTEN dubbed the ‘market garden of Spain’, Andalucia abounds with fresh fish and seafood, veggies, fruit, grains and pulses but its olive oil may be the star of the show. The American Food and Drug Administration prescribes a daily dose of 1½ tablespoons to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

THE Costa del Sol gets its name for a reason, and scientists have long linked catching some rays to prolonging life. Two Malaga doctors, Raul J. Andrade and Maribel Lucena, recently said that soaking up Vitamin D can stave off the risk of Multiple Sclerosis.

TAKING CHARGE

Full Body Check-Up

6. Red red wine

EVERY year the ben

Without health we have nothing and so the Bodyworks Health Clinic is pleading with people to take charge of their health this year

DURING the festive season many of us put off dealing with niggling health issues, but the Bodyworks Health Clinic is urging you not to.

"So get a check-up, and know that all your systems are working and there are no warning lights."

WITH over 1,000km of coastline, many Andalucians are hardwired to love the ocean - something scientists call the ‘blue mind’. Dr Thomas W. Ferkol is one of those who extols the sea’s benefits, claiming salt clears lungs and is antibacterial, while beach life can improve sleep patterns.

Heart and Circulation

Digestive System

Lung health

Major Organs

Muscles and Joints

Immune

7. Soothing siestas

IT is one of Spain’s most enduring images, especially to foreign eyes, but a siesta can lower blood pressure and is part

A Safe, Accurate Early Warning System

In 2020, the Olive Press tried thermal imaging as part of a Full Body Check up at the clinic.

Suitable for all ages and conditions

The team at their San Pedro de Alcantara Clinic is encouraging you to start off the new year by taking charge of your health, and beginning in the best and healthiest way possible.

Clinic Director Estelle Mitchell said: "It is vital to get to know your body, and anything unusual you should act upon."

The journalist's entire body was catalogued from top to toe, before the images were sent off to a team of American radiologists to analyse.

Early detection is key to easy and successful treatment – health issues often start long before symptoms arise.

This information can prevent more serious problems from developing further down the line.

A Full Body Screening and Health Check at Bodyworks is easy, painless, safe and comprehensive.

of a natural sleep cycle. According to the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians, it should be

Key changes to look out for, and that Bodyworks can help you to review, are changes in your bowel movements, changes in colour or size of moles, and shortness of breath or slow recovery.

Our systems are 100% safe, no radiation and suitable for any age or state of health.

Estelle said, "If you are in pain or discomfort, and this has been going on for more than 48 hours, then you must get professional help."

Fully detailed reports are provided and our team are always available to answer any questions.

Particularly for women, any changes to the skin and/or feeling of breasts or pain in the pelvic region, should be addressed urgently.

"We all know that our cars work better if we get them serviced regularly. Our bodies are far more complex but often only get checked when they're not working," Estelle reminds us.

"Being sick and/or in pain is scary stuff but when it comes to your body, you are your own best advocate, so you need to take charge. If you aren't 100% happy with the advice or recommendations that you have been given, get a second or even a third opinion! All health care professionals should be confident enough in their recommendations for them to be happy if you seek another opinion."

For more information, contact The Bodyworks Health Clinic on 952 883 151 or 699 703 936 or www.TheBodyworksClinic.com

Full Body Check-Up

A Safe, Accurate Early Warning System

Suitable for all ages and conditions

Heart and Circulation

Digestive System

Lung health

Major Organs

Muscles and Joints

Early detection is key to easy and successful treatment – health issues often start long before symptoms arise.

A Full Body Screening and Health Check at Bodyworks is easy, painless, safe and comprehensive.

Our systems are 100% safe, no radiation and suitable for any age or state of health.

Immune System www.TheBodyworksClinic.com

Fully detailed reports are provided and our team are always available to answer any questions.

Málaga WhatsApp: 699 703 936

C. San Juan, 3, San Pedro Alcántara, 29670

C. San Juan, 3, San Pedro Alcántara, 29670

1. Oolong

For a post-festive detox, this is just your cup of tea, activating enzymes that cut down triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. One study showed that women who consumed oolong tea burned a slightly larger amount of fat than those who drank only water.

More than just a fat burner, it also contains niacin which helps detoxify the body, and antioxidants that can prevent tooth decay.

3. White

DOWN TO A TEA

The seven healthy cuppas you should be supping this year

With its many proven health benefits, this is the ultimate multi-tasker of teas. Much like green tea, it contains catechin which may help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Drinking white tea might also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors, according to the American Cancer Society.

2. Black

This is one of the most highly-caffeinated varieties of tea, with about 40 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Black tea also contains thearubigins and theaflavins, two types of antioxidants that have been linked to lower cholesterol levels. Plus, drinking three or more cups of black tea a day can cut your risk of stroke by 21 percent.

4. Green

Green tea is an excellent source of catechins, another type of antioxidant. A subgroup of this compound known as EGCG has been studied for its potential role in preventing cancer and heart disease. One study showed that drinking one cup of green tea per day could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10 percent.

THE Brits love their cups of tea, but when they’re full of sugar and fattening dairy milk, the health benefits don’t exactly spill over. But tea can also be the cup that cures so check out our concoction of healthy brews. They not only have the power to help your heart, liver and bodily functions, they’ll also stop you from dunking calorific bickies.

6. Lemon ginger

Ginger has an active ingredient called zingiber, while lemon contains the immune-boosting compounds pectin and limonene. This epic duo makes lemon ginger tea an effective weapon against bacterial infections. One study shows that it can even kill the bacteria linked to salmonella!

7. Chamomile

5. Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea is a commonly-used natural compound that fights illnesses such as the common cold and other respiratory infections. One study showed that consuming echinacea in tea or lozenge form over a fourmonth period helped to prevent infections.

An ancient natural remedy with many health benefits. Research shows that the antioxidants in chamomile tea may help stunt the growth of cancer cells and prevent diabetes side effects such as loss of vision, nerve damage and kidney damage. Unlike the teas men tioned above, this brew is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant.

CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Kick off 2023 with the best full body health exam at Executive Health

YOU’VE stopped the rich foods and stemmed the heavy drinking, but the hangover from the festive period is probably still apparent.

Despite the extra few days in the gym, or running along the beachfront, it’s incredibly hard to shift the calories when you hit middle age. And when the dreaded ‘cuesta de Enero’ (or January slope), as the Spanish call it, starts kicking in it’s not hard to become something of a hypochondriac. The good news is, it’s probably mostly in the mind, but to really be certain perhaps it’s finally time to take a full body medical check up.

The most comprehensive way to do this is with Executive Health, in Marbella, which offers a detailed full screening, giving you the perfect bird’s eye view to your overall health. Over the course of a morning you’ll get a detailed MRI exam of the pelvis, abdomen and thorax, as well as a clinical study of your heart, lungs, bones, tissues, blood, urine and stools.

As specialist Dr Henrik Reinhard, explains: “We will quickly spot any abnormalities, including damaged tissues, inflammation, infection and most importantly any cancerous growths.”

The Dane, 47, who has been

What is an MRI scan?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) combines a powerful mag netic field with radio frequen cies to create detailed images of all your internal body structures with the aid of a sophis ticated computing system.

based on the Costa del Sol for a decade, advises these detailed checks every five years for anyone over 40, and, ideally, once a year for cancer. Most of the results will come back almost immediately, with a few the following week, including the results of your blood, urine and stools.

The Danish doctor is great at advising on quick and easy ways to improve your health and strongly advocates the benefits of a vegan, plantbased, wholefood diet.

“A mostly non-meat diet is the best solution for many health issues, particularly digestive and stomach complaints,” he tells the Olive Press, adding that almost half the population are at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Best of all, such a diet is a great way to reverse ‘atherosclerosis’, the dangerous calcification of the arteries leading to cardiac arrests and heart attacks.

Other tips he suggests are ditching poultry which increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by a shocking 72%, while pork

2023 OLIVE PRESS READER OFFER

Executive Health’s full body check up costs €1,695, with a very special 10% dis- count for Olive Press readers.

“I am sure many read- ers have not been getting their regular checks at the local hospital,” explains Henrik. “It is often hard to organise, but please don’t ignore your health. We do the same checks and a lot, lot more.”

is slightly better for you than lamb and beef.

He is also happy to recommend a glass or two of wine per night, ‘as long as there are also a couple of days of abstinence a week’.

For more information, visit www.executivehealth.es or email info@executivehealth.es

REJUVENATE

Recover

SHAVING off the years is getting easier and more attainable.

Today there are procedures that do away with the risks associated with previous surgery enhancements designed to restore youth.

Full-face lipotransfer is a non-invasive procedure that restores the natural volume that we lose in our faces over the years and leads to wrinkles and sagging.

But instead of inserting synthetic and foreign substances into a human face that could be rejected (and sometimes happens with hyaluronic acid), at Clinica Krakhmaloff we have perfected the process of using your very own body fat. With our cutting-edge, high-precision technology under the steady hand of Dr Omar Lopez, the procedure is natural and painless, eliminating the risk of rejection.

The patient’s lips and cheekbones come back to life, the shape of the face fills out again and facial lines retreat.

This way, patients can repair and regenerate the beauty and vitality that their faces once held.

Dr Lopez, with over 25 years experience in aesthetic medicine, is one of the original pioneers of full-face lipotransfer and offers his expertise exclusively with Clinica Krakhmaloff. At every step of the procedure, Clinica Krakhmaloff ensures that the patient has a native-English speaker at their side offering them

an entirely personalised experience. This is to make sure that everything is understood about the simple, three-step procedure and that nothing is left to doubt.

The procedure, which is performed in the clinic, involves taking fat from the abdomen or thigh and inserting it into the face in a non-invasive manner.

It provides immediate, long lasting results without any hospitalisation or recovery time.

Smiles

At Clinica Krakhmaloff we also offer the most advanced hair transplant techniques to reverse creeping hairlines and dental solutions to beautify smiles.

Our specialised dental surgeons with a quarter century of experience offer procedures such as guided bone regeneration (GBR), all on four, all on six, Hollywood smile and more.

SUPER TROOPERS

Leafy greens

NUTRIENT-DENSE and low in calories - it’s not hard to see why health experts love leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, rocket and chard. They’re packed with benefits including vitamins A, C and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, lutein, and fibre.

The best superfoods to add to your diet in 2023 for that New Year New You feeling

Kale has become the holy grail of superfoods but it’s not just a millennial fad. It’s one of the best detox foods you should incorporate in your diet this year.

Studies have found that it helps prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease by lowering cholesterol and promoting liver and digestive health.

GOOD news for expats, the Spanish favourite garlic is high on the superfood list because it is packed with allicin, a phytochemical which has numerous medicinal properties.

It is also brilliant for fighting off most kinds of bad bacteria, viruses and fungi. So next time you have a cold, don’t reach for the Lemsip, stock up on cloves of the strong stuff. Experts say it’s best eaten raw but if cooking it, under 10 minutes is optimum time.

Garlic

Rub a clove on your toast in the morning (take breath pills to work) and enjoy it as pan con tomate, the traditional Andalucian breakfast.

the youthful vitality your face once held with a painless and non-invasive lipotransfer procedure at Clinica Krakhmaloff

THE Indian ‘saffron’ has been hailed as a ‘wonder spice’ by medical experts for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

But that’s not all. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, aids chronic pain, immunity and heart health and has anti-cancer properties. Sprinkle it in curries, add it to fresh juices or take it in supplement form.

Turmeric

BERRIES are highly nutritious and low in calories, containing several vitamins and minerals but who knew strawberries were so high in vitamin C? Just one cup of the summer favourite provides a whopping 150% of the recommended daily intake.

Bone broth

Berries

WE’VE all heard about how good probiotics are for our gut. Thanks to the fermentation process, Sauerkraut is one of the most probiotic-rich food available for digestive well-being.

Inflammation in the gut can lead to a range of problems such as decreased immunity, poor skin and, according to a number of studies, mood swings and mental health issues.

Sauerkraut - which originated in China more than 2,000 years ago - is a strong probiotic including vitamins B6, C, K, iron, and protein. It also boosts metabolism and contains fibre which keeps you regular and reduces risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The darker the berry, the more nutrients. Blueberries are one superfood that all nutritionists agree are a diet staple, providing fibre-rich carbs which aid digestion and weight management. The blue fruit contains at least 15 different types of potent antioxidants that protect virtually every system in the body. Antioxidants prevent or delay damage to cells, tissues and muscles and are key in aiding cardiovascular and cerebral health and exercise recovery.

For anyone suffering with digestive problems, such as IBS, bone broth could be a brilliant addition to your diet this year.

As well as being high in calcium, magnesium and collagen, it aids digestion and heals gut inflammation, due to its high content of amino acids (such as cystine, histidine and glycine).

It also packs plenty of collagen which gives skin elasticity and keeps joints healthy to prevent arthritis.

ALONG-TIME UK favourite, wild salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and much lower in toxins than farmed salmon.

Omega 3 is important as it reduces the risk of heart disease, while lowering cholesterol levels. It has also been linked to improved cognitive function and could help reduce risks for depression.

Wild salmon

It’s additionally loaded with B vitamins and amino acids which will reward you with glowing skin and good energy levels.

A significant check-up, taking you through the most essential MRI scans and tests for early cancer detection

ESSENTIAL CHECK UP - JUST 1645 €

(With an additional 10% discount when mentioning the Olive Press)

STARS: of the show

Historic China

SPAIN will be the first place in the world to host an exhibition on the legacy of China's Qin and Han dynasties, after the communist country relaxed pandemic restrictions.

Alicante’s Archaeological Museum will host the display of over 150 items from March until January next year.

All exhibits have been loaned by nine Chinese mu seums.

Highlights will include nine warrior statues dug up in archaeological sites and an original terracotta horse.

Alicante Provincial Coun cil's Julia Parra said: “The exhibition will become one of Spain's biggest cultural events of the year and will attract visitors from across the country.”

Flaming tradition

Horses ridden through fire as part of San Anton celebrations

By Dilip Kuner

A TRADITION where horses are spurred to leap through 20 flaming bonfires has been revived after a COVID break - and not everyone is happy.

Las Luminarias, which celebrates Spain’s patron saint of animals, San Anton, returned after the COVID-19

Eurovision time

BENIDORM will once again host the search to find Spain’s Eurovision Song Contest entry at the end of the month.

Benidorm Fest 2023 will stage the semi-finals on January 31 and February 2 at the Palacio de Deportes with the grand final on February 4. Tickets for all three nights were sold out within minutes of going on sale, with the event screened by TVE.

Some 18 singers and groups will fight it out to represent Spain in Liverpool this May.

After years of lacklustre entries, Spain moved to a festival format in Benidorm last year. The winner was SloMo sung by Chanel, which finished a very respectable third in Turin.

CRUEL?: No horses were hurt, claim participants

pandemic last year, but with pandemic restrictions still in force.

This year the 200-year-old event saw 120 horses and donkeys going through the cobbled village streets of San Bartolome de Pinares, near Avila with no such restrictions.

The strange ritual is in memory of a devastating epidemic that wiped out a large part of the area’s cattle and horses. The bonfire smoke from bonfires is meant to drive away evil spirits. For an event that celebrates animal well-being, it has attracted controversy over the way the horses are treated.

The National Association for the Protection and Welfare

EYE OF THE STORM

A SPECIAL Ukranian art exhibition will be hosted in Madrid at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.

The exhibit In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900-1930s can also be visited through a virtual tour. Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Anastasia Bondar said one of the most important tasks for culture is to open national art to the whole world.

of Animals made its annual demand that horses should only pass by the bonfires to take in the ‘purifying’ smoke, rather than riding through them - a move backed by the town hall. But many of the riders ignore the official advice and charge through the flames.

Burned

Organisers said no horses were harmed during this year’s hour-long celebration. Precautions like clipping horse hair to avoid the animals being burned were also taken. Horse owners and riders had to be officially registered and take out civil-liability insurance.

“Exhibitions like this aim to show our art, unknown to the West, which embodies the difficult path of self-determination of Ukrainians, and on the other hand, prove the belonging and synchronization of Ukrainian art with the European context of those times,” she added. For more information, visit: www.museothyssen.org

Boutique de moda, complementos y regalitos

Land of wine and blossom

Discover the Sierra Nevada’s less well known little sister, writes Jo Chipchase

FAMED for its panoramic views, locally fermented vino, and beautiful almond blossoms in late January and early February, the Sierra de la Contraviesa is an unspoilt place to visit.

It is known as the Alpujarra baja (low Alpujarra) of Granada region, although a small part lies in Adra, in Almeria. Historically called the Sierra del Cehel, the Contraviesa lies parallel to the Sierra Nevada range, nestling between the Guadalfeo River and the Costa del Sol.

To the west, it borders the Sierra de Lujar, which is a high point sparse of trees that hosts the area’s radio masts. To the east lies the Sierra de Gador. The Grande de Adra river runs between both mountains, com-

ing out at the sea.

This is an area that has everything.

Visitors driving over the range from near Orgiva, or Torvizcon, can enjoy 360 degree panoramic views, winding roads, white villages, hiking trails and even an art trail. When you emerge on the other side, there are beach towns such as La Mamola and La Rabita, which remain tranquil, even in high season.

Looking north from the Contraviesa, you can see the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including Mulhacen and Veleta, as well as the famous white villages on their south faces.

The Contraviesa range is ergogenic, meaning it was originally formed by plate tectonic movements lifting and folding the

earth.

The high points are Mount Salchicha and Cerrajon de Murtas, at 1,545m and 1,514m respectively.

The area has lots of ravines and ramblas

The Sierra de la Contraviesa falls into municipalities of: Torvizcon, Almegijar, Castaras, Lobras, Cádiar, Ugíjar, Murtas, Turon, Albondon, Adra, Albuñol, Sorvilan, Polopos, Rubite and the old municipality of Alcazar, currently integrated into the municipality of Orgiva.

The first six occupy the slopes of the north face; the others, the southern face, so their towns look at the sea from the height where they are or are close to it.

Other localities, from west to east, located in the interior of this mountain range, are: Olias,

Fregenite, Alfornon, Jorairatar, Mecina Tedel and Cojayar. On the coast are, in the same direction: El Lance, Haza del Trigo, La Guapa, Castillo de Baños de Abajo, La Mamola, Los Yesos, Melicena, La Rabita, El Pozuelo, Castillo de Huarea, La Alcazaba, Guainos Alto and Bajo and El Lance de la Virgen, near Adra.

Almond trees, vineyards and fig trees abound in cultivated areas.

An emblematic place of the Contraviesa is the Haza del Lino (1280m), a meeting point for paths and municipalities, surrounded by the highest and oldest cork oak forest in the Iberian Peninsula.

Whichever towns and villages you choose to visit, you can be sure of seeing the true Spain rather than the concrete costas

RUSTIC RUIN: The Sierra de la Contraviesa

BLOOMING LOVELY: Almond tree are in flower

ACCUSATIONS that the big four accounting firms were making their Spanish employees work 84 hour weeks triggered simultaneous surprise inspections by Spain’s labour ministry.

The Madrid offices of PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte received visits from government inspectors investigating potentially abusive practices.

The ministry said it was concerned about

Doesn’t add up

compliance with both labour and social security law at the consulting giants.

The big four host 20,000 employees in their Madrid skyscrapers, many of whom are new graduates eager to get their accounting accreditation and a big name company on their CV.

Cash happy

Bankers earning €1mn a year or more on the up

THE number of bankers in Spain who earn more than €1 million a year grew 73% to 221 just after the pandemic. This is compared to the figure of 128 in 2020, according to figures just published by the European Banking Authority (EBA).

The list shows that Spain is fourth in Europe when it comes to the highest number of bankers with salaries over the million-euro mark, only below Germany (589), France (371) and Italy (351).

What’s more, a Spanish banker received the highest salary

QUANTUM LEAP

THE first trial of ultra speedy 25G PON technology has successfully been trialled in Spain on Telefonica’s existing fibre network, Nokia announced.

The trial demonstrated nose-bleed-inducing speeds of 20 gigabits per second - around 60 times faster than current high-speed internet.

Such speeds are considered necessary for some cutting edge cloud computing technology, as well as future applications such as Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse. Unfortunately 25G is not a five order jump in technology for 5G mobile networks; the two are separate technologies - 25G refers to home broadband.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

in the entire European Union in 2021, with a total of €14.67 million for the year.

The average salary for million-earning bankers in the country was €2.16 million, compared to the European average of €1.8 million.

In its analysis, the EBA pointed to the effect that the variable component of bankers’ salaries has on the yearly figures, meaning that when these lenders have a good year, pay can rise considerably.

Inflation

Factors that had an influence on strong performance in 2021 include the lifting of many of the restrictions put in place the year before due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the relocation of staff due to Brexit and inflation.

HOLIDAY REPRESENTATIVE, COSTA DE LA LUZ

Vintage Travel, a leading UK holiday company for villas with private pools, is seeking a dedicated Holiday Representative to be based in the Vejer de la Frontera area.

Responsibilities will include visiting clients at their holiday homes in the Vejer area, providing telephone support to those staying in some other areas of Andalucia, supplying detailed information about the area, answering queries, and liaising with property owners and suppliers to ensure that houses are well prepared and ready for the arrival of clients.

The role will involve approximately 20 hours per week, March – October, and will require occasional travel to other areas of Andalucia.

Applicants must own a car, live within 30 minutes of Vejer, speak fluent Spanish and English, have a passion for customer service and an abundance of local knowledge. Please apply in writing only with your CV and a covering letter introducing yourself to Caroline Ashworth: caroline@vintagetravel.co.uk, www.vintagetravel.co.uk

1 Finger pointer (7)

2 Negotiate (7)

3 Hindu religious teacher (5)

4 Delicate in meaning (6)

5 Restricted (7)

6 Kitchen tear-jerker? (5)

7 Cog (5)

13 Brutal bully (7)

15 Wrap up (7)

16 Nuns (7)

17 Counterfeit (6)

18 Temperamental (5)

19 Perplexed at the Greek letter (5)

21 Holy war (5)

Expensive ham

A SPANISH tourist in Australia barely had one leg in the country before he was sent back under beefed-up biosecurity laws over failing to declare ham and cheese in his luggage.

The 20-year-old man had his visa cancelled and was fined $3,300 for carrying more than one kilogram of undeclared pork and cheese.

He was stopped at Perth Airport when 275 grams of pancetta, 665g of cured ham and about 300g of goat cheese in his luggage.

The Australian government had recently announced a beefing up of penalties for people caught with banned items to stop diseases and pests from entering Australia.

Positive picture

Bumper year for tourism as cash flows in

TOURIST industry body

Exceltur says that the sector has ‘totally recovered’ after the Covid pandemic and has predicted a bumper year for revenues.

Exceltur’s Tourism Outlook report says the sector’s GDP reached €159 billion in 2022 - up 1.4% on the previous year and 4.7% on 2018. The report adds that 61% of economic growth in Spain last year was down to tourism.

Exceltur says the first quarter of 2022 was marked by

Just Grand

THE Grand Hyatt group will open its first hotel in Spain following a franchise agreement with the La Manga Club and Resort in Murcia

The complex is at present closed for significant renovations, and the well-established 192-room resort property will relaunch as the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club and Resort this spring.

Grand Hyatt claims La Manga’s facilities set a benchmark for sport in the Murcia region.

They include three championship level 18hole golf courses; outdoor tennis facilities; and the La Manga Club Football Centre

By Alex Trelinski

higher energy prices and problems with supplies due to the war in Ukraine, as well as the Omicron Covid variant, but that from April there was a travel recovery, especially in the leisure, meetings and congresses sectors.

The body believes that accumulated demand and the desire to travel have overcome the adverse effects on

Snow King

KING Felipe VI has spent the weekend skiing in Sierra Nevada.

The King travelled to Granada’s ski resort accompanied by his security team and a group of friends.

Felipe arrived on Saturday on a private visit, and was spotted wearing dark sunglasses having a drink on the terrace of the Lodge hotel.

personal income caused by inflation.

Exceltur expects consolidation of an upward trend throughout 2023, and a return to normality in international mobility, especially that of Asian travellers to Spain, plus the loyal Latin American market. A special focus has been put on Mexican trade, which rose by 80% last year.

Boosted

ed by the still high energy and borrowing costs, inflation and increases in salary costs.”

RECORD BREAKERS

which is currently home to La Liga second division side, Cartagena FC. A second Spanish outlet, the Grand Hyatt Lanzarote, is scheduled to open in 2025.

The report pointed out that a big increase in domestic tourism activity boosted the sector as the foreign visitor market continued to recover.

As for profitability, Exceltur said: “Business results will continue to be impact-

ANDALUCIA received 30.8 million tourists in 2022 and expects 2023 to be a record-break- ing Figuresyear.point at an in- flux of 33 million tour- ists to southern Spain throughout this year. The optimistic data was revealed by the Junta’s Juan Marin, at Fitur 2023, Spain’s big International Tourism Fair.

He then spent Sunday skiing with some friends in the Sierra Nevada resort, which has now opened Loma de Dilar and other ski lifts reaching 47 skiable kilometres, before stopping for lunch at the Alcazaba restaurant in Borreguiles (pictured). His timing was good - last Wednesday a 15cm snowfall forced the closure of the resort but it had reopened in time for the King’s visit with conditions described as perfect.

All aboard!

A NEW train service will soon provide a direct connection from Malaga city to the province’s most famous walkwayEl Caminito del Rey.

A Civia train, the same one used for the Cercanias of C1 (Coast) and C2 (Guadalhorce), has been doing test runs without passengers, with the service to be launched in March.

IF you tried to imagine the perfect rural farmhouse, there’s a chance it would look like this family-run gem, with its old tower, and stone walls smothered in ivy and jasmine. It’s equally enchanting inside with flagstone floors, beamed ceilings and lovely rooms, several of which have fireplaces. The huge farm is in the Sierra de Gata in the western region of Extremadura (close to Portugal and within visiting distance of Salamanca, Plasencia and Caceres). It’s excellent walking, riding and birdwatching country, but you may want to just sit and gaze into space.

www.fincaelcabezo.com

Hotel Consolacion, Teruel

WHERE is Teruel? Fair question. Not many people live here, few people visit, and hardly anyone has heard of it. A wild province, it belongs to Aragon in Spain’s northeast (halfway between Valencia and Barcelona, then in a bit) and, despite its splendid mediaeval villages, gorges, waterfalls and river trails, Hotel Consolacion is probably the best known thing in it – aside from the truffles and truffle hunters. The hotel is modern with striking, minimalist design and the most in-demand accommodation is in standalone cubes (called Kubes) offering uninterrupted views of nature, sunken baths, and hanging woodburners. www.consolacion.com.es

WINTER WARMERS

There are three wise ways to pass spare time in winter: hibernate, snow goose it down to the Southern Hemisphere, or head to a hotel with scenic views, great walks and a warm fire in the bedroom, writes

Sorrel Downer

IT’S not hard to find casa rurales and mountain hotels in Spain where you can sink into a deep sofa in front of a warm fire in the library or lounge, but if you want a flickering fire you can enjoy in your pyjamas and the privacy of your own room, this half dozen places tick all the boxes.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

TOWNHOUSE

IF you want snow (and it’s winter), you have a good chance of finding it here in Aragon’s high Pyrenees, 1230 metres up and just 20 km away from the ski slopes of Cerler y Benasque. The thick-walled 18th century house is exactly as a winter getaway should be, with wood-panelled rooms, plenty of charm. The multilevel suite El Torreon has its own cosy living room and fireplace as well as a hydro-massage shower, and there’s also a good place for lolling in front of the fire with a glass of wine in the shared areas. The hotel (its full name translates as The Holly Tree of Maria’s House) is set in the beautiful glacial landscape of the Benasque Valley.

www.casamuria.com

Hotel Vella comes from the 11th century, with atmospheric mediaeval architecture, antiques, paintings and many personal touches combined with contemporary, luxurious mod cons of a luxurious retreat. All rooms are gorgeous but one third of them – the Deluxe and Suites – are rendered heavenly with massive windows, open fireplaces, strategically positioned sofas and a supply of wood. This gem is located in 300 hectares of farmland and forest in the pre-Pyrenees.

www.hotelvellafarga.com

TH5404 139.950€

Fuente de Piedra, Malaga

3 bed, 2 bath Build: 141m2

This lovely property is located close to the famous flamingo lagoon and within walking distance to local amenities. Inside a bright well fitted kitchen with plenty of storage space, a toilet and large open plan lounge diner with patio doors to a private gated patio area.

Mollina Office

+34 952 741 525

info@inlandandalucia.com

Calle de la Villa 14, 29532 Mollina, Malaga www.inlandandalucia.com

STRIDE along the beaches of nearby Llanes or climb the mountains of Covadonga Natural Park or borrow a bike and explore the local villages, then come back and recover at this cosy place. Some rooms at the hotel have fireplaces, as have each of the apartments (just 400 metres away); there are views of the Picos de Europa – and you can even bring your dog. Perfect. lamontanamagica.es

NORTHEAST of Benicassim (as a reference to all rocking hipsters) in the lovely village of Vilafames, in the Valencian Community, this lofty 17th century manor house has been lovingly converted to preserve its architectural features and character. Among the nine rooms are three suites with wood-burning stoves visible from the beds. The hotel looks down from ivy-covered city walls across plains of ancient olives and almonds (in flower in January) to the weird and mighty Penyagolosa natural park.

www.eljardinvertical.com

Casa Muria, Huesca

Jardin Vertical, Castellón

Hotel Vella Farga, Lleida

Finca el Cabezo, Cáceres

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE FROM US TO YOU.

You can find more exclusive properties on our website. Are you interested in selling your property and having it advertised on multiple portals and newspapers or are you interested in buying a property?

CONTACT US: +34 676 90 15 19 | INFO@STRAND.ES | STRAND.ES

BENALMÁDENA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 74 M2 REF: STRANDP5000 | PRICE: 330,000€

ESTEPONA | 2 BEDS | 1 BATH | 64 M2 REF: STRAND1617 | PRICE: 450,000€

MIJAS | 3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 322 M2 REF: STRANDP1001 | PRICE: 1,400,000€

MARBELLA | 4 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 416 M2 REF: STRANDP8022 | PRICE: 4,450,000€

MÁLAGA | 1 BED | 1 BATH | 73 M2 REF: STRAND5607 | PRICE: 345,000€

MARBELLA | 3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 180 M2 REF: STRAND1546 | PRICE: 895,000€

MARBELLA | 6 BEDS | 6 BATHS | 842 M2 REF: STRAND8062 | PRICE: 3,750,000€

FUENGIROLA | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 93 M2 REF: STRANDP2013 | PRICE: 378,000€

MÁLAGA | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 113 M2 REF: STRANDM4014 | PRICE: 675,000€

MARBELLA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 167 M2 REF: STRAND3345 | PRICE: 690,000€

TORREMOLINOS | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 171 M2 REF: STRANDM5507 | PRICE: 2,100,000€

MARBELLA | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 99 M2 REF: STRAND5043 | PRICE: 649,000€

REuse REduce REcycle

Big pussy

A ‘big cat’ reported to be a ‘Siberian Tiger’ terrorising residents in Cadiz has turned out to be a household pussy, police report after days of surveillance.

Rotten plot

POLICE in Cordoba who arrested a gang which hid drugs inside fake tomatoes and used trucks to transport them to France, have seized 22,370kg of cannabis resin.

Maya gold

PABLO Picasso’s portrait of his toddler daughter Maya in 1938 is expected to fetch between €15 million and €20 million at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction in London.

O P LIVE RESS The ANDALUCÍA

A POLICEMAN has been suspended for moonlighting as a porn actor.

The cop in Sevilla had appealed against the six month unpaid suspension to the High Court in Madrid, protesting that he was unpaid for his starring roles.

But judges decided that he received ‘indirect benefits’ and threw out the appeal.

The Directorate General of the Police had imposed the suspension after it found the National Police officer had been advertising his extra-curricular activities on social media.

Police bosses decided this was ‘detrimental to the image of the force’.

DIRTY COP

By Dilip Kuner

The court ruled in its written judgement that ‘he advertised himself on social networks using a pseudonym as a pornographic actor.

“He was totally recognisable in several photos that he posted, some of which had a high sexual content.”

In addition, the officer provided contact details for hiring, as he apparently acted in ‘specialised rooms’, perform-

Bosom buddies

HABITUAL rows at a Spanish public swimming pool about women going topless might finally be settled after the town hall gave the practice its blessing. Previously the law in Cordoba was vague on the issue, resulting in frequent poolside blow outs between those who object to seeing breasts in public versus those who do not. What’s more, the Municipal Sports Institute has floated the idea of dedicated times for naturists to indulge in full-frontal nudity.

Policeman who stripped off to star in porn movies suspended

ing live pornographic shows and making videos.

The officer, who was stationed in the Macarena district police station, appealed the suspension claiming that the pro file he managed on social networks as a porn actor ‘was private, not open to the public’ and that he did not charge anything, ‘but did it as a hobby’. His image rights were assigned to the production compa ny and the police officer did not know if the company de manded payment for access to the con tent.

In a written sub mission to the court

No speaky English

his lawyer said: “He never worked as a professional, only as an amateur, without charging for image rights or identifying himself as a police officer and without using his own name.”

The policeman’s now ex-partner, who starred with him, told investigating internal affairs officers that she was paid €300 per scene, although the male ‘stars’ usually did not get paid. Judges decided that the officer would have indirectly benefited by ‘sharing expenses’ and that the scenes would not have been possible without him.

A WOMAN thought her foster dog was not obeying her demands because it was disobedient, but it turns out the pooch only understood Spanish.

Ariana Giampietro, 26, had been looking after American Pitbull pup Monty for about a week but he wouldn’t ‘sit’ when she asked him to in English.

When she asked the shelter she fostered him from, she then discovered he had previously lived on a farm with a Spanish family, and only understood Spanish words. Giampietro, an adoption case manager for children in care, from Florida then looked up the Spanish words for ‘down’ and ‘let’s go’ and when saying them aloud discovered how obedient Monty could be. She is now teaching him English words so he can become bilingual before he moves in with his new English-speaking adoptive family.