David Rowe Spain

Sat this morning looking at the clouds and wind, and wondering should I go fishing, when I will be able to return to fishing. I stumbled across an interesting story. Before 1942 Spain was in line with GMT, but Franco changed the time as a gesture of solidarity to Hitler.

That explains a lot, the time zone issue explains why everything in Spain happens later, from meal times to the broadcast entertainment (primetime here doesn't start until 10 p.m.). The people are still living according to solar time, it's just the clocks that are out of whack.
 

 So if news reports are correct there is an Alligator roaming Mijas Costa, I am sure the police will be out ready to issue the beast  with a fine for not wearing a reflective jacket or not having the correct paperwork.
 
In all my years here I I have met many a shark but not an Alligator. I wish the animal well and hope it manages to avoid capture, maybe we should run a local competition to name it. I for one think it should run for Mayor of Mijas!

 Like me you have probably noticed the cost of living is getting higher and higher here in sunny Spain.When I first arrived on the Costa Del Sol, it was the good old days of the Peseta, living was cheap, coming from Uk then France to live in Spain prices seemed so much lower. Work was easy to find...ahhh The land of milk and honey!

No move forward 15 years, little or no work for many, and the cost of living  getting higher. One thing I have noticed is my electricity bills, maybe its me becoming a skin flint in my old age but after break most of the bones in foot trying to fight the bush fire last year, I was unable to work and having no income, ( the 7 years of paying self employed social did not seem to of provided any help ) I have been forced to look at the household outgoings.

So I focused on several areas, electricity is one, our average bill was running at around 220 euros per month, that is 3 people ( I think our teenage daughter is a person...sometimes Not so sure...)  living in a large 3 bedroom apartment, we cook on electric, heat the apartment, run the washing machine ( almost everyday!! ) and dishwasher.

I have now been able to get the bills down to an average of 120 Euros per month, ( last 4months )...what Did I do? You may well ask or you may not!

Well I replaced all bulbs with low enegry ones. I turned down the thermostat on the water heater, the water comes out nice and hot but not scolding. We use the washing machine loaded full and have  reduced the temp of the wash and also same with the dishwasher run it on 35 not 50 degrees, plates still seem clean. We use gas heater not run the warm air (air con). 2 gas bottles last a month cost 33 euros.

Now if only I could run the car on fresh air.......

 

 I hear so many different answers to this question, agents tell me the market is picking up and there are people snapping up bargains, bar owners tell me it is very quiet and they fear people are not coming in the same numbers as the past years. I drive around the Costa Del sol and look at all the empty apartments, half built development, boarded up and closed shops.

Marbella townhall has started putting up pretty photos of Marbella on the empty shop fronts as though to hide the truth!

I have started looking at bank websites and have seen apartments for sale from as little as 22k.

 

This has got me thinking maybe I should buy something now...before The prices rise...but Is the market at rock bottom yet?

 If you are fed up with fines arriving and you have no prior notice use this website to check you car reg or your nie number.

www.buscarmultas.es/

 A friend asked to go with him to the eITV testing centre today at San Pedro, he speaks only a little Spanish, so I thought why not.

What a simple, well run system!

The booking was made on the Internet the day before, we arrived entered the office, then confirmed the appointment on the computer screen ( which can be changed into English ) waited to be called then paid and presented the car paperwork. Then at the appointed time had to drive the car into the garage where a very professional operator carried out all tests ( In English ) so I was not required!

Then we waited for him to pass the car and hand over new sticker and paperwork.

It has been 12 years since I went to an ITV station and I must say it has improved and is a very easy to do even if your SPanish is limited.

 HI all,

Just a warning, if you are going to hire a car here in Spain, you will need to check before you leave the hire company the car has the high visibility jackets and the warning triangles.

It appears the "boys in Green" are stopping harriers and fining the drivers who do not have these. It is not the responsibility of the hire company but the driver!

I have seen two hire cars stopped in one week in Mijas Costa.