This is Thai month on the Silk Trail at Henrietta

Henrietta is on the Silk Road. Following the success of this excellent idea and with Persia just gone by in August (and Italy, Greece and Lebanon before that), September brings us the wonderful cuisine of Thailand every Saturday evening from 8pm. The tasty menu is below, and you will admit that it is very good value for only €17. So drop in to sail away on the aromas and tastes of a Thai market ...

85 year old Duchess to marry 60 year old civil servant

Bride and groom

MADRID (El Pais) "Considering the latest news stories that have appeared in the media, I am hereby announcing that my marriage to Don Alfonso Díez will be in early October," begins a press release that finally puts an end to all the rumors. At age 85, the Duchess of Alba, Doña María del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva, 18th Duchess of Alba de Tormes, Grandee of Spain, - who is in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding more titles than any other noble on earth, and whose personal fortune is estimated at anywhere between 600 million and 3.5 billion euros - is about to get married for the third time in her life.A staple of gossip magazines for decades, the duchess had most recently hit the headlines because of her six children's opposition to watching their mother wed a 60-year-old civil servant at this stage in her life. But Cayetana de Alba's decision to hand over her personal fortune to her progeny while still alive has gone a long way towards smoothing things out.>>>

Economy Ministry accuses banks of 'swindling'

SPAIN (El Pais) The Economy Ministry wants to make banks give clearer explanations to customers and stop swindling them with high charges, an aim it plans to achieve via a ministerial order scheduled to be sent to the Official State Gazette in the second week of September. Among the government's reasons for the measure are the increase of annual bank commissions to as much as 34 percent; an accumulation of complaints from consumers hit by abusive charges with no prior warning; and, above all, the severe reprimanding it received from the European Commission over the opacity and costly operation of the Spanish banking system. Last July, the EU identified Spain, along with Italy, as the countries that charged current and savings account holders the most and that least explained the small print related to the figures to consumers.

The draft of the ministerial order maintains the freedom of banks to impose the commissions they consider appropriate, but stresses that communications from banks to customers need to be made "with sufficient time so they can change their mind"; that explanations be clear and sufficient to be understood by clients of all cultural levels; and, especially, asks that commission charges not be "deceptive." To this end, it will oblige all banks to display a table showing their commissions in a clear place on their premises and on their websites.
 

FSC issues public warning on insurance company

GIBRALTAR (Press release) The Financial Services Commission has issued a warning to the public regarding "Unique Car Insurance". The FSC has received information that this entity is operating a website under the name of "Unique Car Insurance" and offering to provide short-term motor insurance in the United Kingdom to drivers under the age of 21. It claims that "Unique Car Insurance 17+ is Limited company who are (sic) authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar." "Unique Car Insurance" is not regulated by the FSC, or licensed under the Financial Services (Investment & Fiduciary Services) Act 1989, or the Financial Services (Insurance Companies) Act 1987, to carry on insurance mediation or insurance business in or from within Gibraltar. "Unique Car Insurance" is not a Gibraltar registered company or a trading name registered under the Business Names Registration Act. The FSC therefore urges the public to exercise appropriate caution in respect of this entity, whilst it continues its investigations. The public is able to verify whether a firm is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC, by checking the "Regulated Entities" section on the FSC website. Any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entity and have concerns, should contact the Manager, Enforcement on +350 200 40283 or by e-mail to enforcement@fsc.gi. CampoPulse has been unable to make contact with Unique Car Insurance and the entity's website is not listed.

African dance and percussion course coming up

JIMENA A fascinating two-day workshop in African dance and percussion is scheduled at the Casa Verde, Calle Sevilla 51 (just below Town Hall) in Jimena, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September. Given by professional dancers Liliana and Gamal, registration closes on September 19 and there are only a few places left. For reservations call Carolina on 669 266 461 or 956 640 848.

Tarifa kitesurfer in ICU after crashing into wall

(Illustration only)

TARIFA A kitesurfer was rushed by helicopter to the Puerta del Mar Hospital in Cadiz yesterday, after he lost control of his kite and smashed into a wall near Valdevaqueros beach. At about 1pm the man, whose identity and age have not been released, was seen to carry out several turns in the air, but his kite was climbing higher than usual. Suddenly a strong gust of wind, according to witnesses, appeared to cause him to "drop out of the sky" and on to a wall at the back of the sandy area, between two chiringuitos. With the arrival of rescue services, a helicopter was called in to take him to hospital, where he remains in serious condition. Experienced local kitesurfers said that the gusty wind yesterday made their sport a risky business and they had advised several less knowledgeable people not to go up because of it, although no-one could confirm that the injured man had been one of them. Together with Los Lances, Valdevaqueros is one of Spain's favourite kitesurfing spots in the world.

All school start dates, including holidays and lots of other information

ANDALUCIA The beginning of the school year 2011/2012 is almost upon us. It is, in fact, on the same dates for all state schools within the Junta's Consejería de Educación. Thus, teachers are due back at work on September 1, to prepare for the students, who will be starting classes according to the programme below. The Confederation of Parent/Teachers association says that the average cost of school materials for this year is around the €600 mark, depending on the age and grade of the student: the older the child, the more expensive it gets (but we knew that, didn't we?). In Andalucia, school books at the primary stage are free and/or recycled. If your child does not return the book at the end of the year, you will be charged for it. Starting dates are as follows:>>>

Gibraltar pharmacy withdraws Nurofen alert packets

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle / Press releases) GHA has followed a notification of a drug alert UK by issuing a statement yesterday in regard Nurofen Plus tablets. One local pharmacy, Ocean Pharmacy, has withdrawn six packages from one of the batches identified in the alert, officials said. The alert was sent by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This medication is not prescribed by GHA doctors, but rather it is an over the counter preparation available in pharmacies. The GHA immediately notified each of the Gibraltar pharmacies of the recall of the product and the affected batch numbers (below).>>>

Romanian gang arrested for various robberies

(Photo: Policía Nacional)

LA LINEA (Agencies) The Policía Nacional have arrested twelve members of a gang of Romanians that specialized in burglary of homes and industrial estates in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz. Their main objectives were electronic equipment and jewelry, that were later sold on the black market or exported to Romania through a transport company. The gang was run by two men, known as Kukla and Plita, who chose the targets, planned the heists and coordinated the rest of them. The others carried out the actual burglaries and later transport. Things began to move towards the gang's arrest at the beginning of the year,>>>

Businessman killed in home invasion

(Photo: EuropaSur)

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) Businessman Agustín Vecín Peña, 66, died on Saturday morning after his home on Calle Huertas (photo), was invaded by a gang of robbers. It is confirmed that he died of asphixia, having been tied up and gagged with socks stuffed into his mouth. Five arrests have been made in connection with the murder, two of whom are minors. Further details of the arrests are unavailable but police believe that the victim opened the door to someone he knew, probably a girl, also a minor, who subsequently opened it to those involved. Events developed following>>>

XXX Jimena Flamenco Festival next weekend

JIMENA This year marks the 30th anniversary of Jimena's annual Flamenco Festival. Until now, it was one of the most popular such events in the Campo de Gibraltar, attracting rising stars of the Andalucian flamenco firmament - but now, in what should be its celebratory 30th year, it is somewhat diminished, no doubt we will be told for lack of funds, though we venture it is for lack of political will and skill. In any case, the 'festival' features Marta González Sevillano (voice), Pedro Campo Quintana (guitar) and Salvador Campo Quintana (percussion) as the headliner, with local cantaores (singers) Gabriel Jiménez and Jaime Martín accompanied by Manolo Cortés on guitar. Scheduled for Friday, September 2, at the square by the railway station, and starting at 11pm. (Check our UpComing Events calendar now at the foot of this page.)

Union Jack

Make a gif online

A great painting holiday in Jimena

Click to enlarge

Casa Henrietta is run by an artist, so it's not surprising that she is excited at promoting her profession with passion. And that is why Melissa González-Morgan (sometimes mis-called Henrietta) has invited renown painter Fernando Martínez Romero to Casa Henrietta to hold a fascinating course on landscaping with egg tempera from September 26 to October 1st. The course goes back to the early roots of classical painting, using he technique of egg and cassein tempera. But you can get all the information from the poster, or by calling Melissa on (landline) 956 648 130, (mobile) 697 523 329; and soon on the Casa Henrietta website. Registration closes on September 12!

Gibraltar Police warn of La Linea assault and robbery incident

Los Junquillos (illustration only)

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) A young Gibraltarian man was robbed in La Linea after three women allegedly set a trap for him and enabled two men to threaten him at knife-point, the Royal Gibraltar Police said yesterday. The gang of five stole the man’s belongings and his car. The incident prompted the RGP to issue a warning about distraction tactics used by criminals to set up their victims. The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning as the man drove alone to Gibraltar from Alcaidesa via Carrefour and the road through the notorious Los Junquillos area, which meets the border road. According to the victim’s account, three young women jumped into the road and forced him to stop his car. “They distracted him further whilst two men got in to his unlocked car and he was threatened at knife point,” the police said in a statement. “He was then robbed of all his belongings and even his car.”>>>

Christina Aguilera's four-song gig is worth millions to wealthy Spaniard

SPAIN (Agencies) Blonde pop star Christina Aguilera is due to fly to Spain soon to sing a four song set exclusively for an unnamed Spanish millionaire who is paying her €2.4 million for the privilege. The star will be travelling incognito: not even the city where she is due to perform has been named, and nor is the gig's date. That's over half a million per song. Not bad if you can get the job - or if you can pay for it in these credit crunching times. (Just the kind of thing calculated to enthuse the over 4 million unemployed people in Spain. Both of them need a new PR agency.)

New home sales tax cut to 4%

(Illustration only)

SPAIN (Agencies)Among other measures announced after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Friday, the value-added tax (VAT, or IVA in Spanish) on new housing purchases was cut from 8% to 4% in an effort to find a solution to the stock of unsold housing and revitalize the construction industry in areas where there is, or might be, a demand, according to Minister José Blanco, who called it "an exceptional and temporary measure that will last until December 31st. The government is also aiming to save five billion euros from cuts in spending on medicines and through higher revenues from amendments to the corporate tax system. The latest budget measures come on top of an austerity drive already in place that includes public sector wage cuts and a freeze in pensions that aims to further reduce the shortfall in the government finances from 9.2 percent last year to six percent this year.>>>

'Balconing' stupidity makes Balearics comeback

MAJORCA (El País/Lucía Bohórquez) A young foreign tourist is on vacation in the Balearics. He returns to his hotel room after a night of drinking and partying with his friends. Shortly after, the hotel staff call the emergency services, because the young man has been injured after trying to jump into the hotel swimming pool from his balcony. Luckily, he managed to land in the water, and only has light injuries. If he had not been so lucky, he could have ended up with permanent damage or could even have lost his life. Despite warnings from hotels and authorities, the so-called practice of "balconing" has returned to the islands. It consists of drunk tourists jumping from balcony to balcony in their hotels, or jumping from their rooms into the swimming pool. It's a highly dangerous practice, one that has already seen three tragic endings this summer.>>>

95% Pass rate for Gibraltar A-level students

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) A-level exam results this year in Gibraltar have seen an A-E pass rate of 97% at Westside School and a 95% at Bayside School, with eight students from Westside and four students from Bayside gaining the title of ‘Gibraltar Scholar’. The rate was 90% for Gibraltar College. The overall pass rate for all three institutions is 95% which officials said compares favourably with the UK average. The Chronicle spoke to Meenal Viz, one of the Gibraltar Scholars at Westside who has achieved an A* in mathematics, A’s both in Physics and Biology and a B in Chemistry, she said: “I am very, very happy. I am taking a gap year first and hopefully I will then go on to study medicine. I have had to sacrifice a lot but it has paid off.”>>>

Resort tries to escape cheap (mainly British) tourism trap

Photo: Gerard Kota

LLORET DE MAR/Catalonia (El Pais / R.Carranco/A.Castedo/R.T.)  A young woman in dangerously high heels wanders around the center of Lloret de Mar handing out flyers for a nightclub. "It's the only fashionable place in town," she tells tourists. "There's a lot of security, Spanish music and they don't let drunk people in." Lloret, a town of 40,000 inhabitants, has 25 discos, 27 music bars, seven nightclubs, 261 watering holes and 31,222 hotel beds. Last year, more than a million people visited the town, which recorded over five million overnight stays. According to the National Statistics Institute, 3,200 people were employed in the hotel sector in Lloret last summer. These are positive figures in times of economic woe. The other side of the coin is the pitched battles between police and young revellers, which last week erupted throughout Lloret.>>>

Zara accused of using 'slave labour' in Brazil

BRAZIL/Sao Paulo (Agencies/Reuters) Zara, the Spanish fashion chain owned by the world's largest clothing retailer Inditex SA, is under investigation by Brazil's labor ministry after a supplier was accused of slave labor, according to a local seamstress union. Government investigators raided four Sao Paulo sweatshops in late June, union officials told Reuters. All the garments discovered in the investigation were labeled with the Zara brand. "Before then, we had never received accusations" against Zara, said Maria Susiclea Assis, who heads the union. The workers in the shops were from Boliva and Peru, she added. Inditex, run until last month by 75-year-old founder Amancio Ortega, Spain's richest man, said in a statement sent from Sao Paulo that the case involved "unauthorized outsourcing" by a Brazilian supplier for the company, which did not provide the name of the supplier.>>>

Pope arrives in Madrid for World Youth Day amid violent protests

MADRID (El Pais/I.S.) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday began a four-day official visit to Madrid after violent clashes the previous day between police and demonstrators protesting the cost of his visit in a country still struggling to recover from its worst recession in decades. The 84-year-old pontiff was met at Barajas International Airport by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía and some 2,000 young pilgrims from among the hundreds of thousands in the Spanish capital to celebrate the Catholic Church's annual World Youth Day (WYD) event.In the first of nine speeches and three sermons he is scheduled to deliver while in Madrid, Benedict XVI addressed the economic crisis on a day in which the world's stock markets suffered heavy losses on fears of a renewed global recession. "The economic crisis is also one of ethics, without which the economy cannot survive," he said. The pope's visit is estimated to have cost 50 million euros.>>>

Al Qaeda-linked man arrested in La Línea, no explosives found

LA LINEA (Agencies) A statement from the Interior Ministry has revealed that a 37-year-old Moroccan man was arrested by the Guardia Civil earlier this week for his supposed links to the Al Qaeda organization in the Islamic Magreb. Abdellatif Aoulad Chiba is also accused of belonging to a terrorist organization and is thought to be the administrator of a radical Jihadist web forum used for recruiting new members, training and encouraging terrorists. He is charged, too, with 'glorifying terrorism', an anti-ETA crime in Spain often used for other purposes. Chiba is married to a Spaniard and has at least one child. His neighbours on Calle Pedreras have described him as 'a quiet person dedicated to clairvoyance', according to one report. The GC took away several items from the man's home but it was confirmed yesterday that no explosives had been found.

Ratón, the killer bull

Ratón was so named because he was thin and small when he was born. Nothing, in other words, as he is now. On Saturday, Ratón killed his third victim at an encierro in Xàtiva, a young man who was being watched because he appeared to be under the influence and was about to be removed from the ring. Ratón got there first. The organizers of these feria encierros pay up to €15,000 to feature Ratón in the hope that he will attract ticket-buying punters. He evidently attracts idiots as wel.

Jimena has 100% of state income retained over debt

Mayor Guillermo Ruiz Ruiz

JIMENA (Press release) The Council has received a communication from the Economy Ministry stating that 100% of all the municipality's income proceeding from its Participation in State Taxes (Participación en los Impuestos del Estado, or PIE) in order to tackle the debt the Council has with the Treasury and Social Security in unpaid bills from municipal employee wages. Mayor Guillermo Ruiz says, "this is a real problem; without income we can't carry out an efficient government service." He added that this is the result of the "catastrophic management carried out by the previous (Socialist) government, which has placed our wellbeing in jeopardy by leaving us without an income. A process has begun to try and find a solution to this very serious problem. "I am very concerned by how quickly the central and regional (Socialist) governments have moved since the Partido Popular took over the Council in Jimena. It had never occurred to them to retain any income from the Council when it was run by the PSOE, but now, when we are no longer of the same political colour and in a grave financial situation, we get hit the hardest." (See also: EXCLUSIVE: Jimena owes Social Security almost €1,2000,000)

Blues Night II at Henrietta's this Friday

Álvaro Fernández Gaviría is back in town for another gig at Henrietta's (Friday, August 19, at 10.30pm, Calle Sevilla 44, Jimena de la Frontera). Melissa is making sure that Álvaro is here again before he takes off to his native Basque Country up North - but then, as anyone who was there the previous time knows, he is worth the listening. And it is also worth noting that Álvaro has played at the world reknown San Sebastián Jazz Festival and on several movie sound tracks. Just thought you should know, so you can be there!

Lucía Álvarez Howard 'La Piñona', wins Best Dancer at major flamenco festival

Lucía Álvarez Howard, known as 'La Piñona' in Flamenco circles, last night won the 'El Desplante' prize for best dancing at what many purists consider the most important of the various competitions for young up-and-coming performers, the Festival Internacional de Cante de las Minas, in Murcia, in its 51st edition. The 25 year old daughter of Katharine Howard and Álvaro Álvarez therefore takes home €10,000 in prize money and, perhaps more importantly, a big step upwards in her career, as the distinction carries much weight and opens doors so hard to open otherwise. Having known Lucía since she was a tot, we (well, Prospero) are ecstatic about her enormous achievement and know how proud her mother would be. From our heart: ¡ENHORABUENA LUCÍA!

Catalan seaside resort descends into violence

Photo: GERARD KOTA

CATALONIA (El Pais) Twenty-two people were injured, including nine police officers, as violence erupted in Lloret de Mar for a second time this week in the early hours of Thursday morning. Twenty arrests were made after trouble flared at around 2am, when one of the town's nightclubs, Megadisco Colossos, experienced a power outage. Electricity was restored through a generator but the output was not sufficient to run the air-conditioning, leading to the opening of emergency exits. Groups of youngsters outside tried to enter via the main doors, which were being guarded by police as the venue, with a capacity of 1,800, was already full. Disturbances ensued between hundreds of club-goers as the police arrived in force.>>>

Making a paella with a smile

We took these pics by the municipal pool in Jimena, where The Making of the Paella happens every Sunday in the summer - a plate for €1, a bargain!

Port explosion hero nominated for new Gibraltar award

P.C. Jared Mackintosh

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) Opposition leader Fabian Picardo has tabled a motion in Parliament proposing that hero cop Jared Mackintosh be awarded the first Medallion of Distinction, the new civic award created recently by Chief Minister Peter Caruana. During the port fire, PC Mackintosh rushed to the top of the burning fuel tank to help rescue a badly burnt worker who died weeks later. The motion asks Parliament to acknowledge that PC Mackintosh risked his life in order to protect others. It further asks Parliament record and acknowledge his bravery at the scene of the fire and bestow on him the Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction. This will be the first time the medallion is awarded. Created following approval of a motion presented by the Chief Minister in July, it is awarded to people who make an exceptional contribution to the community which Parliament considers worthy of special recognition.

The situation in Britain

"...and stamp my feet" adds Sheila, who sent this in. Oooh, David must be absolutely steaming now, after having had to come back from his holiday. But then he had all the rest of the boys and girls do the same...

Boy killed by polar bear is grandson of former Gibraltar Governor

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) Horatio Chapple, 17, an aspiring medical student, who was killed when the animal rampaged into the tent in which he and his friends were sleeping on a glacier in Svalbard, Norway is former Governor Sir John Chapple’s grandson. His friends, Patrick Flinders, 16, and Scott Smith, 17, were injured fighting off the bear, as were the expedition guides, Michael Reid, 29, and Andrew Ruck, 27. Patrick is said to have punched the bear on the nose before it was shot dead by other members of the group. Horatio’s grandfather, Sir John Chapple, 80, was the head of the Army from 1989 to 1992, Governor of Gibraltar from 1993 to 1995, and is the former president of the British Schools Exploring Society, which organised the trip.

August is silly season but are we being silly?

Okay, we know the world is coming to an end pretty soon; we do read the papers. What we don't think you need, Dear Reader, please forgive our presumption, is more headlines filled with more doom and gloom. So we've gone on holiday, like most of the European Prime and Other Ministers. And like them, we keep in touch so you won't be absolutely bereft of our wonderful website. What you won't see is the Daily Headlines (until September) and we'll be missing quite a bit of news. On the other hand, you will get the important, mainly local (lo-cal?) stuff you're used to. If you're not a regular reader (and even if you are and are having withdrawal symptoms) we urge you to click away happily and explore the site - you can always come back to the front page by clicking on the site name at the very top. See you soon!

"Lost: little white cat"

LOS BARRIOS (Europa Sur) While the papers and ourselves -and, of course, the animal rescue centers of the area- are overwhelmed with too many abandoned animals, here is a little person desperately trying to find his or her pet, a little white month-old cat answering to the name of Cleo. (This item from a section in Europa Sur that might, but isn't, called Bits 'n' Pieces. They don't have such a section, but we do; find it by clicking on (surprise!) BITS 'n' PIECES in the tag cloud (okay, teckie, the long list of sections) in the left sidebar.)

Two concerts at Los Barrios coming up

Tomas Infantes Band (illustration)

LOS BARRIOS (Press release) Los Barrios Council has programmed a concert by the Municipal Band for Friday, August 12, at the main square Paseo de la Constituciónfrom 10.30pm. Another scheduled concert comes the following Friday, August 19, at the same time and place. This one is by the Blue Moon Jazz Band, who are putting on a performance based on standard arrangements of well known ballads, Bossa Nova pieces and such. Vocals and intsrumentals are at the top of their list of priorities.

7th International Music Festival at Alcalá de los Gazules next week

ALCALA DE LOS GAZULES (Press release) Despite the enormous financial problems affecting cultural events in Andalucía and Spain, I am extremely pleased to confirm that the 7th edition of the Festival Internacional de  Música will be going ahead in Alcalá de los Gazules this August : 10 - 13  AUGUST This beautiful village will host four wonderful nights of top class classical music, with musicians from The Soloists of London and The London Philharmonic Orchestra. We start on Wednesday 10 August with the fantastic Cadiz Bicentenary Youth Orchestra, playing pieces by Beethoven and Mozart, followed on Thursday by the return of Sony prizewinning violinist David le Page, who will join The Soloists of London for a concert of baroque classics including Bach, Locatelli and Vivaldi. On Friday>>>

Port tanks explosion victim dies in Seville

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) The Spanish welder injured in the port explosion last May 31 has died (and first reported here), according to Spanish media reports citing family sources. The 40-year old man from La Linea suffered 70% burns in the fire and had been fighting for his life in a specialist Seville hospital. In cases like these, the normal step would be for the Coroner to open an investigation into the cause of death. But although his injuries were sustained in Gibraltar, the fact that he died in Seville and his body is in Spain could raise questions as to whether the Coroner in Gibraltar has jurisdiction to order an inquest. Neither was it clear yesterday whether Spanish authorities would open their own investigation into the man's death and, if so, what that would entail.

Henrietta's still on the Silk Road: it's Persia this month

JIMENA By this time, Dear Reader, you will know that that singular spot in Jimena, Casa Henrietta, has been riding the Silk Road every month. For those who don't know, Melissa prepares special dishes from various countries on that famous trail every Saturday of the month. August is Persian, she says, so from next Saturday on, you can enjoy this special treat from 8.30pm. It's a good idea to book a table (956 648 130), as this deal is very popular.

Castellar castle feria coming up this weekend

CASTELLAR The village's traditional annual Velada del Divino Salvador, which celebrates the patron saint of the castle at Castellar, has been extended to three dayas: August 5, 6 and 7. The newly elected government has thanked the neighbourhood association at the castle for working hard at getting the feria going despite severe financial constraints. The result is 20 hours of different activities and events, the full programming of which we offer below. We must point out that this velada ('mini-feria') has no connection with the following weekend's Full Moon Flamenco Festival (more details later), except that both are in the castle grounds - and that is an excellent reason to be there.

Jimena began getting water from Majarambú yesterday

Reservoir at Castellar

JIMENA (Press release) Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar announced that the municipality of Jimena is receiving water from the aquifer at Majarambú, in Castellar, as from yesterday, Wednesday. This aquifer, the wells of which are now supplying Jimena, could also supply Castellar with drinking water should this be necessary. The new supply complements that of the Guadiaro River, which on occasions was not quite enough. Jimena will have three alternative drinking water sources: the Guadiaro River, the wells at Majarambú and, in a near future, that of the connection with the Guadarranque reservoir.

Jimena is never too far away from the music, by Wendy Tong

Jimena music festival may be gone for now, but just 2 hours up the track by train you can find Antequera hosting a fantastic blues festival. In previous years this has been a week long event, now cash strapped like everywhere else the council has condensed it down to just the 2 nights (Jimena take note!) This is FREE and in a lovely setting up in the Plaza Santa Maria, overlooking the city and surrounding mountains. We went up on Friday night (€20 something return on the train) and stayed overnight at Hostería Colón, also great value and a nice place. The Blues Men opened, their gravel voiced singer blasting out some old favourites. The Lito Blues band were amazing, with brilliant guitar work and an excellent female vocalist. We reckon there were over a thousand people there. Well done to the bars in Jimena, El Anon, Oba and Henriettas and Cuenca for making sure the music has not entirely died here. Excellent performances at Oba and El Anon last night. (Note: The Antequera Blues Festival has been and gone, but another festival close by, at Alcalá de los Gazules -midway between Algeciras and Jerez de la Frontera- is coming up from 10 to 13 August inclusive. Here's more info: www.fimalcala.blogspot.com)