Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 34

Don’t miss our Mallorca party guide for this summer SEE PAGE 10

We map Spain’s love - and hate for its most controversial sport

Our Princeton interns travel to the Aracena, the birthplace of Jamon

SEE PAGE 6

SEE PAGE 20

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Vol. 2 Issue 34 www.theolivepress.es August 2nd - August 15th 2018

boating horror

Tourists plan legal action after losing arm and leg in hellish speedboat accident

By Gillian Keller

TWO young tourists are planning to sue after losing an arm and a leg in a horrific speedboat accident.

The German holidaymakers were testing an underwater scooter off Es Trenc beach when the speeding vessel drove right through them and left them for dead.

“Suddenly a boat appeared and was going very, very fast and hit us,” said victim Max, 20.

“None of the crew of that boat helped us.

“I had to swim 15 meters to our boat after losing my arm, I was so afraid of bleeding out”.

The boat’s propeller had sliced his arm off just above

HORRIFIC: Guardia Civil diver finds tourist’s arm on seabed

the elbow.

His friend Tobias, 26, was left floating in the water after having his leg shredded to pieces.

A member of the boys’ boat helped drag them aboard before speeding to the beach where they were met by medics, some 45 minutes after the hit-and-run.

Tobias’s leg had to be amputated due to the severity of the injuries and remains in intensive care with a critical prognosis, while Max is believed to be in a stable condition.

Doctors had been hopeful after Guardia Civil divers found Max’s limb among sea plants close to the shore

e Lions Threpub Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

of Es Trenc beach the next day, that it could be reattached to his body.

But surgeons have now ruled out the option as it was left submerged overnight.

The lads had just finished their exams in Germany and were enjoying Untitled-1.pdf their first trip to the island.

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Liz pops up

16/06/2017

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Elizabeth Hurley sets up shop on Mallorca, see page 3

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Avenida Rey Jaime 1, Santa Ponca, 0034 871Find 510 277out more on page XX 15

SEE MORE IN THE RESTAURANT SECTION INSIDE

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crime

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Smoking students A SCHOOLBUS carrying around 30 children has caught on fire in Santa Maria.

The driver was able to evacuate the children and put out the fire until firefighters could arrive and check the danger.

Found fugitive DAVID Daniel Hayes, one of Europe’s most wanted, has been found in Granada working as a private English teacher. He has been missing since 2015, when he had nine charges of child sexual offence in the UK.

Hot then wet AUGUST is forecast to be hotter than usual, especially in the first two weeks.

At the end of the month it is expected to still be hotter than the average, but also with a higher-than-average rainfall.

Campaigning expat calls for action on balconing after best friend plunged to her death

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

No way!

By Gillian Keller

A BRITISH expat has started a campaign against balconing after her friend fell and died from a hotel room earlier this year.

Georgia Hague felt impelled to act after her friend, Natalie Cormack, 19, plunged to her death from the seventh floor of the Eden Rock hotel in April.

The expat, who worked with Hague at the popular Mambos bar in Magaluf, would be the first of three to fall to their deaths at the same hotel.

Serious

“I had always heard of holiday balcony falls but it was never something I took much notice of,” Hague told the Olive Press, “I feel this is the same attitude many other holidaymakers have, it's just not taken seriously enough.

“When Natalie died, it hit me hard as you just don't expect it to happen to someone you know.”

At least seven young people have lost their lives this year by either jumping from balcony to balcony or falling over low railings.

Officials at Eden Rock have

Speared FOUR gang members from the so-called International Chilean Spears gang have been arrested with connection to a slew of robberies across Mallorca.

The Chilean spears are known to target tourist neighbourhoods across Europe, breaking into highend homes and quickly shipping stolen goods back to Chile.

Stolen

TRAGIC: Padraig Morgan, Tom Hughes and Natalie Cormack finally fitted a glass panel and metal fence around the danger area.

Further safety plans for the complex are also expected to be submitted to Calvia council in the coming weeks.

Just yesterday, Northern Irish amateur footballer Padraig Morgan, 18, fell from a secondfloor balcony in Deia. He is in a critical condition.

Some balconies are simply walls which young people tend to sit on without realising how high up they actually are.

“I want to get the word out as much as possible so holidaymakers are much more aware of the dangers,” added Hague, who has been working in Magaluf for four months.

The campaign comes after

20-year-old Welshman Tom Hughes died at the Eden Rock after confusing it for his apartment building and hopping off the deceivingly high wall on June 3.

A French teenager also died after suffering serious injuries from a balcony fall on July 2 in Magaluf.

Thomas Channon, 18, was found dead after falling 70 feet from the walkway - known locally as ‘the walkway of death’ - at the Eden Rock on July 12.

On July 19, a young Irish lad, 14, became the seventh balcony death this year, after falling off the balcony in Playa Muro. His mother had caught him, but could not hold on long enough.

Since the last Olive Press issue

alone, a young tourist in Arenal, 25, plunged off the second story balcony and landed on a parked car, smashing the roof in with her head and body.

Her mother was one of the first people to find her. She remains in a critical condition.

Hague has been working hard with artists and designers to create a poster to accompany the campaign. Bars and hotels, especially in Arenal, Santa Ponsa and Magaluf, have vowed to hang the posters.

“It’s been a really tough few months dealing with the tragedies out here but I really do hope this is the start of something positive which can help make a difference.”

At the time of the arrest, the alleged thieves were living in Magaluf, and had hit many neighbourhoods around the Calvia area in recent weeks.

A search of their home recovered around €100,000 worth of stolen goods and money, including luxury watches and jewellery and cash from around the world.

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Pop-up Liz ELIZABETH Hurley is back in Mallorca to open her new popup swimwear store in Puerto Portals.

The Hollywood star arrived in the port in a Porsche Cayenne, driven by friend and real-estate millionaire Matthias Kühn.

The actress opened the store with a party full of swimwear models and local fashionistas, proudly showing off the Elizabeth Hurley Beach line, which launched in 2005.

The 53-year-old beauty is very familiar with Mallorca and the rest of the Balearics, often spending summers yachting around the islands and enjoying the cuisine.

ne ws

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Merky in Menorca

STORMZY: With crew

AWARD winning grime artist Stormzy pulled out all the stops for his 25th birthday in Spain.

The London rapper embarked on a 24 hour bonanza with his nearest and dearest along with some incredibly lucky fans on the Balearic island of Menorca.

Upgrading from last year’s celebrations when he rented out the whole of Thorpe Park for his A list companions and fans, the rapper teamed up with music streaming service Spotify for the 24 hour party. Joined by fellow rappers and pals like Krept and Konan, AJ Tracey, and Not3s, as well as girlfriend Maya Jama, Stormzy was greeted at the airport with signs for #MerkyAirways, before boarding a plane kitted out with personalised headrests, goody bags, t-shirts, sunglasses and hats.

Wedding balls

Spain hosts party of the year as football icons descend on Ibiza

By Olivia Burke

BIG FAN: Liz Hurley

Off your head THE World Cup might be over, but Harry Maguire is still putting his head to any ball that comes his way… even in Spain.

The World Cup star, enjoying a well-deserved break with girlfriend Fern Hawkins in Ibiza, was more than happy to show off his impressive headwork with an inflatable ball in Amnesia nightclub, much to the crowd’s delight.

The 25-year-old headed the ball into the crowd before breaking into a celebratory dance, as the crowd began to chant, “Oh, Harry Maguire!” as he let his hair down with friends.

HERO: Harry Maguire and girlfriend

FOOTBALL’S elite gathered on Ibiza to celebrate Cesc Fabregas’ nuptials to Daniella Semaan some two months after the official ceremony.

The couple, who tied the knot in May, posed for snaps with their young children on a red carpet outside a huge private villa on the island.

Daniella was rocking a bridal inspired look in a sparkling dress with a dangerously high thigh split.

The brunette added a touch of spar- kle to her look donning a dazzling diamond necklace with skyscraper platform heels.

Fabregas stood out in a white, jewelled outfit as he kissed his wife surrounded by four of his five children, Leonardo, Lia, Capri and Joseph, for pictures - the eldest, Maria, was the only one not in the photographs.

Messi was the most famous of the guests, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner donning a blue suit with his arm around stunning wife Antonella.

Sunkissed WAG Antonella turned heads in a teal dress and plunging neckline and a sheer skirt.

The star-studded affair also included Chelsea legend John

Ricky’s back RICKY Martin is coming to Spain as part of a European tour in August.

The Puerto Rican star plays a total of 13 shows, the majority being across Spain, beginning on August 14 in Tarragona.

The stud previously said he considers Spain his ‘second home’, and was granted honorary citizenship here in 2011.

World renowned for hits such as Livin´ la Vida Loca and She Bangs, the father-of-two most recently starred in true crime television series The Assassination of Gianni Versace:American Crime Story as Antonio D´Amico, the late fashion designer’s boyfriend.

Tickets for the tour start at €55.

Corden aboard!

STARS: Fabregas and wife in white, Messi in blue, and (left) Terry with wife and villa Terr y Carles Puyol and Jordi Alba all a n d Blues in attendance. team mate and World The newlyweds were seen Cup superstar N’Golo Kante. dancing into the early hours Arsenal and Barcelona were at the sprawling villa, which also represented with icons looked over the sea with jaw Thierry Henry, Luis Suarez, dropping views.

FUNNYMAN James Corden has been enjoying a low key holiday with family in Puerto Pollensa.

In between filming The Late Late Show in the US, and working in London, Corden was spotted enjoying meals with a view in the port, exploring the local market and shopping around town.

CORDEN: With pal

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Mystery tapping TWO ‘spying cameras’ have been discovered in the office of the Spanish Port Authority’s regional manager Joan Gual de Torrella.

The find came after Torrella suspected he was being followed and hired private counter-espionage experts who unearthed the hidden cameras in his Mallorca office.

Torrella previously had his car tapped.

Policia Nacional are investigating.

American appeal THE Mallorca Council has been preparing for its trip to New York in September, which aims to promote Mallorca in the US. The council will be meeting with international film producers about the appeal of the island.

Growth

They have also announced they will meet with tour operators from both the US and Canada. While many Americans favour the Caribbean and Mexico, there is a growth in travellers who want to explore outside their hotel or resort.

NEWS

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Bracing for Brexit?

Workers claim Brits at Spanish airport to be separated into new ‘Brexit zone’ with Russians and Algerians

March last year.

The new rules demand more stringent entry and exit checks on passengers from countries outside the 26-nation Schengen border-free zone - which includes UK travellers - in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

The lengthier checks caused catastrophic delays last summer and in a bid to avoid this, AENA said it is installing 50 ABC barriers in departures and 21 in arrivals at Alicante airport.

EXCLUSIVE

By Elisa Menendez

SPAIN’S airport authority AENA has denied preparing ‘Brexit zones’ ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU next year.

It comes after an Olive Press reader claimed he was told by an EasyJet representative at Alicante Elche Airport that the new high tech passport control barriers being constructed were to separate Brits from other European travellers in preparation for Brexit.

An Olive Press investigation has revealed the airport, one of the most visited by Brits in Spain, is constructing a separate zone which will have two small cafes and limited shops.

Once travellers go through the barriers - which are apparently due to start operating this week - won’t be allowed back into the rest of the airport.

“It’s ‘la zona de Brexit’,” a Duty Free sales assistant told

NEW BARRIERS: At Alicante airport the Olive Press this week, “the British will be sent through there with the Russians, Ukrainians and Algerians because they are the only other non-EU flights that go from this airport.

“We’re all confused about what’s going on because the UK hasn’t left yet,” she added.

The sales assistant and a worker at an ice cream kiosk also revealed two passport control booths have been in-

stalled in front of the barriers.

“They’re for the British people.

I had no idea what the barriers were, so I asked security and they told me it’s for non Europeans, mostly the British because you’re leaving the EU,” added the ice cream worker.

But AENA told the Olive Press the new area has ‘absolutely nothing to do with Brexit’ and that the barriers, named Automatic Border Control (ABC), are in response to a new EU law which came into effect in

Regulation

An AENA spokeswoman said: “We are installing these machines across many airports in Spain, including Malaga, to speed up passport control and make the process easier. It’s got nothing to do with Brexit.” An EasyJet spokesperson said the new measures were due to the new EU regulation, while IAG, which manages airlines such as Vueling, British Airways and Iberia, chose not to comment.

NO JOKE: Laughing gas

Not so funny Nearly €1 million worth of laughing gas – or nitrous oxide – and paraphernalia has been seized in Ibiza.

Over 50,000 capsules of the gas, along with more than 21,000 balloons and dispensers have been confiscated from five locations in Sant Antoni.

The gas is often used as a party drug by Brits and other tourists who use it to get high.

Noise crackdown CALVIA town hall has begun the process to sanction 13 bars in Magaluf for late night noise pollution, and another bar in Santa Ponsa.

Many of the violations come from bars keeping their doors open past midnight, blasting music and keeping neighbours awake.

Penalties include fines up to €12,000 and a ban on music for up to a year.

Diving for danger SPECIALIST agents of the Guardia Civil have been exploring the large underwater cave in Portocristo.

The cave is a popular spot for tourists to explore, either alone or in an organized tour. From Cala Falcó the cave is just a 200 metre swim away, then a narrow passage leads to a larger room with a sandy beach and the ceiling full of stalagmite columns.

Since the natural cave is relatively easy to get to but not everyone takes the necessary safety precautions, underwater experts and mountain rescuers joined up with the intention of making the cave safer. The rescue team are also working on a plan for emergencies and accidents, and how to best reach and retrieve victims.

Storms and rough waters can also trap visitors inside.

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NEWS

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

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F e at u r e

www.theolivepress.es Mallorca’s original community newspaper

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

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Queen Bey

NEWS

July 18th - July 31st 2018

Sibling rivalry

ENRIQUE Iglesias is normally the one melting hearts across the world, but this time it’s his adorable baby twins.

The Spanish singer (right), 43, shared a snap of Nicholas and Lucy sporting the Spanish football team’s red jerseys on Instagram.

To keep things fair, his wife and former tennis champ Anna Kournikova, 37, also shared a photo of the adorable siblings, but this time sporting the shirt of her home country Russia.The happy couple have been together for 16 years and had their twins in December last year.

BEYONCE couldn’t resist posing for a few snaps as she landed in Spain ahead of a sell-out concert.

The mother-of-three looked cool as ice rocking Daisy Duke denim shorts and a geometric print shirt, paired with retro red shades.

The singing superstar was in Barcelona to perform her only Spain gig on her On the Run II tour.

She was accompanied by husband and rapper Jay-Z, who she is touring the world with.

The power couple are now in France.

As the famous CURTAIN CALL ‘pirate’ matador hangs up his cape after a severe scalping in the bullring this summer, the Olive Press tests national support for the bloodsport GOODBYE: Thousands salute last fight of The Pirate (right)

Despite nearfatal scalping last week, as well as losing an eye, Spain’s most famous bullfighter finally takes a bow

SHE’S ARRIVED: Yonce

Keeping up with Disick

SCOTT Disick and his partner Sofia Richie have taken a break on the Costa del Sol. The reality TV star, 35, who found fame on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, attended a wedding at upmarket Finca Cortesin in Casares.

He took his 19-year-old girlfriend and daughter of Lionel Richie to the nuptials of Morgan Curtis, daughter of famed fashion designer Jill Stuart.

The couple were seen taking in the sights of Marbella’s old town before Disick gave a speech at the wedding.

DISICK: With Richie

A BULLFIGHTER who famously lost an eye when second occasion a bull’s horn went through his head has finally a horn popped five years later in the same ring out his glass eye and severed his hung up his cape. cheek, leading Juan Jose ‘the Pirate’ Padilla appropriately fought His swansong to titanium plates being installed. his last bull during Spain’s famous San Fermin was lucky to came despite medics insisting he be alive. festival in Pamplona at the weekend.

His retirement Thousands of fans cheered the Andalucian torero during which comes after a 24-year-long career, he has suffered over 30 serious inas he raised his red cape for the last time, particu- juries. larly as it came just days after he nearly died after The Jerez-born torero, who is well-known for his being ‘scalped’ by a bull. flamboyant matador suits, is considered an ‘icon’ The 45-year-old matador - who lost one eye dur- among many ing a bullfight seven years ago - needed a stagger- ing attitude inof his fans for his fearless, risk-takthe ring. ing 40 stitches after a bull ripped off a section of his scalp in Arevalo, near Valladolid last week.

Pardon Shocking footage shows Padilla trip over before the bull gores him, leaving a section of his scalp Another bullfighter, Estepona-based Jose Tomas, hanging off. was Despite the horrifying attack, which tore off ring paid an estimated €500,000 to return to the in Algeciras last month. around 20 cm of his head, The Pirate was deter- Tomas, mined to get back into the ring one last time to fought Spain’s highest paid torero, had not for over two years, having received his 57th mark his retirement. serious injury in 2015.

“There is no reason why I couldn’t fight in Pam- However, it was fellow fighter Miguel Angel Perplona,” insisted the brave matador, who lost his era, 34, from Badajoz, who seized the day with a eye TWICE in the same ring in Zaragoza. remarkable performance, in which his second bull On the first occasion in 2011 his eye was speared was out, as a horn went through his head, while on the the given an ‘indulto’ pardon and allowed to leave ring alive.

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By Pablo Balbontin

THE news of the two young German tourists is tragic and something no one would ever expect to happen on a normal day at the beach.

Many are saying the holidaymakers should have placed buoys around them, which may be true, but their lives have been changed in a horrific way not many can even begin to imagine.

It remains unclear how fast the boat was driving when it hit them and serious questions need to be asked around that side of the story.

One thing is for sure, the incident is a gruesome lesson for everyone - make sure you are aware of your surroundings and take care of your safety and the safety of others.

It’s horrific these two young holiday makers have faced such traumatic consequences but we hope they make a full recovery.

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Horns of a dilemma

Vamos Vega

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Take care

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

PAZ Vega has wowed the crowds at the world premiere of hit Netflix series Paquita Salas.

The 42-year-old Spanglish star donned a sophisticated black satin gown with studded detailing while rocking her trademark pixie crop haircut.

She catwalked her statuesque frame in shimmering silver stilettos at the Madrid premiere.

The Spanish megastar makes a cameo in the second season of hit comedy Paquita Salas, which follows an embattled talent manager struggling to hold onto her artists in Madrid.

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OPINION

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ULLFIGHTING inflames passions on both sides of the culture-versus-cruelty argument, yet it continues to attract worldwide media attention.

Juan José ‘the pirate’ Padilla is the latest casualty of the sport, announcing his retirement after another brush with death in the plaza de toros last month. Previous injuries have left the eye-patch-sporting Jerezano with fractures to his jaw and skull, facial paralysis, impaired hearing and loss of sight in his left eye. No one can deny he has suffered for his art.

Many Spaniards however, believe it’s time to call a halt to the bloodlust, claiming it is barbaric and cruel. Others see it as part of their national heritage and an integral part of their culture. So how strong is grassroots support for this ever controversial pastime. The Olive Press travelled around some of the country’s key region’s to take its temperature.

MAPPED: How Spain’s regions still feel about bullfighting

Basque Country:

Galicia:

In a region where the spirit of independence from Spain runs high you would expect nothing but scorn for bullfighting but that’s far from the case - Tauromaquia has always had a firm foothold here.

In 2015, in a massive reversal, the PNV (Conservative Independent party) and the PSE (Basque PSOE) re-legalised bullfighting in San Sebastian after a three-year ban. The move generated huge controversy as well as massive support from those who consider bullfighting to be part of the Basque Country’s DNA. Meanwhile, Bilbao’s impressive Vista Alegre bullring continues to host not only corridas but a week-long fiesta dedicated to the sport: Semana Grande.

Bullfighting has always been a divisive subject among Basques and there have been numerous referendums on the topic, dividing neighbouring villages into factions: those which allow it and those which do not.

Bulls can safely graze on Galicia’s green grass where bullfighting is dying through a lack of interest.

Attendance figures are dwindling by the year even for the biggest corridas like Pontevedra’s.

On top of that, La Coruña town hall has stopped subsidising bullfights. Although bullfighting is not prohibited, some politicians are arguing there is almost zero interest.

The number of corridas hosted in Galicia each year can be counted on one hand: four.

The sport is not going anyway anytime soon.

Castilla la Mancha: Publisher/ Editor

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Its bullrings may not be as important as those in Andalucia or Madrid but they’re always jampacked. The region’s ex-president Maria Dolores de Cospedal has never hidden her support for the sport and TV Castilla la Mancha’s live broadcasts of the best of the

season always get high viewing figures, demonstrating the huge interest that still prevails.

Support may partly be due to the autonomous community’s famous Toro de Lidia fighting bulls, considered to be among the finest of toros bravos.

It could be on a slippery slope, appropriate given the region’s rainfall.

Spain’s heartland the passion is alive and well

Andalucia: Despite being home to a high percentage of animal-loving expats, bullfighting is as deeply ingrained in Andalucian culture as thoroughbred horses and flamenco.

It’s almost impossible to conceive a Feria de Abril, in Sevilla, without its festival bullfighting programme, one of the highlights of the season, which brings traffic to a standstill. La Maestranza bullring is an international icon attracting not only aficionados but millions of tourists who place it high on their bucket list of city sights, particularly when a bullfight is on.

Ronda’s 234-year-old bullring high in the Malaga mountains is the oldest in Spain and another must-visit on any tourist itinerary. It is famous for its beautiful location and mobbed during the annual Corrida Goyesca, in September, when bullfights are conducted in 18th-century costume. It is always sold out with tickets sometimes going for well over €1000 a seat.

Canary Islands:

La Malagueta in Malaga is another bullring with years of history under its belt although it has been the scene of many animal rights protests of late. And bulls have always been an integral part of the Fiestas Colombinas in Huelva, coming up next month, which celebrate the departure of Christopher Columbus for the New World. And let’s not forget when Spain’s top matador Jose Tomas fought recently in Algeciras, fans sold out the entire three-day festival in just seven hours.

Bullfighting may be losing supporters, particularly among the young, but it’s still a big part of the Andalucian scene.

Despite popular belief, bullfights are not banned explicitly in the Canaries.

Quite simply a lack of support led to its demise and in fact, the last corrida on the island was held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife way back in 1984, long before parliament passed the Law on Animal Protection.

The law itself is ambiguous, since it does not mention bullfighting. The ban is on ‘usage of animals in fights, fiestas, shows or other activities that imply mistreatment, cruelty and suffering’ - with one exception: Cock fighting is still allowed because of its ‘strong traditional connection to the Islands’.

Conclusion: No coming back. The cocks are enough.

F e at u r e

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

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Say San Fermin and say no more. The Pamplona bull runs are famous the world over. Starting on July 7, the festival takes over the town and dominates, transforming the streets into bull-running corridors where participants clad in white and red flee in front of the charging bulls in a mass act of bravado.

It’s not so much a festival as a right of passage that attracts tourists and TV channels from all over who come as much for the blood and gore as the thrill of the spectacle.

The actual bullfights that take place in the evenings after the bull run in the morning are often (and surprisingly) full of local youngsters having fun, spraying each other with water guns and only half-watching the fight.

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Despite some well publicised recent disgraceful incidents, no one in Pamplona is against San Fermin. It’s part of their cultural heritage.

Catalunya: The pro-independence region hit the headlines when it became the first to abolish bullfights in 2010 but the ban was annulled on constitutional grounds in 2016.

During those corrida-less years thousands of famous figures from the bullfighting world spoke against the ban but some bullrings in the region still remain closed. Others, like Barcelona’s Monumental, were put to good use as concert arenas hosting The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen.

Rock singer José María Sanz Beltrán, known as Loquillo, used the bullring as a platform to defend bullfighting, stating: “I was born in front of La Monumental, my parents took me to the bullfights … it represents a tradition that is part of the people”.

The sport continues in many villages of Catalunya where bulls are the backbone of the community. Catalunya also upholds the tradition of the ‘fire bulls’, where the animals are chased through the streets with flaming torches strapped to their horns.

They might want to be independent from Spain, but bullfighting is still very ingrained in the DNA.

On the Islands, bullfighting could be on the way out. Last year the Balearic parliament voted to end traditional bullfights and allow only those where the animals are not killed. The Spanish government fought the move in court on constitutional grounds and the law was temporarily suspended this March, but it’s back on again pending a final decision.

Bullfighting is losing its flavour for islanders anyway. There were only four fights held there in 2015 and seven in 2016.

And the real aficionados have no interest in ‘friendly bullfights’ that are not to the death, saying they’re ‘boring’.

Bullfighting is in the balance in the Balearics.

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The capital of Spain is also the capital of bullfighting. Las Ventas is the biggest bullring of Spain and third-largest in the world.

Although it’s also used for concerts and motor shows, it hosts more fights than any other bullring.

The Feria de San Isidro, a top fixture in the world of tauromaquia, and the newer Feria de Otoño both take place here. Most fights are sold out.

Across the region almost every town and village has its own encierro or bullrun. Although many modern Madrileños are antibullfighting, just as many regard it as part of their cultural identity.

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Valencia: The eastern autonomous community still has a strong attachment to bullfights. Its main city bullring is catalogued as a Place of Cultural Interest and corridas play a major role in the city’s big annual street party, Las Fallas.

In Segorbe in northern Castellon region, the Entrada de Toros y Caballos is a major tourist spectacle where bulls, horses and riders charge together along the main streets of the historic centre.

As in Catalunya, almost every single town and village has its own bullfighting week where the ‘toro embolao’ bull run is a big part of the festivities. These are infamous for the number of deaths and injuries resulting from the reckless behaviour of participants or poor safety measures.

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

It stinks!

Spain gets record EU fine for continously failing to deal with its urban waste water properly

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SPAIN has been fined €12 million by the EU for failing to deal with its sewage water properly - and the majority of offending towns are in Andalucia.

The European Court of Justice announced the penalty after ‘prolonged failure’ to comply with a European directive on urban waste water collection and treatment.

It comes after a 2011 judgement found there were

DIRTY: Andalucia must clean up its act, warns EU still 43 towns with 15,000 peo€11 million for every sixmonth period of delay in improving the municipalities’ water treatment systems.

Seven of the nine offending towns are in Andalucía, comprising Matalascanas, Alhaurin el Grande, Isla

Crawling army AN invasion of caterpillars are threatening the oak trees across Mallorca.

The caterpillars, which later turn into ‘gypsy moths’, have been plaguing the centre of the island in recent

months, infesting around 4,000 hectares.

The creepy crawlers can devour a surprising amount of oak leaves, leaving trees weak and bare from Valldemossa to Algaida.

Cristina, Tarifa, Coin, Nerja and Barbate.

The other two are in Asturias (Gijon Este) and the Canary Islands (Valle de Guimar).

But Spain’s Ecological Transition Ministry said it will be impossible to meet EU standards before 2022, although it did say a new plan was being drafted.

The problem lies in the fact that in most cases, local authorities are in charge of water treatment.

In Andalucia, four cases fall to the Junta while three to the national government.

The EU will be checking in every six months to assess what progress is being made.

If none is made until 2022, it could mean fines totalling €88 million.

A win for the horses HORSES that pull carriages in Palma will be getting a break as the heat rises.

The city hall has announced a ban on operating horse-drawn carriages from noon until 5pm when it’s hot enough for an orange or red heat warning.

Animal rights activists have been calling for a ban on the carriages, with several demonstrations in the capital every year. A few horses have collapsed in the streets from heat exhaustion in the past years.

The city hall has already stated that they will no longer grant new license for horse-drawn carriages, so they will slowly fade out. Banning them all together would cost the city too much money in compensation, according to the government.

Barcelona has banned the working horses beginning in June.

Please no parking THE government has passed an ordinance giving stricter penalties for anchoring on top of the vital posidonia seagrass, with violators facing fines up to €2 million.

The government is working on producing a new map showing the areas that anchoring in banned – but in many shallower areas boaters can see the grass easily enough.

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Banderas wins bank backing ANTONIO Banderas is one step closer to raising the curtain on his Malaga theatre project.

The Malagueño actor, singer, and producer has received sponsorship from CaixaBank and the new partnership was sealed with the official renaming of the auditorium as Teatro Soho CaixaBank.

Due to open in September 2019, the main 700-seater arena to be called Caixa

Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish MOORS: VStheChristians news on go.

POLLENCA’S greatly anticipated annual re-enactment of the historic 1550 battle between local Christians and the Moors will kick off today (August 2).

The celebration is held to commemorate the victory of the Christians Moorish piTheover Olive Press rates who brazenly attacked Pollenca on the night of May 30. TOP for news in Spain!

Well-liked resident and gar- NETFLIX’ has released its dener, Joan Vanrell will first Spanish documentary be playing the lead role of series shedding light on hero Joan Mas who led the one of the most celebratChristians to victory with a ed flamenco singers of all 1,500-strong army of village time.

Camarón, de La Isla al mito, men.

Festivities begin at 5.30pm directed by José Escudier,, when the Virgin Mary is pa- is a homage to Camarón de raded through the streets led la Isla who passed away 26 by residents dressed in 1550s years ago. costume.

Episodes revolve around But the fun really starts when the accounts of people who the famous battle re-enact- were close to the artist, his ment takes place at 7pm, with family, his childhood friend locals dressed in pyjamas and Lela and many others. face paint and armed with The documentary tracks swords and sticks.

New show will focus on history of Spain’s most iconic export

Bank Hall will host two shows every year. A second 200-seater hall will host more intimate productions. Additionally, the theatre will have space for training up new performers, with rehearsal and lecture rooms for courses, conferences, seminars and exhibitions, and will be a platform for developing Malaga’s arts programme, From Malaga, For Malaga.

Banderas plans to invite Spanish and

international companies with a view to showcasing Spanish and English works and a mix of styles, including ballet, zarzuela and opera.

The curtain raiser will be a Spanish production of Zorba the Greek, based on the 1952 novel and 1964 film, a story exploring the relationships between Zorba and American Nikos who inherits a mine on the island of Crete.

Netflix flamenco LEGEND: Camaron

the transformation of flamenco music in the 50s and 60s, revealing many untold stories and secrets.

The brilliant singer was born in 1950s Cadíz province to a family of gypsies.

His stage name Camarón de la Isla (Shrimp of the Island) comes from a childhood nickname because of his fair skin and blonde hair. The area’s famous shrimps are also white.

The documentary premiered at the Factoría Cultural theatre in Las 3000 Viviendas, one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Sevilla, where songs of Camarón can still be heard everyday.

“It could not be otherwise,” said Escudier. “Las 3000 is the art district where his gypsy heart lies … Caméron continues to live here as a myth and a god.”

what’s on

W

ood water wind

IRISH crooner Damien Rice is docking in Palma as part of his Wood, Water, Wind tour, where he’ll be performing classic hits, including Cannonball at Palma Auditorium on August 2.

H

amlet under the stars

ENJOY an openair performance of Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet at Belmont La Residencia Hotel on August 15.

One of the theatrical highlights in Mallorca this summer, the play is free but reservation is essential to ensure your spot at this magical venue.

J

ackson Joy

THE Jacksons will take to the stage of Port Adriano on August 9 for their 50th anniversary tour, with Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon performing some of their biggest hits. UB40 also headline at Port Adriano on August 14.

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Small towns seem to be having all the fun in Mallorca this August, writes Gillian keller

S

UMMER is prime time for lively beach parties, mouth watering BBQs and all night dancing under the stars.

And even the small towns across Mallorca certainly know how to celebrate the season in style.

The Olive Press has rounded up our top festival picks to keep you entertained through August.

LA LACULTURA CULTURA

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

August 1st - August 14th 2018

Party Guide Port of Valldemossa From August 4-19 the Port of Valldemossa hosts over a week of celebrations for the Festes de sa Marina.

Events include a popular sardine grill on the beach on August 14, an open-air cinema on August 16 showing Cars 3 and fishing contests on August 18 with a box of worms given to each participant. The festival ends with a feast where diners dress up as the Moors and Christians, followed by music and party in the square.

Selva

The town of Selva honours its patron saint with a week of festivities for Festes Sant Llorenc from August 5 - 11. The town’s main square hosts an evening event almost every day, including concerts, art exhibitions and plenty of dancing. On August 9 there will be a tapas tour around town, with live music at every participating bar and restaurant.

Cala d’Or Cala d’Or spends the first two weeks of August celebrating the Festes Sant Maria del Mar with a program full of events for the whole family. Sporting events, fairs and markets, art exhibitions and parades fill the streets with colour and pay homage to artist Joan Riera Ferrari, with a number of art installations.

Llucmajor

Llucmajor has been celebrating their patron saint for 300 years, making this year’s celebrations of Festes de Santa Candida a party not to miss, with events and activities running until August 12.

Events include a concerts by Mallorca’s own Maria del Mar Bonet on August 4, parades with traditional giants on the 9 and 11, and the big event and Cavallets dance on August 12.

Arta celebrates Sant Salvador with art exhibitions, concerts, parades and parties everyday until August 7.

On August 5 the town hosts a ‘flower power’ 70s party, with with live DJs throwing a hotly anticipated party the night after. On the final night, August 7, live music will fill the town with a party fit for all, ending with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

Musical notes

Can Picafort The little beach town of Can Picafort celebrates the Virgin Mary for two weeks mid August with a market and artisan craft fair. Also popular among locals is a rubber ducky race, while the party ends with a spectacular correfoc (fire run) with demons and fireworks tearing through the town.

Sa Pobla's Jazz Festival is back with evening concerts after dark and the Sala Es Cavallets on August 22.

There are also seminars for musicians, workshops and art exhibitions.

The Deia International Music Festival continues most Thursdays until September.

On August 2 Wei Yi Yang from the US and Taiwan will be performing Schumann on the piano.

Asier Polo from Bilbao will play Bach on the cello on August 16.

All concerts are at the stunning Son Marroig estate overlooking the Mediterranean.

Every Sunday in August the Chopin festival continues in Valldemossa with concerts at the local monastery, Claustre de la Cartoixa.

Andratx uses their elegant views and architecture to host unforgettable outdoor concerts throughout the month of August.

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S otogrande Paradise...on the quiet

August 1st - August 14th 2018

It’s not a town or even a village, yet every summer this exclusive tree-lined urbanisation is a magnet for the global A-list set. Bradley Stokes and Olivia Burke set out to discover the attraction

R PICTURESQUE: La Reserva Beach

ESPLENDENT in its beauty, secluded in its exclusiveness, Sotogrande is one millionaire’s playground that doesn’t like to boast about it.

If wealth and fame is spoken of at all, it’s in a whisper. In Sotogrande they like to keep it, appropriately, ‘sotto voce’.

What it does have a right to brag about however, is its low-density living, its stunning beaches and mountain backdrops, plus its amazing marina and golf courses.

Spain’s largest privately-owned residential ‘superstate’ is a second home for the cream of European high society. Its privileged views to the Rock of Gibraltar and the Rif mountains of Africa are enjoyed by the likes of ex-UK PM Tony Blair, the British royal family and countless European celebrities, who

don’t want to be spotted.

Internationally renowned for its polo, golf and sailing, as well as burgeoning gastronomic scene, this ‘mini Monaco’ of high net worth residents has all the hallmarks of a cosmopolitan resort but without the brashness and bling, as we discover on a trip around the hotspots.

“It’s a wonderful place for golfers, polo players, and people with boats,” explains Paul Martin, 74, who moved to the privileged enclave from Bristol in 1988.

“After two dull summers in England in 1986 and 1987, I thought there must be a better climate than this! So it was chasing the sunshine that brought me, but the character of Sotogrande is what made me stay, as I had planned to begin here and venture out into the countryside.”

But you would be mistaken for thinking that the residents are unapologetic in their privilege and wealth but on the contrary. Sotogrande is different to other ‘celebrity’ resorts: wealthy, yes but pretentious definitely not.

Community is such a strong theme in Sotogrande it almost outshines the summer sun, as 63-year-old Jane Waterhouse from Ascot confirms.

“What makes Sotogrande different from anywhere else is that it’s a community, rather than a holiday destination.

Continues on next page

LEAFY: The marina gardens and (above) La Reserva

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From front page

“People actually live here and work in Gibraltar mostly, so it’s quite different from down the coast. There are plenty of beautiful restaurants and bars, and urbanisations all around, so there’s a lot to do around here.”

If year-round residents have a complaint, it’s that the winter months can be very quiet, so they welcome the recent new investment in the area, thanks to the purchase of the resort by a huge American fund Orion over the last few years.

There has been a serious amount of investment in the extended port area, previously known as Blue Marlin, as well as in the hills up towards La Reserva golf.

There is a very real sense that the place has upped a gear in the last two years and all of Sotogrande’s 2,500 hectares are being carefully planned and used.

“There’s also very good internet now thanks to fiber optics, so people who used to have to commute to the cities can work from home,” continues Jane Waterhouse. “The international school is a big draw for families too.”

The Plaza Blanca and general envisions are a photographer’s dream, one of the reasons 61-year-old Gerry Fagan is never seen without his camera. “The old structures and the landscapes here are perfect. I come here because I like the ambience, it’s an escape, or as the Spanish would

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Discreet luxury

IDYLLIC: Sand dunes and luxury homes where the Guadiaro river meets the sea, (right) the marina say, muy tranquilo. in 1962, when an American “There’s also Filipino fama nice mix of ily invested Spanish and ‘The landscapes millions into English here, Sotogrande to here are perfect. make it what it and most things are today.

I come because I isStanford translated in UniEnglish too… in like the ambience, versity gradua way you feel ate Joseph it’s an escape’ like you’re at McMicking home, you feel and his Fililike you fit in.” pino family The Sotogrande story started were looking to find a suitable

WARES: Marina market

Dressing down

LUXURY: Glenn Hoddle’s property

A playground for royals, footballers and politicians, Diana Tang gives a run around of the high-class resort

S

OTOGRANDE is about understated elegance and quiet, unshowy glamour.

The polar opposite of Puerto Banus, it is the perfect destination for captains of industry, royals and refined celebrities in the know, of all nationalities.

Inside its exclusive gates and hedges, everyone from golf pros to royal princes and A-list models to footballers can come and go without being pursued by cameras and autograph hunters.

This is a family-friendly resort for

the sporty set, with sailing, fishing and horse riding trumping bar crawling and clubbing.

If Porches and handbag pooches are status symbols in Marbella, Landrovers and labradors are more to the taste of the unshowy Sotogrande set.

If it rained a bit more it would be green wellie country.

But while the community oozes influence and affluence, it is anything but snobby. People come here to leave their high powered life behind and live like ordinary

Holy Site

H

is works can be seen all around Andalucia, as well as Madrid.

However, it is Marco Augusto's sculptures in the Vatican in Rome that are earning him a global reputation.

Stacked up with commissions for years to come, he works out of a studio in Sotogrande with his partner Kate Finley of the Chalk Room, which specialises in fair trade furniture and stocks the An- AT WORK: Marco Augusto carving nie Sloan paint range. a masterpiece

folk, even though many of them are quite the opposite.

You don’t hear too much about the resort’s celebrity scene and that’s the way they like it so you may be surprised at some of the names on our list of well-known public figures who either holiday or have a des res in Sotogrande.

They include former British prime minister Tony Blair (right), who is said to own property in the enclave and has been spotted on various holidays there, as well as current Gibraltar leader Fabian Picardo and former leader Peter Caruana, who reportedly invested in Sotogrande to indulge his passion for golf.

The Botin family, who own Santander bank, are said to own property in Sotogrande, as well as the wealthy Ayala family, who own their own private polo field.

It is here that you might well spot the Duchess of York (below) or one of the young British royals, enjoying dinner at super exclusive Cancha Dos restaurant, while British princes Harry and William have played polo in the annual summer tournaments at Santa Maria polo club. Their father Charles did too.

On the subject of royals, keep your eyes peeled for French aristocrat Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou, who brings his wife María Margarita Vargas Santaella and

three children to Sotogrande to enjoy the opulent paradise.

They are big fans of polo and spend a lot of time at Santa Maria Polo Club, especially in August when you could find them clapping from the VIP sidelines during the International Tournament.

Spanish TV celebrities, such as Ana Rosa Quintana, are regularly seen at the polo events in the resort as well as the many restaurants. British actors, meanwhile, such as Mike Gwilym, formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company, is often seen in the resort, while DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles bought a property in the marina a few years ago.

Footballers have long been well represented in Sotogrande, and have included Glenn Hoddle (above), the former England manager and former Liverpool star Glen Johnson (left), while Irish motorsport legend Eddie Jordan has a villa there.

A long time visitor, he fittingly described the place as the ‘nicest urbanisation in Europe’ with some of the ‘best weather’. Golfer Tony Jacklin owned the land on the river estuary where Jordan now lives, having bought here in 1983.

place on the Mediterranean, when his cousin found what is known as Sotogrande today.

Joseph McMicking set up the company Financiera Sotogrande del Guadiaro and submitted a plan to buy the 1,800 hectare estate, which was later approved by the Spanish authorities.

From there he commissioned Robert Trent Jones, a famous golf architect, to design the Royal Golf Club of Sotogrande.

Building on the success, in 1978 the International School of Sotogrande was founded to accommodate the growing international population.

In 1985, the polo fields of Río Sotogrande I and II were built as well as adding new fields in 1992, 1995, 2003 and 2008.

In 1997, just before the Ryder Cup, the Guadiaro to Algeciras coastal highway dual-carriageway upgrade was completed and in 2002 the construction

Bucking the trend SOME 80,000 people are descending upon Sotogrande for the annual World Polo Tour circuit event at Santa Maria Polo Club.

For a month, the ‘Wimbledon of polo pitches’ is hosting ten teams of 50 horses and 200 staff, along with spectators, who include the Brunei and British royals.

Four of the tournament’s championship cups are classified as World Tour cups, signifying the event’s prestige.

And equally prestigious is the host club.

The club’s PR manager Pilar de la Puente told the Olive Press: “Sotogrande is the known as ‘the cathedral of European polo.’ It’s the best rope and the ranked third in

club in Euthe world.”

Though the tournament is unsurprisingly posh, with such high-end sponsors as Maserati and Cartier, it does have one bit of democratic flare.

For every match except the final, attendance is open and free to the public, with crowds usually growing above 50,000, and this year is promising to be the biggest yet.

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SOTO SNAP...

August 2ndJoseph - August 15th 2018 August 1st Creator of Sotogrande Resort McMicking attended Stanford University and was no doubt August 14th inspired by the Pebble Beach Resort in California 2018

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How we see it

Olivia Burke talks to a handful of locals to see what they think about life in Sotogrande Paul Martin, 74, Bristol It’s a wonderful place for golfers, polo players, and people with boats and I have seen plenty of royals such as the Duchess of York, who has holidayed here several years in a row.

Gerry Fagan, 61, Liverpool I live in Gibraltar but come here because I like the ambience, it’s an escape or, as the Spanish would say, muy tranquilo. It’s a different pace from Gibraltar, and compared to the hustle and bustle of the UK it’s a completely different lifestyle.

Andy Gemmell, 72, Glasgow It’s a great place for families and is very safe, so it’s perfect for children. Sotogrande isn’t commercialised compared to other areas, which is a big draw.

of AP-7 motorway helped visitors reduce their drive time to the resort.

Joseph McMicking continued to live out his later years in Sotogrande until his death in 1990.

One of longest-established residents Lucrecia Aldao, 60, from the Philippines, has seen nearly five decades of its transformation.

“I arrived here in 1968 and grew up in Sotogrande. Since then it’s changed in so much as its grown. Sotogrande is a philosophy…it’s a philosophy of family, of friends. It’s a low key society, and everybody here is low key.

“You can run into some extremely rich, extremely famous people and nobody will bat an eyelid. The place itself may have changed, and is modernising, but the philosophy remains the same.”

Much of Sotogrande’s fame stems from its sporting firsts.

Valderrama golf course was the first to host The Ryder Cup in Europe in 1997. And it’s still a fairway to golfing heaven, according to golfer and former professional footballer Andy Gemmell, who has played some 40 courses in the area.

“Sotogrande isn’t commercialised compared to other areas, which is a big draw but it’s getting there. Every year there is a new twist and turn.

I don’t think Sotogrande will

Valeria Alfie, Sotogrande It used to be a more seasonal place, whereas recently people are opting to be here all year round. This is very good for small business people such as myself.

Wytze Abels Velema, 75, Holland Sotogrande is a small community which has what everybody wants.

To live here is unbelievable. It’s extremely safe, there is no crime here.

ever lose its sparkle,” he says.

Plaza Blanca’s commercial centre is a favourite meeting spot, with a shop to buy English newspapers and books and several independent clothes stores - one owned by Valeria Alfie. Her shop Calanit was one of the first in the area.

“This is very good for small business people such as myself and everyone who has businesses here - real estate, restaurants…. I was one of the first shops in the Marina, and I have noticed it has got much busier, a lot busier than 14 years ago. It is changing slowly, but for the better.”

Leaving Plaza Blanca, we move to the marina where the indulgence of wealth is something you cannot ignore: the chic waterfront is lined with a parade of sleek super yachts, glamorous sea-view apartments and

From small time polo to international golf In the early days after polo left the beach for the green grassy fields, it was a common sight to see families with their picnics spread out next to the ‘cancha’, the local gardeners sitting with their families next to members of the British Royal Family.

Now it is an extremely well organised 5-star event, and amazingly still free to the public apart from The Gold cup Final on the very last day of the summer season.

And Golf. After the huge success of the Ryder Cup, Volvo Masters and Amex World Championship at Valderrama we now have Spain's first Municipal course at La Cañada, as well as the amazing Real Club de So-

togrande course and new courses at San Roque, Almanara and La Reserva, rapidly climbing up the Top Ten chart in Spain.

Every year the quality of the regattas from Puerto Sotogrande are becoming more and more important.

On top of this, Sotogrande could soon become the Equestrian Show Jumping Centre for Europe as plans are going ahead to introduce top class competitions throughout the winter, when it is too cold and wet to celebrate events in Northern Europe. And most amazing of all, is the incredible new inland beach and mini ocean complex at La Reserva. Spain’s most exclusive inland beach resort.

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SSE BUZZING: In the marina and (above) the beach high end restaurants.

The profusion of yachts and kayaks reminds us again of Sotogrande’s huge sporting links, not forgetting the polo.

Every August top polo players from around the world descend on Santa Maria Polo Club for the International Tournament, now in its 47th year.

During the off-season, many football teams rent the polo pitches to train.

At the marina we run into former pro polo player Wytze Abels Velema enjoying a late afternoon white wine. “We moved here after living almost everywhere because I was heavily involved in the polo, which my granddaughter now plays,” says the 75-year-old.

“It’s extremely safe, there is no crime here. For me, it is the perfect place. The future of Sotogrande does not worry me.”

You only need to sit down at a quayside cafe here to overhear how international this place has become. Conversations are conducted in Spanish, German, French, Italian, Scandinavian - it’s a veritable tower of

Babel. And so well kept. Grass verges are as immaculately manicured as the people, the streets are litter free, even the sea seems to be a cleaner blue.

Complacency is something that does not exist here.

Gatecrashing El Molino del Conde’s waterfront restaurant for a drink we meet 49-yearold Theresa Cohen, 49, who has just moved to Sotogrande from Oxford.

“Among friends we jokingly call it the new Marbella. Not in a flashy way but Sotogrande is how Marbella used to be before it got too commercialised,” she tells us. “Here it is different, being a gated community I think helps that exclusivity. The restaurants in the area, I believe, are worldclass: fine wines and the best seafood dishes around.”

The marina is yet another highlight of Sotogrande where the welcome is warm, the hospitality outstanding and the sporting offer unequalled by anywhere else in the world that’s not a town or a village but merely a gated community.

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Sotogrande International School 2nd - August 15th 2018 SOTOAugust educates more than 900 children SNAP... from over 44 different countries

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Shore thing!

Jon Clarke gets an early first taste of La Reserva Beach, the hippest new addition to the Andalucian scene

I

T is the very epitome of understated glamour.

Hidden in the folds of the Sotogrande foothills, it has become in just a fortnight one of the most talked about new venues in southern Spain this summer.

Taking over two years to create, La Reserva Beach is as eye opening as it is exclusive.

And despite being quite a few clicks from the sea, it gives St Tropez and anything in Ibiza more than a run for its money.

The statistics, as ever, are everything.

Dubbing itself as the ‘only private beach in Spain’, it counts on 2,800 square metres of shoreline and nearly a dozen activities for all the family.

Surrounded by a sea of palm trees, you lounge on well appointed sunbeds and hammocks or just hang out by the shore, dipping your feet in the cool, azure water.

In the backdrop is a children’s play area alongside a pair of food trucks, while next door you’ll find the achingly stylish restaurant, which cleverly uses wood and light and a collection of natural earthy products.

Nothing is left to chance and there is a legion of 88 staff, including nine lifeguards and a phalanx of waiters dressed in white, a dozen chefs dressed in black and the maitres bespoke in beige.

In short, you are waited on hand and foot in the sort of classic top-end, five-star luxury that the neighbouring resort and golf course has become known for over recent years.

The quality of the food is also quickly evident.

The menu is creative enough, without being intimidating or pretentious, and comprises a healthy mix of Mediterranean (mostly Spanish) dishes with a few Asiatic and south American twists.

It is also good value for what and where it is, and particularly the various wines by the glass that weigh in from just €3.

STYLISH: Use of wood, glass and concrete

VARIETY: Sushi and prawn carpaccio

Broken down into easy sections, Getting it right, he certainly has, there are plenty of salads and and not only in the execution and soups - mostly cold this year unsur- delivery… with plots for sale around prisingly - plus starters, meat and the beach, already going up in price fish. by two even three times in as many For starters, I particularly liked the years. tuna tacos with black olives and Some, I was amazed to discover, tender sprouts with a chili salmore- are selling for upwards of €7m, putjo, as well as the carpaccio de gam- ting them among the most expenbas, a dish as pretty as it tasted. sive in all of Spain.

The smoked sardines with guaca- An erudite Parisian, who has worked mole also worked brilliantly, as did around the world in the hotel and the ceasar salad, however the lob- golf sector for decades, Topiol is ster sandwich (basically in a bao) widely credited with turning around was a little heavy on the sauce. the enclave and driving it forwards.

Some splendid sushi made up for Some three or four local business this and the lemon meringue pie owners have sung his praises to me was veritably a winfor his vision and ner. he is surprisingly La Reserva Beach approachable and It has become, is the latest chapter friendly in the flesh. perhaps, the of the Orion Capital It is perhaps little revolution that arsurprise, given that coolest beach rived in Sotogrande he describes himfour years ago. self as a ‘doctor’ hangout this Funded by the big ensuring that ‘evsummer European real eseryone is having a tate fund that took good time’ while on over the private holiday or living in resort run by Sotogrande S.A. in the resort.

2014, it has been carefully created The father-of-three works six days with the concept of privacy and a week during the summer months space to the forefront. and spends most of Sunday sleep“It’s open to the public now, but we ing, he tells me. envisage it being private and just But, most importantly, he completefor residents eventually,” explains ly gets the positioning and uniqueSotogrande CEO Marc Topiol over ness of Sotogrande as a resort and lunch. place to live.

“A lot of people doubted it would He describes it using a French word ever happen and it has taken a long ‘desuet’, which literally means ‘out time to build,” he admits. “But it of fashion, but doesn’t translate took over a year to get planning per- perfectly into English’. mission and technically it was very “Basically Sotogrande is not a hip or important to get it right.” trendy place, but it offers a unique

lifestyle different to anywhere else,” he explains.

He is certainly not short of jobs to undertake, with two hotels, three golf courses, most of the marina and various plots and developments to manage.

There are also various plans to carefully utilise 1,400 hectares of protected green spaces, with new hiking routes, horse riding trails and some ‘glamping’ accommodation for families.

But for now, he is clearly delighted with what has perhaps, surprisingly, become the coolest beach hangout this summer.

FUN: Food trucks, mojitos and smoked sardines (top)

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NEWS IN BRIEF Stagnant Salary THE ANNUAL Labor Cost Survey recently released by the National Institute of Statistics revealed that the average gross salary that companies paid workers in 2017 increased by 0.1%, an improvement compared to the 0.3% decrease in 2016.

5G Internet THE ECONOMY Ministry of Spain has given telephone providers Telefonica, Vodafone, and Orange access to 5G frequencies, which is 20 times faster than 4G. Each of the companies invested over 100 million euros each for the technology.

Renfe Strike FOLLOWING the Ryanair strikes, partial strikes by rail workers have led to the nationwide cancellation of trains on July 27.

161 AVE, medium-, and long-distance trains were cancelled.

Piracy plan The UK loses its EU anti-piracy missions to Spain as a result of Brexit THE EU has announced plans to move the headquarters of the bloc’s anti-piracy patrol, Atlanta from London to Andalucia in the wake of Brexit.

In what is just the latest reaction to Britain leaving the EU, member states have agreed to move the security centre from Northwood to the port of Rota in Cadiz on March 29 - the official day of Brexit.

Patrol

Atlanta was first launched in 2008 in a bid to fight rising piracy crime and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.

Spanish, Italian and German navy ships currently patrol the waters close to Somalia, detecting any threats compromising the safe delivery of aid to the

COMING SOON: Anti-piracy crew

country.

The operation is particularly aimed at protecting ships belonging to the UN World Food Programme and African Union Mission in Somalia, the latter of which has been waging war on the jihadist group Al-Shabaab.

In 2009 Somali pirates brazenly stormed onto a

Spanish tuna fishing boat and held the crew captive until they received a ransom.

The crew were finally released after receiving the payout and two of the criminals were later arrested by military officers.

The EU has also decided to continue Operation Atlanta until December 31 2020.

Un’appy with Uber

SLAMMED: Uber

COSTA del Sol taxi drivers are demanding stricter regulations on ridehailing apps such as Uber and Cabify.

They want local authorities to crackdown on the licensed driver platforms, which have transformed the way people get around on the coast.

The drivers claim the legal ratio of one licenced driver vehicle for every 30 taxis has been breached.

They are also calling on local police

olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs Ryanair row takes off RYANAIR has come BE under‘APPY! attack for launching a new marketing campaign just as it confirmed the biggest cancellation of flights in its history.

The comprehensive campaign has been described as 'cynical' by a consumer affairs watchdog that supports air passengers.

It comes after Ryanair cancelled around 600 flights due to cabin crew and pilots going on a series of Download our app now and strikes.

Ryanair has announced 11%theprofit beginan enjoying best Spanish growth but declined to negotiate working news on the go. conditions for its staff.

Head of flight compensation company SkyCop, Marius Stonkus, said: “The latest planned walkout would result in over €20 million of flight compensations, if the airline would be obliged to pay for its incompetence in the negotiations.

“However, they will walk out The Olive Press without a scratch and are already planning new profit-boosting TOP for news in Spain! campaigns.”

During peak summer season, the strike will have a total affect on around 65,000 passengers travelling to Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

SKYCOP: Stonkus

Price slashers AFTER a rare British summer of scorching temperatures and a roaring success for the Three Lions in the World Cup, holidaymakers are opting to stay at home-forcing travel operators to slash their prices across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Discounts

forces to assign agents to conduct surveillance of vehicles operating for Uber and Cabify to ensure that they do not park in highly congested areas, including train stations and airports.

The coexistence between traditional taxis and licensed driver vehicles for mobile platforms has been hotly debated following the introduction of Uber to the Costa del Sol region this June.

In a bid to tempt customers in what are normally the busiest months of the year, holiday firms are scrambling to offer the best deals, as analysts warned the slump could hinder companies’ profits.

After a continuous spout of sun, Brits are

M

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deciding to stay at home and visit the coast.

TUI has shaved the prices of 2,200 holidays and are offering discounts of up to 70%, as well as budget operator Jet2 offering £100 off all holidays online.

Industry giant Thomas Cook offered a further 10% off promotion on its already discounted July holidays as part of a three day long promotion, as a spokesperson told the Mirror: “We are looking at other compelling offers for the rest of the summer.”The dry spell of bookings comes as operators have been hit with further expenses by price increases of more than 10% for hotels and jet fuel.

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+TheolivepressEs High stakes BE ‘APPY!

property

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Price hike

More than 90% of Marbella’s coastline has been built on in just 30 years

SPANISH billionaire and founder of Inditex Amancio THE rate of urbanization Ortega is the of Spain’s coastal land has front runner more than doubled in the Download for snapping upour app now and past 30 years, according to Grade begin II listed enjoying the best Spanish environmental organization building the Greenpeace. news on the go.London.

Adelphi in central Despite the introduction of Just weeks after missing the a law in 1988 intended to mark with a €1.13 billion bid limit the development along for Goldman Sachs’ London its shores, the property headquarters, the 82 year old boom throughout the 1990s is understood to be the pre- led to a mass production of ferred bidder for the 330,000 resorts, hotels and holiday square ft building, which is homes along the Spanish reported to sport a price tag coast, until the financial of around €680 million.Presscrash in 2008.

The Olive As the world’s second most visited tourist hotspot after Spotify TOP for news in Spain!

France, during the boom Currently housing the likes coastal laws were often of music streaming service worked around while ofSpotify, the building is owned ficials turned a blind eye to by the US’s largest private eq- sprouting buildings. uity firm, Blackstone, which purchased the site in 2012 for Rebounded €294 million.

Other tenants include Conde Since the Spanish economy Nast, The Economist, and rebounded, the depletion public relations company of the Spanish coastline reFinsbury. sumed.

After recently undergoing a As a result, 530,000 hectcomplete refurbishment, the ares of the coast has now 1938 building remains true been built upon, compared to its heritage and is still to 240,000 hectares in 1988. framed by the four sculptures According to the Greenproduced by sculptor Gilbert peace report, over 90% of Ledward. the first 500 meters of the

OVER-DEVELOPED?: Marbella has seen most of its coastline built on

Coastal shame

majestic Marbella coastline has been built upon, while the northeastern region of Catalunya has lost a huge 26.4% of its coast to urbanisation.

Greenpeace representative in charge of coastal is-

sues, Paloma Nuche, told a Barcelona news conference discussing the condition of Spanish coastal areas: “The occupation of the coast has been massive and this leaves a legacy of a saturat-

ed coast”.

In a bid to discourage this excessive urbanization, Spain’s Supreme Court has ordered that the 21-story Azata Del Sol complex in Almeria should be torn down.

SOME 134,705 house sales have been completed in the first quarter of 2018, according to the Ministry of Development and National Statistics Institute.

The majority were in Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga and Mallorca, with 16.67% of the sales coming from international buyers.

The stats suggest the typical British buyer is being put off by the steady rise in house prices, with buyers from Scandinavia and Belgium picking up the slack.

In April alone, the National Statistics Institute reported that the number of mortgage approvals had risen by 34% year-on-year.

Banks lent €3.54 billion euros to home buyers that month, a year-on-year increase of 46.5%.

ON THE UP: Prices

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What’s on for foodies!

B

INDI Indian Restaurant in Santa Catalina

has brought back ‘Streetfood Wednesdays’ with €2 beer and wine to accompany handfuls of tasty bits and bites. Enjoy free tastings or big plates of the finest Indian streetfood inside or out on the patio every week.

T

HE Port of Valldemossa will host a paella

contest the evening of August 18 as part of the Festes de sa Marina celebrations. Prizes will be awarded to the best dish, along with the winner of the fishing contest from earlier in the day. Dinner and a party with DJ's follows the ceremony.

Sports drinks & music OPEN 5.30pm to 4am every day!

Bar Molly Malone – C/ Monsenor Palmer 5, Palma

olivepressnews

Too many men THE World’s Top 50 Restaurant list has been criticised for not including enough eateries with women at the helm.

It comes after the latest awards saw only five women-run restaurants named in the top 50 - its highest female quota ever.

Eater magazine writer Monica Burton said: “Restaurant awards largely mirror societal inequities — they advance white men, and consistently overlook women and people of color — and while it’s tempting to simply

ignore them and what they celebrate, the material stakes are high. “Winners receive outsized media attention, which leads to greater critical and financial success — opportunities denied to chefs and restaurants that are left out.”

She added: “A more fair system would empower women, people of color, and people with diverse economic backgrounds, perhaps even restaurant staff, to make decisions as awards judges and organizers.”

+TheolivepressEs Slow down BE ‘APPY! on the sangria

Top Jock

After aour long work most Download appday nowat and of us enjoy an alcoholic tipple begin enjoying the best Spanish to wind down.

Buton the Spain’s recommended news go. daily alcohol consumption is becoming a cause for concern among health experts.

The country’s Health Ministry recommends a maximum of four standard alcoholic drinks per day for men and two for women. But apparently that’s way too generous.

The Olive Press Double

TOP for news in Spain!

It’s double what is recomScottish maestro wins top in France, which is Spanish food prize for pioneering mended two standard drinks for both men and women, and four work times the limit in the Nether-

WINNER: Zonfrillo

A SCOTTISH chef has won the coveted Basque Culinary World Prize.

Jock Zonfrillo received the €100,000 reward, funded by the Basque government, for his dedication to preserving and promoting the culinary ingredients and techniques of the native population of Australia.

The cash injection will go towards his pioneering work, which includes the Indigenous Food Database.

Inspired

Zonfrillo has spent 17 years visiting hundreds of remote cultures Down Under and cataloguing their ingredients and cooking techniques.

He was inspired to start his project after realising native cooking knowledge and traditions were woefully non-existent in Australia’s gastronomic identity.

"Zonfrillo sows the seeds for a better future," said iconic Spanish chef Joan Roca, chair of the prize jury. "His work is inspiring and has a multiplier

effect."

Zonfrillo was chosen from more than 140 nominees across 42 countries.

He was then selected as one of ten finalists in the search for a chef that ‘embodies the Basque value of transformational social change through gastronomy’.

"My motivation comes from acknowledging a culture who farmed and thrived from the land they have lived on for over 60,000 years," Zonfrillo said.

"The first Australians are the true cooks and ‘food inventors’ of these lands and their exclusion from our history, and specifically our food culture, is unacceptable."

Zonfrillo hopes his research will help unearth new superfoods and create new farming jobs for the native populations.

Anyone in the world will have access to the database.

"Through the world of gastronomy I'm able to make a difference," added Zonfrillo.

Sacre bleu!

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FOUR people have been arrested for passing off Spanish wine as French.

The suspects were found to be part of a criminal organisation with a rap sheet including money laundering and crimes against public health.

The fake vino workshop was located in La Coruna and had been operating since 2014.

They passed off wines as Pingus 2004 and 2006, Flor de Pingus, and Vega Sicilia’s ‘Unico’ online and in a restaurant in La Coruña.

Some 1,600 Pingus labels and 2,000 Vega Sicilia labels were seized by the Guardia Civil.

According to the EU’s Intellectual Property Office, Spain has the most counterfeited wine in the EU.

lands where just one drink a day for both sexes is advised.

British beverage company Diageo highlighted the difference between Spanish and European standards at a seminar of the National Association of Health Informers.

Although no other country tops Spain’s recommended limit for men, other countries such as Japan and South Korea recommend the same amount.

Organic water FONT VELLA, the natural mineral water brand owned

by Aguas Danone, is bringing an organic drink line to Spain.

Font Vella Organic is designed to cash in on the rising popularity of organic products in the country.

Font Vella revealed two flavours - orangeade with oregano, and lemonade with basil.

Mineral

The drinks are to be made from mineral water, fruit juice, and all-natural ingredients. The fruits used to make the juice will be completely organic—free of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers.

Font Vella Organic drinks will be sold in 40cl bottles at around €1.45 euros per bottle.

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1919

Spain’s longest river is finding worldwide fame for its phenomenalsized fish

I

By Bradley Stokes

TS monster carp grow to triple the average size and its giant catfish can weigh more than an adult pig.

Spain’s eyebrow raising River Ebro has been making waves all over the TV airwaves for its phenomenal fish stocks and celebrity anglers are falling over each other to cast it as the star of their shows.

An unfathomable 930 kilometres long, the Ebro runs through seven autonomous regions, rising in north-eastern Cantabria and flowing all the way to the Mediterranean via the Catalonian coast. It’s the longest river that is wholly in Spain and second-longest on the Iberian Peninsula.

POPULAR: The Ebro in Aragon

Ebro-raising took his award winning TV show Extreme Fishing with Robson Green to the River Ebro back in September 2008.

The detective in the Grantchester TV series put his sleuthing skills to good use to track down the monster wels catfish for the programme.

Keen angler John Wilson, voted ‘The Greatest Angler of All Time’ by the Angling Times, starred the Ebro on his TV show John Wilson's Go Fishing.

Famous

It’s also home to some of the best fishing in Europe.

Famous for fish of phenomenal dimension, its super-sized specimens of wels catfish, carp and zander are the holy grail of the freshwater fishing fraternity.

We’re talking catfish weighing in at over 200 lbs and carp of up to 60 lbs, making it an angler hotspot.

With Manchester City’s Phil Foden pictured fishing on the river only this summer, The Olive Press took the bait to cast the spotlight on other famous figures hooked on this remarkable river.

The Ebro hosted its first famous visitor back in 1938. Novelist and keen angler Ernest Hemingway supposedly fished the river during his frequent visits to Spain. History doesn’t reveal whether he caught a catfish but the author, who was taught angling by his father, is used

MAMMOTH: Fish aplenty in Ebro

Hotspot

ANGLER: Phil Foden to battling giant fish. In 1938, he caught seven marlin in one day off the Bahamas, establishing a world record.

Actor-turned presenter Robson Green

British TV angler Matt Hayes of Matt Hayes Lake Escapes named the Ebro one of his top three world-renowned fishing grounds, for its carp stocks and catfish in particular. The avid catfish hunter says these whiskered giants are taking over the river and weigh in at an average 110 lbs per fish. They are also famous for their big teeth, a natural evolution as their prey in this river grow

angling show The Big Fish Off, competing as a team captain.

In 2008, British fisherman Bernie Campbell, caught a rare albino wels catfish - a fish he was after for seven years. Weighing in at 208 lbs, it was a world record bigger than elsewhere in Europe. If you for this particular species. He explained want to have a go at catching one of that as well as the river’s geography, the these beasts, Hayes recommends do- water is warmer meaning the fish can feed and grow without ing after dark as they pause throughout the are predominantly winter. nocturnal.

The Ebro is also an Ebro-Catfish, the leadangling competition ing website for fishing hotspot. In 1979 Zarain the area, scooped goza, which lies on the the catch of the day river, hosted the World when it sent guide Freshwater Angling Martin Fawcett upChampionships, won river with his rod. The

by France. result was the world’s According to CarpTalk biggest ever catfish the key to a successcaught until then ( ful Ebro fishing trip 2005). It weighed in is ‘boilies’, a pellet at a whopping 215 HOOKED: Bernie Campbell bait of fishmeal, milk lbs. proteins, bird foods, Ali Hamidi, who presents Korda TV Carp Fishing, says the semolina and soya flour. Over the years Ebro’s unique geographical position many anglers have used boilies as their where it meets the River Segre makes it primary bait and they are now being an exceptionally fertile breeding ground swallowed hook, line and sinker by all for fish. Hamidi appeared on the ITV4 fish species in the river.

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Food, Drink & travel

Princeton students Diana Tang and Grace Lee set off in search of the World’s Best Jamón

J

OSE slices expertly through the leg of jamon Iberico, clamped on a jamonero to hold it in place. In moments, 11 wafer-thin slivers are placed in front of us on a gold-trimmed plate: cuts of babilla on the left, maza in the middle, punto on the right.

Jose Severiano Sanchez Garcia is a maestro de secadero, in charge of the drying process. It is also he who sniffs the ham to decide on the crucial moment when it is ready to be brought out of the cellar. And he’s just one of many individuals involved in this lengthy field-to-table process.

The transformation from Iberian pig to world-renowned Jamon de Bellota Iberico takes about five years: two years fattening the pigs,

READY TO SLICE: Jamon

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Ham hunt

ICONIC: Pigs graze on acorns in Aracena before becoming famed Jamon de Bellota three years curing the meat in the cellar.

Our journey of discovery begins in Jabugo, a charming town in the heart of Huelva’s Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche nature park. Here you’ll find the curing cellars of Cinco Jotas, one of the oldest and most widely-respected jamón brands in Spain for their acorn-fed 100% Iberian ham.

The cellars were built over a century ago and provide an intricate account of the entire artisan process. It all starts in the dehesa with Iberian pure-breed pigs, the only animals of the species that

have fat distributed throughout their bodies, creating the veins of white that run through a slice of jamon.

Once the pigs are mature and fit enough to fend for themselves at around 100 kilograms, they are released into the dehesa, a Mediterranean forest managed by humans.

Cured

The pigs cover a distance of 50 km and devour four km of grass every day, giving the meat its characteristic lean muscle. For around ten months, they forage for food,

gaining about a kilo of weight a day.

The montanera is pig heaven, a period of three-to-four months ending around January or February when the acorns (bellotas) fall from the oak trees in the dehesa.

During this time, the pigs live almost exclusively on acorns, eating up to seven kilos a day until they weigh around 160 kilograms. This diet is crucial.

Acorns are rich in fatty oleic acid, also found in olive oil, giving the jamón its rich aroma, shiny texture, and olive oil flavour. The locals often refer to Iberian pigs as ‘olives on legs’. Jamón de Bel-

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TASTY: The three different cuts of jamon and (below) huge storage room while (far left) a cutting demonstration

lota 100% Ibérico is known as the healthiest cured meat on earth, rich in high density protein, good cholesterol and Vitamin E. After the plentiful montanera, the pig is mature at about two years old and over the winter, they meet their destined fate at the matanza (slaughter); or as the people of Jabugo put it, the ‘sacrifice’. Then, the curing process begins.

Three maestros take part in this final journey lasting around 18-30 months: the maestro de salazón, maestro perfilador, and maestro de secadero. These three figures, respectively, are responsible for packing the fatty legs in sea salt, carving off the excess fat and drying the carefully-prepared leg in the curing cellar. They are absolutely essential for the final delivery of that fine cut of jamon to our plate.

Flesh

Legend has it that jamon was first ‘invented’ when a pig fortuitously stumbled into a channel with very salty water and drowned. When the townspeople roasted the deceased pig they were pleasantly surprised at its rich, aromatic taste. They later found that the hind leg could be preserved longer and given deeper flavour when it is salted.

The maestro de salazón covers the fresh and fatty legs of Ibérico pigs in sea salt for approximately a week. After the

TUCKING IN: Grace and Diana enjoying their first ever jamon salt is washed off the legs are has worked at Cinco Jotas for stored in a cold room for one decades, inserts the cala - a to two months to allow the short needle made of horse salt to penetrate through the bone - into the jamón and deskin to the flesh. termines whether it’s ready Next, the maestro perfila- with the briefest of sniffs yet dor steps in to trim off the in those few seconds he can excess fat which speeds up discern more than 100 arothe drying process. Then the mas. legs are hung from the metal All these steps ensure a perhooks that line the ceilings fect balance of many differof the curing ent flavours: cellar, where sweet, savory, the magic hapsilky, tangy, pens. During and many The pungent the drying pemore. riod, the leg With a newand explosive loses half its found appreweight as fat aftertaste leaves ciation for the drips away. As complexities of us wanting more jamón making the seasons pass, mould (and growling forms causstomachs), it ing chemical was time to sachanges on a cellular level, vour the jamon in front of us. creating the complex flavours. García recommends we try it At last, the maestro de sec- with a glass of dry sherry and adero conducts the punta- tackle the cuts from left to tura - sniff test. García, who right.

First, the babilla from the hind end of the leg. These deep sheets of red are pleasant and chewy, with a mild taste that isn’t too overpowering - a great starter.

The maza is the juiciest, most aromatic cut on the hind half of the jamón. The intense, creamy taste hits first but the pungent and explosive aftertaste leaves us craving more.

The punta has the greatest intensity of flavour as all the sweetness and spices from the oxidation process collect here, at the hip end of the leg, as the fat drips down. These thin slices pack concentrated savoury flavour in every bite.

So now you know. But, can we really say that Jamón de BABILLA Bellota 100% Ibérico is the (NARROW END) world’s best jamon? After one The most cured tasting we’re not qualified to part with less fat juwdge. But if there is such a subtle more and thing as perfection, it comes aroma pretty close.

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MAZA (THICKER END) Often the most popular part on the hind half with the juiciest cutdays), begin slicing here.

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PUNTA (FLANK) Hip end opposite the hoof with the most intense flavor

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018 August 2nd - August 15th 2018

Earning my crust

Working on the island has its fair share of ups and downs, writes Lesley Keith

H

OT, isn’t it? Yes a bit of an obvious statement but when the local Spaniards moan about it you know it’s getting serious.

Plus we had that amazing storm last weekend, Puerto Pollensa had 26mms of rain in 20 minutes accompanied by strong winds.

We got the brunt of it, by the time it reached the Old Town, 7 kilometres up the road it only deposited a mere 11mms.

Part of earning my crust is maintaining holiday flats, cleaning and doing the laundry once a week. I’d put that washing out on the line up on our building’s roof terrace. I could see that serious clouds were coming in very quickly so went to get it in before it actually hit us.

The wind up there was really strong and had actually ripped most of the sheets from the pegs so it was in a filthy heap on the ground. How I laughed…not.

Still once I’d gathered it back up I actually stood for a minute and watched the clouds roll in as it got steadily darker. It was something to see, lightning crack-

WOWZA: Storm and thunder take over Mallorca...but only for a few hours ing around and thunder so loud it literally shook the building. The rain lashed down and luckily my partner, who had gone out 10 minutes earlier, had closed his car’s sunroof. He returned after it was all over half an hour later with tales of having to wade through several inches deep water in the middle of the

town, pictures were posted on facebook of boats being rowed down the main street! Yet within an hour it was as if it had never happened. Well apart from the fact that I hadn’t realised our bedroom window had inadvertently been left open and we had a large pond under our bed.

As we all know, property maintenance is big business here and the flat I’ve just mentioned is very hard work. Most guests are pretty tidy and considerate and I would say that the main purpose of the job is to remove all traces of any human hairs. If ever I have a rental of my own I’m only going to rent it out to

Mallorca diaries

By Lesley Keith

bald people because you just would not believe how much hair one family can shed in a week, especially if there’s a teenage daughter involved!

This particular one is on the 2nd floor with, of course, no lift. One of the only perks for any cleaner is that you often get left goodies or even a financial tip by departing guests. Last week there was nothing at all except a half full (half empty? - you decide) bottle of gin. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers, and as my partner is a big gin fan I tucked it in amongst the laundry and waddled back down the stairs once I’d finished. I was very hot and weary but I don’t live far away so it was only a short drive home.

I dragged the laundry bags in and not thinking, slung them on the floor. Yes, you’ve guessed it, the neck of the bottle broke off and what little liquid there was spilled out. Now my eyes aren’t good and my hearing’s rubbish but I do have a great sense of smell. That definitely wasn’t gin, I think it was some sort of white spirit that painters use. Just as well it smashed then really, can you just imagine the ramifications! Why it was in a gin bottle and left in a holiday rental is anyone’s guess, but lesson learnt, from now on I check everything. My Spanish isn’t nearly good enough to explain that sort of thing to the police!

So please, if you’re a visitor – remember – tip your cleaner! lesley.kmallorca@gmail.com

THE paper not to miss on Mallorca island THE Olive Press is now distributing all over the island in an incredible 500-plus locations.

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We also want to know where you would like to see it and where you don't think we should

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August 2nd - August 15th 2018

August 2nd - August 15th 2018

No-castle

Spain turned down offer to take on Newcastle boss during World MOVING: Hadi Sacko Download our app now and Cup drama

Leeds to Las Palmas

begin enjoying the best Spanish SPAIN rejected an offer news on the go.

from Newcastle to use Rafael Benitez as their World Cup coach, SPANISH news outlet it has been reFichajes has claimed Leeds vealed.

United player Hadi Sacko is The offer came set to join Spanish side Las via a letter following the sackPalmas.

The allegedThe moveOlive came less ing of Julen Press than 24 hours after the two Lopetegui just sides met in a friendly.

24 hours before TOP for news in Spain!

The 24-year-old winger strugthe country’s first gled to have an impact at El- match in the tourland Road and new manager nament.

Marcelo Bielsa has seemingly According to ostracised the French-born Spanish federaMali international from the tion president squad.

Sacko only managed 279 min- Luis Rubiales, a utes of Championship foot- letter was sent by ball last season, spread out Toon chiefs ofover 14 league appearances. fering them up He will now look to resurrect his career in the second tier of Spanish football.

Loca for Luka

Benitez.

Instead, former sporting director Fernando Hierro was named as Spain’s interim boss with the 2010 winners later suffering a shock exit to hosts Russia in the last 16.

“When I sacked Julen I immediately called Hierro and told him I didn’t want to make any changes. Two days later a letter arrived from Newcastle saying ‘Are you interested in our coach?

He’s at your dispo-

Making history SPANISH tennis player Rafael Nadal has made history by surpassing the $100 million (around €86,000,000) earnings mark.

The 32-year-old Mallorquin has become one of three tennis players to ever receive the sum, along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner has reportedly earnt $101,328,524 (€86,738,736) over his successful career.

It comes after Nadal, the world number one in men's singles tennis, bagged his 11th French Open win in May by beating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets.

Nadal is only the second player in history to win the same Grand Slam on 11 occasions after Margaret Court, who won 11 Australian Open titles between 1960 and 1973.

POPULAR: Luka

SPANISH football fans think Croatia’s Luka Modric should be crowned with the coveted Ballon D’or this year.

It comes after Spanish publication conducted a 30,000-strong poll of who its readers think should win the FIFA title.

Some 14,227 voted for Modric, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming in a distant second with 5,340 votes, followed by Lionel Messi with 4,384 votes.

Favourite

Ronaldo is the bookies’ favourite, yet there's a strong argument that his former Real Madrid teammate should add the FIFA 'The Best' award to his collection.

He won the Champions League title alongside Ronaldo and then followed up his Real Madrid showings with a superb World Cup, inspiring Croatia to the final and bagging the Golden Ball award.

2323

WINNER: Rafael Nadal

Filling the void WELSHMAN Gareth Bale will ‘help fill the void’ left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui has said.

The forward had been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu after failing to hold down a regular first-team spot under previous coach Zinedine Zidane last season.

But Ronaldo’s £99m switch to Juventus means Bale is back in the team’s good books.

“Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid,” Lopetegui said.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of

the main players in the recent history of Real Madrid. He expressed a desire to leave and we allowed him to.

“Gareth Bale is a magnificent player, with so many qualities.

He can help fill the void.”

NEWCASTLE BOSS: Benitez

sition.’ We said thanks but no,” Rubiales said.

“We would have never done that, we couldn’t hire Benitez because it would have been acting in the same way for which we reproached Julen.”

Lopetegui was given the sack after he announced that he had agreed to take over Real Madrid straight after the World Cup, with-

out the permission of Rubiales.

Benitez mentioned the possibility of coaching Spain during the World Cup earlier this month.

He said: “There was maybe a chance, but still I am here and I am happy to be here.”

Luis Enrique was appointed as Spain’s coach earlier this month.

Copa del Rey THE highly anticipated 37th Copa del Rey began on July 30, welcoming competitors from across the world.

Taking place across the idylicc Bay of Palma, the Copa del Rey has become a significant date on the international yachting calendar, welcoming teams from across the world, including participants of America’s Cup. The Melges 40 and the GC32’s began their regatta on Monday, ahead of the coastal race for Mallorca Sotheby’s IRC Classes 0 and 1 and the BMW ORC. The variating pressure between inshore and offshore, accompanied by the alternating sea breeze provides an enjoyable challenge for the teams as they gear up for hot and humid weather.

The King’s Cup ends on August 4th.

SAIL: At King’s Cup

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FINAL WORDS

Booming tourism OVERNIGHT stays in Andalucia during June have increased 3% compared to those in June 2017, in which overnight stays had decreased by 1.5%. Tourism Board member Francisco Javier Fernández expressed his optimism for tourism this summer season.

Anti-narco plan

MINISTER of the Interior Fernándo Grande-Marlaska proposes a Special Security Plan that allocates seven million euros of resources to tackle drug trafficking in the14:57 Campo Press 2018_Layout 1 16/04/2018 Page 1 de Gibraltar and improve citizen safety.

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Vol. 2 Issue 34 www.theolivepress.es August 2nd - August 15th 2018

The exorcist The devil is alive and well on Mallorca, claims priest

THE Mallorca catholic church has admitted to performing at least three exorcisms every month.

A well-known canon of the Seu de Mallorca has revealed at least 25 people per year seek help in having ‘the evil one’, aka Satan, removed from their bodies.

It comes after Pope Francis recommended every diocese in the world have at least one priest who can perform the so-called rite, and even offered training courses on the holy act at the Vatican in Italy.

“First we perform the anointing of the sick,” the exorcist, who asked to remain anonymous, told a Spanish newspaper, “then we check if the person is really possessed by

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the evil one.”

A ‘study’ by the Holy See found that only 2-3% of those who seek exorcisms are actually possessed by demonic forces, while the rest are actually suffering from severe psychological or psychiatric disorders.

In an interview, the holyman detailed how two different texts are used to expel the evil forces.

“They invoke the action of God and ask the evil spirit to stop tormenting them.”

The possessed is then splashed with holy water, seasoned with salt, before a crucifix is raised before their eyes. “"Holy water with salt is considered to be the strength of the spirit," explained the ex-

perienced exorcist.

Asked why there are still so many who are possessed by Satan, the exorcist quoted Saint Francisco, saying: “The Pope has always said that

people carry the evil one in their pocket, because the devil loves money".

A HUGE two metre endangered sea creature, the devil ray has been rescued after being spotted on a popular tourist beach in Alicante.

An onlooker filmed the unbelievable rescue of the imperil devil ray on the La Mata de Torrevieja beach.

The dying species, known for their incredible surface acrobatics, are most commonly seen in the Mediterranean Sea. After swimmers spotted the devil ray, they alerted authorities due to its close proximity of the shore, sparking the unconventional rescue operation.

Municipal biologist Juan Antonio Pujol, and local diver Vicente Martinez assisted police officers, which was mounted the giant onto a stretcher towed by a jet ski, to return it to deeper waters.

The animal was driven around three miles out to sea before being released.

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Wat-er devil

FAIL: For new submarine

SPAIN’S new state-of-the-art submarine is too big to fit in its naval base.

The S-80 Plus submarine measures 81 metres in length, but its home in Cartagena can only accommodate vessels of up to 78 metres.

It comes after the 800 tonne machine had already faced issues with buoyancy, forcing the Navantia shipyard to add 10 meters to the ship to resolve the issue.

It has cost around €2 billion to build.

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