Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 162

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Vol. 7 Issue 162

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THE stepfather of missing Amy Fitzpatrick has told police he stabbed his stepson to death because he felt his own life was in danger.

Dave Mahon, 42, was arrested on Sunday after presenting himself at the local

By Mason Jones police station following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Dean Fitzpatrick in Dublin.

Dean - the brother of the La Cala resident Amy who

mysteriously went missing aged 15 in 2008 - was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.

According to Olive Press sources, Mahon had apparently arranged to meet Dean and his girlfriend earlier

Tulisa, TOWIE and the Top Man... everyone’s down in Spain this week

Half the UK has traipsed down to Spain including Tulisa, TOWIE lovebirds Joey and Sam and even PM David Cameron. See pages 3 and 9

seepage page13 37 see

May 30 - June 12, 2013

AMY STEPDAD ARRESTED FOR MURDER

Second tragedy to hit Fitzpatrick family after Amy’s brother Dean is stabbed to death

Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk see page 13

that evening.

“It was there that they got into a row and a fight broke out,” said the source.

“It came after a few days of tension between them and various threats.”

Mahon was initially released without charge the day after his arrest due to a lack of evidence.

But Mahon’s father Mike told the Irish press: “It shouldn’t have happened, you know.

“There was nothing done intentionally, but it happened,” he added.

“He doesn’t want to talk to anyone. The situation, it is a crazy situation. He is blanking everybody. That means he doesn’t talk to anybody.”

Irish police confirmed he is still a suspect and they

EMBARGO: Deak faces losing home

Court Rules against Brit Pensioner A BRITISH pensioner has lost her battle to prevent an embargo being slapped on her UK home over a defunct property deal.

In a ruling that could have a widespread impact on British property owners in Spain, a Spanish court ruled that Joan Deak was responsible for the fact that a developer did not finish a property she had paid a deposit for.

Deak has used the original agent she had bought the property through Palmera Properties to sell the unfinished home on to a Spanish buyer.

Costs

HAPPIER TIMES: Dean with his son and Mahon

are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). A knife has been discovered near the scene of the killing, close Turn to page 2

But now a judge has ruled she must return the €25,000 the Spanish buyer paid her, despite her not being responsible for the house’s construction.

She has also been ordered to pay his costs, which could amount to tens of thousands more.

As the Olive Press reported last month, she now faces Turn to page 6

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CRIME NEWS

SHALLOW GRAVE

Missing Dutch couple found in makeshift burial

By Mason Jones POLICE have discovered the bodies of a missing Olympian and her boyfriend partially buried in a field near Murcia.

Dutch nationals Ingrid Visser, 35, and her partner Lodewijk Severein, 57, sparked a nationwide search after they disappeared on May 13 after checking into a hotel.

Worried relatives sparked an appeal for their return after the couple failed to turn up to a fertility consultation they had arranged in Spain.

The pair’s luggage had been left at the hotel they had

INVESTIGATION: Visser and Severein checked into while their Fiat Panda rental car had also gone missing.

Three suspects, a 36-yearold Spaniard and two Romanians, aged 47 and 60, have been arrested according to police.

Police sources added that both victims ‘died under violent circumstances’ after police found evidence at a nearby farmhouse.

Visser, a former professional volleyball player, spent time playing for local club CAV Murcia between 2010 and 2012 before retiring last year.

Dutch investigators are currently working with Spanish police on the case.

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AMY STEPDAD PROBE

From Page 1

CRIME SCENE: Outside home of Mahon (inset) Mahon shares with Dean’s mother Audrey Fitzpatrick.

Meanwhile Dean’s girlfriend Sara, who has a twoyear-old son with the victim, said: “The family and myself are grieving.

“It hasn’t hit me yet, it hasn’t sunk in. It is is a horrible time.”

Fitzpatrick’s aunt, Christine Kenny, who in 2011 worked closely with the Olive Press to investigate his sister’s disappearance, said: “He was a good kid. He couldn’t even talk about Amy, he just couldn’t talk about her.

“His dad and Dean were so close. He was living with his dad,” Dean and Amy’s father Christopher Fitzpatrick, who had been with his son at a communion on the day of the incident said he was ‘shattered’ by his son’s death.

“We just want to get things to the end, what’s going on, what happened.

“Anyone with informa-

tion, come forward straight away,” he added.

Mahon, a former Calahonda estate agent moved back to live in Ireland last year.

His movements have been erratic and only last month Mahon received a jail sentence for a dangerous drinkdriving incident on New Year’s Day exactly five years after his stepdaughter went missing while walking home from a friend’s house.

As with his sister, Olive Press sources revealed that Dean had never been close to his stepfather and had moved out to live with a schoolfriend before moving back to Ireland.

The Olive Press also revealed that in the run up to her disappearance on New Year’s Day in 2008 Amy had been neglected by her parents and was not happy.

In April 2011 Fitzpatrick and Mahon offered a €1 million reward for the safe return of Amy but no new information was discovered.

Violent copper kills himself

A LOCAL police officer accused of killing a woman has committed suicide in prison.

Miguel Folgoso Olmos, from Granada, was accused of beating to death his ex-wife’s lawyer, Rosa Coba, with his truncheon last September.

Olmos, who hung himself at Castellon’s Albocasser prison last Sunday, was filmed on CCTV attacking Coba in her garage.

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NEWS

Marbs Madness begins

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TOWIE stars bring in millions in new massive PR coup for Marbella

By Annabel Grossman

PERFECT PDA: Joey Essex and Sam Faiers

THE battle of the fake tans, trashy bikinis and towering heels is already well under way.

This year’s edition of the footballer/reality show love in began with a string of big events at the weekend.

Puerto Banus was once again rammed with the TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex) gang and their regular entourage.

In town for their latest one off special of The Only Way is Marbs, they were up to the usual antics and now expected PDAs or Public Displays of Affection.

But this year they were also joined by pop star Tulisa and Wayne Lineker, bringing an extra level of madness to the proceedings.

The X-Factor judge was spotted sporting a skimpy white bikini and skyscraper Christian Louboutin heels at the Ocean Club’s champagne ‘spray party’.

She and the TOWIE gang were also spotted on numerous occasions at the local La Sala restaurant and Sala Beach club.

“We’ve had them all weekend,” said boss Ian Radford. “They come over every bank holiday weekend, just about.

“We’ve had about 10 parties for them over the last three years.

GIVES YOU WINGS: Tulisa gets Red Bull wings while Arg shows off the bingo variety at La Sala

Quid

PLAYING IT COOL: Lauren Pope

Manc legends at Benicassim A PAIR of Manc legends will be headlining Spain’s top music festival this summer.

Legendary Smiths founder Johnny Marr and Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye are the latest acts to be added to the FIB 2013 Benicassim line up in July.

Beady Eye will be the headliners for Friday, July 19 along with Primal Scream.

Already confirmed for the four-day festival, regarded as the best indie music festival in Europe, are The Killers, The Arctic Moneys, Queens of the Stone Age, Dizzee Rascal, Kaiser Chiefs, La Roux and Hurts.

HEALTH AND FLASHINESS: The girls get up to usual antics

ALL ABOARD : Essex Yachties

“Between 3,000 to 5,000 people came out, most of them from London. The amount they spent on champagne, food and beds is pretty high. They are not short of a few quid.

“Is it good for Marbella?

Well the international PR from this weekend alone will be worth up to €10 million.

“There is no doubt that a certain type of tourist will now come flocking over because of it.

“These people form strong relationships with the town.

They might end up getting married here, even end up buying here. Who knowns they might end up being the future buyers for all these unsold apartments.”

UB40 for Starlite

UB40 have been confirmed as the final act in this year’s Starlite Festival in Marbella.

The Brummie group’s hits include Red, Red Wine and Many Rivers to Cross from the double platinum selling album Labour of Love.

Celebrating 35 years in the music business and with over 70 million records sold, the August 21 concert in Marbella is expected to be a sell out show.

WET AND WILD: Only Lucy Mecklenburgh takes the plunge

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NEWS

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News IN BRIEF

Class row

Dino walk Families are invited to walk with dinosaurs in Torremolinos this summer with an exhibition containing lifesize models of the reptiles due to open this July.

Radical Doctown skate camps will take place in Barcelona and Torremolinos this summer, with workshops and activities for youngsters of all ages and abilities.

TRIBUTE FOR TWINS

Bodies of ‘happy and lively’ expat twins – 83 found at Costa apartment, writes Mason Jones EXPATS in Fuengirola have been rocked by the apparent double suicide of two longstanding members of the community.

‘Big-hearted’ twins George and James Chalkley, 83, were discovered in their apartment in the heart of the town.

One brother was found in a chair in the living room while the other was found lying down in a bedroom.

They had tape over their

mouths, although police say they have ruled out the possibility of murder.

Shocked friends described the twins, who had lived on the coast for 13 years, as ‘happy’ and ‘lively’.

“I’m just gob-smacked,” said Graham Cherry from the Salon Varietes Theatre, where James had performed in local productions.

“They always seemed happy, James was a real West End music hall type and

George was the quieter one,” he added.

Originally from West Ham, James – known to locals as ‘Jimbo’ – had spent almost two decades working as an extra on programmes such as the Bill and Eastenders.

He had previously enjoyed a career racing speedway bikes before being injured in Australia in the late Sixties.

Local shopkeeper Alberto Daryanai believes one

Sun shines on children’s sports day ENERGETIC youngsters put their best foot forward during the British School of Marbella’s annual Sports Day last Friday.

More than 100 children took part in the competition that included a sack race, a relay race, an egg and spoon race and a running race for each year group.

Afterwards around a dozen competitive parents also took part in an adult’s relay race to win extra points for their child’s house team.

TRAGIC TWINS: Geaorge and James Chalkley brother may have killed himself after retuning home to discover the other had committed suicide.

Prison for teacher who tied pupils to chair

A TEACHER has been sent to prison for tying naughty pupils to a chair.

A court has found the 47-year-old teacher from Madrid guilty of a range of other crimes including insults, slaps and the taping of one child's mouth.

The female teacher was given a 15 month sentence and banned from working with children for two years.

“I think he just couldn’t bear to be apart from his brother,” said Daryanai. “One of them had a heart or chest problem, he did not look well, the other was really fit and active though.

“They were both such nice people, they would pick up the free English newspapers and deliver them to other old people that weren’t well enough to leave the house.

“When his brother was taken into hospital, the other would buy chocolate bars from me for all the nurses on the ward,” added the 60-year-old.

The bodies were discovered after neighbours reported a bad smell coming from the third floor apartment. Police believe the bodies may have been there for up to three days.

Picture credit: The Olive Press

A MALAGA woman was allegedly told to keep her sevenyear-old off school on a day of external evaluation tests to prevent the school’s grades from dropping.

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NEWS

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Bung kept Spain out of WWII SECRET files released this week reveal that MI6 spent almost €155 million bribing Spanish officials to stay out of the second world war.

The documents disclose how Britain’s ambassador in Madrid warned London that unless top Spanish military officials were paid off, there was a real chance that Spain could abandon its neutrality status and join forces with Nazi Germany.

The ambassador, Sir Samuel Hoare, demanded an initial €1 million from the Foreign Office in June 1940 with the note: “I personally urge authority be granted without delay, and that if you have doubts, the Prime Minister be consulted.”

“Yes indeed,” responded Churchill in red ink to Hoare’s telegram.

At least $10 million, the equivalent of around €155 million in today’s value, was spent on Spanish agents during the second world war, according to the documents.

By Mason Jones

These agents went on to influence dictator Franco’s opinion about joining the

conflict.

While his politics lent naturally towards Hitler – and he supplied the Axis steel and other products – he was persuaded to stay neutral.

Documents reveal the Foreign Office bribed Spain to stay neutral

Cross-dressing spy arrested in Madrid NO-ONE can accuse him of poor dress sense.

But the Spanish were anything but amused when they discovered a British man wearing women’s clothes during the Second World War. According to recently released MI6 files, Dudley Clarke – who was actually a British spy – was arrested by Franco’s regime in 1941.

Clarke (pictured right) had first told police he was a novelist researching ‘the reactions of men to women in the streets’ but later claimed his garments were for a lady in Gibraltar and he had tried them on ‘for a prank’.

A report to the head

of MI6 also details how Clarke’s suitcase contained a ‘roll of super fine toilet paper, which particularly excited the police, who are submitting the sheets to chemical tests’. Released after questioning, Clarke quickly left for the safety

of Gibraltar. A note to Gibraltar’s then governor read: “Please keep him under strict surveillance and despatch to Middle East by next plane. If he shows signs of mental derangement, he should however be sent home by first ship.”

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FEATURE

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OPINION Double nightmare THE recent ruling against British pensioner Joan Deak (see story on page 1) sets a worrying precedent for anyone who brought off plan during the boom years, but then decided to cut their losses, sell on the unfinished property and consider that the end of the matter.

The judge’s ruling that the Spanish national Joan sold the property to can now come after her UK assets, including her London home, could potentially open the floodgates to thousands of such actions.

The dream of many northern Europeans of a place in the sun could turn into a double nightmare that comes back to haunt them on their front doorsteps back at home.

We’ll be watching developments closely.

Welcome TOWIE Although many will bemoan the arrival of reality TV stars and footballers in Marbella, it is interesting to see the positive impact these individuals are having on the area.

Indeed, it’s not hard to find residents and holidaymakers that complain about TOWIE-types downgrading an area that was once the preserve of the mega rich and famous.

However, the sad fact is that the billionaire businessmen and A-listers are no longer splashing their cash in the bars and clubs of Puerto Banus.

And so at a time of economic crisis, the profile and income generated from B-list stars and their hangers on and is sorely needed if Marbella is to avoid the fate of other Spanish towns and keep its shops open and bars buzzing.

The fact that the boss of one of the Puerto Banus’ biggest clubs has said that the TOWIE gang and their mates have brought millions of euros to the town should be all the reason be need to embrace (almost) every Joey Essex, Tulisa and Lucy Mecklenburgh who comes to Marbella.

Got a news story?

Contact our team of journalists in our Costa del Sol office on

951127006 or 691831399

or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

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Tel: 951127006/951166060 (admin/editorial/sales/ advertising) or admin@theolivepress.es A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 188,000 copies distributed monthly (120,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month.

Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 Urb Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350 Malaga Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor: Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Reporters: Annabel Grossman annabel@theolivepress.es Mason Jones mason@theolivepress.es

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The little tricks that are helping Spain’s 1.9m unemployed families to keep their heads above water

T

HE simple things in life for Carlos and Gema have changed drastically in these times of

crisis.

Since their lives were wrought by unemployment every time their eight-year-old daughter wants to take a bath, her mother encourages her to take a quick shower instead and above all, not to forget to use the bathtub plug.

The next person in line will be Gema and the water from the two showers is then used to wash down the floors of the apartment.

The point is to keep the water bill down to the bare minimum. That is also why they have decided to do the dishes just once a day, and always at night. The dishwasher broke down nine months ago and getting it repaired would set them back €120, which is an unthinkable luxury right now.

It was already embarrassing enough to have to ask their parents for €60 to pay for reFrom Page 1

EMBARGOED

having her three bedroom London house embargoed in order to recoup the money.

She insists she does not have the money to appeal the hearing.

“It is incredible. I am being sued over a house that was never delivered by the developer and builder,” she said.

“This result means that anybody who has sold an option via Palmera Properties,or any other agent for that matter, can be successfully sued by the buyer.

“I believe this result sets a precedent for others to follow!”.

Surviving ‘la crisis’

By Joseba Elola

pairs to the boiler.

Carlos and Gema’s home is one of 1.9m Spanish households where all the active members are out of a job.

And these figures keep going up.

Carlos Javier Sanz is 43 and unemployed for the last six months. Gema Martín is 39 and has been out of work for nearly a year-and-a-half.

Living in Madrid, they barely make ends meet with their €639 dole he gets each month, supplemented by the €426 she receives as a family subsidy.

And they are fully aware of the many people in even direr straits than themselves, but they represent a good snapshot of what life is like for the average Spaniard without a job.

It is a little after 7pm and their daughter comes out of her judo class carrying a diploma in her hand. She’s passed the exam and can move up from yellow belt to orange belt.

“But you have to pay €15,” complains Carlos, as he reads the piece of paper his daughter has just handed him. Those €15 will be produced somehow, there is no doubt about it. When it comes to the children, they are the absolute priority, explains Gema a few minutes later, sitting inside the living room of the family apartment in Fuenlabrada.

Carlos comes from a family of tailors and most of his professional life has been spent in the clothing industry. Gema has done odd jobs here and there, and her latest position was as a nurse’s assistant.

They’ve been living in this

apartment for the last 16 years. They got married to meet the requirements to apply for a subsidised home in 1997. Back in those glorious days, most Spaniards’ finances were in perfect order. The 300,000 pesetas (€1,800) they brought home could buy a lot back then. “On weekends we would go and stay at paradores,” she recalls, holding a cigarette in her hand.

“We really didn’t hold back.”

The daily pack she used to smoke now lasts her three days.

These days things are much more complicated.

The maths is simple. Their

the odd job turns up now and then - babysitting and the like - which bring home a little extra money income is €1,065. Fixed expenses are around €1,400, including their €450 a month mortgage. This includes €100 for building upkeep, €300 for food and gas using a supermarket credit card, and the utility bills.

Like so many other families in similar situations, the odd job turns up now and then - babysitting and the like - which helps bring home a little extra money. But in order to make ends meet, they have no choice but to resort to their relatives. That, and deferring their bill payments, an art form that Gema learned from a neighbour.

“You play with the bills,” explains Gema. For instance,

when the electricity bill arrives and they cannot pay it, the bill gets returned to the company unpaid. The company then issues a new bill and gives them a deadline of a few more days to pay before shutting off the service. The resulting three-week period that elapses in this way is just long enough for the unemployment check to arrive (on the 10th of each month).

As the deadline looms, Gema goes to the post office and pays the bill just in time.

Grocery shopping also requires some careful planning.

The supermarket card gets charged during the first 20 days of every month, so the 21st is the day when they can let their hair down a little.

“I stick to the shopping list, but they always like to bring home a box of cookies or a little something extra,” says Carlos in reference to his wife and daughter, as he pushes the shopping cart around in a hypermarket near their house.

“You need to give yourself a little bit of pleasure now and then, right?” laughs Gema.

Husband and wife have also become expert examiners of product labels. There is an area of the mall that sells cheaper products, either because they’re packaged in bulk or because they’re marketed under the supermarket’s own brand.

After analyzing the labels, Carlos and Gema have realized that the same cheese is being sold for 0.69 euro inside a plain see-through wrapper and for 0.80 euros in fancier packaging that’s easier to open. The same goes for oranges: the ones that come in bags are 1.39 euros, those in the “B category”, without

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FEATURE

She has been sending out her résumé everywhere, to no avail. To save on photocopies and stamps, she made a shorter version that’s just two pages long.

At her last interview, the prospective employer tried to hire her as a nurse, but she refused, because she lacks the training entitling her to administer injections. “Now when they hire you, they don’t even look at your training.

They just care about candidates being willing to put up with anything,” she says angrily.

The drama of unemployment is all around them. Growing numbers of relatives and neighbours are in the same dire straits. Every day, they see more fathers and fewer DEAD END: Protestors bury a coffin containing the body of ‘Employment’ mothers picking up the kids packaging, are 96 cents. wise, when Gema and Carlos out of a job. Once he was un- after school. There are scores “We buy a lot of pork, which go out for a walk, they take employed for eight months af- of former construction workis cheaper than beef... and a bag of sunflower seeds to ter his father’s factory, Sanz ers who are out of a job and chicken. And hake once a munch on.

Moda, shut down in 2000. dependent on their wives’ month,” says Gema.

“In 2005 we all had jobs and After working mostly in the salary. “Little by little, we’re all falling.”

On the odd we had a clothing indusGema says night, Gema good life, un- try, he found a that when and Carlos til the bubble job at a do-itIn 2005 we all When peope let you’re caught have had no burst and the yourself store, up in this choice but to crisis came,” but has been had jobs and we you down you kind of situeat a sandexplains Car- out of work for had a good life start to sink lowation, all of wich for dinlos. the last seven a sudden a until the bubble er and lower. You ner. Yet no But things months. lot of people matter how have changed Gema has burst stay at home you thought hard up they a lot since been a telewere friends are, they try then - in the m a r k e t i n g suddenly fall to stay true to country, in phone operaoff the radar. their monthly ritual of taking the neighborhood, even at tor, a cleaner, a babysitter the kids to a fast-food restau- home. In the 25 years that and a care-giver at a senior “When people let you down, rant. That is their one luxury he’s been of working age, residence, besides her last you start to sink lower and outing each month. Other- Carlos has barely ever been job as a nursing assistant. lower. You stay at home with

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The art of living on 426 euros a month

THE last Active Population Survey, which is the best gauge of unemployment in Spain, showed 6,202,700 people out of work, or 27 percent of the active population. This survey also reported that there are currently 1,906,100 households in which all active members are jobless.

There are a great many families in Carlos and Gema’s situation, but there are others who are doing considerably worse, and teetering on the verge of social exclusion. Very often, however, they are too embarrassed to talk about it.

“There is a kind of guilty feeling at play,” explains Begoña Tardón, spokesperson for the Catholic charity Cáritas Segovia. Increasingly, this association is seeing middleclass people turning to them for help.

Miguel’s case is particularly hard. His household only makes 426 euros a month from a state subsidy. He is 58 and has been out of a job since he was 55, except for a short seven-month period. For most of his life he was a construction site foreman, and even worked as the delegate to Castilla-La your kids, and you don’t go out because you don’t have the money, and everything turns into a problem,” she explains.

On many nights, they go to bed early to avoid spending cash that they simply don’t have.

“When the money’s gone, couples go into crisis mode,” she explains. “You’re bitter, you’re in a bad mood, and you

have more arguments.”

Despite everything, Gema has her hopes pinned on a job that she might be getting soon stamping t-shirts, and which will presumably last until September. Carlos also trusts that something will turn up. “I have that hope,” he says.

Origianally published in El Pais

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NEWS

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PRINCESS PROBLEMS

PRINCESS Cristina is to be investigated for possible tax fraud in the latest development in the Spanish royals’ embezzlement scandal.

Investigating Judge Jose Castro has requested details of her finances and assets tied to her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma.

The judge suspects that she knew that money coming into a company she joint shared with her husband was from embezzelement.

Urdangarin is suspected of over-charging local authorities for organising sports events, but denies any wrongdoing.

Now, under the banner of the Noos case, the judge will investigate whether the princess committed tax irregularities.

King’s daughter could be first royal to be criminally charged in Spain

They want to see if she could be involved in money laundering between 2007 and 2010 through their company Aizoon.

It is alleged that money they syphoned off was used to decorate their home in Barcelona as well as other expenses.

The case could result in King Juan Carlos’ youngest daughter becoming the first royalborn member of the ruling family to be criminally charged in Spain.

Princess Cristina was initially named as a suspect and subpoenaed to testify in an fraud investigation centring on Urdangarin, but the decision was reversed by a judge on appeal.

A BRITISH expat is taking a local British-run satellite pro- However, the judge in vider to court, after the company allegedly overcharged charge of the Nóos case has once again decided that she him for work.

Last year, the Olive Press reported that Joseph Craw- must answer his questions. ford, 73, from Benalmadena filed a denuncia against The case could strike a further blow to the Spanish Costafreesat.

The company seemed remarkably similar to another com- monarchy, which is already pany Free2viewTV - which the Olive Press investigated in grappling with plummet2011. It termed its customers ‘muppets’ if they dared to ing popularity and criticism that it is out of touch with complain. ordinary people.

The case will now be heard in Torremolinos next week.

Court date for Costafreesat

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NEWS

I’m back for more British PM back for his fifth Spanish holiday in as many years

By Annabel Grossman HE may not be kicking back on the Costa del Sol, but the Prime Minister has once again shown that Spain is among his favourite holiday destinations.

David Cameron has been spotted enjoying a half-term break in Ibiza with his wife Samantha and their children Nancy, Elwen and Florence.

Dressed in a dark shirt and open-toed sandals, the PM seemed relaxed as he sipped coffee and soaked up the sun in a beach-side café.

Over the past few years Spain has become a firm favourite with the Camerons, having taken no less than five holidays here over the last half decade.

Last April, the prime minister whisked his wife off for a short break in Granada to celebrate her 40th birthday and just a few months later the couple were spotted enjoying some down time in Mallorca.

SPANISH STYLE: Cameron on Benirras beach They had previously been to Ronda twice in the years before he took power.

Although Cameron has been criticised by some for leaving the UK during a terror crisis, others have suggested that a break in sunny Spain is exactly what the PM needs.

“I think he is entitled to a

holiday, he’s entitled to be with his family,”Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries told Sky News.

“I actually want the Prime Minister to be refreshed, feeling happy because he’s had holiday time with his kids and his wife and come back and be a refreshed Prime Minister.”

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NEWS

News IN BRIEF

Tech oscar SPANISH engineer José Luis López Gómez has been named one of Europe’s top inventors by the European Patents Office.

Brand Letizia Spain’s Royal Family have trademarked the ‘Queen Letizia’ brand to make sure its use remains firmly in the hands of the country’s future Queen.

New isle Residents of tiny La Graciosa island are campaigning to be recognised as the 8th island of the Canarian Archipelago.

Bad summer French weather channel Meteo has forecast that this summer will be the worst on record in Western Europe since 1816 – known by meteorological experts as “the year without summer.

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Home swap home Dubbed ‘a stain on paradise’ the former costa palace of fraudster Toni Muldoon opens again as a wifeswapping venue EXCLUSIVE IT has already seen its fair share of controversy.

Now the abandoned home of ‘costa conman’ Toni Muldoon has reopened as a swingers venue, it can be revealed.

Despite Muldoon currently being on trial for his involvement in a multi-million euro fraud case in the UK, it hasn’t stopped his flunkeys keeping an eye on business back home.

The Mijas house, which Muldoon allegedly kitted out with chains in the basement and once opened as a brothel, is on a website advertising ‘Hush Parties’ at the property.

Images on the page display the property’s swimming pool, bedroom and even a poledancing room.

The website, states that the ‘parties’ are now under ‘new’ management before welcoming guests to ‘get undressed, put on a luxury robe and relax with a refreshing drink served by your host’.

It is not known if Muldoon has recently sold the house.

It comes as more details emerge from the court case in which Muldoon and five others

NO SEX

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ADS HAPP Y EASTE AND R INDEED, 50 PER EIGHT ANDA AS OLIVE LUCIACEN EDITORI PRESS FINAL PROVTINCES AL CON WITH 30,00 LY REACHES TEN 0 PAPE ALL T GUA RS PRINT EDRANTEED...

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and Jon PORN Clarke These films and wife-sw are just apping events that some parties the palatia neighbours of the unsavo . insist took ury l home So they of Toni were decide Muldoon.place at week, when dly over they the moon that he had beenheard the drama this with a multiarreste tic Now awaiti million euro d in connecnews tion Olive Press ng extraditionfraud. to the UK, chael Muldo can reveal two-week on, 65, was that Anton the y MiOrdered manhunt on picked up after a low key by Interpol, hethe Costa del Sol. Miramar was According Hotel in located at the to a police Fuengirola. checked report, Nyamb in with his he 20s. ura Jane WangaKenyan girlfriehad ri, who nd Geraldine is in her 29-year-oldFrench, 59, from Scotla have also South African Bradley nd and At least been arreste Rogers A numbe last year11 arrests have d. r of luxury have been ties for on instructionbeen made over seized, cars and a scoured similar the while police yacht Muldoon offences. from UK author Brought various proper ganised ialso drid, awaitiis currently ties.

Muldoon by Suffolk Tradin firmed theCrime Agenc ng extrad being held y (SOCA arrest g in Mamerous (above) is ition.

A spokes ) concharge Standards, counts of man forto the Olive Press. dering totallin also confirm fraud and d with nuthe British money ed that g well A spokes arrest of Embassy man for over €6 millionlauna British it ‘was aware’ sular assista Britain’s nation of the Serious .

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are accused of conning people out of €6.6 million in an online escort agency and debt-elimination scam.

Christopher Taylor, 57, a former police detective who is accused of laundering funds for Muldoon through his company bank account, is the latest to have been questioned at Ipswich Crown Court.

It emerges that Taylor, who denies any knowledge of Muldoon’s illegal activity, had documents on his computer regarding his boss which were named ‘Born to be a Costa Conman’.

The former Wakefield detective is also said to have saved Olive Press reports on Muldoon, sources can reveal.

Taylor told the court he had only ever received a salary of €40,000 and that he did not know his bank account was being used for money from escort services. Four others also deny conspiracy to defraud.

In a classic ball played case of Dunki nilva this through a rk Spirit, a fourraging their line. week even when fire in MaSee full story on firemen ruined page 5

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NEWS

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CLIMBING FOR ARTURO NEARLY 100 people took part in a charity hike for the Arturo Darch children’s leukemia foundation.

The group rasied over €2,700 with their efforts as they scaled the Marbella peak Cruz de Juanar.

Nick Darch, who set up the foundation in memory of his son Arturo who died of leukemia, commented: “I was amazed to see so many people bobbing up and down hills!

“My son would have loved to be involved in this great cause.”

The main function of the foundation, whose sponsors include La Terrasse Brasserie, Patricia Darch Interiors and Sotogrande SA, is to get a help website set up for families who have a child with leukemia.

Further fundraising events planned this year include a Black Tie Ball in Sotogrande on September 14.

Here, Arturo’s brother Victor and mother Laura on the summit of the Cruz de Juanar.

Pensioner mugging AN expat pensioner has been left traumatised following a brutal mugging in Marbella.

Elizabeth Rostron, 60, was walking to meet her husband in Elviria when her diamond necklace was snatched from her neck.

The expat, who has lived in the Marbella area for 12 years, had been waiting in the cafe at the MBC Business Centre when she noticed a scruffily dressed man watching her.

This character then left the building hurriedly, but another strange man came into the cafe and sat near the pensioner.

Uncomfortable

Feeling uncomfortable, Rostron decided to leave to meet her husband who was returning from the nearby doctor’s surgery.

But as she walked away from the cafe, another man suddenly appeared and lunged at the woman’s throat, snatching the 1.2 carat diamond necklace from her neck.

Rostron screamed, but the man ran off with the necklace in front of horrified witnesses.

“I was completely hysterical,” she said. “It was a terrifying experience and not the sort of thing you expect in Elviria.

“I’m usually so cautious when I’m out and about and don’t have my purse or any jewellery on show, but I feel

Rolex robbers ran off with expat’s diamond necklace EXCLUSIVE

By Annabel Grossman so safe in this area as it’s so lovely and quiet” Rostron believes that the three men had been working together as part of a gang and she later discovered that there had been a heavy police presence in the area due to reports of individuals acting suspiciously.

“I thought I knew about every scam out there, but I guess I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she added.

The pensioner said that the necklace is worth about €3,000 and is uninsured, but it’s not the monetary value that she really cares about. “The necklace is of priceless sentimental value,” she explained. “My husband gave me the diamond as an anniversary present; it’s the sort of thing you can simply never replace.

“Although I don’t want to scare people or discourage them from visiting this lovely area, this just shows that you really need to be on your guard all the time.”

Parents warn of new child abduction attempt PARENTS and businesses in Estepona have taken to Facebook to raise awareness following a suspected kidnap attempt.

It comes after three young expat lads were approached by two men in a white van, who offered them sweets and a PlayStation if they got in.

According to one of the mothers, the three young boys were playing together at the Bel Air football pitch next to the garden centre when it happened.

Lisa Franco, who lives in Estepona, said the boys knew not to get in and the van quickly cleared off when a woman approached in a car.

Although the police have been informed, parents are being urged to be extravigilant and take the time to educate their children about the potential dangers of listening to strangers.

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NEWS

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AXARQUIA NEWS

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Feeling blue BURRIANA and Torrecilla beaches in Nerja have once again been awarded Blue Flag status.

School dance Nerja’s Cultural Centre hosted Empúlpate, a music and dance gala which was organised by the Local Association of Parents and featured students from several secondary schools in the area

Down under The Junta has said that the local decision to lease Velez Malaga’s trams to Australia is a ‘step backwards’ despite refusing to provide financial assistance to the town hall

Summer of love in Nerja

Long haired tourists sought for Axarquia film shoot

LONG-HAIRED tourists were offered an unusual diversion from their holidays when them got roped in to the latest film being shot in Nerja.

The group joined local residents in a scene at Calahonda beach, which was meant to depict a hippy commune.

Made by German director Dorris Dorrie, 58, the film is based on the novel All Inclusive, which tells the story of a family who return to Spain having first visited in the 1970s.

A crew of around 50 people began shooting the movie, which is set in both the 1970s and the present day.

Although the opening scenes are actually set in Torremolinos, the crew chose to use the rocks around Calahonda beach to portray the 70s commune.

The same spot selected for filming also featured heavily in Verano Azul, a popular Spanish TV show which followed a group of youngsters holidaying on the Costa del Sol in the 1980s.

More recently, the town has played host to film crews shooting commercials for companies such as Orange, Panasonic and Timotei.

A Japanese film crew is set to arrive in the town this week.

Councillor for Tourism, Bernardo Pozuelo, said the advertisements provide great

promotion ‘at no extra cost to the town’ with Nerja being used as a shooting location 12 times last year alone.

Nerja town hall, who collaborated with Dorrie’s crew to select the extras, has announced that the team will be looking for more suitable candidates within the next few days.

Drama in the Axarquia THE Axarquia Amateur Theatre Festival is taking place in Nerja this week.

Several local theatre groups from across the province will head to the town for the three-day festival which begins on May 30.

Councillor for Education and Culture, Gema Garcia, said the festival, which is sponsored by the Unicaja Foundation, will highlight the importance of theatre in the area.

All events will be held at the town’s Cultural Centre with the first production of La molinera y el corregidor by Velez-Malaga company, the Jubilee Theatre Group.

The following day will see the Torrox-based Central Theatre Group perform La Herencia, while on Saturday Nerja’s Active Participation Theatre will stage the play Leonor.

Each performance starts at 9.pm with individual events priced at €5 or €12 for all three days.

GREEN NEWS

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INTO THE BUFFERS INCREASING numbers of travellers are being forced to take to the roads after the government slashed rail services in a bid to save costs.

The plan, which affects 49 lines around the country, will lead to savings of €86.5 million a year.

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Austerity measures see a third of medium distance train services slashed with 1.6m passengers affected

By Giles Brown However the axe will affect 1.6 million passengers each year, as a third of all medium-distance services are scrapped.

In total Renfe is to shut 32% of Spain’s medium distance

Sustainable Living

Into the future

Phil Spiers looks into the future zipping around in electric vehicles

R

ECENT headlines have reminded people of the ever present possibility of oil drilling off the coast of Fuengirola and plenty of companies are jumping on the fracking bandwagon, not to mention other craziness round the world, like the proposed extraction of oil from tar sands in Alaska being piped to Texas refineries – that’s like the biggest Earth killing plan out there at the moment.

None of these sound like sustainable solutions to me.

Meanwhile, Spain has just declared a positive net energy balance for the first quarter this year as a blowy winter has made wind-generated power the country’s top energy source and saved hundreds of millions of euros in energy imports.

At a domestic level, another useful idea I saw at the Natura Malaga eco fair last week was to install a small scale solar photovoltaic electric system to supplement the mains electric supply – a couple of panels and an inverter plugged into the house will see monthly bills tumble.

These are no large scale solar farms or major investments with rooms full of batteries, but cheap and easy to install, making renewable energy much more accessible.

And all this free, clean power can help develop our sustainable transport, from electric bikes to give us a hand up the hills to electric buses to move everyone round their towns.

To help raise the profile of these alternatives, Marbella and Malaga have just installed quick charge points for electric vehicles. Other towns along the coast are following suit.

If you visit Green Motor Málaga, the area’s only independent electric vehicle business, have a look at the solowheel, one of the coolest urban transport systems I’ve seen for a while (www.greenmotormalaga.com).

These solutions, unlike the desperate scramble for the last remaining fossil fuels or possibly catastrophic fracking, offers a perfect sustainable circle and a way forward to a greener future.

Here’s a modern form of transport that is heavily subsidised to buy, runs off Spain’s ever increasing supply of renewable energy and, once you look at the mechanics, is a major evolution away from the combustion engine.

Not only that, but the vehicles are funky, futuristic, clean and quiet.

Phil Speirs <info@lachispa.net>

trains, with Andalucia losing seven services to the cuts.

These include services between Cordoba and Bobadilla, Algeciras and Ronda and Sevilla and Huelva to Merida.

The news comes as a big blow to many of the small villages and towns between Algeciras and Ronda.

The train is a transport lifeline for many people living in towns like Benaojan, Gaucin and Jimena.

Under the new cuts, an important train from Ronda at 07.30 and the evening service from Algeciras are being scythed.

The 8,000 passengers that used these service annually will now be forced to drive down the long winding road that links the two towns.

Local business on the line, including hotels and restaurants, have told the Olive Press that they fear the possibility of more cuts or even the complete closure of the line in the future.

“That is what we fear the most,” explained Andy Chapell, owner of Hotel Molino del Santo, in Benaojan Estacion, who gets regular clientelle arriving for lunch on the train.

The biggest loss making lines were identified as Vigo to Ourense, Madrid to Cuenca, A Coruña to Ferrol and Zaragoza to Teruel, which each lost more than €2 million annually.

Officials for the Ministry of Development commented that the services that had been cut would be largely replaced by buses.

Bridge in need OLIVE PRESS reader Dirk Haezebaut has sent in this picture to show the sorry state of the important bridge across to the celebrated Cueva del Gato cave in Benaojan, near Ronda.

According to the local expat it has been practically impassible for nearly two years due to a ‘row’ between the two towns.

Neither mayor can agree who should pay for its repair... “and in meantime tourist, who are very important for

this area, are being forced to suffer,” explains Dirk.

“It’s a joke.”

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GIBRALTAR NEWS

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SMOKING US OUT

By Rebecca Maguire

AN environmental group has denounced the Cepsa San Roque refinery for polluting the local atmosphere after photos were posted online of black smoke billowing from the plant.

It comes after the series of worrying photos (right and below) were released by locals near the plant.

Ecologists in Action insists ‘dangerous chemicals’ are still being released into the air and maintenance needs to be much more comprehensive.

Spokesman Rafael Cerpa said: “Widespread sightings of night time releases of waste seem to indicate that the San Roque refinery is taking advantage of the cover of darkness.”

He added: “Pipes should be airtight and nothing toxic can be burnt in the incinerators.”

The communities of Puente Mayorga, Campamento and San Roque are particularly affected by the industrial area, but fumes can also be smelt on a regular basis in La Linea some 15 kilometres away.

In March, the Olive Press reported that the factory had spent 17 millions euros on renovating its equipment

Ecologists believe the Cepsa refinery is ‘emitting dangerous chemicals at night’

to improve its security and environmental credentials.

And in its environmental declaration Cepsa listed targets to reduce emissions of toxic sulphur dioxide (SO2) by 500 tonnes a year .

According to official monitoring statistics 8,090 tonnes of SO2 were released in 2011, compared with

6,824 tonnes in 2010 and 5,978 tonnes in 2008.

This is substantially down on the late 1990s when up to 30,000 tonnes were released a year.

Cepsa did not get back to the Olive Press on the concerns.

NIGHT FRIGHT: Is Cepsa releasing toxins?

Vandals destroy children’s work ON the Rock

New Olive Press guide to the best of What’s On in Gibraltar over the next two weeks Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 May - King’s Bastion Cinema: Star Trek Step into Darkness, The Great Gatsby, GI Joe Retaliation.

Wednesday 29 May A Celebration of Opera, 8pm at St Michael’s Caves, tickets £20 from Sacarello’s and The Silver Shop.

May 31 Spring Fest Acoustic at the Bayside Sports Complex, tickets £5 from the venue.

June 1 Craft Collector’s Fair at St Andrew’s Church, £10 per stall, proceeds to church restoration fund, more information on 5402316.

June 1 Car boot sale, Europe Point, Nun’s Well car park, £10 per pitch, proceeds to the Cancer Centre, to reserve a pitch phone 54007689.

June 2 Charity Football Tournament teams of 5-10, players must be over 16, £7 per player, Tercentenary Sports Hall, for more information contact moshcadosh@gmail.com June 8 Parade of the Pipers, by the Sea Scouts, Corvera Band, Brisas de Asturias. 11am John Macintosh Square.

June 12 Zarzuela, ‘Dona Fraciscita’ a Santos Production 8pm John Macintosh Hall tickets £5 from the ticket office.

MEAN-SPIRITED vandals have been destroying plants and equipment in Gibraltar’s Botanic Gardens, some even belonging to schoolchildren.

CCTV is now to be installed in the Alameda gardens and the Royal Gibraltar Police are investigating the attacks.

Plants bought recently to enhance the Lion’s Pond have been uprooted and equipment to monitor water quality was also damaged.

The gardens date back to 1816 and were visited by the Earl and Countess of Wessex last June.

The thieves even targeted a vegetable bed, clearly marked as a school project.

A spokesman for the park said: “The childrens plants took months to grow and this illustrates the callousness of the thieves who have deprived the students of an achievement they were very proud of.”

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GIB NEWS

17

We’ll rock the Bernabeu!

But Gibraltar will not be allowed to play Spain despite finally getting UEFA status

By Rebecca Maguire GIBRALTAR’S First Minister Fabian Picardo insisted it was a day no-one would forget.

And after all, Gibraltar had waited 120 years to be finally admitted into the official European football family.

“Most of us will remember forever where we were when we heard this decision come through,” said First Minister Fabian Picardo. “Today is a historic day.”

Now Gibraltar’s acceptance into UEFA will be marked with a celebration parade local teams.

Most of the Rock is expected to turn out at the event which will be attended by both Gibraltar Football Assocation (GFA) bigwigs and local dignitaries.

UEFA President Michel Platini declared the vote ‘overwhelming’ at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on Friday as Gibraltar became the association’s 54th member.

Spanish opposition had tried to block the bid, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport found in favour of Gibraltar, paving the way for its welcome into European football.

However, Platini confirmed that Gibraltar will not be allowed to draw Spain in qualifying for Euro 2016 and cited Armenia and Azerbaijan as another example of teams kept apart for political reasons.

GFA president Gareth Latin declared, “This is one of our

greatest ever sporting moments and a momentous occasion for football in Gibraltar.

“We can show the whole of Europe that we can match the best and it will open up a world of opportunities for our young footballers.”

Meanwhile back in Gibraltar in Casemates Square large crowds, dressed in patriotic red and white reacted euphorically at the news.

Gibraltar has one of the oldest football associations in the world and for 120 years football has been an important part of the enclave’s life.

The GFA is already developing ambitious designs for a new, world-class stadium to meet FIFA standards.

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LA CALA DE MIJAS Corner Café • Lions Charity Shop • Pensioners Bar • Internet Café • Papeleria Quetzal • Captains Bar • Zurich Office • BP Garage LA CALETA Papeleria las Colonias LA COLONIA Euromarkets Cayetano (C/Lagasca) • KSM Properties LA HERRADURA The Hideaway Bar • Libreria Coral • La Tartana Hotel • Restaurante S. Nico LA HEREDIA The Best of Holland • The Dutch Butcher • Panaderia • La Casita • K Bar LA VINUELA Hotel Vinuela • A & N Gas Petrol Station • Bar Atilla LANJARON Cafe Bar Health • Tourist Information • Los Llanos LAS BUGANVILLAS Cactus LECRIN VALLEY E.S Leman Gasolina LOJA Cafe Continental LOS GALLARDOS Subministros Ridao • Gas station • Camping los Gallardos LOS ROMANES Camping Bar LUCENA Carrefour Pet Shop • Hotel Bronces • B.P near the fire stn.

MALAGA CITY British Consulate• Dunkin Coffee (Corte Ingles)• Hotel Tribuna • Pizzeria el Laboratorio • Restaurante Vino Mio • Terra Sana & Gorki restaurants (El Muelle Uno Shopping Centre) • Calle Brusseles • Celtic Irish Bar • Café con Libro • Picasso Museum • Robert Boyd • Plaza Restaurant • Hotel Don Curro • Hotel Molino Larios • Tourist Office • Hotel Vinci •Escuela de Turismo MALAGA AIRPORT Helle Hollis • Car Parking Malaga • Arrivals Information Desk • Monarch MANILVA Manilva Solicitors • English Bookshop • Manilva Properties MARBELLA BP Garage -Marbella Arch • Hotel Fuerte • Swans International School • Vergola • Puente Romano Hotel • MC Cafe Marbella Club Hotel• Polo House • Cocinas Plus • Panorama • International School

MIJAS PUEBLO Tourist Office • Town Hall • BP Garage • Mijas Hotel MIJAS ROAD World of Sofas • Centro Idea Danish Centrel • Euromarket MOJACAR PLAYA (Centro Comercial) Masko Cafe • Habana Cafe•Diego Ortega Notaria • Michael Davis Solicitors • Clinica Dental • Ibex Insurance • Pippas Cafe MOJACAR PLAYA Gas Station • Koi Cafe • Kasbah Romantic • Sal’s • Currency Exchange • Paco Salas Farmacy • El Olivo Restaurant • Total Entertainment • Tomas Supermarket • Mojacar Estates • Beachcomber Restaurant • H Puntazo Hostal • Trufibar • Kimrick Restaurant • Parador • Cafe Bellagio • K7 Real Estate • Price, Brown Partnership • Tourist Office (Playa) Tito’s • Los Arcos Bar • Los Amigos Bar • La Posada • ELC MOJACAR PUEBLO Centro de Arte Municipal • English Library • Bar Pavana •Bar Habanero •Bar Cherigan MOLLINA Bar Margarita • And Estates • Brit Shop • Lazy Days Mobile Home Park MONDA Paper Shop • Petrol St. •Design Academy MONTEFRIO Alan Russell MONTE HALCONES (Ronda Road) One Stop Café • Irish Café MONTEJAQUE Las Casitas MOTRIL Café AL Campo • Tourist Office Los Moriscos Golf • Bar/ Rest Moriscos • Gran Elba Hotel NERJA Hotel Carabeo • English Book Shop • Supermercado Iranzo • Smiths Bookshop • Tourist Office • John the Barber • H2O Bar • Keyhomes Estates Agents • Team Estate Agents • Olas Bar • Cocinas Nerja NUEVA ANDALUCIA Aloha News • Garden Bar • Yanks • Wilsons • Alberts • La Sala • HIFX • Mad Hatters • Terra Sana • H10 Hotel OLVERA Petrol Station • Dynos • Olvera Properties • Via Verde • Rest. El Puerto ORGIVA Indoor Market • Camac • Internet Café • Alpujarra Supermercado • Baraka •Limonero PAMPANEIRA

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Cafe Alfonso PERIANA Cantueso •Verduga PITRES Camping • Bar La Taha • Bar Frenazo PIZARRA Spa • Aliprox PRIEGO DE CORDOBA Tourist Office • Kiosko Maribel Cepsa Garage PUENTE DON MANUEL Moreno’s • Ian Petts Dentist • English Shop • Arkwrights PUERTO BANUS Bookworld • Iceland • Cravings Cafe • Starz Cafe • La Sala • Mad Hatters • Yanks • Asiatic Food • HIFX • Studio B • Aloha News • The Garden Bar • Terra Sana H10 Hotel • Hairworks • Currencies Direct Guey Skybar PUERTO REY (VERA) Club Deportivo • La Esquina RINCON DE LA VICTORIA Tourist Office • Hotel Rincon Sol Anoreta Golf RIO FRIO Hotel Almazara RIOGORDO Coviran RIVIERA DEL SOL Miraflores Bowls Club • La Terraza Supermarket • La Terraza Paper Shop ROAD BETWEEN CAMPILLOS AND RONDA Meson Diego • Petrol Station Cuevas del Becerro • BP Garage RONDA Almocabar • Bar San Francisco • Tourist Office • Atrium • Chocolat • Casa Ortega • To-Toro • Traga Tapas • Hotel Maestranza • Hotel Colon • Hotel Polo • Hotel Don Miguel • Locutorio • Serrania Services • Libreria Dumas • Huskies • Heaven Irish Pub • Pedro Romero RONDA ROAD Monte Halcones One Stop Cafe • Irish Cafe RUTE Estanco SABINILLAS English Bookshop • Eden • Visage Hairdresser • Coast to Coast Properties • Bar • Lidls • Kwasi Bar • Curtain & Bedding SALINAS Casa Monolo • Meson Estacion SALOBRENA Best Western Hotel • Post Office Antonio Machado • Tourist Office Plaza Goya • 1616 Books SAN PEDRO Tourist Office • Passion Café • TRE Radio Station • Staysure SAN ROQUE San Roque Golf Suites Reception area and golf clubhouse • Okay cafe • Supermarket SAYDO MARKET Angela Sat • Bakery • Chrissy • Hotel Reception SIERRA DE YEGUAS Kiosko SITIO DE CALAHONDA Club Naranja RBL • Plaza next to Paper Shop SOTOGRANDE GUADIARO Newsagent • Corner Café • Lemon Tree Café • Estate Agent • English Butcher Shop • Sotofiesta • Business Centre NH Hotel • Abbeygate Insurance • Mara Rest.

• Anglo Wines SOTOGRANDE MARINA Videola • 50K Bar • La Brasserie • Hairy Lemon • Hotel Maritimo • Midas TARIFA Tourist Office TOLOX Cross Road Bar • Vent Garradena TORRE DEL MAR Papeleria el Faro • English Bookshop Pasatiempo • Expatriate Help Centre • Lukuma • Baviera Golf • Las Yucas • Cudeca TORREMOLINOS Tourist Offices x 2 • Cudeca Town Centre • Baileys BP Garage • Parador Golf Hotel • Parador Golf • Riu Belplaya • Shennanigans • Hotel Melia • Rubens Exchange • Nigel & Cheryls Rest. • Cosy Nook • El Mojito • Toms Tavern • Wellness Clinic • Fig & Olive • Full House • Talk of the Tyne • BP Garage TORROX Russels English Shop • El Pino English Shop • Light of India • Tourist Office TURRE Fundraiser Shop• Zambra • Casa Diego • Total Entertainment • Tio Tomas •Connexions UBEDA Golden Poppy English Center VEJER Tourism Office • Califa • Camping Vejer • Monte Medio Golf • Barca de Vejer • Castilleria Restaurant VELEZ MALAGA Garden Centre La Palma • Eroski Centre • Bar Jamaica • Dunnes • Pronumatico VERA Iceland • Galasaa VILLANUEVA DE ALGAIDAS La Bodeguita VILLANUEVA DE ROSARIO Bar • Bar • Town hall VILLANUEVA DE TAPIA La Paloma Rest.

VILLANUEVA DE TRABUCO Ronnies • La Plaza • La Rubia • El Rincon de Teresa • Trabuco Books YUNQUERA Petrol Station • Bakery ZAHARA DE LA SIERRA Al Lago

www.theolivepress.es

GIBRALTAR NEWS

Flying visit

WALKABOUT: At the top of the Rock and (right) with Olive Press editor Jon Clarke

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

But I’ll be back, Julian Lennon promises the Olive Press during a whistlestop five hour stop-off in Gibraltar

AS a keen photographer there was no surprise that he spent so much of his time on the Rock snapping away.

But sadly Julian Lennon only had five hours to best conjure up his own image of the fascinating enclave where he currently has an exhibition running on his father John Lennon’s life.

At a gala lunch with First Minister Fabian Picardo at the top of the Rock in Monte Calpe Suites, he told Olive Press editor Jon Clarke, how much he had enjoyed the visit.

“It’s an amazing place and I definitely need to come back to appreciate it,” he said.

“You really feel on top of the world up here.”

Arriving by private jet, he spent five hours touring the enclave before taking a quick visit of the Beatles Memorabilia exhibition, which was put together with his mother Cynthia.

He revealed that the collection had come about because not many of his father’s belongings were handed down to him.

“When I started making some money after working hard myself in this industry, I decided to start collecting,” he explained. “Initially collecting more personal items – like the monkey bike (which is on display in the exhibition), items I remember being around at the time. Those I remember touching, feeling and knowing about those elements.”

19

THE OLIVE PRESS IS NOW DISTRIBUTING 4,500 COPIES ON THE ROCK Here are the main places stocking the Olive Press in Gibraltar:

He continued: “I started collecting the gold discs and a few other things, I think we now have the full American collection of gold discs, so for me it was important not just to have that just under my roof – so to speak – but so that should I have children in the future I could pass that on to them.”

Jovial in a white Dolce & Cabbana jacket and jeans, Julian was intrigued to hear about his father’s time spent in Almeria in the 1970s, where he famously wrote Strawberry Fields Forever.

“Is that right? I don’t know much about his time here, but I would definitely like to find out more,” he said.

The Beatles Memorabilia exhibition is on show in Casemates Square.

• Café Fresco • O’Reileys • Ibex Insurance • Morrisons • Elliot Hotel • Sacarellos • ICC Shopping Centre • Cafe Solo • Café Rojo • Colourworks • Rolex • Caleta Hotel • Ibex Insurance • Eroski city (Waitrose) • Gala Casion • King’s Bastion

20

LETTERS

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 85.86% full Same week last year: 67.09% Same week in 2003: 67.60% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.29 American Dollars 0.86 British Pounds 1.34 Canadian Dollars 7,45 Danish Kroner 10,04 H Kong Dollars 7.56 Norwegian Kroner 1,63 Singapore Dollars

www.theolivepress.es

You think I’m joking?

Dear OP, AS a septuagenarian I enjoyed the recent piece by your seniors expert Juliet Hambro on the many beneficial effects of laughter.

However, I have a more personal (and indeed ulterior) motive in writing this letter. I take my cue from Juliet Hambro’s reference to jokes, where she advises seniors to find ‘books of jokes’. I have just recently had my first joke book published, with the title ‘Are There Lumps in Wind?’ It is in fact an e-book, and is available for download on Amazon and other sites. My hope is that it will prove to be a laugh-out-loud book - the jokes have been selectively accumulated over years of a longstanding passion on my part for joketelling. I should add that the book also contains some fairly brief reflections on the structure of jokes and the topics recurrent in them. I was a university lecturer in English for over 40 years, and found that the occasional joke was a great way to communicate with students and lighten an otherwise serious lecture.

Brian Cosgrove Mijas Costa

Amazed

Dear OP, I am amazed at the article about Equatorial Guinea on page 44 of your latest issue. This should surely be labelled as paid-for advertorial since it is nothing more than a whitewash of one of Africa’s most corrupt and oppressive regimes. How did it get into the pages of the Olive Press?

Torture, denial of free speech and flagrant breaches of human rights are an everyday matter in that sad country. An oil boom has allowed President Obiang, one of Africa’s most brutal leaders, and his family to enrich themselves while most of the inhabitants live in absolute poverty. The figures quoted in the article for apartment rents, clothes and food are obscene as only a fraction of the population can afford these luxuries.

Elections are due this month, but as Noel Kututwa, Africa Programme Deputy Director at Amnesty International, points out: “The authorities in Equatorial Guinea are heading a terrifying detention campaign targeting anyone who dares compete with them in the elections. The wave

Dear Olive Press

Demolition next?

Having been a resident of Estepona for the past fifteen years just a stone’s throw away from this monstrosity known locally as the new Santa Marta hotel complex, you just couldn’t imagine the euphoria I felt upon reading your article this week in the Olive Press about the construction being issued with a stop order. Why this could not have been done at the primary build stage tells me that the coffers at Estepona council are more corrupt than one thinks. There are far too many empty five star hotels in Estepona built by the hand of corruption - we don’t want any more.

We all now await the demolition order and look forward to living a further two years in a dust cloud.

Max Bennett, Estepona

Costa lost Dear OP, Regarding the Algarrobico of Estepona article last issue, I spent quite a few days at the old Santa Marta.it was a lovely old fashioned place with a great pool and good food. Big rooms and cheap prices. Another piece of ‘the old Costa’ lost. Very sad.

Harry, via website of arrests and harassment against pro-democracy activists is casting a dark shadow over the upcoming elections.”

Please wake up, Olive Press, and don’t print any more whitewashes of disgusting

regimes!

David Baird, Malaga ED: Sorry that was an advertorial indeed and we neither support nor

CROSSMOT 9

condone what goes on in Equatorial Guinea... but for some reason the word ‘advertorial’ fell off the feature.

Costa lot!

Dear OP Referring to your It´ll costa lot article. Last week we used a Banesto Spanish card in La Caixa in Fuengirola and were charged €14.25 to draw €300! Unfortunately Banesto/Santander ATMs are not accepting cards in this area, we are told due to a glitch in the amalgamation of the two companies.

James Binyon, Mijas pueblo

No prosper

Across 1 Act (4) * 3 Kilogramo (8) * 9 Expresses (7) * 10 Gentle (5) * 11 Realizado (12) * 14 Axle (3) * 16 Holy (5) * 17 Esquí (3) * 18 Feeding (12) * 21 Órgano (5) * 22 Movimientos (7) * 23 Anteriormente (8) * 24 Island (4).

Down 1 Germans (8) * 2 Tema (5) * 4 Anger (3) * 5 Haunting (12) * 6 Lectores (7) * 7 Honey (4) * 8 Beautifully (12) * 12 Ropa De Cama (5) * 13 Gymnastics (8) * 15 Instead (2, 5) * 19 Hierros (5) * 20 Techo (4) * 22 Badly (3).

L = 198

Dear OP Your recent article on the Sheik Al-Thani redevelopment of the Marbella port has the same theme as the story you printed some months ago about the proposed redevelopment of The Byblos Hotel by Alan Sugar. I wonder if they have swapped notes on dealing with the Spanish authorities. If these wealthy investors cannot get compromise or change from the bureaucracy what chance has the ordinary business person and ultimately Spain of prospering?

Ian Holdsworth Marbella

Letters should be posted to Urb. Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350, Malaga or emailed to letters@theolivepress.es The writer’s name and address should be provided. Published opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

la cultura 31

www.theolivepress.es

By Mason Jones ASIDE from a string of musical notes adorning it, the street sign must be the only one in Spain – if not the world – named after a punk rock legend.

Following a long campaign, signed by 2,000 Granada residents and supported by the Olive Press, Clash singer Joe Strummer finally has a square named after him Placeta Joe Strummer, in the evocative Albaicin suburb of the city, was unveiled at a ceremony, attended by his wife Lucinda and daughter Lola.

It was a fitting tribute to the rebellious frontman, who frequently visited the city and wrote about it in a number of songs.

Strummer, who name-checked the city in The Clash’s eponymous London Calling album track Spanish Bombs, died of a heart attack at the age of 50 in 2002.

Slits

The local hero first went to the city in the 1970s with Spanish girlfriend, and drummer of the Slits, Paloma Romero.

He later bought a home in Cabo de Gata, in nearby Almeria, and became involved in local group, 091.

Daniel Galan from Granada City Council said: “The initiative came from a neighbourhood association, backed by some political parties and was approved.

I

OPINION

F there was ever any British musician who deserved to be honoured in Spain it was Joe Strummer.

The big-hearted songwriter was a huge fan of the country and visited on many occasions.

Aside from buying a home in Almeria and supporting local bands in Granada he wrote songs about the country and even insisted the film Straight to Hell, directed by Alex Cox, was made here.

Pogo Place!

Joe Strummer Square is finally unveiled in Granada city

he loved the whole of Spain but he had a very good connection with Granada because he was friends with 091.”

The city of Granada has since been a melting pot of alternative music, with hundreds of local bands citing Strummer and 091 as influences.

Enthusiastic about so many projects, I later met him at Glastonbury festival, where he was bouncing around like an excited teenager. We chatted about the bill and the state of the nation before he marched off with the clenched fist salute of the Republican and the cry: “Rock on Jon!” Hey Joe, I hope I never lose the passion you clearly had for life. And I hope I live longer than you.

“It was a popular movement.

It is very well known the connection between Joe and the city and people still remember him.”

He added: “He loved Granada,

Rock on Joe!

A true campaigner and maverick, he was always passionate about human rights and was a strong supporter of the Republican cause.

One of life’s true rebels, he was creative and full of ideas to the end. Never seeming to run out of steam, he once told me during an interview in London that there was no way he would consider doing his autobiography, because he still ‘had so much more to achieve’.

Jon Clarke

Masters in Banus Hospice help from Estrella?

A BRITISH-run hospice is hoping world-famous flamenco singer Estrella Morente (pictured) will become its charity patron.

Granada-based Acompalia approached the Spanish star after the high-profile position was turned down

by Princess Letizia.

The charity is hoping to raise €1.5m to build a dedicated hospice in Motril.

It has already raised thousands this year with many more fundraising activities in the pipeline.

These include a wine tasting, an art exhibition, a golf tournament and even a pig

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

roast.

The charity also hopes to continue to attract volunteer support and donations from individuals, groups and professional organisations throughout southern Spain.

SOME of the most important painters of the 20th Century will be on display in Puerto Banus this summer.

‘Masters of the 20th and 21st centuries’ features works by Picasso, Dalí, Miro, Tapies, Magritte, Nolde, Kandinsky, Plensa and Barceló among others.

The series of exhibitions at the Club de Mar has been organised by Barcelona-based art gallery owner Jean Paul Perrier.

In addition to established artists, the exhibition, which opens on July 16 with a selection of works by Picasso, will showcase the work of contemporary painters such as Alfredo Bikondoa.

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what’s on

M

arbella, June 1 and

June 2, Aloha Golf Club The Butterfly Children Golf Tournament and Ball, DEBRA Spain will be holding its 11th annual charity tournament.

Live entertainment will provided by the TAPAS Choirs, the Ratpack and Mel Williams. Golf tickets are €65 and €60 for entrance to the ball plus three-course meal.

M

urcia, May 30,

HERO: Strummer in Granada and (below) Lola and Lucinda

Murcia Auditorium, Moscow Symphonic Orchestra, one of Russia’s most prestigious orchestras will play from 8.00pm. Tickets range from €20 to €40.

G

ranada, 21 June to

12 July International Music & Dance Festival, with symphony orchestras, dance troupes and flamenco concerts in locations throughout the city including in the Alhambra.

22

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

www.theolivepress.es

A

M

ll about

www.theolivepress.es

Issue 162 May 30 2013

arbella

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

23 23

Giles Brown goes behind the bling to find the very essence of Marbella

VARIETY: From golf to culture to partying

The Many Sides of Marbella

W

HISPER it quietly but there is a new confidence returning to Marbella. High end properties are continuing to sell at a rapid rate and the hotels, beach clubs and restaurants report that visitor numbers were up last summer and look to be up again this year.

High profile events such as the Marbella Luxury Weekend, Starlight Festival and Global Gift Gala have attracted media attention to the town and celebrities including Eva Longoria, Enrique Iglesias, Michael Bolton, Jamie Cullum, Antonio Banderas and Will.I.AM, are all due to visit Marbella this summer.

While the â&#x201A;Ź400million Al-Thani Port in Marbella has reached an uneasy standoff, other projects are underTurn to Page 24

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24

Marbella special

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From page 23

way such as the redevelopment of the emblematic Don Miguel Hotel, while the opening of the San Pedro Alcantara tunnel last year has massively improved the transport infrastructure.

“I think that Marbella has regained its positive image again internationally,” explains Marbella’s tourist boss Jose Luis Hernandez. And, of course, it needed to after two decades of corruption and decline led by former boss Jesus Gil and his cohorts, who made Marbella a byword for greed and scandal.

It wasn’t as it turned out the first time. Travellers in the seventeenth century were warned in a risqué proverb “Marbella es bella, pero no entrar en ella” (Marbella is beautiful, but don’t go into her) as the town had a bad reputation for villainy.

Thankfully, these days things have been cleaned up. An ongoing five year court case, Operation Malaya, is bringing the central figures to justice and it is generally felt that Marbella’s murky past is now firmly behind it.

There is certainly plenty to shout about. Much more than many people think. Marbella has been a town since the seventh century BC, and traces of a Phoenician village were unearthed at the mouth of the Rio Real. The Romans called Marbella ‘Salduba’ and one original Roman bridge still stands rather surreally in the middle of the appropriately named Puente Romano Hotel. The newly-restored and re-opened Roman villa at Rio Verde also offers an insight into Roman life in Marbella.

Among its stunning mosaics is even a fashionable-looking flip flop that would not look out of place by a TOWIE toenail just up the road in Puerto Banus.

Unlike other towns in the province, Marbella has never had much of an appetite for a fight, being sacked by African Pirates in AD 170 and then easily taken by the Moors and in turn retaken by the Christians in 1485.

The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) has been the focus of Marbella life since 1485 and the town hall is still located there. Other notable buildings in the Old Town include the Museo de Grabado Español which is housed in the old hospital, and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacíon.

One of the most important visitors to the Old Town in recent years has been Michelle Obama. The decision of America’s first lady to take a holiday in Andalucía and base herself in Marbella made a significant impact.

It has been estimated that the international media coverage it brought would have cost the town around €800 million and the visit marked

Marbs Massive the turning point for Marbella, which had been many years in the doldrums.

Since then international analysts have identified three places in Spain as key centres for investment - Madrid, Barcelona and Marbella. Madrid is a city of 6 million, Barcelona 4 million, whereas in Marbella there are 200,000 people. “If we are regarded

This classic fleshpot was once the hangout of Rod Stewart, Sean Connery and James Hunt. In recent years Banus has become the destination of a younger brasher crowd, collectively known as the ‘Marbs massive’ including footballers, models and TV stars. While plenty of the

“The visit of Michelle Obama was extremely important for the economy of Marbella” in the same breath as these capital cities it underlines the fantastic investment potential that Marbella has,” says tourist boss Jose Luis.

Another huge factor in Marbella’s growth has been golf.

Nueva Andalucia, the area just behind the jet set marina of Puerto Banus, is home to three of the best known courses in Spain - Real Club Las Brisas, Aloha Golf and Los Naranjos, collectively known as ‘Golf Valley’. In addition there is Guadalmina and numerous others up the coast to the east.

And then you have the now famous/infamous Puerto Banus, opened in 1970 with Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly as guests, while a young Julio Iglesias sang at the official opening party.

MICHELLE’S MARBS: The First Lady in town and (top) Jacaranda trees and La Concha

www.theolivepress.es

Marbella special

restaurants offer style and quality the weekend bars including Linekers and Portside heave with the Stag and Hen party crowd.

While the Town Hall likes to promote its multi-million euro international projects, and the British Press concentrate on the antics of the cast of The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE), Callum Best and the usual squad of Premiership footballers and WAGs who are snapped on the beaches (Sala Beach and La Sala restaurant are favourite places to spot them) Marbella has much more to offer .

Look a little behind the bling and you will find a vibrant old town and real flavour of Spain. During feria week,

which this year takes place between June 9 to 15, Marbella proudly wears its Andalucian colours, but throws its arms open to all nationalities and you’ll hear a colourful mixture of languages.

A walk around the streets of the Old Town, stopping in one of the many tapas bars – El Estrecho is one of the oldest in Marbella, while La Venecia is an institution – or across the Alameda Park, grabbing a coffee in Cafeteria Marbella (another institution, but be prepared to linger as service is, ahem, old style) is enough to dispel the idea that Marbella is all bustle and bling.

Wander past the Dali statues on the Avenida del Mar down to the Paseo Maritimo on a

Sunday early evening and you’ll see families taking their traditional stroll or just coming off the beach after a day at one of the chiringuitos.

A short drive west of Marbella brings you onto The Golden Mile and the Marbella Club Hotel. This is where it all started when Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe stopped off in Marbella in the 50s on the way to visit relatives in Sevilla (see King of Clubs feature overleaf).

The area around the Marbella Club is home to some of the most expensive and exclusive villas in Spain

Needing to make a telephone call he was told that a line would be available after lunch, and so decided to have a picnic under the pines close to Finca Santa Margarita. Alfonso was so enchanted by the location that he decided to buy the land and open a small hotel for his friends, the Marbella Club Hotel.

In the 50 years since that picnic, the hotel has become a byword for luxury and the area around the Marbella AUTHENTIC: A square in the Old Town and (top) Puerto Banus Club is home to some of the

most expensive and exclusive villas in Spain – indeed the road below it is Spain’s second expensive. And just a few kilometres further on is the Mosque and Palace built by the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, the Palace’s façade a replica of the White House.

The Saudi royals are frequent visitors to Marbella and bring a massive boost to the local economy when they are in town, a subtle reminder that while the flashy Al-Thani port might get all the attention, the long term investment comes from elsewhere in the Gulf.

From celebrity laden galas to chilled-out afternoons at the beach, to an evening of flamenco or a round of golf, Marbella really does offer you options whatever you want to do. And although some may bemoan that Marbella has changed to become all bling and celebs, the town itself is still an incredibly popular destination.

The late Sir Dai Llewlyn put it best when he told me, quite possibly over a glass of something light and bubbly, that “Marbella is like the hostess of a party who, halfway through the evening goes up to change outfits. She may come down wearing a different dress, but the party still continues!”

the olive press25 - May 30 - June 12, 2013

25

CHARM: Marbella’s Old Town

Marbella Factfile Population – 140,473 (20 per cent are expats) Second largest town in Malaga province Size - 114.3km² The town’s bounderies are to Cabopino on the east to Guadalmina on the west Length of coast line – 26km Origins – remains have been found from Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman settlements Name - derives from Moorish settlement, ´Marbil-la´ Tourist Information Office – Plaza Los Naranjos 952 823 550 Exclusive residential areas include Elviria, Nueva Andalucía, Guadalmina, Sierra Blanca, Marbella Hill Club, Naguelles, La Zagaleta and Santa Margarita.

Famous residents have included Antonio Banderas, Dolph Lundgren, Hugh Grant, Sean Connery, Deborah Kerr.

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I

Marbella special

T was with great irony that the Olive Press reported that Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe’s mountain estate was facing the indignity of a ring road being carved through it three years ago.

For the German aristocrat is the man often credited with lighting the touchpaper that led to the building boom on the Costa del Sol back in the 1950s.

Hohenlohe – a classic playboy with a love for the ladies – had been the svengali who brought in the necessary capital, both in human and financial terms, to turn the small coastal town of Marbella into a highfalutin millionaires playground to rival the likes of Cannes and Deauville.

It was in 1947 that the brighteyed and charismatic Alfonso had been sent to the coast by his eminent father Prince Maximilian von Hohenlohe to purchase some land.

The 23-year-old son of six children first met up with his eccentric uncle Ricardo Soriano, who would often eulogise about the merits of the coast.

A self-proclaimed womaniser, Soriano was a huge fan of water sports, especially powerboat racing and lived an enviable bohemian life.

While taking Alfonso on a jaunt along the coast in a classic charcoal-powered Rolls-Royce they, perchance,

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Full circle for the ‘King of Clubs’ The Olive Press looks back at the lives of the aristocrats and celebrities that turned a small fishing village into a glitzy, star-studded resort for the jet set decided to stop in the then small fishing village of Marbella.

The bilingual Alonso – who was a keen painter - was immediately taken by what he saw.

Sheltered by the dramatic Sierra Blanca, with crystalclear waters just a stone’s

throw away, the savvy prince was wooed by the wealth of opportunities this costal enclave had at its fingertips.

He ordered his father to sell off his wine cellars in Malaga and begin developing what was to become the first of many new hotels in Marbella.

The well-connected prince

DOWNFALL: After building the regal Marbella Club Hotel, Hohenlohe moved to Ronda and started a vineyard that recently had a ring road carved through it (story top)

DEBONAIR: Frank Sinatra drinking with Ava Gardner

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then embarked on an impromptu campaign to convince all his high-flying friends that Marbella, not San Sebastian or Cannes, was the only place to be.

Despite the doubts, Alfonso persisted with his dream and it was later realised when he opened the now legendary Marbella Club hotel in 1954.

The royal socialite soon came into his element as he busily promoted his luxury accommodation, and, sure enough, the world’s rich, famous and powerful soon began to pour in.

First up, the grand families of central Europe, including the Bismarcks, Rothschilds and Metternichs, began visiting the exclusive hotel.

Soon a string of well-known celebrities were following suit, with actresses including Ava Gardner and Sophia Loren, photographer Patrick Lichfield and racing daredevil James Hunt joining the incrowd.

Even British aristocracy got in on the act, with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Edward and Mrs Simpson) enjoying the experience served up by Alonso.

He even employed a piano player, Don Jaime de Mora y Aragon, who was directly descended from 56 kings and was also the brother of the Queen of Belgium.

“The people I had met in Hollywood, in New York, in Europe, they were the roots, the bridge that brought people to Marbella… who made Marbella,” explained Alfonso.

Marbella took pride in being cut off from the hectic, stressful and often scary modern world.

Indeed, news of the Cuban Missile Crisis did not reach the resort until it was over.

“Everybody had the most gorgeous parties when the rest

As celebrities flocked to the land of plenty, the cement mixers and cranes arrived in force of the world was trembling that World War III was starting,” explains Count Rudi Schonburg, a former manager of Marbella Club.

And coining the nickname the ‘King of Clubs’, Alfonso’s reputation quickly preceded himself and he soon opened up a disco which got the club swinging every Tuesday and Friday night.

Despite revelling in its exclusive status, the Marbella Club was anything but formal.

“At dinner everybody arrived with a dinner jacket, but I said ‘Stop! This is not the Marbella way! You only wear a dinner jacket on new Year’s Eve’,” recalled Alfonso.

As the inspired prince’s creation boomed, so did Marbella and its surrounding hillsides. New restaurants, bars and sports clubs began sprouting up as the Costa del Sol quickly entered its socalled golden era.

Developers included Jose Banus, who built Puerto Banus marina and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, who built a white palace (still there today) that is modelled on both the White House and a mosque.

The likes of multi-millionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi (who formerly owned La Zagaleta, Spain´s most expensive real estate enclave in the hills en route to Ronda) were able to dock their luxury yachts in the port.

But as the celebrities flocked to the land of plenty, the cement mixers and Spain’s national bird – cranes – arrived in force.

Alonso assumed the role of head of the Costa del Sol Promoters’ Co-operative. He lobbied vigorously for improvements in the local roads, airports and water supply.

His vision for the coast soon spurred the rapid growth of neighbouring Torremolinos as

its grey concrete skyscrapers shot up along the seafront.

Yet thanks to Alfonso’s vision, Marbella maintained its classy appearance while today, Torremolinos’ buildings are now crumbling away into the seafront.

Alfonso and his friends ensured that Marbella was tastefully developed with low rise white-washed houses and palm-filled gardens.

“Thanks to my initiative, Marbella’s Golden Mile alone now provides 60,000 jobs,” Alfonso once said.

And the arrival of the 1960s witnessed Alfonso and Marbella at the peak of their fame.

Hollywood stars, Arab sheikhs and former European royalty all accompanied Alfonso at his prestigious Marbella hang-out.

Celebrities Ava Gardner and Kim Novak were among the many high-profile girlfriends he dated.

Even Scottish acting legend Sir Sean Connery became a frequent visitor of Marbella’s glitzy, star-studded clubs and bars.

While his friends called him the ‘King of Clubs’ or the ‘Little Prince’, locals came to know him affectionately as Olé-Olé, because of his difficult to pronounce surname.

Yet as the Costa del Sol dream began to spiral into

uncontrollable development, Alfonso became aware of the monster he had helped stir.

Concrete towers were sprouting up as far as the eye could see, from Malaga all the way down to Estepona, almost 100 kilometres away.

Worse still, wanted British criminals began to take ad-

He grew weary of the mass tourism that was lowering the tone of his town vantage of a lack of an extradition treaty between England and Spain.

This influx of crooks and subsequent crime left the idealistic Alfonso disillusioned with the vision of rich grandeur he once envisaged for Marbella.

After growing weary of the mass tourism that was lowering the tone of his town, he sold up all his Marbella business interests in 1978 in search of a new vision.

Entering his 60s, the idealistic prince settled in his last home with his third wife Marilys Haynes, a Gibraltarian divorcee. He plumped for a mountain retreat, in the hills

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close to Ronda, with a trout lake, partridge wood and an impressive library.

And the ever-inventive Alfonso decided on another successful business pursuit – producing the soon-to-be award-winning wine Principe Alfonso.

And it was nestled in the heartland of Andalucia, close to the sleepy village of Arriate, where Alfonso – despite all the celebrities, parties and glamorous girlfriends – finally found true happiness before passing away, leaving his estate to his children, in 2003.

“I have lived in castles, in Venetian palaces and the world’s finest hotels. I have watched the sun rise over the beaches of five continents and I have looked into the eyes of the most beautiful women of the universe,” he famously remarked.

“Everywhere I sought my dreamed-of city and at last I have found it in Ronda.”

So it is certainly an incredible irony that little Arriate’s much needed ring-road is concreting over the adored, final home of Marbella’s development behemoth.

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His and hers Banus The Olive Press sent a male and female reporter to run a rule over Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous fleshpot, with amusing results

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Mason Jones: A museum of strange people

T’S safe to say I was a little more than sceptical as we left the office in Estepona for the A7.

My Spanish flatmates had just given me a collective roll of the eyes when I told them I was off for a night out in Banus.

Famous for its ostentation (and the cast of TOWIE, a show I have studiously avoided) I knew Spain’s most popular party destination would be nothing like the charming former fishing village where I currently live.

But that said, I promised to have an open mind and was determined to find some of

H

the Spanish charm I had experienced elsewhere in Andalucia.

The first thing that hit me was the parade of summer dresses, bright jeans and well-pressed shirts swanning past the ridiculously large yachts that sit in the marina.

And rather than a bunch of lager louts, it soon becomes clear it is more of a handbaghungry clientelle dominating the marina.

Eagerly shopping in the world famous fashion stores, the accents are distinctly Scouse and Scottish, rather than Andaluz. And the smell is not spilt beer but perfume trails

and excitement.

P e o p l e pose next to the gleamingwhite floating palaces and it is not long before I am guilty of having a gawp.

The sports cars which slowly roll through the busy port also receive their fair share of male attention, with half a dozen camera phones flashing simultaneously as they pass. I spot one well dressed woman step elegantly out of a top-of-the-range Bentley.

As the drinks flow and the early hours arrive, it is clear Banus has a certain energy about it.

The bars become fuller and the volume increases as more people stagger from the street behind and down to the marina.

Annabel Grossman: Billionaires Butlins, but bloody good fun

AVING grown up in a certain part of north London plenty of my friends spent their formative teenage holidays in Marbella and Puerto Banus. But one way or another I missed out... not that I cared mind you.

For me Banus always had a reputation as being a bit of a ‘Billionaires’ Butlins’ and I figured as my parents didn’t own a yacht or a big collection of Jimmy Choos I’d never quite fit in.

Now however, living just a stone’s throw away, it wasn’t long before I found myself tottering along the marina in my highest heels and preparing for a night out in Banus.

I am clearly too easily impressed and love gawping at the giant yachts, reeling at the champagne prices and admiring the lush restaurants.

And while I haven’t quite got the budget to splash out on Cristal, there are plenty of places where you can grab a bite to eat and a couple of drinks without breaking the bank.

B u t

while a pint down the pub is all very well, it doesn’t take long before my north London side is whipping out the credit card and taking a pew at one of the more swanky bars.

I never thought I’d be the type to enjoy partying with WAGs or sipping champagne with the cast of TOWIE, but a few drinks in Sinatra’s and I’m practically dragging my mates to Sala Beach Club, where I’ve been promised glitz, glamour and the odd celeb sighting.

Admittedly, it may not be an A-lister hangout, but the al fresco restaurant is great for dinner and drinks in luxurious surroundings and you are bound to meet a footballer.

A couple of Mojitos and some

Thai tapas later and it’s on to Olivia Valere for cocktails, which inevitably leads to drinks at Opera and dancing until the early hours at Funky Buddha.

The main thing about Banus is there is something for everyone - you can enjoy a couple of relaxing sunset cocktails at the marina, a quick pint at Linekers or spend the afternoon guzzling champagne with Premiership footballers.

Admittedly, the damage to my bank account is a bit painful and my feet ached for a few days.

But if it’s drinks, dancing and great food you’re after, you can’t really go wrong in Puerto Banus.

It would be unfair and, more importantly, untrue, to say I did not enjoy the few hours I spent there. I may not have found that Andalucian charm, but Puerto Banus is certainly not charmless.

Like the irritating relative you can not help but love, Puerto Banus is the extravagant, outlandish, loud but loveable uncle of the Costa del Sol. Or, as my flatmate quite eloquently put it, ‘a museum of strange people’!

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I

REMEMBER one of my mother’s snootier neighbour’s once spreading out a map to show us where she was going on holiday that year. “Ah, Spain,” my mother nodded knowingly. “No, not Spain,” retorted her friend, somewhat miffed. “Marbella dahling. There’s a world of difference.”

And so there is. For reasons which mainly have to do with vast amount of money, Marbella has always remained aloof from other resorts in coastal Spain. Sandwiched between Fuengirola and Estepona like the foie gras filling between two slices of Hovis, even the people are called ‘Marbellí’, instead of Spanish or foreign.

Marbella begins where Calahonda ends and for years (just to make sure no one associated the select, millionaire’s playground with the resort upon which the cheap and nasty Eldorado TV series was based), the grey crash barriers on the main road were painted blue and white in the colours of the (late) town Mayor Jesus Gil’s political party.

Not in Marbella do the hoi polloi slop around in crumpled shorts, baggy T- shirts and flip-flops from Tesco Home and Wear. Marbella’s paseo marítimo, a fashion catwalk lined with succulent palms and beach showers sculptured in the shape of elephants, is trodden by beautiful people sporting sunglasses by Ray Ban, sandals

by Dolce & Gabbana and, in cooler months, a pashmina (careless of how many rare

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SIMPLY MARBELLOUS (Dahhhhling) Xxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xx

As the ‘season’ beckons, long-time Costa resident, Belinda Beckett blows kisses to her friends; the ‘Marbellí’ UNIQUE: Marbella is unlike the other costa resorts, here a beauty steps out of a Bentley in Banus, while (below) a lady has lunch and (top right) girls shop Himalayan goats froze to Here, among the many furdeath sacrificing their coats niture stores you could quite on the altar of high fashion). easily blow several million The shops in Marbella could euros before you get round to have been expressly designed buying the house. Talking of for the man or woman who which, no one has anything has everything: Cartier key so vulgar as an apartment rings, handbags shaped like here, unless c ro i s s a n t s , it’s to let out watches to the poor You could easily whose price for a profit. blow several million tags give new A villa or a meaning to penthouse is euros in the furninot being de rigeur or, if ture stores before able to afford push comes the time of you get round to to shove, a day, and gitownhouse buying a home ant modern so long as it’s art paintings bijou. that discrimiEven the boutique sales asnate against anyone who sistants are beautifully taihasn’t got a home at least lored in Dior and Chanel, all the size of the Tate Gallery. In- the better to persuade you deed, only the Tate would take that the little pink number is them, looking (as many do) an absolute must, even if the as if someone has thrown up €500 which you thought you over the canvases and then might run to, turns out only to ridden a bicycle over them. refer to the belt.

In this modern-day Babylon you can have a mosaic copy of a Titian or The Rape of the Sabine Women rampaging over your patio, a jacuzzi with solid gold taps, a diamond tattoo on your tooth or a trompe l’oeil door in your wall so realistic, you are in danger of walking slap bang into it after a few bottles of Bollie. But don’t worry, if you bust your nose there are plenty of people who’ll fix it for you. Marbella is coming down with dashing cosmetic surgeons all ready to bundle you into their clinics and have you lifted, tucked, liposucked or Botoxed ‘to go’. There are no end, either, to the alternative health centres offering everything from liposuction to Colonic Irrigation, nor to the beauty parlours proposing to extend your locks and sculpt your nails like Cruella Deville’s.

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Marbella is a town for ladies who lunch and here, the restaurateurs take the view that life is never too short to stuff a mushroom. In fact, if it was possible to insert Paxo into a corn kernel they’d probably try, so competitive are they to predatory divorcees will spend the night on the prowl stay hip to the trends.

But as ‘the season’ approach- for frog-faced men who might es, a socialite’s thoughts turn turn out to be princes. Barons and billionto parties. aires, celebIn Marbella Divorcees spend rities, social they are climbers and legendar y. the night on the humble hangDuring July prowl for frog-faced ers-on will be and August dancing ‘til men who turn out the glitteamour or a rati will be to be princes hernia carries turning conthem home spicuous to monoconsumption into an art form.

Legs will be tanned and grammed silk sheets. waxed, tuxes and frocks They still talk about the do ordered from Armani and given by the Belgian playboy Versace, Ferraris hired from with the sharp sense of hu€450 a day (but with a mour who thoughtfully provid‘€10,000 deposit put down ed door-to-door transport for and two credit cards’) and his booted, suited, elegantlythe ‘moi moi’ air-kissing ritual gowned and tiara-ed guests begins. Married couples will - donkeys. work the room, seeking great- For yes, it’s that sort of place. er social status or a lucrative A place to love or hate and business deal; singles will be one, quite unlike anywhere looking for a suitable mate; else in the world.

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By Guy HunterWatts

T

he walk first leads through the irrigated terraces that lie just beyond the village of Istan, ten minutes drive from Marbella centre. Since Moorish times these fertile bancales have been irrigated by an intricate series of water channels or acequiasthat which are fed by the waters of the Río Molinos.

Angling north you cut through a swathe of avocado plantations before descending to the valley floor of the Río Verde.

Here you follow a track along its eastern side before crossing to its west bank via stepping stones to reach the Charco del Canalón.

Set time aside at the beginning of the walk to visit Istán’sdiminuitive main square where there are a couple of cheapand-cheerful bars for a café con leche. It feels a thousand miles from the nearby Costa which is only a dozen kilometres down the road.

A green paradise

This easy ramble leads north from the pretty v Marbella, to the beautiful river valley of the Río El Charco del Canalón. This is a heart-achingly during the warmer months or a picnic at any o

The nitty-gritty Distance: 15kms Time Required: 4 hrs Rating: Medium Total height gain: 350m Map(s): IGN 1:50000 Marbella 1065 (15-45) Water: no springs so take plenty

The Walk The walk begins in the Plaza de Andalucia next to the Istán Ayuntamiento which you’ll see to your left as you arrive from the coast. From here cut left and head in towards the village centre passing an esplanade with benches that look out across the valley west of the village. At the three way junction pass right of Bar Rincón de Curro then drop down a flight of steps to the Unicaja bank, turn right and drop down to a junction.

Turning right you leave the last village houses behind as you head east along a track with fences to either side.

After 350 metres the track angles left and reachesa ford: you can cross it via the concrete footbridge to one side.

Climbing in a northerly direction you pass a high breeze block wall as the track cuts past thick stands of prickly pears, running more or less parallel to the Río Verde which is down to your left.

Passing the green gates of Casa Los Abuelos the track

descends then crosses a (dry) watercourse where it angles left then climbs past a white building with twin porthole windows. Gently descending, with great views out into the valley to your left, the track runs on through avocado groves before passing above a small white building with a statue of Saint Anthony. Looping across the course of a (dry) streambed the track angles left before climbing up to meet with a broader track.

(40 mins) Angle left and head down the track to the floor of the valley then follow the track on north parallel to the river. After passing by an area where cars can park, then crossing the Arroyo Bohornoque, you reach a junction. Here cut right at a sign Charco Canalón up a steep concrete track.

Reaching a metal gate angle left then climb a narrow path to meet again with the track.

Turn left. Climbing gently, and sticking to the main track, Istán comes into view back to the south.

As the track begins to descend back towards the

river a sandy-coloured house comes into sight to your north. Crossing a (dry) streambed via a concrete section the track bears right and climbs before angling back left and passing above the sandy-coloured house beyond which you reach a fork.

(1 hr 15 mins) Cut right following a sign Ruta 5 Casa El Balatín. As the track arcs left you reach another fork. Take the lower branch which descends

STUNN El Cha Canalo

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village of Istàn, near ío Verde and the rock pool y beautiful spot for a dip other time of year

NING: arco del on

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SIGHTS: Views on the walk from Istan and a fountain in the village itself

through pines and cork oaks to the Río Verde which you cross via stepping stones, or by slipping off your boots and wading through.

Beyond the river continue up the track for 75metres then cut right along a narrow path signposted Charco del Canalón. Reaching a first fork take the left hand option

which crosses a (dry) streambed.

Cutting right at this point you come to the Charco del Canalón which has been dammed up with rocks and is fed by a tumbling cascade of water. It’s a perfect place for a dip.

(1 hr 30 mins) From here retrace your steps to Istán and the starting point of the walk. (3 hrs 5 mins)

Guy Hunter-Watts’ Coastal Walks in Andalucía contains a selection of 50 stunning walks close to southern Spain’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. The book describes a range of oceanside rambles, gorge and ridge walks, and forested circuits that are all easily accessed from the the Costa del Sol, the Costa de la Luz and the Costa Tropical. Walks vary in length and difficulty but all are within the capabilities of anybody in resaonable health who walks on a regular basis.

Coastal Walks in Andalucía (ISBN 9-788489-954939) is published by Santana Books www.santanabooks.com tel: 952 485 838 The book is available at most bookshops in southern Spain as well as from amazon. co.uk or direct from the publishers. For more details of Guy’s other walking guides, and his guided walks, check out www.guyhunterwatts.com

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Schools in the Sun MARBELLA is truly spolit for choice when it comes to education options with several well-known and well established international colleges in the town.

Schools such as Swans International School and the British School of Marbella provide an international outlook, yet follow the British curriculum.

Most British style schools in Marbella work from specially built campuses with state-of â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the art facilities and offer a wide range of subjects.

At Swans these include Psychology and Theatre Studies, while at the British School of Marbella the curriculum includes sport, drama and educational trips together with a range of other activities to form an integral part of a broad curriculum that aims to help students learn essential skills.

Educating your children in Marbella also has the added

Marbella has one of the best collections of international schools

SINGERS: Pupils at Swans International School benefit of allowing them to interact with different nationalities and cultures. At Swans for example, there are over 600 students from 30 different countries, providing much more than just an academic education.

Other schools include Laude in San Pedro, Aloha in Nueva Andalucia and EIC. For secondary education the Marbella Design Academy up

in Monda is a great place to hone your design and art skills.

Originally founded in 1995

by Danish Interior Architect Helle Byrn, it is now a modern university offering three-year Diploma courses at Bachelor Degree level in Graphic, Interior and Fashion Design.

It is inviting potential candidates up to visit its EXPO on June 14 at 8pm. All are welcome.

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Art shocker SNAP: Photo featuring Howes’ aunt circled

I

T couldn’t have come as a bigger surprise.

A long-time art dealer Stephen Howes jumped at the opportunity to buy the large black & white photo that had sat in an old restaurant in Fuengirola for decades.

An evocative shot of a chiringuito, known as the Sugar Shack, it summed up everything the Brummie businessman remembered about the coast as a child growing up.

So one can imagine his shock when he got home to discover that in the picture – in the background sunning herself over an evening’s cocktail – was his old aunt Jen. “It wasn’t until I got home

and really studied it that I thought I recognised the woman sitting down having a drink with a man.

“It really looked like my aunt Jen, so I took a photo and sent it back to my mum in the UK to confirm it, which she did.”

It emerged that it really was his aunt, who had lived for a time in the hills above Mijas.

“What we don’t know is who the gentleman she is sitting with is?”

He continues: “I had always loved the photo, so I was chuffed when the owner of

ABOVE: Don Clarke painting and (left) Howes with advert in paper the Harrods bar called me and told me he was happy to sell it as he was shutting down.

“I had tried to buy it a few times since I first saw it in the 1980s but he had always refused to sell.”

The picture - which has an old expat figure ‘Gribber’ in the foreground - is now being used as publicity material for popular local restaurant The Beach House, whose owners are close friends of Howes.

Howes, who represents a number of the coast’s leading artists, has been an art dealer for nearly two decades.

Among his collection are 40 paintings by former Mijas artist Don Clarke, who he represented until his death in 2012, and others by Michael Parks, Roland Fade and Alfred Rogoway.

Visit www.thomascrownart. com for more info.

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WHERE TO SHOP

M

ARBELLA is a classic shoppers paradise with everything from the top designer shops to arty boutiques in the old town.

For the big designer brands you need to head to Puerto Banus, where you will find Gucci, Dior, D&G and Jimmy Choo, etc.

Marbella old town has a wide variety of interesting exclusive speciality shops including Deja Vu which has beautiful vintage clothing and offers a great choice of high end

Gucci to thrift store Elizabeth Gould gives a few shopping tips designer and vintage stock including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci. The shop will also now sell your vintage items on a commission basis.

For lovers of tea and coffee La Gota de Te sells coffee from 25 different countries while D’Oliva sells the best

WHERE TO STAY

Style and grandeur

B

EING one of Spain’s top resorts there is a huge range of places to stay in Marbella.

Aside from the historic Marbella Club, you have Spain’s top rated hotel La Villa Marbella and the stalwart Puente Romano.

But if you are looking for something really special you MUST visit the Marbella Heights Boutique Hotel, which is situated in the hills behind Marbella and has

stunning views of both sea and mountains.

This luxury boutique hotel has four stylish bedrooms and one beautiful suite and you are only seven minutes to the beach. The perfect stop off for some pampering, it has a great pool, jacuzzi and gym.

Mercedes and her staff offer an exceptional personal service and they have been awarded the Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice award for best service in 2012 and 2013.

olive oils from around Spain.

Around the corner is the charming Toy Shop which has a great range of old toys and at the Tiny Cake Secret you can buy everything you need to make cupcakes, cakes and cookies.

Cudeca has recently relaunched its new shop, where I bought a Versace tee shirt for just €10. Finally, Posh Seconds is an exciting new shop located just outside of Marbella, on CN340 Exit 184.

The shop buys and sells artwork, quality new and second hand furniture and interesting items which can also be accepted for sale on a commission basis.

This venture is a new concept as the owners can also provide a complete service with their own interior design team. In addition they are working with six local artists, selling their work and taking commissions for home and garden.

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WHERE TO EAT

Fine food AND fun ‘ A SUCCESSFUL restaurant in Marbella must have a sense of fun,’ explains Ram Nandkishore, and he should know, having opened a dozen establishments in the town, including Mumtaz, Jacks and Chowka.

“People don’t want to go to a boring place that takes itself too seriously... people come down here to have fun. They want places with a sense of humour.”

But it is not just fun restaurants on offer in Marbella... the town has half of Andalucia’s Michelin star restaurants with El Lago and Skina counting on a star... and Dani Garcia restaurant Calima having two.

A massive supporter of the town, where he grew up, Garcia told the Olive Press: “Marbella just keeps getting better and better and the real tragedy is that it is not being properly rewarded for its great cooking and variety.”

Without a doubt one of the businessmen making the big-

gest waves in the food stakes these days is Ian Radford.

The former professional squash player has been constantly adding to his La Sala brand over the last five years.

With a series of famous backers, including footballers David Bentley, Stephen Carr and Shay Given, he has been able to create two of the town’s landmark restaurants; La Sala in Puerto Banus and Rincon de la Sala in San Pedro.

Currently turning away over 100 bookings a day, the original La Sala on the way up to the Nueva Andalucia bull ring is probably the most talked about eaterie in Marbella.

This is the place to find the ‘ladies who lunch’, the movers and shakers and the wealthy empresarios who make Marbella what it is.

An emporium of glass and seductive lighting, its real strength though, lies in its wood-decked terrace, that serves as the ideal tourist sun-deck.

Oh, and the food, is surpris-

VARIETY: (From left) Cafe de Ronda, Playwrights, Chowka and Chef Ravi

Marbella is the best served town in Andalucia for fine dining and a lot lot more, writes Jon Clarke

ingly very good too, with a superb range of classic dishes with a contemporary twist.

And to keep its chefs on their toes a second restaurant Rincon de la Sala opened in San Pedro last year, with perhaps an even better quality of food.

And finally don’t forget the group’s beach restaurant Sala Beach, in Puerto Banus, where just about every self respecting TV star and footballer heads come the summer season.

A little out of the heat of Puerto Banus, but well worth the trip is the excellent Playwrights a short drive away in Elviria. Now well established, it is run by owners Marc and Lynn, who cut their teeth in the Irish restaurant scene and also run Beckitts in the heart of Marbella.

Busy for much of the day,

this stylishly-decorated place with a theatrical theme, has an enticing menu with some classic dishes and a great €25 ‘early bird’ special with three courses, served before 7.30pm.

Nearby is easily one of the best beach restaurants on the coast. The Beach House, sitting on lovely Monteros beach, has become one of the key references of the Marbella scene over the last decade.

With an adventurous head chef Jeff Mynott and a boss Guy McCrow who works hard to constantly improve the quality of food and ambiance, you will be hard pressed to find anywhere better for lunch or supper.

Somewhere however, which can equal the standard is Nueva Campana, in the heart of Nueva Andalucia,

FACES: Garry Waite, Dani Garcia and team at Yanx

TOP DOG: La Sala is the most talked about eaterie in the Marbella area

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where stalwart of the restaurant scene Garry Waite has carved out his niche as a must-try modern European.

Spectacularly good food with a contemporary twist, the authentic venue is romantic and very good value with a set menu coming in at just €15 euros. Also in Nueva Andalucia – in Centro Plaza – is the superb American-style diner Yanx, which is nearly 20 years old.

If burgers, ribs or chicken wings are what you are after, then you will find no better in town.

Fanatical about quality, its genial expat owner David Fisher is insistent on using as much cruelty-free ingredients as possible, including humanely raised chicken, without antibiotics or unnecesary chemicals.

In the heart of the old town of Marbella you have a huge range of places to eat. Easily one of the best though is Il Tartufo which serves authentic Italian food. The original menu consists of home made pasta, risotto, meat and fish with the speciality of the house being fresh truffle which is imported from family in the north of Italy.

Just off the golden mile is the well established Cafe de Ronda, run by successful local businessman Douglas Goullet. A long-time stalwart

you will find a decent mixed menu and now a special set lunch for just €9.50 thanks to a joint venture with Relais de Paris, serving its ‘sauce originale’ with a lovely entrecote steak and classic French fries.

Just up the road on the heart of the Golden Mile is the incredibly popular Pan & Mermelada set up by the enterprising Canadian Lauren Gilbert.

A psychotherapist by trade, she fell into the restaurant trade by accident, after starting a cake business, bored

Selling like the proverbial hotcakes it was no surprise when Laura started her own cafe of waiting to be allowed to practice here. Selling like the proverbial hotcakes it was no surprise when she started a cafe and now it is one of the busiest in town.

Another great place for a cake and a coffee is Bellaria near the H10 in Puerto Banus while a typical Irish venue where you can get a great pint of Guinness and mouth watering steaks is Hogan’s Stand in San Pedro. Choose from T-bone, Fillet, or Rib Eye

and enjoy every live sporting occasion.

If it is traditional Indian you are after then you should look no further than Mumtaz in the port. Now open for 28 years it is the second-oldest restaurant in the port its style comes from the Moghul tradition, weighing heavily on tandooris, biryanis and sabjis (seasonal vegetables).

Finally, if you want an Indian with a real twist, then you must head to Chowka (meaning Mother’s kitchen) on the Golden Mile.

This amazing spot is fast becoming one of the restaurants of reference on the coast, with its head chef Ravi Deulkar, formerly of Rasoi in London, cooking up a creative storm every night.

Billed as ‘a rising star in the Modern Indian food movement’ his food is healthy and heavily influenced by the traditional cooking methods found in typical Indian chowka’s – or ‘mother’s kitchens’.

Last but not least a mention must go out to Iglu, which, while technically just across the border in Estepona, is an amazingly good place to head for supper (see Chilling Time on page 61). You read that here first, but really – if it is quality food you are after - you won’t be disappointed.

Locals Reap Rewards ALREADY well established as one of the coast’s leading restaurant and nightclub groups it was probably only a matter of time that they would reward their loyal customers.

The La Sala Group’s new ‘Local Loyalty’ card can be used at all four venues, La Sala, Sala Beach, Aqwa Mist and Rincon de la Sala.

The card offers a range of discounts including invites to the legendary Sala Beach White & Gold Party, €1 house wine, €1 beer at Rincon de la Sala, free entry and 25% discount at Aqwa Mist, plus a 10% discount from your total food and drink bill at La Sala.

“Our success is as the result of the continuous support from our loyal local customers so we decided it was time to give something back,” explained chairman Ian Radford. Fill in the form at any of the venues.

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monthly youth and education section

treme

WE FEEL SPANISH

By Annabel Grossman

NEARLY half of the country’s second-generation immigrants feel at home in Spain.

In a staggering 20% rise in just four years some 48.3% of expat children now ‘feel

Nearly half of the secondgeneration of immigrants to Spain settle well

Spanish’.

Researchers believe the statistics show that the process of social and cultural integration in Spain is ‘slow but

constant’.

The long-term study by the Ortega y Gasset University Institute with Princeton University analysed the feeling of integration among children of immigrants who arrived in Spain in the 1990s.

It found that THE Royal British Legion has recthe number ognised the ‘significant’ contribuof second tion the pupils and parents of Swans g e n e r a schools made during its Poppy Aption immipeal.

Both junior and senior schools raised grants who more money than any others on the felt Spanish coast. increased After a ceremony to receive the from 28.7% award, a school spokesman said: in 2008 to “We remain committed to support48.3% in

Award for leading poppy fundraisers

ing the war veterans and their relatives in our community.”

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

2012.

The authors of the report put this massive growth due to a greater acceptance of foreigners by Spanish society.

The study showed that last year less than 10% of immigrant children felt they had been discriminated against.

“The vast majority of children born in Spain or brought from other countries at a young age stay in Spain and continue their studies here” explained a spokesman.

The research also found that children of foreigners share the same career and educational aspirations as young Spaniards, with 68% aiming to get a university degree.

However, modest incomes mean their expectations of achieving these goals are significantly lower: just 57% realistically expect to be accepted into a university.

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CRACKING CODES WHILE many parents still struggle to get to grips with logging into their emails and shopping online, it seems that their kids are getting increasingly internet savvy.

A recent study has revealed that a worrying number of youngsters know the passwords to their parents’ computers, tablets and phones – and are not afraid to use them.

The research by website Virtual Piggy found that eight in ten kids know their mum’s and dad’s passwords or pin codes, with one in four having racked-up internet bills on online accounts as a result.

What’s more, nearly one in five sneaky youngsters admit to looking over their parents’ shoulders to learn passwords, while a naughty 12% confess to trying various combinations of numbers until they cracked their parents’ pin codes.

MP Claire Perry, a campaigner for online child safety said that the survey raises worries about how little parents may be aware of their child’s online activity.

“Keeping our personal information safe is a key lesson for children and adults alike,” she added.

“The recent explosion of technology means it can be very difficult to manage as a parent but we all have a responsibility to ensure children are safe and responsible online and parents need to play a big part in that.”

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The Kirkham Klump

BSM head Sian Kirkham goes Back to the Future to find her eating habits have turned her into a portly principal

S

talk radio europe

OMETHING peculiar, bewildering and altogether shocking happened at the British School of Marbella (BSM) last week.

During Monday morning’s assembly a dishevelled and tangle-haired Miss Fry stumbled out of the cafeteria and told the school that she had accidentally fallen into a time machine that had been carelessly left in the cafeteria over the weekend.

Mouths dropped open in shock and awe while a stunned silence swept the school hall as she recalled how she was transported 20 years into the future.

In 2033, apart from BSM winning several high-profile awards for being the best educational establishment in the country, she had some mortifying news to tell.

While wandering around Marbella she bumped into my future self (at Burger King, horror of horrors) and it seems – as you can see - that I’ve let myself go a bit in the future.

The school was shown some outrageous photos she snapped of me, gorging on burgers, doughnuts and whatever else I could lay my sausage like fingers on.

It’s fair to say that my hitherto slim figure had been replaced by a headmistress of epic proportions whose idea of sport was to go salad dodging in restaurants.

With that bombshell dropped Miss Fry gave me a week to change my eating habits for the better, or risk ending up a future fatty.

It just so happened that this time travel incident neatly coincided with our Healthy Eating Week and annual Sports Day. So children were tasked with

LIVING IT LARGE: Sian goes out and about making wholesome snacks for a healthy picnic and learning all about nutrition to help me in my quest to avoid getting the dreaded burger belly.

To see a video of Miss Kirkham’s dietary dilemma visit www.bsm.org.es

Top Dollar

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The Olive Press fortnightly business section 45 taking a look at the Spanish economy and the olive press - May 30 - June 12, of2013 45 fering tips on how to save AND make money

Spaniards lack ambition for business

REFER A FRIEND TO WIN VOUCHERS REFER-a-friend and win an Amazon voucher worth 25 euros with Currencies Direct.

The offer is open to any existing customers, but if you are not a member join and you can start referring others.

The specialist foreign exchange provider has been represented in Spain for the past 15 years and now has offices all along the coast and in four towns, including Marbella.

Their agents’ local knowledge ensures they have a good understanding of market conditions and their personal service and expertise has helped thousands of customers wanting to transfer money in and out of Spain.

“Many of our clients recommend us to their friends and family because they know we will help them save time and money.

We wanted to be able to thank our clients for these referrals and also give them a reward for doing so,” explains business development manager Ignacio Ortega.

“Every week we receive testimonials from satisfied clients around the world who appreciate our friendly professional service and our money-saving exchange rates.

“We hope that by providing an incentive, we will encourage these clients to recommend our services to others.”

You can register online by visiting www.currenciesdirect.com/personal/join/ or if you prefer you can go into our office in Nueva Andalucia to register in person.

Business forum Innova hears how 80% of Spanish students want to be civil servants

STRUGGLE: Spanish people line-up at the employment centre

Working worries

ANDALUCIA is the second worst place to find a job in Europe according to new statistics.

The region comes second only to Ceuta in a poll of the areas with the highest unemployment in Europe.

Some seven Spanish regions made it onto the list of Europe’s ten most unemployed places.

Ceuta, Andalucia, Ex-

Andalucia named as Europe’s second most unemployed region tremadura and the Canary Islands were the regions with the highest unemployment rates in 2012, according to figures released by the EU’s statistical department,

Eurostat.

Melilla, Castile-La Mancha and Murcia also topped the chart with a rate of around 28%.

The rate of unemployed Andalucians has now reached 34.6% followed by Western Macedonia in Greece with 27%.

The figures also reveal that a staggering 48% more people had been without a job for over three years by 2012.

Overall, 25 European regions had an unemployment rate higher than 20.8% which is twice the EU average in 2012.

Rankings

Meanwhile, many regions situated in the north of Europe scored much lower in the unemployment rankings.

Salzburg, Austria had an unemployment rate of just 2.5% while Germany’s Tubingen, Oberbayern and Trier only have 2.7% of workers unemployed.

YOUNG Spaniards lack the ambition and drive to become successful entrepreneurs.

This was one of the key points to come out of a business forum held on the Costa del Sol. According to Pancho Campo, organiser of the Innova 2013 forum, only 18% of Spanish students aim to become an entrepreneur, with an incredible 80% of students instead aiming to become civil servants (functionarios).

This compares to an incredible 70% of students in the US and a similar number in other parts of Europe.

Campo said these damning statistics highlight the ‘job for life’ mentality that is prevalent across Spain.

“There needs to be a fundamental change in the way young people look at business and opportunities,” he said at the conference in Marbella. “It is a time for innovation and change.”

Organised by The American College of Marbella, the forum had keynote speeches from Juan Verde, advisor to President Barrack Obama, as well as Manolo Santana.

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Expats are ‘propping up’ housing market

FOREIGNERS are keeping Andalucia’s property market alive.

Numbers of foreign buyers zoomed up by 24% in 2012, new statistics have shown.

A report by the Málaga Association of Promotors and Constructors (ACP) has underlined the importance of looking after these buyers, who bought a total of 7,299 homes last year.

“These figures underline the importance of residential tourism and the importance of looking after foreign investors” commented ACP

House sales to foreigners zoomed up by 24% last year

president José Prado.

Prado took the opportunity of warning the Junta that proposed sanctions that force foreign owners to declare their domestic assets could discourage further investment.

He said this and other new edicts were creating ‘inse-

curity to potential buyers’.

Prado also commented, however, that the figures showed that ‘activity from promoters is dead’ blaming the lack of investment on the banks’ unwillingness to lend as well as a lack of incentives to stimulate the market.

The ACP did report on some encouraging signs this year, with 5,035 properties, or 42 a day, being sold between January and April in Málaga alone.

This is a significant rise on the past few years.

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Getting back onto the back foot S TERLING has definitely been on the back-foot recently, trading at a one month low against the Euro (as well as a six week low against the Dollar) in the 1.1750 to 1.20 range.

This has taken us through the support level of 1.1750 and opens up the potential for further losses towards the 1.15 area if it remains below here for long.

Data for the UK last week has been the main driver for these falls following the lower than expected inflation figures and the widening door for the Bank of England to justify further quantitative easing.

UK retail sales also posted a dramatic decline from previous months against expectations for a flat reading. The Bank of England’s minutes from its meeting this month were also released at the same time which confirmed that three members, including the Governor, again voted to increase quantitative easing by £25bn. This despite the recent data on the UK economy having been better than expected and the

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By Keith Spitalnick

Bank’s monetary policy committee more upbeat about the economic outlook than for some time.

Slightly more positive were the government’s borrowing figures for last month which were better than expected.

The possibility of more quantitative easing has been kept alive by the three members still voting in favour of an increase and with the lower than expected consumer price inflation figures still fresh in the mind of many investors; the retail sales data gave a further reason to sell Sterling.

However, if the overall economic picture continues to show slight signs of improvement then it’s unlikely that more members will vote in favour. With the current governor’s yes vote being replaced in July by Mark Carney’s unknown vote, it still seems a relatively small possibility of more easing to come.

Keith Spitalnick is head of European Sales at HiFX. To contact HiFX and find out how the team can help you with your international transactions, call in at the office in Centro Plaza, call 951 203 986 or email olivepress@hifx.co.uk

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WIN A BASKET OF FOOD

I

T is an offer that will have plenty of people around the Guadalhorce Valley coming for a look in.

A brand new supermarket in Alhaurin de la Torre is offering the prize of a basket-full of groceries to celebrate its opening.

Just bring along this article - or the advert on page 7 of this paper - to enter the prize draw.

The Malaga Monte Parc supermarket promises to stock a huge range of British and Spanish goods at great prices.

“We aim to keep prices low so our customers keep coming back,” explains boss Lorraine Chaudhry. “But we vow not to scrimp on quality.

“We have seen prices soar in the past couple of years and lots of people have left Spain because of this. We want to help those still here.”

The shop has a good range of well known brands (Heinz, Ben & Jerry’s, Marmite, Yorkshire Tea, etc), alongside

‘The supermarket at Malaga Monte Parc...

Where quality means value for money’

some lesser known products.

Even better it sits next to a cafe where you can also pick up your emails with free wifi.

“You can sit quietly and read the paper, you can even pick up emails or watch TV,” says Lorraine, who runs the mobile home park in a wonderful country location b et we e n the two Alhaurins.

M o r e t h a n happy to try and source any products a recent arrival is a long-time product ‘Camp Coffee’ m a d e from chicory.

The supermarket is open seven days a week from May 31.

Hand in this article or advert on page 7 to enter the draw. www.malagamonteparc.com.

Email:info@malagamonteparc. Tel: 951 296 028

IN

TEAMWORK: Staff are happy to serve you at Malaga Monte Parc

49 www.theolivepress.es

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49

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander

it’s all a matter of trust and control

Why trusts should be about making the right beneficiaries benefit and not about tax avoidance, writes Richard Alexander

FINANCIAL advice in the UK will often involve the use of trusts as an integral part of the planning process, both to determine how assets are held and how they are controlled.

The main objectives may also include improving the overall tax situation for the beneficiaries with Inheritance Tax being in the spotlight most frequently.

While it is fair to say that many of the UK tax advantages of trusts have been slowly eroded over successive budgets, the other key purpose of trusts is one of control, which remains relevant despite those changes.

Unfortunately, not all tax

authorities recognise trusts as a separate legal entity with two such countries being France and Spain.

The aspect of control through the use of a trust can be worth considering and in particular Typically their approach has been to look straight through the trust to determine who the settlers, (those who gifted in to the trust), trustees and

beneficiaries are and to raise taxes accordingly.

This is certainly the case in Spain, particularly if they believe the sole purpose of the arrangements is to avoid tax.

Ironically, even though the French authorities don’t recognise trusts as such, they have found a way to tax them, with severe penalties applying for non-disclosure – how’s that for employing dual standards?

From a UK perspective, having made a gift into a trust, the trustees become the owners of the assets on behalf of the beneficiaries and the settlers will typically relinquish all rights to those assets and no longer need to report income and gains to HMRC.

The aspect of control through the use of a trust can be worth considering and in particular, where there are non-

Trusts should be seen as a useful tool to help control assets Spanish assets, the use of a will trust may have some merit if you have concerns about your beneficiaries.

As an example, if your beneficiaries are your children

who are married with children of their own, there may be a concern to ensure that some assets are preserved for the grandchildren as well.

Whereas an outright gift to a beneficiary gives all control over the assets to them, a gift into trust gives control to the trustees.

If perhaps the beneficiary has a matrimonial breakdown at a later date, under the outright gift, 50% could well then pass to their spouse on divorce, whereas under a trust, the assets remain in the ownership of the trustees and should not form part of any divorce settlement.

While some don’t like the idea of giving control over the assets to other people, care-

ful selection of the trustees should allay any fears here and furthermore, the settlers are able to lodge a letter of request with the trustees to suggest how and when distributions to the beneficiaries are made.

It should be remembered that this request is not legally binding on the trustees as they retain the discretion, but if the trustees understand the views of the settlers, they are more likely to be able to achieve their objectives.

In my opinion, trusts should be seen as a useful tool to help control assets and ensure that the appropriate beneficiaries do indeed benefit rather than as a means to try to avoid paying tax.

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Contact him at Richard@ra-fp.com

Law

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AGONY ANT

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Buyer Beware: Residency Frauds

Antonio Flores of Lawbird on the scams and plans surrounding the promise of giving residency for buying a home in Spain over €160,000

W

E all know fraudsters never sleep, just like money; in fact when our guard is down the fraudster can be at his most damaging.

And this is exactly what is happening as a result of the irresponsible press release issued by the Spanish Government last November, when they propagated the lie

that they would be offering automatic residency for anyone who bought a property worth €160,000 and above.

The announcement triggered a desire by tens of thousands of potential buyers eager to move to this part of the world.

Away from war zones and to a fabulous coastal area with good weather and good schools, etc, etc

Ask Ant Q. What sort of proof of income is required for a non-EU citizen to apply for non-working residency in Spain?

A. According to Spanish Immigration laws, an applicant will need to demonstrate that he can generate, annually, a figure equivalent to 400% the IPREM -Public Income Indicator of Multiple Effects (€532,51/month)-, or €25,500 annually, and an additionally €5,320 annually for each additionally family member. Additionally, the applicant must prove that he has adequate private medical insurance and a clean criminal record, as well as suitable accommodation (owned or rented residential property).

Q. I wish to start a small business, do I need to pay ‘autonomo’ (social security)?

A. On the whole, ‘yes’. However, one of the criteria used to know if someone is carrying out a commercial activity is the notion of doing it ‘habitually’, and there is a lot of case law in relation to what this means. According to the Supreme Court, earning more than the minimum wage (€645/month) is a presumption of such habitualness, where no other means of proof are available.

For many it was a way to be able travel more effectively without the nuisance of waiting in queues to be dealt with by unfriendly consulate staff to get a visa and for a few, for reasons of privilege and even social status.

And confusion was compounded by ignorant journalists, who mistook residency for ‘citizenship’.

So in the wake of all the above, professional conmen saw an opportunity to try to trick desperate families into buying a property and on the back of it, get permanent residency for all the family.

One of such companies, Green Planet EU residency, most probably run by former timeshare scammers, is offering a package where you pay €220,000 and you get, for the privilege, ‘a property and a residency card’.

To make things look legit, they resort to the Costa conman manual and pick novice lawyers - generally based in Fuengirola - to receive the payment (whether the lawyers are aware of the scam or not can only be speculated on).

Approval

But the truth couldn’t be further away and there is in fact no approved norm, or law, or act, or ruling or otherwise, in Spanish law, that will allow you to get automatic residency by buying a property worth €160,000 and above.

For one simple reason: it was never approved.

The latest move by the Spanish Government has been to announce that, after much consideration, they will actually ONLY grant residency to families buying a property worth €500,000 and above, as was approved on May 24.

But beware, this plan has not yet been passed into law either.

It has not even been published in the official gazette (www.boe.es) so everyone needs to be cautious because as of yet, buying a property over €500,000 will also NOT secure residency, and it is not going to be retrospectively applied!

Contact antonio at aflores@ lawbird.com

U J p the

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ardin path

Garden gadget

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MOTOR

Revolutionary machine set to eliminate the chore of mowing the lawn

Herb specialist Sue Rodgers on growing herbs hassle free

Grow your herbs

G

ROWING your own herbs is one of the easiest and most pleasurable forms of gardening.

Herbs are generally forgiving and can be grown in a variety of conditions. If you don’t have much space, then you can grow most herbs in containers, window boxes and even hanging- baskets .

A herb garden can be designed to suit almost any size or shape. A kitchen herb bed may include tarragon, chives, mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary, basil to name a few.

Perhaps, an aromatherapy garden appeals with wonderfully scented herbs such as bergamot, lemon balm, lavender, honeysuckle and geranium to enjoy.

Teas and infusions are the

most common and well known herbal products and can be bought now in most supermarkets. However, shop bought preparations are very different to those you make yourself, with fresh ingredients. To make a herbal tea, simply put a few leaves in a mug or small teapot , pour over boiling water and leave for 5 minutes, you can add honey if you wish, then just drink and enjoy.

A favourite preparation made on my herbal walks is a deodorising foot powder. Place two tablespoons each of dried thyme and Sage in a pestle and mortar and grind until you get a fine powder.

Put the powder into a bowl and mix with 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda – one of

the best deodorising agents around . Finally add a few drops of essential oil, I use lemongrass and citronella as both are anti-bacterial as well as being insect repellent. The powder can then be put into a container and sprinkled onto feet or into shoes as required.

It is also great for keeping animal bedding fresh , and fleas in particular hate the lemon in the essential oils! I also use it to freshen up my rugs, as a sort of herbal Shake n’ Vac. The powder will keep for several months and can always be revived by adding a few more drops of essential oils. To learn more about making herbal preparations, join me on one of my herbal walks in La Alpujarras sue@ selfsufficiency4u.com

FOR those who want the perfect garden without putting in the hard work, you may just be in luck.

An innovative design from Bosch is set to revolutionise the laborious task of mowing your lawn.

The Indigo robotic mower, unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show last week, is able to cut a lawn of up to 1,000 square metres while you sit back and relax.

Once the Indigo runs out of battery, it takes itself back to its charging dock before returning to the point it left.

The gadget, which uses ‘intelligent navigation’ to cover every blade of grass, is able to sense objects it should not mow such as gravel and rock.

Produced in Suffolk and available at B&Q, the Indigo robotic mower retails at €1,634.

HE KNOWS HIS ONIONS! by Peter Langdale

Fruits of our labour

W

ell; here goes.

Another month, another diatribe.

Now is the moment all you budding gardeners are about to throw the towel in.

Why, you may ask. The answer of course is the Chelsea Flower Show. What an incredible show piece for the world of gardens and gardening. It makes whatever we do appear humble in comparison. I do find however, that you quite often see a concept, idea or plant that you feel may suit your own particular situation. If this is the case and you want too expand your gardening horizons we at Garden La Palma will help if we can.

As we are now well into spring, our gardens should be brimming with new growth and colour. For colour, how about some of the old favourites such as dahlias, and petunias.

Now is a good time for preparing you hanging baskets.

If you are worried about keeping the baskets moist then consider a couple of baskets with a mix of cacti or drought resistant succulents.

Now is an important time with your fruit and veg. A lot of the fruit trees have new tender growth which is very attractive to aphid. If your orange and lemon trees have very curled, distorted, new leaves then almost certainly

they are infested with aphid.

Ask our team for an aphicide to clear up the problem.

In the veg garden you should be enjoying the fruits of some of your autumn planted goodies such as leeks, parsnips, carrots and swedes.

Out on our own farms we are still flat-out harvesting coriander, parsley and leeks for export. Despite the vagaries of this year’s winter we have maintained a week in, week out supply of coriander and parsley to our UK supermarket customers. Well done team.

Once again I invite anyone who wishes to come and visit our installations or farms.

Just drop me a line at peter@semilleroslapalma.com

AIN AG E D E PP SAL RO ICK 00 D 0 ICE QU 0, PR FOR € 13

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More than a tan Living in Spain is good for your health, writes Annabel Grossman NOT that we needed another excuse to escape the UK for the sunny shores of Spain.

But British weather, it seems, could be bad for your health.

A study from Glasgow University has found that living in a warm, sunny climate does more than just make us cheerful and tanned – it may also lower the risk of death.

The research showed that chilly temperatures, low levels of sunshine and lashings of rain can all lead to fluctuations in blood pressure.

Rather worryingly, these fluctuations raise the odds of dying by more than a third. The researchers explained that blood vessels near the surface are known to narrow in cold weather in order to conserve heat, which increases blood pressure.

This puts the body un-

der strain and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Heart expert Sandosh Padmanabhan made the link after comparing more than 40 years of blood pressure data on patients in the west of Scotland with meteorological data for the area.

The results revealed that half the patients were sensitive to drops in temperature, with a fall of around 10C leading to an increase in blood pressure of between 3mm and 6mm.

These findings are extremely significant when we consider that a change of just 2mm is enough to significantly alter the odds of a fatal heart attack or stroke.

What’s more, ‘temperature-sensitive’ patients showed a 35 per cent increased risk of longterm mortality compared with patients not sensitive to the chilly weather.

If doctors were aware that a patient’s blood pressure was affected by cold wet weather, this could help them make decisions about the right treatment.

Patients could also take the decision to move abroad.

“This is the first study to show the effect of different weather parameters on blood pressure measurements,” said Padmanabhan.

BRAIN FOOD EATING a typically Spanish diet can help boost and preserve brain power in old age, research from the University of Navarra has revealed.

Researchers found that people who stick to the socalled Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop dementia than those who eat a low-fat diet.

The diet typically enjoyed by countries in southern Europe such as Spain and Italy is rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and olive oil.

It has long been thought to combat heart disease and cancer but now scientists believe eating Spanish dishes could also improve brain function.

The findings are based on a study of 522 men and women aged between 55 and 80 who were regarded as being at a high risk of heart disease.

After an average of six years, researchers found that those on Mediterranean diets achieved significantly higher average mental test scores and were also less likely to show signs of brain impairment.

“Our findings support increasing evidence on the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive function,” said study leader Professor Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez.

What’s more, separate research has linked olive oil to lower rates of osteoporosis, arthritis and stroke.

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5130 - June 12, 2013 the olive press - May

Reasons to

SMILE

I

T is a very common mistake that people make when they believe that if they have no natural teeth and wear dentures then they don’t need to visit the dentist.

This is not the case! It is extremely important that you should continue to visit your dentist at least once a year.

There are two main reasons for this. Firstly from a dental viewpoint: over time, after tooth extractions, the soft tissues and gums in your mouth shrink and change while your dentures stay the same.

In the first of a regular column on dentistry, Dr Nina King explains how it isn’t all about teeth

You probably won’t notice body’s health and certain the changes yourself as they medical conditions can be are gradual but by the time spotted in the soft tissues you feel you are experiencing (tongue, roof) of the mouth. problems with your dentures The most potentially dangerit may make it very difficult ous of these is oral cancer, to successfully correct them which sees over 5000 vicand make new ones. tims a year in the UK. Visiting regularly allows The risk of developing oral the dentist to monitor any cancer increases with age changes and and in the to correct the UK the dentures or m a j o r Your mouth is recommend a ity of cases new set which (87%) oca reflection of when/if recur in peothe rest of your quired. ple aged 50 This means or over. body’s general that you are Oral cannot left in a cer often health compromised starts as position of a painless having to acchange in cept uncomfortable and/or the soft tissues which in the loose dentures. early stages can often only Secondly, your mouth is a be detected by a trained reflection of the rest of your dentist.

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The benefits of regular dental attendance...

Even if you have no teeth!

As with all cancers, successful treatment is greatly improved if it is detected early so a regular, routine dental examination may well save your life!

Other common medical conditions which can affect the mouth are diabetes and Crohn’s disease.

Your dentist will also be able to advise and help treat associated symptoms such as dry mouth and repeated ulcers.

Remember even if you have none of your own teeth there are many other structures in your mouth which are just as important and should be examined and looked after regularly.

Dr. Nina King is dentist and owner of the Oasis Dental Clinic, in Marbella. She is a UK registered specialist in Prosthodontics (implants, crown and bridgework and dentures) and provides both specialist treatment and all types of general dentistry at the clinic

Teenage eating disorders up

OF E EE RG FR A CH

EATING disorders among teenagers have hit a worryingly high level, medical experts have warned.

Doctors believe that up to one in ten teenage girls in the UK are affected by some form of eating disorder, with the highest rate of cases among girls aged 15 to 19.

This means that eating disorders are now second only to depression as the most common new mental health problem teenagers will be diagnosed with.

In fact, girls aged ten

to 19 are now nine times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder than they are to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The findings also showed that eating disorders are not only a female problem, with boys as young as ten falling prey to pressures of modern lifestyle and culture.

Although the incidence of anorexia and bulimia has remained fairly constant there has been a ‘significant increase’ in other eating disorders, includ-

ing binge eating.

“Modern society exerts pressure for children and young people to be perfect, to look perfect and be high achievers,” said Dr Nadia Micali, of the Institute of Child Health, University College London, which carried out the research.

“Boys are starting to suffer as girls did in the past. It’s a mix of genes and environment, nature and nurture, but the reality is we don’t know enough about what causes eating disorders yet.”

Complementary Salud!

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IMPACTS, FRACTURES AND SCARS Geoffrey Wattine explains the benefits of osteopathy after trauma

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physical shock, from a fall or accident resulting in muscle, bone, or ligament injury can result in the person unconsciously adopting a new posture to reduce pain. The compensating posture generates

Got an itch? Now you know why WE’RE all familiar with the feeling of itchiness... well now scientists have identified exactly what it is that causes this annoying sensation.

Researchers in the US tested a range of chemicals that carry information to the brain to find out which were essential to the perception of itchiness.

They found that mice that can’t make the key compound ‘Npbb’ don’t itch.

“When we exposed Npbb-deficient mice to several itchinducing substances, it was amazing to watch,” said lead author Santosh Mishra. “Nothing happened. The mice wouldn’t scratch.”

But when the rodents were injected with Npbb they started to scratch.

The breakthrough research offers hope of new treatments for conditions that cause severe itching, such as eczema, various cancer treatments and kidney dialysis.

Yoga

new tensions.

When a person suffers a broken cruciate ligament in the knee, or a foot fracture for example, they will transfer weight to the other leg. The tissues in the part of the body that received the trauma will be disorganised and will result in an area of restricted mobility from incorrect use, this is known as the area of ‘primary’ tension.

This primary tension has a domino effect causing problems in other parts of the body, possibly altering its function and over time will cause pain or inflammation in those areas. A knee problem will disrupt the left and right balance of the body so the person will unconsciously move their back in an unbalanced manner creating referred pain sometimes even as far up as the neck.

As similar effect is seen in the skin around a scar; it looses

it’s elasticity. The skin and the fascia (tissue) that covers the entire body having been cut, then draws in the adjacent tissue creating an imbalance which can cause alterations (pain and inflammation) in other areas of the body.

At the moment of any traumatism (impacts, car accidents, falls, surgery and fractures) the nervous systems receives the information that damage has been caused in the tissue and starts protecting it.

Even after the original pain has disappeared, the patient will unconsciously continue to protect this area, altering posture and possibly preventing a complete recovery. A therapist can liberate the stored information in the nervous system.

The osteopath locates and relaxes the ‘primary tension’ areas that were the cause of any tissue and nerve disorganisation, allowing the compensations in both systems to undo themselves. To help the body heal and restore balance it is recommended that a visit to an osteopath be made as soon as possible

with Rachael Hemming

Virabhadra THIS is the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs, and wearing a tiger’s skin.

Benefits • Strengthens and stretches the legs and ankles • Stretches the groins, chest and lungs, shoulders • Stimulates abdominal organs • Increases stamina • Relieves backaches • Therapeutic for carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis, and sciatica How to do it • Stand in Tadasana, standing position with body aligned from your feet upwards. Feet parallel and hip width or less apart.

Hands relaxed by your sides, shoulders soft, spine long, crown towards the ceiling. Breathe in and on your exhalation step with your right foot away from you, slightly longer than a natural stride, apart.

• Inhale and on your exhalation turn your left foot out to the left 45 degrees. Try to keep your heels in line if you can. Inhale and on your exhale and bend your right knee over your right ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor. If possible, bring your right thigh parallel to the floor. Anchor this movement of your right knee by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer left heel firmly to the floor. Push hard on the heel and outside edge of your left foot, foot firmly to the floor.

• Inhale and as you exhale raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out, in front and behind, shoulder blades wide, palms down, fingers long.

• Stretch the arms away from the space between the shoulder blades, parallel to the floor. Don’t lean the torso over the right

thigh: Keep the sides of your torso equally long and your shoulders directly over your hips and pelvis. Press the tailbone slightly toward your pubic bone.

• Gaze over the middle finger of your right hand. Inhale and as you exhale lengthen your arms, relaxing your shoulders, push down with the back of your left heel and sink down into the posture. Keep your right knee over and above your right ankle.

Do not let the knee go over your ankle or out to the side.

• Feel strong, calm and powerful. Connect to your source of power and energy.

• Hold for seven rounds of breath. Relaxing into the posture as much as you can, maintain the integrity of the posture while breathing and look for your out breath to be longer than your in breath.

• Breathe in and as you breathe out come out of the position the way you went in, back to tadasana, standing and repeat on the other side.

• • Rachael Hemming ; 634 872 450 • www.theyogicemporium.com

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

after an important trauma.

Based on clinical observation.

55 55

For more information contact Geoffrey on 622 09 89 16 or email gwattinne@hotmail.es

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OP Lifestyle

Juliet Hambro takes a look at the issue of dating again in your senior years

A

www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

FRIEND recently widowed confided to me what most of us seniors are thinking. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin with dating and finding another partner.” And even though living alone after many years of marriage is daunting, it may seem even more petrifying to enter into the world of senior dating.

There are many reasons for seniors to want to find another marriage partner.

Due to better healthcare and

Remarriage after retirement

senior fitness levels, many of us are living longer. If we’re alone in our sixties or seventies, we may have many years left of life. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy it with someone?

We also have increased opportunities to socialise today - much more than previous generations. There are church and community activities of all kinds from which to choose. And while enjoying these events we meet people of similar age and circumstance.

Seniors today often value their independence from younger family members.

They enjoy living on their own and are able to ‘make it’ financially.

However, it is more manageable to create a workable budget with two incomes.

There are tangible benefits to sharing the expenses of life.

In fact, everyone agrees: it’s lonely living alone. The intimacy, companionship and love that have sustained us in earlier years are still desired.

2) Take the time to talk about big life issues.

A mother becomes a true What about grandmother the day she stops faith, politics, noticing the terrible things her financial situchildren do because she is so ations and enchanted with the wonderful values? What about your things her grandchildren do. extended Lois Wyse family and his or hers?

What are Here are a few tips for dealing your expectations about sex, with the situation should you money, division of labour for find your senior parents desir- the home, family holidays and ing to remarry more?

Granny quotes or if you find yourself in 3) Get good counsel that situation. from a number of people you What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change 1) Take the respect. Your friends and family members, your menand they give me a million whole pro- tor or local vicar, others who cess slow and have chosen either to enter pounds worth of pleasure! easy. Remem- into new relationship or cho- G Perret. ber you have sen not to. Take the time to had a lifetime Will inheritances be jeop- of habits and ways of doing be both cautious and wise. A ardised? And what if the new life and this new person has mistake made in senior years partner wants to include his done all of these things dif- can be very costly. or her children in the will, thus ferently. You’ll never replace Isn’t it wonderful that seniors ‘diluting’ your resources? your previous partner—be I know of a senior couple who sure you aren’t trying to do have choices to make in their remarried in their early eight- that. A new relationship will latter years? And isn’t it wonies and enjoyed only a few come with a new and differ- derful that the quality of our lives can be so high? years of happiness before ent lifestyle.

We can enjoy friends, famhe fell into the depths of Alily and a huge assortment zheimer’s. Then her health of activities failed and the children had Granny facts from part-time to step in and support both work to volunof them. teering to travYes, there are possible pitIn Japan the elderly are el and social falls in remarriage at a later generally treated with events.

We age. But aren’t there always the utmost respect. Many can make our challenges in marriage relaown decisions Japanese families have several tionships? about the way generations living under one There are often strong feelwe spend our ings expressed by children roof. This factor is believed to senior years. when their parents want to be one of the many reasons that If a new relaremarry later in life. They fear the elderly in Japan live longer tionshiop is that loyalty to their deceased on your horithan any other population. In parent may be threatened. zon, good for fact, there are more elderly They worry that the family you. Be sure memories will be lost. They citizens than young people to proceed wonder if their inheritance in Japan. The population is carefully and is still theirs. They may feel comprised of more people over wisely and some jealousy and confusion the age of 65 than any other may you fully about the new love relationenjoy each group. ship between their parent and every day and the new parent figure. of your life.

What do to?

We want someone to talk to and to enjoy daily life with.

Some choose to live together without entering into marriage to avoid some of the pitfalls that are encountered in an after retirement marriage.

What are some of the pitfalls in a remarriage after retirement? Many of the problems that arise are related to resources and finances. If you and your long time partner had a will and left everything to your children, what happens now if you remarry?

Granny quotes

www.askgranny.com is a unique website and resource for grandparents and senior citizens worldwide created by Granny Juliet and provides useful information on a number of topics.

49 www.theolivepress.es

In a new column taking an off-beat look at life around Andalucia, Belinda Beckett (aka Mistress Sizzle) takes a stroll with the Barbary macaques

I

wasn’t going to share this photo of my mate, Dave, meeting a monkey in Gibraltar.

the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013

Hairy Moment with a Gibraltar Monkey One reason is that Dave’s hair looks a mess. The other reason is that it shows him experiencing something that

Dave’s close encounter with a cheeky monkey

A

NOTHER summer silly season is upon us and the British Bank Holiday once again means Marbella is full of Premiership footballers, soap stars, talent show judges and, of course the TOWIE tsunami.

A Bank Holiday weekend traditionally means a slow time for the press back home, so the crazed antics down on the Costa del Sol inevitably led to a stream of photos of ‘stars’ drunkenly stumbling around Puerto Banus in a variety of vile outfits.

Bizarre

All this happened in the same week that Marbella Town Hall launched its, quite frankly, bizarre ‘Marbella Luxury Weekend’. The Luxury Weekend always strikes me a superb example of Marbella at its most myopic. Luxury car dealers, jewelery firms and designer label clothing brands set up mini marquees around the marina and the Cava flows

the Gibraltar government wants to discourage: an ‘unwanted interaction’ with a Barbary macaque.

And all because we took a backpack. Containing cameras and extra jumpers, not food. It can get pretty nippy at a height of over 1,300 feet.

But I’ve decided to publish and be damned, for these not-so-dumb animals’ sake.

No one wants to become a monkey murderer by default … and that could happen if we don’t help.

There are 240 Barbary macaques living on The Rock and they’re not stupid (although sometimes humans are). Year in, year out, these cheeky monkeys see tourists arriving off the cable car, their

Pringles aren’t for sharing backpacks bulging with tasty treats.

Quite why people feel the need to go better provisioned than Sir Edmund Hillary on his expedition to the Himalayas is a mystery. It’s not exactly scaling Everest. The cable car is only a six-minute ride to the top and there’s a café if you fancy a bite (so to

Marbellocks

as the beautiful people slap each other on the back and tell themselves that Marbella is a luxury brand in the same league as Monte Carlo and Portofino. Shallow?

Just possibly.

Look beyond the roped off VIP areas and you’ll see tattooed and muscle-bound PR staff handing out flyers for clubs, or offering free shots.

Stag and hen parties carouse through the streets in fancy dress, while ladies of negotiable virtue ambush drunken groups of golfers.

Not your everyday scenario outside the Casino in Monte Carlo, but then again I could be wrong.

At the same time the beacclubs are also in full swing.

Most are doing what they do in a fun and frivolous fashion, no complaints.

But some of them seem to suffer from delusions of grandeur – styling themselves as upmarket, exclusive fine dining establishments while the reality is their clientele is unbelievably tacky, staggering

around in ridiculous heels and spraying champagne over each other.

At the same time the bathrooms are mysteriously full of people with awful cases of the sniffles. It must be hay fever season again…

Beach

SPRAY: Marbella clientele

As an aside, I was informed last week by one beach club that I wasn’t on the press list for their famous White Party... as the Olive Press wasn’t the ‘kind of media’ they wanted. Presumably one that actually reports and might spot something untoward going on... Like a shooting? And report on it? Shock horror, surely not what journalism is about?

To paraphrase Groucho Marx: “I wouldn’t want to be a member of any beach club that would accept me”.

I’ve always been a sand and sangria beach kind of guy, rather than a champagne and Colombian flake in my 700€ a day beach teepee…

speak). But people do, and it didn’t take the monkeys too long to figure out how a zip works.

You’ll invariably see one of the dominant males swigging from a can of Coke or getting stuck in to a tube of Pringles. No sharing. Just too much salt, a big sugar rush and oodles of bad choles-

Send them back

I spend more time than is healthy for a single male on social media. In fact I’m so often to be found on Facebook that some people are suprised that I’m an actual human being and not an avatar set up by the IT boffins at The Olive Press to drive traffic to the website.

One of the illuminating things about living on social media was the response to the killing of the British soldier in London.

While most urged restraint, there were more than a few demanding ‘Zero tolerance for immigrants’ and ‘Send them back’ or ‘Make them integrate and learn English’.

Many of these were probably sent by expats sitting outside English bars in Marbella. They of course, failed to see the irony...

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Hey hey I’m a monkey terol for one greedy monkey.

Which makes the £500 fine for feeding them pretty toothless, unlike these pick-pocket primates who have their ‘off days’, just like humans, and can inflict a nasty bite.

Various methods have been tried to control them, from contraception to transportation and the ‘final solution’ nobody wants: culling. Do you want monkey blood on your hands?

Then please read the following tips:

How to Handle Unwanted Interaction with a Gibraltar Monkey Rule 1: What part of Do Not Feed the Monkeys don’t you understand? Do not bring food with you, period. Then neither you, nor thieving little monkey hands, will be tempted.

Rule 2: Plastic bags are a big no-no. Monkeys react to the rustle of plastic like hungry school kids to the dinner bell.

Rule 3: Ditch the backpack. Even if it doesn’t contain food, the monkeys don’t know that and they’re going to check it out.

Rule 4: Keep all monkeys at arm’s length. Most cameras have perfectly good zooms so you don’t need to be within spitting distance (and monkeys can spit) to get a great shot.

Rule 5: If, despite the above precautions, a monkey leaps on your back, try not to scream (even if others are screaming).

Remain very still and quiet until it jumps off. On no account attempt to prise it off. For obvious reasons.

Rule 6: If the monkey starts grooming your hair, relax. This is ‘sociable’ monkey behaviour so no cause for alarm (unless you’re wearing a toupé).

Rule 7: Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!

Rule 8: When you get home, wash everything the monkey has come into contact with. Otherwise, you won’t half pong!

46 58 the olive press - May 30 - June 12, 2013 58

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FOOD & DRINKwww.theolivepress.es with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Dani’s true taste of luxury IT is certainly a challenge.

But it is one that Marbella chef Dani Garcia is up for when he provides a VIP dinner for 600 people for the launch of Marbella Luxury Weekend this Thursday.

Local boy Garcia will be serving cocktails and cuisine from his flagship res-

taurant Calima, which is frequented by Marbella’s rich and famous.

He said: “My goal is to showcase Calima’s two Michelin Star cuisine and ensure that all our guests enjoy a singular experience at each event.”

The Marbella Luxury Weekend will run from

It’s a conundrum and it doesn’t always boil down to price, Pancho Campo talks lovely bubbly

May 30 until June 2, giving visitors the opportunity to browse some of the finest and most exclusive food and fashion on the Costa del Sol. Participants include Gucci, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, American Express and Aretusa Restaurante, as well as a whole range of other luxury products and brands.

Pancho’s Punch

CAVA OR CHAMPAGNE? C IN

AVA is the name given in Spain to sparkling wine made in the appellation known as DO Cava.

Although almost 90% of it is produced in the Penedes area in Catalonia, it can be made in four other regions; Rioja, Extremadura, Aragon and Valencia.

Other sparkling wines are made in other parts of Spain but those cannot carry the name of Cava.

For some time at the end of the 20th century ‘Spanish Xampan’ was used but the authorities agreed to ban the name as it was, of course, too similar to the word Champagne from France.

Many people often ask me what are the main differences between Cava and Champagne.

Well Cava is Spanish and Champagne must come from the French region of the same name.

The climate it is also dif-

ferent because Champagne has a marginal climate that is very cold in the winter, while Cava is made in a Mediterranean climate, which is much warmer.

Also the grape varieties are different. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are red varieties used in Champagne with the Chardonnay grape, which is white.

The traditional grape varieties used for the production of Cava are all white: Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. Using red varieties gives Champagne a different aroma profile.

Another important difference that influences the taste of Champagne is the ageing periods.

Non-Vintage Champagne must be aged for at least 15 months while in Cava only nine months are required.

For Vintage Champagne or Millesimé, the French law requires 36 months but in Spain Gran Reserva Cava only requires 30 months.

DINING TIP:

EL LAGO

El Lago is one of the great restaurants of Andalucia and probably one of the most affordable one Michelin star restaurants anywhere in the world. Located in the Elviria Hills, you can enjoy a tremendous tasting menu for just €60. I loved the alternating layers of marinated chicken breast with foie-gras and caramelised apple; and the young goat shoulder from

Malaga with vegetables was spectacular. The Sea Bass and marinated salmon tartar with ‘soy foam’, lemon sorbet and a mustard mayonnaise tabule was also terrific. The varied wine list with almost 300 references, mostly Spanish, is also very good. www. restauranteellago.com

The extended ageing period of a sparkling wine results in a more complex nose with aromas of toasted bread and nuts, which are the notes that expert drinkers look for in fine sparkling wines.

There is a big difference in price as well. It is very difficult to find a good quality Champagne below €30 . However, there are numerous excellent Cavas for less than €15 and some of the top names retail between €30 and €50.

I have conducted numerous blind tastings including high quality Cava and some household Champagne names. You would be surprised to know that in numerous occasions Cava came out first.

CAVA PICK: GRAMONA IMPERIAL GRAN RESERVA 2007

Gramona is a medium size Cava producer based in the heart of the Penedes region. The bodega specialises in high quality Cavas with long ageing periods, which result in wines that are extremely complex, delicate and elegant.

This Imperial 2007 is a Gran Reserva that has been aged for more than three years and it is made mostly with the very elegant Xarello grape variety. Cava, like most sparkling wines, issupposed to be drunk as an aperitif.

However, due to the tremendous complexity of this Imperial, it also combines beautifully with some white meats and fish.

FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

COLUMNS www.theolivepress.es

Seal of approval No more olive oil dipping bowls allowed in EU

THE EU is to ban the use of refillable bottles and dipping bowls for olive oil in restaurants next year.

Starting from January 2014, restaurants will only be permitted to serve the oil in tamper-proof packaging which complies with EU standards.

Industry professionals around the region have already started to criticize the move, particularly as nu-

By Annabel Grossman merous restaurants serve up bread with olive oil in this way. “This will affect a lot of people,” explained London restaurant owner Sam Clark from Moro, who has a home in the Alpujarras.

“It is about choice and freedom of choice. We buy our oil, which we have selected from a farm in Spain, to

serve our customers.

“The EU Commission claims the decision will provide a better guarantee and improve hygiene,” he added. “But I doubt that.”

The EU argues that the move will ensure that you get exactly what you pay for when you go to a restaurant.

Spain is Europe’s largest producer of olive oil followed by Portugal, Greece and Italy.

Super chill!

Iglu ‘chill lounge’, Benavista

I

T really did come as something of a surprise.

In what to some might seem like no-mans land between Estepona and Marbella sits a restaurant that is already starting to pull thosein-the-know from far and wide.

Everything to do with its chefs - and I say chefs because this is almost two different restaurants (more of which later) - Iglu really is worth tracking down.

In fact, you really can’t miss it as you spin off the bend at Benahavis, heading down into Benavista.

Part of a new buzzing corner zone, that includes D’Alicia and Golf City, it has done well to create a kind of capsule of its own; its charming dining terrace bedecked with lemon and towering palm trees and its staff suitable welcoming and knowlegeable.

And then comes the fun-part: Iglu ‘chill lounge’ as it markets itself has two very different, original chefs at hand.

During the day, its kitchen is at the command of Gemma Hammond, who cut her teeth cooking for Britney Spears, Jools Holland and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

A real Rock ‘n’ Roll chef, who also ran the catering at the UK’s famous V Festival, her menu is exciting and full of light bites with a classic Medi-

terranean twist.

But it was in the evening that I found myself last week, wondering if the sound of the N-340 was going to put me off my supper.

Not a chance and mostly thanks to the sort of food that night chef Michael Cameron is serving up.

This food technician, with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of cooking techniques, is going great guns having recently moved from his previous job as head chef at Polo House.

The former Harvey Nicholls trainee has a good grasp of Mediterranean ingredients and makes a real effort to plate up something attractive.

His tuna tartare starter with Wasabi gel and a ‘watermelon shooter’ was one of those dishes that you could eat every night of the week.

The freshest blue fin tuna finely sliced and lightly seared, it has a shaving of parmesan on top and a drop of cream to bring it alive. So good it was, the minute I turned my back, my wife had pounced on the last slice.

A salmon gravlax came admirably cured in beetroot and marinated in lime, while ‘farmhouse’ pate – actually a pork rillete – was delicious, served in a jar with apple compote and freshly baked

GREAT KNOWLEDGE: Michael Cameron bread.

My John Dory arrived in a flourish with a mound of sliced raw fennel, disguising a bed of healthy brown rice.

The Sevilla oranges were a nice touch too.

Without a doubt, as is so often the way, the missus ended up with the gold dish, a splendid Thai-battered cod, in a chimichurri sauce and with some of the best chips around, cooked apparently ‘three times over’, whatever that means.

Break for the border, as they say, the borders of Estepona and Marbella, that is... ‘No man’s land’ has thrown up a real talent!

By Jon Clarke CC.El Pilar, KM 168, N340, Opposite the Crowne Plaza hotel

Fancy a free coffee?

A MARBELLA cafe has become the first on the Costa del Sol to join a worldwide free coffee initiative.

Organic Bellaria in Nueva Andalucia has joined the Pending Coffees, or ‘Cafes Pendientes’, initiative that has already proved a success worldwide with companies such as Starbucks UK becoming involved.

Under the scheme you buy a coffee for yourself and leave another one paid (or a breakfast, lunch, whatever you feel like) for someone in need.

Bellaria keep tabs of it and those in need can come in at any time and ask if there are any coffees (or meals) pending.

“It’s an initiative based on trust and solidarity and one which we support,” says owner Amanda Gedeon.

“Bellaria has always been concerned with well being, health, the environment and helping each other”.

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FOOD & DRINK www.theolivepress.es with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

The Lads

After our feature last issue (above) on the best chefs in Spain, the Olive Press shines a light on the up-and-coming young chefs hoping to find international recognition

F

OLLOWING our in-depth look at the seven Spanish restaurants which made the world’s Top 100, the Olive Press decided to take a look at ten up and coming chefs from around the country.

Although they may not be household names, these young chefs have shown imagination and creativity in crafting the future of Spanish gastronomy.

And while they may not yet have earned their Michelin stars, these ten chefs are certainly the ones to watch in the coming years.

Ricardo Gonzalez El Retiro de Pancar Pancar-Llanes, Asturias As head chef at his parent’s Asturias restaurant, Gonzalez has proved that his youth is no barrier to creating fine cuisine.

Having been named runner-up in Spain’s Young Chef Championships in 2011, the 28-year-old has since gone from strength to strength. His dishes range from traditional Spanish creations to daring international gastronomy, such as Norway lobster and cream of cauliflower with cockles and seaweed.

Sergio Bastard La Casona del Judio Santander, Cantabria Often considered one of Spain’s most promising and imaginative young chefs, Bastard joined the team at La Casona del Judio last year. The Barcelona-born chef is known for the simplicity and passion he brings to his dishes, having gained experience in a number of high-profile Basque kitchens. La Casona del Judio offers 14 dishes that vary according to season and the small team (which includes chef Jesus Sanchez) strive to use locally sourced Cantabria ingredients.

Sergio Martinez Keki Taperia Fuensanta, Murcia A refined yet unpretentious menu combined with affordable prices has made Keki Taperia one of Murcia’s best-kept dining secrets. Young chef Martinez uses the highest quality ingredients to serve up traditional dishes, which reflect his devotion to the region.

Daniel Ochoa Montia El Escorial, Madrid Working alongside chef Luis Moreno, Ochoa has created a charming gastronomic space near the capital offering rustic dishes at affordable prices. The pair have focused overwhelmingly on local produce - with most of the meats sourced from the nearby villages - to create a short but well-chosen menu.

Artur Martinez Capritx Terrassa, Barcelona Having grown up in a culinary family, Martinez opened Capritx in 2002 with the aim of providing affordable, unpretentious food and wine. The chef favours simple, traditional dishes that contain few ingredients and allow the flavours to speak for themselves.

FOOD & DRINK www.theolivepress.es

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

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in waiting Iago Castrillon Acio Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna Drawing on previous experience at high-end Madrid and London restaurants, Castrillon has absorbed various trends which he has combined to create fine Galician Cuisine at his Acio restaurant. Alongside joint owner Eva Pizarro, the young chef aims to provide a calm, unhurried service in a relaxing atmosphere, with the focus on traditional locally sourced dishes.

Miguel Angel de la Cruz La Botica de Matapozuelos Matapozuelos, Valladolid With an almost obsessive focus on the surrounding landscape, Miguel Angel de la Cruz is known to ‘forage’ for his ingredients, which include pineapples, pine nuts, mushrooms and wild herbs. The chef’s skill and creativity have created a menu that showcases imaginative dishes based on traditional Spanish flavours.

Juan Carlos Trujillo Canela en Rama Linares, Jaen With ingredients almost entirely sourced from the local area, Trujillo heads up a kitchen that produces some of the finest and most authentic cuisine in Andalucia. Having previously worked at a number of prestigious restaurants, Trujillo opened Canela en Rama in 2008 and has since maintained an undeniable passion and enthusiasm for Andalucian cuisine.

Juan Carlos Padron El Rincon de Juan Carlos Santiago del Teide, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Since he opened his flagship restaurant in 2003, Padron has become one of the best-known chefs in Tenerife and has taken numerous local and national awards. Tucked away down a small backstreet, El Rincon offers a variety of dishes that combine traditional Spanish flavours with nouveau cuisine.

Ivan Cerdeno La Casa del Carmen Olias del Rey, Toledo Less than an hour outside of Madrid, La Casa del Carmen offers fresh, light dishes that focus on traditional flavours with a creative twist. Young chef Ivan Cerdeno is largely credited with bringing the restaurant to the fore of fine Spanish cuisine. The talented chef trained with the famous Pepe Rodríguez Rey and was awarded first place in the Creative Tapas category at Madrid Fusion 2013.

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ACROSS THE GORGE! If you’ve ever wanted to race across Ronda’s emblematic Tajo gorge or put in a fast lap around the private Ascari racetrack nearby now’s your chance.

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Relatives of the the three fatal victims of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak caused by the Club de Hielo ice rink in Arroyo de la Miel in 2007 have recieved €300,000 in insurance payouts.

Big drink Police were called to a so-called ‘botellon’ organised by a hotel on the A 92 just outside Granada when instead of the expected 900 party goers, 4000 young people turned up.

Move over SERGIO Garcia’s ongoing rift with Tiger Woods has taken a turn for the worse, after the Spaniard made a jibe that could be interpreted as racist.

The 33-year-old joked that he would invite his rival round to dinner during the US Open to resolve their spat, and then added: “We will serve fried chicken.”

Woods took to Twitter to respond to the offensive jibe, stating: “The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate.

“The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.

“I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.”

The opponents have been embroiled in a public row since The Players Championship in the United States earlier this month, when the Spaniard accused Woods of gamesmanship.

Garcia has since apologised for his remarks and insisted that they were not meant to be racist.

“I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players’ Awards dinner,” he said in a statement issued through the European Tour.

“I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.”

Sergio Garcia in hot water over fried chicken remark to Tiger Woods

Andalucian Ombudsman José Chamizo has resigned after 17 years of service to be replaced in the role by former priest Jesus Maeztu, from Sevilla.

No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the explicit permission of the publisher. While efforts are made to ensure the authenticity of advertisements and articles appearing in The Olive Press, the publisher does not accept any responsibility for claims made, nor do contributors’ opinions necessarily represent his own. Copyright Luke Stewart Media S.L 2013