Olive Press Spain Issue 388

WHERE TO LIVE THE HIGH LIFE...

t bes ’s ty e ain per n Sp pro gazi a m

...AND WHY THE BUYERS ARE BACK IN TOWN P roperty

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Bye bye Bofill

February 2022

A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money?

See page XIV

Find Weout are looking for quality propert whattoSpain’s list in the Golden Triangle area top agents predict for Benahavís KEEP THE GOO T IMES ROLLINGD Marbella the year ahead The Olive Press Spanish genius, pays tribute to a tenticles spread whose architectural widely, and were even said to have hit tv series the inspired last years Squid Game

See page VI

HOME sales in December were the second-highest And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended… on record in Spain. up! going up and up and Andalucia, Valencia and fore,” explained Scott each seeing spectacular Murcia are leading the charge on the mainland, enquiries are coming Marshall, from PropertieSpain in Benahavis.

While Andalucia saw growth by over a quarter against last Christmas. in thick and fast.”

“And Meanwhile, Ben Bateman “Sales were up Murcia posted figures 29% more sales than last December, Valencia from Sotogrande’s Holmes of 26% and 25% respectively. could be a record year and ered the ground26% on 2019, showing the market has more agency added: The Balearics experienced if we it lost to the pandemic. than a 41% uplift, while the The Spanish housing recov- “Last year was the best yearcan get the right number of new listings.“It rise in December’s year Canaries saw a 44% undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.” market is 2022.” since 2008 and we remain on year figures.

In total, 72,023 property “Home sales in December confident for sales were completed to official figures. in December, according Adam Neale, at Terra Meridiana, in buoyant Spain’s housing set almost a record high, illustrating quite Estepona, market is despite the how According to last year, with nearly the pandemic,” said property ongoing 100 million of properties also recorded record sales a trio “It was a very busy year analyst Mark Stucklin. repercussions of also begun well, of leading estate agents in Andalucia, sold in 2021. despite concerns over and it didn’t the year has ing, particularly supply.

“We sold three properties now people can travelstop last month, it just keeps comin January, which is three again.” more than ever be- The highest December property figures 80,000 properties were were in 2010 when sold around Spain. nearly

After almost record December sales, January is also performin g strongly

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Vol. 15 Issue 388 www.theolivepress.es February 23rd - March 8th 2022

IS IT HIM?

VILLA IN EL ROSARIO, MARBELLA EAST

Dreadlocks

Police confirmed last month that the body found near the alternative settlement of Beneficio appeared to be that of a man in his 40s.

They had removed the skeleton from a ravine after it was found by a German hiker in late January.

A month earlier in December the Olive Press revealed how an expat living in Beneficio had found a skull while walking her dog nearby on November 18.

Her pet, Dragon, had unearthed the skull on a walk, while he has since dug up the jaw and

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other bones, she revealed this week.

It is not clear why the head and body were found some distance apart.

Now we can reveal that a pile of clothes and a series of dreadlocks have also turned up near the body.

“A purple sweater, some jeans and a pair of small shoes - without shoe laces - were found next to the skeleton,” said the Romanian expat, who lives in Beneficio.

They have also been taken by officers from the Guardia Civil for analysis.

According to his sister, Nod had dreadlocks, as well as small, size seven, feet.

He lived in Beneficio around 2014/15, having arrived from the UK two decades ago with the intention of relocating full time to the area.

Bizarrely, he had brought ‘drilling gear’ to dig his own well on a plot he is understood to have acquired there.

The family, while hopeful that it is not Michael, believes the gruesome discovery would explain all these years of disconnection.

“We tried to find him 11 years ago when our mother was dying and found out through friends that he was in Orgiva at an encamp-

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I MISS HIM: Michelle with missing brother ‘Nod’ ment,” explained Michelle, an admin assistant, in Warminster (Wiltshire).

“We didn't get any further news and now my father is ill and having reached out again through a similar route I have been told he disappeared from Orgiva seven plus years ago and nobody has seen him since.”

She added that most of his friends called him Nod, a nickname he has had from school and he was born in Harwich, Essex, in June 1966.

“He left school at 16 and never went to college. He always lived an alternative lifestyle even as a teenager”, Michelle added. “He spent quite a lot of time living in the woods.”

ALL AREAS COVERED He is 5 foot 8 (1,72cm), of light to medium build. He had acne as a teenager which left him 4G UNLIMITED with pockmarked skin on his face and back.

INTERNET A spokesman for the Guardia IDEAL FOR Civil said the skull and skeleton had been sent to the Institute of STREAMING TV Legal Medicine in Granada for analysis.

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Family fear mystery skull and skeleton belong to missing Michael ‘Nod’ Brittain THE family of a missing British man who came to Spain two decades ago believe he may have died in mysterious circumstances near Granada.

The sister of Michael Brittain fears a skeleton recently discovered in a ravine may be his.

Michelle Brittain thinks it ‘likely’ her brother, known as ‘Nod’ - and who was last seen living around nearby Orgiva - is the dead man.

“It would explain how we haven’t heard from him for seven years when he was last seen at an encampment, near Orgiva,” she told the Olive Press.

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Speedy thiefs A TRIO have been arrested in Madrid for stealing 11 high-end bicycles valued at €35,000 in Algeciras (Cadiz).

Faking it A CLANDESTINE factory of fake leather goods - mainly handbags - sold in Madrid, has been dismantled in Cadiz. Some 63 bags and 3,000 fake items were seized.

Horsing around A GRANDA man is being investigated by police for keeping an emaciated horse in his Castell de Ferro greenhouse.

Pay-station COPS have arrested six men in Malaga who swindled €7,000 from online shoppers. The youths claimed their company sold legitimate second hand games consoles, but the unwitting customers never received their products after payment.

PARENTS of a teenager have been arrested after staging a fake kidnapping.

The pair had concocted the kidnap in a sick revenge plot against drug thieves.

The mother of the 13-year-old, who has not been named, contacted Almeria’s Civil Guard to report that her son had been abducted.

She told police that the kidnappers had made contact to ask for a ransom of

You’re kidding €20,000 for their son’s safe release.

The police immediately launched a search for the boy and local residents also sprung into action sharing photos of the missing teen on social media along with images of the supposed captors.

Two days into the investigation detec-

February 23rd - March 8th 2022 tives became suspicious the incident had been a false kidnapping and that the parents had staged the crime as part of a sick revenge plot.

Police believe the parents were seeking revenge against a gang that stole drugs from them and attempted to set them up by accusing them of kidnap.

The teenager has since been located and taken into care by social services.

DIRTY COPS! A PAIR of crooked cops are to stand trial for raping a teenager and giving her cocaine.

The local policemen in Estepona face 30 years in prison for the 2018 attack against the holidaymaker, 18, from Madrid.

The cops had picked up the

Manilva menace A ROMANIAN woman accused of a €10,000 fraud has been arrested in Sabinillas.

The 35-year-old was being sought by German police under a European Arrest Warrant.

She is facing a fiveyear prison sentence in Germany.

Bent officers face 30 years prison for sex crimes against holidaymaker

By George Mathias

girl, along with two friends, from the Mosaic disco in the early hours of the morning

and shared a taxi with her home.

Upon arrival, the officers snorted cocaine before attempting to undress the girl, who was drunk.

Teenage murders A MAN has been arrested after a teenager was found dead in the ruins of a celebrated church above Alcala la Real.

Police believe Khawlita Zeroil, 14, was raped before being suffocated.

The girl was found naked in the Fortaleza de la Mora area above the emblematic town in Jaen.

The family of the girl, who is Spanish with Arab origins, had earlier reported her missing.

A 22-year-old man confessed to the murder and is now in custody.

“It’s broken my heart, how can a girl of 14 die like this,” her mother Hakima said.

Police are investigating to see if it is linked to the death of a girl, 17, in Totana, in Murcia, in the same week.

When a male friend tried to stop them he found himself threatened.

Fortunately, the other girl fled as they began to rip the girl's clothes off.

The officers then allegedly tried to persuade the girl to have a threesome with them, and one dipped his fingers into some cocaine and pushed them into her mouth when she refused.

Stress

One of the officers then took the girl into a room, where it is alleged he raped her.

Fortunately the girl who fled was able to report the men to the National police, who were soon on the scene.

While the pair managed to run away they were arrested later that day.

The victim is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of her ordeal.

Payroll poacher A COUNCIL employee is to stand trial for embezzlement after taking over €25,000 in advanced payments.

The defendant had taken the payments between 2016 and 2019 on the condition she agreed to a reduced salary.

However the Marbella town hall admin assistant prevented the computer system from automatically reducing her salary.

She faces a two-year prison sentence and eight years professional disqualification.

Dodgy dealings A SPANISH man has been charged for alleged sex trafficking involving tourists who came to Spain in search of hospitality work.

The Granada resident was arrested alongside three Russians for allegedly trafficking women from overseas under the ‘false promise’ of getting them jobs in PR. Police said the man, 67, targeted women entering Spain as tourists with a 90-day visa.

He allegedly told them they would be unable to find work because they were not legal residents and promised to employ them in bars in Granada.

He allegedly trafficked his victims and forced them to work as prostitutes.

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Olive Press Costa del Sol – 170mm x 256mm – Colour

-

FEBRUARY 23rd

NEWS

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TOP DOG

SPANISH golfer Jon Rahm has been named as the European Tour’s player of the year.

It is the second time in three seasons that he has received the honour.

He took the 2021 award after a year in which he became the first Spaniard to win the US Open.

He also spent 27 weeks world number one - the only other Spanish golfer to reach the position was Seve Ballesteros.

Rahm also took three-and-a-half points in five

SCOTTISH DJ Calvin Harris - AKA Love Regenerator - has put his Los Angeles home up for sale for $25million (€22 million) as he makes a move to Ibiza permanent.

The 38-year-old, real name Adam Wiles, has left the glitz and glamour of LA behind for a ‘simpler life’ on Terra Masia, a farm in Santa Eularia des Riu. The 56 hectare finca boasts of being ‘the biggest organic farm on Ibiza’. A sustainable life it may be, but it is also important to the local economy.

matches at the Ryder Cup, making him Europe’s leading points scorer.

Not only did he win the US Open, but he showed remarkable consistency by finishing in the top eight in the other three majors.

The 27-year-old from Barrika near Bilbao had previously won the accolade in 2019. He was marked out for stardom at a young age, leading the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 60 weeks.

L ving Ibiza

From decks to donkeys; superstar DJ settles into expat life in Spain

Eggs

He employs a legion of farmers and chefs, and produces eggs, wine, vegetables and free range meat. Harris will also host ‘events’ on the premises and is said to get his hands dirty mucking in around the farm.

Although the Dumfries-born star - who famously worked in a fish processing factory while he scraped together enough money to buy DJ gear - has put his LA home

LIFE CHANGE: Harris in his DJ pomp but is now more down to earth up for sale, it is unlikely he needs the cash to pay for his new Ibizan adventure.

His hits including Feel So Close and Summer, plus One Kiss with Dua Lippa, which

Twice as good SPANISH actors Javier Bardem and wife Penelope Cruz (pictured) have become just the sixth husband and wife to be nominated for an actors’ Oscar in the same year.

Bardem, 52, is hoping to scoop the Best Actor award for his role as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his role as psychopathic assassin Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers’ modern western drama film No Country for Old Men Cruz, 47, won Best Supporting Actress in Woody Allen’s Vicki Cristina Barcelona in 2009.

She is nominated for Best Actress in Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers.

Previous married couples to be nominated are: Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra, Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton, Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

won a Brit award, and Rihanna’s We Found Love, and many more, earned around €212 million between 2013 and 2016. He is estimated to be worth €265 million.

He topped Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid DJs for six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018.

Harris is no stranger to Ibiza in his DJ persona, having regularly been the lead star at a string of the party island’s biggest events.

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

3

Deepika in love BOLLYWOOD and Hollywood crossover star Deepika Padukone is expected to arrive in Spain for filming next month after initial plans were derailed by a drugs scandal.

T h e 36-yearold Copenhagen-born Indian actress had been due to visit Mallorca and Cadiz last October to film a romantic song sequence for latest Bollywood blockbuster Pathan opposite super-star Shah Rukh Khan.

But when 56-yearold SRK’s (as he is known) son Aryan Khan was arrested in a drugs case the plans were scuppered.

Khan junior spent 26 days in custody before he was bailed and SRK felt able to resume work.

Padukone will also star in an upcoming cross-cultural romantic comedy in her second Hollywood movie. Her first was opposite Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

VISIT: Padukone will be in Mallorca and Cadiz

TIKTOK TRANS TRANS activist and popular TikToker Daniela Requena has been appointed to a key socialist leadership role in Valencia.

The 30-year-old journalist will be the secretary of LGTBI and Diversity within the new executive of the PSPV. Under the name Daniela Sirena she has accumulated more than 825,000 followers on TikTok where she has posted videos explaining her sexual reassignment surgery.

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4

NEWS

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NEWS IN BRIEF Five star remains HUMAN remains found during the renovation of upmarket five star Fuerte Hotel, in Marbella, date back to the 17th or 18th centuries.

Baroque n’roll An auction in Sevilla next month, includes almost 1,500 lots with Baroque art pieces from the 17th century, ranging in price from €20 to €450,000.

Tender touch OSUNA town hall has put out to tender the restoration of its 17th century Las Descalzas monastery for €583,511.

Digging it A dozen archaeological labourers have joined new excavations in Marroquies Bajos (Jaen), which will be carried out for six months.

COPS are investigating the alleged theft of two priceless Edgar Degas paintings from a private villa in Galicia.

The two works of art, which are part of a private collection in Pontevedra, went missing from the villa while the wealthy owner was out of town.

The French impressionist, whose works sell for millions, is famous for his oil and pastel paintings.

It is not yet known which paintings have

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

Power struggle

Priceless theft been stolen.

A recent Degas sold at auction for €22 million.

The ‘father of French impressionism’ is famous for his pastel sketches of ballerinas.

The ballerina series (see right) is highly sought after by the most prestigious auction houses internationally.

Water emergency A NATIONAL ‘drought committee’ will be set up within days.

The body will take an urgent look at water levels around the country’s heavily depleted reservoirs.

A severe lack of winter rainfall has seen Spain experience one of its worst droughts of the last century, according to climate scientists.

The decision comes after a meeting with EU agricultural ministers and numerous pleas from local hoteliers and other tourist bodies.

National drought committee being set up to tackle dramatic lack of rainfall

By Cristina Hodgson & George Mathias

The reservoir levels sit at around half of their usual levels for this time of year.

“The drought committee will discuss with the autonomous communities, to see what measures we can propose,” explained Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas.

DOZENS of tractors are to take to the streets over farming practices.

Hundreds of farmers will block Antequera on March 3 over issues including a rise in production costs, labour reforms, unfair competition and severe drought.

The unions accuse the government of inaction and of ‘abandoning farmers, leading to an unstoppable depopulation of rural areas’.

Spain and Portugal have also asked for more funds to help the agricultural and livestock sector.

The President of the Costa del Sol hotel association said inaction could be ‘risking our future’.

“The low level of the reservoirs could cause us serious supply problems,” said Jose Luque.

Reservoir levels are at 44%

Tractor boys!

They also criticised an increase in food imports from countries outside the EU which they claim ‘do not meet the requirements of the EU, neither in quality, nor in food safety’.

Spain has the largest proportion of land used for farming in the EU except France.

nationally, at 21% in Murcia and at 31% across Andalucia, with Almeria sitting at just 7%, according to AEMET, the national weather agency.

Malaga is facing its worst drought since records began in 1942, with the worst rainfall figures for 80 years.

The boss of AEMET in Malaga, Jesus Riesco, said it was now ‘critical’, as only 49 litres have fallen compared to an average of 326 litres for this time of year.

This is just 15% of the average and making Malaga the worst affected province of Spain.

The rainfall year is measured from October 1 to September 30 with the majority of rain normally falling between November and February.

Drying Up, page 6

MADRID’s regional boss has accused the leader of her own party of plotting to destroy her in a bitter row at the top of Spain’s Popular Party (PP).

Isabel Diaz Ayuso has accused PP leader Pablo Casado of waging a smear campaign in a long-simmering power struggle that spectacularly erupted this week.

The President of Madrid, whose popularity soared during the pandemic with her opposition to government restrictions and determination to keep businesses open, is now under investigation over allegations of corruption.

At the centre of the investigation are claims that Ayuso’s regional administration acted illegally in awarding a €1.5 million contract to an acquaintance of her brother to provide face masks.

HAPPIER TIMES: Casado and Ayuso

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Wheels in motion MALAGA is to invest €200,000 promoting cycle tourism inland.

The Spanish Cycling Federation initiative aims to make the area more cycle friendly.

The drive will focus in key areas, including the Guadalhorce valley, Ronda, and the Axarquia area.

The Sierra Norte region combines seven municipalities and has become increasingly popular with hikers and climbers in recent years.

Crimin-oil

POLICE have shut down an illegal oil factory.

The warehouse in Utrera was making sunflower and soybean oil for animal consumption.

The gang had tapped into the electricity supply to create the products.

A total of 77 tons of sunflower oil, 24 tonnes of soybeans, 24 tons of sunflower seeds, and eight tonnes of soybean oil were seized.

Nearly 70 Catholic church child abuse cases currently being investigated AN alarming 68 cases of child sex abuse connected to the Catholic Church are currently being investigated in Spain.

The total was announced after the government ordered the 17 regional prosecutors to send details of all current probes linked to the church.

Some 14 of the investigations are taking place in Catalunya, followed by eight in the Madrid region.

Andalucia and Galicia have declared seven probes each with six in Murcia.

Asturias, Cantabria, Extremadura, La Rioja and Navarra reported no criminal proceedings currently underway.

NEWS

NUMBERS REVEALED

By Alex Trelinski

The investigations cover child sexual abuse in churches and Catholic schools.

The government has decided to launch a nationwide probe to tackle the problem, in line with recent action in France, Germany and the US.

Denial

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ordered it after the Spanish Bishops' Conference said it would merely set up commissions at a local diocese level to hear complaints

BEGGARS BELIEVE A MUSICAL based around a beggar who wins Spain’s El Gordo Christmas lottery has launched in Madrid.

El Sobre Verde kicked off this week at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, in Madrid.

The popular revue has come to exemplify the ‘roaring 20’s’ in Spain.

It centres on protagonist Don Nicanor, a poor beggar who waits in line to watch the Christmas draw.

He runs into the goddess of fortune, who grants him the winning ticket in exchange for a good deed. The musical first premiered at the Victoria Theatre in Barcelona in 1927 and was wildly popular.

5 Cheap sex

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

FREE condoms were handed out throughout Malaga and Torremolinos to promote European Sexual Health Day. The campaign was launched on the official day of European sexual health, when some 5,000 condoms were dished out.

Malaga has the highest rates of HIV in Andalucia, as well as particularly high rates of hepatitis C, gonorrhea and syphilis.

Pilot death from victims.

The evidence would be gathered and sent to the Vatican to decide on what to do.

It also denied there was a problem, claiming only 220 cases had been investigated between 2001 a n d

2021, while the Jesuit order claimed only 81 children had been abused since 1927.

Dossier

In France, in comparison, a recent official report cited 216,000 victims by up to 3,200 paedophile priests since 1950.

Sanchez decided the country needed to get in line with France, handing the overseeing of the independent probe to the ombudsman.

It came after El Pais handed over a dossier to Pope Francis in December cataloguing the abuse of at least 1,237 victims by priests in Spain over a 75-year period.

A BRITISH pilot has died after his light aircraft crashed near Sevilla.

His plane plummeted into a field on February 16, 300m from the SE-9020.

Lifesavers QUICK-thinking cops sprang into action to save a baby after a ‘domestic incident’ in Sevilla.

Officers rushed to the scene after hearing that the tot had a major injury to the back of her head.

They gave the baby CPR after finding the father with his daughter prone in his arms.

She was rushed to hospital, where doctors said their actions had almost certainly saved her life.

6

NEWS FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION LET IT RAIN IT’S been a marvelous winter in Spain, as far as most expats are concerned.

But there is an alarming downside to the endless clear skies and unseasonably warm weather interrupted only rarely with the odd blustery day.

The frightening truth is that after one of the driest winters on record, Spain is headed for an extreme drought… one of the worst.

If we don’t see seriously heavy rainfall in March and April to fill the reservoirs we’re in for a summer of water restrictions.

And that doesn’t just mean a hose pipe ban.

It has dire consequences not just for our gardens and golf courses, but for Spain’s entire agriculture industry.

Years of water mismanagement and the draining of Spain’s valuable aquifers to irrigate illegal fruit farms only compound the problem threatening delicate nature reserves from Doñana to Las Tablas de Daimiel.

The reservoirs are down at 30% for most of the costas and rain-fed crops including cereals, olives, nuts and vineyards face losing 60 to 80% of their production.

The drought will also threaten Spain’s already vulnerable forested hillsides creating a tinder box ripe for wildfires. Let’s not forget Europe’s first ‘fifth generation fire’ in Andalucia’s Sierra Bermeja last summer. It could be much worse.

Though nobody likes to see the famous Easter processions dampened by wet weather, especially this year when they will resume for the first time since the pandemic hit, we should all be praying for rain.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

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

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Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es

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DRYING UP

T

HE crumbling walls of a once-submerged village rising from the cracked mud of a dried up reservoir have become a powerful symbol of the water emergency facing Spain.

And this isn’t dry, southern Spain.

Water levels have fallen so low in verdant and normally rainy Galicia, that the village of Aceredo, flooded in 1992 to create a reservoir, is no longer resting beneath a picturesque lake.

A crisis is brewing - one that has already seen fruit growers in conflict with expat neighbours over ‘water theft’ in some of the country’s normally most tranquil corners.

Olive Press readers have also reported how wildlife is suffering as lakes and reservoirs dry up and rivers recede.

The reason is simple. Rain isn’t falling ‘mainly on the plain’ – it’s barely falling at all.

With historical first quarter lows for precipitation, Spain’s reservoirs have drained to worrying levels.

Unless a deluge occurs in the coming weeks, a dire situation is facing agriculture and consumers, who are likely to face water restrictions soon.

The situation is bad throughout Spain, with some of the worst affected areas being in Andalucia - as well as Murcia, Extremadura and Castilla la Mancha.

According to the Junta’s Ministry of Agriculture, the volume of pre-

Water disputes springing up as major drought stares Spain in the face cipitation from September 2021

By Jo Chipchase to February 5 is hovering around 60% below normal.

The Olive Press recently reported that across Spain reservoirs are dead fish and even some turtle standing at just 44% of capacity. shells.”

Malaga, meanwhile, has only re- In comparison, the Basque ceived 14.5% of its usual rainfall Country and Cantabria have for this hydrological year so far 85% and 96% capacity in their and reservoirs, such as La Vinu- reservoirs, the Ebro 66% and ela sit at 15% capacity.

Leon 64%.

“At El Chorro, Ardales, water has So, what is making Spain so gone from half arid this year? the area. Forget According to the caravans experts, it’s not Agriculture is a and fishing, now just the lack of it’s dry and the key culprit with rainfall causing freshwater musthe sorry situalmost 4mn sels are dead,” ation – it’s too reveals Olive much demand. hectares of Press reader Among EuropeClaire Yvonne an countries, irrigated land Newman.

Spain is one of Reservoir levels the heaviest wain Granada are at the lowest in ter users. Some areas were on a decade, falling to a third of ca- drought alert back in summer pacity, while in the Guadalquivir 2021, despite the last hydrobasin levels sit at 29%. logical year (October 2020 to The worst affected region is, per- September 2021) having above haps unsurprisingly, Almeria at average rainfall – unlike this hyjust 7%. drological year so far.

In Valencia, the situation is Agriculture is a key culprit, with slightly better, but Murcia is at Spain boasting almost four mil21% and at Orihuela, in Alicante, lion hectares of irrigated land, reader Anne Nelson explains: “I compared to 2.5m in Italy, 1.2m live near the Pedrera reservoir in Greece and 1.4m in France. and it’s worrying for the wildlife Almeria alone has 31,614 hectit supports. I’ve seen so many ares of ‘sea of plastic’ green-

houses that dominate the landscape of Adra, Nijar, El Ejido and Vícar.

These are heavy consumers, with 80% of their water coming from underground aquifers, leading to over-exploitation, and 20% from desalination plants.

There’s also a recent trend for avocados and mangos to be planted in Spain, with these subtropical fruits taking the place of less water-intensive orange crops.

Illegal strawberry fields - some with wells tapping underground aquifers - have also been accused of draining water from the Doñana wetlands, which are a vital home to

Cricket conquering Europe W

ITH its inaugural tournament in 2019, The European Cricket League is A Swiss-Aussie collaboration.

It is the brainchild of Roger Feiner, a lawyer and former director of Broadcasting at FIFA, and Daniel Weston, an Aussie born international cricketer who has lived in Germany for the past 15 years.

“When we came up with the plan, I think a lot of people were thinking: what on earth is a Swiss guy doing organising a cricket tournament in Spain?” Feiner told the Olive Press.

But the tournament has already generated a buzz far beyond Spanish borders, being broadcast in at least 20 countries.

Feiner tells me about 100 million Indians are also tuning in every day.

Drone cameras ensure that each angle of the quickfire matches are shown, whilst blaring music reverberates around the ground whenever there is a wicket taken or boundary scored.

The tournament takes place at the Cartama Oval near Malaga.

Surrounded by the Guadalhorcehills, this is an idyllic venue for cricket.

The continent’s clubs are looking to Spain, George Mathias talks to the Swiss opener leading the attack The Spanish connection to cricket is not as obscure as one might assume.

Weston tells me only London in the whole of Europe has more people who play in cricket clubs than Barcelona.

He sees the tournament as an opportunity to spread cricket around the continent.

“In Europe we have football in the winter months, and in summer there is not much sport. We would love to see kids growing up playing football in winter and cricket in summer,” he said.

Steroids The games see 30 teams compete in shortened games, with each team bowling for 10 overs each.

“Cricket on steroids” is how Weston describes it to me.

The games are indeed action packed.

In the overs I watch, almost every ball results in either runs, a boundary, or a wicket.

Already in this tournament there have been shocks, when the Italian team beat Tunbridge Wells. ‘Italy beats England at cricket’ made national headlines.

Getting kids involved has been front and centre of the

GRE Leen Leag

plans here.

Different schools are visiting every day where they can go into the commentators’ box and observe live commentary.

Both Roger and Daniel say that inspiring kids to get into cricket was one of their main priorities. “It’s about leaving a legacy,” Feiner said. Brits, perhaps unsurprisingly, form a large proportion of the crowd.

“One thing I would like to see

more of is Spanish people attending”, Feiner tells me.

“It’s free for everyone and in a beautiful location, but we have not seen them in great numbers so far, despite the fact that the Spanish team has been excellent so far in the tournament.”

I speak to Chris Williams, the captain of Tunbridge Wells, who tells me: “The ECL has exceeded all expectations. The

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

7

MEET THE OP TEAM

From A-lthrop to Z-eta A focus on Olive Press News Editor Dilip Kuner

RUNNING DRY: Reservoirs are emptying to the extent that the village of Aceredo (above) has remerged to become a tourist attraction tens of thousands of migrating birds on their route between Africa and Europe.

On top of that, some areas have been depopulated over time, leading to ‘acequias’ not being well-maintained.

Other areas have become more densely populated, increasing localised water usage. Hydro electricity plants have also contributed to the problem.

Rafael Seiz, head of the water programme at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), recently said: “Here, agriculture plays a fundamental role… they

EAT TEAM: From left, Thomas Klooz and Frank nders, who helped found the UEFA Champions gue, with Daniel Weston and Roger Feiner

cricket has been really competitive. These guys can seriously strike a cricket ball.”

Group B matches take place throughout the week after Tunbridge Wells topped Group A. Entry and car parking is free for the whole tournament.

The final of the ECL is on MARCH 18 AT 5PM.

have always told us that, since it rains little in Spain, there is little water, but what about when it rains? Well, we don’t have water either.”

With water reserves already diminished, Spain has three more months of crop irrigation to go.

Even if crops are OK this year, the problem will be kicked down the line, damaging fruit – and livelihoods - next year.

Spain’s fruit farms – particularly avocados – are receiving a lot of criticism.

The Olive Press has received

several reports of water theft by olive farmers and ‘regantes’ (water commissioners), which leaves residents with pipes running dry.

“Avocados are too thirsty for Spain,” insists Helen King, of Villalonga, in Valencia. “The farmers are ripping out citrus trees and planting avocado trees, which make more money but which need more water.

“Twice, our part of the village has fought to keep water flowing as the avocado growers are trying to force us to build a new irrigation canal to their fields and make us pay.

“The avocado farmers are richer and pressurise the authorities. Town halls should be able to issue a planting permit because not all trees are suitable everywhere.”

It is a similar story in the Alpujarras area of Granada.

Water theft is such a problem there that Claire Marshall moved from Las Barreras, near Orgiva, to the Granada/Almeria border to escape it.

“Our neighbours tapped into our supply, using the municipal water as agricultural water. They installed a hidden tap on their property, before their own meter but on our supply, rendering our supply useless.

“It got worse when he decided to plant avocados and pulled up his olive trees. This meant our house didn’t have any water during the sum-

mer. I had to get a tanker and it was no good for my horses. The town hall did nothing, despite knowing there was a problem for three years.”

Another local expat, in Orgiva, who doesn’t want to be identified, said she has been threatened by the local ‘regantes’, who have diverted river water using large pipes that run 24/7 to irrigate their own avocado crops.

She is now taking legal action as the local river is running dry.

With water scarcity and irrigation already causing disputes, this problem is likely to worsen with a continuing drought and a potentially hot summer causing tempers to fray.

Jose-Miguel Viñas of Meteored weather centre recently suggested that consumers could see water restrictions in their homes, as well as agriculture being affected.

Without any rain over the next fortnight we will be weeks away from rationing.

Jetwash Tentudia in Badajoz was one of the first municipalities to introduce water restrictions recently.

These could soon apply to pools, parks, gardens, and golf courses across Spain.

However, whether your swimming pool will be empty this summer could depend on your forward-planning and your location.

One thing’s for sure: even if you try to limit your Jacuzzis and jet washing, demand is constantly outstripping supply.

“Ask for water first, before planting”, moots Iñaki Hormaza of the Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture.

Future alarm

The problem of drought is United Nations forecasts not going away. The plies will decrease 40% by that freshwater supThe EUCP Project - Europe 2030. an Climate Prediction system - suggests that the the Mediterranean basin level of warming in will outstrip the rest of the world, with the sou arid and Andalucia potentth becoming more more than 20 days above ially experiencing 40C every summer.

This will mean increasingly prolonged drought cycles.

If nothing is done, we cou ld see mo of our beloved Andaluciare areas bec ing like the Tabernas desomert in Almeria, which has Wil Western film sets among d its arid landscape.

O

LIVE Press News Editor Dilip Kuner knew he’d ‘made it in journalism’ when he saw the flashing blue lights while trying to stand up a royal story.

Sent to Princess Diana’s childhood home Althrop by the Sunday Mirror to knock on neighbours, he wasn’t expecting to face arrest.

The problem was the dusky young stranger had not gone unnoticed wandering around the village and the police were soon on the scene.

Having proved his credentials he was packed off back to Fleet Street to be greeted with gales of laughter by the entire news desk.

“It was a chastening experience - but it certainly toughened me up for journalism,” explains the Mijas-based fatherof-three, 55.

Having worked his way through local newspapers, including the Folkestone Herald and the Hastings Observer, he quickly moved up to the nationals.

During a decent stint at the Mirror Group, he got a great tip off from Bill Wyman’s chauffeur about Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall’s upcoming ‘wedding’.

But rather than being sent off for a world exclusive to Mustique, the news desk didn’t believe him. And nobody got the story until days afterwards.

Sir Yehudi Menhuin gave an inspiring interview, Home Secretary Michael Howard gave him a tour of Romney Marsh, while he fell in love with Darling Buds of May star Catherine Zeta Jones during an exclusive chat.

But his first real love was with Spain when he moved here in 1994 (at 27) and like so many others left his old life behind and started afresh running a restaurant (his dad’s, no less).

“I meant to go back to the fast lane, but life here simply suited me,” he adds.

Some two decades later he picked up where he left off, and has now got back into the thick of it with Spain’s leading English media group.

Since joining the Olive Press in 2020 he’s interviewed the British Ambassador and Consul, been interviewed by the Observer and on Sky News, and run a talented team of journalists.

“It’s the people stories that matter, such as poor Davie Gurney who lost his house. I always try to help people like him. The ordinary people.

“I wouldn’t change a thing in my life though - flashing blue lights or not,” he says.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: for people travelling to 1- EasyJet warning Spain’s Balearic Islands bar-restaurants on Javea’s arenal 2- Seven beach ordered to close ‘within months’ drops covid-19 vaccine 3- Spain’s andalucia passports as of tomorrow what are the new rules for face 4- Explained: mask use outdoors in spain? booster shot to 5- Do I need a COVID-19 travel to spain?

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8

www.theolivepress.es

GREEN

Warning shot THE European Commission has threatened to penalise Spain if plans go ahead to extract more water from one of Europe’s largest wetlands.

The warning comes after the regional Andalucia government voted to expand water rights for farmers close to the Doñana National Park.

Rights

Ecological Transition Minister, Teresa Ribera, has called on the measure to be withdrawn and that the issue of water rights was a responsibility for national and not regional government.

The Doñana National park is home to endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle. Wetlands are also seen as key for storing carbon dioxide in the fight against climate change.

An EU ruling was issued last year demanding the

Spain threatened over water extraction at Doñana wetlands

By Alex Trelinski

Doñana area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, be better protected.

The European Court of Justice ruled that Spain broke EU law by failing to stop the deterioration of protected habitats in the park. Commission spokesperson for the environment, Daniela Stoycheva, said: “We are deeply concerned about the recent plans that would add to the unsustainable levels of water abstraction.”

Penalties

The Commission said that it would move ‘swiftly’ if Spain did not act, but any likely penalties appear to be only financial.

The latest developments over Doñana could open up irrigation rights to as

ENDANGERED: The Doñana wetlands

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

THE EIB has agreed to loan €35 million to rail firm Patentes Talgo to help with its green strategy.

Talgo, which builds inter-city and highspeed trains, says it intends to invest in low-carbon rail transport vehicles.

many as 1,900 hectares for agriculture, according to the WWF which has made previous complaints to the European Commission over illegal wells.

GREEN LOAN Talgo chairman Carlos Palacio said: “Talgo has been committed to rail sector innovation since its founding almost 80 years ago. We firmly believe that trains are the immediate response to the climate emergency.”

The move follows a succession of new green investments by the EIB in line with the EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which has outlined plans to invest €1 trillion in green initiatives by 2030.

Martin Tye asks if the environment will be allowed to trump economics

CAN WE TRUST CHINA? The jury’s out - read on, then you decide...

CHINA’S climate policy matters to us all.

Why? Because China’s carbon emissions are huge. And they are growing, dwarfing those of other countries.

China has a real conundrum. To drive its economy to ever increasing heights it needs more energy. The problem for the world is that much of this is coming from coal.

Can China keep its promises to cut emissions?

At the moment, 43 new coal powered power plants are planned, and 18 new blast furnaces.

All this adds to its current annual emissions.

It all points to China prioritising economic growth over emissions reductions.

Government officials have already hinted that it will rethink the timetable agreed to

cut emissions at COP-26.

In the run up to COP-26, which was held in Glasgow last November, China did publish plans to be carbon neutral by 2060, with emissions peaking by 2030.

Analysts say this would involve shutting 600 coal-fired power plants. I struggle to imagine that happening.

The International Energy Agency has stated that much greater action is required globally if the world is to reach net zero by 2050. It says ‘RAPID REDUC- CHINA SUMMED UP: New Olympic ramp with TION’ in the amount of coal massive cooling towers as a backdrop. burned to provide electricity is the greenest games ever. required.

China has in planning and development Last week China’s central government six times Germany’s entire coal-fired ca- pledged to run all coal power plants at full capacity to meet energy demands. Chipacity.

It is betting on big technology solutions nese officials threatened coal producers coming - carbon capture and storage to ensure a steady supply of coal - or ‘face technology, further expansion of renew- further investigation and accountability ables, hydropower, hydrogen fuel cells measures’.

Not very subtle. Widespread use of artiand a greater push to nuclear power. ficial snow is not green. Olympic events This is a big gamble. require 49 million gallons of water to be mixed with chemicals. Where does that lot end up?

GREEN OLYMPICS IN All this in a city that has a water shortage.

BEIJING? Do you really expect China to suppress growing its economy to help save the I think not! The Beijing Olympics organ- planet? isers have repeatedly promised to host I, for one, do not.

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10

LETTERS

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

Two sides to every story A duo of recent stories about Spain's Civil War that recounted the battle of Belchite and the flight of Malaga’s population has stirred a response

It’s Economy, stupid!

Not so simple

Dear Olive Press,

Editor’s note: Thank you for your clarification, although as the Nationalists were fighting the elected government I do feel it reasonable to classify them as rebels.

Simply shocking THE article about La Desbanda (The Highway to Hell) was shocking.

I have lived on the Costa del Sol but had never heard of this tragedy.

Perhaps this explains the virulent political divisions we see between left and right to this day.

I can only hope that by keeping these stories in the public gaze a repeat of the unspeakable atrocities committed will not happen again.

Jane Kerr, Mijas

COLUMNISTS

TIME FOR A ROYAL VISIT

AS Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her bilee, becoming the first monarch everPlatinum Juyears on the throne, isn’t it about time to mark 70 she paid a visit to Spain and Gibraltar?

When Spain’s King Felipe and Queen their first state visit to the UK in July Letizia made anticipation that the British monarch 2017 it raised might make a trip to their country in return.

It’s been a long time since 1988 when her one and only trip to Spain, a country she made where she is widely respected and shares none of the scandal that taints her distant cousin King Juan Carlos.

She received rapturous applause dressed Spain’s parliament to pay when she adtribute to the nation’s peaceful transition to democracy on the death of Franco in 1975.

“The democratic Parliament before manner in which it was achieved, will me, and the stand out as one of the brightest pages in your nation’s long and proud history,” she said.

And there is obvious affection between Her Majesty and King Felipe as revealed in a poignant condolence letter on the death of Prince he wrote to his ‘Dear Aunt Lilibet’. Philip in which Of course she is adored in Gibraltar, made her only state visit as monarch where she joined by the Duke of Edinburgh andin May 1954 their two eldest children Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

We can blame the thorny issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty for preventing her repeat visit to the tiny British outpost at the foot of Spain, fearing a royal visit could flare up diplomatic tensions.

But what better sign of the ‘strength of friendship’ and the ‘resilient spirit of cooperation will’, to quote the Queen’s own speech and gooddinner for King Felipe, than a final tour at the state of the Iberian peninsula?

Viva La Reina!

NEWS FEATURE

THE HIGHWAY TO HELL

Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Simon Wade simon@theolivepress.es

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Elena Goçmen Rueda elena@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt joshua@theolivepress.es

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

OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

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For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 HEAD OFFICE Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

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Best expat paper in Spain

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7

I

N one of Spain’s darkest along the chapters, thousands of to take coast, with orders civilians were massacred Malaga, Marbella and then before swooping while fleeing from Mala- inland ga to Almeria in what has Just towards Granada.

12,000 troops stood been dubbed ‘southern in their way and, with littSpain’s Guernica’. le hope of holding out, the Men, women decision was and children, made to evafrom babes in Hemmed in cuate Malaga. arms to elderly by mountains, Hemmed in grandparents, by were subjecthere was only theremountains, was only ted to machine one viable one viable gun fire and escape roubombing escape route te - the N340 both from the coast road that sea and air - as hugged the they tried to escape to safety shore for 201 kilometres to 85 years ago this week.

Almeria.

They were making a des- So on February 7, 1937, perate attempt to evade the the citizens of Malaga set clutches of the Nationalist off, carrying what they could forces of Franco bearing as they abandoned their down on the hopelessly out- homes numbered Republican units becomein an event that has known as La Desdefending Malaga. banda, (the disbanding).

The fascist troops - bolste- The fascists under General red by Italian and German Queipo de Llano showed air support - had crushed little mercy to the city, which the government forces who was severely bombed, and had attempted (and failed) even a last ditch defence of Ron- they less to the refugees as would be a safe haven. struggled on their long The da and were now sweeping trek general himself made to what they hoped a radio broadcast on Fe-

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

A focus on Olive Press editor Jon Clarke

T

bruary 9 - two days after the refugees had set off and a day after Malaga

Given the bird

B

They share the skies above us but the between birds and airplanes is not a relationship happy marriage

IRD strikes are a growing problem as they have become frequent, ther of modern-day environmentalism’ bird strike possibility. very expensive and sometimes and television personality, was the first Similarly Barcelona’s El to introduce falconry units to Spanish fatal.

Prat, an airport which In 2019 alone, there were 16,000 report- airports. averages some 22 bird In 1968 he teamed up with airport ed incidents, averaging more than safety strikes per year, employs per day. The problem of bird strikes 45 officials with falconers in an attempt to a team of 80 falcons as cost the aviation industry an averagehas rid the airport of bird strikes. an integral part $50,000 per incident or more than of The falcons are trained to circumnavigate safety programme.of their $1.2 the airport at various times billion a year. of the day Aside making a time-tested state- patrol, from their regular Interestingly, some creative ment that they, the falcons, alert the falcons are on efforts are under way at and often released 95% of major are in control. various Spanish Airports in response to reported Falcons have exceptional sightings to mitigate this problem. airports in of birds by pipowers of vision with a vi- lots.

Let’s take a look….

Spain use sual acuity 2.6 times that This Airport safety committees of the human eye. Further- gone practice has not throughout the world have falcons as a unnoticed at the more, their ability to change Castellon experimented with various Costa Azahar deterrent direction is unprecedented. Airport methods of controlling the (Valencia ProvCombine these attributes ince) number of birds that pose where €90,000 of with the fact that falcons its safety a danger to air transport. budget is allotare the fastest moving Examples include controlling the number tures on earth with a diving speed ofcrea- ted to falconry. of local bird populations, removing 200 Malaga’s Costa del Sol local miles per hour! surface water and eliminating food sourcInstinctively other birds like pigeons, Airport - Spain’s 4th buses (eg, land-fill dumps). iest - has an established doves, sea gulls, geese and other Officials have also tried flying drones water- 30-year falcon programme with a safety emit sounds to repel troublesome that fowl, will sense extreme danger and flee record that continually trends positive Additionally, they have tried using birds. the area to stay well clear of their natural thanks in part to pyro- enemy. its falcon fleet. technics, flashing lights, loud speakers, Falconry has a 2,000-year cultural Today, 95% of the major airports in heripoison, bird detecting radar - all with Spain tage in Spain. lim- use falcons as a bird strike ited success. deterrent. At Records indicate that the use of falcons Madrid’s Barajas airport, a ‘fleet’ Ironically, the most promising attempt of 70 was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula bird strike mitigation involves bringing at Peregrine falcons have been trained to by the Moors where in patrol their runways. it has been practiced more birds! In this case, birds of as the ‘sport of kings’, a military weapon, prey - From the Barajas control tower, namely falcons. authorities and as a way of hunting. can call for the help of falcons Felix Rodriquez de la Fuente, Spain’s ‘fa- sky clear if controllers decideto keep the To this list we can now add airport safety there is a to the legacy of falcons in Spain.

HORRORS: The people of Malaga fled the bombing of their city (above) while General Queipo that killed many ordering his airforce to attack de Llano (top) crowed in a radio broadcast about the civilian columns

had fallen.

His words - that showed not an ounce of compassion -

are chilling. He crowed: “A report from our air force told me that large masses of

DANGER: The perils of birds to planes have long been known (right)

people were fleeing at full speed towards Motril.

“To accompany them in their flight and make them run faster, we sent our air force to bomb them, setting fire to some trucks…”

The air force did more than set fire to a few lorries.

The columns of refugees were gunned down from air, land and sea in a massacre that left around 5,000 corpses lining the highway. Many of them were women and children.

No one is quite sure how many people were making the tragic journey. The generally accepted figure is 150,000, but more recent estimates are as high as 300,000,

with the numbers of Malagueños bolstered by around 80,000 refugees from elsewhere in Andalucia.

They had fled with good reason. Many of those who chose to stay were killed, raped and buried in many of the mass graves which have come to define Franco’s rule.

And those who survived to reach Almeria found no haven.

The city closed its gates to the refugees out of fear that Malaga’s fate could be visited on Almeria if it came to their aid.

Some managed to get onto trains that took them to Alicante and Valencia, but many had to turn around and make the long walk back home to Malaga and face the forces they had made such a desperate effort to escape from.

Paying respect

William Shakespeare was a falconer and his word choice (especially in The Taming of the Shrew), reflects this fact.

For example, to be ‘hoodwinked’ (deceived) is putting a leather hood on a falcon so it can’t see to fly. ‘Fed-up’ (disinterested) is when a bird has eaten too much of its prey.

‘Under my thumb’ (control) comes from falconers holding a falcon in such a way to restrict flight.

And American aviation pioneers, the Wright Brothers, noted on their second flight in 1905, that they ‘hit a bird’ with their top wing.

DID YOU KNOW?

To mark the tragedy of La Desbanda memorative a commilestone has next to the Barranco been de Maro bridge placed route of the old road to Almeria. on the Each year modern day Malagueños along a section march ignated a Place of the route - officially dalucia - from of Historical Memory desof Anthe thousands this spot to pay homage of their forebears to in February who died the Civil War.1937, fleeing the violence of The marker post, set up tural Association by the and Hiking ClubSocioculbanda, Nerja La Desof Education City Council, the Department honour these and Culture, is intended civil war refugees. to

HE Olive Press counts on over 20 journalists and writers spread around Spain.

Over 75% of our staff work in editorial… and there’s a good reason why.

The paper’s editor and owner, Jon Clarke, is a journalist who leads from the front on a daily Rolling up his sleeves - particularly basis. days - he is the driving force in finding around deadline exclusive stories and interesting content for every issue.

And it’s not just for the Olive Press.

The former Daily Mail and Mail on been an investigative journalist for Sunday staffer has over two decades.

Passionate about exposing corruption, justice, he has interviewed hundreds crime and inof VIPs and celebrities from Jamie Oliver to Joe Strummer and Gordon Ramsay to Abba.

He has also covered some of the ries, from Chernobyl to the death biggest global stoof Princess Diana and from the Epstein scandal (see below) to the abduction of toddler Madeleine McCann.

It’s why he is frequently found on Sky News and the BBC and, most recently, with a German tary on the prime suspect in the Maddie TV documencase (see promotional poster above).

As well as publishing three books the most recent on Maddie - he loves travel writing, food has penned a lot for the UK national and wine, and He fell in love with Spain after living press.

1990s and now divides his time in Madrid in the and Ronda with a wife and two kids.between Marbella

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

owner who failed to pick 1 - Errant her dog on Spain’s Costa del Solup after tracked down to home.

Spain’s Modelo 720 will change in 2 - How2022 and can you claim back fines.

MUST READ: European court of justice ru3-lesLaw against Spain’s Modelo 720 Foreign Asset including a system of excessive fines.

for people traveling to 4 - Easyjet warning Spain’s Balearic Islands. of missing American-Russian 5 - Body woman found in shallow grave in Spain’s Valencia as husband goes on the run.

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for more info

What about them?

IT is certainly a tragedy when any innocents are killed during war (The Highway to Hell). Even more so, when it’s a Civil War pitting brother against brother. Two questions please, as the local Spanish here are hesitant to speak about the Civil War. Was Malaga in general a city supporting the socalled Republicans who were backed by communist Russia?

And to provide fair coverage of the war, can the Olive Press also provide some stories about the many massacres that were conducted by the anti-Christian communist Republicans as well. Including hundreds of church burnings, thousands of priests and nuns murdered, civilians, etc.

Name supplied (via Olive Press website)

Editor’s note: Malaga was seen as a Republican city, although there would have been many residents on the other side of the fence.

Thank you for your suggestion for future articles - it is certainly something we shall look at.

Across 6 One of several discards after making an omelette (8) 8 Hunt using a bright light (4) 9 Nail-biting pop singer that goes to pot (5-8) 10 File markers (4) 11 There may be a gap between them (7) 14 The top-left clue in this puzzle (3,4) 16 Getting close (4) 19 Place for notices and such (8,5) 21 Carbonated quaff (4) 22 Hasten (8)

Welsh dragons, Catwoman and Kenyans with a beatbox - a tournament not to miss

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a large proportion of the crowd.

On the field South Africa were a unstoppable force, trampling England underfoot with a 42-0 victory. The closest England got in the drubbing was when a hapless player tackled the referee.

As the final whistle blew I turned and saw Fraiser, my mate from Cape Town, grinning outrageously. We couldn't resist a selfie to mark the occasion.

The best atmosphere was across from the ground at the basketball stadium where the bar had decided to open for the event.

By the second day they had completely run out of draught beer and the manager was shaking his head, laughing at the general good natured shenanigans.

I ended up spending most of the afternoon with a brilliant bunch of Kenya supporters who had flown in from as far away as LA for the tournament and had brought their beatbox. As I left later that evening the Kenyans had met some Spanish girls as well as a group of Irish up for the craic, and the dancing to African beats was just beginning...

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es

February 9th - February 22nd 2022

It is 85 years since Franco’s forces thousands of civilians as they fled massacred Malaga in the exodus known as La Desbanda, writes Tallulah Taylor

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENS

HE HSBC International Rugby Sevens Series visited Spain for the first time in its history last month and, seeing as it was the weekend after my birthday, going to watch teams including South Africa, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England battle it out in Malaga was too good an opportunity to miss!

Deciding to make a boys’ weekend out of the event, my mate Rob booked an apartment in the centre of Malaga, close to the Teatro Cervantes.

‘It’s OK. I’ve asked them and they have parking’ he assured me, when I questioned him about whether or not I should take the 4x4.

Arriving on Friday night I discovered that the apartment did have parking as promised, but via a car lift designed for the average family car. Not a Landcruiser on heightened suspension with a roof rack.

Leaving Rob with the apartment keys, I trundled off around the centre of Malaga looking for a space. Needless to say, an oversized 4x4 is not really suited to the city’s narrow streets and, after 40 minutes of fruitless searching, I found a double height parking garage.

We headed to the ground the next day, and I forgot what great fun a Sevens tournament is. Dotted among the crowd were Welsh supporters dressed as dragons and daffodils, Scots in kilts and even a smattering of cartoon characters.

The sight of Ignacio Molina, Marbella Rugby Club's talismanic leader in a Super Mario outfit was something to behold, while the attractive female supporter dressed as Catwoman distracted

Voted top expat paper in Spain

OPINION

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Name supplied (via Olive Press website)

David Worcester, Estepona

www.theolivepress.es

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

WITH regards to Shannon Chaffers’ piece on the Spanish Civil War, please clarify your article’s use of the word ‘s British troops.

Neither the British army nor its ‘troops’ fought in the Spanish Civil. Those that went were ‘volunteers’, not British troops.

Secondly, characterising Franco’s ‘Nationalist’ forces as ‘rebels’ seems a bit off as well.

Who exactly (i.e. which side) bombarded and destroyed the city of Belchite? Was it the 80,000 heavily armed (tanks, artillery, air support, etc) anarchists and communists of the Republican forces who had surrounded the city and bombarded it for days, or the 7,000 nationalist forces that held out until reinforcements could arrive?

Hence the real reason for Franco’s monument left behind ‘as-is’ for all the world to see – the city destroyed by the Republicans, and to honour the 7,000 vastly out-numbered men who defended it. History is not as simple as the media often portrays.

terIN reference to your article Just rible, Ryanair slammed by passenit gers in survey of shame, I thought . nce defe a nt mou appropriate to reA quick browse on their website Mal to don Lon , €25 for ts veals fligh of aga. Customers were complaining h the food on Ryanair. What on eart the are they expecting to be served iffare journey costs less than a train from Reading to London? is Although CEO Michael O’Leary a insufferable (apparently he set up taxi company in London with only ld his car registered so that he coualalways use the taxi lanes!) I haveserways been impressed with their bevice, despite it seemingly having . come a pastime to moan about them any I advise your readers, and indeed k person who goes on holiday, to thin as a of Ryanair not as an airline but will they ee rant gua I bus with wings, e. enjoy their experience much mor

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

1 Credited (8) 2 Born in Cardiff (5) 3 Completely (3,4) 4 Precursor to a duel (4) 5 Key of Beethoven’s “Für Elise” (1,5) 7 Like Alexander and Catherine (5) 12 Ice (8) 13 Sound from a tree (7) 15 Impulse transmitter (6) 17 Deserve (5) 18 Breaks sharply (5) 20 It’s out of petrol now (4)

All solutions are on page 55

TheOlivePRess-37x55-CAR.pdf

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ELECTRIC OPTIONS

February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla

952 147 834

Cash incentives for electric cars are introduced in Spain as we take a look at popular options

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PAIN has pledged to make

By Dilip Kuner the entire country carbon neutral by 2050, and for this to happen cars are going to the country.

Volkswagen Group’s SEAT subsidhave to get greener.

It’s automotive plan focuses on the iary plans to team up with power environmentally-friendly electric company Iberdrola to build Spain’s and hybrid car industry and aims to first battery factory for Electric Vehimake the technology cheaper, and cles (EVs). easier to use and access across the Volkswagen has previously announced its intention to build six EV country.

Special incentives have been rolled battery plants across Europe, with three earmarked for out over the coming the Spain/Portugal/ years to encourage the southern France area. ownership of green vehicles, both private The government In total, the government is granting and commercial. is granting €3.75 billion towards The Spanish govern€3.75bn to making electric and ment has approved an €800 million fund up make electric hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel until the end of 2023, cars cheaper to buy by 2027. which is available now.

But there is no need Private buyers can to wait that long if you claim up to €7,000, with companies buying fleets to use wish to help save the planet. Car as taxis eligible for more. Vans can manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. attract subsidies of up to €9,000.

These incentives follow a govern- While still more expensive than their ment pledge to promote battery pro- traditional contemporaries, subsiduction in Spain and push the man- dies and scrappage schemes are bringing ufacture of electric vehicles in

EXPENSIVE: The Audi e-tron GT

them into the reach of many more people’s wallets.

One of the most unusual will be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed squarely at the US market where ‘trucks’ are a huge segment, this retro-futuristic ‘space machine’ is sure to make it to Spain at some point.

Clad in dent-proof stainless steel it looks like something out of Mad Max, and according to Tesla boss Elon Musk it will be a ‘really tough, not fake-tough’ truck.

Mind you, he ended up with egg on his face at the vehicle’s launch when he tried to prove its durability through a series of ‘torture tests’.

All was going well until Musk hurled a steel ball at the vehicle and shattered its ‘armoured’ glass.

While Tesla has been the leader in EVs (particularly in the publicity stakes) it will have more competition than ever this year, with mainstream manufacturers not only ready to unveil a slew of latest-technology models, but also ahead of the game.

For build quality and top-class engineering Volvo is worth a close look.

Their Polestar 2 five-seater brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come

from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative models and specs are planned for this year.

Apart from its green motor, Volvo has also introduced frameless mirrors and a light- The interior is minimalist, with a er-than-leather vegan interior fabric low, flat floor and a vibe that Nissan designed to mimic the durability of calls ‘lounge-like’. It has a a wetsuit. claimed range of around 300 miles A pair of electric motors work with a and pricing is from around €40,000.

27-module lithium ion battery pack This performance and luxury will be to deliver an impressive 402 horse- wrapped in a package with a range power, and a range of up to 275 of 200 miles. It costs from around miles. But all this comes €75,000. at a price with the luxMeanwhile Volkury car costing from swagen’s ID.4 SUV The Audi e-tron €59,900. The compais aimed squarely ny aims to sell 65,000 at taking on TesGT is a sleek units this year. la. Starting prices electric sedan are from around When it comes to mainstream manufacturers, €46,000 in Spain with loads of Nissan was one of the and it has a range of power first to enter the mar250 miles. ket. Its LeafEV now has Staying with the Gersales of nearly half a man marques, the million.

Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, electric seThe car giant is aiming to dan with loads of power and polish. build on this success hav- Behind the streamlined bodywork ing recently launched the is some architecture shared with Ariiya, a more stylish take the Porsche Taycan EV. on emission-free t r a n s - With 590 horsepower, the two-moportation. tor GT should accelerate from zero The five-passenger SUV to 60 miles per hour in an impresfeatures a surprisingly sive three seconds, and will be able aggressive look, with some to gain an 80% charge in just 20 swoopy, concave surfacing minutes. The car is top-of-the ranand wheels pushed to the corners. geo expect to pay €100,000 plus.

952 147 834 TheOlivePress-256x45-MP0122.indd 1

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MOORS LAST SIGH, COMARES

A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE

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HEN the Moors finally handed over the keys to the Alhambra and Granada in 1492 they didn’t immediately head back to north Africa. Understandably, they figured they could cling on in relative secrecy in the mountainous region of the Axarquia and the nearby Alpujarras. One of the key locations was Comares, where in the claustrophobic Calle del Pardon, 30

families of Moors were later spared their lives after publicly converting to Catholicism. Indisputably the spiritual heart of the Axarquia, Comares straddles a hilly outcrop and has heart-stopping views. The magical white-washed village is a maze of windy alleys full of Arabic touches and has set itself up well for tourists offering a clever guided tour by footsteps etched into the ground.

DOWN IN THE DIPS, RIOGORDO

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ake the MA-3107 from Comares and, stuck in a dip in one of the region’s many folds, you will find Riogordo, a gritty town, full of run-down houses and troll-like men in caps. You can really suck in the atmosphere of real Spain and, in particular, enjoy its excellent museum of antiquities, which gives a charming trip back in time to the days of sustainability.

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ROMANTIC VIEWS, ROMANES

ing a section of Scotland’s Western Highlands, make sure to stop for coffee or lunch at 400-yearold Venta Galway – which takes its name from an Irishman, who moved there when the British market couldn’t get enough of the area’s sweet muscatel wines.

From here you get the perfect lookout over the Axarquia, a hamshaped wedge that cuts inland from the beach resorts of Torre Del Mar and Nerja and has much to offer in geography and culture, as well as increasingly in food and wine.

Here, the Olive Press offers the perfect weekend escape into the Axarquia, dipping into a mix of restaurants, walks and sightseeing.

A

FTER a leisurely lunch it is time to head for the coast. Retrace your steps down the way you came until you turn left onto the A-356. This will lead you to the picturesque village of Los Romanes, which has a couple of local spots to eat if you missed out on lunch at Alfarnate. It overlooks the stunning Lake Viñuela and is the perfect spot to just lounge and relax.

GEM OF A PLACE, VELEZ MALAGA

BANDITS ALL AROUND, ALFARNATE

HE Axarquia was famously the region most difficult for dictator Franco to pacify after he won the Spanish Civil War. Dissected by deep ravines and criss-crossed with streams, it is easy to see how the rebels, known as the Maquis, were able to take advantage of its confusing pattern of rutted hills to hide out and escape from army patrols. The region had previously been a haunt for bandoleros, or bandits, who preyed on traders carrying goods to Granada and for smugglers bringing contraband into Spain from Africa. Such was its volatile nature (the

4

OMEHOW I hadn’t spotted the double loop on the Michelin map of Andalucia I’d bought at Foyles on the Charing Cross Road, a month before moving to Spain in 2002.

But this topographical quirk - half way up the A-7000 out of Malaga city - was to add at least 20 minutes onto what looked like a simple 30-kilometre drive to my first rental home in Comares.

It was up this road that I had headed when I first settled in Spain and it is easily one of the nicest ways to arrive in the Axarquia (pronounced Ass-Ikea), with your ears literally popping as it ascends into the Montes de Malaga national park.

The equivalent of circumnavigat-

Take a road trip through Andalucia’s evocative Axarquia with Jon Clarke

C coast was regularly attacked by Barbary pirates) that the area’s inhabitants built fortified villages, with watchtowers in the hills inland. One of the best ways to appreciate its violent age is to take a trip up to the high plains around Alfarnate.

From Riogordo you can take the rugged A-7204 which links up to the MA-4102 and on to the Antigua Venta de Alfarnate - at 400 years old one of the oldest in Spain. It was here where bandit El Tempranillo was finally captured after decades of terrorising the country and you can still find the cell they kept him in temporarily.

ONTINUE down the A-356 and arrive at Velez Malaga. It is one of the most underrated and little-visited places in Malaga province. But like its big sister of Malaga it has a Moorish fortress rising above it with battlements, but unlike Malaga it also has a fascinating old medina, crammed full of interesting nooks to explore. Its old town has recently been given a special protection status and no less than 47 historic buildings have been specifically listed.

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Photo by absoluteaxarquia.com

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S pr pa o in in per ’s b En ty es gl ma t ish g

www.theolivepress.es

February 2022

A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money?

See page XIV

Bye bye Bofill

The Olive Press pays tribute to Spanish genius Ricardo Bofill, whose architectural tentacles spread widely, and were even said to have inspired last year’s hit tv series Squid Game

See page VI

KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING HOME sales in December were the second-highest on record in Spain.

And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended… going up and up and up!

Andalucia, Valencia and Murcia are leading the charge on the mainland, each seeing spectacular growth by over a quarter against last Christmas.

While Andalucia saw 29% more sales than December 2020, Valencia and Murcia posted figures of 26% and 25% respectively.

The Balearics experienced a 41% uplift, while the Canaries saw a 44% rise in December’s year on year figures.

“Home sales in December set almost a record high, illustrating quite how buoyant Spain’s housing market is despite the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic,” said property analyst Mark Stucklin.

After almost record December sales, January is also performing strongly

“Sales were up 26% on 2019, showing the market has more than recovered the ground it lost to the pandemic. The Spanish housing market is undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.”

In total, 72,023 residential sales were completed in December, according to official figures.

According to a trio of leading estate agents in Andalucia, the year has also begun well, despite concerns over supply.

“We sold three properties in January, which is three more than ever be-

fore,” explained Scott Marshall, from PropertieSpain in Benahavis. “And enquiries are coming in thick and fast.”

Meanwhile, Ben Bateman from Sotogrande’s Holmes agency said: “It could be a record year if we can get the right number of new listings.

“Last year was the best year since 2008 and we remain confident for 2022.”

Adam Neale, at Terra Meridiana, in Estepona, also recorded record sales last year, and has seen an ‘extremely hectic’ start to 2022.

“It was a very busy year and it didn’t stop last month, it just keeps coming, particularly now people can travel again.”

The highest December property figures were in 2010 when nearly 80,000 properties were sold around Spain.

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February 2022

PROPERTY

Online portal calculates how solar power can slash your electricity bills

EXCITING TIMES FOR THE SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET Welcome from publisher Jon Clarke

I

T has taken two long years, but it’s a very welcome return to the Olive Press’s bi-monthly Property Magazine.

While it has certainly been a turbulent time for the Andalucian property market since our last issue in March 2020, the buyers are definitely back.

After a surprisingly strong 2021, this year looks set to perform even better - assuming we get the supply back!

The majority of big agents along the coast - the likes of Panorama, Kristina Zsekely and Holmes (all over three decades in business) - are telling us a similar story: WE NEED MORE HOMES! But understandably they remain optimistic.

For they know that after the horrors of COVID, its draconian lockdowns both here and around Europe, the lifestyle our region offers has never had more allure.

With sunshine for 320 days a year and a largely unspoilt region of rolling hills, snowy peaks and sandy coastline, who wouldn’t want to relocate here, perhaps initially with a laptop?

The Germans are certainly coming, as are the Dutch, Scandinavians and Belgians. And let’s not forget the city dwellers of Madrid, Sevilla and Bilbao.

Even more exciting is the interest coming from across the pond in Canada and America, where the Olive Press receives around 11% of its online visitors at present.

And despite Brexit causing further issues there are also thousands of British families still looking to buy down in the southern tip of Europe.

As one agent recently told me they are working out ways to get round the 90-day rule ‘by hook or by crook’.

And the knock on effect is set to be huge: with more

people buying this will mean more work for lawyers, architects, surveyors and builders.

Next it will be the interior designers and furniture stores and soon it won’t just be the sun cheering us up… but the very real feeling of the economy finally picking up.

And how we deserve it.

All those dark months hiding indoors or behind masks, too scared to fly, missing all our loved ones from back home.

Finally, all those hard-working and decent expat property businesses are set to get their just rewards for their hard work and patience in ‘la crisis’ we have just lived through.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Property magazine.

Aside from up to the minute analysis from our specialists including Mark Stucklin, Campbell Ferguson and Adam Neale, we interview long-established Sotogrande agent Ben Bateman and Marbella’s Queen of Property Kristina Szekely.

And then there’s our spread on the hippest new hotels around Spain, the coolest high rise apartments on the Costa Blanca and a feature on Moorish propert.

Yes, the Olive Press always works hard to ensure our readers are spoilt with interesting and varied copy, which in turn helps our advertisers to get noticed.

Send your feedback to me at jon@theolivepress. es or contact 951273575.

MOST Spanish homes get over 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, making them a prime candidate for solar power generation.

Now an online portal can calculate how solar panels can slash your electricity bills.

After typing in your address, and highlighting your available roof space, the website calculates how different solar installations will cut your monthly bills.

The collaboration between Fotocasa and Portuguese energy company EDP also works out what subsidies are available in your region.

Savings For a villa in Javea, for example, a one-time payment of €3,709 (inc. €1,000 subsidy) would see savings of €592 annually in electricity bills with just four solar panels.

Fotocasa claims that most homes will find a 50% reduction in electricity bills following installation.

“Spanish people are increasingly aware of the importance of an energy transition to fight climate change, as well as how

SAVINGS: Panels can reduce bills

Cash on the attic you can reduce utility bills thanks to renewable energy,” said Maria Matos, at Fotocasa.

The company promises a complete service, including advice throughout the whole process as well as studying and applying for bonuses and subsidies.

It also claims to manage technical and legal matters.

If 85% of Spanish homes installed solar panels there would be a reduction of 57 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to planting 4.3

billion trees.

Up to 40% of the cost of installation can come from subsidies, while this can increase to 65% if the project includes a battery for power storage.

According to EDP, Andalucia is the community with the greatest potential for solar power generation, followed by Valencia, Catalunya, Madrid and Castilla y Leon.

So far, 630 municipalities in Spain offer discounts in property taxes (IBI) for installing solar panels.

tel: 952 81 01 02 info@kssir.com www.ksmarbella.com

CONTEMPORARY VILLA IN THE HEART OF PRESTIGIOUS GOLF ESTATE, GUADALMINA ALTA

VERY SPACIOUS LUXURIOUS TRIPLEX APARTMENT SITUATED GOLDEN MILE

1.395.000 euros

850.000 euros

KSSIR-26538P · Bedrooms: 5 · Bathrooms: 4 · Build: 459 m2 · Plot: 653 m2

KSSIR-25632P-DUP · Bedrooms: 4 · Bathrooms: 4 · Build: 263 m2 · Plot: 0 m2

The villa is walking distance to the Club House and within a short stroll to the Guadalmina Commercial Centre. This extraordinary villa has a fantastic landscaped garden with its own heated swimming pool. The access to the villa is through a pivoting door leading to large entrance hallway with glass stairs case and panoramic lift to all levels, large open plan lounge with open gas fireplace and direct access to the covered terrace and garden, separate dining room, bedroom or second living room, full bathroom, absolutely beautiful modern kitchen with very large island, Silestone counters and top appliances by Gaggenau. First floor comprises; three spacious bedrooms, all with warm wooden floors, master suite has a good size walk-in...

Very spacious apartment situated in a small gated complex with lovely tropical gardens and swimming pool. Located in the Golden Mile only 5 minutes from Marbella center and Puerto Banus. Three separate apartments have been joined in order to form a substatial property. Offers on the ground floor, spacious living area with fireplace and dining area leading out to a south facing terrace with sea views.

Modern fully fitted kitchen with adjoined main bedroom ensuite. On the first floor 2 bedrooms ensuite with dressing area sharing a terrace with jacuzzi and beautiful views. On the top level is situated the master bedroom ensuite, fireplace and terrace. Finally includes a parking space in the communal garage.

A generous property designed in a beautiful Mediterranean style.

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February 2022

Inflation, Inflation, Inflation

ANDALUCIA is pressing ahead with reforms to land laws that will allow construction of new homes on rural land.

The new bill will grant permits to build detached homes on any land deemed 'suelo rustico' but as long as there is 2.5 hectares.

Previously the LOUA only permitted agriculture and livestock farmers to build homes on rural land.

Andalucia councillor for development, Marifran Carazo, said the reforms would open up 'new opportunities' that 'speed up' developments.

Any new constructions can only be used as a second home, and so long as projects do not create 'new urban nuclei' within the municipality.

Carazo said the LOUA (Ley de Ordenacion Urbanistica de Andalucia) has not seen any substantial reform for '20 years'.

She added it came after 147 meetings with

KIRSTIIE Allsopp faced a backlash last week after claiming young people should simply give up luxuries like Netflix and Starbucks in order to buy a house.

The Location, Location, Location star said: “When I bought, the lifestyle of easyJet flights, coffee, gym memberships and Netflix didn’t exist. I was earning £11,500 a year.”

Allsopp, the daughter of the 6th Baron of Hindlip, neglected to mention that she bought her first property aged 21 with help from her parents.

Even by generous estimates, if young people were to cut out the ‘luxuries’ she suggests, they would be saving around £2,000 per year.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the average deposit for a house is £24,000 for first time buyers.

Therefore, a young person would have go on no flights, drink no coffee, have no gym membership, watch no Netflix and spend money only on eating and rent for 12 years just GIVE UP NETFLIX: Says to save up enough money for a deposit.

Kirstie Allsopp

RURAL BOOST

town halls and 83 with technicians.

While the plans sound like a step towards permitting new rural homes, the reforms are also to clean up decades of rule-dodging.

Thousands of homes have already been built as second homes, regardless of having no planning permission.

NEW WALLS PLEASE! Novak Djokovic’s touchy-feely makeover at Marbella mansion

By Kirsty McKenzie

AWARD: For Drumelia´s Artur

Top of the Pile!

HAVING grown up in Marbella with rock star looks, you could say he had a bit of a head start.

With 138,000 followers on Instagram and a YouTube channel of 170,000 subscribers, Artur Loginov has the perfect platform to sell the southern Spanish dream.

Now, after a record-breaking 2021, the hard-working Russian has become Spain’s ‘best real estate agent’ in the International Property Awards.

The CEO of Drumelia played a key role in selling over 20 properties last year, with two - one in Sierra Blanca and the other in La Zagaleta - priced at over €30 million.

“The award recognises our efforts and provides a significant mark of recognition and credibility,” explains Artur, who went to school in nearby Sotogrande.

Innovation The Marbella company was also recognised for its ‘aggressive marketing strategy’ through digital innovation, with its YouTube channel having received over 25 million views.

“We are the agency with the largest audience in Marbella with which we can highlight footballers, celebrities, and world leaders in the real estate industry,” he continues.

“In 2022 we will continue implementing digital strategies that support the sale and expansion of the brand and attracting foreigners with significant purchasing power to the Costa del Sol,” he adds.

Around 20% of the company’s clients are Russian, with a large number also coming from the UK, Germany and Scandinavia.

And an increasing number have been coming from Canada and the US over recent months.

FOR a superstar athlete Novak Djokvic has some ‘unconventional’ beliefs when it comes to diet and health.

Now he is transferring some of those beliefs to his Marbella mansion, which he is ripping apart and rebuilding as a ‘feng shui’ paradise.

The tennis world number one has been busy since his deportation from Down Under over his ‘anti-vaxx’ status renovating his sprawling €6.4 million home.

The star, 34, has grand plans to extend his estate which he bought two years ago.

It came complete with a mix of Mediterranean and Moroccan furnish-

MANSION: Djokovic’s Sierra Blanca home is being refurbished ings, which would seem not to be in his or wife Jelena’s taste.

The Serb, who is well known for his vegetarian diet and ‘anti-science’

BAD TASTE?: Old interiors did not meet the Djokovics’ approval

stance to alternative medicines, has a firmly spiritualist attitude to life.

It seems he wants that reflected in his home.

To many, the Sierra Blanca property, with its nine bedrooms, sauna, Turkish bath, gym, plus grass tennis court, of course, was already a dream home.

But Djokovic and Jelena have different dreams it would seem. Workmen have moved in and ripped out the inside of the villa and are set to replace the existing bathrooms, kitchens and Jacuzzis as well as demolish walls to fit floor to ceiling patio doors.

The tennis player wants to build the home based around feng shui concepts like the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water, according to press reports.

Digital daft?

SPANISH real estate has just gone meta.

Up to 800 buyers have are snapping up a series of virtual plots that can only be lived in online.

The group bid between €2,000 and €20,000 to buy up the ‘first’ plots of land in the Spanish metaverse known as Uttopion.

These exclusive ‘presale’ plots come with ‘free houses’ in a virtual space that’s aimed at ‘connecting with friends’ through digital avatars. Confused? You will be now. “Our mission is to create an incredible virtual world to help metastreamers and brands connect with their communities in a virtual space that’s acquired like an NFT and can be totally personalised,” said Uttopian founder Soraya Cadalso.

“We’re a hybrid metaverse, guaranteeing the property of our owners through a blockchain,” added Cadalso, who has her own avatar on the Uttopion site.

“You can create a virtual replica of your business or idea and sell digital products, create virtual events with ticket sales or create unique experiences for your clients and fans.

“The possibilities are infinite.”

The start-up has been part-financed by one of Spain’s richest men, Juan Roig, the owner of Mercadona.

Currently 500 more plots of land are up for grabs, while over 1,000 requests have been received for pre-sale plots.

Various spaces on Uttopian include Musichood, for businesses in the music industry; and Sportsvilla, specialised for sports.

Globally, metaverse real estate sales have generated €500 million around the world, according to CNBC.

PRIME SPACE: But only online

Freehold with a free house IT gives new meaning to the term ‘freehouse’ to describe an independent pub in the UK. A tiny village in Cuenca is offering a free house to anyone who can save their only pub.

In a desperate battle against depopulation, Villalgordo del Marquesado town hall is giving away the bar and some of its contents free of charge.

It comes after the bar closed in December, leaving the remaining 76 locals with nowhere to go for a caña.

"We are offering the bar, its heating, a fridge and also a house to anyone who can take over," said mayor Natalio Valencia.

"The bar is the place where everyone in the village gets together, including those who come on the

weekend.

"If we lose the bar, where will we see one another?"

She added that the new landlord would only need to pay the social security contributions and the electricity bill.

The free property is situated right next door.

Villalgordo, which sits in rolling countryside just under two hours from Madrid, has seen its population half in 30 years.

So far four applications have been received from as far as Barcelona and Alicante.

Anyone interested in the offer call the town hall on 969290201 or send an email to villalgordo-marquesado@local.jccm.es

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February 2022

PROPERTY

READING THE RUNES

T

HE Spanish property market staged a remarkable recovery in 2021 with the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, but the market still faces headwinds that were dragging the market down before the virus came to town.

Anyone who predicted the pandemic would lead to a boom in the housing market is a better reader of the runes than I am. Rather like the majority of respondents in a survey I ran back in March 2020, I expected Covid-19 to put the market on a ventilator for at least a year, rather than recover in the second half of 2020, and roar upwards in 2021, which is what happened.

ANALYSIS: Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight looks at the reasons behind the property boom The latest figures from the Spanish notaries’ association show that home sales increased an annualised 38% nationwide last year, and by almost 20% compared to 2019.

High growth compared to 2020 was hardly surprising in the light of lockdown, but the growth compared to 2019 has been phenomenal. Sales in 2020 were the highest they have been since 2008, when the market was just coming off the boil after a runaway housing boom.

The figures reveal that the most growth came from the sale of single family homes, up 34% compared to 2019, whereas flats were up a modest 10% in comparison. That confirms a change in demand driven by the virus: People want bigger homes with more space in the suburbs or on the coast near cities and good transport links. Flats in the city centre are out of fashion, for now.

House prices have also performed better than expected (in my survey 57% expected them to “fall a lot”.)

In reality they fell just 0.4% in 2020 (recovering in the second half from a slump at the start of the pandemic), and then increased 5.3% in 2021 nationwide. Of course, the national average disguises significant differences between regions and segments, but the overall direction was positive.

Looking at the regions of most interest to foreign investors, the growth in sales last year was most dramatic in the islands, led by the Balearics up 51% to 17,664 sales - followed by the Canaries up 44% to 24,749 sales. Sales were also above 40% up in Andalucia and the Valencian region, and just below 40% in Catalonia and Murcia.

Compared to 2019, the biggest in the market, and where is it heaincrease in sales was in Andalucia, ding? Low interest rates (Euribor up 23%, and Murcia, up 21%. The -0.502% in December 2021) couBalearics were up 11% compared pled with high inflation (6.5% in to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, December) are possibly encourawhilst the Canaries were the only ging investors to take advantage region to shrink in comparison to of the differential, and get inflation to help pay their the market pre-covid. So most of the mortgages. A housepopular regions have Prices have not hold savings surplus from lockdown mimore than recovered fallen in any ght also be helping, the ground lost to the pandemic. region favoured coupled with a general reset in people’s Price-wise, the Baleaby foreign rics led the way, with priorities. But the house prices up 14% headwinds that were buyers compared to last year, dragging down the and 22% compared to housing market bethe year before that. Andalucia saw fore the pandemic, including high the second biggest price increase, transaction-costs, high taxes, and up 8% compared to last year, and political hostility to private proper7.5% compared to 2019. House ty rights are still with us. The Spaprices have not fallen in any region nish economy isn’t in great shape favoured by foreign buyers over the either. Housing market expansions usually last five years or more, course of the pandemic.

What factors are driving this boom maybe not this one.

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VI

February 2022

PROPERTY

BYE TO BOFILL Squid Game architect Ricardo Bofill (right) passes away just before tributes to his life come to fruition, writes George Mathias

A

ORIGINAL: (Top pics) Walden 7 building in Barcelona while (above and below) Obecni Dvur in Prague

SPANISH architectural legend has died.

Ricardo Bofill died aged 82 last month, a year before Calpe made 2023 the ‘Bofill Year’ to celebrate his remarkable creations and he was set to get a Spanish national stamp.

The Catalan was one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century and a pioneer of the style that came to be known as postmodernism.

Like Richard Rogers or Norman Foster his influence has been vast. When Netflix released Squid Game, which would become the most watched series in its history, many viewers noticed an uncanny resemblance between the striking staircases patrolled by masked guards and one of Bofill’s most famous works La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall) on the Costa Blanca.

Just three months ago, Calpe City Council formally declared that 2023 would be ‘Bofill Year’ and in January, the council submitted a request to have a postage stamp issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Red Wall of Calpe.

His works proved divisive, being panned by his detractors as ‘kitsch and gaudy’ while praised by his fans, with many saying they ushered in a new era of modern architecture. He was also noted for his focus on designs for social housing, with his son declaring that his objective was ‘to demonstrate that at a modest cost you can build social housing where every floor is different, where people don’t have to walk down endless corridors, and where different populations can be part of one community.’

Bofill was born just as the Spanish Civil War ended. Imbued by deep anti-fascist leanings, he was arrested in 1958 while at university for taking part in protest against dictator Franco, culminating in his expulsion from Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona.

Frequently drawing the ire of the powerful, his proposal for a revolutionary new housing project in Madrid with striking colours and a succession of turrets led the then fascist mayor to tell him he would never again be commissioned in Spain.

He found favour elsewhere and in Paris, he secured a position to redesign the celebrated markets in Les Halles only to be later fired by future French President Jacques Chirac just as the project was getting underway.

Art critic for The New York Times Paul Goldberger said in 1985 that Bofill’s gift to France was ‘to be able to unite the French instinct toward monumentality, which has lain dormant since the days when the Beaux-Arts ruled French architecture’.

He turned his attention to glass and steel, with projects including the 77 West Wacker Drive office tower in Chicago and an extension of Barcelona Airport for the 1992 olympics.

The jewel in the crown of his works, La Muralla Roja, was completed in 1973 and was heavily influenced by North African Kasbahs.

In 1996, The National Theatre of Catalonia which he designed opened its doors. Likened to a mausoleum or an ancient Greek temple, it has since become an integral bastion of Catalan culture.

In 2009 he completed The Four Bars of the Catalan located in the Plaza Rosa de los Vientos in Barcelona, a homage to the Catalan flag.

Never losing his passion for work, he lived by his adage: “Architecture is the victory of man over the irrational.”

VII

February 2022 COLOUR BOMB: Pink and blue La Muralla Roja sits next to the green and abstract Xanadu - which houses 19 apartments - on the coast of Alicante

LUXURY LIVING: (Left) Bofill’s own home while (right) a villa he designed in Emporda

Continues overleaf

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February 2022

PROPERTY

BYE BYE TO BOFILL

UNIQUE: (Clockwise from top left) Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, the Meritxell shrine in Andorra, the Les Espaces d’Abraxes in France and (below) the El Anfiteatro, consisting of 27 luxury apartments, located in Calpe in Alicante

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X

February 2022

PROPERTY HOMESELLERS REPORT

NEW SUPPLY NEEDED 2022 could be a record year - ‘if we get more listings’, explains Ben Bateman of Holmes Sotogrande

T

HE boss of one of the Costa del Sol’s most established agents couldn’t make it clea-

rer.

“Supply has quite frankly been turned off, while the demand has continued to rise,” explains Ben Bateman, the boss of Sotogrande’s longest-established agency Holmes Property Sales, (Holmes Sotogrande).

“We have a fraction of what we had on offer last year yet the buyers keep coming,” he adds from his office in the heart of the leafy enclave. The figures could not be clearer.

Since this time last year his agency has seen a drop of nearly a third in listings from 650 properties for sale to just 451 this month.

After the hangover of the pandemic started to ease last summer and record sales were achieved by many agencies along the coast in 2021, there was very little stock left.

“The backlog lifted and, 2008. Going on the high after everyone came over demand for the lifestyle we to finalise sales, the supply offer here, this year should had gone and it has still not also be a good year.” been replenished,” conti- But he warns, while prices are likely to continue nues the father-of-five.

Last year was certainly a to increase somewhat, it is busy time for the agen- impossible to say by how cy that was set up over 40 much. The price elasticity of years ago in the upmarket the demand has not been resort, home tested yet as to a mixture of the market entrepreneurs, has not yet ‘We simply celebrities and had time to don’t know how respond royals. to H o l m e s the chanfar buyers are ge in supply agreed to the sale of nearly prepared to go in and demand. believes 60 properties terms of rises’ He a number of in 2021, -a unscrupulous number similar to what agencies are they would have expected already artificially bumping in the years before the fi- up values without the sunancial crisis and in stark pporting evidence. contrast to the average of “We simply don’t know how 18 sales a year from 2008 far buyers are prepared to go and we don’t want to suthrough 2020.

“We had our best year since ddenly raise prices by 20% 2007, before the bottom fell to replenish the supply in out of the market in April the market,” he insists.

OPTIMISTIC: We had our best year since 2007 and hope this year will be as good, says Ben Bateman

“There is no doubt some big lawyers and accountants, agencies will go in flattering etc, and the lifestyle here, owners and listing proper- being able to work from ties at five million say, on home with security and an exclusive sole agency good weather, an excellent agreement, knowing they international school is only will need to drop the pri- becoming a bigger and bice to three or gger draw. four million “Sotogrande to get a sale is very family ‘We are still in six months friendly with time. lots of outdoor getting all the “Sellers should and is entrepreneurs, sports be very wary near to Marof who they list bankers, lawyers bella, Malaga, Jerez, Sevilla, with and not get seduced and accountants’ etc, and you can even go by high, false skiing every prices.”

As for the profile of clients weekend in season in Grabuying in Sotogrande, this nada, which is just two and a half hours away.” has not changed.

“We are still getting all the He adds that setting up a entrepreneurs, bankers, home office has never been

easier, with fast internet of 300-MB per second with unlimited data costing just around €35a month.

And don’t hang around: the situation with Gibraltar and the final deal over movement across the border is likely months, if not weeks away, from being finalised.

“It will bring so much more confidence into investing in the area and it has nearly been completed,” adds Ben, who took over the agency from his father Ian, a few years ago.

“Once signed and agreed it will be very positive for Sotogrande and the whole of the Campo de Gibraltar.”

Contact Holmes at www.holmesotogrande.com

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F you have ever dreamed about getting away from it all and having your own little secret bolthole and peaceful oasis away from it all, then Small Oasis is just what you are looking for.

With its ‘picture- perfect’ location in the pretty town of Manilva, it is a unique residential development, combining the best in a modern living experience, with the tranquillity, authenticity and natural beauty that embodies its Andalucian backdrop.

Comprising of an exclusive selection of properties, Small Oasis offers a select range of homes, including resort apartments, luxury apartments, town houses and villas.

A safe and private residential complex, it is the ideal place to relax on holiday with family and friends or to make an idyllic permanent residence.

With access to every imaginable service and amenity at your fingertips, you will only need to think about relaxing, taking in the abundant sunshine, and having fun.

Phase I, a complex of 258 two and three-bedroom resort apartments, proved exceptionally popular with clients, with most units now sold.

The recently launched Phase II features 144 luxury apartments. These single- floor, three-bedroom, three-bathroom properties feature high-spec kitchens and a delightful balcony for leisurely al fresco dining.

Upper floor units benefit from spacious, private rooftop lounges complete with barbeque areas and stunning views of the surrounding area. All Small Oasis residents have access to the beautiful, manicured gardens, barbeque areas, stunning shared adults and children’s pools and a clubhouse.

And there is no shortage of things to do. A mini-cinema has regular screenings, while there is a top selection of bar and restaurants and a modern gym as well as yoga classes.

There is also a regular shuttle bus service to the beach to take full advantage of the sunny days.

Joint work areas with private control access via the dedicated Small Oasis app, which can be also used for temperature control and remote locking, are just some of the other standout features which make life in Small Oasis, Manilva ‘a big life’!

Small Oasis also has the bonus of being just 10 minutes from the historical centre of Estepona, 20 minutes from Gibraltar airport and Puerto Banus/Marbella, as well as being around an hour from Malaga airport. Prices start at a competitive €147,000 for the Resort apartment (only a small number remaining), and €199,900 for the newly launched, Luxury apartment residences. Phase III comprising of 70 exclusive town- houses and 29 luxury villas is due for launch in 2023.

For more information on how to begin your journey to enjoying a ‘Big Life’ at Small Oasis, a residential development unique, call one of professional, friendly team on +34 604 416 821 or email: welcome@smalloasisbiglife.com. Browse their comprehensive website at www.smalloasisbiglife.com for a flavour of ‘the big life’!

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February 2022

PROPERTY

TIME TO DEAL

Thinking of investing on the Costa del Sol? It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of resales versus new-builds and off-plan, writes Olive Press Property Insider Adam Neale

The Property Insider

by Adam Neale

L

AST year was an exceptional year for the Costa del Sol property market.

Most of the agents along the coast, including us at Terra Meridiana, reported record sales in 2021.

Demand for almost every kind of property, from plots of land to turnkey villas and from brand-new apartments to townhouses for renovation, has outstripped supply.

It means buyers now have less and less stock to choose from, particularly at the high and lower ends of the marketplace.

One trend we’ve noticed is an increasing number of overseas buyers who are only interested in buying brand-new properties.

I am going to let you into a little secret: in my opinion, you are usually better off buying a resale property.

While we don’t mind selling off-plan homes – we currently have over 300 new properties on our books, out of 850 listings – we always advise clients to weigh up the pros and cons of each, before making a decision and signing on the dotted line.

However, unlike many agents on the Costa del Sol, just three of the 50-plus deals we did in 2021 involved new properties.

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In the first place, you really need to know the market well to sell resale properties.

You have to understand the pros and cons of, and potential issues with, different urbanisations, such as community fees, debtors, and how well the community is managed.

It’s much easier to sell a new property in a community that does not exist, where fees THE APPEAL OF BUYING NEW-BUILD are not fixed and management is untested.

OR OFF-PLAN PROPERTY And, in a resale property, you can see where the sun will be at 7pm in the sumPROS There are, undoubtedly, lots of pros to bu- mer and, more importantly, 5 pm in the winter. ying a new property.

Like a car, you get to experience that However, if you can find a property you ‘brand new feeling’ while you’ll benefit like in a new development, which is in a from the latest technology and contem- good location and selling for a reasonable price, it may be preferable to buying porary design and, if you resale property. get in early enough, you The problem is that too may even get to adapt the Too many many buyers sacrifice lolayout and change fittings cation for new and, when and finishings to suit your buyers the market softens, may be taste. sacrifice unable to sell and eventuaThese advantages can lly lose money. be hard to find in a resalocation for What some people fail to le property, unless it has realise is, when they come new been renovated to modern to sell in 10 years’ time, they standards. will not be selling the new home they bought, but a resale property CONS The biggest problem with new properties in a less desirable location. is location.

Because of the lack of availability and high SOME GOOD REASONS WHY YOU price of building land in prime locations, SHOULD BUY RESALES many new developments are located far from services and transport connections or Many of the pros of buying a resale property are obvious: you can see – and even have no infrastructure in place at all.

Second, new homes tend to be smaller get a survey done to check, if you wish – and priced higher, in terms of price per exactly what you’re getting. square metre, than comparable resale You can also see what’s around you, so you won’t be surprised by any new deveproperties.

Third, brand-new doesn’t necessarily lopment once you move in. mean perfect, as even the most recently You may also want to live in an area where there simply are no new-builds for sale completed properties can have issues.

And, finally, we always advise clients that nor any building land left for construction; they are buying a community first and an and you might even walk into a sellers’ apartment second; if you buy in a new de- home on a viewing and think to yourself, velopment, you are buying into an untried ‘I’d love to live here’.

There are other advantages to purchasing community. a resale property too: Gardens in existing WHAT AGENTS DON’T TELL YOU developments will be mature, communities of owners will be up and running ABOUT NEW-BUILD AND OFF-PLAN smoothly, and you can see exactly how What most agents will never tell you is it’s long it will take you to walk or drive to loharder to sell resale properties and much cal services because they’re already there.

Then, there’s the cost. As a general rule, less profitable.

you get more space for the same price in a resale property, because buyers and sellers both expect to have to spend a little extra, maybe to redo a kitchen or bathrooms, in an older place.

But the best reason for buying a resale property is location. With very few exceptions, prime development land has already been built upon.

There’s a good reason for that; the best locations always get developed first.

When you buy a villa, the land is more important than the villa itself, because you can always change the building, but you cannot change the plot.

Likewise, with an apartment, you can renovate to contemporary standards, upgrade installations and even alter the distribution if you wish, but you can’t change its location.

The bottom line is: properties in good locations always sell better. And a resale property is more likely to be in a good location than a new one.

The mantra of location, location, location is just as important for buyers as it is for sellers.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DEFECTS WITH NEW AND RESALE PROPERTIES? Since May 2000, all new properties in Spain that are built by a developer or builder for sale to third-party buyers are legally required to be covered by a 10year warranty that protects the safety of its occupants against structural defects.

This is usually provided by an insurance policy taken out by the builder or developer.

Buyers, however, do need to know their rights to make the most of this coverage, as generally the sooner you can get any problems fixed, the better.

Buyers of resale properties in Spain are also protected by Spanish law against hidden defects, although the requisites for proving the seller is liable are more demanding.

The defect in question must be serious enough to put the stability of the property at risk, it cannot be not be visible, and it has to prevent the buyer from living in the property in normal conditions.

In addition, buyers only have five years to address claims and have to prove the defect already existed at the time of purchase.

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February 2022

PROPERTY

LIVE LIKE A MARTIAN! Zero carbon sustainable pod is set up for life on other planets

T

MARKET EXPLOSION Seismic shift pushes demand for properties to sell, reports Renew Reality

T

HE shift Renew Realty has experienced in the property market over the past few years has been seismic.

Due to the pandemic, the ability to work from home and the introduction of hybrid-working has opened up possibilities of living in a warmer climate for more people than ever before. The market exploded in 2021, resulting in a record year for Renew Realty.

Interestingly, a number of buyers are now seeking a permanent residence here on the Costa Del Sol, rather than a holiday home. Demand has expanded particularly from Northern to Eastern Europe, USA and Canada, with many buyers much younger - tech millionaires choosing Marbella as their place of residence.

In response to this unprecedented change, Renew have expanded their team with multi-lingual specialists to handle enquiries from around the globe and boast several experienced sales professionals to provide a one-to-one, tailored service to clients selling their homes and buy-

ers flying in for bespoke property tours.

Continual investment is made across marketing, using the best online property portals, plus an App is also available for buyers to search for properties 24/7 from the palm of their hand. Rest assured, if your property is listed with Renew Realty it will benefit from optimum levels of promotion to attract a healthy level of buyer interest.

Jim Muirhead of Renew Realty commented: “We currently have a number of qualified, active buyers ready to purchase, so we are looking to secure listings to meet this demand.” Perhaps if you are considering selling your home, taking advantage of this buoyant market may pay dividends!

It will be interesting to see how the property market moves throughout 2022.

Feel free to contact Head of Sales & Valuations, Jim Muirhead – jim@renew-realty.com

HE smart, portable and sustainable house ‘of the future’ has been launched in Madrid.

But the idea behind the Cyberhut is it will one day be located on Mars.

For now, the ‘intelligent house’ manufactured by the Astroland Space Centre, in Cantabria, is in Ciudad Lineal.

Built with all the latest technological advances it will one day be part of ‘the first human colony on Mars’.

Astroland researchers claim it is able to generate its own energy allowing it to survive in environments as extreme as that of the red planet.

But its high tech installations can also improve the lives of people on this planet.

Non-polluting, reusable, recyclable and repairable construction materials have been used in its construction.

It can be up to 200-square-metre in size, depending on the client, but all tenants are welcomed by a pink-haired virtual assistant called Cybi.

“Cybi is going to see what food you have stored and is going to design a diet based on your state of health, your tastes, your routine and lifestyle,” said David Ceballos,

FUTURE NOW: Space pod is set up in Madrid (below) and gives an idea of what living on Mars might be like

CEO of Astroland.

It has over 600 sensors and over two kilometres of cable set around its walls.

The hut, that can sleep up to six, costs from €150,000 for the basic 50-square-metre model.

LAST GREEN A rare opportunity to buy a large 4 bedroom corner townhouse in Last Green.

4 Beds | 4 Baths | 425m2 Built | 116m2 terrace REF: 176-01407P | 1.150.000€ The house is in immaculate condition as the current owner has done several improvements in the last year. The kitchen was recently fitted using only the finest of materials creating a wonderful focal point in the house. The split level living and dining room has a luxurious feel where the living area leads you straight out onto one of the terraces and the garden area. All 4 bedrooms are on-suite.

There are incredible sea and mountain views from the large solarium.

The property has undergone an extensive maintenance program with the changing of all electrics, the installation of a top quality antical water softener, new wallpaper and painting throughout.

GUADALMINA ALTA Spacious apartment in Gudalmina Alta with incredible views.

2 Beds | 2 Baths | 126m2 Built | 45m2 terrace REF: 176-02010P | 435.000€ A rare opportunity to acquire a large 2 bedroom apartment in the emblematic building of El Iiwi in Guadalmina Alta. First thing that you notice is the generous size of all rooms. The spacious hall leads you into the living dining room with direct access to a large partly covered terrace.

There are striking views across the golf course and towards the mountain range in the west where you can enjoy unforgettable sun sets.

GRANADOS GOLF, LAS BRISAS Grand apartment with a villa feel in the popular gated urbanization of Los Granados Golf.

3 Beds | 3 Baths | 166m2 Built | 72m2 terrace REF: 176-01635P | 899.000€ The ample reception room leads you the spacious living and dining room that leads you out onto the very large covered terrace with open garden views. From here you can walk straight out onto the communal gardens and beautiful pool area. There are 3 large bedroom suites that include a very generous master suite leading out onto the terrace. The property can also be accessed directly from the underground garage via the lift.

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

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February 2022

PROPERTY

WHICH ONE WOULD

RESORT STYLE LIVING or

AN APARTMENT IN AN URBANISATION?

OCEAN Antonio Sardina, MD One Eden

“We have been delighted by the high demand during the first 2 months of 2022 and encouraged by the diverse range of nationalities proving that the Costa del Sol really is a magnet with international appeal from Scandinavia, Middle East, Benalux and despite Brexit, still to British buyers”

sea view homes & beach club

This is a question that Antonio Sardina, MD at One Eden often asks. Of course, there are benefits with both options, but One Eden have decided to focus on building communities with the best resort facilities. This philosophy appears to be working with a bumper start to 2022.

One Eden’s signature resort areas will include a variety of

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February 2022

YOU CHOOSE?

VILLAGE pools (indoor and outdoor), jacuzzis, saunas, games rooms and children’s areas while the sporty owners will be able to enjoy tennis, padel tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, outdoor and indoor gyms and multi-purpose courts for those playing 5-a-side or basketball.

Co-working, a must in our new world of work, will of course be provided in all the communities.

Antonio commented “Premier resorts not only provide excellent facilities for the owners of apartments but it also means that apartments are more attractive to rent so investors are already purchasing with us. As are families that intend to live here all year and enjoy the top class amenities”

With over 1500 off plan apartments, duplexes, penthouses and townhouses planned for the Costa del Sol, from Alcaidesa to Mijas Costa, One Eden have already practically sold out Phase I of the 1st two developments, Alcaidesa Infinity and Royal Palms Mijas. Phase II of both projects are launching this week with a list of clients already waiting to place their deposits.

As if this was not enough for the busy sales team, Antonio is planning to launch Cascades Estepona (64 townhouses) and Serenity Alcaidesa (270+ frontline golf apartments and penthouses)

by Easter.

Alcaidesa is a prime example of One Eden investing in an area in order to create a real community with excellent facilities. Acqua Alcaidesa Commercial Centre now boasts a new supermarket, Pizza Express, a variety of restaurants and bars and a medical centre is planned.

One Eden even has its own chiringuito on the beach and a packed programme of live music and events are planned when it re-opens at Easter.

For more information call +34 697 113 900 www.oneeden.com

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February 2022

PROPERTY

Oh yes we can!

A FARMHOUSE in the heart of Barcelona is to be saved for future generations.

Can Garcini, bought by the city council for €7 million in 2021, is surrounded by blocks of flats and urban sprawl.

One of the last remaining examples of the area’s rural past, it is to be converted into a centre for the elderly.

The building, also known as the Torre de la Concepcion, has three floors and a gabled roof. Inside, the attic has been fitted out as a dwelling and the main floor distributes the rooms around a large hall.

It was set to be knocked down and rebuilt into three distinct units but has now been saved.

BLOWN OUT THE WATER Demolition order for controversial golf megaproject for wealthy VIPs in inland Spain IT took 14 years to come, but a controversial inland megaproject dubbed ‘the Marbella of Extremadura’ - has finally got the chop.

The regional High Court has slapped a demolition order on the Valdecanas resort, which includes a golf course, hotel and 185 chalets.

The regional authorities will now have to fund the demolition of the giant scheme that also includes 76 boat berths on an inland reservoir, as well as a further 385 chalets under construction.

The cousin of King Felipe and the son of former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar are among the investors, said to have paid up to half a million euros each.

Green group Ecologistas en Accion brought the case on the development in 2007.

In particular, it was built inside

the Red Natura 2000 network of EU protected areas.

The luxury resort was being built on an island of 135 hectares surrounded by the Valdecañas reservoir.

The demolition bill is estimated to cost around €145 million, including €34 million to restore the land to its original state, and €111 million paid to those losing their homes.

Valdecañas shot to fame as a luxury holiday resort particularly for residents in Madrid, as it boasted the nearest sandy beach to the capital.

While Ecologistas celebrated the result as a ‘positive outcome’, they are not '100%' happy as homeowners could stand to lose money.

Each buyer is believed to have signed a purchase form that exonerated the promoter in case of a demolition order.

HOLIDAY RENTALS – Bargain HANDLED PROFESSIONALLY basement Let Suncoaster handle your rental problems

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OW is a better time than ever to be renting properties on the Costa Del Sol. Owners can make a small fortune and still keep their property to enjoy for their own family, holidays, and guests.

It seems like an easy prospect. List your property on a few portals, and start making money – but the reality is very different and the days of dropping off the keys and putting your feet up are long gone.

What do you do when the call arrives at 2am and there is a leak or the renters get locked out? When guests want to arrive late at night or there is an issue with the property portal or even a double booking?

Answering multiple enquiries, processing bookings, and payments can also be complex tasks.

In addition, many new owners do not realise that since 2016, all holiday rentals must comply with Rental Law – Decree 28/2016, which requires higher standards of facilities, equipment, and support.

This law also means every guest must be registered with the police within 24 hours of their arrival – all of this is the property owner’s responsibility.

From providing a 24-hour emergency ho-

For more information, go to: www. suncoasterhomecare.com.

Call and speak to one of the friendly team on: +34 952 93 94 15 or email: elizabeth@suncoastergroup.com

tline, key management, providing linen, organising changeovers, providing our trusted cleaners and maintenance team, and ensuring renters meet all legal requirements, Suncoaster arrange everything on your behalf.

In our 30 years in the industry, we have seen it all, and have refined our business for any eventuality. We list your property, deal with all enquiries and bookings, take care of the dreaded 2am emergency calls, and even provide a monthly inspection report for your peace of mind.

Unless you are prepared to be on call at all times, even when you are on holiday or with your kids, you need a property manager that adheres to the highest standards with professionalism and efficiency.

It can be a daunting prospect for anyone looking to rent their property, but with Suncoaster working beside you, you needn’t worry.

Since 1991, we have established ourselves as the gold standard of property management on the Costa del Sol, offering peace of mind, satisfied tenants, more clients, repeat bookings, and a reputation as a trusted renter.

A NEW report has revealed the 16 cheapest cities to buy a home in Spain.

The majority are in the south, with Huelva, Alicante and Almeria among the cheapest.

The most affordable is the barrio of El Carmen, in Huelva, where property values come in at just €566 per square metre.

Second comes La Chanca, in Almeria, which will set you back just €620 per square metre, while La Virgen de los Remedios in Alicante is just €677.

The report, by Idealista, lists a dozen more suburbs around Spain where prices come in for less than

€850 per square metre, including parts of Avila, (above) Caceres and Granada.

Under €800 per square metre there are four districts: Torreblanca in Sevilla, Esperanza in Almeria, Magraners in Lleida and La Magdalena in Jaen.

This compared to some parts of Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian where you can spend over €5,000 per square metre for property.

The average price of property for sale in Spain has registered a decrease of 0.3% over the last month and stands at €1,824 per square metre.

At Suncoaster, we think of everything so that you don’t have to.

THE GOLD STANDARD CHEAP AS CHIPS: Two barrios in Sevilla and (top) Avila are among the cheapest to buy in Spain IN PROPERTY SIGN UP WITH SUNCOASTER MANAGEMENT

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February 2022

SIGN UP WITH SUNCOASTER FOR GUARANTEED SUCCESS IN HOLIDAY RENTALS

THE GOLD STANDARD IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND RENTALS

Our 30 years of unrivalled experience and reputation are your guarantee of success in the Holiday Rental Market.

Renting your property with Suncoaster Group gives you the flexibility to enjoy your home in the sun whenever you choose, but make the best possible rental returns for the rest of the year with no stress and complete peace of mind.

We take care of everything involved in listing and renting your property including: Advertising, Bookings, Enquiries, Payment processing and Key management.

We also provide: Changeovers, Cleaning and Maintenance all undertaken by our trusted team, full linen service, 24hr emergency hotline, monthly inspections and more.

DUE TO EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH DEMAND WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO ADD WELL-PRESENTED APARTMENTS, VILLAS AND TOWN HOUSES TO OUR EXISTING PORTFOLIO.

CONTACT US NOW for more information and a no obligation chat: elizabeth@suncoastergroup.com or call +34 952 939 415 www.suncoasterhomecare.com

See the properties we currently manage and rent at: Suncoasterholidays.com

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February 2022

PROPERTY

After 18-months of the pandemic, hundreds of new hotels are opening (or reopening) around the Iberian Peninsula. George Mathias picks his favourite half dozen

I

T’S been a busy time for the opening of hip new hotels around Spain and Portugal.

And it’s going to get a whole lot busier over the course of 2022.

Some €2.85 billion is set to be invested into hotels around Spain this year, according to Colliers, a global investment portal.

Hundreds of new hotels are set to open around Andalucia, Valencia and Mallorca over the next few months.

On the Costa del Sol alone, some 29 hotels are to be completed this year.

This will add over 3,300 rooms to the local tourism industry.

Madrid has seen the opening of a trio of leading hotels over the last 12 months, including the Villa Magna, the Four Seasons and the Ritz, which just had a major three-year refurbishment.

The capital is also set to see The Madrid Edition open its doors later this year. The luxury hotel will be within walking distance to The Golden Triangle of Art near Puerta de Sol in the heart of the Spanish capital.

Meanwhile, London-based Hoxton Hotels is bringing it’s hipster-chic brand to Barcelona later in the year.

And across Spain there are a host of new openings, such as La Zambra in Mijas which reopens in June after a 12 year hiatus. Formerly Hotel Byblos, it was visited by Princess Diana in 1995.

Elsewhere, the Six Senses in Ibiza is welcoming guests to its slick 70s inspired property for ‘deep spiritual experiences rooted in the local culture, celebrating music, art, sustainable fashion, wellness and spirituality’.

For now, here are six recent openings that will certainly blow you away, while Jon Clarke also runs a rule over Madrid’s stylish Villa Magna (see overleaf).

HIP HOTELS Ikos Andalucia, Estepona Sandwiched between the cosmopolitan glamour of Marbella and Estepona, the Ikos offers miles of sand, bathed by cooling waters, and a beachfront setting on the tranquil shores of Playa de Guadalmansa.

An exclusive enclave, it offers more than 21 acres of landscaped gardens and leisure facilities, plus luxurious rooms and suites.

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February 2022

Hoteles Desconecta 2 - Monesterio, Badajoz

Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel Open from November 2021, this Lisbon hotel lies just 600 metres from Jeronimos Monastery and boasts five stars.

It is kitted out with a restaurant, private parking, fitness centre, bar, and sauna as well as a car rental service.

Wine & Books Lisboa also offers a terrace with stunning views of the city.

This luxury hotel opened its doors in October 2021.

Each room at the 5-star hotel has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a shared lounge and to a terrace.

All rooms at Hoteles Desconecta2 have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning.

Hotel Pez Espada, Torremolinos

Habitat Cigueña Negra, Cáceres Looking for a great countryside retreat? This beautiful hotel sits on a farm next to the Erjas river, in the wilds of Extremadura. Set in the Sierra de Gata the 12-room hotel was designed by Ana Martin and Lara Muñoz of the Emmme Studio and has its own restaurant and wonderful outdoor swimming pool. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire estate during the day and the clear starry sky at night.

This famous grande dame has just had a total revamp.

But thankfully kept its coolest, hippest original features.

The lobby in particular is a joy, with its wonderful puddle marble floors and giant chandeliers.

Built in 1959, it has been frequented by a whole host of stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, and Raquel Welch.

Frank Sinatra also visited the hotel countless times, culminating in the building of The Sinatra bar.

AFFINITY Property Boom!

‘If you are looking to sell, the time is now’ says Affinity Spain’s Mia Pearlman

AFFINITY Spain is a multi award winning and fully regulated real estate agency located in the heart of the Costa del Sol. In a Q+A with real estate agency Affinity Spain, Managing Director Mia Pearlman spoke exclusively to the Olive Press.

1. What is the property market in Spain like at the moment, are you noticing a pick up post COVID? For the first time we have a genuine property boom.

The prices are rising at a steady and sure rate, based on inflation and not banks over lending.

Despite the price increase on almost every type of property in the coast, the Costa del Sol is still cheaper than most other coastal holiday destinations in Europe.

2. Are you seeing any trends in the type of sales you are doing at the moment?

Yes, there is a new league of buyer now, and it's fuelling the high end market, mainly the villa market. Quite literally it's a property boom in itself, with high end properties reaching new records in terms of sales price/price per square metre.

El Vicenç de la Mar - Cala de Sant Vicent, Mallorca Opened in December 2021, this Mallorcan hotel with distinctive architecture features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar.

All guests have a coffee machine, minibar, flatscreen TV and an iPad. There is also a spa and wellness centre, and a host of great nearby hiking and cycling trails.

3. What's planned for the year ahead?

2021 has been our biggest year ever and we are looking

to expand even further - we have doubled the size of our workforce.

COVID is well and truly on the back-burner for our clients, and the market has rebounded back stronger than ever.

We are excited to see Marbella and surrounding areas breaking new records!

4. Are you seeing a Brexit impact with fewer Brits buying houses?

We have not seen a decline due to Brexit; the Brits love Spain, and that will never change. Unless people are looking to fully relocate out here it's not really an issue.

However, our market has also diversified, with many more German, Dutch, and French buyers than we have previously seen, so it seems Marbella is going back to being a truly cosmopolitan destination.

5. Which areas do you see as being good for investment?

I would advise any buying client or investor to tick as may boxes as possible when looking for a property, that way

it always remains the most saleable or rentable property, even in a downturn. Those tick boxes include sea/mountain views, decent terrace size, and as close to amenities as possible. Close proximity to he beach is always a valuable asset to have. Most people have a car on the coast, so a 10-minute journey is generally acceptable. As always, buying the worst house in the best street is a very savvy move, although they are getting very hard to find nowadays!

If I could give only one message to your readers it would be that right now, this market is a vendor's market. For the first time in 10 years, vendors have the majority of the control and are in the strongest position we have seen for some time. If you are looking to sell, the time is now.

No question.

Get in touch: affinitypropertygroup.com +34 952 812 897 info@affinityspain.com

WE WANT W YOUR PROPERTY YO UR

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February 2022

PROPERTY

Style and substance Big team effort behind five-star relaunch of the stylish Villa Magna in Madrid, writes Jon Clarke

A

THREE Michelin-star Navarran chef, a Spanish architect and an Australian design team have united to create the most exciting hotel opening in Madrid this winter.

Sprinkle in an Italian mixologist, an English art firm and an American sense of individualism, and you’ve got the perfect ingredients for a magical

stay in the capital.

Welcome to the five-star Rosewood Villa Magna, which has just been through a stunning 15-month refurbishment, befitting the famous hotel that first opened in 1972 out of a 19th century palace.

But forget the pomp and grandeur of its more famous five-star neighbours up the road, the Villa Magna is a celebration of style coupled with the very best of Iberian substance.

Cool lines, contemporary interventions and a duet of colour and light, you know you are in for something different as you ascend the sweeping stone staircase from the treelined Paseo Castellana, which gets even more dramatic at night.

A stylemeister’s dream, Spanish architect Ramon de Arana has combined perfectly with local landscape designer Gregorio Marañon to create a harmonious arrival, with a pair of angular pools UXURY is very much the tenet of its 154 rooms and suites, which have slept nuaccentuating its centumerous royals and celebrities in the past, including Brad Pitt, Justin Timberlake ry-old cedar pine and carand Madonna. ob trees.

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Well appointed with a contemporary feel, each has a series of upholstered chairs and sofas, plus, in some, desks and two widescreen TVs. Our fifth-floor suite was particularly spacious, helped by a series of distressed mirrors and wall to wall windows looking out onto the treetops and skyline. It also featured a Marshall amp radio, a coffee machine and a legion of teas, plus fresh milk handily at the ready. Among other original touches was a gin and tonic table, set up ready to go.

Tempting and dangerous in equal measures, as many attempt Dry January.

Vanguard The high bar is maintained through the reception with its beautiful backdrop inspired by Basque fashion designer Balenciaga, while the other half dozen curated spaces of the ground floor add to the magic.

Each communicating cleverly, via a series of openings and passageways, they include a pair of restaurants, a central outdoor atrium and a vanguard bar, while a spa and gym take up the basement. Lighting is key, in particular a collection of hanging pendants, while two giant Art Deco lamps luminate the dining area.

All thanks to Australian team BAR Studio, who recently set up in Madrid.

PEAKY BLINDERS OF LAS BRASAS

T

HEIR smart, casual uniforms stretch to Peaky Blinder hats for the kitchen staff, who are visible at all times, particularly in the excellent main restaurant, Las Brasas de Castellana, which also doubled as our breakfast venue.

A lovely dining room with three large divisions, it skillfully uses mirrors and shiny olive marble partitions to create both space and intimacy. In warm weather the main doors lead out onto a terrace that sits in the shade of the gardens.

I loved watching the legion of chefs at work, their frequent flashes of flame and trio of roaring ovens, their copper pans making up the scene.

The menu was comprehensive and Spanish in flavour, starting with a decent Tapas section with the likes of Razor clams and Russian salad, as well as a spicy Galician Beef Tartare, with pickles and capers and served with whole grain toast. As well as a real kick, it also came with a generous serving of excellent French Fries.

The fact that the provenance of the restaurant’s partners are displayed clearly on the menu is important to note. The butter from Cantabria and the eggs from Avicola Redondo, in Avila, stood out for their quality, in particular.

While the puddings were disappointing as they so often are in Spain, a good value three course set lunch at €38 will inevitably bring in the locals from around the barrio, particularly when it features such great specials as Confit Duck Risotto.

CASA LAS CHUMBERAS R3906091 – 1.500.000€ ‘An Oasis in the Village of Benahavis’ is the phrase used by friends and visitors to describe this south-facing villa for sale in Benahavis. Designed by the architect Antonio Martín Ortiz and built with high standards for the owners, by a local company. One of the top 5 villas in Benahavís village.

BED: 4 | BATH: 4 | BUILT SIZE: 497M2 | TERRACE SIZE: 285 M2 | GARDEN/PLOT: 1100 M2 GARAGE: YES | GARDEN: YES | SWIMMING POOL: YES

T: +34 952 85 54 89 E: info@propertiespain.com W: www.propertiespain.com Urb. La Aldea Plaza Camilo José Cela, Local 1 29679 Benahavís, Málaga, Spain

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February 2022

PROPERTY

Luxury in the clouds as tallest residential building in the EU finally opens

Takes your breath away

IT took 15 years to build at a cost of €86 million but Benidorm’s latest and by far its largest - landmark has finally opened its doors.

The record-breaking Intempo skyscraper at 47 floors and 198 metres high is the EU’s tallest residential building.

And it also has some of Spain’s priciest apartments.

The two residences on the 45th floor boast an expansive 300 square metres of space and have been sold for more than €2 million apiece.

The other options include two bedroom flats covering 75 square metres as well as 95 square metres.

The prices started from €250,000, but those after a bargain may have missed out.

At the moment the cheapest property on sale is a 95 square metre apartment selling for €317,000.

The massive block also has 13,000 square metres of common areas, including an 800-square-metre pool on the ground floor.

Those in the most exclusive top floors don’t have to descend to ground level when they fancy a swim, though - a heated indoor pool with stunning sea views is housed on the 46th floor. And above that are more communal areas including four Jacuzzis and a cocktail bar.

The skyscraper has a long and chequered history. Building work started in 2007 with a scheduled completion date of 2009.

The economic crisis of 2008, which badly hit Spain’s real estate sector, caused the first in a set of serious delays.

The Intempo was almost finished in 2014 but the promoter went bankrupt.

The skyscraper was bought by SVP Global in 2018 with an initial projection that the building would be fully completed by the first quarter of 2021.

REAL ESTATE WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH Imperial Estate brings more than 20 years experience to help smooth the way in your property transactions

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OOKING to discover and buy your dream home here Have a look at our website and find your perfect home. on the Costa del Sol - or perhaps the time has come Either second hand or under construction to sell or upgrade your property? we are going to guide you all the way through You can eliminate the stress, hassle and general headache which your purchase experience. can tend to be part and parcel of the process by choosing Imperial Estate to help guide and navigate you, professionally and seamlessly, through the whole Very bright apartment in Lower part, beautiful apartment process, from start to finish.

FUENGIROLA, TORREBLANCA LOS BOLICHES, FUENGIROLA excellent location with all in residential area within walking Established in 1999 Imperial Estate offers clients a dedicated and personalised service, services at the door step. distance to the beautiful beaches, individually tailored to their clients’ individual needs and requests. Spacious with 3 bedrooms, train station, shops, etc. Very bathroom, fitted spacious and bright makes an ideal A family business, centrally located in Fuengirola, Fabiola and her team bring tofully bear ankitchen, lounge diner leading to sunny home. Offering 1 double bedroom, intimate knowledge of the local market. terrace with open views over city, bathroom, kitchen, lounge and And as part of an extensive network of estate agents with a shared database they guarsea and montains, very pleasant terrace overlooking the beautiful cosy home it is really community gardens, fully furnished antee that your property will be visible and accessible to any potentialand buyers. a visit. with the possibility to make You can take advantage of the free cutting-edge virtual tours service, worth professional phoanother bedroom. Good value for tographs, energy efficiency certification among many other features and personal touchthis very pleasant apartment with community salted pool, gardens es which Fabiola and her team provide, as part of their service. and parking.

You can also trust the team at Imperial Estate to take care of renting out your home or property, and ensuring it is managed securely and professionally.

Ref: 065 – 250.000€ Ref: 069 – 149.000€ So why not drop into their Fuengirola office to speak to Fabiola or to one of her friendly, knowledgeable, multilingual team about your property requirements Very andlarge takeapartment the firstin Very spacious apartment in TORREBLANCA FUENGIROLA CENTRE step in finding your dream home. prestigious building with all very quiet area very close to the and amenities beach and services, train station, Browse their website and property listings on www.imperialestate.comservices and take the op-on the door step.

Comprising of 5 bedrooms, 4 etc. Very bright with 3 bedrooms, portunity to list your own property on the website absolutely free! bathrooms, spacious kitchen, large 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, Check out their handy online property valuation tool, and subscribe tolounge their with mailing accesslist, to large terrace spacious lounge and terrace of approx. 100m2, wrapping overlooking the mountains. and be first in line to receive the latest property listings. around most of the apartment.

Very sunny and bright south facing with open views over Mijas Call or email Fabiola and her team on: +34 952 664 966 mountains, sea and town. Needs updating having great potential as or +34 656 815 699, and at info@imperialestate.com a home or divide into home and rental apartment. Must be seen!

Very nice communal pool and gardens makes a perfect home or holiday rental income.

Private garage space 100m from the building.

Visit without commitment!

Ref: L023 – 295.000€

Ref: L016 – 549.000€ FUENGIROLA

Sea front, very bright and sunny apartment overlooking the sea,

FUENGIROLA FERIA

Feria ground area, very cosy and bright apartment in nice

Have a look at our website and find your perfect home.

Either second hand or under construction we are going to guide you all the way through your purchase experience.

LOS BOLICHES, FUENGIROLA

Very bright apartment in excellent location with all services at the door step.

Spacious with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, lounge diner leading to sunny terrace with open views over city, sea and montains, very pleasant and cosy home it is really worth a visit.

FUENGIROLA, TORREBLANCA

Ref: 065 – 250.000€ FUENGIROLA CENTRE

Very large apartment in prestigious building with all services and amenities on the door step. Comprising of 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, spacious kitchen, large lounge with access to large terrace of approx. 100m2, wrapping around most of the apartment.

Very sunny and bright south facing with open views over Mijas mountains, sea and town. Needs updating having great potential as a home or divide into home and rental apartment. Must be seen!

Ref: 069 – 149.000€ TORREBLANCA

Sea front, very bright and sunny apartment overlooking the sea, sun rise and sun set from the large south facing terrace.

Very spacious with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious kitchen with utility room, lounge-diner with direct access to 43m2 terrace with beautiful sea views and sun all day. Underground garage and store room included, community gardens. A real gem by the sea worth paying a visit! Great rental potential and ideal home.

FUENGIROLA FERIA

Ref: L025 – 595.000€ MIJAS

Country side small cosy house for nature lovers, situated in the outskirts of Fuengirola near Mijas Golf, this charming property in a very quiet area offers lots of potential, 77m2 built on 4626m2 plot. Overlooking mountains and country side and yet only a few minutes drive to town.

Ref: 154 – 205.000€

Very spacious apartment in very quiet area very close to the beach and services, train station, etc. Very bright with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, spacious lounge and terrace overlooking the mountains.

Very nice communal pool and gardens makes a perfect home or holiday rental income.

Private garage space 100m from the building.

Visit without commitment!

Ref: L023 – 295.000€

Ref: L016 – 549.000€ FUENGIROLA

Lower part, beautiful apartment in residential area within walking distance to the beautiful beaches, train station, shops, etc. Very spacious and bright makes an ideal home. Offering 1 double bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, lounge and terrace overlooking the beautiful community gardens, fully furnished with the possibility to make another bedroom. Good value for this very pleasant apartment with community salted pool, gardens and parking.

Feria ground area, very cosy and bright apartment in nice neighbourhood surrounded by shops, restaurants and near all kind of services. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted spacious kitchen and lounge leading to sunny terrace. Low running costs, makes a nice warm home and has great rental potential.

Ref: L026 – 235.000€ BENALMÁDENA

In the very prestigious Higuerón area, this modern apartment offers lots of space, tranquility, great views and comfort. Great investment as it has fantastic rental potential. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, lounge and large terrace with panoramic views over the sea and mountains. Fully air conditioned. Beautiful communal gardens and pool, private underground garage space.

You will enjoy the visit!

Ref: L024 – 345.000€

WE NEED PROPERTIES FOR KEEN CLIENTS WAITING TO BUY A HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY. CONTACT US WITHOUT COMMITMENT AND WE WILL PROVIDE VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL INFORMATION! TEL: 952 664 966 INFO@IMPERIALESTATE.COM WWW.IMPERIALESTATE.COM

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February 2022

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK EX

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SI

VE

PROPERTY

THE FRIENDLY FACE OF REAL ESTATE Kristina Szekely knows the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar like the back of her hand and many of her clients have become good friends, writes George Mathias

AP361

118.000€ Alcaucin, Malaga

2 bed, 1 bath Build: 92m2

This spectacular flat is located very close to Sierra Tejeda where you can find the highest mountain of the province at more than 2,000 meters above sea level “La Maroma” a place that offers many hiking trails. The property has been used very few times by the owners and is like new.

Axarquia Office +34 637 26 43 53 info@inlandandalucia.com

www.inlandandalucia.com

OVER 250,000 PROPERTIES FROM 2,000+ AGENTS

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FTER more than 40 years of business, Kristina Szekely has more than made her mark on the Costa Del Sol. Her real estate empire has a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour, with German, Spanish, and Swiss employees giving her Puerto Banus office the feel of a mini Europe.

She explains: “A client here will almost certainly be able to speak their native tongue to one of us.”

Kristina herself speaks seven languages, having been brought up in Budapest and Sweden, before moving to Spain where she learnt English, Swedish, German and French.

The key to her success is her love of meeting people.

“My clients are my friends and my friends often become my clients,” she says.

The business also has offices in Marbella, Sotogrande, and Gibraltar.

Kristina tells me Gibraltar has been a safe haven for invest-

ment over the past decade, and it has become a real battleground for buyers as its desirability continues to go up.

“The appeal is obvious, it has great healthcare, an airport, and beautiful views everywhere,” she says.

They are not just confined to selling homes either, having more recently delved into the restaurant and hotel market.

Her contacts extend far beyond Spanish borders, she even tells me she is currently working on a site in Miami.

“I like to get to know the people, I still meet some of my old clients who I first sold to 40 years ago.”

Her breadth of knowledge of Andalucia is obvious. In a recent meeting with a client, she even recommended a school for her kids. In fact she is more than happy to make any other recommendation that the client needs to feel comfortable.

Above all, her love of Spain and Spanish culture is the driving force behind her work.

“Everytime I go abroad, I feel something is missing, and when I return to Spain, I feel completely content again,” she says.

Though much of the business has migrated online, Kristina says that there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings to get to know the client.

Her office is open most hours of the day and in summer it closes at midnight, such is her belief in the value of business with a handshake rather than an email.

Coronavirus seems to have had a minimal impact on the running of business, nevertheless everyone around them and within the office team has had to regularly pass the COVID test.

“I think, that having had three

vaccines, I will be immune for a long time,” she adds, saying that a safe working environment is a priority.

“We only closed our office for two months, then everyone was back in the office, with strict health protocols in place.

As a Member of the Marbella Rotary Club and past President of the female Association for professional ladies, AMPREM, Kristina actively supports local charities.

Little wonder then that business is booming.

ksmarbella.com +34 952 81 40 40 info@kssir.com

CONTEM PRESTIGIO

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

by Tancrede de Pola

M

KSSIR-26538P

BOOM TIME

ORTGAGE approval numbers The villa is walking are soaring.

Figures show that the numCommercial Centre ber of loans approved yearheated swimming poo in-year last November rose by 24.1%, making it the strongest month since hallway with glass stair the 2010. Some 36,220 home loans Don’t skip on getting a mortgage broker, writes fireplace and direct ac were agreed as the property market Finance Bureau’s Tancrede de Pola second living room, full b not only bounced back after pandemic restrictions, but actually started to acts as a go-between for the client It is important to know cou exactly is ntewhat rs and boom. and the bank – but it is important to attached to your mortgage. What may top applia This is a trend that we at the Finance remember that the broker is not con- seem like a great be soured war CONTEMPORARY VILLA IN rate THEcan HEART OF Bureau have noticed continuing in the nected to the bank – and works to find by expensive – and sometimes unnecPRESTIGIOUS GOLF ESTATE, GUADALMINA ALTA months since. Anecdotally, many of the buyer the best deal available. essary – insurance packages. our colleagues in real It is essential to have Using a brokereuros will save both time and 1.395.000 estate have been reportsomeone in your corner money as they will be looking out for KSSIR-26538P · Bedrooms: 5 · Bathrooms: 4 · Build: 459 m2 · Plot: 653 m2 ing some astounding figto highlight any hidden these hidden add-ons and will always The villa is walking distance to the Club House and within a short stroll to the Guadalmina One agency in fees or compulsory Very ures. One agency in Maradd- look for ways to lessen their impact.

Commercial Centre. This extraordinary villa has a fantastic landscaped garden with its own pool. bella has already sold ons tucked away in the And while the vast majority of banks heated swimming pool. The access to the villa is through a pivoting door leading to large entrance Marbella has hallway withto glass stairs case and panoramicthe lift to allfees levels, large plan lounge with open gas spac over €9 million worth of small print and ensure specify andopencommissions fireplace and direct access to the covered terrace and garden, separate dining room, bedroom or Mo already sold property since the start you get the best possithey charge, not all of these costs are second living room, full bathroom, absolutely beautiful modern kitchen with very large island, Silestone wit of the year, while others ble mortgage rate to suit always declared. counters and top appliances by Gaggenau.

First floor comprises; three spacious bedrooms, all with maste €9mn worth of your needs and circumwarm wooden floors, master suite has a good walk-in... a good have told us about their But the best way to size ensure property best start to the year in stances. mortgage that does not hide anything M ApitR B in E the L Lfine A print · Pis U R T the O help B AofN U S · S terms of sales they have One of the biggest to E solicit ever experienced. falls can be ‘trap-relat- a mortgage broker.

But with sales booming, it’s important ed products’ that often get hidden When it comes to picking a mortgage, to remember how crucial mortgage in the small print. These additional you must get it right on the first try brokers can be. products get attached to your mort- as due to the relatively high transacWith established links to all the major gage and usually include insurance tion costs, it is virtually impossible to Spanish lenders the Finance Bureau policies. reverse.

M A

www.thinkSPAIN.com

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

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XXVIII

February 2022

PROPERTY

Very Moorish

NEWLY DISCOVERED: Hammam bath house in Sevilla bar

After archaeologists found an ancient Moorish bathhouse under a bar in Sevilla and a third mosque in Toledo, we explore how Islam gave Spain so much architecture to worship

S

OUTHERN Spain is Europe’s most Arab-influenced region.

Knock down or renovate a building anywhere from Valencia to Velez Malaga and chances are they’ll be a 10th or 12th century gem to be discovered below.

From art to cuisine and, of course, language, the Moors left an indelible mark on Spain.

But it is their monumental skill for architecture - particularly with mosques - that transfixes visitors to this day.

After a hamman (bath house) emerged in the basement of a bar being renovated in Sevilla last year and a newly-discovered mosque emerged in Toledo, the Olive Press scoured the country to dig out the most impressive Moorish buildings.

Almonaster Mosque, Huelva THE Almonaster mosque reveals a lot about Huelva’s Moorish history as one of the last surviving gems in the city.

Built on the site of a fifth-century Visigoth basilica, this is one of few surviving rural mosques

in the country.

The mezquita has three components in a trapezoidal shape: the pillared prayer hall (Haram), the courtyard of ablutions (Sham), and the classic minaret tower for the call to prayer.

ONLOOKER: At new Moorish ruins in Toledo

The Mezquita, Cordoba

THIS breathtaking mosque is one of the most visited in the world and it’s no wonder it’s been labelled a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Packed with a forest of brickwork columns and double arches, climbing the steps of its bell tower offers stunning views of the city.

The structure is regarded as one of the most accompli-

shed monuments of Moorish architecture.

A small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers.

The Alcazar, Jerez de la Frontera Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, Toledo THIS square structure is one of the only mosques to remain unchanged since Moorish times.

It features classic horseshoe arches with outside gardens transporting visitors one thousand years back in time.

A fragment of Roman road, preserved under a glass floor, transports tourists even further back in time.

The mosque’s viewing balcony offers beautiful views of the outskirts of the city.

First constructed by Andalucia’s Moorish rulers back in the 11th century, the Alcazar is is one of the last-remaining examples of Almohad architecture on the Iberian peninsula. Many centuries of history are preserved in its lofty towers and massive 4,000m walls.

Climb to the top of this monumental eyrie for a bird’s eye view of the whole city.

XXIX

February 2022

Mosque of las Tornerías, Toledo

And here are two modern examples

BUILT in the middle of the 11th century on the foundations of Roman architecture, las Tornerias lords it over the old Muslim neighbourhood of Arrabal de Francos.

The mosque continued promoting Islam in Spain well beyond the reconquest of the city by the Christian troops of Alfonso VI of León and Castile in 1085. It was in use until the early 16th century when it was deconsecrated by the Catholic Monarchs.

Later it became an inn, and was also put to commercial and residential use.

The Giralda, Sevilla The Renaissance-style bell tower of Sevilla Cathedral was originally built as a minaret under Moorish rule. Piercing the sky at a height of 104.1 metres, it has become the symbol of the city, recognised the world over. Curiously it was designed with a ramp rather than steps so that the muezzin could ride a horse to the top to recite the Adhan (call to prayer). UNESCO rightly honoured it with World Heritage status in 1987.

Today it’s one of the city’s top tourist attractions.

Madrid Central Mosque

SELL WITH THE BEST!

King Abdul Aziz Mosque, Marbella Another mosque to be built in modern times, this Islamic place of worship was funded by Saudi Arabia in honour of their late King Fahd, one of Marbella’s wealthiest frequent visitors.

It can hold over 800 people and consists of housing for the imam, a library and beautiful gardens. Every summer, billionaire Arab royals and their retinues retreat to the mosque after docking their megayachts in Puerto Banus and Marbella.

THIS new kid on the Islamic block aka Abu-Bakr Mosque can be found in Madrid’s Tetuán district. Spread over four floors, it also holds offices, a nursery, school, library, auditorium and shop.

After its dedication as Waqf land - a charitable entity under Islamic law - it still took years to collect enough individual donations to construct the mosque. Finally opened in 1988, it became the first mosque in the capital since the end of the Islamic occupation in 1085.

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PROPERTY

XXX

February 2022

STRONG DEMAND But there is a shortage of supply in all regions, writes surveyor Campbell Ferguson in his 29th market report on Spain

I

T should be a good year for Spanish property.

There was already strong demand when the COVID travel restrictions started to ease over the last few months.

This will only get stronger with demand coming from all Northern European countries, with America, the Middle East and even the Far East providing buyers.

Much of this is to do with the ‘Golden Visa’ scheme, which is becoming increasingly popular and creating more demand for the higher end of the market.

THE KEY POINTS

have continued to be a major in● COVID and travel restrictions been relaxations followed by have e Ther ket. fluence on the mar has added to the general that s, basi tightening on an irregular rs and sellers. However, buye of uncertainty and resultant caution in the principal marand n Spai with vaccination levels high both in this year, we should and ism optim ning retur is ket sources, there do with seasonal flu we as it’, with live ‘just reach a stage where we h of the surplus of muc up n take ● The strengthening of demand has s. While a concern, construcnew properties built over recent year get more resale properties be to tion is still strong, and the key will increasing reports of shortage out on the market. There have been s price up of supply, which is likely to push rial costs will lead to himate ing build in ase incre ble idera ● The cons ersions, and therefore conv and s ertie prop build gher prices of new price sensitive buyer the to ctive attra e mor make resale properties s for better use of plan and ght ● There has been much talk of drou storage are being seen throur water and the expansion of wate changes of the Climate Crisis ghout the country, as the long term ty accepted. reali its and are beginning to be felt,

Truly international New StartGroup office open in Benalmadena

S

The Spanish have also become strong buyers on the costas over the last year.

The main issue ahead is going to be a shortage of supply of all property types and in all price ranges in most areas.

It has meant seeing prices start to creep up already and this will accelerate if the supply shortage continues.

One good thing is the continuing growth in new build properties, which are getting higher than average prices.

That said, discounts are still possible and it is always worth asking, although there are far fewer distressed properties now than there were two years ago.

OTHER KEY THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR: ● Official Property Descriptions: A law that came into force in 2015 requiring all property titles to be identical to the Catastral and Nota simple. This law effectively requires a topographical survey of all properties for which there is a difference between the Catastral and Nota Simple. It is an obligation that the seller should have to comply with, and we are informed that more notaries are requesting it before agreeing sales.

As organising the change can take many months, owners are advised to have the process carried out well before starting to market a property ● Possible new Rental Law on the horizon: In November 2021, a more restrictive law on renting and of greater benefit to occupiers was proposed. This means that regional governments can increase taxes; impose rent controls on prices and increase the difficulty of repossession due to non-payment or squatters. There are a number of flaws and complaints that means it will need much more work before going to vote. In Andalucia, the Junta has stated it will not bring in the law, meaning more foreign investment is likely, spurring job creation and wealth, but perhaps endangering the environment and climate change targets.

START

July to December 8.94% - Ranging from -1.87% for an apartment in Casares, to -18.92% for a flooded finca that had been empty for a year.

FIRST 2 QUARTERS OF 2021 January to June 10.80% - Ranging from -3.35% for a S/D Villa in Tarragona, to -26.72% for a remodelled villa with problems in Marbella.

2ND 2 QUARTERS OF 2021 July to December 10.44% - The smallest was two of 0.00%. Both were in the last quarter, paying the asking price for two very different properties. A villa in Marbella priced at nearly €9 million and the other at less than €200,000 for a townhouse in a small pueblo in Granada. The largest difference was -18.6% for a country villa in Marbella, with problems obtaining an amendment to an existing AFO.

REPORT CONCLUSION As with the last report, it’s further evidence of increased demand, which will see prices rising unless supply increases.

PropPertroPypreorptyert

www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivep

ress.es

Bye bye Bofill

February 2022

Issue 28

A taste of the future or a galactic waste of money?

See page XIV

www.theoliv epress.com

New fans

April 2019 Issue 32

in’s erty Spa prop ine to az go- mag

From all of us at the Olive Press, we hope you enjoyed reading our relaunched Property magazine, which is back on a bimonthly basis all year, and keep an eye out over the coming months for the next edition.

If you would like to collaborate, then please contact us to discuss our tailored marketing strategies by phone on 951 27 35 75 or email accounts@theolivepress.es

’s y ga ert ala p e M proazin st g be ma

For more information on what StartGroup can do for you, contact them on their website www.startgroup. com, by phone on +34 952 90 48 90, or by email: info@startgroup.com

LAST TWO QUARTERS OF 2020

st be ’s rty e ain pe zin Sp pro ga a m

TARTGROUP is the leading Estate Agent on Mijas Costa with 20 years experience that values its client relationships above everything else.

Established in 2003, they are a truly international company with English, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, French, German, Russian and Polish employees.

StartGroup prides itself on client care both before and after property sales, having been founded on the motto: “Service from Start to Finish.”

All StartGroup staff undergo training by an external auditor as soon as they join the company so you can be sure that you are dealing with professionals of the utmost quality.

In September 2021, StartGroup was the first company in the world to have all its staff certified by the International Association of Property Professionals.

StartGroup has local knowledge that only 20 years of experience can provide.

It judges its success not by the number of sales but by the vast number of clients that return to do business.

There has never been a better time to buy on the Costa del Sol and with StartGroup, you can rest assured that you are partnering with the best in the business.

Apart from the well established office in Calahonda, there is also a new office in Torrequebrada which opened in October 2021.

The beautiful coastal views are a fitting venue for a business that has continued to thrive.

For international buyers, the knowledge required to navigate Spanish bureaucracy can be overwhelming.

But with StartGroup though, you needn’t worry.

They have the legal knowledge and expertise to help you invest in your dream property without being drowned in paperwork.

StartGroup is an officially licensed estate agent, accredited by both the The Professional Association of Real Estate Managers in Building Promotions and the CEI. Ultimately, the principles of honesty and fairness on which the business was founded 20 years ago remain as strong today as they ever were.

AVERAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASKING PRICE AND ACTUAL SELLING PRICE

y

PLASTIC FANTAST IC: How this architectural remarkable prize, See centre could page IV win

August 2019

Spain importan

t

JAW-DRO in battle PPING: Span ish firm wow for awar d SEE PAGE s judges VI

Why this medieval town - amo ng others praised is being top archby Spain’s see pageitects, XIV

The Olive Press pays tribute to a Spanish genius, whose architectural tenticles spread widely, and were even said to have inspired last hit tv series the Squid Game years

See page VI

WOAH: Emerging from the rock, this stunning home in Valencia is trademark Fran Silves a Spanish tre, architect who is continuing to make his mark in the architectura l world.

See Fran-tastic page XVI

SHEIKH IT UP KEEP TH E GOOD R O C K TIN EAGDY TIME T S ROS LL Man City down the owner snaps up €16 road from million

Julio Igles mans MANCH ias near Marbion er SheikhESTER City FC ownella neighbours Mansour will soon be €150,000 a year in emerged. with Julio Iglesias, extra income.

His it has metrenew pad even The football private dam, sports a 60 x mogul, 48, out on a stunning 12 watering used has €16 million,splashed Mansou animals and firefor irrigation, farm near prevention.

Monda. r, who is 25-acre Set

deputy Prime ister of the on the HE average UAE, Minlas Nieves, edge of the idyllic Sierra de battled Spanish popwill also count emFinca Moratan two consecutiproperty price in Spain has comes complete among star y Bornoqu The national ve years for the first time grown for Prices e The his neighbours. Julio Iglesias 72-metre-square with four farmhou ses, a child lothario singer, pool rise The Emirati 3.9% to 8.4%, average house price rose in a decade. forand a guest cottage. was recently 75 - whose love from between while according royal cantwo consec Along the Mediterr LUCKY: Sheikh hands dirty his proved utive even get son - owns mortg years, sources.

Mansour anean coasts to various with age his Cuatro 100% foreigners buy, walnut plantatio the €145 to beHowever his new values and on , he added ‘at Lunas in nearby million Las home’s contin ns, cork cattle to Tinsa, Spain’sthe average price hike hasthe islands, where most the very least, HOME sales in December were the second-highest tocannot Ojen. Spanish farm and Even theue grow property continued which can Sheikh been 4.06%, according Balearicfields, the data suggests leading on record SPRAW in Spain.

Islands. sician’s mansion property appraisal But the figures generate over And 2022 has kicked off where last year ended…

LING: Sheikh’s to grow rival theMortgag that the e lending “Prices have mu- house have , which boasts company. going up pools, new estatelast year.’ andmostly up fore,” during the home buyers explained a recordin been rising most January Scott Marshall, up! across to in Monda long six year andnot yet made up for the fourfrom toPropertieSpain 450 in Benahavis. g studio meanwhi but 19,390 nothing years The recession, with since enquiries estate -new acres. like big loans, according“And le was up 6.1% in are coming and a Spanish Andalucia, Valencia and Murcia are leading the recovery guest in thick and fast.”

Notaries. the exception drops enough to claw they did in the boom years, sale the charge on the mainland, artist’s last year - which Iglesias put to the Associati Meanwhile, secret wedding of the spected back Benbegan, each seeing spectacular growth by over a quarter Bateman The and nowhere was also on of to on fromaverage Sotogrande’s new loan Holmes near an analyst Markthe ground lost in the against last Christmas. “Sales were up 26% siteadded: Miranda madeagency of the “It jnsburger in 2010, could be inthe a bust,” increase record January While Andalucia saw 29% more sales than year Stucklin, if we can on explained 2019, get theofright showing had a guests.

0.9%number the market has more than recovof Spanish“Last of new value of €135,616in front of just Rilast December, Valencia and ered the ground listings. in a year. residentia Property year was 15 As long Murcia posted figures of 26% and 25% respectively. the rebest year it lost to the pandemic. The , since l acquisitio Insight. as mortgage and we remain confident ns continues for the last few2008 lending undergoing a post-pandemic boom in sales.” Spanish housing market is 2022.” to increase, The Balearics experienced a 41% uplift, while years, the Spanish as it has done for the Canaries saw a property 44% Adam Neale, In total, 72,023 property sales were completed for at rise in December’s year on year figures. in December, according last year, with Terra Meridiana, in Estepona, also recorded recordmarket sales is set to grow. to official figures. nearly 100 million “Home sales in December

After almost record December sales, January is also performing strongly

set almost a record buoyant Spain’s housing market is despite high, illustrating quite how the pandemic,” said property analyst Markthe ongoing repercussions of Stucklin.

According to a trio of leading estate agents also begun well, despite concerns over supply.in Andalucia, the year has “We sold three properties in January, which is three more than ever be-

of properties sold in 2021.

“It was a very busy year and it didn’t stop last month, it just keeps coming, particularly now people can travel again.”

The highest December property figures 80,000 properties were sold around Spain. were in 2010 when nearly

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February 2022

3

EXTENTION REQUESTED

Bid to extend driving licence swap deadline THE British Ambassador to Spain has confirmed that the UK government has requested another extension to the February 28 deadline, after which British residents in Spain will no longer have an automatic right to drive using their British licence.

The grace period that was agreed between the UK and Spain to allow residents to use their British driving licence is due to end on February 28.

After this period, Brits will no longer have an automatic legal right to drive in Spain using their

British licence.

So far there have been three extensions to this date since Britain’s departure from the EU, with many Brits hoping for an agreement that would allow indefinite use of their UK licence.

The British Embassy said: “As you’d expect, I can’t go into the details of the negotiations, but I can say they are ongoing. We have asked Spain for an extension to the grace period for the recognition of your UK licences for a sufficient period of time to allow us to work through the negotiation and reach the definitive agreement that we all want.”

The Embassy has advised people for whom driving is essential to consider taking a test in Spain.

HARD braking around speed cameras leads The test comprises a theory to dangerous driving and can see fines of up and practical test, and both to €200 handed out, warns the Department of can be taken in English.

Traffic (DGT).

New arrivals to Spain are able to use their British driving Hitting the brakes before going through a licence for a maximum of six speed control is something that many drivers months. are guilty of and create a danger zone in an alNegotiations to allow Brits ready hazardous area. The DGT has now put a to swap their driving licence measure in place in an attempt to curb the frefor a Spanish one have so quent infraction—the double speed camera. far failed to reach any agreeThese repeated radars are strategically placed ment. in such a way that once you pass the first one, It has become the latest stickif you are tempted to slam down on the acceling point in post-brexit Anerator, you might be caught out by a second glo-Spanish relations. radar hidden further ahead on the road.

Agreements with French and Those drivers caught out will receive an unSwedish authorities were pleasant surprise in the form of a fine of up to finalised in 2021, allowing €200 sent a few weeks later.

Brits to swap their licence for either countries’ without taking a test.

Brake Slamming

CLIMATE CONTROL, NERJA

T

HE Axarquia is said to have one of the best climates in Europe, in particular in its coastal towns of Torrox and Nerja. Its fabulous microclimate – unlike anywhere else

FABULOUS FRIG FRIGILIANA

7

in Europe – offers the opportunity to grow mangoes, avocados and even bananas.

You can take the modern A-7 to reach these towns, or the old coastal N-340.

6

Once at Nerja well worth a visit in its own right with its famous coves and Balcon de Europa viewpoint - head back inland on the MA-5105 to reach Frigiliana.

A stroll around the wonderful back streets of this mountain village with a distinctive Moorish feel is a must for anyone visiting the Axarquia.

Having rightfully won the prettiest village in Andalucia title on a number of occasions, it is a magical place to visit.

Surrounded by wonderful countryside, it has a nice mix of shops and restaurants, with several selling the sweet local wines.

Then it’s time to climb in your car and head back home after a weekend of sight-seeing in the beautiful Axarquia.

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26/1/22 19:39

LA CULTURA

NETFLIX is looking for guiris - Brits living in Spain - to be extras in its new series La Chica de Nieve.

The series is based on the popular novel The Snow Girl by Malaga writer Javier Castillo.

The company in charge of finding extras for the series, Tempotel, said: “We are looking for guiri-looking extras in Malaga: men and women over 20 years of age, natural blondes, blue eyes and fair skin.”

Be a star Filming will take place on the Costa del Sol and opens with a recreation of the Three Kings celebration.

Those interested in applying must be available to film until March 18 and are asked to send a selfie and a full body shot via Whatsapp to 641 883 642 and proof that they have the right to work in Spain.

FOODIES’ DREAM THE quiet town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda has been chosen as Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy.

This is the first time that a town that isn’t a provincial capital has been chosen to fly the flag for Spanish food.

It is bringing the town - more famous for its annual beach horse racing - firmly on the foodies’ map.

The town had its own stand at Fitur - the international tourism trade fair - showcasing the best of the food from Cadiz.

Top of the menu in the town are Sanlucar king prawns, washed down with local aged sherry, which is noted for its salty flavour.

Other specialities are Tortillitas de camarones - prawn fritters made with onion and parsley, Acedias - a lean white fish, and Arroz con Pato - duck with rice, all sourced from the local river.

The town has 69,000 inhabitants, 21 wineries and more than 150 restaurants.

PRESENTED BY

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

47

WORLD FIRST

A WORLD’S first exhibition in Gibraltar will feature digital art work by Spanish and expat artists.

Xapo Bank will be transformed into the ‘Crypto Art Island’ exhibition in April, showcasing the most exciting new crypto and NFT artists in a world first.

NFTs (non fungible tokens) have taken the world by storm, changing the game of the art world and making headlines with million dollar sales.

They are digital artworks which can be bought with cryptocurrency and have a kind of digital watermark making them impossible to duplicate.

Digital art from Spanish and expat artists to feature in new exhibition

Showcased

An eight-year-old British boy is among artists that will be showcased. Dutchie Dinnage, who lives between the UK and Marbella will have his work exhibited alongside some of the biggest names of the crypto-art world.

Dutchie told the Olive Press: “I have been working on my art and NFTs after school, but not on Monday’s because then I have to do my homework.

“When I create my crypto art I show them to my mum and she is so proud of me. For me it is so much fun to do and when a piece is finished I get so happy, because it excites

EXCITING: Dutchie with some of his art and a NFT work by Gala Mirissa me knowing that they will be on auction at the exhibition. I can’t wait to meet all the other artists and visitors.”

The exhibition will feature work from artists around

Spain, including several expats.

There were around €11 billion of sales from NFT purchases from June to September last year, according to DappRadar,

a market tracker.

Crypto Art Island takes place at Xapo Bank, Gibraltar, on April 30 and continues through to May 4. Opening times are 10am to 6pm.

LA CULTURA LA CULTURA THE SPANISH J STONEHENGE 48

UST north of the Rio stones.

Tinto in southwestern It is tempting to think that, Spain, rising among during the 1,200 year period begently rolling plains are tween Trigueros being erected stones belonging to a and the stone circles of Stonemegalithic tomb dating henge being raised, technology back some 5,000 years. had moved on, allowing the conThese make up the Dolmen de struction of a more sophisticatSoto Trigueros, one of around ed structure at Stonehenge.

1,650 Neolithic burial monThe stones forming the circle at uments found within Spain’s Trigueros were painted a strikregion of Andalucia, and an aring red and engraved. chaeological site that predates One engraving depicted huntStonehenge. ing scenes whilst others were But while the monument on of anthropomorphic figures Salisbury Plain is one of the and symbols. most visited tourist sites in The original alignment of the Europe, the Dolmen de Soto vertical stones is not known, stands isolated, so it is difficult visited only by to interpret the those curious use of the monThe stones few tempted off ument. It could forming the the beaten track. have been an “If it had been observatory circle were located in the to record the United Kingdom, phases of the painted a it would already sun or moon. But striking red be one of the it was, almost most-visited tourcertainly, a cereist sites,” insists monial place.

Primitiva Bueno-Ramírez, arThe manpower required to chaeology professor at Alcala bring the stones to the site and de Henares University. erect them indicates a popuThe dating so far indicates that lation from over a wide area the stone circles of Stonehenge and the number of clusters of were in fact being constructed smaller dolmens in the wider about the same time as the area would support this theory. stone circle at Trigueros was Its isolation today does not imply being dismantled while when it was isolated when the monuit comes to size, the stone cirment was built. Dolmen de Soto cle at Trigueros is undoubtedly would have been an integral larger. part of a complex sacred landHowever, the stones at Stonescape that, for the Neolithic peohenge are generally larger and ple, defined who they were, their heavier than those at Trigueros territory, how they lived and how and there is no indication that they related to their surroundTrigueros ever had the equivings and other tribes. alent of the lintels that the The Dolmen de Soto megapeople who built Stonehenge lithic tomb was built between placed on top of the sarsen 3000 and 2500

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

Visit the fascinating archaeological site of Dolmen de Soto Trigueros, writes Nick Nutter of visit-andalucia.com

STUNNING: An aerial view of the Dolmen, with left, engravings on the pillars BC, towards the end of the passage-grave tradition in this part of the Iberian Peninsula.

The dolmen replaced a 65

metre diameter stone circle that consisted of 94 stone pillars, at least one of which was six metres tall and weighed 21 tons.

Some of the stones were brought to the site from 30 kilometres away. It is thought that the first stone circle was erect-

INCONSPICUOUS: The dolmen blends into the landscape, while (right) the inner chamber

LA CULTURA

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

49

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lost or became meaningless in the face of the change.

The stone circle was dismantled, and the stones were used to create the passage tomb of the Dolmen de Soto.

The dolmen is covered by a large mound about 60 metres in diametre and is surrounded by a circle of small stones with a diameter of 65 metres, the same as the original.

Inside there is a gallery made with 63 stone pillars, a frontal slab and 30 other stones that cover it.

An underground passage, measuring 21.5 metres, starts off narrow then widens to three metres in width and height as it reaches the back of the monument.

The passage is aligned so that, during the equinox, the rising sun lights the interior of the passage and the chamber for some minutes. Some of the original stones were cut to fit into this new construction.

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Clue

Following its construction, the Neolithic people redecorated and overpainted the stones and it is these newer engravings and images that give a clue as to the change TheOlivePre ss-256x170-Cthat AR-4.indd had occurred.

The new drawings show armed figures.

Bueno-Ramirez remarked, “There is not a single megalithic monument in Europe that has so many armed figures on its walls.”

A space within the dolmen has been identified as an area where metalworking took place and one figure appears to be wielding a ‘Carps Tongue’ sword, a type of weapon typical of the Late Bronze Age. The supposition is that the Neolithic people had been shown or had learned to work copper and this became a major focus of their lives. The timing certainly fits.

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BUSINESS

Pay plan

THE Spanish government has proposed increasing the minimum salary to €13,944 a year, or €996 per month if paid in the traditional 14 installments.

The plan, which would add an extra €31 to minimum pay checks each month, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Minister, Yolanda Diaz.

Diaz said the increase would be implemented as soon as possible and could be backdated to January 1, 2022.

She insisted that setting a minimum salary is a ‘very important tool’ to help ‘the most vulnerable workers’ in society.

The minimum annual salary for a full-time worker currently stands at €13,510 per annum or €965 when calculated in 14 monthly payments, a system that is a hangover from the Franco regime when workers were paid an extra month at Christmas and in order to take a summer holiday.

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

TIPPLE TOP

PRESTIGIOUS sherries will be advertised in a new UK campaign after a sales boost during COVID lockdowns.

The campaign will promote the drink in both trade and direct customer markets to widen its reach.

Sherry has acquired an image of it being the choice of elderly drinkers, but is currently enjoying a revival among younger people after years of declining British sales.

UK market targeted as Sherry sales boom

Image

The marketing wing of the Consejo Regulador de Jerez operates as Sherry in Spain and aims to show a contemporary image of the local speciality to the UK market.

The word ‘Sherry’ is exclusively reserved for fortified wines produced between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda, and El

CLASSY: Campaign will focus on quality

By Alex Trelinski

Puerto de Santa Maria, in Cadiz Province.

Sherry consumption in the

COOKING UP A PLAN AMERICAN restaurant chain Tony Roma’s has just celebrated its 50th anniversary and now has big plans for expanding in Spain.

It intends to continue growing internationally, with the opening of 200 new restaurants in the next decade.

In Spain, the brand - owned by Avanza Food - plans to double the number of restaurants in the next four years from its present 31.

Launched in Miami in 1972, it arrived in Spain in 1994 with its first restaurant on Genova Street in Madrid.

In December 2020, Avanza Food

became the owner of the brand in Spain, France, Portugal and Andorra.

It now wants to push through with its ambitious plan.

According to CEO of Avanza Food, Sergio Rivas: “Tony Roma’s has been an icon of truly American cuisine throughout the world for 50 years.

“It is one of the most solid, profitable brands in the country and abroad and it has great growth potential in Spain.”

He added: “Tony Roma’s is one of the most strategic brands in the entire Avanza Food portfolio.”

UK in 2020 rose by 13% compared to 2019, according to Nielsen statistics, with much of the year peppered by lockdown restrictions.

The Sherry in Spain campaign will highlight the quality of wine produced in the Jerez area and will explain its history in Andalucia.

UK bars and restaurants will be encouraged to offer sherry in a nationwide promotional tour, while a series of press and online ‘influencer’ events will be held.

BANKING ON YOU SPAIN’S CaixaBank has promised improved services for older customers despite a wave of over 1,500 branch closures after last year’s merger with Bankia.

Speaking to announce profits of €5.2 billion in 2021 bolstered by the Bankia merger, CaixaBank president, Jose Ignacio Goirigolzarri pledged to expand services for the elderly.

His remarks came after Economy Minister, Nadia Calvino, ordered banks to come up with plans for inclusion measures that serve account holders of all ages.

Pensioner, Carlos San Juan,78, made national headlines last month in his campaign called ‘I’m old, not an idiot’.

He’s demanding better banking services for the elderly who feel ‘financially excluded’ due to branch closures and increased digitalisation.

Goirigolzarri said: “We will launch in the coming months measures focused on the elderly as we seek to create an ecosystem for older people with services beyond mere finance.”

The president cited new legal and medical assistance products as well as a targeted insurance package. He added that the improvements were ‘not due to external requirements but are part of the soul of CaixaBank’.

Gorigolzarri admitted there were no plans to improve ‘one-to-one’ branch services for elderly clients, stating that ‘there is already a relevant personal treatment’.

“We have the right staff for the service we provide, which is good,” he concluded.

Fortify

Although Sherry was first made in Spain, it was the Moors, who invaded the country in the 8th century, that introduced the technology required to fortify wine.

The names ‘Sherry’ and ‘Jerez’ both come from the Arabic word, ‘Sherish’.

SPAIN’S inflation rate fell in January - the first time in 11 months.

The National Statistics Institute(INE) says last month’s figure was 6% compared to 6.5% in December which was Spain’s highest rating since 1992.

Annual core inflation, which does not include power prices and fresh food products, hit 2.4%, up by 0.3% on the December total.

The monthly comparative consumer price index fell by 0.5% in January, compared to a 1.2% December increase.

Inflation eases

Nevertheless, the index rose by 6.1% on an annual basis.

Items included in the index do vary and now include face masks.

Changes are made to ‘include new products whose consumption starts to be significant’, said the INE. Online newspaper subscriptions have also been included while the era of streaming and downloading means that CDs and DVDs have been dropped.

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HEALTH

February 23rd March 8th 2022

Here’s looking at Chew A SPANISH company has made a chewing gum that it claims blocks COVID infections.

The anti-COVID gum – called ‘Chewing Mask’ – has been in development for 18 months in laboratories in the UK, Germany and Spain.

According to University of Cambridge biologist Marcos Isamat, the gum contains three naturally-occurring acids that lower the mouth’s pH and destroy the membranes of COVID-19 viral particles.

“The Chewing Mask isn’t just an anti-COVID gum, but also blocks the entrance of any other kind of virus,” Isamat said.

“It does this by destroying the lipids encasing the virus, so the virus cannot reproduce in the mouth.”

He said this includes blocking infections from the common flu virus with just a few chews that leave a ‘pleasant’ aftertaste of mint and lemon in the mouth.

The Chewing Mask is particularly aimed at anyone in contact with COVID-19, such as an infected relative, as it would stop the

M opportunity for transmission.

By chewing the gum up to ‘four times a day’ a person already infected could also reduce the chance of passing it on to anyone around them.

According to Isamat, the presence of the acids would keep the mouth virus-free.

The revolutionary gum has confirmed a Canary Islands rollout this month.

The gum will be sold in packs of 10 for €2 a packet at supermarkets – not pharmacies – in the Spanish islands.

Since the Chewing Mask is not classed as a medicine, it’s unlikely to substitute existing measures of hygiene and health safety in place of wearing a mask.

Chewing Masks are already being manufactured and the company is pushing for an imminent rollout on mainland Spain.

Distressed Spain

Country ranks high in European stress stakes

SPAIN and the UK are officially two of the most stressed countries in Europe.

But they’re not as bad as Serbia, which topped a survey with a ‘Stress

Mask decision time CHILDREN aged between six and seven may soon not need to wear masks at schools or in communal spaces.

The Public Health Commission is making a decision on the wearing of facemasks next week.

The Spanish Association of Paediatrics has proposed a gradual withdrawal of facemask rules starting at the end of the month in primary schools and then in secondary schools.

Quique Bassat, epidemiologist and member of the Paediatric Association, said that as well as helping to bring school activity back to normal, the measure would be a good way of testing the removal of facemasks indoors.

“Children are a group that is not very vulnerable to COVID, and if stopping the use of masks would lead to an increase in infections, this would not translate into an increase in serious cases,” he said.

YOU AND YOUR PSA

51

By Simon Wade

Score’ of 77.83.

Close behind were Latvia, Portugal and Greece - with Spain coming in fifth, scoring 74.

Three categories were studied, examining stress relating to finance, work and personal life.

Rent

Serbia topped the list after scoring badly for money-related stress – based on factors such as poverty rate, average rent of a small city-centre apartment and transportation costs.

Additionally, unemployment rates, average salaries, annual leave, and commute times all scored poorly.

Although not considered as stressful a country to live in as Spain, the UK came in 10th - just behind

Albania - due to high rents and transportation costs, claimed Eachnight.com.

In contrast, Iceland ranks as the least stressed country in Europe with a score of 47.41.

It has the shortest average commute time in Europe at just 15 minutes, along with the lowest poverty rate of just 9%.

Germany features as the second-least stressed country, performing well when it comes to low levels of work-related stress factors.

OST mature men, and their wives, have heard of the blood test for your prostate called PSA but how many of you understand it?

First of all what is it, where does it come from and what does it do? Prostate Specific Antigen is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and by prostate cancer cells.

It’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and the amount rises slightly as you get older and your prostate gets bigger.

A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but not necessarily cancer.

It’s an enzyme that results in the semen becoming more liquid, which is important for fertility. It goes up for lots of reasons; age, the size of your prostate, urinary tract infections, inflammation or prostatitis, trauma, manipulation, catheterisation and finally prostate cancer.

We started using it as a ‘tumour marker’ for prostate cancer in the 1980’s although it was controversial. Why? Well there are several reasons and it’s about a balance between risk and benefit.

1. Prostate cancer is only one of several causes of a raised PSA test.

2. Historically, two thirds of men with a raised PSA level didn’t have cancer cells in their biopsy and old-fashioned biopsies were neither pleasant nor accurate.

3. Some 15% of men with prostate cancer have a normal PSA.

What to look for and what to do if you have prostate problems Mr. James Allan FRCS

4. The test doesn’t distinguish between aggressive and slow-growing cancers and may detect tumours that would not otherwise become evident.

5. There is very little good evidence that a screening programme based on PSA testing significantly changes your prognosis. So what should you do or who should have a PSA test? The answer is easy. If you have developed waterwork symptoms, going frequently or urgently, getting up at night or a slow flow, bloody urine or if you have a family history of prostate cancer, then you need to chat to a sensible urologist about having your PSA done and possibly an MRI scan of your prostate.

MRI scanning is the new kid on the block and has revolutionised prostate cancer diagnosis.

There is real hope of a screening programme, which will radically change this terrible disease that visits far too many men and families.

As the technology advances then it is now reasonable for the over 50s to be counselled, tested and for prostate cancer to be beaten!

You can now meet Mr Hughes or Mr Allan at HC Marbella hospital or in Gibraltar or simply check out www.theurologyclinic.gi

Care that comes to you

Salaries

The study revealed that German citizens have one of the highest monthly salaries in Europe with an average of €3,031 a month, in addition to the fourth highest employment rate, with 75.6% of the population employed, giving Germany a total Stress Score of 49.54.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

WINE SALUTE

SPAIN’S wine industry has applauded a U-turn from European politicians who ditched proposals to slap ‘cancer warning’ labels on wine bottles.

The European Parliament(EP) rolled back plans to mirror warnings used on tobacco products after lobbying led by Spanish MEPs. Such a move would not have initially forced changes which would have to be agreed by the leaders of all 27 EU nations.

Nevertheless a pro-cancer warning vote would have had the potential to be incorporated as a proposal ‘up the chain’ by the European Commission. Parliamentarians have now called for messages to be used on labels for people to enjoy wine moderately and responsibly.

ANDALUCIA Day on Monday is set to be the biggest in years as COVID restrictions continue to be lifted.

Each town has its own celebratory style; some feature all the events on one day, while others opt for a programme which takes place over several weeks.

Cities of love

Spain takes top two places in the list of world’s best places for a frugal first foray into love IF you’re looking for romance, head to Spain.

Madrid and Barcelona have been named the two ‘best places in the world’ in which to find love.

Research took into account the choice of places available for a romantic date, and also the cost.

The company found there are hundreds of reasons for singles to be mad for Madrid, with 733 romantic restaurants and 714 nightlife options across the capital.

Additionally, the city is home to 23 adult shops and 45 ‘hour hotels’, meaning Madrid is truly the best for a ‘quick(ie) visit’.

Spain’s second city, Barcelo-

Party time This year the Andalucia day celebrations are being held at the same time as carnival.

In Malaga, a competition between competing carnival ‘comparsa groups’ is already underway. The final will take place on Friday at

PHALLIC: Romantic cities Madrid (left) and Barcelona

By Simon Wade

na, also came second in the research.

The price of a date was considered good value, with the averthe Cervantes Theatre.

The main events across Andalucia will take place from February 26 to March 6.

But the celebrations in Cadiz - the region’s biggest and most famous carnival - have been postponed until the summer due to the pandemic.

age price of two cinema tickets costing €18 and average date night meals valued at €50.

Additionally, there are a total of 785 romantic restaurants where couples can sample the gastronomic delights of Catalunya, as well as each other.

Interestingly, the data shows that the top eight cities in the world for singles to find love are all in Europe.

Third place is taken by Berlin, fourth by Rome, while London and Paris tie for fifth place, with London offering more speed dating opportunities than any other European city.

Outside Europe, Singapore is officially the top city in the world to find love, ranking at ninth place overall.

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

Just bra-tiful MADRID has a new tourist attraction that displays iconic outfits from pop culture including Madonna’s famous conical bra outfit.

Visitors to the CaixaForum can view Cine y Moda curated by French designer and ‘enfant terrible’ Jean Paul Gaultier.

Exhibits including Madonna’s risque outfit from her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, which was designed

by Gaultier himself. Also included are outfits that inspired the designer.

Zorro

Rocky’s shorts, Zorro’s mask and the Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve are among the 100 garments on display alongside movie clips, posters and stills.

Gaultier chose Audrey Hepburn in a little black dress worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Grace Kelly in Dior in Hitchcock’s Rear Window among the most influential fashion creations.

Up there too is his own design worn by Victoria Abril in Pedro Almodovar’s Kika.

53

54

I

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

AM standing outside a jumble of small shops and apartments on a busy street in the centre of Almeria.

My boyfriend, a Spanish native and something of a culinary whizz, is my guide for a foodie tour of the city.

We are to visit Mercado Central a Domicilio, just a stone’s throw away from where his parents live and work.

The stalls on Circunvalacion Ulpiano Diaz are piled high with colourful fruit, vegetables and fish just off the boat.

This is pure Andalucia - old ladies drag shopping bags filled with curls of green lettuce, arguing over prices and friends drink bottles of red wine while tucking into free plates of fleshy, pink steak.

While Almeria has its fair share of plush five-star hotels - and its own airport - few tourists come here. Most head to the Costa del Sol, the rambling hills of Granada or the heat of Sevilla. But they are missing out. Dive into Almeria’s food scene and you will soon feel a million miles away from Spain’s tourist trail - and ready for a unique culinary adventure.

I’ve enlisted my boyfriend Abel to play the role of tour guide since he knows the streets better than any one. He grew up here and makes regular trips back to visit his parents, as well as various aunties, cousins and siblings.

So far, so Spanish.

I suspect that little has changed since he was born here some twenty something years ago. His favourite fami-

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

THE FOOD OF L VE...

Fruit farms, the best market and a Spanish family’s top table - Kirsty McKenzie is introduced to the Spanish way of life by boyfriend Abel (pictured)

ly-run restaurants are still packed to jamon and fish stalls piled high with the rafters, and he knows most tapas crimson tuna. menus off by heart.

You can buy anything here, Abel tells As Abel chats to the butcher, his fam- me, even stiff yellow chicken-legs ily’s favourite, I take in and rabbits completely the hustle and bustle of shorn, eyes still bulging. the market. The mornAcross the way, heavRarely will you ing light is luminous and enly aromas waft from the mood is excitable. find a kitchen a shop filled with roastShoppers’ hands are ing coffee, where cafe without a leg puffy and red from carsolos are served along rying the weight of their with tostadas and toof ham taking wares, the bruised outmate. centre stage er layer of thin-skinned Those tomatoes are aubergines peeking Almeria’s finest export from their bags. and are grown with I see huge stalls loaded with fresh pro- peppers, cucumber and melons in duce: the vivid greens of cucumbers, the city’s famous greenhouses which the vibrant naranjas, glistering arti- make up the famous ‘sea of plastic’. chokes and mushrooms still sheathed Visible from space, Almeria’s greenin dirt . Silver hooks loaded with fresh houses produce an estimated 3.5 meat, chorizo sausages and legs of tonnes of veg each year and together

History, adventure and romance.

That’s just the setting.

with Granada, it supplies about 50% of the European market.

In short, the produce is extraordinary - thick, juicy and enormous, packed with flavour and grown all year round in the desert.

In the markets tomatoes of every colour are stacked high, as if on a throne, prime for tumbling. Each one perfect - yellow, green, orange, red-purple, mottled, shiny, dotted, enormous - and all grown locally in Almeria.

“This is the Almeria, the part that tourists don’t see,” Abel says. “They might see the sea of plastic on the news, but they never come to visit themselves, to taste the fresh produce or shop directly from the farmers the same day it was picked. I like to bring visitors to

remind us how lucky we are.”

There is another reason that he likes to visit. The beaches, undisturbed by tourists, are among the best in Spain.

Abel was born on the seafront, close to the university, and his parents still

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own the apartment where he grew up, as well as a cortijo in the desert where olives and pomegranates grow freely.

Most of his relatives live in villages across Almeria’s coastline — one of his many cousins owns Isoletta, a restaurant, which Abel believes boasts the best seafood paella in Andalucia and he loves to enlist friends to take there for a meal - it also gives him an opportunity to pop in and say hello.

Indeed, this forgotten corner of Cabo de Gata boasts an amazing selection of restaurants in a tiny radius: Sobre La Marcha for cocktails, La Ola for seafood and Food Truck La Isleta for proper Spanish street food.

At the market we buy meat, artichokes, peppers, onions - and of course tomatoes - to bring home for his mother. But the market is just the beginning of our foodie day out. The next stop is Abel’s favourite tapas joint La Runda. I order a refreshing tinto de verano (despite the January chill, the sun is shining) and the waiter presents us with the tapas menu - all free with our drinks.

I selected the best seafood they had to offer: gamba roja poco heca, quisquillas crudas and cigalas, all caught on the Almeria coast that morning. After all the talk of food we are ravenous, so it is the perfect end to our morning.

Like all his friends, Abel knows how to cook - exquisite meals using simple produce - by heart. His mother and abuela taught him how to make tradi-

February 23rd - March 8th 2022

STUNNING: The unspoilt Cabo de Gata coastline and (left) Almeria port and the Alcazaba tional Spanish dishes as a child and his dad encouraged him to learn and appreciate that art of cutting a jamon. You’ll rarely find their kitchen without a leg of ham taking centre stage on the countertop.

A cooking lesson from his mum is an inevitable part of the tour and she patiently explains to me the difference between setas and champiñones. While the mushrooms vary wildly in texture, she likes to cook them both the same, swirling in their own juices, with a tonne of olive oil and garlic to help bring out their flavour.

Then we cook the Almerian raised beef, fried in more thick olive oil to a colour paler than wine but just as vital, the most delicious meat in all of Spain.

“So simple?” I asked softly, as I cut up chunks of bread.

“So simple, Cristina! But,” she shrugged, “you know, with the right ingredients -“ “You never prepare a meal in Almeria without first going to the market for fresh ingredients,” Abel said. “Eating is about food but a cultural experience as well.” When his mum is not cooking up a storm, his father takes over, serving up enormous slabs of perfectly cooked beef and juicy slices of jambon, so succulent they almost taste like butter. Do they always indulge like this? “Yes,” his mum replied. “Which is why

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on Wednesdays we only eat fruit for lunch,” she said, eyeing up an apple miserably.

We escaped the fruit salad to dine at, La Consentida, which is fantastic, and recognised widely as the best place to eat in town. And no wonder — it has a fabulous menu of meat, fish, and veggie tapas that are truly exceptional. To add to the fun, each tapa is named after a famous female celebrity and we took great delight in guessing why the owners had chosen to name the sensual cheese and meat dish in honour of Scarlett Johansson and the veggie salad after Sarah Jessica Parker.

Favourites

My favourites are the goat’s cheese served with walnuts and spicy jam chilli spread on rye bread or the Penelope Cruz, a long, thin tostada topped with tomato salsa, chives and two tiny quail eggs. Deciding what to order is a feat in itself.

After the day in Almeria it is time to leave for the Tadeo and embark on an adventure to the desert for a visit to Oasys, where Clint Eastwood filmed his spaghetti westerns.

It is the end of my Almeria adventure, but with an open fire dinner, a visit to Mini Hollywood and the promise of sunset in the desert still to come, I can’t wait to get started on the next.

55

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A GROUP of 30 young people ran from a Barcelona restaurant to avoid a €1,000 bill, leaving six friends who had gone to the loo to pick up the bill.

Brain picking SPANISH comedian Carlos Latre’s brain is being scanned by Malaga University to find out why he is able to impersonate 600 people, with 25 ‘normal people’ also being analysed as a comparison.

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Fur-good factor

Gobsmacked Brit left grinning with delight after being reunited with teeth lost on boys’ night out in 2011

A BRIT was left gobsmacked after being reunited with the false teeth he lost on boozy night out in Benidorm - 11 years later.

Paul Bishop received a package from Spain in the post containing the dentures, which had been vomited into a bin outside a pub in 2011.

The 63-year-old said he was ‘absolutely stunned’ to get his false gnashers back after more

By Kirsty McKenzie

than a decade.

Bishop, from Greater Manchester said he ‘fell ill’ after drinking cider during a night out in the Spanish party resort.

“It was a drunken day out with the lads,” he said.

“I’d had enough lager so I got a pint of cider, but then the oth-

er lads were ready to go so I downed the last of my pint and thought ‘oh no, it’s coming back up’.” He didn’t let the incident

In the soup

Fast women (on the right track)

US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor has been ridiculed for saying Democrat Nancy Pelosi has a ‘gazpacho police’ instead of Gestapo, with Spanish chef Jose Andres joking it was his creation.

SPANISH rail firm Renfe has been inundated with applicants for 30 bullet train driver jobs exclusively for women.

Over 28,000 women applied for the role driving trains between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

It is the first time women have been permitted to apply for such roles in Saudi Arabia

and follows a drive in the kingdom to liberalise labour laws.

The jobs are part of the Haramain Project, which will see the applicants get a year’s training.

Renfe will be running 20 trains a day on the 450km track between the two cities.

Only 4% of train drivers in Spain are women.

spoil his holiday. He carried on singing Elvis karaoke and eating, and drinking without any teeth for his final few days in the sun.

He was reunited with his teeth when they were found in landfill and Spanish authorities used DNA records to track him to his Stalybridge home.

He said he was ‘gobsmacked and intends to put them on display in the Ridge Hill Lane Working Men’s Club where he is general manager.

He said: “Someone’s definitely cleaned them up, they’re in perfect condition.

A STARVING stray dog has been reunited with his family seven years after he went missing.

A skeletal ‘looking Dico was found scavenging along a stretch of road between the towns of Deifontes and Iznalloz, in Granada.

He had the good fortune to be spotted by Pepa Tenorio, a 40-year-old animal lover who always stops for strays and carries a microchip reader in her car.

She scooped up the German Shepherd and put him on the back seat of her Renault Clio which is decorated in animal motifs and contains a veritable pet shop of animal treats - before checking to see if he was chipped.

She then discovered that he had been registered to an owner for seven years and tracked him down to return the pet.

Although the original owner has since died, his son was very happy to take in his father’s beloved pet and the pair were reunited in an emotional scene.

The reunion was posted on Pepa’s Instagram and has already attracted 14,000 followers.

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