A Traditional Spanish Christmas!

Festivities usually start around the 22^nd of December and continue until the 6^th of January when the 'Three Kings' arrive and gifts are exchanged.

The National Christmas lottery, 'El Gordo, the fat one', is held on the 22^nd of December and tickets can be bought in bars and on the streets from ticket sellers.  Tickets cost around 20-25€.  The winning numbers are sung out by school children on national television.

Another tradition not to be missed is the wonderful 'Belenes', which are displays which depict the nativity scene (Belen means Bethlehem in Spanish).  These can be found in homes, churches, and public spaces.  There is usually a huge one in the departures hall at Malaga Airport.

On Christmas Eve – 'La Noche Buena' cities like Malaga and Seville are crowded with people enjoying the spectacular Christmas lights.  In rural areas the celebrations start early in afternoon.  In local bars and restaurants you will find large gatherings of families and friends from all generations enjoying the spirit of Christmas.  You may also come across the carol singers, 'Los Campanilleros', which in itself is a moving experience.

Early on Christmas Eve the local community will start to drift towards their homes to enjoy a meal consisting of Seafood starters, plates of ham and cheese along with local specialities followed by the traditional turkey.

Usually only small gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve as traditionally the time for giving and receiving more substantial gifts is on the 6^th of January.

In most cities, towns and villages on New Year's Eve, 'La Noche Vieja',  people will gather in plazas to enjoy local entertainment and of course the obligatory class of Cava (or two!) whilst waiting for the chimes that signal the arrival of the New Year.   Usually the celebrations are rounded off by a fireworks display.

On the 5^th of January in many towns and villages a parade will take place called 'Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos, which heralds the arrival of 'The Three Kings'.  There will be floats with children and adults all dressed in costumes, followed by local bands and town dignitaries.  Those participating in the parade throw sweets into the crowds and this will cause a scramble amongst the children watching, to see who can collect the most sweets.  A word of warning here the sweets thrown are normally boiled and one has to be careful that they don't loose an eye!

The festivities end on the 6^th with the exchanging of gifts and then it is back to normality until Easter which is an entirely different experience altogether!

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Mothers

1. "1. "Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young." ~ Author Unknown

2. "Mothers are all slightly insane." ~ J.D. Salinger

3. "I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

4. "There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it." ~ Chinese Proverb

5. "It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another woman twenty minutes to make a fool         of him." ~ Helen Rowland

6. "The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." ~ Calvin Trillin

7. "A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car for ever after." ~ Peter De Vries

8. "It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." ~ Phyllis Diller

9. "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." ~ Oscar Wilde

10. "A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~ Tenneva Jordan

11. "You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back." ~William D. Tammeus.

12. "Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life." ~ Author Unknown

13. "Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease." ~ Lisa Alther

14. "My mother had to send me to the movies with my birth certificate, so that I wouldn't have to pay the extra fifty cents that the adults had to pay." ~ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

15. "My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." ~ Mark Twain

16. "My mother's menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it." ~ Buddy Hackett

Yes, children often give their mothers something to laugh about. Hopefully it makes up for the things their children will inevitably do to make them cry.

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Brits Overseas Property Searches Up 100%

Spain continues to be one of the most popular expat destinations for British people, according to the most recent data. According to research from property website Primelocation, internet searches in Britain for property abroad are at a record high, up over 100 per cent from this time last year.

Data from the company's international search index shows that searches for Spanish property increased the most. Last month, there was a 151 per cent increase in searches compared to June 2009, and the country accounted for nearly a third of searches overall.

Despite a potential rise in capital gains tax and a precarious economic situation in southern Europe, investors appear to be taking a long term view on the market, while hoping, in the short term, to take advantage of a weaker euro.

Ann Wright, International Development Manager of Primelocation International, said: "While the market in Spain has suffered from some bad publicity recently, there has been no significant drop in the number of people searching for property in the country on Primelocation International.

"The fact remains that there are many reasons why the country remains attractive to British buyers. Spain's main attractions are still the warm climate, great beaches and unique culture all just a short flight from the UK; these factors will still draw in international buyers whatever the economic situation.

"It is also worth remembering that, while most of the problems experienced in recent years have centered on

Costa del Sol properties, there is far more to the Spain than just the southern coast."

Following Spain was France, the U.S, Portugal and Italy. Searches for property in the U.S ,increased by nearly 200 per cent on last year's figures.

The upturn in international property searching contrasts sharply with the volatility experienced during the banking crisis in the late summer of 2007 when searches fell by 38.5 per cent between July and August.

Primelocation also revealed a third of all those considering buying property abroad are looking to emigrate permanently. By contrast, only 23.7 per cent of the 1,500 investors questioned were looking for an overseas holiday home and only 12.4 per cent were searching for an investment property. A further 15.3 per cent were foreign buyers looking to purchase a UK property.

Story from Telegraph

 

 

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SPANISH CRIME RATES LOWER THAN BRITAIN

According to the Euro Weekly, new figures have revealed that the crime rate in Britain is more than double the crime rate here in Spain.

Three European countries have the lowest crime rates and one of them is Spain with 44 offences per 1,000 people.  Compare this to the UK which has one of the highest rates, with 91 offences per 1,000 people.

150,200 National Police and Guardia Civil, have solved 40.5 per cent of crimes. The result is that less than 10 per cent of the population regard crime as a problem in Spain.

The police have take a stand against money laundering since 2003, and last year 115 operations against this type of organised crime were carried out.

Statistics will be revealed at a seminar called Safety Strategies: Police Co-operation and Citizen Participation, which, is being held in Santander.  The aim of the seminar is to show the importance of the different forces within the EU working side by side to fight crime and to identify new risks, connected to globalisation and the development of new technologies.  Also identifying which civilians can help in the fight against crime will be another aim of the Seminar.

 

Do you reckon there is anything the population on the Costa del Sol can do to help keep up the good work?

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SPANISH PROPERTY SALES ON THE INCREASE

I saw this article on

PGM Property World Spain Blog and I thought it was worth sharing with you all. Let me know your thoughts!

There is no denying that the Spanish property market, like many others around the world, has been hit hard by the current recession, but if the figures just released are anything to go by, it looks as though things may be turning the corner.

Last Friday saw the Spanish government report the first increase in house sales in three years.  In the final quarter of 2009, property sales rose by 4.1% against the same period of last year, making it the first year-on-year rise since 2006.   With a total of 130,572 properties finding their way off the market between October and December, this represented a 21.4% increase on the period between July to September.

With the recession in Spain really starting to bite towards the latter end of 2008, the property market during the whole of the year 2009 was never likely to be anything other than fairly dismal.  Indeed, with just over 413,000 sales throughout the course of 2009, this represented an 18% decrease over the previous year and a drop of 46% on 2007.

Reports indicate that the national statistics seem to be suggesting, however, that Spanish property prices may well be bottoming out, making this an excellent time for investors to make their move.  Although recovery may still be slow to arrive, as is always the case, it is bound to happen, and it is those who get their timing just right who will undoubtedly make the greatest gains.

Of course with its great climate, ease of accessibility and the cheap cost of flights into Malaga Airport, the Costa del Sol has continued to be a firm favourite for holidaymakers despite uncertain economic times.  As the pressures begin to ease, it is also almost certain to continue to be one of the most popular choices for those in the UK who are looking to emigrate or invest in a holiday home or rental property.

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The Icelandic Volcano Update.

The volcanic ash has been causing disruption to our airspace for weeks. For all of you travellers out there read it and weep! According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory office it looks like the volcano will be bubbling away in the background for the foreseeable future. I hope it moves off Ireland this week or my plans to visit the homeland on the Thursday will be rightly scuppered.

Volcanic Ash Advisory
17 May 2010

Volcanic Ash update issued at 1300 hrs on Sunday May 16^th

The activity of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano continues and the plume is currently reaching up to between 20000 and 30000 feet (latest information received from the Icelandic Met Office).

The Icelandic Met Office also states that there are no signs that the eruption is about to end.

Northwesterly winds are pushing a plume of volcanic ash southeastwards over Ireland at the moment. This plume will remain over Irish airspace tonight.

A southwesterly airflow will become established over Ireland on Monday and will gradually push the plume away from us to the northeast. The plume should clear from over Munster and Connacht and by Monday night and then continue to clear from Leinster and Ulster overnight and on Tuesday morning.

The mainly southwesterly airflow will persist through the rest of the week and should keep the ash away from Irish airspace.

 

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The Mum Test!

Someone sent this to me and I thought with the weather the way it is, we working women needed a bit of a laugh. Enjoy!!

I was out walking with my 3-year-old daughter. She picked up something
off of the ground and started to put it in her mouth.
I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.
'Why?' my daughter asked.
'Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been, it's dirty,
And probably has germs,' I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked,
'Mum, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart.'
I was thinking quickly and replied, 'All mums know this stuff. It's on
the Mum Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mum.'
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information.
'Oh.....I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have
to be the dad.'
'Exactly,' I replied with a big smile on my face.

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Use your vote - Who's best for Britain?

Evading paying our taxes can turn us into criminals but governments allow Banks to open offshore branches.

Breaking speed limits will get us into trouble with the authorities whilst car manufacturers are building faster and faster cars.

Cigarette packets carry all sorts of health warnings but tobacco is sold in government licensed shop.

Drug users are persecuted but seldom are drug manufacturers and sellers apprehended, and when they are, their lawyers will have them back on the street in no time.

Corrupt officials and politicians who get caught face reduced jail sentences and they never have to pay back what has been stolen.  

The whole of western society is based on contradictions. Until we change the way we are governed and the way we live future generations have nothing to learn from us. There are many ways that we can make this happen. We live in a democracy and can exercise our voting rights, which only a small percentage of us do. We can use that vote in local and national elections and make choices to change our leaders.  We have to start taking a stand and making our voices heard in whatever country we come from or live in.

Who do you believe can change the future of Britain?

http://www.blogger.com/

http://www.blogger.com/

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Currency and Property Market

Some British vendors are thinking of increasing the asking price of their property due to the slight appreciation of the pound against the euro,and also because we are heading into spring which is perceived historically as a good season to buy and sell houses. To the people who are this way inclined I would advise them not to increase their prices on the strength of these very feeble indicators. The pound is likely to go down again and not recover until after the May election (depending of course on the results) and in times of economic crisis seasonal trends have very little effect. Buyers want bargains. They know they can get them at least for this year so please do not price yourself out of the market or you may end up waiting until Spring 2011. For all news and views on the economy and currency markets just log on to https://twitter.com/KeithSpitalnick   or check out this page on our website.

http://www.propertiesdirectspain.com/en_marbella-spain-foreign-exchange-currencies-direct-www-currenciesdirect-com_serv_2241.html

 

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Greek Economy

I doubt that Socrates could ever have imagined that one day the economy of Greece would be run from Brussels. This is exactly what is happening as I write. The Hellenic government has been told to reform the pension system as well as the health and public sector to the dismay of the population at large. They have discovered that the previous government had cooked the books and the new one expects the voters to pay the bill. Social unrest looms likely on the horizon unless the rest of the European Community cares to come to the rescue with some tangible help. Of course help will not be delivered until Mr. Zapatero and Spain hand over European residency too another country.

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EASTER 2010

Wishing all our readers a Happy Easter from sunny Spain!

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Cudeca/LaChispa Alternative Fair

I was reading my Chispa newsletter when I read about this great fair being held at the races in La Cala de Mijas. Check it out- a fun day for everyone on good friday while helping Cudeca raise money.

www.lachispa.net

April 2: Alternative market in aid of Cudeca

Published 02-04-2010 - Kate Vaughan

Spring is upon us and with it come new activities and exciting things for the rest of the year. We are busy working on some interesting projects...watch this space – but our first outing is going to be in just 3 weeks, when we will be organising a special fundraising market in aid of CUDECA at the Hipodrome race course in Mijas Costa on Friday April 2. This event has been run successfully in previous years and we expect there to be a good turn out of people as it is high holiday season. The market will be craft, wellness and mind, body, spirit and we invite you to come along with a stall or just to visit and contribute to the running of the CUDECA hospice in Benalmadena. This is a great opportunity for stall holders – Don't miss out, book now. Mercado alternativo para beneficio de CUDECA La Chispa organiza un mercado alternativo para el beneficio de CUDECA en el Hipodromo de Mijas Costa el día viernes 2 de abril (Semana Santa). esta mercado, con el apoyo de Cudeca y su equipo es 100% beneficio para ayuda el hospital de Benalmadena hace su trabajo paliativo con patientes de cancer. INFO: Event: Alternative market Date: Friday April 2nd Time: 11.00 – 16.00 Venue: Hippodrome, Mijas Costa Evento: Mercado Alternativo Fecha: viernes 2 de abril Hora: 11.00 – 16.00 (set up must be complete by 10.00) Lugar: Hipodromo, Mijas Costa Contact: Phil 659 537 525 info@lachispa.net Booking: confirm by phone or email, pay on the day

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Time to buy on the Costa del Sol

The secret of financial success is very simply buy when a product is cheap and sell it when it becomes expensive. It is a matter of supply and demand and the real estate market is no exception. At present on the Costa de Sol, rural Andalucía and to some extent Spain we have an oversupply of properties. However, I wouldn't wait too long before you make your move because the situation is changing rapidly on a week to week basis.

Big investment companies are beginning to move into the Costa del Sol buying up large chunks of urban land, whole blocks of apartments, individual villas, rustic properties and even some industrial and commercial sites. These companies do not function on whims or feelings but on solid data that predicts growth, life expectancy, quality of life etc trends. Basically they know that when the world economy recovers which will be soon people in Northern Europe will look for the usual things in their second or permanent retirement residence. Good climate, health and education facilities, efficient transport system and good access from the rest of Europe. Andalucía and the Costa del Sol have all that in abundance. So don't wait until supplies run out and prices begin to increase. Buy now at the right price.

Posted via email from PropertiesDirectSpain.com

Time to buy on the Costa del Sol

The secret of financial success is very simply buy when a product is cheap and sell it when it becomes expensive. It is a matter of supply and demand and the real estate market is no exception. At present on the Costa de Sol, rural Andalucía and to some extent Spain we have an oversupply of properties. However, I wouldn't wait too long before you make your move because the situation is changing rapidly on a week to week basis.

Big investment companies are beginning to move into the Costa del Sol buying up large chunks of urban land, whole blocks of apartments, individual villas, rustic properties and even some industrial and commercial sites. These companies do not function on whims or feelings but on solid data that predicts growth, life expectancy, quality of life etc trends. Basically they know that when the world economy recovers which will be soon people in Northern Europe will look for the usual things in their second or permanent retirement residence. Good climate, health and education facilities, efficient transport system and good access from the rest of Europe. Andalucía and the Costa del Sol have all that in abundance. So don't wait until supplies run out and prices begin to increase. Buy now at the right price.

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Luna has gone.

This weekend Luna died. An Alsatian cross who had lived with our family for over 12 years. She was fourteen years old and apart from a few aches and pains from old age she kept as far away from the vet she could , limiting her visits to her annual vaccination.

To outsiders she did not seem to be a remarkable animal by any means, a bit of a loner who kept herself to herself. She loved our children but kept her distance when they got too noisy. Everyone in the family mourned Luna's sudden passing, even our three year old, and our seven year old boy has been writing her letters to heaven ever since. This morning I was trying to think what Luna's best quality was and strangely enough I came to the conclusion that above loyalty and other doggie traits she was a wise dog, who knew her place and was always there when you needed her without fuss. Now she is no more, may she rest in peace.

Our other dog Domino (guess which one he is in the photo!) ,who at twelve still thinks he is a puppy, regarded Luna as the boss. He is missing her greatly so we are on the hunt for a companion. I was shocked to find that at every turn there are dogs in refuges that need homes. They have been abandoned, mistreated and left for dead. It shocks me to the core that people can treat animals so. I will find a companion for Domino , an older dog to keep him company, but if anyone else out there thinks they can give a dog a home(or cat or horse) have a look at the links below. They are also looking for volunteers and donations so let's be proactive and do what we can for these wonderful creatures.

 

http://www.sos-animals.org

http://www.chaininspain.com/

http://www.animals-in-distress.eu/

www.f-a-m-a.net

www.cydanimals.com

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Marta Andreason supports SOHA

Next Wednesday 17th March Malága will host the meeting of the European Interior Ministers and SOHA will be there also to demonstrate against the Andalucían Regional Government.  SOHA stands for Save Our Homes. It has some 300 members the majority of whom are British. They are people that bought rural houses which at the time were perfectly legal, but that subsequently were made illegal by the present government and since then the owners have been living a nightmare of not knowing whether or not the property is going to be demolished.

Mr. Philip Smalley the president of SOHA said that there will be other similar associations demonstrating with them from Almeria, Valencia, Cartáma and Mijas. The British Euro Mp Marta Andreason will also be there to offer her support.

If you feel strongly about this issue why not join us.

 

For more information checkout:

http://www.theolivepress.es/2010/03/01/peaceful-protest-march-announced/

http://corruptioninspain.blogspot.com/2010/03/marta-andreasen.html

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=332026189288&ref=mf

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Holidaying with Kids, make it easier!

I found this very interesting site on the web and thought my followers would be interested in it. It is for all of you out there who have to holiday with children and would like to go to a safe and secure holiday home. Also interesting for those of you wanting to rent out your home or spanish investment apartment…Check it out!

After several successful years in France, Italy and the UK, Tots to Travel has launched its Spanish arm at www.totstotravel.co.uk.  Wendy Shand, it's founder, an author and lettings expert writes on how people with a property in Spain can maximise yields and extend their rental season by making their property appeal to families holidaying with small children.  She has also written a free report, which is available for your readers to download at www.tttowners.co.uk/spain, which gives advice on how to avoid empty lettings weeks and lost revenue.  For readers who may be stuck in negative equity, this might be of real interest whilst they wait for the property market to bounce back, or help them make their property stand out from the crowd of identical holiday villas. 

If you would like to talk about it further, supply photos or arrange an interview with Wendy her number is 00 44 7789 725 583.

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Holidaying with Kids, make it easier!

I found this very interesting site on the web and thought my followers would be interested in it. It is for all of you out there who have to holiday with children and would like to go to a safe and secure holiday home. Also interesting for those of you wanting to rent out your home or spanish investment apartment…Check it out!

After several successful years in France, Italy and the UK, Tots to Travel has launched its Spanish arm at www.totstotravel.co.uk.  Wendy Shand, it's founder, an author and lettings expert writes on how people with a property in Spain can maximise yields and extend their rental season by making their property appeal to families holidaying with small children.  She has also written a free report, which is available for your readers to download at www.tttowners.co.uk/spain, which gives advice on how to avoid empty lettings weeks and lost revenue.  For readers who may be stuck in negative equity, this might be of real interest whilst they wait for the property market to bounce back, or help them make their property stand out from the crowd of identical holiday villas. 

If you would like to talk about it further, supply photos or arrange an interview with Wendy her number is 00 44 7789 725 583.

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CUDECA

 While all of us wallow in the misery of this wet and windy winter on the newly named Costa del Rain there are some people out there who have more important issues to deal with. I have think often about the wonderful people who continue to give their 'special kind of care' to the very sick at the Cudeca Hospice in Arroyo de la Miel in Benalmadena. They offer a vital last resort to those suffering in the final stages of cancer. They need our support so anything we can do to help would be appreciated; be it money, volunteered  time or even clothes and toys we do not need donated to the local Cudeca shop. Every little bit helps.

The Mijas Playa restaurant in La Cala held a charity night at the beginning of February to raise much needed funds for Cudeca and it was a great success, however the founder Joan Hunt gave a moving speech reminding us that Cancer is not affected by the recession but that "donations are".

If you think you can be of any help at all please go to www.servicesdirectspain.com and click on the Cudeca link  http://www.propertiesdirectspain.com/en_arroyo-de-la-miel-spain-cancer-care-hospice-cudeca-cudeca-www-cudeca-org_serv_2431.html  or go directly to www.cudeca.org and see what you can do to help. There are many ways to help these people care for our sick from going to see the Welsh Male Choir sing on the 27th of this month ( the information is on the Cudeca website) to participatingin the sponsored walk in May. Let's make a difference.

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And we think we are cold!

As yet again I write another blog about the weather, I realize that in Ireland, where I was brought up, it is something we talk about on a daily basis (if not hourly). I was reading this week's Euro Weekly when I happened upon an article telling me I should not be feeling cold, wet and miserable but….wait for it!!... WARM, wet and miserable as the weather in Malaga this winter has not only been wetter, but also warmer than previous years. In fact the period between March 2009 and January 2010 has been the warmest on record since 1943 according to the State Meteorological Agency.

Is anyone else out there as surprised as I am?

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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The Course of History

When Hitler came to power, Germany had a massive unemployment problem which was reduced by implementing an emergency plan to rebuild the country's infrastructure, renegotiating war debt and restoring national pride via a massive propaganda campaign and of course the rest is history.

Zapatero our glorious leader, self proclaimed champion of the poor and downtrodden has embarked on more or less the same course of action, at least as far as infrastructure goes. Consequently thousands of roads throughout Spain are now closed (see blog dated February 1st) and the transport system has all but collapsed so no one can get anywhere in the foreseeable future. The next step I imagine will be to negotiate with the companies who 'won' the building contracts on these roads to lower their agreed payment, so that they all will be left unfinished. Proving for once and for all that this government cannot organize a p*** up in a brewery (as they say in Ireland). Somehow all this does not really bother me for after 11 years of living in Spain you begin to believe it is inevitable. What really concerns me is what our Don Zapatero will decide to do to divert the unrest it's causing!

 

Any Ideas?

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A PENSIONABLE SAGA

Wise men admit their mistakes and rectify them accordingly. Idiots rectify their mistakes only when it is forced upon them to do so. No sooner had the Spanish government announced in Brussels that the pensionable age was to  be increased a further two years than the proposal was withdrawn (the next day!).  This behaviour does not necessarily show that Spain is governed by idiots or does it show that it is governed by wise men. It proves one thing beyond any reasonable doubt and that is that the present government does not know how to govern. Let's hope that the Spanish electorate will prove to be a bit wiser next time and hopefully have learned from their last big mistake and vote in a party that does.

How do you feel the present spanish government is doing and have they let you down?

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More Rain than Rainbows - Continued.

Although the rain that has fallen over the last few months has caused chaos on the Costa del Sol and had all of us expats thinking about packing up and heading home (the rain here always seems that bit more miserable) it has been fabulous for the campo…or has it!!

Water levels in the Malaga province's seven reservoirs are at a 12 year high. The stocks representing 72% of overall capacity are, according to local newspaper reports, enough to last us for the next 12 months. This is great news for home owners and tourist alike as it seems unlikely that we will be subjected to the continuous water cuts of the last couple of years.

The downside however is that the damage caused to the province during the last rains has been estimated by the A.S.A.J.A. (The Young Farmers Association), to have reached a staggering 40 million Euros, with olives and mandarins being the worst affected. This has left the already poor farmers to suffer even more.

Let me know your thoughts and views on the rain in Spain staying mainly on the plain....... and how it affects your life!!

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RAIN AND RAINBOWS

It has been a mixed start to the New Year on the Costa del Sol.

The exceptionally long, and late summer last year meant that the rain in Spain came all at once, with a vengeance, over the Christmas Holidays and into January.

So, as we tend to plod through the month of January nursing a financial hangover from a festive season of excess spending, the gloomy weather seems to match the general mood of residents in Spain as the government levies more taxes, increasing the basic cost of living.

However, it is not all doom and gloom as February begins down here on the Costa del Sol. With the downpour of rain, comes rainbows.

According to the Sur in English, 2010 has started with the lowest inflation rate in history.

To top that, a cap has been put on telephone rates, toll road tariffs and (in some places) water rates to help us all try and survive the crisis.

This "ray of sunshine" is welcome news. But rainbows disappear as quickly as they appear, and its back to cloudy overcast skies.   And so we remember that other overheads have increased, like gas bottles and fuel, not to mention the dreaded electricity bills.

But I'm going to try and keep it positive...

On that note, for those of you employed on a Spanish contract the minimum wage has gone up by 1.5% and pensions also have been increased by 1%.

As they say every cloud has a silver lining (albeit a small one).

How are you finding life in Spain? Do you see a light at the end of the tunnel? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

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MY REVIEW - "NOISES OFF", SALON VARIETES THEATRE IN FUENGIROLA



Having enjoyed a week of beautiful weather I braved the rain and wind (I believe we have had enough to last us a few years now!), which suddenly arrived on last Saturday evening, to go down to the coast to see a play in the Salon Varietes theatre in Fuengirola.

The play was called ´Noises Off´ a raucous, riotous romp by Michael Frayn. It was worth the journey as I laughed for most of the evening.

Peter Brooks the director kept things moving at a fast pace and his casting was excellent. We are so lucky to have a theatre here on the Costa del Sol which produces such enjoyable shows at such a reasonable entrance fee.  Only12€ for a play and 15€ for a musical. This is the second good show I have seen this month as we brought our children to see ´The Wizard of Oz´ some weeks ago which was equally as much fun. Oh yes it was! In the midst of these hard economic times it does you good to get you out of the house and get lost in another world and the Theatre in Fuengirola is definitely a great way to do it!

 

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HONESTY IN POLITICS IN RONDA?

The Mayor of Ronda Antonio Marín Lara is proposing that all councillors, from all parties, make public their own, their spouses and immediate family members finance, be it income or patrimony.

This is to include cars, shares and directorship in any Limited "S.L." Companies.

Don Marín would like this initiative to take place before 3rd March 2010. 

My feeling is that he will be forced to resign before that date, however, if he succeeds in its implementation the trend could actually be followed by other councils thus making our politicians a little bit more transparent and honest. There will of course be a lot less of them too. I wonder where he got this idea from as it seems to be a growing trend in English politics after all the furore over the expenses scandal.

Could this be a Rondagate?

Unlikely…. but we can always live in hope as more honesty will mean more money staying in the system and being used to improve the towns and villages we all live as opposed to being squandered away and sequestered in private bank accounts all over Andalucia. And at the moment the current system needs all the help it can get.

Well done Mr. Marín!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted via email from PropertiesDirectSpain.com

TRAVEL CHAOS DUE TO ROADWORKS IN ALHAURIN EL GRANDE, MALAGA

Is anyone else out there completely frustrated by the amount of roadwork happening all over the province of Málaga?

Living in Alhaurin el Grande is turning into out to be somewhat of a challenge (as I imagine are most towns); for at every junction you come to man and machine are busy toiling away. Digging, tarmacing, spraying, laying and generally causing mass chaos.

During 2009 the central government spent more than 20 million euros on repairing and building roads in this province alone and according to the Euro Weekly News last week another 30 million is winging its way down to us this year. That means for the foreseeable future getting from A to B will stay a logistical nightmare.

The lastest challenge for drivers is the stretch of road from Venta Los Chavos to Venta Pedro Lucena (A-404) will close 2^nd of Feb until the 18^th.

The other road closing is the A-387 which runs from the BP station by Alhaurin Golf to the crossroads at the entrance to Alhaurin el Grande (Ermita del Cristo de las Agonías). This will close on the 18^th of February.

This leaves us pretty much stranded on the "island of Alhaurin".

For more information check out INland Magazine blog at

 

http://www.inlandmagazine.com/blog/

 

 

or the website  

 

http://www.inmalagatoday.com/newsitem.php?id=8477&l=en

Do you think the disruption is worth it? Is all this added infrastructure really necessary?  What do you think?  How is it affecting your day-to-day routine?

 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from PropertiesDirectSpain.com

Demolition Cartama, Andalusia

To all you out there who are concerned about the demolitions threatened in Cartama, have a read of this. It was forwarded to me by http://www.coinlife.info .

Have a look at these articles for more information. http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_24588.shtml http://www.typicallyspanish.com/mobile/pda_24588.php

Be aware that it could be your home, if you live and own a property in the so called “zona rústica”
Please join forces! There is a national and international-wide campaign going on, and the objective is to voice the concerns and problems in front of the EU-Authorities! Spain has got the presidency right now before the EU … IT IS NOW OR NEVER to inform all other member countries about what is going on here in Spain! This problem is national-wide, not just a local theme!

You can make yourself heard via:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-so-called-illegal-properties-in-Spain-/234817253393
And / or send a support message to Alain Duzant: alain@bambootelecom.com
And / or sign a support petition: http://www.so-called-illegal-properties-in-spain.com/

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN GIVE SOME SUPPORT