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Spirit of trail running celebrated in Javea
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 06:45:03The Granadella Trail 2025, which celebrated the spirit of trail running, took place in Javea at the beginning of February.\n\nThis iconic mountain running event spanned two exhilarating days, featuring a range of challenges that catered to various skill levels and showcased the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.\n\nThe Granadella Trail 2025 included two distances of 14km and 21km\n\nOn the first day, the Sprint Trail, covering a distance of 14 kilometers, saw fierce competition among the participants. VÃctor Valldecabres, representing Corremon Trail, emerged victorious in the menâs category, displaying remarkable speed and endurance. In the womenâs category, Natalia Bernudez de Castro showcased her exceptional training and strategy, securing her first-place finish.\n\nThe excitement continued on the second day, with the Half Marathon, spanning 21 kilometers. This event attracted seasoned runners and was marked by adrenaline-fuelled performances.\n\nAdil Moussaoui claimed the top spot in the menâs classification, demonstrating impressive stamina and skill. Meanwhile, Mar Pastor outpaced her competitors in the womenâs race, achieving a well-deserved victory that highlighted her dedication and preparation.\n\nThe organisers extended their heartfelt gratitude to all the runners, volunteers, and sponsors whose collective efforts made this edition of the Granadella Trail a resounding success.\n\nPrefer to read your local news all in one place? Check out our online newspapers for your local weekly news fix.

Auditions for JB Priestleyâs An Inspector Calls with The International Theatre Studio
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 18:19:50The International Theatre Studio, the longest-established English-speaking theatre group on the Costa Del Sol, is to hold auditions for its next grand production, JB Priestleyâs An Inspector Calls.\n\nThose who fancy having a go and pitching their acting talent for one of the various roles can go along to the Age Concern Centre at 12 noon on March 8, to meet with the director, Peter Brooks.\n\nThe cast members the ITS are auditioning for are Arthur Birling, in his 70s (actor late 50s to mid-60s), a hard-hearted businessman with old-fashioned ideas about women and a Yorkshire accent; Sybil Birling in her 50s, a cold-hearted and snobbish woman reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher; Sheila Birling, between 25 and 35, a giddy, naive, and somewhat childish personality who has a change of character during the run of the play; Eric Birling, between 23 and 33 years old, whoâs a bit of a âJack the Ladâ with a drink problem; Gerald Croft, between 25 and 40, an honest man with a dark secret; Edna the family maid, somewhere between 40 and 70 years old; and Inspector Goole. The suggested ages are playing ages.\n\nAn Inspector Calls is a compelling and haunting thriller. The story begins when the mysterious Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling home. Their peaceful family dinner party is shattered by the investigations into the death of a young woman. The inspectorâs startling revelations shake the very foundation of their lives and challenge us to examine our consciences. More relevant now than ever, this is a must-see production for a whole new generation.\n\nFor further information and audition pieces, contact Peter on 617 520 923 or email peterbrooks1938@yahoo.com.\n\nProduction dates are May 9, 10, and 11 of May at El ParaÃso Hotel.

Cala de Mijas Lions Memory Tree fundraiser
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 17:55:10The first La Cala de Mijas Lions Memory Tree event was held in the Butibamba park in La Cala de Mijas on a delightfully pleasant Sunday, February 16.\n\nThe event was organised by the Lions Alzheimerâs and Dementia support group to celebrate the lives of loved ones, past and present. Purple cards were filled in with a message to loved ones and then hung on the Memory Tree. Valentineâs weekend was chosen for this event, as it is not always a happy time for some who have lost their soulmate.\n\nThe event was opened by friend to the expat community, Mijas Ayuntamiento Councillor for the Foreignerâs Department, Mario Bravo, who welcomed everyone. A minuteâs silence followed to enable those present to think of their loved ones who are no longer with us.\n\nJohn Sharples, as compare, kept the music playing throughout the event. Other entertainment included the pipes and dancers of the SUR Pipe Band marching by the stalls and performing a few Scottish reels on stage.\n\nThe drums of Drang gave a tremendous display of drumming skills, which had the crowds tapping their feet and clapping along to their beat, and Welsh singer Laura Elen sang a variety of songs, which were much appreciated by the audience sitting in the warm, springlike sunshine.\n\nThe event was packed with scores of artesian stalls selling interesting items, many of which are not available in the shops. La Cala de Mijas Lions stalls included a fantastic cake stall, a bacon butty and coffee stall, an array of clothing from their charity shop, a Valentineâs cava stall, and a grand raffle.\n\nSandie Tavendale (coordinator) thanks everyone involved who helped raise â¬2875, which will help the La Cala de Mijas Lionsâ Alzheimerâs and Dementia support group to continue assisting sufferers and carers to cope with the demands of this debilitating disease.

âToo many seeking asylum who donât qualifyâ: Justice Minister vows crackdown
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 18:27:25Justice Minister Jim OâCallaghan has fired a warning shot over Irelandâs asylum system, declaring âtoo many people are coming here who are not entitled to international protectionâ. The minister, who took over the Justice, Home Affairs and Migration brief last month, insists a faster and stricter process is on the cards â' promising to weed out unqualified claimants and ease pressure on legitimate refugees.\n\nBold words from the new boss\n\nâToo many people are coming to Ireland seeking international protection, who are not entitled to it,â OâCallaghan thundered during an interview with RTÃâs This Week. âThe system will change.â\n\nHe wants a swifter approach to reject unmerited applications, citing figures that show last year a whopping 18,500 asylum seekers arrived. The Department of Justice forecasts another 15,000 this year. OâCallaghan revealed that, out of 14,000 applications in 2024, over 65 per cent were knocked back first time â' while this year, that rejection rate has already soared above 80 per cent. \n\nHard lines and heartbreak\n\nâThe people who are really suffering,â OâCallaghan warned, âare those who are legitimately entitled to claim it, who may not be provided accommodation because of the numbers coming in. That is an area I am not going to shy away from.â\n\nA new home truth?\n\nBut the minister was crystal clear that he wonât be throwing open the doors to ever-expanding accommodation. âIâm not going to create as many accommodation spaces as possible for asylum seekers,â he said, pointing to the âever-increasingâ arrivals as the key driver of housing demand.\n\nHe gave City West as a shining example of how larger centres can work well. âRather than building places, the preference should be to buy places,â he explained, confirming plans to âbuy a series of centres around the countryâ.\n\nHe refused to reveal how many or how much. Still, he insisted itâs cheaper in the long run for the State to own such properties outright.\n\nUkrainian puzzle piece\n\nOâCallaghan also addressed the fate of Ukrainian refugees. Asked about the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme â' where the Government pays â¬800 per property for hosting, due to end this month â' he stressed itâs still technically under the remit of former Integration Minister Roderic OâGormanâs department.\n\nIn a final flourish, OâCallaghan promised that a decision on the ARP scheme for Ukrainians will be hammered out before the end of February.\n\nThe final word\n\nThe Ministerâs message? Ireland is tightening its asylum belt, cracking down on those who donât qualify and focusing on cutting costs and chaos. With thousands still on the move, OâCallaghanâs stance looks set to ruffle feathers far and wide â' and itâs clear heâs not about to back down.\n\nWatch this space: Irelandâs new Justice Minister means business, and his next move could send ripples across Europeâs migrant landscape.\n\nGet more Irish news. \n\nRead more original news in English from around Europe.

The Agapornis rocking Funk at Louie Louie
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 17:43:31Funk, Soul and Rock outfit The Agapornis from Cádiz have a long career funking up all of Europe and have gained a huge following and fame for filling the dance floor.\n\nItâs inevitable that Louie Louie will fill this night as this funky project, characterised by powerful and vibrant live performances, takes off at the iconic Estepona venue full of strength and emotion, with an overwhelming repertoire that gives no respite to the audience.\n\nThe Agapornis have a style marked mainly by their powerful horn section, their forceful rhythmic base, and a wild vocalist that puts the icing on this cake of Soul.\n\nâItâs a more raw Funk that characterises us the mostâ, says Desi Tey, lead singer. âItâs the fact that we work with intensities that are sometimes very close to rock. Many of the groupâs musicians come from Rock, and even if we produce a funky sound. Itâs hard to explain without listening to it.â\n\nThe Agapornis (lovebirds, in case you were wondering) are playing Louie Louie at Estepona harbour on Saturday, February 22, at 10.30pm. Tickets will set you back â¬12 in advance from entradium.com, or â¬15 on the door. Careful though, as this will sell out.

Balearics holiday bookings fall
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 09:23:48Holiday bookings to the Balearics fell by 4.3% over the past week compared to the previous week, but have increased by 19.8% compared to the same period last year, according to data published on Monday by the booking platform TravelgateX. The Balearics was the fourth most popular destination in Spain over the past week, with 11.9% of total bookings, behind Andalusia (19.7%), Catalonia (16.8%) and the Canary Islands (14.9%).\nThe majority of bookings were made 90 days in advance, accounting for 33.6% of the total, and 10.5% were so-called âlast-minuteâ bookings because they were made on the same day or the day before travelling. Some 12.5% booked between 31 and 60 days in advance of their trip and 11.7% between two and three months in advance.\nOf the bookings registered over the last seven days in Spain, 50.9% were made by couples, with 22.9% of bookings for solo travel, and 48.5% of travellers booking for between 2 and 5 nights, according to TravelgateX. Among the main nationalities to have made reservations over the last 7 days through TravelgateX, Spaniards stand out with a 51.3% share of the market, followed by the British (20.6%), Germans (4%) and North Americans (3.8%).\nThe introduction of biometric data collection, the new tourist taxes, and the ongoing concerns regarding overtourism are reshaping how tourists experience destinations like the Balearics. These changes will likely drive demand for more sustainable travel options and promote less crowded, off-the-beaten-path destinations.\nTourists will need to prepare for more paperwork and higher costs associated with visiting major European destinations. Travelers may find themselves reconsidering where they go based on rising fees and new entry requirements, potentially shifting demand to less-visited regions or countries that do not impose such measures.

Carnivalâs - a - coming to Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 13:07:00Itâs been rather quiet on the home front! And for Mancor de la Vall, a week without a lively fiesta is a rare thing indeed! Locals joke that the village celebrates everything from an airplane flying over to the opening of a garage door. Yet like most of Mallorca, our village is known for its enthusiasm surrounding traditions, along with its genuine love for a rousing celebration. Therefore, the anticipation at this time of the year is noticeably palpable across the entire island. Children are already getting over excited as shop windows are slowly becoming ablaze with frivolous carnival displays, showcasing exotic and colourful masks, sparkling tights, superhero costumes, feathered apparel, glittering cloaks, fairy wings and colourful wigs (thatâs just the menâs range).\nThe frothy festivities of âCarnivalâ are typically scheduled to take place between February 23 to March 2, although some townships have already been celebrating with unfettered gusto. Traditionally commencing with âDijous Llarderâ or âFat Thursdayâ (27 Feb) the celebrations throw a nod to theâMardi Grasâ or âFat Tuesdayâ, famously recognised throughout mainland Spain, Latin America and other parts of the world.\nThe origins of joyous Carnival can be traced back to their roots as far as mediaeval times, blending pagan rituals seamlessly with Christian traditions as colourful celebrations erupted prior to the more solemn period of Lent, replacing doom and gloom with dizzy dancing! Most towns and villages across Mallorca organise their own carnival celebrations, with the largest floats and parades spectacularly headlining in Palma.\nâSa Ruaâ is a huge, Rio de Janeiro style parade, celebrated on March 2, filling the city streets with music, laughter and amazingly crafted floats as the carnival vibe comes to its colourful climax. âSa Ruetaâ, massively dedicated to children and their families, is celebrated on the morning of Sunday February 23, so start blinging those costumes all you mums!\nOur own carnival here in Mancor de la Vall will duly be celebrated with fun-filled childrenâs activities along with a masked ball for the grown-up children aka the âadultsâ, which is when all the Disney Princesses, Superheroes and ABBA outfits hit the streets. It seriously doesnât take much to get those party-going Mallorcan men into platform boots and a sparkling jump suit! Just one of those macho Spanish things I suppose!!!\nTraditionally, here in Mancor de la Vall, the carnival cacophony closes with a rather sombre finale â' a traditional tongue-in-cheek âfuneralâmarch, followed by a burial service for a trusty sardine! In Mallorca, as also documented throughout mainland Spain, there is an age-old ceremony showcasing âthe burial of the sardineâ, culminating with an effigy of the said sardine being thrown onto a flaming funeral pyre. This slightly bizarre ceremony will lead the way into a final night of celebration including a street BBQ, along with some traditional drinking, dancing, singing, swirling and twirling! Yet, regardless of being a fish fan or not, a portion of salty sardine, along with a glass of wine, will be offered to all who attend this most freaky of festive frivolities.\nThe first time I tried a traditional sun dried/salted sardine, I wasnât best impressed, mainly because I just grilled the offering then ate it. It was like eating 6 very salty bags of crisps all at once. Then a friendly local showed me the correct way to proceed, and how to eat this traditional fishy treat properly, like a true Mallorcan!\nFirst, you toast the fish nicely over an open flame. Then you wrap the little darling between a few sheets of newspaper, making a tasty little parcel. (if itâs the Bulletin, make sure youâve read it first!) Then, you either stomp on it with a well-turned heel, or place it between a handy door jamb and press the fishy parcel flat as a pancake. Remarkably, when you peel back the newspaper, the salty skin of the sardine has stuck to the paper, revealing the tender flesh inside which then just flakes away. And thatâs how you eat it, with your fingers from the newspaper. Add a few chips along with some mushy peas and it would be just like home!\nThis satirical sardine ceremony is based on the age-old belief of symbolically burying the past, whilst highlighting hopes for a more fruitful future, while also marking the beginning of Lent. So, letâs hope the year, moving forward, sprinkles a lot more hope and happiness to everyone across the glittering globe. Until next year. Molts DâAnys!

Weddings, blossoms, and buzz in Soller
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 12:53:00Little things mean a lot to the wedding couples of Soller. The situation of the Judgeâs Office being one of them. A Civil Wedding Ceremony, in front of the local judge, has recently been taking place in an upstairs office down the Lluna. When the couples emerge with their flowers and smiles, they walk the shopping street to the Placa to have their pictures taken. This happens very regularly and everyone in Soller loves a wedding.\nIn the past the judgeâs office was in the upstairs office at the Railway Station. This was altogether more stylish and picturesque. Great opportunities in the building and outside for Wedding snaps. This week the location has changed back to the Picasso influences of the station, to the delight of many. So, if you want the judge in Soller, be aware of the new location.\nSome restaurants have decided to open to coincide with the Valentines weekend. Special menus for the âlove is in the airâ season. Also, a Tapas Party night in the Market Square of Soller on Saturday 15th February from 6.30pm. A great night to be out and about seeing friends before their own working season kicks in. The hobbies and travels of the winter are just about to be put away again for a few months.\nEaster being so late this year creates a no-manâs land from Carnival to Easter. The major part of the season in Mallorca is always said to kick off at Easter. We wait to see what the next six weeks will bring in terms of visitors.\nThe Blossom Train is reaching its peak. The Valley, before the Soller Tunnel has great blossom displays on both sides of the road at present. The Soller Train as it travels this route before climbing the mountain is a great vantage point for blossom viewing. The peak blossom days are almost upon us and then we wait for cherry blossom further down the track. Have a visit soon to see this special season in our part of the island. This is always such a sensory treat.\nThe seascape for our local trippers is always interesting at this time of year. The sea can go from crashing waves to a benign pond in 24 hours. Hardy visitors from colder climes love their time on the beach even in a howling gale. The rest of us love to walk by the sea but most likely with âbig coatâ and scarf.\nThe chatter around Soller these days is very interesting. So much anger and misquoted rhetoric last year about tourism. Repetition of the same old stuff is frankly boring, and all intelligent people hope that progress has been made. We wait for the plans to control overcrowding this year. We wait for all the government initiatives to provide reasonable rentals for incoming seasonal workers. So much said in the past, so much learned and now time for actions to help the situation.\nCarnival plans are underway with some having their parades around February 23rd. In Soller we are saving the main Carnival Parade and Party on Balearic Day on Saturday March 1st. This consists of a great parade along the seafront in the Port of Soller ending with music and party time on the patio near the Repic Beach. This is always such a joyous occasion for young and old joining in the costumes and mayhem. All starts at 4pm and we hope for a sunny day!\nâA Place in the Sunâ on television on Monday, February 17th at 6pm, is all about us in the Soller Valley. Filming took place months ago, but the delights of our world are set to hit the screens and tell the story.\nProperty sales ebb and flow has homeowners plans change. One day there seems to be little available here and then 10 new instructions come in and the property world starts turning again. The story of last week was of a particularly desirable property in the centre of town, having 3 likely purchasers. At one point it was being suggested that the sale would go to sealed bids! The property world just keeps on turning.

Mallorca enjoys winter Indian summer
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 08:32:44The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has said that Mallorca is experiencing highly unusual weather for this time of year and that it is expected to continue over the next few days. Temperatures are much higher than usual for this time of year - more typical of April than mid-February.\nOver the weekend, maximum temperatures hit 20º in different parts of the island when 15º is normal for the middle of February. Aemet has forecast that no drop in temperatures is expected, not at least until the 9th of March for the moment. On Tuesday 18th February, cloudy skies are expected, tending towards predominantly cloudy skies with intervals of high clouds during the morning. It should be noted that there is a likelihood of fog patches until the early hours of the morning.\nMinimum temperatures will rise, while maximum temperatures will experience little change, remaining above average. The wind will be light from the east and southeast, increasing to moderate in the afternoon with some strong gusts downwind of the Tramuntana mountains. Although it is still early days, Aemet forecasts that temperatures will rise again on Wednesday in Mallorca. In some areas, such as Palma, the maximum temperature could exceed 20º.\nOn Thursday, 20th February, predominantly few clouds are expected with some low clouds in the morning and at night. There is a possibility of fog banks. Temperatures will be similar to those of the previous day, while the wind will be light and variable or calm.\nAn Indian summer is a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Several sources describe a true Indian summer as not occurring until after the first frost, or more specifically the first âkilling frostâ.

Tuesday temperatures to hit around 20ºC in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-17 15:18:00The weather forecast for Tuesday is that the maximum temperatures will increase slightly to 19°C or even a little higher, while the minimum will remain at 10°C. The wind will change direction to the northeast, increasing its speed to 10 km/h with gusts of up to 15 km/h. The cloud cover will be denser, at 68%, but the probability of rain will remain at 30%, with no accumulation forecast.\nOn 19th February 2025, a significant increase in the maximum temperature is forecast, reaching 21°C, with a minimum of 12°C. The probability of precipitation will drop to 20%, and the northeast wind will remain constant at 11 km/h, with gusts of up to 16 km/h. Cloud cover will decrease slightly to 65%, and relative humidity will drop to 79%.\nThe next few days in Mallorca will be characterised by a progressive increase in temperatures, with highs reaching 21°C. Although the north-easterly wind will intensify, conditions will be mostly dry and pleasant. Keep an eye out for wind gusts, especially if you are planning outdoor activities.\nâMallorca is experiencing spring-like days in the middle of winter,â said MarÃa José Guerrero, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) in the Balearics. She forecast that this weekâs maximum temperatures will be between 2º and 6º above what is usual for this time of year.