Oz in Spain

Two plus two equals…

…and then there’s furrowed

IT MIGHT be a mystery for the Punch columnist but here in Spain we are all-too familiar with the dear soul with the “furrowed” lines. It’s the indomitable Doña María del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva, 18th Duchess of Alba de Tormes, a grandee of Spain and current head of the House of Alba. According to the Guinness Book of Records, she is the aristocrat with the highest number of titles recognised by an existing government.

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The war on truth… from The Colbert Report.

ALWAYS REASSURING to discover that not all modern-day professional golfers are metronomic gym freaks with personality bypasses…

Spanish racing star unveils new FF

MARC GENE joined local authorities and 200 guests for the official inauguration of the new Ferrari and Maserati showroom at C. de Salamanca. The first Spaniard to win the Le Mans 24 Hours race (with Alexander Wurz and David Brabham behind the wheel of a Peugeot 908 HDI FAP.5 in 2009), Gene arrived at Marbella’s premier luxury car dealership in the new FF. (more…)

Popular Basque grill opens in Mijas

THE TABANKO chain of Basque-style “asador” restaurants has now stoked up a new grill on the Fuengirola-Mijas Road. Finca Tabanko Asador extends over a 6,000 square metre setting, with ample terraces overlooking the Mediterranean and a backdrop of the Mijas mountain sierra.  (more…)

Tibetan leader sees the joke… sort of

AN ATTEMPT by Australian TV presenter Karl Stefanovic from Channel 9’s Today show to tell a Dalai Lama joke to the man himself backfired with hilarious results, at least for viewers. As elements of the joke were translated to the religious leader, he mostly maintained a blank stare though he did laugh when Stefanovic tried to explain the joke.

Putting the “World” back into “Match Play”

(Photo: Volvo in Golf)

By PEDRO BOLICHERO

IT HADN’T REQUIRED too healthy a dose of scepticism in recent years to look at the World Match Play Championship as something of a misnomer. In its 44-year history at the Wentworth it had produced a stellar roll-call of champions – but the fields gradually diminished to, in some cases, almost a second tier of the world’s best. (more…)

Seve Ballesteros dies “peacefully” at home

(Photo: Volvo-Getty)

THE PLAYER who did more than any other to raise golf’s profile in Spain has died at his Pedreña home after a valiant battle against the debilitating effects of a brain tumour.

In a press statement released by his family, it was announced that he had passed away at 2.10 am (Spanish time) “peacefully surrounded by his family”. (more…)

Dame Edna uninvited to The Wedding

By NED BELLY

LEVEL-HEADED TV viewers will be denied the opportunity of watching The Wedding from a less obsequious perspective as the result of a ban by the royals’ humour-less media department. The ABC has been forced to cancel its satirical royal wedding special featuring The Chaser satirical comedy team, after Buckingham Palace announced new restrictions banning drama, satirical and entertainment programs from using footage of the ceremony. (more…)