P O
THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
LIVE RESS GIBRALTAR
Hooray for Hannah
England goalkeeper, 23, who spent much of her childhood living in Spain, pulled off two massive saves in a heart-stopping penalty shootout victory over Spain
It allowed the Lionesses to secure back-to-back European Championship titles and earned revenge after Spain beat us in the World Cup two years ago. And if that wasn’t
enough, the Birmingham-born star stunned reporters by giving her postmatch interviews in fluent Spanish.
Her linguistic skills garnered cheers from fans on both sides of the pitch and went viral online.
With Spanish fans left speechless and English expats swelling with pride, Hampton is being hailed as the ‘bilingual brick wall’ who shut down Spain’s Euro dreams.
The Brummie spent five formative years in Spain, moving there with her teacher parents at age five.
Continues on Page 3
ON THE RUN
BRITAIN’S most notorious far-right agitator, Tommy Robinson, is on the run – and likely headed back to Spain, the Olive Press can reveal.
The ex-English Defence League (EDL) boss allegedly fled the UK yesterday morning after being filmed (see right) ranting beside an unconscious man at London’s St Pancras station. The man had been knocked out, with shocking footage later showing blood on the floor and medics trying to resuscitate him. Robinson, real name Stephen
EXCLUSIVE
By Dilip Kuner & Adam Husicka
Yaxley Lennon, was heard saying:
“You saw him come at me, bruv,” before fleeing.
British Transport Police confirmed the assault and revealed the victim remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Now, Olive Press sources say Robinson, 42, boarded a flight just hours later and is ‘likely’ returning to Spain, where he’s been based for months.
“Realistically he’s likely to be heading for Alicante where he will start to desperately cobble together his defence,” said the source, who knows him well.
“He could be flying via somewhere
else, but he is a creature of habit and he’s got a lot of pals on the Costa Blanca, who protect him.”
He continued: “He’s probably dumped his phone to throw the authorities off his trail.”
We can reveal Robinson recently stayed in Finestrat, near Benidorm, where he ‘rented’ properties in the Campana Gardens development. The project is mysteriously linked to Russian investors and promoted by fellow far-right UK watch dealer-turned-influencer Paul Thorpe.
Robinson also spent time in Tenerife, where he ‘stayed in a €1.5 million villa’ near Adeje and later at the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal, where he was last Christmas.
In fact, Robinson – despite being
THE world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on Saturday as it headed for a new deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The 100,000-ton nuclear-powered behemoth was photographed from Ceuta as it passed the Rock accompanied by a formidable strike group that includes guided missile destroyers and support ships – among them the Spanish Navy’s own ESPS Canarias, an anti-submarine warfare frigate.
The Ford’s sighting drew attention on both sides of the Strait, with observers in Gibraltar and Ceuta capturing dramatic images of the warship silhouetted against the Rock.
It marks a rare example of a Spanish warship sailing alongside a US carrier strike group, a sign of continued cooperation between the NATO militaries at a time of diplomatic tensions between Spain and the US.
Just last month, retired US General Robert Greenway proposed closing American military bases in southern Spain as retaliation for Pedro Sanchez’s refusal to meet US demands that NATO countries spend 5% of GDP on defence.
"Time to move the Rota and Morón bases... to Morocco," General Greenway suggested. Naval Station Rota, a stone’s throw from Cadiz, is home to the US Sixth Fleet, while Moron Air Base was used as a refuelling hub for recent strikes on Iran.
‘He came at me’ bankrupt – has used dozens of luxury properties across the Iberian Peninsula as boltholes.
The serial fugitive has repeat-
KNOCKOUT: Robinson (in blue) tells fellow traveller
edly used Spain and Portugal to escape British legal troubles.
As we reported last year he stayed at a luxury villa in Albir, where he filmed a string of podcasts before socialising with German neo-Nazi Lutz Bachmann in Tenerife.
In another Olive Press expose, we revealed that the stunning €1.5 million property was owned by British fash-
CRUISING BY
British far-right thug vanishes after UK assault – and is ‘likely’ coming to Spain
mogul Philip Day – the
Edinburgh
Mill and Peacocks.
The Olive Press revealed he used the property as a studio for far-right podcasts, including collaborations with American far-right Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes.
After knocking on the villa, Robinson threatened Olive Press reporters, saying: “See if you like it when I knock on your mum’s door.”
Robinson meanwhile has also lived in Marbella, where he posted from the exclusive Manolo Santana Racquets Club. He also spent time in Gibraltar, where he was considering living for a while.
The latest incident – and his rapid disappearance – raises fears among locals and officials of yet another round of drama on Spanish soil.
Though the Guardia Civil has not commented, pressure is likely to mount if Robinson attempts to return and use Spain once more as his safe haven.
If UK police find sufficient grounds, an Interpol Red Notice could follow.
ion
billionaire behind
Woollen
A REMARKABLE archaeological find at Gibraltar's Moorish Castle has shed new light on medieval defensive tactics, revealing a 700-year-old ‘murder hole’ that protected the fortress's main entrance.
The discovery was made during conservation work on the Tower of Homage's north-western side, where scaffolding installation was delayed to allow nesting kestrels and jackdaws to breed successfully for the first time in decades.
When work resumed, conservators uncovered a deliberately crafted opening in the mid-level battlements that had been sealed and hidden beneath floor tiles installed during 1970s restoration work.
The hole, built in the distinctive style of North African Merinids who enlarged the tower in 1344, served as a defensive opening through
Murder hole discovery
which defenders could pour boiling oil, water, arrows or rocks onto attackers below.
Positioned directly above the tower's only entrance door, it could also function as a ‘quenching hole’ to douse fires set by besiegers attempting to burn down the main door.
The find explains the tower's peculiar shape, with its passageway between western and northern battlements designed specifically to accommodate this final line of defence.
Heritage Minister John Cortes praised the discovery for revealing ‘fas-
cinating but less well-known medieval history’ and demonstrating the value of the government's restoration commitment.
Hard checkout
THE mayor of La Linea has cast doubt on whether Spanish police will actually carry out double passport checks on passengers arriving at Gibraltar airport after the treaty is signed.
The notion of Spanish officers carrying out Schengen checks on Brits and Gibraltarians flying to the Rock has been regarded as one of the most objectionable aspects of the long-awaited deal negotiated between the UK and the EU due to its sovereignty implications.
But during an interview on his vision for the future, La Linea mayor Juan Franco told the Olive Press he believes that ‘once everything is signed and the border is gone’ the concept will be quietly binned as it ‘doesn’t make sense’.
“The control will be joint, with an integrated computer system,” he explained, which – in his view – negates the need for the dual checks as ‘it wouldn’t make sense’.
“The normal thing, I believe – though I don’t know for sure – is that the registra -
La Linea mayor: Spanish police carrying out dual checks at Gibraltar airport once treaty is signed ‘doesn’t make sense’
tion will be done by the British or Gibraltarian police using a computer system that I assume will be connected to the Spanish database.
“And so there won’t be the need for more checks, because once you enter through Gibraltar, you’ve essentially entered the Schengen, so it will already be logged in the system.
“Will there be dual checks?
I don’t know for sure but I don’t think so. If you’d asked me this 30 years ago, I’d have said: of course there will be.
“But when everything is signed and the border is gone, it would be normal for there to be just a single check and for the databases to be connected.
“Whether it’s by a Spanish officer or a Gibraltar one on the day
GIBRALTAR’S Bistro Point restaurant, boasting spectacular views across the Straits to Africa, is set to be demolished to make way for university classrooms.
Restaurateur Bryan Zammit confirmed he had agreed a price with the Hunter Brothers to purchase the lease but the University of Gibraltar blocked the sale, preferring to demolish the building for classroom space.
"I negotiated and agreed a price with the Hunter Brothers to buy the lease, and the University decided not to allow the sale to go through, as they wanted to demolish it to create classrooms," Zammit said.
The Zammit Group boss had planned to relocate his upmarket Paparazzi restaurant to the prime clifftop location, operating it as an upscale venue with shuttle services.
Zammit raised concerns with both the university and a government minister about losing the iconic venue, noting the restaurant had cost taxpayers over £1 million according to Parliamentary Hansard records. However, he was told the minister could not intervene in the university's decision.
"Be it me or anyone else that would have
By Walter Finch
we don’t know.”
But he added: “I don’t have the information, I’m just telling you what I would do.”
He explained that ‘whether or not there’s a Spanish terminal, the control will be the same – for both Gibraltarians and Spaniards.’
“Imagine; for a Gibraltar–Madrid flight, I use my ID, and when the officer stops me, they check it just as though I were flying from Malaga to Madrid.”
Police
The issue of a loss of sovereignty with Spanish police controlling entry to Gibraltar has vexed many both on the Rock and in the UK.
But Franco takes a more sanguine view.
“Let me give you a fact – under Spanish law, any person who resides more than 183 days in Spain has to pay in-
Iconic loss
run that restaurant, it's an absolute shame to lose such an iconic venue for Gibraltar," Zammit added. The news has sparked calls for government intervention to preserve what locals describe as a ‘national asset’ with world-class panoramic views.
come tax.
“Once the frontier opens up fully, there will be no way to monitor the 34,000 Gibraltarians.
“So I could find myself in a situation where people are living in Spain, working in Gibraltar, earning money in Gibraltar, but since they’re not registered in Spain, they don’t pay tax here.
“That’s also a kind of sovereignty issue. I think everyone has to give a little ground here.”
And he quipped: “Because I’ll be the one paying for the roads that these people use.”
The deal itself the mayor labelled as a ‘historic opportunity.’
“Let me explain: if we stick to the old ways of thinking –sovereignty, flags, territorial waters and all that – then we won’t get anywhere.
“But if we look at the bigger picture and remember that we’re in the 21st century, well, Spain gives up part of its sovereignty to the EU in order to live better.
“For example, we don’t control our monetary policy – and money is one of the strongest expressions of sovereignty.
“But are we any less Spanish for using the euro instead of the peseta?
So I think this opens up a major window of opportunity for everyone.
“Yes, there’ll be an adjustment period, and yes, there’ll be problems.
“But what matters is that we work together to get through it — for the sake of the people.
“Think about the worst-case
End of secrets
MORE secrets of the Franco dictatorship are to be brought to light as the government pushes ahead with reforms to the Official Secrets Act.
A proposed law will now lift censorship on all files labelled as ‘top secret’.
The draft bill will apply to all documents classified prior to 1981, which includes the fascist dictatorship of General Franco (1939-1975) and the transition to democracy (1975-1982). Under the legislation, files labelled as ‘top secret’ will be made public after 45 years, ‘with the possibility of an exceptional and justified extension for a further 15 years’. Meanwhile, ‘confidential’ texts will take up to nine years, and ‘restricted’ files up to five years. The measure, which brings secrecy laws in line with the EU, will help shine a light on human rights abuses during the Franco era.
Under the dictatorship, Spain experienced widespread censorship and repression.
The regime tightly controlled the press, literature, film and education, banned dissenting views and promoted its fusion of nationalist, Catholic and fascist ideology.
Exile
Opponents were persecuted, with many imprisoned, executed or forced into exile. Transparency over abuses was further complicated by the subsequent transition to democracy.
scenario: hard border controls. Fifteen thousand people won’t be able to get to work.
“Tourists won’t be able to enter Gibraltar. Gibraltarians won’t be able to get to their second homes, or go shopping, or have a drink in La Línea.
“So let’s focus on coexisting. And by the way, neither Spain nor the UK is giving up sovereignty – just look at the waters around the Rock.
“Some say they belong to one side, some to the other. That issue isn’t going anywhere.
However, Spain will finally acknowledge that the airport sits within the single Schengen space — ‘and that’s hugely important.’
Good
It’s going to be good for Gibraltar’s development, and for us too. So which is better: to keep arguing over who owns the land, or to agree that it’s an airport, include it in the Schengen zone, and keep debating the ownership later?
“I think pragmatism has won. So if anyone thinks this is Spain ‘putting a foot in Gibraltar’ – well, on the Spanish side people are saying we’ve ‘dropped our trousers’ and let the British keep colonising us.
“These are outdated ways of thinking that don’t solve the real problem. I think this will be positive. But let’s be cautious — there are still lots of issues we’ll need to tackle from now on.”
The country was guided by the so-called pacto del olvido (‘pact of forgetting’), a nationwide consensus that sought to put a lid on past atrocities to heal deep national wounds. Now, the socialist-led government of Pedro Sanchez wants to reverse that process of collective amnesia, after signing an agreement with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) earlier this year.
Up till now, individuals wanting to unearth files had to request declassification on a case-by-case basis, accompanied by detailed justification.
Welcoming Spain
SPAIN has become the EU’s number one destination for asylum seekers after overtaking Germany. New figures show Spain received 12,800 asylum applications in May, compared to Germany’s 9,900.
The shift follows a sharp decline in Syrian asylum claims, previously the largest group in Europe, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Spain’s rise is largely driven by Venezuelan migrants fleeing political and economic turmoil, with some reportedly diverted by US immigration crackdowns.
Small boat arrivals to the Canary Islands have dropped dramatically in 2025, though 60,000 reached Spain in 2024. Italy is now second with 12,300 applications, followed by France.
Overall EU asylum claims dropped 25% year-on-year.
HIDDEN: 1970s ‘restoration’ covered ‘murder hole’
AIRPORT: New controls ‘will be quietly dropped’
Speaking the lingo
While living in Castellon province, her playground kickabouts led to a trial at Villarreal FC - where she became a striker whose fluency in Spanish developed alongside her talents.
That early exposure to Spanish football philosophy - tight passing and technical skill - helped shape her style.
She credits her ball-playing ability and distribution as strengths rooted in her time in Spain
The 1-1 final had already delivered 120 minutes of drama. But it was penalties where history was written.
After Beth Mead’s early miss, all eyes turned to Hampton – and she didn’t flinch.
Hannah saved back-to-back penalties from Mariona Caldentey and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, giving England the edge.
“Today I played against the country I still call home,” Hampton told Spanish media after the match, flashing a smile and switching seamlessly between languages.
“But my heart’s with England – and I’m so proud of what we’ve done.”
Lioness roar and Guinness galore
THE bellows of Brits abroad waiting for the Lionesses to emerge at the Euro final against Spain could be heard from halfway up the main boulevard of San Pedro Alcantara.
As we made our way towards the echoing chants of Three Lions on a Shirt, we knew this Irish Pub was the place to watch.
Nerves were high at the rickety trestle tables outside, where most were backing England –except for one Spanish family and, of course, the Irish pub owner, who sported a bright red Spain shirt. In true form, we ordered two pints of Guinness and tried to ‘split the G’, which, combined with pre-match ban
Olive Press reporters Josie Sharp and Olivia Idle joined football fans in San Pedro Alcantara to soak up the sun, stout and soaring drama of the Lionesses' nail-biting clash against Spain
ter, got everyone in the mood.
The pub fell silent as the whistle blew, and then came the groans when Mariona Caldentey scored for Spain in the 25th minute.
In response, we ordered more Guinness
The mood shifted, and the Spaniards, understandably, turned to teasing us with cheeky chants and smirks.
All in good spirits and, in response, we ordered more Guinness – and a mountain of nachos topped with an unexpectedly delicious chilli con carne.
When good old Alessia Russo netted the equaliser in the 57th minute, the crowd erupted. Our cheers echoed through the street. No, the town, confusing and likely
MULLINS IT OVER
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE IN THE UK AND LIFE IN SPAIN, WRITES CHARLIE MULLINS
horrifying a few passing locals.
As the match wore on, tension mounted. With every pass and missed shot, we clenched our pints tighter, casting nervous glances at the screen. Extra time meant another Guinness, of course, and as the dreaded penalties approached, fans from both sides looked on nervously.
A roar of relief went up when Salma Paralluelo sent her penalty wide. But just as Chloe Kelly stepped up to seal En gland’s 3-1 win, disaster struck – the screen cut to black. It was
PIMPS, POLITICS AND PENALTIES
Spanish PM caught in steamy slur while Women’s Euros deliver the real drama
IT must be summer in Spain when the man who’s held the country together since 2018 - often by the skin of his teeth - turns up at the Cortes Generales for a day’s hard legislating, only to be accused by the opposition of being a pimp!
Yes, really. Poor old Pedro Sanchez. Just when you thought Spanish politics couldn’t get any more theatrical, along comes a plotline worthy of Shakespeare - or at least a steamy Netflix mini-series.
Spain’s Prime Minister and his wife Begoña are being accused of living off the proceeds of prostitution. The opposition claim that Begoña’s late father’s company, Sabiniano, once owned a few brothels and gay saunas.
There’s been an official investigation (which found nothing dodgy), but that hasn’t stopped the conspiracy mill grinding on. The couple own a couple of nice homes, so naturally, some are convinced they’re secretly raking it in from sex work. You’ve got to hand it to the opposition - if you’re going to sling mud, sling the juicy stuff. Forget the costof-living crisis, national debt, or the state of public health. No, let’s go straight in with: ‘The PM’s a sex criminal!’ Theatrics like this almost
make you wish the UK Parliament had a little more Spanish flair. At least voters might feel they’re getting their (tax) money’s worth in drama.
Speaking of high drama - what about the Women’s Euros?
Whether you’re Spanish or English, that final was a cracker. No prima donna tantrums, no Z-list celebrity behaviour - just raw talent and proper football. The skill on display would put many top-flight men’s teams to shame.
Sunday’s match wasn’t just great sport - it was played with real spirit, grit, and respect. Every player left it all on the pitch. Someone had to lose (sadly), and although I now call
Spain home, I’ll admit I was still quietly cheering on the Lionesses. And what about the head coach, Sarina Wiegman? With all the money that’s been trousered by foreign supposed super-star coaches over the years in the men’s game, what a legend!
I’m sure all the players will get medals of some kind very soon, but what about the Dutch coach who has masterminded two Euro championships, and got her team to the World Cup final? If ever there was a case for the awarding of an honorary Damehood, Sarina must be a dead-cert!
Well, that’s my deadline made for another week, so I think it’s time for a little siesta. For some reason I seem to have a bit of a headache today! But what a night! What a game!
As
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From front
if the screen forgot the ending.
GREAT NIGHT: Olivia (left) and Josie enjoy the craic
Voted top
expat
paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION
Not wanted here
ONCE again, Tommy Robinson is in flight – and, once again, all signs point to Spain.
The far-right firebrand, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, allegedly fled the UK just hours after being filmed next to a seriously injured man at London’s St Pancras station. Now, the Olive Press can confirm he is ‘likely’ holed up somewhere along the Costa Blanca –a region he knows well. Or he will be here soon! Let’s be clear: Robinson is no political dissident. He is a convicted criminal with a documented history of spreading hate, provoking violence and dodging accountability. His rap sheet includes fraud, assault and contempt of court. Yet time and again, he has slipped into Spain, enjoying the sun while escaping the consequences of his actions. Why? Because he knows Spain has been soft on him. From a luxury villa in Albir to rented pads in Finestrat, and podcasts filmed with neo-Nazis in Tenerife, Robinson has used the Iberian Peninsula as his personal hideaway. His connections run deep – from UK influencers to shadowy investors. Enough is enough.
Spain cannot continue to be a convenient bolthole for extremists and criminals.
While the vast majority of British expats are honest and law-abiding, Robinson is neither: He represents a dangerous ideology, one that corrodes democracy and spreads fear. If he is on Spanish soil again, authorities must act decisively. Investigate. Arrest. Deport. Spain is better than this. We are not a haven for hate, nor a playground for fugitives.
Tommy Robinson may believe he can lie low here once again. But this time, Spain must prove him wrong – for good.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
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please contact +34 951 15 48
Deposito Legal MA: 834-2017
DON’T BANK ON TEENS
SIXTEEN and seventeen-year-olds will be able to vote in the next UK general election, following a landmark decision by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government -marking the biggest expansion of the British electorate in decades.
But while ministers hail it as a step toward greater democratic inclusion, some critics are warning that the UK should look carefully at Spain before assuming young voters will always back the Left.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner defended the move, saying it will “get democracy back on track” and give teenagers “a stake in our country’s future.” She argued it was unjust that 16-year-olds in England and Northern Ireland are denied voting rights enjoyed by their counterparts in Scotland and Wales.
Writing in The Times, Rayner said: “There are many 16-year-olds across this country who are working, paying taxes, and even serving
By Ben Pawlowski
Labour's youth vote gamble faces stark warning from Spain’s political shift
in the armed forces. Why shouldn’t they be trusted with a vote?”
Yet while Labour appears confident the policy will translate into greater youth support at the ballot box, analysts are pointing to a cautionary tale from Spain - where the Left’s assumptions about young voters have been upended.
Spain’s far-right party Vox has become the most popular choice among voters aged 18 to 24, with over 27% of this group backing the nationalist outfit, according to polling by 40dB.
That’s more than Spain’s centre-left PSOE (Labour’s sister party) and its left-wing allies
Top of the cons
ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es
MOVE over Pedro Sanchez – there’s a new sheriff in corruption town.
The various scandals engulfing the prime minister have been knocked off the top spot by a new case gripping
This dynamic is not unique to Spain. Simi lar patterns are emerging across Europe, where disillusioned young men are gravitat ing toward nationalist and populist move ments. Vox’s rapid growth in Spain suggests that political identity among youth is more fluid and less predictably progressive than many on the Left might assume.
Among males aged 18 to 28, nearly onethird say they would vote for the far-right party
combined. By contrast, only 11% of voters aged over 65 support Vox, revealing a generational reversal in political trends. The appeal of Voxknown for its hardline stance on immigration and Spanish identity - is particularly strong among young men. Among males aged 18 to 28, nearly one-third say they would vote for the far-right party. It’s a sign that the populist right is not just a force among older generations but is increasingly resonating with younger voters, especially across social media platforms.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused Labour of trying to ‘rig’ future elections by ex panding the franchise to an estimated 1.6 million young people.
His party, traditionally more popular among older Britons, has recently stepped up its ef forts to connect with younger demographics via TikTok Instagram - mirroring the dig ital strategy that has helped propel far-right movements in Spain and beyond.
“A recent YouGov poll shows Labour leading among 18-24-year-olds in the UK, with 28%, followed by the Greens (26%), Lib Dems (20%), Conservatives (9%) and Reform UK (8%).
But if Spain’s experience is any guide, those figures may not hold. As online influence and nationalist narratives gain traction with younger voters, Britain could see its own version of the Spanish youth shift - potentially turning Labour’s electoral reform into a double-edged sword. The question facing Labour now is not just whether young people will vote - but who they will vote for. And Spain’s political transformation suggests that age is no longer a reliable predictor of progressive politics.
There’s a new chart topper in Spain’s all time corruption scandals - a €2.2 billion whopper in one year alone… set up by a former treasury chief
By Walter Finch
Spain.
Roll over ERE and Gurtel (ED: some of you will need to look these up), this is a monster
case, which is already taking the attention away from Spain’s beleaguered leader.
The claims centre on former PP finance minister, Cristobal Montoro, who headed the Treasury from 2000 to 2004 and from 2011 to 2018 under former leader Mariano Rajoy. Montoro allegedly exploited his position to helm a network that re -
wrote tax laws to benefit gas companies in exchange for cash in the form of ‘consulting fees’.
Prosecutors estimate his schemes delivered a fiscal windfall – and deprived the Treasury (aka Hacienda) – of roughly €2.2 billion in 2012 alone, while five large conglomerates saved at least €51 million.
Later, from 2014 to 2018, a firm owned by Montoro allegedly acted as a well paid go-between for a string of petroleum giants and pals of his at the Treasury. The parties colluded to reform the tax rules and in return these companies paid out around €50 million timed to coincide with each successive legislative tweak.
phones were tapped for 42 days back in 2021.
The investigation spans the former minister’s two terms in office, first under Jose Maria Aznar and later with Mariano Rajoy, and reaches deep into the heart of the Treasury.
Exploited his position to helm a network that rewrote tax laws
A judge has now indicted Montoro alongside 27 co-conspirators for ‘influence-peddling’ with the aim of lining their own pockets. It comes after judge Ruben Rus ordered that four tele -
Among those charged are eight senior ministry officials accused of drafting or approving the legislation, three successive director generals of taxes, and several ex-partners of Montoro’s firm, Equipo Económico who once held government posts. Prosecutors allege that the petroleum giants channelled payments through Montoro’s consultancy, with some sums coinciding exactly with the years in which favourable reforms were passed. Further down the list are construction and renewables firms that also sought faster payments or lighter levies. The scandal even ensnares
IN THE FRAME: Diego Martin-Abril (above left), Alberto Garcia (above right), while (left) JoseMaria Aznar and Mariano Rajoy
RIGHT LEANING: Youngsters in Spain at a Vox demo
All about
Costa de la luz
WHILE it’s blowing a hoolie outside and well over 35 degrees in the sun, I’m sitting in deep shade and wondering what amazing culinary creation is going to appear next on my table.
This is La Traina, in Zahora, one of the true dining secrets of Andalucia.
Tucked away down a scruffy potholed lane somewhere between Vejer de la Frontera and Zahara de los Atunes you are not going to find it by accident.
THE LIGHTNESS OF BEING
Southern Spain’s most evocative coastline is bright, breezy and brilliant for walking, eating and watersports, writes Jon Clarke
Recipe for success
THE Costa de la Luz’s celibrated culinary prowess is down to the local surroundings, which produce some of the best quality in- gredients in the world.
The obvious examples are sherry, fish and the wonderful beef from the classic brown ‘retinto cows, which you often see wandering around in the hills and even on the beaches.
By Jon Clarke
And don’t expect silver service and menus in English or German…This is, after all, the Costa de la Luz - the Coast of Light - and a million miles away from its nearby cousin the Costa del Sol. Indeed the costas in general. This is a coastline of castles and carpaccios, calas and corvina (one of its
best local fish)... the perfect blend of nature and its best ingredients. This is a coastline of gems; histor ic Tarifa, the bridgehead for the Moors in Spain, and a crossing point for centuries and beautiful Vejer, with its cobbled streets and dynamic restaurant scene. This is a coastline of laid
Of course the amazing ‘almadraba’ bluefin tuna (top), caught nearby (above), is spectac- ularly good and the vegetables available are also of a high quality, particularly from Conil. Another reason is the type of tourists who visit the coast, which has seen a distinctly more refined crowd than its nearby rivals on the Costa del Sol. They demand quality and are pre- pared to spend to get it.
of Vejer to the extraordinary dishes at La Traina and (right) an inlet on the journey between Zahara and Barbate
Costa de la luz QUIRKY AND LAID BACK
back, low rise resorts; Roman Bolonia and the biggest sand dune in the world, entertaining El Palmar, with its party
crowd and surf, and alternative Canos de Meca, with its quirky, laid back feel. But what best sums up this long stretch
of coastline for me is restaurants like La Traina, or other hidden spots like Patria, Castelleria or Punta Sur.
These are right at the top of their game and all sit in leafy gardens, often high in the hills and sometimes with views to die for.
But even better they are surrounded by southern Spain’s most evocative stretch of coast, a canvas of contours and colours, a backdrop of Africa, and all illuminated by the most extraordinary changing light.
It’s everything you could want for a beach holiday: Long, unspoilt (and often empty) beaches, windswept sand dunes and a smell of mimosa and rosemary, alongside shady umbrella pines. Practically unique to Spain these days, and sadly busier and busier each summer, what you really need to do is ex-
One of my favourite drives is the 15 minute journey from Zahara to Barbate. I actually walked it this Spring, but you’ll need a couple of hours.
A genuine tardis between two worlds, Zahara is the quintessential home of affluence; a golden magnet for stylish restaurants and a flotilla of Range Rovers and Teslas come peak holiday season.
In contrast, Barbate is a new town created by dictator Francisco Franco, a pockmarked working class place with high unemployment and ugly 1960s tower blocks. What they share though, is privilege. A surrounding patchwork of greenery and long, unspoilt beaches, only broken up by inlets from the sea and a forest of pines. This is what much of Andalucia’s coastline
From the
BEAUTY:
coast near Tarifa to the bustling main square in Vejer, while (top left) kite surfing is huge here
would have looked like half a century ago, with only the Cabo de Gata in Almeria coming near to match its beauty.
What this stretch of coastline has in particular though is a
variety of ancient and historic towns and villages.
Laid back and unshowy, its friendly, unfussy locals complement the breathtaking scenery and distinctive vibe.
Vejer, in particular, has an incredible mix of stylish boutique hotels and one of the best selection of high quality eateries in all of Andalucia (see overleaf).
Tarifa has an altogether different feel. This is a town for watersports lovers and a place to party, especially in summer, when it is heaving with buzzing nightspots open until the early hours.
But it also has a melting pot of worldly Spaniards and expats, who make for a distinct Tarifa scene, also with its fair share of restaurants and shops.
It is also one of the few towns in southern Spain – thanks in large to its wind – that still has a bit of life in the winter.
It also has a fair share of history with the Moors first arriving
in Tarifa in 710AD making it their main bridgehead into southern Spain.
The Moors ruled this land for nearly 800 years and its historic ramparts are littered with references to the stirring catholic heroes who battled them, some with statues, including Sancho El Bravo and Guzman el Bueno.
There’s a kind of untouched purity to the place
You’ll love its ancient old town gateways, and the narrow cobbled streets of its old town, which still include an ancient fish market and plenty of fascinating buildings.
Heading up the coast from Tarifa, history lovers must seek out the famous Trafalgar lighthouse – off which the key naval battle once took place as well as the
ancient fishing village of Sancti Petri, near Chiclana. Chiclana’s eight kilometres of golden beach meanwhile remain refreshingly uncrowded - populated mostly by Spanish families from inland cities like Sevilla. There’s a kind
of untouched purity to the place. The town centre offers a maze of Moorish-era alleys and historic buildings, like the clock-tower gate of Arco Torre del Reloj. Next door Conil meanwhile is an attractive place that hugs its own beach.
Renowned for the local seafood it was crowned the 2024 Gastronomic Town of Spain and also has a vibrant nightlife scene.
Look out for the Torre de Guzman, an old military fortification dating back to the 14th century.
SECRET SPOTS
One of my favourite must visits on the Costa de la Luz are the Roman ruins at Bolonia.
This well preserved museum showcases the success Roman merchants had on this stretch of Cadiz coastline and the nearby beach and its giant sand dune warrant a half day at least.
Best of all, is the half an hour walk from Bolonia to secret El Canuelo beach, where you will find just cows, the celebrated brown retinto kind of the region. I also love the amazing walk through umbrella pines to the Torre del Tajo,
nia. And, if you are still looking for more, how about San Fernando?
This is where Camaron de la Isla, the legendary flamenco singer, hails from. His childhood home now functions as a somewhat sanitised museum and this is a little-visited town with plenty of in-
whitewashed homes sit beside an imposing American naval base - one of the largest in Europe. And let’s not forget the grand old city of Cadiz, said to be Spain’s most ancient and big back in Phoenician time. Oh the incredible lightness of being! teresting nooks and crannies. Further west, Rota offers an unexpected blend of beach life and military might. Here,
THE COAST WITH THE MOST
THE Costa de la Luz officially stretches for around 200kms all the way from Tarifa up into Huelva and to the border with Portugal.
Split in two by the stunning Donana national park, the coastline also includes the so-called 'sherry triangle' or 'Cadiz coast' towns of Sanlucar de Barrameda, Rota, Chipiona and El Puerto de Santa Maria. It also includes the cities of Cadiz and Huelva.
FORTIFICATIONS: Tarifa and its statue of Guzman el Bueno, while (left) El Palmar beach
MOORISH
INSPIRATION: The entry into Tarifa old town
The dune in Bolonia and Roman ruins (behind)
Nervecentre for dining
THERE isn’t much Alberto Reyes doesn’t know about food…so it’s appropriate he’s at the frontline of fine dining in Vejer. His restaurant, 4 Estaciones, is at the epicenter of one of Andaulcia’s nervecentres to eat.
Open since 2017, it’s impossible to dine badly in his joint which is as attractive on the eye as it is tasty on the stomach.
Much of this is thanks to his careful selection of chefs, with his latest signing, Esperanza Macias, having trained at Andalucia’s top restaurant, Aponiente, which counts on three Michelin stars, at nearby El Puerto de Santa Maria.
“You need to continually up your game here and keep trying new things,” ex-
Jon Clarke explores why Vejer de la Frontera has become the food capital of Cadiz drawing in culinary tourists from around the world
ucts and change them by the season and always hire talented chefs in the kitchen.”
But even then, there is no guarantee you will survive, with the town continually evolving and refining its range of restaurants.
plains Reyes, who grew up locally and previously ran the highly-rated Arohaz, in nearby Canos de Meca.
“You need to understand how to use local prod-
“In fact, they should be doing a university course on the success of Vejer’s food revolution,” continues Reyes, who is speaking at an interior table of his charming joint surrounded by books on cuisine from all corners of the globe.
jer, which counts on around a dozen of entries in the latest Repsol dining guide for Spain. While many are in its nearby environs (or greater Vejer) including Canos de Meca and El Palmar, the centre of Vejer is the place to start.
It says a lot about his mindset, which might be local in terms of produce but is clearly extremely global in terms of ambition.
He is one of many success stories in Ve-
Take recent arrivals Jaime and Alejandra, whose restaurant Narea landed a much sought after Repsol Sol in under a year. A charming spot on the prestigious Corredera street with the most breathtaking views helped, but what sets it aside is the amazing drive and industry of this young culinary pair.
They have three-star pedigree all the way, having met at one of Spain’s best restaurants, El Celler de Can Roca, before honing their skills at Madrid’s top restaurant Diverxo.
With six Michelin stars between the two joints, what they learnt was invaluable, before launching into their first place together.
Coming from Malaga and Cadiz, they were fully aware of the quality of restaurants in Vejer, and it is a real honour they overlooked Andalucia’s famous cities to land in the town.
“We knew about the famous quality here and we knew many of the restaurants as well as many of the local farmers.
“We figured we had something new and unique to offer and it is a real honour for Repsol to give us this award so quickly,” Jaime told me.
As Jaime explains, so much of the quality here is due to the local seafood, vegetables and meat.
But Vejer’s extraordinary location, charming architecture and remarkable views also help. You need, however, to get out into the countryside nearby to seek out other gems.
I spent a long time travelling around the nearby area for my book Dining Secrets of Andalucia a decade ago and was shocked to discover so many amazing places to eat.
One of the best is Patria, a ten minute drive inland, through a genuine backwater of Cadiz province that almost no tourists venture.
Danish couple Ase and Thomas have the most amazing taste and are continually changing their menu, and even concept.
“I’m forever experimenting and trying new things,” explains chef Thomas, who also runs a natural juice business and has recently opened a new joint, Hierbas, in the centre of Vejer (see
HISTORIC: Vejer is crammed with statues and old buildings
ELEGANCE: Vejer old town, while (above) the team at Narea and (middle) Alberto at 4 Estaciones
review further on).
“The opportunity came up and we thought we might try a typical Danish sandwich business and so far so good,” he adds.
CULINARY HISTORY
I first found this culinary heaven when I landed at seminal restaurant Trafalgar (named after the nearby naval battle) on a side trip into the town centre, en route to Cadiz, nearly 20 years ago.
It stood out, appropriately, like a lighthouse in what was then something of a culinary desert.
A great mix of local and national dishes, lots with twists, led me back here a few months later when I stayed at the charming local hotel, Califa, literally right across the square. And that’s when I got the surprise of my life, it had an amazing hidden restaurant in its courtyard garden, focusing on local cuisine, as well as Moroccan fare from over the Straits.
It also turned out to have a British owner, James Stuart, a former travel guide and cycling pro, who decided he wanted to up the ante and take on his near neighbour.
future.
“Apart from Trafalgar the food was so boring back in the early noughties,” explains the hard-working Scotsman, who now has 10 restaurants and hotels in the area. “There was no Chinese, no Indian, no Japanese, and so we hoped to do something different.
“It didn’t take long to work out that we had to open a Moroccan restaurant, particularly as all the ingredients were literally on our doorstep, with the exception perhaps of couscous.”
He continues: “The two restaurants ended up setting the standard for the
An old printers still creates leaflets, magazines and cards
restaurant Castilleria, Campero and Antonio.
And there were still some amazingly authentic places to still eat as well.
“We knew we had to match Trafalgar for service and we tried to create our own niche,” continues the father-of-two, who came to Spain to open a cycling business in the 1990s.
“From then on anyone who opened a restaurant in Vejer had to be at our level…and from about 2010 as the recession ended things started to take off.”
Within the next few years the town could count on perhaps a dozen new places to eat, including el Muro, Judería and Casa Varo, while outside town emerged meat
They included the charming, Venta el Toro, in Santa Maria, gloriously unpretentious and little wonder celebrity American/Spanish chef Jose Andres, brought his daughters here for a recent food programme.
Little changed in decades, it is one of the last genuine redoubts of quintessential Andalucia, and the food, while simple, is absolutely delicious.
But, of course, it has to be in a town that nowadays has at least a dozen amazing places to eat, the genuine melting pot of the best of Andalucia!
STILL SURVIVING:
in the old town
EVOCATIVE: Charms of Vejer old town and (top) dining at Califa Tapas on the famous Corredera street
Costa de la luz
KIick back and relax
T’S sundowner time and a solitary kitesurfer is entertaining half the crowd assembled at the Hurricane hotel’s iconic beachside bar.
But while he’s showing off with jumps that stretch a good way towards Morocco, another more cultured half are sitting in a glade listening to flamenco.
Spread out on sofas under a stand of umbrella pines, they, like me, are being transported a long way further by a hypnotic repertoire mixed with Arabic sounds and African claps and rhythms.
A regular weekly event, the flamenco duo, a guitarist and singer, hold court with stunning aplomb.
As the sun begins to set there is a sense among the assembled throng that few places in the world offer such an atmospheric setting for music.
One of southern Spain’s most evocative hotels, the Hurricane is still doing well what it has been doing for decades.
A seminal enclave and something of a hideout for the privileged few since the 1980s, it is easy to feel like you are on a film set.
Hugging the coastline with spectacular gardens and two lovely pools, it is no wonder that guests have been coming back for years.
And they are not here for five-star polished service, but instead the charm-
Jon Clarke luxuriates at the Hurricane group of hotels near Tarifa, which have maintained their understated charm for decades
ing laidback vibe, you rarely find these days on the Spanish coastline. The truth is, little has changed in decades and that is how they like it:
Most will simply saunter around in the morning before heading for the
with plenty of meat and fish, particularly with tuna from the nearby area. Of course a few are looking to do some exercise and it helps that there is a proper gym and spa and you can also hire bikes, go horse riding or take a hike right from the door.
famous buffet lunch, which is heavily but not entirely vegetarian and all cooked on the premises.
In the evening they stroll out onto the main terrace, dressing up to the nines and enjoying a more formal menu
POINTING TO PUNTA
Without a doubt more appropriate to families and for those wanting space, the Punta Sur hotel half a mile up the coast is a great alternative.
Its giant circular swimming pool sits in a spectacular setting and is properly cut off from the wind, which is great on the days when the wind is really blowing as it often does around these parts. Close to Valdevaqueros beach, its
leafy grounds hide fountains, duck ponds, peacocks and even a tennis court.
There is a massage centre and recently updated gym, not to mention its pool table in the big reception area, where doz ens of amazing photos and paintings are always on display.
But best of all is its charming El Jardin restaurant, which is the classic hidden escape for a long, languid lunch or a romantic eve ning under candlelight.
Sitting in the leafy garden, just behind the main hotel, its climbing plants and roses drape a pergola which is nicely lit at night.
Even better, the menu is local and seasonal with plenty of special touches.
The local tomatoes, with fresh basil
and mozzarella are excellent, while the tuna sashimi - in a homemade ponzu sauce was the perfect starter. So so fresh.
Ivan the chef has been here a long time now and to keep up his interest he makes sure there are plenty of specials every week.
On this visit I tried his ‘marine secretos’
which was beautifully sliced bluefin tuna - half lomo and half ventresca - so tasty and succulent.
Another day I tried the Pargo, a rock fish from the area and it couldn’t have been better cooked.
My suite at the top of the garden looked out over the grounds towards the sea, with Africa in the distance behind.
I watched huge tankers steaming by and the occasional bob of a kitesurf. From here it is the most amazing walk or jog up the coast to the Hurricane hotel.
You simply hop over the main road and walk through scrub and sand dunes until you hit the beach, then take a left.
One of the most hauntingly beautiful stretches of coastline in Spain, you will likely meet nobody and the only buildings are the odd shack and a few demolished military pill boxes installed during dictator Franco’s reign.
TRANSCENDENTAL: A duo feels their ‘duende’ during a flamenco show, while (left) watching a kitesurfer
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Serving a cava at the Hurricane, while (left) reception at Punta Sur
BEAUTY: The verdant El Jardin restaurant at Punta Sur
OP QUICK CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
ELEGANCE: Dining at the Hurricane and its famous buffet lunch
Whale of a time
WE are about equidistance between Spain and Morocco in the deepest part of the Straits of Gibraltar.
Flying fish, turtles and two types of whale are basking around, feeding and luxuriating in this food-rich marine paradise, some 15 minutes offshore from Tarifa.
And that’s not to mention the dolphins, including a pair of Bottlenose, who are shepherding their calf, that is apparently no
more than a week old. Soon we have found a school of dolphins swimming around the boat and, being so calm, we can see them clearly under the water.
It’s an almost religious experience for the boat-load of tourists, as the stunning mammals clearly swim over to take a closer look at us.
“These two are particularly inquisitive,” pipes up a voice from the cockpit above, as one particular pair come sniffing up to the boat, then swim underneath
at an amazing speed.
The words come from Dr Katharina Heyer, a remarkable woman of 83 years of age, who has become, without a doubt, one of the world’s authorities on sea life off the tip of southern Spain. It’s her 27th year working with her company Firmm, which was set up after she was guided to Tarifa to see whales and dolphins by a ‘spiritual man’ in 1998.
Then running her own fashion company in Switzerland, she visited the area to find nobody
organising trips to see the mam mals and almost no research on them.
“I arrived on a really rainy, awful day to find no whale boats, just fishermen, and had to rent a diving boat to take me out,” she explains.
Flying fish, dolphins and giant turtles pay a visit on a trip into the Straits
and many other fish.
It is one of the best places in the world to see them, with the currents bringing a lot of food from both directions, explains Katharina.
moved out to set up her ‘respectful whale watching’ company in Tarifa and has never looked back.
It may not have been perfect weather conditions, but what she saw completely changed her for good.
While she had long enjoyed diving holidays with her teenage sons in the Caribbean and the Maldives, seeing a group of Pilot whales and Bottle-
Indeed, so respected has been her research into the mammals over the last two decades - in particular her sensitization work for them – that in 2017 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel.
There are now a handful of companies taking visitors out to see the mammals from Tarifa, and on most days they can expect to see Sperm whales, Pilot whales and even Orcas, not to mention various types of dolphins
However, this brings in itself severe risks, as they are entering one of the busiest waterways in the world with more than 300 freighters and other sea traffic passing every day.
Indeed, as you look out into the Straits you are witnessing a battle for survival.
“The lives of dolphins and whales are at risk from ferries getting faster and faster, the noise from shipping traffic and more,” she explains.
“We are trying our best to monitor their numbers and do our best to minimise the issues they face.”
Visit www.firmm.org
EYE-OPENING: The sighting of whales and dolphins often has visitors in tears
The village that stole the spotlight
THE quiet mountain village of Gaucin has found itself in the spotlight this summer as it becomes the unlikely setting for an international feature film.
The whitewashed streets of the Andalucian pueblo, known more for its artists and writers than film crews, are now at the heart of Magdalena’s Land – a movie that explores themes of authenticity, transformation, and cultural connection.
The multinational cast and crew from Latvia, Gibraltar, the UK and America have descended to not just shoot a movie, but also bring in elements of the pueblo and its people, weaving themselves into the fabric of the local community.
“We all have different accents and I feel this mirrors society and life here in Spain because nowadays families are connected with people from everywhere,” said supporting actress Leilla Satie, praising
The Olive Press went behind the scenes of Magdalena’s Land as an international crew turns a sleepy Gaucin into a cinematic gem
By Olivia Idle
the diversity on set. “It’s a truly organic real-life story.”
Magdalena’s Land is a story of connection between people, places and the paths they have chosen and with eight Gibraltarian actors and leading Latvian star, Rezija Kalnina, playing Magdalena, the diversity on set is the film’s strength.
“The most interesting part of an international team is that all the nationalities have something different – their own way of acting and speaking and that has brought all the nationalities together,” explained producer Guna Stahovska, 51.
After two months of scouting across Andalucia, Latvian-born director, Uldis Cipsts, 51, found his answer in Gaucin describing it as ‘the true Spain with the best scenery and atmosphere in the world’.
From winding mountain roads to centuries-old homes, the village has provided more than just a backdrop for the film.
“Before coming here, everybody said if you shoot in Spain, especially as internationals, the police will come to stop the filming and ask for documents, but this hasn’t been true. Everyone has helped us,” explained Cipsts.
“People even offered to let us shoot in their homes or take their cars! Nowhere else has been as supportive and as easy to make movies.”
A transformational role
Actress, Kalnina, 54, with over 95 roles to her name and a lifetime of theatre behind her, describes her role as ‘nothing short of authentic’.
She said: “It’s a transformational role – it shows how human beings go through life and how we make decisions.”
And she told the Olive Press how fond she is of Gaucin. “You don’t have to hurry here. I love the freedom and you really have time to prepare and get ready for the next scene.”
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INFORMED
Thousands are now paying to be informed on news stories in Spain everyday
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While nearly 80,000 people have now registered an account at theolivepress.es, an incredible 2,500 are now paying for our service, with 200 alone signing up over the last month.
After significant investment and changes to our paywall provider and web server, we are now seeing between 10 to 20 people registering with us each DAY, while often more becoming paying subscribers.
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These include travel, health and property and, as of this month, business as well as a weekend Editor’s Picks mailout.
They also get exclusive competitions, special discounts for restaurants and hotels and a comprehensive daily update keeping them informed of all key news in Spain.
Last issue we handed out two pairs of much sought after tickets for a Robert Plant concert in Granada this week.
Discount
In our special early summer discount offer last month we had 160 new annual sign ups. We will be running another special deal next month. The continued success is thanks to our crack team of NCTJ-trained journalists, who are dotted around Spain and report on the latest news from the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Madrid, Balearic Islands and elsewhere.
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Hacienda itself: Two former bosses, Diego Martin-Abril and Jose Alberto Garcia, face charges for their ‘decisive’ roles, while two senior figures in finance and the state lotteries have been removed from office amid allegations of ‘grave abuse’ of their positions. If it proves to be true, the Montoro case will likely eclipse most others in Spain’s downright disgraceful history of corruption scandals.
SETTING: Gaucin is the set for the filming of Magdelena’s Land (top), with leading actress Rezija Kalnina (top right)
SCANDAL: Montoro is accused of taking cash for ‘consulting fees’
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE, Emily Henry
Henry tops the list again, with formulaic but enthralling plot lines, the American author has made a name out of her adult romance beach read hits. Her latest novel explores two writers competing for a literary prize, whilst also falling for each other. Essentially, it’s chick lit: a guilty pleasure but a hit nonetheless.
Queer Road-Trip Romp, follows protagonists Bernie and Leah as they set out on a cross-country road trip, Thelma and Louise style, and make plenty of self discoveries whilst strengthening their bond. HOUSEMATES, Emma Copley Eiseneberg 2
A
McFadden
xtremely popular at the moment (and selling out fast) this sequel to The Housemaid is a thriller bound to keep you on your toes - it’s about a cleaner who uncovers a terrible secret about her employers while cleaning their house… riveting stuff! Full of twists and surprises, it has left readers in shock.
W
HETHER you're baking on the beach, flopped by the pool or hiding from the heat with the air-con cranked up, there’s no better time to dive into a cracking good read. And we’ve got you covered.
By Zoe Dahse
July 30th - August 12th 2025
The team at The Book Shop in San Pedro de Alcantara has helped the Olive Press pick 10 sizzling summer reads guar-
BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki
anteed to keep you hooked. So it is time to lather on the sun cream, pour yourself an ice-cold drink, and turn the page on boredom. Here’s what to read this summer…
big hit this year after being published in English, this 2017 Japanese novel which cleverly weaves themes of food with crime and trauma. Although be warned - the translated version does sometimes result in difficult reading!
THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE, Matt Hai
Follow up to his bestseller
The Midnight Library, this takes us to the beautiful island of Ibiza. Charting the journey of Grace, a retired
Abeautifully told story about first loves, kisses, and disappointments, all
A
maths teacher who inherits a house in Ibiza and discovers her supernatural capabilities. A novel that interpolates ideas of magical realism.
THE COVENANT OF WATER, Abraham Verghese
A700 page novel, enthusiastically recommended by the shop owner Alicia, it tells the story of a family in the Indian state of Kerala, across three generations.
GABRIEL’S MOON, William Boyd
tale of cold war espionage, the novel centres on a young British journalist on assignment in Africa, and his ensuing travels and experiences around the world.
From poolside page-turners to air-con escapism, these top 10 books will keep you hooked all season long 3 5 4 DREAM COUNT, 8 6 7 1
told from the perspective of four Nigerian womenAdichie returns after a tenyear hiatus with a beau-
Across: 1 Academe, 5 Vial, 7 Red Cross, 8 Uh-oh, 9 Malawi, 10 Extend, 11 Car, 12 Eric, 14 Gist, 15 OKs, 17 Aprons, 19 Purest, 21 Want, 22 Air raids, 23 Bean, 24 Descent.
Down: 1 Arena, 2 Archaic, 3 Exotic, 4 Easter, 5 Vault, 6 Abounds, 13 Replace, 14 Germane, 15 Oswald, 16 Sports, 18 Often, 20 Sadat.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
tiful woven tale of power and love, exploring the possibilities of what could have been as life goes on.
READS FOR A ROASTING SUMMER
Ring and a prayer
Lucky lionesses
ACCORDING to Spanish women’s captain Peredes, the lionesses were ‘lucky throughout the Euros’. She told reporters her team was better, after losing in the penalties on Sunday.
No plonker
GORDON Ramsay has declared Spanish wine ‘in another league’ and ‘one of the hidden gems of the world’ saying for this reason the Iberian Peninsula vino has been on his menus for years.
Asian attack
THOUSANDS of tons of invasive seaweed from Asia are piling up in Gibraltar and Spain’s southern coast. In Cadiz, they’ve removed over 1,200 tons since May.
WALK THIS WAY
Ryanair draws outrage for its ‘humiliating’ tone on social media
A CHEEKY tweet from Ryanair has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with some branding the low-cost carrier’s tone as downright humiliating.
The message telling passengers to ‘walk to your destination if you don’t like our rules’ – posted with a chirpy ‘buenos días’ –has drawn sharp rebuke online. It was slammed as a brazen symbol of ‘low-cost capitalism at its crudest’ by Spanish Revolution, a grassroots activist group and content producer.
The tweet comes as no surprise to those familiar with Ryanair’s no-nonsense approach, but the sarcasm has struck a nerve.
Spanish Revolution argued it’s more than just a quip, suggesting the airline is peddling ‘humiliation as part of the product’ to people who can’t afford better, urging a general boycott.
“They transport a model of the world where everything goes if it’s cheap enough,” the account
By Walter Finch
fumed, tapping into growing frustration with hidden fees and strict baggage rules that have long irked travellers.
Ryanair, a staple for Brits jetting to and from Spain’s costas, faced a €108m fine last year as part of a €179m penalty from Spanish authorities for charging for hand luggage and seat reservations – practices the airline insists keep fares low.
A 2022 European Commission study backs the discontent, revealing 68% of budget airline
A KEEN beachgoer has been caught on camera reserving his slice of paradise before the sun even had a chance to rise.
Footage from a weather cam at Playa del Cura in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca shows the mystery man arriving at 5.36am – armed with nothing but determination and a beach umbrella. Within minutes, he was back with two sunbeds, and by 5.40am his seaside em-
passengers feel pressured into accepting extra costs.
EARLY BIRD
pire was fully established. But while his dedication is admirable (or mildly unhinged), there’s one problem – Torrevieja bans early furniture placement, with €150 fines for offenders. It seems he beat the sun... but may not outrun the town hall.
A MAN has been rescued from the Med after a bonkers attempt to cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes using nothing but an inflatable ring, a wetsuit and a pair of flippers.
Holidaymakers sailing off the Costa del Sol were stunned to spot what they thought was a bird or fish bobbing 20km south of Benalmadena - only to realise, through binoculars, it was a man struggling in open water.
The crew dragged him aboard and alerted Spain’s maritime rescue service. Wrapped in blankets and barely speaking, the mystery paddler had been attempting to swim from Morocco to Spain.
