Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 228

‘OVERJOYED WITH MY FIRST MICHELIN STAR’ - SHINING STAR PAGE 52 The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

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FREE Election countdown

Vol. 10 Issue 228

December 10th - 22nd 2015

begins with sensational TV debate minus the PM who was in Estepona

Pablo’s back...

both parties.

“This is the reason Mr Rajoy is not here: he too received illegal payments,” roared Iglesias.

Also insisting he would not bomb Syria, he clearly got the upper hand on his nervous main anti-corruption rival Albert Rivera, of Ciudadanos.

The end result was ‘una bomba’, as the Spanish would say, coming out on top by a mile in various polls yesterday.

These included the right-leaning El Mundo, with nearly half of the paper’s readers (42%) siding with him, while PP rep Soraya Saenz de Santamaria got 30%, Rivera 22% and PSOE’s Pedro Sanchez, just 7%.

BOTTLE: (From left) Three leaders and Santamaria

Readers of La Vanguardia went even stronger in their support, giving him an astonishing 55%, ahead of Rivera (16%), Sanchez (16%) and Saenz de Santamaria (13%).

INCISIVE: Malaga PP boss points out another Olive Press exclusive to Rajoy

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OME say the Spanish Prime Minister is out of touch and has taken his finger off the pulse.

But Mariano Rajoy proved doubters wrong by getting his priorities straight in the run-up to the most exciting general election in Spanish history.

While the other party leaders engaged in a crucial TV debate on Monday, the PP boss was preoccupied with the more important matter of... what’s happening in Andalucia.

And his choice of reading matter was spot on!

After a keynote campaign speech for party faithful in Estepona, he found time to catch up on expat news by reading your very own, decade-old, super-reliable Olive Press.

While debate still rages about his ability to speak English, he was clearly engrossed in our last front page, before spending a minute flicking through the issue.

Finding plenty of interest, with Malaga’s PP boss Elias Bendodo looking over his shoulder, he then pointed out something apparently intriguing on the cover.

Perhaps he was making a note of the website for future reference on his return to Madrid?

Or maybe, just maybe, he was imagining himself pictured on the cover of our next edition following a landslide victory on December 20. Dreams can come true.

Election fever sweeps nation Page 6-7

Infamous expat fraudster Nigel Goldman convicted for a fourth time VICTIMS in Spain have been given fresh hope after Nigel Goldman was found guilty of fraud in the UK. A jury heard how the Olive Press was instrumental in bringing the 58-yearold, now called Howard del Monte, to justice.

After spotting our reports online, two men who failed to receive gold coins they had purchased from him called in police. A year later, he was found guilty on two counts of fraud and now faces jail.

One way ticket to jail! Page 4

Goldman guilty

GOLDMAN: Awaiting prison

PHOTO: Iona Napier

...while Rajoy brushes up on his expat news

Podemos boss in massive comeback A BEAMING Pablo Iglesias came out swinging during a crucial TV leaders’ debate to blow the Spanish general election wide open.

With Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy absent - and watching proceedings in his pyjamas - the Podemos leader’s popularity received a huge boost in front of a record 9.2 million viewers, Spain’s largest TV audience of 2015.

Going for the jugular, the longhaired leader slammed the PP and PSOE - over a raft of corruption scandals, that have engulfed their parties.

In a damning final 51-second round-up of why he should become Spain’s new PM, he listed five key cases that have rocked

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CRIME NEWS

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Seen for first time, the boyfriend of missing Lisa

Not model behaviour A BIKINI model who shot dead her British millionaire ex-lover at his Estepona holiday home has been charged with murder.

Slovakian beauty Mayka Kukucova, 25, claims she had killed jeweller Andrew Bush in self defence after the father-of-one shot at her first.

The shooting allegedly took place when Bristolian Bush turned up at his mansion with new girlfriend Maria Korotaeva.

When the pair entered, Kukucova was waiting for them inside. She will face trial in the new year and faces 25 years behind bars.

Gypsy shootout TWO women have been injured in a gunfight in La Linea.

The women, 67 and 32, were caught in the crossfire during a gunfight between warring gypsy families.

The brawl took place in the Los Junquillos neighbourhood.

Police confirmed they have made arrests.

FIND HIM!

AWOL boyfriend of missing Lisa Brown was jailed in nightclub scrap THIS is the first photo of the AWOL boyfriend of missing expat mother Lisa Brown.

Tattooed Brit Simon Corner, 33, is seen luxuriating at La Linea’s Alcaidesa port, where he kept a yacht this summer.

Police are now desperate to locate the Liverpudlian businessman, who vanished from Spain around the same time that Lisa Brown, 32, went missing.

By Tom Powell

VIOLENT THUG: Lisa Brown’s boyfriend Simon Corner, and (inset) Lisa Detectives in Gibraltar and A source close to the investi- Described as a ‘wheeler dealer’, Spain have confirmed that gation, told the Olive Press he Corner, it emerges, has a violent he is vital in the hunt for the is now thought to be in Thai- history, and was jailed for three mother-of-one, who has not land, where one of his credit months last year after pulling out a knife during a fight in Gibeen seen since November 6. cards has recently been used.

Corner, who has a violent his- Refusing to be identified, the braltar’s Dusk nightclub. tory, left his boat, Rosa, in a acquaintance of Corner has He was later convicted of comdry dock at Sotogrande port been helping police with en- mon assault, death threats and disorderly conduct while three weeks ago. quiries. being held at a police station, but was only fined.

The Olive Press revealed last issue how Brown, from Scotland, was a regular visitor to Corner’s MISSING Amy Fitzpatrick’s (left) stepdad has been yacht over the summer. refused bail to travel as he is considered a ‘flight risk’.

She was reported missing by Dave Mahon (right) has been told he must stay in Ireher ex Tony Tomillero after failland, where he awaits trial for the murder of his steping to pick up their eight-yearson Dean Fitzpatrick. old son Marco from school.

This is despite Amy’s mother, Audrey Mahon, saying She had been due to start a new she needs her husband to travel to Portugal with her job in Gibraltar at gaming firm to cope with stress.

Bet365 before she vanished.

Audrey says she needs to travel to combat her depresThe Guardia Civil has consion and that she will not be able to travel alone due to firmed it is still a missing perher medical condition. sons’ inquiry.

Staying put

One-punch killer guilty A BRITISH expat has been given a six-month jail sentence after killing an alleged German paedophile in Sotogrande Gym fanatic Devinder Kainth, 39, punched Sandro Rottman to death after he caught him taking pictures of his children in Spinnaker restaurant, in February.

Convicted of manslaughter in Algeciras court, Kainth – known locally as Victor – will ‘likely’ be spared jail time as is the norm with first-time offenders in Spain.

Kainth, an estate agent, who also owns an import/export business, has three children all attending Sotogrande school.

PR man Rottman, who once worked with model Katie Price, had indeed kept ‘indecent images’ of children on his computer, police confirmed.

Judge Raquel Gomez Sancho confirmed that Rottman’s alcoholic lifestyle - he drank up to three bottles of vodka a day - had led to health problems which contributed to his death.

NEWS

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Tone deaf

December 10th - 22nd 2015

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HE almost had the perfect year…

Picking up two Brit awards, becoming ITunes’ most downloaded artist and Spotify’s most streamed, but Ed Sheeran has rounded 2015 off by bursting an eardrum.

The 24-year-old British singer has announced that he will undergo surgery after jumping off a yacht in the south of Spain and rupturing his eardrum.

The flame-haired heartthrob said the incident happened during the summer while he was holidaying with friends.

His surgery will take place in January after his tour of New Zealand.

Lifeline!

Expat sets up Christmas appeal to help troubled children get through the festive period AN expat mother has set up a ground-breaking new charity in Andalucia to help troubled teens and

younger kids get through the difficult festive period.

But Childline Andalucia is not just for Christmas, it will offer multilingual support to young people all year round.

Caring mother-of-four Tracey-Leigh Bennett, who has lived in Manilva for over 20 years, set up the charity after realising there was no multilingual child support service in Spain.

Childline Andalucia launches with its ‘Kids & Teens’ GIBRALTAR won’t be welcoming the Queen website on December 14, any time soon. just in time for the festive Her Majesty, 89, has politely rejected a 10,000-strong petition calling on her to visit period, offering help, supthe Rock. port, news and entertainShe cited the ‘tight bond’ between the United ment.

Kingdom and Gibraltar but said she has no Palace after gathering huge local support.

“I feel overwhelmed - it has plans to visit with overseas travel very limited. The Royal snub arrived during the Gibraltar been two years of extremely It comes after Deputy Chief Minister Joseph general election but was not publicised until hard work and we are jumpGarcia submitted the petition to Buckingham after the results were announced. ing for joy to launch before Christmas,” Bennett told the Olive Press.

“Christmas can be a really WHILE Queen Elizabeth staying in Windsor Castle, UN,” said Ambassador Sistressful time especially in politely declined an invita- from March 8-10 next year. mon Manley. low income families or if tion to holiday in Gibraltar, “The State visit will cele- The last Spanish Royal state kids are surrounded by alshe has penned her own brate not only the long and visit to the UK was in 1986, coholism or drugs.” invite to King Felipe and deep historic ties between and Queen Elizabeth and She continued: “I feel Queen Letizia. our countries but also our the Duke of Edinburgh’s humbled by the amount of The Spanish monarchs will strong relationship as part- last trip to Spain was just people that have helped so make a state visit to the UK, ners in the EU, NATO and two years later. far, we’ve got a rock solid team and are excited to be launching the telephone helpline in the new year.”

A SPANISH designer has had an avalanche of orders from Bennett has worked nonall over the world after Princess Charlotte was photographed stop for two years with nuwearing one of its designs. merous child protection The modest €29.90 floral dress was worn by the recent arrivcompanies and has special al of Prince William, during an impromptu photo shoot taken links with Childline South by her mother Kate. Sadly though fashion designer Margarita Africa.

Pato Cid of M&H can’t cash in, because the fabric has been The charity desperately discontinued by the factory, and she only has 10 metres left. needs a major sponsor Nonetheless she described the photo as like ‘winning the lotand €48,000 to launch tery’ even though she only has enough material to make ‘22 the physical office with more dresses at the very most’. helplines and qualified, experienced counsellors.

Royal round-up

Thanks… but no thanks

Felip-in marvellous news!

Fit for a princess

Visit www.childelineandalucia.org for more information Opinion Page 6

DETERMINED: Bennett

Carm-en get a look at this

AXED Spanish councillor Carmen Lopez bared all for a magazine to prove she is still a politician with a good eye on the public figures.

The former Miss Sevilla, 43, stripped off for a December edition of Interviu after losing her job for trying to claim travel expenses when she moved to Chicago.

And the ex-Ciudadanos councillor has claimed the party were aware of her plans to commute 4,000 miles between Sevilla and the US. “They can’t deny that they knew I was moving to Chicago,” she said.

“I requested to use video conferencing, which is free, but it was denied, It left me no choice. The trap was set and I fell into it.”

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NEWS

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Adios, amigos!

MORE Spaniards are emigrating than ever with 50,844 departing for foreign shores in the first half of 2015, a 30% rise on the same period last year.

Family affair AN incestuous fatherdaughter couple in Mallorca are fighting authorities for custody of their newborn baby on the grounds that ‘incest is not illegal in Spain’.

Long gone CADIZ police have removed the body of a 49-year-old nurse who had been dead in her flat for five years before being discovered by builders on nearby scaffolding.

Two down TWO Moroccan ISIS recruiters have been detained in Barcelona and the Canary Islands after making terror threats against Spain and France.

Rare roof EXPERTS have discovered rare 14th century carvings on the ceiling of Granada’s Alhambra in the first renovation of Patio de los Leones since 1380.

December 10th - 22nd 2015

One-way ticket to jail!

Serial fraudster wanted in Spain is convicted of fraud for FOURTH time in the UK

INFAMOUS fraudster Nigel Goldman has been found guilty yet AGAIN. Now called Howard del Monte, the 58-year-old was found to have defrauded online shoppers out of more than €10,000 in a gold coin eBay scam by a UK jury.

Goldman - who is being sought over an estimated €3 million ponzi scheme in Spain - was arrested and charged in

EXCLUSIVE

By Tom Powell May last year after two enraged customers, Lee Cubit and Liam Shepherd, failed to receive their goods. He will be sentenced on January 8.

The ruling gives fresh hope to dozens of his victims in Spain, including two expats who lost €550,000 and €200,000 each.

How Olive Press got Goldman in dock NIGEL Goldman’s main line of defence in court was that his misfortune was due to an ‘Olive Press vendetta’.

He claimed that when he declined to advertise in the paper in 2013, we embarked on a ‘bizarre, international’ campaign against him.

The jury clearly disagreed.

We were merely doing our job of investigating evil deeds around Spain and ensuring that justice is brought to expat victims of crime.

Thankfully, the two UK victims spotted our stories and realised the shady background of Goldman, who has a long track record of conning people, stretching back to the 1980s.

After Australian jeweler Cubit contacted us for more information, he went straight to the police armed with the full story.

Days later, Goldman was arrested. Twenty months later, he was found guilty.

The former Spectrum radio pundit and Euro Weekly News columnist promised punters huge returns on their investments in firms, some based in Morocco.

But he fled his luxury Marbella villa after losing millions of investors’ money, possibly to furnish his love of poker.

“We wonder how it took the British police about six months to get him when the Spanish police have taken three years so far,” said one victim John Williams, who lives in Almeria.

“We cannot wait for the day the court case against him is finally brought forward, but it will not be soon it seems,” added Williams, who invested €200,000 with the bogus financial advisor.

Incredibly, a court date has still not been set, according to lawyer Antonio Flores, of Lawbird, who has been pursuing the case for three victims.

He knows of up to a dozen more expats defrauded and believes it could be just the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

“It is shocking that it is taking so long in Spain, when he has been arrested, charged and

convicted in the UK in just 20 months,” said Flores last night.

Reading Crown Court heard how the Olive Press tracked Goldman down to a new address in Kintbury, near Newbury.

We revealed how he had changed his name by deed poll to Howard Del Monte and launched a new online business to trade rare British Sovereign gold coins.

But, just as before, he cut corners through his eBay account called Bensons Emporium, failing to deliver what he promised.

Two disgruntled customers contacted the paper after trying numerous ways to receive goods they had paid for.

Shepherd, in particular, even tracked Goldman down to his address in Kintbury, only to be physically attacked by the conman, who has been convicted of fraud twice in the UK and once in America.

He told the Olive Press: “People like Nigel thrive on bullying, bluffing and wearing out people and I believe

JAIL BAG: Goldman there is a huge number of people out there who have silently accepted their losses.

“I am delighted he has now been found guilty and I now want to investigate all civil options to remove all assets and formally bankrupt him,” added Shepherd, who is donating a large portion of recovered monies to charity.

Goldman is now awaiting sentencing on January 6 by Judge Ian Grainger and has had his passport confiscated.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that multiple complaints have been lodged about him and his various frauds in the UK.

Opinion Page 6 Justice at last Page 42

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NEWS

October 28th - November 11th 2015

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OPINION No remorse Nigel THE image of a sad man waiting for a train with a suitcase ready for jail could strike a sympathetic note.

But let’s not forget who this is.

Nigel Goldman ‘AKA Howard del Monte’ has gambled his way through life, treading on anyone and everyone along the way.

He is shameless, aggressive and seemingly unrepentant for the dozens of victims he has left substantially out of pocket in order to fuel his own greed.

But we have continued to expose him on behalf of those victims, and to warn off any future victims to come. And now our thorough efforts have seen justice prevail.

Two victims took their claims to police after discovering through the Olive Press who Del Monte really was; a fraudster.

Now let’s see if ANOTHER stint in jail can make Nigel finally show a little remorse and change, or is a sequel to High Stakes (his book about swindling innocent people and bedding blondes) on the horizon?

Decision Day for Spain Spain’s general election is a huge step into the unknown. And on December 20, the country’s political elite will be bracing themselves for a possible knockout blow. PSOE and PP have both seen their share of votes trimmed as the young tyros of Podemos and Ciudadanos storm the barricades. And although Spaniards have drifted back towards the two main parties in recent months, they haven’t done so in enough numbers to guarantee either a majority. This week’s live TV debate was the latest twist, with Pablo Iglesias seizing centre stage from the three other parties. Less than two weeks of feverish campaigning awaits. Which way will Spain turn?

We wish you a truly happy Christmas IT’S easy to forget Christmas can be tough when you’re kneedeep in mince pies, belting out Mariah Carey as you wind tinsel around every banister in sight.

But for anyone without family or a stable home life, the slightest insecurity or issue can be exacerbated by big celebrations.

At best the festive period can be stressful for these families and young people, and at worst a living nightmare.

We can be truly grateful that expat mother-of-four TraceyLeigh Bennett has taken matters into her own hands to support the children and teens of Andalucia with a brand new multilingual Childline, launching its website on December 14.

Let’s do what we can to support this worthwhile cause which will, in turn, support the adults of tomorrow.

August 6th -December August 19th 2015 www.theolivepress.es 6 10th - 22nd 2015 6 FEATURE Spain’s most closely-fought general election since the return to democracy marks a new era of multi-party politics, writes Joe Duggan

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PANIARDS head to the polls on December 20 – and the result is set to bring seismic changes to the country’s political landscape. For the first time since democracy was restored 40 years ago, the uncertainty of a hung parliament and coalition government looms.

The traditional duopoly of the leftwing PSOE and the right-wing PP faces a grave challenge from newcomers Podemos (We Can) and Ciudadanos (Citizens). And with the ever-restless region of Catalunya agonising over independence, this year’s general election is the most open in Spain’s modern history.

Mariano Rajoy’s ruling PP is hoping the growth of Spain’s economy in recent months will boost its chances. But even with employment on the up, recent polls suggest an overall majority is highly unlikely. Rajoy’s austerity policies, and a slew of corruption allegations involving PP officials, have damaged the party’s standing. Rajoy secured office with 44.6% of the vote in 2011, but just weeks before the elections, polls show his party hovering at around 25%. According to a December CIS poll of polls, the number of PP representatives could be cut from 186 to between 120 and 128, way off the 176 required to take office.

Things aren’t looking much better for Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE. The same CIS poll shows their the number of representatives falling from 110 to between 77 and 89. Although a less precipitous drop than the PP’s, it’s a sign that the Spanish are looking elsewhere for alternatives to the current administration.

And that’s where Podemos and Ciudadanos come in.

The rise of Pablo Iglesias’s Podemos party has galvanised the left in Spain.

Election fever sweeps nation Emerging out of Spain’s army of disillusioned, unemployed youth, the Indignados, the party’s meteoric rise began at the start of 2014. Iglesias, the charismatic, pony-tailed leader, a former communist, declared his intention ‘to storm the heavens’, and to fight the corruption and scandals marring Spanish politics. A stunning European election result saw them secure five seats and

1.2 million votes. By November 2014, an El Pais opinion poll had Podemos on 27.7% of the vote, making it the most popular party in Spain.

An anti-austerity rally in Madrid in January 2015 attracted 150,000 devotees.

In May’s regional elections, Podemosbacked candidates Manuela Carmena and Ada Colau dealt hammer blows to the ruling elite when elected as mayors of Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

As Podemos has slid, Ciudadanos has risen. Albert Rivera’s party has been growing

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Podemos’s early surge has faltered in recent months. By August the party’s popularity had dropped to 15%, and it is currently trailing in fourth place, predicted to win between 45 and 49 parliamentary seats, although an energised Iglesias fared well in December’s live TV debate.

As Podemos has slid, Ciudadanos has risen. The popularity of Albert Rivera’s right-of-centre party has been growing steadily this year. Founded in Catalonia a decade ago, the pro-business, antiindependence party has expanded its

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HE three opposition parties, which have taken comfortable leads in the polls for the December 20 general election, have made it clear over the past few weeks that they don’t want Mariano Rajoy to stay on as prime minister.

This is the case, even though his Popular Party (PP) may get by with a majority seats in parliament but still short of forming a government.

The Socialists and Ciudadanos have made significant gains in voter intention surveys taken over the last few weeks.

Podemos is trailing along but still mustering enough support to perhaps become a key political force during the next legislative term.

As they accept their standings, the leaders of the three opposition parties have al-

Ganging up There is everything to play for in the runup to the elections ALEGRI tamaría to take over ready been hinting RIO about possible Rajoy’s job and pacts to derail Rathus keeping the joy’s ambitions to bipartisan system serve a second intact. term.

Iglesias has In recent days, called it Operation Pablo Iglesias, of Menina, in referthe anti-establishence to the great ment Podemos groupVelázquez painting ing, even alluded to a of King Felipe IV’s famplot the PP and the Socialists ily, which highlights his shortare allegedly concocting. statured daughter, the Menina.

They would form a pact on the Rajoy has gone even further, basis of allowing deputy Prime saying that a three-way agreeMinister Soraya Sáenz de Sanment between the Socialists,

A

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 200,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month.

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POLL: CIS graph shows projected seats before this week’s TV debate

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MADRIDS MATTER

Ciudadanos and Podemos to edge him out would be devastating for Spain.

The prime minister reiterated over the weekend that he won’t try to form a government if the PP doesn’t win a clear majority.

The problem with any type of political pact is fragility – these agreements are not permanently plastered in cement but instead with just enough gunk that can easily be unglued at the signs of any type of friction.

Although different in their outlooks for Spain’s future, the Socialists, Podemos and Ciudadanos have one thing in common: their three leaders all want to be prime minister should they hammer out a political agreement following the elections.

No doubt this will be the first entanglement of the new year.

FEATURE

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August 6th - August 19th 20152015 www.theolivepress.es December 10th - 22nd

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Front runners Mariano Rajoy, PP Age: 60 Grew up: Pontevedra, Galicia Background: Civil service registrar Fun fact: Rajoy wears a full beard to hide scars from a traffic accident Top three policies: - Get 20 million people into work by 2020 - Defend and support Spanish unity, and oppose Catalan independence - Lower minimum income tax rate from 19% to 17% and the maximum from 45% to 43%

Albert Rivera, Ciudadanos

Pablo Iglesias, Podemos

Age: 36 Grew up: Barcelona Background: Lawyer Fun fact: Posed nude for a Ciudadanos poster in 2006 Top three policies: - Opposed to Catalan independence - Overhaul Spain’s judiciary to depoliti cize the institution - Tax credits for workers earning less than minimum wage

Age: 37 Grew up: Madrid Background: Political science professor Fun fact: He is a huge Game of Thrones fan Top three policies: - Slash MPs’ pay by a third - Rent caps - Supplementary income to working poor, boosting earnings to €900

Spanish government: the figures The 350-strong parliament meets in Madrid’s Congress of Deputies.

It has been in existence since 1977, when Spain returned to democracy following Franco’s death.

41.1 % of its representatives are women, the 12th highest percentage worldwide.

Pedro Sanchez, PSOE Age: 43 Grew up: Madrid Background: Economics professor Fun fact: Played basketball El Estudiantes until he was 21 Top three policies: - Repeal gag law - Remove religious education from the school curriculum - Increase funds from €1 billion to €6 billion for the 750,000 households with out incomes

Possible political pacts:

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f polls prove correct, and there is no party on course to win an absolute majority, a pact between two or more parties is inevitable. But a two-party coalition could prove tricky. According to December’s CIS poll of polls, the only two parties guaranteed to have enough combined seats to form a majority are the diametrically opposed PSOE and PP or Ciudadanos and the PP. But Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera, mindful of how coalition government damaged the UK’s Liberal Democrats, has appeared to rule out going

into partnership with the PP. “Ciudadanos won’t be in any government if we don’t win the elections,” said Rivera. “We’ll be in the opposition trying to get agreements.”

By December, PSOE sources were indicating Pedro Sanchez is ready to offer the PSOE and Ciudadanos a pact to keep the PP out of power. A coalition between PSOE, Ciudadanos and Podemos would make up enough seats to govern, although a three-party administration would be unlikely to be stable.

Members are voted in every four years by proportional representation.

Spain’s upper house is the 266-strong Senate, 208 of whom are elected by popular vote and 58 appointed by regional legislature.

Expats who have lived in Spain for 15 years or more are entitled to vote in the general election if they give up their British citizenship.

support base across Spain. In September, Ciudadanos secured the second highest number of seats (25) behind Artur Mas’s Junts Pel Si coalition in the Catalan regional elections.

Rivera’s brand of market-friendly policies is spliced with socially liberal ideas, such as legalising prostitution. His role as potential kingmaker in the December election is boosted by polls estimating party support at just over 20%. If correct, the 36-year-old Rivera could be striding through the doors of La Moncloa as Spain’s new prime minister.

Meanwhile, in Catalonia, the seemingly endless saga of the region’s possible secession is uppermost in voters’ minds. September’s Catalan elections failed to show a clear majority in favour of independence. The Junts Pel Si coalition leader Artur Mas has been unable to find common ground with fellow in-

POLL: These are the different pacts that Spaniards would prefer to see in government

dependence-party the CUP. This damaging rift means the region is currently without a president, with Mas failing to secure the CUP votes required. And for the first time in 30 years, Esquerra Republicana is poised to win more seats than Mas’s mainstream, pro-independence coalition, Democràcia i Llibertat.

In November, Catalonia’s rift with Madrid widened when pro-independence MPs voted to begin ‘the process toward the creation of an independent Catalan state’ by 2017.

Rajoy has used the courts to block the attempts; December’s election will be yet another litmus test of the Catalan electorate’s hunger to go it alone.

With so many permutations, a long night of counting and jockeying for position awaits.

But one thing is for certain. Spain is about to enter unchartered political waters.

Catalunya confusion

IN Catalunya, the election is a four-way fight, with more twists and turns than Barcelona’s front-line attack. A Feedback survey published in La Vanguardia at the start of December put the four frontrunners on between 16% and

18%. Artur Mas’s Democràcia i Llibertat coalition are trailing with 16% as corruption allegations continue to harm his chances. Meanwhile, PSOE offshoot, the left-wing PSC, are projected to win 16.5%. Just ahead of them are pro-independence radical party Esquerra on 16.7%. Leading the way are a rejuvenated Ciudadanos on 17.7% of the votes. Should the poll prove correct, all four parties would secure nine seats. Catalonia’s Podemos branch, looks likely to poll around 15%, which would hand them six seats. The ruling PP’s fortunes, or lack of, in the region are summed up by their projected figure of 11.8%, which would give them five seats.

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POLITICAL NEWS

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Out in the open Landmark law means that town halls will have to share all information within a month

TOWN halls and provincial authorities will now have to respond to requests for information within a month, thanks to a new law.

In an important step towards transparency, any member of the public - or journalist - can now demand to get crucial data or statistics from the authorities.

The Ley de la Transparencia, similar to the UK’s Freedom of Information Act, has been in force for a year covering national bodies such as trade unions and political parties.

Now from December 10, it is being extended to include local government, town halls and provincial governments, such as the Junta.

Love thy neighbour - and improve links with Gibraltar

SPAIN’S campaigning anti-corruption party Podemos is vowing on improving relations with Gibraltar.

The party’s number two in Cadiz, Juan Antonio Delgado, told supporters in La Linea that he hopes to end the ‘isolation’ of the Campo de Gibraltar.

He insisted a good relationship with Gibraltar is crucial to the area’s economic and social prosperity.

“There are so many more things which unite us than separate us,” he said. “We must become better neighbours.”

Delgado, who joined Podemos’ ranks following two decades in the Guardia Civil, also slammed the lack of transport connections between the area and the rest of Spain.

“It is unacceptable that a port as important as Algeciras’ has a rail link from the 19th century,” he said.

“It’s the same with the coastal motorway, which began a few years ago in Cadiz but does not yet reach the Campo de Gibraltar.”

Struggling

The law will also force town halls to publish the salaries of all officials, as well as publish all legal documents on their websites.

While some town halls are already doing this, a number, including Torremolinos, are struggling to reach the deadline.

They blame this on staff shortages, but will incur fines if the new law is not implemented.

Eye on CORRUP

TION

Pantoja’s jail break ISABEL Pantoja has been granted weekend release by a judge from her two-year prison sentence for moneylaundering.

The disgraced Spanish singer, 59, left prison for six days in December.

She has been released from her Sevilla prison on three separate occasions so far and will spend every weekend from now on at home.

Pantoja’s former boyfriend, ex-Marbella mayor Julian Munoz, was jailed for seven years for his role in the huge Malaya corruption scandal, in which she was also linked.

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015

9

10

www.theolivepress.es www.theolivepress.es

10 NEWS IN BRIEF

Out with a bang A TOTAL of 4,240 illegal fireworks have been confiscated from an off licence in Rincon de la Victoria after staff were caught selling the pyrotechnics to minors.

Guitar blues BUDDING classical guitarists were left desolate in La Herradura after a panel of judges decided none of the 14 competitors were good enough to win the Andres Segovia award.

Job boost VELEZ-MALAGA mayor Antonio Moreno has announced that more than €1 million will be set aside for the creation of jobs in 2016.

Fresh cut TREES in Motril are set to get a fresh look for Christmas as the town undertakes a winter pruning campaign across roads and parks.

AXARQUIA

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Don’t let us down!

Expat campaign group launches plea to finally save thousands of homes from demolition THOUSANDS of homeowners are eagerly awaiting an important change in planning laws.

The Junta is expected to vote in changes to the LOUA (planning law) which will save thousands of homes many owned by expats - from demolition.

Belgian mayor of Alcaucin Mario Blancke has presented a case to amend the law, on behalf of expat campaign group SOHA (Save our homes

Arsonist on the run AN arsonist is at large after torching three beach huts in Almunecar.

Police are searching for the perpetrator after investigations led them to believe the fires were intentionally started on Fuentepiedra beach.

The fires were started in the middle of the night and took the fire brigade over an hour to put out.

By Rob Horgan Axarquia).

“By law these house should be demolished, but does this seem like justice?” he said.

“By law single sex marriage was banned and women were not allowed to vote.

“Legislators had to change to adapt to social reality.”

He added: “We only ask one thing; don’t let us down.”

SOHA have already been successful in amending the law so that town halls have to pay homeowners who ‘bought in good faith’ compensation before carrying out demolition work.

The group’s latest proposal is to regularise or legalise land which has already been built on.

Blancke claims this benefits both the homeowners - who keep their homes - and the town halls - who don’t have to pay out compensation to demolish property.

There are an estimated 300,000 illegally built properties in the Axarquia.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Dogs may fly GIVING Skippy the bush kangaroo a run for his money, this podenco has been leaping about the Axarquia.

The springy canine was captured in full flight and posted in Facebook group Axarquia Animal Rescue by expat Marina Gavin-Mills.

Beauty kings do battle WOMEN in Nerja are rejoicing as the seaside town has been selected to host the 2016 Mister Malaga contest.

Taking place on February 27, over 50 contestants will be strutting their stuff in the hope of being crowned beauty king.

The event will take place at the Place de Espana and all contestants will also take part in a promotional film about Nerja.

Last year’s winner Alejandro Herrera from Benalmadena will be helping officiate the competition.

www.theolivepress.es

11

12

GIBRALTAR

December 10th - 22nd 2015 www.theolivepress.es

Drugs cocktail led to murder

Inquest hears how ‘extremely paranoid’ John Shannon killed his family with knives and a corkscrew after taking drugs A PARANOID, psychotic Brit took a cocktail of drugs and steroids before killing his family and then himself, an inquest has heard.

A corkscrew and eight knives were found covered in blood in the brutal slaying of a family of four in Gibraltar.

Evidence suggests John Shannon, from Liverpool, stabbed his wife and two children to death before cutting his own throat at a rented home in Boschetti’s Steps, in March.

Anarda de la Caridad Perez Friman, 31, and her daughters Amanda Kristofferson, 4, and six-week-old Eve Shannon Perez all died from stab wounds to the heart.

Shannon suffered ‘extreme paranoia’, delusions and a severe mental disorder, due to drug and steroid use, clinical psychologist Adrian West told the court.

It has also emerged that John Shannon believed the outside world ‘thought he was a paedophile’, and that he was being pursued by hitmen who were colluding with the police and his partner.

The court also heard how

By Rob Horgan & Iona Napier Shannon, 37, father to just Eve, had a string of criminal convictions including GBH and burglary and just last year was arrested for growing cannabis at his Estepona home.

Shannon died after his throat was cut in the shower room, stood in front of a mirror, which is ‘typical of self-inflicted wounding’.

High levels of testosterone in Shannon’s urine indicated he was under the influence of steroids, and had also been smoking cannabis and drinking beer.

Blood smears in the corridor between the bedroom where Anarda was found and the shower suggest Shannon was the killer, contrary to reports at the time of the deaths.

Spanish mother Anarda was found by police officers in the master bedroom with a pillow over her face, with 12 stab marks to the chest.

Both children - described as ‘normally-developed and welllooked after little girls’ - were found in the living room. Baby Eve died after a ‘single epi-

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE

KILLER: First picture of John Shannon sode’ of violence, while Amanda had ‘defensive wounds’ on her hands and 13 stab wounds, one supposedly inflicted by a corkscrew, to her body.

Shannon, from Liverpool, appears to have cut his own throat in the shower room before crawling into the living room. Strangely he also had six stab wounds to his back.

He was found by officers down the side of the bed, with a makeshift knife sheath taped to his leg.

Five bottles of Heineken beer were found around the house with Shannon’s DNA on them, which suggests he was inebriated.

The family of four were discovered dead in a horrific scene on March 30 by a friend in whose flat they were staying.

The inquest continues.

1414

www.theolivepress.es

Bird watching STAY-AT-HOME Spaniards can learn a lot from the Military Avefria.

While most Spaniards don’t leave home until their 30s, the Charadriidae bird flies the nest at just six months of age.

White with grey wings and black head, the Avefria’s main attribute is its wattle yellow face.

Found in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea the bird can also be found at Bioparc Fuengirola.

GREEN NEWS

December 10th - 22nd 2015 www.theolivepress.es

Pope wades in

Pope look-a-like leads eco-warriors in green protest against climate change

THE Pope has joined a group of activists protesting against climate change in Algeciras bay. At least, that’s what it looked like.

Members of environmentalist group Verdemar from Ecologistas en Acción sported a variety of interesting costumes for a ‘performance’ protest which they ended by submerging themselves in the Guadarranque river. Among them was someone in papal regalia topped with a mitre.

Although he wasn’t actually the Pope of course, Pope Francis did

ECO-WARRIORS: Up to their knees to fight global warming recently speak out against climate change ahead of the Paris summit of world leaders.

A Verdemar spokesperson high-

lighted the threat to the Campo de Gibraltar from climate change.

“Our extensive cork forests are seriously threatened with extinc-

tion,” the spokesperson said.

“The rise in sea level threatens to erode our beaches and pollute the land with salt.”

High and dry IT has been an exceptionally dry November in Malaga, with just half of the expected rainfall levels.

A drought is feared while just 45 litres of rain per square metre fell, against the average of 93.

Reservoirs are emptier than they were this time last year.

CAMPAIGNER: Expat fights for donkey rights

Donkey diving

AN expat writer and fierce donkey rights campaigner has launched a book to battle against the abuse and abandonment of Spain’s four-legged mules.

In a festive launch laced with mulled wine, mince pies and a raffle, keen readers flocked to El Refugio del Burrito farm in Malaga on December 6.

Alpaca farmer Alan Parks wrote Dive for Donkeys after he decided to skydive to raise money for Spain’s donkeys but was too overweight to fly.

His fundraising and weight loss journey is chronicled in the novel, with proceeds going to the Refugio charity.

Out of energy THE largest renewable energy company in Spain is on the brink of becoming the largest company in the country to ever file for bankruptcy.

Seville-based energy giant Abengoa has initiated insolvency proceedings after failing to close a deal with a major new investor.

In November, Gonvarri pulled out of a €350 million investment plan with the company, sending Abengoa’s stocks plunging by more than 50%.

The firm has just four months to find a buyer or it will be declared bankrupt.

Hazy days MADRID’S suburbs are experiencing record levels of pollution.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels from cars hit 229 microgrammes in Alcala de Henares, 30km from the city centre, 228 in Coslada, 226 in Getafe and 218 in Alcobendas.

Madrid’s council announced emergency city centre parking restrictions in November when NO2 levels go above 200, but the measures don’t include the capital’s suburbs.

Rajoy’s green light for earth MARIANO Rajoy has pledged to adopt a raft of green measures ahead of December’s crucial Paris world climate change conference.

Pledging to cut Spain’s carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, the Spanish prime minister expressed his belief that a global deal could be made between the 196 countries at the summit.

Rajoy also pledged Spain would double the annual funds given to developing countries to €900 million to help them become more green.

World leaders are hoping to strike a new deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol in Paris, this week.

la cultura

Games go on!

FILMING may be over for Game of Thrones in Spain, but the memories remain.

A museum has opened to immortalise the series in Osuna, Sevilla, where the fifth series was filmed.

The permanent exhibition has two rooms.

New age art A NEW wave of frugal art collectors are changing the landscape of Spain’s art.

Young people and new collectors are foregoing a trip or a meal out in order to buy reasonably priced art for around €50 to €100.

It is transforming an elitist, glamourous world into a more accessible one.

The average piece of art in a Spanish gallery costs €3,000 and 99% of art sold in Spain last year went for under €50,000.

15 December 10th - 22nd 2015

Titanic bombshell Relic which surfaced a century after ship sank is FAKE, claims designer

SUNK: Titanic and (inset) purported relic

By Tom Powell A DUTCH man claims to have discovered that the long lost Titanic relic which resurfaced in Spain last summer is a fake.

A plaque commemorating the ship’s launch which had been lost for a century made

global news when a Granada art dealer offered it to the Spanish Titanic Foundation.

He claimed to have inherited it from his grandfather, who - unaware of its impor-

tance - bought it from an English art dealer 12 years previously.

The plaque, presented by the Royal Mail Steamship Union, is currently the star attraction at the Titanic exhibition

Box office boom TIME

year so far is Eight Catalan Surnames (Ocho apellidos catalanes), earning €11 million in the first week alone.

The controversial comedy streaks ahead of James Bond, poking fun at the independence crisis from a small Catalan village.

Viewings were especially high in Catalunya, accounting for 26% of Spanish viewers.

It follows the huge success of the same filmmaker, Universal’s 2014 Spanish Affair which, with nine million cinemagoers, was Spain’s cinAWARD-WINNER: Boer ema’s biggest ever hit.

SPANIARDS have flocked to the big screen in their masses.

The country’s largest grossing movie of the

Putting on a show AN award-winning Dutch expat is showing her work in Estepona over the Christmas period.

Hosted in charming English bookshop New Longman’s in Plaza Manilva, Cathrin Boer’s exhibition will run until January 5.

Boer, who has lived in Estepona for three years, is known for her unique style, mixing modern with classic techniques and employing egg tempera and oil paints.

in Granada which will go on tour in Europe next year.

But now Titanic fanatic David van Dalen, 51, has dropped a bombshell by seemingly proving that the plaque is no more than a 1990s fake.

He noticed a range of historically incorrect characteristics in the many font types used.

At least four fonts are known to have release dates of 1915 through 1989, after the ship sunk in 1912.

Furthermore, several text lines are either compressed or extended, which can only be achieved by computer.

“This proves it to be fakery beyond any doubt, not priceless but virtually worthless,” said Van Dalen, a designer.

Meanwhile, the image of an illuminated ship is a replica of a well-known series of images of the Titanic sailing away from Southampton, the day after the plaque was presented.

Van Dalen added: “Watching this fake Titanic plaque is like watching an obvious fake Picasso painting.

Just like the Titanic disaster, lessons must now be learnt the hard way.”

The president of the Titanic Foundation, Jesus Ferriero, said the plaque will continue to feature in the European tour despite the findings.

War paint A MAJOR retrospective of painter Andrzej Wroblewski’s work is being held in Spain.

The Palacio de Velazquez in Madrid is presenting 150 of the Polish artist’s works until February.

The exhibition will show the two sides of the Lithuanianborn Wroblewski, who died at the age of 29 following a mountaineering accident.

Wroblewski survived the horrors of the Nazi occupation and Stalin’s regime, and his work often depicts the brutality of war.

More Morente LEGENDARY flamenco singer Enrique Morente’s first five albums are being re-released.

A sixth album being issued, Pa ese coche funeral, was banned for its political content because made reference to the car bomb that killed Franco’s heir apparent, Admiral Carrero Blanco, in 1973.

Granada-born Morente, who died aged 67 in 2010, released his first recording, Cante Flamenco, in 1967.

He went on to record punk-flamenco versions of Leonard Cohen songs and Federico Garcia Lorca’s Poet in New York.

16

la cultura

what’s on

P

izarra, December 11

A bilingual Flamenco show at Casa de la Cultura that explains everything in English and Spanish, with profits going towards a Pizarra Flamenco Dance association. Info 952 483 614

N

erja, December 18

Shabu One Shant performs his street music which mixes reggae, hiphop, soul, jazz and flamenco at Centre Cultural Villa de Nerja. Info 952 52 38 63

F www.nectarverde. es To order: by email, telephone or WhatsApp Email: comercial@nectarverde.es Tel /WhatsApp: 605 23 29 15 follow us on facebook

uengirola, December 19-23

Christmas family favourite Mother Goose lands at the Salon Varieties Theatre with director Peter Mitchell’s panto. Info 952 47 45 42

M

alaga, December 29-30

The St Petersburg Ballet will perform Tchaikovsky’s the Nutcracker Suite at Teatro Cervantes.

Info www.unientradas.es

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Ticket attack Film, music, theatre and art worlds unite to battle PP’s tax on tickets

SPAIN’S cultural industries have declared war on the government over an ‘unjustified’ ticket admissions tax.

The film, music, theatre and art industries have united to release an advert in cinemas this December which slams the PP just weeks before the general election.

Mariano Rajoy’s party raised the IVA from 8% to

21% in 2012.

“The rise in IVA has no economic justification,” said

a Union of Associations of

Liquid gold

Advertorial

THE small team at Nectar Verde hold health, well-being and the environment close to their hearts.

Boss Javier Ventura, from Sevilla, has a fiercely ecological conscience and pays special attention to taste in the production of premium cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil in the Sierra de Cadiz.

The Spanish company, which means ‘Green Nectar’ specialises in a sweet, fruity oil made from two olive varieties: the Arbequina and Picual olives, which are an exquisite combination.

The small business is seeing huge growth across Spain, with oil orders placed as far away as Italy, Belgium, Holland and France.

Visit www.nectarverde.es to take advantage of great Christmas deals!

Cultural Industries.

“It was a political decision and a punishment imposed by a government which during four years has shown no sign of respect for an industry that represents 3.6 % of Spain’s GDP.” Other political parties have pledged to lower the tax in their election campaigns, with piracy hitting Spain’s culture sectors.

The Olive Press reported last year how one Madrid theatre sold tickets disguised in porno magazines to get round the tax.

Another sold a bag of carrots, which incurred 8% tax, giving a ticket for free.

la cultura Prim jacket THE bullets in this jacket tell the story of the 1870 assassination of Spanish general Don Juan Prim y Prats. He was shot seven times in the shoulder by unknown assassins, and the infected wounds killed him three days later.

He famously scoured Europe for a monarch who was happy to be democratically elected, concluding that ‘looking for a democratic monarch in Europe is like trying to find an atheist in heaven’.

17 December 10th - 22nd 2015

In his shoes A poignant exhibition of wartime paraphernalia offers an insight into Spain’s military past, writes Iona Napier

FRANCO died forty years ago.

You can sense the legacy of the Fascist dictator throughout Spain, where he is revered by some and despised by others, and, in Toledo, you can see his footwear.

The general’s scuffed white shoes and embroidered socks are part of a stunning exhibition portraying Spain’s military history through costume at Toledo’s Army Museum.

The museum, housed in the city’s handsome Alcazar, was founded in 1932 after merging several smaller military museums dating back to the early 19th century.

The exhibition offers an encyclopaedic portrait of how Spaniards lived and fought, and includes some of the tools and weapons used to build the nation.

Ornate battle costumes offer visions of war that are almost inconceivable when we think of the khaki-clad soldiers of today.

Essentials A LETTER, half a cigar, a pen, pencil, safety pin and piece of string were all found in the bag of either a rioter or a Francoist soldier during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

Masked man THE bizarre tradition of ‘death masks’, in which a wax or plaster cast is made of a person’s face after death, was all the rage when Napoleon Bonaparte died. It is believed this was made two days after his death on May 5, 1821, shortly before the French emperor’s burial.

Fit for a little king KING Boabdil may have been defeated in the Battle of Lucena, but at least he looked trendy when he was banged up in jail in his tunic and shoes.

The Moorish king, born in 1460, and also known as Muhammad XII of Granada, was very small: the pint-size nature of his costume suggests he stood at just 5 ft 4 inches. His clothing, including the slippers – made from leather stitched with linen thread – was claimed as war booty..

From the elfish leather moccasins of the 15th century Moorish king Boabdil, to the handsome but bullet-pocked carriage in which Eduardo Dato was killed in 1921, the exhibits are full of undeniable class and sophistication.

Some objects are mysterious old artefacts, but others are more familiar.

These include a machine gun, a whistle, a microphone used

by Francoist general Gonzalo Queipo, and a coat belonging to the general Juan Prim full of bullet holes from the attack which killed him.

Toledo’s Army Museum has reinvented itself over the last five years and now provides a rich cultural history, and one of ‘the best collections of ancient artillery in the world’ according to El Pais.

All items photographed are part of the same memorable exhibition, a permanent fixture in Toledo’s Alcazar since July 2010.

Loud and clear THE microphone used by Francoist general Gonzalo Queipo de Llano y Sierra for Union Radio Sevilla as a propaganda tool.

WEBSITE

18

LETTERS

the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015 www.theolivepress.es

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Predictable failures

Jane Garrett, Axarquia

Big stink IT comes as no surprise that the Junta is being fined for not meeting sewage regulations (That stinks! issue 227).

Sewage arrangements are basically out of sight, out of mind for two reasons.

First of all, sewage plans are not sexy, and therefore not a vote winner. They also take a lot of money and a long time to set up - neither of which appeal to a government. Now, however, it would seem, nobody is going

December www.theolivepress.es 10th -

Cheeky monkey!

DEAR OP, The PSOE-led Junta has failed the region for over 30 years, so it comes as no surprise to read about these 10 scandals which have flown under the radar (Dirty rotten scoundrels, issue 226).

How do they get away with it?

It is difficult to understand why people keep voting for the same old PSOE-led Junta over and over again when they know they will get the same results.

There is a glimmer of hope now that the anti-corruption party Ciudadanos has formed a pact with them but it is too early to know how much of a positive influence it is having.

What a tragedy for the young, unemployed people in the region who could have benefitted from the training courses that never were. How many more people will they fail?

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es 22nd 2015 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

olive press online October 2015

I HAD my first encounter with the Barbary macaques last weekend in Gibraltar. To the untrained eye the newborns are adorable, jealously guarded by their overbearing mothers. They are less sweet, however, when they steal your belongings. My can of Fanta was snatched from my hands by the mother who proceeded to tip it out onto the road and lick up the drink. So beware the little ragamuffins!

George Howlett, UK to gain and all the punters could end up paying the fine.

David Lock, Malaga

Harvest hurrah IT may be true that olive oil harvests have been bad across the country (Olive oil prices to rocket after poor harvest, online), but that certainly isn’t the case where I live in Alozaina.

In fact, this year everyone is celebrating what a fantastic crop we have had. The local factory has received so much oil that it cannot take any more in for another month. Local farmers are even having problems harvesting it all.

Alan Cooper, Alozaina

Big payback IT is good to see the bar association clamping down on lawyers paying kickbacks for

contracts (Stamping down! issue 227).

And well done to the Olive Press for highlighting this problem through its ongoing campaign. However, I would take issue with the statement that this practice has ‘harmed the image and prestige of the legal profession’.

I think the Spanish legal profession was well and truly harmed well before this latest event. The concept of justice in Spain’s legal system is just about non-existent.

Hopefully, this step will be the start of a cleaner system… time will tell.

Fred Smith, Marbella

More to do IT is good to see Spain moving up the list of countries where business is easy to do (Let’s do business, issue 227).

However, it is still way behind most of its European neigh-

bours and must make strives to improve.

Spain must become more business friendly if it is succeed in the long term.

Unemployment is still too high despite the economic upturn but it looks the next government will be PP and the business friendly C’s who want to make Spain more attractive to investors and employers.

Elizabeth Gould, Torremolinos IT is very sad to see the horse trails disappearing across the Axarquia (Save our trails, issue 227).

Then again, the town hall of Periana must surely be one of the worst at implementing rural tourism. The whole area is littered with failed rural tourism projects which cost a lot and are rarely worth it.

Millions of euros wasted and nothing to show for it.

Jack Hamshaw, Torrox

The immigration game

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I CANNOT believe an expat, living in Spain, married to a Spaniard can have the audacity to state the Britain should close its borders (Bordering on ironic, issue 227).

What these UKIP-supporting types signing petitions like this haven’t quite realised is that closing the UK’s borders would hurt the UK far more than anyone else. It’s not just the millions in Britain who earn a living from tourists and visitors – around half our food and many essential medicines and materials have to be imported.

The fact it is an expat who spends half of her time in Spain is beyond ridiculous. What is the world coming to?

1Police hunt yacht-own Torremolinos to open Anda-

Anon, Gibraltar

Europe’s first ‘megapool’ and resort (7,451)

Too right ON the contrary, I don’t understand why a British person spending a lot of time in Spain doesn’t have a right to speak up for her country.

She should be allowed to want to protect the UK, especially when she has friends and family still there.

I spend most of my time in Spain and strongly defend the UK and want to protect it.

It is my homeland where my family live and where I care for my fellow British.

If the UK borders are closed when Tina happens to be in Spain, all the more courageous she is as she risks not being able to get back into the UK. Please, let’s not turn this into a personal campaign against her just because she spends a lot of time in Spain.

Helen Smith, Manilva

EU meltdown WE may have different opinions but can we all agree the EU is an unmitigated disaster? Just look at Greece and other Club Med countries in the crisis. It costs the UK far more than it receives. I believe the UK pays approx £55 million a day to the EU but receives approx £37 million back, meaning a net outflow of £18 million. How daft is that when people are suffering within the UK in deprived areas?

If the UK closed its borders to immigrants, tourists would still visit, imports and exports would still happen but with whoever we like as the EU countries will still need the UK as a major customer.

Mike Hall, UK

Letters should be emailed to letters@ theolivepress.es. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

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Issue 228

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19

xarquia

History tour

COME UP AND SEE: Exqisite hilltop village of Comares and (inset) historic sugar mill in Frigiliana

T

IGHT clusters of brilliantwhite cubes huddle into folds on the mountainside.

As I round the corners, the sight of each Moorish village is even more impressive than the last. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stop gazing out of the window and keep my eyes on the road.

It’s a different world and yet,

Mountain peaks, olive groves, vineyards and Moorish villages take Rob Horgan’s breath away on a journey up hills and back in time through the Axarquia VERDADERO

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unbelievably, the jaw-dropping landscapes are just a stone’s throw from the tourist hotspots of Nerja and Torre del Mar. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I can still see the glistening Mediterranean sea I’d left behind just 20 minutes earlier.

While Nerja’s beaches attract thousands of tourists, and the region’s capital, VelezMalaga, draws business to the area, there is nothing quite as breathtaking as a climb up to the emblematic village of Comares or into the sierras of Alhama, Tejada and Almijara.

As retired British expat, Stephen Pager tells me when I stop off in Sayalonga: “These mountains are full of character.

“Nerja is great for tourists, ice cream and beaches, but the real beauty of the Axarquia, the reason I moved here to retire, is the hills.”

Quaint

Some of Andalucia’s loveliest towns and villages – Sedella, Competa and Frigiliana – are hidden away in this region’s hills.

In fact there are so many beautiful places to see that you need a good few days to explore them all.

But my first port of call isn’t quite so rural. In fact, VelezMalaga, as I soon discover, is a fast-paced hive of activity, although it has its charms too.

On arriving, there’s only one direction to go – and that’s up!

From the ruined Arab castle that stands proudly overlooking the town you can see the busy roads, lined with coffee shops Turn to page 20

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Long and winding From page 19

Don’t be warded off by the ‘phantom’

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T is easily the most popular tourist attraction in the Axarquia and it is little surprise that Nerja’s cave pulls in thousands by the day.

While some describe them as over-commercialised and not worth the money, the caves are in fact some of Europe’s finest.

Despite enormous crowds at peak times, within seconds of descending the stairs you are in an extraordinary place, worlds away from Nerja and the sunny coast.

A marvelous glistening underworld of stalactites and stalagmites, sprouting and dripping into weird and wonderful formations, with each flight of stone steps the eerie caverns get more impressive.

The ‘phantom hall’ in particular – so called because of the ghoul-like appearance of its structures – is astounding.

The vast caves also boast the world’s largest stalagmite; a 32 metre high column verified by the Guinness book of world records no less. And there is a campaign currently underway to get the caves officially recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The site was allegedly discovered by five local lads in 1959, when they went hunting for bats. After dislodging a couple of stalactites they were able to descend into a huge cavern where they found skeletons and ceramic pottery. The caves were officially opened to the public in the summer of 1960.

and bars, and above them, the old town, with its quaint winding streets, more like those of the mountain towns and villages throughout the region.

My route to the castle takes me into the Jardin de los Remedios, a park that sits parallel to the castle and overlooking a church with a spire that protrudes from the white-washed Lego-stacked houses below.

With its streams, miradors and benches, and the mountain tops in one direction and the Mediterranean in the other, the park is the perfect escape from the bustling centre.

The statue of Jesus has the best views; Velez’s answer to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer watches over the action from his tranquil lofty perch, located next to the Ermita de la Virgen church.

I head over to the castle and, at the watchtower, get my first glimpse into the Moorish past which shaped the Axarquia region. Although parts of the building date back to the 10th century, its heyday came some 400 years later, when it was one of a chain defending the mighty Arabic Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.

The entire city played a part in subduing a notoriously turbulent zone, hence the old Moorish name for it: Ballix-Malaca

TOWERING: Velez-Malaga church, while (above) the town from outside to the town).

– or Fortress of Malaga. The A little further up the winding castle, with 1,500 metres of road, the old olive groves and defensive walls and numerous moscatel vineyards start to apsolid turrets, provided such pear, interrupted by the towns strong defence it was used in a of Sayalonga, where you will find military capacity right up to the the fabulous Bodegas Bentomiz, 19th century. and then Competa.

The mountain towns and villagNot far off the road to Comares es from Competa to Comares there is Vinuela with its crystal and Archez to Algarrobo, with lake. While the town of Vinuela their white houses stacked is perhaps not as appealing as higgledy-piggledy, quaint plasome, the lake, quiet against a zas and cobbled streets, are backdrop of mountains and blue also full of signs of their Moorskies, is well worth the drive (and ish past. dive!).

As Irish expat Liam Kelly exBut of all the Axarquia mounplains to me: “The Axarquia is tain communities, Frigiliana is reas culturally and historically nowned as the most beautiful. rich as anywhere. Wandering Regularly winning awards as the around any of the hilltop towns top pueblo blanco in Spain, Friis like stepping into the past.” giliana is a day trip hotspot for And he’s not wrong. The road tourists down the road in Nerja. up to Competa is a journey And it is literally a sweet place back in time, starting with Alto visit – home to the only sugar garrobo which boasts 8th-cencane factory still functioning in tury Phoenician tombs (signSpain. Chugging out deliciously posted just past the entrance

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ROCKY: Coastline near Nerja from the Balcon de Europa

December 10th - 22nd 2015

road... sticky molasses (treacle), the El Ingenio miel de cana factory operates from the magnificent 16th century mansion, Nuestra Senora del Carmen, at the heart of the town.

However the region has undergone somewhat of a transformation in the last decade, as retired British carpenter and budding author Tony Byford, 63, explains to me.

“I moved here for the slow pace and the simple life in the 1980s,” he tells me. “The people are still as friendly as ever but the slow pace is starting to get quicker.

“Dirt tracks have been replaced by proper roads, so there is far more traffic – and it travels considerably faster too.”

He adds: “For the upcoming generations the life is of a far higher standard and I do not begrudge them any aspect of it. I still love the quiet of the countryside and the enduring traditions of its people.”

Before the day was out, I headed back down from the hills and scooted along the coast to the charming resort of Nerja to watch the sunset from the impressive Balcon de Europa (offering, arguably, the best possible view of the Mediterranean).

Flanked by the dramatic Sierra Almijara, Nerja has retained an authentic air with its narrow winding old town streets, rocky coves, powdery sand beaches

that its western rivals have lost.

It was still well off the map in the late 1950s when tourism started taking off to the west of Malaga in spots such as Torremolinos and Marbella.

Then five boys on a bat-hunting trip stumbled upon the opening to a cave on a hillside above the tiny fishing village of Maro, a few miles east of Nerja. Vast caverns were revealed, with spectacular rock formations showing evidence of Paleolithic man. (See Page 20.)

General Franco himself came to view ‘Cueva de Nerja’ and coachloads of visitors followed suit.

When Nerja was chosen as a location for the 1980s TV series Verano Azul its future as a tourism destination was set.

The series left an indelible mark. Now, wherever you go in Nerja, you’ll come across the name Verano Azul (blue sum-

mer). There is a Verano Azul travel agency, bus company, park and block of apartments.

You may even find a bar serving a Verano Azul cocktail.

The real joy is found in the small coves just below the town, or nearby in Maro.

Nerja’s beaches are cut off from the town, backed not by a road, but a cliff-face. You can sit on the sand and not see any sign of civilisation; just coastline colliding with blue sea in both directions.

When you sit against a rock, feet dangling, fresh from a dip in the late afternoon sun, it’s so peaceful you lose track of time.

Dipping my toes into the sharp November sea, with a pistachio ice cream in one hand as the sun set, over Malaga, the laidback sleepy life on offer in the Axarquia – up in the mountains and down on the coast – had never seemed so appealing.

Dead interesting

PIT STOP: In Frigiliana

SAID to have been designed so the dead would not turn their backs on each other, it is claimed to be the only round cemetery in Spain.Now locals in Sayalonga hope that their unusual graveyard, built in 1840, is to be promoted better as a tourist attraction.A visitor centre is now open and a local historian is urging the authorities to designate it a BIC, or site of specific cultural interest.

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Home for life S

STANDING TALL: Competa’s 15th century church

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HEN British couple Andy and Debbie Wilkes moved to Competa just over a decade ago they decided to open a shop serving the surrounding Axarquia area.

Falling in love with the town, the former IT consultants, hoped that selling a mix of British foods, plus local arts and crafts would prove to be profitable.

And so it came to pass, with the shop Sugar and Spice thriving to become one of the true success stories of the town.

Now ten years on, they have a second shop across the road specialising in bespoke furniture, mostly imported from Morocco.

Their love for Moroccan furniture began after an Easter trip, where they fell in love with the arabesque furniture.

As well as the furniture they also stock many other Moroccan crafts produced in the souks by artisans, all at excellent prices.

As Debbie explains: “As the furniture side of the

TROLLING through an olive grove surrounded by rolling hills and the November sun beating down on my back, I was in a state of undeniable bliss as I took in the jaw-dropping landscapes.

David from the Competa tourist office had pointed me in the direction of the olive groves, a simple five-minute walk from the centre of the pueblo, saying ‘that is where you will find the real Axarquia’.

And off I’d trotted, along a

Laid back Competa is home to many long-term expats, including Spain’s very own Lonely Planet editor, writes Rob Horgan gravel path lined with neverending rows of olive trees – until that is, I rounded a corner to find myself confronted by a horse. Not being very ‘country’, my path through this rural paradise was blocked.

As I approached (warily), the

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All things nice

Sugar and Spice - serving up Moroccan furniture, British food and arts and crafts

horse, loosely tied to a tree with a flimsy-looking rope, reared up on its back legs and neighed at me, sending a large amount of saliva in my direction.

Wracking my brain for what to do next, I reverted to what I been taught as a kid growing

business started to grow we increased not only our range of furniture but also giftware. We’re always on the look-out for something a bit different and try to keep the ranges constantly changing.”

And while the furniture side of the business takes precedent, the food side has also continued to grow.

“Our customers have helped us develop our range of baking products and also kept us in touch with what’s hot on the biscuits and cakes front.

“And one thing we’ve learnt is that people like variety so we also have plenty of spices and ingredients from around the world.”

And to help their customers, they even have a selection of recipes on their website.

Another branch to the company is the ladies boutique, provide style at affordable prices with individually picked items and plenty of choice.

For more information visit www.sugarandspice. es

up in London: if you don’t like the look of someone, cross the road.

And so, after scrambling down a relatively easy slope, I found myself on another path and again heading through a jungle of olive trees.

But to my utter dismay, just five minutes further on, my path was once again blocked by a solid-hoofed mammal determined not to budge.

This time I did not even try to pass. I set my bag down, took out my book and just enjoyed the balmy autumnal day in the great outdoors. It was, as David had promised, a real insight into the laid-back way of life amid the fertile lands of the Axarquia.

Celebrate

And it is this way of life that attracts so many expats to the area, including, no less, than John Noble, the editor of Spain’s celebrated Lonely Planet guide.

A former journalist at the Observer and FT, he fell in love with the place over two decades ago and uses it as his base when not carousing the rest of the country for his job.

On a night out at the town’s stand out hive for fun, restaurant El Pilon, he is quick to

23 December 10th - 22nd 2015

BUZZING: The main square hosts an annual wine festival every August

sing the town’s praises.

And he is not alone. Danish expat vet Jens Klausen, 79, moved here 25 years ago, and insists he will never move.

“The climate, the extremely friendly people and the beautiful landscape are as good as anywhere in the world. I have no plans to move,” he says.

Nor does Tom Sobel, who owns the emblematic Pilon restaurant. The genial American, who divides his time between running the popular spot and working as a therapist along the coast, fell in love with the local art and culture scene. “It is quite different to any other places I have visited and there is usually something going on,” he says.

Friendly

Back in the white-washed village centre I quickly get a firsthand encounter with the ‘extremely friendly people’.

While perched on a bench in Rincon de los Abuelos (grandparents’ corner), studying my map and planning my route around the village, I was joined by Maria and Carlos, a retired Spanish couple who have lived in Competa for over 40 years.

After exchanging pleasantries and revealing the fact I’m a journalist, the couple were determined to show me all Competa has to offer.

Taking hold of my map they plotted ‘the best route’ for me to take, placing an ‘X’ at every

LEGO LAND: White houses clustered together

‘tourist attraction’ they could think of.

But, as Carlos says: “Competa is not really for tourists; you can come for a day but it is better to stay for a lifetime.”

The first port of call, handpicked by my grandparentsfor-a-day, was the Museo del Vino close to the charming main square, Plaza de la Almijara, with its 15th century church and Moorish clock tower.

Even more than for its olives, the Axarquia countryside is renowned for moscatel grapes – and the wine isn’t too bad either. The two local bodegas, Bodega Almijara and Bodega Luis Picante, ex-

Walk the walk ART lovers will be able to enjoy all styles of arts and crafts at the eighth Art Walkabout in Competa.

Taking place in March, the event aims to bring together the community in an animated and artistic atmosphere at various venues in the town.

Works on show include paintings, photographs, graphics, drawings, ceramic bowls and bronze sculptures.

For more details on the event visit www.artcompeta.com

port their wines throughout Europe, and tours of both places are well worthwhile.

Each August, revellers gather beneath the lofty bell tower in the plaza for the Noche del Vino.

‘For this one night,’ says my tour guide, ‘wine is free by the barrel’.

Arty

“People come out in the thousands, drinking as much as they can take,” he adds.

(Needless to say, I’m now planning a return trip to Competa in the summer.)

Next up is a trip to the art museum. Competa’s growing reputation as an arty destination attracts expats from far and wide, many coming for the annual sculpture walk showcasing local artists’ work every Easter.

My final trek of the day takes me a little way up La Maroma.

At 2,068 metres, La Maroma is the highest mountain peak in the province, forming a natural barrier between Granada and Malaga. Even at 636 metres above sea level the views are impressive.

In one direction I watch the first snow of the season fall on the Sierra Nevada, while in the other, I could see brilliant-white cube houses tumble down the hillside with the Mediterranean glistening far off in the distance – a spectacular end to my day in this rural retreat hidden up in the hills.

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To the Moors’ last stand!

One of Andalucia’s most rewarding mountain adventures lies in wait among the olive trees, inland from Nerja, writes Guy Hunter Watts

T

OWERING to almost 1000m the rugged massif of El Fuerte provides a stunning backdrop to the pretty village of Frigiliana, just inland from Nerja.

The mountain played a dramatic role in the region’s history at the time of the last Morisco uprisings.

The Moslems who stayed on after the Reconquest knew they were living on borrowed time yet were loathe to abandon this exquisite swathe of Al Andalus. site house no.9A cut right up Taking refuge atop the rocky a cobbled staircase at a sign pinnacle of El Fuerte their last Barrio Morisco-Mudéjar. At stand against de Zuarzo’s house no.13 pass beneath an Christian troops is one of the arch then bear right at a sign most evocative incidents of the Panoramicas. Reaching the Morisco rebellion. fabulous Garden Restaurant When you get to the top of this the path divides. Carry straight dramatic pinnacle of rock you’ll ahead passing above the resappreciate why they chose the taurant. After 100m the path mountain as a last refuge. narrows then loops steeply upwards. Reaching a tiled bench head straight on following a sign El Castillo. You pass sevThe walk begins in Frigiliana in eral sculptures, the work of a the square at the entrance of resident ex-pat. the village, La Plaza del Ingenio Zigzagging higher you will love next to a round hut containing the views across the village and a puppet theatre. From here east towards the Higuerón valhead up the cobbled road be- ley. Climbing through a swathe neath El Ingenio passing a row of young pines you pass a dilapof ceramic plaques. Continue idated mirador. Passing a secalong Calle Real then oppo- ond mirador you reach a bluff

OVERVIEW

This is a relatively easy and emblematic walk, taking up to three hours. The path that leads up from Frigiliana is well marked and easy to follow even if you have some 650m of fairly steep climbing to negotiate. But the extraordinary panorama that awaits at the top more than justifies the effort. Returning by the same route is just as much of a treat: the vast viewsalong the way make this itinerary an absolute must-walk.

SITTING PRETTY: Guy Hunter Watts at the top

At the top you appreciate why they chose the mountain as a last refuge

from where you’ll see a large water tank down to the left.

Cut left on a narrow path which zigzags down to a track (15mins) where, angling right, head past the water tank then cut right up a cobbled staircase that passes a mill then zigzags up to a pylon. Here bear left.

After climbing steeply the path angles left into a group of pines, descends for a few metres, then resumes its ascent. The trees thin out as views open out towards the Mediterranean.

The path runs on towards the northwest, parallel to a ridge which is now to your right. Bearing right it climbs more steeply as views briefly open out to the north. Soon the path adopts its former course to the left of the ridge before passing an old calera (glossary) (55mins) then runs on towards the towering massif of El Fuerte.

Passing through a breach in the rocks angle left then conStarting point: La Plaza del Ingenio atJan the Hidde entrance to tinue to the summit of El Fuerte Linda en Landstra Frigiliana (976m) where you reach a trig Calle Real 32, 29788, Frigiliana (Malaga) Grade: Medium point and a sign Fin de SendeDistance: 8.5kms (+34) 660 777 744 ro (1hr 40 mins). Return by the Time: 3hrs same route back to the start janhiddelandstra@hotmail.com Total Ascent/Descent: 730m point of the walk (3hrs).

This walk is among 36 others described in Guy Hunter-Watts’ Walking in Andalucía. Olive Restaurante AL FUENTE tapasymas Press readers are entitled to a 25% discount on Guy’s celebrated book from January 15, via: http://www.cicerone.co.uk/ product/detail.cfm/book/802/ title/refer/olivepress BIRDS EYE VIEW: Of Frigiliana

The Route

The Nitty

MAJESTIC: Views into the hills

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STUNNING: Cortijo with mango farm

AS far as purchases go they don’t get much sweeter.

A stunning Andalucianstyle cortijo has just come onto the market with its very own profitable mango plantation around it.

This enviable fruit farm sits in a stunning location, just 10 minutes from the beach, and currently generates around €60,000 a year from its 2,000-plus mango trees.

Sitting on 18,000 m2 of land, there are an incredible 25 different fruit trees also in situ and the land is fully irrigated, with two wells.

The current owners are established members of the local co-operative, therefore the sale of all mangoes is guaranteed. There is also a local wholesale fruit market auction that

takes place twice daily.

Perfect to run as a B&B, the four-bedroom cortijo counts on 250m2 and already has a modern fitted kitchen, dining room, log burner, plus office.

There is air conditioning throughout, electric gates, security system and a de-

cent sized swimming pool outside.

All this for just €799,000, direct from the owner, with no agent involved.

For more information contact jon.clarke_@ btconnect.com or call 691831399

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New master at Mayoralas ADVERTORIAL

One of the Axarquia’s most emblematic hotels has a new chef guaranteeing the perfect winter break

N

ESTLED in the heart of the Axarquia, Las Mayoralas is a hotel on a gastronomic mission.

New chef Lorenzo Cabellos has brought his expertise to the hotel’s restaurant and is bringing his exciting brand of cooking to the Sierra de Tejedas.

Cabellos’s stylish take on traditional dishes include ‘bacalao gratin’, delicious Almadraba tuna, crispy duck magret and suckling lamb shoulder.

Freshest

NEW CHEF: Lorenzo

And guests visiting over Christmas and New Year are sure to get their tastebuds tantalised, with specially-designed menus to celebrate the festive season.

Lorenzo’s New Years’ Eve feast features the best in traditional local produce.

Mouthwatering jamon Iberico, vol-au-vents, langoustine bisque, salmon, steak and a refreshing Cava mango des-

VIEWS: Cottages overlook lake Vinuela

Complejo Turístico Rural Las Mayoralas Las Mayoralas Parcela 47 29710 Periana La Axarquía Costa del Sol Málaga Tel: 951 167 342 Mobile: 635 666 682 WhatsApp: 635 666 682 Restaurant: 951 167 491 E-mail: info@lasmayoralas.com or reservas@lasmayoralas.com

DINERS’ DELIGHT: Las Mayoralas sert are sure to make 2015’s last meal your best one.

The restaurant, which is open allyear round, presents the full range

of Malaga’s rich variety of food, from the freshest fish to the most succulent cuts of meat.

And the sumptuous menu can be enjoyed in the lush surroundings of one of the Axarquia’s most emblematic hotels.

Sitting near the celebrated Vinuela lake, the views from the hotel’s detached cottages could not be better.

Each is well equipped with a fitted kitchen and at least two bedrooms, plus a private pool and garden.

Guests relax in total privacy, gazing across the faraway peaks, including Maroma at over 2000 metres, and have just a short stroll to the restaurant which is open all year.

For more information visit www. lasmayoralas.com or telephone 34 951 167 342 or email direccion@lasmayoralas.com

GATEWAY: Hotel turrets

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AS2411 Lomo León, El Borge 180,000€ Immaculate 100m2 3 bedroom detached villa with large garden and flat 7000m2 plot with the most incredible mountain views

AS3030 Churriana 850,000€ 357m2 4 bed, 3 bath detached villa in urbanization with 24 hour security, close to the shops, airport and beach.

AS3029 Periana 125,000€ 55m2, 1 bed, 1 bath rustic townhouse with garden and 5 terraces, views of the mountain, lake and distant sea

AS3031 Almáchar 107,500€ Bright and airy 100m2 Newly renovated 3 bedroom village house situated on 2 floors with 2 entrances.

AS2356 Zalea, Casarabonela 550,000€ Large 4 bed, 3 bath, family home with two 2 bed guest apartments in the courtyard, purpose built for rural tourism with pool

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AS3021 Santa Cruz del Comercio, Granada 78,000€ Lovely 80m2 2 Bedroom village house with patio & large terrace, restored to a high standard with new roof.

AS3032 Almayate 225,000€ 75m2 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse with garage and communal pool, walking distance to Almayate village

AS3025 Benajarafe 265,000€ 67m2 2 bed ground floor apartment with large shared terrace, garden and pool area with a door to the beach.

AS3024 Alora 349,000€ 201m2 3 bed, 3 bath Villa with car port and above ground pool in the countryside close to town on 98,692m plot

AS2995 Cútar 80,000€ 138m2 Fully renovated 5 bedroom family house with terrace and views over this Moorish village to the mountains beyond

AS2978 Comares 105,000€ Charming 2 bedroom country property with courytard and roof terrace situated in a small Hamlet just below Comares

www.axarquiaproperties.com

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Comares is a stunning mou

MAPPING THE WAY: Comares hikers and (left) a series of hiking trails

A thirsty mess

There’s no better start to a day than a dawn hike from Comares

I

ROCK ON: Hike halt

ROSE early from my bed on the outskirts of Comares, eager to stretch my legs on one of the many walking routes around the hillside town. I opted for the Ruta Lavadero, described as ‘medium difficulty’.

The gentle dawn stroll through Comares was set to the tune of birdsong and a cow mooing down the mountain somewhere.

I said ‘hola’ to a donkey in a garden and set off into the rising sun, which was splashing fuzzy pinks and oranges over the sierras. The route was well signposted… That is unless, like me, you tend to go running up every rocky path to see how the view differs.

Needless to say, within an hour I was pretty lost and tales of people going walking up in the Axarquia (in particular around Frigiliana) and never returning were present in the back of my mind.

I passed just two other people on my hike and they seemed to be equally struggling with the combination of heat and mountain.

The beauty of Comares being atop a mountain though is that you will always know roughly how to get back there.

And so I continued to tread a path over the rocks, through the pine forests and past the farms and luxurious houses, while always keeping one eye on the white-topped mountain.

A few hours of glorious hiking later I found myself back on the road into the pueblo; a sweaty, thirsty mess.

ROUTES: Ruta Lavadero

S

IERRAS dressed in a patchwork of pueblos, plantations and isolated homesteads spill down towards the sparkling coast where illuminated resorts hug the shore.

It’s easy to see why the hilltop pueblo of Comares is called the balcony of the Axarquia.

This spectacular place sits atop its regal perch where the views are simply stunning.

But there is much more to this pueblo than 360-degree views. Hiking, cycling and rock climbing are all popular activities in the area.

Begin with a walking tour of the village centre. The route is dictated by pretty ceramic footprints, and takes in numerous miradors, the Castillo, the peaceful cemetery before ending back in the central square.

It is the perfect introduction to Comares, with regular optional pit-stops in the shape

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cony of Axarquia

untain-top pueblo and an adventurer’s dream, writes Tom Powell

VALLEY: In Comares

Flying free

FLYING through the air with the rugged valley opening up below you, a trip on Comares’ zipwire is an experience you’ll never forget.

A breathtaking 110 metres above the ground, and 436 metres long, the ‘tirolina’ is the most extreme in Spain.

This is one challenge not for the faint-hearted, or, crucially, those scared of heights.

ROOFTOP WONDERLAND: Comares lords over the rest of the region

WIRE WALK: Tirolina

New year party of tapas bars and ornate benches.

Of the historical remains, the Moorish fort stands highest of all. It was the stronghold of ninth-century Moorish rebel leader Ibn Hafsun, and there are plenty of information boards explaining more about this turbulent time.

Heading out of the village centre, there are clearly-marked hiking routes which make exploring the varied countryside surrounding Comares a doddle (see panel, left).

And for the more adventurous hikers, there are plenty more potential routes that aren’t publicised in leaflets. The Axarquia is undoubtedly a hiker’s paradise.

Cycling is also immensely popular in the area, while the steep slopes flanking the village are often speckled with rock climbers.

But for such a seemingly remote location, Turn to page 30

COMARES kick-starts every year with a celebration of its patron saint, Hilario, on January 16.

A procession leads through the streets before music and dancing later in the day.

PATRON’S PARADISE: St. Hilanio

Hotel Restaurante

ATALAYA

A A Hilltop haven

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C/ Encinillas 7 . 29195 . Comares Tel. 952 50 92 08 . 620 591 144 www.hotelcomares.com Hotel Restaurante Atalaya

RESTAURANTE HILL VIEW: Comares’ white-washed houses From page 29

Barriada Los Ventorros, 9 . Comares Tel. 618 952 645 CERRADO LOS LUNES

Comares still knows how to party with the best of them. July’s Feria de Verdiales, the annual August village feria, as well as events celebrating Patron Saint Hilario offer ample opportunity to let your hair down and dance.

Visitors can extend their stay by sleeping in Comares too, with the Hotel Atalaya a popular option. With capacity for 120 people, it also boasts an excellent restaurant serving up local produce and stunning views from its south-facing balconies.

There are plenty of other smaller B&B style places to stay in the centre of the town.

Flamenco fiesta THE fiestas de Verdiales are legendary in Comares, with the whole village coming together to enjoy music, dancing and drinking.

The verdiales are traditional folk dances and songs.

They are common in Malaga’s mountain villages, and supported by colourful musicians and cheering crowds.

In Comares, the festival takes place every July.

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The Complete Wine Experience

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PHOTO BY JON CLARKE

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Wine time

Visitor’s review, 25.11.2015

“Best lunch & wine of 2015. The tasting

was entertaining, delicious. The lunch presentation, flavours, perfectly sized portions, delightful service - was truly wonderful.”

Tour & Tasting: see & learn about the vineyard & bodega then taste 4 Ariyanas wines. Starts 12:30, €9,00.

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Axarquia’s top vineyard has opened its own restaurant, discovers Jon Clarke

T was perhaps inevitable that having got their wines into dozens of Michelin-starred joints around the world, they would open a restaurant of their own.

Now talented Clara Verheij and Andre Both (above), from Bodegas Bentomiz have inaugurat-

ed a stylish new spot for diners in the Axarquia.

With the help of Nerja chef Juan Quintanilla, of Sollun, they have created an alluring three and five-course tasting menu, which can be paired with the vineyards six different wines.

Sitting on the top floor of their stylish bodega, you eat in an airy dining room with amazing views of classic Axarquia scenery.

The dishes, which are as handsome as they are creative, use mostly seasonal and almost all local ingredients… and cleverly pair the couple’s wines.

Hence, the vineyard’s intriguing red made from Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and the local grape Rome - is used to slow-cook Iberian pigs cheeks, with shiitake mushrooms and sweet potato and then STYLISH: Light open-plan dining served up alongside.

Meanwhile, a foam of parmesan, popcorn of rice, cooked with seaweed is paired with one of their fabulously flinty Moscatel Ariyanas whites.

It is a decade since they first rescued this abandoned vineyard, in Sayalonga, above which they built their home.

Quickly recognising the enormous potential of the local Moscatel de AlejanT is possibly the most successful board game of all dría vines, they have had rave reviews time, with over 100 million units sold in 26 countries from wine journalists and sommeliers. and in at least 20 languages... and it was born in the It is little surprise you can find it in the world’s leading restaurants, Axarquia. including Celler de Can Roca, in It happened after two young Canadian journalists Girona, and Gordon Ramsay’s resstayed in Nerja in the winter of 1980, having quit their taurants in London. It also sells in jobs to work on the game and persuade investors to Waitrose. part with their money.

The Axarquía’s unique terroir of Chris Haney, a high-school dropout, had been working steep slopes and the closeness of as a picture editor in Montreal while his friend David the sea, all provide an ideal microcliAbbott was a sportswriter. mate for the grapes.

The pair lived at El Capistrano, a villa resort where The vines – some over 100 years old Haney’s parents had a house, and they allegedly - are grown in hollows, to collect water, worked 16 hours a day thinking up questions for their and are cut back to bushes, so that game – fuelled by San Miguel. And lots the leaves protect the maturing grapes of it. from that scorching summer sun.

But while they enjoyed the paThe wines produced are naturally ella, the beer and strolls along sweet and unfortified and produced the Balcon de Europa, they in temperature-controlled stainless struggled to find investors for steel tanks.

They named their aromatic wines Ari‘Six Thousand Questions’, as it yanas, after a nearby Moorish hamlet, was originally called. which comes from the Arabic word for Just one Nerja resident dearomatic. cided to invest, a Canadian barThe pair got their wine known by takman. He is now a millionaire. ing mini European tours to wine fairs The game went unnoticed for two and celebrated restaurants, getting years. They lost money on every copy an 85 per cent success rate. “If the they sold and it looked to be a disaster. But then once sommelier tried our wine, the restauthe first cheques starting rolling in they never stopped. rant purchased it!” says Clara.

Within months it was selling by the million and in 1984, Why not come up for yourself, as Time magazine called it ‘the biggest phenomenon in Clara explains: “Visitors enjoy seeing game history’. the vineyard and get an understandAnd it is still incredibly popular, with Nerja’s first Trivial ing of how the wines are developed Pursuit tournament currently being planned for this – before enjoying the wines with a year. guided tasting, alongside lunch.” www.bodegasbentomiz.com

Complete Wine Experience: enjoy a tour & tasting

before a delicious lunch paired with our wines.

3 or 5 course menu, €28,50 or €39,00 plus drinks. Starts 12:30.

Just Lunch: been before? Join us for a delicious lunch,

each dish designed to pair with Ariyanas wines. Choose 3 or 5 courses (€23,50 or €34,00) plus your drinks. Served at 2.00.

Book today:

www.bodegasbentomiz.com or call +34 658 845 285

Q: What has Nerja got to do with ?

A: It invented it

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25th December to 1st January only

Bodegas Bentomiz’s

Wine-Lovers’ Christmas Menu You are cordially invited to enjoy this sumptuous 5 course menu with a glass of champagne and 3 glasses of Ariyanas wine.

Price per person: €59,50 Reservation essential!

Call (+34) 658 845 285 or (+34) 951 386 706 Or email reservas@bodegasbentomiz.com

“Fantastic food & wine in a gorgeous setting”

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The Terrace Cafe

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Puente don Manuel (above the pool shop)

Big Breakfasts Burgers, Meals, Snacks and lots more...

Also serving alcohol including draught Guinness & Strongbow

Come as a customer leave as a friend OPEN DAILY from 10.30am till 5.30pm Saturdays 10.30 to 2.30 CLOSED SUNDAYS

Tel: 658 355 843

Lakeside living

WATER WAY: View over Vinuela lake is one of Andalucia’s best

A crossing point for travellers for centuries, Puente Don Manuel is now the main inland hub of the Axarquia

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T has been a crossing point for travellers crisscrossing the Axarquia for centuries.

So, it is entirely appropriate Opening Times Tues-Saturday 12-10pm Sun/Monday CLOSED ALL Pie and Chips 6.00€

that Puente Don Manuel is now the number one commercial hive for inland Axarquia.

Here, at the so called ‘cruz de Periana’ - overlooking beautiful Vinuela lake - you will find a bustling commercial centre with plenty of businesses and restaurants, including curry houses and fish and chip shops.

This fast-growing settlement, which is administered by larger Alcaucin, is where thousands of local expats stock up on all their essentials.

There is a hairdresser, dentist and various British estate agents, not to mention the well established Arkwrights food shop, run by Linda and Geoff, which has been the glue of the community for years.

There are a number of good places to get a coffee, none less than the excellent Terrace cafe, a great butcher and probably the best fish and chips in the Axarquia with the Town Frier, now in new hands.

Make sure to take a ride up to

BUILDING BRIDGES: Puente Don Manuel

the village of Alcaucin, which has a rich historical legacy and is full of narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses.

Alcaucin derives its name from the Arabic ‘Al Cautin’, meaning the ‘arches’ a possible reference to the town’s aqueduct.

Prehistoric

Way before the Moors - and Romans before them - it is known that prehistoric man lived here, after the remains of a Neanderthal man were

Childrens Menu is Priced at 4.00€

PHONE ORDERS 608 531 601 PICTURESQUE: Landscape from Alcaucin statue

found in 1983 in a cave near to El Boquete de Zafarraya.

Certainly though, it is scenery that is the biggest draw around here.

The lake of Vinuela, just a stone’s throw away is a great place for a walk and a picnic, or if you are after a bit of luxury a stay at the region’s top hotel Vinuela.

As well as boasting wonderful grounds with tennis courts and two huge swimming pools, there is a spa and an excellent restaurant, which is one of the best in the whole region.

33 December 10th - 22nd 2015

Axarquia Properties Special Christmas AS2989 Country House, Solano 265,000€ 140m2 Delightful 3 bed, 3 bath reformed house on 700m2 plot with Baño Arabe

Through the mill

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AS3028 Detached Villa, Viñuela 295,000€ 95m2 3 bed, 2 bath villa with pool on 7,500m2 almost flat land

HE Axarquia has changed a lot over the last 15 years and, with it, the housing market.

At Axarquia Properties we have been successfully selling property in the region since 2001, and the changes we have seen in the market have been extraordinary.

In 2001 we sold mainly ruins that needed complete renovation, something that in 2015 you cannot do at all. This is mainly because the law has changed and it is difficult to get a renovation licence nowadays if the ruin has no roof.

But back in the day when the hills were full of ruins and the countryside looked a wreck, foreigners came in their droves to buy, buy, buy. Prices were cheap, and you could turn a ruin into a three-bed, two-bath country property with pool for as little as €80,000.

Suddenly the lacklustre hillsides were turned into sparkling white oases, and prices went up, up, up.

Prices soared, people were buying.

Paperwork somehow didn’t seem to matter, everyone got licences and the town halls were happy.

Brains were left at the airport and many people ran happily to their banks. Stories were told about people handing over cash to Spaniards selling property in bars. It was a bit like the Gold Rush must have been.

Then came The Crunch.

The property market has seen a lot of turmoil in 15 years, writes Axarquia Properties boss Sally Harrison

AS2314 Town House, Riogordo 89,000€ 94m2 2 bed fully renovated village house with large roof terrace Mayors went to prison, and vendors couldn’t sell their properties because the paperwork wasn’t right. Prices dropped and dropped and dropped.

Next came the Financial Crisis. Building stopped, and no new building licences were granted. The merry-go-round stopped spinning. The goose that had laid the golden eggs was dead.

But not to despair!

In 2015, with the market nearly bottomed out, many northern Europeans began coming back again to buy

up what they could. Everyone had heard you could buy property for a song in Spain. Vendors let go of property for less than they had paid, and the new owners, while not able to build, were at least able to put in new windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms.

Country properties remain the all time favourite, the larger the better so they can be used for B&Bs. But the new trend is moving towards apartments in the old historic town of Malaga – so if anyone has anything there to sell please get in touch with us.

I predict that 2016 will see a continuation of buyers coming to grab what is left of the bargains, and vendors will still have to bite their lips and take a loss. But, as always, things will get better again, prices will rise, and buyers will continue coming to what is quite possibly the very best place on earth to live.

Spain, we know why we are here.

Now it is time for new buyers to discover this for themselves.

This Christmas, at least six geese are laying!

Private spa with amazing views and garden

Carretera Velez-Malaga – Alhama, 29712 Viñuela TEL: +34 952 519 193 | TEL: +34 676 488 144 | HOTEL@HOTELVINUELA.COM

WWW.HOTELVINUELA.COM

Team Star’s five-star rentals NERJA'S delights are best enjoyed in luxury Team Star Holiday Rentals property.

Based in the region since 2000, this division of the Team Group boasts the widest selection of beachside apartments and country villas in Nerja and Frigiliana.

Founded by Anke Werner, Team Star’s multi-lingual team takes care of a portfolio of around 200 properties.

The company has agents from the UK, Canada, Germany and Scandinavia who insist on the highest standard of care for their guests.

Properties are cherry-picked for access, gardens, pools and location and owners are encouraged to ensure their properties' facilities are constantly updated and refurbished.

It is no surprise the company’s attention to detail and firstrate customer service has seen extraordinary year-onyear growth of 30% over the past five years.

And now it is set to expand into the historical centre of Malaga, where holidaymakers can stroll to the museums or the cathedral straight from their rental home.

Contact info@teamstarholidayrentals.com or 0034 952 527 300

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Marvellous Mei ADVERTORIAL

Hotel Vinuela is taking the concept of relaxing to a whole new level with its brand new spa, writes Jon Clarke

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ITH stunning views across emblematic Vinuela lake and up towards the formidable peak of Mount Maroma, it is one of the most scenic places to stay in Andalucia.

With stylish bedrooms, an amazing restaurant and peaceful grounds, it is hardly surprising that Hotel Vinuela is already the stand-out place to stay in the Axarquia.

But now the four-star spot has yet another reason to lay down your head for a perfect weekend break: the region’s first exclusive spa and massage centre.

Set in the hotel’s grounds with views across the lake, the Mei Wellness & Spa is a new concept in exclusive well-being therapy.

Perfect for individuals or for couples, the spa - which counts on a jacuzzi, sauna and hammam - is rented out privately by the hour.

The perfect place to be pampered and de-stress, you will quickly find your inner peace.

INNER PEACE: The jacuzzi and hammam help to release muscle tension Start your journey by toning your body with the ‘aromatherapy and contrast showers’, before plunging into the hammam to help release muscle tension, and breath deeply and calmly.

Next visit the sauna or hot tub, then give free reign to your imagination and all your senses by having a delicious tea in the rest area.

“You will experience feelings of complete serenity and harmony: a unique and unparalleled

experience that you will never forget,” promises hotel manager Maria Herrero.

The private spa (for 60 minutes) costs just 56€ for two people. It is 15€ for each additional person (5 maximum) and IVA is included.

Open from Monday to Sunday, non-stop from 8.00 to 22.00.

Please note opening hours can vary depending on the season.

STUNNING: Panoramic view from a bedroom

Validity: 31/01/2016

"

10 €

Discount Coupon

1 GF 18 Holes

+ Trolley =

55€

2 GF 18 Holes

+ Buggy =

110€

Tel: 952 55 50 15 info@bavieragolf.com www.bavieragolf.com

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WHERE TO STAY

The Axarquia has a great selection of places to stay, writes Jon Clarke FROM rural, rustic retreats to charming beachside hotels, the Axarquia has got the lot.

But few places beat the amazing Las Orquideas, high in the hills above Lake Vinuela.

Run by a British/German couple, who have a fabulous eye for interior design, this is perhaps the most stylish boutique hotel in the Axarquia.

Maximising on space and views, the hotel centres on its fabulous restaurant and outdoor terrace, which looks out towards the high peak of Maroma. A swimming pool sits just below.

Peace personified you can spend an hour just sitting and enjoying the changing sky towards sunset, before eating in the excellent restaurant.

Rooms are incredibly spacious and feature four poster beds and romantic roll top baths, while decor is subtle and matched by its minimalist choice of antique pieces.

Another fantastic place to stay near the lake is Hotel Vinuela, which has similar views across the lake and inland to Maroma as well.

A much bigger hotel, it counts on an excellent spa, swimming pool and highly-rated restaurant, while its comfortable rooms have superb terraces to enjoy the views.

Nearby Las Mayoralas is of a distinctly different style, offering a dozen or so, private chalets, each sitting in their own private grounds and with lovely views of the surrounding area.

Each chalet has a fireplace, two to

A complete dream I

Not just for chilling!

Chili Bed and Breakfast in Competa is a sportsman’s dream, discovers Jon Clarke

CAPTION: Caption here

LAKESIDE VIEWS: From Las Orquideas three bedrooms and its own kitchenette making it an excellent place to hole up for a long weekend.

In Nerja you are spoilt for choice for good places to stay.

In pole position is Hotel Toboso, which couldn’t be in a better location in the heart of town by the emblematic Balcon de Europa.

The rooms are fantastic in size and you are right next to the excellent Cochrane’s Irish restaurant and bar, which is good for a local meal and has the best terrace in Nerja.

Next door Marissal has been running for decades and also has excellent value and good size rooms.

There is a good discount for Olive Press readers and the restaurant downstairs is great all day from breakfast to cocktails at night.

Another small, family-run place Tres Soles, sits in emblematic Calle Carabeo, a fantastic central location near to all the main sites and restaurants.

Decent-sized rooms are clean and

the reception is friendly offering a hive of local information.

Looking for a good place to stay in Competa, Chili B&B is an excellent option, sitting above the town with amazing views (see sidebar).

Another wonderful place to lay down your hat is hotel Palacio Blanco in Velez Malaga, run by capable Dutch couple Jan and Christa.

This historic building right in the heart of this gem of a town is stylish and oozes comfort.

If you are looking for something more rural, then few places come as luxurious as Cortijo Piltraque, near Colmenar.

Sitting in the most wonderful location, with some of the best views in Christendom, this wonderful gem has been set up by Belgium couple Hubert Deckers and Annemie Tielens.

He was a well-known chef back in Belgium, while she was a psychologist.

T looks like something from a James Bond movie and the giant fan in Karen and Sean Baker’s pool cost an arm and a leg to boot.

Installed as a tool to improve swimming speed, it is most famously used by the Brownlee brothers, who secured triathlon gold and bronze at the Olympics in 2012.

Known as an ‘Endless Pool’, this hightech bit of kit - a swimming treadmill - is just one of many health and fitness features, that make Chili B&B in Competa not just unique for the Axarquia, but for the whole of Andalucia.

“We can offer swim stroke video analysis and advise swimmers on how to improve their swimming technique and swim more efficiently,” explains Karen, a qualified triathlon coach.

On top of this, guests at their stunning B&B high above Competa, can check out their ‘gait analysis’ on the world’s first Running Power Meter, use numerous sporting gizmos to improve performance, not to mention borrow one of the couple’s many bikes.

And after a hard day’s exercise, you can come home to a range of different massages in the specially set up massage room. They also offer Kinesiology taping, which aids blood flow and healing.

Setting up their business earlier this year, the pair (left), who are both engineers by training, take all types of sport incredibly seriously.

“Runners are always seeking to run faster for longer and we offer full video gait analysis and corrective program of drills, techniques and advice on how to improve your running style,” continues Karen.

“We also offer a first for Spain the Stryd running power meter, in which we can measure your running power, cadence and heart rate.

“We capture this data and video your running technique and then write a bespoke program to enable you to run more comfortably and efficiently and ultimately faster and further without using extra energy!”

All that said, the charming B&B is not just about sport. The bedrooms are comfortable, have great facilities and excellent wifi.

The spot has amazing views of the Axarquia mountains and for those not bothered about sport, you can just relax on their roof terrace with a beer or a glass of wine.

Breakfast is served in your room, or on the terrace and the couple have a good knowledge of the town and its surrounding region.

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INVENTIVE: Jose at Orchideas

WHERE TO EAT

Creative cuisine is coming to the fore in the Axarquia, writes Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke

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HE Axarquia is slowly developing a varied dining culture after decades of meatballs and goat stew.

Led by a string of outsiders, many of them expats, a drive towards experimentation has seen a growth of creative cuisine.

Leading the charge is chef Fredrik Kullberg and his stylish wife Kim at Fusion, in Nerja, where the menu has a distinctly international flavour, thanks to the couple’s time living abroad, including Vietnam and Thailand.

Despite now counting on five children, they still have time to concentrate on details such as fresh flowers, decor and candles.

Formerly the head chef at footballer Tomas Brolin’s restaurant Undici, in Stockholm, he has some real chestnuts, such as fresh foie on toast with rocket salad and a blackberry reduction.

A recent addition this year is a plate of 100% acorn-fed jamon Iberico from three of Spain’s best producers, giving the per- a vinaigrette with mackerel, a super fresh asparagus rolled in fect introduction to the very liver parfait with gorgonzola Serrano ham and semi cured best of Spanish cuisine. cheese and kumquats and red goat’s cheese, while the goat’s Keeping Fredrik on his toes is wine and pigeon with green cheese bruschetta with red another now well-established beans and quince. peppers is a fabulous starter.

Albacete chef Juan Quintanilla, Up in the nearby village of Fri- An urbane Canadian, Tom is who previously co-ran Michelin- giliana you would be mad to a psychotherapist by training, starred Marbella restaurant miss the amazing Garden and has a love of music (a clasSkina and recently opened a restaurant, which consistently sically trained tenor, no less), new joint, alongside the owners produces some of the freshest, which often sees him DJing of the region’s famous Bento- most varied (read spicy and come closing time. miz vineyard (see Page 31). original) food in the Axarquia “As my parents ran restaurants His Nerja flagship eaterie Sol- (see sidebar). running Pilon lun goes from strength to Another exticks all the boxMixing its wines es,” he explains. strength and is now set up in a cellent spot new location on Calle Pintada, in Frigiliana in a fabulous food Close by is the previously known as Calabaza. is Al Fuente recently opened pairing, this is Named after his two children run by friendBentomiz resSol and Luna, his food is ad- ly Dutchman one hell of a place taurant, sitting in venturous and light and the Jan and his the same name for lunch main menu changes three wife Linda, a vineyard, in Sayatimes a year. yoga instruclonga, which has Expect such delights as beet- tor, and a charming spot to won international awards for its root and strawberry ‘porra’ in while away the time. wines for a decade.

A varied menu with plenty of Mixing its wines in a fabulous TALENT: tapas, it sits in a lovely back food pairing, this is one hell of street and is worth hunting out. a place for lunch, with incredJuan at Its excellent value mixed tapas ible views and stylish flourishes Sollun plate is popular with tourists, to boot, thanks to the help of while it counts on many vegetar- Nerja chef Juan Quintanilla. ian, gluten-free and fish dishes.

Up in Comares there is a good In Competa, try the highly rated variety of places to eat, includEl Pilon, which is very much the ing the excellent local joint stand-out restaurant in the town. El Molino in the heart of the A popular social hive, the bar town, as well as Atalaya. area is great for tapas, while the One of the real standout spots restaurant itself is a must try. though, sits a short drive outWith a regular changing menu, side, at the foot of the mythical expect to eat lots of seasonal Masmullah mountain, topped dishes, developed by Tom So- by a former Moorish settlement. bel and his capable team.

The walk to the top is amazing, Standout dishes included the and lunch or supper afterwards

On the rise!

Restaurante Al Fuente Tapas y Mas Linda en Jan Hidde Landstra Calle Real 32, 29788, Frigiliana (Malaga) (+34) 660 777 744 janhiddelandstra@hotmail.com

Restaurante AL FUENTE tapasymas

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Garden of delights

TEAM WORK: Fred and Kim at Fusion at the excellent Table Mountain restaurant is a total must.

This emblematic local spot sits in breathtaking scenery and has a menu to match.

There is a great mix of international dishes, including Nasi Goring, a fried rice dish from Indonesia, as well as a spicy Indian curry.

On the road inland, close to the Vinuela lake you will find one of the genuine dining secrets of Andalucia.

CHARM: Jan at Al Fuente Las Orquideas is a boutique hotel/restaurant, with one of a local lad Jose Carlos Vera the best backdrops in Spain, Mata, just 24, who has worked overlooking Vinuela Lake and around the world, as far and Maroma mountain. wide as Mallorca and Morocco.

Romantic in the extreme, this Training locally at the Castillo upmarket place is the brain- del Marquez cookery school, child of British accountant he has a fantastic understandJohn and his talented interior ing of the local Axarquia ingredesigner German wife Monika. dients, which are some of the Fresh flowers, candles and best in Spain, thanks to the amazing chandeliers, all it long growing season. needed was a talented chef… Using plenty of fruit and veg, and hey presto they found one, including mangos and avoca-

WARMING: Fire place at el Pillon

WITH views and food to match, the Garden restaurant in Frigiliana is hard to beat.

Run by capable expat Rob Grimmond, who trained at Leiths in London, you will be hard pressed to find anywhere with such fresh and exciting ingredients.

A distinct Arabic crossover of flavours, dishes are heavily geared towards vegetables, while spices come from around the world.

The definite stand out dish is salmon in ajoblanco (pictured) with tahini and pomegranate molasses, while his pluma pork melts in the mouth, with a chickpea lentil dhal and curried banana sauce.‘No tricks, just good fresh local produce,’ insists Rob. Who could disagree? dos, he also picks mushrooms from his father’s finca up in Yunquera.

One to watch for the future, I was inspired by his tacos of bluefin tuna with sweet molasses mustard, parmesan and topped by edible flowers.

His foie with brie, caramelised onion and a ‘sponge’ of tomato was rich, original and, above all, lip-smacking, while his langoustines in tempura with a ‘smile’ of pepper mustard did exactly that.

His grilled turbot, risottos and a long list of salads bodes well for the future, while he even manages to serve up crocodile every once in awhile.

There a few other decent places to eat around the Vinuela lake, in particular Hotel Vinuela.

Well established chef Jose Manuel Ramos, trained at Andalucia’s top cookery school La Consula, and specialises in ‘creative Mediterranean cuisine’, which means plenty of healthy local fruit and vegetable dishes.

Art of cooking

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ITH a sprinkling of Morocco, a pinch of Egypt and a slice of the best of Spain, Paco Fernandez has managed to create one of the must-visit rural restaurants in the Axarquia.

Nestled in the charming mountain village of Colmenar, his eaterie El Olivo has been born out of over three decades experience in the kitchen.

But what really catches the eye is his attention to detail and how darn good-looking is his food.

It is little surprise to learn then, that Paco trained as an artist for five years in Barcelona, before embarking on a career in cookery.

Some of his canvasses grace the walls of his charming bistro, which sits in a back street of the village, best known for its excellent honey museum.

They help to create an original feel that transcends to the dishes, which change regularly and by the season.

Having made his name in Granada, where he regularly served up 180 covers at a time, he honed his skills on regular culinary trips to Morocco, Italy and Egypt.

“I always tried to stay with locals, watching how they cooked and what they mixed their foods with,” he explains.

The end result is a melange of dishes, that all have their own original twist.

His fantastic carpaccio of beef for example comes with slices of fabulously fresh celery, which on first glance appears unsettling, but works incredibly well.Then there is baby chicken with chocolate

and a lasagne of ‘three meats’, plus a roast aubergine salad , with tomato and mozzarella.

For me though, his stand out dishes were the autumn classic of boletus mushrooms, free range egg and foie, which you could smell before it came out of the kitchen, as well as a great tagliatelle with prawns and courgette.

“I always try to improvise, change things regularly and experiment,” he explains.

It should be the key to his success in a region, which is best known for its heavy venta-style dishes.

by Jon Clarke

KITCHEN ARTIST: Paco Fernandez (right)

El Olivo restaurant, c/La Noras, 27, Colmenar 642506086

In good weather you dine outdoors overlooking the lake reminiscent of the Days of the Raj, and it is no surprise that the King is said to have eaten here.

Another fast improving spot is Las Mayoralas, in Periana, which is on a distinct gastronomic mission.

This all thanks to new chef Lorenzo Cabellos, a local lad, who has brought a stylish take on traditional dishes include ‘bacalao gratin’, delicious Almadraba tuna, crispy duck magret and suckling lamb shoulder.

A great spot to hunt out, the dining room is an impressive affair and the wine list good to match.

Mon-Sat 19.00h to 24.00h Calle Pintada 23, 29780 Nerja, Malaga

tel: 653 689 452 www.sollunrestaurante.com

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The widest choice of self catering holiday rentals in and around Nerja Over 180 villas and apartments A massive choice, over 300,000 bednights available in 2016 95.5% of holidaymakers said they would recommend us 89% said our properties represented real value for money 91% thought our pre arrival information was very clear 89% said our staff were very helpful For more information contact our rentals team

We never forget you have a choice Holiday Rentals: www.teamstarholidayrentals.com Nerja, Calle Carabeo 77 tel: (+34) 95 252 7300 – fax: (+34) 95 296 6116

Part of the

team group Source of information: Survey Monkey 2015

Property

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015

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the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 2015

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Wheely unacceptable IN spite of international disability day on December 3, seven in ten Spanish properties are still inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Online realtor Idealista.es puts the problem down to bad planning, rushed construction and a lack of empathy for people with disabilities.

To highlight the plight, CAFMadrid has published a guide to raise awareness and break down both physical and mental barriers connected with disability.

It is hoped that the new government will bring through reforms to improve quality of life and inclusivity for Spain’s disabled.

GOLDEN GATE: Luxury pads (from left) Nagueles, Los Monteros, Nueva Andalucia and Mallorca

Marbellous mansions

By Iona Napier THE priciest pad in Spain may be a modern Mallorca mansion up for €39.5 million, but Marbella properties follow close behind.

Third of Spain’s most expensive houses are in Marbella

Five of Spain’s houses with aire’s playground Marbella. the heftiest price-tags are Number two is in Nagueles found in veritable million- on sale for €32 million, number three in Los Monteros for €29.5 million both with realtors Engel & Volkers, and The number four is in Nueva Andalucia, at €28 million from Property Yourviva.

Insider Numbers 11 and 14 are found

by Adam Neal in Puerto Banus and Los Mone teros respectively after a cluster of properties near Madrid’s priciest suburbs, Pozuelo de Alarcon and La Moraleja.

The Banus property is up with Kristina Szekely for €18 million and Gilmar is selling the Los Monteros pad for €17 milVER the course of 2015, Spain has Spain to claim citizenship during the next lion. introduced new laws and revised ex- three years. To do so, however, they will have The list also features one propisting legislation to streamline pro- to prove links to the country and pass two tests erty in Alicante and another cesses, extend residency provisions, administered by the Instituto Cervantes: the near Barcelona. and grant rights to certain groups of potential CCSE, concerning Spanish law and culture, All 15 properties cost more new citizens. and the DELE A2, a language exam that covthan €16 million and all have We recently talked to Blanca Loring San- ers reading, listening, and writing. outstanding facilities, and taolalla, who runs Loring International, a spe- In mid-October, another new law regulatconfirm the news that Spain’s cialised immigration consultancy with offices ing the application process came into force luxury sector is back on track… in Malaga and Marbella, about the changes guaranteeing that the whole process will now and here to stay.

Spain has made throughout the year that be managed electronically from the initial should help investors who want to obtain resi- application onwards. Applicants can track dency as well as any foreigners who apply for their status online, via the Ministry of Justice Spanish nationality in the future. website (link: sede.mjusticia.gob.es). A tranThis April, the Intensive Nationality Plan sition period, means that, for the time being, 2015 (known as the PIN in Spanish) was in- applicants may present their paperwork the troduced. Its goal is to digitalise all applica- traditional way, in person, if they prefer.

MORE people live in flats in tions for Spanish nationality received during All those applying for citizenship will also Spain than anywhere else in 2014 and 2015 and resolve the Ministry of have to do the Spanish culture and language Europe.

Justice backlog. With 200,000 cases still tests at the Instituto Cervantes. The advanTwo-thirds of Spaniards live pending, some date back as far as 2010. tage of standardisation, says Blanca, is that in flats, putting the country The PIN has co-opted notaries and registrars instead of the arbitrary approach previously ahead of Latvia (with 65% across Spain, Blanca says, in an effort to cut in place, under which applicants could be flat-dwellers), Lithuania the nationalisation process from an average asked almost anything by a variety of institu(58%) and Greece (57%). of three years to less than 12 months. tions, this enables those interested to study Meanwhile, countries such as At the end of July, the government enhanced for set exams, invigilated by a single public Britain, Croatia and Norway are the terms of the Investor’s Law (link: www. body. at the other end of the scale with terrameridiana.com/blog/2688-polishing-up- However, there is still one problem facing just 20% of people living in flats. golden-visa.html), introduced back in Septem- those who want to apply for resident status ber 2013. The original legislation created the on the Costa del Sol, Blanca notes: lengthy now famous ‘Golden Visa’, which allows foreign queues at the region’s police stations. The nationals to acquire Spanish residency subject police are responsible for handling much of to making investments in the country. the paperwork, but each place works in differAfter receiving just 530 applications in the ent, and sometimes mysterious, ways. Malaga first 15 months, the programme was en- only issues appointments in person and is larged to include common-law partners and currently snowed under with asylum applicaSPAIN’S surplus of new other dependent family, as well as simplify tions, while Marbella has a four-month waiting homes should be filled by the application process, lengthen renewal pe- list for fingerprints. And, if your Spanish is less 2018. riods, and provide health and social security than fluent, you might have a challenge finding There are currently 389,000 coverage for those choosing to work in Spain. someone who can speak your language. vacant new builds across the Blanca says that, in practice, applying for On paper, Blanca points out, the news is all country, but property apresidency under the Golden Visa scheme is positive, but if the various administrative praisal company Tinsa says now “becoming more attractive for foreign bodies involved in the process do not work these hopes will be absorbed investors, because Spain offers a program together in a coordinated fashion, efficiently in the next three years. similar to, even better than, other European and to fixed standards, and the government A total of 1.56 million new countries.” does not invest in the people and equipment homes have been built since A new nationality act for Sephardic Jews was required, many would-be residents could end 2008, with around 25% still introduced at the start of October, allowing up feeling frustrated and treated like secondunoccupied. descendants of Jewish families originally from class citizens.

Almeria has the highest level of excess housing, with Terra Meridiana. 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona. Tel: +34 951 318480.

38.9%, followed by Cuenca Office Mob: +34 678 452109 (37.1%); Castellon (36.1%); Email: info@terrameridiana.com. http://www.terrameridiana.com Toledo (34.7%) and Murcia (32.7%).

The Great Golden Visa

Recent changes make getting Spanish nationality and residency easier for foreign investors

O

Flats your lot

Home finders

SWANKY: Millionaire’s property in Puerto Banus

Making waves A UNIQUE form of renewable energy is making its way to Gibraltar.

Israeli company Eco Wave Power (EWP) has received EU funding to install a 5MW wave energy unit at Ammunition Jetty.

The power plant will provide Gibraltar with 15% of its energy consumption and help the Rock reach its EU renewable energy targets by 2020.

40

40

Property

the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 2015

Starck reality

December 10th - 22nd 2015

DOWNED: Designer’s mill

International designer’s multi-million euro oil mill renovation project is blocked A MULTI-MILLION euro renovation project, backed by international designer Philippe Starck, has been blocked by strong opposition.

Frenchman Starck, one of the world’s top designers, has vowed to stump €15

million to renovate an historic oil factory on the outskirts of Ronda.

The plans for the Tagus oil mill include space for a restaurant and museum.

However, the breaks have been put on, with all but the PP, which governs the

Unholy row FURIOUS Spaniards are accusing the Roman Catholic Church of seizing more 1,000 public buildings to profit from their use.

A Pamplona protest group has released a pamphlet entitled Thou Shalt Not Steal denouncing the church’s actions.

A law passed in 1998 allows the church to register places of worship without owning the title deeds.

The protesters claim the church is using the law to pocket millions from entrance fees, with some town halls paying the church to return buildings to public ownership.

Buildings that have been registered include the mosque-cathedral in Cordoba, the Giralda in Sevilla and the cathedral in Pamplona.

Moving on up THE property market is officially booming.

Spain is now the sixth largest market for real estate investment in the world, according to the latest report by CBRE real estate consultants.

Moving up 10 places in two years, Spain now stands ahead of France, Hong Kong, China and Italy.

Doing it themselves SWAPPING professional tradesmen for hammers and nails, DIY home improvements are on the up in Spain.

Homeowners are spending less on home improvements, and are instead opting to do it themselves.

With the average household spending less than 6,000 on home improvements in 2015, the market has dipped by 15% according to property website fotocasa.es.

Reforms to bathrooms and kitchens are the most common, with 61% reforming bathrooms and kitchens.

No one home SPAIN has almost 389,000 new homes that are empty, a report reveals.

The study by property experts Tinsa shows 1.56 million new homes built since 2008, when the housing crisis erupted, 24.9% of which are unoccupied.

Tinsa believes it will take around 2.5 years to sell the empty stock.

SEIZED: Cordoba’s mosque

city in a minority, rejecting the renovation plan.

Among the objections is that the zoning would be changed to urban from rural, allowing the height of construction to be increased from 7m to 25.

IU councillor Francisca González spoke of what she called “immense dimensions for a rural setting” while her PA colleague, Isabel Barriga, said it would ‘shatter the Andalucian aesthetic’.

Starck, 66, is already the artistic director of Rondabased company La Amarilla, whose luxury olive oil sells in Harrods in London.

Despite the decision, Starck is still determined to get the necessary permission.

“I am a lover of Andalucian spirit,” he said. “I am sure this project will be a great boost to the tourism industry.”

Back to the future!

Now we can all ‘magically’ travel back in time due to a return to Marbella’s 1986 PGOU

T

HINK back to what you were doing 30 years ago. What was Marbella like in 1986?

Well, for staters Queen’s Magic Tour was a sellout at the municipal stadium of Marbella.

As can be seen from the aerial photo of Puerto Banus, in 1985, the front and second line of buildings were there, but nothing between that and the main coastal road.

Playa del Duque had only just started being built and Nueva Andalucia’s Centro Plaza was just a cleared site north of the bullring, which itself was inaugurated in 1984.

Ah, to have been there then!

Well, we all have the opportunity to ‘go back to the future’ now, thanks to the recent decision of the Supreme Court to annul the 2010 General Plan.

That piece of ‘magic’ has returned the town’s planning to the PGOU of 1986, the most recent Junta-agreed General Plan.

So, all planning decisions have to be based upon that zoning with any variations requiring individual application.

In 1986, officials couldn’t have anticipated the expansion we have seen in the last 30 years.

And thus their decisions must be looked upon as outdated.

Still, for the next two or three years until a new plan is approved, Marbella must struggle on with ‘patch-and-mend’ planning.

But what will happen to those property owners caught in the time warp limbo between 1986 and now?

The 2010 plan recognised that many developments had been carried out over the years without any legal status, some encroaching on laws. These buildings could be ‘regular-

11+

years experience in

ALL PROPERTY MATTERS

RICS SURVEYORS & VALUERS BYBUILDING CAMPBELL FERGUSON

For peace of mind follow

ised’, but not legalised. these property buying rules In return for this regularisation the developers were to be fined and the properties made Find Your Property to comply with building regulations.

Where a developer had disappeared, the property owners were left to pick up the tab.

Many administrators of urbanisations have Instruct spent sleepless nights trying to obtainInstruct fundBuilding Surveyor Lawyer ing, including chasing developers.

Some development owners don’t have first occupation licences and have been strugKnowledge gling to obtain full servicesBuy forwith years – while Confidence being charged local property&taxes throughout!

All that work has been set aside by the +34 952 923 520 Connect with us! court’s decision, largely prompted by apadmin@surveyspain.com peals from developers and others against surveyspain.com fines and other 2010 plan decisions.

The Supreme Court states that the only people with liability for the charges and regularising costs are the current land owners.

The majority of these are individuals, who have bought ‘in good faith’ that the development was fully legal, hoped to enjoy their property to the full.

It appears that their faith was misplaced and they, plus the banks that gave them mortgages, are now in limbo once again waiting for a new plan.

And even then there are bound to be individuals who disagree with that new plan, with inevitable appeals taken up to the highest level.

And what is the case for Marbella must also be the case for all the other municipalities in Spain… so now all everyone can do is wait!

As the man in the Western Isles of Scotland said, “Manaña? Och no, we’ve nothing as urgent as that!”

Top Dollar www.theolivepress.es

41

December 10th - 22nd 2015

High hopes British company eyes up shopping centre ski slope

UPHILL FROM HERE: Slope planned for Torremolinos

Bottoms up

ence within the ski industry, director Mike Keating told the Olive Press that he is keen to enter discussions

FILIPINO distillery Emperador has acquired Spain’s biggest and oldest brandy distillery Fundador Pedro Domecq for €275 million.

SPAIN would be richer than Italy if its companies were bigger.

A study from Madrid’s Complutense University has revealed that Spanish productivity and GDP would be 10-15% higher if its average business size matched that of its neighbours.

While an average Spanish company employs 4.6 workers, Italian companies have 5.8 and the UK and Germany lead the way, with 10.4 and 12 respectively.

“The size of a company has a strong relationship with Spanish productivity problems,” revealed researchers.

In general, larger companies have easier access to capital, are more intensive in their use of labour and technology and more likely to export.

THE economic crisis could be contributing to a longterm decline in population, where deaths outnumbered births by 19,000 in the first half of this year, INE statistics show.

Spain’s population has been shrinking since 2012 as the recession pushed young people to seek work abroad, and demographers say the crossover of the birth and death rates could accelerate the decline.

Oldest

Spain hasn’t consistently experienced more deaths than births since the civil war in 1936-39.

The INE estimates Spain’s population will shrink by 5.6 million over the next 50 years from its current 46 million.

It now has the world’s 10th oldest population, with an average age of 43.2 years. It is expected to reach fourth place with 50.1 years by 2030, according to the United Nations.

GERMAN startup Number26 is offering Spaniards the chance to avoid national banks via their smartphone banking service.

SPAIN’S first ship recycling plant has been granted all the necessary permits and will begin operations in June 2016.

Size is everything

Age concern

Bank on it

On board

EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan A MAJOR British engineering company is eyeing up Torremolinos’ shopping and leisure centre.

MK Enterprises (UK) is keen to construct the dry ski slope planned for the mega centre.

With over 35 years of design and construction experi-

NEWS IN BRIEF

with the centre’s representatives.

The company’s Playgrass Ski Carpet was introduced in 1999 and today is used at indoor ski slopes in the UK, Netherlands and Israel.

Plans for the giant shopping centre also include a swimming pool and a 195,000 m2 wave machine.

The future development in the Palacio de Congresos in the Molino de Viento area will be easily accessed from the dual carriageway.

Building is set to get underway early next year with a completion date of 2018.

Flying colours THANKS to a bumper recovery in Spain’s tourism sector, more than 200 million passengers will have flown in and out of the country by the end of 2015.

That renders Spain the world leader, after other popular tourist destinations such as Greece and Tunisia suffered financial and terrorist problems this year.

Minister for Development Ana Pastor announced the ‘impressive’ statistic, having registered 13 million flyers to and from Spain in November alone.

ADVERTORIAL

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If your car is parked outside during the worst of the winter months, or you’re planning to visit the interior or venture north, there are some simple steps you can take to keep it road ready.

Lights, heaters and wipers put high demands on the car battery and they have to work harder in colder weather. If your battery is over five years old it may be time to shop around for a replacement.

Also, top up your windscreen wash with a more concentrated mix of antifreeze and give locks a quick spray with WD40.

In the event of being stranded, make sure you have a phone charger as well as blankets, a folding shovel, jump leads, towbar and tow rope. If colder weather is forecast, make sure you have a full tank of fuel, as you may need to keep the engine running to stay warm until help arrives.

Driving conditions can become challenging, so change to winter tyres to help with stopping.

For more information contact Línea Directa on 902123282 or visit www.lineadirecta.com

Techno fashion CLOTHING giant Zara is moving with the times and is set to install iPads in changing rooms.

This innovation from Spanish parent company Inditex means customers can have their shopping selections seen to as fast as possible.

The iPads will carry a function similar to the

online store except, instead of postal delivery, a store clerk hand delivers the goods direct to your changing room.

The scheme will be trialled in one of Spain’s largest shops before spreading worldwide if it proves a success.

Shipping in REPRESENTATIVES of Malaga’s port authority have met with UK cruise companies with the aim of enhancing international ties.

42

Top Dollar

Online business matchmaker AN online dating-style trade show has been set up to bring businesses and investors together.

Tourism boards and hotel chains are cashing in on foreign investors without ever leaving their office chairs.

Promoting their products to North American investors, Spanish businesses are cashing in via the 21st century meeting room - Skype.

During the fully virtual Meet in Spain trade show, a total of 34 companies set up meetings with US investors.

Via the Meet in Spain portal, American investors were able to set up Skype meetings with businesses from Sevilla, Madrid and Barcelona.

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Empty victory A LARGE number of travellers are choosing Europe over north Africa in their quest for winter sun.

Several travel experts have warned that concerns over terrorist attacks are at the root of this shift and that travellers prefer to stay closer to home.

This was dubbed the ‘9/11’ effect on the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, Spanish tourism has boomed this year,

Spanish tourism benefits hugely from ‘9/11 effect’ on north African travel welcoming a mind-boggling 200% more tourists this year than in 2014.

While bookings remain high for Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece and Italy, more exotic destinations are losing out.

In spite of cut prices in

Egypt and Morocco with tourist visa fees waived for visitors to Petra, bookings for these areas are slow.

Contributing factors include the bombing of the Russian aircraft flying out of Sharm el-Sheik in November, the jihadist attacks in Paris

and the terrorist attacks in Sousse, Tunisia.

Despite the British tourist being characteristically resilient, many are choosing to stay closer to home.

All EasyJet and British Airways flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh have been cancelled until at least January.

“We are seeing something similar to what we saw after 9/11,” said Bournemouth University risk and tourism expert Yeganeh Morakabati.

Land of discovery

Expansion grounded PLANS to expand Spain’s air force have been put on hold, following the crash of a military airbus in Sevilla.

The Spanish government has postponed the delivery of 13 planned A400M airbuses, in order for them to undergo further testing.

In May, an Airbus A400M cargo plane crashed at La Rinconada, Analysis of the black box revealed a just five kilometres from Sevilla’s number of technical issues with the airport. plane.

BUDDING Alberto Einsteins are rejoicing, as Spain launches its first ever science funding agency.

The State Research Agency will assess scientific proposals over the next 12-15 months and will begin distributing graphs from 2017.

While the head of Spain’s Scientific Society, Carlos Heranz, said the announcement is ‘good news’ he is urging caution.

“What remains to be seen is how much funding will be made available,” University of Madrid mathematician Heranz said. “No doubt this is a step in the right direction, but it could simply be a political operation.”

AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Justice at last Thrice-convicted fraudster could serve time in UK and Spain

C

ONVICTED pathological fraudster Nigel Goldman, aka Howard del Monte (after visiting the deed poll office), must be regretting the very day he decided to pack his bags and return to England.

In record-breaking time – by Spanish standards – he has been arrested, tried and found guilty on two counts of fraud.

Goldman, who was arrested at his home in Berkshire on May 24 2015, has already been convicted and is due to be sentenced inJanuary at Reading Crown Court.

Goldman is also facing criminal prosecution in Spain, but the pace of a case through the Spanish Courts is a fair bit slower than that in the UK. Of the two Spanish criminal cases started in January 2014, in which he is accused of running a Ponzi scheme worth hundreds of thousands of euros, one was dismissed (although the decision later reversed following an appeal) on the grounds that the case appeared to be more of a ‘civil’ dispute.

More embarrassingly, the second case has been travelling aimlessly between courts, looking for a suitable jurisdiction, passing from Marbella to Barcelona, from where it was dis-

patched to Fuengirola, as Goldman had an account.

Goldman has not yet been summoned to attend a police station or court, lawyers have not been asked to provide an address for him and the Marbella police, where the fraud was initially reported, is waiting for an order from whichever court finds the time and interest to deal with the case.

If the ‘Vinaros’ (Castellon province) swindle case is anything to go by, Goldman could be sitting in the dock in 2041: two grey-haired pensioners have just been tried for an alleged real estate fraud that took place in…1989.

For its part, Anthony Muldoon was found guilty of a timeshare scam 10 years after the case started in a case involving hundreds of victims. On average though, five years seems realistic for an open and shut case such as the Goldman/Del Monte.

Goldman could be imprisoned in the UK following which, he could end up serving time at Alhaurin prison. When that will happen is anyone’s guess but every effort is being made to speed up the ´investigation´ phase and transfer the case to a criminal judge, or the Court of Appeal where the possible sentence exceeds five years.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015

“WHY USE AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER?”

43 43

- by Richard Black / International Financial Adviser Costa del Sol

get to know you, your financial situation, your financial goals and your risk tolerance. When searching for an adviser, you should expect to receive these services: Personal attention - Your adviser will take the time to go through a full interview with you, asking questions to get to know your entire financial situation, your risk tolerance and your goals before setting up a customised financial plan.

We believe that you need to do your homework before making any investment decision. That may include reading financial publications, researching online, and discussing options with your friends and family. Many people, however, find the task of selecting investments too daunting to undertake on their own. To invest responsibly, they do their homework, and they seek the professional guidance and advice of a financial adviser.

Help developing an asset allocation strategy - Once you have worked with your adviser to determine your risk tolerance, he or she can help you allocate your money based on a mix of asset classes with varying degrees of risk that fit your time horizon and comfort level.

Advice on specific investments that match your goals - When you are comfortable with your financial plan and have determined an asset allocation strategy, your adviser will then make specific recommendations on the types of funds and securities that will best meet your needs. Your adviser should be able to provide research supporting his or her recommendations.

Benefit from the Experience of a Financial Adviser Answers to your financial questions - If the We encourage investors to take a long-term view when they invest. By looking down the road, many people realise that they do not have the experience, time, training or patience to make informed investment decisions alone.

That is where the value of an investment professional really makes a difference.

A qualified financial adviser: takes the time to understand your goals and investment needs has the experience to help you develop a financial plan designed for your specific situation can help you determine the best way to al locate your assets can offer guidance during volatile market periods will recommend specific investments or investment strategies to meet your goals has experience in financial services, securities licenses and specialized training has access to specialised research on various types of securities spends time tracking potential investments that may fit in your financial plan

markets become volatile, your financial adviser should be available to help you understand the reasons behind the instability. If you hear of an interesting investment opportunity or a new stock offering, your adviser has the knowledge to research and investigate these opportunities and to help you decide if they fit into your overall plan.

Proactive management of your account Your adviser can also bring investment opportunities to your attention, based on detailed knowledge of your financial plan and goals. Your adviser can help you manage your expectations by explaining the rewards and risks of any investment.

open and update your adviser when your financial needs or situation changes.

Additional things to consider

It is also imperative to deal with an Adviser that forms part of a robust infrastructure; What financial capacity does the company behind the adviser offer, under what Regulatory Body do they sit, what level of Personal Indemnity cover do they have supporting their activities – these are just a few questions you should be considering when selecting YOUR financial adviser.

WHY BLACKTOWER? The Blacktower Group was formed in 1986 to provide independent wealth management advice and a bespoke service for both individual and corporate clients. Next year we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary Many financial adviser firms in the Costa del Sol have come and gone yet we are still here growing our client base and funds under management week on week.

Our independent financial advisers continually keep pace with the changing needs of our customers, regulations and legislation.

We follow a strict regulatory and compliance framework to ensure protection of client’s assets at all times.

Whether it´s the modelo 720 (overseas asset declaration ), offshore bank account closures, requirement for better returns on savings or Pension transfer advice –we are here to help.

Should you wish to meet regarding your own individual investment, pension or taxation position please feel free to contact me to organise a meeting.

To contact Richard Black

call +34 952 816 443 or email info@blacktowerfm.com Offices in Spain and throughout Europe

Ongoing, regular check-ups - Your adviser should call on a regular basis to see if your financial situation has changed – this should be at once a year unless agreed otherwise.

Your adviser should review your account with you and make any adjustments necessary to ensure your plan continues to meet your situation and goals.

Maintaining a Strong Relationship with Your Financial Adviser

What Services to Expect from Your The relationship between you and your adviser Financial Adviser is not just one party’s responsibility. It is a twoA financial adviser should take the time to

way street. Keep the lines of communication

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC and the DGS in Spain.

Looking for peace of mind?

• Expert wealth management • Effective tax planning • Tailored investments • International Pension Transfers • Private Banking • Discretionary Fund Management Contact the Marbella or Gibraltar Office: O T +34 952 816 443 | +350 200 42353 E info@blacktowerfm.com Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC Licence 00805B and registered with the DGS in Spain. Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

www.blacktowerfm.com

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Olive Press blogger Luke Andrews meets Syrian refugees in Jerez

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E know absolutely nothing.

Everyone has heard of Syria. Almost every day the news is filled with horror stories of massacres, mutilations, and bombing raids.

We all think that we know what’s happening and what should be done about it, and our naivety only emerges when we hear the story from a Syrian.

Through my work in Seritium School, I heard about a campaign to donate toys to refugees that had got into Andalucia, and travelled with the team to meet them where they are being housed in Junta de los Rios.

The initial meeting was somewhat peculiar, with everyone standing around unsure who spoke what language, but all was smiles and good humour.

I got talking to a 21-year-old,

Taking refuge EYE-OPENING: Refuge my own age, who spoke fantastic English. We joked casually, and his brother did an imper-

Mountain high pet store

The most important thing about any ascent is getting an early start PEAKY: Giles conquers La Concha

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butchers

EGENDARY climber Mallory was asked before his fatal ascent of Everest why he wanted to climb the world’s highest mountain.

“Because it’s there,” was his famous reply.

And that has been my mantra and get-out clause for much of my behaviour ever since. “Mr Brown. Please tell the jury and myself.

Why did you have that last tequila shot/slice of pizza/speak to the blonde at the bar with the steroid enhanced boyfriend who was already annoyed with you?”

“Because he/she/it was there M’lud”.

I’m currently going through one of my health freak periods - before the traditional Christmas blow out - so when Glenn Ward suggested that we tackle Marbella’s iconic La Concha mountain to raise money for Positively Pink and Positively Blue Cancer Screening Charity, I thought I’d give it a go.

The Hottie Hippy was up for the challenge as well.

The only downside of this was that she was bringing Satanito with her, but she viewed this as an opportunity for him to work off some of his energy. (The kid could power a small town with his manic energy, trust me.)

Of course the most important thing about any ascent is getting an early start.

Which our intrepid team totally failed to do, oversleeping and setting out almost two hours behind the main group.

Satanito shot off into the pine forest that skirts the lower slopes of La Concha with a blood curdling yelp and we were kept informed of his progress by the sounds of franticly freeing fauna (goat, deer, boar, the odd Yeti, that sort of thing).

He also perfected the art of mountain ambush in minutes, leaping out from behind boulders and setting off small avalanches on unsuspecting hikers beneath. (Manic energy etc).

In the meantime the Hottie Hippy was also learning some vital mountain survival skills herself, the most important being to check for brambles and thorns should you need to suddenly use a bush.

Extracting her took several minutes, mainly because I was laughing so much.

In the meantime I had assumed the important role of Sherpa.

The Hottie Hippy had seemingly packed for a polar expedition, and I was soon lugging the bags up at the rear of our intrepid trio, muttering darkly to myself.

Eventually we caught up with the main group and reached the summit of La Concha just in time for lunch, to take in the views and snap a huge group selfie. And as promised, I got naked on the top of La Concha for charity wearing nothing but a pink headscarf as the photo proves!

Huge thanks to Glenn, Henrietta and Rob for organising the event, and making sure that everyone got down the mountain safely.

If you would like to donate, please send via PayPal to info@positively-blue.com

sonation of Donald Duck.

Conversation gradually turned towards Syria. Junta de Los Rios houses one family from Aleppo, once Syria’s commercial hub, and one from Homs.

“The country is gone; it is nothingness now,” was how the subject opened.

My new acquaintance told me how the press is riddled with lies.

One afternoon, when students at his university were heading home, a government plane flew over and opened fire.

They weren’t even protesting.

They were attacked because they were young and at a university.

That evening, the story was reported as a terrorist attack.

“I was there; I saw it. How can they say that this was terrorists”, asked the youth, tears welling up in his eyes.

As the country has unravelled, millions have fled abroad. They knew families that had made the crossing to Greece, others that had come to Spain, students that had found a temporary home in Germany.

One of his best friends from childhood had gone over to ISIS. “We don’t talk anymore,” he said. “He tells me I am a nonbeliever and a bad person for leaving Syria instead of staying to fight the Holy War.”

Imagine

When asked how he felt about Syria now, he fought to keep back the emotion.

Imagine you have a nice house, friends nearby, a good family life and are studying for a promising degree. Your whole future is ahead of you.

Then try to picture it all disappearing in little more than a fortnight. Rubble lies across your path and you don’t even know if your house is still there.

The families had travelled with the people traffickers, eventually arriving at Melilla.

The facility there is only designed to house 450 people, yet it currently has more than 2,000 and the EU is doing little to help them.

All of them still had their eyes peeled for a potential destination in Europe, but none with plans to stay in Spain.

“We will go on to Madrid, and from there possibly to France or Germany,” one told me.

France was very close to being crossed off the list. The family was just as shocked by the events in Paris as any Westerner. That is something ISIS wants, and something we should not let happen.

I have always supported the British government, including the current one, but my ‘loyalty’ instantly melted away when I met these refugees. It’s embarrassing how we think 20,000 over four years is enough.

This experience has made me realise how fortunate we are just to live in Europe, and I honestly feel like our response to the crisis has been pathetic.

I felt so much for this guy and his family, their hopes and dreams smashed. The only thing they can do is fix their eyes on a destination and hope against hope that they will get there.

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47Press November 11th - 25th 2015 monthly youth and education sectionthe Olive

www.theolivepress.es The Olive Press’

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treme

Trading places Pablo Iglesias calls for all Spanish children to be able to learn country’s regional languages PODEMOS is calling for schoolchildren all over Spain to be taught Basque, Catalan and Gallego.

Under the party’s general election manifesto, children from Malaga could, for example, swap places with children from Bilbao to learn Basque for a term.

Pablo Iglesias’ radical leftwing party has pledged to set up specific schools and student exchanges to ensure children can study the difSPAIN is one of the only ferent regional languages.

Testing times

few advanced countries that doesn’t regularly assess its teachers, a new study shows.

The OECD report on 37 economies lists Spain, Ireland, Italy and Israel as the only four that don’t require regular assessment of their teachers.

“In Spain, the only consequence of underperformance noted in an appraisal is the failure to progress to registered or certified teacher status,” the report says.

Heritage

“Spain is a multinational country with different languages, and we must use that because it is enriching for children,” said a Podemos spokesman.

The party’s manifesto says all Spain’s languages are a ‘cultural and linguistic heritage of the state’, not just the official language, Castellano.

LANGUAGE LOVER: Pablo Iglesias

‘Vaccine’ against violence

EDUCATION is the best weapon in the fight against domestic abuse, a former Spanish government minister has said.

Inmaculada Montalbán claims the axing of civic education classes from schools over the past decade has entrenched gender stereotypes and led to an increase in attacks against HUNDREDS of Spanish teachwomen. ers are packing their bags and 48 women have been heading to North America. killed by their partners The Spanish government has in Spain so far this year struck a deal to provide 735 and in 2014, complaints Spanish-language teachers to against partners grew to American and Canadian state 126,742, a 1.5% increase schools for 2016/2017. on 2013.

American schools are aiming to “The justice system acts boost Spanish learning among when violence has already their pupils. taken place,” she says. “The Applicants are expected to be Spanbest vaccine against vio- ish nationals with good English. lence is education,” she said.

Go west

University daze SPAIN’S minister for education has complained that there are too many youths attending university. Íñigo Méndez de Vigo said Spain needed more students in vocational education and training.

But Spanish university rectors have rejected his statement.

“If they compare Spanish figures with those of the OECD, what the minister has said isn’t exactly correct,” said the head of Universidad Ramon Llull, Josep Maria Garrell.

Only 52% of university-age youth are in higher education, compared with an EU average of 56% and an OECD average of 58%.

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Top Salud

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Sperm crank SPANIARDS shopping for sperm on the internet are being warned about the risks by a health group.

The Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) issued the warning after a growing number of people bought sperm online from foreign countries and self-inseminating at home.

These websites are illegal in Spain because they are not regulated and do not guarantee the anonymity of the donor.

Among the shortcomings are a lack of medical monitoring, including the evaluation of semen quality prior to insemination, treatment in centres that assure quality and that provide insurance in the case of complications, said Dr Rocío Núñez.

SEF chairman Agustin Ballesteros said: “It’s very risky and it does not guarantee pregnancy, because studies say home inseminations only work in one in 20 cases.”

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Coffee coffin dodgers Drinking coffee helps to battle major illnesses, says Harvard report TAKE another guilt-free sip of cafe con leche or even order another, because a major new study says coffee can prolong your life.

The Spanish love of a well-roasted bean is legendary, and the Harvard School of Public

Health report claims that coffee can reduce the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular illness, neurological disease and even suicide.

As well as its possible antidepressant effects, the study found that a moderate amount of coffee can also benefit Parkinson’s’ sufferers.

But Harvard scientist Dr. Frank Hu said the study of FORGET apples or antibacterial hand gel, because five cups coffee was complicated by of tea a day ia the latest way to keep the doctor at bay. the fact that so many coffee The Dutch health council claims that three to five cups drinkers smoke. of tea per day can protect you from strokes, diabetes and “We found that the health high blood pressure. But the tea must be green or black, as benefits of coffee are more herbal teas and the rooibos variety do not count. pronounced, or evident, in “Other studies agree that daily tea consumption in this people who don’t smoke,” Dr. range are likely to have a positive impact on heart health,” Hu said. said Tim Bond, a member of the Tea Advisory Panel.

“In other words, smoking actually masks the potential health benefits of drinking coffee.”

The data was obtained from tracking more than 200,000 men and women for about 30 are vital to those years.

And tea’s not bad either

Giving the gift of vision

Old glasses donations in developing countries by Amrik Sappal, Store Director from Specsavers Opticas

WE all know that Christmas is the time for giving and many people want to help charity at this time. What many people don’t know is that the old glasses that are kicking around at home or in the car can help someone else to see.

How can my old glasses help someone?

There is always a shortage of glasses in developing countries as they have no medical support or access to opticians, so donations of old glasses are absolutely vital to people with poor vision in countries such as Africa and India. Specsavers have collection points in all their stores so that it’s easy for people to drop off their glasses and these glasses are then donated to the Lions Club.

But surely my glasses won’t be right for just anyone?

You’re right, it takes a lot to get the glasses ready to use! After the glasses are donated in store they are sent to the Lions Club’s recycling plant in Alicante where they are first separated into single vision, bifocals, varifocals and sunglasses. They are then graded according to prescription strength, cleaned and boxed for distribution. Lions Club representatives are located across many developing countries including Africa and India. They test the eyes of locals and send requests for the required prescription glasses onto the fulfilment plant. So each pair donated is hand selected for specific people in need.

How can I donate my glasses?

All Specsavers Opticas stores have a strong relationship with their local Lions Clubs and glasses can be donated at any of their Costa del Sol stores in Marbella and Fuengirola throughout the year. All stores will also be supporting charities close to their hearts over Christmas. Fuengirola will be supporting the Costa del Sol’s Food Bank Bancosol by collecting food and raising funds in store. To find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es

Deaths cause panic

THOUSANDS of pregnant women are coming forward to be vaccinated against whooping cough following the death of four babies.

Andalucian health authorities announced they were supplying 14,800 extra doses as concerned mothers-to-be rushed to be vaccinated.

One baby died in Sevilla in September in another dying in Malaga in October.

The new raft of vaccinations for women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant started on November 30, a month earlier than planned.

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AST time, I wrote about us being co-creators of our own lives.

Everything you see in your life right now – the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ – you actually created, even if you are not aware you are a co-creator.

So why do so many of us create a life that is not really desirable?

Deep-rooted emotions around beliefs and values stand in the way of us becoming the best we can be. These values and beliefs are not rooted in the ‘reality’ of who we really are: lovable, powerful and all-deserving co-creators of our lives.

Instead, they have been handed down to us from generation to generation and, ultimately, from our parents.

They are deeplyrooted in our subconscious, and, unwittingly, we accept these values as our own, allowing them to shape our lives by driving our MY emotions.

The most destructive belief I come across while working with my female clients is to have female desires is to be ‘a bad girl’.

This is so destructive, because desires are the all-driving force behind our sparks of inspiration.

Desire is the ‘place of conception’, where humans become ‘pregnant’ with visions of how life should be, before taking whatever action is needed to turn that vision into reality.

To state it bluntly: no desires, needs or wants – no life creation. Where there is no desire, there is no need to create anything, and so we stop fulfilling our life purpose – which is to be co-creators of our lives, to grow, to learn and become the best we can.

However, I am aware it is hard for a woman to shake off this idea of being ‘a bad girl’ if she isn’t devoting her whole life to her family, because this belief runs so deep in our society.

I apologise for leaving men out of this discussion, but, for men, it is socially acceptable to have desires (for power and for money, for example), and men follow their desires most of the time. Hence our society is male-driven, and we find a big inequality between the sexes.

The good news is we have the power to reconfigure everything in our lives, and to become powerful beyond measure. It is possible for a woman to shake off the notion of being a bad girl, accept her desires and start creating a fulfilling life.

Today, we have many female role models who, despite what society thought of them, followed their desires and created great things.

In order to help women who are ready to step out of the ‘bad girl’ mindset and finally take charge of their lives, we run a support group. On the first Saturday of every month powerful women share their stories and support each other in the face of adversity.

For further information about the group, or awareness coaching to change your life, contact Martina Willis on martina@martinawillis.com or call +34 951 20 43 06

Embrace desire

Women, don’t deny yourself a fulfilling life

Landline: +34 951 20 43 06 Mobile: +34 673 293 333 www.thesourceofwellbeing.com martina@thesourceofwellbeing.com

FOOD & DRINK

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Wine makes you fine THERE is finally a medical authority on the ultimate bar dilemma between beer and wine.

It is known that these beverages can contribute to weight gain, liver problems and hangovers, but health professionals have revealed that red wine is ‘healthier’ than beer.

The beneficial powers of wine polyphenols which, in small doses, contribute to a healthy heart were the tipping point.

Red wine contains more polyphenols than white wine, making it the healthier choice of the two.

But is this enough to boycott beer forever?

Sweet enough EUROPE’S taste for all things sweet is on the decline.

Swapping sugary snacks for healthier options, sweets are on the slide.

Around half of Spanish people try to avoid products with a high sugar count, according to research group Mintel.

And yet Spaniards are craving more low sugar options with 60% claiming there are not enough sugar-free alternatives.

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Grape gripes

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Spain’s traditional New Year’s Eve grape feast is being threatened by climate change ON the chime of every New Year’s Eve midnight bell, Spanish revellers gobble down an uva.

But one of Spain’s most cherished celebratory traditions is being threatened by climate change.

Grape farmers in Alicante’s Valle del Vinalopó, where the grapes are grown, are reporting that unseasonably warm weather is causing grapes to ripen too early.

“Climate change has been fatal,” said farmer Ismael Pastor.

“The heat is bad for the grapes, as they mature earlier. Then we have to carry on until Christmas using fertilizers and other products.

“Then heavy rains arrive and the grapes rot. This year, many crops have been ruined.”

While climate change caused headaches for Mediterranean VOLUNTEER: For Gran Recogida grape farmers, Alicante police are flying in a novel way of guarding a New Year’s’ grape stash from wandering hands.

CHRISTMAS is a time of plenty, but not for everyone in Spain.

A drone is patrolling the The annual festive Gran Recogida mobilised 4,500 volunNovelda grape crop ,coverteers in Malaga and 29,000 throughout Andalucia to help ing more than 1,000 hectares, feed hungry families. which yields 25 million kilos Organisers were hoping people would donate up to 750,000 each year. kilos of food in the event’s fourth year.

The move comes after thieves Last year, 688,000 kg of rice, olive oil, milk and non-perishpilfered large quantities of able products were collected to help poor families. grapes in previous years.

Gran gesture

HAMMING IT UP: Chinese choose jamon

Peking interest SPAIN’S prized Iberico hams can’t cure fast enough for China.

With the World Health Organisation slamming processed meats, Iberico hams are becoming increasingly sought after worldwide, particularly in China.

Shunning processed meats the Asian powerhouse is desperately trying to introduce Spanish hams into its diet.

In fact, the Chinese appetite for Spanish pork has risen significantly with imports rising 35% last year, making China the second-largest market to import Spanish meats, behind just France.

KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT SPANIARDS can be famously noisy.

But in a bid to restore peace around the dinner table a Spanish charity has launched a ‘dine quietly’ campaign.

Encouraging restaurants to lower their noise levels to create ‘a more pleasant atmosphere for diners’, hearing impairment charity Oir es Clave are fighting back

against noisy eaters.

“Without a doubt we have a problem with noise here in Spain,” Svante Borjesson, charity director said.

“We are working to improve the quality of life for people with auditory problems and our ‘dine quietly’ initiative benefits not only our particular interest group but the whole of society.”

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Sunday most!

La Sala restaurant still ticks the boxes in its fifth year in Banus, writes Jon Clarke

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WOW!: ‘Are all those chips for me?’

Special readers offer: Enjoy a Christmas shopping experience you’ll never forget!

THIS December join the La Sala team with some TAX FREE shopping in Gibraltar and stay over on the 5* luxury Sunborn Yacht Hotel.

This special package includes an overnight stay, breakfast, a 3-course Christmas dinner in La Sala with a complimentary glass of Cava, and two massages in the Infinity hotel Spa. Also try your luck with a £10 free slot play in the hotel Casino.

All for an incredible £130 per person based on two people sharing.

Subject to availability, upgrades available. Super King yacht from £130 Quote ‘SALAXMAS15’ when booking.

T&C:*3 Course Christmas Set Menu. Price based on availability of standard rooms **Double occupancy applies.

T is the one place that most tourists to Marbella insist on being seen at.

With its bustling terrace, stylish interior and enough entertainment to keep, well, half of the premiership and TOWIE engrossed, it is no surprise La Sala has seen fabulous growth this year.

Now in its fifth year, the emblematic Banus restaurant has seen an upturn of nearly 20% on 2014 and counts regularly over 400 covers a day.

And it is no surprise, the way the 500m2-plus restaurant ticks the boxes with its clever balance of stardust, price and quality.

On a recent busy Sunday, punters were clamouring to get a table on the roundabout, where leading estate agent Kristina Szekely used to have her HQ. A line up of singers were on hand to entertain the clientele mostly piling into the excellent Sunday roast menu, with its four special starters and six main courses, alongside the usual trimmings.

But they hardly needed to, with the food being good enough to stand up and be counted on its own.

On a weekend outing with my children and their grandma, we were quickly tucking into a big bowl of suitably crunchy home-made pork scratchings, which the kids loved.

Their own special children’s menu proved popular too and my son’s cod and chips, with proper crinkly cut

chips, created the weekend’s biggest smile.

Service was professional and quick and the extra information given out with the wine list was useful and, if anything, weighted towards the better value bottles.

Eschewing the popular Sunday roast offering for the normal a la carte menu, I was impressed with the sizeable range of starters, which includes delicious Panko-coated butterfly king shrimps served with homemade mild curry mayonnaise.

A beef carpaccio with Pecorino cheese and an olive tapenade and sun-dried tomatoes was surprisingly fresh, while the parcels of smoked salmon, with avocado, lettuce and capers and horseradish mayonnaise was a distinct winner.

The scallop salad with bacon, rocket and citrus dressing was also excellent.

But my main course of beef ribs with bbq sauce - a long time favourite - continues to be the best such offering on the coast.

TASTY: Smiles all round For the next two Sundays Santa will be in town at La Sala Banus to welcome children with presents and other merriment.

There will be all day music.

While it comes out in Texas proportions, it remains incredibly succulent and is enough to put the smile on the face of any professional footballer in need of sustenance.

Perhaps conceived by the Premiership boys, including Stephen Carr and David Bentley and Shay Given, who are key investors in the project, it certainly pulls no punches.

Hatrick to the gang at La Sala!

La Sala Puerto Banus, Calle Juan Belmonte, s/n, 29600, Málaga

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the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015

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the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015

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As Malaga’s march to restaurant supremacy gathers speed, with eight Michelin stars dished out in the region, Joe Duggan meets the caviar conjuror who ‘risked everything’ on his way to stardom

Shining C star AVIAR king Diego Gallegos breaks out into a hearty laugh. The 31-year-old Brazilian chef is fondly recalling the night he learned his Fuengirola restaurant Sollo had won its first Michelin star - and the drunken revelry that followed.

Gallegos flew to Santiago in Galicia for November’s awards ceremony, unaware he was going to win cooking’s most coveted prize. But the champagne corks were soon flying.

“I went there not expecting to win, just to be at the party,” he says.

“It was a wonderful surprise. We drank a lot until the next day. I didn’t sleep at all, then the next morning I caught a flight from Santiago and came back to prepare everything at the restaurant.” He pauses, more serious now. “The clients and the restaurant always come first,” he says.

This single-minded devotion marks Gallegos’ innovative cooking, which focuses strongly on river fish and caviar.

His reputation for fish-based wizardry was already sky-high following his award for most ‘revolutionary’ chef at this year’s Madrid Fusion.

Now his 14-cover Sollo (there are 24 more seats outside) has scooped one of eight Michelin stars awarded to Malaga as the region’s burgeoning food scene goes from

MAVERICK: Diego Gallegos

strength to strength.

Gallegos’ exquisite fish dishes, such as sturgeon skin dippers and garlic, caviar and goat nectar have earned worldwideaccolade from the likes of Gordon Ramsay.

His radical take on sturgeon and caviar pays more than a nod to Spain’s culinary past. Sollo, an old Andalucian word for sturgeon, is mentioned in Don Quixote.

And a visit to a matanza, a traditional Andalucian pig slaughter where every part of the animal, inspired him to adapt this centuries-old custom to his fish dishes.

“Last year my first 12-course tasting menu was based on a matanza,” he says.

“I changed all the pork meat for sturgeon meat. Everything was made in the traditional way of the matanza. Chorizo, black pudding, salami - everything they make with the pork, but with sturgeon. It was very difficult. To produce three ki-

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Messina, Marbella

Sollo, Fuengirola

Kabuki Raw, Casares

Argentine chef Mauricio Giovanni picked up his first Michelin star, one of five won by Marbella restaurants in this year’s guide. The self-taught Giovanni was one of three Malaga chefs recognised

by Michelin for the first time.

Formerly a law student and a PR agent for a nightclub, Goivanni arrived in Spain 12 years ago.

Having already won the Academia Gastronómica de Málaga for the best chef and restaurant in the province, his bold twist on Mediterranean food has been HONOURED: Gallegos with handed the highest honour.

Olive Press editor Jon Clarke

Diego Gallegos came from Brazil and gave up a university law degree to start cooking professionally. A fascination with river-fish and caviar is the dominating theme of Sollo’s menu, which has both 15-dish and 22-dish tasting menus.

The 31-year-old had already been garlanded with the 2015 most ‘revolutionary’ chef at Madrid fusion before Sollo’s rocketing reputation was capped with its first Michelin star.

Luis Olarra hails from the Basque Country and is flying the flag for that region’s proud culinary traditions. The 29-yearold chef is famed for blending Mediterranean and Japanese dishes at Kabuki Raw, with his talent winning the restaurant’s first Michelin star. Dishes such as scallops with Malaga white garlic, which combines dashi broth, kombu seaweed and katsuoboshi with a sweet miso mixture, flaked almonds and garlic confit, are raising Malaga’s gastronomic profile.

los of black pudding I had to kill 25 or 30 sturgeons.”

Thirteen years ago, it was the more prosaic art of frying fish that sparked an 18-year-old Gallegos’ career in professional cooking.

He came to Spain to study law, but swapped his books for a set of knives during a spell cooking in a Malaga beach restaurant.

He would later work alongside two-Michelin starred chefs Dani Garcia, in Marbella and Angel Leon, in Cadiz, where he honed his talent.

But he developed his passion for sturgeon in particular while cooking in Granada at his wife’s uncle’s restaurant, Casa Piolas, in Algarinejo.

“I decided to make sturgeon my restaurant speciality. I’m from Brazil, where river fish is very big, In Spain they don’t really use it,” he says.

“I also started to use tilapia, which is very popular in South America. I found a supplier in Cordoba. It’s an old fish that originally comes from the Nile. It’s very good for ceviches.”

Gallegos opened Sollo in November 2013 (they moved to their current venue seven months ago) where he ‘risked everything’ by removing meat completely from the menu.

Sturgeon and caviar take pride of place on Sollo’s 15-course menu, available for €60, and the 22-course tasting menu. A glance at the dishes and you can see why Michelin judges were licking their lips.

The glittering firmament of stars bestowed on Malaga in the 2016 guide doesn’t surprise Gallegos. Asked for the secret of the region’s success, he doesn’t hesitate in locating the source.

“It’s because we have a very good and famous school, La Consula. Most of the chefs come from that school,” he says.

Gallegos is himself an alumnus of the school. But despite his exciting talent, Gallegos is adamant the Michelin award was a surprise, and is mindful of the need to keep a steady head.

“I never expected in seven months to take a Michelin star,” he says.

“After one or two years, we will try for the second Michelin star. But not this year or next. It’s not a 100-metre run. It’s a marathon,” he adds.

After-eight: Malaga’s Michelin-starred dining delights Dani Garcia, Marbella (2 stars) The website of Dani Garcia’s twoMichelin-starred Dani Garcia’s Restaurant Group proclaims ‘the democratisation of high cuisine’. And it doesn’t come much higher than Basque cooking legend Martin Berasategui, where Garcia learned his trade before opening his first restaurant in 1998. One of Spain’s best chefs, Garcia captures the traditional flavours of Andalucian cooking. He opened the Dani Garcia Restaurant and BiBo in 2014.

Guiding stars From paella to pintxos, Spanish restaurants are still dominating world cuisine following the publication of the 2016 Michelin Guide in Santiago de Compostela.

Spain’s galaxy of Michelin Stars features eight restaurants with three, 23 with two and 157 with one.

The three-star restaurants are Akelarre, Arzak, Azurmendi, Martín Berasategui, El Celler de Can Roca, Quique Dacosta, DiverXo and Sant Pau.

El Lago, Marbella Opened in 2000 in the Elviria Hills, El Lago won its first Michelin Star in 2005. The idyllic location is matched by 40-year-old Ronda-born chef Diego Del Rio’s heavenly food. Del Rio studied at the legendary Cordon Bleu de Paris school before working in Fouquets and the Four Seasons restaurants in the French capital. Del Rio combines high-end cooking with the flavours and recipes he learned from his Pujerra-born mother and grandmother.

Skina, Marbella Jaume Puigdengolas’s 14-seat restaurant is the smallest in the world to hold a Michelin star. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in flavour, sourcing the freshest fish from the Mediterranean and the most succulent cuts of meat from Malaga’s mountains.

Nestled in Marbella’s Old Town, Skina opened in 2004 before winning its first Michelin star in 2009.

Barcelona-born Puigdengolas learned his craft cooking around the Basque country and his restaurant serves up Malagan classics such as ajoblanco.

Jose Carlos Garcia, Malaga Malagan chef Garcia’s use of produce from the region’s coast is at the heart of his cooking. His restaurant’s dining room tables overlook the yachts and boats moored inside Malaga port. A glass-cubed kitchen restaurant allows diners to enjoy the theatre of a professional kitchen at work. But the real star is Garcia’s brand of Andalucian haute cuisine, which has earned him numerous awards, including Best Andalucian Chef of 2009.

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FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

A festive favourite for when the masses descend is a hearty joint of ham. Perfect to fill up after a blustery Boxing Day walk or a quick fix in the mad run-up to Christmas day. Only those who haven’t tried Coca-Cola soaked ham raise an eyebrow and, once tried, it quickly becomes part of the Christmas repertoire, writes Iona Napier

Coca-Cola ham Serves 8 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: Two hours 40 minutes THE HAM 2kg mild-cure gammon joint One onion (peeled and halved) Two litres Coca-Cola (full-fat)

THE GLAZE A handful of cloves One large tbsp black treacle Two tsp English mustard powder Two tbsp light brown Demerara sugar One tbsp Dijon mustard

THE PROCESS

Peel and cut the onion in half.

SUCCULENT: Roast gammon

Ham it up

T Local issue 43:The Local Issue 5 11/11/13 12:28 PM Page 9

HE old adage ‘don’t knock it until you’ve tried it’ has never been more apt.

Because this Christmas, tasty shortcuts are the order of the day so you can consecrate more time to the important things… like necking Buck’s fizz and unwrapping presents.

The sweet drink infuses the meat keeping it incredibly moist and succulent without it being identifiably ‘Cokey’.

Forget the turkey and scorn the nut roast, because gammon is a crowd-pleaser with heaps of flavour, and it really lasts.

Pair it with elaborate potato dauphinoise to impress your guests, then hoover up the left-overs with a baked sweet potato or alternatively a fresh carrot, celery, apple and walnut salad to bring the new year in with a healthy kick.

Two important tips: don’t even think about using diet coke – it’s full-fat or nothing, and be sure to remove the cloves before you tuck in!

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Put the ham in a large pot with the onion and pour the CocaCola all over it.

Over a medium-high heat, bring the Coke to a boil. Then, reduce the head to medium-low and cover with a lid, leaving it partially ajar and allow to cook for 2 hours 30 mins – leave one hour for every two pounds.

Preheat the oven to 240 degrees Centigrade.

Remove the ham from the pot, leave to rest on a chopping board and reserve cooking liquid.

Trim the skin with a sharp knife leaving a thin layer of fat on the ham.

Score the fat diagonally with the knife to resemble large diamonds.

Pierce each ‘diamond’ with one clove.

Next, spread the treacle over the skin, watch out for the cloves, before gently patting the mustard and sugar on to the sticky fat.

Cook it in a roasting tin for around 10 minutes or until the glaze is browned and bubbly.

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

Fight on!

By Rob Horgan

ON HIS BIKE: Alonso

Hot wheels

WORLD title contender Billy Joe Saunders has teamed up with MGM Marbella ahead of the biggest fight of his life.

The current European, British and Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion has signed a three year man-

MGM Marbella could home a boxing world champion before Christmas after teaming up with Billy Joe Saunders agement contract with the Marbella gym.

Former Olympian Saunders

SWAPPING fast cars for fast bikes, Formula One star Fernando Alonso took to the saddle among the world’s fastest men on two wheels.

Attending a MotoGP team Honda post-season celebration, Alonso put his F1 woes behind him after a disastrous 2015 with McLaren-Honda.

Riding alongside fellow Spaniard and MotoGP’s young starlet Marc Marquez, Alonso completed several laps at the Motegi circuit in Japan.

But it wasn’t all bikes for Alonso, who also gave Ayrton Senna’s 1991 championshipwinning F1 car a spin.

KNOCKOUT: Billy Joe Saunders has title fight on December 19

ON COURSE: Garcia wins

Serging forwards

SERGIO Garcia has won his first title in almost two years at the the Ho Tram Open in Vietnam.

Garcia came up trumps in a four-way play-off to scoop €246,040 at the Asian Tour event.

Spaniard Garcia completed the 72 holes in 14-under before seeing off Himmat Rai at the second extra hole after Thaworn Wiratchant and Lin Wen-tang lost at the first.

His triumph came after he wobbled on the 17th by a double bogey to blow a two-shot lead.

“After you’ve been up there and don’t win, a lot of things go through your mind,” said Garcia.

“This win will help give me a little bit more confidence.”

faces Irishman Andy Lee in Manchester on December 19 for the WBO world middleweight title.

The undefeated 26-year-old (22-0) comes into the world title fight a year after beating highly-rated Chris Eubank Jnr. Currently training in Marbella, Saunders described MGM as his ‘home of boxing’.

“They can’t do not enough for you and it’s the same for everyone, I was really impressed with everything they have done,” Saunders said.

“I first came across MGM when I was training for the Eubank fight, it really caught my eye, not only do they have the best facilities and training programme but great people too.”

He added: “Boxing is a lone sport, you need to surround yourself with good people.

MGM is my home of boxing, it’s the best place to isolate myself and get on with the job.”

DENIS THE MENACE: Ineligible Cheryshev

Real’s Russian roulette

REAL Madrid have been booted out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

The La Liga giants played Denis Cheryshev in the cup tie against Cadiz.

But the Russian winger shouldn’t have played due to three bookings he picked up while on loan at Villarreal last season.

The yellow cards led to Cheryshev’s suspension from the competition, meaning he should have missed the Cadiz tie, in which he scored and Real Madrid won 3-1.

Rafa Benitez’s side are expected to appeal the decision, and may take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Neville brothers’ takeover IT seems Phil Neville (left) is doomed to stand in his brother’s shadow in management, just as he did in his playing career.

Former defender Gary Neville (right) has been announced as the head coach of Spanish football team Valencia until the end of the season.

Following the dismissal of Nuno, many had predicted his brother Phil would be thrust into the number one role, given he was already assistant manager at the club.

However, in a shock announcement, the Neville brothers are to be reunited at the Mestalla for the first time since their Manchester United days with Gary at the helm.

Gary, 40, who played at right back for England and Manchester United, will take charge of the team officially on Sunday.

It is his first head coach job, although he will continue to work with Roy Hodgson in the England coaching set-up in the run-up to next summer’s European Championships.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia.”

Both brothers know Valencia director Peter Lim because they all have a stake in Salford City FC, a small English team which they are hoping to eventually turn into Champions League contenders.

BENAVISTA: Bowlers

Bowled over

BENAVISTA Bowls Club have held their Christmas Hamper Bowling Competition.

The 36-strong field of competitors, playing in teams of three, took part in two games of ten ends on Wednesday, December 2.

A fun day of bowls ended with Jan Holden, Chris Hussey and Sandy Guthrie taking home the hampers with a score of 26, with Bill Davis, Dorothy Pilmore and Lynn Jones coming out runners-up with 21 points.

The competition was organised by Terry Groom and Mike Old and the day was sponsored by Terry Groom, who provided the hampers.

Burn before reading A MARBELLA postie is facing the letter of the law after burning post for six months.

The unnamed Correos worker torched more than 3,000 pieces of undelivered mail, Marbella court has heard.

He could now face up to four years in jail if found guilty of negligence.

It doesn’t get better for those waiting on mail in Valencia either, with another postman arrested for stealing 3,200 letters over the last decade.

FINAL WORDS

Nou winner BRAZILIAN striker Neymar has become the first ever Barcelona player to win the player of the month award in La Liga, 20 months after it was launched in 2013.

Clean pipes DRONES are being used to clean Barcelona’s sewers in a two month trial. If successful they will be rolled out across the country.

Kids’ card SPAIN’S royal family have released their official 2015 Christmas card featuring Queen Letizia and Prince Felipe’s daughters Leonor, 10, and Sofia, 8.

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December 10th - 22nd 2015

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Scoring for gay pride?

Bullion: San Jose hoard

Gold diggers A SUNKEN Spanish galleon discovered off the coast of Colombia may hold the world’s most valuable treasure.

The 300-year-old San Jose is believed to contain 11 million gold coins and jewels worth billions.

The Colombian government announced that underwater vehicles had located the vessel, which went down with 600 crew after trying to outrun a fleet of British warships in 1708.

Spain, the USA and Colombia are locked in a legal battle to determine who owns the rights to the treasure.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos admitted it could take years to salvage the ship, which is 700 feet below the surface of the sea.

RONALDO: Sensational claims that he’s now dating a kickboxer, while Irina (far left) and Lucia have been left on the bench

AFTER binning a Russian model for a TV stunner, it has been claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has completed an unlikely hattrick by hooking up with a Moroccan kickboxer.

Moving on from former love interests Irina Shayk and Lucia Villalon, the Real Madrid forward has sensationally been romantically linked to kickboxer

Badr Hari.

Claiming the pair were ‘more than friends’ French TV star Daniel Riolo strongly inferred the three time Ballon d’Or winner was in a gay relationship.

While Ronaldo has yet to respond, the allegations could go a long way to improving homophobic attitudes within the sport.

Worthy goal EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

GIBRALTAR football star Liam Walker is leading a band of volunteers at a La Lineabased homeless charity.

The former Portsmouth midfielder has been lending a hand at Hogar Betania alongside fellow Lincoln Red Imps player, Guido Ezequiel Abayian.

The charity provides food, shelter and guidance to hundreds of vulnerable Gibraltarians, Spaniards, expats and refugees, including children, victims of violence and of human trafficking.

But the centre is desperately short of funds going into the Christmas season.

ONSIDE: Walker with Abayian

Footballers join crisis centre in Christmas plea

It needs donations of food, clothes and toys as well as volunteers to refurbish bedrooms.

“When you see people living in the streets without a home it’s very upsetting,” Walker told the Olive Press.

“I think it’s fantastic that these volunteers are here to help. For people in their spare time to help out is a wonderful gesture.

“At Christmas, it’s all about being around family,” he added. “A lot of the people here don’t have anyone. So if people can help out here in any way, I think they should.”

When the Olive Press visited Hogar Betania, Gibraltar international Liam was hard at work helping families and residents who come to the shelter.

People can donate via debit card, bankers draft or paypal on www.hogarbetania.es with more info on the Facebook page.

Toys, food and clothes can be donated to Hogar Betania, 152 Calle Gibraltar on every day except Sunday.

The Santa Margarita Scout Group is also collecting toy (not second-hand) donations on Saturday December 12, in the Plaza de Iglesias, La Linea from 11.00-14.00. For information contact c_moya_langston@hotmail.com Next issue the Olive Press visits Hogar Betania to discover some of the amazing stories of people the charity has helped turn their lives around.

In fashion WITH the bubbly flowing and the canapes coming, no one was interested in the food and drink by the time Marbella’s latest batch of models strutted their stuff.

Giving guests at Les Cubes on the Golden Mile a taste of things to come, La Vida Model Management - a new high end model agency - launched in spectacular fashion.

Showing off a range of outfits, the company run by British expat Kate Righton is on the lookout for talent on the Costa del Sol.

PARADE: Marbella models in latest fashion line