Cartaya: From the mayor's scandal to a serious accident, plus Aquopolis and AD Cartaya

Mate, if you thought Cartaya was just a sleepy little haven between Andévalo and the coast, you’re well behind the times. The last 48 hours have been a full-blown soap opera with a salty, sulphurous twist. While the Castillo de Cartaya (or de los Zúñiga) keeps its watchful eye from up on high, all the attention is on the town hall, the highway, and even the local football terraces. Hold onto your hat – it’s a bumpy ride.

Arturo Zamora's epic fail: infidelity and curtains at the council

You heard it right. Mayor Arturo Zamora has just starred in the most talked-about epic fail of spring. And I don’t mean a bad game for AD Cartaya – I’m talking about what came to light this week: an alleged infidelity that spread through WhatsApp chats like wildfire. What seemed like pub gossip has turned into an institutional earthquake. Social media is smoking, opposition councillors are rubbing their hands together, and Zamora himself… well, he’s still keeping his head down. Word on the street is that his epic fail isn’t just personal – it’s political too: the governing agreement is hanging by a thread. At the Thursday market, it’s all anyone’s talking about.

Haunted highway: four injured, one critical

Moving on – it’s not all cheating and politics. Wednesday night shattered the calm on the access road to Cartaya. A collision between two cars left four people injured, one of them seriously. Emergency crews worked against the clock to stabilise the driver of the second vehicle, who had to be cut out of the wreckage by firefighters. This kind of scare reminds us just how bad that bend near the industrial estate is. Luckily, the other three are out of danger, though they’ll be shaken for a while. A huge hug to all the families from us here.

• Seriously injured: 52-year-old man, taken to Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital.
• Three other injured: two women and a child, all with minor bruises.
• Likely cause: illegal overtaking in a blind spot.

The oasis of Aquopolis Cartaya – the perfect way to forget your troubles

But it’s not all bad news, bloody hell. Because if there’s one thing in Cartaya that lifts the spirits, it’s our watery playground: Aquopolis Cartaya. They’re putting the final touches on the summer season, and trust me, there’s no better plan than hurtling down the Kamikaze slide after a week of council scandals and crashes. The water park opens its doors over the May long weekend, with new rides and the same massive crowds as last year. If you spot Mayor Zamora there, don’t ask him about the infidelity… better to ask if he dares to take on the Black Hole.

Castillo de los Zúñiga – the silent witness to it all

Through all of this, the Castillo de Cartaya (or de los Zúñiga) stands firm on its hill, watching the town bubble away from the corner of its eye. That 13th‑century fortress must have seen some things. If its stones could talk, they’d tell tales of wars, legends, and even the latest gossip from council meetings. It’s the perfect spot to switch off for a while and remember that, in the end, Cartaya always works through its dramas with that blend of passion and Andalusian humour.

AD Cartaya’s fans never give up, even when the team slips up

And speaking of dramas… what about AD Cartaya? The team hasn’t tasted victory in three rounds, and fans are already missing their star striker, who’s out injured. On Sunday they visit San Roque de Lepe. It’ll be a nail‑biter – if they lose, staying up gets a whole lot harder. But luckily, Cartaya’s fans are as loyal as they come. In the stands of the Alcalde Zamora Sports Complex (the irony, eh?), you’ll still hear “let’s get ‘em!” even if it’s pouring rain.

So, dear reader, Cartaya is no boring town. It’s a hotbed of football, centuries‑old castles, dizzying slides, politicians in freefall, and unforgiving roads. And me? I’ve lived here all my life, so all I can say is: keep your radio on, stick to the speed limits, and don’t trust appearances – or mayors who love the spotlight. See you at Aquopolis Cartaya this summer – we’re going to need it.