Items that caught the eye for one reason or another recently include:

Of Local Interest

The minimum wage, known as the Salario Minimo Interprofesional, in Spain is going to rise to 624€ a month for 2009, a increase of 4%.

Electricity prices will rise by an average of 3.4% from 1st January, although exact increase depends on which domestic tariff you are on.

Some items that caught the eye this week for one reason or another:

Almería to Madrid Train Got Quicker

The travel time between Almería and Madrid has been cut by 30 mins with the introduction of the new Talgo 334 engine, making the total travel time now 6 hours and 20 mins. Based on the volume of traffic (150,000 people this year to date) the time of arrival at Almería has been brought forward to 21.35.

Some items that caught the eye this week for one reason or another:

1500 new leisure berths to be created, but NOT in Almerimar

Looks like Adra (400), Roquetas (100), Carboneras Marina (650) and Garrucha (350) are set to get new pleasure boat berths in 2009 which will increase the number of berths in the province to 4792 (currently 3292)

Some news items that caught the eye for one reason of another this week:

Distinct Lack Of Christmas Spirit

I wrote earlier in the week about Norwich City Council in the UK putting a dampener on the Christmas Spirit, well it seems that the tables have been turned in Almería.

Just back from a spot of breakfast and chat with Salvador at La Barbera (should probably call it a meeting but sounds a bit formal!!!) where Paco was very keen to show us the work he is having done at the moment.

Am sure I am not alone in thinking that this story that I read in the Sunday Telegraph (didn’t go down for The Sunday Times this week and neighbour dropped of the Sunday Telegraph yesterday) is a prime example of the UK having lost the plot totally:

Hairdressers who offer customers a glass of mulled wine at Christmas face six months in jail and a £20,000 fine. Norwich city council has warned salon owners that it will use undercover officers to catch those breaking licensing laws

Just wanted to let you know that Al-rruz wont be offering the Thursday evening menu this week, BUT they will be offering it again in the New Year when they get back from their Christmas and New Year vacation. In addition we have agreed a monthly competition with them for next year exclusively for readers of the blog, so watch this space as we will announce the details in the New Year.

The value of duty-free personal goods that Europeans can now bring into the EU has more than doubled, under new European Commission rules.

The limit on duty-free goods has been raised to 430€ from 175€ for air and sea travellers.

• A new beer import limit of 16 litres now applies
• The wine limit is up from two to four litres
• The one-litre limit for spirits remains

Took a break from the blog and work after we lost Orla last week because we wanted to take time out to remember her, play with Mori & Saidi and figure out what we are going to do by way of celebrating her time with us. We have figured that out and will be sorting it out in due course.

News from the marina is that the lady from Algarbe is going to be opening up the old Loch Ness with Guinness, Real Ales & Cider but probably no food as it doesn’t have a kitchen.

Was speaking to Roberto this morning after picking up the papers post bike ride and he was telling me that the Foro were in the process of organising a Christmas Market, probably in ‘The Square’.

That is all I know for now. Vivian has been in touch with Sands saying that she wants us to post the details in due course, and I may be presenting a idea or two to the Foro on Wednesday so may know more then.

As you can see Olli is safe and sound in Germany and already earning the affections of the people looking after him.

He travelled well, has shown no signs of illness of being stressed by the trip. It is really weird to think that 2 days ago he was on our corridor being fed and looked after, and now he is starting his new life in Germany.

Just wanted to lay a rumour to rest that has been circulating from one of the English hairdressers here in Almerimer. Al-rruz has NOT been sold. Just another case of gossip based on a total lack of facts …….. not the first time and not the last I am afraid!!

A couple have been arrested in Spain just hours after they were put on a “Most Wanted” list by British police.

Donna McCafferty and Anthony Kearney were arrested on Thursday night in the resort of Javea, a town an hour’s drive north of Alicante.

The pair were at a cafe and they were recognised by a British couple on a table next to them.

The Spanish city of Barcelona will host the headquarters of the embryonic 43-nation Mediterranean Union.

The decision was announced on Tuesday at a meeting of foreign ministers from the union’s participating countries in Marseille, southern France.

The union embraces 27 EU states and countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Joint work is planned in areas such as water, energy and education.

Barcelona was the site of a previous EU-led Mediterranean initiative, called the Barcelona Process.

Just back from a farewell well drink with Billy et all from Loch Ness who closed their doors yesterday (although Mario is trying to sort out a deal on the lease) and a welcome drink with Phil who is opening the old Grado Zero/Havanah tonight.

So farewell ……. and good luck!!!

Also called into Ankara to see how Groovy Phil was doing …… it was dead. How did I do all this in one day? I stopped off for a drink at 1pm in D-Bar with Chris Soroko and one thing led to another ….

Hi my name is (actually that isn’t important and better not stated) but I am a golf addict. If I am not playing golf I am watching golf, or talking about it, or reading about it, and now …….. writing about it!

I have just been updating the Almerimar Life Flights page which to be honest was pretty depressing with the lack of flight options for people from the UK and Ireland at the moment. We have Sands mum arriving next week (November 5th) but as she will no doubt be using her broom the lack of flights wont bother her, and my parents are here for Christmas (flying out of Manchester which is one of the few options still available).

I have a growing fascination with the history of the Spanish War and some time ago read the excellent The Spanish Civil War by Hugh Thomas (bit hard going but if I could find where I put the book I would read it again!!). On the subject of books three excellent books that use the Spanish Civil War as a backdrop are: Winter In Madrid by C.J. Sansom, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and Moment of War by the excellent Laurie Lee (if you haven’t then I suggest you check out Cider With Rosie.

Despite previously bullish statement Ryanair have just announced more bad news:

Budget airline Ryanair has confirmed it will close its base at Valencia airport, with all flights leaving the city being cancelled from 4th November. The move comes after a dispute with Valencia’s regional government, which refused to negotiate the allocation of marketing funds to promote the airport and its routes across Ryanair’s network in Europe despite recently granting local airline Air Nostrum 12 million euros for the same purpose.