Week of 14/10/2007 - 02:00 to 21/10/2007 - 01:59
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Submitted by Simon Harris on Sat, 20/10/2007 - 19:21.
Well, after two weeks break for international games, the Liga is back with a vengeance. Two great games tonight - Villareal-Barça at 8pm and Espanyol-Real Madrid at 10pm. A feast of football, but ... How on earth am I going to be able to find how England are getting on against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final? They certainly won't be watching it in the bar!
Submitted by Susan Bearder on Fri, 19/10/2007 - 10:56.
Some time ago I wrote about some of the things I didnt like about Spain. This included the ongoing case being pursued by the Guardia Civil of the "Big game" hunting in Extremadura. I was shocked to find out today that the site which advertises such "big game" hunting is still up on the internet. For more detail and some harrowing pictures follow the thread via the Olive Press which is the British paper in Andalucia:
Submitted by Susan Bearder on Fri, 19/10/2007 - 10:14.
 Wolf spider and spiderlets on her back. Note the white thread. She would normally have a burrow outside.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:37.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:34.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:33.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:31.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:29.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 18/10/2007 - 12:26.
Southern Spain has 320 days of sunshine a year and whilst our weather is usually some of the best in Europe, there are times when going for a swim in the sea is definitely out.
We are blessed with fantastic countryside and one of the best ways to get out to places, that you would otherwise only wonder about as you drive by on the motorway, is a newish pursuit called geocaching. Geocaching came about when gadget freaks wanted an excuse to go out and buy the, then, newfangled latest gizmo, a handheld GPS receiver.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Wed, 17/10/2007 - 17:28.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Wed, 17/10/2007 - 17:25.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Wed, 17/10/2007 - 17:23.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Wed, 17/10/2007 - 17:22.
Submitted by debsjenkins on Wed, 17/10/2007 - 17:13.
You may have noticed that Spanish restaurants seem awfully quiet - when you go in. This is probably because you haven't worked out how to eat like a Spaniard yet. Read on to find out how to go native and eat like a Spaniard and understand how military-precision in timing can be all-important (doesn't sound like Spain, does it?)
Breakfast
Submitted by Suemac on Tue, 16/10/2007 - 14:37.
Where do you live now?: Santa Ana del Monte, near Jumilla Who did you come here with?: What's your best bit of advice for people thinking of doing the same as you?: Make sure that you do your research first, and even when you think you have found the ideal location, spend some time there before deciding to buy. If there are two of you, both of you should give the properties you view marks out of 10 to ensure you are equally keen, as this is a major, life-changing decision!
What plans do you have for your future in Spain?: We both hope to work part-time. I am a complementary therapist and hope to improve my Spanish to the extent that I can give treatments to local people, We would also like to work with businesses in the local town of Jumilla and arrange running holidays with a difference: not just running in the beautiful countryside around Santa Ana del Monte, but wine tastings at local bodegas and walks along Jumilla's historic trail.
In your experience, what is the biggest mistake other people make when moving to Spain?: Being unrealistic: expecting the lively summer holiday resort to be as lively during the winter months, and expecting to find work when they don't speak Spanish.
Why did you decide to come here?: We were looking for a typical working Spanish town, with markets, shops, bars and restaurants that didn't just serve British breakfasts and Sunday roasts. We found that in Jumilla, plus beautiful scenery, lots of history, excellent wine and very friendly local people.
What did you leave behind?: Rain, the stress of working in London especially the commuting, the cost of eating out and living generally - oh, did I mention the rain? Of course we are both leaving our families behind too, however they are queuing up to spend their holidays with us!
What work do you do?: I work part-time as an administrator and also work as a complementary therapist. John works as a civilian for the Met Police. We both hope to find part-time work in Spain.
What made you choose this location? Did you know much about it before you moved here?: <p align="left">
We had decided that we would prefer to live inland away from the obvious tourist spots. Although we have enjoyed holidays in Galicia and the Basque country, the climate there is too much like the UK! We came on a couple of viewing trips in this location before deciding that we liked the area enough to want to live here, and we spent a week in the local town of Jumilla before deciding to pay the reservation fee.
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Tell us about the place you live? What's it like (a house, apartment, flat, etc)? What are your neighbours like?: Santa Ana del Monte is a golf resort on the outskirts of the wine town of Jumilla. We are buying a quad (two semi-detached houses backing onto another two semis). We have met many of our new neighbours, and they are moving for similar reasons to us, and so we have made many new friends already. About half of the purchasers are Spanish, which we see as a very positive sign.
What's the best thing about where you live?: The mountain views, if it has to be one thing, but also the lovely town of Jumilla, which is just up the road, the friendliness of the local people plus, of course, the wine!
What have you learned about your area that you think other people should know?: If you go to the local tourist office, you can get a map of the town which shows the historic trail and it is well worth spending a day exploring it. Don't miss the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the town either. We enjoyed a 10 euro menu del dia at the Casa Molowny which is on the edge of Jumilla on the road to Hellin. It was very popular with the locals too, which is always a good sign!
Is there anything you're not so happy about?: Only the delays in licences coming through, as we can't wait to move there!
How important do you think it is to be able to speak Spanish?: It is very important to speak as much Spanish as you are able to, as people really appreciate you making the effort. In Jumilla, many people don't speak English - and why should they?
Do you miss anything from your home country?: Our friends and families, but nothing else. We can always visit them if we run our of Marmite!
Do you have any regrets?: None so far. Hopefully I will give the same answer if you ask me in 10 years' time!
Submitted by Suemac on Tue, 16/10/2007 - 01:13.
MOVING TO SPAIN – THE EASY WAY? Chapter Two – to view or not to view?
Submitted by Suemac on Sun, 14/10/2007 - 20:13.
The stunning views around Santa Ana del Monte were one reason why we chose to live here.
Submitted by Suemac on Sun, 14/10/2007 - 20:05.
The stunning views around the development helped to sell Santa Ana del Monte to us. This is a typical scene.
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