Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 355

Our promise - Our DNA: The best reporting in Spain in English

OLIVE PRESS

O ur D

Bitter about BREXIT

FREE

See page 7

Andalucía

The

Your expat

voice in Spain

Mijas Costa

Vol. 13 Issue 355 www.theolivepress.es October 28th - November 10th 2020

SWITCH: Chris Stewart swapping passports EXCLUSIVE by Lydia Spencer-Elliott

FAMOUS expat author Chris Stewart is becoming Spanish.

The Driving Over Lemons writer has revealed to the Olive Press he is giving up his British passport because of Brexit.

“I’m becoming Spanish because I’m so incensed by the absurd nonsense of Brexit,” said the million-selling author, who lives near Granada.

“I love England because I was born there, I think of the green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” added the former Genesis drummer.

“I shall be like that forever, but above all I want to be European.”

Brit Stewart gained a huge following with his first book that charted his life as a ‘self sufficient’ sheep farmer in a remote part of the Alpujarras region.

He has published three further books on his nearly three decade integration into Spain.

Since 2016, more than 350,000 Britons have applied for non-UK passports.

In Spain, dual nationality is not possible. So, residents must make the difficult choice of whether they wish to be considered Spanish or British post-Brexit.

See Make or break page 4 & Going native Page 6

TRADING BEYOND THE HORIZON WITH BINCK

Border closures and curfew for Andalucia following declaration of second state of alarm

HALT: Police will enforce curfew

ANDALUCIA is expected to close its borders this weekend.

In a sharp U-turn, regional president Juanma Moreno revealed the measure in an interview on Cope Radio yesterday.

It comes after vice president Juan Marin said there were no plans to close the region following the declaration of the nationwide state of alarm on Sunday.

“Honestly, with the data on hospitalisations and ICUs this morning, I do not think it is a good time for there to be a flow of people visiting the region,” president Moreno said.

“I am pessimistic about keeping the autonomous commu-

By Laurence Dollimore

nity open this weekend.”

This weekend is the All Saints bank holiday ‘puente’ weekend, making movement of people more likely.

Moreno said the final decision will be made after listening to the committee of experts at a meeting today.

The southernmost region will join five others in decreeing the closure of its borders following the declaration of a second nationwide state of alarm on Sunday.

The move by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez gave autonomous communities legal cover to implement stronger restrictions on mobility due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

In Andalucia, Moreno said he is concerned as hospitalisations are already similar to those in April ‘and the cold

SKY + THE DOCTOR + ALL AREAS COVERED

Take control of your future and make your own financial choices!

BinckBank.com/horizon

has not arrived yet’, nor the typical flu of autumn and winter.

Andalucia has more than 2,000 COVID-19 patients in hospital, not far from the 2,800 seen at the peak of the first wave on March 30.

On the 11pm to 6am curfew installed by the national government, Moreno said he would extend the starting time to midnight as requested by hoteliers ‘in various provinces.’

The president did not say which provinces would see their starting time delayed by

952 147 834

4G UNLIMITED INTERNET IDEAL FOR STREAMING TV ALSO IPTV, SATELLITE TV

tel: (0034) 952 763 840 info@theskydoctor.com www.theskydoctor.com

an hour, but it is more likely to be those with a lower incidence of the virus and with a heavy tourism trade, such as Malaga.

Moreno also backed his party leader Pablo Casado in calling for the state of alarm to last for eight weeks instead of the proposed six months.

“With a May 9 deadline we are not going to have Christmas, Easter or spring festivities,” he said, saying it is better to wait and see how the pandemic evolves.

Opinion Page 6

Curfew U-turn SPAIN has removed the nationwide curfew from its state of alarm decree.

The measure, which ordered all regions to install a night time curfew from 11pm to 6am (with some variations), will remain in place only for the 15-day period from when it was first decreed (Sunday). It means that from November 9, autonomous communities will have the power to lift the restriction if they see fit.

The move was confirmed by Finance Minister Maria Jesus Montero at a press conference on Tuesday. Montero said she recognised that citizens are ‘fed up’ with the situation but added it is essential they stay informed and comply with the measures established.

Tel: 952 147 834

See page 32

TM

Photos by Allan Binderup

Alarming!

X

- Ou

NA

mise -

r pr o

2

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Clocking off ARMED robbers stormed into a Marbella restaurant and made off with a customer’s €237,000 watch.

Police say three British men have been charged in connection.

Forgers busted COPS have busted a gang that forged documents for African migrants desperate to reach the EU. The arrests were made in Madrid, Malaga, Murcia, Valencia and Zaragoza following a year-long investigation.

Tee-rific FINCA Cortesin golf course in Spain will host the 2023 Solheim Cup. The Estepona club will be the first Spanish venue for the biggest team event in women's golf.

Gunned down A BRITISH man was shot in the face during a fight which broke out in a bar on in Nueva Andalucia, near Marbella. Five men were arrested following the brutal brawl.

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Killed after sex British man launched frenzied attack on his wife A BRITISH expat had sex with his wife before killing her in a frenzied knife attack at their £450,000 Costa del Sol mansion, Spanish prosecutors say.

Wealthy businessman Geoffrey Elton, 56, attempted to smother Gloria Tornay and then tried to strangle her before she broke free after the bedroom romp, it is alleged.

Court papers claim he then

Whoops!

By Kirsty McKenzie

chased Gloria, 58, through their Estepona villa with a 5.7 inch long kitchen knife, stabbing her 11 times on March 9 last year.

Spanish-born Gloria was knifed in the back as she tried to flee her husband, prosecutors allege, and she died from massive blood loss.

POLICIA Nacional have revealed more details of the arrest of infamous Irish drug smuggler John Gilligan that could possibly link him with a 24-year-old murder mystery.

Gilligan, 68, was arrested last in the town of Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, after a collaborative effort from Irish and Spanish Police dismantled a violent group of drug traffickers operating out of the area.

Four parcels of marijuana and 15,000 prescription pills were intercepted in the post heading for the UK, which led police to infiltrate the gang led by the veteran criminal.

During the investigation, four properties linked with the gang were raided, with police seizing a further four kilograms of marijuana buds and 11,000 more pills ready for shipment.

In total, five men have been ar-

SINGLE IMPLANT

RELEASED: Gang leader

VICTIM: Gloria with Geoffrey Elton who allegedly killed her when she decided to leave him

He then allegedly shut off the power and told 15-yearold son to leave and threw

King pinned rested between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa.

Shockingly, a revolver type pistol was discovered in the garden of one of the properties which could possibly link Gilligan to the murder of a journalist in Dublin back in 1996.

Veronica Guerin was gunned down by two armed men on a motorcycle after she began her own investigation into the wealth and lifestyle of Gilligan.

Although his gang was found responsible for the murder in 2001, Gilligan himself was aquitted due to the unreliablity of evidence linking him to the case.

IMPLANT BRIDGE

away mobile phones to slow the emergency response, it is alleged.

Elton was found drenched in blood beside his wife of 30 years after trying to take his own life but was saved by medics and later charged with murder.

Paranoid

Spanish prosecutors want Elton locked up for 14 years and forced to pay €200,000 in compensation for her children if he is found guilty.

Expat Elton moved to Estepona six years ago after retiring from his successful satellite dish installation company.

Pals alleged Elton was ‘increasingly paranoid’ and reclusive.

A MOST wanted alleged Italian mafioso is back on the run after being accidentally released by a Spanish judge.

Alleged drug lord Vittoriao Raso, 41, was set free when a judge in Barcelona decreed he could be released on bail until trial.

Raso, believed to be part of the notorious Ndrangheta mafia, had been arrested in the Catalan capital on an Italian arrest warrant for alleged extortion and drug trafficking.

The Central Court, headed by judge Alejandro Abascal, received a communique about the suspect saying he was in hospital and that he could not come before the court for some days.

However the documents only detailed the extortion charges, not those of belonging to a mafia and drug trafficking, meaning he was eligible for release.

The judge only investigated Raso on the extortion charges before declaring his release.

The shocking decision came despite various reports in the media about the suspect’s arrest and the importance of the case to the Italian authorities.

IMPLANT DENTURE

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

Queen Joan ICONIC Dynasty actress Joan Collins, 87, has been spotted in Madrid filming the new medieval series Glow and Darkness.

Alongside Denise Richards, the Dame will star as Adelaide of Maurienne, a 12th century Queen of France and the second wife of King Louis VI. Her and husband Percy Gibson, 55, were stopped by fans outside their Madrid hotel, despite Collins being barely recognisable beneath a face mask, hat and sunglasses.

Glow and Darkness will detail the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and feature other recognisable characters including Eleanor of Aquitaine, played by Jane Seymour.

Royal fashion ALL eyes were on Queen Letizia as she attended the National Fashion Industry Awards in Madrid.

And the royal returned to one of her favourite high street Spanish designers for the occasion: Massimo Dutti.

Paired with a black shirt and coat, Queen Letizia opted for an affordable pleated skirt from the brand.

A royal favourite, Kate Middleton (pictured) has also been spotted in Massimo Dutti this month.

During a visit to the University of Derby, the Duchess of Cambridge paired knitwear and a check-print coat from the brand with black trousers and heels.

CURSED: Bridget Jones

Unlucky in love

A GLOBAL pandemic was inevitably going to make it harder for singles to find love.

With distance from strangers a defining characteristic of COVID measures, suddenly first dates and spontaneous meet-cutes became considerably less likely.

But Brits -just like Bridget Jones - and Spaniards alike have always struggled to find love, according to new research by ManySpins.com With 60 out of 75 points on the unluckiness scale, the UK claimed second place in the chart behind Sweden.

Meanwhile, as Spaniards search for love online a massive 1.4 million times a month they were awarded 47 unluckiness points for eigth place.

The ‘unluckiness score’ calculator looks at divorce rates, single person household numbers, and dating-related online search figures.

3

Aiming high

In great company HOLLYWOOD heartthrob Antonio Banderas (pictured) will return to his hometown of Malaga next year to direct and star in what will be the longest-running theatre show ever in any single Spanish city.

The man behind The Mask of Zorro made this announcement in style, when his cast performed a song from the upcoming musical Company at the Teatro del Soho Caixa

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Bank in Malaga. Banderas intends to transform the theatre ‘completely’ by introducing a circular stage, which the audience sits completely around - ‘a daring and complicated proposal that we’re going to deliver’, he promised.

Princess Diaries

Heir to throne Leonor and sister Sofia were on hand to congratulate the prize winners

PRINCESSES Leonor and Sofia joined their parents on royal duty to meet and congratulate winners of the 2020 Princess of Asturias Awards.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s daughters met with the victors in Oviedo, in the Principality of Asturias in the north of the country.

The sisters, aged 14 and 13, were every inch the perfect princesses on the day – wearing modest but stylish shirt dresses and face masks for the event.

Elegant

Meanwhile their mum Letizia, 48, looked elegant as ever donning a recycled green and blue floral dress and forest green high heels.

The annual awards are presented to individuals or organisations who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs.

The award ceremony shares its name with heir to the throne Leonor who holds the title of Princess of Asturias.

Each recipient present at the ceremony received a diploma, a sculpture expressly created for the awards by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro, and a pin with the emblem of the Foundation.

There is also a cash prize of €50,000 for

FAMILY: The royals were in Oviedo for the awards

each category, this amount is shared if the category has more that one recipient.

The decision to go ahead with the awards amid the coronavirus pandemic with protective measures in place – one of which involved moving it from its usual venue, the Campoamor Theatre, which has capacity for 1,400 guests – to the smaller location, and limiting audience numbers.

Leonor (left) and Sofia

FORMER Murcia basketball star Ovie Soko has penned his very own book one year after finding fame on Love Island.

The 29-year-old’s self-help book will detail his life before the show and offer guidance, advice, and inspiration on how to become the ‘dopest’ person you can be.

Announcing his happy news on social media, Ovie shared a snap of his debut book You Are Dope (subtitled Let the power of positive energy into your life).

He enthused: “This book was one of the most exciting projects I’ve had the chance to work on over the last year, it was such a great experience making something of substance to GIVE BACK. “I think there is something that everyone can take away from the read to help them on their life journey.

“Have a dope day people.”

“Dopeness is innate, and it’s in everyone,” it reads.

“You’ve probably been dope for a lot of your life and didn’t even realise it. Remember the time you did the washing-up for your mum and dad without them even asking? Dope.”

During his time on Love Island, Ovie was praised for his level-headed attitude and was often the go-to guy when the other Islanders were having relationship woes.

KIM CLARK

Benefits Consultancy If you suffer from...

• Mobility problems • Pain / Breathlessness • Falls / Stumbles

Or you need...

• Help with washing /dressing • Supervision

You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATION call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

tel: +34 951 440 604 info@solmoves.com www.solmoves.com

4 www.theolivepress.es Brit nabbed A WANTED Brit has been arrested on Spain's Costa del Sol on suspicion of assault weapon charges as part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs.

Robert Brazendale, 33, was arrested in Estepona after a European Arrest Warrant was issued for charges in the UK. The Warrington man is wanted in connection with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life.

His arrest comes after four machine guns including AK-47s and an Uzi were discovered in properties in London and Manchester.

Brazendale, along with three other men, Hitesh Patel, Bilal Khan and Umair Zaheer were nabbed in the UK after a 10 month investigation into the encrypted phone network Encrochat, a mobile network long used by criminals.

Under the code name operation Venetec, the British Crime Agency NCA began the investigation at the beginning of the year to dismantle the network.

Brazendale remains in the custody of Spanish police and currently awaits extradition back to the UK for trial.

NEWS

A STATE of the art rescue and emergency centre is to be built in the heart of the Costa del Sol. The crisis nerve centre will monitor and tackle any critical events - such as floods or forest fires - from the Axarquia to the Campo de Gibraltar.

The €1.2 million base in Benahavis will be manned around the clock, 365 days of the year.

The third of its kind in Andalucia, the GREA (Grupo de Emergencias de Andalucia) was announced this weekend by Junta spokesman Elias Bendodo alongside the mayor of Benahavis Jose Antonio Mena.

“It will be a great way to tackle emergencies along the coast or in the inland areas,” Bendodo told the Olive Press.

Inspecting a drone to be used to monitor fire fighting teams, he added: “It brings all round better security and protection for Andalucia.”

Joining two other centres (in

Battle plan

By Jon Clarke

Noalejo, Jaen, and Los Palacios, Sevilla) it will be manned by scientists, engineers and biologists, alongside specialists in communication.

Expat councillor of Benahavis Scott Marshall added his pleasure that the authorities had chosen Benahavis as the new base.

“It’s great news as it will create employment and better security for the coast,” said the British fatherof-two, who runs an estate agency in the town.

“It’s not just good for covering fires and floods, but is strategically important for the petro-chemical industries in the Campo de Gibraltar.”

The 600m-square base, at Mon-

October 28th - November 10th 2020 te Halcones, will utilise the latest technology from drone flights to satellite monitoring.

Construction is set to begin soon and will be finished by the end of 2021.

Once open it will be manned by 14 police and seven technicians and scientists.

The location is conveniently near to the junction with the AP7 motorway toll road, as well as on the main A-397 road into the Serrania de Ronda, with its high ecological value in terms of forestry.

Two of Spain’s most valuable areas of woodland, the Pinsapo pines of Los Reales of Estepona and in the Sierra de las Nieves National Park are within a few miles of the base.

Serious flooding has affected the areas of Antequera, Ronda and Estepona in recent years.

The Costa del Sol is also near a fault line between the Eurasian and African plates, meaning there

PLAN: Bendodo inspects a drone

are frequent tremors.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake killed nine and badly damaged the town of Lorca, in Murcia, in 2011, while in 1884 a 6.7 magnitude quake left 1,200 dead around the provinces of Malaga and Granada and in 1804, 1000 people died in an earthquake in Almeria.

Make or break THE EU’s chief negotiator has delayed his return to Brussels to remain in the UK for intensive discussions with British counterpart Lord David Frost.

Michel Barnier was expected to return on Sunday but agreed to extend 'intensive discussions', which have been taking place in London, until this morning.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are

20th Anniversary! – 20 years serving you from our Mijas Shop

Michel Barnier delayed his return to Brussels so he could remain in London and take part in ‘intensive discussions’ with UK Government in now what is an intensive phase of negotiations.

“I wouldn’t wish to pre-empt what’s being discussed. It’s the first time that we have been negotiating on legal texts and across all areas at the same time and we have welcomed that fact.

“But there is also much work to be done if we are going to bridge what are the significant gaps that remain between our positions in the most difficult areas and time is very short.”

Sources on the British team said the extension of talks showed discussions are pro-

(just below the restaurant Valparaiso)

Large shop and office just off the Carretera de Mijas Easy parking for collection of chemicals Extensive stock of pool accessories, pool toys and games and equipment FREE test of pool water at the shop – just pop in with a small sample Professional maintenance service – tailored to suit your needs | Pool Construction Specialists in leak detection, repairs and renovations New pool builds with 10 year guarantees Installation of pool heaters and automatic covers

Open 8am to 3.30pm Mon to Fri Tel: 952 591 053 / 667 788 291 For directions go to: www.splashpoolsmijas.com

OOPS: Shuttle crashed

By Kirsty McKenzie

gressing.

But they cautioned that there was still a 'long way to go' and they remain 'very far apart' on the issue of fisheries so a deal may not be reached.

It comes as Downing Street was forced to play down claims that Boris Johnson is delaying talks with Europe until after the US presidential election.

Reports suggested Number 10 would only risk a No-Deal Brexit if Donald Trump was to win. A victory for his rival,

Seen him?

Splash Pools Mijas S.L.

Shuttle Shakes

A CROOKED British financial advisor dubbed the ‘Wolf of Old Hall Street’ is on the run on the Costa del Sol. Fraudster Stephen Evans, who served time in jail twice for swindling clients and friends out of millions, is hiding out in Malaga after disappearing earlier this month.

A source close to the 36-year-old said he had planned to move out to Spain with his young family before the COVID-19 outbreak.

But his loved ones were left ‘horrified’ when the crook ditched his family on October 12 and fled from his home in Cheshire.

They said Evans ‘vanished into thin air’ after rinsing pals and relatives out of ‘large sums’ of money.

Speaking to the Olive Press, a source said: “He literally vanished into thin air. He is a master of deception.

“As a professional conman he can’t be trusted. If you see him you must contact the police.”

Evans was jailed in 2013 for fraud and again in 2017 for proceeds of crime.

He pled guilty to running an underhand empire from an office on Liverpool’s Old Hall Street. In a classic ponzi scheme, he persuaded clients to hand over large amounts of cash , which he claimed would be invested but which he just used to line his pockets before seeking out new investors to repay what he owed.

In total he stole around £4.4 million (€4.8 million), of which £300,000 (€330,000) was paid to his initial investors to keep the scam going while later arrivals, including one man who gave him £3.7 million (€4.08 million), received nothing back at all.

The swindler would then go on spending sprees, buying a horse and splashing out around €1.8 million on supercars including a Lamborghini as well as Bentleys and a Mercedes.

Detective sergeant Marc Roberts of the Cheshire Police said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Stephen and would urge anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to contact Cheshire Police.

“I’d also urge Stephen to please get in touch. Your family are worried about you.”

DELAYED: Barnier Joe Biden, would mean Boris Johnson having to give in to European demands.

Ivan Rogers, who was the UK’s permanent representative in Brussels from 2013 to 2017, told The Observer that ministers in several European capitals believe the Conservative leader is trying to stall until the result of next week’s vote is known.

Rogers said: “Several very senior sources have told me they believe Johnson will await clarity on the presidential election result before finally deciding whether to jump to ‘No-Deal’ with the EU, or to conclude that this is just too risky with Biden heading for the White House, and hence live with some highly suboptimal [for Johnson] skinny free-trade agreement.”

Screw missing AFTER the UK public named a multi-million pound polar research vessel Boaty McBoat face you would think public christenings would be off the cards.

But an Ikea store in Valladolid once again thrust control into the public’s hands and asked them to name the street behind the shop.

More than one thousand people voted in a Facebook poll, with 54% of voters backing the winning entry.

Thus, Calle Me Falta un Tornillo, or I’m Missing a Screw Street, will now become an official address in the North West city.

A SELF-driving shuttle bus in Spain’s Madrid provoked a crash on its first day The vehicle was travelling at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour through the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid when it caused the accident.

The driverless bus – carrying several passengers – stopped abruptly giving no time of reaction to the auxiliary car that was directly behind it leading to a collision between the two vehicles.

The incident resulted in some slight scratches on the rear bumper of the electric car to the disbelief of the relevant authorities and the university students passing through the area.

The shuttle is the first of its kind to be used on public roads in Spain.

Frontier impasse CROSS-frontier workers in Gibraltar could be hardest hit by a no deal between the UK and the EU. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK ‘time is running very short’ to secure a deal.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has, however, kept up hope of a deal being secured with Spain.

He tweeted yesterday: “We are ready to do a deal so long as it is secure, sovereignty neutral and positive for all sides.”

A no deal would make Gibraltar more of an island than it has been since the frontier re-opened in 1982.

As one of the EU’s southern frontiers wet stamping could be necessary, which would inevitably lead to much longer queues at the land border.

Until now EU recognised ID cards have only needed to be flashed at frontier checkpoints.

100% Certified Green Energy

SAVE UP TO 35% ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL Switch with Mariposa Energía It’s easier than flicking a switch!

• Cheaper energy tariffs • 100% certified green energy • Exclusively from Spanish wind farms

We also do Solar PV Panels

Generate your own electricity and get paid for any surplus you supply to the National Grid • All work taken care of and • Full maintenance support • 20 year fully comprehensive guarantee • Low cost finance solutions available

CONTACT US TODAY: +34 951 120 830 | INFO@MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES WWW.MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES Olivepress_fullpage_256 x 342_oct2020_FINAL.indd 1

26/10/2020 12:43:01

6

NEWS FEATURE

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 two million people a month.

OPINION

Going nati

Beggars belief WE remain in the grip of a global pandemic and governments around the world have correctly focussed on dealing with this. But the countdown to Brexit is on and now is not the time for the UK government to stick their head in the sand otherwise the devastating consequences of a No-Deal will follow.

Beggars can’t be choosers - that’s the attitude most of the EU countries have towards the UK government now. And how could they not? It’s hard to take UK leader Boris Johnson seriously at the best of times but the suggestion he might inflict a No-Deal Brexit on the UK, in the midst of a global pandemic, beggars belief.

EL CHEF: Cooking at home

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es

John Culatto johnc@theolivepress.es

Isha Sesay isha@theolivepress.es

Lydia Spencer-Elliott lydia@theolivepress.es

Simon Wade simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Admin Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

Distribution ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es

As best-selling author Chris Stewart takes Spanish nationality, sealing a 30-year love affair with his adopted homeland, Lydia Spencer-Elliott talks to the famous expat about pandemics, politics and surrendering his British passport

About time!

Illegal Algarrobico Hotel faces demolition after 16 years

T

HE notorious Algarrobico Hotel in Almeria may finally be demolished 14 years after construction was halted.

Money has been set aside in the preliminary 2021 budget of the Andalucian regional government (Junta) to send the bulldozers in and flatten the massive 411 room, 21 floor illegal building.

It was partly built on protected land in the Cabo de Gata national park, leading to howls of protest from environmental groups desperate to keep the virgin beach unspoilt for future

Newsdesk: 0034 951 273 575 For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 Head office

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

AWARDS

2016 - 2020 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2020

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

ILLEGAL: Monstrous construction

“People come here and say, ‘blimey, it looks like Afghanistan’,” jokes Chris. “All we can

NDS O

R

AS

from civilisation to his isolated farmhouse in Granada’s Alpujarras.

FF

Publisher / Editor

L

IKE Peter Mayle and Carol Drinkwater, his books have inspired a mass exodus of Brits hankering for the good life abroad.

But unlike A Year in Provence which brought the world and his wife to Mayle’s door demanding pastis and autographed copies, unsolicited visitors will never bother Chris Stewart unless their name is Indiana Jones. El Valero, his finca wedged between the Sierra Nevada slopes and the Costa Tropical, is way too inaccessible.

Indeed, Driving Over Lemons, the title of his first international best-seller, is only one of the hazards to negotiate along the white-knuckle mountain route

OU

WHILE tougher COVID-19 restrictions are clearly necessary, what we don’t need is questionable changes to pre-existing rules, such as the mask usage update in Andalucia last week, which ruled we must now wear the facial protective gear while sitting in a bar or restaurant i.e. only removing it to put food and drink in our mouths.

And just how on earth are they going to police that?

Must we remove our masks between each olive while waiting for our starters?

And wouldn’t repeatedly touching the mask put us at more risk of touching our faces after coming into contact with a potentially contagious surface? - In fact at the start of the pandemic, that was one of the arguments for not wearing face masks at all.

There’s also a glaring lack of detail in the mask update for individual sport - such as whether or not we must wear them during sports such as tennis or padel, among the post popular in the country.

Regardless, the new mask update will probably be policed just as much as the ‘smoking ban’, which is, not much at all.

Over the past few weeks we have not seen any change in smoking habits on the streets of Spain, and neither has anyone we know along the Spanish costas.

Let’s hope this week brings more clarity, although it hasn’t started well with a walkback on the national curfew.

HA

Walk back

C O ST

generations.

The Olive Press has long campaigned for the hotel to be demolished – indeed the story featured in the first ever edition of the Olive Press in 2006.

Now it looks like the authorities have finally decided to take the plunge and level the site – as they were ordered to do in 2016 by Spain’s Supreme Court.

It overturned a 2014 decision by Andalucia’s TSJA court which ruled in favour of developers Azata Del Sol. The Supreme Court also decreed that the land belongs to the Junta.

The ruling accepted arguments by Greenpeace and the regional government that the land should be protected.

The property on Cabo de Gata beach had at the time been the focus of a decade-long legal battle.

A building licence was granted for the project in 2003 with Greenpeace directors dubbing it ‘Hotel Illegal’ in 2006.

The president of the Junta, Juama Moreno, has now promised to demolish the Algarrobico as part of a ‘green’ programme outlined by the regional government. It is not yet certain that the hotel will be demolished as the budget for 2021 has yet to be finalised.

see are rivers and mountains, there are no other houses. It’s the perfect place for a lockdown.

“Things were closing down even when I was young and travelling and I never got to Afghanistan, which is one of my few regrets,” he continues on a more sombre note. “Now it’s very difficult to travel anywhere in the world. My daughter has lived in China for the past six years and we visit her every year … but not this year.”

One move this born-again campo dweller will never regret is upping drumsticks and the chance of fame in a British rock band to farm sheep in the wilds of the Spanish countryside over three decades ago.

Alongside classmates Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips, Stewart spent much of his youth playing in a school band that would later become Genesis.

He never got to tour the world playing The Silent Sun. Instead, when he was bumped from the band in 1968 to make room for John Silver, he hit the road to travel and work in Europe.

“It was destiny that drove me to Spain” he says. “When I was 20 years old I came to the country to learn guitar. There is not a single day I regret

IDYLL: Stewart spends his days rearing

October 28th - November 10th 2020

www.theolivepress.es

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

Our promise - Our DNA: r pro The best reporting in Spain in English NA

mise -

- Ou

native

7

O ur D

Don’t stop the press

I

T’S fair to say that right now we all have a huge weight on our shoulders - and some days it’s difficult to understand how the world keeps turning.

Between a global pandemic and the looming challenges of Brexit to the USA election and the senseless brutality taking place OLIVE in Nigeria, keeping up to date with PRESS local news can often feel daunting or even pointless in comparison.

Clicking through social media or Google, everyone is keeping their OUR SQUATTER eye on the bigger picture. And HELL while that’s no bad thing, it’s also so important to keep track of what is happening close to home.

That’s where the Olive Press comes in. Local reporting campaigning has always been in this paper’s DNA for 14 years. Since 2006, we’ve taken pride in making sure institutions are held to account - so that nothing ever slips through the net.

We work to a very high standard, never afraid to take on difficult stories and we won't let anything stop us getting to the truth of the issues that are important to our readers.

Local journalism is vital to connect and inform people about the community they live in, helping the co-ordinate campaign groups or identify where neighbourhood efforts are most needed to look after the vulnerable in the area.

In recent issues, we’ve spoken to the neighbourhood watch groups who are trying to keep their homes safe from squatters. We talked to expats fearful that their bank accounts would be shut by the end of the year and residents who have rallied together to retrieve packages from their hapless local post office. Our stories prove that news is about the everyman - not just people in positions of power.

All those years ago we promised to create a newspaper that sets the agenda. One with clout, substance and authority. A title that gives a voice to everyone in Spain and brings political issues from local regions, not just Madrid. One that challenges the global-centric nature of today’s journalism. Objective achieved - and we’re not for stopping.

The

HAPPY: Chris at home in the hills (above), with wife Ana and their much-loved dogs (left), and the renovation of their fashionable finca ‘El Valero’ in the Alpujarras over the years (below)

ANDALUCÍA

Your expat

Mijas Costa

FREE

voice in Spain

Vol. 13 Issue 353 www.theolivepress .es September 30th October

13th 2020

MEET THE STARS AT SAN SEBASTIAN

AN OLIVE PRESS SPECIAL

REPORT: SEE PAGE 3

Royal sweep

QUEEN Doña Sofia has caused a stir in the Axarquian town of Rincon de la Victoria. fishing The 81-year-old monarch pate in International Beacharrived at the coastal town to particithe world's beaches after Cleaning Day, an incentive to tidy up During her 30-minute a summer of use. visit, Queen Doña Sofia mask and refuse bags and donned gloves, a joined the volunteers in from the Virgen del Carmen collecting trash beach.

In an effort to keep the crowds to a minimum media was kept in the during her visit, spite this, almost 700 dark until the very last minute, however deDuring her 30 minuteonlookers gathered to show their support. stay the support from overwhelming, with shouts the audience was of 'Long live the Queen!', and 'Long live Spain!'.

'Beautiful!'

The love for the former versy surrounding her monarch is far removed from the controtion into his corruptionhusband Juan Carlos I and the investigathroughout his reign.

Maddie

Chief suspect ‘confessed’ to kidnap at Granada festival...

Page 5

LITTER QUEEN: Doña

Saintly town

All you need to know about San Pedro de Alcantara...

Sofia helped in costa

clean-up

Squatters take over British expat’s property meant for while threatening toher sick daughter kill entire family

A BRITISH expat has become scared to leave her own EXCLUSIVE “When they finalter being terrorised by house afBy Laurence Dollimore a family of ly had a lawyer, squatters for the past two years. he managed to Tina Cackett, 64, claims find a misprint been verbally assaulted she has ble began when Tina bought and re- house, which the in the escritura ceived several death sits just across the family since they threats from out riverbed from her own a dried which he claimed illegally took in Competa, home, over the property next Malaga, at the end of suggested the into hers, 2018. heritors which she also owns, might in December The previous not have had the 2018. owners, very close to, had died,who she was right to sell the On one occasion, Tina, and the in- property, carer, had to barricade a live-in heritors of the property decided but to was just a typo.” it side her home while herself in- sell it to Tina.

To make of the squatter family the father “I wanted a home for my daughter ters worse, matrepeatedly Kristine, screamed at her in she is often ill and needs had to find Tina her driveway hospital that he was going to kill a new treatment or looking after, solicitor so the setup was ideal,” “It was terrifying,” Tina,her.

Tina ex- discovering after SCARED: Tina chester, told the Olive from Col- plained.

Cackett and daughter her Kristine (left) previous one was charging looked deranged, like Press. “He But while waiting for the deeds her for started throwing to be hours not worked. something, and just kepthe was on put into her name, which rocks A tour of Spain’s most iconic Tina claimed, “even their at him,” that he was going to kill screaming eral weeks, the squatters took sev- She now has the documents child was in ormoved in der to prove me and that and changed castillos... he had friends who would she bought the home shouting death threats, it’s just horcome and Since then the locks. kill me. a legal battle has ensued, legally and is hoping for a resolution rible, and the mother is supposed to be a care worker! Even this year, but everything which has been delayed “His wife was holding Page 20 my daughter has been has received and extend- slowed down due to the COVID-19 begging him to leave him back and ed on technicalities. threatening my driveway “The messages, which we haveWhatsApp pandemic. first couple of times saved for while they Meanwhile police.

I turned p h o n e d means up without a lawyer, which continues to the squatter family “I’m scared to the case gets adjourned,” leave threaten Tina and her p o l i c e . ” added Tina. take my dogs for a walkmy house to loved ones.

“I’ve been told it’s in case they The trou- tic they use a lot to buy time. a tac- Just three weeks ago Tina’s partner do something to me.

“This was also threatened by the father, and family has ruined our lives it’s just not fair, while mother and son, who I paid all is only around 12 years their bills they’re living rent free in my property and driving old. around in “They told him to ‘go a new car.” back to England you Tina has contacted two privateEnglish madman’ and ly-run squatter removal companies but they said as there is a court case ongoing they cannot take on her case.

THE SKY AUTHORISED It comes as Spain’s right DISTRIBUTOR wing parties are hoping DOCTOR Take control of your to clampdown on squatting, future and ALL AREAS COVERED make your own financial which has soared during KEEP SQUATTERS OUT! choices! coronavirus pandemic. the 4G UNLIMITED The Partido Popular and BinckBank.com/horizon Special Anti “Okupas” INTERNET want to see stricter Vox meaIDEAL FOR sures, including thousands alarm offer STREAMING TV of euros in fines and three years in prison. up to Immediate Police ALSO IPTV, However left-leaning SATELLITE TV parties response fear it may criminalise gling families who havestrugCall: +34 611 475 892 tel: (0034) 952 763 840 unable to pay rent duringbeen colin.securitasdirect@gma the info@theskydoctor.com il.com COVID-19 crisis. www.theskydoctor.com

Page 9

TRADING BEYOND THE HORIZON WITH BINCK

moving. I’ve been here for three and Johnson and all those other decades and I love the country fools have dealt with it.” with a passion. We’re the rich- His enthusiasm for Spain radiest people in the world because ates from the pages of his quarwe have beautiful countryside tet of autobiographical books and this wild mountainous land- chronicling his misadventures scape around us.” in the Granada countryside.

Today he and his wife Ana spend More than two decades since their days shearing sheep and the first was published, they still planting olive trees with a par- resonate with expats, travellers rot, two horses and homebodies and sundry dogs alike. and cats for com“I think I just Spend their pany. Chris feels talked about unidays shearing versal issues and safer and happier in Spain than in experiences,” sheep and the UK - and so reflects Stewart. attached is he to planting olive “I tapped into a his adopted homeuniversal vein. trees land he is set to Everyone you prove it by taking talk to says ‘oh Spanish nationalwow I’d love ity. to move to a different coun“I’m about to become Spanish try, get out of the rat race because I’m so incensed by the and get into the countryabsurd nonsense of Brexit,” he side’ but barely anyone fumes. actually does.

“And If I could personally thank “Our lives are so saddled (Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez by the desire for comfort, for how he’s handled this aw- security and convenience. ful pandemic then I would,” he Those are three words that adds. “Just look at how Trump I hate. People shop on Am-

g sheep

azon because it’s convenient even though the people working there have a crap time on zero hour contracts.

“It makes me realise how lucky I am, even during a pandemic.

There is a monstrosity present in so many forms of work, corporations who don’t give a stuff about their employees. That’s capitalism for you … it’s given me a great run but I detest it.”

Driving Over Lemons has sold over 1.5 million copies to date but the

state of the world has shifted considerably since it was published 21 years ago: “Of course, inevitably, the world has changed,” says Stewart. “But the way it’s changing at the moment is so sudden and so profound.”

However, the 69-year-old author is keen to look towards life beyond COVID-19: “Coronavirus is a global issue but it hasn’t made all the other problems go to sleep,” he says.

“I feel sort of guilty that the world my generation has handed to the next is pretty tainted, in particular with regard to climate change.

And politics is moving towards a totalitarian right-wing way of doing things. It’s really unpleasant.

“One of the fundamental changes in Spain of late is the arrival of the wretched VOX Party,” he mourns. “I see them as a grim future and something we should all be afraid of. This country suffered 40 years of vicious dictatorship and you can still see the dregs of it in some elements of Spanish society today.

“We must fight tooth and nail against the ignorance and hatred espoused by these people it’s simply not the Spanish way.”

For Chris, now a best-selling Spanish author thanks to his new national identity, it will be the Spanish way forever.

“I love England because I was born there, I think of the cosy little green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” he says. “I shall be like that forever, but I want to be European.”

X

Castle heaven

+

+

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Squatters run riot on Costa del Sol as orga1-nised gangs hand over keys to top properties (59, 195) property price falls predicted for 2-theMajor Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in Spain (53,574) - Spain’s Costa Blanca wakes up this 3invisible morning to new 50% capacity rules as ‘the enemy’ sweeps through the region

(50,817)

to declare state of alarm 4- Breaking: Spain tomorrow (26,284) Spain’s Costa Blanca to get 5- Breaking: night-time curfew ‘as soon as possible’ (21,317)

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote

Opinion Page 6

LETTERS

8 Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es

Bonkers Boris Olive Press readers respond to the news that Boris Johnson warned Brits to prepare for a no-deal Brexit (Online October 18)

Mallorca Issue 91 OLIVE PRESS MALLORCA

The OUT OF STOCK

HIS nickname means ‘Out of stock’, which is entirely appropriate for Italian Vittorio ‘Esaurito’ Raso.

For the leader of one of Europe’s biggest crime gangs has been finally snared in Spain.

The smiling boss of Italy’s notorious 30,000 strong Ndrangheta gang was picked up by cops in Barcelona at the weekend.

Raso, 41, is a notorious cocaine-trafficker and long sought by European police.

His arrest came after two years of telligence, when cops swooped on inhis home in his upmarket neighborhood of Diagonal Mar.

FREE

Cash boost

See page 9

expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 4 Issue 91 www.theolivepress.es October 16th - October 29th 2020

FREUDIAN: The portraits of Dali and lover Gala

Half Spain’s coastline at serious flooding risk due to overbuilding AN alarming 40% of Spain’s coastline is at ‘a high risk’ of flooding from heavy storms.

AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTORS

FREE GIFT WORTH 199€ +200€ discount on new alarm installations!* Before 26th October

English language 24/7 monitor Europe’s No.1 security company

952 147 834 f o r

n e w

Special Anti “Okupas” alarm offer

Tel: 952 147 834

Immediate Police response

*offer only through contact below

Call: +34 611 475 892

+34 611 475 892

v a l i d

By Simon Wade

municipalities have been transformed from rural undeveloped regions to large tourist resorts with a negative impact on the local ecosystem. Calvia is one of the towns named in the report.

Out of the 50 places studied, 48 had seen excessive construction for tourism in the form of homes, hotels and golf courses.

Flooding after storms is generally caused by ‘a lack of suitable

A report from Spain’s Sustainability Observatory reveals that areas with substantial urbanisation are most vulnerable.

This includes parts of Mallorca, as well as the mainland costas.

It comes as the storm season which left a number of people dead last year in Spain and hit Mallorca hard in 2018 OUT! KEEP SQUATTERS - is due.

According to the report, coastal

drainage, because traditional floodplains have been built on without planning’.

Also, man-made storm drains are often badly maintained and easily clog up with flora and other detritus.

The report looked at the ‘most artificial municipalities’ on the coast, with 10 each in the Canary Islands and the Balearics, two in Catalunya and five in Galicia, plus 11 and 12 in Valencia and Andalucia.

Marbella on the Costa del Sol was highlighted as the most urbanised, with the report claiming it is the ‘most impacted by intensive tourism in Spain’.

Next are Calvia, in Mallorca, Denia, on the Costa Blanca and Estepona, on the Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar Issue 133

securitasdirect@anantaseguridad.es

securitasdirect@anantaseguridad.es

c u s t o m e r s

o n l y .

S u b j e c t

See page 16

Call: +34 611 475 892

TM

colin.securitasdirect@gmail.com

t o

c o n d i t i o n s .

E n d s

See local hero page 4

3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .

1 21/6/19 13:30

OLIVE PRESS

No deal, no problem

The

GIBRALTAR

The Rock’s ONLY free local paper

October 14th - October 27th 2020 Vol. 5 Issue 133 www.theolivepress.es

FREE

GIBRALTAR’S top government departments have met to discuss how the territory would deal with a no-deal Brexit.

The Brexit Strategic Group was chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Garcia, with the frontier being the main cause for concern.

Commerce

The supply chain, commerce, critical services, health and social care were all examined.

Law and order, public services and the relevant legislation are also being readied for the change.

Leaders of the Civil Service, Customs, the port, police, environmental department, health services and Gibraltar House in Brussels all met to discuss options.

HARD BREXIT: Discussions

have taken a look at many aspects

It follows meetings in Madrid between the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Spanish offi-

of Gibraltar life, including the

cials. The next official meeting to discuss the MOU agreements signed last year is now sched-

border

uled for October 21 in La Linea.

Regional Spanish mayors have asked the Spanish government

to work on a separate deal if the UK cannot trash one out with the European Union.

REQUEST: Don’t party inside plea

PARTY OVER Youngsters asked to take care coronavirus second wave hits

as

X

schools with

By John Culatto the latest beYOUNG people are being ing at St Jowarned that partying could seph’s. hurt the elderly as Gibraltar Bernard’s Hospital. disregistered its highest ever St has the highest The south number of COVID-19 active “Gibraltarof resident active trict school saw number memcases. of COVID-19 since five staff and four There are now 73 people cases pandemic reached us in bers go into with the virus on the Rock, the announced a gov- pupils for self-isolation with almost daily reports of March,” spokesman. close contact new infections at schools ernment could become very se- having that cause mass self-isola- “This if the situation contin- with the newly-disrious covered case. tion orders. to deteriorate.”

A third case reported at To avoid a second lockdown, ues been have parties the Chief Minister Fabi- Family blamed for this rise, Bayside school, has sent 30 into self-isolation. an Picardo has ramped up mainly the advice is to do them in pupils plans for tests, which could so open air and keep them One staff member and six pupils were already in soon rise to over 1,000 a theunder 20 participants. to self-isolation for the other day. case reported last week at There are currently two paRisk the secondary school. tients in the COVID ward of Meanwhile, two COVID-19 risk real very a is “There cases have been discovered that anyone who contracts at Bishop Fitzgerald school, COVID-19, even if young, leading to nine pupils and 11 can then pass it on to adults staff members being told to who may be over 70 or have self-isolate.

ALL AREAS COVERED underlying health condi- At St Anne’s, two members tions,” he continued. of staff and 12 pupils have 4G UNLIMITED New cases are being discov- been sent home to self-isoered at nearly all Gibraltar’s INTERNET

SKY + + THE DOCTOR

IDEAL FOR STREAMING TV

Tel: 952 147 834

Costa Blanca Issue 41

ALSO IPTV, SATELLITE TV

952 147 834 * O f f e r

v a l i d

f o r

n e w

See page 9

tel: (0034) 952 763 840 info@theskydoctor.com www.theskydoctor.com

c u s t o m e r s

even further now to closer to 1,000 a late. day and beyond.

West“Already we are testing s i d e much more than just about School saw 13 any other nation.” pupils placed into comes self-isolation for close conout to about a sixth of Gitact with a case.

Responsibility braltar’s population,” added “Our students are now at Picardo.

The testing area at Rooke school and in contact with It is now necessary for parhas now moved to a new each other,” said a spokesents picking up their chillocation at the Mid-Town man. dren at school gates to wear coach park to be better “The spread of the virus bemasks and be socially disprotected from the winter tween them is to an extent tanced. weather. unavoidable.”

Penalties for not doing so The Chief Minister urged A programme to test 1,000 will be enforced with an people to ‘act responsibly’, school users every fortnight on-the-spot fine of £100 or use the COVID-19 contact has also been announced. £10,000 if proven in court. tracing app and wear masks New saliva tests will stream“We are now testing in the where required. line the process and allow region of 700 people a day,” quicker samples to be taken. revealed Picardo.

Opinion Page 6 “By testing the frontline of “We expect to ramp that up education every two weeks it

o n l y .

S u b j e c t

TM

c o n d i t i o n s .

t o

E n d s

3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .

21/6/19 13:30

1

OLIVE PRESS COSTA BLANCA

The

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

tel: 966 46 38 45

FREE

WWW.JAVEABLINDS.COM

SECOND BITE

Your

expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 1 Issue 41 www.theolivepress.es October 15th - October 28th 2020

Dig deep for Dali diptych

FREUDIAN: The portraits of Dali and lover Gala

their “It is

NESBITT: Victim of brutal Quesada

attack

EXCLUSIVE

Tel: 952 147 834

952 147 834 * O f f e r

v a l i d

eOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

f o r

n e w

c u s t o m e r s

See page 16

TM

o n l y .

S u b j e c t

t o

c o n d i t i o n s .

E n d s

3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .

1 21/6/19 13:30

Destination Relaxation Properties to rent and buy in the

sunny Costa Blanca

We have beautiful homes for sale and luxury villas to rent Commission fee is only €2500

tel: (+34) 965 074 546 | email: info@azul-homes.co.uk www.azul-homes.co.uk

FLOODY HELL

By Simon Wade

THE alleged killer of a British expat had been involved in a man - who was later jailed for knife attack on the same vic- six years and eight months - stabbed the victim, who, actim in the UK three years ago.

The Olive Press can reveal cording to reports, was only that Ben Nesbitt, 21, who was saved from death by the thick stabbed to death in Quesada clothing he was wearing. on the Costa Blanca, on Octo- But it would appear that the ber 1, was hospitalised when violent incident was not the three men attacked him in end of the matter.

Sources have told the Olive 2017.

In the vicious assault in South- Press that the man detained port, near Liverpool, he was the day after Nesbitt’s death left lying for dead after being was one of the three men inknifed while he was asleep on volved in the 2017 assault. a sofa. A court at the time was The man was arrested in Gitold that his mother thought rona by Guardia Civil as he he was ‘half dead’ when she headed for the French border, which lay just 40 miles away, visited him in hospital. and remanded in custody by an investigating judge.

He is being probed over the Jailed The man arrested in Giro- fatal stabbing of Nesbitt, 21, na was convicted of burglary after a party over 400 miles and stealing £1,600 (€1,780) away on the Costa Blanca. and jailed for 38 months after The victim’s father Michael, driving two men to an address told the Olive Press: “I tried to block it all out, hoping that I’d in Southport.

While he stayed in the car, wake up the next morning and the others - one of whom has all of this was just a nightmare never been identified - entered - but it wasn’t.” Nesbitt’s famthe property where they found ily are now waiting to cremate Nesbitt lying on a sofa. One Ben and return his ashes to his native Southport.

AN original, off-the-wall painting by one of Spain’s most famous artists could fetch up to €11 million at auction today.

The diptych, in art lingo, Couple aux têtes picts the Catalan artist and his wife pleines de nuages (1937) deGala as framed silhouettes with heads full of storm clouds. full of the highly personal imagery that made most exciting Surrealist. “It reveals Dali perhaps the his obsession with Freudian psychology as much as his obsession with his great lover and muse Gala,” said India Head of Bonhams, in London, where Phillips, Global the auction will take place on Thursday. Its most distinctive feature is a burning giraffe, likely linked to the which was raging at the time it was Spanish Civil War, painted. Currently, the auction record for a Dali piece is €15 million.

AN alarming 40% of Spain’s coastline is at ‘a high risk’ of flooding from heavy storms.

A report from Spain’s Sustainability Observatory reveals that areas with recent and substantial urbanisation are most vulnerable.

This includes many parts of the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, where 12 and 11 towns respectively are particularly at risk.

It comes as the storm season - which left seven people dead last year in Spain - is set to begin.

Modernisation

According to the report, coastal municipalities since the 1950s have been transformed from rural undeveloped communities to large tourist resorts that have had a negative impact on the local ecosystem.

Some 48 localities out of the 50 studied had seen excessive construction for tourist use, mainly in the form of homes, hotels and golf courses.

Flooding after storms is generally caused by ‘a lack of suitable drainage, because traditional floodplains have been built on without planning’.

Also, man-made storm drains are often badly maintained and easily clog

Can’t trust them NO DEAL: Johnson gave warning to the UK

Shifting the blame Dear Olive Press,

the EU Boris Johnson’s accusation that ly’ is litous seri te otia neg ‘has refused to shif t the tle less than a childish attempt tolenient ton bee ys alwa has EU The e. blam and has wards the UK in matters of policythe withfor ns nsio exte already granted y in these drawal; if there is a stubborn part rything Eve ’s. son John is it s, tion otia neg ber 16, about his announcement on Octo should UK the that ning especially his war that he prepare for a no-deal, suggests of ‘Get an slog tion elec his n otte forg has ing to neBrexit Done.’ Admittedly, attempt during a nt eme agre al gotiate a withdraw , but repandemic is a devilishly tricky task the prime gh thou as med see has it tly cen securing minister is not bothered about atedly repe ised has emp He any deal at all. a ‘fundathat the EU’s approach requires uld conmental change’ – perhaps he shoown. sider fundamentally changing his Christopher Laurence, Estepona

CAN you trust any politician when they say one thing and do another? What happened to the deal we thought we had?

Marian Fenge, via FB

International fraudster WELL done, EU! How can the EU negotiate any deal with a proven serial liar and an international treaty fraudster? Does anybody remember the oven-ready trade deal or lying to the queen? The man is a fraudster!

Paul Demopoulos, via FB

Never enough WHAT he really means is that the EU has reached the end of its patience and generosity but he still wants more. There comes a point in a negotiation where giving away even more is not an option.

Malcolm Boura, via FB

Leave means leave WE voted leave, so leave we shall. Well done, Borris, keep up the good work and do what the people have asked you to do and don’t be dictated by the EU - no deal is still a deal.

Jeff Maines, via FB

Half Spain’s coastline at serious flooding risk due to overbuilding up with flora and ‘other de- most urbanised, with the tritus.’ report The report looked at the ‘most claiming it is the ‘most artificial municipal- sive impacted by intenities’ on the coast, with 10 Nexttourism in Spain’. each in the Canary Islands lorca, are Calvia, in Maland the Balearics, two in Blanca,Denia, on the Costa Estepona, on the Catalunya and five in Gali- Costa del Sol, and Puerto cia, plus the ones in Valen- del Rosario, in Las Palmas, cia and Andalucia. in Marbella on the Costa del In the Canaries. terms of development Sol was highlighted as the close to the shoreline (under 500 metres) Benicassim (in Castellon) is the worst offender with 82% of its coastline developed for

POLLY’S International Bookshop

tourist purposes.

Also criticised are Orihuela Costa, Mijas, Torrevieja and Benalmadena.

The proliferation of golf courses was also pointed out in the Observatory’s findings.

Uneven

It claimed that the construction of greens and fairways has far exceeded the land area used for public parks and playgrounds.

Quality Used Books since 1985

Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old.

“Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.”

Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it.

We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.

Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe securitasdirect@anantaseguridad.es Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439 +34 611 475 892

AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTORS

FREE GIFT WORTH 199€ +200€ discount on new alarm installations!* Before 26th October English language 24/7 monitor Europe’s No.1 security company *offer only through contact below

Call: +34 611 475 892

securitasdirect@anantaseguridad.es

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

I am a non-resident who has owned an apartment in Benalmadena for over 20 years. This month when I went to pay my non-residency fee, I was told the tax office had put it up by €170. The solicitor could not explain the reason for this and nobody helped me at the tax office.

Margaret Cummin, Benalmadena

Terrifying prospect Thanks for paying attention to Barclay’s plans to cancel expat credit cards. As you have understood, it is a fearsome expectation. I telephoned the bank to complain and received an answer which agrees with yours.

Margaret Frost, Murcia

Who’s really going to pay?

WHERE do they think big companies get the money to pay taxes? (Tax rises on the cards - Online). Do they think they are going to cut profits or raise prices? There is only one taxpayer in the end: the individual.

Mark Harrington, via FB

Off to a good start HOPEFULLY they start with the politicians and ex-ministers that still get full salaries and benefits for life.

Mark Naylor, Malaga

Simple minds SOCIALISTS still believe that trying to tax more will increase tax income. Simple minds...

Ari Koskinen, Marbella

KEEP SQUATTERS OUT! Special Anti “Okupas” alarm offer Immediate SALES & RENTALS Police SPECIALISTS

response Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea

96 649 1883

Call: +34 611 475 892

colin.securitasdirect@gmail.com

www.moraira-hamiltons.net

OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Angolan capital (6) 8 Hibernian (5) 9 Thin layer (4) 10 Try to make someone believe they are going mad (8) 11 Thugs (5) 12 Propose (7) 15 Source of teenage angst (7) 17 Seventh sign of the zodiac (5) 20 Not non grata (8) 22 Move along in a stream (4) 23 Literary genre (3-2) 24 Mourn (6)

Down

FREE QUOTE info@sghaulage.com www.sghaulageltd.co.uk

+44 1522 702 443

OP Sudoku

* O f f e r

al imagery that made Dali perhaps the most exciting Surrealist.

“It reveals his obsession with Freudian psychology as much as his obsession great lover and muse Gala,” said with his lips, Global Head of Bonhams, India Philwhere the auction will take placein London, day. Its most distinctive feature is on Thursgiraffe, likely linked to the Spanish a burning which was raging at the time it wasCivil War, Currently, the auction record for a painted.

Dali piece is €15 million.

FLOODY HELL

SMALL businesses and the self-employed badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic are getting a €1.7 million boost.

The cash is being made available to small-to-medium sized businesses (SMEs) and the self-employed in Palma de Mallorca.

Launched by the capital’s Governing Board, the campaign aims to boost the Balearic economy.

It also serves to help these individuals and companies overcome the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Initially, the board had allocated €516,000 towards the campaign, but has now topped it up with another €830,000.

The approved funds will be made available to commercial establishments, service companies or freelancers that carry out their activity in Palma.

They must have suffered losses of at least 75% in the months of March, April or May – a time when Spain was under the state of alarm.

This calculated loss must be compared against the same months of the previous year. More details on the grants will be published in the Official Gazette (BOIB) in the coming weeks and requested through the PalmaActiva website the day after its publication.

See into recession page 4

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

Tax jump

DIG DEEP FOR DALI DIPTYCH

AN original, off-the-wall painting by Spain’s most famous artists was one of expected to fetch up to €11 million at auction last night.

The diptych, in art lingo, Couple aux têtes pleines de nuages (1937) depicts the Catalan artist and his wife Gala as framed silhouettes with their heads full of storm clouds.

“It is full of the highly person-

Kingpin

The leader of the infamous Ndrangheta - the main rival to Sicily’s mafia, based in Calabria since the 19th century - was preparing to flee on a ship bound for Brazil.

Cops in Italy meanwhile detained many of his gang, seizing weapons, drugs and €360,000 in cash.

The arrest of Raso marks a coup for the authorities, who long suspected the mafia kingpin had been hiding out in Fuengirola.

His gang allegedly turns over €43 billion a year from people smuggling, prostitution, drugs and extortion.

Meet the Turk who terrorised the costas

Your

October 28th - November 10th 2020

1 Erstwhile Peruvian President (8) 2 Kind of band (3-3) 3 Squads (5) 4 Topping the agenda (5,2) 5 Upholstery trim (6) 6 "Be quiet!" (4) 13 Overcome (8) 14 Stet (5,2) 16 Allow (6) 18 "A date which will live in ---" (6) 19 "Someone Like You" singer (5) 21 Mountain path (4)

All solutions are on page 28

LA CULTURA

Happy snappers

Flying high AFTER writing her debut novel simply to ‘spice up’ early retirement, expat Jacqueline Carpenter, has gone on to enjoy worldwide acclaim with her sequel, too.

The Olive Press first interviewed the ex-City broker last year when her debut novel Louisa was published.

The historical tale of family life in war-torn Kent had sold really well and is still continuing to receive positive reviews.

With such success, Carpenter decided to continue writing and the sequel to Louisa has just been published.

And Joan is already receiving great reviews, with Sheila Thompson from USA saying: “Enjoyed Louisa, and this follow up wasn’t a disappointment. Felt you lived their life of ups and downs with the characters. Can’t wait for the next one” Joan was even sent a picture of a Virgin Airlines pilot in his cockpit reading Louisa, taken

by Michelle Smith after Jacqueline held a photographic competition for her readers.

Jacqueline is currently writing the third, as yet untitled, novel of her trilogy.

Both Louisa and Joan are available on Amazon and Kindle.

October 28th - November 10th 2020 RUN by the Natural History Museum in London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards select the best animal kingdom moments caught on camera each year.

And of this year’s winners, three of the acclaimed artists have come from Spain.

Winner of the Behaviour: Birds category, Jose Luis Ruiz Jimenez spent hours in chesthigh water in Brozas, Extremadura, waiting to get a shot of this great crested grebe family (left).

Jaime Culebras, winner of the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category, was similarly determined and walked for hours in Ecuador’s Andes to capture the first ever image of a Manduriacu glass frog feeding (right).

And the future looks bright for the next generation of Spanish photographers as Andres

what’s on

B

Luis Dominguez Blanco won the 10 years and under category with his shot of a European stonechat bird in Andalucia.

Kate Middleton, patron of the National History Museum, presented the highest accolade, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, at what was the first ever virtual online awards ceremony.

Boning up

SPANISH archaeologists are trying to unravel the mystery of 22 bodies found in and around the medieval settlement of Almazan in Seria (Castille and Leon).

The discoveries are the result of 15 archaeological surveys and extensive excavations, though much remains to be explored.

Above all, researchers are trying to work out why 11 bodies were buried right beneath the town wall.

“The excavation turned out to be quite difficult due to the state in which the corpses were found – very fragile, fragmented and not very consistent,” said Manuel Retuerce Velasco, Associate Professor of Archaeology at the Complutense University of Madrid.

Study

In a recent study on Almazan headed by Velasco, experts suggested that the graves belonged to Christians and were deliberately ignored by those building the wall.

A piece of evidence for this theory would be the keystone inscription. Although this was deposited at the Royal Academy of History in 1896, it has since gone missing.

“It is unbelievable how such an inscription could have disappeared from an institution like this one,” a spokesperson of the Royal Academy told El Pais.

The keystone ‘supposedly’

Consequently, the archaeologists cannot be certain of when the wall was built meaning the story of the 11 bodies will have to remain a mystery for a while longer.

eyond flamenco HEAD over to the Maestranza theatre in Sevilla on November 10 for a night of avant-garde flamenco from singer and Latin Grammy nominee Argentina.

S

mooth as jazz IT’S time to put on your dazzling dress or sleek suit again as the 34th Malaga International Jazz Festival kicks off on November 6 for a week of smooth tunes.

I

n the spotlight THE Iberian-American Theatre festival is back in Cadiz for a 35th time with an array of virtual and live performances that celebrate its transcontinental character.

Experts are puzzled after finding bodies buried beneath a wall

dates to the reign of Alfonso VI, in the 11th century, but a letter in the academy archives from 1896 also mentions Alfonso I and Alfonso VII.

9

MYSTERY: Skeleton

You’ll LOVE it D

By Roddy Doyle

AVEY is home in Dublin from England to visit his ageing father. While there he meets up with his old pal Joe for a bite to eat.

Seeing as they're both almost hitting sixty now they don't have the thirst for the drink they once enjoyed as younger men, but as Joe reveals that he has left his wife of many years for a woman they both fleetingly encountered during their early twenties the simple meal turns into an unintentional pub crawl towards the bar where Jessica first crossed their paths all that time ago.

The novel largely follows the men's conversation through the night as Davey desperately tries to get to the bottom of why Joe would throw away his marriage, which is made increasingly difficult as they consume more and more alcohol and start to lose the thread. We're also treated to liberal flashbacks about the beginnings of Davey's relationship with his now wife and their encounters with the enigmatic Jessica.

Doyle's ability to hold a theme steady while the characters weave in and out is superb. While the nature of love in its many guises is discussed it is equally a book about the unreliability of memory and how subjective it is. This novel is at turns funny, thoughtful, and insightful, and it manages to get the balance between sentiment and nostalgia absolutely right. Doyle is at the top of his game. €18.50 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es

10

LA CULTURA

A Spanish vision

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Talking trivia If you’re struggling to learn Spanish, take a break - the history of the world’s second mostspoken native language is a lot more fun, writes Cristina Hodgson

MASTERPIECE: Sorollo’s Antes de la corrida HOME at last – that’s where €3 million painting Antes de la corrida (Before the bullfight) has finally landed after a scandal in New York last year threw it into the limelight.

The gallery owner at the European Fine Art Fair alerted the authorities when Spanish businessmen Andres Lietor and Carlos Sanchez, owners of the company CCF21, each attempted to claim ownership of Joaquin Sorolla’s timeless masterpiece.

Lietor is the son of a businessman convicted in the notorious Malaya corruption case that rocked Marbella.

Trail

The trail eventually led police to Brussels, where the artwork was recovered. Now it hangs in the embassy in Belgium, back on Spanish soil for the foreseeable future.

Spanish courts believe that the Sorolla masterpiece is one of several valuable paintings that were ‘gifted away’ in order to avoid confiscation to pay fines and compensation.

Sorolla may not be as renowned as cubist genius Pablo Picasso or surrealist Salvador Dali, but he was one of Spain’s most influential and sought-after artists. Born in Valencia in 1863, his portfolio boasts moving exposés of social injustice, skilful depictions of people and landscapes and even a portrait of the American president William Howard Taft.

L

INGUAPHILIA. That’s not a sexual practice, it’s the love of language and Spanish is full of tantalising trivia.

But that’s only to be expected considering Spanish grammar has been officially around since 1492, first published in a book by Antonio de Nebrija the same year Columbus discovered America.

As the official language of 20 other countries it is the second most spoken lingo in the world, natively, after Chinese (Mandarin) and before English. It is additionally the third most used language on the Internet, after English and Chinese.

It’s also an old language, basically a dialect of Latin, and it appears in texts that were written over 1,000 years ago.

Las Glosas Emilianenses are among the earliest forms of written Spanish, believed to have been penned in 964 by an unknown monk at the Suso monastery in La Rioja.

The texts comprise Spanish and Basque notes made in the margins of a religious Latin manuscript.

As well as its 17 tricky tenses, gender-bending nouns and nasty irreg-

We have you covered With LIBERTY SEGUROS you can have the home insurance that meets your needs!

LIBERTY SEGUROS has adapted its Home Insurance plans to provide solutions that best suit your individual requirements. Understanding that every customer’s needs are unique, it has created additional coverages to allow you to enhance and complement your home insurance cover. Regardless of the plan you choose, you can now add Optional Packs to your home insurance to ensure your plan is perfectly tailored to you.

For example, if you own a second home and are concerned about being an ideal target for squatters, LIBERTY SEGUROS offers a complete legal defence guarantee, covering up to €6,100 in legal costs for Illegal Occupation proceedings.

Owning a rental property has additional worries, such as tenant vandalism that can lead to complex and expensive legal proceedings. For this reason, LIBERTY SEGUROS offers a guarantee of up to €3,000 to cover acts of vandalism by the tenant. This allows landlords peace of mind to enjoy profitable rental incomes without added worries.

LIBERTY SEGUROS also knows how much gardens and terraces mean to homeowners. For this reason, it offers cover for garden furniture of €12,000 to help protect treasured outdoor spaces.

Homeowners might have other worries too, such as drip irrigation systems. Again, with LIBERTY SEGUROS

policy holders can have cover up to needs in mind! €500 for burst or broken pipes to help Furthermore, you can also take out adwith repairs. ditional covers such as a Civil Liability Goods in storage rooms can also be in- extension and non-payment of rents; sured up to €3,000; and jewellery left or Mandatory Civil Liability for hunters, outside of a safe can be covered up to Civil Liability for potentially dangerous €10,000. What’s more, individual jew- dogs, cover for vehicles kept in a gaellery pieces worth up to €6,000 do rage… amongst others. not need to be itemised in the policy, And, as always, 24/7 emergency and policy holders can increase their home assistance through a multi-linmoney in cash cover at home too. gual freephone number.

It’s also worth noting that LIBERTY What’s more, if you are a new Liberty SEGUROS’s new home appliance Seguros client and take out a Home, repair cover includes 2 services per Car, Life or Funeral policy now, you year up to 300€ – including parts. will receive €30 Cashback on your The maintenance of first policy and €60 air-conditioning filters from the second policy is also covered to inonwards, or €60 Cash24/7 home clude filter cleaning back on w new policy assistance on if you are already a twice a year. In this manner, the units can Great cover, a multi-lingual customer. continue to work just great Cashback! as they should, at the For more information, freephone same time as helping simply call or visit one number occupants to avoid of the more than 300 the health issues asLIBERTY SEGUROS sociated with their qualified brokers and usage. agents. They are available to provide And that’s not all! As another example, friendly and expert advice about the refrigerated goods (which are not usu- best coverages and options to suit ally covered in the case of tripped fus- your specific needs. es) are included in home policies with Speaking in your language, the LIBLIBERTY SEGUROS, offering €150 ERTY SEGUROS team can help you towards lost food and medicines. This to find the cover that will be perfect comes as standard. for you. Visit libertyexpatriates.es to LIBERTY SEGUROS really does have find the name and details of your you covered and always has your real nearest agent!

Liberty Seguros has a dedicated Expatriates Team that can be reached by calling 91 342 25 49.

Alternatively, the location of your nearest agent / broker and detailed information on its products can be found at: www.libertyexpatriates.es

ular verbs, you may have discovered that the Spanish language also has some wacky onomatopoeias, especially when it comes to the animal kingdom.

Apparently pooches yap ‘wow-wow,’ feathered friends tweet ‘pio-pio’, ‘iii-aah’ is the heehaw of a donkey and cockerels crows ‘ki-kiri-ki’ Meanwhile, a sneeze is ‘achí’, ‘chof’ a splash and ‘toc toc’ a knock on the door.

Not quite essential to survival in Spain - no doubt a residency card would come in much more handy at least you can impress your new Spanish friends.

On the plus side, Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn for native English speakers. Really!

According to the experts, it takes around 22-24 weeks to achieve what they call ‘general professional proficiency’ in reading and speaking.

However, you really know you’re picking up on the local Spanish lingo when you try to sit through an English documentary which has been dubbed into Spanish but you ironically don’t understand a word that’s being said.

Curiously, your brain will instinctively try to pick out your mother tongue, which has been semi-silenced under the Spanish translation, and goes into overdrive filtering the two languages at once.

Congratulations, you’re on your way to bilingualism, and you’ll never be

able to watch a dubbed documentary ever again…

And the fun doesn’t stop there.

Once you’ve gained speaking and reading proficiency, you still have to master the art of gesticulation.

Discourse in Spain is accompanied by body language that can’t be ignored. You’ll find a lot of frantic hand movements going on (and often arms too), emphasising words, and the full gamut of facial expressions.

Flapping They may intimidate at first, these flapping arms, clicking fingers and peculiar gestures that seem to be an intrusion into your personal space, but don’t be offended. The gesticulations are part of the culture. You’re not being told off and it’s not a sign of disrespect.

Remember, you’re only truly bilingual when you include your shoulders, arms, hands, eyes and even mouths in the conversation... And once you can do it without feeling like a total plonker, you’ll be a credible candidate for that residency card - or, at least, you’ll look the part.

You might also appreciate that the correct pronunciation to ñ is roughly like an English ‘ny’ and you definitely don’t want to confuse año (year) with ano (anus).

You’re welcome!

Lengua loca · 8 more fun facts: 2

As well as being rooted in Latin, Span fluenced by nine centuries of Moorishish has been significantly inwords in its vocabulary have Arabic occupation, and over 8,000 na (olive), arroz (rice) and almohada roots - azúcar (sugar), aceitu(pillow), to name but a few.

Spanish is the official language in 20 sovereign states and one dependent territory.

3

The first steps toward standardisati Spanish language as a whole) were on of written Castilian (the taken in the 13th century by King Alfonso X of Castile.

4

Unlike other languages, the resembla and the modern written language is nce between Old Spanish so similar it makes medieval documents easy to read.

5

E is the most frequently used letter pearance on average in the writtenin Spanish with 13,68% aplanguage, while W is the least used, with only 0.01%.

6

The most used word in Spanish is the

7

According to the Spanish Royal Acad emy (RAE), the longest word in the Spanish language, with 23 lette rs, is ‘electroencephalographico’ (a monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain).

8

Spanish is a phonetic language, whic h means that words are written as they are pronounced.

1

preposition ‘de’

A

ll about

Issue 355

www.theolivepress.es

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Absolutely Marbellous Marbella is the gem of the Costa del Sol and will come back shinier than ever

F

OR too long Marbella has been associated with the likes of cheap, downmarket reality TV shows like TOWIE and Made in Chelsea, as well as stag weekends and footballers.

What many people forget is that it is actually a Spanish resort at heart, bustling with culture, gastronomic excellence and beautiful beaches.

Oh and there’s the perfect climate, upscale boutiques, as well as a historic old town based around Orange Square, which oozes charm and is surrounded by quirky boutiques and museums.

By Laurence Dollimore

Whether you are thirsting for history or only a drink, Plaza de los Naranjos, named for its abundance of orange trees, will oblige in either case.

Enclosed by an 11th century Arab wall, the showpiece of the square is the 16th century Old Governor's House.

A tourist hotspot, the square’s bars and restaurants charge a little more but it’s worth it for the ambience.

When the heat gets too much, respite can

be found within the cool stone walls of Our Lady of the Incarnation church, a 17th century former mosque that was taken over by the Christians during the Reconquest.

Inside, along with beautiful paintings and locals praying, you’ll enjoy the highly-efficient air conditioning!

Tributes paid, you can find Marbella monuments even older than this, dating from 1AD. The first Roman bridge beside the Puente Romano hotel remains a rite of passage and the baths still stand in Guadalmina.

tel: +34 603 169 318

CASA DE LAS FLORES

When you tire of burning shoe leather, bag a park bench in the green shade of one of the exquisite public gardens. La Constitucion park and the Alameda gardens are particularly lovely, the latter always brimming with locals and surrounded by great cafes and bars.

Or if you’re looking to strictly chill, there’s a whole lot of beach waiting for you.

Boasting 27 kilometres of coastline, San Pedro and Puerto Banus both proudly fly the prestigious Blue Flag, an award given Continues on Page 2

ESTUCO INTERIORS

Your Dutch flowers and more

‘All you need to succeed’ Indoor/Outdoor Garden Specialists

The place for your hand tied bouquets

tel: 951 51 62 19 / 674 079 959 info@ buddysgrowshop.com

Also a wide selection of dried and silk flowers, pots and vases from the Netherlands

Calle Diamante 4, Polígono La Ermita 29603 Marbella, Málaga

We decorate events and weddings OPENING HOURS:

Monday-Friday 10.00-18.00 & Saturday 10.00-14.00 buddys growshop

buddys_growshop

Av. Manolete 1, CC Centro Plaza, local 17 Nueva Andalucía www.casadelasfloresmarbella.com

Centro Plaza 56-57, Avda. Manolete s/n, 29660 Nueva Andalucia info@estucointeriors.com, www.estucointeriors.com, +34 952 810 633

2

A

ll about

Always fabulous From Front Page

to the best beaches by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

If you stroll into the flashy pleasure port of Puerto Banus, just to the west of Marbella, you’ll witness a scene like no other, depending on the hour.

This could include hen-doers trying their best to pull off ill-fitting fancy dress costumes after celebrating their last night of freedom, or members of the ‘1% club’ disembarking from mega-yachts or Ferraris to shop ‘till they drop’ at the likes of Gucci and Prada.

Banus has become an unashamed melting pot for the rich, famous and wannabe glamourpusses.

The glitz and glamour flows in a thick slick out of the port and along Marbella’s Golden Mile, home to exclusive nightclubs Le Suite and the extravagant Roberto Cavalli where a round of drinks could probably blow your weekly budget if you haven’t already splurged it on a swanky designer outfit – an essential if you want to mingle with the Who’s Who of Marbs.

Along this same elitist strip the likes of Lord Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Sean Connery and the Saudi Arabian royal family have in-

OLD TOWN: Marbella’s 16th century Orange Square is a must-see for every visitor to the Costa del Sol with its white washed walls and colourful flowers

vested in their own villas.

World leaders too, are magnetically attracted to Marbs.

German prince Maximilian de Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his son Alfonso first ‘discovered’ Marbella when they had to stop while having trouble with their Rolls Royce in 1946.

Alfonso liked the area so much

he decided to buy some land and build himself a house, before selling plots to his Rothschild and Thyssen friends.

He soon turned his home into the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel in 1954 – The Marbella Club – which to this day remains a mainstay on the Golden Mile, welcoming guests like Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz.

Before long, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Laurence Olivier were all hanging out there, raising the Costa del Sol’s international profile and attracting a wave of jetsetters and investment.

From a pure accident of fate the resort has gone from strength to strength, despite the economic

and political woes that plagued Spain since the financial crash of 2008.

While it has no doubt suffered huge losses due to the coronavirus crisis, tourists will no doubt return in their droves once life returns to a ‘new normal’.

And its culinary scene will be one of

A resort with more The Olive Press picks out the 10 reasons to love Marbella A Renaissance square

All along the watchtower

The Plaza de los Naranjos lies at the heart of Marbella´s old town. Built after the Christian Reconquest, it is an outstanding example of Castilian Renaissance architecture. From one of the many sun-soaked terraces, you can admire the Renaissance-style town hall, the Mayor’s house combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar design and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city.

Declared of Cultural Interest in 1985, the 15-metre Torre Ladrones (Thieves Tower) is the highest watchtower on the Malaga coast. The defensive structure dates from the Muslim period but some speculate the Romans first built it. You can find it close by the Artola dunes nature reserve and Cabopino port.

Arabian delights Visigoth vestiges The Basílica de Vega del Mar was excavated in the 20th century on a former Roman road running from Cádiz to Cartagena. It is one of the few remaining examples of north African Visigothic churches built in Andalucia during the sixth century although all that remains today are its awesome one-metre walls.

Also in the historical centre is the Alcazaba fortress, the most important vestige of Muslim civilisation in Marbella. The Castillo was built in the 10th century during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, Caliph of Córdoba.

Dunk by Dumbo The elephant sculptures that spray water from their trunks on many of Marbella’s best beaches are an Instagram favourite with tourists.

Surrealist sculptures Marbella is home to 11 sculptures by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Ten grace Avenida del Mar, along with pieces by other artists such as Eduardo Soriano. And you can’t miss his massive three-ton rhino at the entrance to Puerto Banús.

Celebrity hive Puerto Banus has become the most visited celebrity hive on the Costa del Sol. The rich and famous come from all over the world to shop, eat, drink and party in the iconic port where extravagant sports cars and massive yachts can be sighted year round. It was built in 1970

by José Banús, a Spanish property developer… and a close relation of Franco.

A salty start In Roman times, the city was called Salduba (Salt City) after the local fish salting industry.

The Arabs changed it to Marbil-la, the origin of its current name and it’s spot-on. In Spanish, Marbella means beautiful sea.

Fairway to heaven The Costa del Sol is also known as Costa del Golf, and Marbella’s fairways are key contributors. The Andalucian town boasts the biggest concentration of golf courses in Spain, some voted among the best in the world.

3

October 28th - November 10th 2020

HISTORY: Marbella’s religious past is at the heart of the town

the main attractions.

Marbella now has the most Michelin stars per capita in the COUNTRY and positively glitters with the highest concentration of Michelin Star restaurants in Andalucia, making it the undisputed gastronomy capital of the Costa del Sol. Its exciting food scene constantly offers new restaurants and eateries - think Savor in San Pedro or Nobu on the Golden Mile.

The cultural scene is also thriving, with the

Marbella International Arts Festival now a regular fixture and, of course, the annual Starlite Festival which brings some of the biggest global stars to a quirky quarry on the edge of town, along with hundreds of jobs and thousands of tourists.

Add the annual feria in June and this Marbellous city is never boring.

With incredible nightlife, a blossoming arts scene and the best food in the region, Marbella will return to glory.

M

Built by Romans

ARBELLA began its life as a town in the seventh century BC, when it was a Roman settlement called ‘Salduba’.

This is also the name of a well known bar at the entrance to Puerto Banus that has been there for centuries too.

Mea nwh ile an original Roman bridge still stands su-

SPECTACULAR: Mosaic at Rio Verd

e

rreally in the middle of the Pue Romano Hotel and a few kilo nte metres away is the restored Rom an villa at Rio Verde with its beautiful mosaics.

A sleepy town during the period of Al-Andalus, Mar bella was retaken

by Christians in 1485. The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) has been the focal point of the town since then and the town hall is still located CAPTIVATING: The Puente Romano Hotel’s ancient ruins there today.

A

4

ll about

Celebrity playground The Olive Press looks back at the lives of the aristocrats and celebrities that turned a small fishing village into a glitzy, star-studded resort for the ‘jet set’

WINE TIME: Hugh Grant enjoys dinner in Marbella Old Town

W

HETHER it was Diana Dors or Sean Connery, Ava Gardner or Audrey Hepburn, James Hunt or Rod Stewart, none would have come to Marbella without the influence of Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe.

For the German aristocrat was the svengali with the necessary capital to turn the dusty village into a highfalutin millionaires playground to rival the likes of Cannes and Deauville, in France.

It was in 1947 that the charismatic playboy had been sent to the coast by his father Prince Maximilian to purchase some land. The family already had business interests in southern Spain, particularly in Malaga.

The 23-year-old was told to hook up with his eccentric uncle Ricardo Soriano, who had been eulogising about the merits of the coast for a number of years.

A huge fan of watersports, Soriano especially liked powerboat racing and lived an enviable bohemian life.

He was soon chaperoning his nephew up and down the coast in his vintage Rolls-Royce looking for land.

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

Sheltered by the dramatic Sierra Blanca and with crystal-clear waters just a stone’s throw away, the savvy prince imme-

FILLING HIS BOOTS: Sean Connery and Jackie Lane diately saw a wealth of opportunities.

He ordered his father to sell off his wine cellars in Malaga and began developing his now seminal Marbella Club hotel, which opened in 1954.

But that was not enough and the well-connected prince soon embarked on a European-wide campaign to convince all his high-flying friends that Marbella, not San Sebastian or Cannes, was the only place to be.

And his campaign worked with the grand families of central Europe, including the Bismarcks, Rothschilds and Metternichs, coming to see what the fuss was about.

A string of celebrities followed suit, with actresses including Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren, photographer Patrick Lichfield, footballer George Best, model Brigitte Bardot, and Rolling Stone Bryan Jones joining the in-crowd.

Even British aristocracy got in on the act, with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Edward and Mrs Simpson) visiting the hotel.

“The people I met in Hollywood, in New York, and in Europe, they were the roots,

the bridge that brought people to Marbella… who made Marbella,” explained Alfonso.

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

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

“Everybody had the most gorgeous parties when the rest of the world was trembling that World War III was starting,” explains Count Rudi Schonburg, a former manager of Marbella Club.

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

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

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

As the inspired prince’s creation boomed, so did Marbella and its surroun-

GLAMOROUS: Diana Dors sunbathing, while (left) George Best plays football on a Marbella beach

Party central

B

ANUS, as it is known locally, has long been the chosen nightlife destination for every celebrity from Gemma Collins to David Bentley and Rod Stewart to Alan

Sugar.

The home of the stag weekend and the world famous Linekar’s Bar, it’s easily the Costa del Sol’s most famous party spot.

While some say it’s overpriced and others accuse it of being tacky, most admit Puerto Banus usually offers unpredictable— nay, chaotic— fun.

But to make the most of an evening HUGE: Tasty cocktails at nightlife central

STARS: Sinatra and Ava Gardner, while (right) Michelle Obama takes a tour in the Old Town ding hillsides. New restaurants, bars and sports clubs began sprouting up as the Costa del Sol quickly entered its so-called golden era.

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

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

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

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

Yet as the Costa del Sol dream began to spiral into uncontrollable development, Alfonso became aware of the monster he had helped stir. Concrete towers were sprouting up as far as the eye could see, from Malaga all the way down to Estepona, almost 100 kilometres away.

Worse still, wanted British criminals began to take advantage of a lack of an extradition treaty between England and Spain.

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

After growing weary of the mass tourism that was lowering the tone of his town, he sold up all his Marbella business in-

terests in 1978 in search of a new vision.

Entering his 60s, the prince settled in his last home with his third wife Marilys Haynes, a Gibraltarian divorcee. He plumped for a mountain retreat, in the hills close to Ronda, with a trout lake, partridge wood and an impressive library.

And the ever-inventive Alfonso decided on another successful business pursuit – producing the soon-to-be award-winning wine Principe Alfonso. And it was nestled in the heartland of Andalucia, close to the sleepy village of Arriate, where Alfonso finally found true happiness before passing away, leaving his estate to his children, in 2003.

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

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

Looking for late night magic? Head to Marbella’s fun zone Puerto Banus, writes Lydia Spencer-Elliott

you need to plan it well. Take it from me, a seasoned party animal.

To ease yourself in, start your night at the Sky Lounge rooftop bar in the Benabola Hotel with an espresso martini. Elevated above the hordes, the sunset skyline peppered by super yachts is impressive and actually quite serene.

Continuing the cocktail crawl, a great port of call is Joys, which has been entertaining visitors for many decades, as well as somewhere like Sinatras, that dates back to the 1970s.

Another place for some fun is Astral, a huge wooden Galleon boat, where the glasses are as big as your head and the drinks stronger than Arnold Schwarzenegger.

With the unique confidence that comes from a Long Island iced tea inside you, the time has come to sing.

Crystal’s Karaoke Bar is largely considered by most Banus aficionados as the least pretentious bar in the area: the drinks are cheap and the song selection is extensive. Everything from

ABBA to Adele blasts out of the speakers on a nightly basis.

Then, now suitably well oiled with slipping standards, the inevitable moment has come to stumble into the eye of the storm. Linekers bar is to Puerto Banus what Fergie is to the royal family: a loveable disgrace.

A shot girl gifted me the life-changing piece of information here that chasing tequila with pineapple juice rather than lime will entirely remove the kick of the spirit.

But take this titbit at your own peril. Bad decisions, the kind where you wake up in the morning and whisper ‘what have I done’, are made in this place.

Through the doors and into the havoc you’ll find stripper poles, disco lights, shades of sunburn you never thought possible and enough anecdote material to last until you die.

It’s not for the faint hearted but it is where (chances are) you’ll find me on a Friday night (ED: or is that Saturday morning, Lydia?) *

GLAM: OP reporters Lydia and Kirsty McKenzie

* Check with venues for COVID affected opening times

Rising to the challenges

October 28th - November 10th 2020

5

FIRST CLASS: Chris Clover with the Panorama team

Marbella continues to perform well despite coronavirus and Brexit, insists the town’s longest-established agent Chris Clover, who’s worked in the resort since 1970 IT’S the glamorous, grown-up destination that mixes laid-back living with luxury.

The characteristics that put Marbella on the map, haven’t changed in decades: stunning coastal views, incredible restaurants, dazzling homes for every budget and some of the best golf courses in Europe. Civilised and playful,

is it any wonder that demand for properties in Marbella is sky-high, despite the COVID-19 crisis?

Indeed, as the crisis in Spain worsens and the majority of resorts face growing problems, Marbella is set to go the other way.

No-one understands this dichotomy better than American Christopher Clover, owner of Panora-

By Kirsty McKenzie ma Properties, Marbella’s oldest and most respected real estate agency.

“In fact, it’s stronger than ever.

Demand is even higher than it was last year. Yes, people are travelling less but we have

clients making reservations without even seeing a property in person,” explains Chris, whose long-established family firm now includes his son and daughter, Alex and Katinka.

Rolling up his sleeves in prepara-

He’s the law

B

Lawbird boss Antonio Flores on how he made it (and a few enemies along the way) in Marbella as a lawyer

ORN in the old Quiron hospital in the heart of Marbella, Antonio Flores, 48, is a genuine Marbelli.

And after attending two international schools in the town, it is perhaps not surprising he should end up setting up a legal practice there. veyancing clients, he has become well "Marbella was the place to be after fin- known around Spain for representing ishing law school in Madrid," he tells the land owner in the Julen well case, the Olive Press. as well as the owners of the recently "There was really nowhere else to con- suspiciously gutted hotel Sisu in the sider. It's the perfect place to live and town. my friends and family were there and But he is also well known to Olive Press there was plenty of business." readers as one of the good guys preThis was, of course, the end of the pared to take on cases against time1990s, when the resort was set to go share conmen, fraudsters and even through a decade-long boom. gangsters.

His excellent grasp of English, plus With a keen sense of injustice, he the international group realised that far too of friends he had made many innocent victims at school, set him up in were losing their life He realised that good stead to pick up savings to get-rich-quick the growing numbers of schemes and online far too many foreigners arriving in Marfraudsters. people were bella.

"So many people were After a year working losing their life getting defrauded and for an English barrister a lot of it was coming savings called Stephen Granville, out of boiler rooms on he struck out on his own the Costa del Sol," he and by 2002 had opened explains. an office in the nerve centre of Avenida "We were one of the first firms to take Ricardo Soriano, right next to the land on these scumbags and we actually register and tax office. went and got pictures and even filmed Today, his firm Lawbird counts on 16 undercover inside them. staff, including his brother and sister, "These people were calling thousands not to mention his wife Fatima. and thousands of people every week As well as counting on hundreds of con- and most of the victims were British.

Well travelled Antonio Flores (pictured as a babe in arms with his family) is so typical of Marbella in terms of background. His parents are from Catalunya and Malaga and both lived and worked in London in the 1960s, before working in the hotel trade, some of it in Africa. They ended working initially and then running a hotel training school, Bellamar, in the resort in the 1970s, when the main highway through Spain to Africa went through the town.

For more information visit www.lawbird.com

"We ended up working with the police and the victims to dismantle a number of these firms."

In one celebrated success story he took power of attorney from 150 claimants, charging just €100 a client. "We couldn't get much back for the victims in the end, but we did get them justice when the Malaga Criminal Court convicted the main ringleader to a prison term ."

And, of course, taking on the likes of timeshare supremo Toni Muldoon, embattled financier Baron Rotshchild and gold fraudster Nigel Goldman has its risks.

He admits he has had quite a few threats and has even been followed recently by a man on a motorbike.

"But I realised if I didn't take these people on, then someone else would," he explains.

These days, he is thankful that Marbella has a unique economy that means that the current Covid crisis is not affecting it as badly as many parts of Spain.

"Marbella is so different from Spain," he estimates in a measured tone, similar to that of writer and TV presenter Louis Theroux.

"It's economy relies on foreign income and investment and so, as long as some parts of the world are doing well, Marbella does fine.

"Currently we are seeing a lot of people coming here to set up as residents. A lot of rich people in America and the Middle East want to become tax residents here so they can come and go as they wish."

tion for the turbulent year ahead, he continues: “Challenges make life really interesting and bring out the best of ourselves.”

And his take on the current market is ‘unique’ he claims and very different from the last recession between 2008 and 2012/13.

“It is very different to the crisis of 2008, where demand dropped severely, touching bottom in 2011 and starting recovery 2012,” he insists. “Presently there is a very healthy demand for properties and particularly in the upper end of the market in the Marbella area.”

Chris Clover is owner and And when it comes to Marbella, CEO of Panorama Properties no-one knows the town better. and has worked in the resort Chris took charge of Panorama since 1970. He is Marbella’s in 1970, leaving behind the leonly estate agency regulated gacy of his grandfather’s real

by RICS, the Royal Institution estate business in Chicago and of Chartered Surveyors, as his father’s agency in Washinton well as honorary President of and Charlottesville, Virginia. the LPA, the Leading Property Half a century on, he has seen it Agents of Spain. all - and few can compete with the knowledge, experience and professionalism offered by the business that counts on a team for the right price. “Owners of of 24 professionals speaking 12 the best-located properties will different languages. fare best in this market,” he said.

Above all, he doesn’t think the “The key factor of getting a sales current crop of shocks, including strategy right is getting the asking Brexit, will dent the growth and price right, which will encourage popularity of the town. visits to the properties.

If anything, Chris believes the “Owners of properties in seconstate of affairs has pushed peodary areas will most likely have more flexibility. Owners who ple to take a leap of faith and secure the home they have always need liquidity urgently will have to adjust their asking prices in fantasised. order to sell more quickly in what “Coronavirus has proved that will probably be several more diworking from home is manageable - so why not move to work in fficult months ahead of us.” the sunshine? People also don’t He warns buyers to be equally want to go through another locpragmatic. “Many of them are unrealistically kdown in London, looking for barthey want space, ‘For a lot a garden and gains in the best good weather. residential areas, of people, “They think, let’s and making very buy that houlow offers which Marbella is are immediately se we’ve always the perfect rejected. dreamed of. And “A buyer should for a lot of peoplace’ always try to ple, Marbella is find out what the the perfect place.” real value of a He predicts that property is by examining comover a relatively short period of three to six months, the market parable sales to orient himself will continue to grow but with a and make a realistic offer which reduced volume of sales, and rewill be not so low that the owcovering substantially from April ner hangs up the phone on the and fully within a year. agent...high enough, therefore, “We are optimistic with respect to engage the owner’s interest to the Marbella property market in negotiation. and the future of our city,” he “We believe that there will be added. more opportunities, more good Taking that all-important step buys, available in the secondary onto the property ladder - from residential areas than the ulgetting a surveyor’s report to a tra-prime and prime residential mortgage - can all seem daunareas.”

For brave buyers, now may be ting for buyers and sellers alike the time they can finally realise and Chris believes that delivering that elusive dream: a slice of luthe right advice is key to ensuring a smooth move. xury in Spain’s most emblematic His top tip? Making sure you ask resort.

50 years at the top

For more information please visit panoramamarbella.com

6

A

ll about

Above the clouds

L

A Concha is to Marbella what Table Mountain is to Cape Town or the statue of Christ the Redeemer is to Rio de Janeiro.

Wherever you are, its 1,215-metre shell-shaped peak rises up before you like a talisman, its colour changing with the angle of the sun.

If you haven’t been tempted to climb it yet, you will be.

The mountain is best reached from the north, diverging off the main road up towards the Refugio de Juanar.

Set amid pine trees, the wonderful old hotel and restaurant - once a Parador - could be a perfect overnight base camp for your ascent which, truth be told, is no pushover.

However, anyone used to hiking and not afraid to get their hands dirty should have no problem, and the soaring panoramic views are definitely worth it.

Former cavalry office James Hewitt, he of Lady Diana fame, once told the Olive Press he regularly climbed it (there and back) when he lived there in ‘well under three hours’, and not at a forced charge.

But, being realistic you should leave four hours to include a couple of nice breaks and to enjoy the view at the top, which is really

One of Andalucia’s most rewarding mountain adventures lies in wait among the pine trees just a few miles inland from Marbella

BREATHTAKING: Views over Marbella

HEART OF NATURE: Drive inland from Marbella to find the Juanar valley, which is the start of the La Concha walk

something else.

The peaks of Africa’s Atlas mountains can be seen in the distance,

as can the Rock of Gibraltar down the coast, sticking out into the shimmering sea.

Here, walking guide Guy Hunter Watts, gives a breakdown on the way to the top.

F

THE WALK

rom the Refugio de Juanar, descend 100m to a junction, then turn right at the ‘Mirador’ sign.

Looping up through the pines you

October 28th - November 10th 2020

7

My Good, My Bad, My Marbella ICONIC: Playboy Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe and (right) Giles enjoying his youth in 80s Marbella

M reach a parking area, then pass a green Concha. metal gate and continue along the track Cairns still mark your path as you head following the sign, GR243.1 Istan. on just south of the ridge, before anAfter passing a ruined stone hut you gling back up to the top. reach a sign that says PR-A 168 La A massive panorama opens out to the Concha, pointing right off the track. south as you reach a cairn where you’ll (20 mins) see blue and red stripes on a rock. At Cut right away from the track towards this point you’re actually a few metres the green mesh fence of Cortijo de higher than the official summit of La Juanar, then angle hard right down Concha. through an olive grove for 100m to a From here, angle down left following four-way junction. cairns and red and blue way-markings, Cutting left into a stand of pines you sticking close to the ridgetop. come to a three-way junction. Here, an- The Istan reservoir comes into view to gle left following another sign that says the west.

PR-A 168 La Concha.

The path runs a few meReaching the top of the tres beneath the ridge, ridge, head straight on on its southern side, Enjoy an for a few metres, then before cutting up to a amazing angle right and continthree-way marker post. ue along the ridge, now hr 45 mins) panorama from (1 heading almost due Here, carry straight on, west between low-growfollowing a sign saying La Concha ing oaks.

‘La Concha 15 mins’ mountain Having run just left of along the ridge to a large the ridge, the path cuts cairn. up right to its highest Here the path angles point and passes a large cairn (1 hr right, descends, then picks up the con10 mins) before descending for a short tinuation of the ridge before climbing distance. steeply once more.

Cairns mark the way from here.

(You may feel safer using your hands Angling slightly left, the path passes from time to time, as there are steep beneath a steep cliff face, El Salto del drops to your left.)

Lobo, where there are steep drops to Red and blue flashes still mark the way the right: care should be taken on this and lead you up to the summit of La section.

Concha (1,215m).

Zigzagging steeply up left (a hands-on (1 hr 55 mins). approach at this point will be useful) After enjoying the amazing panorama, it then drops steeply back down to a retrace your footsteps back to the Remore level path running towards La fugio. (3 hrs 45 mins).

NUTS AND BOLTS This enchanting trail begins in the pine forest, continuing across stunning open fields of olive groves before the rocky climb to the peak begins.

It takes between 90 minutes and two hours to reach the summit, and the same to come back, so bring plenty of water and, if you’re a picnic person, a decent lunch to enjoy at the top.

For more information and walks:

www.guyhunterwatts.com

Marbella lifer Giles Brown explains why, after four decades, he still loves his adopted town

ARBELLA has been my home on and off for over identified only three cities in Spain for investment - Ma30 years and, like all long-term relationships, drid, Barcelona and Marbella, and while Madrid is a city the town continues to baffle, bewilder and be- of six million and Barcelona has four million, Marbella witch me in equal measure. has an official population of 200,000 I’ll deal with the baffling and bewilderpeople, underlining the fantastic investing bit first. If you mention Marbella to ment potential that Marbella has.

Marbella has an most Brits, they will immediately think of While the Town Hall talks of multi-milthe TOWIE wannabe brigade and topless official population lion euro projects, and the British Press trashed tourists teetering off their heels concentrate on the antics around Puerto – and that’s just the men – on a booze 200,000, showing Banus, if you scratch the surface, behind fuelled hen or stag party. the bling you will find an enchanting old its investment The town hall’s recent warning that those town as well as a friendly international potential improperly dressed would face fines hit community that make Marbella a little the headlines in the UK, but to think that slice of paradise all year round. the town is merely an upmarket version of I know that it may sound a little soppy, Magaluf is to miss the point. but, despite my frequent mutterings, I really wouldn’t Granted Marbella has its fair proportion of late night live anywhere else. bars, beach clubs pumping house music during the day And that’s the bewitching bit… and provides ample ammunition for those intent on getting up to no good (trust me. I have the scars to prove it. Mainly on my liver).

But away from the hundred miles an hour hedonistic histrionics that make tabloid headlines, Marbella continues to grow as a luxury tourist destination.

High-end properties are continuing to sell and the hotels, beach clubs and restaurants are once again expecting record-breaking numbers.

VISITOR: Eva Longoria High profile events such as the Marbella Luxury Weekend, Starlight Festival and Global Gift Gala continue to attract media attention to the town and celebrities including Robert de Niro, Eva Longoria, Enrique Iglesias and Antonio Banderas have all been spotted over the past 12 months.

The opening of de Niro’s Nobu Hotel, as well the €72 million redevelopment of the old Don Miguel Hotel marking Club Med’s return to Spain as a luxury holiday provider, as well as the first stages of the W Hotel to the east of the town ARE YOU OWED THOUSANDS FROM signal the arrival of serious money and players in Marbella.

YOUR BANK? On the subject of hotels, the Marbella Club Hotel, where it all started when Prince Alfonso von Did you have an illegal floor clause Hohenlohe stopped off in Marbella in the 50s, is inserted in your Spanish mortgage? still going strong.

Needing to make a telephone call he was told Millions of homeowners were wrongly charged that a line would be available after lunch, and so thousands of euros due to underhand tactics, now decided to have a picnic under the pines close to outlawed after being exposed by the courts.

Finca Santa Margarita. Alfonso was so enchanted by the location that he decided to buy the Let us take a look at your documents and help you land and open a small hotel for his friends, the through the complicated process of claiming it back, Marbella Club Hotel.

PLUS damages.

It’s over 60 years since that picnic, the hotel has become a byword for luxury and Prince AlfonOur bilingual team of Marbella-based lawyers understand so’s cousin, Count Rudi von Schönberg, who is a the situation well and can move quickly and efficiently. walking encyclopedia of Marbella history, can be found there most days.

NO WIN, NO FEE. I remember interviewing ‘Condi Rudi’ for a short magazine article. After the best part of morning Get in touch and we will check your mortgage deeds for reminiscing, we broke for sandwiches and when free and let you know if you have a claim against your bank. returning, Count Rudy announced, “Now, where was I. Ah yes! It was 1963…”

Contact Diego at Fairway Lawyers Serious wealth, unfazed by the shenanigans happening in Puerto Banus, continues to pour in Tel: 952 77 11 50 diego@fairwaylawyers.com from traditional investors such as the Kuwaitis and Saudis, as well as the British, Irish, Scanwww.fairwaylawyers.com dinavian and, most recently, the Russians. The Chinese are widely tipped to be the Next Big C/Nuestra Señora de Gracia 28, 1C Thing in property, and on a more substantial 29602, Marbella (Malaga) scale than just the Bazaar Chinos that can be found everywhere. International analysts have

Fairway L AW Y E R S

8

A

ll about

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Golden arches AS a travel writer and food critic for the Olive Press I have traversed the Iberian Peninsula often with a finer nose-bag than the horses outside Madrid’s Royal Palace.

But while I have sampled

Marbella counts on more Michelin stars than anywhere else in Spain per capita, writes Olive Press editor Jon Clarke three Michelin-starred dining in Girona (Celler de Can Roca), Madrid (Diverxo) and

San Sebastian (Akelarre), few places offer such a good spread as Marbella right on TOP SPOT: La CAPTION Xxxxx Sala is a celebrity honeytrap

my doorstep.

Despite the great leveller of COVID, there is still an amazing spread of Michelin starred joints in Andalucia’s top resort… and quite a few recommended with a ‘Bib Gourmand’ in the elitist French guide on top.

And despite the town’s most famous chef Dani Garcia handing his three stars back last year, no less than half of Andalucia’s stars are in Marbella.

They include El Lago, Messina and two star Skina, each with their own unique style, while Kava gets a Bib Gourmand.

Much of this tip top cuisine comes thanks to the wealthy visitors and locals, who can easily drop €500 for a table for two on a Wednesday lunch. However, much also comes from the town cultivating a food culture over the last decade.

This is typified by the A Cuatro Manos events that took place every summer at the Puente Romano hotel.

Highly respected chefs from Joan Roca to Juan Mari Arzak and Joel Robuchon to Ferran Adria have taken trips down to cook and present dishes at the events over the last five years. I have been lucky

KNOWLEDGE: Jon Clarke (left) picks Ferran Adria’s brains

enough to meet and interview all of them.

While this year’s revelries were understandably cancelled, the sprinkling of foodie glamour most Springs has helped to make Marbella the veritable dining capital of Andalucia.

“We keep getting better and better here and pushing the boundaries,” explained Dani Garcia, who has just opened at the Four Seasons hotel in Madrid. “And I expect it to continue.”

There are over 100 different nationalities cooking in Marbella, from leading Japanese places like Takumi to hidden gems like Cascada and famous eateries like La Sala.

Take a walk around the old

town and follow your nose to see what is open.

Meanwhile, up in Banus you have a range of superb places to try including one of the coast’s longest-standing Indian restaurants Mumtaz, right on the waterfront.

Owned by the capable Metro Group (who also own Jacks, Joys and Metro, amongst others), it is a romantic spot for dining out, as is their reliable Italian sister restaurant Cibo on the main road into Marbella.

Up in San Pedro you will be spoilt for choice with Alfredos, which opens for 364 days of the year, as well as La Bodega de Cantinero and fast growing Savor.

Up with the stars

SPECTACULAR: Benabola Sky Bar offers the best seats in the house when it comes to Banus

F

EW places come as glamorous as the Benabola Hotel Sky Bar. The stunning vistas from this amazing spot in Puerto Banus stretch as far as the eye can see… and then some.

Lording it over the famous marina, this beautiful new addition to the celebrated hotel is the dream spot for an early evening tapa and cocktail, or a nightcap following supper.

Even better, come for the evening and relax at easily one of the coast’s genuine secret spots, where those-in-the-know

and plenty of celebrities come to hide out.

For those having two cocktails or more there is free underground parking (look out for the Benabola Hotel signs and get your card franked at reception with your receipt).

And, if you want to really experience the high life then book a room at the hotel and if you are lucky you’ll have a suite with a corner living room with views to match the Sky Bar above.

Visit www.benabola.com

10% Discount when you mention the Olive Press

10

A

ll about

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Taking the plunge

Smart service

E

Meet Mobile Service Point, your new smartphone and computer repair specialist on the Coast

T

HE team at Mobile Service Point, has over 15 years’ experience in the Netherlands and Ireland, repairing everything from smartphones and tablets to laptops, and all Apple products.

Mobile Service Point, in Elviria Marbella, opened earlier this year and is fast developing a stellar reputation.

“In recent years we have invested heavily in the art of fixing smartphones and tablets. This enables us to offer a wide range of repairs,” said MSP founder Rathnam.

MSP also has an extensive range of accessories from various premium brands. Whether you are looking for a case for your device, or are looking for a charger, headphones or other accessory.

They specialise in computers and phone repairs, and unlike many competitors, they buy original Apple parts where possible to make sure customers are getting the best of the best and solutions that last.

At Mobile Service Point, Elviria, they prioritise service and quality parts over a cheap, temporary fix.

Join them for a coffee and a free personal consultation. They have a spacious showroom to sit down and discuss your needs.

You are also at the right address if you are in

need of a new website and or logo. They have an inhouse graphic artist for all your graphic design work.

They do quick in-house repairs, seven days a week and can help many of the international foreigners who are living on the coast, as they speak English, Dutch and Spanish.

And if you are upgrading your devices and are not sure of how to dispose of your old ones, MSP can help. They accept old tech either to be ecologically recycled or made ready to donate to charity, where appropriate.

Let MSP bring your smartphones, unreliable tablets and laptops back to life.

You can find Mobile Service Point in the centre of Elviria, Marbella, Centro Comercial Pino Golf next to Fluid and Masala Restaurant.

VERYONE loves a warm bath. But the Romans took bathing to another level, studding the Mediterranean with sublime stone thermae so that they could indulge in this pastime in any part of the Empire.

Bathing to a Roman, you see, was more than a siesta to a Spaniard or teatime to a Brit: the public baths were a hive of (male) activity, a chance not only to wash and relax but also to catch up on the local gossip, cut a couple of business deals or even flaunt your social status by marching in with a troop of slaves.

Now, the Junta plans to evoke this ancient lifestyle by restoring the Bovedas de Guadalmina Roman baths in Marbella. Located just a short stroll from the Paleo-

ATTRACTION: San Pedro’s Roman baths are being restored

christian Basilica del Mar and only a stone’s throw from the beach, these thermae

‘We do not compete on price, but on quality, service and after sales.’

Pino Golf Local 28, 29604 Elviria (Marbella) WhatsApp: +34 711 09 92 47 ● Tel: +34 951 12 74 00 mobileservicepoint.es

la sala TM

represent some of the most important archaeological remains in the area and have been a source of fascination for centuries. Locals used to call them the ‘baths of the old Moors’, thinking Arabs had built them after conquering the area in the Middle Ages, but they actually date back to the third century AD, when the Roman settlement Cilniana was enjoying its heyday.

The baths are currently closed to the public, but this new municipal project, which will take place in phases over several years, plans to turn them into a tourist magnet by restoring some of their former glory.

SATURDAY

SOUL SESSIONS

Live on the Terrace From 3pm

l e b m e K o d l i n With Iva

10% Discount when you mention the Olive Press

. . . k e e w a s y a d 7 Open

! n w to in e r e h p s o tm a t s e ...with the liveli

Tel. +34 952 81 41 45 • Email. reservations@LaSalaBanus.com • Web. www.LaSalaBanus.com

LIBERTYCASHBACK Until

When

23rd

DECEMBER

2020

YOU need it most

ALREADY A CUSTOMER?

A NEW CLIENT?

€60 CASHBACK

€30 CASHBACK

on each new policy

on your first policy & €60 from the second policy onwards

Take out a new Car, Life, Home or Funeral policy NOW to access our Cashback offer – because tough times deserve little treats!

#1

There’s no limit on the number of policies you take out, so there’s no limit on Cashback!

preferred expat insurer

Visit your agent or call 91 342 25 49 Offer valid from 27th August 2020 to 23rd December 2020. Policies must be paid by direct debit. Applies to new car, life, home and funeral policies only. Not for renewals or replacements. Conditions and minimum premiums will be applied in all cases. Visit our website www.libertyexpatriates.es or ask your broker/agent for full details.

The Olive Press all editions FP (342mmx256mm) October 28

LA QUINTA, BENAHAVIS A fully renovated and furnished top floor apartment in La Quinta.

4 Beds | 3 Baths | 137m2 Built | 37m2 terrace REF: 176-01838P | 575.000€ First thing you notice is the light and space as you enter the property.

All materials and furniture have been carefully sourced and selected in order to create a Scandinavian boutique feel. The bespoke kitchen is the center piece with state of the art appliances. There are 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms making the property unique. The large terrace which you access from the living room and master has incredible open views over the golfcourse, mountain and towards the sea.

A true gem well worth seeing.

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Two bedroom penthouse located in the central Señorio de Aloha, Nueva Andalucia.

2 Beds | 2 Baths | 127m2 Built | 32m2 terrace REF: 176-01839P | 330.000€ South-east unit with panoramic views, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment is situated within a short walking distance to Centro Comercial Plaza, Puerto Banus and the surrounding beaches. In a gated urbanisation with 24hr concierge, 3 swimming pools, and a paddle court. This property comes with a garage space and storage room. Ideal for all year round living and also as an investment for holiday lettings.

ALOHA GARDENS, NUEVA ANDALUCIA Two bedroom elevated ground floor apartment located in the central Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucia.

2 Beds | 2 Baths | 90m2 Built | 15m2 tercace REF: 176-01841P | 339.000€ Partially renovated with an open kitchen to the living area which gives the apartment plenty of light. Access to the half covered terrace from the living room. The two bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and connected bathrooms.

This apartment makes it perfect for all year round living or ideal as an investment for short term rentals. Garage is included. The community offers 3 pool areas, one of them heated, gym with sauna, 24 hrs security, rental company and lovely gardens with stunning views over the golf valley.

CENTRO COMERCIAL PLAZA 63 | 29660 NUEVA ANDALUCÍA | SPAIN +34 952 816 250 | INFO@ANDADEV.COM | WWW.ANDADEV.COM

HEALTH Vaccine hopes soar

A SPANISH company is preparing to produce a coronavirus vaccine candidate in the new year.

Pharmaceutical firm Rovi, based in Madrid, is in charge of the ‘fill and finish’ final stage of manufacturing for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate outside the United States.

There is no approved COVID-19 vaccine yet, but advanced trials of a vaccine from Modern, the American biotechnology company, showed that it was safe and provoked an immune response.

The Moderna vaccine works by injecting a piece of genetic material, known as RNA, into a person. This provides instructions for the person’s cells to create a protein found on the virus. It is hoped that this will train the body to recognise and fend off the real pathogen if it later becomes infected.

Rovi’s Vice-President, Javier Lopez-Belmonte said: “I don’t know if there will be ingredients in December or January, but (we will start manufacturing) very soon.”

October 28th - November 10th 2020

23

Freeze, suckers!

THE incoming cold drop will stop the West Nile virus outbreak in its tracks, experts have said.

According to the Doñana Biological Station, once temperatures stop exceeding 20C, the mosquitoes which spread the disease will stop reproducing.

It comes after the virus has infected dozens of people and claimed the lives of seven this year after first being detected in Sevilla.

Mosquito populations boomed by more than 30% this year thanks to a wetter-than-average May and the coronavirus lockdown which saw people confined to their homes for weeks on end.

The virus was first detected in humans in Sevilla towns close to marshlands along the Guadalquivir river, before also being found in Cadiz.

While many areas have been fumigated, many large rice paddies, where the blood suckers are known to breed, cannot receive the same treatment until they are harvested (usually in October).

Residents have naturally been warned to steer clear of rice crops and all marshland areas. Additionally, as long as temperatures remain close to 30C, as they have done in Sevilla this week, there will continue to be mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile virus spreading.

Weird science

Mosquito-borne West Nile outbreak will be brought to a halt by cold winter weather

RARE: prenatal infection

Corona baby

DROPPING DEAD: West Nile mosquitos cannot breed in the cold Therefore people are advised to use repellents and nets in their homes where possible.

There are currently 36 people still infected with the West Nile virus in what is the largest mosquito-borne outbreak in the country since Malaria in the

Lisa Burgess

1960s.

The West Nile virus is a disease transmitted to people by mosquitoes, which have been infected usually by birds.

Birds are considered a reservoir of the disease and normally act as healthy carriers, although they play a very important role in the spread of

the virus.

Around 80% of infected people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), do not experience symptoms.

Of the 20% of carriers who do show symptoms, the most serious cases can lead to meningitis, which can lead to brain damage and death.

A BABY born in Spain is thought to be one of the first cases of a child catching the virus while still in the mother’s womb.

The newborn has been put under observation but is said to be in good health.

The mother tested positive for the virus when she arrived at the San Jorge University Hospital in Huesca to give birth.

Her baby was then tested when born, and was also positive.

If this case is confirmed, it would be one of the first cases of transmission of the virus during pregnancy worldwide.

According to local newspaper El Heraldo, doctors are analysing the case to see if the baby really was infected before birth rather than soon after.

But all coronavirus protocols had been followed and the child was tested immediately, pointing to it being a case of prenatal infection.

This would be extremely unusual, say experts from the Spanish Society of Neonatology (SENEO).

Looking for Flexible Work Options in the UK?

We mustn’t stop believing in the power of scientists “VACCINES are the tugboats of preventive health” according to Dr William Foege, the American epidemiologist credited with playing a large role in eradicating smallpox.

A vaccine could stimulate the immune system to produce effective antibodies against coronavirus and we desperately need one. From Spain to New Zealand, Brazil to Japan and Uruguay to South Korea scientists worldwide are in a race to find that elusive vaccine.

Currently, there are 46 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, 91 preclinical vaccines are under active investigation in animals and 11 vaccines have reached the final stage of testing according to the New York Times.

Three main contenders currently stand out. First up is

a joint effort by BioNTech (German), Pfizer (American) and Fosun Pharma (a Chinese drug maker).

Dr Bourla, Chief Executive of Pfizer recently said that they would apply for emergency use of their vaccine in late November. The FDA would need several weeks to consider that application which if passed would make the vaccine available in early 2021.

Johnson & Johnson, an American multinational received 456 million dollars from the US government for research. Unlike other vaccines, this one requires one dose instead of two and they aim for the production of 1 billion doses in 2021.

On October 12, 2020 the company announced their trial had been paused due to an adverse reaction by a volunteer, this is not unusu-

DEDICATED: Professor Sarah Gilbert of the Jenner Institute

al in clinical trials and they are expected to resume shortly.

British Swedish company Astra Zeneca is collaborating with the Oxford University on a vaccine. The European Union has already agreed to purchase 400 million doses and the USA agreed 300 million.

Their trial was paused before Johnson & Johnson on September 6 for the same reason. Trials resumed worldwide a week later with the exception of trials in the USA. There are those who say we must learn to live with COVID-19, that there will be no cure or vaccine found.

I believe that somewhere out there in our universe there is a scientist brilliant enough to save us.

Think of Sir Alexander Fleming (penicillin), Marie Curie (theory of radioactivity), Edward Jenner (smallpox), Sir Ronald Ross (malaria), Jonas Salk (polio) and the unforgettable Alan Turing, who with his Polish colleagues broke the Enigma Code. These exceptional human beings achieved the impossible and so I say with a heart full of hope that surely anything is possible.

– NOW RECRUITING IN SPAIN – Live-in Carer – £610.40-£732.48 per week Mumby’s Homecare Support is a leading live-in care agency in Oxfordshire, providing care across the South of England.

We are currently looking for caring individuals to join our team.

Full training provided.

Benefits include: ✔ Competitive Rates

✔ Pension Scheme ✔ Comprehensive Training Provided ✔ Flexible Working Arrangements ✔ Accommodation Between Assignments

Register your interest with Joanna Kardzis email: recruitment@mumbys.com Contact our local representative for an informal chat 611 361 664 FREEPHONE: 0800 505 3511

www.mumbys.com

24

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Suspend Belief Malaga’s Gran Senda welcomes spectacular new addition to Spain’s popular hiking route MALAGA’S Caminito del Rey will welcome a new addition in the form of a 54-metre suspension bridge on a section of the popular Gran Senda de Malaga hiking trail.

The 70-metre high structure has been years in the making, and will finally be opened to the public this Sunday.

The bridge will join Canillas de Aceitunas to its neighbouring Sedella across the Almachares riverbed, and will form part of stage seven of the BOSSES of airline company IAG have announced that 70% of Vueling, Iberia and British Airways flights will be cancelled.

Meanwhile, rivals Easyjet and Ryanair will fly at 25% and 40% respectively indicating a bleak outlook for all major airlines.

It comes after the IAG travel giant reported a €1.3bn loss in their third quarter, which was even worse than financial experts had predicted.

Due to coronavirus, pas-

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Life behind bars

WHAT a cunning lot the Brits are!

Wherever they stray across the globe they stake out a corner and stock it with traditional artefacts to remind them of home. And no shrine honours this custom more sacredly than the good old British pub.

Union Jacks and pictures of the royal family are often prominently displayed, along with dartboards, faded posters and examples of that subtle British humour.

By David Baird

STUNNING: Walk is hoped to attract tourism revenue popular route.

Large areas of the 650 kilometre trail have seen many improvements in recent years, with many parts of the Axarquia portion of the route receiving brand new metal walk-

Air cuts

senger numbers were down by 78% with operational flights only half full.

IAG fired Spanish British Airways CEO, Alex Cruz, last week after four chaotic years at the head of the company that saw IT meltdowns and staff strikes.

By James Warren

ways, allowing walkers to traverse the steep rocky cliff faces.

The bridge cost €600,000, and it is hoped that the tourist attraction will bring much needed revenue to the area.

President of the Malaga Provincial Council, Francisco Salado, praised Canillas de Aceitunas, council and town mayor Vicente Campos, who was instrumental in the creation of the project.

Salado also detailed the unique challenges that the construction team faced in completing the mammoth structure.

Modern transport solutions such as helicopters and zip lines were used alongside some more traditional methods such as pack mules for carrying smaller loads.

History, adventure and romance.

That’s just the setting.

O

nce, like most people, I figured that running a pub on the Costa del Plenty must be a barrel of laughs.

But way back, when the coast was young and you tripped over celebrities on every corner, I interviewed some of its famous bar owners and jet-setters who revealed a more sobering truth. The advice they gave me then is just as valid today, so if you’re thinking of going into the trade yourself, take note.

What drew most of them to the Costas were such obvious attractions as sunshine, cheap booze, low taxes, an easy-going lifestyle, carefree beach days, sunshine, cheap booze… but in the wee small hours a rather different story emerged.

How difficult it is to get a

STAR ATTRACTION: Stewart Granger was just one of the actors at Daphne’s bar

suntan when you work 15plus hours a day. How red tape trips you at every turn.

How impossible it is to get reliable staff.

Ask any landlord for their top tip on running a pub and they’ll probably tell you: ‘Don’t!’ while conced-

ing it has it’s fun side. Then they’ll regale you with anecdotes about their more outrageous customers and start dropping names.

Back in the Marbella scene of the 1970s those names included Brazilian playboy Baby Pignatari, bullfight-

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

With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling.

Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist.

PROUD

BRITISH

For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950 Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi

www.visitgibraltar.gi

Heritage STREET PARTIES MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE HISTORY MUSIC

Phoenician Empire Calentita

Jazz

INTERNATIONAL

Castle THE ROCK The Moorish Music Festivals Food Festival Pillars of Hercules National Week, Chess, Snooker, Backgammon Championships 100000 YEARS Darts, Neanderthal Settlements LITERARY FESTIVAL

ibraltar

#VISITGIBRALTAR

A year of Culture

Bring hearts, minds and souls

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

October 28th - November 10th 2020

25

Running a pub in Spain is a sentence to hard labour even if the sun’s shining and the customers are celebs.

David Baird shares some of the amazing bar stool stories tapped from legendary landlords during the Costa’s early days

GOOD TIMES: The Victoria Inn, Torremolinos

How's this for a sample of the wisdom on their walls?

er Luis Miguel Dominguin, King Simeon of Bulgaria, the Duchess of Alba, Sean Connery...

So what does it take to run a pub? According to the veterans, iron nerves, infinite patience, business aptitude and - the biggest challenge - liking people.

Peter, who once ran Peter’s Place in Los Boliches, listed the occupational hazards as ‘gout and cholesterol.

It’s nice to make money but you have to treat it as a laugh, a joke rather than a commercial proposition’.

According to Eileen Wendell who, with her husband, ran Jac’s Bar on Fuengirola’s Paseo Marítimo: “You’ll never get rich in this job, but over the years you build up a relationship with people and they become your friends. In the 1960s there were artists and writers here. Then came the retirees, who had lived in places like Kenya. I remember Georgina, married to a playboy known as Rotters. She threw a birthday party here and everybody rode straight into the bar on horses.”

In San Pedro a popular bar, which doubled as a library, was run by former actress Daphne whose showbiz background attracted fellow thespians. She recalled Stewart Granger and Ray Milland sitting at opposite ends of the bar one day slagging each other off with outrageous comments.

Remember Granger in one of the screen’s most amazing sword fights with Mel Ferrer in Scaramouche?

His costar Eleanor Parker described him as ‘a dreadful person, rude...just awful’. But despite his reputation, the day I chatted to him in Daphne’s bar fresh from his leading role in The Wild Geese, he was amiability itself. Later he lost most of his fortune through a bad investment

MORE SIR?: The Oliver Twist kept customers happy

in Estepona real estate and moved to California.

The more affluent Costa visitors knocked back their sherries in the Marbella Club, run by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, who played a big part in attracting the rich and famous to the coast.

Also on the scene was the aristocrat Don Jaime de Mora y Aragon (below) who acted in some 30 films when not running Marbella’s tourism office and aiding Saudi wheeler-dealer A d n a n Khashoggi with his real estate investments. I met him when he started a bar. There he was, with his monocle and silver-topped cane, as elegant as usual - although it was hardly a career move likely to go down well with his sister, Fabiola, Queen of Belgium!

Most bar owners concurred with Audrey Hassall from Yorkshire, who with husband Joe ran Nerja’s Plaza de Toros: “The best aspect is the people you meet.”

“One day a fellow came in on a pony, his feet almost touching the floor on either side,” she recalled.

“He ordered a beer, drank it down, turned the pony around and rode out. An American customer stared after him and asked: ‘Say, how much do you pay that guy?’ “ In the 1980s one of the In-places was the Sinatra Bar at the entrance to Puerto Banus. It throbbed

FAVOURITE: Bottle Bar in Marbella was popular

with pulsating music, mil- listen, not comlionaire yachtsmen, glam- ment. You must orous girls and beach bums not be excitable of all nationalities. and you should In contrast, Wyns Bar, at La dilute what anyCapellania in Benalmade- body says by na Pueblo, was a popular 80%.” haunt for British under- Jan and Barry world figures, including from Rotternotorious East End villain dam who run Ronnie Knight.

The Bottle Bar These days, the customers on Marbella’s are more respectable. But Calle Fuerte back then, as I discovered hadn’t much myself, if your face did not use for cossfit, you could be made to ies either. feel very uncomfortable …

“People conA pub’s atmosphere can sidering opening a bar make all of the difference should first try working in between success and one in their home country failure. One Costa publi- and not just dream about can frightened off clients the sun,” advised Jan. through his violent argu- “Many come here for the ments with his wife (going sun and end up working 24 into business together can hours a day.” really test a One of the marriage). On hazards of runtop of that he ning a bar, Jan ‘First try concealed his revealed, was poor knowl- working in a bar that customedge of Spaners tended to in your home ish by giving a misplace their cool reception false teeth! country before to the locals.

Pub toilets, Spain’ Liverpudlian along with Alan Blunaircraft loos, dell (pictured appear to be above right), of the Harp favourite locations for this Bar, Marbella, stressed: unfortunate habit.

“Anybody thinking of com- Dorothy Clifton, who ran ing here on a romantic mag- The English Pub on Marbelic carpet...forget it. I don’t la’s Calle Peral, summed even own a pair of swim it up: “You meet the good, trunks.” the bad and the ugly, the He advised: “When custom- famous and the infamous.” ers are talking, you can only Swedish customers are the

craziest, she told me: “They are noisy, boisterous, drunk when they got off the plane and never sober up.

“The French are tight and the English take time to unwind,” she continued.

“But even if a Spaniard only has a few coins left in his pocket, he will still spend them. They love playing darts and they even like my steak and kidney pie. My favourites are the Dutch. They are so friendly and ready to spend without questioning.”

Over at the Victoria Inn in Torremolinos, Mike Small, an ex-submariner from Bedfordshire, noted that many British holidaymakers weren’t sure which country they were in. “Quite a few apologise when they come to pay.

“They say ‘I haven’t got English money, will Spanish do’?”

26

Affordable Business October 28th November 10th 2020 Contacts

CONSTRUCTION

CLASSIFIEDS UK CARE & NURSING RECRUITMENT

We do not accept sex adverts!

lock smith

FREE ASSESSMENT WEEK

AIR CONDITIONING

AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS AND NEW INSTALLATIONS

We specialize in Air-Conditioning and heating systems with thousands of satisfied customers.

We also service and repair any make and model of Air-Conditioning.

Maintenance contracts available from only 5.80€ per month.

Ecosense movement sensors fitted from 100€ We are authorized installers by the Junta de Andalucía as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017)

tel: (+34) 952 443 222 airflowspain@live.com AIRFLOW AIR CONDITIONING SL

translations OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS. ALL LANGUAGES. SENT BY COURIER. 654613094 sanpedrotranslations@gmail.com

POST SHOPS

SOLICITOR

Air conditioning

coolandcosy@hotmail.com www.coolandcosy.es

ADVERTISING

EXPERIENCED BRITISH SOLICITOR Spanish speaking providing legal advice: conveyancing, residency, wills and inheritance.

Having difficulty sending and receiving mail on Spain?

OFFEX offer a secure, reliable and cost effective solution for both businesses and individuals requiring mail and courier services to and from Spain Full range of Royal Mail services Worldwide door to door courier service for time sensitive documents and small packages Economy Courier: Worldwide for to door courier service for less urgent documents, small packages and parcels Budget Courier: European door to door service for non urgent items Luggage Service: Low cost unaccompanied baggage service for your personal effects Iberian Peninsula Courier: Overnight deliveries within Spain Postal Service: Priority Courier:

Contact Victoria at: www.britishlawyerspain.com or + 34 678 826 771

TeleVision

THE POST SHOP

Avda. De Tivoli, C.C. De la Miel, Local 13, Arroyo de la Miel Tel: 952 577 816 Mon to Fri: 10.00-17.00 Sat: 10.00-12.00

STORAGE

For classified advertising needs, please contact Sam on 634 611 836 Motorhomes - Caravans Boats - Cars & Vans Delivery & Collection available Short Term - Long Term Established 15 years Safe & Secure - 24hr CCTV

679 786 669 - Alan - 606 101 807

www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es

PLUMBING

tRANSPORT SERVICE/removals

Plumbing and leak detection Working on the coast since 2000 Call Simon on 625 70 27 72

TV REPAIR

kennels & cattery

TELEVISION REPAIRS 35 yea

experiers nce

PLASMA, LCD, LED TV’s Same day FREE estimates

IPTV & Sky boxes, Hi-Fi & Microwaves Call John: 952 491 723 Mob: 600 706 201

av_services@hotmail.co.uk Can collect

Eurodog Boarding Kennels & Cattery

Fully Licensed Sanitary Approved Large Secure Runs Purpose Built Secure Play Area Established For Over 20 Years 5 Minutes From Fuengirola

679 786 669 - Alan - 952 464 947 www.eurodog.es - Email - info@eurodog.es

BUSINESS €100 billion blow

27

Tourism industry sent back 25 years by coronavirus crisis

Mind the Gap

JOBS in Spain could be at risk after Gap announced it was considering closing stores across Europe.

The American clothing giant revealed it was proposing changes to its business model outside the United States in a move that could lead to 129 store closures.

Gap, which currently had 75 locations in Spain including concessions in El Corte Ingles, said it wants to focus on its domestic American business.

“Franchisees already operate in 35 countries through 400 stores and we believe there is significant room to expand our franchise footprint,” Katrina O’Connell, Gap’s chief financial officer, said at a virtual investor event.

Flagship

October 28th - November 10th 2020

The news comes just over a month after the brand opened a flagship store in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarters on September 3.

Despite the new store, the retailer has struggled to compete with high street rivals for a number of years and is the latest fashion chain to consider closing stores as shoppers slow down on clothes shopping during the pandemic.

Earlier in the year Gap said that it planned to close more than 225 unprofitable Gap and Banana Republic stores globally.

SPAIN’S vital tourism sector is expected to take a €100 billion hit by the end of the year.

This would mean the industry will have reverted to income levels last seen in 1995, according to the Exceltur tourism association.

The organisation has updated its predictions after regional governments started to impose new restrictions in an effort to halt the rise in COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks.

More than 1 million people have been infected in Spain, with 34,000 deaths attributed to coronavirus so far.

Exceltur’s vice president, Jose

TAXES on plastic packaging are to be introduced as part of attempts to cut environmental waste.

Spain’s government plans to limit the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic products and hopes to raise €1.8 billion from the new ‘green’ taxes.

Ministers are also considering a higher levy on sugary drinks in the hope of raising a total of €6.8 billion, its draft budget showed.

The hike will see value-added tax on sweetened beverages jump from 10% to 21%.

Parliament has already given the green light to the imple-

W

HEN the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, homeowners and property developers braced themselves for a drop in housing values, but in the end this didn't materialise.

With the enforced lockdown periods having caused a drop in economic activity and the continued uncertainty surrounding the crisis showing that we're still not out of this particular forest, one might have thought that the Marbella property sector would be suffering, but the reality is that right now it's not.

So, why is this so? The main difference with the financial crisis of a decade ago is that firstly, this is not a problem with economic or financial roots, and secondly, it is unrelated to the housing sector. Even so, the economic downturn caused by the pandemic could very well have caused a slump in property buying and prices, and there are a number reasons why this has not happened to date.

Lifestyle: the growing importance of homes One thing the COVID-19 situation has highlighted is the importance of a home. With a large proportion of society now working from home instead of rushing off to offices on a daily basis, the greater amount of time spent indoors has caused many to invest in

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

OLD DAYS: But will busy beaches make a return?

By Dilip Kuner

Luis Zoreda, said: "We could go back 25 years in terms of what the Spanish tourism sector generates," adding that

Green tax mentation of the two more controversial taxes.

Firstly the so-called Google tax will see a 3% charge on digital services, such as advertising and data sales, on revenues booked locally by large tech firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook.

A second controversial tax, known as ‘Tobin tax’, is expected to raise €850 million next year in Spain. A 0.2% rate would be applied to transactions of shares of listed companies with a market cap higher than €1 billion.

it would be a ‘dire scenario’.

Now the association is calling for cash handouts to tourist-related businesses similar to the bail-outs provided to banks in the financial crisis of the mid to late 2000’s.

Zoreda claimed that the government had not realised how badly the sector had been hit by the crisis and needed to urgently provide direct aid and extend the nation’s furlough scheme when it runs out in January.

The tourism industry accounts for 12% of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 13% of employment.

The sector was initially devastated by the three-month coronavirus lockdown then hopes for a successful summer were dashed when the UK and some other countries imposed self isolation rules on returning holidaymakers.

TH4599

199.995€

Fuente Camacho, Loja, Granada 5 bed, 2 bath Build: 263m2

This large family home was originally two properties divided equally upstairs and down and the current owners have kept the property in such a way that this could easily be two separate accommodations again with 2 defined entrances and a fully fitted kitchen on both levels.

Mollina Office +34 952 741 525 info@inlandandalucia.com

Calle de la Villa 14, 29532 Molina, Malaga

www.inlandandalucia.com

On the up

The Property Insider

by Adam Neale

Adam Neale discusses why property prices are still rising Economic factors favouring housing

REMOTE WORKING: People are willing to pay for renovations and new homes for extra comfort

new décor, appliances, renovations and even new properties – and as the trend towards remote working seems here to stay, it's not likely to be a flash in the pan.

For this reason, furniture and appliance sales have been good, and the number of property transactions is also surprisingly high. This is especially true for

certain types of homes, as buyers are clearly shifting their focus from smaller downtown high-rise to more spacious homes, ideally with gardens, indoor and nearby amenities, as well as home working spaces. In other words, the home has become a more important part of our lives and represents a growing proportion of our spending.

The above has stimulated property prices, made possible also by historically low interest rates, government support packages and strong, though strict, mortgage lending. Legislation designed to reduce foreclosures has largely done just that, and with property still offering better returns than most other asset classes, capital has been flowing into it from both homebuyers and investors.

Instead of a scenario of bank repossessions, crisis and falling prices, therefore, the property sectors seems to be coming through the pandemic well. A phased reduction in government packages designed to preserve household spending could pose a challenge in the coming months, as could prolonged uncertainty or further damage caused to the economy, but the drop in development activity, construction and therefore supply, will reduce the impact. Moreover, most economies are predicted to show strong recovery growth in 2021, hopefully 2020 is a one-off anomaly in every sense.

Terra Meridiana, 77 Calle Caridad, Estepona • 29680 • Tel: +34 951 318480. Office Mob: +34 678 452109 Email: info@terrameridiana.com. Website: www.terrameridiana.com

28

PROPERTY

THE FORMER president of El Corte Ingles is set to open his first ever store WOW in Spain’s capital.

Dimas Gimeno will launch his new venture in style - with a flagship store on Madrid’s Gran Via. The brand, which will sell everything from homeware to fashion and sportswear, is thought to be a Spanish take on the successful bargain brand Primark and will compete against other multi-product retailers such as Amazon, Wish and Gimeno’s past employers, El Corte Ingles.

Located on one of Madrid’s most popular streets, the first WOW store will occupy more than 5,500 m2. IBA Cap-

October 28th November 10th 2020

Shop drop

ital and CBRE have already started the works to adapt the building to its new use and are aiming to have the work complete by April 2021.

It is hoped that the store will be the first of many for the new brand, and in the medium term, WOW also plans to open pop-up shops, that will remain at the disposal of buyers for six months.

Gimeno’s brand has the backing of US fund FJLabs, winning €2.8 million in funding. The investment firm also has shares in other e-commerce com-

WOW: New store in prime spot panies, such as Alibaba, Deporvillage, Vinted, Wallapop or Wish as well as car sharing service UBER.

Costa price crashes

Red Bricks

PROPERTY SALES www.redbrickspain.com RED BRICKS OFFERS OWNERS A UNIQUE CONCEPT ON SELLING THEIR PROPERTY. OUR LOCAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS OPERATE FROM MALAGA TO GIBRALTAR AND CAN PROVIDE OWNERS WITH HELP AND ADVICE WHERE NECESSARY ON MANY ASPECTS OF THEIR PROPERTY SALE.

0%

COMMISSION For further information please visit our website www.redbrickspain.com or call 00 34 952 887 259

University predicts massive property discounts modest price drop of around 12 to 13%.

Report author, Professor Gonzalo Bernardos, said: “Large cities always have a high demand for property but prices will still fall, especially in poorer neighbourhoods.”

Bernardos added that he was very hopeful of Spain’s economy recovering next year, but that property

prices would not start to climb again until 2022.

Rental prices will show an even more dramatic fall, as Professor Bernardos explained: “The rental market always suffers more during any economic crisis and with more properties available due to a drop in tourism, prices have inevitably fallen.”

However, the report warns

No tricks, all treat THIS dilapidated mansion might look more like a haunted house - one that the kids would be keen to dodge on their guising route this Halloween.

But a major Spanish hotel group have pledged to transform the spooky spot into a boutique hotel full of five-star treats that’ll do the trick for tourists visiting San Sebastian.

Palacio Vista Eder, a unique gothic mansion overlooking La Concha bay, has been sold to Millenium Hotels for an eye-watering €10.5 million.

The unique gothic mansion, which was built in 1912 and designed by architect Francisco Urcola, is one of the few properties in the iconic city to have its own garden.

Millennium Hotels, who own a portfolio of five-star hotels in Seville, Bilbao, Madrid, Cordoba and Cadiz, say that despite COVID concerns the San Sebastian hotel will have the cobwebs cleared and be ready to welcome guests by 2022.

That’s the spirit.

SPOOKY: Dilapidated mansion to be tarted up

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Luanda, 8 Irish, 9 Film, 10 Gaslight, 11 Goons, 12 Suggest, 15 Pimples, 17 Libra, 20 Approved, 22 Flow, 23 Sci-fi, 24 Lament.

Down: 1 Fujimori, 2 One-man, 3 Gangs, 4 First up, 5 Piping, 6 Shhh, 13 Surmount, 14 Leave in, 16 Permit, 18 Infamy, 19 Adele, 21 Pass.

SUDOKU

PROPERTY prices in Spain’s coastal tourist areas could fall by more than 20% over the next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The prediction comes in the annual real estate report from Barcelona University and consulting firm, Forcadell.

In contrast, big cities like Barcelona and Madrid are projected to see a more

GLOOMY: Bernardos

that the commercial property sector gives the greatest cause for concern.

It predicts a third of all retail premises will close and rents will drop by 50%.

“The commercial market has been destroyed as if a tsunami has engulfed it,” Gonzalo Bernardos commented.

He also expected many hotels to change hands, especially when sellers drop their demands for ‘very high prices’.

Bargain island THE pandemic has crippled tourism sectors all over the globe, but few places have suffered as much as Ibiza, where there are currently more hotels on sale than there are open.

Once Spain’s party capital, this small slice of Mediterranean paradise is now turning into a realtor’s dream as guesthouse owners struggling to make ends meet put their businesses on sale for a fraction of their former value.

In pre-corona days, the average price of a room on the Balearic Islands was €400,000, but now it is possible to find ones for under €100,000.

However, prospective buyers will likely have their eyes on the Canary Islands, whose less seasonal tourism sector offers safer investments.

30

I

COLUMNISTS

WAS looking forward to switching off from Covid coverage this month and over to Netflix for a dose of Sir David Attenborough’s soothing voice and infectious enthusiasm for everything that slithers, crawls or photosynthesises on Earth. But A Life on Our Planet, his 80 minute ‘witness statement and vision of the future’ dealing with other scary C-Words – Climate Change Crisis – made depressing viewing.

Stark footage of a lone orangutan clinging to a solitary tree in a devastated rainforest said it all. And how terrible that 70% of birds on the planet are battery chickens.

Wild animal populations have more than halved in the 66 years since the 94-year-old naturalist began his career at the fledgling BBC, making him as old as the TV channel itself.

My hero since black and white Zoo Quest days (1954-63), I watched this monochrome Adonis hacking through jungles in a safari suit collecting rare species for London Zoo, all very un-pc now of course. These exotic creatures would then be presented, live and unscripted, in the studio – always good for a giggle.

Each trip in two-engined Dakota DC3s took

October 28th - November 10th 2020

Knight in a Safari Suit He’s too modest for shining armour but Sir David Attenborough is a true hero of our times writes Belinda Beckett three months to film, the budget for the crew of six was £1,000 and their clockwork film camera had to be rewound every 40 seconds.

‘But the main problem was smuggling all these animals into our hotel rooms,” Attenborough writes in his entertaining autobiography, A Life on Air. ‘We put pythons and anacondas in sacks under our beds, armadillos in the bath and had bats hanging up on the curtains,’ he relates.

‘In Madagascar I found some marvellous things called pill millipedes, about the size of a golf ball. They escaped overnight and there were pill millipedes everywhere. I got into a lot of trouble for that!’

Returning from a trip in Paraguay, unusually on a First Class-only plane (he always flies economy unless his crew can be upgraded),

the journey took longer than expected and the armadillo food ran out. “The hostess said, 'Oh, how awful! But we've only got c a v i a r and Californian peaches',” writes Attenborough. “I replied, 'That's funny, that's exactly what armadillos like!' So that's what they ate, all the way to New York!”

People often forget that Sir David (who writes his own scripts and the companion books to every series) was also a ‘suit’ at the BBC. As Director of Programmes and Controller of BBC Two he gave us Match of the Day, Whicker's World, Monty Python's Flying Circus and Pot Black.

He’s also the most widely-trav-

elled human in history, clocking up mileage equivalent to 10 global circumnavigations for his epic Life series of nine programmes and 79 episodes, aired over four decades.

He has two knighthoods, 32 honorary degrees, 11 sets of letters after his name, and over 20 species christened after him will remind us who he was after he’s gone.

He also knows a thing or two about science but will we listen to it? Going by our track record with coronavirus, probably not.

But perhaps later, when southern Spain has turned to desert and the Arctic has melted, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will chance upon archive footage of his Messianic documentary and realise that here was a man who knew what he was talking about.

Mama, we’re all crazy now Giles takes an in depth look at his favourite two months in Spain

I UNUSUAL: Time to relax

HAVE two favourite months in Spain. May marks the beginning of the summer season: the temperatures rise, the countryside is magnificent in its full bloom and the first events of the social scene take place.

There is always a feeling of optimism – that businesses

Sound advice

will enjoy a record year, that old friends will come and visit and that new friendships in Marbella’s cosmopolitan mix will be made. September on the other hand, is the gentle unwinding of the summer season as the madding and maddening crowds dissi-

MIJAS MATTERS

By Bill Anderson

Not enough thought given to strategic planning

I

WORKED for many years alongside gov- road of random decisions: some smoke ernment as an advisor both to local and free beaches, some charging points for central authorities. Sixteen months in electric vehicles. Sun Tzu, in The Art of opposition in Mijas has vindicated my War, said: “Strategy without tactics is the long held opinion about politics. slowest route to victory. Tactics without It resembles more the playground than strategy is the noise before defeat.” In the boardroom. It is rampant with self in- simple terms, strategy is the thinking part, terest, insincerity, incoherence and driven and tactics are the actions. largely by ego. Let’s not forget the equal In Mijas, we are very much in the second measures of lack of direction and dog- category; tactics without a strategy. And mas, with a large handful of randomness we are in danger of throwing tax payers’ thrown in, rather than forward and strate- money down the drain because we have gic planning. not thought things through. I have raised Clearly, I am not talking about every in- this idea in various forums over the years, dividual in every party. There are some but I can only assume one of two things: sincere individuals in the political arena. my words have fallen on deaf ears, or my If this were not the case I would not have Spanish isn’t up to the job. been persuaded by my good friend, Angel There are, in my opinion, a handful of straNozal, to dip my toes into the tegic thinkers among the 25 political waters. councillors, but they prefer I was in business for many to spend the time arguing years within the field of sowith each other than workThere are cial work, health, and psying together to improve Mia handfull chological services. It was jas. Working together would a time in Scotland where break the political mould, of strategic everything had to be part of and we can’t have that. We a strategic plan. They used thinkers around operate within a vicious cirto call it ‘joined up thinking’. cle of obstinacy and tradiIn general, I don’t see very tion. Meanwhile, the Mijas much of this in my political taxpayers foot the bill. existence in Mijas. Someone comes up I am using Mijas as an example, but I don’t with an idea which is likely to be popular think we are any better or worse than any with the voters and we take the bait. Some other part of the democratic process. I because they believe in it, and others be- am sure I could equally apply this to other cause they don’t want to be seen to be Local Authorities, Regional Councils, and against it. Could be bad for the next elec- National Government. What I am saying, tions, you know. though, is that this is not good enough.

We declare a state of emergency for cli- Either we start working collaboratively, or mate change, and rather than develop a we keep repeating the errors of future and strategic approach to this, we go down the current generations.

pate, the sun loses some of its fierceness and a chilled out vibe returns.

I may be stating the bleeding obvious, but 2020 has been a little different. The lockdown was harsh enough, but the ‘new normal’ made operating a business a real struggle, especially when quarantine restrictions meant that the normal flow of tourists, including the wedding parties, off season visits by relatives and sun starved golfers, was reduced to a sparse trickle.

Maybe the lockdown caused a short circuit in the minds of the less desirable members of Marbella society but, along with the graphs showing the rise of cases as the second wave of coronavirus crashed around Spain, the only other uptick seemed to be in the number of high profile criminal incidents that made the national and international press. The majority of these – including the high profile kidnapping at gunpoint of the second-in-com-

LAZY DAYS: Giles taking refuge at his Istan home

mand of a Dutch drug baron and the recent shooting of a Brit on a Saturday night – took place on the stretch of road known as the Aloha Strip – with its bars, lounges and restaurants.

Previously this area of ‘Golf Valley’ was best known as the place to spot nothing more menacing than Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett, Jimmy Tarbuck and other house-

CONNERY: Just one of the many stars who graced Marbella

hold names from the world of light entertainment. They were normally heading out to play on one of the three golf courses in Nueva Andalucia, although Sean Connery was best approached with caution, especially if he had been hacking around the Los Naranjos course.

In the past decade, this sleepy spot has transformed and it’s not uncommon to spot Premiership footballers, world champion boxers and the obligatory reality TV stars. It has also become brasher, with supercars roaring up and down the strip.

Perhaps it is that brashness that has encouraged an ‘anything goes’ mentality. Over the past couple of weekends my social media feeds invariably carry the question ‘Anyone else hear gunshots in Aloha’? as the police cordon off the area once again.

As the wannabie and real gangsters continue to regard it as something of a free fire zone, it’s safe to say that the title of ‘most dangerous road in Spain’, that used to be applied to the frankly terrifying N-340 coast road in the 70s and 80s, has now been taken by the Aloha Strip.

In the immortal words of Noddy Holder, Mama, we’re all crazy now.

The

OLIVE PRESS

Reuse Reduce Recycle FREE

We use recycled paper

Family feuds AN 85-year-old lady had to call the police after her grandson claimed she was making life ‘impossible’ and threatened her with a razor.

FINAL WORDS

Long tail A YORKSHIRE terrier named Kike has found its way back to its loving family in Malaga after disappearing two years ago.

Trolley dash A PADDED shopping trolley by Zara that sold out in 24 hours in Spain and is due for the UK market has been dubbed ‘perfect for stockpiling’ by Tweeters.

Nose for it

Andalucía

Your expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 13 Issue 355 www.theolivepress.es October 28th - November 10th 2020

Plane crazy

A WOMAN who booked a flight from Stansted to Valencia ended up in Kiev when she boarded the wrong plane.

Inka Fileva, 30, was looking forward to a romantic break visiting her boyfriend in the Spanish city.

But when she got off her Ryan Air flight cold water was poured on her dreams as she realised she was not in the sunny Costa Blanca capital but in the chillier clime of Ukraine.

Bar worker Fileva, who is

Wrong gate mix-up means passenger ends up in Kiev not Valencia

SCOTLAND is looking to Andalucia in its fight to save its wildcat from extinction.

The Scottish wildcat is Britain’s last native cat species and with fewer than 100 believed to exist in the wild, the feline is on the brink of extinction.

Habitat loss and cross-breeding with domestic cats are the main reasons

The right cat-itude

Melting away ICE cream sales for consumer goods giant Unilever have plummeted across Spain while sales of hand sanitisers and soap have surged.

originally from Bulgaria but now lives in London, had slept through the whole journey. The first idea she had that she was not where she should be was when she disembarked. It was when she spotted that none of the signs were in Spanish and the police looked ‘different’ that it dawned on her that she was 3,000 kilometres away in the wrong country.

why it is on the verge of extinction, despite the fact that it has been protected under UK law since 1988.

Andalucia, which has proven itself as the number one refuge for the Iberian Lynx with 57% of the animal’s popula-

By Dilip Kuner

She posted her story on Facebook, saying: “I’m in Kiev at the moment! Waiting at the airport and the worse part is there is no Ryanair office here so everything is taking ages to sort out!

“I don’t understand how my ticket got scanned and

tion, is collaborating in the international partnership Saving Wildcats.

It is now offering expert advice on the development of a captive breeding programme for the Lynx’s Scottish ‘cousin’.

WRONG GATE: Inka passed and how I came here without a visa.”

She explained that she had gone to gate 54 instead of 44 by mistake. But with staff scanning her ticket she had no reason to suspect she could end up on the wrong flight.

Eventually, the situation was sorted out and Fileva finally arrived to the welcoming arms of her boyfriend in Valencia.

But in a final twist her luggage didn’t make it - instead it was flown to Manchester.

BARCELONA’S Mossos d’Esquadra police force is training 400 rescue dogs to detect COVID-19 in humans.

Dogs are already working at Finland’s airports to detect the presence of the virus and have been recently incorporated into airport checks in Dubai, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

According to researchers running Helsinki’s pilot scheme, a dog is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus within 10 seconds and the entire process takes less than a minute to complete.

The scheme has now reached Barcelona, where the pooches are being trained to detect COVID-19 in human beings.

Josep Peris, former head of the Mossos d’Esquadra, has launched this project under the name ‘K-anary’.

All the canines that form part of the team have been found in dog shelters where they were abandoned.

Training takes approximately one month, after which the canines are able to detect the virus in about 200 people an hour.

TM

952 147 834

* O f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y. S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 2 0 .

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME0720.indd 1

20/7/20 13:08