Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

The Andalucia Bird Festival came to Montejaque for its 3rd edition this weekend. The opening session on Friday followed the format of previous years with speeches by dignitaries from the Junta de Andalucia, the Diputacion de Malaga, as well as Montejaque Town Hall and the Andalucia Bird Society.

After this welcome the exhibition was declared open and the visitors were able to enjoy the contributions of societies promoting birds and the environment from far and wide, including Portugal.

As for this attender, I bought a rather fine T-shirt commemorating 50 years of andalus, the wildlife and environment society; a mug; a fridge magnet and was given a super straw hat to add to my collection.

There was a complimentary paella for those attending, as well as a bar serving a range of drinks, including coffee and delicious cakes.

The programme of activities continued throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Supporters and Sponsors

Note:

I am publishing this now so that interested folk still have time to attend today and tomorrow.

Links:

Montejaque “gets the bird” (festival)

© Paul Whitelock 2026

Pictures:

Paul Whitelock

Thanks:

Andalucia Bird Festival, Diego Sanchez (Mayor of Montejaque), Peter Jones (Chairperson, Andalucia Bird Society

Tags:

Andalucia Bird Festival, Diego Sanchez, Montejaque, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, 

"I have had the privilege of visiting over 70 countries and Andalucia is my home of choice: it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We were impressed by the culture, the old traditions and the sheer quantity of monuments and historic and archaeological sites ....."

So says Chris Chaplow in an interview with Tony Bryant for SUR in English, on the 30th anniversary of his website andalucia.com.

A civil engineer by training, Chaplow settled in Estepona in 1991 and in 1992 married his partner Michelle, a professional photographer. Around the same time Lookout Magazine commissioned an article about foreign residents who were using the internet. They found just four English-speakers in the whole of Andalucia with an internet connection and Chaplow was one of them.

Chris Chaplow [andalucia.com]    

Humble beginnings

Via Tizz.com, a compendium of Spanish links built with university friend Chris Mason, Chaplow launched andalucia.com in 1996.

Chaplow remarks: "At that time even Yahoo ... had ... zero (references) for Andalucia."

While Michelle was pursuing her career as a photographer, Chris was developing his idea of creating a website about Andalucia.

    Michelle Chaplow [MC]

Three decades later andalucia.com is the go-to website for comprehensive information about Spain's second largest region. The English edition comprises over 11,000 pages and the Spanish edition, launched in 2006. has some 3,500.

Recognition

Andalucia.com, the leading portal for information about Andalucia, received yesterday the award for best company of the year, which the regional government presented in collaboration with the Málaga Chamber of Commerce. The award ceremony, which took place at the El Fuerte Hotel in Marbella, was chaired by María Gámez, government delegate in Málaga, and coincided with the Business Day for Foreign Residents.

    María Gámez [Photo: Salvador Salas/ Ñito Salas/ SUR]

"For all of us who make Andalucia.com possible, it is a great honour to receive this award," said Paz Rosado, editor of the website in its Spanish version. Rosado also did not want to forget the award organisers, whom she congratulated on the initiative.

Chris Chaplow, managing director of andalucia.com, in his acceptance speech said he felt "flattered to receive this award from the Junta de Andalucía and the Malaga Chamber of Commerce" and added, "it is a recognition of 12 years of work promoting Andalusia." Chaplow wanted to thank especially "the dedicated team at andalucia.com, our advertisers who support us, and the 350,000 unique visitors per month from all over the world." 

In 2009 Chaplow received the Innovator of the Year award from the Costa Press Club, the association for foreign  journalists and media people based in Southern Andalucia.

    Chris Chaplow, 3rd from right [Costa Press Club]

Footnote:

Andalucia.com (www.andalucia.com) is one of the first websites providing information about Andalusia in Spain, and a leader in website visits. It offers clear and concise information, mainly aimed at tourists, foreign residents, and the investment market. The first English version started in 1996, and the Spanish version was launched in 2006. Over the last 12 years, its growth has placed it as the most visited site about Andalusia.

Happy birthday to andalucia.com and congratulations to Chris and Michelle Chaplow.

Links:

www.andalucia.com, www.costapressclub.com, www.diariosur.com

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

andalucia.com, Costa Press Club, Michelle  Chaplow, Ñito Salas, Salvador Salas, 

Thanks:

andalucia.com, Chris Chaplow, Costa Press Club, Diario SUR, Michelle Chaplow, Paul Whitelock, SUR in English 

and with special thanks to:

Tony Bryant

Tags:

Chris Chaplow, Costa Press Club, Diario SUR, Maria Gamez, Innovator of the Year, Junta de Andalucía, Malaga Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Chaplow, Ñito Salas, Paul Whitelock, Paz Rosado, Salvador Salas, SUR in English, Tony Bryant

World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually on April 11 to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and honour the legacy of James Parkinson, who identified the disease back in 1817. The date chosen is his birthday.

The day aims to increase global awareness of Parkinson’s disease, highlight the challenges faced by those living with it, and promote research, support, and advocacy. 

[Wikipedia]    

History

The observance of this day was established in 1997 by Parkinson’s Europe in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The inaugural event also launched the Parkinson’s Europe Charter, outlining the rights of people with Parkinson’s and advocating for better care and understanding. Over the years, the day has grown into a global movement, with organisations from over 80 countries participating. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

[www.parkinsonseurope.org]    

Purpose and Themes

World Parkinson’s Day focuses on:

• Raising awareness about Parkinson’s as a fast-growing neurological disease;
• Breaking stigma and encouraging people affected by Parkinson’s to speak out and unite; 
• Advocating for better care and support, addressing gaps in healthcare and social services for patients and caregivers;
• Promoting research and funding for medical breakthroughs. 

[WPD]    

Unlucky 13 - some notable cases

1. Michael J. Fox

    [El Mundo]

One of the best-known celebrities with Parkinson’s and also one of its biggest advocates, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991 at age 29. He finally publicly revealed his diagnosis in 1998.

He launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has become the world’s largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s drug research and development, funding $800 million in research since its inception.

2. Rev. Jesse Jackson

    [Libertad Digital]

Civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015. Revealing his diagnosis in a written statement in 2017 (he was 76 at the time), he said he and his family had begun noticing “changes” three years earlier. He said he views his diagnosis as “a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression.” His father also had Parkinson’s disease.

3. Muhammad Ali

    [Vox]

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was one of the first major celebrities to go public with a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. He was diagnosed in 1984, in his 40s, three years after he retired from boxing. Ali became a fierce advocate for Parkinson’s awareness and treatment. He helped found the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1997, and also created Celebrity Fight Night to raise money for research.
Ali died in 2016 at age 74 of sepsis, which is not typically linked with Parkinson’s but could have been exacerbated by his physical condition.

4. Linda Ronstadt

    [Video courtesy of TikTok]

Singer Linda Ronstadt, best known for tracks like “Desperado” and “Tracks of My Tears” has progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) — a form of parkinsonism that causes similar symptoms to Parkinson’s disease but is a distinct condition. Whereas the defining feature of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of dopamine in the brain, PSP is characterized by the accumulation of a type of protein called tau in nerve cells in the brain. This accumulation causes cells to die. PSP symptoms are more severe and progress quicker than Parkinson’s symptoms, and PSP does not respond to Parkinson’s medication.

Now 73, Ronstadt has been open about the challenges of her condition, which requires her to spend most of her time at home since she has difficulty standing and moving.

5. Alan Alda

    [AARP]

Actor Alan Alda, best known for roles in “M*A*S*H,” “The West Wing,” “The Blacklist” and “The Aviator,” revealed in 2018, at age 82, that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s three and a half years earlier. 
Alda has been open about the steps he’s taking to treat his symptoms, including exercise like boxing, tennis and juggling.

6. Neil Diamond

    [Biography]

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, at age 76. He retired from concert touring due to the physical challenges caused by Parkinson’s.

However, Diamond said that he would like to try performing again, in a format he can handle.

“I’m doing pretty well. I’m active. I take my meds. I do my workouts. I’m in pretty good shape. I’m feeling good. I want to stay productive. I still have my voice. I just can’t do the traveling that I once did, but I have my wife there supporting me (and) friends,” he told The Associated Press.

7. Janet Reno

    [IMDb]

Janet Reno served as the US Attorney General from 1993 to 2001 (the first woman to hold the position) and discovered she had Parkinson’s disease in 1995 at age 57. She continued her work in politics and was on the board of the Innocence Project after her tenure as attorney general ended.

Reno died in 2016 at age 78, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

8. Paul Sinha

    [Evening Standard]

Paul Sinha, British comedian and star of the game show “The Chase”, revealed in a blog post published in 2019 that he had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He explained that his symptoms began in 2017 with a “frozen right shoulder” and a limp on his right side. He now has a treatment plan in place and plans to continue performing. Sinha is 49 years old.

9. Billy Connolly

    [IMDb]

Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly, who has appeared in movies like “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” and “Brave,” was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 at age 71. At the time, he was in treatment for prostate cancer.

“It takes a certain calm to deal with [Parkinson’s], and I sometimes don’t have it. I sometimes get angry with it, but that doesn’t last long, I just collapse in laughter,” he said.

10. Pope Francis

    [The New York Times]

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Argentina) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 13 March 2013 until his death from Parkinson's in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American and the first pope born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

Throughout his papacy, Francis was noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility, commitment to inter-religious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants and refugees. 

(Source: Wikipedia)

11. Helen Mirren

    [Wikipedia]

Helen Mirren, the acclaimed British actress and Oscar Winner, has publicly revealed that she has Parkinson's disease and actively supports awareness and advocacy efforts through Parkinson's UK. 

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper Mirren described Parkinson's as a "slow and inevitable process", emphasising the daily challenges it presents.

She is actively involved with Parkinson's UK, supporting campaigns to raise awareness about the disease, promote early recognition of symptoms and encourage equitable treatment for all sufferers. 

12. Ozzy Osbourne

    [Instagram]

Musician Osborne was diagnosed with PD a few years back. He performed a 5 July 2025, farewell reunion concert with the band he co-founded, Black Sabbath, weeks before his death. The event raised over $190 million, some of which went to Parkinson's disease research.

(Source: MightyTogether)

13. Adolf Hitler

    [Wikipedia]

The German Fuehrer is believed to have had PD, and the condition may have partially influenced his decision-making.

Personal

Heather, my half-sister, suffered from Parkinson's for years and eventually became bed-ridden. She was cared for by her loyal husband Eric and son Cerith. Heather died aged 83. I attended her funeral, which was very moving, yet positive, followed by a splendid wake to celebrate her life.

Paul is a near neighbour and friend. He has been suffering from Parkinson's for a few years, but continues to live life to the full. He still drives and travels extensively with his wife.

Epilogue

A brief summary in Spanish for those who can or those who want to .....

Día Mundial del Párkinson

Este día se celebra cada 11 de abril, fecha elegida en honor al nacimiento de James Parkinson, el médico londinense que en 1817 describió por primera vez la enfermedad que lleva su nombre. La primera celebración se llevó a cabo en 1997 y estuvo centrada en la promoción de la Carta de Derechos de las Personas con Párkinson. Desde entonces, se ha convertido en una fecha emblemática para organizaciones de todo el mundo, que desarrollan una variedad de actividades, tales como campañas de concienciación en línea, conferencias, eventos de bienestar y recaudaciones de fondos.

[ANAFARMEX]    

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

AARP, ANAFARMEX, Biography, El Mundo, Evening Standard, Facebook, iNSTAGRAM, IMDb, Libertad Digital, New York Times,  Vox, Wikipedia, WPD, www.parkinsonseurope.org

Thanks:

Bing, MightyTogether, Paul Whitelock, RTVE, Wikipedia

Tags:

Adolf Hitler, Alan Alda, AARP, ANAFARMEX, Billy Connolly, Bing, Biography, El Mundo, Evening Standard, Facebook, Helen Mirren, INSTAGRAM, IMDb, Janet Reno, Jesse Jackson, Libertad Digital, Linda Ronstadt, Michael J Fox, MightyTogether, Muhammed Ali, Neil Diamond, New York Times, Ozzie Osbourne, Paul Sinha, Paul Whitelock, Pope Francis, RTVE, Vox, Wikipedia, WPD, www.parkinsonseurope.org

A STORY ABOUT THE MOON has knocked Trump's illegal attack on Iran and Netanyahu's war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza out of the headlines.

For the first time in 57 years man is to attempt to land on the Moon again.

Three male and one female astronauts from the USA are on their way as we speak, following the take-off of their spaceship Artemis II on Wednesday.

[Wikipedia]    

The human race is fascinated with the MOON. The word appears in so many phrases, idiomatic expressions and titles of songs and films that to list them all would be impossible. The same applies to the Spanish for Moon, ie LUNA.

But, let's have a try .....

THE MOON

In connection with the current activity of the US astronauts, there is a whole vocabulary attached: for example, MOON RACE, MOON LAUNCH, MOON LANDING, MOON BUGGY.

They are headed for the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, which is of course a famous musical album by PINK FLOYD, and my personal favourite album of all time (see below).

There are different types of Moon: HALF MOON, FULL MOON; HARVEST MOON, BLUE MOON, CRESCENT MOON, WAXING MOON, WANING MOON.

1969 Moon Landing [Britannica]    

Oddly, there is a verb TO MOON, which means to drop your trousers and wave your bum around, and a MOON FACE describes a particular shape of a person's face.

In the world of entertainment there is the aforementioned PINK FLOYD album. "THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON" was the eighth studio album by this English progressive rock band, released in the UK in March 1973 by Harvest Records. Developed during live performances before recording began, it was conceived as a concept album that would focus on the pressures faced by the band during their arduous lifestyle, and also deal with the mental health problems of the former band member Syd Barrett, who had departed the group in 1968. It was recorded at the EMI Studios in London, later re-named Abbey Road Studios.

Album sleeve [Amazon]    

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon [Full Album]

The song "MOON RIVER" by Andy Williams, released in 1962, has become a modern standard. Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, it was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's", winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also won the 1962 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. 

Henry Mancini "Moon River" (Official Visualizer)

"FLY ME TO THE MOON" sung by Frank Sinatra was released in 1964. Arranged by Quincy Jones and accompanied by the Count Basie orchestra, it was a massive hit. To date there have been over 300 versions recorded by other artistes.

Fly Me To The Moon (2008 Remastered)

In the world of film, we have the 1979 James Bond movie "MOONRAKER" with Roger Moore as 007, and "PAPER MOON", released in 1973 and starring Ryan O'Neal and his 10-year-old daughter Tatum O'Neal as two con artists. Tatum won an Oscar for her performance. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

moonraker film - Búsqueda

paper moon film - Búsqueda

Ryan and Tatum O'Neal in "Paper Moon" [Britannica]    

LA LUNA

Apart from the same phrases in English, also in Spanish, we have several idiomatic expressions, as well as some other uses.

On a car, LAS LUNAS are the windows and LA LUN(ET)A TERMICA is the heated rear windscreen.

LA LUNA can refer to plate glass, a window pane and the lens of spectacles.

[El Debate]    

Some modismos are:

estar de buena/mala LUNA - to be in a good/bad mood;

estar en LA LUNA - to have your head in the clouds;

hablar de LALUNA - to talk nonsense;

estar en LA LUNA de Valencia - to be in a dream world;

quedarse a LA LUNA de Valencia - to be disappointed; to be left in the lurch.

[Lingoland]    

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

Amazon, Britannica, El Debate, Lingoland, Wikipedia

Thanks:  

Bing, YouTube, 

Tags:

1969 moon landing, Amazon, Andy Williams, astronaut, Audrey Hepburn, Bing, "Breakfast at Tiffany's", Britannica, Count Basie, Dark Side of the Moon, El Debate, Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Lingoland, Luna, Moon, Moonraker, Moon River, Paper Moon, Paul Whitelock, Peter Bogdanovich, Pink Floyd, Quincy Jones, Roger Moore, Ryan O'Neal, Syd Barrett, Tatum O'Neal, Wikipedia, YouTube

It was a big weekend. On Saturday was the final round of matches in this year's Six Nations tournament.

Sunday was the regional election in Castilla y Leon, Spain.

And last night in Hollywood it was the Oscars.

[The Rugby Shop]    

Six-Nations 2026

Before Saturday's final three matches the championship winners could have been either France or Scotland. The team headed for the wooden spoon was Wales.

The results were as follows:

France vs England    48 - 46

Wales vs Italy           31 - 17

Ireland vs Scotland   43 - 21

France's narrow win over England gave them the title, and Ireland's demolition of Scotland moved them into second place and Scotland down to third.

Despite thrashing Italy, Wales did indeed come bottom of the table and got the wooden spoon.

Italy had a good season and ended up fourth, while England's disastrous season put them in second to last position. What a great preparation for the Rugby World Cup later this year!

As for me, an Anglo-Welshman, my two teams were clearly the worst two this season.

Election in Castilla y Leon

There were elections for the regional government in the largest of the 17 autonomous regions - by area - in Spain yesterday.

The results have already been declared and the PP (Conservative) candidate Alfonso Fernández Mañueco has claimed victory with 33 seats, although this is way short of the 48 needed for a majority. PSOE (Socialist) gained two seats for a ceditable second place with 30 seats. 

[Wikipedia]    

To form a government Fernandez Mañueco will have to join forces with the ultra-right wing party VOX, but that is unlikely. So, as with previous recent regional elections in Extremadura and Aragon, there is no clear outcome and it's stalemate.

Oscars 2026

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its 98th ceremony on Sunday night at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Here in Spain, because of different time zones, the ceremony took place and the results were announced overnight Sunday/Monday.

    [Diario AS]

The big winner on the night was "One Battle after Another" with six wins, including Best Film, Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), and Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn).

The other big favourite, "Sinners" had to be content with just four, Best Actor for Michael B Jordan and three more in minor categories.

Best Actress was Jessie Buckley for "Hamnet" and Best Supporting Actress was Amy Madigan for "Weapons".

No Spanish nominees won.

[Wikipedia]    

What an exciting and varied weekend!

© Paul Whitelock

Pictures:

Diario AS, The Rugby Shop, Wikipedia, 

Thanks:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Bing, Google Images, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, Amy Madigan, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Dolby Theater, England, Extremadura, France, "Hamnet", Hollywood, Ireland, Italy, Jessie Buckley, Michael B Jordan, "One Battle after Another", Oscars, Oscars 2026, PP, PSOE, Paul Thomas Anderson, Paul Whitelock, Regional Elections, Rugby's Final Day, Rugby World Cup, Scotland, Sean Penn, "Sinners", Six Nations, VOX, Wales, "Weapons", wooden spoon

After all the rain we've had - nay, suffered - this year, Spring has suddenly come upon us here in Ronda (Malaga) with a vengeance. I took a stroll around my garden this morning taking photos of trees, shrubs and bushes which are bursting forth with healthy blossom. There are also plants and vegetables which are thriving after all the rain. Unfortunately there are also weeds everywhere, which I'm gradually getting to grips with.

What follows is a picture diary of the photos I took at home and also of some seasonal flowers at my local, the newly opened Hotel Don Manuel, Fuente de La Higuera, Ronda.

Trees, Shrubs and Bushes

    Pear tree                                             Unidentified bush                                  "Bottle brush"

    Elderflower                                         Climbing rose                                          Not sure

    Almond tree                                       Peach tree                               A yellow weed

    "Unknown"                              Lethal cactus!                                Camelia

Vegetables and Flowers

    Broad beans                                                   Peas                                           Red cabbage

    Curly kale                           Green lettuce                                    Lollo rosso                                   Cauliflower

    Three types of primula

Renovating Garden Furniture

The good Spring weather was also conducive to renovating some garden furniture and cannibalising some damaged wooden sunbeds and making a couple of coffee tables for the poolside terrace with the remaining good wood.

    Lovers´seats almost done    Two reclaimed coffee tables              Another nearly ready

© Pablo de Ronda

Photos:

Paul Whitelock

Thanks:

David Garcia, Hotel Don Manuel, Paul Whitelock, Salvador Garcia, Villa Indiana

Tags:

almond tree, "bottle brush", broad beans, cactus, camelia, cannibalising, cauliflower, climbing rose, curly kale, David Garcia, elderflower, Fuente de La Higuera, garden furniture, green lettuce, Hotel Don Manuel, lollo rosso, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, peach tree, pear tree, peas, primula, red cabbage, renovating, Ronda, Salvador Garcia, Villa Indiana

The title of this song by "The Eurythmics" (Annie Lennox and David G Stewart) makes a great title for this latest article about the atrocious weather we are currently experiencing in Spain as a whole.

But here in The Serrania de Ronda where I live, in particular.

[Photo of Annie Lennox courtesy of Reddit]    

In our two decades of living here, my wife Rita and I have experienced a few bouts of bad weather, the worst being in 2018.

Now 2026 is coming close to being as bad.

Severe weather warnings have been announced for several days running - Wednesday yellow, Thursday orange, today no warning, tomorrow forecast yellow again!

[YouTube]    

Our house and land

Our lawn is under water. Excess water from the mountains to the north is flowing through my land and into the neighbour's plot. Structural damage is likely.

 My recently erected metal garden shed  has been blown down and the tools and machinery inside waterlogged.

Trees and/or dead branches are likely to fall. In fact, one pine already has in my neighbour's garden.

Water is likely to enter some premises or rise through the inadequate foundations of the houses here.

Two hotels at the bottom of the hill by the swollen river are under threat of flooding.

In fact, I've just learned that the ground floor of the Hotel Molino del Puente, incorporating the bar, restaurant, library and some rooms, is under water.

The other hotel, the soon to re-open (maybe not, now) Don Miguel (formerly Hotel Don Benito) is furiously pumping water out of its cellar, which lies below ground.

What next?

A period dedicated to insurance claims, loss adjusters, clearing up, chucking out flooded items and repairing damage.

For more on this, click here.

[La Razon]    

Further Link

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Here Comes the Rain Again (Peacetour Live)

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

La Razon, Paul Whitelock, Reddit

Thanks:

Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Annie Lennox, clearing up, David G Stewart, Eurythmics, flooded items, insurance claims, loss adjusters, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, repairing damage, Serrania de Ronda, 

In the last 12 months "The Olive Press" newspaper has gone from strength to ….. weakness. Have they employed Samson's hairdresser, by any chance?

Time was "The OP" was arguably the best of the English-language freesheets circulating in Southern Spain. "SUR in English" was in a period of circumspection and change following the retirement of founder and editor Liz Parry, BEM; The "EuroWeekly News" continued as, a-hem, "The EWN", showing little journalistic class and embracing the vile and abhorrent Leapy Lea as featured columnist.

    [The Olive Press]                                              [Diario Sur]                   [Facebook]

The local paid-for English papers all went under.

Background

So, how did "The Olive Press" plunge from its pinnacle of having regional editions all over the place including Mallorca and Gibraltar, from launching a German language edition and publishing fortnightly, to the "new improved version"?

From January 2026, "The OP" has a fresh clean design, uses better quality newsprint, has gone national and will only be published monthly.

No sign of the German version in the new grand plan.

[Issuu]    

To this keen observer of the news scene, both paid-for and free-of-charge, in paper format or online, it looks like the re-arranging of the deck-chairs on the RMS Titanic as she headed for the iceberg that was to bring her maiden voyage to a sudden and fatal conclusion.

It gives me little pleasure to write this, as I worked for "The OP" in its early days (2008-2009) and it retains a place in my heart and my personal history. I also like the owner, Jon Clarke.

But I wonder if he is now out-of-his-depth?

He sheds staff as frequently as my cats shed fur in the summer.

His journalists are mostly young and inexperienced and quickly move on to pastures newer and greener. His managers and top journalists haven't stayed long either, moving on to bigger and better things. I'm thinking of Ysabelle Bostyn, Andrew Pierce, Karl Smallman, Paul Whitelock and a number of others.

He also lost key backroom staff when he suddenly moved operations from Arriate near Ronda to the Costa del Sol.

So, am I being harsh?

I welcome the re-design - it's cleaner and sharper. But moving to being a monthly means it's no longer a newspaper, instead it's become a monthly magazine.

How do you keep on top of the news when you only come out once a month? The new "improved" OP will miss three weeks of news every single edition.

    Advance notice of the changes      The new "portada"                               The new Olive Press "monthly magazine" 

    [Above photos by Paul Whitelock]

And, by going national, it will lose one of its former strengths, ie being in touch with and part of the local community.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think I'm probably not!

SUR in English and The EWN must be rubbing their hands with glee.

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

Diario Sur, Facebook, Issuu, Paul Whitelock, The Olive Press, Trip Advisor

Thanks:

Jon Clarke, Luke Stewart, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

Andrew Pierce, Arriate, Costa del Sol, Diario Sur, "EWN", "EuroWeekly News", Facebook, German language edition, Gibraltar, Issuu, Jon Clarke, Karl Smallman, Leapy Lea, Liz Parry, Luke Stewart, Mallorca, Paul Whitelock, Ronda, RMS Titanic, "SUR in English", The Olive Press, Trip Advisor, Wikipedia, Ysabelle Bostyn

I recently wrote a piece in German for my German blog "Alles auf Deutsch" on the subject of interesting quotes and sayings, advice and jokes which appear on fridge magnets, beermats, diaries and greetings cards - in German.

[Wikipedia]    

I thought it would be fun to write something similar in English featuring gems from my collection that are in English.

So, here goes with my "Baker's Dozen" (13).
 

Advice on life and marriage

This wise poem by Wilferd A Peterson was read at our wedding in Maulbronn Abbey, Germany.

It was a bi-lingual service and the poem was read by my brother Simon.

I had read the same piece at his wedding to Marilyn in 2006.

As an interesting footnote, Hermann Hesse, later the author of "Steppenwolf", the novel (not the rock group!), was a pupil at the boarding school here.

This is very witty, and possibly true.

Look at me and Rita!

I love this one! Scrabble makes you feel a lot younger than you actually are!

Beermats, etc

One of my favourite quotes of all time ..... and oh, so true!

That's why I love "The Simpsons". Creator Matt Groening and his fellow scriptwriters "hit the nail on the head" so often.

    [Pinterest]

This essential tool for beer drinkers, a bottle opener, is also an attractive fridge magnet.

In our house it is stuck to the door of the beer fridge.

Of course ..... where else?

Diaries, greetings and postcards

This heartfelt message was posted on the Whitelock family app on New Year's Eve.

Very early, but why not?

This was the message on the cover of a recipe book which I gave my wife Rita for Christmas.

This is a travel diary I gave myself for Christmas this year. I hope to use it often.

My "bucket list" for 2026 consists mainly of places I want to travel to. These include Budapest (Hungary); Canada; Cuba; Galicia (Spain); possibly New Zealand; Peru; and Poland.

Plus a few places I've been to but Rita has not, eg Barcelona (Spain); Cardiff (Wales); Dublin (Ireland); Paris (France); and Prague (Czech Republic).

I've just added Greenland. I want to visit before it becomes the 51st state of the USA!
 

Fridge magnets

I am European. The day in 2016 when the British electorate voted for Brexit was one of the worst days of my life.

And now we've all seen what a disaster that turned out to be under the Tories.

At least UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has taken us closer to the European Union since he came to power.

Let's hope we rejoin at some point.

A hot dog from time to time is a good thing. Not healthy, but comfort food, especially with a tasty sauce like HP or barbecued tomato.

I had a vegan sausage hot dog today, for a change. It was very tasty, but the consistency was odd.

Freshly ground coffee is a must. After my two early morning cups of English Breakfast tea, it's coffee time at Villa Indiana.

We grind our own beans, espresso, and perk them in our rather splendid "De Longhi" cafetera.

Here are two fridge magnets in Spanish that I like. From the local China shop, I think.

"The best grandparents in the world".

I like being a grandad: I have eight grandkids: four English grandsons; and three grand-daughters and a grandson on the German side of the family. The oldest, Anton, is 20; the youngest, Buckley, is two.

I don't hate everyone! Just a couple of people who owe me a lot of money. B*****ds!

Both Brits, a Scouser and a Yorkshireman.

I have a plan to get my money back!

This Spanish iman took my fancy also.

"Indulge a whim, you deserve it!"

Although chocolate spread and an apple are hardly whims, as far as I'm concerned!

Postscript:

I came across these plants in LIDL yesterday.

I couldn't resist the slogans on the pots, so I bought them!

    [Pablo de Ronda]    

Links

“FRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER”

"Signs of the Times" - Deutsche Version

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

All photos by Paul Whitelock, except the German flag (Wikipedia) and Homer Simpson (Pinterest).

Thanks:

Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia

Tags:

51st state of the USA, advice, "Alles auf Deutsch", author of "Steppenwolf", "Baker's Dozen", barbecued tomato, Barcelona, beer drinker, beer fridge, beermat, bi-lingual service,  bottle opener, Brexit, brother Simon, "bucket list" for 2026, Budapest, cafetera, Canada, Cardiff, China shop, coffee time, collection, comfort food, Cuba, "De Longhi", diaries, Dublin, English Breakfast tea, espresso, European, European Union, freshly ground coffee, fridge magnet, “FRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER”, Galicia, German flag, Germany, Greenland, greetings card, Hermann Hesse, Homer Simpson, hot dog, HP, iman, joke, Matt Groening, New Zealand,  Paris, Paul Whitelock, Peru, Pinterest, Poland, Prague, quotes, sayings, Scouser, Scrabble, "Signs of the Times" - Deutsche Version, Sir Keir Starmer, "The best grandparents in the world", "The Simpsons", travel diary, UK prime minister, vegan, Villa Indiana, wedding in Maulbronn Abbey, whim, Wikipedia, Wilferd A Peterson, Yorkshireman, 

What's going on? Everybody's retiring! They may not be leavin' on Peter, Paul and Mary's jet plane*, but they're off!

Since the turn of the year we learn that Peter Jones, the birdman, is hanging up his binoculars; Karl Smallman, doyen of photographic journalism and website building is stepping down; and Paul Whitelock, "Jack of all trades", are all "hanging up their boots".

Peter, Paul and Mary [Wikipedia]    

* see link below

Peter Jones (b. ca. 1949)

Peter has been part of the lives of birdwatchers in the Serrania de Ronda for a quarter of a century.

He has been a columnist for SUR in English, throughout that time.

I know Peter. I can't remember how we came across each other, as I am not a "twitcher", but we've met a few times. He's a near neighbour, so maybe that's it. He's a very nice man.

    Peter Jones (Facebook)

Peter has reached retirement age and has announced that he will retire finally in a year's time, when he and his wife Brenda will move on to pastures new.

Peter writes: "It breaks my heart to now be forced to look far beyond my mountains for a new abode to while away the twilight years. It is a daunting prospect and not a path I could have foreseen or chosen. Where and what will 2026 bring?"

Karl Smallman (b. ca. 1958)

A photo-journalist by training, he brought his skills to the Serrania de Ronda some 30 years ago. He has worked independently, but also for The Olive Press, The EuroWeekly News and SUR in English, where he was assistant editor, when he announced his retirement.

    Karl Smallman [Diario Sur]

Karl has reached retirement age and has decided to step away from his somewhat hectic lifestyle, but I bet he'll still have an important contribution to make to life in the Serrania de Ronda, through his photography and his website www.secretserrania.com.

I first met Karl in a furniture shop in Ronda some 20 years ago, together with his lovely wife Jill.

A few years later, after leaving my stint at The Olive Press in 2010, I worked with Karl on a website called Secret Andalucia, now defunct.

When I contacted Karl in 2015 and offered to contribute articles to his newly developed website Secret Serrania de Ronda, Karl knew what I was capable of and he was delighted to take me on board.

We meet frequently, both at local events, and also as members of the Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club).

Paul Whitelock (b. 1950)

Paul retired early, aged 55, from his career in education in 2005 and emigrated to Spain in 2008.

He had already started writing and had had articles published in The Guardian, North Wales Living, Olive Country Life (Alcala), and, since he moved to Andalucia, The EuroWeekly News, SUR in English, El Hacho Magazine and the website Eye on Spain.

When he first landed in the Serrania de Ronda, he worked for a year at The Olive Press, but now prefers to concentrate on his own website www.help-me-ronda.com and the afore-mentioned www.eyeonspain.com.

    Paul Whitelock [Secret Serrania]

The problem is Paul was also translating, renovating houses, selling houses, gardening and socialising . Now he's seen the light and has decided to retire - ha! ha!

He still interprets and translates, hardly physically demanding, gardens on his own terms, and will still socialise.

But, absolutely no more house reforms, holiday rentals and getting "ripped off" by people who don't pay up!

Links

Leaving, On a Jet Plane ("Greatest Hits" Version)

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (Peter, Paul and Mary/John Denver) - Classic Song of the Day

Rogues Gallery – the name and shame blog

www.eyeonspain.com

www.help-me-ronda.com

www.secretserrania.com

www.theolivepress.es

© Pablo de Ronda

Pictures:

Diario Sur, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, Secret Serrania, Wikipedia

Thanks:

Karl Smallman, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, 

Tags:

Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol, Costa Press Club, El Hacho Magazine, EWN, EuroWeekly News, Eye on Spain, North Wales Living, Olive Country Life, Karl Smallman, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, Rogues' Gallery, Secret Serrania, Serrania de Ronda, SUR in English, The Guardian, The Olive Press, Wikipedia, www.eyeonspain.com, www.help-me-ronda.com, www.secretserrania.com, www.theolivepress.es