Puntos de vista - a personal Spain blog

Friday, November 1, 2024 
 

“The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain” sang Rex Harrison in the musical “My Fair Lady”. By Lerner and Loewe.

Well, they got that wrong, didn’t they?

At the moment, the rain in Spain stays/falls mainly on Castilla-La Mancha, País Valenciano and Andalucía.

Photo courtesy of Benito Link

Why?

The atrocious weather has been caused by DANA, which has brought the worst weather in living memory to these three areas of south-eastern Spain.

I know we’ve been crying out for rain, to fill our reservoirs, irrigate our crops, water our golf courses and fill our swimming pools, but this is too much all at once.

150 deaths so far but dozens missing presumed drowned.

[UPDATE: Sat 08.45 am: the death toll has risen to 207]

The worst-hit area has been the Valencia region, but Castilla-La Mancha has experienced major flooding too as well as golf-ball sized hailstones.

Andalucia has suffered also with rivers bursting their banks and deluging towns like Alora, Pizarra, and Alhaurin de la Torre, all not too far from where I live in Ronda.

More misery and devastation are expected as the storms head west. Parts of Malaga, Cadiz and Jerez have been inundated and several coastal resorts have suffered, with their beaches being washed away. Some chiringuitos have been badly damaged and will have to be demolished.

What is DANA?

DANA, or “Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos” (Isolated Depression at High Levels), is also known as a "gota fria” (cold drop) and occurs when a cold air mass becomes isolated in the atmosphere. When this cold air collides with the warm, humid air of the Mediterranean, it triggers torrential rains and extreme weather conditions.

Photo courtesy of 20Minutos

Watch this space

This is an ever-changing story. Look out for updates …..

© Pablo de Ronda

Acknowledgements:

20Minutos

ABC

Benito Link

BBC News

MSN

Wikipedia

Links:

At last – good weather! It’s pouring down!

BREAKING NEWS - DANA – Who or what is it?

Tags:

ABC, Alhaurin de la Torre, Alora, Andalucía, BBC News, Cadiz, Castilla-La Mancha, chiringuito, DANA, “Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos”, fill our reservoirs, golf-ball sized hailstones,  "gota fria”, irrigate our crops, Jerez, Lerner and Loewe, Malaga, “My Fair Lady”,  MSN, Pablo de Ronda, País Valenciano, Pizarra, Rex Harrison, Ronda, “The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain”, top up our swimming pools, water our golf courses

The NUMBER 2 can mean a pair, a duo, a couple, a duet, a double or even a deputy boss.

For Pablo de Ronda the number 2 has been and still is a significant digit in his life.

He was one of TWO SONS born to Vera and John. Pablo had TWO CHILDREN, of his own, Amy and Tom. Each of them, in turn, has TWO SONS; Amy has Felix and Jude while Tom has Wilbur and Buckley.

    [Copyright: Freepik]

Pablo de Ronda gained a joint honours degree in TWO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, Spanish and German. He was awarded a TWO.TWO (2.2). This choice of languages proved to be prescient, since he now lives in Spain and his second wife is German, meaning he uses both on a daily basis.

Pablo had TWO CAREERS in a working life which lasted 30 years and has had TWO MARRIAGES, one before retirement and one since.

Pablo writes here about the significance of this numeral in his past and current life here in Spain, where he has clocked up almost 16 years as a resident.

Life in Andalucia

I’ve been here nearly sixteen years and have lived in TWO HOUSES, one in Montejaque (Málaga) where the German lady, Rita, who is now WIFE NUMBER TWO, was living when I met her in Ronda on 2^ND September 2008, and the other just outside Ronda in the pedania known as Fuente de la Higuera.

    Rita on the roof terrace of Casa Rita, Montejaque          Villa Indiana, nr. Ronda, where we live now

    [Photos courtesy of Karl Smallman]

I own TWO HOUSES of my own, my aforementioned domicile and a vivienda rural (holiday rental) in Montejaque, which I have been renovating for the last TWO YEARS.

  Casa Real, Montejaque [Photo courtesy of Airbnb]

A previous life

Before my divorce and when I was still working, my first wife and I lived in TWO HOUSES, first in Greater Manchester and then in Cheshire. We also had TWO CANAL BOATS, the first moored on the Bridgewater Canal near our home, and the second on the Rochdale Canal at High Lane, Stockport.

In my second career, I was the NUMBER TWO (Deputy Director) of the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative (TVEI) in St Helens LEA (Merseyside).

***

My first wife and I fell in love with the Ronda area in the year TWO THOUSAND (2000) and over TWO YEARS bought TWO PROPERTIES in Barrio San Francisco, Ronda.

    Piso Blanco, Ronda [Photo: Paul Whitelock]

After that major turning point in my life in 2005 (TWO MAJOR EVENTS - redundancy and divorce), I retained the TWO RONDA PROPERTIES and gave up the family home in England to my ex-wife.

Back to Ronda

I met The Meter Maid (Rita - geddit?) in Ronda in TWO THOUSAND and eight (2008), emigrated shortly afterwards and within TWO YEARS we were married.

The nuptials took place in Germany where we had TWO WEDDINGS, one at the Registry Office in Talheim, near Heilbronn, and the other, TWO DAYS LATER, in the Abbey at Maulbronn (Baden-Württemberg).

    Our church wedding, 31 July 2010 [Photo: HMR]

We have TWO CARS, both Peugeots, and we have had TWO CATS and TWO DOGS, since we've been together.

The first cat in Montejaque, Cleo, was poisoned by a nasty neighbour; and the second, a rescue kitten called Pauline, who is a recent acquisition and is still with us (she’s trying to bite my toes as I type this!).

The first dog, also Cleo, was a rescue dog, a pedigree, which was stolen and, we think, killed (we know who it was, and José Maria O is currently serving time in Huelva High Security Prison for unrelated offences).

The second, Berti, a pointer, also a rescue dog, was run over and killed by a speeding - we think drunk - driver, who didn’t stop.

   Berti, front, with Hungarian pal Cocoa [Photo: PW]

More TWOS

It has recently been reported by Radio Television Española (RTVE) that Spain currently has the NUMBER TWO economy (ie SECOND-BEST) in the world after Singapore.

As Rafael Nadal (Spain) announces his retirement from professional tennis he is SECOND in the all-time list of Grand Slam Winners behind Novak Djokovic (Serbia).

Djokovic is still active and has 24 titles to his name. Nadal has 22. Third is Roger Federer (Switzerland) with 20. Federer is also retired.

After that it’s a long gap down to 14 titles won by Pete Sampras (USA), also long retired.

    Rafael Nadal [Photo: El Confidencial]

© Pablo de Ronda

Photos:

Airbnb

El Confidencial

Freepik

HMR

Karl Smallman

Paul Whitelock

Tags:

Airbnb, Baden-Württemberg, Berti, Bridgewater Canal, canal boat, Cheshire, Cleo, Cocoa, El Confidencial, Freepik, Fuente de la Higuera, Grand Slam Winners, Greater Manchester, Heilbronn, High Lane, HMR, Huelva High Security Prison, José Maria O, Karl Smallman, Maulbronn, Novak Djokovic, Pauline, Paul Whitelock, Pete Sampras, Radio Television Española, RTVE, Rafael Nadal, Rochdale Canal, Roger Federer, Ronda, St Helens LEA, Singapore, Stockport, Talheim, Technical and Vocational Education Initiative, TVEI

Changing our clocks and watches twice a year is to become a thing of the past - in Spain at least

By Paul Whitelock

The farce of putting the clocks back in Autumn and forward in the Spring is to come to an end, at least in Spain. This change was introduced in the UK during the first world war to allow more daylight working hours. And it’s never been changed since.

As for Spain, their time used to be based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) like the UK and Portugal, but General Franco was pressurised to change to European Central Time (ECT) by Adolf Hitler around the time of the Spanish Civil War. Since then, Spain has been out of step.

Background

On October 27, Spain will put its clocks back one hour, signalling the start of winter. However, this practice of adjusting the time has its days numbered.

Under current regulations, 2026 will be the last year in which Spaniards modify their clocks and watches, ending a practice that has been in place since the 1970s.

This discrepancy between the official time and daylight has generated criticism, as it affects the biological cycles of the population and complicates the balance between personal and working life.

Returning to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is still an option, but it would imply significant adjustments in daily habits.

Moving forward in Spain

For now, the debate on which time to choose will remain on the public agenda. Everything points to Spain preparing to say goodbye to the time change, joining other countries that have already decided to adjust their clocks for the last time.

Since 1974, the main reason for moving clocks forward or backward has been to take advantage of natural light and reduce energy consumption. However, recent studies indicate that the impact of this measure is minimal at present, which has led to questions about its usefulness.

Despite the doubts, the Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE) [Official State Gazette] has confirmed that the transition between winter and summer time will be maintained until 2026, as established by Royal Decree 236/2002.

After that date, Spain will have to decide whether to adopt a fixed schedule and, if so, whether it prefers a summer or a winter timetable. This measure not only requires political consensus, but also a massive information campaign to avoid confusion among the populace.

The decision to stop changing the time has also reignited another discussion: Spain's time zone. According to its geographical location, the country should be governed by the Greenwich Meridian (GMT), as is the case in the United Kingdom and Portugal.

Until 1940 it was so, until Francisco Franco, under pressure from Adolf Hitler, adopted Central European Time (CET) to align with other countries on the European continent.

Conclusion

So, the farce of changing the clocks in Spain is to end in 2026, and not before time (excuse the play on words!). The question is will Spain revert to GMT where it belongs, alongside the UK, Ireland, Portugal and its own Canary Islands?

It should do that, in my opinion.

©  Paul Whitelock

Acknowledgements:

Boletin Oficial del Estado

Daniela Machorro

Facebook

Mundo Deportivo

Time and Date

Torrevieja.com

Wikipedia

Tags:

Adolf Hitler, Boletin Oficial del Estado, Canary Islands, Daniela Machorro, ECT, European Central Time, Facebook, General Franco, GMT, Greenwich Mean Time, Ireland, Mundo Deportivo, Paul Whitelock, Portugal, putting the clocks back in Autumn, putting the clocks forward in Spring, Royal Decree 236/2002, Spanish Civil War, Time and Date, Torrevieja.com, UK

We are now well into Autumn in Spain. In Andalucia pupils started school on 15 September, public swimming pools closed, the temperature dropped, and much-needed rains came.

After the August/September holiday period life has returned to normal, with shops opening for more hours and businesses and companies working longer. On 27 October the clocks go back one hour.

Puente Nuevo, Ronda

Autumn in the Serranía de Ronda

It’s now an ideal time for those who are retired, have no children in school and who enjoy walking, cycling, bird-watching and other country pursuits.

So, why not come to Montejaque? Lots of accommodation available: some small for two people, others larger sleeping six or more; some at the top of the village, others well-located; some pretty basic, others well-renovated and well-equipped; some with no adequate heating, some with pellet stoves and open fires; some accommodation is cheap, other places are more expensive; some with no outside space, others with patios and terraces; some noisy, others peaceful and quiet.

Montejaque [Photo: Karl Smallman]

Casa Real

This recently completed village house meets the second of all the above criteria.

Casa Real sleeps six plus a child in three double bedrooms.

Casa Real is well-located, half a minute from the village square, yet with stunning views all round.

Casa Real has been renovated and equipped to a high standard, with all new beds, new towels and bedding, etc. The kitchen and laundry room have all new appliances.

Casa Real has a new pellet burner plus several oil-filled electric radiators.

Casa Real’s prices reflect what is offered and the quality of the accommodation. HOWEVER, generous autumn discounts are available if you book directly with the owner (see below).

Casa Real has an internal patio and a huge roof terrace. There is also a sitting area to the side of the house.

Casa Real is very tranquil. There is no noisy bar nearby and the main house is double-glazed.

Guest Reviews

Casa Real has proved popular with guests from many countries and nationalities.

To date guests from Albania, Britain, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Paraguay, South Africa, Ukraine, USA and from various parts of Spain, including Alicante, Bilbao, Extremadura, Jimera de Libar, Madrid and Ubrique.

Autumn/Winter 2024

I am able to offer a generous discount of 20 per cent per night, if you book direct with me. With booking.com, AirBnb, VRBO and the rest you will pay even more than my normal price, to allow for the fees I have to pay them.

As of today my prices are as follows:

Up to 6 nights 80€ per night.

At least 7 nights, one night is free.

Over 14 nights, two nights free.

Please note that for Christmas and New Year, prices return to the normal 100€ per night.

All prices are fully inclusive. There are no extra charges for electricity, gas, and water; pellets; cleaning; welcome pack.

Breakages are chargeable if significant.

How to book:

By phone: (+34) 636 52 75 16

By email: paulwhitelock@hotmail.com

Via WhatsApp: (+34) 636 52 75 16

Further information:

www.help-me-ronda.com

www.simplyowners.net

Photos:

AirBnb

Ayuntamiento de Montejaque

Facebook

Karl Smallman

Paul Whitelock

Secret Serrania

Tags:

Albania, Alicante, Ayuntamiento de Montejaque, Bilbao, Britain, Casa Real, Croatia, Denmark, Extremadura, Facebook, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Jimera de Libar, Joe  King, Karl Smallman, Madrid, Málaga, Montejaque, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Paraguay, Paul Darwent, Paul Whitelock, pueblos blancos, Secret Serrania, Serrania de Ronda, Simply Owners, South Africa, Spain, thinkSPAIN, Travelnest, Ubrique, Ukraine, USA, www.help-me-ronda.com, www.simplyowners.net

Let me explain. Southern Spain has experienced drought conditions for the last three years. The water levels in our reservoirs are very low – indeed, some are officially empty. Restrictions on water use have been extremely strict, although, with an eye on earnings from tourism, they were relaxed for the summer season.       

Reservoir at Zahara de la Sierra [Photo courtesy of Alamy]

Since 1 October, restrictions have been re-introduced: no filling of pools; no use of garden hoses; no washing of cars except in auto-lavados (car-washes); no hosing down of streets by councils in the early hours; no sprinklers on golf courses.

In some areas water has been switched off during the hours of darkness. Beach showers have been turned off on the eastern Costa del Sol.

Hace buen tiempo

A couple of times I have been admonished by my neighbours, most of whom depend on rainwater for their crops, by referring to the odd downpour as bad weather.

¡Hombre, no! Hace buen tiempo. Nos hace falta agua urgentemente.

 Obvious when you think about it - for agricultural workers and wine producers/vintners rain represents GOOD weather.

Photo courtesy of BenitoLink

The Rain in Spain

I have been resident in Spain for more than 15 years and have written complainingly about the wet weather we had in 2010, 2018 (twice) and 2021, which caused lots of devastation and some loss of life.

December 2010

It hardly stopped raining in the Serranía de Ronda in December of that year! Over 500 litres per square metre fell in just two weeks, according to the Spanish Met Office (INM)!

Local rivers burst their banks five times! Hotels and other holiday accommodation were inundated and put out of business, some for good, homes were flooded and crops ruined.

The infrastructure was significantly damaged: roads, rail lines, public buildings, housing stock, drainage systems.  Houses grew mould inside because of the ongoing damp conditions and no chance to dry out.

September 2018

“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the pla–ain”

This lyric from the musical My Fair Lady is a load of nonsense. In my years of experience living in the Serranía de Ronda, the rain in Spain falls mainly on the adjacent Sierra de Grazalema. In fact, the town of Grazalema is the wettest place in Spain. According to official statistics, more of the wet stuff falls on this pretty mountain town than anywhere else in the whole of Spain.

In the spring heavy rain fell over a short period and caused major flooding around the Serranía de Ronda. At the Hotel Molino del Puente, at the bottom of the hill below our house, the restaurant, bar and terrace ended up under 30cm of water. Miraculously the hotel was cleaned, dried out and re-opened within 48 hours!

Hotel Molino del Puente, Ronda before the flood [Photo: KAYAK]

October 2018

Then in October of the same year, so much rain fell in three hours that the whole of the area was declared an emergency zone.

The hotel suffered again – this time water was lapping the ceiling of the bar and restaurant, and first floor rooms were flooded by the torrent that ran off the fields, busted the land drains and entered through the front door of the hotel. This time the clear-up took longer and the hotel didn’t re-open until April 2019.

The road past our house became a river. A friend’s car was washed away and mine was left suspended over a ditch that had been created when the water rinsed away the side of the road where my car was parked.

In Ronda, the emblematic Arab Baths were badly damaged and many streets, including the main shopping street Calle La Bola, were flooded, as the drainage infrastructure failed to cope.

Around the Serranía low-lying villages such as Benaoján Estación, flooded,de Líbar Estación, La Cañada del Real Tesoro and El Colmenar were severely flooded and some houses wrecked.

Flooding around the Arab Baths in Ronda in 2019 [Photo: La Sexta]

January 2021

“Here comes the rain again!”

We experienced a period of rainfall, but fortunately, toca madera (touch wood) it didn’t cause a huge amount of damage. Given the amount of dry weather in the preceding years, the water was very welcome for the farmers and in order to top up our rather empty reservoirs.

2021 – 2024

Since the start of 2021 until the beginning of October 2024 it has not rained to any great extent. For the last week, however, and for the foreseeable future heavy rain is forecast.

At last, a spell of good weather!

© Pablo de Ronda

Links:

Aemet eleva a naranja el aviso por fuertes lluvias en toda Málaga: hasta 50 litros en una hora (malagahoy.es)

The rain in Spain... (secretserrania.com)

Photos:

AEMET

Alamy

BenitoLink

KAYAK

La Sexta

Tags:

Arab Baths, Baños Arabes, Benaoján Estación, Calle La Bola, El Colmenar,  Grazalema, Hotel Molino del Puente, INM, Jimera de Líbar Estación, La Cañada del Real Tesoro, My Fair Lady, Pablo de Ronda, Rain, rain in Spain, Ronda, Secret Serrania, Serrania de Ronda, Spanish Met Office