Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amThere’s a phrase that states that you are never too old to learn. Some people may disagree with this. Certainly if you’ve tried to learn Spanish at an older age you’ve probably recognised that it doesn’t fall into your lap easily. But what about developing an appreciation […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amIn the article  ‘Making a police report (denuncia) in Spain’, David Ruiz explained what a denuncia is and how to go about making one. In this article he takes us through the right and the wrong way of doing it. Since 2010 I’ve been helping my clients […]

Last updated on May 20th, 2020 at 06:05 pmHave you ever been guilty of not visiting the places on your doorstep? It can often happen that where you live is the place you’re least likely to fully explore. For example, it’s all too easy for Alicante just to become a stepping stone on the way […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amIt seems an obvious thing to state but, it’s important that we take the weather into consideration. Anyone watching the electric storms in September in Spain must have felt just a little humble in the presence of such a force of nature.   We are, after all, […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amIt’s one of the nightmare scenarios – you’re holiday’s booked but your passport needs renewing. It’s getting closer and closer to the date when you fly. Will it arrive back in time or should you make a last minute ditch attempt to retrieve it in person from […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amYou’ll have seen the signs on the outside of walls – a circle with a line through it that seems to appear at every spot where you want to park. The ‘Vado’ sign is usually found outside garages, entrances to drive ways and other places where, if […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am Whether you are on holiday or living in Spain, chances are that at some time you will need to pay a visit to the Spanish chemist or ‘farmacia’. The chemist in Spain is usually extremely good and in most outlets at least one member of staff will […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amHave you come across this Spanish word before? A ‘Parador’ is a state-run tourist hotel usually found in rural beauty spots or places of historical interest. The Parador in Spain is often converted from interesting buildings such as castles or monasteries and offers much more than just […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amApparently, Spanish is becoming an increasingly popular language to learn. Why? Alongside Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination comes its attraction to young people as a ‘cool’ place with ‘cool’ people.   Some of this undoubtedly comes down to the passion for party, late nights in the […]

Last updated on June 5th, 2020 at 06:45 pmOne of the main concerns for anyone coming to live in another country must be ‘how will I obtain the healthcare I need?’. This is particularly the case where you are perhaps a little older in years and know that more, rather than less, healthcare is on […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amWalk out into a bar or café area late at night in summer in Spain and you will be greeted by chatter. The Spanish talk, and often seem to talk loudly. Everyone seems to have a comment to make and usually at the same time. Depending on […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amOnce a week I go for a run. I don’t go far and I certainly don’t break the sound barrier. Over the summer in Spain it can be difficult to find the best time to go. Ideally it would be early in the morning before the sun […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 amWhat happened to the day when a little paddle in the sea was more than enough? No longer a simple slide into the water or an inflatable dinghy, the Spanish water park experience has to get more and more thrilling to keep them coming. Water parks in […]

Last updated on May 18th, 2020 at 05:46 pmAs July and August descend in Spain, the Spanish people come into their own. The streets will be deserted at 2.00 as they retreat inside, only to emerge again as the sun starts to set and temperatures are returned to a sensible level. Contrast this with the […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amIf you turn on the television and tune into a political debate you expect the politicians to match a particular profile; usually male, over the age of 50, conventionally dressed and perhaps a little overweight. It is wrong to stereotype and there are exceptions, but such is […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amIt had been quiet for a while around the subject of airport security. This wasn’t to last. On the 2nd July 2014, new airport security restrictions were introduced from UK airports.  The US is concerned that events in Syria and Yemen could have an impact on security […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amAmongst all the controversy over immigration in many European countries, most would acknowledge that there are times when immigrants can be a boost to rather than a drain on the economy. Spain recognises that for some of those wishing to obtain Spanish residency, there can be significant […]

Last updated on October 29th, 2019 at 09:21 amThere are beaches on your doorstep and you can enjoy all the facilities available to the holidaymaker every weekend of the year, if you choose. If you live in Spain, chances are that no one you left behind in your native country would expect that you’d ever […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amKeeping safe in the water is a particularly important issue around this time of year. Last July and August 155 people drowned in Spain. Of course, there are a number of self evident measures you can take that could be considered common sense. Making sure children can […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amWhen we first came to Spain, many years ago, it seemed to us that there was a kind of reckless disregard for ‘safety’ on the roads. Drinking and driving was not uncommon. Manoeuvres seemed to be made without warning and oblivious to other road users. And helmets […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amIn many countries recycling your waste has become something of an art form. Certainly in the UK, in some counties, there seems to be a different container for every different type of waste – newspaper and cardboard, bottles and tins, waste food and garden waste. The list […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amLast week, I was driving in inland Murcia virtually alone despite it being the middle of the day and marvelling at what a joy driving in Spain is compared to the crowded roads in the UK. Despite covering close to 1000 km per week on business, the […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amThere seem to be mixed messages surrounding just how many of the British have left Spain and when. The number declared as being registered on the padrón in the Alicante province is down by 90,000 compared to 2012.   Most expats in Spain know of at least […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am1. Would you like to live here? Casa Batlló With hardly a straight line in sight, Casa Batlló, designed by Anton Gaudí, is a very famous example of what happens when you let your imagination as well as architectural brilliance run away with you. Whether you would […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 amSmoking in public continues to be a hot topic in most European countries. It seems governments are finding it difficult to work out how far to go/ not to go when it comes to the whole smoking issue. Matters have perhaps been complicated by the increasing popularity […]