Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 112 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 5, Issue 112 www.theolivepress.es December 18th - January 7th 2020

We will walk

FABIAN Picardo has insisted Gibraltar can ‘walk away from any bad deal’ signed with Europe. The Chief Minister added that the enclave was ‘ready’ to swerve any agreement that was bad for the territory, which voted by 96% to stay in the EU. It comes after Johnson’s landslide victory at the UK elections that left the Tories with a sufficient majority to leave the European Union on January 31. However, Picardo revealed that Gibraltar has the option of not signing the Future Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU. He told Parliament definitively that the FTA ‘may not include anything of interest to us’ on the benefit side, while ‘many obligations’ on the negative side. This would be the case even if the FTA included the possibility of financial services privileges for Gibraltar companies to passport into the EU. “We will need to be involved from the beginning but ready to walk away in the end if the balance of rights and obligations is bad for Gibraltar businesses,” said Picardo. “We must hold our nerve and be ready to walk away from a bad deal

EXCLUSIVE By John Culatto

for Gibraltar. “No deal with the EU may be better than a bad deal.” Picardo referred to those who are ‘foolishly wringing their hands with glee at talk of vetoes’.

Historic

It comes after Marco Aguiriano, Spanish Secretary of state for the EU, said that ‘it is very clear’ that Spain would have the final word on Gibraltar in the FTA. Aguiriano said that despite trying to ‘consolidate the prosperity with the Gibraltar Campo,’ he would not be holding back ‘on the historic reinforcement on the claim to Gibraltar’. Picardo continued: “I think we all know that EU member states generally have a veto over the international agreements that the EU enters into with third countries.” He added that they would have to be careful not to be provoked over the following months. “We will always want to have strong relations with the EU, our closest neighbour. “But everyone beyond Gibraltar

STRENGTH: Gibraltar is looking elsewhere in face of Brexit needs to understand that we are never going to compromise on matters of sovereignty,” he added. “We are never going to sell our birth-

Far east movement What’s going on in Gib this Xmas? Page 17

GIBRALTAR is pushing for new financial services work with the second largest economy in the world. As the territory decides to leave the European Union on January 31 a recent visit to China is being seen as a stepping stone to greater things. “This is a very big development because China makes up about a fifth of the world’s population,” Paul As-

tengo, Senior Executive of the Ministry of Financial Services told the Olive Press. Both Astengo and Minister for Financial Services Albert Isola took the stage at the Free Trade Port International Cooperation Forum on Digital Economy and Blockchain “The forum was held following on from the announcement by the Chinese government that it was going to adopt blockchain at creating their own which is a very big development,” Astengo revealed. BASED With Joe Bossano working on other aspects of Chinese trade,

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See page 19

right for a commercial advantage.” He said that the Gibraltar community had to “consider carefully what part of any future UK – EU Free Trade Agreement’ they want for Gibraltar. He added that Johnson had confirmed his ‘continued and entirely fulsome support for Gibraltar’ in a phone call since his victory. “Although it was not our choice, and we continue to see the challenges it presents, we will leave the EU with the United Kingdom,” said Picardo. Despite the blow to the territory’s interests, thanks to the work of the Gibraltar Government, the Withdrawal Agreement will now apply to Gibraltar when it leaves the EU on January 31. “This means that we will enjoy the benefit of the transitional arrangements applying to Gibraltar also,” he told Parliament. At one point, there were reports that this would not be the case because of Spanish pressure. been doing that they invited us to a closed-shop event limited to 500 people.” He said Brexit would lead to more links being established with other countries and China was one of the priorities. “There are now more Chinese people living in Gibraltar than there ever were in the past, a lot related to the types of businesses we’re developing,” he concluded. “These are the small seeds that we hope will grow into something more substantial.”

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Parental advisory POLICE have arrested a British couple on charges of child abandonment after their 17-month-old baby girl nearly died when she ate a stash of cannabis at their upmarket family home in Marbella.

Caught out AN INFORMANT has been gunned down while he was spotted conversing with a police officer on a roadside in Barcelona. The informant was providing information on a violent armed gang when shot.

Cemetery cold case POLICE have unearthed bone fragments in the continuing search for missing sailor Simon Parkes in Gibraltar, who is feared to be the victim of notorious serial killer Allan Grimson.

December 18th - January 7th 2020

PIPE DREAM

One British family are facing the festive period inside after the timely-named Operation Rudolf snared them in €4m fuel robbery A SELF-styled British Adams Family are facing prison over a multi-million euro fuel robbery. The family of four are on trial accused of siphoning off €4 million worth of petrol from an underground pipe leading to Malaga Airport. In the audacious theft the group worked together to dig a hole deep under their rented farm in the nearby Guadal-

horce Valley. They then inserted basic tubing to steal nearly 160,000 litres of diesel, petrol and kerosene over the course of 2011, before selling it at hardware stores around the area. Despite admitting the crime, the father told Malaga court, he was unable to name his boss ‘out of fear’ for the safety of his family. The alleged crime on the fam-

POLICE have unearthed bone fragments in the continuing search for missing sailor Simon Parkes. The suspected human bones found in Trafalgar Cemetery are believed to be those of the 18-yearold, who may have been killed by a Navy serial killer. Parkes had disappeared in 1986, while serving on aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, which was anchored in the bay. The Bristol-born radio operator had come

Drug war escalates

THE Costa del Sol’s growing drug war has reared its ugly face again with yet another bullet-riddled corpse discovered by locals. This time, a dead Slovenian was found face down by a walker with seven bullet wounds in him at the cliffs

ily’s farm, in Pareje Palliza, Campanillas, was discovered in November 2011, after logistics company Hydrocarbon Company (CLH) called in police. The company which administered the pipeline had noticed a sudden change in pressure that at one point nearly cut off the entire supply for the airport. It could have easily led to a

Cemetery cold case ashore but never made it back on-board the ship. It is now believed he may have been the victim of so-called ‘Frankenstein killer’ Allan Grimson, who killed two and was on the same boat as Parkes. He infamously told interrogators slitting his victims’ throats was better than sex.

below the AP-7 motorway in Mijas Costa. He is believed to have been shot dead with an automatic weapon, while the reasons for his assassination still unknown. It comes after drug-related killings claimed four lives in the last three months, with various other shootings. Assassins for neighboiurs Page 6

coke king A SUSPECTED cocaine trafficker has been arrested in Gibraltar. Croatian national Nikola Katic, 43, had been on the run for a year when he was stopped by the RGP after being linked to a £9million drug haul. “Katic is wanted in Croatia on suspicion of involvement in trafficking 155 kilograms of cocaine,” said a spokesman.

PETROLHEADS: A Guardia Civil officer checks the pipeline and (above) the British family in court serious explosion and badly When police paid a visit to the polluted much of the nearby family’s farm, first by helicopter, they discovered a layer of area due to leaks. concrete had been crudely poured in to seal the pipe. The family, who are facing up POLICE have been forced to tas- to 32 years in prison, worked er a knife-wielding mother, who together at a nearby depot, had allegedly stabbed a female where the fuel was stored and decanted into smaller conneighbour. The RGP stormed a flat at Sir tainers. William Jackson Grove after The father was caught it was reported that a 32-year- red-handed with 1,000 litres old woman had been seriously of diesel in a white van. A neighbour told police he stabbed. Police arrested Kirsty Podesta, had been doing daily trips at 33, who has now been charged around 1pm. for wounding with intent, after The son, who admitted transher victim was rushed to hos- porting the fuel, admitted he pital. According to detectives, a ‘shouldn’t have taken the job’ taser-led assault was launched, while his mother, who has knowing both the victim and since divorced, claimed to attacker were in the flat and the know ‘nothing about it’. suspect was ‘armed with a knife’. The family could be sent “The victim was taken to St Ber- down for as long as 30 years nard’s Hospital for treatment to in prison, although they have a stab injury for her left leg,” a already returned three €3 spokesman told the Olive Press. million of the total value of the stolen fuel.

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NEWS

December 18th - January 7th 2020

Resigned to sleepless HE may have lost millions of voters in Nonights! vember’s Spanish elections.

Putt a ring on it

But Alberto Rivera clearly hasn’t lost his mojo. The ex-leader of Ciudadanos party and his pop star girlfriend Malu have announced they are expecting a baby. “I am very excited to share this wonderful gift that life has given us,” the 40-year-old

said in the post he shared with followers. Rivera and Malu certainly haven’t wasted any time in embarking on family life. The couple have only started seeing each other this year, soon after Rivera’s breakup from his four year relationship with influencer Beatriz Tajuelo.

Royal retreat

A star is re-born

HE may have won numerous trophies in 2019, but now Spain’s top golfer Jon Rahm has won what he wanted most of all – his girlfriend’s hand in marriage. The 24-year-old tied the knot with American fiancee Kelley Cahill, 25, in a fairytale winter wedding at his childhood church in Bilbao. It comes after the world number three won his second Race to Dubai last month, in the same year he was crowned European Tour Golfer of the Year. The Arizona-based newlyweds will return to the US for another wedding in San Diego in April.

There will be chorus’s all round if Banderas wins a Golden Globe

RELAXED: Smith

STIFF COMPETITION: From (clockwise) Pryce, Driver, Bale and Phoenix HE has taken another star-studded step towards Academy Award recognition. Now, Malaga’s favourite son Antonio Banderas has come one step nearer, after being nominated for the prestigious Golden Globe in his latest role in Pedro Almodovar’s film Pain and Glory. THEY are believed to be two of the wildmen of American rock. But Slash and Axel Rose are normally on best behaviour when they visit Spain these days. According to Olive Press sources the pair, who get on well, usually stay with their families at luxury Malaga hotel Finca Cortesin, never making any noise or mess at some point during the tour. Now the pair will reunite

for a massive Guns N Roses show in Sevilla next year. The legendary US band, behind hits like Sweet Child O’ Mine and Paradise City, will play at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in May, in what will be their only date in Spain. It will be the second date of the European leg of their tour, which starts in Lisbon on May 20. The tour then heads to Germany, England, Sweden and many other countries.

By Robert Firth

However, the 59-year-old, who is currently starring in his version of musical, A Chorus Line, in Malaga, is under stiff competition. Banderas will have to beat Christian Bale, Adam Driv-

er Joaquin Phoenix and Jonathan Pryce to win the best actor globe in January, which is normally a predictor for the Oscars. In the film Pain and Glory, he plays an aging film direc-

No need to lock up your daughters Tickets go on sale on December 20. The group has performed 160 concerts for more than 5.5 million fans around the world.

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tor, afflicted by a creative block who recalls significant life events such as first loves and breakups through a series of flashbacks. It is a semi-autobiographical look at director and writer Almodovar’s life, for which he is up for a director’s award. Banderas meanwhile, picked up the best actor accolade at the European Film Academy awards in Berlin. He was also named best actor at Cannes, where the film premiered in May. Malaga-born actor Pablo Puyol will replace Antonio Banderas in A Chorus Line when he heads across the pond for the Globes and the Palm Springs Film Festival. A Chorus Line will run at Malaga’s Soho Caixabank until January 19.

HE plays Prince Phillip in The Crown. And Matt Smith has been spotted relaxing at a destination suitably fit for a king. The former Doctor Who star was seen chatting to rowers on the exclusive Canary Island of La Gomera, ahead of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. The race is one of the world’s toughest rowing competitions, which sees contestants travel 3,000 miles from the island to Antigua in the Carribean. The 37-year-old looked relaxed as he shared a cuppa with the competitors prior to the start of the race. It was a world away from his love troubles back in the UK, where he is reported to have split after a five year romance with actress Lily James in favour of co-star Claire Foy (below), from the Crown.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Top class SENIOR airport fireman Nicky Vinales has attended a UK multi-agency gold command course in Gloucestershire, England.

Moving on MAJOR John Pitto has described it as ‘a privilege’ to have been Company Commander of Headquarter Company since March 2017 as he moves on from the post.

Green city A NEW transport advisory committee has been set up to look at the operation of buses and taxis, examining transport’s impact on the environment.

Child ders

min-

TRAINING for part-time and volunteer youth workers will be held until July 2020 with a local certificate awarded at the end of it, it has been announced.

Dyslexia: Help is at hand A SCREENING test could reveal which children have dyslexia at an early age, so they can get support in their education. The assessment is one of the proposals in the ‘Dyslexia Pledge’ introduced by the Gibraltar Government. Two online training courses which teach people about dyslexia are also part of this pledge, president of the Dyslexia Support Group Stuart Byrne told the Olive Press. “The courses are mainly aimed at schools but they can be used for any business as well,” he explained. “They’re only an hour long and don’t only look at all the difficulties but also the strengths of dyslexics.”

NEWS

Firing up

December 18th - January 7th 2020

Gib’s Extinction Rebellion group is demanding ‘radical change’ for 2020 ENDING climate change is ‘the defining issue’ of our age according to Gibraltar’s own Extinction Rebellion protest group. Rising political star Mark Montegriffo. who is spearheading the creation of XR on the Rock, believes ‘radical change’ is needed to save humanity. “If we do not unite and demand it we will not do so on anything,” he told the Olive Press. “We have to choose between unfettered capitalism and planetary destruction or a unified stand in favour of justice and equality.”

As the COP25 conference came to an end in Madrid and as Greta Thunberg was named Person of the Year by Time magazine, it is clear that climate change is no longer a fringe issue. Montegriffo, who was involved in the first steps of Together Gibraltar, thinks not enough has been done to prevent a climate catastrophe. “This concerns Gibraltarians who suffer severe health risks due to the air we breathe,” he revealed. He blames consumerism and exploitation of the global south for the

Sweet dreams

A SERIES of specially-designed beds are to be introduced for dementia sufferers. The 30 beds - designed to stop patients falling out of them - were handed over to Mount Alvernia home by the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society. “This wonderful contribution will make Mount Alvernia a more dementia-friendly place,” said Susan Vallejo of Elderly Residential Services.

rapidly rising water levels, storms and droughts caused by climate change. “The IPCC annual report says we have less than 11 years before climate change is irreversible,” he said. Despite the stark warnings, the COP25 panel only achieved a modest agreement, postponing until next year a key decision on global carbon markets. Delegates from almost 200 nations however, endorsed a declaration to help poor countries suffering the effects of climate change but didn’t allocate any new funds to do so. Extinction Rebellion will have its first public meeting on December 27 at 5pm at the Waterfront restaurant with everyone invited to attend.

Military comfort FORCES staff will soon

have a new place to call home on the Rock. A project to build three blocks of flats is being funded by the Gibraltar Naval Trust. It will be located at the Four Corners site beside the existing family housing. The modern accommodation will be fully air conditioned with disabled access and parking. This project will replace Britannia House in Buena Vista that is set to close in the summer of 2020. Formed in 1940, the Trust aims to provide facilities ‘for the efficiency and well-being’ of Ministry of Defence staff.

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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 one million people a month.

OPINION Britain’s Christmas no.1 On Friday we discovered what was top of the British people’s Christmas list. Santa Claus promised them a ‘Christmas gift’ they couldn’t turn down. And they lined the streets queuing up for it. And they got it. ‘Let’s get Brexit done,’ said Boris Johnson, ripping off his beard. Brexit they got. But like every child who sits on Santa Claus’s knee and tells them all his wishes, the British people were sold a lie. And you don’t have to wrap yourself in an EU flag outside Westminster to believe that. For Boris Johnson like Father Christmas can’t ride through the sky, granting everyone’s wishes with a gusto-filled ‘ho ho ho.’ Even as Johnson’s hefty parliamentary majority will allow him to whizz Brexit through the commons by Christmas and have it ‘done’ by the end of January, years of wrangling over the EU and Britain’s future relationship and ehem trade deal waits around the corner like a new year hangover. And the future of every British citizen living in Spain is tied up in that. Only yesterday Micheal Gove - who is in charge of no-deal planning - refused to rule out no-deal when challenged over the government’s plans to make it illegal for Britain to ask the EU for an extension to the transition period which ends in eleven months. Fair enough, he might have been doing himself out of a job by ruling out the possibility his job exists to plan for. But that will be no reassurance for those whose futures these politicians are meddling with.

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December 18th - January 7th 2020

Assassins for neighbours Nearly 40 years since his articles coined the phrase ‘the Costa del Crime’, it is not surprising we’re STILL living in a gangster’s paradise, writes author and journalist David Baird (right)

ERE’S a question you don’t often ask yourself: how many murderers have I known in my lifetime? The answer is - almost certainly more than you imagine. No matter how tranquil and law-abiding you are, you are likely to have come into contact with somebody who has committed a fatal crime and got away with it - by sheer luck, thanks to a cleverly faked accident, or whatever. And, if you live on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the odds you have been elbow to elbow with a most wanted criminal are even greater. Not for nothing has the region been dubbed the ‘Costa del Crime’, a tag that originated in the early 1980s. Until then, the coast was mostly famed for the antics of international jetsetters, from Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe, founder of the Marbella Club hotel, and millionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi to film star Stewart Granger and society hostess Gunilla Von Bismarck. But then more sinister sun-seekers arrived: Underworld figures learned

Organised crime on the coast was shocking a decade ago. But, warn the authors of Costa Nostra, it’s nothing compared to the drugs cartels’ vicelike grip today

Timeline of the crimes

that there was no way they could strong, respected newspaper) be extradited from Spain to the detailing a crime wave along the UK following the collapse, in coast. The article was headlined 1978, of a long-standing agree- ‘The Costa del Crime’ and the ment between the two countries. name stuck. A logo of a shifty guy This extraordinary extradition in a black hat by a palm tree beloophole was not closed until came almost seminal. 1985. Although the report was totally So Brits on the run began buy- factual the coast’s tourism bossing properties on es were furithe Costas in the ous, accusing late 1970s and me of saboThe coast’s early 80s, flaunting tage. Howevtheir ill-gotten gains er, since then tourism bosses and frequenting the number of the top night spots. were furious, shady individHitmen, conmen enjoying accusing me of uals and bank-robbers the good life in rubbed shoulders our midst has sabotage with aristocrats and multiplied. bullfighters. Among the They were soon more notorimaking second fortunes being ous residents was Ronnie Knight, conveniently close to the vast once married to Carry On star plantations of marijuana - which Barbara Windsor. He was wanted was getting increasingly fashion- for his part in the 1983 theft of £6 able - across the pond in Moroc- million from the Security Express co. headquarters in Shoreditch, east In the early 1980s I filed a report London. to the Sunday Express (then a I ran him to earth along with Sue

Haylock, his girlfriend, in their luxury home in the hills behind Fuengirola, but they (not so politely) declined to be interviewed. When Ron and Sue married, in typically flashy style at a Costa restaurant, an army of expat crooks turned up in force, brazenly flaunting their wealth and contempt for the law. But Ronnie’s cash dwindled and he and Sue ended up running a Fuengirola bar, attracting thrill-seeking British tourists. Eventually Ronnie was forced to return to the UK to face the music. So too was Freddy Foreman, a fearsome hitman and friend of the notorious gangsters, the Kray brothers. He loved the Costa, remarking recently: “Sun and sangria and birds. I would still be there if I could!” Meanwhile, along the coast in Almería, known as the home of spaghetti Westerns, another arch-criminal once ruled the roost. On the surface Juan Asensio Rodríguez, a chunky, balding

COSTA mafia BREXIT could threaten attempts to bring the drug trade under control along the Costa del Sol warn journalist and author Miguel Diaz and IU politician Antonio Romero. It comes a decade after their book, Costa Nostra: The mafias on the Costa del Sol, sent shockwaves through Spain and threatened its essential tourism trade. The authors say the same problems with criminal organisations still exist, but ‘with even more intensity. “The political context today is about less cooperation,” says Diaz. “The UK is key (in helping tackle the mafias) and Brexit

Owner of Heaven, David Ávila, assassinated while sitting with his family in his Range Rover, after his daughter’s communion in San Pedro

keeps Europe from having common legislation.” This comes after John Sawers, the ex-chief of the UK’s foreign intelligence service, said Britain’s security depended ‘heavily’ on the security of Europe and he hoped relations between the EU and Britain would not completely collapse after Brexit. Diaz and Romero believe the growth of mafia activity is to do with social impoverishment, and unemployment. Thousands of people in drug trafficking hotspots like La Linea, on the Gibraltar border, are employed by gangs, often throwing stones and attacking

A British man is shot, kneecapped and given a ‘Glasgow Smile’ in Marbella. The unnamed Brit was left with multiple injuries

Bomb blows up San Pedro warehouse while another explodes under a car in Benahavis, both warnings from Swedish drug mafias

Frenchman shot 20 times with an AK-47 outside his home in Marbella. The murder was a settling of accounts between mafias

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Heaven beach club burned to the ground as a warning to owner to pay what he ‘owes to Colombian drug lords’

British drug trafficker Sean Hercules gunned down in Estepona after engaging in a shootout with police

Spaniard Brian Carmona gunned down in Estepona before being bundled into a car, tortured, killed and dumped in Algeciras

Dutch-Moroccan bombmaker Hamza Ziani shot four times in the head and chest while eating sushi with a girl in Torremolinos restaurant

Moroccan man is shot in the leg outside nightclub in Puerto Banus. Motive remained unclear but appears to be a warning

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

December 18th - January 7th 2020

EXPOSES: David’s stories in the early 1980s, the front page interviews with Ronny Knight (below) businessman, was a pillar of society, controlling all 12 Almería cinemas. But by night he inhabited a sleazy netherworld frequented by prostitutes and men with criminal records; a world of bleak, garishly-lit establishments with obliging hostesses which cropped up like mushrooms along the main highway. Many a ‘chorizo’ (petty criminal) had his bail paid by Asensio, who then put them on his payroll. They bore nicknames like Rambo and El Loco. And those who fell out with him suffered nasty sometimes fatal - accidents. Asensio’s estranged wife was killed outside Almeria’s Imperial Cinema. Apparently a corpulent man in a black leather jacket shot her several times, finishing her off on the ground. No witness could be found. Joaquín Abad, editor of the Crónica, an Almería paper, campaigned against Asensio. He told me several attempts had been made on his life and then I understood why his office was protected by bul-

let-proof glass, Almería’s astonishing period of lawlessness was ended when campaigning Judge Balthasar Garzón, scourge of drug-traffickers and organised crime, dispatched a squad of Civil Guards from Madrid to tackle him head on, deliberately not advising the local authorities. Asensio was released after eight years in jail, but in 2004 he was executed gangland style, leaving

his family to squabble over his €100 million fortune. Another Costa execution occurred in 1990 when Charlie Wilson, a key player in 1963’s Great Train Robbery, discovered there is no hiding place when you fall out with fellow criminals. A blond man on a yellow bicycle turned up outside his house near Marbella. He shot Wilson, who

was preparing a barbecue to celebrate his marriage, and made his escape. In 2008 Judge Garzón turned his attention to the Costa del Sol, launching Operación Troika, a huge operation against money-laundering mafia gangs along the coast. Some 400 police made 30 simultaneous raids. Arrests were made in Almuñécar, Nerja, Frigiliana, Marbella, Estepona and San Pedro, with a further 10 detentions in other provinces. Near my village, police swooped on a luxury residence. The Russian owner kept a low profile, posing as a respectable expatriate. But his mansion did have some special features, such as unusually high walls and the presence of a security guard. One of my friend’s daughters was well-paid for looking after his children and taking them to school. Treated as one of the family, she even went to

Moscow on holiday with them. An sions in Russia on murder charges innocent abroad indeed. and illicit possession of arms. He Then, abruptly, the picture led one of several competing machanged. The disfia groups involved creet neighbour in heroin smuggling proved to be Alexin St. Petersburg in Sleeping with ander Malyshev the 1990s, when (left), a notorious an axe and a Vladimir Putin was gang leader, acdeputy mayor. machete under cused of several After several atkillings. He was tempts on his life his pillow to fend arrested and takMalyshev had en to Madrid to off rivals sought a safe refawait trial, along uge and moved to with his wife Olga Spain where (acand my acquaincording to The Guardian) his group tance, the children’s maid. allegedly laundered more than It turned out that Malyshev had US$62 million through real estate. been jailed on at least three occa-

Troika

strONGhold police during chases of suspects. “There are lawyers and financial advisers who create companies to launder the ill-gotten cash,” the pair said.“A network of professionals collaborate with the mafias because they generate wealth in the short term.” The crisis has also been allowed to fester, according to the duo, due to some authorities and institutions looking the other way.This has been seen at Algeciras port, where 30% of drug profits are said to be spent bribing dock workers, customs agents and police officers. There are around 120 organised groups along the coast, according to the Ministry of Interi-

Popular businessman Marco Yaqout, who owned several establishments in Puerto Banus, shot to death while driving his Bentley home to San Pedro

Jan. 21

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Mar.17

2019

Body of French man of sub-Saharan origin, 23, found dumped in Guadalhorce industrial estate after being shot at least 10 times

or.“. “Officials previously denied the mafias saying they were isolated events, but now they admit it’s a well-installed phenomenon.” The gangs come from an increasing internationalised scene and are either collaborating or clashing, with Dutch and Italians taking over, alongside British and Irish. “There is growing cooperation between the gangs,” continued Diaz and Romero, “who share the work in the criminal chain.“There are very specialised individuals who weave alliances between groups.“They outsource work - criminals come in, do the job, and leave.“ The renewed focus comes after one of the most

British father and son disappear from Spain’s Costa del Sol and have STILL not been found. Daniel and Liam Poole, 46 and 22, are feared dead from a drug deal ‘gone wrong’

April 1

2019

May.27

2019

Young man of Moroccan origin shot in his leg in Benalmadena as a suspected warning from a rival drug gang

The body of a man is found dumped on the side of the A-7 between Marbella and Mijas showing signs of violence

Sep.17

2019

Oct.27

2019

Bulgarian man found dumped in a ditch on the A-7176 road which connects Marbella and Istan, just hours after being shot three times in the stomach

EXECUTION: Of Frenchman in Cabopino just weeks ago wanted in Europe was arrested while celebrating his birthday in Puerto Banus

Dutchman shot dead outside property in Marbella before killers made off in his car. His associate was also shot but survived

Nov.15

2019

Frenchman, 60, executed with series of shots outside restaurant in Cabopino, by two masked hitmen thought to be of Dutch origin

Nov.21

2019

Dec. 5

2019

Briton Peter Williamson, 39, from Manchester, shot and killed outside his property in Mijas. Police believe the murder was drug-related

some weeks ago. Whilst the infamous Marbella-Fuengirola-Estepona triangle has been hotter than ever, the action is spreading to Mijas.“The Algerian mafias operate in El Zoco,” the experts revealed. “There is little suspicion raised around there.”

Bombs

There have been six shootings, including the death of a British man, Peter Williamson, who was shot to death by a man ‘of Arab origin’ in Mijas, as well as a Frenchman, who was executed in the car park of a Cabopino restaurant. “A man was also shot in Nagueles, Marbella while taking his boy to school and we have seen bombs and arson attacks by Dutch mafias in the infamous triangle recently,” added Romero. Asked how to tackle the problem, the pair said an increase in specialised police would be ‘a start’

A huge investigation was launched but Operación Troika collapsed in October 2018, when no case could be proved against the 17 accused, consisting of seven Russians, five Spaniards, two Ukrainians, a German, an Estonian and a Lithuanian. By then Malyshev, surprisingly let out on bail, had fled Spain for Russia. Disturbingly Judge Garzon, who brought many criminals, including Chile’s President Pinochet, to book, was banned from practising when his enemies in the judicial system organised his removal from office. That’s good news for the international cohort of criminals who have moved to the Costa, and their arrival has not stopped. Most recently, Dutch and Irish gangsters have been settling accounts in public fashion as a warning to their enemies. These mobsters of various nationalities don’t have much faith in the Spanish authorities’ ability to protect them. When a leading Russian mafioso was arrested in Mijas in 2017, he was sleeping with an axe and a machete under his pillow to fend off murderous rivals. Meanwhile, my one-time neighbour Alexander Malyshev is back in St. Petersburg with partner Olga, where with two sons they run several successful businesses. Local publications have noted: ‘The godfather of the 90s has returned’. David Baird has been reporting from Spain since the 1970s. His books include Between Two Fires, an account of the guerrilla war in southern Spain in the 1940s and Sunny Side Up, how the 21st century hit an Andalusian village. Published by Maroma Press (www. maromapress.wordpress.com)

LA CULTURA Creative culture 8

December 18th - January 7th 2020

Newly-awarded Gibraltar’s playwright reveals what makes him tick CULTURE VULTURE: Playwright Julian Felice

“GO where your creativity takes you,” is the advice of the playwright who became Gibraltar Cultural Ambassador recently. Julian Felice was rewared at a government ceremony for his growing list of self-written plays which have enriched Gibraltar’s imagination. “I felt very honoured to win the award,” Felice told the Olive Press. “I love doing what I do and to have my work recognised and appreciated in this way was very gratifying.

Provocative

“But I don’t think it will change my perception or perspective at all - I will keep on doing what I enjoy doing, regardless of any award.” The Head of Drama at Bayside School revealed he writes and directs plays purely for pleasure. “I enjoy all aspects of theatre and like working with creative people,” he revealed. “I don’t see this investment of time as a chore as it is something

that I am genuinely passionate about and that drives me on.” Writing about subjects that are provocative to him on a local and global scale comes as second nature to his critical mind. “Some of my plays ask difficult questions because I like to make audiences look at themselves through what they see in the plays. “I write about whatever may be burning inside me at the time, and anything else is a by-product. “If this has any positive impact on anyone, then that will always be a bonus.” Felice finds it ‘gratifying’ that his plays have been acted out in both the UK and the USA. “I hope that my legacy will be more about the students I have taught, whatever impact I may have had on them, and what contributions they might make in the future,” he concluded. His next play, Every Time We Think Of Them, on motherhood, will be performed at the Gibraltar Drama Festival in March.

Music for the soul PARTY: Rave on the Rock A BERLIN-BASED DJ will be in Gibraltar for a pre-Christmas electronica gig. House and techno will be played by Baikal on a special occasion for organisers Dazed and Confused. “This year we celebrate our fifth birthday,” said promoters Dazed & Confused which specialises in house music events on the Rock. “Last year we had to give our birthday party a miss, as we couldn’t find a venue that was up to our standards. “So we are buzzing to have

been able to secure somewhere that meets our needs this time around.” The event will be held at the Garrison Gym in Europa Road on December 21 from 10pm until 7am the next day. Baikal describes his set as ‘multi layered electronic music for the heart, mind and feet, preferably all at the same time’. The artist, who has played Gibraltar before, was described by the organisers as ‘a great DJ and an even better person’.

what’s on Child savers SUPPORT the flag day being held by Children’s Aid in Gibraltar on Dec 20 at the Lobby of Parliament from 9am to 1pm.

Home from home BE sure not to spend the season alone by attending a great free Christmas dinner in The Yard at Ocean Village on December 25.

Calorie burner

Goya wouldn’t have fingered me! VELAZQUEZ would have been too ‘superficial’ , while El Greco would have accentuated his fingers too much. For Jeremy Irons, Francisco Goya would have been the ideal Spanish master to encapsulate him. The Hollywood actor revealed his passion to have sat for Francisco Goya, best known for his satirical engravings and black masterpieces. He was talking to promote a new documentary he presents about Madrid’s Museo del Prado, which houses works

by Spain’s greatest pre-20th century artists - dozens by Goya. “Velázquez might have done a superficial portrait. El Greco, with those elongated figures, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have gotten my best profile, so I’m staying with Goya,” said the Oscar winning actor. He added that he was ‘delighted’ to get the opportunity to return to Madrid to present the documentary, Painters and Kings of the Prado.

DANCE away the Christmas blues on December 25 with Santa’s electronic music festival at the Tercentenary Sports Hall headlining ‘Wade’.

New year fun EXPERIENCE a unique New Year’s Eve with Costa band The Legal Aliens in Casemates Square from 10.30am.

Festive shows A SERIES of Christmas concerts will be held in Malaga’s Plaza de La Constitucion with performances from the Sierra Blanca El Romeral choir, Teatro Musical Victoria and Gym Victory. December 17-29.

ASierra Nevada ll about

Vol. 5 Issue 112

www.theolivepress.es

White world

+34 958 481 170 +34 675 470 669 www.alquileressierranevada.es

2019/2020

First-time skier Charlie Smith slopes off to the Sierra Nevada to discover the thrill of the chill on our doorstep

By Charlie Smith We step out at Borreguiles, which sits some 2,700 metres above sea level. This is the basecamp for many of the Sierra’s runs, which range from the green-coloured ‘muy facil’ pistes to those in black, labelled ‘muy dificil’. Blinded by the brilliant white sheen given off by the snow, I meet my teacher for the day, Joey, from the British Ski Center. Having only ever skied on the dry slope in Halifax, Yorkshire, Continues overleaf

photo by Telemark

ILENCE. There is not a single peep as I climb upwards through the valley to meet my maker. I poke my head out of the cable car window and the Sierra Nevada’s fresh alpine air hits my lungs. Then I hear it – a sweeping crunch down the crisp white piste, as a snowboarder whizzes past below. Another tears through, and then a third, all weaving down the mountainside at blistering speed. I’m definitely more terrified than the three Spanish guys sharing the carriage with me. We have left behind the cosy bars and restaurants in Pradollano, the main town of Andalucia’s only ski resort.

December 2019/2020

Pascual perfect WANT to avoid all the chaos of queuing for skis and kit on arrival in the resort? Why not take a short stop at Pascual Ski on the way up? Opposite the BP garage in the village of Cenes de la Vega, just off the main road, here you will find Jose Luis Pascual, 65, who has nearly 50 years of working in the Sierra Nevada. He has a great range of new skis and boots and all the tools to repair and prepare your own skis in advance of your arrival. You can literally park right opposite the shop at the petrol station. As well as speaking perfect English he has a big number of skiing instructors available to connect you to. “I have always been one to look after the clients,” explains Jose Luis, who did his military service at the age of 19 with the so called ‘legion blanca’ in the Pyrenees. “We can do repairs that people might think are impossible and we take particularly care of the boots we rent out.” You can find it at Camino de la Vega, 23, Cenes de la Vega or call 958481048 or visit www.pascualski.com

ll about

Sierra Nevada

THROWING SHAPES: Charlie shows some classic early form after getting ‘Bambi legs’ From Page 17

Halifax’ finest

on a school trip, it’s fair to say I am out of my depth. Joey takes me over to a small conveyor belt up a very gentle incline slope, that is probably classed as ‘muy muy facil’. He puts me through my paces and after an hour of intensive training, I’ve gone from Bambi on ice to actually skiing. It’s time to hit the slopes. The pair of us hop onto the Emile Allais ski lift, named after the French alpine ski champion of the 1930s. And maybe Emile would have been proud – if not a bit bored and bemused – as I safely ‘snow ploughed’ my way to the bottom. Saying goodbye to Joey, I pop into Restaurante Borreguiles for a much-needed and reasonably-priced cafe con leche and bocadillo, while I reflecting on my newly-discovered sporting prowess. With the sun now beating down, I take my confidence – or should that be cockiness – back up the slope and prepare for my first solo run. All goes well until I cross a small but slippery patch of ice – a rarity on most of the Sierra Nevada slopes, which are generally icing sugar-soft. A €9 million cash injection for the 2019/2020 season has seen the introduction of 33 new snow cannons, which produce the same amount of snow

in half the time, meaning the environment benefits as well as the slopes. As I hurtle over the ice, desperately trying to slow myself, I clip the skis of 10-year-old boy, sending us both flying. As I look up I realise his classmates have witnessed the whole thing. But rather than giving me a dressing down, the lad’s teacher imparts some words of wisdom and encouragement.

December 18th - January 7th 2019

Old age pleasures

IDYLLIC: The Sierra Nevada puts skiers on top of the world

SURFS UP: Some daredevils ditch skis and snowboards as they ride the slopes

THEY have been coming to the Sierra Nevada for decades from their home in Almeria. And, best of all, retired expats (above) Martin and Brenda Carney, 72 and 70, now get their ski passes completely free of charge. “All we have to do is rent our gear and we have been using the same shop Ski Sol since we first came,” explains former UK hotelier Brenda. “We love it up here and the snow is usually excellent.” Shop boss Montse (pictured with them) explains that they have dozens of clients in their 70s, and one Norwegian in his NINETIES. “He’s been coming down here for years,” she reveals. “He is amazingly fit and I think skiing really helps him stay that way.” Many of the local business owners still ski every day, well into their sixties. They include Jose Carlos, at Bodega Casablanca, and EOE skiing school boss Jose Luis Hernandez, 64, who explains: “It’s a great sport, using almost all your muscles, your arms, your legs and your dorsals, not to mention the heart. “My brother Manolo still skis and he’s in his 80s and I intend to ski when I’m 90.” Statistically 2.7% of skiers in the Sierra Nevada are over 60 years old. Last but not least there are a lot more Asian skiers coming these days, including the group (left) from China who live in Malaga.

for a hot steam bath and soak up some me-time at one of several This friendliness is a characterising feature of the Sierra Nevada, as hotel spas. locals and tourists – from Portugal, Britain, Germany and ScandinaBut all year round, the Sierra Nevada is paradise for fresh air fiends. via – seem at peace among the tranquility of the idyllic landscape. After ‘the melt’, the resort becomes a haunt for walkers, wildlife lovGiven that my ‘victim’ and I both walk away unscathed, all in all, I ers and mountain bikers. count my first ever day’s skiing as a roaring success. Get the best views by taking advantage of the ski lifts, which in sumThe prices for all this fun in the snow are not to be sniffed at either. mer carry both people and bikes to the summit to enjoy the breathMy adult’s one-day ski pass was €50.50 (low season price, which rises taking routes back down. in high season to just over €52). Seven-day options start from just €271, while there are generous dis- Borreguiles, the resort’s imprescounts for children, elderly and disabled customers. sive ski bowl, boasts a bike park This is a bargain when you look at what the Sierra Nevada has to offer, in the hotter months. Youngwith 124 different runs for every ability, whether you’re Shaun White sters can test their strengths in or Barry White. the mini-olympiads zone or race Beginner and intermediate slopes are in abundance with 19 green against each other on the pedal runs and 41 blues – my kind of territory. car track. And for Beijing Winter Olympics hopefuls there are 50 red runs (dif- Guided dawn and dusk walks ficult) and 14 black and orange (very difficult). and a bumper running and cyThere is even more adventure for the 2019/20 season, with some 30 cling race calendar are a magevents including Snowrunning (snow mountain race), Potholes (free- net keeping the resort busy 12 style), School (alpine skiing) and Veterans (alpine skiing) competi- months of the year. tions. Back in the icy present, it’s time But perhaps the most exciting will be the Snowboardcross event, on to sample some of Pradollano’s March 6 and 7, starring legendary athletes like Lucas legendary apres Eguibar and Regino Hernandez. ski scene. It’s hard to believe that 106,8 kms of pistes and 124 runs For the perfect The bar’s walls (75% open in mid-December) lie just two hours from start, drop into sunny Marbella on sea and half an hour from Granada. include a family Bar Esqui where It truly lives up to the marketing hype as a place where affable landlord you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the coast, photo featuring Nichu slings pina colada in hand, by the afternoon. cañas across the a fresh-faced Expert skiers treasure the snow which, particularly in counter like a springtime, is quite unlike the tightly-packed ice found King Felipe VI bartender in a in many European winter sports resorts. western saloon Some ski fans even brave the mountain descent in bikiwhile blasting nis for the last day of the season in May (la bajada en bikini), an un- punters with everything from missable occasion charged with champagne, hedonism and near-nu- Michael Jackson to 90s club dity. classics. A hearty pub grub menu Even on my trip in cold December I spotted some shoeless surfer – with quality albondigas – is on dudes, wetsuits and boards in tow. offer as you scrutinise the history “Constant improvements and an ability to produce a lot of snow are adorning the bar’s walls, includjust two of the strengths of our resort,” said Santi Sevilla, who has ing a family photo featuring a been working at Cetursa, the resort’s administrator, for eight years. fresh-faced King Felipe VI. “Add to that the arrival of the Freestyle Ski World Championship and An equally-tasty post-ski belSnowboarding here in March, and the affordability of ski passes, and ly-warmer is the lentejas, freshly you can see why it is one of the most attractive resorts in Europe. served up by Jose Carlos and his “One of my favourite new additions is the Pista del Mar in the heart team at the cosy and modestof Borreguiles. ly-priced Casablanca. “This has been created to make a fun and safe area where families and La Visera is also a great spot for beginners can enjoy the snow.” steak, while Swell, Tito Tapas Santi is far from the only skier smitten by Pradollano’s charms. and La Bodeguita are all defiOver one million people visit the resort each year. nitely worth a trip too. That is an impressive achievement considering it was only construct- For those with a bit more spended in 1964, making it a newbie in comparison to some of France’s ing money, La Muralla’s relong-established resorts like Chamonix and Courchevel. vamped menu makes that hard But there is much more to the Sierra Nevada than sliding down it on work on the slopes all worthtwo planks of wood. while. The melt-in-the-mouth You can tackle it by toboggan and snowboard, or on a snowshoe hike carrillada is a must, as is the (akin to walking with a tennis racket strapped to each foot). courgette carpaccio with fig Family-oriented Mirlo Blanco park gives kids their adrenalin fix as sauce and the peanut tart to finthey brave the star attraction, Trineo Ruso (Russian sled), which ish. And of course, nothing goes whisks riders around a several hundred metre track with tight turns down better at this time of year Plaza de Andalucía, Edificio Montebajo, Local and a 550 metre descent. than a steaming glass of tinto de A magic carpet slide and bouncy castles can also be found in the zone, Invierno - spiced, mulled wine. 18196, Sierra Nevada National Park along with mountains of snow for DIY fun. Salud! And if that sounds like too much action, you can always swap icy snow www.britishskicenter.co.uk

Tlf: +34 958 17 72 93

12 www.theolivepress.es

December 18th - January 7th 2020

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Sierra Nevada

Jetting in! World champion Jet Skier David Selles has set up on the slopes

AVING whizzed around the world as a professional jet skier David Selles has slid onto the Sierra Nevada slopes with an exciting new business. The seven-times World Champion, from Benidorm, opened a ski shop and school in the heart of Pradolla-

HOT SEAT: David with team and (top) after winning jet ski title

no last season. Be Snow is the culmination of a three-year search for the perfect way to make a living on the slopes. “Since buying a home nearby some years ago, I haven’t stopped looking,” Selles, 48, tells the Olive Press. And when decades-old ski shop Pascual Ski, in Plaza Andalucia, came up for sale he jumped at the option. Now half a year later he has finally opened with a stylish new urban look, with a few of the former staff and with tens of thousands of euros of brand new equipment. “We’ve got 650 new pairs of skis and 800 pairs of brand new boots,” he boasts. “It is the most important thing for anyone wanting to guarantee to have fun on the slopes. “Top class skis with fantastic edges and the most comfortable boots you can find. We can promise that.” It has been an exciting couple of de-

cades for the father-of-two, whose Brazilian wife, Alyne, often helps out in the shop. After growing up in Finistratt, near Benidorm, he took up the sport of jet-skiing and won his first world championship in Crete in 1997. He then competed around the world in countries as diverse as Japan, Canada, Alaska and Chile, before winning his final championship in Marbella in 2008. It was a pretty full on two decades and, technically, he was not allowed to ski during all the time as a professional. “Contractually my sponsors would not allow it, but - of course - I couldn’t resist and came quite a few times incognito,” admits the businessman, who first skied in Candanchu at the age of eight. “Now I couldn’t be happier. This is my passion, not a business. I get to ski every day and make a living at the same time,” he concludes.

Don’t boob this one

THRILL-SEEKERS: Get their kit off every year

A COLLECTION of Sierra Nevada’s bravest and silliest thrill seekers rush down the mountain in swimsuits for the last day of the season. Next year, the V Bajada Swim, will start at Borreguiles where participants hand in their clothes to take to the slopes into Pradollano where drinks and hedonism awaits. Budding nudists also get a discounted ski pass if they sign up to the official page. However, space is limited to 500 people and prizes are given to the best and most outrageous outfits.

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Century in the making The history of Telemark - one of the Sierra Nevada’s oldest ski companies - has roots as far back as 1912 PROUD: Luis shows a off a photo of his grandfather skiing near Madrid

THEY say a photo is worth a thousand words. And the picture of Luis Casanove’s grandfather 100 years ago is certainly no exception. Taking pride of place on the wall of his company Telemark’s office in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, the grainy black and white image shows him skiing in Spain, in 1912. In the hills of the Guadarra- PERSONAL ATTENTION: From Luis, while (right) he teaches children ma range, north of Madrid, he actually appears in faultless English. to be snowboarding at first glance. “And here we still offer Telemark as well “He is actually Telemark skiing, which was the as many other types of skiing classes.” original way, before Alpine skiing became more Be it hiking, Telemarking, cross country, fashionable later in the century,” explains Luis, snowboarding or off-piste skiing, there are not many inches of the Sierra Nevada that Luis and his business partner Jesus Fernandez don’t know. Going for three decades, they are well known for their famous off-piste mountain adventures that last from a morning to two days. But their school, set up in 1989, is now focusing very much on families and children. “We have realised that our knowledge and know-how is perfect for families who want the perfect personal one to one break,” continues Luis, who spends half the year in the resort and the other half in Africa. The company also runs amazing wilderness trips that literally end up in another world... the charming cobbled villages of the Genil valley, in the Alpujarras. These one or two-day adventures take you through deep off-piste snow onto narrow WANT to avoid all the chaos of queuing for skis mountain tracks. and kit on arrival in the resort? “We try to put an emphasis on ecology Why not take a short stop at Pascual Ski on the and nature and it is impressive to see the way up? typically old farmhouses in the area and Opposite the BP garage in the village of Cenes how little they have changed,” adds Luis. de la Vega, just off the main road, here you will “It is a real, fun adventure, something you find Jose Luis Pascual, 65, who has nearly 50 will not forget. years of working in the Sierra Nevada. “Best of all, a team of mules ends up helpHe has a great range of new skis and boots and ing to bring your stuff back to Pradollano,” all the tools to repair and prepare your own skis in advance of your arrival. he adds.The day trip costs just €100 per You can literally park right opposite the shop at person and includes transport and lunch. the petrol station. Another popular pastime for those who As well as speaking perfect English he has a don’t fancy risking life and limb on the pisbig number of skiing instructors available to tes, is to have a day of cross-country skiconnect you to. ing on two or three well established paths “I have always been one to look after the cliaround the resort. ents,” explains Jose Luis, who did his military “It is great fitness and you do get to enservice at the age of 19 with the so called ‘lejoy the fabulous views and nature at the gion blanca’ in the Pyrenees. same time,” he adds. “We can do repairs that people might think are The company can also help organise hardimpossible and we take particularly care of the core uphill climbing for mountaineers to a boots we rent out.” half day soft snow walking trip with snow rackets. You can find it at Camino de la Vega, 23, Cenes Contact the team on telemark@telemark. de la Vega or call 958481048 or visit www.pases or call 958 48 11 53. cualski.com

Pascual perfect

III

December 18th - January 7th 2020 WHERE TO EAT

introducing...

SHIMBUYA RESTAURANT

REBEL SUSHI AND MUSIC

tel: 958 88 55 06 Virgen de las Nieves, Edifico Bulgaria (local 7), Monachil

Après scoff

There are mountains of good places to eat in the Sierra Nevada, writes Jon Clarke

IN their matching outfits and sparkly tops, there is a real sense of fun at Ci Vediamo. But the real reason to visit is the wonderful creative food of chef Stevie Silva and his team of hip, young chefs. Now in his 11th year on the slopes, this talented young chef spends his summers in Asia or south America, with girlfriend Luna, picking up new dishes to test out on his faithful clients. The pair deserve all the success they have had, opening just as the worst recession in Spain’s history kicked in. Their excellent dishes this season include a ceviche of scallops in a bloody Mary sauce and an amazing false risotto with coco-

TOP TUCKER: Olive Press editor Jon enjoys Nevada Suiss, while (right) team at Ci Vediamo

nut milk, kimchi and prawns. Also look out for the amazing uzukuri of turbot with yuzu and an amazing soft crab tempura. But let’s not forget they also have some of the best pizzas in the resort and lots of more traditional dishes to boot, not to mention a great wine list. They also have a new Japanese inspired restaurant Shimbuya, halfway up the resort, that keeps getting better and better. Staying faithful to the Japanese style of minimalism, it has electric blue tiles on the wall and lots

of plain wood and even a slot machine at the door. I particularly liked their California Roll with a king prawn, salmon and sesame seeds. Next door, keep an eye out for the excellent local Swell next door, which is a cool place to hang out, grab a burger, salad or wok and watch the football. Close by is another recently-opened restaurant, La Cariguela, run by the team behind the most popular bar in town Bar Ski, set up by Nichi two decades ago. Here you will find Nichi’s partner Fatima running a classic soul kitchen concentrating on excel-

lent quality fish and the resort’s only Moroccan dishes, including a delicious chicken tagine. This is a classic local place, warm and friendly, where service is at a premium and where you will eat some of the resort’s best food, including my personal favourite the tartare of bluefin tuna with avocado, apple, cucumber and caviar. In particular, stop to chat to Fatima’s son Mohamed, who is a livewire of information and at 22 as ambitious as anyone I’ve met in the Sierra Nevada. In the heart of the resort, few places come more traditional than Tito Luigi, where at least

Michelin trained chef Esteban Silva produces classic Italian style dishes with a modern twist

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • Monday to Saturday • 12.00-16.00 & 20.00-24.00 Plaza Andalucía, Edf. Salvia s/n • Pradollano • Tel. 958 480 856 • civediamosn@gmail.com Find Us on Google Maps with 360° degree view

15 www.theolivepress.es

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AXARQUIA

Sierra Nevada

the olive press - October 30 - November 12 2014

III

December 18th - January 7th 2020

FACES: At La Visera, Vertical and Tia Maria bar (below) Nichu shows off his skills at Bar Ski

KINGS OF PRADOLLANO: Javi and Luis at Tito Luigi, while (below) Fatima and Mohamed at La Cariguela two kings of Spain have eaten. Take a look on the walls and you’ll find evidence of the royal family’s many sojourns down to the golden slopes… and plenty more aside. Indeed, over the last three decades, this wonderful restaurant, run by pals Javier and Luis, has also provided dinner for bullfighters, Hollywood stars and politicians. And it’s perhaps no surprise for a joint that consistently provides for 250 covers every evening during the busy season. Specialising in good Italian fare, it serves up great pizzas, pasta dishes and my favourite squidink spaghetti with prawns. The pair have another, hipper restaurant Tito Tapas just up the road and a third more formal restaurant up the hill in the middle of the resort. Next door look out for the also well established La Muralla, run by Argentinian Gonzalo Funes, and appropriately with the best steaks in the resort, not to mention excellent wines by the glass. The melt-in-the-mouth carrillada is a must, as is the courgette carpaccio with fig sauce and the

FACES: At La Visera, Vertical and Tia Maria bar (below) Nichu shows off his skills at Bar Ski peanut tart to finish was a sure- lanueva, who grew up on the slopes, with his father opening fire winner. The ‘tostas’ are also great and one of the first hostals in the come in various guises, while I 1960s. The historic photos add to the loved the milhoja of foie gras. He and his brother Luciano also atmosphere (as does a framed run the brand new Muralla Olive Press article!) and the Burger, almost next door, which heart-warming soul food is always excellent, specialises in the and includes best quality burgstews, lentils as ers on the slopes. A cool crowd well as prawns It’s a lovely spot and you will wrapped in poand makes a tato with a soya great addition to struggle to find mayonnaise and what is easily the a seat on many lovely lamb chops most competitive with whisker-thin run of restaudays wild asparagus. rants in the Sierra Looking for Nevada. views, the recentAnd don’t forget the brothers’ other bustling ly-opened, Al Dente faces right spot Las Gondalas, right in the onto the slopes and has a suheart of the town and perfect for perb mix of Italian and Spanish some apres ski light bites, a hot dishes. My tomato, mozzarella bruschetdrink or a beer. The cool sounds playing to the ta with basil and black olives was terrace attract a cool crowd and original, while I particularly loved you will struggle to find a seat on the Saltimbocca, which is fillet steak stuffed with ham and with many days. Just up from here, look out for a rich ricotta sauce. the amazing Bodega Casa- There were some delicious ‘nisblanca run by Jose Carlos Vil- calo’ mushrooms added for ex-

tra measure. Owned by friendly Granada lawyer Antonio, his team are knowledgeable and service is crisp. He also co-owns the well established La Visera next door, along with chef Pepe, who is a very capable chef and always leading the charge in the kitchen. Another excellent place overlooking the slopes is Tia Maria, which has a good mix of dishes and is a great place for breakfast. Run by Carlos, the brother of Tito Luigi’s Javier, this is an institution and place to while away the day. Newer and really leading the charge food-wise is La Mar Sala, where Carlos has created an ambient spot, perfect for tapas and wines by the glass. This prime spot by the Melia hotel is normally filled to the rafters and counts on some excellent

wines by the glass and the very best seafood from Motril, including boquerones, cigalas and conchas finas. A genuine find. He has also just opened another place called La Mar del Bueno, which is a stylish place and promises to be a true winner this winter, with a decent, creative looking menu. For coffee, breakfast, and in fact just about everything, Vertical is hard to be beaten and also has a great range of snacks and

light bites, including hot dogs for the British clientele. Another brilliant option, particularly for great coffee and amazing pastries, is La Croissanteria, in the heart of the main square. Run by friendly Argentinians Cristian y Jessica, service is very much with a smile and there are even a couple of unusual south American chestnuts I had never tried before.

WHERE TO STAY

Snow dreams

There are hundreds of places to stay in the Sierra Nevada, but only a handful are really reliable, writes Jon Clarke

AUTHENTIC: The lentils at Casablanca are legendary

IT is hard to describe Pradollano as an authentic mountain village. But, with a metre of snow on the ground and the sun finally out, it certainly has its charms. There are lots of places to stay but easily one of the most charming has got to be the authentic Hotel Kenia Nevada, which is well located near the centre of town and open most of the year. Run by the friendly Don Pedro – who used to ski for the country as a youngster - it is clean, well run and serves up one of the best breakfasts in Spain. It also has a gym and spa, with an in-house masseur, and plenty of communal areas, filled with charming old furniture. You could also go upmarket and splurge on one of the two wonderful Melia hotels, right

in the heart of the resort. The rooms at the Melia Sierra Nevada have been recently renovated and the New Premium rooms have been built on floors 7 and 8. Meanwhile the nearby Meliá Sol y Nieve hotel offers The Level experience, which is the hotel group’s most exclusive commitment to luxury and personal service. Another good budget option is the GHM Monachil, which is well located right by the slopes and has had a massive upgrade over the last couple of years and continues with the rooms now. It has an excellent breakfast buffet and a big car park, which costs just €10 a day for guests. Another popular option is to rent an apartment in the resort, of which there are many.

Be careful, of all the many deals on the likes of airbnb and booking you could be in for a shock when you arrive, being stuck out in Babylon or find the place much smaller and dirtier than it initially looked in photos. A much better option is to trust the long-time local specialists, Sierra Nevada Alquileres, which has a massive 150 apartments on its books, which start from €80 euros a night and go up to well over €1,000 if you want something really exclusive. It even has some chalets to rent to boot. The company is always busy but its boss Antonio always has time for a chat if around and will always find you a good deal. Visit www.alquileressierranevada.es) for more information.

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An Olive Press Special pullout

hristmas

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Light up the world THE Malaga Christmas lights have returned for anothery year.

Showtime on the Rock New Year’s Eve in Gibraltar is a distinctly British party, writes John Culatto

Navidad down south

The joys of Christmas in Spain include a twist on carols and likely clear skies... but beware of the free minibars, warns Karethe Linaee EVERY Christmas when I was young, my mother would bring out her scratched Bing Crosby record and we knew the festive season had arrived. Here in Spain, where the main celebration is el Dia de los Reyes on January 6, the lyrics don’t quite fit. Although the month-long fiesta is felt far and wide as locals elbow their way down supermarket aisles with trolleys stacked to feed a small army, navidad in Andalucia is quite another kettle of langostinos, a favourite seasonal treat. While Northern Europeans may dream of

December 18th - January 7th 2020

a White Christmas, here (most of the time) we have no such chance. There might be a dusting on faraway mountains - particularly in the appropriately named Sierra de las Nieves and the Sierra Nevada - but generally winter means camel-coloured landscapes and occasional downpours. To get ourselves prepared, we hold a weather consultation with our 90-year-old neighbour, Antonio. As our self-appointed meteorologist, he makes his predictions from a wet blotch on the ancient Arabic city wall, near where we

live in Ronda. And this year, according to his expert opinion, there will be ‘poca agua’ at Christmas. Back in my native Canada, Christmas muzak has been blaring out of malls since Halloween, a constant stress-inducing reminder of the upcoming festivities. It is the same in the UK. While Spanish shops rarely pipe in their own festive music, the main pedestrian streets in most Andalucian towns more Continues on Page 18

GIBRALTAR will see in the new year in sensational style, with parties to suit every taste. The remarkable range of New Year’s Eve entertainment will follow on from a family Christmas in the wonderfully lit streets of the British territory. Top Costa del Sol band The Legal Aliens will usher in 2020 at Casemates after a terrific fireworks display over the Rock. Popular local group Jetstream are on as support to help see out the last few hours of 2019. For a more exclusive experience, Gibraltar’s only five-star hotel the Sunborn will put on not one, but three themed nights at Ocean Village. Its lively top floor venue, the Barbary Restaurant and Bar, is arranging a four-course family meal from 7pm until 1:30am.

Extravaganza

Complete with cocktail bar, children’s buffet and a midnight toast, be prepared to boogie down into the wee hours with some live music. An adults-only four-course meal will also be on offer at the stylish La Sala. Enjoy the first few hours of 2020 with a welcome reception, cocktail bar and latenight snacks in the ‘Viva Las Vegas’ themed event. Finally, enjoy a real cabaret in the ‘Showtime’ celebration at the Aurora Ballroom. With adult entertainment all night, this 18+ party includes a ‘New Year’s dinner specta-

cle’, buffet extravaganza and cocktail bar until four in the morning. For a New Year’s Eve party with a twist, The Yard just across the water in Ocean Village hosts a West End drag queen. The two-part cabaret show with Jade Justin as Cher will dust off your 2019 with a sparkle and a giggle. The doors of The Yard open at 7pm with welcome drinks and canapés included in the £15 entry price and over 12 gins available in traditional festive flavours. All in all, make sure you are in Gibraltar as you welcome the coming year of its independence, in distinctly British style.

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From Page 17

than make up for it. Named after an alleged snowball that once rolled down the street, exterior loudspeakers on Calle La Bola, in Ronda, blast out pop-ified English carols with Spanish lyrics, traditional villancicos and the occasional Buble Christmas special (a remake of the remake). Andalucia’s Christmas lights get more sophisticated by the year and might include an evening light show. Otherwise, the decor is pretty modest. The shop’s window displays might have a Santa, a penguin

with a toque or a few stars squeezed in between Iberian hams and sequined party dresses. But step off any commercial street and one would think there is no celebration at all. Be it due to the economy or tradition, the rural Andalusians usually have no Christmas decor outside their homes, with the exception of a red banner featuring a semi-nude baby Jesus. A more pagan twist is to hang rope off your balcony with a Santa climbing up it or, in more religiously-inclined households, the Three Kings. Most certainly ‘Made in China’, these escaping

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Festive delights puppets are in some odd way so very Andaluz. A lovely Christmas tradition common in many Catholic countries is the belen (nativity scene) and here in the Spanish south it has developed into an art form. Jose Manuel from our barrio proudly showed us his latest intricate production which has taken him months to build and covers half his patio.

Zambomba

Almost every Spanish home, church, brotherhood and bar will have a nativity display perfect in every detail, from miniature shepherds and tiny sheep to working waterfalls and stars in the East that light up. A uniquely Andalusian Christmas tradition is the zambomba - a bonfire with jingle bells on when musicians and dancers crowd around braziers outdoors playing flamenco and villancicos (Spanish christmas carols) and keeping warm with mulled wine and shots of sweet anis liqueur. The tradition originated with Jerez’s gypsy communities and in the city today there are so many you can put together your own zambomba crawl.

hristmas

The name comes from a peculiar sounding drum-like instrument that has become synonymous with Andalusian Christmas, and though an acquired taste, it wouldn’t be Navidad without it. Designated drivers beware. A somewhat risque traditional is the Christmas minibar which local businesses offer clients. I first noticed this generous booze and cookie display at our car dealership in Malaga. When renewing our insurance in December, we also encountered this free bar at our usually very responsible insurance agency. I even spotted one in a hardware store, tucked behind the hunting knife stand (the shop also sells the aforementioned ‘three-kings-on-a-rope’ should anyone be interested). Nothing like a breathalyser-busting tot of good cheer before driving off in the new car, taking out life insurance or revving up a power-saw. During our first Spanish Christmas, a few years back, word got out that we would be alone for the holiday. Immediately friends and neighbours opened their homes to us.

Magical

On Christmas Eve, serenaded by howling winds, we celebrated with a local policeman, his wife, children, in-laws and miscellaneous family members. Then on Christmas Day we

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joined the descendants of another neighbour, including his eight adult children and an old aunt with a lovely voice. After eating, musical instruments appeared and everyone burst into villancicos composed by their great-grandfather, so they told me. Braving the elements, we also

went on their annual carolling visit to a local convent. The door was locked (very biblical) but a sister eventually let us in to a chapel where cloistered nuns were singing Gregorian chants. Once they finished, our group strung our guitars and began carolling for the old nuns. It is a tradi-

19 XV December 18th - January 7th 2020

tion the family has kept up for generations and it was a magical introduction to the true sense of navidad in our adoptive home country. As we ring

in another Christmas season, make sure to enjoy some of these unique Andalusian holiday traditions - but watch out for those free minibars.

December 18th - January 7th 2020

Viva Portugal! SPAIN’S uncertain political landscape after its general election, has prompted investors to splash the cash in Portugal instead. National and international investment has increased in the country following the November 10 vote that saw the PSOE party left without an overall majority. Portugal has a GDP growth rate of 2% compared to that of Spain, which stands at just 1.6%. Tax exemptions of up to 10 years under Portugal’s NHR program for non-habitual residents, also make the country an attractive prospect for Spanish investment. Law firms and real estate agents have been among the businesses to have registered their interest in Portugal in recent weeks. Spain remains unstable, while acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez enters negotiations with other parties.

BUSINESS

Rich get richer

Spain’s richest man adds another couple of billion to his fortune

AMANCIO Ortega has an extra €2.75 billion in his pocket this Christmas thanks to a huge stocks recovery. The firm he founded, Inditex, has seen a 5.2% increase in its stock value fol-

lowing the announcement of its third quarter sales. The Galicia-based textiles giant saw a €2,758 million revaluation in shares — this is 59% of the company’s total capital. It comes after the market

Barcelona’s saving grace CATALANS have received the best Christmas present after a year from hell. Their most famous cathedral has made it into the top 10 tourist sights, according to TripAdvisor. The Salvador Dali designed La Sagrada Familia (right) was the only attraction in Spain to make the list.

Scots on the Rock

FLIGHTS connecting Edinburgh to Gibraltar will start running from next spring, it has been announced. This will be Easyjet’s fifth UK-Gibraltar destination after London Luton, Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester. The new year could see 30,000 passengers fly to the Scottish capital from March 31, 2020, with seats already

reacted to the news that up to October of this year Inditex’s sales had increased by 7.5% to €19.8 billion. The first nine months of 2019 is a record period for the business, which has exceeded €19 billion for the first time in its history and has almost hit the €20 billion mark. Only a few years ago, this figure was the equivalent to the multinational company’s sales for the whole year. Clothing firm Zara brought in 70% of sales for Inditex, which also owns Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear and Stradivarius.

Record

on sale. “I’m delighted that Easyjet are once again putting their faith in Gibraltar by launching their fifth destination to the Rock,” said Minister for Tourism Vijay Darjanani. “This is the first route from Scotland to Gibraltar and it opens up great leisure and business opportunities all round. “It is in line with the policy of the Government to create more connectivity between Gibraltar and other airports.”

Turnover in the third quarter of 2019 also surpassed €7 billion for the first time ever, and was also 9.2% higher than the same three months of 2018. The quarter is also the best Inditex has had since 2017 and exceeds the 8.5% growth in turnover, predicted by Bloomberg analysts from August to October. Inditex president Pablo Isla attributed the impressive figures to the integration of online and offline stock, which has allowed the company to streamline its inventory by 5%, which improves gross profit margins.

Amazon goes green AMAZON is to build its first solar farm in Spain, which will start producing energy from 2020. The Sevilla-located renewable energy power plant will provide 300,000 MWh of electricity per year to the American company’s logistics and data centres. The renewables project is part of its ‘Climate Pledge,’ which has seen it set the goal of cancelling its carbon emissions by 2040. “We are on track to be able to operate with 100% renewable energy by 2030,” said Kara Hurst, director of Sustainability at Amazon. To date the e-commerce company has launched more than 70 renewables projects, which produce 5.3 million MWh of clean energy.

Women’s work SPAIN has seen its biggest average wage growth for a decade. Salary increases for November have resulted in a 2.3% growth rate, a level not seen since 2008, when wages rose by 3.6% ahead of the financial crash. The new data from the Ministry of Labour is coupled with the finding that rates of female employment have increased from 61% of 25-54-year-olds in 2001 to 82% in 2019.

BUSINESS

December 18th - January 7th 2020

AGONY Property ANT

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Rent and be damned?

A tangle of red tape in the holiday lettings sector is leading some landlords to take the law into their own hands WHEN Decree 28/2016 on Touristic Apartments was enacted three years ago it was rejected by pretty much everyone with one notable exception: the hotel lobby, which has always secretly sought to complicate the lives of private property owners, its direct competitors in a fierce market. Shortly after the new law came into force, the Spanish Federation of Associations of Touristic Apartments and Touristic Use Properties (they are not the same and have different regulations believe it or not), went to court to have various articles set aside: the obligation for landlords to provide hot and cold aircon systems was one; the requirement to have an LFO (variously called license of occupancy, license of first occupation or license of habitation) was another. The Andalusian High Court ruled that aircon was not a necessity in Andalucia but rejected the notion that the LFO should not be a requirement, dubbing it a ‘minimum standard to ensure the property is fit for purpose’. This despite the fact that this document is not legally required to occupy any given property, nor indeed to rent it outside the scope of the touristic rental law (i.e. lets of more than 2 months). Only the Andalusian Government appealed and the Supreme Court, some weeks back (21/10/2019), bizarrely ruled that obliging owners to provide heating and cooling to tenants was ‘disproportionate’, thereby annulling this obligation. With regard to the LFO requirement, far

from backing off, the Andalusia Government had already issued a clarification note in late 2016 to specifically deny validity to an AFO certificate (tolerating an illegal build) or a Certificate of Non-Infraction as alternatives to LFOs. And here lies the problem: Marbella - the jewel of the crown - has more than 20 thousand such properties affected by the controversial law, the owners of which are not prepared to lose out whilst waiting for much-awaited bureaucratic solutions (one of which is having a limited ad hoc LFO issued, in line with other municipalities). Meanwhile, what’s the plan now with these properties? Well, it seems that everyone’s already got one: Renting them despite not having an LFO, or having a revoked LFO. Renting them with a Certificate of Non-Infraction. Renting after applying for an AFO (under the most recent 24/9/2019 Decree allowing urban properties to get one). What is the common denominator to all these options? Clearly, that the Andalusian Government will have none of them and may issues penalties. Taking the most recent statistics throughout the region, those penalties could amount to €3,000 on average (and potentially up to 18k on this specific infringement and a rental ban of up to 6 months). Still, with annual rental yields reaching tens of thousands of euros, it may well pay to break the law.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL 22

December 18th - January 7th 2020

December 4th - December 17th 2019

Creating festive magic!

HOME GROWN: Decorations made from cuttings from the garden and nearby hedgerows

When it comes to Christmas traditions, it’s the simple pleasures that mean so much. Just take a look in the nearby hills, writes Gabriella Chidgey

HRISTMAS is coming and my heart sinks just a little. This is the first year that both my children are Santa sceptics, and with Father Christmas out of the picture, where does the magic and ritual come from? I shall miss the hanging of the stockings and the letters I answered as if from the head elf. I shall miss being woken up at 5am with squeals of excitement, hard as it may seem. Despite being at a Catholic school in Ronda they are non-believers so church rituals won’t fill the gap. Since our families live in the UK, it won’t be about a big family get-together, nor about sending cards since I never make it to the post office between the opening times of 11.45 and 14.30. This Christmas I am instead concentrating my resources on the feasting and decorating part. And, in the current tradition of eco-consciousness I am

In the villages around Spain, the women traditionally infuse anis with herbs and spices at Christmas. In many homes you will see a bottle with small glasses on a tray with ‘rosquillos’; homemade donuts with orange lemon and cinnamon flavoring alongside them. Coincidentally, the anis from my village of Arriate has been trademarked ‘Mistela’, its local name and can be bought around the region

being as organic as possible. In times gone by, I have designed, bought, created, cooked, decorated and directed the entire production for family and friends. Yes, I wanted to fulfil expectations, and I completely exhausted myself. This year, I want to do Christmas, but I want to do it with grace and ease, and I want to enjoy it. But how is this possible? In Spain everything begins on December 8 - the ‘puente’ bank holiday - which celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

This is the day when families traditionally put up their decorations. And until only a few years ago, this ritual would be unpacking the boxes of small figurines to compose the nativity scene. Meanwhile, moss would be collected from nearby woods to simulate the ground and often mountains, rivers and extended villages created around the manger. Now, however, the northern tradition of the Christmas tree has been adopted by many Spanish families and garden centres are filled with pine trees sold in their thousands.

DID YOU KNOW?

The British Puritans banned Christmas in 1647, both for its Pagan decorations as well as its ‘debauched’ festivities. Leader Oliver Cromwell removed the public holiday of December 25 since it was not a named day in the bible. The public was not amused. Violent disturbances ensued with the worst taking place in Canterbury and the repercussions of the rioting leading eventually to a rebellion and a second civil war.

my wintery interior. Outside, the saturated blue sky and evergreen landscape of holm oak, olive and pines around our Ronda valley is dappled with the golden leaves My British roots mean that I am glass decorations, most have of poplar, acacia and mulberry. firmly established in the tree been bought locally in Ronda, It is a wonderful time to be tradition, and the boxes we rit- but certainly not made there, or outside and I feel enormously ually unpack are full of lights, indeed anywhere vaguely local. grateful for a winter as colourbaubles, stars and angels. As my mother took back the ful as this. Finding these boxes rather de- figurines she had from her own I am also glad I have set mypleted this year - following a childhood and my children re- self the task of collecting and vicious cull of all half-working fused to hang any apples and making some decorations inlights in a rather puritannical walnuts from our garden, a box stead of heading for the nearpost-festivity purge last year - I of unbreakable mass-produced est shop, particularly when it wondered how I might replen- red, shiny and glittery baubles means walking in these surish stocks. were added to the Aldi trolley. roundings. Luckily I still had a few strings I did however go out in search Once back inside, I put the of lights, which are the cen- of evergreen leaves and berries mountain of foliage and fruit tral decorative element to this in the knowledge that my quest into all the jugs, vases and any winter solstice celebration that to beautify my home was as other appropriate receptacles I signifies the return of light and much a Pagan tradition of ven- can find. warmth after the darkest days erating tree spirits as it was a I then mixed roses with roseare over. wider celebration of the winter mary and olive tendrils, while The rest of the decoration is solstice. bay branches largely inspired by the Paradise It also serves were paired with tree, a fir tree hung with apples the practical olive branches Pine cuttings that represented the Garden of purpose of using and berries Eden. A 16th century German the suckers and turned out to be Pine cuttings tradition that became a Chris- new shoots that turned out to be tian ritual and slowly spread proliferate on my, very malleable very malleable across Europe and America. as yet, unpruned were great and were great and Redemptive wafers are trans- trees. for wreaths and formed into the current predi- Pleased that my circular tree orfor wreaths lection for cookies, and apples, husband has naments. They nuts and berries are now bau- bought new seare easily fashbles. cateurs, I easily ioned without Tree decorations became a gathered armfuls of bay, olive, any wire or string. globalized commercial venture rosemary and cypress tree With time, I can see how you after about 1840, following the branches. could make rather lovely tree popularisation of the tradition I returned for the last of the decorations and next year I will by Queen Victoria. red roses and filled a few bas- give it a go. Fashionable Americans fol- kets with quinces (which grow Originally these circular declowed suit and today the total in abundance), persimmons, orations symbolized the Holy revenue in the US alone is esti- oranges and a few remaining Trinity with its triangular shape. mated at 26 billion dollars. pomegranates. Wreaths meanwhile, were Although I do have a couple The fiery life-giving colours of made from larger branches of very beautiful hand blown these fruits really warmed up and by the 19th century had become the symbol of advent. Currently, making wreaths seems all the rage, looking on my Instagram feed. There are even workshops in the UK you can attend, which is a great way to spend a day with other people; getting into the Christmas spirit without just imbibing it. The historian Ace Collins wrote that ‘The wreath was born out of not throwing things away’ and I don’t want to throw away my seasonal cheer and love on the quest for a perfect Christmas. I started out feeling resentful about the advent of Christmas, but I now I feel inspired. I want to create a verdant, nature-filled home. I want to set aside time to go for a walk with my husband and gather more foliage. In the future, I would like to set aside time to make cookies and natural decorations with my children, friends and strangers. I want to create a ritual out of this and I would like it to feel companionable, A winter tip is quinces which can be found all around inland undemanding and unhurried. Spain. They are wonderful to scent a room and the Victori- And, of course, may this fuans used to keep them in the linen cupboards to perfume the ture also be resplendent with sheets. They are also delicious poached in a syrup with cinna- twinkly lights and hundreds of spice scented candles. mon, star of anis, cloves , lemon and maple syrup.

Winter tip

COLUMNISTS

December 18th - January 7th 2020

Crappy Christmas Boris! Never Mind the Boris…

Britain’s PM is up to his butt in a scatological Catalan nativity tradition, writes Belinda Beckett

HE blonde hair and boyish grin are instantly recognisable, the cheeky rear view less so – it’s Boris Johnson in figurine form, caught with his pants down taking a dump. He’d probably rather die in a ditch, but Britain’s newly-minted PM is tipped to be one of the best-selling Caganers of Christmas 2019. That’s Shitter in English, or Defecator to be more polite, the name given to the irreverent ceramic figures that have been part of every Catalan nativity scene since the 17th century. En serio! Among the miniaturised models of the Sagrada Familia & Co in the Catalan stable (usually tucked

away in the animal quarters so as not to offend extranjero sensibilities) there’s always a funny little man with his pants down, doing a poo. Why? Learned theologians have debated this long and loud (on the BBC included): some blame the tradition’s Baroque origins (a period infamous for its earthy realism); some say it’s a fertility symbol (manure fertilises crops); but everyone believes the caganer’s presence at the birth is as vital as the Virgen Maria’s, ensuring good luck and in the coming year. In 2005 half of Barcelona was up in arms when the town hall cut him from the city display on the grounds that defecating in public was illegal. In times past no self-respecting Spanish household was without a crib scene in the front parlour, but these days there’s less call for handcrafted shepherds and sheep and in 2003 one hard-pressed family of potters in Girona beat the recession and the growing preference for Christmas trees with a radical reinvention of the caganer. They took him out of his traditional Catalan peasant dress and gave him celebrity status. It began tamely enough with a Santa Shitter, progressed to Spanish political figures and went viral with Barack Obama edition in 2008 (the Americans are biggest foreign contributors to caganer.com’s online shopping cart). No global public figure’s dignity is safe

from the kilns of this mother-and-threeson team – not Donald Trump, nor the Queen of England, nor the cast from Game of Thrones nor even the Pope. Everyone’s bottom is up for grabs. Today the unveiling of the Advent Collection is as eagerly awaited as the El Gordo lottery draw. Chosen in large part by the family’s grandchildren who ‘get’ the ‘poo-uerile’ humour, this year Boris is among 40 new famous faces (or should that be faeces?) along with climate activist Greta Thunberg, PP President Pablo Casado and tennis ace Novak Đjokovic. But before you complain to your nearest Disgusted department, it’s not about making them butts of a tacky joke – it’s a Homage from Catalonia, as it were. ‘All the versions pay tribute to whom they represent while wishing them well’, explains the website. And it’s not the only scatological Catalan Christmas diversion. Throughout December, children are given a toy Yule Log called Caga Tio (Uncle Shit) which they ‘feed’ with scraps until Christmas Eve when they beat the caca out of it until it ‘poops’ real sweets. They’re a weird lot, the Catalans*. But then, as Manuel the Fawlty Towers waiter forewarned us, a lot of them come from Barcelona… *Caganers are also a tradition in parts of Valencia, Murcia, Portugal and Naples, Italy

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The Tories’ victory has Giles Brown battling trolls and stockpiling for the Brexit apocalypse SO. The prophecy came to pass and the worst nightmare for those who were clinging onto the faint hope that the Tories would lose the election and that Brexit would be cancelled has come true. Never mind the Boris – Brexit means Brexit and the UK will go crashing out of the EU leaving Remainer Brits in Spain (guilty as charged. I grew up as a Single European under Jacques Delors) in the kind of wasteland that TS Elliot would have dismissed as too bleak. I went to bed on the night of the election with the faint hope that I would wake up to the news of the biggest upset in British political history. An early morning glance at my Twitter feed, however, abruptly put an end to that. A Hungarian friend in the UK, whose family fled in 56, was inconsolable on Twitter, so I sent a ‘virtual hug’ to her. Yes. That is a thing. Seconds later we were being trolled for being ‘fairies’. Troll-hunter that I am, I immediately sprang to her defense. “How dare you” I replied. “I’m a gnome”. My second thought was what ac-

tion I should take now that Brexit now seems inevitable. After deciding that it really was too early for rum – although a significant number of my friends seemed to be hitting the carajillos earlier than usual – I reasoned that it would be a good plan to tidy up the bits of paperwork that were still outstanding, on the grounds that most other Brits would be banging their heads on the kitchen table in quiet desperation. It now turns out that I am missing one particular piece of paperwork that might be a bit of a problem. My original plan of building a cabin on the back of one of the boats, rowing out into the middle of the lake and declaring myself an offshore financial centre has been scuppered by a lack of water, Spanish citizenship might be tricky and I’m loathe to get a green card by an arranged marriage in Lepe. So in the meantime I’m stocking up on canned food and medical supplies, heading back to the hills and barricading myself in the Casita. Where I intend to sit tight until I qualify for a Scottish passport. Never mind the Boris indeed!

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3/10/19 13:06

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Costa del sport

FINAL WORDS

MALAGA has been named European Capital of Sport for 2020, following Budapest, which previously held the title.

Odd job SPANISH classified ad website Milanuncios has been pressured into dropping a job offer that promised extra bonuses for a ‘sexy housekeeper’.

Get a room AHEAD of one of the most passionate El Clasicos in recent memory, a graffiti work, featuring Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique snogging, has gone viral.

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Vol. 5, Issue 112 www.theolivepress.es December 18th - January 7th 2020

Round the bend! A SHOCKING video has captured the moment a dopey lorry driver rammed a car sideways down a motorway for 2km. The scary footage shows a female driver in a damaged Nissan Micra being pushed around by the trucker who had no idea there was a vehicle in front of him. When the Spanish driver was finally stopped by dozens of

Oblivious lorry driver ‘T-bones’ motorist down Costa del Sol road for miles without stopping

fellow drivers on a dangerous bend in Mijas he revealed he had ‘no idea’ she was there. “I didn’t see her, where was she?,” he can be heard saying in Spanish, “I thought I had a puncture.” The terrified woman, called Ana, believed to be from Swe-

Bah humbug! SWEET-toothed expats’ vintage tuck shop favourites have been revealed. Sales of confectionary from yesteryear have risen by 40%, according to Waitrose. The British supermarket partnered with the British Corner Shop, in 2016, a firm shipping sweets to Brits overseas who are in need of a sugar rush. Jelly babies are the company’s most popular nostalgic treats, making up 25% of all orders. They are followed by mint humbugs, wine gums, rhubarb and custards, butter mintoes and liquorice allsorts.

den, adds: “I was in the right lane, he was pushing me for miles.” Local English chef Steven Saunders shot the video, coming off the A-7 at La Cala de Mijas. He revealed: “Oh my god, she is lucky to be alive!.” The Nissan sustained body damage, as well as a flat tyre and a broken wing mirror in the incident Police later breathalysed the driver, who is believed to have passed a test. The Spanish-plated truck appears to be from haulage company, Palletways.

Dancing queen MISS Gibraltar has returned to the Rock for Christmas after taking part in the Miss World contest in London. Celine Bolanos (above) managed to make it to the semi-finals of the talent show with her dancing skills, but didn’t get shortlisted. “Miss Jamaica was one of my close friends,” said Bolanos, “I jumped out of my seat when I heard she was the winner.” Now she plans to enjoy her reign as Miss Gibraltar raising awareness about mental health. The event this year was held over three weeks as opposed to the normal five-week contest made it more rushed than usual. And if you’re wondering what activity she most enjoyed about the Miss World pageant, she was very clear. “After eating healthily for so long my favourite moment was when we went out for a pizza,” she laughed.