No getting away from the economy either in the papers or online this morning with the majority leading with the view that the future of the euro depends on what happens in Spain, and to a lesser extent Italy, over the next couple of weeks. The ‘trending’ story, again in print and online is that [...]

As far as the papers are concerned there is only one story that dominates: Germany pushes Spain to the abyss of a European rescue. The papers say a spokesman from Merkel’s government rejected the proposal from Barroso that the banks could go directly to the Stability Fund. Other claim that not even Brussels can stop [...]

Headline story for me this morning was the depressing prediction for tourism this year in Spain, mainly because they didn’t factor in Greece who I suspect will be offering some really cheap deals this summer! Idiot of the day has to be Balotelli saying he will walk off the pitch if racially abused …. guaranteeing [...]

The Spanish papers led with the increasing concerns over the economy and the death of four Spanish children in a traffic fire in Doha. Whichever way you look at it Spain is struggling: Rajoy has ruled out a bailout, the Risk Premium is 511, Bankia shares fell 13%, the yield on the 10-year bonds was [...]

I have just been contacted by the producer’s of ITV’s hugely popular daytime show ‘May The Best House Win’. They are coming to Spain to film 10 episodes, for the fifth series, and are looking for English-speaking contributors who would like to show off their home and compare it to others with the chance to [...]

More of the same across the headlines of the Spanish press this morning: the Bankia bailout and the massacre of 50 children in Syria. Online it has been a pretty busy morning, but for the eye catching nature of the headlines than the actual stories behind them. The increased risk of a bailout can’t be [...]

Another great day in Almerimar today which is much better than the weather we have encountered in France and UK. Currently in Durham but heading home tomorrow and back Tuesday evening.

Posting this from a very wet France as we drive through! Certainly looks a better forecast for Almerimar today than we are expecting. Enjoy!

Lovely day for a drive! Just popping down to Coin, then up to Calais then over to Co Durham via Surrey and Wales! Forecast good in Almerimar today, and should be fine through Spain and France. Fingers crossed for the UK!

Thought I would post the weather forecast for Almerimar today a little earlier than normal! Thinking about it probably more use posted at this time so people can plan ahead? As for me is transport preperation day! Saturday we doing a dog transport for SOS Animals UK which involves two pick ups down Coin way [...]

Over the summer I am going to look at switching off the Forum and Comments on the site, reflecting the fact that over 75% of the interaction generated through the site now takes place on Facebook, and to a lesser extent Twitter. I will be looking at a better integration of a number of Facebook [...]

The forcejaste for Almerimar today has a slight chance of some rain and a little wind, which if nothing else will ‘clear the air’. Where is the year going? 5 months have just flown by! Need to take time to ‘smell the roses’ otherwise the year will just pass me by at this rate!

The Euro crisis is like a storm that has no end in sight. To protect you from its impacts it pays to keep funds in an offshore account. Foreign exchange firms and financial advisors such as TorFX have seen a sharp increase in the number of calls from scared Britons in the economically ravaged nations [...]

Despite all the problems facing Spain and its economy, now is the time to start looking into buying a property in the country. Thanks to the strong performance of the pound you now get far more euros for your pounds. Currently the pound to euro exchange rate is at a three year high standing at [...]

As you jet off into the sun and arrive at your new home in Spain the thought of the dreaded taxman is probably far from your mind. You want to go out and enjoy the sunshine, relax by the pool or have a nice siesta. However, it won’t be long before the Spanish authorities come [...]

Spain is undoubtedly a beautiful country and a good place to live for those wanting a slower paced lifestyle in the sun, however buying a property in the country can be costly, both financially and emotionally. If you are a citizen of the European Union then it is far simpler to buy a property in [...]

Spain has always been an extremely popular destination for British expats, but with the Eurozone debt crisis dominating the business headlines recently, some potential emigrants may have been put off. The unemployment rate is a frightening 23.3%, and the dire figure increases twofold to over 50% for people under 25, but surprisingly many Brits are [...]

Eating out and drinking with friends and family is very important in Spain, in fact there are more bars per capita in Spain than in any other country in the world. The Spanish people, tourists and expats alike all spend large amounts of time relaxing and socialising in bars so it’s no surprise that many [...]

In a series of short surveys conducted by Almerimar Life, the expat blog and online community, holiday property owners were asked their opinion on a number of current issues relating to Spain, and how they thought they were effecting their property income in 2012. The surveys covered the smoking ban, the number of flights to [...]

Have just written an article for Campaya the Worldwide Holiday Rental Company comparing the prices of pretty much equivalent villas in Spain, close to golf courses, for this Easter. Prices ranged from 3,339€ to 550€ for the week, and included Gran Canaria, Costa del Sol, and Costa Almeria. To find out which was the most [...]

In 2009 Spain ranked 6th (out of 133) in the overall rankings, but in 2011 slipped to 8th, and like Australia (9th and 13th) are heading in the wrong direction. Neither country has invested in developing it’s own labour, relying on imported short term resources, and it appears that they are now paying the price [...]

The majority of the 2.5 million will head for the province of Alicante it appears, with bookings already up 13% this year. Have to say was a little surprised to read at the same time that the increased interest from holidaymakers is being matched by those looking to buy property, with many overseas property hunters [...]

According to a recent article in The Telegraph pensioners holidaying abroad this summer face being hit by annual increases of up to 90 per cent in the cost of their travel insurance, in what age charities have called a “shocking” example of age discrimination. It seems that steep rises in the cost of medical care [...]

Good headline, but the devil is in the detail as ever for many an expat business owners hoping to benefit from the tourist trade to Spain this year. 2.8 million foreign tourists came to Spain last month, a 4.6% increase on January 2011, representing an increase of 122,000. Note the 122,000 – this is how [...]

Rey needs help! He needs you, we need you! Here’s his story… Rey came to 112 Carlota Galgos several months ago, found giving up, life had let him down. He lay in the dust with life drained from him,.. down and out. He was seen and rescued. He stayed with his rescuer in Sevilla for [...]

Sandra Baas, Petra Postma and Wayne Da Greyhound have set up a Facebook Auction to raise funds to build a new shelter for rescued Galgos in Toledo. Why Toledo? Because it is one of the worst places in Spain for the abuse and neglect of these wonderful dogs! Baasgalgo currently offer shelter to over 100 [...]

My wife Barbara has asked me to pass on a message to you about Animo, a centre for riding for the disabled which she runs. Thanks for your time, Lenox Napier On Sunday, May 6th, people are coming out to walk to help raise money and awareness for people that can’t. The event is managed [...]

Care2 have a online petition sponsored by ESDAW to force Spain to modernise the country’s animal protection laws. You can sign the petition on this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/551/991/651/–if-gte-mso-9xml-wworddocument-wviewnormalwview-wzoom0wzoom-wtrackmoveswtrackmoves/ Spain is a country made with 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities. The legislation about companion animals is quite similar in all of them. The main problem [...]

You can download the claim form for your Dog Food purchased from the Mercadona here.

Had a number of message through from dog owners in and around the Mojacar area as it would appear that a lot of dogs have suffered kidney failure. There is a suggestion that the ‘common factor’ in a lot of the cases is the Compy f¡dog food from the Mercadona, and while this can’t be [...]

I am a reasonably intelligent guy, but there are some things that a degree, or even a Maters degree, just don’t equip you for. We are fortunate, or at least I thought we were, in our part of Spain to have a tapas included with your drink: beer or wine as a rule, and the [...]

Michael Holding, the former West Indian cricket fast bowler, and current pundit on Sky Sport’s excellent cricket coverage has a favourite phrase that he trots out every summer in the UK. Whenever the camera pans onto someone enjoying an ice cream he more often that not makes the observation “that isn’t a business I would [...]

I was back in the UK last week which always brings a different slant to my daily segment with Pippa Jones on iTalk FM as we tend to look at the news from the UK more than when I am in Spain, and not being immersed in the Spanish news 24/7 as per the norm [...]

Sat the other evening outside a bar with a friend I was reminded why we chose to spend this period of our life in Spain. Note I said ‘this period of our life’, as although we have no plans to not live in Spain for the rest of our naturals, neither have we a committed [...]

Lot of debate online regards the recent announcements by Monarch and BMI, and the ongoing strike threats by Iberia. Well I say debate, but that is exaggerating the point really. What I have seen is more a one way torrent of abuse directed at the airlines for having the audacity to cut loss making routes [...]

Many expats in Spain are claiming the country’s financial troubles are forcing them back to the UK. But their problems run deeper than that, says Chris Marshall. You can read my latest column for Telegraph Expat here

Something wonderfully ironic in the reports of the recent demonstrations against the proposed cuts in pubic spending on education. The organisers claimed that 30,000 turned out to protest, the police put the figure at 2,000. Somebody can’t add up, although I suspect that the truth is that neither side can do their sums. The Spanish [...]

Travel dominated last week (we did our first ALStrays UK Dog Transport) with Spain celebrating the 20th anniversary of the AVE high speed train, which first ran on April 14th 1992 between Madrid and Sevilla. Driving through Spain it still seems pretty rare to see these trains, although there are now 2,600km of high speed [...]

Oscar: Agree with you again. Maybe a big part of the problem is that the bars are confined to a small area ie: El Cantal. Have no answer to that ...

Race night at the Cafe Bar Ankara Friday 22nd June 7.30 for 8pm, Black Tie optional!

Este domingo estaremos en el Pub Fósil de Almerimar ( Almería) con un concierto lleno de ritmos ,de fiesta y dándole alegría al cuerpo,no os lo podeis perder,para los que ...

Like a speck of dust like a culture on a slide like a sub-atomic particle of astounding insignificance I see the world as I sit quietly in awe on top ...

The Ombudsman of Andalusia has urged the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Junta de Andalucía in Adra, Dalias, El Ejido, La Mojonera, Roquetas de Mar and Vicar, ...

Post updated, John.

Airline takes on four holiday routes from struggling BMI Baby AN airline taking over routes operated by threatened BMI Baby has announced that it will bring up to 81,000 passengers ...

Become a part of something NEW!! We are looking for anyone interested in being part of the SpainLINKED team - something new and exciting. We are offering shares in this ...

Anybody going to Malaga airport this Wednesday? Have been asked to enquire if anybody could bring someone back (2pm flight) to Almerimar. They will contribute 40€ towards the petrol. Yes, ...

TUI UK (think Thomas Cook) has signed an agreement with the tourism ministry to bring some 600 Brits a month to Roquetas del Mar. All inclusive, of course, which means ...

04/06/12: Mila has calmed down a little but continues to be a feisty little lady, despite taking zylkene to help calm her. If Ramazotti is lucky he will get a ...

Indi, now 2 years old, was special from the moment Montse saw him, badly injured at the emergency room, where the people who had found him took him to be ...

02/06/12: This evening, MaPu sent me beautiful photos of Debra and Mowgli together. Their Mum took them while they were playing inside, as it was a bad day in Germany. ...

Spain is one of the most unique countries in Europe because of its history as both a Spanish country and a European country. The history of Spain speaks for itself, ...

Like an angel from the heavens, an “angel” investor is a person or group that provides funding for various reasons. Usually, the reason is to invest in a small start-up ...

There are few things as handy and useful as a good iPhone application. One of the most popular apps out there are the Global Positioning System (GPS) apps, which come ...

I am pleased to report that La Voz De Almeria newspaper and Cadena Sur radio station are now promotional partners with Spectrum FM and The Euro Weekly Newspaper of The Almeria Festival of Speed which takes place on Friday 29th June at The Circuit of Almeria at Tabernas. This will make the event fully integrated [...]

The buzz that Spectrum FM and EWN have created with their jointly sponsored Almeria Festival of Speed has been simply astounding and we hope if it proves as successful as it should be to make it an annual event. Originally the brainchild of Richard Shanley and Dave Hardwick of Costa Coches who races in The [...]

If you are traveling to a foreign country you have probably already realized that good, reliable internet access will be an asset to you as you travel. Thanks to the general trend of globalization with respect to the internet and many other technologies, goods, and services, finding a good internet connection in a foreign country [...]

Whether it’s business or pleasure, there’s an app for it! Living abroad can be a struggle – there are so many things that are unknown or unfamiliar. But, if you have an international plan, your iPhone, Android, can be your best friend overseas. Apps can get you where you need to go as well as [...]

While traveling by car may be one of the easiest transportation modes in the latter part of your pregnancy, car travel still comes with unique challenges. Here are some things to think about before heading out on the highway. Motion Sickness Thankfully this is not an issue for everyone, but if it’s an issue for [...]

Local Almerimar poet Iain D Kemp reads his poem 100% & Not a Penny Weight More

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The study has been published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition For years the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lesser chance of illness and increased well-being. A new study has now linked it to mental and physical health too. The Mediterranean diet, which is characterised by the consumption of fruit, vegetables, pulses, [...]

Local Almerimar poet Iain D Kemp reads his poem On Reflection

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Local Almerimar poet Iain D Kemp reads his poem Shades of Grey

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Local Almerimar poet Iain D Kemp reads his poem The Albatross That Never Lands

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