IVA and gas go up at midnight

VAT in Spain (IVA) goes up by 2% (from 16 to 18%) at midnight tonight. Consumer organizations are warning to watch out for increases above that. In the meantime, the gas bombona also goes up by 6.6% from €11.68 to €12.45 - added, of course, to the higher VAT. Natural gas goes up at midnight. This is the third time gas goes up this year. However, the Ministry for Industry recently decided not to allow electricity rises that had been announced for tonight as well.

Gibraltar drivers: stay off your mobile

As we first warned here, using a mobile phone while driving in Gibraltar becomes a specific offence under a new law that comes into effect tomorrow, July 1st. Offenders will be subject to a £100 fine for a first offence, and £200, or 3 months imprisonment, for a second or subsequent offence. Studies by various universities in Europe and the US indicate that talking on a mobile while driving can increase the likelihood of an accident by four times - and texting by considerably more.

Spain's southernmost fortress

TARIFA
The southernmost fortress in Spain, Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, and the scene of innumerable historical battles and events, was registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural de Andalucía on June 29, 1985. The date therefore marks the 25th anniversary of its protection. According to the register, the castle was used for military purposes from 912 and 1035. The register's data base tells us that it dates from the 10th century, as it says on a carved commemorative stone that still exists,  and is thus the oldest in the area. Only part of the castle is presently open to the public, as archaeological digs and studies are being carried out in the other part. In fact, Roman remains were found recently in the central square.

Campo photos in exhibition at Castellar castle

CASTELLAR
A group of photographers of the area, all of whom post their work on Flickr in a group calling itself  'Campo de Gibraltar: Al Sur del Sur', have come together to create an itinerant exhibition. Its first exposure will be at the castle in Castellar starting today, June24, until Sunday 27. Some 40 pictures can be visited daily from 11.30am to 2pm and from 7.30 to 8pm. The photographers are Ángel L. Duarte, Antonio Carmona, Sergio Franco, Lalo F.O., Ramón Orza, Felipe López, Fernando Osuna, José Mª Arroyo, César Hernández, Juan Carlos Otero, Pedro M. García and Juan Machado. This is also a good reason to visit the castle if you haven't already.

Algeciras, lowest rental prices in province

ALGECIRAS
The average rental price per square metre in Algeciras stands at €5.96, well below the provincial (€7,11), regional (€6.84) and national (€8,36) averages, according to a study by Fotocasa. The town was also included in a list of the cheapest in the country - always referring to rental prices - and the study places it 26th in national terms. A similar ranking for Andalucía, puts Algeciras in sixth place. The study also says that rental prices all over Spain dropped 14% in two years.

Robbed at hatchet point

JIMENA
A San Pablo man was accosted last week by someone wielding a hatchet and demanding money, according to a Guardia Civil release. The victim -there are reports that he is a foreigner living on his own in the countryside- was working in his garden when J.A.N.H., 26 and resident in San Pablo, allegedly threatened him with a hatchet. His refusal to hand over any money made the attacker run away; however, he returned that night and supposedly stole 30m roll of cable from the garden. J.A.N.H. has a long list of previous convictions as well as an order forbidding him from being in the municipality.

He cycles across Spain to raise money for his kids' school library

CASARES
Jan Doorakers lives in Casares and has three children at the Colegio Blas Infante there. The school library needed a boost and Jan came to the rescue. The photo shows him handing over a cheque for €3,300 which he collected  after cycling 2,300 kms in 23 days. He left his home town of Oisterwiik on May 8 for Paris, boarded a train to Perpignan and then crossed Spain from North to South all the way to Casares - about 100 kms a day. Councillor Pedro González and the school teachers were not only grateful but also amazed at the amount Jan collected, which will now go towards setting up a reading programme for the kids.

Gisela Pulido, ever closer to the top

TARIFA
Gisela Pulido, the 17 year old girl from Tarifa who started kitesurfing at three, yesterday grabbed the top spot in the PKRA World Cup, freestyle section. Held at Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, Gisela took top place in the World Cup's third round. Still to come are the trials at Essaouira in Morocco, on July 7 to 11, and then on to the two in the Canaries. ¡Arriba, campeona!

'Pay with credit card in Gibraltar' say Spanish pensioners

GIBRALTAR
(Agencies) Pensioners and workers of Spain shopping in Gibraltar are being advised to use their credit card rather than pay in Euros. The pensioners and workers organization, Citypeg, says that exchange rates in shops are abusive. They have apparently detected rates that can seriously affect pensioners' pockets because 'they don't often know what the proper exchange is'. If they can't pay by card, they are being advised to exchange money at a bank or (even) a bureau de change before going shopping.

A hot, dry summer starts today

According to the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) the summer that starts in Spain at exactly 13.28 - as we write: check this post if you don't believe us! - will be over the average in temperature, will last 93 days and 15 hours and will start with a rise in temperature to somewhere over 35º this week. Today, of course, is the longest day in the year, daylight lasting about 15 hours against the 9 of the year's shortest day, and this is going to be the driest summer for many a year. Wait a minute, they said that about last summer, didn't they?

Gibraltar gaming companies on the move?

GIBRALTAR
Several sources have revealed that a number of employees at gaming companies based in Gibraltar have been made redundant recently, or are expecting to be laid off. We have been able to confirm that some 30 jobs were lost, or are about to be, at 888.com, owned by Cassava. In a sense, this confirms that many jobs in gaming companies are being taken to such countries as Bulgaria, Rumania and Albania, where labour costs are considerably cheaper. (Note: If you have been laid off, or know anyone who has or is about to be, please let us know.)

Caruana: 'Benign' tax enforecement over

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle / F. Oliva) Chief Minister Peter Caruana has said the Government will be introducing “a whole panoply of measures” designed to bring about a greater climate of compliance and policing of compliance across all areas of taxation in Gibraltar. Mr Caruana’s comment was prompted by questions from Opposition member Gilbert Licudi which revealed that no fines had been issued to employers in the transport industry for using illegal labour since 2006.>

University of Seville: Health study results demands more research needed in the Campo area

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR
(Press release) The Environmental Safety Group (ESG) of Gibraltar was recently made aware of the publication of a study by the University of Sevilla on mortality and environmental pollution. The objective of the study was to: “…analyse general mortality and premature mortality by causes of the inhabitants of the Bay, an area that is particularly exposed to atmospheric pollution.” The study was carried out in the locality of the Campo de Gibraltar, which comprises the municipalities of Algeciras, Los Barrios, San Roque and La Linea, which surround the Bay.”>

La Estación on Japanese television

One of the area's favourite dining spots, and one of our sponsors, La Estación in San Pablo, appeared in a Japanese documentary recently. Here is an extract (thanks to www.buceite.com) in Japanese with Spanish subtitles. Enjoy.

Gibraltar Opposition: 'Tax reform overly delayed'

(Gibraltar Chronicle) The GSLP / Liberal Opposition has said it considers that the publication by the GSD government of the consultation documents for a reform of the Income Tax Act is long overdue. “The publication by Government of the documents comes after the setting down of a further question in Parliament by the Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Mr Fabian Picardo (photo) asking Mr Caruana when the government was finally going to publish the legislation,” said an Opposition statement. Mr Picardo says that the Government had been promising the financial services industry that it would publish the very long over due legislation by last September.>

Algeciras-Ceuta helicopter service to begin July 2

ALGECIRAS / CEUTA
The heliport in Algeciras is practically finished. AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea), the airport authority, has announced that service will begin between the two cities on July 2 next, although  there is as yet no date for its official inauguration. Some 250,000 passengers per year are estimated by the company, Inaer, which runs a similar service between Málaga and Ceuta. The trip from Algeciras should take not much more than 10 minutes and will be available in spite of storms in the straits, always a problem with the ferry service. The heliport is located on top of the parking building in Algeciras port.

Another anti-tank bunker disappears

LOS BARRIOS
(Photo: EuropaSur) Shortly after finding that a post-war bunker was removed from a plot at the Las Marismas shopping centre in Los Barrios, the Instituto de Estudios Campogibraltareños (IECG in its Spanish acronym) has noticed that another one has gone from another area of the town. This one was a double anti-tank fortification built as a line of defence during World War 2. Located on the road that runs from Venta del Carmen to Calle Puente Romanoi, behind Ciudad Jardín and only 50m from the main road, the two casemates  classified in 2006 by the institute, have disappeared, leaving a pile of rubble. The organization has long requested that these unique military edifices be protected as part of the country's historical heritage.>

Remembering Hitchcock's 'The Birds' in Algeciras

ALGECIRAS
(Photo: EuropaSur) A colony of some 500 Pallid Swifts (Apus Pallidus, or Vencejo Pálido in Spanish) has been causing chaos for several weeks, flying out of control over Avenida Virgen del Carmen. The reason: their nesting places  at the parking area in the port terminal building and to which this species return year after year, have been covered up. The birds are particularly active in the morning and evening, and have been invading apartments on the avenue in search of their nests, crashing into windows. The Cigüeña Negra Ornithological Society warned about this when the plans for the heliport were announced. However, ithas been decided that the covers will be removed, though no date is given.

Free swimming pool access in Castellar

CASTELLAR
Anyone wishing to benefit from free access to the municipal swimming pool can turn up at the Town Hall next Wednesday, June 23, from 9 am to 1pm to request their personal and untransferrable permit for free access every Wednesday of July and August. If all permits, inspections and licenses are completed, it is expected that the pool will open towards the end of next week, according to a council press release.

Roadworks begin in centre of Castellar

CASTELLAR
Work on the renovation of sewage pipes on two main streets of Castellar. Phase 1 is on Alférez León Esquivel, at the entrance to the village, from the fountain roundabout to Calle Chapatal. The next section to be worked is all along Calle España. These roadworks, carried out by Arcgisa, will impact on local traffic, but are expected to last only a few days, according to a council press release.

What do the Spanish like about Britain?

According to Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), Spaniards like things British, although the item does say "We prefer our own, but if they only had the sun..." (If you place your cursor on a photo in the slide, you will see the caption.) Now then, what is it the British like about Spain? Send us your ideas via 'Comments' below or e-mail.

Where's DominGo?

Our many readers are asking themselves what happened to  the fifth edition of our colour supplement. The image is the tentative cover, which proves we're working on it. Also tentative is that DominGo may well be published in a bilingual English-Spanish version, though that depends on The Translation People. Fortunately, we haven't committed to firm dates for its publication, which means we have more time between running around like headless chickens as we have of late. (See previous editions by clicking the covers on the sidebar)

CampoPulse on Expat Blog

You will have noticed a widget (love that word!) on our sidebar: Expat Blog. It is a collection of blogs about expats the world over. CampoPulse is now listed on that site. It is worth a visit to get the answer to numerous questions about your life as an expat, wherever you are. Naturally, we at CampoPulse will still be happy to help any way we can.

'Dolphinarium, yes or no?', one of over 60 Opposition questions

GIBRALTAR
(Panorama) Shadow Minister for the Environment Fabian Picardo will press Government to say whether they are in favour or against the establishment of a dolphinarium at Rosia. Mr Picardo has given notice of over 60 questions for the Government to answer at the meeting of Parliament which starts tomorrow, Thursday. Mr Picardo has tabled a number of questions to probe the Government’s policy in relation to alternative energy sources.>

Gib apes: from attraction to threat

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle / Brian Reyes) Unruly behaviour by Gibraltar's iconic monkeys could drive tourists away from the Rock, two local hoteliers have warned. A string of recent incidents (see CP items here) has intensified concerns that some groups of Barbary Macaques are out of control. It is a problem that has long affected locals in some parts of the Upper Town, but it is now hitting the tourist trade too.>

Bossano to UN 24: Gibraltar ready to delist

GIBRALTAR
(Text and photo: Gibraltar Chronicle) Opposition Leader Joe Bossano was in New York yesterday for his second unilateral lobbying of the United Nations Committee of 24 since Government walked away from that committee in 2008. He called upon the C24 to reject Spain’s territorial integrity arguments and accept Gibraltar for delisting. This is something both he and Chief Minister Peter Caruana have often done at such sessions though never jointly.>

Third Mayor since 2007 invested

LOS BARRIOS
(Agencies / Photo: EuropaSur) Juan Montedeoca (PSOE) was invested Mayor of Los Barios at a tumultuous session of the Council. He takes over from his party colleague Ángeles Ariza, who in turn took over from Alonso Rojas (also PSOE). The socialists of Los Barrios have been involved in an internecine war among themselves since Rojas was sentenced to two and a half years of inhabilitación (barred from office) three years ago. Montedeoca, who was voted in by a show of hands, called for unity among the town's various political factions. Ariza did not show up for the voting. The session was interrupted several times by municipal workers, who have not yet been paid their May salaries in a continuing financial crisis at the town hall.

Briton arrested for alleged 'misappropriation' of vehicle

LA LÍNEA / SOTOGRANDE
(Agencies)  British citizen M.P.P., 37 was arrested by the National Police for allegedly not turning a rental vehicle that he had rented on May 26 from a company in La Línea. He apparently turned up the rental offices and refused to hand back the car, saying he wished to extend the contract, which was refused. He was arrested and the vehicle was recovered in Sotogrande.

Flamenco Crime at Azabache Business Centre

The Azabache Business Centre at Las Marismas in Los Barrios houses bars and restaurants as well as offices. One of the former, Rascayú, holds weekly live music sessions. The next one is on Friday, June 18, featuring an interesting Flamenco Fusion group called Flamenco Crime. Click on the image to enlarge and find out more. And keep an eye on our UpComing Events for things ... well, coming up.
There is also a restaurant called Bahía Grande with a changing menu. Check below for Friday's>

Guardia Civil and RGP cooperate in chase

GIBRALTAR / LA LÍNEA
(EuropaSur) The Guardia Civil (GC) and the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) cooperated in chasing a suspect jet ski that ended with the vehicle apprehended on Poniente beach in La Línea (photo, file), according to sources close to the GC. It all started when the GC became aware of the jet ski's presence in the Bay of Algeciras, when the chase started. The Spanish chase vessel alerted the RGP, which immediately sent its own vessel to join in the persecution. This kind of cooperation between the two forces is not unknown, despite many recent claims to the contrary.>

We need your help

CampoPulse is fast becoming the English language reference site for Campo de Gibraltar. As you will see from the Feedjit facility at the bottom of the sidebar, we get visitors from all over Spain and the world - all looking up CampoPulse. And all of it without cost to you, Dear Reader. We want it to stay that way but it is a hard uphill struggle to keep going without your financial help. We still insist on PayPal because we have received a couple of donations through them thanks to our PLEASE CONSIDER: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A DONATION? campaign, but it's perfectly okay to stop Prospero in the street and hand him some cash (well, it would be, wouldn't it? And he looks nothing like Abbe's cartoon!). We are most grateful for your support, but we need to at least be able to pay for the phone lines, never mind the enormous amount of time it takes to keep you informed. We know times are hard but they are for us, too. Please help.

Bricor Los Barrios opens on Thursday

LOS BARRIOS

Bricor Los Barrios, the DIY, decor and furniture arm of the El Corte Inglés group, will open its doors on Thursday next. Located at the Las Marismas estate close to Media Markt and involving an investment of over €25million, the complex contains 14,000m2 and will directly employ some 172 people. Other well known names coming to that area include Mercadona, which is scheduled to open around Christmas, and a 3-star Holiday Inn Express, a unit of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, to open in September.

Cajasol moves to take over Cajasur

ANDALUCÍA
(Agencies) Antonio Pulido, president of Cajasol, the building society based in Seville, has announced that his organization has presented papers to the Fondo de Restructuración Ordenada Bancaria (FROB), the state bank restructuring fund that took over Cajasur, based in Córdoba, after the latter was declared insolvent earlier in the year and is now subject to an auction by other such institutions via the Banco de España. Meanwhile, the president of the Junta de Andalucía said that he would like Unicaja and Cajasol to "look at each other" as part of a reorganization of building societies all over Spain, as 'suggested' by the European Union to strengthen regional, and often politically polarised, financial structure.

Unions announce general strike

SPAIN
The two main Spanish unions, Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.) and Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), have announced that there will be calling a general strike. The date is to be announced in a joint statement by the two unions tomorrow. Meanwhile, Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE, the equivalent of Britain's CBI), has said that a general strike will hamper recovery, and has called the unions to "push in the right direction." There have been five general strikes in Spain since the advent of democracy in 1978: in 1985, 1988, 1994 and 2002.

Good morning! It's Monday again...

Just thought you ought to know that this monster could be at the end of your garden ... more info below.

'Extinct' gray whale could be heading for the Straits

(Agencies) Expert whale watchers were puzzled a month ago when a North Atlantic gray whale appeared off the coast of Israel. The mammal continues to intrigue them by popping up recently off the coast of North East Spain, apparently headed for the Straits of Gibraltar. On the 10th May 2010, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) reported on the sighting of a gray whale off Herzliya Marina, Israel, which either marked the return of the North Atlantic gray whale (previously thought to be extinct for hundreds of years),>

Gibraltar photographer wins World Cup competition

GIBRALTAR
This is Donovan Torres’ winning image of a World Cup Photo competition ‘The Perfect Shot’ run by Sony and The Sunday Times. This was one of four winning images. The prize was Sony Flagship’s Digital Slr Alpha 900 Camera Kit , and an all expenses paid trip to the World Cup in South Africa to watch England v Slovenia, a Day Excursion Safari and Offical Sony Photographer for the Game. Torres is a freelance photographer based in Gibraltar. He says the photograph was created as a tribute to George Best, the greatest player never to have played in a World Cup.”With this image I try to capture the look of Belfast and George Best as a young kid looking at a reflection of himself in his prime.” You can see more of his work on www.fotografiksdesign.com.

Two MBEs for Gibraltar in Queen's Birthday Honours

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle) The Queen's Birthday Honours include two MBEs for Gibraltar. Joseph Louis Caruana (photo), Voluntary Social Worker, for services to drug rehabilitation in Gibraltar. Mr Caruana has been working to help drug addicts in Gibraltar and the Campo since 1987. He has also worked to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and been a volunteer at Nazareth House for over 11 years. The Reverend John Hill, the Command Chaplain, for his ‘invaluable services’ to the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (Royal Navy) and thereby ‘making a real difference to the lives of hundreds of Naval dependent children living in difficult circumstances.’ Rev Hill is at the King’s Chapel.

Clegg firm on UK position on Gibraltar

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle) Britain's Deputy PM Nick Clegg talks to Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a meeting at Moncloa palace in Madrid. The Deputy Leader of Britain's coalition government, Nick Clegg, has told Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero that UK will not change is stance on Gibraltar. The Spanish press picked up on the comment, noting his having a Spanish wife. "I must be absolutely clear on this point. The (British) Government will not in any way accept a change in the status of Gibraltar unless this is approved by the inhabitants of the Rock," he said. "I know, thanks to my political family, that this position is not popular in Spain, but it was the outgoing government's position and one that we share."

World Cup quandary, by Prospero

I'm in a quandary. Here's why: I have a son born in England and partly brought up in South Africa, which he considers home; I have a daughter born in Argentina, is a US citizen and lives there; I have a son who was born and lives in Spain and whose parents are English. I was born in England and brought up in Argentina, lived in Brazil and the US and have lived in Spain for almost 20 years. Who do I cheer for? Let the best team win!

5th Edition of Jimena Motorbike Rally

JIMENA
The fifth edition of Jimena's Motorbike Rally takes place on Saturday, June 26. Registration (€12 - bikes are not required) starts at 3.30pm. Activities include a ride around the area, (5.30) a stunt riding exhibition (7pm), an Argentine asado (9pm), and a lot of fun all day. For more information: www.losmurgas.es.and for prior registration (limited space so it might be advisable) on 605 857 124 - 670  899 161 - 619 717 775.

(KEEP ABREAST OF ALL ACTIVITIES VIA OUR UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR ON THE SIDEBAR)

A Night of Bats

JIMENA
Agaden invites us all to take part in 'A Night of Bats' that will allow the young and not-so-young to get to know these marvellous, fascinating creatures, unknown to most. Eighteen of the 21 species existing on the Iberian Peninsula live around us, mainly near the Hozgarganta River. That is where we will go, after a talk and slideshow at the Casa Verde (Calle Sevilla 55, Jimena), on  Saturday, June 19, starting at 4pm, to continue with games, workshops, story telling and a night-time excursion with experts that will locate these animals with their special equipment. This sounds like an absolute must! (Click on image for more info.)

A blog for expats

If you scroll down you will notice a new feature on the sidebar called Expat Blog. Clicking on the image there you will go to a fascinating site run by expats from all over the world. Registration is easy and participation also. Enjoy!

What happened to these babies?

LA LÍNEA
At least five families have reported doubts about what happened to their babies supposedly stillborn or that died shortly after birth in La Línea  in the 1960s. The latest case, reported last week, sheds no more light than the previous four.  Carmen  R.L. says she gave birth to a child who was placed next to her, though she had been warned by her doctor that there were problems. "We had only recently arrived in La Línea and had no family there," she adds. The child was removed and she was told that it had died and that everything would be taken care of, including burial at the San José cemetery in La Línea. "We were very grateful at the time, yet I remember that November 14, 1968, as one of the worst in my life," says Carmen. But recently her daughter saw a programme (Espejo Público on Antena 3) that aroused her suspicions.>

Man accused of illegally keeping a Gibraltar ape at his home

LA LÍNEA 
A man was arrested recently for keeping a Gibraltar or Barbary Ape (Macaca Sylvanus) at his home in La Línea. Agents of the Guardia Civil Seprona unit saw the animal from the street, contacted the owner of the home and accused him of violating the law on illegal animals (Clause C of which specifies primates), as well as contraband. The ape, considered under Spanish law as a potentially dangerous animal (see how), was taken to a special unit for such animals at the Customs facilities in the frontier area.

Moroccan workers problem highlighted at Unite UK conference

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle) Delegates attending Unite the Union’s First Policy Conference after the amalgamation between TGWU and Amicus “were perplexed at the discrimination” suffered by Moroccan workers in Gibraltar, local District Officer Charlie Sisarello told the Chronicle yesterday. The local delegation that travelled to Manchester was led by District Officer Charlie Sisarello and included the Coordinator for Equalities Zohra El Gharbaoui and Michael Netto.>

Ape attacks hotel guest - again

GIBRALTAR
Gibraltar’s monkeys continued to upset guests and staff at the Caleta Hotel. Once again a guest has been bitten. A hotel client had to be taken to hospital yesterday after being bitten whilst on his balcony on the second floor. Another attack took place at the hotel on May 14 when an American female crew member of a ship was bitten on her left arm  in her room. Management have been urging Government to take action on this problem for several years.

Dutchman arrested with 4 times alcohol levels

LA LÍNEA 
A.J.G.L., 28 and from Holland, was arrested last Friday morning driving the wrong way on Calle Carboneros at great speed. He was found to have four times the permitted alcohol in blood levels. He was ssignalled to stop by the Local Police, but ignored them, causing a persecution through several streets in the town. When he was finally stopped and tested, he was taken to the police station and 'made available to the Court' the following morning.

German homeless man arrested for repeated aggression

CÁDIZ
(Photo: illustration only)  Reinhardt K, the German homeless man who was found guilty of killing a fellow street dweller a couple of years ago, and who was arrested on May 14 for attacking another homeless man and released recently, was taken in again yesterday for another attack on the same man. Public complaints about him have risen recently because he seems to have become even more aggressive than usual, and there is fear that he will continue attacking passers-by with more violence than usual.

Electricity and VAT on the rise...

SPAIN
The government regulatory authorities, i.e. the Industry Ministry, are planning a rise of an average 4% in electricity bills for later this year. This coincides with a rise of 2% (from 16% to 18%) in the Impuesto de Valor Añadido (IVA, the equivalent to VAT) set for July 1. At the bottom end of the scale of electricity rises are small and medium companies (pymes, including the self-employed, about 5% rise) with households at the top (approximately 10%). While the rises are in the planning and pre-approval stages, consumer organizations are already saying that the price of electricity has risen by 26.1% in 30 months, which is six times the rise of the cost of living index (IPC in its Spanish acronym).>

Gibraltar Governor urges 'firmness with courtesy' on incursion into waters

GIBRALTAR
(Gibraltar Chronicle) Sir Adrian Johns, the Governor of Gibraltar, said Spanish incursions into British waters must be dealt with “firmly but courteously”, both at sea and through diplomatic channels. Sir Adrian, who held a senior post in the Royal Navy prior to his posting here, also warned of the potential for “misunderstanding and miscalculation” and said better lines of communication were needed. The Governor was speaking to GBC in the wake of a string of incidents at sea last week involving tense stand-offs between Gibraltar-based marine units and the Guardia Civil. “My view, and I would say this as the representative of the head of state here, is that sovereignty is very close to my heart,” he said. “I believe that any incursions into the waters need to be challenged on the spot, firmly but courteously, and also need to challenge them politically, again firmly but courteously.”>

'Hasta el 40 de mayo no te quites el sayo', a Spanish saying

SPAIN
Loosely translated Hasta el 40 de mayo no te quites el sayo means 'Don't take off your coat until the 40th of May'. A sayo is defined as a loose piece of clothing - a cape, perhaps - that reaches down to the knees. The picture is of a similar garment used in the Canary Isles that includes a shawl over the head and is evidently of Arab origin, though the Spanish mainland version is shorter. It might also apply to a raincoat of sorts. The saying dates from the Middle Ages, as does the garment, which was also used under armour. The 40th of May is today and if you look out of your window, you'll understand why we make mention of it...