Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 127

OLIVE PRESS

The

GIBRALTAR

FREE

Vol. 5 Issue 127

www.theolivepress.es

The Rock’s only free local paper July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Secret beaches and the best books to read on them

See pages 8 -10 & 12 - 13

Corona comeback SPAIN’S COVID-infections have tripled since July 3.

They have risen from 8.76 for every 100,000 inhabitants to an alarming 27.39.

This is the same number of cases as when Spain first began de-escalation in May. Aragon, Catalunya and the Basque Country have all experienced outbreaks of concern. Controls have been put in place, while some confinement measures have been issued. In Gibraltar, there are currently zero cases.

Cashback CONSUMERS’ group Which? has demanded action to make airlines speed up refunds for cancelled flights due to COVID-19.

It claims that many of the victims are ‘suffering serious financial and emotional distress’ as they struggle to claim refunds for flights and holidays.

The group has compiled a dossier of more than 14,000 refund complaints that it has now handed over to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of its review of how airlines have handled cancellations.

They are collectively worth more than £5.6 million.

Under the Denied Boarding Regulations, if a UK or EU airline (or an airline flying from an airport in the UK or EU) cancels your flight, you should be refunded within seven days.

New broom sweeps in Army top brass see page 4

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HUNTED: Gareth Mauro (second left and inset) and his yacht Sunrays

MOST WANTED! Top money launderer on the run after family arrested in huge narco crackdown

A MANHUNT is underway for the leader of one of the biggest drug trafficking and money laundering clans in the Campo de Gibraltar.

Gareth Mauro, head of the Mauro clan, is wanted by Gibraltar and Spanish police for laundering at least €2 million in hashish smuggling profits.

The head honcho is feared to have fled to Morocco after a string of raids involving hundreds of police officers saw 71 people arrested in La Linea, including four Gibraltarians (three men and a woman).

“We can confirm that the arrested Gibraltarians are part of the same

By John Culatto

Mauro family,” a Guardia Civil spokesman told the Olive Press.

One source told this paper that boss Gareth owned ‘one of the most luxurious homes’ in the notorious socalled ‘Narcoville’ area in El Zabal.

The beachside neighbourhood in La Linea has been constructed illegally by drug barons and mafias and features huge villas with high walls and top-notch security.

“These homes, with their high walls and security measures, were not registered on any town plan,” added the Guardia Civil spokesman.

“It was discovered that they had not See page 16 been financed by banks and their owners’ legal jobs could not

fund such luxury residences.”

Nearly all the hash smuggling clans, including the Polo, Futbolistas, Pantoja and Castana clans, lived in El Zabal. In fact the narcos had spent at least €35 million to build their homes, which, following a raid by 450 anti-drug cops, have now been seized, along with

€500,000 in cash and 150 luxury vehicles.

Mauro’s £200,000 yacht, named ‘Sunrays’, was also seized in Gibraltar in early July.

Do you know where Gareth Mauro is? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

RAIDS: Heavily armed Guardia Civil moved in on the Mauros

2

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Seen her?

THE RGP have issued an appeal for information on the 12th anniversary of the disappearance of Chaima Slim, 19, last seen walking into Spain in July 2008.

Taser fazer YASSIN Lahmas, 25, who tasered his friend with a stun gun he bought in Morocco has been forced to do 150 hours unpaid work by Gibraltar magistrates.

Cyber court THE Court of Appeal will now be able to cast judgement online after the Civil Contingencies regulations were updated to work with COVID-19.

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

In deep water TWO RGP marine officers accused of the manslaughter of alleged drug smugglers could be facing more charges, it has been reported.

According to Spanish reports, the police officers could now also be charged with negligence and not obeying orders to leave another jurisdiction.

The two suspected smugglers, Mohamed AA,40, and Mustafa DM, 49, from Ceuta, died ‘outside Gibraltar waters’ on the morning of March 8.

They were allegedly hit by a Royal Gibraltar Police launch called Sir John Chapple.

The report claimed that the Gibraltar launch had a jagged metal keel which, if true, could have been the cause of the deaths.

It said the police launch went over the smugglers’ launch from behind, killing Mohamed and fatally injuring Mustafa.

The two other alleged smugglers said the RGP launch did not stop to help the injured person, but remained with

A GROUP of 26 tobacco smugglers based near Gibraltar have been busted by the Guardia Civil. According to police sources, the group, based in Puente Mayorga, had been stashing cigarettes before prices increased in July as part of the post-Brexit deals with Spain.

They then planned to distribute the tobacco in the area, which would greatly increase their profit margins. Over 30,000 cartons of differ-

Gibraltar cops accused of killing alleged smugglers to be probed by UK’s Metropolitan police

their lights and GPS switched off until they arrived in Gibraltar waters.

Stubbed out ent brands were seized in the raid, with the Guardia Civil having to overcome hi-tech security measures to make the catch.

The new tobacco prices change could effectively end a smuggling tradition that goes back centuries.

History, adventure and romance.

That’s just the setting.

By John Culatto

Although at first it was thought that the incident had occurred in international waters, Spain claims it in fact happened just over six nautical miles from La Linea beach.

With national waters set at 12nm, this would mean it was well inside Spanish waters.

“Police forces from another country have come and murdered them over here,” said

Abdelmalik DM, brother of Mustafa.

“My nephew’s life has been destroyed as his uncle died in his arms.”

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed to the Olive Press that it is sending a team to the Rock to investigate the case in August.

Consisting of six officers led by a temporary Detective Superintendent, the team is expected to probe the case for at least 10 days.

Sinking feeling POLICE have seized a British-flagged yacht that had 400 kilos of hashish aboard.

An air patrol spotted the ketch acting suspiciously off the coast of Chipiona (Cadiz) heading in the direction of Gibraltar and alerted a customs patrol boat which intercepted the vessel.

Officers who boarded the boat and spotted several suspicious bales arrested the two man crew, who were both Bulgarians.

The intercepted ship was taken to Cadiz port where an in-depth search revealed 12 bales of hashish stowed in different compartments.

The two detained men have been handed over into the custody of the Cadiz courts.

The investigation remains open.

Police investigators say they have not ruling out making further arrests in the coming days.

Join us for a celebration of history, art, heritage and pageantry in a unique part of the world.

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NEWS

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Big city lights ANTONIO Banderas has been lured to the bright lights of Madrid with his new stage show A Chorus Line.

Malaga’s favourite son, 59, starred in and co-directed the musical with John Breglio at his Soho Caixabank Theatre.

He will now take the production to the Capital’s Bankia Gran Teatro Principe Pio from

Well heeled SARAH Jessica Parker has opened a new shoe shop in the former boutique of Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik.

Following on from the Olive Press’ article (100 Spanish icons, Issue 347, pg 10), the Sex and the City star, 55, unveiled her brand’s new flagship store in Manhattan.

Known for playing Carrie Bradshaw in the hit series, Parker has often donned a pair of ‘Manolos’ on the streets of New York.

Her new site at 31 West 54th Street stocks shoes, candles, sunglasses and other items from the SJP Collection she founded in 2014 with ex-Manolo Blahnik USA Presi-

WELL SHOD: Carrie

September 17 - November 15.

A Chorus Line to centres on auditions in 1970s Broadway, led by no-nonsense director ‘Zach’ (played by Banderas for the first 10 shows).

Tickets start at €19 and Banderas said his team had ‘taken all measures’ to ‘minimise the possibility of the spread of COVID-19’.

DANCE: Banderas leading the way

Forgetful Felipe King reminded to wear his mandatory face mask by teenage daughter

EVERYONE is adjusting to a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic and it seems the King of Spain is no exception.

King Felipe needed a nudge from his 14-year-old daughter, Princess Leonor, to wear his compulsory mask at the Royal Palace in Ma-

By Lydia Spencer-Elliott

drid last week. The heir to the throne tapped her father on the arm and subtly pointed towards her own mask to alert King Felipe to his forgetful error. This absent minded mistake was espe-

Bargain-loving Brits BRITISH expats have been called on to appear in a new series of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun. The hit Channel 5 show needs Costa del Sol-based Brits who are ‘living their dream in the Spanish sun.’

A spokesperson said: “Do you live a tremendous life on a tight budget? Have you recently moved to Spain or are you a seasoned expat?

“Do you run your own business or do you have an interesting job? Are you facing a new challenge or have a fascinating story?”

Filming for Series 6 will start soon on the Costa del Sol and those interested should contact Jess at jessica.foster@blakeway.tv

ESTUCO INTERIORS

cially surprising as King Felipe had just given a speech commemorating the 28,400 people who have died of coronavirus in Spain. The memorial, which was attended by the family members mourning those lost to COVID-19, included a minutes silence and ceremonial laying of white roses.

Felipe VI initially removed his mask to speak and failed to place it back on his face when he returned to his socially-distanced seat. “This act cannot heal the pain felt by so many families at not being at the side of their loved ones in their final hours,” said the king in his speech. “Let us work together, using all our will, our capacity, our knowledge, all our effort and the strength to be able to look to the future with confidence and hope.”

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July 22nd - August 4th 2020

3

Spring in his step PALOMO has emerged from isolation with a spring in his step to reveal his new Paris Fashion Week collection.

The 28-year-old designer from Cordoba showcased the lockdown-inspired range in a five-minute digital runway.

Flowers and plants sprouting from the flies of trousers and necklines are inspired by the wildlife, which ‘popped up in unlikely places’ during Spain’s state of alarm.

The London Central Saint Martins graduate said his ‘spring we never had’ collection also made use of the ‘scraps of clothing lying around’ during lockdown.

COLLECTION: Palomo’s (inset) new range

Hair today, hair tomorrow A COLOURFUL troop of expat celebs helped Marbella’s Barber Club celebrate its fifth birthday.

Champion bodybuilder Gal Ferreira Yates and MMA fighter Terry ‘The Dominator’ Brazier made a beeline for the bash.

The VIP hairdresser with a difference was set up by millionaire Life On Marbs star Jon Stretton-Knowles.

"I’m growing my hair out to look like an Italian footballer," he told the Olive Press.

"I’m nearly 40, it's about time I have a mid-life crisis."

FIXTURE: Jon Stretton Knowles

NEWS

4 www.theolivepress.es Historic times GIBRALTAR’S museum and Gorham’s Cave viewing platform have fully reopened after months of lockdown-forced closure.

The Gibraltar National Museum and World Heritage Site Viewing Platform at Europa Advance Batteries will enforce limits on visitor numbers.

Visitors to the sites must wear masks at all times and observe social distancing rules, even on the Upper Rock. The viewing platform allows visitors to see the Gorham’s Cave Complex without damaging the fragile archaeological remains inside the Neanderthal Caves. Those wishing to see inside the caves of the UNESCO site must be accompanied by a guide from the Gibraltar National Museum. The new regulations come as Gibraltar tries to woo more tourists to the Rock, a large part of its established income.

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Commanding presence New Commander of British Forces welcomed

WELCOME: New CBF Commodore Steve Dainton (right)

Dialogue is working GIBRALTAR’S new agreements to help create a working arrangement after Brexit are continuing to progress through the Spanish parliament.

On July 15 they were passed in the Senate, with only the PP and Vox voting against it while Ciudadanos supported the deals. The passing of the new Memorandums of Understanding at Congress level would historically remove Gibraltar from the list of tax havens, one of the big Spanish accusations.

It follows a meeting to discuss post-Brexit citizens’ rights with Spain being on July 9 at the historic Garrison Library on the Rock. Officials from Gibraltar, UK and Spain met to discuss the details of the UK’s departure from the EU.

COMMODORE Steve Dainton got a warm welcome at the local naval base by MoD personnel.

The changeover of the top ranked military position on the Rock came as former CBF Tim Henry left Gibraltar aboard HMS Sabre.

Henry, who will be remembered for his role in the COVID-19 crisis, will now take over as an Assistant Chief of Staff at the NATO HQ in Belgium.

Cdre Dainton was welcomed by the Royal Gibraltar Regi-

2019. His last major military role was as Component UK commander fighting terrorism and piracy in the Middle East.

Having joined the Royal Navy in 1987 he has been at the helm of a number of warships and led the evacuation from Benghazi in Libya.

On the lighter side, he wants to improve his golfing skills while enjoying football and rugby.

As a lifelong Everton fan, he is likely to spark up some rivalry with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo who supports League Champions Liverpool FC.

By Dilip Kuner

ment which he inspected dutifully before speaking to Ministry of Defence staff.

“I am delighted to have arrived in Gibraltar, taking over as Commander British Forces,” said Liverpool-born Dainton.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be here and I look forward to working with each and every one of you.”

Dainton arrived on the Rock after attending the Royal College of Defence Studies in

Poo patrol A DNA laboratory in Germany has been kept busy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as lockdown eases, scientists return to their principal goal: tracking down dog foulers in Gibraltar.

‘Dog patrols’ conducted by the Environmental Agency have also resumed.

The poo patrols have collected approximately 200 samples from Gibraltar streets in the last year.

The samples are then sent to the German lab where they test the DNA and identify the dog owner.

In 2018, one irresponsible owner was fined £350 at the Magistrates’ Court after admitting she had not cleaned up after her dog.

Rocio Payas told the magistrate that her under-aged son had taken their pet dog for a walk and failed to pick up after it.

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TA S

The

OPINION

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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain and the residents of Gibraltar with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people.

D S O F NEWS FEATURE

F

O LIVE P RESS

Voted top expat paper in Spain

GIBRALTAR

HAN

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Time to work together THE fruits of the dialogue between Gibraltar and Spain are finally ripening on all fronts. The Memorandums of Understanding signed for a post-Brexit relationship will aim to keep both sides of the frontier wealthy and secure.

Recent massive drug busts by police officers on the Rock and in neighbouring La Linea have shown that working side-by-side more can be accomplished than when macro-politics gets in the way.

Money laundering has been stopped and various drug clans closed down which stole millions from the national economy.

Gibraltar’s big smuggling families have paid a heavy price for trying to flout the law for so many years.

This has only been made possible thanks to the progressive agenda of the left-wing coalition in Madrid between PSOE and Podemos.

The other alternative would have been a right-wing government that would have tried to make things as difficult as possible for Gibraltarians who did not vote for Brexit.

Instead, rather than press for dual sovereignty the right has called for repeatedly, Madrid has even decided not to talk about Gibraltar’s long contested sovereignty claim at all.

Tobacco prices have also been forced up, all but ending a centuries-long smuggling tradition from Gibraltar to Spain.

Gibraltar will finally be removed by Spain from the list of tax havens that criminals use to hide their profits from illegal activity.

We can now look forward to citizen’s rights and the environment being improved that will benefit people on both sides of the borders.

All these agreements will improve the well-being of everyone, something which is needed more than ever as the COVID-19 recession starts to take its toll on livelihoods everywhere.

Nature is healing IT has been difficult to find the bright side of the coronavirus crisis. But one perk of a worldwide shutdown is the positive effect it has had on wildlife and the environment.

After 60 years, the endangered Iberian Lynx would appear to have returned to the Serrania de Ronda.

Elsewhere, 122 Kashmiri goats took over the seaside town of Llandudno in Wales. Venice finally has clean canals and deer have even been spotted in the usually hectic streets of London and Paris.

But, as we navigate our new normal, littering has surged and congestion is set to exceed pre-lockdown levels.

Surely, we can find a way to enjoy our planet and look after it at the same time.

Publisher / Editor

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt joshua@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

John Culatto johnc@theolivepress.es

Dimitris Kouimtsidis dimitris@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

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2012 - 2020

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

The Fight is on!

The Olive Press shines a torch on two alarming plans in the Cabo de Gata natural park, writes James Warren

T

HE fight against two new hotel projects in an unspoilt national park is starting to ramp up.

The Junta de Andalucia has given the green light for a 30 room four-star hotel and land development in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park in Almeria.

It will be built near the stunning Bahia de Los Genoveses. Now a proposal for a two-

star rural hotel close to the equally beautiful Cala de San Pedro has also been submitted.

The Los Genoveses proposal, submitted

by Torres y Gonzalez Diaz SL, has been deemed ‘environmentally viable’ by the regional government, despite the land supposedly being protected.

The hotel was initially planned for 2017

but the first draft was turned down.

However modifications to the plans, re-submitted in November 2019, have now been given the go-ahead.

Two large parking areas have been removed, and have been replaced by a single 70 space parking area on a patch ‘devoid of flora and fauna’.

Environmental groups Amigos del Parque

Nursing backed up

T

HE latest group of 16 nurses to complete their Gibraltar courses are already at work in the health service to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Four of the newly-qualified nurses finished off with Higher Education Diplomas in Nursing while 12 completed their BSc (Hons) Nursing degrees.

The courses are run at Gibraltar University through a partnership with St George’s and Kingston universities in London.

“When the World Health Organisation designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse, no one could have predicted it would coincide with the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Sandra Gracia Director of Nursing.

“Now, more than ever, 2020 has brought into focus just how important nurses are across the world.”

Gracia complemented the way the new nurses would help ‘in our fight during the COVID-19 pandemic’.

Ian Peate, Head of the School, said that ‘the programmes have been delivered to the highest professional standards’.

The nurses were deployed to all areas of the health service including St Bernard’s Hospital and Elderly Residential Services.

ON DUTY: New nurses already at work with Ian Peate, who said the programme had been d

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

www.theolivepress.es

7 Olive Press online ‘Spain’s best English news website’

Being sociable

CONCRETE: Set for Los Genoveses (above) and below and (left) San Pedro

A

S the world moves on, the Olive Press moves with it.

While proud of our quality print edition now in five regions and having just won a Google award - we have not been one to rest on our laurels and were quick to notice the importance of social media.

With approaching 30,000 genuine followers on Facebook and 8,500 more on Twitter it’s clear more and more people have been turning to these Olive Press platforms to find trusted news.

Businesses and organizations have also cottoned on to its far reach and have been eager to get on board.

This includes Gibraltar University which is using our Facebook site to attract new students, knowing we have a wide and young audience on the costas.

BinckBank has also recognized its reach and effectiveness and conducted a campaign solely online, while numerous other big financial companies have booked sponsored posts.

29,000 reached, 1000 likes

and Grupo Ecologistas Mediterraneo have denounced the project, calling it ‘incompatible’ with the current protected status of the land.

When the plan was first brought to the table, over 6,500 signatures were collected on their Change.org petition.

Meanwhile, public information has been revealed on the nearby Cala de San Pedro

delivered to the highest standards

project that makes use of the controver- Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar', sial new LISTA Urban Planning Law. as currently there is only limited access The site is located 300 metres from a to the site. derelict farmhouse in the Los Ricardillos With a proposed 22 rooms, a dramatic area close to the virgin beach. increase in traffic is expected to the unThe plan is for a two storey hotel, along spoilt area of the Cabo de Gata. with access roads and parking.

The Cala de San Pedro is well known as Developers are hoping that once the being home to one of the last remainplan gets the go-ahead, ing hippie communities in the project will take two Andalucia which has been years to complete at a cost there since the 1970s.

Virgin beach of nearly €1 million.

The community is a popuAccording to the developwill be subject lar destination for tourists ers, they are making use seeking tranquility and to a ten-fold of the new law – controvera taste of the remote life sially passed during lockas the 50 inhabitants sell increase in down – to rezone land from crafts, food and drinks to visitors residential to commercial. passersby.

Environmental protection If the hotel plans come to groups say the project is life, the beach area and the yet another blow to the battle to save Las Negras trail that is used to access it Spain’s last unspoilt costas. will be subject to a tenfold increase in Access and parking is a key concern for foot traffic, putting extreme pressure on the environmental group 'Amigos del the tranquil community, say protestors.

But the power of social media is best underlined by the success we had when we teamed up with the Kempinski hotel group for a competition.

The offer to win a two-night stay with supper at the five-star hotel in Estepona reached a massive 29,000 people on Facebook - and garnered 982 ‘likes’.

The bosses of the hotel were even more delighted with the 9,000 hits it got online, as well as the incredible 4000-plus entrants for the competition.

Last year, a similar prize with a hotel in Casares got ‘more bookings than an article in the Times’... worth ‘over €10,000’ for the price of a few sponsored posts.

Winning combination We recognize the power of social media - but also know that it works best with print media in all its guises.

For this reason we have a range of different and highly flexible marketing strategies that can be combined on various platforms for businesses to get a higher profile.

With a website that attracts over 50,000 unique visitors a day, tens of thousands of social media followers a week and Spain’s best English language printed newspaper every fortnight, we have a winning platform for your business.

Get in touch at sales@theolivepress.es or call 951 273 575 to see what we can do for you.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Brits cancel holidays to Costa del Sol 1- Several following mandatory mask ruling (58,628) ‘Child therapist’ tracked down by 2- REVEALED: OP was Maddie McCann suspect’s ‘partner in crime’ (24,706) officially mandatory in Andalucia from 3- Masks Wednesday and you WILL be fined for non compliance (21,602) Masks MUST be worn on beach and at swim4- ming pools in Andalucia with these exceptions (21,567) DISASTER: The notorious illegal Algarrobico Hotel was built inside the Cabo de Gata natural park just 100 metres from the beach. While now the subject of a demolition order, it is not known when - or if - it will be knocked down.

The new LISTA law might put paid to that and could be a sign of things to come, it if is perhaps used to somehow try and legalise it.

The fear is that Valencia and Murcia could now follow suit and loosen planning regulations as they too try to inject some cash into their local economies.

Costa Blanca tourist area joins Anda5- Spain’s lucia and Catalunya in extending mandatory mask wearing (16,072)

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1

Hot Milk - Deborah Levy

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UN, sea and a spiky mother-daughter relationship. Set in post-financial crisis Spain, Hot Milk tells the story of 25-year-old Sofia Papastergiadis who has travelled to Andalucia to find a cure for her mother’s unusual ailments.

The Mediterranean setting isolates Levy’s characters and allows the plot to descend into a surreal other-reality.

Levy presents remarkable occurrences with such frankness that the reader has no choice but to accept them as fact. The writing is strong, strange and unapologetic much like many mothers.

2

Normal People Sally Rooney

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HEN the BBC adaptation of Normal People aired this April, over 16.2 million people rushed to view the show, such is the popularity of Sally Rooney’s work. The novel follows the passionate but tortuous relationship between two Irish teenagers Marianne and Connell. From school, to Trinity College Dublin, the pair struggle to navigate the power dynamics of social status, class and competing intellect. So beautiful is the writing, the novel evokes surprising nostalgia for the heartbreak and angst of adolescence. But, at its core, Normal People conveys the stifling intensity of being young and in love.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

T The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafón

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OT since Don Quixote has a Spanish novel enjoyed such huge success as The Shadow of the Wind. Inspired by the 19th-century literary giants Charles Dickens, Honoré de Balzac and Victor Hugo, Zafón weaves a plot packed with tragedy, mystery and romance. In 1940s Barcelona, civil war survivor Daniel Sempere discovers he possesses the final copy of The Shadow of the Wind

by Julián Carax. Someone has been destroying the author’s work book by book, but why? Despite its notoriety, the novel is unpretentious, its characters are memorable and the narrative is wonderfully unpredictable.

4

HIS is the tale of Santiago, a young Andalucian shepherd who travels in pursuit of a treasure trove he dreams is hidden beneath the Egyptian pyramids. A coming-ofage narrative, Santiago experiences sacrifice and consequential growth on his journey and ultimately, his search for treasure will lead him to his life’s purpose. Coelho combines philosophy with spirituality and demonstrates the importance of following your dreams with nothing but faith and determination. It is a MUST READ for anyone visiting Tarifa.

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Delight J.B Priestley

VERY chapter of Delight provides a reason to be grateful for the minutiae of everyday life. Amidst the chaos of 2020, this is a lesson worth revisiting.

Frying sausages outdoors, drinking a G&T alone, fountains, having an incredible idea and smoking in a piping hot bath, are just some of the joys Priestley divulges. His wicked sense of humour reminds the reader there is always something to smile about, whether in his post-war context or amidst the current pandemic.

LA CULTURA

Do you have a what’s on?

the beach 6

J

Three Women Lisa Taddeo

7

The White Tiger Aravind Adiga

OURNALIST Lisa Taddeo spent almost a decade embedding herself in the lives of three strangers. For eight years, she inhabited the respective homes of Lina, Maggie and Sloane. As Taddeo rummages scrupulously through their personal lives, these seemingly average American women display remarkable openness and honesty.

An intimate study, Three Women delves into the grey areas of physical and emotional connection.

Taddeo writes with lyricism and an understanding of the human condition that teaches the reader as much about themselves as the book’s three case studies.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge

R

T

HE White Tiger was only the fourth debut novel to win the Man Booker prize. Aravind Adiga tells the darkly humorous tale of Balram Halwai, from the end of his childhood in a rural Indian village through his journey first to Delhi, where he works as a chauffeur to a rich landlord, and then to Bangalore, the place to which he flees after killing his master and stealing his money. The novel examines themes of caste, religion, corruption and poverty. The White Tiger offers a story of wit, suspense and questionable morality, told by a volatile but captivating narrator.

Call Me by Your Name André Aciman

8 B

ENI Eddo-Lodge became the first black British author to top the UK book charts in June after Black Lives Matter protests galvanised readers. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race demonstrates Britain’s problem with structural racism and holds the hierarchy to account in each erudite essay.

“White privilege,” writes Eddo-Lodge, “is a manipulative, suffocating blanket of power that envelops everything we know, like a snowy day.”

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es

9

ASED in 1980s Northern Italy, André Aciman’s critically acclaimed novel Call Me by Your Name is synonymous with summer.

Elio, a 17-year-old American-Italian becomes infatuated with an archeologist named Oliver who comes to live at his parents house on the Riviera for the summer. In 2017, the film adaptation propelled Timothée Chalamet to stardom and scooped the Oscar for best screenplay. The sequel is underway, with Aciman collaborating on the script, so now is the perfect time to get acquainted with this heady tale of passion.

9

I

T is the current zeitgeist… that AI will have taken most of our jobs within two decades.

And computers and robots will run the world.

Not according to Simon Roberts’ book The Power of Not Thinking: How our Bodies Learn and Why we should Trust Them.

His take is; forget it! Us humans have got a few centuries left. At least.

Embodied knowledge is vital and it simply cannot be transplanted for so many reasons.

And Roberts should know having spent many weeks working with Google on its Waymo driverless car project in Arizona, as well as teaching executives at Duracell and telling News International a few things about running their global publishing business.

Big Data simply doesn’t have all the answers, he insists.

The way we learn to ride a bike, drive a car or simply listen to our gut on a big decision: This cannot be emulated by computers or AI. At least thus far.

The business anthropologist insists that so much is about people themselves, brainstorming and learning together.

Clever, witty and intriguing, you’ll sleep easier at night after reading it.

Power of Not 10 The Thinking - Simon Roberts

10

PROPERTY

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Isle take it Hefty price tag for Isla Tagomago

IF you have a spare €150 million now’s your chance to buy Europe’s most exclusive private island.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber and Liz Hurley are amongst a stellar list of guests who were willing to pay €20,000 a night to stay on Isla Tagomago, which is also a popular choice for luxury weddings.

It offers privacy – there is just one villa on the island – surrounded by crystal clear waters and sits 900 metres off the coast of Ibiza.

The price tag may be eye-watering – but you do get a lot for your money.

In fact you get to own every corner of the island, all 600,000m2 of it.

Included is a state-of-the art villa – better described as a mansion – equipped with every modern convenience.

It features a professional-standard kitchen, spacious living room with a connecting dining room and large windows that allow you to enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

By Dilip Kuner

There are five roomy double bedrooms, naturally all en-suite, as well as a large outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a spa, helipad, and a jetty to moor your yacht at.

Stunning

The island has seen some controversy. Owner at the time, German entrepreneur Matthias Khün - the long-time partner of Spanish film star Norma Duval - was recently handed a six month sentence plus a fine of €10,800 for building on the island.

The real estate agent, who owns Kuhn & Partner, carried out construction works on the Tagomago without permission and licenses.

Among the offences he committed was building a 470 m2 concrete terrace adjacent to the main villa.

The island is catalogued as a Natural Area of Special Interest, carrying the highest level of protection.

BEAUTY SPOT: The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Justin Bieber enjoyed stays on Tagomago

OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Person who stays up late (5,3) 8 Nervously irritable (4) 9 Kernel protector (8) 10 Disfigure (4) 11 Coming (7) 14 Gem (5) 15 Rigid (5) 17 Follower of Christ (7) 21 Harmonize (4) 22 On an upper floor (8) 24 Ponder (4) 25 Flatten out (8)

OP Sudoku

Down 1 Strong drink (6) 2 Resistance units (4) 3 Capital of Kansas (6) 4 Cunningly (5) 5 Without a join (8) 6 Set on fire (6) 12 Septic (8) 13 Meadow (3) 16 Trial (3-3) 18 Priest (6) 19 Bigger (6) 20 Explode (5) 23 Performs (4)

All solutions are on page 14

Developers wanted

PLOTS: The Eastside Reclamation has been divvied up for sale

AMBITIOUS developers are being invited to apply to construct on 13 plots of land at the Eastside Reclamation.

The area was taken from the sea more than a decade ago but plans for construction have always fallen through.

Now the government is hoping that dividing the 15 hectare site into plots will make it more attractive to developers.

Their idea is to use the property for

SPANISH property has not lost its allure to British buyers, despite Brexit and COVID-19.

A recent survey by the Property Guides website revealed that 60% of the 2,800 people polled want to buy a property in sunny Spain after the summer. Of those wanting to make a permanent

homes, shops, tourist sites and leisure.

The GSD Opposition said that it should be used to build more government homes for rental instead.

Consecutive right-wing Spanish governments have disputed the right of Gibraltar to reclaim land from the sea, which they said belongs to them.

In response, the Chief Minister has said he is willing to argue this point in court, although the Spanish never took this case forward.

move to the country, 73% are looking for a healthier lifestyle, while 64% see Spain as a place to have a happy retirement and 49% are looking for new life adventures.

In addition, 61% of the participants are aware that they can get a residence permit and the right to Spanish healthcare if they

Brits undaunted buy a property in Spain before the end of this year. And 66% say they do not even consider Brexit when deciding to buy a property in Spain.

BUSINESS Rolling in it SPANISH businessman Amancio Ortega has been sinking billions of euros into property.

The 84-year-old founder of the Zara clothing and home furnishings retail chain now has real estate holdings worth €15.2 billion after he invested €2.1 billion in property last year.

The purchases - mostly in the USA - were made through various subsidiaries of his holding company Pontegadea.

Super-rich

It is thought that this makes him the biggest real estate investor amongst Europe’s super-rich.

Pontegadea, which owns 59.3% of Zara parent Inditex, made a net profit of €1.8 billion last year.

Some €1.64 billion of that came from Inditex.

According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Ortega has a net worth of $58.5 billion (€52.66 billion).

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

11

Business as usual Loans lifeline for small and medium sized firms

COMPANIES can now borrow up to £500,000 through the government’s new Gibraltar loan scheme.

The Gibraltar Business Loan Disruption Guarantee Scheme is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses hit by the financial costs of COVID-19 Money can be borrowed from The Royal Bank of

SPANISH businesses are being hamstrung by restrictive rules, hitting economic growth and employment prospects.

This is the conclusion of the Index of Economic Freedom 2020, which ranks Spain bottom of Eurozone countries when it comes to ‘freedom of enterprise’.

The report published by the Heritage Foundation said that Spain has the worst conditions in Europe for growth.

Globally, the top 1o nations for economic freedom were Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland,

By John Culatto

Scotland Gibraltar, Trusted Novus Bank or Gibraltar International.

Businesses of this size are defined by the European Commission as having less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of up

Red tape disaster Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada and Estonia. Spain came 58th on the list, one down on last year.

Spain scored particularly poorly in the efficiency of public spending and judicial effectiveness, with red tape holding the country’s businesses back.

The study highlighted the importance of bringing in reforms aimed at making market operations easier and more flexible.

to €50 million.

Supermarkets, property development companies, the banking industry itself and other institutions whose income is funded 75% or more by the government are excluded from the scheme.

Additionally, businesses cannot use money from the scheme to refinance existing debt.

The scheme was started after Gordon Paterson, head of local banking at Natwest International, approached the government with the idea and set the planning wheels in motion The scheme closely follows those implemented in the Channel Islands and Guernsey.

Tax

Those who wish to apply are required to prove that they have met all tax, social insurance and rates obligations.

Businesses are encouraged to contact local banks for more information on the application process.

12

Costa del Sol If you didn’t think there was a beach left on this 150km strip that wasn’t groin-to-groin with sun-worshippers by mid July, we’re delighted to tell you you’re wrong.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

secreto

They hide out on the edges of town, peeping between pine forests or lying teasingly at the foot of cliffs. You may have to pack a picnic and you can’t always expect mojitos and the latest Ibiza sounds. But if you want to playa it safe this

Playa de Sotogrande, Sotogrande

Cala de Maro, Nerja

A

lthough it lies at the foot of a cliff, the sandy path down to this delightful hidden cove is an easy reach for all ages and levels of mobility. The beach is a mix of pebbles and coarse sand but you’ll be rewarded with crystal clear waters teeming with fish – so bring your snorkel! For years Cala Chica, as it’s nicknamed, was a local secret - less so since Antena 3, voted Maro the second best beach in the whole of Spain. It has loads of amenities including kayaks and standup paddle rental, although you’ll need to check what’s open.

Getting there: Take the N-340 and exit at the ‘Maro’ sign, follow the road and take a sharp right off the roundabout and you have arrived.

Calas Torre del Pino, Nerja

F

ronting the poshest urbanisation on the Costa coastline, this 5,450 metre dark sand beach never gets overcrowded due to its size and proximity to the more-popular Playa de Torreguadiaro. The go-to beach for locals, summer residents and members of the nearby tennis club, the beach runs from the Guadiaro River estuary next to Sotogrande Port all the way to Faro de Carbonera lighthouse. Perfect for sunrise and sunset beach walks, there are a number of bijou beach bars and clubs where you can also stop off for a refresher.

Getting there: Take exit 132 off the A7 or from the N340, take Calle San Francisco and Avda. de Paniagua to Paseo del Parque

El Cañuelo / Los Alamos, Torremolinos

T

he perfect spot to strip off and self-isolate, this shingle playa plays very hard to get, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re bringing the kids

and toting tons of beach gear. However the 200 metre walk to reach it down fairly steep shale paths is worth the effort.

Especially if you’re a diver as there are heaps of

fascinating underwater caves to explore. It’s also popular with nudists so if you’re fed up searching for unoccupied dunes in Cabopino to get that overall tan, jump in the car.

Getting there: Take the N340 east of Nerja, direction Almuñécar/Motril and keep your eyes open for the Torre de Pino Watchtower and a km299 sign and park on the right.

W

e’re not promising you’ll be alone but if you’re looking for the quietest beach in this holiday hotspot, this one’s a good bet. At one kilometre long there’s room for all with sand to spare (don’t be put off by its grey colour). With picnic tables and BBQ spots up for grabs

and a prom lined with bars and chiringuitos running the length of the beach, it’s the perfect escape for families wanting to avoid the heaving beaches of Bajondilla or La Carihuela back in town. It’s under the flight path from Malaga airport but with fewer planes in the sky you won’t need earplugs.

Getting there: Drive as if you are going to Almeria and take the N-340 exit and, about 5km along, the exit is clearly signposted.

escapes coronavirus summer, check out our guide to the most secluded beaches almost on your doorstep where you can chillax without fear of someone stepping on your sandwiches, writes Scarlet Jenkins

T

13

Costa de la Luz Looking out over the vast Atlantic ocean, the Coast of Light in Cadiz Province is famous for its long white wilderness beaches - so many of them it’s easy to find a semi-deserted spot. Be warned, it can get windy and the sea temperature could come as a shock!

La Flecha del Rompido, Huelva

Playa de Doñana, Huelva

he 60km coastline fringing Donana National Park is a rare jewel in Spain. Its virgin sand beaches surrounded by wilderness and fossil dunes offer total escape from the sun-worshipping world well worth the three-and-a-half hour drive from Malaga’s metropolises. Book-ended by the frenetic summer resorts of Mazagón and Mata-

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

lascañas, you can walk from either town along most of it to find sections you’ll only share with the local lizards and spur-thighed tortoises. You can also access them by car from the A494 but they’re usually a fair tramp through stone pine forest from the car park and you’ll have to lug all your beach paraphernalia with you.

Getting there: The route skirting Sevilla is the fastest from Marbella, then it’s the A49 followed by the A-494. .

Punta Paloma, Tarifa

T

HE road to this secluded bay slices through pine forest and Sahara-sized dunes of soft white sand, giving the impression of driving through a snowscape. Park at the end and descend the dune to the secluded bay below with all your beach equipment in tow, like Lawrence of Arabia. A camel would definitely come in handy.

Getting there: Located between Tarifa and Bolonia, it’s a 10-minute detour off the N340 at km 74.

A

NOTHER marathon drive from Costa del Sol central, this one-of-a-kind sandbar stretching out from Cartaya is a beach like no other in the world. Washed by the Atlantic on one side and the River Piedras on the other, this curious shape-shifting sand spit is a bucket list topper. Considered one of the ‘wonders of Huelva,’ the sandbar runs parallel to the Andalusian coast for 13km and expands 30 metres every year. The ‘Arrow’ beach can only be accessed over water, adding to the fun.

A regular ferry runs from the mainland pretty much all year round and the views of the coast are amazing.

Getting there: Same as Donana but continue further west along the A49 and take the A5053 to El Rompido.

COLUMNISTS

Loud and Clear M

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Giles got a bad reaction from cyclists after his last column

I

T’S been an interesting couple of weeks since my last column. Once again I managed

Y language learning journey in Spain has come to an end as I return to the UK for a few months.

After almost two years in this wonderful country I am moving back to Rochdale to continue my journalism diploma and sit some exams.

The beach will be replaced by the canal and I will have to make do with pints in English pubs rather than cañas in bustling tapas bars.

One thing that I hope won’t change will be my efforts to learn Spanish.

It will definitely be a challenge swatting up on español in Greater Manchester, a region known more for its curry sauce than its castellano.

Although, like many workplaces that have been forced to adapt, the long months of lockdown have prepared me for distance learning.

During the pandemic I had Spanish lessons via Skype with my teacher Carola at the Millinguals school in Estepona.

to upset a number of cyclists who, after reading the reaction to my witterings, obvious-

ly regard me as one of Satan’s minor demons. Or the Marbella version of Jeremy Clarkson.

Adios amigos As Charlie Smith packs up his Spanish phrase books for Britain, at least he can stop telling people he’s ‘horny’...

And I have already lined up a couple of intercambios with willing Spaniards for when I get back to Blighty.

If you are trying to learn Spanish, these meetups with a native are a great place to start, be they virtual or down at the cafe.

In the past I have also recommended budding linguists dip into apps like Duolingo and Memrise, as well as the podcast Coffee Break Spanish, which was the one that really helped me nail the everyday situations you face in Spain.

However being among Spanish people when you can is invaluable and really does boost your confidence to converse.

Charlie Smith And never was this more apparent than this week, as I was being burnt to a crisp in a long queue outside the bank.

A man from Cadiz began to machine gun-fire some rapid Gaditano Spanish at me, leaving me dumbfounded and tongue-tied.

But after realising I was a guiri he slowed down a bit and we ended up getting on quite well.

I’ll miss these face-to-face interactions with Spanish people.

Even the bizarre and incomprehensible encounters with the opinionated abuelas who are my neighbours.

It is a privilege to be able to move to another country and learn the language from the locals, especially when they are so forgiving, as they usually are on the Costa del Sol. When I landed at Malaga Airport in 2018 I only had hola and gracias under my belt. Now I have much more Spanish, the majority of which I learned from podcasts and chatting to people I met.

For those starting out, do NOT give up, make sure to engage with Spaniards, and remember – if you still confuse ‘tengo calor’ (you’re hot from the weather) with ‘estoy caliente’ (you’re hot as in horny) – we’ve all been there!

At least that’s one mistake I won’t be making in the chilly north of England this winter!

I’m not sure which is worse, to be honest.

Just for the record, I haven’t really replaced the rear seats with industrial hand sanitiser and am not merrily water cannoning bike riders as I pass.

In the same way that I did not attach a snowplough to the front of the 4x4 and two massive lobster pots to the rear to scoop them up and then deposit them at the bottom of the Istan road. Or borrow Mad Max’s Holden V8 to terrorise them on my drive down to the studio.

Reactions

The order by the Junta de Andalucia about the wearing of masks also managed to stoke up a mixed bag of reactions.

Once again, social media was awash with various theories about why we have to wear them, ranging from the stoical to the more ‘alternative’ – including that it was an exercise in mind control.

In other words, the thin end of the New World Order.

The shadowy figures of the Illuminati were about to take over.

Or something like that.

Judging from the complete muck up that a number of governments seem to be making of the state of affairs at the moment, I toyed with the idea that maybe being ruled by a bunch of 12 foot tall subterranean lizard overlords with a connection to Prince Phillip might be worth a try. Although I decided not to post that.

Suffering

To top it all off, I went down with my usual summer cold.

The 24-hour lurgy was gone as soon as it had arrived, but the house guest decided I was obviously suffering from a combination of COVID, Ebola and the Black Death.

She took to wearing a mask around the casita and covertly spraying me with an essential oil spray every time I stumbled into the kitchen from my sickbed.

And yes, I can hear the Lycra-clad legions laughing at the karma of it all from here!

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Night owl, 8 Edgy, 9 Nutshell, 10 Maim, 11 Arrival, 14 Jewel, 15 Stiff, 17 Apostle, 21 Sync, 22 Upstairs, 24 Muse, 25 Smoothen.

Down: 1 Liquor, 2 Ohms, 3 Topeka, 4 Slyly, 5 Seamless, 6 Ignite, 12 Infected, 13 Lea, 16 Try-out, 18 Pastor, 19 Larger, 20 Burst, 23 Acts.

SUDOKU

14

HEALTH

July 22nd - August 4th 2020

Working it out

Lisa Burgess

Whether you’re a worker or a boss, life isn’t easy these days but the only way from rock bottom is up, writes Lisa Burgess

Kin Covid

OVER 100 COVID-19 outbreaks have been recorded in Spain since the beginning of Spain’s de-escalation phase.

Coronavirus has caused recent outbreaks in almost all of Spain. The most numerous in Lleida with some 800 people testing positive in several outbreaks, followed by Huesca (369 cases), Lugo (165) and Malaga (109).

With the exception of La Rioja, Asturias, Ceuta and

I

STARTED my working life as a summer dishwasher at a five-table cafe in Bournemouth in order to treat my dear departed brother, Michael, to a Spandau Ballet gig at the Pavilion.

From secretary to TV stylist and restaurateur, my toughest job was working in live TV. The easiest?

Working for movie producers Bob & Peter Farrelly in Hollywood. It wasn’t a job, it was a never-ending barrel of laughs.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the most stress-related hazards on the job relate to work content and work context.

The first concerns lack of variety, shift system hours, workload and control over your destiny.

The latter is about career development, status, pay, bullying and harassment.

Apparently, an unhealthy work environment causes mental and physical health problems including stress, anxiety, depression, alcoholism and hypertension.

To overcome this an employee needs more control, fewer work hours – which increases productivity – and an ability to manage work/family conflicts.

Also important is fairness and justice in the workplace, health insurance, social support and good communication with economic security.

But ‘being appreciated is one of the most important factors in a job that increases motivation and satisfaction as well as health and well being’, says the WHO. I have been both employer and employee and it’s a difficult balancing act. You need to be firm but fair and a kind word never goes amiss.

PROUD: Annabel (left) has been promoted.

My partner, French chef Joffrey Charles, has struggled to find his niche since we gave up our restaurant due to my cancer diagnosis in 2018.

He has just started doing a Moonlight Dinner @ Lakala Beach in La Cala De Mijas every Sunday evening. The combination of a three-course menu for €27.50pp, live entertainment and that sea view has made it an instant success. If at first you don’t succeed, try again is my eternal motto.

There is more good news in my household. My daughter Annabel recently received a big promotion at the Dept. of Labour in the States.

She worked tirelessly with vulnerable people during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic while caring for my two young granddaughters.

My family have had an extraordinarily difficult two years but I always took solace from the words of literary giant JK Rowling who said: ‘Rock bottom became the solid foundation from which I rebuilt my life’.

We can all take a leaf out of her book.

15

Some 40% of COVID-19 outbreaks in Spain originate from family reunions

By Cristina Hodgson

Melilla, the rest of the communities have detected one or more new outbreaks in recent weeks.

According to Health Minis-

Back to work

ter Salvador Illa, Spain has 118 active coronavirus outbreaks.

However, exact details of where the active outbreaks are or how many positive cases each is not clear.

The transparency on the situation of the virus is in the hands of each autonomy, and very few are publishing these data. With the exception of Andalucia, none do it systematically and constantly.

Family

SERVICE: Doctor’s appointments are back DOCTORS are now available for limited face-to-face appointments as opposed to just being talked to on the phone.

Previously, the public would only be invited to see the GP face-to-face if the doctor felt it was necessary after talking to them. “To ensure that we respect social distancing and to minimise cross infection, we will need to limit the number of these appointments,” said the GHA. “Telephone consultations will also continue to be available for those who prefer them.”

COVID lines will now be scaled down as the staff that ran them are recalled to their departments.

Since the de-escalation began on May 11, the communities have reported at least 95 new outbreaks, 36 of which were caused by a family gathering, including a wedding in Tudela, a celebration of San Juan in a neighbourhood of Castellón and a meal with friends in Alcanar (Tarragona).

The Ministry of Health has defined an outbreak as ‘any cluster of three or more confirmed or probable cases with active infection in which an epidemiological link has been established.’ An outbreak ceases to be active when 14 days pass since the last positive.

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FINAL WORDS

POPULAR restaurant in Madrid, ‘El Brillante,’ got some hate on Twitter after a customer revealed he was charged €19 for two coffees and an orange juice.

Shark bait CADIZ beach Zahara de los Atunes was temporarily closed down after a two-metre long predatory mako shark was spotted near swimmers.

Buzz Off SPANISH fans of cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch have discovered that placing small change in a freezer bag of water and hanging it by your door will stop pesky flies from invading your kitchen this summer.

The

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Vol. 5 Issue 127 www.theolivepress.es July 22nd - August 4th 2020

The only way is up!

PAINTING its planes magenta and guaranteeing customers sparkles is part of a wizard move to get punters back in the air.

But the signing of ex-TOWIE star Gemma Collins as the face of Wizz Air is a masterstroke.

The larger-than-life celebrity - who spends a good chunk of the year in Marbella - has signed a lucrative six-figure deal to promote the airline.

Whale Spotting

Wizard move as Wizz air sends famous diva Gemma Collins into the air as its new global ambassador In her continuing pursuit of the high life, the self-proclaimed diva is part of a drive to get British punters to take advantage of the new air bridges around Europe.

From this week, each plane will have a giant photo of Collins on the body, while the A MOTHER and baby whale have been spotted swimming along the Costa del Sol, towards Gibraltar.

The two pilot whales were seen close to the shore and were caught on film.

The whales live all year around the Straits of Gibraltar, but rarely venture to the nearby coastline.

planes will be painted magenta pink - the reality star’s favourite colour. Some inflight announcements will even be voiced by the Essex star.

Welcome on board BABY !!

LETS GO !!! Don’t forget your masks and who wants Prosecco! There’s only one way A TRIO of locals were treated for smoke inhalation after an electric scooter exploded in Alicante.

The battery of the so-called ‘Madge mobile’ blew up inside the owner’s house.

Firefighters had to be called out to the blaze, which left two neighbours and a local police officer needing medical treatment, one in hospital.

to travel !!! WIZZ AIR,” announced Collins to her 1.9million followers on Instagram.

It comes after Collins spent a couple of weeks in Marbella amid her messy breakup with TOWIE co-star James Argent.

But Collins didn’t rest in the 30-degree heat. Instead, she

Hot wheels A large bang woke up the owners who discovered that the battery had caught fire.

Luckily a sofa that caught alight in an ensuing blaze was thrown out of the window into the street.

It is the latest in a series of call-outs caused by scooter battery fires in recent months.

continued her latest fitness regime poolside.

She revealed that Argent who had been set to move to Marbella to buy a home with her, called her ‘a hippo’ as their relationship deteriorated.

“It’s not all fun in the sun guys, we are exercising today. We’ve just done deadlifts, squats, press ups, lunges and we’re now off for a run,” she said.

During her pandemic reality show Diva in Lockdown, Collins told her family she’d fly them to the sun and sand in a private jet when lockdown measures were eased.

There is one budget airline that will be expecting her to travel with them ONLY from now on.

TM

952 147 834

*Based on third par ty. Offer valid for new customers only. Subject to conditions. Ends 31/12/20.

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