Good news in the UK :-)

wend691

good weather in UK forecast up to and during weekend, so should be plenty of time to enjoy some of it?  Played Tennis last night up to 9.40pm and still warm enough with just a T-Shirt. Could be our best summer for some years?  Must be great for UK tourist industry, seaside towns etc.

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Good morning all, sun's out AGAIN here in Somerset & hubby has taken himself off into the garden again.  It's a big garden that ideally needs constant attention though, with us being in Spain around 5 months annually nowadays, it doesn't get the love it needs. Neighbours on two sides have conifers around 10 feet tall which they maintain but they need cutting on our side which means getting the ladders out & the electric clippers which my hubby doesn't enjoy doing. We have trees that require attentiion too. The conservatory suddenly seems to be green not white!  We live right on the edge of beautiful countryside by woods. We have birds, squirrels, badgers, foxes etc here.

It's our 39th wedding anniversary on Saturday & I'm MEANT to be finding us a hotel for Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights but it's not going well. I should've booked one before going to Spain this last trip but there were other things more pressing & so it was left & now we'll end up at home watching the WC final!  (Not that my OH will mind!)

Techno said 'there have been snide, abusive and down right rude comments, which are not welcome and shouldn't be tolerated. Lastly, one shouldn't refer to another poster in a derogatory way.'

Exactly my own feelings, Techno, but there are a choice few who seem to make it their life's work to be malicious to some posters which is uncalled for. Ignoring them doesn't seem to help but generaly I won't be pulled into a situation where I resort to their tactics. I like to think I'm better than that! Hit the spam button & let EOS deal with it which generally I find is productive.

On that note I guess it's back to hotel hunting! They say there's no money about but I'm seeing good hotels saying they are full!  Surely not!

good day to you More......and thank you for your excellent suggestion.  I have decided to hit the spam button as well - just wish I'd thought of it before.  keep up the good work.

morerosado

happy 39th Anniversary for Saturday

I think there's a fair bit of money about still, in fact I think those who are ok, are better off than ever (if you see what I mean?), but I also think the divide between the have's and have not's is probably widening again?

The garden maintenance should keep you both fit?. Love this weather, and don't even have to cut the grass often!

Wend691 (apologies to everyone else as this isn't really on topic!) 

Do you actually live in Lincoln?  I lived in Louth and Horncastle as a child before moving to Little Cawthorpe and Sutton-on-Sea as an adult.  When I mention that living in a Spanish town reminds me of living in small towns in England when I was a child it is mainly Horncastle that I am thinking of.   Everybody knew everybody else and you couldn't get away with anything!

Good news in the UK is that More and her OH will be celebrating their 39th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday and even if she can't book a hotel the sun will be shining on them!  Happy Anniversary!

Sue

Wend691 (apologies to everyone else as this isn't really on topic!) 

Do you actually live in Lincoln?  I lived in Louth and Horncastle as a child before moving to Little Cawthorpe and Sutton-on-Sea as an adult.  When I mention that living in a Spanish town reminds me of living in small towns in England when I was a child it is mainly Horncastle that I am thinking of.   Everybody knew everybody else and you couldn't get away with anything!

Good news in the UK is that More and her OH will be celebrating their 39th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday and even if she can't book a hotel the sun will be shining on them!  Happy Anniversary!

Sue

UK economy grows at the fastest pace in four years

From the Telegraph

The UK economy soared by an unexpected 1.1pc between April and June, official figures showed today.

The quarterly leap in gross domestic product (GDP) was almost double the 0.6pc expected by the City and the highest since the first quarter of 2006, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said .

The stellar advance, driven by huge growth in business services, finance and construction, comes amid a global debate over the impact of austerity measures on the economy and could be taken to vindicate Chancellor George Osborne's decision to push ahead with his planned fiscal squeeze.

Overall the UK posted its strongest annual growth 1.6pc since before the recession at the beginning of 2008 and much better than the 1.2pc growth forecast for the year produced by the the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Within the services sector, business and finance posted its strongest rise in almost three years advancing 1.3pc over the quarter, as the City emerged from the aftermath of the banking crisis.

Construction bounced back from a snowbound first three months to the year to grow at a huge 6.6pc, its fastest quarterly pace since 1963.

Mr Osborne said: "Today's figures show the private sector contributing all but 0.1pc of the growth in the second quarter, and put beyond doubt that it was right to begin acting on the deficit now."

In view of the strong growth in the UK economy, I wonder how many other people will jump ship and leave Spain.  Spain is years away from posting those sorts of growth figures. 

Sanchez1

I think many would jump ship but can't sell without virtually giving their property away, so are stuck for the time being. 

More good news for the UK on the news this morning, Tourism is hugely up. A figure of £31 billion  was mentioned!!

 I think a lot of people would me more interested in jumping ship if they sorted out the moral and social decline rather than just the financial.

Untill then i think the only thing arriving on any ship will be more immigrants!!!!! (and not the desirable sort either)

Mind you, it is good news for the uk if the economy recovers, it gives more people a chance to escape.

Why do people seem to think everyone is trapped here longing to be back on the overcrowded island that they once called home........most peoiple actually like it here and only go back when they HAVE to....usually through financial decisions rather any desire....the most alluring thing about the uk to most new residents and returning one's is the benefit system!!

I see the UK propaganda machine is in full swing with the new buzz word being "staycationing", in short when money is tight you can stay and admire the local flood warning at home when you get your cherished 2 weeks off work, it actually costs a family more to stare at the rain on skeggy prom than to escape to the guaranteed sun for 2 weeks.

I think if the UK economy is on the up as well as Tourism, then the direction the money and the tourists are heading speaks for itself!!

There's a long way to go for the UK to recover, but there is at least positive signs and hopefully that will help Spain's economy if people start buying again, but while the Spanish government refuses to accept some major reasons for the decline in property and tourism then it doesn't look good.

Well, its been a few weeks since Ive really had time to check out the chat on EOS so have missed a few things

This is for Suemac - yup, I live just south of Lincoln on the way to Newark.... Im not borne and bred here, ended up here 10 years ago with work and have to say its lovely. I really like Horncastle, like you say Sue, its a lovely place with friendly people

My soul mate is over in Spain at the mo at our place in Rojales to see his mum / my mum-in-law. Fantastic weather there (of course) and hes have a whale of a time cutting back our triffid which is taking over the front garde. Theres been quite alot going on in Guardamar this week (fiestas etc) so he's been a busy bee as mum is making the most of having a car at her disposal (I quite understand that ). Wish I was there too but work stuff was a priority ... oh well ..... Good news is that we will both be going back over in September for 10 days so Im really looking forward to that

Hope all the ex-pats are happy, relaxed and at peace (isnt that what life should be all about??)   Take care all

Wend

The UK seems to be making an effort to get to grips with many of the problems associated with the financial situation it now finds it'self in. At least it's been recognised there is a problem, I'm not sure that's the position in EuroLand (with the exception of the real powerhouse Germany).

Many countries on continental Europe have been very dependant on single industries -- with the UK it was Banking, with Spain it's been construction (and in the Costas tourists). Neither have the broad based industry structure of the past or currently enjoyed by Germany. Indeed many counrties have been reliant on the Government creating jobs such as UK and Greece -- unless they print it governments have no money, they take it in as many taxes as they can levy. Much of the Spannish Costas have been very reliant on the Northern Europeans to purchase properties or spend a few weeks in the Sun both Summer and Winter. Maybe with an improving Sterling vrs Euro situation the British might be tempted back.

The world has changed in the last decade, it really has become smaller. We moved to Dubai some years ago to enjoy the winter weather, spend the Spring and Autumn in Barcelona and summer in the UK. What we have noticed is the numbers of Northern Europeans who now spend their winter sun hols in Dubai, where they would have spent time in Spain/Canarias in the past. As has been mentioned by others on this site numbers of visitors to spain has dropped, property remains unsold and many who rely on rental to pat pay their loans are falling short and renting out their 'dreams' at very low prices.

What ever the position it's essential to enyoy the day, the UK and Spain both have better times ahead. If everyone does the best they can, to try to be the best you can, better times will come faster.

Well done team Great Britain in Barcelona. 2nd today in the medal table to Russia.

As said, it was good to see so many medals for the GB team. Living in Barca I have been able to go see most of the sessions. Yesterday the stadium had a lot of people in it since there were the possibility of medals for the Spanish. However I'm sure at least 50% of the crowd were supporting the Brits -- it certainly sounded that way.  The whole event has been good for the City with lots of visitors filling the Hotels, Bars and Eateries. They all seem so well behaved and well dressed unlike when we get visitors from the UK for a football match at the NC.

Hope there are more medals from Team GB today.

D_B_S

Wow, I envy you watching that. The whole event looks great and Barca always has a great buzz. It's great to see team GB doing so well, and will give them much confidence for the 2012 Olympics.  Spain seems to be winning almost every other sport this year, so certainly been alot for the home fans to cheer about.

I think Athletics does bring a good support crowd. The whole thing is more about dedication and strong mental and physical individual ability rather than money, booze and gang warfare!!  The winners of the events seem genuinely grateful to be there, and often modest about there achievment.

“I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed.

“I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

.........another over paid pretty boy!!.  If they didn't earn such stupid amounts of money, my 14 year year old son could afford to go and watch them play, like I used to go and watch Chelsea at his age with pocket money!  

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