Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 218

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CLEARING OFF Which Eurosceptic former MP and TV star is selling his €12 million estate?

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HOT WATER Which former Spanish PM has built a controversial new wall around his Marbella villa?

Property

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Match made in hell Warring lonely heart expats call in police over an ‘innovative’ oil patent, two Range Rovers and a €35,000 watch

IT must go down as one of the worst dates in history.

What was hoped to be the romantic union of two lonely souls has turned into a vicious legal spat, with both parties denouncing the other for theft.

Former Japanese model Nan Itakura and French oil expert Charles Miriel had their first date in Sotogrande, in March, after meeting each other via dating website millionairematch.com.

They initially hit it off with Itakura, 44, moving with her 11-year-old son from Japan into the 67-year-old French-

EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan man’s Sotogrande home.

But within just three months the pair have fallen out so spectacularly that they have now both filed police reports accusing each other of theft.

It comes after marketing company boss Itakura, who claims to be a self-made millionaire, stumped up €288,000 to invest in the Frenchman’s ‘pollution reducing’ fuel company.

Based out of Spain, he insisted the business, which he first launched in the UK, would be

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TORN APART: Miriel and Itakura have denounced each other

Jobs boon

A LEADING British builder is set to create 700 new jobs on the Costa del Sol. Taylor Wimpey has confirmed it is to invest €21 million to build 48 apartments and 55 houses at La Cala Resort in Mijas.

The massive homebuilder is to construct the homes over five years beside the three golf course resort and spa.

Confidence

a surefire winner.

Becoming an equal partner, Miriel would run the Gibraltar side of the business, while Itakura would operate from Spain.

However, this is when things turned sour.

For, while Itakura, expected to see a serious cash injection into the business, instead, she claims, he frittered the money on a €35,000 watch and two Range Rovers.

While he denies this, she believes she was merely a method for the Frenchman to get rich quick.

She insists the so-called ‘magic formula’ is bogus and she feels ‘completely used’.

“This man completely tricked me,” she said, after denouncing him to San Roque police for fraud.

“Coming from Asia, where the air is so polluted, I thought his green energy plan was something I could invest in to help other people.

“It was my dream opportunity, but nothing stacked up.

“I am now hoping police and my lawyers can help get my

m o n e y back.”

Miriel whose company, Eurofuel Products, launched in the UK in 1997 - is adamant that his formula, which ‘reduces emissions by 98%’, is com-

Turn to Page 2

Highlighting a growing confidence in the Spanish economy, the development is the second to be built by Taylor Wimpey at La Cala, after constructing 60 luxury homes there in 2014.

“This is great news and a huge investment in the area,” said Andalucia director Ignacio Osle.

“We were so successful last time we have decided to go one step further.”

Call me the melon man Why was Britpop legend Damon Albarn from Blur spotted wearing a watermelon on his head at Spain’s Benicassim festival this weekend?

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He has now filed a counter-denuncia claiming Itakura broke the terms of their contract drawn up in Spain and has attempted to steal the formula for herself.

“I fulfilled my part in the deal,” he told the Olive Press last night, denying that the cars and watch were bought with Itakura’s money.

“I invited Nan to Spain to be my partner, things were going well but she went behind my back to make millions without me.

“I am not a crook and I don’t like to be accused of being one.”

Love rat returns!

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Brits arrested over pub killing The expats are being grilled over the death of a German tourist in La Cala bar fight

TWO British men have been arrested in connection to the death of a German following a bar fight.

Ingo Dewitz, 46, died after

Barmaids in knifepoint robbery

EXCLUSIVE AN Irish lothario who preys on vulnerable women on dating sites is up to his old tricks.

Sean Whelan, 60, has set up a dating profile on plentyoffish.com.

Last year, the Olive Press revealed that love rat Whelan was hiding out in Manilva after conning American Annie Predun out of €80,000 (Beware the love rat, issue 198).

Escaping the Costa del Sol, the Olive Press can reveal that Whelan now splits his time between London and Northern Ireland.

Whelan, who introduces himself as a ‘widowed Irish businessman’ with a Masters degree, seduces lonely women before convincing them to invest in offshore funds.

Operating under the username ‘Tullyview’ - the same name he used on connectingsingles.com and match.com

CRIME NEWS

EXCLUSIVE

PREDATOR: Whelan - he pockets the money and then disappears.

One concerned Irish woman who was recently contacted

by Whelan, insisted he ‘needs to be stopped’.

“I am so glad that I checked him out and I want everyone to be weary of him,” she said.

TWO young expats have been robbed at knifepoint after a night out.

The British barmaids were robbed of their handbags, wallets, keys and telephones as they walked home from La Duquesa port to Sabinillas at 4am on Sunday morning.

Molly Sheridan, 18, and Annabelle Blythe, 20, were surprised to find so little interest in the incident when reported to the police the following day.

“It was really nasty and potentially could have led to serious injury.

So we were surprised that the police told us that they could do very little about it,” said Sheridan.

The teenager from Plymouth added: “We just want to warn other people to be wary.”

The girls, who moved out to Spain just weeks ago, added that their assailant was around 25 years old and of Spanish nationality.

SHAKEN UP: Molly and Annabelle

By Tom Powell suffering two blows to the head and collapsing at Captain’s Bar, in La Cala de Mijas, shortly after midnight.

The two Brits are believed to have begun rowing with the victim after sitting down at an adjacent table, before one hit him twice in the head.

Witnesses claim they attempted to revive the victim, at first dragging him towards the door where he collapsed again, before sitting him down on a chair.

However, upon seeing his state they reportedly panicked and fled the scene in a vehicle with a British number plate.

Mijas expat Ross Moore, 30, was arrested the next morning, while a second Brit, who has not been named, was detained later that day.

Moore remains in Alhaurin prison, after a court appearance on Saturday, while the other man has been released on bail without his passport and must sign in at a court once a fortnight.

NEWS

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Hilton holiday

Kim goes natural

Elliott Wright is too busy for ladies just now, except for the recently-married Michelle Keegan

SHE normally trowels on the makeup and snaps herself for her 40 million Instagram fans.

But in her Vogue Espana front cover shoot, Kim Kardashian went totally make-up free.

The 34-year-old celebrity queen of ‘selfies’ looks – almost – normal, if it weren’t for the enormous rock on her finger.

CLAD in a show-stopping sequined dress and with a Swiss millionaire on her arm, Paris Hilton made a typical return to her beloved Ibiza.

The American heiress, 34, arrived in style at Amnesia Nightclub to begin a twomonth DJ stint at her favourite holiday destination.

I’m no monk!

H

AVING been a regular fixture on the front of Hello! magazine for the last month, I was obviously delighted to be asked to look after Michelle Keegan on a visit to Marbs.

Recently marrying my cousin Mark Wright in the so-called ‘UK showbiz wedding of the year’, she was over for a hen night with friends.

She’s a good girl and we had a right laugh, shuffling around Puerto Banus, spending time at Cavalli and an entertaining stint at Linekers.

And, of course, the ex-Corrie star behaved herself impeccably.

Meanwhile, I’ve been brushing up my golf in a bid to beat former Spurs ace David Bentley… I certainly can’t be doing with being beaten by his La Sala lot.

There’s some healthy competition there and my soon-to-beup-and-running Olivia’s Golf Society will definitely help.

Work-wise I’m working 24/7 on the restaurant where everything is finally falling into place with glass curtains, decking and all the ‘agg’ seems to be finally over.

It means I have very little time to think about a love life and I’m very much single at the moment.

There is simply no time for the ladies, something that will have to change soon as I’m not accustomed to being a monk!

As we get nearer to our launch I’ve been out checking the local dining scene, firstly with Steve and Michele at the Little Geranium, Glen and Jordana at El Oceano and this weekend a fantastic roast with Guy at The Beach House.

While then it got lively and somehow I found myself singing ‘Young hearts run free’ with two mates on a table after three jugs of Sangria. How embarrassing I even Instagrammed it.

Shame on me!

Donal ducks in Top TV investigator flies in to solve missing Amy Fitzpatrick mystery EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan the Fitzpatrick’s Mijas home, Irishman MacIntyre will be talking to key figures who were close to the 15-year-old.

Renowned for his investigative work into British gangland culture as well as Chelsea football hooligans, MacIntyre hopes that his lines of enquiry will turn up new leads on the case.

The fearless former Guard-

Life begins on Marbs (at least some of it!)

MILLIONS of TV viewers are expected to tune in to watch Marbella’s ‘richest and glamorous’ in the opening episode of hit new reality TV show Life on Marbs tonight (Wednesday).

Billed as the new TOWIE, the producers filmed for over a month at numerous venues around Marbella.

Creating stars of over a dozen local figures, it is hoped to be a strong promotional tool for the Costa del Sol’s leading resort.

However, it was not all plain sailing for the producers Lime Pictures.

According to Olive Press sources, a number of planned filming locations had to be scrapped at the last minute after venue bosses decided they did not want the accompanied

publicity.

One leading five-star hotel marketing boss, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed she had been forced to cancel a private party, once she discovered that producers planned to film.

“Ok, we lost a bit of money, but after a series of downbeat programmes, including Costa del Crime, Marbella Belles and the recent BBC documentary, Last Brit Standing, we couldn’t risk being associated with it,” she said.

Another leading five star hotel boss confirmed that he had made an outright ban on such programmes filming in their various venues.

ian and Daily Mail journalist ended up in hospital after he exposed Chelsea’s infamously racist ‘headhunters’ firm in the film Chelsea Headhunters.

The new documentary will be one episode of a 12-part series for America’s huge CBS Reality channel in which MacIntyre scours the globe for mysterious missing persons and murder cases which remain unsolved.

The Olive Press is set to help MacIntyre after first blowing open the case a few months after she disappeared.

Our in-depth feature (right) in 2009 the olive p revealed how she ress The had been neglected s a d by her mother truth and stepfather Dave Mahon, was sleeping rough and bunking off school.

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Issue 61,

AMY SP ECIAL

UNSOLVED: Missing Amy and (right) MacIntyre

LEADING British investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre is set to blow open the case of missing expat girl Amy Fitzpatrick.

Landing on the Costa del Sol this week, the TV investigator will retrace the final steps taken by Irish teenager Amy before she disappeared on New Years Day in 2008.

Visiting the apartment that Amy was staying at the night she disappeared, as well as

LA CALA

Page 2

CHAPERONE: My night with Michelle

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NEWS

July 23rd - 5th August 2015

Don’t judge the judge!

ALL CHANGE: In Bolanos (above) and out Alaya (right)

THE replacement for Sevilla superjudge Mercedes Alaya has already found herself in hot water.

It comes after the new judge overseeing the massive ERE scandal Maria Nunez Bolanos was accused of being too close to the Junta’s Justice Minister Emilio de Llera.

However, Llera insisted the judge who has worked in Sevilla’s court system for over a decade was perfect for the job.

He added that as he had worked in law in the city for 34 years, it would be impossible to appoint a judge that he was not friends with.

Alaya, who was also handling the bogus training schemes scandal, is now set to move to the Provincial Court of Sevilla but will continue on the case for six months more.

Pulling the Triguero...

ANDALUCIA’S university chief has been sacked over his involvement in Spain’s largest ever public money scandal.

Francisco Triguero (left) is the latest high-profile casualty in the ERE case, after it was revealed he benefitted from a €15.5 million grant to a Junta quango that did practically nothing.

He is now set to go on trial over his 2011 granting of the money to the Institute of Innovation for the Wellbeing of Citizens - known as I2BC. The money was supposedly

Universities secretary sacked over €15.5 million involvement in ERE scandal

awarded to complete a halfbuilt research and innovation facility.

However, the 12BC was already totally inactive, having previously laid off all its employees during a restructuring of the public sector.

Triguero, a friend of Junta boss Susanna Diaz, was first implicated in the ERE scan-

...And the clergy are up to it too!

Senior priest in money laundering probe A LEADING Spanish priest has been accused of money laundering.

Jose Luis Montes (right) is being probed over millions of euros hidden away overseas.

It comes after Switzerland launched an investigation into investments made by the senior Madrid clergyman.

Dubbed the ‘priest to the nobility’ Montes is accused of misappropriating funds destined for aristocratic Madrid sisters Carmen and Blanca Roca de Togores.

It is alleged that he and his lawyer brother had been fiddling funds since 2004 to the tune of tens of millions of euros.

The funds were traced to a network of companies abroad including Credit Suisse, LB Swiss and Pictet, with businesses tracked as far away as Panama and Belize.

Supercourt for Alhambra scandal A SPECIALLY-designed court is to be created to deal with a case involving ticket fraud at Granada’s Alhambra Palace.

The supercourt will be created in the city to handle the September 2016 trial of over 50 people accused and an estimated 30 lawyers.

The trial will investigate how the group, many who worked for the Junta-run palace, were able to make an estimated €3.5 million from selling tickets between 2002 and 2005.

The fraudulent behaviour existed within a complex network of tour guides, hoteliers, travel agents and monument employees.

The Olive Press reported last issue how the boss of Spain’s top visitor site resigned following a separate scandal involving the theft of €5.5m.

PROBED: Montes

Eye on

CORRUPT

ION

dal a year ago, but has only now been sacked over his involvement.

Meanwhile, Triguero is also embroiled in a second investigation concerning long-term partner, Amparo Ruiz Sepulveda, who was paid a salary of €30,000 by the University of Malaga even while supposedly serving as Triguero’s official advisor in Sevilla.

Over €2.2 billion is believed to have been syphoned off in bogus grants over the course of a decade, in the ongoing ERE case.

The money, in the form of grants from Madrid and Brussels went into the socalled ‘reptile fund’ from which money was divvied out to friends and family of Junta members.

The case has seen former Junta chiefs Manuel Chaves and Jose Antonio Grinan now being dragged into court for questioning.

Keeping it in the family AN Andaulcian mayor has been accused of corruption and bribery in order to help out relatives.

Roquetas del Mar leader Gabriel Amat (left) is facing a backlash after being exposed in an investigation by newspaper El Pais.

A LACK OF TRUST

SPANISH confidence in the national government has fallen 27% in the past seven years.

The approval rating is now at an all time low of 21%, according to the OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s.

In its ‘Government at Glance’ report, Spain is third to last on a list of 40 countries, with only Greece and Slovenia having lower levels of confidence.

Only one in five Spaniards described the actions of the government as ‘correct and just’.

The report suggested that trust in government is directly correlated to factors such as strength of leadership, levels of corruption, and follow through on necessary reform.

Favoured

In total, the PP party boss helped 103 businesses controlled by 53 of his relatives using his position as mayor.

The investigation also showed that during Amat’s term, his town hall favoured companies where he himself was a beneficiary.

These included developer Bojasa, which got an unprecedented number of building permits.

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NEWS

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF

ON THE UP! STARS: Public Enemy and (right) Mark Ronson A TAG team of American and British bands helped Spain’s top music festival rise again.

Brits Blur, Mark Ronson and Portishead were joined by US legends Public Enemy and Sparks to push attendance figures at FIB Benicassim up by 6% this year.

A total of 115,000 fans - an incredible 50% from the UK - attended the four day festival.

Wide scope AREAS of Andalucia’s countryside are being cleared to host the Cherenkov Telescope - a new gamma-ray observatory 10 times more sensitive than existing ‘scopes.

App in arms

Brit pop legends - and a bit of US madness - help Benicassim festival boost its attendance A trio of Spanish groups, Vetusta Morla, La Bien Querida and Los Planetas, were credited with boosting domestic numbers by 25%.

Other British acts playing included Jamie T and Kaiser Chiefs, who played one of their best ever live shows.

But the undoubtable highlight of the festival was Blur, particularly after an electrical

storm threatened to cancel their Saturday night slot.

Curiously the very same problem had led to the cancellation of their 1997 appearance and their only other show at FIB came 12 years ago in 2003.

This time, the Olive Press was there to witness the great return:

Damon and Blur give the freshest – and fruitiest – concert in Benicassim history

W

BEST EVER: Kaiser Ricky

MOBILE taxi app Uber is taking the Spanish government to the European Court of Justice, after the app was banned in Spain.

Border check SPAIN has rejected EU plans to take a proportional number of 40,000 displaced immigrants but has instead agreed to take in 1,300.

Wipeout A RUSSIAN expat, scuba diving in Gran Canaria, was killed when she collided with a holidaymaker on a windsurf.

Election chat PSOE chiefs have pledged nearly €6.5 billion for ‘vulnerable families’ if they win the general election later this year.

Live review

By Jon Clarke

ITH a melon on his head and a massive smile Damon Albarn emphasised the new era for his eponymous britpop band Blur.

Headlining at Spain’s top music festival in Benicassim, it was clear he and his fellow band members were once again good pals; and tighter than ever.

In an incredibly slick and varied set the band wowed the mixed English/Spanish audience, on Saturday night.

Running around and jumping up and down like a teenager, Damon showed he is still one of the world’s best front men, despite being in his mid-40s.

Almost launching himself into the audience during his appropriately-named song Thought I was a spaceman, he was clearly loving every moment of this two-hour headlining slot.

It couldn’t have been clearer when at one point he ran to the front to ask a fan to try on his half melon hat… And duly did to a rapture of giggles and obvious references to Happy Monday’s famous ‘melon man’ line.

Described by Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos as one of the ‘best ever live performances’

5

MELON MAN: Damon catches his new melon hat

MADE UP: Graham and Damon now friends again in the festival’s 21-year history, Out of Time with its haunting the band mixed up their big hits African timbre and the brilliant including Song 2, Beetlebum Lonesome Street, both from and Parklife with wonderfully their last two albums. obscure tracks such as Trimm Whatever happened to that Trabb from the band’s mixed famous rivalry with Oasis? No 13 album. one would deny they have won Top highlights included Bad- hands down. head, There’s no other Way, None of the estimated 10,000 while the Spanish crowd went fans, who were crammed in crazy for Girls and Boys and and some clearly struggling Tender. with temperaAt one point tures of up to 30 Albarn rested Whatever happened degrees, would his head tenargue. This even derly on Gra- to that rivalry with at 1am, despite ham Coxen’s a 10-minute thunOasis? No one s h o u l d e r, derstorm that would deny they’ve making it earlier cooled the clear previwon hands down air. ous differencThe band didn’t es had been seem to mind – put behind them. nor did the joyful new brass Bassist Alex James – now an and choir sections, which emorganic farmer – smouldered phasised their growing musical at the back often with a ciga- depth. rette in his hand, while drum- They had been perfectly set mer Dave Rowntree bashed up by a rousing performance out the rhythm in his Fred Perry by the Kaiser Chiefs an hour shirt, one of the few concrete earlier. Their lead singer Ricky reminders of their early Lon- made various references about don days. how excited he was about seeThe transition for me, hav- ing his heroes Blur later, and ing seen them formulate their revealed he would be right in sound at the dingy Laurel Tree the middle of the audience. pub in Camden Town in the mid The band predictably ended 1990s, is of a growing maturity with a wonderful rendition of and understanding of the world The Universal leaving fans at 3 around them. am to savour more festival fun.

Theirs is often now thought- ‘Buenas Noches’ Damon provoking music and it is no co- shouted to the fans as he stumincidence that two of the high- bled off stage… Yes, Damon, a lights here were the moving Buena Noche indeed!

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Olive Press July 23rd - August 5th 2015 thethe Olive Press May 2015 June13th 11th -- May June27th 24th 2015

IT is refreshing to see Gibraltar sticking up for itself and fighting back against unfair - and often, unsubstantiated - comments made in the Spanish press.

The Spanish public has for far too long been fed a warped version of the real situation on the Rock.

If the rabid right-wing press is to be believed, Gibraltar is a cocaine-fuelled, money-laundering playground run by the barbary apes.

Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuits against Telecinco, ABC and Manos Limpias, the decision to act represents a change in mindset.

As the Rock says: ‘enough is enough’.

Summer paradox ALL winter long, we yearn and crave for the summer in Spain.

Sunshine, sand and sangria, that heady cocktail of summer loving.

But now it’s well and truly here – the third heatwave on the way can testify to that – we seem to be supping from a hazy blend of mosquito bites, jellyfish stings and a lack of parking spaces.

And don’t get us on the subject of air con.

The result is always the same; stress and headaches.

So please third heatwave, hurry up and finish so we can revel in the fresh autumn air once more, free from the aches and strains of the tourism high season.

No place like home THE UK and other European countries overflow with mothers embracing experimental natural birthing techniques.

From the hypno to the hydro, there are dozens of options available to pregnant women.

Spain however lags behind - in some ways, perhaps endearingly.

Following the odd Stacie Cottle case earlier this month - where a hospital paediatrician was horrified to find a mother having given birth at home - we took a look at the issues of childbirth in Spain and how it differs abroad.

Fortunately, things finally seem to be changing with a small pocket of professionals believing fervently in alternative routes.

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or admin@theolivepress.es or sales@theolivepress.es 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.

Tom Powell Tom@theolivepress.es Rob Horgan Rob@theolivepress.es

Iona Napier Iona@theolivepress.es Admin / Distribution / Accounts: Maria González accounts@theolivepress.es Mirian Moreno admin@theolivepress.es SALES TEAM: Chris Birkett 652 512 956 Stephen Shutes 671 834 479 Classified Sarah Adams 655825683 Axarquia Charlie Bamber 661 452 180

Home births in Spain are the rarest in Europe. And in a country where a young mother is treated ‘like a common criminal’ when her baby arrives at home in a rush, changing that mindset could be hard labour.

Iona Napier and Nina Chausow investigate

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EXCLU

By Tom SIVE Powel Iona Napierl &

July 10th

- July 24th 2015

Heartbrok with baby en Brit finall after docto y reunited DNA

test to prove A BRITISH rs insist on a from her mother separate it is hers a Spanish newborn baby d by reunited hospital has been ter after with her daughedly broke two weeks proved sheDNA results finally 1:30am. early at is hers.

Stacie Cottle, Half an 27, has forced to bedroomhour later in the been ous weeksendure three torturwas born,house, a healthytwogirl Torre del at the hospital of events triggering a series Mar, near in which turned after a paediatr family’s Malaga, the ician claimed the baby nightma Spanish dream into Expat artist re. a check-up she brought in They took in bold claim for a But now, could not be hers. a routine her to hospital Turn to Page 5 visited theafter the Olive Press day, wherecheck-up the for the paediatr next her case court dealing immedia with she has to demand answers, did not intely claimed the ician baby fact belong nally leavebeen allowed to She insisted to her. it had actually Axarquia the Comarcal fibeen born de la Anzelika hospital with previous three to five baby ly. days for the time. very first “I am so grateful Criminal help,” she for all your said last “She said “This has night. HAPPY FAMILY Cottle told‘it was impossib rendous been the most Stacie and le’,” : Veronic the baby Anzelik a, felt so helpless,Olive Press. and I havemonth of my horlieve what I couldn’t “I a common been treated likelife Anabella bethey criminal on were saying.” a The She and June 1.

“It makes . family her about ever me think twice hotels whilestayed in several left, upset mother promptly coming return to and confused Spain.” back to commodation looking for ac- But the , to Marbella for her mother The shocking Veronica within new house. mayor loves ficers were an hour police chain AC/DC unfolded as she to rent longer ofTurn to term, hoped to knocking after Cottle,of events teaching nurse from Page 6 on the find work door, asking them a dental the hospital to in Malaga London, arrived But the English. for tests. return to Upon arrival, and three-yewith her mother contract night after signing on a house baby a was ar-old daughter nas, in in Are- er separated from Anzelika and placed her mothCottle’s the Axarquia region, waters in the neonatal unexpec t-

I’m rea Banksyl

Ready to rock

BUMP ON THE BEACH: Just 0.05% of women give birth at home in Spain and (inset) our front page story HICH to choose, the weeks of trauma, tests and a in the Victorian era compared “It’s geographical and cultural,” says Yvonne Marry (below left), powder-pink baby tsunami of paperwork before to other European countries. grow or the one in she was allowed to take little The outdated approach to one of the ‘Irish Midwives’, as childbirth is a major stumbling they are known, who has been duck-egg blue?

Anzelika home.

Expectant mums face a whole She described it as ‘the most block for expats coming from delivering babies in Marbella brood of decisions, some in- horrendous month of my life’. the UK, one of Europe’s lead- since 2003.

“Spain is so large that you can’t consequential, others poten- “I have been treated like a ing advocates of home births. tially life-changing. common criminal. It makes me Whereas 2.5% of UK births guarantee proximity to hospiHowever fate took control when think twice about ever coming took place at home in 2013 – tals for emergency help but a staggering 16,066 babies – also, birthing in Spain is seen Londoner Stacie Cottle’s wa- back to Spain.” ters broke unexpectedly while While the case attracted in- Spain trailed behind with just as very medical. It’s practically at home in the Axarquia, where ternational media outrage, 215 babies (0.05%) arriving a given that you’ll have an aesthetician and an epidural. The she was forced to give birth un- the hospital stood by its ac- outside a hospital ward. assisted. tions, stating: “It is our priority That’s no surprise, given that popularity of natural births is Inexplicably, when she brought to look out for the protection home births in Britain are not just emerging and there is big change afoot.” her baby daughter into hospi- of the newborn, and it should only approved but Her colleague Ann tal for a check-up the next day, be noted that the newborn ar- subsidised. In Spain Halpenny (left), a with the placenta and umbili- rived with the umbilical cord they are ‘unregulated’, and therefore Costa del Sol midcal cord still attached, she was attached”. wife since 1996, separated from her newborn The astonishing kneejerk re- considered risky by adds that ‘back until DNA testing could prove action of staff at the Hospital mothers, as well as up, in rare cases of she was hers!

Comarcal de la Axarquia to its midwives whose inemergencies, is very As revealed exclusively by alleged first home birth case in surance often does poor compared to the Olive Press, the 27-year- 10 years shines the spotlight not cover home the UK’. old mum then endured three on a system that seems rooted births.

France, Italy and Many British expats, Germany also subenthused by their sidise home births. friends’ and sisters’ Ukraine, the Czech experiences of picRepublic and Croature-perfect home tia forbid the pracbirths back in the tice. Spain falls into UK, have tried to fola no-man’s land, low suit in Spain. alongside Portugal, Most have met an Finland, Slovakia, administrative brick and Turkey, where wall. home births are not That was the expericontrolled, leading to confu- ence of one Ronda couple who sion, risk and insecurity. found a British midwife willing Nor does Spain embrace the to attend the home labour of trend of more ‘natural’ meth- their firstborn after months of ods, like water births and hyp- searching. no-births.

After five hours, they moved to The Olive Press spoke to a hospital to speed up the prorange of ex-pats, midwives, cess but were met by angry ofhealth professionals and par- ficials. ents who have experienced “We were treated like pariahs the system firsthand, to help to by the hospital,” said the fashed light on these anomalies. ther. “They just couldn’t understand why we wanted to have REUNITED: Stacie and Anzelika after 21 days the baby at home.

“In the UK ten years ago it beOR the second time in came important for doctors to a week, Prime Ministreat their patients like clients, ter Mariano Rajoy has explaining treatments and warned that anti-auschoices. In Spain the mentality terity proposals being touted is still very much that the docby Podemos will only serve to tor is always right.” undo the work that has been Madrid-based Association accomplished under his PP Nacer en Casa (Home Births) government in pushing Spain own plans to renegogo the same route and O A I agrees that Spain’s birthing LEG vote away from their R out of the recession. tiate Spain’s own MA care – while at a very high stanJudging by his recent dis- debt packages current road to redard – is set in its ways. course, the prime minister with Brussels. covery in exchange “It’s economics. Giving birth at appears to accept that Pablo The July 13 reffor extreme populist home costs €2,000 whereas Iglesias’ Podemos poses a erendum held in economic measures giving birth in a hospital costs bigger threat to his bid for Greece over prowhich so far we have four times that, so it is in the reelection than the party’s posed measures seen failed in many interests of the gynaecologists traditional rival, the PSOE only served to show other countries, such and keeps the power with the Somewhat buoyed by the how divided Greeks as Venezuela, Brazil and hospitals,” says representative political fiasco of Greece’s are over solutions to Argentina.

Cristina Trevino de la Cal. prime minister Alexis Tsipras, their financial problems and Populists have been swept “In Spain the doctor is God, so who was pushed against a revealed their prime minister’s to power by promising many it is a case of changing mentaliwall and forced to accept an- weakness as a power broker. beautiful-sounding things. ties – it’s changing very slowly other painful round of auster- The Euro group paid no attention Then when they are voted in, but there is still a lot of presity measures in exchange for to what Greek citizens had to say. they are unable to do what they sure on women to give birth a a third bailout package, Ra- If such a referendum were to had planned and forced to emcertain way. joy seems to think Podemos be held by Podemos, it is pre- bark on other measures, in the “And less than 1% of Spanish may have lost steam in its dictable that Spaniards won’t same way Tsipras did. midwives are legal to deliver

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OPINION

FEATURE NEWS

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MADRI MATTE D RS

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A conception-to-cradle experience

S

O you think you’re pregnant?

Be prepared to spend half your time at the doctor’s and half on the phone to your insurance company.

When in Spain, the first stop is your GP to confirm the pregnancy and start the first round of monthly blood and urine tests.

While the norm in the UK is one ultrasound scan at 20 weeks, in Spain women undergo a minimum of 4 scans, at 12, 20, 32 and 40 weeks.

There are also tests for HIV, diabetes, toxoplasmosis and also streptococcus, infrequent in the UK. The medical checkups are routine, but figuring out the right insurance cover takes a little more creativity.

Maternity care is not covered under the EHIC, the EU’s public healthcare card. Foreigners not contributing social security don’t get state health care and need private medical insurance. It should be taken out 6 to 12 months prior to the birth which will take place at a private clinic.

For those in the Spanish system, hospital births are the norm, as this is where the majority of midwives work.

When the contractions start, mums-to.be must present themselves at the hospital with their paperwork, passport, NIE card and, preferably, a Spanish-speaking friend to help with interpreting.

7

FEATURE

Going full term in Spain

Spanish hospitals apply standard operating procedures, so if there are any problems it is important to speak up.

Mum and baby generally remain in the hospital for around five days for at least two further checks and a final examination.

After being discharged and registering the baby, it’s wise to sign the new nipper up for social security, which covers free vaccinations.

Cultural differences can make postnatal adjustments difficult. For example, Spanish women are accustomed to having a wide family support network at home, and receive maximum maternity leave of 16 weeks for a single birth, 18 for twins and 20 for triplets.

They must take at least six weeks off.

In the UK, mums receive up to 52 weeks, with only a slightly lower pay scale for up to 39 weeks. Dads in Spain get only 15 days paid paternity leave but have the option of three years unpaid leave.

However, being out and about with a baby is a cinch in family-minded Spain where breastfeeding in public is accepted and most restaurants welcome children with open arms.

babies in the home.”

Sol – hitting the jackpot as While giving birth at home is just four of its 20 midwives clearly not the norm here, pri- are trained in the method. Her vate Marbella Hospital Ceram website, Natural Birthing Zone, is a champion of water births, shares positive experiences delivering 80% of babies that and information. way, largely for international cli- “So many people fear birth and ents rather than Spanish. you hear a lot of negative, awful “The health system in Spain stories about natural births, but doesn’t have the infrastructure I wanted a forum to share the to deal with alternative meth- positive and good experiences. ods on a large scale,” says Ta- “For me, a home birth was not tiana Benito, Ceram’s MD. as important as having confiBut demand for alternative dence and I felt perfectly safe methods is growing. In Estepo- and well looked-after.” na, 31-year-old Paula Rowan, The earlier-quoted Yvonne from Edinburgh, advocates Marry delivered Paula’s baby… hypnobirthing and managed to Spain is a small world for midfind classes here in Spain. wives. But she insists that hosPaula hadGolf a successful water pitals Gaston - Olive Press:Layout 1 08/06/2015 1 do their 11:21 utmostPage to make birth at the Hospital Costa del mothers feel ‘at home’, with

dimmable lights and one visitor allowed at all times.

And although in some ways Spain lags behind, credit is due for keeping birth procedures standardised and prioritising the newborn, no matter what, as Stacie Cottle learned to her cost.

The wheels of change turn slowly but with alternative methods creeping in, along with improved communication networks and birthing groups, there is no shortage of support for expat mums-to-be in Spain.

So the next question is – are you really going to put your newborn son in that fuchsia baby grow?

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NEWS

Mummy discovery

Holiday horrors

A MUMMIFIED body has been found on La Concha mountain.

The unidentified body, found on the mountain overlooking Marbella by walkers, was reportedly wearing Bermuda shorts.

A mountain rescue team from Alora has taken the remains away for testing.

NEWS IN BRIEF Proper job SPAIN is expected to see employment growth of 2.9% this year, second only to Iceland which has seen job creation increase by a massive 4.1%.

Toilet rage A GROUP of arty protesters created a ring of glow-in-the-dark toilet seats in the Plaza de la Constitucion in Madrid in response to controversial new ‘gag’ law.

Passport to jail TWO Malaga civil servants have been jailed and fined €1,080 each for supplying foreigners with Spanish ID cards and passports in exchange for money.

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

DEADLY CRAZE: Backflips off balcony into pool

TWO young tourists have plummeted from their balconies within two days.

American student Lauren Bajorek, 20, fell to her death in Sevilla after a night out in the Andalucian capital.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old British holidaymaker Harry Carter remains in a Magaluf hospital with head and arm injuries.

Carter’s injuries were self-inflicted as he joined in the so-called ‘balconing’ craze. which involves jumping into a hotel pool from a higher storey.

A young tourist, 17, from Morocco drowned in a Jaen pool after knocking himself out late at night.

While, in Estepona a 12-year-old Norwegian girl drowned after her hair became entangled in a jacuzzi jet.

Hotting up AGAIN IF you can’t stand the heat, head to Almeria… or oop North!

For Andalucia’s most easterly region is the only part of the province not on yellow alert as Spain swelters in its third heat wave this summer.

Set to last until Thursday, tourists and expats alike are being warned to try and stay cool and slap on the sun cream.

The series of heatwaves - the largest number for over a decade - has seen Spain consume 13% more in energy than usual.

A fortnight-long snap that ended last week led to numerous people hospitalised from heatstroke and an 82-year-

old man died in Sevilla.

The mercury was believed to have reached up to 50 degrees centigrade in the Axarquia at one point, while Sabinillas registered over 45 degrees and one Estepona expat tweeted that his car had registered 55 degrees.

The heat has meant over 50% of vineyards in the Axarquia region have suffered substantial damage, while jellyfish have been prevalent on many Costa del Sol beaches.

For those wanting to stay cool, Galicia is Spain’s coldest region, averaging 22 degrees, while the following spots would be worth a look in.

Mercury shoots up across Spain in third sweltering heat wave

Places to escape the heat

Spain’s coolest corners: Santander (Currently 22 degrees) La Coruña (23 degrees) Santiago de la Compuesta (22 degrees) Pontevedra (23 degrees) Leave Spain and go to Porto (23 degrees)

Gore x 4

A FRENCH tourist became the fourth bull goring fatality in under a month.

The tourist, 44, died after being charged by the animal during a traditional bull run in Alicante.

Earlier goring victims include a 43-year-old man in Caceres, an 80-year-old in Catalonia and a 54-year-old in Castellon.

The most famous bull running festival, San Fermin, in Pamplona, ended without any fatalities, although 10 people were gored and over a dozen others were hospitalised.

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the Olive Press July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Vulture culture Ronda couple launches avian project in Sierra de las Nieves GRAB your binoculars and head to the hills because a new conservation centre has opened in the Sierra de las Nieves natural park.

‘Hide Sierra de las Nieves’ aims to nurture vultures struggling to find food while also promoting environmentally-friendly tourism.

Various feeding and nesting stations have been installed throughout the national park for the Sierra’s avian population.

The food provided consists of both road-kill and carcasses, as well as the unusable parts FEEDING GROUND: Vultures given a helping hand in the Sierra de las Nieves

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Got your goat

INFECTED goats are running rampant through Andalucia.

The Andalucia Environment and Territory Council has issued health warnings and hunting restrictions on areas in Almeria, Granada, Jaen and Malaga in order to control an outbreak of scabies in mountain goats.

The Junta has proposed multiple approaches, from the use of firearms to eliminate infected animals, as well as the live capture and transportation of goats to protected areas.

Scabies, a highly contagious disease transmitted through mites, is easily transferable from goats to both livestock and humans. In 1987, an outbreak in Spain reduced the mountain goat population to 3% of its previous size.

EXCLUSIVE

By Iona Napier of animals slaughtered for human consumption.

“The animal carcasses would otherwise be burned, or they can be eaten by the vultures, which creates less contamination and helps support the population,” conservationist Inmaculada Garcia said.

Garcia’s husband Juan Manuel Garcia, from Ronda, is the man behind the project, backed by the support of the park’s management.

The Sierra de la Nieves natural park covers 1,000 metres of land, and is enclosed by a fence to keep out other predators.

Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts can call Garcia on 699 189 188 for more information.

Spain is the best SPAIN spent a whopping €9.3 billion on crude oil imports from Nigeria in 2014.

The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria labelled Spain as Nigeria’s ‘best client’ and confirmed that the two countries will be working on agricultural development projects.

Despite mass protests, the Spanish government is hoping to reduce the amount of oil it imports by continuing oil exploration off the Balearic islands.

HARD WORK: Pays off for Salarte staff

Salt of the earth

A CADIZ nature reserve has claimed the top gong at the Andalucia Environment Awards.

Rewarded for nurturing a derelict nature reserve back to life in the Bay of Cadiz, NGO Salarte claimed the top prize for ‘Natural Values of Andalucia’.

Backed by a trio of local celebrities, sculptor Javier Ayarza, flamenco fusion singer Clara Montes and two-star Michelin Chef Angel Leon, aka The Chef of the Sea, Salarte has brought the La Covacha salt plain back to life.

Located off the shores of Puerto Real, the company’s hard work has even seen a rare breed of osprey return to the area.

“We are very grateful for this recognition, which encourages us even more to work every day in the recovery of traditional salt,” said Salarte president, Juan Bermudez.

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THEY don’t breathe fire, but Reo and Sayang are bona fide dragons.

In fact, they are the only Komodo dragons in all of Andalucia — though they might not be for long.

The pair recently laid 17 eggs, which are expected to hatch this autumn.

For a chance to see two of the world’s largest lizards, come and visit Reo and Sayang at Fuengirola’s Bioparc.

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AXARQUIA

12

the Olive Press July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Ablaze!

NEWS IN BRIEF Wish you weren’t here EXPERTS are being called in as part of Torrox council’s anti-jellyfish campaign, as the number of stingers in the waters continues to rise.

Water fight ARENAS, Canillas de Albaida and Sayalonga are battling for water since they are all supplied by the same endangered source.

Fire fighting father A FAMILY of five were saved from a house fire thanks to their quick-thinking father.

Francisco Ortega pulled his wife and three children from their Torrox house in the early hours of July 20.

Waking up in the middle of the night, Francisco leapt to action after smelling smoke.

“Thankfully, all the bedrooms are on the ground floor, if not there would have been a tragedy,” he said. “The house is completely ruined but we are happy for our lives.”

The family were taken to hospital for a routine check, the eldest daughter, 20, is being kept in for smoke inhalation.

THE UK'S NO.1

EXCLUSIVE

By Caitlin Quinn A VOLUNTEER at the Axarquia Animal Rescue Centre has been left homeless after a fire destroyed her caravan and everything inside.

Carly Cole had been living in the backyard of her friend Sam Matthews-McCarthy, who runs the rescue centre

Caravan fire at animal rescue centre leaves volunteer homeless out of her Riogordo home.

The British pair first heard an explosion when they were feeding the centre’s 25 dogs at 8pm, before rushing to the rear of the house to find Cole’s caravan engulfed in flames.

“Everything, absolutely everything, was destroyed,” Mat-

EXCLUSIVE

The hound help

A PAIR of ‘roundabout dogs’ in Nerja have been rounded up after locals rallied together in a rescue mission.

The two abandoned dogs had set up camp on the dangerous roundabout between Iranzo and Burriana Beach but were terrified of expats who tried to feed them.

But after seeing how undernourished they were, Animal group Estacion Esperanza managed to lure one of the Mastin cross dogs off the roundabout to safety.

After attempts from firefighters, the other dog was caught seeking refuge in a nearby urbanisation and the two have now been reunited at the Raza hotel in Torrox.

Anyone interested in donating towards the dogs’ recovery or rehoming these child-friendly hounds should contact estacionesperanzanerja@outlook.es

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thews-McCarthy, 55, told the Olive Press.

“Carly has nothing left but the clothes on her back.”

The fire also destroyed a van, dog crates and kennels but, miraculously, none of the animals were injured.

“Someone was looking down on us,” said Matthews-McCarthy. “The wind was blowing in the other direction.”

“But we’re still looking into buying another caravan, we’re quite desperate at the moment,” she added.

Police were unable to determine the cause of the fire, but it is suspected the caravan’s refrigerator is to blame.

Last December the centre proudly rehomed its 1000th dog, having been launched by a team of volunteers in August 2011.

To donate to the rescue centre, go through the PayPal account axarquia-rescue@ hotmail.com.

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GIBRALTAR NEWS

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NEWS IN BRIEF Full steam ahead TWO proposed new superyacht marinas on the horizon will up Gibraltar’s profile as a luxury boating destination.

Bright idea TAXPAYERS will save £90,000 a year on electrical costs at Gibraltar’s public swimming pools thanks to hundreds of newlyinstalled solar panels.

Historic dig A NEANDERTHAL campfire, animal bones and stone tools were discovered during the first week of summer excavations at the Gorham’s Cave archaeological site.

Light-fingered A SPANIARD has gone to jail for two years for stealing almost £30,000 from Gibraltar tobacco shop Mozart where he previously worked.

Enough is enough EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan GIBRALTAR is fighting back against years of ‘slanderous’ comments made by Spanish media outlets and far-right unions.

Three high-profile defamation cases against TV channel Telecinco, Spanish newspaper ABC and union Manos Limpias have been opened in Spain.

Legal proceedings are underway against Telecinco after its presenter Ana Rosa Quintana claimed Gibraltar is the ‘largest importer of drugs into Spain’.

Quintana claimed Spanish border officials ‘confiscate large quantities’ of contraband every day and that ‘60% of all drugs seized in Spain come from Gibraltar’.

She also claimed that drugs could be ‘easily’ obtained from the Rock’s ‘kiosks, supermarkets and grocery stores’ during her programme in June.

Meanwhile Spanish daily newspaper ABC recently published a rectification after la-

23rd - August 5th 2015 the OliveJuly Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

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Government fights back against slanderous Spanish statements belling the rock an ‘iceberg of dirty money’ with links to the Russian Mafia.

A new case against the newspaper is set to go to court in Madrid later this year.

While Fabian Picardo’s personal defamation suit against Manos Limpias is also in the process of being enforced in Spain, following the Chief Minister’s victory at Gibraltar’s Supreme court where he was awarded £30,000 in damages.

His claim relates to comments made by the union’s leader, Miguel Bernard Remon, in which he described Picardo as ‘an accomplice, collaborator and necessary co-operator in smuggling, drug trafficking and money laundering’ in front of the European Commission in 2013.

Lawyer Charles Gomez, who has been hired to take on Telecinco and ABC, told the Olive Press ‘enough is enough’.

“The government has finally had enough of the lies, untruths and complete propaganda,” he said.

“As a result, they have instructed us to open lawsuits against ABC and Telecinco.

“We have already had success against ABC and expect more of the same.”

1313

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Fish fight CHILDREN fishing with small rods are allegedly being threatened with fines.

The Rock’s budding fisherman have been slapped on the wrists by environment officials for fishing in the port area, according to a Gibraltar Social Democrat spokesman.

The opposition party spokesman claims a number of youngsters have been threatened with fines for casting their lines without a licence.

In response, a government spokesman slammed the allegations as ‘really desperate’ and added that there was ‘no evidence’ to support the claims.

FISHY CLAIMS: By GSD

MURDERER RETURNS A CONVICTED murderer blacklisted by Gibraltar has returned to the Rock.

Spaniard Luis Ramirez has been sent back to prison after police caught him daubing graffiti on a garage door.

Ramirez, 42, was released from Spanish prison earlier this year after spending 11 years behind bars for the murder of 71-year-old Moti Khemlani on Main Street in 1997.

Although he was sentenced on the Rock in

2004, he served his jail time in Spain and was given a lifetime ban from going back to Gibraltar.

A police spokesman said it was ‘unclear’ how Ramirez entered Gibraltar and confirmed that he had been charged for being a ‘prohibited immigrant’.

He will now spend two weeks in Gibraltar’s prison before being extradited out of the British territory and back to Spain.

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14

la cultura

of pride in Spain

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

In a landmark year for Gay Pride across Spain and the world, the Olive Press introduces its very first in depth ‘All About Pride’ online special

LOUD & PROUD

I

T is now one of the biggest events in the Spanish social calendar.

A raucous celebration of colour, variety and life, Gay Pride is everything it set out to be and more.

Madrid was overrun with the colours of the rainbow this June, in what was one of the world’s biggest Gay Pride events.

Now Torremolinos is gearing up for the Costa del Sol’s first official Pride festival this month.

A decade since gay marriage was passed in Spain, Torremolinos is gearing up for its first official Pride celebration

It comes in a monumental year for the LGBT+ community worldwide. Gay and lesbian marriage is now legal in every single American state, as of this month.

But that was so last decade for Spain, which this year celebrates the ten-year anniversary of legalised gay marriage.

Same sex couples have also been able to adopt children for just as long.

In fact, Spain was ranked the most gay-friendly country in the world by the latest Pew Research Center survey.

Stand up and be counted

WIN WIN WIN: Two nights at a bohemian oasis

T

HE lovely people at Joy Beach Hostel are helping celebrate the launch of the Olive Press’ new online supplement ‘All about Pride’.

You can win two nights’ free accommodation for two, subject to availability.

Joy Beach Hostel, opened just over a year ago, is a bohemian oasis 50 metres from the Torremolinos Beach!

Entry couldn’t be simpler, just go to: www.facebook.com/

But, of course, it has not always been this way, and there is still a long way to go to reach true equality in sexual orientation.

The Olive Press is proud to present its first Gay Pride supplement, the first of what we hope will be a long, line of successful specials, promoting the very best of Andalucia’s LGBT+ community.

For the 10-page supplement, visit www.theolivepress.es IT may be the gay capital of the coast, but Torremolinos has never held its own official Pride celebration… that is, until now.

Torremolinos Gay Pride runs from July 23-26 and marks a decade since gay marriage was passed in Spain.

And with a massive gay contingent living on the Costa del Sol, it will no doubt rival the country’s other Pride celebrations.

Party

Event organiser Santiago Rubio cannot wait. “It is going to be a great weekend,” he said. “Torremolinos is a great place for this and it will rival all other Prides in Spain.”

July 24 will be dedicated to lesbian celebration, with a LGBT march taking place the next day.

The final celebration takes place on July 26 with a party on Torremolinos’ beaches.

Elsewhere in Spain, Madrid has carved itself out as a frontrunner in gay celebra-

groups/1604644763157950/ and ask to join as a member, then upload your photographic interpretation of JOY. The winner will be picked by Chris Birkett of the Olive Press and Carolina of the Joy Beach Hostel.

Closing date is August 31 2015.

Winners will be in announced in the Olive Press, online at www.theolivepress.es and the Facebook Group. Good luck and be happy!

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tions, while Barcelona is often regarded as the gay capital of Spain.

Both cities hold their annual event in June, with this year’s festivities taking on an added importance due to the 10th anniversary of gay marriage.

In fact, in 2007 Madrid’s celebration was crowned ‘best Pride in the world’ and in 2017 the Spanish capital has been lined up to host the ‘World Pride’.

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the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

15

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la cultura

what’s on uengirola, July 25 A charity event with a Hawaiian theme is happening at Bar Marie with a hog roast, raffle, live entertainment from ‘Dragtastic’ and party games. Tickets are €10 and will go towards Age Concern and the Alzheimers Charity. For more information email clang007@gmail.com

B

enahavis, July 25 Musical gala evening in aid of Anavis and Cudeca to take place at Parque Torre Leonera.

Bring your own picnic and a recommended donation of €5.

Acts include Dani Rojas, Nicholas Pound, Rocio Hormigo and the Dance Academy of Benahavis.

Doors open 8pm

lmunecar, August 15 Lux Mundi will travel from Torre del Mar to Almunecar for the festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Antigua.

There will be a procession from the church to the beach followed by music and fireworks.

Coach departs Vinuela football pitch at 6pm, Torre del Mar at 6:30 pm, Caleta 6:45pm and Algarrobo at 6:55pm

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Back for Moor

F

A

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

TEN thousand candles will light up Mijas for the town’s Festival de la Luna Mora (Moorish moon) this month.

This is the second year that Mijas will host the festival, which is traditionally celebrated in the nearby city of Guaro during September.

The festival celebrates Spain’s three historic cultures: Moorish (Muslim), Christian, and Sephardi (Jewish).

Festival-goers can sample traditional Andalu-

cian dishes, peruse the artisan street market, and enjoy shows by dancers and musicians representing the Moorish, Christian, and Sephardi cultures.

The festival, which kicked off on July 17, will continue over the course of the weekend July 31-August 2.

Free bus transportation between Fuengirola and Mijas is provided throughout the duration of the event.

Seven wonders of the Spanish world POET Federico Garcia Lorca has been chosen as one of the seven most important contemporary Spaniards in an online poll.

Lorca, an iconic poet murdered by Franco’s forces in 1936, joins physician Severo Ochoa, artist Pablo Picasso, sportsman Santiago Bernabeu, tenor Placido Domingo, pathologist Santiago Ramon y Cajal and naval engineer Isaac Peral on the list.

These seven influential men were selected from a group of 20 finalists ranging from artist Salvador Dalí to fashion designer Manolo Blahnik, but including just one women.

The winners of the poll, carried out by website www.7españoles.es, are now being honoured through the

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Man’s world?

Online poll places Lorca, Picasso and Placido Domingo among the seven most important Spaniards

IT is clear to see that Spain, like almost all nations, was dominated by men during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Next issue, the Olive Press will present the seven most important females in contemporary Spain.

If you have any suggestions, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

LEGENDS: Domingo, Lorca and Picasso distribution of awards to their birthplaces.

The mayor of Granada village Fuente Vaqueros, from which Lorca hailed, accepted the award on his behalf in a cer-

emony attended by the entire village.

The contest concluded with an electronically released book of photographs by Mexican photographer Elssie An-

sareo.

The book documents her inspiring journey through the birthplaces of those deemed Spain’s most important citizens.

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A RELIC commemorating the launch of the Titanic has resurfaced in Spain after being ‘lost’ for nearly a century.

A plaque presented by the Royal Mail Steamship Union, on the day before HMS Titanic began its fateful voyage has miraculously turned up in Granada.

Weighing 1.8kg, the whereabouts of the silver and bronze plaque had been previously unknown.

A Barcelona man claims to have bought the plaque from an English art dealer 12 years ago.

He had no idea of its importance and merely bought it as a present for his grandson.

The grandson, who runs an art dealership in Granada, has now offered it to the Spanish Titanic Foundation to be displayed in an exhibition at the Granada Park of Sciences.

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la cultura

www.theolivepress.es

I

’LL never forget Janie. Well, if you’ve ever had a three-yearold terrorist living in your home, you will understand.

Janie was the daughter of Rosie. Who’s Rosie? I’ve no idea. She turned up on our doorstep one day, explaining that she was a friend of a friend who had invited her to stay.

We had just arrived in the pueblo then and were eager to share its delights. So we invited her in, naive fools that we were.

Soon her daughter, a little lady with lungs of daunting power, dominated the house with her demands, some more extravagant than others.

“I wanna Jumbo!” she would bellow. “I wanna Jumbo!”

“That’s my Janie,” cooed her mother. “She wants to fly in a Jumbo jet.”

Conversation in jetsetter Janie’s presence was impossible. Long after other children were abed, she was still among us, throwing tantrums and food about. Her mother said she was in training for New York.

This, you will understand, was in our early days in the pueblo when we were eager to show friends and family how great ‘the simple life’ was.

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015 July 23rd - August 5th 2015

of pride in Spain

giene while lying on the floor (no, don’t ask how they got there).

Most visitors were no trouble.

Until four young girls from Australia arrived — and, suddenly, were gone, long before their tenancy was up. They left behind a cassette player, makeup, bottles and assorted pieces of underwear.

Haunt

VILLAGE LIFE: Was interrupted by a series of visitors from back home

A funny thing happened on way to the simple life Witty expat author David Baird pulls up the welcome mat on his houseguests from hell

Waiting

That was ok but we weren’t prepared for the total strangers who turned up, keen to enjoy our food and wine.

Some, like Rosie, proved amazingly impervious to hints and strangely handicapped when it came to taking cash out of their pockets. A little alarming, as our income at the time was non-existent.

One easygoing fellow stayed two weeks. He made little conversation, except with a whiskey bottle, settling in front of our fire as though he was waiting for spring. His arrival stirred the neighbours’ imaginations, for it coincided with my absence on a working trip.

Gifted with a sixth sense, he decamped just before my return, leaving my wife with no firewood, a pile of empty bottles and a reputation she wasn’t looking for.

Then, old friends – a couple with three young children – turned up. They did not know Rosie either. Soon there came another knock at the door, a friend of my brother. I vaguely remembered inviting Colin to visit during a beery night in a Shropshire pub. He had taken me at my word, so we squeezed him in too. The

1717

neighbours watched events with increasing interest.

Sleeping arrangements for six adults and four children in a one-and-a-half-bedroom house with 16th-century bathroom facilities were somewhat complex. Privacy was minimal. The old beams rattled and creaked under the stress of so many under one roof.

There was not enough space around the dining table for all, nor much on it. Sardines and chickpeas were on the menu most days. But that situation was soon alleviated. Possibly it had something to do with the wine we were imbibing – at 10 pesetas a litre it was hard to resist.

Soon stomach upsets reduced

EN ROUTE: A younger Baird travelling fast

the numbers at mealtimes to manageable proportions. Half our guests were groaning on their beds at any one time.

A constant succession of ashen-faced adults and infants hurried into the street and in via the stable door to the ‘toilet’ (flushed by tossing in buckets of water), while the neighbours gaped at the busy traffic.

Meanwhile, Colin was hit by a bout of malaria. He retreated to a camp-bed in the living-dining room, where he lay for days, shivering and shaking. It did tend to put you off your food.

In the end … finally ...eventually ... they all went away. We had learned our lesson. And then my wife and I had the bright idea of snapping up an old house and renting it out. This way, friendly visitors could enjoy the sunshine, help us keep the wolf from the door, and our own house would be free from invasion.

What could be simpler? Ho! Ho! Ho! If landlords tend to be a trifle cynical, even hard-hearted, don’t blame them. Not in your wildest imagination can you envisage the variety of peccadillos to be encountered in tenants. What enchants some, horrifies others.

What disgusts one family, delights another.

First lesson: under no circumstances let your property to teenage strangers. A Malaga lady recently learned that the hard way.

When she visited her tranquil country retreat, she found it had been hit by a tornado. And all the furniture had been piled outside to create a giant bonfire. She tried to contact the weekenders, only to discover that all the addresses they had given were false.

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but tenants can be careless with the truth when it suits them.

Friends recommended our place to a teenager who had suffered a traumatic experience. She needed tranquillity to recover from an incident involving allegations of rape.

Poor girl, we thought. Clearly in a state of shock.

But life in the pueblo worked a miracle. We learned she was

seeking solace in the local discos every night. For quite a while afterwards we received Christmas cards from her parents thanking us for helping her remarkable recovery.

Before tenants arrived, we made sure the house was cleaned from top to bottom. So we were baffled when one fam-

ily informed us that they had to move out because the place was so filthy.

We finally pinned it down. They had discovered a cobweb beneath one of the chairs. How they had managed this we never learned. We could only surmise that they had detected this disgusting breach of hy-

We never learned the reason for their abrupt departure but the neighbours gave us a few clues. Virtually every night they had endured bouts of screaming which went on into the early hours, followed by tears, recriminations, and more screams.

Among this fascinating mixture of human fauna, one visitor does stand out. Even now, on a winter’s night, when the wind rips at the roof tiles and tugs at the shutters, I still imagine that she has come back to haunt us.

After all, Josefa was not really of this world. We found her sleeping in the basement one morning. She had broken a window to gain entry.

Her eyes burning with an hypnotic intensity, she claimed to be in contact with the spirits.

She talked of strange voices and her need for ‘espacio vital’, whatever that was.

When I informed a friend, he gazed at me in shock. “Get her out! Get her out! She’s bad news. She’s a witch!”

As I was saying, a funny thing happened on our way to the simple life...

David Baird has written a number of books on Spain including Sunny side up and Between two fires.

LETTERS

Olive Press July 23rd - August 2015 thethe Olive Press June 11th - June 24th5th 2015

Stay in your lane DEAR OP, The paseo in San Pedro is becoming a nightmare to walk on. Many people like to go walking along the paseo in the morning or the evening.

It used to be an enjoyable part of my day, but now it is becoming increasingly stressful.

The problem being the cyclists. There are so many cycle lanes in San Pedro and yet the cyclists continue to use the paseo despite being banned.

Nobody does anything about it so they will not stop.

The police could make an absolute fortune if they rocked up on the paseo in the morning and fined every cyclist.

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16-PAGE guage lish-lan only Eng in Andalucía inal and The orig ative newspaper investig

OUR AWAY BY

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July 10th

2015 - July 24th

olivepres

FREE

.the e 217 www

Vol. 9 Issu

I WOULD just like to offer aLiatcelasnst ed word of warning to anyone attending ferias this year.

This month, at Estepona’s feria, I’mnkresyal I was unlucky enough to lose Ba my mobile phone. Although I cannot be certain, I am 90% Reckady to sure it was taken out of my ro pocket by an opportune thief.

The screen was already cracked so I am not too heartI LOVED reading your article broken. However, I just want on Vejer (Final frontier, issue to remind everyone to remain 217). vigilant at upcoming ferias.

It brought back some wonThey are very crowded and a derful memories of visits to ripe breeding ground for lightthis beautiful town. fingered members of society.

My roots started here in Vejer as my mother was born and Rob Elliot, raised there - it is even where Estepona she met her husband, a sailor d reunite a t finally st on roken Bri tors insi Heartb y after doc is hers it bab

with early at to prove two weeks DNA test edly broke two1:30am. hour later in the y girl Half an house, a health a series ated bedroom triggering d the er separ was born,s which turne into a ISH mothorn baby by A BRIT newb been of eventSpanish dream tal has from her daughfamily’s sh hospi tal for a Spani with her finally mare. hospi night next her to reunited DNA results -up the They took e check paediatrician ter aftershe is hers. been a routin the baby the proved Cottle, 27, hastorturwhere ed day, y claim g to her. three Stacie tal in endure immediatel in fact belon actually forced to at the hospi a, did not days ed it had ous weeks Mar, near Malag ed She insist three to five n claim Torre del been born paediatricia in for a after a she brought hers. previously. the baby could not be Press l check-up after the Olive g with Crimina sible’,” dealin But now, rs, . “I ‘it was impos d the court nd answe fiPress said visite claim “She to to dema the Olive n’t bein bold her case been allowed de la Cottle told ss, I could Expat artist Page 5 saying.” she has the Comarcal baby felt so helple ptly they were Turn to prom what er nally leavehospital with first lieve her mothconfused, to Veronica, Axarquia for the very She and and FAMILY:Anzelika .

Anzelika HAPPY baby left, upsetthe new house offor all your. Stacie and time. return to an hour police the grateful night 1.

“I am soshe said last on June in several But within knocking on to most hor- Anabella help,” ficers were g them to return been theof my life The family stayed g for achas lookin askin er “This door, month ika for tests. d like a hotels while n for her moth hospital l, baby Anzel rendous been treate longer term, the arriva from her moth commodatio and I havecriminal. tal twice Veronica to rentto find work Upon ated on neona think comm to hoped in the was separ s me as she English. g a er and placed “It make coming back after signin teaching about ever Page 4 events But the nighta house in Are-, to of .”

Turn Spain ing chain act on dental uia region The shockafter Cottle, aarrived contr in the Axarq unexpectn, unfolded waters er nas, from Londo her mothter Cottle’s AC/DC nurse a with in Malag year-old daugh mayor loves Marbella 6 and three-

All go f0r

TOWIE’s

Turn to

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Name and shame

in the US Navy.

They returned to the US but we still have family there and try to visit as much as we can because, as far as I am concerned, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I cannot wait to go back.

Miguel Benitez Davis, U.S.A

Greece effect I ENJOYED the article on the distrust of the present Spanish government, which would glue with the rise of Podemos (Only one in five Spaniards trusts the government, OP online). I wonder, however, how much the antiausterity movement has been damaged by the Greek capitulation? On July 5, a Metroscopia poll had Podemos at 21.5% of the popular vote, just behind Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol (22.5%) and Partido Popular (23%). The latest poll by Simple Logica has PP at 26.2%, PSOE 23.1% with Podemos dropping off with 14.9%. I have to wonder if the latest poll is as a result of the Greek backdown. I think we need to wait for the next poll for to be certain.

FRIENDS OR FOES? Mad merger with La Linea GIBRALTAR is prosperous because it is not Spanish.

Why on earth would we want to merge with Spain? (Better together, issue 217) I bet the 60% of Olive Press readers who voted in support of a La Linea-Gibraltar merger don’t live on the Rock.

It would be a catastrophe for Gibraltar, for many reasons.

For starters there are more people in La Linea than Gibraltar so they would control the show – no thanks!

Bill Payer, Gibraltar

Political pawn I AGREE that the folks in La Linea are being used as a football by their own government.

The whole La Linea area has benefited enormously since the frontier was re-opened many years ago as has Spain in general.

Masses of folks living in La Linea earn their livings in Gibraltar and there is good trade between the Spanish town and Gibraltar.

But that’s not enough to satisfy the central government who want to take the place over and call it their own.

Because they can’t, they upset thousands of their own people.

Until Madrid backs off, there will continue to be hassle for everyone in that corner of the peninsular.

Sergio Burns, Nerja

David Hoffman, Marbella

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.

WHAT’S HOT ON THE WEB

2) Baron Rothschild indicted in France over fraud case (7,556) 3) British mother forcibly separated

from baby after Spanish hospital claims it isn’t hers (4,316) 4) Potential EasyJet strike could spell chaos for Spanish airports (3,639) 5) British holidaymakers warned of terror threat to Spain (3,550)

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I AM Spanish and this is shameful and disgusting behaviour. The paediatrician should be named and shamed, there is no excuse for such ignorance and cruel treatment of a fellow human being. She was treated like she was in a police state.

Shame on the paediatrician, shame on the hospital, and shame on Spain for not rushing to correct this terrible injustice.

WHILE it was upsetting for the mother she was not denied access while inquiries were made, the baby was in good hands and being monitored 24 hours a day.

Someone, somewhere had a doubt and acted on it and in the end it turned out fine.

If the opposite had happened where no one cared and the child was in fact stolen the hospital would have got the blame for being uncaring and negligent.

Which option do you prefer?

The sue culture that has come from America is killing a lot of people in hospitals and everything is more expensive while the lawyers get rich.

It is the wrong way to go unless of course you yourself are a lawyer.

1) British mother reunited with baby 21 days after Spanish hospital claimed ‘it wasn’t hers’ (21,181 pageviews)

*subject to T&C

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The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks (July 6th - July 19th):

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I AM so glad to hear of your good news ((Back in my arms, arms issue 217)!

Our little pocket of concerned people in Australia have been following the Olive Press’ Press story.

It is beyond words to think in this day and age, Stacie and her family have had to go through this hardship.

I hope she takes legal action as it will make this hospital and the professionals that work there think twice about doing this to another family.

They have so much power and need to be held account-

able for their actions.

Again, Stacie is one of the bravest women to show such grace under fire.

Now she can enjoy her beautiful little one.

Olive Press, we salute you!

er

ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS

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CONTROVERSIAL: David and Simon Reuben and one of the beaches they want to build upon

ANALYSIS BY MARK STÜCKLIN

I

t’s possible the Reubens have only purchased an option, rather than the land itself, but this still looks like a big vote of confidence in the future of the white island as a top drawer destination.

Ibiza has not escaped the Spanish real estate crisis, but the fundamentals of supply and demand in both tourism and housing are much healthier for investors in Ibiza than other parts of Spain.

There is no glut of new homes, and Ibiza offers something unique that attracts affluent buyers from all over the world, and the UK in particular.

According to some research I did a few months ago, asking prices in Ibiza are almost back to where they were before the crisis began. The same cannot be said for other parts of the Spanish coast, not even Marbella.

Since the crisis started there have been just a handful of new developments in Ibiza, and two of them – Les Ter-

Huge capital gains

races de Cala Tarida, and White Angel – have been a commercial success, selling well throughout the crisis.

People who bought at Les Terraces de Cala Tarida in the worst years of the crisis are now probably sitting on substantial capital gains.

As a part of Spain, Ibiza has been starved of capital for new projects in recent years, because Spanish banks treated all areas the same. Now funds and private equity investors like the Reubens are flooding in to Ibiza with capital to change that.

They will likely find a ready market for wellconceived projects, if they can get planning permission.

Mark Stücklin is a Barcelona-based property market analyst and consultant, and author of the ‘Spanish MARK STÜCKLIN Property Doctor’

Full steam ahead

IBIZA residents are set to block a pair of British billionaires from building on the island.

Angry locals have expressed concern over the possible destruction of natural sites on some of the Balearic island’s most loved beaches.

Billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben had planned to build a series of luxury beachfront properties after tying up a €35 million deal for 44 hectares of land.

But their plans have been thwarted by disgruntled residents who have vowed to block the necessary permissions.

A petition launched on change.org has already garnered 4,200 signatures in just a few days.

Government officials have also stepped in, saying it will be ‘very difficult’ for the

brothers to carry out their plans due to building restrictions.

The intended works are planned on 5kms of popular beaches including Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Port des Torrent.

Ibiza residents have had a long and successful run of blocking huge ‘anti-environmental’ projects, such as plans to develop around Benirras beach and more recently to drill for oil offshore.

Giants of music and film, including Fatboy Slim and Kate Moss, got involved in the anti-drilling protests.

The Reuben brothers, the UK’s second richest men invest primarily in property, having made their fortune in the Russian metals industry.

This purchase is their first major venture in Spain.

IDYLLIC: Part of the Ibiza coastline in the developers’ plans YET more luxury pads are set to be built on Marbella’s golden shores in a huge property investment.

The town hall has signed off the licences for building projects to go ahead worth a total of €6.5 million.

A licensing bonanza is permitting four family homes expected to sell for three times their construction cost to be built across Sierra Blanca, Altos de los Monteros and Guadalmina .

While 12 Puerta del Mar properties worth almost €1 million also got the nod.

The most lavish project is a €2 million plan to create a luxury eight-home Mediterranean style village.

“These initiatives show investment is still alive and strong in Marbella,” said town hall spokesman Javier Porcuna.

Property

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press 24th 2015 www.theolivepress.es JulyJune 23rd11th - 5th- June August

NEWS IN BRIEF

Far right anti-Europe politician and TV pundit Robert Kilroy Silk puts his €12 million Spanish mansion up for sale

Made in Spain

A JAPANESE craze for Spanish design has filled the town of Yokohama, near Tokyo, with asymmetric, colourful houses by iconic architect Javier Mariscal.

EXCLUSIVE

By Tom Powell GIVEN he has been a eurosceptic throughout his whole political career, it is, perhaps, about time that Robert Kilroy Silk is finally selling his palatial Spanish villa.

High speed

The former UKIP MEP and media personality, 73, has put his enormous country estate, near Casares, on the market for an estimated €12 million.

Indeed, this phenomenal estate the size of 114 football pitches boasts a 10-bedroom villa, two adjoining cottages and two swimming pools, not to mention breathtaking mountain views.

Mod cons

21 III

The 368,000 m2 plot is being marketed through Villas and Fincas estate agent.

It certainly takes some beating as a rural retreat, with its mile-long drive, herds of goats and sheep and a jacuzzi and spa.

In fact, it is almost impossible to find or view it, all the while just ten minutes from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and 45 minutes to Gibraltar airport.

The beautiful converted olive mill is also not short on mod-cons, fitted out with a full integrated Bose sound system, nine televisions and underfloor heating.

The main black infinity pool comes

SPAIN’S housing market is recovering faster than predictions forecast, seeing exceptional growth in Madrid, Catalunya and the Basque country.

Hobby house EUROSCEPTIC: Kilroy Silk rented out the villa for €12,700 a week

Kilroy woz ‘ere with its own underfloor heating and wifi, on top of soaring views of eagles and kestrels nesting.

There are also two cottages on the estate, a kilometre away from the main villa, which serve perfectly as staff accommodation, as well as stables for 18 horses.

Kilroy Silk, who controversially appeared on Channel 4’s Big Brother while still receiving his MP’s salary, previously rented out the property during the summer months, as revealed by the Olive Press in 2011.

A lover of operas and gold watches, the outspoken politician charged a

staggering €12,700 a week to rent the kingly villa.

But, bizarrely, that didn’t include all the extras, such as €350 for air conditioning, €30 for a baby’s cot, €25 for a children’s high chair and even €5 for a map of the surrounding area.

www.privateofficemarbella.com

SEARCHING for Spanish property online is a growing hobby for Brits with an increase in online interest and research, says online estate agent Rightmove.

New builds DESPITE a drop since 2010 in new builds available to buy, there are over 500,000 in Spain, with the highest concentration in Barcelona, Alicante and Madrid.

22

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

IV

Property

www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivepress.es July 23rd - 5th August 2015

Scarily good value Malaga’s most haunted home up for sale at €16 million

By Iona Napier IF spiders, ghosts and things that go bump in the night don’t scare you off, join the queue to splash €16 million on Spain’s most haunted house.

The Cortijo Jurado in Malaga, which has captured the attention of paranormal experts, is now up for sale with property website Idealista.es.

The imposing 19th century mansion perches alongside the A357 Campanillas road near Malaga and was built with 365 windows, one for every day of the year.

EERIE: The haunted Cortijo Jurado with its 365 windows and (inset) the property today

EXCLUSIVE

Paranormal

Constructed by the Heredia family in the 1830s, legend has it that numerous unspeakable crimes, kidnappings and tortures took place before victims’ bodies were buried within the building.

But this has not put off prospective buyers and the cortijo has been partly renovated in recent years.

In 2004, a project to convert the property into a four-star hotel with 210 bedrooms was approved but halted by the crisis. The property still carries permission for this development.

Will this soon be the hottest murder mystery holiday destination?

aznar’s wall gamble

FORMER Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar could be in hot water over the latest renovation to his Marbella retreat.

Concerned of prying eyes, Aznar and his wife Ana Botella - the former Madrid mayor - have extended an existing two metre wall by another two metres around their €2 million Gua-

dalmina property.

Worried about the view from a new build across the street, the political couple have stepped up the privacy around their home which is heavily guarded by bodyguards and local police.

While any wall over one metre high requires proper planning permission, they look to have found a loophole by adding a ‘temporary’ addition to the existing structure around the 2,000m2 property.

“What they have done is very clever,” a nearby estate agent told the Olive Press.

“If the wall was deemed a permanent construct then it would definitely be breaking property law, however what they have done is a bit of a grey area.

“It would most likely take a neighbour HOME IMPROVEMENT: Aznar’s new ‘temporary’ wall to complain for it to be investigated.”

LUXURY: Nine-bed futuristic pad up for grabs in Benahavis

Heaven on earth Aside from its nine bedrooms, pools and jacuzzis, a stylish new Zagaleta home is being built to be energy efficient

A

BRAND new luxury home is up for grabs inside Spain’s most exclusive enclave.

Sitting atop a ridge inside La Zagaleta, in Benahavis, the stunning villa is being sold exclusively by Estepona-based estate agent Terra Meridiana.

Called ‘Heaven 11’ because of its elevated status, the landmark 2,300m2 property is currently under construction and will be ready by the middle of next year.

When it is finished the property will have nine en-suite bedrooms, as well as plenty of exciting extras including: a wine cellar with tasting room, a gym, cinema room, heated indoor infinity pool and jacuzzi, as well as a bar and lounge area.

Outdoors there will be an infinity pool and jacuzzi, as well as a barbecue pavilion and terrace area.

In total, the plot is 5,000 m2 with stunning views of the Mediterranean, reaching as far as Gibraltar and Morocco.

And if that wasn’t enough, the property has been designed to be as energy efficient as possible.

For more information, visit: www.theheaven11.com

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A fantastic new development of 2 bedroom apartments in sunny Benalmádena with modern qualities, uncovered terraces, beautiful sea views and excellent value for money set within a well maintained complex with swimming pool and facilities such as golf club and gym.

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With only two units remaining, this off-plan development located in a privileged hillside plot of Cabopino will be built to the highest standard and offer modern design, large terraces and floor to ceiling glass windows to enjoy the stunning views.

Being a five minute walk to the pristine Duquesa beaches and the yachting marina, this bank owned development of bright and modern 2 bedroom apartments offers a high quality build, low prices, stunning views, great facilities and a superb location.

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* Disclaimer exchange rate correct at time of going to press.

VI

Property Property

www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

July 23rd - 5th August 2015

Towering disaster What was set to be Europe’s tallest apartment block lies crumbling with buyers clamouring for their money back

Only fools rush in T

HINKING of taking the plunge and buying a Spanish property? Not so fast, says Alex Radford of My Lawyer in Spain.

Granted, now is an excellent time to buy with some real bargains up for grabs, but remember that the best game players come prepared: do your homework.

“The market came to a standstill in 2007 and since then prices have come down, but now for the first time we are seeing prices rise.

“There’s increasing interest in Spanish property from international buyers and the nominal price rise is 1.3% nationally – and the market is beginning to pick up,” says Alex.

In a useful checklist, he recommends buyers ask themselves the following questions.

•

Are your finances in line?

Remember that the costs of purchasing a property are important to consider, and you should prepare for a regionally variable 10-14% cost on top of the property price.

•

Are you buying to rent or buying to use?

My Lawyer in Spain’s Alex Radford (right) offers up some pearls of wisdom on buying Spanish property For the first option, you must read up on your local rental laws, which in Andalucia are currently being updated.

If you rent your property long term for more than three months per year you do not need a licence, but otherwise you will need to register with the authorities as.

•

What is your budget?

“This time last year I would have suggested you submit offers of between 10-30% below the asking price but now houses are priced to sell and some will go for more.

“Having said that, it still is important to try to negotiate a price.”

•

The unfinished building, called InTempo, dominates the Benidorm skyline, and was designed to contain 269 apartments. But the company building it, Olga Urbana, ran out of funds in 2009, and declared bankruptcy this year.

The unfinished apartments, most of which have been sold, range from €1.6 million penthouses to first €190,990 floor apartments.

Before filing for bankruptcy, the company was reported to be almost €140 million in debt, out of which €108 milrent the property out. lion in loans belongs to Sareb, or • Is your lawyer independent?

Spain’s ‘bad bank’.

Following a court It is very important to invest in a lawyer who decision, the speaks your language, is only acting for you building and the and does not accept kickbacks and commiscompany’s assets sions from other parties. are now set to be We prepare contracts in English and Spanish, liquidated, with apply for land searches in English and have a Sareb looking for multilingual team that means nothing gets lost potential investors in translation. to finish the project.

It is hoped a total My Lawyer in Spain offers a full packof 138 creditors age of services for buyers of property will eventually reacross Spain and its Islands. Visit www. ceive a return of mylawyerinspain.com their money.

WHAT was intended to be the tallest residential skyscraper in Europe stands empty after its developer folded with debt.

What is the real cost of running the property?

Take into account the mortgage, taxes, annual running costs and especially the 24% tax rate payable on net income if you plan to

HIGH HOPES: InTempo skyscraper

Property

www.theolivepress.es

July 23rd - 5th August

XV VII

THE HOMES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS

Zac’s goldmine

Tory politician Zac Goldsmith’s Benahavis finca is just one of his many links to Costa del Sol society, writes Iona Napier

W

SANCTUARY: The beautiful finca provided refuge for Princess Diana among others

ITH a Spanish nanny for his children, a luxury finca in Benahavis and an ex-father-in-law living in Sotogrande, Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith (below) has as many Spanish connections as any budget airline.

The leading conservative candidate tipped to succeed Boris Johnson as London mayor has been holidaying at his family’s lavish country refuge for years.

The three-pool estate, which sleeps 27, is set in a secluded, leafy corner of Benahavis and has offered sanctuary to celebrities as famous as post-divorce Princess Diana, Goldsmith’s sister Jemima Khan and Hugh Grant.

With sage-green shutters and a whitewashed exterior, the serene 11-bedroom property set in several hundred acres of unspoilt woodland has a helipad and Moorish tower in the gardens.

The stunning Torre de Tramores estate on the edge of the Serrania de Ronda has been rented out since 2011 for up

to €30,000 per week and has been in the family for over two decades.

It may seem an extortionate fee, but the estate provides employment for four local families and also helps fund Goldsmith, whose €300 million fortune is said to be locked up in trusts.

But the 40-year-old is no stranger to lavish surroundings. In fact, he is something of an aristocratic catch – he met good friend David Cameron at school at Eton, his mother was iconic socialite Lady Annabel Goldsmith – oh, and he previously edited The Ecologist.

Lady Annabel bought the finca with her husband Sir James in 1986 (who would later die there) and recalls the purchase in her autobiography An Unconventional Life.

“That day, as we stood on the terrace, looking out to the mountains at the astonishing view, with no other sign of human habitation, and at nature at its most simple and dramatic, Jimmy fell silent. And in the spring of 1986 it became ours.”

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The Olive Press – 170 x 256mm

22nd July

The Expats’ No.1 Choice

Property

26 VIIIthe Olive Press June 11th - June

M

ARBELLA has become the second most popular destination for Europe’s super-rich, only pipped by Saint Tropez.

According to a study by Sotheby’s and X-Wealth, the gem of the Costa del Sol is also one of Europe’s key places for millionaires to buy property.

Indeed, statistics show that an incredible 87% of the millionaires buying properties for over €950,000 in Spain opt for Marbella.

And it is no surprise with the glitzy resort being popular with the jet-set ever since Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe set up the Marbella Club in 1953, attracting the rich and famous from all over the world.

Alongside the world’s leading fashion brands and a string of Michelin-starred restaurants, the properties for sale are some of the most stunning in the world.

In recent years the Russian mega-rich have also been snapping up property in the area, with President Vladimir Putin even reportedly buying a house here.

However, due to last year’s devaluing of the rouble and blocks on visas and taking money out of Russia, this segment of buyers has dropped, with only the very richest Russians still buying in Spain.

Thankfully, other foreign buyers seem to have plugged this hole and the luxury sector is thriving against the odds.

According to Miguel Angel Bilbao, boss of leading agent RE/ MAX Top: “Yes the Russians are disappearing, but we are seeing lots of wealthy international buyers, predominantly from the

24th 2015

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www.theolivepress.es

July 23rd - 5th August 2015

Marbella: Definitive millionaires’ playground Nearly 90% of the ultra-rich buying in Spain are opting for the gem of the Costa del Sol

EXPERTS: Re/Max

LUXURY RETREAT: While Russian buyers have dried up in Marbella, others are filling their shoes UK and Scandinavia, investing lona, most of the private buy- links to the rest of Europe at- surrounded by some of the in Spain instead. ers invest in the Costa del Sol. tract wealthy customers to this most desirable real estate in “Although we see some Chi- The fantastic infrastructure, area.”

Marbella. nese and American buyers weather, lifestyle, golf courses, RE/MAX Top has an office on “We are seeing many sales investing in Madrid and Barce- shopping and good airport the prestigious Golden Mile, of properties around €1 mil-

lion, but we have increasing numbers in the €2 to 3 million range as well.

“The most exclusive properties in Marbella range from €10 to 60 million. These are selling as well, but in smaller numbers.

“Marbella is the main target for these wealthy buyers, but since last year we’re seeing an increased interest in Malaga city too, the new Barcelona of the south. As we have offices in both Malaga and Marbella, and a lot of experience in premium real estate for the whole of the Costa del Sol, we are able to help buyers invest in some stunning luxury properties and can find the right property to suit buyers no matter what their budget.”

Contact RE/MAX via www. remaxtop.es

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

27

ExcEllEnt ValuE 6 BEd MarBElla Villa Grand 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom villa in El Mirador Marbella Excellent space and light, with potential to create a spectacular modern home, now reduced and competitively priced.

The house is divided into a main house and separate out building and garage. Two living rooms, fireplace, library, and large family kitchen and pantry. Master bedroom with dressing room and private terrace. The outbuilding contains parking for 2 cars, a basement and attic room.

Was 950,000€, now 895,000€

3401-1723

Outside space includes a private pool, large covered terrace with barbecue, lawn and mature gardens. Solar heated hot water.

ContaCt us today!

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WE NEED YOUR PROPERTY! We have serious buyers who want to purchase in the following areas: • East of Malaga – Torrox, Nerja, Velez Malaga • Fuengirola • Calahonda, Riviera & La Cala • Inland Costa del Sol including Coín • Alhaurin el Grande & de la Torre • Estepona, Puerto de la Duquesa, Manilva contact us today and let us help you sell your property!

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www.remaxtop.es Remax_OP_256x342_July_print.indd 1

Marbella

Malaga Gibralfaro

Malaga Alcazaba

Puerto Banus

en M

Gold

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Muelle 1

06/07/15 10:59

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the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

W

E have all fantasised about it… rolling out of bed in the morning and peeling back the curtains to reveal the sun rising over the most stunning view in the world.

For some it’s the rural romance of rolling green hills, forests, lakes and mountains; for others, a nautical sea view floats their boat; others still prefer an urban vista and a balcony from which to ogle the passing scene.

Whatever fulfills your fantasy, the formula remains the same. Wonderful location usually equals wonderful view which hopefully equals best possible start to the day!

Andalucia, with its legendary coastline, natural parks, soaring mountain ranges and picture-postcard pueblos, offers the full whammy.

PANORAMIC: View from penthouse in La Heredia

Beautiful

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Take, for example, a town house perched like an eagle at the very top of Ojen, eyeing up the whitewashed village beneath it, with glimpses across the countryside to Marbella and the coast.

This year, Ojen was voted one of the top 50 places to live in the world by the Sunday Times, and this refurbished four-bedroom home with private pool and garage is one of the best the beautiful village has to offer.

Available for €349,995 through Property Overseas

For many homebuyers, what lies outside the windows is the dealmaker. These views will make you look twice, writes Tom Powell Group, the terraces have been transformed into a party zone with a pool, Jacuzzi, dining table and luxurious furniture.

Family & divorce

Email: enquiries@mylawyerinspain.com Telephone: (+34) 951 203 094 from the UK 0845 508 2395 www.mylawyerinspain.com Offices: Marbella, Torrox, Murcia, Almería, Alicante & Valencia.

Then there are the exclusiveto-the-extreme urbanisations of La Zagaleta and its near neighbour, El Madronal.

With their foundations in the foothills of the Serrania de Ronda, they combine sea views with rocky mountain highs and proximity to Marbella is a bonus.

In El Madronal, Private Office Marbella has a dynamic new house for sale, built in 2011 and with seascapes to die for.

The heated saltwater pool is another of the many ‘unique selling points’ suggested by the €3.95 million price tag.

The same agent is also marketing a phenomenal €6.75 million property in La Zagaleta, which can also be rented for €36,000 per week, set in what is arguably the most privileged residential area in Europe…

AL FRESCO: Terrace overlooking Ojen

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BREAT TAKIN View from t €299,0 Casare countr house

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o tunning

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July 23rd - 5th August 2015

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

stunning, spacious penthouse here, on offer for €1.1 million. The panoramic views are complemented by a large terrace, community pool and many other resort amenities.

But the best views aren’t always found in the most expensive areas.

Thousands have followed in legendary expat author Chris Stewart’s footsteps and bought up a rural Andalucian cortijo or finca to try their own hand at ‘Driving over Lemons’.

Just 20 minutes away from the coast, a completely different Spain reveals itself. The wild and wonderful countryside, forests and mountains are the perfect place to hide away.

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Hillside

How could the alleged chosen holiday home of Russian president Vladimir Putin not be!

Breathtaking views over the Med to the Moroccan coast, two golf courses, a swanky club-

house, 24-hour security and, of course, the cachet of its name make La Zagaleta an address that’s a cut above the rest Close by, also on the San Pedro-to-Ronda road, the co-

lourful pueblo-style enclave of La Heredia overlooks golf courses, the Mediterranean and Marbella’s iconic La Concha mountain.

Propertiespain.com has a

Why not consider buying somewhere like Ronda or Gaucin where you combine the very idea of ‘real Spain’ with an under-an-hour drive to plenty of decent beaches?

Villas and Fincas in Casares is offering a range of such villas for sale.

One, at €1.495 million, is situated on the hillside of Gaucin.

Although just 25 minutes drive from the coastline and the beaches, it feels like a world away, surrounded by rocky peaks and circling vultures.

Another, at the more affordable end of the market, is a charming country house in Casares, which costs €299,000. Sitting on a manageable plot just outside the village, the views stretch far and wide. Bliss.

329

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Ref: CSN-66-1000 Villa Sotogrande Alto 3 Beds • 2 baths • 250 m2 built 1118 m2 plot • PRICE: 650,000€

Ref: CSN-66-973 Villa Sotogrande Alto 3 Beds • 2 baths • 240 m2 built 1113 m2 plot • PRICE: 695,000

ENDLESS: Views from La Zagaleta continue for miles and miles

Proper job FROM power tools to kitchen sinks, builders’ merchants Ortega Aviles in Sabinillas has been furnishing the coast’s builders for 35 years.

A huge range of top quality building materials, hardware and bathrooms are available both to professionals and the general public.

The team of qualified professionals keeps up to date on product updates and the latest technology while offering a speedy, personalized, efficient service.

And ever since day one in 1980, the enthusiastic workforce has been readily available to dish out advice on all aspects of construction and decoration.

One visit to Ortega Aviles and your dream home can become a reality.

For more information visit the team, just off the A7 entering Sabinillas, or call 952 891 565.

Property

30 XIIthe Olive Press June 11th - June A gem of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of historic Cordoba could be yours at a great, bargain price, writes Nina Chausow

W

HILE at first sight it may appear empty, this beautiful townhouse in the centre of Cordoba is filled with the centuries-old echoes of the city’s magnificent history.

And now, due to its owner requiring a speedy sale, it can be snapped up for only €380,000.

Just 500 metres from Cordoba’s famous mezquita (or mosque), and spitting distance to the Guadalquivir river, it is the perfect bolthole from which to explore one of Spain’s most emblematic cities.

The four-storey townhouse on Calle San Fernando sits next to Plaza del Potro, where Spain’s most venerated writer Miguel de Cervantes once lived.

The plaza and fountain are mentioned in his legendary book Don Quixote, while the statue of a horse is a must visit for any tourist to the city.

Around the corner look out for Plaza de la Corredera, which once held bullfights for Spain’s kings as well as trials of faith during the inquisition.

And then for a breath of fresh air head downhill towards the river to see the celebrated Roman bridge, known around the world.

The historic townhouse is well appointed and has six bedrooms, including two bathrooms, one ensuite.

There is a kitchen and two sitting rooms, plus plenty of scope to develop the property to one’s individual

24th 2015

www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivepress.es July 23rd - 5th August

Storey-book house

PR OP

ER TY

FO C

US

A TRUE STEAL: The big family home (advertised below) is right in the heart of Cordoba old town

tastes.

And best of all there is a floor at the top that has not been developed at all, with its own decent sized roof terrace.

“It’s an amazing house that has been in my family for years,” said

owner Francisco, the chef and owner of restaurant L’impronta, in San Pedro de Alcantara.

“It is so central and you literally do not need a car while you are there.

You can walk everywhere to all the main sites.

“I am sad to be selling it but now I am based on the Costa del Sol we don’t need it anymore, and a lot of my family still live in Cordoba so I have plenty of other places to stay.”

He continued: “It will make an amazing escape for someone on the

coast or a great holiday home for someone abroad. It would certainly make some good rental income.”

For more information see advert below and contact agent Jesús on: 650 017 242

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Property

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July 23rd - 5th August 2015

ADVERTORIAL

Top UK mobile park home operator is ready to expand build and

O

ne of the biggest mobile park home operators in the UK is set to become the largest one in the country. Wyldecrest Parks, valued at £200 million (€280 million), has added 14 new parks to its portfolio just in the last year. The company’s Chairman Alfie Best spent £13 million (€19 million) in new purchases in the last 12 months and expects to spend up to £17 million (€24 million) on new acquisitions by the end of 2015, turning his park home business into the country’s biggest.

Wyldecrest Parks, which has 44 residential and holiday mobile home parks, is the only nationwide park home operator in the UK, with sites

in England, Scotland and Wales, and is already planning a possible future expansion into the Irish market as well as an overseas expansion.

“A corporate development through overseas investments is part of a strategy to move our business forward”, guarantees the chairman. However, Alfie Best points out that he would like to start it by bringing even more Wyldecrest Parks to the attention of the British people living abroad.

“You always have to keep your eyes open to market opportunities and I personally spend most of my time in our parks across the country and work very close with all our departments”, says Alfie Best. That’s how he has noticed an increase of contacts coming from British people living abroad.

“The number of enquiries we’ve been receiving from British expats has been exponentially increasing over the last few years. Some of them are interested in a residential mobile home, which is an affordable way for them to come back to the UK; others just want a holiday home, to have a UK base to spend time with family and friends whenever they want to”, he adds.

Therefore, to open and improve the ‘lines of communication’ from the UK to the rest of the world is, at the moment, a priority to this Essex-based company.

And, according to Alfie Best, Spain and Portugal are at the top of the list due to the number of expats living there as well as the proximity to the UK. READY TO GO: Wyldecrest Parks chairman Alfie Best

move

AFTER seven successful years in Gibraltar, construction firm MJL has made the leap across the border.

One of the Rock’s largest construction companies MJL established itself by working for the government as well as numerous leading private clients.

Carrying out all aspects of construction with accredited insured personnel, supervised by experienced managers, the company is now branching out into Spain.

With a dedicated team that MJL is confident will fulfil the needs of clients along the coast, the company is aiming to provide a turnkey service offering everything needed for builds.

This includes, an in house architect to prepare drawings for the local town hall to get building licences approved.

As well as building and public liability insurance, the company is fully up to date with health and safety compliance in Spain.

MJL also has a number of current clients that are happy to showcase works to any potential clients.

For more information call (+350) 200 643 23

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the Olive Press 24th 2015 www.theolivepress.es JulyJune 23rd11th - 5th- June August

35 XVII 35

Calling all brits!

Already a household name in Sweden, now agent Sven Kallstrom is hoping to win round the new influx of UK buyers heading to Fuengirola

Join the club S

A

N author, a TV personality, but first and foremost a real estate agent with 31 years of experience… Sven Kallstrom is taking the Costa del Sol by storm.

A familiar face on Swedish television and author of three books, Sven Kallstrom has also sold a whole raft of homes in Spain.

And things are getting even better for the boss of Alamo real estate.

“Sales have been booming since last summer,” he explains.

“In fact in the first five months of this year we sold more houses than we did in the whole of 2014.”

Now the erudite agent is hoping to win the hearts of Brits buying abroad.

“At the moment, most of our clients are from Scandinavia,” he explains.

“But I would like English buyers to know that I want to help them find their dream home.”

Sven set up his current venture in 2009 in Fuengirola after cashing in on his former company Fair Media.

And it is his experience, both of the

SVEN’S A GEM: Sven Kallstrom and one of his properties for sale

area and the property market, that makes him one of the most reputable agents on the coast.

“I became the go-to guy in Scandinavia for updates on the Spanish property market and I still get regularly interviewed on TV there,” he explains.

His trilogy of travel books Move to Spain, Dreaming about Spain and Footsteps to Spain have sold over 30,000 copies in Scandinavia.

With properties ranging from €100,000 into the multi-millions, Alamo caters for a range of homes along the Costa del Sol from Nerja to Estepona.

And with offices in Fuengirola and Nerja and plans for a Marbella office in the pipeline, Sven’s team are growing quickly.

For more information visit www.alamointernational.com or call 952 46 95 19

OME people are born leaders… but some have this daunting role thrust upon them.

If you own a Spanish property within a community, there is every chance you could find yourself elected as its president – regardless of your nationality or residential status.

The role isn’t always clear-cut and can be a very nerve-wracking task.

But do not fear! Because help is at hand.

The Presidents Club International (TCPI), run by presidents for presidents, was established to give totally free and impartial advice from a multilingual panel of advisors.

The handpicked advisors are selected for being leaders in their fields and offer a wealth of support and advice in your role as president.

While carefully vetted service providers are also recommended with special prices for TPCI members.

Members also enjoy a monthly magazine, log-in to the community website and invites to special events such as quarterly lunches, discussions, informal coffee mornings, a summer BBQ and the annual ball.

For more information call 951 40 24 34, visit www.tpci.es or meet the team based in El Rosario, Marbella.

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SIERRA BLANCA - BEST POSITION - EXCELLENT VIEWS

*Beds: 5 *Baths 5 *Panoramic views

In process

VILLA *Plot: 2.200m2 *Separate dining room *Heated pool

*Built: 995m2 *Library *Gated community

Sierra Blanca is only a few minutes from Marbella centre and Puerto Banus, has all one needs for a lifestyle of comfort, luxury and enjoyment.

REF: 22567P

AN OUTSTANDING PROPERTY FRONT LINE BEACH

GROUND FLOOR APARTMENT

*Built: 179m2 *Heated Pool *Frontline Beach

In process

*Terrace:113m2 *Incredible gardens *Best quality

*Private garden: 75m2 *Jazuzzi, &gym *Gated community

Fantastic apartment front line beach in a luxury development.

REF: 22655P

We still have last minute availability of villas and apartments for summer lettings!!

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del correspondiente Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

Property

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the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015XIX 37 July 23rd - 5th August 2015

Fit for a millionaire I

MAGINE a mortgage with no middleman taking his cut.

One stunning Golden Triangle property has become available with a clever, unique offer to purchase it.

The beautiful 1000m2, five-bedroom villa with amazing views across gardens, a golf course and distant mountains, can be

PR OP

ER TY

FO C

US

But buy this fantastic villa with just €800,000 and then 10 further down payments direct to the owners purchased directly from the owner over a ten year period.

Through an exclusive deal with leading Marbella agent Kristina

STUNNING: Villa with dreamy views

Szekely, the buyers can effectively get a low interest mortgage from the owners.

In order to purchase the property, valued at €2.7 million, buyers would be expected to pay a 30% down payment of €800,000 now and pay the rest over the next decade.

Buyers would then get a fixed interest rate of 3.5%, meaning they would have to pay €200,000 a year until 2025.

The secluded El Paraiso property has all the hallmarks of a millionaire’s hideaway (heated pool, jacuzzi, gym and manicured garden) but with a very reasonable price.

Located between Estepona and Puerto Banus, it is within striking distance of amenities, shops and the golf course.

“It is a great way for a young professional family to own a stunning piece of Marbella real estate in a very different way,”

GREAT VALUE: €2.7 million villa has five bedrooms and a beautiful pool said estate agent boss Kristina Szekely.

“By buying this way they can circumnavigate the complicated mortgage process and move in for just 800,000 euros.”

Her agency, that now has four offices in Sotogrande, Gibraltar, Madrid and Puerto Banus, has increasingly started taking on exclusive properties to sell this year.

“It didn’t used to be worth it, but now we find sellers like the idea that we can really give the property the importance that other agents are unable to do.

“In particularly through our local skills, as well as via our network of 750 Sotheby’s agents around the world.”

For more information visit www.ksmarbella.com.

Office: Local 4, Centro Comercial Carrefour, Las Lagunas, Mijas Costa Contact: Telf: +(34) 952 468 452 Mobile: +(34) 607 314 126 email: info@hiperprop.com Office hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm Saturday 10am to 3pm

Here are some of our exclusive listings – you won´t find these properties anywhere else!

MIJAS PUEBLO Ref: MLSV511492

MIJAS

Ref: MLSV511348

Panoramic views, privacy and tranquility and only 5 minutes from the village are the features that make this Rancho de la Luz 4 bed, 4 bath, one level villa a Mijas classic!

Built: 276 m2 Plot: 4,320 m2 Price: 1,095,000€

REDUCED FROM 650,000€ TO 599,000€ FOR A QUICK SALE!

MIJAS

MIJAS GOLF

Ref: MLSV511467 BEST PRICED VILLA ON THE URBANIZATION! Private, 4 bed, 3 bath villa with great views located on the popular Buenavista urbanisation near Mijas Pueblo.

Built: 193 m2 Plot: 609 m2 Price: 425,000€

www.hiperprop.com

South facing 4 bed, 4 bath family villa with panoramic views, located near Mijas Pueblo. Viewings highly recommended. Offers invited!

Built: 332 m2 Plot: 1,234 m2 Price: 599,000€

Ref: MLSA511465 Superb frontline golf, 2 bed, 2 bath, ground floor apartment with great views over the Los Lagos course at Mijas Golf. Underground parking and storeroom included.

Built: 92 m2 Terrace: 21 m2 Price: 175,000€

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24th 2015

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19 July 23rd - 5th August 2015

NEWS IN BRIEF

Friend ship

Record breaker

SPANISH ferry company Balearia has been granted two US licences to operate a passenger service between Cuba and Florida, USA. No such services have run since USA imposed a trade embargo on Cuba in 1960.

Bargain!

Ghost airport sells for 100,000 times less than it cost to build

LIFT OFF: For new owners of Ciudad Real airport CIUDAD Real ‘ghost’ airport, built when Spain’s economy was flying high, will be sold for 100,000 times less than it cost to build.

The largely publicised auction to sell the 2.5 million passenger capacity hub com-

manded just one single bid of €10,000.

The bid was placed by a Chinese-led consortium of investors, Tzaneen International, which wishes to provide a European gateway for Chinese companies.

Spain’s unemployment rate falls in June JUNE was a good month for the Spanish economy, with unemployment falling by about 94,000, according to a statement by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security.

The decrease makes June the fifth straight month that the Spanish unemployment rate has fallen. The new number of unemployed workers is about 4.1 million.

Forty-seven of Spain’s 50 provinces saw their unemployment rates drop in the month of June.

Unemployment has decreased steadily since 2013, when it reached an all-time high of just under 27%. The National Statistics Institute (INE) reported a national unemployment rate of about 23.8% in the first quarter of 2015.

However, Spain’s unemployment rate is still the second highest in the eurozone, trailed only by Greece. The rest of the zone averages 11.1% unemployment.

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

By Iona Napier A spokesman claimed the consortium plans an investment of between €60 and €100 million in the airport.

But it is understood the group could still be outbid if another buyer steps in since the receiver had set a minimum price of €28 million.

The reserve price was initially set at €80 million but was withdrawn after the ‘Don Quixote’ airport received no takers and little interest by July 10.

The airport, 235km south of Madrid, opened in 2008, went bankrupt four years later and has since been considered a monument to Spain’s overspending.

Another unused Spanish airport is Castellon which cost €150 million to build, opened in 2011 but never received a single flight.

Strike one for EasyJet?

PASSENGERS traveling on EasyJet could face chaos this summer as over a thousand crew members are threatening to strike.

Members of the union Unite voted to reject EasyJet’s offer of a 4.1% pay raise for cabin crew members, who currently earn about €35,000 per year.

Following the breakdown of negotiations with the airline, Unite announced that a ballot for industrial action by its EasyJet cabin crew members will be open until August 3.

EasyJet, which has not had one strike since its launch in 1995, has repeatedly asserted its confidence that it will operate its full summer schedule, but many British holidaymakers worry that a strike would plunge their vacation plans into chaos.

EasyJet, Britain’s largest airline, flies an estimated 30 million passengers in and out of the UK annually.

MALAGA airport has registered its highest ever number of visitors (6,441,405) for the first six months of the year.

Best of both TWO Spanish TV networks, Canal+ and Movistar TV, have merged to create a new television platform called Movistar+.

Bridge build TORREMOLINOS and Benalmadena Town Halls are working together on plans to create a road connecting La Leale Norte in Arroyo de la Miel and El Pinillo.

Island hop NORWEGIAN Air has announced it will run direct flights between Malaga and the Canary Islands from October 25.

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Rose-tinted specs Spanish bosses second most optimistic in the world

THEY may have endured seven years of recession, but Spain’s business execs are optimistic ‘glass half full’ types according to a recent economic survey.

Second worldwide only to Chinese managers, Spain’s

captains of industry truly believe business is on the up.

Nine out of ten feel more confident about the economy than they did last year and 60% believe the market has already seen ‘significant’ recovery.

Sterling effort THE Sterling to Euro conversion rate hit a seven year high at the start of July.

Exceeding the previous record, the GBP/EUR peaked above 1.42, acording to Mark Rickard, of Plutus Money.

The unpredictable Greece situation has been touted as a key factor in the weakening of the euro.

Visit www.plutusfx.com for more information.

The KPMG survey analysed the outlook of almost 1,300 managers across Spain, the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, China, India, Japan and Australia.

Confidence is stronger in Europe than it is in America where only one in five believe their businesses are in growth.

“After years of huge upheaval, transformation and moments of great uncertainty, Spain’s managers have reclaimed confidence in the future and the appetite to seek new opportunities to grow on the global market,” said John Scott, president of KPMG in Spain.

Indeed, one in two Spanish managers is prioritising the search for economic growth, while cutting costs follows closely behind.

Back to Spain BRITISH tourists are setting their sights back on Spain after the UK government warned against traveling to Tunisia.

The government’s recommendation left over 300,000 Britons looking for alternatives to their Tunisia plans, following June’s terrorist massacre.

Furthermore, due to the tenuous economic situation in Greece, Brits have also turned away from traveling there and have instead chosen to ride the wave of a shaky euro into Spain.

The increase in tourism has also been shown through higher levels of airport traffic, up 3.7% in Spanish airports from this month last year.

However, there are also rising anxieties about terrorism in Spain itself.

Following the hotel beach attacks in Sousse, Tunisia, the Spanish Home Secretary raised the terrorist threat level from a three to a four, on a five-point scale, indicating a ‘high’ risk for attack.

Douglas Chadwick of Saltydog Investor on weathering the financial storm...

W

HAT was the point in trying to second guess how the recent episode in the Greek tragedy would end?

Without a direct feed into the brains of the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and their negotiating teams, we and the media were mere spectators to the event.

The best that we could do for our investments was to be cautious, and protect them as

Getting active best we could by heading for a safe haven until one or the other side waved a white flag.

Looking at the graph (below), it is good to see that the Saltydog Tugboat cautious portfolio has managed yet again, for the fifth time since its conception four years ago, to avoid a major market fall.

Is this a coincidence? Of course it is not, it is down to the fact that the portfolio is actively managed inside

the restrictions imposed by a cautious risk pie-chart.

There are many people who decry active trading and promote a passive approach to their investing, saying that it is not possible to avoid these market dips and that it is expensive to keep changing your fund selection.

Ten years ago this might have been true, but now that is simply nonsense. In today’s world it only costs an annual

platform charge of €640 per €142,000 of portfolio to trade as frequently as you like, and if you are using OEICs there is no further cost.

Knowing of the existence of the Saltydog slow property funds meant that you could hide your money there and still earn a reasonable return until this particular storm passed over.

I am sure that there must be a medical term for those passive investors who appear to revel in experiencing these regular market drops saying that it will be better tomorrow.

This form of flagellation is not for me, instead I feel that being active keeps both me and my investments fit, and is certainly better for the soul and the bank balance. www.saltydoginvestor.com

Top Dollar

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the Olive Press July 23rd - August 5th 2015 the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015

Tourism freeze CROWDS: Tourists flock to Barcelona’s Las Ramblas

By Caitlin Quinn

BARCELONA will not grant a single new licence for tourist accommodation in the com-

No new tourist accommodation licences to be granted in Barcelona for a whole year ing year. The city’s new radical left-wing mayor Ada Colau has announced the ruling

Total Spain’s poorest? bankers EXPATS who bank with Barclays face having their accounts shut down.

Thousands of customers in more than 70 countries will have their accounts closed in the next couple of months, if they are worth less than €144,000.

Barclays has not announced which countries will be affected but expats in Cyprus have already begun receiving letters.

As of yet, it is unclear whether or not Spanish account holders will be subject to the closures after Barclays account holders in Spain were absorbed

by CaixaBank last month.

IT was labelled the poorest city in Spain by the National Institute of Statistics, but now serious doubts have been raised about Torrevieja’s supposed financial straits.

The immensely popular Costa Blanca resort has the lowest per capita average income of any city.

However, only half of the population is Spanish, and since foreign residents often file taxes in their home countries, their incomes are not counted in official statistics.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, which published the original data, admitted that towns including Torrevieja might have their numbers skewed due to high numbers of foreign residents.

In fact, Torrevieja is one of Spain’s only towns to have more holiday homes than permanent residences.

However, among Torrevieja’s Spanish population, poverty is indeed a serious issue.

“Here there’s only work in the summer,” says resident Arlene Alarcón, 33. “In the winter you have to get by with unemployment or with benefits.”

The Olive Press will be investigating circumstances in Torrevieja next issue.

Send comments to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

on the back of rising discontent over the effect of mass tourism on citizens’ everyday lives.

Tourist accommodation includes all establishments that offer beds to visitors: hotels, hostels, B&Bs and rental properties.

The widely anticipated move comes in response to concerns about how Barcelona’s immense quantities of tourists impact citizens’ quality of life.

Campaigning

About 7.5 million tourists visit Barcelona annually, making the city of 1.6 million residents the most visited in Spain and the fourth most visited in Europe.

Mayor Colau, of campaigning citizen platform Barcelona en Comun, stated that something needed to be done to limit tourism in order to stop the city ‘from becoming Venice’.

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Short of income?

With interest rates remaining stubbornly low, now is the time for your capital to work harder!

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British diesel is Europe’s priciest and 40% more expensive than in Spain

More fuel you DIESEL prices are higher in Britain than in any other European country, according to motoring association AA statistics.

At €1.66 per litre, British diesel is more than 40% more expensive than in Spain.

Within the UK, the cheapest fuel is in Northern Ireland, where competition from the Republic of Ireland drives prices down.

However, motorists in Italy, Norway and the Netherlands pay more for petrol than British drivers.

Diesel prices made headlines in Britain this

week when they dipped below petrol prices at some supermarkets for the first time since 2001.

The petrol director for supermarket chain Morrisons called the moment a ‘milestone’, although in other European countries including Spain, petrol prices have exceeded diesel prices for years.

The AA attributes Britain’s high diesel prices to artificial price fixing by retailers, which means that diesel drivers are being overcharged by about €0.06 per litre.

AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Neighbours from hell?

D ISCORD between neighbours has been, is and will always be a major source of litigation. From chucking cigarette-ends over a fence to out-of-control barbecues, late-night drilling and banging or barking and/or smelly dogs, minor nuisances can escalate to a point where people will even move out of a neighbourhood, rather than deal with disputes in a less drastic manner.

Whatever the form of antisocial behaviour, if you are unlucky enough to have one such neighbour it is handy to know that the law is generally - on your side. The preamble of the 1960 Horizontal Property Act, later amended by the 1999 Act although frequently invoked

by Courts, says: The system of rights and obligations within horizontal property is structured by reference to the interests at stake. The rights of enjoyment grant owners maximum possibilities, only limited by the concurrence of equal rights of others as well as the general interest.

Article 7 of the most recent act says:

The owner and the occupant of a unit shall not carry out in such unit or in the rest of the building any activities not permitted in the community statutes, or which may cause damage to the property or contravene the general regulations concerning inconvenient, unhealthy, noxious, hazardous or unlawful activities.

The president of the community, on his/her own initiative or at the request of a unit owner or occupant shall urge the person or persons carrying out the activities banned under this subsection to desist under admonition of court action.

If your president happens to be too busy holidaying or spends most of his time in, say, Norway, or if he is around but ignores your pleas, you can still act out of your own initiative by doing the following:

1.

Gather as much evidence as possible in the form of a noise technical report, photographs or even police reports (who you need to call up)

2. Send a registered letter

with acknowledgement of content setting out the precise activities or actions that

Antonio Flores explains how to deal with the world’s worst neighbours

should cease, with a 10-day notice to comply

3.

File an injunction for immediate cessation of the activity. This action shall be brought against the owner and, if fitting, against the occupant of the unit With a legal route clearly set out, it’s perhaps time to reflect for a minute and consider the empathy route, i.e. building a healthy relationship with those living next door by approaching the matter constructively, amicably, over a coffee or beer.

Challenging, isn’t it?

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

Top Salud

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the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015 the olive press - July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Smoking and sight loss

Hard to swallow

By Leighton Griffiths, Director, Specsavers Marbella WE all know that it’s not healthy for you to smoke, but few people know that it can also affect your vision. This month I wanted to explain the links between smoking and eye sight to help readers give up.

Q. How can smoking affect my eyes?

A. When you inhale a cigarette, approximately 4,000 chemicals such as nicotine, tar, arsenic and ammonia enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. Some of these substances cause blood vessels at the back of the eye to burst, damaging the

Healthy growth for Holland & Barrett

IT’S been just six months since the UK-based chain Holland & Barrett opened its first Spanish shop in Fuengirola, but the health food shop has already been making big waves.

The chain, which sells a wide variety of health and wellness products ranging from fruits and nuts to dietary supplements and animalcruelty-free cosmetics, has quickly become a favourite of health-minded expats and Spaniards alike.

“There have been a lot of people demanding our products in Spain,” says marketing boss James Victor. “Our products appeal to a very broad range of customers.”

Since opening in Fuengirola in February, the chain opened a second store in Marbella to complement a third shop in Gibraltar. There are more plans to expand.

The chain, which has shops in China, South Africa and Dubai, is known for its niche health foods: organic produce, vitamins and minerals, gluten and dairy-free products, and a vast supply of herbal teas.

Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, consult a healthcare professional before use.

macula and ultimately leading to loss of vision. This is known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss for people over the age of 55 in the Western world. Smokers more than double their risk of developing AMD. AMD is a degenerative retinal eye disease that causes progressive loss of central vision. AMD affects the macula – the part of the retina responsible for clear vision needed for daily activities such as reading or driving. According to the World Health Or-

The Exeter Hip replacement is now the most widely used in the world… and the most successful, writes surgeon Matt Wilson from Nuffield Health

‘T

HE operation of the century’. That is how one eminent professor of medicine described total hip replacement.

Indeed, second only to giving up smoking, it offers the best improvement in health quality of any medical intervention.

Most people over 65 will know someone who has had a hip replacement and, for the huge majority, it is a truly life-changing event.

In the UK about 80,000 hip replacements are performed every year, the majority for osteoarthritis (wear and tear).

Other reasons why replacements may be required are a fracture, a tumour or inflammatory arthritis and also to treat the consequences of childhood hip disease.

Most hip replacements involve replacing both the ball and the socket of the joint, as both are affected by disease.

In certain cases where the socket is still healthy, a half hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) that replaces just the ball may be suitable.

The design of the modern hip replacement hasn’t changed much in 50 years and the heritage of the operation is firmly based in two centres in

43 23

ganisation the only established modifiable risk factor is smoking. As well as the early onset of AMD, smokers also have a higher chance of developing cataracts, a common cause of blindness and visual impairment.

In addition, nicotine slowly poisons the optic nerve, causing impaired colour vision.

Specsavers Opticas is currently offering free eye tests. There are Specsavers stores in Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, to make an appointment or find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es.

Hip-op legends BEFORE AND AFTER: 80,000 UK hip replacements annually

the UK: Wrightington, where John Charnley pioneered his eponymous hip replacement, and Exeter, where Orthopaedic Surgeon Robin Ling and engineer Clive Lee developed another system.

Originally called the Ling-Lee hip, due to possible Chinese connotations, the manufacturers changed the name to

the Exeter Hip replacement in the late 1970s.

While the Charnley design is no longer in use, the Exeter Hip is now the most widely used - and arguably the most successful - hip replacement in the world.

The surgeon team at the Exeter Hip Unit have evolved the design and teach surgeons

There are daily flights to Exeter from Malaga and Alicante for much of the year. For many expats, the safety and comfort of having such important surgery undertaken in Exeter is well worth the round trip.

Sevilla pharmacy wins right to refuse to sell morning-after pill

EXPERT: Matt Wilson

from all over the world their techniques of surgery.

The main benefit is that it is inserted into bone cement (polymer) which has been pressurised into the bone.

This allows the anatomy and leg length of the patient to be recreated almost perfectly.

In addition, the way in which the replacement loads the bone means the health of the bone is preserved so that even if revision (re-do) hip replacement is required, this becomes a much easier and safer option.

The surgeons work at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre in Exeter and the Exeter Nuffield Hospital.

Nuffi eld Health Exeter Hospital is a leading private hospital in Devon, conveniently located just minutes from Exeter Airport. Their dedicated staff and consultants offer rapid access to expert treatment and personalised care. For more information please contact exeter.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com

WOMEN in Spain who forget their contraception have a new bitter pill to swallow.

The Spanish Constitutional Court has ruled that pharmacies can refuse to sell the morning-after pill if it goes against their beliefs.

The new ruling follows a case which challenged a 2008 fine given to a pharmacy in Sevilla by the regional health authorities after it refused to sell condoms and the morningafter pill.

Spanish law has required pharmacies to provide both types of contraception over the counter since 2009.

While the court upheld the penalty for not stocking condoms, it ruled that pharmacists cannot be legally obligated to sell a product that goes against their beliefs about the right to life.

The court took into account that the pharmacy owners are officially listed as ‘conscientious objectors’ to laws that they believe conflict with their beliefs.

The Junta has spoken out strongly against the court’s ruling, arguing that the decision endangers women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Disc world MEDICALERT, a UK charity, is combining fashion with function to protect expats.

The company produces small bracelets or necklaces engraved with the wearer’s medical conditions or allergies and allows medical providers access to more detailed medical records.

Visit www.medicalert.co.uk

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Top Salud

44 June 11th - June 24th 2015 the Olive Press 35

I

CAN’T help but see the irony in the new path I have chosen.

The first half of my life was spent surrounded by hard facts and logical thinking, as I navigated my way around giant corporations in the technology sector.

Now my job is to create balanced, happy and healthy minds, bodies and spirits.

Back then, I didn’t give a megabyte about the so-called ‘beautiful’ things in life, as I doggedly worked my way up to board level.

Beauty products were for the female assistants of my ‘boys’, who worked for me… certainly NOT for me.

Yes, I needed to look the part when I entered a boardroom and tried to convince the men around to part with their money and follow one of my schemes.

But my fashion sense only went as far as a tailored black suit, and a very moderate level of make-up, usually bought at the airport on the way to a meeting.

To be honest, I wouldn’t have recognised the modern-day me, with a new passion for Coco Chanel lipstick and my favourite red Jimmy Choo stilettos.

Now the proud owner of an idyllic wellness retreat, the Source of Wellbeing, hidden in a stunning valley

www.theolivepress.es

MY www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - July 23rd - August 5th 2015

Paradise found

In a new, colourful monthly column, Martina Willis describes her transition from a boardroom boss to the owner of an Andalucian wellness spa

PARADISE: The retreat sits in idyllic secluded valley

A life of spice

near Marbella... my life has changed 100%.

The old me was driven by the deep psychology of human emotions and the intricacies of business. I learnt how to lead and coach my employees to success in my many years working in Europe, USA and the Middle East, mostly sleeping little more than four hours a night.

Now, I usually get eight hours a night, get a siesta if I feel like it and take as much time as I want to walk my dogs, work out and hang out with my friends.

Sure, setting up a wellness business here has had plenty of challenges, in the loosest sense of the word.

There are a myriad set of different problems to cope with on a daily basis, but as I remind myself when I get a bit desperate about the ‘Spanish’ way of things: ‘Come on Martina - you’ve dealt with a lot worse.’

And yes, if a water leak the size of the fountain in Lake Geneva is spraying into my courtyard, I can deal with it.

Because, after all, I moved here for the weather, the lifestyle and the life-loving locals... not the kind of things you usually associate with a boardroom.

Over the next few months I will share my successes and pitfalls in setting up a retreat in – frankly – the middle of nowhere.

I have become an expert in keeping ‘cool’ with all the many challenges you can run into when building a business in Spain and at the same time navigating the endless jungle of beauty, wellbeing and body treatment therapists.

If you’d like to get in touch email me at martina@ martinawillis.com

Celebrity life coach and uncompromising empowerment expert Louise Van der Velde discusses her new retreat, her forthcoming Olive Press column and how to get on in life r

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‘HAPPILY ever after’… forget about it. It’s all an illusion.

Instead, live for yourself and live for the moment. That’s the message new Olive Press columnist and legendary TV empowerment therapist Louise Van der Velde has been successfully teaching her whole career.

Having been featured on the front pages of British tabloids, garnered a formidable reputation on the ITV’s Lorraine Kelly Show and published a highly popular book, Decent proposal, she is not afraid of controversy.

“I live for controversy,” she explains. “I have had so many ups and downs personally that it’s made me a master at overcoming life’s challenges.

“And sometimes what’s best for people isn’t always what they want to hear.”

A lover of all things Spanish, Louise first moved here 15 years ago but made the move to Malaga permanent six months ago after taking a holiday and realising – like so many others - that she never wanted to leave.

And now she is on a mission to help expats and tourists alike empower themselves, find true happiness and let go of all their past woes.

Whether it is couples who have lost that spark, or individuals who need motivating, she has seen it all and apparently never fails to help them.

Having set up a new centre, next month she is set to become the Olive Press’ first agony aunt in a brand new problem column.

For now, readers should consider visiting her ‘Wonderful Wednesdays’ sessions, that include a team of therapists, an organic lunch, spa treatments and yoga sessions.

“Everybody in the world is

NO NONSENSE: Louise is no stranger to controversy jaded,” claims Louise, who is a Harrogate-born psychologist.

“Except most people don’t realise the extent to which their past is holding them back.

“We filter everything that happens to us through our past experiences, meaning we are only aware of 1% of what is driving us,” explains the psychologist.

“Empowerment is about teaching people to let go of all the past experiences which are holding them back, and then equipping them with the tools to go away and start feeling fantastic.”

A simple enough message, but finding true happiness in life and relationships is an art Louise has mastered over many decades.

She’s found that in order to attract the things you want in life, be it a person, a job - anything you need to envisage the future the way you want it to be.

Or to put it another way, what or who was once perfect for you may not be anymore, and although it is hard to let go, it is necessary.

However, despite what the UK tabloid press may have previously stated, Louise assures me she does not advocate adultery.

Currently dating and loving life, this is a woman on a mission.

She still visits London once a month where she has a practice in Harley Street, and meanwhile has two TV shows about to launch in the US. The first, named Indecent Proposal after her book, is a Supernanny-style intervention show, while the second – no title yet – looks at the issues of sexual relationships.

“It is all very exciting. It should be a brilliant second half of the year for me and I am very excited about setting up and working on my new business here.

“I look forward to hearing from Olive Press readers for my new column which kicks off next month.”

Don’t miss Louise’s column in our next edition. For more information visit: www. loveliferetreat.com

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In a new monthly feature, the Olive Press will be publishing the very best blog from www.theolivepress.es. To begin blogging yourself, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

La vez

Waiting in line (or not) there’s an art to queueing in Spain, writes Sam Goodwin

I

HATE this’, moans an English colleague of mine, ‘and it happens all the time’.

We’re queuing up for breakfast in a cafe in Madrid. It’s been five minutes and we’re hungry, but it’s our turn next.

Suddenly a little old lady appears from nowhere in front of us and gives her order to the waitress at the counter.

‘La vez’, we collectively sigh.

She has her rights.

Type ‘la vez’ into Google Translate and the word ‘time’ appears. But ask the Spanish what it means and you could spark a big debate about this traditional method of waiting in line (or not).

Dating from the corner shop era when everyone knew each other, la vez is a more flexible way of queuing.

It looks like any normal queue but there’s a difference and

before you join the end of it, you should ask: “Quien es el ultimo?” (Who is the last?).

Then you might receive as a reply: ‘Oh, yes, a tall man with a moustache and glasses went outside. He’ll be back soon.’

People are able to leave the

MOTLEY CREW: Life on Marbs cast

T

HE launch of a Marbella-based reality TV series, Life on Marbs (and ten out of ten for the title by the way) has resulted in the usual anguished cries from ordinary expats. Although I use the word ‘ordinary’ advisedly. Most of the expats I’ve met in my 30 years or so of living on the coast have been anything but ordinary.

In case you didn’t know, Life on Marbs takes an Only Way is Essex-style look at the party boys and girls in Puerto Banus and, as you would expect, there are more than a fair number of rent-a-bimbos – one calling herself the Marbella Barbie – along with champagne spraying and blokes who think they’re in a rap video, talking about partying with Premiership footballers, spending thousands in nightclubs and washing their watches in premium fizz.

Don’t ask me why…

The reaction on social media has been predictable, with anguished howls of complaint.

Why, oh why, must television companies always pick people like this, they complain. Why don’t they have a show that looks at the lives of ordinary, hardworking expats in Spain, and not this motley collection of it-girls, wannabes and has-beens?

Though I never thought I’d find myself wanting to defend trash TV, in this case I have to. Like it or loathe it, with its supercars, superyachts and the occasional supermodel all bathed in the Mediterranean sunshine, Marbella is a perfect location to shoot a programme. Its an internationally-recognised name in the same way that Miami or St. Tropez is, so when you prefix Marbella in front of anything, be it Marbella Belles, Marbella Blokes or Marbella Babes, the audience will automatically expect to see opening shots of the aforementioned supercar or supermodel.

Somehow, the ordinary bar owner in Fuengi-

Life on Marbs It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it…

rola quietly serving pints to his locals looks a little tame when compared to a bunch of goodlooking, mainly cosmetically-enhanced young people sunning themselves in million pound villas.

But to think that Life on Marbs shows all of Marbella is akin to thinking Made in Chelsea represents all of London. The programme focuses on a very small, albeit loud, slice of the colourful mix that makes up Marbella. But there is so much more to the town, which we locals would prefer kept secret.

A friend of mine who works in the industry once confided that everyone gains 10 kilos and loses 20 points of IQ when they appear on TV. With Life on Marbs, where several of the cast have mistakenly called Puerto Banus ‘Pueta Banos’, we can assume that they didn’t have many more than 20 IQ points to begin with...

I’ll be sitting down to watch the programme in the same way that I used to watch Dr. Who when I was a small boy. From behind the sofa with my hands over my eyes!

queue for a sit down, or even the premises to do some other errands, then come back and resume their place.

A detailed description of ‘el ultimo’ is crucial info. ‘She had long blonde hair and a red dress,’ perhaps. But don’t go over-board and find yourself saying something rude, like: ‘The fat man in the ugly suit.’

Sometimes there is merely the semblance of a line. I walked into a bank once and it seemed like everyone was sitting in a scatter-graph formation. As the skeleton line inched forward, others swept in from all directions to assume their rightful place.

It’s like a game of invisible numbered tickets, except there is no ticket and your number is stamped only on the trusting minds of others waiting to be served.

Is this better or worse than a strict one-line queue?

It certainly helps those who need to sit down, or if you urgently need to do something in a different place.

This flexible queuing system can be found elsewhere in the world but it’s particularly ingrained in Spanish culture.

The downside is, it depends on trust and collective memory, and there can be vicious verbal spats when one sneaky customer is discovered to have jumped the queue.

Stranded

La vez also has a time and place. It really isn’t suited to our fast-paced consumer culture, fast food restaurants being the prime example of in, out, get your food, eat and leave. “Hey, you left the line, get to the back!” can be the expected if you do.

And of course, not every single store in Spain can strictly adhere to la vez. How could a country function in such a way? There would be hundreds of stranded customers looking at their watches, waiting for someone coming back from buying milk in a different shop.

Can la vez really work in this internet age? From my year’sworth of experience living in Spain, it somehow seems against all the odds.

Perhaps it should not even be considered a traditional way of queueing in Spain, but just common manners. If everybody is willing to remember who was last, then we won’t be so frustrated waiting in line.

Which reminds me, I was in a queue for an ATM five minutes ago, before I sat down to dash off this article. Maybe I should rejoin it and hope someone saved my space!

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As important are impeccable culinary skills, creativity and passion. The Head Chef should be able to lead, manage and inspire a team. This is a crucial appointment for us and the successful candidate will be an enthusiastic self-starter, a problem solver and a natural communicator who is focused, career-minded and driven. Experience in Mediterranean and contemporary cuisine is an advantage. Must be fluent in English and a basic knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.

We are also looking for a Restaurant Manager who has strong financial and people skills along with a passion and desire to get behind our innovative restaurant idea.

As Restaurant Manager, you will report directly to the Operations Manager and look after a team and work very closely with the kitchen staff. You will be responsible for all aspects of the restaurant, including P&L analysis, wages and labour forecasting, along with team’s recruitment, training and motivation. Other duties will include marketing the restaurant within the local community and building upon the restaurant’s dynamic personality. Must be fluent in English and a basic knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.

Please email your CV to Elliot at elliotbonneville1@gmail.com

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Feeling blue?

Spain’s first blue wine goes on sale as six entrepreneurs launch wine revolution

IT slips down perfectly with a slice of manchego on a balmy summer’s evening, loosens the tongue and, after another glass, your inhibitions too.

But that’s as far as tradition goes with the latest wine turning heads in Spain, GiK, which is not white, nor red, nor rose. It is in fact bright blue.

The country’s first blue vino has been developed by a group of six entrepreneurs in Bierzo, Leon, who between them have absolutely zero past experience of traditional winemaking.

The aim was to create a wine that was not focussed on the tastes and preferences of so-called connoisseurs, but rather normal, creative and daring people.

“We wanted to create a sweet and drinkable product, in tune with the changing world where maybe the wine indusGiK is produced through a try needs a little revolution,” pigmentation process. At first said a spokesman. a base is created from a mixTwo years of research in colture of white and red grapes, laboration with the Univerwhich is then added to two sity of the Basque Country laboratory-formed pigments; went into creating the final anthocyanin and indigo. product, which undergoes a The last step is to soften the chemical process to change wine using non-calorific the colour and flavour. sweeteners.

Unlike traditional wines, GiK It is now being produced and has no rules. It can be drunk bottled in various wineries at any time of day, in any way across Spain, and can be purand with any or no food. chased 11:52 online at Page www.gik.blue Local issue 42:The Local Issue 5 9/12/13 AM 51

THE PROCESS

BLUE IS THE COLOUR: Vino is the drink

Oh beer FORGET isotonic drinks, tinto de verano or an iced coca cola.

Because the Basque country chooses beer as the most hydrating drink after water according to a recent market research study.

On days of sweltering temperatures, half of Basques questioned will only drink water when they are actually thirsty.

Women and the elderly were found to be the ‘most conscious’ about keeping hydrated.

“Beer can actually be considered a hydrating drink as it is 92% water but you should never wait to feel thirsty,” said professor Roman Martinez of the Spanish society of food science (SEDCA).

Fruit fortunes THE midsummer heat wave is boosting fruit consumption in Spain and Europe.

As the temperature rockets Spaniards are flocking to their green grocer in search of fresh produce.

Watermelon sales in Murcia increased by 33% in the first week of July, while fruit and veg vendors across Europe are reporting a 12% average year-on-year increase.

However, the Germans are the most keen to get their hands on fresh fruit, with sales up a massive 53%.

Red is dead

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by Steven Saunders of the Little Geranium

Our food columnist, chef proprietor of The Little Geranium in La Cala and former chef presenter for BBC’s Ready Steady Cook…Steven Saunders is given a licence to kill!

Shaken but not stirred

I

N the early nineties, about 1991, The Pink Geranium (the original Geranium restaurant) welcomed Pierce Brosnan through its doors. This was actually before he was 007 but he was still a well-known actor from the TV series Remington Steele and various films. He was very interested in the architecture of The Pink Geranium and asked about its history. So I sat with him afterwards and his wife at the time - Cassandra Harris (who tragically later died of ovarian cancer) - told me that she had put Pierce forward to be the next James Bond using one of her connections (she had appeared in For your eyes only).

So what did the next James Bond love to eat, I asked her. And she replied in her soft Australian accent, ‘He just loved your beef fillet with the yellow spaghetti’.

‘Yellow spaghetti?’ They were actually yellow onions, I replied.

‘So where in the world do you get yellow onions?’ she asked.

‘We don’t, I make them yellow by adding saffron and a whole lot of other flavours to give the beef a twist’.

‘Bizarre’, she said, ‘but lovely’.

So here it is, my beef dish straight from The Little Geranium Menu in La Cala, one of James Bond 007’s favourites with yellow spaghetti? shaken a bit but definitely not stirred!

Ingredients for 4

For the onions 2 large white (sweet) Spanish onions 1 good pinch of fresh saffron (you can find other yellow alternatives in Spain made from natural spices which are cheaper but not as lovely) 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar 1 glass of white wine 2 tablespoons of soft brown sugar (or 1 of honey) 100 grams of butter A small sprig of fresh thyme A small sprig of fresh rosemary Maldon salt White pepper For the beef 4 x 300grm pieces of good beef fillet 150 grm of salted butter Sprig of fresh rosemary 2 cloves garlic very finely chopped 2 tablespoons of good olive oil Maldon salt and black pepper Fresh green herbs such as coriander, basil and thyme

Method

First make the onions by heating the wine and vinegar together in a saucepan and adding the saffron and let it fuse in to colour the liquid. Once you have a yellow colour, add the sliced onions and then the sugar - stir (not shake!) - and add the herbs. Cook on a moderate heat stirring regularly until the onions are soft and tender and totally yelSteven Saunders FMCGB low (20 minutes). Now add the www.thelittlegeranium.com butter and stir in. Finally taste steven@thelittlegeranium.com and season with salt and 0034 952 49 36 02

white pepper.

Put the onions to the side and focus on this lovely beef. Season well with salt and pepper and heat the olive oil in a small saucepan, then add the chopped garlic allowing it to cook and soften but not fry or colour. Place the beef on a very hot BBQ grill or frying pan and brush some of the garlic oil over. As the beef seals and colours, add a little knob of butter and the thyme and allow the butter to melt into the beef, now add more garlic oil and again allow to melt into the beef while it is cooking. Cook on both sides, repeating the process until medium rare.

Try to get it quite black on the outside but rare in the middle. Allow the beef to rest for a few minutes, top each piece with the saffron onions and sprinkle liberally with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

In the Little Geranium we serve the herbs around each piece of beef and then pour around a little red wine jus made from beef bones. You can get the same effect by making a red wine sauce from gravy granules and adding lots of red wine and herbs to strengthen the flavour. Serve the sauce separately in a small jug.

Enjoy this special recipe for a very special agent!

www.theolivepress.es FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

33

The food chain SEVERE anti-Russia sanctions are taking their toll on Spain’s food and tourism industry.

The sectors have been hit to the tune of €530 million due to reciprocal food import bans between Russia and the West.

While the EU imposes six further months of restrictions because of the Ukraine crisis, countries further down the food chain are suffering.

“The Spanish food industry lost hundreds of millions of euros in value when imports of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish to Russia disappeared,” said Spanish diplomat Sanchez Melero.

Melero added that Spanish cars, pharmaceuticals and ceramics have also suffered.

Survey reveals Basque families spend the most on food, while those in Extremadura spend the least

Family fortunes

SUPERMARKETS in Extremadura are selling to the toughest crowd.

Families in this region of Spain are the most frugal in the whole country, spending a canny €3,840 on food annually.

At the other end of the scale, the average

Basque family spent €5,000 on their groceries last year.

The national average food spend is set at around €4,000 per year, some €333 per month and roughly €83 per week.

Closely behind their Basque neighbours, Catalans and Galicians were the only other two regions to spend above the national median on food.

Generally, Spaniards are SUSHI, spaghetti and sardines will all be served up in Marspending less on food than bella’s brand new market. before and splurged €60 less An eclectic, international gourmet market is launching in 2014 than in 2013. with stalls from 14 different countries serving up tradiStaggeringly, the Spanish tional dishes. spend a quarter of their budAs well as catering for foreign foodies, the market will also inget on meat, although this clude Spanish seafood offerings along with a string of tapas also saw a decrease in 2014.

Fruit and vegetables are the dishes. second most popular buy, The market, called Ambrosia, is expected to create more followed by bread and cereal than 100 jobs in Marbella. while desserts and alcohol are The launch is planned for July 24 and the market will be the least in demand. open from 9am until midnight.

Down to market

CHEERS: Elliott at Jessie’s

Pop the cork

PLENTY of champagne is on ice for the opening of the hottest new venue in La Cala de Mijas this month.

Jessie’s Wine Bar, whose owner Dean is best friends with the Olive Press’ showbiz columnist Elliott Wright, opens on July 24… and the launch night is set to be one to remember.

Meanwhile, Wright’s own restaurant, also in La Cala, Olivia’s, is set to open in August.

WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD: Nadal and Spain’s olives

SERVING UP TENNIS ace Rafael Nadal is showing off his aceitunas in New York.

Fresh off the back of a dismal Wimbledon performance, Rafa will be showcasing Spain’s olives at the Summer Fancy Food Show in his new role as agricultural ambassador.

Held over the last weekend of June, more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.

And the festival is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious culinary shows.

the Olive Press June 11th - June 24th 2015

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FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK 34 with SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com with DINING SECRETS of D AINING NDALUCIA.com

Soup-erb!

A Open every day from 5pm till 12am

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S someone who can’t stand neither soup and tomatoes, Spain’s summer speciality cold soups send a shiver down my spine.

So being asked to make gazpacho, salmorejo and ajo blanco all in one go was truly a face your fears moment.

I knew I was in trouble when I arrived at the supermarket and had no idea how to choose ‘ripe’ tomatoes, but I powered on in the name of investigative journalism.

First, however, there were technological issues to deal with.

With no blender or a food processor, I was forced to use an immersion blender, which worked surprisingly well coupled with a large jar.

Each soup took less than 20 minutes to make, and thanks to many ingredient overlaps, required minimal work.

First up was the traditional ajo blanco.. Although sometimes referred to as ‘white gazpacho’, the lack of tomatoes made this one slightly more appealing.

After the almond blanching process, during which several rocketed across the kitchen from overenthusiastic skin removal, the

soup came together quickly.

It had a velvety texture, and while the taste was startling initially, the combination of pungent garlic, sweet almond and rich olive oil produced an aftertaste to savour.

At which point I could put off the inevitable no longer; it was time to tackle the tomatoes.

After chopping them with one long sustained wince, I turned to salmorejo, a creamy soup from Cordoba.

Combining tomatoes with bread and egg produced an instantly suspicious pink colour, but the taste was a revelation.

Sweet and smooth with a kick of salt from the crumbled egg, the soup went perfectly with (yet more) bread.

Last came the reigning queen of Spanish summer cuisine, gazpacho.

Also from Andalucia, gazpacho is the most flexible of these soups, amenable to the creative addition of anything from avocado to watermelon.

I went traditional, however, using pepper and cucumber to add crunch to what I imagined would be a mushy tomato mess.

How wrong I was, the cucumbers and peppers were bright and summery, and the sherry vinegar added a necessary kick.

You’ll never believe it, but I even went back for seconds.

Soup-hater Nina Chausow is given the daunting task of preparing three Spanish cold classics… but was she converted?

Ajo Blanco

200 g whole almonds Half a baguette, crumbled 2 garlic cloves, chopped 150 ml extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons Jerez sherry vinegar Salt and pepper 1.

Blanch the almonds: Pour into boiling water, allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Drain into a colander and pour cold water over.

Squeeze almonds gently to remove skins.

2.

Blend almonds, garlic and bread with cold water 3. Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and blend to taste 4. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil

Salmorejo:

4 to 5 large tomatoes Half of a baguette, crumbled 1 clove of garlic ½ cup of olive oil 1 tablespoon Jerez sherry vinegar Salt and pepper 2 hard-boiled eggs 1.

2.

3.

Chop tomatoes, garlic and one egg Blend all ingredients until smooth, adding water to achieve desired texture Serve with one hard-boiled egg crumbled on top

Gazpacho:

4 to 5 large tomatoes 1 cucumber Half of a red pepper Half of a baguette, crumbled ¼ cup of olive oil 2 tablespoons Jerez sherry vinegar 1 clove of garlic Salt and pepper 1.

2.

3.

4.

Chop the tomatoes, garlic, pepper and cucumber.

Blend vegetables and bread with water, maintaining a chunky texture Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, blend to taste Serve topped with chopped cucumber

FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

35

T&T time THROW away the sangria, cast aside the gin and lock up the wine cupboard… there’s a new drink in town.

British wine expert Victoria Moore has been talking up Spain’s new summer tipple, Tio Pepe and tonic - or T&T as it is being labelled.

The new, hot cocktail hitting the streets this summer, is a twist on a Spanish classic Already a firm favourite in Mallorca, T&T is expected to land in mainland Spain this summer.

Described as ‘more sippable than gluggable’, Telegraph critic Moore advises that the tonic outweighs the sherry for a fuller flavour.

Tio Pepe is a brand of sherry named after one 1) Fill a tall glass with ice of the founders’ uncles.

It is made from the 2) Add a slice of thinly chopped orange, or lime palomino grape, largely grown in Jerez.

3) Add a splash of lemon juice Marketed as a dry white wine, the company has 4) Pour the Tio Pepe over the ice until just over thrived to become one half way of the leading alcoholic drinks companies in 5) Fill the glass to the top with tonic water and stir Spain.

THE PERFECT T&T

A dog’s life, Eddie the hotel dog’s ode to a mixed paella

D

by Eddie the hotel hound

Paella passion

O you like paella?

I love it.

This is not just a casual relationship. It

is more of a passionate tryst.

When remains are brought from the hotel for me I am generally fairly indifferent -

Chiringuito See all our Summer events on Facebook For reservations and bookings call: 600 654 286 Open every day Aldea Beach, Manilva - Málaga

a dog needs to watch his waistline – but paella drives me crazy.

I am fortunate that my master says the paellas at Molino del Santo are as good as you’ll find anywhere. I am doubly fortunate that the paellas are of a generous size so a percentage don’t get finished.

The lovely kitchen staff at the hotel are asked to keep any paella leftovers for me.

There is probably some EU law which says it is illegal to do this but as I can’t read they don’t apply to me, I guess.

Easy pickings

But it’s all not all easy pickins, I’m not allowed to have any of the leftover langoustines . My master says it’s because they have lots of sharp points which could hurt me. But I’m happy with his decision for a different reason: I find them hellishly difficult to peel.

Anyway, back to paellas, mixed are my favourite, with bits of pork, chicken and rabbit. You should see my bowl afterwards; shining and spotless. All I leave are the clam shells. I find it challenging to extract the clams so I leave that to last but I do it. Nothing edible gets wasted.

So next time you visit Molino del Santo, try the paellas. But don’t be greedy, leave a little for me!

To get in touch with Eddie, contact his owners Andy and Pauline at the Hotel Molino del Santo. Bda Estacion s/n, 29370 Benaojan, Malaga. 952 167 151 - 952 167 927. info@molinodelsanto.com

WHY YOU NEED TO HEAD TO THE HILLS

TO AN AMAZING HOTEL AND RESTAURANT THIS SUMMER ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

WHICH OF THESE APPLIES TO YOU? v YOU NEED TO ESCAPE THE BUSY COAST AND RELAX

Molino del Santo has just comfortable 18 rooms and is in a peaceful rural area. Apart from the sound of the stream running by, you’ll hear birdsong and silence. No traffic queues, no pollution, no hassle. How much is that worth to you?

v YOU REALLY LIKE GOOD FOOD SERVED IN AN AMAZING LOCATION

At Molino del Santo you will find the very best of local ingredients being served in imaginative dishes. Check our website to see the latest menus. www.molinodelsanto.com

v YOU WANT TO IMPRESS SOME VISITORS WITH YOUR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY PLACES Molino is definitely not on the beaten tourist trail - you can even come by train.

We can provide full directions of how to find us by road or by rail. Tel 952 16 7 151 e-mail info@molinodelsanto.com

v YOU NEED TO SPOIL YOURSELF OR SOMEONE SPECIAL

Apart from being a great place in its own right, why not add massages and beauty treatments, guided walks and other activities or tasting menus to enhance your stay at Molino del Santo? Re-kindle that flame of romance at Molino.

v YOU’RE WORRIED YOU MIGHT BE DISAPPOINTED

Read the reviews on Trip Advisor to reassure yourself and if that’s not enough, don’t worry. We guarantee you’ll have a great experience - and we’ll even refund your money if you don’t feel the same.

v YOU’VE BEEN MEANING TO VISIT FOR AGES AND HAVEN’T GOT ROUND TO IT

Just do it. Really. Grab the moment. Call or e-mail Molino del Santo now.

Tel 952 16 7 151 e-mail info@molinodelsanto.com

HEAD FOR THE HILLS SOON! “I’ve been visiting for more than ten years. It is heaven and remains so.”

Kathie A – 14-07-15 reat

G l0lIdeas

ke the to ma of the most AREA A ROND y Chapell d by And Compile

with the

help of

Free Guide to 101 THINGS TO DO IN THE RONDA AREA available by e-mailing info@molinodelsanto.com

FRE E GIF T

the dog Eddie

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More information of any kind e-mail

info@molinodelsanto.com

www.molinodelsanto.com | info@molinodelsanto.com | 952 16 71 51 ESTACIÓN DE BENAOJÁN, NEAR RONDA, MÁLAGA

the

E RE

Covering Andalucia in 2015 with over 200,000 papers (130,000 digital) and around 500,000 visits to the website each month… The Olive Press just keeps growing!

olive press F

Telephone: 951 273 575

July 23rd - August 5th 2015

www.theolivepress.es

A VIEW FROM ABOVE - An avian round-up Bikini ban A CATHOLIC group from Asturias has called for the creation of sex segregated beaches in an attempt to avoid ‘sins of the flesh’.

FINAL WORDS

Animal rights TRIGUEROS del Valle is the first Spanish town to recognise dogs and cats as ‘non-human residents’, which grants them certain citizen rights.

A lotto money A WINNING lottery ticket, worth more than €12 million, was sold for €1.50 in Malaga to a lucky person.

Sand shark BENALMADENA is now home to the world’s largest shark sand sculpture, measuring four by 10 metres and weighing over 100 tonnes.

Fly as a kite

Bird’s eye view

EXCLUSIVE

By Barry Bird A BRITISH tourist is wanted by the Guardia Civil after he fed a seagull a chip laced with Ketamine.

Josh Greenwood, from Huddersfield, received a torrent of abuse, and even death threats, after posting a video of himself feeding the bird in Ibiza.

Alongside the video posted on Twitter, Greenwood wrote: ‘The lads over here in Ibiza have got Sally the seagull f****d up of a chip with some KET on it!’

After receiving hundreds of abusive messages, Greenwood announced via his Twitter account that the Guardia Civil had messaged him and want to track him down.

Backtracking on his earlier message, Greenwood is now insisting the white powder shown in the video was salt, not ketamine.

A SEAGULL gave some Swiss tourists a fright when it pinched their GoPro camera.

The cheeky bird launched itself off a wall and treated them to some mind-blowing footage from the air before laying the camera down and peering down the lens quizzically.

The video, ‘shot’ on the island of Cies, in Galicia, has gone viral after being dubbed a genuine ‘bird’s eye view’.

Drone on one knee INVASIVE: Sneaky drones are ruining royal slumber

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The Hawk has landed

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Royal guards forced to take action as flying drones try to sneak a peek at King Felipe’s palace MYSTERY drones are keeping Spain’s royals awake at night.

Guards at the King’s residence in Madrid have been left with no option but to shoot down the drones, as radio ‘jamming’ isn’t working.

It is not known who is behind the invasive devices outside King Felipe’s La Zarzuela palace although both journalists and terrorists have been linked.

A royal spokesman has played down the drones, saying that it is likely to be the work of ‘pranksters or activists’.

He added that as a result of the increasing number of drones in Spain’s skies, the government has been advised to look into ‘tightening its anti-drone measures around high-security areas’.

Pigeons on the pill A BARCELONA town is waging war on its pigeon population by taking avian birth control in hand.

In a controversial bid to reduce its pigeon count, Badia del Valles’ town hall is scattering a contraceptive drug to curb the spiralling population.

Automatic dispensers are releasing 10 grams of Ovistop per bird in order to reduce the population by 80%.

ICON: Hawk dons Malaga shirt THE man who brought skateboarding to the world has been kickflipping his way into fans’ hearts in Malaga.

American Tony Hawk showed he’s still got what it takes at the Ruben Alcantara skatepark.

The 47-year-old, who turned pro at 14, is widely regarded as the best skater of all time.