The
OLIVE PRESS
Mijas Costa SAN JAVIER
The box is open
Your expat
voice in Spain
VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 23 www.theolivepress.es October 7th - October 20th 2021
Hot on the trail Olive Press Editor Jon Clarke crisscrossed Spain and Portugal in his unrelenting search for prime suspect in the Maddie McCann case, Christian Brueckner. Read how he traced him to a hippie enclave hidden in the Granada mountains
See page 10
NAMED: Schiffer & Guardiola A HOST of Spanish gangsters, oligarchs and celebrities have been caught up in a giant offshore tax scandal. Former king Juan Carlos, football manager Pep Guardiola and singer Miguel Bose, are among the biggest Spanish names stung in the so-called Pandora Papers. But it is the Italian gangster Raffaele Amato, who was arrested in Malaga, model Claudia Schiffer, who has a home in Mallorca, and Julio Iglesias, who lives in Marbella, that will be of most interest locally. All of them have been exposed as having offshore accounts alongside at least five Spanish politicians in the giant trove of documents released this week.
Scrutiny
In total, around 600 Spaniards are now under scrutiny after being named in the Pandora Papers leak, which was compiled by over a dozen media groups around the globe. The papers also put the spotlight on Russian oligarchs and godfather Amato, who used offshore companies to amass wealth and assets in Spain. A series of well-known expats, such as pop star Shakira and Nobel-Prize winning author Mario Vargas Llosa, appear to have broken tax rules. The use of off-shore companies is not illegal or evidence of wrongdoing, but the papers show how the super-rich can amass wealth in ways that are not easy for tax agencies to detect. Spain’s tax agency Hacienda confirmed it would be examining the data dump of 11.9 million records. Opinion Page 6
FLAT WRONG!
Expats slam rental agency that ‘misleads’ prospective tenants at a steep price of €390 FURIOUS residents are calling for moves to clamp down on ‘scam’ estate agents after expats rallied together to share their experiences of the cheating business. Expats created a Facebook post about OPAU to explain why their trust in the business has collapsed. Estate agents OPAU, has franchise offices in Murcia, Valencia and Alicante but the complaints are centred on its Malaga office. It’s staff are accused of lying, dodgy dealing and bringing misery and stress to renters across the south of Spain. Expat Joyce Su, who first raised
lure you in, but mostly are not available.” She went on to accuse the company of ‘playing games’ by not answering the alarm, said she was deter- phone calls, always being unavailmined to speak out in a bid to able and sending clients on wild drive out the rogue estate agents. goose chases to find properties. The former fashion student, who “You pay an up front €390 agenstudied in Milan, said OPAU fre- cy fee and then sign a contract, quently gives misleading infor- which they can’t give you a copy mation about properties, and of because they say it’s ‘private for accused the firm of purposefully the company’,” she said. taking ‘agency-fees’ from house She added they send you viewings hunters to line their own pockets. spontaneously, but give you little The 33-year-old said: “If you are time to get to appointments and looking for flats, please avoid an don’t send photos. agency called OPAU. They have “As a result, there is a big chance many nice flats on Idealista to you will be running around to visit some horrible flat which is far from your requireOpen every day ments,” added Su, from Taiwan. Closed Monday She continued that after the viewing, clients are instructed to call back to the office or send an email and advise whether or not they like the property - but no one ever picks up the phones. “The only time you are allowed to call is from 4 to 8pm. 80% of the time all lines are busy and it is impossible to reach them,” she continued. reservas@palaciodelabellota.com “If you send an www.palaciodelabellota.com email there is still no response after C/Mosent Femades, 7 CP. 46002 VALENCIA days, weeks.” EXCLUSIVE By Kirsty McKenzie
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Su claims she is still ‘homeless’ and is determined to get a refund for the agency fee she paid in good faith. Dozens of expats shared similar experiences, complaining about poor value for money, gazumping, unnecessary delays and failure to communicate. One, Anna Indricane, said: “After the whole September spent with OPAU looking for a long term apartment, it has been a waste of time and money.” Tom Stenberg called OPAU a ‘scam’, while Don Simon Bolivar, from Bristol, said: “I’m amazed that they are still in business. There are many warnings about them.”
Lucky
Sheila Almas said: “We were lucky that we left the ‘nice looking’ office and said we are going to think about it. But I never got back to them after seeing many posts and stuff about them on the internet.” UK expat Maria said that she had gone to the company’s office in Malaga having seen a very nice flat advertised. “They made me believe I was going to the office to meet the agent who was going to show me the flat, but of course it was not like that. “The flat was not available and there were no agents, just this obnoxious lady who tried by all means to make me sign their contract. “Thank God I felt that something was off. I followed my instinct and left the office.” The Olive Press has tried to get in touch with OPAU, but the phone went unanswered and emails have not been replied to.
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Fatal attack A VALENCIA man has been stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s jealous ex-partner. Wilber de Jesus, 36,was ambushed as he and his girlfriend returned from a shopping trip.
MONK IN CELL Irish gangster remanded in custody by Irish court
Bizarre! A 76 YEAR-OLD man in Navarres was arrested for a bizarre attack where he sprayed 15 of his neighbour’s olive trees with herbicide, causing €3,000 worth of damage.
Solar no CAMPAIGNERS are opposing plans for a massive 87,000 panel solar farm between Jijona, Busot, and La Torre de les Macanes, saying it will blight 110 hectares of land and endanger rare fauna.
Paedo jailed A SICK paedo in his late 50s from Valencia region has been jailed for 50 years for sexually abusing five children and using them to produce pornography.
October 7th - October 20th 2021
CAUGHT: Hutch
IRISH gangster Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch appeared in a Dublin court after the Irish Air Corps laid on a plane to literally bring him to justice. He was flown back under the tightest security and formally arrested on the runway after the plane touched down. The 58-year-old was charged with the murder of David Byrne during a boxing match weigh-in at Dublin's Regency Hotel in
Welsh warrior arrest A WELSHMAN has been arrested in Valencia after stabbing a 51-year-old Spaniard six times following an argument in a bar. Apparently the victim, a resident of Xirivella, asked the aggressor, 54, to leave after disturbing the terrace customers. The Welshman, who lost his temper and attacked the man, claimed that the victim had thrown a chair at him after an argument. He said he stabbed him with a knife as a form of defence and his wounds are superficial. The wounded man ended up bleeding in the street after being stabbed in the abdomen, thorax and buttock. According to initial medical assessments, the injuries are superficial and the man is out of danger.
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February 2016. Hutch had been detained as he browsed a menu and prepared to order lunch in a restaurant in Fuengirola on Spain’s Costa del Sol. He had been hiding out in a spacious flat in the town’s Plaza de la Constitucion next to the main church in the heart of the busy resort. David Byrne, was shot dead when a five-strong squad stormed a boxing weigh-in at the hotel. It is thought to have been part of a feud between the Hutch and Kinahan gangs. Spanish police had lost his trail when he disappeared
from Lanzarote where he had been hiding out for a number of years. Police finally tracked him down by focusing on known associates in the hope that they would lead them to his bolthole.
Traced
He was finally traced to the apartment allegedly owned by a criminal associate and arrested at a local cafe. Spanish judges refused two appeals against extradition on a European Arrest Warrant, but said that should he be convicted, he should be returned to Spain to serve his sentence as he has residency here.
Telltale sign A BAKERY robber has been arrested after police spotted him with flour stains on his clothes. The Elche man, 42, forced his way into the premises with the help of a screwdriver and stole thousands in cash. Unfortunately, he triggered an alert with cameras beaming back live footage of the break-in to a security centre. Police responded with a good description locating the man walking the streets with flour on his clothes.
Justified killing A MAN who beat his 75-yearold father to death after discovering he had been abusing his nine-year-old son has been cleared of murder. Prosecutors in Torrent had requested up to nine years in prison for the incident, while a private prosecution sought by the elderly man’s family asked for 22 years. The grandfather had been suffering from lung cancer and his health was already in decline at the time, the court heard. He passed away four months after the beating, and the defence argued that the man died of natural causes relating to his age and chronic illness and not due to the beating. Instead, the defence asked for three months in prison for assault.
Cry
The attack occurred in 2016 when the accused picked up his son from school and the child began to cry in the car, going on to tell his father about the sexual assault. On learning this, the defendant said that he had travelled to the home of his father to confront him over the accusations, but had not intended to commit murder. Following the attack the defendant returned to his home, collected his ID and turned himself in at a police station.
NEWS
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October 7th - October 20th 2021
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OLIVE PRESS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
What Charlie did next Charlie Mullins was the Mr Big of plumbing and now has his heart set on becoming the next big musical mogul - watch out Simon Cowell IT used to be that Charlie Mullins was best known for his plumbing. And it’s true to say that the 60-something Londoner first came to international attention for making the blue-collar job sexy in the city, with smart uniforms, liveried vans and a touch of lavatory humour - plumbing-themed number plates (LAV 1, F1USH). Over 40 years on, he still knows his way around a lavatory. But after selling the company he founded 42 years ago to a
US-based home services provider in a multimillion pound deal, Charlie tells the Olive Press he’s pleased that he ‘won’t have to clean any more toilets’. Britain’s richest plumber was in high spirits when we chatted to him from his plush La Cala pad shortly after he sealed the deal to sell Pimlico Plumbers to US company Neighborly, owned by the private equity firm KKR, with his son Scott remaining as CEO and retaining a 10% share in the company. The press initialTHUMBS ly reported that UP: Good selling off the news for plumbing and Charlie electricals business will have netted him a profit of around £110million, but the holder of the first OBE ever awarded for services to plumbing, tells us it is much higher. “The lawyers are still working it out but the deal is going to make me much more than those reports claimed,” he says with
FORMER Marbella resident Sean Connery has been named as the people’s favourite James Bond. As Daniel Craig hands back his licence to kill with the release of No Time to Die and speculation mounts on his replacement, jewellers Angelic Diamonds decided to find out how Craig measured up to his predecessors. Pretty well, it turned out as he came in at number two. But the top Bond of all time is the man who defined the role - the late Sean Connery. Pierce Brosnan came in ahead of Roger Moore at number three. Research from data com-
By Kirsty McKenzie
characteristic candour while sunning himself at his home on the Costa del Sol. “The company was always going to be worth more than that. Ballpark I think it will be between £125 to 145million. “I’m delighted. Pimlico has been my life for the last 40 years, handing it over to my son Scott, I couldn’t be happier, I think they are well set to take it international. SUCCESS: He enjoys the good life
Cowell
“It was getting to the point where I was thinking how we were going to expand it over the next ten year and whether that was something I wanted to do. Now Scott can build on what I started - and I can focus on other things.” Namely, becoming Spain’s answer to Simon Cowell. Yes, really. “I’m going from plumbing to pipes!” he hollers down the phone, cackling madly. “I know common sense and business and I think why not? I’ve always been into my music.” Indeed tinkering with music management might not be as mad as it sounds. Charlie,
Double 0 top piled from monthly Google searches, Instagram hashtags, and Wikipedia page visits revealed the controversial Scotsman to be top. Fond for his love of golf in and around Marbella, Connery eventually left Spain in the 1990s, dismayed at the number of new properties being built in the area. He famously quipped: “These people are not going to see me in my underpants, I am leaving Marbella.” He may have passed away in 2020, but Connery lives on in the memories of legions of 007 fans.
a council estate lad who left school at 15 with no qualifications, has always been strategic. Friends liken him to a great pool player: as he lines up one shot, he’s making sure he’s set up for the next. But despite his success and reputation as a ballsy and bullish business tycoon, Charlie is the first one to pull somebody’s chain. “I can’t even sing in the shower,” he jokes. “But I know talent. Who knows, maybe this will be the first step at a talent management company along the Costa del Sol.” His first client is Rara, a Cheltenham-born singer who has recorded with the legendary David Bowie producer Tony Visconti. Her songs and vocals have featured on albums including Dean Street Studios, Beach Grooves and Perfect Havoc and Charlie is certain she’s destined for big things. “I see her at the top of the charts. Her next single Bad Boys is going to be huge.” Charlie and Rara first became friends after he spotted her on the entertainment circuit on the Costa del Sol, and he said he knew instantly she would become a star. “There’s always been something about her. I predict she is the next Amy Winehouse.” Like Rara, Charlie loves being in the limelight - “It’s just good business sense. I worked that
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out 30 odd years ago” - with former clients including the Dames (Judy and Helen) Chris Tarrant, Hugh Grant and Joanna Lumley “She did our ads for us,” he says. “Never met her, but I absolutely adore her. My engineers always told me everything and she’s known for being very, very nice.”
Life
Another big move ahead is securing a permanent home in Spain. He’s got his lawyers working on securing him dual citizenship so he - a firm Remainer - can enjoy life on the Costa regardless of what Brexit throws at him. He has his eye on building his property portfolio down the coast. The next stop? “It’s got to be Marbella doesn’t it?” Charlie is 68 – he’ll be 69 next month - and he isn’t showing any sign of scaling down his professional endeavours. Might he ever retire? “I don’t really understand the concept,” he says. “I’m very permanently in Spain now and there are plenty of great singers on the Costas. I am just here to give them the right advice and point them in the right direction,” he laughs. “And have a good time.” Nothing gets in the way of Charlie having fun, or – you sense – in the way of making millions.
WAGS ON TOP WHEN it comes to WAGS, Barcelona resident Shakira reigns supreme. The singer, who is married to Spanish footballing legend Gerard Pique, beat off competition from Victoria Beckham and Perrie Edwards to score first place and be named the most successful soccer WAG in the world, scoring 99 out of 100. The word itself - which stands for footballers’ wives and girlfriends, came to prominence during the mid 2000s when strikers wanted to pose on the cover of Hello! with streaky tans and a Hermes clad spouse. But WAGS have always been more than arm candy - and now we have the stats to prove it. The data analysis team at SlotsUp have crunched the numbers to show that the wives and girlfriends of football's most popular players are successful in their own right. Shakira definitely fits the bill. The 44-year-old is even more successful than her famous footballer husband with a predicted net worth of €296,399,800 and a social media following of over 122 million.
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Mission (nearly) accomplished
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A FREE competition has been launched to name a cute young guide dog puppy. As part of their ongoing support for the ONCE Foundation for Guide Dogs (FOPG), Specsavers is running the competition all month. The lucky winner will have the honour of naming the guide dog puppy, as well as winning a prize hamper, including a pair of designer sunglasses. The competition is part of Blindness Awareness Month and you can email your entry to paul.ainsworth@specsavers.com, mentioning you read about it in the Olive Press. Specsavers Ópticas is located in Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, Torrevieja, La Zenia and Guardamar on the Costa Blanca.
HEARTLESS Worse
Language and Culture
Name a puppy!
THE Valencian authorities are set to lift the remaining COVID restrictions this weekend. The region is currently in the ‘de-escalation’ phase which lasts until October 8. Regional president Ximo Puig announced that if the infection rates continue to decline then the authorities will lift the majority of remaining restrictions. This could include the full reopening of all nightlife venues. Currently dancing has returned and venues have a capacity of 75%. Karaoke has also been permitted, but a mask must be worn. Opening hours were extended until five in the morning.
WHEN Victoria Jenkins’ partner Lee did a runner leaving her and their son in Spain, she didn’t think life could get any worse. But the expat family have been evicted after their €320,000 home was sold at auction without their knowledge over an unpaid property tax. The Essex mum from Chelmsford had moved to Mijas with her partner when their child Samuel was four-years-old.
Instilling Values
But when he left to go on a business trip to Indonesia some years back, she never heard from him again. Her nightmare got worse when it took an incredible three years of court appearances to win full custody of Samuel, now 14, with a judge finally ruling she could stay in the family home until
Expat mum and teenage son lose home after courts send legal notices to wrong address EXCLUSIVE By Fiona Govan
her son turned 18 in 2026. “I gave up any hope of child support because Lee simply vanished into thin air, but although our home was in his name, it was paid off and I was assured we could stay in it until my son reached his 18th birthday,” she told The Olive Press. “I just got on with things and tried to bring up my son as best I could,” she said. Then in November 2020, there was a knock at the door and she was given an eviction notice. “It turns out that my ex had a €4,000 debt of unpaid ground tax with the town hall so they
Mas outrage Disruptive Educational Approaches
Educational Spaces Art and Science
A MAN whose partner and son were killed when his home collapsed has been threatened with a fine by a telephone company to return his router. It comes despite the man telling MasMovil that it lies buried among the rubble of his former home. His house in Peñíscola, Castellon collapsed in August, killing his 14-year-old son as well as his 54-year-old partner. Despite cancelling his phone and internet contract with the company, it didn’t stop MasMovil from chasing him for a fine for the router. “After explaining the situation, they didn’t rectify the situation and demanded that I return the device,” he said. “I was enraged. It’s totally surreal in fact.” A letter from the company informed him that the collapse did not exempt him from the penalty for not returning the router.
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“Our terms and conditions do not cover this case. We apologise for the inconvenience,” it read. After a public outcry the company has now apologised to the man and has stated that he will not have to pay for the router after all. Authorities meanwhile continue to investigate the cause of the disaster. Alberto Rubio, a director from the Department of Housing explained that the house was around 30 years old and was not constructed using reinforced concrete.
A MOTHER has been arrested for child abandonment after throwing out her two sons to ‘teach them a lesson’. Their school in Los Alcazares called the Guardia Civil after hearing about their circumstances. The adolescent boys were ejected in August and lived on the streets for a few days. Some of their belongings were stolen during that experience and they ended up staying at a friend’s house. Details about what prompted the 36-year-old mother’s behaviour are scant, short of the fact
put a forced sale on it and someone bought it at auction for €25,000.” Amazed that the house her husband paid €320,000 was sold off for so little, she immediately went to the court to find out how it happened without her knowledge. “I was told it was a done deal and that this final eviction notice was definitive and that my time to defend it had passed because I had ignored all the previous legal notices. “I took a private lawyer with me to the court to demand my case file and discovered that all the previous legal notices had been sent to the wrong address. “My lawyer said I could appeal because of this but a year later and still no one will listen to me. I keep being told that I am too late. But how can I be too late when I was never informed in the first place?” She was told that she must vacate the property by October 5 this week, but can launch an appeal in Madrid.
Case
That however will take many months and up to 14 weeks alone just to get a legal aid lawyer assigned to her case. “The judge said I was out of time and that the eviction must go ahead,” she said, sobbing. “I’m packing up our stuff and have no choice but for us to go and stay on a friend’s sofa.” And so it came to pass when yesterday the previous court order allowing her to stay in the home was completely ignored with the duo being evicted. “Two court officials, two police officers, the two new owners, a locksmith and some other guy showed up, eight in total, all to make sure that we left the premises,” she added, ‘it was horrible.’ Opinion Page 6
Harsh lesson that she wanted to make an example out of the boys. She refused to let them back home after their ‘homeless’ experience. After briefly staying with their older brother, they found temporary accommodation thanks to the parents of a schoolmate who agreed to put them up until the conflict was resolved.
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Trolled over THE Olive Press has won a victory against ‘evil’ online trolls who have attacked the family of missing Madeleine McCann for the last 14 years. Their aggressive campaign to destroy a new book on the mysterious disappearance and its links to prime suspect Christian Brueckner has taken a hit. Their so-called ‘trolling’ aimed to influence buyers of the book by Olive Press editor Jon Clarke on Amazon, by giving it one-star reviews. Partly spearheaded out of Spain by a retired British detective, the group have long claimed that Kate and Gerry McCann were to blame for the death of their three-yearold daughter, in Praia da Luz, in Portugal, in 2007.
Alarming
An alarming 27% of all Amazon reviews were for just one star, many by ‘reviewers’ who had not even purchased the book. After removing nearly 20 reviews, Amazon told the Olive Press the company will now be considering ‘legal action’ against those that violate Amazon’s policies. The company’s Dagmar Wickham said: “We have clear policies that prohibit abuse of our community features, and we suspend, ban, and take legal action against those who violate these policies.”
NEWS
October 7th October 20th 2021
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Tourist tax CONTROVERSY continues to rage over the introduction of a tourist tax for Valencia. The regional parliament spent a record 10 hours debating the issue, with the chamber divided over the levy. The divisive plan has parties Compromis and Unidas Podemos supporting the idea, with the governing socialist party (PSPV) largely agreeing. Opposition parties, including the PP and VOX, oppose the idea.
Controversial plans on the table to charge visitors extra to fill government coffers By Rob Kiteley
The potential cost of the tax in Valencia is currently unknown. However other regions across Spain have adopted similar measures. Visitors to Barcelona currently pay a similar charge when staying in tourist accommodation such as camp-
Drone expansion DRONES could be flown above all Valencian beaches next year after a pilot scheme saved six lives during August and September. The authorities have branded the experiment in ten municipalities a success. The units were used from early August in Cullera, Gandia, Alboraya, Denia, Javea, Benidorm, Guardamar, Burriana, Peñíscola and Oropesa. They clocked up 152 hours in 861 flights covering 2.137 kilometres. Besides basic surveillance of beach areas, the drones also went out further to sea to check on weather conditions. Interior Minister Gabriela Bravo said: “The drones saved six lives in direct rescue operations and fully justified our investment in them.” She added: “They probably saved many more lives due to their use for surveillance.”
sites, hotels, guestrooms and on cruise ships. The tax, known as la tasa turistica, is charged on accommodation bookings and is paid as guests check out of their accommodation in the city. The Catalan capital charges €2.25 for 5-star hotels, €1.10 for 4-star hotels and €2 for 3-star hotels or less. In the case of apartments, guests pay a single rate per person per night of €2.25. The tax is also applied throughout the rest of Catalonia, although charges are usually lower.
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The debate is set to continue in the run up to the passing of the budget this month. In September the Valencian Community saw its average hotel occupancy close to 70% in most destinations, with the city of Valencia leading the way with an average of 71.5%. The province of Castellon saw 68.6% during the same period, and Benidorm registered an average of 68.4% and the Costa Blanca 67%.
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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 HEARTLESS SYSTEM OUR story of the eviction of a mother and her teen boy from their own home over a paltry €4,000 debt shows Spanish bureaucracy – and its legal system- in the worst possible light. Papers served to the wrong address meant that Victoria Jenkins had no idea that her €320,000 house was at threat over unpaid property taxes. Her local council then took her to court – without papers ever having been served on her and without her knowledge – and got an order against her. The house was then sold at auction for the ridiculously low amount of €25,000 and the new owners have secured an eviction notice against Jenkins. An appeal will be a long drawn-out process, and in the meantime Jenkins and son Samuel will have to rely on friends until they can find a better alternative. Such a situation can only be described as one thing while, possibly, the letter of the law was followed, it has exposed the legal system as heartless.
BITTER TASTE THE Pandoras Papers leak of records – while proving no criminality – has uncovered the murky world of offshore financing. From politicians to business magnates, pop stars to footballers, the lid has been lifted on just how many famous names in Spain have stashed wealth overseas. An investigation is being launched, which for some of those named may be an uncomfortable experience. Even if they have done nothing wrong by the strictest legal definition, some 600 wealthy Spaniards and famous names are now being associated in the same group as tax-dodging oligarchs, gangsters and fraudsters. In a time when many people have been struggling financially through no fault of their own, the fact people with unimaginable wealth have been hiding it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. For many years Spain used Gibraltar’s finance industry as a stick to beat the Rock with – largely unfairly. Well maybe those Spanish commentators should have been looking a little closer to home at its own citizens and residents.
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Getting out of Dodge SARAH O’Neill has travelled for most of her adult life and was living in Malawi, Africa, in the three years running up to the referendum. So to see her country suddenly wrenched from the bulk of Europe by Brexiteers who had been fed so many lies was extremely upsetting. “I was devastated by the 2016 result,” explains the 49-year-old charity worker, originally from London. “I came back to the UK in August 2017, hoping to return to the charity/non-profit sector, but there was nothing. “No-one knew what was going to come with Brexit, and there was belt-tightening and freezing of employment everywhere.” A family apartment in Nerja (Malaga) was her one golden opportunity to ‘get out of Dodge’. “I moved in May 2018 to get all my ducks in a row before the Brexit deadline. “I learnt Spanish, obtained my residency and swapped my driving license over.” She continues: “Before Brexit, I came and went as I pleased, and I had plenty of visitors from all over Europe.” “But then of course, COVID happened, and then the true outcome of a hard Brexit.” It has certainly not been a bed of roses, she insists, however. “I have often wondered if I’ve done the right thing. Life here is not easy, and the earnings are much less than the UK, employment is scarce, and the TEFL industry (Teaching English as a First Language) is particularly awful. “We have sunshine, of course, but I do miss my friends and family.”
Brefugees Simon Wade speaks to the real Brexit leavers, on why they decided to escape to Spain, and whether they have any regrets
B
RITISH expats living in Spain watching events unfold in the UK in recent days may be forgiven for feeling a certain Schadenfreude as critics of the government lay the blame with Brexit. As British petrol pumps run dry and with the threat of empty shelves by Christmas, The Olive Press sought out the views of those who made the move to Spain as Brexit loomed.
Hate what the UK has become DAVID Waters doesn’t mince his words. “I hated what the UK had become after the Brexit vote, particularly as we lived in an area where the majority were Brexiters,” the retired policeman explains from his new home in the Canary Islands. Citing a lack of freedom of movement in Europe and a weak withdrawal agreement, he and his wife Anne
couldn’t ‘wait to get away’. “We sold up, lock, stock and barrel and moved to Lanzarote” he continues. While the Lancashire couple couldn’t move until the end of the transition period, they had to get visas which are reviewed every two years until they’re both accepted as permanent residents. The 64-year-old, who is now writing a blog about
his experiences, adds: “Although it wasn’t an ideal time for us, we thought ‘if not now – when’?”
WORRY FREE LIFE AS A PENSIONER HELEN Singh made the incredibly brave move from Yorkshire to Spain after the Brexit result. The Remain voter, from Harrogate, took the decision after seeing what was happening to the UK, post-Brexit. “I always wanted to live in warmer climes, [and] the Brexit result was a decisive moment.” She eventually moved and gained residency in 2019: “I sold up, moved to Mazarron (Murcia) alone and have never
looked back.” Now retired and ‘living life to the full,’ she continues: “I would never have had a life as a pensioner in the UK.” “Here I have made friends and can afford a worry free life - I definitely made the right choice. “I knew I would never go back, it depresses me to see a government that is destroying my country and I cannot forgive them for that.”
FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS EXCLUSIVE: Expats rights are ‘really important’ to the British government, UK’s Europe Minister tells Fiona Govan
T
HE UK’s Europe Mi- working very closely with nister has told the them and with the Spanish Olive Press how she authorities to work throuhas been liaising gh the details,” she told with expat groups before the Olive Press at the Brisitting down with the Spa- tish embassy. nish government. “Citizens’ rights continue Wendy Morton met a num- to be really really imporber of campaign groups tant to us,” continued Morin Madrid prior to a series ton, 54, who has been a of key meetings with the Conservative MP in the West MidSpanish government to lands since ‘iron out’ is- ‘Citizens’ rights 2015 and sues that have joined Boris continue to be Johnson’s caemerged under the Brexit binet in Fereally really bruary 2020. Withdrawal important to Morton acAgreement. knowledged Chief among us’ the ‘challenthe concerns ges of worraised by Bremain in Spain, Brexpats king though bureaucracy’ and EuroCitizens were faced by many expats in continuing problems with Spain and said she would driving licence exchanges be raising issues with the and residency applications Spanish government. being rejected. “We are working towards “These groups provide a a long-term solution for vital communication chan- the exchange of driving linel with the expat commu- cences,” she said, adding nities in Spain and we are that the deadline had al-
ready been extended to October 31 for those who had registered their intention before the December 30 cut off point last year. “Whether it is MET: Wendy Morton and Gonzalez-Barba an extension of that dead- ble approach’. line, or a bi-lateral agree- Since Spain introduced ment, this is a live issue the new residency card for that causes concern and Brits in Spain, the TIE, on we are working on the de- July 6 last year, 168,700 tails,” she explained. applications have been reFor those who have had ceived. their residency applica- Spanish authorities report tions rejected by the au- that 2,400 applications thorities and believed they have so far been rejected. met the criteria the minis- The British government ter said: “Our advice is to does not agree with peoseek proper legal advice.” ple being sent notices teBut she did say that she lling them to leave the would be raising the issue country within 15 days. during talks with Spain’s “It does not agree with the Secretary of State for the 15-day time limit and we EU Juan Gonzalez-Barba will be bringing it up with and was working on ‘the the Spanish authorities,” possibility of a more flexi- she said.
October 7th - October 20th 2021
www.theolivepress.es
7
You need to know!
Y
OU picked up this newspaper for free and we at the Olive Press are committed to continuing to provide free editions every fortnight. But between print editions you can find articles posted on our website every day where not only do we cover breaking news as it happens but also accurate and up to date, need to know, information about the areas that you live in. You will also find longer reads that we don’t have the space to publish here on the pages of this newspaper. Plus interviews, videos, picture galleries and explainers delving behind the daily issues that are important in Spain. We highlight interesting places to visit in Spain, going off the beaten track to discover corners that you won’t read about in the guide books. Plus all the latest on newest hotels and restaurants that you will want to visit.
BREXIT
WANTED FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT ESSEX couple Ian and Eve Honeywood, from Chelmsford already had their ‘small but sufficient property’ that they used as a holiday home, so making the jump wasn’t so huge. Spain was their escape from long, stressful hours working in supermarket logistics and they always planned to retire here. “Being here in Frigiliana (Malaga) was our heaven, all our stress was left at the airport,” explains Ian. The 64-year-old knew that when Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees Mogg announced they were backing the leave campaign, it ‘would be riddled with lies’. “I completely understand why the UK voted out - ‘Leave’ lied and ‘Remain’ had a poor campaign,” he insists. “On the morning of June 24, 2016, I decided I wanted to leave the UK. “I watched the country deteriorate over a period of time and no longer wanted to live in a place I believed was sinking. “I wanted to be European and I wanted the freedom to roam, work and live where I wanted ... within weeks we had left the UK.” They quickly settled into the Spanish way of life and gained residency after just a year.
CLIFF James vowed never to return to the UK after leaving for foreign shores following the referendum in 2016. “The result was a huge shock, like a bereavement,” the 49-year-old from Cambridge explains. “Overnight, it felt like the country had returned to the Dark Ages of igno-
Fascinating
Wife Eve, 61, admits: “I haven’t regretted the move for one single day. We’re the lucky ones as living here before Brexit guaranteed our right to remain.” “I feel desperately sorry for all those people in the UK that have had a lifelong dream of moving here in retirement now become very complicated, if not impossible.” She continues: “The rights of the young British people have been taken away and I hope things will change for them in the future.”
Not returning to the Dark Ages rance and hatred.” He continues: “It was always clear that the basis of the debate was about racism and xenophobia, rather than economics or sovereignty. “All this nonsense about the colour of passports and ‘taking back control’ was just an excuse to retreat to some feudal ideal of ye olde England, where power is concentrated in the hands of the political classes.” The former journalist adds: “I had been searching for something better,
somewhere more hopeful and forward-looking, a utopia maybe.” After travelling for a year, taking in Himalayan temples, peace projects in Israel and Palestine, and serving at refugee camps, he met his future husband, Alvaro, in Buenos Aires. The pair are now settled in their ‘utopia’ in Fiñana (Almeria), where they run a farm, making olive oil. His Brexit ‘odyssey’ provided inspiration for his book, Life As A Kite, a political travelogue about leaving the UK because of Brexit and looking back at the country as things went from bad to worse.
Halfway through cancer treatment SHAZ Hopson, from Nottingham, made the leap to Spain despite being halfway through cancer treatment. The ex-public sector worker made the brave decision as she and her husband, Frank, were so sure it was the right place to live. “I wasn’t going to let cancer stop me,” the 58-year-old insists. “I was halfway through chemotherapy treatment when we left, and Spain then took over my treatment schedule. After two major surgeries, ra-
diotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy in Spain, she has been classed as ‘cancer free’ since October 2018. “We knew we wouldn’t be able to do it if we waited until afterwards, so I took early retirement and we moved to Pliego (Murcia) in 2018.” “Try doing that post-Brexit,” she quips. Shaz now spends much of her time working as a voluntary counsellor for the MABS cancer charity, and walking her 14-year-old dog, Jess.
New job, new friends! AMELIA still jokes that she must be the only person in the world to be thankful of COVID. She says she was ‘terrified’ living in England on her own during the pandemic, largely because of the way the UK government handled the crisis. In contrast, she insists attitudes were so much better in Granada, where her mum Diana lived. Just as the end of the Withdrawal Agreement was looming, the 30-year-old moved to Spain in August 2020, and started learning the language. Despite having the support of mum, the lack of available jobs made the move difficult. But Amelia eventually got all her papers sorted, and now lives and helps run a Dutch bar in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol. “I have absolutely no regrets, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” she exclaims. “I’ve got new friends. I enjoy my work. We all have fun, we all moan, and it does get stressful. “Yes, hard work I have never been happier. The quality of living is so different in Spain compared to the UK. “I feel truly blessed to have found an amazing job and live in a beautiful country.”
Online you will find stories such as the fascinating tale of the Malaga flamenco dancer who came from a humble background to win the heart of an Indian Maharaja. You will discover why archers armed with bow and arrows could be the solution to Spain’s growing problem with rampaging wild boars terrorizing urban areas. Need to know the latest on driving licence exchange rules post Brexit? Or what the most recent travel rules are? Check online and you’ll find it all there. But in order to do this, and build our website into a valuable news source with a strong reputation for accurate reporting in English on the issues that matter to you, we have to ask for a small fee. That way we can avoid sensationalist click-bait news and annoying pop-up adverts and make sure we focus on the issues that are important to our community.
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The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Charlie Mullings reveals 1- EXCLUSIVE: plans to become spain’s Simon Cowell could eruption of la palma 2- ANALYSIS: volcano trigger a tsunami WATCH: storms hit southern Spain cau3- sing floods that turned streets into rivers admitted for gallstone 4-opBritbutex-footballer loses right leg at scandal hit hospital on spain’s costa Blanca - VOLCANO UPDATE: sulfur dioxide cloud 5spain from the La Palma volcano to hit mainland today as volcano enters more explosive phase
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GREEN
www.theolivepress.es
October 7th - October 20th 2021
YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE PAYING THE PRICE
B
LAH, blah, blah! So said climate activist Greta Thunberg when she castigated politicians as she led climate protests in Milan. Interestingly, many politicians support her point of view that younger generations are suffering from the results of older generations’ actions. She added: “Hundreds of millions of you are facing rising seas, failing crops, burning forests, and evermore ferocious storms - daily challenges that lead to lost opportunity. And your future is literally being stolen before your eyes.” Even Boris Johnson agreed that the protesters have every right to be angry with those who are not doing enough to stop it. As always senior politicians try to say the right thing. The UK prime minister is currently sensitive to this as he is chairing the COP26 conference next month in Glasgow.
WHAT IS THE COP26 CONFERENCE? The Conference of Parties was established by the United Nations in 1995.
As far as the environment goes, this meeting of world leaders is probably the most important this century. It will have a huge impact on the world’s climate control crisis. It will be held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12. Resolutions passed will make major changes in our everyday lives. The world is warming because of fossil fuel emissions caused by humans. The last 10 years have been the warmest since records began in 1850. Extreme weather events have been witnessed around the world heatwaves, floods, forest fires. At this conference, 200 countries are being asked to present their plans to cut emissions by 2030. Some of the expected announcements could include: • • •
Making a faster switch to electric cars Speeding up the phasing out of coal powered stations Cutting down fewer trees, and planting millions more
Watch out - it will be all over the news. Over
Green
Matters
WALK THE WALK
By Martin Tye
It’s time to stop talking the talk and actually take action 25,000 people are expected in Glasgow and not just the world leaders, negotiators and journalists. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to be in Scotland’s largest city. There will be a mountain of talk about climate justice and money. In a nutshell, the developed countries of the world have proved reluctant thus far to put their hands deep enough in their pockets. Developed countries are responsible for past emissions. Emerging economies experience some of the worst effects. And they have no money. Huge investment is needed to help countries produce electricity from renewable technologies such as solar and wind. For example, India produces 70% of its electricity requirements from burning coal.
China’s position will be key. Apart from its obvious intentions to rule the world, it is the world’s biggest polluter and has invested heavily in coal powered stations all over the world. We need to look past Boris’s inevitable posturing and examine the facts. I, sadly, share the same view of many scientists that we have left it too late to avoid containing temperature increases below the 1.5C agreed by world leaders with the Paris Agreement in 2015. It’s an old adage, but rings true… ‘No pain,no gain’ Are we prepared to make painful decisions to protect our world for future generations?
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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THE sale of fruit and veg in plastic packaging is to be banned in Spain from 2023. A royal decree is in the process of being passed, which will ban plastic wrappings weighing less than 1.5 kg. However, there will be some exemptions, including the packaging of food ‘at risk of spoilage when sold in bulk’, which will be put on a list to be drawn up by AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition). The decree also sets specific targets to reduce the use of plastic
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THE first bird census carried out in Sierra de las Nieves, in Malaga, has confirmed the presence of 82 species. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this park, in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda mountains, together with nearby Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales Natural Park, forms part of one of the major birding hotspots in Spain. The most abundant bird species detected was the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), with 324 specimens, followed by the redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus).
containers and promote reusable ones. These include halving the number of plastic bottles sold by 2023; making 100% of packaging recyclable by the end of the decade and making 50% of packaging sold in hotels, restaurants and cafés reusable by 2025. Not everyone is convinced the legislation is the right way forward. Galician chemist Deborah Garcia Bello argues that specialists in materials science should be consulted. She claims that the change will make the problem of food waste worse. She said: “Food needs to be preserved and kept safe for the longest time possible, and this is very much dependent on packaging.
Tools
“The new regulations will result in companies opting for packaging made from less sustainable and non-recyclable materials, such as plasticised cartons.” She advocates using tools such as reusable bags made of raffia, polyester or polyethylene netting, which although plastic can be reused. Other measures being considered include finding alternatives to plastic bottles and single use plastic cups at events, and encouraging people to bring their own reusable containers to be filled in shops.
LA CULTURA Johnny cancelled
HOLLYWOOD star Johnny Depp warned that no-one was safe from ‘cancel culture’ as he collected San Sebastian’s Donostia Award in the face of criticism from women’s groups. The 58 year-old actor was heckled during a press conference in the northern Spanish city when a recording of exwife Amber Heard was played. Depp lost a libel battle with British tabloid The Sun that labelled him a ‘wife beater’ last year, when a London court ruled he had repeatedly assaulted his former partner Amber Heard. Addressing the protest he said: “It’s a very complex situation, this cancel culture, or this instant rush to judgement based on essentially what amounts to polluted air. “It’s got so far out of hand that I can assure you noone is safe, not one of you, so long as someone is willing to say one thing. It takes one sentence, then there’s no more ground,” he said as he picked up an honorary lifetime achievement prize.
October 7th October 20th 2021
9
BOLLYWOOD DREAMS
India’s hottest star heading for Spain this Autumn BOLLYWOOD royalty Deepika Padukone will be reportedly jetting into Mallorca to shoot scenes for her upcoming movie Pathan. A source said that the aim is to make the film, which also stars Shah Rukh, a visual spectacle that no one has seen before, with its director Siddharth Anand going out of his way to achieve this ambitious goal.
The UK’s Leading Online School
Exquisite
“No other Bollywood film has ever shot in these places so audiences, who haven’t been to these expensive and exquisite places, will see them for the first time. “Visually these settings will add grandeur and lavishness to the film,” the source was quoted as saying. As well as a 20 day stop on the Balearic island from October 10, the crew is also set to make pit-stops in Cadiz and Vejer De La Frontera. Born in Copenhagen to badminton player Prakash Padukone, Deepika was raised in Bangalore and
A British education from anywhere, anytime, taught by expert teachers. BEAUTY: Deepika Padukone
made her Bollywood debut with Om Shanti Om in 2012 The star is now one of the highest-paid actresses in India with accolades that include three Filmfare Awards and in 2018, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people
HOLD ON!
in the world by Time. Alongside her acting career, Padukone is vocal about issues such as feminism and depression, launching the foundation Live Love Laugh to create awareness about mental health in India.
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The Olive Press - 6/7/8 October 1/6 Page - 83 mm w x 170 mm h(all editions except Gib)
‘Making Tax Digital’ for Income Tax scheme delayed until 2024 explains Emilia Carvell
F
OLLOWING an announcement made by HMRC, it has been confirmed that the mandation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD) has been pushed back to April 2024.
Why has HMRC been delayed? Whilst there is no single answer to this question, we can shed some light on the reason for the decision, and the factors that have led to the delay. One of the biggest factors is pressure from accountants and accounting bodies. The accounting industry is understandably concerned about change from one annual tax return submission, to quarterly submissions - because whilst you may only have to submit for a single business, some accountancy practises may be looking at thousands of clients, with multiple self employments (not to mention property income!). Some accountants are predicting that MTD will require 30% more effort or input per client, and so have requested a longer lead time to prepare their clients, and their practice. The government have also stated that by pushing back the roll out date for MTD will better support businesses emerging from the pandemic - in a statement from Lucy Frazer, Finance Secretary to the Tre-
asury wrote: “The Government recognises the challenges faced by many UK businesses and their representatives as the country emerges from the pandemic over the last year. In recognition of this and of stakeholder feedback, we will now be introducing MTD for ITSA a year later, in the tax year beginning in April 2024”
So, what does this mean for you? To be honest, probably not much! Existing Olive Press readers will already know that we think preparation is key, and that hasn’t changed - but now you just have even more time to prepare! The purpose and functionality of MTD hasn’t changed - from April 2024 you will still be required to keep records digitally and submit quarterly updates for your property income & self employment. You will still be required to submit your annual Self-Assessment Tax Return for tax years prior to April 2024. The new penalty system that we wrote about in our previous article still stands but will now come into effect from April 2024.
Are there any benefits to the delay?
As much as it pains us to say, there absolutely is! Although we at APARI are super passionate about all things MTD, we are also completely aware that it is a big change for a huge number of taxpayers! By pushing back the start date of MTD ITSA to 2024, it means that the pilot scheme can be extended, ensuring that MTD is tried and tested by even more volunteers prior to mandation - any issues or setbacks should be addressed and fixed by HMRC during this time, meaning that the transition from SA100 to MTD should be as smooth as possible! It also gives taxpayers longer to get to grips with digital record keeping, and MTD ready software like APARI - if you sign up for free today, then by 2024 you’ll be a digital record keeping expert!
What’s the APARI verdict? APARI is already MTD ready, so we would of course have been thrilled for MTD to start from April 2023! However we are aiming to use this time to become even better for our users, and work towards making tax doable!
For all the latest information and advise visit www.apari-digital.com
10
LA CULTURA
In a third extract from his book My Search for Madeleine, Olive Press Editor Jon Clarke follows the prime suspect in the Maddie case around Granada
October 7th - October 20th 2021
GREEN AND GRUMPY IN THE GLASTONBURY OF SPAIN
I
LONG had a feeling Christian Brueckner - the current prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann mystery - would have links to Orgiva, with its little-checked, free-spirited community of international travellers tucked away in a string of hidden valleys. The Alpujarras is a region I know well having come across the fledgling Olive Press there in its first few months, while writing a travel article for a British magazine. An area of stunning natural beauty with fascinating local culture, I had stumbled across Issue 5 of this fine organ, while staying at an earthy guesthouse, just outside of Orgiva. Set up by a former energy trader, Jason, who was now living off grid and Mark, a grumpy journalist, who had worked for a few years at the Mercury press agency in Liverpool, it had plenty of attitude. Full of tales of corruption and pleas for the environment, it also turned a spotlight on the drug dealing and criminality the region had started to become known for. I was so impressed I called the pair for a meeting to see if we might work together on a launch of a separate edition of the paper over in Malaga, which came out in November 2006. I spent the next year driving backwards and forwards to Orgiva helping them with layout, editing and, ultimately, injecting a dose of commercial acumen. They may not have been business dynamos, but they certainly knew a lot about the weird mix of expats and Spanish who gravitated towards this inland region. I quickly learnt about the idiosyncrasies and oddness of Orgiva, and got used to the groups of hippies who whiled away the day sitting by the side of the road, smoking marijuana and drinking from litre bottles of beer and cider. This intriguing make-up started brewing in the 1970s, but accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s as no less than three distinct new age settlements grew up close to the town, one called Beneficio (meaning ‘Benefits’) with as many as 1,000 residents at certain times of year. Orgiva became famous for Spain’s number one hippie bash the free Dragon Festival – which plays a part in Brueckner’s story (see inset right) as he attended on various occasions I discovered. The festival launched in the traveller settlement of Cigarrones in 1997 and ran for well over a decade. With only
THE DRAGON FESTIVAL - AND WHERE HE CONFESSED a vague start and finish date, usually over a weekend in March, punters often arrived a week before and left a week later, if at all. While largely supportive (at least accepting) of this community, The Olive Press also ran its fair share of stories about the criminals, sex offenders and drug dealers that hid out in these nearby hills. The majority of residents were not officially registered on the town’s padron, nor did they pay taxes, despite sending their children to the local schools. Many also used false names. So I knew that finding Michael Tatschl - who was a former housemate and jailmate of Brueckner’s - or someone who knew him, wouldn’t be easy, but at least I had a head start with a photo. Calling a few contacts en route I discovered that he was better known as ‘Micha’ and that he had returned to live
VAN LIFERS: And a novel way to walk your dog in Tablones
THE Olive Press has established that Christian Brueckner (top left) spent many months living on and off near Orgiva. He was a frequent visitor to the nearby new age settlements, usually buying or selling drugs, and attended the famous Dragon Festival on various occasions. It was while attending one of these week-long bashes - staying in his giant Tiffin Allegro (pictured) - that he allegedly confessed that he knew what happened to Madeleine. “He turned up in this giant winnebago and we all wondered where he had got the money from,” said his former best friend Micha Tatschl. “I now wonder if it came from his involvement in the Maddie case.” Another former friend Helge Busching tipped off police that Brueckner told him at the festival in 2008 that he was involved in the abduction from Praia da Luz. All three of them had lived and socialised together on the Algarve, before living for years in Granada, the book My Search for Madeleine has established. in Austria some years earlier … but he was friendly and ‘fun to hang out with’. came back most years on holiday. I was He then volunteered that Micha had told he had a girlfriend, Cynthia or ‘Cyn’, lived with an English girlfriend, an artist and used to hang out at the so-called called Emma, for a number of years in Metal Bar on the edge of the town. the nearby village of Tablones. Despite the strict lockdown in Spain at Excitedly, I headed to Tablones but disthe time, the bar somehow managed to covered nobody knew her at all. It was stay open, providing an unofficial com- a community of properties and smallmunity drop-in centre for holdings, many of them the local traveller comshacks, spread over munity. about 16km square. The fact he was There was certainly a Frustrated, and melting collection of waifs and naked behind in the 38 degree heat, I strays at the bar and decided to take a closer on the terrace outside, three marijuana look at Micha’s photos many with dogs, when I on Facebook and spotplants didn’t arrived just before lunchted one of him standing time. even register! under a pergola of what Fortunately most of them looked like the porch of a were friendly, as was the home, clearly in southern landlord, who recognised Micha from Spain, with its line of parched hills with his Facebook photos, which is not too two fire breaks as a backdrop. The fact hard when you have a skull and cross- that he was apparently naked standing bones tattoo on your neck, your nipples behind three huge marijuana plants pierced and a girlfriend half your age didn’t even register! (see pic). Buena suerte, as the Spanish would say The landlord described him however as – by complete chance I looked up and ‘un muy buen tio’, or decent bloke, and saw the exact same line of hills in the
GRANADA PAL: Micha Tatschl and (above) travellers in Tablones distance and, crucially, the same fire breaks. It turned out I was standing just 200m away from the plot where he lived for many years and, after walking downhill for a minute, I met someone who knew Emma. It turned out to be Llewelyn Graves, the grandson of I, Claudius and Goodbye to All That writer Robert Graves, who was living in some sort of commune surrounded by vans. I tried to make conversation, knowing quite a lot about his British-born, Spain-based grandfather, who has a museum in Mallorca, where he wrote the seminal books in the 1930s. Unfortunately Llewelyn was in something of a rush, but he did at least point me in the direction of Emma’s finca. And joy of joys I was ushered in through the house into the shady back garden porch, where a bottle of cold cider was thrust into my hand. Sitting alongside another local expat Ben, we started chatting about The Olive Press. Half an hour later we had ‘Micha’ on the phone and over the next hour he blew the case wide open. FIND OUT HOW IN MY SEARCH FOR MADELEINE, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
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BUSINESS Teaming up October 7th October 20th 2021
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HEINEKEN’S pints are becoming greener than ever thanks to a new fleet of eco delivery trucks launched in Sevilla. Specially designed for the most sustainable transport of kegs by Andalucian brand Scoobic, the zero-emission vehicles mean the beers can arrive at bars with a lower CO2 footprint. The firm has now rolled out a new delivery fleet across the city which slashes the weight of beers by managing to compress eight barrels into a lighter load - meaning they can whoosh through the city’s narrowest streets at a speed of 7km/h. These zero-emission vehicles have already been spotted handing out Cruzcampo in the bars of the iconic Santa Cruz neighborhood. The objective is to avoid the emission of more than 21 thousand tons of CO2 each year and to help decongest traffic, reduce noise and visual pollution and create a more pleasant living space. The new delivery fleet is also set to boost job creation in the city, with the upcoming opening of the Scoobic - Heineken hybrid vehicle factory.
HEMORRHOIDS, RECTAL FISSURES
Johnny Depp partners with Spanish film production company to launch new European venture HOLLYWOOD actor Johnny Depp has announced plans to team up with a Spanish partner in a new European film production venture. The 58-year-old star unveiled plans for IN.2 Film, which will be a UK-based production house, during the 69th edition of the San Sebastian film festival where he received the Donostia award.
LA-based
This will be a sister company to his LA-based Infinitum Nihil which has been behind titles such as Gore Verbinski’s The Lone Ranger and Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows. The latest partnership involves an international development agreement with Adolfo Blanco´s A Contracorriente Films, a Spanish independent film distribution and production company. Blanco stated that he is ‘very proud to be working with Johnny Depp, and delighted to try and identify films with the ability to target specific
By Amber Edirisinghe
audiences and remain competitive in the market’. These new projects will add to the company’s ever growing list of titles such as Untouchable and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared as well as Aquí y allá and Varda by Agnès. With the help of producers
Alexandra Stone, Jelena Goldbach, Julien Temple and Jeremy Thomas, Depp and Blanco are currently working on a slate of productions set for 2022/2023, featuring films and television series. Depp and British producers Stephen Deuters and Stephen Malit, will be scouting for filmmaking talent around Europe, to create productions ‘focusing on European sensibility combined with American accessibility’.
OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 7 Dismantle three-ton hoe or face a binary choice (3,2,3,5) 9 Lament (5) 10 Spent (4,3) 11 Mountain pass (3) 12 Hong Kong martial arts actor Jackie --- (4) 14 Means (7) 17 Gold-extracting chemical (7) 19 Cons (4) 22 Mutt’s mitt (3) 24 Toffee-nosed (5-2) 25 Such as a car’s coil spring (5) 26 Haphazard Peers enter run for businesspeople (13)
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OP SUDOKU
BEFORE
1 Vast (6) 2 Small white whale (6) 3 Swiss currency (5) 4 American punk-funk band, the Red Hot --- (6,7) 5 Unhorsed (6) 6 Total savages (6) 8 Duller of the senses (6) 13 “Listen!” (3) 15 Excavated (3) 16 Like Lady Luck (6) 17 Redeemed (6) 18 Keenness of vision (6) 20 Almost (3,3) 21 Form of discrimination (6) 23 Complain (5)
All solutions are on page 14
FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL
October 7th October 20th 2021
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Boat trip to art Massive new gallery on the Isla de Rey features works by Mark Bradford, writes Isha Sesay MODERN modern art gallery masters Hauser & Wirth have opened a 400,000 sqm art centre on Isla del Rey with an opening show of works by acclaimed artist Mark Bradford, In the last two years Isla del Rey’s once-crumbling decommissioned naval hospital, 18th-century outbuildings and 6th-century basilica have been carefully restored by Argentinean architect Luis Laplace, turning the once ghostly ruins into an exhibition space with eight galleries, a shop and restaurant called Cantina. Outside, landscape designer Piet Oudolf, responsible for the garden at Hauser & Wirth’s Somerset base, creat-
ed a beautiful sculpture trail featuring works by artists such as Franz West, Louise Bourgeois and Eduardo Chillida. The gallery’s co-founders, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, said they had been ‘utterly captivated by Menorca and specifically Isla del Rey’ which lies a short boat trip from Mahon. “Our vision has always been to expand the idea of the gallery experience and we believe that this location is a fitting, natural and exciting extension to our centres in Somerset and LA,” said Iwan. It’s hard to conceive of a more fitting location for an exhibition of new paintings and sculptures by American artist Mark Bradford, the winner of a MacArthur ‘genius’ grant and who is known for examining the past through his abstract art.
BEAUTIFUL: Magnificent setting On the choice of Bradford for the opening show, which will run until October 30, Manuela said: “Mark knows the Balearic Islands well having LOVERS of Spanish nougat ‘turron’ had a treat at Alicante’s Gastronomy Fair 2021 they had the chance to tuck into the biggest turron bar in the world which measured a massive 56 metres long. Nougat maker Roberto Pico was in charge of making the monster bar which beat the previous record of 55 metres for the Alicante
BENNNYSAURUS T
OLD HAC K IN THE SUN
Benny Davis
Ramblings of an 80-some thing expat
IME to place my The world of print has changed since I trusty quill pen alongside the ni- was a nipper! cotine-stained green eye shield and lay sadly depleted, body will emerge the other side them to rest in my allow. No future living in as a mildly knowledgeagrandad’s old roll-top the past, no matter how ble, very, very, junior bureau. Probably wor- old you are or how things member of the 4th Esth a fortune on TV’s have changed. tate. At the tender Today, all that ‘High Bargain age of 15, I Tech’ stuff I tolled over Hunt, but was plunged night and day totally I don’t I was plunged into London’s disappeared into the want to spend endinto London’s high temple vacuum pit called proof newsprint, gress with the eventual less hours high temple Fleet Street, fall of Fleet Street. standing to study at As I said, my past is as in some of newsprint, Bolt Court dead as a Dodo, buried God-forFleet Street technical co- in a digital coffin, deep saken bog of a field llege, specia- in a sea of social neflogging lising in print tworking and probably my faithful posses- and Allied Arts. For the as interesting as watsions for the sake of following three years, I ching a cat vomit a fur a miserly couple of a grappled with the myste- ball. Nevertheless, I do million quid. ries of photography, gra- not need today’s spell Yes fans - both of you phics, complex print and and grammar support - I embrace today’s layout techniques and technology to write a technology as much the inevitable Pitman’s simple column such as as my once virile, now shorthand to eventually this, so switching off NOW! Yung budding riters take note of wot we old hacks are still capababel of. B o w i n g out now. No more `Old Hack.´ Hope I gave you a few smiles during.
lived in Mallorca for a few months in his 20s and his multi-layered nature is a perfect fit given the island setting is in a natural harbour.”
Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful environment
THE LONG GOOD CHEW delicacy. Pico worked for a waeek to make the bar which included 270 kilos of almonds, egg whites and honey. The nougat was cut and offered as a tasting to the public attending the fair.
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Cardona, Catalunya
nly an hour and a half drive from Barcelona, this charming medieval village in Catalunya is worth visiting. A castle on a hill overlooks the charming walled city. Visitors can also enjoy the unique experience of sleeping in a castle which has now become part of the Paradores hotel chain. However there are also daily guided tours if you don’t have time or the budget for an overnight stay. This village is not only famous for its rich history but also for its salt mountain.
FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL
October 7th October 20th 2021
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Looking for a destination that is picturesque but also tourist-free, well look no further, Amber Edirisinghe gives you her tips for the top six hidden destinations to visit on your next holiday...
Setenil de las bodegas, Andalucia
The mountain was created thousands of years ago when this area of Catalunya was covered in seawater. When the tectonic plates moved to create the Pyrenees mountains, the dried salt was pushed up to create something truly spectacular. Measuring 86m, the mountain’s height is constantly changing due to rain and erosion. Salt deposits go as far down as 2km below the ground and have been mined since the 10th century.
Setenil de las Bodegas is a white village in Andalucia that has been sculpted into the rocks, in the narrow canyon carved by the river Trejo. This settlement is particularly unique as it was crafted from the inside of a cave network unlike the others built by the Moors which sit atop hills. Visitors can spend the night in one of the caves and visit the cave restaurants that are among some of the best in the region. For meat eaters this town is well known for its chorizo and cured meats, it also produces delicious pastries for those with a sweet tooth. Some of the other attractions are the Nazari Castle, which watches over the village. Built in the 12th century the castle used to have 40 towers but now only one remains.
Segovia, Castilla y Leon
I
n the region of Castilla and Leon is Segovia. Known for its history, gastronomy and picturesque views, this destination has it all and it is just one hour away from Madrid. In 1985 the city centre and aqueduct was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO and it’s clear to see why. Visitors can admire the Roman aqueducts built here in the first century AD that are still used to deliver drinking water to this day. The city is also home to the Alcazar, a medieval fortress that provided inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle and its cathedral, which was the last modern Gothic church built in Spain. Make sure you try local specialities such as the mouthwatering suckling pig, it will not disappoint.
Zumaia, Basque Country
T
his small town in the Basque Country is the epicentre of flysch stones, a natural phenomenon that is sure to delight the eyes of geologists and tourists alike. In fact, some may recognise it as one of the locations in the seventh season of Game of Thrones. Covering 4,300 hectares of land and sea, it is one of the most important geological sanctuaries in the
TRUJILLO, EXTREMADURA This town is a cornucopia of medieval and renaissance architecture. In the Plaza
Mayor resides a bronze statue of conquistador Pizarro and visitors are surrounded by medieval buildings, as well as historic churches. Notable places include the Alcazaba, a medieval Moorish castle and renaissance palaces such as the Palace of the Marquises of the Conquista. Visit on the 1st of May to catch a whiff of Trujillo’s national cheese fair, the most famous cheese competition in Spain.
S
El Burgo de Osma, Castilla y Leon
andwiched between Zaragoza and Valladolid in the province of Soria is the town of El Burgo de Osma. This historical treasure trove is ideal for history buffs or those who only want to be surrounded by locals. This municipality is home to Roman ru-
ins, a medieval fortress, excellently preserved city walls and a stunning cathedral. What makes it even better is its pedestrianised historical centre meaning visitors can stroll the streets and grab a bite to eat without the noise and bustle of cars.
OP Puzzle solutions
Quick Crossword
Across: 7 One or the other, 9 Mourn, 10 Laid out, 11 Col, 12 Chan, 14 Intends, 17 Cyanide, 19 Lags, 22 Paw, 24 Stuck-up, 25 Helix, 26 Entrepreneurs. Down: 1 Cosmic, 2 Beluga, 3 Franc, 4 Chilli Peppers, 5 Thrown, 6 Brutes, 8 Opiate, 13 Hey!, 15 Dug, 16 Fickle, 17 Cashed, 18 Acuity, 20 All but, 21 Sexism, 23 Whine.
SUDOKU
D
elve into the western province of Caceres where you will happen upon the medieval town of Trujillo, in the community of Extremadura.
world. This is a great destination for those who enjoy hiking as some of the best views can be accessed from the flysch walking trails. Zumaia also offers many art exhibits with works from Goya, El Greco and Rivera to name but a few. The town also has a longstanding tradition of fishing octopus, so be sure to sample some scrumptious bites while you´re there.
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MINISTRY of Equality leader Ilene Montero has proposed a new protocol against sexual harassment in the workplace, targetting inappropriate comments, ‘sexual jokes’ and even looking at people in a suggestive way.
COVID prison EIGHT prisoners at Cordoba jail have tested positive for COVID-19, with seven of then having mild symptoms and one being transferred to Reina Sofia’s Hospital. All of the inmates are vaccinated.
Honest finder A WOMAN in Malaga who found a wallet containing €1,300 cash and two credit cards on the street handed it to police, who have returned it to its 70-year-old Venezuelan owner.
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VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 23 www.theolivepress.es October 7th - October 20th 2021
Hopping mad Bungling robber loses false leg in botched bankjob find that brave customers and passersby had joined with staff to tackle the robber and during the struggle his artificial leg had fallen off. Cash This meant any escape plans They had demanded cash he had were scuppered and from the teller, but the alarm all he could do was meekly was raised and police dashed sit down and wait to be arto the scene. They arrived to rested in Friday’s incident. His accomplice meanwhile fled empty handed SPAIN is officially a nation of potty Spain is the and is still at mouths, with Spaniards using over 2 fifth sweariest large. A fake million swear words online each year, country in the gun was found according to new research. world, while the USA at the scene. From furious four-letter tirades to came in at number seven, ItA police foul-mouthed phrases, obscenities aly was ranked eighth. Canada spokesman have become more commonplace and the UK rounded out the top 10, said: “At 2pm, than ever. in ninth and tenth place, respectively. a call was Even worse then the Spanish are the It is hardly surprising Spaniards are received reFrench who topped the list of foul- placed so highly on the ‘blue list’ - they porting that a mouthed web surfers. have a whopping 251 different explerobbery was According to research from Preply, tives to choose from. taking place A BANK robber was left without a leg to stand on after his false limb fell off during an attempted hold-up in Alicante. The 45-year-old Italian may well have been hopping mad after brave customers and staff tussled
with him when he burst into the Sabadell branch with an accomplice brandishing a gun.
BAD LANGUAGE!
in a bank branch of Sabadell located in Plaza America in Alicante. “The emergency protocol was activated and a device established that frustrated the robbery and culminated in the arrest of one of the perpetrators who was armed with a pistol that was finally determined to be simulated.” “At least one perpetrator fled from the place, more identification and location management is being carried out by the robbery squad of the Alicante Judicial Police Brigade.” “The detainee is of Italian nationality, 45 years old and with a previous record.”
Shak attacked
SINGER Shakira was attacked by a pair of marauding wild boars who snatched her bag while she was walking with her eight-year-old son in a park in Barcelona. The hairy hogs ambushed her and made off with her handbag, before trying to escape with it into the woods. Shakira let her fans know with an Instagram story. Holding up her bag that was now in tatters she said: “Look at how two wild boar that attacked me in the park have left my bag.” The singer, who is married to Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique, explained: “They were taking my bag to the woods with my mobile phone in it.” The 44-year-old Colombian claims she ‘stood up to the wild boar’ to snatch back her bag but unfortunately they still ‘destroyed everything’. She isn't the first victim of a boar attack, as the pests have managed to overwhelm Barcelona in the past few years, with police receiving over 1,100 calls regarding wild boar attacks in one year alone.