Olive press Newspaper - Issue 297

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www.theolivepress.es

SPONSORED BY August 1st - August 14th 2018

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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

Don’t miss our annual pull-out travel guide on Sotogrande,

packed with features, restaurant tips plus an exclusive peek at Spain’s first inland private beach, SEE PAGE 17

R PICTURESQUE: La Reserva Beach

in its don’t want to be spotted. for its polo, golf and sailESPLENDENT in its beauty, secluded million- Internationally renowned exclusiveness, Sotogrande is one to boast ing, as well as burgeoning gastronomic scene, this has all aire’s playground that doesn’t like ‘mini Monaco’ of high net worth residents about it. of a cosmopolitan resort but without all, it’s in a whis- the hallmarks and bling, as we discover on a trip If wealth and fame is spoken of at it, appropri- the brashness per. In Sotogrande they like to keep around the hotspots. place for golfers, polo players, ately, ‘sotto voce’. about however, “It’s a wonderful 74, What it does have a right to brag beaches and and people with boats,” explains Paul Martin, is its low-density living, its stunning marina and who moved to the privileged enclave from Bristol mountain backdrops, plus its amazing in 1988. in England in 1986 and golf courses. ‘super- “After two dull summersmust be a better climate Spain’s largest privately-owned residential of European 1987, I thought therechasing the sunshine that was state’ is a second home for the cream the Rock of Gi- than this! So it the character of Sotogrande is high society. Its privileged views to are enjoyed brought me, but as I had planned to begin here braltar and the Rif mountains of Africa royal what made me stay, British the Blair, Tony PM into the countryside.” by the likes of ex-UK celebrities, who and venture out But you would be mistaken family and countless European 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)

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Huge Costa del Sol fire that saw 400 people evacuated may have been distraction for huge drug smuggling operation

Vol. 12 Issue 297 www.theolivepress.es August 1st - August 14th 2018

Smokescreen

679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA.indd 23/02/2017 11:31 1

By Laurence Dollimore

DRUG trafficking gangs may have been behind a huge Costa del Sol fire.

Police have not yet ruled out the idea that brazen smugglers may have set ablaze to Manilva in a bid to divert attention from a huge marijuana haul.

The theory comes after a grey 4x4 was dragged out of the sea on a nearby beach the very next morning.

“It’s a well known tactic and has been done elsewhere before,” foreign British councillor for Manilva Dean Tyler Shelton told the Olive Press, “although it is just a line of inquiry for the moment.”

The grey vehicle is typical of drug gangs and is believed to have been dumped in the sea after its engine failed.

The fire started at around 1.30am on Sunday night, while the Manilva feria was celebrating its end with a fireworks display.

We map Spain’s love - or hate - for bullfighting

Page 6

On set

The films you didn’t know were filmed in Andalucia

Page 14

Walkabouts

Racing

According to reports, several 4x4s were seen racing at high speed from the beach while the hills of Manilva burned.

“If drug gangs were behind the blaze, then it’s possible a huge amount of drugs was brought to shore that night,” added Shelton.

Some 400 residents had to be evacuated as the fire began encroaching on nearby homes.

It took emergency services until 8.30am to get the flames under control, providing the perfect

Load of bull?

Author Guy Watts takes us for another stunning walk

ABLAZE: Manilva burning while (inset left) recent drug haul and (top right) car pulled from sea

smoke screen for the drug smugglers.

Rumours had circulated that the fireworks may have been to blame for the blaze, but these were quickly squashed given that the fire started around 6km away from the display.

More than 40 firefighters tackled the fires in the area of Los Hidalgos, Hacienda Guadalupe and El Goleto residential developments and campsites in the Duquesa area.

The mayor described the event as a ‘night of confusion’, and thanked

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the authorities for ensuring no one was hurt or injured.

Guardia Civil told the Olive Press they could not confirm the cause of the fire and added that INFOCA fire investigators needed at least two more days before arriving to a conclusion.

The investigation continues.

Jamon town

Princeton interns travel to the Aracena, the hometown of Iberico ham

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Gone fishing Find out why celebs keep sinking their hooks into Spain’s Anglers’ hotspot

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crime

www.theolivepress.es NEWS IN BRIEF

August 1st - August 14th 2018

Cat-napper probed

Migrant preparation THE PALACE of Sports Vista Alegre de Córdoba is being prepared to provide shelter for the 220 migrants who recently arrived in Patera as the situation is deemed a migratory emergency.

Drugs bust POLICE have seized six kilograms of marijuana, two kilograms of hashish, 278 grams of hash oil, and some packages of narcotics in a private smoking club on the Costa del Sol, arresting six.

Security fraud POLICIA Nacional have discovered a fraud of over two million euros over Social Security funds conducted by 21 companies in Malaga and Granada. Eight businessmen and managers were arrested.

FERAL: Some of the 101 cats

Manhunt for British expat filmed abusing his dog on Costa del Sol

SOME 101 cats have been rescued from a Malaga home.

The feline haul came following complaints from neighbours of a ‘foul smell’ and ‘endless howling’ at night.

Grupona agents raided the home just north of the city to find dozens of cats crammed into a courtyard of 12sqm.

The house had been divided into two, with the owner, 37, saying he thought he only had around 45 pets.

The dweller said he began housing cats which started breeding but he felt too bad to get rid of them, adding that things had ‘gotten out of hand’.

Police said the dweller was likely suffering from Noah Syndrome, which burdens sufferers with a need to horde animals. The cats had to be removed in three separate rescue missions, with all 101 being taken to the Zoosanitary Centre. Police are investigating.

Find him!

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

A MANHUNT is underway after a British expat was filmed abusing his dog on the Costa del Sol. The 30-second clip shows the owner pick up his pet and slam him against the wall in Sabinillas, Manilva.

He then repeatedly slaps and hits the animal before dragging him by his lead.

The young woman who filmed the video said she started filming after hearing shouting and what sounded like a commotion.

“I thought it was going to kick off, but he just picked his dog up by its neck and slammed it against the wall, it was awful to watch.

SEARCH: For Bowden (left) and (right) shocking clip “I wanted to do something but as a young woman alone I thought the best I could do was record him for evidence to give to police.”

The poor dog can be seen

trying to resist going with his owner but is yanked into submission.

The owner is alleged to be known locally as Chris Jack Bowden and has lived in the

Manilva town for over a decade.

An expat close to him told the Olive Press: “He used to be a lovely lad and was well liked around here, it’s a real shame.”

Bowden, who is now believed to be a squatter, lists himself as self-employed on Facebook.

He is now believed to be in danger after receiving several threats of violence on social media.

“Where does he live?” one wrote, “I will find him and put him in the ground, seriously.”

Guardia Civil told the Olive Press this week that they have seen the video and are actively searching for Bowden.

Padierna probe THE owner of luxury hotel Villa Padierna is being investigated for misappropriation of funds after terminating the services of a health and wellness company.

BDB Wellness, which was loaned spaces at the Villa Padierna in Benahavis and Malaga, was kicked out of the hotel chain in 2014.

But according to the charges, CEO Ricardo Arranz refused to return the equipment and prevented staff from entering the premises.

The prosecution is seeking two years in prison for misappropriation, coercion and disclosure of confidential information.

Arranz argued that customers were complaining about the management of the wellness services, particularly the requirement to pay in cash only. Owner of BDB Wellness Ángel Domenech denied the claims.

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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.

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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

HERO: Harry Maguire and girlfriend

Moving on Out-en DENISE van Outen has revealed how she’s swapping the countryside for the Costa del Sol after purchasing a new holiday home in Mijas.

It comes after the Olive Press exclusively revealed in our Property Magazine that the blonde bombshell was buying in the holiday hotspot.

The Loose Women panelist fulfilled a long time dream and purchased a two bedroom apartment in the Spanish sunshine. “I’ve fallen in love with the place”, she told Hello! magazine. “It kind of feels a bit like a home from home. For me it’s an extension of my home in the UK. It’s like an extra wing in the sunshine.”

EXPAT: Van Outen

By Olivia Burke

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.

Gone cruising 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.

Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon were spotted enjoying the Spanish summer in San Sebastian.

Accompanied by their wives, Elsa Pataky and Luciana Damon, and children, the families were spotted cruising around the Bay of Biscay before frolicking in the waters.

The actors decided to escape the Australian winter whilst celebrating Elsa´s 42nd birthday, as well as providing Hemsworth with an opportunity to wind down after finishing filming Men in Black 4 in London.

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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.

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Fe at u r e

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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.

OPINION

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.

As the famous CURTAIN CALL ‘pirate’ matador of Jerez 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.

IT’S sickening that a person can look at their own dog - another living being that they have chosen to take on and nurture - and beat it senselessly against a wall.

The horrific video of a local expat abusing his dog has shocked Brits to the core this week and rightly so.

If someone can behave this way in public, we dread to think what could happen behind closed doors.

Although incredibly distressing to watch, footage like this is often the only way to prove the facts, identify abusers and bring them to justice.

Many have called out the bystander who filmed the video, slamming her for not intervening but as a young woman handling a violent man alone, who knows what could have happened to her?

She still helped and did the right thing by documenting the evidence, allowing the Olive Press and readers to alert the authorities and launch an investigation into the attacker.

Let’s hope justice is carried out and that poor, defenceless dog is rehomed.

Firestarters IF indeed drug gangs were behind the recent Manilva fires, then they have truly gone one step too far.

Most of us are used to drug activity happening behind the scenes, with their illegal activity rarely having an impact on our day to day lives.

Some 400 people had to be evacuated and it is a miracle no one was hurt.

Let’s hope the truth about the cause of the fire comes out and that if it was started purposefully, those responsible are brought to justice.

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618

Head of SALES Sarah Adams sales@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es Bradley Stokes bradley@theolivepress.es Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es

Admin Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

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2012 - 2018

Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

Horns of a dilemma

Vamos Vega

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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.

By Pablo Balbontin

Disgusting

AWARDS

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Queen Bey

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.

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: 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.

Fe at u r e

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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.

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

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Balearics: 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’.

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Madrid: 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.

Not going anywhere soon.

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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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www.theolivepress.es NEWS IN BRIEF

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.

Bad shelter MOTRIL has been slammed for trying to shelter over a hundred migrants in an old pavilion, a poorly equipped sports center, and other buildings that do not meet the conditions required for offering humanitarian assistance.

Police population MALAGA government representative María Gámez has announced that 190 additional National Police officers will be deployed to Malaga in anticipation of the increased number of expected tourists this summer.

Expats raise alarm after discovering former community president wanted for questioning over fraud in Hong Kong EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

A BRITISH expat has been operating as president of a Costa del Sol community despite being ‘on the run’ for 17 years.

Veronica Crouth, who is wanted for questioning over fraud in Hong Kong, headed the Bermuda complex in Sabinillas, Manilva, between 2009 and 2011 - and is STILL defacto running the community after allegedly collecting a majority of proxy votes from local residents - most of whom are British.

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August 1st - August 14th 2018

Know thy neighbour The community holds meetings to vote on changes and for a new president or administrator, but residents who are not living in the complex full time can name someone to be their proxy vote.

“She cleans their apartments while they’re away and looks after their properties, she has totally won their trust,” a local, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Olive Press.

“They have no idea about her past.”

The convicted fraudster is wanted in the Far East after allegedly defrauding the medical practice she worked

Tragic drowning THE girl who drowned in a Marbella swimming pool at the weekend has been revealed as being Irish.

The four-year-old tragically died while enjoying a family holiday on the Golden Mile.

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing assistance to the family.

The tragic accident took place on Saturday at around 10.30am.

Emergency services were unable to revive the girl at the scene.

firmed this week that she is of interest to police there and have informed Interpol Hong Kong of her whereabouts.

She was previously jailed for 15 months in 1996 for defrauding the University Medical Centre in Newcastle to the tune of £30,000 (€33,000).

It is believed Crouth - who has changed her surname to Ayre - funded her move to the Costa by selling her British home for £276,000 (€309,000), despite being wanted for alleged crimes in the Far East and for a civil suit in the UK.

CAPTION: at of around €200,000.

The Dr Lucy Lord and Associates clinic called in police after noticing Crouth, who worked there between 1997 and 2001, had allegedly made fraudulent transactions worth $1 million (HK).

According to British press, police took away her passport, but she somehow managed to escape the former British colony, where she is believed to face more than 70 charges.

Authorities in the UK con-

Block

The owners of the British medical company she defrauded had tried to block the sale, but according to an investigation by British paper The Chronicle, she remortgaged the home and put it into the name of her husband David Crouth, who was legally able to sell it.

Spanish police and Veronica Crouth failed to comment in time for press.

RIP: Echeverria

Hero honoured A SPANISH man has posthumously been awarded the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth after losing his life defending a woman in the London Bridge attack.

Ignacio Echeverría died defending a woman during the 2017 terrorist attack. He valiantly tried to attack the terrorists with his skateboard but was tragically shot to death.

The committee, who award the George Medal for acts of bravery on behalf of the Queen, said: “He ran towards them with the intention of stopping them from carrying out further attacks on innocent people who were in the vicinity.

“It is beyond doubt that he displayed great courage in choosing to try to tackle the attackers.”

The 39-year-old was also honoured by the government of Spain and praised in a speech by King Felipe VI on a visit the UK.

MISSING PERSON CONCERNS: For Casado

Steering right Can you help?

I am looking to find my nephew, Kneale Olsson. He has lived in the Benalmadena and Coin areas of Spain for the past 10 years.

He is 37 yrs old, with very short dark hair, and brown eyes and he is approximately 5’ 10”(177.8cm) He has a large tribal tattoo on his right arms and a large Koi carp tattoo on his left bicep, he speaks fluent Spanish. He may be living in the Barcelona or Gerona area, please help us to locate him, his family are extremely worried, we’ve had no contact from him in the past two years, which is totally out of character.

His grandmother is very ill and is desperate to see or speak to him as a matter of urgency.

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PABLO Casado has vowed to move the People’s Party to the right after replacing former prime minister Mariano Rajoy.

The 37-year-old’s views are more right-wing than his rival, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, who was considered to be the most liberal candidate.

Casado holds conservative views on abortion, family, euthanasia, gender issues and also wants to outlaw pro-independence parties to avoid future movements seeking secessionist bids.

Symbolic personalities of the PP, like Esperanza Aguirre, support Casado and consider him a ‘return to the roots’, while Soraya Saenz de Santamaria was seen as a continuation of the more moderate Rajoy.

Casado’s supporters expect a harder opposition against new prime minister and PSOE leader Sanchez, while his detractors fear his conservative ideas could alienate moderate voters.

Many of the hardcore conservatives have already fled to Vox, a more traditional right wing party, created by Jose Antonio Ortega Lara, who said the PP was ‘losing its identity’.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

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 the Campo de Gibraltar and improve citizen safety.

Andalucia to blame for Spain’s sewage treatment problem as country handed fine 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 still 43 towns with 15,000 peo-

Gne REE wsN

It stinks!

DIRTY: Andalucia must clean up its act, warns EU

ple or more which failed to meet EU standards, despite member states vow-

ing to have adequate systems in place from 2001.

Spain will now have to pay

Clean break for Mijas

Police injured MORE than a dozen police were injured at the border between Morocco and Spanish territory Ceuta, in which around 400 migrants from Africa climbed the barrier.

Some of these migrants attacked police with quicklime.

August 1st - August 14th 2018

CONTRACT: For street cleaning

MIJAS is set to award its first contracts for street cleaning in a bid to save €1 million a year in waste management.

The town hall is currently weighing up bids from a range of firms before awarding the €25,000 contract.

It comes after officials decided to put Mijas’ street cleaning services out to tender for the first time in 40 years.

Previously, the work has been directly awarded to the same company without a bidding process.

€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 Cristina, Tarifa, Coin, Nerja and Barbate.

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

Impossible

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.

Fighting fire GREENPEACE has found Andalucia is behind only the Canary Islands for its fire prevention plans.

Around 97% of the province has established plans for fire protection, with just three municipalities yet to implement plans due to a lack of resources.

Malaga was found to have one of the best fire prevention plans in the whole of Spain, especially with its large expanse of forest.

Greenpeace’s findings come as Spain faces a high risk of forest fires.

Caught red-handed THREE suspected poachers have been arrested after being caught with deer corpses in their car boot as they drove through Sevilla.

Police are searching for a fourth man who escaped arrest after their car was stopped in El Pedroso.

The men could now face jail sentences after allegedly killing the deer in a protected, private estate.

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Heatwaves ‘kill women’ HEATWAVES lead to an increase in domestic violence.

A study conducted by a team of Spanish researchers found that soaring temperatures can increase the risk of gender based homicides by 40%.

The researchers found ‘the risk of intimate partner femicides increases three days after a heatwave’, however still acknowledge that the root cause of violence against women ‘have clear ties to gender inequality and the patriarchal system’.

Experts in epidemiology, gender based violence and psychologists from Spanish police drew the conclusions based on statistics from the Madrid region between May and September from 2008 to 2016. The period saw 23 women killed by their current or former partners, 38,000 police complaints filed for gender violence and 61,000 calls made to the 016 helpline for domestic abuse victims. Co-author of the report and sociologist, Carmen Vives, said “Heat exacerbates stress and irritability in relationships that are already charged with conflict, yet sexism and patriarchy are ultimately to blame.”

Pension woes

IT could become ‘illegal’ to pay private pensions to British expats living in Spain if the UK exits the EU without a deal, MPs have been told.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) claims expats living in the EU ‘might find that they couldn’t be paid their pension’.

Director General of ABI, Huw Evans, said: “That is a perfectly plausible risk in the future if no agreement is reached in some countries of the EU.” It comes as Theresa May is desperately defending her Chequers plan from attacks by factions of her own party as she tries to sell it to the EU.

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August 1st - August 14th 2018

Shame on you!

Makes you sick

British tourists pay homeless man to get humiliating face tattoo A BRITISH stag party has sparked outrage after paying a homeless man €100 to have the groom’s name tattooed on his forehead in Benidorm.

The cruel pranksters paid 34-year-old Polish national Tomek to have ‘Jamie Blake, North Shields, NE28’ inked on his head, yet it was not completed as he was in too much pain.

The tattoo parlour where Tomek was branded posted a photo, now deleted, on their Facebook of Tomek be-

By Olivia Burke

ing inked, as he throws up a peace sign whilst staring at the ceiling.

The incident has infuriated expats and locals alike, prompting local businesses to discuss possibly paying for the removal of the tattoo.

Despite splitting with his fiancee, Jamie Blake, 37, went ahead with his stag do and proceeded to Benidorm with 30 of his friends.

The tattoo, sporting his

No booze included BRITS on all-inclusive holidays in Mallorca and Ibiza could be forced to pay for alcohol in new legislation being proposed by the Balearic Government.

Tourism chiefs have been promising tough implementations in a bid to tackle anti-social behavior which they believe is a direct effect of the unlimited booze.

The ban, which could be introduced as early as September, is hoped to squash the rising amount of violent crime and muggings, as well as the new concerning viral trend of ´balconing´.

With the likes of Torino striker M´Baye Niang taking part in the dangerous craze, calls for the ban come after seven tourists have lost their lives in Mallorca due to balconing this year.

Tourism boss for the Balearics Antonio Sansó said: “We don’t intend to prohibit alcohol because you can’t, but we can regulate it.”

Due to the ban, expected to be released for public consultation later this summer, the Balearic Government are considering offering guests free trips and guided tours to insert added value for customers.

name, was halted two letters into ‘North Shields’, meaning it reads ‘Jamie Blake No’.

Karen Maling Cowles, the President of the Benidorm British Business Association, found Tomek after seeing the picture, and said he was jaundiced, had the shakes and told her he was an alcoholic.

11

After spending some of the money the stag had paid him, Tomek was attacked and robbed of his remaining €17 on the beach.

She described how he was struggling to walk with back pain after he explained he walked 2,700km to Benidorm after the collapse of his relationship.

A CHINESE restaurant has remained open for business despite nine customers being hospitalised for food poisoning.

Over 90 others reported feeling unwell, with vomiting, fever, and diarrhea after eating at the restaurant in Merida in Extremadura.

Jose Maria Vergeles, Extremadura Health Minister, confirmed the presence of salmonella, stating: “There is no doubt about the germ that caused the infection.”

Salmonella is a foodborne illness spread by residue of animal feces on meat, poultry, eggs and other foods, which causes gastrointestinal discomfort, and typically lasts for around four to seven days.

Other foods such as vegetables, fruit and shellfish can also be contaminated by the bacteria.

Some 30 food samples have been taken by officials to be analyzed.

12

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Tsunami

Migrant health care Readers react to the news that undocumented migrants are to have full access to healthcare in Spain

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Pepper On the hunt for spray battle GIBRALTAR Police have confirmed the use of pepper spray during an incident with a Spanish fishing vessel.

The RGP officers were forced to take the measure, as the crew of the Spanish ship from La Linea got increasingly aggressive.

It came after the Department of the Environment ordered the ship to stop fishing illegally in Gibraltar waters, a request that was ignored.

“RGP confirms that incapacitant spray was used on one of the crewman in response to his aggressive behaviour.

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Provoke

“Once he calmed down, the situation was de-escalated.”

According to the RGP, there has been an increase in illegal activity in the waters over recent months.

It has been suggested that the incursions are specifically designed from outside of the Rock to provoke unnecessary incidents that ‘might prevent a more positive political engagement developing between Spain and Gibraltar.’

The incident, which took place in the early hours of July 7 at Europa Point, was deemed ‘regretful’ by the government of Gibraltar.

MYSTERY surrounds the suspicious death of a popular artist in a broad daylight Gibraltar attack.

Friends and family of Michael Montegriffo told the Olive Press of their ‘shock and sadness’ when they heard of his death on Prince Edward’s Road last week.

They described the 58-yearold father-of-four as an ‘eloquent and friendly’ man, who ‘was a spiritual man, a real child of the Sixties’.

Enquiry

Police launched a murder enquiry on Friday, a full six days after his death, which was caused by head injuries outside Gavino’s Dwellings.

While paramedics rushed to attend to him he died a few hours later at St Bernard’s Hospital.

The murder enquiry was

Friends pay tribute to ‘spirited freethinker’ father-of-four following death of Gib artist/ musician

launched after a pathologist report concluded that the injuries to his head were ‘not consistent with having fallen from a height or being struck by a passing vehicle.’

His father Maurice, 85, confirmed that police were working hard to uncover the reasons for his death.

Speaking from the police station he told the Olive Press: “I don’t want to say anything else until the investigation is finished.”

Friends however were quick to praise the former Christian Brothers Prep School pupil, who later became a well-renowned artist and musician.

“He was a great guy - a man of style and quality and a real free thinker”, said a former classmate.

Busking

As well as composing music, he was occasionally seen busking on Gibraltar’s Main Street.

“He did a lot of things to make a living, but he was

RIP: Montegriffo

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He agreed that their livelihoods depend on a frictionless border following Britain leaving the European Union.

“Negotiations have being taking place regarding Gibraltar,” May later told the House of Commons.

“We have been clear that Gibraltar is covered in the negotiations. We are looking for a deal for the whole UK family.”

Sanchez and the PSOE are committed to stabilising the area, after he visited the La Linea area last March.

SEE PAGE VIII

is continuing SPAIN’S property market to grow.

May, show a The latest figures, for

7.7% expansion. in total, inThere were 51,896 sales with resale cluding social housing, up 6.7% and apartment transactions16.3%. single family homes up

Bubble

housing market The figures mean the fifth consecuin Spain is entering its it turned a tive year of growth since 2014 following corner at the start of some seven the devastating collapse

Mortgages up, prices up and numbers up.

The market is looking healthy, writes Laurence Dollimore years earlier. new bubble are But those talking of a off the mark. prices are still “Both sales and house of the boom a long way from the peakfrom Spanish years,” Mark Stucklin Olive Press.

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Balconing crisis AGAIN THE UK and Balearic governments are working together to prevent more young tourists from ‘balconing’.

It comes after 12 people have had serious falls, four fatal, so far this year, with many in tourist hotels in the Magaluf area.

The UK ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, met with President of the Balearics Francina Armengol to address the worrying trend.

Manley highlighted the 'extreme increase' in accidents, and said both the UK and Mallorca needed to formulate a 'good plan' for ensuring safe and successful holidays for young British tourists.

"We have to deal with this problem with preventive measures," he stressed.

Calvia has already fined three tourists for being reckless on a balcony.

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Killer wave

Holidaymaker dies in front of family as minitsunami strikes Mallorca

Messin’ around LIONEL Messi has been sailing around the Balearics with wife Antonella Roccuzzo and friends ahead of his pre-season training in Barcelona.

The 31-year-old footballer was recently confirmed as the top-earning footballer in the world, raking in an €83 million per year.

The Argentinian is the second-highest earning sportsman in Untitled-1.pdf the world after boxer 1 16/06/2017 Floyd Mayweather.

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE

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occurred in Santanyi.

They were walking down a flight of stairs leading to the sea at around 3.30pm when the giant wave hit.

The children, a boy and a girl,

had also fallen into the water at the same time but the mother managed to rescue the little girl seconds later.

However, the son and the father were being dragged away

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Vol. 2 Issue 33

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All in our monthly Property Magazine inside

July 19th - August 1st 2018

Killer wave

Holidaymaker dies in front of family as minitsunami strikes Mallorca

A TOURIST has died after being swept away in a minitsunami in Mallorca.

The 53-year-old German father died on Monday afternoon when the freak wave swept through various parts of the island.

He was on holiday with his wife and eight-year-old twin children who were all together when the tragic accident

FLOODED: Streets of Mallorca under water from freak wave occurred in Santanyi.

They were walking down a flight of stairs leading to the sea at around 3.30pm when the giant wave hit.

The children, a boy and a girl,

CY

Moaning

This really will annoy a great many people. People who live and work in Spain cannot get this quick treatment on anything, this sort of nonsense just exacerbates feelings towards these people.

Privileged immigrants moaning about less fortunate immigrants! I’m just grateful I moved here in pleasant circumstances. In another life I might not have been so lucky.

Richard Taylor, Malaga

Julie Frank, Malaga

How bad are things?

Not helpful

How bad are things when they, their wives and kids risk their lives to make such a journey. According to my DNA record, it seems my ancestors made the same journey 1,000 of years ago.

It is not helpful to confuse and compare these two situations. Those of us who live here either work and pay into social care. If here as pensioners the British Government pay an agreed figure per capita annually to the Spanish authorities, to arrive as a refugee is totally different.

Brian Berney, Casares

Marilyn Plant, Spain

by a strong tide while the mother screamed for help.

Local residents rushed down with a canoe and rescued the boy and shortly afterwards the father, who was found unconscious.

They immediately attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The wife, who was in a state of shock, is receiving counselling.

An autopsy will be carried out to determine whether his death was caused by drowning or hitting his head against a rock.

The mini-tsunami

THE FACES OF FEAR, HOPE AND HAPPINESS

15:36

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Migrant photo special see page 7

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caused a five foot wave to hit many parts of the island, as well as nearby Menorca, on Monday.

The areas of Alcudia and Ciutadella were the worst areas affected, both suffering serious flooding.

Chaotic scenes saw yachts get swept away as shops and restaurants filled up with water.

One boat in Andratx port had its skipper thrown overboard and left clinging onto a rope.

Luckily another boat managed to save him and prevent his boat from going on the rocks.

Severe

The so-called ‘meteotsunami’ was triggered by disturbances in air pressure after drastic weather events including severe thunderstorms.

A small, rapid change in atmospheric pressure – even by a few millibars – can change the sea surface elevation by a few centimetres.

This elevation can go unnoticed in deep water, but in shallower water near shorelines, it can cause the sea level to rise significantly, often by several feet.

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had also fallen into the water at the same time but the mother managed to rescue the little girl seconds later.

However, the son and the father were being dragged away

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

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Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

Well, I've seldom seen a Spaniard drunk. (There are now more cocaine addicts tan alcoholics for first time in Spain, online) They drink a lot yes. My neighbour, when he's down from Rioja region, starts on bread and a carafe of red wine about 10.30 am before a beer. If drugs are prevalent it's the North Africans. The same neighbour pointed to a car in our street where a young Spanish girl was handing over money to a North African for a package.

Kevin Drake, Murcia

Weed Legalisation WEBSITE

I always believed cultivation in a non public place for personal use.

(Political parties in Spain call for weed legalisation, 41) 3 plants per person - was legal- or did the PP scrap that? If they did then that was a big step backward.

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

October 2015

FLOODED: Streets of Mallorca under water from freak wave by a strong tide while the mother screamed for help.

Local residents rushed down with a canoe and rescued the boy and shortly afterwards the father, who was found unconscious.

They immediately attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The wife, who was in a state of shock, is receiving counselling.

An autopsy will be carried out to determine whether his death was caused by drowning or hitting his head against a rock.

The mini-tsunami

THE FACES OF FEAR, HOPE AND HAPPINESS

15:36

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A TOURIST has died after being swept away in a minitsunami in Mallorca.

The 53-year-old German father died on Monday afternoon when the freak wave swept through various parts of the island.

He was on holiday with his wife and eight-year-old twin children who were all together when the tragic accident

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The 31-year-old footballer was recently confirmed as the top-earning footballer in the world, raking in an €83 million per year.

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IT was an impromptu, last minute meeting.

But, for Gibraltar, it will go down as a key moment with Spain’s new leader taking time to meet the UK Prime Minister in Brussels.

According to sources, the ‘constructive’ meeting between Pedro Sanchez and Teresa May at the NATO summit involved the subject of Gibraltar.

Concerns were raised by Sanchez about residents living on the Spanish-Gibraltar border, who work on the Rock.

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are not a “Although those years big gap sughealthy benchmark, the some room for gests there is still assuming the growth on both fronts, to recovSpanish economy continues er.” report from The latest encouraging that averthe notaries also revealed by 0.6% age house prices increased mortgage lendto 1,372€/m2, while ing increased by 9.3%. agents on the It comes after estate earlier this Costa del Sol revealed seen a 100% month that they had homes in the growth in Britons buying holiday hotspot.

Messin’ around

K

UK: +44 772 213 6148 SPAIN: +34 634 682 048

years earlier. new bubble are But those talking of a off the mark. prices are still “Both sales and house of the boom a long way from the peakfrom Spanish years,” Mark Stucklin Olive Press.

Property Insight told the

By Elisa Menendez

CAPTION: European trips leaving weekly Transport and removal services

Mortgages up, prices up and numbers up.

The market is looking healthy, writes Laurence Dollimore

THE UK and Balearic governments are working together to prevent more young tourists from ‘balconing’.

It comes after 12 people have had serious falls, four fatal, so far this year, with many in tourist hotels in the Magaluf area.

The UK ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, met with President of the Balearics Francina Armengol to address the worrying trend.

Manley highlighted the 'extreme increase' in accidents, and said both the UK and Mallorca needed to formulate a 'good plan' for ensuring safe and successful holidays for young British tourists.

"We have to deal with this problem with preventive measures," he stressed.

Calvia has already fined three tourists for being reckless on a balcony.

See Double death fall on page 5

a really kind, free spirited man and he would always take in someone who was homeless,” said a friend.

Another source said he had returned from France a decade ago, having worked in a series of jobs, including a shepherd and as a grape picker.

Police are still appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or been in contact with Montegriffo in the days leading towards his death. The murder is the second on the Rock in the past 12 months.

If you know anything to help the Montegriffo investigation, contact Gibraltar police and email newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

Another friend added: “We are all devastated, he had such a friendly, welcoming approach to people.”

Montegriffo - who lived in England and predominantly France for a long time - had learnt to play the guitar at a young age and music played a big part in his life.

Bubble

housing market The figures mean the fifth consecuin Spain is entering its it turned a tive year of growth since 2014 following corner at the start of some seven the devastating collapse

Balconing crisis AGAIN

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By Bradley Stokes

7.7% expansion. in total, inThere were 51,896 sales with resale cluding social housing, up 6.7% and apartment transactions16.3%. single family homes up

MORTGAGES MALLORCA. IN THREE • EQUITY MORTGAGES: MONEY YOU THE DAYS WE CAN GET REPAYMENTS, NEED! NO MONTHLY VALUATION OF WE ONLY NEED A DONT NEED ANY YOUR HOUSE! WE PROOF OF INCOME.

How the Rock’s most evil monkey stole five passports and €100 in cash, See back page

Vol. 3 Issue 75 www.gibraltarolivepress.com July 18th July 31st 2018

is continuing SPAIN’S property market to grow.

May, show a The latest figures, for

FIXED INTEREST ORTGAGES WITH •M JUST 2,10%! UP FOR 25 YEARS AT PRICE! TO 80% OF THE BUYING

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July 18th - July 31st 2018

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July 19th - August 1st

e

As it’s claimed living by the sea lets you live longer, we dig out some beachside gems, including this stunning Cala Ratjada

Let It grow

or email

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Andaluc best magazin property ia’s

Issue 22

July 2018

Nothing worse (German tourist dies after being swept away in mini-tsunami, 296) Going on holiday with the kids to enjoy time together and be happy and then this happens. Tragic. So sad.

Glad the children are okay vs but the Sweden family won't be the same Britain again.

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

caused a five foot wave to hit many parts of the island, as well as nearby Menorca, on Monday.

The areas of Alcudia and Ciutadella were the worst areas affected, both suffering serious flooding.

Chaotic scenes saw yachts get swept away as shops and restaurants filled up with water.

One boat in Andratx port had its skipper thrown overboard and left clinging onto a rope.

Luckily another boat managed to save him and prevent his boat from going on the rocks.

What about the previous 30 odd years of mass immigration! Don’t recall any EU payments for the millions already here. We couldn’t even deport the ones that were known criminals and preachers of hate!

Severe

The so-called ‘meteotsunami’ was triggered by disturbances in air pressure after drastic weather events including severe thunderstorms.

A small, rapid change in atmospheric pressure – even by a few millibars – can change the sea surface elevation by a few centimetres.

This elevation can go unnoticed in deep water, but in shallower water near shorelines, it can cause the sea level to rise significantly, often by several feet.

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Kurt Elutin, Spain

Grant Evans, Birmingham, England

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Dear Olive Press, Sometimes it may seem that the healthcare workers and doctors only too easily receive the brickbats of the people it serves and not the plaudits I have needed to have treatment at the Vélez-Málaga hospital. twice and I am able to tell you, as a British citizen, that the service provided by the hospital is second to none. The housekeeping throughout is brilliant and as one says, ‘you could eat off the floors.’

I found staff and doctors most friendly and helpful and I struggle with the Spanish language the translator’s as sistance proved invaluable and I pay tribute to them asall.

And locally, at the Alcaucin Clinic, Dr Perez and especially Nurse Lola, have been the essence of what excellent healthcare is about.

Robert Easton, Alcaucin

Contact Tim (0034) 677 195 638

 Costa del Sol on weather alert

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress

+TheolivepressEs Sunseekers

Political parties in Spain call for

A MALAGA firm is on a mis- legalisation of sion to BE send solar panels into ‘APPY! cannabis space.

DHV Technology, launched in 2013, aims to seize on a rising demand for panels at- PODEMOS has renewed tached to satellites. calls for the legalisation The company’s three found- of cannabis now that the ers, Vicente Díaz, Miguel Án- PSOE is in government.

Download app now and The party’s leader, Pablo gel Vázquez andourFrancisco begin their enjoying the best Spanish Rubiño, said ambitions Iglesias, said legalising are now even news ‘bigger’ on the go.and they the drug would lead to a want to expand to other parts much bigger budget for of satellite technology. healthcare.

He said: “We wouldn’t have to spend money on Launched security arrangements Over the last four years, DHV against illegal trafficking, has developed around 40 so- which generates crime lar panel projects for various and exploitation.” companies outside Spain.

According to the blueprint Olive Press They are The currently working for regulation, Spain could on the Argomoon project with raise €177 million per year newsThat in Spain!

Italian TOP firm for Argotec. through a cannabis tax, satellite will be launched in plus a further €1.2 billion 2020, traveling 10,000km on indirect taxes. away from Earth.

High time for legalisation Last month, Podemos, the PSOE and Ciudadanos jointly put forward another motion calling for personal amounts of the drug to be legal.

Other countries have already benefitted from the legalisation of cannabis.

The Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, collected €400 million in indirect taxes in 2017.

Meanwhile, several states in the US have made a fortune from legalising the non-lethal drug, with Colorado alone selling €1.28 billion of the green drug last year.

Welcomed

INTO ORBIT: Satellite

July- 18th July2018 31st 2018 March 29th April- 11th

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The proposed measures have been largely welcomed by parties on both sides of the political spectrum, except for the PP, which has long fought against the idea.

The battle to regulate cannabis began in 2017 when Podemos put forward a non-legislative motion.

COMING SOON?: Legalisation of cannabis

Cruzcampo vs La Roja CRUZCAMPO has threatened to cancel its sponsorship of Spain’s football team after Luis Rubiales’ ‘offensive’ comments.

The threat came after the head of the Spanish football federation said paying for the travel costs of senior management and the relatives of footballers to the World Cup was a ‘waste of money’.

A Cruzcampo spokesperson said Rubiales was effectively reneging on something that was already agreed, before pointing out that the federation didn’t pay for such travel costs at this World Cup. Rubiales has yet to comment.

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olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs Turning Japanese BE ‘APPY!

13 13 August - August a 2018 13 e 14th you1st hav Do what’s on?

Send your informati on to newsdesk@theolivep ress.es

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.

Download our app now and Due to open in September 2019, the begin enjoying the best Spanish main 700-seater arena to be called Caixa ORIGAMI: In Malaga news on the go.

MALAGA is going oriental this October with its first cultural week dedicated to the Land of the Rising Sun. Living Japan, slated for October, is being organised by Olga Grymierski, owner of the city’s Okami restaurant in collaboration with the Japanese EmThe Olive Press bassy in Spain.

Aqui dolorat.

Officiae laudandis cores pelest incia Hendi omnis

TOP for news in Spain!

Diplomatic NETFLIX’

The initiative marks the 150th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relationships between Japan and Spain. It will highlight aspects of Japanese culture not well-known outside the country, such as as Ikebana (flower arranging), Origami (paper folding), Nerikomi (pottery) and the martial arts of Iaido and Kuydo.

All the activities will be completely free requiring inscription only.

“We want to incorporate exhibitions that perhaps are less known by the larger public.”

green

has released its first Spanish documentary series shedding light on one of the most celebrated Andalusian flamenco singers of all time.

Camarón, de La Isla al mito, directed by José Escudier,, is a homage to Camarón de la Isla who passed away 26 years ago.

Episodes revolve around the accounts of people who were close to the artist, his family, his childhood friend Lela and many others.

The documentary tracks

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.

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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

E

stepona Food Truck Festival, August 1 - 5

MORE than 10 food trucks from all over Spain will congregate at the Felipe VI Theatre car park, each offering unique, mouthwatering dishes from diverse set of cultures.

L

uz Casal C o n c e r t , August 3

L

a Cena de las Emociones, August 4

SPANISH pop singer Luz Casal will be performing her latest work Que corra el aire along with eleven other songs at Marenostrum Castle Park in Fuengirola at 22:00 hours.

RESTAURANT La Boheme in Malaga is hosting what they call a gastro-theatrical experience, combining a delicious meal, music, and theatre. Reserve your tickets at aborearteatro.es

14 14

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LA LACULTURA CULTURA

12 films you might not have known were filmed in Spain’s sunniest region, writes Diana Tang and Grace Lee

Lights, camera,

T

he region of Andalucia features a diverse array of landscapes, from its towering mountains to the emerald blue seas. And for decades, movie producers were sure to take advantage of these picturesque locations as the backdrops of their films. Below, the Olive Press introduces 12 movies from the 1960s to the present that were shot in Andalucia.

Andalucia!

Cleopatra, 1963 Location: Almeria Parts of this classic were filmed in Almeria province, featuring the Alcazaba and its surrounding Murallas del Cerro de San Cristóbal, as well as the desert of Tabernas. The shooting in Almeria took 16 days. It is one of the most expensive films ever produced in history, costing Twentieth-Century Fox nearly $44 million. Elizabeth Taylor stars as Cleopatra, the young Queen of Egypt, and Richard Burton as Mark Antony, a Roman general and her love interest.

August 1st - August 14th 2018

Doctor Zhivago, 1965 Location: Madrid & Granada Although the original book is set in early 20th century Russia, at the time the movie was produced, the novel was banned in the Soviet Union so this film adaptation was shot mostly in Spain. The entire set of Moscow was constructed on the outskirts of Madrid. Scenes with the Ural Mountains in Russia were reproduced in the Granada region. Sierra Nevada, a mountain range between the provinces of Granada and Almeria, makes a brief appearance in this 5 time Oscars-winning movie as well.

Empire of the Sun, 1987

The Neverending Story, 1984

Location: Cádiz

Location: Almeria & Huelva

Filmed by Steven Spielberg, this WWII film featured Christian Bale, who also starred in the Batman series. Spielberg chose to use the marshlands of Trebujena for a variety of reasons, from the stunning sunsets in the Spring to the seamless border between the desert landscape and village. The prison camp built in this area for the film, along with a landing strip and a sports stadium, brought revenue and jobs to the area as local workers were needed for construction, boosting the local economy.

This all-time childhood favourite film was filmed at locations in Huelva and Almeria provinces. The scene where the main character Atreyu falls off the back of Luckdragon was filmed at the Playa de Mónsul in Almeria. Although graphically altered in the post-production process, the landscapes that Atreyu walks through to find the cure for his ruler and save the mystical world of Fantasia were filmed in the province of Huelva.

Carmen, 1984 Location: Sevilla This film version of Georges Bizet’s masterpiece directed by the Italian director Francesco Rosi was shot entirely in Andalucia.

The film perfectly recreates the scenes from 19th century southern spain, where the opera is originally set in. It captures the vivid, warm colors of of the old town

Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones, 2002 Location: Sevilla

and the simple palette of a Spanish bullring. Locations in Sevilla, Ronda, and Carmona were used to recreate Sevilla of that period.

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The Plaza de Espana has been a typical tourist spot for those visiting Sevilla, but with the second part of Star Wars filmed in this area, its popularity soared.

In the series, it is the location of the city of Theed on the planet of Naboo.

With some digital editing, the Plaza de Espana is completely transformed in the film. As R2D2, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé take a stroll down the passageway, the beautiful scenery of the plaza unravels in the background.

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Knight and Day, 2010 Location: Sevilla In this film Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are seen racing through the charming old streets of Sevilla, passing through many of its famous landmarks, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza, the oldest bullring in Spain. It just happens that the running of the bulls for the

Festival of San Fermin is taking place in the city as the couple makes their epic ride. Catedral de Sevilla, the third largest church in Europe, makes an appearance as well.

007: Die Another Day, 2002 Location: Cádiz Halle Berry emerging from the blue waters in the orange swimsuit is a scene to be remembered by movie fans. This famous scene from 007: Die Another Day, the twentieth film of the James Bond series, was filmed on the beach of La Caleta in Cadiz. At the chiringuito by the beach, The actress is joined

by Pierce Brosnan, who was playing James Bond, as he gazes out at the Castle of San Sebastian, another attraction of Cádiz.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1989 Location: Guadix & Playa de Monsúl The third film in the Indiana Jones series was filmed in two areas of Andalucia. The first is a conflict near Granada at the railway station Guadix Station, Guadix on the N342, surprisingly presented as a place in Turkey in the film, Iskenderun. This Turkish Mediterranean port was once a small sultanate between Turkey and Syria. The second location is the Playa de Monsúl, a beautiful beach in the Almeria province that can be seen during a Nazi plane chase.

The Dictator, 2012 Location: Sevilla

Game of Thrones, 2011-present Location: Sevilla & Osuna

Another movie set in the Plaza de Espana, The Dictator features the British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, who plays Aladeen, the despot that rules the desert kingdom of Wadiya. His palace is actually a building in the plaza that is home to government offices and the town hall.

With some editing, the building has been embellished and altered to add golden domes and its location moved to a desert setting to fit. This political satire has brought many curious fans to visit the famous historical plaza.

In the fifth season of this popular series, Sunspear, the capital of the Kingdom of Dorne is located in the Alcázar. This Moorish royal palace was built in 913, and for the directors, it was the ideal place to set the Water Gardens of Dorne, and very little editing was needed for it to transform into the beautiful setting the filmmakers had imagined.

The fighting pits of Meereen, where a major battle takes place, were also located in the bullring of Osuna, and the town’s museum now has an area dedicated to this series.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, 2011 Location: Malaga The ending scene of this movie was filmed in the playa de la Malagueta in Malaga. The director chose this area because he found that the area resembled the Cayman Islands. This psychological thriller based on a Swedish novel has brought many fans to the Rock in Gibraltar as well, hop-

ing to see the famous ‘apes of Gibraltar,’ which are actually Barbary macaques, or apes. In fact the summer after the film was released, the Junta de Andalucia released that the summer was one of the region’s most successful seasons it has ever had.

August 1st - August 14th 2018

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LA LACULTURA CULTURA

August 1st - August 14th 2018 August 1st - August 14th 2018

TIME FOR A PAUSE reflections on man and nature The ‘most beautiful music festival in the world’ is back in Andalucia this summer

P

ause festival returns this month with five nights of open-air music and art in the spectacular mountain setting of the serranía de Ronda.

Around 20 international artists from the fields of classical, jazz, electronic, and the visual arts are taking part. They include pianists Julien Brocal and Julien Libeer, and the cellist Camille Thomas who were loved by audiences last year, along with the American violinist Caroline Goulding, guitarist, percussionist Robin Scott Fleming, the trumpeter Franz Hautzinger, mezzo soprano Sarah Laulan and the extraordinary virtual reality performance artist Pauline Dufour.

The setting is a mountain stage at the ecological farm and retreat La Donaira (recently named Best Luxury Eco Hotel in Spain).

Evenings are truly festive with a party atmosphere and start with gourmet tapas and wine.

The concerts are up close and literally laidback - with audiences given the option to enjoy the music while lying back on soft cushions and stargazing.

Magical

Again, making a break with concert recitals, the nightly programmes - decided by the artists - are to be a surprise. But we can say they’ll follow the themes of fire, earth, water, air and spirit and involve unique magical collaborations.

Pause festival launches on August 14 with celebrations in El Gastor (Cádiz) and free performance of a new work from avant-garde composer Rupert Huber by three local choirs: Coro Orféon Vicente Espinel de Ronda, Coro Brisas del Pinsapar (Grazalema) and Coro Aires del Gastor.

Described as ‘possibly the most intimate and beautiful music festival in the world’, pause launched last year with the idea of bringing performance out of city concert halls into the wild, natural settings that inspire us. For audiences and artists - it’s a chance to pause from hectic lives and see man and nature at their creative best.

KICKBACK: Relax and take in the sounds at Pause

STAR: Camille Thomas and (below) Pauline Dufour

pause festival information DATES AND ACTS

Venue:

August 14

Finca La Donaira: The festival is taking place at this 700-hectare sustainable farm, equestrian centre and smart design retreat in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda.

A breathtaking location in idyllic mountain scenery, it sits on the border between Malaga and Cadiz provinces, near the white village of El Gastor.

Opening Night celebrations in El Gastor. Free concert, Iglesia San José, 21:00, seats can be reserved via www. pausefestival.com August 15–19 Five Nights of Open-Air Concerts at La Donaira Featuring Julien Brocal (piano) • Julien Libeer (piano) • Camille Thomas (cello) • Caroline Goulding (violin) • Sarah Laulan (mezzo soprano) • Lidy Blijdorp (cello) • Elodie Vignon (piano) • Rosanne Philippens (violin) • Dana Zemtsov (viola) • Laure Stehlin (flute, percussions) • Robin Scott Fleming (guitar, voice, percussion) • Gerald Preinfalk (saxophone) • Damien Westrelin (piano) • Franz Hautzinger (trumpet) • Isabelle Duthoit (clarinet) • Pauline Dufour (visual artist)

TRANQUIL: Feel at one with nature at one of the most intimate festivals in the world

Details: Tickets: € 50 • 5-Concert Pass: € 200 • Wine reception & Gourmet tapas.

Transport to La Donaira from El Gastor.

Details & Tickets www.pausefestival. com • info@pausefestival.com • Tel +34 615 38 11 19 • Andalucía, Spain [Distance from Ronda 30min; Malaga 1 hr 40min; Seville 1 hr 20min; Jerez 1 hr ] APPEARING: Caroline Goulding

STUNNING: Backdrop to the Pause Festival

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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 1st - August 14th 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

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

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August Creator of Sotogrande Resort Joseph McMicking August 1st - August 14th 1st 2018 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 is unrecognisable from its 1980s former self, writes British expat, teacher and jazz genius Mike Izatt

I

T was August, 1986. The overnight sleeper train from Barcelona trundled into Malaga station. My wife, myself and two young children achingly stretched our acheing limbs, having failed miserably to doze on our overnight journey in an undersized sleeping compartment.

I approached a railway official to ascertain where we had to pick up our two old cars which had also travelled with us. I was fairly fluent in Spanish, albeit with a northern Catalan accent, but I did not understand a single word of the man’s reply.

I listened to conversations

SOTO SNAP...

August 1st When looking for a suitable site to build an exclusive Mediter- 14th 2018 August 1st - August August 14th ranean resort, founder McMicking asked cousin Freddy to travel along the whole Spanish coast…on a motorcycle!

2018

Grande changes around me, and realised that I was hearing Andaluz, a new language with no S's and words cut in half.

The drive from Malaga to Sotogrande, where we were going to take up our new teaching posts at Sotogrande International School took well over three and a half hours.

Yes, three-and-a-half hours through Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella,

San Pedro and Estepona with not a sniff of a dual carriageway in sight.

Luckily, we fell in love with Sotogrande immediately. Huge luxury houses, stunning established gardens, and palm lined streets with wonderful names.

They included calle Beatriz la Suabia, Pedro el Grande, Isabel la Catolica, Alfonso el Sabio and a school in Paniagua (Bread and Water).

EARLY DAYS: Mike and family at Cucuruchu Beach Club in the 1980s

Being poorly paid teachers, we had to look outside Sotogrande for a place to stay. We ended up in Playa de Guadiaro, a very peaceful area. Well, until gangsters infamously decided to kidnap five-year old Melody Nakachian and ask for a €9.5 million ransom. How were we to know that they were ‘holed up’ in the very next door apartment.

We actually slept through the police raid, the shooting, the arrests and the release of Melody. We learnt about it the next day at school. Yes, I would never have made a good journalist.

Unattractive

Life was very different then.

The Sotogrande residents and the villagers in Guadiaro did not mix. Guadiaro was a pretty village with a couple of bars and a football team.

Torreguadiaro was a most unattractive string of buildings on either side of the main Malaga to Algeciras ‘highway’, with a couple of bars and a successful little beachfront hotel called Patricia. Pueblo Nuevo hardly existed.

There was of course golf at the celebrated Real Club de Soto-

Markets galore IT has been one of the most popular additions to summertime in Sotogrande.

And the regularly night market - or mercadillo nocturno - will stay open every Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August.

Running from 8pm to 01:00am, it claims to offer ‘everything you want’ and is certainly the perfect place for an evening stroll.

Vintage

As well as stores featuring jewellery, local handmade items, crafts and artwork, there are clothes and toys and a variety of food trucks and entertainment for children.

The Vintage Market meanwhile, is held on Fridays in the summer from 10am until 3pm, selling antiques and secondhand goods.

Finally, the Mercado del Levante, held in the summer from 12pm to 2am, has plenty of food trucks, live music, and a craft market.

S Bazaar night

THE Hope and Joy Foundation returns for the 11th edition of the Charity Bazaar at El Octógono Beach Club on August 8 to raise funds for its projects in India.

The Charity Bazaar is open free to the public from 11am to 9pm.

There will be more than 20 stalls featuring craft items from India, jewelry, cosmetics, costume jewelry and authentic Indian accessories.

Keeping with tradition, there will also be a charity raffle in which several gifts will be raffled off, such as two flamenco classes with Antonio La Soleá, or dinner for two at Gigi´s Beach in Sotogrande.

MEAT FEAST: Early Argentinian BBQ grande and Valderrama, and polo on the beach, minus the discotheques afterwards.

The school was situated in the beautiful, but now abandoned, buildings adjacent to Paniagua. The carpenters and local ‘cantina’ shared the venue.

The local church was within the school grounds. Every Sunday hundreds of well dressed Spaniards turned up at the church, which in itself was amusing as the church only had the capacity for 40 people.

The people inside the church were, I presume, interested in the ways of the Lord, but the ‘flock’ outside was heavily involved with discussing last night’s football game, or the clothes worn by Senora Fulano at the recent Golf Ball Dinner.

Our arrival coincided with a huge boom in construction in the area. Teachers had to make sure they were out of the Urbanisation from 5.45am to 6.30pm when it was virtually impossible to leave Sotogrande as the queue of construction workers trying to join the two lane N 340 stretched from the exit to the beach.

With the explosion of new homes being built, Pueblo Nuevo sprung to life. Builders mer-

JUMP TO IT

OTOGRANDE is the home of one of Andalucia’s best jazz bands the New Orleans Jumpband.

The group of expats have played for the King of Spain, the opening of Real Madrid’s training facility and played festivals in France, Spain and the UK. On top of this Seve Ballesteros and Darren Clark have sung with them and they have played with Lonnie Donegan and Jools Holland, as well as backed Kenny Ball on a Spanish Tour.

Its story began in 1987 when music teacher Dave Gorodi, a graduate from the Royal Academy of Music, decided to set up a group.

Sadly the only two people he knew who had an inkling about music were Nick Lee, a very talented flute player who played a bit of guitar, and Mike Izatt, a singer and harmonica player who had just left his well known Heavy Rock

band in Barcelona. Mike also played a bit of guitar.

Nick agreed to play bass and Mike agreed to play guitar. David played piano with his left hand, trumpet with his right as well as operating the Yamaha drum machine which sat on top of the piano. They all sang !

The audience however, seemed to prefer the Jazz and they had soon become The New Orleans Jumpband, and found a drummer, and a pianist, and a saxophonist.

As a five piece, (Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Sousaphone and Banjo), their fame spread and they have had countless musicians and celebrities sing with the band over the last few decades.

Their most recent gig was at the Birmingham International Jazz Festival this year, where they were doing a very special farewell performances after 30 years at the sharp end.

ON TOUR: The New Orleans Jump Band in Birmingham

chants, plumbers, electricians, offices for architects and notaries suddenly appeared, and being in Spain, the need for new bars was also catered for.

Fantastic new night spots also opened in Puerto Sotogrande.

In 1990 we welcomed Ke Bar, which joined Midas as the ‘place to be seen’.

The clientele was a mixture of aristocratic Spaniards, Madrileños who wished to be seen as aristocracy, the upper class from Gibraltar and successful local businessmen.

The 90s was a very exciting decade as the cultures mixed and businesses flourished.

The beach clubs of Sotogrande were a wonderful place to go in the summer, if you could afford the membership Sotogrande school mainly catered for the offspring of wealthy Spanish businessmen, and some UK and other European entrepreneurs. It followed the Spanish way of life with classes starting at 10.00 and finishing at 16.30. The students had their lunch provided for them in the cantina, with children of the wealthy sitting and eating on one side, and the construction crews in their filthy overalls, supping their wine and puffing on their cigarettes, on the other side.

A great education!

The community spirit grew, and Sotogrande school invited Guadiaro to participate in sporting events. After a few incidents including insults, spitting and stone throwing, things soon quietened down, and it wasn't long before a couple of Sotogrande boys were playing for Guadiaro Football team.

Soon, the ever-increasing influx of Northern Europeans chasing the life in the sun, was joined by the first appearance of eastern Europeans, as well as city-style traders working in Gibraltar but residing in Spain.

The traders have now been replaced by online betting company employees.

As polo became more and more popular we welcomed the arrival of many Argentinians who introduced us to beautifully cooked steaks at their barbecues.. and soon after at their newly opened restaurants.

Torreguadiaro has suddenly sprung into life and has a wonderful variety of tapas bars and restaurants.

Beach life has never been better and offers great food, drink and entertainment at chiringuitos such as Bahia Limon, Chambao, Gigi's, Trocadero and the Bunker.

The ‘small community spirit’ that met us long ago has been replaced by, well, the amazing place we have today!

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August 1st - August 14th 2018

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Pueblo Nuevo De Guadiaro Calle Sierra Bermeja Tel. 956 795 300 / 628 574 953 WWW.JS-SOTOGRANDE.COM

House – Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro 4 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms • 222m2 built 324m2 plot • Great family home • Child, dog friendly walled garden • Walking distance to village centre • Potential to refurbish

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New builds and numbers

Local agent Consuelo Silva analyses prices and new developments in Sotogrande

I

T is two decades since Consuelo Silva set up her estate agency in Sotogrande.

Having worked for a number of years for Sotogrande SA she was in a good position to help both buyers and sellers in the upmarket enclave.

Nothing has changed on that front, except for the prices that have gone up considerably.

“The average buyers are in the 300,000 to 500,000 euro bracket and you rarely find anything cheaper than that in Sotogrande,” explains the friendly Peruvian, who firstly moved to Spain in 1986.

“You can get a two-bedroom apartment in the marina for that price, but plenty of homes are well over the €2 million mark and prices are rising,” she adds.

Much of this is due to the distinct lack of new developments in Sotogrande.

Quality

“We only have three on the go right now, the main one in La Reserva, Senda Chica just below and La Finca, being developed by Kronos,” she explains.

She is also expecting a new one from Taylor Wimpey in the autumn, as the British homebuilder has recently opened a small office there.

In particular, she is a huge fan of the La Reserva development, where her daughter has been working in a landscaping capacity.

“It’s one of the last bits of available land so it is lucky it is being developed really well, of a really high quality,” she says, adding that the Beach has added a new dimension to the enclave.

The well-spoken, elegant mother-of-two is well settled in the resort and her agency is doing well.

“It is vital these days to be up early to deal with enquiries that may have come in during the night,” she adds.

It means getting up at the crack of dawn to deal with enquiries at home, before she goes off to the gym, arriving at her office in the Paniagua centre around 10am.

A keen bon viveur with a love of wines (particularly French rosés), she enjoys travelling, loving visits to European cities as well as more exotic destinations like India.

SOTO SNAP...

August 1st After General Franco closed August the border1st with- Gibraltar Augustin14th 2018 1926, Sotogrande experienced a quiet period. By 1997 August 14th Sotogrande S.A was losing a whopping €2 million a year!

2018

Bouncing back

Sotogrande’s property market has got over the recession and the Brexit blip, estimates Holmes’ Ben Bateman

B

EN Bateman can remember the exact moment he knew the worst recession in Spanish history had finally kicked in for the Sotogrande property market.

It was appropriately April 13th 2008 when he got a call from a client telling him he would have to sell an option he had on a building plot.

“He said I would rather lose 10% today than 50% the day after completion, I need you to sell it for me,” he recalls over coffee at his office, in Paniagua, one of the true nerve-centres of Sotogrande.

He was not yet at the reins of his four-decades-old family business Holmes Sotogrande, but he knew exactly what this meant.

“It was the first of many and it just went downhill from there,” explains the personable father-of-four, who was in for five very tough years, which almost put the agency, set up by his father in 1979,

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out of business.

Things didn’t pick up until late 2012/ 2013 and it was only one deal in February 2012 that kept their heads above water.

He remembers it well.

“It was February 16 and I got a call from a fellow agent in Estepona informing me that a sale agreement on a €4m house could go through much earlier than expected, The buyer’s company’s stock options had bounced back to a certain level that morning, that allowed them to proceed..

“I made a call and incredibly 15 minutes later €1 million had been put across to the developer so they could get on with building the home.

“Without the commission on that sale we would have been unable to pay our staff that month. From that point on the market began to turn around and we were able to keep our heads above waPROPERTY EXPERT: Ben Bateman ter.”

It had certainly been a very tough recession, with many ish, French, Italian, Belgian, “If it did go up by 15% to agents going under, or at Dutch and a few German 20% it would mean the British once again outbidding all the very least going under- buyers.

“The Scandinavians in par- the other nationalities and, in ground.

“But we never stopped be- ticular are strong and for my opinion, would create an lieving in Sotogrande and them it is all about climate, imbalance. The key to ongoclimate cli- ing success is the ‘casual elwe kept marmate and cu- egant’ charm of Sotogrande, keting and riously they with its well manicured looking for clicome here streets, a down-to-earth feel ents… I think we helped The British market out of season and upmarket nature which and not in the is hard to beat. “You can keep the maris strong again summer when walk around in flip flops and ket alive by continuing to although not what they stay back a t-shirt and feel comfortable home.” here, or dress to the nines maintain our it was before He is also and not look out of place, it’s levels of adhappy to re- truly a world of its own.” And vertising.” port that the once you add that to its faHis faith British market cilities, it’s unrivalled. “For exand investment has been returned is strong again, but not like ample, of the five golf courswith Holmes being the best it was before the recession es in Sotogrande three of known and longest estab- in 2008 when up to 35% of them, Real Club Sotogrande, Valderrama and La Reserva lished agency in Sotogrande. buyers were from the UK. “We have buyers from all “Today it is a healthy 15% to are world-class championover Europe and we have 20%, which brings the per- ship golf courses and among the best in Europe,” he says. definitely got over the Brexit fect balance,” he insists. blip of 2016,” he continues. “What I don’t want is for To contact Ben and the “We are very optimistic that the pound to strengthen too team, visit www.holmesowe will end this year very much too quickly again to togrande.com or call 956 795 340 well, and we have, Span- 1.25 or 1.3 euros mark.

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August 1st Hotel Almenara August is investing1st a reported €2014th 2018 - August million after the summer season in a bid to August 14th increase its 4 star hotel rating to a 5 star 2018

Dressing down 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 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 wellknown 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

LUXURY: Glenn Hoddle’s property 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.

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 club in Europe and the ranked third in the 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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Sotogrande’s property market is driving forwards fast, explains key agent James Stewart of Savills

“

LAST year was our best year since 2008,” explains James Stewart, one of the stalwarts of the Sotogrande property scene.

“And this year is looking excellent too.”

These are encouraging words from an agent who lost four sales on the day after the Brexit referendum two years ago.

“We were very affected by Brexit, but now things are back to normal and I even expect things to go up a gear in Sotogrande.

“There is still a bit of uncertainty in the UK but if you are looking for a second home it makes little difference,” he continues.

“And there are so many French, Belgians and Spanish buyers to pick up the slack. The Spanish, mostly from Madrid and the North, are very much back.”

He is particularly excited about the La Reserva area, where some homes are over €10 million, and which is developing fast.

“The new Beach area is brilliantly done. There are only four in the world, in Tahiti, Miami, Venice and Macao. It has added a new dimension to the area.

“It’s great for kids and the area has been developed carefully and well, along with the golf course which is now in the top four or five in Spain, alongside Valderrama.

“It is a very secure area and could be perhaps more private even than

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Mostly fairway ahead

August 1st The beach club El Cucurucho (The Cone)14th 2018 August 1st - August gained its name due to the strange archiAugust 14th tectural shape on its roof 2018

MEMORIES: James Stewart with golf champ Ballesteros

Zagaleta.”

He is certainly someone to trust on such matters having swung the irons with Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros, shared Valderrama’s greens

with US President George Bush Snr and teed off with Prince Andrew.

Around his office are scattered various photos of his meetings, including his favourite with Seve, and he

Relax.. Jacks got it covered

is happy to retell the story of how he helped bring the Ryder Cup to Spain for the very first time in 1997.

A member of Valderrama for over 30 years, his love-affair with the club dates back to the early 90s when club owner Jaime Ortiz-Patiño brought him in to help bring the Ryder Cup to the club.

“It was a great honour for me and I got to meet some top players,” he says. “Seve was by far my favourite, a true gentleman and ambassador

to the sport.”

He adds: “I’ll never forget playing in the Volvo Masters Pro Am in 1997 with Seve and Zimbabwean pro Mark McNulty.

“On the 18th I had the putt to win the tournament and Seve and Mark both took turns at lining me up. I felt huge relief when the ball fell in the hole.”

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I

T would not be unfair to call Sotogrande the home of Spanish golf.

After all, it has some of the oldest courses in the country and has even hosted the Ryder Cup. Indeed, anyone with half an interest in sport will remember the fantastic last few holes of the 1997 Ryder Cup, when Colin Montgomery played the best round of his life.

That was at Valderrama, now viewed as one of the must-play golf courses in Europe, beautifully maintained, pricey and, some say, a touch too challenging.

Golfers up for a change should try Alcaidesa, claimed to be the only Links golf course in southern Europe.

Seaside courses require a different style of play from your standard 18 and if the ball lands in the water, forget it!

As an added touch, Alcaidesa may be the most scenic of all the Sotogrande courses, with breathtaking coastal views to Gibraltar and North Africa.

It might explain why the course entices a serious number of high-quality events to its doors each year, from parties to society weddings.

There are, of course, half a dozen more courses on the Sotogrande circuit.

Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande, a.k.a. the ‘Old Course’, was the first to be built in the area and said to be a dream to play after tricky sister course, Valderrama. It was here that so-called Bermuda grass was first introduced into Spain.

Almenara Golf, designed by Ryder Cup champion turned respected course architect David Thomas, is up in the hills where celebrities Glenn Hoddle and Glen Johnson have homes.

La Canada, La Reserve and San Roque complete the ‘famous five’.

“There are few places with such a high concentration of great golf courses,” says Ian Bateman, of Holmes estate agents.

“When you add the fabulous tennis facilities and polo club, with its 11 full size courses, the facilities in Sotogrande are second to none.”

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Full circle

Gala success

ELEGANT: Patricia

IT was probably the most glamorous night of the year.

Over 400 guests enjoyed a luxurious evening at the Santa Maria polo club for the II Sotogrande Charity Gala, organised by Patricia Darch.

Raising money for the Arturo Darch foundation and the Josep Carreras foundation, the From Broadway to Hollywood music extravaganza, was a huge hit.

“It was a wonderful night, a lot of hard work, but it raised a lot of money for the two causes,” said Patricia.

Take a trip to through the 60s, 70s and 80s at this year’s Sunset Valley Festival

T

HE Sunset Valley Festival is returning to Sotogrande after its successful debut last summer.

Described as one of the most anticipated events on the Costa del Sol, the festival will be held on August 10 and 11 at the Santa Maria Polo Club.

The two nights will be themed, with the first dedicated to Spanish pop of the 80s while the second will celebrate the immortal Beatles and the flower power era of the 60s and 70s.

August 10: 80s pop night The festival will kick off with Nacha

August 1st The Valderrama Club August 1stis-regarded Augustas14th 2018 the best golf club in Spain and was August 14th host to the 1997 Ryder Cup 2018

IT is one of Sotogrande’s most iconic structures.

Now the cone atop the Trocadero beach club has been returned to its original colour: baby blue!

Long known as El Cucurucho, it has been various colours over recent years, including beige, bright red and even with a sketch of a polo player on it.

Now, after various complaints from locals the icon has gone back to its original shade.

Good old days

Pop and Modestia Apart, two iconic acts from the Spanish pop scene during the 80s and 90s.

Nacha Pop has claimed icon status following his debut album Efecto Inmediato in 1987.

Meanwhile Modest Apart are celebrating 30 years in the business.

They are most known for their hits Things of the age and How you move.

August 11: 60s / 70s Flower Party

Known as one of the best Beatles tribute acts in Europe, The Flaming Shakers will be leading you down memory lane on the second

day.

So good are The Flaming Shakers that band members have actually played with TWO of the original Beatles members.

The Flaming Shakers will take you through the classics while allowing the new generations to discover how the Beatles’ music would have sounded live.

The tribute meticulously focuses on getting the Beatles’ looks and gestures down to a tee, using the same instruments and wearing the same suits while rocking the famous Beatles hairstyle - the Top Mod.

Tickets can be purchased through the Ticketbell platform from €29 euros.

In both concerts, in addition to general admission, two special packages are offered for those who wish to live the Sunset Valley experience to the fullest. The Gold package includes VIP parking, access to a premium area and a welcome cocktail.

The more exclusive Platinum option includes premium parking, access to the platinum area, a special welcome cocktail plus a complimentary glass of cava.

Doors will open at 8:30pm before the music kicks off at 10pm.

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Holy Site

August 1st - August 14th 2018

Where to eat

On the up Sotogrande has a wealth of places to eat, writes Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke

G

AT WORK: Marco Augusto carving a masterpiece

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 Annie Sloan paint range.

IVEN the demands for quality in Sotogrande, it is perhaps not surprising that to survive, its restaurants have had to follow suit.

And there is no doubt, that the quality - and range - of food on offer has improved dramatically over the last few years.

As well as great tapas restaurants and some exciting new eateries, the more established joints go from strength to strength.

One of the most exciting changes of the last year or two has been the development of the Blue marina area.

Authentic

Thanks to some clever investment by Orion the area has truly come alive and now counts over half a dozen places to eat.

It’s a veritable hive in the evenings of summer with

hundreds of punters fighting for the best waterside tables.

One of the best, is Don Diego, which is a great mix of Spanish dishes fused with Asian and south american cuisine.

Run by friendly local restaurateur Juan, you choose from, for example three ceviches, five soups and half a dozen salads.

Much of its quality is due to recent signing Ben, the clever Thai/American who has been leading the charge at nearby La Finca for years.

I loved his Thai spring rolls and Miamg Kham in particular, while his fish curry was splendid.

“But it's not just down to me,” he insisted. “we are one big family of japanese, Peruvians and Filipinos.”

His previous place, as said, is the emblematic La Finca (www.lafincafusion.com), which sits next to La Casita campsite in

San Roque.

In summer you sit around a leafy courtyard, a riot of colours and candles, while in winter you dine inside the authentic farmhouse with stone floors and fireplaces.

The other direction you will find Milla de Plata (www.hotelmilladeplata. com), just outside Torreguadiaro, which sits on

a headland overlooking a rocky cove and with views to die for.

Its restaurant Mar Sana is a charming spot for an evening meal and heavy on fresh fish, with its own

AL FRESCO: Don Diego’s bright terrace and a dish (below) special tuna menu. eat is the Hairy Lemon, Also try il Sono (www. which has got better and ilsono.es), on Cala Sardi- better since chef Lorenc na, which has been voted and number-crunching Spain’s greenest restau- wife Liz took the helm a rant and has a genuine couple of years ago. focus on the environment. This is the genuine hive If you are looking for a for expats and has a sischiringuito a little closer ter The Lemon, next door, to the resort, then head which is a bit more formal for wonderful Gigi’s in style.

Beach (www.gigisbeach. A great place for families, com), sitting just outside kids can happily run (or the marina by the sailing bike or scoot) around the club. square by the fountains The creation of Georgina and the children’s menu ‘Gigi’ Taylor, her youthful is great value. hard-working approach Finally, looking for delito style and taste, makes cious bread and pastries? this a surefire winner, not Find that at Jan Staels, just for local foodies, but in the Blue marina who international business- also has freshly-made ice man alike. cream every day, guaranInside the marina, the teeing that the kids will real standout place to also love his joint.

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August Sotogrande International August School 1st - August 14th 1st 2018 educates more than 900 children August 14th from over 44 different countries 2018

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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Piracy plan

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 Download ouracross app nowthe and to slash their prices Mediterranean and beyond. begin enjoying the best Spanish In a bid to tempt customers news on the go.the busiin what are normally est months of the year, holiday firms are scrambling to offer the best deals, as analysts THE EU has announced warned the slump could hinder plans to move the headquarters of the bloc’s anti-piracy companies’ profits.

After a continuous spout of patrol, Atlanta from London sun, Brits are deciding to stay at to Andalucia in the wake of Brexit. home and visit the coast.

The UK loses its EU anti-piracy missions to Spain as a result of Brexit

In what is just the latest reThe Olive Press action to Britain leaving the Discounts EU, member states have

TUI hasTOP shaved pricesinofSpain! forthe news agreed to move the security 2,200 holidays and are offering discounts of up to 70%, as well centre from Northwood to as budget operator Jet2 offer- the port of Rota in Cadiz on ing £100 off all holidays online. March 29 - the official day of Industry giant Thomas Cook Brexit. offered a further 10% off promotion on its already discountPatrol ed July holidays as part of a Atlanta was first launched in three day long promotion, as a spokesperson told the Mirror: 2008 in a bid to fight rising “We are looking at other com- piracy crime and armed robpelling offers for the rest of the bery off the coast of Somalia. summer.”The dry spell of book- Spanish, Italian and German ings comes as operators have navy ships currently patrol been hit with further expenses the waters close to Somalia, by price increases of more than detecting any threats compromising the safe delivery 10% for hotels and jet fuel.

COMING SOON: Anti-piracy crew

of aid to the 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.

Ryanair row takes off RYANAIR has come under 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 strikes.

Ryanair has announced an 11% profit growth but declined to negotiate working 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 without a scratch and are already planning new profitboosting campaigns.”

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

Un’appy

SLAMMED: Uber

COSTA del Sol taxi drivers are demanding stricter regulations on ride-hailing 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 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.

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34

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What to do if you don’t get your predicted grades for university...how about considering Gibraltar university?

W

HEN it comes to securing a university place on results day, it’s really important to have a backup plan. Whether you exceed your predicted grades, or don’t quite get the ones you wanted, now is the time to get ahead of the game.

Here’s University of Gibraltar’s 7-step plan to securing a space at university this year.

Step 1: What is clearing?

Clearing is an important part of the UCAS university application process. It allows universities a chance to fill any spaces they may have left ahead of the academic year. University applicants who don’t hold offers essentially get another chance of securing a university place.

business

Get set for clearing Step 2: Clearing is not the only option Clearing is run by UCAS which means it only affects applications made through their system. If you’re hoping to get a space at university this year, it’s a good idea to explore all the options available – this includes direct application routes.

Step 3: Revisit your original choices Do your research. Think back to what you were looking for in

a course all those months ago and revisit the list of what was important to you at the time.

For example, does the course offer industry placements? Will you miss home? Think about which courses/universities you would consider if you don’t get the grades you need.

Step 4: Keep an open mind Do consider alternative options. For example, instead of Marketing would you consider Business with a Marketing major? If you have your heart set on a particular location because you were close to friends, it may be time to be flexible on where the course is located. You may be setting off for a different university, to study a different course, but the opportunities to meet new friends and get involved in student life remain the same.

Step 5: Don’t wait for results day If you want to get ready for the big day, or perhaps already

August 1st - August 14th 2018 August 1st - August 14th 2018

34 34

have your results, start contacting universities now and ask them about what courses they still have spaces on. If you would rather wait, A-level results are released on Thursday 16 August, ensure that you don’t have any fixed plans on that day just in case you need to make some phone calls.

Step 6: Don’t panic and stay positive!

You may need to make some fast decisions on results day, but try not to panic. If you’ve done your preparation you should have some idea of which universities to contact first. While it can be tempting to make a decision based on location, make sure you understand what the degree actually involves.

MODERN: Gibraltar University Step 7: If you can, go and visit them The best way to decide if a university is right for you is to go and visit as you’ll speak to staff and find out exactly what they have to offer. For those students hoping to study

business-related subjects, University of Gibraltar is accepting direct applications to its undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration course so call their Clearing Hotline on +35020071000 Ext. 901 to find out more. www.unigib.edu.gi/clearing

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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August 1st - August 14th 2018

olivepressnews

Price hike

More than 90% High +TheolivepressEs of Marbella’s coastline has stakes BE ‘APPY! 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 for snapping up Download our apppast 30 years, according to now and Grade II listed begin enjoying theenvironmental organization best Spanish building the Greenpeace. on the go. Despite the introduction of Adelphi in central news London.

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. crash in 2008.

The Olive Press 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

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

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-

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

If it ain’t broke…

Don’t skip on getting a mortgage broker, writes the Finance Bureau’s Tancrede de Pola

M

ORTGAGE approval numbers are soaring.

The latest figures show that this April alone there was a 34% increase in mortgage approvals in Spain, while the average mortgage value rose by 9.1% to €123,256.

It means banks lent €3.54 billion, a 46.5% increase on the same month last year.

While Madrid - the country’s hottest market led the pack with 6,018 mortgage approvals, Andalucia came in a strong second with 5,154.

Spain’s sunniest region beat out Catalunya, which rounded out the top three with 4,700 mortgages approved.

It comes after data from the National Statistics Office for the first quarter of 2018 revealed there have been 134,705 property deals, an increase of 7.97% compared to the same quarter last year.

But with sales booming, it’s important to remember how crucial mortgage brokers can be.

With established links to all the major Spanish lenders the Finance Bureau acts as a gobetween for the client and the bank – but it is important to remember that the broker is not connected to the bank – and works to find the buyer the best deal available.

It is essential to have someone in your corner to highlight any hidden fees or compulsory add-

ons tucked away in the small print and to ensure you get the best possible mortgage rate to suit your needs and circumstances.

One of the biggest pitfalls can be ‘trap-related products’ that often get hidden in the small print. These additional products get attached to your mortgage and usually include insurance policies.

Soured

It is important to know exactly what is attached to your mortgage. What may seem like a great rate can be soured by expensive – and sometimes unnecessary – insurance packages.

Using a broker will save both time and money as they will be looking out for these hidden add-ons and will always look for ways to lessen their impact.

And while the vast majority of banks specify the fees and commissions they charge, not all of these costs are always declared.

But the best way to ensure a good mortgage that does not hide anything in the fine print is to solicit the help of a mortgage broker.

When it comes to picking a mortgage, you must get it right on the first try as due to the relatively high transaction costs, it is virtually impossible to reverse.

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

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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On a Rahm-page SPAIN’S Jon Rahm is the fifth best player in the world.

It comes after new rankings put the 23-year-old in the top five following an impressive past two years.

Recent British Open champion Francesco Molinari climbed to a career-high of sixth after becoming the first Italian in history to win one of golf’s four majors in July.

The 35-year-old started 2018 outside the top 20, but his strong recent form had already produced wins in the European PGA Championship and the Quicken Loans National.

Meanwhile Tiger Woods’ comeback continues as he enters the top 50 after being outside the top 1,000 following a break from back injuries.

The US’s Dustin Johson topped the rankings.

August 1st - August 14th 2018 August 1st - August 14th 2018

SPANISH SUCCESS AT OPEN MIGUEL Angel Jimenez is bringing home the glory after becoming the first Spaniard to win the Senior British Open last Sunday.

After a flawless round on the final day at St.Andrews, Jimenez made it look easy, despite the temperamental weather conditions.

The 54-year-old finished on 12-under 276, after dropping only one stroke en route to the final round 3under 69.

Beating defending champion Bernhard Langer by a single, Jimenez was especially pleased with himself as he followed in the footsteps of his

idol Seve Ballesteros, the first Spaniard to win at St Andrews after winning the 1984 British Open.

Jimenez, intriguingly sporting blue aviators UNDER his cap, said of the win, “It has always been my ambition to win here. It feels like I am part of history.”

Hats off Spain’s Jorge Campillo wears an empty hat at British Open COUNTLESS company logos dot the hats of many professional golfers.

Yet, Jorge Campillo’s was an

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exception at the recent British Open. Campillo, a Spanish golfer from Casares, made his first major debut sporting a navy hat without any sponsors.

Unfortunately, it was not a fashion statement.

TaylorMade, the brand marked on his hat for the past six years, did not renew its contract with Campillo last year after Adidas AG sold the leading golf brand for 425 million dollars. Yet, Campillo, now ranked 70th in the world, is not too concerned with the blank space on his hat.

“I do not go crazy looking for a sponsor. I prefer to dedicate myself to playing well,” Campillo said.

Moreover, the Spanish player has had a remarkable break-

NO BRAND: For Spain’s Campillo out this year, finishing in the top 10 in seven out of 16 starts this year. Campillo’s agent Gorka Guillén remains optimistic as he looks to sign sponsorship contracts for the upcoming academic year.

"Now, there are people who are turning heads. They re-

alize that they have made a mistake,” Guillén said.

Although Campillo failed to overcome the unforgiving Carnoustie Golf Links this British Open, the breakthrough player’s virgin navy hat surely drew eyes on the fairway.

vate cocktail party on the final day. ” In some ports of call, Blue World Voyages plans to challenge members of local European Country Clubs for

friendly tournaments. Following the game, competitors will be invited back to the ship for lunch.

Visit www.blueworldvoyages.com for more info.

All aboard!

A CRUISE company has announced plans for two ‘Golf Only’ voyages per year.

Blue World Voyages is partnering up with Hank Haney Golf to bring the cruises to the best regions for the sport in the world, including Spain, Scotland, Ireland and Portugal.

Blue World Voyages expects to have at least 20-30 golfers on board each sailing, plus others looking to take up the sport.

“On an average 7-night cruise we expect to have three rounds of golf scheduled at different ports”, said Gene Meehan, Founder and Chairman of Blue World Voyages.

“These rounds will be organized by an on-board Hank Haney teaching pro.

All three rounds will be designed as tournament play, with prizes offered at a pri-

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MOTORS

Summer driving

Five simple tips to protect your car this summer

SCORCHING heat from the sun takes a toll on not only the human body, but also cars. The Olive Press has compiled some easy tips on keeping your car cool and safe during this busy summer season. These are simple measures that will making going this extra mile for car care worth it.

Park in the shade An obvious, yet often overlooked tip. Even if this means driving a couple more spaces down, make sure you park in the shade to avoid both interior and exterior damages from the sun. Using a car cover or tarp to block the heat is strongly recommended for when parking directly under the sun.

Do not overheat the engine Blasting the AC is just too tempting in hot weather, but keep an eye on the engine temperature to prevent overheating. Frequently check the levels of the coolant and make sure there are no leaks. (Easy task as the coolant fluid usually has a strikingly bright red, green, blue or yellow color.)

Avoid contact with the ocean Although driving along the coast is very scenic, beware of the potential damaging effects of salt in seawater. Stay away from parking in areas where your car may come in direct contact with the sea through wind or waves. Also especially in the summer, make sure to wash the car ideally once a week.

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Keep your tires correctly inflated Under-inflated tires can lead the tires to overheat so checking your tire pressure at least once a month is essential in the summer. Low air pressure will cause a significant strain and wear on your tires, especially during a long road trip.

August 1st - August 14th 2018 August 1st - August 14th 2018

Get some rest!

Driving for long hours can be both physically and mentally extremely strenuous, especially under direct sun. Feeling fatigued and dizzy behind the wheel should be avoided at all cost. Make sure you continue to hydrate and take appropriate rests when driving.

Reaching your dream vacation spot safely in one piece is more important than arriving faster!

Crackdown on ‘dangerous’ car workshops MALLORCA police have launched a crackdown on illegal car workshops in indus-

trial estates.

Police claim there are around 600 of these “dangerous”

Eyes on the road The Direccion General de Trafico (DGT) will modify the points system on the driver’s license to harden penalties for texting and driving. Right now, using your mobile device while driving can cost you €200 and three points, but in a near future this could be even more.

“We’re going to renew the points system. After 12 years my personal experience tells me that we have to stop, make balance and with the knowledge we have, renew it to give it a new impulse”.

Stated Pere Navarro, head of the DGT. The DGT also presented the final numbers of deceases on the road in 2017: 1.830. Among this numbers, the highest death rate occurred on highways, with a 72% of the deaths.

305 people passed away on Andalusian roads, with Malaga leading the rank, with 67 deaths.

workshops on the island, offering drivers cheaper prices by cutting corners and avoiding insurance.

A Parma police spokesman said: “We will keep going with this, to let people know that this is serious, and think twice before doing anything illegal.”

A series of arrests have been made in the industrial estates of Son Castello and Son Gotleu as police attempt to bring an end to the entire market.

CRACKDOWN: Mallorca

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August 1st - August 14th 2018 August 1st - August 14th 2018

Backyard blockbusters Grab a garden chair and dive into some ‘non-escapist’ literature set in exotic locations down the road

Your pueblo needs you Don’t complain about the running of Mijas if you haven’t bothered to vote, writes Bill Anderson

E

DMUND Burke MIJAS said that ‘all that is needed for evil MATTERS to triumph is that

By Bill Anderson good men do nothing’.

You know that I have been an avid critic of the current Mijas Tripartite Government, headed by Juan Carlos Maldonado, who came third in the elections and got his position by, if not illegal, certainly questionably moral actions.

Let me start by saying that I am not attributing ‘evil’ to this regime, although some of the tactics used to try to discredit Angel Nozal and many of his councillors, border on Machiavellian malevolence: to the point that Nozal was denounced for actions which actually took place during Maldonado’s mandate. If you want to be ‘evil’, ladies and gentlemen of the Mijas Council, you first need to be smart, and smart is not the first word that comes to mind when we look at the chaos generated by clueless government, the signature of your esteemed corporation.

But enough about mayor Maldonado.

You see, there are two parts to Burke’s idea, so now I want to focus on the second part. We, the international community in Mijas, did nothing at the last elections.

Sure, there were about 1000 of us who went out to vote. This, however, is not impressive when we make up more than a third of the 80,000 residents of Mijas.

Sick

In my role as secretary for the International Community in Mijas (working with the Partido Popular), I am contacted on a near daily basis by internationals (not just Brits), who are sick and tired of projects half finished, rubbish accumulating around the municipality because of inane decisions about the use of the public tip (Punto Limpio), lack of police presence and consequent feelings of insecurity, and the inaccessibility of the Mayor and his government team, some of whom have lied about not dealing with certain areas of responsibility any more in order to get residents off their backs.

Yes, international community, foreigners, expats, immigrants, call yourselves what you will, we have what we have because we did nothing.

I have some questions for you. Are you happy about how your money is being managed and spent? Are you happy with what you see around you; the neglect, the projects half finished? What are you going to do about it, then?

I am also contacted on a regular basis by residents who clearly have had enough and want to get onto the Voters’ Roll. It is the easiest paperwork I have ever done in Spain, and that is saying something.

I am not prepared to sit back and let chaos reign because I am too indifferent to register, and to vote. What about you?

Joseph de Maistre said: “The people get the government they deserve,” and Mijas deserves better. But if we don’t vote, this applies equally. My vote goes for the only man standing for mayor who has demonstrated that we deserve him. My tick, with no apology, goes in the Nozal box.

A Vineyard in Andalucia (2017), Maria Duenas

Tangerine (2018), Christine Mangan

A Thousand Cuts (2018), Thomas Mogford

Setting: Jerez

Setting: Tangier

Setting: Gibraltar

If you’re partial to sherry, pour a large one and waft yourself back to 1860s Jerez when British demand for the tipple made the city rich and famous. You’ll learn loads of sherry secrets as you follow the adventures of a ruined Spanish merchant who wins a Jerez vineyard in a bet and begins the greatest adventure of his life. It’s tipped to be as successful as The Seamstress, best-selling Spanish novel of 2012 and another great local read. Set in Tangier and Spain, it’s based on the story of British WW2 spy Rosalinda Fox who lived out her years in the coastal Cadiz village of Guadaranque, near San Roque.

This debut psychological thriller has already been optioned for film by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, with Scarlett Johansson to star. Set in 1950s Tangier during its decadent International Zone days, Canadian school friends Lucy and Alice, estranged after a mysterious ‘accident’, rekindle their relationship among the mosques and minarets but Lucy’s feelings for Alice run deeper...

Set in the days when Tangier was ruled by 12 countries and a good time had by all, Mangan makes good use of ‘this strange, lawless city that belonged to everyone and no one.’

The fifth crime thriller in the series starring Spike Sanguinetti as a Gibby legal eagle willing to risk everything to protect his client. This time, a routine court case takes a sinister turn when he uncovers a WW2 conspiracy implicating some of Gibraltar’s most influential families. Lawyer-turned journalist Mogford has done his research, providing insight into life on the Rock past and present. And, for extra realism, his fictitious characters have genuine Gibraltarian surnames! The Guardian called it ‘shrewd and atmospheric Mediterranean noir’.

Under the Sun (2018), Lottie Moggach

The Drifters (1971, republished 2015), James Michener

Setting: Costa del Sol

Setting: Costa del Sol, Pamplona, Morocco

Many expats will empathise with Anna, who gives up everything in London to live the dream in an Andalusian mountain finca with a handsome Spanish artist but soon finds herself single and penniless working in a local bar. Set in the fictional Costa del Sol resort of Marea, inspired

by Torremolinos, the plot thickens when Anna uncovers a racket smuggling African migrants into Spain. Not only spot on for topicality, the Sunday Times says it’s a ‘compulsive page-turner’.

It’s way too big to take to the beach but if you wish you’d dropped out on the Costa del Sol in its hippy heyday, this cracking rightsof -passage tale will beam you straight there.

Six disparate young drifters meet by chance in a Torremolinos bar and spend the extended gap year of a lifetime doing bull running in Pamplona, dope in Marrakech and a whistlestop tour of the Costa de la Luz. It’s pure baby boomer nostalgia enriched with characters who will become part of your life. Follow up with Iberia, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s non-fiction tribute to his second home.

August angst W ell, summer has finally arrived. By the time you have this article in your hot little hands – quite literally - it’ll be the beginning of August.

Summer in southern Spain presents some interesting challenges, to put it mildly. The sudden influx of tourists, ranging from the Madrileños looking down their noses at you, or beered up Brits, heading boisterously to the nearest beach party at midday, only to return a few hours later, hopelessly ‘over refreshed’, plus the even longer queues at the bar/restaurant/check out mean you have to keep your wits about you at all times if you want to survive summer.

Toying

I was toying with the idea of hunkering down in the Casita for the entire month, only peeking out when September ends, or taking the sound advice of either staying by the fridge or the pool – or, even better, move the fridge next to the pool. I do, however, have to earn what is laughingly referred to as my living, so in order to get through the next couple of weeks, I have decided to go full native.

To be honest I was already halfway there. One of the benefits of having a car with no air con – and both are in the garage as I write this – an all time record – is that you find that you have a magnificently tanned left forearm from driving with the window open. The rest of your body may have the same pallor as the undead, but

from fingertip to T-shirt sleeve, you look bronzed and healthy…

Another trick is starting early. It’s pretty common knowledge that I now get up when I used to get in, but in summer you can avoid the madding and maddening crowds if you are up at the crack of cicada fart. The only thing to beware of is Spanish kids leaving the nightclubs at 7am, but you should be able to hear them coming as they normally have the dreaded Reggaeton music blasting from their cars.

All this early activity should have you indulging in that most Andaluz of ac-

tivities, a long lunch of seafood or grilled sardines, some sangria and then slipping away for a surreptitious siesta. Or you can follow the example of several of my Spanish friends in the know, load up the kids in the car and go west. A few weeks chillaxing in Conil, kicking back in Zahara or going deep undercover on the Algarve are perfect ways of escaping the summer madness.

In the meantime I intend to clear a laptop sized space on the nearest sun lounger, pour myself something long and cool and let this summer wash over me. Resistance is indeed futile…

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Slow down on the sangria After a long day at work most of us enjoy an alcoholic tipple to wind down.

But Spain’s recommended 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.

Double

It’s double what is recommended in France, which is two standard drinks for both men and women, and four times the limit in the Netherlands 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.

CAPTION:

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.”

Top Jock Scottish maestro wins top Spanish food prize for pioneering work 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!

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.

Open Tuesday to Sunday. until 22.00 Closed 12.00 until mid February

WINNER: Zonfrillo

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August 1st - August 14th 2018

Surf and turf Walking guru Guy Hunter-Watts describes a great hike just back from the coast and less than half an hour’s drive from Sotogrande

I

always find it amazing just how quickly things change when you head a few kilometres inland from Andalucía’s busy coastal strip. Here are mountains which do, quite literally, comes straight up out of the sea and which are home to some of Andalucía’s most spectacular walks. Within easy reach of the Soto Grande area are any number of great trails near to Manilva, Jimena de la Frontera, Gaucín, Castellar and Los Barrios.

The hilltop village of Casares numbers amongst the most dramatically situated villages in Andalucía and is worth an excursion in its own right. To the south of the village there are vast views out towards Gibraltar and Morocco whilst to the north the jagged spine of the Sierra de Crestellina, recently awarded Paraje Natural status, provides a stunning backdrop to Casares’ organic cluster of whitewashed buildings.

The reasonably easy circuit

w Ne ella b r Ma pot ts ho www.cascadamarbella.com | +34 951567849 Urb Montua, 39, 29602 Marbella

described below – it’s taken from my bookCoastal Walks in Andalucía - explores the paraje natural in a long, lazy loop and on the return legleads to a high mirador. It’s a perfect place to break for a picnic so long as you get underway by mid-morning. And you can still be back down on the coast for an afternoon dip in the Med’ after completing the trail.

Casares Circuit via La Crestellina The rugged crest of Sierra de Crestellina cuts north from Casares towards Gaucín, peppered with smallholdings and a number of des-res villas. This easy-to-follow circuit is mostly by way of dirt tracks which allow you to drink in the stunning sea and mountain views, rather than having to concentrate on where your feet are going.

If you’re happy with a more challenging walkdon’t miss the optional extension which leads up to the summit of the Cerro de las Chapas. You may spot ibex on the eastern flanks of the Crestellina and will certainly spot vultures riding the thermals as you approach the southern end of the ridge.

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The Nitty Gritty Starting point: the main square in Casares, La Plaza de España Grade: Medium (Medium/Difficult if climbing Cerro de Chapas) Distance: 9.8kms (12 kms if climbing Cerro de las Chapas) Time: 2hrs 25mins (3hrs 30mins if climbing Cerro de las Chapas) Total Ascent/Descent: 590m (or 830m if climbing Cerro de las Chapas) Take plenty of water: the only spring you pass comes early in the walk.

The Route The walk begins in the Plaza de España, the main square of Casares, next to a line of benches. With your back to the benches bear left across the square then, passing right of bar La Bodeguilla de Enmedio, head up Calle Monde past a No Entry sign to the road which runs round the top of the village. Bearing left after 50m you reach a sign Sendero Crestellina Naturaland GR waymarking. Here cut right up a steep concrete road whose surface soon changes to tarmac. Soon you pass a spring opposite a huge eucalyptus, La Fuente de la Arquita. Soaring views open out to the west and the to the eastern flank of the Crestellina as you climb on up past a number of houses and villas. After 15 minutes the tarmac ends.

Carry on along the main track which cuts through thick stands of oak and pine forest with dense undergrowth, evidence of the high rainfall to which the area is subject. Soon you pass an area where quarrying has taken place.

After passing Puerto de las Viñas cork oaks begin to give way to pines. Some 200m past the fram, reaching a fork, ignore a concreted track which cuts up to the right, and stick to your same course. After 40m you reach another fork. Here again take the left hand option. After 200m you reach another fork and a second sign Sendero CrestellinaNatural. Here, bear-

ing left, and deviating from the GR waymarking, you pass a green metal barrier. The narrow forestry track climbs steeply as views open out towards the East. Reaching the top of a rise and another marker post topped by a white arrow you come to another fork (55mins).

Here you have a choice.

If you wish to climb the Cerro de las Chapas (it will take about an hour to get up and down) cut right on a narrow path that winds through the pines to the base of the cliff. From here a steep, loose footpath marked by cairns leads up to the ridge top

There are soaring views across the valley and beyond to Sierra de Bermeja and a rusting transmitter post.

From here you’ll need to use hands as well as feet if you wish to climb to the highest point.

Care should be taken when negotiating the sections of scree, especially on your descent.

From the ridge, follow the same path back to the junction at 55 mins then continue as below.

If you prefer not to climb the Cerro de las Chapas, keep left. The track begins to gently descend as it loops round the bowl of the valley as views open out to the south: on clear

days Gibraltar and North Africa are visible. The rocky crest of the Crestellina is now to your right and the vegetation much sparser, evidence of a fire in the not-so-distant past. Eventually, reaching a point where the forestry track arcs left, you come to a sign for Mirador 300m(1hr 20mins).

Here cut right on rocky path which leads to an information board about Griffon Vultures: the chances are that several will be riding the thermals up above you. Beyond the sign the path angles hard left then climbs steeply to the end of a bluff and the Mirador de Castillón. From here there are soaring views across the valley and, beyond, to the Sierra de Bermeja.

Retrace your footsteps back to point where you cut up to the mirador, turn right and continue your descent. After approx 200m you reach the back wall of a mountain refuge. Passing right of the refuge you’ll spot a marker post which marks the continuation of the path which loops steeply down to the valley floor. Care should be taken: the path is loose in parts. Reaching a fence the path angles right before dropping down to a dirt track. Here cut left. After 25m you reach a junction where cutting right you cross the concreted bed of Arroyo del Albarrán beyond which track descends to meet the A7150. Here cross the road then turn right along a balustraded path lined with solar lamps. At a point where the road bears sharply right you

reach the Casares tourist office, El Centro de Visitantes(2hrs 5mins). The centre is worth a visit and sells drinks and snacks as well as walking guides.

Here cut left off the road then angle hard left along a concrete road which passes just left of the visitor’s centre. The track drops steeply down to the valley floor where it crosses the medieval bridge of La Albarrá,

then bears right and climbs to the first of the village houses beyond which you pass a map of local footpaths. Heading straight along Calle Carrera you pass La Casa Natal de Blas Infante which doubles as a tourist office. Reaching a square, open to its right side, head straight on to return to the main square of Casares, La Plaza de España(2hrs 25mins).

Guy Hunter-Watts leads guided walks and is author of Cicerone Books’ Walking in Andalucía, Coastal Walks in Andalucía, The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk and The Mountains of Ronda & Grazalema. www.guyhunterwatts.com

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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 waferthin 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, three years curing the meat in the cellar.

Our journey of discovery be-

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Ham hunt

ICONIC: Pigs graze on acorns in Aracena before becoming famed Jamon de Bellota gins 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 purebreed 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 them-

selves at around 100 kilograms, they are released into the dehesa, a Mediterranean forest managed by humans.

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.

Cured

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 Bellota 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

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

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.

Legend has it that jamon was first ‘invented’ when a pig fortuitously stumbled into a chan-

nel 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.

Flesh

The maestro de salazón covers the fresh and fatty legs of Ibérico pigs in sea salt for approximately a week. After the salt is washed off the legs are stored in a cold room for one to two months to allow the salt

TUCKING IN: Grace and Diana enjoying their first ever jamon

to penetrate through the skin to the flesh.

Next, the maestro perfilador steps in to trim off the excess fat which speeds up the drying process. Then the legs are hung from the metal hooks that line the ceilings of the curing cellar, where the magic happens. During the drying period, the leg loses half its weight as fat drips away. As the seasons pass, mould forms causing chemical changes on a cellular level, creating the complex flavours.

At last, the maestro de secadero conducts the puntatura - sniff test. García, who has worked at Cinco Jotas for decades, inserts the cala - a short needle made of horse bone - into the jamón and determines whether it’s ready with the briefest of sniffs yet in those few seconds he can discern more than 100 aromas.

All these steps ensure a perfect balance of many different flavours: sweet, savory, silky, tangy, and many more.

With a newfound appreciation for the complexities of jamón making (and growling stomachs), it was time to savour the jamon in front of us.

García recommends we try it with a glass of dry sherry and tackle the cuts from left to 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 Bellota 100% Ibérico is the world’s best jamon? After one tasting we’re not qualified to juwdge. But if there is such a thing as perfection, it comes pretty close.

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

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

BABILLA (NARROW END) The most cured part with less fat and more subtle aroma

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August 1st - August 14th 2018 July 18th July 31st 2018 August 1st - -August 14th 2018

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

By Bradley Stokes

I

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

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.

MAMMOTH: Fish aplenty in Ebro

ANGLER: Phil Foden

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 to battling giant fish. In 1938, he caught seven marlin

in one day off the Bahamas, track down the establishing a world record.

Actor-turned presenter Robson Green 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 HOOKED: Bernie Campbell series put his sleuthing skills to good use to gler Matt Hayes

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.

British TV anof Matt Hayes

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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 bigger than elsewhere in Europe. If you want to have a go at catching one of these beasts, Hayes recommends doing after dark as they are predominantly nocturnal.

Ebro-Catfish, the leading website for fishing in the area, scooped the catch of the day when it sent guide Martin Fawcett upriver with his rod. The result was the world’s biggest ever catfish caught until then ( 2005). It weighed in at a whopping 215 lbs.

Ali Hamidi, who presents Korda TV Carp Fishing, says the Ebro’s unique geographical position where it meets the River Segre makes it an exceptionally fertile breeding ground for fish. Hamidi appeared on the ITV4 angling show The Big Fish Off, competing as a team captain.

Hotspot

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 for this particular species.

He explained that as well as the river’s geography, the water is warmer meaning the fish can feed and grow without pause throughout the winter.

The Ebro is also an angling competition hotspot. In 1979 Zaragoza, which lies on the river, hosted the World Freshwater Angling Championships, won by France.

According to CarpTalk the key to a successful Ebro fishing trip is ‘boilies’, a pellet bait of fishmeal, milk proteins, bird foods, semolina and soya flour. Over the years many anglers have used boilies as their primary bait and they are now being swallowed hook, line and sinker by all fish species in the river.

-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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Spain turned down offer to take on Newcastle boss during World Download our app now and begin enjoying the best SpanishCup drama

Leeds to Las Palmas news on the go.

SPAIN rejected an offer from Newcastle to use Rafael SPANISH news outlet Benitez as their World Cup Fichajes has claimed Leeds coach, it has been revealed.

United player Hadi Sacko is The offer came via a letter folset to join Spanish side Las lowing the sacking of Julen Palmas.

Lopetegui just 24 hours beThe alleged move came less fore the country’s first match than 24 hours after the two in the tournament.

Olive PressAccording to Spanish fedsides metThe in a friendly.

The 24-year-old winger strug- eration president Luis Runews at inElSpain! gled to TOP have for an impact biales, a letter was sent by land Road and new manager Toon chiefs offering them up Marcelo Bielsa has seemingly Benitez. ostracised the French-born Instead, former sporting diMali international from the rector Fernando Hierro was squad. named as Spain’s interim Sacko only managed 279 min- boss with the 2010 winners utes of Championship foot- later suffering a shock exit to ball last season, spread out hosts Russia in the last 16. over 14 league appearances. “When I sacked Julen I imHe will now look to resurrect mediately called Hierro and his career in the second tier of told him I didn’t want to make Spanish football. any changes. Two days later a letter arrived from Newcastle

Loca for 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.

saying ‘Are you interested in our coach? He’s at your disposition.’ 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 NEWCASTLE BOSS: Benitez 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, without 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.

47 47

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.”

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.

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.

WINNER: Rafael Nadal

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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.

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Wat-er devil Huge Devil Ray escorted from shores of beach in southern Spain

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

DEVIL RAY: Towed awat

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 unconven-

tional 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, to try and reroute it’s journey away from the shore.

"We don't know if it will get over it or not, but at least we've given it another chance," said Juan Antonio Pujol. "The ray had some kind of problem that took it to the coast, but once it was towed out to sea and felt that it had depth below it, it disappeared."

Despite their name suggesting otherwise, devil rays are actually harmless, shy creatures and filterfeed on plankton, krill and small fish.

FAIL: For new submarine

Sub-par job SPAIN’S new state-of-theart 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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