Gibraltar Insight™ May 2023

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MAY ISSUE 83

Contents

22

27

Business Insight 7

38

Features

DATA PROTECTION OFFICER

10

AFFORDABLE HOMES EXPO

Community Insight

27

COMPETITION WITH TAGORE GROUP

37

EUROPA POINT FC: GOTHIA CUP

14

CHLOE MARTINEZ

38

DEAN CHIPOLINA

Forces Insight

54

JAZZ NIGHT AT THE ELIOTT HOTEL

57

LETTING GO

44

PROMOTION WITHIN THE RG

Police Insight 20

BRONZE COMMANDER QUALIFICATION

Travel Insight 22 2023 DESTINATIONS 24 THINGS TO EXPERIENCE & LEARN 26 GIANA SPITERI: HOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT HOLIDAY 28 MAGNIFICENT MALTA 30 NORTH YORKSHIRE 31 TRAVEL FACTS WITH ADAM 32 SUMMER FAMILY FUN 34 MAGICAL MOROCCO 36 SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

Health Insight 46 48 50

Regular Features 13

ACE ART

16

HISTORY OF THE RAF IN GIBRALTAR

18

MOTORING INSIGHT: LAMBORGHINI URUS

40

GFA: WALKING FOOTBALLERS

42

WAVE FC

53

PACS: BUMPS & BABIES

55

MARRIED ON THE ROCK

56

HOROSCOPES

58

ADOPT DON’T SHOP: DOGS

59

VET'S INSIGHT: SUMMER IS UPON US

60

ADOPT DON’T SHOP: CATS

61

MAMA LOTTIES

62

LAS IGUANAS INSIGHT CROSSWORD

MEDICAL DIRECTORY ARE YOU SUN SAFE? VITAMINS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

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Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine.

Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din

Published by GBZ Media Ltd, 8A/Unit 6, Crutchetts Ramp Gibraltar GX11 1AA.

Creative Director: Ben Lewis Executive Editor: Ross Ford

Printed by Roca Graphics Limited, 21 Tuckey’s Lane, Gibraltar GX11 1AA

General queries, contact: +350 54023304 Advertising & Sales, contact: jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net​ +350 54023304 Email: hello@gibraltarinsight.com Web: www.gibraltarinsight.com Socials: @GBZinsight @MumOnTheRockGBZ @BermudaInsight @SYOGuide @GBZmedia

Copyright (c) 2023. All rights reserved.

The names Gibraltar Insight, Bermuda Insight, Mum On The Rock, SYOG, Superyacht Owners’ Guide & GBZ Media are marks of GBZ Media (Overseas) Limited, used under exclusive licence. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Gibraltar Insight places great importance on the accuracy of the information contained within this publication, but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Views expressed by contributors and/or correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Neither Gibraltar Insight nor GBZ Media Limited is responsible for any claims made, or material(s) used, in advertisements.

For permission to copy cuttings for internal or client use, contact NLA - nlamediaaccess.com or +441892 525273.

Photo: Elliott Howe

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

DATA PROTECTION OFFICER APPOINTED RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR THROUGHOUT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES IN RELATION TO DATA PROTECTION, INCLUDING THE ROLL OUT OF AN ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

datory training for all Public Servants. Over 100 public servants have already undertaken this training since the start of the year and a systematic programme for continued training throughout the public sector has been established and over 1000 members of staff are already subscribed to undertake phase one of the training.

Following a restructure, Mr Michael Crome has taken on the position of Data Protection Officer from Mr Tito Garro who has undertaken these duties for over 4 years.

Mr Garro has been instrumental in building the foundations for Data Protection in the public sector and will continue to deliver his legal expertise through the Gibraltar Law Offices’ advisory team.

Phase two will introduce a compliance program to ensure that the personal data we stored and processed is done so safely and legally.

Mr Crome, who has recently been accredited as Data Protection Officer is now embarking on phase two of Governments Data Protection strategy with the introduction of a Public Sector Policy and new man-

The Hon Samantha Sacramento MP, said “GDPR has become a foundation of our digital policy on which we are building other initiatives across the Public Sector.

The processing of personal data should be designed to serve society and respect individuals' rights. Initiatives such as the Government Data Protection Policy for the Public Sector which we have just launched and the e-learning training package con-

Port Facility Training

A NUMBER OF STAFF FROM THE GIBRALTAR PORT AUTHORITY RECENTLY COMPLETED A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR PORT FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER (PFSO) TO MEET THEIR MANDATORY TRAINING COMMITMENTS. The opportunity was also taken by other Authority staff to undertake the training as part of their personal and professional development programme. The three-day course was delivered by Scott Breckenridge, Associate Lecturer in Strategic Studies and Projects Officer for the Centre for Seapower and Strategy at the University of Plymouth with the course being designed for any security officer with overall responsibility for port security under the UK’s Department for Transport guidelines.

The training programme consisted of several workshops, a presentation from each participant followed by an exam and focused on the responsibilities of the PFSO in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, port facility security plans, coordination of search plans and security operations, development, maintenance and review of port facility access controls and the conduct of port security assessments and threat analyses.

John Ghio, CEO and Captain of the Port wished to thank Mr Breckenridge for delivering this important training programme to GPA staff.

Minister for the Port, the Hon Vijay Daryanani said, “The continuous training and personal development among GPA personnel demonstrates both the Government’s and GPA’s strong commitment to having a first class professional team in place”.

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

tribute to setting up a framework for data access and using that is more clear and fair, giving individuals more control over their data and making more data available for use, including for the public good. I welcome Mr Crome to this role and thank Mr Garro for his sterling work in setting this up four years ago.”

THE MINISTER FOR BUSINESS AND TOURISM, THE HON VIJAY DARYANANI MP, RECENTLY COMPLETED A MAJOR CRUISE MARKETING DRIVE AT SEATRADE GLOBAL IN FORT LAUDERDALE. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY KEVIN BOSSINO, CEO OF GIBRALTAR TOURIST BOARD, AND JOHN GHIO, CAPTAIN OF THE PORT. Seatrade Global is the largest annual cruise gathering in the world. Over 13,000 professionals came together to innovate, uncover new trends and secure partnerships.

It gave the Gibraltar team an opportunity to reconnect with this important sector, put forward our case for increased cruise calls and set out our ambitions within the industry.

Minister Daryanani commented, “This was an intense few days of marketing and networking in what is a seriously challenging industry. There seems to be new competition every day. We want to attract more calls. It is as simple as that, but we know we have to work hard all the time, non-stop, for this to happen in what is a dynamic and ongoing situation.

MINISTER DARYANANI MEETS WITH 25 CRUISE LINES

I am not prepared to settle for what we currently have and that is why I will continue to take every possible opportunity to put Gibraltar’s case forward. I met with twenty-five cruise companies at this conference in a gruelling schedule of meetings. That is why Gibraltar’s presence at these events is necessary and the Government’s commitment to the cruising sector is unquestionable.”

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PARASOL_ADVERTS_26.11.2020_.pdf

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VENTURE CAPITAL | PHILANTHROPY ESTABLISHED 2004

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THE ROCK’S LONGEST RUNNING MAGAZINE

Gibraltar Insight is The Rock’s longest running magazine. For over 25 years we have been distributing this high quality print and online magazine to a wide and loyal audience, catering to Gibraltar’s unique lifestyle, business, lifestyle, sports and culture.

THE ROCK’S

Distribution: free, monthly magazine distributed via hotels, banks, airports, restaurants, sports clubs etc Platforms:

print, online, social media and Issuu app

Quality: our writers, editors and design teams ensure that Gibraltar Insight competes with high end magazines on all levels, making it a sought out publication from a loyal readership.

We are passionate about our Rock, the people who live here, the stories we tell, and our valued partners.

IN 12 MONTHS GIBRALTAR INSIGHT HAD ONLINE REACH OF OVER 490,000 IMPRESSIONS PRINT, ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA THE MOST CONSISTENT REACH OF ANY PUBLICATION ON THE ROCK

FEB PRINT ONLINE & ED INTEGRAT ING ADVERTIS PACKAGES AVAILABLE

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EVENT

Trusted Novus Affordable Homes Expo 2023

ON THURSDAY 20TH APRIL TRUSTED NOVUS BANK (TNB) HOSTED THEIR FIRST EVER HOMEOWNER’S EXHIBITION AT GRAND BATTERY HOUSE, FEATURING A RANGE OF SUPPLIERS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. TNB’s first Expo consisted of local businesses who have a connection to property in some way and around twenty-five local businesses, from lawyers and home insurance to refurbishing and furniture, exhibited at the Expo which was attended by hundreds of keen visitors, not just those awaiting property completions but all homeowners. There was something for everyone on their journey to a new home and there was a chance to discuss all things surrounding mortgages as well.

huge success - Grand Battery House was really buzzing with excitement. Exhibitors not only offered guidance and advice, but some also had special offers and discounts.

The Expo saw exhibitors put on some fantastic displays of their products, demonstrating how they can assist in setting-up your first home, and the large number of keen visitors helped make the event a

Following the interest and enthusiasm this year, TNB will be looking into hosting another Homeowners Expo sometime in the future.

1st Homeowners Exhibition

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Admiralty Company Formation, Management & Structuring Financial Services Litigation Matrimonial Property & Conveyancing Ship & Yacht Registration Spanish Property & Law

First Floor Suites, 39 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 20072150 Fax: (+350) 20074986 Email: info@attlev.gi Web: www.attiaslevy.com INSIGHT'S ONLINE REACH 2021-22 WAS OVER 520,000 - EMAIL HELLO@GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM FOR ADVERTISING OPTIONS

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FEATURE

Moving on, April saw us support the Gibraltar Body and Paint Association who this year celebrated their 10 year anniversary.

We adorned the Gustavo Bacarisas vault with Jana Nicole’s Award Winning Botanical series whilst the body paint artists went to work on their respective models and with their own magical skills created amazing flora and fauna designs. Body Painting is a form of body art where the artwork is painted directly onto the human body and is temporary, normally lasting up to a few hours. It is nothing new as this form of art has been used forever by indigenous tribes, religious practices and the military but since 1950’s its has been mostly accepted as another form of art and also used in a more commercial way.

Body painting can be used as a way to gain attention and used in protests as well as commercials with brands such as Max Factor using their cosmetic make up to create amazing visuals on its models. After this some artists started experimenting with body painting and this led to a minor alternative art movement in the 1950s and 60s, which involved covering a model in paint and then having the model touch or roll on a canvas or other mediums to transfer the paint. French artist Yves Klein is perhaps the most famous for this, with his series of paintings “Anthropometries”.

tribute to Alberto Vargas (19861982). Vargas was a Peruvian painter who became famous in the 1940 for his pin up girls.

He later produced around 300 pin up paintings for Esquire and Playboy. Ramon Maiden has kept his legacy alive; you can view the collection at www. aceart.gi The next edition of the Wine Art Club will be on the 11th May where we will be showcasing the photographic works of Marco Prizont and local artist Naomi Martinez. Marco Prizont is a young street photographer originally from Barcelona and now based in Cadiz. He showcased his ‘Sombras de Cadiz’ collection at our Ace Art Revolution last month and will be releasing a Gibraltar series at The Wine Art Club. Local, multidiscipline artist Naomi Martinez who has already been awarded various Ministry of Culture awards also had a very successful Ace Art Revolution Exhibition. She showcased her digital and photographic collection and impressed everyone with her work.

Hey Art Lovers! Hope you have all enjoyed a lovely Easter with friends and family. We at Ace Art needed a break in order to recover from the busy months we have had with our Ace Art Revolution Exhibition.

Have you had a browse over our exhibition pieces? Have you seen Jana Nicole’s new Mons Calpe series that pays tribute to Gibraltar’s Barbary apes and our own flora and fauna?

Check it out on our website www.aceart.gi

We hope to see you there. .

The trend is growing and The World Body Paint Festival has now invested more than 10 million Euros into the movement and has been holding its annual festival for over 25 years attracting over 250000 guests. We wanted to continue supporting the movement and featured the Gibraltar Body Painting artists and models in our April WineArt Club edition held at The Wine Shop which also featured the works of Ramon Maiden. Ramon Maiden is an artist who is fully tattooed and unlike the body paint these are not temporary. His passion for tattoos is clearly visible in his art; Ramon Maiden transforms vintage pinup girls and religious figures into his own tattooed characters. We showcased a selection of both his original works and limited edition prints in which he pays

WORDS BY JP BAUTISTA GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

CHLOE MARTINEZ's SUCCESS CELEBRATED

MINISTER FOR CULTURE JOHN CORTES INVITED LONDON-BASED GIBRALTARIAN SINGER CHLOE MARTINEZ TO THE CITY HALL TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER MUSIC AND TO ENCOURAGE HER IN FURTHERING HER CAREER. since she started singing as a little girl and am very proud to see how she has progressed and how her talent is being recognised. Chloe is an inspiration to other young people and an inspiration to me to continue to do all I can to promote and support Culture and the Performing Arts in Gibraltar”.

Chloe recently released her debut album “To me, from me”, which has been extremely well received.

The conversation covered Chloe’s early years in singing, her performances with GAMPA, and her plans for the future. John Cortes commented, “I’ve known Chloe

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

eSERVICES LAUNCHED FOR HOUSING DEPARTMENT HM Government of Gibraltar has launched of a number of Housing eServices, which can now be accessed via the Gov.gi portal.

The services are amongst the most heavily used by citizens and are now fully integrated to the Housing Department back office system, which makes the application process easier to manage and process.

The services which include Applications for Government Accommodation, Include/Exclude persons on Tenancy and for Rental Pensioner exchanges are some of the more complex services, which require various documents such as proof of address and current household composition.

The services are now integrated with various databases, so the citizen no longer needs to present these documents. By the same token, the Housing Department no longer needs to independently check or store this

information, as they already exist as verified records in other integrated databases.

The Minister for Digital Services, the Hon Albert Isola, said, “I am delighted to be able to launch these new services. These fully integrated services will allow the Housing Department to work efficiently and accurately with live data which is another important step in the right direction.”

my staff at the Housing Department for their hard work in delivering this with the team at the Ministry of Digital Services for having been able to put this system in place”. https://portal.egov.gi/

The Minister for Housing, the Hon Steven Linares, added, “This is a great step forward towards digitising the systems within the Housing Department. Despite this, there will still be a service available for those who are not able to access the Gov.gi portal. I would like to publicly thank

CYBERCENTURION FINALISTS THE MINISTER FOR EQUALITY, THE HON SAMANTHA SACRAMENTO, MET WITH THE ALL-FEMALE TEAM FROM THE DIGITAL SKILLS ACADEMY WHO WON A PLACE IN THE CYBERCENTURION GRAND FINALS IN THE UK. CyberCenturion is a national cybersecurity education initiative for 12 to 18 year olds in the UK and the UK Overseas Territories and is organized by STEM Learning.

The team composed of three students, Lorian Fadul-Risk, Evgenia Grigorova, and Sonia Szetela. They have already participated in the initial online qualification rounds which saw a total of 250 teams competing.

Minister Sacramento met with the students as well as Jared Cruz, Head of School (CyberSecurity) at the Digital Skills Academy and Stewart Harrison, Director and Founder of the Digital Skills Academy to commend them all for their concerted efforts to date and to wish them every success in the upcoming competition.

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Stewart Harrison, said, “I am very proud of the students from the Digital Skills Academy who are heading off to the CyberCenturion Finals this week. They are fantastic role models for future generation of girls in Tech and this is very important in order to close the gender digital skills gap that exists locally and world-wide. Tech is a rewarding and well remunerated career path and it is important to ensure that entry into this field is promoted and facilitated for girls and women. I would like to take this opportunity to thank their instructor, Jared Cruz, who has played an instrumental role in training the students for this competition this year.

der Equality Strategy. I, therefore, look forward to continue working closely with the Digital Skills Academy to help close the gender digital skills gap. Raising the profile and the visibility of women in Tech plays a key role in helping to narrow that gap and I am very pleased to have been able to meet the team in person and to wish them the very best of luck. I am sure that they will do Gibraltar proud.”

Minister Sacramento said, “I am delighted to have been able to meet the three students who will be travelling to the CyberCenturion Finals ... I am hugely impressed with the fact that they have already seen off stiff competition from over 250 teams in order to make it to the Finals. Addressing the under-representation of women and girls in technology is one of the main strands of the Ministry of Equality’s Gen-

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FEATURE

PART 3 soon after, No.200 Group was disbanded and all flying in Gibraltar came under the control of RAF Gibraltar, responsible to Headquarters Coastal Command.

By September 1941, New Camp was virtually complete, and the RAF found the Operations Room in the Tower to be too small and moved to New Camp.

On December 21 1941, Air Commodore Simpson was appointed to Gibraltar and

A Hudson Of 48 Squadron

In May 1941 the ageing London and Swordfish float-planes were being replaced by Catalinas. Squadron Leader Harger took over the Squadron. On one of the early missions, four German Condors attacked a Catalina while out

on a long range convoy escort, a battle ensued, and the Condors were fought off, two of the Condors failed to return to base.

Fokker Wulfe Condor

On July 7th 1940 a Sunderland attached to 202 Squadron while carrying out reconnaissance off the North African Coast, was a attacked by three French fighters, she shot down two and returned to Gibraltar riddled with bullet holes and a wounded gunner, this was the first encounter with the enemy aircraft and the first casualty. On September 14th a London flying boat were shot down by a French fighter over Casablanca, and in October while on an anti U Boat patrol an aircraft of 202 Squadron co-operated with surface craft destroying two Italian submarines, the Durbo and Gondar.

In late 1941, No.233 Squadron arrived with the Hudson aircraft, at this time there were number 807, 812, 813 and 824 squadrons of the Feet Air Arm operating Fulmers and Swordfish.

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FEATURE

RAF New Camp With A Catalina On The Slipway

On the 1st of April 1942, the first Italian air attack on Gibraltar took place with little damage to the rock, but to the surprise of the Italians, the Spanish antiaircraft guns joined in the defence of the Rock. The Italians lost three aircraft in the raid.

Up to this time, the airport had been a Fleet Air Arm establishment, but on the 1st of May, 1942, it became RAF North Front, under Wing Commander Young, and New Camp was officially designated RAF New Camp under the command of Group Captain Bolland, with the Fleet Air Arm of attached to it.

As part of the plans for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, work was started on the Area Combined Headquarters in the dockyard tunnel.

On May 6th 1942, Lord Gort was transferred to Malta and was replaced by a Lt. General Mason McFarlane.

No.202 Squadron, was now flying Catalinas and Sunderlands with attachments from number 10 RAAF Sunderland Squadron and Nos. 240, 209 and 413 Squadrons all with Catalinas.

On June 9th a Catalina of 240 Squadron, attacked and sank the Italian submarine Zaffiro.

On June 13th 1942, convoy MW4, consisting of six merchant ships, escorted by a battleship, two carriers, three cruisers, and minelayer and nine de-

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Very few people in Gibraltar were aware of the pending invasion of North Africa, codenamed Operation Torch, activities accelerated in many quarters. Aircraft began to arrive in Gibraltar in crates to be assembled on the airport. A Special Erection Party arrived for this purpose.

On the 15th of September, 70 Spitfires, 22 Hurricanes, and five Hurricane bombers, 15 special tractors and six crates of spares arrived in Gibraltar for assembly.

In 11 days all the aircraft had been assembled and flight tested.

On June 29th 1942, an Italian raid destroyed one Hudson and a BOAC Whitley, also damaging several crates on the dispersal area. As Gibraltar had no fighter cover, 18 of the assembled Spitfires were formed into a fighter squadron.

Aircraft continued to arrive in crates, causing havoc on the runway, as these aircraft were parked on either side and on every available space around North Front.

causing some damage and casualties.

Throughout this period, a shuttle service had been operating, using mainly Liberators, carrying UK evacuees from Malta to the UK via Gibraltar. On the 31st of October 1942, a Liberator of No.511 Squadron overshot the runway and crashed into the sea with 32 evacuees on board, the crew escaped minor injuries but 14 passengers were killed either from the impact or drowned.

Aircraft continued to arrive in crates to be assembled in vast numbers, creating increasing problems in parking, the crew were working 24 hours using searchlights in order to have everything ready by four AM., on the 8th of November. The runway extension was now 1350 yards.

It was obvious to the Germans watching Gibraltar from La Linea, that something was afoot, but security was so tight, that they did not know exactly what was on.

On October 31st 1942, North Front was declared a protected area, army sentries patrolled the area and everyone entering or leaving here would checked, the entire area was lit by searchlights with armed guards keeping watch behind the lights.

On August 20th, a Senior Flying Control Officer arrived to take over the duty which up to now had been carried out by a duty pilots.

There were several inherent problems with the North Front Airport, the flare path lights would often go out as the cables ran across the road to Spain and were often damaged by the traffic, telephone communication was elementary, dust in the dry and mud in the wet, was a problem, the control tower, which was situated in the original Judge’s Box of the Racecourse, gave an excellent view of the starting point of the race but a poor view of the runway. Another very important problem was the lack of an alternate landing area in the event of an emergency.

In October 1942, there was a race against time to complete all the requirements for Operation Torch. ACHQ which was to be in the dockyard tunnel was not completed, so it was moved to Ragged Staff Tunnel temporarily. Fortunately by the time the operation was ready, so was ACHQ and it was moved into the dockyard tunnel.

On October 20th during an Italian raid on Gibraltar, an incendiary bomb was dropped on the Spitfire dispersal area but failed to do any damage, a stick of anti-personnel bombs fell in La Linea

A Mosquito

In January 1942, photo reconnaissance Spitfires were sent to Gibraltar along with the appropriate staff who could interpret the results. The flights of these aircraft were kept most secret, and the flights were designated RTF flights, only those directly involved were aware of what these flights were about. These operations continued over Spain and North Africa, recorded by the Germans across the border, but unaware of their purpose.

stroyers, left Gibraltar for Malta. Thus commenced Operation Harpoon. Aircraft from Gibraltar provided air escort and anti U Boat patrols west of Gibraltar and up to 4° E, the limits of their range.

During the seven days that RAF Gibraltar were involved, the aircraft flew 105 sorties with a total of 848 hours.

The Runway On October 5Th 1942

A PRU Spitfire

Earlier in 1942 saw an increase in U boat activities in the Western Approaches and Western Mediterranean. Gibraltar was now showing its important strategic location. With the capitulation of France, Germany now had bases along the entire Atlantic Coast, and it was suspected, were also using Spanish ports surreptitiously. This generated a need for a better photo reconnaissance of the immediate area, especially since Spain was fortifying the area around the Bay

On the airport there were Hudsons, of 233, 500 and 608 Squadrons, Mosquitoes of 540 PRU Squadron, Spitfires of No. 4 PRU Squadron and a special meteorological flight of two Hudsons. There were 650 aircraft standing by.

At 0618 hours on the 8th of November 1942, a telephone call from ACHQ, where General Eisenhower and his staff, operating out of the dockyard tunnel, ordered the barriers on the road to Spain to be closed until further notice, no one was allowed to cross into Gibraltar over the runway.

Operation Torch was about to begin.

By the 12th of November, pressure eased up as the airport in Oran came into use, the statistics for this period in Gibraltar are impressive and even by today’s standards, would be hard to beat. Rainfall during this month was very high and caused some headaches, but operations continued relentlessly, not a single day during this month was flying interrupted.

Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar.

Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com Dedicated On the 100th anniversary in 2018, to RAF Gibraltar, by the History Society Gibraltar.

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MOTORING INSIGHT

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD 18

MAY 2023

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MOTORING INSIGHT I WENT OVER TO THE LAMBORGHINI FACTORY IN ITALY IN JULY 2017 WHEN THE EARLY PRE- PRODUCTION MODELS OF THE URUS HAD BEEN HAND ASSEMBLED IN AN ALL-NEW PURPOSE BUILT, VERY MODERN BUILDING. I looked at the Urus, and remember saying, a big SUV from the Sports Car manufacture, Lamborghini, it will never sell. But then I remember saying the same thing about the Porsche Cayenne back in 2002. Porsche making a big SUV, how ridiculous. This does prove, that not only can you be wrong once, but in fact twice!

The Urus I tested was from Lamborghini Leeds and painted in Nero Ade (black) probably not the best colour for the Urus, as more vibrant colours are available, with some looking outrageously good.

The Urus is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces a whopping 650bhp, and goes from 0-100kph in a staggeringly quick 3.6 seconds, especially for a large, heavy SUV. The interior is so luxurious, and every bit a Lamborghini, the quality and fit and finish is superb. The centre console replicated a fighter jet, with similar shaped controls, and even a small red, hinged cover that goes over the start button. Lift it up, Press the starter, and up it fires, making the most fantastic sound, and a sound that just gets better and better, as you move off from stationary, and when you are cruising

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it sounds so good, really makes you smile. But I’m not sure ‘green’ people would be overly supportive of such a vehicle,

mous for making agricultural tractors, but the tractor division of Lamborghini, is completely separate now to car production.

The Urus was launched in 2019, and headed straight into the Covid Pandemic, so production slowed to nearly nothing for quite a while, but production in Bologna’s factory is up to full capacity now, around 5,000 units per year, but you’ll still have to wait a while for delivery, time enough to save up for one.

The starting price up in the UK is around £188,000 (circa €208,000), but once you start ticking a few boxes for some very nice options, you can soon find yourself with an invoice of over £250,000.

The Italian design is crisp and so attractive, but aggressive with its sloping

During the time I had the Urus on test I didn’t get chance to put it through its paces, to try its fantastic handling just a nice steady drive around West Yorkshire. Nor did I drive across any farm-

roof, that gives it a sports car look, but the roofline does create a problem in the fact that vision can create poor visibility, especially the rear.

ers fields or up any "mountains" to test its very competent off-road capabilities. I didn’t think taking the car back covered in mud was a good idea.

At the factory, there is a visitors' centre, where anyone can book, and go and have a look at current and classic Lamborghinis, some of them are very rare, and worth a fortune, but well worth a visit to see some absolutely tremendous pieces of extraordinary car designs.

If you drive the Urus very carefully, which I’m sure most owners will do, then you’re u can get a range of over 400 miles (640km).

Many people often forget that this is not Lamborghini’s first ‘off-roader’ as back in the 1980’s they had the very boxy LM002. Lamborghini also are fa-

The Lamborghini has supercar performance, has room for five-adults, and their luggage, looks spectacular, sounds spectacular, can comfortably go off-road, and has those all-important Lamborghini badges on it. Just a great all-rounder, but does come with a hefty, yet justifiable price-tag.

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POLICE INSIGHT

BRONZE COMMANDER QUALIFICATION QUESTION: WHAT DO BIG FOOTBALL MATCHES, POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND MUSIC FESTIVALS ALL HAVE IN COMMON? ANSWER: THEY ALL ATTRACT BIG CROWDS AND, CERTAINLY IN THE CASE OF FOOTBALL MATCHES AND POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS, NOT EVERYONE IN THE CROWD ALWAYS AGREES WITH EVERYONE ELSE! In order to ensure public safety at all major events, the RGP uses three levels of command, Gold (strategic level), Silver (tactical level) and Bronze (the operational level). The RGP’s Inspector Sean Picton has just returned from Kent where he was successful in passing the College of Policing’s Public Order, Public Safety Bronze Commanders’ Course.

Elements of the course included Operational Planning, Legal Requirements, Resources, Use of Cordons, Barriers and Vehicles, and Contingency Planning. The task for Inspector Picton was slightly more difficult than that of other students because Gibraltar’s legislation is slightly different from that in UK. In some of the other discussions, such as the "Best Use of Police Horses" it was rather difficult for him to make a meaningful contribution!

IT WAS SMILES ALL ROUND AFTER A GIBRALTAR CHARITY RECEIVED A CHEQUE FOR £2,000 FROM THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR POLICE. The money was raised by the RGP’s 2023 Recruit Class during a community event.

The money was donated to Cancer Relief Gibraltar, which has been providing support to people living with cancer on the Rock for over 40 years.

On hand to receive the novelty-size-cheque at the charity’s headquarters were Laina Sultana and Bianca Yeo. Bianca, who works in the charity’s Events and Fundraising Department, said, “We couldn’t run this place if it wasn’t for community fundraising events such as this, which are really important to us.

“All the money received goes to providing free services to anyone affected by cancer in the community, not just patients but also carers.

“We’d like to thank everyone who came to the event and donated money, and of course to all the officers who helped organise the event, we know how much work goes into organising these sorts of events.”

For more information visit www.cancerrelief.gi

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"Throughout the course, it was stressed that, as we live in a democracy, we must allow for some people to disagree with others and for people from both sides of an issue to be able to express their views," said Sean.

He added, "However, always at the forefront of our planning was the essential need for the public to be kept safe. Often, this level of public safety can be ensured by good forward planning.

"In my 13 years as a police officer, this was one of the best courses I’ve attended. It had a real relevance to my job and it gave me a different perspective on my duties at a major event."

PASSING OUT CEREMONY Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police officers marked the end of their Training School with a Passing Out Parade at Central Hall.

On parade were twelve RGP and three GDP officers who were inspected by His Excellency the Governor, watched on by Minister John Cortes, local dignitaries, friends and family.

The new officers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and include a Royal Marine Commando, a Chief Inspector from Police Scotland, a Parking Management Official and a student. There are also a number of UK police officers who have moved to Gibraltar from the UK.

MAY 2023

During the ceremony, PC Andrew Newton received the “Best Academic” award, whilst PC Tristan Lark received the “Best All Round Recruit” award.

Samantha Sacramento, the Minister for Justice, added, “Today marks a momentous occasion for the Royal Gibraltar Police as we congratulate their new recruits on their Passing Out Parade.

WEAR A HAT DAY

In his address, Police Commissioner Richard Ullger, said, “Policing Gibraltar over the coming years will be challenging for our newest of recruits, but they can be confident that the skills they have been taught over the past few months will equip them to deal with the different incidents they will be deployed to.

No two incidents will ever be the same, and we shall make mistakes in our journey, but we shall learn from them, share our experiences and become better at what we do.”

“Their dedication and commitment to serving and protecting our community is truly admirable, and I have no doubt that they will uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in their duties. As the Minister of Justice, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for a successful career ahead.”

The new officers will now join their more senior colleagues where they will spend the next two years on probation.

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BEST DESTINATIONS THERE IS NO DENYING THAT TRAVEL IS BACK IN 2023, THANKS TO AN UNDERSTANDABLE DEMAND FOR THOSE WELL DESERVED HOLIDAYS THAT WERE PUT ON HOLD DURING THE PANDEMIC. Fes is also a feast for the senses. Head to Souk el Attarine to savour the aroma of spices, herbs, and incense, and buy traditional Moroccan crafts. Given that some traders are set up in beautiful old mansions, you'll most likely find yourself exploring a regal riad while shopping.

Whether it is specific locations, certain countries, particular festivals or outstanding areas of natural beauty, the world offers us a rich variety of desirable locations to visit.

These are just a few suggestions:

Fes, Morocco Fabulous for foodies and culture vultures

To add to the enticement, Fes is also the culinary capital of Morocco so navigate your way through the captivating tastes and aromas.

The most complete medieval city of the Arab world, Fes’ old town feels magically suspended between the Middle Ages and the modern world.

There are around 9000 amazing alleys buzzing with living history and traders, it's a place to lose — and find — yourself in.

The oldest part of the city, walled Fes El-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its mosques, medersas and fondouks, plus a mile-long labyrinth of souks, there are enough sights here to warrant several days exploration.

Ljubljana, Slovenia Green and clean, Slovenian capital Ljubljana - a place voted one of the most beautiful countries in the world - has an abundance of scenic charm. Caressing the Ljubljanica river and overlooked by a castle, this city is the epitome of picturesque.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 22

MAY 2023

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FEATURE To add to the attractiveness, Ljubljana has the EU’s biggest pedestrianised area, plenty of parks to stroll in, and is a beautiful base from which to visit a variety of Slovenian attractions.

Under an hour from the capital, Lake Bled is simply a must-visit. A fairy tale island juts from its expanse of clear water, with a cliff-top castle and mountain backdrop adding to the magic. This destination is at the forefront of sustainable travel practices. It can be argued it is Europe’s greenest destination.

More rocky wonders await at sixteenth-century Predjama Castle. Built into elevated cave entrance in the heart of an unforgettable karst landscape, it defies the imagination. Your assumptions about engineering will be turned on it’s head.

Northern Cape, South Africa The biggest and most dispersed of South Africa’s provinces, the Northern cape is also one of its least visited regions. This fact is terrific news for travellers who like to go your own way.

Boasting a landscape of dramatic red dunes, South Africa’s longest river, and desert miracles in the form of Namaqualand’s flower carpets, it is a breathtaking vision of nature.

With landscapes in mind, they seldom are more marvellous than Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Tucked in a loop of the Orange River, it is the world’s only arid biodiversity hotspot, and fascinatingly, home to almost 5000 plant species.

Nature-lovers will also want to experience the mighty Aukoerebis waterfalls, which is South Africa’s largest in the Augrabies Falls National park.

Imotski Croatia

lakes,

Explore the Dalmatian lake district Thirty minutes drive east from the Adriatic resort of Baska Vida is one of Croatia’s loveliest inland regions. Eleven lakes dot the karst landscape surrounding the town of Imotski, with the most dramatic, Blue Lake, bordering the town. Scrub-covered limestone cliffs rise from an enormous sinkhole filled with vivid blue water. This lake is swimmable by those who follow a serpentine path to the valley bottom.

Along with Biokovo nature path, Imotski’s lakes are a contender for gaining Unesco status in 2023.

There is a huge amount to do here: kayaking the Vrljika River, hiking the hills, taking in views from Imotski’s medieval Topana Fortress and touring vineyards.

Copenhagen, Denmark Architecture, art and food Fans of sustainability, livability and design should head to Copenhagen. In 2023 it will be Unesco capital of architecture. You can revel in a variety of events, showcases and talks which will take place throughout the year. An inspirational place to start is the Danish Architecture Centre which hosts a new exhibition on Danish architecture from 24 March. On the harbour, public pavilions will showcase the work of architects specialising in sustainability. Also by the water will be Opera park, an urban green space designed for climate resilience.

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Namibia Are you an adventure lover searching for an off-the-beaten-path. If so, s truly exhilarating experience is Namibia.

This country in southern Africa is the perfect place to travel to reconnect with nature and escape the modern stresses of life. On the wildlife front, you may see lions and cheetahs, possibly giraffes and elephants. It is also home to strong populations of both black and white rhinos. Other activities range from climbing the world’s tallest sand dunes at Sossusvlei to discovering the stark beauty of the windswept Skeleton Coast.

Japan Japan in all it’s astonishing mixture of tradition and futuristic vision finally reopened to all travelers at the end of 2022.The beauty of Japan is that if offers experiences totally unique to the country and can offer a traveller whatever kind of experience they are seeking.

Kyoto, the cultural and historic heart of Japan, will present its famed Gion Festival in summer 2023, the first time visitors can attend since before the pandemic. Based on the indigenous Shinto faith, this festival features two processions of floats, a wealth of food and drink vendors and the Gozan no Okuribi, a Kyoto-based bonfire culmination of the Obon festival that will also be ramping up excitement levels.

Vail, Colorado Vail is one of those mountain towns that creates a wonderful fairytale atmosphere. It was built to replicate the charming mountain towns in Bavaria, it features gingerbread trim and lots of wood in the town’s two main villages, Vail Village and Lionshead, which are delightfully pedestrian-only, so it really evokes a time gone by.

The area is known for its winter skiing and year-round mountain scenery. New for 2023 is something even more impressive: the newest national monument in the United States. Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument honors the 10th Mountain Division, the Army’s first and only mountain infantry division, which helped liberate Europe during World War II. You can explore the expansive new monument (the first President Biden has named) with Nova Guides, an adventure tour company that offers tours and activities in the area, including ATV adventures.

Prague Prague is understandably one of the most appealing places to travel for charm and culture. The perfectly preserved city has bright red trolleys traversing original cobblestone streets lined with charming stone buildings. In every direction, you will discover a new treat, like the Charles Bridge lined with majestic stone statues, Michelin-starred restaurants and fabulous pilsner bars.

Looking for another highlight? an entire “castle district” centered around majestic Prague Castle.

To entice travellers in 2023, this ancient kingdom meets modern times with William Rudolf Lobkowicz, the 14th prince of Bohemia, who is modernizing the way philanthropy takes place with NFTs. New technology can assist proving provenance of historic art and also help fund its restoration. This is of understandable interest to a family that lost its kingdom of treasures twice, first to the Nazis, and then to the Communists. It is possible to view many of these works of art and hear about their “Non-Fungible Castle” project at the lovely Lobkowicz Palace, totally stunning.

Whatever you are looking for in a travel experience, there are a multitude of exciting, inspiring and conversely calming and reflective destinations to choose from. The important point is to enjoy yourself and soak up the experience. It will stay with you for a lifetime.

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FEATURE TRAVEL IS ONE OF LIFE’S GREATEST TEACHERS. IT PULLS YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND PLUNGES YOU INTO THE UNKNOWN. IT REVEALS A WORLD OF CULTURES TO EXPLORE AND PEOPLE TO MEET. IT HELPS YOU DEVELOP VIRTUES LIKE PATIENCE AND HUMILITY. SO WHETHER YOU EXPLORE A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD OR A NEW COUNTRY THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSITIVE AND INSPIRING MOMENTS THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM. Travelling can provide you with the best life experiences. It teaches you things that you can never learn in a classroom or a textbook. Travelling helps in opening your mind to new cultures, traditions, and experiences. It is the best way of expanding your perspective and connecting to the world. You can look at the lives of people living on the other corner of the earth and feel inspired and blessed.

Here are some things you can learn and experience through travelling.

LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

TH IN

LIVE SIMPLY It is entirely possible to survive on little - travelling teaches you that. You cannot move comfortably if you have heavy bags. To move freely without any inconvenience, it is important to travel lightly. You learn to live even in the humblest conditions like small hotels and guest houses. You will also find yourself look-

GS

EXPERIENCE A TO ND

G

Whether you are looking at the wonders of the world like the pyramids in Egypt or marvelling at Niagara Falls, remember to enjoy the experience. Living in the moment is essential for living a happy and content life. While travelling, you will know that you have a little time to spend in each place and you should learn

Every city and country has its unique way of life, and you can have a first-hand experience of their distinct cultures, practices, beliefs, food, etc. and learn and experience new things by investing in travelling trips.

You will be in the priceless position to actually experience things again for the first time – something that gets harder the older you get. Being in a new environment lets you appreciate the little things that make life so exciting and memories so unforgettable: Travelling reminds you to walk through life not only with open eyes and ears but, most of all, with an open mind.

WHILE TRAV E LL IN

LEARNING TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Once you get the taste of travelling, you will understand that the skills gained are much more expensive than any material object that you could own. Gazing at the Grand Canyon or the Eiffel Tower is priceless and more valuable than any merchandise. It is better to invest in a traveling trip instead of a luxurious car.

GRATITUDE

APPRECIATING OTHER CULTURES You can be judgmental about other cultures because they are different than yours. When you travel, you get to live in other cultures and experience their traditions. You cannot get the best experiences by just reading about them in a book.

Residing in the society helps in experiencing the things in their true essence. It helps in better understanding other cultures. It helps in going through a new language, clothing, cuisines. You will only appreciate something when you have firsthand knowledge about it. Before going to any place, you can make use of travel tips archives and look up the places you should not miss.

APPRECIATING THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE

N AR LE

Traveling means abandoning the comfort of your home and familiar environment to take a leap of faith. You pack your bags and leave a familiar environment and go to a place that is entirely new to you. It is essential for expanding your horizons.

Once you take the plunge and go to a new location, you will find no better feeling. Taking on unfamiliar territory is an excellent feeling, and it will give you timeless stories.

to make the best of it. It teaches you to savour every single moment. Looking at new places fills you with wonder and awe and it is a feeling that you do not want to let go. Travelling teaches us to capture the moment and make it an important part of your life.

ing to lower travelling costs. Travelling is not about luxury and comfort; it’s about experiencing everything the world has to offer. It makes you appreciate the luxuries you have in your life and home.

LEARNING HOW TO ADAPT When you travel, you need to learn how to roll with things. It is possible that your flight gets delayed or canceled or you lose your luggage. It can be a little frustrating for you, and you will enjoy your travels more if you quickly learn to adapt to an evolving situation. It will make you carefree, and you will find it easier to enjoy one adventure and move on to the next. You can learn to stay calm while facing delays if you travel. It equips you to deal with these situations.

THINK CREATIVELY

Sometimes it takes a little thinking outside of the box to get by. No wifi for directions? The restroom you entered is merely a hole in the ground? The buses to your next planned destination are all booked?

There are always alternatives, and bumps in the road should never keep people from traveling. Studies show that people who travel think more creatively and are better at adjusting to new situations. There will always be something to overcome, forcing us to be creative.

EMBRACE AND APPRECIATE NATURE One of the best aspects of travel is exploring the natural beauty of the world.

Conversely, you will also witness the fragility of our planet. You may visit destinations where clean drinking water is a luxury or where natural disasters have caused mass destruction. When you travel, you learn to appreciate every natural wonder, every drink of clean water and everything else that our wonderful planet offers us.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 24

MAY 2023

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What does North Yorkshire conjure up for you? Maybe it is the rolling landscape of the valleys and the vast expanses of heather-covered moors together with beautiful areas of unspoiled wilderness. Maybe it is the image of times gone by with the cotton mills and its rich textile heritage.

Whatever you think about North Yorkshire, the largest county in England, it is definitely a beautiful location that is often referred to as “God's Own Country,” which is no wonder seeing that it incorporates the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks.

The historic city of York traces its history back some 2,000 years to AD 71 when it was founded by the Romans. The first mention of its Roman name, ‘Eboracum’ can be traced back to around AD 95 and over 200 years later, Roman emperor Constantine the Great was declared emperor here in AD 306. The Saxons followed the Romans and knew it as ‘Eoforwick’ and the Vikings, who followed them, named it ‘Jorvik’.

With its rich history, it is strange that the city centre of York has only just gained UNESCO World Heritage Status. As you wander around the city you will notice a huge variety of ancient buildings, architecture dating back to medieval times, magnificent Georgian town houses and its Victorian railway station, as well as the longest stretch of intact city walls in England, small parts of which date back to the Romans.

A layer of history is unpeeled at every turn, from the Norman castle to the ruined Benedictine monastery, but there are two locations that should not be missed. The first is the Gothic splendour of York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe, situated in the heart of the city. Look out for the incredible stained glass Rose Window that commemorates the end of the War of the Roses and the beautiful ‘Heart of Yorkshire’ which sits in the Great West window where legend says that if you kiss your partner beneath the window you will stay together forever.

Shambles is the second must-see on any visit to York. This medieval street consists of mostly timber buildings that date back as far as the 13th Century. With its cobbled streets, overhanging buildings and maze-like alleyways it is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series. This is the place to go to find quirky boutiques and cafes as well as gift and sweet shops.

If you want to venture a bit further from York, head to the ancient market town of Pickering and hop on a train to Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a world-famous heritage railway that runs through the North York Moors National Park. Owned and operated by a charitable trust, the line runs for 24 miles with the whole journey taking around 1 hour 50 minutes.

The fishing port of Whitby is situated at the mouth of the River Esk and during the Middle Ages it was the home to herring and whaling fleets, but it still has a thriving fishing industry today. Whether you’re looking for some delicious seafood or traditional fish and chips, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from along Whitby’s famous harbour.

Captain Cook learned his trade as a seaman in Whitby and it was here that the ship that took him on his voyage of discovery to Australia, HMS Endeavour, was built. Another person of note was Bram Stoker, and it was whilst staying in Whitby that he got much of his inspiration for the novel Dracula, a rare signed copy of which can be found in Whitby Abbey. The 13th-century Gothic Abbey, maintained by English Heritage, dominates the skyline above Whitby. There is plenty to discover, both in the Abbey grounds and in the visitor centre, located in a 17th century mansion.

Robin Hood's Bay is a small fishing village and bay on the coast not far from Whitby and Scarborough. Situated within the North York Moors National Park on the Cleveland Way national trail and also the end point of Wainwright's Coast to Coast walking route, it is an ideal place to go for walking, hiking, cycling, and exploring everything that the area has to offer. Known to the locals as ‘Bay Town’, there is no evidence that the village has ties with the Robin Hood who robbed the rich to feed the poor. Consisting of a maze of tiny streets, there is reputed to be a network of subterranean passageways linking houses and used by smugglers in the 18th century to hide their contraband.

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How to Plan THE PERFECT Holiday Unless you’re going on a really complex trip and you’re the type of person who likes everything planned for them, 9/10 times you don’t need a travel agent to book your trip for you. Here are my recommendations for planning the best holiday, as well as some tips for saving money and getting the most out of your experience.

1. Use incognito mode when searching for flights This is one that a lot of people know about but some are still surprised by! When you search for flights on the likes of Skyscanner on your browser, your ‘cookies’ are tracked meaning that you might even find that the price increases in price the more you look at it. My advice is to open your browser in ‘incognito’ mode to avoid this, and you’ll likely find that prices are cheaper.

2. Combine destinations When planning your trip, it is also a good idea to see how much it would be to travel to a neighbouring country. Sometimes you’ll find that the cost of flying home from a completely different city or country, is cheaper than flying back from your original destination! It’s a great way to see multiple places on one trip. As an example, Bratislava in Slovakia is less than an hour coach away from Vienna, and a Flixbus ride will only set you back 10 euros.

3. Store everything in a cloud If you’re travelling with other people, the best thing I recommend is using something like Google Drive to store all the documents for you and the rest of your passengers. This means that it can be quickly accessed from anywhere and by the people you choose.

I always put a copy of the itinerary here, boarding passes, tour tickets and of course, passport copies just incase!

4. Create your itinerary on Google Docs

tiple people can edit it online at the same time and of course it’s great for jotting down all the details of your trip. I usually put the dates of travel in, add the flight details and then usually get my friends to put down all their ideas on there for us to come up with a plan for our trip.

5. Use social media I can’t remember a time where I just went on holiday without having any idea what to expect. I know that is sometimes the beauty of discovering somewhere new, so I try not to look into too much detail on what to ex-

I’VE BEEN WRITING TRAVEL GUIDES FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, WHICH HAS GOT ME INTO A GOOD HABIT OF MAKING SURE I PLAN MY HOLIDAYS PROPERLY AND THAT I’M GETTING THE MOST OF MY EXPERIENCE ABROAD!

pect in a new city. I do however love to use Pinterest and TikTok to find ‘the best local eats’ or ‘photo spots’ in a place.

6. Pin your landmarks on Google Maps I swear this article isn’t sponsored by Google, but their products are very handy when it comes to trip planning! If you open google maps you are able to ‘create a trip’ and then save all the points of interest. Whether it’s restaurants, your hotel or landmarks you want to save. The good thing is you can also view these without data and you will still be able to navigate around.

Anyone who’s ever travelled with me knows how obsessed I am with google docs. You get real time updates on a document, mul-

WORDS BY GIANA SPITERI 26

MAY 2023

7. Make the most of bank-holidays to extend your trip If you have Gibraltar bank holidays, then March/April is the best time to have an extended holiday. Last year I went to Thailand for 3 weeks and only had to take 10 days of annual leave thanks to the Easter holidays, May Day and Workers Memorial Day. If you’re short on days for the rest of the year, then why not plan a trip over the New Year?

That way you can also pull days from the following year.

8. Find free things to do One of my top activities to do in Europe is a ‘free walking tour’ of a city. These are always a great way to see and learn about a place and get your bearings. Even though most of these are usually free to take part in, it is expected that you give some sort of tip at the end of it.

9. Plan your activities before hand My go to for activities and excursions is either GetYourGuide or Klook, and it’s great for removing the hassle out of organising outings. A lot of the activities listed on here come with free cancellation just in case your plans change, and you can also see customer reviews below to see whether the activity is worth doing.

10. Don’t overplan As much as I love doing things in advance, there is also such a thing as planning too much. We know things can always go wrong, so It’s important to go with the attitude that if something doesn’t go as planned, it’s ok and most of the time these things are usually funny to look back on. It’s also good to just leave some time to get lost around a city and see what hidden gems you discover yourself!

Giana Spiteri is a local writer, specialising in lifestyle, beauty & travel. instagram.com/ teawithgi

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MAGNIFICENT

MALTA Gibraltar has long had close links with Malta and a Maltese community has existed in Gibraltar since shortly after the British conquest in 1704. Nowadays, over a third of Gibraltarians have Maltese roots going back to the days of Maltese migration in the last half of the 19th century and early 20th century. A proportion of Maltese surnames can be found in Gibraltar today, with many notable Gibraltarians being of Maltese descent. Another similarity is that Malta is known by locals as ‘The Rock’, due to the fact that everything is carved in stone and the golden hue of limestone is evident everywhere on buildings, churches and city walls throughout the islands.

Malta is comprised of seven tiny islets with only the two largest islands, Malta and Gozo, being inhabited, while the third biggest, Comino, is a bird sanctuary and a nature reserve. It has been suggested by geographers through the ages that the Maltese Islands were not only part of one whole land mass, but that they also used to be connected to what is known as modern day Sicily through a land bridge, now 330-feet below sea level.

Malta, 27 kilometres (17 mi) long and 14.5 kilometres (9 mi) wide and home to half a million people, has been shaped by many different cultures over the years. There are suggestions that teeth discovered in Għar Dalam ('Cave of Darkness') complex in 1917 may prove Neanderthals once roamed the island, as they did in Gibraltar, but the island was definitely invaded by Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, the British and others over a long and difficult history.

During a four day trip to Malta our first stop was the capital Valletta, a fortified city located on a hilly peninsula between two of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean which has an intriguing history that spans for centuries. The Knights of Malta built Valletta in the 16th century following the Great Siege of Malta of 1565. Its name derives from Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, whose vision went beyond fortification and who wanted it to become a grand European centre of culture and commerce. We started our visit at the beautiful and impressive St John's Co-Cathedral dedicated to Saint John the Baptist built between 1573 and 1578, taking over from the Church of St Lawrence in Vittoriosa as the place where the Knights would gather for communal worship. The interior was revamped in the 17th century in ornate high Baroque style by Mattia Preti and other artists. Make sure to step into the Oratory to see the huge painting ‘The Beheading of St. John the Baptist’ by Caravaggio, which is the painter's only signed work. If you want to visit the Cathedral a good tip is to book online to go straight into the building and avoid long entrance queues. After coffees and patizzis (traditional phyllo-like pastries filled with ricotta or peas) at Caffe Cordina, located in an old palazzo on Republic Street and worth a visit just for the beautiful interior, we took a sightseeing train ride around the streets which was a really good way to explore the area. Our last stop in Valletta was to the Lascaris War Rooms, buried deep underneath the Upper Barracca Gardens. They consist of an underground complex of tunnels and chambers that housed the War Headquarters from where the defence of Malta was conducted during the Second World War.

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Day two took us to Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea and Cospicua, known as the Three Cities of Malta. Again a fun train trip enabled us to get an overview and was a really good way to see the cities without too much walking whilst giving us some unbeatable views across the Grand Harbour towards Valletta. As the first home to the Knights of St. John, the Three Cities’ palaces, churches, forts and bastions are far older than Valletta’s. We strolled through the narrow alleyways and admired the classic architecture then stopped for a mid-morning snack at one of the many cafes along the marina waterfront.

On our third day we took a ferry from Ċirkewwa, the northernmost point of the island, to Gozo. The trip takes around 25 minutes and ferries run up to 74 times every day of the week. There is also a fast ferry service that takes roughly 45 minutes from Valletta. On arrival at Ċirkewwa harbour we followed the signs to where the cars queue, and if you are a foot passenger you can board the ferry immediately via the terminal. You do not need to buy a ticket on your trip to Gozo from Malta, as tickets are bought on your way back to Malta from the Mgarr terminal in Gozo. A ticket booth is allocated just before the car queue to the boat. Gozo is the quieter sister to Malta, with around 40,000 inhabitants. After heading to capital city Victoria, or Rabat as it is called by the locals, we went up to the Cittadella Visitors Centre. It’s worth getting the combination ticket that includes the visitors centre and four other museums. The Citadel was originally planned and built to provide shelter for all the inhabitants of the island during the age of coastal piracy. The views from the walls of the fortifications are spectacular and you can walk around the full perimeter.

On our way back to the ferry we stopped off at Ġgantija Temples, a megalithic temple complex from the Neolithic era preceding Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites on Gozo. The temples are officially recognised by UNESCO as the oldest freestanding buildings in the world and more information can be found in the small museum before you enter the site.

Our final day took us to the medieval city of Mdina, once the capital of Malta, built on a flat plateau with wonderful views from the fortifications, especially when we stopped for lunch at the popular Fontanella Tea Garden and sat on the top terrace.

This restaurant is so popular people queue to be seated, but don’t let that put you off, you will always get a table if you don’t mind a short wait!

From Mdina we walked to the town of Rabat and visited St. Paul’s catacombs representing Christian, Muslim, Pagan, and Jewish burials side-by-side with no visible separation. These subterranean burial grounds are worth a visit but be aware that access is steep with lots of stairs, narrow passageways and low ceilings.

There is, of course, a lot more to experience in Malta, from the nightlife culture in St. Julian's and Sliema, to the resort areas built around harbours. Malta’s coastline is mostly rocky but the water is an amazing turquoise colour, especially in the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island, and there is plenty of opportunity for swimming, snorkelling, diving, and boat trips. Enjoy Malta… we did!

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FEATURE

NORTH YORKSHIRE What does North Yorkshire conjure up for you? Maybe it is the rolling landscape of the valleys and the vast expanses of heather-covered moors together with beautiful areas of unspoiled wilderness. Maybe it is the image of times gone by with the cotton mills and its rich textile heritage.

Whatever you think about North Yorkshire, the largest county in England, it is definitely a beautiful location that is often referred to as “God's Own Country,” which is no wonder seeing that it incorporates the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks.

The historic city of York traces its history back some 2,000 years to AD 71 when it was founded by the Romans. The first mention of its Roman name, ‘Eboracum’ can be traced back to around AD 95 and over 200 years later, Roman emperor Constantine the Great was declared emperor here in AD 306. The Saxons followed the Romans and knew it as ‘Eoforwick’ and the Vikings, who followed them, named it ‘Jorvik’.

With its rich history, it is strange that the city centre of York has only just gained UNESCO World Heritage Status. As you wander around the city you will notice a huge variety of ancient buildings, architecture dating back to medieval times, magnificent Georgian town houses and its Victorian railway station, as well as the longest stretch of intact city walls in England, small parts of which date back to the Romans.

A layer of history is unpeeled at every turn, from the Norman castle to the ruined Benedictine monastery, but there are two locations that should not be missed. The first is the Gothic splendour of York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe, situated in the heart of the city. Look out for the incredible stained glass Rose Window that commemorates the end of the War of the Roses and the beautiful ‘Heart of Yorkshire’ which sits in the Great West window where legend says that if you kiss your partner beneath the window you will stay together forever.

Shambles is the second must-see on any visit to York. This medieval street consists of mostly timber buildings that date back as far as the 13th Century. With its cobbled streets, overhanging buildings and mazelike alleyways it is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series. This is the place to go to find quirky boutiques and cafes as well as gift and sweet shops.

If you want to venture a bit further from York, head to the ancient market town of Pickering and hop on a train to Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a world-famous heritage railway that runs through the North York Moors National Park. Owned and operated by a charitable trust, the line runs for 24 miles with the whole journey taking around 1 hour 50 minutes.

The fishing port of Whitby is situated at the mouth of the River Esk and during the Middle Ages it was the home to herring and whaling fleets, but it still has a thriving fishing industry today. Whether you’re looking for some delicious seafood or traditional fish and chips, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from along Whitby’s famous harbour.

Captain Cook learned his trade as a seaman in Whitby and it was here that the ship that took him on his voyage of discovery to Australia, HMS Endeavour, was built. Another person of note was Bram Stoker, and it was whilst staying in Whitby that he got much of his inspiration for the novel Dracula, a rare signed copy of which can be found in Whitby Abbey. The 13th-century Gothic Abbey, maintained by English Heritage, dominates the skyline above Whitby. There is plenty to discover, both in the Abbey grounds and in the visitor centre, located in a 17th century mansion.

Robin Hood's Bay is a small fishing village and bay on the coast not far from Whitby and Scarborough. Situated within the North York Moors National Park on the Cleveland Way national trail and also the end point of Wainwright's Coast to Coast walking route, it is an ideal place to go for walking, hiking, cycling, and exploring everything that the area has to offer. Known to the locals as ‘Bay Town’, there is no evidence that the village has ties with the Robin Hood who robbed the rich to feed the poor. Consisting of a maze of tiny streets, there is reputed to be a network of subterranean passageways linking houses and used by smugglers in the 18th century to hide their contraband.

For more info chris@visitnorthyorkshire.com

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uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island. Some say they were left by a group of sailors, who planned to come back and cook them.

Did you know that there are 61,000 people in the air over the USA at any given time on any given day and that one-third of the world’s airports are located over there?

According to official numbers released by the Airports Council International (ACI), Atlanta has reclaimed its crown as the world’s busiest airport in the world. Nearly 94 million passengers passed through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2022, a 24% increase from the prior year. For 22 years Hartsfield-Jackson held the title but was surpassed by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China in 2020, only to regain it after the end of the pandemic.

Highest Statues

The tallest statue in the world is the Statue of Unity located in Sadhu Bet, Gujarat, India at 182m high. It was inaugurated in October 2018 to commemorate the 143rd birth anniversary of Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, who was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India.

The Spring Temple Buddha, located within the Fodushan Scenic Area, Henan Province in China comes in at second highest at 128m.

The statue represents the Vairocana Buddha in a standing position on a lotus-shaped throne.

The third tallest statue in the world is the Laykyun Sekkya with a height of 115.8 m. located in the Khatakan Taung village, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. The Laykyun Sekkya Statue unveils a standing Buddha just beside a reclining Buddha statue. The construction of the statue took 12 years to complete starting in 1996 and was completed in 2008.

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Leaning Big Ben

Facts TRAVEL

Largest Island

You might think that Australia is the world’s largest island at nearly 3 million square miles.

However, the proper definition of an island is a landmass that is entirely surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent therefore Australia, as a continent of its own, is ineligible for consideration as an island. Greenland is the world’s largest island with an area of 822,700 square miles. Despite its enormous size, Greenland is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the world and currently its population stands at 57,046.

Beaches

Australia has almost 12,000 beaches along its 60,000km (37,282mi) coastline. If you visited one per day, it would take more than 32 years to see them all!

Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) in London is leaning over so much it can now be seen with the naked eye and may eventually become unstable if left uncorrected. In 4,000 years it will be at the same angle as the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Least Visited Country

The least visited country in the world is Tuvalu, located halfway between Australia and Hawaii in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It’s a coral atoll nation, which means it sits on a ring-shaped coral reef encircling a lagoon, with islands along the rim. The country is a stunning oasis, but the UN included the islands in a list of places that could completely disappear due to rising sea levels in the next century. Tuvalu has a population of nearly 11,000 and only receives around 4,000 visitors a year.

Monaco vs Central Park

Monaco is smaller than Central Park in New York. With an area of just 0.78 square miles and a population of 38,300, Monaco is one of the densest countries in the world. Central Park is about 840 acres or 1.31 square miles in size, making Monaco roughly 60% of the size of the world-famous park.

Swimming Pigs

You can swim with pigs on the island of Exuma, one of the hundreds of islands in the Bahamas. Pig Beach located on Big Major Cay is

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FEATURE

The weather is warming up and with school holidays not far away you may be wondering what you can do with the kids this summer, or maybe you just want to go away for a long weekend somewhere that will keep the kids active and amused. The good news is that there are plenty of great places to venture to just over the border along the Costa del Sol that all the family will enjoy.

Animals Bioparc Zoo Fuengirola You may not feel comfortable visiting zoos, but Bioparc Zoochampions a new animal park model based on respect for nature and the preservation of its species, a model that has already become a benchmark at European level. Bioparc is characterised by its architectural design called zoo-immersion, which immerses the visitor in the environment of the animal.

Although not large, there are a diverse selection of animals ranging from crocodiles to tigers and gorillas to orangutans, as well as many more, including pygmy hippopotamus and Malayan tapirs. Wander through some of the most amazing tropical forests in the world, from the island of Madagascar, Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific islands. Get up close as you walk through the lemur house where you will see the primates playing around an ancient Baobab tree or if you are feeling brave enter the abandoned mine full of bats. The most important thing is that the animals look happy, healthy and relaxed in their naturalistic enclosures.

Selwo Parks There are now three parks under the Selwo brand. The original, Selwo Aventura Estepona, consists of three large habitat areas with lush tropical and subtropical vegetation, lakes and a huge variety of animals. Experience an authentic off-road African Safari with an expert tour guide and then if the kids want to let off some steam there are trampolines, archery, and a 65-metre long and 15-metre-high suspension bridge. Ziwa, which means "flying over the lake" in Swahili, is a 116-meter zip line suitable only for those brave enough to slide down it and enjoy a bird's eye view of the great lake, but be aware that the minimum weight to use the zip line is 40 kg and the maximum weight is 90 kg.

Selwo Marina Benalmadena Set over four different areas: The Antilles which emulates a Caribbean landscape and where the dolphinarium is located; The Hollow where you will see exotic birds brought in from the Amazon and South America in their natural environment; Icy Island, the first

icy penguinarium in Andalusia with the most complete collection of penguins of European zoos that replicates their natural environment where you can observe how these penguins live, both outside the water and under; and The Amazon, an area dedicated to the Amazon rainforest with both flora and fauna brought in from this abundant river. Apart from all that Selwo Marina offers unique live experiences with dolphins, an encounter with penguins or a swim with sea lions.

Teleférico Benalmadena (Benalmadena Cable Car) The third attraction that comes under the Selwo brand is the cable car at Benalmadena. Enjoy exclusive panoramic views of the coastline of Malaga as you head up to the top of Monte Calamorro where there is a presentation of birds of prey.

Sealife Aquarium Benalmadena Marina Although small, this walkthrough underwater park is educational and has different interactive zones where you can get your hands wet and touch some of the sea creatures. Jurassic Tunnel is where you’ll be able to see black-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles and other colourful species. Don’t forget to go to Otter’s Oasis for feeding time where you will meet two Asian Otters.

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MAKE IT A FAMILY

SUMMER Make the most

of Summer

FAMILY FUN

S U M #TIME M E R TO B RTRAVEL EAKS

Many destinations and hotels to chose from along the Costa del sol Start your holiday in comfort, We can get you there and back with our door to door coach only £45 return. Call in and take advantage of our early booking discount offers. @ElitetravelGibraltar 40, 44 IRISH TOWN, GIBRALTAR GX11 1AA, GIBRALTAR TEL: +350 200 49401 • www.elitetravelltd.com

Butterfly Park Benalmadena

Costa Jump San Pedro de Alcántara

Located next to the Buddhist Stupa, Mariposario de Benalmádena is the largest butterfly park in Europe. Here more than 1,500 exotic butterflies from around the world fly freely in a tropical paradise between waterfalls and flowers.

The Coast’s first trampoline park offers an enormous indoor arena filled with 50 interconnected wall-to-wall trampolines and lots of different zones. Opening hours 4 – 9 pm weekdays and from 11 am at the weekend.

Water Parks Kids love a water park and there are threealong the coast that feature wave pools, water play areas, paddling pools and slides: the largest is Aqualand Torremolinos, then slightly smaller isAquamijas(was Mijas Water Park) and in Cadiz province you will find Bahia Park Algeciras.

Adventure Parks and Other Activities Aventura Amazonia located in Elviria has 103 tree challenges and 24 zip lines distributed over 6 adventure circuits. It also includes the longest treetop zip line in Andalusia, with a length of 240m.

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The Automobile Museum Malaga This was a great place to take our grandsons aged 10 and 6 recently. View a private collection of vintage cars said to be worth around €25 million in the Antigua Fábrica de Tabaco (Old Tobacco Factory). During you’ll visit you’ll get the chance to see more than 90 amazing cars including the Antique 1898 Winner automobile (USA), one of the first vehicles with an engine, to the hydrogen prototype of 2010, as well as impressive Jaguars, Cadillacs, Rolls Royce, Bentleys, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches and Bugatti’s. Alongside the cars there is a selection of designer fashion through the ages from the top fashion houses as well as some 300 vintage hats.

The MIMMA Interactive Music Museum Malaga This museum located in the 18th-century Palacio del Conde Nava houses over 1000 instruments from all over the world and, unlike most others museums, instead of saying ‘please do not touch’ it actually encourages people to play and experiment with the instruments in their ‘Please to play’ rooms.

The Pompidou Centre Malaga Maybe taking the kids around an art gallery isn’t top of your list, but for a little bit of down time, The Pompidou Centre situated in amulti-coloured glass cube welcomes children with open arms and there is an exhibition area open to all artistic disciplines where children and their families can take part in workshops.Each year, the Galerie des Enfants presents two new exhibitions devised by contemporary artists. These are interactive and fun, enabling children to explore the world of the visual artist, architect, dancer, designer, musician or writer and share their approach and creative practices.

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FEATURE

MAG ICAL MOROCCO

MARRAKESH

Just across the Straits, Morocco's vibrant city of Marrakesh, also known as the "Red City," is a true feast for the senses. With its bustling souks, colorful streets, and stunning architecture, Marrakesh is a must-visit destination for any traveller looking for an immersive cultural experience.

One of the main draws of Marrakesh is the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. This lively square is the heart of the city and a bustling hub of activity, day and night. During the day, it's a great place to browse the countless market stalls, where vendors sell everything from spices to textiles to traditional handicrafts. As the sun sets, the square comes alive with street performers, musicians, and snake charmers entertaining the crowds. It's an experience that truly captures the essence of Marrakesh.

Beyond the souks and the square, Marrakesh has plenty of other sights to offer. The Bahia Palace is a stunning example of Moroccan architecture, with its intricate tilework and tranquil gardens. Another must-see is the Koutoubia Mosque, whose towering minaret is a recognisable landmark throughout the city.

For those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Majorelle Garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Marrakesh.

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The garden was designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle and features a stunning array of plants and flowers, as well as a striking blue villa that now houses the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

Of course, no visit to Marrakesh would be complete without indulging in the city's culinary delights. Moroccan cuisine is known for its bold flavors and aromatic spices, and Marrakesh is no exception.

From hearty tagines to delicate pastries, there's something to suit every taste. Be sure to try a traditional mint tea, a staple of Moroccan hospitality, at one of the city's many tea houses.

When it comes to accommodations, Marrakesh has plenty of options to suit every budget and taste. For a truly authentic experience, consider staying in a traditional riad, a type of Moroccan house with an interior courtyard. Many riads have been converted into guesthouses, offering a unique and memorable stay.

In conclusion, Marrakesh is a city that captivates travellers with its rich culture, stunning architecture, and bustling energy. From the colorful souks to the tranquil gardens, there's something to discover around every corner. A trip to Marrakesh is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

MAY 2023

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EASY TO GET TO FROM THE ROCK AND PERFECT FOR A LONG WEEKEND. HERE IS OUR 3-DAY TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE 'RED CITY':

alleys filled with shops selling everything from spices to textiles to pottery. Bargaining is expected, so be prepared to haggle for a good price!

DAY 1: Start your day early and head to the Bahia Palace, a stunning 19th-century palace with beautiful gardens and intricate architecture.

DAY 2: Start your day at the Majorelle Garden, which was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s. The garden is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, with beautiful plants and fountains.

From there, walk to the nearby Saadian Tombs, which date back to the 16th century and are a stunning example of Moroccan design and craftsmanship.

For lunch, head to the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, which is the heart of Marrakesh's old city. You'll find plenty of food stalls selling traditional Moroccan dishes like tagine and couscous.

After lunch, visit the Koutoubia Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Marrakesh and an important landmark in the city.

Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque, but you can still appreciate its beautiful architecture from the outside.

End your day by exploring the souks, which are a labyrinth of narrow streets and

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From there, head to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, which is a 14th-century Islamic college with stunning architecture and intricate tilework.

For lunch, head to the trendy neighborhood of Gueliz, where you'll find plenty of cafes and restaurants serving both Moroccan and international cuisine.

After lunch, visit the Museum of Marrakesh, which is housed in a beautiful 19th-century palace and showcases Moroccan art and design.

End your day with a visit to the El Badi Palace, which was once one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. Today, the palace is in ruins, but it's still an im-

pressive sight and offers great views of the city from its rooftop.

DAY 3: Start your day by taking a hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains, which offer stunning views of the Moroccan countryside.

After your balloon ride, visit the Menara Gardens, which are a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The gardens feature a large pool and plenty of olive trees.

For lunch, head to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which is located next to the Majorelle Garden and showcases the work of the famous designer.

After lunch, take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Moroccan dishes like tagine and pastilla.

End your day by visiting the Bahia Palace again, this time to see it lit up at night. The palace is especially beautiful after dark, and there are often cultural performances taking place in the courtyard.

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FEATURE When thinking about how to reduce our individual carbon footprints, one of the simplest ways to cut back on emissions is to fly less often. For those who want to see the world, there are ways to make trips more sustainable, including where you go, what you pack and how you decide to get there.

Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN Environment Program and UN World Tourism Organization as ‘tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.’

From Greta Thunberg sailing to the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York on a racing yacht, to hotels not using single-use plastics, sustainable travel is all around.

There has been considerable talk recently about sustainability in the travel industry. Questions like what does it mean to travel sustainably? How can I reduce my company's carbon footprint regarding business travel? These issues have been troubling individuals as the realities of climate change start to sink in for all of us. The pandemic stimulated a kind of collective consciousness on the importance of sustainability.

We, essentially, are guardians who need to preserve our way of life and our planet. Travel, whether for business or pleasure, has a key role to play in mitigating the environmental impact we have on our world.

Social and economic dimension There is considerable focus on responsible travel for the environment. The social and economic aspects of this can easily be overlooked. The travel and tourism industry is one of the few that has a direct impact on virtually all of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The social dimension of the travel industry's sustainable responsibility focuses on supporting local culture, cultural heritage, and local economies. This is achieved by ensuring that the money spent on travel in a certain country remains within its borders. Another important factor is protecting local people and local businesses, celebrating culture, and promoting good health and wellbeing.

Simple changes to the way we travel can make a significant impact in this area. Encouraging travelers to eat at locally-owned restaurants is a great way to ensure that money stays in the local community. Working with travel management platforms, tour operators, or other travel providers that contribute to social causes can also make an enormous difference.

shopping

the issue in practical terms Whether we are talking about business travel or sustainable tourism, the practical applications of the principles of sustainable travel are the same. The bottom line is to do what you can to reduce the negative impacts of any trip on the environment, society, and economy as you travel.

sustainable travel

While it can be tricky to tell the difference between locally crafted traditional items and things that have been imported from China, avoiding shopping malls and large markets outside tourist destinations is a positive first step. If you devote a little time to research you can usually find one or more boutiques that specialise in supporting traditional craft and help local businesses.

pack reusable items

The best way to reduce your waste output is to produce less. It makes perfect sense to pack light and purposeful. Stick to the basics and take reusables like a water bottle, coffee cup, steel or bamboo straw, food container (collapsible ones are great for travelling) and bamboo cutlery or a spork so you can avoid single-use plastics.

Take a reusable shopping bag and produce bags so you can shop plastic-free, and take zero waste toiletries, such as shampoo bars, deodorant and tooth tablets. You will create a lot less waste and you won't have to worry about liquids and aerosols.

impact on the environment What do we mean when we talk about sustainable travel in relation to the environment? Well, can you picture those giant cruise ships pulling up into Dubrovnik with tens of thousands of Games of Thrones fans pouring out all over the city, chips bags and candy wrappers on the floor, and literally tons of sewage being spilled into the bay? It's not that.

Sustainable travel has long since been viewed as a passing phase or an issue we can ignore. We must face and positively act on this serious challenge now.

The way we travel and our travel experiences have a huge impact on our ecosystem. According to a recent study, travel accounts for around 5% of global warming as a result of the C02 emissions that come from air travel, among other things. However, it is not simply about emissions. Travelling can also lead to overuse of water, degradation of land, improper waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions

respecting local communities Respecting the culture of local communities conserves cultural and artistic heritage is absolutely pivotal.The interaction with locals is one of the most rewarding things of sustainable travel and preserves traditions passed down from generation to generation.

It is essential to respect traditions as they form the identity of the local community and create a sense of unity among people.

local travel

Once you have arrived at your destination, consider whether there is a more environmentally friendly way to enjoy the city: • Consider bike or walking tours.

• On the water? Sail instead of taking a power-engined boat.

• If you are renting a car, think about an electric vehicle or maybe the smallest car that suits your family’s demands • Use public transit where possible. This is also a great way to meet local people.

• Contemplate carsharing. It can save money and emissions.

• Think about activities that combine experience with environmental benefits, such as cleaning up our coastlines • Our world has finite resources. There are only so many beautiful and untouched places on our planet and mass tourism threatens their existence. Nature, culture and history should be preserved, not commodified. It is our responsibility to look after our world while we enjoy the wonders of it.

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The Gothia Cup is the world’s largest youth football tournament and for the first time ever a team from Gibraltar will be travelling to Gothenburg, Sweden to take part in the international tournament taking place from Sunday 16th to Sunday 23rd July.

The tournament has been organized since 1975 by professional football club BK Häcken. The trip has been made possible with sponsorship from Pär Magnus Roos, who became the owner of Europa Point FC just over a year ago.

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The tournament is so much more than football. There will be opportunities for the under-14s team consisting of between sixteen to eighteen players from Gibraltar to meet people from all over the world, including Australia, Africa, South America, Europe, Asia and North America and for them to make lifelong memories and friendships

The youth team will be travelling with two trainers: Kai Soithongsuk and Luke Timmins. When not training or competing, they will have free time to explore what is on offer in one of Europe’s premier event cities and to take advantage of some of the wonderful sights and activities available in Gothenburg.

Head of Youth at Europa Point FC Martin Falkeborn says that the kids are very much looking forward to the tournament.

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FEATURE

DEAN will be diving deeper this summer

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERRY 38

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FEATURE Since we last chatted to local free diver Dean Chipolina on ‘Insight Magazine’ he has upped his world ranking to fourth and increased his depth in the two disciplines that he trains for. It’s fair to say that he has been carrying the UK diving team to glory and this summer he is confident that he can improve his ranking again and intends to surpass his deepest recorded depth of 101 metres. There are only three months of training left before July and despite the colds and flu doing their best to slow him down, he remains unphased and quietly confident that he can pull it off again this summer.

want to over extend to limits which I haven’t reached yet. One thing that can throw any plans askew are the underwater currents. Like in Cyprus last year there were strong underwater currents so we ended up revising our target depths because you have to work much harder. In July I won’t even attempt to break any records unless there are top conditions for diving.

In the world championships you have to dive regardless of conditions on the day, obviously within the safety parameters.

My training is modified now and I am confident that I can push my boundaries further.”

“My achievement last year was to break the 100 metre barrier. That had been my aim for the last three years. I didn’t want to scrape through that, I did a controlled dive and when I got to the surface I still had something left so I know that I can still improve on last year. It was an enjoyable dive, stress free and I was totally in control. With that dive I managed to come fourth in the world for the mono fin category. The other achievement was that I increased my bi fin record to 90 metres so both my disciplines have increased by ten metres over the last three years.”

Dean Chipolina now belongs in a small group of elite divers who are constantly their pushing boundaries. His online coach is 46 year old Algerian born French diver Abdelatif Allouach who has won several world championships and holds a 2021 world record of 115 metres on bi fins.

“These guys are always pushing their limits and they are on the cutting edge of the sport, however I can take a lot from them and am still learning all the time. I have an equipment sponsor from Latvia but this year the war has impacted on their budget. I still don’t have a travel sponsor and it would be nice to travel to pre-competition dives and competitions without having to dip into my own pocket. Travel sponsorship is now one of my priorities.

Ideally this summer, Dean wants to break the UK national record for bi fins by reaching 100 metres and he also wants to dive

carefully and order the shoe that will be glued to the blades. My main concern is that last year at depth I could feel that the shoe was a bit loose as the feet are compressed. So now I will be ordering very tight fitting shoes and that will be one thing less to worry about on future dives.”

I remembered that from my diving days of the 70’s using aqualung, when you go over your usual depth of around twenty metres you become more aware that you are in a hostile environment. You feel different in your headspace as the pressure increases and you have a sensible fear that there is a lot of water above your head if you have to climb in an emergency. I wondered how fear might impact on free divers, who go for three or four minutes and over, without breathing, to complete their deep dives.

“There is no fear- quite the opposite!

There is an element of letting go and you can become euphoric. The first thing you do is totally relax on the surface and slow down your metabolism and as you dive, you empty your mind so that you are no longer in the moment, then as you go deeper, air in your lungs contracts including the nitrogen, which can induce narcosis-a false feeling of wellness. This happens at around 40 or 50 metres and again stronger at around 80 metres. You

“THERE IS NO FEAR - QUITE THE OPPOSITE. THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF LETTING GO AND YOU CAN BECOME EUPHORIC. THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS TOTALLY RELAX ON THE SURFACE AND SLOW DOWN YOUR METABOLISM AND AS YOU DIVE, YOU EMPTY YOUR MIND SO THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER IN THE MOMENT, THEN AS YOU GO DEEPER, AIR IN YOUR LUNGS CONTRACTS INCLUDING THE NITROGEN, WHICH CAN INDUCE NARCOSIS-A FALSE FEELING OF WELLNESS. THIS HAPPENS AT AROUND 40 OR 50 METRES AND AGAIN STRONGER AT AROUND 80 METRES. YOU FEEL VERY RELAXED AND LET GO AND IT CAN FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING HUGGED.”

to 112 metres on his mono fin dive. To that end he has just ordered a pair of custom made fins which is going to leave him little change out of a thousand Euros. Free diving is expensive when you want to swim down a rope holding your breath like a dolphin. “If all goes well this year I could end up with two UK national records so we shall see. There is a small competition in Corsica in July which I am going to use to go for my record attempts. This summer I want to concentrate on breaking UK records first and then see what happens for the world championship which will be in September.”

Does he still feel that there are a lot of dives left in him to compete at that level? “Oh absolutely! Last year I always had more left in the tank whilst I was doing my pre-competition dives and this year I want to push those boundaries further.

The thing is I am conservative and I don’t GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

The sport nowadays gets a lot of TV and other media coverage including YouTube which is always good for the sponsors.”

As a regular user of the GASA pool I often see Dean training with his mono fin gracefully skimming the bottom of the swim lane for various lengths of the pool (in one breath!) and I wondered whether that is his favourite discipline. “It is indeed but I am dropping my frequency on that to concentrate on bi fins now so you will see me using them exclusively for a while. The mono fin lends itself more to coordination of two legs moving as one, whereas the bi fins for me seem more uncoordinated as the two legs use up energy in movement which is more difficult to streamline.

It also seems less efficient in getting the job done. I have just ordered a pair of bi fins where the blades are separate from the shoe. I now have to measure my foot

feel very relaxed and let go and it can feel like you are being hugged.”

“At those depths you are no longer an air breathing mammal. All the air in your body has been squeezed and plasma fills your lungs so that they do not crush. Your body has a mammalian dive reflex which comes into play and allows that to happen. From your guide line you have to pick up a tag which verifies the depth that you have achieved. Then you start your ascent slowly and in control. You will be met by safety divers at 3O metres and as the daylight penetrates the black, there will be more safety divers around you in case you black out. Suddenly you break surface and you have to keep it together and give a clear OK sign within 15 seconds as protocol demands. The dive marshal raises a white card and your dive is declared valid. That is what we live for.”

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39

FEATURE

WORDS BY STEVEN GONZALEZ 40

MAY 2023

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

FEATURE

WALKING FOOTBALLERS AT EUROCOPA 2023 EUROCOPA 2023 - ALBUFEIRA, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL Gibraltar’s Walking Footballers (Gib WF) in the aged 60+, took part in the EuroCopa 2023 Walking Football international tournament held at Albufeira in the Algarve, Portugal on the 17th and 18th April 2023.

out the tournament not only because of their footballing ability and their skills but for their sportsmanship and friendly attitude to all the teams, in particular towards Gibratar. This game was played in the best spirit traditions of football which ensured both teams enjoyed it to the full. In the end an excellent goal from Gilbert Licudi clinched the game for Gibraltar and a third-place finish.

The travelling party comprised 13 players and 6 officials including a referee and a Sports Therapist, at the tournament which took place in the Estadio Da Nora, Ferreiras, in Albufeira.

A total of 40 teams from 9 countries, split into two age categories of 50+ and 60+ had travelled to the popular Portuguese town in the herat of the Algarve, with Giibraltar competing in the 60+ age category which saw a total of 19 teams split into one group of 7 teams and 2 groups of 6 teams each.

Gibraltar were drawn into Group 3 alongside East Algarve Olhao, Brackley Sinners, Pimlico Burgundians, SC Farense and West Hartlepool Strollers.

The Gibraltar Walking Football Committee stated at the end of the tournament: drawn into in Group B alongside Bolton Nomads, Walking Lions, SC Farense and Cardiff City in what proved to be much tougher set of opponents.

Nevertheless Gibraltar were undefeated throughout the group matches winning 1 and drawing three. A second-place group finish behind Walking Lions meant they were through to the semifinals:

• Gib WF 0 - Cardiff City 0.

Day 1

• Gib WF 0 - Bolton Nomads 0.

The 17th April saw the group stages take place and Gibraltar’s walking footballers were on fire, finishing top of the group with a total of 13 points from a possible 15, and easing into the final stages scheduled for day 2 with some impressive results:

• Gib WF 2 Goalscorers: Albert Cumbo.

SC Fearense 1, Brian Mañasco,

• Gib WF 3 - Pimlico 0, Goalscorers: Albert Cumbo and Gilbert Licudi.

• Gib WF 1 - West Hartlepool 0, Goalscorer: Mario Glynn • Gib WF 4 - Blackley Sinners 0, Goalscorers: Tony Gingell, Brian Mañasco, Mohamed Moudden and Andy Sene.

• Gib WF 0 - East Algarve Olhao 0.

Day 2 saw the top 3 teams of each group and the best placed 4th team split into two groups of 5. Gibraltar were

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•G ib WF 1 - Walking Lions 0, Goalscorer: Mario Prescott.

•G ib WF 2 - SC Farense 2, Goalscorers: Mario Prescott and Albert Cumbo.

Sheffield FC, were Gibraltar’s semi final opponents in what proved to be highly contested game which could have gone either way. Unfortunately for Gibraltar Sheffield FC broke the deadlock with a well taken free kick and managed to hold to win the game despite an impressive Gibraltar performance.

The final was between Sheffield FC and East Algarve Olhao and although Sheffield were considered the better team, East Algarve Olhao won the match after a penalty shoot out.

“The Walking Football Committee would like to thank all the team at the Gibraltar FA for all their support in enabling Gib WF to participate in international tournaments such as this. Special mention must be made of Gabriel Benatar who was the Sports Therapist assigned by the Gibraltar FA to accompany the team in the Algarve this week. This is not the first time that Gabe has travelled with our Walking Footballers and once again his performance was second to none. His care and attention in the pre match preparations and throughout all the matches was instrumental in ensuring that all our players remained fit for play.

A very proud achievement in finishing in 3rd place out of a total of 19 teams in the 60+ age category. Gib WF only lost one game throughout the tournament and that was the semifinal.

The excellent preparative work and top class management, throughout the tournament, by the team manager Brian Mañasco ably assisted by Roy Stych and Mario Prescott, were crucial and central to the excellent results achieved by the team on the pitch in the Algarve. Once again in our short walking football history we have proved that our teams can compete at international level against the best with ability and confidence. The Gibraltar Flag flew very prominently and proud in the Algarve.”

Gibraltar then had to face Walking Lions in the third place playoff. Walking Lions were a team of Spanish players from Bilbao who impressed through-

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41

FEATURE

The Revolutionizing Force To 3x3eachsoccer

Women's Football Development!

WORDS WORDSWORDS BY BYSTEVEN JOHN BYGONTIER XXX GONZALES

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FEATURE We at Gibraltar Wave FC have discovered a new sport #3x3eachSoccer. Our research has made it more apparent how #3x3eachSoccer benefits grass players and for a long time it has been a favorite and most fun session for many top teams especially in warmer times of the year.

However it`s only recently been evaluated for its validity to player development in the way other small-sided games like futsal and the many other forms alternatively to the grass. But, it is clear now, #3x3eachSoccer is not only amazingly fun, but also an integral part of developing a more technical, tactical, & stronger soccer player and most importantly a future football game in its own right.

I`m happy to say Reygadas Sports Group has taken #3x3eachSoccer under its wings. We shall soon be airborne.

The unique approach of 3x3eachsoccer in developing women's football. #3x3eachSoccer helps maintain players on their toes. A talented player shall no more sit on her laurels and wait for the ball to come before she begins to play. Players work harder without any coach demanding it.

Simply putting players on the sand will not only do this but also make players quicker, stronger, and tremendously more confident on the ball.

Everything you do on the sand is 100% transferable to improve the grass game and skills. #3x3eachSoccer is the perfect complement to the grass game as it is played in the air when trained correctly. Adding #3x3eachSoccer training as part of the curriculum will expedite and certainly help recreational to advanced players reach another level in skills and development.

Running in High Heels

We have coined the term “Running in High Heels” which goes straight to the point of players being on their toes more. As coaches spend a lot of time telling players to be on their toes to get a quicker step to the ball. Many spend time doing various techniques from heel lifts, to “pitter-patter” speed steps, and speed ladder. But, when you run in sand correctly, Running in High Heels, with your toes entering first and your heels out of the sand (always, even when standing), it not only creates “starting blocks” under your feet, making you move 3-4 steps quicker over ten, but also develops the twitch muscles, tendons, and joints to react quicker once you go back to grass. Players coming from the sand will feel like they are floating on turf or grass especially after repeated sessions on the sand. If for no other reason this is the simplest and most advantageous motivation for coaches to put their player’s toes in the sand.

Lifting, “The new Juggling”

three-fold and its benefits are tremendous.

First & Second, the action of scooping to self and lifting is developing the muscles on the outside of the leg (1st) and therefore the outside of the foot (2nd). This is something most coaches almost never do especially with younger players. The most coaches do is teaching players to dribble and touch with the outside of the foot because as we all know we run faster with the ball doing so. But, the action of lifting develops the outside of the foot touch, strength, as well as creating familiarity with flexing and locking the ankle in a way we do not teach in the grass.

All emphasis is “in-step” (shooting) and “inside of the foot” which is 100% inside of the leg development. “The New Juggling”, that of lifting the ball develops and strengthens the ability to lock the ankle.

Third, this practiced technique now allows your players to have a far greater developed weapon in regards to scooping, shoveling, and lifting the ball for greater distances while standing still or even on the run. This is a savvy technique rarely developed on grass, but can be found more prevalent on the futsal court. It clearly gives players more choices about how to approach the ball when they have more mastery of the entire foot.

The emphasis of 3x3eachSoccer is to have fun while establishing the building blocks for the future. If you get players to scoop pass in beach competition you are way ahead of the game, but notice when players hit the grass they now have new technique not found as easy before being in the sand.

Shooting

This is easy to explain, but more difficult to

conceptualize. The first is the actual technique which NEEDS to be addressed by any coach taking players into the sand. The highest amount of injuries comes from players feet. Most of these injuries revolve around broken toes or getting “turf toe”. This is easily corrected which would eliminate a majority of injuries in beach soccer.

When striking the ball in the sand you need to develop the technique of clenching your foot in the same sense as with your hand punching someone. As coaches, we do not normally tell our players to clench their toes inside their boots. Why would we? Except, if we would, the player would be striking with a tighter locked ankle and more solid predictable surface which would actually hit the ball harder and with more accuracy.

#3x3eachSoccer is played in the air when done correctly. Lifting to self is a technique we have coined “The New Juggling” because it is critical for all players to eventually be able to do it. It is also as frustrating and monotonous as our staple juggling at the beginning of each session.

Think of it this way…what creates a more solid and powerful strike? An open-handed, fingers extended, slap, or a closed handed punch? Wouldn’t it be logical to believe the same of your foot, although you cannot wrap your toes as profoundly as your fingers the surface is more predictable to control and be more solid.

This is done primarily with the “Three Small Toes” doing the scooping and lifting with the big toe and second toe (long toe) providing balance. The significance of this training is

Now, how does this eliminate the specter of toe injuries in beach soccer? It is really simple. As you learn the technique of kicking in the sand you curl your toes back. It is a

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learned technique which takes a few sessions to get used to…like “Running in High Heels”… but as you do this the player’s practice by walking around kicking the top inch (centimeters) of the surface. The big toes and the rest are tucked so there is no drag. They are protected not only from the sand, but also much more from any contact which may be had. In addition, if they take this back to the grass and curl their toes in their boots you will quickly realize how much harder they strike the ball, like punching.

This does not even address the most important aspect which is hitting a ball on an uneven surface. Tell your players day 1, “NEVER HIT A STILL BALL IN THE SAND”, unless they clearly see it sitting on top of a ridge. This is because a “still ball” is usually sitting in a hole and doesn’t go anywhere and hurts when you kick it.

A player develops the MENTALITY of slowing down the ball as it rolls in and out of holes in the sand they become adept at striking on the top of ridges. This comes back to the grass in a way which is simply so advantageous its hard to really express. But, in simple terms, a young player, who has already developed the opportunity of slowing down their mind through this repetitive action will inevitably have the skill to do so with every ball approaching them in the grass. Therefore making them calmer, more skillful, and therefore better quicker than simply only being on the grass and/or other flat surfaced pitch or field. The change in dynamics of the uneven surface predictably improves a players vision on the ball exponentially.

Again, this really only scratches the surface.

Gibraltar Wave FC wants #3x3eachSoccer to be extensively trained and we have a portfolio of the right coaches and introduce this spectacular sport which gives a great chance for development of grass players, especially girls and women and be a platform for girls and women to improve Body and Mind Health while offering a spectacular Gen Z sport for the billions of football lovers worldwide.

Clubs, players, investors, broadcasters feel free to get in touch for more information.

We are working on having a #3x3eachSoccer this summer in the Bull Ring of Los Barrios.

The most Spectacular, Cheapest and Healthest sport for all. This is #3x3eachSoccer.

Conclusion:

The bright future of women's football development with 3x3eachsoccer. In conclusion, 3x3eachsoccer is a revolutionizing force behind women's football development. By prioritizing the development of the whole player and providing personalized attention, 3x3eachsoccer is helping female football players reach their full potential. With its unique approach to training and commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive sports culture, 3x3eachsoccer is poised to continue leading the way in women's football development for years to come.

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ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

UNIVERSITY ROYAL NAVY UNIT VISIT Twenty Five officer cadets and staff from Birmingham, Wales, Bristol and Devon University Royal Navy Units (URNU) recently visited Gibraltar for a weeklong programme.

The cadets, who are all university students, participate in a placement at the URNU for approximately 3 years where they are given the opportunity to gain Royal Navy insights such as navigation and leadership skills.

During the visit, the cadets were involved in helping clean, paint and conduct laborious tasks at O’Hara’s and Princess Anne’s Battery, alongside the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. That evening, they attended an event with the Gibraltar Heritage Trust and Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Commodore (Cdre) Tom Guy. When the cadets weren’t helping at the Batteries, they attempted the challenging Mediterranean Steps, toured St Michaels Cave, Great North Road tunnels, Great Siege Tunnels, Alameda Botanical Gardens, the Trafalgar Cemetery and HMS Trent.

During their time in the Trafalgar Cemetery, the cadets discussed and learned about the history of the Battle of Trafalgar and Gibraltar’s part in bringing Admiral Lord Nelson ashore. That afternoon, the Units visited His Majesty’s Naval Base, for an insightful question and answer session with Cdre Guy where they were given an update on the Royal Navy’s role in Gibraltar.

Coxswain of the URNU, Warrant Officer Class 1 Grover said, “It's not often you get this kind of access to a 1 Star officer, so the cadets relished it. Especially twice in one week.”

PROMOTION WITHIN THE RG The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is delighted to announce that Private (Pte) Brosco recently returned to Gibraltar after having passed the Potential Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (PJNCO) course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

The course brings together private reservist soldiers from Infantry Regiments across the UK, putting them through their paces in their first promotion-ready course as part of their career within the British Army.

The course, which is run over 19 days, focuses primarily on infantry fieldcraft, tactics and physical endurance in inclement weather conditions.

Pte Brosco’s skills and training were put to the test over a four night period when he was tasked with completing two field exercises.

Additionally, whilst starting his Army Leadership and Development Programme, Pte Brosco was tested on both day and night navigation.

All of the training provided critical infantry development towards becoming a Lance Corporal on his return to the Regiment.

WESTSIDE PUPILS VISIT GDP DOG SECTION Five Westside School pupils visited the Gibraltar Defence Police Dog Section as part of a study programme.

During their visit, the students were able to have a look around the kennels and the free run training area where they met various police dogs and got an insight into life as a dog handler.

The Gibraltar Defence Police have recently received three new police dogs, all German Shepherds, who will come into service once they have finished their training.

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Early detection of lung International Hospital

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Single visit Pulmonar 45

• Medical consultation pulmonologist

INSIGHT PHARMACY MEDICAL DIRECTORY USING THE GHA APPOINTMENT SYSTEM Same day appointments – Only when necessary: If you need a same day appointment call 200 52441 between 8:15am and 11:00am If you need an emergency evening clinic appointment call 200 52441 between 4:00pm and 6:00pm Advanced Appointments: Patients who wish to make an advanced appointment or a telephone consultation with their named or preferred GPs may do so for up to 4 weeks in advance by; Calling 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm Booking online via Gov.gi: By using the Gov.gi eServices app

Other Services: Patients who wish to use the following services, • Over70’s Driving Medical • Blood Clinic • Well person or Sexual Health Clinic • Smoke Cessation Clinic May either a) Call 200 52441 between 11:00am and 3:00pm, b) Book online via Gov.gi c) On the Gov.gi eServices app

Other Primary Care services: Cancel an appointment - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm or do so online via www.gha.gi Repeat Prescriptions – please call 200 07909 between 11:00am and 3:00pm or do so online via Gov.gi or in the Gov.gi eServices app Sick Note - please fill in the required form online via www.gha.gi or Gov.gi General enquiries - please call 200 72355 between 8:15am and 3:00pm.

For urgent medical advice, patients can call 111 at any time.

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ON DUTY PHARMACIES The Opening Hours for the Pharmacies On Duty Are: Monday – Friday: 7pm-9pm Weekends/Public Holidays: 11am-1pm & 6pm-8pm Duty Pharmacies for May: 2nd May to 8th May 2023 Rock Pharmacy 12 Winston Churchill Avenue Tel: 200 66992 9th May to 15th May 2023 Valmar Pharmacy Eurotowers

Tel: 200 63868

16th May to 22nd Mayl 2023 Calpe 232 Pharmacy 232 Main Street

Tel: 200 77231

23rd May to 29th May 2023 Waterport Pharmacy Unit 14, Crown Daisy House

Tel: 200 68323

30th May to 5th June 2023 Ocean Spa Pharmacy Unit 12B, Glacis Road

Tel: 22502152

Please contact our main Call Centre on Tel: 20079700 or the Hospital Pharmacy on Tel: 20007107 for any queries.

PRIVATE CLINICS Aria Medical Group Dr Marco Vricella Cosmetic Surgery with complete peace of mind

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Are You Sun Safe?

EVEN ONE SEVERE SUNBURN IN CHILDHOOD OR ADOLESCENCE MORE THAN DOUBLES YOUR CHANCES OF DEVELOPING THE DEADLIEST FORM OF SKIN CANCER, MELANOMA, LATER IN LIFE. IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF MOLES OR FRECKLES, YOUR RISK OF GETTING SKIN CANCER IS HIGHER THAN AVERAGE, SO TAKE EXTRA CARE.

It is important to check your moles on a regular basis for any changes.

Key factors to keep in mind are asymmetry, borders, colour, diameter and evolution. If you have any concerns, be sure to speak to your general practitioner.

ort and reused with permission

.

It is important to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from the sunlight. Vitamin D has various important functions, including immune support, calcium and phosphorus absorption and retention, and boosting mood and brain function.

Tips for enjoying the sun safely this summer • Choose sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB. • Your sunscreen should have a 4-star UVA protection rating or more.

• Apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.

• Spend time in the shade, particularly from 11am to 5pm.

• Darker coloured clothing is best as these absorb more UV than lighter colours like whites and pastels. Additionally, a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one.

• Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.

• Sunscreen should be reapplied straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off.

• Stay hydrated throughout the day.

er Supp produced by Macmillan Canc Image based on one originally

• Take extra care with children, their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin. Damage caused by repeat sun exposure could lead to skin cancer developing in later life. Children aged 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.

• If possible, opt for ‘reef-safe’ sunscreen, as these can help protect our local marine ecosystems.

How to deal with sunburn • Sponge sore skin with cool water, then apply soothing aftersun cream or spray, like aloe vera.

• Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, will ease the pain by helping to reduce inflammation caused by sunburn.

• Stay out of the sun until all signs of redness have gone.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vitamins for all the Family Why should you take vitamins? You should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet, but vitamin and mineral supplements can be extremely useful to fill in nutritional gaps in your diet, and there is evidence that some supplements can benefit your overall well-being.

There are vitamins that will benefit all age groups, so if you want to keep your family healthy take a look at some suggestions from Holland & Barrett Gibraltar.

Kids

From foetus through to breastfeeding, to toddler through to teenage years and beyond, omega-3s are critical for growth, brain development, and may even influence behaviour.

Omega-3s are fatty acids, which are vital components of yours and your child’s cell membranes. Taking omega-3 may help kids with concentration, could enhance brain function, improve mood, help their immune system, could reduce symptoms of asthma and aid problems with sleeping.

Try Holland and Barrett Kids Omega-3 chewy capsules which are a yummy blackcurrant flavour suitable for your little ones 3+ years and above. These chewable capsules contain omega-3 with Vitamins A, C, D and E – and help to support brain health, heart and vision.

Alternatively, Holland and Barrett Kids Multivit and Omega 30 Gummies are juicy & chewy softies with Omega 3 and Vitamins D, A, B6, B12, E & C.

so as a vegan, it’s important to find alternatives to meet your needs.

H&B Vegan High Strength ABC-Z has been specially formulated to support a vegan lifestyle. The improved formulation provides all the essential vitamins and minerals including extra Vitamin B12 as this is an essential vitamin that can’t be obtained from a vegan diet.

Vitamin D

Regardless of the season, a daily dose of vitamin D is always important in staying healthy. Vitamin D’s main job is to regulate our calcium and phosphate levels, which keep our bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. A vitamin D deficiency can result in some people developing bone deformities - so it’s only natural to want to top up.

Taking one tablet a day of Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3 contributes towards the maintenance of normal bones, muscle function and the immune system.

Iron Supplements

If you’re already a vegetarian or flexitarian, there may be one question stopping you from going vegan: will I get enough vitamins and minerals? Having a vegan diet has many health benefits, including being low in saturated fats, lower in sugar and having higher levels of antioxidants.

However, excluding certain food groups can cause deficiencies in certain nutrients and minerals.

Iron isn’t just good for you. As the mineral responsible for healthy blood production, it’s essential for your basic bodily functions. How much iron do you need? The average male adult (age 19-50) typically needs 8.7mg iron each day. For women in the same age range, the recommended daily intake is 14.8mg and for women over 50 the recommended level is 8.7mg a day. It’s not always possible to maintain healthy iron levels simply by following an iron-rich diet. Sometimes our bodies need a boost and that’s where iron supplements can be valuable. They can particularly help if an iron deficiency is something that you need to manage.

The nutrients you can go short of include: protein; zinc; vitamin B12; iron; vitamin D; calcium; omega 3; selenium; iodine. For non-vegans, most of these nutrients come from meat, fish and dairy products,

Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron vegan capsules deliver the benefits of iron whilst being gentle on your stomach, or try Spatone Apple with Iron Supplement Liquid which comes in convenient, one-

Vegan

a-day sachets packed with the taste of juicy, ripe apples to make iron supplementation not only easy but tasty too!

Vitamin Gummies

Have you heard all the fuss about gummy vitamins lately? But what on earth are they? Do they work and how do they work? Gummies are basically (and just like you guessed) jelly sweets with dietary vitamins and nutrients added.

Nature's Way Alive! Womens Energy 60 Gummies are a complete multivitamin which supports the female body by providing the essential vitamins that it needs to feel great and work at its best. The 2020 Healthy Awards winner works to benefit women’s energy, immunity, hair, skin and fertility.

Immune System

One of the best ways to support your natural immunity is to nourish your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive (the ones your body can’t make by itself). It’s worth noting that you need a dose of some water-soluble vitamins and minerals every day as your body can’t store them, e.g., you can’t eat 20 oranges one day or pop a load of vitamin C pills and be covered for a few weeks; you need vitamin C every day. Holland & Barrett Elderberry Immunity Gummies with Vitamin C and Zinc (containing 2,400mg of black elderberry) supports the normal function of the immune system.

Advisory Information: Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.

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MAY 2023

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Vitamins for all the Family

T & C’s Apply. Selected items only. Subject to availability.

Need some advice? Why not ask one of our experts?

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PACS

WELCOME TO IN OUR LAST ARTICLE, WE FOCUSED ON OUR TUESDAY GROUP, PLAYSENSE. FOR THIS MONTHS ARTICLE, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OUR WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUP. This is where it all begins....one of the nicest things about volunteering for PACS is the fact that we become part of the children's lives from when they born until they go

invaluable as they can meet new friends, often lifelong friends, and any questions they might have will be answered. Becoming a Mum is a joyous occasion but can also be

9.30am and we are open until 12pm.

Play mats, baby bouncers and plenty of baby toys are available. There is a cafe adjacent so a hot coffee and lots of friendly faces are always

to school full time.. Bumps & Babies provide parents / carers with a safe space to bring their babies from when they are first born... and sometimes when they yet to be born! New parents find the group

overwhelming. During this session, we always focus not only on the baby but also the parent. The session is a drop in, as we know how hard it can be to make a group on time with a baby. Our doors open at

the order of the day! Come along for yourselves to see what we’re about!

What's On @ PACS TOTALLY TODDLERS - MONDAYS 9.45AM - 11.15AM Mid Harbours Family Centre. Come join us for Storytime, craft and play.

PLAY SENSE - TUESDAYS 9.45AM - 11.15AM Play Sense from 9.45-11.15am at Mid Harbours Family Centre.

A quieter play session for those children who may find our other sessions overwhelming. To book, please email pacsgib@gmail.com BUMPS & BABIES - WEDNESDAYS 9.30AM - 12.00PM The Methodist Church. Our regular social catch up for parents to be and babies in a home from home atmosphere. This is a relaxed session where parents can meet up with their young babies to enjoy a cup of tea, make friends and talk about the highs and lows of parenting.

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED! always on the If reading this inspires any of you, we are s welcome, alway is help Any . teers volun lookout for new h of people! and you’ll be working with a great bunc

COOKING CLUB – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY The Methodist Church. A fun session aimed at toddlers aged from 2.5 upwards giving children the chance to make and try different foods. Booking required.

SENSORY STORY TIME – THURSDAYS 12.30 - 2PM The Methodist Church. Come join us for some interactive Story Time Fun! Different themes every week!

DIDDY DISCOVERERS – FRIDAYS 9.45 - 11.45AM The Methodist Church. Come join us for free play, story time and song time fun!

MONTHLY CRAFT CLUBS Ages 2.5 upwards. Details will be announced on our Facebook page.

FACEBOOK PAGE D FOLLOW OUR PLEASE LIKE AN OUR GROUPS: L DATES ON AL OF FOR REGULAR UP R PACS GIBRALTA

Contact Us for more information!

WORDS BY THE PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY GIBRALTAR (PACS) GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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FEATURE

stellar Elegant, and magical

JAZZ NIGHT AT THE ELIOTT HOTEL

Whenever I set my mind to do something, be it house chores or just need a “pick me up” I always turn to jazz. Be it Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Glenn Miller, or any of the greats.

There is also a lot of unearthed jazz but not that is not what I am going to write about today. Jazz on the Rock is loved, admired and full of collaborations. We of course have our jazz guru living in New York in ElieMassias but there are also names that have been associated with it for an exceptionally long time. One of those people is George Posso. George is the President of the Gibraltar Jazz Society.

This resurgence if you will that Jazz has had in the last few weeks is awesome to view from a far but even more awesome to witness it first-hand. George gracefully told me that he is “Happy with the response and that he is enjoying playing with fabulous musicians.”

The George Posso Trio kicked off the night’s festivities and on Piano was Juan Galiardo. Mr Galiardo graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. He also previously studied Music Education at the University of Cádiz in 1998. He is a beneficiary of the "Berklee European Scholarship Tour" as well as the Scholarship for the Improvement of Performing and Musical Arts Abroad from the Ministry of Culture of the Junta de Andalucía. At Berklee he was awarded the special prize of the Chair of the Piano Department. Admittedly I had not seen Juan perform in a while and I believe the last time I did was when a band he was a part of (Malfunktion) was opening for Jose Feliciano at the Gibraltar International Jazz Festival in 2016! Time truly does fly.

tic throughout and one thing worth noting is that when jazz is played, everyone falls silent and remain in awe throughout. That is what makes jazz so elegant, at least to me. One thing worth noting is that their setlist is all improvised and it is that spontaneity that makes it so fun to watch and enjoy. Since an early age I have always been drawn to the sound of the sax and it truly is a beautiful instrument.

Chuck McClelland is a gem, and his presence alone is incredible. The Canadian is formidable when it comes to the genre locally and it is always a joy to see him perform.

The more music, the merrier the crowd gets and that is always a bonus. For the second part the band usually invite up anyone who wishes to perform a few numbers and it was no different this time. Fellow Berklee graduate in Kian Khalilian was of the first who stepped up. It is always pleasing for the eyes when you see a musician enjoy himself whilst on stage and with Kian that is no different. I absolutely love his style and he is quite the formidable axeman. Also invited up to perform were Elio and David, two young musicians from La Linea on both guitar and drums, respectively. It was quite the spectacle and if they keep at it, they have a bright future ahead.

Also invited up to perform a song with the band were Carmel Khalilian, Victor Francis, Dennis Beltran, and Angela Jenkins. Each bring their own flavour of course and when you blend them all together, they make one awesome cocktail. It is satisfying to hear the grandeur of Dennis Beltran’s vocals, Victor Francis’ drumming and Angela Jenkins’ West End like prowess. This is more of a personal statement than my experience of what it felt like to hear her sing but Carmel my friend, you must perform more! You were magnificent.

Overall, a stellar night of music and one I really enjoyed covering. Special thanks to the band as well as the Veranda Bar’s management for their grade A service.

© David Diaz

It is the legendary Billy Crystal who has said before; “That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.” That quote resonated with me as I sat down at the Veranda Bar on Jazz Night at The Eliott Hotel a few weeks ago. Jazz is a beautiful genre and if you get it, you will end up admiring it for the simplicities. My jazz knowledge is not as vast admittedly, I know who the greats of the genre are, the many genres within jazz but it is my father as well as my uncle who love the genre endlessly and with them as reference points, they helped me understand their love for and why it is such a happy genre.

His precision, fingering and all-around humble attitude makes you admire him even more. Charlie Rovegno on drums is also a secret weapon if you will. They sounded fantas-

WORDS BY DAVID DIAZ 54

MAY 2023

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

MARRIED

on the

Rock

LUCY & DARREN, MARRIED IN GIBRALTAR ON 1ST APRIL, 2023.

PHOTOGRAPHER JENNA BROWN

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HOROSCOPES

YOUR FUTURE IN THE STARS

MAY

WITH KATE MCHARDY

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 23)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

This month is your period for transformation and transmutation, Aries. This simply means that you can safely act upon your intuition to bring healing and health to yourself and others. Trust the process.

You may find it hard to ‘go with the flow’ this month, Leo as you are certain that there is a better way than the one you are being presented with. But do it anyway. The flow is not necessarily the easiest way. When you heart and head work together miracles happen.

You are familiar with the power of manifesting, Sagittarius, and now it is time for you to utilize this power for the highest good of all.

This is not easy as the ego likes to remind us of all the injustices that we have been subjected to but... only love is real.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21)

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

Concentrate on your inner happiness this month, Taurus. If you have been feeling a sense of overwhelm then just stop what you are doing and take a few moments to rebalance your thoughts. Do this with some EFT Tapping or with a favourite mantra.

Ask yourself what your life would be like if you opened your heart completely, Virgo?

It is a challenge, for sure, but when you do it steps at a time, you will find happiness, healing, abundance and love.

Pay close attention to the stars and the constellations this month, Capricorn.

Whether you understand it or not, you are a Universal being connected to the stars. Tune into their wisdom by looking at them and thinking about them. Particularly Venus, also known as The Morning Star.

GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22)

ook at your challenges this month, Libra, and choose to see them as opportunities for growth. Do this from within a bubble of self-love and you will quickly realise just what each one has come to teach you. Open yourself up to the inspiration, support and messages of hope that are all around you.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23) Try to spend some time in nature this month, Gemini. Your soul is craving for the peace and sense of oneness that only nature can bring. We are all nature beings and our lives depend on remembering this and actively maintaining the connection.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19) With faith, you are invincible, Aquarius. You may have temporarily have lost belief in yourself but you are being reminded to trust the truth in your heart and know that faith does not waver.

This is your rock solid foundation.

CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 22)

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

You will be tested this month Cancer and you are guided to tap into your innate wisdom and practice compassion.

Accept that you are made of divine light and that you are evolved enough to override the ego and connect with the planetary energies that keep life balanced.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

The only truly important law of the Universe, Scorpio, is the Law of Love. And it is probably the hardest one for us to let go to. You can practice by sending love and light to the first person who pops into your mind. No judgement... just love. It works!

This a perfect time for you to pluck up the courage to prepare for change, Pisces, and to let go of the comfort zone which keeps you safe but holds you back. Release the old graciously and courageously and allow the new birthing to take place.

For Private Readings Tel: (0034) 666 966 502 Email: katemch@gmail.com Facebook Group: Horoscopes Gibraltar

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FEATURE

Letting Go YOU ARE ENOUGH I FOUND MYSELF WANDERING INTO THE TERRAIN OF THE DIVINE FEMININE THIS MORNING. H’MMM – INTERESTING I THOUGHT. MORNING STUDY IS ALWAYS BEST FOR ME. This pull towards really understanding the Divine Man/Woman connection and how I sabotage or honour ‘my’ Divine Feminine energy with ‘his’ Divine Masculine.

In order to become the Divine Male/Female that you truly are, that is your real strength, you must let go of the old strategies. They are obsolete, they are holding you back.

sistic family members. Or toxic friends. Or the daily job which draws your energy and devoids you of your creativity but is ‘safe’ and, more or less, pays the bills.

I ask my self – “In what ways do I feed and nurture this sacred connection/union on a healthy level?” And how does this link in with ‘You are Enough’?

We hold on to old habits and beliefs like we hold onto trauma. Just in case it happens again, I can be prepared. Thus, oftentimes, ensuring that it will indeed happen again and so I can prove, over and over, that I can survive it. That the mechanisms are still in place and thus I am strong. Oh, so wrong!

Letting go isn’t easy and can only happen successfully when you feel that ‘you are enough’ in yourself to recognise that you deserve better so you can let go and move on.

The way to feel that ‘you are enough’ is to let go of the emotional blocks that were put in place when you were a little impressionable child and then reinforced by yourself and others as you grew and developed. Bequeathed to you by overprotective parents and carers who wanted to keep you safe from risk. Risk taking is not seen as being a safe thing to do and so loving protection can (and often does) backfire. Of course, much damage is also bequeathed by parents who did not have the tools, or were too damaged themselves, to parent in a healthy, loving way, perhaps seeking to have their own needs met at the expense of their child’s.

And I realised that it is about feeling that you are ‘enough’ as you are and it is safe to let go of the old stuff of survival and to allow the emergence of the new … which is really the old, the hidden stuff, the silenced Feminine or Masculine.

The survival strategies, which served you so very well, are no longer appropriate. Indeed, they are the opposite – they are now destructive. They have become structures for self-sabotage. In this rapidly changing world that we live, our survival instincts have been nudging their way back into our daily lives in ways that we couldn’t have imagined a few short years ago. And, while we strive to move forward in life, the reality is that we fall back into old patterns which served us well, at one time, and which we subconsciously dive back into for cover when we feel threatened or fearful. And there is much of that around!

This is not, in any way, to minimalise the necessity and importance of the structures which have served us so well. It is to elucidate the importance of recognising that their time is gone and we must let go of them. Letting go is scary but necessary if we are to evolve and live our best life.

How is it possible, you might ask, to actually let go of such deeply embedded habits. Surely, they have become intrinsic to who we really are. Or we think they are because they are so familiar and we feel dependent on them.

We identify who we are through these embedded habits and would be at a loss as to how to navigate a single day without them.

This is similar to the ties we have with narcis-

As a young single mum of two boys, I can see now that the drive of the Feminine Energy in me to nurture and care for my sons is what drove the Masculine Energy in me to be the provider, caretaker, protector. And so, I became both. Thank goodness for that. We all have masculine and feminine energy and the key is to recognise it and have it in balance.

We need both. However, the challenge is to find the balance and to maintain it in a healthy way. Our planet, Mother earth, is way out of alignment at the moment and is tilting and weaving in her attempts to get back in balance. Mother earth needs us to develop the feminine energy of caretaking and nurturing in order for the human race to continue living an existence that is worth living. We have had enough war and competition, enough misdirected value placed on materialism and ‘things’. Too much doing not enough being.

To let go of limiting beliefs and know that ‘you are enough’ is a hard, if satisfying, road. It takes the desire and willingness to undertake deep inner work and to look at very uncomfortable things which you experienced, the repercussions of which shaped you and have been guiding you through life for so long, long after they were done. It is also important to be aware that knowing that you are enough will require lifelong maintenance much in the same way as other healthy daily habits for life.

Habits like having a daily shower – and they can be done at the same time!

Honour and accept the part of you that has held these beliefs so dearly for so long. It was only trying to keep you safe. Let it go with gratitude and love and remember –

“You are enough”.

KATE MCHARDY MA(HONS) PGCE MSPH. SPIRITUAL COACH, TEACHER AND HEALER. The University of Light Group www.thehealingretreat.net katemch@gmail.com • +44 7712889534

WORDS BY KATE MCHARDY

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ADOPT

DON'T

SHOP

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

ARABIA

Roko is around nine years old and is really used to living in a home before he was abandoned. He is really calm and affectionate and walks well on a lead and is professionally trained. He is looking for a forever home or even a foster home as he’s currently being held in kennels and just needs a chance at a normal life again.

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

More info: www.ainf.gi

PACO

INDIA

58

ROKO

Arabia has a stunning personality and is great with children and other animals (she loves cats!). She’s an energetic dog but loves to have lazy cuddles on the sofa. Walking is no problem for her either, she’ll never leave your side for even a minute! All in all she is a wonderful dog and will be the perfect companion.

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

India is 3 years old and is a lovely, little sweet-natured girl who is currently in foster and looking for forever family. She is very affectionate and she loves playing with people and other dogs.

Paco was hanging around on the road near the pound for some of days and many volunteers had tried to catch him, but he was too scared to come close, so food and water were left for him everyday. Then suddenly one morning he decided to follow one of the dog walkers back to the pound, so here he is!!

More info: www.ainf.gi

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

MAY 2023

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

A VET'S INSIGHT

Summer IS UPON US

THE WEATHER HAS WARMED RAPIDLY AND WITH THIS COMES THE RESURGENCE OF THE INSECTS AND THE PARASITIC ONES THAT CAN CAUSE DISEASE IN YOUR PETS. PROTECTING YOUR PET IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE, OTHERWISE YOUR BEST FRIEND COULD SUFFER CHRONIC ILLNESS FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE . TODAY I WILL REVISIT A COUPLE OF THE DISEASES. Locally the most significant problem and one that can cause serious illness in your pet is canine leishmaniasis .

This disease is caused by a flagellated protozoa that is injected into dogs by Sandflies (phlebotominae), looks like a tiny mosquito. The female of this biting fly feeds on blood that it requires for egg production, however at the same time that it feeds it can infect the host with the protozoa, in a similar way that malaria is spread by mosquitos.

The protozoa can cause devastating damage to a dog, but the illness is a slow insidious disease that can damage pretty much any organ in the body, broadly speaking they can be divided into two types, the visceral type infecting the internal body organs, or the cutaneous one that infects the skin. This is a bit of a simplification as it can affect any body system and therefore can sometimes it can be a challenge to diagnose. One common complaint is that the dog ‘isn’t right’. In some cases the illness is asymptomatic until the animal becomes suddenly seriously ill , in some of these cases the dog has gone beyond the point of no return and does not respond to medical therapy.

Confirmation of the disease is done by doing a simple blood test, generally you can have the results back in under quarter of an hour.

There are various treatment regimes used in the medical therapy of infected dogs, depending on their body condi-

tion, the body system affected and on the finances available. Sometimes the dog does not respond to one treatment and may need an alternative.

What is very unfortunate about this disease is that in the majority of cases after treatment the animal goes into remission and the parasite cannot be eliminated, it remains dormant in some hidden recess of the body, usually in the lymphatic system or the bone marrow. Thanks to medical progress we can now actually look for DNA of the protozoa in the blood, so that we can check the level of infection in treated animals to make sure the parasite does not make an unwelcome reappearance.

Evidently prevention of leshmaniasis is by far the best option. Now not all dogs are at the same risk of contracting this disease so you can tailor your prevention strategy depending on the your particular circumstances.

There are two ways of protecting your pet, one is to vaccinate your pet and secondly to prevent its infection by the Sandfly.

Vaccination is a fairly recent option, it is more expensive than your standard vaccine, but be aware that the manufacturers do not recommend that you stop using ecto-parasite treatment to stop the vector.

However all pets do not require the same level of protection, the highest level must be for those dogs that are outside in gardens during the times of highest risk, dusk to dawn. Those dogs

living in flats in highly urbanised areas are at a smaller risk but there is never any guarantee that a female Sandfly will not sneak in and infect your family pet, do not become complacent.

The other main ectoparasite of concern at this time of year is the common flea. Although they do not carry serious illnesses they can cause many chronic skin complaints. The exception to this is a blood parasite in cats that is spread by fleas and this can kill your pet if not diagnosed early enough.

If an animal with a flea allergy dermatitis isn’t treated they the problem can snowball and the condition can become serious and very expensive to treat. In this day and age there is no excuse for your pet suffering from a flea problem; there are a multitude of decent products out there to prevent your pet from being infested with these blighters.

In summary go and out get your pets protected NOW!!

For more tion please rma info phone Gibraltar Vetinary Clinic on 200 77334

WORDS BY MARK PIZARRO GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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GINGER

WILLOW

Ginger is a very loving 2 year old boy who enjoys a good cuddle!

He’s still a kitten at heart as he loves and needs to play, so a stimulating environment is needed for Ginger. He is good with other cats, particularly playful ones to give him that extra fun he craves! Ginger is best suited to a home without young children

Willow is a sweet natured, gentle girl who’s loved by all who meet her. Her main hobbies are eating, loving humans and being nosey!

She is a laid back and low maintenance 14 year old sweetheart who lives in harmony with other cats. Willow is best suited to a quiet home without young children.

More info: (Facebook) @SaveGibStreetCats

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MAY 2023

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MATTHEWS JEWELLERY & REPAIRS

Homemade Jaffa Cakes

Cash for gold, Jewellery repairs, Engraving, Watch straps and batteries 4/4 crutchett's Ramp - Gibraltar - Tel/Fax 20050478

If like me, you grew up eating the original Jaffa Cakes then you can probably understand how excited we were when we found out we could easily make these at home.

INGREDIENTS 180G Dark Chocolate 135G Orange Jelly 25G Self Raising Flour

25G caster sugar 1 egg 200 ml Water

METHOD Preheat oven to 180C 1, Begin by preparing your jelly. Mix the jelly contents with 200ml of boiling water and dissolve until all lumps have melted. Pour the liquid jelly onto a baking tray and place in the fridge, allowing it to set into a thin layer whilst we prepare the rest of the jaffa cakes.

2, Blend together the sugar and egg, whisking until you have a smooth and fluffy creamy texture. Now, sift in the flour and fold into your mixture.

3, Grease a 12 hole cupcake tray with some butter and pour in around a teaspoon of the mixture into each, this should evenly use up all the mixture.

4, Place this in the oven for 8 – 10 minutes, taking care they don’t burn as these do not take long at all.

5, Remove from the oven and place each sponge on a tray to cool.

6, Allow to cool and in the meantime cut your jelly into smaller circles. Place these ontop of your sponges.

7, Finally melt some chocolate in a bain marie; fill a pot with hot water and place over a hot stove to boil, Place a bowl over the pot with the chocolate inside and stir until it melts.

8, Allow the chocolate to cool and pour over the jelly, using a fork or stick to create the ridges in the chocolate.

For more delicious Mama Lotties recipes visit:

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GEORGE MONTERO 1

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presented by

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ENTER & WIN

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Fill in the details below and POST your completed crossword entry to GBZ Media Ltd, 8 ​ A, Unit 6, Crutchett's Ramp,Gibraltar or Email your completed entry along with your name and contact number to jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net. Entries to be received on / before 26th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all correct entries and will receive a £50 voucher to spend at Las Iguanas, Gibraltar. Entrants must be 18 years or older.

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Take the time to seek

serious advice

BMI Group are an established and a leading real estate agency with a strong presence in Gibraltar. Over the past three decades we have successfully played a key role within the local property market and acted as consultants for major residential and commercial developments such as, Atlantic Suites, Kings Wharf, Buena Vista Park Villas, The Sanctuary and The Anchorage to name but a few.

BMI offers sales, lettings, commercial, management and consultancy services to a wide portfolio, including banks, law firms, accountancy firms, gaming, high net worth clients and private clients.

BMI GROUP ESTATE AGENTS info@bmigroup.gi

(+350) 200 51010

BMI Group Limited, Unit 7 Portland House, Glacis Road, P.O. Box 469, Gibraltar 64

www.bmigroup.gi

WORDS BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT # B M I G ro u p MAY 2023

# Le a d i n g Ag e n t s

# G i b ra l t a r

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